^*' '^^ %^ ^'^^p/ J''^^^ ^^y^^S ^^^\ '-^^p*" ^ A.*" . N O ^^ _T^ . , « •!» a\ ^^ * • • « . V> ^0- . ;*» •^ .-^ *.fi>M?!r^ - -^ 4.-' . FRIENDS and OTHER UERSE by John F. Schee ^ 1922 c.K'»^ Copyrighted 1922 By John F. Schee THE HOMESTEAD PRINTING CO., DES MOINES 5C1A690815 For friends alone these lines are meant: To no one else have theij been sent. When on this portrait ijon niaij look. If not my friend — please shnt the book. Friends and Other Verse TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction ' My Friends the Poets 13 Young 1^ Milton 16 Willis 17 Pope 18 Rogers and Campbell 19 Burns 20 Byron • • 21 Moore and Scott 22 Wordsworth 24 Hood • • • 25 Dante 26 Browning 27 Tennyson 29 Kirk White 30 Pollok 31 Keats and Shelley 32 Dunbar 33 Goldsmith and Gray 34 Longfellow 35 Bryant 36 Whittier 37 Holmes 38 Poe 39 Lowell 41 Whitman 42 Swinburne 43 Riley and Field 44 Kipling ^ 45 Friends and Other Verse Page Mrs. Hemans 46 Ingelow, Proctor and Mrs. Browning.... 47 Ella Wheeler Wilcox 48 Neihardt 50 Shakespeare 51 Some Others 53 Some of My Friends Are Not Poets James G. Blaine 54 James A. Garfield 55 Hayes 56 Greeley 57 Lincoln and His Co-Workers 58 Taft 59 Quatrains If I Could 63 Ships That Pass in the Night 64 My Visitors 65 Little Things 66 A Little Friend 67 No Matter About the Weather 68 Four Leaf Glover 69 The Rose 70 The Kiss 71 What Is Worth While 72 Eternal But Itinerant 73 Two Bosses 74 Summary of Roosevelt's Speeches 75 Truth Crushed to Earth Will Rise Again . . 76 Our Deserts, Always 77 No Excellence Without Labor 78 You Know This Little Girl 79 Friends and Other Verse Page You've Noticed It 80 Suppress It 81 What We Need 82 Rest 83 Once on a Time 84 Love, Its Own Reward 85 The Spendthrift 86 War Poets 87 They Do This Way at Some Churches 88 The Dream That Disappoints 89 A Bundle of Christmas Verses 90 To the Baker Family, Corning, Iowa 92 My Game 93 Miscellaneous Sonnet 1 97 Sonnet II 98 Limerick 99 Mary 100 Autobiographical 101 My Phonograph 105 Portraits 109 Dear Ones Ill Lewis Schee 112 Sunshine 113 The Greatest Joy 114 Something Left 115 The Girl of 1921 116 Impatience 117 Wife and I at the Pi Phi House 118 My Favorite Girl 119 Who? 121 Friends and Other Verse Page Two Limits 122 The President 123 Haters of England 124 Estranged 125 The Maiden Evangelist 126 Rondeau 127 The Invitation 128 What Can Uncle Sam Do About It? 129 Response to Poetical Greetings of Rev. W. F. Bartholomew 130 A Spring Poem 131 Memories 132 John Harrison Blu 133 What Would You Do? 134 Compensation 135 Friends and Other Verse INTRODUCTION For children, wife and dearest friends 1 write The sundry halting lines that follow here. Imagining that they might find delight In the perusal of what might appear To others as too intimate discourse Concerning self and matters that relate To my own life and thought; for in this verse The pronoun "I" is overworked. I hate To make apology; but it is due To those who otherwise might criticise My confidential talk, dear friends, with you Whose kindly thought most gratefully I prize. Friends and Other Verse But it would be acute embarrassment If you should think that all the lines I write, My feeling and my thought and life pre- sent; What others think and feel I oft indite. By what he sings you can not judge a man; The "Rock of Ages" by bad men you've heard; By good men worldly songs you hear, again ; Judge, therefore, by the spirit, not the word. Friends and Other Verse If 1 should word a single thought Of import in a pleasing way. Not wholly lost would be that day, Nor would the effort be for naught. ITlij Friends, the Poets Friends and Other Verse 13 MY FRIENDS, THE POETS They live in my library. When from annoying troubles I retire Among my books in seeming solitude, I'm not alone; the friends I most admire Come and bring solace to my changeful mood. In quietude they charmingly discourse Of science, history, fancy, living fact. Intrusive volubility ne'er bores; Whate'er their faults, they never lack for tact. 14 Friends and Other Verse Tho on poetic feet I may not stride With grace, I list' to others as they sing On themes I love; it seems that they abide With me and constantly to me they bring The pleasure of sweet intercourse with minds Whose workings are attuned to high design. I cannot speak as they, but my heart finds The thoughts that they express are ofttimes mine. Friends and Other Verse 15 YOUNG "Be wise today, 'tis madness to defer," Said Edward Young two centuries ago. He's somewhat out of date, but I prefer Our ancient friend to many that I know. So Edward Young at home you'll always find. Our home, and he is always welcome here. We thoroughly enjoy his noble mind. 'Tis a rare treat to always have him near. 16 Friends and Other Verse MILTON Majestic Milton, chanting by the ream "Of man's first disobedience and the fruit"— Can we long follow him on such a theme, Or would a happier note our mood best suit? Addressing Milton only yestere'en. That I might hear his words of great por- tent, From the white page he glared and this was seen, And it appeared the universe was rent! "A dungeon horrible on all sides, 'round," "Torture" with "burning sulphur, uncon- sumed;" There "doleful shades" in fire did abound. I turned my back on Milton and resumed Friends and Other Verse 17 WILLIS The quest for that which giveth less annoy And met Nathaniel Wilhs face to face. He told the tale of David and his boy. His gentleness, simplicity and grace Commend him and we listen to his tales From Holy writ, nor tire with passing time : The "Daughter of Jairus," Jephthah's wails And others writ in rhythm and in rhyme. In "Lady Jane" our poet takes a lapse; Byron, it seems, he tries to imitate. Jules is a Juan and the tale, perhaps, Like imitations all, meets deserved fate. 18 Friends and Other Verse POPE Of all the Popes that I have ever known. The best is Alexander who began. Like White, when but a youngster scarce half grown, To write, and later his "Essay on Man," A composition marvelously wrought. Was given the world; in couplets it was writ. And strange to say, each couplet has a thought: In wonder, therefore, we admire it. Friends and Other Verse 19 ROGERS AND CAMPBELL Rogers and Campbell, relics of the years Ere Byron reigned supreme, the king of verse. The years when Burns to laughter and to tears. Commanded; ah, those memories we nurse! "Pleasures of Memory," read Rogers' page, "Pleasures of Hope," Tom Campbell wrote, forsooth. Fond memory is the solace of old age; While hope has always been the joy of youth. 