The Courtship Rhymes 
 
 OF 
 
 Hebec and Lesbia 
 
 "3505 
 
 BY 
 
 Lizzie Caldwell and G. J. Hunt 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Chap. Copyright No. 
 
 ' — /fOO 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 11—404 
 
THE 
 
 COURTSHIP 
 
 RHYMES 
 
 OF 
 
 HEBEC AND LESBIA 
 
 BY 
 
 LIZZIE CALDWELL 
 
 AND 
 
 GEO. }. HUNT 
 
 publishers: 
 
 GEO. J. AND L. C. HUNT, LAMAR, MO. 
 
68285 
 
 J_ibrMxy of Concjrose 
 
 'vs:^ I'jpiLi: Received 
 OCT 30 1900 
 
 . ' Copynghl entry 
 
 StCt^ND COPY. 
 
 Ob('«vei'^ to 
 
 OHOtH DU'iSlON, 
 
 NOV 23 1900 
 
 f ^ 3 J-^^ ^ 
 
 COPYRIGHTED BY 
 
 GEO. J. AND L. C. HUNT- 
 
 1900. 
 
 PRESS OF 
 
 WARREN BROTHERS^ 
 
 RICH HILL, MO. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 For nearly fifteen years Hebec and Lesbia 
 were something more to each other than ordi- 
 nary schoolmates and friends. The verses found 
 in this little book were written during these 
 halcyon days of youth; they may be counted 
 as a part of the correspondence that brought 
 the writers near to each other even when miles 
 lay between them. 
 
 The sentiment is not of fiction, but from 
 life; and, therefore, sacred. The rhymes were 
 written, not for publication, but for our mutual 
 pleasure; and we two read with understanding 
 hearts And you, dear reader, whether you are 
 loitering along the beautiful way of courtship or 
 have launched upon the sea of wedded life, will 
 know that all is not written, and will discern 
 with nice vision the most beautiful part between 
 the lines. And we would wish that as you 
 loiter, or sail, and read, that you may find in 
 this little volume some thought to please, 
 some word to cheer; some added strength for 
 life's battles. 
 
 IvESBiA AND Hebec. 
 
FIRST SHALL BK LAST 
 
 While in my early days of youth. 
 And in my happy days, forsooth. 
 Amid the many pla3ar.ates, small, 
 Like one sweet rose, the sweetest of all, 
 I knew a mother's eldest ehild 
 Destined to cross this earthly wild. 
 
 vShe was not very beautiful. 
 Though doubtle,ss always dutiful. 
 Her hair was dark, her eyes were blue; 
 Her voice was gentle, her actions, too; 
 A sunny smile played o'er her face. 
 In harmony with perfect grace. 
 A mind was hers, both strong and meek, 
 With which the virgin truth to seek; 
 A heart so gentle, kind and true — 
 The heart to captivate one, too: 
 
THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 And I — oh, thoughtless child indeed, 
 Those smiles so innocent to heed! 
 Not friendship e'er was thought to be; 
 For only children then wnre we. 
 
 Full many days in school, we spent 
 Together, as our mind we bent 
 To rival each the other one. 
 In spelling or whate'er was done; 
 For that did seem to be the height 
 Of our ambition's upward flight. 
 
 And flew our early school days by. 
 When end to them was very nigh; 
 And we had ris'n, like final truth, 
 To height of man's and woman's youth; 
 One night, when every twinkling star 
 Shed forth its lovely light afar, 
 And all the heavens smiled above 
 To fill the youthful heart with love, 
 I offered escort at the door, 
 Though she had gone alone before; 
 And I had never thought it hard, 
 That she should be without a guard. 
 That night not many words we spoke; 
 Nor passed we e'en a single joke: 
 
OF HKBEC AND LKSBIA 
 
 But many silent thoughts were ours, 
 Of moon and stars, of birds and flowers. 
 Ah, shall I e'er that time forget. 
 Which lingers in my mem'ry yet? 
 
 Next day I saw that maid at school. 
 More than attentive to the rule. 
 She had always at hand a book; 
 But gave me not one glancing look, 
 Throughout that live-long sunny day; 
 Nor seemed herself one half so gay. 
 As she was want to do, by leave. 
 From crimson morn till dewey eve. 
 
 And thus it was week after week, 
 She was so diffident and meek: 
 But, when she was herself again, 
 A second time I played the swain. 
 The walk increased in interest; 
 We gave, in turn, the timely jest: 
 So, when we came to part once more, 
 I asked to try these pleasures o'er. 
 
 So now and then, I gladly paid 
 Respects to her, sweet lovely maid, — 
 And always found her true and kind. 
 
THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Of virtues full, no faults to find: 
 And what of worth, however true, 
 Was known or said between us two. 
 She tried me always to excel 
 In keeping secret, not to tell: 
 A quality too hard to find 
 Among the youth, of ev'ry kind. 
 And when, by chance, I made a pun 
 To criticize what she had done; 
 Or spoke my private thoughts to free. 
 And she therewith could not agree, 
 She never turned away to pout, 
 Or, sill}^ tossed her head about. 
 The kindest words returned she ever, 
 Which showed her good as she was clever. 
 Then who so happy would not be, 
 As he who shared her charity? 
 
 But time went swiftly flitting by; 
 Each smile was turned into a sigh. 
 A student, sir, I went to be; 
 To be a student, too, went she: 
 But, then, my school was far away 
 From hers, a hundred miles, they say. 
 
 Absorbed in ancient languages, 
 
OF HEBEC x\ND LEvSBIA 
 
 And all the modern sciences, 
 
 I spent the time most pleasantly. 
 
 I felt at perfect libert}' 
 
 To cast my net on t'other side, 
 
 And both its wings throw open wide: 
 
 But not my boat to sink I would, 
 
 By catching fish more than I should. 
 
 Instead of which, I thought it better 
 
 To write anon my friend a letter; 
 
 And she, I trow, was quick to learn 
 
 To answer promptly in return. 
 
 We seldom wrote, and never much, 
 To stir the mind, the heaft to touch. 
 Our language would to any one 
 Appear quite void of love or fun ; 
 Howe'er, we both knew very well 
 From whose si 3^ pen those calm words fell^ 
 And thought there Vv'ould in time appear- 
 Some precious facts to silence fear. 
 Precious letters! — I have them yet — 
 Shall I, immersed in cares, forget 
 The hand that kindly wrote them me„ 
 While I am blest with memory? 
 No; I will ever hold it dear, 
 And drop for her a grateful tear.. 
 
6 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Some two long weary years or more, 
 
 Her college days ere mine were o'er. 
 
 And after that it was her rule, 
 
 To teach some distant country school. 
 
 Which was to her a pleasant task; 
 
 A pleasanter she did not ask. 
 
 Some times she'd write me just to tell 
 
 Why she liked her school so well; 
 
 And say her school the best, she thought. 
 
 Of any she had ever taught. 
 
 When my school days had come to end, 
 'She showed herself a faithful friend 
 By wishing me a prosperous life, 
 That would with much success be rife. 
 
 Time passed. I had, at last, a chance — 
 
 Enough to make the pious dance — 
 
 To take her out with me to ride, 
 
 A pleasure oft to her denied. 
 
 'Twas one of those bright Sunday eves, 
 
 When every herb is decked with leaves; 
 
 And nature all appears to smile 
 
 And, like the overflowing Nile, 
 
 To burst with praise and thanks and love 
 
 'To God of earth and heaven above. 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 
 
 AVe rode out in the balmy air, 
 First here and there, then everywhere; 
 And talked of this and that and t'other — 
 One at a time, then all together, 
 Until the evening was far spent — 
 Our hearts, melting, together blent. 
 
 We came upon a subject new 
 
 To us, though may be not, to yoii. 
 
 Good friends we e'er had been so far, 
 
 The light of hope was but our star. 
 
 We carefully the past went o'er, 
 
 Then ventured out just one step more. 
 
 I asked that we might both agree, 
 
 Henceforth, to talk of unity; 
 
 To show each other all our ways. 
 
 And character in ev'ry phase; 
 
 To put our thoughts together so. 
 
 That each the other's heart could know: 
 
 And not to hide a single thing. 
 
 To wound the soul and sorrow bring. 
 
 Too soon the scene to change began. 
 Which proved me like another man — 
 To hear, believe, and then reject 
 With all the will I could collect. 
 
THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 'Twas said that in the dance was seen 
 This very maiden that I mean, 
 And that she was a dancer fair, 
 Among the man}^ dancers there. 
 This said, and wounded was my heart. 
 As if 'twere pierced by poisoned dart. 
 Indeed, I poisoned seemed to be, 
 With doubt and incredulity; 
 But hoped to find a perfect cure. 
 In making my conclusions sure; 
 By asking her if it were true. 
 That she had been a dancing, too. 
 
 The accusation she denied; 
 So to his proof wa; thus defied 
 The one such unjust charge had made. 
 Of evidence without a shade. 
 'Tween mutual, confiding hearts. 
 There is somewhat than Cupid's darts. 
 By which the inmost thoughts unfold 
 With less obscurity than told: 
 And, if in words these thoughts arise. 
 That witness speaks to emphasize 
 The truth, deceit to contradict; 
 And seeks the untrue to convict 
 And thus it was I realized 
 
OF HEBEC AND EESBIA 
 
 The dearest thing man ever prized; 
 So we are now a happy twain, 
 About to cross life's solemn main. 
 
 The future is to us unknown ; 
 
 But we shall reap what we have sown; 
 
 Of good, Vv'e trust, a hundred fold; 
 
 Of bad — oh, may it not unfold 
 
 Its serpent-leaves of tempting sin 
 
 To draw the guiltless victims in! 
 
 Let come what will, let come what may, 
 
 In ev'ry thing we hope to say: 
 
 May both our wills unite as one. 
 
 And thine in us, O God, be done! 
 
 — Hebkc. 
 
10 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 TO HEBKC 
 
 INTRODUCTORY 
 
 Your poetry, friend, I much admire; 
 
 Your story is well told: 
 I ne'er to such heights can aspire; 
 
 I'm not witty, learned, nor bold. 
 
 Be patient, then, with mistakes, my friend, 
 
 In this my first attempt 
 To put my thoughts in "musical rhyme"; 
 
 Turn not away in contempt. 
 
 The future shall find my humble thoughts 
 
 Expressed as in the past: 
 I say when I read these verses o'er, 
 
 The first shall be the last. 
 
OF HEBEC AND I.ESBIA It 
 
 POEM 
 
 Since I have read "First Shall be Last," 
 
 The past I've wandered o'er — 
 Those happy, careless days of youth. 
 
 That can return no more. 
 Ah, then we dreamed but childish dreams. 
 
 Of future joy and bliss; 
 Nor thought that life would bring to us 
 
 A harvest more than this. 
 
 No vague dread doubts for future years, 
 
 Did perfect peace oppose; 
 No fear of friendship proving false. 
 
 Disturbed a night's repose. 
 For then our lives were but to-day, 
 
 The past so short has been , 
 The future fair before us lay; 
 
 Success not hard to win. 
 
 We then seemed only what we were;, 
 
 Said only what we meant, 
 Believed all people quite sincere 
 
 In what they seemed intent. 
 Alas, that childhood ends so soon! 
 
 That we so soon should learn. 
 
12 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 That inmost feelin;^3 of the heart, 
 The e3^e cannot discern. 
 
 Although we often cease to trust 
 
 Our friends of earh^ ^^outh, 
 Yet we will never cease to wish 
 
 Them guided in the truth. 
 We can not know the good or ill, 
 
 That in their hearts doth live: 
 E'en though they've gone astray from 
 right, 
 
 'Tis kindness to forgive. 
 
 Then, there are those whom we have 
 known , 
 
 From childhood until now, 
 "Who've stood the test of time, and yet 
 
 Their friendship us allow\ 
 Oh. rich indeed we deem ourselves. 
 
 Should we thus e'er be blest, 
 With love and sympathy of those 
 
 Who've known us long and best. 
 
 Though we should roam in other lands. 
 
 Not oft these friends may see, 
 Yet w^ill their faces ever live, 
 
OF HEBEC AND I^ESBIA 13 
 
 Enshrined in memory. 
 If future years should cloud our sky, 
 
 With sorrows hard to bear, 
 Then may our friends as faithful be, 
 
 As when our sky was fair. 
 
 The human heart is strangely like 
 
 A river, broad and deep, 
 That flows through forests, dark and wild, 
 
 Yet never fails to keep 
 A surface smooth and undisturbed. 
 
 Though over rocks it flows; 
 And oft the sunshine is denied, 
 
 As on its course it goes. 
 
 For those who stand upon the shore 
 
 And view a mighty stream, 
 Know nothing of what lies beneath 
 
 The waves that peaceful seem. 
 We cannot know how great the cross. 
 
 Our patient neighbors bear, 
 We, too, have hidden sorrows, which 
 
 Our neighbors cannot share. 
 
 The sorrows that we feel the most 
 Are those we bear alone. 
 
14 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 With none to note the unshed tear, 
 Or make our griefs their own. 
 
 Bright hopes, dark fears for coming years 
 Within our hearts arise, 
 
 Which we do far too sacred hold 
 For untrue worldly eyes. 
 
 Then what a solace is the friend, 
 
 Who all our thoughts may know; 
 Who sees the stony ground beneath, 
 
 O'er which calm waters flow: 
 •When darkness, falling thick around. 
 
 Almost obscures the dawn, 
 Who makes the sunshine nearer seem. 
 
 And nobly cheers us on. 
 
 I pray the current of our lives 
 
 Be not disturbed by sin; 
 'Mid all the toils and cares of life. 
 
 May God's peace dwell within. 
 Let us when Duty's voice shall call,. 
 
 With ready hearts obey; 
 From Wisdom's high and holy path, 
 
 Oh, may we never stray. 
 
 May naught that future years can bring. 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 15 
 
 Of falsehood or of truth, 
 E'er make us doubt, or think less true, 
 
 The friendship of our youth. 
 And then, if sorrows deep should fall 
 
 Around our pathway dim, 
 God grant that we may never lose 
 
 A perfect faith in him. 
 
 And if, perchance, in future years 
 
 We far apart should be, 
 The pleasant mem ories of the past 
 
 Will never part from me. 
 They'll ever dwell within my heart, 
 
 These visions of the past, 
 Silent reminders then to me, 
 
 That earthly joys fade fast. 
 
 Alas, that we too oft should build 
 
 Our hopes of earthly bliss; 
 When in a week, a day, an hour. 
 
 Our souls may fly from this 
 Clay casket, and, unfettered soar 
 
 To fairer realms above. 
 Where naught disturbs their happiness, 
 
 But all is peace and love. 
 
16 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 We in this fair, yet sinful world, 
 
 Each have a work to do: 
 God grant us, when that work is done, 
 
 That we may say adieu. 
 Without a fear, to those dear friends 
 
 Whom we must leave behind; 
 And thus leave earth and earthly things. 
 
 With clear and happy mind. 
 
 — Lesbia. 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 17 
 
 TRUE HEARTS CHANGE NOT 
 
 In my life's fair early springtime, 
 In my free and careless school days, 
 Ere the faintest shade of sadness 
 Cast a gloom around my pathway; 
 When the flowers seemed the fairest; 
 When the sky appeared the clearest; 
 When the birds sang sweet above me, 
 And the world was gay and happy; 
 Ere I'd thought of life's grand mission, 
 Or the end of our existence; — 
 In those days, not long departed. 
 Which. can never be forgotten. 
 There was numbered with my school- 
 mates 
 One, who seemed unlike the others. 
 
