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 Songs 
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 'By I 
 
 ^avid Chalmers cNjmmo \ 
 
 
HOME SONGS 
 
 BY 
 
 DAVID CHALMERS NIMMO 
 
 Author of 
 Nature Songs." "Soul Songs," "Civic Songs," Etc. 
 
 Times Publishing Co., Detroit, Mich. 
 

 Copyrighted 1916. 
 By DAVID CHALMERS NIMMO. 
 
 DEC 30 1916 
 
 ^CU453399 
 
DEDICATION 
 
 TO 
 MY MOTHER 
 
 As the largest contributor 
 Of the virtues herein contained, 
 And to all like her, who make 
 A home in the midst of the gigantic 
 And destroying selfishness of life 
 I dedicate these songs. 
 
 D. C. N. 
 
 m^ D? .3BQ 
 
"To make a happy fireside clime 
 
 To weans and wife, 
 
 That's the true pathos and sublime 
 Of human life." 
 
 Burns. 
 
Contents 
 
 Page 
 
 Parentage 7 
 
 A Marriage Song X^-j 
 
 The Wife's Day I4 
 
 Give Him a Dog I5 
 
 The Baby Show Ig 
 
 The Waters of Life I9 
 
 Home Angels — Music 20 
 
 A Drop of Oil 21 
 
 A Lover's Song 22 
 
 Slumber Song 23 
 
 Woman's Civic Song 24 
 
 The Song of the Suffragette £5 
 
 Vote and No Vote 26 
 
 A Woman's Way -q 
 
 Nature Helps ^^ 
 
 A Fisherman's Song 3^ 
 
 The Carrier Dove -^i 
 
 Young Motherhood 34 
 
 Envy .jg 
 
 The Wife's Return 38 
 
 The Candy Maker 4q 
 
 Song for Marriage 42 
 
 The Dreamed Of 43 
 
 A Wish . . 
 
 4o 
 
 The Anniversary cq 
 
 Student's Love Song 53 
 
 Love and Sorrow - 3 
 
 King and Beggar 54 
 
 Mama's Answer . -^ 
 
 Bled ::.'.■;::.'.".■;:::;;.■;;:.■;.■.■;: -ol 
 
 A Heart Truth ^^^ 
 
 Saved ^ 
 
 _, D^ 
 
 Remarried . ... .., 
 
 o2 
 
 The Wife's Commandments ^4 
 
 The Best Baby f^j 
 
Thine Eyes 68 
 
 Kissing Babies 70 
 
 The White Slave's Moan 73 
 
 The Element of Life 74 
 
 Because, My Dear, It's You 75 
 
 The Bread of Life 77 
 
 The Wanderer's Unrest . . .- 77 
 
 The Cure 78 
 
 The Departed 79 
 
 Sleep Beloved ! 82 
 
 Ideal Kisses 83 
 
 The Kid 86 
 
 The Good-Night Kiss 89 
 
 The Stars and Stripes Forever— No. 4 91 
 
 The Home Angel's Song 93 
 
 The First Dream 94 
 
 Home 95 
 
 Motherhood's Desire 95 
 
 Woman 96 
 
 The Rejected's Faith 97 
 
 The New Advise 97 
 
 The Wife 97 
 
 Nature's Bouquet 97 
 
 Rejected 99 
 
 The Foolish Virgin 100 
 
 Grandma's Marriage 100 
 
 The Sweetest of the Sweet 103 
 
 The Poetic Wife 105 
 
 Fat Medicine 107 
 
 Ls He Married ? 109 
 
 Influence of Baby 112 
 
 The Whistling Girl 113 
 
 The Wife's New Dress 115 
 
 An Old Fashioned Georgia Father 120 
 
 A Cradle Mediation 123 
 
 Boyhood's Home 127 
 
 Drink Her Health 128 
 
 The Lover's Pathway 129 
 
 The Proposal 133 
 
 "Rub Me and I'll Smell" 134 
 
 "Cuddle Doon" 137 
 
 Oh Love of God Come In ! 139 
 
 An Old Fashioned Home Flower 140 
 
 Mother's Day .143 
 
PARENTAGE. 
 
 What is the truth of parenthood on earth? 
 Lift up thine eyes or turn thy spirit hence I 
 Look not upon these origins of birth, 
 Or gird thy mind with an omnipotence 
 Of virtuous strength to front the vast offense! 
 Though nature's way, the social order right. 
 And heav'n's benediction on the immense 
 Irrationality, tho Soul must smite 
 All origin from this insanest sense 
 As but a curse and hope destroying blight 
 On all the generations that spring forth to the light. 
 
 Ask what is man, from whence doth he arise? 
 And Life with stern sarcastic smile doth thrust 
 The sensual truths right in thy very eyes 
 To silence, shame and bow the reverent ,iust. 
 What? Offspring of the dragon's poisoned dust. 
 Mere accidents of nature's sensual pleasure, 
 Mere unwished issues of resistless lust, 
 Unwelcome ends that lore cannot outmeasure. 
 The consequence of blind delirious must, 
 The full unthinking thoughtlessness we treasure, 
 The senses in their power, soul exiled in displeasure. 
 
 The quality of parenthood on earth 
 Is ju?t above the level of the beast; 
 Unmotived, they are welcomed at th^ir birth 
 And after that the physical they feast, 
 Clothe and defend. They teach and train the least, 
 Naught, naught of heav'n or heaven's kings and peers, 
 But all the arts by which bread is increased: 
 They teach the crafts and wisdoms of the years 
 And those great powers thai; nature has released: 
 They all are taught to climb and rule the spheres: 
 Old selfishness and sense the spirit onward steers. 
 
 But often, oft unto our contemplations 
 A spirit strong with mighty trumpet sounds 
 Strikes mortal ears with spirit indignations 
 
That stop a few made wise by loss and wounds. 
 Hark: Hark! Dost thou not hear? The message bounds 
 As flung by one of heaven's highest peers 
 And unto man the spirit's law expounds: 
 "The visions from the bright millennial years 
 When impurity has run her final rounds 
 Declare no parentage until it rears 
 Out of this earthly physical the .spirit of the spheres." 
 
 "The Soul is life's best law and highest need; 
 And Soul upon the summit of her stale 
 Denies the blood relationships that feed 
 Life's surfaceness and doth annunciate 
 The everlasting laws that dominate 
 The spirit kingdoms. There is a parentage 
 Far higher than the dust that mortals mate. 
 Far nobler than the fleshly lusts that rage, 
 Far licher than the passions that create, 
 One most divine, of spirits that engage 
 More than themselves and purer life upon their heritage." 
 
 "These are larents: the teachers wise and kind 
 Who take the child and for the child's own sake 
 Bring forth in him self-consciousness and mind; 
 Then when his kingly faculities are awake 
 The world's high intellectual splendors shake 
 Upon the spirit's first and fresh surprise; 
 When all his powers with mental longings ache. 
 When reaching to his full expanded size. 
 When infinites within his being break, 
 Unfoldeth then upon his lifted eyes. 
 The spaces, planets, powers and laws of astronomic skies. 
 
 "These are parents: the artists high and true 
 Who plant within the mind the finer sense 
 Of passion and of shape and sound and hue; 
 Who breathe into the form of young intelligence 
 A spirit that beholds a countenance 
 Of beauty pure on all the heav'ns and earth. 
 And fronting full that unveiled radiance 
 Doth worship with a sacred silent mirth. 
 Oft, often lost unto the world of sense; 
 Spirits v/ho bring such beings unto birth 
 Bring more than flesh and blood, great souls of poet worth. 
 
 "These are parents: the moralists of truth. 
 The consciences with justice, wisdom, right. 
 Who lift before the blinded eyes of youth 
 
The virtues and the majesties that light 
 The universe v/hile sustaining by their might 
 The throne of the Eternal, those who draw 
 The veils from off our being's moral height 
 And cast upon the soul high spirit awe, 
 Silence, wonder, sorrow, death and fear and night, 
 God, eternity, life, universal law. 
 Oh what a birth for parents ! Can humans higher draw 
 
 "These are parents: the few, the infinitely few 
 In whom the love of God burns as a fire 
 Of white intensity, and piercing through 
 All life and time and sense with a desire 
 Most inexpressible brings the inspire 
 Of heaven's spirit upon these spirits dead 
 So they come forth to live, to think, inquire, 
 And stretch and reach to life's eternal head: 
 Who brings such souls out of this earthly mire 
 Brings spirits like and for the Christ who bled 
 And by life's best ideals they evermore are led." 
 
 "And yet we see this bestial sexuality 
 Ordained the nurse and mother of humanity. 
 The greatest function of this large finality 
 Has been conferred upon a blind insanity, 
 Sunk, sunk unto a base profanity. 
 Oh Life! Oh Life! Oh must it ever be 
 This host shall rise unto the empty vanity 
 Awaiting those the senses sire so free! 
 Why in this earth should wisest sanity 
 Rare hear or feel a protest, prayer or plea 
 For generations born that soul bring unto thee?" 
 
 "How long, how long shall sensuality be 
 The undisputed parent of the earth, 
 And breathe the strength of white intensity 
 Into each heart of dark delivered birth? 
 How long, hovv^ long shall sense of blindest mirth 
 A mid-wife be that standeth at life's gate 
 To tal^e the child, robbed of its highest worth. 
 And to herself to instant consecrate! 
 Sense makes for soul this lightning blasted dearth 
 And on her dreams all curses imprecate. 
 Her generations long, deform, disease and weight." 
 
 "How long, how long, out of a muliitude 
 Shall but one child be born from heart and mind. 
 Unlike the offspring that has ever been the brood 
 
Of pleasure, and as kind produces kind 
 Come forth sensual, deaf and dumb and blind! 
 How long, how long shall this intelligence 
 Of man be bound and dream or dare to find 
 The source of this infinity in sense! 
 Around the globe life's source is thus entwined, 
 It seems as nature's very ordinance 
 And man and state and church stand up in its defence.' 
 
 "Oh man, the man prophets have dreamed, the man 
 The moments disentangle from the curse. 
 The man revealed in that celestial plan 
 That rides upon the summit of the univerpe! 
 Oh cosmopolitan spirit! Oh purse 
 In whom the Infinite delights to stay 
 And with his life unto the ideal nurse! 
 As thou beholdest they evolution's way 
 And the multitudinous wrecks that vox and verse 
 The man that wished but had not power to sway. 
 Oh utter forth thy heart in some prophetic lay!" 
 
 " 'No more, no more!' a mighty spirit cries 
 In noble strains of high prophetic verse. 
 'No more, no more;' the mighty measures rise 
 Above the earth and discords of the curse. 
 'No more, no more;' most mighty passions nurse 
 The strain that climbeth up the heaven's height 
 And drowns all song the starry choirs unpurse, 
 'No more. No more!' the culminating might 
 Seems climbing up the towering universe 
 And lifts my soul with infinite delight 
 Into the song divine that circles round "^he night." 
 
 " 'No more, no more the offspring round that lies! 
 No more, no more the children of the curse! 
 No more, no more the beings that arise 
 Out of the beast and go to beasts and worse! 
 No more, no more let living nature nurse 
 A dragon brood at her maternal breasts 
 And thus companion, and still more disburse 
 The pent-up sense that every bosom nests! 
 No more, no more, Oh vastest universe! 
 Breed and sustain the long unwelcome guests 
 That desecrate they name and trample on thy bests!' " 
 
 " 'No more, no more the low and bestial powers 
 Of life perpetuate the generations 
 And bring them up from time's dark brothel bowers 
 
 10 
 
And send them forth with such fierce domin^Uiona! 
 No more, no more the world's first foul creations 
 That laired and whelped as brutes in brutal state 
 Bring forth the seed to mount unto the stations 
 Of great man! No more, no more thus populate 
 The portals of the universe with nations 
 That the universe can never, never mate, 
 But casts them forth as dung from her divine estate!'" 
 
 " 'No more, no more the flesh though fair to eye.s 
 That only live to write their condemaations 
 And slay the hopes that heaven bids arise 
 To man the world and guide its recreations! 
 No more, no rrore, the dafrk engenderations 
 So sinister sired twixt pleasure and a curse. 
 Whose meat and drink are sexual satiations 
 And hungry still its passions to unpurse! 
 No more, no more the night-born dominations. 
 Sense anarchs fierce and hist'ries that they nurse 
 But always like themselves and sometimes worse and worse!' 
 
 " 'No more, no more the dark distempered dream 
 To think we need more of this cursed kind! 
 No more, no more diseaseful passions stream 
 Into the child and thus its future bind 
 And slay twice dead to all for which designed! 
 Does this high age require the breed beget, 
 By brutal sense that qualifies the mind 
 With most immoral bias? Does not 
 The low-born breed its own destruction find? 
 Do not their foims high heaven's brightness blot? 
 Do not their deeds like plagues the earth though salted rot? 
 
 " 'Oh Love, thou art the nurse of life, the crown 
 Upon the brow of heaven's heightless height. 
 The battle, conquest, victory and renown 
 Are thine, and thy omnipotential might 
 Shall reign supreme o'er boundless day and night! 
 Oh enter man! As white as glowing fire 
 Cleanse thou the flesh, the soul purge and bedight 
 With thine own nature! Within him be the sire 
 Of noble sons that bear thy image bright! 
 Oh Love divine, with infinite inspire 
 The generations bring that mount forever higher ! ' " 
 
 " 'Come forth, come forth, ye high supernal powers 
 Designed to rule upon man's highest stations. 
 Enter the night and by thy sunlike dowers 
 
 11 
 
Reveal to soul the senses' usurpations! 
 Ideals divine, visions and pure creations 
 That girdle, guide and crown the universe, 
 Deliver man from time's long degradations 
 That blessing seem, but swallow up in curse! 
 Destroy the old, the old old impulsations 
 Of ancient days, and in his spirit nur^p [verse!' 
 
 The dreams that ye have dreamed and .aourished with youi 
 
 "'Come, thou .spirit of intelligence and thought! 
 Thou art the liberator of the heart, 
 For thou must teach ere liberty is sought. 
 Throughout the whole brute sphere thy lightnings dart 
 As midnight bolts upon the guilty start. 
 Think into this unthinking man and shake 
 His blinded world with moral earthquakes! Impart 
 The mighty energy that forever breaks 
 The powers of sense! To their blind senses bart 
 Life's truth divine: A thoughtful parent makes 
 The virtuous heirs of hope the future thankful takes.' " 
 
 " 'Grant, grant, ye Powers, a parentage of virtue, 
 A parentage in whom predominate 
 The morals and the motives that secure 
 The child's divinest right, and thus create 
 A nature rich, harmonious to the state 
 The ancient heavens designed. Such parents 
 Would behold the ripe posterities that mate 
 The glorious dreams of millenial age hence. 
 In them high heav'n would build its god-like state, 
 The unembodied soul of life immense 
 Forever calls to come and give her immanance.' " 
 
 " 'Come, come, Oh come ye distant generations. 
 Ye generations of the golden morn. 
 Ye progeny of god-like dominations 
 No dream of man shall ever dare to scorn! 
 Spirits of fire, immortal souls unshorn — 
 Sense, pas,sion, stature, majesty and power — 
 Chosen of heav'n, upon whom are ever borne 
 The ideals and everlasting dower 
 Of man, Oh come upon this weary, worn 
 And mangled world, and let her latest hour 
 Be sheltered by the peace high heavens on ye shower!'" 
 
 12 
 
A MARRIAGE SONG 
 
 Oh Love divine and golden, 
 
 Above our dreams thou art! 
 All being tliou dost folden 
 
 In thy encircling heart. 
 All loving hearts are blighted 
 
 Without thee most divine, 
 -No hearts are e'er united 
 
 Unless first one in thine. 
 
 On these for love created 
 
 We hear thee read the rite. 
 May inmost souls be mated. 
 
 Pure, sweet and rich and white. 
 Now with thy heart in passion 
 
 Both melt and glow in one. 
 Now growing toward thy fashion 
 
 Love's life is true begun. 
 
 The soul that soul is claiming 
 
 Unite and naught divided! 
 May love with double flaming 
 
 Fill bridegroom and his bride. 
 In circles bright ascending, 
 
 In paths before unknown, 
 Their hearts with heaven blending. 
 
 Lead them thy loved and own. 
 
 From love all life must borrow 
 
 What lifteth to the skies; 
 Send thou thy joy and sorrow 
 
 And pure self sacrifice; 
 ■ Send all that makes immortals. 
 
 Oh pole them far above! 
 New open golden portals 
 
 To spheres of life and love! 
 
 Past morning's foaming fountains. 
 
 Across life's noonday plain, 
 Beyond time's evening mountains. 
 
 Where all love's loss is gain. 
 Oh Love far famed in story. 
 
 Be guardian and be guide. 
 Where love is all the glory, 
 
 Bring bridegroom and his bridei 
 
 13 
 
THE WIFE'S DAY. 
 
 This is the day I give my wife. 
 Renounce all claim and rule of life; 
 I give to her the right of it, 
 The full command and might of it. 
 The morning, noon and night of it 
 And all that fills the height of it. 
 However rich and rife. 
 
 When we were married then became 
 A single soul in double frame. 
 Has she who lent it grace divine, 
 Fed life and iove to race with mine. 
 Has that pure heart and face so fine 
 That made the earth a place benign 
 Upon the strength no claim? 
 
 Five days we toil to serve the need, 
 One worship with the thoughtful breed ; 
 On other days she curves to me 
 And gives the fires and verves of glee; 
 On this she sure deserves to see 
 Life turn to her with service free. 
 Responsive to her creed. 
 
 When I awake, I always say: 
 "My Dear! This is thy royal day. 
 I servant am, thou art the Queen, 
 I come or go with heart serene; 
 Take thee to court or mart or green. 
 Scrub, dig or fight, depart or preen 
 Or what your whim obey." 
 
 "We'll go on. foot; we'll ride ahorse. 
 Or drive with car's imperial force. 
 Behold the world! Now name the place. 
 To family friends that claim the grace. 
 To nature's glowing frame and face. 
 To cities or the famous race. 
 Where will we call our course?" 
 
 "Here is my head, my burning brain. 
 My gifted pen and all is strain. 
 
 Say: 'Write!' and I will write for thee 
 The best things in the might of me. 
 Domestic idylls bright for thee 
 
 14 
 
And thou a Queen in white shall be 
 With princes in thy train." 
 
 "Here are my houses, lands and gold. 
 All, all today thy hand shall hold. 
 
 Spend! Spending is the jest of life. 
 
 Buy! Buying is the zest of life. 
 
 Give! Giving is the best of life, 
 
 And on this crown and crest of life 
 Be thou both rich and bold," 
 
 "Or in some bower shall we stroll. 
 In silence sit with soul to soul? 
 
 Shall we remember how we met, 
 
 The dreams we dreamed nor now forget? 
 
 Live o'er the years the brow has wet 
 
 But deeper still the vow has set 
 And doth our spirits pole?" 
 
 "The day I give to thee, Oh Wife! 
 Has always been a day of life; 
 
 For thou hast been a joy and power, 
 
 Fed purpose and employ and dower. 
 
 And out of time's destroying hour 
 
 Hast built me like a royal tower 
 'Gainst the eternal strife." 
 
 Oh blessed day! Oh blessed day! 
 The best I've met on life's highway, 
 
 With thee there's something glows and glows 
 
 As if a fountain rose and rose 
 
 And sometimes something flows and Aowl; 
 
 That only joy serenest knows 
 When memories on her stray. 
 
 GUTS HIM A DOG. 
 
 Oh give your boy a dog! 
 
 A collie is a friend 
 That even many a man 
 
 Would with his life defend. 
 Each is a kindred soul, 
 
 Companion, strength and joy; 
 Far better have a boy and dog 
 
 Than not have any boy! 
 
 15 
 
THE BABY SHOW. 
 
 A half a dozen mothers met 
 
 Upon a summer way; 
 And tender in the shade were set 
 
 The births that made the day. 
 The babes that made the day for them 
 And made the sun a paltry gem, 
 Were cradled there 
 And each was fair 
 As lovers' eyes could wish it were. 
 
 Each baby's praise was said and sung 
 
 In words of warmest fire; 
 No poet with delirious tongue 
 
 Could equal their inspire. 
 The lover and the loved one lives 
 Where all is bright superlatives. 
 The mother heart 
 Has love's best art 
 And round her babe does all impart. 
 
 At last the youngest said and smiled: 
 
 "Let's have a baby show." 
 I know the thought that her beguiled 
 
 Though love would hide it low. 
 "Agreed! Agreed!" the chorus sung, 
 And toward their infants instant sprung. 
 The prize, the prize 
 Was in each eyes 
 Nor dreamed how doubt could here arise. 
 
 A maid to me the most divine 
 By chance she came along; 
 I called the mothers to the line 
 
 And told to her the' song. 
 "Now she'll be judge and so decide 
 Between your fondness and your pride; 
 For hearts that feel 
 And drunken reel 
 How could they ,such a claim now seal?" 
 
 Such looks of hot contempt and flame, 
 
 And words of sharpest fire. 
 From lips and eyes and faces came, 
 
 I shook before their ire. 
 But Oh upon my bride divine! 
 
 16 
 
Fell epithets of salted brine, 
 
 Until we tied; 
 
 But still we said: 
 "We'll see the show that love has led." 
 
 Each promised to impartial be; 
 
 Each flung away her pride; 
 Each scorned the honor she could see; 
 
 Each from her hope untied; 
 Truth, truth shall tell what babe is best 
 In looks and health and all the rest 
 Of baby wiles 
 And angel smiles 
 And promises that love beguiles. 
 
 Each looked into each baby face, 
 
 Right down into the heart. 
 And every named and nameless grace 
 
 Fixed on her mental chart ; 
 Then here and there, round, to and fro, 
 Compared the points the others show; 
 Life's lightest things 
 On fairy springs 
 Were balanced till the judgment wings. 
 
 A silence deep, and then was cast 
 
 A most momentous note; 
 The solemn truth was written fast 
 
 For history in a vote; 
 Each mother when the vote was read 
 Wore victory on her flaming head; 
 For just one vote 
 Had every note. 
 No two alike in all they wrote. 
 
 No evidence did bend a vote 
 
 So much as by a hair, 
 Though every mother thought each note 
 
 Would her own judgment share. 
 Oh how could any babe outshine 
 The angel of each heart divine? 
 It were a shame 
 Such perfect claim 
 Against each other thus to frame. 
 
 Oh every mother's babe is best! 
 None can with it compare; 
 
 17 
 
She has a dream and found it blest 
 
 With all her heart can bear. 
 Though money, fasliion, pleasure, power. 
 Fill for the most the mortal hour. 
 
 The mother true 
 
 Has visions new 
 Far deeper than we others view. • ■ 
 
 Oh every mother's own is best! 
 
 She sees beneath the veil; 
 The eyes of joy and love are blest 
 
 To see where others fail; 
 That something more is bound in this, 
 A something that the others miss, 
 A vital start 
 From her own heart 
 That never can from her depart. 
 
 Say: "Love is foolish, deaf and blind; 
 
 Young mothers but insane; 
 All these bright fancies rich and kind 
 
 Around the heart and brain. 
 Are reasonless and but the fruit 
 Of nature's strong unconscious root:" 
 The baby best 
 From all the rest 
 Is just that one upon her breast. 
 
 Oh well for mother, well for child. 
 
 Oh well for earth oppressed, 
 That ere we are by sin defiled 
 
 And wander sore distressed, 
 A heart inlaid with softest love, 
 With something like the heart above. 
 Doth us receive 
 When first we leave 
 The heart, alas how few retrieve' 
 
 Oh heart of high supremest love! 
 
 Oh heart within the heart! 
 Though high within thy heav'ns above 
 
 Before us sure thou art. 
 r'or us thou didst prepare the breast 
 And something from thine own impressed, 
 But shall thy heart 
 From this dread mart 
 Receive us when we hence depart? 
 
 18 
 
THE WATERS OF LIFE. 
 
 From forth the crystal fountains 
 
 Sparkling with heaven's sun, 
 Down from God's snow crowned mountains 
 
 The streams of life do run. 
 The seraphim of morning 
 
 Low bowing round the First 
 Fienew their bright adorning 
 
 And still their deepest thirst. 
 
 The Lord of life releases 
 
 The draught that spirits drink. 
 
 In midst of man's diseases 
 
 Why should the fainting sink? 
 
 The living streams are flowing- 
 Free as in heav'n above; 
 
 Who deeply drink are glowing 
 In strength, in joy and love. 
 
 Celestial virtues holden 
 
 These waters rich as wine; 
 All ye whom faith embolden 
 
 May drink this life divine. 
 No price, no gold, no labor; 
 
 High heaven knows no fee; 
 For thou, for stranger, neighbor, 
 
 This draught of life is free. 
 
 Drink, drink ye souls in anguish! 
 
 Quick healing they impart. 
 Drink, drink ye souls that languish! 
 
 Reviving, strength, full heart. 
 Restore thy fainting being! 
 
 'Tis life and love in soul; 
 The virtues they are freeing 
 
 Much more than make thee whole. 
 
 More cool than heav'n's high mountains. 
 
 More sweet than life's young dream. 
 Pure as the midnight fountains. 
 
 Creation's true gulf stream ; 
 Oh drink and cease thou never! 
 
 Its virtues ne'er depart; 
 Drink on, drink on forever. 
 
 The life from God's own heart! 
 
 19 
 
HOME ANGELS. 
 
 Music 
 
 Music, Music, Soul the sweetest 
 Of all earth and heav'n above! 
 
 Thou each burning seraph greetest 
 As the sister twin of Love. 
 
 Oft to mortals thou art finer 
 
 Than that spirit far diviner. 
 
 Here behold the home of mortals! 
 
 They invite thee in to live. 
 There's a welcome through these portals 
 
 Kings nor palaces can give. 
 Welcome, welcome, enter, enter 
 Hearts and homes unto their center! 
 
 Here are nature's purest passions, 
 Sweeping up and down a scale, 
 
 Changing in their power and fashions 
 As the soul of Life would hail. 
 
 By earth's purest fountain swelling 
 
 Wilt thou make thy lasting dwelling? 
 
 Here are little infants smiling, 
 
 Buds and blossoms pure and sweet, 
 
 Life and Love and Strength beguiling 
 Till their hearts like hammers beat. 
 
 Love with thee would share her story. 
 
 Rock the cradle! 'Tis a glory. 
 
 Here are lovers, youths and maidens, 
 Visions, dreamings, hopes, desires. 
 
 Futures like the morning aidens 
 That entices and inspires. 
 
 Where are better themes for singing 
 
 Than within the home are springing? 
 
 Life is hungry for a singer; 
 
 Sense is servant of the lyre; 
 All are longing for the flinger 
 
 Of the lyric strains of fire. 
 Wilt thou enter here and capture 
 Homes and hearts with sacred rapture? 
 
 Here are shadows, night and sorrow; 
 Life is full of strife and pain; 
 
 20 
 
All the lovers oft must borrow 
 
 Balsam for the heart and brain, 
 And the measm'e that thou pourest 
 Quick and full and glad restorest. 
 
 We must oft engage in battle, 
 Oft be wounded, torn and bled, 
 
 Often bought and sold as cattle, 
 Often trampled like the dead; 
 
 See the strife and greed surrounding; 
 
 Thou art life and strength abounding. 
 
 Home has no great gifts or praises. 
 Honors, thrones and crowns of fai^e; 
 
 Just a gratitude that raises 
 
 To the heav'ns a heart of flame; 
 
 Just glad memories, true devotions, 
 
 Sometimes tears of great emotions. 
 
 Thou dost enter, soul divinestl 
 Thou dost enter with thy lyre. 
 
 Flinging forth what thou enshrinest, 
 Life anJ love and wine and fire. 
 
 All home spirits o'er the portal 
 
 In doth sing thee, soul immortal! 
 
 I can hear sky mounting measures. 
 
