•*^ '•.■^i^/../\°»y^^** -^*"^*^ '• <> "♦>?7^* ..0^ %^0^ •J .^^^^ -^^^' . ''■f ro« o • * A9^ ^ ..••. "-^ .^'"-^. o \ 5>^ ^^ A VINTAGE OF VERSE A VINTAGE OF VERSE CLARENCE URMY author of "a rosary of rhyme' WILLIAM DOXEY AT THE SIGN OF THE LARK SAN FRANCISCO 1897 ;^76f a .C >V a Copyriglit, 1897 William Doxey Five hundred copies printed The Doxev Press TO MABEL So one in heart and thought, I trow. That thou mightst press the strings a7id I might draw the bow. And both would meet in music sweet, Thou and I, I trow. —Sidney Lanier. CONTENTS lOM Vine-Clad Hills: Page The Golden Gate . . . . 13 (The Illustrated American.) In the Foothills . . . . 15 (The Overland Monthly ) Morning in the Sierras 17 (The Cosmopolitan Magazine.) Santa Clara Valley . . . . iS Dream Voices .... 20 Napa Revisited 22 In the Santa Cruz Mountains . 24 (The Cosmopolitan Magazine.) With a Calendar 25 Among the Belmont Hills 27 (The Overland Monthly.) Approach of Night . 29 (The Cosmopolitan Magazine.) O'erlooking the Sea . 30 An Easter Wish 32 California 34 (The Land of Sunshine.) As I Came Down Mount Tamalpais 35 CONTENTS From Vine-Clad Wiia^s — Continued. Twilight in Livermore Valley (The Overland Motithly.) Reverie .... Night in the Redwoods (The Ceiitun- Magazine.) Lavender .... (Munsey's Magazine.) At the Edge of the Day . (The Youth's Companion.) II. Treading the Wine-Press: Nocturne .... The Three Missions . (The Youth's Companion.) Remembrance . (The Overland Monthly.) A Watch in the Night (The Independent.) Along a Path in Paradise . (The Youth's Companion.) Weights and Measures (Munsey's Magazine.) T-he Judgment-Book . (Munsey's Magazine.) The Arrow The Old Year . The Fire of Fate Page 37 39 41 43 44 49 51 53 55 57 58 59 60 61 62 8 CONTENTS Treading the V^ui^.-V'KESs— Continued. Ghosts .... (Lippincott's Magazine.) Sorrow and Solace . A Song of Hope A Golden Day . (The Peterson Magazine.) A Song of Triumph . (The Youth's Companion.) Love's Loyalty . Ante Mortem . (Lippincott's Magazine.) The Songs I Sang for You (Munsey's Magazine.) A Poet's Epitaph (Lippincott's Magazine, Love and Doubt Stubble A Dream of Death . (Lippincott's Magazine Page 64 65 66 68 69 71 72 73 75 76 78 79 in. With Laugh and Song: Al Fresco 83 (The Overland Monthly.) A Chat with Dick 86 Told to a Child 87 (The Independent.) CONTENTS With Laugh and Song — Continued. Page Down the Lane . 89 (The Cosmopolitan Magazine.) Boatman's Song 90 Rosita 92 My Heart to Thee Is Singing . 95 Reconciliation .... 97 (Munsey's Magazine.) To a Singer .... 99 (Lippincott's Magazine.) My Love for You 100 The Temple Scene in "Aida" . 102 (The Overland Monthly.) Ties . 104 To Hazel . 106 A Dream Tale .... . 108 Piano Solo .... . 109 (The Overland Monthly.) To My Blotting-Pad . III The Wild Grass 112 (The Monthly Illustrator.) To the Moon .... • J13 You 114 (The Youth's Companion.) Three Songs of Love . 116 (Munsey's Magazine.) Mabel's Eyes .... . 118 TO FROM VINE-CLAD HILLS THE GOLDEN GATE Wave- WASHED by that quiescent sea Balboa sighted rapturously, And fanned by winds replete with lore From Orient and Arctic shore, It stands, a door unique and quaint, Saint Francis for its patron saint — The open sesame to bowers Of far-famed sunshine, fruit, and flowers, The portal to a wide expanse Whose very name exhales romance. From north, from south, a streamlet flows From sheltered vales of vine and rose; While larger rivers gleaming stray Through golden wheat-fields to the bay; Broad pathways lead to land of pine. Or land where orange-boughs entwine; 13 THE GOLDEN GATE To slopes where grape and olive grow, Or far heights of eternal snow — A country peerless, wondrous, great, And guarded by a golden gate. When Twilight, Eve's fond alchemist. Weaves arabesques in amethyst, The land about the gateway teems With shadows, reveries, and dreams — The phantom shadows of white sails Blown hitherward by halcyon gales — The dulcet reveries that throng With Mission bells and vesper song — The dreams where Joy and Peace enfold The happy Argonauts and gold. 14 IN THE FOOTHILLS Here lie the wooded slopes that dreamers love, Low, rolling hills, with purple peaks above. And filled with hidden haunts and dusky dells, Where Daphne roams and tender Fancy dwells. Through shady thickets, dark with tangled vine. Shy clusters of sweet, wilding berries shine; And birds that through the leafy tree-tops dart Wake answering music in the Dreamer's heart. From some deep spring, hid in some silent nook. Babbles across a field a bubbling brook, Then through the canon softly slides and slips Where Echo stands with finger on her lips. Across and in and out wind wavering trails Among the glimmering glens and twilight dales, 15 IN THE FOOTHILLS And homeward herd-bells spice the dewy air With thoughts of even-song and vesper prayer. Here lies the Dreamer's Bethel — skies unfold, Light ladders lean from lands of sunset gold, Fair souls of fantasy descend to earth And find within his happy heart a birth. i6 MORNING IN THE SIERRAS Above me rise the snowy peaks Where golden sunbeams gleam and quiver, And far below, toward Golden Gate, O'er golden sand flows Yuba River. Through crystal air the mountain mist Floats far beyond yon distant eagle, And swift o'er crag and hill and vale Steps Morning, purple-robed and regal, The while a breeze through canons deep Sets all the tall tree-tops in motion. Bearing a greeting to the pines From palms beside the Southern ocean. 