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FROM THE LAST TO THE FIRST 
 
 A Collection of Beautiful Poems, 
 
 Descriptive of Gems in 
 
 America and Europe 
 
 by 
 A. W. WERN 
 
 ILLUSTRATED 
 
 Glass Book Binding Co. 
 
 Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 1913 
 
< 
 
 T*1 
 
 Copyright, 1913 
 
 BY 
 
 AUGUST W. WERN 
 
 ©CU351269 
 
*> 
 
 this volume is 
 Lovingly Dedicated 
 
 to my Grandson 
 Andrew W. Wern 
 
 by the Author 
 
I N D EIX 
 
 PART 
 
 PAGE 
 
 From the Last to the First 13 
 
 California Pioneers of Early Days Crossing the Plains 14 
 
 View Point 27 
 
 Santa Barbara 29 
 
 A Search 30 
 
 Life's Attitude Towards Spring 31 
 
 Yellowstone Park 32 
 
 Hawaiian Islands 33 
 
 Columbia River 34 
 
 Retrospection at the Seaside 36 
 
 To My Love at Santa Catalina Island 37 
 
 Retrospection 38 
 
 Wawona 39 
 
 Rubicon Springs near Lake Tahoe 40 
 
 Winter's Approach 42 
 
 Grand Canyon 43 
 
 No Winter in Los Angeles 44 
 
 Love Greetings from the Pioneers of Los Angeles 46 
 
 Soul's Inspiration 47 
 
 Heaven Within 49 
 
 Shasta Springs 49 
 
 Dedicated to the Pioneers of Alaska 51 
 
 Lake Shawnigan, B. C 53 
 
 PART II. 
 
 A Legendary Romance 57 
 
 Drifting 62 
 
 Rhine, Germany 63 
 
 On Meeting Two Lady Friends at Florence, Italy 65 
 
PAGE 
 
 To Lovely Tyrol 66 
 
 Tribute to Norge 67 
 
 Farval Sverige 68 
 
 Heidelberg Castle 69 
 
 Munchen Hofbrau 70 
 
 My Birthplace 71 
 
 A Bob-sled Ride in Switzerland 72 
 
 On Isle of Mainau at 12 P. M 73 
 
 On Receiving Death Notice and Picture of a Friend 
 
 at Weisbaden 74 
 
 Tribute to Switzerland 75 
 
 At Eventide 76 
 
 Garda See 77 
 
 Montreux, Switzerland 79 
 
 Lake Leman 79 
 
 Going Home from Schuetzen Test 81 
 
 Absence 82 
 
 Berlin, Germany 82 
 
 Nero Berg, Sunday Morning 83 
 
 Strassburg 83 
 
 In the Forest near Kannstatt 84 
 
 Meran, Tyrol 84 
 
 Nuremberg 85 
 
 Bonn, Beethoven's Birthplace 86 
 
 Near Eppstein 86 
 
 Lines Written in an Album 87 
 
 During a Storm 88 
 
 Bozen, Tyrol 89 
 
 Morning at Lugano 89 
 
 The Saltner in Tyroler Vineyards 90 
 
 Chiming Bells at Altburg 90 
 
 London 9 
 
 Vesuvius !...' 91 
 
 Fuerst Bismark . 92 
 
 Cordoba, Mexico 93 
 
PART III. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Dialogue or Semi-Cantata, When Interspersed with 
 
 Songs Suitable for Floral Festivals 97 
 
 Life's Journey 104 
 
 Silver Wedding Greeting 106 
 
 Migrating Birds that Come to the Fount and Food 
 
 Basket near My Window 107 
 
 Life's Mystery 109 
 
 To My Children Abroad 110 
 
 Mocking Bird Ill 
 
 Soul's Soliloquy 112 
 
 Bon Voyage 113 
 
 My Christmas Mirth 114 
 
 Sun God 115 
 
 Soul's Temple 117 
 
 My Rose Kinship 119 
 
 Golden Wedding Greeting 121 
 
 Song 122 
 
 Birthday Ring to Cordelia 123 
 
 The New Camp Ground 123 
 
 The Pansy 12 4 
 
 Love's Promptings 12 5 
 
 Wealth for All in Common 125 
 
 Congratulations on Betrothal 127 
 
 Home, Sweet Home 12 8 
 
 Salute to Pre-eminence of Age 130 
 
 Imitation 131 
 
 My Heaven - 132 
 
 Epitaph for Cordelia's Little Kitten 134 
 
 Only My Photo : 135 
 
 Trust in God 136 
 
 Our Matrimonial Companionship 137 
 
 Eulogy to Charles James Ellis, Founder of the Ellis 
 
 Club 138 
 
 Tribute to Sister Conant's Ninetieth Birthday 139 
 
PAGE 
 
 Absent One 140 
 
 A Confession 140 
 
 Cordelia and Grandpa , 141 
 
 Gold 142 
 
 Boutonniere 142 
 
 To Baby Andrew 143 
 
 Poinsettia 143 
 
 My Dream 14 4 
 
 The Waukesha Girl 146 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 August W. Wern Frontispiece I 
 
 Starting for California 14 
 
 Crossing a Stream 16 ^ 
 
 A Buffalo Chase 18 
 
 Sliding Over Boulders 21: 
 
 Attack by Indians 22 v 
 
 Scene on the Nevada Desert 25 
 
 Entering California 26 <- 
 
 Crater Oblong Geyser, Yellowstone Park 32 
 
 Leaving Honolulu 34 * 
 
 Going Down the Trail, Grand Canyon 43 
 
 Mirror Lake, Yosemite 4? v 
 
 As thy near slave, I, Prince Blitzstrahl 57 - 
 
 And with one mighty, lightning dart 61 * 
 
 Statu of Ole Bull 67 
 
 My Birthplace 71 
 
 Bob-sled Ride in Switzerland 73^ 
 
 Lake Leman 79 V 
 
 Eiserne Jungfrau 85 ^ 
 
 Street in Bozen 89 
 
 Cordoba, Mexico 93 • 
 
 Grandpa and Cordelia 141 ^ 
 
Prelude 
 
 FROM THE LAST TO THE FIRST 
 
FROM THE LAST TO THE FIRST 
 
 Die Wanderlust when scarce eighteen 
 
 Filled me with romance glow, 
 Not twenty miles extent I'd seen 
 
 And little did I know. 
 With a desire to learn and have a chance, 
 I chose a freedom-land for my advance. 
 
 With knapsack on my back, I bade 
 
 Dear pa and ma adieu, 
 And with some knowledge of a trade 
 
 Of making boot and shoe, 
 I left my home with thoughts far, far away 
 America to reach by land and sea. 
 
 On reaching shore and ships ahoy, 
 
 With sails and masts sky-high, 
 I went aboard as cabin boy 
 
 The Captain to supply; 
 And thus I sailed across the briny deep, 
 More knowledge of the wide world's ways to reap. 
 
 We came to land in sixty days 
 
 Where wonders new I found. 
 I heard them talk and watched their ways, 
 
 Strange did the English sound; 
 Met with reverses, oft with love and smile, 
 To all of which became I reconciled. 
 
 I now and then think of the past 
 
 Where'er my soul hath roamed, 
 And look with pride up from the last 
 
 To my first book of poems; 
 But brighter visions see I toward the fore 
 To which past thoughts are but the open door. 
 
 13 
 
CALIFORNIA PIONEERS OF EARLY DAYS 
 CROSSING THE PLAINS. 
 
 Many a youth left home and friend 
 
 To pioneer a distant land, 
 
 With fortitude and buoyant hope, 
 
 With perils and dangers dread to cope; 
 
 To seek their fortunes away out west, 
 
 And pass o'er plain and mountain crest, 
 
 E'en wives and children left behind 
 
 By men who sought the gold to find. 
 
 With saddened hearts they bade farewell. 
 
 When they should meet, no one could tell. 
 
 Through all their dire vicissitude 
 
 They passed with double fortitude 
 
 That spurred them on when thoughts were near 
 
 Their loving wives and children dear. 
 
 In preparation for all need, 
 
 They gave their best and careful heed ; 
 
 Took prairie schooner, ox and horse, 
 
 Tents, blankets, food — all in its course. 
 
 For armor, guns and bowieknife, 
 
 In case they met a foe in strife, 
 
 Or for protection 'gainst wild beast 
 
 That oft afforded them a feast 
 
 And 'gainst the poisoned arrow darts 
 
 That savages aimed at their hearts. 
 
 14 
 
They started early in the spring 
 When meadow larks were caroling; 
 They had no guide to show the way, 
 But took their chance at close of day, 
 To find a camp with grass and water 
 Each his own host, cook, maid and porter, 
 Though mostly beans and bacon straight 
 They oft replenished their tin plate. 
 The dining-rooms were all out doors, 
 And bedrooms had but nature's floors 
 From which the pebbles ne'er were swept. 
 Yet, oh! how sweetly they most slept 
 Until the guard would sometimes shout, 
 "Boys, boys, the redskins are about!" 
 Their prompt attack would soon disperse 
 All but a few who without hearse 
 Were left for wolves' and buzzards' feast 
 And other carnivorous beast. 
 
 15 
 
They trudged along o'er unmade road, 
 Oft through deep sand or slimy mud, 
 Until there was a stream to cross, 
 No bridge nor ferry for their use; 
 The wagon beds corked with some cloth 
 To their emergency then rose, 
 On which load after load was towed, 
 Until all on yonder side up rode. 
 
 The rolling prairies while in bloom 
 
 Did oft their weary sense illume, 
 
 And when all passed without mishap, 
 
 They would indulge in dancing step. 
 
 Sometimes dark clouds would o'er them come, 
 
 And cast the night in dismal gloom, 
 
 While in their tents in peaceful sleep, 
 
 Dark threatening clouds would o'er them creep; 
 
 With lightning's flash and thunder's roar, 
 
 Large hail and rain would on them pour; 
 
 The tempest in its fury grow, 
 
 And tents almost to ribbons blow. 
 
 The hail beat down with gunspeed force, 
 
 16 
 
And pelted man and fast-tied horse, 
 That would break loose and then stampede 
 O'er rocks and hills to distant mead, 
 Where, after searching all one day, 
 They found them rollicking at play. 
 The caravan restored and dry 
 Moved on in patched-up livery. 
 A number of streams ran in their way, 
 Which they passed o'er with some delay. 
 
 17 
 
Next to the bison land they come, 
 
 That o'er the hills by thousands roam, 
 
 With shaggy mane and stubbed horn; 
 
 "To die," says hunter, "they were born." 
 
 They let the caravan pass on, 
 
 In fact its presence they would shun, 
 
 Unless stampeded by a foe, 
 
 Then great the danger that all know. 
 
 For they will rush on caravan, 
 
 Unless they're turned by skilful man. 
 
 Soon other troubles did await 
 
 The pioneers, enduring fate. 
 
 Of what they now did most desire 
 
 Was some dry fuel for a fire; 
 
 They soon removed that dire eclipse 
 
 And used for fuel dry buffalo chips, 
 
 Which cooked their beans and antelope stew 
 
 And gave them tres bon flavor too. 
 
 18 
 
To hardship they became inured, 
 Did need no doctors to get cured. 
 Some with their tents did oft dispense, 
 And give the blue sky preference; 
 And let the stars their vigil keep 
 O'er them while they in dreamland sleep, 
 Sometimes near by a rippling stream 
 That lulled them in a happy dream 
 From which they sometimes would awake 
 And out their bed a scorpion shake. 
 
 19 
 
Onward their tired teams they urge, 
 
 And soon they reach the mountain verge; 
 
 The Rockies loom up to the sky 
 
 In their majestic dignity 
 
 That they admire with a deep sigh 
 
 And wished they'd passed its grandeur by. 
 
 No guide posts there nor graded road 
 
 O'er which to pull the heavy load, 
 
 But boulders large and canyons deep 
 
 And many ascents rough and steep ; 
 
 Yet oft they pass a lovely dell 
 
 Where they are tempted e'er to dwell, 
 
 Fish, fowl and game quite plentiful 
 
 And scenery grand and beautiful. 
 
 Ah! what a vista from the summit — 
 
 Words are inadequate to name it. 
 
 The mountain peaks at morning's sun 
 
 Oft most divine to look upon, 
 
 And then the shimmering sun at eve 
 
 Would flower gardens interweave 
 
 With all the beauty — rose's tint — 
 
 That on some souls left its imprint. 
 
 20 
 
But scenery was not their great aim, 
 Nor in fine art sought they their fame ; 
 Onward they must o'er rock and river 
 To reach the coast before November. 
 Up to the summit was a struggle, 
 Sometimes the teams had to pull double; 
 Oft on flat boulders, downward trip, 
 Both team and wagon badly slip, 
 Then without team and wheels all tied 
 They let the wagons o'er them slide, 
 Their sympathy cut to the core 
 To see the teams getting footsore, 
 While blacksmith's work to most was new 
 Yet they soon learned to nail on shoe. 
 Again they got on level land, 
 With greasewood, sagebrush without end; 
 Dry grass, poor water all about, 
 The teams began to get fagged out. 
 Some wheels shrank up and lost the tires, 
 The wagons then made good camp fires. 
 Their blankets and what food they had 
 They put on saddles roughly made, 
 And thus they moved on with the rest, 
 For none could travel very fast. 
 
 21 
 
Soon gruesome visions met the eye, 
 
 As they dead carcasses passed by 
 
 Of horses, cattle on each side, 
 
 The buzzards picked off flesh and hide. 
 
 Now and then a board stuck up 
 
 That signified a bitter cup: 
 
 It marked the grave of some dear one 
 
 Who passed from wilds to the beyond. 
 
 No message sent nor came from home, 
 
 All for a time lived in a tomb. 
 
 The express on a foaming steed 
 
 With lightning dash would past them speed. 
 
 No message could they give or take, 
 
 Their speed they dared not slack or break. 
 
 Through all their dangerous career, 
 
 Not oft would any one demur; 
 
 New strength they gained when danger near 
 
 And e'er more courage, never fear. 
 
 They saw a future new and bright 
 
 22 
 
That raised their hopes and made toil light, 
 
 Still other obstacles appear 
 
 That try the dauntless pioneer. 
 
 Large desert, without grass or water, 
 
 That they must cross and never falter, 
 
 Oft in the night, for on hot days 
 
 The sun's intensely burning rays 
 
 Like fiery furnace molting heat 
 
 Would on them like a death-blow beat. 
 
 Sometimes they followed a delusion 
 
 When mirage caused them dire confusion. 
 
 Some knew they saw a real, blue lake 
 
 Alas! that they could ne'er o'ertake; 
 
 The water that they sometimes found 
 
 Was oft a poisonous compound 
 
 That took more teams from out their rank 
 
 And left a sad and doleful blank. 
 
 Though many a one now lost his all, 
 
 But friendship did not let him fall. 
 
 The pioneer pre-eminent 
 
 With love and true benevolence, 
 
 Will share his food, his bed and all 
 
 And thus obey his soul's best call. 
 
 23 
 
Some now on nearing settlement 
 
 Quickly to reach a town were bent. 
 
 They crossed the hills without a trail, 
 
 But in their effort some would fail, 
 
 Bewildered and of mind bereft, 
 
 Or killed by Indians, scalped and left; 
 
 And many a mother's heart has yearned 
 
 But nothing from her boy was learned. 
 
 The worst of all — a massacre. 
 
 From which none escaped that could convey 
 
 The horrors of a crime so black 
 
 That demons' pity would awake. 
 
 'Twas said that Indians did the deed, 
 
 With murderous white man in the lead. 
 
 24 
 

The deserts passed all tired and weary 
 They reach the base of mount Sierra, 
 That they must cross e'er snow doth fall, 
 For that might mean their funeral, 
 As was the case with some belated, 
 Whose sufferings were ne'er o'erratecL 
 But most of them pulled safely through 
 To valley green and pasture new, 
 Forgot their hardship' manifold 
 In land of sunshine, fruit and gold. 
 
 25 
 
The pioneers whom we all know 
 Will do their part where'er they go, 
 And reap the best from what they sow, 
 Though many a one has passed away, 
 Who for some others paved the way. 
 Let those permitted here to stay 
 Enjoy the fruits so dearly bought, 
 And ever hold the joyful thought: 
 Whate'er I've done, 'twas for the best, 
 God called on me, I stood the test, 
 And leave the balance to the rest. 
 
 26 
 

VIEW POINT. 
 From My Home, the Jolly Nohl. 
 
 On emerald carpet lawn I stand 
 
 With fragrant flowers near my feet ; 
 The roses with carnations blend 
 
 And all in joy the sunshine greet; 
 The hyacinths of every hue, 
 
 Their perfume fills the balmy air, 
 The lilies white and violets blue 
 
 Our hearts for love and peace prepare. 
 
 Mine eyes in turning toward the north 
 
 Behold the tree tops down below, 
 Like errant knights at stately court, 
 
 To royal sovereigns bend and bow 
 In full obedience to the breeze 
 
 That wafts from yonder ocean deep, 
 To which each leaflet on the trees 
 
 In tuneful harmony doth keep. 
 
 But hark! the meadow larks now sing 
 
 Their cheerful songs so fresh and sweet, 
 They're heralding an early spring, 
 
 And bid the winter to retreat; 
 And listen to the mocking bird, 
 
 He's caroling his minstrel lay, 
 That oft at midnight hours is heard, 
 
 Or on the glorious break of day. 
 
 Mine eyes again now in ascending 
 
 Behold a picture fresh and new. 
 That winter rains in their descending 
 
 To summer beauty freshly grew. 
 The hillside dotted here and there 
 
 With lovely homes 'mong shrubs and trees, 
 
 27 
 
And lawns, and flowers everywhere, 
 To cheer the birds and honey bees. 
 
 Now look beyond, above the vale, 
 
 Oh, (marvelous beauty! yet, so strange 
 That 'mid these flowers, winter's gale 
 
 Should clothe with snow yon mountain range, 
 Robed in grand garments like a bride 
 
 All white and pure from heaven above, 
 And mist-veiled cloudlets gently glide 
 
 From peak to peak o'er crag and cove. 
 
