P s 1^16 3 of the. 1\ I G vl/- ^^.\j \\!/Z/ ^i^ ...!:f ^/W ^"^^f ohn Benjamin Magee J. Class _t^/ES^. Book.Ii(il3-£lL Copyright Is'?. .>^ CX)FlfRIGHT DEPOSIT. RUNES OF THE NIGHT A BOOK OF VERSE BY JOHN BENJAMIN MAGEE BOSTON SHERMAN, FRENCH & COMPANY 1916 t .K^ ^c,^^ Copyright, 1916 Sherman, French 6^ Company GIA446452 ? TO MY FATHER "A MAN OF DISCRETION" CONTENTS PAGE The River of Ahava 1 Laughter in My Heart 27 Follow the Star 30 The Seventh Ruler 31 Peg 35 Night 36 Thieves 37 The "Winged Slipper" Professor ... 39 The New Year 41 War's Nightmare 42 Mother 46 I'll Give a Minute to You 47 Father 49 Eyes 50 Thorns 53 Gladness 54 A Resemblance 55 Gertrude 57 The Metal Flag 59 The Two Reapers 61 THE RIVER OF AHAVA This is the story of a young man by the name of Ish- sechel, a Nethinim or temple-servant, who, even though in captivity, has a vision which encourages industry, and who borrows the books of wisdom that he may prepare for the call which he knows must come. The call comes from Ezra, who is encamped upon the River of Ahava, and here Ish-sechel comes to lead Israel in worship and to be- come its chief minister. His vision was made possible through industry. PRELUDE Thou who hast read in book divine Of captive Israel beyond the Arab sands, And who doth treasure every line That chronicles the tales of Holy Lands ; Thou who dost love to read of Daniel true, Who purposed in his heart to serve his God, Or of the faithful Jewish children who With saving angel fiery furnace trod ; Child of Him who heard Ishmael's cry. And granted wisdom great to David's son ; Believer in Job's builder of the sky. List to a tale of Ancient Babylon. Some names there are w^it bold in Holy Book, And stories oft related of their deeds. But wouldst thou hear of one whom angels took From obscure toil to meet Israel's needs .^^ No scribe thought fit to chronicle his name, And earthly books have made his story brief, [1] But heav'n will make perpetuate the fame Of Ish-sechel, "man of discretion," chief. So rest while honor due is given him, Whose vision liberated captive brain, Who slaved, but sang each night a sacred hymn, And guarded well his soul from every stain. CHRONICLE I FALL OF JERUSALEM In the reign of Zedekiah, he whose reign was marked with wrong. Who profaned God's holy altar, felt himself both safe and strong. Heralds came from Neb'chadnezzar, asking him to swear by God ; But deceived in his own prowess, met their mes- sage with a rod. Even faithful Jeremiah, speaking from Jeho- vah's mouth. Saw the youthful king unhumbled, prophesied a blasting drouth. Chief of priests and all the people laughed and mocked with evil scorn, And Jehovah's house polluted by their prac- tice pagan-born. [2] Then it was that God rose early, and in love a message sent ; Had compassion on the people and His dwell- ing-place now rent. But they scoffed at all His prophets, and de- spised His kindly word. Then His wrath rose up against them ; they must perish by the sword. Mighty Maker, Strange Designer, He who moves mysteriously. Made the King of far off Chaldee to contem- plate seriously. Then this ancient king grew stronger, as his mind was joined with God, And by power strangely given, yielded to Je- hovah's nod. Yet he knew not what had moved him to at- tack Jerus'lem's wall ; It was the great God of Battles who had planned the city's fall. PoAver of Heav'n, angelic legions, hosts of skies unseen but real. Crush this proud, rebellious spirit that thy strength thy foes might feel. [3] Thus they fell, the youth and virgin, hoary- headed men and priests, In the holy sanctuary where they held their car- nal feasts. See the flames of God's own temple as they leap to meet the skies ; See the haughty Zedekiah, as he from his pal- ace flies ! Hear the distant thunder rumbling, as the city walls fall down ; See that wretched priest go flying in his sacer- dotal gown ! Down the street with chariots laden come the conquering riot hosts. Slaughtering with fiendish laughter, shouting out blasphemous boasts. Arms and backs ache with the burdens of the treasures they have found: Temple vessels, golden altars, princely robes and ro3^al crown. Out beyond the ruined city, 'cross the hills and desert sands. Goes this great victorious army back once more to native lands. [4] In the midst of all the thousands march the remnant of the Jews ; Slaves they are and burden bearers till such time as God shall choose. II RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY In the reign of the great Cyrus, he who had the world annexed, God bethought Him of His people, they who had His spirit vexed. Seventy years had hurried onward, while the Persian kingdom grew. In which time the captive remnant hoped sal- vation for the few. Then God took the soul of Cyrus, stirred it up with generous thought. Taught him that his world-wide empire had Jehovah's people bought. Then the King made proclamation throughout all his vast domain ; Put it also into writing: "I will build God's House again." Next day Cyrus took an offering; made it gen- eral through the land ; Took in gold and silver vessels, goods and beasts on every hand. [5] Now rose up the heads of houses, Priests and Levites of the past ; Shook their silvery heads most gladly ; they were free to go at last. What a joyous throng assembled in the plains that happy day, Coming from the kingdom's corners regardless how hard the way. Sheshbazzar, the Prince of Judah, took the treasure from the King: Platters, knives and precious vessels, gold and silver, everything. Long the journey, tired the pilgrims e'er they came to Judah's land With their sacred temple treasures and their singing, joyous band. Now we see the Holy City rising from its ruined state Into grandeur not less glorious than before its shameful fate. But the House of God grew slower than the leaders felt was right. And they feared to vex Jehovah or do evil in His sight. [6] So they sent to Artaxerxes, asked that he their burdens Hft, And the gracious King made answer with a gen- erous royal gift. Ezra, too, at his suggestion, gathered all who now remained In the borders of the kingdom, through their slavery detained. What a mighty reenforcement for the builders all too few; Some to fight, and some to chisel, some to build and some to hew. See the caravan now passing from the gates of Babylon ! See their slowly swinging camels, see their Arab horses run! Emir-el-had j, called the leader, rides his swing- ing desert ship. Shaded by the rocking houdah, rhyming with its jolt and tip. Kufiyeh protects his temples from the torrid, dusty heat. While his long embroidered kamis flows in folds about his feet. [7] Far away to dim horizon reach the treacherous desert sands, While between a cool, dark river stretches forth enticing hands. On its banks the weeping willows shield their heads with flowing dress. And refreshing evening zephyrs bid the cara- van to rest. On the sandy beach stands Ezra, as the sun lies down to sleep, Praying that the Great Eternal might protect, strengthen and keep. For three days amid the sunshine of that bright, enchanting spot Watches he among the people for a man, but finds him not. So Ahava's quiet river lulled their minds to peaceful rest. While a