:S <^'-^^^' OCT <^cVV c<.cr;^ ^. CO, - ~-.«^C - C f ;>' ■'■ ' < C ■.<.«; CC ; \Ct 'Ci' ( cC- ■ c '^*^S-' ^iTc^C^r ■' CCc<: '( cc"(rr <: c c<: ' >: (■ «r ^ f^^^ e '■& C, ^«w^?^fe^_ ^©•^^^<^^^^o»^o»^o*^^^o»^<^^«»^<^^o»^<^^<^^o^^^^<^^^^fi*^^^«*^^^*^^^^®*^^^®*^^^®^ POEMS OF NATURE AND SENTIMENT ROBERT J. WICKENDEN /^. 3(^ / , FREDERICK KEPPEL & CO. NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND PARIS 1894 CopjTight, 1894, by EoBT. J. Wickenden. TO MY MOTHER THESE FIRST-FRUITS OF VERSE ARE MOST AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED PREFACE DEAS have come and sentiments have sometimes seized me, to express which the brush or crayon seemed inadequate. Instead of taking graphic form, these re- solved themselves into words and rhyme, and I have noted them down at odd intervals for some years past. The often repeated request of friends is my only ex- cuse for now putting them into print. If verse has occasionally amused me, painting has been my more constant occupation, and to arrive at poetry in both is my hope and aim. E. J. W. New York, October 15, 1894. ENVOI SEND forth thy ships upon the sea, And they shall come again to thee; Though some fall prey to wind and rock, Others the angry waves shall mock, And laden, sail to thee. POEMS OF NATURE AND SENTIMENT THE FIRST CAUSE WE seek by strangely devious paths, Through many a tangle try To reach where Life's unfailing source Beyond our ken may lie. We see the flash of light that wrecks Frail matter as it falls ; We hear the echoing thunder-peal As cloud to cloud recalls. But whence this strange imponderous force, How its wild power grows, Nor man, nor mortal, bard, nor seer. In certainty yet knows. The ancient world, with simple faith. To Jove its power referred ; And after many centuries passed We find they scarcely erred: 7 THE FIRST CAUSE For Jove, or God, or Power Supreme, Or First Great Cause of all, To thee with humble, reverent hearts Must all earth's children fall. Thou art the source of life and light, "With vast, infinite power; Thou ever wast, will be, and art — E'en fill'st this mortal hour. The sun thou giv'st us by its heat Hath gendered us to life. And all our race sustains and keeps Through strong magnetic strife. We cannot tell how linked and joined Is all this varied force; We only know it springs from thee — Thou Prime Generic Source. And so the mystery still exists. Let man strive as he may ; "Thus far, no farther," bars us back. We cannot find the way. Nor will we strive impatiently To span this bridgeless sea; But as a child, in confidence. We give our hands to Thee. Content to feel that love and light. Thou round our path doth shower, We here on earth a little while Will build a pilgrim bower. 8 THE FIRST CAUSE In kinds and tints as various As flowers of the field, In colors multifarious As prism's rays may yield : So giv'st thou love to mortal man, Ambrosial food from Heaven, That all our dead inertial self Doth quicken with its leaven, Man in his books hath written down In pictured black and white, AU that his childish fancy formed, Or pleased his opening sight ; But in that wondrous book of law, Thy finger true hath traced, Nature, 't is called — from thence Thy words Can never be effaced. Truth, truth, not fictions mortal-made Is what we seek to know, To make our lives more full of joy While journeying here below. Mayhap the mystery farther on WiU vanish in clear day, But now a word of hopeful song May cheer the lonely way. THE MINE DEEP down in veins of silent thought The mind doth dig its precious ore ; By subtle toil to surface brought, It fills the world with light and lore. ZEPHYR AS odors of lily-buds, odors of roses, -^^T^ Wafted softly from over the sea, So at the dawning, this summer's morning. Came as a spirit my Muse to me. 10 THE BORDER LAND MANY miles we go and come In far lands or nearer home, Yet no mystery we find: Naught more moves us heart and mind Than when bidding sad good-byes, First looking in long-absent eyes ; The hours when day and darkness meet. Old Ocean washing Earth's fair feet; The far horizon bathed in mist, Where pearl dissolves in amethyst; The first faint breath of infant life. The closing eye on all earth strife — These through some strange, mysterious law Fill all our souls with reverent awe : Here joins the Infinite with Time In known and unknown's mystic clime. 11 AS WARM AND MELTING SUNSHINE AS warm and melting sunshine -^^ Bursts Winter's prison door, When forth comes ardent Springtime To tear his garments hoar, — So hath thy glowing spirit Subdued my icy heart. Let still thine influence cheer it, Till lovelier graces start; And all in joy united, — Song, sunshine, perfume, flowers, — Waft o'er our souls delighted Sweet peace through summer hours. 