17 SANTA CLARA VALLEY (near SAN JOSE) To NORTH the waving tule skirts the bay, — No fairer bay e'er graced as fair a land, — And o'er its ripples down the valley stray Soft zephyrs redolent of sea-swept sand. To south a reach of meadow, farm, and lane. With peaceful herds and flocks in sweet repose. Fair Ceres guarding fields of yellow grain, And cottages entwined with vine and rose. To west Pomona's fair and fruitful land, Vineyard and orchard stretching mile on mile, Where Learning, Health, and Peace, a chosen band, Bask in the golden Hght of Fortune's smile. i8 SANTA CLARA VALLEY To east a purple peak with clouds impearled, A royal road that winding leads afar Unto a Mecca of the Western world — The giant eye that scans the distant star. Here in this land with milk and honey stored, O weary wanderer, stay thy pilgrim feet! This is the land of promise and reward, — O rest thee here, and make hfe's sunset sweet! 19 DREAM VOICES All day long sweet zephyr- fingers Touch the wind-harp's silver strings; Bird and bee, and brook and blossom Understand the song it sings. All night long star- voices whisper In the garden of the sky; Spray and nest, and lake and lily Catch the echoes floating by. But the busy world, unheeding, Hears no sweetness in the air; Toil and care, and pain and sorrow Drown the voices everywhere. Dreamers, only, stop to listen; Something says: "Be still and hark ! 20 j> DREAM VOICES Something, as the sound of ripples Kissing sea-sands in the dark, Perfume as of rose still folded, Sound as of a brook at night, Dusky shadows as of swallows Through the gloaming taking flight. Thus the Dreamer hears, and hearing, Strives to set his voice in tune — O the songs beyond his grasping. Heard beneath the mellow moon! — Songs he fain would be repeating, Though the sweetness half be fled,' Songs denied unto the Living, Are they granted to the Dead ? 21 NAPA REVISITED Fair Valley! Rich with memories, Filled to the brim with happy dreams, — The dreams and memories that float Like flowers adown Life's sunny streams, And, drifting through the harbor gate. Sail out across the sobbing sea. Fading nor sinking, till they reach The haven-land, Eternity. How fond, how dear, how memory-fraught Thy dells and dales, thy slopes and hills, When daylight o' er, the yellow sun Fills all the sky with daffodils! While dew-wet gardens, scented deep. Where roses with the violets vie, Look up with sweetest smile to greet The angel gardens in the sky. 22 NAPA REVISITED The very air is rife with dreams; The lute of love and lyre of light Pour forth in never-ceasing strains Fair flowers of song that know no blight; While poet-harps grown strangely dumb Awake in this enchanted land, And melodies that glad the heart Fall from the Poet's trembling hand. This is the Jims, this the end Of search for Summer' s lotos-land, (Up from the south come cooling winds That lately kissed the sea-wet sand). And I, with head bared to the breeze. Would fain find here my earthly rest, Like to a weary child that lays Its head upon its mother's breast. 23 IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS High on a towering peak, I look Across the twilight bay; Here Santa Cruz is nestling low, And there lies Monterey. Far, far beyond, the breakers white Wreathe Cypress Point with snow, Till dreams and darkness weave a veil O'er all the scene below. The last low sheep-bell softly says ' ' Good-night ! ' ' from some far fold. And swiftly from the lighthouse dim Gleams forth a torch of gold. 24. WITH A CALENDAR You know the promise that you made Under the linden's leafy shade, When high above a lark sang clear, And in my hand your hand you laid — You know, you said, "Some day next year! ' Accept this calendar, dear maid, 'Twill help you choose that day so dear! Here all the seasons stand arrayed. Dark days, bright days, days far, days near; Days when the corn is in the blade. Days when the corn is in the ear; Days when green grass is in the glade, Days when the grass is brown and sere; Days when sweet April's fingers braid A dewy wreath of smile and tear; Days when moons of September fade In yellow glory on the mere — 25 WITH A CALENDAR In fact, I 'm not at all afraid But that you '11 find each day is here! On which day shall Love's debt be paid? You know the promise that you made Under the Hnden's leafy shade! 26 AMONG THE BELMONT HILLS Toward twilight-time we slowly pass Along a road whose winding turns Are decked with dainty wildwood flowers, With trailing vines and graceful ferns; Along a rail-fence runs a quail, A bluebird darts amid the trees, And cow-bell echoes, dimly heard. Are wafted on the evening breeze. Beside the edge of Crystal Lake We watch the June sun slowly fall. While o'er the mountain creeps the fog, Like white smoke thro' the redwoods tall: The waters, rippled by the wind. In pearl-tipped wavelets kiss the shore. And Fancy catches dreamy hints Of hillside tale and lakeside lore. 27 AMONG THE BELMONT HILLS Our way leads where moss-covered oak, Bright bay, and buckeye charm the glade. While through the leaves the setting sun Weaves arabesques of shine and shade; We pass the happy woodland homes That bask in San Mateo's smile, Where sunny slope and dusky dell With dreamful rest the heart beguile. Gray gloaming falls from darkening skies; Toward home we swiftly wend our way As San Leandro's lights gleam out Across the blueness of the bay; — Adieu to tranquil paths of peace! " Good-night! " we say to scenes so bright, And down the canon's starlit slope A woodbird softly calls " Good-night! " 28 APPROACH OF NIGHT By the yellow in the sky, Night is nigh. By the murk on mead and mere, Night is near. By one faint star, pale and wan. Night comes on. By the moon, so calm and clear, Night is here. 29 O'ERLOOKING THE SEA ( NEAR SKYLAND ) Across the silent silver sea The silver moon looks wistfully; High on the hills I stand and gaze Across a reach of firs and bays And redwoods tall with moss o'ergrown, Filling the canons dark and lone, To where across the silver sea The silver moon looks wistfully. Above the silent silver sea The silver stars beam tenderly; From twilight-time till now a bell Has twinkled in some distant dell, And faint farm-sounds the still air fill Blown in and out through vale and hill, 30 o'erlooking the sea While far above the silver sea The silver stars beam tenderly. Across the silent silver sea A silver sail drifts dreamily; Up deep ravines the white fog runs- Fair Amphitrite's hooded nuns, — Hastening with reverent, holy air To chant on land a midnight prayer- While far across the silver sea A silver sail drifts dreamily. 