Whispers of the Sea 
 
 by 
 
 Charlotte Flynn Murphy. 
 
 Manitowoc, Wisconsin. 
 

 Copyright 1911 
 
 by 
 
 Charlotte Flynn Murphy 
 
 ^ / 
 
 Printed by 
 
 The Pilot Pixblishing Co. 
 
 Manitowoc, Wisconsin. 
 
 ©CI.A2D5578 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 A Prayer _____ 13 
 
 Dedication - - - - - - 14 
 
 June, Sweet June - - ~ - 16 
 
 Not Quite - - _ - - - 18 
 
 The Night Wind _ _ - _ 20 
 
 The Scroll - - - - - - 23 
 
 My Mother _____ 24 
 
 Seek First God's Kingdom - - - 26 
 
 Interruptions - - - - - 27 
 
 To Sister M. Calizanza - - - - 29 
 
 The Better Part - - - - 30 
 
 Reaching the Shore - - - - 31 
 
 "Beautiful Snow" _ _ _ _ 34 
 
 Dust Unto Dust ----- 35 
 
 Dismas _____ 37 
 
 Childhood's Wisdom - . - - - 40 
 
 Mary Ann - - - - - - 44 
 
The Soul's Adieu - - - - 49 
 
 Baby's Faith - - - - - 51 
 
 Where is Paradise? - - - - 53 
 
 My First Born Son - - - - 55 
 
 May's Mourning _ _ _ _ 55 
 
 Christ and the Little Children - - - 57 
 
 The Wanderer's Return - - - - 59 
 
 Life Knows But One May - - - 63 
 
 Maggie Lee - - - - - - 65 
 
 What Is, Is Best - 71 
 
 Baby's Song - - - - - 72 
 
 Kathleen - - - - - 73 
 
 Elsie - - - - - -77 
 
 The Babe That Died - - - - 82 
 
 The Intruder - - - - - 83 
 
 Resignation - - _ _ _ 85 
 
 The Whip-Poor-Will - - - - 86 
 
 A Piece of Lace _ _ _ _ 88 
 
 In Memory of Father B. W. Lorrigan - - 89 
 
Retrospection - - - - - 90 
 
 Clouds ------ 91 
 
 My Tempter - - - - - 92 
 
 When The Children are Grown - - 95 
 
 Star of the Sea 98 
 
 My Husband ----- loi 
 
 Memories ------ 102 
 
 April's Pruning _ - - - 103 
 
 Dread of Oblivion - - - - 105 
 
 Yuletide ----- 108 
 
 Cherry Blossoms - - - - 126 
 
 Sister Bessie _ _ - - - 142 
 
 Spring - - - - - - 151 
 
 Why I Rhyme - - - - - 152 
 
 Ingratitude - - - - - i54 
 
 My Lover - - - - - i55 
 
 The Picture Could Tell - - - 156 
 
 The Dream _ - - - - 157 
 
 Beyond the Sunset - - - - 163 
 
A Prayer. 
 
 O how me Thy way; 
 
 ^^ remove this web 
 
 Of work and care 
 
 of joy and pain 
 And show Thou me 
 
 in mercy where 
 The path that leads 
 
 to Thee lies plain. 
 Then give me strength 
 
 and courage; then 
 Oh do Thou give me 
 
 grace, dear God, 
 To know Thy will 
 
 and follow still 
 That pathway that 
 
 the saints have trod. 
 
Dedication. 
 
 Great Inland Sea! your billows bend 
 
 Like willows in your deep. 
 Your songs, like those your breakers send 
 
 First sang me into sleep. 
 
 Great Inland Sea! upon your strand 
 I wakened from my drowse — 
 
 Your waves had beckoned a command — 
 Your voice bade me arouse! 
 
 I felt your strange and potent force, 
 Your charming, changing way. 
 
 Your mystery — that magic source 
 Of all your power to sway! 
 
 The song-sounds on your surf ne'er cease. 
 
 And listening to their swell, 
 I've wondered, in their wild caprice, 
 
 What your wide waters tell. 
 
The tales they tell I've tried to guess — 
 
 Tales of the other lands 
 Their waves have touched with that caress 
 
 That hands give clasping hands! 
 
 And my dear eldest sister sought 
 
 By every cheering word, 
 To urge me on to write the thought 
 
 Expressed in what I heard. 
 
 Absorbed in thought I tried to learn 
 
 Your whisperings oh, Sea! 
 But sister said: "Thou dost discern 
 
 The tales they tell to thee!" 
 
 Persuading thus by cheering phrase 
 
 This fair sweet sister stirred 
 My slow desire that public gaze 
 
 Should read the words I heard. 
 
 And so this book dear sister mine, 
 
 I dedicate to thee, 
 Whose words like shells cast from the brine 
 
 Hold "Whispers of the Sea." 
 
l6 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 June, Sweet June. 
 
 Let me fold my arms about you 
 
 June, sweet June! 
 Let me hold you here forever 
 With your salient, sunny weather 
 With your verdant vales, your heather, 
 And your song-birds all in tune. 
 For they sing as never sing they 
 In the months less fair than you 
 And the blossoms bring as bring they 
 To no other month such hue, 
 And the mirror-sea reflecting 
 Every whim your skies portray 
 Doubles them while intersecting 
 Her own tints of rose and gray. 
 Goddess you, oh month of splendor! 
 Shedding love-light, lasting, tender. 
 With your gracious charms that render 
 You of love and light the vendor — 
 
 June, sweet June! 
 
 Do not float away, but listen 
 
 Grant this boon. 
 And we'll watch your swallovv-s playing 
 Watch your wide-winged sea-gulls swaying 
 Watch your sunlight softly straying 
 Through your thatch of leaves at noon. 
 And at twilight shall we listen 
 As the shadows close around — 
 Just before the dew drops glisten — 
 To that lulling, soothing sound 
 Slowly o'er the senses passing 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 17 
 
 Like the last faint echoing thrill 
 Of creation's harpsichord, pausing 
 Ere it trembles and grows still! 
 This we'd do and never tire 
 June, sweet June. 
 
 If you have an imperfection 
 
 June, sweet June, 
 It is lost out on the ether 
 Where the lilacs bend and breathe their 
 Fragrant breath, and roses wreathe their 
 Glory 'round their goddess June! 
 Wind and wave both cease commotion 
 When your wonder-wand holds sway. 
 Earth and air and billowy ocean 
 Bow before you on your way, 
 As you sweep along sweet-scented 
 With the fairest flowers that grow 
 And your placid brow contented 
 With the favor gods bestow. 
 Nymph of gladness while we're greeting. 
 Laughing, backward, you're retreating 
 With adieus and we're repeating 
 "Stay forever, you're too fleeting, 
 
 June, sweet June! ^' 
 
1 8 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Not Quite. 
 
 At the opera Mikado he missed not a word 
 As they sang the sweet song of "Tit Willow" 
 And he heartily pitied the poor little bird 
 That had furnished the theme for "Tit Willow!' 
 He thought it quite queer that a birdie should die 
 In that wicked v/ay when perhaps very nigh, 
 Another as fair as the false one he'd spy 
 If he kept right on singing "Tit Willow." 
 
 Experience then had not taught him the pain 
 As contained in that "Willow, tit willow" 
 For life still to him was as smooth as the strain 
 Of the music in "Willow, tit willow!" 
 Life's trials will come and its trials to him 
 Came in shape of a maiden, dear, dainty and trim 
 Apart from whose presence the sunlight to him 
 Lost half of its glory and halo! 
 
 All went very well till a rival appeared — 
 
 As the fruit of love's vintage seemed mellow — 
 
 But the track of the simoon that leaves all things seared 
 
 Seemed the pathway pursued by that fellow. 
 
 Completely the maiden's affections were won 
 
 By this rival force ere his wooing'd begun; 
 
 The lover thought life held naught more to be done 
 
 Aud followed the plan of "Tit Willow." 
 
 The shadows hung low o'er the river's deep bed 
 
 The night-birds sweep swift past his shoulder. 
 
 Resloves that had rushed like a race through his head 
 
 Grew steadily less and less bolder. 
 
 His reason ran high as his fervor ran low 
 
 He weighed many truths that the ebb and the flow 
 
 Of the years bring us all but that few of us know 
 
 Till our minds have grown wiser and older. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA IQ 
 
 At the river he looked running swift and so cold, 
 Rushing on past the brake and the willow 
 And he wondered how anyone could be so bold 
 As to breast those black waves like "Tit Willow." 
 And he queried how anyone just for a wife, 
 Could loosen all physical hold upon life 
 And not even end, as the bird did, his strife 
 In a music as sweet as "Tit Willow." 
 
 In a fisherman's hut on the bank standing near. 
 
 Looking out from a lattice of willow, 
 
 The fisherman's wife he could see plain and clear 
 
 As she laid down a babe on its pillow. 
 
 Then the little ones gathered to pray at her knee 
 
 And he thought of a time when like them he was free, 
 
 With a heart as untrammelled as wind on the sea 
 
 And no thought of a grave 'neath the billow. 
 
 Then a plash of the home-bending oars as they came, 
 From the sea where they'd battled the billows. 
 And a flash as the moon lit the spray like a flame 
 And the boat-man sped in through the willows. 
 Then sounded the grind of the keel on the sand. 
 As the home-hungry fisherman once more touched land. 
 A few moments more and his fatherly hand 
 Stroked softly the heads on the pillow. 
 
 There were love, life and light in the humble hut yon 
 There were sighs in the sough of the billow! 
 The lover looked city-ward — bright lights burned on 
 From the thousands of homes! "Oh, Tit Willow," 
 He said, "How foolish I'd be to float out to the sea. 
 It is too large a grave to be filled up by me. 
 There are fishes to catch and my tackle's more free 
 When I'm over not under the billow!" 
 
20 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 The Night Wind. 
 
 [Written for Clement, aged ten years.] 
 
 They had gone to town and left us — 
 
 Father, mother, Tom and Tray — 
 And we didn't think we'd miss them 
 
 And we didn't while 'twas day; 
 But when night came and the storm came, 
 
 May and Maud and Ben and I 
 Sat a-listening to the Night-wind 
 
 As it shrieked and hurried by. 
 
 Close beside the kitchen gable 
 
 Stood a chestnut tree, wide spread. 
 How its great burs struck the shingles 
 
 Of the roof right overhead! 
 And they made a noise that even 
 
 Grown up people'd hate to hear, 
 So we huddled 'round the firelight 
 
 Fearing with a nameless fear! 
 
 Then we four all talked in whispers, 
 
 And we talked the strangest things 
 And we called the Night-wind "Ogre" 
 
 And we fancied it had wings! 
 And had hands, and feet like talons, 
 
 And had wild, weird watching eyes 
 That were peering through the casement 
 
 As if searching for some prize! 
 
 And we fancied that its fingers. 
 
 Long and black were taking hold 
 
 Of the shutters and were shaking them, 
 And then our cheeks grew cold! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 21 
 
 And we huddled close together 
 
 For we heard the window creak! — 
 
 And-we-heard— yes, sure, we all heard 
 A voice and heard it speak! 
 
 And we heard a tapping, tapping 
 
 As the Night-wind's nails might tap — 
 Then the chestnuts hit the shingles 
 
 And our heartstrings seemed to snap! 
 Then again a voice spoke plainly 
 
 And we girls all clung to Ben, 
 But our terror raised his courage — 
 
 "Who's afraid?" he asked, and then 
 
 Oh, we just hung to his jacket 
 
 As he rushed right over where 
 We had heard the voice and tapping 
 
 And we saw — an object there! 
 It was black, with feet like talons. 
 
 It had eyes and it had wings — 
 Ben quickly raised the window 
 
 And in walked! — of all wet things! — 
 
 Mud-bedraggled, rain be-spattered 
 
 But without doubt someone's pet. 
 For he swaggered and demanded 
 
 "Isn't supper ready yet?" 
 Long and loud rang out our laughter 
 
 As we smoothed his ruffled coat; 
 Taking pains to give him welcome, 
 
 Taking pains that he should know it. 
 
 And we quite forgot to answer 
 
 His pert question till he set 
 His head upon one side and croaked, 
 
 "Isn't supper ready yet?" 
 
22 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 We forgot about the Night-wind 
 And the storm and dark outside 
 
 While we made the raven's supper 
 And his rumpled feathers dried. 
 
 We forgot about our terror 
 
 Or the chestnuts jarring fall — 
 Soon we heard the horses neighing 
 
 And our father's cheering call! 
 In the center of the table 
 
 With a dish of tempting food 
 Stood the raven, while the family 
 
 Drew around in laughing mood. 
 
 Jesting at his little swagger 
 
 And his haughty air and then 
 Wondering if he'd want to leave us 
 
 When the daylight came again. 
 When the daylight came, the raven 
 
 Seemed still more inclined to stay 
 But that solitary sentence 
 
 Was the only thing he'd sa}^ 
 
 And he croaks it when the Night-wind 
 
 Shakes the chestnuts with a din, 
 And we wonder if he's thinking 
 
 Of the night we let him in. 
 And the Night-wind when it whistles 
 
 Never even makes us wince 
 For it brought to us a treasure 
 
 And we've loved it ever since! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 23 
 
 The Scroll. 
 
 Write out your troublous fancies, oh my soul, 
 And in fantastic figure deck the scroll, 
 And leave upon its margin no void space, 
 But make replete and leave its facts to face 
 You afterward. A guide book you'll produce 
 To show you oft the better road to choose. 
 
 Write out your thought and burdenless you'll find 
 A cheerier comrade in your lightened mind. 
 Write out the bitterness you feel alone 
 Though many lives are throbbing near your own. 
 Write out the loneliness that must be yours 
 While compacts hold and this strange life endures. 
 
 Write out your yearning for the higher life — 
 The slopes of peace that lead beyond all strife; 
 That rise above the sordid things of earth 
 To atmosphere of beauty, art and worth; 
 That atmosphere where moves as does the sea 
 Wave upon wave of Heaven's own ecstacy! 
 
 Where falls the light straight from the heart of God 
 Where worship, worship, worship breaks the clod 
 That clothes and burdens and deforms the more 
 The earth-bound soul that hath the will to soar! 
 Write out this troubling of the higher mind 
 That vainly seeks companion of its kind! 
 
 But let us reason, as we write, my soul, 
 
 And as a steed our rising rage control 
 
 And let no selfish, sordid thought defile 
 
 The page we'll look to, for help after while. 
 
 Let not a stain mark where vain tears were shed. 
 
 Nor empty space show where lost time has sped. 
 
24 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Great is the soul that battles on alone. 
 Strong is the heart suppressing every moan. 
 Full is the life that's lived for others' weal. 
 Holy the hands bestowing balms to heal. 
 Rich is the mind if impressed by the thought 
 The Master's will must first of all be wrought. 
 
 Higher the worship when the spirit's bent 
 In meek submission to the labor sent. 
 Clearer the vision if the eye seeks oft 
 The alderlight that gleams for all aloft. 
 Thus must you live and must you write, my soul 
 For future reference, plainly on your scroll! 
 
 My Mother. 
 
 One last look and lo, the sunshine 
 
 Kissed thy forehead as did we; 
 While the sea-gulls circled skyward 
 
 From the swirling rifts of sea. 
 Here upon the crest we laid thee, 
 
 Laid thee down to sleep and rest 
 With thy folded fingers clasping 
 
 Flowers lying on thy breast. 
 They were roses and carnations 
 
 And their fragrance filled thy bed; 
 They were white, as were the tresses 
 
 Resting crown-like on thy head. 
 My Mother. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 25 
 
 Sleeping here, thy last sweet slumber 
 
 'Neath the sunshine and the glow 
 Of the blossoms without number 
 
 That above thee bud and blow; 
 Thou dost heed not sigh or shrieking 
 
 From the weird and wild-waved deep 
 Of yon sea when storms are raging, 
 
 For they break not on thy sleep 
 My Mother. 
 
 Here, the grasses waving o'er thee 
 
 Bowed, with dew-damp from the sea. 
 Whisper to thee in the twilight 
 
 As thou whispered oft to me. 
 Roses weave their roots around thee 
 
 While their fragrant petals spread 
 In a gay capricious cover 
 
 O'er the confines of thy bed. 
 Just as long ago thy fingers 
 
 Clasped about me their embrace, 
 And thy lips like fragrant petals 
 
 Scattered kisses o'er my face, 
 My Mother. 
 
 Though the sea-gulls circle o'er thee 
 
 Though the waves wash near thy bed, 
 Though the sea sings requiems to thee 
 
 Thou art sleeping and not dead. 
 Free and fetterless thy spirit 
 
 Wings its way through realms of bliss — 
 Growing on in deathless merit — 
 
 Faith in thee hath told me this, 
 My Mother. 
 
26 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Seek First God's Kingdom. 
 
 The Faith that guided me doth tell, 
 "All must be well, all shall be well," 
 
 Though time hath led me on to where 
 The winds are wild the braes are bare. 
 
 My path is lost 'twixt ford and fen 
 
 And weeds grow where the flowers have been. 
 
 Still, midst it all I am not lost, 
 
 For Faith that showed me all the cost 
 
 And all the pain and all the blight 
 Showed me as well this way is right. 
 
 For he who seeks God's kingdom first — 
 Who, for His justice is athirst 
 
 Shall find all else is his one day. 
 
 So Saith the Word. And thus, the v/ay 
 
 That leads me where the flowers die 
 And sunbeams from the shadows fly. 
 
 Still teems with hope, still points to where 
 Love, light and bloom my way will share. 
 
 Where Faith will say "Did I not tell 
 'All must be well, all shall be well.-" " 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 27 
 
 Interruptions. 
 
 I take my pen and fain would try 
 
 To trace in ready rhyme 
 The thoughts that innermost do He — 
 
 The rhythm of soul, the chime 
 Of all the senses blent in one; 
 
 These I'd unfold and bring 
 My thoughts as clear as waters run — 
 
 I, with my pen would sing! 
 
 With petty cares far from me flung, 
 
 That bind as binds the thong. 
 And with my soul like harp high strung. 
 
 Filled with an unsung song; 
 Fm ready, pen poised, quick to speed 
 
 My rapid thought to sight. 
 My soul, from chafing shackles freed 
 
 Speeds outward with delight. 
 
 I sweep the skies, I touch the poles! 
 
 I reach from sphere to sphere! 
 And boundless is the space that rolls 
 
 Between my mind and here! 
 Exultant as the eagle feels 
 
 When poised upon the crest 
 Of jagged rock where man's mind reels 
 
 Yet where she builds her nest! 
 
 And, eagle-like the glaring sun 
 
 Dims not the dauntless glance 
 My spirit flashes toward the one 
 
 Bright goal as I advance. 
 I tremble with that strange delight. 
 
 That novel sense of seeing 
 A mystic world filled with the sprite 
 
 That in my mind found being. 
 
28 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 The pen descends with rapid trace 
 Along the poHshed sheet; 
 
 When lo, the dream floats off in space— 
 I hear the sound of feet! 
 
 The sound of noisy stamping feet, 
 That shake the sturdy floor, 
 
 As suddenly from off the street 
 
 They rush in through the door. 
 
 The pen is raised, the papers slide 
 
 Abashed adown my knee, 
 As through the door-way opened wide 
 
 A draft strikes from the sea. 
 The voices raised to moot their wrongs 
 
 Fall rudely on my ear; 
 I glance down at the unsung songs 
 
 But see my duty clear. 
 
 Ungratified, my soul the while 
 
 Discordant and disturbed, 
 I find it hard to turn and smile 
 
 With each fine fancy curbed. 
 Yet I do smile and turn to meet 
 
 These boisterous, roisterous three — 
 These owners of the noisy feet. 
 
 For they're my babes, you see. 
 
 ^ And down the dripping pen is thrown. 
 
 The thoughts unwrit remain, 
 And in the rights or wrongs they own, 
 
 I loyal interest f^i^ji; 
 Though in my heart the song runs on 
 
 And beckons like a dream, 
 I scorn it now as useless spawn 
 
 Strewn on a stagnant stream! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 29 
 
 One impluse is the first to come: 
 
 Years speed too swift awa}^ 
 Soon I'll not hear the busy hum 
 
 Of these, mj' babes, at play. 
 And this thought rules: "Their claims are prior, 
 
 Their titles best though brief, 
 They are my own, my heart's desire 
 
 They are my charge in chief! 
 
 And folding close these treasures mine. 
 
 These jewels. Heaven sent, 
 I realize their luster fine 
 
 Is all too briefly lent. 
 I sigh not for the songs repressed 
 
 For they'll return anon. 
 And can be written when the best 
 
 Of God's best gifts, are gone! 
 
 To Sister M. Calizanza. 
 
 [Upon the occasjon of the boys graduating from her school.] 
 
 As a beacon light, as a guiding star 
 O'er a strange and troublous sea, 
 
 Thou hast been to two voyagers, who not far, 
 Had sailed from the shore and me. 
 
 And a mother's prayer as they float from sight 
 Where the future's waves are free. 
 
 Is: "Far or near, morn, noon or night 
 May they find a guide like thee." 
 
30 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 The Better Part. 
 
 Oh, lost Lucille, my woe, my weal! 
 
 Bright blossom blighted in your bloom! 
 Oh fatal dart that pierced my heart! 
 
 Swift sunlight deepened into gloom! 
 My eyes still reach the wide, smooth beach, 
 
 On which we strolled at eventide. 
 The sea-gulls swayed, sank low, and played 
 
 Above you, whom I walked beside. 
 
 And did they hear, while circling near, 
 
 The words I never spoke again.'' 
 Or met their sight, the fingers white, 
 
 That clung to mine so closely then.? 
 That clung to mine, as clings the vine 
 
 Around the trunk decay has doomed; 
 It fain would bless, soothe and caress 
 
 One in whose heart hope lies entombed. 
 
 Near by, a rock repelled the shock 
 
 Of billows boiling o'er its crest; 
 They washed away the moss that lay 
 
 Protectingly upon its breast. 
 Just as my soul replused the roll 
 
 Of passions rising to subdue, 
 And sweep away among their spray. 
 
 The love that lingered, lost but true! 
 
 'Tis now long past. The waves at last 
 
 Wash peacefully upon the shore. 
 I pace the sand and in my hand 
 
 I hold a little cross you wore. 
 Oh, loved Lucille, your loss I feel! 
 
 The mists are lowering on the sea — 
 Your choice was Christ and this sufficed 
 
 To calm the raging storms for me. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 3 1 
 
 But Still the past will rise and cast 
 
 Its gloom; although I oft oppressed 
 My stubborn soul within control 
 
 And tried to think all for the best. 
 We'll meet again, but will the pain 
 
 You gave to me have died away? 
 Or will it rise? And will the skies 
 
 Cloud over, in Eternal Day? 
 
