(' ill s 111 if I I mm l NOV 89 1898 AN EARLY GARNERING BY WILLIAM J. STACK m&$ PRESS OF E. A. COOK, Santa Cruz, Cal. ;S33 19676 COPYRIGHT. 1898 BY WILLIAM J- STACK - * - i ■ :■• ..' ! \J WW* K*.V> t,«;»«W«-w V fc-* CONTENTS To Santa Cruz i The Orphans' Christmas .... 3 a song of the sea 5 a dream of '61 7 A Winter Storm in Santa Cruz . . 9 Solitude 12 Memory 13 Some day is Gone! 16 The Exile 17 A Walk with the Dead .... 18 A QUERY ........ 19 The Complaint of the aged ... 21 Dead Summer 23 Regrets 2s Sonnet— to M. B 26 The little gray Bird 27 The River 28 The Face at the attic Window . . 29 autumn . . 31 The Outcast 32 "Thy Will be Done" 33 Wandering 34 December 36 October 37 at the Portals 39 beneath the ocean wave .... 41 CONTENTS My Star 43 my picture 44 drifting with the tide .... 45 TO G. S. F 46 A Remembrance 48 THE SOUTH WIND .*.... 49 FALLING LEAVES 51 HOPE 53 A SEA SONG 54 NIGHT 56 THE VESPER BELLS 57 A WINTER NIGHT 58 Jo my Mother and the whole-souled women who have been my Benefactresses, this, my first effort, is gratefully inscribed. W. J. S. TO SANTA CRUZ. O, Santa Cruz, thou rose-crowned gem, Thou queen beside the sea, Where'er 1 go in days to come, I'll ever think of thee. Thou sitteth on thy mountain throne, And at thy feet the bay, With blue and purple waters bright, The lovely Monterey. My feet may touch on other shores, My home be far away, But in my thoughts thou e'er wilt be, The queen of Monterey. When long ago came holy men With cross and rosary, To plant the cross, Redemption's sign, Beside the lonely sea. No friendly voice to welcome them, No friendly face to meet, No pathway through the wilderness To guide their weary feet. TO SANTA CRUZ And here they laid them down to sleep, Beside the mission white; The city of the Holy Cross Keeps guard o'er them tonight. Then guard them well, O city fair, Beside the shining bay. Keep well thy trust, O Santa Cruz, Thou queen of Monterey. And now in robes of beauteous Spring, No queen more fair than thee The city of the Holy Cross Rose crowned beside the sea. Live on in beauty evermore, Beside the shining bay, A reign of peace I wish to thee, Thou queen of Monterey ! THE ORPHANS' CHRISTMAS The wind swept by with moan and sigh The world was cold and white, Three little children sat alone And talked of Christmas night. "It was so long, so long ago," Said one with golden head, "We must have lived a hundred years Since mother dear was dead. "Now, sister, you remember best, It was so long ago, You know the stars were shining bright, And the ground was white with snow. "We sat about the fire, you know, Beneath a Christmas tree, And mamma told us all about The babe of Gallilee. "In all the great big city there No place for Him to stay, And so they laid Him down to sleep In a manger on some hay. 3 THE ORPHANS' CHRISTMAS "And angels hovered over Him, And kings came from afar. And shepherds left their flocks alone, And were guided by a star. "And then she kissed us, too, you know, And wrapped us up in bed, And in the morning people came And told us she was dead. "And she's been gone so very long, And you know she went at night, The snow was lying everywhere So soft, so still and white. "Perhaps she went to see the babe, Asleep upon the hay, Perhaps she will come back tonight, For tomorrow's Christmas day." They hung their little stockings up, Just where mamma might see; And said "She will remember that The baby's now makes three." And in the morning they were found, All cold and still and white. It was the happy Christmas day For the angels came that night. A SONG OF THE SEA Out of the heart of the waters, In to the rough, rocky shore, Singing the song of the ocean Heard 'neath the deep, sullen roar; Song of the nymphs and the mermaids, Sung 'neath the pink coral tree, Listen ! the billows are singing Carols from under the sea, Hearken — the wild waves are sweetly Singing a song of the sea. Deep in the heart of the ocean, Over a watery tomb, Mermaids and naiads are mourning Many a mariner's doom, Who o'er the purple deep sailing, With his beloved to be, Sank, and the waters swept o'er him, Chanting a dirge of the sea. Listen — from ocean caves gloomy Echoes the dirge of the sea. 5 A SONG OF THE SEA Over the rollicking