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MESSENGERS OF LOVE" 
 
 POEMS 
 
 Composed by 
 
 PEARL E. MICK 
 
 KENTON, OHIO 
 
 PRICE 
 
 Paper Binding 75 Cents 
 
 Leather Binding $2.00 
 
 THE ROBY BROS. PRINTING COMPANY 
 KENTON, OHIO 
 

 Copyright 1912 
 By PEARL E. MICK 
 
 ^ ^^>o 
 
 C!.A328761 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 This book of Poems is affectionately 
 dedicated to Miss Lucille Rose, whom I 
 consider the most beautiful girl I have 
 known and whom I **revere" with all my 
 heart and soul, in memory of whom, as 
 the fairest of the fair and the sweetest of 
 the sweet, I herewith pay my highest 
 tribute of praise in the publication of this 
 little volume of poems. 
 
GREETING TO P. E. MICK. 
 
 My poet friend, 
 May Erato wend 
 
 To you her fruitful way 
 May she by you stand 
 And guide your hand 
 
 And never from you stray. 
 
 May she give a strain 
 That shall sound again 
 
 The hearts of men to cheer. 
 In the years to come, 
 When life's course is run, 
 And other songs are sear, . 
 
 May she fortune bring 
 In the songs you sing, 
 And success of the better hue. 
 May she grant quite all 
 That's hers to call 
 And the wish of a friend to you. 
 
 B. A. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 SECTION 1. 
 
 
 Prose Works. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Soliloquy. 
 
 Are Eyes Immortal. 
 
 Essay On Love. 
 
 19 
 19 
 20 
 
 SECTION 11. 
 
 
 Poems to Lucille. 
 
 
 Our Eyes Have not Met. 
 
 Fairest of the Fairest. 
 
 There is a Little Girl in W. Va. 
 
 27 
 27 
 30* 
 
 The Joy of Expectation. 
 
 Only a Picture. - - " 
 
 Fondest of all Recollections. 
 
 31 
 32 
 33 
 
 Dreaming - - " ' 
 Twilights Fancy Visions. 
 The Fate of Common Man 
 
 34 
 35 
 37 
 
 Hope - - - ■ 
 
 Vanished Dreams 
 
 Tho We Have Never Met. 
 
 38 
 39 
 40 
 
 Fade Not Away. 
 
 My Waking Thoughts. 
 
 My Dream Queen. 
 
 41 
 42 
 42 
 
PAGE 
 
 TVill Long Be Remembered. - 43 
 
 The Proposal. - _ _ 44 
 
 My Rose, My Hearts Repose. - .45 
 
 Only a Rose. - - - .45 
 
 No Lass so Fair. - - _ _ 45 
 
 No Hope. - - _ 47 
 
 Joy of My Life. . - . 47 
 
 I Care Not Where My Feet May Tread. 48 
 
 Vision Fair. - _ . 49 
 
 I Long to Wed Thee. - - - 50 
 
 Could I But Know. - - - 51 
 
 Immortal Eyes. - - - 51 
 
 ToW . ... 52 
 
 I Never Thought My Life So Incomplete. 53 
 
 I Never Knew There Lived a Lass So Fair. 55 
 
 Could We Have Kissed. - - - 56 
 
 To My Valentine. - - - 57 
 
 All Is Emptiness. - - _ _ 59 
 
 Roses of Red. - - - - 60 
 
 Forgotten. - - - - 61 
 
 Remembered. - - - 63 
 
 SECTION III. 
 Other Poems. 
 
 The Spirit That Inspires. - - 65 
 
 My Neighbors Bull Dog. - - 69 
 
 Halleys Comet. . - _ 71 
 
PAGE 
 
 Sonnet to Nellie. - - 72 
 
 The Colorado Mts. - - - 73 
 
 The Auto That Ran Over Otto. - 74 
 
 If Life Were Only a Dream. - - 75 
 
 In the Golden Sunlight. - - 75 
 
 Smiles. - - - - 77 
 
 Days of Youth. - - - - 78 
 
 Sonnet to Vfera. - - - 79 
 
 The Smile That Won. - - 79 
 
 Vanities. - - . - 80 
 
 My Dog Snyder. - - 82 
 
 To Love. - _ - . 83 
 
 The Bliss Divine. - - 84 
 
 Sonnet to a Grand Rapids Girl. - - 85 
 
 Sonnet to a Grand Rapids Girl. - - 86 
 
 Sonnet to a Grand Rapids Girl. - - 86 
 
 Tis a Fair October Evening. - 87 
 
 Kenton, My Kenton. - - - 89 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The author, in publishing this book, does 
 not expect that the critics will not find 
 flaws in his compositions but hopes that 
 just criticism will be given and brought to 
 his attention. His compositions are not 
 all meritorious but he feels that just cause 
 for publication may be found: — first in the 
 author' s conception of the beauty of true 
 poetry and second in the author's portrayal 
 of the finer senses of human nature. 
 
 The author, having only a High School 
 education, has not, nor does he pretend 
 to have the ability to compare with the 
 standard poets of literature. 
 
 However inquiries and persistent urgings 
 of friends have decided the author to pub- 
 lish this book of poems and he hopes they 
 will in a measure meet with public approval. 
 
 P. E. MICK. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The author of this little volume of poems 
 was born on November 3, 1886, in the 
 city of Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio. 
 There he has resided the greater part of 
 his life with such environments as to be 
 important factors in the creations of his 
 "messengers of Love" or perhaps better 
 termed "Heart Throbs." Although his 
 first verse was not written till after a few 
 months so-journ in Denver, Colorado and 
 although the exhilarating atmosphere of the 
 West seems to have been necessary to in- 
 spire him at first, yet the fact that the ' 'Muse' ' 
 has not yet deserted him but inspires him on 
 to greater achievements is proof positive that 
 present environments are largely responsible 
 for his' poetic creations. 
 
 Born of poor and humble parents, taught 
 from early youth the worthiness of hard 
 manual labor, he has never shunned manual 
 
labor but has ever shown a readiness to 
 serve in that capacity. 
 
 Because the author has not yet written 
 poetry of more momentous character, or 
 on subjects of the day it is not to be thought 
 that he is incapable of such, for in all arts 
 the truth is eminent that genius is due to 
 the depths of feeling in the heart toward 
 the particular art; and in poetry the ability 
 to write is not due to inspiration, but to the 
 innermost depths of feeling in the heart. 
 
 It will readily be seen then that these 
 poems are but the feelings or the pulse 
 beats of the heart and that time is the es- 
 sential factor in the acheivement of poetry 
 more diversified and momentous. 
 
 It is to be hoped that the public will ac- 
 cept these poems as "Heart Throbs" or 
 * 'Messengers of Love" and that as such 
 that they may convey infinite pleasure and 
 delight, and that a perusal of their contents 
 will cause all who read to acknowledge the 
 superiority of the charms of Lucille. 
 
 C. E. S. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 19 
 
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 SECTION I. I 
 
 \ Prose Works I 
 
 SOLILOQUY. 
 
 We live, but why we live we know not; 
 but this we know, that life is ours but for 
 awhile, to live, to do, to smile, once in 
 awhile. We know not whence life came or 
 whither it goeth, but this we know, that we 
 do live and while we live we will but live, 
 content if but our lot be not cast down be- 
 neath earth's ruins to go; content if but 
 our life by some sweet life be led, led by 
 some soul with eyes that draw us on, on, 
 onward, on, but ever on into the infinite 
 depths of love. Love of the divinest kind, so 
 sweet that but one taste is Heaven forever 
 below, so sweet that all we know is that 
 we love, that but to live is but to love and 
 but to love to live. Such love is ours. De- 
 lirium divine! Most priceless joy! To 
 part with thee is but to hell to go. 
 
 ARE EYES IMMORTAL? 
 
 Eyes are but the sentinels, the spirit of the 
 inner soul. (Such is the belief of the auth- 
 or.) In them we read and see the inner life 
 
20 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 of each person, and in them we read one's 
 character. 
 
 To worship beautiful eyes is but human, 
 natural and God-like. All aesthetic beings 
 worship them. They can not help it; more 
 especially is this so of man of the aesthetic 
 nature. Those love-compelling sentinels, 
 those alluring, charming eyes, those dreamy 
 eyes virtually control his being. His every 
 thought 9,nd action are centered on those 
 eyes. It is not love merely, but the soul wor- 
 ship of the beautiful by those of the aes- 
 thetic nature, according to the laws of God 
 and nature. He loves to gaze into those 
 eyes, if he is of the aesthetic mind. To gaze 
 into those eyes is bliss, to him, beyond com- 
 pare. In them he sees all that's good and 
 true and ibeautiful. In them lies that price- 
 less beauty that can never die. For I be- 
 lieve they are immortal charms and can 
 never die. Their light may fade and their 
 beauty seemingly pass away, but their real 
 beauty never, never dies. It is that light, 
 that beauty that we see when we gaze into 
 those beautiful eyes, the beauty that never 
 dies. Fortunate is he or she who possesses 
 that beauty, the befiuty that never dies or 
 fades away. 
 
 ESSAY ON LOVE. 
 
