^K.'-v' rii M 15^ ■iv;V»i;if's,'.i. rtS' f,r'\"n" ai.. "P S ^ 5 5" CoBiiglitS?,. Xi^ COEffilGHT DEPOSm MUSIC AND MEMORY and Other Poems HELEN E.WIEAND - BOSTON RICHARD G. BADGER THE GORHAM PRESS COPTKIGHT, 1919, BY HeLEN E. WlEAND All Rights Reserved Made in the United States of America The Gorham Press, Boston, U.S.A. ©CI.A525665 m 26 isiy TO MY MOTHER WHOSE LIFE IS NOW A MEMORY WITHIN MY HEART, WHOSE LOVE IS MUSIC CONTENTS PAGE Music 9 The Spell of Music lo The Master Plays ii Memory ii Loneliness 12 My Beloved is Near 13 " NUR WER DIE SeHNSUCHT KENNT " . . I4 "The Guardian Angel" 15 The Empty House 15 Separation 16 The Artist 16 The End of the Day 17 The Great War I Tragedy 18 II Hope 19 in The End 20 " The White Comrade " 21 The Angel of Peace 22 To the Poet on Reading His Book . . 24 The Gardener Sings I Love's Search 25 II Love's Response 26 Contents PAGE III Love's Self-Denial .... 27 IV Love's Art 28 V Love's Song 28 VI Love's Faithfulness .... 29 VII Love's Dream 30 VIII Love's Farewell 31 IX Love's " Good-Night "... 32 To A. R. Singing 33 A Birthday Sonnet 34 Beauty • • 35 Night-Scene 36 Luna 37 Night at Sea 38 The Tree 39 Autumn 40 Winter-Gray 41 Lullaby 42 The Ride 43 The Hindu Singer 44 Hindu Lament 45 Waiting 46 Unfinished Thoughts 47 Sounds 48 The Path of the Storm 50 The Storm Winds 51 The Viking-Maid 52 Contents PAGE Spring Rain 53 The Song 53 Chanson 54 De Amicitia I Laelius Speaks 55 II Friendship 56 III The Search 56 The Greatest of These 58 Even-Song 58 The Vision 59 Inspiration 6p Duty 61 The Citadel 62 Worship 63 The Poet's Apology 64 MUSIC Ah, Music, it were well That once again you weave your magic spell About me, for the days had been too sad To be made glad By such as you ! Yea, the daughters of Music had been brought so low; The depths of woe Yawned bleak before me and I could not bear The sound of joy. 'Twere well now just to share Your sombre notes, your aching, longing cry. To make my yearning heart at last reply And say, " 'Tis well." Though she be gone away She would not have me mourn for her alway. But she would have me gather in my hands The gay and happy strands Which made her life so full, and carry on Her work that none of it be left undone. And with those threads of work and love and joy Is mingled yours, sweet Music, to employ My time within the waiting days to be With love and work and joy and melody. So, Music, weave again your magic spell Until I answer clearly, "It is well!" Music and Memo7-y THE SPELL OF MUSIC Ah! woo my heart, my thoughts, away. Music so sweet and sad! Dark is my mood and ever the day All of one cold and wistful gray; Music, sing sweet, sing glad! One of my long, long thoughts is pain; Music, sing it to peace ! One is the sorrow that all in vain Mourns for the past to return again ; Music, sing it surcease! One is regret for things undone; Music, make me forget! And oh, the victories I had won Had I but curbed the angry tone! Music, sing sweeter yet! Sing me release from weariness; Music, sing soft and low! And oh, the dark, cold dreariness Of love denied that had come to bless! Sing to dispel that woe. Sing till the gray turns silver bright; Music, weave now your spell! Banish the pain and the wrong make right ; Sing till my heart both day and night Makes answer, " Yea — all is well." lO Music and Memory THE MASTER PLAYS The master touched the strings and music poured Like cooling streams upon my fevered brain To soothe the longing and the weary strain By each deep, thrilling, soulful, minor chord ; Grief spoke through all the yearning music stored Within the throbbing instrument again, — But grief ennobled, purified of pain, At peace, with all life's plans in sweet accord. As master and the instrument so blend, Each complementing each, a perfect one. So grief is but the instrument to lend To love's all-mastering touch to play upon. And oh, my heart, be still, be calm, be blest ! The song is theirs who from their labors rest. MEMORY Between this world and that far unkown land Where you are now there lies a vast gray sea. Unspanned save by the bridge of memory; And there with those gone thitherward you stand. Invisible, with eager outstretched hand, Yearning to reach, to speak, to come to me, Just as of yore, with loving sympathy. Ready to meet my uttermost demand. How do I know? Ah! through the silent gray Of twilight, as I sat here all alone, I felt your hand upon my head today; I heard the silver-cadenced undertone II Music and Memory Of your voice calling, as of old, and knew That my heart's call had pierced the mists to you. LONELINESS I never knew, till I had lost you, Loneliness. I never dreamed how brightly gleamed Love's happiness. Till shadows fell. Misunderstandings? Well! 