search was made by Ezra for this MAN, at God's behest. Ill ISH-SECHEL Ish-sechel, the slave of Darab, sat within his master's gate. Talking with his sister Narsi, spared to him by friendly fate. [8] "Sister," sighed the youthful dreamer, as his eyes gazed off in space, "Think you, God can love this people of a sin- ful, thankless race? "Seventy years, our prophets told us, would redeem the faithful ones. And today should close the seventy years of never ending suns. "Sweet and faithful sister Narsi, do you wish to hear the tale, How last night I had a vision which my heart says cannot fail? "All this day I've served the master, but my thoughts were far away, 'You shall conquer life through service,' so I heard my angel say." "Brother, you are tired with labor; dwell no more upon this thing. Sit beside me on this settle, while of Babylon I sing. "Twenty years and six kind Darab has to you a father been ; Would you wish to rise and leave him who must now upon you lean?" [9] "Hold ! Sweet sister, chide your brother not for what seems meagre pay To our kind old pagan master for so bright- ening our way. "Well do I recall his goodness when our mother dear lay dead ; Though a slave, I know he loved her, for he kissed her aged head. "But I owe him small allegiance, now that I have seen the Lord, Who revealed His Holy presence, struck within my soul a chord. "Artabanes, faithful servant, sat beside my cot last night And related tales of Judah, till the moon put out its light. "As I looked into his deep eyes, with a lustre heaven-born, I could read how much he suffered, how his godly soul was torn. "Back somewhere in David's city he had left a slaughtered bride. Who had fallen in the battle, smitten at his very side. [10] "Yes, perhaps he set me dreaming of the pa- triarchal men Who gave life to Judah's kingdom, and of those who will again. "And it may have been I gave a thought to what I'd like to be, And how perhaps I might be called to set our nation free. "But, dear, as the sun was gilding Arta- xerxes' garden walls And the mountainous embankments with their foliated halls, "Just when short'ning shadows reached the broad Euphrates' willowed side. Then I oped my southern window ; watched the darkness seek and hide. "No false drowse had crossed my e3'elids since good Artabanes left, But perhaps they closed an instant due to rest and sleep bereft. "You think some phantasmagoria lingering on the gloomy wall Struck within my mind a weakness which I dream to be a call. [11] "This I know: I had a vision of a figure all in white ; Robes resplendent with a glory beaming out celestial light. *'Lo ! I stood at heaven's portal ; angels filled the restless air ; Golden spires shone above me, precious stones set everywhere. "Then he spoke, this man of heaven, and his voice was like a wind, And my soul was filled with music of the most eternal kind. " 'Son of man, both true and faithful, thou hast served thy master well ; Thou must soon do greater service ; list to what I have to tell : " 'Isfundear, the sage of Nippur, reader of the starry signs, Waits for thee at heaven's bidding to reveal its strange designs. " *Seven years of perseverance, searching midst prophetic lore. Then among the old papyrus, law and history seven more. [12] " 'Thoughts will then be tried by fire, and ages' wisdom will be thine ; Knowledge and discretion's secrets will be treasuries divine. " 'So Casiphia's silver mountains will seem filled with worldly dross ; For your soul will be as gold refined and all the earth seem loss. " 'Keep my words and search for knowl- edge ; serve your brothers as you toil ; Say what God shall then direct you ; to your vision then be loyal.' "He was gone, the light had vanished, and the night seemed doubly dark ; But, fair sister, as I looked I saw my shadows on their mark. "All had happened in an instant, for with God there is no time ; He had stopped a fleeting second, filled my soul with thoughts sublime. "Come, my NarsI, let me lead 3^ou where the dews of night fall not. Pray for your unworthy brother, then find rest upon your cot. [13] "I shall to my sacred bower where last night I met the Lord, There to pray His guiding wisdom which my heart shall peace afford." IV INDUSTRY Years had passed since one cool evening Isfun- dear, the Nippur sage, Saw a horseman, hot and dusty, who appeared of youthful age. Reign his panting, lathered pony just outside his humble tent. Hold his heart, and look to heaven as on sa- cred mission bent. "Peace to thee, my youthful brother!" cried the reader of the sky. As in warm embrace he took him, while the lad made faint reply : "Peace to thee, O aged servant, by our Lord divinely led ! Blessed be thy humble altar, and the ground thy feet doth tread." [14] Months and years of weary labor had been spent in holy toil ; Lad and sage had worked together in old wis- dom's arid soil. But their hearts had found refreshment in a world of sin and pain; They rejoiced in loving-kindness, which they showered as the rain. Wisdom joined with love grew fertile and it yielded ripened fruit, And they labored uncomplaining, anxious only God to suit. One day Ish-sechel had wandered far beyond the village gate, Crossed a stream and climbed a mountain, un- aware that it was late. Sitting on a rock to ponder while he wiped his sweaty brow, Lo, the sun grew dark, and thunder clouds began to moan and low ; And the air grew dusty with the wind which off the desert came, Hurled its tiny little bullets, stung his face into a flame. [15] Through the fast-approaching darkness stag- gered he with waning strength, Stepped upon a rock unstable, fell through space a fearful length. Pagan woodmen found him lying faint and gory, almost dead, And in simple Persian custom had compassion on his head. In the rough hut of kind Gushtasp, gentle hands soon cleansed his wound; 'Twas Rouchunuc, gentle daughter ; voice me- lodiously tuned. How he quivered as she touched his brow or laved his smarting face, Smoothed his couch, or breathed a strain to Mazda for her race. Love of God was lost for woman, and his vision dimmed by sight, And his soul grew dark and darker, till his faith was lost in night. Ease and rest and Pagan beauty soon had quite transformed his mind ; He had fallen, stalwart manhood, eyes through worldliness made blind. [16] Hewing wood with artless Gushtasp, as his pay for kindness done, Was to him an irksome burden, and he longed for set of sun. Then with mingled love he led her through the silent forest glades. While the moonbeams kissed the branches, searching out the nightly shades. Cleaving timbers one bright morning, he had aimed a mighty blow. Felt his arms grow strangely stronger, felt his sinews stretch and grow. Crack ! The axe fell like the lightning, smote the tree with dreadful shock. While the sound reverberated through the hills from rock to rock. Heart all quivering, throbbing, bounding, while the echoes made reply, — What a glorious transformation in his soul and in his eye ! God's great axe had in this moment cleft his soul from end to end; What he was had been thrown open to his sight, his heart to rend. [17] Now he saw through this convulsion, how the tempter had him led; Fell upon his knees in anguish, with