PS Wm CST / v/ SIBYLLINE LEAVES WHEREIN ARE TO BE FOUND THE OMENS OF FATE BY URSA MAJOR X^, 'Si ILLUSTRATED "See here thy pictured life" BOSTON CUPPLES, UPHAM AND COMPANY Cbt ©m Corner -eoofeDtore 283 Washington Street '^6 Copyright, isa4. By GEORGE COOLIDGE CHURCHia* C O N 1^ E N T S . Artists anp Descuiptions of Pictikes exordiim .... SIBYLLINE LE.WES : — Tlie Mystic Key The Revery The Omen . Illustration The F.\ir .\ngler The Omen . Illustration WiTiioLT A Ci,oi:d The Omen . Illustration Harmony The Oinen . Illustration The Lark . The Omen . Illustration . The Improvised Shii: The Omen . Illustration He's Gone . The Omen . Illustration The Spring Concert The Omen . Illustration A IIelpini; Hand The Omen . Illustration Paga 4 opposite opposite opposite opposite opposite opposite 0[)posite oi)posite opposite 9 10 10 u 12 12 13 U 13 15 IG 15 17 18 17 19 20 19 21 22 22 23 24 24 25 26 20 Pane CiTPiD Sleeping 27 The Omen . 28 Illustration opposite 28 Woodland Vows 29 The Omen . 30 Illustration opposite 29 The Betrothal . 31 The Omen . 32 Illustration opposite 31 Wedded 03 The Omen . 34 Illustration opposite 33 Defiance 35 The Omen . 3C Illustration opposite 35 The Kose of Destiny 37 The Omen . 38 Illustration opposite 38 Pity and Love ai!k akin 39 The Omen . 40 Illustration ojiposite 40 The Breeze 41 The Omen . 42 Illustration opposite 42 Persepolis . 43 The Omen . 44 Illustration opposite 44 The Stampede 45 The Omen . 4G Illustration opposite 45 The Chess-Players . 47 The Omen . 48 Iliustration opposite 47 (3) ARTISTS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF PICTURES. THE REVERY (Facing page 10.) AuBEKT, Painter. Thibault» Engraver. "It would not be a forced idea to iraagiDC that this is a maiden who has wandered pensivt-Iy down to the seashore of one of the isles of ancient Greece, and is resting herself abstractedly on a mass of rock covered with sea- weed, while she recalls ecenes of past enjoyment, or mourns over the absence of some loved one." THE FAIR ANGLER (Facing page 12.) V. Talmaroli, PainUr. Levasseur, Engraver. A daintily dressed young lady sitting on a stone balustrade, and fishing in a pool, Palmaroli is a Spanish artist, likened sometimes to Fortuny and to Meissonier. WITHOUT A CLOUD (Facing page 13.) Mrs. Anderson, Painter. J. J. Chant, Engraver. A happy little girl, with bright face and laughing eyes, full of health and joy. She hcMs a spray of ivy in her hands, and wreathes it around her heud. The whole wcjU realizes the title of the picture, — entire free- dom from care or trouble. HARMO:S'Y (Facing page 15.) DiCKSEE, Painter. Cu. Waltner, Etcher. An asstbctic maiden, sitting before t\\\ organ, and with a handsome young cavalier looking into her eyes. On one side is a great stained-glass window. The artist is English. THE LARK (Facing page 17.) R. Betsculag, Painter. P. Droeumer, Engraver. A pretty Greek girl, seated on a flowery bank and looking upwards at a lark soaring melodiously above the fields. She is bare-armed and bare- footed, her hair is simply bound with ribbon, and she wears a light but graceful costume. In the distance is a classic leraple surrounded with pines and poplars. THE IMPROVISED SHIELD (Facing page 19.) E. RuDAUX, Painter. P. Girardet, Engraver. One of this artist's pleasing rustic idyls. A strolling painter, and a pretty shepherdess with whom lie has been flirting, are surprised by the appearance of the girl's master, ^a farmer, who stops his load of hay to gaze curiously at the artist's picture, which is on an easel in the back- ground. The painter hides in the hollow trunk of an old tree standing near, and the girl places hci-self in front of him. A goat and kids are in the foreground. HE'S GONE! (Facing page 22.) E. Metzmacher, Painter. H, Eichens, Engraver. The fair one who lately parted from her lover we see gazing fondly after his retreating figure as his horsu winds his way along the forest path. We know not to what fate the cavalier goes forth; but we wish him a safe and speedy return, and the lovers a happy meeting. THE SPRING CONCERT (Facing page 2-t.) J. L. IIamon, Painter. E. Abot, Engraver. A tall and stately woman, in serai-classic costume, stands among the fresh flowers of the field, beating lime with an arrow, while a choir of birds, perched upon an adjacent bush, join her in singing to the spring- time. Plump little Cupid holds up a great book on his head, for the birds to read their music from. A HELPING HAND (Facing page 26.) E. Renocf, Painter. A fishingboat, in which ia seated an old and weather-beaten tar, with pipe in mouth, who sits facing us, and pulls at a heavy oar. Beside him is a little girl, perhaps his grand-daughter, who essays to help him with her tiny fingers. He looks at her with a kindly smile, taking the will for the deed. Before them a distant island aud a few quiet sails relieve the calm surface of the sea. CUPID SLEEPING (Facing page 28.) L. Perrault, Painter. A charming piclui-c of the little rosy god of Love asleep in the forest, on the edge of u brook. His bow aud quiver lie idly by; and we can imagine some bright nymph of the wood stealing near to admire the pretty boy, without risk of danger to her heart. The painter is French, and a pupil of Bongucreau. WOODLAND VOWS (Facing page 29.) Betschlag, Paint' r. Eicuens, Engraver. A dim forest scene, with a great smooth tree-trunk in the foreground, npon which a patrician youth has cut two initials, and is surrounding them with the outline of a heart. A richly clad young woman leans upon his shoulder, and watches his work with a pleased expression. Robert Beyschlag is a prominent German artist. His most celebrated picture is " Psyche and her Urn," exhibited at the Vienna E.