 River-fountains full of song, 
 Music now has found her treasure 
 
 In the home's enchaniing thronj^ 
 This home angel with her singing 
 Lifts us soaring, circling, swinging. 
 
 A DKOP OF OIL. 
 
 A little drop of oil 
 
 On the vital spot 
 Life's machines will keep 
 
 Even when they're hot, 
 So little drops of love 
 
 On the wheels of life 
 Make the married state a sonj 
 
 Eo4h for man and wife. 
 
 21 
 
A LOVER'S SONG. 
 
 The maidan of my summer dreams 
 
 I met one happy morn, 
 When suns of love were pouring streams 
 
 And golden joys were born. 
 A nature from the azure skies, 
 
 A rainbow purity, 
 The spirit in her liquid eyes 
 
 Soft beamed and smiled on me. 
 
 That smile it filled me with delight 
 
 And fed my heart for days ; 
 I wished but just another sight, 
 
 I longed and watched the ways. 
 We met, and Oh her voice divine! 
 
 Was music to my ear; 
 Her words and their sweet soul enshrine 
 
 Woke echoes rich and dear. 
 
 Again we met and her soft hand 
 
 Was friendshiped in my own; 
 I felt some magic spirit band 
 
 Enchantment round had thrown. 
 It thrilled my spirit to the deep; 
 
 It crimsoned cheek and brow; 
 It woke a thousand thoughts from sleep 
 
 And vowed the sacred vow. 
 
 Still deeper, deeper in my heart 
 
 This angel came with bliss; 
 I gave my best immortal part. 
 
 Betrothed her with a kiss. 
 I throned her on my spirit's throne. 
 
 And crowned her with my joy; 
 So finding hope before unknown, 
 
 Strength, truth and high employ. 
 
 When pass again the winter's gloom 
 
 And yonder azures smile. 
 When birds will sing and flowers will bloom 
 
 I'll lead her up the aisle. 
 When youth and maidens gladness bring 
 
 And envy me or pine. 
 My heart with raptures new will sing: 
 
 "Mine! Mine, forever mine!" 
 
 Upon these earthly golden heights 
 Still more and more my own! 
 
 22 
 
When yonder 'mid the starry lights 
 
 Still mine and mine alone! 
 Through life and loss and pain and tears 
 
 Love grows though all decline; 
 Somewhere amid the golden spheres, 
 
 "Mine! Mine, forever mine!" 
 
 SLUMBER SONG. 
 
 Oh sleep. Oh sleep. Beloved, Oh sleep! 
 
 All things are sleeping now, 
 The billows on the breasted deep. 
 Clouds on the mountain's brow, 
 The winds are hushed in sweet repose. 
 
 Beasts crouch on plain and steep, 
 The birds and flowers their eyelids close; 
 Sleep, sleep Beloved! Oh sleep! 
 Sleep, sleep Beloved! Oh sleep 
 In peace and rest and calm! 
 Oh healthful sleep. Oh slumber deep. 
 Her spirit bathe with balm ! 
 
 Oh sleep, Oh sleep. Beloved, Oh sleep! 
 
 The nightingale's complaint 
 In broken measures seems lo weep 
 And sounds more far and faint. 
 The solemn silence seems to breathe 
 
 Divinest sorrows deep; 
 Since sorrow's heart doth slumber part. 
 Sleep, sleep Be'oved! Oh sleep! 
 Sleep, sleep Beloved! Oh sleep 
 In peace and rest and calm! 
 Oh healthful sleep. Oh slumber deep. 
 Her spirit bathe with balm! 
 
 Oh sleep. Oh sleep. Beloved, Oh sleep! 
 
 Now take thy liquid rest! 
 The silent sea doth pillow thee 
 
 Soft rocked upon her breast. 
 The crystal fountains far below 
 
 Into thy heart doth leap. 
 The tides of life return their flow, 
 Sleep, sleep Beloved! Oh sleep! 
 Sleep, sleep Beloved! Oh sleep 
 In peace and rest and calm! 
 Oh healthful sleep. Oh slumber deep. 
 Her spirit bathe with balm ! 
 
 23 
 
Oh sleep. Oh sleep, Beloved, Oh sleep! 
 
 The heart beneath each heart, 
 The love within love's crystal keep 
 
 Doth nurse thee as thou art. 
 A babe upon that breast divine 
 
 What blessing shalt thou reap! 
 His life and love and all untwine. 
 Sleep, sleep Beloved! Oh sleep! 
 Sleep, sleep Beloved! Oh sleep 
 In peace and rest and calm! 
 Oh healthful sleep, Oh slumber deep. 
 Her spirit bathe with balm ! 
 
 WOMAN'S CIVIC SONG. 
 
 Nature's rich, eternal passion 
 Ever new creates the earth. 
 She is rising with a fashion 
 
 That she never dreamed at birth. 
 Life is more and more immortal; 
 
 Great ideals on us are; 
 B^rom the morning's golden portal 
 A new message flyeth far. 
 
 Give the woman life's best honor, 
 Just with man to equal stand! 
 Is man's load of life upon her? 
 Give the franchise to her hand. 
 
 'Tis the message of the morning; 
 
 Nature's ripest passion cries 
 Through her science, gifts, adorning. 
 
 For the woman best to rise. 
 Let all liberty unfold her! 
 
 Why should men deny her right? 
 Why should state and law so hold her 
 
 When they blot her from their sight? 
 Give the woman life's best honor! etc. 
 
 She has mothered up the nations, 
 
 Ever smothered down the curse: 
 Men and deeds that crown the stations 
 
 Are the glories of her verse. 
 Can this nature change its glory 
 
 If the right repeals the wrong? 
 Usher in the larger story 
 
 Of the woman's civic song. 
 
 Give the woman life's best honor! etc. 
 
 24 
 
Life on her triumphant marches 
 
 Cannot with unequals go. 
 Those high pillared golden arches 
 Dare not back the nobler throw. 
 Man himself himself unknightens 
 
 When denjing woman's right; 
 Man and woman blessing brightens 
 When the law lifts off the blight. 
 Give the woman life's best honor, 
 
 Just with man to equal stand; 
 iS man's load of life upon her? 
 Give the franchise to her hand! 
 
 THE SONG OF THE SUFFRAGETTE. 
 
 Loud, loud from the splendors of vision 
 
 A silver and trumpet-like throat 
 Smgs through great applause and derision: 
 
 "Give, give to the woman a vote! 
 The equal, the giver, partaker, 
 
 With man of the day and the state, 
 She serves and should rise and be maker 
 Of law and the courses of fate. 
 
 The law we will make and pay taxes; 
 The same right for woman as man; 
 Our rights, give our rights, or on-waxes 
 The war that Great Right has began." 
 
 "Man battled and battled, all taxes 
 
 Denying unless he made laws. 
 The very same battle he waxes 
 
 'Gainst woman whose taxes he draws. 
 Each payer of tax should be .naker 
 
 Of law and the courses of state. 
 We'll fight the old battle and shake her, 
 
 Shake, sha'ie the old earth to think straight. 
 The law we will make and pay taxes, etc." 
 
 "All uplift of nature's impulsion 
 
 Has struggled with laughter and scorn. 
 To be laughed at and laugh with convulsion 
 
 World ruling ideas are born. 
 F»om the deep of old nature's ripe passion 
 
 Our cause springs immortal and prime; 
 Hail, hail to the world and its fashion, 
 
 The swords and sarcasms of time! 
 
 The law we will make and pay taxes, etc." 
 
 25 
 
"Great science J.nd virtue and splendor 
 
 Call loud on the human to rise. 
 In rising' the stronger must tender 
 
 What selfishness holds as a prize. 
 In.iustice all power must surrender; 
 
 Dishonor from strength mast unrobe; 
 Rise woman, as woman's defender, 
 
 And rock the strong man and his globe! 
 The law we will make and pay taxes; 
 The same right for woman as man; 
 Our rights, give our rights, or on-waxes 
 The war that Great Right has began." 
 
 *VOTE AND NO-VOTE. 
 
 Some twenty million years ago 
 
 The god of evolution 
 The elements of life threw in 
 
 For gradual resolution. 
 Eonic ages circled round 
 
 With biologic tales, 
 Now these eternal feminines 
 
 And more eternal males. 
 
 Then Life arose with interest keen 
 
 And looked upon the world; 
 A cosmos in the chaos built, 
 
 But tempest stormed and hurled. 
 She now and then the final truth 
 
 With strokes of golden light 
 Upon the barren walls of time 
 
 Did thus in splendor write: 
 
 "Man is the mould, the fashioned form. 
 
 The god-like incarnation 
 Of all the elemental powers 
 
 And movements of creation. 
 The passions of pulsating earth, 
 
 Of planet and of sun. 
 Into him flow and feed him full 
 
 And round his being run." 
 
 "The currents of the ages past. 
 Like mighty tides that rise, 
 
 ^Written as a slight protest to "The Female of the Species. 
 
 26 
 
Are gathered up and focussed here 
 And swelling out in size. 
 
 The infinite momentum s and 
 The solor cosmic sweep 
 
 Of this vast universe of power 
 Into his being leap. " 
 
 "He's loaded up with passion, 
 
 He overflows with power, 
 He's engined with all energies. 
 
 He's bulwarked like a tower; 
 He's driven with electrical 
 
 Infinities of life; 
 More a chaos than a cosmos, 
 
 In elemental strife." 
 
 "The first and last and surest mark 
 
 Of man is vital force; 
 Un-broken,-bridled, savage, fierce. 
 
 It wrecks him on his course. 
 So strong are his rough elements 
 
 He does not know his power. 
 But blinded by his blinded strength 
 
 He doth himself devour." 
 
 "All, all along the mighty course 
 
 The evolution keeps 
 Are battle fields and broken swords 
 
 And skeletons in heaps. 
 Old earth renews his giant strength 
 
 And armors him with life 
 Till he almost seems demented 
 
 Or created for the strife." 
 
 "I love the great and on the man 
 
 My eyes would often feast 
 Although I often spit on him 
 
 As but a glorious beast. 
 As selfish as the very brute 
 
 And sensual to the core 
 He never dreamed unselfishness 
 
 And love he trampled o'er. " 
 
 "So when the moral elements 
 Within him came to bitth 
 
 I felt a sudden thrill of joy 
 
 That never leaped from earth. 
 
 27 
 
I held my breath and focussed sight 
 And searched the cause profound. 
 
 And then the other half of man, 
 The woman first I found. ' 
 
 "The day man finds a man he finds 
 
 A larger, nobler self; 
 The day that finds a woman finds 
 
 A solid globe of wealth; 
 The only v/ealth that man doth need. 
 
 The wealth That makes him great. 
 That thrones him on a manhood throne 
 
 And kings him v/ith estate." 
 
 "Deep in the fairer, finer form, 
 
 On which his strength did prey 
 The higher germs of life had b"rth 
 
 And sprang forth to the day. 
 Out of the mother's passioned pains 
 
 The sacrifices came 
 That struck the mighty, selfish brute 
 
 And brought him forth to shame." 
 
 'Out of her rich maternal heart 
 
 His poor paternal grew. 
 She bound the family, then the tribe. 
 
 And he the virtues drew. 
 Great nature's passion grew and burst 
 
 Into the flower of life 
 And man the beauty saw and smiled 
 
 And rose above the strife." 
 
 • 
 "The sacrifice intensifies 
 
 The function and the power; 
 The higher virtues blossomed forth 
 
 Out of the mother's dower; 
 The purer moral germs of life. 
 
 Law, justice, truth and right. 
 Were offspring of the mother's heart 
 
 Though man did lend them might." 
 
 "She mothered forth the first ideals. 
 She nursed them from the beast; 
 
 She is the life that gave the life 
 To poet, prophet, priest. 
 
 Before, behind, or close beside 
 To every man that's great 
 
 28 
 
Some woman in the shadow stands 
 And lends him his estate." 
 
 "In her divine and higher sense 
 
 Religions have their force 
 And draw their latest breath of life 
 
 From whence they drew their source. 
 Music, romance and poetry 
 
 With high immortal pine 
 Find closest kindred in her heart 
 
 And grow toward the divine." 
 
 "But weigh them as you weigh the beasts, 
 
 The flesh against the flesh, 
 Down, down he goes, the heavyweight 
 
 With pride and strength afresh. 
 But weigh them as you spirits weigh, 
 
 The soul against the soul. 
 It is the fine gold to the dross. 
 
 An angel to a mole." 
 
 "Although man crowns the latest age 
 
 He's tall and straight and clean. 
 High guided to his destiny 
 
 By polar souls unseen. 
 The home and wife and daughters fair 
 
 Doth send him forth each morn, 
 And by these higher souls of life 
 
 He new each day is born." 
 
 "Yet something of ihe brute he was 
 
 Unto and round him clings; 
 The primal selfishness of strife 
 
 Still upward in him sprmgs. 
 She's recognized, he gives his best; 
 
 But nail it up and note: 
 To every brute and fool the right, 
 
 But woman should not vote." 
 
 "Soon my indignant wrath now fierce 
 
 Will take him by the throat, 
 Against the wall, into bis teeth 
 
 Shall teach him who should vote. 
 His selfish strength has been a curse. 
 
 Her love has been a hope, 
 And though he crowns the world 'tis she 
 
 Who leads him up the slope." 
 
 29 
 
A WOMAN'S WAY. 
 
 "Oh dear! This daily round I hate! 
 
 The same old things, the same! 
 Oh for a change to any state! 
 
 I'd even change my name!" 
 
 "All right!" the youth replied, "I'll change, 
 
 And change it into mine; 
 Oh come! Together let us range 
 
 And feed this hungry pine!" 
 
 "You! You! Oh such a thing as you! 
 
 Such a rag, a scrap, a patch! 
 The last man on the earth would do 
 
 Before with you I'll match." 
 
 Later we passed a cottage neat, 
 
 A singing soul espied. 
 "Who is that happy heart we greet?" 
 
 "Oh! That's Miss B. the bride." 
 
 NATURE HELPS. 
 
 The wind saw Strength and Beauty fair 
 And laughed in wildest glee: 
 
 "I'll wed them one, true one I swear." 
 And on them bounded free. 
 
 Though firm he stood he muttered hard; 
 
 "It blows a perfect gale; 
 I fear for you, my gentle pard, 
 
 You carry too much sail." 
 
 "Oh don't mind me! I have no fear; 
 
 The sail clings to the mast. 
 Your arm so swift and strong and near 
 
 Will hold me safe and fast." 
 
 And now a ship is on the sea 
 
 With noble mast and sail, 
 And precious cargoes with them be 
 
 As drives the gentle gale. 
 
 30 
 
A FISHERMAN'S SONG. 
 
 One day I fishing went elate 
 
 As all the fishers ought. 
 I fixed my hook with rarest bait 
 
 That ever has been bought. 
 Soon, soon a bite; 1 landed right 
 
 The trout that I had sought; 
 But must I tell!. The beauty swell 
 
 The fisherman had caught. 
 
 She was a beauty I confess, 
 
 A pleasure to the eyes, 
 Her plumpy form and rainbow dress 
 
 Oh, any man would prize! 
 When I came home my many friends 
 
 Did wish me joy untold. 
 I winked and smiled and them beguiled 
 
 That I was ever sold. 
 
 This troutlike beauty home I brought 
 
 And put it in my stream; 
 Around, about and in and out 
 
 It darted like a dream. 
 Three troutlets small one morning soon 
 
 They to me smiling brought. 
 Oh thunder, lightning t-nd the moon! 
 
 Caught! Caught again, Oh caught! 
 
 My trout and troutlets flourished fine, 
 
 And I, I happy grew; 
 And happiness is fat and wine, 
 
 A song and courage new. 
 My fishes leaping in the sun, 
 
 I growing young and old; 
 My days oft singing as they run: 
 
 "Oh not so badly sold!" 
 
 THE CARRIER DOVE. 
 
 Oh My Love, My Love! See the carri^^r dove 
 As she sweeps on her azure course! 
 
 Oh behold her there and now breathe a prayer 
 That will add to her winged force! 
 
 While I sing a song that will bear her strong, 
 A song to sustain her flight, 
 
 31 
 
Of a double heart that is wide apart 
 
 Yet one in its pure delight. 
 For such prayers and songs on our earthly wrongs, 
 
 Are as rain on the Avithered flowers, 
 Arc as silver dew and the morning new 
 
 On the world's decaying hours. 
 
 Oh devout ally to the loves on high 
 
 And the loves that are pure on earth, 
 To the golden dreams and the vital streams 
 
 From the founts of celestial birth ! 
 What spirit of joy in the world's employ 
 
 Or natures that fly or sing. 
 Or like rainbows shine or with breath divine 
 
 Can such magic, magic fling? 
 The angels of heart with their passions dart 
 
 To thee and to all their own. 
 To the pansies bright and the noonday's height 
 
 And to all that we there enthrone. 
 
 Oh where is the frame and the spirit flame 
 
 So in match. My Dear, as the dove' 
 It well might enshrine a nature divine 
 
 From the realms of light and love. 
 There is peace and rest and a passioned breast, 
 
 Trust, purity, gentleness. 
 All in fragile mould like a vase of old 
 
 In a beautiful flow of dress; 
 In a beautiful white, like a bride bedight, 
 
 Drinking atmospheres divine, 
 On the azure skies on her way she flies 
 
 To the worlds for which we pine. 
 
 As I strain my ear to the silence dear 
 
 A music downward floats; 
 Sounds the gentle wings or the heart's sweet strings 
 
 In those soft celestial notes? 
 'Tis the heart! 'Tis the heart! ^or such measures start 
 
 Alone in the deeps of love, 
 Sweet, tender and mild and as undefiled 
 
 As in angel hearts above. 
 Oh never a sound that is heard or found 
 
 In hearts of the lovers true. 
 Can echo the thought or has ever wrought 
 
 Dike the spells of her magic "Coo;" 
 
 I'll wager with thee that thine eyes can see 
 Her neck with a ribbon is bound; 
 
 32 
 
And tlie knot there tied doth another hide 
 
 With most mystic twisting wound. 
 Oh what is the hue? Is it white or blue 
 
 Or pied with a rainbow art? 
 No, no, it is red. It was certain fed 
 
 From the joys of his crimson heart. 
 Tliat circle and shade on her bosom laid, 
 
 That bosom of snowy white, 
 Are in lovers' eyes a diviner prize 
 
 Than pleasure and wealth unite. 
 
 That unfolded note just beneath her throat, 
 
 Oh tell me, Dear, what is that? 
 It is small and square and is written fair 
 
 And is sweet and bulging fat. 
 Oh! It noldeth more than the poet's lore 
 
 Or mines of the richest gold. 
 Or the flashing light of the diamonds bright 
 
 On the queenly brides of old. 
 When she breaks the seal where a youth doth kneel 
 
 And offers a glowing heart, 
 What hopes and delights and what azure sights 
 
 On her biain will sudden start! 
 
 Mid the sunrise hills where the mountain rills 
 
 Feeds the towns and the meadows bright, 
 There dwelleth a youth with a heart of truth 
 
 And a countenance of light. 
 At the dawn of morn in his heart was born 
 
 A dream and a dance of bliss, 
 Which was written warm in the poet's form 
 
 And sealed with a fervent kiss. 
 At the source of her line y'ou can see his eyne 
 
 As he maps her course on high; 
 Through the hours and miles that her wav enwiles 
 
 Do you see him watch and sigh? 
 
 Oh Thou carrier dove! Thou servant of love! 
 
 Thou art bearing a kingdom's weight; 
 For the heart's desire and its dreams of fire 
 
 Are more than decrees of state. 
 Dike an arrow's flight, like a shaft of light. 
 
 Dike a winged dream on high. 
 O'er city and town, mount, river and down 
 
 To thy goal, swift onward fly! 
 Both the lover's prayer and the poet's care 
 
 And the spirits strong above, 
 
 33 
 
Will thy flight sustain through the wide domain 
 So sacred to light and love. 
 
 In the golden west is a virgin blest; 
 
 She is waiting and looks for thee. 
 At her vine-clad door how her visions soar 
 
 Up the steeps where thou shouldst be! 
 With cries of delight thou art on her sight 
 
 And her heart doth madly beat, 
 With a passion strong too high for a song 
 
 In its glad enraptured heat. 
 See! Her choicest gifts unto thee she lifts 
 
 And her hands are stretched on high ; 
 On her pillowed breast be thy wearied rest 
 
 And her kiss shall close thine eye. 
 
 Oh the carrier dove! Oh the carrier dove! 
 
 Is an angel on our eyes, 
 Is a helpmate high to the powers that fly 
 
 'Tween the loves of the azure skies. 
 Yes, the carrier dove on the height above 
 
 Is a vision on our sight, 
 Is a morning joy, is a rich employ, 
 
 Is a deep divine delight. 
 Oh celestial dove. Oh incarnate love. 
 
 Be a vision on our view! 
 Be forever dear! Be forever near 
 
 To the loves and keep them true! 
 
 YOUNG MOTHERHOOD. 
 
 Young Motherhood! Young Motherhood! 
 
 Kow oft ye cross my way! 
 Like visits of the high and good 
 
 Ye fill our common day. 
 Yo float before my spirit's eyes 
 With something of the azure skies, 
 As flowers of earth 
 At springtime's birth 
 Bring dreams of something past their worth. 
 
 My eyes rejoice when e'er we meet. 
 
 What be the time or place; 
 Within the home or on the street 
 
 Thou always art a grace. 
 
 34 
 
Through golden noon and starry night 
 Ye are a vision on my sight; 
 
 But this the best. 
 
 When on thy breast 
 Thy loved one smiles in slumbers blest. 
 
 Thou art the very dream we would! 
 
 A spirit most divine! 
 Thou crownest every earthly good 
 And blessings round thee twine. 
 Tnis is rich heaven's royal seal 
 Upon thy nature's high ideal, 
 And her erdower 
 Of every power 
 Is focussed in thy passioned hour. 
 
 Thou art a virtue that doth show 
 
 The virtues that abide. 
 Oh is there sight in earth below 
 
 Like heaven's chosen bride! 
 When such a bride God's loan and gift 
 Intc her passioned breast doth lift. 
 The mortal veil 
 Doth Oil me sail 
 And God the mother-heart I hail. 
 
 Ard even when not perfect pure 
 
 Ihere's virtue in thy breast. 
 The sparks divine thou dost secure 
 
 And feed them with the best. 
 Thy infant is and with it brings 
 A sense of heav'n and holy things; 
 And in the fire 
 Of this desire 
 Ihy heart must feel the first inspire. 
 
 A world has passed away from thee, 
 
 A world of time and sense; 
 Deceptions, shadows, pageantry, 
 
 Excitements and pretense. 
 Tnat world has passed thee as a dream 
 Swift dancing down a sunny stream; 
 But let it go. 
 What dream can show 
 A living heart with love in flow? 
 
 Another world has dawned on thee 
 Of love and light within; 
 
 .35 
 
Another world, eternity ' 
 
 Untouched by death and sin. 
 What hosts of dreams and vital hopes 
 Dress kingly lile'a ascending slopes! 
 
 What forms of light 
 
 In beauty bright 
 Come from th> heart and all bedight! 
 
 Thou art not of this earthly show 
 
 Of fashion, pleasure, pride; 
 Thou art a glory here below, 
 
 A mother, wife and bride! 
 The Giver of each perfect giit 
 I^nlo himself our lives would lift; 
 And in ihy heart 
 With vital art 
 Reveals his deep divinest part. 
 
 What sweet content! What sacrifice! 
 
 What calm and faith and joy! 
 What happiness! What paradise! 
 
 What wisdom and employ! 
 New virtues now of nobler worth 
 Come forth in thee with thy young birth ; 
 Nor sweeter grows, 
 Nor warmer glows 
 The morning sun or evening rose. 
 
 Thine eyes are toward the coming years. 
 
 Thy plans are reaching far, 
 Thy thoughts are climbing golden spheres. 
 
 Thy purpose to a star. 
 What poetry of magic art 
 Is born within thy dreaming heart, 
 To so create 
 A royal state 
 As round a prince of monarchs great! 
 
 Thy ceaseless care and gentle might, 
 
 Tc see it full unfold, 
 It if! a pleasure to the sight 
 
 As mortal eyes behold. 
 The softest and the tenderest 
 Doth o'er the weak and slenderest 
 Of spirits frail 
 And features pale 
 With passions deep most gently sail. 
 
 36 
 
Ho -V oft upon the summer street 
 
 My eyes have such beheld; 
 Though passing as a shadow fleet 
 
 My heart ^as touched and welled. 
 TIjhi tenderness and soft caress, 
 That look divine and gentle press, 
 Through selfish strife 
 With sorrows rife 
 It struck the rock and out flowed life. 
 
 The nobler men whom thou dost meet 
 
 Rejoice in thee and thine; 
 They breathe a prayer that passes fleet 
 
 Straight to the heart divine. 
 "Oh all supreme and mother love, 
 Protect them from Thy throne above; 
 Surround them with Thy ceaseless care 
 And both upon Thy bosom bear! 
 From sense and sin. 
 Without, within. 
 Oh shelter them till heaven they win!" 
 
 And many a man within his bi'east 
 
 That sense the same has felt: 
 A hidden something none has guessed 
 
 His icy bosom melt. 
 "When thee and thine their eyes behold 
 The sealed-up heart doth free unfold, 
 Till deeps divine 
 Unbidden pine: 
 "Would such were mine, mine, only mine! 
 
 Oh empty heart! Oh empty heart! 
 
 For self were none create 
 And none their best can e'er impart 
 
 Till heart has found its niaie; 
 And hearts will never find their mates 
 Till Love the heart anew creates; 
 When making new 
 She maketh two 
 Both complements, high, pure and true. 
 
 Though now plone and far apart, 
 
 AU loves together run; 
 Ye soon shall meet and heart to heart 
 
 Forever more be one. 
 
 37 
 
Soft angels from the crystal spheres 
 Shall bring thee faith and prayer and tears, 
 
 And round this vine 
 
 Thy hearts shall twine 
 x\nd grow up in the love divine. 
 
 ENVY. 
 
 She saw him kiss his happy wife, 
 
 His wife and child with glee, 
 And half unconscious sighed and sighed: 
 
 "I wish that I were she." 
 He from his corner saw her kiss 
 
 As but the hungry see, 
 And starving lean for life he sighed: 
 
 "I would that I were he." 
 Oh would some power the lost and lone 
 
 That wander far apart 
 So guide them till themselves they found 
 
 Within each other's heart! 
 
 THE WIFE'S RETURN. 
 
 The wife came home tonight; 
 
 And with her came the day 
 That shineth round her bright 
 
 And with her went away. 
 The blossoms, trees and wind 
 
 And all of nature sighed; 
 The day grew sudden blind, 
 
 And starless night did ride 
 Upon my heart and mind 
 
 Wlien steamed away my bride. 
 
 But since she has come home 
 
 I'm happy as can be. 
 The murm'ring wine doth foam 
 
 With drunken ecstacy. 
 My brain is all on fire. 
 
 My heart is full of love, 
 And eyes have their desire. 
 
 The happy madness of 
 The heavens and inspire 
 
 Rains on me from above. 
 
 88 
 
I'm wrapped in dreams tonight! _ 
 
 I'm in a dream of bliss! 
 Our courtship at its height 
 
 A desert were to this! 
 A dream within a dream! 
 
 The dream divinely blest, 
 For beside me in the gleam 
 
 A more than bridal guest 
 That brings a summer stream 
 
 Into my winter breast. 
 
 Light up the windows wide! 
 
 Throw blinds and curtains back! 
 And let the brightness ride 
 
 Into the darkness black. 
 Oh light up every pane 
 
 And brighten every room! 
 Let light and gladness reign 
 
 And banish every gloom! 
 Let the house be like a fane 
 
 The souls of light illume! 
 
 Oh call the neighbors in! 
 
