,-^^ -p '•^/. v^ \' , ^ ■.'^* •0^ v' s^%, 1 'p ^/'.>%#'^';^. ,# 0' xV ,P^ ,' 'o. .0- - J. '^ I, - ^ .0 o. v ^ ' O'^j* ^ ^ ' ^ "^. ^J> .ot . . '• 'JvJ li-" « ,- ^ * -^ ► . 0^ ,0 x<^^ % /' •*• .^- "^^^ ,0 o^ .«^J1^^%v, Songs of Seventy — Secotid Series ALMONT BARNES, LL.R, Author of Elysian Fields HAMILTON ADAMS, Publisher WASHINGTON M C M V ■V. ■/- LIBRARY of CONGRESS Two Coplet Received NOV 29 1905 j.,^ Copyright Entry 7c-#i^. SL9. /9er*cracft, Bitingulsbe^ in a ^eeper blacft; [11] ONE SUMMER DAY Hub storm^smit pines fn struogling lines Iboarse roareb along tbetr Hpenntnes, Hs tbrougb tbem, sbet) ftom overbear, Ube riverp rain^reel? rioteb; anO bnrr^lng clouds fn bu&Ming crowds dfleb, tatters tracing trom tbett sbrou&St IKnbile flasb, an^ roar, Hnb fierce bownpour, /IDa^e eartb tbe tempest's tbresbing floor. [12] t^t (JlomBow C^e (RatnBow HE rain raineb b^— Ube storm's last sigb Ceaset) lifte an enbeb litany. Cloub^tanaleD trees Xett to tbe breese Ubeir raoQeb remnant legacies ®t linaerinQ mist, IRelease^, sun*ftisse& Zo vaaue an& vapory? ametbpst. [14] ONE SUMMER DAY (Ileare^ cbeerfl^, H bluer brigbtness in its ei?c, IMlbile eastwar& gone Ube clou&s tolled on, Grumbling along tbe borison. But life founb wings, Mitb twitterings, Hn&, bark!— tbe bome^near robin sings ! Hnt) golbenl^. Clear, measured, tree, Ube forest tbrusb's minstrelsy? [15] ONE SUMMER DAY Gave to tbe woo& f ts vocal mooO, Unt> cbeeret) tbe soul ot solitude, HnD everi^wbere Ube tresbenet) air Bore blessebness ot answere& prai^er; Bartb's buman broot) ifrom plenitude ©t sbelter out to IFlature stoo^, Hut) bopetuU^ Hcross tbe sft^ ^Heaven's sun eartb's rainbow ftfsset) gooC)*bpe. [16] (Retnimecenf of ^untB (getnini0cen( of ^Mnce ^^^^ NCE on an evening such as this, f^^l^' Beneath this friendly maple shade We, hand in hand, in troubled bliss Together slow and silent strayed. I think you thought what I must say, And you took not your hand away. My voice held something for you then, Beside the voice of other men. You let me hold you, hold you fast — Was it for better, or for worse? Beyond the moonlit path we passed ; I won your kisses' sweetest curse. All this to me you once made seem A sweet dream in a bitter dream. The night looked down upon us there; I saw as if I saw it not, [18] REMINISCENT OF JUNES For one thing more than all was fair — You, whom I loved more than we thought. Through rifts of leaves the moonlight fell Upon your face, beloved well. I kissed it with a fervor true ; And was it wrong I said to you All that I said, 'twas wrong to feel All that I felt, more than I said : But yet from that was no appeal. When the last trumpet shakes the dead May I not rise, if of desire Of mine you set my heart afire. Still summer night, and peaceful skies. And river touched with dusk and gleam Of night and stars, beyond you lies The heaven of which peace may dream ; But not for me at any cost That rest, while what was lost was lost. Beneath these maples' annual shade I must remember how we strayed 119] REMINISCENT OF JUNES Here, and betrayed with one long kiss Our souls, to sorrow it may be. Which yet had retrospect of bliss Better than other heaven to me. That lacks the old consent divine Which made you for a moment mine. The year which held our troubled bliss Went moaning, like a soul in pain. Out of the world. We had learned this: Love. We need never learn again. But I said, she shall feel no wrong For love's sake — I will suffer long Ere I bring shadow on her soul Who gives me all things but the whole. And thinking thus, again we strayed One night beneath this maple tree. You know the offer that you made? You said: "Write love's one song for me — f20] REMINISCENT OF JUNES You taught me this, win hope in this " — You warmed to life our year-old kiss ! The sun drew from lone Memnon's lips Th' eternal music of the morn — On granite, silent, in eclipse, Light smote, and melody was born: But can your brightness from me bring A worthy, joy-born offering? Yet from my lips, touched by yours, take Such music as such love can make: [21] ^ong jEFORE me lies a calm and quiet bay. Enshrining many flower-scented islands, And o'er the waves the murmuring ripples play In sunshine, or the shadow of green high- lands. I