SONGS of a DREAM By Alfred James Fritchey ii Book. ' ^ fo Gopyriglit]^^^ COKmiGHT DEPOSm SONGS OF A DREAM By ALFRED JAMES FRITCHEY Published by A. J. FRITCHEY 523 San Julian Street Los Angeles 6^\ \ (\ 1 APR --/ C14673G17 1922 Q Copyright 1922 by the Author CONTENTS 1. Songs of a Dream. I. The Dream. II. The Treasure Case. III. The Outer Rim. IV. The Archangel. V. Behind the Veil. VI. The New Born. 2. Apple and Elm. 3. Titania. 4. AVild Strawberries. 5. The Fountain. 6. Aucassin and Nicolette. 7. At Malaga. 8. Yacuta. 9. The Fallen Leaf. 10. Shatrunjaya o'er Tarawali Dead, 11. The Waterfall. 12. Quatrains. 13. The Horned Toad. 14. The New Arrival. 15. The Golden Land of Showers. 16. Hannah White. 17. A Morn in California. 18. The House of the Seven Daughters. 19. Croesus' Wish. 20. Each Has His Way. 21. Love's Domain. 22. Desolation's Flower. 23. The Elm. 24. The Shy Damsel. 25. The Jonquils. 26. David Barry. 27. Reminiseor. 28. The Magical Flute. 29. Youth's Dream. 30. The Hollyhocks. 31. The Winds of Suisun. 32. Time. 33. Sardanapolis. 34. Karnak. 35. The Season's Metals. 36. Sainte Chapelle. SONGS OF A DREAM SONGS OF A DREAM I The Dream This I dreamed : on some rose lawn Song- I made a far land sings ; Honeyed as the lips of Dawn Singing' to the sea-harp's strings. One could magically change, And how often followed thro', Had the same theme's beauty strange, Yet had words forever new. That is why I day by day Borrow bud and flower's gleam. Hoping e'er to weave a lay Like the wonder of my dream. II The Treasure Case In some hid vale I saw a case Of jewels richly set and bound; Fit to adorn a seraph 's face — Such treasure seldom hath been found. Tipt Avere some exquisite with fire Fit for the highest diadems ; SONGS OF A DREAM As if the rainbow did aspire To melt her colors into gems. And some Avere rare enamels bright In sjanbols as do please the eyes, That to the stricken pave deliglit ; And wisdom could give to the wise. It was the treasure case — it ran — Of words that are sublimely kind, Tliat angels use to talk to man, Which mortals hold so hard to find. Ill The Outer Rim The lips of those austere with exultation I heard ; Wlio stand by the meek fount of Inspiration, So myrrhed With sweetness, the heart in twin pang's elation Is tearful stirred. Those august ones do not know tears however ; Their hearts Are turned to subtler richness, and joy never Departs Entirely, tho' a sadness marked doth sever What Heaven most imparts. SONGS OF A DREAM They are robed in such grandeurs that the air, In meetness, Blooms, feeling Adoration's lilies there. And Sweetness, Tliey know such joys 'twould burst our hearts to share Them in completeness. I was upon the outer rim alone. Of grace ; And yet each little drop like eyed prayers shone. Clear to trace. Methought as I grieved for my sins, that one Drop plashed into my face. IV The Archangel Now the archangel hath grace rare, And his eyelids shut like one Who hath heard music in God's chair Regent for Heaven's sun. His glances have such splendor, he Reads a life at a look ; While his minute's thought, on earth would be, A million worded book. 10 SONGS OF A DREAM Robed is lie in a loveliness Of vestments all afire, Whose flame is weird in peerlessness Of meet august attire. And the tones of his voice cadencing When low his accents fall, Are melodies that light and sing In worlds innumerable. V Behind the Veil Behind the Veil are lovely forms, o'erflowing With radiant charm death has so well refined ; Forms fair as roses in their prime, rich-glowing. Alive to all delights of sense and mind. Not clothed in flesh, but in flesh-like perfection ; Raised by sublimity from mortal throe ; Knowing too sadness to show some selection In that high loveliness they most do know. Raised till the mortal touch doth seem pollution ; For 'tis repugnant to their senses fine. And they can love, from woe giv'n full ablution, Elxpanding to emotions, rich, divine. SONG 8 OF A DREAM 11 VI The New Born in the First Heaven Nay, turn thine eyes away, thou peerless one ! For I am not Fitted for it ; of thine high company none, But full of sin and blot. Nay, turn thine eyes aAvay and let me sit Down by the least and lesser be In this conclave of joy, and used to it Maybe I shall grow in eternity. 