 Love is a profound sensation. It is a state 
 of ecstatic bliss and joy that both man and 
 woman shall at some time experience. To 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 21 
 
 love is to feel and know that the presence 
 of one certain being is essential to our own 
 happiness, prosperity and well being. To 
 love is to feel that we would sacrifice our 
 own life to win the love of the one being 
 we love and adore. Therein lies the su- 
 preme test of love, the unselfishness of true 
 love. Trpe love is willing to sacrifice it- 
 self for the sake of love. If one is willing 
 to die for love's sake and not regret it, 
 then truly it is love. To love is to feel that 
 without that certain being's companionship 
 that life is in vain, holds nothing but dreary 
 and desolate days, that earth's joys are 
 nothing and that all is emptiness without 
 that love. 
 
 T.ove makes us adore and worship the 
 object of our love with a sincerity, zeaTous- 
 ness and passionate earnestness that can 
 not be excelled. 
 
 True love considers itself worthy of any 
 sacrifice and is willing to sacrifice all, to 
 lay all on the altar of love. Conventionality 
 it sets aside as a pagan god. Nothing is 
 too great to sacrifice, if it is true love, even 
 love itself. 
 
 Love in itself is worthy of all sacrifice, 
 but a man or woman should not forget what 
 true love is. They should not misconstrue 
 passion or lust for love. Love is greater 
 than either of these. It is and should be 
 willing to sacrifice itself for the happiness 
 of the object of its love, but one should re- 
 member that true love can never demand 
 or accept such sacrifices, without giving 
 Just returns for such sacrifice, even the at 
 
22 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 the very same moment in like circumstances 
 it would make such sacrifice itself. 
 
 True love must be respected and is re- 
 spected, else it degenerates. Love is a no- 
 ble, lofty, high state of being, into which 
 state, the true form of love, not all men en- 
 ter. It is because that so many men cease 
 to worship the object of their love that so 
 few marriages are happy. 
 
 Tt is said that marriage sobers a man. If 
 so, that is, if marriage makes a man to 
 adore his wife less, then it is because he 
 fails or refuses to become familiar with the 
 likes and dislikes of his mate, and a gulf 
 is gradually formed between them of mis- 
 understanding and misconstrued motives. 
 With a clear understanding of each other, 
 in true love, there will be a desire on the 
 part of both to please each other best, to 
 make each thought and act the means to 
 convey happiness to the other. Each lives 
 to make the other happy. Each wishes al- 
 ways to please the other. 
 
 Love hallows affection and makes the 
 heart more mellow. It gives a softer tone 
 to the voice, a more tender caress unto 
 the touch, a more pleasing grace unto our 
 charms, and adds to the ambrosial nectar 
 of love that most delicate and refined of 
 symmetries, the sweet accord of soul to soul 
 and heart to heart. Love finds man in a 
 state of bliss and leaves him in the same 
 blissful state, more profound and wonderful 
 each day of its existence. 
 
 True love can not die, yet it may wither 
 for awhile. It can not pass away, except 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 23 
 
 as life itself passes away and even then it 
 surely must re-exist somewhere in some 
 manner. 
 
 True love will sacrifice itself rather than 
 accept or see the sacrifice of the object of 
 its love. True love will not lower the scale 
 of existence of another life for the sake of 
 its own happiness. It can accept no such 
 sacrifice. Love is too lofty a feeling to al- 
 low the object of its love to degenerate. 
 Rather love elevates its object or affinity 
 unto 9, loftier plane than itself and is itself 
 lifted up thereby. 
 
 Love is but the worship of the soul, the 
 yearning of the heart most high for love 
 that gives and receives alike in bounteous 
 measure. Love receives or gives as it is 
 asked or given. Love makes us more will- 
 ing to love and more worthy of love. 
 
DREAMING 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 27 
 
 J SECTION II. \ 
 
 S Poems to Lucille \ 
 
 Our eyes have not met 
 Our lips not yet, 
 
 But still I think of thee. 
 Our hands have not clasped 
 Nor have our hearts grasped 
 
 The thoughts we have for thee and me. 
 
 FAIREST OF THE FAIREST. 
 
 Fairest of the fairest. 
 Sweetest of the sweet, 
 
 Rarest of the rarest gems 
 That earth and Heaven greet. 
 
 Not a fading flower, 
 Not a bird that soars. 
 
 Not a thing that creeps along, 
 Or anything that roars. 
 
 Just a blithesome lassie, 
 
 Winsome as can be, 
 Smiling ever sweetest smiles 
 
 For all of earth and thee. 
 
28 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Sweetest of the sweetest, 
 
 So bewitching sweet 
 Is the smile she gives to thee 
 
 If you by chance she meets. 
 
 Purest of the purest, 
 
 Innocent is she. 
 Like the lily, pure and white. 
 
 So in heart is she. 
 
 Eyes that have a sparkle. 
 Laugh and dance and glow, 
 
 Mpke me feel that Heaven is near 
 As I my journey go. 
 
 Eyes of luster light. 
 
 Roguish as a spy's, 
 Make you feel the joy that's real 
 
 When hearts are otherwise. 
 
 Eyes not treacherous. 
 
 Eyes not of deceit, 
 Eyes that seem to beam on thee 
 
 From Heaven's bower sweet. 
 
 Eyes so full of love. 
 
 Of beauty gleaned of love. 
 
 Shed their rays of light as bright 
 As the lights of Heaven above. 
 
 Eyes bewitchingly sweet, 
 So alluring sweet 
 
 That often do I wish that I 
 This charming lass might greet. 
 
 Byes of sympathy, 
 
 Elyes so kind and true, 
 Seem to beam on me and thee 
 
 Lke Heaven's morning dew. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 29 
 
 Eyes so full of joy, 
 
 Eyes so full of mirth. 
 Make me think that I am near 
 
 The Paradise of earth. 
 
 A heart worth more than gold, 
 
 Or all that earth doth hold, 
 A heart that's good, holds all you would 
 
 That any heart should hold. 
 
 As priceless as a pearl. 
 
 Her heart so pure and sweet. 
 Is ever fond of kind friends true 
 
 Whom with sweet smiles she'll greet. 
 
 A heart of sunshine full, 
 
 A heart of kindness true 
 That giveth smiles to all around 
 
 And sweetest smiles to you. 
 
 A heart that loveth truth 
 
 And is ohedient 
 To Mother Dear, even though she fear 
 
 Her friend think it not expedient. 
 
 A heart of tenderness, 
 
 As gentle as a dove, 
 A heart that wishes e'er to please 
 
 In gentle acts of love. 
 
 A heart that loveth fun, 
 
 A heart that will he true, 
 A he^rt -that seems with kindness sweet 
 
 Both earth and Heaven to woo. 
 
 A heart of sympathy, 
 
 A heart that's kind and true, 
 A heart that doth appreciate 
 
 All that you say or do. 
 
30 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 As the ivy clings to the old oak tree 
 So do my thoughts e'er cling to thee, 
 And as thy smiles to me are pleasures 
 So my thoughts of thee are treasures. 
 
 As the golden sun shines on our land, 
 So do thy smiles e'er smile on me. 
 And as the ivy clings to the tree 
 So will my thoughts e'er cling to thee. 
 
 THERE IS A LITTLE GIRL IN W. VA. 
 
 There is a little girl in West Virginia 
 Whose name is so sweet, I could dance at 
 
 her feet. 
 Whose eyes are so bright you can see them 
 
 at night, 
 Whose face is so fair I would hardly dare 
 To kiss her, would T care. 
 
 Her smile is so bright, you would surely 
 
 delight 
 To have her about you. 
 Her pretty curls are so cute, no one could 
 
 dispute; 
 And her shapely hands are so pretty and 
 
 soft 
 That you would like oft to caress them. 
 
 This pretty little maiden is sunshine In dis- 
 guise, 
 
 Whom no one could despise, were they ever 
 so wise; 
 
 She is the soul of purity, the essence of 
 sympathy. 
 
 The flower of love divine, about whom my 
 heart would entwine. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 31 
 
 THE JOY OF EXPECTATION. 
 
 O, the joy of expectation 
 
 ^Vhen you think there's a vacation 
 
 Not so very far away, but yet to come. 
 O. the joy of expectation 
 ^'^Tien you think that earth's creation 
 
 Will assist you in your frolic and your fun. 
 
 O, the joy of expectation 
 In this land of recreation 
 
 ^Vhen you think there's something great 
 in store for you, 
 When you think your dearest hopes, 
 Of success, ambition's scope 
 
 Are about to be realities for you. 
 
 O, the joy of expectation 
 As you think in exultation 
 
 Of the bright eyed lass you are about to 
 meet 
 As you think in adoration 
 Of your heart's sweet consolation, 
 
 Dearest joys to you will ever, ever fleet. 
 
 The joy of expectation 
 
 Makes my heart so light and free, 
 That when I think of wh9,t may come 
 
 My heart is full of glee, 
 My heart is full of ecst3,sy 
 
 As I in visions dream 
 Of her who seems the dearest girl 
 
 On whom the sun doth beam. 
 
32 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 ONLY A PICTURE. 
 
 Only a picture of a bright-eyed lass, 
 Yet it never doth fail to inspire 
 
 My thoughts and my actions to their loftiest 
 heights 
 As I gaze on my heart's desire. 
 
 Only 9, picture of a maid so sweet 
 That her eyes I love to meet, 
 For they laugh and glow and sparkle so 
 That I'd like to be her beau. 
 
 Only a picture of a maid so sweet. 
 
 With eyes that surely woo 
 The eyes of those with whom she meets 
 
 That it brings them joys a few. 
 
 Only a picture of a maid so fair, 
 With a smile bewitchingly sweet, 
 
 A smile so lovely enamorous and kind 
 That my heart fain from me would fleet. 
 
