f-'.J?» OEM,S: PS r:^<*- ^;,^.> •r^* ^ ^-.^ ci^-' »■ '.-^fSTiv. SWr * .-'V&.; -- •*"tK ■■•*' ly^. •'"-i«--^r- ^:.. •- v^^ .» »"*■ r < Class ._P_^_M:M BookJI- eaT ^ COPYRIGHT DEPOSm I POEMS AND SONNETS POEMS AND SONNETS OF ADELE TOWNSEND STANTON r CAMBRIDGE PRINTED AT THE RIVERSIDE PRESS MDCCCCX COPYRIGHT, I91O, BY LEWIS H. STANTON ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ■ ^^ 'CCI.A278770 5k TO L. H. S. Since thou hast listened gladly to my songs y What matter if the great world has not heard Nor thrown me for my singing one sweet rose: I am content in knowing I have stirred Thy pulses to the measure of my rhymes! Adele Townsend Stanton CONTENTS Clover I To a Butterfly Caught at Sea 2 Morning Glories in the Corn 3 My Duchess 5 To an Old Fichu Presented to a Toung Beauty 6 A Rose She Gave 8 Daffodils 9 Last Night's Rain II A Christmas Hymn 13 The Driftwood Fire 14 Sanctuary 16 In April 17 Concession 19 Until 20 In Open Air 22 Vll 1 CONTENTS Resurrection ^3 Prophecy ^5 For Tour Sake 27 She and I 29 In Time of Spring 3^ Unsung 33 To My Portrait 34 Understood 3" r^^ iJ/V^r of Tears 3^ Memorial Lilies 39 Three-score Tears and Ten 4^ ^ Christmas Ditty 43 ^ C/?^/V/? 45 ^Z^/V)E;^r 46 Surrender 4^ Desideratum 5^ Louisiana 5 ^ /^^« Devereux 53 viii CONTENTS Beauty-Denied 54 Withholdment 55 Mary Ashley Townsend 56 September 57 Supplication 58 An Anniversary 59 Consolation 60 Tribute 6i Revelation 62 Withheld 63 Thy Letter 64 Perpetuity 65 POEMS AND SONNETS CLOVER Oh, a song to the clover, That sweet field rover, Which the bees riot over. Their thirst to stay ; In vi^hose depths the shy plover Hies to find cover. Where maiden and lover And children stray ! Oh, the cool, fragrant places Strewn with the graces Of the pink and white faces Breathing perfume ! Where the country wind races. Laden with traces Of swept-over spaces Of clover bloom ! I TO A BUTTERFLY CAUGHT AT SEA Hail, airy wanderer from shore To which thou canst return no more, Thou hast ill-sped from flower-bed ! What sportive zephyr here misled Thy flutterings ? Or did the sunlight thee beguile To leave thy fair Australian isle. And brave the vast immensity 'Twixt reach of sky and stretch of sea, On dainty wings ? Didst thou mistake the billows' sheen For undulating meadows green ? The foam, wind-blown, by waves oflF-thrown, For white rose petals thickly strewn Upon the deep ? Thy tiny strength o'ertaxed, misspent. Was given thee to bask content Upon some fragrant rose asway. There lulled to yield thy life's brief day For wakeless sleep ! MORNING GLORIES IN THE CORN What a vision sent to gladden and enrapture one at morn, In sad eyes to waken pleasure and move weary lips to praise, Are October fields pale golden with ungarnered rows of maize, Filled with joyous Morning Glories romping in the stalwart corn. This entrancing host of blossoms not the sternest heart could scorn. White, and pink, the blue with purple intertwined, they gaily chase One another, two together, in a merry, eager race Up the stalks to wave in triumph airily above the corn. In this frolic of the flowers is no spot by them forsworn. Everywhere in bright confusion they commingle, turn and sway, 3 POEMS AND SONNETS Their abandon joy compelling in the passer-by- the-way, Who inspired is by the color and the beauty in the corn. The brown earth in countless places doth kind Nature thus adorn, And her vines and lovely blossoms trail beside man's toil-worn road, To revive his spirits drooping under sorrow's numbing load. As do winsome Morning Glories, dainty play- mates in the corn. MY DUCHESS Her fair charms my vision greet From the far end of the street, Whence she nods her graceful welcome as I come, And my heart a rapture knows In the homage that it owes My lady, waiting in expectant pose. Through the day I see her where I shall find her watching there For my coming, in attractiveness complete. Her sweet winsomeness best shows Ever in pink furbelows, The reason why so clad she always goes. None more exquisite than she. To my thinking, e'er could be And I love her for her dainty, charming self. As day wanes impatience grows For the favors she bestows — My beautiful Duchesse de Brabant Rose. 5 ] TO AN OLD FICHU PRESENTED TO A YOUNG BEAUTY Soft garniture of lawn and lace, Thy happy lot was to embrace A Beauty's lovely shoulders, And so bewitching make her look That love at once possession took Of masculine beholders ! Not yet content with all the woes Raised in the breasts of bygone beaus, Thou wouldst repeat the story. And clasp another Beauty's form, To stir in modern hearts a storm. And win thee later glory. A lovely Queen of olden France Was wont her graces to enhance By wearing such a fichu. In fashion that retains her name. And which recalls that royal dame From powdered tress to wee shoe ! 