12 SONaSOFADREAM APPLE AND ELM Now, apple-blooms curl euviedly ; And many lovers have they too. For weddings they most charmino: be ; They do adorn nativity, AVith all life's richness slumb'rin^^ thro'. But I can never gaze on trees, Laden with the elm's spring delight, The pale-green pledge of the year bright. But in a realm of sudden peace I am, that outsplendors daylight. SONG S OF A DRE AM IS TITANIA Sweet Titania, the fair In the woods sliimbereth there. A tiar' emboi^sed with pearls Lies by her iinruh^ curls. Like the tint of June-blue skies, Folded round her wrinkle-wise, Is her robe, whereon do gleam Hyacinths as white as cream. There are rings, whereon are set Ladybug for amulet, Glow-worm and fox-fire too On her fingers tapering thro'. O, the stillness of her sleep, As the butterflies guard keep, And her high-born eyelids tell Of the land where her thoughts dwell ! i4 SONGS OF A DREAM WILD STRAWBERRIES Upon a hill where shone the distant bay We gathered berries on a cloudless day ; Strawberries crimson, of so sweet a flavor That one who tasted could eat on forever ; Wild and unvisited, save who their stem Knoweth in season, and who loveth them ; So modest set amid each pale-green stalk That one who sought them not, could overwalk. And such is poesy; tho' hid it lies Marvel of beauty to the poet's eyen; A berry, crimson, of so sweet a flavor. That whoso tastetli could eat on forever. SONGS OF A DREAM 15 THE FOUNTAIN Dropping, Dropping, Dropping, In its lustrous sheen The fountain of the onyx fount Droppeth o 'er the green ; And each drop liquescent falls a richer colour seen. Flying, Flying, Flying, Minutes o'er and o'er. But the tumbling water Droppeth evermore ; Like a poet's fancy pouring from its crystal store. Raining, Raining, Raining, With its iris spray, The jetting water curveth In the sunlight gay. Like the bubbling spring of Life in Youth's early May. 16 SONGS F A DRE AM Laughing, Laughing, Laughing, In its glowing hale Wealth of rushing water Like a bridal veil. And its drops fall like the laughter under moonlight pale. Blowing, Blowing, Blowing, As the wind betide Bloweth in the shade or sun Teardrops full of pride ; And the voice of many children sounds on every side. Ever, Ever, Ever, The flowing w^ater goes ; And the tumbling water falls Over snow and rose : Till I feel that life is like this fount without a close. SONGS OF A DREAM AUCASSIN AND NICOLETTE Aucassin and Nicolette, Once the old love-tale I took From the library where 'twas set (A quaint decorated book, And a charming tale to get — Aucassin and Nicolette!) And to the librarian old For to stamp the book did hold. Aucassin and Nicolette, How she smiles this book to get ! Murmuring their names as tho' Honeyed charm did with them go. You and I, librarian, now Are neither youth nor age I trow ; But as lovers we are met O'er Aucassin and Nicolette. 18 SONGS OF A DREAM AT MALAGA Decked with the luscious fruit of purple dye, At Malaga superb the vineyards lie ; Color congealed the grapes are, from the hills, And all the air a purple radiance fills. Voices of maid and children in the dale Blend with the tranquil notes of dove and quail. And the pomegranite laughs by many a road, Proud over baskets with their purple load. The air is as a purple bird that flies Has left rich trail — some bird of paradise — Hinting of all the pomp of purple things, Proud-passioned love and bacchanals of kings. SONGS OF A D REAM jg YACUTA Who is it rides a white horse astride Down the long lane of almond bloom, In crimson and gold the Calif beside, When all earth revels in spring's perfume? Who is it everyone's eye engages Who sees lier escort, knowing not her? Who but the charmingest of pages! Who but Yacuta, the Calif's daughter! Who is it set up a fountain fair That when she pressed a bulb did spray The Calif, wetting his august liair. And making him change his grand array? Who is it makes most annoying raids For which any other were doomed for slaughter? Who but Yacuta, dearest of maids ! Who but Yacuta, the Calif's daughter! Who is it the Calif loved they say So well, that when she died he never Would look at a woman for many a day, Pining in grief by a fountain ever ; Thinking of all her lovely ways. Dainty fragments of verse he taught her? AVho but the darlingest of fays! AYho but Yacuta, the Calif's daughter! 