 Would you know just how he differed 
 From the other youth and maiden, 
 Who in memory still do linger? 
 Ah, I would that I could tell you; 
 
18 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 But the thoughts which are arising, 
 I can find no words to utter. 
 
 He was not so grand or handsome, 
 
 As to call forth admiration; 
 
 He was not so bright or witty. 
 
 As to hold undue attention, 
 
 He was earnest in his studies, 
 
 Kept his place by honest labor; 
 
 Seldom left his post of duty, 
 
 For the world's alluring pleasures; 
 
 •Cared not for the world's cold scoffing. 
 
 If he felt his God's approval; 
 
 Lived for something higher, nobler, 
 
 Than the pleasures of the moment; 
 
 Knew that life was far too lieeting 
 
 To be spent in idle dreaming. 
 
 Though he valued worthy friendship, 
 
 Scorned not words of praise or counsel, 
 
 Yet his hopes and aspirations 
 
 To no friendly ear were whispered: 
 
 But his smile upon you falling, 
 
 And the blue eyes steady gazing, 
 
 Someway made you cease to doubt him, 
 
 Or to think he was deceiving. 
 
 Such to me appeared the classmate. 
 
OF HEBKC AND LESBIA 19 
 
 Not exactly like the others. 
 
 Thus we studied on together; 
 Learned the lessons from our school- 
 books; 
 Met the questions in our grammars, 
 Or the long words in our readers; 
 Solved hard problems, ever trying 
 All the tasks assigned, to render 
 Well performed, and each as worthy 
 Commendation from the teacher. 
 Learning lessons, too, of patience, 
 How to bear life's disappointments; 
 How to feel another's sorrow, 
 And to make that sorrow lighter, 
 As we slowly passed from childhood, 
 Learned that life was just beginning. 
 
 If this early school time friendship. 
 With my childhood days had ended. 
 Now 'twould be almost forgotten. 
 And this story be unwritten. 
 
 'Twas one eve in early autumn. 
 
 That we gathered at the school house; 
 
 Passed the evening pleasantly, 
 
20 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 And with joy and smiles were parting. 
 
 Standing in the doorway, waiting 
 
 Just a moment, I was startled 
 
 By a deep voice close beside me, 
 
 Offering escort and protection 
 
 To me on my journey homeward. 
 
 Beat my heart a trifle faster, 
 
 As I simply answered "yes, sir." 
 
 Then we onward walked together. 
 
 Scarcely speaking to each other, 
 
 Till we reached our destination. 
 
 We had long been friends and playmates^ 
 
 Yet we acted now as strangers. 
 
 When the silent walk was ended, 
 
 Then we said good-night, and parted. 
 
 When again in school assembled, 
 
 I turned eager to my lessons. 
 
 There was naught could mar the pleasure 
 
 Of an earnest search for knowledge. 
 
 Soon the autumn days, so pleasant. 
 Changed to winter, cold and frosty; 
 Not a leaf waved in the hedges; 
 Not a blade moved in the meadows; 
 From the trees the birds had vanished: 
 
OF H^BEC AND I.ESBIA 21. 
 
 All was brown and still and quiet. 
 When the wintry nights^ were lengthen- 
 ing, 
 Oft for happy reciJeation, 
 We would meet around some fireside;. 
 And there while away the evening. 
 Ah, were all these mem'ries pleasant,. 
 What a field for pleasure gleaning! 
 But among the jpyous visions. 
 There are some we wish forgotten. 
 When the evening drew to closing, 
 And we to our homes returning, 
 Glad and happy in the present, 
 Then my friend would sometimes join me-; 
 And the walks and talks together 
 Only made the f-riendship stronger. 
 
 One eve yet I well remember — 
 May be now by him forgotten — 
 As before the door we lingered, 
 Standing in the mellow moonlight; 
 With all nature still around us. 
 With the heavens clear above us; 
 Ere that npght he turned to leave me,. 
 He had asked if any other 
 In the depths ofc my affections 
 
22 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Held a higher place than he did. 
 
 Did not tell me ere he asked it 
 
 Of his choice, if he had any. 
 
 At the question I had faltered; 
 
 Did not answer prompt and ready. 
 
 Then he hastened to assure me, 
 
 There was noue esteemed above me. 
 
 That if I preferred no other 
 
 He would sometimes call on me. 
 
 This to me was not displeasing; 
 
 Yet I did not fully trust him; 
 
 Wondered if to other maiden. 
 
 Who received from him attention, 
 
 He had made the same profession: 
 
 But in very truth I told him, 
 
 None would be more gladly welcomed. 
 
 After this, when 'twas his pleasure 
 And he thought no eye was watching; 
 Thought no one would e'er discover 
 Where he went, or vvhy went thither, 
 He would stroll beyond the borders 
 Of his usual daily wanderings; 
 And with me would pass the evening. 
 
 So the days kept coming, going. 
 Many hours of sunshine bringing; 
 Many bright hopes for the future, 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 23 
 
 Round those sunny days were clustered. 
 But the transient dreams were fleeting; 
 Soon there came a time for parting; 
 And the playmates of our childhood 
 Far and near were widely scattered. 
 Then my friend in search of wisdom, 
 Wandered from his home and kindred; 
 Turned his mind with anxious longing 
 To some worthy school of learning; 
 Found within a distant college,- 
 The grand object of his searching; 
 Found new friends and new enjo3ments, 
 And was happy and contented. 
 
 Now and then there came a letter, 
 
 Filled with news and kindly wishes. 
 
 There was mention of his studies, 
 
 Of the merits of a lecture, 
 
 Of a merry social party, 
 
 Or an evening with the ladies — 
 
 Not the letter of a lover; 
 
 But a free and friendly message. 
 
 Yet they all were fondly treasured — 
 
 Trusting time to pierce obscureness — 
 
 Guarded as my thoughts were guarded. 
 
 From the careless observation 
 
24 THE COURTSHIP RHYMEvS 
 
 Of the busy world around me. 
 If the day dreams so enchanting, 
 Proved but fanciful illusions, 
 'Twould be easier to forget them, 
 If to no ear 'twas confided 
 That they ever had existence. 
 
 When my early school days ended, 
 I had breathed a silent blessing 
 On familiar scenes and dearest, 
 On beloved associations, 
 And the sacred home of childhood; 
 Turned my feet to western prairies; 
 Entered once again the school-room,. 
 Not as pupil but as teacher. 
 Here mid scenes of rural beauty, 
 In the lovely realm of nature, 
 I found hearts as true and loyal, 
 As e'er dwelt in princely palace. 
 
 When the winter's work was over, 
 And the sultry days of summer, 
 Still and fair, would steal upon us, 
 Then it was, with joy and sorrow. 
 That we turned from newer pleasures,. 
 And sought rest and sweetest comfort 
 
OF HEBEC AND LKSBIA 25 
 
 'Mong the scenes and friends of child- 
 hood. 
 Thus the years passed very swiftly, 
 Each one fraught with many changes. 
 There were often vacant places, 
 Where last year the smiling welcome 
 Of a loved one beamed upon us; 
 There were strange eyes idly gazing 
 From the door where we were wonted 
 To receive a cordial greeting. 
 Where last year the corn was growing; 
 Or the grass, waved tall and stately, 
 Now there stands a modest cottage. 
 E'en the little wooden school house, 
 From its former place has vanished; 
 And the play-grounds, well remembered, 
 Are now quiet and deserted. 
 But amid the many changes, 
 Lived our friendship, ever constant. 
 
 When his college days were ended. 
 
 With a true zeal and ambition. 
 
 He directed all his efforts 
 
 To a thorough preparation 
 
 For the work, which he had chosen. 
 
 And the bright days of vacation 
 
26 • THE COURTSHIP RHYMKS 
 
 With the past were nearly numbered. 
 Ere he paid to me the tribute, 
 That was due to loyal friendship. 
 
 In the first sweet da3s of autumn, 
 When no frost had nipped the blossoms. 
 And no cold winds chilled the green 
 
 leaves; 
 When all nature seemed rejoicing, 
 All unmindful of the winter 
 And approaching dissolution. 
 Then he came, and we together, 
 For a pleasant drive, departed. 
 For a time our conversation 
 Drifted on in careless channels; 
 But, as soft and gentle twilight 
 Threw her witching veil around us, 
 Laugh and jest became less frequent. 
 And the thoughts expressed were earn- 
 est. 
 Then it was, he first confided 
 To my ear his hopes and wishes; 
 Asked that there exist between us 
 Only true and perfect candor; 
 That our very words and actions 
 Be quite free from all deception; 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 2T 
 
 That our thoughts be freely spoken, 
 And we understand each other; 
 That our lives be not enshrouded 
 By the mystic cloud, pretention, 
 But be ever pure and tranquil, 
 As the light in depths pellucid. 
 
 When he had that eve departed. 
 
 Long I sat in meditation; 
 
 With the stars of heaven, shedding 
 
 Rays of holy light around me; 
 
 With the star of hope, arising, 
 
 Dimly shining in the distance. 
 
 He who treads the path of duty 
 
 With no fear or hesitation, 
 
 Should not yield to idle dreaming. 
 
 Or misgivings for the future. 
 
 God will guide us on our journey, 
 
 If in him our trust is resting. 
 
 In my distant field of labor. 
 
 Mind and hands were soon enlisted; 
 
 And my heart was glad and happy 
 
 In the love of merry children. 
 
 But, withal there came no message 
 
 From him whom my heart was trusting. 
 
:28 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 When again we were together, 
 I was pained to hear him utter 
 Words of unjust accusation; 
 Words that Error's voice had wafted 
 To his ears while 'I was absent. 
 Though the poisoned dart of falsehood 
 To innocence can bring no tarnish, 
 Who can say that it is powerless 
 To cause pangs of mental anguish? 
 So these words of bitter meaning 
 To m}' heart were slowly grievmg. 
 Yet I thanked him most sincerely 
 ;For thus seeking explanation. 
 
 ■Now when June dawned with her roses, 
 Hied my friend to grounds Eiysian, 
 To the school where he had studied. 
 To his well beloved college. 
 Here he met again his classmates. 
 Met the true and good and noble: 
 -Heard the cause of Christ presented, 
 Saw the need of Christian workers; 
 ^Felt that he should join the army. 
 That was carrying salvation. 
 To a waiting, dying people; 
 'With a. true faith and devotion, 
 
OF HEBEC AND I^ESBIA 29 
 
 Laid his all upon tne al't^ — 
 Friends and home, hopes and ambition, 
 All — to join the grandest mission, 
 That to man can e'er be given. 
 
 He that's known the peaceful comfort 
 
 Of a home, retired and quiet, 
 
 Happy in the many blessings 
 
 Of a free and Christian nation; 
 
 He that knows how brightly pamted 
 
 Are hope's pictures of the future. 
 
 To the youth, fired by ambition, 
 
 In the fight of life to conquer; 
 
 He who knows all this can never 
 
 Doubt the earnest consecration 
 
 Of the soul, who all is leaving 
 
 For a work 'mong heathen people. 
 
 Yet, if Christ we claim as leader, 
 
 If we kneel and pray, "Thy kingdom 
 
 Come on earth as 'tis in heaven"; 
 
 If we've heard the great injunction: 
 
 "Go ye unto every nation. 
 
 Preach the Gospel to all creatures"; 
 
 And the promise of His presence 
 
 "Always" to the faithful servant; 
 
 If we know the lost condition 
 
30 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Of our race, in outer darkness; 
 If all this we know, how willing 
 Ought we be to toil or suffer. 
 That the souls of men and women 
 Be not doomed to sad destruction. 
 
 So, as we again are parted. 
 
 As he goes for preparation 
 
 For his work in distant countries: 
 
 While we know not what is waiting. 
 
 Whether it be joy or sorrow. 
 
 For us in this life of trial; 
 
 We are trusting One who's able 
 
 Ever, always, to sustain us. 
 
 Thou, our Father, guide his footsteps; 
 
 Keep him ever in Thy presence. 
 
 May he ne'er turn back nor falter. 
 
 In the cause that he has chosen; 
 
 Grant him grace and strength to conquer 
 
 All temptations that oppose him: 
 
 Grant him friends to cheer and comfort, 
 
 When his sky by gloom is shadowed; 
 
 Lead him safely through the billows 
 
 Into everlasting glory! 
 
 — Lesbia. 
 
OF HEBKC AND I^BSBIA 31 
 
 WINONA 
 
 Have you heard the story told 
 Of the Indian maiden, bold, 
 Who in fit of hopeless love 
 Leaped down from the cliff above, 
 "Maiden Rock," or "Lovers' Leap," 
 On the rocks, into the deep; 
 And the waves and dashing spray 
 Hid the lifeless form away 
 From the gaze of mortal eyes 
 Never, never more to rise? 
 
 'Tis a story sad to us 
 And is oft related thus: — 
 
 Daughter of Dakota chief 
 Was Winona, dear and lief, 
 Bright and lovely prairie flower 
 As e'er kissed the dewdrop shower. 
 
 Man\' braves, Dakota red, 
 
32 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Loved the pretty squaw, 'twas said; 
 Loved her much pale-faced Seco, 
 Who two shots the bluff below 
 Had an Indian trading post 
 And who proffered, oh, the most 
 Money, beads, and peace and love 
 For Winona, Red Chief's dove; 
 And the chief said she should go 
 To the teepee — Teepee Seco. 
 
 Hated the trader the pretty squaw; 
 Loved the young brave, Chippewa: 
 And she said, deep in her heart, 
 If m peace she could not part 
 And enjoy the sacred moon 
 In the arms of Little Coon, 
 She'd breathe out her maiden breath 
 In an awful scene of death. 
 
 Just at that time went to war 
 Chippewas and Dakotas far: 
 'Twas unsafe tor Little Coon, 
 Even by the mild-faced moon. 
 Then to see Winona, fair, 
 And a lover's feat to dare. 
 But he loved the modest squaw, 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA • 33 
 
 This young brave, a Chippewa, 
 And rowed down the Pepin Lake 
 In a canoe by night to wake 
 His Winona, dear, by call 
 Not unlike the duck's at all, 
 Which the listening maiden caught. 
 Answered it, the young brave sought, 
 As a widowed dove her mate, 
 Boldly fighting cruel fate. 
 
 She one night her lover told 
 
 That the old chief her had sold 
 
 To the Prairie Chicken, sir; 
 
 And that he had said to her 
 
 She must go to the teepee 
 
 Of Seco, and there must be 
 
 Squaw to him, the trader, pale, 
 
 Who had purchased her on sale. 
 
 Moaning deep, she firmly said 
 
 Ere she would the trader wed. 
 
 From the bluff, like lightning's breath,. 
 
 She would leap down into death. 
 
 Little Coon then bade her flee 
 
 'Way with him through wood and lea. 
 
 "No," she said, "for then we die — 
 
 Certain death! — both you and I; 
 
34 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 For Dakota warriors hate 
 Chippewas, both small and great." 
 Long they talked and very late 
 O'er the stern decree of fate, 
 Till they by their wits had planned 
 To deceive the chief and land. 
 
 AH the long bright sunny day 
 Little Coon was hid away 
 Near the bluff that towered high 
 Toward the dazzling azure sky. 
 