'Twould be no less Than I should bear, so having failed you, dear, — Heart-weariness. We never know, — alas ! that it is so ! — Nor clear discern Love's perfect worth, how fair it makes the earth, Until some turn Of bitter fate reveals it; then, too late, Our sad hearts yearn In weariness, in aching dreariness. For love's return. II Deep silence filled with the half-voiced sounds Of a house alone in the night. And I try to read, to still the beat Of my heart-voice raised in fright. The clock ticks on, but its voice sounds sad, As if lonely too like me, 12 Music and Memory As if waiting for your voice to sound, To make our voices three. Your chair creaks sudden and I start up, All unnerved by the loneliness, And I pray to God, as I try to sleep, All lonely hearts to bless. MY BELOVED IS NEAR Translation from Goethe I think of you when golden sunlight shimmers Upon the sea; I think of you when moonlight softly glimmers Across the lea. I see you when on far-off mountain-ridges The dry dusts rise ; In darkness drear, when o'er uncertain bridges My journey lies. I hear you when the rolling storm-sea surges With troubled moan; Or when in quiet groves my mood swift urges Me far to roam. I am with you and though you're far away Still you are near; The sun sets, soon the stars will close the day; Would you were here! 13 Music and Memory "NUR WER DIE SEHNSUCHT KENNT " The waiting ended ; — and for you the peace, The great release From all the weariness and all the pain ; But oh ! for me such longing as were fain To tear my heart in twain. For you 'tis ended, but for me still waiting. Anticipating Some call from you, some little loving word As those you spake when here ; and something stirred To make me dream I heard. How can I bear the severance? None can say Nor soothe away The aching pain, the longing but to know That you still linger very near to show Your love for us in woe. Only the spirits of the blest who yearn Can clear discern The longing of the hearts torn sad like mine And with a healing touch almost divine Can soothe away the sorrow and the pain, Not by the wish to dwell on earth again But with the full assurance that in time The great sublime Transition will be consummated too For us who still are waiting. Just a few, A very few more days to bear the woe, The longing here below; Then I shall be with you again, my dear. My Dear! 14 Music and Memory THE GUARDIAN ANGEL As she from that far shore looks hitherward, And sees the gray dark ocean thou must cross, Her loving care, feel sure, will ever guard And keep thy fragile bark from wreck or loss. Feel sure her intercession will but gain A journey safe for thee, till side by side Ye stand, forgetting all the bitter pain And grief of years apart, — full-satisfied. THE EMPTY HOUSE Are these long days since they have gone away To you all-purposeless, all-weary, gray? Or are they days of happy memory Wherein you seem to hear again and see Those loved ones whom you sheltered glad, of yore? None enter now through your once welcoming door ; Closed all the windows, once so widely spread; Cold all the hearth-stones, all the fires are dead. Robbed of your joy you stand there heavy-hearted, Waiting — but nevermore will those departed Throw open wide again your doors. Alone — Waiting — but those you sheltered all are gone. 15 Music and Memory SEPARATION You never dreamed, ah! never could have dreamed That all these days such loneliness could steal Over my heart, all else to make unreal. Mere phantoms of a w^orld that once had seemed A place where golden sunshine brightly streamed From cloudless skies of happiness. Appeal To you I cannot. Wherefore thus reveal Such desolation that I once had deemed Possible only in the depths of woe? Wherefore should I such torture undergo? Only to suit your pleasure? Nay, I will Now and forever claim my freedom, till Steadfast and strong my soul may sternly say Farewell to you and sadly go its way. THE ARTIST Just to create and though it be but small. One song, one picture, or one poem meet To speak in new-found words the urgent call My heart speaks, deep, sincere. Just to complete By one small gift the world's created store Of knowledge or of sweetness or of pain. Aye, even pain, so that one gift the more Some other mind may make to soothe the strain. Need not to ask what gift there is in me, What tool the Master-workman has bestowed Fit for the task; for all-impellingly Stirs in my heart and soul the urgent goad, Zestful and eager something to create. And at the end His word, " Well-done! " await. i6 Music and Memory THE END OF THE DAY Each task completed, now the time for thoughts, For brief regret That the day which dawned so golden Has failed ; — or was it we who failed To keep and hold That golden freshness of the morn ? To pour into each task its magic zest, To turn our work — God's gift for happiness — No curse of Kismet — Into a great achievement ? Thoughts Of all the happiness we might have given, A smile, a friendly word, a kiss. To make the day more sweet. Only a restless striving, A weak endeavor; And now at the end of the day Thoughts. The purple gray of the after-sunset, The regret for the left-undone. The sorrow for the base, the weakly-done; But one bright golden gleam Of sunlight — hope That God who seeth all and knoweth all May gather these our thoughts up with our deeds. Balance them in His perfect scale and find One golden grain for which to bless us, At the end of the day. 17 Music and Memory THE GREAT WAR I. Tragedy. 