PS 3543 1.133 N4 jl914 Jcopy ?^%-m-^-m-^\ -f'd-i^\ -t 3'^ \^\ A- OCT -9 i9l4 'GI.A880789 ht, \, A theme which will be deliberated by the loftiest minds, ages after you and I, like streaks of morning cloud, shall have melted into the infinite azure of the past. Prof. John Tyndali. A Deity believed, is Joy begun; A Deity adored, is joy advanced; A Deity beloved, is joy matured. Each branch of piety delight inspires. Young. It must be so, Plato, thou reasonest well!— Else whence this pleasing hope, this fond desire. This longing after immortality? Addison. Still seems it strange, that thou shouldst live for ever? Is it less strange, that thou shouldst live at all? THIS is a miracle, and THAT no more. Young. Who knows but life be that which men call death, and death what men call life. Euripides. O canst thou, my Soul, from the store of thy learning Bring counsel to hallow the hopes of the heart? Viett. Th^ Saiutig Sist:erlTXi0ri Faitlr, TO^rrg, unii ^mtt, ^nri tiTB (EansB nf HwtnEuitg as S:ertirxl bg Tte ^ntjeriran %:eri Qlxnss To TOIrnm tuill bl^ gnnatBil tlT:e f raf its xlEriti^xl f rxrm all griitinns nf this ?C0rk Fur a pBri0ri xrf nttje g)?ar. gti Snl^emn f rtitjest ^gainst TOar and Sts Hnrrnrs M0tti gjes^Tating thE <^nrient ^arBS 0f (KitiiTizatinn and CHlrristianitg, ^. i. TOOITO^Sl^ What \n me is dark Illumine, what is low raise and sup- port; That, to the height of this great argument, I may assert Eternal Providence And justify the ways of God to men. Mifton. Hail — Saintly Muse! Awake thine Heavenly Choir, Illume my Soul with thy Divinelier Fire! Prompt thou a Passion that may urge the strength Of Pilgrims searching for the Heart's Desire! Man and his Destiny — O theme Sublime For one that views the Pageantry of Time! Its passion and its pathos and its pride, — I crave a Seraph's plume to pen my Rhyme! THE NEW RUBAIYAT III Awake O Soul that seeks a holier Light Than drives the Stars from off the Field of Night! Behold the Rising of the Sun of Faith — The hosts of Darkness and of Doubt to smite! IV Come fill the bowl at this reviving Stream, For Life is brief, and Youth's enchanting dream Is but the Phantom of a Glory lost Adown that Vista where the Shadows teem. v Amid the Babble and the Noise outside, Methought a Voice above the uproar cried — "Come to the Temple where the True God hears The pleading Soul, and throws the Portals wide!" FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 3 VI And as the Sun rose some that stood within The Shadow, shouted — "Tell us not of Sin, Life is too brief to waste in Litanies, Let us fare forth our Wine and Joy to win." VII Before the shadows of the last were sped. Another Voice from out the Silence said — "I still remain, my name is Blasphemy, I will abide though all the rest be fled!" VIII But better Voices drowned the hateful sound — "At least You shall not stay on Holy ground. Brief is your time to curse the pleasant Earth, And in this Temple you shall not be found!" THE NEW RUBAIYAT IX Far from the noisy Crowd let us retire To warm our Hearts by Spring's enchanting Fire; Bring thou old Khayyam's Verse, and let us seek With him, the Pathway to the Heart's Desire. X For we be Seekers after Truth and Light, And 'ere the Shadows fall to dim our sight, We must determine on the Way and Guide For that last Journey through the Vale of Night. XI For this we know, that Life, so dear and sweet Ends — with thy Love in yonder lone retreat. Man and his moil, his laughter and his tears, Are as the hollow sounds of Phantom feet — FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 5 XII That patter through the crumbling Halls of Time, Where the loud Horologe sovmds its warning chime And strikes the Hour of Doom, to bid the Guests Fare forth into the bleak Night's alien Clime. Xlli Here then amid the Song- ster's caroling, Where blushing Roses rarest incense fling. Come thou to worship, and let Sorrow learn The infinite Compassion of the Spring. xiv For Spring has come: the light of Golden days Is mellow on bright fields and woodland ways; And all the World is Beauty newly bom. And every living Thing hymns forth its Praise! THE NEW RUBAIYAT XV The Garden's glory glows to Heav'n again, For gentle floods of Sun- shine and of Rain Have lured the Rose its blushing folds to spread, While joyous Songsters sing their love refrain. XVI You cry, — "It nought avails that Spring is sweet. My Love lies buried here beneath our feet. My heart lies with her in the silent Dust, Canst thou recall Her from her lone retreat!" XVII "Erstwhile we roamed amid these joyous Flowers, No thought of Grief had we, the Golden Hours Sped on, for Life and Love were by my side; Canst thou recall Her to these haunted bowers!" FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 7 XVIIi "The Birds lament, their song is full of pain, They seem to cry — Will She not come again? Is this gulf Death so fath- omless and wide