 Each moment there presents a view 
 
 Of mystic beauty, art sublime; 
 The vivid coloring e'er renew 
 
 When blending lights and shades combine. 
 Behold the sunbeams from the west, 
 
 In streams of brilliant golden hue, 
 They form a halo o'er the crest 
 
 Ere evening shades bid them adieu. 
 
 To this my higher visions ope, 
 
 And reach beyond what eyes can see. 
 With all this grandeur let me cope, 
 
 And fill my soul with ecstasy. 
 O thou sublime creative power, 
 
 Of marvelous beauty, love divine, 
 I'll drink my fill this blissful hour, 
 
 And let thy glory through me shine. 
 
 28 
 
SANTA BARBARA. 
 
 Hail, Princess of God's sacred throne, 
 
 Enshrined by woodland mountain heights, 
 
 I bow to thee, and gladly own 
 
 All homage to thy grace and might. 
 
 Thy name e'er sweet to memory, 
 O blessed Santa Barbara. 
 
 While listening to thy convent bells 
 From yonder consecrated tower, 
 
 And evening shades invade the cell, 
 My footsteps in this quiet hour 
 
 Pass slowly 'long the murmuring bay 
 Of peaceful Santa Barbara. 
 
 God's holy billows 'long the strand 
 Reach out to kiss thy loving feet, 
 
 And cast a glance at higher land 
 While lovingly they ever greet, 
 
 In Nature's tuneful melody, 
 Thee, sacred Santa Barbara. 
 
 Thy verdant vales 'mid rocks and rills, 
 Thy shrubs and trees and native bowers, 
 
 The atmosphere with fragrance fills 
 
 From million sweet and beauteous flowers 
 
 That decorate thee night and day, 
 O lovely Santa Barbara. 
 
 Endowed with all such beauties rare, 
 
 Thy subjects lovingly and true 
 Their strong alliance to thee swear 
 
 And gladly serve as retinue 
 A queen of nature's excellency, 
 
 O lovely Santa Barbara. 
 
 29 
 
A SEARCH 
 
 In thoughts I sometimes rove afar, 
 
 As if in dreams. 
 I ride a cloud, or brilliant star, 
 
 At least it seems 
 As if such chariots were made 
 
 Of mystic down, 
 And with ethereal gems inlaid, 
 
 Of great renown 
 And steering upward with my helm, 
 
 I enter in 
 A wonderful and distant realm, 
 
 And there begin 
 To search for that Omnipotent, 
 
 That we've been told 
 Dwells somewhere in the firmament, 
 
 On throne of gold. 
 
 But all my search I find in vain, 
 
 When I awake, 
 And all my waking thoughts regain, 
 
 See the mistake 
 Of searching in a far-off land, 
 
 To that we're kin, 
 For it ever near at hand. 
 
 He is within. 
 
 30 
 
LIFE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD SPRING 
 
 Hail, glorious springtime, nature's youth, 
 Thy brightest smiles now on us beam, 
 
 And fill with beauty, love and truth 
 All hearts that 'round thee intervene; 
 
 New life thou giv'st to plant and tree, 
 
 And fill'st the cup of youth for me. 
 
 The dewdrop pearls with sparkling bliss 
 
 Give moisture to the rose's life, 
 That like sweet nectar maidens kiss 
 
 Each leaflet happily doth sip; 
 There beauty thrills my heart with glee, 
 And fills the cup of youth for me. 
 
 The birds in joy renew their song 
 In gleeful tones and sweet refrain, 
 
 All like myself to God belong 
 And in their souls this love retain ; 
 
 The butterfly and honey bee 
 
 All fill the cup of youth for me. 
 
 Ne'er shall my life e'er rust or mold 
 
 But flux wtih ocean billow's tide ; 
 My love-filled heart can ne'er grow old, 
 
 While in youth's chariot I ride ; 
 And with the songsters ever sing 
 The notes of everlasting spring. 
 
 31 
 
YELLOWSTONE PARK. 
 
 A mystery for ages all unknown, 
 
 No written history has e'er been shown, 
 
 That cultured man past ages here did dwell 
 
 On Dante's horrible, infernal hell. 
 
 With threatening forces underneath their feet, 
 
 Filled with dense gases and tremendous heat, 
 
 That seethe and hiss like reptiles underneath, 
 
 Whose flaming breath escapes from throat and teeth, 
 
 Or comes like roaring thunder from its lair, 
 
 That sets the earth in tremor everywhere. 
 
 Yet all fear vanishes when near a sight 
 That fills the soul with wonder and delight, 
 To see the numerous geysers quickly rise 
 And force their sparkling waters to the skies; 
 And various colored springs, — green, gold and blue, 
 Some tranquil in their basins, some in brew; 
 Winding rivulets, some hot and others cold, 
 Flow gently, or like cascades sheer and bold; 
 Gorges, canyons, down which mighty rivers leap, 
 In foaming cataracts to the far deep. 
 
 The dark blue lake, the queen of all in height, 
 
 With tiny isles, a transcendental sight; 
 
 And in the distance Titan in command, 
 
 With silvery crown and magic wand in hand, 
 
 Who fills with joy Apollinese's spring, 
 
 'Round which the Indians oft did dance and sing, 
 
 Or from obsidian cliff made arrow-heads 
 
 That often sent their foes to peaceful beds. 
 
 Fierce wars 'mong men and beasts no longer reign, 
 None but the wolves and lions are here slain ; 
 
 32 
 
But bear, elk, antelope and lesser kind 
 Now live in harmony with all mankind. 
 The hand of man and artist's dextrous brush 
 Must stand aside and at their failure blush, 
 For nature's wonders, perfect and sublime, 
 Belong to God the architect divine. 
 
 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
 
 O beauteous Isles in midway sea, 
 Thou ocean gems of priceless pearls, 
 
 Where tepid rain and gentle breeze 
 Around thy vales and mountains curl, 
 
 And noontime sun of brightest gold 
 With brilliant light doth thee enfold. 
 
 The ocean gently meets thy strand 
 Through tangled moss and coral reefs, 
 
 And forms 'round thee a wedlock band 
 That doth to thee in friendship cleave 
 
 With placid billows, rolling in 
 Like children's play in rollicking. 
 
 All, all is calm as if at night 
 
 Life slumbered in its sweetest dream, 
 Or feared that old Kilauea might 
 
 Spit fire at the slightest scream; 
 And dusky natives are content 
 
 To live in just such element. 
 
 Aloha! wherewith they will greet 
 Their own or others on the way, 
 
 That in their rambling they may meet, 
 But would prefer the live-long day 
 
 33 
 
To slumber 'neath a banyan tree, 
 Or eat their poi near Waikiki. 
 
 Sweet pleasure through the woods to rove, 
 
 And listen to the mynah bird, 
 Or through the stately cocoanut grove, 
 
 Where urchins' chattering is heard, 
 Or pass through valley's vistas Eden 
 
 With fruits and flowers o'er laden. 
 
 When twilight's silvery moon appear, 
 
 And twinkling stars with brightness gleam, 
 
 Naught but the murmuring waves we hear. 
 'Tis then that near me angels seem 
 
 That smile on me, lull me to sleep 
 Within the cradle near the deep. 
 
 COLUMBIA RIVER. 
 
 Of all the rivers great and grand 
 
 In this and other hemispheres, 
 Columbia doth hold command, 
 
 The grandest of all mountaineers. 
 
 His graceful windings interweave 
 
 Grand forests, vales and meadows green, 
 
 The towering cascades he did cleave 
 To float the joyboat and marine. 
 
 He is a king in nature's prime, 
 His castles are the cliffs and crags, 
 
 Bird songs are his enchanting chimes, 
 His neighbors, deer, bear and the stags. 
 
 34 
 
LEAVING HONOLULU 
 
O'er crag's high spires that kiss the clouds 
 The eagle holds his lordly sway, 
 
 With talons sharp his prey enshrouds 
 For which his brood is in foray. 
 
 Brave chieftains with their warring crew, 
 
 In ages past with elastic bow, 
 And arrows that like lightning flew, 
 
 Would pierce the heart of beast or foe. 
 
 The rushing torrents through the gorge 
 That leap o'er boulders in their flight, 
 
 Their speed thus lustily do urge 
 
 And add to him more power and might. 
 
 The stately forest — spruce and pine — 
 Salutes him with a graceful bow 
 
 Which glimm'ring sunbeams intertwine, 
 Their luster on its all bestow. 
 
 Grand cataracts precipitate 
 
 Their foaming spray upon his shore, 
 Whose pearls in sunshine radiate, 
 
 For mystic wood-nymphs to adore. 
 
 Near murmuring rivulets musically 
 
 Wind listlessly 'neath ferns and flowers, 
 
 To sing to him a roundelay, 
 
 And speed him on through rhythmic hours. 
 
 He and his panorama grand 
 
 Thrill my enchanted joyful heart, 
 
 No words have I at my command 
 To praise God's great creative art. 
 
 35 
 
RETROSPECTION AT THE SEA SIDE. 
 
 Backward in mem'ry of years now gone by, 
 
 I see myself seated on ocean strand, 
 Like yonder sweet lovers, heaving a sigh, 
 
 And wishing that every atom of sand 
 Would count for a year in which they might love, 
 And soar to love's heav'n on wings of a dove. 
 
 Their hearts' palpitations like billows now swell, 
 They dream not of danger, nor think of fear, 
 
 But deep in their soul a yearning doth dwell, 
 To meet heart to heart in love's blissful sphere, 
 
 By clasping arms in rapturous embrace, 
 
 And thus love's emotional charms encase. 
 
 Their longing eyes meet and read the heart's core, 
 They see naught else but love in deepest glow 
 
 That thrills the soul, and ever asks for more, 
 To flow with sparkling darts from Cupid's bow, 
 
 And fill the cup of joy with heav'nly bliss 
 
 In one celestial, everlasting kiss. 
 
 The sweetest nectar they now sip and quaff, 
 In ecstacy they dwell on its blessing, 
 
 No time to talk, to eat, to drink or laugh, 
 But close both hearts and lips are pressing, 
 
 Till love's supreme emotional joys arise, 
 
 And hold them both in Cupid's paradise. 
 
 Oh, mighty Neptune of boundless sea, 
 
 Guard loving youths from all danger and harm, 
 
 For through them and in them myself I can see 
 And feel that my love is still strong and warm, 
 
 For lovely creatures and angels, untold, 
 
 My love can never die, rust or grow old. 
 
 36 
 
TO MY LOVE AT SANTA CATALINA 
 ISLAND. 
 
 As the evening's shades appear, 
 
 And peaceful thoughts my soul enclose, 
 
 Thy gentle spirit hovers near 
 Like the perfume of a rose. 
 
 Backward on our path through life 
 
 As I review it from afar 
 Through all the changes, all the strife, 
 
 Thou ever wert my guiding star. 
 
 As distance lends more charm to view, 
 And absence ever strengthens love, 
 
 Thy sweetness on me falls anew 
 Like gentle dew-drops from above. 
 
 While dwelling on yon Isle afar, 
 
 And surging billows 'round thee roll, 
 
 Thou art not hid, but like yon star 
 Thy love illumes and fills my soul. 
 
 The songs I used to sing to thee 
 
 Are ever new; they'll ne'er grow old; 
 
 Nor will sweet love 'twixt thee and me 
 Move ever sluggish or grow cold. 
 
 While in youth's dream and admiration 
 Thy beauty filled my fullest measure, 
 
 I now behold in adoration 
 
 A ripened soul, a Godlike treasure. 
 
 37 
 
RETROSPECTION 
 
 O Goddess, of my heart, my soul ! 
 
 Come listen to my inner voice, 
 Where'er I rove from pole to pole 
 
 Thou art my guilding star, my choice. 
 Thine image doth to me appear, 
 
 Where'er I go thy love is near. 
 
 In wandering through the mountain dale, 
 The murmuring brooks speak of thy love, 
 
 That in thy youth did never fail 
 To send thee blessing from above. 
 
 image of such love divine, 
 
 I'm ever thine, and thou art mine. 
 
 These meadows oft by thee were sought 
 To gather early fragrant flowers, 
 
 That to thy loving soul oft brought 
 Thee fulness of a happy hour. 
 
 To me too they bring a joyful strain 
 
 Of thoughts, that we've not loved in vain. 
 
 At snow-capped peaks and mountains vast, 
 Bedecked with God's green forest trees, 
 
 Thy loving eyes in joy were cast 
 To fill thy soul with ecstasy. 
 
 1 too, now sit here and look up, 
 
 And drink from out that loving-cup. 
 
 Where'er thou art this blissful hour, 
 Like God, thy love is ever near, 
 
 That builds for me a heavenly bower 
 Where'er I go, right now and here. 
 
 So let my love e'er stay with thine 
 To dwell with God in love divine. 
 
 38 
 
WAWONA. 
 Tribute to the Mariposa Sequoia Grove 
 
 In reverence and awe I stand 
 
 On proud Sierra's crest, 
 Where nature with its wondrous hand 
 
 Thy eminence has blest, 
 With Sequoia monarchs towering high 
 Their crowns to sway 'neath turquoise sky. 
 
 Obeisance to thy lofty throne 
 
 I'll make in reverence, 
 And honor to thy age unknown, 
 
 So much in evidence, 
 For ye, grand monarchs, still preside 
 While races, empires long have died. 
 
 Ere pyramids saw the light of day, 
 
 Or pagan joss was born, 
 Thou in pre-eminent array 
 
 Didst mother earth adorn, 
 And shelter to all life impart, 
 That 'neath thee sought sweet rest or sp'ort. 
 
 The elements oft fierce and bold 
 Did thy great strength withstand, 
 
 No torrid heat nor frigid cold 
 Have for thee a command; 
 
 And lightning's flashing scimitar 
 
 Can only leave a painless scar. 
 
 Thou art the grandest obelisk, 
 
 With hieroglyphics rare, 
 To thee the giant basilisks 
 
 Administered their care. 
 
 39 
 
Of mammals scores around thee roared, 
 While shrieking eagles o'er thee soared. 
 
 No classic columns ever built 
 
 Of marble, iron, stone, 
 Nor statues grand of bronze or gilt, 
 
 Like thine so grandly grown 
 Within a mantle decked with gold — 
 Semper vivit: Ne'er grow old. 
 
 In eminence and strength thou art 
 Like men who stood the test, 
 
 Whose souls still live within our heart 
 While they in slumber rest. 
 
 But their good deeds are writ in space 
 
 That age nor time can ne'er deface. 
 
 RUBICON SPRINGS NEAR LAKE TAHOE 
 
 A charming jewel, lovely dell, 
 
 One of the builder's pride, 
 Immured within rock-castle's cell, 
 
 Of granite on each side, 
 And like a winding serpentine 
 
 Flows sparkling, gurgling Rubicon. 
 
 The sun at its meridian height, 
 
 Gives life and light to keep, 
 While silvery moon and stars by night 
 
 Guard all in tranquil sleep, 
 And give sweet dreams of friends and kin, 
 
 And beauties rare, near Rubicon. 
 
 40 
 
The swaying pines on ev'ry side 
 
 Bow graceful, a salute 
 To all that in this vale reside, 
 
 They give a high tribute, 
 And twittering chipmunks joyously run 
 On twigs and logs, near Rubicon. 
 
 Like incense wafts the gentle breeze, 
 Perfumed with fragrance sweet, 
 
 From fir, tall pine and juniper trees, 
 Our breath with joy to greet, 
 
 While to the youth-renewing spring 
 And Rubicon our praise we sing. 
 
 The mountain goddesses oft rove 
 Through this bewitching ground, 
 
 And give their kisses, peace and love 
 To open hearts here found, 
 
 Enchanted souls on wings like swan 
 Hover over Rubicon. 
 
 41 
 
WINTER'S APPROACH. 
 
 What means this scampering bustling move? 
 
 Why are the tents brought low and folded? 
 Why have the guests now ceased to rove, 
 
 No more with climbing thrist emboldened? 
 
 Why comes the deer now near the plain? 
 
 And chipmunks, squirrels, woodchucks race 
 A morsel here and there to gain, 
 
 And safely in their storehouse place? 
 
 The chirping birds now flit about, 
 And look for seeds to fill their nest ; 
 
 For well they know that all without 
 Grand nature soon will go to rest. 
 
 The shrubs and forest too have changed 
 From emerald green to brighter hue, 
 
 And in their beauty so arranged, 
 As to invite our praise anew. 
 
 But hark ! the sounding bugle blast 
 
 Now calls from yonder mountain peak, 
 
 That winter's snow has overcast 
 In wildest beauty, cold and bleak. 
 
 Thus stands Mount Shasta on his throne, 
 
 Majestically sends forth a call 
 To all within his frigid zone 
 
 That soon white snow will cover all. 
 
 42 
 
GOING DOWN THE TRAIL, GRAND CANYON, ARIZONA. 
 
GRAND CANYON. 
 
 A wondrous sight that greets our eye 
 Beyond mortal mind's conception, 
 
 Immensities 'neath turquoise sky 
 With e'er endless great attraction, 
 
 Produced by nature's architect 
 
 With wondrous skilful grand effect. 
 
 Its record ever has defied 
 
 And baffled all inquiring mind, 
 To solve this mysterious grand divide, 
 
 The widest, deepest of its kind — 
 Perchance for eons in creation 
 
 In all its various relation. 
 
 On terraces and ramparts high, 
 
 In caves 'mong crags the lion and bear 
 
 The hunter's step and gun defy; 
 All rest serenely in their lairs, 
 
 Or cunningly search night and day 
 For harmless creatures as their prey. 
 
 High over all the towering spires 
 
 The eagle soars with outspread wings 
 
 And piercing eyes with keen desire 
 An easy prey with talons clings, 
 
 And carry to his hungry brood 
 
 That greets with shrieks the luscious food. 
 
 The winding trail o'er rocks and rills 
 Leads to the turbulent rushing stream, 
 
 Whose cataracts the cliffs oft trill. 
 The shadows oft like phantoms seem 
 
 That o'er eddies glim'ring ripples, 
 Oft move about like sailing shiplets. 
 
 43 
 
Flow on, thou river as of old — 
 Down to the mystic ocean deep, 
 
 And like ourselves do thy life mould 
 Until with us in peaceful sleep 
 
 Thou goest to an unknown land, 
 Yet ever in a supreme hand. 
 
 NO WINTER IN LOS ANGELES. 
 
