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ClassJP__5 35aS_^ 
 Book-A-2_llV"_k 
 Copyright N° L:^ _ 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 
 
i 
 
 Jamks E. AIcCilRT. 
 
For Your Sweet Sake 
 
 POEMS 
 
 By 
 JAMES E McGIRT 
 
 1 
 
 Pbiladelpliia : 
 THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO. 
 
 {U^i <-- /v/fi^--' 
 
LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
 
 Two Copies Received 
 
 JAN 7 1907 
 
 / Cftpyrigrht Entry . 
 
 /class a xxc, ^lo. 
 
 COPY B. 
 
 JAMES H. HcGIRT 
 
* i 
 
 ^ CONTENTS. 
 
 i 
 
 Page. 
 
 Born Like the Pines 1 1^- 
 
 A Mystery 2 1^ 
 
 The Spirit of the Oak 3^^ 
 
 "Home Sick" ^Wi 
 
 Des Fo' Day 6 
 
 My Sours at Rest 7 ap 
 
 Inspiration 91* 
 
 The Century's Prayer 11^ 
 
 Anna, Won*t You Marry Me? 12 
 
 Spring 14 
 
 A Warrior's Judgment ^^)J|Sm 
 
 Uncle Is'rel i7|K 
 
 If Loving Were Wooing ^^Iw 
 
 Winter 21^^ 
 
 The Siege of Manila ^^fi«R 
 
 Signs o' Rain ^ wiw 
 
 No Use in Signs ^^pj 
 
 Lullaby, Go To Sleep ^v^ 
 
 God, Bless Our Country 32(1^ 
 
 True Love ^^mS 
 
 i 
 
mWeepNot 35 jBf 
 
 fj^t Memory of W. W. Brown 36 ggl 
 
 ^^ When De Sun Shines Hot 38 ^S 
 
 mjExperience 40 j^ 
 
 ilJSuccess 4,111 
 
 ^Defeated 4^ SK 
 
 ^^ I Shall Succeed 43 ^^ 
 
 ^wThe Rosy Dawn 44 
 
 ^1 A Song of Love 45 
 
 jjiW Thanksgiving Prayer 47 
 
 jSJgLove 49 
 
 Right Will Win 50 
 
 Victoria, the Queen 51 (Sjjkt 
 
 Life and Love 52 l|K| 
 
 A Slothful Youth 53 ®!b 
 
 ^^'^•^ Quest 54 
 
 'Signs of Death 55 fli 
 
 SA Sailor*s Departure 57 jBl 
 
 A Test of Love 59 || 
 
 A Balm for Weary Minds 71 
 
 Tell Me, Deep Ocean 73 
 
 Should I Spy Love 74 %l|^ 
 
 fmrnli Love Could See 75 HlS 
 
 MvTemptation y^ li 
 
 [Appreciations 78 
 
I 
 
 i 
 
 BORN LIKE THE PINES. 
 
 Born like the pines to sing, 
 
 The harp and song in m' breast, 
 Though far and near, 
 There's none to hear, 
 I'll sing as th' winds request. 
 
 To tell the trend of m' lay, 
 Is not for th' harp or me; 
 I'm only to know, 
 From the winds that blow. 
 What th' theme of m' song shall be. 
 
 Born like the pines to sing. 
 
 The harp and th' song in m' breast, 
 As th' winds sweep by, 
 I'll laugh or cry, 
 In th' winds I cannot rest. 
 
i 
 
 I cannot learn their lay. 
 But as I linger by the sea, 
 
 And that sweet song comes unto me, 
 It seems, my love, it sings of thee. 
 
 I do not know why poppies grow, 
 
 Amid the wheat and rye, 
 The lillies bloom as white as snow, 
 
 I cannot tell you why. 
 But all the flowers of the spring. 
 
 The bees that hum, the birds that sing, 
 A thought of you they seem to bring. 
 
 I cannot tell why silvery Mars, 
 
 Moves through the heav'ns at night; 
 
 I cannot tell you why the stars. 
 Adorn the vault with light. 
 
 But what sublimity I see. 
 
 Upon the mount, the hill, the lea. 
 
 It brings, my love, a thought of thee. 
 
 I do not know what in your eyes, 
 That caused my heart to glow, 
 
 And why my spirit longs and cries, 
 I vow, I do not know. 
 
 But when you first came in my sight, 
 My slumbering soul awoke in light. 
 
 And since the dav I've known no night. 
 
 
 I 
 
THE SPIRIT OF THE OAK. 
 
 The spirit of the oak am I, 
 With head uplifted to the sky, 
 Though hail and storm beat in my face, 
 Through weal or woe I hold my place, 
 With head uplifted to the sky, 
 The spirit of the oak am I. 
 
 Birds I have sheltered many a year. 
 They hear the storm, desert in fear. 
 The strenuous eagle strives to stay. 
 But, ah ! at last his heart gives way. 
 He stretches forth his feathered form, 
 And sails to heaven above the storm. 
 
 Devoid of every earthly friend, 
 I stand undaunted till the end. 
 With head uplifted to the sky — 
 The spirit of the oak am I. 
 
 And when the raging storm is o'er. 
 My feathered friends return once more, 
 And find me standing calm and free; 
 They chirp aloud and sing with glee, 
 With outstretched arm I bid them rest, 
 I hold no malice in my breast. 
 But welcome every passer-by — 
 The spirit of the oak am I. 
 
Sittin' by de windo', 
 Gazin' at de snow, 
 Up here in de Norf land, 
 No friends dat I know. 
 
 Lord, if I was dare! 
 Peaceful, happy Georgia, 
 Tired of de rip an' tare. 
 Sick ob ways o' city. 
 
 No one hear to talk to, 
 'Bout de joy I's seen, 
 Speak ob possum huntin' — 
 Don' no what yo' mean. 
 
 Banjo lyin' idle, 
 Not allow' d to play. 
 People in de nex' room, 
 Too much noise, da' say. 
 
 Write hum' fo' a ticket? 
 Dat 'ould be no use, 
 Sent me one las' summer. 
 Sole' it like a goose. 
 
 Way too long fo' walkin', 
 Snow a fallin', too. 
 Lord a mercy on me, 
 Wh't am I to do? 
 
 I 
 
Com' hear little banjo, 
 Lie close to my ear, 
 ril jus' pic' yo' easy, 
 So dem fools can' hear. 
 
 What! you say der postman. 
 Letter he'r fo' me, 
 No, I jus' can' b'leve it, 
 Han' me; let me see. 
 
 Yes dis is her writm'. 
 Ticket too hav' com', 
 Com' on little banjo, 
 Com', I'm goin' hom'. 
 
DES FO' DAY. 
 
 When fo' yeahs yo've been er tryin' 
 'N' de thing fo' wh't yer tries, 
 Ez yo' reach yer han' ter t'ke it, 
 Des mov's off bufore yer eyes, 
 'N' yer thro' er side yer shovel. 
 Like yer ain't goin' wohk no mo', 
 'N' yer wonder whur's ole Gabr'l, 
 What's de re'son he don't bio'; 
 Den yer wan' ter wohk de harder, 
 Fo' ise alius he'rd um say, 
 
 De darkes' hour, 
 
 Des fo' day. 
 
 Co'rse its hard ter keep on runnin', 
 
 When de stake keeps movin' 'way, 
 
 'N' ter hav' er mind fo' wohkin. 
 
 When yer think der ain't no pay. 
 
 But puhaps when clouds er blackes', 
 
 'N' der worl' seems at its wu's, 
 
 Dat it all corn's on er pu'pus, 
 
 Maby it fo' warnin' us, 
 
 Den yer wan' ter wohk de harder, 
 
 Fo' ize alius he'rd um say, 
 
 De darkes' hour, 
 
 Des fo' day. 
 
J's 'bout d'hk I com' horn' ploddin , 
 Tired and ro'sted from de sun. 
 Tho' I wo'k f'om mo'nin' early, 
 Seems m' tas' ez never don' ; 
 Th'n its wh'n I sit er scowlin', 
 Dinah smoothes m' brow 'n' sa', 
 Ephr'm yo's bro't nothin' wit' you' 
 Chil' you' can't t'ke nothin' wa' ; 
 An' she re'ch's me m' banjo, 
 An' I lay it cross my bres', 
 Fo' my trouble's all forgotten 
 An' my soul's at res'. 
 