That thou thy Love may nevermore regain!" XIX And so thou canst not in the fire of Spring The desolation of thy sad Heart fling! Yet May — rose-garlanded — cries out "Behold, Not leaden Death, but golden Life a- wing!" XX I sing the Resurrection, and my Prayer Is answered by the green Earth everjrwhere; Decay and Death! These are but other names For Change; behold It in this Garden fair! THE NEW RUBAIYAT XXI See! even Here thy Love is glorified, For long has She the Grave and Death denied! This very Rose that smiles above her Clay Is part of Her, for Lo — *tis Eastertide ! XXM Witness thy Science, O ye Cynical, Behold this Body rise, a Miracle ! Thou canst not grant the tiniest atom lost, 'Twill live again in Rose or Star — It Will! XXIII Come with old Kha5ryam's Book and let us scan Its sad perplexities of Plot and Plan, The Why and What, the Whence and Where of Life That thwart and fret the searching Soul of Man. FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 9 XXIV Beware this Persian rhyme! And here confess We read it but for its rare loveliness, Holding our Faith despite the siren chant That lures to Doubt with Melody's caress! XXV Enmeshed i n measures o £ enchanted Song, The dazzling numbers lead thy Soul along The paths of Pleasure and the ways of Doubt, But nowhere minds thee of the Right or Wrong. XXVI And Reason reels into the artful Snare, And Hope and Faith are tangled unaware Amid the spell of Passion's plaints — that seem Like Angel anthems raised in Holy prayer. 10 THE NEW RUBAIYAT XXVII So was I led, my better Self to grieve, By Sophistries the Mind would fain believe. But soon my Soul re- turned a Penitent And cried to Heaven — pleading — for reprieve. XXVIII When then these luring lines you pensive' read. Know that 'tis not my wish thy steps to lead Adown the paths unblest of Faith and Hope; I love them for their Beauty — not their Creed. XXIX Let Faith unshaken bear the searching test; There is no balm in Omar for the breast Where Life bums low. When Death's dark en- signs pall The Creed of Passion is but sorry Jest. FROM A VIRGINIAN QARDEN 11 XXX Yet this, old Poet, I will grant to thee — That thou hast sung Fate's sweetest litany, And on the brow of Love hath pressed a wreath Of Roses rich to rarest Melody. XXXI No more confounded with thy Sophistry I jrield my raptured heart and ear to thee. And tread the mazes of thy Garden fair Mid crimson Roses lost in ecstasy. xxxif When wearied of the rau- cous noisy crew Of Scribes and Rhymesters that obstruct the View, I turn disdainful of their insolence To soothe my Spirit with thy Music true. 12 THE NEW RUBAIYAT XXXIIf Wherefore, sweet Singer, at thy Shrine I bend. And to the music of thy Song ascend Above the din of voices violent. That fret my Spirit and my ears offend. XXXIV On Beauty's brow thou hast a Garland bound, And Love by thee a Deity is crowned To haunting melodies that move the soul Of Sympathy, with concord of sweet sound. XXXV Thus oft* an halcyon hour IVe spent with Thee Wrapt in the Spell, lost in the Mystery Of Life and Death, and all the tangled Maze — The "Why" and "How" of Human Destiny. FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 13 XXXVI Ah, yes, I know my Rubaiyat full well, Soul-soothing melodies that banish Hell But leave us reft of Heaven, and the Soul — The very Soul affrighted at its spell! XXXVII Yet this I know — and rest my Trust upon — The old World rolls beneath the kindly Sun, And God is Love, Heaven is o'er our heads. And Conscience tells that Heaven must be won. XXXVIII The Clay may rear its vain Philosophies, Life cannot answer all Life's mysteries; The angel Death, He "of the darker drink," Tis through His touch alone the Spirit sees. 14 THE NEW RUBAIYAT XXXIX What thoughtful Soul may view unmoved the pain Of Human hearts; the cruel- ty of Gain; The Passion and the Pathos of a World Where Innocence and Virtue plead in vain,' — XL And not discern a Refuge in the Sky Whereto the outraged Souls of Men may fly — The Scales of God his Love and Wrath to weigh — With Retribution's flaming sword nearby? XLI Thus much, old Omar, I'll not yield to thee — I will nor hail nor praise thy blasphemy ; I do protest — by Love's Immortal Soul Protest — the Dust is not my Destiny! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 15 XLil Awake O Soul! The Light that Sinai shed To guide the Living, sanc- tify the Dead, Is mingled with Salvation's Light that beams From Calvary's crest where the Anrfointed bled! XLIII O Thou Great Spirit of Eternity ! That of the Starry Clay didst fashion me. Gave me this Habitation, and this Robe Of Flesh, to veil awhile thy Majesty — ie THE NEW RUBAiYAT XLIV Let tne no more lament, nor Duty shirk! I am a Fragment of Thy Handiwork, A Piece that fits in Thine eternal Plan Wherein unmeasured poten- cy may lurk! XLV O tell me not in Discourse or in Song — From Night and Chaos came the Joyous Throng Of Life, and Light, and Loveliness, and all These Earthly Kingdoms that to them belong! XLVI Ye worldly-Wise! The very Grass defies Your Logic, and yon airy Songster cries Unto its Love—" *Tis Lies ! Believe it not! We hold Truth's mirror to their blinded eyes!" FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 17 XLVII Nay! Not from Chaos or the barren Night My Spirit rose, but with the Morning Light It came, rejoicing in the Smile of God Who winged it then for its Eternal flight! XLVIII Dare ye deny that unto Some was given Answer to their prayers, when in some Vision — Bom of a splendid mo- ment's Ecstasy — They glimpsed the Secret in a flash from Heaven! XLIX Deem not because thou dost not see the Light There is no Light; mayhap 'tis lack of sight, Or perhaps thou treadest some dim miry track From whence thou canst not see the Signs aright. 18 THE NEW RUBAIYAT L What petty things our Vision may obscure! Because thou dost not see be not too sure There's nought to see ; thy biased point of view Or cecity, a step aside may cure: LI Once from my garden path a Star I sought And sought in vain, and stood in silent doubt; One pace I moved, when Lo, the prospect cleared — There beamed the World a leaf had blotted out! Lll Ye that with Rule and Line would measure Him, And with your Logic bind the Seraphim, Whence came this wond- rous Reason that ye urge To prove You Nothing, and Faith's light to dim? FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 19 Llll If Man be Nothing and his Life a Dream, His Reason then is Nothing, it must seem; And Nothing, then, by Nothing thus defined Shows Nothing has but Nothing for its theme! LIV If thus by Logic we may Nothing be, Were it not well O Friend for You and Me To leave old barren Rea- son to her way. And rise with Faith to some Reality? LV Amidst the Dust of this dim Shadow-Land, Bound by the two Eternities I stand. Myself unto Myself a Mystery, Seeking all Secret things to understand. 20 THE NEW RUBAIYAT LVI Like phantom Pilgrims through a Vale of Fears, We journey on with laugh- ter or with tears, Hope, Faith, and Memory, the only Lights To guide our footsteps through the darkening years. LVII Blest Sisterhood — Hope, Faith, and Memory! Bright Trinity of Life — it is through Ye We read the purpose of our Earthly way And find the pathway to Felicity! LVIIi Hope, Faith, and Charity, Genius, and Love! May Chance or Reason these define or prove? And would'st thou bind to Dust with Logic's chain These Saintly Graces winged to soar Above! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 21 LIX Preach not to me of "Rea- son's crowning light!" Tis but the reflex of that Deeper Sight By Inspiration and Emo- tion given To wing the Soul for its Divinelier flight! LX Imagination is an Attribute Of Soul; Ye that this Truth seek to confute, And Fancy to the sullen Earth confine, Give for her Realm a sorry substitute ! LXI O Death — dread Minister of Time and Space! Beyond these confines Thou no more shalt trace And claim thy subject Clay. Beyond the Grave Is Life Eternal by the Mas- ter's grace! 22 THE NEW RUBAIYAT LXII O Life — upon yon m5nriad Worlds I see Thy bright Light beating, full and far and free, Before which shrinks the awful Spectre, back To its one Refuge 'neath the fateful Tree — LXIII Of Eden's grove, that Sor- row-haunted spot Where Hell's accursed Trin- ity the Plot Devised ; perchance the self-same Garden where Old Omar sought the Truth — and found it not! LXIV Let Science ridicule and Learning flout, There IS some Dark Con- spiracy about — Whose utterings and mut- terings assail The Soul within, and work a Curse without! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 28 LXV "Nature is God and all the Rest absurd" Ye cry — "Seek There and you shall find your Lord!" Yet still Ye search in vain, and evermore Come back with empty hands and idle word! LXVI I sent my Soul 'mid Nature's shrines to seek Some Answer, but the Dumb god could not speak Except to tell of Penalties and Pains, Of cruel sport of Strong against the Weak. LXVII She gave no Sign my ardent Heart to swell, In all her Book one passage could I spell — No more, — "Who worship Me their god I am, And unto them I am both Heaven and Hell." 24 THE NEW RUBAIYAT LXVMI Nor yonder Sky, nor Earth from Pole to Pole Life's Mystery unveiled; nor Voice nor Goal Was there; nor Sign nor Answer did I find; The Silence heaped its vast- ness on my Soul! LXIX Then unto Him who works behind her Screen I lifted up my voice — O Thou Serene And Mighty One, raise me from Bondage dire, Grant me the Vision for the Things Unseen! LXX I sent my Soul into the Night's Abyss, Anon my Soul returned and told me this — "The Darkness is but Shadow of the Clay, Upon the screen of Life a Shade it is!" FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 25 LXXl Beyond the Night's abyss my Soul I sent, And knocking at each Starry door it went, And this the Message, it brought back to Earth — Doubt is Within, Without all is Content! LXXII Or where old Saturn rolls his Circled orb, Or where the Pleiades in splendor throb. The Universal Anthem ever told — God is the Soul, Creation is His Robe! Lxxm "Monstrous Conceit!" I cried, "That Man should trust And urge his Reason to the "Why" and "Must," Deeming the Wisdom of the Universe Confined upon his whirling Speck of Dust!" 26 THE NEW RUBAIYAT LXXIV O Sophist — that with sullen Heart doth flout The Prophets, and the Pray- ers of the Devout! 