 There is no winter here ! 
 With joy we hail October showers, 
 That bring us bright and fragrant flowers. 
 Poinsettias glow with scarlet pride, 
 That always cheer the Christmas-tide, 
 
 When Santa doth appear. 
 
 There is no winter here ! 
 With king Zeus's rain and sunshine's mirth, 
 All seeds spring forth from mother earth, 
 Soon hills and valleys clad in green, 
 Blend with the shrub and foliage sheen, 
 
 And buttercups appear. 
 
 There is no winter here! 
 We see it only far away, 
 On mountain tops in white array, 
 On which the sunbeam's evening glow, 
 A wondrous rose-tint doth bestow, 
 
 That doth the valleys cheer! 
 
 There is no winter here! 
 The hyacinth of various hue, 
 And fragrant violets fresh and blue, 
 Chrysanthemums for cheerfulness, 
 And roses in all loveliness, 
 
 We cherish and revere. 
 
 44 
 
There is no winter here! 
 The golden orange bright and sweet, 
 In all its taste and form replete, 
 The lemon and the orange bloom, 
 Exhale sweet nectarious perfume, 
 
 That fills the atmosphere. 
 
 There is no winter here! 
 The meadow larks return again, 
 With morning calls and sweet refrain. 
 Sweet notes of mocking birds do ring, 
 Both night and day in caroling, 
 
 We dearly love to hear. 
 
 There is no winter here ! 
 What joy and pleasure are revealed, 
 With children in a poppy field. 
 Grand nature doth its power unfold, 
 And energies of young and old ; 
 
 With angels all compeer. 
 
 45 
 
LOVE GREETINGS FROM THE PIONEERS 
 OF LOS ANGELES. 
 
 At a golden wedding. 
 
 All hail your golden wedding throne, 
 
 Ye pioneers of long ago ! 
 On you the golden sun has shone, 
 
 And filled your hearts with love aglow, 
 That beams with joy in bright array 
 Upon your golden wedding day. 
 
 Like to the valiant knights of old 
 
 Ye braved the storm by sea and land. 
 
 No deserts waste nor redskins bold 
 
 Could swerve you from this western strand. 
 
 Perchance ye often did portray 
 
 A joyous golden wedding day. 
 
 Through crucibles your life has passed, 
 And stood the test like precious gold, 
 
 Ye braved the fiercest raging blast 
 That oft like giants 'gainst you rolled, 
 
 Love, honor, courage did display 
 
 To gain this golden wedding day. 
 
 Vicissitudes of life now past 
 
 Are writ within your joyous heart, 
 That oft with clouds was overcast, 
 
 But which sly Cupid rent apart, 
 To melt in sunshine's brightest ray 
 Upon your golden wedding day. 
 
 To you the brightest honors due, 
 For only brave and loyal heart, 
 
 46 
 
*f 
 
 
 »* 
 
 MIRROR LAKE, YOSEMITE. 
 
To loved ones and to country true, 
 
 Could from sweet comfort's home depart, 
 To trudge through wilds far, far away 
 And dream a golden wedding day. 
 
 May your life's setting sun e'er be 
 
 Illumed in brilliant golden hue, 
 Your love-filled hearts with joyful glee 
 
 Your health and strength and life renew, 
 And keep you ever fresh and gay 
 Until the diamond wedding day. 
 
 May your path lead through sparkling dew, 
 Strewn with love's flowers fresh and sweet, 
 
 That we your brethren send to you, 
 Your heart and hand with love to greet, 
 
 And sisters true in ecstacy, 
 
 Salute your golden wedding day. 
 
 SOUL'S INSPIRATION. 
 
 O beauteous grandeur, most sublime, 
 Rich precious gem in all its form, 
 
 An architectural thought divine, 
 From universal mind well born, 
 
 On thee our eyes look in amaze, 
 
 Our souls enraptured give thee praise. 
 
 Thy snow-capped mountains towering high, 
 Clasp hands in friendship and in love. 
 
 The silvery clouds so oft near by 
 Descend and greet them from above. 
 
 All form a halo round the vale, 
 
 And o'er the rustic mountain trail. 
 
 47 
 
The glorious sun with magic light, 
 
 Hyperion wondrous hue unfurls, 
 While twinkling stars and moon by night 
 
 Convert the spray to dew-drop pearls. 
 The murmuring of the rippling streams 
 
 Gives lulling sleep and happy dreams. 
 
 The cataracts with silvery streams, 
 
 Descend in laughter full of joy. 
 A magic power therein seems 
 
 To win the soul with its decoy ; 
 And all in ecstasy proclaim 
 
 Their wondrous beauty, power and fame. 
 
 The rural paths near silvery streams 
 In joy are trod, 'neath oak and pine. 
 
 Sweet flowers with glittering dew-drops gleam, 
 Their charms with lacy ferns combine. 
 
 'Tis here that we with God can talk 
 And in His sacred Temple walk. 
 
 We hear sweet music everywhere, 
 
 From dashing, splashing, silvery spray, 
 
 That blends with songsters through the air, 
 From early morn till closing day. 
 
 All tell us that our Heav'n is here, 
 And that our God is ever near. 
 
 43 
 
HEAVEN WITHIN 
 
 F 
 
 My heaven is here wherein I live, 
 
 To it my joyful songs I give, 
 Perpetual sunshine is therein, 
 
 And all bright thoughts thereto are kin; 
 These I pluck within my reach, 
 
 Such as good man, or God will teach, 
 Or I may learn from woods and hills, 
 
 From ocean, mount or rushing rills. 
 I'll have bright flowers everywhere, 
 
 And sweet perfumes to fill the air. 
 I'll see but smiles in every face, 
 
 Through which their inmost soul I'll trace. 
 In such a heaven rests my soul, 
 
 With God in all and all the whole. 
 
 SHASTA SPRINGS. 
 
 O Thou Almighty Architect 
 
 But Thou alone canst e'er devise, 
 
 Through Thy sublimest intellect 
 Such wondrous-beauteous paradise. 
 
 As I ascend the zigzag walk 
 
 And listen to the mirthful sound, 
 
 Me-thinks perchance, that God doth talk, 
 And all His love in me abounds. 
 
 The tiny flowerets, ferns and vines, 
 All greet me with a loving smile ; 
 
 Yea, even the maple, fir and pine 
 Bid me to stay and rest awhile. 
 
 49 
 
The silver rippling streamlets leap 
 
 From rock to rock through mossy rills — 
 
 From whence with laughing eyes they creep, 
 And bid good cheer to neighboring hills. 
 
 Ah ! could I but forever stay 
 
 And walk with God-like holy feet, 
 
 On this enchanting heaven-way 
 The fulness of all joy to meet! 
 
 50 
 
DEDICATED TO THE PIONEERS OF 
 ALASKA. 
 
 Onward, onward toward the polar star 
 The sturdy pioneer doth wend his way, 
 
 Its grandeur and its treasures to unbar 
 And wilds untrod explore and to survey; 
 
 He presses northward over mountain heights 
 
 Through storms and sunshine oft by Northern 
 Lights. 
 
 Alaska's hidden secrets he demands, 
 
 Earth's adamantine doors he seeks to ope, 
 
 The vast industries dormant to expand 
 With all the trials and danger he will cope 
 
 To penetrate the forests dark and deep, 
 
 And scale the snowcap't mountains rough and steep. 
 
 He blasts the boulders, fells forest trees, 
 And paves the way for more to follow him; 
 
 He crosses glaciers and the frigid seas, 
 Is oft in danger on the icefloe rim; 
 
 But nothing daunting he will e'er press on 
 
 Until the goal is reached and battle won. 
 
 Oft his menu is made of bear meat straight, 
 His bed of cedar boughs and maple twigs ; 
 
 Oft howling wolves around him congregate, 
 His campfire and his rustic couch besiege. 
 
 He braves the raging stonm and furious gale 
 
 Accompanied by blinding snow or hail. 
 
 A canopy of stars gleam o'er his bed, 
 And near by cataracts lull him to sleep 
 
 51 
 
That from the snowcap't mountain crest are fed, 
 And wind their way in streamlets to the deep ; 
 
 Sweet dreams of friends, of home and dear love lorn 
 Oft fill his heart with sadness on the morn. 
 
 He left behind all culture and sweet home 
 To read the story written in the wild, 
 
 The snowclad mountains with their priestly dome 
 And savages so oft by men beguiled; 
 
 He seeks to solve all mysteries asleep 
 
 In mountains, glaciers and the briny deep. 
 
 He lists with awe to cannonading ice, 
 
 And views with joy the crimson Northern Lights 
 For which all comfort he doth sacrifice; 
 
 And then to see the sun shine through the night 
 Upon the frigid verge of polar star, 
 Art divine ! time for him can never mar. 
 
 He gives to us his knowledge without price 
 For which he gave up all that's dear to life, 
 
 For us he has enlarged God's paradise 
 
 And all the power and wealth wherewith it's rife. 
 
 For all he suffered, did for us and dared, 
 
 What give we in return? What's his reward? 
 
 We've in the past to soldiers given the praise 
 
 Who fought to kill those that were their brothers ; 
 
 With cannon shells dear homes they oft did raze 
 And pierced with grief the hearts of wives and 
 mothers. 
 
 God's chaplains? Urged them on to bloody strife 
 
 And promised Heaven if they lost their life. 
 
 52 
 
We oft extended privileges and rights 
 
 To armored knights that stood for blood and gore. 
 We oft conferred high titles, championed knights 
 
 And rilled their castles oft with princely lore. 
 Such stand for murder, pestilence and war 
 That must now end, and flourish never more. 
 
 Alaskan Pioneeers are the true Knights 
 
 That have their love for all mankind at heart. 
 
 They are the vanguard on the mountain heights 
 With flag unfurled to ope for all a mart 
 
 That stands for peace and plenty one and all, 
 
 Harmonious unit that can never fall. 
 
 To champion Pioneers the praise be giv'n 
 That toiled to ope the wilds for all mankind, 
 
 Beneath the silv'ry stars, and God's blue heav'n 
 With bounteous gifts, the Pioneers first find. 
 
 Their banner wove of love o'er all must wave 
 
 And on all souls God's motto "Love" engrave. 
 
 LAKE SHAWNIGAN, B. C. 
 
 In peaceful slumber calm and still 
 With scarce a rippling wave or rill, 
 
 Lies Shawnigan within her bed 
 
 In dreamless sleep nothing to dread. 
 
 Her cradle trimmed with emerald green 
 Where ferns and flowers intervene 
 
 With fir and pine on sloping hills 
 From which descend the crystal rills. 
 
 53 
 
Her banks are mirrored 'round the strand 
 And form an emerald garland band 
 
 That blend with shimm'ring silv'ry hue 
 Of changing beauty, ever new. 
 
 Prolonging echoes e'er resound 
 
 Within its space and far beyond; 
 
 The twitt'ring birds along the shores 
 Their warble blend with splashing oars. 
 
 Oft vaporous clouds hang o'er her face 
 On which their semblance we can trace 
 
 And oft a misty pendant veil 
 
 Descends and forms a phantom sail. 
 
 The morning sun his brilliant glow 
 
 Doth on it variant hue bestow, 
 Rich sapphire, blue and emerald green 
 
 That doth with shimmering sunlight sheen. 
 
 The twilight hours and stilly night 
 Subdued by moonshine's silv'ry light 
 
 Do oft invite love, sweet and gay 
 To row in cradling gondola. 
 
 All adds to its tranquillity 
 
 And fills one with serenity 
 And day dreams of ecstatic joy 
 
 The Soul's love mate and sweet convoy. 
 
 This quietude at soul's behest 
 
 Gives to the mind and body rest 
 That nature's law doth oft demand 
 Be wise, and heed God's grand command. 
 
 54 
 
Part II 
 
 Written during my two years of journeying in 
 Europe, from 1908 to 1910. 
 
 Travels may empty the purse; 
 
 But they fill the storehouse of knowledge. 
 
As thy near slave, I, Prince Blitzstrahl, 
 At thy majesty's feet to fall. 
 
A LEGENDARY ROMANCE. 
 
 Written during a thunderstorm at Schlangenbad on 
 Musensitz, Germany. 
 
 In forest glade, a lovely dell 
 
 Through which the fount of youth doth flow, 
 Here all the ancient gods did dwell, 
 
 Who ruled with magic, weal or woe 
 From their enchanted castle heights 
 With dauntless soldiers, valiant knights. 
 
 The mystic castle Wonderlein 
 
 Built on a rockbound eagle mound 
 (Wherein dwelt Princess Edelstein 
 
 For grace and beauty far renowned) 
 Built and adorned of Reingold ore 
 And precious gems from distant shore. 
 
 It radiated sparkling light 
 
 To distant countries far and near 
 That oft decoyed a valiant knight 
 
 Who in full armor would appear, 
 And give his service to the king, 
 The princess love and trophies bring. 
 
 Fair Edelstein's angelic heart 
 
 That virtue, love and charms possessed, 
 
 With eyes of most bewitching dart, 
 And sweetest smiles that oft behest 
 
 The valiant knights their knees to bend, 
 
 Alas! in disappointment end. 
 
 The Father Reingott in a dream 
 
 Had promised to her loving heart 
 A prince to bring, in high esteem, 
 
 Whose love to her with lightning's dart 
 
 57 
 
Would fill her earth's and heaven's desire, 
 Whom she could love, praise and admire. 
 
 So earnestly she sought the star 
 That might to her a message bring, 
 
 From champion knighted prince afar, 
 Or else a loving wedding ring; 
 
 Her ardent prayers before the shrine 
 
 She offered up for prince divine. 
 
 The richest trophies at her feet 
 
 Brought by the brave and valiant knight, 
 She but with gracious smiles would meet, 
 
 With not a spark of love in sight, 
 Until a prisoner was brought, 
 Who with a score or more had fought. 
 
 It was the Prince of Alpenhein, 
 
 Through thunderclouds on fiery steed 
 
 To win the heart of Edelstein; 
 
 He'd vowed that naught should e'er impede, 
 
 Though thunder roared and lightning flashed, 
 
 And his with other lances clashed. 
 
 When led before the castle's throne 
 O'er which the princess held her sway, 
 
 He felt that ne'er the sun had shone 
 On eyes, on lips in love's array, 
 
 On such a soul now so near by 
 
 For which his heart he'd give or die. 
 
 Fair Edelstein heaved a deep sigh, 
 On seeing that brave champion Prince 
 
 With love filled heart she ventured nigh, 
 And asked what plea be his defense. 
 
 "As thy near slave, I, Prince Blitzstrahl, 
 
 At thy majesty's feet to fall. 
 
 5S 
 
"Thy magic beauty most divine 
 
 That in a vision I beheld, 
 Shall ever be my holy shrine 
 
 To which, my love, my life I'll weld; 
 And to thy throne and thee I hail, 
 And quaff Christ's blood from out the grail. 
 
 "A star from out the distant north 
 With sparkling brilliancy one night 
 
 Proclaimed to me: to prove my worth 
 To thy great beauty, love and might 
 
 I must obtain the magic ring, 
 
 Ere I could be the chosen king. 
 
 "My heart in reverent ecstasy 
 Obeisance made to yon north star, 
 
 And prayed for her to lead the way 
 That I with spear and scimitar 
 
 Could follow her with spur and steed 
 
 To gain the ring : I must succeed. 
 
 " 'Neath alien skies I fought my way 
 And trod the torrid desert path, 
 
 No fear nor danger did dismay, 
 Nor giant dragon in his wrath 
 
 That in a cave 'neath outspread wing 
 
 Held the enchanted magic ring. 
 
 "A gloomy grotto met mine eye! 
 
 My heart stood still within my breast! 
 For frightful phantoms stood near by — 
 
 Ghosts, gnomes and goblins did protest 
 My attempt to gain the treasure, 
 Or the giant's strength to measure 
 
 59 
 
"Bats, owls and nighthawks overhead 
 
 Shrieked and tattooed with flapping wing; 
 
 From out the dark tombs of the dead 
 I heard them mournful requiems sing; 
 
 And from the distant grewsome rent 
 
 The ignis fatuus terror lent. 
 
 "The sprawling reptiles near me hissed, 
 And mollusks squirmed with rattlesnake; 
 
 The air — sulphuric, poisoned mist — 
 The earth beneath my feet did quake, 
 
 The demon dragon oft would roar 
 
 And from pronged tongue venom outpour. 
 
 "The dragon's fierce and angry flaunting 
 Aroused in me the conquering ire, 
 
 So with full strength and lance not daunting 
 I aimed to pierce his eyes of fire, 
 
 And with one mighty lightning dart 
 
 I smote him dead, and pierced his heart. 
 
 "The ring I found and made it mine ; 
 
 Its magic all to me did seem 
 To change the grotto to a shrine, 
 
 And while thus in a waking dream, 
 The Rein Gods with their retinue 
 In all their splendor 'round me drew. 
 
 "In fairy land I seemed to be, 
 
 Surrounded by angelic host, 
 All did me honor, worshiped me, 
 
 Beneath a canopy embossed 
 With glittering splendor, art sublime, 
 And bells with dulce ethereal clime. 
 
 60 
 
And with one mighty, lightning dart, 
 I smote him dead, and pierced his heart. 
 
"Sweet, fragrant flowers everywhere 
 
 And velvet tapestry, in hue 
 That with the rainbow in compare 
 
 Would far outshine it in review; 
 And sparkling fountains cast their spray 
 In vivid, colored pearl array. 
 
 " 'Mcng blooming trees throughout the vale, 
 The birds in colored plume array 
 
 Did homage to the nightingale, 
 Who with sweet notes in ecstasy, 
 
 Did fill the soul with heavenly joy, 
 
 Its rhythm angel wings convoy. 
 
 "Fairies adorned with chaplets rare, 
 And garlanded with mystic flowers, 
 
 Flitted through the balmy air, 
 
 And heydeyed 'round effloresced bowers 
 
 To heav'nly music from above, 
 
 Filled with entrancing divine love. 
 
 "All through this magic wondrous sight, 
 That held me spellbound in amaze, 
 
 I held my vow as errant knight 
 Thee to behold, on thee to gaze, 
 
 And at thy feet my love to bring, 
 
 And with it the enchanted ring. 
 