hot tears and heart which bled. Looking up he saw his vision, bowed himself, and wept aloud; "O my Master, have compassion. Holy Lord with grace endowed. "Take away these dreadful vapors, and reveal Thy blessed face; Pardon, strengthen, lift and save me by the fullness of Thy grace. "Neither knowledge, thought, nor beauty can restore what I have lost ; Only sacrifice and labor can redeem at fright- ful cost." "Son of man, arise this instant ; waste no more my precious days ; Seek forgiveness from Isfundear, then betake you homeward ways." Down the mountain, 'cross the valley, not a mo- ment did he pause Till the tent of preparation found him back to join God's cause. [18] Here had he with steadfast purpose sought to satisfy his soul; Now again, since his awakening, would he la- bor for his goal. V THE CALL Now it chanced that gentle Darab many years had been at rest, And the Persian's former servant now as mas- ter was addressed. Something in his humble bearing made one feel he knew the Lord; He had known some great experience, torn by shock or cut by sword. None were slaves and none was master; all were brothers in their toil ; Ish-sechel was still a servant, cultivating stub- born soil. Lifting stones for tired workmen, ploughing fields at early morn, Toiling to fulfill his vision, perfect man through service born. Camels, asses, beasts unnumbered, workmen, fields and broad estate. These were his without the asking, yet he la- bored early, late. [19] Every evening after sunset, down the cobbled, winding street, 'Twixt the dwellings of the people, whom he loved to know and greet, Went he to the house of Iddo, where the faith- ful Nethinims Met to hold their holy worship and to sing their sacred hymns. He was loved by all the people; Levi's minis- ters rejoiced When they saw his godly presence, as he lived that which he voiced. Once it seemed, when golden sunset crowned the palms with glory bright. That a halo stood above him, that he stood transfixed in light; And his face beamed heavenly sunshine, and his voice was like the bird. What an awe inspiring figure! How his fel- lowmen were stirred ! But he waited, oh, he waited, for that caravan to call, Thinking of that midnight angel and that pal- ace garden wall. [20] Now it happed that King Darius gave some great and costly feasts, And that Ish-sechel was ordered to be there among the priests. When the lords had gorged their bodies both with food and restless wine, Call was made for priests and nobles to declare the GIFT divine. First there came a drunken satrap, king in name but not in deed, Who declared the vintage springs possessed the life-refreshing seed. Then there came an aged Magi, in a voice with hollow ring, Who, to please the great Darius, told the power of a king. "Ish-sechel !" cried all the nobles, for they wished his fame to spoil ; "I declare for truth," called he, "for wisdom, truth and daily toil !" Then rose up the priests and nobles, satraps, ministers and king; "Great is truth !" they shouted wildly, "mighty over everything!" [21] "Ask whatever gift tliou cravest, and it will be given thee; Thou art found to be the wisest," said Darius, graciously. "Then, O King of mighty Persia, take an offer- ing for my liord ; Help us build our Ancient Temple once cast down by Persia's sword." "Though I cannot go to Judah till my God doth so request, Yet out of thine ample largess thou canst give as I suggest." Several years had passed like phantoms since that declaration bold ; Ish-sechel's great fame grew broader till in Israel 'twas told. Standing at his gate one evening, where so many years ago He and tender sister Narsi talked in voices soft and low, "They wdll come," he whispered sadly, "I will never be denied. For the God who leads me leads them" ; then he bowed and softly cried. [22] Through his tears he saw a picture out upon the desert face ; No, a speck, a shape, a camel, camels, men in urgent race. Then his saddened eyes dilated, and his flesh grew chill and white; Could it be hallucinations ; would his hope be lost in night? Up before his gate these specters drew in silent, calm array. Cried out "Ikh, Ikh" to the camels ; their beasts knelt as if to pray. "Peace to thee !" cried Eliezer. "And to thee most welcome guest ! And to all this holy circle may this hour be doubly blest." Joiarib and Shemaiah, Elnathan and Ariel, Nathan, Jarib, Zachariah, Meshullam, before him fell. "Faithful servant of Jehovah," Eliezer bowed his head, "God would have thee serve thy people, min- ister divinely led. [23] "Israel awaits thy coming by Ahava's peaceful shore ; Hasten, great and worthy teacher, 'Man of knowledge' evermore." How he burned with holy passion as he heard these joyful words; How much brighter seemed the heavens ; how much sweeter sang the birds. He had waited, toiled and suffered all these years to see this day. Now he feared his mind deceived him; had his thoughts begun to stray? "We have here this sacred camel, richly fur- nished all for thee; Come, your Heavenly Father calleth. We would God's salvation see." "O most worthy Eliezer, you would glorify the man Urge no more ; thy servant heareth ; I will serve the best I can. "But no richly furnished camel will I use to serve my Lord ; On the humblest beast created will I carry out His word. [24'] "If sometime the Great Messiah comes to earth as prophets say, He will ride no sacred camel, but the ass in humblest way. "Peace go with thee, faithful servants, I will follow on tonight ; And tomorrow's morning sunrise will reveal my soul's delight." AFTERWARD The hand of our God is upon them That seek Him in patience and toil; His wrath is against those who hate Him, Who leave Him in service disloyal. He led Ish-sechel for a purpose. And found him the child of his God; He found him a "Man of discretion" ; He chastened him under His rod. Casiphia's mountains, though silver. And houses and lands, though untold, Appeared to his spiritual vision As worthless and lifeless and cold. He sought through his toiling to conquer; He fell, but he rose once again ; His dreams were of heav'nly material, His life the most noble of men. [25] The river still runs to Ahava, Its waters are peaceful and calm ; God's plans, as we know, are unchanging; If we will, He fills life with a psalm. He calls us to labor and service. To search in the wisdom of old; He cleaves our small soul with His axes, Then visions prove greater than gold. [26] LAUGHTER IN MY HEART The day God breathed the breath of life Into my new born soul, He heard the laugh of angels gay Across the Heavens roll. He made the laugh, and knew its worth ; He put it in man's heart ; He taught the angels how to laugh, And give this joy a start. Now, as He breathed infectious life, His spirit rose with mirth ; He laughed into my baby soul. And laughter gave me birth. What transports filled my infant mind While God's contagion grew ; My mother smiled to see me laugh As laughs the sparkling dew. The Heavens sang ecstatic songs. And strewed my path with flowers ; While through me laughter filled the world With heart-refreshing showers. Then clouds began to drape the sky ; Sharp winds blew cold and chill ; My happy, free, light-hearted way No longer swayed my