31 AN EASTER WISH The peace that lies in ocean depths Unstirred by storm and wind, The peace that distant snow-white sails In sunset harbors find, The peace of summer clouds astray Be thine, this holy Easter Day. The calm that wraps each leaf and spray In shadowy, flowery dells, The calm that lingers in the air When cease the vesper bells, The calm of lily-broidered ways Be thine, this holiest of days. The faith of Mary at the dawn Amid the garden dew, 32 AN EASTER WISH The hope that blossomed in the hearts Of His disciples true, The love that rolled the stone away Be thine, this holy Easter Day. 33 CALIFORNIA A SLEEPING beauty, hammock-swung, Beside the sunset sea, And dowered with riches, wheat, and oil. Vineyard and orange-tree; Her hand, her heart to that fair prince, Whose genius shall unfold With rarest art her treasured tales Of life and love and gold. 34 AS I CAME DOWN MOUNT TAMALPAIS As I came down Mount Tamalpais, To north the fair Sonoma Hills Lay like a trembling thread of blue Beneath a sky of daffodils; Through tules green a silver stream Ran south to meet the tranquil bay, Whispering a dreamy, tender tale Of vales and valleys far away. As I came down Mount Tamalpais, To south the city brightly shone. Touched by the sunset's good-night kiss Across the golden ocean blown; I saw its hills, its tapering masts, I almost heard its tramp and tread. And saw against the sky the cross Which marks the City of the Dead. 35 AS I CAME DOWN MOUNT TAMALPAIS As I came down Mount Tamalpais To east San Pablo's water lay, Touched with a holy purple light, The benediction of the day; No ripple on its twilight tide, No parting of its evening veil, Save dimly in the far-off haze One dreamy, yellow sunset sail. As I came down Mount Tamalpais, To west Heaven's gateway opened wide. And through it, freighted with day-cares, The cloud-ships floated with the tide; Then, silently through stilly air, Starlight flew down from Paradise, Folded her silver wings and slept Upon the slopes of Tamalpais. 36 TWILIGHT IN LIVERMORE VALLEY The sun has set, and evening skies Begin, like rosebuds, to unfold. While on the distant mountain top Still linger faint, stray gleams of gold. Like kisses pressed by angel lips, Or touches of God's finger-tips. Like wreaths of purple violets, The hills around the valley lie. And Mount Diablo' s lofty peak Towers high into the twilight sky — A stately sentinel it seems. Guarding a land of dusk and dreams. Up through the western mountain pass Night-breezes wander from the bay, 37 TWILIGHT IN LIVERMORE VALLEY And whisper tender Dreamland tales From sandy beaches far away, Where drifting dream and beaming star Clasp hands across the harbor bar. Hesper unveils her lovely face; I hear a star-voice downward fall From some dim, distant lattice height Above the far cerulean wall — "Peace! Peace!" it calls, and all is calm Beneath the night's o' ershadowing palm. 38 REVERIE Comes the perfume of a rose From the latticed garden close Of a still, sequestered nook in Paradise, And the singing of a bird. Whose delicious notes are heard In a bower that in some sweet elysium lies; Come the glimmers of a stream. Silver shining in a dream. Silver chain that links the mountain to the sea, And the echoes vague, remote. That in tremulous fancy float From that heaven where faint souls ever long^ to be — In the echo, in the gleam, In the song and scent I seem Once again the old-time life to feel and know, 39 REVERIE As fair fantasies of You, Dim with dusk and damp with dew, Cluster round the memory of long ago. 40 NIGHT IN THE REDWOODS The eyes that all day upward looked to feast On sloping boughs, nor yet at twilight ceased, Now see in trunk and branch, and leaf and spray Diviner meanings than were felt by day — The trunks that tower high, look up and out, Like Faith above the undergrowth of Doubt; The stately boughs, the sprays so far above. Encompass Faith with arms of tender love; The little leaves are servants fond and true, Cup-bearers of the summer sun and dew. These giant limbs, each spangled with a star, Seem spirit-steps to heavenly lands afar. And these wide-spreading arms, held high in air^ In quiet wait the answer to a prayer. How still the scene! A century of calm Lies wrapped within this night of blissful balm. 41 NIGHT IN THE REDWOODS All Still, save in the soul a breath, a call, A thrill that holds the heart in solemn thrall, One swelling pulse, one mighty undertone — God's voice down through the redwood branches blown. 42 LAVENDER A GATHERER of lavender, When all his work was o'er, Fell fast asleep in slumber deep Upon his fragrant store; And as the scent with fancy blent Charmed Sleep's fair silver streams, This gatherer of lavender Went gathering fragrant dreams. 