 Or will we stand upon the sand 
 
 Stretched out upon that Silent Shore, 
 And look to earth where we had birth, 
 
 And smile at passions long passed o'er? 
 And will you prove that yours was love 
 
 And mine a storm-tossed, aching heart? 
 And will I see you chose for me 
 
 As well as you "the better part?" 
 
 Reaching the Shore. 
 
 The night-winds call outside 
 
 As they wander on the tide, 
 And my heart delights to follow where they go. 
 
 As upon this fevered bed 
 
 Though it wears a 'broidered spread 
 Memory shifts the shadovz-scenes of long ago. 
 
 Robert, take me by the hand 
 
 For I seem unnerved, unmanned — 
 Cheer and calm me as you did when we were boys; 
 
 When we clambered cliff and rock. 
 
 Heedless of the fall or shock 
 So we shared each other's boyish griefs and joys. 
 
32 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 I cannot see this room 
 
 It is filled with mists and gloom 
 But I know that beauty beams on every side. 
 
 Yet beyond the silken screens 
 
 Far away, familiar scenes 
 Come floating back like flotsam on the tide. 
 
 See the sunlight how it beams 
 
 Where the burnished copper gleams 
 On the walls of mother's kitchen white and bright? 
 
 Through the window toward the sea, 
 
 How she watched for you and me 
 As we paddled on the surf around the bight! 
 
 Hark! Listen to the roar 
 
 Of the breakers on the shore 
 Tumbling in and tossing high their powdered crest. 
 
 Ho, Robert! where's the boat.? 
 
 Let us set 'The Swan' afloat 
 Now, wind and wave and breaker do your best!" 
 
 "Hold, John, the years have flown 
 
 Like swallows to their home, 
 And they've left their traces on us in their flight; 
 
 Strangers' children long have strayed 
 
 On the shore-land where we played. 
 And your mother.? She is far from there tonight! 
 
 "You're far from home; but v/hen 
 
 You're strong and well again 
 We shall visit all those happy haunts of old. 
 
 Keep your courage, John and meet 
 
 This new hazard with defeat — 
 Fight it like a man for now we're men we're told." 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 33 
 
 "Yes Robert, I shall try — 
 
 See the blue of yonder sky! 
 See the meadows sloping downward toward the bay! 
 
 See the glorious golden grain 
 
 Waving like the billowy main, 
 See the breakers bathe the headlands in their spray! 
 
 "Rise ye waters, laugh and play, 
 
 Speed our feather-bark away, 
 Toss your whitecaps at her dainty, dashing prow! 
 
 Sweep ye winds and drift us still, 
 
 We'll be guided by your will — 
 Hearts as care-free never beat as ours beat now. 
 
 "Robert, see the fog that fills 
 
 In upon the bay and chills 
 Even now the very marrow in my bones? 
 
 Head for shore and let me feel 
 
 The harsh grating of her keel 
 As she ploughs a furrow inward through the stones. 
 
 "Oh, my mother are 5^ou here? 
 
 Now, I felt that you were near! 
 Were you waiting in the chill and in the dew? 
 
 Let me feel your arms entwine 
 
 Like the tendrils of a vine, 
 I am tired and I'm-going-home-with-you," 
 
 Softly Robert stroked the hair 
 
 That dear mother thought so fair. 
 Fairer now because so freely flecked with white. 
 
 Folded he those wasted hands; 
 
 Life had run its sunny sands — 
 John had reached the shore and mother, sure, tonight. 
 
34 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 "Beautiful Snow." 
 
 [An answer to a rhymester who sneered at the writer of that 
 beautitul poem.] 
 
 The beautiful snow, oh, the beautiful snow 
 
 Was the theme of a poem we read long ago. 
 
 They who read it still think with a pit3ang throe 
 
 Of how sad was the writer of "Beautiful Snow." 
 
 She, who poured from her poor pent-up bosom the pain 
 
 That had burdened it long and as long must remain 
 
 As life lasted. 'Twere well then that life was so brief 
 
 To her who in "Beautiful Snow" told her grief. 
 
 Told her grief, and there listened a pitying world, 
 
 Told her shame and no stone at the sinner was hurled. 
 
 Her soul thus laid bare was soon covered we know 
 
 By a charity, pure as the beautiful snow. 
 
 How spurned and forsaken how weary of wrong 
 
 Was the heart that burst forth in that desolate song! 
 
 How free the forgiveness, the mercy, that stirred 
 
 In the breasts of the people its pathos that heard! 
 
 Most sincere their forgiveness. Somewhere vv^e have read 
 
 The voice of the people is God's voice 'tis said. 
 
 But certain it is, when a sinner's down trod 
 
 It is she, not her scoffers who draws near to God. 
 
 And that we, ere we judge her would do well to know 
 
 If our own little souls are as pure as the snow! 
 
 Let those who pen doggerel and foist a weak rhyme 
 
 In attempting to cheapen her poem sublime 
 
 Prove anew the old adage, whose point is so fine, 
 
 And acknowledge how wasted are pearls cast to swine. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 35 
 
 Dust Unto Dust. 
 
 "Dust to dust!" Full well we know 
 It will come our time to go — 
 
 To join the major band gone on before. 
 We must cross the silent river, 
 Flowing on and on forever^ 
 
 Freighting every day its waters from our shore. 
 
 We know not when or where, 
 But we know the saddened air 
 
 Will one day waft the murmur, "He is gone!" 
 And we know the ghastly sight 
 Of that face — once our delight — 
 
 Will repulse e'en the most loving looker-on. 
 
 But we hurry on the same 
 In life's wild exciting game; 
 
 Though eternity's the only prize we win. 
 But we know its light or shade, 
 And its up or downward grade, 
 
 Is determined by our conquests over Sin. 
 
 And how oft we've turned away 
 From the soul forsaken clay 
 
 Of a friend whom death has stricken unaware; 
 And resolved to live in grace 
 And to meet God face to face 
 
 Conscious we have walked in virtue everywhere. 
 
 But we turn and soon are whirled 
 In the maelstrom of the world — 
 
 In its round of work or gayety find Sin. 
 As a friend we grasp his hand, 
 And we join his chosen band. 
 
 While we hurry on eternity to win! 
 
36 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 How then shall we meet the One, 
 Whose work we've poorly done, 
 
 As he metes us out the earnings of our day. 
 If the seeds our hands have sown. 
 All to weeds and thorns have grown 
 
 And the hours of love and mercy gone for aye? 
 
 Sad and solemn will it be 
 
 If we hear "Depart from Me," 
 
 From lips that breathed of mercy from above. 
 And whose sweet and constant prayer 
 Was, that we might meet him where 
 
 The "House of many mansions" proves His love. 
 
 Let us watch and wait and pray, '*) 
 
 Serve and love and trust alway— 
 
 We know Death in the distance surely stands. 
 We do not know the day, 
 But he'll surely come our way, 
 
 The scythe of swift destruction in his hands. 
 
 Every day he's one day nearer — 
 Steady comes his step! And clearer, 
 
 Sounds the sentence once pronounced upon us all. 
 And if we but stop to listen 
 We can hear his keen steel hissing 
 
 Hear the murmur of the grasses as they fall! 
 
 Let us turn us then away 
 From temptation here alway; 
 
 As we sow the seeds of virtue so we'll reap. 
 Let us live so we ma)'^ smile 
 When we meet Death, even while 
 
 Those who love us stand around our bed and weep. 
 
 [The above was a sermon given by Rev. Father E. F. Pitt 
 of Meeme, Wis., in May 1887. The writer only rhymed the 
 sentences it contained.] 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 37 
 
 Dismas. 
 
 We g'aze afar, we feel the jar 
 
 Of centuries past us sweeping; 
 We hear again the shouts of men — 
 
 The wail of women weeping! 
 
 Down darksome street we dread to meet 
 
 A motley mob there surging; 
 Now backward swung, then forward flung, 
 
 Like waves and crags converging. 
 
 They swarm about with fiendish shout, 
 
 One in their midst surrounding; 
 The empty halls and hearkening walls 
 
 Like shrieking ghouls resounding. 
 
 E'en doth repeat the stony street, 
 
 The misty mount and hollow! 
 The cattle low and to and fro 
 
 Flits the affrighted swallow! 
 
 In trembling fear we draw a-near — 
 
 The crowd our way retarding — 
 And close we scan this central Man 
 
 The mob is closely guarding. 
 
 The torches' glare falls on His fair 
 Broad brow which glows distinct as 
 
 Superb He stands; His thong-bound hands 
 Are folded like a prince's. 
 
 His head aloft throws back the soft, 
 
 Rich hair in tangled masses; 
 He lifts His glance and like a lance 
 
 Its quick gleam through us passes. 
 
38 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 No hate therein, and no chagrin; 
 
 His eyes are mild and tender, 
 And show no fear, though seeing near 
 
 No follower or defender. 
 
 But on and on slow creeps the dawn 
 
 And slow the mists uplifted; 
 Still, to and fro as waters go 
 
 The wearying cortege shifted. 
 
 The cry "Upon us be His blood, 
 Aye, and upon our children!" 
 
 Borne on the red of morning sped 
 To faithful hearts and chilled them, 
 
 The prison yawns and lo, its spawns 
 Yield forth two trembling wretches; 
 
 Under the ban like to this Man 
 For whom the cross outstretches. 
 
 Three crosses high against the sky 
 Each lifts an anguished burden — 
 
 A torturing bed for weary head, 
 For toil a bitter guerdon! 
 
 'Mid jeering scoff and brutish laugh. 
 The Christ, the King hangs bleeding 
 
 From every vein; but more His pain 
 That so few friends were heeding. 
 
 No sound they raise to say His praise; 
 
 Faith have they, but 'tis hidden; 
 Let us rejoice, there was one voice 
 
 Spoke out, though all unbidden; 
 
 The angels heard that felon's word 
 Ring through the darkness, cheering 
 
 Christ's sinking heart — soothing the smart 
 Somewhat of others' jeering. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 39 
 
 Before that horde he called out, "Lord!" 
 Faith, in his words had winged them, 
 
 "Remember me, when, Lord," cried he, 
 "Thou'lt come into thy kingdom!" 
 
 Back from that tree on Calvary 
 
 Far-famed in sacred story 
 Came swift the word that Dismas heard 
 
 And crowned his life with glory! 
 
 Words which we pray to hear some day — 
 
 Pray for with tears and sighs, 
 "I say to thee this day thou'lt be 
 
 With me in Paradise." 
 
 Thou, first fruit of the vine whose root 
 
 In Calvary's rocks engendered, 
 Thou, fearless soul, where hangs the scroll 
 
 On which thy name is rendered? 
 
 Unwrit? Unheard? Not so; the Word 
 
 Thy cenotaph hath grounded. 
 And deathless fame thy words of flame 
 
 Hath far and wide resounded. 
 
 Thou needst no scroll, thou giant soul! 
 
 Thy record for all ages 
 The Word shall hold, thy fame's enrolled 
 
 Forever on its pages. 
 
40 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Childhood's Wisdom. 
 
 From the children we may learn 
 Truths none can afford to spurn; 
 Truths the elders cannot teach us 
 Filled with wisdom which can reach us 
 Only by the way of youth, 
 Which alone reflects the truth. 
 Manhood's knowledge soon outgrows 
 Wisdom that as child he knows. 
 Greed and graft and grind soon mold 
 Mind of man as he grows old, 
 Dwarfing insight youth had brought him, 
 Fondling follies years have taught him, 
 Blunting instincts youth holds rife — 
 How to make the most of life. 
 How to best use every chance 
 That a changing circumstance 
 May present. Age loses this 
 Knowledge of embracing bliss — 
 Of extracting the most wine 
 From the fruit upon the vine 
 In life's vineyard — yours and mine! 
 
 Watch the children as they play 
 Learn the wisdom of their way. 
 Does the sun shine.'' See it pour 
 On the heads about the door! 
 See them revel in its light — 
 Kind seeks kind, their souls are white! 
 Unrestrained, the sun's caressing 
 Leaves upon each brow a blessing. 
 Health's foundation stones are laid 
 While we elders seek the shade 
 Thankful trees and vines were made; 
 Wondering why the rain's delayed! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 4I 
 
 Does it rain! How soon their feet 
 Find the puddles in the street. 
 With the treasures they contain — 
 Brawn of muscle, breadth of brain! 
 How their little lives expand 
 As they take from Nature's hand 
 Her great gift of dampened sand! 
 All this as the plague we shun — 
 You and I and every one — 
 Lest our boots should be destroyed, 
 We're displeased, distressed, annoyed. 
 But the child is overjoyed. 
 
 Does it freeze? Yea plenteous now 
 Grow the wrinkles on our brow. 
 What if we should come to harm — 
 Sprain a leg or break an arm.-" 
 All our vapid wits congeal 
 As the swirling snow-drifts reel 
 Like gay dancers o'er the plain. 
 Close we hug each ache and pain 
 Grieving winter's come again! 
 But the children.? How they glow 
 At the falling of the snow! 
 Gladness in their eyes bespeaks, 
 Like the roses in their cheeks 
 That these crystals are to them 
 Winter's crowning diadem. 
 Bringing, oh, no end of sport, 
 Of the most hilarious sort — 
 Men, and cannon-balls and fort! 
 Then the virtue of the ice. 
 They are first to recognize. 
 Down the glistening hill they dash, 
 Swift as meteors on they flash. 
 
42 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Skis and sleds and even skates 
 Dare the danger that awaits 
 Him who tampers with the fates! 
 Watching them our breath abates. 
 
 See the debris of repair 
 Piled in heaps, and everywhere 
 Blocking up the walk and street? 
 We must need make full retreat 
 Then a detour on our way. 
 Angered by this forced delay 
 Through the rickety surrounding 
 We in language most astounding 
 Say some things we should not say. 
 While we frown the children play 
 "Teeter Totter" and are gay 
 On the planks that block our way. 
 "Making cities" in the clay 
 Thrown from some damp cellar way; 
 Loud they laugh at our dismay. 
 
 Organ-grinders fill with din 
 Long bright days we revel in; 
 While they grind their discords near 
 We in desperation sheer 
 Place a hand upon each ear. 
 Children follow in their wake 
 Just for admiration sake. 
 While they grind the children dance 
 Glad to have so good a chance 
 This gay furore to enhance. 
 Keeping time with zest and main 
 To the weird discordant strain 
 That gives older heads a pain. 
 When the festive feat is o'er 
 In the monkey's cap they pour 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 43 
 
 Pennies from their little store. 
 Chances are 'tis all they had 
 But the giving made them glad. 
 We, with cold averted eye 
 Much disgruntled, pass on by. 
 Closing out the joys that enter 
 Into hearts with no self-centre, 
 Losing all the good we find 
 In the act that's purely kind. 
 Losing all the happiness 
 Gained, relieving a distress. 
 Gained by knowing how to give. 
 Gained by living to let live. 
 
 Watch the little child who knows 
 
 He no longer may repose 
 
 First in rank on mother's breast. 
 
 This to him is not a jest. 
 
 Crownless and dethroned is he. 
 
 King of home no more to be. 
 
 Crowded from his rights he shows 
 
 That a little hero knows 
 
 How to meet and greet his foes. 
 
 'Tis with kisses not with blows 
 
 He his recognition shows. 
 
 Think it over, is it thus 
 
 Rivalry is met by us.'' 
 
 Have we love that will restrain 
 
 Our own greed for others' gain.? 
 
 Nay, time dwarfs the selflessness 
 
 That the baby hearts possess. 
 
 And like canker of the soul 
 
 Self-devotion gains control. 
 
 Watch the children as they play 
 Learn the wisdom of their way. 
 
44 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Learn from them, to choose as they 
 
 Just the rose, the thorn let sta)^ 
 
 Let US in what seemeth bad 
 
 Find some reason to be glad. 
 
 All our faculties employ 
 
 In rejecting life's alloy. 
 
 Gathering but the finer gold 
 
 With which Heaven's paved we're told 
 
 "Then, a little child shall lead" 
 
 Oh, we elders let us heed — 
 
 Let us at a baby's knee 
 
 Learn life's great philosophy. 
 
 Mary Ann. 
 
 There is something in a name 
 
 And I feel 'twas most to blame 
 
 For the ups and downs and turns in my life's plan; 
 
 It is commonplace and plain 
 
 But a tragedy of pain 
 
 Is conjured at the name of Mary Ann. 
 
 Black as night her long hair streamed, 
 
 Fair as dawn her forehead gleamed 
 
 And her gray eyes flashed upon me in a smile. 
 
 And as ermine robe might fall 
 
 'Round her hung her well-worn shawl 
 
 As she leaned her rounded wrist upon the stile. 
 
 Thus she stood as first we met 
 
 In the dusk. I see her yet 
 
 When I close my eyes in reminiscent view. 
 
 As she stood beside the stile 
 
 With that bold yet timid smile 
 
 That told me she would conquer or undo. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 45 
 
 Quick as thought a keen regret 
 
 Pierced me even as we met, 
 
 And I realized our lots were not the same: 
 
 Why was I not Farmer Gay 
 
 On the eighty o'er the way? 
 
 Or better, why not she a high-born dame? 
 
 But I bared my head the while 
 
 That I helped her cross the stile 
 
 And I noticed as I took her hand in mine, 
 
 That the tapered finger's grace 
 
 Showed an hauteur like the face 
 
 Hinting strongly of an old ancestral line. 
 
 Once again and still again 
 
 Did we meet until 'twas plain 
 
 That our leisure hours are Cupid's busiest time. 
 
 Soon discretion whispered me 
 
 I'd be lost unless I'd flee 
 
 From his arrows jingling 'round me like a chime. 
 
 I'd been taught to hold in scorn 
 
 All who were plebeian born. 
 
 But this teaching was reversed in Cupid's school. 
 
 And within me burned a flame 
 
 That aversion of her name 
 
 Was not strong enough to smother or to cool. 
 
 Still, the time had come when I 
 
 Thought 'twas best to say good-bye 
 
 And I met her in the twilight at the stile. 
 
 But o'er Mary Ann's fair cheek 
 
 Did a deadly pallor creep. 
 
 Though she raised her eyes and met mine with a smile. 
 
46 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Many months swept slow along 
 
 But one cadence bore the song 
 
 Of the ripples of life's current as they ran. 
 
 In the voices of the breeze 
 
 In the whispers of the trees 
 
 I could hear the murmur, murmur "Mary Ann." 
 
 Pallid cheek and smiling eye — 
 
 Fragile things but oh, they lie 
 
 With weight of iron fetters on my heart; 
 
 They had warned me in their way 
 
 That I'd surely rue the day 
 
 That I willed that summer evening we should part. 
 
 Like a wolf in hunger fierce 
 
 Cupid's arrov/s seemed to pierce 
 
 With pain like gnawing fangs fast fixed to kill. 
 
 So abroad I traveled, where 
 
 Change of scene and change of air 
 
 I felt the inner craving soon must still. 
 
 It was fickle France whose lees 
 
 Stain the cup we drink to please. 
 
 Lured me where the sunbeams beckoned with a smile. 
 
 But the waves upon the way, 
 
 O'er and o'er one name would say 
 
 Till I crossed and crossed the meadow to the stile. 
 
 Then a resolution came 
 
 If this love were still the same 
 
 When, returning I again should cross the brine. 
 
 I'd ignore plebeian birth, 
 
 And acknowledging her worth 
 
 Would seek her out and ask her to be mine! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 47 
 
 Knowing all I had to do 
 
 In the matter was to woo 
 
 And I'd hear her answer come in glad reply. 
 
 Knowing I'd be welcomed back 
 
 Even though I'd shown a lack 
 
 Of appreciating her in days gone by. 
 
 Reaching Paris I soon whirled 
 
 In that maelstrom where the world 
 
 Gathers 'round its vortex eager to be caught. 
 
 Seeking changes, one night I 
 
 Joined a crowd that sauntered by 
 
 Toward the opera where the singing was much sought. 
 
 Numbers had been sung to four 
 
 When a deafening uproar 
 
 Rose to greet the prima donna as she gleamed 
 
 In bright jewels and rare lace, 
 
 With a figure and a face 
 
 An angel might have envied her it seemed. 
 
 Like a billow heaved my breast 
 
 And my breathing came oppressed 
 
 And my reason for the moment seemed at flight. 
 
 Then her glad glance swept the crowd 
 
 But I noticed ere she bowed 
 
 That the roses on her cheek had turned to white. 
 
 For our eyes that instant met 
 
 Making her perchance forget 
 
 Her aria, for the moment; then she bore 
 
 To its full and finished height 
 
 That fine figure and a sight 
 
 As resplendent I had never seen before! 
 
48 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Thus in poise, she stood to pause 
 
 Through the deafening applause; 
 
 Then her voice of range and sweetness rose and fell, 
 
 And from dome to footlight filled 
 
 Her rare tones that ever thrilled 
 
 With a triumph that I understood too well. 
 
 Slowly then the rose returned 
 
 To her cheek and warmly burned 
 
 With a glow that lent a glory to her eyes, 
 
 As twice, thrice, and still once more 
 
 Through a rapturous encore 
 
 She watched the curtain slowly fall and rise. 
 
 Through the last — a French love song 
 
 She put all the pain that long 
 
 Had lain burdening her bosom. But her eye 
 
 Flashed its triumph into mine 
 
 As she sang the final line: 
 
 "Once I loved you, oh, I loved you but — good-bye!" 
 
 It was over! Come and gone 
 
 Was this vision but a wan 
 
 Ghastly horror seemed to chill my heart to stone. 
 
 For a mess of pottage stale 
 
 I had made this losing sale 
 
 And had lost the chance to e'er possess my own! 
 
 Masquerading then was she 
 
 In that peasant garb when free - 
 
 From flattery grown fulsome she could rest. 
 
 It was all now clear to me 
 
 Who in blindness could not see 
 
 A jewel in dull setting at its best! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 49 
 
 The Soul's Adieu. 
 
 So, clinging clay, I leave thee now behind, 
 
 Dull, drear and silent, senseless, cold and blind. 
 
 Slave of my passions, servant of my will 
 
 How changed art thou, how useless and how still. 
 
 Poor dust and ashes! Thou who served alwa}'. 
 
 Must feel me go and know that thou must stay 
 
 Doomed to oblivion, darkness and decay! 
 
 Thou who wert once so agile and so light. 
 
 Swift to obey, alike, in wrong or right 
 
 My every mandate — thou art now to me 
 
 No longer menial of my tyranny. 
 
 My tyranny.'' Nay not so harsh a word — 
 
 My will was thine, nor hast thou e'er demurred 
 
 My quest or mandate; but didst ever fill 
 
 Thy unwrit compact to obey my will. 
 