20 Friends and Other Verse BURNS Burns is a man whose hand we'd like to shake, A friend to all in any clime or land. Then list to him, to the grand words h(' spake. No — simple words — the thoughts alono were grand. Poor Bobby loved his drink — his life's one bane. Was it a bane or did it fire all His genius to high effort? Many a man Has reached great heights and depths thru a high-ball. But let us take our Bobby as he is; Tho many years ago he loved his glass, Now on yon shelf he does his best; for this We can forgive his errors; let them pass. Friends and Other Verse 21 BYRON Lord Byron comes and speaks me by the hour. He's not my friend as Whittier, Field or Scott; But I admire him for his matchless power And follow him enchanted — who would not? Much that he says might better be un- spoken ; He tells his troubles rather overmuch; Philosophy, adventures, fond hearts broken Are given all too personal a touch. But there are times in which in noblest flight Lord Byron soars to reach the highest goal : "There was a sound of revelry by night." "Roll on, thou deep and dark blue Ocean — roll!" 22 Friends and Other Verse MOORE AND SCOTT Ah, Tommy Moore, you have an Irish heart. You were my earliest friend of all the clan. My early fondness for your verse had part In shaping my conceptions, ere a man. And Walter Scott, no less a Scot than Burns, Of finer parts, more scholarly in truth; And thru his writings, wheresoever one turns, He finds the best companionship for youth. Friends and Other Verse 23 Both Moore and Scott, Lord Byron classed as friends, And Byron ne'er would tolerate the dull. To Moore, material for his life, he sends; To Scott from Greece, he sent a human skull. Preeminence Scott granted to the Lord Whose genius gave Childe Harold to the throng. Of poetry thereafter, not a word. But novels in profusion, short and long. 24 Friends and Other Verse WORDSWORTH Ah, Wordsworth, Byron did not like you well. What matter? You've a better chance of Heaven Than he, who howe'er great could never tell The sweet and simple story, "We Are Seven." I sometimes wish that you were not so dull. Your "Prelude" makes me want to go to bed. Some eighty thousand words make over full Its pages, and but little e'er gets read. And your "Excursion" gives but little joy; I joined it once but quit it ere the boat Was under sail; 'twas when I was a boy. 'Tis no picnic to read what Wordsworth wrote. Friends and Other Verse 25 HOOD Dear Thomas Hood, a century ago You made us laugh and cry for fun and hurt. For instance, there's "Miss Kilmansegg," and Oh! Per contra, "Bridge of Sighs," "Song of the Shirt." 26 Friends and Other Verse DANTE Dante of Florence was a grand old man. He took me on a trip thru hell one night. I hope I'll never have to go again; We'll find the other place if we do right. Friends and Other Verse 27 BROWNING Tho Browning's here, I really must admit, His perspicuity oft fails, and hence Walt Mason has our sympathy a bit: "Take it away, bring books that have some sense," , Said Mason, which, indeed, is too severe. Browning, I'm sure, knows what he talks about; His finely drawn philosophy is clear To some; to others 'tis past finding out. Lese Majeste, I'm sure is my offense In speaking lightly of this mighty mind; But when he flies I fail to grasp the sense At times; he leaves my intellect behind. 28 Friends and Other Verse With diligence apply, or otherwise We'll not with highest critics quite accord. Study minutely, there the secret lies, Or we will miss what we can ill afford. As with our appetites, so with our books. What we dislike, we later may admire; Carrots, tomatoes, blame it on the cooks; Fondness for Browning we may yet ac- quire. Friends and Other Verse 29 TENNYSON Lord Tennyson quite often talks with me. He's not a jolly visitor, but then He speaks with marvelous felicity On noblest themes straight to the hearts of men. From "Locksley Hall" to "Locksley Hall" again, He jewels coined for more than three score years, A benediction all those years to man Who gave in turn appreciative cheers. We may not have a second Tennyson; That matters not, for this one will not die. But still speak on to us as he has done Thru all the ages to eternity. 30 Friends and Other Verse KIRK WHITE A few who scarce reached manhood we will name, For youth endowed with genius oft com- pletes A work that makes for everlasting fame : White, Dunbar, Pollock, Shelley and John Keats. All ye who lack acquaintance with Kirke White Have missed the pleasing fellowship that means Enrichment from a youthful mind so bright. He wrote good verse before he reached his teens. Altho he passed when only twenty-one. He gave to future ages many a gem; But chiefly owes his station in the sun To this great song, "The Star of Bethle- hem." Friends and Other Verse 31 POLLOK Pollok, a junior Milton, you should know. His powers bloomed and while a boy he wrote "The Course of Time" a hundred years ago; Magnificent, but nothing else of note Distinguished his too brief but bright ca- reer. He finished in his twenties, passed away. But still remains and even now is here With food for our reflection every day. 32 Friends and Other Verse KEATS AND SHELLEY John Keats and Percy Shelley were two lads Who captured all the highbrows of their time, And still with Wordsworth and with Browning fads Claim interest with those who study rhyme. A modest man was Keats. Upon his tomb Inscribed by his request is "Here lies one Whose name is writ in water." Scarce is room To 'grave on marble all the fame he won. And Shelley, beauteous and brilliant boy; In genius very few could him approach. Mixed with his good there was some gross alloy; But yet he thought himself above reproach. Friends and Other Verse 33 DUNBAR Out of a cloud of blackness rose a star That doth illuminate a vast expanse Of mental darkness; I mean Paul Dunbar — Great heart, great brain, but a black skin, perchance. To countless groping souls he brings a light, A light that thru the years, we trust will shine. 