20 SONGS OF A DREAM Who is it in the middle air That we on earth do know as Heaven, Down flowered colonnade so fair Rides, sins and cruel deeds forgiven Because of one great love he bore By Bagdad's shining, pearly water, Now with that sweet maid evermore ; Now with Yacuta, the Calif's daughter? The Calif ! THE FALLEN LEAF The argent revelries of spring are fled ; The first shy splendor of the snowdrop pure. The satin gauze wrapped new-born buds secure, AVith wistful, silver snows have vanished. And that great argosy into tlie dawn, Where from afar was brought back silver fleece. To glistening dower budding plants and trees. Seems like some silver dream of poet gone. Still from the dawn is dipt the argent avooI ; Of grander argosies the subtle proof — For on a fallen leaf I saw its woof. Silvered with beaded drops full beautiful. SONGS OF A DREAM 21 SHATRUNJAYA O'ER TARAWALI DEAD Like a gull in the surf That has made his last flight, Tired of sea and of turf, My heart is tonight ; It will soar to incomparable depth, but no more to height. While she lies, pale and calm. Where she stood regal fair ; And winged odors embalm Her curved breast and fall'n hair: But the hate that laid her there has turned to unut- terable despair. What is this that I did With the noose of my lute? Slain, and by ire bid, Toiling years' choicest fruit, AYhich the howling years ne'er shall re-make, earth's gardens ever be mute ! the lute that I took From the home of my sire, AVhose sv/eet strings ]iave struck Forth such sadness and fire, You are traitor, for one of your strings has strangled mv soul 's one desire ! 22 SONGS OF A DREAM Tarawali, the rare, Peerless of her kind, Whose eyes, lips and hair Were a lute to my mind, Ijies shattered, the splendid lute mocked by the wind. That night on the lake When her limbs seemed to be Rose-flake on rose-flake. And molded to me : — But death now has molded her into love's loveliest mockery. And the lotuses there In that lake by the wood AVere wont to greet her As their human-grown bud, Will look now in vain for her carvel to pass in amor- ous mood. Ah, gentleness made Great atone for her wrong ; And I whom pride played, And blind rage made so strong. Am dumb at the sight of the melody I have stilled long. SONGS OF A DREAM 2S How the lies that they said Now on me fallen are : And her grave, queenly head Seems to hold that great star : While her silence says we will meet never, on earth or afar. And the sunsets I blest For the nectar they brought Will long stain the west And ever be naught ; For one was a liangsman who noosed my soul fear- fully caught. SONGS OF A DREAM THE WATERFALL 0, the glorious waterfall! Plashing, foaming over all, With its freshness and its fullness of the skies ; With its grandeur pent and wild, Heaven-nurtured, undefiled, How its dew envelopes all with pleasure 's eyes ! How it comes from snows and glazes In the utmost, secret places ! How it filters thro ' the deep, untainted air ! Till it sparkles forth at last In a shower falling fast Over flower, fern and mosses, bright and fair. And if I a winged seed Were, that floated o'er the mead. Seeking where to find what pleasure toppeth all, I would drop upon thy brink, Burst and flower, just to drink Up thy freshness and thy glory, waterfall ! SONGS OF A DREAM 25 QUATRAINS I The Unknown Behold an angrel, large and drooping-winged, And raven-clad there stood within my room ; And cinders dark and spiritual there fell: And then I pressed mine eyes hut felt no gloom. II Ambition for Power I saAv a saber, long and sharp and thin, And double-edged and handel there was none ; And none could hold, nay none could seize the blade Except it sorely cut the seizing one. Ill Necessity But being by a fisherman, he liooked A shark, and tho' all day he fished the sea. Catching naught else, he took the shark and smiled. "Sharks are not bad to eat" said he. IV Love Then in u boundless desert I beheld A bloom like butterflj^ frail-winged and gay ; And lo ! its fragrance filled th ' entire air; But when I stopped to pluck, it flew away. 26 SO]\'GSOFADREAM V The Common Lot Xo wonder men pretend what they are not, AVhen malice e'er sits, croaking like a toad! HoAV many hide their sorrows, smile and go Out from their fellows on the long, dark road. VI