i 3527 [32 S6 310 opy 1 j)o nne t s^ By L. ADDA NICHOLS •onnet0 BY L. ADDA NICHOLS What is a sonnet ? . . . This was the flame that shook with Dante's breath. The solemn organ whereon Milton played. And the clear glass where Shakespeare's shadow falls. -R.IV. Gilder. •J- i^ijo Copyright, 1910 By L. Adda Nichols iGi,A271524 " Why don't you write some sonnets ? I like sonnets." ^0 9^v Bittt ADA DESTA BARNETT RICHARDS SONNETS "OBnter into liis gate$ ttijtt) ti)anksgil)ing, anD into f)i0 court? toitl) praise." Ps. 100:4. SONNETS THANKSGIVING. However bleak and bare a life may be. There yet remains some cause for gratitude ; And oft along the way an interlude Of hope revived in some dear memory. Makes strong the heart to perse veringly March on, though rough and rugged wrongs intrude. Making more dense the ways of soli- tude. But where a voice is heard : Lean hard on Me. And so for strength to bear comes thank- fulness; And in the night some loved and cherished song Sweeter than any heard by day shall bless And make the journey short that once seemed long; And every day shall be Thanksgiving day. While counting blessings all along the way. 1902. SONNETS "jFor Ijp tl)p tootD0 tI)ou sftalt tie ju0tifieD, anD tip tl)p toorDs t^ou 0j)all lie contiemneD*" Mall. 12:37. SONNETS WORDS. Words are such little things and yet so great Their influence is far beyond compute; They bring forth praise or make the strongest mute ; Deep love by them is won and endless hate. Words lead to deeds, and come they soon or late, And good or ill they surely will bear fruit, Bitter or sweet invariably will suit The ends that from the thoughts origi- nate. Stupendous things are words! oh, weigh them well; Life is too short when once on outward wing To e'er recall them to the harbor where They first saw light, and left the secret cell Of some tired brain, ever to wail or sing. Forever onward like the flight of prayer. 1895. SONNETS "BoUi \x}btn 3legu$ toa0 tjorn in 15ctl)lei)eni of 3iu0ea in tht Dap0 of iljetoD tf)e king:, tiel)oID, tbere came tui0e men from t{)e east to Jetuga- lent, gaping, toi)ere 10 f)e tl)at 10 liorn l^ing of ti)e 3[eU30f for UJe |)atje 0ecn !)i0 0tar in tibe ea0t, anD are come to tuor0i)ip f)im/' Matt. 2:1. 2. SONNETS THE MEETING OF THE MAGI. (From "Ben-Hur.") 'Tis noon, and o'er Arabia's desert semds A faithful dromedary makes his way. The pensive rider now dismounts to lay The noon-tide meal 'neath tent from dis- tant lands. With head bowed low in prayer and with clasped hands He thanks the Father that he sees this day. Then peering in the distance sights the sway Of beast with pilgrim, and his heart ex- pands With joy, to view his looked-for guest draw near; Balthaser the Egyptian, greeting gives To him from Hindustan. Another one. The third, a learned Greek, doth now appear ; All by the star are lead; each trusts, believes And journeys to the shrine of Mary's Son. 1896. SONNETS "Dag unto Dap utteretjb 0peecf), anD nfg^t unto night 0t)otoetl) Ps. 19:2. 10 SONNETS MIDNIGHT. Almost as grand as noonday sun, now shines The placid moon, high in the heavens to-night, Enfolding earth with calm and silvery light. And with solemnity of thought enshrines Our very soul, until it scarce divines Whether the spell be earth or heavenly might; Transfixed, we gaze upon the splendor bright That shrub and flower, that tree and dome entwines. Midnight ! grandeur of silence we behold ! While o'er the sleeping world the moon- light gleams. In likeness to the land where streets are gold; Whence comes the inspiration of our dreams ; And listening hear the angels' song of old That wafted o'er Judea's hills and streams. 1894. II SONNETS "Ci)ere 10 a tter, tht mmm$ UJJjereof 0l)all make 0!aD tl)e dtp of Ps. 46:4. 12 SONNETS ON THE HUDSON. The early Autumn sun casts mellow rays, As down the broad and placid stream we gHde; And golden-tinged, the mountains in their pride Majestic rise to guard the river's ways. In recollection long the traveler stays Amidst the beauteous scenes on either side; While history and legend still provide To make intense the grandeur nature sways. Fair hamlets nestle close in shady nooks That reach the water's edge. And oft to break The stillness of the scene, peals loud and clear The whistling locomotive as it crooks And winds round cliffs its rugged way to make. Then swiftly in the mountains disap- pear. 1896. 