6 1 POEMS AND SONNETS Thou wast from further mischief free, When folded safely under key In scented darkness lying ; Time has but added to thy charm, And, now released, who knows what harm Will come of thy retying ! A ROSE SHE GAVE The day for me was glorified, And just before though I had sighed, My heart grew glad again and brave. Because to me a rose she gave. Its sweetness perfumed all the day, Its beauty in such fair display Made only happy thoughts its slave. To bow before the rose she gave ! A simple act of hers, to bring About this magic happening. And win my thoughts to gay from grave, Because to me a rose she gave ! Did she not touch it with her lips, And pluck with trembling finger-tips ? Ah, heart of mine ! how you behave. And leap beneath the rose she gave ! 8 i DAFFODILS She wore a bunch of daffodils Upon her breast, And like a yellow daffodil Herself was dressed ; Her sunny head above her frills, How like the daffodils ! She handed me her daffodils, When came good-byes. And nodding like a daffodil. Bowed 'neath my eyes. While from her lips fell sweet " untils," O'er outstretched daffodils. I stand before those daffodils That grace my shelf — What prettier than a daffodil Inbit ofdelf? A girl's dear face the question stills, Fairer than daffodils ! 9 POEMS AND SONNETS Ah, slender bonny daffodils, Where is the peace I knew before a daffodil Had bade it cease ? Since evermore my memory thrills To haunting daffodils ! 10 LAST NIGHT'S RAIN After the fall of last night's rain, The water-drops lie heavy on the grass, And over-spreading boughs drip as I pass Beneath the freshened green of moss-hung trees, The trysting place of morning and the breeze. More brilliant is the sunlight's searching ray, The shadows cooler stretch along the way. And conscious Nature revels in her gain. After the fall of last night's rain ! After the fall of last night's rain. How generous the yield of bursting bloom. The grateful emanations of perfume. The reaching out of tendrils newly grown, The springing up of seed-pods lately sown, The polished gleam of every dampened leaf, The wondrous changes wrought in time so brief. The freshness and the verdure which remain After the fall of last night's rain ! II POEMS AND SONNETS After the fall of last night's rain, What sweet, insistent odors fill the air ! Triumphant ring the bird-notes everywhere; Where'er the earth the humid bounty caught, New miracles on every hand are wrought. In this supreme rejoicing of the land, Who can the all-compelling joy withstand ? What touch of sadness can the heart retain, After the fall of last night's rain ? 12 11 A CHRISTMAS HYMN The Christmas bells from steeples chime, And answering peals the wide world round Take up the jubilance of sound, In rivalry of bronzed rhyme. To-day hosannas proudly ring, And myriad tapers brightly blaze In temples vibrant with the praise Of Infant Jesus, Christ and King. Oh, Sovereign Babe of Christendom, Since Wise Men gathered from the East In homage of Thy natal feast. Have nations worshipful become ! Thou Saviour unto men God-sent, On earth shall reign, because of Thee, A universal harmony. Thy promise and accomplishment ! 13 I THE DRIFTWOOD FIRE In the chimney is piled the driftwood aflame, Which to watch is delight, for the opaline gleam And marvelous shifting, the splendor and scheme Of color at play, now evasive as fame. Or now like red daggers thrust upward in ire — Oh, vision for dreamers, the driftwood fire ! Here are magical hues which leap into sight. That irresolute quiver, then burst into blaze. And mingle, then fade through the smoke's purple haze, To flash up beyond in bewildering light, While gazers enraptured look on, till expire The luminous tints of the driftwood fire. Here have copper and rust strange secrets inlaid In the wonderful dyes upon wreckage, shore- brought. And brine of the sea has its miracle wrought. POEMS AND SONNETS While summers and winters have rendered their aid To alchemy's marvels, when tragedy dire Had scattered a ship for the driftwood fire. So under sight-rapture must quicken heart-pain For the men who lie drowned in far deeps of the sea, Whose dirges are chanted by winds blowing free, To music of waves breaking white on the main, — And majestic and gorgeous, the funeral pyre For mariners dead is the driftwood fire ! 