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 HAPPY CHILDREN 
 
 AND 
 
 OTHER VERSES 
 
 By M. W. M. 
 
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 "^S^iik' \>^ 
 
 Book-.7^ ,7'? -H3 
 
 CORfRIGHT DEPOSIT 
 
HAPPY CHILDREN 
 
 AND 
 
 OTHER VERSES 
 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 FRANK F. LOVELL 
 
 1920 
 
Copyright, 1920 
 
 BY 
 
 FRANK F. LOVELL 
 
 ©CLA571274 
 
TO 
 
 WHOSE LOVE, FAITH, 
 
 AND 
 
 DEVOTION 
 
 TO HER CHILDREN, 
 
 I STRIVE TO EMULATE 
 
 TOWARDS MINE 
 
HAPPY CHILDREN 
 
 THE HAPPY CHILDREN 
 
 There were five children who owned the world, 
 
 The whole world, 
 
 A golden world. 
 Five happy children who loved the world, — 
 The world was at their feet. 
 
 They loved the sea, they loved the fields, 
 
 The fragrant fields, 
 
 The warm fields, 
 Daisies and thistles in playing fields 
 And all the world was sweet. 
 
 The forest of pines blew overhead. 
 
 Where squirrels fled, 
 
 And the children said 
 "Let's pretend to be Indians red 
 In feathers and wampum clad." 
 
 They played on the sand by the good blue sea 
 
 They sailed the sea, 
 
 They swam the sea; 
 They paddled and rowed on the laughing sea 
 And all their days were glad. 
 
 S 
 
They followed the wood paths endlessly 
 
 Where they could see 
 
 Importantly, 
 Small homes of ant and wasp and bee 
 And thought themselves very wise. 
 
 Taught by the rain and wind and sun 
 
 Much quiet fun, 
 
 They loved the sun 
 Those happy children of the sun 
 Beneath Cotuit skies. 
 
CYNTHIA 
 
 Where close-cropped turf elastic yields 
 Beneath her chestnut's feet 
 She wings the long, brown, friendly j&elds 
 With flying, rhythmic beat. 
 
 Where silver ripples, cool and still 
 Break at her rushing dive 
 She wakes the placid depth, until 
 The drowsy sea's alive. 
 
 Where challenging the target stands 
 "Nay, who will be so bold!" 
 She laughs, and speeds with slender hands 
 Her arrows to the gold. 
 
 Earth, sea and air, she holds them all 
 Triumphantly in fee. 
 Nor knows how close they have in thrall 
 Her Maiden Spirit free. 
 
MY CHILDHOOD 
 
 A happy child, I wandered on the sand, 
 
 Watching the ripples slip along the beach 
 
 Running light-footed, to be out of reach. 
 
 When one, more bold, came rushing up the land. 
 
 I saw the gulls wheel, sparkling 'gainst the blue 
 
 Lay on the bank where pines spread their soft mist 
 
 Against a peacock sea; and I would list 
 
 To whip-poor-will or thrush the summer through; 
 
 Or, floating hghtly, 'neath a sky of stars 
 
 In phosphorescent waves I'd he and see 
 
 The fireflies at play. Oh! Dawn of years! 
 
 Oh! Children playing near the deodars, 
 
 May your glad sunrise as enchanted be 
 
 As mine, — that still in golden hue appears. 
 
TO JEAN 
 
 Your moods from petulant to winsome run 
 Where child and dawning maiden are at play- 
 Like whim and froHc of an April day, 
 Or pulsing radiance 'neath a cloud-crossed sun. 
 Puck's sister now, all twinkling mirth and fun. 
 Now Rosalind's of witching yeas and nays, 
 Grave Martha's next, deep-skilled in household ways. 
 Then garden-wise, you rival Ceres. None 
 Of all the pretty sisterhood but lends 
 Some trait or fancy, wilful, sage or sweet. 
 You dance through sunny days on happy feet 
 And linger wistful when glad daylight ends. 
 May this dear prelude set your lifelong theme 
 In harmony of wit, work, happiness and dream. 
 
ALISOUN 
 
 My dainty, elfin, fair-haired maid 
 
 Of wayward mood. 
 By love and loving only, swayed 
 
 To bidden good. 
 
 A word, a tone, a gesture e'en 
 
 By love inspired, 
 Will wing her footsteps, light her keen 
 
 Spirit untired. 
 
 The dullest task has secret charm 
 
 When love's astir. 
 But, love away, some hidden harm 
 
 Makes dark from fair. 
 
 A fairy poem tripped along 
 
 Her baby tongue, 
 With love as simple as a song 
 
 A bird has sung; 
 
 For she would paint the bluest blue 
 
 Her heart could yield, 
 Would pluck the prettiest flower that grew 
 
 In her love's field. 
 
 Her searching lips, more tutored art 
 
 Surpassing far. 
 Rippled, "You heart, you lovely heart, 
 
 You sweetheart star." 
 
 10 
 
May love forever be her star, 
 
 And ever kind, 
 Leading her up, leading her far. 
 
 Life's best to find. 
 
 Until unwearied, wise, alert 
 
 Early or late. 
 She reach, still loving and unhurt 
 
 Death's golden gate. 
 
BEATRICE 
 
 A rush, a whirr, a laughing shout 
 
 Of childish glee. 
 Now what is Beatrice about? 
 
 I'd better see. 
 
 Is there a dragon-fly to chase? 
 
 Rabbit to follow? 
 She's flashing off with merry face, 
 
 Swift as a swallow. 
 
 Or who will fish with hook and Une? 
 
 Why Beatrice. 
 And who will catch the gold-fish fine? 
 
 Just hers the bliss. 
 
 If fun's afoot in field or wood 
 
 I'll find her there, 
 With stocking torn, and fallen hood, 
 
 And tangled hair. 
 
 Has she a treasure David claims? 
 
 All generous now, 
 She yields it. Must he win at games? 
 
 She'll show him how. 
 
 From mood to mood, from deed to deed 
 
 She flits and flies 
 A-wing for change, her dearest need, 
 
 Some new surprise. 
 
 12 
 
Bright Spirit, vivid, loving, sweet, 
 
 Happy, intense, 
 May life so lead your dancing feet 
 
 Thtough its immense 
 
 Great round of change and wonder, you 
 
 Well satisfied. 
 Shall hve each best experience through, 
 
 Not one denied. 
 
TO DAVID 
 
 My little son with tousled head, 
 Small nose a-tilt and wilful eyes, 
 Swift, flitting, will-o'-wispish mite. 
 What are the rules will make you wise? 
 
 The selfishness that lies behind 
 Your little funny naughtiness, 
 The gallantry that bade you pause 
 And blow me, through shut door, a kiss, 
 
 The courage and the manfulness 
 Which taught you, when you saw my pain 
 Was greater for your hurt than yours, 
 And bade you cry, " All well adain!" 
 
 Where may they lead you, where indeed? 
 What are the lessons on your way? 
 What are the pitfalls for your feet 
 Along the dusty dreary way? 
 
 How can I arm you to endure? 
 How can I give you vision free. 
 For which to Uve, for which to die, 
 To follow through eternity? 
 
 Shall Life or I your teacher be? 
 May I be teacher too, with Life? 
 I feel so wise with you so young. 
 Though I'm a novice in the strife. 
 14 
 
Dear David, one thing I have learned 
 I would that you could learn from me, — 
 Until that tyrant self of yours 
 Is conquered, you will not be free. 
 
 Until your hands are on the reins 
 Of your own will, you cannot rule. 
 Till you are master of yourself 
 You are the world's toy, and its fool. 
 
 When you can open morning eyes 
 Upon the beauty of the day 
 And say "My work's before me plain," 
 And, "I am nothing, nothing," say, 
 
 Then all the flood of loveliness. 
 Of shining peace, joy, hope, delight, 
 Will rush to fill that empty space, 
 Making your "nothing" one great hght. 
 
 I know this, dear, but how to say 
 The words so that your soul shall hear? 
 Ah! How indeed? No words, no words, 
 Only Love's voice, My Very Dear. 
 
 15 
 
THE ARRIVAL 
 
 I see them at last, — the four Uttle blue-clad figures 
 Waiting a trifle wistfully, sitting a-row and safe. 
 They catch my smile as the train hurries into the 
 
 station 
 And with patter of light feet they rush down the 
 
 platform 
 To meet me as I aUght, when the train, creaking, 
 
 stops. 
 They gather close, caressing, eager, with happy 
 
 cries, 
 " Dear old Mummy, Sweet woman! How good you've 
 
 come!" 
 And I settle my wings around them like a glad bird 
 
 i6 
 
THE SHADOWlCOUSINS 
 
 We've got your pictures on the wall, 
 We've got you in our hearts, 
 We wish the sea were not so wide, 
 Whenever summer starts. 
 
 We talk about the yellow sand, 
 The gold and silver shells. 
 The fiddlers and the horseshoe crabs 
 Of which Grandmother tells. 
 