will. [a7] The laugliter of the world had ceased ; The angels no more sang; God's mirth ceased breathing through my heart ; My laughter no more rang. Since man by breath of God is born, By breath of God lives he, And when he lives by Satan's breath, He kills vitality. Then waited I the forty thieves Who stole my life away ; The chief stood up before my heart, And boldly whispered, "Pray !" The door fell back with magic spring; The sunlight smote the dark ; And there before my opened eyes My wickedness lay stark. For sin and wrong breathe putrid air; They cannot live with God ; In soul of man the one must die Intombed by fleshly sod. But God and laughter never die; So in my heart I saw The treasures of eternal joy. And peace without a flaw. [28] How glad my life began to feel; The treasures multiplied ; The world rejoiced and Heaven sang, And only Satan sighed. God breathed again and made me live, And angels laughed a share. And I in turn created life By laughter made through prayer. [29] FOLLOW THE STAR Now the Wise Men from afar, Hoping for a Heav'nly King, Knowing what His reign would bring To a world with Satan's scar, Searched the Heavens for a star, Followed it in all its guiding, Lived above the world's deriding. Over mountain, desert, vale. That their mission might not fail ; That no worldliness might bar From their vision Jesus' star. 'Tis the message Christmas teaches. How a star transforms the soul ; Gives a vision that moves mountains ; Puts the life in Christ's control. [30] THE SEVENTH RULER History tells of the wonders of earth, Monuments great with an immortal worth; Mined from the quarries and built of the dust ; Sculptured in bronze and a subject to rust; Spanning the heavens and gardening the plain ; Laughing at winds and defying the rain; Housing the bodies of kings in their death ; Honoring gods who have lived without breath ; Seven Great Wonders to genius of man, Shading the architect's name and his plan: Surely it seems that the greatest of time Must be these creatures of wisdom sublime. II The mighty pyramids, The calculator's pride ; The Babylonian grove For royal monarch's bride; The Artemisia Tomb, Death-home for Mausolus ; The great Olympian Zeus, Designed by Phidias ; The Seven-furlong Mole, And Tower of Sostratus ; The Rhodian Helios, The giant Colossus ; [31] The Ephesian Diana, The work of Chersiphron, Outshining works of modern man, The ancient genius' throne. Ill The seven great sages of Greece Stand first in the history of thought, As judges and rulers of wisdom and thrones, We learn of the sapience wrought. Yet Plato, the-sun-with-the-feet. Who strode both the earth and the sky. Was puzzled to name all these authors of sense ; Could Legend inform us just why.? IV What charm does this word hold. This sacred seven .^^ First, let us ask the old Who cast this mystic mould. Those ancient seers Of pristine years : Is it spiritual, INIathematical, Astronomical Or forged in Heaven? The days God took in making. The busy world is taking To learn of God. The dove took seven days [32] To find its homeward ways ; The dream of Pharaoh Twice seven years did show The fruit and rod. So I read of the seven great martyrs Who fought with the dragons and frogs ; Of Rome, the Eternal City, With its seven high hills and its bogs ; Of the Masters of Wisdom ; The Sleepers of Tours ; The Island of Bishops Exiled by the Moors. And I wonder of seven which is greatest, The first or the fourth or the last; Then I think of the man who is last in the line Of the seven great Kings of the past. VI The forest trees were temple walls to him. Who walked with God, as one in daj^s of yore ; The wind played oratorios and sang By gentle breeze and through the tempest roar. Birds sat upon his hands and chirped their love, W^hile God was forging brain and brawn of steel ; The purity of body, heart and soul Came from the out-of-doors and thus were real. [33] He was not built by man or human thought, But quarried from the mines of rugged toil, And sculptured out of bronze colossus high, And raised a Hanging Mountain from the soil. VII The Code of Hammurabi gave us law. And David glorified his shepherd God; Timolean gave justice for the rod, While Alexander conquered all he saw. 'Twas Constantine who saw the King of Kings, And Washington whose patience saved a cause. But Lincoln, incarnation of all laws. Of Nature Liege, of whom the wide world rings. [34] PEG When the eye of the sun In the door of the East Peeks in on the sleepmg earth, And the birds with fun Hunt their morning feast With a warbling kind of mirth, 'Tis my heart o'er-run With a joy increased; 'Tis the day that gave her birth. When the water laughs, And the wind disports And leaves play at carnival, Or the moonbeam chaifs At the dove which courts On the ghostly spire tall, 'Tis my soul which quaffs Of her sweet retorts ; I am blessed beyond them all. [35] NIGHT 'Tis midnight ! The clock is beating the time ; It will not hush its heaving breast; I listen to its rhyme — Night!. Night! Night! Oh, for light! The sleeping world brings fear That morn is dead and will not come. And no relief I hear, But Night! Night! I see light ! But 'tis my thoughts which burn. And guide me through the dark of doubt ; 'Tis these that make me yearn For midnight ! [36] THIEVES When ancient Greece was in her prime, And men were cheap in honest worth, And wise men saw the moral dearth Among the noblest of their time, A man of legal thought appeared To "write in blood" some guiding rules, And Draco, wisest of these fools, Made death for theft most highly feared. Today we do not kill for theft. But like the Spartans, teach to steal By souvenir and clever deal Till only thread-bare souls are left. We countenance this crime in youth. And smile complacently the while. And lift them o'er the civil stile. And pose as honest men forsooth. We fail our promise as to time. And steal the minutes from a friend To whom great tasks have had to lend Their precious seconds most sublime. And in that minute now destroyed And far beyond all hope to save, Both we and they might ages pave With thoughts and deeds by world enjoyed. [37] We hear a golden thought expressed Or read it in some treasured book, And store it in some mental nook For future use, its source unguessed. To steal a thought or word or phrase May seem to thoughtless minds no sin ; But honest men by toiling win, And by their thoughts make robbers gaze. To steal a name is worst of all ; And tongues that wag are highway thieA^es That plunder guiltless men, and leaves Them robbed of happiness, to fall. The gold of men is wealth, 'tis true. And thoughts are riches unexcelled, But steal a name and life is felled. For honest names are all too few. So let us make a code of rules To guide the thoughtless thief of time. Whose waste of minutes serves to prime This selfish, hungry chief of ghouls. And may we "write our code in blood," And punish thieves with social death. That none may draw a stolen breath, And earth be bathed in honest flood. [38] THE ^'WINGED SLIPPER" PROFESSOR My Webster and Roget are ready ; I've scanned great descriptions in Lit ; I've coached my wee vocabulary ; I'm now intellectually fit. Yet landscapes oft baffle narration ; The