 "A Reinstein God and holy knight, 
 
 Who with the three kings true and wise 
 
 Anointed on Christ's holy night, 
 
 This magic ring — most precious prize — 
 
 He made it known to me from heaven 
 
 Whate'er thy wish — to thee be given." 
 
 61 
 
She bade him rise and a bright wreath 
 Of mystic flowers sweet and rare, 
 
 With her whole heart she him bequeathed 
 And bade him hence forever wear; 
 
 Thus with love's flash did Prince Blitzstrahl 
 
 The heart of Edelstein enthrall. 
 
 DRIFTING 
 
 I am drifting, still adrifting, 
 Onward is the word for me, 
 
 As from place to place I'm shifting 
 Finding ever more to see. 
 
 I rejoice that I'm a rover 
 
 Finding friends the wide world over. 
 
 I am drifting, still adrifting 
 
 Gaining knowledge where I can, 
 
 That will help and be uplifting 
 Or may help some other man ; 
 
 For I know he is my brother ; 
 
 Therefore help we one another. 
 
 I am drifting, still adrifting, 
 
 Gathering seeds for truth and love, 
 
 Carefully I do the sifting 
 
 With the help from God above: 
 
 He is with me everywhere, 
 
 And my life is in His care. 
 
 62 
 
RHINE, GERMANY 
 
 Flow on majestically, proud Rhine, 
 
 Thou surely wert designed to rule, 
 Thy course from lofty mount Alpine, 
 
 From springtime to the wintry yule, 
 E'er in Teutonic's arms to sleep 
 Until immerged in briny deep. 
 
 Thy life, a witness of the past, 
 Has seen much strife and bitter tears ; 
 
 Thy shores with battles oft o'ercast, 
 With armored knights and cannonneers, 
 
 To gain thee, a princely prize, 
 
 But thee they could ne'er tyrannize. 
 
 Thy waters quenched their thirst alike, 
 
 It washed their wounds and cooled their brow, 
 
 And while thus calmed in deadly strike 
 They saw their error, so that now 
 
 Thou windest peacefully along 
 
 Accompanied by mirth and song. 
 
 The pleasure boats glide peacefully 
 
 Upon thy rippling wavelets' course, 
 In tuneful rhythm of jubilee 
 
 That full of harmony outpours, 
 Die Wacht am Rhein vom Mannerchor, 
 Its echo rings from shore to shore. 
 
 Old folksongs with sweet melody 
 
 Oft fill the air of eventide ; 
 They often sing of Lorelei 
 
 Enthroned as Nature's lovely bride. 
 Her beaming smiles and golden hair 
 Did many gallant knights ensnare. 
 
 63 
 
Thy mystic legends ne'er grow old 
 That hover round the ruined burg, 
 
 So oft in thrilling songs are told 
 Like that of Wagner's Nibelung-forge, 
 
 Or Roland's horn at midnight hour, 
 
 Sending terror from a mystic tower. 
 
 Thy vine-clad hills, the mystic slope 
 Give promise of a nectar rare 
 
 With which no sunny France can cope, 
 Quaffed as a beverage debonnair, 
 A goddess for the high and low 
 
 That oft unite most bitter foe. 
 
 Quaint hamlets 'long thy verdant bank, 
 With homes the sacredness of which 
 Oft with the holy shrines doth rank 
 Where industry and love they teach, 
 That binds them with a sacred band 
 To parent, home and fatherland. 
 
 The grandest theme from thine occult 
 Fill'd Wagner's great symphonic heart. 
 He found the ring of pure Reingold 
 Wherewith to crown his holy art; 
 And from thy generous wat'ry mine 
 Thou bringest forth the bright Reinstein. 
 
 On rocky promontory crag 
 
 Old . princely castles stand in view ; 
 They wave to thee their country's flag, 
 
 And with their courtly retinue 
 Sing praises on their beauty rare, 
 That they with all mankind now share. 
 
 64 
 
I, too, now join them in full measure, 
 And with their songs will sing thy praise; 
 
 For it has filled my heart with pleasure 
 That I will keep for many days, 
 
 And see thee ever fresh and new 
 
 As when I bid thee fond adieu. 
 
 ON MEETING TWO LADY FRIENDS AT 
 FLORENCE, ITALY 
 
 Ah! what surprise and great delight 
 
 To meet again in foreign land, 
 Our friendship here to reunite 
 
 And in its ecstasy expand. 
 
 More precious than the glitt'ring gold, 
 It fuses with the fragrant rose, 
 
 That beauty and pure love unfold 
 And doth true constancy disclose. 
 
 It doth recall a pleasant past 
 
 When friendship's ties first came to life, 
 That with intrinsic joy o'ercast 
 
 The former days with gladness rife. 
 
 Long may this friendship live and grow 
 
 Into a divine, ecstatic love, 
 And let the cup of joy o'erflow 
 
 And smooth our path where'er we rove. 
 
 65 
 
TO LOVELY TYROL. 
 
 Tyrol: O land of charms and bliss, 
 
 Thou sunlit paradise! 
 My soul inspired in ecstacies, 
 
 My thoughts in joy arise 
 Like yonder snowclad mountain height, 
 And bid me of thy beauty write. 
 
 Thy bordering mountains, spire and dome 
 
 With sunlit roses shine, 
 That send a greeting to each home, 
 
 And footsteps to their shrine, 
 Before the saints in prayer to bow, 
 And offer up their fervent vow. 
 
 Thy terraced hillsides everywhere 
 
 Are clad in shrub and vine, 
 That send their perfume through the air 
 
 And give them luscious wine, 
 To quaff in joy and full delight, 
 And dance and yodel with all might. 
 
 At many promontory points 
 
 Medieval castles stand, 
 That speak of knights and fierce tumult 
 
 Oft met from hand to hand, 
 In armor clad, with weapons bright, 
 Who fought with valor for their right. 
 
 Brave Hofer's banner, sword and spear 
 
 Led on the brave aggression, 
 That fought for home and freedom dear 
 Against wrong and oppression, 
 And like a valiant noble knight, 
 Gave life with joy for freedom's right. 
 
 66 
 
STATU OF OLE BULL, AT BERGEN, NORWAY. 
 
TRIBUTE TO NORGE 
 
 Come, Spirit of Norge, famous king, 
 
 Brave Sverre Sigurdson, 
 Thy bold, commanding words I'll sing, 
 
 And words of praise shall come 
 From my enraptured heart 
 
 Ere I from thee depart. 
 
 Thy throne on yonder glacier height 
 
 Oft vapor clouds enshroud, 
 Yet midnight's sun with glorious light 
 
 Doth gild the darkest cloud. 
 With heart and soul amaze, 
 
 To thee I sing my praise. 
 
 Thy mountains, crags and vales untold 
 
 With mystic voices ring; 
 They speak of valor fierce and bold, 
 
 Of armor-clad vikings 
 That roved the ocean deep, 
 
 But now in peace do sleep. 
 
 Thy nestling little hamlets near 
 
 Deep fjords' strand thus built, 
 
 Speak of long winters, toil and care; 
 
 Yet in their hearts the guild 
 Of love and truth shine bright, 
 
 Like heav'nly stars at night. 
 
 The rippling, endless fjords, deep 
 And wide, proud Norge's bliss, 
 
 Send with its mountains, grand and steep, 
 To sea and land, a kiss 
 
 That thrills the verdant strand 
 With love from hand to hand. 
 
 67 
 
FARVAL SVERIGE. 
 
 Written at midnight on Mount Kirune. 
 
 The midnight's sun all bright and fair, 
 Far, far beyond this mountain height 
 
 Beatific vistas rare 
 
 Filled heart and soul with great delight, 
 
 And all the pleasure I've here won, 
 
 Shall live like yonder midnight's sun. 
 
 Kind greetings ever met my heart 
 In passing through this lovely land. 
 
 Now soon will I in joy depart, 
 
 And waft adieu with heart and hand, 
 
 And all their kindness to me done 
 
 Shall live like yonder midnight's sun. 
 
 All flowerets, trees, and meadows green 
 Strive to adorn kind mother earth, 
 
 As if they knew the intervene 
 To slumber from a happy birth 
 
 Would soon its joyous course have run 
 
 In which to praise the midnight sun. 
 
 I join them in their godlike praise, 
 And like the ancient I will bow 
 
 And chant to it their sacred lays, 
 For life and light like then and now 
 
 In golden beams do to us come 
 
 From that majestic midnight sun. 
 
 68 
 
HEIDELBERG CASTLE 
 
 On the majestic, towering height 
 
 Of grand old Heidelberg, 
 A somber, melodramic sight 
 
 Along the mountain verge. 
 The old mediaeval castle, 
 
 Enshrined with moss and vine, 
 As if life with death wrestled 
 
 O'er graves of Palatine. 
 
 All now is still within its walls, 
 
 No trumpet sound without; 
 No more are heard the reveille calls, 
 
 Nor seen the armored scout; 
 But bats and owls sweep round the tower 
 
 With gnomes and nymphs galore. 
 Oft spooks are seen at midnight hour 
 
 Around dark chamber doors. 
 
 I feel like one in reverie, 
 
 Enchanted by this view, 
 As if some spirits spake to me, 
 
 "To mysteries bid adieu," 
 And pointed to the silvery moon 
 
 That gleamed on castle peak, 
 And to the twinkling starlit zone 
 
 Bright problems there to seek. 
 
 Thus wandering in a mystic dream, 
 
 Past fount and flow'ring bowers, 
 And statues paled by moonlight gleam 
 
 Of rulers from the towers, 
 I asked the starlit peaceful night 
 
 To let me rather dream 
 Of love that doth the heart delight, 
 
 And joy within me beam. 
 
 69 
 
MUNCHEN HOFBRAU. 
 
 Old Munich, dear to all, 
 Where all the tourists call 
 And walk from street to street, 
 Their country folk to meet; 
 And if they'll all allow 
 They'll go to the Hofbrau, 
 Where men short, thick, and stout 
 To portly maidens shout 
 For sausage and sauerkraut, 
 With beer, — no! ne'er without! 
 Some take a kraftvoll Pries 
 That oft produces a sneeze, 
 While others in begreif 
 Nichts besser als die Pfeif, 
 That roll the clouds of smoke, 
 Which would a chimney choke; 
 Snuff and smoky savor 
 Spread o'er all fine flavor. 
 And don't you have a fear 
 That they'd forget the beer. 
 There were fine Offizier 
 With lovely sweethearts dear; 
 They, stout-built musketeer, 
 Athletic grenadier, 
 But mostly Zivilier, 
 With wives or maidens near. 
 Some in their native gear — 
 They all drank Hofbrau beer; 
 And when they drink drei, vier, 
 All troubles disappear, 
 They're then in heaven's sphere. 
 Then come the songs and cheer 
 About the Hofbrau beer, 
 
 70 
 
With voices loud and clear. 
 The tourists, too will here 
 Much rather sing than sneer 
 Und trink ein gut Glass beer. 
 
 MY BIRTHPLACE 
 
 Sweet home of my childhood, 
 
 Of long, long years ago — 
 Thy meadows and green wood 
 
 I recognize and know; 
 But kind hearts and sweet love, 
 
 Like music from the bards, 
 Rest near a chestnut grove 
 
 In the quiet old churchyard. 
 
 The house where first mine eyes 
 
 Beheld the light of day, 
 A mother's precious prize, 
 
 She taught me how to pray 
 Now has no trace of home, 
 
 No loving hand to greet. 
 It is an empty tomb 
 
 That bids me to retreat. 
 
 I leave without regret 
 
 The footprints of my youth, 
 My steps in joy to set 
 
 Toward fragrant flower booths, 
 Where dwells my love-filled heart 
 
 With kin and friends I love, 
 From whom I ne'er will part 
 
 Till God calls from above. 
 
 71 
 
I now return a parting kiss 
 
 To thy grand mountain's height; 
 
 May God's protecting love and bliss, 
 E'er on His people light; 
 
 And now with love in heart, 
 I say good-by — and part. 
 
 A BOB-SLED SLIDE IN SWITZERLAND 
 
 Hurray for fun without alloy! 
 Two girls and a jolly boy 
 Propose to have a glorious ride — 
 The best of all, a bob-sled slide. 
 
 Hump, bump we glide along the track 
 And land below with a kerwhack, 
 A little tilted to one side 
 In our hilarious bob-sled slide. 
 
 "Up, up," says Helen, "for another!" 
 "Agreed," says boy, and Helen's Mother, 
 Who never wilfully could chide — 
 The joy of such a bod-sled slide. 
 
 The automobile is a chump 
 While ours is the highest trump; 
 In fact with us you'll all decide, 
 There's nothing like a bob-sled slide. 
 
 No promenade 'long shady nook, 
 Along the still and murmuring brook, 
 Or 'long the swelling ocean tide, 
 Compares with our bob-sled slide. 
 
 The airship flying through the air 
 Can't in the slightest e'er compare 
 
 72 
 
With our fine hop-skip jingling ride — 
 The all-embracing bod-sled glide. 
 
 Sweet memory our thoughts combine 
 As though we three were then divine, 
 And as for me, I oft' have sighed 
 For just another bob-sled slide. 
 
 ON ISLE OF MAINAU AT 12 P. M. 
 
 Hush! Hark! What sweet notes greet my ear 
 
 From out this forest deep, 
 
 While stars bedeck the heav'nly sphere 
 
 And all else is asleep. 
 
 It is — it is the nightingale — 
 
 The queen of all this lovely vale, 
 
 Thy silv'ry note of heavn'ly joy 
 
 Enfolds my soul, doth it decoy. 
 
 Thy dulcet vibratory notes 
 Touch all the lyric strings, 
 That on the rippling zephyr float 
 Moved by thy angelic wings. 
 They hold my soul in rapturous bliss, 
 And so bewitch my consciousness 
 That past ecstatic joy will seem 
 To this one hour only a dream. 
 
 Symphonic Diva most divine, 
 
 To thee I'll give my heart, 
 
 Thou art my most enchanted shrine, 
 
 Pray do not from me part; 
 
 But sing me thine eternal song 
 
 With magic power sweet and long, 
 
 That with the silv'ry moonlight gleam 
 
 Will lullaby my sweetest dream. 
 
 73 
 
ON RECEIVING DEATH NOTICE AND 
 
 PICTURE OF A FRIEND 
 
 AT WIESBADEN. 
 
 'Tis only a semblance, 
 
 Yet it brings to my mind 
 The happy remembrance 
 
 Of a heart true and kind 
 That long ago I met 
 
 In our youths' blooming days, 
 That left no sad regret 
 
 Of our toils or our plays. 
 
 His friendship true as steel, 
 
 His heart like a milky wave, 
 He lived for others' weal, 
 
 For others' work and brave 
 His love like flowing stream 
 
 That banks can not contain 
 On others' lives should beam 
 
 With ^music's sweet refrain. 
 
 Farewell, dear life-long friend: 
 
 I'll quaff to thy blessed soul 
 That with God's soul doth blend 
 
 The nectar from love's bowl; 
 And to thy dear ones send 
 
 In sympathy divine 
 Cheer that will still transcend 
 
 The beams of bright sunshine. 
 
 74 
 
TRIBUTE TO SWITZERLAND 
 
 O Switzerland, dear Switzerland! 
 
 How can I from thee part? 
 Around me is the wedlock band, 
 
 Enchanted is my heart. 
 
 Thy gardens and thy vineclad hills 
 Abound with flowers and fruit; 
 
 The choicest nectar dost distill, 
 That blends with song and lute. 
 
 Sweet songsters flit from tree to tree, 
 
 Their music fills the air, 
 That lends sweet tones of sympathy 
 
 To souls in grief or care. 
 
 Thy lakes like mirrors e'er reflect 
 The mountains and blue sky, 
 
 The giant peaks with snow bedecked, 
 And swans that o'er thee fly. 
 
 The tow'ring mountains' spiral crest 
 Beholds the sun's first gleam, 
 
 And golden crowns from out the west, 
 That e'er with splendor beam. 
 
 All thy enchanting beauty rare 
 Is heaven on earth to me, 
 That in my heart with thee I'll share 
 At home beyond the sea. 
 
 75 
 
AT EVENTIDE 
 
 When sinking sun hath calmly set, 
 
 And silv'ry moonlight doth appear, 
 With dewdrops moist the violet 
 
 'Neath twinkling stars in heaven's sphere- 
 Then turn my thoughts to years gone by, 
 And bring sweet visions to mine eye. 
 
 At even tide, 
 When towering roselit mountains glow, 
 
 And flowering vivid-colored vale 
 Do all put on an azure hue, 
 
 And sombre-looking night regale, 
 Then to my soul sweet vistas rise 
 From near-by heav'nly paradise. 
 
 At even tide, 
 When weary toilers seek their rest, 
 
 Both man and beast cease roaming, 
 When songsters, too, seek their soft nest 
 
 In silv'ry moonlit gloaming, 
 I let my thoughts beyond me soar 
 To a dear heart of years before. 
 
 At even tide, 
 When all is stillness and serene, 
 
 Scarce heard a rustling of the leaves, 
 With here and there a glow worm sheen, 
 
 And swallows rest beneath the eaves, 
 'Tis then I seek in quietude 
 All that to love and peace allude. 
 
 At even tide, 
 When in tune with gentle zephyr 
 Doth oscillate the balmy air, 
 
 76 
 
And every atom doth aver 
 
 That all is well in godly care, 
 Then drinks my soul the godlike joy, 
 Sweet nectar's bliss without alloy. 
 
 At even tide, 
 When sweethearts meet in moonlight's gleam, 
 
 Enjoying secretly their wooing, 
 Their bright eyes met in love's esteem, 
 
 And lips in kiss while cooing, 
 'Tis then my heart craves love divine, 
 The image of my holy shrine. 
 
 At even tide, 
 When angel thoughts around me hover, 
 
 And greet my soul in love's embrace, 
 I feel that I am still a lover 
 
 Of that true heart and smiling face 
 That always was and e'er shall be 
 The angel queen of love to me. 
 
 GARDA SEE 
 
 Blue Garda See, I bow to thee 
 
 In homage and in praise ; 
 A priceless pearl thou'lt ever be, 
 
 A turquoise in image, 
 That in Imperial Kaiser's crown 
 Shone out with luster and renown. 
 