-^position of 1873. THE BETROTHAL (Facing page 31.) Dieffenbach, Painter. A. and E. Varin, Engravers. A picturesque German room, with the newly afilanccd couple on one side, and their conseutiug parents drinking to their prosperity. On the floor, cats, dogs, children, toys. WEDDED (Facing page 33.) Sir Frederick: Leighton, Painter. Two happj' lovers, newly wed, walking on an arched terrace under a southern sky. The bride, a type of rare and stately beauty, is supported in the arms of her husband, a noble young athlete, and leans her face back to his while he kisses her hand. He wears a leopard-skin over his tunic, and she a richly flowered gown above a white underdress. An idyl of tender love and happiness in the days of old Rome. THE DEFIANCE (Facing page 35.) CooMANS, Painter. Jouanin, Engraver. A gallant little Roman boy stands in the centre of the room, his arms folded, and his* foot pressed down on a doll; a laughing matron regards the other children thus defied ; and Nemesis, in the form of a handmaiden bearing a scourge, steals upon the little warrior from behind. Coomans was born at Brussels in 1816, studied art at Ghent and Ant- werp; spent several years in French Africa, painting Arab scenes and battle-pieces, and went to Italy in 18')7; after which he devoted himself to representations of classic life and history. • THE ROSE OF DESTINY (Facing page 38.) Laslett J. Pott, Painter. J. J. Chant, Eiigraver. A beautiful girl in old-time costume, sitting on a bench in a garden, and gazing thoughtfully at a rose held in her hand. Her shawl and pet pug- dog are on the other end of the seat. FOR PITY AND LOVE ARE AKIN (Facing page 40.) Frank Miles, Painter. R. Joset, Engraver. A fair-haired young girl, seated with her hands on her knees and a se- rious look on her pleasing face. The picture is owned by the Prince of Wales. THE BREEZE (Facing page 42.) J. E. AUBERT, Painter. A charming maiden uplifts a rose, from which the petals are stripped one by one by the wind. She is clad in light drapery of classic simplicity, and sits on a rock near the shore of a lake which is seen in the background. A picture of poetic grace and beauty. PERSEPOLIS (Facing page 44.) B. Riviere, Painter. F. Stacpoole, Engraver. " They say the Hon aud the lizard keep The courts where Jamshyd gloried and drank deep." Omar Khayyam. A solemn and impressive scene amid the ruins of the ancient capital of Persia, showing u vast and wide terrace covered with shattered columns, and fragments of gigantic statues, which cast deep shadows in the moon- light. Some lions move stealthily about the massive steps, and lizards are creeping over the worn and broken stones of the pavement. The stara shine out from the sky, looking down upon this abode of departed great- ness, once the palace of a mighty monarch, but now forsaken and deso- late, untenanted save by beasts of prey and reptiles. In the distant back, ground the sleeping hills enclose the awful sadness of the lonely plain. Pcrsepolis, *' called the throue of Jamshyd," the legend says, was founded and built by that potentate, who belonged to one of the mythical dynasties of Persia, and was known as '• King Splendid." Conti^ast this picture of the fall of human power and glory, the decay of empires and the death of pagan creeds, with Mersou's "Repose in Egypt," which typifies the birth of a new gospel and the dawn of the Christianity of to-day. This striking work was first exhibited in the Royal Academy of 1878. THE STAMPEDE (Facing page 45.) Rosa Bonheub, Painter. T. Landseer, Engraver. A brilliant and spirited composition by this illustrious French artist. A herd of terrified oseu is dashing through a flock of sheep, with most disastrous effect, despite the etturts of the shepherds, whose cudgels fall unnoticed upon the huge and panic-stricken creatures. THE CHESS-PLAYERS (Facing page 47.) Meissonier, Painter. A. Blanchard, Engraver. A characteristic scene by the greatest painter of modern France. It depicts an interior, with a table iu the foreground, at which are two gentlemen ia eighteenth-century costume, playing chess. One has made a good move, and watches with an amused expression the perplexity of his opponent. (i) EXORDIUM. Be III" inti'c[)iil Ilcnrt, () tlioii who soanst These liiR's, j'or here thou ail to be enlraueed! Weird is this Avorld, its dawns and dusks outspread "With gleams of fading stai-s and ghunours dread! The ever silent Hours, in jewelled robes Of moments vestured, as the sparkling globes Of fallen dews in the fresh morning glint And straight are gone, leaving nor sign nor hint, So come the voiceless Hours, so pass away, Dissolving in the waxing, waning Day. Illusive Day! where is thy phantom hiir? — Or art thou infinite and everywhere? — Chasing the sunbeams up and down the Avorld, From orient gates, till evening shades have furled Their sombre folds around thee as a pall, And tlion departest as the shadows fall. Gone whither, waif from oti' this rolling sphere? Gone over ocean tides to disa])pt'ar In that vast vortex Past where all that was Lies prone with worlds and ail their primal cause. (5) These are thy Days, observer, gazing here, Comhig and rushing by to disappear! Be not dismayed ! — they have in charge for thee, For good or ill, thy coming Destiny! Approach! — this volmne open with good heed; — Where thou dost open, thou thy fate niayst read ; - Be not dismayed, but l)rave of lieart, and here Thy future shall thee bless Avitli strength and checr,- Give solace, — or thy cautious footsteps lead, And bring thee courage in thy day of need! (6) Sibyllii}^ C^au^5 CI) c 0^ r !3 1 i c It c r ♦ Be not thou rash to dally with thy fate, ^N'or all too swift its mystery to ti'aiislate: Before thee iilaced, let the closed volume lie; Open whei-e some fair page shall meet thine eye, And read with care the lines that prescience seals: "The Omen" unto thee thy fate reveals. (8) THE REVERY. Fiir loll the ocean tides to shores unknown, Beyond tlie verge where skies and waters meet; Or surg-'mg from those strands, with hollow moan, What from their caverns lay they at our feci? The hreezes wall their rippling