'Mongst all, I know no better friend to- night; Where he has gone is known no color line. 34 Friends and Other Verse GOLDSMITH AND GRAY Goldsmith and Gray are quiet friends of mine. In the "Deserted Village" Goldsmith stays. Gray many weeks spent polishing a line; In "Country Churchyard" now he spends his days. Friends and Other Verse 35 LONGFELLOW Longfellow, Bryant, Whittier, Holmes and Poe Produced the gems with which school read- ers teem. At least 'twas true some forty years ago; Nor are they superseded yet, I deem. Of this quintet, Longfellow first we note. To know him well read Hiawatha's song, "Evangeline," "Miles Standish"— all he wrote; In reading him you cannot well go wrong! A scholar and a teacher in his day. In touch with human interests and needs. He lived four score years ere he passed away; His life was rich in precepts and in deeds. 36 Friends and Other Verse BRYANT "A Forest Hymn," "Whither Midst Falling Dew" Are classic lines; few better have we here. "Among the Trees" and "Thanatopsis," too. The author was our poet, pioneer. Tho poetry is Bryant's monument. For fifty years the New York Evening Post Claimed his best efforts and where e'er 'twas sent Proclaimed the editor a mighty host. Friends and Other Verse 37 WHITTIER How rich in thought are Whittier's simple words ! How earnestly he paints the wrong of strife ! How true the ring when like the songs of birds. He hues the duties and the joys of Hfe! In one respect our Whittier did a wrong: He failed to bless a woman's life and when He passed away breathing some beauteous song, His saddest thought was this, "it might have been." 38 Friends and Other Verse HOLMES And there is Dr. Holmes, the autocrat. What better poet, or what better man? He likes to make us laugh, but tells us that He "dare not write as funny as he can." He's even better in his serious vein: The "Chambered Nautilus" or "Ironsides." When he is at his best he gives free rein And brings us gifts when e'er his muse he rides. Friends and Other Verse 39 POE Another man whom we are glad to know, Tho bad, is not the worst you ever saw; I mean the gifted and erratic Poe, The constant pet of his good mother-in-law. My boyhood's first impressions, I recall, Were drawn from a weird picture of a bird Which sat upon a bust close by the wall. Over the door, but never said a word. But having read the tale and gone to bed, Methinks I heard the spook, for evermore. And scared, indeed, I covered up my head; The black cat's howl seemed like a lion's roar. 40 Friends and Other Verse But Poe did other things than just to scare. He sang of Helen's eyes and Annabel; Tho to himself he was not always fair. He told his stories more than passing well. And we recall one certain truth he wrote: That "poems are not otherwise than brief." Many not one, this series you will note; The frequent change of subject brings re- lief. Friends and Other Verse 41 LOWELL James Russell Lowell, (rest his shade in peace) Gould he resume his earthly form once more, What would he think of his newfangled niece — Her books? He'd likely hurl 'em thru the door. With his contemporaries, three or four, He sang the songs of Liberty to men. Thru all the troublous days of Civil War He served his country with his voice and pen. Upon his poetry will rest his fame In future ages, but 'twas not as great As other work. It was his highest aim To render highest service to the State. 42 Friends and Other Verse WHITMAN Walt Whitman was the founder of the school, Vers Libre; we had hoped with him it died. A hundred now pretend with Amy Lowell That they write verse; they ought to go and hide. Yet Whitman always something had to say. We can excuse the author every time Who wisdom pens; it matters not what way He writes, or if sans rhythm or sans rhyme. Friends and Other Verse 43 SWINBURNE Charles Swinburne, you the story have well told Of Mary Stuart. History and song You have combined. Your stories ne'er grow old, Nor songs grow wearisome, tho they be long. Your songs have power to halt the flight of youth. We tire not, we forget the passing years. Your melodies have power to soothe, for- sooth. And give us smiles where erstwhile there were tears. 44 Friends and Other Verse RILEY AND FIELD Riley and Field are jolliest of men; They make me laugh, sometimes they make me cry; And then they make me cry and laugh, and then — If you will read their verses, you'll know why. They wrote of children and of common folk. Of childish doings and plebeian ways; Of human interest matters chiefly spoke In volumes of delightful, simple lays. Friends and Other Verse 45 KIPLING Of Rudyard Kipling think, "lest we forget." He wrote some stories and some "bloomin" verse. He said he stole; we don't believe it yet; Had he done so his writings would be worse. To speak of Kipling Hghtly is not fair. Of war, peace, nations, issues of the day He writes; also of rags, bones, hanks of hair. And all in Kipling's quite uncommon way. 46 Friends and Other Verse MRS. HEMANS Among my friends some ladies, I adore. Do their full share in helping pass the time; They talk, and talk, and talk, and talk some more, Their conversations always clothed in rhyme. One charming lady we will not forget As ages flee, till time shall be a wreck. Led me where "breaking waves dashed high" and yet She left me stranded "on the burning deck." Friends and Other Verse 47 INGELOW, PROCTOR AND MRS. BROWNING Jean Ingelow, Adelaide A. Proctor, two Of nature's noblewomen, have the charm Of loving sympathy possessed by few In measure such — they stand there, arm in arm. Elizabeth B. Browning was the wife Of Robert of the mystifying style. Devoting all her brilliant song bird life To w^ork and husband, gave us verse worth while. 