13 SONNETS "30 for man, ftis Dap0 ate a0 gra00: a0 a flotoer of tht ft'elD, 00 Ije flouci0!)etf)» "jFor tl)e toinD pa00et|) otjer it, anD it 10 gone; anD ti)e place tljere- of 0J)aU knoto it no more*" Ps. 103:15, 16. "®p Dap0 are 0U3ifter tf)an a toeatier'0 0i)uttle." Job 7:6. 14 SONNETS PAST NOON. And can it be the noon of life is passed? I am a child at heart, and time stands still ; At rosy dawn of life we roam at will. For o'er the years agone a charm is cast. And youth, if so 'tis willed, shall ever last. And all life's noon and evening-time shall fill To overflowing, as the laughing rill Sings and flows on toward the ocean vast. Our life is measured not by days or years. But by the deeds we've done or left un- done, And by our hopes, our sorrows and our tears, Our life is long or short at set of sun ; But counting life by years, ah, soon, too soon. We sadly say our life is past its noon. 1894. 15 SONNETS Jna0muc!) as pe DiD it not" Matt. 25:45. 16 SONNETS OMISSIONS. For words we might have said but did not say, For loving deeds undone in other years, Your eyes and mine oft look thro' blind- ing tears; Since loved ones left us lonely by the way ; Vanished so silently, one long, sad day. And now earth's curtain hides from other spheres. And memory holds the sorrows of the years. O words and deeds, why didst thou thus delay? So much left out of life that should have been Woven within the web to make it fair And hrm and bright, in beauty all complete ; And yet we trust, though marred and warped by sin. The Judge in tender pity will forbear when at the last we lay it at His feet. 1895. 17 SONNETS "3nD if anp man 0in, toe ftatJe an aDtJocate toiti) tbt jFatijet, 3Iesu0 Cl)r{0t tlje rigi)teou0«" 1 John 2:1. 18 SONNETS COMMISSIONS. O careless words v/e should have left un- said; O thoughtless deeds we should have left undone ; We long when it is all too late to run And right the wrong where once our foot- steps led, Among the might-have-beens forever fled. If we could but erase the page whereon We blindly wrote — the blurred and tear-stained one — We'd make the record fair as any read. If we could just leave out what pains us so And mars the picture that our human hands Unskilled have tried to paint, and tremb- ling know The copy it resembles not, but stands With all its blemishes before our view. We vainly wish we might begin anew. 1895. 19 SONNETS "Cbe flotocr0 appear on tf)e eattJ); tbe time of t!)e singing of tiirD0 i0 come, anD t|)e tjoice of t|)e turtle is fjearti in tht lanH*" Songs of Solomon 2:12. 20 SONNETS SPRING MELODIES. Clearer than organ tones or sweet guitar. When nature wakes to bloom the early spring, And all God's choir of feathered song- sters sing. Flows the rich melody o'er earth afar. Their throats, all tuned to glowing rapture, are O'erflowing with the melodies that bring The thoughts of peace and joy on out- spread wing, And faith inspire where doubt and sin would mar. Sweetly they sing till late the shadows fall. And naught they seem to know of weariness ; Then at the first faint hint of early day. Their carols sweet peal forth, encircling all Our waking hearts with life anew to bless. Inviting us to join their grateful lay. 1894. 21 SONNETS "get tije LorD toill commanD i)i0 lotJing kinDneiS0 in tj)e Daptime, and in tf)e nigftt fjis song sijall lie tuitf) me«" Ps. 42:8. 22 SONNETS "SONGS IN THE NIGHT." Songs in the night! songs in the night! when sleep Refuses oft the boon of rest to send. Solace of song doth o'er the spirit blend. And beauties new unfold, when shadows deep Shut out the light of day, and vigils keep ; Then to the weary soul shall far trans- cend The songs of night to those of day, and lend A calm to pain, and cool the eyes that weep. Songs in the night ! songs in the night ! oh, come And linger oft by every couch of pain. In life or death the victory impart. If here they wait or speed to heavenly home; In either case in Christ 'tis only gain. Who satisfieth every longing heart. 