11. Hope. HI. The End. TRAGEDY Oh, tragedy! oh, curse of all the years! The women all the women, Mid dangers, hates and fears, Cursing even God's heaven That heedeth not their tears. — The tragedy of years. Oh, tragedy! oh, anguish of the years! Children in all their weakness, Not understanding tears, Bewildered by death and bleakness, Calling, — and no one hears. — The anguish of the years. Oh. tragedy ! oh, sorrow of the years ! The wounded and the dying. And oh! the heedless ears Of the dead, uncared-for lying! Oh, sight for angels' tears! The sorrow of the years. i8 Music and Memory II HOPE Behind this scourging war and all the grim Sad desolation of a smiling land, Can eyes of faith see that which now is dim And blurred, some right all clearly, justly planned ? Can eyes of hope see waving fields of grain Where now are mounds piled high, concealing death ? Can hearts of love e'er rise and love again Those whom in hate they cursed, with cannons' breath ? Not His the plan ; 'tis men who went astray And spread this horror, lusting fierce with hate; Perchance to grope through blindness to the way Of mercy, truth and justice, though so late. O God of all. Thine own plan now reveal, All war to end, jail bitter strife to heal. 19 Music and Memory in THE END After the din of war Has died away, At close of day Lo! shines the evening-star. After the bloody strife Has come to end, The heart of a friend Keep for the rest of life. After the fearful dream Is quite forgot, 'Twill be our lot Really to live, not seem. 20 Music and Memory " THE WHITE COMRADE " " By what vision led go ye forth? Not a poet's dreams Had such power to lure you on to die. What then? Ah! Meseems 'Tis some awful message from on high. By what vision led go ye forth? " " In the ranks today, by our side, On to battle led, A new comrade strode; in his hand Was a wound blood-red. But he dared to march, dared to stand In the ranks today, by our side." " * Wounded, friend ? ' we asked. Sad he smiled. ' Yea, but 'tis not new. Once a Roman nail pierced me there; But it bleeds anew.' Thrilled we heard, then rushed forth to dare. Lest again that hand be defiled." " By that sign we go forth to die ; By that Holy Cross; Strengthened by that brave Comrade near, Neither death nor loss Nor defeat can cause us to fear. God has sent His vision from on high." 21 Music and Memory THE ANGEL OF PEACE Aloft through the gray lowering sky Shalt thou soar, shalt thou fly; For the wings of thy spirit are spreading, all eager to go ; All eager to speed through the air Thy buoyant message to bear To the hearts that are drooping in sorrow, in anguish and woe. Oh, the wings of thy spirit are swift, All-puissant to lift And to bear thee sure, glad, on thy songful, tri- umphant, far quest; Thy one wing is faith, and glad joy Is the other, prepared to convoy Thee swift as thou goest to answer and heed the behest ! Ah, haste, then, glad Spirit, full speed To the sorrowing world in its need ; For 'tis faith that the world needs, 'tis joy, and most is it love; And ah ! thy glad message far fling it. Through all the wide heavens loud sing it, Till all hearts receiving endeavor its dictates to prove. 22 Music and Memory Oh, speed thee, glad Spirit, all haste! Not one moment to waste; Today is alone thine to use and to claim for thy will; Like flame of a wind-fanned fire Rise higher, gladly, and higher; And speak through the wind or the storm, or the voice small and still. Speak low or triumphantly speak, Winged words swift to seek The hearts that need most the glad message thou speedest to bring; And oh, may the world far and near Be eager and ready to hear! For thou art His messenger. Peace, with commands from the King. With a sword that is flashing, keen, bright. Edged with truth and with right. Thou art sent to proclaim His decree that cruel wars shall cease; And Justice with Mercy shall blend Till, wars at an end, All declare Him the King of the world, the great Prince of Peace. 23 Music and Memory TO THE POET ON READING HIS BOOK As is the flickering light of candle-flame Compared with the sure radiance of a star; Or as the feeble note of trumpet, far Outechoed by the thunder; aye, the same, My little songs before thine suffer shame That they should dare to sound their notes, v^hich are Like jangling notes rung out of tune, to mar The music of the words that bear thy name. Abashed I stand before thee, in dismay, Thou prince of poets, wordless to express The reverence and honor I would pay To thy fair Muse's burning loveliness. The thoughts my heart would speak I cannot say, Save this : — I would not have one poem less. 24 Music and Memory THE GARDENER SINGS After Rabindranath Tagore I. Love's Search. II. Love's Response. III. Love's Self-denial. IV. Love's Art. V. Love's Song. VI. Love's Faithfulness. VII. Love's Dream. VIII. Love's Farewell. IX. Love's " Good-night." I love's search On many a quest you hastened to seek and oh ! to find The heart of her the fairest, the voice with sweet words kind, The lips with kisses waiting, the eyes with love- tears blind. "Where is she?" all your question, "where waits she now for me? " For that she does I know full well and waits all eagerly, ** Till I shall come to greet her and break her revery." 25 Music and Memory But ah! you did not mark me, nor see my weary strain, Though my lips flushed red with welcome and bitter tears like rain Poured down my cheeks that waited your greeting kiss in vain. Alas! I dared not tell you, though eager your first cry,_ When tired after searching you rode me quickly by,- My beauty yours for claiming, — that she, dear one, is I. LOVE S RESPONSE You know my step, dear one, and that right well ; For as I came I saw the sweet blush swell And rise up to your brow the tale to tell. And why not? when it echoes but the beat Of your heart's rhythm, slow or passion-fleet. Swift but to reach you, slow but to retreat. You know my voice; and why not? when its tone Finds but its key-note in your very own; Answers in harmony to yours alone. You know my thoughts ere ever I may speak. Why not ? when like stray birds they turn to