billows, Speeding her silv'ry way home, Cutting the pathway to harbor Over the opaline foam; Homeward the proud, white ship steering, Voices loud ringing in glee, Sailor lads gladly returning, Hark to the song of the sea, Welcome are minstrels of ocean Singing the song of the sea. A DREAM OF '6i I have travelled far back in a vision, To the times when rebellion and strife Swept over the land like a whirlwind, And threatened this fair nation's life, When the bugle and trumpet went sounding Afar through the North and the West, And the brave, sturdy sons of the nation Marched forth for the land they loved best. When in every hamlet and village Was heard the clear roll of the drum, And the voice of Columbia calling For her sons to hasten and come. For treason, red-handed, ran riot, And threatened, with insolent hand, To crush out the life of our country, And sweep with destruction the land. And the flag of our country went flying, Far from the north to the sea, Borne afloat by the noblest and bravest, Who died this fair land to keep free, 7 A DREAM OF '61 And again the trumpet is sounding, And I hear the low roll of the drum, Again is Columbia calling For all her brave children to come. But there's grief in the call of the bugle, And a wail in the roll of the drum; And with footsteps heavy and weary, They answer the summons to come. With the flag that they love draped in moumin; And with flowers to garland the grave, I hear the slow, steady tramping Of the few that are left of the brave. A WINTER STORM IN SANTA CRUZ The morning dawned in flaming red, Reaching the blue sky overhead, Then broke into long crimson bars Like the red trail of bloody Mars. The sun came up with lurid glare, Flashed on the purple everywhere, And swept a yellow glance along The crimson bordered horizon. Louder and louder through the day Rose the dull thunder of the bay, That higher swept upon the shore, And climbed the rocks with angry roar, The sky, now changed to weeping gray, Swung low its mantle o'er the bay. The river that was but a brook, Assumed a sullen, angry look, And lashed the sand from bank to bank, And surged through willows tall and rank, And swelled and swirled in fiendish glee In a maddened race down to the sea. And so the night came on apace, The storm the winner in the race. 9 io A WINTER STORM IN SANTA CRUZ All through the night came drip and dash Against the door and window sash. The morning came. The storm still hurled It's fury on a weeping world; Not like the North, who robes his bride In shimm'ring garments by his side, But dark and sodden, brown and bare, All wet and dripping everywhere. The wind came sweeping from the seas And sighed and moaned among the trees; And found its way, so wild and free, Down chimney throats in fiendish glee, Still through it all was heard the rain Against the door and window pane. Far inland soared the sea-gulls gray, Through driving clouds of mist and spray, From ramp and roar of the angry bay. So close down another day. All through the night with might and main On dripping earth down poured the rain. The wind came sighing 'neath the eaves, Like a lone child that sobs and grieves, Then died away in a weary wail That's swept along by the maddened gale. The storm has lost its furious might And quiets down by morning light. A WINTER STORM IN SANTA CRUZ u The sun looked on a world serene And pine and fir in shining green, The sighing breeze the rose caressed And shook the rain drops from her breast. The birds sang out a roundelay, A chorus sweet of songsters gay. The storm is o'er — the morning fair, And smiling beauty everywhere; Thus winter skies bend over me In Santa Cruz beside the sea. SOLITUDE The night has donned her purple robes, The stars hang smiling in the sky, All's still, save drowsy katydid, Or startled night-bird's plaintive cry. Far down beside the sobbing sea, The noisy town has sunk to sleep, And darkly lined against the hills, The whisp'ring pines their vigils keep. The dreamy night holds beauty rare; The garish sun has failed to find The sweet, low murm'ring of the trees; The far-off sighing of the wind. The shining vault of bending blue With bright forms shines from zone to zone, Has charms that fill with estacy The soul that loves to walk alone. 