 Thou wert a boon that all did crave 
 
 From emperor to king, 
 And o'er thy beauty all did rave, 
 
 And bards their praises sing; 
 
 77 
 
The poets made of thee a shrine, 
 And worshiped thee as if divine. 
 
 Through all the turmoil, war and snare, 
 
 None could thy beauty mar, 
 For thou were ever in God's care, 
 
 Who like a brilliant star 
 Watched O'er thee while thou wert asleep, 
 In rock-bound cradle, strong and deep. 
 
 The towering mountains 'round thee stand 
 
 Like sentinels to see 
 That thou art nurtured from their hand 
 
 By streams they send to thee, 
 From snowy peaks in silv'ry rill, 
 That joyfully thy measure fill. 
 
 The sun at its meridian height 
 
 Greets thee by day with love, 
 While silvery moon and stars by night 
 
 Smile on thee from above, 
 And signorinas sing lago 
 From gentle gliding gondola. 
 
 All bliss, fair queen of lakes, is thine 
 
 To reign majestically, 
 And float thy flag of blue divine 
 
 In rippling ecstacy, 
 And all in praise must pay tribute 
 And thy majestic throne salute. 
 
MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND 
 (Written in an Album.) 
 
 Die Welt ist doch ein Paradies 
 
 Und schoen darin zu leben 
 Blumen, Musick, Lieb sind suess 
 
 Die Sie mir hier gegeben. 
 
 Stets halt' ich diesen Ort in Ehr' 
 
 Fuer Freuden hier genossen 
 Und imein froh' Herz wird nimmer mehr 
 In Lieb zu Ihn geschlossen. 
 
 LAKE LEMAN 
 
 Most beauteous lake, thy charm, 
 Rich in romantic ecstasies, 
 Abounding in felicities, 
 Doth poets' art disarm. 
 
 No language adequate 
 
 To paint the soul's impression, 
 
 Nor joyous exultation 
 
 Of all thou art innate. 
 
 Thy glittering wavelets move 
 Like gentle zephyrs 'mong the trees, 
 Or wings of humming birds and bees, 
 Each in its rhythmic groove. 
 
 The sun's soft shimm'ring beams 
 On thy sapphirine deep-toned blue, 
 
 79 
 
And emerald green of varied hue, 
 Cause rapturous day dreams. 
 
 Thy ripples near the strand 
 Subside to glossy mirrored sheets 
 In which the mountain peaks thee greet 
 With nymphic mystic wand. 
 
 The light-winged swans oft fly 
 From shore to shore in white array, 
 Their graceful movements to display, 
 And thee to vivify. 
 
 Gondolas often filled 
 With maids and youths at eventide, 
 'Neath silvery moon upon thee glide, 
 With music's laughter thrilled. 
 
 No longer dost thou fear, 
 Nor dread the torturing days long gone, 
 That filled the prison of Chillon 
 And made of thee a bier. 
 
 Live on, thou beauteous lake, 
 Rock in thy cradle strong and deep, 
 While angels o'er thee vigil keep, 
 And of thy joy partake. 
 
 80 
 
GOING HOME FROM SCHUETZEN FEST 
 
 I'll ne'er forget the festive crowd 
 That down the Danube River flow'd, 
 And made its banks with music ring 
 In honor of their Schuetzen king. 
 They all indulged in "Wiener Wurst, 
 Brat Schnitzel, Bier to quench den Durst." 
 
 Their costumes were die Mod' von Lenz, 
 With hats adorned mit Feder Glaenz. 
 Most men were portly, few were lean, 
 Their uniform was red and green; 
 They all indulged in "Wiener Wurst, 
 Brat Schnitzel, Bier to quench den Durst." 
 
 They sang and danced "den Sieger Kranz," 
 And lustily cheered their Kaiser Franz, 
 And when "der Walzer Tanz" would end, 
 "Zu Tisch" both youth and maid would tend, 
 And there indulge in "Wiener Wurst, 
 Brat Schnitzel, Bier to quench his Durst"? 
 
 This they kept up for many hours, 
 While we were passing burgs and towers, 
 The ruined castle of Duernstein 
 That held as prisoner Coeur-de-Lion ; 
 Who knows if he had "Wiener Wurst, 
 Brat Schnitzel, Bier to quench den Durst?" 
 
 The wine and beer as genius 
 Brought happiness "zum Ueberfluss," 
 With love's embrace and caresses 
 Accompanied with sweetest kisses, 
 More luscious than the "Wiener Wurst, 
 Brat Schnitzel, Beer to quench den Durst." 
 
 81 
 
ABSENCE 
 
 Oft I've listened as before 
 To thy gentle tapping, 
 Till I'd be a-napping, 
 Dreaming of that rapping 
 At rny lonely chamber door, 
 But lo! I hear it never more. 
 
 Oft I've listened as before 
 To thy gentle greeting, 
 At our friendly meeting, 
 When my heart was beating 
 With friendship's love galore. 
 But lo! I hear it never more. 
 
 Yet I know that never more 
 Friendship's tie can sever, 
 But live on forever 
 With ecstatic quiver, 
 That'll tap the magic door 
 Just the same as heretofore. 
 
 BERLIN, GERMANY 
 
 If splendor stands for moral worth, 
 Then glitt'ring Berlin takes the prize, 
 
 For nowhere on this globular earth 
 Doth brilliancy enchant the eyes 
 
 And speak of wealth untold, 
 
 Or grandeur thus unfold. 
 
 It doth the mind with thoughts o'erwhelm 
 To see the glaring domes and spires, 
 
 The soldiers' trappings, sword and helm, 
 Boudoirs and halls in gorgeous attire — 
 
 All to adorn the Kaiser. 
 
 Doth that too make him wiser? 
 
 82 
 
NERO BERG, SUNDAY MORNING 
 
 All peace and beauty in these woods 
 
 Above the Nerothal, 
 Where I commune with nature's gods, 
 
 That now my soul enthrall. 
 Here give I thanks, this blissful hour, 
 
 For this enchanted temple bower. 
 
 The distant bells now reach mine ear, 
 That call church worshipers. 
 
 I hear the songbirds chiming near, 
 That heart and soul immerse 
 
 In nature-sermons, all sublime, 
 
 That fill my soul with love divine. 
 
 STRASSBURG 
 
 Ach Strassburg, schoen und platt, 
 Du uhralt wunder Stadt. 
 Niemand thut dir beneiden ; 
 Bald muessen wir uns scheiden. 
 Da ich muss weiter ziehn 
 Dort wo Citronen bluehn. 
 
 83 
 
IN THE FOREST NEAR KANNSTATT 
 
 Alone! Yet I'm not lonesome here, 
 
 For loving souls now seek 
 Me in this lovely forest sphere 
 
 And sweetly to me speak; 
 Pray, rest within our bowers 
 
 And pluck the sweetest flowers, 
 For all we have is thine; 
 
 Our plant life is divine. 
 
 The sturdy oak, so brave and strong, 
 
 Wafts in the gentle breeze 
 His leaflets, humming a sweet song 
 
 That blends with neighboring trees; 
 They tell me I'm their guest, 
 And that at my behest 
 They'll weld a friendship band, 
 To join our heart and hand. 
 
 MERAN, TYROL 
 (Farewell to Dr. Steinsberg and Family.) 
 
 A brother's love I leave with thee, 
 
 And bid thee all farewell ; 
 Your smiles and gentle deeds to me, 
 
 Like sunshine to your dell, 
 Shall be to me a Christmas tree, 
 
 And sweetly chiming bell. 
 
 84 
 
EISERNE JUNGFRAU. 
 Instrument of Torture. 
 
NUREMBERG 
 
 A museum of olden time, 
 That with past tyranny doth chime; 
 The relics left speak but the half; 
 The rest is writ in epitaph. 
 
 In old medieval berg on high, 
 
 The echoes of the tortured cry 
 
 Still sound in ghostly, gruesome halls, 
 
 Encased in rock-bound, iron walls. 
 
 The instruments of torturous steel 
 Cruel, murderous deeds of death reveal; 
 And most of these (so records read) 
 Were done by bishops for their creed. 
 
 Yet, in those gruesome days that past 
 The God of art a master cast 
 In Albrecht Durer, whose brush divine 
 Has left his soul on many a shrine. 
 
 And Hans Sachs' poems still live on, 
 
 That as a cobbler he began. 
 
 Oft Beide mued mit ihr'n Buechern 
 
 Speist und trank Bier in Bratwurst Kuechen. 
 
 All this is still in rampart walls 
 And towers that sent out bugle calls 
 To men that fought in fierce contest 
 For follies at a king's behest. 
 
 85 
 
BONN, BEETHOVEN'S BIRTHPLACE 
 
 From out this ancient town 
 
 Opola's prince arose 
 To wear the supreme crown 
 
 That music could impose, 
 Or angels on him shower 
 
 With music's incantation, 
 The Godlike heavenly power 
 
 To move with agitation 
 Our seismic, lyric soul 
 
 In heavenly vibration 
 That all our beings control. 
 
 He was a king of kings, 
 Whose scepter sways o'er all, 
 
 With love his praise to sing, 
 And life with joy enthrall, 
 
 To float on seraph's wings. 
 
 NEAR EPPSTEIN 
 
 How beautiful, serene and still, 
 
 Within this forest fresh and green, 
 
 The verdant vale, the moss-clad hill; 
 I cannot think what this doth mean; 
 
 For not a chipmunk scrambles near, 
 Nor birds of song I see nor hear. 
 
 Yet as I listlessly here wander, 
 
 And turn my thoughts to bygone days, 
 
 That give me food on which to ponder, 
 Or in the future let me gaze, 
 
 I can but think that all is well 
 And better for this quiet spell. 
 
 86 
 
LINES WRITTEN IN AN ALBUM 
 
 FRAULEIN KRAUSS 
 
 Als Freunde getroffen 
 
 Und Freundschaft genossen, 
 Drum schleicht uns die Liebe ins Herz. 
 
 Nun wollen wir hoffen 
 Obwohl dort geschlossen 
 Die Lieb' heil all Abschieds Schmerz. 
 
 KARLE 
 
 Ein treuer, braver Mann 
 
 Mit guttem Sinn and Mut, 
 Glaubt das er alles kann 
 
 Das ehrlich ist und gut: 
 Und solch ein Mann ist, Gott sei dank, 
 
 Des Menschens Freude und Gesang. 
 
 FRAULEIN AMMA 
 
 Ein frohliches Herz, 
 
 Und ein liebvolles Leben 
 
 Heilt all Leidens Schmerz 
 Und thut Lasten abheben. 
 
 AN FRAULEIN HAMPL'S GEBURTSTAG 
 
 Ein Wunsch von aus der Feme, 
 Geb ich vom Herzen gerne, 
 
 Das stehts Ihr susses Leben, 
 Mit Engeln sei umgeben, 
 
 Und Gott thut sie beschutzen 
 Urn's beste Gluck zu nutzen. 
 
 87 
 
DURING A STORM 
 
 Commotion on Fuerst Birmark, 
 
 A sad and sickly lot — 
 A mixture like on Noah's ark, 
 
 Each his allotted spot; 
 Some ate their fill just like a lord, 
 To cast it hastily overboard. 
 
 Some doubled up within their berth, 
 
 Cared not for wine or bread; 
 Regretting that they left sound earth, 
 
 And wished that they were dead ; 
 For oft within them things arose 
 That they imagined were their toes. 
 
 The ship would roll and reel and pitch, 
 
 And shriek as if in pain; 
 Strong men and women wince and twitch 
 
 Equilibrium to gain; 
 Only to fall in dire disgust, 
 While others laughed as if to "bust" (burst), 
 
 Some sat or lay about the ship, 
 
 Devoutly saying prayer; 
 A crucifix pressed to their lip, 
 
 Of life in dire despair. 
 They promised if on land again 
 They'd live and die in dear old Spain. 
 
 88 
 
STREET IN BOZEN. 
 
BOZEN, TYROL 
 
 Come, Fraulein, let us now ascend 
 On winding paths that have no end, 
 Past burgs beyond the vineclad hills; 
 Past castles, over rocks and rills ; 
 Until we reach the mountain dome, 
 And fortress of the eagle's home. 
 
 There will I say my sad farewell 
 To thy sweetheart, dear Isabel; 
 Though far apart, so many miles, 
 I'll always see thy happy smiles. 
 Should e'er we meet on sea or land, 
 Your heart will know that I'm your friend. 
 
 MORNING AT LUGANO 
 
 Oh! beauteous sunrise, dazzling gold — 
 To which mine eyes now in ascending 
 
 The snow-clad mountains do behold, 
 In ridges, gorges without ending; 
 
 Where on each snowy crystal flake 
 Gives luster to Lugano Lake. 
 
 I greet thee, rippling, charming lake; 
 
 On thee the snow-white mountains shed 
 A halo crowned with love awake, 
 
 From yonder crest to thy deep bed, 
 That sips thy kisses 'long the strand 
 
 Of freedom-loving Switzerland. 
 
 89 
 
THE SALTNER IN TYROLER VINEYARDS 
 
 Though fierce at sight, he will not harm 
 
 A babe within its mother's arm; 
 
 But if a Saltner you should meet, 
 
 He gallantly will always greet — 
 
 Be it a lady or a feller — 
 
 And kindly ask for zwanzig Heller. 
 
 CHIMING BELLS AT ALTBURG 
 
 From pleasant sleep we're called to rise 
 By chiming bells that tell the time, 
 
 When morning dawns and God supplies 
 Sweet thoughts of love and truth sublime, 
 
 That send our souls to Arian height 
 
 On wings through sunbeam's glorious light. 
 
 The rustling leaves with chimes soon blend, 
 With which the songsters all join in, 
 
 And their great joy to others send, 
 That are to music's charms all kin. 
 
 Thus touch the chords of harmony, 
 
 And all join the sweet melody. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 (Written in Westminster Abbey.) 
 
 Great warriors, priests and kings renown, 
 
 With sword and prayer-book pressed in hand, 
 All deeds of valor claim their own 
 
 That brought them laurels through the land: 
 Of weal and woe they were full owner; 
 
 Their hands oft stained in crimson blood; 
 All but the honored poet's corner, 
 
 That's filled with souls in tune with God. 
 
 90 
 
VESUVIUS 
 
 O demon, on thy lofty throne, 
 
 Devoid of pity, sympathy or love, 
 No mercy hast thou ever shown 
 
 To supplications that for mercy strove ; 
 But ruthlessly o'erwhelmed them all 
 With molten scoria that on them did fall. 
 
 O giant monster that thou art, 
 
 For ages threatening with thy fiery breath 
 The ever-anxious trembling heart 
 
 With dire destruction and with cruel death, 
 From fiery lava that doth spread 
 O'er homes and loved ones, an oblivion bed. 
 
 Thy fiery ashes' coney scum, 
 
 Ejected from thy throat, has covered up 
 Pompeii and Herculaneum, 
 
 With all their grandeur, life, love and hope, 
 That now reveals an age gone by, 
 For which in past, dear heart did mourn and sigh. 
 
 But why complain of nature's law, 
 
 And of the power that all doth make and rule? 
 We cannot say it's e'en a flaw; 
 
 But while attending Nature's mystic school, 
 Accept for good all to us given, 
 And make of hell a paradise and heaven. 
 
 91 
 
FUERST BISMARK 
 
 Speed on, thou lusty craft, 
 
 With all thy power and might, 
 Let from thy mast-top waft 
 
 At morning, noon and night, 
 The insignia convoy 
 
 That in my distant home, 
 Kind hearts full love and joy 
 
 Will soon our ties illume. 
 
 Oh, beauteous moonlight night, 
 
 And silver-spangled wave ! 
 A grand, inspiring sight 
 
 That doth itself engrave, 
 And sends my thoughts on high 
 
 In ecstasy and glee, 
 That God is ever nigh 
 
 And gives this joy to me. 
 
 Glide o'er the rolling wave, 
 
 Rock in thy cradle deep, 
 Fierce storm and danger brave 
 
 While stars their vigil keep; 
 Let yonder silv'ry moon 
 
 That fleecy clouds enshrine 
 Now with my friends commune, 
 
 Their love with mine entwine. 
 
 92 
 
CORDOBA, MEXICO 
 
 Proud Cordoba, whence came thy birth? 
 
 Who were thy braves of old? 
 Both they and record 'neath the earth 
 
 Have turned to dust and mold. 
 
 Perchance that Orizaba's tongue, 
 The towering monarch near, 
 
 Could tell us how they prayed and sang 
 To him in awe and fear. 
 
 Or that their souls ascended high, 
 
 And bowed on to the sun. 
 All. all is now a mystery; 
 
 Their course through life is run. 
 
 Some Toltecs in their armor might 
 
 Have traced the lion's lair, 
 Or for their freedom, love and right 
 
 Fought with their might austere. 
 
 All this now rests in the dim past, 
 Of which no trace is found; 
 
 A darkened veil has overcast 
 All woe, fame and renown. 
 
 But Nature's grandeur still lives on 
 
 And smiles on Cordoba, 
 While Senoritas, muy bien, 
 
 Dance and sing, tra, la, la. 
 
 In happy idleness and bliss, 
 All live a simple life; 
 
 93 
 
With loving hearts give kiss for kiss, 
 And never dream of strife. 
 
 All lustily the pulque quaff, 
 
 Tortillas for repast; 
 Eat without greed, while burros laugh 
 
 At morsels to them cast. 
 
 94 
 
Part III. 
 
 Love, bright and sweet in young and old, 
 Returns in measure thousand fold. 
 
DIALOGUE OR SEMI-CANTATA, WHEN IN 
 
 TERSPERSED WITH SONGS SUITABLE 
 
 FOR FLORAL FESTIVALS. 
 
 INVITATION. 
 
 By the Queen Rose 
 
 Oh! Come to our kingdom of flowers, 
 And dwell within sweet-scented bowers, 
 Adorned with emerald and gold, 
 And colors of lusters untold ; 
 Where beauty and love's mystic powers 
 Will shorten the day to sweet hours. 
 
 Come feast on our beauteous array, 
 That drives sorrow and grief away. 
 With joy and love that are enrolled, 
 In every leaflet and every fold; 
 Which give their sweetness every day, 
 For humming birds and bees purvey. 
 