'Tis Thou perversely Blind that wilt not see I'he Spirit-Light that sheds its beams Without! LXXV May Reason measure all the Mighty Things And portion them to petty Questionings? Go Scomer first, and in thy Wisdom find The Secret of the Bird that yonder sings! LXXVI O Nobler far, an Universe wherein The Soul may soar forever questioning. Forever mounting to the One True Light That single bums through all the clouds of Sin. FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 2 7 LXXVII Though strange perplexities enwrap my Lot, And weak my Vision to divine the Plot, Thus much is clear — "Where Death is I am Not," And clearer still — "Where I am Death is Not" LXXVIM I lived Before, yet know not how, or where; Dim intimations come, and Visions fair Of purest Presences, and pleasant plains. And halcyon joys in which I had a share. LXXIX Herein, methinks, "Reincar- nation" holds Clue to the Secret that nought else unfolds — That Spirits pass and choose their heaven or hells Through myriad forms that mundane Nature moulds ^ THE NEW RUBAIYAT LXXX Out of the Past we came — my LfOve and I, Stamped with the seal of Immortality, And ever purer, stronger, we shall grow; For that which Ever Was will Never Die! LXXXI Past, Present, Future — sol- emn Trinity, Enfolds the measure of our Destiny ! Death is but passing through the Shadows deep That guard the secrets of Divinity. LXXXII Out of the Past's Eternity we came, In the great Mother's bosom burned the flame Of Life, that burst at last to Consciousness; And she will not deny her offspring's claim! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 29 LXXXIII Immortal there — I shall Im- mortal be, All of the mighty Past finds Life in me; And not until they shall blot out what Was Shall they deny me Immor- tality! LXXXIV With Christ and Plato thus I do confess The Faith that holds the anodyne to Bless: Eternal Life is mine by God's decree — Here, Now, I feel the Infin- ite caress! LXXXV 'Ere thou shait name m y Hope a phantasy, 'Ere thou canst claim my Creed but ecstasy, 'Ere thou durst vow no God to hear my prayer And this brief Life the sole Reality — 30 THE NEW RUBAIYAT LXXXVI First search the mjrriad Worlds in yon Abj^ss And find no spot secure to Faith and Bliss, And bringing back nor Hope nor ray of Light, Still would I cry — "Here, in my Soul, IT IS!" LXXXVII From old Deceits and newer Heresies, From dismal Doubts and brazen Blasphemies, From impious Pedant and Philosopher Distorting Truth with learned Sophistries — Lxxxvni Good Lord deliver us! That we may view But That which is Thine Own, and ever True; And with confusion smite the God-less band That bring pollution to the Shrine of You! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 31 LXXXIX Disdainful Pedants — with your pride of Mind — That all Man's questionings to Logic bind. What Tidings bring ye of the Outer Way? And what avails it all when Dust-consigned ! xc O Ye, of sullen Heart and cold disdain, That mock at Faith and seek to make it plain Hope's but a phantom? Why! the Soul protests The Hand that fashioned It wrought not in vain! xci My Spirit — Passion- winged — It mounts and soars, And spurns your Prison bars and bolted doors! Reason is but the Mount from which it wings Its higher Flight to seek for nobler Shores! 32 THE NEW RUBAIYAT XCII Upon the wakened wonder of my Soul The deeper Harmonies of Nature roll, Earth, Sea and Sky in melody proclaim With equal voice — the Liv- ing God's control. XCII I This God-like Hope deep in my Heart, it tells What all thy Dusty Logic vainly spells Of Truth. Not purpose- less and false 'twas set, And not in vain within the Soul it dwells. XCIV I know but little, but thus much I know — That Death, which gathers all things here below. Is but a Means unto some viewless End; By Nature's Law, and Faith. that much I know! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARD EN 33 XCV Indeed I have in raptured moments caught Flashes of Truth by Reason vainly sought, The momentary parting of the Veil Revealed that which no Logic ever taught. XCV I And in such instant did my Spirit seem To catch a glimpse of the Eternal Scheme Wherein the Past and Future merged in One Reality, and E^arth was but a Dream! xcvii There, in the radiance of Cosmic Soul, The Past and Future seemed a Perfect Whole Wherein the Hosts de- parted and to Come Their Being held beyond old Time's control 34 THE NEW RUBAIYAT xcvni And even as I gazed, from out that Sphere A Spirit strayed, and straightway in the Snare Of Time was caught, to languish and to dream Until the Master shall recall it There. xcix Can all these wondrous In- timations be But phantoms of a Poet's ecstasy? Begone — dark Prophet! Thought is creative, Soul is the Ultimate Real- ity! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN For I remember once by Kamak's pile. Amid the shadows of its col- umned Aisle, I wept the waste to see, and wept for those Who reared this sculptured Glory of the Nile; THE NEW RUBAIYAT CI When suddenly a Face I chanced to see — A gentle goddess lost in Reverie Of old Remembrances, her eyes adream Seemed meditating on Eternity. cit And through her eyes I saw the Pageant wend — Of mighty Kings that did with Kings contend, The Pomp and Power, and the Weal and Woe Of countless Millions, in the prospect blend! cm I cried aloud — O thou Divinity ! Whence came that smile of sweet serenity That beamed on Pharoah as upon me Now — Did Mortal give thee Im- mortality? FROM A VTRGINIAN GARDEN 37 CIV Hast thou then gained what thy Designer sought In vain? A Soul! Which he divinely wrought To give thee immortality Below! Did Genius fashion this and pass to Nought! cv Is*t all but Dreams and Dust, and Destiny At random venture and wild revelry? Locked in the Star-Dust when no Mind there was, Till Chance — the Wizard — found the fatal Key! cvi If Chance unto the Void Life's mandate flung. Creation trembling on the Balance hung. And in that Hazard there was cast my Soul, And there from Nothing my Existence wrung! THE NEW RUBAIYAT evil If Fate be Chance and Des- tiny its Game, And forth from Senseless Nothing leapt the Flame Of Life; — e'en so, Be- loved, may not this Chance Repeat the Process, and thy Presence claim — CVIII Once more, in some New Universe To Be That waits its sure and wondrous Destiny, Where Time and Chance shall set the Scene again And to the Drama summon You and Me! cix And thus may every Combi- nation set Be set again, in the Eternal fret And moil of Matter in Infinity ! Once caught, v^hy not again — in Chance's net? FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 39 cx Behold the Stars! And in their Glory drown Doubt and Despair, and all the Brood that frown On Faith; let Exultation rise supreme And read a Promise not to Logic known! CXI I sometimes think these Stars above my head Are blest Abodes of the un- numbered Dead That wend their Heaven- ward way from Sphere to Sphere, And find in each a Paradise to tread. exit Would'st thou then find thy lost Love — seek her There ! Mayhap thou'lt meet her waiting for thee, where Some statelier Sun illumes a nobler World Of Beings radiant and sur- passing fair. 40 THE NEW RUBAIYAT CXIII These myriad Worlds, so wondrous to the view, May not One hold to our sad Search the clue? May not there be in this Immensity Some Garden where Earth's fairest Dreams come True? cxiv And though no Door re- sponds to Reason's key, Who is it dares to say what "Cannot Be," Or swears a single Hope impossible In the vast Chances of Eternity! cxv This Universe — this One stupendous Whole Of mighty Systems that in splendor roll. Who dare deny in all this Heav'nly space One little Spot of Refuge for the Soul! FROM A VlRGf NIAN GARDEN 41 cxvr For it is bound to us — yon Milky Way, By Cosmic Law and kinship of the Clay; He that apportioned It of Life and Light Will not consign my Being to decay! CXVII And He that set this mighty Arch of Light, And winged its Systems for harmonious flight. And sempiternal placed each Atom there — Will not consign my Soul to endless Night! CXVIII Life's meaning! Hast thou not read it — why then Thou hast not lived! These multitudes of Men That went Before, they left the Record clear — That Clay is of the Earth, the Soul of Heav-n! 42 THE NEW RUBAIYAT CXIX They Came and Went; veiled in the Flesh they came, Their Bodies of the Dust were made; that same Dumb Dust, that Starry, Deathless Dust, not less Than when they gave it meaning and a Name! cxx And if on Dust thou calFst to explain, Methinks the Dust might give the Answer plain — "I am nor more nor less than what I am. As Spirit finds and leaves me CXXI Man's Prayers, and Miracles, You do decry — "For in the face of Nature's Laws they fly!" Yet dare you say the Maker of the Law May not His Law suspend? Then tell me why? FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 43 CXXII "Nature is just," you vow, "Her Scales are fair. Her Balance gives to This or That its share, And with undeviating Equity Rules Sea and dew-drop, mote and Starry sphere." CXXIII Ah ! but Her Scales were not for Soul designed But for Her own — Her Mat- ter dumb and blind; — Her Laws, unless by Deity devised Mock at the Soul and flout the ardent Mind! cxxiv No Hell, they cry, "save what exists in fear." Be still my Heart, the Secret draweth near! Find them a Hell they'll grant to us a Heaven; Behold O Doubter, Lo— -thy Hell is Here! 44 THE NEW RUBAIYAT cxxv "A Myth" ye say, "our hap- piness to quell, We ask no Heaven and we fear no Hell!" Yet shall You not escape, for IT is HERE! And 'ere thou goest thou shalt know it well! cxxvi Scan the dark Record that the Ages yield Of Pride, and Lust, and sanguinary field; Of Martyrdom, and Tor- ture, and Despair, And gaping Wounds that Time has never healed! CXXVII O Earth — Step-Mother of the harsh control! Remorseless thou dost take thy grievous Toll Of Tears and Travail for the meagre fare Thou givest thine adopted Child — the Soul! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 45 CXXVIII Merciless Mother of the Flood and Flame! What anguished Multitudes have cursed thy Name, As seared and crushed by thy relentless hand They felt thy Rage — that knows nor truce nor shame ! CXXIX See! In thy bosom Nero — there at rest Amid his victims, and thine equal guest! There lie they all — or Monster or a Saint, Adream in dusty Peace; O dreadful Jest! cxxx O cold and bitter Step- Mother! We sue That Higher Court above thy Vault of Blue ! From thy Blind judgment we appeal our Case And plead the Court of Souls for its review! 49 T HE NEW RUBAIYAT CXXXf Yet not unmindful of thy Favors shown Is he who pens the Writ, for he hath known Thy Joys. Yet not for thy Vast cruelty May all thy Glories and thy Gifts atone! CXXXII Dark is the Record in thy Bosom pent O Earth! Much didst thou promise of Content, But Dust was all thou gavest in the End — Dust for the Vile, Dust for the Innocent! CXXXIII Me and my Love, yon Bird upon the bough, Between thy Stony heart and Starry brow To Dust thou'lt grind Us, as thou grindest all! We know thy Treachery, alais — we Know! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 47 CXXXIV Yet there be Two thy grind- ing may not wear, For Sleep and Death are ever Young and Fair, The Healer and Restorer of thy work Formed of no Flesh thy cruel fangs may tear. THE NEW RUBAIYAT cxxxv Blest Thanatos — Restorer of the Soul, Not over Thee Time's Jug- gemath doth roll! Like to thy sister Sleep — thy Ministry Is all Divine, and not of Time's control! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 49 CXXXVI upon Life's Mount we stand, yet still they rise — The Hills of Hope that tower to the Skies, And though their Summits here we may not see. We shall behold them with Immortal eyes! CXXXVI I These bonds of Flesh that bind thee here below. They shall be sundered, that thy Soul may grow Unto that compass by its God designed; And not till then shalt thou the Secret know! CXXXVIII What is Man's Wisdom 'mid these Mysteries Of Causes bent to unknown Purposes? Some Rules and Tables scratched upon a Leaf Of Time flung on a Ball of Dirt — it is! 50 THE NEW RUBAIYAT CXXXIX A little Knowledge gathered by his Tribe For boastful Argument or Diatribe, An Infant's babble of its treasured toys — Flaunted with pompous mien by Fool or Scribe! CXL What is it all but the moil of a Mite 'Mid Mountains to move? And what is the Sight Of a Worm of the Ground that gazes around And sees not the Day — and knows but the Night? CXLI This Clay, this Dust, this Matter dumb and blind — Tis the Soul's dream, the pageantry of Mind! Else were it Cause and Result Self-contained — A Self within Itself it cannot find! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 51 CXLII TODAY and YESTERDAY mark Time's decay Whereof the Soul knows not; THAT is alway Nor more nor less than what it Was and Is; TOMORROW is part of the SouFs TO-DAY! CXLIII For if Man hath no Soul what then is He More than his corpse? O solemn Mystery! All that was There before it Here remains; And what then was that Conscious Entity? CXLIV Ask not the Winds that o'er the Meadows pass, Ask not the Rain, the Sun- shine, or the Grass, These heed no Question and no Answer give; Your Earth is iron and your Sky is brass! 52 THE NEW RUBAIYAT CXLV This marble Image prone — this lifeless Clay — Whither the Tenant that has passed away? The Soul that beamed from out those glassy eyes — 'Tis clear That has no share in this decay! CXLVI Two-fold was this Being; give Earth its own, But claim not for the Dust that Spirit flown, For IT has fled to sweep with tireless wing The Morning Skies that circle Heaven's Throne! CXLVI I If Past and Future, Now, is Nought, — you say — Than He that passed but this late Hour away. Not less than one Unborn is He, not more Than Him lost in a Thous- and Year's decay! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 53 CXLVIII But if you still persist they Both are Nought, Then is your Wisdom bare, and dearly bought, For if your All be Now — a Moment's span — Vain is the knowledge by your cunning caught! CXLIX Take Nought from Nothing — what will there re- main? Add Nought to Nothing — what is then your gain? Recount, divide or multi- ply your Sum — The task in Nothing ends; 'tis all in vain! CL For HAS BEEN minus NEVER plus TO BE Totals your NOW, itself illusory ; A grim Phantasmagoria of Time That sums the measure of absurdity ! 