12 MHMORY Beneath the smiling skies of June With mottled moss beneath my feet, And waving branches overhead, The silver moon looks fair and sweet. And resting here beneath the trees, With all the world in sweet repose, Mem'ry along life's rugged path Like lightning's flash now backward goes. To where my eyes first saw the light Of earthly joy and earthly care, When ev'ry day brought new delight, And all the world was sweet and fair. Adown the rose-strewn path of youth My childish feet danced gaily on; The world to me held naught but truth And all things fair to look upon. The world has changed and so have I, And all my dreams of life are o'er, And youth's gay ship is stranded high Upon a barren, rocky shore. 13 14 MEMORY And through the branches overhead I catch a gleam of heav'nly blue, That falls along the path I tread, The only thing in life that's true. And far beyond the trees 1 hear A voice so lovely, low and sweet: "O weary soul, trust you the Lord And rest you at the Saviour's feet. SOME DAY Some day the mists will clear away, Some day the sun will shine, And hearts, now filled with grief and woe, Will find sweet peace divine. Some day the rose will bloom again Upon the withered tree, And where the snow so softly lies Will scented violets be. The earth that sleeps so cold and still Beneath her robes of white, Will wake into the smiles of Spring, Like morning after night. Some day we'll see as we are seen, And know as we are known, This earthly veil be rent away Before the Saviour's throne. J 5 GONE ! With white sails proudly swelling The ship sailed out to sea, Upon the shining waters, Away from land and me. I watched her slowly fading In evening's misty light, Till lost in ocean's darkness And wrapped in the gloom of night. The stars came, softly shining Upon the purple sea; The wind swept o'er the water A last farewell to me. 16 THE EXILE Oh ! land beside the sobbing sea, My native land, my own, With heavy heart I turn from thee To wander on alone. The tears have screened thee from my sight, As, with a swelling sail, The grand ship bears me out from thee My own beloved vale. Oh ! other lands may be as fair, And other skies as bright, But thoughts like these drive not despair From out my heart tonight. Oh ! star-gemmed vale beside the sea, My only wealth, I claim, Thy soil for my nativity, The right to bless thy name. 17 A WALK WITH THE DEAD I slept, and sleeping, walked alone Among the silent dead, With ne'er a ray of moonlight bright, Or glimm'ring star o'erhead. Down mouldy steps in vaulted tombs, With gliding, noiseless tread, All wrapped in folds of misty shrouds, Beside me walked the dead. No zephyr fanned my pallid cheek, Or stirred the murky air, But a deathly calm that chilled my heart Had reigned forever there. On either side were caskets piled, Piled high this piace within, And fleshless skulls made my blood run cold With their phosphorescent grin. And on we walked through Death's abode, Of light we had no gleam. In agony of fright 1 woke, thanked God That it was but a dream. A QUERY In this broad world of shade and shine, Of mountains clothed in green, Of rivers wide, of sweeping plains, Where cities lie between; Of rugged rocks whose giant forms Pierce through their crowns of mist, Their bases lit with dragon flowers By sighing south winds kissed. Of roaring rivers rushing down In mad haste to the sea, In quiet town or city's din, Is there a place for me ? What book lies open for my hand To turn it's white leaves o'er ? What ships stand out, with swelling sails, To bear me to what shore ? Or on the ocean's foiling breast, Or on the quiet land, Or in the battle's serried ranks, Where shall I take my stand ? 19 20 A QUERY Where shall I sleep when life is o'er ? Beneath the ocean's breast ? Or violet bank, or marble shaft Point out my place of rest ? It matters not what I shall do, Or where my home shall be, If Thou, O Lord, my feet will guide, All will be well with me. THE COMPLAINT OF THE AGED The world was fair when I was young, The roses seemed more sweet, The linnet sang a sweeter song Within her wild retreat. The flow'rs were fair when I was young, The grass of softer green, The catkins wore a brighter dress, The leaves a darker sheen. The stars were fair when 1 was young, The sky a deeper blue; The friends I made in those fair days To me were staunch and true. And hopes were high when I was young, My heart was light and gay, Life's pathway was as bright to me As flow'rs that bloom in May. The world is false, now 1 am old, And dark and full of care; The friends I knew are scattered now, God only knoweth where. 