 We want to fish with you for scup, 
 And paddle, "wade," you say 
 And sail and swim and row and climb 
 In the Cotuit way. 
 
 We want to run along the beach 
 And feel the sHppy sand. 
 And dig deep holes, to watch the sea 
 Come creeping to our hand. 
 
 And will you show us arbutus 
 And ladies' shppers too 
 And wintergreen, and Charlotte's lace 
 Where all the fairies grew? 
 
 And may we join your treasure hunt 
 With ribbons streaming wide. 
 And find the hundred pretty toys 
 That Grandmother will hide? 
 
 We wish. Oh! How we wish that soon 
 Your faces we might see! 
 Beloved Shadow Cousins, 
 Victoria and Lee. 
 
 17 
 
THE BELOVED BLOSSOM 
 
 A laughing fairy with rainbow wings 
 Was caught in a cup of pearl, 
 Above it Titania waved her wand 
 And out stepped a little girl. 
 
 Her golden curls like petals frame 
 Her mischievous, dimpled face 
 Like a yellow rose, or a daffodil 
 Perfumed with love and grace. 
 
 And all the fancies the fairies have 
 Are met in her baby smile, 
 For she knows the most enchanting ways 
 To capture and beguile. 
 
 Her words flit merry as humming-birds 
 That dart into every flower, 
 The flowers of all the loving hearts 
 That weave her guardian bower. 
 
 There's not a caress nor a pretty way 
 Whose secret she doesn't know, 
 She wins a kiss for her rougish pranks 
 And a toy for her tiny woe. 
 
 Precious and cherished, she spreads around 
 The fragrance of childhood sweet; 
 So I send this httle tender word 
 The Beloved Blossom to greet. 
 i8 
 
THE| HAPPY SONG 
 
 I spread my wings through the arch of Spring, 
 
 And call to the birds, "Let us sing, sing, sing! 
 
 The Winter is gone with its grieving dark. 
 
 Come with us, Robin and Thrush and Lark, 
 
 Sing in our choir of joy, joy, joy. 
 
 Crying to every girl and boy 
 
 To join in our song and our glad free hearts, 
 
 Forgetting the world and its dusty marts; 
 
 Only singing o'er heather and thorn, 
 
 We are glad, glad, glad that we were born." 
 
 There are the flowers with peeping smile 
 
 Gilding the meadows for mile on mile. 
 
 There with a laugh comes the strong blue sea 
 
 Carolling, dashing, mad and free. 
 
 The whole world is singing an infinite song. 
 
 Forgetful of sighing Winter's wrong. 
 
 Our hearts are filled and overflow 
 
 With our joy in the beautiful things we know. 
 
 And we sing till eve from early morn, 
 
 We are glad, Oh! Glad that we were born. 
 
 Glad that this wonderful world is ours, 
 Wreathed in its garment of leaves and flowers; 
 Glad of the sun, and glad of the trees, 
 Of the birds and butterflies and bees. 
 Glad that the Night has wed the Moon, 
 That the sweet stars shine, that May melts to June, 
 That the sky is blue and the clouds are white, 
 That bright day fades into tender night. 
 That gentle night will wake with the mprn, 
 We are glad, so glad that we were born. 
 19 
 
We follow the wind for hours on end, 
 And everj" coppice holds a friend. 
 A squirrel whisks to the high oak spray 
 Chattering, laughing, he seems to say : 
 "Aren't you glad you have found my nest. 
 Glad to be out on your wild-wood quest. 
 Glad that the pheasant roams in the bush, 
 That the Uttle rabbits their noses push 
 Through the cool tall grass by the waving corn 
 Aren't you glad, glad, glad that you were born?" 
 
 Song bubbles up from our merry lips 
 
 Sweet as honied store that the wild bee sips 
 
 From columbine gay in the forest glade. 
 
 Where all last night the fairies played 
 
 In the shadow and glimmer under the leaves, 
 
 WTiich the soft night wind in patterns weaves 
 
 Like a delicate carpet of hght and shade 
 
 For Titania's dainty footprints laid. 
 
 And the Fair\^ Herald winds his horn 
 
 To join our refrain, — we're glad we were born. 
 
 "We are glad, we are glad, we are glad," we sing, 
 
 "That sullen Winter has yielded to Spring. 
 
 Glad we may gather the primrose pale 
 
 That pours its gold over hill and vale. 
 
 Glad that the brooks are all set free 
 
 To add their murmuring minstrelsy 
 
 To our joyous voices that sound so shrill 
 
 Up the valley and over the hill. 
 
 Till in one chorus we greet the morn. 
 
 We are glad, Oh, Glad! that we were born." 
 
 20 
 
A YOUNG BIRD SINGS 
 
 Over the world, around the world 
 I speed on my pinions Hght, 
 Up the world and down the world 
 Then home again at night. 
 
 Fair is the world, sweet is the power 
 To flutter hke wind-blown foam. 
 But Oh! How dear is the evening hour 
 That brings me safely home! 
 
SECRETS 
 
 When the sun is shining, glad and strong and bright, 
 The meny bu"ds are happy and singing in the Hght, 
 All the flowers are dancing, rabbits frisk about 
 Because the night is ended and now the sun is out. 
 When I see the sunbeams shpping through the trees 
 Like steep cobweb stairways that waver in the 
 
 breeze. 
 When I see the golden Ught spreading ever>'where, 
 Round the yellow buttercups, in the Baby's hair, 
 ^^TMiisper.) Then I'm the sim! 
 
 When I feel the rain come brusliing in my face 
 Soft as Mother's fichu, that's all of tilmy lace; 
 When the jolly raindrops glisten on the leaves, 
 And ever\- friendly robin hides beneath the eaves; 
 If the stm comes laugliuig across the simmier shower 
 There will be a rainbow brighter than a flower, 
 All the drooping blossoms hft their heads agam 
 Because they were so thirsty they wanted it to rain. 
 (Whisper.) Then Fm the rain! 
 
 When I hear the wind go rushing in the trees 
 Rising from a whisper, spreading to a breeze. 
 Shrieking to a tempest, howling in a storm, 
 And ever^-body's indoors, safe and snug and warm; 
 When I hear it rattling at the window pane 
 Blowing all the leaves abotit, dashing, wet with rain, 
 Shouting down the cliimney. wailing roimd the door, 
 Creeping in at all the cracks, cold across the floor, 
 (Whisper.) Then I'm the wind! 
 
When I see the starlight shine into the room 
 
 The high old trees are shadowy like giants in the 
 gloom ; 
 
 The sky's so steep and far away, and deep and blue 
 and all 
 
 That even if I climbed it most likely I should fall; 
 
 The scars are clear and quiet, I think they under- 
 stand 
 
 How much I'd Uke to touch them, that's why I 
 stretch my hand ; 
 
 I watch them and love them and listen to their song 
 
 And though the night's not sleepy it doesn't seem 
 too long, 
 
 (Whisper.) For Ftn the stars! 
 
 23 
 
A CHILD'S SUPERSTITION 
 
 The new moon laughed at me to-night 
 
 From fibiiy web of cloud. 
 And caught my heart up in her hght 
 
 When I laughed back and bowed. 
 
 "For Luck!" I cried, and nodded thrice. 
 
 I thought she nodded too. 
 "I've Luck,'' she said, "For those I love 
 
 And there's a bit for you. 
 
 You know you mustn't watch for Luck 
 
 But just be glad and good." 
 "I know," I said. Like a good child 
 
 I whispered that I would. 
 
 So all this month Fm honour bound 
 
 To be as glad as glad. 
 And good as good too, that I've found 
 
 Easy, if you're not sad. 
 
 If I can keep my spirit Hght 
 
 Until the month is past, 
 There's sure to be some luck around, 
 
 'Twill come to me at last. 
 
 24 
 
THE PENNY WHISTLE 
 
 Wistful I wandered through the glade and up the hill, 
 The sky was near and shadowy, the Whispering 
 Trees were still. 
 When I picked up a penny whistle. 
 Just a tiny plaything dropped by a running child, 
 I blew a slow breath through it; it sounded sweet 
 and wild, 
 So I kept the penny whistle. 
 
 Sometimes when I am lonely or sad and full of doubt. 
 And life seems such a cruel thing that tosses one 
 about, 
 I take out my penny whistle. 
 And play a little simple tune of sun and wind and 
 
 flowers 
 Or the sea that sings along the sand through dreamy 
 summer hours. 
 Then I'm glad because of my whistle. 
 
 It's such a slender trifle to comfort a sad heart. 
 Yet there's something magic in its tone that takes 
 away the smart. 
 So I cherish my penny whistle. 
 I wish that I could let you hear the pleasant trills and 
 
 mild. 
 The sort of things you heard perhaps when you were 
 but a child 
 Come from my penny whistle. 
 
 25 
 
If it could give you comfort or drive your blues 
 
 away 
 I'd play for you and play for you through all the 
 livelong day 
 Tunes on my penny whistle. 
 But perhaps you'd only laugh and stop your ears and 
 
 say "Enough"! 
 Those jingling, tinkling melodies are very idle stuff, 
 Why! It's only a penny whistle" ! 
 