soul cannot tell all it sees ; But Jones would defeat all damnation ; To describe would congeal all idees. To see him with strapping pace moving, You might think ^lercury his pa. But be not deceived, I am proving Such surmise to be a faux pas. When under such sail he is tacking Because of the calm in his soul, He waited too long and is shacking To reach an ex post facto goal. His loquaciousness is his weakness ; Pauciloquy, Jones would deride ; My words though compound are but plainness ; His fustian cannot be denied. He talks in sesquipedal phrases ; Johnsonian language is his ; While common folk hear it with gazes, The broad-brows regard it as fizz. [39] Cunctation, another grave habit Puts Fabian off in the shade ; Poor Jones with a chance does not grab it, For promptness has not been his trade. He dresses for breakfast by dinner — 'Tis fashion to go to class late ; At judgment this unpunctual sinner May find they've not set him a plate. In spite of his tardigrade manner, We like his sunshine-of-the-mind ; And e'en though a wag and a jester. His word-play is sparkling and kind. Perhaps though he is late to glory, Saint Peter will not close the gate. But waggishly say, "Tell a story. And I'll not report you came late." [40] THE NEW YEAR Five things will make this year your best If you will put them to the test: To think pure thoughts each coming day; To love all men without repay ; To live contentedly and right ; To pray to God each day and night; To speak as though each w ord your last ; Thus will your year be happ'ly passed. [41] WAR'S NIGHTMARE A BOY'S VIEW OF THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR The father of the writer was the minister who preached the farewell sermon to the departing company of soldiers. His prayer of that occasion is remembered as one of peculiar power. The closing stanza has reference to the camp at Chickamauga, where the boys took fever and re- turned home to die. FATHER, tell what the hornman meant As I lay in bed last night; For he woke me up, as the night air rent ; Does it mean they have to fight .^^ 1 could hear the feet in the street below. As they ran dow^n toward the park. And all the while that mournful blow, And the night so dreadful dark. (To the colors) To the flag, to the flag; There is war, there is war; Rouse ye, hrave men, rouse ye, brave men; Say **Good hye,^' you may die; Waste no time, do not lag; To your colors gather, brothers; You must fly, you must fly. [42] Dear father, what did the captain want As he talked with brother Ted ; For he looked so stern, and his face so gaunt, And his eyes so awfully red? Oh, I fear Ted asked him if he might go, And the captain clasped his hand; For I heard these words, "To fight the foe Of my God and my native land." (Taps) Must he gOy Must he go? Brother Ted, Brother Ted, Brother Ted. Do not sigh, Do not cry. Father, so. Good father, why did you pray today Till my heart most broke its side? As I peeked to see how soldiers pray, I saw tears they tried to hide. And it seemed you prayed till we stood on high. Where they do not weep or fight ; And you made me feel I would like to die For our home and our nation's right. [43] Pray for peace. Pray for peace; Ask for strength, ask for strength. Ask for strength; Lest we fall By a ball. Never cease. Kind father, here come the brave boys now, With the flag they love so well; Oh, I want to cry as I see them bow, And the cheers my bosom swell. Now they're on the train; how the great crowd cheers ; There they go, father, wave your hand; Why, you look so old ; there, I see the tears ; You're so weak you can hardly stand. They are gone. They are gone; Trust in God, trust in God, Trust in God; They'll return And we'll yearn For the dawn. [44] Look, father! There by the baggage car Comes a stretcher grim and light, And the doctors say the slightest jar And he'd not last over night. Do they tell the truth, that he wasn't shot ? Then why should he be so ill? 'Tis because they had to camp in rot, And not by a blood-won hill! So they die. So they die. For the ftag, for the flag. For tJie flag; Not a chance For adimnce. Damned lie. [45] MOTHER Celestial convocation ; The glad processional ; Our sin's confessional; The Master's adoration ; The robes of all degrees, From keeper of the gate To greatest of the great; All nations on their knees ; Among them all stands one, Her face with glory-burst ; She bows before the son, By pain no longer curst. "The highest name thou'st won ; I crown thee mother, first." [46] I'LL GIVE A MINUTE TO YOU My journey lies toward Jericho On the road of the thieves and priest, Where robbers wound and the Levites pass And you die like a fallen beast. Though the priests pass by And the lievites sigh And you curse all the churchly crew, Though you lie half dead, Let me raise your head. And I'll give a minute to you. My study door is opened wide To the hall of the passing race, Though duties press and the cares distress And fatigue scars my sweaty face. Oh, I pray step in From the noisy din. Though you hate my trade, 'tis true; Let me quench your thirst With some water first. Then I'll give a minute to you. For God above with tender love Has His office on every road. And the door stands wide for the tired man. For the man with the heavy load. And His time is yours While the world endures ; [47] He will ease your burden too; If you'll step right in And confess your sin, He will give a forever to you. [48] FATHER In the image of God were his features, And his brow was like Jove when in thought; His heart was as big as the morning, And his life was most beautifully wrought. Our table was dark when without him, And the neighbors knew when he came home By the laughter and mirth never dying. In love's empire that was greater than Rome. His evening is drawing about him ; May the logs of his faith keep him warm, And the stars that he puts in his heaven 'Round his soul like brave sentinels form. Live on, both today and tomorrow ; The greater days lie just ahead. Remember, we love you, our Father; God's blessing upon thy good head. [49] EYES Eyes ! Eyes ! Eyes ! Under countless skies. Eyes on every city street ; Eyes in every face we meet ; Eyes in Heaven ; eyes in Hell ; Eyes that tragic stories tell ; How they weep, and laugh, and talk; How they stab, and how they mock; Eye of God to pierce the soul ; Eye of man to watch his goal. Thus the world doth scrutinize By its myriad, sleepless eyes. Eyes ! Eyes ! Eyes ! Guide of him who tries ! Eyes which tell soft tales of love ; Eyes which search the great above; Eyes of anger, pride and hate ; Eyes of sin insatiate ; Now they threaten, now they plead ; In the soul they plant their seed ; Full of beauty, prayer and speech; These exceed all chords and ties ; Clutching, gripping, binding eyes. Cries ! Cries ! Cries ! Tears and human eyes ! Eyes of sickly, starving babes ; [50] Eyes of worried mother-slaves ; Eyes of fathers, workless, poor; Eyes of rich, who can't endure; Mists of suffering ; clouds of woe ; Rains of sorrow; tides that flow; Eye of fool, like sun-dried lake; Eye of wise, its thirst to slake; These are listing, earthly sighs, By their sad and weeping eyes. Lies ! Lies ! Lies ! Told by faithless eyes. Eyes as