^ff,^ :; ^V, , ' '^ ' Apology. As the warmth of temperature hatcheth an egg, even so the fantasy of idealty breedeth qual- ity. As the mariner on the high seas steers hi» course by his star, even so we attain accomplish- ments by our ideal. Upon the fairies of childhood and the fan-^~ tasies of youth the Monument of manhood or womanhood must rest secure or insecure as we lay this Bed-rock upon the everlasting- Kock of pious serenity or the shifting Sands of ruthless vanity. Fantasy has its mission. If these ethical and aesthetical fantasies may wake in dreaming youth a latency which waketh not ere its prime to accomplish for moral integrity of manly honor and womanly virtue, anything like, what for instance. The Jules Verne Fantasies accomplished for science and invention, then it will have been well for me to conserve these playful dittiea of my youth. GEORGE KELLER DeLONG. \. George Keller DeLong SENTIMENTAL FANTASIES OR s ©f a Lover By George Keller DeLong II EDITION ' V 1916 PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR ALLENTOWN, PA. PRICE lO CENTS THE ALLEN PUBLISHING CO', ALLENTOWN. PA. •{COPYRIGHT, 1913—1916, BY ^GEORGE KELLER DeLONG.) (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED) FEB -4 I9!6 ©Ct.A420635 \.0 .^\ . THE MYSTIC NECTAR OR NEVADA'S CHARM. *'Oh water lily fair — White cup of purity — Who shaped thee with such care To such maturity ? "Who graced thee so to be Pure virtue's emblem mild? Who breathed soul into thee Thou virtue's semblance child? "And lo, the nectar that The gods have left undrained^ — Dew mingled with thy fat Hast thou them deft constrained?'* "Nevada hovered here, She shed enraptured tears Delighting in this sphere: ' :' Drain not who capture fears. "She shaped me in her palm; Her pure transcendency Imparting magic charm — Sweet virtue's tendency." I stooped and drained the cup To be . her captured knight, My bosom swelling up^ Mine was enraptured plight. THE MOUNTAIN'S TESTIMONY, OR NEVADA'S GRACE. I shouted to the mountain peak: "Why lift thy. "head so high?" . The mountain echoed back with chicL "Seest thou the .qu.een pass by? "O'er yonder plains triumphantly She leads her conqu'ring bands. Her trail marks sweet tranquility- Most prospering- of lands." I looked and io, Nevada's grace Blessed all the world around: Her grace all troubles did efface. No grace like hers was found. I could at once the myth construe- The poetry well see; If I Nevada never knew The world were naught to me. THE RIVER'S TESTIMONY, OR NEVADA'S SERENITY. I stood upon the highest mount, Gazed o'er the world around, Saw many streams abound For which I fairly would account. I raised my voice and shouted forth: "Oh whence, ye silver streams, This grace which much redeems. Affording to the world stich worth?" "We mark the path Nevada traced; Such was her grace serene — The fairest noblest queen — With silver streams the world she graced." "Ye are poetic in your song Which I can well construe A portrait very true. May ye fore'er your song prolong." A DEEP CLEAR STREAM, OR NEVADA'S INTEGRITY. I stood on the brink of a deep clear stream Whose sheen was as clear as a crystal mass Reflecting the firmament's azure gleam As clearly distinct as a looking glass. I gazed in this mirror to but behold A portrait complete of my very own, I thought of a legend as yet untold But which very clearly to me was shown. "O beautiful, silently flowing stream Thou owest to whom such a crystal sheen? Some goddess hath blessed thee I dare to deem. Such beauty of grace is so seldom seen." "Nevada once gazed in my rippling mass, So much of her favor I once did gain. She gave me a glance and it came to pass: The sheen of her glory I still retain." "Oh beautiful stream what a legend thine — A portrait of virtuous purity! Thy poetry does unto me enshrine A shade of Nevada's integrity. "In thee I behold only what I am; In her I behold what I hope to be: She clasps in her hand the bright Diadem Which I would so fainly deserve for me." SONG OF THE BROOK, OR NEVADA'S \TRTTJE. 