15 SANCTUARY Above an old Cathedral's massive door A carven image of the Christus stands. And those who enter seem as if they bore A blessing from the half-extended hands. Within the circle of His friendly arm A timid bird has boldly built her nest, Defiant there of any touch of harm. Thus held against the gracious Saviour's breast. Ah, little sparrow, safe from hurt or fall. How great the wisdom in the truth you teach, — That safety lies from evil for us all In clinging to the good within our reach ! i6 IN APRIL April, child-month, you are here With sunny smile and sudden tear; Of all the twelve I like you best, The reason why — my Love has guessed Because 't was April in the year When first he said, " I love you, dear ! " Your pouting skies above us hung, Your birds their sweetest music sung, Your blossoms, sprinkled at our feet. Upward swung their incense sweet. That precious April in the year When first he said, " I love you, dear ! " 1 see you come with gladsome eyes, Your smallest charm I over-prize ; Because with each returning Spring, You fresh to me this memory bring — That it was April in the year When first he said, " I love you, dear ! " 17 POEMS AND SONNETS And with returning April weather I never have to wonder whether Again he '11 whisper in my ear, As in that past remembered year, He caught me to his heart, to hear Those four sweet words, " I love you, dear ! " i8 n CONCESSION Ah, Youth should play the page, The pretty, thoughtful page, And bend the knee to Age, His eager, loyal page ! And Age should spare sweet Youth, Be tender of fair Youth, For knows not Age, forsooth. His crown at last fits Youth ? Glad Youth knows Age no more Is light of heart ; the more His grace is to restore Some joy Age claims no more. Ay ! Youth and Age should be The most that each could be To each, eternally — That Youth and Age should be ! 19 UNTIL Until we meet — dear heart, Be brave and cease to sigh ; Be true the time we part 'Twixt now and by and by. Smile on until we meet, And darken not the days With prophecies unsweet Athwart our parted ways. "Until," O fair " until !" — A time of promise blest, Which you and I must fill With all our being's best. And, till we meet, to grow In thought, in deed, in speech, That we shall better know How well each loveth each ! 20 POEMS AND SONNETS Till then — until we meet — By hand-clasps, lips and eyes, Remembered days complete, We have our Paradise ! 21 IN OPEN AIR Across the garden paths the roses nod, And every peach-tree wears a conscious blush ; A fresher verdure paints the quick'ning sod, All tender, budding things are green and lush. Along the bayou's edge the blue flag strays. The trailing wild rose points its thorns anew. To guard the blossoms coming to its sprays, And blooming berry vines the lanes bestrew. The gladdest time has come of all the year ; Eternal promise thrills the earth, the air. And human doubtings fade and disappear With Resurrection written everywhere ! 22 RESURRECTION Comes the sun its lustre shedding Over earth in warm caressing, Touches all things like a blessing, Far its Easter brightness spreading. Hearken to the tones on-swelling In the solemn call vibrating Of the church-bells iterating, " Come ! Come ! " with sweet compelling. Hearken to the glad thanksgiving. Alleluias richly blending For the grace of Christ ascending, Token of the After-Living ! Wealth of growth on earth is springing. Bush and vine their blooms increasing, Happy-throated birds unceasing Flying their joyance forth in singing. 23 POEMS AND SONNETS With its endless depths alluring, Over all the sky is leaning, And aglow with Easter meaning Speaks to Life, of Life enduring. 