bold as midnight beast; Eyes which passionately feast; Eyes as soft as pigeon down ; Yet on which true eyes must frown. Not alone in eyes of thieves ; Nor in him whose tongue deceives ; Eyes that gaze without a shift; Eyes that pierce and read and sift ; These small planets act as spies Of the soul of him who lies. Rise ! Rise ! Rise ! Lift your downcast eyes. Eyes discouraged through some ill; Eyes which show a broken will ; Eyes which have not seen the stars ; Eyes behind sin's prison bars ; See the beams of rising sun ; [51] They will light the course you run; Eyes were made to see withal ; Eyes were never made to fall. These excel the orbs of skies ; Raise your melancholy eyes. , [52] THORNS One day a soldier wreathed a crown ; Of thorns 'twas made and for his God; Upon the Savior's head pressed down, Each point became a drop of blood. Each drop of blood a jewel turned; Each thorn, a ray of light ; The crown became a diadem To turn to day the night. Paul saw that crown ; he felt the thorns ; He prayed they might depart; God gave him grace : the thorns remained To crown with righteousness his heart. Could I but have a single thorn From off that glory crown of Christ, The stars which ought my crown adorn I'd cast away ; this would suffice. [53] GLADNESS Sometimes you'll not feel happy ; Sometimes you may feel sad, But the time you feel the saddest Is the time to make hearts glad. For sadness turned to gladness By the mystic power of love Will make your earthly palace As bright as the one above. [54] A RESEMBLANCE Written for an invalid girl, living in England, on the occasion of an inspiring letter from her and read by her brother in America. The letter told of a brother lost on the English line in France, and revealed her optimism through faith in God. They look alike.? I cannot say. They look alike? Perhaps they may. I never saw her angel face, Sculptured by God's redeeming grace. She lives upon another shore, And ocean waves betwixt us roar. But though no man hath seen God's face, We do not feel a greater space Divides the human and divine Than if His face did ever shine As countenance of closest friend; Companionship to beauty lend. The mirrors of the world are great In which reflect man's love and hate. And though the human hands ne'er touch. The souls are bound. Nor is there such In all the world of rope and chord Which can such breakless ties afford. The photographs of soul and thought Are love's epistles, dearly bought By nights of aching eyes and hands. To reach some heart in far-off lands. [55] I saw licr lace in surli a pa/re; It (lid my thirsty soul assuage. Ho read to me, lier brotlier dear, With many a si^h and /^listening tear; 1 le read as only love can read, As soul on precious soul doth feed. She led us both before the Throru! Of Him who trod the world alone. The brother's bosom swelled with pride, And in his secret soul he cried. So hear! in heart, I saw them stand As they will bo in Heaven's land. Her soul revealed on written sheet. Angelic, glorified and sweet; His face like Moses' countonanco Refined by God and not by chanco. The mo(hl of their faith is one. And both are like (iod's stalwart Son. They look alike? Yes, and like Him Whose li«'hl in (hem does not burn dim. [•^6] GERTRUDE 'TwAs Sunday morn, Witli all the world at prayer; She cried, "Ts father there?" With death oidside Ills door He stood as oft before. Within Ills |)ul|)lt, nlL»'li, And siiiol licrt'd evei-y si^li. A mcssen^-er! He saw and understood, And closed as best he could With broken si^hs the word ; Ills con^'re«>atlon heard. And knew I he /^rlef he bore. And loved hliii all Ihc more A bedside f^roup. A broken, faded flower. And heart-cloud's salty shower; Then, soft as closing' day. She whis})ered, ''l<'ather, ])ray." And all were torn with woe Except the one to go. 'Twas four A. I\t. '^rhe lad awoke with fear Of s()methln<>" very near. [571 A light danced on the wall ; He tiptoed down the hall, Then cried his way down stair, And found the family waiting there. So still she lay. Her breath came like the wind Which blows, then dies; that kind Which lies so calm in sleep. Then rises from the deep As though it fights for life; Each breath a choking strife. The night is gone. Her soul took flight at five. She did not die. Alive, She lingers on the shore Of Heaven, and pains no more. She scans the barks that come. And waits for folks from home. [58] THE METAL FLAG Old Glory furled to the snapping breeze and never a shout was heard. But the busy mart and the marble purse cried out with the venal word: "We sell for cash, and the day is short ; we've paid for the soldiers' time ; The red of the flag is the blood of war, of the war of the Hen-fold dime.' The silver star we've placed in the sky of the nations East and West ; The field of blue is the heaven of peace ; we've met the commercial test. The wars of the world are fought for us, to fill our exchequer full; We have no fear for the threatening storm, we're secure in our ochered pull." So they sailed the seas in their costly ark with their scathless metal flag, For their drink and laugh and their muzzy songs were safe with this armored rag; And they threw a dare at the pirate throne, and the pirate smiled the while, For the sea was full of his ocean dogs, and his soul was full of bile. But the beau monde thought that a silver boat could despise both wave and shell; [59] That the surest way to preserve the life was to make the eagle yell. Though a mint of gold in the ocean's hold has declared that a coin will sink, Yet the only proof that the bigwig takes is the proof of a salty drink. Let us give a cheer for the flag once dear, though it cost our very life ! May the bull and bear of the pit and curb be shamed by the drum and fife ! May an iron bone and a strength of steel give force to a great resolve ! May we love our flag with our very lives though a conflict ma}^ devolve ! Though our hands are bare and we stand alone, may our will be King of force ! For a meaty thought can move the Avorld from a wrong to a righteous course ! May the drink and coin and the witling stock go down with the metal rag! May the armored mind and the blood-tipped pen preserve our honored flag! [60] THE TWO REAPERS The Doubter sat alone among his books, For no man dared to pass his threshold o'er ; Yet sat he not alone, for spirits fraught With messages from heaven communed with him. And he with them, as the long hours of night Brought to him the food that angels eat. They came so silently that like the wind Which roars with sullen wrath and then re- turns With catching breath to blow with unspent force. And in returning travels noiselessly And yet with greater speed than in its roar : So came these the thoughts of men. Which in the past had cannonaded minds And lives. They came with all their force intact. Possessing still their native power to move. The shelves once filled with treasured books Now seemed as rows of seats in which sat men, — But men with faces more like lucent souls. Which waited not to show thoughts one by one But in a glance revealed their total sum ; As lightning lights the landscape with a flash, And in that flash we see all things at once. [61] Could he have called the roll