54 THE NEW RUBAIYAT CLI Nor deem because by Logic's aid I press The Argument, its force is then the less, First tell what prompted Reason to the task 'Ere ye pronounce my Creed an empty guess. CLIl But should Annihilation end the View, What is there then — for- sooth — for Me to rue? Nor shall your after Mock- ery offend — But how with You if all of It be True! CLIli Nor will I seek in Wine false strength to brave My fate, playing the part of fool or knave; I shall go clean and clear- eyed to the end — I shall go chaste and sober to my Grave! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 55 CLIV Some for a Paradise on earth contend, And some there are who will no credit lend To earthly Paradise, or Heav'n, or Hell, And stumble blindly to their hopeless end. CLV O Scomer — make the most of thy short stay, The Ground is gaping for its kindred Clay! Let Faith and Hope and Charity be Ours, The glorious Hazard, THAT is Mine Today! CLVI Thus am I better fortified to strive Than You with all that Logic can contrive, All that is yours I have, with More, to make Me brave in Death and nobler perhaps in Life! S6 THE NEW RUBAIYAT CLVM What does your Learning and its quest reveal Of Fate's grim Mystery of Woe and Weal? The Heart's devotion sheds a clearer Light! *Tis well to Know, but bet- ter still to Feel. CLvm The Heart moves on when Sense is lost in Sleep, Oft leaps exultant where the Mind doth creep — It beats its protest at sad Reason's doubts; Firmer the Bridge it casts athwart the Deep. CLIX Let Faith and Hope their sacred Signs invent! I'd rather yield them all my Soul's assent Than hold that monstrous creed — a Godless world. And Human creatures on no Mission bent. FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 57 CLX Ye of the cursed creed of "Might is Right," Ye may too late discern that "Right is Might," Finding Hell's legions stronger than thine own, And Angels mightier still in Virtue's fight! CLXI With "Might is Right" your impious battle-cry Ye press and smite, and Grod and man defy; So may ye learn the blast- ing might of Hell, And power of Heav*n, that creed to satisfy! CLXII Is there below a Monster more accurst Than he that can from hun- ger cold and thirst Withhold the coin that might the pang assuage, And live the best while smiling on the worst? 58 THE NEW RUBAIYAT CLXill O thou that gatherest the Golden hoard By hook or crook, by trick- ery or fraud, What wilt thou purchase with thy riches, Friend? In what Eternal Bank is it all stored? CLXIV Think you to revel at the Feast of Life Unmindful of the want and anguish rife Without thy gates, nor pay the Reckoning — Nor bear thy portion in the grievous strife! CLXV Ah — your's the cursed heart that can deny The widow's portion or the orphan's cry^ — Decline a pittance to a dire distress And look on famine with un- pitying eye! FROM A VrRGINIAN GARDEN 59 CLXVI Feast well thy Gluttony at board and mart, For thou ere long will of the Dust be part, And Earth will lighten and Hell groan with joy When Death shall frown and still thy Miser heart! CLXVII This Worldly Trust you set your soul upon — It shall breed reptile Hor- rors, and anon, The Harvest you shall gather will be swarms To fang Death's barb, when Life's brief day is done! CLXVIII For me — I give my mite, and giving grieve My poverty, that has not more to give; Holding no privilege more blest than that Which may a fellow- creature's need relieve. 60 THE NEW RUBAIYAT CLXIX For Love, and Mercy, Rap- ture, Charity, Are tokens of the Soul's Divinity, Above the Mind's analjrsis they stand — Beacons of Faith and Im- mortality ! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 61 CLXX But if in moments of despair and trial You cannot with God's Mercy reconcile — The Tragedies and Hor- rors of the E^rth That seem to banish Provi- dence, the while; CLXX I So that thy Heart is torn, thy Soul dismayed At the grim pageantry of Sin arrayed — The monstrous Moumful- ness of all the Past With its red Record, and old Debts unpaid; CLXXII At Virtue crushed and Vice victorious, At Blasphemers about, con- temptuous Of all the Sacred Promises and Hopes, Who mocking, swear the Grave takes All of us! 62 THE NEW RU BAIYAT CLXXMI Peace to thy Soul! It is not thine affair, Thee and thy Conscience, these thine only care! Art Thou to Judge and settle for the World? Nay! Each in time will an- swer — Here or There! CLXXIV 'Tis not for Thee to portion Praise or Blame, To measure Justice, or dis- pute the Claim; Thou know'st not which way that Pilgrim went, Thou know'st not which way this Pilgrim came! CLXXV What is the Sum to thee? Canst thou not see That all the Sorrow and the Misery Of these vast Multitudes beneath the Moon — It is not more than thine own Doom — to thee! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 6S CLXXVI The Joy and Sorrow of a single Soul That makes the Pilgrimage and pays the Toll — It is nor more nor less than All Of It! The Tragedy of One sums up the Whole. CLXXVM Grant me, O Lord, but strength mine own to bear, Give me the Faith that will not brook Despair, Look down in Mercy on my frailties. My sins forgive, and take my dying Prayer! CLXXVI1I For Thou dost Live and Reign! I read the Sign Writ clear o'er All in char- acters Divine; In the deep pathos of our Earthly quest, Or in the Stars that with Thy Glory shine — 64 THE NEW RUBAIYAT CLXXIX 1 know the Truth! Yet was it still more clear In blest Compassio n's glance, and Pity's tear; In the Soul-eloquence of Virtue's voice And in her mien when Death was drawing near. CLXXX Aye ! On sweet Human faces have I read — God lives in Souls by Saintly purpose led, I've seen the Light reflect- ed from Above Upon the face of such when Life had fled. CLXXXI I've read it in a Mother's soft caress, In Love's bright eye agleam with tenderness, And in the smile that marks the Infant's dream, And in the Faith that noble Souls profess. FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 65 CLXXXII By those that with Unright- eousness contend And stand undaunted Virtue to defend, By Angel heart in Human form enshrined — I know the Soul shall unto Him ascend! CLXXXIM By those that from on High their Wisdom draw And humbly bend their Maker to adore, By all these Things I read the mighty Truth — God Lives and Reigns, Here, Now, and Evermore! CLXXXIV No more with Doubt beset therefore lament Thy lot, nor rage with im- pious discontent; Suffice the Master knows, and of His Plan Thou art a Part, and to His Purpose bent! 6« THE NEW RUBAIYAT CLXXXV The Seas may rise, the Earthquake thunders roll, Old Earth be drowned, or rent from pole to pole, And dreadful Darkness blot Creation's face — Yet through that Darkness One shall lead my Soul! CLXXXVI "No lingering Ages of de- crepitude With euthenasia for Earth's Evil brood," But He shall come in Majesty and Wrath To sift the Souls of Men and crush Hell's feud! CLXXXVII "His Hand Omnipotent shall rend the Clay And push the Elements aside, that they No more shall stand be- tween his Face and those Whom He shall come to Judge — on that Last Day!" FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 67 CLXXXVIII But if You still deride the pious Plan And hold the worship for Mankind is "Man," Yet would I point to Christ upon the Mount — Holding Him peerless since the World began! CLXXXIX Let Pedants urge their Logic to explain That Jesus and the Prophets lived in vain; Show first my Soul a kinder Creed than this Which bursts the Grave and cleanses from all stain! cxc It matters not that Mockers may decry, And worldly-Wise the Miracle deny! The Creed of Christ by noblest Souls professed Is Man's supreme Appeal to God on High. 63 THE NEW RUBA1YAT CXCI If for some Purpose 'twas by God decreed That for His seeking Man should make a Creed, Then He'll fulfill the Hope by Man proposed When on His Son they called their Souls to lead! CXCII "A Legend and a M5^h, man-made," ye cry; Show me a better then to satisfy The Soul's Desire! And if there be a God In any Heaven, this Myth He'll justify! cxcm Though other Creeds have held some share of Truth, Yet have they died. This wears Immortal youth, Summing them aU — the Fountain of all Good, Holding alike all Men in Heaven's Ruth! FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 69 CXCIV He lived and died! And God will justify The Witnesses that stand to testify To the Messiah's Mission and His Truth! Man's holiest Hope the Lord will not deny. cxcv And when at last I near Death's sombre Vale, My Prayer shall be to Him who will not fail My need. So will I front the mortal Dart With level glance that will nor dare nor quail. cxcvi Ah, my Beloved, when with tearful eye You breathe my name, or hold your vigil nigh The daisied turf 'neath where I lie adream — Methinks my cold dumb Clay would hear your sigh; 70 THE NEW RUBAIYAT CXCVII And strive to work once more the olden spell Of Love within your heart, and bum to tell The solemn Secret which it learned at last, And to your question whis- per— "All is Well!" CXCVIII For when anear the Poet's starry bed Comes Life and Love with light and lingering tread, His dreaming Dust would thrill to list their vows, And joy to know their pres- ence overhead! cxcix O brother - Poet, of the TIME TO BE! Who shall in turn dispute the Mystery, Breathe thou a Prayer o'er my forgotten Clay, Deal gently with my Verse, and tell of Me — FROM A VIRGINIAN GARDEN 71 cc When unto Death Sin's Pen- alty I paid, And in the Dust my lifeless Clay was laid, I did descend, with Trust in Christ to Rise; Firm in that Faith I fell — and unafraid! Amen. 018 394 485 A XJ^J