24 PROPHECY Never again can you behold a rose, A sweet-lipped rose that blows, But straight your heart a sudden memory knows Of all our past and me. No longer can you watch the glinting light Of restless stars at night. But you will yearn again with wistful sight To look once more on me. No sunbeam but will bring upon its ray To you some bygone day. When you and I let Time speed on his way With an unreckoned loss. You nevermore the wave-worn beach can tread, With foam-white gulls o'erhead. But you will feel the touch of moments fled Thrilling your hidden thoughts, — 25 POEMS AND SONNETS And see a slender figure with you there, A fond face, — wind-tossed hair, — And hear my accents on the sea-damp air. Whoever else may speak. When rain and cloud shut out the golden mirth Of sunshine from the earth. Amid the storm's cries, will your heart give birth To thoughts that shelter me. When swung within its airy cradle blue The young moon looks on you. Dear, vanished moons will rise for you anew, Relighting yesternights, — For oh, dear one. Love's impress is so deft Upon Life's tender weft. Where falls his touch, warm, lingering dyes are left To deepen with the years ! And for all Time will you, on Nature's face, Some haunting witchery trace Of me, that wards for aye the cherished place I claim within your heart ! 26 FOR YOUR SAKE Oh, Love, if only I could bear Whate'er of anguish, pain, despair. Which in this life may be your share, All would I take For your sweet sake ! How willingly would I shed tears Your eyes to keep undimmed for years. Their quiet depths unstirred by fears : My own should ache For your sweet sake ! Your heart to save from one love-throe, Whose poignant touch is keenest woe. My own should bear the bitter blow. Aye, even break For your sweet sake ! Yea — I would yield my soul the price To gain for yours its paradise, 27 1 POEMS AND SONNETS Exulting in all sacrifice That I could make For your sweet sake ! 28 SHE AND I Once she and I, when both were young, Went forth the summer fields among, Through clover-knots tied by the breeze. And overhung by thirsty bees. I see her now as then, my Sweet, The tangled blossoms at her feet. And hear again upon the grass Her gown, soft trailing, as I pass. ' A veritable Cupid's day," Methinks once more I hear her say ; And surely must that little god With us have walked the scented sod. For at her words, so lightly said. Love in my breast an arrow sped. And not content, he wounded, too, The girl's fair bosom. Then he flew 29 POEMS AND SONNETS Light-winged away ; but in each heart, At even depth he left a dart, And ever since, in vain we try To find who loves most — she or I ! 30 IN TIME OF SPRING A SUDDEN gush of song from yonder bird Just heard, Of virgin bloom the faint, sweet scent, At heart a rush of rich content, — Perfume and song To Spring belong ! With clear and tender eyes the upper blue Looks through The glow of peach boughs, snow of pear. To greet the glad signs everywhere Upon the earth Of vernal birth. A gentle fall of rain among new leaves, The eaves Athrong with sparrows all intent On noisy, swift accomplishment. With chattering. And restless wing. 31 POEMS AND SONNETS The fragrant breath of willows by the brook. That look Upon their beauty underseen In limpid depths o'er which they lean With a caress Of gratefulness. In human hearts, praise for the gift of life Is rife; The soul-life which for man a place Holds foremost in creation's grace, — High prophecy For you, — for me ! 3« UNSUNG Deep in my heart there lies a hidden song I fain would sing, And give the world what to its strain belong Of comforting. Since in it there are tears for every woe, With smiles of cheer, And strength for those whose trembling footsteps go Behind a bier. It sings of light to gloom, and leaveth joy To find the way By which sweet patience can some good decoy From each new day. And through it all again, and yet again. The measure swings To that triumphant sound of Life's Amen, The Flight of Wings ! 33 TO MY PORTRAIT LITTLE child with soulful eyes of blue, And curls that seem with sunshine woven through, And mouth so sweetly sad — I once was you ! As you, in golden hours that have sped by, 1 chased the shadow-clouds beneath the sky. And knew to live was sweeter than to die. As you I tasted first the joy that springs From ever reaching up to higher things. And felt the longing aspiration brings. I then believed that all mankind was good. And man condemned was man misunderstood. All Human-born one loyal brotherhood. The woman in the child then led the way. No doubts confronting, what she might essay To make her all she yearned to be some day. 34 POEMS AND SONNETS What