 Soon de spring com' on a smilin' 
 I 'gin frettin' 'bout de grain, 
 Fo' my little gard'n parchin' 
 An' my crop ez needin' rain; 
 Th'n its wh'n I sit a scowlin', 
 Dinah smoothes m' brow 'n' say', 
 Ephr'm you's bro't nothin' wit' you', 
 Chile, yo' can't t'ke not'in wa' ; 
 An' she re'ch's me m' banjo, 
 An' I lay it cross m' breast, 
 Fo' my trouble's all forgotten, 
 An' my soul's at rest. 
 
 s 
 
 S'om' des days 't'll all be over, 
 I will la me down an' sleep, 
 Dinah, honey, don't yo' worry, 
 
 7 
 
Tell de people not to weep. 
 Th'n its w'en I lay a sleepin', 
 Smooth my bro' as ol' an' sa', 
 Ephr'm, honey, I will meet yo', 
 'Round de throne o' God som' da' ; 
 T'ke my banjo fom de ceilin', 
 La' it so fly 'cross my bres', 
 Fo' my troubles will be over, 
 An' my soul at rest. 
 
INSPIRATION 
 
 Of'en w'en de race Vm runnin', 
 Chil' my feet gits blistered so' 
 Dat I hav' a notion fallin' 
 'Pears I jus' can' run no mo' ; 
 Th'n I 'gin to think o' Lizah, 
 Wit' a smir upon her face 
 Stan'in' at de gate er waitin', 
 Jus' to see me win de race, 
 An' I start out wit' new courage, 
 Fo' to win de race or die. 
 Well I feel jus' like a feather, 
 Man, I fairly fly. 
 
 Der are times w'en courage leav' me, 
 
 An' I thro' my burden down, 
 
 Somethin' sa's ders no use tryin', 
 
 Seems I jus' don' wan' no crown; 
 
 Th'n I 'gin to think o' Lizah, 
 
 An' I wondah wh't she'd say, 
 
 Ef she'd come along an' fin' me, 
 
 In de gutter by de way. 
 
 An' I gather up my burden, 
 
 An' I start wit' all my might, 
 
 Fo' my limbs at once grow stronger, 
 
 An' my load gits light. 
 
 cwp Clouds may gath'r dark ez midnight, 
 JJjjif Matters not de cos' o' Fate, 
 All I wan' to kno' ez Lizah, 
 
 9 
 
Waitin' fo' me at de gate; 
 Tho'ns and thistles lose dey terro', 
 Hill an' mountains melt er way ; 
 The' de worl' seem dark an' drary, 
 At de tho't 'twill turn to day. 
 Fo' w'en I think o' Anner Lizah, 
 All de worl' gits clear an' bright. 
 An' my limbs dey grow much stronger, 
 An' my load gits light. 
 
^?{S^rt» 
 
 THE CENTURY'S PRAYER. 
 
 I 
 
 Lord God of Hosts incline thine ear, 
 To this Thy humble servant's prayer; 
 May war and strife and discord cease, 
 This Century, Lord God, give us peace. 
 The thoughts of strife, the curse of war. 
 Henceforth, dear Lord, may we abhor, 
 One blessing more, our store increase, 
 This is our prayer, Lord, give us peace. 
 
 May those who rule us, rule with love, 
 As Thou dost rule the Courts above; 
 May man to man as brothers feel, 
 Lay down their arms and quit the field; 
 Change from our brows the angry looks. 
 Turn swords and spears to pruning hooks,j 
 One blessing more our store increase, 
 This is our prayer, Lord, give us peace. 
 
 May flags of war fore'er be furled, 
 The milk-white flag wave o'er the world; 
 Let not a slave be heard to cry, 
 "The lion and lamb together lie;" 
 May nations meet in one accord, 
 Around one peaceful festive board. 
 One blessing more our store increase. 
 This is our prayer, Lord, give us peace. 
 
ANNA, WON'T YOU MARRY ME? 
 
 Anna, child, the spring has come, 
 Listen to the robins, dear; 
 The honeysuckles are in bloom, 
 The fragrance fills the air. 
 A dove is cooing soft and low, 
 Telling how he loves his mate; 
 For you the flowers seem to grow. 
 For you they seem to bloom and wait. 
 Two by two the sparrows build. 
 High up in the orchard tree — 
 Anna, Anna, Anna, won't you marry me? 
 
 Anna, O! ho! ho! 
 
 The aching of my heart; 
 
 It seems, my love, I'm bound to go, 
 
 If we have to live apart. 
 
 My heart says Anna all the time, 
 
 Love, I'll die for thee — 
 
 Anna, Anna, Anna, won't you marry me? 
 
 I 
 
 'Member, love, the vow you made, 
 
 When out in the orchard, dear; 
 
 The stars can witness what you said. 
 
 The moon was sailing clear. 
 
 You promised, love, that you'd be mine. 
 
 Promised in the early spring. 
 
 And now the bees are 'round the vine. 
 
 Everywhere the song-birds sing, 
 
 12 
 
In every flower I see your name, 
 
 Everywhere it seems to say, 
 
 Anna, Anna, this is our wedding day. 
 
 Anna, O ! ho ! ho ! 
 
 The aching of my heart; 
 
 It seems, my love, I'm bound to go. 
 
 If we have to live apart; 
 
 My heart says Anna all the time — 
 
 Anna, Anna, Anna, won't you marry me? 
 
^-1^^^ 
 
 SPRING. 
 
 i 
 
 I rise up in de mornin' 
 Early in de spring, 
 And hear de bees a hummin' 
 An' hear de robbins sing; 
 Th're com' o'er me a feelin' 
 So queer I know not why. 
 I jus' sit down an' hsten, 
 It seem I 'most could cry; 
 The win' has lost its biting, 
 Aroun' de vine de bees, 
 The air is full o' fragrance, 
 From blossom of the trees. 
 I stroll out in de garden. 
 An' take a look about, 
 r see de ground' a crackin'. 
 The seed has 'gun to sprout. 
 Beneath de vine a blossom, 
 All dried and curled it lies, 
 A striped little melon. 
 Is hangin' 'fore my eyes. 
 Its den I 'gin a hummin' 
 And join de birds and sing. 
 My heart is full o' rapture, 
 And grandeur of the spring. 
 
A warrior stood before his Master, 
 Bruised and bleeding from the light, 
 
 Not for power, neither honor, 
 But in batthng for the right. 
 
 f 
 
 |Wi Stood 
 
 Torn and tattered was his body, 
 Gashed and wounded was his face, 
 
 he waiting for the Master 
 To assign his resting place. 
 
 The Master gazed on him in pity, 
 Saw the form which He had made, 
 
 Once like His, now so distorted; 
 Gazed into his face and said : 
 
 "Tell me, son, is this the body 
 That I gave you for awhile- 
 Given you so pure and holy, 
 74 You return it so defiled?" 
 
 "Master," said the trembling soldier, 
 "In yonder world where I have been, 
 
 Daily I've encountered battle 
 With the daring monster. Sin. 
 
 15 
 
*Each step I fought my journey through; |||0 
 
 He strove to keep me from the goal ; till 
 
 Though he scored me yet I conquered; kJM 
 
 Master, he's not scarred the soul." ^^^^ 
 
 The Master saw the soul still shining, 
 Thought of His own hand and side. 
 
 Beckoned to the brightest heaven 
 That the gate be opened wide. 
 
 Then the Master cried, 'Tmmortal !" 
 
 The soul came flashing from his breast,; 
 
 Pointing to the fairest heaven, 
 "Enter thou in peaceful rest !" 
 
De peopl' call me a conger, 
 Jus' caus' I do som" tricks, 
 An' caus' I got dis lucky black cat bone, 
 Can gather roots to make tea wit', 
 Not 'les' dey talk 'o th't, 
 Dey's scared o' me an' say I tote load 
 stone. 
 
 Jn Don' car' wh't I do noble, 
 mm No matter how I work, 
 ■^-^ Dey say de load stone don' it jus' de same. 
 Like wh'n I took Lucindy, 
 ^Way from de 'fessor Jones, 
 ^* Dey up an' said I got hur wit' some 
 skeame. 
 
 Let somethin' happen to de neighbors. 
 