48 Friends and Other Verse ELLA WHEELER WILCOX And Ella Wheeler Wilcox last we name Of those immortal women of high worth. She lived and loved, teaching her friends the same; She now has gone the way of all the earth. But she in going, did not say good-by; Smiling, she left us at the river's brink. To her it did not seem that she could die; She felt an enlarged power to see and think. Where'er she went, she could not quit this earth; She left with us her poetry and song, Her songs of passion, sorrow, joy and mirth ; With these, her heart, mind, soul to us belong. Friends and Other Verse 49 Full justice seldom does her work receive From critics who assume her work to judge. She strongly words what most of us believe. Much high-brow criticism is but fudge. Of matters closest to our lives she wrote. And tho opinions of her merits part. We're sure that those who read her verse would vote To crown her poet laureate of the heart. 50 Friends and Other Verse NEIHARDT J. G. Neihardt read from his poems at the M. E. Church, Indianola, January, 1922. A friend of mine not very long ago Was kind enough to send unto my house Nebraska's poet, Neihardt, whom you know; He recently your interest did arouse, Appearing here in person to recite His verses which you heartily approved. He gave us all a generous treat that night And we in sympathetic thought were moved. Neihardt hath writ the epic of the West. I doubt if any could have done so well; At least of all attempts, his is the best; Of Hugh and Jamie, hear the poet tell. Friends and Other Verse 51 SHAKESPEARE And there is still another. You may think It strange he was not named first on the list. His genius reached the summit — reached the brink Of wisdom's fountains other men have missed. Can we not say all other men have failed, Despite their strivings, to attain the height This poet soared? While others' powers paled The passing centuries increase his light. Because of his completeness, there is none Who gives so much when we his words have read. As broad as human thought his comments run. And all that is worth saying he has said. 52 Friends and Other Verse He to our mental world is like the Sun Which giveth light and life thruout the bounds Of this vast system. Shakespeare is the one! He is the mountain: other men are mounds. Friends and Other Verse 53 SOME OTHERS Van Dyke, Brooke, Heine, Coleridge, Saxe, Guest: A hundred could be named whom you would prize. But if to you I'd introduce the rest This poem would reach most prodigious size. One general diverse poet we all love. He's written gems galore in years agone. And this he'll do while he his pen can shove; And what he writes, he always signs, —ANON. 54 Friends and Other Verse SOME OF MY FRIENDS ARE NOT POETS JAMES G. BLAINE Not all my friends to poetry pretend. Blaine is no poet; but at any rate His is a giant mind, and he's my friend. He left his mighty impress on the State. And now he comes and tells me o'er and o'er Of his great work and men of his great age : Of Lincoln, Logan, Sherman, Garfield, Hoar, Grant, Seward, Sumner, Chase, each one a sage. Friends and Other Verse 55 JAMES A. GARFIELD Another statesman, Garfield, stands apart From the great mass, among the few who served With highest skill their country with brave heart In war and peace, nor from his duty swerved. His oratory scarce has been surpassed. John Sherman, once for president he named. He did so well his candidate was passed; Garfield, himself, the delegates proclaimed. Of all our country's servants, in my time, Whose loyalty and work their worth attest, And who from low to highest place did climb, Garfield and Blaine are those I love the best. 1922. 56 Friends and Other Verse HAYES It was in the centennial year that Hayes In compromise we made our president. Tho many people did not like his ways, He followed conscience with the best intent. The olive branch of peace to all our land He gave, and healed the wounds that once did bleed; And as the years roll by we understand His purposes; his wisdom we concede. Friends and Other Verse 57 GREELEY The man who in the days of civil war Exerted most influence on our thought Was Horace Greeley with his Tribune for The world. He cheered our soldiers while they fought. But Greeley lived too long. After the years Of service advocating what was right, He heard the tempter's words with itching ears. Like Webster, his reversion dimmed his light. 58 Friends and Other Verse LINCOLN .\ND HIS CO-WORKERS To LincolD and the men of Lincoln's age Who saved our Union, we can not repay With reverence sufficient; but that wage Is all that we can give, and so today We venerate their memories. Do they know How they are loved by people of these times? Perhaps they do; they Live while ages go. How woefully inadequate, these rh^Tnes ! I Friends and Other Verse 59 TAFT One other statesman, living with us still, Some years ago was pounded fore and aft By a misguided public whose good will Has since returned. He's William Howard Taft. Qudtrdins Friends and Other Verse 63 IF I COULD To write a little poem with a thought, Like Shakespeare, Gray, Pope, Milton or who not, Would be a great achievement. If I could, Vd be delighted and am sure you would. 1922 64 Friends and Other Verse SHIPS THAT PASS IN THE NIGHT There came and touched my life one day A presence most divinely sweet; It paused a moment, but to greet, And then — ah, then — it passed away! 1911 Friends and Other VERSfe 65 MY VISITORS At eventide there passed within my door Five lovely Pi Phi girls whose presence bright For three short hours dispelled the gloom of night, Then left me, happier than I was before. July, 1909 66 Friends and Other Verse LITTLE THINGS Of mighty import, oft, a little thing; A human destiny by word or smile Or frown may be shaped for all future while. A violet may make the heart to sing. 1918 Friends and Other Verse 67 A LITTLE FRIEND To Rosa, my dear niece, she is a chum. In truth she is a winsome lass and bonny. We're always truly glad to have her come; She's kind to all and calls me Uncle Johnny. 