 So I think I'll keep it hidden and softly take it out 
 When I am quite alone with stars and brooks and 
 birds about 
 Then play on my penny whistle. 
 And starlight and twittering birds and murmuring 
 
 water soon 
 In lilting happy chorus will mingle with the tune 
 Of my merry little whistle. 
 
 And all the petty teasing things that worried me 
 and vexed 
 
 Or filled with contradictions that troubled me, per- 
 plexed 
 Will fly at the sound of my whistle, 
 
 Till back through pleasant twilight groves and 
 friendly forest ways 
 
 I'll linger, light of heart again, and full of loving 
 praise 
 For my Comrade, Penny Whistle. 
 
 26 
 
THE GIFT 
 
 Maxoe sent a gift to me 
 Of inwoven pearls. 
 
 What can I return to her, 
 Sweetest of all girls? 
 
 I have not a pearl to send, 
 
 Not an amethyst. 
 Would a wreath of roses do 
 
 If each one I kissed? 
 
 FAITHLESS PYRRHA 
 
 Late last night my Pyrrha said 
 
 She was all my own. 
 With the morning hght I found 
 
 All her fancies flown. 
 
 Will they flutter to the hall 
 Where Almoethes sits? 
 
 If they do, my heart will break 
 Into httle bits. 
 
 COMPUNCTION 
 
 Why should I praise the sunshine in your curls 
 
 When over there, 
 Beloved eyes are closed forever, 'neath 
 
 Blood-dabbled hair? 
 
 27 
 
THE TEA PARTY 
 
 Oh! Clotho, haste your tiring! 
 
 The light of afternoon 
 Is slowly fading overhead, 
 
 We are expected soon. 
 
 If I am not at Myrrha's 
 When Clermines arrives, 
 
 I'll die at least a hundred deaths 
 And lose a hundred lives! 
 
 DOUBT 
 
 I heard the swallows' twitter 
 Drop down from out the blue 
 
 Like dainty, frail love-letters 
 That come to me from you. 
 
 I vow the swallows' twitter 
 Will just as lasting prove 
 
 As these deceptive missives 
 That tell me of your love. 
 
 CHEATED 
 
 Spring threw its beauties at me for a day 
 Then turned and laughing, tripped lighftoot 
 
 away. 
 And Love glanced at me with a starUke eye 
 Then flew as fast away as he could fly. 
 28 
 
HAPPY GOATHERD 
 
 Glaxo, lead your goats this way 
 
 Down the stony hill, 
 Sit with me among the ferns 
 
 By this little rill. 
 
 Show me your philosophy. 
 
 Why are you content? 
 What has made your flute to be 
 
 Sweetly eloquent? 
 
 "My content no secret hides. 
 
 What have I to wish 
 While my flock lush pasture crop 
 
 From their thorny dish? 
 
 " While my heart is safe and sound 
 
 In dear Phryne's hands 
 Who will keep it close and warm 
 
 In love's steadfast bands?" 
 
 29 
 
DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE 
 
 Rheta, which of all the youths 
 
 With ambrosial curls 
 Has first place within your heart 
 
 Queen of lovely girls? 
 
 I am old and desolate, 
 
 Do not take amiss 
 That I thus should question you, 
 
 Come! Which is it? Miss? 
 
 "None of all those foppish youths 
 
 Has my heart in thrall. 
 Since you first appeared to me, 
 
 You have had it all." 
 
 30 
 
A COQUETTE 
 
 If Sapho vowed her heart to me 
 Ah! Naught would be more sweet. 
 
 By what return of troth could I 
 The little mischief meet? 
 
 I know she does not want my heart 
 
 Forever and a day. 
 A day, perhaps, but after that 
 
 She'd throw it quite away. 
 
 Perhaps my head would do as well 
 With wealth of wistful rhyme, 
 
 Would catch her heart and keep it mine 
 A little longer time. 
 
 31 
 
HOPELESS LOVER 
 
 Phyllis puts her thirsty lips 
 
 To my silver cup, 
 Laughs before a drop she sips, 
 
 Looking slyly up. 
 
 How I wish my heart had turned 
 
 Into fragrant wine 
 E'er for her my spirit burned 
 
 With this pain divine! 
 
 Surely then my brimming cup 
 From the jar had dipped 
 
 All my love, and she perforce 
 Of my soul had sipped. 
 
 32 
 
PANS PIPES 
 
 Shrilling through a birchen grove 
 Mad and merry, joyous, free, 
 
 Trilled the happy pipes of Pan 
 Calling, calhng me. 
 
 Every mischievous intent, 
 Every fancy, every whim 
 
 Of my disobedient heart 
 Answered, answered him. 
 
 Under skies of blue and rose 
 Far from cities built by man 
 
 In that grove of white and gold 
 I will dance with Pan. 
 
 Cornish, N. H., October 11, 1919 
 
 33 
 
A LAUGHING SONG 
 
 I will go down into the fields with Love. 
 I will go down into the laughing fields 
 In search of treasure that the cowslip yields, 
 Cowslip, that tosses gold where'er we rove. 
 
 There Love and I will heap our cowshp balls 
 To prove by battle who has greater heart, 
 He with his wiles and witcheries and art, 
 Or I who hear and follow where love calls. 
 
 But if I vanquish all-desired Love 
 
 I shall deprive myself by his undoing. 
 
 For Love defeated, who shall go a'-wooing? 
 
 And who, unwooed, can life's enchantment prove? 
 
 But quick unvanquished Love shall conquer me. 
 And by that triumph leave me sadder still 
 Than if by cowslip showers I could kill 
 My tjTant dear, and lovehest enemy. 
 
 So I, perforce, must check a skilful cast 
 And pray that to Love's volleys I succumb, 
 Till back returning, Love and I shall come 
 And vow our fii'st affray shall be our last. 
 
 34 
 
SUGGESTED BY SEEING PINK HAW- 
 THORN IN THE GREEN PARK 
 
 There are hawthorns in the valley 
 
 And the mist climbs up the hill. 
 
 Oh! There's fragrance in the valley by the brook! 
 
 And I'm off with wind and weather, 
 
 We will search for Spring together, 
 
 For she's hiding in the valley. Look! Oh, Look! 
 
 Underneath the hazel bushes 
 
 Where the tossing bluebells grow 
 
 And the sunbeams peep and frohc with the shade. 
 
 Sunbeams run! and we will follow 
 
 Swifter than the flight of swallow. 
 
 Through the valley and the flower-painted glade., 
 
 Can you say how glad your heart is 
 
 When the hawthorn is in bloom 
 
 And the bubbhng blossom perfumes all the air? 
 
 Let us greet the Spring together 
 
 For you hold my heart in tether 
 
 To my love for you, and Oh! That love is fair. 
 
 HOME 
 
 My home is not shut in by four strait walls 
 Nor bounded by one broad horizon line; 
 But where my heart rejoices, nearer God, 
 Beneath the changing sky is home of mine. 
 
 35 
 
ALL SAINTS' DAY REVERIE 
 
 From the pale sorrow of November's birth 
 I dream myself away into the past, 
 My cherished hoard of moments, visions, joys, 
 To swell the fire of remembrance, cast. 
 
 The purple sea is spread 'neath August haze, 
 Around me rise the fragrant friendly pines. 
 The perfume mingles with the burning sands 
 And poignant sweetness from the wild grape vines. 
 
 My feet sink slipping in the yielding path 
 That marks my lingering progress through the wood. 
 My brushing skirts catch in the sharpened twigs 
 Of teasing scrub-oak. In this spot I stood 
 
 A thousand times to watch the white clouds pass 
 Across the feathered branches overhead. 
 I hear the mad sweet riot of the thrush 
 Where in azalea shade he's thicketed. 
 
 I cross the dyke. Above, man's fostering hand 
 Has set the bogs whose glistening berries soon 
 Will dot with crimson the green glossy leaves. 
 Below, the marsh is spread. From June to June. 
 
 An ever-changing medley of delight 
 Colours and flowers 'neath the varied skies 
 Garlanded now with roses wild and sweet. 
 Now, circling golden-rod's bright torches rise. 
 
 My path strikes on through tangled undergrowth 
 That half obliterates its purposed way 
 Till sudden there's a break, a level space, 
 All my companion trees are fallen away. 
 36 
 
Below me lies the sweetest landlocked bay 
 God in his pleasure ever thought for man. 
 Blue, whispering, endlessly serene 
 Beneath the sky. Or ever Time began 
 
 It lay there musing, and when Time is done 
 It still will lie in peace. Here then an hour 
 I'll throw me down among the springy vines 
 Of creeping scarlet crowberry. This dower 
 
 Of beauty and of promise shall be mine. 
 I'll float above the ripples like the wind 
 And learn the secret of its murmured song. 
 Or like the flashing silver fishes, finned, 
 
 I'll search its farthest inlets. Here I find 
 The gentle spot where sheltered most secure 
 With all my dearest fancies I might dwell 
 Out of the world beside this influence pure. 
 