way along. In swaying waltzes Avith the waters' sheen; Their timbrels wake the sui'ges into song. The spirit luring on to the unseen. Ah, where, in all this world of sense and sight, To visions of the spirit is there bound? What realms are those to which it taketh tlight, Where Silence reigneth o'er the vast profound? Oh, there are tides of being in the soul That ebb and flow in spiritual deeps, — From shores we know not ol', that wayward roll And lull to dreams the spirit as it sleeps! And there are airs from off the distant plains That to the dreamer bear celestial sweets, Until the wanderer Paradise regains, And yearning impulse in fruition meets! (9) THE O J^I E ^T Give to thy visions, Dreamer, their behest, "VVouldst thou possess at hist a restful soul! They will not be denied their yearning quest, — They will be masterful beyond control. They are the scintillations of the morn. They will with rising splendors crown thy life, Awaking inspii-ations yet unborn. With higli endeavor and emprises rife. Give to thy fancies Avings, and bid them soar Upward and onwai'd to empyreal heights, N"or dim tlic spai'k that burns forevermore "Within thee, for thy Destiny it lights. Thou shalt liring forth from Fancy's wide domain Creations that will mortal vision bless And turn iniwary wanderers again The pathway to their native heaven to press. Go, till thy mission to a waiting Avorld, For it hath need of thee and jwwers like thine! Ti-iumphant let thy banner be unfurled, — Thy work accomplished, — and thy rest divine. ( 10 ) THE FAIR ANGLER. Not all that OH tlu^ suiTace lies Is seen, or whiliuT tmids tlie liiK', — For there are visions that the eyes Allnre Avith radiance divine, — That Hit l)efore the orbs of si<^ht, And nil their liquid depths with li<^ht. Beneath the waters' placid face The finny tribes unnumbered rove, — But there are other Hues tliat trace Their wayward spells to glen or grove, AVhose witchery hath potent art To tangle meshes of the heart! Disport your gambols glad and free, Ye denizens of liquid deeps! — For there are other toils to see "NVliere other haunt its ro\ers keeps; Invisible the lines are there, Unheeded on the ambient air. O heart, tumultuous with delight. Of idle wanderings beware! There have been hearts before whose plight Has been themselves to lose. Take care! There is a spell thou canst not Ijreak That yet may thee a ca]itive take (11) THE O M E X . Oh. there is beauty everywhere, Entreating but the passing gaze; And forms of loveliness are there To trance the heart to diverse ways; It can its impulse but obey, — It may not break itself away. And thou shalt find thy fate to be, Whose eager eyes these lines pursue, That such shall be thy destiny, — The treasure of thy heart to woo. The Avell-belov(3d One to gain, Thy being's being to remain. Accept with loving faith the tin-all, The silken lines ai-ound thee thro-\\m; They give thee but thine all in all, They bind thee only to thine own, — Heart unto hcai-t united, one, — The life above on earth begun. Oh, bless thy stars that thou art blest With life so halcyon, so divine! Thy yearning spirit shall have rest. And sweet delights of life be thine; So shall thy days serenely move. And fulness of thy blessing prove. (12) WITHOUT A CLOUD. Come, hri'ozc's, dance along liic Ira, In winsome frolic glad and free; Waltz, ripples of the silver stream, AVitli min-ored plumes that by thee gleam; And rovers of the flitting wing, Your carols all exultant sinjr! 'o Cerulean are the heavens above, Resounding ecstasies of love; There is not o'er the sea or shore One sound discordant to deplore; Oh, happy, happy day, that fills The heart and all its pulses thrills! "The ivy wreath shall be entwined. And with my flaunting locks combined ; And I will be a hajjpy thing, A blossom of the blooming spi-ing; For there shall be unsullied bliss On day so heavenly fair as tliis.'" Ilast thou discerned, O maiden lairl A world of dreams without a cai-e? Then be thy sunny fiicc and licart The perfect picture that thou art. And never hapless ills betide The raptures that in thee abide. (13) THE O M E X . O lingerer by this mystic line! What nntold happiness is thine! For thee the world is bi-ight and fair, For thee the kindly Fates prepare The bliss that favored mortals know, — Days joyous only they bestow. Take thou the brimming cup, and quaff! Take up the ivy crown, and laugh! Disport thee as a lamb at play In sunny vales the livelong day; :No lurking ill shall make thee fear, There shall no harm approach thee near. If there were paradise below, It were for thee, so blest, to know! Go, seek the pearly-blazoned gate, For a new Eden may elate Thy soul with ecstasy divine, And heaven itself on earth be thine! To other realms of bliss the way To chosen ones the Fates display; And they, O hai)py one! for thee Hold forth the gleaming golden key; Enter upon th}' jiroud domain, The joys of earth and heaven to gain. (11) HARMONY. Tender and soCt and low Was tlie melody you played, Touehiny the keys with simple art; Thrilled with Die heavenly lay, my heart Forgrot its woe. 'e>" In the twilight gloom T dreamed A dream of the musie horn; And far from the city's hum and roar, On the hills of my boyhood's home once more A child I seemed. The tops of the pine trees stirred With the echo of a sigh. I saw the moonbeams kiss the lake; On pebbly shore the rijjples' break In fancy heard. I knew that the tones nnist cease, And with them vanisli the dri'am; lint still, as the twilight shadows fell My senses yielded to music's spell. My soul found jjeace. (15) THE O M E ^^ . Hear what the Fates decree : — Chosen and crowned art thon! Power to produce the healhig start Of tears that ache in a grief-bound heart Is given thee. f Sorrow shall be thy guest. Thus shalt thou entertain One of God's angels, who shall teach Thy soul sweet sympathy's golden speech, And make thee blest. Erom depths oi" human wrong- To heights where the spirit soars, Up and down the beautiful stair The crosses of others thy soul shall bear On waves of song. This, then, thy mission is, — To draw from the throbbing keys Of hearts that yield to thy healing touch Life's sorrowful discords, and make of such Heaven's harmonies. (16) ^l* THE LARK O song'ster lii;j^h in heaven! Ihv joyou-; note KoU nut upon the skies from hurstinjj throat; On banks of i-oses tranced, tlie listening ear Shall all the warblings of thy raptures hear; The lifted gaze shall skyward trace thy course, And see in heaven thy inspiration's source. What tiny form is thinc' the da}' to meet "With matin carols so divinely sweet! Hou' canst thou seek Aiu'ora's beaming cai-, Swift mounting up the orient afar, A glimmer thou of ever waning light, Till in a thrill of music lost to sight! 