seek In your dark eyes the nests they left last week. 26 Music and Memory III love's self-denial 'Tis deep, deep words my loving heart would say, But since it dare not. With bitter jest I scatter them for ay. And turn from you with laughing lips away, That you may share not Nor see the pain embittering my day. To speak true words to you my heart would fain. But does not dare; Endure it could not all the ache and pain Your unbelief would pour on it like rain ; And so I swear That truth is untruth, real is false and vain. All-silent by you all-content to sit My heart would be ; But ah ! it dare not ; for in silence it Would utter all the thoughts it deems most fit; So purposely I chatter lightly for its benefit. I'd flee from you, but yet I dare not so ; For cowardice Would brand itself upon me if I go And you your power over me would know ; So better 'tis To stay and bear your sweetness and my woe. 27 Music and Memory IV love's art You never say the word you would — Ah! tell me why! Is it to blind me if you could, Lest haply I Should read your heart? I know, I know your art. You never walk the path you would Lest I should prize Some other just as you, so you elude My seeking eyes And hide yourself apart. I know, I know your art. You never will take what you could. But more you'd claim; And so my gifts aside are strewed ; I do not blame. Your silence shows your heart. I know, I know your art. V love's song Our merely loving, oh, so simple sweet! As simple as a song That flows along In melody so quaint, yet so complete That surely all must know Its tuneful flow. 28 Music and Memory No mystery therein, nor any pain; Nor cause for fear or fret, But freedom from regret That strives not to recall the past again, But living in today Finds joy alway. No shadow there to dim the perfect charm, But deep and full content With rapture blent, And perfect confidence that nought can harm; That none can ever mar Such joys as are In our sweet love, our love so like a song. VI love's faithfulness When Paris dreamed of Helen By far Scamander's side, I, too, dreamed in my tent. Near that stream's flowing tide; Nor were my dreams of conquest, But of your love denied. Beneath the starry heavens In Gaul with Csesar's host, I pitched my tent for conquest; But ah ! my dreams were most Of you in Rome uncaring. And of your love long-lost. 29 Music and Memory Of knights the very humblest In Arthur's train I went, For love of you and chivalry On many a tourney bent; But you — ^ you passed unheeding My heart's supreme intent. Through ages I have wooed you, Through ages been denied; In Rome, in Troy, in England, My heart has sought your side; And yet today you mock me Just as of old in pride. Mayhap in some dim future Again we two may meet; Mayhap some power within me Will rise to action fleet To woo and ah! to win you. Till then I'll hope on, sweet. VII love's dream Dear heart, I dream of you The whole night through; In endless dreams you pass my garden by, The garden of my heart, that here doth He Waiting but for your coming. Like swift birds homing ; — And yet you come not in my lonesome dream. 30 Music and Memory But when the last day finds my garden dust; When all that ever grew therein needs must Die and depart From that garden of my heart: Still all my dreams will deathless be of you, God's ages through ; Then pray that you may come in that last dream ! VIII love's farewell If you would have it so, I will end my singing; If you bid me, I will go, Since your heart, up-springing. Bids you answer my call low, And you'd fain be winging Your far flight away, — since, lo ! - You care not for my singing. If it trouble you, my dear. In your flower-weaving. Just my passing step to hear. Though 'tis past believing, I will pass no longer here, Go my way with grieving ; — But, — and let me say it clear — Would I were not leaving! 31 Music and Memory If it makes your heart throb wild, At the sound of my oar's beating, To your whim quite reconciled, Even gay, retreating, I will row by yon bank, child, Nor cast one glance, swift-fleeting Would that you might be beguiled To wave me one last greeting. IX love's " GOOD-NIGHT " The last song sung, love, let us say, " Good night " ; Forget the pain, when dawn has put to flight The dreams we strive in vain to clasp and keep. — Good night, dear heart, so sleep! The last word spoken, love, our day is o'er; All emptiness where bliss had been before ; And in my heart a throbbing pain and deep. — Good night, dear heart, so sleep ! But when the last long sleep of death draws nigh, And all life's little dreams have drifted by; Glad in the dawn of that immortal light No more we'll say, " Good night." 32 Music and Memory TO A. R. SINGING Ah! sing again that song! Its cadence sweet, Its melody in ling'ring pathos true, Brings back such visions as you seem to view While from your lips each note falls. Ah! repeat " The songs my mother taught me." All-complete The memory, as each note pulses through My own heart's longing swift to answer you And thrill in turn to each note's pulsing beat. The other songs you sang, some sad, some gay. Struck other chords within my waiting heart. As glad and buoyant as the " Love in May " ; But none will ever stand supreme, apart. As that; and in my dreams tonight I'll hear That melody and your voice soaring clear. 