 Let one o' th'm git sick, 
 
 Fo' it old Is'rel got to bear de blame, 
 iiW J^s caus' I got th's goofer, 
 '^ An' a rabbit foot or two; 
 
 Th'y say I do mos' ever'thing th'y dream. 
 
 «kA Som'tim' th'y talk so scand'lo's, 
 W| It gits me all up-sot, 
 
 Wh'n worrin' over wh't th'y say, 
 
 I wan' 'o t'ke my goofer. 
 
 As' ever'thing I got. 
 
 An' let de people see me thro' 'm 'way. 
 
 17 
 
 i 
 
I gath'r th'm together, 
 
 An' put 'm in a pile, 
 
 I 'gin to think about de needy day, 
 
 I think wh't they'd do fo' me; 
 
 An' git mad wit' myself, 
 
 Fo' worrin' over wh't de people say. 
 
 Fo* wh'n I 'gin a thinkin', 
 
 'Bout wh't migh' com' o' me. 
 
 Can' help the tears from comin* in my 
 
 eye, 
 One tim' de world' was 'gains' me. 
 An' frien's had turn' their backs, 
 My rabbit foot an' goofer stood righ' by. 
 
 Yo' call me wh't yo' wan' to, 
 
 An' jus' don' bother me, 
 
 I'm goin' 'o keep the things th't bro't me 
 
 thro' ; 
 Yo' talk o' mother's teachin'. 
 But w4i't they don' fo' me, 
 Is much as any mother' d ever do. fiiiS/ 
 
 I use' to mark de path, 
 
 Th't run 'fore master's door, 
 
 An' ever mornin' he would hav' to cross 
 
 The load stone in my pocket, 
 
 I don' jus' lik' I pleas' ; 
 
 Mos' every body tho't I was de boss. 
 
 i8 
 
Wh'n master' d cross de mark, 
 i(^ Yo* see him 'menc' to smile, 
 
 To git wit' me it always made him 
 
 proud ; 
 I made de women lo' me, 
 An' long as I was th're. 
 Nobody ever hurt one o' de crowd. 
 
 B 
 
 Wh'n I go out a courtin', 
 
 I goofer up my hands. 
 
 An' put a rabbit down in my sho'. 
 
 No man on earth can beat me, 
 
 A winnin' o' de love; 
 
 Fo' wh'n I meet de girls th's way I do. 
 
 Make out I'm glad to see th'm, 
 
 An' grab'm by de han'. 
 
 Be rubbin' load stone on 'em all de tim* ; 
 
 No use in tryin' to s'un me, 
 
 I'm goin' to win your love, 
 
 Fo' ef I want you, I can make yo' min'. 
 
If wishing were getting, 
 
 Ah! wouldn't it be fine? 
 If loving were wooing, 
 
 Alice, thou would'st be mine; 
 Neither wealth nor honor, 
 
 Nor gem from the sea, 
 Can cause such a yearning 
 
 As I have for thee. 
 
 What need of a ruby- 
 When your cheeks I see? 
 
 Those gems 'neath your lashes 
 Are diamonds to me; 
 
 Your forehead's a sapphire. 
 Beaming 'neath a curl ; 
 
 Your lips seem a rosebud. 
 Hiding two rows of pearl. 
 
WINTER. 
 
 Oh ! the winter's coming, 
 Leaves are getting brown, 
 
 Hickory nuts and acorns 
 Falling to the ground. 
 
 Pumpkins getting yellow. 
 Persimmons getting ripe, 
 
 Opossum 'gin to fatten 
 And quails begin to pipe. 
 
 Bird dog in the broom sage. 
 Hunter's got his gun, 
 
 Erastus with old Traylor — 
 Opossum'd better run. 
 
 Turkeys in the corn-crib, 
 Chickens got their sway ; 
 
 Let'm be, they're fattening. 
 For Thanksgiving Day. 
 
THE SIEGE OF MANILA. 
 
 I 
 
 Just a few miles from Manila Bay, 
 Near the close of a summer's day, 
 When the sun was flooding with gold the 
 
 west, 
 Our fleet was ordered to stop and rest, 
 After the regular meal was served, 
 And the code of evening was observed, 
 Each retired to his usual place, 
 And gazed into the dome of space. 
 With awe they watched the steady blaze, 
 As down on us they seemed to gaze. 
 I never sihall forget the night, 
 The silvery stars were shining bright, 
 A full-orbed moon hung in the west, 
 As if to see the great contest. 
 The v^ind was of a peaceful gale. 
 It was a pleasant night to sail. 
 The ocean waves were rolling 'long, 
 A pealing forth a mournful song. 
 But soon from the sea a mist arose, 
 That caused the starry book to close. 
 When sable night had reigned her last, 
 The rosy morn was coming fast. ' 
 Within the glimmer of the day. 
 We sailed to take Manila Bay. 
 Soon the fort revealed in sight, 
 From out the windows gleamed a light. 
 And then when we saw the deadly gun, 
 A glistening in the rising sun, 
 
 22 
 
It seemed that fire came in our blood. 
 Like tigers by our guns we stood, 
 It seemed our souls would burst with ire, 
 While waiting the command to fire. 
 In perfect silence, not a breath, 
 An instant could have brought us death. 
 The mist that from the ocean rose. 
 Had hid us from our Spanish foes. 
 And when the enemy sent no sound, 
 A whisper 'mong us passed around. 
 "Fortune's with us," our Captain cried, 
 "We've entered in and are not spied." 
 By the fort we 'gan to start, 
 A distance though we sailed a port. 
 One by one our ships stole by. 
 As wolves before a shepherd's eye. 
 All of our fleet had safely passed, 
 Except McCullough, which fortune blessed. 
 Within its furnace cured a rick, 
 And sparks went flying from its stack. 
 The sparks that from the ship did fly, 
 Met all at once the fort men's eye. 
 Through glasses they began to peep, 
 Their glasses raised the cause to greet. 
 To their surprise they spied our fleet. 
 A cry of terror, a dash, a run. 
 The shells came blazing from each gun. 
 Before an instant hardly passed. 
 Around us shells were falling fast. 
 Their mines in vain they did explode, 
 But we were safe in our abode. 
 Our captain gave command to fire. 
 
 I 
 
 n 
 
Which seemed to be our soul's desire. 
 Before the words he could repeat, 
 The shells went blazing from our fleet, 
 Our hearts were burned with hatred ire, 
 We filled the air with shell and fire. 
 While the battle was raging high, 
 And glowing shells were falling nigh, 
 Dewey back through memory gazed, 
 Saw the Maine, became enraged. 
 And with his dazzling sword in hand, 
 He whirled it high and gave command, 
 With fury blazing from his eye, 
 <With thundering voice was heard to cry, 
 'Remember the Maine ! Speed ! Haste ! 
 Be careful, boys, no shells to waste." 
 Remembered we our blood did run. 
 And sent shells flying from our gun. 
 Our boats, like burning Vesuvius seemed, 
 From out our guns shells poured and 
 
 streamed. 
 Directed by an immortal eye. 
 For not a strayward shell did fly. 
 But each of the shells from the guns that 
 
 went, ^ 
 
 Performed the mission on which 'twas sent, g 
 Our captain took his glass in hand, K^ 
 
 And o'er the battle quickly scanned. 
 "Stop the guns," he quickly cried, 
 "Fortune now is on our side ; 
 The Spanish fleet is in a blaze, 
 And sinking fast before my gaze." 
 When this command to us was given, 
 
B(v '^^^^^ hearty cheers went up to heaven, 
 
 Ira And when the sun sent down her sheen, 
 
 ^^ Not a Spanish boat was to be seen. 
 
 ^^ The vahant fleet of tyrant Spain, 
 
 }^fi Beneath the mighty deep was slain, 
 
Whin yoah corns an' bunions achin', 
 An' yoah body's full o' pain, 
 Yo' can res' right shure an' sertin', 
 Dat we's goin' 'o hav' som' rain. 
 
 Cours' de achin' is not plesen' 
 Tho' I wish it I mus' fea', 
 But not 'caus' I lov' de hurtin', 
 But I kno' I'll get som' rest. 
 
 In de winter I go huntin', 
 
 Wh'n de groun' is white wi'h snow, 
 
 In de summer I go fishin', 
 
 Wh'n de groun's too wet to plow. 
 