 We'll kill the fatted calf! 
 Call all my kith and kin 
 
 To see my "better half!" 
 We'll spill the oldest wine 
 
 And feast on ripest fruits; 
 Uncork the hearts benign 
 
 With ioy and song that suits; 
 Make this return divine 
 
 With wedding magic flutes. 
 
 Oh let the music play! 
 
 Call full musicians in! 
 Give them a place, I pray. 
 
 Piano, violin! 
 I'm nimble as the snipes. 
 
 As swallows on the wing; 
 I could wave the Stars and Stripes 
 
 And dance the highland fling; 
 I could play the tartan pipes 
 
 And in the Gaelic sing. 
 
 I'm richer than a king! 
 
 I'm larger than a lord! 
 Thrones and empires I could fling 
 
 Like pennies from a hoard! 
 
 39 
 
Here is the poet's lyref 
 
 Life's royal lobes of might! 
 
 Here is the heart of fire, 
 
 Crown, scepter, jewels b ight! 
 
 You may take your best desire 
 If you leave my soul's delight. 
 
 A man that has a wife, 
 
 A home that's full of love. 
 He is the king- of life 
 
 And heir to more above. 
 A man with such a wife 
 
 His heaven has begun. 
 He is more than king of life: 
 
 He can walk or fiv or run; 
 Has his victory in the strife 
 
 And "a mortgage on the sun." 
 
 THE CANDY MAKER, 
 
 A husband on a winter night 
 
 Was sitting in his home. 
 Within the open fire Avas br-ight. 
 
 Without the snowy loam. 
 The nursing wife with joy and pride 
 
 His honeyed praises sung: 
 When suddenly he stopped the tide 
 
 And this song on her flung: 
 
 "Oh wife, Oh wife! I do declare. 
 
 You have a gift divine! 
 A special gift both rich and rare 
 
 For sweetmeats superfine. 
 You are a candy maker sure 
 
 Of most delicious skill; 
 A genius that can sweets secure 
 
 Where others find but ill. 
 
 "Oh never yet confectioner 
 
 Of any Christmas town 
 Had in his windows, I aver, 
 
 Such candies of renown! 
 Your goods are alwciys fresh and bright; 
 
 Your stock is never low. 
 Sure some one buys them day and night 
 
 To keep you busv so. 
 
 40 
 
•'Have you within your heart and mind 
 
 Some syrups most divine, 
 Or honev that the bee did find 
 
 In flowers of perfumeu wme? 
 Did Cupid on your marriage day 
 
 Give you a ewer filed, 
 That such a flavor makes its way 
 
 In what your hands nave skilled : 
 
 ••A woman yet was never seen 
 
 Who gum-drops makes as you. 
 Who eats of these though he is lean 
 
 Will fatten up anew. 
 Though sugared o'er uivto the eye 
 
 They're drops of vital health. 
 No woman in the land, I say, 
 
 Makes gum-drops like yourself. 
 
 "And taffy, when you taffy make 
 
 I like to see you puil. 
 Molasses black you twist and shake 
 
 To snowy beautiful. 
 Your taffy-making is your forte. 
 
 Your glory and enjoy; 
 You make enough for king and court 
 
 In half an hour's employ. 
 
 "When I forget myself and eat 
 
 Your candies make me tight. 
 I feel unsteady in my reet 
 
 And in my head am light. 
 Oh' Should the pablic chance to find 
 
 From whence mv madness came, 
 That you by candies so did bind, 
 
 I'd die of very sham.-. 
 
 "I must preserve myself at once 
 
 Before it is too ^ate. 
 Oh old and silly, silly dunce. 
 
 To sport with such ? fate! 
 Your praises are a danger. Dear, 
 
 And ere they run their course 
 I'd better intercept the fear 
 
 And from it far divorce. 
 
 "Ye candy-makers of the town! 
 
 Oh here I advertise 
 A taffy-puller of renown, 
 
 41 
 
A gum-drop making prize r 
 A new machine for finest creams, 
 
 For caramels ani puffs; 
 She'll boom your business to your dreams 
 
 With sweetest toothsome stuffs. 
 
 "But hold! Oh hold! Don't all apply! 
 
 She's gone out on the strike. 
 She swears she'll scrub or starve or die 
 
 Ere work for her dislike. 
 And Oh, her likes are passing strange! 
 
 I'll whisper this to thee: 
 •She says, of all the men that range 
 
 She'll work for only me.' 
 
 "Well, well, My Dear! Work on for me! 
 
 I'll keep the solemn vow. 
 This touch of weakness that I see, 
 
 For thee I'll large allow. 
 These praises with a pinch of salt 
 
 I'll take, Oh wife, from thee. 
 There might be blame for many a fault. 
 
 But love is blind, I see." 
 
 SONG FOR MARRIAGE. 
 
 Oh Love, Oh Love thy portal. 
 
 Wide open, widest fling! 
 The hour with love immortal 
 
 The bride and groom doth bring 
 The promise, hour and passion 
 
 With deepest raptures sing; 
 And thou in heaven's fashion, 
 
 Come be the priest and king! 
 
 The queen with all her maidens. 
 
 Enrobed in snowy white, 
 Her glowing heart unladens. 
 
 In his, her best delight. 
 He in life's crowning glory. 
 
 With granite strength and truth, 
 In hers with sacred story 
 
 Doth pour his heart of youth. 
 
 Before love's great Defender, 
 Before all loving hearts, 
 
 42 
 
m lull and glad surrender 
 
 All to the other parts. 
 Two hearts and each a mortal 
 
 In love unite in one. 
 Now pass the golden portal 
 
 Where higher circles run. 
 
 Oh Love entTironed supernal^ 
 
 On thine upon the earth, 
 Rain showers sweet and vernal 
 
 And wake in stronger birth 
 Love, peace and hope and pleasure, 
 
 And even sorrow's sighs 
 That grows toward thine own measure. 
 
 And toward thine azure skies. 
 
 In pure and golden morning. 
 
 Through height and heat of noon. 
 In eve with soft adorning. 
 
 Through night that may be sorn. 
 Though times and change of fashion 
 
 As up and down they go. 
 Mav love grow in its passion 
 
 Like rivers as they flow. 
 
 Now sunshine build their arches, 
 
 Soft flowers pave their way. 
 May gladness sing their marches 
 
 From this their bridal day! 
 ]\Iay love a form of splendor, 
 
 God's image from on high. 
 On earth be the'r attender 
 
 And angel to the sky! 
 
 THE DREAMED OF. 
 
 Spirit of the azure sky, 
 Princess of the heavens high, 
 Woman to the angels nigh! 
 Tl'ou are realer than the real 
 Though tlie senses cannot feel 
 Spirit of my soul's ideal! 
 Nearer than the noisy near, 
 Tliough no w^hispers either hear 
 Princess crowning all my sphere 1 
 
 43 
 
Brighter than the brightest bright 
 Though unseen to mortal sight, 
 Woman with a soul of light! 
 Dream far more than flesh and bone, 
 Heard and seen and touched and known, 
 Angel of my spirit's throne! 
 
 Stately, tender, tall and fair. 
 Crowned with beauties rich and rare, 
 Robes of virtue thou dost wear. 
 Round thee are the atmospheres 
 Which refines and lifts and cheers 
 And rebellious sense reveres. 
 In thy face thy soul of light 
 Shines and glows with color bright 
 Like thy passions red and white. 
 Rise and fall upon thy breast. 
 Sweetness, peace and love and rest. 
 Thou and them forever blest. 
 In thy rich and happy mind 
 Dawn and tv/iltght beauties kind. 
 Flowers and birds and dreams divined. 
 Fountains spring up in thy heart. 
 Music, sorrow, song and art 
 That the worlds immortal bart. 
 
 I have loved thee with a fear, 
 Standing far, then drawing near 
 Smiles and words and welcomes dear. 
 Love inspired a living faith 
 Neither life nor death could scathe, 
 Doubt or fear or phantom wraith. 
 Faith has clothed me with a power 
 That all hero souls endower 
 From high heaven's highest tower. 
 Power was crowned and crowned with joy 
 That has never dreamed annoy, 
 Sorrow, wrinkle, fear or cloy. 
 Joy seemed heaven's purest fire, 
 Self consuming in desire. 
 Glowing deeper, wider, higher. 
 
 We have been together oft, 
 Granite strength and beauty soft. 
 Riding far and far aloft. 
 In the early morning dawn, 
 On the dewy splendored lawn, 
 Seen the rainbow curtains drav/n. 
 
 44 
 
On the hills where visions be 
 1^'atched licli sunsets in the sea 
 Till the tears were flowing free. 
 When the golden moon was round 
 Soaring, soaring, music bound, 
 Where the fairy dreams were found. 
 Milk\ ways cf flaming night 
 Often circled with delight. 
 Growing deep and strong and white; 
 1 hen descending to the earth 
 Found still greater strength and mirth 
 In each other's wealth of Nvorth. 
 
 I have dreamed and dreamed of thee 
 Till no dream could realer be. 
 Giving life and light to me. 
 Akibaster boxes fine. 
 Treasures, pernimes, figs and wine 
 I have offered at thy shrine. 
 Songs and dreams of flie and flame 
 With the robes and crowns of tame 
 From my breast to greet thee came. 
 In thy presence I have felt 
 Something hard and stony melt 
 Till in tears I lowed and knelt. 
 1 have soared on eagle's wings, 
 Scorning high immortal kings, 
 Thrones and crowns and robes and ring 
 Angpl of the morn to me. 
 Light and peace and purity 
 From beyond the glassy sea! 
 
 But, 'tis as well as never met; 
 I thy spirit pure would fret, 
 Bleed thy heart and bosom wet. 
 I Avas born out of the years, 
 Marked for strife and grief and fears. 
 Weeping blood instead of tears. 
 Selfish, passioned and intense. 
 Most unbalanced soul and sense, 
 Heart and brains with storms immense- 
 I am but the common clay, 
 Life and time, greed, night and day, 
 Blinded, driven on niy way: 
 Poor and harnessed, worked and fed 
 Gravel srones instead of bread 
 Till I wish that I were dead. 
 
 45 
 
Often gladness doth me shake, 
 flesh and blood thou didst not take 
 And thy heart I did not break. 
 
 In the ages that untwine, 
 'Mong the starry worlds that shine, 
 On eternal travels fine, 
 Sliall we ever, ever meet, 
 Witli an equal passion greet, 
 And our hearts together beat? 
 Purged, renewed and glorified. 
 Strength and purity allied. 
 Shall I meet thee as my bride? 
 When I climb to thy far spnere 
 Shall I meet thee with a tear 
 That thy lover dost appear? 
 In my breast hear whispers fine 
 Piercing me like fire benign: 
 "Mine, Oh mine, forever mine!" 
 
 A WISH. 
 
 My Dear! Just read that foolish line! 
 
 Oh! Womankind are mad! 
 The only thing that is divine 
 
 Is folly fashion clad. 
 I'rom reason's virtues now divorced 
 
 To folly they are wed; 
 And round her circles ever forced 
 
 And by her daily fed. 
 
 They need no character today. 
 
 Just anything in pants! 
 A monkey and a monkey's play 
 
 And money them entrance. 
 As man by gold so womankind 
 
 By nothing now is bought; 
 A nothing in an evening dress 
 
 And thousands may be caught. 
 
 The folly of their fashion's dress. 
 
 Of idle vanity, 
 Of pleasure, pride and wealthiness 
 
 Is like insanity. 
 I half believe what Darwin thought; 
 
 4G 
 
Foi sure such foolishness, 
 
 Is just a monkey little taught 
 
 And togged up in a dress. 
 
 The old ideal of womankind, 
 
 > helpmate unto man, 
 A helpmate which the heavens find 
 
 To build their noblest plan, 
 I'ii shattered now or laughed away, 
 
 Or lying in the dust; 
 Like and unlike a child at play 
 
 For folly all is thrust. 
 
 To make a home was once an art; 
 
 She mothered true the young, 
 V. ith God and heaven in her heart 
 
 And gladness on her tongue. 
 Th? home it w^as a glory then; 
 
 The mother crowned with fame; 
 Oh dark the dark eclipses when 
 
 Her glory is her sham.e! 
 
 Another spirit has the throne, 
 
 Another has the heart, 
 AMiom both the good and wise disown 
 
 And from her far depart. 
 Oh anything but want of thought 
 
 And moral earnestness! 
 Oh anything tut want of thought 
 
 And foolish effervesce: 
 
 So when I see as I must see 
 
 By word and ear and look, 
 I scorn them far and w^ander free 
 
 By forest, field and brook; 
 I leave, I leave them far behind. 
 
 And wander on my way; 
 But here I pause and for my kind 
 
 My wishing heart obey. 
 
 Oh in there not a world divine. 
 
 A world of men alone, 
 With woman banished o'er the line, 
 
 Or better, never known! 
 How many and many a man in this 
 
 By woman's folly free. 
 Has wished just such a bower of bliss 
 
 Where starry spaces be! 
 
 47 
 
In such a world creation's lord 
 
 Grows up unto his plan; 
 Untoldlng all within him poured, 
 
 Ihe noble world of man. 
 Oh world of young and happy boys! 
 
 Oh bright aspiring youth! 
 Oh manhood's prime which nought destroys; 
 
 Oh hoary sires of truth! 
 
 Oh what a world of manhood's height! 
 
 Oh bright celestial race! 
 Oh men, Oh men, ye rich bedight 
 
 All common things with grace! 
 To think of thee in but a dream 
 
 Oh how the passions pine! 
 To feel thy presence on us stream 
 
 h- sense and hope divine. 
 
 If wish can propliesy what is. 
 
 There must be in the sky 
 Just such a world, and Oh the bliss 
 
 To hold it in the eye! 
 Is that it yonder shining there? 
 
 I'll spread my eagle wings, 
 I'll trust the vision shining fair, 
 
 I'll follow where it brings! 
 
 Vm rising to the world of men; 
 
 The vision grows more clear; 
 The earth is falling off my ken; 
 
 And larger grows the sphere. 
 Oil noble world! Oh noble world 
 
 Of boys and youth and man! 
 Of all the spheres around me whirled 
 
 No brighter do I scan. 
 
 Ye envy me my noble peers 
 
 Whom I must leave behind; 
 But I'll remember in the spheres 
 
 And soon come back you'll find- 
 Then, then ye all shall go with me! 
 
 We'll leave the sisterhood; 
 We hope that they will better be 
 
 But we'll grow as we should. 
 
 Let hope now ante-date the day! 
 
 Our joys they overflow; 
 Oh world of womanhood away! 
 
 Away, away we go! 
 
 48 
 
\ GUI' tollies now we free forgive! 
 
 Repent, repent we pray! 
 Oli world of men forever live! 
 
 Aw ay ! A v^^ay ! Av\^ay ! 
 
 Tli( re, there, My Dear, don't look so glum; 
 
 Nor murmur eye or lip; 
 For when I go I'll say: "Ccme! Come! 
 
 Come, join me in my trip. ' 
 Sir.ce we have net not very far 
 
 From each we've been below^; 
 So when I wing to that bright star. 
 
 Beloved, thou shalt go. 
 
 But hold! Oh hold! I'll take that back! 
 
 That pledge I'll hold in fee! 
 A gath'ring (!loud around my track 
 
 Debates and pauses me. 
 There's danger in that happy joy 
 
 To them and you and me; 
 ril leave thee here and after cloy 
 
 Come back again to thee. 
 
 Oii.^ woman when the w^orld began 
 
 Made all our sorrows stream; 
 One woman in the world of 'iian 
 
 Oh who would dare to dream! 
 Thy spirit ncw^ before their eyes 
 
 Would kindle all aglow. 
 Such envy for a single prize 
 
 V/ould more than sorrows ^ow. 
 
 Alone among those kingly peers 
 
 Admired and praised by all; 
 Oh listen with your spirit ears! 
 
 D.T whispers on them call, 
 0.f woman's sin, her vanity. 
 
 Of woman's wish, a thrall. 
 Of woman's pride, insanity 
 
 In those that round her fall? 
 
 And r who love thee as my life 
 
 And life is more than heart. 
 From that high world to this of strife 
 
 In silence would depart. 
 When fallen from a golden throne, 
 
 When broke the eagle's wing, 
 
 49 
 
Le.^erted, wandering and alone, 
 Oh who couid soar and sing/ 
 
 No no, My Dear! When there I go, 
 
 I'll leave thee here behind. 
 I'll leave thee in the vales I know 
 
 Where I again can find. 
 I'id lose a throne and diadem, 
 
 All stars that gem the blue, 
 Tlif royal spirits crowning them 
 
 Ere lose thy spirit true. 
 
 Away Oh dream! Come, come to me; 
 
 Thou art my heart's delight! 
 My heart shall ever stay with thee, 
 
 Oh angel of my sight! 
 Farewell, farewell uncertain light! 
 
 These scraps of men be thine! 
 The worlds pure womanhoods bedight, 
 
 These worlds and thou be mine! 
 
 THE ANNIVERSARY. 
 
 What! To-night the return of the night that was brightest 
 Through years of thy youth and the hopes of thy heart; 
 
 When love crowned in blossoms and robed in the whitest 
 Her soul and its trust in thy own did mipart. 
 
 Are the bright forms cf memory enchanting and streaming 
 Now thav/ing thy heart and inspiring thv mind? 
 
 May the hopes and the joys and the sweetness f^.i.d dn aming 
 Flow down on they soul till thy tears do unbind! 
 
 Behold in yon window are bunches of r>ises 
 Fcr beauty and music and praise and delight; 
 
 But hers the divinest that toward thee ne'rr closes 
 Has not worn thy rose since that long bridal night. 
 
 Then pick out ^he whitest or those that are turning 
 To faintest fine yellow and sprinkled with dew. 
 
 Or some with red tingeing a,s if a heart burning 
 With love that was crimson would waken thine new. 
 
 On branches the greenest now bear home thy roses; 
 
 Her bosom will lend them a beauty most rare; 
 When flowers of a heart on another reposes 
 
 They blossom and fragrance as no other where. 
 
 50 
 
Oh what is this warming and melting rnd flowing 
 That circles thy heart like a draught of ^weet w^ine? 
 
 If dreams of our past have such sweetness and glowing 
 Oh what would love have if it knew^ no decline 
 
 Seel She w^aits at the window. Is she the same maiden 
 That day filled thy mind and high swelled it with pride 
 
 The warm heart and loving can see a =ioul laden 
 
 If but with a thought and though smiles would it hide. 
 
 She catches the brightness and soft liquid gleaming 
 That love in the heart flings out through the eyes. 
 
 Its lightning contagion has waked the old dreaniing 
 When every return brought her sweeter surprise. 
 
 Now bring out the roses, the roses whose passion 
 
 Has wide channels been for deep feeling most blest; 
 
 With manner and motion in true lover rashion 
 
 Pin them on her heart and her deep heaving breast. 
 
 Sit down by the fender before the coal burning; 
 
 Draw her to thy side and deep into ihy heart, 
 As a lover long distant and now in returning 
 
 His loved one enclasps as no more to denart 
 
 Free murmur thy heart, for the heart's deep emotion 
 Can find the sweet thoughts and the otill sweeter tones; 
 
 'Twill be life to her heart to unseal the devotion 
 That deep in thy spirit her spirit enthrones. 
 
 Tell how the heart fountains afresh have been broken 
 That love from its pledges of truth should decline. 
 
 That time should engross thee to give no new token 
 Of her that is dearer than all undivine. 
 
 Ask first to forgive for the heart's hidden sorrow 
 
 Of love's unexpected and partial eclipse; 
 As each summer sun is surpassed by the morrow 
 
 Thy heart should grow warmer and flow from thy lips. 
 
 Thy silence and coldness in coming and going 
 
 Have cast on her heart, doubt, fear, strife and pain; 
 
 But just drop a tear and her heart overflowing 
 Forgives and rejoices and calls loss a gain. 
 
 Tell how in thy heart is a mansion most golden. 
 
 With deep granite base and with high spiendored dome 
 And blessings md beauties no mortals beholden 
 
 Are centered and queened in who makes it a home. 
 
 51 
 
Tell how thy deep passions oft round her are flowing 
 With foaming and sparkling and murmuring joy; 
 
 While populous thoughts winged, mounting and glowing 
 Look up in her face in thy deepest employ. 
 
 She should know that her image oft round thee is winging 
 In street and in hall and in gain's busy mart, 
 
 With sweetness and shining and gladness and singing 
 To something divine that dwells deep m thy heart. 
 
 Oh has not that image upon thee cast beauty, 
 And led out thy mind to the splendors of light! 
 
 Oh has it not throned and enmajestied duty 
 Supreme and sublime on the dazzling height ! 
 
 Has it not stemmed the currents that round thee were sweeping 
 Of darkness and power and incitements to crime? 
 
 Hast thou not felt its strong but .mysterious keeping 
 And passed the dark flood to a safe sunny clime? 
 
 Has not her white presence with pow-er afar banished 
 The dark forms of sense that arose on thy mind? 
 
 And sanctified manhood when these had all vanished 
 Have virtues beheld of the high heaven kind. 
 
 Has it not made thee thoughtful and patient and gentle! 
 
 Has it not taught thee kindness to man and to beast! 
 Has it no visions brought thee of God the parental 
 
 Who mothers all souls from the first to the least, 
 
 Thy heart's alabaster again be unbroken; 
 
 Its fragrance and sweetness and healing be poured 
 With tones and sweet touch and with heart prompted token, 
 
 In hers who all sweetness in thine has instored. 
 
 Oh tell it out free! for the speech will unburden 
 The tensions of fear and the doubtings of love; 
 
 Such weakness is strength and thy spirit will girden 
 With powers that descend to thy soul from above. 
 
 Her heart into thine will afresh pour its treasure, 
 
 The divine soul in both will burst forth like a fount. 
 
 From the height it descends will be the vast measure 
 To which on its bosom both spirits will mount. 
 
 Then, oft pick out the roses when home thou art turning. 
 
 The roses of beauty and odor divine; 
 Pin them on her heart and both hearts anew burning 
 
 Will know what love is when it knows no declii e. 
 
 52 
 
STUDENT'S LOVE SONG. 
 
 Oh blessed night with respite bright 
 
 From study's sterner duty! 
 The city car bears me afar 
 
 To join my love and beauty. 
 
 My heart is bright with strange delight 
 As I set the bells a singing; 
 
 A moment more than at the door 
 My loved one greets my ringing. 
 
 So in we go to bright fire's glow, 
 
 I and my love so tender; 
 A cozy place, a soul sweet face 
 
 And four feet on the fender. 
 
 We see in dream the golden gleam 
 That gilds the coming morrow; 
 
 We hear the song of joys that throng 
 To drive the shades of sorrow. 
 
 We plan our home, no palace dome, 
 A cot 'mid tree,s and flowers; 
 
 But love, peace, rest, and angels blest 
 Will throng our trellised bowers. 
 
 We'll love and live while time doth give 
 
 To be with one another; 
 In heav'n above we still will love 
 
 As angel and as brother. 
 
 LOVE AND SORROW. 
 
 As on the skies and stars above 
 
 Clouds float upon the glory. 
 So is the brightest dream of love 
 
 Come shadows dark and hoary. 
 There is no love, there is no power 
 
 To save us from the shadow. 
 We all must pass through loss and grief 
 
 Ere reach our Eldorado. 
 Just as the measure of our strength 
 
 Can life decay and languish. 
 Our youth and joy and hope and love 
 
 Can measure out our anguish. 
 
 53 
 
Though love is life's divinest bliss 
 
 And all from her would borrow 
 Both love and lovers never miss 
 
 Their major share of sorrow. 
 The heavens sing to all above, 
 
 Earth sings to wise and meanest, 
 That those who deep and purest love 
 
 Shall suffer most and keenest. 
 And yet the brightest, purest joys 
 
 Grow out of love that weepeth; 
 Nor angels know nor dreams can show 
 
 The joys wise sorrow reapeth. 
 
 KING AND BEGGAK 
 
 As I wandered 
 
 Sorrow wrought 
 Deep I pondered 
 
 Life in thought. 
 Disanointed, 
 
 Driven, wined. 
 Disappointed, 
 
 Soul was blind. 
 
 Sudden whispers 
 
 Struck my ear. 
 As if lispers 
 
 In my rear 
 Words then mentioned 
 
 In a tone 
 Not intentioned 
 
 For my own. 
 
 "That's the royal 
 
 Soul of town. 
 He is loyal 
 
 To life's crown. 
 Noble, honored. 
 
 Gifted, wise. 
 Rich and able 
 
 In men's eyes. 
 
 "He sees stories, 
 Dreams and songs; 
 
 Makes life's glories 
 Out of wrongs; 
 
 54 
 
From our sorrows 
 Singing brings; 
 
 Sweetness borrows 
 From our stings." 
 
 "Of the masses 
 
 We are least. 
 Of the classes 
 
 He is priest. 
 Of all mortals 
 
 Round that ring 
 We are beggars, 
 
 He is king." 
 
 Then I lingered, 
 
 Let them pass. 
 Gently fingered 
 
 Show plate glass. 
 Soon forgotten, 
 
 On they go; 
 Grief besotten 
 
 Followed slow. 
 
 Thou hast seen them, 
 
 Husband, wife. 
 And between them 
 
 Flower of life; 
 Dream and vision 
 
 Rich and rife, 
 Pure derision 
 
 On our strife. 
 
 He was noble. 
 
 She was true 
 •And the baby 
 
 Pure as dew. 
 Love was smiling; 
 
 Faith was guard; 
 Hope beguiling; 
 
 Joy was bard. 
 
 They fed kisses 
 
 To the child; 
 She fed blisses 
 
 Almost wild. 
 Such eye-dreaming, 
 
 Fond carress, 
 Such love tokens 
 
 Lovers guess. 
 
 55 
 
God was under; 
 
 Heav'n above; 
 They were rip'ning 
 
 In pure love. 
 Straight as arrows; 
 
 Clean as truih; 
 Eating marrows 
 
 Out of youth. 
 
 He defender, 
 
 Guard and glide. 
 She a beauty 
 
 More than brido. 
 Baby healthy 
 
 And divine, 
 All so happy 
 
 I did pine. 
 
 "Surely, surely 
 
 This is life! 
 Dream of heav'n. 
 
 Husband wife. 
 Royal are they. 
 
 King and Queen. 
 Beggar am I 
 
 Starved and lean." 
 
 MAMA'S ANSWER. 
 
 "Oh Mamma! Where is Papa? 
 
 I've called and called again; 
 But echo answers: "ha ha!" 
 
 And mocks my eager ken. 
 Down in the cellar shaded 
 
 I've hunted and upstair, 
 And round the lawn embraided 
 
 With flowers, and everywhere. 
 Mid garden things the greenest 
 
 And 'mid the vines so sweet. 
 In places best and meanest. 
 
 But Papa cannot greet. 
 In and out and all around — 
 
 Mama! Why do you smile? 
 You know where Papa can be found, 
 
 And knew it all the while." 
 
 56 
 
"Where is your Papa, Dearest? 
 
 Yon fancy I must know. 
 What in n^y face appearest 
 
 To whisper secrets so? 
 I know where is your Papa; 
 
 He never was more near. 
 Though echo answers: "ha ha!" 
 
 Your voice is in his ear. 
 He's present here and smiling 
 
 And warm and sweet and glad, 
 Although perhaps beguiling, 
 
 Your Mama seems so bad. 
 His scul aloud is singing 
 
 With music's soft repeat, 
 Its happy waves are springing 
 
 Against thy soul to beat. 
 His eyes with joy beholden 
 
 His best of earthly things, 
 His arms wait to enfolden 
 
 Whene'er she toward him springs. 
 He's c^^se beside and glowing 
 
 To give and take thy bliss, 
 Toward thee his all is flowing 
 
 And waiting fcr thy kiss." 
 