 And how I loved thee! Boon companions we 
 
 In sport, in rampage and in revelry. 
 
 Co-laborers, too; together worked and kept 
 
 The lonely watch; together prayed and wept! 
 
 Together strove, oh casket thou of me 
 
 To reach the goal of blessed eternity; 
 
 Through storms and sunshine, this we sought to win, 
 
 In fields of labor, rife in weeds of sin. 
 
 Here, looking backward o'er the lapse of years 
 
 Freed from their turmoil, cares and joys and fears. 
 
 How much we see that needs another touch 
 
 To bind and strengthen; and again how much 
 
 On which, alas, we lavished too much time. 
 
 That counts us now as but the ocean's rime, 
 
 We find in rings upon the sanded shore — 
 
 Mere marks where bubbles zvere and nothing morel 
 
 Ah, it were well if this, our day, soon set, 
 
 Dragged to its couch no lingering regret. 
 
50 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 'Twere well if not one deed of love undone, 
 
 Darkened the rays of yonder setting sun! 
 
 But waiting here amid the garnered sheaves 
 
 Of life's fair harvest many a question reaves 
 
 The breast of peace: The talents held in trust — 
 
 Show they an increased value, or the rust 
 
 Of secret burial in devouring dust? 
 
 The task that we were set that must be done 
 
 By us alone; say, hath the doing won 
 
 The Master's longed-for judgment of "Well done?" 
 
 We know God's justice winnows from the grain 
 
 The chaff and cockle. Oh, but it were vain 
 
 To count upon our virtue for the test! — 
 
 We can but trust His mercy for the best. 
 
 We can but hope the Master's love outweighs 
 
 The many lapses that have marred our days. 
 
 That we who tried though failed to do His will 
 
 Some little niche in His great love may fill — 
 
 Some place within His house awaits us still! 
 
 Now, all alone must I go out to hear 
 
 The Master's judgment. Thou upon thy bier 
 
 Shalt sleep and rest. But stay, before I go 
 
 Take thou this pledge to cheer thee here below. 
 
 That in thy loneliness, thy solitude 
 
 Hope's ray of light may welcomely intrude: 
 
 I'll come again — hath faith not told thee so? 
 
 And claim thee back, and thou and I shalt know 
 
 Another life and no more death and woe. 
 
 Still dost thou grieve and in thy grieving wail 
 
 That thou art but of clay, earth-like and oh, so frail! 
 
 Cans't thou forget that clay it was, sufficed 
 
 To hold awhile the Jewel-Soul of Christ? 
 
 And, as did he, returning wake from sleep 
 
 That silent Form no more to wait and weep, 
 
 Shall I one day reclaim thy sleeping dust. 
 
 And until then, adieu, be patient, trust! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 51 
 
 Baby's Faith. 
 
 It was Christmastide and the world outside 
 
 Was a waste of wintry snow; 
 But the homes were bright with that happy Hght 
 
 That cornes with the Christmas glow. 
 There's a graciousness and a will to bless 
 
 In even the passing breeze* 
 It is children's day and all go their way — 
 
 For heaven is filled with these. 
 
 There were babies three 'neaththe Christmas tree 
 
 In one happy home that day. 
 They were full of joy at each new-found toy 
 
 That Santa had brought their way. 
 The ivy vine o'er the archway twined 
 
 Where a bird swung to and fro. 
 And the holly red like a radiance spread 
 
 Through the white of the mistletoe. 
 
 Through the snowy sheets that wrapped the streets 
 
 One baby went out alone. 
 He had left the rest on a silent quest 
 
 And his mission was unknown. 
 For the elders long to the church had gone 
 
 And the time was late, but he 
 Through the doorway came, his heart aflame. 
 
 Assured as a babe can be. 
 
 And adown the aisle as the priest the while 
 
 Made pause in his sermon grave 
 Came the rapid beat of his little feet, 
 
 That echoed from choir to nave. 
 
52 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 There were covert smiles down the echoing aisles 
 
 As determinedly he stept, 
 With a steady stroke that rudely awoke 
 
 The listeners who slept. 
 
 And they roused to see that a tale told he, 
 
 Though only the mother knew 
 What the baby said as he leaned his head 
 
 On her breast in the family pew. 
 For the red lips said, as she bowed her head, 
 
 "I want to see Jesus, so 
 I runned awa}'^ from the rest today 
 
 And I didn't mind the snow!" 
 
 Oh, little one as the years run on 
 
 With their sands of soil and grime; 
 Will they sully and shift and cast adrift 
 
 This faith of your baby time.? 
 Will the doubts creep in.-* Will the future's din 
 
 Deaden the soul's sweet sound, 
 Till the songs all hush in a worldly rush 
 
 As the bustling years go 'round? 
 
 Nay God forbid! Hath the life that's hid 
 
 In the corn-blade aught to fear 
 For the future's strain— for the weight of grain 
 
 As fruition days draw near? 
 Doth not added strength to the added length 
 
 Of the long life-days respond? 
 It is thus the soul with increased control 
 
 Remains master and not bond! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 53 
 
 Where is Paradise? 
 
 "Where is Paradise located?" 
 
 Query scientists and seers. 
 "Where's the gateway locked and grated 
 
 Lo, these many thousand years?" 
 Some say midst the Himalayas, 
 
 Some say on the isle Ceylon, 
 Even Faith admits the way is 
 
 And must be, still the unknown. 
 
 Oh, that Paradise of pleasure 
 
 Of which saint and sinner dream — 
 That elusive land of treasure — 
 
 Where oh, where! Aye that's the theme! 
 Snow lay on the grass and sedges 
 
 Swept in circles o'er the weir. 
 Hid the herbage on the ledges 
 
 Lay in sheets on moor and mere. 
 
 O'er a pathway, winding, hilly 
 
 Passed a lover on his way. 
 While the winds blew wild and chilly 
 
 O'er the waste of wold that day. 
 Swift his step as onward leading 
 
 Sped his thought to brighter things. 
 Beckoning to greater speeding — 
 
 Cupid is equipped with wings! 
 
 From his sweetheart's side, he outward 
 
 Calmly viewed the snow-wrapped lea. 
 "This is desolate," she pouted; 
 
 "This is Paradise," said he. 
 Soon abroad in search of culture 
 
 Went she forth, so frail and fair. 
 Love, at times a very vulture. 
 
 Seized her heart and kept it there. 
 
^4 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Kept it there as hostage, knowing 
 
 It insured her swift return. 
 But a ring he gave whose glowing 
 
 Lit her hand at every turn. 
 Time passed on, the snow-drifts melted 
 
 From the pathway o'er the hills; 
 Where the winter storm-shafts pelted 
 
 Now the skylark soars and trills. 
 
 Then there came another meeting 
 
 In a land of rose-robed bowers; 
 They exchanged a formal greeting 
 
 Mid the freedom of the flowers. 
 Flashed the jewel on her finger 
 
 Straight to him its message dire! — 
 Closed was Eden. He might linger 
 
 No more near this sword of fire. 
 
 Happy-eyed, she looked about her 
 
 Happy-hearted girl was she. 
 "This is Paradise," she flouted 
 
 ''This is desolate," said he. 
 " 'Desolate.''' Absurd," she echoed 
 
 "Desolate amid this glow.?" 
 But his mind traced out a pathv/ay 
 
 Leading through the drifting snow! 
 
 Thus, in contradictory statement 
 
 Each described the self-same site. 
 Making not the least abatement 
 
 Of this question; so the right 
 To locate it we've attempted 
 
 Without compass, chain or chart: 
 It is where Hope has pre-empted 
 
 All the love-realm of the heart! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 55 
 
 My First Born Son. 
 
 Into my life thou came, 
 
 A beam of light 
 
 Glowing with undimmed flame 
 
 Ever more bright, 
 
 As years passed on, and now — 
 
 God-given thou — 
 
 Art still a joy 
 
 To me, my boy! 
 
 Five and twenty years, my son 
 
 Thou didst me bless. 
 
 And in that time gave me not one 
 
 Hour of distress. 
 
 God guided thee, my own. 
 
 And thus thou'st known 
 
 How, by His grace 
 
 To fill thy place. 
 
 Would, that the same Great Power 
 
 May thee protect, 
 
 And bless thy every hour 
 
 Lest thou be wrecked 
 
 Upon the shoals of wrong! 
 
 This be my song 
 
 Of prayer for thee: "May'st thou e'er be 
 
 Strong in fulfilling God's great plan 
 
 And close thy life, a perfect man!" 
 
56 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 May's Mourning. 
 
 Bending o'er another's dead 
 None did note the tears May shed. 
 May, whose heart to him was wed. 
 
 Mourners came. May stepped aside 
 Giving place to one, his bride, 
 Who took no pains her grief to hide. 
 
 Loud the bride lamented there, 
 Sobs and wails disturbed the air. 
 May was silent, wrapped in prayer. 
 
 May had not the right to kiss 
 That still forehead but amiss 
 Watched these other lips do this. 
 
 Once again these women met. 
 Time had taught one to forget. 
 But the other grieved on yet. 
 
 May could note the bride's white hand 
 Wore anew love's golden band. 
 • Grief had traced its lines in sand. 
 
 Gay she laughed and light she stepped. 
 Slowly from her side May crept, 
 Thinking of her dead May wept. 
 
 May's heart's requiem had been said 
 
 Moon's ago, above the bed 
 
 Where they laid this precious dead. 
 
 Thus it is though sable dress, 
 Oft portrays the heart's distress, 
 Grief without it's none the less. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA S7 
 
 Christ and the Little Children. 
 
 In the soft Judean twilight 
 
 Did a Jewish mother kneel, 
 
 With her arms about her children, 
 
 Making earnest her appeal 
 
 To the wearied heart of Jesus^- 
 
 That a moment would he lay 
 
 But his sacred hands upon them, 
 
 That they might bear away 
 
 In their little hearts his blessing 
 
 To be with them through life's day. 
 
 Others caught the earnest pleading 
 And came crowding to his knee. 
 Others still, and others followed 
 With the same sweet mother plea. 
 Till upon the tired faces 
 Of his followers, the wrath 
 Gathered, as the children crowded 
 With the zeal that childhood hath. 
 
 And they thrust them back and whispered 
 "Trouble not the Master so 
 He is weary with his teaching — 
 Back! Ye may not further go!" 
 Quick the brow of Jesus raising 
 From an infants close embrace 
 Showed the shadow of displeasure 
 Darkening o'er his weary face. 
 
 Then his arms extending said he: — 
 (And his soothing accents fell 
 On each mother-heart with rapture 
 Such as who of us can tell,) 
 
58 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 "Ye forbid not little children 
 Suffer them to come to me; 
 For of such is Heaven's Kingdom!" 
 Hush! the breeze bore to the sea 
 And the sea-voice bore them onward 
 Those sweet words, and onv/ard, till, 
 Down the current of the ages 
 They are echoing, echoing still! 
 Till our bosoms beat in concord 
 With the Master's mandate; yes, 
 And we long to bring our children 
 For the grace of his caress! 
 
 Though we know Judea's twilight 
 Bathes no more his beauteous brow. 
 That his sandalled feet leave traces 
 Of his journeyings never now. 
 That his arms stong and caressing 
 Fold no infant to his breast. 
 That the Master worn and weary 
 Long oh, long has gone to rest. 
 
 That we'd hope in vain to gather 
 With our children at his feet — 
 Listen! Where then is that promise: 
 "When two or more do meet 
 In my name to pray, there am i 
 In the midst!" This promise must 
 Bind the broken bond of union 
 Weld the parted links of trust! 
 
 Let us gather with our children 
 Both at eve and early morn. 
 Till their timid tottering footsteps 
 To Christ's feet a path have worn. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 59 
 
 Webs of sin and sorrow woven 
 In the deepest of life's shade, 
 Later, never can deceive them 
 As to where that path is laid. 
 
 Let us take them e'er the splendor 
 
 Of the zenith of their day 
 
 Wastes their freshness and they harden 
 
 As the heat doth harden clay. 
 
 Let us pray each growing spirit 
 
 May receive the Master's seal 
 
 For as compass to the pilot 
 
 And as rudder to the keel, 
 
 Will it guide them past the shallow 
 
 Past the mist and rock and shoal 
 
 To the haven of Christ's Kingdom — 
 
 To harbor of the soul! 
 
 The Wanderer's Return. 
 
 My fiftieth year! This is strange and drear! 
 
 And am I a bachelor.-* Ho! 
 This is the day that they used to say 
 
 Was my birthday long ago! 
 It is thirty years since mother's tears 
 
 Like dew dampened brow and cheek; 
 For I meant to roam when I left my home — 
 
 In what — a first lovesick freak? 
 
 The lovesick freak of a boy; to speak 
 The truth 'twas no more than this; 
 
 But love to me then as to older men 
 
 Was a dream and the dream was bliss! 
 
60 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 And since that time full many a clime 
 
 Has lavished its cold and heat 
 Upon my brow; but here I'm now 
 
 Returned where the old ways meet. 
 
 Full many a sight of wrong or right 
 
 My pathway athwart has lain; 
 As far and near like a wounded deer 
 
 I wandered to still my pain. 
 Swift scenes afar like the shooting star 
 
 Loom out from a shadowed dome. 
 They flash from the night that I took my flight 
 
 And my feet first learned to roam. 
 
 Out by the sea so deep, so free 
 
 With its shores of rock and sand, 
 I stood alone while the full moon shone 
 
 On the sleeping sea and land. 
 On the mountain gray as you looked that way 
 
 You could see every crag and tree. 
 And looking down 3fou could see the town 
 
 If you stood on the rock near me. 
 
 Far over the hill past the whirling mill 
 
 Odd-fashioned, in rude gray stone, 
 Stood a mansion bright and a glow of light 
 
 From basement to turret shone. 
 This scene of all at my memory's call 
 
 I summon as clear, at will, 
 As if under the bloom in a crowded room 
 
 I knew a bride waited still. 
 
 What was it I held as the wide waves swelled 
 At the base of my rocky stand.-* 
 
 A portrait fair and a lock of hair 
 
 And a glove for a woman's hand. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 6l 
 
 I remember yet I cannot forget 
 
 That I fancied the breezes sighed; 
 
 But they fanned the fire of fierce desire 
 To claim for my own the bride! 
 
 I looked askance with an angry glance 
 
 At the home where soon would he 
 By the power of gold, gain the priceless hold 
 
 Of the hand love promised me. 
 Out in the night 'neath the moonbeams bright, 
 
 My pride and my passion strove 
 For the higher place, as I turned my face 
 
 Toward the mansion in the grove. 
 
 As I entered there did the perfumed air 
 
 Waft to her, perchance my sighs? 
 For across the room from beneath the bloom 
 
 Came a glance from the bride's bright eyes. 
 And I saw the place that the groom should grace 
 
 Was vacant — how dared he be 
 From her side apart when he knew my heart 
 
 And the love that Maud gave me.-" 
 
 I was at her side and as passion's tide 
 
 Surged wildly through heart and brain, 
 I clasped her hand and her cheek I fanned 
 
 With a kiss too pure to stain. 
 The blushes came with the rush of flame. 
 
 Her cheeks like the roses glowed; 
 As she looked at me a friend said ''Flee 
 
 For you both know the mountain road.'' 
 
 And he whispered fast as we hurried past 
 
 ''Make haste and P II meet you where 
 My bays are hitched near the oaken bridge 
 They are yours to speed or spare!'' 
 
62 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Then came the sound of the baying hound 
 
 That told with his ugly blake 
 That the bell of bloom in the crowded room 
 
 Still swung but no bride was there! 
 
 Then came the beat of their metalled feet 
 
 As on, without whip or goad 
 Sped the plunging bays while the foam in sprays 
 
 Lay white on the mountain road! 
 Then rang my song as we dashed along — 
 
 Rang back in its echoing glee 
 My joy and pride that the lovely bride 
 
 Of my rival had fled with me! 
 
 Brief triumph mine! 'Twas the meteor's line 
 
 Traced out on a blackened sky — 
 'Twas the willo'wisp of a treacherous mist, — 
 
 'Twas a life hope born to die! 
 For upon my breast while the fever wrest 
 
 That precious life from me 
 I held her close in her last repose 
 
 While the tide ebbed out to sea. 
 
 My fiftieth year! How old, how queer! 
 
 And am I a bachelor? No; 
 For at my side stood my fair frail bride 
 
 This night thirty years ago! 
 They who know not this often ask amiss 
 
 Why I wed not as other men; 
 But a beautiful face in a golden case 
 
 Looks at me as Maud looked then. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 63 
 
 Life Knows But One May. 
 
 Way back in the springtime 
 
 The boughs bud anew 
 And bend in the breezes 
 
 O'er paths, that we knew, 
 And we breathe in the fragrance 
 
 And brush off the dew 
 From the brightest of blossoms, 
 
 Not rare but so new. 
 
 We Hve in that springtime 
 
 That never grows old 
 Or loses its freshness 
 
 As time hurries by; 
 Where the sunbeams at play 
 
 Make it seem always May 
 And the breath of its breeze 
 
 Never sounds like a sigh. 
 
 The woods of life's springtime 
 
 Are now corn-filled fields. 
 The playground is plowed 
 
 And to husbandry yields 
 Its harvest of plenty. 
 
 The moss-covered glade 
 Now cleared to the sunlight 
 
 Gives fruit and not shade. 
 
 But ruthlessly sweeping 
 
 Like cobwebs away, 
 These vaunted improvements, 
 
 We're back there at play, 
 
64 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Where the flowers spring bright 
 From the dews of the night, 
 
 And we kneel and caress them 
 And beg them to stay. 
 
 For a freshness, a newness, 
 
 A something is gone 
 PYom the forests and glades 
 
 And the pathways of now: 
 ■ The breezes are stale 
 
 And the blossoms are pale 
 And the atmosphere's faded 
 
 One scarce can tell how! 
 
 Life holds but one springtime; 
 
 Life knows but one May, 
 And these claim our thoughts 
 
 And they call us away 
 Where the fields turn to woodlands 
 
 And streams long since dried 
 Flow on through coarse grasses 
 
 And rushes and hide, 
 
 In the dank hollow reed-bed. 
 
 Oh, atmosphere, where 
 Can be found the rare balm 
 
 That we breathed in back there? 
 Way back in the Maytime 
 
 The gaytime the playtime, 
 Way back where the daytime 
 
 Was cloudless and fair! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 65 
 
 Maggie Lee. 
 
 The summer sun sinks slowly down 
 
 On couch of crimson glow. 
 And far off from the uplands brown 
 
 The lagging kine move slow. 
 Clouds circling in the hazy air 
 
 Are all of roseate tinge; 
 And rose-hued are the hillsides where 
 
 The bluebells used to fringe. 
 
 This scene, a reminiscent strain 
 
 Of incident has brought; 
 And woke afresh a tangled train 
 
 Of long forbidden thought. 
 Thus 'neath the roof where boyhood's days 
 
 Had flitted undisturbed, 
 And where youth's yearnings set a pace 
 
 A later judgment curbed; 
 
 I feel the tug upon the reins, 
 
 The reckless fire, the glow, 
 An old race-horse throughout his veins 
 
 Feels at the magic "Go!" 
 Nor cooled my fervor to recall 
 
 A note just handed me. 
 That asked me to the Blanchard ball — 
 
 He married Maggie Lee. 
 
 From forty years time turns me back; 
 
 He leaves me twent3^-three. 
 And I'm a humble village quack 
 
 And she is Maggie Lee. 
 I feel my pulses thrill anew, 
 
 I see her soft cheek glow; 
 Her lashes droop as if with dew — 
 
 Her heart is mine I know. 
 
66 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 I press the fingers held by me, 
 
 I laugh each frown away. 
 Why should I not when Maggie Lee 
 
 Will soon be Maggie Gray? 
 Will soon be Maggie Gray? How soon? 
 
 We neither thought or cared 
 We only knew life held no boon 
 
 Save what the other shared. 
 
 Each seemed to each of life a part — 
 
 One shuttle of its loom 
 Wove side by side with rapid dart 
 
 Its threads of light and gloom. 
 But still, alas, we failed to brook 
 
 The jealous tempter's smart; 
 Nor could we quarrel, we simply took 
 
 Two ways that led apart. 
 
 And her way led among the stiles 
 
 And village paths we'd known. 
 She kept the early friends whose smiles 
 
 Or frowns she'd always known. 
 But my way led where paths were steep 
 
 O'er distance wild and vast 
 O'er rivers on whose troubled deep 
 
 Were mountain shadows cast. 
 
 Time dragged as time drags to the young 
 
 Whose glass holds lagging sand. 
 With flowers on the waters flung 
 
 Youth longs to see them land. 
 When strangers' glances everywhere 
 
 Seem colder than the sleet, 
 You hasten from the icy stare 
 
 To your own small retreat. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 67 
 
 Thus, engrossed in a printed sheet 
 
 Cosmopolite in news, 
 I'd brought in from the crowded street. 
 
 By lampHght to peruse; 
 One paragraph so small and bland 
 
 No other eye would see. 
 Read: "Married, William Blanchard and" 
 
 I read right? "Margaret Lee." 
 
 Then life grew narrow for awhile; 
 
 Horizons dwarfed to meet 
 My shrinking self. In 3^outh a mile 
 
 Soon narrows down to feet. 
 To look beyond these narrow planes 
 
 One need the lens of years. 
 For finding trouble trust the swains — 
 
 For mastering it, the seers! 
 
 I hoped no more, I planned no more; 
 
 But, rusting in the lock, 
 The key to open fortune's door 
 
 Lay waiting for a shock. 
 It came: A call from out the dark— 
 
 "A doctor! Help! He's gone!" 
 Roused into flame a smouldering spark; 
 
 I answered "Here is one!" 
 
 And instinct, pliant in its power 
 
 Bent to the enforced task. 
 I was a hero. From that hour 
 
 I dropped my senseless mask. 
 And entered the familiar field 
 
 My loved profession chose. 
 To all the past my heart grew steeled; 
 
 The future's breadth arose. 
 
68 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Life's sun had climbed. 'Twas now midday. 
 
 Its splendor round me gleamed. 
 My eyes were still kept turned away 
 
 From sunrise where I'd dreamed. 
 Then I grew restless for the paeans 
 
 That sang of joy to me 
 Called to me from the early scenes 
 
 Of life and Maggie Lee. 
 
 I would return — oh not because 
 
 I longed once more to see 
 The woman who by civic laws 
 
 Was Blanchard's wife. To me 
 'Twas just to prove to my own heart — 
 
 Which still seemed questioning fate — 
 The love whose loss made youth to smart 
 
 Would not suit man's estate! 
 
 Friends by your clothes judge your success. 
 