 This tiny acre would be all my need, 
 A sack of meal and water from my well, 
 A thatch against the storm and winter wind 
 Here lost, and doubly safe, content I'd dwell. 
 
 The all-unanswered riddle of the years 
 Would here unravel, and my eyes would see 
 Truth simple as the dawn. All hopes, all fears 
 Would fall away in wise simplicity. 
 
 A dream, a dream, I dream a pretty dream. 
 And as from all fair dreams I must awake. 
 The night is flying under English skies, 
 Beneath dear English skies my day will break. 
 37 
 
RESTLESSNESS 
 
 My heart is full of music, 
 
 My world is full of song, 
 
 And I would be off to the tall woods 
 
 To dwell there long. 
 
 I'd throw away the comfort 
 Silken and subtle enough 
 That steals the gold from the sunset 
 And live life rough. 
 
 Rough and easy and magic 
 Under the eyes of the stars, 
 Friend of Aquila, Orion, 
 And great god Mars. 
 
 Perhaps a nymph or a dryad. 
 Or sister of dusky Pan, 
 Part myth and partly spirit 
 Of wild-wood clan. 
 
 Drowsing under a pine-tree 
 When noon burns fragrant and still, 
 While I see the white gulls circle, 
 Hear song-sparrow trill. 
 
 Watching the bees and the squirrels 
 Busy and clever and wise 
 With all the wisdom of cliildren 
 And God in the skies. 
 38 
 
Drifting at night in the shallows, 
 Warm from the heat of the day, 
 Till body is melted to spirit 
 Both, floating away. 
 
 Floating up to the starlight 
 
 Out of the misty sea. 
 
 Till turned to a cloud or a moonbeam 
 
 At last I'm free. 
 
 39 
 
ARETHUSA 
 
 Clematis climbed to the top of a tree, 
 Climbed to the top of the black yew tree, 
 And hung in its dusky shade. 
 When summer loosened her filmy gown, 
 Foaming and white it came rushing down, 
 And a bubbHng waterfall made. 
 
 Fm perfectly certain that Arethuse, 
 
 Tired of Sicily's grays and blues, 
 
 And spying a chance to be free 
 
 From Alpheus' all too loving arms, 
 
 Has fled with her beauty and laughing charms 
 
 To dwell in my garden with me. 
 
 And so when I see the white clouds play. 
 
 Beyond the dashing clematis spray 
 
 I watch for the god, lest he 
 
 Turned into mist should come searching here 
 
 For the dainty maiden he loves so dear, 
 
 The N3anph that he longs to see. 
 
 It wouldn't surprise me a single bit 
 If some soft night when the small bats flit 
 Through the shadows under the stars, 
 I entertain great company 
 Under the broad old walnut tree 
 By the feathery deodars. 
 
 40 
 
I mean to watch so quiet and still, 
 If I'm very patient perhaps he will 
 Come for his Love one night, 
 And in the sweetness and silence here, 
 Perhaps her heart will awake and hear 
 Till she yields and follows his flight. 
 
 And when next morning I run to see 
 Clematis splashing down from the tree, 
 Of course I'll find she's fled. 
 Alpheus' prayer wifl be answered at last, 
 The Lovers' Rubicon happily passed. 
 Her first "I love you," said. 
 
 I'll always beheve the wilful maid 
 
 Hides in the sheltering yew-tree's shade, 
 
 Till she and Alpheus go 
 
 Flitting as suddenly away 
 
 As the crest of a wave in rainbow spray. 
 
 And then, why then I'll know! 
 
 41 
 
A VALENTINE 
 
 The year has run its golden round 
 
 Maid Spring comes dancing in 
 
 With sigh of shower, 
 
 And smile of flower, 
 
 And blackbird's merry din. 
 
 The elm-tree flings its tasseled twigs 
 Across the April blue. 
 My heart's a-wing 
 With songs of Spring 
 For you, my dear, for you. 
 
 42 
 
AQUARELLE 
 
 Raindrops in the hawthorn twigs 
 Black and cold and dripping, 
 
 Just this lazy little wind 
 Soon will set them slipping. 
 
 Garden's like a cup of mist 
 Rimmed about with trees 
 
 Tall and sad and limp and wet 
 In the listless breeze. 
 
 Lilac buds are shivering, 
 
 Almond blossom's shy, 
 Robin's hidden in the yew 
 
 Half afraid to fly. 
 
 Thrush is scolding at the damp. 
 
 Pussy creeps forlorn. 
 Garden beds are like a swamp, 
 
 Not a blossom born. 
 
 Snowdrop tries to hide away 
 
 From the murky chill, 
 Wishes it had stayed at home 
 
 'Neath its little hill. 
 
 Violet and daffodil 
 
 Last week looked so gay, 
 Three whole days of sleet and mist 
 
 Frightened them away. 
 
 What a time of mirk and gloom! 
 
 Desolation drear! 
 You can guess without more words 
 
 February's here. 
 43 
 
SPRING SNOW 
 
 The garden's full of daffodils and crocuses and prim- 
 roses, 
 Frocks purple, white and yellow, in a merry dancmg 
 
 row; 
 
 They're nodding to each other and pretending, "bal- 
 ance partners!" 
 
 When suddenly a cold wind has turned Spring 
 shower to snow. 
 
 Each crocus has a frilled cap of lacy snow-white 
 
 crystals, 
 The daffodils are draped in dainty star-embroidered 
 
 rouGS 
 The primroses are snuggled under heaps of fluffy 
 
 snow-flakes, 
 Their yellow faces shining through Uke hghted golden 
 globes. 
 
 A snow-storm in the Winter's not half so soft and 
 
 pretty , 
 
 As now, when Spring-time's runmng round the 
 
 garden with a cheer. 
 I love to see what fun the flowers are having in the 
 
 fluriy 
 And know that spite of chill and frost the Summer 11 
 
 soon be here. 
 
 44 
 
VILLANELLE 
 
 Winter's knocking at the door., 
 With the sound a face peeps out, 
 Autumn pleads for one day more. 
 
 "There are apples on the floor, 
 Leaves are scattered all about." 
 Autumn pleads for one day more. 
 
 "Just to-day the West wind tore 
 My cloud curtains." With a pout 
 Autumn pleads for one day more. 
 
 "Come! You'd wait till Spring before 
 Going! You forget no doubt, 
 Winter's knocking at the door!" 
 
 45 
 
DECEMBER 
 
 A robin sings at sunset, 
 A ring-dove coos at noon, 
 
 An owl's cry at midnight 
 
 Floats shrill beneath the moon. 
 
 A snow-drop in the morning 
 Droops bell of greenish pearl. 
 
 The daisies' pink-tipped petals 
 Their silken fringe unfurl. 
 
 SUght songs, and swift impressions, 
 
 New flowers, yet so old; 
 They bind my heart to England 
 
 With welded chain of gold. 
 
 46 
 
AWAKENING 
 
 I heard a chaffinch singing in the dawn 
 
 While my half-drowsy sense dehcious hung 
 
 'Twixt sleep and waking. The refrain he flung 
 
 Across the sounding-board of silvered lawn 
 
 Was "Spring-time, Spring, Spring, Spring-time." 
 
 So he wove 
 A spell in every shade of melody 
 Exultant, "Spring, sweet Spring, glad Spring-time!" 
 
 He 
 
 Made coloured patterns on a theme of love. 
 
 I would not change his dear ecstatic song 
 
 For richest setting of orchestral scope. 
 
 The morning's promise and the day's best hope 
 
 To that triumphant orison belong. 
 
 May "Spring, fair Spring-time" echo down the 
 
 years 
 Promise and exhortation to my ears. 
 
 47 
 
DAYBREAK 
 
 Exultant Blackbird leads the hosts of song 
 
 That challenge prison night to set day free; 
 
 And my glad heart upspringing, light as he 
 
 With silent concord joins the matin throng. 
 
 From tree to tree the chorus runs along 
 
 And back and forth in woven harmony 
 
 Melodious iteration, ceaseless, free 
 
 "Haste! Warder night, your vigil is too long!" 
 
 Then timid morn, a-peep between the trees 
 
 Listens with rosy blush her lovers' praise. 
 
 "Sweet Love," they sing, "Fair Dawn thy beams 
 
 up-raise 
 And bless with radiance thy votaries." 
 So, slipping down the stairway of the sky 
 She greets each Lord of woodland melody. 
 
 48 
 
THE LITTLE TRAINS IN ENGLAND 
 
 Sometimes when I perforce must flash along 
 These swift, great, lordly highroads of the rail, 
 I pass some hamlet in a winding vale. 
 With rush of platforms vanishing ere long — 
 A cobweb center for the gathered throng, 
 Where, sleepy, waiting for their leisured path, 
 The little trains, the trains old wisdom hath 
 Taught all the wayside secrets, ages long, 
 Wait to be off for haunts of thyme and rue, 
 And bright June roses wet with early dew ; 
 Old terraced gardens; gables, ivy-crowned; 
 Gray towers that send their chimes through miles 
 
 around 
 With peaceful message to the country-side 
 Through the heart's heart of England, deep and wide. 
 