minimum of Time do mortals own — How swiftly by the restless hours have flown, - And, lo ! the child to-day a woman grown ! Yet, little child-self, well I know thou art My gladdest self, of me the happiest part, For this I hold thee close within my heart. And if the years be many or be few, Yet mine in which ideals to pursue. The woman, wiser, leans, O child, on you! 35 UNDERSTOOD Together on the sands — The wet, gray stretch of sands -^ We stood with unclasped hands. Through fault of Fate apart, Yet near, and though apart, I held you in my heart ; And by your eyes I knew, Your deep true eyes, I knew,—«- You did not misconstrue. A sea-gull o'er us flew. Sea-dipped, and o'er us flew; Then up-sped toward the blue. Our winged speech flew by, Words thistle-light flew by; Yet you knew — so did I — 36 POEMS AND SONNETS Beneath the smile, the sigh, The tear, the stifled sigh. The laugh that stilled a cry. And as the sun sank low. All red the sun sank low. You paled and turned to go. Then on the sands I wrote. Close to your feet I wrote. One word which might denote How dear you were ! How fair. How near, how far, how fair, — Ah, depths of my despair ! Dear Love ! So true, so good. So high, so pure, so good. You read — and understood ! 37 THE RIVER OF TEARS A FAR-FLOWING Stream is the River of Tears, Which ever has flowed and forever will flow Through sorrowful ways of the infinite years, Its deep waters fed by Humanity's woe. A terrible stream is the River of Tears, Whose depths reflect piteous faces of grief. Embittered, distorted, made ghastly by fears. Or tragic with patience untouched by relief. A heart-breaking sound has the River of Tears, In one, blending Misery's cries of distress : Along its drear course no bright blossom appears. Its breezes are shuddering sighs that oppress. Sweep mournfully on, sacred River of Tears, In which Divine eyes with compassion have wept : To Sorrow is hallowed thy name which endears The anguish of mem'ries thy bosom hath kept. 38 MEMORIAL LILIES Softly fall in tuneful patter, Where the fountain ever grieves, Showering drops which thickly spatter Masses cool of humid leaves. Round about its basin whitely. Shedding fragrance, lilies stand, Southern lilies, tall and sightly. Like fair maidens hand to hand. Restful is it here to linger By the waters' lulling play. When the Night has laid her finger On the noisy lips of Day. Here the humming-moth comes wooing Sweetness from the lily-lips, Heeding not the mist-bedewing Of his wings as lured he sips. 39 POEMS AND SONNETS And the night winds here come sighing Through the tree-tops widely spread, And the rustling leaves are trying To repeat sad things they said. Through them moonbeams downward sifting Light the fountain's upward flow Where leaf-shadows cast are shifting On the waters to and fro. Here the mocking songster falters, In his flight to linger long. Bringing to these floral altars Wild exuberance of song. With successive summers springing. Here the faithful lilies grow. Tender memories ever bringing Of a girl who loved them so. That she wore them in the olden Days upon her bosom fair, Intertwisted with the folden Kerchief she was wont to wear. 40 POEMS AND SONNETS Their aroma lingered faintly In each spot where she had been, Calling up a vision saintly Of her loveliness serene. For this stately, vanished maiden, Dead, ah ! many years ago. Bloom the lilies, perfume-laden. Drips the fountain's mellow woe ! 41 THREE-SCORE YEARS AND TEN (to b. a. l.) God's gift of years to-day is thine, As written in the Book Divine, Which, could I live as thou hast, then I, too, would reach three-score and ten ! How helpful thou hast been, and good To others, all thy womanhood, A selfishness for which, I ken. Thy looks defy three-score and ten ! Most bravely hast thou trod life's ways, To gain the summit of thy days, Ennoblfeig for thy fellowmen The stretch of years, three-score and ten ! Rest not as yet! A grander sight Awaits thee from a farther height. With heaven as surely seen as when 'T was thine at three-score years and ten ! 42 A CHRISTMAS DITTY Hang high, hang low, The mistletoe From the centre rafter. And let the candles gleam and glow ; This night of nights we are to know The happy paths to laughter ! Oh, Christmas time Of cheer and chime. What is there like the Christmas time ? Swing overhead The holly red. Set the music ringing — Then gayly may the dancers tread Hour after hour till all are sped. And toward the bygone winging. Oh, Christmas time Of cheer and chime. What is there like the Christmas time ? 