 Only a picture of a lassie fair, 
 
 Yet with exquisite delight, 
 Her smile and her eyes will you more than 
 surprise 
 
 In their sweetness undisguised. 
 
 Only a picture of a lassie fair 
 
 Riding in a pony cart. 
 While at her feet sits Admiral Togo, 
 
 Her shepherd dog, faithful and smart. 
 
 Only a picture of a girl, you say. 
 But her heart is kind and true. 
 
 For she's sympathetic and energetic 
 And appreciates all you do. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 33 
 
 Only a picture so alluringly sweet 
 
 That often do I dream 
 Of her who seems the dearest girl 
 
 On whom the sun doth beam. 
 
 Only a picture that brings me dreams, 
 
 Dreams of the fairest hue, 
 For would not life be fair indeed 
 
 If my heart could win as I woo. 
 
 Only a picture that gives me a vision 
 
 Of a maid alluringly sweet. 
 With a heart so good and loving kind 
 
 That this maid I'd love to meet. 
 
 Only a picture that brings me a dream, 
 A dream of this beautiful maid. 
 
 For whom I'd sacrifice my all 
 To dwell with her in Cupid's shade. 
 
 FONDEST OF ALL RECOLLECTIONS. 
 
 Fondest of all recollections, 
 
 Sweetest of all my thoughts. 
 Dearest of all illusions 
 
 A-re my thoughts of you as God woughts. 
 
 What would I give but to see thee, 
 
 What would I do if I did, 
 I would, give thee caresses the fondest 
 
 And kiss you and say, "'Oh, you kid!" 
 
 Naught but the fondest affection, 
 Naught but the kindest of love. 
 
 Naught but the gentlest caresses 
 
 Would I give to my Dear Angel Dove. 
 
34 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Oft would I gaze in your eyes, 
 Full of the fondest of love, 
 
 And tell you how much I love you 
 And how dear is my Angel Dove. 
 
 DREAMING. 
 
 These few lines are for Lucille, 
 Wliom each day I long to see, 
 
 For I love you, O I love you. 
 And my heart it beats for thee. 
 
 Ah, to see thee were a pleasure 
 
 Such as I have never had. 
 And to know thee were a treasure 
 
 That would ever make me glad. 
 
 Often sit I fondly dreaming 
 
 Of the time when we shall meet. 
 
 Caring not if it be springtime, 
 Just so I your smile may greet. 
 
 Often in my fancies roaming 
 To the brightest spot on earth. 
 
 Thinking of the lass who lives there. 
 She's the paradise of earth. 
 
 And in fancy's vision floating 
 Oft your face so sweet and fair 
 
 Makes my heart thrill with a rapture 
 For this maid so sweet and rare. 
 
 Thoughts of you are but the semblance 
 Of your heart and kindness true 
 
 Breathed around about me ever 
 Drawing me nearer to you. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 35 
 
 Often do I sit and ponder 
 
 As your words come nigh to me, 
 
 Breathing sympathy and fondness 
 For the lad who cares for thee. 
 
 Naught but smiles seem to surround me 
 
 As I sit and think of thee, 
 While your eyes of sparkling beauty 
 
 Beam their sweetest depths on me. 
 
 There's a joy of endless fullness 
 Comes to me when e'er I sit 
 
 In my fancies fondly dreaming 
 Of the lass who made a hit. 
 
 For I know there is no other 
 
 Lass that can compare with you, 
 
 And if all your friends forsake you 
 ITnto you I will be true. 
 
 For your eyes like beacons guide me 
 O'er the rugged path of life, 
 
 Unto you I'll soon be fleeing, 
 Asking you to end the strife. 
 
 TWILIGHT'S FANCY VISIONS. 
 
 In twilight's fancy visions 
 
 I see a lassie fair 
 Who smiles on me so benignly 
 
 That' I hold her most rare. 
 
 In twilight's fancy visions 
 
 This lassie I behold 
 The witchery of whose eyes it seems 
 
 Would win man's heart from gold. 
 
36 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 In twilight's fancy visions 
 
 Oft do I see her face 
 That seems to me more beautiful 
 
 Than anything Heaven doth grace. 
 
 In twilight's fancy visions 
 
 I gaze and gaze and gaze 
 In reveries of her who seems 
 
 My eyes to e'er amaze. 
 
 In twilight's f§ncy vision 
 
 Her sweet face floats to me 
 In all her loveliness adorned 
 
 As sweet as sweet can be. 
 
 In twilight's fancy visions 
 
 A vision of my dreams, 
 The softness of whose face it seems 
 
 Would make her queen of queens. 
 
 In twilight's deepening gloom 
 She seems so pure and sweet 
 
 That all of earth and Heaven can't beat 
 The charming lass I greet. 
 
 In twilight's deepening gloom 
 
 Her loveliness bespeaks 
 The sweetness of the inner-soul 
 
 That she adorns so meek. 
 
 Her vision says to me "Be good," 
 
 Her vision says "Be true," 
 Her vision says "Be worthy of 
 
 The girl who is true blue." 
 
 Her vision says "'Tis not worth while 
 
 To think of evil thoughts. 
 But let your mind on good things dwell. 
 
 Be useful as God woughts." 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 37 
 
 THE FATE OF COMMON MAN. 
 
 Another year will soon have passed away. 
 Another day will soon its course have run, 
 
 Another pair of eyes I've gazed upon, 
 
 And still I've missed the joy I should have 
 won. 
 
 Another ray of hope has dawned within 
 My heart, but to be dashed away as tho 
 some sin 
 Had crept within my heart to eat therein 
 And feast itself upon the vitals of life's 
 vim. 
 
 Although I hoped again and hope deferred, 
 Although it seems in vain to hope again. 
 
 Yet when I see those eyes I prize so well 
 I do forget that I am but a man. 
 
 For thus it seems that man of common form 
 Cannot and must not e'er his heart adorn 
 With those sweet charms and winsome 
 ways that grace 
 The fairer sex, his own heart to purloin. 
 
 He cannot choose and win just whom he 
 would, 
 He cannot woo the lass he fain would 
 win, 
 But he must by the common law abide. 
 Seek Jtiim a wife of his own class akin. 
 
 He cannot hope to live a life of joy 
 With those immortal charms of glorious 
 eyes. 
 
 For, unless he possess their equal to, 
 He cannot hope to win, and hope must die. 
 
38 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 HOPE. 
 
 Sometimes mid scenes of former days, 
 Sometimes mid scenes of today 
 
 We meet a lassie, Oh, so fair 
 With eyes that guide our way. 
 
 Sometimes when hearts are sad and forlorn 
 Weary and oppressed in despair, 
 
 There comes a little gleam of love 
 From a heart yet kind but fair. 
 
 And often there comes to a heart oppressed 
 By the cares that infest the day, 
 
 The hope that some day our dreams may 
 come true 
 For which we have striven each day. 
 
 Inspired by the love of some kind heart 
 
 We struggle to ^-ttain 
 Life's greatest blessings and its joys 
 
 That life may not be vain. 
 
 Inspired by the hope that we may share 
 With some kind heart we love 
 
 All of earth's pleasures, blessings and joys 
 We strive to win our love. 
 
 For this alone we do but live 
 
 That we her love may share 
 With her to live and happy be, 
 
 To make her happy for e'er. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 39 
 
 VANISHED DREAMS. 
 
 Vanished long since the dreams of youth. 
 
 The golden days of yore, 
 When as I sat within my room 
 
 My wandering fancies soared. 
 
 Departed long, the hopes of youth, 
 
 The joys of former days 
 When I was young and life was bright 
 
 As I life's standard raised. 
 
 I dreamed of times so near at hand, 
 
 Of other days to come. 
 When I, success upon my brow, 
 
 Life's blessings should have won. 
 
 When I, in love's own sweetest ways, 
 
 Should win my lassie fair. 
 And thrice around her weave love's maze 
 
 With her alone to share. 
 
 But now, alas! those dreams of yore 
 
 No more my heart avail 
 My lassie fair with eyes so rare 
 
 Left me my love to wail. 
 
 No more, no more those dreams of yore 
 My saddened heart compose, 
 
 No more, no more my fancies soar 
 In love's own sweet repose. 
 
 But like unto the fading flower 
 
 Drooping and falling away, 
 I leave no joys or sorrows here 
 
 'Cept as these lines may sway. 
 
40 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Forgotten not the days of youth, 
 
 Forgotten not her eyes, 
 Forgotten not their loveliness 
 
 Or the love that in them lies. 
 
 Forgotten not my folly past, 
 
 My hope within me dies, 
 Yet naught in Heaven could make me wish 
 
 To gaze in other eyes. 
 
 THO WE HAVE NEVER MET. 
 
 Though we have never met as yet, 
 
 I count it not in vain 
 To think of you, to dream of you 
 
 As oft my heart would fain. 
 
 For that day of joy may sometime dawn 
 
 When we come face to face, 
 And all my fears and all my joys 
 
 Shall to your heart give place. 
 
 Then all my joys are as mere toys, 
 They can't compare with you, 
 
 For they pass by and are forgotten 
 While you're my heart's cuckoo. 
 
 Reflections of you bring me joy 
 
 That so uplifts my mind 
 And makes me true and good to you 
 
 And also make me kind. 
 