 Do yo' hear de dogs a barkin', 
 Lik' da's struck a raccoon trail, 
 She' sine o' fallin' weather, 
 Chile, I's neber seen it fail. 
 
 Run out, Jacob, look back Southward, 
 An' see if ther's a cloud in sight, 
 Goshie, wh't a clap o' thunder, 
 Clouds 're hangin' black as night. 
 26 
 
Jacob heard de rain a fallin', 
 
 Fitter patter on de roof, 
 
 Fold his arms and looked at Hannah, 
 
 NoAV yo' see I's tol' de truth. 
 
 Daddy in de chimney corner, 
 Jake, I hear you wishin' rain, 
 Yes sur, dad, de garden parchin' 
 Don't yo' think 'twill help de grain? 
 
 i 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
Der's no use bein' scared o' cungers, 
 An' lettin' black cats turn you back, 
 You jus' go on about your business, 
 And let de cungers hav' your track. 
 
 Fo' Friday aint no wus' dan Monday, 
 As far as luck to you's concerned. 
 You han' may itch don't spit into it. 
 You won't git nothin' but what you earn. 
 
 Your nose may itch, no one is coming, 
 Your foot may itch, you'll go nowhere, 
 An' you can let de worms crall o'er you, 
 An' den no new dress get to wear. 
 
 'N' cans' you have a little learnin', 
 You need not try to figure rich, 
 Jus' go and get a spaid or shovel. 
 And go runnin' to de ditch. 
 
 And when you feel a little happy, 
 Don't think of all de grief you've had. 
 An' 'caus your eyes is trimblin' little, 
 Dat ain't no sign you goin' git mad. 
 28 
 
An' if de toe next to de big one, 
 Is kinder long — you ain't go'in rule, „^_ 
 
 Because my hair grows on my forehead, MJm 
 You need not take me for a fool. 
 
 I'm going to sing soon in de mornin', 
 De hawks may catch me before night. 
 But if da do you need not worry. 
 Jus' say : ''I bet they had to fight." 
 
 I 
 
 f 
 
 
LULLABY, GO TO SLEEP. 
 
 I'll ne'er forget the day, 
 
 When r was young and gay, 
 
 A rolling 'round the floor in Tennessee; 
 
 From th' cotton field so white, 
 
 My ma would come at night. 
 
 And fondly hold me in her arms and say : 
 
 Go to sleep, baby mine. 
 Little birdie in your nest ; 
 
 Humming bees have left the vine, 
 Go to sleep and take your rest. 
 
 In winter cold and chill, 
 
 At night, when all was still, 
 
 I'd wake to find her standing over me, 
 
 A smile upon her face, 
 
 A creepin 'round the place. 
 
 She'd tuck the cover over me, and sing 
 
 Go to sleep, baby mine. 
 Little birdie in your nest ; 
 
 Humming bees have left the vine, 
 Go to sleep and take your rest. 
 
r^ So many years have passed, 
 
 \l(^ Since we assembled last, 
 
 That dear old soul has gone away to 
 
 :\j dwell. 
 
 ?f If this whole world was mine, 
 
 mi The wealth I would decline, 
 
 illl ^^ ^ could only hear my mother sing 
 
 Go to sleep, baby mine. 
 Little birdie in your nest ; 
 
 Humming bees have left the vine. 
 Go to sleep and take your rest. 
 
GOD BLESS OUR COUNTRY. 
 
 God bless our home, land of the free, 
 And those who rule, who e'er they be; 
 Protect the flag, and let it wave 
 Over all free men, not the slave. 
 May we, dear Lord, sustain its name; 
 Forbid that it shall trail in shame; 
 To those who from oppression flee 
 May this, our land, a refuge be. 
 
 ^ May we sustain all we profess ; 
 
 HI Forbid that we should man oppress; 
 
 its "^^y ^^ accept fraternal love 
 
 rSil And live as we must live above. 
 
 m 
 
TRUE LOVE. 
 
 H'O'W true, dear, my love is; 
 
 Too great to compare, 
 Truer than the stars, 
 
 That shoot from their sphere; 
 Think how the sun sets 
 
 And withdraws its Hght; 
 Think how I love thee 
 
 Alone in the night. 
 Think of its rising. 
 
 How it varies in time; 
 Oh ! there is no varying 
 
 In this heart of mine. 
 True as a rock, then — 
 
 How could I this say 
 When softest of waters 
 
 Can wear stone away? 
 Even time must change 
 
 To eternity. 
 Oh ! there is no changing 
 
 In my love for thee. 
 True as eternity! 
 
 No, it's not begun; 
 All must start even 
 
 When a race is to run. 
 When old eternity 
 
 Becomes mossy and gray, 
 Then, dear. Til love thee 
 
 The same as to-day. 
 33 
 
Fear not that pale death 
 
 Will drift us apart; 
 Ah! death cannot sever 
 
 The love in my heart. 
 When we reach heaven 
 
 We shall find our own; 
 I'm told we will know there 
 
 As we are known. 
 
Weep not, friend, o'er your condition, 
 He who tries can find a way; 
 
 Labor, and to God petition. 
 
 Strive, and you will rise some day. 
 
 Let your steps be sure and steady, 
 Push ahead and never stop; 
 
 Though the field seems filled already, 
 There is room still at the top. 
 
 If you wish to climb life's ladder, 
 Start to climb it from the ground; 
 
 If great your strength it makes it sadder 
 To have to climb it round by round. 
 
MEMORY OF W. W. BROWN. 
 
 Dear father Brown, the great, the good, 
 The noble leader of our race; 
 With task complete his spirit fled, 
 To heaven, its final resting place. 
 And there in peace it shall remain. 
 Securely wrapped from care and pain; 
 His body 'neath sweet roses sleeps, 
 An angel o'er him vigil keeps. 
 
 Weeping for one so dearly loved, 
 Too soon it seems we had to part; 
 To see him hid beneath the clay, 
 Sharp sorrow fills the aching heart, 
 It seems I see him on the stand, 
 Fain I could hear him give command ; 
 And with his outstretched, loving arm, 
 Imploring people to reform. 
 
 Think of the great work he has done. 
 Behold the great reformer's hand ; 
 Ten thousand marching to and fro. 
 To seek, to help, to lend a hand. 
 Thy life has not been spent in vain, 
 Thy deeds are monuments of fame ; 
 Thy name from earth will ne'er depart, 
 'Tis graved with kindness on the heart. 
 
 1 
 
 No more to meet us here on earth, 
 The noble impulse thou hast given ; 
 36 
 
Will urge us on the mighty course, 
 Until we, too, are called to heaven. 
 Beneath the clods is it the last, 
 Oh, no, the memory of the past ; 
 As Bethlehem star the wise men led, 
 His light will lead us though he is dead. 
 
WHEN DE SUN SHINES HOT. 
 
 No, dere ain't no use er workin' in de blaz- 
 
 in' summertime, my 
 
 Whin de fruit hab filled de orchard, an' de jffj 
 
 hurries bend de vine; 
 Der's enuf ter keep us libin' in de little 
 
 gyarden spot, 
 An' der aint no use'n workin' w'en de sun 
 
 shines hot. 
 
 Fur Fze read it in de Bible 'bout de lilies 
 
 how dey grow. 
 It was put in der er purpus dat de workin* 
 
 men mout know, 
 Dat dis diggin' an er grabben, wusn't men't 
 
 in our lot, ' 
 
 An' der ain't no use'n workin' we'n de sun|w| 
 
 shines hot. ftl 
 
 Does yer heer de streams er callin' az it 
 
 cralls erlong de rill ; 
 Does yer se de vines er wavin', biddin' me 
 
 ter kum an' fill? 
 Whar's m' hook and line — say, Hannah, 
 
 give me all de bait yer got, 
 Fur der ain't no use'n workin' w'en de sun 
 
 shines hot. 
 
 38 
 
^ Des 'bout dark I kum hum, strollin' wid a "■0 
 binch er lubly trout ; 
 /5S Hannah she c'mmence er grinnin' little Ras-; 
 ^ tus 'gin to shout; 
 
 9 Soon de hoecake is er bakin', fish er fryin',, 
 table sot. 
 No, der ain't no use'n workin' w'en de sun] 
 shines hot. 
 a/ 
 
They told me that the path I took was hard, 
 That many a time my weary feet would 
 
 g bleed; 
 
 They said at last I'd find my way was 
 barred ; 
 
 I would not heed. 
 
 vif I They bade me stop and go the other way ; 
 filK T^^^s, path, they said, Fate thorns and thist- 
 ""^^ les strew ; 
 
 But I was young, Ambition led the way; 
 I thought I knew. 
 