21 22 THE COMPLAINT OF THE AGED The only friend that has not changed Through all life's surging sea, Is He who walked beneath His cross The road to Calvary. 'Tis not the world that's changed, my friend, 'Tis not the world, 'tis you, The rose is just as fair as then, The sky is just as blue. The linnet's song is just as sweet, God's love is just as true; 'Tis not the world that's changed, my friend; 'Tis not the world; 'tis you. DEAD SUMMER Now the Summer dead is resting Folded in her shroud of snow; Gone are all her bright companions Who had loved her long ago. Roses dead that died with Summer, Now are buried by her side, And the Winter sky is mourning O'er his fair departed bride. And the cricket fain would linger, For her last, lone-fading ray; Lies he stiff, all cold and frozen, Caught by Winter on the way. And the earth she loved and cherished That she dressed in velvet green, Turned her, smiling, to King Winter With his robe of frosty sheen. Pure and cold the hills are wearing Mantles soft and white as down, And the mountain tops are gleaming With a shining silver crown. 23 24 DEAD SUMMER Cold and still beneath its armor, Silent runs the laughing stream, Slain by Winter's frosty sceptre Like the fairy Summer queen. And the proud king smiles and whispers, Whispers with his icy breath: "1 have conquered. Nature's sleeping Now the pale, cold sleep of death." REGRETS No day will ever be as fair, The sun will never shine As bright as when you walked with me Beside the River Rhine. And time will come and time will go, But hope and love are dead; No scene will change my heart's pulse now, Or flush my pale cheeks red. To you that wander far away Beyond the shining sea, The world has charms, but ah ! alas ! Life's hopes are dead for me. And now I'm standing all alone, Wrapped in the mellow light Of setting sun and rising moon. Good night, dead hopes, good night. 25 SONNET— TO M. B. Full many a time and oft I've walked alone Beneath the glories of a moonlit, starlit sky, And heard the breezes in the branches sigh And struggled to interpret their sad tone. And when my heart is sad and weary grown, They seem to understand and tell me why 1 wander. And my spirit seems to cry Beneath a burden that is all its own. But when the prestige of a soul like thine Doth show itself in gentle, soothing word, I lose all thought of this small soul of mine In sweet enjoyment of what I have heard, And seem to wait but for a single sign To tell the thoughts within my spirit stirred. 26 THE LITTLE GRAY BIRD. O, little gray bird, why linger you here ? Your comrades have all southward flown. The north winds now blow, the sky's dark and drear. O, why do you linger alone ? The leaves are all fallen, the limbs brown and bare, No shelter for you from the cold, wintry air. O, little gray bird, why tarry so long ? Only the Winter winds echo your song. The nest that you built with such cunning and care Swings now from a limb in the chill, frosty air. You're pluming your wings, you'll soon say good-bye To the nest swinging loose beneath the dark sky. Good-bye, little bird, you're off and away. Return with the rose in sweet, smiling May. 17 THE RIVER With a rush and a roar and a gurgle The river comes tumbling down, From the dark gorges deep in the mountain, By meadow, cottage and town. Swiftly on through the sunshine and shadow, On through the shadow and shine, With a murmur as soft as a love-song Kissing the roots of the pine. Slowly curling and darting and dancing, Under the foot of the hill, Pausing a moment to fondle the wheel In the old moss-covered mill. And thus, life-like, this swift-rushing current Sweeps to eternity's shore, Like a storm-driven ship on the ocean That sinks to rise nevermore. 