 49 
 
LLANDRINDOD 
 
 Llandrindod cradled 'mid a hundred hills, 
 
 You turn your laughing dimples to the sky. 
 
 A rosy favoured, happy Prince you lie. 
 
 Soothed by the murmur of your myriad rills; 
 
 Unlearned in strife and innocent of ills 
 
 Your most lamenting note a Zephyr's sigh; 
 
 In verdure mantled, your bright destiny 
 
 Crowns you with flowers, and your chahce fills 
 
 With flowing health, which you in regal mood 
 
 Pour generous, unstinting to our need ; 
 
 But most for our poor world-sick souls your meed 
 
 Of light and beauty rush in bounteous flood. 
 
 We come in beggared plight your aid to sue. 
 
 Returning laden rich with gifts from you. 
 
 50 
 
AT CRAVEN ARMS 
 
 These are the gifts that were given to me 
 At Craven Arms in the Shropshire hills. 
 An open door where I could see 
 Geraniums a-row on the window sills. 
 
 Old oak tables polished and black, 
 And high oak panelling, polished too, 
 Where Darby or Hobden leans his back 
 When there's no more work, for the day, to do; 
 
 Two lovers leaning over a gate; 
 Children lightfoot on their way from school 
 Shaken by laughter and fearless of fate, 
 Free for an hour from precept and rule; 
 
 Blue hills under cloud-painted sky; 
 Gray old church brooding quiet and dim, 
 O'er its loving pride in the boy who could fly 
 And dare the sun, till bright Death dared him— 
 
 RambHng castle of high romance, 
 Smoky beams of the banquet hall, 
 Revelry, music, jest and dance 
 Knights and ladies and dwarfs and all, 
 
 When life was rude but life was gay 
 And strong and fierce in that lawless time. 
 This window perchance heard a roundelaiy, 
 A lover paced here while he sought a rhyme, 
 51 
 
And here at the top of the tower tall 
 Are grooves where the boiling oil was poured 
 Down on the heads of the foemen, all 
 The savage and reckless robber hoarde. 
 
 A lingering walk through a pleasant lane 
 Sweet with the fragrance of clover fields; 
 These are the gifts I may find again, 
 These part of the magic that Shropshire yields. 
 
 52 
 
RESTORATION 
 ' To I. K. W. 
 
 Over the hills on the top of the world, 
 
 Over the high hills brushing the sky, 
 We have been wandering heart in heart, 
 
 Lingering, you and I. 
 
 Caught in a shower of falhng gold. 
 Sun on the leaves that came fluttering down, 
 
 Breathlessly watching the patterned hills, 
 Crimson, yellow and brown; 
 
 Hearing the dry leaves sing where our feet 
 Rustled among the wind-gathered heaps. 
 
 Tracing the river's green-foliaged curves 
 Its eddying shallows and deeps; 
 
 Fed by a handful of treasure-trove 
 
 Smooth ghstening chestnuts that fell at our feet, 
 Or apples silvered by dewy grass 
 
 Luscious, and crisp and sweet; 
 
 Lifted above our daily round 
 
 Holding the wisdom of Time in fee 
 Stirred with delight at a world new-born 
 
 Created for you and me. 
 
 We have been happy here, you and I, 
 
 Life's taken on a quite different hue 
 Through the magic of Friendship and trees and hills 
 
 Through wizard Walpole and you. 
 53 
 
A PLEA FOR GLADNESS 
 
 The world is full of beauty and of love 
 Wherewith boon nature dowered us at birth, 
 Sunshine and fragrance, music, motion, mirth, 
 Gay flowers that dance to the blue sky above 
 And shall we then so all ungrateful prove 
 As 'mid such plenty sourly mourn some dearth? 
 Rich with the grace and loveliness of earth 
 Shall we aloof and wilful-blindly move? 
 Must dreams of some fond good we may not gain 
 Some gift that sets the moon and stars at naught, 
 Some farther sweet with flashing wonder fraught 
 Mock us with hopes we never may attain? 
 Teach us we are most blest when most content 
 With simplest joy and kindliest merriment. 
 
 54 
 
KING'S COLLEGE CHAPEL 
 
 I used to feel God never came so close 
 
 As where earth, sea and sky together met; 
 
 That no cathedral stones expectant set 
 
 Had caught and held him manifest as those; 
 
 Till this sweet shrine before my eyes arose, 
 
 Its soaring roof enriched by stony fret, 
 
 Its windows sprinkhng blue and violet 
 
 Or steeping silver shafts in sifted rose. 
 
 Here reverent art and kneeling worship strove 
 
 To sanctify an aisle to Spirit free; 
 
 Here prayer and winged anthem interwove 
 
 Man's heart and God's love indivisibly. 
 
 Within these consecrated walls there dwell 
 
 Hope and aspiring Faith made visible. 
 
 55 
 
MY BOOKS 
 
 The room is quiet in the failing light 
 
 Where stealthy shadows run about the jfloor, 
 
 And hide in dusky corners by the door 
 
 Waiting till evening deepens into night 
 
 To creep and spread and hurry into flight. 
 
 This is the hour when all my books ajar 
 
 Open their pages and from near, from far 
 
 My friends come crowding to my inner sight, 
 
 Rushing and swarming, gentle, loving, near, 
 
 Knowing I wait intent for each low voice 
 
 And whispered murmur that my heart can hear, 
 
 That stirs my pulse and cries "Dear Friend, rejoice. 
 
 Question and harken, we for you unroll 
 
 Ages of wisdom, loveliness of soul." 
 
 II 
 
 Here's one from that old volume ofttimes read : 
 To hear that voice, to sup that spring of truth, 
 I missed some ribbons, laces, dear to youth. 
 And laughed, " I go adorned in my head, 
 I'll wear dull homespun so my heart be fed, 
 Give me my Poets! I am robed forsooth 
 In royal purple." Here is one uncouth 
 Old tattered comrade; his brave coat of red 
 Faded to brown, discoloured with the rain. 
 If I could woo the hours back again 
 He charmed, I'd see the sunhght and the shade 
 Beneath the pines, beside the mystic sea, 
 I'd walk, a dryad in the forest glade. 
 And he would come and godlike speak with me. 
 S6 
 
Ill 
 
 Here comes that wizard Balzac with his train 
 
 So real to me I know not where truth ends 
 
 And where his fantasy begins. My friends 
 
 Modeste, the Cure, Medecin, I'm fain 
 
 To call them all. I see them. Here again 
 
 The other wizard, genial, kind and wise, 
 
 His Colonel Newcome and Pendennis rise 
 
 With all the breathing children of his brain. 
 
 And here is David Balfour flushed with youth 
 
 And rare bright Kirstie from her wind-swept heath, 
 
 And Richard Feverel and all the throng 
 
 That are more real to me than humdrum truth. 
 
 In crowding circles, from above, beneath. 
 
 Filling the room like a great choral song. 
 
 IV 
 
 And now my twilight loves are greeting me; 
 One leads his fair Dream Children by the hand, 
 The Brushwood Boy has searched across the sand. 
 And brings his Annieanlouise. I see 
 The Lantern-bearers, hiding each in glee 
 His smoking lantern, poets in the rough. 
 And "They" are hers and she has joy enough 
 Though their sweet forms are veiled in mystery. 
 With Peter Ibbetson I wander down 
 The old, accustomed, dear Parisian ways 
 And every Knight of great King Arthur's days 
 Gives battle with fierce blow and towering frown. 
 While Lily Maidens, Chiefs of high romance 
 And laughing fairies join in witching dance. 
 
 57 
 
TREASURE TROVE 
 
 Who then are these that gently stand apart? 
 
 Not mine, these friends, not mine and yet how dear! 
 
 I slow caress, them feeling sharp and clear 
 
 The thrill that runs from fingertips to heart. 
 
 Their very presence does a grace impart 
 
 As if their first great lover Ungered near, 
 
 And felt content to know them gathered here, 
 
 Safe from the haste and clatter of the mart; 
 
 Sheltered, adored, kind-cherished for his sake. 
 
 Honoured ambassadors whose slightest word 
 
 With reverent humiUty is heard 
 
 And my decision theirs to make or break. 
 
 Thus high-companioned and advised I go; 
 
 Time's feet may drag, they cannot move too slow. 
 
 S8 
 
THE VENETIAN PALACE 
 
 Night came and found us still delaying there 
 In quiet converse, high above the tide 
 Whence we had watched how sunset colours dyed 
 The slow clouds crimson, turned to coral fair 
 And faded into gray. You said, "I care 
 More for this hour, sped dreaming by your side 
 In our dear Venice, for our vision wide 
 Of floating palaces, and that bubble there, 
 Tender Salute, rising into air 
 A disembodied spirit; for the tales 
 Each lazy gondola has whispered ; sails 
 Flying to port with some light-hearted care 
 Of haste to home or gay piazza's throng; 
 More, dear my friend, than for the rarest song." 
 