43 AT THE EDGE OF THE DAY See Twilight standing on the brink That skirts the dark abyss of night; The dew-wet roses in her hair Shed incense through the waning light, Low in the west one lonely star Shines tremulous and white. Across the far, dim edge of day. The task of morn and toil of noon Slip noiselessly adown the tide With dusky shadows thickly strewn, And o'er the lately purple hills Rises the yellow moon. Go, Twilight, trembling on the verge 'Twixt shadowy earth and shadowy air, 44 AT THE EDGE OF THE DAY Fold peaceful hands on peaceful breast, Spread starlit wings and gently bear To Heaven's gate a burden sweet — The World's low vesper prayer. 45 TREADING THE WINE-PRESS NOCTURNE Along the river bank I stray, About the time of dusk and dew; The river ripples to the bay, My thoughts flow down the stream to you. To you, upon the silver sands That girt the twilight-tinted sea, From him who stands with outstretched hands, Gazing to seaward wistfully. Among the reeds the ripples sing A little song, half-sweet, half-sad. While I, with tear- voiced whispering, Bid it for thy dear sake be glad. I would that distance were not wide, That Fate might whisper low and sweet: 49 NOCTURNE * ' Set sail adown the trembling tide, And anchor at the loved one's feet! " Fate standeth mute. And so my prayers, Like roses on the river's breast, Float seaward; — may thy tears and cares Be soothed by sleep, and peace, and rest! The hour grows late. Through meadows fail The river flows toward rest and thee Meeting the sea-sand close to where A star is sinking to the sea. 50 THE THREE MISSIONS Three spirits met in upper realms of air, On earthly missions sent, One robed in deepest sable, one in white, One white and sable blent. The white-robed spirit broke the silence: ** Lo! A child is born this night; With joy I haste to place a snow-white soul Within its bosom white!" "Sister," the gray-robed spirit whispered, "fast I follow after thee — With cords of fate and mingled rose and rue, I weave a destiny!" 51 THE THREE MISSIONS Up spake the third: "Hear ye! in one short hour Vanish both soul and spell, I go to ring for mother and for child A funeral knell!" 52 REMEMBRANCE A Poet sings: " The winds of Fate Sweep coldly through Life's open gate, And leaf of laurel and of rose, Each into Death's dark valley goes." Yet sometimes up from that sad vale To lifeward blows a timid gale That wafts the scent of faded flowers Into these lonesome lives of ours; For just last night, when wearily The gold moon sank into the sea. And angel faces in the stars Peered earthward through the silver bars, I, looking out across the night. Heard echoes from a far-off height, A long-lost voice — my Mother dear! — Singing in some dim, distant sphere, 53 REMEMBRANCE While o'er my senses stole a scent Of one white rose with jasmine blent, The rose I laid upon her breast The day she entered into rest. 54 A WATCH IN THE NIGHT Oppressed by something in my troubled sleep, I, with a moan, awoke in deep despair — Was it some daytime duty left undone, Or was it some forgotten kiss or prayer ? Something it was that made my pillow hard. Something my heart around or soul within I rose and looked across a night as dark, Yes, darker, than the fearful face of Sin! Close, close at hand a midnight taper burned — I knew it for the lamp of my fierce foe; I leaned far out — he could not help but hear: * ' Friend, I forgive thee every hurt and blow ! ' '^ 55 A WATCH IN THE NIGHT Down on my knees I fell and prayed for him Who wrong had done me many times and oft; And as a star shone through a rifted cloud, I sought my couch and found the pillow soft! 56 /VLONG A PATH IN PARADISE Along a path in Paradise Two sad-eyed angels went; At Heaven's gate they downward sped. On earthly missions sent. That night two mortal enemies, In prayers of anguish born, Vowed to the other pardon full Upon the morrow morn. Along a path in Paradise Two angels passed, glad-eyed; One bore a broken heart of hate. And one a heart of pride. 57 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES The heaviness of earth and air, The force of passing breeze, The weight of crowns, and ships, and worlds- I wonder not at these. I see the awful griefs and pains That faint souls undergo, And wonder how the human heart Can bear such weight of woe. The measurement of time and space, The depth of deepest seas, The distance of the faintest star — I marvel not at these. The measure that I marvel at, All measurement above, Is this — the wondrous height and depth And length and breadth of Love! 58 THE JUDGMENT-BOOK The Book was opened! Men in wonder stood! No record kept of wrong! It told of good! Each deed of love! A Soul crept up in fright, Then passed into the dark — his page was white! 59 THE ARROW Straight from a mighty bow this truth is driven : "They fail, and they alone, who have not striven. ' ' Fly far, O shaft of light! all doubt redeem- ing; Rouse men from dull despair and idle dreaming. High Heaven's evangel be, gospel God- given: "They fail, and they alone, who have not striven." 60 THE OLD YEAR What is the old year? 