 I dressed with utmost care 
 For this grand ball; I would impress 
 
 The old friends I'd find there 
 With one small fact. I'd prospered since 
 
 Those years agone when I 
 Had left them all, though I did wince 
 
 Alas, they all knew why! 
 
 'Twas very late. Receivers long 
 
 Had left their row I knew. 
 I'd done this little social wrong 
 
 Through cowardice 'tis true ; 
 To save the shock of seeing her 
 
 Receive at Blanchard's side. 
 The thought of this had set astir 
 
 A dead and buried pride. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 69 
 
 I Stood well back but soon was hailed 
 
 And hurried from my stand. 
 In the confusion I had failed 
 
 To touch the hostess' hand. 
 Across the brilliant room she stood 
 
 Unchanged, undimmed it seemed, 
 And like a strong resistless flood 
 
 Rushed back the dreams I'd dreamed! 
 
 I sought her side and saw a blush 
 
 Arise as I drew near. 
 Her voice seemed like the singing thrush 
 
 But trembled. Was it fear.? 
 I asked her for the coming dance. 
 
 The music was sublime. 
 And swept aside as if by chance 
 
 The gossamer of time. 
 
 The rhythm was hghtsome as the day. 
 
 The strains were youth, were free — 
 And I was humble Tommy Gray 
 
 And she was Maggie Lee! 
 The pulses in her fingers filled 
 
 My heart with old-time joy. 
 And every call of conscience stilled — 
 
 I was again a boy! 
 
 The rapture of the heart love-mad, 
 
 That bursts all bounds and flings 
 Remonstrance to the wind and bade 
 
 Defiance to all things, 
 Was on me now! I would enjoy 
 
 The bliss, 'twould not be long, 
 That would be mine could I decoy 
 
 From her one old-time song. 
 
70 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 I'd hear another man's wife sing 
 
 A song she sang to me 
 When she was mine, all save the ring 
 
 And simple ceremony. 
 Oh, human passion, what is worse? 
 
 What cared I while it burned 
 If I should risk my life and hers. 
 
 Be hated, shunned and spurned! 
 
 I'd grasp the beaker and would sip 
 
 Its contents foam or rime, 
 When dash it from my thirsty lip 
 
 To atoms for all time! 
 She looked so calm I wondered if 
 
 She shared a httle part 
 Of all my soul was struggling with — 
 
 The tempest of the heart! 
 
 We reached at last the music room 
 
 And entered she and I. 
 'Twas fragrant with a faint perfume 
 
 Like shores that one drifts by. 
 Say, was it honor made me shrink 
 
 From asking for that song? 
 As this man's guest how could I think 
 
 To lead his wife toward wrong? 
 
 Full master of myself I weighed 
 
 With scorn my lost control. 
 How dared I plan to cast a shade 
 
 On this fair woman's soul? 
 "Your husband — Blanchard — will he be 
 
 Awaiting you by now?" 
 A look all blank she turned to me 
 
 A pallor on her brow. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 7l 
 
 "My husband?" Every word did burn — 
 
 "Why Tom, I never wed, 
 I always knew that you'd return 
 
 Again to me" she said. 
 And hke a flash from off a wire 
 
 That traversed land and sea! 
 "He married" came the words of fire 
 
 "My cousin Margaret Lee." 
 
 What Is, Is Best. 
 
 I dare not look ahead 
 Nor glance from side to side — 
 The path I long to tread 
 From duty doth divide. 
 
 Bright, broad and well-defined 
 Life's roadway lies and I 
 Walk as it is outlined 
 And smile to hide the sigh. 
 
 The years like meteors shed 
 Their light along my track 
 As quickly by they sped 
 And vanished into black. 
 
 My heart! How full the bloom — 
 The roseate bloom that seems 
 To fall about this tomb, 
 That holds but buried dreams. 
 
 And still doth reason smile 
 And point to what seems rest 
 And whisper "All this while 
 You've known 'What is, is best!'" 
 
72 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Baby's Song. 
 
 Written for Clement, aged four. 
 
 A little Tom-tit sat alone on a limb 
 
 And sang a sweet song always sung well by him. 
 
 He sang every day looking always my way 
 And I knew every word he was trying to say. 
 
 I knew when he begged for his breakfast for he 
 Was as bold in his speech as a birdie could be. 
 
 So I picked up a crumb and placed on my thumb 
 And said "Little Tommy-tit won't you have some.''" 
 
 He flew to my shoulder and peeped in my ear 
 So loud and so strong that I scarcely could hear 
 
 His little mate call from her perch in the tree; 
 "Ho, Tommy, dear Tommy you're making too free! 
 
 "I see in the distance a boy and a gun. 
 
 And maybe they'll make a sad end of your fun 
 
 "Regards to your friend, dear, but hurry and say 
 You really haven't a moment to stay. 
 
 "Say good-bye, oh, good-bye, but try when you come 
 To bring up the crumb from the end of his thumb." 
 
 So Tommy flew back to his mate in the tree 
 And took her the crumb he had taken from me. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 73 
 
 Kathleen. 
 
 I stroll through the city, my Kathleen, 
 Way out where the pass-ways are clear, 
 Way down where the bold waves are battling 
 The great sturdy piles of the pier. 
 It seems I can think of you better 
 When hearing no sound but the sea; 
 And I take from my bosom your letter 
 With none but the star-eyes to see. 
 
 And here, where the pier lamps are swinging 
 Their flickering lights o'er the wave; 
 I read o'er your letter that's bringing 
 Your messages bracing and brave. 
 I read, and away out to seaward 
 My thoughts flash out over the foam 
 Like the sweep of the wing of the sea-bird 
 And find you, my Kathleen at home. 
 
 I stand at 3''our side, as you're smiling 
 
 And stifling the sting in your heart, 
 
 While 3'^ou write these gay words so beguiling 
 
 And wince at the teardrops that start. 
 
 But, Kathleen, as over these pages 
 
 I read and re-read every line. 
 
 These waves that have flowed on for ages 
 
 Never knew heart as lonely as mine! 
 
 Tonight these same waters are bubbling 
 
 Close up to my own Kathleen's door. 
 
 They are strewing the seaweeds and troubling 
 
 And shifting the sands on the shore. 
 
 Oh, waves! Can you hear in your breath e'en 
 
 One word from my lips o'er the sea.'' 
 
 If you can, tell not kindred or Kathleen 
 
 One word of the grief I tell thee. 
 
74 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 I'll put this grief past me and picture 
 
 A snug little home all our own 
 
 With our cup full of joy and the mixture 
 
 Of absence and waiting unknown. 
 
 Oh, Kathleen, my idol, I'm working 
 
 With wages paid weekly in gold; 
 
 You know that I would not be shirking 
 
 Hard labor, or shunning the cold 
 
 When I know every dollar I settle 
 
 Is bringing you nearer to me, 
 
 Until with this masterful metal 
 
 I'll span our divider — the sea! 
 
 And you, safely over the water 
 
 Will come with light heart to the shore. 
 
 Love will lose all the terror that fraught her 
 
 For poverty'll part us no more. 
 
 I am standing again with a letter, 
 Alone, on the billow-bathed pier. 
 And I pace to and fro while I scatter 
 To the winds all foreboding and fear. 
 She's coming! I'm told in this message 
 She starts on her way here tonight. 
 The light of the stars seems to presage 
 A journey propitious and bright. 
 
 Oh, Thou, who saidst "Peace," and commotion 
 
 Sank back at Thy word into rest, 
 
 I pray whisper "Peace" to the ocean — 
 
 Tonight Kathleen sleeps on its breast! 
 
 Wild waves, as you're tossing and breaking 
 
 And foaming and fretting to shore. 
 
 Do you know what a treasure you're taking 
 
 Away from the poor cabin door.'' 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 75 
 
 Do you gaess at the hopes you are heaving 
 
 And tossing about on your breast? 
 
 Do you grieve with the anguish you're leaving 
 
 On the shore as you ebb out to rest? 
 
 Do you weep with the eyes that are gazing 
 
 And straining to see through their tears 
 
 The ship bearing off through the hazing 
 
 The jewel they've treasured for years? 
 
 Time tarries. Since dawn I have waited 
 
 And scanned the broad ocean until 
 
 My eyes with its glory is sated — 
 
 My heart with its grandeur grown chill. 
 
 That speck in the distance? "The steamer!" 
 
 They shout like the voice of a gale. 
 
 And prepare each with banner or streamer 
 
 To salute the dear ones at her rail. 
 
 On, on, with her banners uplifting 
 
 With spars gleaming clear as a dome, 
 
 She comes, while her bows send a drifting 
 
 The billows, in furrows of foam. 
 
 And now, with her staunch timbers grazing 
 
 The quivering wharf, I but stand 
 
 With eyes on her crowded decks, gazing 
 
 At passengers ready to land. 
 
 I was first on the ship and the missing" 
 
 I searched for, through cabins in vain. 
 
 With a chill at my heart and a whizzing 
 
 Of wild, wasting fear through my brain. 
 
 My breath passed my lips and it chilled them. 
 
 My voice stifled back and was dumb. 
 
 My wits seemed to wander, fear filled them 
 
 And crushed them with thoughts that benumb. 
 
^6 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 The breeze bathed my brow as if soothing 
 
 The reason just ready to flee 
 
 As memory recalled with a loathing 
 
 The sight of a burial at sea! 
 
 Oh, Kathleen, my fast-fading day-dream! 
 
 Fair Kathleen! The waves sweep away 
 
 And bear on their waters the sunbeam 
 
 Of hope that long brightened my day! 
 
 The ship lies so calm at her moorings 
 
 Her wake lies so still on the sea. 
 
 So are anchored life's hopes and allurings 
 
 So floats away love's dream from me. 
 
 And I thought: "Oh, my heart if I've lost her 
 
 My trials I'll bear on alone. 
 
 For to brighten my life was what cost her 
 
 The beautiful light of her own." 
 
 My heart-strings were strained to the snapping— 
 
 The darkness seemed sinking all round, 
 
 And closing me in. It seemed wrapping, 
 
 The sea and the air and the ground! 
 
 Ho, courage, at last you have failed me 
 
 That here without reason I stand.? 
 
 Hark! whose was that rich voice that hailed me- 
 
 Whose fingers are clasping my hand.'' 
 
 Wait, heart, do not break in your rapture. 
 Wait, lips, do not rave in delight. 
 Yet I feared to look round lest I capture 
 Some being not hers but some sprite 
 From a land that is far-famed in story 
 Whose natives are not of our mold; 
 But I turned and met Kathleen, my glory, 
 With her tresses of shimmering gold! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA ^^ 
 
 Elsie. 
 
 I have thought and still am thinking 
 
 Of the cares our lives attend, 
 
 And have wondered "What the profit 
 
 They will bring us in the end?" 
 
 And have thought and still am thinking 
 
 Much of this is useless strain — 
 
 That in harvesting, the chaff is 
 
 Gathered in instead of grain. 
 
 And I fancy when the end comes 
 We will find, both you and I 
 That in searching dross for treasure 
 Many a golden hour slipped by. 
 Years ago our bright-eyed Elsie 
 Passed out through our cottage door. 
 Looking backward, throwing kisses 
 With the hand a new ring wore. 
 
 On her lashes, tear-drops glistening 
 Dimmed the glory of her eyes. 
 They were blue with depths of purple 
 That we find in midnight skies. 
 Looking backward, throwing kisses 
 As the coach wound round the hill. 
 When it turned the copse of cedar 
 She was looking backward still. 
 
 First came every week a letter 
 Telling of the life she led; 
 Sights she saw — but all the pages 
 Bore the trace of tears she shed. 
 Time, like oil on troubled waters 
 Surge on surge, our grief did quell. 
 Time, too, as the surest healer 
 Soothed poor Elsie's heart as well. 
 
78 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 And so well he'd soothed her yearning 
 And so well weaned love awa}^ 
 That for letter, word or visit 
 We could wait full many a day. 
 But she'd now gone far to westward 
 So her visits must be few. 
 She had four dear little children 
 That engrossed her time we knew. 
 
 Mother said that it was natural 
 To forget the ones at home. 
 Every birdling loves its own nest, 
 Better than the one it's flown. 
 But the letters filled with doings 
 That defied the books for names — 
 Balls, soirees, teas and receptions 
 Levees, matinees and games! 
 
 Fetes, fairs, clubs, parties, revels — 
 
 Till you'd weary of the list. 
 
 Such an effervesce of pleasure 
 
 As to rob joy of its gist. 
 
 There were duties, very grave ones. 
 
 Interspersed between these whirls 
 
 Which, though natural seemed incongruous 
 
 As the oyster decked in pearls. 
 
 Filled so full was every letter 
 With her routine's crushing grind 
 That between the lines with searching 
 Not a tender thought we'd find. 
 Unexpected came a letter — 
 'Twas a short but welcome note, 
 'Twas the first for nearly twelvemonth 
 Our forgetful Elsie wrote. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 79 
 
 " When yoii hear the partridge thruimning 
 
 Through the forest and the glen; 
 
 When the thrush and lark are singing 
 
 Til be luith you, mother, then!" 
 
 Thus the message ran and mother 
 
 Read the wording o'er and o'er 
 
 Till in fancy Elsie's children 
 
 One by one trooped through the door. 
 
 Then the snow slid down the river 
 
 With a gurgle like a song. 
 
 And the dead reeds through the marshes 
 
 Seemed to whisper all day long: 
 
 "When you hear the partridge thrumming 
 
 Through the forest and the glen, 
 
 When the thrush and lark are singing 
 
 I'll be with you, mother, then!" 
 
 Down the hillside swept the slushes. 
 Buds bedecked the bending boughs. 
 Lighter green hung on the cedars 
 And the reeds rose from the sloughs. 
 From the forest shade the thrumming 
 Of the partridge could be heard; 
 And the thrush and lark were singing 
 Elsie's letter word for word. 
 
 But she came not. Still its thrumming 
 Called the mate or cheered the young 
 Of the partridge in the woodland. 
 And the lark long soared and sung. 
 "Let the tulips stand" said mother 
 "For she'll come when best they blow." 
 So we let them stand, nor plucked them 
 Though their leaves dropped limp and low. 
 
80 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 In their waiting. "Well," said mother 
 When the roses bloom she'll come." 
 So we never plucked a blossom 
 That the children might have some. 
 And the roses bloomed and faded 
 On their dainty stems unsought. 
 And like hopes that mother nurtured 
 All their blooming came to naught. 
 
 "Let the cherry-tree she planted 
 Stand untouched, perhaps she'll be 
 With us yet the fruit to gather 
 As she used to in girlish glee; 
 Let it stand." The cherries ripened, 
 Birds flew through the laden boughs. 
 Bearing off the fruit that waited— 
 What cared they for broken vows.-* 
 
 Where the fruit had grovv^n, the snowflakes 
 Trembled on each bough instead. 
 Through the window mother watched them 
 With her quiet thoughts unsaid. 
 As she backward swa3^ed and forward, 
 Just a motion nothing more, 
 I could see the past was rising 
 And she lived the old time o'er. 
 
 Unredeemed, is still the promise 
 Made and then so soon forgot. 
 Mother, silent in reproaches 
 Holds the instance as if naught. 
 But to me, who watched her flushes 
 Turn to pallor in her pain, 
 Comes the question: "Why did Elsie 
 Let her watch and wait in vain?" 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 8 1 
 
 Still I question: "Couldn't Elsie 
 
 From her rushed routine just spare 
 
 One short week to cheer this hearth-stone 
 
 And the old heart over there?" 
 
 Years have passed. Beneath the grasses 
 
 Fingers folded, placid brow; 
 
 Elsie's sleeping. And I question 
 
 ''''What is time to Elsie now?" 
 
 What has profited this struggle 
 
 To be first in social race? 
 
 What the trophies that are carried 
 
 Up Beyond, from such a chase? 
 
 Will the weight thrown in the balance 
 
 Where the Book says we'll be weighed, 
 
 Pay, for carrying such a burden 
 
 As has social custom laid? 
 
 Thus, within my mind I question — 
 But to mother (and 'tis best) 
 Elsie's foibles all have vanished, 
 All passed on and out to rest. 
 While the loved and loving daughter 
 Still with tender, tear-lashed eyes 
 Glances backward, ever backward 
 Throwing kisses from the skies. 
 
82 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 The Babe That Died. 
 
 My hands are idle — let them fold 
 
 These fingers now at rest, 
 My arms are empty — let them hold 
 
 This cold cheek to my breast. 
 And let me press these silent lips, 
 
 So pale and oh, so sweet; 
 Life's pathway stretches up the cliffs 
 
 Scarce touched by these small feet. 
 
 Life's rugged pathway winding far 
 
 Through thorns and shades and sin; 
 Might lead my little treasure where 
 
 I ne'er might follow him. 
 And I might stretch my empty arms 
 
 In mute and vain appeal, 
 To call him back from love that harms 
 
 And joys that bring no weal. 
 
 My love, my pearl, my diadem, 
 
 His joy my grief suffice. 
 I hold the casket but the gem 
 
 Adorns the crown of Christ. 
 My heart throbs hard with mother grief, 
 
 My lips are still with pain. 
 I weep, but faith brings this relief — 
 
 r II find my boy again. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 83 
 
 The Intruder. 
 
 (With apologies to Burns.) 
 
 I bowed m}' head in silent prayer 
 
 And wrapt in thought long kept it there; 
 
 But raised my eyes at last and met 
 
 A countenance I cannot forget. 
 
 Before me in a cushioned pew 
 
 The sweetest girl I ever knew 
 
 Was posing; conscious she too well, 
 
 She was a beaut}-^ and a belle. 
 
 And on her shoulder face to me 
 
 A bed-bug, calm as bug can be 
 
 Was posing too; his countenance 'twas 
 
 That brought my prayers unto a pause. 
 
 His strange and startled stare was bent 
 In wild and wandering wonderment, 
 Upon the arches lifting high 
 Their gilded grandeur toward the sky. 
 But soon his eye accustomed grew 
 To these strange sights and in his new 
 Position seemed to feel at home 
 As though such places long he'd known. 
 He turned, and, as it seemed to me 
 His one hand rested on his knee. 
 Squaring his little elbow out 
 Like unto other males about. 
 And nonchalantly like them all 
 Studied the frescoes on the wall. 
 Indifference of superior kind 
 Marking the working of his mind. 
 
84 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 The sudden gleam of many lights 
 
 His inexp)erienced eye affrights 
 
 And with a hurried backward look 
 
 He to his nimble pedals took. 
 
 And high and low and far and wide 
 
 Sought where a frightened bug might hide. 
 
 And rampant to a last degree 
 
 Heedless of all propriety 
 
 He scampered up and scuttled down 
 
 The back seam of that dainty gown, 
 
 And o'er that "perfect dream" of skill 
 
 He cut his bed-bug antics till 
 
 A canopy of shelter spread 
 
 At last its shelter o'er his head. 
 
 And underneath the "latest" sleeve 
 
 He crept, a sigh of thanks to heave. 
 
 Now, bed-bug, though you found your ease 
 
 You made me anxious if you please 
 
 And much disturbed my peace of mind 
 
 Relating to the folks behind. 
 
 I seemed to feel adov/n my back 
 
 The light but terrible tictac 
 
 Of your small tread. Nor could believe 
 
 You'd stay beneath that pretty sleeve. 
 
 I wondered if some people saw 
 
 As great if not a greater flaw 
 
 In my own make-up. Though if you 
 
 Were skulking in around my pew 
 
 I'd scorn to own remotest kith, 
 
 Or knowledge of or friendship with 
 
 Your bugship; so I thus conclude 
 
 You did your company intrude 
 
 Upon that dainty lady who 
 
 Did occupy the seat with you. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 85 
 
 You came, no doubt, not from her home, 
 
 But like a little tramp did roam 
 
 And in a crowded car caught on 
 
 Her gown less than an hour agone! 
 
 Would she may lift that sleeve herself 
 
 And catch you — you disgraceful elf! 
 
 For thus right early she may learn 
 
 We have no power to discern 
 
 The right or wrong before our eyes, 
 
 And lose all right to criticise. 
 
 That judgment from a finite view 
 
 Cannot be rendered just and true. 
 
 'Twill teach the lesson that she must 
 
 Put Httle faith and Httle trust 
 
 In outward semblances, and see 
 
 With what ease wrong clings wrongfully. 
 
 Resignation. 
 
 My children.? Oh, I offered them to Him. 
 Long, long ago when life and they were dim 
 
 Futurity. 
 And shall I stand beside their graves and weep 
 Knowing so well their rest is but a sleep 
 
 Full of security.? 
 
 These little mounds whose altitude scarce shows 
 Above the grasses, cast a shade that throws 
 
 Its length o'er distance dim. 
 But oft I think as day and darkness meet 
 How free from snare are now these little feet — 
 
 They walk with Him. 
 
86 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 The Whip-Poor- Will 
 
 Whip-poor-will! Ho! Whip-poor-will! 
 
 Has your happy voice grown still? 
 Or has the march of progress sped your flight, 
 
 To far forests in whose deep 
 
 You're secure e'en while you sleep? 
 Oh, birdie, answer backward through the night! 
 
 In the doorway oft I've stood 
 
 Gazing toward the darkening wood, 
 Listening to the frogs a-singing down the slough. 
 
 Hearkening to the gentle whir 
 
 Of the leaflets all astir — 
 When I close my eyes I seem to hear them now. 
 
 As the night-shades settled round 
 
 Always came with them a sound, 
 Fresh and thrilling like the whistle of the flute. 
 
 Very high and very low 
 
 Very swift and very slow 
 Very clear and strong and very resolute. 
 
 Swift and sudden came its ring 
 Through those twilights in the spring, 
 
 Falling on one's trembling heart-chord with a thrill. 
 From his joyous little throat 
 Flashed each full-timed happy note 
 
 Of the rich-toned, rustic singer Whip-poor-will. 
 
 Sweet, oh, sweet the song he sang 
 
 Though it savored of harangue. 
 And the boisterous little braggart seemed to reach 
 
 Everyone both far and near 
 
 Who possessed a listening ear 
 As he took his little stump and sang his speech. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 87 
 
 Then my little world was bound 
 
 By the woods that stood around, 
 And their shadows filled my bosom with unrest. 
 
 Nature spread h er charms in view 
 
 And to me whose joys were few 
 The Whip-poor-will's sweet song seemed first and best. 
 
 Frogs a-croaking down the fiat 
 
 Here and there a fluttering bat 
 And the deep-drawn, placid breathing of the kine. 
 
 As they lay beyond the bars 
 
 'Neath the shelter of the stars — 
 These filled the twilight evenings that were mine. 
 