 59 
 
SUGGESTED BY MACWHIRTER'S DRAWING 
 "TREMEZZO, LAGO DI COMO" 
 
 We walked by Como one glad afternoon, 
 
 Sauntering idly, held by the delight 
 
 Of all that beauty brimming to our sight, 
 
 Our gracious Mother's voice in sweetest tune. 
 
 With all the songs and harmonies of June, 
 
 Her mantle, white and rosy, flower-bedight. 
 
 Her lake thrown turquoise, till her mountain's height 
 
 Towered far purple. Twilight fell too soon 
 
 Upon our heedless footsteps. We had swung 
 
 From earth to heaven and all the clouds among 
 
 In our free musings on the way of things, 
 
 Unheld, unhampered, as a meteor swings 
 
 Across night's hollow, leaving but a path 
 
 Of blazing sparks, — like pleasure's after-math. 
 
 60 
 
ORVIETO 
 
 The silver leaves of the blown olive trees 
 Were flung across a sky of summer blue. 
 Our road wound ever upward, passing through 
 The ancient city gates. In Sunday peace 
 We breathed the air of old faint mysteries. 
 Forgotten manners lived for us anew. 
 We gazed at the Cathedral where a crew 
 Of saints and angels in a coloured frieze 
 Above the tawny marble shone in gold, 
 Purple and crimson. Saw the fainter glow 
 Of Signorelh,— Fra Angehco,— 
 Within the portals, resting while you told 
 How, years before, on such another day 
 Wandering alone you came this selfsame way. 
 
 6i 
 
TO MATTHEW MARIS 
 
 Poet and dreamer, mystic laureate, 
 Colour you chose to set your vision free. 
 Pouring your verse in glowing harmony 
 Where light and feeling softly alternate, 
 Mingled in alchemy so intimate 
 We scarce can say our inner eye doth see. 
 Or ear can hear the subtle melody 
 That sharply eye and soul doth penetrate. 
 Gentle and clear your beauty strikes our sight 
 And yet so keen the message to our hearts 
 We hover 'twixt uncertainty of Arts, 
 Though no uncertain homage is your right, — 
 Whether you Painter most or Poet be, — 
 For visible song, and wordless poesy. 
 
 62 
 
MY SAINTS 
 
 My Saints are near, my Saints are in the sky, 
 
 Ardent and finished, perfect in all grace. 
 
 Benign, serene, niched every one in place, 
 
 My Saints, not lost, set evermore on high. 
 
 Clear and triumphant to that inner eye 
 
 That sees adoring each beloved face 
 
 Shine down with sacred smile, wherein I trace 
 
 The old fond moments, unforgot, and try 
 
 To catch the message that they strive to tell, 
 
 "Seek Patience, Worship, Love for all the earth. 
 
 Stars, flowers, and birds, sweet children, gentle 
 
 mirth. 
 And Love, wide Love. Love above all is well." 
 My Saints, My Saints, why should I wish you here 
 While Faith doth see you and while heart doth hear? 
 
 63 
 
IN MEMORIAM 
 
 S. K. L. 
 
 1829-1917 
 
 A crowned life, complete and beautiful. 
 A tranquil progress, simple and sublime, 
 Through girlhood, womanhood, to noble prime 
 And down the slope of years with honours full. 
 Her love sent out its slender binding threads 
 Drawing her children nearer to her side, 
 And children's children's children far and wide 
 Received her gentle blessing on their heads. 
 She strewed bright flowers all along her way, 
 Such melody from her swift fingers fell 
 And blossomed into roses : They could tell, 
 Whose hearts were gladdened in that garden gay. 
 We may not grieve her loss, nor murmur even. 
 On earth one less, — one more sweet soul in Heaven. 
 
 64 
 
ON HEARING MOTHER READING ALOUD 
 TO HERSELF 
 
 I heard a little murmuring fount of sound 
 Bubbling and running, crystal-clear and sweet, 
 Incessant, with the rhythmic fall and beat 
 Of happy water playing underground. 
 Then rising skyward with a single bound 
 Into the sun, where singing birds would greet 
 The pleasant music. Little dancing feet 
 Would seek its marge and children gather round 
 To chatter of their merry baby-play 
 And bind the pink-tipped daisies into crowns, 
 Or watch the sunbeams hiding in the spray 
 And weaving rainbows bright as elfin gowns. 
 A gentle fount, a fount of love and truth, 
 Fresh as the waters of Eternal Youth. 
 
 65 
 
TO CONSTANCE 
 
 How can I tell you, dear, what you have done, 
 
 Making a world already sweet and fair 
 
 More lovely by your presence, and more rare 
 
 A wider heaven of stars, more radiant sun, 
 
 Two roses blossoming for every one 
 
 That erstwhile poured its fragrance through the air, 
 
 A richer choir of birds, a fuller share 
 
 Of Faith and Hope and Courage to be won. 
 
 Because you are, because you know, and see, 
 
 A farther vision spreads for my beUef . 
 
 That you have gained, have suffered, have become, 
 
 Somewhat assures, somewhat emboldens me. 
 
 Chary of joy, and half in love with grief 
 
 I seek your path and cry, in hope, "I come!" 
 
 66 
 
E. E. C. J. 
 
 The ardent spirit of a happy child 
 
 Enriched by garnered wisdom through the years 
 
 Flames bright within her. Laughter meets with 
 
 tears 
 In gentle fellowship, serene and mild. 
 Her loyalty and faith unwavering gain 
 True friends for her. Ever her hopes, her fears 
 Are spent for those she loves. 'Twould seem she 
 
 hears 
 God solve the mysteries of joy and pain 
 And walks apart in some sweet quiet place 
 Where spirit grows, safe-cloistered from all strife. 
 And yet she feels and grieves with tenderest grace 
 For others' woe, deep-wondering. Her life 
 Is a Spring garden filled with every flower 
 That heavenward smiles through sunshine and 
 
 through shower. 
 
 67 
 
J. M. W. 
 
 Pale dusk is quivering with a stir of wings 
 Where one great moth shines silver 'gainst the sky- 
 Hiding the first faint star, or fluttering by 
 Waits to caress my roses. Someone sings 
 Far off a happy evensong that rings 
 In long glad echoes, rising shrill and high. 
 Then sinking to a Mother's luUabye 
 That soothes and quiets little restless things. 
 Through the soft twilight glides a slender sprite, 
 Graceful and dancing, borne on flying feet; 
 With flitting smile and soft hand, faiiy light 
 Lingers one moment my delight to greet, 
 Then vanishes from vision like a dream, 
 A petal floating down a silent stream. 
 
 68 
 
L'ENFANCE DE JEANNE D'ARC 
 
 By Reginald Frampton 
 
 Rapt kneeling maiden whose ecstatic eyes 
 Dream-visioned, watch with soft, unfaltering gaze 
 The miracle which shakes you with amaze, — 
 Fair France in triumph crowned, exultant rise 
 Amid a nation's glad victorious cries 
 While you, slight maid, all humbly yet aflame 
 Lead on the hosts, — forgetful how you came 
 This morning 'neath the silver-misty skies 
 Leading your sheep to pasture 'mid the flowers 
 Where you have prayed and watched through all the 
 
 hours 
 Till shadow night now finds you, kneeUng stUl 
 Among the liUes on this little hill, 
 While your pale lantern spreads its lengthening rays 
 Like the faint presage of your radiant days. 
 
 69 
 
• TO E. B. B. 
 
 Th' immortal poignant beauty of your song 
 Startles my sense to sharp delight again 
 And pulses through me like a wave of pain, 
 Leaving me spent. My wreathed Priestess, long 
 You moved trumphant 'mid a pressing throng 
 Whose fainter chanting voices I was fain 
 To join; heart, spirit, eager brain 
 Bidding me venture, and my utmost wrong 
 To you, that I would gently touch your lyre 
 Striving to wake a soul in minor chords. 
 Through strings where your great fingers striking fire 
 That flashed to Heaven hke bright flaming swords 
 Of melody, worked miracles that bless. 
 But mark for me my own pale littleness. 
 
 70 
 
THOMAS CARLYLE 
 
 He read the stars to solve the fate of man, 
 
 And thundered truths that made wide Heaven quake, 
 
 And Earth's infirm foundations heave and shake. 
 
 Of man's immortal right since Time began 
 
 To work, to serve; through his allotted span 
 
 Obhterate himself that he may make 
 
 Sacrifice ever for another's sake 
 
 In worship of the higher Man who can. 
 
 Yet all his hfe he stumbled with blind feet 
 
 Through the bright beauty of his humble day. 
 
 To hungry waiting ears he did not say 
 
 The longed-for word, divine and simply sweet. 
 
 Intent on worlds to conquer, he forgot 
 
 The fair, true flower in his garden-plot. 
 
 71 
 
TO H. J. 
 