28 THE FACE AT THE ATTIC WINDOW A face at an attic window, Above the dusty street, Had caught my wand'ring glances. The face was passing sweet. The dainty, dimpled fingers Upon the window-pane — But now, when I am passing, I look for them in vain. I climbed the creaking stairway, Far o'er the noisy street, To the little attic window Whence the face looked down so sweet, Where never a ray of sunlight Fell with its cheering grace, I found a fair, sweet infant Drooping within the place. 1 asked this dainty baby What gift that I should bring. In sweetly lisping accents: "Would like some flowers of Spring." 29 30 THE FACE AT THE ATTIC WINDOW My heart was touched with pity For the little infant there, That ne'er enjoyed life's sunshine, Or gazed on meadows fair. 1 went to keep my promise — The promise I had made — I brought the fairest flowers That bloomed within the glade. With heart o'erfull with yearning And hasty steps I sped — My flowers decked its coffin. The little one was dead ! The face at the attic window, To me so passing fair, From earth has been transplanted Among God's blossoms rare, And to a harp all golden 'Twill with the angels sing. Oh! There's room enough in Heaven For the flowers that bloom in Spring. AUTUMN With stately step and downcast eye, Wrapped in her robe of mist, Now Autumn treads the mountain side, Which Summer's sun has kissed. The leaves fall gently, one by one, All in a golden heap, To cover up the mossy mound Where star-eyed daisies sleep. The naked limbs make shadows long, Beneath the evening sun, Like vanguards of the Autumn Queen To tell that Summer's done. The fruit hangs heavy on the trees, Full is the farmer's barn; The good wife sits beside the hearth And winds her colored yarn. And onward moves the Autumn Queen, So mildly sweet and fair, Like a saintly nun with chaplet beads Saying her evening prayer. And' so the fair, sweet Autumn now Is passing out of sight; A little songster on the limb Trills her a sad "Good night." 3i THE OUTCAST The sweet remembrance of my childhood years Goes tripping by me with twofold grace. Now that my life has been baptized in tears My feet on earth have found no resting-place. Beneath the glory of a mellow moon I watch the phantom shadows come and go, But they, alas! have vanished all too soon, And left me but in dreariness and woe. Oh ! would the voice that calmed wild Galilee, And bade the waves and hurricane be still, Would whisper words of comfort unto me, And grant me grace to do His holy will. 32 ''THY WILL BE DONE" We kneel upon the altar stone, And humbly bow our heads in prayer, And say, "Oh, Lord ! Thy will be done," And mean it only while we're there. But when Thy kindly hand is laid With chastening touch upon our head, And through a mist of tears we gaze Upon our own beloved dead, With choking sobs and swelling heart, And pallid, tear-stained cheek, The quiv'ring lips rebelliously Try hard those patient words to speak. And kneeling by the new-made grave, Beneath the shining marble stone, With grieving heart say brokenly: "O Lord ! Thy will, not mine, be done. 33 WANDERING A SUMMER IDYL Come with me, I am free, We will wander far away: Away from the city's dust and din, Away from the haunts of crime and sin, That meet your gaze from day to day. Come with me, 1 am free. We will wander far away: Away from the city's toil and strife, The war that's waged for light and life; Away from the greedy, grasping hold The miser has on his shining gold; Away from the sights of the city's street, The tattered beggar with bleeding feet; Away from the rich in robes so warm, Who'd pass him by in the driving storm. Come with me, 1 am free, We will wander far away: Up the mountain's sloping side, Far through forests dim and wide; By the river's sedgy bank- Where the reeds grow tall and rank, 34 WANDERING 35 O'er the meadow, through the glen, Far from noisy haunts of men; Neath the leaves where wild birds sing And flowers bloom in the smile of Spring. Come with me, 1 am free, We will wander far away, And rest within some sylvan grove, Where word-nymphs sing their songs of love; Where laughing streams from mountain hearts Sweep down its sides like silver darts. Come with me, we are free, Free to wander where we list, On ocean's sands, thro' valley's mist, Neath rugged rocks where chamois stood And eagles rear their fierce wild brood. The velvet moss our carpets be, God's azure sky our