1894. 23 SONNETS "(So tbt tuap of all tfte eartft: lie ti)ou 0ttong tbetefore, and sljoto tf)p0elf a man*" I Kings 2 : 2. "15el)olD tJ)erefore, 3 toill gather thtt unto tftp fatfjets, anD t|)ou sbalt tie gatl)ereD into tftp graue in peace." 2 Kings 22 : 20. 24 SONNETS MT. AUBURN. O sacred flowery paths that wind around The quiet resting places of the dead ; O voiceless city where in awe we tread. In honor of the singers that have found In thee the peace that doth supreme abound. More lasting than the marble at their head, The inspiration of their page world- read. And making this a place of holy ground. O sweet Mount Auburn ! while we linger still, We breathe our thanks that such have lived and died; That ever onward in a ceaseless flow. Their living thoughts the coming ages thrill With purpose true that shall for aye abide ; And thus our earth to heaven shall nearer grow. 1896. 25 SONNETS "Cije toinD tilotoetf) toi)ete it Ii0tet|), antJ tJ)ou ftearegt tbt sounti ti)ereof, but canst not tell totiencc it comet!), anD tri|)itl)er it goetft." John 3:8. 26 SONNETS WINDS OF NOVEMBER. Now sadly sigh the winds through leafless trees, That lift their long bare arms in help- lessness, As if imploring aid in dire distress. Like some sad soul adrift on dreary seas! A sense of loss on every passing breeze Steals o'er my heart, for treasures have grown less. And round about my path an emptiness ; The cold wind moans and with the loss agrees. O human life ! at once so full yet void ; O memories ! that cling to present tasks, O mysteries! all veiled to human eyes. Wherefore are hopes so ruthlessly de- stroyed ? Though all unanswered yet the soul still asks. Then waits the revelation from the skies. 1894. 27 SONNETS "15le00cD ate tbt merciful: for tbty sjball obtain mercp/' Matt. 5:7. 28 SONNETS BLESSED. O blessed are the eyes that can not see The faults that common are to all meui- kind, Blessed the eyes to imperf'^ctions blind, (May such be given, dear one, to you and me) But quick to see the beauty that makes free And glad the revelation all may find. Who search with faith and charity com- bined. For present good and that which is to be. O blessed are the feet that willing run On mercy's errands to the sad, op- pressed ; Blessed the hands that lay not burdens on Earth's weary ones belated and dis- tressed ; Blessed the lips that speak the cheering word. By love inspired through Christ the living Lord. 18%. 29 SONNETS "^ man tJjat bnth frienDg must 0f)ota) l)imgelf frienDIp: anti tbtxt 10 a ftienD tbat 0ticketi) c!o0er tban a isrotfjec*" Prov. 18:24. 30 SONNETS TO THE RIVER CHARLES. Historic stream ! within thy depths I gaze. And strange, fond thoughts come to me o'er and o'er Of many that have wandered on thy shore ; Of one who sang of thee in other days. And from his sweetest thoughts expressed his praise ; And not his praise alone, but what is more. His heart s true love to thee he did out- pour In memory of three friends* who loved thy ways. O River! silent flowing toward the sea, Longfellow's pen has made thy name secure On lettered page a favored word to be. And with the poet's name for aye, en- dure; His face no more is mirrored in thy own; Thy waves receive from him no answer- ing tone. 1899. * Longfellow's three intimate friends. Felton, Agassiz, Sumner. 31 SONNETS "jFor unto pou 10 born tW Dap in tJ)e dtp of DatoiD, a ^aiJior, tojbicf) i$ Cl)rist tJ)e ILorD," Luke 2:11. 32 SONNETS CHRISTMAS. The sweetest word contained within the song The angels sung one night so long ago, That vibrates now the many centuries through; Is peace, sweet peace, oh, still the strain prolong Till good-will rules entire earth's troubled throng ; Till weary hearts its deepest meaning know. And bless the source from whence all blessings flow, And keep the Christmas joy remaining long. Far in the East there shines a heavenly light, Lo, earth's dark night is breaking into day; The shadows flee before the Prince of Peace; And He of whom the prophets caught a sight. And saw in Him the only living way. Has come to bring the fettered soul release. 