Class fS ^r: :' 
 
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 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 
 
A BALLAD OF 
 THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 AND OTHER POEMS 
 
 By * 
 
 William Noble Roundy 
 
 CHICAGO 
 
 THOMAS P. HALPIN 
 
 1905 
 
LiBBASY of OONGRESS 
 fwo Copies rfeceiVBU 
 
 juN 7 jyo5 
 
 )Lf^nj^ Z3./90S 
 
 COPY B. 
 
 
 Copyright 19u5 
 
 BY 
 
 William Noble Roundy 
 
 300 copies of this book are printed APRIL, 1905 
 
DEDICATED 
 
 TO 
 
 FREDERIC IVES CARPENTER 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1. To THE Music 9 
 
 2. Ballad of the White Ship 13 
 
 3. Ballad of Henry Hudson 22 
 
 4. Song 29 
 
 5. Song— "There Liveth a Spirit in Earth and Sky" 30 
 
 6. Song of the Locomotive 32 
 
 7. Song 35 
 
 8. A Song of the Sea 36 
 
 9. A Dirge 38 
 
 10. Song 40 
 
 11. Song 42 
 
 12. Song— "When the Stars are Out" . • . . . 43 
 
 13. SoxG of November • . - 45 
 
 14. Song 47 
 
 15. Song of the City 48 
 
 16. Song 50 
 
 17. A LfULLABYE 52 
 
 18. Song of the Whip-poor-will : . 53 
 
 19. A Thanksgiving Invocation 55 
 
 20. Song 57 
 
 21. Song— "When Bobolinks and Blue-Birds" .... 58 
 
 22. Song 59 
 
 23. A Spring Song 61 
 
 24. The Lover and the Moon 62 
 
 25. A Soldier's Toast 64 
 
 26. Song 65 
 
 27. Song of the Road 67 
 
 28. Song 69 
 
 29. Song— "The Stars were Shining Bright and Clear" . 71 
 
 30. The Muse ..... 72 
 
 31. Song— "Gipsy Queen, Gipsy Queen" 74 
 
 32. Sunrise on the Prairies 76 
 
 33. The Mind's Reply 77 
 
 34. To One in Sorrow 79 
 
 35. Aspiration 80 
 
 36. Song for Christmas Eve 82 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS-Continued. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 3,7. Song of a Winter's Night 83 
 
 38. Sonnet: On Reading of Theodore Roosevelt's Work as 
 
 Police Commissioner 87 
 
 39. Sonnet 88 
 
 40. Sonnet 89 
 
 41. Sonnet, written at Knoxville, Tenn. ..... 90 
 
 42. Visions 93 
 
 43. John Keats 94 
 
 44. The Fallen Standards 96 
 
 45. The Poet ' 98 
 
 46. To F. I. C 100 
 
 47. From out the City's Prison Walls 104 
 
TO THE MUSK 
 
 O Maiden of the tender ways; 
 
 Goddess of the splendid eyes^ 
 To thee I give my love and praise, — 
 
 For thon art wise. 
 
 And thou art strong and sane and calm, — 
 
 Benignant and benign ; — 
 A healthy girl of winsome face, 
 
 And yet divine. 
 
 Amid the discords of the World,, 
 
 Self centered and alone, 
 Thou sittest still in majesty 
 
 Upon thy throne. 
 
 IsTot thine to turn aside to teach. 
 
 The scorners of thy lore; 
 To know thee men must cease vain speecb 
 
 E'en as of yore. 
 
 {9} 
 
10 A BALLAD OF THE WHLTE SHIP 
 
 Then mid the holy silences 
 Where song alone can be 
 
 Perchance thon'lt sing again for men, 
 And men for thee. 
 
BALLADS 
 
A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP. 
 
 (henry I. A. D. 1120.) 
 
 1. 
 
 The old King pointed across the sea, 
 As he spake to the prince, his son; 
 
 ^^There's the isle that's fair as Normandy, 
 And there is thy father's throne. 
 
 2. 
 
 Ronnd about it day and night, 
 
 The great sea standeth guard; 
 
 'Tis a goodly thing, I trow, for a king 
 To have such watch and ward." 
 
 3. 
 
 Then spake the Prince, a fiery youth: 
 "What this English isle may be, 
 
 I neither know nor care in truth, 
 For what is it to me ? 
 
 (13 
 
14 .1 BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 4. 
 
 One heme is all that we can have, — 
 One country, too, at best; 
 
 And I^ormandy's the hand I love — 
 The sea maj have the rest." 
 
 5. 
 
 "Nav. be patient," the old King said, 
 ^'Yon are young, as yet, my son; 
 
 But some day you may be full proud 
 Of the isle your grandsire won." 
 
 6. 
 
 He patted his son — as fathers will — 
 AVith a smile such as kings may wear 
 
 When they look on a son beloved well, 
 And that son an only heir. 
 
 7.- 
 Then in a tone of mild command, 
 
 With the smile still on his lips. 
 The old king waving aloft his hand 
 
 Led the way to the ships. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 15 
 
 8. 
 
 The anchors upheaved and all aboard, 
 Eight merry they sailed away,— 
 
 Courtiers and king and page and lord, 
 Toward the west where Dover lay. 
 
 9. 
 
 The royal fleet were loosed and gone, 
 
 Tliey all had sailed away, 
 But the proud White Ship — the Prince's own — 
 
 Still lingered at the quay. 
 
 10. 
 Upon the quay many maidens stood, 
 
 O the White Ship was loath to go, — 
 A hawser held it stout and good,— 
 
 Held it tighter than rope, I troAV. 
 
 11. 
 
 For the cord that hinds young hearts in love 
 
 Is a small hut mighty chain; 
 And scarce are the thunder-bolts of Jove 
 
 Able to rend it in twain. 
 
16 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 12. 
 
 Of maidens there dark haired and fair 
 Were more than a good plump score; 
 
 Like blossoms rare such as knights may wear 
 They seemed as they stood by the shore. 
 
 13. 
 
 And some were wiping their pretty eyes; 
 
 While some looked over the sea; 
 And some were sighing dainty sighs, 
 
 While some laughed mournfully. 
 
 14. 
 Then up spake the skipper, up spake he: 
 
 " 'Tis a freshening wind, my Lord/' 
 Up came the priest with his benedicite; 
 
 They heeded never a word. 
 
 15. 
 
 For naught cared they for winds or ships, 
 And priests, they did despite: 
 
 Each saw but a pair of rosy lips, 
 And a pair of bonnie black eyes. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 17 
 
 16. 
 A cloud was passing over the sun; 
 
 Spake the captain of the guards: 
 ^^No time's to lose. We must be gone 
 
 If we make harbor tonight, mj lords." 
 
 17. 
 
 He Y«raited not, but gave the word; 
 
 In a trice the sails spread free, 
 And like a beautiful white bird. 
 