1919 68 Friends and Other Verse NO MATTER ABOUT THE WEATHER If skies should weep or skies should clear, It matters not at all to me; I'm just as glad as I can be, For , precious girl, is here. 1912 Friends and Other Verse 69 FOUR LEAF CLOVER A four leaf clover, once upon a time, A little girl pinned to my coat lapel; A little thing to speak about in rhyme, But 'tis the little things that please us well. 1912 70 Friends and Other Verse THE ROSE Dost remember the time when you gave me a rose? To you it was nothing; you did not suppose I would treasure your flower as long as a day. I have treasured it ever, will treasure it aye. 1908 Friends and Other Verse 71 THE KISS Dost remember the time when you gave me a kiss? That was nothing to you; would you think it amiss If you knew what that kiss was to me ? Was it right? I don't know; but its memory gladdens to- night. 1908 72 Friends and Other Verse WHAT IS WORTH WHILE Pray why is Love the poet's constant theme? The maiden with illuminating smile Replied, "In all this weary world, I deem That Love, alone, is worth the poet's while." 1908 Friends and Other Verse 73 ETERNAL BUT ITINERANT Love is eternal; Love hath always been. Tho Love may slumber, he will wake again. Not always with one object quite content. Love, tho eternal, is itinerant. 1908 74 Friends and Other Verse TWO BOSSES Mr. R. refused to dine at the Hamilton club, Chicago, with Senator L., alleging the tatter's un- worthiness. Who killed Boss Lorimer? "I," said Boss Theodore. "With my fierce and mighty roar, I killed Boss Lorimer." 1912 Friends and Other Verse 75 SUMMARY OF ROOSEVELT'S SPEECHES Quoth Teddy, "I'm the mighty ME, The He, the Who, also the What, The Was, the Is, the Yet to be; There's nothing great that I am not." 1912 76 Friends and Other Verse TRUTH CRUSHED TO EARTH WILL RISE AGAIN Men, following unreasoning hue and cry. May do their worthier brothers wrong today; But all things will be righted by and by; Justice will come sometime, somewhere, some way. 1912 Friends and Other Verse 77 OUR DESERTS, ALWAYS I've noticed often since I've been alive, We sometimes miss the aims for which we strive. That matters little, for of this be sure : Whatever we deserve we will secure. 1920 78 Friends and Other Verse NO EXCELLENCE WITHOUT LABOR If attainment came by wishing Then would many a lazy shirk Be rich, wise, endowed with power; But attainment comes by work. 1918 Friends and Other Verse 79 YOU KNOW THIS LITTLE GIRL Should some kind fairy come and say To me that I might reahze One wish, I'd ask (would it be wise?) That I might always have my way. 1918 80 Friends and Other Verse YOU'VE NOTICED IT When youth and beauty charm the heart We may condone the lack of sense; But when these charms at last depart, Intolerable is the offence. 1918 Friends and Other Verse 81 SUPPRESS IT Your temper, dear, comports not with your beauty; I trust that it, full soon, may be restored. The thing to do is just your simple duty; Outbursts of anger, you can not afford. 1916 82 Friends and Other Verse WHAT WE NEED A loving thought, a kindly deed, A gentle word, a cheerful smile : These are the things that most we need. For love alone makes life worth while. 1919 Friends and Other Verse 83 REST I wish the little girl I love the best Would stand beside my chair And gently touch my hair, For that would soothe my weary brain to rest. 1913 84 Friends and Other Verse ONCE ON A TIME One hour, one spot to me were time and space. Dull was the landscape, clouded was the Sun; But then and there I told my love to one Who trustingly with smiles and tears spoke peace. 1901 Friends and Other Verse 85 LOVE, ITS OWN REWARD Dear girl, because I love you so, I do not ask return in kind; Your gentle heart I would not bind — Love is its own reward, you know. 1913 86 Friends and Other Verse THE SPENDTHRIFT Who, weakly yielding to his pleasure's lure, Spendeth the dollar he doth not possess. Repents his folly in sore bitterness. Frugal forbearance recompenseth, sure. 1915 Friends and Other Verse 87 WAR POETS The potentates of Europe let slip the dogs of war; And General Sherman said that war — ah well — But fiercer still by far, more horrible the jar. When the bloomin' poets slip their dog- gerel. 1915 88 Friends and Other Verse THEY DO THIS WAY AT SOME CHURCHES Oh when I was a lad and to the dance did go, The organist played second while the fiddler pulled his bow. But now to church I go whene'er the weather's fair, And the organist plays second while the parson says his prayer. 1915 Friends and Other Verse 89 THE DREAM THAT DISAPPOINTS Thru all the shifting scenes of life. To me the hour most sad Was when I woke to find Yd lost The joy I never had. 1914 90 Friends and Other Verse A BUNDLE OF CHRISTMAS VERSES I For this Fm glad at Christinas time : The friends of other days draw near In message, bringing added cheer; To one of these I write this rhyme. 1913 II A lady fair, across the miles I greet this gladsome Christmas day; But whether she be grave or gay. When she gets this — methinks she smiles. 1913 III My gratitude I tender thee. Because on Christmas day You thought of me and wrote to me; Dear girl, kind heart, sweet way. 1914 Friends and Other Verse 91 IV A pretty card above my desk With calendar affixed thereto, I daily see when at my task And seeing, always think of you. 1914 V If aught that I could say or do Would add to 's joy a mite, I'd gladly write to her tonight; But as it is, I'll say, adieu. 