 ■'Why Mama! Are you dreaming 
 
 To talk in such a style? 
 I never heard such streaming 
 
 Or saw you so beguile. 
 You sav my Papa's near me 
 
 And listens to n^y cry; 
 He ne'er before did hear me 
 
 And did not quick reply. 
 Were Papa's eyes soft flashing 
 
 And arms extended wide, 
 How soon I would be dashing 
 
 To in his bosom hide. 
 But Mama, Tell your story! 
 
 I see it in your eye.s; 
 I see some shining glory 
 
 Is dancing with surprise."' 
 
 "Where is your Papn. Dearest? 
 
 If you would wish such lore 
 Come to my heart the nearest 
 
 The mother heart has bore. 
 Oh arms, oh arms enfolden! 
 
 Enfold, enfold her tight! 
 
 57 
 
A treasure more than golden 
 
 Oh clasp her with thv miglit! 
 Oh cradle arms parental! 
 
 The giant strength ye loan 
 With passion strong but gentle. 
 
 Oh hold her as your own! 
 Still dearer, love, and dearer. 
 
 The distance must be less! 
 Still nearer, child, and neaier. 
 
 Still closer on me press! 
 Still on my bosom deeper! 
 
 Still farther, farthe- in! 
 Still more. Oh draw and keep her 
 
 Than she before has been! 
 Oh body break between us! 
 
 Oh flesh, dissolve away! 
 Oh mortal veils that screen us. 
 
 Divide, divide, I ]:ray! 
 Ope, ope, Oh spirits' portal! 
 
 Oh hearts together flow! 
 Oh essence most immortal. 
 
 Grow, grow together, grow! . 
 Oh life's divinest passion. 
 
 Oh love with thy desire. 
 This maid in heaven's fashion 
 
 Draw nigher, nigher. nigher! 
 My being now is burning 
 
 With fervors like the sun, 
 This, this is all my yearning. 
 
 One, one, forever one! 
 
 And now from these embraces. 
 Come, tell me what you've found! 
 
 Love, and 'in love' are places 
 Where royal truths abound. 
 
 "Oh Mama! What a beating 
 
 Was in that deep embrace, 
 Repeating and repeating 
 
 Upon my heart and face! 
 Something in your breast divine 
 
 Struck like a hammer stroke, 
 Right here upon this heart of mine 
 
 It seemed it almost broke. 
 Like music with its measure 
 
 I felt it come and go, 
 
 58 
 
1 felt it with a pleasure. 
 
 And held its rich bestow. 
 ,loy, hope and thine own yearning 
 
 Seemed then to flood my soul; 
 Now through my being burning 
 
 I feel life onward roll. 
 Oh Mama! I am guessing 
 
 The story thou canst part; 
 Thy eyes, they are confessing 
 
 That Papa is thy heart." 
 
 "Yes! That is your Papa, Dearest. 
 
 He entered in my heart, 
 \nd this which there appearest 
 
 Is all his rich impart. 
 His thinking and his feeling. 
 
 His life and love and might 
 Are in me and unsealing 
 
 A sweetness past delight. 
 The passion and the pleasure. 
 
 The fiery, iervent glow, 
 Tlie joy and vital treasure 
 
 Of heaven's best bestow, 
 Are in his soul tnshrinest. 
 
 And he within my heart, 
 And in them both divinest. 
 
 Oh beloved child thou art!" 
 
 BLED. 
 
 i saw upon the street 
 
 A feehle man and boy; 
 A perfect winter age, 
 
 A budding April joy. 
 Together they joined hands; 
 
 The boy was bright and gay; 
 The Old man with his cane 
 
 Did seem to pick his way. 
 
 I paused and dropped a sigh: ' 
 
 "The poor old man is blind; 
 The little grandson leads 
 
 With cheery talk and kind.'' 
 As gradual they drew near 
 
 I watched the solemn scene; 
 A blind man in his night 
 
 With thinking makes me lean. 
 
 59 
 
Just then as they drew near 
 
 I looked upon the boy; 
 Such never seemed so fair. 
 
 So pure and full of joy. 
 Soul loved him as I looked 
 
 And sought his eye to find. 
 1 saw, I shook, I cried: 
 
 "Great God! The boy is blind!" 
 
 All day I could not see, 
 
 But wandered dark and sad; 
 A sword went through mv heart 
 
 Each time I saw the lad. 
 And memory all that day 
 
 Did bring him to my eyne. 
 I bled and bled and b'ed 
 
 For her that called him: "Mine! 
 
 A HEART TRUTH. 
 
 The open hearth was burning low, 
 The lamp beneath the crimson shade 
 Was mellowed to that tender glow 
 That tempts deep thoughts from their dark glade; 
 The atmosphere from strife was stayed 
 And filled with sprites who hov'ring round 
 Did bless a joyful mother-maid. 
 Whose infant's birth for her unbound 
 A world of purest love, of golden light and sound. 
 
 While sitting in this holy calm, 
 Her love like some celestial wine 
 Brought to her lips a gentle psalm, 
 Whose music did the child enshrine 
 In sleep with dreams no doubt divine. 
 The sleeping babe upon her breast 
 The cares of day did so untwine, 
 That love and joy and peace and rest 
 And motherhood divine her being full possessed. 
 
 Her hand, none soft as a new made 
 Mother's, with pleasure most intense 
 Upon her baby's face was laid 
 And thrilled her being's every sense; 
 Her circling arms, love's cradling fence, 
 But gentle in their loving power, 
 
 60 
 
Into her soul the babe drew tense, 
 While on its heart she rained a shower 
 Of kisses pure that fed life's fragile op'ning flower. 
 
 Her eyes were clear as crystal bright 
 And through them looked a soul most fair 
 To gaze upon her new delight 
 With that sweet joy her heart did bear. 
 Her love and joy and hope and prayer 
 Did crowd to look through these deep eyes 
 And broke their alabaster rare 
 Upon the habe from which did rise 
 Such incense as might spring from pure self sacrifice. 
 
 So went her soul in its emotion 
 Out toward the bahe upon her breast. 
 That it did seem some tide of ocean 
 Was crowding in its breadth and crest 
 A narrow gorge into its rest; 
 Or like a noble soul that brought 
 A love which only it possessed, 
 But found its power to give was nought, 
 And felt its heart would burst with love so over fraught. 
 
 As she sat under this sweet pain 
 A voice within her heart was heard, 
 That sounded as a sweet refrain 
 That being's deepest passion stirred: 
 "Now hast thou learned the truth deferred 
 When thou for light so long didst cry; 
 And thou canst read life's golden word 
 Which deep within thy heart doth lie. 
 About thy Father's love enthroned in heaven high." 
 
 "As thou dost love this babe of thine 
 The Father ever feels toward thee; 
 All hearts are filled from his divine, 
 Which breaks to give its gifts so free; 
 Within thy heart thou mayst see 
 An image faint of his the best 
 Which only seeks but this from thee: 
 That thou wilt trust his love and rest 
 Like thine own babe for aye on his eternal breast." 
 
 61 
 
SAVED. 
 
 She kissed him in and kissed him out 
 Where dark foes howl and hiss. 
 
 He thought of her; his foes did route; 
 Love saved both with a kiss. 
 
 REMARRIED. 
 
 Oh hark again, Beloved Wife! 
 The spirit's breath is sharp; 
 
 A something on the cords of life 
 Is breaking through my harp. 
 
 Another sweet domestic song- 
 Doth into being start; 
 
 Oh spirit blow and let the flow 
 Feed her now hungry heart! 
 
 Within my dreams the other night 
 
 Were sounding golden chimes; 
 For we were married, My Delight, 
 
 A half a dozen times. 
 A half a dozen times, My Dear, 
 
 The sacred rite was read. 
 And every time had sweeter chime 
 
 Than any that had fled. 
 
 An image once dawned on my mind 
 
 As soft as balmy morn. 
 As bright as are the lights that blind 
 
 Earth's hate and greed and scorn. 
 I loved her with a passion white 
 
 And she responded true; 
 So married I that spirit high 
 
 But yet unbodied you. 
 
 At length upon a summer day. 
 
 Oh day whence blessings break! 
 We met and quick my image gay 
 
 Did flesh and blood partake. 
 Though not a word between us then, 
 
 A magic most divine 
 My being thrilled and I was willed 
 
 To have and call thee: "Mine!" 
 
 62 
 
All through the lovers' drunken days 
 
 How often we were wed! 
 The bridal hour with golden lays 
 
 Unto us quickly sped. 
 When there before the solemn powers 
 
 The union had been sealed, 
 Joy's sweetest tears and happy fears 
 
 My grateful heart did yield. 
 
 When came at length our little girl 
 
 How foolish then were we! 
 Our hearts and minds were in a whirl 
 
 Of drunk ecstatic glee. 
 But I remember well, My Bride, 
 
 For heaven that hour had sent, 
 Each spirit door was opened more 
 
 And in each farther went. 
 
 She grew three years before our eyes, 
 
 Our hope and joy and pride; 
 The sun was blotted from the skies 
 
 When she lay down and died. 
 The world was all a dragon den 
 
 And life was blind with tears; 
 But married true with passion new 
 
 Were we as now appears. 
 
 The Fatherhood with gifts of grace 
 
 Purged our idolatry, 
 And like the Isaac in his place 
 
 Slayed each and made us free. 
 With God supreme within the heart 
 
 But each still more divine. 
 We live in love from heaven above 
 
 That cannot know decline. 
 
 Life now is like a snow crowned priest 
 
 In golden raiment bright; 
 He stands each morning in the east 
 
 And doth us new unite. 
 And as tJie golden hour comes round 
 
 That joined us into one, 
 Vast tides of glad exultant sound 
 
 Upon our spirits run. 
 
 As here upon this earthly shore. 
 
 There in eternity. 
 While being's st-^.^ry course we soar 
 
 New married may we be! 
 
 63 
 
still more and more to each, Oh give! 
 
 Still more from each, Oh take! 
 Oh life an:l love forever live! 
 
 Forever one lis make! 
 
 THE WIFE'S COMMANDMENTS, 
 
 A woman thou shalt be! 
 
 This law of law-i Oh scan! 
 On it all worlds of woman hang 
 
 And half the worlds of man. 
 
 Thou Shalt stand up 
 
 Shalt see and think 
 The world of life 
 
 Nor from it shrink. 
 The truth is best, 
 
 The false is curse; 
 Stand up and front 
 
 The universe. 
 
 Oh live in the virtues that life alone feeds. 
 In noblest thoughts that the bosom rich breeds, 
 In feelings the purest the thinkings can give. 
 In motives unselfish forever Oh live! 
 
 Love me with love supremest 
 
 Above all other men. 
 The powers that in me teeniest 
 
 Thy law to them I pen. 
 When I grow undeserving 
 
 That instant be thou free. 
 Love grows on love and swerving 
 
 Where higher virtues be. 
 
 This law of married life. Oh scan! 
 
 Help me to be a noble man. 
 
 I have the gifts and hope to be, 
 
 Soul thoughtful, generous, large and free 
 
 But where I toil and battle life 
 
 Is mad disease and murdor strife. 
 
 I need thy help. Behold the plan! 
 
 Make it thy law to make a man. 
 
 A mother thou shalt be 
 
 And wear a woman's glory! 
 
 64 
 
The lovers and their child 
 
 Is life's divinest story; 
 It lifts and squares and cubes 
 
 Both spirits and their powers. 
 And leads to fellowship 
 
 The Soul upon the towers. 
 
 Artist be thou of the home 
 Making it more great than Rome, 
 Richer far than gold from Nome. 
 Home is woman's sphere of right. 
 Where an angel sweet and bright 
 She is glory and delight. 
 Home to man is virtue true, 
 Armors him each day anew. 
 Such as life delights to view. 
 Home unto the world is hope; 
 'Tis the farthest up the slope; 
 Here the heav'ns freely ope. 
 How e'er far we mortals roam 
 We find naught beneath the dome 
 Like the "Artist of the Home." 
 
 Love must pass through the dark and descend to the deep, 
 Sit alone in the silence and bitterness r^ap; 
 Shed the tears that are life, find the peace of the wise 
 And thus she shall grow to the azure blue skies. 
 
 Be a friend 
 
 Of thyself. 
 Of thy kind 
 
 Mindless wealth. 
 To the poor. 
 
 Books that pole. 
 Beauty, Music 
 
 And the Soul. 
 
 Forget now the laws 
 
 Both below and above! 
 Let life have its roots 
 
 In the fulness of love: 
 For hearts that love hearts 
 
 With no self-seeking pine 
 Find others, themselves 
 
 And the heart most divine. 
 
 65 
 
THE BEST BABY. 
 
 Oh what a sweet celestial birth! 
 
 Oh what a babe divine! 
 Oh what a lovers' blossomed mirth 
 
 To fill their hearts with wine! 
 Such holy face and light within 
 
 Outbursting in a smile; 
 And brow with purity from sin 
 
 Or faintest trace of guile; 
 Such eyes of soft divinest power 
 
 For God is in their gaze; 
 And lips more dear and sweet, than flower 
 
 Or music-song can praise; 
 Such pansy-velvet flushing cheek; 
 
 Soft hands and dimpled chin ; 
 Oh ye for joy no more may seek 
 
 For all joys here ve win ! 
 On afternoons in summer hours 
 
 My heart knows where to stray; 
 I see the nurses with love s flowers 
 
 Light up life's shadowed way. 
 Though gazing in each baby face 
 
 I took each part divine, 
 United them with perfect grace 
 
 It ne'er could match Avith thine. 
 In dreams I've seen a baby bright 
 
 And called it, "Mine! Oh mine!" 
 As dreams fly far when hope takes flight 
 
 The baby best is thine. 
 
 "Oh Mr. Nimmo! My young heart 
 
 Leaps up with rainbow light; 
 From each sweet golden drop doth start 
 
 New joys toward heaven bright. 
 Within my ,soul sweet angels sing 
 
 Almost delirious mirth; 
 Such echoes dear around me ring 
 
 As drowns the noise of earth. 
 I knew your words would greet my song; 
 
 The pure unselfish youth 
 By instinct high is far from wrong 
 
 And utters only truth. 
 I sing to friends, to strangers call; 
 
 'This is the world's best birth,' 
 And to compare I cha-lenge all 
 
 For beauty, joy and worth. 
 'Tis so; no cloud my heart can doubt; 
 
 66 
 
With other babes set mine. 
 And every eye will single out 
 
 A babe as bright as thine. 
 But hold! Have I not heard you sing 
 
 With baby in your Dreast, 
 And as you soared on joyous wing 
 
 Oft echoed back: 'Best! Best!' 
 When your own Tom and sister Mary 
 
 Returned home to be ble.ssei^, 
 The elfish boy and fragile fairy 
 
 You praised and called each best. 
 Of every babe you say the same; 
 
 Oh! May not your heart of youth 
 Be shadowed by a mother's blame; 
 
 Now tell the honest truth." 
 
 Calm, calm thy jealous heart, my child! 
 
 Let love be large, divine! 
 A mother's heart I ne'er beguiled, 
 
 The baby best is thine. 
 For babies are like springtime's birth. 
 
 Or golden summer light; 
 Or those ripe joys of autumn's mirth, 
 
 Or winter's starry night; 
 Like clouds of richest sunset ray, 
 
 Or rainbows round ihe storm; 
 Or plumed throats' enraptured lay. 
 
 Or flowers with hearts most warm; 
 Like silver moons in limped lakes. 
 
 Or music round the sea; 
 Or light from maiden brow that breaks, 
 
 Or stories of the free; 
 Like beauty in her flushing joy, 
 
 And all things most divine; 
 Like all whose presence calms annoy, 
 
 Whose absence makes us pine; 
 These souls possess a magic dower. 
 
 And each and all are blest; 
 When held within each charming power 
 
 The last one is the best. 
 
 67 
 
THINE EYES. 
 
 Rich memories dear doth descend tonight, 
 
 My Girl, 
 I'm free from the years and the powers that blight. 
 
 My Pearl. 
 I am young again, in the land of dreams, 
 'Neath the golden morn, where the fountain streams 
 And the hopes of life in my being teemg, 
 
 My Girl. 
 
 I recall the night that I met thee first, . 
 
 My Girl. 
 Something pierced my heart and my spirit nursed. 
 
 My Pearl. 
 For the dream of dreams that was high designed 
 On my heart's highway did appear enshrined, 
 And I leaped to life at the royal find, 
 
 My Girl. 
 
 Your hair was as rich as a crown of gold, 
 
 My Girl, 
 And your face more fair than the flowers unfold. 
 
 My Pearl. 
 The rich rose of life on your cheeks did rest. 
 There were angel tones on your lips so blest. 
 And electric thrills when your hand I pressed, 
 My Girl. 
 
 But your eyes, your eyes, they were full of power, 
 
 My Girl, 
 As if fed with light and divine endower. 
 
 My Pearl. 
 They were deep and clear, rich and calm and wise. 
 Like the stars that shine in the jeweled skies 
 And diviner lights on our vision rise. 
 
 My Girl. 
 
 There was love and truth, faith and prayer and peace. 
 
 My Girl. 
 That the heav'ns and gods can alone release. 
 
 My Pearl. 
 An infinite trust, a divine repose. 
 And a something pure that forever goes, 
 From a godlike soul to its earthly foes. 
 
 My Girl. 
 
 68 
 
"Twas a vital spell that thev cast on me. 
 
 My Girl, 
 For they found within an eternity, 
 
 My Pearl. 
 I was born anew and they gave me dreams, 
 Fed the strangest thoughts, spread out courtal schemes 
 And the fountain broke that with passion teems, 
 
 My Girl. 
 
 I was drawn and stayed by thv lovely eves. 
 
 My Girl, 
 And despair as hope did as often rise, 
 
 My Pearl. 
 I was common born, had been written down. 
 Was untaught in books, but a boor and clown. 
 And all but thine eyes did upon me frown, 
 
 My Girl. 
 
 Oh thine eyes, thine eyes, thev were far too pure, 
 
 My Girl, 
 Than we mortals born from the sense endure, 
 
 My Pearl. 
 They pierced my deep and did their reveal. 
 What the senses are and must dark conceal 
 With this masquerade that doih veil the real, 
 
 My Girl. 
 
 ThougJi I loved thee strong I was long delayed. 
 
 My Girl, 
 "Wilt thou be my wife?" I wis sore afraid. 
 
 My Pearl. 
 That when after wed and each better known 
 That thy purer soul and thy finer tone 
 Would discover flaw and mv strength disown, 
 
 My Girl. 
 
 So I long delayed till that sudden pall, 
 
 My Girl, 
 Like a winter night on thy str<3iigth did fall, 
 
 My Pearl. 
 Then I breathed my hope to thy happy cries. 
 But the gladness strong broke thy mortal ties 
 And my heart thrice broke as they closed thine eyes, 
 My Girl. 
 
 I was wild with grief, was as blind with tears, 
 
 My Girl; 
 Bowed and bowed and bent and was lost for years. 
 
 My Pearl. 
 
 69 
 
Then the only peace to my soul distressed 
 Was the hour of dreams when a seraph guest 
 Rose upon my eyes with thine eyes so blest. 
 My Girl. 
 
 They are shining yet and are shining bright. 
 
 My Girl, 
 Two eternal stars in my starless night. 
 
 My Pearl. 
 They are fountains pure of divinest fire 
 And their sparks so quick in my heart inspire 
 Both' the faith and hope of love's high desire, 
 
 My Girl. 
 
 Down the flowerless road to the grave I go, 
 
 My Girl, 
 But a hope beams bright as che lamp burns low, 
 
 My Pearl. 
 Shall I meet thee there? Shall thy shining eyes 
 To my bosom come in eternal ties 
 Of the life and love of the azure skies, 
 
 My Girl? 
 
 KISSING BABIES. 
 
 Swift sunbeams kls,s the falling showers 
 
 And into rainbows flow; 
 Bright rainbows kissing fainting flowers 
 
 To souls divinest grow. 
 Sweet flowers that kiss the gentle breeze 
 
 Become swift winged sprites: 
 Soft zephyrs kissing summer trees, 
 
 A harp of rich delights. 
 Rich music on the broken heart 
 
 Becomes the angel hope; 
 And hope's warm kisses souls will start 
 
 And bear up life's steep slope. 
 All things In kissing lips of love 
 
 Or hearts of purest fire 
 Or aught incarnate from above 
 
 Change into something higher. 
 So I whose joy it is to live 
 
 With flowers, birds and sky, 
 Will bless this hint my sisters give 
 
 My ,soul to glorify. 
 
 70 
 
From dewy lips I ne'er refrain, 
 
 Sweet babies least of all; 
 On them my kisses like spring rain 
 
 Most lovingly do fall. 
 Each new-born joy I ever kiss 
 
 On cheek and brow and chin; 
 And o'er and o'er, and never miss 
 
 The lips so free from sin. 
 I kiss with fingers, voice and eye, 
 
 With heart's fondest caress. 
 With fancies, hopes and prayers and sigh, 
 
 With blessing glad to bless. 
 And oft when cradled or in arms 
 
 I kiss them in my tears, 
 And oft with sorrows, oft with charms. 
 
 And oft with tender fears. 
 I kiss them in the morning light 
 
 And mider noonday's beam, 
 In the dim gloaming of the night 
 
 And in the hour of dream. 
 When wide awake with smiling face, 
 
 Could love refrain from this? 
 Embalmed in dreams the angel grace 
 
 Seems smiling for a kiss. 
 I kiss them all, rich, poor, dull, bright, 
 
 Each new-born joy of time. 
 The yellow, red, the black, the white. 
 
 For color is not crime. 
 All rainbow flowers some portion bear, 
 
 Some beauty of the sun; 
 In all new hearts I find most fair 
 
 The universal one. 
 
 In doing this I find a bliss, 
 
 A pleasure most intense; 
 I ask no other joy than this 
 
 To thaw my frozen sense. 
 Sweet streams of pure emotion deep 
 
 Rise fountaining my heart 
 Like some divinest lotion sweet, 
 
 A balm upon my smart. 
 Its life revives the withered flowers 
 
 And hopes the young heart knows 
 Arise again, and their strong powers 
 
 A dream world round me throws. 
 Such thought and fancy, dream and vision, 
 
 Inspire the baby's kiss, 
 I feel in some bright land elysian, 
 
 A home of love and bliss. 
 
 71 
 
We kiss at curfew's golden toll: 
 
 Oh then the joyful sound! 
 As if seme great harmonious soul 
 
 Both beings doth surround, 
 And feels o'er me as I o'er this 
 
 The heart with rapture bound, 
 Or sends through my poor soul his bliss 
 
 O'er joy so newly found. 
 All rapture sounds of heaven and earth. 
 
 All golden sights that be, 
 All family joys at infant's birth. 
 
 All fatherhood's bright glee. 
 The full delirious madness 
 
 Of opening motherhood, 
 I faintly share their gladness 
 
 And find it does me good. 
 All sympathy with father, mother. 
 
 All love to baby free, 
 Lifts up the soul as love the lover 
 
 To strength and purity. 
 An act, a heart-beat or a thought 
 
 With pure unselfish glow. 
 Within our hearts has nobly wrought 
 
 And glorified the low. 
 
 Oh where within the dome above 
 
 Can purer heart be found? 
 Or where for hungry lips of love 
 
 Is such a heart unbound? 
 Life's cold and selfish winter breath 
 
 Doth chill the glowing lip; 
 Heart icicles of spirit death 
 
 But seldom thaw and drip. 
 Then should not I mid winter's snow 
 
 Kiss lips of new-born bliss, 
 And with the warmth of their sweet glow- 
 Dissolve the ice of this? 
 When spring and summer's glowing heart 
 
 Kiss mine with fervent bliss, 
 And leave of their pure souls a part 
 
 I feel impelled to this. 
 The heart of trees and birds and flowers. 
 
 Oh! who has ever missed 
 To pass within their mother's bowers 
 
 And curtained them not kissed? 
 Then why not this incarnate joy? 
 
 Why not love's latest lips? 
 Why not this soul without alloy? 
 
 This light from death's eclipse? 
 
 72 
 
The life of trees is budding here, 
 
 And bird-heart music rings; 
 The perfumed flowers of summer dear 
 
 Through this their fragrance flings. 
 When God's own angels bit by blight 
 
 In kissing cradled one, 
 Can feed their lamps in darkest night 
 
 To brightness of the sun, 
 How strange one weary of his night 
 
 Should kiss the lips of love, 
 And doing this should win a light 
 
 And, image from above? , 
 Is not a babe God's bosom birth 
 
 First born in his own love? 
 And is it not with hands of mirth 
 ; To us loaned from abo^e? 
 Shall being warm v/ith God's own life, 
 ' A mirror for his smne, ;^ 
 
 Be not a light in mortal strife 
 
 And lead me out of wile? 
 So this pure heart doth ever start 
 
 A joy that does eclipse 
 With golden light the shadow night 
 
 That follows after slips. 
 
 Such crystal life of purity 
 
 Is gathered to their lips, 
 I trust that all futuri-y 
 
 Will hav^e life's tender slips. 
 In other worlds as now in this, 
 
 May infant hearts be borni 
 And may my soul enjoy the kiss 
 
 Of life pure ;is the morn. 
 May this low heart in wand'ring far. 
 
 Both here and hence I go. 
 Kiss babes, in climbing star to star 
 
 And thus to manhood grew! 
 
 . THE WHITE SLAVE'S MOAN. 
 
 I am broken, heartless, bleeding; 
 
 Lost and stained and all alone; 
 Want, c'^sgrace and death are feeding 
 
 To my heart what none have known. 
 But my soul is aching, aching, 
 For -ny i::.cther"s heart that's breaking. 
 
 73 
 
Oh ^^y mother! Oh my mother! 
 
 Thou didst love me like a fire. 
 In Ihy lo&om I did smother, 
 
 Folded in with strong desire. 
 I hear t.hy prayers, I see thee weeping 
 And thy love still on me heaping. 
 
 Thou didst never in thy dreaming 
 Dream of this and me in here; 
 
 All the vision on thee gleaming 
 Was a virgin spirit dear. 
 
 May old Nature solace send thee 
 
 Stay thy heart ond strong befriend thee! 
 
 Man and nature, God and heaven, 
 
 Never, never, never tell 
 Hov/ through night and tears and levin 
 
 I have fallen down to helll 
 Heap upon me more disaster 
 But my secret hold still faster! 
 
 Kindest dreams kindness bestowing. 
 
 Ever visit her in sleep; 
 One like snow, in virtue growing 
 
 Still before her vision keep. 
 This is all my heart is wailing 
 As the light of life is failing. 
 
 THE ELEMENT OF LIFE. 
 
 When I was one and twenty 
 
 I fell most deep in love. 
 I feel as falls a sadness 
 In golden seas of gladness 
 From heaven high above. 
 
 When I was one and thirty 
 
 So rich did love abound 
 Life's vernal flinging fountains, 
 And beauty from the mountains 
 Did gird us round and round 
 
 When I was one and forty 
 
 By suff'ring soul was crossed. 
 By blinded, blinded sorrow, 
 But life from love did borrow 
 Far more than we had lost. 
 
 74 
 
When 1 was one and fifty- 
 Love so divine had grown 
 Our spirits and their passions 
 Were gowned in roj al fashions 
 And mounting to a throne. 
 
 Now I am over sixty 
 
 And deeper still in love. 
 We're rising two immortals 
 And life is bnt the portals 
 To heaven bright above. 
 
 BECAUSE, MY DEAR, IT'S YOU. 
 
 Oh listen now, Beloved wife! 
 
 Anew my harp I string; 
 Oh thou art my life of life 
 
 Another song I'll sing! 
 Another' song for earth's annoy 
 
 My spirit doth impart: 
 Oh crimson love! Oh turtle dove! 
 
 Now listen at your heart. 
 