'O' Sing on, sweet warbler of unweai-ying wing, AVith all the tlutter of thy being sing! The endless sweeps of space are all for thee, And thou to i-ealms above my guide shalt be, Alluring to its native heaven my soul. As o'er its jjlains thy strains melodious roll. For thy career is in the inlinite. Where vast or puny forms alike may flit. There is no measure for thy form or llight In those eternal rounds of boundless liiiht. Soar, little songster, in thy native sphere, And kindivd spirits all thy i-;iptnrcs hcai'! THE OMEN. Give ear, O dweller on this mundane sphere! And thou, intent, a strain from heaven shalt hear, — Sweet sounds to thrill tlie chords that in thee dwell. Till with responsive, melodies they swell, And ecstasies of gladness in thee bide, Ineffable, an ever-welling tide. Lo, it is thine, a child of heaven, to hear The strains by choirs angelic wafted near; To bid thy spirit on and upward roam To its divine abode, its natal home, — In one eternal round of endless day To stretch the shining wing and soar away. Read, read thy destiny, O child of light! Read, and pursue thy lofty course aright; Fear not, nor tremble at the voice divine, That bids the vast i-esplendent heavens be thine; When lost thou art to sublunary sight, Thy song of gladness will the world delight. (18) THE IMPROVISED SHIELD. Hey-day! a liiniu'i-, well I wolmi, Seekinj; another Kden lost! Canst trace the spii-it of the scene, "With all its liHits and shadows crossed? A shepherdess, with distatt' Heeced; A goat, disdainlal of surprise; Kids, indolent, their l)leating's ceased, — These, and what more arrests our eyes? The farmer's kine and loaded wain Are stayed beside the open way; What holds the farmer's steps amain? What here do his broad fields display? He sees there pencillings of things That waken all his curious lore; And there are flittings blight of wings He hath not heard or seen before. The smiling landscape all is here, — Some tracings by a hand well skilled, — But yet no artist doth appear, With art's divinest frenzy filled! Since Eden was tliere have been ways Beyond the inmost ken of xVrt; From earliest to latest days They leave their tracings on the heart! (19) THE O M E ^ . There i^ a mystery before Thy plodding step that bids thee stay; Conceahnent thou must not explore That will not brook the light of day. Beware! nor seek too much to know! For in the hidden ways of men The tides of life 'have underflow Beyond the reach of human ken. There was forbidden fruit of old In pendant glory on the tree; — It is not well thou shouldst imfold A mystery not meant for thee. With thine own welfare be content, Nor seek of others' lives control; Thou mayst thine ill-timed course lament In very bitterness of soul. A kindly providence shall shape The secret danger all aright, — That sorrow's garments may not drape In woe's habiliments thy sight. It is not given unto man All mysteries of life to know, — There is enough, in all its span, For thee of haii, or weal, or woe. (20) HE'S GONE. Gone! — gone! Ah me! wiiat void is this Within my iieait forlorn I iindy fiono arc mv fondest dreams amiss, — Vanished adown tlie way he twined. Whither, all, whither will he wend His path beyond my utmost gaze? Oh, will lie, at the journey's end, Recall the bliss of other days? Peace, peace, my troubled heart! be still! Thy hopes are but a vision passed! Thy wild, tumultuous beatings will But bring thee dire dismay at last! Ah, ever, ever is it so! My hajipy days, with bliss rei^lete, Are shadowed with untimely woe, And dread comes creeping at my feet. Are there no happier skies than these. Where livelong days may joy prolong? — Where from the blossom-burdened trees May ever thrill ecstatic song? But wait, my ever-throbbing lieai-t, Ilowe'er thv skies be overcast! There may for thee be happier jiart, — There may for thee be bliss at last! (21) THE O M E X . What golden moment now hath flown To johi the long array before! — Leaving but onl}' hollow moan Resounding on the lonely shore! Ah! many are the tides of fate That break along the sands of time; And many are the bai-ques too late The effluent, vaulting wave to climb. Thy opportunity is gone, Thou loiterer by the open sea! By others there are prizes won, — There is no prize, alas! for thee! Oh, leave these paths of senseless ease, Ere all thy best of life be lost, — And let thine earnest spirit seize Its Avinsome gifts ere tempest-tossed! Thy days are passing as a dream, — A hopeless dream they soon will be; Thy fancies are not what they seem, — They have no biding joy for thee. Thou hast thy life, and its command, — Thou hast thy will, and its control,— Then let thy spirit take its stand. And wake in thee a living soul! (22) THE SPRING CONCERT. A flutter of wings in the anil)i'i- aii-, A drowsy Imm in the grasses; A phishing, musical cadence where Tile brooklet Ijriglit In ripples of light Over the pebbles passes. The south wind swings in the blossoming trees, The Avest wind lingers, dreaming. The clover sways to the murmuring bees, And butterflies gay 'Mid cowslips play, With golden sun-gifts