 "When Latona dropped her veil 
 O'er the woodland, hill and dale, 
 Red chief took the bonny squaw 
 Contra love for Chippewa 
 To the trader's post and fare 
 Where he left her in his care. 
 
 < Poor Winona now was sad. 
 Not a word for Seco had; 
 But she quiet sat and long 
 Gazing at the starry throng. 
 To her, like a cooing dove. 
 Talked Seco of cordial love; 
 But his words touched not her heart, 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 35 
 
 Shielded safe irom Cupid's dart. 
 Rising in her strength of will, 
 She ran toward the rugged hilL 
 
 Pale-faced trader was afraid 
 He would lose this lovely maid; 
 And as frightened deer would start, 
 'Gan the chase with all his heart; 
 But the nimble heel gazelle 
 Left the tortoise, self and shell. 
 In his slow but eager pace 
 To o'er take and win the race. 
 Up! Winona went with feet. 
 Light and graceful, blithe and fleet. 
 To the crest that tower'd high 
 Toward the distant stellar sky; 
 When Seco so shocked with fright 
 Cried aloud with all his might. 
 As a wildcat by the way 
 Leaps upon its hungry prey. 
 Hearing which the Red chief ran 
 With his braves e'en to a man: 
 But Winona did not shrink. 
 Rushing to the very brink. 
 Chanting loud the song of death, 
 Gave a cry as in dispair — 
 
36 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Sprang out in the cold dark air! 
 
 Hast'ning to the awful place 
 Where the squaw had come apace. 
 Heard the braves a heav}' sound 
 Of a form that tumbled down 
 From the crest unto the toe — 
 Into the deep blue lake below! 
 Looking down the rocky steep, 
 They saw nothing four-trees deep: 
 But they heard the waters roar, 
 "Ah, Winona is no more!" 
 Quickly rushed to Pepm Lake; — 
 But the waves that ever break 
 On the cold gray stones, they said. 
 Clasped the form — Winona — dead; 
 Bore it far away forever; 
 She'd return no more--no never! 
 Sad and slow they now returned 
 To the place that she had spurned. 
 
 Months and years were spent in grief. 
 Naught but death could give relief 
 To that pale-faced trader there 
 And the Red chief bent with care. 
 More than eighty years in vain 
 
OF HEBKC AND I.ESBIA 3iZ 
 
 They said, Little Coon was slain 
 
 And Winona borne away 
 
 On the waves to endless day." 
 
 But Winona had concealed 
 'Neath her shawl, while in the field, 
 A long rawhide rope, in truth, 
 Which she would drop for the youth,. 
 Hid away so still and meek, 
 Without stopping e'en to speak, 
 As the plan before was laid 
 Secretly by youth and maid. 
 
 When the shadow oi the earth 
 Darkened every peasant's berth,. 
 Then it was that Chippewa 
 Climbed the bluff, provoking awe, 
 Made noose at one end alone 
 Of the rawhide. On the stone 
 Near its very edge he laid 
 There the noose which he had made;. 
 Put the thong the point about 
 Of the rock, projecting out, 
 And the end with care let down 
 From the cliff e'en to the ground,. 
 Then he went below to wait 
 
38 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Brave Winona and her fate. 
 
 When he heard her chant death's song, 
 
 Tight he grasped the pending thong. 
 
 Carefully Winona wound 
 
 Close the shawl her breast around, 
 
 Put the noose below her arm 
 
 Where the shawl would shield from harm. 
 
 And was ready for the leap 
 
 From the rock out in the deep. 
 
 Out a shrieking cry she gave! 
 
 ■Little Coon, the stout young brave, 
 
 Holding tight the cord so sound, 
 
 Let the little squaw adown. 
 
 At the same time, with his feet 
 
 Pushed a huge rock from its seat, 
 
 Which precipitous and rash, 
 
 Bounded forth with fearful dash, 
 
 O'er the bank and into the water. 
 
 As if 'twere the Red chief's daughter. 
 
 When Winona touched the land, 
 
 With her lover, hand in hand, 
 
 She ran to the waters, blue, 
 
 Where true Little Coon's canoe 
 
 Lay awaiting all the day; 
 
 And they breathless rowed avv^ay. 
 
OF HEBKC AND LKSBIA 39 
 
 But the rope was taken too, 
 Lest one seeing should pursue. 
 
 They swept up the glassy lake; 
 And, ere day began to break, 
 With Its golden rays o'er head, 
 As the frightened darkness fled, 
 Tiiey were far within a wood 
 Where none likely find them could. 
 And where Little Coon had placed 
 Food to suit the Indian's taste. 
 Thence they journeyed north and far, 
 Where the days much longer are; 
 Crossed a river far away 
 Into British Canada. 
 
 Here they happy lived and free 
 Jointly four score years and three; 
 Changed their names and friends became 
 To the whites, both sir and dame. 
 And who but they knew the truth, 
 Man or woman, maid or youth? 
 'Kotas knew Winona dead: 
 Chippewas both thought and said. 
 By their foes with anger filled. 
 Little Uoon was doubtless killed. 
 
40 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Brave Winona died at last, 
 Aged nine and ninety past. . 
 Little Coon then old and gray 
 Laid her taded form away 
 'Neath the aged nothern pine 
 In the grand old forest, fine. 
 Then he sought his wigwam nigh, 
 And himself lay down to die; 
 When a pale-face chanced along 
 Unto whom was told this song 
 Of the famous "lovers' leap" 
 Into the blue Pepin deep. 
 Little Coon then begged the man 
 To preserve the artful plan; 
 And when Chippewa had died, 
 To be by Winona's side. 
 
 — Hebec. 
 
OF HKBKC AND LESBIA 41 
 
 KUGKNIA 
 
 PRKLU.SORY : 
 
 The day was dark, and overhead 
 The birds careered as if in dread 
 Of coming storm. And now and then 
 The lightning's flash would fill the glen, 
 And then the thunder's pealing sound 
 Would die in distant roaring 'round. 
 
 My heart was sad and full of fears. 
 Weak fears they were, that coming years 
 Be fraught with pain, and void of all 
 That makes this life, to great and small, 
 A joyous glimpse of that above — 
 A life made bright and blest with love. 
 
 And then how little does it take 
 A woman's heart to crush and break! 
 Why must it be, O, why be so, 
 That she must ever hide her woe? 
 
42 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 That to no ear she dare impart 
 
 The bitter thoughts that stir her heart? 
 
 With thoughts like those to fill my brain 
 
 Amid the patter of the rain, 
 
 Not strange it was when turning o'er 
 
 The leaves of rnemory slowly, slower, 
 
 That in Eugenia's life I found 
 
 A page which held my thoughts in bound. 
 
 THE STORY. 
 
 Oh well do I remember now 
 
 The sunny face and cloudless brow 
 
 Of that fair friend, my trusted mate. 
 
 To whom I could my thoughts relate, 
 
 My girlish secrets e'en unfold 
 
 Nor fear that they would e'er be told. 
 
 At home, in school, a willing ear 
 Eugenia lent, my plaints to hear; 
 A sympathizing word she gave, 
 Some lightsome jest, or counsel grave; 
 But always something that would cheer 
 And make the burden light appear. 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 43^. 
 
 One pleasant autumn day she came 
 To spend a week with me. The same 
 Dear, loving gladsome heart to me, 
 Although a heart no longer free; 
 A face dispensing smiles and cheer, 
 Which made hev to all people dear. 
 
 How anxious is the world to know 
 And share our joys. It is not slow 
 To know and love, to closely cling 
 Around the heart that sweet doth sing 
 The songs of mirth and happiness; 
 The cheerful one lacks no caress. 
 
 But if the selfsame life be crushed. 
 And if the winning songs be hushed, 
 Behold the crowd, receding, turn 
 To gayer scenes. Sad hearts must learn, 
 To cover all^ the tears with smiles, 
 To banish care by cunning wiles. 
 
 This loved friend, confidingly, 
 In sweetest trust, had told to me 
 That ere the roses filled tlie air 
 Again with fra?;rance, she might bear 
 The name of him who e'en now i eigne. 1 
 
44 THie COXTRTSeiP >RH\TVIES 
 
 A monarch in the heart he'd gained. 
 
 Her joy was mine. I little dreamed 
 That when the winter's beauty gleamed 
 In dazzling splendor o'er the land, 
 A letter by her sister's hand 
 Would tell me that her life so brief 
 Seemed near its close, to our great grief. 
 
 I read it o'er in sad surprise, 
 Nor checked the tears that filled my eyes. 
 'I trusted that she would not die, 
 1 waited, hoped, till by and by 
 To me a precious letter came, 
 Penned by her hand signed her dear 
 name. 
 
 Her life was spared, yet not the gay 
 -And careless girl, who watched one day 
 The train that bore me far apart 
 Could I again behold. The heart 
 That then had been so bright and glad 
 'Was bleeding now, was dark and sad. 
 
 She only spoke then of the cloud 
 That 'round her hovered like a shroud. 
 
OF HEBKC AND LESBIA 45 
 
 So chill, SO cold this life appeared, 
 She almost wished when she had neared 
 The pearly gate, the jasper sea, 
 That death had set her spirit free. 
 
 But thoughts like these we must not 
 
 speak, 
 E'en though our heart seem nigh to 
 
 break. 
 There's something yet for which to live, 
 Some joy to get, some good to give. 
 We still n-iUst live and labor on, 
 And hope for fairer fields beyond. 
 When spring, in verdant robes arrayed, 
 Appeared on hillside, glen and glade, 
 And o'er the landscape deftly threw 
 A covering fresh and sweet and new, 
 I said, "O, how can souls be sad? 
 The gentle spring should make us glad" 
 
 The lovely springtime passed away. 
 And then one sunny, summer day 
 I found myself within the home 
 To which I oft before had come, 
 A happy guest. The scenes arise, 
 In memory fresh, before my eyes. 
 
46 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 The orchard where so oft we went 
 And passed the hours in sweet content; 
 The names we carved upon the tree 
 Again in fancy, do I see. 
 The hedge, behind whose kindly leaves 
 We hid, while fragrant evening breeze 
 
 Bore to our ears the murmurs low 
 Of lover's words in rhythmic flow. 
 The pleasant room, the quiet nook. 
 Where earnest talk,, or charming book 
 Gave pleasant pleasure to the mind 
 Nor left regret or pain behind. 
 
 And now we wandered once again 
 
 Adown the narrow little lane. 
 
 1 held her hand and walked beside 
 
 The girl who would have been a bride 
 
 Before the early violets grew. 
 
 If he she trusted had been true. 
 
 I listened while the story fell 
 In truthful words, I knew full well,. 
 From loving lips. She did not speak 
 One harmful word of him, nor seek 
 To bring upon his cherished name 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 47 
 
 One unjust thought or word of blame. 
 
 Alluring eyes to him appealed 
 
 And he was weak enough to yield. 
 
 "Not wilh'ng he to be untrue; 
 
 'Twas others led him," well she knew. 
 
 But he must be who shared her life, 
 
 More strong: she could not be his wife. 
 
 VVe came at last unto the door 
 
 Then turned and walked the distance 
 
 o'er. 
 Confiding voices from behind 
 Came to on the summer wind. 
 Her sister and her sister's friend 
 Came nearer and the talk must end. 
 
 Four girls next eve, in mood sedate, 
 Turned as they heard the front yard gate 
 Swing on its hinges to and fro. 
 Then footsteps on the walk below: 
 Heard on the stair a gentle tread, 
 And then a mother's voice, which said: 
 
 "A gentleman whom well you know. 
 Waits in the parlor just below." 
 
48 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Then glancing at Eugenia's face, — 
 Which bore of inner pain no trace, — 
 She added with a doubtful air, 
 ''Come down, or not, as you prefer." 
 
 Her sister, quick to share her woe. 
 Said to Eugenia, "Shall I go?" 
 With artful smile, in thoughtful mood, 
 Eugenia moved from where she stood. 
 Said, as she smoothed her hair so brown, 
 ^'He shall not know. I will go down." 
 
 They stopped a moment, then were gone, 
 And I was in the room alone — 
 Alone to think, to ponder, dream 
 Of things that are not what they seem; 
 Of life's deceptive, changing scenes 
 Where Pain from Pleasure often gleans. 
 
 To see her lover's face again 
 
 Must bring Eugenia newer pain; 
 
 Must make the sweet hours passed with 
 
 him 
 Like priceless gems in settmgs grim; 
 Must fill her heart anew with dread 
 As hopes once bright lay crushed and 
 
 dead 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 49 
 
 Yet she had dared of her own choice 
 To see his face, to hear his voice; 
 Her woman's heart, her woman's pride 
 Impelled her thus her care to hide. 
 Ah, had no other motive moved 
 Her, then, to go to him she loved? 
 
 Did she not long to gaze once more 
 
 Into his face, as when of yore? 
 
 To hear the voice that spoke in praise 
 
 Of her fair face and virtuous ways? 
 
 'Tis hard to forfeit bliss to-day 
 
 To take the future's stmg away. 
 
 Soon through the softly opened door 
 Eugenia passed. Her pale face wore 
 A transient smile. The lovely eyes 
 Were dimmed with tears that would 
 
 arise. 
 The quivering lips no word would speak 
 Lest into sobs the voice should break. 
 
 She crossed the room and found a seat 
 Upon the hassock at my feet. 
 I drew the fair head gently down 
 And stroked the silken waves of brown; 
 
50 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Knowing that words, howe'er well meant, 
 Would useless be till tears were spent. 
 
 Then when the first great burst of grief 
 Had found in tears a sweet relief, 
 I begged that she would try forget 
 And find in life some pleasure yet. 
 A dying world claimed work and love; 
 God asked it from his throne above. 
 
 She thought if she might but depart 
 From well-known scenes, 'twould heal 
 
 her heart. 
 She longed to leave the loved home 
 And in a distant land to roam; 
 To go where naught would bring to mind 
 The broken hopes she left behind. 
 
 If friends at home, whose loving zeal 
 To soothe the pain they could not feel 
 Oft pierced her heart anew, could know 
 How eagerly she wished to go, 
 They surely then could not deny 
 To answer "yea" her pleading cry. 
 
 We talked until a warning call, 
 
OF HEBKC AND I.ESBIA 51 
 
 ""Eugenia," sounded through the hall. 
 She brushed the tears away in haste — 
 Which not her beauty had defaced — 
 And in a voice both firm and clear, 
 Sent back the answer, •*! am here." 
 
 Then made the victory complete 
 Ty turning with a smile to greet 
 The girls who walked into the room. 
 No one would guess the dismal gloom 
 That had so lately veiled her eyes, 
 And hid the sunshine of her skies. 
 
 Soon after this I bade adieu 
 
 To these dear friends, loyal and true. 
 
 Alas, the future none can tell! 
 
 This proved a long — a last farewell. 
 
 Eugenia's wish was gratified, 
 
 Her yearning heart was satisfied. 
 
 She journeyed to another clime. 
 Resolved to trust the healer, Time. 
 She breathed the healthful mountain air 
 With hope to conquer grim despair. 
 She found within this safe retreat 
 New health and heart, and love most 
 sweet. 
 
52 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 She dwells, from old-time friends apart, 
 The idol of a manly heart. 
 Among the mountains, rough and drear, 
 She finds the woman's ideal sphere— 
 The first place in the love and life 
 Of him who fondly calls her wife. 
 
 May on her future joy await, 
 And may she never rue the fate 
 Which led her to this distant land. 
 May he who won her bonny hand 
 Possess in bliss that naught can mar 
 Her whole heart, healed without a scar. 
 