33 Music and Memory A BIRTHDAY SONNET To Mrs. H. G. T. The dearest title I can give to you, As this page comes my greetings glad to bear, Is friend, and I would wish you a full share Of joy and happiness the whole year through; Not sweets I send as other friends may do, Nor messages with fragrant roses rare; And my poor greeting I can hardly dare To match with theirs, although my love is true. But still I dare, for nought else can I give. Since all the giving is from you to me ; I only hope that I may worthy live Of all your friendly kindness given free; Each little, nameless, unremembered thought Which to my life such happiness has brought. 34 Music and Memory BEAUTY A wistful loneliness that beauty stirred Within my heart, the glow of evening sky That bloomed so fair and yet so swift to die, As the sad gray of night-time dimly blurred All the far landscape; and I faintly heard. Or dreamed I heard, your half unconscious sigh That beauty such as this should pass you by And your heart fail to speak some fitting word. Beauty of sight, of sound, brings tears unless Shared with another; hearts needs must express Some of the painful throb and pulsing beat Stirred by the spell, and speaking make complete All the glad harmony, the mystic bond That binds our hearts to the Great Source beyond. 35 Music and Memory NIGHT-SCENE Against the sky gray branches as a frame For the unfading fire of one bright perfect star, And all the sky a-silver with the far All-heaven-encircling moonlight ; — a mere name Is beauty, when compared with this; a shame Even to seek to find such words as are Worthy to tell the glory ; words but mar Beauty in telling; silence here has claim. Silence but filled with thoughts that throng within, Aye, deep within our hearts, whene'er we see Sut:h splendor in the sky ; or when the din Of ocean-surge beats deep in harmony. His handiwork the heavens then declare; And oh ! the glory of the Lord is there. 36 Music and Memory LUNA Shining through a luminous white cloud shaped like an eagle with outstretched wings, the moon, and one bright star above. One moment only didst thou shine thus fair, O'ershadowed by a gleaming eagle bright, Whose outstretched wings of misty clouds so white Dimmed but one moment thine own brightness rare; And over thee, fair Luna, steadfast there Shining with clear, unfading, silver light. One star alone, of all the stars of night That could its brightness with thine own compare. One moment, and Jove's minister had sped Away, perchance, to greet the morning sun; Never a cloud to dim thy radiance clear ; — Never a star bright-shining, save o'erhead. Where steadfast still was seen that fulgent one. Heralding thee night's queen without a peer. 37 Music and Memory NIGHT AT SEA Eight bells! To bed, to rest! While clear and peaceful in the west The evening star that shines on home Is shining on us, as we roam. Good night, sweet star, and may the peace Of star-light fill our dreams no less Here on the sea than when at home, Star shining on us as we roam. 38 Music and Memory THE TREE Your golden leaves lie scattered at my feet; Against the sky All bare and stark your straining branches toss, As if on high You'd raise your cry of anguish at your loss; Mere mortal I To share your sorrow am, alas ! not meet. And yet it was no loss, a gift instead Of precious gold. For Mother Earth a wondrous coverlet Lest winter's cold Should touch her with its blighting chill and wet; So fold on fold With golden leaves you strewed her sun-warmed bed. All that you had you gave. Oh, noble tree! Have I the right To make of it a flaming incense-fire For my delight? Or for the serving of some mad desire To set alight That golden store and burn it recklessly? And yet a child of Earth, I claim it mine To use at will. As children of the Earth, both you and I, We must fulfil Our fate-appointed task and destiny, Each year, until You crumble to the earth ; I soar divine. 39 Music and Memory AUTUMN Of old I sang the songs that youth sings best, The songs of love, of joy, of gladsome spring; But now a different music would I sing, Though not less sweet, less full of tuneful zest; I'd sing the glowing, sunlight-tinted west. The mellowing season, birds upon the wing Migrating southward, and the fields that bring Their yellow wealth earth's bounty to attest. Oh! that I had the artist's brush to paint The gold and scarlet, bronze and green array In which the trees, now marshalled forth, acquaint The world that Autumn passes on her way. With regal splendor and in solemn state. Queen of the earth on whom the months all wait. 40 Music and Memory WINTER-GRAY All gray the day and sunless, and my mood All gray and joyless, cold. Why is ft that the stillness of the wood Doth also me enfold? The icy chill of snow-clad, sighing trees Strikes deep within my heart; And every little, rustling, quiv'ring breeze Seems as it were a part Of some sad moan that Winter fain would make To tell me of her woe. To weave her spell that I for her dear sake Might deeply, truly know And tell it clearly to the world again; And so all sombre gray She wove for me instead this mood of pain To bear her own away. All gray the day and sunless, but my mood Will gladder grow full-soon; For in the quiet of the winter wood A bird sang clear at noon. 41 Music and Memory LULLABY Dost know, little one, dost know, That over the stars the angels play In a mystic dance, now slow, now gay, Keeping watch the while over us below ? Dost know, little one, dost know ? Hast heard, little one, hast heard The song of the angels fair and bright, As they hover above us through the night, The song that the Bethlehem shepherds stirred? Hast heard, little one, hast heard ? I know, little one, I know; For angels bright through my dreams once strayed, While in starry meadows they lightly played, And my heart was healed of its wakeful woe. I know, little one, I know. Then rest, little one, then rest ; For angel-guardians still will keep Their watch above us, while wrapped in sleep, God's messengers so glad and blest. Then rest, little one, then rest. 42 Music and Memory THE RIDE Rush along, — swift, — sure. Mile after mile in the star-lit night; Oh, the sweet allure Of the mile ahead, in our swift-run flight! But more secure At the journey's end the dear home-light.