gleaming. I see sweet May in her beauty stand Where fairest flowers are springing. An arrow of Love in her upraised hand, And Love by her side, With book held wide, That birds may be merrily singing. She trails her garments across the fields. And, thrilled by her magical sAveetness, Each dainty blossom its fragrance yields, On wings of air The promise to bear Of the opening year's completeness. (-'3) THE O M E :^ . A winter of grief thy soul shall know, All ice-bound voice of sadness. Under cold shrouds of drifting snow Buried shall lie — But not to die — Blossoms of life's bright gladness. Xo, not to die ! -=— for the days will pass, And a ray of sunshine quiver On germs that shall rijien in waving grass, And the sunless stream Of a winter's dream Shall flow like a beautifid river. For Spring must come to her own again; And out of thy heart will vanish The desolate sense of a frozen pain, And radiant flowers From memory's bowers The Avintcr of gloom shall banish. Look up, sad heart, for joy must come! Look up, and hope in thy sorrow! For birds shall carol that now are dumb; And the Storm-King's shadow Shall melt from the meadow And leave green life there to-morrow. (24) 'f-' 1 J^ 4> (P ^ ^^- ■ A HELPING HAND. Ay, " where there is ;i will there is a way ! " And wiio shall duubt tlie will those arms display? — Or who shall measure the consummate aid Bestowed l)y helping hand of this wee maid, Whose puny palms upon the huge oar rest, And all her willing, eager strength attest? Think you assistance small those little palms Convey, those gently mi^ving, outstretched arms. The blithesome form, erect, securely braced, The solemn face with sense of duty traced, The lighted eye on eddying waters glanced. Bespeaking all the inner being tranced? Oh, bid the sturdy one beside her there In honest truth his own good sense declare, — "What help the little child is giving him! — Or read it 'neath the weather-beaten i-im That slouches o'er the features wreathed with smiles, As plies the innocent her gentle wiles. Not always jjower is with the strong alone, Howe'er it triumj)!! in a force its own, — For there are impulses that have their sway In hearts and lives, that man must needs obey, — Sparks from anothei- to this lower sphere That Heaven dispenses human steps to cheer. (25) THE OMEN. Thou art upon a sea, O child of fate! Where safety on thy sturdy arm may Avait, Oh not alone, for there is treachery In calms that far away outstretch for thee. Thou mayst have need of e'en thine utmost skill, Thou mayst require the strength of all thy will. Disdain not, in the guise of helping liand. The gracious aid that may high Heaven command, ■ In very weakness blessed with power divine In more than mortal panoply to shine. To pluck from Heaven the vigor to resist The ills that threaten, shrouding thee in mist. For there shall come to thee a tender guide, To aid thee with a living joy and pride, — Whose form of innocence beside thine own Shall lead thee forth where dangers ai-e unknown,- Shall bid thee labor, happy and serene. While close with thine the helping hand is seen. Fear not! thou shalt not wander all alone; Thy course shall be o'er sparkling waters shown ; • There shall no harm attend thee on thy Avay, The waves shall linger, Avanton in their play ; — The hand of innocence, with glad delight, Shall aid thee, ever blessed in thy sight. (26) ■f-\ ,v^-. CUPID SLEEPING, Sleei)! sleop! mischievous gud, oh, sk-ep!- If there be si)ell that may entrance The wizard l)rightne.ss of thy glance, And erewhile l)id thi-e quiet keep! On folded wiug, oh, lie thee low, And rest thee on thine unstrung bow. Perchance some hearts may warning take And flee away ere thou dost wake; Perchance while tliou dost idly dream Beside the pensive, lulling stream. Some may pluck out thy fateful darts, And find again unrended hearts. '&' What hast thou done, O roving sprite! Now on this sylvan bank at rest? Oh, hast thou wearied of the light, — Become with all thy pranks oppressed.^ That thou dost leave lone heai-ts at ease. To flaunt and flutter as they please? Ah, what shall come when thou dost rouse, With outstretched wing to roam again. And hearest swains and maidens' vows Renewed among the haunts of nn'U? Say, rosy god, what Avilt thou do, When all the groves thou wanderesl tlu-ough? (27) THE O ]SI E ^ . Hush! rude, uututored, reckless one! Oh, hush! and careful vigil keep, Lest thy poor heart shouldst be undone. There lies a very god asleep, Whose furtive glance, should he awake, May all thy being captive take. While Cupid sleeps thou mayst be free. When Cupid shall awake, beware! There have been many, proud like thee. That he hath brought to grim despair. Hearts obdurate are his delight; ISTo coat of mail can him despite. Thy destiny is in thy hand, O wayward, restless, roving one! — And thou mayst still thyself command. As circlets of thy days shall run, So prudence guide thy wandering eyes, Not seeking out where Cupid lies. But the whole world is Cupid's dower, And every spot beneath the sun Has known the impulse of his power. The bleeding hearts he hath undone. Thy destiny is in thy hand; How long canst thou thyself command? (28) WOODLAND VOWS. In summer time when woods were green And meadows sweet with haying, AVhere flickering shade and golden sheen Fell down low-drooping boughs between, My Love and I went straying. The spicy tops of pine-trees stirred Wliere zeyphrs soft were playing; Our whispers low the shy leaves heard. And laughed and danced, but breathed no word Of what my Love was saying. Oh, happy, happy was the hour. And gayly birds were singing; Each graceful fei-n in shady bower Thrilled with a new, mysterious power, And flower-bells fair w^ere ringing. We canned some letters on the tree Beneath whose boughs were spoken Our woodland vows, — and we shall see, Grown deeper, in the years to be, Our love and love's fond token. (29) THE OMEN. To love and to be loved — O Heart, This is th}^ destined story! In vain tempt science, letters, art — For thou wilt choose the better jiart, And ci-own thy life with glory. Through sun and shade thy feet shall tread In pleasant woodland places, Where birds shall sing above tliy head. And all the ground be overspread With dainty floweret faces. Life's storms shall pass thy peaceful bowers; But summer clouds shall sprinkle Thy path with drops from summer showers, Which, caught in hearts of fragrant flowers, As healing- tears shall twinkle. 