 — Lesbia. 
 
OEHEBBC'A^^D' LKSBIA. 5S 
 
 PAINS OF PARTING 
 
 Then must we part? forever part? 
 And leave each wounded, bleeding heart 
 To suffer much and long alone 
 With griefs to us before unknown? 
 Oh, friend, is this — is this the fate 
 That w^e in painful silence wait?. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Oh, would, that we had never met, 
 
 Never met, never met, 
 Oh, would that we had never met! 
 For deeper sorrows wait us yet. 
 
 Wait us yet, wait us yet, 
 For deeper sorrows wait us yet! 
 
 If I recall the merest past, 
 The slightest thing between us cast,. 
 'Tis both a blessing and a curse — 
 'Tis nothing better, nothing worse — 
 The past w^as earthly bli.ss to me;, 
 
54 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 The future shall ne'er blissful be. 
 
 This cruel moment tears and parts 
 The tender fibers of our hearts, 
 Which in their S3mipathy entwine 
 So like the tendrils of the vine, — 
 And leaves to faint, to pine, to die 
 ^ach tender thought, each gentle sigh, 
 
 — Hebec, 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 55 
 
 WOULDST THOU FORGET? 
 
 Then dost thou wish, O friend of mine, 
 That friendship like to mine and thine 
 
 Hadst been forever parted? 
 The thought in pensive hours appears 
 So sad to me, and bitter tears 
 
 Into mine e\^es have started. 
 
 If we to-night shouldst sa}^ adieu 
 And know our lives, that hitherto 
 
 Seemed nearing coalescence, 
 Must now forever lay apart. 
 Then wouldst thou wish within thy heart 
 
 Thou ne'er hadst known my presence? 
 
 If thou couldst take that shining web, 
 The past, and as the moments ebb, 
 
 Couldst pull the threads asunder; 
 Then weave again the golden strands, 
 As passing through thy skillful hands. 
 
 How would they fall, I wonder! 
 
56 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Ah, wouldst thou take the threads I trace,. 
 Our lives, that Fate with artful grace 
 
 Together e'en hast blended, 
 And weave them in so firm, complete. 
 That they should never, never meet. 
 
 Then count the memory ended? 
 
 Wouldst thou the friendship of the 3^ears 
 
 Destroy, dissolve in blinding tears. 
 
 The past no longer cherish? 
 
 Have sympathy and love and trust, 
 
 « 
 So sweet before, left, as the dust 
 
 In divers winds, to perish? 
 
 O, friend, the past to me is fair. 
 Not yet hast watchful, dark Despair 
 
 Quite made me to regret it. 
 The past! Fair as a rose full blown, — 
 Ah, do the bright leaves hide the thorn? 
 
 Not now would I forget it. 
 
 And yet I thank an all-wise God 
 That thus far on life's rugged road, 
 
 A friend to me is given, 
 Whose presence e'er inspires my soul 
 To reach earth's fairest, purest goal. 
 
 And leads me up toward Heaven. 
 
 — Lesbia. 
 
OF HKBEC AND LKSBIA 57 
 
 A MERRY CHRISTMAS. 
 
 Hear, O hear the merr\' voices, 
 
 Ringing through the wintry air, 
 
 Ever}' heart leaps and rejoices; 
 
 Mirth and music everywhere. 
 
 Ah, how sweet it is to listen 
 
 To the children's gleeful shout; 
 
 And to see their young eyes glisten, 
 Clouded not by care or doubt. 
 
 How it fills our hearts with pleasure. 
 And our eyes, perchance, with tears. 
 
 When we see how full the measure 
 Of God's care for us appears. 
 
 Now again we hear the story, — 
 
 None so sweet, so pure, so grand, — 
 
 How God's Son, his home in glory 
 Left, and how an angel band 
 
58 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Bore to men the joyful tidings 
 Of a loving Savior's birth: 
 And whose reign, fore'er abiding, 
 
 lyOve and peace would bring on earth. 
 
 Oh, that all might hear the message; 
 
 That the light of Bethlehem's star, 
 Of his birth the heavenly presage. 
 
 Reach the darkened lands afar; 
 
 And that knowing was believing, 
 And accepting grace divine; 
 
 That. the servants thus receiving, 
 
 In this world a light would shine. 
 
 — Lesbia. 
 
OP HEBEC AND LESBIA 59.* 
 
 HEBEC'S DREAM. 
 
 In the silent hours of midnight, 
 While I pillowed on my bed, 
 
 Came a dream most dark and hellish 
 Filling me with hate and dread. 
 
 As I, shunning, fled the vision 
 As a duck would flee a kite. 
 
 Waked I from such eursed dreaming— 
 Waked I in the dead of night, 
 
 And besought, "Oh God, forgive me 
 That sueh fiendish dream a place 
 
 Finds within my quiet slumber — 
 All-sufficient is thy grace!" 
 
 Once again my being slumbered, 
 
 Floating down life's peaceful stream 
 Once again, in silent midnight, 
 
 Breathed my soul the breeze of dream. 
 
tj60 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 And I thought me in a cottage, 
 
 Quaint and strange 3^et neat and clean 
 'Where the3^ made me not a stranger 
 To that pleasant twilight scene. 
 
 Bye and bye, I took departure 
 
 From that neat and humble -cot, 
 
 Passing through the maiden's parlor; 
 Why I should that know I not. 
 
 There within no astral candle 
 
 Shed its dazzling rays of light, 
 
 For the moon, so soft and mellow, 
 Had dispelled the dismal night. 
 
 Place of all it seemed most hol}^: 
 So I said there all alone, 
 
 "I will in this lovely moon-light 
 
 Praise the God upon the throne. 
 
 Lo! I saw, as 'twere, an angel — 
 
 No, a sleeping lovely maid — 
 On a sofa by the window 
 
 Where the laughing star-light played. 
 
OP HKBKC AND IvKSBIA 61 
 
 Robed she was in modest garments, 
 
 Graceful, tranquil, pure and white; 
 
 Of her purity the emblem. 
 
 Of her character the plight. 
 
 Ah, it was my love, my darling, 
 
 Whom my arms would have embraced 
 
 And my lips have pressed her liplets 
 And my eyes her own have traced. 
 
 But I dare not while she's sleeping 
 lycst, to fill my soul with bliss, 
 
 I'd disturb, or mar, or lessen 
 
 Hers by my undreampt of kiss. 
 
 So I softly whispered, "Lesbia;" 
 And, with very slight surprise, 
 
 Up she started from her slumber, 
 Sweetl}^ looked into my e3^es? 
 
 But, alas! the vision vanished, 
 
 And with it my moment's bliss, 
 
 For I lay there on a matrtess — 
 No, not half so good as this. 
 
 Yet I thank my God in heaven. 
 
62 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 While I room in old Heck Hall 
 And the demons howl around me, 
 That I ever dreamed at all; 
 
 For one hour of blissful dreaming 
 Is worth more than half a score 
 
 Spent in idle hopeless living — 
 
 Ever wishing something more. 
 
 — Hebec. 
 
OF he:bec and i^esbia 63 
 
 AMONG THE WII.I.OWS 
 
 Not far away 'mong hills of gray, 
 
 Across the prairies old; 
 'Neath sunny skies of blue there lies 
 
 A home, within whose fold, 
 Dwell sisters two with eyes of blue, 
 
 And hearts so blithe and free; 
 It seemed that they thought life but play, 
 
 And deemed 'twould always be. 
 
 The elder girl , with roguish curl 
 
 Of hair, a changing red, 
 Brushed from a brow of fairest snow, 
 
 At once drove from your head 
 The thought that may but yesterday 
 
 A fact seemed to your mind — 
 That glowing hair and woman fair 
 
 Are never found combined. 
 
 And when you see the lightsome glee 
 Shine in those laughing eyes; 
 
64 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 And hear the clear laugh full of cheer 
 Ring out in glad surprise, 
 
 You'd know without a shade of doubt 
 That o'er her sweet 3^oung life, 
 
 No sorrow great of love or hate 
 Had fallen with its strife. 
 
 The other face, of equal grace. 
 
 Was crowned with waves of light: 
 Thrown back with care, the golden hair 
 
 Disclosed the temples white. 
 A merry smile would oft beguile 
 
 The red lips' calm repose; 
 The eyes withal would rise and fall 
 
 As passion fell and rose. 
 
 Although her years of hopes and fears 
 
 vSo ver}' few had been. 
 She'd learned in school more than the rule 
 
 By wisdom's books shut in: 
 YoungCupid's dart had pierced her heart, 
 
 She'd met her one ideal. 
 A mystic shade, the shaft had made 
 
 Her think the fancy real. 
 
 An orphan lad the havoc had 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA . 65 
 
 In innocence thus wrought; 
 His black eyes gazed and were amazed, 
 
 x\nd blue eyes black eyes sought; 
 A smile, a glance, did but enhance 
 
 The romance thus begun; 
 A little walk, a quite talk, 
 
 The two hearts beat as one. 
 
 Into this home there chanced to come 
 
 One pleasant autumn day, 
 A teacher who had bid adieu 
 
 To dear ones far away. 
 And soon she knew that 'tween these two 
 
 Some other subject lay 
 Than well to store with learning's lore 
 
 Their minds from day to day. 
 
 She saw love's fire rise like a spire. 
 
 Nor tried to quench the flame. 
 Perhaps her mind backward inclined 
 
 To schooldays, when the same 
 Delightful dreams, like fitful gleams 
 
 Of moonlight 'mong the trees. 
 Had filled her breast with sweet unrest, 
 
 And hopes and fears like these. 
 
 One Sunday eve he called by leave 
 
THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Of this fair, girlish maid, 
 And 'twas agreed that all proceed 
 
 To church; but soon a shade 
 Of gloom o'er cast the sky, and fast 
 
 Rain pattered in descent. 
 Although from home they could not roam , 
 
 The lovers were content. 
 
 They happy were, heedless the whir 
 
 Of tramping feet above; 
 Nor thought of fear, they did but hear 
 
 The w^hispered w^ords of love. 
 Soon down the stair a gleeful pair 
 
 Of girls quite free from woe. 
 On mischief bent and fun intent. 
 
 Came silently slow. 
 
 They hastened through the kitchen, too. 
 
 Out in the stilly night; 
 No moon did shine, but open blind 
 
 Poured forth a stream of light. 
 And, 'neaththe trees, a sight to please 
 
 They smiling did behold. 
 The willow^s bowed and smiled aloud 
 
 That lovers were so bold. 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 67 
 
 To see was dear, but sure to hear 
 
 Would be exceeding good; 
 So one sl}^ maid, of naught afraid, 
 
 By nearer window stood. 
 But soon she flew, and then these two 
 
 Quick up the stairway fled. 
 And when the one came up alone. 
 
 They were asleep (?) in bed. 
 
 — Lesbia. 
 
THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 HIS IDEAL. 
 
 Though sitting here sedate and lone. 
 My humble thoughts are not my own 
 
 In kind or quality; 
 And yet imagination paints 
 No picture of angelic saints 
 
 In Christian charity. 
 
 I see no maid of royal birth, 
 The fairest of the fair on earth 
 
 With perfect form and face, — 
 A merry laugh, a gentle voice. 
 An honest look — a lover's choice — 
 
 A step of charming grace. 
 
 Nor see I e'en a maiden tall, 
 
 With slender waist; graceful and small — 
 
 The choice of classic verse — 
 With long, breeze-flowing, raven hair; 
 Brown eyes, red cheeks, calm face and fair 
 
 Her language pure and terse. 
 
OF HKBKC AND LKSBIA Q9> 
 
 Instead of these I have in mind 
 No picture of a simpler kind 
 
 To represent the truth; 
 For only abstract virtues fill 
 My very soul and make it thrill 
 
 With all the hopes of youth. 
 
 Of all tjiese qualities the best 
 With which a woman may be blest, 
 
 Is a pure and noble heart; 
 E'er full of tender love and zeal 
 To help the poor, the sick to heal 
 
 By simple Christian art. 
 
 Oh, how my longing heart doth beat 
 To find these virtues all complete 
 
 In some one modest life! 
 Yea, all that heart could wish, or should. 
 Combined in noble womanhood — 
 
 A friend, a love, a wife! 
 
 — Hebkc. 
 
70 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS OF C HRISTIAN 
 DUTY 
 
 The time draws near when we delight, 
 By kindly words and tokens sent. 
 To celebrate the glad advent 
 
 Of Christ upon this earth's dark night. 
 
 We can but stop and turn aside 
 
 From smiling faces, glad and bright, 
 From eyes filled with a holy light. 
 
 From hearts in which Christ's peace abides; 
 
 From Christian homes within whose folds 
 There dwell unmindful of the cries 
 That from so many souls arise, 
 
 Whose eyes no Christmas morn beholds. 
 
 Or, what I hold as scarce less sad. 
 
 The heart that's heard of Christ's great love; 
 
 And how for us his home above 
 He left, quite willifigly and glad. 
 
OF HEBEC iVND LESBIA 71 
 
 That he the debt of man to God 
 Was thus permitted to repay, 
 And God's just anger thus allay, 
 
 E'en though it cost his life and blooJ. 
 
 The heart that knows his love and deeds, 
 Yet will not heed the gifts divine; 
 But yet will worship at earth's shrine — 
 
 To whom his love all vainly pleads. 
 
 Ah, when the golden sun sinks low, 
 
 What sound disturbs the twilight hour? 
 What breaks fair Fancy's subtle power, 
 
 And calls our minds to sin and woe? 
 
 Across the ripened fields of grain, 
 
 Borne on the pure, free country air. 
 From lips that ought to move in prayer, 
 
 We hear God's holy name in vain. 
 
 O Christians in this favored land, 
 
 Who long to show the love and zeal 
 That in his righteous cause you feel, 
 
 Arise, the harvest is at hand. 
 
 The work is great: the field is wide: 
 
72 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 From far and near you hear the cry — 
 Doth not his Spirit from on high 
 Bid you arise! trust him to guide? 
 
 You know that there is work to do 
 Beyond the ocean's heaving tide; 
 And were you on the other side, 
 
 No task would be too great for you. 
 
 You willing are to leave your home, 
 
 Your friends, your hopes, your wealth, your 
 all; 
 
 To leave your body, at Death's call, 
 'Mong strangers in a foreign tomb. 
 
 Or 'mid the city's v/retched poor. 
 
 You willingly would pass your days. 
 To teach their lips to speak the praise 
 
 Of the Great God whom you adore. 
 
 The work, you think, lies just beyond. 
 
 It is afield that's closed to you; 
 
 O, do not let the farther view 
 Shut out the ripening grain around. 
 
 Close not your heart to distant fields; 
 
OF HKBEC AND LKSBIA 73 
 
 Remember in your prayers the band 
 Of laborers in a foreign land; 
 Ask God to be their strength and shield. 
 
 Remember, too, the struggling throng 
 
 Amid the city's strife and din; 
 
 Pray that the lives, oppressed by sin, 
 Be filled with light and hope and song. 
 
 But, if you can not now unite 
 
 Your hands and voices with your prayers. 
 In soothing grief and lessening cares. 
 
 And bringing gospel love and light 
 
 To needy ones so far away, 
 
 Be none the less to duty true; 
 
 Let not the work that you would do 
 Prevent your doing what you may. 
 