 But when my bleeding feet came to the end, 
 And I was bound and scourged by cruel 
 Fate; 
 Alas, I cried, pray let me start again; 
 It was too late. 
 
SUCCESS. 
 
 i 
 
 ' Success is a light upon the farther shore, 
 That shines in dazzHng splendor to the 
 eye, 
 ^The waters leap, the surging billows roar, 
 And he who seeks the prize must leap and 
 try. 
 
 'A mighty host stand trembling on the brink, 
 With anxious eyes they yearn to reach the 
 goal. 
 
 r see them leap, and, ah ! I see them sink — 
 As gazing on dread horror fills my soul! 
 
 iYet to despair I can but droop and die, 
 *Tis better far to try the lashing deep. 
 
 I much prefer beneath the surge to lie, 
 Than death to find me on this bank asleep. 
 
 41 
 
 '^m 
 
Vain and defeated each effort of life. 
 Feeble and hoary, sick of the strife, 
 
 But yet in my bosom a spirit says, ''rise,' 
 A voice calling onward out of the skies. 
 
 Though wounded in battle, bleeding I lay,, 
 I hear the voice calling, and strive to obey. 
 And make my last effort the battle to| 
 
 gain ; 
 Ah! death is upon me, I struggle in vain. 
 
I SHALL SUCCEED. 
 
 I shall succeed, although Fate rules to-dayj 
 And heaps up thorns and thistles in my way.^M 
 I bear the yoke and tread them with a smile,M 
 For I am sure it is but for awhile. 
 
 Each day that dawns I strive to break the| 
 
 chain, 
 Although to-day it seems so massive strong: 
 Although it seems my labors are in vain, 
 I'll strive and wait, it matters not how long.! 
 
 For like the drip that falls upon the mill- 
 stone, 
 So soft it strikes at first it seems but play; 
 
 But drip on drip a tiny dent will come — 
 We turn at length and find it washed away. 
 
 Thus will I beat Fate's chains, though strokesji 
 be feeble, ||l 
 
 To hasty men it all may seem but play. ^ IB 
 
 The hand of man though soft as drops islC 
 able, R 
 
 To wear at length the hardest stone away, fi 
 
From out the rosy dawn the sun comes 
 forth ; 
 
 gSee, love, what robes of splendor dawns the 
 So is my soul hallowed with joy and love. 
 Gleaming from thee. 
 
 For, when at morn I stroll along the path, 
 IJIW There I behold thy beauty from afar; 
 ^S And, like the rosy dawn, it fills my soul ; 
 MBfi I stand in awe. 
 
 K^V Look, love, the rosy scene is in the West ! 
 ff^ And soon this world shall be in solemn 
 ^^ night. 
 
 Ig^ So will my soul if thou shouldst, like the 
 
 sun, 
 k'fif Withdraw your light. 
 
A song I sing a blessing so divine, 
 Which all can feel yet no one can define ; 
 It comes like hallowed glory from above, 
 We feel the joy and call the blessing love. 
 
 i 
 
 Just as we know when zephyr's in the rye, 
 We cannot see, still how we mark their 
 way; 
 Just so it is when love meets you and me — 
 We bend and sway. 
 
 For who can hide the love that's in his 
 
 breast ? 
 
 He only feels, though known by all the rest ;{ 
 For when love comes the gall is changed to] 
 
 sweet. 
 It brought the valiant Hector to its feet. 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 Just as love brought the heroes kneelingjjj^ 
 down, 
 She leads the world quite gently with her] 
 sway, 
 No need of lash — ^just simply smile orj 
 frown — 
 
 We will obey. iffl 
 
 45 
 
Yes, love can lead her victim just at will. 
 Greater the pain greater he loves her still; 
 Through thorns and thistles 'till his feet are' 
 
 sore, 
 She bids him stop; he cries to follow more. 
 
 f^ Just as a bird must know the limb's secure j 
 Before she comes to build on it her nest. 
 So love will nestle when she finds us true, ifi 
 Deep in our breast. 
 
 Just as we bruise a pear to make it sweet, 
 So love will bruise her victim with her feet ; Mffi 
 It shoves the baby eagle from its nest ; liO 
 
 Before it falls her wings go 'neath its 
 breast. 
 
THANKSGIVING PRAYER. 
 
 Lord God, I turn on this Thanksgiving Day, 
 To view the path o'er which I've made my 
 
 way, 
 Although a path of thorns my eye may 
 
 greet, 
 
 Although I feel the sting still in my feet; \^i 
 Although the harvest fail my barn to fill, Vw 
 
 m 
 
 fAltnougn tne narvest lau my udiu lu nn, 
 With grateful heart I bow and thank Thee 
 still. 
 
 S^S For I am sure what e er nas oeen my loi, ^ 
 miHow meek, how poor is more than I de- l| 
 III serve. jfflS 
 
 not condemn His justice — whom I serve, 
 not complain and call Thee, Father, 
 stern. 
 Because Thy sacred plans I've failed to ^^ 
 1^^ learn ; 
 
 ylW'The cause of all this grief I cannot tell, 
 i And yet, like Job of old, Fll not rebel. 
 
 ^..^ Lord God, I turn on this Thanksgiving Day 
 wSTo view the path o'er which I made my 
 
 way 
 
 47 
 
^ Although a path of thorns my eye may, 
 greet, 
 ^A Although I feel the sting still in my feet, 
 ^-^S Although the harvest fail my barn to fill, 
 
 jt With grateful heart I bow and thank Thee|! 
 
 i 
 
So oft I've read what poets sang of love, f^m 
 To feel their joy far years in vain I mk 
 
 sought; ^^ 
 
 At last love came, a cooing little dove ; 
 
 The joy it brought! 
 
 And since the day when I first sipped the 
 wine, 
 I've felt a song I would all men could 
 
 Shear, 
 Though vainly I have sought for word and 
 — rhyme 
 
 To make it clear. 
 
 MT To teach this song love only has the power; 
 ffA To mortal man the door is sealed, though 
 near. ^ 
 
 Some day the door will open, you'll dis- j( 
 
 cover 
 
 Love's song and hear. 
 
RIGHT WILL WIN. 
 
 Sn^Think not, my friend, if right be crushed to- 
 day, 
 _'hat violent wrong will ever hold the day; 
 jA noble cause aside the kings may toast, 
 [If it be right, Oh ! no, 'tis never lost. 
 [Know ye, the stone the builders first re- 
 fused, 
 [Was left alone, but at the top was used. 
 [God stopped and called the leper from the 
 
 cross ; 
 I He can not use the haughty and the proud; 
 From out the stagnant pool He makes to 
 
 grow 
 l=The fragrant water lilies, white as snow. 
 
VICTORIA THE QUEEN. 
 
 Oh, victorious Queen, it's through thy loyal 
 
 m ^''^''^ Wa 
 
 II 1 bring this wreath — a token from my race; Mm 
 .-JjiTrue, thou art gone, no more on earth to ^^^ 
 ^^ meet ; 
 
 I come to spread these lilies at thy feet. 
 1^1 Of all the wreaths brought from the floral 
 Rff shrine. 
 
 This wreath alone portrays the life of thine. 
 These many years thou wert before our ^ 
 
 So calm and kind, so pure, serenely bright, ilj 
 ^ Like glowing sunlight, seated on thy throne, 
 
 Giving us rays, withholding them from g 
 
 f^^ none. 
 
 ^§One soul, one God, has been thy sacred 
 
 theme; jSflR 
 
 The high, the low — their cries were heard mSm 
 
 the same. W^ 
 
 i?-"'' Rest on, grand soul, in perfect peace above, ^^i 
 
 Si. For thou wert love, and love must rest with x^ 
 
 \^ love; ^ 
 
 lAjjEven though we weep, though sorrow fills Uij^ 
 
 Kll our breast, fllf 
 
 RfjfWe do not wish to call thee from thy rest, \ 
 
 ^ A star, though quenched, thy light is shin- g 
 1^3 ing still ; 
 
 Jlj^JThy voice, though hushed, thy subjects 
 know thy will. 
 