 They elevate my heart in tone 
 And sweetest of all thoughts, 
 
 They make me worthy of the girl 
 To whom all else Is naught. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE ' 41 
 
 So therefore do you think 'tis vain 
 
 For me to think of you, 
 To dream of you in visions sweet 
 
 Since it doth make me true. 
 
 Nay, better far that it be so, 
 Even though we never meet, 
 
 For virtue must in some hearts dwell 
 And beauty some hearts greet. 
 
 Else how would all God's goodness thrive 
 
 i^nd our great nation live 
 If some hearts were not lifted up 
 
 From out earth's sordid sieve. 
 
 FADE NOT AWAY, O VISION FAIR. 
 
 Fade not away, O vision fair; 
 
 Fade not before my eyes, 
 For in that vision sweet and fair 
 
 My heart forever lies. 
 
 I can not always look upon 
 
 The lass I fain would win; 
 But thou, I charge thee, be thou near, 
 
 And feast my heart within. 
 
 I pray thee be thou near to me, 
 
 Be ever fresh and clear; 
 And may my thoughts forever be 
 
 Of thee I cherish dear. 
 
 Wlien years roll by and time hath wrought 
 
 What fate alone can do, 
 I pray thee, be thou near to me 
 
 And help me to be true. 
 
42 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 MY WAKING THOUGHTS. 
 
 My waking thoughts of thee are dear 
 
 And precious unto me; 
 My heart allots to you the sphere 
 
 Most blest, most worthy thee. 
 
 I can not know, I can not tell 
 
 You all that sphere shall be, 
 But this I know that love doth know 
 
 All that that sphere shall be. 
 
 I only know that all things good. 
 The best that earth doth hold. 
 
 Are not half good enough for thee 
 Nor worth thy weight in gold. 
 
 Choose where you will, do what you may, 
 
 Love alone knows thy fate, 
 And in that love perfect and true 
 
 Happiness lies in wait. 
 
 So, then. Dear Heart, cheer up, fear not, 
 
 All happiness is thine. 
 And on thy heart so pure and true 
 
 True love will ever shine. 
 
 MY DREAM QUEEN. 
 
 (Song) 
 In a land not far aw^y 
 Lives a lassie fair. 
 She has eyes blue as the skies, 
 A form so debonair; 
 She wears two long black pretty curls 
 And smiles at you alway. 
 It makes my heart to thrill whene'er 
 She smiles that same sweet way. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 43 
 
 This lassie is the queen of all, 
 
 None with her can compare; 
 
 Her grace and art and winsome ways 
 
 Surpass her beauty rare. 
 
 And to these charms 
 
 She adds one more, 
 
 A heart so pure and true 
 
 That all of earth and heaven combined 
 
 Oan't equal her to woo. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 My dream queen, my queen queen,* 
 
 You are the queen of all; 
 
 If 5^ou only would care 
 
 Then I sure would dare, 
 
 I at your feet would fall. 
 
 In summer time, in winter time, 
 
 At all times I dream of you. 
 
 My life is so sweet 
 
 My joy is complete. 
 
 Whenever I dream of you. 
 
 'TWILL LONG BE REMEMBERED. 
 
 'Twill long be remembered, the day that 
 
 we met; 
 I ne'er shall regret it nor ever forget. 
 The day and the hour, the time and the place 
 To me bring reflections of your smiling face. 
 
 As long as I live and wherever I be 
 That sa'me dear, sweet smile will forever 
 haunt me; 
 
 ♦Note — Queen queen is a poetic expres- 
 sion for the phrase queen of queens; orig- 
 inal with the author. 
 
44 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 No matter what happens or what be my fate 
 That same dear, sweet smile my heart will 
 elate. 
 
 In visions of rapture my heart is enthralled 
 As I think of the lass, my heart's mate she's 
 
 called, 
 And with fondest affections and tenderest 
 
 regards 
 I'll think of the lass most adored by all 
 
 bards. 
 
 THE PROPOSAL. 
 
 A lad, a lass and a rose so fair 
 
 Met in the arbor cave, 
 The lad was bold, his love he told, 
 
 The maid was quite suave. 
 
 The lad he bore his grief away, 
 The rose stood weeping by. 
 
 The maid was sorry for the lad 
 And would not let him cry. 
 
 She says: "I do not care for you. 
 My heart from love is free; 
 
 I love no one, I love not thee, 
 It can not ever be." 
 
 The rose has withered in despair, 
 The maid is happy free, 
 
 I would not it were otherwise 
 For the maid must happy be. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 45 
 
 Yet the lad he dares to hope again 
 
 To win his lassie fair, 
 He cannot live and happy be 
 
 Unless her love he share. 
 
 MY ROSE, MY HEART'S REPOSE. 
 
 My rose, my rose, my heart's repose, 
 
 The dearest girl on earth 
 T can not think that I can win 
 
 For I am not thy worth. 
 
 I can not hope, 'tis vain to hope 
 
 To win my lassie fair. 
 Yet still I hope, with love I cope 
 
 To win my rose so fair. 
 
 T can not tell just why it is 
 
 I dare to hope to win. 
 Yet this I know I do love you, 
 
 T love thy heart within. 
 
 I do not wish to grieve my rose, 
 
 I wish her happy e'er. 
 But then I would more happy be 
 
 Her love so sweet to share. 
 
 My rose, my rose, I love my rose, 
 
 I love no one but thee, 
 I can not hope, I can only love 
 
 And loving, love but thee. 
 
46 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 ONLY A ROSE. 
 
 A rose ,a rose, only a rose, 
 
 A rose of the fairest hue, 
 It breathes its perfume may or June 
 
 And blooms for me and you. 
 
 A rose, a rose, only a rose. 
 
 But it blooms both night and day. 
 
 Where'er I stray, where'er I may 
 A rose lies nigh my way. 
 
 I can not go to sleep at night, 
 
 I can ne'er lie in repose. 
 Except I see a rose nearby 
 
 To lull me in its throes. 
 
 A rose, a rose, only a rose, 
 
 Is ?l11 I wish to see. 
 For when I see a rose near-by 
 
 I think of only thee. 
 
 NO LASS SO FAIR. 
 
 So sweetly fair, serenely fair 
 
 This maid it seems to me, 
 That could she live forever here 
 
 All Heaven would jealous be. 
 
 She wears a smile so sweet, benign 
 
 And eyes so wondrous blue 
 That all of earth and Heaven combined 
 
 Can't equal her to woo. 
 
 There lives no lass so fair as she. 
 
 No eyes so wondrous blue, 
 No lass can smile so sweet as she 
 
 Nor act as kind and true. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 47 
 
 NO HOPE. 
 
 My love, I have no hope of ever winning 
 thee, 
 Or that thou wilt my love return, 
 But still I love you and think it still worth 
 while 
 To linger longer in the love you spurn. 
 
 T have no fear that if thy soul return 
 To sympathize with me my heart to burn, 
 
 But that some day when it is best for us 
 Thou wilt my love return; for me to yearn. 
 
 I have no fear if fate's decree is no 
 
 To face the future with my heart aglow. 
 
 To live my life as best I may and go 
 Where fate decrees that I shall go or no. 
 
 Yet will I strive if fate decrees me no 
 To do my best and live unto the test, 
 
 That I may win not laurels for my brow 
 But tune my heart to perfect love attest. 
 
 JOY OF MY LIFE. 
 
 Joy of my life and my own heart's desire 
 Inspire my life or send to me a wire; 
 
 Tell me you love me as my heart requires, 
 Then I will love you as a worthy sire. 
 
 Thou art the greatest gem the earth contains 
 And the most precious treasure of my 
 heart, 
 Which, if I once possessed as all my own, 
 Naught in this world could ever make us 
 part. 
 
48 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 For I would love you with my heart and soul 
 All of my life my love would you console; 
 All th9,t I am or that I am to be 
 Would thru thy virtues ever more perfect be. 
 
 All my affections and my heart's great love 
 Rest in thy heart there to live or die, 
 
 And tho they die yet there will be some joy 
 In having loved thee in the days gone by. 
 
 .1 CARE NOT WHERE MY FEET MAY. 
 TREAD. 
 
 I care not where my feet may tread 
 
 Or what my fate may be, 
 Just so I may thy love enthrall 
 
 And live my life with thee. 
 
 I do not think it worth my while 
 
 Commercial marts to win, 
 I only wish to live in love. 
 
 Thy love to bask within. 
 
 My one desire, my all in life, 
 
 Within thy love to bask, 
 I will forego all other joys 
 
 And take myself to task, 
 
 I care not what my fate may be 
 
 If fate will give me thee, 
 For loving thee, it still shall be 
 
 Love to eternity. 
 
 And evermore my fate will be 
 
 The fate I find in thee, 
 Oh, who can wish for better fate 
 
 Than to know thou lovest me. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 49 
 
 Then with thy love I'll be content 
 
 My life for thee to live, 
 I'll make thy heart my love to feel. 
 
 My life to thee I give. 
 
 VISION FAIR. 
 
 Fresh and clear and ever dear, 
 
 Vision, oh, so fair, 
 Thou art dearer every year, 
 
 Every day more fair. 
 
 Thou to me art sweeter far 
 Than all things else can be. 
 
 Thou, to me, art lovelier 
 Than a rose can be. 
 
 Thou, thyself, a rose so fair, 
 
 Still a rose may be, 
 Yet none with thee can compare 
 
 None thy heart may see. 
 
 None thy heart may gaze upon, 
 None thy love may know, 
 
 Yet within thy heart so fair 
 Love lies white as snow. 
 