 The White Ship sailed to sea. 
 
 18. 
 Onvrard she swept, right proudly on; 
 
 'Round her keel the white foam sang ; 
 Against her stout sides, one by one, 
 
 The clash of the mad waves rang. 
 
 19. 
 
 Bold her prow to the waves she rears; 
 
 Wide spread her strong white wings; 
 A royal burden the White Ship bears, 
 
 (But what cares the sea for kings). 
 
18 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 20. 
 
 The cloud in the sky has changed to two; 
 
 The two are turned to a score; 
 ]N^ow the face of the skipper is changing too, 
 
 For his heart, it is troubled sore. 
 
 21. 
 
 Then unto him his favorite hound, 
 That close by his side did lay, 
 
 Looked up and softly licking his hand, 
 Whined in a wistful way. 
 
 22. 
 Again the skipper raised his eyes, 
 
 A ring was around the moon, 
 And as he gazed he heard the cry 
 
 Of a solitary loon. 
 
 23. 
 
 And then — ah, worse than a good man's curse 
 Was the sight his eyes did see: 
 
 Stood the drunken mate with a sober face, 
 A sober mate was he. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 19 
 
 24. 
 
 As up from the cabin hot with wine 
 
 Came the nobles, one bj one, 
 But though they sang a merry song, 
 
 The mirth of the song was gone. 
 
 25. 
 They gazed around on the black black sky ; 
 
 They gave one look at the sea ; 
 They thought of how young they were to die ; 
 
 They thought of their !N'ormandy. 
 
 26. 
 And one he cried: ^Ten pounds I'll give 
 
 To walk to-night on the Strand." 
 *Tifty," cried one, '^^s I hope to live, 
 
 I'll give for a sight of the land." 
 
 27. 
 A third said: ^^O my bonnie bride, 
 
 Her heart, it will broken be." 
 A fourth crept close to the skipper's side, 
 
20 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 28. 
 Then calm at length the young Prince spake; 
 
 "Skipper, an' ye make port to-night, 
 I vow that for thy nohle sake. 
 
 My father shall make thee knight." 
 
 29. 
 The skipper he spake in a dogged tone: 
 
 "My lords, I will do my best ; 
 Eut when to the bottom my soul has gone, 
 
 Why, Heaven must do the rest." 
 
 30. 
 On through the foam the White Ship sped ; 
 
 On through the deepening gloom; 
 Like a Spirit that goes to join the Dead ; 
 
 Like a Soul to meet its doom. 
 
 31. 
 
 O never the feet of a gallant knight 
 Walked that eve on the Strand ; 
 
 And never a fortune gained that night 
 A sio^ht of the vanished land. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 21 
 
 32. 
 
 And O 'twas a bonnie bride that night 
 
 Lay weeping many a tear; 
 And a sad faced mother with hair snow white 
 
 Sat waiting through many a year. 
 
 33. 
 The skipper bold, though he did his best, 
 
 Yet never a knight was he; 
 For the waves they gave him a sailor's rest 
 
 At the bottom of the sea. 
 
22 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 BALLAD OF HEE^EY HUDSON 
 
 1. 
 
 "What lio ! for a doughty ship-mate, 
 
 And where, I say, is he 
 Who dare? to ride through the foaming tide. 
 Over the wild v/est sea. 
 
 2. 
 "Who dares to sail in the teeth of the gale, 
 When waves to mountains run. 
 And laughs to scorn the sullen morn 
 
 When the foam o'er leaps the sun ? 
 
 3. 
 "What ho ! I say, for a mess-mate. 
 
 With a heart like a good ship's keel ; 
 Who cannot hear the sound of fear, 
 
 And whose nerves are nerves of steel." 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 23 
 
 4. 
 Thus spake old Henry Hudson, 
 
 And rough and loud laughed he, 
 As he Avatched the mood where the sailors stood 
 
 To see what their minds might be. 
 
 5. 
 
 Gnarly fellows the sailors were, 
 
 They had sailed through foul and fair; 
 
 They had made their home on the tossing foam 
 From Fear to Tinisterre. 
 
 Yet not a man w^ho stood there stirred ; 
 
 They had no w^ish, I ween. 
 Like fools to ride o'er the great world's side 
 
 Where never a man had been. 
 
 T. 
 Then up there rose a slender lad, 
 
 Mild were his eyes and blue; 
 But his cheeks grew red as he calmly said: 
 ^Tlease God, I'll sail with you." 
 
24 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 8. 
 
 '^Ahoy, lad!" laughed the skipper, 
 
 'The dragons will swallow thee; 
 Yet, by my faith, come life or death, 
 Thou shalt be mate for me.'' 
 
 9. 
 Such shame then seized the sailors. 
 
 On the morrow at stroke of noon, 
 Toward the West with a crew of the best, 
 
 Sailed his ship, the good Half-Moon. 
 
 10. 
 Full many weai'y nights and days. 
 
 Over the blue grey sea, 
 With anxious eyes to the changing skies 
 
 The ship sailed steadily. 
 
 11. 
 
 Full many fiery mornings rose. 
 
 And many gloomy nights went down, 
 
 While to the West with a vague unrest 
 
 They sailed through the vast unknown. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 25 
 
 12. 
 On thev sped like pliantoms weird, 
 
 The howling Avind rose high ; 
 And o'er tlieir hoat rose the waves and smote 
 
 The stars from ont the sky. 
 
 13. 
 
 But whether before the wind they flew, 
 On with the foam's white speed ; 
 
 Or whether they faced the mountain waves, 
 Ever at direst need — 
 
 14. 
 
 Beside the skipper stood the lad, 
 
 His blue eyes shining clear. 
 As if his heart had never heard 
 
 Of such a word as fear. 
 
 15. 
 At length when they reached harbor 
 
 On the Xew World's strange wild shore, 
 The skipper raised his brawny ami, 
 
 And a rough thanksgiving swore — 
 
26 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 16. 
 
 ^Tore God, Hiirrali for the mate, I say; 
 I tell ye, men, what's true: 
 'Twas the little lad, and the lad alone, 
 That brought our old ship through. 
 
 17. 
 
 ^'Then, hip-hurrah for the mate, I say, 
 ]^ow give 'em with a vim; 
 May our luck be on land or sea 
 
 To sail with the likes of him !" 
 
SONGS 
 
1. 
 Bide a little, O my Honey, 
 
 Hum a little tune; 
 Work and smile and laugh, my Honey, 
 
 Love is coming soon ; 
 Love and Hope are coming by. 
 We shall meet them, you and I, 
 We shall meet them by and by. 
 By and by, by and by. 
 
 2. 
 Bide a little, O my Honey, 
 
 What if skies are grey ? 
 Although Life is dark and stormy, 
 
 Life is also gay ; 
 Love and Hope are coming by. 
 We shall meet them, you and I, 
 We shall meet them by and by. 
 By and by, by and by. 
 