 Come, let your love with ours unite, 
 That we might read God's love aright; 
 Which stands for beauty, charm and peace ; 
 Doth love and happiness increase 
 In souls that have the true insight 
 In the sublime and infinite. 
 
 SONG OF WELCOME 
 
 Oh! come to our kingdom of flowers, 
 
 And join our jubilee; 
 Come, dwell 'neath our sweet-scented bowers, 
 
 Where all is lovely and free. 
 
 97 
 
Chorus. 
 
 Come, oh come. Come, oh come; 
 
 Oh come to our kingdom of flowers; 
 Come, oh come; come, oh come; 
 
 Come join our jubilee. 
 
 We bask in the glorious sunshine 
 
 That gilds our princely array; 
 The lily, the rose and the jasmine, 
 
 I joy their beauty display. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 With dewdrop's bespangled at morning, 
 Like pearls they sparkle in sunshine ; 
 
 Our beauty with splendor adorning; 
 With angels we are divine. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 THE SUN AT SUNSET 
 
 Farewell to all ye flow'rets dear, 
 Until again I reappear, 
 
 And take you in my care. 
 For I must circle 'round this globe, 
 Bedecked with all my gorgeous robe, 
 
 That others, too, may share. 
 
 THE FLOWERS IN UNISON 
 
 O thou most glorious Sol, we pray 
 With thy beneficence to stay; 
 
 And let our love unite 
 In beauty with thy golden streams, 
 That from out West now on us beams, 
 
 And fills us with delight. 
 
 98 
 
Thy love and power infallible, 
 With splendor inexhaustible, 
 
 Surpasses all our wealth. 
 From thy bright rays of various hue — 
 Red, purple, yellow, white and blue — 
 
 We draw our life and health. 
 
 THE POPPIES 
 
 We poppies turn to thee each morn, 
 To seek our beauty to adorn, 
 
 That thou dost close at night. 
 But we would rather stay awake, 
 And ever of thy gift partake, 
 
 And be by thee bedight. 
 
 MARIGOLD AND LILY 
 
 We marigolds and lilies, too, 
 
 Would wish to keep our lovely blow, 
 
 In honor to thy praise. 
 For none admire us when you're gone; 
 Our hearts are sad and very lone, 
 
 And by cold nights we're dazed. 
 
 ALL FLOWERS IN UNISON 
 
 Carnations, roses, violets sweet, 
 All seek with prayers to entreat 
 
 Thee, here with us to stay; 
 That we may bask in all thy glory ; 
 Grow in beauty each tomorrow; 
 
 Therewith thee to repay. 
 
 THE SUN 
 
 Sweet flowers of beauty, one and all, 
 Your praises do my soul enthrall. 
 
 99 
 
Now listen to my plea; 
 With all our gorgeous array, 
 That you as well as I display, 
 
 We must not selfish be. 
 
 My royal sparkling retinue, 
 
 That holds at eve its grand review. 
 
 Extinguishes the light, 
 And then becomes my charioteer, 
 That takes me to another sphere, 
 
 And leaves behind the night. 
 
 In yonder sphere I must preside, 
 And thus my time in half divide, 
 
 And nurse the flowers there; 
 For they are of your family kind, 
 So you must not my absence mind, 
 
 Nor envy them their share. 
 
 THE FLOWERS IN UNISON 
 
 Adieu, high noble, we'll agree 
 All to obey thy wise decree; 
 And silently will yearn, 
 With anxious longing for the dawn, 
 When all the splendors will be shown 
 At thy regal return. 
 
 A joyful greeting we all send, 
 To all our kin in yonder land, 
 
 With us in one accord. 
 Be they with all thy blessings thrilled, 
 Until their hearts like ours are filled, 
 With praise for thee, our Lord. 
 
 100 
 
THE SUN 
 
 The silvery moon, with its pale light, 
 And brilliant, twinkling stars by night, 
 
 Will guard you while you sleep. 
 And King Zeus' mist, with pearly dew, 
 Your health and beauty then renew — 
 
 There with your fragrance keep. 
 
 THE MOON. 
 
 I come to you with silvery light, 
 That doth your loving thoughts invite, 
 
 To rest and sweet repose; 
 While music's sweetness in your dream, 
 Is sung by heav'nly cherubim, 
 
 Till tyrian's rays disclose. 
 THE STAR 
 We twinkling stars our vigil keep, 
 While you in dreamland's bosom sleep, 
 
 And all your care allay ; 
 Until the glory of the morn, 
 In all its splendor newly born, 
 
 Will ope the coming day. 
 
 LULLABY SONG 
 
 Day slowly declining, 
 
 Beams over vale and tower, 
 
 Fondly now entwining, 
 
 We'll seek our leafy bower. 
 
 Moonbeams now are stealing 
 Soft through our flow'ry vale, 
 
 Sweet night now revealing 
 With lustre calm and pale. 
 
 101 
 
Stars brightly are shining 
 O'er us their vigil keep, 
 
 While we are reclining, 
 In sweet ethereal sleep. 
 
 THE SUN IN THE EAST. 
 
 Wake! Wake! and sing your morning song, 
 Let harp and lute their notes prolong, 
 
 To reach the heavens above. 
 Waft forth your fragrance pure and sweet, 
 And live in peace and joy complete, 
 
 Filled with celestial love. 
 
 My retinue at eve released 
 
 Are now my couriers in the East, 
 
 With sounds of reveille, 
 Thy greeting smiles with joy to meet, 
 And all earth's splendor to replete, 
 
 With songs of jubilee. 
 
 But pfay while thus in joy you wake, 
 Do not imy power for all mistake, 
 
 As there is One far greater, 
 Who guides and loves us one and all, 
 Without Whose ken your leaves can't fall, 
 
 God, Supreme Creator. 
 
 JEWEL SONG 
 
 Jewels in the bright sunshine 
 
 Are we the happy flower, 
 Our hearts are filled with love divine 
 
 With magic and with power; 
 
 102 
 
The humming bird and honey bee 
 
 In joy our kisses meet, 
 And with our fragrant beauty rare 
 
 This world is made complete. 
 
 CHORUS 
 
 La e la, la e la, la e la lo, la e la lo, la e la lo. 
 La e la, la e la, la e la lo, la e la lo, la e la lo. 
 
 We are loved by evr'y one 
 
 In distant land and near, 
 A-blaze with our majestic sun 
 
 None can be our compeer; 
 The dewdrops in the early morn 
 
 Bedeck our festive robe, 
 With all our beauty we are then 
 
 The iridescent globe. 
 
 Chorus 
 
 103 
 
LIFE'S JOURNEY 
 
 The years roll on. 
 
 It is not long since they began 
 
 In infancy. 
 
 None can remember their first day 
 
 As cherubim, 
 
 On which a mother's eyes would gleam 
 
 With love divine. 
 
 To her no star can ever shine 
 
 Like baby's eye, 
 
 Of gray, or blue like turquoise sky. 
 
 The years roll on, 
 
 When seeds are gathered one by one, 
 
 That youth may sow, 
 
 So that from seeds sweet flow'rs may grow, 
 
 Wherewith to grace 
 
 Themselves, and love with charms embrace 
 
 That will reflect 
 
 On other souls, and then attract 
 
 God's love supreme, 
 
 Wherewith their life in joy may beam. 
 
 The years roll on, 
 
 When at meridian height the sun 
 
 Shines on life's prime 
 
 That pinnacles for crowns oft climb, 
 
 Hoping to share 
 
 The brilliant wealth in earth and air, 
 
 But often falls, 
 
 When life for wealth its soul enthralls, 
 
 Without God's love, 
 
 That outshines wealth below, above. 
 
 The years roll on, 
 
 When life descends like setting sun 
 
 104 
 
In lustrous glow, 
 
 That down the stream of time doth flow 
 
 With rippling joy. 
 
 When love and truth are its convoy, 
 
 Or beacon light 
 
 That guides the soul, fills with delight 
 
 The noble heart 
 
 That lived its best and did its part. 
 
 The years roll on, 
 
 Give thanks to life for what it's done 
 
 From infancy, 
 
 Through youth, old age, from day to day. 
 
 With joyful heart 
 
 To other souls your cheer impart, 
 
 And ne'er grow old, 
 
 But let springtime in thee unfold 
 
 Perpetual youth, 
 
 Filled with sweet love, health, strength and truth. 
 
 105 
 
SILVER WEDDING GREETING. 
 
 The wedding day of long ago 
 
 Is ever new to hearts like thine, 
 That Cupid's arrow with one throw, 
 
 Filled to the core with love divine. 
 
 Those eyes that beamed with love and joy 
 Are still like stars in luster bright, 
 
 That thrill your soul, or gently coy 
 To sweet caress with calm delight. 
 
 These loving hands that joined in bliss 
 
 And matrimonially made one, 
 Still toil in joy and happiness 
 
 To reach the goal they then begun. 
 
 As through the years, love's flowering buds 
 
 Expand into celestial flowers, 
 Your souls will grow as one with God's, 
 
 And dwell with him in heavenly bowers. 
 
 That rapturous, agitated heart 
 
 Swelled with emotional heavenly bliss, 
 
 Oft with a dove-like cunning art, 
 Calls for a sweet and blissful kiss. 
 
 Sing out the Silver Wedding Song ! 
 
 And let each guest around this board 
 Send notes of love that will prolong 
 
 Their life in health and sweet concord. 
 
 Each day and year let love renew, 
 
 For love, my dears, will ne'er grow old. 
 
 Look upward, ever God in view, 
 And live to wed in the year of gold. 
 
 106 
 
MIGRATING BIRDS THAT COME TO THE 
 
 FOUNT AND FOOD BASKET NEAR 
 
 MY WINDOW. 
 
 Welcome, sweet and lovely rangers, 
 Though to me you are most strangers, 
 But secure and fear no danger, 
 
 Your banquet is prepared, 
 
 Your bedding sweetly aired, 
 
 For all your comfort cared. 
 
 Your plumage of a rare design 
 Is not from in our own confine, 
 But all are welcome whate'er kind, 
 
 To drink from out the fount, 
 
 And banquet like a count. 
 
 Let naught your pleasure daunt. 
 
 When all your wants are well supplied, 
 
 Your caroling in turn replied, 
 
 Pray, tell me who's your journey's guide, 
 
 Whose chariots are they 
 
 That bring you all the way, 
 
 From distant land and sea. 
 
 Have you a chart that shows the way, 
 
 And points your course through night and day 
 
 Or is it the divine Convey, 
 
 That dwells within us all? 
 
 Is 't nature's madrigal 
 
 That oft our souls enthrall? 
 
 I have myself a rover been; 
 Perchance in foreign land I've seen, 
 
 107 
 
And heard you sing in forests green, 
 Your songs of joy and love, 
 From flowery arched alcove, 
 Your happiness to prove. 
 
 You are the blithesome tourists, free 
 To rove o'er mountain, vale and sea 
 And join with nature's melody, 
 
 Your songs and caroling, 
 
 That with deep pathos ring, 
 
 More joy than sorrow bring. 
 
 You're often robed in bright array, 
 
 Red, blue and green, white, gold and grey. 
 
 All, a la mode, each blessed day, 
 
 You wing through space like lords, 
 
 Possess royal beds and board, 
 
 By all you are adored. 
 
 My life like yours shall ever be 
 
 In tune with nature blithe and free, 
 
 And join in song and jubilee. 
 
 Seek the best everywhere, 
 
 To which we're all co-heir, 
 
 Debonnair, free from care. 
 
 With yours my love and songs shall blend, 
 Our friendship never, never end, 
 Our happiness and joy transcend. 
 
 Farewell where'er you fly, 
 
 On wings of liberty, 
 
 Your life may vivify. 
 
 108 
 
LIFE'S MYSTERY. 
 
 O life, thou deepest mystery, 
 
 Thou fathomless abyss, 
 Who knows thy law and secrecy, 
 
 Thy joy and thy distress? 
 
 No plan devised or ever made 
 
 Was carried to its end, 
 And wisdom's course by us obeyed , 
 
 Has oft to naught been rend. 
 
 Our paths through life oft multiply, 
 
 We know not which to choose, 
 All this to me doth signify 
 There must be One Who knows. 
 
 O Thou supreme all-knowing One, 
 Guide Thou my steps aright; 
 
 Be Thou my thoughts and lead me on 
 Through every day and night. 
 
 My trust is in Thy power sublime, 
 
 With Thee I'll e'er abide, 
 For ever Thine and Thou art mine. 
 
 For naught can us divide. 
 
 109 
 
TO MY CHILDREN ABROAD 
 
 Flee thou, O yearning thought, 
 To where my dear ones are, 
 Tell them my lonely heart 
 Will draw them from afar, 
 On speedy wing, to flee 
 Until they're near to me, 
 That I their form may see. 
 
 Go, thou, O mystic star, 
 And guide them by thy light, 
 To pass the ocean bar, 
 In safety day or night, 
 Through all the foreign land, 
 O'er mount or desert sand, 
 That I might press their hand. 
 
 Blow, gentle breezes, blow, 
 And waft them on their way, 
 And give their hearts to know 
 The sadness of delay; 
 Speed them from yonder chart, 
 That soon we may impart, 
 Our love from heart to heart. 
 
 Speed them, O swift-winged dove, 
 On lightning darts display, 
 To where the burning love 
 Is longing night and day, 
 For them to reach their goal. 
 And sip from nectar's bowl 
 The love from soul to soul. 
 
 no 
 
MOCKINGBIRD. 
 
 Welcome, sweet songster; thy return 
 
 Brings gladness to my soul. 
 And now my heart will cease to yearn 
 
 And list to thy carol. 
 Thou art of nature's orchestra — 
 
 The warbling clarinet. 
 At times thy songs appeal to me 
 
 Like the famous sextette, 
 At early dawn I hear thee call 
 
 Me oft from reverie. 
 Then all my being dost enthrall, 
 
 And make me worship thee. 
 Thy silvery voice at midnight hour 
 
 Sounds sweetly from afar, 
 Or from the near-by trellised bower 
 
 Illumined by moon and star. 
 Oh! let thy vibratory note 
 
 Blend with my love and heart, 
 And on ethereal waves afloat 
 
 To Her in realms apart. 
 Then all Her sweet celestial love 
 
 Will joyously rebound, 
 With angel music from above, 
 
 Her voice to me redound. 
 
 ill 
 
SOUL'S SOLILOQUY 
 
 Soul ! thy prompting I'll obey 
 While sitting on the ocean strand 
 
 And thinking of that far-off day 
 
 When love with love, and hand in hand 
 We walked along the sandy shore 
 That sees thy foot-prints never more. 
 
 1 pray thee, O my soul, impart 
 To me a message I may send 
 
 To her, who still lives in my heart 
 
 Whose love floats over sea and land. 
 Ask her, "Does my love intertwine 
 With hers in peace and joy divine?" 
 
 I feel thy prompting this to write, 
 That all her guiding love is near, 
 
 Her wish that life with me be bright, 
 That never sorrow's scalding tear 
 
 Should dim my sight while I enjoy 
 
 God's greatest blessing without alloy. 
 
 And Thou dost truly tell me more, 
 That she whose love is e'er with me, 
 
 The heavenly Angels, too, adore; 
 And that her soul in ecstasy 
 
 Doth bless us but will never yearn 
 
 To this abode e'er to return. 
 
 112 
 
BON VOYAGE. 
 
 For Miss M. O., the Ellis Club Accompanist. 
 
 Glide on, thou gallant ship, 
 
 And let thy prow e'er dip 
 
 To greet the gentle breeze 
 
 On turquoise tranquil seas; 
 
 And know that in thy sails are wove 
 
 Three-score of hearts, all filled with love. 
 
 Speed on with winds that blow 
 
 From eastern morning glow, 
 
 Or western golden light 
 
 Into the starlit night; 
 
 And let the silvery moonlight's beam 
 
 Shine on our queen in her sweet dream. 
 
 May Neptune use his charms 
 To quiet threat'ning storms, 
 And mermaids' roundelay 
 Blend with the pearly spray ; 
 And thus in joy and safety 
 You cradle on the deep, blue sea. 
 
 May guardian angel hands 
 Guide you through foreign lands, 
 And on your safe return, 
 For which we deeply yearn; 
 Naught will our lone hearts reconcile 
 Until again we see your smile. 
 
 113 
 
MY CHRISTMAS MIRTH. 
 
 With joy I greet this Christmas day 
 
 As in the days of yore, 
 When with my simple toys at play 
 
 I Santa did adore 
 In his long boots, fur coat and snow-white beard, 
 And tooting horn, the best I'd ever heard. 
 
 Of yuletides I have past three score — 
 
 Yes — and sixteen over, 
 Some near the frigid, Baltic shore, 
 
 But more 'midst flowers and clover ; 
 And every merry Christmas day I've past 
 Left sweeter love and joy than did the last. 
 
 I mingle with the children's joy 
 
 And with them dance and play, 
 I'm pleased with every doll and toy 
 
 And all their fine array; 
 And let their happiness my heart imbue 
 With health and strength that do my life renew. 
 
 While friendship's hearts grow strong in years 
 
 And add unto life's joy, 
 And mirth and bliss of youth appears 
 
 As energizing buoy, 
 That keeps afloat my youth-filled heart and tends 
 To give me ever more of Christmas friends. 
 
 Peace and good will on every day 
 
 A wish to one and all, 
 From Him Who was born on Christmas day, 
 
 On all alike befall; 
 Whose friendly hand and love with all entwine, 
 And know that all are one in God divine. 
 
 114 
 
SUN GOD. 
 
 Of many gods thus gone before, 
 That man did worship and adore 
 For all the good that they had done, 
 To tribes and nations everywhere 
 That prayed to them their gifts to share 
 Thou stoodst supreme, O mighty sun. 
 
 With nature's supreme power divine 
 Doth all thy power intertwine 
 To bless all life upon this earth, 
 With purple splendors, morning light, 
 And gilded blue and gray at night 
 That fills the soul with joy and mirth. 
 
 The flow'ry kingdom doth awake 
 
 And from thy smiles its beauty take 
 
 At morn in thy ascending. 
 
 Enchanted by thy brilliant light 
 
 They follow thee until at night, 
 
 They close their eyes in sunset's blending. 
 