 On Reading Hugh Walpole's "Green Mirror" 
 
 You loved him, welcomed him, would have him take 
 His place among the Immortals, held your hand 
 In friendship to his youth, for him you planned 
 High triumph; saw men apathetic, break 
 In sharp applause, responsive. For his sake 
 You dreamed old dreams, and seemed again to stand 
 On the bright threshold of your conquered land; 
 Throbbed with his pulse, with his young hope did 
 
 wake. 
 Now wise with all the wisdom of the spheres, 
 And rich in revelation, close, you still 
 Shed love around him and his striving fill 
 With your great benediction through the years. 
 And hasting down while all Parnassus hears 
 Your glad "Hail Master!" lead him up the hill. 
 
 72 
 
LA SALLE TAKES POSSESSION OF THE 
 MISSISSIPPI FOR KING LOUIS IN 
 
 1682 
 
 From the high vantage of two centuries 
 
 We see your life enclosed within its span 
 
 Of finished days and deeds. For you began 
 
 The promise and the vision. Yours to seize 
 
 And wrest from Fate its opportunities 
 
 To serve your purpose. Baffled you began 
 
 Twice more your quest. Snows, forests, rivers ran 
 
 'Twixt you and your design, but scorning these, 
 
 Fearless, alone, you crossed a thousand leagues 
 
 'Neath hostile skies, midst savage enemies 
 
 Beset around with death and dark intrigues 
 
 As who at darkest hour his triumph sees. 
 
 Till, iron-hearted, hand unfaltering. 
 
 You seized a world as guerdon for your King. 
 
 73 
 
RABINDRANATH TAGORE 
 
 I meet your eyes great Master, and greater Friend, 
 Nor is there need of speech between us twain. 
 Your spirit falls on mine like gentle rain. 
 Washing it clean. I see no final end 
 Nor first beginning of the light you send, 
 As if your fire and truth you did attain 
 From God himself, instilled by love and pain 
 That on his gracious ministry depend. 
 You have pierced the mysteries of Time and Space, 
 And measured the abysses of deep life 
 Looking serenely on your Maker's face, 
 Appareled in Heaven's peace, apart from strife. 
 You show me wonders on the path of truth 
 Simpler than childhood or the grace of youth. 
 
 74 
 
R. T. II 
 
 I long to walk in your accustomed way- 
 Proud with your soft disdain of self, and free 
 With your obedience. Teach me to see 
 Life as you see it, day succeeding day 
 Each shining through a radiance mild, a ray 
 Of glowing love. I too would learn to be 
 Empty of hate. To bend to the decree 
 Of full renunciation. Will you say 
 " Follow my teaching well, you gain a friend 
 Whose hand will lead you gently up the hill. 
 Govern yourself. Curb your wild soul and will. 
 The night shall vanish at the summit's end. 
 The universe will stretch beneath your feet. 
 Raise then your eyes th' eternal light to greet." 
 
 75 
 
CONTENT 
 
 Deep peace and happiness have come to me. 
 
 The Everlasting Peace with brooding wings 
 
 Hovers above my spirit. In all things 
 
 Attuned to the exultant harmony 
 
 Of Life and Love, the world around I see 
 
 In perfect beauty, — flowers, — the flashing wings 
 
 Of happy birds, and how the cloud-drift flings 
 
 Its scarf against the blue, speak visibly 
 
 Of God's immense, unutterable plan 
 
 For me, — the last least atom in his world, — 
 
 Decided, wrought, e'er he created man 
 
 Or the first universal fragment hurled; 
 
 Knowing the paradox, — I am most free 
 
 When most my steps are led enforcedly. 
 
 76 
 
DISCIPLINE 
 
 We mourn Life's cruelty, 
 And yet how wise 
 Each lesson leaves us. 
 
 Our bUnd souls cannot see 
 That power devise 
 Hurt that retrieves us. 
 
 Until we learn to bend 
 
 To Life's decrees, 
 
 We suffer ever; 
 But wiser in the end 
 
 Harsh pain we seize 
 
 To spur endeavour. 
 
 Knowing our human clay 
 
 Inclines to sloth 
 
 And languid ease, 
 We greet Life's sting and fray 
 
 To aid soul's growth, 
 
 Spirit's increase. 
 
 I pray that when the key 
 
 Of Time shall turn 
 
 Death's waiting lock. 
 Life's disciphne for me 
 
 Will leave to learn 
 
 No final shock. 
 
 But fearless, armed, profound 
 
 May I advance 
 
 With eager tread. 
 What if, so proved, I found, 
 
 All pain perchance 
 
 Already dead? 
 
 n 
 
YOUTH'S FALLACY 
 
 Triumphant Youth gazes across the flood 
 Of years, and throws a glance of smiling pity 
 Where Age, serene, seeks the Eternal City 
 Forgetful of Youth's pride, Youth's ardent blood, 
 Moving with statelier step in search of good, 
 To aid, enlighten, succor human need; 
 From Youth's desires and tempests gladly freed, 
 He sees Heaven's glory through no selfish cloud. 
 Nor looking back regrets the fading flowers 
 The songs and dances of his early day. 
 Courage and hope accompany his way; 
 Glad effort and achievement crown his hours; 
 He pays the price of wisdom with his youth, 
 And gains content, experience, and truth. 
 
 78 
 
RENEWAL 
 
 My hopes are flashing a-wing to the stars 
 
 And away 
 We fly to the furthermost edge of night 
 
 But stay ! 
 What is this cUngs and hampers us so? 
 
 Alas! 
 Old sorrows, regrets, disappointments, all, 
 
 That pass. 
 Shake them away, and hasten, Time presses! 
 
 Fly on! 
 These cherished hours of striving, of flight 
 
 Will be gone. 
 FHng off the years and the tears, the old desires. 
 
 The sighs. 
 To-morrow is ours, to-morrow the sun 
 
 Will rise! 
 
 79 
 
MY MOOD 
 
 My mood is like a butterfly 
 
 That flits and woos a hundred flowers; 
 Or web of gossamer that glints 
 
 In rainbow changes through the hours. 
 
 It's like a cloud that sails the sky 
 And flies or lingers with the breeze; 
 
 Or like the scarlet pimpernels 
 
 That shut and open when they please. 
 
 The shadow of a darting trout 
 Moves more sedately than my mood. 
 
 The murmur of soft-stealing dusk 
 To its mild tenderness, is rude. 
 
 There could not be a gentler thing, 
 Nor wilder, fiercer, more untaught. 
 
 Of every contradiction formed 
 With pain and ecstasy enwrought. 
 
 I fought my mood through many days, 
 I fought and lost through sighing years, 
 
 My strange mood brought this gift to me 
 That laughter springs from fount of tears. 
 
 I'll take this wild mood by the hand 
 And walk with it where'er it list 
 
 Through crowded streets or forest ways 
 By shadow and by sunshine kissed, 
 80 
 
My mood and I will just be friends, 
 Adown this latter slope of life, 
 
 Done with our doubts and our debates, 
 Our hesitations and our strife. 
 
 We'll sip the sweet of every flower. 
 
 And laugh with sunshine and with ram. 
 
 We'll love swift change and slow delay, 
 And sleep and happiness and pain. 
 
 My mood will cry "How this is sweet!" 
 "Ah! Sweet indeed!" I too will cry, ^^ 
 
 "And Life is good, and Death is good." 
 My mood will say, and so shall I. 
 
 8i 
 
TO MY WILFUL MUSE 
 
 Thou fairy flitting Spirit of Caprice, 
 
 That now dost fill my being with delight, 
 
 Now coy, dost vanish from my hungry sight. 
 
 Till, with my dwindHng hope, my needs increase ; 
 
 Leave me no more, nor let thy magic cease 
 
 To work enchantment on each daily sight. 
 
 Thou who canst bind a chain of jewels bright 
 
 From scattered blossoms, or, from murmuring trees 
 
 And tinkling waters conjure symphonies, 
 
 A ribbon favour from a rainbow weave, 
 
 And from a friendly voice an echo leave 
 
 That runs in musical, kind melodies 
 
 Down happy days. Without thee I am naught. 
 
 With thee, my soul in net of stars is caught. 
 
 82 
 
'^THE MOTHERS SPEAK 
 
 We poured out our hearts at your bidding 
 And proudly we offered you then 
 The red wine of love and of sorrow, 
 Great Mother of Nations and men. 
 
 We sent our Beloved to guard you. 
 You took, nor considered our pain. 
 They returned to us wounded and broken; 
 There are those will return not again. 
 
 We taught them your story, 0! Mother 
 When at twilight they stood at our knees, 
 Your honour, your glory, your service. 
 We bade them not falter from these. 
 
 By all the black hours they suffered, 
 By the lessons you taught to their youth, 
 You tried them and moulded and hardened. 
 And sent them forth girded with truth. 
 
 They have taken the measure of sorrow, 
 
 And sounded the ocean of pain. 
 
 They have looked in Death's face and defied 
 
 him, 
 They know that their loss has been gain. 
 