Happiness It was a land where bubbles all were blown Out of the perfume of the rarest flowers ; And each was imaged with the dream desired, But strange, the bubbles all were liroke by showers. VII Inspiration Then inspiration touched my lips and I AVas 'neath a fount whose drops shone in the wind : And all the eyed drops became winged darts That went forth gloriously among mankind. vni Hope But we will not forever bubbles blow And have them broke by shower and by wind ; SomcAvhere there is a realm of light and mind Where all the aspirations of the heart do grow. SON OS F A DREAM 27 IX Sylvan Beauty Scarlet the light is on the oleander; And golden-flecked the streamlet doth meander; And lilac pollen-headed are the fair Acacias trembling in the waters there. X Dreamers Ah. dreamers they are happiest on earth, For they are those unmocked by life or birth ; Unmocked by time, they lose one dream, and still — They dream — those lotus-eaters without fill. XI Delight And bathing in a purple pool, the spray Of countless, perfumed jets did on me play: And every jet was of a different scent, As when one smells an elegant bouquet. SONGS OF A DREAM THE HORNED TOAD In the California lowlands, far from the Sierra's snowlands, In the valleys dotted with the fig and vine, Lives an odd and squatty creature, a bizarre, im- pressive feature Of the land where tropic fruits delight to shine. They have sung his praises early, for he 's never mean nor surly, Tho ' he 's full of spines and warts and is a toad. And one reason he is happy, is the weeds are large and sappy, And there grow a million weeds by every road. 0, from Siskiyou to Yuma, of the plants that range and bloom, a Most bewildering variety there set is ; And of all that radiant flora, bugs and slugs that cut and bore a Hole, are rogues this ranger eats up like a lettuce. 0, the snows fall oft on Shasta ! — and when Whitney feels the blast, a Chain of snow-peaks borders California fair; SONGS OF A DREAM 29 And the luiues are thick on Lassen from volcanic cholers passin', But the horned toad romps his lowlands free from care. They can revel and can dally in Del Rey or Mexicali, Or at Capistrano penance for some sin ; But what men in light or shadow do in Niles or Coronado, Ne'er disturbs the horned toad from his happy grin. They can drink life's gayest chalice in Del Monte or Dos Palos, They can toil at Carmel for fame's trophies vain; But on mankind 's way of living, the horned toad no thought is giving In his tranquil, California-verdent plain. so SONGS OF A DREAM THE NEW ARRIVAL I was pageanted with glory in some hollow of the hills; Startled with a high-born wonder, following some brooklet 's rills ; For I heard a great rejoicing like from some ser- aphic band, And I wondered if I was at home or in some alien land. 0, the bluebird sang above a bed which poppies wrapped in gold ; And the lilacs sent mauve taper flames to wake the brooklet cold ; And the buckeye lit a thousand candles of a crimson hue : O, it was the birth of springtime, but I did not know 'twas due. SONGS OF A DREAM SI THE GOLDEN LAND OF SHOWERS When showers have made grasses green In spring, And in the west white clouds are seen Rolling, And sunset's lovely tints so fair, Upon the clouds so debonaire. Made angel figures shining there Showing ! How very pleasant o'er the grass Peeping, ■It is to see the pageants pass Singing ; High oA'er on the clouds so fair The angels bright and debonaire, And some but babies over there Dancing I come and see the festivals Chanting, That may be seen in Heaven's halls Glowing, When swept by showers the skies appear! Bright forms celestial and dear, And star-eyed all. to earth so near Treading ! 32 SONGS OF A DREAM And I have thought since childhood I, Gazing, Might some day some loved form espy Walking ; But tho' the many forms so bright Go by in robes full exquisite, Not yet one known has caught my sight Passing. 8 0NG S OF A DREAM 55 HANNAH WHITE There's a new note in the spring, Hannah White, Since I saw you first, blushing Hannah White; But there's too a note of grief, Culling like a winged thief From each fairest budding leaf, Hannah White. 