'o Midst rural scenes, with one to bless And cheer with smile approving, A mind content shalt thou possess, And find life's highest happiness In being loved and loving. (30) » ™ » THE BETROTHAL A health to yoii, fnir iiiaiil and swain! — With length of clays a life of cheer! — Your footsteps paradise i-egain, As circles on the rolling year; The Fates decree that all is well, And merry as a marriage-bell. Your parents fond pledge life and bliss; Y'our kin in your delight rejoice; What moment liappit'r than this Can future days give cheery voice? Your ])lighted troth is sealed and blest, — Kind Heaven its happiness attest. Fair as the rose her girdle decks This queen that rules this festal hour; Proud of the hand he grasps, what recks The youth who sways the sov'reign power? It is enough to own the spell Whose ties time never may dispel. So hand to hand, and heart to heart, Are pledged for aye, come good or ill, — Two lives as one have common part, A single purpose, single will, — So may this prescient hour foretell The joy that in these hearts shall dwell. (31) THE OMEK. Dost know the happiness that waits Upon thy way, expectant heart? For thee propitions are tlie Fates; A thing of Hfe and joy thon art; Thy coming days are glad and bright, - Thy very being a deUglit. For lo! thon hast a charmed life, A being more than is thine own; In other souls there may be strife, — In thine it never may be known; Thy double being all is fair, — A world thine own the Fates prepare. For thou and thine united are In thought, in purpose, and in Avill ; The tumult of rude life afar From thee is banished and is still ; Oh, be thy double self complete, Two hearts as one their joys repeat. Behold, these halcyon days are thine. And doul)ly thine, O plighted heart! Disport in ecstasy divine. Thy bliss imbibe, thy bliss impart; The brimming cup of nectar waits The lijjs so blest kind Heaven elates. (32) WEDDED, O Rome! the world's pi-oud mistress, say if tliou III thy imperial greatness IoimikhI a vow More truly ^nelding heart t(. heart delight, Than binds the wedded pair before our sight? AYhat are thy palms, motht'r of nations, say, That bear thine honors on to latest day? What gave thee o'er mankind thy sov'reign power. And made the world thine own resplendent dower? The stalwart forms, heroie, of thy sons! — Thy proud, majestic daughters — stately ones! In moulds of godlike grace and beauty cast, They bade their impress on the nations last. The leopard gave his shaggy hide to deck The bi-awny shoulders that he could not wreck; A spouse as noble rests upon its spots As bides in palaces or humbler cots. "Weld your firm hearts with love's diviner fires. Ye noble souls, enwrajjt witli fond desires; — Ye have another world to rule,— your own; The gods have led you, and its portals shown; Oh, enter in, assume your royal state, Nor let the glories of your reign abate ; Ye are the proudly great of all the earth, Be yours life's grandeur, all that life is worth. (33) THE O M E X . Mortal supremely blest, what joy is thine! How art thou ftivored by a power divine! Thy life is rounded to existence new; The world before thee wears its brightest hue. Since Eden was, so hath the edict grown, " It is not good for man to be alone." So hath it been since iirst the race began. And woman, gift divine, God gave to man. Thine is the double life of wedded bliss, That maketh paradise of world like this. Oil, be the hai)piness that Eden graced The guerdon Heaven within thy grasp hath placed; Fruits luscious to behold, but guilt defiled, Be ashen to thy spirit unbeguiled; — Virtue shall hail thee as her chosen one; Thy being here be life in heaven l)egun. Rejoice, O mortal! in thy happy lot, For not on earth for thee is happier spot. In other heart thy counterpart complete. Around thy steps the heavens their splendors mete,— One roseate dawn, one Occident of flame, The span of life reflects, alike the same; For love, divinely kindled in the breast. In perfect bliss finds here its heavenly rest. (34) THE DEFIANCE, Whatjiol my noble Roman, wild ol' eye, And Hashinii- ire. -what is it ye descry? — Obstruction to lliinc all-imperious will, That with Defiance all thy soul doth fill? So wrought the blood of Rome in other form, ^Vhcn nations vanished at its gushings warm, And an obedient world in homage fell Subservient, mastered by its mighty spell. The puny figure crushed beneath thy foot Bespeaks no object of thy dire pursuit ; Tears cannot move thee from thy purpose fell, And gaze of horror doth thy fury swell; — The niati-on of the household well presides. But her derisive laugh shall quell no tides Upheaving, angry, in thy swelling breast, That all thy valiant lineage attest. Thou canst not be subdued l)y foe before, Turned by resistance, nor by suppliance more; Derision cannot quench thy flaming fire. Nor iimocence dispel thine intent dire. But at thy back, proud youth, there lurks a ibrce To change the tenoi- ol' thy fearless course, — A Nemesis appears, retreat to urge, And lash thy Ibrm with swift-descending scourge. (35) THE O ]V[ E X . What spirit turbulent liath wrought thy soul To frenzy witli its awful, dire control? How plantest thou thy foot defiant down On trophies as the conqueror of a crown? How standest thou devoid of mortal fear, Thy will alone tlie voice thy soul may hear, — Thy being, fashioned in heroic mould, Filled with defiant energies