'Twaa May and all was sweet. The songsters of the Spring Were here and all did sing The Summer clime to greet. The breeze lulled sweetly low, The orchards were abloom, The air bore sweet perfume Nor did a cloudlet show. Along- the brook I strolled To hear its mystic song- As it would flow along While it to seaward rolled. By mystic ciphering These words I could construe — Sweet as I ever knew Or any bard could sing: ""I'm full of love and care. My humble beating heart Would ever love inipart: It's due of sorrow share." "Thou singing all day long Such words so sweet and calm That work a magic charm. Where didst thou learn this song?" "Nevada," said the brook, - • "Strolled on my banks one day And sang this precious lay Which I at once did book. "I sing it o'er and o'er. It suits mine own so well That oft as I it tell I love it e'er the more." "Thou singing all day long — Thou Shalt not sing alone. Thy song shall be mine own- Nevada's sweetest song." THE EASTER BLOOM, OR NEVADA'S VIRGINITY. "Oh Easter bloom what grace divine Enshrines thee so serene That for my worship thou a shrine Art innocently green?" "Nevada here poured forth her zeal With all her virgin grace While she devoutly here did kneel Approaching fate to face." "Oh virgin bloom, serene and pure^ My life shalt thou adorn For to this end I'm very sure Nevada too was born." THE VIOLETS, OR NEVADA'S MODESTY I wandered by the meadow's edge Along a rocky dell In quest to find .some mystic pledge That beauty's grace might swell. And here I found some violets Like modest maidens' eyes: As one who all things else forgets I fancied Paradise. "Oh pretty modest violets Who taught ye so to lure With mystic art such as begets; What no man can endure? "Who taught ye this sweet modest grace That men's grave hearts invokes To revel in the wooing chase And muster duty's yokes? "Why seek ye refuge 'neath the thorns By briars fortified When much of much less worth adorns The place ye should have vied?" "Nevada hid her virtues here And made strong men to dare So that the chase was so severe To prove if they would care; "Their blood from bleeding bruises flowed And thus our deep blue hue: Nevada modesty bestowed, Her lovers dyed us blue." Impulsively I bruised my hand Nor grudged a drop of blood The modest violets to brand And grant that they were good. THE MEADOW'S EMULATION, OR NEVADA'S SMIIiE. "Oh sm^iling meadow, waving bloom Whence this sweet grace thou dost assume Which fills me with such mysteries That give to me sweet ecstacies." "Nevada smiled all o'er her face; From her I borrowed all my grace, I cannot help but emulate. Such grace I fain would imitate." "Forsooth thy smile comes but a shade To that sweet smile which does not fade From mine own memory fore'er; No more than that art thou, ah ne'er." 10 THE FLUSHING ROSE, OR NEVADA'S ARDENT PRAYER. "Oh crimson rose whence this thy flush? Flee modesty and break the hush: I'm sure 'tis not sheer modesty Nor guilt of any villiany." "Nevada raised her voice in prayer To God who heareth ev'ry where; She knelt and faced the rising- snn As always is her day begrun. "Her invocation me did thrill I then bent o'er the window sill And gently kissed her flushing cheek, The grace of which I still bespeak." "Oh crimson rose thou flushing bloom Anxieties no more shall gloom: Her invocation God hath heard Thy flushing mood is hence absurd. "Nevada hence with me shall rise On pinions borne to Paradise. 'Tis mine to flush with ardent prayer That God may grant me grace of care. SWEET PEAS, OR NEVADA'S LAY. "Oh climbing vine thou dost enshrine Within my memory A thought divine which does incline My whole integrity, "So let me hear the legend dear Of thy significance. Now who did rear such grace sincere Like thy benevolence?" 11 "Nevada's say is all my lay — I echo but sweet peace — Since that fair day when she did pray That warring- hate might cease." Thy gladsome peal doth well reveal The craving of my soul. Nevada's love of all above, Hath sped me to my goal. SWEET CliOVER BLOOM, OR NEVADA'S KISS. I strolled among the fields one day, A mass of waving pink Was curling, twirling like, some lips Of which it made me think. I stooped and kissed the waving bloom, And oh! it was so sweet. "Oh clover bloom whence this sweet grace Wherewith thou me dost greet?" "Nevada took some sympathy Imparting me a kiss: Her sweetness never failed me since — The sweetest that e'er is." "Thy honey, oh sweet clover bloom! The busy bees may sip If only I my portion find Upon Nevada's lip." ***** THE MOUNTAIN LAKE, OR NEVADA'S FAVOR. "Oh sparkling lake by mountains cleft, Serene thy gracious splendor Enthralls my ardor and my zest — Some homage I must render. 