1914 VI For more than a decade, dear friend. Your messages of Christmas cheer Have made it seem that you were here. May they continue to the end. 1915 VII Dear little girl, your greeting came And tho 'tis after Christmas time, I think I'll write a little rhyme And send it to you, just the same. 1918 92 Friends and Other Verse TO THE BAKER FAMILY CORNING, IOWA When the flowers you gave us are withered and gone, When you have forgotten, when years have rolled on, We'll think of your kindness; we'll look thru the rift Of dark clouds; we'll remember the giver and gift. 1915 Friends and Other Verse 93 MY GAME Of sports and games a favorite is football, While golf has many lovers; but I guess Since active sports I can not do at all, I'll take my pleasure in a game of chess. 1922 Ttliscelkneous Friends and Other Verse 97 SONNET I I'm told that for a little book of verse, That I one sonnet certainly should write. To do so I will try with all my might, And when 'tis done I hope it could be worse. The trial's on and I would give my purse If I could only see my way safe thru. It looks so easy any one might do The task despite opinions quite adverse. Fourteen lines, each five feet long is the rule. The rhyme to be arranged in such a way As books prescribe and I will persevere In doing it as we are taught in school. Believe me friends, this is more work than play, But now 'tis done and still you all are here. 1922 98 Friends and Other Verse SONNET II When the foregoing sonnet had been writ I thought that I had made one quite correct. Since then I've read some others quite a bit. And found that variance we may expect. It seems the carefulness with which the rhymes Were chosen for the certain numbered lines Was not employed by all men at all times, But varied as the sundry roadside signs. The liberty employed by those who write Our sonnets givesa great variety, Altho it does not reach the limit, quite. As in uers litre; such could hardly be. In sonnet number one I followed Keats; Shakespeare employs the method this re- peats. 1922 Friends and Other Verse 99 LIMERICK A limerick I thought I would write And worked at the thing most all night; And all that I got Was this verse which I thought Rewarded my efforts — not quite. 1922 100 Friends and Other Verse MARY Quite charming, indeed, is our Mary; Tho of men she's exceedingly wary. She will not permit One to court her a bit, Because, well — because she's contrary. 1913 Friends and Other Verse 101 AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL Three scores of years I've lived and looking back, I contemplate ambitions unattained. Altho success I do not wholly lack, 'Tis small compared to what I might have gained. In childhood's rosy hours I had great schemes — Hoping that wealth and fame to me would fall; But now those early iridescent dreams Are not my purpose, merely memories, all. An educator, first, I thought to be; But never having even finished college, I taught in country schools, years two or three, Then left the children groping after knowledge. 102 Friends and Other Verse "The applause of listening senates to com- mand" — Upon this theme my boyhood thoughts would fix; But following necessity's demand I had no time to enter politics. The books of Dickens, Thackeray and Scott Entranced me and I thought the way to glory Was theirs and need not otherwise be sought; But I can't tell, much less can write, a story. In music to do something, I've essayed; Have played and vocalized my fame to bring; But those who heard, insistently have said. They "always feel the maddest when I sing." Friends and Other Verse 103 One great ambition holds me to this date : To edit some strong journal and direct The thoughts of men in policies of state; The time is past when that I can expect. The saddest failure, tho, in all my plans Is this: great poems I have had in view To give the world — quite evident the bans; These halting lines are best that I can do. Each man must his own monument erect. To build a lasting fame we must create. This gift I lack and 'tis a sad defect; But 'tis worth something to appreciate. 104 Friends and Other Verse 'T would be a boon if mediocrity Were never tempted by ambition's lure. For mediocrity there is no rhjone, And failure is the only thing that's sure. But in one grand attainment I have starred; The thought endears to me this earthly ball; To me the greatest joy has not been barred; I have known Love and Love is best of all. 1921 Friends and Other Verse 105 MY PHONOGRAPH Yes, I love music, but am no adept In coaxing forth my Sohmer's sweetest tones. The living lyre I've tried to wake, she slept; I can not even play a tune on bones. I've had ambition to be musical; I've sung regardless of my neighbor's right To decent quiet. Growing critical, I've seen his patience in a sorry plight. But recently I've found a better way. And now surrender oft to music's power; I have a phonograph to sing and play, And ply the same with records by the hour. 106 Friends and Other Verse Records, indeed, for every varying mood. If feeling reminiscent, then I go And call McClaskey, Baker — they are good; Or list to Fremsted sing "Long, Long Ago." Merle Tillotson will sing "The Rosary." No sweeter song, at least, none that I know. "The Mocking Bird" still warbles clear and free. "Ben Bolt," sometimes "John Anderson, My Jo"— Frank Coombs and Mary Garden sing last two. The old, old songs are those we love the best; When it grows late we sometimes have a few That we may find more sweet our nightly rest. Friends and Other Verse 107 On Sunday afternoons the sacred songs Are given and 'tis genuine delight. Our pleasure then the concert time pro- longs, The hours fade away and it is night. Sometimes, a yodel, "Turkey in the Straw," A hornpipe, jig or reel will satisfy, Or famous traveler from "Arkansaw," "Dan Tucker," or "Susanna, Don't You Cry." In patriotic temper, many thrill. When Graveure sings the battle hymn of France His mighty voice the entire house doth fill. See marching hosts with sword and gun and lance ! 108 Friends and Other Verse We're always moved by Francis Key's great song, And Smith's "America," "Red, White and Blue." "A Thousand Years" to us seems none too long; We would not even care if it were two. And those who sing and play for us are here: McGormick, Seagle, Lauder, Gates, Sarto, Gluck, Schumann-Heink, Holt, Homer — all are dear; Tho not in person present, it seems so. Living or dead, their voices, with us still, We may command whene'er it suits our mood. They never plead excuses, but they will Promptly comply just as they always should. 