canopy. Come with me, we are free, We will wander far away: By limpid pools whose purple breasts The water lilies rock and rest, The dragon fly with flash and dart Finds rest in the lily's golden heart. Come with me, we are free. DECEMBER A stretch of light below the gray, Then leaden clouds come flying fast, And throw dark shadows on the earth Like gloomy spectres gliding past. And now and then a feeble ray Of light falls on the earth below, And one by one the stars peep out And smile down on her robes of snow 3 6 OCTOBER The Autumn is upon us With sear and yellow leaf, The tassel's fallen from the corn, The wheat is in the sheaf. The smoky haze of Autumn Hangs low upon the hill; The brook assumes a darker hue, The choristers are still. Where rang the woods with music Their songs are heard no more. They've sought a fairer clime than this Till Winter storms are o'er. The leaves that were so tender In russet heaps now lie; The trees wave naked limbs aloft Beneath a lowering sky. October winds sweep by us, The flower hides its head, 37 38 OCTOBER The sad winds whisper as they pass That Summer-time is dead. Violet and daisy sleep Beneath the frost-chilled sod; They're waiting for the voice of Spring As we the voice of God. AT THE PORTALS 'Tvvas night. The moon had risen, The stars like angel-eyes Beheld a world in slumbers 'Neath purple- vaulted skies. An Angel at the portals In sheen of golden light Smiled down through misty stillness Upon the world that night. A flash of golden pinions Athwart the purple skies, Like the lightning of a comet It met the wand'rer's eyes. A weary watcher murmured: "The night already done ? Is the light that's gleaming round me The newly risen sun ?" The Angel softly whispered: "It is thy Father's will." 39 40 AT THE PORTALS He kissed the pallid forehead— The troubled heart was still, A sound of song and cymbals, As swung the Portals wide, Whence one had just departed Two entered side by side. BENEATH THE OCEAN WAVE I've gone down through the waves of the ocean, I have gazed on its emerald bed, I have looked on its wide, boundless treasure, Stood aghast at its numberless dead. 'Neath the shining, pink leaves of the coral Fast asleep lies the sailor boy fair, And the mermaids have woven a garland Of sea-weed to crown his bright hair. There are ships on the bed of the ocean That have sailed out so grandly to the sea, Bearing out from the shores they were leaving Many lives to a dread destiny, And the sea-shells are rocking and rolling, And are sounding a dirge for the dead, While the maiden and mother are waiting For the lost in their coffin less bed. There are isles in the heart of the ocean That are swept by the wild, surging waves, Rocks of jasper and coral and amber Where the sea-nymphs their shining forms lave; 4i 42 BENEATH THE OCEAN WAVE And the waters are shifting; and sparkling Over spars that are broken and brown, And caressing the brow of the sailor Who was true to his ship — and went down, And the sea-weed swings loose from the main- mast, Like fair banners flung out to the breeze That are swept by the slow, rocking motion Of the waves on the bed of the seas. All of this I have seen while in dreamland, And I woke with a start of affright To the rush and the roar of breakers On the shore in the dead of the night. MY STAR Over the hill-tops blue and far, Beyond the clouds so gray, I caught the glimmer of a star At the close of a Summer day. Diamond-like in a lonely sky It sparkled and twinkled and shone. My heart was sad as I thought of a soul That only I had known. That soul had left me long ago, 'Twas sad that he should die, I wondered — for it seemed since then That star was in the sky. 43 MY PICTURE Deep down in my heart I have hidden A picture so sweet and so fair, Away from the world's cruel glances, Far from its insolent stare. My picture has hair long and golden, And eyes of the uttermost blue, And a face like the face of an angel, With tints of the fair roses' hue. No rude eye has gazed on my treasure, So carefully hidden from sight; And none but myself and the angels Have gazed on its radiance bright. And when I am done with life's journey. When hither no longer 1 roam, I shall see that sweet face in my picture Of mother to welcome