'T is a book On which we backward sadly look, Not willing quite to see it close — For leaves of violet and rose Within its heart are thickly strewn, Marking Love's dawn and golden noon; And turned-down pages, noting days Dimly recalled through Memory's haze; And tear-stained pages, too, that tell Of starless nights and mournful knell Of bells that toll through troubled air The De Profundis of despair; The laugh, the tear, the shine, the shade, All 'twixt the covers gently laid. No uncut leaves, no page unscanned — Close it and lay it in God's hand. 6i THE FIRE OF FATE The fire of Fate blazed high one day And marked me for its prey; With red-hot tongue it scorched my soul, And burned fair hopes away. Across my heart a firebrand fell, As from the hearth of Hell, And left a wound whose stinging smart No human tongue could tell. Adown the weary Lane of Years, With sighs and anxious fears, I bear my sin-seared heart and soul Unto the Gate of Tears, Hoping that some fair angel's wing O'er me its shade will fling, 62 THE FIRE OF FATE While to the Cross of Calvary With trembling hands I cling, Praying that I His face may greet, Since through Fate's fiery heat He too did pass, with riven side And pierced hands and feet. 63 GHOSTS Three ghosts there are that haunt the heart Whate'er the hour may be — The ghost called Life, the ghost called Death, The ghost called Memory. 64 SORROW AND SOLACE An awful grief o'erwhelmed my soul; From friend and priest I fled — I scorned their speech, refused relief; Would not be comforted. An angel, softly whispering "Peace!" Crept closely to my side; But no — my wild, rebellious pain Would not be pacified. But O, the spell, so strange, so sweet, Between my heart and thine, That soothed my woe the moment that Your eyes and lips met mine! 65 A SONG OF HOPE Far down the winding Way of Years The weary World is slowly wending; Grim Walls of Fate and Gates of Tears To trembling prayers no answer sending; Yet through it all sweet Spirits call Through lonely days of grief and aching: " Hope's roses blossom on the wall, To keep the World's great heart from breaking!" Across the sobbing Sea of Doom The weary World is slowly drifting; Eyes wet with tears peer through the gloom, Yet see no sign of rest or rifting; Still angels bright from some far height Repeat through hours of weary waking: 66 A SONG OF HOPE ** Hope's starlight shines thro' darkest night, To keep the World's great heart from breaking!" O'er troubled waves, by paths of rue, Faint souls press toward the Land of Pardon, Burdened with crosses wet with dew From chill Gethsemane's lone garden; Yet to and fro, now loud, now low, A voice is sweetest music making — Hope, singing on through pain and woe. To keep the World's great heart from breaking! 67 A GOLDEN DAY A SUN of suns crept up to greet A day from all days set apart A golden glow o'er all the world, A golden hope within my heart; A hope that blossomed like a flower, As mom expanded into noon, Then faded in the twilight dim, And died beneath the yellow moon. O, not until the morrow's sun Proclaimed my day and night far fled, Could I believe that Faith was false, That Love was cold and Hope lay dead. And yet how fair and bright it shone. My golden Hope that turned to clay! — Tho' years have passed, down Life's gray sky Still shines my golden yesterday. 68 A SONG OF TRIUMPH To-day I sing a victor-strain, A hymn of praise, — A canticle of joyous sound I upward raise. From boughs that thickly overhang The battle-field, I pluck fair laurel leaves with which To deck my shield. My spear and helmet, too, I twine With leaves of bay, In token of my victory In furious fray Yet no man's blood bestains my mail, And, what is best, 69 A SONG OF TRIUMPH No ghastly face nor dying moan Disturbs my rest. To-day, between Heaven's holy hill And Hell's dark pit, I met a Sin that tempted me, And conquered it. 70 LOVE'S LOYALTY I OFFERED you a goblet filled With wine so richly red; Deep in my soul I pledged a toast: " The day on which we wed! " You drank the wine, and straightway dashed The goblet at my feet; With mocking laugh that echoes yet, You sought the crowded street. And yet I cannot curse your name, Forget your face or form, While to my breast I press the glass Touched by your fingers warm! 71 ANTE MORTEM Spare not thy hand when approbation giving, Nor hold thy tongue till life away has sped - A single word of praise unto the Living Is worth a panegyric on the Dead. 72 THE SONGS I SANG FOR YOU I I SANG for you one early morn When leaves with dew were wet; Tho' years have passed, that simple song Rings in my memory yet. I crowned you with a diadem Of blossoms fair and sweet, — You were my little Queen of Flowers; I lay low at your feet. II I sang for you one afternoon — A bird sang overhead; ''Your song is far the sweeter song, Those were the words you said. 73 THE SONGS I SANG FOR YOU I wooed you for my bonnie bride; You gave your heart and hand, And forth we wandered arm in arm Across the twilight-land. Ill I sang for you one starless night — My tears fell like the rain; You bade me sing ''Abide with me," — I did not end the strain! You closed your eyes, and lo! your ears With angel music rang. I wonder if you e'er recall The earthly songs I sang. 74 A POET'S EPITAPH A LIFE with day-dreams and night visions fraught; — But oh, the good these dreams and visions wrought! 