12 "Upon the mountains' bosom cleft, The heavenly sky thy dinker: Within the basin of thy depth The stars all vie to linger, "Art' thou the tears of gods or whence This splendor so enthralling".' I fain would know, what though perchance Thy legend be appalling." "Within Nevada's eyes I found The favor this entailing — In her blest virtue does abound Serenest grace unfailing." "Within thy depth the stars may vie To linger there forever If only in Nevada's eye I ply no vain endeavor." SPRING, OR NEVADA'S MYSTIC WAXD. "Oh Spring, lo when thy quick'ning breath arrives Where all feigned death there living verdure thrives; All living verdure bursts forth into bloom And all thy breath becomes a sweet perfume, "What mystic wand hath graced thee thus to bless Earth's heaving bosom with such fond caress? Whence hast thou borrowed such a grace serene That thou canst turn dead gray to living green?" "Nevada's bosom heaved — her sighing breath, First wrought the miracle that quickened death, This mystic wand she taught me thus to sway: Sans her serenity death still were gray." "Oh gentle breeze, forever sing thy song, Forsooth I cannot comprehend thee wrong; For had Nevada never here passed by. Like o'er eternal death I'd have to sigh." 13 THE RIPENING WHEAT, OR NEVADA'S CROWN. "Oh waving ripening wheat Whence this sweet mystic treat That wakes my admiration? Whence came thine auburn hue— =• Bright as I ever knew In all the hue creation?" "Nevada hovered here — A queenly maiden dear Ah! we believe thou carestt We bent to kiss her hair — Her ^waving tresses fair Which are the very fairest.** "How can I help but care — Aye, woo one crowned so fair As is the queen Nevada. Crowned with the emblem zeal,. Her grace one needs must feel — - It falls around about her." THE BL003fING CORNTOPS, OR NEVADA'S THOUGHTS. "Oh blooming corntops of the field What glaring myth can ye me yield ? What emulation bears ye grace To wield such puzzling grand displays ?"^ "Nevada we would emulate — To see her once was our good fate; Her forehead was with thoughts abloom— Her role at play would we asume.' "Oh waving corntops mingle ye Your virtues with such poetry. Just as ye mingle virtues now Mine own would with Nevada's brow..'''' 14 fHE SILVER LEAF, OR NEVADA'S EVES. I strolled along the meadow brook To view its many charms: In poetry I fain would book Some of its mystic Dsalms. I spied a sparkling silver leaf Which through the ripples shone. My find afforded some relief — For song this would atone. "Oh silver leaf, thine is a song Which fainly I would hear. With all my heart and soul I long To hear your song so dear." "Nevada gazed within the brook, I caught her silv'ry eyes: I found within her tender look The light of Paradise." •'Nevada's silv'ry eyes have wrought That miracle for me: How precious is this shining thought Which all the world may see." THE SEASHELL, OR NEVADA'S LISTFULt EARS. I strolled along the ocean strand And found a sea shell on the sand That won my admiration. The murmur of the sea I thought In its enfoldings it had caught — I begged an explanation. To my delight I then did hear — "It was Nevada's listful ear 15 That here made imploration.' I no more parted with the shell, For it does mystic murmurs tell Which need no explanation. THE WILD RED ROSE, OR NEVADA'S CHEEK. I str®lled alone one day in June — One lovely sunny afternoon — Along the forest edge. My fancy caught the wild red rose To see what myth it might disclose — What beauty it might pledge. 'Twas thus my meditation led: "Oh whence this hue of pinkish red That makes my heart to leap? Whence didst thou borrow all the grace Which thou dost wear — and all thy race While o'er the earth ye creep?" Quite humbly she did bow her head, In softest whisper sweetly said: "Thou speakest very sweet; But then my beauty were not such As I were not admired so much But for Nevada's treat. ^'I bloomed for many Summers here Yet no one cared to hold me dear; By none was I caressed Until Nevada came my way. One fair and lovely Sunimer day — Since that fair day I'm blest, ■"The lustre of her rosy cheeks My glory now in full bespeaks — From her I borrowed all. She is a fair and noble queen — 'The fairest lady ever seen On this terrestrial ball." 16 I bowed me o'er the wild red rose That did such mystic lore disclose — My heart was filled with bliss. Full well I knew that all her grace Was borrowed from Nevada's face, And her I gave a kiss. AUTU3IX LEAVES, OR NEVADA'S