of specter friends, What voice might to him have made reply ! What decades, centuries and ages oped to him Their tales of love, of triumph and of war ! Josephus, Shakespeare, Gibbon, Plato, Grote, Stevenson, Scott and Dickens, Ibsen, Taine, These sat communing with his soul, though mute And speaking not, yet spoke as mortal voice Can never speak. Yet as he fed and gorged His finite mind upon this bread of heaven. It seemed as though two clouds had met mid- sky, And meeting, like a savage storm had cast A spell of gloom that grew to inky blackness O'er the entire scene. At last his eye Began to see, as Pluto's servants see In nether realms. He saw two giant forms. Both robed in night, who smiled as devils smile As with resistless sweep they mowed with scythes The unresisting spirits of his dream. In one he saw a patriarchal face. With beard all white, which flowed about his loins ; With parchment skin, all yellowed through with age. But eyes still flashing out their deathless end. The other, blacker still, if that could be, Revealed a face which w^as no face at all : [62] A skull, the shadow of a human face; A mouth, a fiendish, grinning, hellish mouth. The dreamer watched the reapers harvest those Of every cycle, every age in life Since Adam's day. The babe, the youth, the sage. The serf and tyrant king, all silent fell Like wheat before the binder, bundled, falls. He bowed his head, so great the carnage was. And sighed that these should die and be for- got While fools and wicked men still lived to curse The world which gave them birth. But whilst he sighed The two persistent forces, resting not, Mowed on, it seemed with unremitting hate. At last his mental anguish knew no bounds ; He cried, not as the criminal cries at death, When from his cell he walks the final path And stands prepared to meet his well earned doom. No cry of mountain beast or human throat Could match with this, the wail of finite mind Which felt itself fast nearing life's complete Annihilation. "Who are these huge ghosts Who know no tears and laugh at sorrow's pains ? These nightly shapes that feed on men and thinffs ? '» [63] Great God! See how that city flames with fire. And how that mountain tears itself apart To crush the sleeping village at its base. See how the sky joins hands with thunder clouds To roar and tear the victims of its wrath. Is there no God to chain these savage beasts, Or crush in turn these ever crushing fiends.?" And e'er his words themselves had ceased to be, Cut by the same unerring scythe of death, A voice replied, all cracked like thirsty ground ; And yet another joined the first with sound More like a frosty wind through dangling bones Than from the well tuned throat of earthly man. "My name is Time," quoth he of parched breath. "I rule all men and worlds, which are my food. By me they find location of their birth, And on their tomb they write their time of death ; Their age is but an atom of my life ; In me they live and move and have a being ; No memory could thrive in timeless worlds ; For only that which was can be recalled To finite minds. Infinite thought itself Can have no past, since that which was is now, [64] And ever shall it be: no history To be revived; no prophecy to tell; Once told, all's told; and there alone no time." "And I," the bony voice now reached my ears, "Am Death, with kingdom wide as finite space, In light as well as dark, on land and sea. In smallest whit or atom, or in spheres Too great for mortal mind to comprehend. The seasons die and nature sloughs away. Not dying once, but being born again. Dies many times ; and thus my sceptre rules. The fleshly body is not all that dies ; Hearts die; minds die; thoughts die; and voice and sight. Each dies, as dies the evening wind. Which is the funeral hymn of dying day." The weight increased and doubt began to paint With glowing brush this gloomy battle scene. For doubt can make the darkest night as clear As brightest day, and brightest day like night. Old Time looked not one half so fierce to him As earth with all its toil and pain, so cruel. And Death, the skeleton with winding sheet Which seeks out joy and crushes it in blood. Wore purple robes, and crown upon his brow, As though no God but him deserved his knee. Yet Doubt is only half convinced herself. And faith though feeble searches further proof. And every soul retains some spark of light Despite night's overwhelming cloak of dark. [65] And so, as if in answer to his thoughts, The walls fell down, and clouds filled all the room; The pictures changed, and he began to see Transpire before his eyes, in deathless scenes, The answer to liis puny, struggling faith. The Doubter saw a room of brightest joy, Within which sat a mother spinning wool, While at her feet sat playing laughingly A sweet faced child, with voice like chirping birds. The sun had turned his hair to ochered hue, Resembling yellowed edge to fleecy clouds Which curl across the forehead of the sky And make men pause to gaze in wonderment Before the artistry of heaven. Cherubic smiles flirted with lips and eyes. And made his angel guardians envious Of his innocence. She, the mother, proud. With heart as full of joy as clouds with dew. Which spill themselves to sweeten needy soil, Praised God for lad, and home, and love, And wept for happiness. The lad arose With sobs of pain, and like a wounded dove Which coos and cuddles close unto its mate. Sought refuge in his mother's willing arms. A hideous shape appeared before his eyes And struck his trusting mind with sickening fear. [66] The room grew chill, the sunbeams froze, As did the mother's heart. The black thing grew Until the room breathed stagnant, putrid air. She drew the child and warmed him with her breasts ; The room grew dark, and through that midday night A bony finger touched the laddie's heart. And crystal fountain gurgled into mute And laughless death. The artic winds go howling 'cross the waste Of ice dunes, smarting glacier cheeks Till sculptured sides hiss back their mournful song, And all is night and cold and drear, like home. That seat of love, 'round which affections grow. When Sin hath opened wide the gates of hell And breath of death blows desolation in Upon our joy. Such scenes the Doubter saw, And fact confirmed his fear that Death was king. But stop ! The shadow fled and slipped away With sneering rattle meant to be a laugh. And even while he fled, this king of gloom. Another shape more mighty than the first Slipped in. The mother raised her rainy face All marked with deep cut lines which made one think Of banks of sand mad torrent swept and traced [67] With heaven's tears. From life to death is short; Succeeding breaths may come, the one on earth, The one in heaven. But Time, the swifter winged, Can make the light, the sound, the darkness puff To keep abreast of him, so fast he moves. So while the mother's head was bowed in grief A diuturnity had come and gone. A few short years to this were but an hour. The life is measured not by looks and years. But by the wrinkled heart which lies within. The citadel of life Time first attacks. E'en while he looked the Doubter saw an age Write history in book of flesh and blood. The hair, the eyes, the teeth, the hands and