 Thy greeting daily dost renew 
 To sip the sparkling pearly dew 
 From rosy lips at early hour, 
 Then mysticly the dewdrops rise 
 To form the beauteous, cloudy skies 
 That send refreshing gentle showers. 
 
 Thy moving galleries on high 
 The greatest artist's skill defy; 
 Thy beauteous sceneries ever blend 
 With fragrant flowers on earth's breast, 
 With tow'ring snow-capped mountains' crest, 
 And ocean's swelling silv'ry strand. 
 
 115 
 
Behold the rose-tint mountain crest 
 That draws its beauty from the west, 
 While thou dost sink in bright array 
 To shed thy light on other land, 
 And thus to form a golden band 
 That all earth's surface doth survey. 
 
 Most glorious hues from thee descend, 
 That beauty to earth's kingdom lend, 
 To woods, and meadows, and the sea; 
 The clouds are tinted with thy gold 
 And autumn leaves grand to behold. 
 All gorgeous splendor comes from thee. 
 
 Thy glittering light on glaciers beam 
 That oft like molten silver gleam, 
 And cast its brilliant light afar 
 To meet the purpled clouds above, 
 As if to greet them with their love 
 And all their frigid zone unbar. 
 
 The silv'ry billows on the lake 
 
 Of all thy coloring partake, 
 
 From emerald green to turquoise blue; 
 
 The sparkling diamonds from cascades, 
 
 And misty rainbows of all shades 
 
 Add to thy brilliant retinue. 
 
 The rainbow that for ages past 
 
 A sacred promise did forecast 
 
 Is also of thy magic art. 
 
 Aurora of the distant north 
 
 Whose carmine hue from dusk comes forth 
 
 Its beauty, too, thou dost impart. 
 
 116 
 
To the vast satellites attend 
 
 And all obey thy fixed command 
 
 As in their train around thee fly. 
 
 The heavens above decked with bright stars, 
 
 Like Venus, Jupiter and Mars, 
 
 Dost thou adorn and vivify. 
 
 The tiny cells thy law obey 
 
 And wondrous changes oft display 
 
 In germinating life from seed. 
 
 Thy light and warmth are adequate 
 
 That life and form to animate 
 
 With wondrous power for every need. 
 
 With all thy many attributes 
 
 Thyself like we must e'er salute 
 
 The universal power divine 
 
 That holds command o'er all in all, 
 
 Without whose ken a hair can't fall, 
 
 Whose power doth mind, life, love, combine. 
 
 SOUL'S TEMPLE. 
 
 Oh ! sweet, ethereal, blissful hour 
 When I with God alone can be, 
 
 And with Him my best thoughts outpour 
 Of what in me I hear and see, 
 
 Of all that in the inner life doth dwell, 
 
 Where all is peace and love, and all is well. 
 
 I love to dwell within a shrine, 
 
 That God hath built within a bower, 
 Where all my senses and my mind 
 Can enter in that holy power, 
 
 117 
 
That to my inner vision thoughts can ope 
 Beyond all myst'ries of the horoscope. 
 
 I love to dwell in forests deep 
 
 Where utter stillness doth prevail, 
 
 Where all but one is fast asleep, 
 And that my diva nightingale 
 
 Whose sweet, ethereal, magic song divine 
 
 Can hold my soul enchanted to her shrine. 
 
 I love to hear the murmuring brook 
 And watch its silv'ry ripples glide, 
 
 Into an archway shady nook 
 
 Where with my thoughts I might abide, 
 
 Fill my soul with muses' inspiration 
 
 And power of fanciful creation. 
 
 I love to watch the glowing west 
 When evening shades the light bedim, 
 When songsters seek their tiny nest, 
 And chimes resound the vesper hymn; 
 'Tis then my thoughts a guiding star doth steer 
 That leads me on through constellation Lyre. 
 
 It's only from the soul's sanctum 
 
 Wherein my God and I reside, 
 That all inspiring thoughts do come 
 
 And astral visions open wide, 
 That to me love and beauty do disclose 
 Wherein I choose forever to repose. 
 
 118 
 
MY ROSE KINSHIP. 
 
 Ethereal, beauteous, lovely rose, 
 
 To me the goddess of all flowers, 
 Thy soul rests ever in repose, 
 Be it on bush or trellis'd bowers. 
 Thou art my shrine, 
 Holy, divine. 
 
 No maiden ever fair and pure, 
 
 With sweetest incensed zephyr breath, 
 Did ever nobler hearts allure 
 
 And hold them with their love till death. 
 All love's romance 
 Dost thou enhance. 
 
 The royal bright-plumed humming bird 
 
 Oft pleadingly in low-toned voice, 
 And with its beak that never erred, 
 Will steal a kiss of precious choice 
 From holy lips 
 That bliss eclipse. 
 
 The gentle zephyrs often halt 
 
 In aromatic atmosphere, 
 Thy beauteous glory to exalt 
 
 And with thy fragrance to compeeer, 
 That thou dost breathe 
 And free bequeath. 
 
 Thy maiden blushes on me beam, 
 
 That hold within them love divine, 
 With Godlike power oft they seem 
 In love my soul with thine entwine, 
 Thus joyfully, 
 I cling to thee. 
 
 119 
 
The brilliant, pearly dew of morn, 
 
 Enhanced by sunsheen's glimmering darts, 
 Thy silken love folds doth adorn, 
 
 That win spurred knights, and love maids 
 hearts, 
 
 None can withstand 
 Thee, noble, grand. 
 
 Thou oft dost tempt my love to kiss 
 
 Thy sweet rich attar, rosy lips, 
 That vie with nectar's ecstasies, 
 
 That love from maidens' lips doth sip. 
 Both e'er enjoyed 
 Pure, unalloyed. 
 
 Thou wert created for my heav'n, 
 And with my angels thou art one ; 
 Thy attributes like theirs deriv'n 
 From the divine, creative throne, 
 
 My life in me, 
 
 Is one with thee. 
 
 120 
 
GOLDEN WEDDING GREETING. 
 
 Two hearts aglow with ardent love, 
 
 (At Cupid's bow and dart's behest) 
 On fluttering wings, like cooing doves, 
 
 Sought and soon found a place of rest, 
 Prepared for them on earth's bright heav'n, 
 
 By God of love to their love given. 
 
 It was in years long, long ago, 
 
 When thy bright eyes with lustrous light, 
 And hearts with sparkling fire aglow, 
 
 Pledged heart to heart at love's first sight. 
 And soon in matrimonial bliss 
 
 Didst seal the bond with holy kiss. 
 
 Thus you have floated on through life, 
 On wings of love, from year to year, 
 To build for peace ; suppressed the strife, 
 Gave smiles and joy, and dried the tear 
 That swelled the sorrow-stricken breast, 
 
 With words from Him Who knows things best. 
 
 A life thus filled with mingled joy, 
 Attuned to music's silvery chord, 
 
 Has been thine: friends, without alloy. 
 And I now pray in thought and word, 
 That God will keep you both in love, 
 And shower blessings from above. 
 
 The silver wedding in years past, 
 
 Illumined with love of silvery light. 
 From o'er the stars bright beams are cast, 
 
 To guide thy footsteps day and night. 
 And all sun's glorious bright array 
 
 Illumines thy Golden Wedding day. 
 
 121 
 
SONG 
 
 To the Tune "Answer." 
 
 In Thee, O God, I place my destiny, 
 
 Thou art my guiding star by day and night, 
 In love and truth, my soul abides with thee, 
 
 Thou art my light, 
 
 Thou art my light. 
 In peaceful slumber angels visit me, and 
 Whisper sweetly of God's love and care 
 And wake me to the splendors of the morn 
 
 Bright everywhere, 
 
 Bright everywhere. 
 And wake me to the splendors of the morn 
 
 Bright everywhere, 
 
 Bright everywhere. 
 
 Through Christ, God's bounties are revealed to ime, 
 Which fill my soul with truth and bring Him near, 
 With Him to live atonement and to see 
 
 That heav'n is here, 
 
 That heav'n is here. 
 Then let us dwell as one in harmony, 
 
 And praise His name for e'er with one accord 
 For life, and health, and peace enjoyed by us 
 
 Come from the Lord, 
 
 Come from the Lord, 
 For life, and health, and peace enjoyed by us 
 
 Come from the Lord, 
 
 Come from the Lord. 
 
 122 
 
BIRTHDAY RING TO CORDELIA 
 
 My love I send within this ring 
 On telepathic friendship's wing. 
 May joy be thine in ecstasy 
 On every anniversary. 
 May e'er thy budding soul unfold 
 The sweets in life like gems of gold, 
 And as a flow'ret in full bloom , 
 Give out thy best in sweet perfume. 
 
 May e'er thine eyes hold in full view, 
 
 All that is lovely, good and true, 
 
 And list to thy soul's symphony, 
 
 The voice of God that e'er in thee. 
 
 Grow strong in love, the richest treasure, 
 
 To give it out in bounteous measure, 
 
 And use it for a cornerstone, 
 
 On which to build a heav'n your own. 
 
 THE NEW CAMP GROUND. 
 
 We're gath'ring tonight 'round the new camp ground, 
 ground, 
 
 Singing a song of cheer; 
 Our happy hearts with joy abound, 
 
 For we know that peace is here. 
 
 Chorus 
 Many are the hearts that are happy tonight, 
 
 Knowing that all war will cease; 
 Many are the souls that are living in the right, 
 
 And see the dawn of peace. 
 Tenting tonight, tenting tonight, 
 
 Tenting on the new camp ground. 
 Tenting tonight, tenting tonight, 
 
 Tenting on the new camp ground. 
 
 123 
 
We're gath'ring tonight 'round the new camp 
 ground, 
 
 Building a fort of love ; 
 Its ramparts and walls of the soul's best compound 
 
 With God's love interwove. 
 
 Chorus 
 
 We'll now join hands 'round the new camp ground, 
 
 And our country's love renew; 
 Let joyfully our cheers through the land resound^ 
 
 For the stars red white and blue. 
 
 Chorus 
 
 THE PANSY 
 
 Sweet pansy, in thy smiling face 
 Love and true happiness I trace, 
 And frankness that doth meet my gaze, 
 And draws from me the highest praise — 
 For all the beauty that's in thee 
 Thou givest cheerfully to me. 
 
 In thee I trace a divine soul 
 Entwined with Sol, whose love control 
 Holds spellbound all they loveliness 
 That with devotion dost remiss; 
 And follow him from early dawn 
 Until at night his glance is gone. 
 
 Each morn thy beauty dost renew 
 
 While bathing in the early dew; 
 
 And as King Sol is passing by 
 
 All other flowers thou seem'st to vie, 
 
 And claim him as thy only God, 
 
 By him brought forth from out the clod. 
 
 124 
 
LOVE'S PROMPTING. 
 
 Love's prompting day by day returns, 
 And casting thoughts both far and near, 
 
 Mine eyes oft seek 'mong flowers and ferns 
 Thy semblance in them to appear. 
 
 The beauty pansies near our home 
 That oft reflected in your eyes 
 
 Are here again, as if they'd come 
 To send their love up heavenwise. 
 
 Perchance thou see'st them from afar, 
 While I admire them here below 
 
 And send my love to yonder star 
 To meet with thine in ardent glow. 
 
 The rose as queen of all the flowers, 
 Returns my love, and seems to say, 
 
 "Rejoice, for in heavenly bowers 
 
 The love you seek is here to stay/' 
 
 WEALTH FOR ALL IN COMMON 
 
 1. Behold the universe, your paradise, 
 
 Full gems of glory dazzling to your eyes. 
 
 2. Life and love for you to have and mold 
 Into perfection can't be bought with gold. 
 
 3. Eyes ope' to nature's splendors and the soul 
 Ears ope' to harmony with nature's muse 
 Doth into life its sweetest gifts infuse. 
 
 5. Hands in their grasp that love and friendship 
 
 hold 
 The peer of kingly power or idol's gold. 
 
 6. A humble cabin filled with love and truth, 
 Doth far excel a castle rich, uncouth. 
 
 125 
 
7. The air you breathe that wafts o'er hill and sea 
 Doth energize, give health and strength to thee. 
 
 8. The songsters fill the air with music sweet, 
 Thy tuneful soul in harmony to keep. 
 
 9. The fragrant flowers that grow along the walk, 
 They smile on thee and with their love tongue 
 
 talk. 
 
 10. The orange trees with bloom and golden fruit, 
 And fragrance in the air, waft their salute. 
 
 11. The swaying trees and vines to thee will bow, 
 And waft kind greeting to thy cheerful brow. 
 
 12. The hills and valleys gladly meet thy sight 
 And cheer thee on thy way in heav'n's delight. 
 
 13. The fields and meadows all their wealth unfold 
 And for thee too, a generous share they hold. 
 
 14. The mountains clad in lofty pine and oak 
 For thee all grandeur they invoke. 
 
 15. The cataract, like graceful bridal veil, 
 Descends in rivulets to meet thee in the dale. 
 
 16. Like sparkling gems the dewdrop's on the flowers 
 Greet thee with joy at early morning hours. 
 
 17. The beauteous clouds sweep graceful o'er thy 
 head, 
 
 Refresh with rain the field and flower bed. 
 
 18. The ocean billows murmuring a refrain 
 Thy gladsome voice in harmony to gain. 
 
 19. All nature smiles on thee with sky in blue, 
 And glorious sunshine strives all to outdo. 
 
 20. The myriad stars benignantly look down 
 And bid thee take their luster for thy crown. 
 
 21. And God Who meets thee with His bounteous 
 
 love, 
 Treats all alike from earth to heaven above. 
 
 22. All this and more we have without price, 
 So ope' thy soul, and live in Paradise. 
 
 126 
 
CONGRATULATIONS ON BETROTHAL 
 
 Our heartfelt greetings and all joy 
 
 That love contains without alloy 
 We send to you from distant land. 
 
 May all your fervent love's desire 
 
 Perpetuate the sacred fire 
 That welds the holy nuptial band. 
 
 Let Cupid's wings with arrow bright 
 
 Guide your entrancing, blissful flight 
 Into God's matrimonial bliss. 
 
 There let your soul's enraptured zest 
 
 With God's united love be blest, 
 And sealed with love's true magic kiss. 
 
 To you the precious wedding ring 
 
 Let endless happiness e'er bring 
 To fill your love abiding home; 
 
 Your thoughts and words may ever be 
 
 Your soul's inspiring symphony 
 From early dawn till evening gloom. 
 
 May love from friends e'er on you shower, 
 And angels guard your love-built bower, 
 
 Filled with bright smiles and kisses sweet. 
 May twinkling stars and moon by night, 
 And sunshine through the day bedight 
 
 Your path through life, all joy to meet. 
 
 Let love each day be newly born 
 
 Like sparkling dewdrops early morn 
 That kiss the rose in every fold; 
 
 Thus let your kisses ever sip 
 
 Sweet nectar from the rosy lip, 
 And never let your heart grow 1 old. 
 
 127 
 
Aim high for all the best in life, 
 
 Unfurl with love your flag in strife, 
 And your desires on earthly heaven 
 
 Will bud and bloom and bring good fruit, 
 
 Your efforts ever to salute, 
 And thus you'll gain God's promise given. 
 
 HOME, SWEET HOME 
 
 Sweet home! in joy I come to thee, 
 To dwell within thy sacred wall; 
 
 For all that e'er was dear to me 
 Most precious love — ye all in all — 
 That e'er through life to me has come, 
 
 Dwells in the sanctum of this home. 
 
 Here will I dwell, while in this sphere 
 My consciousness remains with me, 
 
 And hold all treasures ever dear 
 That interweave a pedigree 
 
 Of one that did with love illume 
 
 All space within this sacred home. 
 
 The radiant sunlight from the east 
 Is like a beacon light to me, 
 
 And through the evening twilight's mist 
 Her soul's sweet image I can see, 
 
 And hear soft whisperings to me come, 
 
 That tell me: "Ever keep your home." 
 
 128 
 
The breezes from yon ocean deep, 
 And sweetness from near fragrant flowers, 
 
 Do with pure love thoughts ever keep 
 In harmony through twilight hours, 
 
 That waft from yonder mountain dome 
 
 Sun's purple glow, o'er my dear home. 
 
 It holds the center of my soul 
 
 Around which all love thoughts do move, 
 The center 'round which planets roll 
 
 And angels spread their wings of love 
 That form a halo 'round my home 
 To which with joy I'll ever come. 
 
 I'll give a name to this dear home 
 That signifies for what it stands, 
 
 In honor to a soul that's come 
 
 To join with me in heart and hand, 
 
 And live as though we'd reached the goal, 
 In this our home, the jolly "Nohl." 
 
 129 
 
SALUTE TO PRE-EMINENCE OF AGE 
 To Alliance, Ladies Past Seventy. 
 
 Grand Dames, all love and honor due 
 
 To your life's grand career, 
 As to your calling you were true 
 
 Like valiant pioneers. 
 You braved life's storm and won the fight 
 
 Because you battled for the right. 
 
 Vicissitudes of life you've past 
 
 That often tried your soul; 
 You stood the test of every blast 
 
 And reached this happy goal 
 Led by that precious loving Hand 
 
 That guides and rules both sea and land. 
 
 The seed you sowed in early youth 
 
 Did bloom in middle life. 
 They were the flowers of love and truth 
 
 Full ecstasy and rife 
 That now do bear the golden fruit 
 
 Attuned to life's harmonious lute. 
 
 May all your paths in life's ascending 
 
 Be strewn with flowers of joy, 
 Both health and strength be without ending 
 
 And love be your convoy, 
 That blends with every soul in truth, 
 
 Be it ripe age or early youth. 
 
 Fill your threescore and ten with youth 
 
 And sunshine to the brim. 
 Live e'er in nature's flow'ry booth 
 
 And keep your sails in trim 
 That you may float on life's pure gold 
 
 And thus you never can grow old. 
 
 130 
 
IMITATION. 
 
 On like the Sun that radiates at morn — 
 
 Can man in health and strength be newly born? 
 
 Observe kind nature's laws in all its ways, 
 
 And ride with Him in universal chaise. 
 
 Smile like the Sun on all within thy sight, 
 
 And fill thy soul with joy, new life and light. 
 
 He greets all blooming eyes, that are wet with dew, 
 
 And gives them beauteous luster fresh and new. 
 