 Sighing, swayed the heavy boughs 
 
 Softly sighed the sleeping cows 
 And I wondered if the world were all so still. 
 
 O'er the lowlands lay the mist, 
 
 All is lone and lorn when — hist! 
 Like a triumph rings the song of Whip-poor-will. 
 
 Music, music fresh as dew 
 
 Cheering as the moon when new, 
 Charming, with a charm that lasts one's whole life long. 
 
 Whip-poor-will, lost Whip-poor-will 
 
 How these twilights miss the thrill 
 Of the magic and the music of his song! 
 
 Very high and very low 
 
 Very swift and very slow 
 Very earnest, very full and very clear; 
 
 Where the shadows seemed most dense 
 
 Just beyond the door-yard fence 
 Flashed suddenly this rapture on the ear. 
 
88 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 And it quickened up my heart 
 
 That was world-sick from the start 
 And it taught me that the deepest gloom may bring 
 
 Something joyous, light and bright 
 
 As it brought this bird at night 
 That never in the daylight's known to sing. 
 
 A Piece of Lace. 
 
 Why do I keep this piece of lace? 
 
 Because it somehow fills a place. 
 It helps my anxious eye to trace 
 
 The lineaments of one loved face. 
 A wee, wee face that stole away 
 
 A sunbeam from our sunlit way. 
 
 A face not pillowed on my breast, 
 A face whose silence told its rest, 
 
 And gave no sign though oft caressed. 
 One tiny hand a rosebud pressed. 
 
 This lace? I saw it when I bowed — 
 
 *Twas used to trim the baby's shroud. 
 
 It brings to me a babe asleep 
 
 On which I gazed. I did not weep. 
 Why should I? Surely He will keep 
 
 These ones He loves with love so deep. 
 I laid love's tenderness aside 
 
 And clung to Faith when baby died. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 89 
 
 In Memory of Father B. W. Lorrigan. 
 
 Whose first and last mass was sung on Christmas day, 1887. 
 
 An angel of death swept on pinions of shadow 
 
 Slowly to earthward on last Christmas day. 
 
 Swayed on her swift wing o'er mountain and meadow, 
 
 Then entered a chapel decked fair as the May; 
 
 Silently stood near a youthful priest kneeling 
 
 Low at the altar his first mass to sing, 
 
 Into his voice came her sweet pathos stealing 
 
 While over him shadowed her sheltering wing. 
 
 Over his soul came her heavenly seeming 
 As deep in his heart sank her peace and her love. 
 While into his eyes came the drift of her dreaming — 
 Her dreams of long rest in the mansions above. 
 Into his hands came the grace of her gesture 
 Into his voice came the strength of her prayer. 
 Over his robes fell the glow of her vesture 
 Lighting the face that an angel might wear. 
 
 Hovering near, as his hands raised in blessing — 
 
 Heaven's own light on his countenance shone — 
 
 She said, while a kiss on his white forehead pressing, 
 
 "This is my seal; I will claim thee my own!" 
 
 And we, who, transfixed by his youth and his beauty 
 
 Did fervently pray that his feet might not miss, 
 
 But ever walk true in the pathways of duty 
 
 Knew not that his brow bore the Death Angel's kiss. 
 
 Nor knew why his eyes wore that wonderful splendor 
 
 Like jewels reflecting a ray from the Throne. 
 
 Nor guessed that the face where youth's light beamed 
 
 so tender 
 Reflected an angel's face near to his own. 
 
90 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 And quickly she claimed him against the endeavor 
 Of all love and science to lure off the goal. 
 Oh, light of God's glory surround him forever — 
 Oh, peace of Christ's Paradise solace his soul! 
 
 Retrospection. 
 
 Where I most live 'tis always spring 
 The mosses yield beneath my feet, 
 
 The song-birds gayly dart and sing 
 
 As mate seeks mate on pinion iieet. 
 
 There always comes the moistened touch 
 Of spring's rare kisses on my cheek. 
 
 This fiower-land I love so much 
 No autumn chill makes bleak. 
 
 My mind dwells there because to me 
 Those years encompassed more 
 
 Than time shall span again though he 
 Deal out a round four score. 
 
 This land is youth. I dwell there still. 
 
 From me its spring cannot depart. 
 A flower it is that doth distill 
 
 Elixir from its crystal heart. 
 
 Of which I drink or thirst and die; 
 
 For I must live and I must sing 
 With hearts that love with love near by — 
 
 Or yield to autumn's withering. 
 
 So where I live 'tis always spring 
 
 The beeches and the flowers unfold. 
 
 And nature in its whispering 
 
 Tells "the old story ne'er grown old." 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 9 1 
 
 Clouds. 
 
 There were rifts in the clouds yester-even, 
 
 Dark clouds, where the bright moon peepedthrough 
 
 And shone for an instant, then vanished 
 And left the world darker to view. 
 
 And my way lay ahead in the distance 
 
 Too dim and uncertain to see; 
 And the moon drifted on but the darkness 
 
 Was all that the night gave to me. 
 
 Still, I knew there was light, and that sometime. 
 
 Yea, sometime I knew it must fall 
 And knew it would flood o'er the darkness 
 
 The night, and my pathway and all. 
 
 And I prayed: "By Thy tears in the garden 
 When low hung the dark clouds o'er Thee, 
 
 Oh, Christ, be my guide and my solace, 
 
 Give strength from Thy strength-cup to me! 
 
 "For my life like this night has grown darkened 
 
 And the shadows are all that I see. 
 But I pray that the will of the Father 
 
 As Thou prayest be done unto me." 
 
 These clouds after all, seem like incense 
 
 Of prayer floating upward to God, 
 Why grieve, when the eye of the Father 
 
 Doth watch both the rainbow and clod.'' 
 
 Why doubt, when the shadows have parted 
 
 That cover my life like a pall, 
 I shall see that God's mercy like moonlight 
 
 Glowed back of the clouds through it all.'' 
 
92 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 My Tempter. 
 
 My Muse doth beckon me and say: 
 "Let us away, let us away! 
 Away where skies are opal-hued 
 And HHes on the lakes are strewed; 
 Where mountain breezes kiss the hair 
 And rest is reigning everywhere. 
 Come, dream with me thy spirit dreams 
 By mossy rocks and whispering streams; 
 Come, clasp thou Genius' proffered hand 
 In that fair land, that longed-for land! 
 
 "Grown weary art thou of thy toil, 
 
 And, as a clod like to the soil 
 
 Thou treadst upon, wilt thou become — 
 
 Fit to be trod on, sordid, dumb! 
 
 Expand thou in the higher air 
 
 That mind that nature meant should share 
 
 The atmosphere where laurels wreathe — 
 
 There shouldst thou live, there shouldst thou breathe! 
 
 Rise, and dispense thy nature's hoard; 
 
 'Twas given thee, not to be stored 
 
 Like miser's gold! Come thou with me — 
 
 Live thou thy life! Be free, be free!" 
 
 And thus my Muse doth rouse my Soul 
 Till, all rebellious of control 
 Imperiously she quick demands; 
 "Release or I must break these bands! 
 For I would scale yon sparkling heights 
 And drain yon goblet of delights. 
 Would sing my song with voice as free 
 As nature's own great symphony. 
 Would live the higher life! Oh, this, 
 To me were bliss, to me were bliss. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 93 
 
 "I hear afar those whispering streams, 
 
 I feel the atmosphere, the beams 
 
 Of fine aesthetic light. I long 
 
 To rise above the cares that throng 
 
 My path at every turn. The toil 
 
 The circumstances that do foil 
 
 Ambitions rise. I long to scale 
 
 Yon heights. I weary of the vale. 
 
 To rise is my inborn desire — 
 
 I would go higher, I must go higher!" 
 
 But Reason speaks: '*Thy duty lies 
 At present far beneath yon skies! 
 Beside this cradle sing thy song 
 'Twill echo through the centuries long. 
 'Twill live, perhaps, when like all clay 
 Earth shall itself have passed away. 
 The best oh, ardent Soul, spend here, 
 Thy music on the baby's ear 
 Will not be lost. Live thou thy grand 
 Great life — but hold the baby's hand! 
 
 "Try thou not now to climb those heights, 
 To drain that goblet of delights. 
 But drink thou here thy humble cup 
 And share with babe thy every sup. 
 'Twill sweeten after-life for him 
 If thy lips, too, have touched the brim. 
 Train thou the tender mind and heart; 
 For virtue, in an honest mart, 
 Than genius brings a higher price — 
 Aye, higher twice, nay, higher thrice! 
 
94 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 "So o'er the stewardship of Now 
 Be faithful. From the naked bough 
 Burst forth the vital buds. Not bare 
 Thy life of fruitfulness. But where 
 Achievements high seem least to be 
 They latent lie. 'Tis thus we see 
 Wealth, honor, fame may all be grown 
 In humble soil if seed be sown. 
 Yon heights if gained may prove full drear — 
 Content thee here, be happy here." 
 
 And Reason adds: "Perchance a ruse 
 
 Is this that calls itself thy 'Muse'; 
 
 Remember heights thou cannot scale 
 
 Ere thou hast safely walked the vale! 
 
 And if, perchance thou reach those streams 
 
 Besides which thou wouldst dream thy dreams, 
 
 Mays't find thy inspiration fled — 
 
 That farther up thy Muse hath sped 
 
 And from a greater height may say: 
 
 'Come thou this way, this higher way!' 
 
 "Thus will-o'-wisp will surely prove 
 The one who lures thee from the groove 
 Where duty placed thee and v^^here lies 
 Thy life-work, clear as summer skies. 
 Believe me, though thy coming's late. 
 Thy Muse if true for thee will wait. 
 Will wait till thou hast gained control 
 Of this thyself, oh, restless Soul! 
 Till, full expanded in the light 
 Of God's munificence, no sprite 
 Of Fancy's fold can change thy bent 
 Of judgment. Wisdom, heaven-lent 
 Will guide thy rise toward yonder skies. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 95 
 
 "Thy Muse, if true will wait thee there 
 Where skies are opal-hued and fair. 
 Where lilies lie upon the lakes 
 Where music o'er the water breaks. 
 She'll spin with thee thy threads at eve, 
 And weave with thee thy wonder-weave. 
 On wings of light she'll lead thee higher 
 To thy desire, thy great desire. 
 And there beside those whispering streams 
 She'll dream with thee thy spirit dreams." 
 
 When The Children are Grown. 
 
 "When the children are grown" 
 
 Mused a mother one night 
 "I shall set this and that 
 
 And the other thing right. 
 I shall purchase this, that. 
 
 And the other thing too, 
 And have the house furnished 
 
 And burnished anew. 
 
 "Yes, then I shall purchase 
 
 The fine Brussel's net 
 For the drawing-room windows. 
 
 And that coveted set 
 Of gay Royal Dalton; 
 
 No use getting it now, 
 To be chipped, cracked and broken 
 
 As children know how. 
 
96 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 "Every plan I conceive — 
 
 Every project is blown 
 In haste and to waste 
 
 By their pigmy cyclone, 
 That scatters and batters 
 
 And ruins the best 
 Of endeavors I make 
 
 To improve the home nest. 
 
 "But from basement to attic 
 
 I'll give a fresh tone 
 To the entire house 
 
 When the children are grown.' 
 And her mind sped ahead 
 
 To the time when with ease 
 She'd enjoy both her children 
 
 And luxuries like these. 
 
 Then softly, so softly 
 
 That none else could hear 
 Had it fallen on any 
 
 Save mother's quick ear, 
 Came a breath of reproof 
 
 From the bedroom near by, 
 A breath that spoke volumes — 
 
 A sleeping child's sigh. 
 
 Had she gone to bed happy 
 
 This dear little mite.? 
 Or was there a tear in 
 
 Her kiss of good night.? 
 Her sigh woke a feeling 
 
 Of anguished unrest 
 Way deep in the center 
 
 Of young mother's breast. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 97 
 
 Was she giving full joy, 
 
 Was she giving her best, 
 To the little ones gathered 
 
 Within the home nest? 
 Was she rasping and grasping 
 
 And saving the best 
 For the haphazard caller 
 
 Or sometime strange guest? 
 
 Was she fretfully watching 
 
 Every move each child made 
 Lest the furniture suffer 
 
 A jot vi^here they played? 
 I fear a voice whispered 
 
 That all this was true 
 But assured, there was time 
 
 Much of this to undo. 
 
 It told her that childhood 
 
 With vision so clear 
 Always magnified all 
 
 Of the good or bad near. 
 That the measure of beauty 
 
 Ten fold good would do 
 If 'twere given them now 
 
 While life yet was so new. 
 
 "Why wait?" said that whisper, 
 
 "Why wait till they're grown? 
 Your babes are now with you. 
 
 When grown they are flown. 
 They will have all too little 
 
 Of home's best to share 
 If you wait till they're grown 
 
 To save tatter and tear." 
 
98 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 She stole to the bedside 
 
 And kissed each damp brow. 
 "I shall get the fine china 
 
 And Brussel's net now. 
 They can tangle their fingers 
 
 Within its fine folds — 
 After all, they're the best 
 
 Of the riches life holds. 
 
 "The fine things I get 
 
 When these little ones are 
 Too prudent and prim 
 
 To disfigure or mar 
 Will be lacking the pleasure 
 
 That clings oh, so much 
 To each article bearing 
 
 The trace of their touch." 
 
 Star of the Sea. 
 
 We praise her in poetic measure, 
 
 In the grace and the grandeur of prose, 
 And Genius has offered his treasure 
 
 At the feet of the fair Jewish Rose. 
 The brush and the pen have extolled her 
 
 Both in maiden and motherhood charms, 
 And the hearts of the holy enfold her 
 
 As she folds the Christ in her arms. 
 Fair Lily of Israel, waiting 
 
 That message of prestige to be, 
 Passed out from the shades of the temple 
 
 Our immaculate Star of the sea. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 99 
 
 Ah, "Blessed art thou among women!" 
 
 The angel of God announced this. 
 "The Lord is with thee!" This the message 
 
 That filled her with fear and with bliss; 
 That raised her above all creation — 
 
 That gave her the stars for a crown. 
 "Thou hastfound grace with God," Hark ye nations! 
 
 For here is proclaimed her renown. 
 'Behold from henceforth, generations 
 
 Shall all call me blessed!" Glad are we 
 To offer our homage of honor 
 
 To her our blessed Star of the sea. 
 
 In Bethlehem's stable we find her, 
 
 Prayerful and blissful and mild 
 And humble, albeit the shepherds 
 
 Kneel lowly, and worship her child. 
 Silent, and fearful she pondered 
 
 The words of the worshipping few, 
 Glancing anon at the manger 
 
 Wondering how all this were true. 
 A mystery shadowed the stable 
 
 And gathered its gloom. Ah, but she 
 Rose undimmed both in virtue and glory — 
 
 Our luminous Star of the sea. 
 
 And all through the changing picture 
 
 Of Christ's holy mission here 
 We find her a tender guardian 
 
 Hovering ever near. 
 Watching His happy childhood. 
 
 Wondering and worshipping while 
 Her heart sank low at His sadness. 
 
 Her beauty grew bright in His smile. 
 
lOO WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 And hers was the blissful privilege 
 
 To stand by His side and know 
 All His life, from the humble manger, 
 
 On, up through the way of woe. 
 Dear arms that have sheltered the Savior 
 
 Shield those who have trusted in thee. 
 And over life's turbulent billows 
 
 Beam brightly, blessed Star of the sea. 
 
 Though great was the grace of her mission — 
 
 A triumph o'er all woman kind — 
 A ceaseless foreboding filled ever 
 
 The innermost depths of her mind; 
 'Twas the prophecy made in the temple 
 
 "Thy own soul a sword shall pierce!" This 
 Like a cloud hanging dark in the distance 
 
 Ever shadowed her hours of bliss. 
 This beauteous woman, this chosen 
 
 Of all David's daughters to be 
 The Vessel of Honor, hath suffered 
 
 Pain known not to you and to me! 
 
 Out where the storm-clouds are flinging 
 
 Their banners of blackness on high; 
 Out where the lightnings are flashing 
 
 Their lurid light's through the sky. 
 We see, in a vision of anguish 
 
 A cross, towering rugged and tall, 
 And we hear like the call of the thunder 
 
 A voice cry out over it all: 
 "It is finished." And we know that the Savior 
 
 Has turned from the hyssop and gall. 
 Clinging to Christ in her terror, 
 
 Kissing the blood-branded tree — 
 Hers was the sorrow of sorrows 
 
 Cloud-covered, Star of the sea! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA lOI 
 
 My Husband. 
 
 In the rosy realms of youth 
 
 First we met. 
 Where the pathways are uncouth, 
 But they lead one on forsooth 
 Where the flowered ways in truth 
 
 Are a net. 
 
 Caught in film as frail and fine 
 
 As the dew. 
 Cupid never drew a line 
 With an aim more deadly fine 
 Than pierced heart of thine and mine — 
 
 This we knew. 
 
 All along the path together 
 
 That we chose. 
 Held thou ever Cupid's tether 
 Through the fair or fickle weather, 
 Whether sun shone bright or whether 
 
 Storms arose! 
 
 Armor wearest thou not and yet 
 
 Dost defend. 
 'Gainst the evils that beset 
 'Gainst each vague and vain regret 
 That doth hang and haunt me yet, 
 
 Oh, my friend! 
 
 I've thought Cupid's little dart 
 
 Heaven-sent. 
 For thou'st been my guide and chart 
 And thou'st acted well thy part. 
 And I've rested near thy heart 
 
 In content. 
 
102 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Memories. 
 
 Voices lost come back to me, 
 Faces fair I used to see; 
 Voices that I loved to hear, 
 Faces once so very near. 
 
 When they gathered close and pressed 
 Low their heads upon my breast; 
 I am glad I let them know 
 How I loved them, long ago. 
 
 Glad, too, I have full}^ known 
 All the riches then my own. 
 When they leaned against my knee 
 And I cared not to be free. 
 
 Little ones! The thrilling notes 
 Bubbling from their happy throats 
 Fell like music on my ear 
 And grew richer year by year. 
 
 Song-birds mine, who sang to me 
 Far off in my memory. 
 Come back and with your music bring 
 My youth again, just while you sing! 
 
 I shall listen and shall know 
 Every note of long ago. 
 Every sound will bring the cheer 
 That my little ones are near. 
 
 Come, ye little clinging hands 
 And clasp my own like silken bands 
 Come, ye little tottering feet 
 And let me hear again your beat! 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA IO3 
 
 Little wavering steps are now 
 A man's long strides! Each placid brow 
 Has lines of care. Each velvet cheek 
 Is bearded. Oh, Time will ye speak 
 
 And tell me have ye aught in store 
 As price for these now mine no more.-* 
 Tell me hast thou aught for me 
 That can replace these treasures three? 
 
 April's Pruning. 
 
 Our youth like the spring is a promise rife 
 Of the full, rich harvest of after life; 
 
 Great prospects abound in the filling field, 
 
 Bright blossoms foretell of the orchard's yield. 
 
 The heart is astir with a life new born, 
 
 Its juices as sweet as the coming corn. 
 
 Soon grief, like the sough of the April blast 
 
 Shakes every bough with its bloom broadcast. 
 
 And some must lie on the yielding ground 
 
 While the rest flash back in a strong rebound. 
 
 The fittest remain and the lost ones yield 
 
 Good compost, no doubt, for a fallow field; 
 
 But the boughs that have bent to blast and frost, 
 
 Have they no regret for the blossoms lost.? 
 We know that the waste of that bloom contained 
 
 An added strength for the fruit that remained. 
 That sorrows of youth like pruning in spring 
 
 Both treasures of good to the harvest bring. 
 But we know though with plenty the harvest swell 
 
 It's natural to sigh for the blossoms that fell. 
 
104 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Like the April rain on the window pane 
 
 Are the tears of youth — they soon dry again. 
 
 But they leave a trace like a waste or stain. 
 
 They seem like the bloom 'neath the pelting rain 
 
 That never, no never shall rise again. 
 
 And rich however the harvest may be, 
 
 Is it ever as sweet as the bloomtime.-* Ah me! 
 
 Reason's great alchemy turns dross to gold. 
 
 Nature's great crucible best traits unfold. 
 Thus cometh good from what seemeth but lost — 
 
 Pain shapes the character, count not the cost. 
 Welcome the blast and the bhght and the frost, 
 
 Hide every bruise, every hope that was lost. 
 Enjoy the rich fruits of the orchards and know 
 
 It was best for us all that some blossoms lie low. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA lO? 
 
 Dread of Oblivion. 
 
 "When I shall die!" We saw this as the theme 
 Of some sad poet's sentimental dream, 
 
 Or nightmre rather for he took a view 
 That made us shudder as we read it through. 
 
 In graceful metaphor he showed the grim 
 State of affairs when time was past for him. 
 
 Himself the center as the world went round 
 Knew best its loss when he lay under ground. 
 
 We scorned his thought and scorned his verse wherein 
 Lay implied surety that its virtue win 
 
 A deathless place; that in the minds of men 
 He thus might live the centuries o'er again. 
 
 Until we found his hope, though scarce expressed 
 Lies in the depth of every human breast. 
 
 We're each a factor whose uncommon worth 
 Seems such a waste to hide beneath the earth! 
 
 Oh, to be missed! To have the world's great heart 
 Feel but one pang, one poignant pain, one smart 
 
 At our demise. 'Twould light the flame 
 For one brief moment in our torch of fame. 
 
 "When I shall die!" It is a thought we all 
 Dispatch with speed, reluctantly recall. 
 
 But which with force obtrudes itself at will 
 And for the moment makes the heart stand still; 
 
 Which we discuss in whispers and which bleeds 
 The veins of mirth, awhile, then no one heeds! 
 
 Ah, but, sir friend when you or we shall die 
 As die we must as sure's the sky's the sky, 
 
I06 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 'Twill be as viewing broad, bright fields of grain, 
 Our little stalk, too frail to bear the strain 
 Sinks to the earth and does not rise again. 
 
 Those standing near may note the jar and fall 
 And for the moment cease their waving all. 
 
 But save the near-by few, who else may know 
 That one straw less stands in the glittering row? 
 
 These near-by few, how long do they recall 
 The incident of yonder weakling's fall? 
 
 Perhaps a moment! Far too much have they 
 To do, to mourn their fellow that's away — 
 They've duties with the myriads that stay, 
 
 'Tis just as well for us to face the fact 
 
 That we, the perishable, must think and act. 
 
 With zeal set on the lasting things that hold 
 Against the force of death, decay and mold. 
 
 How fleeting are the things we cherish most. 
 Of which we plan and scheme and vainly boast. 
 