 (2')) 
 
30 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 SONG. 
 
 1. 
 
 There liveth a Spirit in Earth and Sky, 
 
 (And its name is Love.) 
 An Immortal it is that can never die, 
 
 (And its name is Love.) 
 Do^\m from the lulls to the wide, wide sea. 
 Where men are hrave and where men are free, 
 Comes this Spirit we know bnt can never see, 
 
 (And its name is Love.) 
 
 2. 
 There's a Vision that comes with youth in the morn, 
 
 (And its name is Love.) 
 It is ever nigh when great deeds are born, 
 
 (And its name is Love.) 
 It cometh to men when their lives begin. 
 To banish Sadness and Sorrow and Sin; 
 At the lowliest Imt it will enter in; 
 
 (And its name is Love.) 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 31 
 
 3. 
 
 Alone and unarmed there conieth a Knight, 
 
 (And his name is Love.) 
 He conqnereth Gloom as the sun conquers Night, 
 
 (And his name is Love.) 
 Wliere men are cowed by fears that are base, 
 With a step so light it leaveth no trace, 
 C'oraes a buoyant form with an angel face, 
 
 (And its name is Love.) 
 
32 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 SO:^G OF THE LOCOMOTIVE. 
 
 1. 
 Cheerily, unwearily, 
 All the day I roam ; 
 Through a hundred places 
 Where every place is home; 
 Past a thousand faces 
 Merrily I go — 
 Friends are all around me, 
 For everyone I knov/. 
 
 2. 
 Leaping ever onward 
 With a happy heart, 
 I bring about the meeting 
 Of cronies far apart; 
 Then I scatter lovers 
 Off through stormy Aveather 
 Just to have the pleasure 
 Of bringing them together. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 33 
 
 3. 
 
 The Happy and the Merry, 
 
 The Woeful and the Weeping, 
 
 The Living and the Dying 
 
 I take into my keeping. 
 
 I bear the rosy Maidens 
 
 To and fro from school — 
 
 I serve the Scholar and the Clown, 
 
 The Pedant and the Tool. 
 
 How I love the feeling 
 Of the iron track! 
 How I love the lashing 
 Of the wind npon my back ! 
 AVith the way before me, 
 And the miles behind, 
 I love to watch the tempests 
 And hear the roaring wind. 
 
34 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 5. 
 
 'Tis merry sport to travel 
 Ever on and on ; 
 Working still the good work 
 That is never done. 
 Trusting that To-morrow 
 Will be smiling as To-day; 
 Letting all that cometh 
 Bring whate'er it may. 
 
 Friend am T to every one 
 Who loves to race and roam, 
 And hns the knack of trying to 
 Make his heart at home. 
 When I am old I want to 
 Travel as of yore, — 
 The hissing wind behind me 
 And the lifting^ skies before. 
 
AND O THEK FOE MS 35 
 
 1. 
 
 A moan came out of the sullen night, 
 And over the snow drifts pure and white, 
 Where the walls of the city in silence frown, 
 Calmly the lights of the stars shone down ; 
 Along the stones of the barren street 
 Came the limping sound of a beggar's feet, 
 While through his ragged locks and old 
 The wind, the wind blew cold. 
 
 2. 
 
 A light gay laugh came out of the night; 
 
 A pair of eyes gleamed fever bright; 
 
 The lover was handsome, and she was fair. 
 
 Yet under the glow of the gaslight there, 
 From far away she suddenly heard 
 The merry sound of a woodland bird. 
 
 While through her hair of gleaming gold 
 The wind, the wind blew cold. 
 
36 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 A so:n^g of the sea. 
 1. 
 
 O men ^vill go down to the sea in ships, 
 
 And sail away as they sailed of yore, 
 With stout hearts set to never forget 
 
 The women Avho wait on the shore. 
 They will sail away at the break of day, 
 
 Merrily over the Main — 
 But the waves will roar ; and ah, never more. 
 
 Shall the sailors sail home again. 
 
 For the wind laughs low, and the wind laughs loud ; 
 And it cries: ''Ye are mine,'^ to sea and to cloud. 
 
 2. 
 
 men will go down to the sea in ships, 
 
 And with their cargoes of goods and gold. 
 
 Sad hearts they will take in their vessel's wake. 
 As men took such things of old ; 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 37 
 
 And gaily they'll sail in the teeth of the gale 
 Past the beacon light on the shore ; 
 
 Bnt the wind will rage like a panther caged, 
 And the sailors will sail no more. 
 
 For the wind langhs low, and the wind laughs loud, 
 And it cries: ''Ye are mine," to sea and to cloud. 
 
 3. 
 
 O men will go down to the sea in ships. 
 
 Bearing a brave and a bonnie face ; 
 And all night long will their sweetheart's song 
 
 Wreathe their hearts with a subtile grace; 
 "We are coming back on the homeward track ; 
 
 Ho, ]\rartha and Mary and Jane." 
 In a single nighty lo! the storm will smite 
 
 Both vessel and sailor and Main. 
 
 For the wind laughs low, and the wind laughs loud. 
 And it cries: "Ye are mine," to sea and to cloud. 
 
38 A BALLAD OF THE H'HITE SHIP 
 
 A DIRGE. 
 
 Love is dead ! O Love is dead, 
 
 And buried deep ; 
 K aught can rouse it 
 
 From its sleep. 
 Then come away, 
 
 And let the wild winds 
 
 Eave overhead; 
 
 Love, O Love is dead. 
 
 2. 
 1^0 w the skies are growing grey, 
 
 And the dusk is falling down; 
 Darkness blots the light of day, 
 
 Leaves are lying sear and brown ; 
 Now the roses bow their heads, 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 39 
 
 And the violets close their eyes, 
 Weeping sad and bitter tears 
 
 O'er the grave where sweet love lies; 
 Sonfi:-birds from the woods have fled; 
 
 Love is dead; O Love is dead; 
 Love is dead ! 
 
40 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 SOIs^G. 
 
 1. 
 
 Ye are great, O Land of Freedom ; 
 
 My Country, ye are strong ; 
 But never shall e'en power of yonrs 
 
 Make Right out of a Wrong. 
 The Lord of Hosts is Justice, 
 
 Ye cannot cheat his scales ; 
 Wlien Wrong shall overcome the Right, 
 
 'Tis then Ihe vinner fails.* 
 
 2. 
 The noble cause ye fought for, 
 
 In your strugglings of old, 
 May be forgotten in this day 
 
 Through eagerness for gold ; 
 But the judgment shall be spoken, 
 
 When Liberty has led 
 The ranks of alien heroes 
 
 O'er the bodies of vour dead. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 41 
 
 3. 
 