LIFE AND LOVE. 
 
 Life is a boundless sea, on which men float; 
 Succeed we may to ride the waves of Fate, 
 Yet still within our paths there surely Hes, 
 The chasm death, the voidless ultimate. 
 
 Love is a sacred shrine, to which men kneel. 
 Succeed we may the blessing to attain. 
 Yet rest assured the hallowed joy it brings,] 
 E'en though sublime, somehow is tinged 
 with pain. 
 
||U Beside the road in youth I sat in slumber, f^jf 
 B|l The passers hailed and told me it was/^^ 
 day; 
 
 "But, ah!" said I, ''my days are great in 
 
 number." j^ 
 
 And soundly slept, regardless of their say. ■• 
 
 Now, here I sit; the night has come upon ^^^jjl 
 
 SSH I fain would go, but darkness hides my J 
 
 ^^ I'd turn to God that He would look upon 
 me; 
 ;'ve now forgot the prayer I used to pray. 
 
 Yet, while I sit and vainly wait, the morn- 
 ing, 
 I yearn to tell, but ah ! it is too late. ||]i^ 
 
 ^.™ That he who sleeps at day and fails thep*'" 
 Ifd warning, 
 
 Shall wake at night, the dreadful ulti-|( 
 mate. 
 
Tell me, my soul, tell me, I pine to know, 
 Some future day, known as the harvest] 
 
 time ! n 
 
 Am I to reap from all the grain I sow, P'i 
 
 My ill-wrought deed am I to claim as mine? 
 
 If I should hurl my javelin in the dark. 
 And spread out thorns and thistles 'long the] 
 
 way. 
 Will it return and find me as its mark? 
 Am I to tread the thorns some future day ? 
 
 O Lord, I pray that Thou wouldst guide myf^ 
 
 hand ; 
 Let not an evil seed by me be sown. 
 Or cause to sprout within a brother's land " 
 What I should hate to see within my own. 
 
SIGNS OF DEATH. 
 
 r 
 
 When you hear at night de cows a lowin', 
 An' dogs a howhn' out der mournful soun', 
 I tell you now you better get you ready, 
 Dey's goin' to plant som'body in de groun'. 
 
 You need not b'leave in signs, not less you, 
 
 wan' to, 
 But some of des morn' you'll wake up in su'- 
 
 prize. 
 An' if dem dogs com' howhn' where I'm 
 
 sleepin', 
 I tell you now dis darkey's goin' 'o rize. 
 
 If der's any doubts o' being ready, 
 Down on my knees a prayer I'll make, 
 You can laugh an' say dat dajkey's skeery, 
 Fm like a rabbit can' trus' no mistake. 
 
 It may not be fo' me de dog's a howlin', m 
 But when de howl my path I'm goin' *of^ 
 
 sweep 
 An' I ain't goin' to bed no mo dat evenin', g 
 Fo' death will never com' an' fin' me sleep. 
 
 Der' re lots o' learned people talkin', bully, 
 An' saying der's nothing in de signs; 
 But if da com' a roun' me with der learnin' ^| 
 Fm jus' er goin' 'o tell 'em dey're lyin'. KA 
 55 ^ 
 
I'se got no time to listen to der learnin', 
 Fo' dey is jus' a tryin' to show off smart, 
 Der ain't nobody, don't care how dey's learn- 
 ed, 
 Dat's got de signs all wiped out o' der heart. 
 
 Fo' learnin' never takes from man his hab- 
 its, 
 It only smears dem over wid a stain, 
 An' caus' you're learned, you is not an angel, 
 Dem same old trates er lurkin' still within. 
 
 ,1 kno' I'm learned as high as anybody, 
 
 Yit whin a chicken coop I'm passin' by, 
 Der com' to me again dem same old feelin's 
 I'm going 'o hav' dat chicken 'cep he fly. 
 
My dearest child, I have no weahh to give 
 you, 
 
 ^^^^^ Going, yet why should going grieve you? 
 You have my heart. 
 
 Mln calm, in storm, no matter how the 
 weather, 
 My one great thought shall ever be of ^i\ 
 thee ; iSl 
 
 ill Tell me, I pray thee, tell me whether 
 yjj^ You'll think of me? 
 
 Without your love I wish my burden light- 
 er; 
 With head bowed low I plod life's weary 
 way, 
 
 l^SBut with your love each day is brighter, 
 Mrg To toil is play. 
 
 The ship has come, I must no longer tarry; K 
 j^. The lamp of love for you will ever burn; ^IJ 
 fi™ Farewell, pray let your soul be merry ^" 
 
 l||l Soon I'll return. 
 
 m 57 
 
m 
 
 When I return, what e er may be my treas- 
 ure— «»^ 
 That happy day I pray God that we^m 
 meet — 
 My Hfe, my all, I'll cast with pleasure ff 
 Down at your feet. ^' 
 
 He said "Good-bye" — the tears were swift-^^ 
 
 ly falling — 
 
 The ship moved off, she left alone to^gjlj 
 
 dwell ; Mfl 
 
 The signal as they sounded pealing fJSi^ 
 
 Their last farewell. 
 
 58 
 
The land of Avia, lovely is the scene. 
 Clothed every evening in a silvery sheen; 
 The rippling brook and birds make musicj 
 
 clear, 
 Wild flowers bloom in plenty all the year, 
 And mistletoe's the largest tree that's found,< 
 It's roots embedded firmly in the ground. 
 In vales of mistle, 'long the Aztec shore, 
 Stand board-roofed huts, numbering but aj 
 
 score ; 
 The largest one is Haggar's — well in years; 
 No happier man in all the place appears. 
 His daughter, Alice, simple, pure and good,j 
 And loved by all in that fair neighborhood. 
 Of all the youths that came to woo her love 
 No voice but Ed's could cause her heart toj 
 
 move. I 
 
 Ed Lassiters, son of a magistrate, 
 Was loved by all, and no one could he hate; 
 In peace and love he served the village long, 
 And no one e'er complained he'd done them 
 
 wrong : 
 And Ed, his son, a steady, sober youth, 
 Was famed throughout the village for his 
 
 truth. 
 Alice loved Ed ; when children it was seen 
 That Ed loved her and held her as hisjfej 
 
 queen. nU 
 
 59 
 
itj^ Together they were always seen at play. 
 illQ What e'er she willed it pleased Ed to obey ; 
 ^JK "My doll, a house," was all she had to 
 J^ speak, 
 
 ^/l For sticks and bark at once Ed went to seek ; 
 ■^"" To bake mud cakes more water she' de- 
 mand; 
 Ed quickly brought and placed it at her hand. 
 In all their play they were not seen to pout ; 
 ^ii Always in love there was no falling out. 
 * Each day to school they hand in hand 
 H would go, 
 
 ^ Her books and slate Ed carried to and fro; 
 Each Sunday morn the chapel bell would 
 
 chime. 
 And Ed vAth Alice marched away on time; 
 mTo church at night Alice alone he'd bring, 
 " And from one book both in the choir would 
 
 ^ smg. 
 
 The childish love that bound them when 
 play 
 
 at 
 
 ,To greater love soon yielded up its sway. 
 
 Were children once, but ah, no children 
 ...^ now ; 
 
 MirEd was a farmer, master of the plow; 
 H'ii Alice, a maid, how skilful at the loom, 
 
 And all affairs pertaining to the home ; 
 
 Once close they lived, but now three miles 
 ^5> apart ; 
 
 SMBut miles cannot divide true heart from 
 heart. 
 
 m 
 
^The village lads loved well the maiden dear, 
 |.But knew their love and would not inter- 
 fere; 
 ,So hand in hand through life they always 
 went, 
 _^Sb lovingly, so happy, so content. 
 
 SBut, ah, if he had known the pain to come, 
 He would have had her safely in his home. 
 ,To Avia came a family seeking health; 
 noble family; great, too, was their 
 wealth ; 
 I A man and wife, a son, the darling joy; 
 'John his name, and handsome was the boy. 
 He saw the maid, and love came at the 
 
 sight ; 
 To win her love he sought with all his 
 
 S might. 
 