 Man's high regard we crave to stand well in. 
 The good will of the world we strive to win, 
 
 The fame, the name, the limelight we admire. 
 The love of leadership our hearts desire; 
 
 The gold we hoarded, jewels that we kept 
 In glaring splendor while the poor man wept. 
 
 These trifles gathered in our grasping hands. 
 With right to titles, ownership of lands — 
 
 What profit these? The hands unclasp and all 
 Slip from the pulseless grasp when comes the Call! 
 
 Then let us not regret or pine or grieve 
 
 O'er this great ill we're powerless to retrieve — 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA IO7 
 
 What Adam lost by his great broken trust, 
 But, meek, accept the sentence "Dust to Dust." 
 
 And when we're gone the living world will swing 
 On o'er its orbit past the stars that sing 
 
 Their endless songs; and this same sun will shine 
 After, as well as ages ere our time. 
 
 We're but an eon sent forth for a time 
 Clothed in the garment of creation's slime. 
 
 Just for a while to keep the place we're given, 
 And fill the tasks assigned to us by heaven. 
 
 A brilliant goal is given us to reach 
 
 Which we must gain by entering through the breach 
 
 Called Death, beyond which lies our destiny 
 Which with the eyes of faith e'en now we see. 
 
 Here are the streets all paved in gleaming gold, 
 The walls thereof are jasper stone, we're told. 
 
 The gates are pearl and gleam as moonlight gleams, 
 Here are fulfilled the dreamer's fondest dreams. 
 
 The jewels lie like pebbles on the shore — 
 Here are no partings. Here there will be more 
 
 Of joy than mind of man hath e'er conceived. 
 Now tell me, friend, why is it we are grieved 
 
 About this great transition.? Why we sigh 
 When we look forward to "When we shall die.?" 
 
I08 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Yuletide. 
 
 The lights are low, mere glittering gleams that serve 
 To guide the course of those too wont to swerve — 
 The inadvertent that oft find a snare, 
 A dead-fall even, 
 
 In an easy chair 
 If placed a fraction of a fraction more 
 To left or right from where it stood before. 
 This demi-light is what I now desire 
 That I may more enjoy 
 
 The Yuletide fire. 
 For soothing 'tis to watch its fitful glow 
 As 'tis to watch wide waters as they flow. 
 One sees strange figures come and disappear 
 And come no more. 
 
 Life seems so transient here 
 In this the flame-world, one is filled with awe 
 Remembering ne'er again he'll see what he just saw. 
 Here come strange figures, gay, grotesque, bizarre, 
 Bearing bright torches 
 
 Formed of burning bar. 
 At times each figure seems a breathing being 
 Full of keen consciousness, hearing, seeing. 
 Knowing the things one's self alone can know — 
 Baring the secrets buried long ago. 
 At times they seem 
 
 To have angelic voice 
 Of measured sweetness and of language choice 
 In words. It sounds like music. Then again 
 Come calls of terror like the cries of men^ — 
 Men in deep anguish. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA lOQ 
 
 Men whose voices cry 
 In sobs of sorrow that could rend the sky. 
 Then comes the sound of laughter, gurgling, gay, 
 Spontaneous, as the laughter of a child at play. 
 Bright little forms in groups go dancing by 
 Tossing their arms 
 
 In happiness on high, 
 As children toss their arms in joyous play 
 Pursuing pleasure on a holiday — 
 Their happy hands seem beckoning this way 
 And set me dreaming. 
 
 Then I oft can see 
 Faces once known but long forgot by me. 
 Start from the embers, flash out through the flames 
 So suddenly I almost call their names. 
 These fire-folk thus hold many charms for me 
 In lieu of more congenial company; 
 I bid them welcome. 
 
 Brief their stay 'tis true — 
 Fleeting their greeting, gracious their adieu. 
 Each flash of flame that pierces through the gloom 
 Displays the comforts of this cozy room. 
 And lights the rare old silver, e'en the bread 
 And viands on this costly table spread, 
 But all untasted. 
 
 While a hunger gnaws 
 Within my vitals for a food that was. 
 A food indeed purveyor deals not in 
 Nor can gold purchase, nor can valor win. 
 But gratis goes in gracious portions given. 
 As well to those who least for it have striven 
 As those who've begged and bartered life and soul 
 For just a portion — 
 
no WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 E'en a niggard's dole, 
 Niggardly given, reticent and cold. 
 Elixir this which turns life's dross to gold, 
 And by whose force life's currents are controlled. 
 A glimpse of heaven its recipient gains 
 Until 'tis lost; thereafter there remains 
 A barrenness of life and all therein — 
 A blank vacuity of which death is kin. 
 And this is love. 
 
 It seems a little thing 
 For which to hunger* lack of which to bring 
 Such emptiness amid such luxury as this; 
 Such pain of heart where hope had pictured bliss. 
 Listen! 
 
 That sound is like a voice in prayer; 
 Though it does rise from out the burning there. 
 What says that voice that sounds so far away."* 
 It seems to plead for those who cannot pray — 
 Poor souls whose time for prayer is spent for aye. 
 iVnd now the flame grows thin and pale and blue 
 And awful! 
 
 Tell me, think you it is true 
 That spirits sometime enter at the flue 
 And fan the flame into this ghastly hue.'' 
 I shudder, for the rising of the gale 
 Against the snow-filled windows beats as hail 
 And shrieks so like the echo of a wail. 
 Was that a wail.'' 
 
 A cry from off the street.'' 
 I draw the shades aside and through the sleet, 
 See but an auto in a swift retreat. 
 Down with resounding crash fall burning brands 
 Flashing like gems on over-jeweled hands! 
 Flooding the room with light. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA III 
 
 Till shadows grow 
 Remote and distant and a magic glow 
 Falls on their gilded darkness, shaping slow 
 The face and form of her loved long ago. 
 Strong on my vision as reality 
 Thus oft they've come before and on my reverie 
 Became so real I fancied it were she — 
 My Miriam, 
 
 Now flown beyond the sea. 
 Beam forth bright light I would again behold 
 Each graceful outline traced along the fold 
 Of her frail garments glittering like gold. 
 From crown to foot one sweeping line of grace — 
 Classic of garb, classic of form and face. 
 She seemed of breathing marble. 
 
 In her place 
 She stands again beside the mantel there 
 The firelight flashing toward her gleaming hair, 
 Lighting her face as she looks down at me. 
 With eyes whose depths hold all love's mystery. 
 Whose liquid warmth intoxicates as wine 
 Of which I drank, 
 
 And ruin has been mine. 
 Resting her shapely arm upon the mantel, she 
 Looks down upon me gravely, musingly 
 Until I rouse and lift my eyes to see 
 The fire-light falling on a fantasy. 
 Formed of my hopes. 
 
 Formed of my great desire 
 And clothed in brilliants by the fickle fire. 
 So real it seems, so full of life and bloom 
 I reach my arms to clasp — only the gloom! 
 For many, many moons had I eschewed 
 This social hour with friends, 
 
112 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Just to delude 
 Myself in thinking that one roof-tree spreads 
 Its ample shelter still above our heads. 
 And this, my dream of her at eventide 
 Is best of all the day brings best beside. 
 I live the bright brief measure and forget 
 Love's rose was plucked, 
 
 Plucked with its petals wet 
 With dews of hope upon its bosom spread; 
 Then cast to earth and deep her foot did tread 
 It in the dust. 
 
 Sometimes again I feel 
 The strenuous ardor of my last appeal: 
 How I had pleaded that my every weal 
 Depended on her life that must be part 
 Of mine, or crush the life-hopes of my heart. 
 All vain my plea. 
 
 This foster sister mine 
 Who'd grown about me as a beauteous vine 
 Whose tendrils clung so close that every fold 
 Seemed rooted in my veins, would loose her hold 
 And break the ties that bound us. 
 
 She, my comrade, who 
 With me so often brushed the early dew 
 O'er vale and hill whose paths we loved so well; 
 Who watched with me the angry billows swell 
 And waste their crested beauty on the sand. 
 High on the cliffs we stood, her fingers in my hand 
 Clinging with clasp of confidence I knew 
 None else inspired. 
 
 Near to the edge we drew 
 And sea-mist strewed fine crystals in her hair 
 That turned to ringlets in the dampened air. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA II3 
 
 Again we'd stand upon a shaded slope 
 While round about her I'd weave every hope 
 That made existence life, 
 
 Now lack of which 
 Beggars the heart possession once made rich. 
 Here from these casements when the day was done 
 Together we would watch the setting sun 
 Sink in the level sea, and one by one 
 The dusk reveals the stars. 
 
 Say, could they tell 
 The tales they've heard, inspired we know full well 
 By their own mystic presence — tell they all 
 Beginning back with Adam ere his fall 
 When first he whispered love to Eve at rise 
 Of moon in that fair vale of paradise! 
 What tomes on tomes of tender tales would rise 
 Towering like Babel till they'd cleave the skies. 
 Oh, twilight stars, 
 
 And you could tell as well 
 Of love's unhappy endings; for the knell 
 Rings out for love as oft as wedding chimes — 
 Hands may be mated but not hearts all times! 
 Ye stars! Heard ye her words that parting night 
 As near the window gazing at your light 
 We lingered? I can hear them yet: 
 
 "That vow 
 We made when we were children holds not now! 
 Love is a minor chord, its plaintive strain 
 Is not for me; believe me, all in vain 
 To me love's notes are sung. 
 
 "Life were a drear 
 And senseless thing were I denied to hear 
 Us music swelling in its grandest key 
 
114 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 And fill my soul with its deep harmony. 
 
 Life is for me too large, too grand a thing 
 
 To compass round with love's small wedding ring. 
 
 I would see many lands; 
 
 "Neath many skies 
 Watch for my stars of fortune as they rise, 
 I'd feel the fire, bask in the blaze of fame! 
 Aye, though love's pyre were needed for the flame! 
 Ah, brother mine, 'tis not alone for self 
 Nor gain of shifting perishable pelf 
 That most I'll work and strive for; 
 
 "But when I—" 
 She raised her strong, straight glance slow toward the 
 
 sky, 
 "Have reached my goal, my pedestal of fame. 
 My chief desire will not be for a name 
 That lasts forever. 
 
 "My chief aim shall be 
 To lift the lowly from their misery. 
 To paint their poverty or pain or vice 
 So vividly as e'en in hearts of ice 
 To melt the current of warm charity. 
 I'd silent pour rich bounty from the horn 
 Of plenty into their meagre store. 
 
 "Morn 
 And noon and night I would so paint their worst 
 Condition that the niggard hoards should burst 
 And flow to help their needs. 
 
 "This would I do 
 And more, much more I must needs not review." 
 "Fair sage! Reformer! Dreamer of nineteen 
 With wisdom teeth not fully cut, I ween, 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA Il5 
 
 Are there no fields of labor near at hand? 
 Dispense this graciousness in your own land. 
 Let the fair lustre of your rising fame 
 Fall upon those who've known you always. 
 
 "Dame 
 Fortune for some beside the spindle waits, 
 And oppulence forsooth more needs creates. 
 Your well-meant gifts bestowed may but enhance 
 Or waken strange desires, 
 
 "And perchance 
 Forever after germs of discontent 
 May multiply and even change the bent 
 Of honest, sane endeavor. 
 
 "Ah, my dear 
 Your field of fruitful labor lies right here. 
 Fame's loftiest height excels not yet the dome 
 That perfect woman rears above her home. 
 Know you dyspepsia fathers crime and vice? 
 That cooks convert more mortals in a trice 
 Than missionaries, 
 
 "By long sermons can convince? 
 And this plain fact that makes so many wince 
 Still fact remains; for, good cooks had we more, 
 We need have fewer jails. Aye there's the core 
 Of great reform! 
 
 "The perfect woman must 
 Perfect her sphere. Hers is the highest trust 
 Given to humankind. Hers is the breast 
 On which the future universe must rest. 
 Oh, womanhood! How potent and how great 
 To hold the destiny of man's estate! 
 A woman, great, as you'll be great, 
 
Il6 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 "Who spends 
 Her vital strength of soul and mind and lends 
 The spur of her ambition to inspire 
 Hearts that partake of her own ardent fire 
 Does noble work than which there's nothing higher. 
 Time still remains when this grand work is done 
 To strive for other laurels other than those won. 
 Think you not so.-*" 
 
 With look of scorn she turned, 
 An angry flush upon her temples burned. 
 Out of the depths of her resplendent eyes. 
 Flashed self-reliance like sharp steel. The rise 
 Of anger in her heaving bosom threw 
 Only a subtle charm about her. 
 
 "You 
 As well yon sea might order to be still! 
 As well try bridling of the winds! At will 
 Attempt to call an eagle from its course, 
 Or turn yon river backward to its source. 
 Waste not your words; 
 
 "You are but pouring oil 
 On waters from whose stillness you would first recoil, 
 If once they calmed; for like a flood in ire 
 Their overflow would change good soil to mire. 
 In which the herbage dies. 
 
 "No, I must go 
 Leaving your life unscathed by the glow 
 And fire of mine. And you'll live on and on 
 Your wholesome life. You'll be a paragon 
 Of nobleness! 
 
 "And, later you may be 
 A senator, perhaps a president of this great, free 
 And glorious commonwealth. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA I ly 
 
 "Why, honors may 
 Rest on your forehead as on mine the bay! 
 Vary your interests if the time grows long 
 'Twixt Wall street ventures and the wood-bird's song. 
 Glory the future holds for both and we, 
 As years unfold the scroll of time, shall see 
 Our lives enlarged, enriched, exalted. 
 
 "Rare 
 The wage of sacrifice that we'll find there!" 
 ''The 'wage of sacrifice' dear girl," said I 
 "Can well be earned in laboring nearer by. 
 No need have we to cross the seas 
 
 "To find 
 The ways and means to benefit mankind! 
 The future beckons with elusive hand 
 And points to shores where too few reach the land. 
 Better to hearken to the near-by voice 
 Of present, pleading, with you for your choice 
 And cultured ministrations. 
 
 "Can you not hear 
 The call of duty.'' It is very near. 
 In yonder hut a weary woman lies. 
 The babe upon her sickly bosom cries 
 For nourishment. 
 
 "Forsooth the mother's need 
 Of wholesome food has caused the infant's greed. 
 This can be purchased — has been, I may say, 
 And freely given, but, it is the way 
 A deed is done, more than the deed that brings 
 Relief of mind, 
 
 "And mind controls most things. 
 A woman's gentle, ministering caress, 
 A woman's sympathy of voice to bless, 
 
Il8 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 She needs so much, in this her dire distress. 
 Bounty bestows not these. 
 
 "It can give food 
 To fill the needs of yonder little brood; 
 But of that unction woman's heart contains — 
 That magic balm that soothes the sharpest pains 
 It is as barren as Saharah's sands, 
 And just as void of what the heart demands. 
 Bestow this, then. 
 
 "It lies within your hands; 
 'Twould raise their souls from out this wretchedness, 
 And deeds like this in turn your life will bless. 
 Repaying you in that deep peace of soul 
 The world has not the power to control. 
 Here's opportunity! 
 
 "And you may share 
 Within the limits of this little square 
 A goodly portion of your cherished pelf, 
 As well as brain and sacrifice of self! 
 See yon rheumatic! — 
 
 "Old and bent and blurred. 
 Tales of his toil and suffering have stirred 
 Deep wells of charity. Give him a word, 
 A book, a feast of pleasure genuine 
 Like dining out. 
 
 "And thus you can begin 
 Your large career of usefulness and power 
 This very eve, aye, e'en this very hour; 
 I shall accompany you and together we 
 Shall lift up mortals from their misery. 
 Remain, my all, my cherished love, with me!" 
 "I'll work alone," she said. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA II9 
 
 "Love's trammels bind 
 Like fetters forged and welded. Far behind 
 Like failing memory or receding wake 
 Will fade this love-dream from the course I take. 
 Youth is but callow. 
 
 "When we're grown mature, 
 Ridiculous will seem this vain amour — 
 If until then its memory endure!" 
 Ah bitter words! 
 
 I turned to her and said, 
 "Check not your flight of genius that has sped 
 Too far beyond this work-day world for me. 
 I would not dwarf thy fancy nor would thee 
 Bind by e'en the tether of a thought. Be free!" 
 A passing shadow crossed the deepened blue 
 Of her fine eyes. 
 
 'Twas but a moment, too 
 But like a cloud closed o'er the future years 
 And mists arose that seemed like gathering tears. 
 The freedom sought had been too quickly found. 
 The freedom gained yawned like a gaping wound. 
 I who had begged, besought 
 
 And even bent the knee 
 Might have rejoiced had it been joy to me 
 To see she suffered — chafed at being free! 
 
 Through dewy eyes loomed up the woman-soul 
 Showing the impulse now in strong control: 
 She had relented. 
 
 I could read the thought 
 Enter her mind with all the train it brought. 
 An indecision wavered in her eyes 
 That sought the floor. I watched to see them rise, 
 Hoping all things. At last they rose. 
 
120 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 "The spell 
 Is broken, brother — we must say farewell." 
 And thus it passed, this lost day-dream of mine 
 To come no more while stars of glory shine. 
 From the wide wings by wild ambition spread 
 She waved adieu; 
 
 Borne on their strength she sped 
 To other shores, to other fairer skies 
 To better watch her stars of glory rise, 
 I, gazing after found with deep regret 
 She had forgotten — I could not forget. 
 Years had passed on 
 
 And now it was too late 
 To feed my heart the antidote of hate. 
 It held her impress ne'er to be effaced — 
 Etherial, fair, earth-burdenless and chaste. 
 Tangible too, it seemed to every sense, 
 Ruling my life, 
 
 Nor could be banished hence. 
 Thus did I muse and rest upon my hand 
 My throbbing head, letting the vision stand 
 Beside the mantel. 
 
 Vision so strong and fair 
 Though formed of firelight on the shadowed air. 
 I heard the servants moving to and fro 
 And happy voices rang from rooms below. 
 Their movements, quite unusual to me 
 
 ' ^ Of 
 
 Told plain they felt the gist'Christmas glee 
 They little knew of me.'' 
 
 And less they cared 
 Nor in my solitude condoned or shared. 
 Subdued, however grew the sounds I heard, 
 Soon I forgot they ever had occurred. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 121 
 
 My loneliness was no concern of theirs — 
 Food, fun and frolic rightly reigned down stairs. 
 For this was Christmastide. 
 
 I heard afar 
 The hallways echo to a sliding bar. 
 The creak of hinge the fastening of the chain 
 And then the halls were silent once again. 
 *' 'Tis late indeed, they've barred the outer door," 
 Thought I, then lapsed in reverie once more, 
 Forgetful of all else 
 
 Save the frail guest 
 Whose mystic presence cheered while it oppressed. 
 And filled the room with vagueness and unrest. 
 Fixing my eyes upon the fire once more 
 It leaped from draft as from an opening door; 
 Then quivered back 
 
 To steady flame once more. 
 Not so with me, its calm I did not share 
 I felt, yet saw not, living presence there — 
 A sentient presence vibrating the air! 
 A Something neared me; 
 
 But the shadows crept 
 No whit more silent than that Something stepped. 
 An aura circling mine pervaded me 
 Weaving my sense in subtile tracery. 
 Backward I turned with an uneasy glance — 
 My sense was true, I hazarded no chance 
 Of being deceived 
 
 Or taken unaware. 
 My soul alert felt plain a Something there. 
 Whose presence stirred, a latent sense within — 
 Not fear, but undeniably its kin 
 
122 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 For which I felt both anger and chagrin! 
 I had faced robbers, 
 
 Reptiles of the south; 
 I had lain bleeding at the cannon's mouth, 
 I had faced famine, prison, pain and drought 
 But in all these hazards had I never known 
 My hands grow clammy and my flesh seem bone. 
 All this flashed o'er me in a second's space 
 And, interwoven. 
 
 Like the threads in lace 
 Mingled the instinct that we know replies 
 In ready action to the gaze of eyes — 
 Eyes fixed strong upon us; 
 
 True as bridle rein 
 They drew me forward toward the fire again. 
 My glance flashed up along a fire-lit fold 
 Of shimmering garment with a glint of gold. 
 Flashed to the face and through the shadows met 
 Eyes full upon me, 
 
 Eyes like jev/els set 
 In ivory. Glance exchanged with glance 
 Until I roused as from a fearful trance. 
 My nostrils scenting fragrance through the room 
 Of air pervaded with white violet bloom. 
 This odor which 
 
 I always linked with her 
 Proved it was she and yet I did not stir, 
 Fearful lest there might still be some mistake. 
 And were this sleep then I would not awake! 
 The years, I saw had showered as they sped 
 A glow of glory 
 
 O'er her graceful head. 
 A larger soul looked through her shadowed eyes. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 123 
 
 A soul, in those short years grown strangely wise. 
 And those deep eyes my own unfaltering sought 
 Searching and strong and keen to read my thought, 
 Yet with suspense 
 
 And apprehension fraught. 
 Still in their depths a triumph seemed to gleam 
 That quick assured me this was not a dream. 
 Upon her bosom fier)^ opals gleamed, 
 Her hands were ringless. Gowned for me it seemed 
 In all the shades and jewels I loved best 
 To see her wear. 
 
 It was for me she dressed. 
 It was for me those hands of bands were bare 
 That I might place the rings that they should wear. 
 All this 1 saw and knew its meaning told 
 The heart within held all the love of old. 
 Aye, there she stood, 
 
 She who for seven years 
 Had watched her stars ascend their proper spheres. 
 She who, perhaps had earned a deathless name 
 And seen it traced upon the scrolls of fame, 
 Leaned lightly there 
 
 In her accustomed place 
 Radiant with beauty, life and light and grace; 
 As was her wont when in repentant mood 
 Though unconvinced and always unsubdued 
 She'd venture in 
 
 To readjust some score 
 At which she'd taken great offense before. 
 But less aggrieved now wished to talk it o'er. 
 And just as I as many times had met her 
 Ready to make amends. 
 
124 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Forget, and let her 
 Queen it again in her imperious way, 
 Over my better sense and rule the day! 
 And just as I a thousand times again 
 Had seen her stand — an impress on my brain. 
 And roused each time to find the vision fled — 
 Dispelled and vanished 
 
 Leaving gloom instead. 
 My empty solace, my illusion o'er 
 I faced reality and life once more. 
 But now I rose, my eyes still fixed on her 
 Expecting somehow she would fade. 
 
 The stir 
 My movement made, brought color to her cheek. 
 She spoke. Her voice seemed strangely changed and 
 
 meek: 
 "Brother, I have come back to you and set 
 Are all my stars. 
 