 Who falsifies his principles 
 
 Shall by the Gods he scourged; 
 Ye may leave your ancient scruples, 
 
 And good reasons may he urged ; 
 But all the hosts of Heaven 
 
 Shall celehrate thy woe, 
 When out of love for Liberty 
 
 Freedom battles for thy foe. 
 
42 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 SONG. 
 
 1. 
 
 Truth is hard and bitter 
 
 As the driving winter sleet, 
 
 Yet whoever fronts it 
 Finds it, also, sweet. 
 
 2. 
 Truth is stern and rugged 
 
 As December's wildest rigor; 
 Yet who dares to brave it 
 
 . Gaineth Health and Vigor. 
 
 3. 
 
 'Round Truth's noble features 
 
 Floats no flaunting mantle ; 
 But who loves her for herself 
 Finds her passing gentle. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 43 
 
 SONG. 
 
 1. 
 
 When the stars are out, 
 And the Angels keep 
 
 Their silent watch 
 
 By the shores of sleep. 
 
 2. 
 
 The Fairies all 
 
 Come forth to play 
 
 And sing their frolic 
 Roundelay. 
 
 3. 
 
 Beneath the trees 
 In the shady glen, 
 
 They dance and sing, 
 And they dance again. 
 
 4. 
 Heigh-ho! thev shout, 
 Full merry we, 
 
44 " A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 Because our home 
 
 Is the wild-wood tree. 
 
 5. 
 
 the wild-wood tree, 
 . Where Life is free^ — 
 My bonnie home 
 
 Is the wild-wood tree. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 45 
 
 SONG OF E^OVEMBEK. 
 
 1. : 
 
 High on the dark, grey oak trees, 
 
 Stray leaves hang lone and brown ; 
 
 Under the slender branches, 
 Great drifts have fallen down. 
 
 2. 
 The best and plumpest acorns 
 Are snugly hid away; 
 Beneath e the w^ild-crab ajDple trees 
 No signs the frnits betray. 
 
 3. 
 
 The squirrel in its hollow nest 
 Scrambles around the eaves;. 
 
 Along the woodland pathways- 
 The breezes stir the leaves. 
 
46 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 4. 
 
 The skies are growing; leaden, 
 Yet things lie safe and warm ; 
 
 Though winter winds are wailing, 
 Earth fears no wind or storm. 
 
 5. 
 
 Since ^N'ature — wise old Mother — 
 In spite of ills that moan, 
 
 Still blesseth and caresseth, 
 And eareth for her own. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 47 
 
 SO^^G. 
 
 1. 
 
 What beauty in that woman lies, 
 Who, forgetting she is fair, 
 Takes the skj for looking-glass, 
 Like a rose in Maj-Day air; 
 J^ever giving 
 Tlionght to living 
 Saving only as she can 
 Aid the happiness of man. 
 
 2. 
 
 Tis the sweet, nncongeions things. 
 
 Which are beantiful to see; 
 Such are all who make earth rins" 
 With spontaneous melody. 
 Merry, cheery; 
 Still unweary; 
 Feeling they alone can bless 
 Earth's despair to happiness. 
 
48 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 SONG OF THE CITY. 
 
 1. 
 
 The streets are cold and hard and grey ; 
 
 The smoke obscures the bright blue sky; 
 Each mortal who rushes along the way, 
 
 Is either greed's ally or else its prey, 
 (And each wonders why.) 
 
 2. 
 Some are dreaming in handsome homes, 
 
 And some are starving in a sty ; 
 It does not matter what goes or comes, 
 Eor each is chained to the pitiless looms, 
 (And each wonders why.) 
 
 3. 
 
 A fever is eating into their veins, 
 They have no time to live or die; 
 
 For some one is pushing upon the reins ; 
 
 And something is tightening the iron chains, 
 (And each wonders why.) 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 49 
 
 4. 
 
 Yet sometimes T think that the Angels see, 
 ( Looking^ down from the great blue sky) 
 
 That even these men who once were free 
 Are paying for Pride with their Liberty;. 
 (And they wonder why.) 
 
50 A BALLAD OF THE WHLTE SHLF 
 
 SOXG. 
 
 1. 
 I find that love is something 
 
 Which cannot live on air; 
 Fair Love must still he feasted 
 
 On dainties rich and rare; 
 Pretty looks and sweetest kisses, 
 Billings, cooings and caresses, — 
 Every kind and sort of hlisses. 
 Such as Master Cupid hlesses, — • 
 These must he Love's daily diet, 
 If you think to keep it quiet. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 51 
 
 2. 
 
 I^ever dream, ve hopeful Lover, 
 
 Life is settled by a wedding; 
 That is just where dangers hover, — 
 
 That is where tears start their shedding; 
 Having won Love, T would mention. 
 You must give it still attention ; 
 Wooing ways that show invention ; 
 Winsome looks and fair intention, — 
 Such must be Love's daily diet • 
 If you think to keep it quiet. 
 
52 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 A LULLABYE. 
 
 1. 
 
 The wind is tapping the window pane, 
 
 Sleep, my Little One, sleep ; 
 'Tis bringing the big, big drops of rain. 
 
 Sleep, my Little One, sleep ; 
 The ^ight is dark and the earth is still, 
 The Shadows are flocking o'er plain and hill, 
 But never to thee shall they bring ill, 
 Sleep, my Little One, sleep. 
 
 2. 
 
 The lights are Ioav in the dusky sky. 
 Sleep, my Little One, sleep ; 
 
 But God and tht Angels, they are nigh ; 
 Sleep, my Little One, sleep ; 
 
 Swiftly and gently, to and fro, 
 
 Over the earth the Fairies go. 
 
 Singing a wee song soft and low. 
 Sleep, my Little One, sleep. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 53 
 
 so:n^g of the whippookwill. 
 1. 
 
 Beneathe the moonlight all alone, 
 
 I sit a-dreaming still; 
 BeloAv me in the shadows dim, 
 I hear the ^Vhippoorwill ; 
 I hear its plaintive, pleading tone, 
 Calling, calling, all alone — 
 Whippoorwill, Whippoorwill, Whippoorwill. 
 
 2. 
 "Poor Bird, praj why art thoii so sad ? 
 True love is lonely still; 
 taught can ease a hungry heart ;" 
 Then said the Whippoorwill: 
 "I will cry until I die, 
 For smothered love doth kill ; 
 Whippoorwill, Whippoorwill, Whippoorwill." 
 
34 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 3. 
 
 So nov/, my Love, I sing to you, 
 
 For I am hopeful still; 
 And I'll keep calling, calling. 
 Like tlie lonely Whippoorwill ; 
 O may my cry before I die 
 Pierce your heart through with its thrill,- 
 Whippoorwill, Whippoorwill, Whippoorwill. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 5S 
 
 *A THANKSGIVING INVOCATION. 
 
 (1898.) 
 1. 
 