1899. 33 SONNETS "3 am tf)e regurrection, anti tbt Hit: jbe tijat lielietjetl) in me, tijougl) 1)0 toete DeaD, pet sftall De Utie*" John 11:25 34 SONNETS EASTER. O day of days! oh, glad, best day of all! When life immortal triumphs o'er the grave ; Completing thus redemption's work to save From sin and death, that would the world enthrall; Proclaiming Him the victor, who at call Left His high throne of majesty and gave Himself, no other great and pure tho' brave. Could bear the burden and redeem man's fall. O ring, glad Easter bells! your music pour O'er all the earth, and consolation give ; For Christ is risen ! repeat the story o'er. And man, yes man, forever more shall live; There is no death; the Lord is risen to- day; From every grave hath rolled the stone away. 1896. 35 SONNETS "15ut goDliness UJitf) content^ ment 10 great ^ahV I Tim. 6:6. 36 SONNETS CONTENTMENT. Seek it, oh, soul ! it may be thou wilt find Sometime, some far glad day, the treasure rare That never yet was thine; do not de- spair Tho' fate denies it thee till eyes are blind That once were bright with hope ; the gold refined To twice ten times its wonted lustre fair. Can not with this rich gift of heaven compare In value which outweighs all joys com- bined. Contentment! oh, what peace the word implies ; Contentment ! soar thou not beyond our reach ; So incomplete without thy presence here Seems all our life; the goal to which we rise In our vain dreams, doth but the lesson teach That thou alone canst bring the two worlds near. 1899. 37 SONNETS "Ci)ou f)a0t giet ail tht IsorDers of tjbe eatti): tijou ijasst niaDe gummet anD tointer/' Ps. 74:! 7. 38 SONNETS A WINTER AFTERNOON. Equal in splendor to the spring-time's glow, Is this, tho' brief, bright winter after- noon; While seems the sun to hurry all too soon Adown the western skies ; and sinking low. Its parting gleams through leafless trees doth throw A beauty o'er the landscape, and attune All things to harmony, as perfect June Crowned queen of summer doth her gifts bestow. And now the light reflects on low head- stones And marble shafts that in "God's acre" stand ; Emblems of rest to weary souls at last; And pointing upward unto heavenly thrones. Speak through their silence of a better land. Whither the tribes of earth are gathering fast. 1899. 39 SONNETS "are not fitJe ^pattotog 0OID for tU)o fart|)ing0, anD not one of tijem i^ forgotten tiefote (g)oDi^'' Luke 12:6. 40 SONNETS BIRDS. Without the birds what would the wood- lands be? The flowers would wear a lonely look if they Should wake some morn and miss the joyous lay From songsters that have filled the air with glee. Without the birds, — how sad the thought, — ah, me; In vain would strive all nature to look gay; No joy in spring if robins were away. And winter drear without the chickadee. Dear gifts from God! flown out from his own hand. Scattered abroad o'er field and hill and stream. To bless the world with hope, and faith inspire. Their song of gratitude fills all the land. Turns weary care into a bright day- dream. Takes from the soul its doubt and lifts it higher. 1899. 41 SONNETS i(' C!)ou crotone0t tije pear toitf) ti)p gooDness; anD tj)p pat!)0 Drop fatness." Ps. 65:11. 42 SONNETS THE NEW YEAR What does the new year hold for you and me, We ask; the portals swinging outward stand Inviting us to tread an unknown land; The tasks awaiting us we may not see. Enough for us to know they will not be More than our strength to meet the sure demand That day by day revealed and near at hand Shall lighten till we greet them joyfully. Along the New Year road will roses grow. Likewise the weeds, and we may take our choice Of which we gather as we pass along. To good or bad, God still permits to flow A free-will power; we sigh or we re- joice. And make life's years a burden or a song. . 