75 LOVE AND DOUBT To-day into my heart of hearts There crept a tiny Doubt; There was no room for Love and it So Love was driven out. And oh, to think how sure I was Last night our love was true, And that to-day this litde Doubt Had bidden Love adieu! "No room within for Love and Doubt,'* I heard my sad heart say; And, looking in your eyes, I knew That Doubt had come to stay! 76 LOVE AND DOUBT O for two narrow graves of grief, That we might lie therein! My heart with all its weight of woe, Your heart with all its sin. 77 STUBBLE Ghost of the vanished days when April dew Lay on the fresh, sweet-scented fields; Naught but the memory of long ago Your deathly fragrance yields. Sad souvenir of Springtime's sapphire blue, Dim dreamer of the May-time air, To-day both you and I look back and say: * ' Past days — how very fair ! ' ' 78 A DREAM OF DEATH Death came to me and said: **One day- Is given thee to live; Ask what thou wilt for thy last hour And I that gift will give." I did not dare to ask that I Might claim a farewell kiss; I could not bear to see thy face In such an hour as this! " Grant me, O Death! a simple boon, All other gifts above, — Grant me sweet sleep, and let me die Dreaming of her I love! '* 79 WITH LAUGH AND SONG AL FRESCO I Come! No longer wander this way, Leave the dusty road beneath us; Let us seek a purer bUss-way, Where no thorns of earth shall wreathe us! Down the path a bevy passes, Children with their luncheon-pails. Mirth hke flute-notes in the grasses, Viol-notes from virgin vales! Woo us not, O Youth, in May-time! We have known Life's rocks and billows, Sun-tents now our rest by daytime, Star-shine round our peaceful pillows! Farewell now to cares and sorrows; We are princes, priests, and kings. Pressing toward the glad to-morrows Of our woodland wanderings! 83 AL FRESCO Up the steep slope, sun-rejoicing, Diademed with leafy laurel, — Here 's a song that needs no voicing, Here 's a tale that points no moral! Canticle and hymn and psalter. Graced with all the greenwood arts, Framed by lips that never falter, Wafted to world-weary hearts! II Low lights mid the buckeyes playing, Guess at haunt of faun and dryad; Sea-winds vesper Aves saying. Soothe the wood-dove's jeremiad; Purple sunset shallops sailing To the ports on Evening's shore; Weird and mystic shadows veiling Chaparral and sycamore. Hush! Adown ravines and hollows Echo wanders, dreamy-sandaled. 84 AL FRESCO Look! A flight of home-bound swallows Flecks the sky by Twilight candled. Come! Far in the dusky forest, Let us build a pyre to Pan! All that grieved us, made us sorest. All that bore a curse or ban, In Oblivion's volume file them — Stinging gibe or cruel jeering— Gayly on the altar pile them — Critic's frown and cynic's sneering! See! The flames leap high and higher,— Vanish pains and wounds and scars! Let us sleep with feet to fire, Backs to earth, and eyes to stars! 85 A CHAT WITH DICK A CHAT with Dick! When winds are high, And pelting rains rush rudely by, Or else in sweeter scenes than these, When stars peep through the locust-trees, And Summer winds are soft and shy! Let men for gold and silver vie, Let men for laurels live and die, — I '11 choose for my part, if you please, A chat with Dick! O Fortune! drain my rivers dry. Send blinding tears, and cloud my sky; Take happiness and wealth and ease; Lock Pleasure's doors and lose the keys,— All this, and more, but don' t deny A chat with Dick! 86 TOLD TO A CHILD Do YOU know the fairy measure — Lilting measure that they dance to When the moon is in the crescent And the busy world is still, — When each sprite and fay and fairy Steps from out the rose and lily And goes tripping to the woodland Just behind the purple hill? Have you seen the pearls and laces, And the fans bedecked with jewels? Have you caught the sheen of diamonds And the gowns so rich and rare, As the fairies swing and circle Round a harebell hung with glow-worms,. While the crickets in the heather Sing a glad and joyous air? 87 TOLD TO A CHILD Have you heard the happy laughter When the fairy dance is over And the golden moon is sinking In a sea of amber dye ? Have you heard the ' * Good-night ' ' wafted From the roses and the lilies ? Have you heard the good-night kisses Blown across the shadowy sky? Is it so — you have not seen them ? Can it be you have not heard them — Never caught the fairy measure On a starlit Summer night? And you say there are no fairies? And you don't believe my story? Well! It must be that I dreamed it 'Neath the new moon's crescent light! 88 DOWN THE LANE Far down the lane as eye can reach, The hedges are aglow With roses red and roses pink And roses white as snow; For 'tis the rose-month, queen of months, June odors in the air, And Phyllis wanders down the lane With roses in her hair And I — I am a little bird Perched on an alder spray; I look across the field and see Some one not far away: I watch them both, till at the stile They meet — and then think best To turn my head away and sing, And let you guess the rest! 89 BOATMAN'S SONG Fly, fly my boat, across the sea! The sun is on the wane. The last beams Hnger wistfully Upon the steeple vane — The reapers are leaving the fields of grain, And a face is pressed on the window-pane. Fly, fly my boat, across the sea! Dim shadows veil the strand, And twilight hues glide hazily Across the sea and sand, — But I see a form on the nearing land. Looking this way with a shading hand. Fly, fly my boat, across the sea! Leave wind and wave and roar; 90 boatman's song The time has come for you and me To lay aside the oar — There is rest for thee on the peaceful shore, And a kiss for me at the open door. 91 ROSITA I Here's a song of sweet Rosita, She is the fairest! Of the maidens in the village She is the queen! When she wanders in the garden, 'Mid all the flowers, She's the sweetest and the rarest rose That ever was seen! In the dancing, So entrancing, When, so sadly, Then, so gladly, Castanet and gay guitar Keep time for tripping feet — 92 ROSITA Oh, Of the charms of sweet Rosita, I could be singing From the dawn of golden morning Till day-beams depart! But e'en then her charms I could not One half be telling — Little Rose of love and beauty, The queen of my heart! II Lovely eyes has my Rosita And jet-black tresses; And her voice! It is the sweetest That ever was heard! Oft at eve I seek her cottage, Then I call softly; Quickly down the little garden path, She flies like a bird ! 