 Thou, too, canst cheer a heart, dry weeping eyes, 
 
 And make them see their way to Paradise. 
 
 Myriads of flowers all turn their eyes on him, 
 
 And draw their cup of joy full to the brim. 
 
 Thou too, canst ever walk 'neath turquoise sky, 
 
 And adversaries gracefully defy, 
 
 With head above all threatening elements, 
 
 Canst brave the storms and call them mendicants. 
 
 E'er with the Sun let thy bright zenith shine, 
 
 And weld life's brotherhood in love divine, 
 
 Although at times dark clouds the sun obscure, 
 
 He stands behind them safe, sound and secure. 
 
 Thus, too, can noble man stand on his throne 
 
 If he's made justice, love and truth his own; 
 
 And with sun's luster in his descending 
 
 See happiness and joy around him blending. 
 
 Then like the glowing sunset in the west 
 
 Can man to sink in glory to his rest. 
 
 131 
 
MY HEAVEN 
 
 Give me a heaven e'er new and bright, 
 
 That greets me morning, noon and night ; 
 Where eyes behold the glorious sun, 
 
 That gives us light at early dawn, 
 And warmth to flowers and trees anew, 
 
 That sparkle in the morning dew. 
 This is but part of heaven's bliss, 
 
 To which I waft a loving kiss. 
 
 The poppies gracefully unfold 
 
 And greet the sun in sparkling gold; 
 The songsters flit from tree to tree 
 
 And fill the air with melody; 
 The humming bird and butterfly, 
 
 In robes for which a queen might sigh. 
 Can any heaven, e'er so bright, 
 
 Come nearer to our soul's delight? 
 
 On turquoise heaven we can see 
 
 God's ever-changing gallery 
 Of paintings touched by Hand divine, 
 
 That beauty, luster, art combine. 
 They thrill the soul in ecstasy 
 
 Through eyes that magic vistas see. 
 Could yonder heaven give us more 
 Beyond that gloomy chasm's shore? 
 
 Kind hearts, I meet them everywhere, 
 Who oft some other's burden bear, 
 With love that flows like crystal stream 
 And eyes with diamond luster beam. 
 
 132 
 
They brave the world against all odds 
 
 And ask no special aid of Gods. 
 To me those are the angels pure 
 Who never could yon heaven endure. 
 
 At eventide, light from out west 
 
 Is turned on yonder mountain crest. 
 In every color, shade and hue, 
 
 The clouds in stately retinue 
 Do honor to the glorious Sun, 
 
 That for the day its course has run. 
 No grander sight could e'er be given 
 
 To yonder legendary heaven. 
 
 While all in peaceful slumber rest 
 
 And songsters seek their downy nest, 
 The moon appears with gleaming light 
 
 To guard us through the stilly night, 
 And twinkling stars in bright array, 
 
 Adorn the turquoise canopy. 
 All this — is heaven on earth to me! 
 
 The other heaven I fail to see. 
 
 133 
 
EPITAPH FOR CORDELIA'S LITTLE 
 KITTEN 
 
 Only a little kitten, full of play and joy, 
 
 Its blue eyes full of sunshine, Cordelia's precious toy, 
 
 She stroked its snow-white mantle, and pressed it to 
 
 her heart, 
 And kissed its cheeks so tender, ere for the night 
 
 they'd part. 
 
 Each morn in joy and gladness, a pure delight in 
 
 meeting, 
 Some dainties for her breakfast would be their 
 
 early greeting; 
 'Twas only a little kitten, yet scarcely three months 
 
 old, 
 When death claimed its existence and laid it stark 
 
 and cold. 
 
 I know your heart aches, darling, at this your first 
 
 great loss, 
 And fain will you enwrap it in flowers and velvet 
 
 moss, 
 And make for it a casket, and lay it in the ground, 
 And send your farewell kisses beyond the earthly 
 
 mound. 
 
 134 
 
ONLY MY PHOTO. 
 
 Sweet Lady: dearest to my heart, 
 
 Pray let our love advance, 
 To permeate each secret part 
 
 And all our joy enhance. 
 
 This simple semblance of my face, 
 
 I dedicate to thee, 
 That some pure love thou mayest trace, 
 
 And ever think of me. 
 
 Its eyes show not the sparkling fire, 
 
 Nor lips the nectar sweet; 
 Nor like my heart can it desire 
 
 Thy lips and eyes to meet. 
 
 Pray give it room within some nook, 
 
 And let thy glance befall, 
 With ardent, tender, loving look, 
 
 That shall my soul enthrall. 
 
 With lightning speed, on angel's wing, 
 
 To me thy love will come; 
 And to my inmost being cling, 
 
 Wherever I may roam. 
 
 135 
 
TRUST IN GOD 
 Music, "Call Me Thine Own." 
 
 Trust but in God, calls from within me, 
 
 Tones sweet and low arise from my soul ; 
 Trust but in God, His power can heal thee 
 
 Of sin and pain, and thou shalt then be whole ; 
 Trust but in God, have faith in Him and all 
 
 Ye desire shall ye receive 
 Life, health and strength ; gladly He'll give 
 
 To all His children if they believe ; 
 Trust but in God, He's ever near, 
 Yes, He is ever near, yes, God is here. 
 
 Trust but in God, He will relieve thee, 
 
 Turn but to Him for wisdom and light, 
 Trust in His Love, that's ever near thee, 
 
 Guiding thy thoughts and footsteps aright ; 
 Trust but in God, all will be well, 
 
 For His power alone is all supreme, 
 Within our souls, let Him but dwell, 
 
 And all His goodness through us stream ; 
 Trust but in God, He's ever near, 
 Yes, He is ever near, yes, God is here. 
 
 136 
 
OUR MATRIMONIAL COMPANIONSHIP 
 
 Though both now past meridian height 
 
 In years, but not in love 
 Our life shall e'er be new and bright 
 
 And e'er be interwove 
 With all the best within our soul, 
 Wherewith to reach the happy goal. 
 
 Companionship enhanced by love, 
 
 Kind words, deeds and bright smiles, 
 
 Will like the deep still waters move 
 In sunshine miles and miles, 
 
 And e'er take in bright crystal streams 
 
 That give new life and joyous beams. 
 
 Thus will our life with God's entwine, 
 
 And grow in heavenly grace, 
 And each to each a holy shrine, 
 
 The best of all, embrace. 
 All this is ours right here and now, 
 With which our souls do overflow. 
 
 137 
 
EULOGY TO CHARLES JAMES ELLIS, 
 FOUNDER OF THE ELLIS CLUB 
 
 Gone! Yes, but only from the sense of sight. 
 
 The higher visions of our soul's reply, 
 That which remains of thee is radiant light, 
 
 Causes no tears to fall nor bring a sigh, 
 Is like a lustrous star, that doth defy 
 
 The sting of death, for it can never die. 
 
 Thy hand in cordial friendship oft we pressed, 
 Thy smiles oft gladdened us with pure delight, 
 
 That noble brow thy character attests, 
 Will live with us and e'er remain in sight. 
 
 The saddening call may reach all by and by, 
 Yet, noble friend, our love will never die. 
 
 Thy voice oft heard in tuneful lyric notes, 
 That touched the vibratory soul with bliss, 
 
 Is here still, and in our hearts it floats, 
 Although thy manly form we oft will miss. 
 
 Our voice attuned to harmony and love, 
 
 We waft to thine, dear friend, and thee above 
 
 138 
 
TRIBUTE TO SISTER CONANT'S NINETIETH 
 BIRTHDAY 
 
 From the Women's Alliance 
 
 With joy we greet thee, noble dame, 
 
 On this thy anniversary, 
 And cheerfully we now proclaim 
 
 Thee queen of love and purity. 
 Thou dost the brightest stars outshine 
 With thy sweet smiles that are sublime. 
 
 We humbly bow before thy throne 
 
 In honor to thy ripened age, 
 That has in luster e'er outshone 
 
 All idle wealth and equipage 
 With love that doth all hearts entwine 
 And draw them to thy holy shrine. 
 
 A bud of many years ago 
 
 That ope'd into a beauteous flower 
 In later years did fruit, and sow 
 
 What thou dost reap' in ev'ry hour, 
 A life of happiness that trends 
 To daily multiply thy friends. 
 
 May ev'ry morn God's holy dew 
 Baptize thee with its magic powers, 
 
 Thy health and strength ever renew 
 
 And strew thy path with fragrant flowers, 
 
 And may thy bright smiles ever shine 
 
 From day to day past ninety-nine. 
 
 139 
 
ABSENT ONE 
 
 When the sun bright in the east 
 Spreads its rays in luster clear, 
 
 All my soul on thee doth feast, 
 For I know thy love is near. 
 
 When its bright meridian light 
 
 Spreads o'er vale and mountain crest, 
 
 To think of thee is my delight, 
 For thy love clings to my breast. 
 
 When the sun's last rays are beaming, 
 And the songsters seek their nest, 
 
 Thou wilt visit me in dreaming, 
 While in God we both will rest. 
 
 A CONFESSION 
 
 There was a time when noble man (?) did lord it 
 
 over all. 
 They've done it ever since poor Eve stood accused 
 of Adam's fall ; 
 
 But the time has changed since then, 
 
 And we erring noble men, 
 Have had ample time to think the matter o'er, 
 
 And search our former record, 
 
 That we find is badly checkered ; 
 Which now we much regret, and feel a little sore. 
 
 Of our sins we'll now repent, 
 
 And our lordly power relent, 
 To vote for women's rights, and humbly to implore 
 
 140 
 
GRANDrA AND CORDELIA. 
 
Their pardon on October day, 
 When all we owe them we will pay, 
 
 And promise not to wrong them ever more. 
 For we know that they will win it, 
 And that they'll be strictly in it, 
 
 And to every place of honor they will soar. 
 
 CORDELIA AND GRANDPA 
 
 'Now Grandpa dear, I'll tomb 'ou hai' 
 
 Like Mama fixes mine 
 When she says to me, now have a care 
 
 And don't commence to w'ine." 
 
 'All right, my dear, I'll sit right still 
 But please don't pull so hard 
 
 As it might cause my head to trill, 
 And spoil the picture card." 
 
 'Oh, 'ou too big!' Ma says to me, 
 'Big folks they never cry; 
 
 So don't 'ou move and 'ou will see 
 How nice we'll look by'm by.' 
 
 'Well said, Cordelia, pull away, 
 Your smiles remove all pain; 
 
 And let our picture look as gay 
 As ducklings in a rain." 
 
 141 
 
GOLD 
 
 I wonder why the yellow gold 
 Is worshiped by mankind? 
 
 The substance is but hard and cold, 
 No matter how refined. 
 
 Men's minds are often overwrought, 
 Their sleep disturbed at night; 
 
 Their pleasure often dearly bought, 
 Their praises die of blight. 
 
 It doth not happiness return, 
 But often brings them hate; 
 
 Their children oft, instead of mourn, 
 Fight over their estate. 
 
 'Tis well that they should fill their need, 
 And have wherewith to aid, 
 
 To want it all is wolfish greed 
 For which their souls are paid. 
 
 BOUTONNIERE 
 
 A boutonniere doth e'er attest 
 
 Its home within the wearer's breast, 
 
 Its fragrance of God's breath a part, 
 That penetrates the loving heart, 
 
 Its form and beauty artists never 
 Reached the goal in their endeavor. 
 
 142 
 
TO BABY ANDREW 
 
 Hail, precious infant! parents' love! 
 
 A God-sent soul, first brought to light, 
 A gentle birdie, — like a dove, 
 
 May e'er thy life be sweet and bright, 
 Is Grandpa's inmost, fervent prayer, 
 That asks divine and blissful care 
 Of God, Who's with thee everywhere. 
 
 A mother's holy cherub dear, 
 
 Who sees no star that's e'er so bright 
 As baby's eyes, whose brilliant cheer 
 
 Will change to day the darkest night. 
 And Grandma sends in deepest thought 
 Her blessings that with God's are caught, 
 And to both child and parents brought. 
 
 Thus do we all our offerings lay 
 
 At thy divinely little form. 
 May peace and joy fill thy life's tray, 
 
 And angels shield thee from life's storm. 
 May music's sweetness e'er be thine, 
 And mother's love thy soul entwine 
 With that of God's above, sublime. 
 April 9, 1908. 
 
 POINSETTIA 
 
 As glory of our winter flower, 
 Poinsettia stands supreme, 
 
 Pre-eminent, a gaudy tower, 
 That sends its cheerful beam, 
 
 And bright vermilion darts, 
 To all receptive hearts. 
 
 143 
 
MY DREAM 
 
 A dream, and yet — was it a dream? 
 
 It vanished not like vapored steam, 
 
 Nor like a bubble quickly born 
 
 And of its life as quickly shorn ; 
 
 Or like most dreams mysticly spun 
 
 That when we wake forgot and gone, 
 
 The vision in this dream I saw 
 
 No time nor memory can withdraw; 
 
 Its imprint made within my soul 
 
 Will stay there in its grandeur whole ; 
 
 In waking hours I'll ever see 
 
 The beautiful phenomena, 
 
 And hold in memoried endless bliss 
 
 The nectar of that divine kiss. 
 
 I dreamed I stood upon a rise 
 
 With others, looking toward the skies; 
 
 The light was dim and azure blue 
 
 Was hid'n by clouds that round us drew 
 
 In semblance like a coming storm 
 
 That gradually changed its darksome form, 
 
 And shed a vista to my gaze 
 
 That held me spellbound in amaze. 
 
 Hesperus was nowhere in sight, 
 
 'Twas neither day nor was it night ; 
 
 The clouds all lost their somber hue 
 
 And from them beauty did ensue 
 
 That words now fail me to describe — 
 
 Such as a soul can but imbibe. 
 
 Horizon like a silent ocean, 
 
 Its clouds like billows all in motion 
 
 That winds would sway in strata high 
 
 144 
 
And iridescence beautify; 
 
 Small rippling cloudlets diamond bright 
 
 Glistened in phosphorescent light: 
 
 They spread the swaying clouds apart 
 
 And found their way into the heart 
 
 Of heaven itself, that ope'd its gate, 
 
 And from its heights precipitate 
 
 A cataract of silvery sheet 
 
 That sparkled at my very feet; 
 
 The iridescent lights would flash, 
 
 And in and out its waters dash, 
 
 The silvery, velvet ribbon play, 
 
 And dance through sparkling pearly spray 
 
 Myriads of rainbows curved about, 
 
 The sublime grandeur to promote; 
 
 Each moment while I stood entranced 
 
 Its beauty changed and was enhanced; 
 
 The changes were kaleidoscopic — 
 
 All harmonious and chromatic. 
 
 A transformation next took place 
 
 Within a slight indentured space; 
 
 An eddy winding playfully 
 
 Much like a tuneful roundelay, 
 
 Until from out its central part 
 
 Came forth a transcendental heart, 
 
 To which Urania might lay claim, 
 
 Or Venus, beauty of rare fame. 
 
 From out that heart a dove came forth, 
 
 As if from heaven she had her birth ; 
 
 Her wings were of ethereal hue 
 
 And straight to where we stood she flew; 
 
 I saw that others she passed by 
 
 Until to ime she came so nigh 
 
 That her small beak, its tapering tip 
 
 Touched and pressed my very lip. 
 
 145 
 
And instantly sweet lips of love 
 
 Were formed from it, that to mine clove 
 
 In rapturous kiss that thrilled my soul 
 
 And made my joy a heavn'ly whole; 
 
 Its nectar tinged my very blood 
 
 And made of me an imaged god: 
 
 But suddenly the spell was broken 
 
 When I from sleep and dream awakened, 
 
 That ruefully my joy did sever, 
 
 On which I loved to dwell for ever. 
 
 THE WAUKESHA GIRL. 
 
 A wand'ring gay and bright-eyed miss, 
 At noonday when the sun stood high, 
 
 Came joyful to Los Angeles, 
 Part on the run, part on the fly. 
 
 Some thought she hailed from Erin go Bragh; 
 She claimed she came from Waukesha. 
 
 The Angel City looked to her 
 
 Far brighter than did Paradise; 
 She saw bright flowers everywhere 
 
 That did her loving heart entice 
 To say adieu to her mamma 
 
 And all her dears in Waukesha. 
 
 She nimbly skipped along the street, 
 And oft the men would stop and gaze, 
 
 As her bright smiles their eyes would meet 
 And thus their hearts with love bedaze; 
 
 They then did wish they could see Pa 
 About this queen from Waukesha. 
 
 146 
 
She walked along the ocean strand 
 
 And heard the billows splash and roar 
 
 And kiss the ever quiv'ring sand 
 Her heart was poised all to adore, 
 
 Give thanks for all she heard and saw, 
 And tell her friends in Waukesha. 
 
 With cousins four, a merry lot, 
 
 She joined a picnic party here, 
 And lugged the lunch and coffee pot 
 
 In size and weight a case of beer. 
 The sweat streamed down her maiden brow 
 
 Like a spring-time thaw in Waukesha. 
 
 She safely landed all her truck 
 
 Upon the soddy picnic floor, 
 And soon she caught a beau for luck, 
 
 Beneath the shady sycamore: 
 She cared for none of us a straw, 
 
 And ev'n forgot dear Waukesha. 
 
 Deep in oblivion they were lost 
 In what they called a mutual feast; 
 
 Of all they knew both talked and boast'd, 
 Of eating they but thought the least, 
 
 'Till someone said, "I'll tell Mamma, 
 Or send you home to Waukesha." 
 
 Now all her cousins here agree 
 That she's a jewel rich and bright, 
 
 With one accord they all decree 
 That she may wed a noble knight 
 
 Of heart and soul without a flaw, 
 Just like this queen of Waukesha. 
 
 147 
 
A shooting comet from afar, 
 
 She came and went with brilliant light; 
 Her rays like from the evening star 
 
 Did luminate the darkest night, 
 Those rays none ever can withdraw — 
 
 They reach from here to Waukesha. 
 
 Her image in sweet love enshrined 
 She left with everyone she met 
 
 Whose love with hers is intertwined 
 And both the parting did regret. 
 
 "Die Lieb' scheint fern, doch ist sie nah! 
 Los Angeles and Waukesha." 
 
 148 
 
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