 Far within the inner-depths 
 
 Love unconscious lies, 
 Love unfathomed, love unknown, 
 
 Love that never dies. 
 
 Love may sometime soon awake. 
 
 Love may soon arise, 
 Love may find itself unknown 
 
 Unto other eyes. 
 
50 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Love may feel not for itself, 
 
 Love" for others dies, 
 Vet love will give us noble hearts 
 
 And bear us to the skies. 
 
 So let us labor on each day, 
 Let us watch and pray. 
 
 That we may not love in vain, 
 But may win our way. 
 
 I LONG TO WED THEE. 
 
 I am trying now to tell you 
 All the joy thou gavest me 
 
 Those few minutes that I saw you, 
 When my hea,rt I gave to thee. 
 
 When in rapture I beheld thee 
 And enthralled by beauty fair. 
 
 All my heart rejoiced to see thee 
 As the fairest of the fair. 
 
 All my heart for thee is pining. 
 All my love to thee has fled. 
 
 Since the day I first beheld thee 
 And I'm longing thee to wed. 
 
 Yes, my love, I long to wed thee, 
 Thou alone can'st make m© true 
 
 And if you will J)ut accept me, 
 Unto you I'll be true blue. 
 
 I will love thee, ever love thee 
 And if you will love but me, 
 
 Then, my love, we will be happy, 
 Just as happy as can be. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 51 
 
 COULD I BUT KNOW. 
 
 Could I but know that it were so 
 That you would care for me, 
 
 I'd live for thee or die for thee, 
 Such is my love for thee. 
 
 Could I but know that it were so 
 
 That you loved only me, 
 My darling fair, with eyes so rare, 
 
 I'd prove my love for thee. 
 
 Could T but know that it were so 
 That life held naught but dreams, 
 
 Then all my life my zeal were rife 
 To win my queen of queens. 
 
 Could I but know that it were so 
 That you would say me nay, 
 
 Then every day I'd seek a way 
 Till you the yes would say. 
 
 MMORTAL EYES. 
 
 Ah, could I see those charming eyes, 
 
 Immortal lights so fair, 
 I would not have another wish 
 
 Than but their love to share. 
 
 Ah, could I but abide within 
 The shadow of those eyes. 
 
 That gleam so fair, so sparkling rare 
 All else could not compare. 
 
 I would not have another wish 
 Than but to gaze within 
 
52 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Those sparkling depths, those beauteous 
 depths 
 That knoweth naught of sin. 
 
 Ah, just to gaze within those eyes. 
 
 The sweetness of the soul. 
 That gleam of love from Heaven above, 
 
 And make my being whole. 
 
 I'd be content to gaze within 
 Those sparkling depths of love, 
 
 I would not wish for other love 
 On earth or Heaven above. 
 
 I'd gaze and gaze and gaze and gaze 
 
 Into those charming eyes, 
 More full of bliss than the sweetest kiss, 
 
 More fairer than the skies. 
 
 I'd thinlc that Heaven were near to me. 
 
 That earth were paradise, 
 As long as I might gaze within 
 
 Those fair immortal eyes. 
 
 Earth's joys were full, earth's pleasures 
 mine. 
 
 Whene'er on me they'd shine, 
 My love for thee my only plea, 
 
 My heart will e'er be thine. 
 
 TO W* 
 
 W— , O, thou W— , 
 
 Immortal thy name shall be. 
 For from thy home has come a child 
 
 As sweet as sweet can be. 
 
 *Note: W. is used for the name of the 
 town where Lucille lives. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 53 
 
 In rearing her in thy abode, 
 
 Surrounded by the hills. 
 Thou didst thy best and God the rest 
 
 Her heart perfection fills. 
 
 Within the walls of thy abode 
 She learnt thy name to love. 
 
 Nature and art did truth impart 
 And angels gave her love. 
 
 Sacred is now the shrine wherein 
 This lass has lived each day, 
 
 And when all things have passed away 
 Thy name shall not decay. 
 
 But all thy fame shall glorious be 
 
 And wafted to the skies 
 Shall soar into eternity 
 
 And evermore arise. 
 
 I NEVER THOUGHT MY LIFE SO 
 INCOMPLETE. 
 
 I never thought my life so incomplete 
 
 As since I first met you. 
 Nor can I yet quite understand 
 
 How much I do love you. 
 
 I only know I love you all the time, 
 I love your eyes that sweetly on me shine, 
 
 I love your smile that so allures my heart, 
 And makes my heart rejoice in thy regime. 
 
54 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 I love you for your graceful, winsome ways, 
 I love you for your thoughts and for your 
 nays, 
 I love you for your heart's true worth and 
 more, 
 I love you cause you're worth ten thous- 
 and nays. 
 
 I love you just because I think that you 
 Are quite by far the girl I most adore, 
 
 I love you 'cause your face, your voice, your 
 eyes 
 My heart and soul so sweetly do implore. 
 
 I love you and I know I never will 
 Care for a girl as I now care for you. 
 
 And, oh, Lucille, how I do implore, 
 Consider me and that I care for you. 
 
 And, oh, Lucille, more I do implore. 
 
 Take all the time, years if need be before 
 
 You answer no, th?it I may hear you sweet- 
 ly say to me, 
 I love you, Pearl, your heart I do adore. 
 
 For time is naught to me, since I love you, 
 For I reckon not with time and moments 
 yet, 
 But patiently await, if chance there be, to 
 hear, 
 I love you, Pearl, let's love and the past 
 forget. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 55 
 
 I NEVER KNEW THERE LIVED A LASS 
 SO FAIR. 
 
 I never knew there lived a lass 
 
 So sweet, so kind, so fair, 
 I never knew there bloomed a flower 
 
 To which none could compare. 
 
 I never knew the earth contained 
 
 A lass so debonair, 
 I never knew a heart so kind 
 
 Or quite without compare. 
 
 I never knew a joy so full 
 
 As when I thee beheld, 
 I never knew such bliss divine. 
 
 All other thoughts expelled. 
 
 I never knew just what it was 
 
 To be in love 'tis true, 
 But now I know that to be in love 
 
 Is to be in love with you. 
 
 I only know that in loving you 
 
 My heart will nobler be 
 And that even tho I fail to win 
 
 I'll ever love but thee. 
 
 I may never know the fullest depths 
 
 Of joy o'erflowing me, 
 But I never want to know such joy 
 
 Except in loving thee. 
 
 I cannot tell what my fate may be. 
 
 But help me, Lord, I pray, 
 That I may e'er be true to her 
 
 Till death shall come my way. 
 
56 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 COULD WE HAVE KISSED. 
 
 Oh, that I might have kissed those lips of 
 thine, 
 
 Just to have tasted of that bliss divine: 
 Ah, then my soul would soar in ecstasy, 
 
 And never more, again, my heart repine. 
 
 Oh, that I might have sipped the bliss divine 
 That nestles in those sweet red lips of 
 thine. 
 
 That once I might have tasted Heaven's joy 
 And then no more again my heart repine. 
 
 Could I have felt that in those lips of thine, 
 That in their luscious fruit the kiss divine 
 
 There dwelt for me all happiness and joy. 
 Then would my heart no more, again, 
 repine. 
 
 Could we have kissed and could I but have 
 
 known 
 
 That you loved me and loved but only me. 
 
 Then would that kiss more sacred be to me 
 
 Than all things else Heaven holds most 
 
 dear in thee. 
 
 Could we have kissed and could we both 
 have felt 
 That we both loved each other, then I 
 think 
 That all of earth and heaven could not com- 
 pare 
 To that one moment of eternal bliss. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 57 
 
 TO MY VALENTINE. 
 
 To my valentine this day 
 I am sending all I may; 
 I am sending love and joy 
 To receive and to employ. 
 
 I am sending heart's delight, 
 I am sending blessings bright, 
 That you may more fully know 
 All the joy to you I owe. 
 
 I am sending freedom's song 
 To the lass I can not wrong; 
 May you ever happy be, 
 May you e'er from care be free. 
 
 But sweet freedom's song can be 
 No sweeter than this song of mine, 
 
 Which each day I send to thee, 
 May it evermore be thine. 
 
 "Oh, my love, my love, my plea, 
 All my life I give to thee; 
 All I 9,m or am to be 
 Is for thee, my love, for thee. 
 
 Oh, my love, I live for thee, 
 All my life is yours to be; 
 You my heart may still refuse, 
 Then I %11 be a recluse. 
 
 I can love but only thee. 
 This I vow shall always be; 
 Should I love in vain, at then 
 I will love you in refrain. 
 
58 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Oh. my love, I pray of thee 
 That thou wilt he kind to me; 
 Take my heart and keep it thine 
 And for thee my love will shine. 
 
 Should fate be unkind to thee 
 
 Or an unkind act bestow, 
 I will heal thy wounds with love, 
 
 Sweetest love that earth can know. 
 
 I will make thy heart to feel 
 That tho all friends thee forget, 
 
 To have known my love for thee 
 Is to leave thee no regret. 
 
 I will make thy heart to feel 
 All my love in thee arise 
 
 And the balmy breath of love 
 Oft will bear us to the skies. 
 
 I will make thy heart my own, 
 Keep it tenderly and true, 
 
 All thy wounds shall healed be 
 In the love that yearns for you. 
 
 And in love we'll ever be, 
 As the vine clings to the tree, 
 
 And no bliss that can compare 
 To the bliss that we may share. 
 