 When on the summer's golden street 
 
 I meet a maid divine. 
 Whose spirits pure and glad and sweet 
 
 Doth through her body shine; 
 White crystal soul and liquid voice, 
 
 Soft eyes and youth's endew, 
 I see and meet her with rejoice, 
 
 Because, My Dear, it's you. 
 
 My eagle eye where e'er she be 
 
 Knows when her love awakes; 
 When worlds like sunrise on the sea 
 
 Within her bosom breaks. 
 The gladness which the dreams above 
 
 Can never know or near, 
 I hail with joy and share her love. 
 
 Because, it's you. My Dear. 
 
 And when one leads her up the aisle 
 With orange blossoms crowned; 
 
 When more than summer heavens smile 
 And more than raptures bound; 
 
 75 
 
When granite strength and tenderness 
 
 Are joined forever true, 
 The bride, the bride thy heart can guess 
 
 Because, My Dear, it's you. 
 
 When then they form a little home, 
 
 A paradise divine. 
 And round the queen from yonder dome^ 
 
 Soft angel hearts entwine;- 
 For these who'd wish a world's domain 
 ' Though blessed without a tear? 
 I'd barter such and count it gain 
 - For you and them, My Dear. 
 
 When e'er I hear a kingly man . .' 
 
 . Sing praises of his wife, 
 Extol the Planner" and the plan 
 
 That joined her to his life. 
 Such thought, and feeling fill the pause 
 
 Of life "with music new; 
 I echo long the loud applause, 
 ■ Because, My Dear, it's you. 
 
 And when the poet from his mind ; 
 
 A form divine creates 
 With every virtue rich entwined 
 
 That sorrow contempates,' 
 I gaze upon the matchless grace 
 
 And bless him saint and seer 
 Then quick my soul doth her embrace 
 
 Because it's you, My Dear. 
 
 When high before the throne of light 
 
 Vast 'spirits I behold, 
 Arrayed in royal jiurple bright ' 
 
 Or crimson, white or gold; 
 From seraph ranks or beav'n's bride. 
 
 Whose' splendors blind the view, 
 I choose the one just at my side 
 
 Because, My Dear, it's you. 
 
 In heaven and earth, through space pr time 
 
 Of all eternity, 
 While being's stai"ry goal I clitob 
 
 I still will dream of thee. 
 When mounting up the golden streets 
 
 Of each discovered sphere,' * 
 The best belovisd my spirit greets 
 
 It will be you. My Dear. 
 
 76 
 
THE BREAD OF LIFE. 
 
 Oh Living Bread! Oh Living Bread! 
 
 From rhee all beings pure are fed. 
 All live from Thy heart's rich bestow 
 
 Tm full desire and overflow.'" 
 
 The angels round thy burning throne 
 No other bread have ever known: 
 
 They feed from Thee and so they grow 
 Like to Thyself in fervent glow. 
 
 The saints redf^eined from self and sin 
 Live by Thy presence deep within; 
 
 teeneath the flesh, within the heart, 
 The bread of life to them Thou art. 
 
 *l'hou finer art than most fine wheat; 
 
 Than honey from the rock more sweet; 
 t'leer than Sabbath manna fell. 
 
 And vital more than life can tell. 
 
 Thou, Thou Thyself, art living bread! 
 
 Thou/ not Thy gifts our lives have fed! 
 Withhold Thy gifts. Thyself oh give! 
 
 And still wrth boundless life we live. 
 
 Oh Living Bread! Oh Living Bread: 
 Thou still wilt feed as Thou hast fed. 
 
 'Tis all Thy glory free to give 
 
 The bread of life by which we live. 
 
 THE WANDERER'S UNREST. 
 
 I wish I were a boy again 
 
 With mother close beside; 
 With heaven's lore unlearnt by men. 
 
 To in her full confide. 
 Her heart was deep and most divine, 
 
 Its music sweet to me; 
 Her love encircled all of mine 
 
 As islands doth the sea. 
 In summer cool, in winter warm. 
 
 Or what my heed each day; 
 A si. elter In the starless storm, 
 
 A shadow by the way. 
 
 77 
 
A kiss upon my wounded heart, 
 
 A touch with healing deep, 
 A word, a look of magic art, 
 
 A. prayer upon my sleep. 
 My heart could whisper in her ear 
 
 At morning, noon or night, 
 Could tell its all, and never fear 
 
 That love the least would slight. 
 I have no heart to trust today. 
 
 No heart to let me in; 
 Tliey bolt the doors and out 1 stay. 
 
 Out in a world, of sin. 
 Not one to hear, not one to heed, 
 
 Not one to speak or weep. 
 So thought with sorrow's hungry greed 
 
 Upon my soul doth leap. 
 Oi't night and day and day and night; 
 
 Be wed with the weight of life 
 I wish the grave would quench the light, 
 
 Death stagger on my strife. 
 Yes! "Men are strong!" But men are weak; 
 
 Life humbles in the dust; 
 The strongest need and often seek 
 
 The heart that heart has trust. 
 B'or years I have not felt a heart 
 
 Nor to a heart have spoke, 
 Since from those years I did depart 
 
 Mj strength has often broke. 
 Oh could I find the resting heart 
 
 From sin and self and fear, 
 All that I have, can do and art, 
 
 I'd pay most instant here! 
 I wish T were a boy again; 
 
 Where ever I may roam, 
 I pine and pine when on my ken 
 
 Comes mother, rest and home. 
 
 THE CURE. 
 
 He was just a nervous wreck; 
 Just an insane thing on deck; 
 Full of worry, fret and bawl 
 When his temper took a fall; 
 For the factory and the swink 
 He could neither see nor think 
 To his family, world and plan 
 Wreck and shadow of a man. 
 
 78 
 
Saia the Doctor: "I will give 
 
 Just six months for you to live." 
 
 Then he stormed and raved and swore 
 
 Till he fell upon the floor. 
 
 As his little family wept 
 
 Grief and loss made wife adept 
 
 In the thinking out a dream 
 
 Tj defeat the Doctor's scheme. 
 
 First the latest Dodge she bought 
 With pin money hoarded taut. 
 Then took lessons on the sly 
 Till with chauffeurs she could vie. 
 Then the grouch did sweet invite 
 To a ride around the night, 
 But he raved and stormed and tore 
 And divorce upon her swore. 
 
 **I am ruined I Such a cost 
 Is a crushing on me tossed I" 
 But when fit outran its right 
 They went spinning round the night. 
 He came home and went to bed 
 And old nature so him fed 
 That he woke up with the clock 
 Feeling like a fighting cock. 
 
 Now the factory and the swink 
 Goes along as he doth think. 
 He and all of his doth thrive 
 Since his wife taught him to drive. 
 See that Dodge that he doth swing! 
 He is balanced like a king. 
 He has found the fount of life 
 And is armored against strife. 
 
 THE DEPARTED. 
 
 Oh Maid, Beloved Maiden! 
 
 Oh Spirit most divine! 
 Oh heart within the Aiden, 
 
 For thee I ever pine. 
 Since thou hast far departed 
 
 And left me here alone 
 I have been broken hearted 
 
 And would be with a throne. 
 
 79 
 
1 pine and vveei- in sorrow, 
 
 "I suffer and would feign 
 Ffon' all around nie borrow 
 
 Some balsam for my pain, 
 Put what chalice from the fcuntain 
 
 Revives the dying breath! 
 V/ hat hope when o'er the mountain 
 
 Oui love has gone with death! . 
 
 The highest hopes of mortals 
 
 AVere gathered up in thee. 
 The 'future's" golden'/.portals 
 
 Were bright as bright could be; 
 Th<^ joys the most divinest 
 
 That ever iilled the heait, ... 
 'Were in thine own enshrinest 
 
 'And all did rich impart, 
 
 Thy spirit pure and stainless 
 
 Did cleanse me \yhite as: snow; 
 I thee secure and chalnless 
 
 I thought to ever grow, 
 ■Thy love within me burning. 
 
 Did circle round like fire. 
 And kindled daily yearning , \ 
 
 To all of high desire. 
 
 Thy countenance and fashion 
 ' Ideals did inspire, 
 And fed thera with the passion 
 
 Of pure celestial fire, 
 rin thee was all the beauty i 
 
 For which we mortals thirst 
 When love inspirits duty 
 And into actions burst. 
 
 But now these hopes have vanished, 
 
 Thoge joys forever dead, 
 Tlie love in exile banished. 
 
 Ideals far have fled. 
 The morning has no glory, 
 
 The springtime has no light, 
 The poet has no story, 
 
 All is night, the blackest night. 
 
 A3 the brightest meteor splendor 
 Dies in a swift eclipse, 
 
 80 
 
So died life's young attender, 
 
 On thy cold icy lips. 
 The> died when then I kissed thee, 
 
 Thou soul out of my soul, 
 And since the hour I missed thee 
 
 The night doth round me roll. 
 
 They spread for thee the pillow; 
 
 They covered thee with mould; 
 The murmuring- weeping willow 
 
 New sorrow will unfold. 
 But thy grave it is not yonder 
 
 Where tears the flowers start; 
 Wherever I may wander 
 
 Thy grave is in my heart. 
 
 This heart it :s the sorest 
 
 Of stream or wind or trees, 
 Of all that in the forest 
 
 In sighing seeks foi- ease. 
 Though sweetest flowers bound it 
 
 And birds their music fling, 
 The memories that surround it 
 
 Can nought but sorrow sing. 
 
 Oh I would love thee. Maiden, 
 
 While time and tide shall run, 
 While in thy spirit's Aiden 
 
 Shall shine on thee the sun; 
 And when its golden splendor 
 
 Will fade and die away. 
 Thy memory would be tender 
 
 And green as is today. 
 
 Thee would I love as fountains 
 
 Soft silver tinkling sounds; 
 As splintered granite mountains 
 
 The peace that them surrounds; 
 As soundless, soundless oceans 
 
 The azure purity; 
 And as the best devotions 
 
 Of man eternity. 
 
 But since thou hast departed 
 The strength of life has fled; 
 
 My hope is broken hearted 
 And bled and bled and bled. 
 
 81 
 
I cannot follow after, 
 
 Nor dream or dare or do, 
 When weakness mocks with laughter 
 
 All effort to be true. 
 
 Farewell, Beloved Maiden! 
 
 Farewell, Spirit divine! 
 Though sin and sorrow laden 
 
 I would not burden thine. 
 Farewell, Beloved Maiden! 
 
 Oh soul out of my soul! 
 Go on within thy Aiden 
 
 Though the storms around me roll! 
 
 SLEEP BELOVED! 
 
 Lie down, lie down. Beloved, lie down! 
 
 Long, fierce and hot the noon 
 His fever heat on thee has beat 
 
 And wearied thee full soon. 
 Thy fragile strength was not for strife 
 
 Oi clinibing cliffs that frown; 
 Only for joy and gentle life. 
 Lie down, Beloved, lie down! 
 Lie down, Beloved, lie down 
 
 In peace and rest and calm! 
 Oh healthful sleep. Oh slumber deep, 
 Her spirit bathe with balm! 
 
 I-ie down, my true Beloved, lie down! 
 
 The day lies down to rest; 
 Evening and twilight westward creep, 
 
 Night deepens on his breast. 
 The hosts of strength and toil and grief 
 
 No more their senses keep; 
 Like and unlike, Oh drink relief! 
 Sleep, sleep, Beloved, Oh sleep! 
 Sleep, sleep. Beloved, Oh sleep 
 In peace and rest and calm! 
 Oh healthful sleep. Oh slumber deep, 
 Her spirit bathe with balm! 
 
 Sleep, sleep, my pure Beloved, Oh sleep! 
 
 On swift though silent wing 
 Soft seraphs from the starry steep 
 
 Descend and to . thee sing. 
 
 82 
 
Tlieir music is a life divine, 
 
 It dotli thy being steep. 
 Song: bears tliee up and sad eailli's tine 
 Is lost in blessed sleep. 
 
 Sleep, sleep. Beloved, Oh sleep 
 In peace and rest and calm! 
 Oh healthful sleep. Oh slumber deep, 
 Her spirit bathe with balm! 
 
 Sleep, sleep, my thrice Beloved, Oh sleep! 
 
 Thy heart be fed Vk^ith dreams! 
 Across thy spirit's eyelids creep 
 
 Soft forms in softer gleams! 
 Angels of hope and joy and love, 
 
 Ob dreams that never weep! 
 Ye feed witii visions from above 
 This rich celeftial sleep. 
 
 Sleep, sleep. Beloved, Oh sleep 
 In peace and rest and calm! 
 Oh healthful sleep. Oh slumber deep. 
 Her spirit bathe with bairn! 
 
 Sleep, sleep. Divine Beloved, Oh sleep! 
 
 Soft, pure and rich and sweet 
 The golden fountains of the deep 
 
 Into thy bosom beat. 
 Then when the morning splendors bright 
 
 Shall out of darkness break 
 Thy lover with a keen delight 
 Shall cry: "Awake! Awake!" 
 Awake, Beloved, awake! 
 
 The morn unto thee cries; 
 Now both of us new life shall take 
 And both divine arise. 
 
 IDEAL KISSES. 
 
 Kisses, kisses, ideal kisses 
 Of an ideal love and blisses! 
 Who has never felt the burning 
 Of the dream, desire and yearning? 
 'TJs the search of life supernal 
 And all hopes divine and vernal': 
 'Tis the light that gleams and dances 
 On the classic love romances; 
 
 83 
 
'Tfs the hunger of all mortals 
 Vvhile between the earthly portals; 
 The> are no^^ the mcment's story 
 As oi life they are the glory. 
 
 Two great spirits rich and rarest. 
 Deep, divine and pure and fairest 
 Never yet was man more piimer. 
 Princely, ripened and sublimer; 
 Never yet was woman queener. 
 Courtly, gracious and serener; 
 Like two spirits virtues folden 
 In a sunlight glory golden; 
 Two rich giohes divine in fashion, 
 More divine in life and paL-sicn; 
 Who can dream the courtship ulisses 
 Leading up unto their kisses? 
 
 In the morning now advancing 
 With the splendors round them dancing; 
 On the noonday plain nov/ standing, 
 Kand to hand each other handing; 
 In the evening soft and sweetest. 
 Now each other gladly greetest; 
 In the moonlight soft and tender 
 Granite strength and beauty slender 
 Arm in arm are slowly walking 
 And in angel tones are talking; 
 From their eyes a language passes 
 Spirii but to spirit glasses. 
 
 Close thine eyes, thou vixen boldest, 
 Thus to look as each enfoldest! 
 Lip to lip is pressing, pressing. 
 Eye to eye hunger confessing; 
 Heart to heart is madly burning 
 With an infinite like yearning; 
 Soul to soul is passioned glowing 
 Like a furnace white and flowing, 
 And the arms each other folden 
 Hold, a globe divine and golden, 
 While such passion round it tighten 
 As their very selves do frighten. 
 
 Now the two no more are single 
 Each doth with the other mingle. 
 All each fulness now is freeing 
 In the other's hungry being. 
 
 84 
 
Now between them swift are flowing 
 Currents of the whitest glowing; 
 Nov within each breast is rising, 
 Raptures that are both surprising. 
 Passion swelling, surging, sweeping 
 Up and down, and through is leaping. 
 So divine their boundless blisses 
 They are weeping in their kisses. 
 
 This is just the kiss of heaven 
 With no earth alloy or leaven; 
 Just the kiss of song and story 
 Famous robed and crowned with glory; 
 Just the kiss of wise selection, 
 T.ifted up to r.^pe perfection; 
 Just the kiss super-celestial 
 Of our being at its festal; 
 Just fhe kiss of love most primest 
 On the plane and height ^ublimest; 
 Just the kiss for which life sighest, 
 And with hunger ever eyest. 
 
 What these spirits now are drinking 
 Fathoms neither sense nor thinking; 
 They are drinking from earth's fo-mtain, 
 From high heaven's highest mountain, 
 Fj'om the spacial starry oceans. 
 Cosmic life and world emotions; 
 Drinking whai immortals nourish, 
 Draughts by which the angels flourish; 
 Drink the old gods love and cherish, 
 Tha^ renews them when they perish: 
 Life is in these boundless blisses. 
 Love has stored her life hi kisses. 
 
 This is lust the kiss of dreamers; 
 Ask the high romantic schemers; 
 Ask rich poets when divinest 
 And the wine and fire are rmest; 
 Ask musicians when the singing 
 Sudden bursts with mighty ringing; 
 Ask great artists when the story 
 Br:ists into its purple glory; 
 Ask the lovers when the rapture 
 Doth the spirit sudden capture; 
 None of common mortals measure 
 Yvhat these kisses can entreasure. 
 
 85 
 
How they linger on these kisses, 
 Feeding full upon their blisses! 
 Still they draw out of their sources, 
 Rapture, fervor, fire and forces; 
 They immortal make a minute, 
 Stretch it out and all that's in it; 
 E'en the movies they are shaming, 
 By the time that they are claiming; 
 Hao there been a life time fasting 
 That the zest so long is lasting? 
 Is there naught that can them sever? 
 Will these kisses last forever? 
 
 Tell me, tell me, all ye mortals, 
 Seeking life oetween these portals. 
 Seeking life but ever finding. 
 Sorrow, loss and tears and blinding; 
 Greybeards, matrons, masters, misses. 
 Would ye share these ideal "liisses? 
 Live in love and love still cherish; 
 Let the selfish in thee perish; 
 To the heart that is thy treasure, 
 Give Oh give with boundless measure! 
 Thus: through common kindly blisses. 
 Climb unto these ideal kisses. 
 
 "THE KID." 
 
 Wliat blister burns upon my tongue! 
 
 What weight upon my pen! 
 What discord in my ear is flung! 
 
 What blot upon my ken! 
 What silence, grief and secret thought 
 Is deep within my spirit wrought. 
 When this dark word 
 So often heard 
 The passions of my breast have stirred; 
 
 A name just picked up off the street 
 
 Or gathered from the wild, 
 Where never traveled woman's feet 
 
 And men are most defiled, 
 A name imported from the beast 
 Or from the human at its least, 
 Is for the birth 
 That comes to earth 
 The nursling of immortal worth. 
 
 86 
 
A rame that never had a heart, 
 
 A conscience or a mind, 
 Tlat never knew or had a part 
 
 With high celestial kind; 
 
 A name without a God divine 
 
 Or human nature's faintest sign 
 
 Is for the birth, 
 
 The hope of earth 
 
 With God's own life and power and worth. 
 
 A name with poison in its sound 
 
 For parents and for child; 
 A canker for all spirits round, 
 
 High spirits here beguiled; 
 A name with swift, contagious lust 
 T ) drag all life into the dust 
 Is now the sign 
 That parents twine 
 Around God's gift the most divine. 
 
 Is there a mother in the land 
 
 With mother's holy heart. 
 With mother passion, mother hand 
 
 And every mother part, 
 CeulcT ever think or dream or dare 
 Her mother nature to foreswear. 
 And so disgrace 
 Her heart's embrace 
 As utter this upon its face? 
 
 Yet numbers of our womenkind 
 Though mothers, mothers not, 
 In heart and mind both deaf and blind 
 
 And flecked with many a spot. 
 In idleness and vanity 
 And thoughtless as insanity 
 This beastly name 
 All heart's disclaim 
 They brand on theirs without a shame. 
 
 Is there a father in the land, 
 God's image on the earth, 
 A^'ould dare to hear that foulest brand 
 
 Baptized upon his birth? 
 Though often heard where he may roam 
 'Tis never heard within his home. 
 For flashing eyes 
 Whence lightning flies 
 Would kill the sound with swift surprise. 
 
 87 
 
Yot men tar more than women-kind 
 
 Ar€ parents less than they, 
 Though to anfolding heart and mind 
 
 A god, a god alway. 
 That poisoned, cankered, leper sound 
 Thej pour upon the children round; 
 How can they grow 
 From such below 
 Up to the mountain height of snow! 
 
 Oh baby, baby, baby dear 
 
 With mother most divine! 
 Whose fatlier is a princely peer 
 
 And virtues from him shine. 
 
 No other names but love can be 
 
 Around thy cradle uttered free. 
 
 All names of mirth, 
 
 All names of worth 
 
 Dotli guardian round thy mortal birth. 
 
 "My joy!" "My hope!" "My darling child!" 
 
 "My daughter!" or "My son!!" 
 My "Violet!" "Tommy!" or the mild 
 
 Nicknames of love and fun. 
 Are dear to Ihem and dearer grow 
 As spring doth into autumn flow. 
 If such a sound 
 Is uttered round 
 High heav'n again has full unbound. 
 
 Oh may the Life of life redeem 
 
 The parents and the child! 
 May thought and love their virtues stream 
 
 And all grow undefiled! 
 The father new his birth baptize! 
 Th3 child unto his best shall rise! 
 'Twill help to grow 
 From all below 
 Up to the hea.t that feeds all glow. 
 
 Oh Love that lirst l)uilt up :he home! 
 
 It is the nation's hope; 
 It is the best beneath the dome 
 
 And farthest up the slope; 
 Bat all surround it selfish sense 
 With natures strong, dark and intense; 
 Thy bolts of fire 
 With fierce desire 
 B'3 guardian angels in their ire. 
 
 88 
 
AnO every canker, blight and ill 
 
 Against the nome and child, 
 Oh may they smite and smite to kill 
 
 All curse that has defiled! 
 All thought and love and joy md hope 
 And all that lifts life up the slope 
 May they detend 
 And be the fiiend 
 That makes the hemp earth's -loblest end. 
 
 *THE GOOD NIGHT KISS. 
 
 'Twas the height and full crest of a banquet and feast. 
 
 Of wine, music, beauty and revels, 
 For the spirit of youth was relaxed and released 
 
 P^rom virtue and life's nigher levels. 
 There was one in his strength kept his spirit and poise 
 In spite of upbraiding and challenge and noise 
 
 To drink of the cup that was ruddy, 
 For his clearer mind saw in his soberer light, 
 Though their voic:es were glad and their eyos flashing bright, 
 
 The mind and the soul growing muddy. 
 
 "Oh come on! Join the crowd! Have a drink wi^h the boys! 
 
 Our friendship will never be broken! 
 We were kids at the school, at the college had joys. 
 
 Give memory a trifling token!" 
 "Drink it down! It is joy! In the cup we '-ill pledge 
 That we all will unite 'gainst the hammer and wedge 
 
 Life drives between friends at all seasons." 
 "Well, Old Chump, like a sport with the vein of a saint, 
 We will pause in our course and will hear your complaint; 
 
 If you can't take a drink give us reasons." 
 
 "I will tell thee a tale if ye hark to me now, 
 
 A tale to this revel a stranger. 
 By the speech of the hour and the light on the brow 
 
 My friends I can see are in danger. 
 From a friend to a friend should be friendship and truth 
 With the generous heart and the virtues of youth, 
 
 A friend is the best of ill lovers. 
 I will speak to the heart and a story relate 
 That may speak to my friends like a message of fate 
 
 With truth that the spirit recovers." 
 
 *The essential experience of an acquaintance. 
 
"From the day I was born was a brand on my name, 
 
 My father the curse did entangle. 
 Both the physical strength and the spirit of shame 
 
 Were stilled by the demons that strangle. 
 On the bounding young life when the fountains are full. 
 When released from the past and the future did pull 
 
 A cloud o'er the glory oft darted, 
 For a memory dark on my vision would stream 
 Till I flush and I flamed and I wished it were a dream, 
 
 The nameless yet clinging departed." 
 
 "There was one that was left; she was more than the two; 
 
 With prayer, wisdom, counsel and honor 
 That this boy might be man and be sober and true 
 
 Was burden and burden upon her. 
 As a boy I was blind. As a man I can see 
 That she slaved for our bread and to educate me 
 
 She poured out her life like a river. 
 Both the flowers in the field and the lights in the skies 
 And the perfumes divine and the beauties that rise 
 Should crown and encircle that giver." 
 
 "When tonight I go home ere I mount up the stair 
 
 A call I shall hear from my mother. 
 I shall go and bend down o'er the white growing hair 
 
 And kiss a "Good Night" to each other. 
 This is always the way. She is now wide awake! 
 She will keep the .long watch till the morning doth break 
 
 As shadows and fear round her darken. 
 She will hear the low sot as he staggers his way 
 And a prayer will arise to the god of the day 
 
 As she dreams of her son and doth barken." 
 
 "Thought it seems just the course of the parent and youth 
 
 I cannot help thinking and thinking, 
 It is just mother's way to be sure of the truth, 
 
 I have not yet started to drinking. 
 I have got to kis? mother tonight ere I rest, 
 As a smell of a drink would be death to her breast 
 
 I still will be son to my mother. 
 I have told you my tale and the truth in the song. 
 May it justify me and thee armor most strong 
 
 And bind us as friends to each other!" 
 
 With the strength of a giant that only can lift 
 What falls from the height of the summit, 
 
 Both the tone and the truih in the hearts of the youth 
 Went deeps yet unsounded by plummet. 
 
 90 
 
"Thou hast cut to the quick!" they all answered and flashed 
 And the wine brimming cups into fragments were dashed. 
 
 "Thou hast been to each heart as a brother. 
 Let us all clasp cur hands ! Let us sing a new son? 
 In a brotherhood large that will bind us most strong, 
 
 And henceforth be sons to each molber:" 
 
 THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER 
 No. 4 
 
 The Stars and Stripes Forever! 
 
 Oh raise it o'er the home! 
 And raise it with the '-pirit 
 
 That marched in conqu'ring Rome! 
 As freedom feedeth m-mhood 
 
 Oh lift it to the dome! 
 The Stars and Stripes are glory 
 And far outvalue Nome 
 
 The Stars and Stripes Forever! 
 
 Within che sacred shrine, 
 Besides the holy altars. 
 
 Oh raise her up divine! 
 Give ample place and honor, 
 
 And shout with all the free: 
 "The Stars and Stripes forever 
 For home and mine and me!" 
 
 The Stars and Stripes Forever! 
 
 Oh teach it to the young! 
 There's virtue in her bosom 
 
 For head and heart and tongue. 
 She's grandeur, grace and glory 
 
 And passioned song ir sung 
 That fits the noblest measures 
 Around the altar sprung 
 
 The Stars and Stripes Forever! 
 
 On life's first opened eyes 
 Lift her on the pa-i,sions v/iiite 
 
 As glory life should prize! 
 She's sacrifice and honor 
 And glory to the free: 
 "The Stars and Stripes Forever 
 For home and mine and nie!" 
 
 The Stars and Stripes Forever! 
 Upon each sacred day 
 
 91 
 
The children like the father's 
 
 Most beautiful array. 
 Oh kindle bright the embers! 
 Old Glory let them sway! 
 The nation's story singing, 
 Send, send them on their way ! 
 The Stars and Stripes Forever! 
 
 That bosom full unfold. 
 Her hopes and dreams and mem'ries 
 
 Upon their eyas be rolled! 
 And all together sing the song 
 
 The day sings to the free: 
 "The Stars and Stripes Forever 
 For home and mine and me!" 
 
 The Stars and Stripes Forever! 
 
 As up they mount the spheres, 
 Ope thou again the bosom 
 The growing soul revers! 
 Old Glory is a banner 
 
 Life bathed in blooi and tears. 
 The more with her enamored \ 
 
 We triumph over fears. 
 
 The Stars and Stripes Forever 
 
 When boy becomes a man, 
 When girls are blossomed beauties 
 
 And other homes they plan! 
 Shout, shout as meni'ry bringeth 
 
 Her battles for the free: 
 "The Stars and Stripes Forever 
 For home and mine and me!" 
 
 The Stars and Stripes Forever! 
 Oh plant it round the home. 
 Round White House ^Jid the cottage 
 
 As oceans round us foam! 
 She brings the strongest manhood 
 
 Like citizens of Rome, 
 Life, sons and daughters nursing 
 As free as heaven's dome. 
 