0, what rapture and what joy, Hannah White, When I first beheld you, coy Hannah White ! But you give no more to me, But averted looks that be Careless of my constancy, Hannah White. Have I hurt or done you wrong, Hannah White? That the spring's enchanting song, Hannah White, Seems no more so gay and fond Toucht by some magician's wand? Will your eyes no more respond, Hannah White? 5^ SONGS OF A DREAM A MORN IN CALIFORNIA At dawn I heard the flight of birds Across the sky, faint-flushed with light; A melody of hurried words They seemed to me in their swift flight. Drows}' with slumber out I gazed And saw flamed oleanders there ; While Spring, the blithe, with beauty graced The gardens far as eye could fare. The languor of delicioiTs rest Was on me like a perfume dim : I felt like some gnat in the nest f some rose curled to cradle him. SONGS OF A DREAM 35 THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN DAUGHTERS In the House of the Seven Daughters Their sandals are golden I trow, And their kirtles are finely embroidered With tulip's and poppy's rich glow; Their gohlets are chaste and enameled ; Their basins are silver I guess; But tliere isn't a maid of the seven Surpasses my maid of one dress. In the House of the Seven Daughters They move with much grace I am told ; And their earrings and silk-netted hair- veils Are wrought of lace, seed-pearls and gold. Their features are splendidly molded ; Their voices are sweet as a bell ; But there isn't a maid of the seven Compares with my maid of the well. In the House of the Seven Daughters They pass with the steps of a faun ; And the worker who sculptures in marble Their figures has exquisite drawn. But there isn't on frieze or on cornice, In Athens or anywhere known. Gold-sandaled or sandaled with jewels Like the bare-footed lassie I own. 36 SON GS F A DREAM CROESUS' WISH Cover my couch with maple leaves, In scarlet and in yellow sheen ; Simplicity's most gentle weaves Let my last couch be seen. Tear from my quilt the golden fringe ; The seeded pearls strow them elsewhere ; There will be none then come to cringe "When I lie silent, paupered there. I who in life was tricked by show ; Passed out life 's blossom for a gem ; In purple splendors lived aglow ; And rich with rubied diadem ; Desire no false honors spread When silent is the breast now heaves. Envied alive, unenvied dead. Cover my couch with maple leaves! SONGS OF A DREAM 37 EACH HAS HIS WAY Some like the hail and the showers, The storm and the tempest's dark strife; Some like the sun and the flowers, A cot and a calm shepherd's life. 0, each has his way. Be it what it may : Some will be grave and some will be gay. Some like the ocean's vast play-ground, The free and the boundless, and frown That some a cell in some byway ground Like, where there's scarce room to kneel down. 0, each has his way. Be it what it may : Some will be grave and some will be gay. Some like the heavens and soar there ; Light's glories and all there might be; And some like the earth, and adore there All things that are flesh and earthly. ,each has his way. Be it what it may : Some will be grave and some will be gay. 38 SONGS OF A DREAM LOVE'S DOMAIN Thro' mustard that yellowed the hill, 'Neath cloudlets so fleecy and white, We wandered as fond lovers will, Till we came to a tree on the height. Ah me, love's domain is a world! When from the hill's crown 'tis espied O'er a hamlet so peacefully curled, Ah me, love 's domain is full wide ! Since then I have wandered o 'er seas ; Have climbed over bleak mountains high ; Have trod in strange lands ; none of these Have had what I fain would espy. Ah me, love's domain tho' a world Must be in a realm long espied, In a hamlet so peacefully curled Where the mustard blows o'er the hill-side. SONGS OF A DREAM S9 DESOLATION'S FLOWER Here on the beach where frets the flowing surf I found a poem of an antique mold, Which nature made in some fantastic mood And buried 'neath a million years of turf: Starred like the bloom that mystic marshes hold, Where desolation reigns, and solitude Howls in a silence to a dead moon stark. This tablet has the rippling ages mark! It is a shell-fish of an age o'erthrown: A conscious something turned into a stone. 