 Ah, when all work on earth is done; 
 
 When from their graves the dead arise; 
 
 When every race beneath the skies 
 Shall hear tlie plaudits they have won; 
 
 When you, before God's judgment bar. 
 The people of all ages meet, 
 The loved ones that on earth you greet, 
 
 And unknown faces from afar — 
 
74 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Then which would give you greater woe, 
 O which would be the keener dart, 
 To hear the awful doom, "Depart," 
 
 To one you knew on earth below; 
 
 Or would you greater anguish feel 
 To see the unfamiliar face, 
 Of foreign clime and other race, 
 
 Condemned for sins you could not heal? 
 
 Think ye that He who from above 
 
 Doth watch our deeds, doth feel our woe; 
 Doth read our thoughts, our hearts doth know 
 
 Can, in the fullness of his love, 
 
 E'en count us guiltless in that day 
 If we have not been faithful in 
 Beseeching souls to turn from sin, 
 
 And walk with us the narrow way? 
 
 We can not live too near our God; 
 
 We can not do too much for him; 
 
 Let not the eye of faith grow dim 
 Nor hearts despair in doing good. 
 
 E'en in this life, we do not fail 
 
 To reap the fruits that we have sown; 
 A sure reward lies just beyond 
 
 This fleeting life and death's dark vale. 
 
 — Lesbia. 
 
OF HEBEC AN^D I^ESBIA T5» 
 
 WOULDST THOU CARE ? 
 
 If this hour should part us ever, 
 
 Wouldst thou care? 
 If thine eyes behold me never, 
 
 Wouldst thou care? 
 If no gentle thoughts and tender 
 Longer to thee should I render, 
 
 Say, darling, wouldst thou care 
 
 Farther from thee should I wander,. 
 
 Wouldst thou care? 
 O'er thy tokens never ponder, 
 
 Wouldst thou care? 
 And thy face not once remember, 
 Rosy June or bleak September, 
 
 Say, darling, wouldst thou care? 
 
 Should my heart grow cold and colder^ 
 
 Wouldst thou care? 
 Should my words grow hard and bolder,. 
 
 Wouldst thou care? 
 
76 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 And should I despise th^^ token, 
 Leave my vows neglected, broken, 
 Say, darling, wouldst thou care? 
 
 If I'd smile upon another, 
 
 Wouldst thou care? 
 Be to her more than a brother, 
 
 Wouldst thou care? 
 Give her e'en my heart's affection, 
 And our love become perfection, 
 
 Say, darling, wouldst thou care? 
 
 Be it so, my darling never! 
 
 If thou'd care. 
 Shouldst thy heart turn from me ever, 
 
 I would care. 
 May our Father each to-morrow 
 Save us from such untold sorrow! 
 
 Ah, my darling, we would care! 
 
 — Hebec. 
 
OF HEBKC AND I.ESBIA 77 
 
 TWILIGHT PRAYERS 
 
 Like a bright sunbeam, 
 On the silver gleam 
 
 Of a light across the lea, 
 
 Is the thought that one, 
 When the day is done, 
 
 Breathes a silent prayer for me. 
 
 And my heart is glad, 
 
 Though it has been sad, 
 When 1 think that far away, 
 
 In the evening gloom 
 
 Of a student's room, 
 For me some one dear doth pray. 
 
 Yes, a still small voice 
 
 Bids my heart rejoice, 
 And within sweet peace doth dwell 
 
 At the even-tide; 
 
 For what e'er betide 
 Our God doeth all things well. 
 
78 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 He is ever just. 
 
 1 have learned to trust 
 Him along life's pathway dim. 
 
 On the balmy air 
 
 It is good that prayer 
 And praise do ascend to Him. 
 
 So when daylight dies- 
 
 In the western skies, 
 When the morning's light I see^ 
 
 From my heart there goes. 
 
 Then a prayer for those 
 Who lovingly pray for me. 
 
 For the loved at home 
 
 From whose arms I roam,. 
 I protecting care implore; 
 
 And a prayer impart 
 
 For a noble heart 
 Near the Michigan's lake shore. 
 
 Should his love for me 
 
 E'er inconstant be, 
 Or if in his twilight prayer 
 
 1 no thought receive, 
 
 Ah, my heart 'twould grieve; 
 Yes^ in truth, I then would care. 
 
 — Lesbia. 
 
OF HEBKC AND LESBIA 79 
 
 IN MY DEN 
 
 Clear and cold without, 
 Whistling winds about; 
 
 Mighty angry rolling waves, 
 Lashed in foaming spray 
 On the rocks of gray, 
 
 Turn to skulk away like slaves. 
 
 Suddenly a leap 
 From the mighty deep 
 
 'Gainst the everlasting rock, 
 Gives the maddened foe, 
 Which was beaten so 
 
 At each time-repeated shock. 
 
 Thus with frantic ire 
 
 Flaming like a fire. 
 Oft the fractious waves assault 
 
 Ev'ry stubborn rock 
 
 That presumes to mock 
 Them, or self e'er to exalt. 
 
80 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 And the atmosphere, 
 Very cold and clear, 
 
 Manifests a cloudless sky, 
 Set with silver lights- 
 Candles of the night — 
 
 To guide ev'ry pilgrim's eye. 
 
 Nature all and time 
 
 In this rigid clime 
 Indicate a cold abstract 
 
 Virtue, with no sign — 
 
 Sign of care benign, 
 Or a sympathetic act. 
 
 What of fiow'ry glen! 
 
 In this dismal den 
 'Tween these antique prison walls, 
 
 Builded me around 
 
 As my utmost bound, 
 Unto me the fortune tails. 
 
 Here I'm all alone, 
 Where none, strange or knownj 
 E'er disturb my quiet room — 
 None of frail mankind — 
 While I, aught to find, 
 
OF HKBEC AND LESBIA 81 
 
 Delve in light, or midnight gloom. 
 
 But the demons blue, 
 
 Black and fiendish, too, 
 With eye wicked, brimstone breath, 
 
 Through the window peep, 
 
 In at keyhole creep — 
 Ev'ry visage grim as death! 
 
 Gnashing with their teeth, 
 
 Shrieking from beneath 
 Bed and table, books and all, 
 
 Raging like a fire, 
 
 Satan — son and sire — 
 Threat but dare not on me fall. 
 
 In my hours of sleep, 
 
 Fiendish spirits creep 
 Into sweet and pleasant dreams, 
 
 With my courage fight, 
 
 Put my rest to flight— 
 Ah, the night as horror seems! 
 
 Must I with them strive 
 That my soul survive? 
 Oh, how can I spirits brave! 
 
82 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Wicked elf-like kinds — 
 Demons, devils, fiends! 
 Hear them all around me rave! 
 
 Were there but a mind, 
 
 Sympathetic, kind, 
 To assist in the atttempt, 
 
 Courage would not fail, 
 
 Nor my spirit quail 
 Till I from them were exempt. 
 
 Chance, there he another. 
 
 Friend, or sister, brother, 
 Who, though lonesome e'en as I, 
 
 Has a sympathy 
 
 For whoever be 
 Lonely when or where or why; 
 
 Or, perchance, there dwell 
 
 In a quiet dell 
 Some, fair, sweet, and merry lass 
 
 Who would send each day 
 
 That enchanting ray, 
 Hope, to melt this heartless mass; 
 
 Or, perchance, there be 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 83 
 
 That remembers me 
 One of noble heart and life, 
 
 Pure and gentle, good 
 
 Unto all that would 
 Nobly conquer in the strife — 
 
 One of patient love. 
 
 Harmless as a dove, 
 As a cunning serpent, wise; 
 
 And whose tender heart 
 
 Would to all impart 
 Kindness and it emphasize. 
 
 If so, will not she 
 
 In her sympathy. 
 Unto the eternal God 
 
 Offer up a prayer. 
 
 That his watchful care 
 Be to me protecting rod? 
 
 And will He not, then, 
 
 Answer prayer again? 
 Not his tender mercies such 
 
 Fervent prayers and tears 
 
 Of a soul that fears 
 God, our God, availeth much? 
 
84 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Oh, how little trust 
 
 This frail mortal must 
 Have in God who would redeem 
 
 Man from tyrant-sin, 
 
 And the spirit win 
 To life peaceful as a dream! 
 
 Humbly I confess 
 
 This unfaithfulness. 
 And implore Thee to forgive,. 
 
 Father, Son, and Dove; 
 
 Oh, Thou God of love. 
 Let a ransomed sinner live! 
 
 Can I lonely be. 
 
 While Thou dwell'st with me? 
 Shall I fiendish spirits fear. 
 
 Though their number be 
 
 As infinity, 
 And they all surround me here? 
 
 Though they, fierce and bold. 
 
 Should on me lay hold. 
 Shriek and yell and threaten wiles; 
 
 Yet my peaceful breast 
 
 Would sink into rest 
 At thy all-approving smiles. 
 
OF HKBEC AND I.ESBIA 85. 
 
 Therefore, in the thought 
 
 That some soul was taught, 
 Possibly unconsciously. 
 
 In some way, to feel 
 
 What it must conceal — 
 Tender love and sympathy; 
 
 And in conscious trust 
 
 That Thou always dost 
 Unto poor frail mortal man 
 
 What for him is best, 
 
 I will ever rest 
 In thy mercy, if i can. 
 
 — Hebsc 
 
THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 WHEN THEY ARE DEAD 
 
 The gifts of friends we highly treasure, 
 
 When they are dead; 
 Recall their smiles with tearful pleasure, 
 
 When they are dead. 
 The gift's sweet worth we had not learned 
 The smiles, perhaps, were not returned 
 
 Before the}^ died. 
 
 Their praise in gentle tones is spoken , 
 
 When the}^ are dead; 
 We press with trembling lips each token, 
 
 When they are dead. 
 Oh, had they from those lips ne'er heard 
 A cold uns3^mpathetic word 
 
 Before they died? 
 
 No faults to them do we e'er render, 
 
 When they are dead; 
 -But mourn their loss in accents tender. 
 
 When they are dead. 
 
OF HKBKC AND I^ESBIA 87 
 
 Ah, had their tired hearts e'er rejoiced 
 To hear their worth and <;oodness voiced 
 Before the}^ died? 
 
 AVe touch the cold lips closed forever, 
 
 When they are dead; 
 And press the brow that feels it never. 
 
 When the}^ are dead. 
 Had they not missed the light caress 
 That love and s^mipath}- express 
 
 Before the}^ died? 
 
 How vivid is our recollection, 
 
 When they are dead; 
 Of hours that linked our hearts' affection. 
 
 When they are dead. 
 Had we not known that human bliss 
 Is transient in a world like this 
 
 Before the}^ died? 
 
 Let us recall the cherished faces, 
 
 That now^ are dead; 
 Then Christ-like fill our present places. 
 
 Till we are dead, 
 I^or well we know that friendships dear, 
 And all our joys together here 
 
 Will end in death. 
 
THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Withhold not what would help your 
 brother, 
 
 Till he be dead; 
 Nor sister's praises for another, 
 
 When she is dead. 
 Speak now the word his heart to cheer. 
 Kiss back the trouble-telling tear 
 
 Before they die. 
 
 — IvESBIA. 
 
OF HKBKC AND I^ESBIA 89 
 
 THY TOKEN 
 
 When words of love and sympathy are spoken, 
 And all conventionalities are broken; 
 When eyes brimful of joyous tears are streaming 
 And each expressive countenance is beaming, 
 Can this mean naught? 
 
 When youth and maiden seek each other's pres- 
 ence 
 And blend their voices like the whir of pheasants; 
 When each in heart would wish the other nearer 
 And deem his absence pain, his presence dearer. 
 Can this mean naught? 
 
 When gallant youth to true and lovely misses 
 Would seal their vows with oft repeated kisses; 
 When hearts in flames become first effervescent 
 Then liquidate, unite, are coalescent, 
 Can this mean naught? 
 
 When lovers, ever constant, in their dreaming, 
 
90 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 See smiling countenances fairly beaming; 
 When hope their b }som fills with sweet affection. 
 Until the sacred flames approach perfection. 
 Can this mean naught? 
 
 How then can this kind and suggestive token. 
 Which could in language ne'er be spoken 
 And which is more significant than any — 
 Or all, love-smiles, fond kisses, oft and many. 
 Betoken naught? 
 
 Indeed, such token can but be expression 
 Of some kind soul's most modest true confession 
 Of that deep-felt and too sincere affection, 
 Which sometimes every heart brings to subjec- 
 tion. 
 
 This does mean aught. 
 
 Hebec. 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 91 
 
 THE CASTAWAY 
 
 (inscribed TO A DETACHED MUSTACHE.)' 
 
 Thou who lately lay so near 
 Manly lips, yet knew no fear, 
 Whisper in my listening ear 
 
 Words those lips have spoken. 
 Thou in silence well hast heard 
 Through the years their every word, 
 And they oft thy depths have stirred,. 
 
 Calm repose have broken. 
 
 'Twas thy mission to conceal 
 What thine absence must reveal. 
 Smiles or scowls that slyly steal 
 
 Shrinking observation. 
 Silence fear not now to break; 
 Thee no breath shall ever shake, 
 Though the zephyr and earthquake 
 
 Sweep thy bare foundation. 
 
©2 THE COURTSHIP RHYMKS 
 
 Poet's rh3^me, nor songster's skill 
 Ne'er thy fibers now shall thrill, 
 Nor thine interspaces fill 
 
 To o'erflowing measure. 
 Never shalt thou lightly press 
 With a loving tenderness 
 Lips that answer thy caress 
 
 With a glow of pleasure. 
 
 Gentle words thou ne'er shalt hear 
 Whispered to a maiden dear; 
 'Close beside her dainty ear 
 
 Thou shalt never hover. 
 Soon another, much the same, 
 In th}^ place will grow and claim 
 What was thine, even thy name, 
 
 All thy joys discover. 
 
 And the hand that bade thee go 
 Careful training will bestow, 
 That thy young successor grow 
 
 To desired perfection. 
 Thine is no uncommon lot; 
 Cast away and soon forgot! 
 Eyes behold 3^et pit}" not 
 
 Th' object of rejection. 
 
 — LESbia. 
 
OF HKBBC AND I.ESBIA 93 
 
 FRUIT AND FLOWERS 
 
 Lesbia, dear, 
 
 Another year 
 Of toil and pleasure, smile and tear 
 
 Hath crowned thy life 
 
 Amid the strife 
 With which this stirring age is rife. 
 
 Older thou art: 
 
 Thy trustful heart 
 Hath felt more of that mystic smart, 
 
 That sweet unrest, 
 
 Which each lone breast. 
 Possessing, deem.s divinest guest. 
 
 Thy former thought 
 
 Of what is wrought 
 In this great world was like to naught: 
 
 Thou seest now 
 
 What men avow, 
 •''Who stems the tide must hail the prow. " 
 
94 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Thy girlish dreams, 
 
 Like mellow beams, 
 Or like the merry, laughing streams. 
 
 Have danced on 
 
 And now are gone 
 To let true life in beauty dawn. 
 
 Thy life was hope 
 
 That there should ope 
 Its petals to its Maker's scope 
 
 Some fragrant rose 
 
 Whose perfume goes 
 To fill and scent the lover's nose. 
 
 But whate'er lies 
 
 Before thine eyes 
 To bless thy life, to make thee wise, 
 
 'Tis not the flower 
 
 Nor shady bower. 
 But precious fruit that hath the power. 
 