 For in love there is much joy, 
 And no tongue that can employ 
 
 All the skill that needs must be 
 Just to tell our love and joy. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 59 
 
 ALL IS EMPTINESS 
 
 All is emptiness before me 
 
 All around is vanity, 
 Everywhere I go there's nothing 
 
 But a cold humanity. 
 
 What the hurry is I know not, 
 Why this vain desire of earth, 
 
 For it seems men to enfatuate 
 
 And makes women seek but mirth. 
 
 On men struggle unrelenting. 
 
 Seeking ever to ensnare 
 Riches and their glittering splendor. 
 
 Elegance and leisure fair. 
 
 Lives are spent in such endeavor 
 Nobly won and nobly lost. 
 
 For results of such endeavor 
 Are but heathen modes embossed. 
 
 Why this empty blazing glitter. 
 Which we see most every day; 
 
 That which we do most admire 
 Is a heart in sunshine's sway. 
 
 Queens there be most beautiful, 
 Gowned unto perfection's art. 
 
 Thus adorned we love to see them, 
 But we wish they had more heart 
 
 A heart like to that of a fairy, 
 Kind and gracious unto all. 
 
 Wishing ever but to please thee 
 While life lasts and shadows fall. 
 
60 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 All is emptiness before me, 
 
 'Cept when thou art nigh to me, 
 
 Either in my dreams or slumbers 
 Or when I'm really with thea 
 
 But for thee the cold, cold glitter 
 Would ensnare my heart and brain, 
 
 Yet for you I will endeavor 
 Greatest heights to e'er attain. 
 
 Not to heights of splendor grand, 
 Not to pompous scenes of earth. 
 
 But to realms of sweetest music 
 Made for thee and for thy worth. 
 
 Realms of music, realms of kindness. 
 Full of joy and happiness; 
 
 For they live there who endeavor 
 But to please each other best. 
 
 It is not worth while to struggle, 
 .Just mere riches to obtain. 
 
 But for you my best endeavor 
 Is life's glories to attain. 
 
 ROSES OF RED. 
 
 Roses of red and roses of white, 
 Roses of pink and forget-me-nots bright, 
 All of them lovely, fragrant and fair. 
 But roses of red are my heart's delight. 
 
 Lillies and butter-cups and violets blue. 
 Sweetest of flowers that man ever knew, 
 Yet roses of red are most dear unto me, 
 O, roses of red breathing love all for thee. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 61 
 
 Roses of red, oh, roses of red, 
 Go tell my lassie I long her to wed. 
 Tell her I love her and that I'll be true 
 And as long as I live I'll ever love you. 
 
 Then when in spring time when roses are 
 
 red 
 And we still are happy as lovers are wed. 
 Just think of my promise that I shall he true 
 And never a moment our life shall you rue. 
 
 But with ecstasy sweetest and eyes beaming 
 
 bright 
 You'll kiss me and say, "Dear, I love you 
 
 tonight, 
 T love you, I love you, my heart and my soul 
 Enthralled and enchanted by love is made 
 
 whole." 
 
 In blessed surrender complete and divine 
 Abandoned in love thy heart will be mine 
 Till you in love's rapture shall cry out in joy 
 T love you, I love you, oh, love me, my boy. 
 
 And love everlasting shall crown our delight 
 And kisses entrancing shall be our respite 
 Till love's dreamy fancies and love's golden 
 
 dreams, 
 Shall seem what they are and be what they 
 
 seem. 
 
 FORGOTTEN. 
 
 Oh, woe is me and sorrow mine. 
 
 My fate is to repine, 
 
 For thus it seems the queen of queens 
 
 Has ceased for me to shine. 
 
62 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 The lass I love, all things above 
 
 Has ceased to care for me, 
 Forgotten is my love by her, 
 
 Indifferent and free. 
 
 Forgotten by the lass I love, 
 
 Forgotten is my heart. 
 Forgotten to repine and learn 
 
 The pain love doth impart. 
 
 Forgotten ne'er to know again 
 
 The joy so full, sublime 
 That in itself is the reward 
 
 Of love's immortal chime. 
 
 Oh, worlds that vie, oh hearts that sigh. 
 
 Oh, hearken to my plea, 
 Is fate so cruel, is life a duel 
 
 To be or not to be? 
 
 Is unrequited love to be 
 
 The lot of mortal man? 
 Is he to woo and to pursue 
 
 His love and see it wane? 
 
 Oh love that is forgotten by 
 
 The lass who does not care, 
 I shall forever more repine 
 
 'Cept thou my love repair. 
 
 Go to the lass and tell her now 
 
 How oft' my heart repines 
 And that my heart will e'er repine 
 
 If she my love declines. 
 
 Oh, woe is me and sorrow mine 
 
 To live is to repine, 
 For life Is love and love is life 
 
 And to love is to repine. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 63 
 
 If fate's decree is love for me 
 And to love is to repine, 
 
 Then let that love immortal be 
 And love will he divine. 
 
 And if no love divine I gain, 
 And if no love be mine, 
 
 Then I will be content on earth 
 To love and to repine. 
 
 REMEMBERED. 
 
 Remembered by the lass I love, 
 Remembered by my queen. 
 
 Remembered now once more to know 
 The joys of love's sweet dream. 
 
 Remembered and forgotten not, 
 
 Remembered by my love. 
 Remembered, oh, sweet ecstasy, 
 
 Remembered by my Dove. 
 
 Remembered and 'tis joy to know 
 
 That tho I am forgot, 
 I may yet be remembered 
 
 By the lass I've loved and sought. 
 
 That tho I am forgotten 
 
 And unhappy for a time. 
 Some day I hope to win her 
 
 And fevel in love sublime. 
 
 And tho I am forgotten 
 
 I shall still as often find 
 That I am still remembered 
 
 By the lass for whom I've pined. 
 
64 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Remembered, yea, remembered. 
 Oft' remembered by my queen, 
 
 For to love is to remember, 
 To remember the unseen. 
 
 Then remember, oh, remember 
 
 To remember only me, 
 And if you will me remember 
 
 I'll remember only thee. 
 
 Till at last we both remember 
 That we each remembered are 
 
 By each other and as often 
 
 Cherish dreams tho distant far. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 65 
 
 M'«l«il('<H'<l''«<l'l|MuMt|><,(<|,)>||l<,|'<uM,«M|MuMMM,«>«i('WI'«<M,|M.«'«,<'«>>S*'S<M.I<l 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 I Other Poems I 
 
 "l(><ll^<i<'<l<'W«l<**i<'*i*'<>''l'">l"><'*><'*i")l')|l>)|M||>*tlM|l'li)l||M||M||*l|l>l|l>l|l>\|lt||M 
 
 THE SPIRIT THAT INSPIRES. 
 
 Sometimes when hearts are lonely 
 Sometimes when hearts are sad, 
 
 Then other hearts are happy 
 And oft-times we are glad. 
 
 Not because some hearts are lonely 
 Sad and forlorn, we're glad, 
 
 But just because we can't be 
 Anything else but glad. 
 
 Something that's irresistive 
 
 Seems to creep over our hearts; 
 
 Banishing all cares and sorrows 
 Unto earth's dusty marts. 
 
 We cannot understand it, 
 
 We do not know 'tis here 
 Until its spirit leaves us 
 
 Kindred hearts in good cheer. 
 
 Conscious not of its presence, 
 Buoyed up with hope and good cheer; 
 
 Life unto us seems more pleasant 
 Driven away is our fear. 
 
66 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 We can but only remember 
 
 All of our happiness past; 
 Forgetful of its dark moments 
 
 Which oft enshrouded life's mast. 
 
 All is but sunshine around us 
 Filled is our life full of light 
 
 We but see life in its beauty, 
 Earnestly we love its might. 
 
 We do not care for riches, 
 
 Oh, how we loathe their spell; 
 
 They but destroy life intrinsic 
 Fastidious is their fell. 
 
 Palaces we do not care for. 
 Eminent positions despise; 
 
 We do not care for such splendor 
 But for a heart's paradise. 
 
 Sometimes it seems we're so lonely 
 Sometimes we're sad and depressed. 
 
 Sometimes our hearts are so burdened 
 Sorrow rides high on our crest. 
 
 Strangely familiar with sorrow 
 Sad and cast down in mien. 
 
 Some hearts it seems are given 
 Oftenest unto extreme. 
 
 Tho we are often in sorrow 
 
 Saddest of all men born; 
 Yet there's an angel of goodness 
 
 Oft-times our spirits adorn. 
 
 Seems but to lift us from sadness 
 
 Unto a joy profound 
 Swaying our hearts in oblivion 
 
 Of everything sordid around. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 67 
 
 Inspiring our hearts to gladness 
 
 Lifted to thoughts of joy 
 Our minds attune to music 
 
 So full in deep pathoy.* 
 
 Our minds revel in gladness 
 
 Our hearts, in sooth, are pleased, 
 
 And meters hum within us 
 
 Like the humming of the bees. 
 
 Their melodies impel us 
 
 To thoughts divinely fair 
 To words of boundless beauty 
 
 Scented of perfume rare. 
 
 A message sweet they leave us 
 
 A vision, oh, so fair, 
 Of life's worthy ambitions 
 
 Which we should win and share. 
 
 We love, we love their message 
 
 But sweeter far than all, 
 We appreciate more fully 
 
 The beauties on our wall. 
 