40 SONGS OF A DREAM THE ELM There is no tree So blossomy In the Avhole realm of treedom As the elm is he. Against the sky On his branches high How the pale green bouquets Seize the eye ! In the radiant air, On the branches bare, Of the stately tree shine Seed-wings fair. As if there dropt From the rain just stopt, A subtle influence the Bare boughs topt : That spiritually Drew forth from the tree, The soul to shine there Celestially. THE SHY DAMSEL He will speak no more to me, mother, He will speak no more I know. For I answered his question rude, mother, Being then frightened so. Being filled with such melody, mother. That all my words came dim ; He will speak no more to me, mother, And I cannot speak to him. He will speak no more to me, mother, And the days will very long be : And to think how I waited, mother, For the day he would speak to me. But I was so frightened, mother, I answered his question cold ; And I cannot speak to him, mother, For that would be too bold. He will speak no more to me, mother. And now that careless girl Who has not my shyness, mother, Will set his head in a whirl ! And maybe will marry him, mother. And my heart it will bleed sore. I might have known him, mother ; He will speak to me no more. SONGS OF A DREAM THE JONQUILS The jonquils spring By stream meandering, So fair They seem like topazes blown there. So fair they shine Mellower than rare wine, They seem To have quaffed some celestial beam. And should one come Sudden upon their bloom. Right here In the spear-grass glittering mere. He would not know If topazes did grow, Or bloom From heaven o'erflowing down did come. SONGS O F A DREAM 4S DAVID BARRY David Barry, how's the fishing over there on Gut Creek now? How's the trail that hugs the Swayback, leading up to Lookout's brow? How's the salmon flies for fishing that I hunted and you gave ? Also, how's your sister, Dave? David Barrj', how's the hunting now for squirrels and for jacks? Have you seen a deer or any bear or mountain lion tracks ? Have you caught a chipmunk or that gray fox — such a cunning knave — Also, how's 3'our sister, Dave? David Barry, how's the swimming down at Mussel Rock where we Ducked each other just last summer in the white surf of the sea? Have you stubbed your toes there lately on the rocks beneath the wave? Also, how's your sister, Dave? U_ SONGS OF A DREAM REMINISCOR wondrous flower in the prime of bloom, What visions of Love 's woodland thou reeallst ! Thy perfect blending of a matchless theme So beautiful in life, seems like the first Soft blush of love to maiden's cheek. Perhaps Thy sprout lay bursting from the seed, that day Now long agone, when one I cherished most Had led me thro' the forest's tangled maze. The sturdy Oaks were wondrous living souls So gently breathing from a myriad leaves, And clinging fraily, like a tender wife. The graceful Ivy twined their rugged forms. So under Nature's canopy the Moss And Ferns and delicate Hypaticas Were brothers nearer than the race of Man How happy too was I on that fond day ! How like the music of the birds his voice To me ! And hoAv within my feelings surged With gladsome tide too great for utterance ! That same dear Heart sleeps now beneath the bush That bore this flow'r. Myself I placed it there, Dug from our wood of Love's sweet memory. And from this bed of weariness, which I Can never hope to leave, with buttercups I see the Meadow gild his resting-place. SONGS OF A DREAM Jj5 wondrous flower in the prime of bloom, How beautiful is Life ! How sad is Death ! THE MAGICAL FLUTE I sat by the ocean shore And I heard the soft tones of a flute, 0, the magical tones of a flute ! Comiug up from the ocean and o'er, As if one that long had been mute Was blowing his ecstacy through 't. It came from the depth of the sea, And then it danced over the land, Dancing close to where I was on land, So elfish and musically, That I wondered if witched was the sand ; Yet I heard not a foot-beat or hand. But the penguins came in from the sea And they gathered in circle around, Yes, the magical flute quite around, And they danced to its rhymieal glee As if each a lost mate had found. Till their blithesomeness covered the ground. 