93 ROSITA In the gloaming, Sweetly roaming, Where the lime-trees Scent the night-breeze, — How I love to hear her sing The songs of sunny Spain! Oh, Of the charms of sweet Rosita, I could be singing From the dawn of golden morning Till day-beams depart! But e'en then her charms I could not One half be telling — Little Rose of love and beauty, The queen of my heart! 94 MY HEART TO THEE IS SINGING I When dew bediamonds leaf and spray, And sprinkles reeds and sedges, And all the east a ruby glows. With opals round the edges; When violets ope their dreamy eyes And larks are skyward winging, The while my thoughts fly o'er the sea, My heart to thee is singing: O Love, tho' Fate part hands and lips, And thou dost shine afar; From dawn to dusk thou art my sun, From dusk to dawn my star! 95 MY HEART TO THEE IS SINGING II When birds and roses fall asleep Amid the hawthorn hedges; When vales grow dark and hills grow blue, With gold and crimson edges; When one pale star unveils its face, And vesper bells are ringing, The while my thoughts fly o'er the sea, My heart to thee is singing: O Love, tho' Fate part hands and lips, And thou dost shine afar, From dawn to dusk thou art my sun, From dusk to dawn my star! 96 RECONCILIATION I I SOMETIMES wonder when and how You will come back to me — Across what stretch of burning sand, Across what sobbing sea — What word will break the silence long That now sweet speech denies, And what will be the tale that each Reads in the other's eyes. II Will floods of sunshine, golden fair, Across our pathway flow, Or will our souls in rapture meet Beneath the starlight's glow? 97 RECONCILIATION Will flowers bloom, birds sweetly sing, To welcome in the day. Or will dead leaves be blown across A sky of tearful gray? Ill Let it be soon! Come as it may, Enough there is of pain Without the added weight of woe, If love like ours were slain. Come back to life and hope and joy — These arms are open wide! Come back and find our early love, Thorn-crowned, but sanctified! 98 TO A SINGER Thou hast the gift of gifts! Go seek for bliss In far, strange lands, through long and weary years, Thou wilt not find a greater boon than this — The power to move thy listeners to tears. 99 MY LOVE FOR YOU I Hard it is to tell when love begins — All the birds are singing, when love begins; Hearts that find the treasure Know no bound or measure, Life is naught but pleasure, When love begins! I know a love that has no beginning or ending, Like April fair, sunshine and shadow blending; Chaste as the snow and pure as the heavenly blue. No other love can ever compare with my love for you! II Easy 't is to tell when love is o'er — Birds are no more singing when love is o'er; lOO MY LOVE FOR YOU Hearts that lose the treasure Know full well its measure, Life hath naught of pleasure, When love is o'er! I know a love that has no beginning or ending; Like April fair, sunshine and shadow blending; Chaste as the snow and pure as the heavenly blue, No other love can ever compare with my love for you! lOI THE TEMPLE SCENE IN ''AIDA" Praise, incense, prayer, and deepest adoration, (Pink water-lilies on the mystic Nile,) Uplifted hands and eyes and incantation, (Deserted deserts, stretching mile on mile) Weird music from the inner temple rising, (A camel dark against a distant sky, ) The altar spread for holy sacrificing, (An Afric wind that passes with a sigh). The notes of harp and timbrel, sounds entrancing, (A light gazelle, by palm-trees halfway hid, ) The priestesses in slow and solemn dancing, (A dim, white moon above a pyramid). I02 THE TEMPLE SCENE IN " AlDA ' Loud parting chorus to the mighty Isis, (A blood-red sun that slowly seaward sinks, ) The air deep-filled with mystery and spices, (Egyptian darkness and the silent Sphinx). T03 TIES The dawn-light heeds the call of Day, Hope wreathes the prison bars, Dream -angels watch where children pray, And Twilight woos the stars. The river seeks the silvery foam, Sea-ripples kiss ^he sand, And evening sails fly swiftly home To greet a beckoning hand. And yet, dear one, this happy thought Pervades the song I sing, Like some sweet benediction caught From some bright seraph's wing — 104 TIES The strongest ties that Nature knows, I care not what they be, Are but as naught compared with those Which bind my heart to thee! 105 TO HAZEL Yes, Hazel, I'm in love with you, — E'en you the fact will not dispute; Else why should Cupid bid me sing The while he strikes his soft-toned lute ? And you love me? Why should I ask? Although your lips you close — The south wind does not need to speak To tell it loves the rose! O Hazel dear! this day is blest! The light of your blue eyes and mine Has blended in a fadeless star No other star shall e'er outshine; Your smile has poured a golden flood Of sunshine on my heart, And never will our warm hand-clasp From memory depart! io6 TO HAZEL Can I forget your eyes, your smile, The pressure of your tiny hand? No! Sooner bird forget its mate, Or sea forget the silver sand! And yet I should not be surprised To see your love grow cold — (Don't judge her harshly, reader, for She's only nine months old!) 107 A DREAM TALE The dim dream -gatherers one night Drew near my bed; I felt them pass their dew-wet hands Across my head. I caught the smell of salt sea brine; I heard them say: ** White sails and precious freight be thine !'