 O Thou who taught us justice 
 
 Til the mighty days of yore; 
 Who led our sires to honor 
 
 Tlirough the flaming battle's roar; 
 We thank Thee, Lord, we thank Thee, 
 
 For the winnings of our sword, 
 But 'tis in these hours of triumph 
 
 That we need Thee most, O Lord. 
 
 2. 
 Beneathe our waving battle flags, 
 
 Lo, our foes lie in the dust; 
 In confusion they have fallen. 
 
 As such tyrants will and must; 
 From the scenes of ancient glory 
 
 All their pride is tumbled down. 
 Through the lands of song and story 
 
 They have lost their old renown. 
 
 * Reprint from the Knoxville (Tenn.) Jotimal and Tribune. 
 
56 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 3. 
 
 We have sunk their proudest navy; 
 
 We have camped our gleaming host 
 On the plains and hills and valleys 
 
 Which their boasting folly lost; 
 We have raised the flag of Treedom, 
 
 At the dictates of the sword, — 
 Yet 'tis in these hours of triumph 
 
 That we need Thee most, O Lord. 
 
 4. 
 
 O be with us, God of Justice; 
 
 O be with us. Prince of Peace; 
 As our foes through pride have fallen. 
 
 May our own exultings cease ; 
 Teach us to be calm and humble; 
 
 Grant us now Thy wisest word. 
 For 'tis in these hours of triumph 
 
 That we need Thee most, Lord. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 57 
 
 SOJSTG. 
 
 The Storms may rage, 
 
 The Winds may roar, 
 The Thunders roll, 
 
 And the black' rains pour; 
 But quick as they come they also fly 
 
 From flower and leaf; 
 'Tis only the heart of man that grasps 
 And liolds its grief. 
 
58 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 When bol)olinks and blue-birds 
 
 Sing the summer through ; 
 When crickets and grasshoppers 
 
 Serenade the dew; 
 When many a trill of rhythms thrill 
 
 The hills to echoes new, 
 O why then, shouldn't mortals, 
 
 Have singing manners, too? 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 59 
 
 SOIS^G. 
 
 1. 
 
 Hark, from out of the blossoming fields, 
 
 Where the grasses are soft and fine and green; 
 Midst the violets and daisies fair 
 
 Which are sprinkled in between, 
 I hear the happy choral songs 
 
 Of a merry group of birds — 
 Music that not to earth belongs. 
 
 Songs without any need of words; 
 A-down the air, and to and fro, 
 
 I hear the lilt of the music go — 
 To-whit, to-wee, to-whoo ; 
 They are calling, my Love, they are calling you. 
 
60 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 2. 
 They are calling voii, for I think birds know 
 
 To whom their songs they should bring; 
 I think they know that you love them so, 
 
 That you listen while they sing — 
 That you watchj as far away on high, 
 
 Througli the depths of the deep blue air, 
 They mount toward the dome of the golden sky, 
 
 To the sunshine waiting there. 
 How sweet that rhythm; how soft and low, 
 'Tis a song that all of the flowers know — 
 To-whit, to-wee, to-whoo ; 
 They are calling, my Love, they are calling you. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 61 
 
 A SPKING SONG. 
 
 1. 
 Come Eoses and Lilies and Mary-buds all, 
 
 Wherever in bonds of beauty ye be, 
 Take never a care what tomorrows befall, 
 Good tidings I bring unto thee. 
 Chorus : 
 
 The tidings are new, the tidings are true; 
 The Fairy of Spring is coming to you. 
 
 2. 
 Come Eobins and Blue-birds, on frolicsome feet; 
 
 Come sing, O ye hearts that are gay; 
 Let your carols be merry, your merriments sweet ; 
 For this is a festival day. 
 Chorus : 
 
 The tidings are new, the tidings are true; 
 The Fairy of Spring is coming to you. 
 
62 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 THE LOVER Kl^J) THE MOOK 
 
 LOVER. 
 
 Gracious, calm and holy Moon, 
 Throned Avithin thy silver sphere; 
 
 Look with eyes of love around you — 
 Comes not my sweetheart near ? 
 
 MOOW. 
 
 Kestless are the tree tops, 
 
 Restless is the sea; 
 And T hear a sound of moaning 
 
 Coming o'er the lea. 
 
 LOVER. 
 
 Look again, Oh, Moon, and tell me — 
 
 For my sweetheart's eyes are bright, 
 And my sweetheart's cheeks are rosy, 
 
 And my sweetheart's step is light — 
 See'st not two eyes that sparkle, 
 
 Sparkle like a star ; 
 See'st thou not two dimpled fawn cheeks, 
 
 Such as my sweetheart's are? 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 63 
 
 MOON. 
 
 Below me is the darkness, . 
 
 Above me is the night; 
 Only an endless empty void, 
 
 Yawns beneath my sight. 
 In the darkness I see nothing 
 
 Save the blackness of the sky ; 
 Through the blackness I hear nothing 
 
 Save the E'ight Wind's sigh. 
 
 LOVER. 
 
 False and fickle art thou; 
 
 Blind and heedless, too. 
 I know that my sweetheart is coming, 
 
 For ray sweetheart's heart is true. 
 
 MOON. 
 
 To those who love and those who love not, 
 
 There is nothing to be said; 
 Safe are the hearts of all lovers. 
 
 And safe are the hearts of the dead. 
 
64 A BALLAD OF THE WHLTE SHIP 
 
 A SOLDIEE'S TOAST. 
 
 Here's to our Flag — God bless it! 
 Here's to Liberty — God keep it! 
 Here's to our comrades, ere they go 
 And here — here's one to the foe. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 65 
 
 SONG. 
 
 1. 
 
 Fair Love a wondrous Spirit is, 
 
 Who flyetli far and wide; 
 He knocks at hut and palace door, 
 
 He will not be denied. 
 He calls to everyone betimes, 
 
 To rise and seek his own; 
 For Love the mightiest ruler is 
 
 Who ever ruled a throne. 
 
 2. 
 
 The sleeper he awakens, 
 
 He smiles on those awake; 
 And bids them do God's bidding 
 
 For their eternal sake ; 
 He giveth first discomforts 
 
 And trials hard and sore, 
 If anybody hesitates 
 
 He giveth all the more. 
 
66 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 3, 
 
 From pleasure, ease and vanity, 
 
 He summoneth the bold; 
 He showers all who meet him 
 
 With blessings manifold. 
 He fills faint hearts with courage 
 
 He fills dead hearts with glee ; 
 For love is still the monarch 
 
 Of E.^rth and Air and Sea. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 67 
 
 so:ntg of the koad. 
 1. 
 
 Hei^li-lio! I say for the wild wood way, 
 For the birds and buds and winds of May ! 
 As on I trudge the whole day long, 
 I butter my bread with scraps of song. 
 O the meadov/s for me, 
 Where the winds are free ; 
 And Life is happy as Life should l)e. 
 