46 SONGS OF A DREAM They danced till the sun was quite low And the flute with a sharp break was still, O, a piercing sharp break ere 'twas still, And the penguins stopped dancing as though Life broke at the flute's magic will; Oh, they never their dream would fulfill. And the magical flute, I am wondering who blew't; For over the sea and the land The penguins are roving So solemn, unloving. There's no more of joy in their band. For never in life, Though Ive oft heard a fife And many a reed and a lute, Have I heard notes by chance That could make penguins dance Like the tones of that magical flute. SONGS OF A DREAM |7 YOUTH'S DREAM There are many lovely maidens, And I note them as they go ; Dark-fringed are some their lashes, And some are gold I know. I sometimes think their flesh is Finer than in man spnn : There are many lovely maidens, But I have none. There are many lovely maidens I would walk with thro ' woods ; And some have breasts like pretty pears, Some like magnolia buds. They do not know their tones to me Like cherub notes do run. There are many lovely maidens But I have none. There are many lovely maidens Whom grace and charm allot To raise above the mortal plane Altho' they know it not. I sigh, and gaze upon them, Thinking each that perfect one. There are many lovely maidens But I have none. 48 SONGS OF A DREAM THE HOLLYHOCKS All the hollyhocks I know As I walk mj^ garden thro', And I like them too, altho' They are but a family new. They are simple-minded, yes. And they have no pedigree ; But they have a knack of dress That has quite a charm for me. Their grandfather was a clown To the tulips long ago ; But they try to live it down, And I like them, I allow. SONGS OF A DREAM .j9 THE WINDS OF SUISUN The west wind blows, and blissful seas Are in the salt tang of its breeze. It has the savor of the deep : Of rich, warm, splendid isles asleep With bloom exotic, and the calm Of purple seas that lave the palm. The north wind blows, and in its breeze There is the hint of wrathful seas ; Of bleak expanses where the shore Is icy-rimed and glaciers pour Down slow crevasses to the sea, While whiteness ruleth regally. The east wind blows, and all the air Is tinged with blossomed plum and pear. The first blooms of the hillside too Add fragrance, with scents ever new, Until this breeze is like the scent Of some rare box of enchantment. The south wind blows, and lolling in Bays of rolling tourmaline The fancies are, where mountains run Gold-mottled to a golden sun; While precious pearls the divers glean Out of the depths ultramarine. 50 SO NGS OF A DREAM TIME Time he mellows all things, yea, Greater-hearted than To-day, Shallow, caustic never he Is as Now strives oft to be. He hath gentleness and vision As have those in fields Elysian. Nothing will be lost that e'er Doth a hidden worth enfold ; Time he hath a realm of gold Where he holdeth all things fair. SONGS OF A DREAM 51 SARDANAPOLIS Sarndanapolis, the monarch. In his canopy of state Sits. His brow is stern and awful ; And his wives in terror great Crouch upon the marble stairways Robed as for a scene of mirth. Sardanapolis, the mighty, Holds his last great court on earth. Locked are all the doors and guarded; None may enter, none may leave; And an air of tragic beauty Haunts the place from floor to eave. . For the fatal torch is lighted And the fatal words are said Sardanapolis, the splendid. Goes a king forth to the dead. But the king whose choice is daring, And whose word rules like a sword, Had a rival in the palace "When the gaunt flames leapt and roared. And the women who had feared him, Fearing now the flame far more, Ran and pounded on the portals. Wailed upon the polished floor. 52 S ONGS OF A DREAM Only so the other women, For a stately one there was Who endured the coming torture As if some grand fete should pass, Circled by her clinging children, In dark loveliness serene. Sardanapolis, the monarch, Knew then who was truly queen. Flashing in the hall a fountain Placid stood before the throne. Carved of tiger-banded agate, And like dripping ice it shone. While each jet a perfume spouted Out a veil which color marks Like a fragile ring of water Of a dozen, ditferent arcs. In this great curved marble basin With its cooling, perfumed rain, Petted darlings of the palace Crowded to escape the pain Of the blue caressing flame-tongues, To be crowded out in turn Till they sprawled on floor and basin Like Dore's great Bacchic urn. SONGS OF A DREAM Gorgeous, glittering, terrifying, Was the funeral pyre of him Whose word had might s seal of power In receding ages dim ; For Assyria's pride could never See