me home. 44 DRIFTING WITH THE TIDE Down the mountain's sloping side, By fern, and briar, and pine, By rugged rocks, through forests dark, I see the river shine. Down with the current drifting, A dainty craft I see; In the boat a maiden fair Is sitting listlessly. That frail bark is like my life, My youth the shining river That, drifting to the stormy sea, Returns again, oh, never! Hopes that with the morning dawned Had faded with the gloaming, Tossed like that dainty little craft That down the stream came roaming. Fortune, like that maiden fair Within the boat reclining, Has proved to be as false as fair, Who leaves her love repining, On we glide, my boat and I, Down the shining river, Drifting with the ebb and flow, Drifting on forever. 45 TO G. S. F. O thou sweet brother of my boyhood's heart, Thou boon companion of my youthful joys, Must we as men, from what we knew as boys In deep soul-sadness e'en so early part ? Long, long the hours seem without the grace Of thy sweet, youthful presence to my soul, And even Time in sadness seems to dole, Upon each thing thou knew'st, each word, each place. Why is it, God of might, that ne'er we know, Until our soul's joy is above with thee, How deep the current of true love may be, How deeper far the darkness of our woe ? The wailing bells peal out upon the air, And pierce my heart-caves with their grieving knell; Ah ! why can not my words, my vain tears tell How deep my heart will hold thine image fair ? Why could we not have spoke one last farewell ? Why need 1 drive myself so near despair ? 4 6 TO G. S. F. 47 Art thou, thou e'en my Lycidas, aware How my poor heart and soul for thee do swell ? 'Twas but a few short hours — ah mem'ry sweet- When we in boyish pleasures were conjoined; Ah ! Fate thou hast my treasure now purloined, And not until hearafter will we meet. Hereafter ? We will meet ? Ah thou good God, Thou bring'st some little comfort to my heart, E'en dearest souls must once in sorrow part, To be united far beyond the sod. See'st thou me now, my joy, in Paradise ? See'st thou how swells my heart in bitter grief ? Of earth this sadness e'er will be a fief, But God in heaven will dry the weeping eyes ! A REMEMBRANCE A little one whose life was like Some fair, bright tlow'r in May, Just oped his pansy eyes on earth. Then vanished quick away. Now sleeps he in his far-off grave Beneath the prairie sod, Where early daisies o'er it bloom Strewn by the hand of God. 48 THE SOUTH WIND I'm waiting for the south wind To wake the flow'rs from rest, To break the icy bondage Above the brooklet's breast; To whisper to the vi'lets That sleep so cold and low, Within their earthly chamber, Beneath their robes of snow. To make the soft leaves glisten, And tender catkins spring. O, South Wind, do not linger, Now usher in the Spring, Come sighing down the valley, And stir the frozen air, And where thy feet have lingered Will bloom in beauty rare, Just breathe upon the forests, And leaf and bud will bloom; They're waiting for thy coming, To drive away the gloom. 49 50 THE SOUTH WIND Come softly o'er the mountains, Like a bird upon the wing. O, South Wind, do not tarry, Now usher in the Spring. I hear thy soft breath sighing Among the apple trees; I see the swallows flitting Beneath the drooping eaves. The flowers look up sweetly From out the soft new grass, The buttercups are nodding So gaily as 1 pass. 1 hear a songster's carol, The rustle of a wing. Oh! Welcome, welcome, South Wind- For thou hast brought the Spring. FALLING LEAVES Purple and gold and crimson, Crimson and gold and brown, Stirred by a scented zephyr The leaves come flutt'ring down. Down on the mottled mossbed, Down to the earth so low, So soon to form a pillow For softly drifting snow. Silently, softly falling Like dew from a Summer sky, Like tears on a loved one's tombstone, So light on the ground they lie. The great, brown arms that bore them Bend, loving, down and grieve Over the glist'ning billows Of faded Summer leaves. Crimson and gold and purple, Yellow and crimson and brown, Flying hither and thither Cov'ring the frozen ground, 5i 52 FALLING LEAVES In golden heaps they're lying, In woodland and in glen, Rustling low to the southwind Stirred by robin and wren. So, softly our lives