 CiiORiTS : 
 
 Then, ho ! good friend ! for the road, I say ; 
 For the skies and stars and the gypsy's way. 
 
68 A BALLAD OF THE WHLTE SHIP 
 
 2. 
 
 Heigh-ho I I say, for the way that's wide; 
 For the merry fire by the river's side. 
 That road is best where the heart's caressed 
 By the sunshine warm, and the night's long rest. 
 
 O the meadows for me, 
 
 Where a man is free. 
 And loves his life and his liberty. 
 
 Chorus : 
 
 Then, ho ! good friend ! for the road, I say ; 
 For the skies and stars and the gypsy's way. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 69 
 
 SONG. 
 
 1. 
 
 My fairy God Mother one day came to me 
 'My child ^ now what would your dearest wish be ?" 
 And I answered and said: ^'Oh, let me be free! 
 x\s free as the eagle that mounteth on high ; 
 As free as the clouds that lighteji the sky ; 
 As free as the tempest that knoweth no will ; 
 As free as the waves that never are still; 
 As the sun and winter winds let me be free, 
 For I shall be haj^py when once I am free.'' 
 
70 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 2. 
 My fairy God Mother she waved her bright wand, 
 I rose from the earth, I soar o'er the land ; 
 All care was the winds, all joy was my own ; 
 The earth was my servant; the mountains my 
 
 throne ; 
 All mirth and all merriment flew nnto me, 
 And now I was happy, for now I was free. 
 When (folly divine!) a-down from above 
 I spied the beantifnl island of love. 
 When lo! I was mortal; my fairy gifts flown, 
 Mv mind a mere slave, for my freedom was gone. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 71 
 
 SONG. 
 
 I. 
 
 The stars were sinning bright and clear; 
 I heard a moonbeam crying: 
 O come with me, 
 
 come and see, 
 Where sweet love lies a-dying; 
 
 A-dying, a-dying ; 
 Where sweet love lies a-dying. 
 
 TI. 
 
 With trembling feet I hnrried forth ; 
 T heard the wild wind sighing: 
 
 1 am alone. 
 And all is gone; 
 
 For sweet love lies a-dying, 
 
 A-dying, a-dying; 
 For sweet love lies a-dying. 
 
.4 BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 THE MUSE. 
 
 I. 
 
 The monarcli, I, 
 Of earth and sky, 
 Of commoners and kings; 
 Where hearts incline 
 Toward thonghts Divine; 
 "'Tis I wlio lend them wings. 
 
 II. 
 
 Who faces Eate 
 In struggles great; 
 
 Who tries to love and live. 
 Unto their hand 
 I grant command ; 
 
 To them pure ]3ower I give. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 73 
 
 III. 
 
 ^o matter where, 
 
 In earth or air, 
 A mortal gains a height, 
 
 I give to him 
 
 The courage grim, 
 The grip, and strength and might. 
 
 lY. 
 
 Whatever he will 
 
 Shall be his still. 
 Who on Earth's mortal sod; 
 
 Shall dare to strive 
 
 To keep alive 
 The simple truths of God. 
 
74 4 BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 Gipsy Queen, Gipsy Queen, 
 
 Come weave a charm for me; ' 
 
 Here's Wolfsbane from the marshes ; 
 Here's bhiehells from the lea; 
 
 Here's bloodstone flecked with sunshine. 
 
 Here's part of a fallen star^ — 
 
 Come bring — bring back my lover, 
 My lover who's wandered far. 
 
 Gipsy Queen, Gipsy Queen, 
 
 What do you say to-day ? 
 The waves are asleep in the ocean deep, 
 
 Yet my lover is still away ; 
 I called to the distant mountains ; 
 
 I called to the lonely sky; 
 Yet while I seek my heart grows weak, 
 
 For the Earth gives no reply. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 75 
 
 Gipsy Queen, Gipsy Queen, 
 
 Here is gold for thee; 
 'Twill make tliee a ring as fine as a king, 
 
 As ever a king did see. 
 And still more will I bring thee, 
 
 Because I love him so, 
 A wedding ring that my mother gave,. 
 
 Gave to me long ago. 
 And every day I'll bring thee 
 
 Garlands and ribbons gay, 
 If by thy charm thou keep from harmi 
 
 My lover, who's far away. 
 
76 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 su:^rRiSE 0^ the prairies. 
 
 A gleam of light; 
 A flash of flame ; 
 
 A glow of fire, — 
 Rising with resistless might, 
 Like Earth's daimons naught can tame, 
 Ever high and higher. 
 While from far away, 
 
 Through the golden tinted air, 
 Disappear the shadows grey; 
 And all the earth, 
 With sudden mirth, 
 Grows luminous and fair. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 77 
 
 THE WmD'S KEPLY. 
 
 Witliin the night I heard the Wind — 
 
 It seemed to sob and moan; 
 "What aileth thee, poor Wind?" I asked. 
 
 ^^I am alone, so lone. 
 
 2. 
 Forever over land and sea, 
 
 From North to Sonth I fly, 
 But the great gods they will give me 
 
 Time to neither rest nor die. 
 
 3. 
 
 A.S ever on I speedeth 
 
 Over land and sea ; 
 I bring what each one needeth, 
 
 Bnt no one heedeth me. 
 
78 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 4. 
 
 I work the will of Heaven ; 
 
 I do the tasks of men ; 
 I go and come; and come and go 
 
 Through realms no mortals ken. 
 
 5. 
 
 I carry rain for Harvests ; 
 
 I carry snow and seeds; 
 I waft the ships on their ocean trips; 
 
 I blow for the seaman's needs. 
 
 6. 
 Like slaves lashed to the galleys, 
 
 The toil of the world I do, 
 Yet all the days bring me no praise, 
 
 Aye ! it is bitter trne. 
 
 7. 
 
 For some are born to pleasure; 
 
 And some are bom to strife; 
 But I was born to measure 
 
 The loneliness of life.'' 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 79 
 
 TO 0:^E IN SOEEOW. 
 
 1. 
 
 The Eartli will laugh; the Skies will smiley. 
 
 After we are dead; 
 Then take thy grief not so to heart 
 
 pray he comforted. 
 
 2. 
 The world is full of rippling joy, — 
 
 Of healthy work and wit, 
 But Life will only give to you 
 
 The things you give to it. 
 
80 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 ASPIEATIO:^^. 
 
 (to F. I. c.) 
 
 1. 
 
 From the quiet forest, 
 Eager for the sea: 
 
 Comes a tiny brooklet, 
 Laughing merrily. 
 
 2. 
 Over it are scattered 
 
 With an artless grace, 
 Pretty bits of mosses, 
 
 Shading half its face. 
 
 3. 
 