 So, Mother, we grudge not our anguish, 
 For you did we ward them and rear, 
 To be yours, yours with uttermost striving. 
 To serve you, Great Mother, Most Dear. 
 83 
 
LORD KITCHENER 
 
 You drew your sword in England's name 
 And for your King made victory sure, 
 Fearless to strike, firm to endure 
 For Right, nor knew another aim. 
 High-crested, stern, where'er you came, 
 You plucked new laurels for a crown 
 And carelessly you tossed them down, 
 Nor saw them, how they burst in flame 
 Of love and honour round your feet. 
 Where men would follow to the death. 
 Or leaping forward, at a breath, 
 A sign from you, their fate would greet, 
 Glad at your word to fight, to die, 
 Your name their banner through Eternity. 
 
 84 
 
FOR F. G. F. 
 
 You walked on Vimy ridge while overhead 
 You heard our shells fly screaming for their prey: 
 Nor could your eyes follow their rushing way 
 So swift in ravening search their flight was sped. 
 You saw them fall to swell the toll of dead 
 Where the white hne of German trenches lay, 
 And marked them burst in a dark cloud of spray 
 Where life and pain their fearful hunger fed. 
 You passed huge craters that the battle tore, 
 And saw the bones of the shell-tortured earth 
 Chalk-white with presage of eternal dearth, 
 Where thousands died, where suffered thousands 
 
 more. 
 You draw the picture and we seem to stand 
 Beside you in that worn and wasted land. 
 
 % 
 
R. L. L. C. 
 
 Died of Wounds in Mesopotamia, 
 
 Dec. 18, 1916 
 
 I hold his slender missive in my hand, 
 
 A friendly word to bring us Christmas cheer. 
 
 Wafted as if by magic power here, 
 
 Past perils of storm and foe by sea and land; 
 
 Words written there beside the desert sand, 
 
 While thoughts of home, and friends, and England 
 
 dear 
 Filled the young heart where was no place for fear, 
 And life seemed simple, not sublime nor grand. 
 I think of how he hes so very still, 
 Released from war's huge turmoil and its pain. 
 Careless of youth, hope, energy and will. 
 And conscious only of revealing gain, 
 As if a door had opened to the hght. 
 And he had left behind the world's dark night. 
 
 86 
 
TO A. C. 
 
 Escaped from Germany, June, 1917 
 
 With youth's undaunted faith in splendid Fate 
 He took his hfe in calm adventurous hands. 
 Broke the invisible yet hateful bands 
 That fettered him. Slipt past the prisoning gate, 
 And crossed a raging land beset with foes. 
 Sped noiseless over rivers in the dark. 
 Through moors and forests, compassed to his mark 
 By the half-laughing courage that o'erthrows 
 Fear and its fellow, doubt. Braving dismay, 
 He swam with eager strokes a lazy stream, 
 Till freedom shone before him like a dream, 
 While daylight mocked where heather-hid he lay. 
 Then in one swift, exultant dash beneath the night 
 He reached the goal of his triumphant flight. 
 
 87 
 
TO A. C. 
 
 For Two Years and Eight Months a Prisoner 
 OF War in Germany. Escaped July, 1917 
 
 His young, free spirit mocked at keys and bars 
 
 And cried "How turn this mischief to account? 
 
 Make this my ladder whereupon I mount 
 
 Till I can breathe clear air beneath the stars? 
 
 My heart's not captive. No denial mars 
 
 My thought. What fair adventure may I count 
 
 New heights to conquer? How may I surmount 
 
 This flimsy barrier? In what winged cars 
 
 Shall I set forth defying Time and Space 
 
 To seek new knowledge? Here's a gift of tongues. 
 
 Here's skill in fence. Of these I'll make the rungs 
 
 I'll climb. Here's colour, beauty, grace 
 
 Remembered, loved." Meeting with quiet eyes 
 
 Outrageous Fate, she taught him how to rise. 
 
 88 
 
YOUTH 
 
 I met a boy that was in love with Hfe. 
 
 "For hfe is keen," he said, "and sweet to Hve. 
 
 No goodher favour could Bright Fortune give, 
 
 Than send me safe from this most helhsh strife." 
 
 Now this fair boy was out of love with love. 
 
 "For love," he said, "is but a witless thing 
 
 That steals the joy from life and leaves a sting." 
 
 I breathed a flying prayer to powers above, 
 
 For he was all on fire with flaming youth; 
 
 His eager heart awing with beating life; 
 
 His eyes were clear and blue, his hps were rife 
 
 With undreamed kisses, and his soul was truth. 
 
 If life and love and he together meet. 
 
 May love, than life prove dearer and more sweet. 
 
 June, 1917. 
 
 89 
 
JANUARY 15, 1918 
 
 For Me, an Historic Encounter with a Young 
 Soldier Just Back on a Fourteen Days' 
 Leave 
 
 He said, "I was at Cambrai in a tank," 
 " Yes, in the last big scrap. We took their line, 
 Part of the famous Hindenberg, you know. 
 Why, in one place there was a flight of steps, 
 Sixty, that led straight down into the earth; 
 And rooms were there, all dry and Hned with wood. 
 Bells, and electric light. Oh! Everything 
 You'd dream for comfort. They were settled there 
 To spend the winter, but they scuttled off 
 When we came over. Left all sorts of things 
 They hurried so, food on the plates untouched. 
 Meat, bread and jam, fun^ny it was to see; 
 And stores of stuff. We captured lots of things. 
 How did they manage their return surprise? 
 Oh! In the old way. We were confident. 
 Too sure, — we always are, — and tried to hold 
 The line with half a handful of our men. 
 And we, worn out for sleep, — in fourteen days 
 You understand, there'd been no breathing-space, — 
 Were all asleep. Fritz dropped some big ones round 
 And we half woke. My mate said "Carry on!" 
 And turned upon his other side and slept. 
 Then came our orders. We were to retire. 
 I tell you we were sick and mad enough 
 90 
 
To have to give back all that hard-won ground. 
 
 We got back safe? Oh! Yes, we got back safe; 
 
 We lost no men but stores and stores of stuff 
 
 More than you know. Red Cross, a heap of that, 
 
 And ammunition too, and our supplies. 
 
 But what I say about the whole bad thing, 
 
 Is, we shall never, never beat the Boche, 
 
 Nor he beat us, through haK a hundred years. 
 
 He's organized away ahead of us. 
 
 The least detail is all worked out with him. 
 
 And this, — If people over here could know 
 
 Just what it's like. If they could go and see 
 
 And satisfy themselves of everything, 
 
 I tell you that this war would have to end." 
 
 Jan. 18, 1918. 
 
 01 
 
JANUARY FIRST, 1918 
 
 A wind came up at midnight 
 And blew across the wold 
 With little gasping pauses, 
 Sharp-edged with stinging cold. 
 
 The New Year stood before me 
 Shrinking and sad and gray, 
 A little wistful figure 
 That longed to run away. 
 
 Old, tired, mournful Last Year 
 Crept off into the gloom, 
 Spake in complaining whisper 
 '"Twas not my fault, but doom. 
 
 "I saw my morning open 
 With faith in better things; 
 I prayed for peaceful ending 
 To my sad wanderings. 
 
 " Have pity on this infant 
 Who comes so fearful in; 
 Pray God to grant in mercy 
 He may not pass in sin. 
 
 "By your own firm endeavour 
 To trust in Peace and Right 
 You help to clear the error 
 That shrouds the world in night. 
 92 
 
" Look on my grievous sorrow 
 For all my weary days 
 Before I go forever 
 Into oblivion's haze. 
 
 " I longed to make yQU happy, 
 I longed to make you wise. 
 I spread my fairest treasures 
 Before your blinded eyes. 
 
 "You watched black death and battle 
 Sweep down my lovely fields, 
 Where every trampled acre 
 Harvest of horror yields. 
 
 "You stopped your ears in torment 
 To Christ's forgiving word, 
 ' All children of one Father,' 
 He spake, but who hath heard? 
 
 " Ydu saw your tired brothers 
 Faint with dark wounds return. 
 But you were unrelenting 
 ' Fight on, we may not turn, 
 
 "One faith, one hope, one purpose, — 
 To clear the world of wrong.' 
 You said, nor will you waver 
 From that great battle song. 
 
 "But as the surging tumult 
 Is by your own decree. 
 Pity the Years you live in. 
 In mercy, pity me. 
 93 
 
"And to this frightened creature 
 Who follows in my place 
 Grant in your heart some measure 
 Of tenderness and grace, 
 
 " Rejoice in light and colour 
 Wherewith he bathes the world ; 
 Look at the dower of beauty 
 In budding petals curled. 
 
 " Listen to all the chorus 
 
 Of joy and hope and love 
 
 That springs from earth around you, 
 
 That falls from skies above. 
 
 " The magic of the morning, 
 The triumph of the day, 
 The promise of rich harvest, 
 From thrusting spears of May; 
 
 " Nor judge too harsh my Brother, 
 Born now to be your friend, 
 Intent to bless and aid you 
 Unchanging to the end." 
 
 94 
 
..L'JJjjJJJ OF CONGRESS 
 
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