 Then thinkest thou 
 
 And dost vow 
 That life less than 'twas then is now? 
 
 That what seemed true 
 
 The then to you 
 Now seemeth false and all things new? 
 
OF HEBKC AND LESBIA 95 
 
 Doth not the fruit 
 
 In its pursuit 
 Of fragrant blossoms press the suit? 
 
 Though lovely all 
 
 The blooms that fall, 
 The fruit is richer, large or small. 
 
 Why shouldst thou care 
 
 If blossoms fair 
 Whose perfume sweet once filled the air, 
 
 Now falleth fast, 
 
 Their petals cast, 
 And luscious fruit appears at last? 
 
 This need not be: 
 
 Life is a tree, 
 Whose blossoms beautiful may be, 
 
 And yet the air 
 
 Everywhere 
 Be filled with fruit-scent, rich and rare. 
 
 May thus be thine 
 
 And thus be mine! 
 And, if they ever should entwine, 
 
 May perfume sweet 
 
 Of lives complete 
 Betoken both the bloom and wheat! 
 
96 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Thus will thy birth 
 
 Thy friends on earth 
 Remember — ay, extol thy worth. 
 
 God bless the morn 
 
 Whose winding horn 
 Announced the day when thou wast born ! 
 
 — Hep. EC. 
 
OF HKBKC AND LESBIA 97 
 
 A FLIGHT OF FANCY. 
 
 Cometh there a sprite or fairy? 
 
 Some strange presence, blithe and airy, 
 
 Wooes my thoughts away; 
 Through the far-off ether wheeling, 
 Lightly soaring nearer stealing. 
 
 Cometh now to me. 
 
 Gauzy garments, filmy, rarest, 
 Fragile frills around the fairest 
 
 Dainty face. And list! 
 Strains of music softly blending 
 Into harmony transcending 
 
 Melodies of earth. 
 
 Through the half-transparent cover 
 Of an urn, all festooned over 
 
 With remembered fiowers, 
 Rises a translucent vapor. 
 Soft illumined by timid taper, 
 
 Or a trembling star. 
 
THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Bright the tiny spherules ghsten. 
 Who would not enchanted listen 
 
 To the liquid sounds? 
 Who would wish to crush forever 
 Withered flowers, or rudely sever 
 
 Vases efflorescent? " 
 
 But the beauty of the vision, 
 And the echoing sounds, Elysian, 
 
 Do not come to stay: 
 And the noiseless zephyr, laded 
 With perfume of flowrets faded, 
 
 Tarries briefly here. 
 
 Yet the fairy-like illusion 
 By some mystical diflusion, 
 
 Or some magic art, 
 Hath a winsome facination; 
 And it maketh meditation 
 
 Passing sweet to-night. 
 
 Thus the golden fetters bind us 
 To the sunny days behind us, 
 
 Naught the ties can break. 
 Though we cast aside each token. 
 Go to distant lands, unbroken 
 
 Is the fairy chain. 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 99 
 
 Of all earthly joys we cherish 
 Outward symbols fade and perish, 
 
 Wither and decay: 
 But the subtle rays re-turning, 
 Keep the lights of memory burning 
 
 On from year to year. 
 
 — Lesbia, 
 
 Lc?C. 
 
100 the: courtship rhymes 
 
 LESBIA'vS BIRTHDAY 
 
 Sixteenth ot June 
 
 Is coming soon 
 With flowers, bright and gay, 
 
 When humming bees 
 
 And bow'ry trees 
 Shall chase all gloom away. 
 
 As if in spring, 
 The birds will sing 
 
 Their sweet and joyful lays,. 
 Amid the trees 
 And in the breeze — 
 
 In shade or sun-bright raysv 
 
 When grasses green 
 And flowers 'tween 
 
 Delight shall ev'ry eye; 
 And beauties meet, 
 With perfume sweet,. 
 
 To please the passer-byi 
 
OF HKBKC AND I.ESBIA 101 
 
 When roses fair 
 
 The balmy air 
 Perfume with odors rich, 
 
 And ev'ry while 
 
 Some charming smile 
 Your very eyes bewitch. 
 
 Ah, then my heart 
 
 In joy will part 
 To meet my bonny lass, 
 
 And see her put 
 
 Her shapely foot 
 Upon the soft green grass: 
 
 Ah, then we'll roam 
 
 Afar from home 
 O'er charming hill and dale; 
 
 For lover's luck 
 
 Would lilies pluck 
 When softly breathes the gale.. 
 
 We'll cross the streams 
 
 W^hose water gleams 
 With softly silver light; 
 
 Its gentle song 
 
 That flows along 
 Drink in with new delight. 
 
102 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 And each song-bird 
 Shall then be heard 
 
 By ever-listening ears; 
 For nature's art 
 Will touch the heart 
 
 And fill the eyes with tears. 
 
 And yet to me 
 There e'en would be 
 
 Enchanting more than these 
 That maiden fair 
 With waving hair 
 
 Afloating in the breeze. 
 
 Her virgin love, 
 
 Like that above, 
 Is pure as pure can be — 
 
 Somewhat like mine, 
 
 But more divine 
 In that she loveth me. 
 
 The lilies fair 
 Would not compare 
 
 "With her so lovely face; 
 Nor know they how 
 Themselves to bow 
 
 With half her charming grace. 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 103 
 
 The balmy air, 
 
 Or fragrance rare 
 Of mid- J Line's choicest rose, 
 
 Could not surpass 
 
 This bonny lass, 
 When life's rich perfume flows. 
 
 . The blackbird's lay 
 
 Or clink of jay 
 Could never seem so choice, 
 
 So sweet and clear 
 
 To eager ear 
 As her soft gentle voice. 
 
 How rich the wealth 
 
 Of ruddy health 
 •In maiden, meek and mild! 
 
 How ver}^ good 
 
 Is womanhood, 
 When mind is undefiled! 
 
 And truly this 
 
 Would make it bliss 
 To view the growing corn, 
 
 With her alone 
 
 And thus to own 
 The time when she was born. 
 
104 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 God bless that morn, 
 
 Which did adorn 
 The hills with golden light, 
 
 When o'er her cot, 
 
 That sacred spot, 
 The sun shone glad and bright! 
 
 A rosy June 
 
 Bestowed the boon 
 That sacred makes the day; 
 
 And changed its dearth 
 
 Of joy and mirth 
 To fullness, rich and gay. 
 
 The day I praise 
 
 In chosen phrase; 
 The month I magnify; 
 
 The harmless dove, 
 
 The gift, I love — 
 I love and know not why. 
 
 May coming spring 
 
 Its beauties bring 
 Thy birthday, love to crown! 
 
 May blessings great 
 
 Thy life await! 
 May smiles! — no pain — no frown!' 
 
 — Hebec. 
 
OF HKBEC AND I^ESBIA 105 
 
 I^ONHLY 
 
 All this dark dreary day 
 
 Has it rained! It has rained! 
 Not the sun's faintest ray, 
 
 For it rained! And it rained! 
 Oh, my sad lonely heart! 
 Absent! 
 Lesbia! Lesbia! 
 
 Still there're clouds in the sky, 
 
 And there're sighs on the breeze; 
 
 But tell me, tell me why 
 
 There are tears on the trees. 
 
 Oh, my sad lonely heart! 
 
 Absent! 
 
 Lesbia! Lesbia! 
 
 From the song of the bird 
 
 In the woodland or lea 
 Not a note have I heard, 
 
 Not a hum from the bee. 
 
106 THE COURTvSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Oh, my sad lonely heart! 
 
 Absent! 
 
 Lesbia! Lesbia! 
 
 Not a creature is glad; 
 
 Not a soul full of mirth; 
 All nature looks sad — 
 
 Not a smile on the earth! 
 Oh, my sad lonely heart! 
 Absent! 
 
 Lesbia! Lesbia! 
 
 Soon this dark dreary day, 
 
 With the clouds and the rain, 
 Shall again pass away; 
 
 But the sorrow and the pam 
 Of my sad lonely heart! — 
 Absent! 
 Lesbia! Lesbia! 
 
 — Hebec. 
 
OF HEBKC AND LESBIA 107 
 
 A SONG FOR THESE AUTUMN 
 DAYS. 
 
 O don't you love the flowers, dear; 
 
 And don't you love the spring? 
 And don't you love to watch the brook, 
 
 And hear the birdies sing ! 
 
 And if the world were all your own. 
 And you could have your way ; 
 
 O would you have an endless spring 
 Of March, then April, May ? 
 
 You know our own sweet springtime, dear ; 
 
 It never yet has flown: 
 But March is gone, and April, too; 
 
 Sweet May is left alone. 
 
 But don't you love the summer, dear? 
 
 The birds sing on, you know; 
 And blossoms wave and skies are clear, 
 
 While fruits and grasses grow. 
 
108 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Then sometimes don't you know, my dear, 
 That spring is rather sly, 
 
 And steals a morning now and then 
 From August and July? 
 
 But oh. thevSe precious autumn days, 
 That make the meadows sear! 
 
 Are they not passing sweet, my dear, 
 And richest of the year? 
 
 The maple leaves are falling fast 
 
 In showers of bronze and brown. 
 
 The nuts slip out of bursting shells. 
 And gaily tumble down. 
 
 The apples from the orchard-trees 
 Are piled in crimson heaps; 
 
 And from the husks, yet in the field. 
 The corn expectant peeps. 
 
 And, do you know, I fancy, dear. 
 
 The spirit of the spring 
 Comes gently into autumn time. 
 
 And cheers up ev'ry thing? 
 
 Yes, even in the winter time, 
 
OF HKBEC AND I^KSBIA 109 
 
 Amid the ice and snow, 
 This springtime spirit is abroad, 
 Its gladness to bestow. 
 
 For beauty, warmth, and sweetness, dear, 
 
 Are in all seasons found; 
 And sunshine cometh all the year, 
 
 And scatters light around. 
 
 So don't you hope with me, my dear, 
 
 That when our May is done, 
 We'll find the love that sweetens it 
 
 Is only just begun? 
 
 Through summer time, and autumn time, 
 
 And wintertime, my dear, 
 O don't you want the love of May 
 
 To brighten all the 3'ear? 
 
 — Lesbia, 
 
110 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 WHIP-POOR-WILL 
 
 What stillness withoutl 
 What silence within! 
 No creature about; 
 No motion, no din — 
 Save the lone but sweet note of a bird 
 "Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will. 
 Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 Whip-poor-will." 
 
 The lovely full moon, 
 Serene and so bright, 
 Like spring sun at noon, 
 Shed mellow soft light 
 O'er the bird of the sad but sweet note: 
 "Whip poor-will, whip-poor-will. 
 Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will,. 
 Whip-poor-will," 
 
 And balmy spring breeze 
 
OF HEBEC AND EESBIA 111 
 
 With fragrance, sweet, fair. 
 From blossoming trees 
 Flows every where, 
 With the sad plaintive lay of that bird: 
 "Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will. 
 Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will. 
 Whip-poor-will." 
 
 I listen — I hear 
 The plaintive sweet song 
 From woodland so drear. 
 The weary night long; 
 'Tis that bird's lonely note, his sad song: 
 "Whip-poor-will, whip poor- will, 
 Whip-poor-will, wliip- poor- will. 
 Whip-poor-will." 
 
 I think of my love. 
 My darling, my dear, 
 My sweet heart, my dove, 
 Whenever I hear 
 The sad note, the lone song of that bird ; 
 "Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will. 
 Whip-poor-will." 
 
112 THE COURTSHIP RHYMKS 
 
 I think her alone 
 In woodland or lea. 
 Her thoughts all unknown, 
 Perchance, about me! 
 Or that bird's lonely note, his long song; 
 "Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will 
 Whip-poor-will." 
 
 A kind-hearted maid, 
 Sweet-tempered is she: 
 No beauty can fade 
 Where sweetness is free, 
 As the note and the song of that bird: 
 "Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 Whip poor- will, whip-poor-will ^ 
 Whip-poor-will." 
 
 I pledge her my heart, 
 Affection, my life; 
 I pledge not in part. 
 Should she be my wife, 
 By the note, the lone song of that bird 
 "Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 Whip-poor-wilL whip-poor-will, 
 Whip-poor-will." 
 
OF HEBKC AND LESBIA 113 
 
 Then life would be sweet, 
 Our duty no task, 
 And virtue complete — 
 What more could I ask? 
 Save the bird's lonely note and sweet 
 song: 
 "Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 Whippoor-will." 
 
 But could it be so? 
 And shall it be ever? 
 It may be? may? no! 
 It must be! never — 
 Oh, the lone lonely note of that bird! 
 ''Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 Whip-poor-will." 
 
 Still pensive and sad 
 And lonely I sit. 
 Though hopes may be glad. 
 For cares I'm unfit, 
 While the whip poor-will sings his sad 
 strain: 
 ''Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 
114 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 Whip-poor-will." 
 
 Sad bird of my dreams: 
 Sweet song of the night! 
 My sorrows like streams 
 O'er flow with thy flight, 
 And the hush of thy lonely sweet song: 
 "Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, 
 Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will. 
 Whip poor- will." 
 
 — Hebec. 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 115 
 
 GOOD NIGHT TO HEBKC 
 
 The sky this glorious summer eve, 
 
 In all its waning beaut}^ 
 
 Invites my thoughts to those I love. 
 
 It were a pleasant duty, 
 
 With thee to view 
 
 The gray and blue 
 
 Commingling in a rosy hue, 
 
 My friend, Hebec. 
 
 Our lives, methinks, are like the tints 
 
 That in this changing weather, 
 The gray above, the blue below. 
 Unite and make together 
 A finer tone 
 Than one alone 
 In brightest sunshine could have shown 
 To please, Hebec. 
 
 And to the south, among the trees, 
 I hear a dove's low cooing: 
 
116 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Borne on the wind, far off it sounds, 
 Like lovers' gentle wooing. 
 If thou wert here, 
 The sound, half drear, 
 
 Would charm thy music-loving ear, 
 I think, Hebec. 
 
 The orchard has a merry crowd 
 
 Of songsters softly trilling 
 A good-night lay; the gleeful sound 
 My very heart is thrilling; 
 All doubts and fears, 
 All sighs and tears, 
 Are lost and present blessing cheers 
 To-night, Hebec. 
 
 And, like the bird that all alone 
 This moment flew above me, 
 My soul is glad. Not far away 
 Are trusted ones that love me. 
 When cares oppress. 
 They love no less; 
 But cling with deeper tenderness 
 To me, Hebec. 
 
 I look across the fields of grain. 
 
OF HKBEC ANTD LES^BIA llT 
 
 Some green and others golden, 
 And see a roof and chimney-top 
 Above the trees so olden: 
 You'll guess the spot, 
 'Tis not forgot. 
 Though far from childhood's home you'll 
 not 
 Forget, Hebec. 
 
 I wonder, in this gray twilight, 
 
 If there are 'round you twining 
 So many scenes and sounds and thoughts- 
 To still all your repining! 
 Not far away 
 At close of day. 
 Are friends who ne'er forget to pray 
 For you, Hebec. 
 
 The stars are shining in the sky; 
 
 The birds' ''good-nights" are ended: 
 Yet now and then a harsher sound, 
 With cricket's chirp is blended. 
 The stars' soft light 
 This tranquil night 
 Shine o'er us both, serene and bright: 
 Good-night, Hebec. 
 
 — Lesbia>.. 
 
118 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 DOST THOU REMEMBER, LOVE ? 
 