 Soon she loved John and soon he loved the 
 maid, 
 I So swift is love when gold can give it aid. 
 I And since that day the youth came from the 
 
 north 
 Ed's cloak of love had keenly felt a moth. 
 E'er on his face there dwelt a heavy frown ; 
 Each day he passed his head was hanging 
 , down. 
 
 jfi And all the village wondered as he passed 
 What made the change, what made him so 
 
 downcast. 
 Each Sunday morn he strolled alone to 
 
 S church ; 
 
 6i 
 
U^We sympathized — we knew it grieved him 
 \mx much ; 
 
 As when the ivy from the oak we tear, 
 «|lt seemeth lonely, ah ! it seemeth bare. 
 
 ill So 'twas with Ed when they were seen apart, 
 ■He seemed e'er sad, so withered was his 
 
 heart. 
 'He loved her still, and each time he would 
 
 call 
 He plead in vain that she would love him 
 
 MflEach night Ed called each night both lovers 
 met; 
 [They'd try in vain each other to outset. 
 mlWhen on her face Ed read her heart's desire 
 iRrHe'd ask his hat, reluctantly retire. 
 |Poor Edf from youth could see her any 
 
 time, 
 jNow once a week his visits were confined. 
 '|jEach youth desired the maid to be his bride ; 
 ftShe loved them both, and how could she 
 decide. 
 ^Three months had passed — the choice she 
 _y_ had not made; 
 
 |l/iiWith bashful face she sought her mother's 
 If/ aid. 
 
 'She hinted out the burden of her heart; 
 ^Her loving mother knew the other part. 
 jf"Oh, Ed and John," she said, with trem- 
 bHng voice, 
 
 II 6» 
 
I "I love them both 
 
 choice; 
 Three months in vain the choice Tve tried 
 to make; 
 ^Tt's left with you mother, which one to 
 ^ take." 
 
 jThe mother thought awhile and slowly said : 
 ft"I cannot choose the man for you to wed, 
 ^ For much is in the saying of the bard : ^ 
 ^ac: 'Make your own bed and keep it if it's hard; 
 Pf'?So make your choice; if he*s not what he 
 \kfd seems 
 
 llfiOn no one else can you well place the blame. 
 ^^Since I'm your ma, advice 'tis mine to give: 
 fWith whom you choose through life pray 
 g® try to live, 
 
 lif^For they who wed and quit without a cause 
 |l! Have broken o'er our Holy Father's laws. 
 M Unless you can for him lay down your life 
 ^ Never, my child, consent to be .his wife, 
 ^ For married life is greater than a dream, 
 W And all have found it greater than it seem- 
 
 ^KTo know the one whose love is pure and 
 1^ best, 
 
 Iml think it right to bring him to a test. 
 jlMlHow can you judge from the word the 
 'W greater love? 
 
 llDoes rain tell all that it has seen above? 
 'What steed an empty wagon cannot pull ? 
 I^Ah, place him to a wagon that is full. 
 W^\The manv words! but, ah. the simple few. 
 
 63 
 
gCan have a great effect if spoken true. 
 The sweetest words make not the greatest 
 
 youth, 
 Ah, he is great who sayest but the truth. 
 ^ The world to-day is so enrapt with sin, 
 jf||^ That it is right with women and with men, 
 Ma Before they be exalted in our sight, 
 jgJ^We must have great assurance they are 
 right. 
 So Ed and John seem good, I love them, 
 well; 
 ^» The one for you to choose I cannot tell. 
 |U9 The way to find the one to suit you best, 
 ™il Put ^ife at stake and give them both a test, 
 For he who takes a maiden for his wife 
 Should count it joy to give for her his life.'* 
 «»|aShe knew that neither Ed nor John could 
 mil swim; 
 
 ^yTo try the deep would be a test for them. 
 '^^She thought how each of them enjoyed to 
 row. 
 She said: ''Some day, while rowing, drop 
 «w your oar, 
 
 j^^And tell him bring the oar you'll be his 
 bride ; 
 'First let the oar 'neath the boat be tied; 
 |221 Engage them now, go quick and tie the 
 
 "^ ' One came at three, the other came at four. 
 I feign to tell them what the mother said ; 
 So great the plot when by a woman made. 
 64 
 
evening came 
 
 side. 
 With John she goes, as though she loved 
 
 him best, 
 Out in the boat that she his love might test. | 
 From youth she knew the art to dive and 
 
 swim; 
 'Twas all a secret, 't was not known to him. 
 They reached the deep where angry billows 
 
 roar; 
 She for a purpose dropped her only oar. 
 Out from the boat the oar the waves did 
 
 toss; 
 The maid screamed out in anguish, ''We are 
 
 lost!" 
 The oar was fairly whirling by a wave; 
 The frightened maid knelt praying God to 
 
 save. 
 The coward youth sat trembling pale as 
 
 death ; 
 His face had changed, it seemed he had no 
 
 breath. 
 The maid knelt still, pretending loud to 
 
 weep. 
 But through her fingers at the youth she'd 
 
 peep. 
 She saw the youth still fainting in dismay ; 
 She would have laughed, but thought she 
 
 would betray. 
 She raised her head, the oar again she spied ; 
 
 65 
 
Beneath the boat the oar with cord 
 
 tied. 
 She really cried, for lo ! her face was red, 
 ''John, bring the oar, I'll be your wife," she I 
 
 said. Ai^ 
 
 But John sat still, for he could not obey ; \|| 
 "I cannot swim," was all she heard himt^™ 
 
 say. 
 She bade him think, she bade him count the] 
 
 cost ; 
 "Without the oar won't both our lives be| 
 
 lost? 
 If you sit here is death not sure?" she said. 
 John knew it was, and cowardly dropped hisi 
 
 head. 
 With trembling voice she cried, imploring 
 
 still : 
 "Go, bring the oar; if you won't, John, I! 
 
 will. 
 What will you do?" She paused to give^^g 
 
 him time. 5|tt 
 
 He would not go; she leaped into the brine ;|j|g 
 She sank and rose, and loudly came a 
 
 sound : 
 "Pray come and help! quick! love, for soon^ 
 
 I drown!" 
 John saw his love the third time disappear;! 
 She cried in vain, for John refused to steer. 
 Again she rose and quickly seized the oar, 
 Towards the boat the oar she swiftly bore. 
 Soon in the boat, dripping, she took her seat,^ 
 As John sat cowardly gazing at her feet; 
 66 
 
Then to the shore she quickly made herW||f 
 
 way ; SIB 
 
 She reached the shore, to him was heard toi 
 
 say: 
 'The oar wasn't lost; by this thread it wasj 
 
 tied; 
 My life to you I'm thinking to confide." 
 And this she said : "I did it just to prove 
 Whether or not you're worthy of my love." 
 She told him all, and said : "Jo^^^^ can't you 
 
 see 
 That you are false and do not care for me.", 
 And John stood crying, begging not to tell ; fc 
 She vowed she'd not, and said to him fare-^r 
 
 well. jlf 
 
 He went his way and she sat on the beach — llj 
 I'll tell you why before the end is reached — ^^ 
 'Twas nearly four, and Ed, her other beau. 
 Had promised then to meet her for a row. 
 The hour "had come, the village clock was l!|JBf| 
 
 heard ; iWw 
 
 Ah! Ed was there; he always kept his word. Im| 
 Up from the beach she rose, her friend to^g 
 
 greet ; 
 She had not heard the tramping of his feet. 
 Soon in the boat they both sat face to face; 
 Slie took the oar as though out for a race; 
 Then with the oar she gave the sea a sweep, ., 
 And soon the boat was sailing on the deep ; g 
 *'Here comes a ship ; look, Ed, I see the 
 
 top." 
 He turned his head, the oar she did let drop. 
 67 
 
:%^>^: 
 
 ^-lN*VAfi^i^:i^ 
 
 iw **Dear Ed," she cried, "pray take me to my 
 wS home ; 
 
 WS I dropped the oar and death is sure our 
 ^ doom." 
 