12 AT TWILIGHT Reprinted by permission from Harper's WeeTcly. 'nn IS not when bright and garish day A With cloudless sky and bird-song clear Makes nature's face seem fresh and gay, That mysteries to our souls draw near. But as the setting sun doth melt With crimson fire the light to shade, When night draws near, the dew is felt, And silence fills the woodland glade : Then in the deepening twilight glow, Rise shadowy forms of faces fond; Then o'er our spirits seem to flow The peace and rest which lie beyond And in the gloaming hangs a star That beckons on to faith and trust: A brighter day cannot be far. For we are more than earth's mere dust. 13 AFTER THE DARKNESS AFTER the darkness cometh light, ■^^^ O'er passed storms the rainbow bright, And wintei*'s silence with the spring Sweet birds do break in carolling. So after sadness cometh joy. Doubt ends in faith without alloy, And inmost recesses of heart At thy words, love, fresh echoes start. 14 A TWILIGHT PASTORAL DEEP and dark grows the woodland glade In the twilight soft and dim, While the shepherd boy and the nightingale Pipe forth their evening hymn ; When all is hushed, save the tinkling bells Of the quietly browsing sheep, Or the drowsy hum of the insects, — low, — That lulls the world to sleep. 15 L'APPROCHE DU SOIR THE grain that is ready to fall, The day that is ready to die, The valley that soon must be passed, And the cross ever lifted on high : Let me patiently wait by the cross. The end of my journey is near; Though night with its darkness surround, God is nigh, and no evil I fear. 16 HAIL! CYNTHIA, QUEEN HAIL ! Cynthia, Queen, with softly glowing beam Thou chastely fill'st the bosom of the starry night. Thy spreading argent zones along the horizon gleam, Each proud incoming wave thou crown'st with pearly light. With fiercely scorching face Apollo's fiery flame All day has flashed with tireless, cloudless eyes, — A golden-crimson king, eve saw his power wane, And thy sweet, calm, majestic presence rise. All feel thy charm and own thy regal sway, Both lovers by the shore and sailors far at sea; With pure and hallowed light thou cheer'st the lonely way. And draw'st all human souls in magic spell to thee. Queen of our night, with pure and soothing ray Bless this tired world, our never resting earth ; E'en till at morn thou gently fad'st away. Would I fain watch and sing thy beauteous worth. 17 STRANGE, NEW JOY HAS SWEETLY COME STRANGE, new joy lias sweetly come. Whence or how I scarce can tell: But a feeling pure and deep Seemeth in my heart to dwell. As a clear uprisen sun After long and darksome night, So its radiant beams do shine. Filling all my soul with light. 18 TOKENS TO a maiden gave I a snow-white dove, Innocent token of our true love, When the flowers of spring were budding and blowing, And life's fresh joys through our hearts were flowing. In autumn she brings me a golden sheaf. Full ripened and bound with the crimson leaf. When all life's cares we 've shared in knowing. And the shadows of life are longer growing. 19 THE MILKMAID'S SONG WHAT need have I of gold and pearl To wreathe within my tresses? What need have I of costly gems To spangle o'er my dresses ? By every hedge the cowslips grow, In every field the daisies, And myriad flowers of rainbow hues O'erfiU the woodland mazes. Like countless diamonds glints the dew The tender leaves adorning, The lark mounts high in song and sky To welcome back the morning. The lazy herd draw lowing near, And all their creamy treasure They gladly yield, as to my song It flows in cadenced measure. I envy not the smoky town Its angry noise and bustle, While I may feel through grass and trees The zephyr's gentle rustle. Talk not to me of other home Than these sweet fields of clover: I love their fragrance far too well To ever turn a rover. 20 T TIMES ARE, I HATE THE ROARING CITY'S RUSH AND RATTLE IMES are, I hate the roaring city's rush and rattle; Times are, I hate the clash and din of life's hard battle: Then to the silent woods I fly, And as on mossy bank I lie And listen to the soothing breeze Make softest music through the trees, It gently drives away all pain. Till peace and joy draw near again. 21 DECEMBER A GOLDEN glow of sunset the sleeping woods hath kissed, A crescent, dim and silvery, shines mellow through the mist ; The night wind low and gently breathes sighings through the trees; Anon, a dry brown leaflet falls slowly through the breeze To join its myriad comrades that rustle as we tread — Bright Summer's hope and glory now Ijdng sere and dead. Thus after glorious Autumn doth sombre Winter mourn That fairest flowers of Springtime to death and dark are borne. 