her dynasty o'erthrown. So the flame wiped out the stigma In her halls of polished stone. And the conqueror who entered That great city and first came Where Assyria's royal family Passed out in their robes of flame, Found like spring-bud peeping out from Sere leaves of the Autumn's fall One stray, lovely, living maiden In the center of it all. 54 S ONGS OF A DREAM EARNAE In Karnak, when Karnak was young And her halls were fresh-carven from stone, When her temples were famously sung, And the names of her builders were known, There were two for the hand of a maid, Who was weaver of robes for the state; The one was a sculptor renowned. The other the guard at the gate. The sculptor to Pharaoh had ear And he said : ' ' Sire, the work of my hands Is yours and all tribute they bring ; Your fame has gone forth to all lands. I asked no reward as you know ; I ask now a boon small but great; I crave neither riches nor show But the maiden who weaves for the state." ''I'll talk," Pharaoh said, "with the maid, And tell you what actions befall. I am lord of the lives of my men. Of the hearts of my maids, not at all, I can order and it is obeyed ; She will go forth a bride at my voice. But experience has proven that brides. Unless royal, should have some slight choice." SONGS OF A DREAM ' * May it please you, ' ' the sculptor exclaimed, "If .you win her, a statue I'll dare Of her with the grace of a fawn, And like to a lotus-bud rare ; A statue that long shall rebound To your reign and the glory thereof. For there is yet no power in art Can carve like the fingers of love." So Pharaoh the maid brought and told The mission entrusted and said : * ' I, Pharaoh will add riches too : You will do well the sculptor to wed." The maid replied: "Sire, I love one, And I bow to you, lord of the state, But I cannot be happy save with Him only who guards at the gate." The guard Pharaoh called then alone And told what the sculptor would do If he won the maiden, "Now guard. If you win, what give me will you. "Sire, said the guard, statues, I've none; But if maidens you deem of aught worth, I '11 bring, if you wait some slight time, A maiden the fairest on earth. ' ' 56 S ONGS OF A DREAM "Go wed," ordered Pharaoh, "you wish. My steward will grant your needs now. But see that you do as you say ; I hold it to you as a vow. Go wed her and take her away." He then called the sculptor, and said : "You must wait, sculptor, some future day. There is plenty of time yet to wed." The years they have passed nigh a score, And Pharaoh sees naught of reward. And oft he laughed slyly thereat. To think he was tricked b}^ a guard. But grandly his own statues loomed ; And he said : ' ' 'Tis a joke to the throne That lustre could come to my reign By a maiden of flesh or of stone." The sculptor thought oft of the maid ; His hands were astute to his heart ; And his work a famed beauty displayed. So that Pharaoh praised often his art. But one day the guard has returned, And with him one peerless to see'; And he said: "Sire, my daughter behold! Has love sculptured other like she?" SONGS OJ^ A JL^ ^-M -57 Called Pharaoh the sculptor who came, And gazed on that maiden of grace. The sculptor though hoary and bent Hailed the maid as the pride of her race. And he fashioned a statue of her That stood a delight to gray Time To show what the maidens were like When Karnak was still in her prime. Ah, ruin now Karnak befalls ! Her temples are rifled and gone ! The raven flies over her halls ! The Nile laps the base of her stone ! But still from her columns, vine-caught, A shy, virginal beauty peeps forth, As of lover and artist who wrought To make one immortal on earth. 5S SONGS F A DREAM THE SEASON'S METALS The heart of Spring is silver. The heart of Summer is gold. The heart of Autumn is copper. The heart of Winter is steel. SONGS OF A DREAM 59 SAINTE CHAPPELLE In Sainte Chapelle, my lovely one, I stood with reverent heart and eye : The light fell from art 's magic sun ; The centuries passed in gorgeous dye. The love, the hope, the long refrain, The travail of the centuries. Was pictured there, in glowing pane That threw its light to charm and please. The moons since then in robes so fair, A ghostly band, have passed pell-mell. Thy memory shall go with me e'er As that grand hall of Sainte Chapelle !