 We think all earth is fairer, 
 
 The grass a prettier green, 
 And nature doth herself adorn 
 
 With wealth from beauty gleaned. 
 
 We feel a love more fuller 
 
 For beauty, man and art, 
 Its beauty sweet within us 
 
 A sweeter smile imparts 
 
 Oh, how we love our visions, 
 
 Our minds in them revel, 
 Creations of our fancies 
 
 No voice can e'er dispel. 
 
 ♦Note: "pathoy" used for word "pathos. 
 
68 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Some men it seems are gifted 
 With thoughts that so inspire 
 
 Their minds to sweetest music, 
 Our own true heart's desire. 
 
 But other men are lifted 
 From thoughts of sombre gloom 
 
 As tho some fairy's wand 
 Had given them a boon. 
 
 They of themselves could never 
 
 Such heights alone attain, 
 And but for some kind fairy 
 
 Their life would be in vain. 
 
 Charmed by some act or vision, 
 Charmed by a soft, sweet voice. 
 
 Their life becomes more pleasant 
 They realize their choice. 
 
 Their task is but to welcome 
 Each day as it doth come 
 
 Pursue life's arduous duties 
 Content when they are done. 
 
 Pursue them with a vigor 
 With all their wealth of love 
 
 For all that's true and beautiful 
 On earth or Heaven above. 
 
 Their's is a world more lovely 
 
 Fairest of earth's domain. 
 Dwelt in only by beings 
 
 Who have found its exalted plane. 
 
 They could do naught but gather 
 From out earth's sordid ores. 
 
 Gems most prized, on earth despised. 
 But blessed on other shores. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 69 
 
 So then our hearts are mellowed, 
 By sorrows strange yet dear, 
 
 And memories of the past to us 
 Are blessings and good cheer. 
 
 ' MY NEIGHBOR'S BULL DOG. 
 
 My neighbor has a bull dog 
 Quite young, but my, O my! 
 
 He jumps around both up and down 
 And nabs at every fly. 
 
 It sure is quite amazing 
 
 To see this dog perform, 
 To see him romp and play each day 
 
 And wag his tail forlorn. 
 
 Just hit him with a pillow, 
 How quick he will turn 'round 
 
 And nab it with a vicious grip 
 As though it were a hound. 
 
 Just try to take it from him 
 And see him rip and rare 
 
 And jump around both up and down, 
 Oft' all feet in the air. 
 
 Just throw another pillow 
 
 And see him grab it too 
 Or kindly kick him with your foot 
 
 And he will grab your shoe. 
 
70 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 If that perchance is not enough 
 To satisfy your whim, 
 
 A dozen pillows at him aimed 
 Perforce will add some vim. 
 
 Ah! see him now, he's filmost mad 
 To know what all this means 
 
 And if you don't explain quite soon 
 He'll nab you on your jeans. 
 
 He's looking 'round both up and down 
 To find the cause just now, 
 
 And soon he will make some one ill 
 Or feel his bow-wow-wow. 
 
 But no, he hears his master's voice 
 
 And hearing doth, obey. 
 For he loves that old familiar sound 
 
 W>ich he hears most every day. 
 
 Not the sound of the hickory switch 
 Or strap to be laid on his back, 
 
 But the good old kind sonorous tones 
 Of the man who loves to chat. 
 
 The deep sonorous tones he hears 
 
 Of melody quite full, 
 Perchance do awe inspire in him 
 
 And make him quite obdure. 
 
 For he's very quick to skit away 
 And he wags his tail so free 
 
 That it seems he loves his master so 
 For he wags It so in glee. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 71 
 
 WHEN THE COMET LOST ITS TAIL. 
 
 Of all the wonders ever seen upon this glo- 
 rious earth 
 
 There never yet appeared a sight that so 
 provoked to mirth, 
 
 For it was such a marvelous sight to all the 
 people 'round, 
 
 That they forgot themselves in mirth, and 
 made the earth resound. 
 
 The sight that so provoked to mirth and 
 
 made the earth resound 
 Was only Halley's comet, sailing 'tween the 
 
 planets 'round. 
 But Halley's comet is a sight as everybody 
 
 knows 
 That ne'er will twice our eyes amaze as on 
 
 its flight it goes. 
 
 So the people all were watching for the 
 
 comet so renowned, 
 And when at last it came in sight, they 
 
 saw that it was round. 
 They also saw it had a tail that stretched 
 
 thru space profound. 
 Shedding forth its rays of light as the 
 
 comet onward bounds. 
 
 But that which so amazed us as we watched 
 
 this comet bound 
 Was its very funny actions as it sailed the 
 
 heavens 'round, 
 For all at once it lost Its tall, we know not 
 
 where it went. 
 But it lost its tail, we know, as its onward 
 
 course was spent. 
 
72 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 It lost its tail so suddenly, but stranger still 
 
 to me, 
 The comet got another tail as bright as 
 
 bright could be, 
 S-o when you tell the tale of how the comet 
 
 lost its tail 
 Be sure to say the comet has a brand new 
 
 tail. 
 
 SONNET TO NELLIE.* 
 
 Nellie, how I wish that I 
 Your presence oft might share 
 
 For your grace and art and winsome ways 
 Have my heart in a snare, 
 
 1 can't forget you if I would, 
 Nor can my eyes refrain 
 
 FYom gazing on your fair sweet face 
 In ecstacies in vain. 
 
 When-e'er by chance I see your face 
 
 At home or on the street, 
 I just can't make my eyes behave, 
 
 For you I love to greet. 
 
 I often sit out on my porch 
 
 And look across at you, 
 And in my fancies oft revel 
 
 O, how I do love you. 
 
 I love to feast my eyes upon 
 
 Your graceful airy ways, 
 Which seem to weave a spell round me, 
 
 My heart to e'er amaze 
 
 *Note: Written to Nellie Eames. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 73 
 
 If only for a moment I 
 Could in your presence be. 
 
 That moment were so full of joy 
 My heart would be in glee. 
 
 You are to me the vista, 
 The vision of my dreams, 
 
 Your loveliness to me it seems 
 Would make you queen of queens. 
 
 I ^^ould that I were able 
 
 To tell you what I think, 
 To tell you how I love you, 
 
 How oft of you I think. 
 
 I'd paint before you pictures. 
 Dreams of the fairest hue. 
 
 And make them but realities 
 For you whose heart's so true. 
 
 THE COLORADO MOUNTAINS. 
 
 I sit on my porch in twilight, 
 Or maybe the heat of the day, 
 
 And look out upon the mountains 
 Sublime in their beauty and lay. 
 
 The grand mountains of Colorado 
 
 Far in the distance I see. 
 Towering aloft in their greatness, 
 
 As beautiful ^s can be. 
 
 Sublime in their beauty and greatness, 
 Their gulches and canyons do yawn, 
 
 More like to the devils' own carvings 
 Than to nature's own handiwork drawn. 
 
74 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 So marvelous the works of nature, 
 Such wonderful freaks she performs, 
 
 That it seems as if nature's a fakir. 
 And a charm that adorns. 
 
 Their peaks and their crags far ahove us, 
 Adorned with winter's white robe. 
 
 Stand out in their beauty and splendor 
 As queens of earth's aerial abode. 
 
 Magnificent wonders of nature 
 Their gullies and ravines proclaim 
 
 That earth is a treasure of beauty 
 As well as a treasure for gain. 
 
 So let not earth's treasures provoke you. 
 If you can't assay them for gain, 
 
 But think of their beauty and splendor 
 Whose richness each one can obtain. 
 
 THE AUTO.* 
 
 The auto which ran over Otto 
 Aught to Otto have gone 'round. 
 
 And Otto aught to have seen the auto 
 Before the auto on Otto did bound. 
 
 But Otto did not see the auto 
 
 Before the auto on Otto did bound. 
 
 So Otto could not stop the auto 
 Before the auto on Otto did bound. 
 
 ♦Note: There are other verses to this 
 poem, but they were not suitable for publi- 
 cation. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 75 
 
 IF LIFE WERE ONLY A DREAM. 
 
 If life were only a dream, dear, 
 
 And you were my sweet queen, dear, 
 
 With plenty of money, we'd have lots of fun 
 
 Riding and playing in the sun 
 
 And you couldn't say a thing to me 
 
 That wouldn't make me smile on thee. 
 
 If life were only a dream, dear, 
 
 And you were my sweet queen, dear. 
 
 Then sweet were the hours that I spent with 
 
 thee 
 Underneath the old oak tree. 
 And my joy were complete, were a smile 
 
 from thee 
 To break the silence, 'tween thee and me. 
 
 If life were only a dream, dear. 
 
 And you were my sweet queen, dear, 
 
 I should wish that my dream would make 
 
 you queen, 
 The queen of my life and heart unseen 
 I should wish that you were not a dream 
 But only my sweetheart queen 
 And were it so I'm sure you'd know 
 That life for me were all for thee. 
 
 IN THE GOLDEN SUNLIGHT. 
 
 In the golden sunlight 
 
 All of nature basks, 
 And it seems that all earth beams 
 
 On you at your task. 
 
76 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Tn the golden sunlight 
 
 All earth's flowers bloom 
 And their perfumed fragrance tunes 
 
 All our hearts from gloom. 
 
 In the golden sunlight 
 
 Birds their carols sing, 
 And their notes are warbled forth 
 
 On enchanted wings. 
 