1902. > • 43 SONNETS "Cl)e i)eatjen0 Declare tfje glorp of iDoD; and tf)e fitmamem 0t)oto= eti) J)i0 banUitootk/' Ps. 19.1. 44 SONNETS MY CHOICE. What picture do you love the best of all, That ever A.rtist's hand did paint with skill In colors bright or softened tints that thrill Your very being oft as you recall The wondrous lights and shades that seem to fall So lightly from the Artist's brush, and still Speak of the patience that must e're fulfill The great demand and pay the price — not small — That genius asks of all her children dear? Which picture do you like the best, and why? By any painter, high, low, far or near. That thrills the soul with joy or brings a tear? My choice is on the canvas of the sky; A sunrise in the spring-time of the year. 1903. 45 SONNETS "Cf)e fire sJiall etjer tie fiutning upon tl)e altat; it 0!)an netier go out" Lev. 6:13. 46 SONNETS THE FIRE UPON THE HEARTH. O brightly glows the fire upon the hearth Within my neighbor's kitchen, so close by I raise my shades in early morn that I May catch the inspiration and the worth Of homely cheer, good-will, and spark- ling mirth That gives the day a goodly start; for why Should hearts be sad when light is in the sky And on your neighbor's hearth? if yours shines [orlh In unison with theirs and nature's own. As in the ancient time the altar fire Each morn replenished went not out, but shone An emblem of the life that love inspires ; So faith can see through sorrow and through mirth, The fire of hope burn brightly on the hearth. 1903. 47 SONNETS "Cljerefote tbv gateg sftall be open continuallp; tjbep stall not fie sfiut nap nor nigfit; tftat men map firing unto tfiee tfie forces of tfie (Gentiles, and tfiat tficir kings map fie firougfit." Isa. 60:11. 46 SONNETS SUNSET LAND And now the sun in splendor sinks to rest Beside the Golden Gate m evening's glow; In that far land where gentle breezes blow, And summer rules the year supremely blest. Thou canst not, wanderer, in all thy quest A place more Eden-like e'er hope to know Than this fair spot that charms the traveler so. Of roses in perpetual beauty dressed. Beyond Sierras' snow-capped heights where rolls The broad Pacific in the sunset land; The land of palms, high reaching, stately, free; Where rhythmic songs of waves with songs of souls Keep step with time through onward marches grand. And where the "green cross"* looks upon the sea. 1903. * A large cross of evergreen trees on the mountainside by Joaquin Miller's home, Oakland, Cal. 49 SONNETS "lBel)olD, at tht bank of t|)e ritiet tnere Detp manp trees on tfje one isitie anD on tl)e oti)et/' Ezek. 47:7. 50 SONNETS A MEMORY. No stream so fair as that which glided by Our childhood's sunny home. No banks so green In all these after years were ever seen As those on which we strayed, so broad and high; No trees or flowers e'er looked toward summer sky On hills so bright or shady vales serene As dear Grand River sang its way be- tween ; Search as we may, we find not, nor need try. There oft the Indians came and pitched their tent; And named the little village Saranac; And baskets wove, and fished along the banks, Where blushing red the sweet thorn-apples bent. As all these early scenes to me come back, I clasp the pleasant memory with thanks. 1903. 51 SONNETS "Jl^oto ti)ank0 be unto (^oD, tobitb altoap0 causetf) u0 to nU umpft in Cf)tf0t/' 2 Cor. 2:14. 52 SONNETS TRIUMPH. Builds and rebuilds the faithful bird its nest, When thoughtless hands destroy the precious home; No time it wastes to sigh or idly roam; But works until triumphant it shall rest. And so the dauntless spirit in its quest Knows no defeat, though often it may come, No entrance finds or solitary room Within a life with pure ambition blest. Who does his best shall at the last prevail; And count the failure blest of yester- day. Which giveth strength to a deter- mined will. Then work, though oft it be thy fate to fail; Amidst the battles lost along the way Be it thy power, oh, soul, to triumph still. 1903. 53 One copy del. to Cat. Div. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ■'"■lill|l!l!ii