LIPS, EYES, HAIR AND CARRIAGE. I strolled along in solitude The forest trees among To gather me some Autumn leaves And hear their mystic song. I found a pretty auburn leaf And one of silver gray, Another was a scarlet red That had just gone astray. My yearning heart persuaded me — I did the myth implore That made me crave these Autumn leaves, I did so much adore. "Oh Autumn leaf of auburn hue Do tell me now, I pray, Where didst thou find this stately hue Which thou dost wear today?" "Ne\ada passed the other day As I came falling down — I floated like a fairy wing And brushed her auburn crown." "And thou, oh leaf of tender gray> Of thee I do implore, Where foundest thou the habit that Bespeaks so much galore?" 17 ^'I floated oa the Autumn breeze Just as a fairy flies, Kevada came across my path — I caught her tender eyes." "For all the glory thou dost wear Canst thou to me account, Oh scarlet leaf, I fain would know Where thou such hue hast found?" ^'I could my place no more forbear, I sought for sweeter bliss, I met Nevada on my way And stole of her a kiss." I lingered yet within the grov^e: All sweetly calm did seem When suddenly a chorus rose That dazed me as a dream. A liost of leaves assumed a grace — A feat not often seen: With one accord they sang this song Of some fair heroine: "Nevada hovered o'er this path, Her grace moved as a queen; Oh that we could assume such grace As we of her have seen." I gathered up these Autumn leaves And pressed them to my heart — Their treasured legend tempted me With them no more to part. THE SWEET SCENTED ROSE, OR NEVADA'S BREATH AND COMPLEXION. "Oh beautiful sweet-scented rose I wonder wherefore thee I chose. Wherefore I love thy dear sweet scent To deem thee worth a compliment?" 18 "While here she sought to have repose I gently kissed Nevada's nose. And when her precious breath I caugrht The miracle at once was wrought." "Nevada thou canst not compare For her complexion is more fair. Thy scent is sweet but — still more sweet- Nevada's breath is thy defeat." THE TURTIiE DOVE'S COOING, OR NEVADA'S VOICE. Enrapt in reverie I heard as if I vaguely dreamed A strange sweet melody — Nevada's voice it almost seemed. "Fair love — sweet love — dear love" — Was what I could of it construe. When lo, a turtle dove Had called his mate as if to woo, "Oh turtle dove just coo; Thy song indeed is very choice — A compliment is due, Yet sweeter is Nevada's voice." THE DEW-DROP, OR NEVADA'S TEAR OP RAPTURE. "Oh sparkling little dew-drop Whence thy bewitching daze That makes my heart to greet thee And gives me such a craze? "Whence all thy sparkling beauty That is in thee displayed? Whence this thy glowing glory Wherewith thou art arrayed ?" 19 "Nevada shed some rapture To greet the dawn of day — She parted with a tear drop Whence conies my sparkhng ray.'* "Thou emulating- jewel, Resplendent in the sun, Nevada's deed is truely I^ove's radiance begun." ***** THK ITKAVING WAVE, OR NEVADA'S BOSOM, I stood ui)on the ocean strand, My thought was at the waves' command; Inquisitively I implored What for my heart the waves adored. "Oh heaving wave of restless sea What poetry hast thou for me Which gives mo such sweet ecstacy Quite like a waking memory?" "Nevada stood upon my strand, Her knight's fair ship approached the land, Her heaving bosom rose and fell By which sweet grace I have this spell." "Oh troubled sea be soothed and calm, Thy surging waves no more can harm: My ship is anchored safe at last. Thy tale 's a memoir of the past." SNOW, OR NEVADA'S MANTILE. The earth was hidden quite from view- All covered up with snow; Of poetry this bare a cue, And I of needs must know. 20 "Hey! mountain peak, ho! valley deep, Hello! ye stretching- plains. TVhere are ye? Are ye gone to sleep Like one who all disdains?" "Nevada cast her mantle off And spread it o'er the earth; And no one can at us now scoff Who knoweth of its worth. "'The clouds to envy are provoked; • The trees all vainly frown: In purity we are enrobed YV^ithin Nevada's gown." "'Nevada only shed her g-own To be enrobed anew And honor me with her renown More splendidly than you." ***** ECHO, OR NEVADA'S SYMPATHY. When I was a child I can fully well remember * How T often loved to scamper Over pastures wild. How I'd shout and sing Or would make all kinds of noises- — Mystified how strange my voices Made the echoes ring. Oh how sweet the joy That some myth should be