* Then it was day. I wondered what the dream could mean — What ship ? What freight ? With eager eyes, I sat and watched The harbor gate; At golden noon that very day My dream came true — Love's white-winged ship sailed up the bay And brought me You' 1 08 PIANO SOLO As UP and down the ivory keys Her slender fingers go, I hear the rustle of a breeze, I hear a brooklet faintly flow — As up and down the ivory keys Her slender fingers go. As up and down her fingers go Across the ivory keys, I hear a whisper, soft and low, Like hum of honey-laden bees As up and down her fingers go Across the ivory keys. As up and down the ivory keys Her slender fingers go, 109 PIANO SOLO I see white sails on Summer seas, Touched by the sunset's golden glow — As up and down the ivory keys Her slender fingers go. As up and down her fingers go Across the ivory keys, Dim dreams glide gently to and fro, Like night- winds 'mid the poplar trees — As up and down her fingers go Across the ivory keys. As up and down the ivory keys Her slender fingers go, Sweet Slumber, wooed by sounds like these, Presses my weary eyelids low — As up and down the ivory keys Her slender fingers go. TTO TO MY BLOTTING-PAD My blotting-pad! Dear friend, to thee I owe the boon of sympathy! For in this world where taunt and jeer Ring loudly on the Dreamer' s ear, And where the Rhymester's tuneful art Is trampled in the busy mart. Where verse and song and flowery speech Lie stranded on Fate's barren beach — From out the chaos of despair Thou steppest forth with friendly air, And as the thoughts flow from the pen, Before they reach the eyes of men. Thou dost bestow on them and this The benediction of a kiss! Ill THE WILD GRASS I HEARD the wild grass, grieving, sigh Because the reapers passed it by: '*For me no sickle's happy whirr, No jocund song of harvester. No high -heaped wains that plenty bring, No joys of autumn garnering." " But if thou hadst not grown," I said, '* No sheep would on the hills have fed; And if no sheep had come this way. No shepherd would have piped his lay; And if no lay sweet love confess, There surely were no shepherdess; And if no shepherdess forlorn. The kiss and vow had ne'er been born! '* A glad thrill thro' the dry grass spread: *' I wish them joy," it softly said. 112 TO THE MOON O dream-boat! gliding through the starry sea, Touching with silver light the willow-tree That waves in silence o'er my sweetheart's cot, Seek not too soon thy haven o'er the hill, But fondly creep across her window-sill, And enter in where I, alas, dare not! Let one dear ray fall on her bosom white, While from my mandolin with fingers light I draw a tender tune oft heard by thee — Not loud enough her slumber soft to break, And yet just clear and sweet enough to make Her dreaming heart dream one sweet dream of me! 113 YOU " The chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do the best we can."— Emerson, A flash! You came into my life, And lo, adown the years Rainbows of promise stretched across The sky grown gray with tears; By day you were my sun of gold, By night my silver moon — I could not from the Father's hands Have asked a greater boon ! Life's turbid stream grew calm and clear, The cold winds sank to rest, Hand-clasped with you, no bitter pain Found dwelling in my breast; I did not dread Life's care and toil — Your love dispelled all gloom, — 114 YOU And now on graves of buried hopes The sweetest violets bloom. My every breath and every thought Were pure because of you — I had not dreamed that Heaven could be So close to mortal view; My hands and feet were swift to do The good that near them lay, And in my heart throughout the year The joy-bird sang each day. A flash! You passed out of my life — No, no; your spirit still Is sun and moon and guiding star Through every cloud and ill; As down the rainbowed years I go, You still are at my side, And some day I shall stand with you Among the glorified. 115 THREE SONGS OF LOVE Sing no sad song of bygone days, Now veiled in memory's tearful haze; I would forget the hopes and fears That filled with pain the former years; Those flowers are dead, those suns have set, Those joys have changed to vague regret; The love I crave along life's way Is not the love of yesterday. Sing no blithe song of time and tide That in some heavenly sphere abide; Paint no fair scene of coming bliss In tender look, hand-clasp, and kiss; Those words sound vain in ears like mine; Suns may not rise, stars fail to shine. Birds may not sing in boughs above — Oh, sing not of to-morrow's love! ii6 THREE SONGS OF I.OVE Sing me a song, a happy song, Full-voiced, with cadence rich and strong; Gather no notes from olden themes, Nor from the mystic land of dreams; But sing in ringing rune and rhyme The rapture of the present time. Go, past and future — sing, I pray. Of love that lives and loves to-day! 117 MABEL'S EYES Mabel's eyes are oh, so blue! Just like twin stars dipped in dew, Colored with the tint one gets Only from Spring violets! Long ago, at love's sweet birth, First I learned their precious worth, And a chart for seas and skies Fashioned out of Mabel's eyes. Mabel's eyes were made to woo — She can utilize them, too! Bid me knight and courtier be, Make a very slave of me! Adoration they compel — It would never do to tell Everything that I surmise Gazing into Mabel's eyes! ii8 MABEL'S EYES Mabel's eyes are oh, so true! Never old and never new! Beacon lights are they to me Cruising on Life's troubled sea; Rock and reef and storm and wind All are quickly left behind, Sailing toward the port I prize — Port of Love, in Mabel's eyes! 119 'P^ .i °o i<^-n^. HO*. %?^J5^,^ /\ °-^^'* -i^'% ^'^fJ®,-- ,«v - 4'' «' ^-«v. X^/ y^^^, u.^ /,— v^;' ' ■3'"^'^. •^o V* ° > "^^^o* .4 Ok V.^^^^' • %v^^ •'.' lOv. 6°^ '■ • %/ ^ "^^ *V^ <=l*. ♦.To' *0 v**..^ BOOKBINDING Granlville, Pd Nov Dec 1988