22 MY HEART IS THINE WOULD I could stifle my deep love for thee, "Would I could burst from its bonds and be free, But strive as I may it still holds me fast, And the hope of my freedom is now overpast: My heart is thine. Long 'gainst love's current I 've striven in vain, Struggled unceasing in anguish and pain, Let now the tide take me and bear me away, Drifting me, landing me, where'er it may : My heart is thine. I sink in thy love, let it cover me o'er. By its vortex constrained be forgot evermore, This soul-conquering power I cannot resist. Forgive or condemn me, I dare not desist : My heart is thine. Oft at love's fires I 've laughed in defiance; Thought myself safe, in firm will placed reliance, But here I surrender my all to the flame, Though it burn and consume me, leave naught but a name; All, all, I 'm thine. 23 AT MONT ORGUEIL WHERE Mout OrgueiPs towers rise proudly from sea, Of Jersey's fair island the guard and the key, In a fort built by Caesar or some of his race. Sweet Ada sat sewing, I, watching her face. "I believe," said sweet Ada, "your heart is as cold As these rocks, and as hard as the battlements old." She dared not look up with her modest brown eyes. Yet I scarce could help hearing the deeply drawn sighs. In cigarette smoke I assumed nonchalance And appeared to be scanning the fair coast of France. Yet oft I confess the horizon was broken, As a kindlier word than was wont would be spoken. The sun, with a bounty of gold richly blest. In opulent glory sank down to his rest. And when Dian was rising through silvery mist, Was it strange, or a wonder, if Ada I kissed? Beaumont, Isle of Jersey, 1884. 24 DESTINY " Tu te tiendras solitaire et silencieux." OUT from the silence all alone thou earnest Into that silence thou again must go; A few brief hours of sun and shade thou namest Before an end swift comes to joy or woe. Then whence the soul, and whither silent goes it? What lies beyond the morn and eve of life? From what deep source, to what great ocean flows it, In change of quiet peace or noisy strife? But One alone our destiny well knoweth, The life He gives 't is His to take again; On mortal fields from seed He freely soweth, 'T is His, not ours, to reap the golden grain. Then faithful resting, let us be unmoved Through all the passing round of calm or storm, Though lightning-wrecked or by soft zephyr soothed Be these frail atoms of terrestrial form. The touch divine can never be destroyed, And reaching far beyond all power of time. Its spark of fire in matter's bonds now cloyed, A spirit soon set free shall brightly shine. Then have no fear for what may e'er betide us. In laying down this coarser cloak of clay, A Father's hand will always gently guide us To happier, purer realms of clearer day. * 25 THE SNOW-KING'S GIFT THE Snow-king said, as he rose one morn, From his bed in the silvery sky, As to-morrow the day is when Christ was born, To brighten the earth I '11 try. So he clothed himself in a feathery gown, Threw o'er it a cloak of gray, Jumped into his sled, soft with eider-down, And drove to the South away. And he sent before with a warning voice. His friend the North "Wind bard. Who loudly sang some chants of his choice From his old throat sere and hard. And the people they shivered to hear his song, While the earth grew tighter and dry; All ready for gifts when the king came along That should flutter down from the sky. As at eve the king reached the southernmost place Where he purposed stopping for rest; The radiant glow of his smiling red face Shone round from the East to the West. 26 THE SNOW-KING'S GIFT And when all was darkened, and cold, and still. He ordered Ms cloudy train To cast forth their crystal diamonds till The dawn should bring light again. And faith! they worked with a hearty goodwill, Nor deeming their labor vain, Though the sun with his burning glance could kill All their treasures of frozen rain. Then at daybreak the king rose up to behold His mandate accomplished well, So he flew swift back with his courtiers bold, In their palace of ice to dwell. 27 A MORNING WALK Written at the age of sixteen. I ROSE up early from my couch, And hastily walked out Intent to look upon the face Of nature round about. 'T was early and the orb of day Had not as yet arisen; Yet countless glorious rays proclaimed He soon would leave his prison. My steps were turned toward a wood Whence came melodious sound, From thousand throats of sweet-voiced birds Trilling a merry round. The flowers and all the fresh green grass, Were hung with pearly dew. And from these beauties radiant came, A fragrance rich and new. I followed up a little brook Which through the meadow went, Where lay the sleepy cattle still In lazy calm content. 