respecting— The delightful shout reflecting Of a little boy. Thus my poetry — How I joyously regard her Since I whispered to Nevada What I hope to be. 21 How with odds I'd cope: Told Nevada of my yearning, Hoping she would not he spurning All my fondest hope. Aye, her sympathy Echoed back my aspiration With a glad'ning admiration, Bringing joy to me. CYPREPEDIUMS, OR NEVADA'S FEET. *'Oh dainty form of rythmic grace, What goddess hath ascended Above the earthly graveled ways To fly, on wings extended, 'To worlds unknown of heights undreamed — This humble earth e'er spurning: From all the pain of care redeemed; Above all anxious yearning, ^'That now I here find yet intact Her graceful dainty slipper. Oh could I've only seen the act When pow'r from heaven did grip her." "Oh foolish dreamer to concieve That gods from earth were banished. *Twould make the heart of nature grieve If gods hence ever vanished, 'This day a lesson you shall learn If you will heed our warning: The gods this earth least never spurn — We are the gods' adorning. *'Nevada>ijio^ close by our side, Her feet were tripping sweetly; We fain would have her here abide And greeted her discreetly: 22 "We stooped, embraced Nevada's feet; She from our fold withdrew them: We thus retain their form complete — The miracle came through them.' "Oh floral fold, fore'er adorn The path Nevada founded. That all the hosts of maidens born May trip where e'er she bounded." Explanatory Note Many readers assume at a glance that these verses are written for the glorification of the state of Nevada, which is an error as I have chosen this name as authors chose names for their heroes or heroines. The state of Nevada was named after the mountains of Nevada, and so was the river that drains their slopes; but the mountains were so named because they are crowned with perpetual snow. Ne\ada is a Spanish term for snow and snow in poetry is a posy for purity. My theme being to glorify the feminine virtues and in selecting a name for my heroine, the relative similitude, so evident once this term is generally understood, is what appealed to my fervor. Readers may find themselves at a loss to fol- low the narrative trend by failing to grasp the strict notation (quotations in particular) by which alone the play of characters is determined; as I have saved on printer's ink, assuming that the tone of every quotation is as evident to the reader as if one were listening to different voices. As a reader I often wished that authors were not so prodigal with explanations that were gen- erally understood or went without saying: It is thus^ I offer the- gist -of the Grist without the Chaff. GEORGtE^K^iJt^R DeEONG. 23 r^^ x.^ Other Books by the Same Author The •'Pathos of Song" and other Poems, size 7x5 inches, forty pages, thirty themes, neatly bound with paper covers and stamped in gilt, sent postage prepaid for 25 cents. The "Pathos of Song," now in its third edition, is sequeled by "The Arm Most Strong" and other Poems, larger in size than "The Pathos of Song," but only 25 cents, or both books for 50 cents. Address all orders to G. K. DeLong, 5 38 Gordon Street, AUentown, Pa. Note — "ThePathos of Song and Other Poems*»~ was first published in 1905. I did not publish until I had assurance from the erudite that my work was acceptably meritorious. The MS was passed upon by the local high school principal and the "Town and Country" editor, who became inter- ested after I had contributed to the local papers. The following letters show how the book was re- ceived when it came off the press. Note that at the time of first publishing, 1905, I was a cHizen of Pennsburg, Pa., but now, 1916, I live in Allen- town. Pa. Credentials From The Erudite "The Pathos of Song" deserves the close at- tention of all lovers of poetry, as all of its offer- ings are replete with ennobling thoughts and beautiful sentiments touching real life. While not all of the poems deserve equal merit, "Passion's Dream'' (P.- 34) shows the work of a master who has drunken'deeply at the foun- tain of the muse." ^''Towrt&' Country." 