back All showed the blasting power of hoary Time. The shadow laughed. "King Death is but my slave. The child died not ; he lives in realms of light, But see this mother, dead in all but soul. Old Time is king!" And Doubter bowed his head. "Old Time is king!" he cried. "Old Time is king !" Once more the skeptic gazed into the mist To satisfy the yearning of his soul; For who would care to live just for to die, [68] Or love to die by slow decay, to live As food for Cronos' peckish appetite? "Is there no God who lives beyond the screen? If not, I will not serve both Time and Death ; But which is really king?" sighed he. "O Fate! O Fortune's Wheel! O Destiny! Whate'er thou art, tell which is Lord." For answer, golden chords from off the sun Drew back the vaporous curtain of the stage. And there beneath a dirty sky. Festooned with clouds of gas like froth and spume Upon an angry sea, lay stretched a field All strewn with putrid flesh, and stagnant blood And rottenness polluted all the air. While cannons, guns and swords, and arms of war Piled high like cast-off iron waiting sale. Behind, in filmy haze he saw a town. Cathedral walls, and shells of ruined homes. The streets were like deserted hell at noon When shot and fire of heaven have raked it clean. And damned souls are driv'n to darker hell. And as he watched, his flesh grew gelid cold. For clouds and guns, the town and human forms Had shaped a perfect caste — the face of Death. The cavern eyes were made of jetty steam, [69] Which rose like fog; the mouth, a pile of men. His thoughts now made him blind to what he saw, For Time was king, and why should he laud Death ? The Ancient Reaper watched him search the scene In vain attempt to find his aged face. He then addressed the youth with haughty pride : "You fail to give obeisance to your Lord; But mark you well, you soon will feel my power. My scythe has caused this ugly battle scene. The plans were laid long years ago by men Who knew my strength, and used me for their cause. It took them years to build those mighty guns ; To train the mind to loyal discipline ; To know the strength and weakness of their arms. They gave the child full time to be a man. And for their blood to run in foreign veins. 'Tis not alone by powder armies win ; The surer way is by the infused mind Which makes a hated race to serve as slaves, And turns the child against its native land. Cathedrals are not made within a day, But span the centuries. Designs must change. For who can think ahead four hundred years And have within his mind each door and spire, [70] And how the whole will look against the sky? Time builds with nails of progress each new wall, And workmen make their part a monument To brain and toil, while artists paint in blood Immortal frescoes in each apse and nave Then Time lays siege to that which he has built, And from the base to roof decay sets in. As silent as the movement of the stars The ceaseless plane shaves on remorselessly ; For dust thou art, to dust thou shalt return Is certain end for temples made with hands. Then see those clouds of gas and fetid air Which rise from bloody flesh unsepulchered, And how the strong cathedral of the soul. Which grew by slow degrees from seed to man, Disintegrates and mingles with the air Until no trace is left but memory. O Doubter, doubt no more ! You see my power." Just then the Death's Head grinned, and gave forth words Which sounded first like shrieks and cries and oaths, Then formed themselves into this frightful speech : "The old man tells but half the truth, my friend ; [71] And though he claims that you will feel his power, He fails to tell how in an instant I am King, And when I bid you bow, not even he can save. He sows, I reap ; he plants, I uproot ; He builds, I hold the lease; he serves, I eat; My greedy appetite exceeds his own. He lives on dusty things, I live on flesh. From tender babe to tough old age, I choose. Sometimes in ones and twos, sometimes in scores. This battle scene reflects my countenance, Because it was my will that these should die. I come from Hell, and what you see is Hell, For since Death cannot live in heaven or light He then must turn a heaven upside down To live on top. Serve Time, and call him King, But know that what I say is true, O man, That Death will one day claim you for his own; For from abysmal depths to starry heights All worlds have crowned me King of Kings." The Doubter groaned ; his soul was sorely torn. "To serve this fiend would make my home in Hell; And yet I fear that what he says is true. That Death is King of Kings, and I his slave." [72] The Doubter mused. His night was pitchy black : No sun, no moon, no star to light his way. His bitter fears like soot lay on his soul, And thoughts as dark as ravens' wings beat hard Against their prison walls ; and still no light. He sought to force the bars that held him in; His strength was gone, and mind had done its best. Then, soft as pollen whispering words of life To blushing rose, a voice lay on his ear: "The wages of sin is death, but hast thou sinned ? To search for truth is man's eternal task. The light is in the world, but you are blind And comprehendeth not. I am that light Which lighteth every man that seeketh me." The speaker ceased, and yet He seemed so near ; The blind began to grope as if to touch The garments of His form, but all was space. Again he heard : "If thou couldst see my face, Thou wouldst believe, but doubt hath made thee blind. Yet there are those who have not seen, but heard. And have believed, and thus been blessed with sight. Believe on me, and thou shalt never die. For he that heareth me and doth believe [73] On Him that sent me, hath eternal life, And shall not be condemned." Then from the depths the young man cried aloud, "Have mercy on me, Lord ; forgive my doubt ; Consider all my trouble which I have Of them that hate me, Thou that liftest up From gates of death. O Lord, lighten mine eyes. Lest through my doubt I sleep the sleep of death." Then sweet as angel breath, the voice cried out, "Let there be light!" And by the swiftest beam Of morning fire his shackled eyes were free. He leaped upon his feet and stared about To find the liberator of his soul ; And this is what his hungry eyes beheld: A MAN, the nonpareil of human form, Whose face was like all beauty deified ; The eyes as bright as diamonds of fire. Which read the heart without reproach or frown But fell with pity, melting doubt and fear. His lips contained a glory like the sun Which pours its evening wine along the clouds, And then smiles through to warm and bless the world. And all about a fulguration shed Its aureola with a nitid glow. [74] The young man bent his knee and bowed his head, While strains of heavenly music filled the room. His hideous dreams had taken wings and fled Like darkness at the sign of coming day. He hath no need of sun upon his path, For Christ, the World's Light, was now his guide. And now his soul breathed forth these words of faith : "Yea, though I walk the valley of the shade, I fear no harm, for Thou art by my side. For what is Time to thee, O Mighty God? And Death is swallowed up in victory. Jesus, thou Galilean laborer. Thou art the King of Kings forevermore." [75]