 Leaping np in ripples 
 Like an elfin sprite. 
 
 It shakes its pretty tresses 
 In frolicsome deli.srht. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 81 
 
 4. 
 
 For the sunbeam seemeth 
 Sweeter and more fair, 
 Than the dusky shadows 
 Of the forest there. 
 
 5. 
 So on and on it goeth, 
 
 Like a restless mind, 
 Searching still for something 
 
 It can never find. 
 
 6. 
 
 Hopeful yet: — unknowing 
 
 That its fate will be 
 To perish ere it hears 
 
 The music of the sea. 
 
82 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 SONG FOR CHEISTMAS EVE. 
 
 Sleep, my little Rosebuds! 
 
 Sleep, my bonnie Flowers ! 
 Santa Glaus is watching, 
 
 Watching all the hours. 
 When the Earth is silent; 
 
 Wlien the w^inds are dumb. 
 'Tis then, m.y little Sleepy-Heads, 
 
 That Santa Glaus will come. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 83- 
 
 SOXG OF A WII^^TEK'S :NIGHT. 
 
 Far and wide a restless silence, 
 
 Lies upon the fallen snow, 
 Far and wide tlie wind goes w^ailing, 
 Like a ship to sure death sailing, 
 
 Whither, whither shall I go ? 
 Looks it forth in eager quest. 
 To the East and to the West; 
 
 Looks afar to Moon and Star, 
 To the clear, cold crystal light. 
 That lies within the distant night, 
 
 Whither, whither shall I go ? 
 But the ^ight no answer giveth. 
 
 Deathlike silence reigns o'er all; 
 Scarce a sign that life still liveth, 
 
 Save a voice which doth call 
 Low and faintly hack again, 
 I am Hunger ! I am Pain ! 
 
84 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 Still the lonely wind goes wailing, 
 
 Whither, whither shall I go ? 
 Brings at length a hnman qualing. 
 
 At the sight of cold and snow. 
 Brings to men their pain and ailing, 
 
 Brings them suffering and woe: 
 Through each weary winter's night, 
 Many hearts are warm and bright. 
 
 Many more in silence seeking 
 
 Comfort midst this world of weeping. 
 Look np stricken and unspeaking 
 Praying all night long and saying 
 ' To the Earth and Moon and Snow, 
 
 Whither, whither shall I go? 
 But the Night no answer giveth, 
 
 Deathlike silence reigns o'er all ; 
 Scarce a sign that life still liveth. 
 
 Save a soft voice which doth call 
 Low and faintly hack again, 
 I am Hunajer ! I am Pain. 
 
SONNETS 
 
(On reading of Theodore Roosevelt's work as Po- 
 lice Commissioner.) 
 
 'Tis men of giant mold that ronse the dawdling days,. 
 Rough, ready men whose mood is e'er the samg ; 
 Unheeding scorn; unmoved by love or fame, 
 Above the realms of common prayer or nraise 
 Who tread in silent solitude their ways ; 
 Who take life as a duty, not a game, 
 Wlio seek for work amid earth's cheap acclaim, 
 While o'er them peaceful Death holds high Life's 
 bays. 
 
 It is a sight to see men of such breed; 
 Men of this old and simple minded mien ; 
 Who look first to the great world's foremost need, 
 Who mask no honest thought behind Tact's screen,. 
 But speak out like a soul that newly wakes 
 To war for God till Wron^ and Error quakes. 
 
 (87) 
 
-88 A BALLAD OF THE WHLTE SHIP 
 
 SONNET. 
 
 The autumn days are Nature's festival; 
 A riot of all beauty and all grace, 
 The Sun puts on its fairest face, 
 The clouds rise great and glorious over all; 
 Through golden tinted oaks the wild birds call, 
 Rains come and go ; and leave no v^anton trace 
 Upon the earth. The ripened Chestnuts race 
 To meet the hands that catch them as they fall. 
 
 A perfect quietness pervades the woods ! 
 
 And spreads its balm of peace above the Earth, 
 
 Emits ripened ; grains garnered and gathered goods 
 
 Create a sort of silent splendid mirth. 
 
 Smiles grow on every side where Toil has won, 
 
 The Earth's ennobling plaudit of — Well done ! 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 89 
 
 SOI^NET. 
 
 Of all great I^ature's gracious scenes I love 
 The crystal beauty of a winter night, 
 Through which the placid Moon sends down her light 
 Like some high message from Almighty Jove, 
 Which may from slumber sleeping mortals move; 
 A noble silence full of pure delight, — 
 A subtile herald of Earth's unused might 
 Descends in splendor from the skies above. 
 
 A solemn sense of moveless majesty, 
 Pervades the billows of the heaving snow ; 
 Across the fields the hoar-frost's melody 
 Sings crisply where the welcome house lights glow; 
 A vigor as of wine enthrills the air; 
 The ITorthwind's rugged strength breathes every- 
 where. 
 
90 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 SONISTET. 
 
 (Written at Knoxville, Tenn., in sight of the great 
 
 Smoky Mountains.) 
 The World was like a fallen angel's tomb; 
 Beyond the river through the dusky air, 
 The hills stood with their gaunt brows stern and 
 
 bare, 
 Wreathed round with deepening mists of gloom; 
 The clouds, — dark threaded weavings of Fate's 
 
 loom, 
 Hung o'er the lights that flickered here and there, 
 Faint gleams of Hope in that vale of despair, 
 Where Happiness had now no longer room. 
 
 Yet as I gazed I knew the morning skies 
 Would gild to glory that same scene of woe. 
 As human hearts who wait for clouds to rise 
 Will surely find the path their feet should go: — 
 For 'tis the Patience of life's darkest hour 
 Which brings men to their meed of Joy and Power. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
VISIOInTS. 
 
 I. 
 
 Visions come and go again, 
 Leaving in tlieir airy train, 
 Just a rhythm soft and low 
 Of their movements too and fro, 
 Something like an old refrain. 
 
 II. 
 
 'Tis the way with summer rain: 
 'Tis the way with joy and pain, 
 'Tis the way with all we ken 
 Of the lives of mortal men 
 Just to come, then go again. 
 
 Reprinted from Harper's Weekly by permission. 
 
 (93) 
 
94 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 JOHN KEATS. 
 
 (died OCT. 29, 1822.) 
 
 I. 
 
 A worshipper of Beauty ! 
 
 A lover of fine things ; 
 Of sun and moon and starlight; 
 
 Of all that soars and sings. 
 
 II. 
 
 Beyond the English meadows 
 
 O'er sullen ^N'orthern Seas, 
 His soul went out to Grecian scenes, 
 
 And classic melodies. 
 
 III. 
 
 All high and noble thoughts were his,- 
 Their fragrance and perfume; 
 
 Eor splendid times and mighty days. 
 His heart had ample room. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 95 
 
 IV. 
 