watch the sails, soft swelling in the wind ; I watch the move of the mysterious river ; I watch some foamy wake, dying behind : Life, and the Stream of Life, for aye and ever! I have a boat, a neat and handsome craft, With new strong sails, and dainty pen- nons flowing. And she is rigged both forward and abaft To court the softest breeze that e'er went blowing ; [22] REMINISCENT OF JUNES But trim and gallant, she can breast a storm, Can ride the billow in life's wintry weather. And she hath cabins fairy -like and warm : Come, love — should we not sail Life's voyage together? Come to the cabin — whisper as a lute The word for which my life awaiting yearneth. My heart stands still with hope, ardent but mute, And one from look and tone quick lessons learneth. Those were enough. If thou hadst an- swered no. And bid me wander on, to thee a stranger. Even the tone would hold me here below, But leave my ship a chartless billow ranger. f23J REMINISCENT OF JUNES O noble Ship of Life, I am a god — My cabin is my heaven; there be my angel. At the inner shrine no feet but ours have trod — There thou shalt read to me the heart's evangel. Let him who dares the silken curtain move, To cheat one love-glance from thine eye of beauty. Or seek to dim the brightness of thy love. Thy glance shall teach him shame, thy anger duty! Upon some bright and sun-sought summer morn, Before the dawnlight wakes upon the water. While hangs upon the new moon's silver horn [24] REMINISCENT OF JUNES A bright young star, chaste Dian's only daughter ; A little hand shall wake thee from thy sleep, A voice shall call to thee, but not in sad- ness, And while the star and crescent find the deep, Ye shall arise in glory and in gladness; And when I turn me from my watch above, And leave the stars dissolving in the ether, To kiss the slumber from thine eyelids, love. And find two glorious morns have dawned, together, O Queen of Soul, there may I praise, with thee. That guidest heavenward little feet soft pressing, [25] REMINISCENT OF JUNES The ruler of a happy destiny Which crowneth love with its all-crown- ing blessing ! Again the moon from crescent grows To fulness, and the river bright In stars beneath it. Give the rose Your lips are, for our pure delight Of life in all the coming years, That peace may shine, where first were tears. [26] TQPooinge of (^t TCPtnb (^ootng0 of tU (S^inb ^^k| maiden lay 'neath the rustling ^1 trees, All dreamily lay there, And fitfully the southern breeze Was lifting her loosened hair. It stooped to her brow with a balmy salute, And the maiden smiled, but still was mute. It stole to her bosom, then back to her lips, And scattered blush roses all over her cheek ; It brushed a tear from her eyelash tips Ere the maid to the breeze would speak. Maiden. Whence comest thou, toying wanton? Wind. From the South. Maiden. What wilt thou? [281 WOOINGS OF THE WIND Wind. Fifty kisses from thy mouth. Maiden. And what wilt thou if I will give thee kisses? Wind. Ask fifty more of fifty other Misses. Maiden. What then? Wind. I'll haste toward the rising sun, And warm a cold heart on Mount Washing- ton. Maiden. Where has thou been, sweet wanderer of the South? Wind. Where have I been? O'er every maiden's mouth From Mexico to this the Old Dominion, [29] WOOINGS OF THE WIND And I've a thousand kisses on each pinion. The passion hearted 'neath these passion skies Have given me kisses, some have given sighs; * Kisses to melt and sighs to keep that melted Which stands upon the mountain, snowy belted. Through all the Southern Land, from lake to ocean, I've stolen lovers' heart-throbs for my mo- tion. I've lain upon the Creole maiden's breast And warmed me with her tenderest thoughts, and rest Has never held me but when I might lie Bathed in the warmth of some heart's Italy. Perfume and sunshine, many a failing breath That wandered when young hearts were wedding death; [301 WOOINGS OF THE WIND Kisses from lips that kissing scarcely met; Kisses from brides with swooning eyes tear- wet; Warmth from all hearts that ever beat for love; Passion from claspings seen but from above — All these are mine; and I will melt that One Who stands so cold upon Mount Washing- ton. Maiden, Who is this One, who