 Dost thou remember, love, 
 When first we met ? 
 'Twas in a coiintr}^ schoolhouse, love, 
 
 The spring of sevent5^-four: 
 So thou wast but a thoughtless child. 
 And I was nothing more; 
 But I forget. 
 Eesbia, 
 Dost thou remember ? 
 
 Dost thou remember, love. 
 When older, we 
 Around another schoolhouse pla5'ed 
 
 So oft and merrily ? 
 The house is gone, been moved away; 
 But stands in memor}^ 
 There still for me. 
 Ivcsbia, 
 Dost thou remember? 
 
OF HEBEC AND EESBIA 119 
 
 Dost thou remember, love, 
 
 The star-light eve, 
 
 When first thou 3neldest to ni}^ wish; 
 
 And we a happ}^ twain 
 Went silentl}^ and thoughtfully^ 
 Along that narrow lane? 
 The thought I leave. 
 Lesbia, 
 Dost thou remember? 
 
 Dost thou remember, love, 
 Another time, 
 AVhen we were going single-file 
 
 Along an osage-hedge. 
 In fact, were coming 'cross a ditch, 
 Thou tumbledst o'er its edge? 
 The mire and slime! 
 Lesbia, 
 Dost thou remember? 
 
 Dost thou remember, love. 
 That at the gate 
 I did request a privilege; 
 
 And there thou promised then 
 To grant, whenever I should wish. 
 
 Me leave to call asrain? 
 
120 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 That sacred date! 
 I^esbia, 
 Dost thou remember? 
 
 Dost thou remember, love, 
 One afternoon, 
 While rustic health, like perfume, filled 
 
 The pure and balmy air, 
 What sudden mutu'l hopes sprang up, 
 Which only love could dare? 
 That virgin boon! 
 Lesbia, 
 Dost thou remember? 
 
 Dost thou remember, love, 
 When in the west, 
 -We rambled o'er the barren rocks, 
 
 And up and down the hills; 
 O'er prairies green, along the brook, 
 Across the leaping rills. 
 Till glad to rest? 
 Lesbia, 
 Dost thou remember? 
 
 Dost thou remember, love, 
 The pleasant days 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 121 
 
 We Spent conversing with each other, 
 
 In friendship, loyal, true, 
 In kindest thoughts and wishes best — 
 Perhaps affection, too? 
 Sweet morning rays! 
 Lesbia, 
 Dost thou remember? 
 
 Dost thou remember, love; 
 When last we met? 
 How earnest were our words and thoughts 
 
 Of future hopes and fears; 
 
 How tender feelings gathered then 
 
 To dry the fount of tears. 
 
 Can I forget? 
 
 Lesbia, 
 
 Dost thou remember? 
 
 Dost thou remember, love. 
 The letters, brief. 
 Which oft convej^ed our humble thoughts 
 
 In friendship's modest phrase? 
 In friendly caution, timelj' jest? 
 In compliments, or praise? 
 In joy or grief, 
 Lesbia, 
 
122 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Dost thou remember? 
 
 Dost thou remember, love, 
 Without regret, 
 The simple tokens of regard. 
 
 Which we received and sent? 
 A}^, treasured, too, with tender care 
 Their manifest intent? 
 We have them yet! 
 Lesbia, 
 Dost thou remember? 
 
 Wilt thou remember, love, 
 Lest ever twain 
 We part asunder, once for aye, 
 
 And o'er life's solemn sea 
 Sail all alone, that love-born souls 
 May ever loyal be? 
 Come joy or pain, 
 Lesbia, 
 Wilt thou remember? 
 
 — Hebec. 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 123 
 
 TEN YEARS AGO AND NOW 
 
 The morning I remember not, 
 
 When first our young e3es met; 
 
 To me thou wast as others then, 
 And then I too forget. 
 
 1 dreamed not in those careless hours 
 
 That some day e'en the birds and flowers 
 V Would bring me thoughts of thee. 
 
 The faces that were with us 
 
 I now remember not; 
 Their words and acts, their smiles and 
 frowns. 
 
 Are now alike forgot. 
 If thou from me hadst gone so far, 
 The flowers, the birds, the shining star 
 
 Would bring no thoughts of thee. 
 
 But I remember yet the eve. 
 
 Remember it too well, 
 When from my lips m falt'ring tones 
 
124 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 That timid answer fell. 
 But then I had no hopes, no tears 
 That when had passed ten fleeting years, 
 
 I yet should think of thee. 
 
 And I remember after that 
 
 Thou was not quite the same 
 
 To me. ISJo longer could I speak 
 In thoughtless tones thy name. 
 
 Ah, that was ten long years ago! 
 
 Those days, I would not have thee know 
 I ever thought of thee. 
 
 Now I remember walks and drives 
 Beneath a cloudless sky, 
 
 Since our first walk ten years ago, 
 And ere our last good-bye. 
 
 Sometimes the thoughts I would dismiss; 
 
 Sometimes I deem it doubtful bliss 
 To think of these and thee. 
 
 'The letters thou didst write to me 
 Are treasured yet with care; 
 
 But I've no need to read them o'er 
 To know the words they bear. 
 
 Though silent and unread to-day, 
 
OF H^BKC AND IvESBIA 125 
 
 Remembered they must be for aye: 
 And they bring thoughts of thee. 
 
 Thy thoughts and fancies, dreams and 
 hopes, 
 
 In poesy I've read; 
 O, do not tell me it is real, 
 
 While they are nothing, dead. 
 Thy words and tokens are but naught. 
 If they express no wish, no thought. 
 
 No message bring of thee. 
 
 Change, if thou wilt; but never may 
 
 I doubt that thou art true: 
 Or that thy works and life are pure, 
 
 As sparkling morning dew. 
 In books and songs, in flowers and birds. 
 And in the poet's tender words. 
 
 Still there are thoughts of thee. 
 
 — Lesbia. 
 
126 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 DO I REMEMBER? 
 
 Do I remember, love, 
 
 That dreary autumn night, 
 
 When last we met? 
 How bright, how very bright. 
 Our hopes were yet? 
 Yes, I remember. 
 
 Do I remember, love. 
 
 How sweet the tender thought 
 
 We then expressed? 
 Which all its trophies brought 
 That we be blest? 
 
 Yes, I remember. 
 
 Do I remember, love. 
 
 Our mutual hearts as one 
 
 In pulses beat 
 To whatever was done 
 Our eyes to greet? 
 Yes, I remember. 
 
OF HKBEC AND I^KSBIA 127 
 
 Do I remember, love, 
 
 That one last parting hour, 
 
 Which broke our hearts 
 And crushed life's sweetest flowers, 
 Its sweetest parts? 
 
 Yes, I remember. 
 
 Do I remember, love, 
 
 The last kind word then spoken? 
 
 The smile, the tear. 
 The hearts all crushed and broken? 
 The hope, the fear? 
 Yes, I remember. 
 
 Do I remember, love, 
 
 When parting words were o'er; 
 
 When I had left. 
 And thee could see no more, 
 1 was bereft? 
 
 I do remember! 
 
 — Hebkc. 
 
128 the: courtship rhymes 
 
 THE CONTESTANTS 
 
 A battle in the realms of thought 
 
 This morning I discover. 
 O golden sunlight enter not 
 
 The darkened halls to-day; 
 Let twilight stay, 
 In robes of gray, 
 Until the conflict's over. 
 
 O merry songsters in the trees. 
 
 Have pity on my sorrow, 
 And cease your songs, have pity please; 
 And hush your merry trill; 
 Let all be still 
 And calm, until 
 Doth dawn some peaceful morrow. 
 
 O flow'rets, sweet among the grass, 
 You are too fair this morning! 
 
 Droop low your petals as I pass; 
 And let the gems of dew 
 
OF HKBEC AND I^KSBIA 129 
 
 Fall down: they, too, 
 Seem to my view 
 Indifferent adorning. 
 
 And snowy clouds in yonder blue, 
 
 You are not one whit sadder 
 Than yester morn. O nature true, 
 I would not see or hear 
 Thy beauties, dear. 
 They can not cheer. 
 Until my heart is gladder. 
 
 For Doubt spoke bitterly to Love; 
 
 And modest Love, first glancing 
 Adown; then, innocent, above. 
 Was ready to reply, 
 
 When Pride so sly. 
 Her skill to try, 
 Stopped Love, by art entrancing. 
 
 Then wounded Love hung low her head, 
 Yet none perchance had missed her; 
 For haughty Pride stood in her stead. 
 And strove to her disguise: 
 But Hope's bright eyes 
 Found out the prize, 
 And stole to Love and kissed her. 
 
130 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Then lovely Trust returned to claim 
 Her place; but doubt contended 
 That she alone would be to blame, 
 Should love be doomed to weep 
 In darkness, deep, 
 While Hope, asleep. 
 No longer her befriended. 
 
 And Pride in tinseled garb arrayed, 
 
 Her gilded screen was lifting; 
 While Love and Trust and Hope, dis- 
 mayed. 
 Bowed tearful, as in prayer; 
 O summer air, 
 O flow'rets fair, 
 The heavy clouds are shifting. 
 
 For Love will conquer over Pride, 
 
 She dare not contradict her; 
 She moves the gaudy screen aside; 
 And then with dewy eyes, 
 As tides arise 
 'Neath murky skies. 
 She comes, a gentle victor. 
 
 Then nature, sing all merry songs; 
 
OF HEBKC AND LKSBIA 131 
 
 And breathe no more of sadness; 
 For Love will right the cheerless wrongs;; 
 And Doubt no longer stays: 
 But Trust's glad praise, 
 And Hope's new lays 
 Fill earth and air with gladness! 
 
 — Lesbia, 
 
132 THK COURTSHIP RHYMKS 
 
 IN REFBRBNCE 
 
 Lesbia, friend, 
 
 My words attend 
 With honest heart and void of fear; 
 
 And I will tell 
 
 The story well, 
 That it may cost you ne'er a tear. 
 
 Thou'st heard it o'er 
 
 Oft times before 
 From my own tongue or faithful pen; 
 
 Yet 1, in thought. 
 
 An impulse caught 
 To tell it over once again. 
 
 'Twas when a child, 
 
 'Mid fancies wild, 
 I first beheld thy face; 
 
 And read thine heart — 
 
 Most human part! 
 The seat of love, devotion, grace I 
 
OF HKBKC AND LESBIA 133 
 
 Thou wast not then 
 
 What since thou'st been 
 E'en to my inner thought and life; 
 
 Thou wast not true, 
 
 And loyal, too. 
 By very deed in real strife. 
 
 In time we grew 
 
 To friendships new, 
 New hopes with cares, new thoughts 
 with years; 
 
 Through which there came 
 
 To us the same 
 Experience of smiles and tears. 
 
 Those moments, all, 
 
 I now recall 
 With pleasure both and sad regret; 
 
 Some mem'ries thrill. 
 
 While others fill 
 My heart with scenes I'll ne'er forget. 
 
 Perchance, the view 
 Is plain to you 
 In all its mystery throughout; 
 Then let it rise 
 
134 THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 Before thine eyes 
 To calm thy fear, remove thy doubt. 
 
 The vision now 
 
 Does not allow 
 Great mutu'l hopes of future years; 
 
 Before our eyes 
 
 Dark clouds arise 
 To dim our hopes, arouse our fears. 
 
 Shall we obey 
 
 These signs which say, 
 'Tis but the hand of Providence? 
 
 Or shall we turn 
 
 Our backs and spurn 
 Them all as false, to violence? 
 
 I do not know 
 
 What good may flow 
 From our strange friendship in the past; 
 
 Nor know what ill 
 
 May mingle still 
 With all our joys both first and last. 
 
 And yet 'twould seem 
 There is a gleam 
 
OF HKBEC AND LESBIA 135 
 
 Of mellow sunshine in my soul, 
 
 That calms my fears 
 
 And dries my tears, 
 Of life, illuminates the whole. 
 
 So then I trust, 
 
 Let come what must. 
 For ev'ry sorrow, grief, or pain 
 
 Our lives within, 
 
 We, too, shall win 
 Some good, some noble feelings gain. 
 
 — Hebec. 
 
136 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 THE UNFINISHED DREAM 
 
 While I lay one night a-sleeping, 
 Sweetly in my cloistered cell, 
 
 Came a dream like springtime creeping, 
 Till o'er me its beauty fell. 
 
 Twinkling stars above were glancing 
 O'er the tree-tops, through the pane, 
 
 And the wooing winds were dancmg 
 On the waves with might and main. 
 
 In this strangely conscious slumber, 
 Saw I 'mong the friends of yore 
 
 One whose heart with equal number 
 Beat as beat our hearts before. 
 
 Roses, fragrant beyond measure. 
 
 Hung upon her blooming cheek; 
 
 Eyes her too expectant pleasure 
 
 Seemed with looks of love to speak. 
 
OF HKBKC AND I^KSBIA 137 
 
 How my heart responded ever 
 
 To her eager waiting heart! 
 But within, I chuckled, never 
 
 With m , cherished hope to part — 
 
 Till I greeted other faces, 
 
 Smiling on me from the crowd, 
 
 Then to take her proffered graces. 
 
 With a welcome, kind and proud. 
 
 When I turned to give her greeting, 
 Suddenl}^ my dream had fled; 
 
 Oh, how transient and how fleeting 
 
 Were the hopes which I had wed! 
 
 Then I wished that I had spoken 
 To my love, my darling, first; 
 
 That I had not basely broken 
 
 Sacred claims — but that I durst! 
 
 Let to m.e this be a warning 
 
 'Gainst the crafty thief of time; 
 
 Lest he steal away the morning 
 Of my life, its reason, rhyme. 
 
 — Hebec 
 
138 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 THE FINISHED DREAM 
 
 Draw the curtains closer, mother, 
 
 Let none hear save thee and me; 
 
 While I tell thee, dearest mother, 
 Just how sweet a dream can be. 
 
 This cold world would frown upon me^ 
 Should it hear my ended dream; 
 
 Colder than the glittering iceberg. 
 On me would its glances gleam. 
 
 But thy love is true, dear mother. 
 And I know thy gentle heart 
 
 Will not mock the pain it costs me 
 
 From this cherished dream to part. 
 
 Thou hast known me well, dear mother; 
 
 Yet I think thou hast not known, 
 That my girlhood's hopes were centered 
 
 In this dream I've dreamed alone. 
 
OF HEBEC AND LESBIA 139 
 
 In my early school-days, mother, 
 Was begun this lovely dream; 
 
 And it grew in beauty, mother, 
 
 As I floated down life's stream. 
 
 In the dream I saw, dear mother, 
 
 Often a familiar face; 
 But of future pain and parting. 
 
 Saw I in the dream no trace. 
 
 In the bright and balmly morning, 
 
 While the dew gleamed on the 
 flowers. 
 
 To the past, with sweet thought laden. 
 Swiftly passed the golden hours. 
 
 Busy noon and quiet evening. 
 
 Some strange, new, sweet fancy 
 brought; 
 
 Back into the past's dim hallways, 
 Carried each a happy thought. 
 
 Ah, I need not, dearest mother. 
 
 Speak or whisper any name: 
 Thou dost know but one who ever 
 
 All my woman's trust can claim. 
 
140 THK COURTSHIP RHYMKS 
 
 Well do I remember, mother, 
 
 When I last looked in his eye: 
 
 When he clasped my hand and gently 
 Spoke the parting word — Good-bye. 
 