1921 Friends and Other Verse 109 PORTRAITS Portraits on table, mantel, wall, Speak to me as I pass along; They speak to me of other days When life, it seemed, was but a song. And those whose portraits greet me now. Joined with me in life's carols then; Fond memories make me to wish That I might live them o'er again. For those were days when hope was bright. When fault and error had not marred The stories of attainments planned. Successes now forever barred. 110 Friends and Other Verse When hope has fled, we have at least The joy that retrospection brings. Recalling happy days of youth, We list again while fond Love sings. Dear are those faces; some have gone. I wonder why, I wonder where; And when we follow it may be That we shall know each other there. 1921 Friends and Other Verse 111 DEAR ONES The purest, sweetest joy we can possess, Is to recall from past and passing years The prattle, smile, affectionate caress Of little dear ones. Glorious appears Each picture firmly graven in my heart: My girls, more precious than this whole world's pelf; And in our joys another had a part — My "other little girl," she called herself. And there were still two other little girls. Not still — oh no — but they were very dear. They had kind hearts, brown eyes and chestnut curls. Their "lovings" kept their Uncle in good cheer. But could we count one pleasure greater, still. It would be this: that these same darlings grown Our cup of happiness now overfill By loving kindness, making heaven our own. 1922 112 Friends and Other Verse LEWIS SCHEE My comrade, he for sixty years has been; In youth my guide, guard, brother, chum, and when He left me at the parting of our ways, I knew he must have entered better days. For if rewards beyond are for the good. They are for him. My brother always stood Thru all the years for justice, truth and right. His life was one of service, and the light Of love for neighbor, family and friend Diffused a joy that will survive the end Of life. 'Twill be a heritage for those Who knew and loved him ere he reached life's close. 1921 Friends and Other Verse 113 SUNSHINE Upon the road a little child I met; She gave me kindly greeting with a smile. Life's heavy burdens bore me down and yet The Httle maiden made life seem worth while. The child was happier for the joy she gave. May her sweet spirit last unto the end. All that she gave she still will surely have; Giving her friendship gained a lasting friend. 1922 114 Friends and Other Verse THE GREATEST JOY The greatest joy that comes to man — What it can be, I do not know, For pleasures come and pleasures go. To name the greatest, pray who can? But surely, this is true, who gets The highest pleasure life affords Is not the man who money hoards, But he who simply pays his debts. 1922 Friends and Other Verse 115 SOMETHING LEFT Vast troubles assail me, Tho never they quail me; On the joys that remain I depend. Whatever the grief, This thot brings relief, I have life and have love to the end. 116 Friends and Other Verse THE GIRL OF 1921 I met a little cottage maid; Her age she would not say. She was rigged up for promenade In quite a killing way. Her skirt was short, her neck, low, bare; Of eyes she had no fears. Because she had arranged her hair To hide her naked ears. Friends and Other Verse 117 IMPATIENCE Impatience and intolerance. More cruel than the warrior's lance. We must avoid, or otherwise Our path o'er stones and briers lies. We can not be together, Dear, On earth forever. While we're here Naught must of censure be allowed To mar our happiness, or cloud Our hope, our trust, our life, our light. Together, we'll await the flight That comes to each and every one. Assured that love has but begun. 1921 118 Friends and Other Verse WIFE AND I AT THE PI PHI HOUSE Dear Pi Phi girls, we'd have you know The second of November, For reasons as set forth below. We always will remember. It is a most distinguished date, Because 'twas then our happy fate Your welcome to participate. Your generous feast to share; And then your happy songs and cheer. Your girhsh charms, all were so dear. We felt our lost youth almost near; We're glad that we were there. Friends and Other Verse 119 MY FAVORITE GIRL From the Arrow, December, 1913. The girl I love the best Lives North, South, East and West; But everywhere she's very much the same. She's been or is in college, Her head is full of knowledge, And other things contribute to her fame. She's always bright and happy And just a little snappy; Her eyes are grey and blue and black and brown ; Of divers shades, her hair. Her face is ever fair And never, never clouded with a frown. 120 Friends and Other Verse There's music in her voice — The lady of my choice Whom in evening serenade Fve often heard; But the sweetest thing of all Is her whistle's cheery call; 'Tis melodious as the carol of a bird. She's jolly, she is grave, She's timid, she is brave; I've told enough that you should guess the rest; Her name I need not tell. For I've described her well — And she wears a golden arrow on her breast. Friends and Other Verse 121 WHO? Deluded throngs allegiance blindly pledge In loud acclaim: "we'll follow where he leads." And this to one whose conscience is as dead. To everything except ambition's lure His ear is deaf. On patriotic themes He boldly sings in parody in which He lauds himself, proclaiming o'er the land, "No other gods before ME thou shall have." 1912 122 Friends and Other Verse TWO LIMITS When we say a man's the limit He has missed, so it would seem, The ever proper medium And hit on one extreme. Two limits, in America, Conspicuous, we see: The fire-eating Roosevelt, The lamb-Uke Billy B. 1915 Friends and Other Verse 123 THE PRESIDENT Quoth Teddy, "Were I in the game, I would do this, I would do that;" But what he would do matters not. For Teddy is not at the bat. The man whose word is now worth while. To whom we list with rapt intent. Is not a struck out has-been, No ! He's Woodrow Wilson, President. 