 Tell me, my love, if yet 
 I'm welcome, and, if so for me, the day's begun 
 And at your side I'll watch the rising sun 
 Of life, filled now with aspirations true 
 Which lack completeness if not shared by you!" 
 For answer, I, 
 
 Ere half her words were told 
 Had clasped her hands, but in a trice a bold 
 Voice rang clear and through the door came May, 
 Followed by Jack, who bore a loaded tray. 
 "Now none of this," he called 
 
 "I'm chaperon, 
 My object here to wake a sleeping drone 
 Who lacks, it seems, the working power to eat!" 
 Then followed servants bringing such replete — 
 
WHISPETS OF THE SEA 125 
 
 Such plenteous, dainty, bounteous fare 
 As I had never seen 
 
 Or thought to share. 
 I turned to him with vacuous silent stare. 
 "Come, lend a hand, this dinner's late" said he 
 "Our appetites are keen as keen can be. 
 I'll act the host 
 
 "I see that you're non plussed — 
 How small a matter makes a hermit fussed!" 
 It seemed the twinkling of an eye and all 
 Was changed. A cell became a banquet hall. 
 Gay guests and servants smiling with the smile 
 That told me how 
 
 They'd known this all the while. 
 And Miriam! Now let the curtain fall 
 This ends the play, we answer no recall. 
 
126 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Cherry Blossoms. 
 I. 
 
 Cherry blossoms in the spring 
 Poise aloft on russet wing, 
 
 With their brown-veined vapory sheen 
 Gleaming where late snows have been. 
 
 In their welcome breath they bring 
 First, faint fragrance of the spring. 
 
 Long before the tulips hold 
 Dew upon their hearts of gold, 
 
 We may see their quivering glow 
 Through the forests as we go. 
 
 Blossoms of the cherry wild — 
 Woodland's whitest, brightest child! 
 
 Cherry blossoms! Now the air 
 Is fragrant with them everywhere, 
 
 Whether branches still uplift them 
 Or the wind did rudely shift them 
 
 To the ground where to and fro, 
 They sweep like little drifts of snow, 
 
 Offering fragrance as they go, 
 Faint and fresh and thrilling — oh 
 Like the spring air long ago. 
 
 Springs I walked with Winifred 
 On that quiet road that led 
 
 The way to where the trees were best 
 In their aerial costume dressed. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 12 7 
 
 Sheer and shimmering; altogether 
 Robed for sunny, springtime weather. 
 
 Cherry blossoms! oft they bring 
 To me a mem'ry with a sting. 
 
 Though so fair to see are they 
 I've turned off another way 
 Not to meet them, many a day. 
 
 For a saddening vapor rose 
 From their palid hearts that froze 
 
 The warmth in mine; before I knew 
 I'd brood upon that quarrel that grew 
 
 To such wanton wreck through them — 
 Fresh, as dawn from leaf to stem! 
 
 Quarrelled about the simplest thing — 
 How I'd tie a little string 
 
 Around those sprays of bloom. Ah me, 
 How short of sight, nay, blind are we 
 Till we with youth part company! 
 
 Imperious passion then holds sway; 
 Reason, who rules the later way, 
 
 Is helpless to right e'en to the last, 
 Those ill-taught lessons of the past. 
 
 Helpless to guide on current swift 
 The craft by folly sent adrift. 
 
 Those sprays of bloom as I have said, 
 I gathered them for Winifred, 
 
 Who held them in her arms to lay 
 Her cheek down on their snowy spray. 
 
 While her hair in loosened tress 
 Lightly added its caress. 
 
128 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 But, in angry mood this day 
 She had thrown them all away; 
 
 I, moody, walked home at her side 
 The outer self the heart belied. 
 
 She, by her frown all peace defied. 
 The road grew long and very wide. 
 
 The chill rose from the sea and crept 
 Into our hearts as slow we stepped. 
 
 Until we'd reached her cottage gate. 
 I opened it. Now was it fate 
 
 That brought Jim to the place just then 
 Or was it planned.'' I thought this, when 
 
 He passed in and I passed by 
 While Winifred with haughty eye 
 Bowed cold adieu. I said "Good-bye," 
 
 And swung off lightly toward the sea. 
 A pang till then unknown to me 
 
 Crept in my heart. The world seemed wrong. 
 One note rang through the evening song 
 
 Of all the birds and all they said 
 Was, "Winifred, lost Winifred!" 
 
 A wind rose wailing from the sea 
 Bringing the self-same words to me. 
 
 As oft it did through long years after 
 When to others it seemed laughter. 
 
 Next day all the village said: 
 'Jim has married Winifred!" 
 
 The trees and fences swam around 
 In wild confusion when I found 
 
 The news of this strange marriage'd spread 
 Like wild-fire. And each listener sped 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 129 
 
 To me. And thus from every side 
 Poured comment like a rising tide. 
 
 A mocking voice said in my ear; 
 "Ah, Rob, yuh came mighty near 
 
 Gettin' Winifreddie, didn't yuh, 
 
 'Till jim asked her and she mittened yuh.?" 
 
 At this voice the very ground 
 
 Rose and toward me seemed to bound, 
 
 And looked a mixture of the shade 
 Of which lightning shafts are made. 
 
 I, frenzied, caught the man and hurled 
 
 Him downward, downward. Then the world 
 
 Swayed backward, forward and grew black 
 A moment as I staggered back. 
 
 Married! Winifred! Each word 
 Echoed clear, and in me stirred 
 
 Strife, like battling legions. She, 
 My long-promised bride-to-be 
 
 Thus to break the vows she made. 
 Seemed incredible. Decayed 
 
 And crumbled be my faith henceforth 
 In woman and in woman's worth. 
 
 "Winifred, lost Winifred!" 
 
 The words were true the waves had said. 
 
 I called aloud, "This cannot be — 
 Take back thy menace, oh, thou sea! 
 Take back those words of prophecy — 
 
 Take back, take back those words ill-said 
 She must be mine, my Winifred!" 
 
130 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 "He's mad!" It was Jim's voice that chilled 
 My marrow. Instantly I stilled 
 
 And turned on him a look that made 
 His sallow cheek turn ashen shade. 
 
 He faltered, then quick turned and fled. 
 Ah, this your mate? Poor Winifred! 
 
 "How could she have married him.'' 
 Dullard, sluggard, worthless Jim!" 
 
 I asked m5^self as more and more 
 
 I pondered this strange marriage o'er. 
 
 I had acres far and wide 
 
 Flocks and herds that easy'd hide 
 
 Every furlong of his land, 
 Yet he'd won away the hand 
 
 Of her whose love meant nothing less 
 To me, than all my happiness! 
 
 To me she'd been, was still, must be, 
 The load-star of my destiny. 
 
 And all so soon. 'Twas yesterday 
 We, side by side, had walked one way. 
 
 Together seemed our paths to run 
 Onward through life till life was done. 
 
 Today, between us, chasm so wide 
 Was dug as even to divide 
 
 Our very thoughts, for now to think 
 Meant only toppling at its brink. 
 
 And toppling there meant but to fall 
 And falling.? — ruin to us all! 
 
 How quickly done. That vow soon spoke 
 Time, space, nor language can revoke. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA I3I 
 
 How oft that word of quick consent 
 The long, slow, after years repent. 
 
 The marriage-shackle on, must be 
 Worn ever. Life holds not the key 
 
 To loosen this. And those who wait 
 
 For tardy death to liberate 
 
 Find that for some he comes too late. 
 
 Lost Winifred! Like poisoned steel 
 Her life had been to mine. The weal 
 
 Of living now must always be 
 Mixed with her touch of death to me. 
 
 I sank to earth a wretched clod 
 Seeking for strength from kindred sod. 
 
 Earth's kind embrace restores to clay 
 The strength the senses cast away. 
 
 The day was closing; cedars cast 
 
 Their weird and welcoming shade at last 
 
 About my couch of grass; but cold 
 And peaceful seemed that restful mold. 
 
 She another man's wife.'' Oh, 
 How black the evening air did grow. 
 
 How strange the wood-birds seemed to sing 
 How cold the air though it was spring. 
 
 How drear the atmosphere that morn 
 Had ushered in like hope new born. 
 
 'Twas thus this day whose memory 
 Still casts a shadow passed away, 
 
 And left me as the flotsam cast 
 Upon the seashore by the blast. 
 
132 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Adown the narrow road I heard 
 A singing voice come; but I stirred 
 
 Not; nor made sound, for I 
 Cared not to meet this passer-by. 
 
 But on came Rachel sHm and trim 
 
 And stopped; stopped too, the little hymn 
 
 She had been singing; left the road 
 And came on toward me. Oh, the goad 
 
 Of woman's tongue I dreaded then 
 More than the bayonet thrust of men. 
 
 But cheerily her clear voice rang 
 With words as sweet as those she sang. 
 
 As with a sweep of flowered gown. 
 She fluttered like a blossom down 
 
 Upon the ground near by and pat 
 Said she had stopped "just for a chat." 
 
 And on and on she gaily told 
 Tales most amusing, new and old, 
 
 Meaning my mirth to rouse; the while 
 She screened her pity 'neath her smile. 
 
 Through all the lightsome things she said 
 She never mentioned Winifred. 
 
 Though until then whene'er we met, 
 Her mind on teasing me was set 
 
 And always had she some joke ready 
 To flaunt at me of "Winifreddie." 
 
 Through all her pleasant talk a word 
 Escaped me not; although I heard 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 1 33 
 
 It well I could not make response 
 Save that I raised m}' head the nonce^ 
 
 When quickly o'er my eyes she drew 
 Her dainty kerchief soft as dew 
 
 And fragrant with that faint perfume 
 That violets give in early bloom. 
 
 Then chatted on. Full well I knew 
 What Rachel strove so hard to do. 
 
 And though I spoke not, none the less 
 My heart did truly thank and bless. 
 
 Perhaps my silence wearied her; 
 She rose, but still seemed to demur 
 
 On leaving me. Her sympathy 
 Though unexpressed was plain to me, 
 
 'Twas deep and hidden in her clear 
 Sweet accents. "Well, its very near 
 
 To sunset; I must go." she said 
 
 And stroked with gentle touch my head. 
 
 She reached the roadside, "Rachel wait — 
 I'll see you home; its growing late." 
 
 So, slowly down the road we went. 
 Toward cheering me her converse bent, 
 
 With comments bright on everything 
 A thought of interest might bring. 
 
 Avoiding every avenue 
 
 That would approach my present rue. 
 
 Better this silence, far, for me 
 She knew, than ill-timed sympathy. 
 
 The interest in my weal she showed 
 Through that lone walk on lonely road 
 
134 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Fell on my spirit's wretchedness 
 
 Like oil on waters in distress. 
 
 And raised my faith in woman's worth 
 That Winifred had dashed to earth. 
 
 Life's bitter held one lingering sweet 
 While heart like Rachel's heart still beat. 
 
 Ere midnight, many a shadowed mile 
 Lay out between me and the smile 
 
 I knew Jim's sodden face would wear 
 
 If we should meet. I'd rushed off — where.'' 
 
 Aye, where.-* I cared not! Anywhere 
 Save stoical to live on there 
 
 And see Jim's wife help earn his bread — 
 Exacting, haughty Winifred! 
 
 How madly on the engine sped 
 Daring destruction. Night soon fled 
 
 And dawn mapped on the eastern wall 
 Of heaven, presage of the fall 
 
 Of early rain. The very sky 
 Seemed weeping for her! Oh, that I 
 
 Could still avert the storms that soon 
 Must mar her morning, blast her noon. 
 
 And how I loved her! Loved her too, 
 Long years after though I knew 
 'Twas weak and wicked so to do. 
 
 Months grew to years, years dragged along 
 Slow and unheeded; but the strong, 
 
 Fierce battle in my heart still raged 
 That only work, work, work assuaged. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 135 
 
 That grind and rush and crush for gain 
 Subdued Jim's triumph and my pain. 
 
 One day a note from Rachel read: 
 "Perhaps you've heard that Jim is dead? 
 
 And left his widow gossips say 
 Without a dollar to defray 
 
 His funeral's cost. And then the place 
 Is mortgaged to a Mr. Brace, 
 
 To whom the debtor in his mesh 
 Pays full the last half pound of flesh. 
 
 Foreclosure papers served next week — 
 The widow's outlook's surely bleak! 
 
 She's comfortless and ill." To save 
 Poor Jim now from a pauper's grave 
 
 It was too late; but slow the tears 
 Made dim the hatred of past years. 
 
 III. 
 
 Back again; but autumn now 
 
 Had stripped the verdure from the bough, 
 
 Flinging flakes of early snow 
 Where the blossoms used to grow 
 In those springtimes long ago. 
 
 Back again; but all is changed 
 Or is it I have grown estranged.-* 
 
 Thus I thought and stroked the mane 
 Of my horse; I'd reached the lane 
 
 Leading to the mortgaged place 
 Held in the clutch of Mr. Brace, 
 
136 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Whom I had left an hour ago 
 Saying: "The sheriff vv^ill drive slow. 
 
 If yoQ miss him, you'll get there 
 Before him and not turn a hair!" 
 
 Which proved true and so I waited 
 For the officer belated. 
 
 Strange my feelings waiting there 
 Near the little cottage where 
 
 Winifred with beating heart 
 Awaited summons to depart. 
 
 After all reproach had fled 
 I much pitied Winifred. 
 
 Wearying of waiting where 
 Passers-by would greet or stare, 
 
 I walked up toward the cottage slow 
 And on the door rapped very low. 
 
 Then the shackly door swung wide 
 And I found myself inside, 
 
 Knowing not just what to say 
 When we'd passed the time of day. 
 
 Winifred's surprise, though plain 
 Suppressed itself beneath her pain. 
 
 She very slowly said at last: 
 
 "I thought it was the sheriff passed 
 
 The window just now when you came; 
 I dread him, though he's not to blame." 
 
 She stood there looking off the way 
 The smoke-stacks of the city lay. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 1 37 
 
 With want stamped on her watchful face 
 And withered figure whose old grace 
 Tatters and time could not efface. 
 
 The next rap on the doorsill brought 
 The dread official. I had thought 
 
 To intercept him. "Let me look 
 This paper over," and I took 
 
 The packet offered Winifred. 
 She, white as ashes from its bed 
 
 Caught up her baby as it lay — 
 A little mite of breathing clay — 
 
 And pressed upon it kiss on kiss 
 
 That said "Thank God I still have this!" 
 
 The sheriff coughed and stepped outside. 
 He guessed "the halter'd got untied." 
 
 I scanned the paper closely o'er 
 Though handling many a one before 
 
 Then folded it. "Cheer up" I said 
 "Don't take on this way Winifred, 
 
 '111 is the wind blows no one good' 
 We're often told." And there I stood 
 
 Perplexed beside that helpless pair — 
 The one unconscious and despair 
 
 Filling the other's heart. Like down 
 I lightly touched the baby's crown. 
 
 "1 here doesn't seem to be a hair 
 To keep the rain off. Everywhere 
 
 "Are roofs and roofs for other people, 
 Some as high's the village steeple. 
 
138 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 "This one's lov/ but it will do 
 
 To keep the snow and rain off 3^011." 
 
 Tore in twain the mighty paper, 
 Watched it as it turned to vapor 
 
 Upon the smouldering fire. Said, 
 ''I bought the assignment, Winifred, 
 
 "This morning. Now all things are straight 
 The home is yours. " Down at the gate 
 
 The sheriff stood. "The mortgage sir 
 Has been released." And then the whir 
 
 Of horse's hoofs sped swift along 
 And woke the echoes of that song 
 
 Sung by the waters — song that said 
 "Lost Winifred— lost Winifred!" 
 
 Song that mocked me, song that seemed 
 To taunt me with the dreams I'd dreamed. 
 
 A fearful fever of unrest 
 Beset me and within my breast 
 
 There ached as only hearts can ache 
 That still beat on where others break. 
 
 For in this woman white and changed, 
 With trembling voice and air estranged, 
 
 I'd striven in vain to recognize 
 
 The soul that once looked through those eyes. 
 
 Though searching with the insight fine 
 Love lends the dullest of our line. 
 
 nil. 
 
 The train pulled gaily out that night. 
 The moon's full disc poured forth a light 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 1 39 
 
 That showed as clear as early day 
 The landmarks that about us lay. 
 
 Watching familiar landscapes loom 
 And fade off into silvered gloom, 
 
 Listening till all was monotone, 
 
 My senses dulled. The engine's drone 
 
 Lulled me to sleep. And through a mist 
 A little babe a woman kissed 
 
 Clung with small fingers to my knees. 
 
 Then passed away and cherry trees 
 
 In full, white bloom breathed on the breeze. 
 
 Then, through the mist I saw instead, 
 A narrow, little road that led 
 Me on and on where Winifred 
 
 Stood on the summit of a hill 
 
 With arms outstretched to me. My will 
 
 Was but to pass her coldly, when 
 
 A something seemed to stop me. Then 
 
 My arms closed 'round her. Someone said, 
 
 "S/ie's yours at last — your WinifredY' 
 
 The words so startled me I woke. 
 
 Jim's voice, none other, 'twas that spoke, 
 
 In accents so distinct and clear 
 I turned to see if he were near. 
 
 A little creepiness came o'er me 
 
 At finding naught but space before me. 
 
 But joy at that swift dream caress 
 Swept through me as to soon repress 
 
 All feeling of uncanniness. 
 
 I breathed a prayer for Jim's soul's rest. 
 
I40 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 V. 
 
 Clear the woodland echoes rang, 
 Soft the notes the wood-birds sang! 
 
 Spring's first freshness everywhere 
 Pervaded earth and herb and air. 
 
 My pulse beat fast. Was it the thrush 
 Whose warble caused the blood to flush 
 My cheeks? Or was it that faint, clear, 
 Far sound of footsteps drawing near? 
 
 Light footsteps of a woman, they. 
 I turned and looked the other way, 
 
 Wondering what the outcome'd be 
 Of this meeting here with me. a 
 
 Then turned to watch her as I knew 
 The curve had brought her in full view. 
 
 A model for an artist's brush 
 
 As matron mien and maiden blush, 
 
 Together lent unwonted charm 
 
 Unto her charming self. Upon her arm 
 
 A spray of cherry blossoms blent 
 
 Their bloom with hers. I knew they meant 
 
 The olive branch of peace. At last 
 The land was reached — the deluge past. 
 
 And keen her sense to note me too; 
 Her color heightened as she drew 
 Nearer and nearer still; then threw 
 
 A hesitating upward glance 
 
 That lowered at my quick advance. 
 
 "May I relieve you?" and I took 
 The cherry blossoms with a look 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA I4I 
 
 Full of deep significance, 
 
 "It's been many a long year since 
 
 "I carried such as these for you!" 
 "They've been long years for me, too." 
 
 Was all she said; but frank her eye 
 Met mine as in the days gone by. 
 
 "Now I wonder if these things 
 Are tied up with the kind of strings 
 
 "And tied up in the sort of way 
 You specified to me one day?" 
 
 Quick o'er cheek and brow and nose 
 Swept the color of the rose, 
 
 Then withdrew and white as ashes 
 Grew e'en her lips. Lowered lashes 
 
 Veiled her deep eyes. I seemed to weep. 
 Her pain was so unfeigned and deep. 
 
 I was silent then and bent 
 
 My footsteps to the way she went, 
 
 Quite determined it were best 
 To let the bygones, bygones rest. 
 
 Advertently, the while, I took 
 Many a downward, sidelong look. 
 
 As we long and longer talked 
 Slow and slower still we walked 
 
 Till the narrow roadway grew 
 Scarcely wide enough for two. 
 
 While afar the singing sea 
 Sang love-laden melody; 
 
 Sang on while with every breeze, 
 Came a fragrance from the trees, 
 
142 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Faint and fresh and thrilling — oh 
 Like the spring air long ago. 
 
 Sister Bessie. 
 
 Where the purple poppies lifted 
 
 Their bright leaves toward sun and sea, 
 Stood our cottage home where mother 
 
 Worked, to care for Bess and me. 
 As we older grew I helped her, 
 
 In the struggle hard and slow 
 And we both planned then that Bessie 
 
 Should do something else than sew. 
 
 So we sent her to the city 
 
 In the distance; there to learn 
 Readier and better methods 
 
 When it came her time to earn. 
 She was gone! I need not tell you 
 
 That the sunlight seemed to fade 
 From every nook and corner 
 
 Of the places where she played. 
 
 There even seemed a sadness 
 
 In the singing of the birds 
 That found responsive echo 
 
 In our actions and our words. 
 But we put aside this sorrow 
 
 Knowing it was worse than vain; 
 Nay, it savored of the selfish 
 
 For our loss was Bessie's gain. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 143 
 
 Time sped on and on and shortly 
 
 I had grown to mother's height. 
 I had tresses Hke the raven 
 
 And had eyes as dark as night. 
 And the lovers came a-wooing 
 
 And the world a garden seemed, 
 Filled with blossoms that unfolded 
 
 Like the dreams my girlhood dreamed. 
 
 Then there entered that fair garden 
 
 One whose charms cannot be told — 
 It was Jarvis, lithe and slender 
 
 Like the cedar tree of old. 
 Life took on a new enchantment 
 
 Filled with happiness and him, 
 In his eyes there glowed a luster 
 
 That made all the world look dim. 
 
 Love like this comes once a lifetime. 
 
 Only once, and if it stay 
 It transforms an earth to Eden, 
 
 Makes a masterpiece of clay. 
 If it go the heart's fine center 
 
 Ever afterward is sealed. 
 Love's a monarch whose lost scepter 
 
 No succeeding prince may wield! 
 
 Love.'' And was this love that trembled 
 
 In my voice when he was near.? 
 Love? That brought the blinding blushes 
 
 And a joy akin to fear.-* 
 Love.'' That thrilled the heart to stupor 
 
 Like inebriating wine.? 
 Aye, 'twas love akin to madness 
 
 And such love as this was mine! 
 
144 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Then there came that night in summer 
 
 When the moon a path of gold 
 Traced upon the singing waters, 
 
 That grew hushed as Jarvis told 
 All his planning for the future, 
 
 All his hopes and doubts and fears- 
 All his journeys full of prospect, 
 
 All the length of waiting years! 
 
 And his voice seemed like the moonlight 
 
 As his face bent down to mine 
 And he whispered that he loved me 
 
 And I felt his arm entwine, 
 In its strong love-clasp about me 
 
 While my cheeks with blushes burned. 
 As I promised, oh, I promised 
 
 To be his when he returned. 
 
 Did a shadow cross the pathway 
 
 That the summer moonbeams made? 
 Or was it only fancy 
 
 That the moonlight seemed to fade? 
 There, amid the purple poppies 
 
 Sleeping near the shadowed sea, 
 With my arms filled with their blossoms 
 
 Jarvis said goodbye to me. 
 