 The Stars and Stripes Forever! 
 Hark, hark, there is a shout! 
 Each home within the nation 
 Lifts up and flings her out, 
 All singing with the passion 
 
 And victories of the free: 
 "The Stars and Stripes Forever 
 For home and mine and me I" 
 
 92 
 
THE HOME ANGEL'S SONG. 
 
 Oh angel divinest that guardeth love's portal! 
 
 And never afar from the temple doth roam, 
 Who art scept-red and pm-pled and crov.ned an immortal 
 
 O'er subject and empire and blessings of home, 
 
 Oh sins- us a dream to beguile the long leisure! 
 
 A song that embalmeth the best of a heart, 
 Which cjr.st in a flow and mellifluous measure 
 
 Shall lift man on high from the things that depart 
 
 *'A husband of years but forever a lover 
 
 Returned to his home when the sun was on high; 
 
 Returned from the strife to the sheltering cover 
 
 Where his faith and his hopes and his happiness lie." 
 
 *'He found his beloved on the bosom of slumber, 
 
 A bosom that rests on the bosom divine; 
 Its rise and its fall and its low -breathing number 
 
 Is life, love and hope to the mortals that pine." 
 
 "He sat by her side and gazed long on tlie sleeper 
 Unconscious of all save himself in a dream, 
 
 He looked and he looked like an angel guard keeper 
 Who looks through the flesh co the spirits that gleam." 
 
 "In silence he looked, both in silence and sorrow, 
 While fountain-like motions within him awoke. 
 
 The hand of his strength then a softness did borrow 
 And pressed back her brow with a velvet-like stroke." 
 
 "He stooped and his lips with some stih softer kisses 
 Her spirit light touched with the warmest desire; 
 
 That bosom of sleep or his soul's vital blisses 
 Is feeding her now With the passions of fire." 
 
 "Then, then I beheld how the strength of his passion 
 Had opened the seal on the fountain of tears; 
 
 The warm crystal rain that the dew drops might fashion 
 Were sprinkled most free o'er their svift married years. 
 
 "Swift up the steep height and before the great Giver 
 I saw him bow down in the spirit of praise; 
 
 When after he rose, like- a glorified river 
 
 There flowed from his heart a rich volume of lays." 
 
 "Commending his love to the home's great Defender 
 He passed once again to the murdering mart; 
 
 93 
 
But soul was enwrapped in the visions of splendor 
 And fountains of life were aburst in his heart." 
 
 "The wife soon awoke from her noonday reposes, 
 Refreshed by the pulse of a heart quickened stream; 
 
 She felt in her soul the rich glow of life's roses 
 And smiled as she said: 'Oh what strength in a dream!' 
 
 THE FIRST DREAM. 
 
 Though I'm a boy and like the boys, 
 
 I like the girls the best. 
 They are indeed the fairy joys, 
 
 The fairy spirits blest. 
 They dance before the dancing eye 
 
 Like flowers within the light. 
 And when in sweetest dreams we lie 
 
 They dance like stars of night. 
 
 I think I never was so glad 
 
 As once within a dream; 
 A fairy in her muslin clad 
 
 Was with me eating cream. 
 It was an hour of sweet delight, 
 
 But Oh she filled my bliss! 
 She'd come again Then .said: "Goodnight'" 
 
 And crowned me with her kiss. 
 
 Though it was dark when I awoke 
 
 The room was full of light. 
 I saw her turn and smiling broke 
 
 Another sweet: "Good-night!" 
 I could not sleep again for hours. 
 
 That promise and that kiss 
 Drew me into her fairy bowers 
 
 To meet her in my bliss. 
 
 She has not come; but she will come; 
 
 I wait her day by day; 
 She is not deaf nor am I dumb;. 
 
 She listens and I pray. 
 Perhaps she may be here tonight; 
 
 Her heart is full I know 
 To hear me tell our past delight 
 
 And with her promise glow. 
 
 H 
 
So if my fairy love is here. 
 
 Oh fairy of my heart! 
 I want you now; and Oh come near 
 
 And never more departs 
 A fairy home and fairy love, 
 
 A fairy life divine, 
 Well make om' earth a heaven above 
 
 When both om- hearts entwine. 
 
 HOME. 
 
 What is home? 
 Home is where the Soul above 
 Comes and dwells and fills with love; 
 Where the bridegroom and the bride 
 Lovers are through time and tide; 
 Where the angels of their joy 
 ■Grow to live in Love's employ; 
 Where the living fountains burst 
 Flowing life to all athirst; 
 Where the pulsing atmosphere 
 Doth all welcome, rest and cheer; 
 Where the spirit from above 
 Spreads contagious life and love. 
 
 This is home. 
 
 MOTHERHOOD'S DESIRE. 
 
 Spirit, spirit, all parental! 
 
 Father of all light and love, 
 Of all spirits pure and gentle 
 
 In the earth and heav'n above! 
 Hear the prayer my heart is singing 
 For this heart unto me clinging! 
 
 Send an angel. Love the warmest, 
 
 That from thine o'-vn heart doth glow 
 
 Love defendest, guidest, formest, 
 Purging life as white as snow; 
 
 May she come and with no fleeing 
 
 Round my babe unfold her being. 
 
 Purity is Love's twin sister, 
 W^hiter than wind sifted snow, 
 
 95 
 
Is life's greatest sense resister, 
 
 Sense that fill the world with woe. 
 May she come with life the rarest. 
 Simplest, sweetest, richest, fairest! 
 
 Truth is very Queen of heaven 
 Though a stranger m the earth; 
 
 Shelter from all blight and levin 
 She imparts celestial worth. 
 
 May great Truth be her attender. 
 
 Nurse, companion and defender! 
 
 Faith for her my heart implorest, 
 She dwells nearest to the shrine. 
 
 Out of her rich heart there pourest 
 What makes woman most divine. 
 
 Faith be unto her a mother 
 
 From this world unto the other. 
 
 Bid them circle, soul expressing! 
 
 Bid them follow singing lore! 
 Bid them lift their hands in blessing! 
 
 Bid them guide her way before! 
 Bid them feed her early dreaming. 
 In her soul their virtues streaming! 
 
 Singing, smiling, shining, glowing. 
 May they lead her through the years! 
 
 Give, oh give their overflowing 
 In all losses, pains and tears! 
 
 Guide her through the night and levin 
 
 To the morning gates of heaven! 
 
 These ideals, dreams and visions. 
 Make them real unto her heart! 
 
 Though they are the world's derisions 
 They the soul alone can chart; 
 
 Peace and joy and hope attending, 
 
 Honor, courage, strength defending. 
 
 WOMAN. 
 
 A little flash, 
 A soldier's dash. 
 Some golden cash. 
 And many a woman goes in smash, 
 
 96 
 
THE TIEJECTED'S FAITH. 
 
 There's just as good fish in the sea 
 
 As ever yet were takm- 
 There's just as sweet fruit on the tree 
 
 As ever down was shaken; 
 There's brighter seraphs in the sky 
 
 Than mortals have beholden; 
 There's dearer maidens by and by: 
 
 J'U wait the season golden. 
 
 THE NEW ADVISE. 
 
 "If you would keep your husband's love 
 
 And find the fruitful root, 
 Of virtues all, below, above, 
 
 Then feed, just feed the brute." 
 
 ■"If you would have a wife divine, 
 
 A heav'nly kingdom rule. 
 The all for which man's heart can pine, 
 
 Then dress, just dress the fool," 
 
 THE WIFE. 
 
 House-keeper, cook, chamber-maid and harlot 
 
 Is the life 
 Of numbers vast who hide the wretched blot 
 Behind the name of =,vife. 
 
 A helpmate, a helpmate to the best ideal 
 
 Is the wife 
 High heav'n ordains and is the royal seal 
 Upon the strength of life. 
 
 NATURE'S BOUQUET. 
 
 Old Nature smiled and sent to me 
 
 A rare bouquet of flowers. 
 She knew I loved the beautiful, 
 But bound in courses dutiful. 
 Still loved her though so soot} ful 
 I battled with the hours. 
 
 97 
 
When I came in and naw the sight 
 
 I stood in blank surprise. 
 A something new and deep in me, 
 A higher soul asleep in me 
 With sudden start did leap in me 
 
 Like visions on the eyes. 
 
 Quick down I sat with hungry greed 
 
 Before the banquet feast. 
 I drank the most divine in life; 
 It seemed the very vine of life 
 Was crunching out the wine of life 
 
 Unto a poet priest. 
 
 The green was gladdest, growing green. 
 The white wa,s heaven's white, 
 
 The purple, red and golden hues, 
 
 Pinks, lavenders and olden blues. 
 
 All vital with unfolden dews 
 Did quicken with delight. 
 
 The fragile, fair and fondest forms 
 
 Seemed summer elfins nigh; 
 And soon the fairies dancing gay. 
 With backward, sideward prancing gay. 
 And singing, smiling, glancing gay, 
 
 Waltzed right across my eye. 
 
 But Oh the fragrance, fragrance sweet I 
 
 It seemed the breath of life. 
 I pa<ssed beyond the portal dreams, 
 Beheld the high, immortal dreams. 
 Lived in majestic, courtal dreams 
 
 With passions rich and rife. 
 
 Soon, soon the magic flowers divine 
 
 Took on a rarer grace. 
 The dream of all the dreams o-l life 
 Eclipsed all rainbow gleams of life, 
 With smiles that were the creams of life 
 
 Stood with me face to faca. 
 
 And then I gathered up the flowers 
 
 That had my spirit blest; 
 And with a smile, a touch, a bli^ss. 
 No lover thinks too much amiss. 
 And crimsoned with just such a kiss . 
 
 I placed them in her breast. 
 
 98 
 
REJECTED. 
 
 "Wilt thou be mine, Oh maiden heart! 
 
 Be mine and mate with me! 
 I've vast estates and all will part 
 
 In dowry unto thee. 
 
 Behold the ocean's purple deepl 
 
 It whispers, sing and smiles; 
 For me and mine it secret keeps 
 
 Ten thousand golden isles. 
 
 These flying ships with purple wings 
 
 Unto us 'Welcome' hail. 
 J^cross the sea a message rings 
 
 For me and mine to sail. 
 
 There mountains, rivers, cities, plains 
 
 Have palaces like ^now; 
 All portals ope with singing strains 
 
 For me and mine to go. 
 
 There nobles of an ancient race, 
 
 Princesses pure and sweet. 
 And mighty peoples vdrtue grace 
 
 Both me and mine will greet 
 
 There silver, golden, purple gowns, 
 
 Bright jewels rich nnd rare, 
 And flower-like jewels as of ciowns 
 
 Both I and mine shall wear. 
 
 From this far seeing mountain peak 
 
 Behold a king's estate! 
 All, all I give; Oh, maiden speak! 
 
 Be mine and with me mate!" 
 
 * Oh poet, king, soldier and priest 
 I've dreamed and dreamed of the^; 
 
 But in the dream another dream 
 Is dearer far to me. 
 
 Hadst thou ten thousands times the wealth 
 
 Of kings the most divine. 
 And gavest less than all thyself 
 
 I'd be no mate of thine. 
 
 99 
 
THE FOOLISH YIRGIN-. 
 
 A thing in pants, 
 A passing glance, 
 An evening dance, 
 And all her being is in trance. 
 
 A coquette's play, 
 A mairiage lay, 
 A golden day, 
 Then shadows darken round her way. 
 
 A baby's morn, 
 A father's scorn, 
 A bosom torn, 
 And to one grave they both are borne, 
 
 A silence deep, 
 A hopeful sleep, 
 An angel keep, 
 We pray be round her flowerless heap, 
 
 GRANDMA'S MARRIAGE. 
 
 "What! Married again!" "Yes! Married again! 
 
 Though winter wreaths of purest snow 
 Softly circle the brow,s of three-score ten, 
 Our hearts have retaken the marriage vow. 
 And few of the daughters and sons of men 
 
 At the altar bow 
 With a tithe of the love that we do now." 
 
 "Why this flashing scorn? A love like the morn 
 
 Feels not the clouds that around it burn. 
 Thy reproachful tone like a poisoned thorn 
 May not pierce the armor our joy imparts. 
 In the purest love there is always born 
 
 Most celestial arts 
 To sweeten the pain from the world's keen darts. 
 
 "Oh why should we be if with age doth flee 
 
 The friends and fruits of our lif e'« long years ! 
 From my cradle hour until I am free 
 I will loose no soul that will mine endower. 
 To revive thy love and its joy in me 
 
 I will rain a shower 
 To waken the strength of its dying power." 
 
 100 
 
* In paradise bright of supreme delight 
 
 When I was young and a maiden free, 
 In gathering flowers to adorn the night 
 A spirit I met as a radiant dream. 
 He awoke my love and like morning bright 
 
 Poured a cry.stal stream 
 Sweet into tny heart with a rainbow gleam I" 
 
 "Oh rapturous days! Oh delirious ways 
 
 When spirit soared upon seraph wings; 
 Oh the hope and dream and the blinding maze 
 AVhen the leart unseals like a jeweled mine! 
 How worlds in the world will forever blaze 
 
 If the love divine 
 Dwells de?p in the heart Vv^ith a free untwine!" 
 
 "The heaven and earth were as glorious dreams; 
 
 We strolled through neon ami the starry night: 
 Nature's fountains flowed with divinest streams 
 And we drank and drank and our i^pirits fed 
 On the mirriage day that forever gleams. 
 
 As a dream quick sped 
 So the days soon passed and our lives were wed." 
 
 "Then a girl or boy to our gladdest joy 
 
 Old nature gave as a world of wealth. 
 They were pleasures sweet on the brief annoy 
 And spread in cur home as morn on the earth 
 An experience .sealed from the lovers coy 
 
 Till their infant's birth 
 Unfolds their love in delirious mirtl." 
 
 "To man grew our boy, to woman our joy 
 
 As night and noon to their nigh estate. 
 All our riper selves and without alloy 
 To our younger selves did their fulness bart. 
 To behold them grow and in hign employ 
 
 Each all did impart 
 As generous roots feed the flowers' fair art." 
 
 "O'er the glassy wave which the i^ainbows pave 
 
 They sailed away to the bridal isles 
 W^here spirits divine they both won and gave. 
 My virgins as fair as the driven snow, 
 My princes pure as the love they did crave, 
 
 I have seen them go 
 To the isles where men to immortals grow." 
 
 101 
 
"When 'Baby' was gowned and with orange buds crowned 
 
 And rode away to the sunset hills, 
 With surprise and fear we awoke and found 
 That loves in a child may be torn apart, 
 May forget themselves and seldom unbound 
 
 With the lightning dart 
 That enkindled first and sustained the het'rt." 
 
 "So a misty rain from a lofty plain 
 
 Fell gently down on the sacrifice. 
 Soft, Oh soft it fell, but the hidden grain 
 Felt the life and sprang with a promise bright 
 That eclipsed the past, as the sunsets reign 
 
 With diviner light 
 Than the morning does with his splendors white." 
 
 "Now an altar fire with a new desire 
 
 Is kindled, flames and with passion burns. 
 From the higher spheres is a high inspire 
 So impassioned tense that our natures kneel 
 In the hush of a new and ascending lyre, 
 
 And another seal 
 Receive on our hearts to our joy and weal." 
 
 "It is peace and psalm; it is healing balm; 
 
 Repose and rest and another dream; 
 Till in some fixed hour the celestial calm 
 On its bosomed strength will enwrap my love; 
 For a moment than like a desert palm 
 
 Or a widowed dove, 
 I will mourn and wait for my call above." 
 
 "Where love is enthroned and forever 'oned. 
 
 In angel songs that are most divine. 
 Where the precious souls here a moment loaned 
 And diviner formed through the strifes that plow. 
 Where the love here lost is forever owned 
 
 Again we will bow 
 And again retake the eternal vow." 
 
 "Through the golden, green and the silver spheres 
 
 That beckon forth to the universe 
 We will travel on through eternal years. 
 I can hark and hear the immortals chime 
 A celestial song on the mortal ears, 
 
 Calling out of time 
 To mount up the planes of that married prime." 
 
 102 
 
"Oh forgive the scorn! Give, give me a place 
 
 In hearts and minds that forever love! 
 'Tis a glorious creed, 'tis a crowning grace 
 And a spring of hope in our blighted eartn. 
 May the loves all grow and their courses trace 
 
 With the higher mirth 
 Which the spirit finds with each new rebirth!" 
 
 THE SWEETEST OF THE SWEET. 
 
 A song, My Dear, fell on my heart 
 
 Too pure and ricn to die. 
 So it to you I now impart, 
 
 To others by and by. 
 
 The snows of three score happy years 
 
 Were lying on his head 
 But his high heart and twin soul spheres 
 
 With glowing fire was fed. 
 About him round were freely strown 
 
 The blessings of this life. 
 Were lands and gold and on a throne 
 
 Above them all a wife, 
 A wife that filled his growing heart 
 
 With life's immortal love. 
 With love that never can depart 
 
 But lifteth all above. 
 All, all his heart was given her. 
 
 Love never can withhold; 
 When giving self he did confer 
 
 The trifles of his gold. 
 
 It was bis joy to give his gifts. 
 
 And as to us the sun 
 Sends golden splendors through the rifts. 
 
 His blessings down did run. 
 And once a check to money street 
 
 He wrote out proud and bold: 
 Pay to "The Sweetetst of the Sweet 
 
 A hundred coins in gold." 
 
 In at the banker's window there 
 
 She passed it, and surprise 
 Fell on the banker in his care 
 
 And wonder on his eyes. 
 
 103 
 
"Why, this is strange! Unusual name! 
 
 •The Sweetest of the Sweet!' 
 The gentleman has here a claim 
 
 But who are you we greet?" 
 "Oh! I'm the 'Sweetest of the Sweet,' 
 
 And he's the best of men. 
 You need not fear for he will meet 
 
 The order of his pen." 
 "Well, sign your name here on the bade 
 
 I never go on trust, 
 liut in this case I'll leave the track 
 
 And trust you, for I must." 
 Sho took the pen and wrote her name 
 
 The name of Susan B., 
 And handed in with happy frame 
 
 The lines so plain to see. 
 He counted out the proper sum 
 
 And drew the check inside. 
 He stood a moment as if dumb 
 
 And then instinctive cried: 
 "Oh this won't do! We cannot pay 
 
 A cent to Susan B„ 
 We only pay our gold today 
 
 Unto the name we see." 
 So once again she took the pen 
 
 And signed it as was meet 
 And wrote down there for every ken. 
 
 The Sweetest of the Sweet." 
 So then he counted out the gold 
 
 Without a shade of doubt 
 And with a smile that volumes told 
 
 She slowly passed on out. 
 
 The banker dreamed of his old love 
 
 He lost so long ago, 
 Whose angel spirit winged above 
 
 And left him dark beIow^ 
 In all his clerks it kindled dreams 
 
 The purest of all life, 
 And maiden forms in radiant beams 
 
 Came as betrothed and wife. 
 They voted all that such a name 
 
 Was never in a bank; 
 It should be hnng up in a frame 
 
 As of the highest rank. 
 So it was framed and on the wall 
 
 It hangs above their heads 
 And mid the frenzied fiance thrall 
 
 A saving magic spreads. 
 
 104 
 
And I'm that old man's son, My Dear, 
 And you whom now I greet. 
 
 Her one successor and her peer, 
 "The Sweetest of the Sweet." 
 
 THE POETIC WIFE. 
 
 "Hello Tom! You're married now. 
 You are tight within the vow, 
 Can't he free without a row." 
 
 "I don't want to. 'Twas the best 
 
 I ever did. I am blest, 
 
 Drinking life with z'^al and zest." 
 
 "Well, I'm glad, and have you found 
 Some gold min^ or silver mound 
 Hidden in the sacred ground?" 
 
 "Not exactly, but as good; 
 Better than if so I should; 
 She inspires our humanhood." 
 
 "And besides she verses reads 
 And upon your singing feeds, 
 Sayings: 'Music spirit leads!'" 
 
 "She likes poets! Such a mate! 
 I am sorrow for your state. 
 You are tangled up wiih Fate." 
 
 "Fate was sore. In this disguise 
 Did deceive your heart and eyes. 
 Gave you of her kind the prize." 
 
 "There's a magget in her brain. 
 Cog has slipped out of its train. 
 There's a screw that needs a strain." 
 
 "Here's my kit. Th"s driver take! ! 
 Find that screw and though .-he shake 
 Send it 'home' just to the break." 
 
 "All right, Friend! I'll do just that. 
 I'll take off her bridal hat; 
 And that screw find in the fat." 
 
 105 
 
So he went and later when 
 
 I asked as we met igain 
 
 If the screw came to his ken. 
 
 "Sure! I went home and took her head, 
 
 Held it in a vice and said: 
 
 Til find and tm*n that screw up dead.' " 
 
 "Then I fingered round her bumps 
 As among rough stones and stumps 
 Till at last I cried out: 'Trumps!'" 
 
 "But the slot I could not fiid 
 Though I looked till nearly blind, 
 Then in rage I was unkind." 
 
 "Blind I took the driver head 
 Struck the bump to make it dead 
 Till it swelled up large and red." 
 
 "Good! You're the man just for a wife; 
 
 You'll be king and lord of life; 
 
 For your march we'll play the fife." 
 
 "Keep her at the height of prose 
 But below poetic glows. 
 Ask the poet for he knows." 
 
 "Keep, Oh keep her just between 
 Shadows and life's rainbow sheen, 
 Thoughtlessness and sorrow lean!" 
 
 "Let her read but never write 
 
 Life's poetic fancies bright 
 
 For the dreams both bless and blight!" 
 
 "Poetry is vanity, 
 In a wife urbanity. 
 In a man insanity." 
 
 "Oh! You are just a little sore, 
 But through Life has blindly tore 
 She through you adds to her score!" 
 
 "She has written out some thought 
 That to grief alone is taught 
 And the wise have ever bought." 
 
 106 
 
"Now and then strikes out s sound 
 That the soul in ooul has found 
 And to which musicians bound." 
 
 "Here and there has struck a line 
 That just veils the truth divine, 
 Beauty doth admire and pine." 
 
 "But the bump, the bump did break 
 And the maggot, screw or ache 
 To full freedom did awake." 
 
 "Now the wife not only likes 
 
 Poetry, but freely strikes 
 
 The lyric lyre as hammer spikes." 
 
 "She is full of song and fire, 
 Strikes each day a nobler t- re, 
 Mounting up in her desire." 
 
 "I go singing like a lord. 
 Always armored with a sword, 
 Fighting for a queen adored." 
 
 "Thank thee for the sage advice, 
 For old songs divine entice 
 Life and Love to paradise." 
 
 FAT MEDICLME. 
 
 Toin has a little girl as frail 
 
 i^nd fragile as a cloud, 
 What time they through the azure sail 
 
 As spotless as a shroud. 
 Her mortal frame could hardly claim 
 
 A spirit mould to be; 
 More like a dream for soul doth seem 
 
 So bodiless and free. 
 
 She weakness is and tenderness. 
 
 Just pallid flesh and bone; 
 A lily-flower of slenderness 
 
 By child play overthrown. 
 Oft ailing, sick ?nd feeling pain. 
 
 i^nd always weak and lean; 
 Her mortal race to woman's grace 
 
 In doubt i.-5 often seen. 
 
 107 
 
The doctor feeds her appetite 
 
 With medicine b' for fat; 
 Rut they have iciiled when besL applied. 
 
 As worthless this as that. 
 So, as often as the comes to me. 
 
 Or I to see her pine 
 I go and see and give her free 
 
 Some medicine cf mine. 
 
 I fold her in my bosom deep; 
 
 My kisses on Iiei' dart; 
 And with each kiss there is a I'^ap 
 
 Of something to her heart. 
 I kiss her o'er and o'er and o'er; 
 
 With every kiss there goes 
 A portion of the crimson store 
 
 With which love overflows. 
 
 Tlie pennies, toys and candies sweet 
 
 Are sandwiched in with kisses; 
 And when our hearts together beat 
 
 There is a glow of blisses. 
 "Oh Honey! this will make you fat; 
 
 This medicine is fine; 
 Just feed the doctor's to the cat 
 
 But take a lot of mine." 
 
 So by the medicine we all 
 
 Unto her freely give. 
 Just like a flower beside the wall 
 
 She gather3 strength to live. 
 And as to girlhood up she grows 
 
 She slowly leaves behind 
 The sickness, pain and mortal foes 
 
 That round her cradle twined. 
 
 Oh lovers, lovers, lover.^ glad! 
 
 No need to tell to you, 
 This medicine has ever had 
 
 A heart of crimson hue. 
 Ye both have found what doctors miss 
 
 A.nd wise men often scorn: 
 That love is life and in a kiss 
 
 Life's strength is often born. 
 
 Oh husband bare, behold her there! 
 Is she not growing lean, 
 
 lOS 
 
^\'ho once was young and fresh and fair 
 
 As eyes have ever seen? 
 Oh use this medicine of mine! 
 
 I'll wager you a hat 
 That she again vrill grow divine, 
 
 And you grow green and fat. 
 
 Oh wisdom, age and hoary time! 
 
 'Tis life and love and joy 
 Which kisses sweet but sets to rhyme 
 
 That saves us from destroy. 
 Your sorrow, greed and hate and scorn, 
 
 No strength can ever give. 
 Ye never kiss and always m.iss 
 
 The life by which we live. 
 
 Oh children, maidens, men and ail 
 
 Let us forever love! 
 Then heav'n itself will either fall 
 
 Or we ris<^ up above. 
 Oh love, oh love that never dies! 
 
 Oh love that overflows! 
 Within our bosoms gently rise 
 
 And feed these infant glows. 
 
 IS HE MARRIED' 
 
 Is he married? 
 
 That's the quest 
 That all women 
 
 Ask with zest 
 Of the poet 
 
 In the hour 
 Fame and honor 
 
 Round him flower. 
 
 "Sure, I'm married! 
 
 Have a wife 
 W^ho's the fountain 
 
 Of my life. 
 Virtue, beauty 
 
 and delight, 
 T.ike an angel 
 
 On my sight.'' 
 
 109 
 
'She's the glorv 
 
 Of her kind/ 
 More than morning 
 
 To my mind. 
 I could barter 
 
 All my pile, 
 Earth and heaven 
 
 For her smile." 
 
 "E'ach the other 
 
 Doth complete 
 Strong as granite; 
 
 Pure and sweet; 
 Both together 
 
 Are one soul; 
 Each the other 
 
 True doth pole.'^ 
 
 "If not married 
 
 How could I 
 Of this spirit 
 
 Sing and sigh? 
 Raise around her 
 
 Forms of life 
 Each one singing: 
 
 'To my Wife.'" 
 
 "Oh believe itr 
 
 I am wed. 
 Harnessed, happy. 
 
 Strong and red. 
 Wife and babies 
 
 Round me ring 
 And the lover 
 
 Can but sing." 
 
 "Don't believe it! 
 
 I'm alone, 
 Single, chainless 
 
 And my own. 
 Free from burden. 
 
 Care and strife 
 That's the dowry 
 
 With a wife." 
 
 "I am single, 
 Light and free, 
 
 110 
 
Like a dreamer. 
 
 Bird or tree; 
 Like a singer, 
 
 Sword or song, 
 Independent, 
 
 Bold and strong." 
 
 ""Was I married 
 
 Could I sing 
 These home measures 
 
 On the wing? 
 Who e'er married 
 
 And then found 
 Music, beauty 
 
 In him bound?" 
 
 *' 'Sang I single 
 
 Sweet of love; 
 To De married, 
 
 Heav'n above! 
 But when double 
 
 Then my harp 
 Sang of battle, 
 
 Strife was sharp.' " 
 
 "'Did a poet 
 
 E'er before 
 After married 
 
 Sing such lore? 
 In the marriage 
 
 Lovers die 
 And then changes 
 
 Song to sigh." 
 