 He opened wide the windows 
 
 Of his sonl to all whose crown 
 Was, like his own green laurel wreath, — 
 
 Of unfulfilled renown. 
 
 V. 
 
 Then when the day was over 
 
 And the quiet evening fell, 
 He died heneath the sunny skies 
 
 Which he loved so well. 
 
 YI. 
 
 !N"ot in water was there graven, 
 
 His name with idle pen ; 
 He etched it where 'twill never fade 
 
 On the hearts and souls of men. 
 
96 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 THE FALLEI^ STAI^DAKDS. 
 
 (Written on seeing some Confederate battle-flags at 
 the G. A. E. Encampment, Chicago, August 28, 
 1900.) 
 
 I. 
 
 O pass ye softly, gently bye 
 
 Where the fallen standards lie; 
 
 Theirs the sad, pathetic, brief 
 
 Record of a mortal Grief; 
 
 Torn with bullets; seamed with scars, 
 
 Let them lie — ^these Stars and Bars. 
 
 Eager hands and brave and true 
 
 Bore them laughing toward the Blue; 
 
 Weary hearts with fainting breath 
 
 Blindly fo-llowed them to death: 
 
 Dyed with blood and warmed with tears, — 
 
 Symbols of dead hopes and fears, — 
 
 O pass ye softly, gently bye. 
 
 Where the fall standards lie. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 
 II. 
 
 O pass ve softly, gently bye, 
 Brothers bore tliem once on high; 
 Kinsmen watched with glowing face 
 To see their folds of winsome grace; 
 Heroes clad in tattered grey 
 Have kissed them as they passed away. 
 Then He whose heart alone can know 
 Human hopes and human woe, 
 Por their scorn of Freedom's land 
 Smote them with an iron hand, — 
 Crushed them since they could not be 
 Emblems of his liberty: 
 Yet softly, gently pass ye bye 
 Where the fallen standards lie. 
 
98 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 THE POET. 
 
 All things I fashion 
 
 Into Song; 
 A smile, a tear, a frown; 
 Souls weak or strong, 
 Hearts grave or gay, 
 Failure or renown, 
 A King or Clerk or Clown ; 
 
 I miss no deed they do or word they say ; 
 Wherever they belong. 
 Whether in the right or wrong. 
 Be they the Earth^s or thine. 
 First of all they are mine, 
 Fate looks to me alway, 
 
 I mark the final record of their day. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 99. 
 
 II. 
 
 Wherever Earth's true soldiers press 
 
 For a prize; 
 In showy pride or unseen humbleness; 
 
 Mine are the eyes^, 
 That follow every move they make; 
 
 All their gladness, 
 
 Woe and Sadness; 
 I watch it for the great Jove's sake; 
 
 That of all earth's host, 
 l!^ot a soul's work shall he lost, 
 
 In gloomiest glen. 
 
 In darkest den, 
 Whate'er is done, I see, 
 And crown its faith at last with victory. 
 
 LiiC. 
 
100 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 TO F. I. C. 
 
 ■Oh friend of mine, do you ever tliink 
 
 That the stars will rise, 
 
 And the sun will laugh, 
 
 And the moon look down 
 
 Through the kindly light of her placid smile, 
 
 Whether we live or whether we die; 
 
 Whether we joy or whether we grieve? 
 
 That earth and the things of earth will move 
 
 Onward still to the end of Time, 
 
 Cruel, unbending, stern as Fate, 
 
 (And also as true) 
 
 Like the sun and moon and steady stars, 
 
 Whatever we do, 
 
 Whether we laugh or' whether we weep; 
 
 Whether we live where soft winds blow, 
 
 Or sink perchance to a bitter grave. 
 
 Lone as the tired gray sea sand. 
 
 Tossed up on a far off ragged shore? 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 101 
 
 Do you ever think that Fate though harsh — 
 Ab harsh as death to a man who strives — 
 Is kind and gentle as Mercy is 
 To those whose downcast eyes gaze up, 
 And suddenly see a kindly look, 
 Enthroned for them in a wreath of smiles \ 
 
 Do you ever think there's a better way, 
 
 To spend the hours of our fevered days, 
 
 Than is sometimes seen midst the city's strife — 
 
 A way good Nature has always had 
 
 For living this mortal life of ours ; 
 
 A way that's keener than w^arriors know ; 
 
 That's wiser than mighty Statesmen ken ; 
 
 That's shrewder than scheming merchants guess 
 
 Who carry upon their shoulders tough, 
 
 Or in their tougher brains perchance 
 
 The weight and the fame of this world's woes ? 
 
102 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 The way ? — 'Tis the way of the laughing springtime 
 
 flowers, 
 The way of birds that mate and sing, 
 To the mnrmuroiis music of melodies; 
 That flit among the blossoming trees, 
 All the minutes long of the smnmer days: 
 'Tis the way of the wind that comes in glee 
 Bearing its perfumes from the South; 
 'Tis the way of the waves and the wild free clouds, 
 That leap and frolic before a storm ; 
 'Tis the way of the sunbeams, golden haired, 
 That bring the tints to the violets, 
 That redden the cheeks of the budding rose, 
 That woo the modest daisies forth 
 To meet the eyes of the beaming sun. 
 
AND OTHER POEMS 103- 
 
 That laugh the sorrows from shadowed hearts ; 
 
 'Tis the w^ay in short of all simple things 
 
 That live their lives out glad and free, 
 
 Unhurdened hy sorrow, unhurdened by joy, 
 
 Merry sometimes and sometimes calm 
 
 As the lilies that sleep in a forest glade 
 
 And who would never think nor worry indeed, 
 
 Nor wonder at all in their gladsome hearts, 
 
 As to the mysteries of this vast world ; 
 
 And Avho know just nothing at all but this — 
 
 That they live and breathe and that life is fair,. 
 
 That the sun is fair and fair is the sky, 
 
 That the rain is fair and the night fair too, 
 
 And that everything they see or know. 
 
 Hath something in it beautiful and true. 
 
104 A BALLAD OF THE WHITE SHIP 
 
 From out the City's prison walls I love to leap, 
 
 Unto a vantage point in some Avide space, 
 
 Wliere I can see the sweep of things, 
 
 Woods, hills and valleys ; rivers, brooks, 
 
 Orchards and meadow lands. 
 
 Filled with endless hints of many colored life; 
 
 The long and serried ranks of growing grain ; 
 
 The placid cattle mnsing in the shade; 
 
 The hum and bnzz of busy bees ; 
 
 The scent and bloom of bearing fruit; 
 
 The whistling health of tan faced boys ; 
 
 And over all, the sky's blue canopy, — 
 
 These things and many more I note, — 
 
 God's balm of beauty. 
 
 Which make up with their best and worsi. 
 
 This great majestic wonder called the World. 
 
JUN 7 1906 
 
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