^ — ■ Mile after mile in the night. See the stars how bright! Mile after mile by the side of my love; But the clear star-light Shining steadily on in the skies above Sees no sweet delight More fair than the home of my treasure-trove. — Mile after mile with my love. And the homes we see, — Mile after mile as we go on our way. Love's loyalty be The light that shines in them there for ay. None so fair for me As the dear home that waits at the end of the day. Mile after mile ends our way. 43 Music and Memory THE HINDU SINGER Tense silence as the strange half-minor notes Plaintively sing; The dream-filled smell of incense; Bright carmine of the poinsettias and the green Of velvet curtains round about her; Brilliant the light straight falling Upon her jewelled fingers And upon the lute With fretted strings of gold, — The lute quivering with those half-sounds Like hearts in pain, Like hearts in memory crooning Over the days — long-gone — of love, of joy, But most of all, of sorrow. And above it all The piercing, calling wail Of her voice singing — Singing or dreaming — which? And oh! the song! 44 Music and Memory HINDU LAMENT The jasmine blooms in my courtyard, For spring is here ; But my heart for thy love is lamenting, And sad and drear I wait for some message from thee; None comes to me. The scent of the jasmine blossoms Perfumes the air; But my heart's sweet fragrance is wasted ; I do not care To smell of the sweetness alone, Now thou art gone. The rain on the jasmine blossoms Shines bright and clear; Like rain on thy head I'd be, My Rajah dear; Or a cloud to hover above thee; So do I love thee. 45 Music and Memory WAITING The sun shines straight across the plain, As it sinks in the splendid west; My thoughts fly true to your heart, Elaine, As I go to rest. For the sun, I know, With its golden glow, Gives promise of day again. But ah! for me What the morrow may be I cannot tell, Elaine. The stream flows on to the ocean deep. And it sings a happy strain; For it knows full well that rest and sleep 'Twill find therein, Elaine. My love would find In your heart as kind A haven wherein to dwell. But what may be The welcome for me, Elaine dear, will you tell? 46 Music and Memory UNFINISHED THOUGHTS Unfinished thoughts, I fain would gather you Into a perfect whole, but you elude My spirit's grasp, though long and deep I brood, Waiting perchance if only one or two May still return, as homing pigeons do, Hoping in this calm, peaceful solitude, Cares cast aside and each disturbing mood, All these fair thoughts at last to ponder through. Unfinished thoughts, aye, fair and wise they seem, Dim like the glories of a vanished dream ; Glory and love and fame within their ken. They wait the hour of utterance. Ah, when? Here in the quiet cloister I will wait; Only such silence can unbar thought's gate. 47 Music and Memory SOUNDS I sit in my quiet watch-tower Hour by hour; And what do I hear? Only once in a while can I hear the sound of the wind As it tosses the curtains, whispering through the blind ; The ring of steel on steel As a new-made wheel Is forced on the axle, blow following swift on blow ; — Clang of the iron on the forge ; now the clanking of chains As the ice-wagon rushes up with its ice-bound rains ; The saw grating harsh on the ice; And then in a trice The call of the ice-man loud; Now a little crowd Of maidens playing a game Whose old-loved name Takes me back to the days when I romped too, As merry and gay As they; Now the stroke of the town-clock, count it slow, — one, — tw^o, — Three, — four, — how slow it goes Till eleven, the close ; And I think of the day half-done Which seemed just begun; 48 Music and Memory Hear the call of the hen and the hum of the locust shrill ; The patter of hoofs rushing by, — and nearer still The intimate talk of friends on the lawn is heard; Now the bark of a dog and the song of a gilt-caged bird. All these, as I sit here quiet in my lone watch-tower. Listening, hour by hour. And all seem so busy and gay, These sounds of the town; Would that I, as they, Were down Working glad in their midst, making my own voice heard, too. Let me leave my watch-tower,— swift, — there is work to do. 49 Music and Memory THE PATH OF THE STORM Higher and higher In mad desire, Wind of the storm-blast, rise! Sing to the North As you fare forth, That the end of your journey lies Where the Storm-king waits At his castle gates For the sound of your warlike cries. Haste, then, oh, haste O'er the rain-swept v^^aste In your chariot-clouds away! With triumphant song Sweep the heights along, Nor for gods nor mortals stay! For the powers of earth Are nothing worth To check your wild affray. Then shout and sing To your mighty king, While my heart is thrilled to hear! I fain would be Of your company, Ye winds without a peer. When your battle-song Rises loud and strong My heart is a wild Valkyr. 