 *'I am single, 
 
 Bright and free, 
 Fat and laughing, 
 
 Shine with glee; 
 Soaring, circling 
 
 Round and round. 
 As an eagle 
 
 Sunward bound." 
 
 "Don't believe it! 
 
 I've a wife 
 Crowned and sceptered 
 
 O'er my life. 
 
 Ill 
 
Sovereign empreot^ 
 Of my heart, 
 
 Radiant angel 
 Of my &rt." 
 
 INFLUENCE OF BAFY. 
 
 I've studied my dear baby girl 
 
 Since heav'n gave her to me: 
 When gazes her blue eyes in mine 
 
 Her little heart I see. 
 I've watched her many an evening hour 
 
 From play till bed time still. 
 Yet never in her crystal soul 
 
 Could see a trace oi ill. 
 
 When e'er I hold my little girl 
 
 Close up against my heart 
 A fountain warm and sweetest life 
 
 Within my soul doth start. 
 In rapturous joy and tenderness 
 
 I draw her closer still; 
 There's nought like her upon my breast 
 
 In this wide world of ill. 
 
 My tears oft bathe her lily brow 
 
 When sleeping on my heart, 
 Since then I feel from her pure soul 
 
 To mine she does impart 
 A sense of woeful chance and los.s. 
 
 Of evil, guilt and shame, 
 As I have soiled the spotless robes 
 
 In which I hither came. 
 
 Oh could I be as baby dear, 
 
 Pure as the driven snov/! 
 All that I have and am today 
 
 I gladly would forego! 
 I'd pass through seas of cleansing fire 
 
 If I might reach the shore 
 Which baby's feet are treading now 
 
 And I have trod of yore. 
 
 Oh Soul divine, for help I cry! 
 
 The world of sin I flee. 
 Oh make me as in years ago 
 
 When first I came iTom thee; 
 
 112 
 
Oh shed thy love within my soul! 
 
 That cleansing fire divine 
 Till in my heart again I ieel 
 
 Pure as this child of thine. 
 
 THE WHISTLING GIRL. 
 
 0)1 the whistling girl is the girl for mel 
 So happv, so ])right and so charmingly free! 
 With her heart n:ost full and an overflow 
 Like a crystal stream or the winds that blow. 
 
 A heart that is full of delirious life 
 Will unfold itself in harmonious strife; 
 Be a strange combine of a girl and a boy 
 And them both at. once in their wildest Joy. 
 
 The elements rich of the pure and free 
 Like the fountains burst in their gurgling glee; 
 And what a surprise that the heart of life 
 Thrcugh the maid should sing as a whistling tlfe! 
 
 ^\'e will name not now the piccolo notes 
 Which the instrument on the evening floats; 
 And the whistling breath of the artist's lips 
 Ma,/ the simple play of the maid eclipse. 
 
 Her notes may not rival the bird that mocks 
 The cage or the branch that her passion rocks; 
 Nor the piping sound of her sisters fair 
 Sliould we measure now with her artless air. 
 
 But the bristling pride of the neighbor's boy 
 She will often shame, and her bubbling joy 
 Will cast on the wind an echoing laugh, 
 That is borne av^ay like the flakes of chaff. 
 
 See the mother fret and the father scold 
 At the torn-boy girl and her nature bold, 
 For the fan-'ily line with its Icng uncurl 
 ^Vas never disgraced with a whistling girl. 
 
 And the uncles come and they smile or stare. 
 And the aunties come and are bowed with care. 
 .\nd the cousins come when they hear the fame 
 Of the whistling girl who is past all shame. 
 
 113 
 
The gossiping few that are always found, 
 Behold her and Lear and they gather round; 
 On the lips, the lips, what a burdened sigh! 
 Eui the heart and eye ihey are double dry. 
 
 Oh the whistling girl! Oh the whistling girl! 
 TIow the faded maid and the jilted churl, 
 7'urn the heart and ear that her unbefriend. 
 And whisper the story of some "bad end." 
 
 Oh leave her alone! Let her childish heart 
 Find a free express in all innocent art! 
 For a sight like that in a world like this 
 Were a parent's joy and a poet's bliss. 
 
 Oh leave her alone, for old Nature said 
 To such blighting souls whom the night had fed: 
 "The girls that whistle like hens that crow 
 WiU make their way wherever they go." 
 
 They will make their way as the birds that sing 
 After winter's blight in the happy spring 
 Make way with a song to our hungry ears 
 And open the fount of our healing tear.?. 
 
 Thev will make their way as the morning lark 
 Dcth rise from the vale and the shadows dark, 
 And above the hills in the sun's first rays 
 Unburdens her heart in delirious praise. 
 
 They will inake their way as a few stray notes 
 From a wife or a child or a loved one floats 
 On the heart of man, and the strength of life 
 Is engirded strong for the day of strife. 
 
 They will make their way as a sinless child 
 Can enter the heart of the sin defiled, 
 And banish the sorrow of long dark years 
 And inspire a Lope in the midst of fears. 
 
 They will make their way to the woman's years 
 With a grace beloved but seldom appears; 
 Both a heart and mind that is poised at rest 
 And in blessing all is the one most blessed. 
 
 They will make their way to a noble heart 
 And receiving it will the more impart; 
 
 114 
 
Boili a hope unknown and a faith divine 
 And a helping life that will upward twine. 
 
 Oh the whistling girl is the girl for nie 
 For the kind of fruit in the bud 1 seel 
 So, my song, go forth! Find the happy sprit 
 And for me her kiss to thy heart's deligni ; 
 
 THE WIFE'S NEW DRESS. 
 Husband reading. 
 
 "My clothe.s have just come home todav 
 
 You remember them, My Dear; 
 The boy just dropped them on his way 
 
 As springtime draweth near. 
 If you would like I'll go and dress; 
 
 Perhaps you'd like to see; 
 You always like my things no less, 
 
 Or little less than me." 
 
 "Oh yes, My Dear I I love to see 
 
 The birds of song and plume; 
 The flowers that spring doth open free 
 
 In beauty and perfume; 
 The rainbow daughters of the sky, 
 
 The white nymphs by the sea. 
 The spirits on the mountains high. 
 
 But what are they to thee?" 
 
 Wife goes to dress. 
 He continues reading. 
 She is coming down. 
 
 "Oh hush! Oh hush, my heart! Be still! 
 
 There's magic in the air! 
 A spirit which enchantments fill 
 
 Descends the golden stair. 
 The rustling stuff, the falling train, 
 
 And feet the carpet press — 
 Oh what a vision for the brain, 
 
 My wife in her new dress!" 
 
 "Well, well, My Dear! Is this yourself? 
 
 Why sure! I cannot see. 
 I thought it some poetic elf 
 
 Had come to visit me. 
 
 115 
 
I thought it was my old ideal 
 
 or fashion, honor, wealth, 
 Had come again my heart to steal, 
 
 But Oh! It is yourself." 
 
 "So this is then the famous dress 
 
 You often did rehearse. 
 The theme of praise and often guess 
 
 And sweet domestic verse? 
 Well! I declare! Your tailoress 
 
 Is some poetic life. 
 On Sunday in your hat and dress 
 
 rU hardly know my wife." 
 
 "Strange! Strange! Dress is a wondrous thing! 
 
 A little touch of dress 
 Can round a woman's nature fling 
 
 A man bewitchingness! 
 A little change, flow, ribbon, lace, 
 
 Cut, cloth or anything. 
 And man will dream an angel grace 
 
 Doth on his vision spring." 
 
 "Does it fit me?" "Does it fit you? 
 
 Oh! It fits you like a glove; 
 Or like the softest, neatest shoe, 
 
 Or aught that women love; 
 Or like the fit around the form 
 
 The mantle makers gown, 
 Or like the dress that makes a storm 
 
 Of envy in the town." 
 
 "The skirt has just a perfect line; 
 
 It fits the artist's eye. 
 Its drop and curve is certain sign 
 
 That grace for it will sigh. 
 Around thy handsome feet it makes 
 
 A charmed circle rare 
 And every motion seems to shake 
 
 Enchantments on the air." 
 
 "This arm and shoulder, is it tight? 
 
 Lift up and set it free! 
 Oh ! There it is. It's coming right 
 
 To just tlie shape, I see. 
 The back, there let me pull it down 
 
 And smooth it into place. 
 Well, by ray faith! You'd make a crown 
 
 For all the woman race." 
 
 116 
 
"How does it fit you round the breast 
 
 Tbe necli: sits like a charm. 
 The waist is tight as ever pressed 
 
 A lover's faithful arm. 
 But I'm no expert in this line; 
 
 To you how does it seem?" 
 ''Oh! I think the fit is just divine, 
 
 As good as I could dream." 
 
 ■"The tailoress is Madam B.; 
 
 And Madam B. you know, 
 Has poet eyes the grace to see 
 
 And hands the grace to show. 
 She said I looked just like a bride. 
 
 She said with eyes aglow: 
 'This dress and fit and soul inside. 
 
 Around the world could go.' " 
 
 ^'But Dear, I would not go a block 
 
 Unless with you I went; 
 Tn poverty and simple frock 
 
 With thee I'd be content. 
 But I am glad you like the dress; 
 
 It's half the fit to me 
 To have your eyes of happiness 
 
 Approve it as I see." 
 
 "'How do you like the cloth and shade? 
 
 "I like the stuff. It's good. 
 Our clothes should of the best be made 
 
 And serve the humanhood. 
 The men and w^omen who are cheap 
 
 Want shoddy, show and trash, 
 But nature's need and natures deep 
 
 Abhor the empty flash." 
 
 "I like the hue. All shades of blue 
 
 Are dear unto my heart. 
 And artist blue enfolding yon 
 
 Is more than all their art. 
 I never see a dress of blue 
 
 Move through the throng and din, 
 But what I wish a sky^soul true, 
 
 A soul like you within." 
 
 "If you would keep your husband's love, 
 The French say: 'Dress in white;' 
 
 But all the rainbow hues above 
 Are equal my delight. 
 
 117 
 
i like the white of wedding dress, 
 
 The red and gold and blue, 
 The violet and the raven tress, 
 
 I like them all on you." 
 
 "Well, I like blue and white the best; 
 
 When I am dressed in white 
 Unto myself I am a guest 
 
 And welcomed with delight. 
 Whenever I am dressed in blue 
 
 I feel that I am dressed 
 And like the azure skies we view 
 
 Bright, beautiful and blest." 
 
 "Now, how do I look?" "How do you look? 
 
 Oh! That's the question. Dear! 
 I thought that thought had gently took 
 
 A silent flight from here. 
 I did not think that in thy heart 
 
 Such question could be found; 
 But here it comes with sudden dart 
 
 And pop right from the ground." 
 
 "How do you look? How do you look? 
 
 Oh bring the looking glass! 
 How many glances have you took 
 
 With pose and turn and pass? 
 The full length looking glass upstair 
 
 And hand glasses as well. 
 If they could speak their visions fair 
 
 111 wager they could tell." 
 
 "You look just like a happy bird 
 
 When spring renews her plume; 
 Just like a flower that life has stirred 
 
 To full new opened bloom; 
 Just like a lover's perfect dream 
 
 Upon his heart and brain; 
 Just like a bride with joy supreme 
 
 When summer heavens rain." 
 
 "You look just like the soul I sought 
 
 When wandering and alone; 
 Just like the woman that wasi brought 
 
 Out of the far unknown; 
 Just like a lover that did bring 
 
 A blessing most divine; 
 Just like the wife of whom I sing: 
 
 'Mine! Mine! Oh only mine!' 
 
 118 
 
"You do not look as beauties loo"k; 
 
 They have what thou hast not; 
 But yonder star and flower and brook 
 
 Have lent to thee somewhat. 
 Through thee the angels of the blue 
 
 Upon my vision start; 
 You look just like a woman true, 
 
 You look just wbat thou art." 
 
 ^'There, there, My Heart! Both sad and glad 
 
 You make me with your song. 
 I fear these images you had 
 
 Cannot to me belong, 
 Well, well I know deep in my heart 
 
 I'm not what I should be; 
 But upward oft my spirits start 
 
 The life of life to see. ' 
 
 "You don't think it worldly, do you? 
 
 All worldly tbings I hate. 
 With all throned on tbe azure blue 
 
 You know my heart would mate. 
 The worldly, fashion, wanton dress, 
 
 Nor soul or God within. 
 It must, it must, it does express 
 
 A heart enslaved to sin." 
 
 "Do I think it worldly? No! No! 
 
 Is worldliness in things? 
 'Tis in the spirit deep below 
 
 And from within as springs; 
 In our sufficiency and pride 
 
 And idle vanity; 
 In motives where all ills abide 
 
 And self's insanity." 
 
 "The worlds are all created free. 
 
 In beauty most divine; 
 The very things we daily see 
 
 Were made to sing and shine. 
 Wear shape and hue and trim thy dress 
 
 With simple saving art; 
 If flower and bird are sinfulness. 
 
 Oh what is nature's heart!" 
 
 "Does such a thing lift up thy heart? 
 
 On poorer dress look down? 
 To this be true: does, does it start 
 
 On heav'n's face a frown? 
 
 119 
 
If such it does, the cure divine 
 Would not the dress displace; 
 
 Get down! Get down! Get down and pine 
 For deeper saving j?race!" 
 
 "Oh Beauty, Love and Life and Light 
 
 Behind the mortal veil! 
 Thy glory grows upon our sight 
 
 All up the finite scale. 
 Oh clothe her in the dress divine, 
 
 Thy Spirit's life and love! 
 The graces that with splendor shine 
 
 In earth and heaven above!' 
 
 AN OLD FASHIONED GEORGIA FATHER. 
 
 I stood within my cottage gate, 
 
 And well drawn in with fear and hate 
 
 Did watch the bully that did bait 
 
 The boys draw nigh. 
 There would he touch me? I did wait 
 
 Him passing by. 
 
 He stood and talked like any chap 
 But going, gave me such a slap 
 It sounded like a leather strap 
 
 And stung with pain, 
 I scarce the tears apon the rap 
 
 Could full restrain. 
 
 When supper did the table gown 
 My father nearly knocked me down, 
 And shame upon my brow did frown 
 
 When he would know 
 What I had done that then young Brown 
 
 Did strike me so. 
 
 "Nothing. He bullies all the boys. 
 To fight us seems his best of joys. 
 He's big and strong and makes a noise 
 
 And wants to fight 
 And knuckles on his fist employs 
 
 To make them bite." 
 
 Father stopped eating. His cheeks grew red; 
 His eyes grew blazing in his head; 
 
 120 
 
A mighty passion from its bed 
 
 Had sudden woke 
 And with all strength the furnace fed 
 
 Thus to me spoke: 
 
 "If in this town there is a man 
 That lays a hand on you I'll tan 
 His hide till black and blue. Now scan 
 
 The big and strong, 
 Your father dare to death the clan 
 
 To right your wrong." 
 
 "But if I see or ever hear 
 You are a coward in your fear 
 And take abuses from your peer, 
 
 And lie down base, 
 A coward, slave, shaking and sheer 
 
 Scab of disgrace," 
 
 "I'll thrash you till you oleed and bleed. 
 Your very bones will break, and lead 
 Your young soul out and to it feed 
 
 Till she IS fed 
 The thrashing you most certain need, 
 
 Thrashed aimost dead." 
 
 "Within your soul the man I'll find 
 Or you are not your father's kind. 
 A green peeled rod may swift unbind 
 
 The soul that lights 
 And matcheth with a heart and mind 
 
 Its manhood rights." 
 
 "I won't have you the cursed thing 
 That men will spit on, hate and fling 
 Out of their noble coldier ring. 
 
 Better the grave 
 For me and mine than hear men sing: 
 
 'His boy's a slave.' " 
 
 "Be peaceful, friendly, kind to all! 
 Defend the cripples, weak and small! 
 But front the bullies strong and tall. 
 
 Stand up and fight! 
 When there is no need stand to the wall 
 
 And land ii right!" 
 
 "To all the lengths of honor go 
 
 To keep the peace with friend and foe. 
 
 121 
 
But when dishonored, strike the blow! 
 
 Stand up and light! 
 Such men an iron fist can throw 
 
 Defending- right." 
 
 "A boy that is a boy of mine 
 And cannot front the firing line 
 For Liberty and Right divine 
 
 I'd shoot him dead. 
 
 Nor would a flower of memory ,shine 
 
 Above his head. ' 
 
 "Now in your case. He'll strike once more; 
 I'll watch and see. It will go sore 
 If with this high souled soldier lore 
 
 You do not sweep 
 And like a lion in his roar 
 
 Upon him leap." 
 
 Then he sat down. He could not eat. 
 I saw great sorrow on him seat; 
 But something in me rose in heat 
 
 And glowed in pride, 
 And father's soul did in me beat 
 
 And mine did ride. 
 
 It later came as you have gue,ssea. 
 I had to fight and did my best; 
 Both gave and took with equal zest 
 
 A beefsteak face, 
 That nature in a few days dressed. 
 
 But no disgrace. 
 
 I see my father was a man, 
 
 A royal chieftain of the clan. 
 
 And struck for me life's noblest plan, 
 
 I've yet to see 
 Of all that in the world I scan 
 
 Man more than he. 
 
 Straight was he, level, plumb and square. 
 The more a man the more laid bare, 
 A rich old fashioned soldier rare 
 
 Of nature'.s plan, 
 And she and Life speaks pointing there: 
 
 "That is a man." 
 
 122 
 
From that far day to this one here 
 I've never known the face of fear 
 But often paused and dropped a tear 
 
 To think how he 
 A double father without peer 
 
 Still marches me. 
 
 A CRADLE MEDITATION. 
 
 I sat beside a cradle child 
 
 My spirit silence keeping; 
 And silence near the undefiled 
 
 Is always wisdom reaping. 
 
 I gazed upon that nature new, 
 In sweetest slumber dreaming, 
 
 Like most of earthly things we view 
 Deceiving by its seeming. 
 
 Most helpless of all mortal births, 
 
 A mass of tissue living; 
 No promise of celestial worths 
 
 To aught but wisdom giving. 
 
 Nought, nought to sight but instincts low, 
 
 A pulse w^ith feeble beating, 
 A struggle with a mortal foe 
 
 And nature's cry repeating. 
 
 But grant some years, some terms at school, 
 Some days of work and sorrow; 
 
 Behold the growth! What double rule 
 To measure shall we borrow? 
 
 But grant some struggle, toil and strife 
 
 Deep cutting in the spirit. 
 And all that know the grow^th of life 
 
 Will even now" revere it. 
 
 Down to the deep, up to the height, 
 
 From this soft smiling pillow. 
 Will pas,s the powers that bless or blight 
 
 As billow after billow. 
 
 Here jester's laugh and gossip talk 
 High thinking may be scorning. 
 
 123 
 
And spirit-death spread as they walk 
 Upon the sons of morning. 
 
 Or poetry from these sweet lips 
 May pour her deathless singing. 
 
 Beyond the ages thts eclipse, 
 Its echoes onward ringing. 
 
 Perhaps a deep satanic hate 
 Has burst its chains asunder; 
 
 Now by contagion, pov/er and fate 
 Draws earth to darkness under. 
 
 Or heaven's gift, incarnate love 
 Has passed the golden portal, 
 
 Descending from the neart above 
 To make man more immortal. 
 
 Here powers may be of unbelief, 
 
 The spirit of all cnrses, 
 Wide scatt'ring, what a harvest sheaf? 
 
 Her loud blaspheming verses. 
 
 Or there may be a faith sublime, 
 
 A column heaven reaching; 
 Around which other souls may climb 
 
 The summit of their teaching. 
 
 Perhaps destructive 'genius vast 
 May shake the social order, 
 
 And ruin spread on spirit blast 
 From border unto border. 
 
 Or dynasties may here be born 
 Of love and light and splendor, 
 
 All rising beautiful as morn 
 Around their chief defender. 
 
 A flaming conscience with the weight 
 
 Of life and death upon her 
 May God, eternity and fate 
 
 By guilt and fear dishonor. 
 
 This conscience may be saved from fear, 
 
 A girded law and duty; 
 Redeemed by love, orb to a sphere, 
 
 A universal beauty. 
 
 124 
 
Perhaps a most unbridled lust, 
 Earth's vilest, strongest passion, 
 
 May lizard-like eat serpent dust 
 And life from love 'jnfashion. 
 
 Or else a gi'anite purity, 
 
 Like snowy mountains yonder 
 
 May breast the greatest curse we see 
 Where Love and Life may wander. 
 
 Up to the height, down to the deep, 
 
 To God himself or devils, 
 These potencies and powers will leap 
 
 In worships or in revels. 
 
 It may not be in the.se extremes 
 These gifts shall be unfolden; 
 
 But who may stay these doubtful dreams 
 Unbodied but beholden? 
 
 Yet some of these shall surely be; 
 
 This is a new creation; 
 A passion from eternity, 
 
 A spirit for a station. 
 
 *Tis acting now and soon will act 
 
 In new maturer glory. 
 Its every breath doth deed com])act 
 
 And feeds another story. 
 
 Yes! More than this. Forever more, 
 
 No never ending ages 
 Can lose or hold the neM^ outpour 
 
 This frame so feeble cages. 
 
 Within itself while ages pass 
 
 All powers and states win strengthen; 
 Within itself as in a glass 
 
 A character will lengthen. 
 
 Within itself will grow and grow 
 
 The image most divinest; 
 Within itself will clearer show 
 
 Which selfishness enshrinest. 
 
 Out of itself an influence strong 
 Shall burn on growing numbers; 
 
 Life grows and grows through ages long 
 When we are in our slumbers. 
 
 125 
 
As stones cast into seas asleep 
 Start circles wider swelling; 
 
 Through water, air and ether deep 
 They pass beyond our tellin?;. 
 
 So spirits of eternity 
 
 Start through and feeling flowing; 
 Their circles widen on the sea, 
 
 Go, going, going, going. 
 
 It is a solemn thing to die. 
 
 More solemn to be living; 
 To other souls that onv/ard fly. 
 
 Our good or evil giving. 
 
 Now which of these shall surely bs 
 
 Is mother in thy being, 
 Within thy hope, thy purity; 
 
 Thy wisdom and far seeing. 
 
 It lives within a moral love. 
 In purpose soul-ward yearning, 
 
 In faith that holds the truth above 
 These selfish greeds so burning. 
 
 Some mothers never wak( to God, 
 Nor find their noblest mission; 
 
 Be wise! Be wise! Spirits unawed 
 Must learn by sad fruition. 
 
 Some mothers dream the wicked dreams 
 Of fashion, fame and pieasure; 
 
 Be wise! Be wise! Revere the gleams 
 Around life's priceless treasure. 
 
 Some mothers rave of large spheres 
 
 Till others heed the story; 
 Be wise! Be wise! Before the years 
 
 Of shame eclipse the glory. 
 
 Oh mother, mother, bow thee down! 
 
 In silence seek the vision 
 That all the highest virtues crown 
 
 And leads life to elysian! 
 
 Oh mother, mother, bow thee down! 
 
 Make thou the corsecration 
 Unto the ends that glorious gown 
 
 The soul with domination! 
 
 126 
 
Oh mother, mother, bow thee down! 
 
 Choose honor, truth and duty! 
 Though life and selfishness ma: frown, 
 
 All heaven smiles in beauty. 
 
 Then to thy sons and daughters round 
 
 Thy spirit full unfreeing, 
 The virtues that from such abound 
 
 Redeem and grace all being. 
 
 As thou hast brought, so thou must feed 
 And guide the infant mortal , 
 
 And what thou art shall surely lead, 
 Oh lead them high and courtal! 
 
 BOYHOOD'S HOME. 
 
 I wish I were a boy again 
 
 In childhood's happy home' 
 I see it perfect in my ken. 
 
 Though far from it I roam. 
 The house stands yonder on the hill. 
 
 The garden and the flowers, 
 With cosy rooms and rest to kill 
 
 My daily wearied powers. 
 Though poor it had a sweet content, 
 
 A pleasure, hope and peace, 
 For heav'n had round about it lent 
 
 Good health with largest lease. 
 Oh home, thou art of earth most blest! 
 
 Thou art the nearest heav'n! 
 And more to-day, since this lost heart 
 
 Beats on through night and levin. 
 I've passed to here from place to place; 
 
 From house to house depart; 
 But never found the happy grace 
 
 That makes thee what thou art. 
 For years and years I've wandered round; 
 
 I live but have no home; 
 I seek, but never yet have found 
 
 The place for which I roam. 
 How often through nignt's lighted panes 
 
 Thy image springs on me! 
 What love! What peace! What happy strains: 
 
 Who has not longed for thee? 
 I envey not the rich and great 
 
 Their gifts of power and place; 
 
 127 
 
The poor man's more than royal state 
 
 Of home I would embrace 
 I wish I were a boy again! 
 
 I'm weary with life's roam^ 
 I wish my heart could rest as when 
 
 It did in boyhood's home! 
 
 DRINK HER HEALTH. 
 
 \cross the startled screaming page 
 
 In letters crimson red, 
 A message ran that all did scan: 
 
 "Miss Helen Gould will wed." 
 Then Life looked up and softly smiled: 
 
 "I'm glad. I hope its true. 
 I hope the man that has enwiled 
 
 h' manhood through a ad through." 
 
 "There's multitudes of womankind, 
 
 Indifferent, bad and good. 
 From some I turn, to some am blind 
 
 But worship womanhood. 
 And she's a woman I can swear; 
 
 So here within the strife, 
 There's something springs and in me sings. 
 
 To such a Queen of lif^." 
 
 'Unseen and silent, constant, wise. 
 
 Her kindness has been sown, 
 Like benedictions on the sighs 
 
 Compassion made her own. 
 Their mortal sorrows she has shared, 
 ^ Soft dressed the wounded heart, 
 And from her alabaster bared 
 
 A woman's healing art." 
 
 "Her kindness comes to me and mine. 
 
 And kindness is more balm 
 Than medicine or treasures fine 
 
 Or summer sun and palm. 
 To Time she is an honored guest; 
 
 Need will embalm her name; 
 This word will wake in many a breast 
 
 A skyward mounting flame." 
 
 "Dark slander whispers 'she is old,' 
 We know that she is good. 
 
 128 
 
A woman more the highest hold 
 
 Than rainbow maidenhood. 
 Goodness is beauty, perfume sweet, 
 
 That never groweth old. 
 And rare. Oh rare doth goodness meet 
 
 With such a wealth of gola!" 
 
 •Let Labor's sons pause in their toil! 
 
 Pause ye of higher rank! 
 Now pluck a flower and let the dowser 
 
 Her wedding pathway prank! 
 Now lift a glass of royal wine, 
 
 Hope,s, blessings, songs and sighs; 
 Now drink her health and wish the wealth 
 
 Of God's protecting skies!'' 
 
 THE LOVERS' PATHWAY. 
 
 From our birth to yonder portal 
 Is a pathway high anl courtal. 
 Spacious, stretching and as golden 
 As the dreams divine beholden; 
 Is a course as rich and glorious 
 As for princes w-hen victorious 
 And the way is arched and splendid 
 As the pageantries e'er wended; 
 Is a street as clad with glory 
 As the classic exploits uoary 
 And forever there advances 
 Morning in all song and dances. 
 
 On each side are noble mansions, 
 Palaces with rich expansions, 
 Marble structures, dome and column, 
 Halls and courts in grandeur solemn ; 
 There is majesty reposing, 
 Beauty her abode disclosing, 
 And within them is the garnish 
 That no dust or shadows tarnish; 
 Books and statues, music, splendor 
 And high pageantry attender 
 For those spirits great and loyal 
 On the peaks of life so royal. 
 