untold? Thoii hast the attitude of manly fight, That may the weak, the timorous, affright; Thou hast the Avill to dare and bravely do, Whate'er besets thy path to trample through; Thou canst not fi-om thy purpose be allured, And wisdom to the winds hast cast abjured; Thy martial bosom, heaved with thy conceit, Invites the onset, mindless of retreat. Thou art usuri)er, proud, defiant one! Thy headstrong course its downfall hath begun. There are no worlds in this broad age of light For reign of lawless riot over right. Thy soul with fell ambition runneth o'er, — And the avenging Fates for thee in store Have retributions, numberless and sure, To turn thee back to nobler purpose pure. (36) THE ROSE OF DESTINY, How say'st thoii. Rose? Upon thy [H'tiils palu 1 leave — a kiss. Wilt tell my destiny? For pay like this Wilt thou the Fates expose? Thyself T chose From all thy sisters fair, hecause thou art Pure gold, from stately erowu to fragrant heart. Thou art superb. Queen Rose! How swiftly blows The summer breeze about thee! Zephyrs bear Thy sweetness through the opal-tinted air, To what far heights, who knows? But what disclose The breath-turned petals as I gaze on thee? What is it here? A little prisoned bee, In dream-enchanted doze! What meaning glows Symbolical thi-ough this that answers me? The bee can sting, —but gathers honey. See! Thou, too, hast thorns, fair Rose! (37) THE O M E I^ . Wouldst thou be wise Concerning mysteries? Then do not fear To gaze upon the future drawing near; For that way wisdom Hes. Time, as he flies, Shall bring thee much of sunshine, many showers, Alluring thus life's rarest, loveliest flowers Along thy path to rise. Pleased with the prize These thou shalt gather. If some blossoms fall. And Init the stem remain, what matter? All Fade not because one dies. Say not, with sighs, "Alas! the flowers of life! how soon they fade!" The joy of having doubly joy is made That pain possession buys. AVith searching eyes Deep in the rose-heart look. "Who carefully Doth scan all things that in his path may be Meets many a glad surprise. (38) PITY AND LOVE ARE AKIN. A'icissitudi', of moi'liil lifr (U'creo IiH'Xoi'iihle, oh, why must thou In'? Can never mortal be su]iremely l)U'st, liut tliy reverses crowd to hrinj^- unrest? AVliy art thou ever at the step of man, To disconcert so oft his well-laid plan? And yet tliou art a minister of grace, O wayward ])ower! having in life thy place. Thou art a handmaid of the scheme divine, That in life's vineyard bids the tendril twine. The swaying vine securely lifting high, Till luscious clusters greet the admiring eye. Then, Sadness, on these lineaments so fair, Trace thou the sorrows that thyself declare, — The pensive gaze in far-off skies shall seek The solace hitman lip may nevei* speak, — ■ The c-las])ing hands in silent I'cst repose, And melancholy all the mien dispose. Ah, Avho shall gauge the impulses within, "When love and pity ever are akin? A place there is in sympathizing heart Wliere radiant lioj)e and tender love impart Their yearning fondness as a potent spell. In silent language saying, "All is well!" (39) THE O M E ^ . Forth in the checkered ways of life pursue Thy devious way, th}^ cliangeful hours renew; — With beaming- light shall shadows alternate, And bring to thee vicissitudes of fate ; — As thou art true of soul shall Heaven decree A blessed issue of thy days to be. Oh, keep thy heart as open as the day ; For needed tenderness in spirit pray ! It shall be thine to witness wan distress, The burden share, and make the sorrow less ; For thou slialt loveliness in grief relieve, And in thy soul enkindled love receive. So shalt thou be endowed with life anew, — Comi)lacently its lights and shadows view, — For thoy to thee shall Heaven's own blessing bear. And all thy being for new life prepare, — Thou shalt the beaming crown of glory win, For in thee love and pity are akin. Go forth, with eye observant and serene, The gathering cloud discern, the golden sheen ; There is no place existing here below Where bliss forever can be void of woe ; Go forth, and seek in life its better part. While kindred love and j^ity bless thy heart. (40) *s?. '^^ .,. THE BREEZE. Delightful Breeze! Uprising in xhv aii-, And dancing everywhere From billowy seas, Come to this Hebe's seat, And dally at her feet. A blushing I'ose She offers thee, sweet Breeze! Its flitting petals seize, For they diselose Thy winsome, roving way; This blithe and happy day. AVild, gladsome breeze! Disporting o'er the lea, AVhat fairies follow thee To waving trees In sylvan shades, to play The winged hours away! On billows green Of waving, feathery grain. Thou trippest o'er the ])lain, A sprite unseen. To bowers of tendrilled trees Afar, refreshing Breeze! (41) THE O M E X . The sage hath word For thee from leaves of lore, Of glad import, before Thou hast not heai"d. That bi-ings thee joy and cheer, The happy message hear. There is for thee A blessed change to come, When ills most burdensome Away shall flee, And thou shalt be relieved Of woes that have thee grieved. There is delight Awaiting thee, lone heart! Anon shall better part Redeem thy plight. And thou shalt be at ease, As sports the gladsome breeze. With sultry days Faint not, o'erwearied one, For ere the blazing sim Shall veil his i-ays There shall be blessed airs ' Dispelling all thy cares. (42) PERSEPOLIS. Unseal 3'our lips, O bnriod ages jioi-o! AVhcrc are the living beings once ye knew? Who wrought these lofty turrets, now your hiei-? What forms these marbled eourses wandered throuirhV ■o Dumb! — dumb! — Oh, what unuttei-able thought Bi'oods I'ver o'er j'our vcneral)le mould! HoAv liatli the yearning spii-it vainly sought The mystery of your being to unfold! W^hei-e trod the foot of monareh among men, The lizard o'er the slimy iDavement creeps; The lordlv lion roams, and seeks its den Where Iniried grandeur now forever sleeps. O aneient