43 POEMS AND SONNETS Let hearts beat light This Christmas night, Full of praise and pleasure, — What matters it if Time takes flight ? When life is young and eyes are bright, Allegro in its measure ! Oh, Christmas time Of cheer and chime. What is there like the Christmas time ? Oh, may we hear Throughout the year Echoes growing, growing. Of all the peace, good-will and cheer, Which unto us these hours endear. While Yuletide fires are glowing. Oh, Christmas time Of cheer and chime. What is there like the Christmas time ? 44 MY CHOICE Could I have claimed at midnight, at the parting of the years, Some boon of the To-morrows, as they hung above the biers Of the Yesterdays, their sisters, my soul had known no fears Of aught that they might hold for me of anguish or of tears. Even prescience of blisses kept hidden from my view Could not have changed the one desire which in my being grew, A new and splendid courage for whatever might ensue. To have them grant my fervent prayer, and yield me only — you ! 45 WHITHER Blow, blow, March wind, blow steadfast far, and find her. Nor loiter in thy seeking here nor there; Blow open wide the cloud-gates closed behind her, And loyal unto her a message bear. Didst thou not wail the night that she lay dying. Sea-held apart from me in Southern France, While I bent low in prayer with soul outcrying, Implored to be denied this dire mischance ? Despite shut ears I heard the rushing faster. Fast, faster sweep across the brine-steeped sea. At ghastly dawn thy whispered word, " Disaster," Came heralding Death's ultimate decree. Speed on thy errand, March winds, haste and tell her. Love has for her but stronger grown with pain ; 46 POEMS AND SONNETS I, left on earth appointed to out-dwell her, Strive on, Hope-fed, to clasp her close again. With eyes, swept free of tears, to follow after. Lest I should miss the way whereby she led, And heartache braved by lips that part in laugh- ter, I know that she still lives, — 't is I am dead. 47 SURRENDER A TRENCHANT sense of loss, reborn each day, Is left by Death to mar life's former grace. And joy but half reveals her radiant face When grief has come forevermore to stay. To-day the sunlight slants a tarnished ray. In bygone, glad, remembered years unseen ; For severant Death stands then and now be- tween. And grief has come forevermore to stay. An undertone of sadness thrills for aye Through stricken hearts, from nature's glad- dest moods. And whispers in her tranquil solitudes That grief has come forevermore to stay. Made tenderer by loss, one hides away From happy eyes the sorrow near one's own, 48 4 POEMS AND SONNETS And in heart-desolation braves alone The grief that comes forevermore to stay. Who trusteth knows the precious mortal clay, Confided to the silence of God's care, Needs not our tears in those deep mysteries, where No grief shall come forevermore to stay ! 49 DESIDERATUM Life holds for mortals generous store Of love requited, friends well met, Joys manifold and blessings, — yet None are content ; and you and I, For all we give and may receive. However much, do both conceive Of more, still more, to satisfy. This underyearning felt by men. This mystic, restless, veiled desire For something surer, finer, higher. Than is in this world's fairest bond, — This undefined, insatiate need Belongs to no one caste or creed — This cry of Soul for Life Beyond ! 50 LOUISIANA Louisiana ! At thy name The voices of thy sons unite To swear allegiance and proclaim That each for thee upholds the Right. Louisiana ! At thy call Thy sons assemble for defense, Inspired to conquer or to fall For " Justice, Union, Confidence ! " Louisiana, Louisiana ! Louisiana ! Sacred be The soil where thy first martyrs bled For the great cause of Liberty, Whom Clio named immortal dead, Louisiana ! May thy youth Remember valiant Lafreniere, — Their lives imperil for the truth, Supported by a people's prayer 5 Louisiana, Louisiana ! 