50 Music and Memory THE STORM WINDS What would ye, winds, that loud and long ye blow And rush in concourse mad along the sky? Is it to some great carnival ye hie, In palace vast of ice and gleaming snow"? Is it to find some cavern, dark and low, WTiere 5'^e may rest, your journey done, to lie At ease and leave the over-arching sky Cloudless and tranquil ? Tell me where ye go ! Here but a moment since, — now miles away. While still I hear the thunder of your feet ; And still a flurry white marks your affray; While still the trees are bent by your retreat; Shouting, triumphant, go ye on your way ; My heart would follow swift; but whither? Say! 51 Music and Memory THE VIKING-MAID Oh, a heart as wild as the wildest sea Was bom in me long ago, When a Viking-maid, so bold and free, I roamed over meadow and forest and lea, With never a care in the world for me, — A Viking of long ago. But it died one night and slept away The centuries until now; And now it beats in a different way, Though once and again it longs to stray And roam like a Viking, as today. Those days come back to me now. 52 Music and Memory SPRING RAIN Oh, patter wild rain 'Gainst my window-pane! And sigh, sad breeze, Through the tall pine-trees! But my heart says " Nay," To the dreary day ; — For my heart is singing of love. Oh, frown and lower, With many a shower, Gray clouds wind-tossed, Like a spirit lost! I do not care. Be ye gray or fair ; — For my heart is singing of love. THE SONG When chill without the snowflakes fall so purely, And warm within the firelight flames securely. Ah, then, dear heart, I know full well and surely, I love you. Or when the fields are green with April's springing. And happy birds are hitherward swift winging. My heart too their glad song is blithely singing, I love you. 52 Music and Memory CHANSON Oh, my heart is singing so loud I'm sure you must hear Its gay lilting melody tuned to the song of the wind, Tuned to the rustling song of the murmuring breeze, And the frolicsome dance of the sunbeams through goldening leaves, And the scurrying, flurrying charge of the clouds as they rush To meet the bright Sun-god swift riding across the blue skies. Oh, the wind it may sing of its battles, the breezes of heaven, The sunbeams may sing of the summer, the clouds sing of rain, The birds sing of daffodils swaying in riotous glee. The trees in their singing sound forth a joyous re- frain. But the song of my heart is the sweetest, oh, listen, oh, hear! For the song of my heart is the love that it gives you, my dear. 54 Music and Memory DE AMICITIA REFLECTIONS OF CICERO's ESSAY I. Laelius Speaks II. Friendship III. The Search V laelius speaks He was my friend, what need of more to say? What greater name could I on him bestow ? Whose memory, all golden-bright, doth glow Within my heart to cheer the weary day ; For sad indeed were life with him away, Did I not surely, confidently know That soon I, too, would join him; happy so A little longer in this world to stay. Ah, he was greater far than I, yet deigned To share with me his greatness, loving me ; Bestowing all upon me, unrestrained ; And living, loving, planning mutually. The glory of true friendship well we knew. And may the gods grant one such friend to you. 55 Music and Memory II FRIENDSHIP You looked on me and straightway then I knew In that one glance a signal flashed, full-bright, A spark electric, swift to set alight Within my eyes a message clear to you ; You looked on me and like a magnet drew My glance to rush to yours, in eager flight; Surely I could not fail to read aright And pledge my love in answer clear and true. Thus do real friends each other strangely find, Just as I found you, without word or speech ; For such companionship of heart and mind Brings the content of trusting each in each; Never a doubt to mar nor troubled thought; Oneness of sympathy has friendship wrought. Ill THE SEARCH Up and down through the world I go Seeking, with all my heart aglow. Where shall I find What I have in mind, When I do not know If the gods bestow. Or some mad Fate Rules love and hate? Tell me, where shall I find? 56 Music and Memory To and fro through the world I went, Ever upon my quest intent. And what did I find? How strangely kind Is the Fate's decree, For you and me! For the kind Fate brought What I had sought; And I had no need to find. A friend I sought as I went my way; Nor any sign had I to say How I might prove His worth or love. But with never a doubt I chose him out, As the Fate one day Led him my way. And his love I need not prove. Wholly content I now rejoice, Though Fate decreed my unwitting choice; Full well I know That the gods bestow The gift of a friend; But they only send To those who yearn To be kind in turn ; Be a friend, have a friend, you know. 57 Music and Memory THE GREATEST OF THESE " Whoever lives true life will love true love " It cannot be unless your life shines true And steady as the burning Northern star, Unless your faith is strong enough to bar All unbelief and doubt from testing you; Unless you are of those, the happy few, Whose hope illumines the dark future, far Discerning things which seem from those which are, Whose pleasure is to will and then to do ; It cannot be, unless you have all these, Truth, faith, and hope to guide you on your way. That love, the greatest of life's verities, Will touch you with its golden, guiding ray; To shine upon your life, to heal and bless. To crown you with its perfect happiness. EVEN-SONG " Bless those whose hearts are knit to ours in love," Our Vesper prayer to Thee, great God, above, " And those who unto us have done aught wrong," At even-song. " Grant that the hearts that lift this prayer to Thee May undefiled and humble ever be ; In them wilt Thou, O Lord, at even-song Forgive the wrong." 