 All the words of that last evening 
 Linger in my mem'ry yet; 
 
 Oh, sometimes, my dearest mother. 
 Were it better to forget. 
 
 But so long as life endureth, 
 
 Shall this dream live in my mind; 
 
 Though the sweetness leaves it, mother 
 Bitter dregs will stay behind. 
 
 This fair world is wicked, mother, 
 When we view it as a whole; 
 
 But 'tis dear and good and tender. 
 When we understand each soul. 
 
 Many tears of grief have fallen; 
 
 Many broken hearts have bled, 
 With no earthly friend to comfort; 
 
 None to hold the aching head. 
 
OF HKBEC AND I^ESBIA 141 
 
 But the friends are here, dear mother, 
 Tender, loving, gentle, good; 
 
 Yet we draw a screen around us: 
 We are never understood. 
 
 Hearts are gentle, loving mother, 
 
 But, alas! we dare not trust; 
 They are frail and human, mother, 
 
 Changing, weak, and erring dust. 
 
 Pray, dear mother, that your daughter 
 Strong and pure may ever be; 
 
 That when life's vague dream is ended, 
 Heaven's light her eyes may see. 
 
 — Lesbia, 
 
142 the: courtship rhymes 
 
 THE MAID OF THE MII.1^ 
 
 'Tis a soft balmy day, 
 Like a morning in May: 
 
 'Tis a joy — 
 
 No alloy — 
 To think, as I will, 
 Of the maid of the mill. 
 
 The white clouds are a-float, 
 Or sailing like a boat 
 
 Without crew 
 
 On the blue — 
 They smile! smiling still! 
 Like the maid of the mill. 
 
 And the buds — how they swell! 
 And the grass in the dell 
 
 Is as green 
 
 As I've seen, 
 Since I stood on the hill 
 With the maid of the mill. 
 
OF HKBEC AND I^KSBIA 143 
 
 'Twas so sunny and bright: 
 And all nature alight 
 
 From above 
 
 With that love 
 Which my bosom did fill, 
 And the maid's of the mill. 
 
 Majestic and old 
 
 Was the river that rolled 
 
 Ever on; 
 
 Never gone: 
 vSo my love floweth still 
 For the maid of the mill. 
 
 There vvere hillocks and dales; 
 There vvere zephyrs and gales, 
 
 Within sight 
 
 On the right, 
 Which made my heart thrill — 
 For the maid of the mill. 
 
 And the turtle's sweet voice 
 To the dove of his choice 
 
 Reached our ear; 
 
 Sounded so clear 
 That it made my voice trill 
 
144 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 To the maid of the mill. 
 
 I remember so well 
 
 How those gentle words fell 
 
 From her lips — 
 
 Honey drips — 
 That betoken no ill 
 Of the maid of the mill. 
 
 Wherever I roam, 
 
 I shall think of that home, 
 
 Of the trees 
 
 And the breeze, 
 Of the dove on the hill, 
 And the maid oi the mill. 
 
 — Hebec. 
 
OF HKBEC AND LKSBIA 145 
 
 WOMAN'S QUESTIONS 
 
 The bells ring out a sad sweet chime, 
 The bells of golden summer-time, 
 And say, "Go forth to work sublime, 
 
 Ere life be past." 
 And fragrant breezes, gently blowing, 
 And dimpled waters, lightly flowing. 
 Say, "Surely time is swiftly going. 
 
 It can not last." 
 
 AfTse, my iieart, no longer hope 
 That fairer flowers to you will ope: 
 Behold that now your present scope 
 
 Sufficient is. 
 The morning light aslant is streaming; 
 The mother earth with new life teeming; 
 'Tis not, my heart, a time for dreaming 
 
 Of future bliss. 
 
 Long have you fondly hoped for more 
 Of joy than this life held in store; 
 
146 THE COURTSHIP RHYMKS 
 
 But can you paint, try o'er and o'er, 
 
 A fairer scene, 
 Than this to which so oft returning. 
 New joys each time you are discerning, 
 And for its view all others spurning, 
 
 The past's sweet sheen. 
 
 What more of beauty could be blent, 
 
 To satisfy, in what is sent 
 
 This present hour? why not content, 
 
 O waiting heart? 
 Why to the past so often straying, 
 Among its ruins long delaying? 
 Why by one face in silence praying. 
 
 So loth to part? 
 
 No ideal high of former years 
 
 To you in this calm face appears; 
 
 No strange enchantment thus endears, 
 
 And holds you there. 
 Unseen the fibers are entwining; 
 Unknown to ail your lone repining; 
 Unfelt the rays that ever shining 
 
 Make love so fair. 
 
 You painted in your girlish dreams 
 
OF HEBEC AND tESBIA 147 
 
 With gentle strokes of shade, and gleams 
 Of love light, thrown in silver beams, 
 
 An ideal home: 
 And the twilight's somber gloaming, 
 From her he loves no longer roaming. 
 Your hero, in those dreams, was coming, 
 
 Dispelling gloom. 
 
 His heart was gentle-like to 3^ou, 
 So trusting, faithful, kind, and true; 
 No doubts you, in that picture, drew 
 
 To mar its grace. 
 His stronger arm your fears dispelling. 
 His wiser head your mind excelling: 
 But love, in both hearts equal, dwelling; 
 
 None could dispel. 
 
 Is this, the heart near which you dwell, 
 Is this, the presence loved so well, 
 Your ideal realized? Dispel 
 
 The thought, I pray. 
 Such sentimental thoughts and sighing 
 Leave love-lorn minds, yourself denying, 
 In truth and not in dreams relying 
 
 For joys that stay. 
 
 Ah, heart of mine, the dreams of youth 
 
148 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 We gladly leave. It is the truth 
 We glean to-day, like pensive Ruth^ 
 
 In fields we've known. 
 The words so gently 'round you pealing^ 
 The scenes that wake such tender feeling, 
 Are not of Phantasy's revealing; 
 
 But mem'ry's own. 
 
 The face whose impress now you bear; 
 The heart that now your love doth share; 
 The name you breathe in earnest prayer. 
 
 And guileless love — 
 Though in your dreams persistent blend- 
 ing, 
 And to your hopes and anchor lending. 
 Are yet but frail mankind's, depending 
 
 On One above. 
 
 And now before you leave me so, 
 And to him aH unbidden go; 
 It is but just that I should know 
 
 If he would prize 
 Your worth above all earthly blessings 
 Or, if when all your hopes possessing. 
 He'd value not the boon, confessing 
 
 With truthful eyes. 
 
OF HKBKC AND LKSBIA 149 
 
 Go bid him search his heart for thee, 
 
 And answer, if in it there be 
 
 A love so strong, so pure, so free. 
 
 As you bestow. 
 Bid him with candor unrelenting 
 To speak; no kindly wish preventing 
 What, if unsaid, may bring repenting 
 
 And greater woe. 
 
 Ask if his heart is wanting still 
 A need that you can not fulfill; 
 If chords another heart doth thrill, 
 
 Untouched by you. 
 Does his success bring treasured glancing 
 From other eyes — like fireflies dancing 
 'Mid starry night — his bliss enhancing 
 
 B}^ conquests new. 
 
 Ask if when lonely, sad, oppressed. 
 Another image fills his breast, 
 Whose gentle voice he loveth best 
 
 To greet his ear. 
 Ask if his future be completer, 
 And the fields be brighter, neater; 
 If life and love be purer, sweeter. 
 
 When you are near. 
 
15© THE COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 And oh, my heart, inquire if he 
 Could ever patient, changeless be; 
 And if the faults he found in me, 
 
 He could forgive. 
 Could he illume the hour benighted; 
 Console when cherished hopes were 
 
 blighted, — 
 If hearts and hands were thus united, 
 
 'Twere bliss to live. 
 
 Ask if in deepest sorrow bowed, 
 Loved faces, hid by pall and shroud, 
 He yet would see beneath the cloud 
 
 A ray of liglit. 
 And if with me devoutly kneeling. 
 Our prayers as one in thought and feeling. 
 Could rise, while through the rifts come 
 stealing 
 
 A faith more. bright. 
 
 Youth's beauty soon will pass av/ay; 
 Youth's strength may fail us in a day; 
 But loyal hearts are true for aye — 
 
 Does his beat true? 
 Be sure, my heart, ere gone forever, 
 That naught but death can e'er dissever 
 
OF HKBEC AND LKSBIA 151 
 
 Your mutual love and hrust, that never 
 The act you'll rue. 
 
 Now, roaming heart, to me return; 
 Impart the thought that you discern 
 Within his mind. Then do you yearn 
 
 To risk it all? 
 Too wiHful heart! and too confiding! 
 Our faith, in God and man abiding, 
 Says that the veil is only hiding 
 
 Plans best for all. 
 
 — Lesbia. 
 
152 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 MAN'S ANvSWER 
 
 Welcome, message, to my heart; 
 How it makes my life-blood start, 
 Burn and sting in ev'ry part. 
 
 With a strange sweet pain!' 
 Fills me with the calmest peace; 
 Causes all my doubts to cease; 
 Makes my ev'ry hope increase, 
 
 Till I trust attain. , 
 
 Messenger of peace and love, 
 
 Hills and mountain-heights aboy^,. : .. 
 
 Swiftly as a swift-winged do^e. 
 
 Bear my message, too. 
 She that bade thee unto me. 
 She that sent kind words by thee,. 
 She whose queries were so free — 
 
 Tell her I am true. 
 
 Tel' my love I bow in dust, 
 Ere I cease in her to trust. 
 
OF HEBKC AND LESBIA 153 
 
 Tell her e'en if gold should rust, 
 Love shall fail us never; 
 
 And her own true image, rare, 
 
 Like an angel, bright and fair, 
 
 Shineth bright and brighter there 
 In my heart forever. 
 
 Teli her that I now confess 
 Love my tongue can not express; 
 Only heart can feel, can guess 
 
 What its nature is; 
 Tell her trust, oh trust my word; 
 Let m}^ wooing heart be heard. 
 Till her own is gently stirred, — 
 
 All her soul is bliss. 
 
 Then return, love's messenger; 
 Think the tend'rest thoughts of lier; 
 Think me not a heartless sir; 
 
 'Bide with me again 
 Let there 'tween us be no strife; 
 Thou shalt be my fount of life; 
 She my love, my own, my wife: 
 
 One shall we be then. 
 
 — Hebec. 
 
154 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 MY I.OVER 
 
 One week ago my lover came, 
 
 My lover, kind and true, 
 His coming gave me mingled joy, 
 
 Gave pain and pleasure, too. 
 As ever in the past we talked; 
 
 Our joys and sorrows blended: 
 And then my lover rose to go — 
 
 Another visit ended. 
 
 The visit ended! yes, but we 
 
 Had yet to say good-bye; 
 We oft had said it in the past 
 
 With just a little sigh. 
 To-night I thought 'twould be the same, 
 
 Some gentle words to grieve me, 
 A little hope, a warm handclasp, 
 
 And then alone he'd leave me. 
 
 He spoke the tender words I prized; 
 He clasped my hand, and so 
 
OF HEBKC AND LESBIA 155 
 
 I heard again, "I will be true;" 
 
 And still he did not go. 
 And then — oh! was it wrong? Did stars, 
 
 So calm and still above nie, 
 Look down to see and hear him sa^-, 
 
 "Now, truly, do you love me?" 
 
 I felt his breath upon my cheek, 
 
 Nor shrank from his caress; 
 Then could he doubt my love for him, 
 
 Which words could not express? 
 Ah! could he doubt my love and still 
 
 Believe me pure and blameless? 
 To love him not and listen then, 
 
 Would prove me false and shameless. 
 
 O quiet was the summer night, 
 
 And cloudless was the sk}^; 
 And pleasant is the memory of 
 
 Our last prolonged good-bye; 
 And sweet it is to watch and wait, 
 
 To ponder and discover 
 Each day new bliss in olden thoughts — 
 
 About an absent lover. 
 
 — Lrsbia.. 
 
156 THK COURTSHIP RHYMES 
 
 MARRIAGE 
 
 Marriage is a sea 
 
 lyike eternit}^ 
 Broad as life, its depths above; 
 
 A}- , an ocean wide, 
 
 On whose swelling tide 
 Floats the ark of life and love. 
 
 Whosoever fail 
 O'er this sea to sail 
 
 Can not know the joy of life; 
 Whosoever do — 
 Loyal hearts and true — 
 
 Joy and peace know, never strife. 
 
 O'er its bosom blue 
 Soon thine image, too 
 
 Shall in perfect bliss be borne: 
 Soon th}^ fondest hope 
 Real leaves shall ope — 
 
 Ay, a rose for every thorn. 
 
OF HEBEC AND I^ESBIA 157 
 
 Life shall never seem 
 
 More to be a dream ; 
 But a sweet reality: 
 
 And the perfume sweet 
 
 Of a life complete 
 Shall betoken loyalty. 
 
 When the blossoms all 
 
 Have begun to fall, 
 Flutt'ring down unto the ground, 
 
 Then there doth appear 
 
 Luscious fruit and dear 
 Scenting all the air around. 
 
 May thy life be so! 
 
 Be it richer, though, 
 In fair blossoms, precious fruit. 
 
 Blessings let attend 
 
 Thee both and th}^ friend! 
 Heaven make your life's pursuit! 
 
 Angels, touch your golden lyres, 
 
 Let celestial anthems rise: 
 Swell the chorus, nuptial choirs; 
 
 Love-born music, fill the skies. 
 
 — Hebec. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 First Shall Be Last— Hebcc i 
 
 To Hebec— Lesbia lo 
 
 True Hearts Change Not — Lesbia 17 
 
 Winona— Debec : 31 
 
 Eugenia— Lesbia : 41 
 
 Pains of Parting— Hebec . . 53 
 
 VVouldst Thou Forget— Lesbia 55 
 
 A Merry Chri.stmas -Lesbia 57 
 
 Hebec's Dream — Hebec 59 
 
 Among the Willows — Lesbia .. 63 
 
 His Ideal— Hebec 6S 
 
 Christmas Thoughts ot Christian Dut\ — Lesbia. ... 70 
 
 VVouldst Thou Care — Hebec 75 
 
 Twilight Prayers — Lesbia. ... 77 
 
 In my Den — Hebec 79 
 
 When They Are Dead— Lesbia 86 
 
 Thy Token^ — Hebec 89 
 
 The Castaway — Ltsbia 9^ 
 
 Fruit and Flowers — Hebec 93 
 
 A Flight of Fancy — Lesbia 97 
 
 Lesbia's Birthday— Hebec 100 
 
 Lonely— Hebec ". 105 
 
 A Song of These Autumn Days — Lesbia 107 
 
 Whip-poor-will — Hebec " no 
 
 Goodnight to Hebec — Lesbia. . 115 
 
 Dost Thou Remember, Lovu? — Hebec 118 
 
 Ten Years Ago and Now — Lesbia 123 
 
 Do I Remember? — Hel)ec 126 
 
 The Contestants — Lesbia 128 
 
 In Reference — Hebec 132, 
 
 The Unfinished Dream— Hebec • 136 
 
 The Finished Dream — Lesbia 138 
 
 The Maid of the Mill— Hebec. . 142 
 
 Woman's Questions -Lesbia 145 
 
 Man's Answer— Hebec 152 
 
 My Lover — Lesbia... I54 
 
 Marriage — Hebec 156 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS "' 
 
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