 Gardens, Avalks and lawns and bowers 
 Bloomed and brightened are with flowers, 
 
 129 
 
With such rainbow colors streaming: 
 As sets soul in magic dreaming-. 
 There the birds with lyric measures 
 Quicken with soul piercmg pleasures 
 And sweet winds are ever winging. 
 Spicy, winelike perfumes flinging. 
 There the azure panting arches 
 Splendors life in all its marches 
 And these humans crimson glowing 
 Seem immortals in their going. 
 
 On that avenue are pas,sions 
 That anew creates and fashions 
 Common souls to angel measures 
 And old nature low retreasures. 
 Here are felt the vital pulses - 
 Like an earthquake that convulses; 
 Brings from selfishness a mortal 
 That could grace high heaven's portal; 
 Shuffling off all that cebases, 
 Born into diviner races; 
 In the dewy dawn of morning 
 Souls are walking with adorning. 
 
 There are passing youths and maidens 
 To and from far sunny aidens. 
 Strong as is the soul of duty. 
 Fair as is the light of beauty, 
 Tall as is the shaft that towers, 
 Warm as is the rose that flowers. 
 Swift as is the brightning levin, 
 Pure as is the azure heaven, 
 Marching in heroic armor. 
 Singing like a siren charmer, 
 They are now each other meeting 
 With romances on their greeting. 
 
 There it is. Soul lightnmg dashes; 
 Spirit into spirit flashes 
 Sparks contagious, burning, flaming, 
 Flesh consuming, being claiming; 
 Passions that are white and glowing. 
 Bursting, bounding, overflowing, 
 Rising, soaring, circling, swinging. 
 Songs of drunken rapture flinging. 
 For the soul within the maiden 
 Finds the god that makes her aiden 
 And life's granite strength the barest 
 Finds his goddess pure and fairest. 
 
 130 
 
They are off in love's romances, 
 Dizzy in tlieir courtship dances 
 'Neatli the starry moonlight splendor 
 That invites the passions tender. 
 Now are whispered high profe.ssions 
 And diviner breathed expressions; 
 Now both heav'n and earth are ringing, 
 Both their hearts like Vouncains springing 
 And the rapture of that passion 
 Casts on both a glorious fashion. 
 
 There are pledges strong as heaven, 
 Oaths defying life and levJn; 
 Change and time and all that sever 
 Shall divide them never, never. 
 Now the two no more are single 
 Each doth with the other mingle; 
 Love a spirit most divinest 
 In a single soul enshrinest 
 And the ocean currents tidal 
 Float them toward the alt? r bridal. 
 
 There is now the rich embraces 
 That the wine of life uncases; 
 Both are giving, taking kisses 
 Of unfathomed plumbless blisses. 
 Yes, some happy tears are stealing 
 And the love supremely sealing. 
 Now a silence doth them folden 
 Silence saving, sweet and golden, 
 With some touches of that sorrow 
 Purest love and joy must borrow. 
 
 Down from heav'n's highest mountain^i, 
 Up from earth's most central fountains, 
 Stream as boundless as the ocean 
 Currents quick'ning with emotion. 
 In the mind such thought arises 
 As the soul supreme surprises, 
 Worlds on worlds the spirit hailing 
 As are cut the curtains veiling. 
 In the will there comes a master 
 That ne'er knows nor dre':.ms disaster; 
 Wholly living in the vision 
 Fear seems like insane derision. 
 
 Now idealists and dreamers, 
 Recreators and reschemers 
 
 131 
 
Up are rising, and their duty 
 Is to fill that way with beauty; 
 So the poets all are singing; 
 Rich musicians music flirging; 
 Sculptors carving statues courtal; 
 Painters making scenes immortal; 
 Geniuses in march victorious 
 On the crest of being glorious 
 Make that pathway like the glory 
 That was never sung in story. 
 
 She is shining with adorning 
 Like an angel in the morning; 
 Spirit orbing out in beauty 
 Like a radiant love or duty; 
 Fountains bursting, foaming, Hinging 
 Sunlike smiles and vernal singing. 
 Happy, happy, happy maiden! 
 Now thy heart has found its aiden; 
 Thou art on the peak of being 
 Life and love are full unfreeing. 
 
 He is standing up^ like gra>iite ; 
 Poised and balanced as a planet; 
 Going forth as like a master 
 That brings victory from disaster. 
 Thinking like the elemental, 
 Straight through every incidental; 
 Acting like a sword descending 
 And all knotted tangles rending; 
 Coming as a conscious honor 
 That wears truth and power upon her. 
 
 Go your way! Still onward travel! 
 Ye can make the roadside gravel, 
 City, forest, mountain winding. 
 Strife paved paths and circles grinding. 
 All divine and rich and splendid 
 As the dreams have ever wended. 
 Thou and she in love immortal 
 Make a pathway prime and courtal. 
 Round and on all free creating 
 Forms with love and pleasure mating. 
 
 132 
 
THE PROPOSAL. 
 
 Miss Bright, 
 
 "fis time that I should speak my heart, 
 
 Time, time the truth were said! 
 The message from me must depart, 
 
 Desire is crimson red. 
 Where e'er I am your image fair 
 
 Doth on my vision rise. 
 Forever coming up the way 
 
 An angel on my eyes. 
 
 When I lie down to sleep at night 
 
 I cannot sleep for pain; 
 Your presence with a sweet delight 
 
 Walks up and down my brain. 
 If I should miss the jo\ and sleep 
 
 A dream doth on me dart, 
 A shining dream in rainbow gleam 
 
 Rides up and down my heart. 
 
 When 1 rise up to front the sun, 
 
 The sun I cannot see; 
 The golden splendors that are spun 
 
 But introduces thee. 
 When I come home again at night 
 
 It is not night to me; 
 Thy presence is a world of light 
 
 Where morning glories be. 
 
 Away down in the crowded mcrts 
 
 Where interest blinds the eyes, 
 T-^ere, there your angel image darts 
 
 And all my spirits rise. 
 The crowdest corner of the town 
 
 I stopped at running pace; 
 How could I so deceive my Sight! 
 
 I thought it was your face. 
 
 A telescope upon the street, 
 
 I paid to take a view; 
 The man that owns the moon, Oh sweet! 
 
 I saw not him but you. 
 I looked upon the brightest star 
 
 That heaven lends to sight. 
 And even at that distance far 
 
 I saw your soul of light. 
 
 133 
 
I drew my watch to see the time, 
 
 Forgot the what and wny; 
 For there were you, Oh soul of thyme! 
 
 Right there before my eye. 
 Yes! Even in the looking glass 
 
 I cannot see myself; 
 I see a queen but seldom .-een, 
 
 A soul of priceless wealth. 
 
 There's not a woman in the crowd 
 
 Eut brings you up to view, 
 And brings you up so I am proud 
 
 And strong and glad and true. 
 I see you in the rainbow flowers, 
 
 In birds that fly and sing, 
 In poet's books and natures Dowers 
 
 And almost everything. 
 
 'Tis strange! Oh strange! Oh passing .strange! 
 
 I see you everywhere. 
 All that I see to you they change 
 
 My magic, rich and rare. 
 My eyes by magic sure are bound; 
 
 I cannot think or see; 
 There's naught for sight in all around 
 
 Eut thee and only thee. 
 
 Is not the writing shining clear? 
 
 Do not the fates say: "Wed!" 
 Canst thou not see, canst ihou not hear 
 
 What heart to heart has said? 
 Oh haste, oh haste the happy day! 
 
 Haste, haste the hour divine! 
 'Twere heav'n to see or hear you say: 
 
 "Come! See me! I am thine." 
 
 1 our own. 
 
 "RUB ME AND I'LL SMELL." 
 
 A little girl with eyes of blue 
 
 And curly locks of gold. 
 With cheeks and lips of ruddy hue 
 
 And heart that riches hold. 
 Dwells in my home, 
 And of her tricks that fairies mix 
 
 I dream where e'er I roam. 
 
 184 
 
She has a green and scentless flower 
 
 Called "Rub me and I'll smell;" 
 V/bich none wciild ever dream had power 
 
 A spirit truth to tell. 
 From its rough bed 
 She plucks and smiles with happy wiles 
 
 And holds up to my head. 
 
 "Smell! Smell!" she cries. When heavy breath 
 
 I draw to it unclose, 
 She rubs and crushes it to death 
 
 All in and round my nose; 
 But then the dower 
 So hidden long with perfume strong 
 
 Doth vitalize the hour. 
 
 Then quick a dream springs on my heart; 
 
 "The child is like the flower, 
 Ui'.conscious holding to impart 
 
 A purer spirit dower; 
 And thou shall find 
 High treasures fine as rich as wine 
 
 Her spirit will unbind." 
 
 I fold her deep into my heart. 
 
 My strong arms fold her tight; 
 My manhood strength to her could part 
 
 The fullness of its might; 
 But not a hair 
 Of that pure sprite, my chief delight. 
 
 Could find a danger there. 
 
 1 rub the pansy velvet cheek, 
 
 Ears, brow and dimpled chin 
 Against my face, and thus would seek 
 
 The virtues soul would win. 
 I instant feel 
 A s-omething breaks, a sometiiing wakes 
 
 As both our souls unseal. 
 
 I rub the flaxen flossy broAv 
 
 And her full face would win 
 Against the grov/th a day has fed 
 
 To bearded cheek and chin. 
 She struggles hard; 
 With cry and j^ant she does enchant 
 
 The spirit of the bard, 
 
 135 
 
Then lip to lip, Oh lip to lip! 
 
 Forever live the kiss! 
 LoAes yovmg and old will on the trip 
 
 /: nd greener brow with bliss. 
 I feel a flow 
 Of life divine for which I pine 
 
 And seek for most below. 
 
 I feei a summer fountain stream, 
 Pure, sun-kissed, sweet and soft. 
 
 Break in my bosom like a dream 
 And springeth up aloft; 
 As if a fount 
 
 Doth sudden burst to feed my thirst 
 And to the skies doth mount. 
 
 Such fervent kiss of purest love! 
 
 Such dewT crystal joy! 
 Su.Vn innocence white as a dove! 
 
 Such faith without alloy! 
 All start a flow 
 Of love and life upon the strife 
 
 Of sin and guilt and woe. 
 
 Again still deeper in my heart 
 
 I fold her in and kiss 
 But lesser bless than I am blest 
 
 And rising in my bliss. 
 Oh who could dream 
 That from a child to age defiled 
 
 Such blessing could unstream? 
 
 Oh what a flow of saving life 
 
 Is gathered up in thee, 
 For husband,, home and happy wife. 
 
 Faith, love and purity! 
 O'er mortal days, 
 Up to the height of vision bright 
 
 Thou dost our spirits raise. 
 
 The hearts that are the best on earth, 
 
 The deepest, most divine. 
 Rejoicing with the purest mirth 
 
 And drinking living wine. 
 Through infant hearts 
 Into their breast is fed the best 
 
 The Oversoul imparts. 
 
 136 
 
May this rich, sweet and virtuous life 
 
 That all the younger hold. 
 Pour out the wealth of spirit health 
 
 In ours so growing cold! 
 May all all give 
 And young and old their hearts unfold 
 
 And thus forever live! 
 
 "CUDDLE DOON." 
 
 Beyond the salt and savory sea 
 
 The heatherland we find, 
 Where men are straight and strong and free 
 
 And women true and kind. 
 The mothers sing a cradle song 
 
 And nature gives the tune; 
 Hark! Across the sea it rides along: 
 
 "Oh bairnie, cuddle doon!" 
 
 Long, long ago in that far land 
 
 A mother hushed her child, 
 And with a soft caressing hand 
 
 Soothed life's first tumult wild. 
 With love's divine first overflow 
 
 That doth with hope commune 
 She sang with tones men never luiew: 
 
 "Oh bairnie, cuddle doon!" 
 
 In after days in this new world 
 
 Amid the strife of years, 
 By change and grief most strangely w^hirled 
 
 And often blind with tears, 
 More soft and richer grew the strain 
 
 As strange lands weary soon. 
 And Scotland dreamed in each refrain: 
 
 'Oh bairnie, cuddle noon! 
 
 And I, the oldest of that flock. 
 
 The others loved to nurse; 
 And oft the cradle glad did rock 
 
 With snatches of old verse. 
 This was the strain I loved the best 
 
 For magic like the moon 
 Sung in my song and brain and breast: 
 
 "Oh bairnie, cuddle doonl" 
 
 . 137 
 
As I grew up I often smiled 
 
 To look on life's best dream. 
 Mother and child so undefiled 
 
 Where blackest shadows stream. 
 What happy, happy dreams arose 
 
 Round life like bridal June' 
 And soft we sang at evening's close: 
 
 "Oh bairnie, cuddle doon! 
 
 When passsd the bright poetic days 
 
 Of boyhood, school nnd dream, 
 Life bore me to the crowded ways 
 
 Where evils teem and teem. 
 'Twas there I learned to see and hear 
 
 A greater mother croon 
 O'er many tired and worn and sere: 
 
 "Oh bairnie, cuddle doon!" 
 
 As round and round earth's selfish round 
 
 I've traveled I have seen 
 These mortals bled with many a wound 
 
 Or worn by slavery lean; 
 Oft like them bleeding, sold and blind 
 
 And my ideals hewn, 
 I often heard from memory kind: 
 
 "Oh bairnie, cuddle doon!" 
 
 I'm often worn and tired with life. 
 
 Rebellious, fierce and wild, 
 Too tangled in chaotic strife. 
 
 Too earthly and defiled. 
 Oft as I smother down the sigh 
 
 I would to slumber swoon; 
 And oft could wish to hear her cry: 
 
 "Oh bairnie, cuddle aoon!" 
 
 The old, old mother kind and dear 
 
 Upon us all doth weep; 
 The sweet old song falls on the ear 
 
 And hums us fast asleep. 
 I shall lie down to rest ere long; 
 
 It is late afternoon; 
 Then may I hear the mother's song: 
 
 "Oh bairnie, cuddle doon!" 
 
 If after I have gone to sleep 
 
 I dream and roll and moan 
 By those great fears that on us creep 
 
 As here we walk alone, 
 
 138 
 
Ot may the Nurse so true and Idnd 
 Sing soft the old old tune! 
 
 And on my troubled soul unwind: 
 "Oh balrnie, cuddle doon!" 
 
 OH LOVE OF GOD COME IN! 
 
 Oil love of God! Oh love of Godi 
 
 The only love that lives 
 In this cold earth and flows abroad 
 
 Nought getting, ever gives; 
 Behold the world, its strife and greed. 
 
 Its babble tongues and din! 
 Thou art its first, last, only need; 
 
 OJi love of God come in! 
 
 All round are hearts of ice and stone. 
 
 Hard, cold and dead and lost; 
 Bv life and death forever throwTi, 
 
 And farther from Thee tossed; 
 Sbali these about Thee never dream 
 
 But still grow worse in sin?- 
 That thou through us on them may stream 
 
 01 love of God come in! 
 
 If filled with Thee, for them we live 
 
 Ah thou dost live for thine; 
 Then we our gilts and self can give. 
 
 Our lives for theirs resign. 
 No service work love e'er withholds 
 
 What e'er men are or been; 
 The worse they are the more unfolds. 
 
 Oh love of God come in! 
 
 Thou hast for them high heaven's sight; 
 
 Her time and strength are thine: 
 Thou hast the power, thou hast the right 
 
 To make the worst divine. 
 Thou hast the faith that dares to claim; 
 
 The prayers that always win; 
 The vital message full of flame, 
 
 Oh love of God come in! 
 
 Oh love of God! Oh love of God! 
 
 Spring in our hearts and flow! 
 Thiough all the earth he spread abroaa 
 
 And all toward heaven grow! 
 
 139 
 
May thousands by each life be won. 
 
 Joined more to thee than kin; 
 To sing the song thou nasi begun, 
 
 Oh love of God come in! 
 
 AN OLD FASHIONED HOME FLOWEK, 
 
 See yon hollyhocks so shining! 
 . ,^ . All are signing 
 My past youth. I now remember 
 
 And an ember 
 Of my fifty years departed 
 
 Is rehearted. 
 Now by mem'ry soul is glowing 
 
 And is going 
 
 From the snowing 
 Of my winter bare and olden 
 To my springtime glad and golden. 
 
 There the hollyhocks are standing. 
 
 Sight commanding, 
 Higher than the fences towering 
 
 And all flowering 
 With rich bell-like forms and flinging 
 
 Light and singing 
 To my dreams, and soul inviting 
 
 With delighting 
 
 So exciting 
 That the garden I did enter 
 To its living soul and center. 
 
 'Twas the old old world in fashion 
 
 But with passion 
 Sweeter, purer, whiter, flner 
 
 And diviner 
 Than the modern soul of science 
 
 With defiance 
 Of old nature's simple glory 
 
 And the story 
 
 That is hoary 
 But as new as in the morning 
 In her beauty of adorning. 
 
 Round it hollyhocks were standing. 
 Guards commanding; 
 
 140 
 
Soldierlike in, armor shining, 
 
 All aligning; 
 Tall high spearmen round the border 
 
 Keeping order; 
 Close together shelter forming 
 
 From the storming, 
 
 Giving warning 
 \V(»icomes to the kindly stranger, 
 Others halting like a danger. 
 
 On those tap'ring stalks parental 
 
 Opened gentle 
 Singles of a snowy whiteness. 
 
 Waxy dightness; 
 Doubles of a fringing splendor 
 
 Full and tender; 
 Others pink and dark and golden 
 
 Did unfolden 
 
 As of olden 
 Rcauty full her soul unbarest, 
 ^Vhen the simplest then the fairest. 
 
 Often then those four-leaved flowers 
 
 In those bowers, 
 On the bee in search of honey. 
 
 From the sunny 
 Splendors shining I enfolded. 
 
 Tight did hold it 
 While her buzzing set me thrilling, 
 
 Feeling filling. 
 
 Kindness killing 
 As I dreamed of her sharp stinging 
 Just the moment 1 ceased clinging. 
 
 Often when sweet auntie planted, 
 
 Full enchanted 
 I roamed round the flowers enhancing, 
 
 Fairly dancing,, 
 Singing, smiling, drinking blessing 
 
 Past expressing; 
 Dreaming, Oh such dreams of gladness 
 
 That the sadness, 
 
 Strife and madness 
 That has since then drove insanest 
 Soul had not a touch the vainest! 
 
 141 
 
Gicc a tap'ring stem full flowered. 
 
 One that towered 
 Aurtie gave me, and then partial 
 
 To the martial, 
 Like a soldier in his glory. 
 
 With his story, 
 Like a rainbow colored banner 
 
 In the manner 
 
 Heroes fan her, 
 I around and round paraded 
 And the outer world invaded. 
 
 When those hollyhocks were blooming 
 
 Unassuming 
 I could see all fairy creatures 
 
 And their features; 
 Saw the gauzy spirits smiling 
 
 And beguiling; 
 Saw them step as from a palace; 
 
 Or with chalice 
 
 Void of malice 
 Drink the dewy liquid morning 
 That renewed them with adornmg. 
 
 When those hollyhocks went swinging 
 
 They sent singing 
 Such a music, such a measure, 
 
 Soft with pleasuree 
 That the light harmonic catches 
 
 Were but snatches 
 Of an airy softer noting 
 
 Fairies floating 
 
 Sing when doting 
 On each other, and I listened 
 Till mine eye like dew drops glistened. 
 
 Those old hollyhocks domestic 
 
 Are majestic 
 YvMth old nature's simple glory, 
 
 And a story 
 Of just common loves and lovers 
 
 Ever hovers 
 Over them and makes them splendid, 
 
 Train attended, 
 
 Warm defended 
 By the love fhat seasoned passions 
 Have for nature's homely fashions. 
 
 142 
 
^.Vlier these hollyhocks are shining. 
 
 All this signing 
 Is it strange they cut asunder 
 
 Soul from plunder, 
 And lead back into the golden 
 
 Time of olden, 
 V,'hen a, boy and free from sorrow 
 
 I could borrow 
 
 Hopes tomorrow 
 And could live in dreams of magic 
 ^Ahich are lost in life so tragic? 
 
 MOTHER'S DAY. 
 
 The "Mother's Day!" The "Mother's Day!" 
 
 Fix, fix it in the nation! 
 Out carve the place, the bases lay 
 
 And raise it up in station. 
 The mothers are the living souls 
 
 Of every great creation. 
 Man, life and love and ail that poies 
 The "Mother's Day" will hail with high elation. 
 
 GJad Nature bids the royal day 
 Forth from her gates of splendor; 
 
 The azure arches span ^he way; 
 Bright sunny hours attend her; 
 
 All heav'n and earth, morn, noon and night 
 Behold and glad commend her: 
 
 Great Life in her ideal right 
 To "Mother's Day" is champion and defender. 
 
 The platform, press and stage and lyre 
 
 Now trumpet forth a measure 
 That bideth man from mad desire 
 
 To take a moment's leisure. 
 "Oh heart, out of the heart of fire 
 
 Bring forth a royal treasure! 
 Think on the day and like a choir 
 The "Mothers' rcund and sing with royal p-casure! 
 
 "Oh stop the mad pursuit of gold ! 
 
 Fan up home altar embers! 
 Tear off life's tissues fold by fold 
 
 Till memory full remembers! 
 
 143 
 
In place and power and wealth and mirth, 
 
 In storms and black Novembers, 
 In all the changes of the earth 
 The 'Mothers' true can never know Decembers." 
 
 "Was not the Mother unto thee 
 
 The first and noblest giver? 
 Has not her love been flowing free 
 
 With fulness like a river?, 
 The sword that cuts the wounds we see 
 
 In her own bosom quiver. 
 Did thou need one to die for thee 
 The 'Mother heart' most in.^tant would deliver," 
 
 "The richest fountains of all life 
 
 Are in the 'Mother' flowing; 
 Through all the years of change and strife, 
 
 As at thy birth .still glowing. 
 Look up! Look up! Canst thou not see 
 
 The glory Life is showing? 
 Is not the 'Mother' unto thee 
 All nobler loves revealing and uestowing?" 
 
 "Right in thy eyes love's true ideal 
 
 Is like an angel shining;' 
 Within and round this earthly real. 
 
 Life's saving lights are twining. 
 Loth that above and that below 
 
 Feeds soul a sacred pining; 
 Eoth life and love now purer grow 
 For 'Mothers' nurse the virtues life divining." 
 
 "Ye mem'rie£. rich of mind and h-^art, 
 
 • To virtues ye are rising; 
 
 Deep piercing greed and mme and mart, 
 
 All life ye are revising. 
 Success and wealth and place and power, 
 
 Ye see through their disguising, 
 And leaping like a passioned hour. 
 The 'Mother's' soul, ye are supremely prizing." 
 
 So up and down and round today, 
 
 Soul calls to one another, 
 Swift answ'ring to the magic gay. 
 
 The sister and the brother. 
 And all the state of mine and mart 
 
 Right in the strifes that smother 
 Have called a silence in the heart 
 And in it throng the memories of the 'Mother.' ' 
 
 144 
 
By memory lead the thoughtful haste 
 
 To Beauty's perfumed bowers. 
 We need a heav'n in earthly waste 
 
 To clothe love's royal hours. 
 "Oh bind me now with royal art 
 
 Rare heaven smiling flowers 
 To speak right home from my full heart 
 To 'Mother's' heart with rich poetic powers!" 
 
 "Oh bind a bunch fit for a queen 
 
 Of golden classic story! 
 Far better than the brides have seen 
 
 In old romances hoary. 
 The flowers that grow in gratitude 
 
 Have life and love and glory. 
 More beauty and beatitude 
 In 'Mother's' eyes than all «,he flowers so lory." 
 
 "A smaller make and all unite 
 
 To give her breast adorning! 
 A brightness, freshness and delight. 
 
 That joy could give the morning; 
 I'll pin them on her bosom bright. 
 
 Pomp, power, possession scorning, 
 And kiss her in my passion white 
 For 'Mother' grows more dear with every warning!' 
 
 "Now pin upon my grateful breast 
 
 A pure and white carnation; 
 I £eel erect and at my best, 
 
 As marching up a station. 
 An antidote and virtue blest 
 
 She feeds a pure elation; 
 The God that crowns high heav'n's crest 
 Through 'Mother' shows his glory to creation." 
 
 "Or this the reddest of the red. 
 
 Could match my memory's glowing; 
 
 But never mind; my soul has bled 
 And from my heart is growing 
 
 A soul that sorrow rich has fled 
 And o'er the years is throwing 
 
 A beauty life has ever wed 
 And 'Mother's' heart is in its spirit flowing." 
 
 Far glancing up and down ihe street 
 
 Life sees these mortals wearing 
 A sense as if some noble soul 
 
 With noble thought was faring; 
 
 145 
 
As if the selfish had been lost 
 
 As peace her calm was sharing, 
 As if true love each 'Mother' love 
 Unto their eyes was opening up and bareing." 
 
 There is a soldier from the war. 
 His wounds all sharp and biting; 
 
 The Campus and its life is soro 
 With deadly deadly smiting. 
 
 See how he pauses in Lhe strife! 
 His eye afar is sighting 
 
 The dear old home, the simple life, 
 And "Mother" there the soldier sweet inviting. 
 
 \onder a vital virtuous shame 
 
 Now writes a promised letter; 
 The silence falls from ail his frame 
 
 As like a felon's fetter. 
 A tear doth drop, his spirits flame, 
 
 His heart wells like a debtor. 
 And sealing with some gold his name 
 His "Mother's" son he stands erect and better. 
 
 See! There is one who plans tonight 
 
 Reunion glad and golden! 
 Brothers and sisters coming home 
 
 From city, sea and wolden. 
 'Twill be a royal royal time 
 
 When royal hearts unfolden, 
 Warm crimson love of prince and prime 
 The "Mother" love will circle as of olden. 
 
 There one doth murmur to his heart: 
 "Oh blignted world of plunder. 
 
 Whose .selfishness is all thy art 
 And love is trampled under. 
 
 Oft as I travel mine and mart 
 I wonder, often wonder 
 
 Do any but the 'Mothers' bart 
 The kind of love the years can never sunder?" 
 
 Pierce yonder in those shadows deep, 
 A strong man there is weeping; 
 
 Tears of a sacred sacred grief 
 Are from their fountains' leaping. 
 
 Gladness and sorrow both divine 
 His being rich is steeping, 
 
 The kindness of life's only love, 
 His "Mother's love" across his heart is sweeping. 
 
 146 
 
There is a royal rose of life, 
 
 A daughter like few others, 
 She flowers amid the mart and strife 
 
 And does the work of brothers. 
 She holds secm-e the little home, 
 
 Smiles on the greed that smothers. 
 And feels today as rich as Nome 
 For surely hers is queen of all the "Mf^hersl" 
 
 Yonder is one, upon his breast 
 
 No symbol sign is gleaming; 
 Can he be dead to virtue blest? 
 
 The form is only seeming. 
 A world of home-like images 
 
 His heart and mind are streaming; 
 The path of life is blank and blind, 
 His "Mother's" face, upon his eyes so beaming. 
 
 Still more of life, still more of ove, 
 
 Before the eyes are winging. 
 Today the sons and daughters glad 
 
 A noble song are singing. 
 Bright images of family life 
 
 Before the eyes are winging 
 And soul in song or silence bound 
 To "Mother's" heart are royil tributes bringing. 
 
 Oh "Mother's Day!" Oh "Mother's Day!" 
 Grow with the seasons turning! 
 
 Thou noblest form on life's highway. 
 Oh make us more discerning" 
 
 Stir up all passion, thought and lay, 
 Feed life's unselfish yearning! 
 
 The sons and daughters greet tnee gay. 
 To "Mother" still with love divinest burning! 
 
 Oh "Mother's Day!" Oh "Mother's Day!" 
 Still lift us from our blighting' 
 
 Thy noble soul all virtue sway, 
 Redeem and set us righting! 
 
 Still often come on Life's highway 
 And still our courses lighting. 
 
 Oh guide us past the shadows gray, 
 With "Mother" there the children all uniting! 
 
 147