thus, while Summer lies Warm over all beneath the Southern skies. Stands on the mountain glittering with day ? He cannot turn from thy hot breath away. Tell me his name, and I will give my heart, My love, to bear in thy warm wooings part. I'll give thee sighs, the heat of dropping tears, [31) WOOINGS OF THE WIND The moon-watched longings of my maiden years. All that can ever twine itself with youth. If thou his name wilt tell to me in truth. Wind. Well, swear to me by all that thou hast wanted. To keep the name, when I thy wish have granted. And while thou givest all thou can'st to me I'll tell the name of him I love to thee. But kiss a ripple of thy spicy hair And give the oath. Maiden, Do'st doubt me? Well, I swear! Wind. And thus I tell thee: On Mount Washing- ton, Far to the North, where colder shines the sun, [321 WOOINGS OF THE WIND I crept all shivering, the other day, For I had wandered far in venturous play. And there, above a dark and frowning cliff With rock-strewn base, and peak like Tene- riffe, Stood a grand being. On his mighty brow He wore a cap or crest as white as snow. That glistened like a myriad of stars; And ever from between his helmet bars His steady eyes gazed, wonderous and bold. Towards the South — and oh, how cold ! how cold! He bore no spear, but in one hand he clasped A branchless pine, half splintered by the blast, And in the other held he up to view A crown bediamonded with starry dew ; And deep within were words of frozen flame: [33] WOOINGS OF THE WIND I read — he smiled. The Ice King is his name! Maiden. Ah ! What wilt thou with this cold-hearted king. Who sits enthroned on Winter's ruining? Wilt breathe on him the summer of thy breath? He'll chill thee with a touch, as cold as death. Or couldst thou woo him from his regal throne. That regal is but while he rules alone, Thou wouldst not love him, for he would not be The mighty monarch thou hast told to me. Thy kiss would melt the splendor of his crown ; Thy passion steal majesty from his frown — Weaken the grasp that rivets on the North [34] WOOINGS OF THE WIND The frozen glory which his breath sends forth 0*er all her thousand bright and sparkling streams. Binding a double slumber o'er their dreams. A few there are, and such we sometimes see, Enthroned upon their own nobility. Such never love, save in that higher sphere Where not too oft an equal doth appear — Alone, but proud in being thus alone, To sway the realm whose lustre is their own. If gods would mingle with a mortal throng Few would acknowledge them as gods, ere- long; And strongest does their will upon us bind When separate most they are from all man- kind. Wind. What then is Love ? [351 WOOINGS OF THE WIND Maiden. What no one word hath spoken — The surge of sap that is the blood of Spring, Through Sun-glow that somewhere is never broken Since Life with soul to soar, had blood to sting. How can I breathe what Love is, when its passion Is more than I — aye, more than all of me ; More than I ever was or can be; fashion Of wedded force divine — He that is She ! For Life is born of Love ; and when Life, riven By fragment perishes, and is forgot, By fragment saved in some restoring heaven, Love will keep all, as if our lives were not. Love is the saneness that preserves who doubt it; [36] WOOINGS OF THE WIND In us outlives its loan, of little store, So that we cannot live nor die without it; For our Always is Love's Forevermore. Wind. But, ask the bulbul why it singeth only Its sweetest song where its one rose doth bloom, And among other flowers pineth lonely, Like wandering spirits that have lost the tomb. Can love bear incense to a pure heart-shrine To mock it, and to sadden it by passing? No— and its sweetest treasures must be mine If innocence remains with love's amass- ing. Maiden. Woo or be wooed — and thou will learn, be- side : Love most immortal is when most unsatis- fied. [37] &attB of (J^tet (Pefrain— ^un0e( HI^^SAST 'round me lies the great World 1*^£^ like a ring; And on its thither edge the half-hid Sun, Set in the midst of amethystine clouds, Heaven's one immortal diamond, gleams and flames ! [391 .0^ ^-■:^/'".^ .-""■ '- \^^ "^^^ ./^- ' .0 ---. J -v .V ■ '. 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