51 POEMS AND SONNETS Louisiana ! For thy sake What deeds of valor have been done •, What memories of thy past awake, — Of battles fought, of glory won ! Louisiana! At Chalmette Thy manhood proved itself of yore, And heroes, they, let none forget, Of eighteen seventy and four; Louisiana, Louisiana ! Louisiana ! On thy field France proudly raised the Fleur-de-lis, Then Spain her Castled-Lion Shield, With haughty mien, waved over thee. Louisiana ! Thou hast seen Great England's banner in retreat ; No foreign flag since then hath been In freedom's Land to risk defeat ; Louisiana, Louisiana! 52 VAN DEVEREUX O SILENT heart and dauntless spirit fled, How rich the merit of thy years on earth They know who knew and loved thee well ; thy worth The crown to-day upon thy prostrate head : No laurel leaves, for which Ambition plead. Were greater credit to thy gentle birth. And for the early loss of thee no dearth Of tears shall fall upon thy earth-made bed. To Him returns the soul He did create For earthly bonds, but held for Heaven free, — And she who mourns above the fresh-laid sod Of one brought forth for manhood's proud estate Will bear, with sanctity, the thought that she Hath not her children reared for man, but God ! 53 BEAUTY-DENIED Poor weedling ! you have known the sun and rain As other blooms endowed more beauteously ; Yet like to these can never grow to be, Strive as you may such graces to attain. The purpose of your growing to explain, Man, in his finite knowledge, holds no key ; But, your part filled in some divine decree, You have not lived your little life in vain. Thou human-born with naught of beauty thine. Yet daily facing grace denied, who knows What compensation Life, become divine. Hereafter to that noble patience owes. Which can to partial laws its days resign. And, smiling, brave a grief it never shows ? 54 WITHHOLDMENT What riches for bestowal all possess ! Each nature holds wherewith to meet the need Of other natures ; man, devoid of creed, Hath in himself this much of Christliness. Alas ! That ears which hear mark not distress, And hands hang listless for the waiting deed To which wide-open eyes give careless heed. Withholding much, though much empowered to bless. On earth are those with human wants who live Impoverished for the time we will not spare, Who ask nor yearn for charity of pelf; Who crave the succor tenderness could give. Of fellow-sympathy a larger share, A nobler generosity of Self. 55 MARY ASHLEY TOWNSEND Supreme the natal day which marks the birth Of one whose brows were destined for the bay,— A poet-soul enshrined in mortal clay And sent of God to hearten men on earth ! But for these mission-born, how great the dearth Of grace had been along Life's prosing way; That lack of inspiration, day on day, Bereft of Poethood's exalted worth ! Thou sovereign singer ever voicing Right, How rich the warm compassion of thy song ! Thy vivid words resounding full and strong An ecstasy of listening excite. To Genius, crowned with an immortal light. Thy woman's heart and manful brain belong ; And I press forward from the honoring throng To render proud obeisance to thy might. 56 SEPTEMBER Once more thy birth month lingers in the year, September, whose free hands hold forth re- prieves To weary husbandmen who bind her sheaves, That Toil may blend thanksgiving with good cheer. Resplendent over-head the moon its clear, Full beauty and refulgence now achieves, And of its nights of darkness earth relieves To swirl in constant light, a golden sphere. And thou ? Along earth-ways we two have trod, — But I remain ; yet never from my heart Art thou away ; ingathered fondly there The harvest of thy teaching leads to God, Helps me to strive on to be thy counterpart, And grants to desolation no despair. 57 SUPPLICATION In life, whenever absent each from each, The privilege was left to gain fond trace Of thee, and days retained a helpful grace With distance strongly bridged by written speech. Now, mortal sight cannot thy spirit reach ; Beyond all search thy Soul's abiding-place ; No glimpse revealed of thy immortal face For which the whole of Being doth beseech. Art thou so far removed thou canst not hear The yearning and the heart-break in the cry Of lonely years, bereft of thee, below ? Is thy Hereafter so complete, no tear From sorrowing eyes can ever justify The silence broken so that Love shall know ? 