1915 124 Friends and Other Verse HATERS OF ENGLAND We have no patience with the man Who airs his grudge of ancient date, Who for our ally harbors hate; Upon his speech we'll put a ban. We love the flags of all the lands That for our common purpose fight, For honor, liberty and right; We grasp their soldiers by their hands. The Stars and Stripes, the Union Jack, The flag of France, all red, white, blue; Italy's, Serbia's, Belgium's, too — With them we'll drive the foemen back 1918 Friends and Other Verse 125 ESTRANGED A very near friend gave me in confidence from his own life and feeling the basis for the fol- lowing. T could have borne it, Love, if thou hadst died. The awful agony of that dark hour Would then be shared by other hearts with mine; And the community of sympathy Would lessen each for each the mighty grief. While I, perchance, might dream that I, again. Sometime, somewhere, would know thee as I did In those glad days when I to thee was all; When kisses pressed upon responsive lips To us were a delirium of joy. When I reflect upon what might have been. Then realize the chasm 'twixt our lives. The awful fact unbearably confronts; It doth appear, faith, hope and joy are dead. 126 Friends and Other Verse THE MAIDEN EVANGELIST Thy creed, dear girl, I can not comprehend; Of thy theology, my faith falls short; I look, but can not see unto the end, For countless doubts my vision doth distort. But this we know, we are divinely blest. Touched with the grace thy presence doth impart. A sweet and holy influence we attest From thy transcendent purity of heart. 1904 Friends and Other Verse 127 RONDEAU When Gertrude sings, a melody as sweet And pure as her own heart our ears doth greet. Our spirits mount, we are no longer sad. For men forget their sorrows and are glad When Gertrude sings. 1902 128 Friends and Other Verse THE INVITATION To Daughter Jessie's piano recital her teacher playfully sent me an invitation in verse. The following is my reply. Dear lady, I accept your gracious call. At the appointed time I will be there. All quiet in the corner of the hall The spirit of the hour I will share. Not for the music's self, alone, I go; For I have heard pianos thumped — a few; But rather, (you will pardon me, I know) Because the invitation came from you. 1916 Friends and Other Verse 129 WHAT CAN UNCLE SAM DO ABOUT IT? For Uncle Sam we have no dearth Of love, and we are proud to say That of all nations on this earth, Ours the greatest is today. Our constitution gives the right To all of suffrage; but we note That tho 'tis given to black and white, In Southland colored men can't vote. Land of the free, home of the brave, Loudly we claim, 'tis in our song; Yet Japs and Chinese, tho they crave Such rights, they are denied; 'tis wrong. All powerful, the stripes, and stars; We wave our flag and nations wake; Yet home rights oft the mob debars And burns our freemen at the stake. 1922 130 Friends and Other Verse RESPONSE TO POETICAL GREETINGS OF REV. W. F. BARTHOLOMEW Thou gav'st to us the best thou hadst, The riches of thy mind. But in our poverty, dear friend, We can't repay in kind. We can not draw such treasures rare Like money from the banks; But this we can and this we do : We tender thee our thanks. 1915 Friends and Other Verse 131 A SPRING POEM Oh, Spring is a rolicsome, frolicsome maiden; Tho Fm ever so busy she bids me be free. She bids me forget all the burdens that laden, And dream all outdoors and its joys are for me. Thru my half open window she smiles and she beckons; She calls me to come where anemones bloom. Oh, the hours seem minutes, the minutes seem seconds When we yield to her spell and our child- hood resume. Let us go to the places where merrily rushes The brooklet, and list to the music that flows From the throats of the cardinals, robins and thrushes; We'll revel in pleasures the shut-in ne'er knows. March, 1919. 132 Friends and Other Verse MEMORIES We garner in our memories as years go swiftly by The characters whom we have known the while; And tho in different channels our lives may later lie, We treasure each kind act and word and smile. The songs of singing birds, the songs of singing girls Charm none the less because of lapse of years. The old time joys creep in amidst life's busy whirls: Old scenes, old friends, old songs, old hopes, old fears. 1922 Friends and Other Verse 133 JOHN HARRISON BLU Our Baby Boy has seen scarce half a year. He does not run about, but on his back He wistful lies, looks, laughs, but does not lack Attention, for believe me, he's a dear. A pretty fancy says he's from above. However that may be, he can not do As yet great things; but this I will tell you. He's worth his weight in radium to love. 1922 134 Friends and Other Verse WHAT WOULD YOU DO? My naughty darling, only three years old, Had disobeyed me and I said "My Dear, Because you do not mind what you are told, I'll punish Papa's Baby." Drawing near. She folded her small hands and looking straight Into my eyes, all gentleness, she said, "I love you. Papa." Long I did not wait. But held her close, upon my breast her head. 1922 ,i c t Friends and Other Verse 135 COMPENSATION Of Lancelot and Guinevere, Keats, Shelley, Burns — or was it Hood? — Within my favorite nook and chair I read and thought the reading good. And then she came; before my eyes Her hands; I could not see a letter; Yet did not frown, or scold, or rise; Than Keats or Shelley, this was better. Her lips touched mine and as she smiled Her brown hair, falling, touched my breast. The memory of that dear child Is now and ever shall be — best. The eventide of life draws near; I falter to admit that truth; But this one glorious fact stands clear. Age hath rewards no less than youth. 1918 ° .♦^•v. 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