28 1877. A MORNING WALK I looked upon the little cot That in the valley lay, Whence upward rose the curling smoke To usher in the day. Full many things I saw and learned On Nature's endless page, Whose writer is the mighty God That lives from age to age. The sun rose up, the day began, And I to haste away. Yet memories of that pleasant morn Will ever by me stay. 29 THE SIREN MOONLIGHT is glancing, Like fairies dancing, Gaily we 're prancing, Over the waves. And I hear a sweet song From a voice clear and strong Floating lightly along Over the waves. Now, sailor, beware, Dire danger lurks there, Fly fast from her lair, Over the waves. 30 CONSOLATION THINK not when dear ones pass from sight, We lose their sacred presence too. An unseen influence still may bless All that in faith we think or do. And though at times the way be dark With care and griefs that still increase, The sun shines clear above the clouds And all life's storms shall end in peace. Then let us bravely bear what comes To bow us down with grief and pain, Knowing that broken bonds of love In heaven shall be joined again. New York, 1882. 31 THOU ART MINE INSPIRATION THOU art mine inspiration, And thou my vision bright, My waking adoration And latest thought at night. From thy pure fount of beauty My soul drinks full and deep, To nerve for sternest duty. Or soothe to balmy sleep. 32 THEY SAY THAT ALL LOVE IS ILLUSION THEY say that all love is illusion, O then is iUusion most sweet, When our souls melt in blissful confusion, 'T is heaven draws nigh as we meet. Let us bask then in joy and in gladness. Too soon will the night-shades draw near. Let us banish all sorrow and sadness, That come with the autumn leaves sere. 33 TEACH ME TO LOVE MY heart is hard and cold, Mine eyes to bear the light Of thy sweet vision bright, No steadfast gaze can hold. Teach me to love ! On self's own narrow poise, I see swift passing life Go by in restless strife, With vague unreal joys. Teach me to love ! "When shall these bands of night Burst from my aching soul? Shall e'er the hoped-for goal Break on my longing sight? Teach me to love! 34 CHICAGO AND ART A PROPHECY OCITY, great in quantity Of money, people, things, "What though thou yieldst not yet the light More ancient culture brings? Thy youthful, careless, vigorous life — So prodigal of strength — May scorn the subtler sentiments And hold them at arm's length. Wherefore shouldst thou fatigue thy brain To prove aesthetic truth, Would that upraise the price of grain Or sell the hog uncouth? What reck'st thou of the ideal world, When "realty 's on the boom"? Thy bound'ries spread North, West, and South; For all the world there 's room. I would not check the happy growth Of thy all virile powers, Nor change these busy marts of trade To vine-clad, rose-filled bowers. Yet now I see thee turn thy gaze On beauteous Art, the Queen, It needs no wise man's guess to tell What such deep glances mean. 35 CHICAGO AND ART Yes, youth Chicago, thou 'rt iu love, Soou we shall hear the news Of thy eiigairoment fast and sure, To wed this peerless muse. And she shall till thy heai't with joy, And make thy home more sweet; The world will far and wide rejoice When strength and beauty meet. The West and East, and North and South, Be filled with well-eai'ned fame. No city on the earth's broad crust Hath yet had greater name. Then fear thee not, thou valiant youth, To woo this lovely maid, Enjoy the sweets she brings thee now, Ei'e strong young manhood fade. And if it be permitted still To pierce some distant yeai*, I see a race of great good men Thy fruitful union cheer. The mothers of this radiant Queen Have filled the world with light, Fai* may their lineage be prolonged, To banish hideous niffht. 96 HOME'S HAVEN MEN may offend thee, Passion may rend thee, Siek yon may grow with the mad, savage world ; Though all may hate thee, Joys still await thee, When in Home's Haven safe sails are furled. Within its circling arms Life yields thee untold charms. Grants to the full of the cup that restores; There every faithful heart Gives thee its generous part. Draws thee still nearer Elysian shores. Loudly the storm may beat, Ice-cold or fever-heat Torture and rack with an unceasing pain ; Soon we forget them all When sounds the welcome call, " Come, wanderer, rest in Home's Haven again." 37 M m ->3 > > > ^?y;j M" ?^i. ?S, *C^ >$ - V ^' ?? >->= - f? mm :§^^p:> >^y- . 7§-; '-J )3 .^» X^'l:^ ^«i^ 'i.;5 ■i>>>n>:) » ^ O: -> >:> > ^> > — ^ ^ yr> :> 3>-> 3> 3E> > LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 871 989 7