are passing Light as a falling leaf, To be garnered by the Reaper Into a golden sheaf. HOPE When the work of Autum is complete, When winter has begun, When the golden sun is seldom seen, When summer time is done, When many hearts in deep despair In lonely darkness grope, Let each Pandora's casket seek, And still within find Hope. That Hope which comforts many hearts, And sweet soul-solace brings, And to the suffering spirit sad A song of comfort sings, Has brightened many darkened lives As buds from winter ope, And many from a gloomy path Have been brought back by hope. So when our fortunes are adverse, When sorrow rules our hearts, When winter winds are keen and fierce And chill us with their darts, And when our hearts in deep despair, As if for sunlight, grope, Then let us join each hand in hand And onward strive — and hope. 53 A SEA SONG The maiden wept as she said farewell To her love on a summer day, As over the deep with a graceful sweep The good ship sailed away. 'Round scented isles where sunlight smiles, The ship sailed to the main, And the maid may wait for her love at the gate But he never will come again. For the mermaids fair combed their bright hair, On the coral reefs that day, And sang and smiled to the hurricane wild Amidst its foam and spray. And flashing across the shining seas The vessel sped along, To the coral isle where the mermaid smiles And chants her fatal song. The maid may weep and watch the deep For the ship that's away so long, But her love's at rest 'neath the ocean's breast, Where the mermaids sang their song. 54 A SEA SONG 55 And with fingers cold his locks of gold They twine while they laugh in glee, And rock him to sleep where the sea-mews weep 'Neath the shade of the pink coral tree. And the maid may weep, but her love will sleep Deep in his watery tomb, And the mermaids will smile on the coral isle And lure the ship to its doom. NIGHT The sun had sunk behind the hills, 'Twas hidden from my sight, The soft gray tints of eventide Had deepened into night, And only a crimson billow Flecked here and there the sky; Like frowns on the face of Heaven They met the wanderer's eye. Far overhead the azure sky Was gemmed with silver light, The stars angel fingers fair Held back the robe of Night. The Angel of Rest had spoken, All things obeyed his will; He looked upon the pulsing world And lo! the earth was still, 56 THE VESPER BELLS Autumn has painted the mountains Crimson and gold and brown, And golden rays of setting sun Are falling on the town. And at my feet all purple lies The bay in evening light, And here add there a sea-gull swift Dips low with soft wings white. And back to me comes stealing soft The past in dreamy spells, And on the evening air there breaks The peals of vesper bells. The waves are softly lapping now The gray sand at my feet The vesper bells come ringing low To me with mem'ries sweet. Within my heart, O vesper bells, Ye ring both night and day, In dreamy cadence take me back To my home so far away. Away from hills with crimson tints, Afar from ocean's spells Where first I heard you sounding low, O sweet-toned vesper bells. 57 A WINTER NIGHT Oh ! how eerie is the feeling, When I listen all alone, To the storm that's sweeping by me, With a wail and sigh and moan. While it taps with ghostly fingers At the window pane and door, Or comes whirling down the chimney With a sullen, angry roar. And the flames make phantom shadows On the pale and whitewashed wall, Dancing time to mystic music Sounding down the wind-swept hall. Now their phantom feet go flying Swiftly o'er the attic floor, Now they clatter down the stairway, Now they shake the great hall door. While I sit alone and listen To the storm, in silent fear, Comes a gleam through trembling lattice Of a star that's shining clear. 58 A WINTER NIGHT 59 Rising from a fleecy cloud-bed, Comes the pale moon shining bright, Looking on the still earth, smiling, Like a bride in robes of white. Now the fire burns dim before me, And the shadow dance is done, Silently they're disappearing In the darkness, one by one. Now the wind has ceased its wailing At the door and window pane; Clasping white robes to her bosom, Rests the earth in peace again. ill 1 mm lit s mi i iijfi i LIBRARY OF CONGRESS