2^ By a Popular Lutheran IVIinistcr. "In publishing this collection of your poems you have rendered important service to the rising- generation and the community at large. May your book have a large sale. Respectfully yours. Rev. O. F. Waage, * * T): * * By Pastor St. Mark's Church, Pennsburg. "I have read "The Pathos of Song," which is a volume of interesting gems of thought from life in beautiful rhyme. The strength of the com- position lies in the fact that the author does not present the fanciful and imaginary only but deals with the real, which is the interpretation of his wide experience with humanity. The work is acceptable and deserves recogni- tion. I therefore recommend it to the public very heartily." Rev. William U. Kistler. ***** By Father of Orphans' Home. "The orphans w^ill appreciate the gift (The Pathos of Song) very much." Rev. J. W. Raker. ***** By Pastor of Xew Goshenhoppen Ref. Church. "I carefully read The Pathos of Song and Other Poems, and was highly pleased. The compositions show not only rhyme and rythm but genuine poetry. Running all through the verses you feel beating a poet's breast. It is indeed remarkable, I almost said mirac- ulous, that a young man with very limited edu- cational facilities should gain proficiency to write such verses. 'The Pathos of Song and Other Poems' should find its way into every Pennsylvania German home, not only because the author deserves our kindliest encouragement, but also because these poems flow out of the common life of his people." Rev. Calvin M. DeLong. 26 By Pastor of Pcnnsburg Reformed Church. "I sincerely think the volume of poetry, "The Pathos of Song-," has the true ring of the risingr poet. "In its pages one can at once see a lover of nature's God and of his fellowmen. This, I think, is the essence of the true poet." Rea. Geo. IV.. Lutz. Reading Telegram. " 'The Pathos of Song,' the slDirit of his poetry is poetical; his sentiment is clean and uplifting^ and no one can read his verses without feeling better and more cheerful." ***** By an Institutional Paper "This little volume is meeting with a cheerful, welcome wherever it is being read." O^phaiCs Home Paper, Topton. ***** By Evangelical IMinister, "I have read 'The Pathos of Song' with much interest and profit." Rev. N. L. Bechtet. ***** Introduction to "The Arm Most Strong and Other Poems." By Prof. 31. N. Huttel. A budding genius appeared before the public a year ago when "The Pathos of Song" was launched, and various criticisms were made, many adverse, but others favorable. The latter came as a spur to the author George Keller DeLong, and induced him to make greater effort to please and to merit the approval of that portion of humanity that believes in the uplifting of the masses through the means of ennobling thought pre- sented in pleasing language. 27 "The Arm Most Strong and Other Poems," 'Comprises some of the earlier efforts of the author •as well as some of the latest, and is ready for perusal. In some of the minor poems of this volume refined sentiments a well as wonderful flights of imagination are shown, while "The Arm Most Stfong" displays a scope of thought and a familiarity with the varied phases of nature and prove beyohd doubt that the author has the real poetic temperament and spirit. The poem, when subjected to the test of rule and measure, merits favorable criticism. The meter is uniform and well nigh perfect the rhyme is slighly forced in several instances and while the mind of the reader may carp at the defect, it takes the mind of the poetic gemus to improve; the lines are easy flow- ing and rhythmic, so that all told, "The Arm Most Strong" will afford pleasure to all who peruse it. And if the sense of pleasure is aroused, the senti- ments will work ultimate goood to those who de- light in their charms. "Without entering into an analysis of every individual poem included in the work, suffice it to say: That all display the utmost care on the part of the author. His alliterations and his line and double rhymes are very attractive. That the popular chord has been struck by the Author was shown by the large demand for "The Pathos of Song." "The Arm Most Strong" has a greater mission and should have a. larger field of circulation. The people of our community may well hail with delight the products emanating from the pen of the author who has grown up in their midst and is one of them in their hopes, their fears, their labors, their joys and their suf- ferings, and who stands apart to render to his fel- low man the noble service of raising all to a higher plane of thought, so that they may enjoy with keener sense and serve more acceptably in the various spheres allotted to them. M. N, Huitd, 2S