 Letter followed letter telling 
 
 Of his failures and his fears 
 Till the days and weeks of failures 
 
 Grew to months and months to years. 
 Oft I watched the pearly setting 
 
 Of the ring now growing dim. 
 That had sealed that happy promise 
 
 To be true and wait for him. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 145 
 
 Then the tide turned. Jarvis wrote me 
 
 That he drank of fortune's cup. 
 That his gold had reached the thousands 
 
 And from thousands onward up. 
 Now his letters glowed with pictures 
 
 Of our comfort — his and mine 
 And a rapturous note of triumph 
 
 Vibrant rang through every line. 
 
 But I thought of tired mother 
 
 Who should now from work be free; 
 And of Bessie! — oh, my fortune 
 
 Was the fortune of all three. 
 In my new-found joy, ignoring 
 
 Every discipline and rule 
 I sent away for Bessie 
 
 Bringing her straightway from school. 
 
 I rejoiced that Bessie never 
 
 Need earn now as I had earned, 
 And could have the proper setting 
 
 To display the arts she'd learned. 
 Gracefully her eighteen summers 
 
 Lay like garlands on her brow. 
 Always beauteous, buoyant, charming 
 
 She was more than all that now. 
 
 Did I envy her those tresses, 
 
 Gleaming like the silk of corn.? 
 Or that voice that sounded ringing 
 
 Like the meadow lark's at morn.-* 
 No; I watched her with the ardor 
 
 That a miser does his gold 
 And I viewed her with the rapture 
 
 That a sculptor does his mold; 
 
146 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Till I noticed — I was slow to — 
 
 That her glances often strayed, 
 In a winsome, sunlight fashion 
 
 Up to Jarvis when she played. 
 After all I could not wonder 
 
 When 'twas plain for all to see, 
 On the strains of Bessie's music 
 
 Jarvis' heart had gone from me. 
 
 I had faded in the waiting 
 
 Till he'd come to claim his bride. 
 She was fair — I could not wonder 
 
 That he drifted to her side. 
 And I calmly viewed the wasteness 
 
 Of life's vintage; saw the wine 
 Of my years of patient waiting 
 
 Drained by other lips than mine. 
 
 In his hand that seemed to tremble 
 
 Half in shame, half in delight 
 Did I lay the ring he gave me 
 
 Where the poppies bloomed that night; 
 Where the moon across the water 
 
 Traced a gleaming path of gold, 
 Where I listened to the story 
 
 Always new, whene'er 'tis told! 
 
 He was free. I watched him wooing 
 
 Blue-eyed Bessie for his bride 
 Saw her yield to his caresses 
 
 Saw her wedded at his side. 
 Saw her pass out from the shelter 
 
 Of our mother's roof, and then, 
 Mother shared with me the burden 
 
 Of the same old life again. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 14/ 
 
 But we spoke no more of Jarvis 
 
 And our Bessie's name was said 
 In the tone in which we mention 
 
 Those we love but who are dead. 
 Thus before the fading embers 
 
 As we sat again alone 
 And I held her wasting fingers 
 
 Bitter were the thoughts I've known. 
 
 Crushed and broken was the idol 
 
 That my heart had held so long- 
 Stilled forever was the song-bird 
 
 That had charmed me with her song 
 But the fragments of that idol 
 
 Chafing in my heart still lay 
 And the echo of that singing, 
 
 Sounded like a dirge alway. 
 
 No need now to hope that mother, 
 
 In her later years would live 
 In a home of peace and plenty, 
 
 That I fancied mine to give! 
 And I watched with stoic calmness 
 
 As the end came on apace 
 And I held her panting figure 
 
 At the closing of the race. 
 
 Kneeling there I smoothed her forehead, 
 
 Gazed, as gaze we the last time 
 In a face by death approaching 
 
 Rendered awful and sublime. 
 And she said: "If Bessie needs you 
 
 Or is suffering, will you take 
 And love her and console her 
 
 And — forgive — her — for m)' sake.?" 
 
148 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Low her voice, her accents broken 
 
 Drawn and faint had come to me 
 And her spirit while I promised 
 
 Fled its bondage and was free. 
 Was it hunger for my kindred? 
 
 Was it hatred lured me on? 
 Which I knew not, but I followed 
 
 Soon the way that Bessie'd gone. 
 
 I, a mistress of the needle 
 
 Found homes welcoming me alway. 
 So across the street from Bessie 
 
 Was the place I chose to stay. 
 After while a great commotion 
 
 Stirred the house across the way 
 And physicians quickly gathered 
 
 From all parts I heard them say. 
 
 For the mistress there was ailing 
 
 Something sudden had occurred. 
 I could scarcely see my stitches 
 
 Everything was blank and blurred. 
 It was growing near to midnight 
 
 It was damp and cold and still; 
 I was standing near the casement 
 
 Pressing hard against the sill. 
 
 I was watching close the window 
 
 Looking out from Bessie's room 
 Where I'd often seen her standing 
 
 In her luxury and bloom. 
 I could see the shadows flitting 
 
 Past the curtain to and fro. 
 And I said: "Poor Bessie's sinking 
 
 Like a candle burning low." 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 149 
 
 Two short years ago the balance 
 
 Quivered in the trying strain 
 As the weight of Bessie's triumph 
 
 Raised my love and loss and pain. 
 Now I watched the beam ascending, 
 
 Watched with eager bated breath — 
 In the scale was Bessie's triamph 
 
 In the counter scale was death. 
 
 Thoughts like these in pain and passion 
 
 Through my trembling lips I hissed, 
 Till a thought made clear my vision 
 
 As the sun dispels a mist: 
 It was this, that mother whispered 
 
 Half asleep and half awake: 
 "Will you love her and console her 
 
 And — forgive — her — for my sake?" 
 
 So it came a moment later 
 
 I had crossed the darksome street 
 Entering through the servant's hallway, 
 
 There a frightened group to meet. 
 Raised my finger with the warning 
 
 That they still their squeamish cries: 
 "I am come, your mistress' sister 
 
 To be with her when she diesi" 
 
 And the cry "Tis madness, madness 
 
 She's escaped from someone's care!" 
 Rang along the echoing hallway 
 
 As I crossed the topmost stair. 
 Through my many lonely vigils 
 
 At the window o'er the way 
 I'd an idea where the room was 
 
 And where sister Bessie lay; 
 
I50 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 So the next thing that I knew was 
 
 I was kneeling near her bed 
 Trjdng hard to catch the accents 
 
 Of the last words that she said; 
 P'or she knew me. Oh, the language 
 
 Of her great expressive eyes! 
 There were pain, grief and repentance 
 
 There were joy, hope and surprise. 
 
 And her words came faint and feebly 
 
 Like the twitter of a bird — 
 "Sister tell me you forgive me!" 
 
 These were all the words I heard. 
 But she clasped her arms about me 
 
 Kissed and kissed me then she sighed. 
 So with head upon my bosom 
 
 And with heart at rest she died. 
 
 With a lingering, longing pressure 
 
 Of her dear form to my breast 
 I withdrew my arms and laid her 
 
 Like a tired child to rest. 
 Drawing back a heavy curtain 
 
 Jarvis entered as I rose. 
 He extended icy fingers 
 
 I replied with touch that froze. 
 
 Strange to say, that night in summer 
 
 With its moonlight and its bloom 
 Drifted in and for a moment 
 
 Hid the sleeper in that room. 
 Then it passed off to the distance 
 
 With the bitter fruit it bore — 
 Passed away and never, never 
 
 Did return to grieve me more. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 151 
 
 I had dreamt the dream that dreamers 
 
 Waking from which dream no more. 
 I had plucked the fruit of gladness 
 
 And found canker at the core. 
 But my heart went back to Bessie 
 
 As the heart will go at will; 
 Naught remained to do but love her 
 
 As my one sweet sister still. 
 
 Spring. 
 
 The Spring of 1890 was unusually cold and discouraging. 
 An editor complained that no spring poems having been offered 
 the goddess of spring she was angry in consequence. To placate 
 the goddess and bring about good weather the following lines 
 were written. 
 
 Our Spring arriv' on Friday last — 
 There came a sort o' southern blast 
 That kinder told the sun had cast 
 His fur-lined coat. 
 An' out among the shiv'rin trees 
 The birds began ter quit ter sneeze, 
 An' gan ter try ter sorter wheeze 
 An* clear the throat. 
 
 They seemed ter want ter welcome spring, 
 An' kinder think they'd like ter sing 
 An' make their song an' this ere thing 
 The weather, kinder match. 
 They sorted out with frost-nipped nose 
 The eggs that didn't seem much froze, 
 An* settled down to warm their toes 
 An' tried ter hatch. 
 
152 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 The lilacs spread their blossoms out, 
 
 The toads began to stir about, 
 
 The onion beds began ter sprout, 
 
 An' natur' smiled. 
 
 The tulips tho't 'twas time to go 
 
 An' dropt their leaves down purty low. 
 
 The snow-birds quit their flittin so 
 
 An' seemed quite riled. 
 
 Spring seemed ter kinder sorter say 
 She'd come this time for sure ter stay; 
 Though Friday's not a lucky day 
 Ter'gin things on. 
 
 So when the twilight 'gan ter crawl 
 The Night put on her winter shawl 
 An' shook with agey — well that's all — 
 Spring'd come an' gone! 
 
 Why I Rhyme. 
 
 I do not rhyme, because the time 
 The Lord has given me. 
 
 Is whiled away at game or play 
 Or that my hands are free. 
 
 For yonder laughing in his crib. 
 One noisy treasure lies. 
 
 With restless, chubby, dimpled fists 
 And wide, blue, wondering eyes. 
 
 Out on the freshly fallen snow 
 
 Another cherub stands, 
 Holding the crispy, new-found joy 
 
 In little mittened hands. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 1 53 
 
 Around my neck e'en as I write 
 
 Two round, warm arms are pressed 
 
 And kisses on my cheeks fall fast, 
 With all a baby's zest. 
 
 As stout and strong as day is long 
 
 As calm and sunny too 
 With eyes so tender and so grave 
 
 So quiet and so blue, 
 
 There comes at eve, with lightsome step, 
 
 The centre of our joys, 
 And close in father's arms are pressed 
 
 These blessed, bouncing boys. 
 
 So there are duties near and dear 
 
 That much engross the time 
 And fill the hours and tax the powers, 
 
 Yet thoughts drift through in rhyme. 
 
 I rhyme because my heart o'erflows 
 
 With happiness and hope. 
 Our way leads up through scented bloom 
 
 Along life's sunny slope . 
 
 And rhyme makes music out of life — 
 A rhythm that through the maze 
 
 Beats on in time though time but brings 
 The parting of the ways. 
 
154 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Ingratitude. 
 
 She took them from my hand and said, 
 
 They wei'e nice flowers." 
 And then I sav/ from them had fled 
 
 In those short hours, 
 The freshness that made me select 
 
 These from the rest, 
 Because they seemed best to reflect 
 
 Her that I Hked best. 
 
 I winced me at the ingrate phrase — 
 
 "They zve-re nice flowers." 
 And feit she might have said in place, 
 
 "How many hours 
 You gathered these to give to me 
 
 A beauteous gift. 
 And in this vase I'll watch to see 
 
 Their petals lift!" 
 
 I'd meant to please; but, failing turned 
 
 Me slow away. 
 Within my heart a sorrow burned. 
 
 Refining its clay. 
 And teaching me this wholesome truth: 
 
 God's sun and showers — 
 All he hath given, I've taken in sooth 
 
 As she, these flowers. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 155 
 
 I had a love m the long ago, 
 
 Small of stature and round of limb, 
 
 My belt or a two-foot rule I know 
 
 Easily then would have measured him. 
 
 Into my ear with a lover's grace 
 
 He told the story of love and thrall. 
 
 And I never winced at his beardless face 
 Or minded his tootMessness at all. 
 
 As bald as a cocoanut was he. 
 
 Awkward of gesture and bold of caress. 
 Vapid his language as Chimpanzee 
 
 But it held me spell-bound nevertheless. 
 
 Nor was I jealous though I could see 
 As I followed his unaffected glance. 
 
 That someone as toothless and hairless as he 
 Seemed to hold his soul in ecstatic trance. 
 
 But a crop of hair on his bald head grew 
 
 And one at a time came a tooth in place. 
 
 And he cultivated some strange tastes, too, 
 
 That developed along with his years apace. 
 
 I was inured to this fickle blade 
 
 And his many freaks of the fancy-free. 
 
 And I knew wherever his light heart strayed 
 It would hold a place in its depths for me. 
 
 I waited my rival's arrival when, 
 
 I knew he would woo at another's side. 
 
 And he searched the hills and he searched the glen 
 And at last came back with a dainty bride. 
 
156 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 The Picture Could Tell. 
 
 The north wind blows cold o'er the gables today 
 
 And wails as a human might wail. 
 And around where the daisies and buttercups grew 
 
 It is drifting the snow and the hail. 
 It is closing the spread 'round the sides of a bed 
 
 Where withered grass waves to and fro. 
 But its kiss is as light as a mother's at night 
 
 That wakes not the sleeper below. 
 
 The snowdrifts like sentinels guard well the place 
 
 As knovv'ing the still sleeper's mind. 
 They are covering closer the secrets of him 
 
 Who left only mystery behind. 
 So silent was he in a world full of glee, 
 
 We marvelled if ever he bore, 
 In that bosom of his, just a warmth like to bliss 
 
 Whose embers rekindled no more. 
 
 When we played at his knee and as children played free, 
 
 We drew from his bosom a case. 
 And there did behold in its locket of gold 
 
 A laughing and beautiful face. 
 He told us that day as he laid it away 
 
 'Twas a friend whom in boyhood he knew. 
 That the hair pictured there like the sunshine was fair 
 
 The eyes were as summer skies, blue. 
 
 He seemed like a man made of marble. But why 
 
 'Mid chimes of sweet life like a knell 
 Did his silence impress.-* Ah, the picture could guess 
 
 If the lips in the picture could tell! 
 And they'd quickly reveal what his silence did seal; 
 
 They'd reveal and we'd know they were right, 
 That sunshine and skies found in hair and in eyes 
 
 Have turned many a day into night. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 157 
 
 The Dream. 
 I. 
 
 The sunlight on the mountain side 
 
 Shone bright on rock and tree. 
 The ripples on the laughing tide 
 
 Came flower-fumed to me. 
 For round my door my children sang 
 
 For me their happy notes. 
 The meadow and the woodland rang 
 
 With music from their throats. 
 
 Our little ones! No flower bloomed 
 
 As fair as our Irene. 
 No song-bird, voice howe'er attuned, 
 
 Sang sweet as our Eugene. 
 No sunbeam glancing gay and bright 
 
 Threw radiance half so fair 
 As Hubert's face all love and light 
 
 Framed round with golden hair. 
 
 My heart was young, my home was where 
 
 Birds sang the summer long, 
 But I, o'er-wrought with household care 
 
 Oft wearied of their song. 
 The very sunlight irksome grew; 
 
 The waves out on the bay 
 Washed wearily and weary too 
 
 I grew of childish play! 
 
 At night the little dreamers lay 
 
 So near me as they slept. 
 And o'er them then as in their play 
 
 A mother's watch I kept. 
 
158 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 But weary oft the charge became, 
 
 1 longed for rest, for peace. 
 I felt a wish I dared not name — 
 
 I often craved release. 
 
 For I grew weary day by day 
 
 Of clamrous rush and rout 
 Of mud-prints to be brushed away 
 
 Of toys all strewn about. 
 Their mirth, their plaints, their need of care, 
 
 The soothing they desired 
 Oppressed, debarred me every where 
 
 Of pleasure, and I tired. 
 
 II. 
 
 The snowdrifts on the mountains side 
 
 Piled high on rock and tree. 
 The moaning of the troubled tide 
 
 Sigh-laden came to me. 
 The music of each childish voice 
 
 Had long since died away. 
 The house was still — I had my choice — 
 
 Full quiet all the day! 
 
 Could fold my hands, not tired now 
 
 From over-work and care. 
 Could go from room to room and, lo. 
 
 Find order everywhere. 
 The rooms seemed empty, large and still: 
 
 So still that I could hear 
 My lonely heart-beats. Naught to fill 
 
 Each moment but a tear, 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 159 
 
 I spread our humble board for two — 
 
 Three little plates were gone. 
 The happ}^ feet that waxed and grew 
 
 And danced about the lawn 
 Were quiet now. The world looked gray 
 
 And still and strange and lost. 
 The waves out on the surly bay 
 
 Were crested o'er with frost. 
 
 My arms were rested but they grew 
 
 To weigh upon my breast. 
 My hands had leisure but they knew 
 
 No usefulness or rest. 
 For, oh, my eyes would ever stray 
 
 Where slow the mountain rose, 
 And linger where our song-bird lay 
 
 Asleep among its snows. 
 
 Or at the window toward the bay 
 
 Long, lonely hours I'd stand 
 And think of him whose raft that day 
 
 Had failed to reach the land. 
 The ships, like seabirds skimmed the bay, 
 
 The sails like white wings spread. 
 I'd watch them till they'd fade away 
 
 And note the light they shed 
 
 Down in the waves. "Perhaps it shines" 
 
 I'd think, "way down to where 
 Alas, the slimy seaweed twines 
 
 In Hubert's golden hair!" 
 Again in agony I'd trace 
 
 Our parting with Irene 
 And hold her in a mock embrace 
 
 As do we in a dream. 
 
l60 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Too late we found for our frail flower 
 
 The sea-breeze worked no weal. 
 We took her where we thought the power 
 
 Of southern suns might heal. 
 We laid her where the orange trees 
 
 Their fragrant petals shed 
 And left her where the evening breeze 
 
 Its prayer of requiem said. 
 
 III. 
 
 "My little ones come back again 
 
 Come back, do I implore; 
 I'll soothe, I'll solace and sustain 
 
 And murmur nevermore! 
 Come back, my little ones, to me! 
 
 The mud-prints on the floor 
 I'll brush away on bended knee 
 
 Nor blame nor chide you more!" 
 
 "Come back" I called "Oh little hearts 
 
 I once had power to soothe — 
 Come back, I'll use all mother-arts 
 
 To make life bright and smooth!" 
 They heard not. Gone beyond recall. 
 
 Beyond reproach and pain! 
 Yet I would hearken in the hall 
 
 And think they'd called my name. 
 
 But no child's voice came to console; 
 
 No toys lay where they'd plaj^ed. 
 No word came back to ease my soul 
 
 Or tell me where they staj^ed. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA l6l 
 
 What would I give could I bestow 
 
 For one short hour again 
 The solace, which too oft I know 
 
 They sought from me in vain! 
 
 Stay conscience! Blot away that page. 
 
 Tear down that blackened scroll. 
 This pent-up agony, this rage 
 
 Of grief brooks no control. 
 Efface the horror of its reign 
 
 By selfish love debased. 
 A mother's heart — her child's domain 
 
 Knows no such sterile waste! 
 
 nil. 
 
 The moonbeams on the mountain side 
 
 Shone soft on rock and tree. 
 The ripple of the restless tide 
 
 Came music-like to me. 
 I roused, I struggled with the rush 
 
 Of hope and fear and pain. 
 A weight of horror seemed to crush 
 
 The reason from my brain! 
 
 The moonbeams through the lattice shone 
 
 Bright on each lovely child. 
 I looked again, they were my own, 
 
 They lay asleep and smiled. 
 Irene, slept not 'neath southern trees 
 
 But wrapt in bloom lay there. 
 And, o'er my breast like golden fleece 
 
 Flowed Hubert's sunny hair. 
 
l62 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Eugene — I drew him to my breast 
 
 In joy's ecstatic glow, 
 Our song-bird lived — he did not rest 
 
 Out under drifts of snow. 
 With eyes too widely strained to weep 
 
 I looked my treasures o'er. 
 Such priceless pearls, the ocean's sweep 
 
 Ne'er cast upon the shore. 
 
 I felt each pulse to be assured 
 
 Things were just as they seemed. 
 So real the anguish I'd endured 
 
 I could not think I'd dreamed. 
 Say, do you marvel that I knelt 
 
 With prayerful hands upraised, 
 And would you question what I felt 
 
 As on each child I gazed. 
 
 I felt and knew, the scales had shed 
 
 And left my vision free. 
 That life by every pleasure fed 
 
 Were naught without these three. 
 And do you think the promise wrung 
 
 From heart so tried and sore 
 Was broken.'* Nay remorse had stung, 
 
 I've murmured nevermore. 
 
WHISPERS OF THE SEA 163 
 
 Beyond The Sunset. 
 
 We go back a long time backward 
 
 And forget life has a past; 
 Live again its first, fond freshness 
 
 And forget this cannot last. 
 We absorb the joy of dreaming 
 
 Of the fancies once our own. 
 Live again within the castles 
 
 Built of precious woods and stone. 
 
 Drink again at love's fair fountain 
 
 Playing free in life's great mart — 
 In that dew-time of existence, 
 
 Fair, first mornings of the heart. 
 Life lay out before us beckoning 
 
 With the promise of "To Be;" 
 Of rare treasures in her caverns 
 
 Of rich lands far out to sea. 
 
 Not a shadow dimmed the memory, 
 
 Not a backward glance we took, 
 As we hastened as we hasten 
 
 To peruse an unread book. 
 We were sure fair winds would waft us 
 
 Where but songs of joy were sung — 
 To the islands of Great Gladness — 
 
 Thus looked life when we were young. 
 
 Waves v/ere restless in mid-ocean. 
 
 Squalls and mists obscured our way. 
 
 But we held to helm and compass 
 
 While we braved the blinding spray. 
 
164 WHISPERS OF THE SEA 
 
 Then a courage strong and dauntless 
 Of our fibre formed a part; 
 
 In that strong time in that song time — 
 Brilliant noontime of the heart! 
 
 But we found no treasure caverns 
 
 Waiting till we came that way. 
 Found no shores of Silver Sunshine 
 
 Strewn with pearls cast by the spray. 
 Long before our search was over 
 
 While we studied still our chart, 
 Wide horizons banked in shadow 
 
 Told 'twas evening of the heart. 
 
 Hope points now to islands lying 
 
 Past the billows of unrest. 
 Where the rainbow full of promise 
 
 Spans the archways of the west. 
 Toward the land of playing fountains 
 
 Toward the land of songs unsung. 
 They're the islands of Great Gladness 
 
 That we sought when we were young. 
 
 But they rise not from the waters 
 
 That time shifts with rapid change. 
 They are further on where spirit, 
 
 Only compasses their range. 
 Lying far out toward the west-line 
 
 Past the clouds the sunset hung — 
 These, the islands of Great Gladness 
 
 Of which youth and hope had sung. 
 
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