days, with ancient splendors rife! What were ye all but pageant of a dream? W^hat is the passing of an age of life. But a mere shadow of the things that seemV An age is come — an age is gone — no more! Xow for a season have we being here; — Ah! tliere have been, what mortals hei-e before? — Who in tlic after ages shall appear? Ye speak, O ruins! to mine inmost soul; Ve tell me of the number of my days; Your oracles my senses all control, And bid me, trembling, silent, heed my wajs. (43) THE O M E X . Lo! there are other scenes and other times, That bid thee ponder and their m3'steries trace, — They slumber ever in the ancient rimes That o'er them crept from a dejjarted race. Oh, canst thou solve the riddles of the Past? — Or canst thou read the scrolls of days long gone? Canst thou, where ancient cities lie aghast, Their glories trace in early ages born? For Desolation it is thine to seek In far-otf lands of early-peopled earth, Where crumbling ruins the departed speak, Where first the races of mankind had birth. Xot here is it for thee to linger on, To while away the long, the listless day; Tui-n thou to peoples and to ages gone, And their jjroud being to the world display. The living Avorld is. for the passing hour. Each moment lapsing to the vanished Past, There is not aught of pride, or pomp, or power, Bnt Time remorseless shall ensrulf at last. D Pore o'er the ways that have been, dim and lone, Though denizened with beasts and reptile shapes; The world by thee its future may be shown, As age with age Time's hoary mantle drapes. (44) THE STAMPEDE. Oh, wliiit insensate havoc meets us hii-e! — Ungoveriied fury iu its wild career! What reeks thi; phuigiuy and afl'righted l)rute Of danijer iu the van of ch-ead pursuit? "With fiery eyehalls from their sockets thrust, Thev sweep, a maddeued host, and plough the dust; With mouths of foam and nostrils wide distent, A rolling cloud of beast with beast is blent. Fl}'! shei)herds, fl}'! the surging mass is here! — Your charge of innocents in peril near! — SAvift to the onset! — plant the sturdy foot, And every inch of way deliant moot! Be human skill with brutal strength essayed, — By heart of steel l)e heart of flesh dismayed! Stand to the vortex of tiie raging fight. Lift front to front, and sway the arm of might! Lo! in the ivalm of nature's wide domain, Valiant shall man assert triumphant reign, What shall the forces of this world disclose, That wit or science may not all dispose? True to the ruling power divine within, The heart of valor shall the victory win. Subdue the onset fierce of brutal might. To peace and quiet quell tiie dread allVight. (45) THE O M E IS" . Alarms are round about thee in the air! Foi' dangers Avild, imiietuous, prepare! It may be rush of waters, Avild and Avaste, That o'er the haunts of men ungoverned haste, — It may be savage instmcts, wild with fear, In frantic onslaught treacherous rushing near, — It may be war's impending black array, Bearing to helpless souls a dire disma3^ Oh, there are those who have their trust iu thee. Whose lives have been initrammelled, peaceful, free ; Look to the fold, — and meet the danger Avell, — Howe'er it come, resist its onslaught fell; Be thine the lion heart, the conquering arm. The will to meet and subjugate alarm, — The ])Ower to strike for freedom and the I'ight; Shield of thv charo'e, — a soul of liviii2;" might! For it is written iu thy leaves of fate, Tliat thou shalt meet disaster, flei'ce and great! Thy frighted, lone dependents, trampled down, Shall meet, or life or death, — a f;ite their own; As thou shalt meet the crisis, thou and thine Shall rescued or disastrous ends combine; Take to thyself thine utmost stretch of power, — A heai-t unknown to fear, — and bide the hour. C4G) Hf '*•■ 4 THE CHESS-PLAYERS. As in iIh- olden linu', so is it still, — The puppets move as j^uides the player's skill; (Jrave eombinations luie the earnest gaze, Till lost in an inifathomable maze, "Where vague conjec-ture takes sn[)reine control. And throws its veil of mystery o'er the whole. Xow starts the man-at-arms along the front, The mitre sallies to the battle's brunt; The c-harger dashes to the thiek of fight, The turret towers a refuge to the sight; The consort of the throne her power displays, The monarch rules the contiic-t as it sways. Xow meet contending hosts along the line. Breast unto breast, till doom to fate resign; The post of danger, seized amidst the fray, The contest seeks, to save or win the day; Fierce rolls the struggle, turning on the cast Of but one movement, — hopelessly the last. So at the game of life the players sit, And for the vantage exercise tlieii- wit; The moments, hours, the days or months coml)ini For good or ill, as pieces here incline. Till, ii-rcsistible, the final mate At last gives victory and defeat their late. (47) THE O M E X . How art thou skilled to play this game of life? — For it before thee is a game of strife, — And thou art jntted to a contest great, On which thine utmost prowess needs nuist wait; Be thou consummate, cool, iniknown to fear. And thy good genii bring thy triumph near. For there are plots that threaten all thy peace Thou shouldst discern, and force their spells to cease, — Thou must each movement sinister, malign, "With all discerning vision well divine, — With equal mastery *hy forces blend The wile to dissipate and bring to end. Yet do not rashly lay aside thy task: For other vipers by thy footsteps bask; Thy hand must countless fierce attacks subdue; Through the thick fight thy prowess bear thee through, Till thou, triumphant, bear the victor's wreath, And in thy conquering might thy weapons sheathe. < So shalt thou win thy life's serener state. So shalt thou well achieve thy nobler fate; The baleful ills, contesting all thy way. Shall cease their rankling venom to display, And thou shalt rise exalted and supreme, As days pass b\', as hies a pleasant dream. (48) .JlIQ