58 Music and Memory THE VISION Why should I care that others fail to see The vision that I see and so judge ill The things I do, speaking the harsh word, till My eyes are blurred with tears that they should be So blind, poor ones, as ail-unwittingly By their dull scorn to spur me on, until My heart feels stronger, eager to fulfil, To meet its heaven-granted destiny. They had not scorned me, did they really know The glory of the vision, — foolish they ! Stumbling and halting on their path so low, While free among the stars I sing my way, Careless of what they think, if only true And clear my vision leads me on to do. 59 Music and Memory INSPIRATION 'Tis good just to feel the blood tingle swift and glad, As the long thoughts urge, With a pulsing surge, To meet the task that the day brings. Oh! that I had A thousand days like this! How often I miss Just this magic flame of ambition, ardent, bright, To kindle with fire The heart's desire To meet the work of the day with my utmost might ! The course, aye, long; but the banner's beckoning gleam At the waiting goal Spurs thee on, my soul; While all the thoughts that men have dared to dream Are thine to seize. All earth's mysteries Of knowledge, of hope, of faith, and of brave good cheer. Live gladly then. Lest ne'er again This thrill and impulse to action strong appear. 60 Music and Memory DUTY The end of man is an action and not a thought. Carlyle. Not in the quiet cloister, Though thy thoughts reach up to God, But out in the world of action, Where the Son of Man has trod The path of truth and beauty, Fulfilling His whole duty. Not thought alone thy portion Though noble and high it be; Thine 'tis to toil and wrestle, Although in Gethsemane, With Him the sonship sharing In doing and in daring. Fare forth then to the battle! Be brave to essay the strife. Follow His royal banner. And win the crown of life. Doing thy appointed duty, Make a path of truth and beauty. 6i Music and Memory THE CITADEL " Ideals are the flaming ramparts of the soul " A citadel thou dwellest in, my soul, Flung round with ramparts tall; Four-square its walls and four the towers strong, Lest danger thee befall. One tower strong is faith, one tower, hope, And one is earnest will. The fourth is love ; protectingly they stand To guard thee from all ill. The firm ideals of loyalty and truth There shine with steadfast light; And justice true and mercy flame afar To keep thee in the right. For just as fair Brunhilde was, of old. With magic fire pure, Guarded by Wotan from all earthly taint, So dost thou, too, secure Such safety from those blazing rampart fires. Those guardians of thy peace, That never through the years before thee still Shall their protection cease. 62 Music and Memory WORSHIP As our song rose to God through the fretted roof, So thine, little bird, through the branching trees; And where, canst tell ? shall we find the proof That thy song was poorer, that ours did please The God of us all, more sweet than thine ? For thy whole heart in thy song went forth To pour all its joy at God's great world-shrine. Was that gift of joy of lesser worth Than our weak song with world-thoughts dim. With world-care marring its melody. Mere lip-praise giving, alas! to Him Who gave to us love and joy so free? Ah, restless heart, if cathedral-spire, If organ-tone and vaulted aisle, Avail not to raise thy spirit higher, Then fare thee forth to the woods awhile. And learn of the birds the true joy-song, The spirit of worship, bestowing all Unto God, to whom thou, too, dost belong. And answer all self-forgetful His call To service, to duty, to thankful prayer. To loving communion, e'en face to face. And worship the God who dwelleth there. Regardless of time, of manner, of place, Beholding alone the spirit of those Who come to meet Him, in prayer and praise; And freely His blessing He bestows Alike on men, who their anthems raise. And on woodland birds, who sing all gay. His praise in forest and field today. 63 Music and Memory THE POET'S APOLOGY Things new and old, things common and things strange, Have met your notice, yet none quite like this: A little would-be poet, whom I wis You scarce would know, so do the swift years change The things familiar, known at closer range. For those made dim by distance. Aye, it is So wonderful that from the child we miss Should grow that which we do not know. Ex- change The present for the past, where would you be? What would you have, that you should be con- tent With all the past's gay, happy poesy, Nor deign to heed such humble voices sent With other message? Let me pray 5'our grace To grant to these my songs one little place. 64 Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: Sept. 2009 PreservationTechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESEHVATIOM 111 TTiomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16066 (724) 779-2111 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS,. IHH' > 018 602 599 4