 .^3 He gazed at her and saw her faint away. 
 
 llJI "Don't cry, my dear," she softly heard him 
 
 asHlHe raised her head, consoling words he 
 speaks, 
 Brushed back her hair and kissed her rosy 
 31 cheeks ; 
 
 H Pretended she unconscious of a kiss; 
 [lYet still her soul was thrilled with holy 
 bliss. 
 He raised her gently in a fond embrace, 
 ^And gently wipes her tear-stained, blushing 
 face, 
 The tears upon her rosy cheek repose 
 .Appeared like sparkling dewdrops on a rose. 
 I'lAs men in hurrying pressed for want of 
 %» time, 
 
 wlfflCan find a moment still to sip the wine, 
 ^»So hurried Ed, for fear the oar he'd miss, 
 ^Yet still found time, yea, thrice, her lips to 
 kiss; 
 Ljust as a man is moved by sparkling drinks 
 JlVPerforms an act before of danger thinks. 
 HjpThe kiss affected Ed as strongest wine; 
 [He could not swim, yet did not fear the 
 brine ; 
 MHe did not stop for once to count the cost, 
 
"^Wa 
 
 Nor thought he once that either would 
 
 lost. 
 He said, unless his queen should reach the] 
 
 shore, 
 Out of his arm he would have made an oar;l^ 
 Then from the boat he leaped, and could not %\ 
 
 swim; 
 An angry wave came [quick and covered. 
 
 him. 
 PiJ Stranglea iie rose, though struggling for his 
 KW life, 
 
 He cried aloud: "O, God, pray, save myi 
 
 wife!" 
 He did not drown, for she well knew the'>ay7Q 
 
 Part, |V 
 
 And leaped and bore him speechless to her 
 heart. 
 
 ^tfi Yet, brought the oar she said he never _ 
 
 knew; ^jSl 
 
 He really thought he saved his lover's life. vIa 
 
 ^ He woke and cried aloud : "You are my j(^ 
 
 wife." ^ 
 
 For when he sank he was a senselesj elf; ^ 
 
 f To-day he thinks he brought the oar him- 
 m self. 
 
 And when she saw how artless was his love 
 The love within her heart was felt to move; |j 
 Where there is love much love it doth in- Q^^a 
 spire, -W 
 
 llfll Thus blazed her love and set his soul on fire. ™^ 
 
 SIB 69 I 
 
It seemed as love her heart would 'sunder 
 
 rent, 
 Unless by hasty means could give it vent; 
 For when love's heart is free from doubt 
 
 and fear 
 It sayeth much that love would feign to 
 
 hear. 
 Thus went the time until the glowing west 
 Was telling that the sun had gone to rest. 
 They reached the shore, though he was 
 
 soaking wet, 
 Before they left, the wedding day was set. 
 Three weeks passed on, the blessed eve drew 
 
 near, 
 The wedding bells were chiming loud and 
 
 clear. 
 That night they vowed to love and serve 
 
 through life; 
 There never lived a happier man and wife. 
 I In Mistle still to-day there can be seen 
 A thatch-roofed house, twined round with 
 
 ivy green; 
 Upon the lawn a boy and girl at play — 
 This is the home where Ed and Alice stay. 
 
A A BALM FOR WEARY MINDS 
 
 What a balm for the mind's the joyous 
 
 spring, 
 What fragrant nectar its breezes bring; i 
 How the babbhng brook and the birds we, 
 
 hear, 
 Lull the heart from worry, the soul from 
 
 fear; 
 What magnet power its measures hold 
 To keep the soul from growing old! 
 What joy upon the turf to lie 
 And watch the fleeting butterfly, 
 To hear the bee as it buzzes by ; 
 The humming bees as they go and come, 
 Sipping honey from the bloom. 
 Wake, fainting heart, around thee look. 
 Stroll through the woods, sit by the brook, 
 And hear it clatter, laugh and sing, 
 A flood of hope to you 'twill bring. 
 Look, see the orchard a mass of snow. 
 Sending the fragrance by the winds that! 
 
 blow; 
 Drink deep of its joys, on its fragrance fill. 
 That thy soul may stand cold winter's chill. 
 Look at the daisies, see them bend, 
 Giving their fragrance to each wind ; 
 The lilies in their lovely array 
 Think of the words the sowers say : 
 Toil not, spin not, yet how they grow, 
 
im ^^ fragrant and spotless and whiter than 
 
 IIK snow. 
 
 ISk List to the thrush up in the trees, 
 
 a The song of the cuckoo, the hum of the 
 !« bees ; 
 
 The tame and wild flowers, drink deep their 
 
 sweet scent. 
 Surely th}^ sad heart will then be content. 
 On springtime's fair bosom rest thy aching 
 U head, 
 
 " Who cannot feel springtime surely is dead. 
 
 I 
 
TELL ME, DEEP OCEAN. 
 
 Tell me, deep ocean, why not be still, 
 
 Why not this surging- cease, 
 Why shouldst thou sing this mournful 
 sound, 
 
 And why not hold thy peace? 
 
 Is it a tale of love you sing. 
 
 Tell me, oh mighty deep; 
 What some poor sailor bade thee bring, 
 
 Just as he sank to sleep? 
 
 If so, I yearn to know thy song, 
 Pray, make it known, oh wave; 
 
 I had a lover, brave and strong. 
 Who met a sailor's grave. 
 
 I yearn to know his parting words, 
 Were they not told to thee ? 
 
 If so, I pray thee make them known. 
 Pray tell, were they of me? 
 
SHOULD I SPY LOVE 
 
 9 If I should chance to spy love far at sea, 
 I With outstretched arm beckoning unto 
 //if me; 
 
 K^ Though I bereft complete of spar and sail, 
 'Twould not prevail. 
 
 74 
 
8 If love could see each other's heart, 
 And read the truth which they impart ; 
 ^ Much doubt and fears it would relieve, 
 ^'^^ No love would e'er have ought to grieve 
 
Since I got 'ligion 
 
 Tryin' to do what's right 
 Devil, jus' to temp' me, 
 
 Keeps ol' sin in sight. 
 
 Farmers plant th'ir melons 
 Jam up 'gin the fence; 
 
 Leave the hen-coops open 
 Like they got no sense. 
 
 Man who own the orch'rd 
 Don mov' off to town; 
 
 Peaches an' the apples 
 Rofnin' on the groun.' 
 
 In a trap th's mornin' 
 By the 'simmon tree, 
 
 Saw a grea' big 'possum, 
 Fat as he cou'd be. 
 
 Wou'd 've got th't 'possum 
 Eph — he'd never kno', 
 
 Th't his trap co't him, 
 Got a 'ligion tho'. 
 76 
 
i 
 
 People got no bus'ness 
 Fo' to temp' a man; 
 
 'Fusin' water-melons 
 More th'n I can stan'. 
 
 If theys out th're waitin' 
 T'night whin I com' 'long, 
 
 They shan't teach no oth'r 
 Christ'an to go 'rong. 
 
 Sally bake a hoe cake; 
 
 Get the kittle hot. 
 Goin' bring back a chicken 
 
 If I don't git shot. 
 
I find in Mr. McGirt's verses a mean 
 and accent which belong only to the true 
 poet. 
 (Mrs.) REBECCA HARDING DAVIS. 
 
 
 Mr. McGirt's poetry is spontaneous, natu- 
 ral and true. 
 (Mrs.) MARGARET E. SANGSTER. 
 
 My Dear Mr. McGirt : Your verses indi- 
 cate talent. I see no reason why you should] 
 not have a great deal of success. 
 
 Sincerely Yours, 
 (Mrs.) ELLA WHEELER WILCOX. 
 
 Mr. James E. McGirt : 
 
 Dear Sir : — You show in these verses a tal- 
 ent for putting thoughts into literary form 
 very rare. I have found the senti- 
 ment of the poems always pure and ortho- 
 dox — often sweet and touching; there is a 
 simplicity about them which wins the read- 
 er's attention 
 
 I remain sincerely yours, 
 
 JULIAN HAWTHORNE. 
 78 
 
You show a great deal of talent in yourj 
 poems. I find them very interesting and| 
 sweet. 
 
 THOMAS NELSON PAGE. 
 
 Mr. James E. McGirt, Philadelphia, 
 
 My Dear Sir: — I have given some spare] 
 hours to the reading of your poems, which ^ 
 you were kind enough to furnish me in vol-] 
 ume and manuscript. It is always gratify- 
 ing to me to find one of your race aim to| 
 advance or excel in literary efforts. I was 
 specially pleased with the merits of your 
 poems, which should certainly command a 
 large circle of readers, not only among your, 
 own people, but among all lovers of genuine 
 poetic effort. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 (Col.) A. K. McCLURE. 
 
JAN 7 J 9'^' 
 
LIBRARY OF 
 
 CONGRESS 
 
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