58 AN ANNIVERSARY For years, dear heart, have April skies overhead. In all their variable beauty shone, Now bright w^ith sun and nov^ vv^ith clouds o'erstrewn, Since we, beloved, with hand in hand, were wed. How swift for us hath been the eager tread Of day on day to form the years full-blown From that one hour when, for all time thine own, I joyous to the altar went, love-led. E'en though another year an April sky Should bend above but one of us below, Convinced, Death could not part us, thou and I, Contented I would be the first to go ; Sustained by the belief that no good-bye Awaits us in the eternal After-Glow. 59 CONSOLATION Doubt not the tenderness of God who gave Thee joy complete in love-life here below, The memory of which would make thee show A faith supreme to keep thee always brave. From thy Beloved divided by a grave, Let not earth-ways be darkened by thy woe. But gladly feel thou and thy Love shall know The after-recognition thou dost crave. Smile bravely on ; tread nobly lonesome ways ; Let not devotion in thine eyes burn dim; Toward some perfected bliss beyond, above, Tend, ever nearer, all thy life-left days. God-given, now God-taken, trust in Him To clasp thine own again, — for God is Love. 60 TRIBUTE Since thou hast walked beside me these few years, And I my fate have intertwined with thine, I know how love partakes of the divine ; In saying " Courage " when the soul knows fears. In whispering " Comfort " when sad eyes hold tears. In lifting one above that crooked line To which hard care would fain a life confine. E'en while the hopeless spirit perseveres : Thou hast done this, and more, for me, strong heart. And for the love-light shining in thine eyes, I would not even for a kingdom part j Well knowing I retain the greatest prize. Since having thee, and knowing what thou art, I surer am of God beyond the skies. 6i REVELATION How like a dying waste of flow'rs is Life, When you are not beside me, O my Love, And darkened seems the blue of skies above, Existence but an ugly endless strife, In which no sun, but shadows pale are rife, And where the palled ambitions vainly rove. While grief and nameless yearnings deeper shove Their keen pangs in the bosom, like a knife ! And now, my heart I open to declare Of what Life is beside you, dearest one, Its tender and remotest cell I bare To prove how sweet is Life with Love begun : Its beauty and its glory then compare But to a field of poppies in the sun I 62 WITHHELD LLAS ! these perfect days with love confessed, To know such cruel miles stretch out between Thyself and me; that there must intervene Long years, ere clasped again to thy dear breast I in that soulful moment re-possessed Of thee shall reign forever as thy queen, And shall against thy heart enraptured lean, Forgiving Time to-day's supreme unrest ! By faith kept strong, be brave, content to wait i In unison with thine my pulses beat. And though my soul to thine responded late. Because in yesterdays we did not meet. For this, the days to come shall compensate^ And one To-morrow render life complete f 63 THY LETTER As to a sick girl, long shut in a room With drug-beladen air and wasting pain, Invigorating odors from the main Come leaping with each billow's briny spume, — As o'er the heated earth a-sudden loom Storm clouds down-sending dashes of cool rain, Imparting vigor which brings back again Its swooning growth to a transplendent bloom, — So come thy precious lines to me to-day. Clipped pages from Love's volume eloquent, O'er which my happy eyes requited stray ; And should my sky be blackly overbent. Thy tenderness will be an undimmed ray To pierce the darkness of Life's firmament. 64 PERPETUITY O Nature ! holding in thy tender charge The land, the sea, and fair exalting skies, I, who have ever lived so near to thee. Do dedicate my body to thy care. To add, if but by one, to bladed sods. Or one unto the petals of a rose. Or one to graces of thy swaying boughs. So may I be in all thy wondrous whole. If only some infinitesimal part. Share thine illimitable loveliness. Thy glories and thy gladnesses of growth ! But that which is my soul must, past the stars To God, who bade it be, take eager flight. Eternal continuity to gain. As its reward for severed mortal ties. For its upyielded potency of breath. For its fate-broken happiness of earth. To win, by life and death, divine response To this hope-haunting and insistent thought, - — " No part of me but shall forever live ! " ^ 4 DEC St 1919 One copy del. to Cat. Div. i)U;. h\ !9^9 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ■iiiiiiiliil 018 393 738 8 ►'^^^^