 In the golden sunlight 
 
 Earth's creation towers, 
 And to all of us who watch 
 
 Beauty so endowers. 
 
 In the golden sunlight 
 All earth's radiance sheds 
 
 Forth the beauty and the glory 
 Of its queen co-eds. 
 
 In the golden sunlight 
 Earth her message sends, 
 
 And in accents sweet and low 
 Thus her message wends. 
 
 Life is not a vision dream. 
 
 Life is not a play, 
 Life is a reality. 
 
 Life is not decay. 
 
 Life is all it seems to be, 
 
 Or you will to be, 
 Life is what it seems to thee 
 
 If in it you be. 
 
 Life for you holds everything 
 
 If you struggle hard. 
 Life for you has but a sting 
 
 If you but retard. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 77 
 
 Life is not for you to spend 
 
 As you will or may, 
 Life is yours to make amend 
 
 For some other day. 
 
 Life is not your own to lend 
 
 In gay frivolities; 
 Life is but a means to send 
 
 To all integrities. 
 
 Life is ever worth your while 
 
 If you do your best, 
 I ife for you wreathed in a smile 
 
 Has for you a crest. 
 
 Life has glory for you all 
 If your hearts prove true, 
 
 For though often do you fall 
 Glories sure ensue. 
 
 Let us struggle not in vain, 
 
 Let us struggle well. 
 Let us struggle with disdain 
 
 For discord and hell. 
 
 SMILES. 
 
 We only live but for awhile. 
 And while we live we will but smile, 
 Content to live that little while 
 And smile and smile and smile. 
 
 You may not walk ten thousand mile 
 Yet you may find it worth your while 
 To always, always give a smile 
 Till there are miles and miles and miles of 
 smiles. 
 
78 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 We only live but for awhile, 
 The least we can do is to smile, 
 So then if you will only smile 
 We all will smile and smile and smile and 
 smile. 
 
 DAYS OF YOUTH. 
 
 The days of youth are swiftly passing by us, 
 
 Our childhood joys are now alas no more. 
 The sweetest hours of youth are left behind 
 
 us, 
 And time flows on forever, ever more. 
 
 The golden sun doth still yet shine upon us, 
 
 The silvery moon still sheds its radiant 
 
 light, 
 
 The morning and the night are ever with us 
 
 And life seems sweet tho oft its shadows 
 
 blight. 
 
 The sun of youth hath set in radiant splen- 
 dor. 
 Even as the golden sun sets in the west, 
 And as the morning dawns some clear fair 
 day in springtime, 
 So dawns life's future crowned in bright- 
 est crest. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 79 
 
 TO VERA. 
 
 Since first I met you 
 
 I can't forget you; 
 
 I think of only you. 
 
 Could I forget you 
 
 Or e'er regret you 
 
 My heart would ne'er be true. 
 
 The night I met you, 
 
 Could I forget you, 
 
 Would not remembered be, 
 
 All joy would fret me. 
 
 Evil beset me, 
 
 Till I remembered thee. 
 
 Your eyes have met mine, 
 
 I would they might shine 
 
 Ever, always for me; 
 
 I could not repine. 
 
 If in them I'd find 
 
 That you could think of me. 
 
 Your eyes I do love, 
 Your eyes I will love. 
 Your eyes of glorious hue. 
 So beaming and mirthful. 
 So sparkling, undearthful, 
 Oh, yes I dream of you. 
 
 ,THE SMILE THAT WON. 
 
 The smile that won was a winning smile 
 And no smile like to that one, 
 
 For the smile that won from the heart had 
 come 
 And its worth full many a sum. 
 
80 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 The smile that won was a cheery smile, 
 
 And its radiant cheer was shed 
 Over all the earth giving joy and mirth 
 
 To all its queen co-eds. 
 
 The smile that won was not spent in vain, 
 
 For in every heart it met 
 It drove away all fears and doubts, 
 
 And some hearts ceased to fret. 
 
 Its radiant cheer was shed abroad 
 
 In every heart each day, 
 Its mellowed sweetness cast abroad 
 
 All troubled hearts allayed. 
 
 Now the smile that won is a winning smih 
 If your own heart you won't cheat, 
 
 For if gladly given and freely given 
 It's the smile that can't be beat. 
 
 VANITIES. 
 
 I know not why that I should live or die, 
 For I am tired of this dull life we live, 
 
 This life of vain endeavors freely spent 
 Seems but to me too sordid e'er to live. 
 
 Why should man live contented if but he 
 Can win some honor and his name adorn. 
 
 For are not all earth's glories and renowns 
 But the viain semblance which make 
 hearts forlorn. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 81 
 
 For are not these vain glories and re- 
 nowns 
 But empty titles and distant glittering 
 stars 
 Which do seem to give us happiness, 
 But in fact our happiness they mar. 
 
 Are they not but vanities so vain 
 
 As to make our lives more wretched e'er 
 we gain 
 
 That which we on earth most prize today, 
 Riches with their glittering splendor vain. 
 
 Is not man a fool to sacrifice 
 On this pagan altar in disguise 
 
 All that's true and good, our heart's true life. 
 Which we should forever, ever prize. 
 
 Is not he unworthy of his name 
 If he give his life to seek but gain 
 
 For himself and his own pleasures full, 
 When he knows the cause unworthy, vain. 
 
 Is he not but sacrificing life 
 For that oft despised King of hearts 
 
 That he may his selfish desires fill 
 But to revel in all earth's pleasures till 
 death parts. 
 
 Ah, fair sir, thy heart doth know, 'tis true, 
 That to live as some men live today 
 
 Is to miss the better part of life 
 And ne'er feel the power of love to sway. 
 
 For without such love as makes us live 
 All our life the nohlest that we may, 
 
 We but miss earth's tranquilest of joys 
 Living for each other every day. 
 
82 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Living the sweet life of tranquil joy, 
 Which alone can make us happy, free, 
 
 That of living for some one we cherish dear, 
 But to make her happy as can be. 
 
 And to gladden other hearts we see 
 By a cheery greeting and to be 
 
 But the giver of a gift most graciously 
 Given unto others, is love so free. 
 
 "MY DOG SNYDER."* 
 
 There's a dog lives in our town, 
 
 Snyder is his name, 
 Coach dog is his non-de-plume, 
 
 Envied is his fame. 
 
 A Dalmation dog is he. 
 
 Thirty months his age, 
 Loves to roam around the town 
 
 And thinks he is a sage. 
 
 A hide of white and spots of black, 
 
 So many spots has he 
 That no man e'er could count them all 
 
 Tho tried repeatedly. 
 
 Let another dog come 'round 
 
 And a fight engage, 
 He will fight him to the end 
 
 In a most ferocious rage. 
 
 See him fierce the battle wage, 
 
 See him down his foe 
 And with paws and open jaws 
 
 Bring his foe to woe. 
 
 *Note: This poem is entirely orignal. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Formerly was owned by Gene, 
 
 Ex-county treasurer. 
 Who, as you know, was beau-brummel 
 
 Of Kenton, yea, 'tis so. 
 
 But Gene was free, no cares had he, 
 No children reared or trained. 
 
 And so the dog was left agog 
 And never could be tamed. 
 
 But rambled 'round all o'er the town 
 And did just as he pleased, 
 
 And spent his youth so long uncouth 
 Half hidden by the flees. 
 
 But now since "Bodie" has gone away 
 
 To sojourn in the West, 
 His old friend Harry trains the dog 
 
 And values him the best. 
 
 And not content with good results 
 
 He trains him every day. 
 To see if he can overcome 
 
 Youth's follies and dismay. 
 
 Yet still old habits will crop out. 
 
 No matter what the test. 
 But Harry says, despite ^11 these 
 
 He values him the best. 
 
 TO LOVE. 
 
 To love is but to feel the bliss 
 Of that soul immortal kiss, 
 Heart to heart and eye on eye. 
 Even tho we ne'er may kiss. 
 
84 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 We can feel our love and yet 
 On no one our love bestow, 
 We can love and yet we know 
 Life can not always be so. 
 
 On the eye our eye may gaze, 
 We may feel of love divine, 
 Yet to love is but to know 
 That to love is to repine. 
 
 Love may come and love may go. 
 Yet love will ever think 'tis so 
 That joys of heaven we would forego 
 But to taste love's joy and woe. 
 
 THE BLISS DIVINE. 
 
 I have felt the bliss divine. 
 
 That compound of endless delight. 
 Varied as the flowers of summer. 
 
 Ever new and oft contrite. 
 
 I have tasted of that mixture. 
 
 Most delicious nectarite. 
 Whence to sip is but to taste of 
 
 Sweetest pleasure infinite. 
 
 I have tasted of that bliss. 
 Sweet to taste as is the kiss 
 
 To the souls that heart to heart 
 Kiss each other and can't resist. 
 
 T have felt that bliss divine 
 
 Ever changing to repine. 
 Ever blossoming forth again 
 
 .Tust to feel that joy divine. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 85 
 
 Love is love tho incomplete, 
 Tho to love it may not fleet, 
 
 Yet love In itself is discreet, 
 Worthy and it is so sweet. 
 
 SONNET TO A GRAND RAPIDS GIRL. 
 
 Oh, such a lass I ne'er have seen 
 
 In all my travels 'round, 
 And, Oh, my heart's in ecstasy 
 
 As visions 'round me bound. 
 
 Visions of a lass so divinely fair, 
 
 With eyes superbly sweet, 
 So exquisitely are they crowned 
 
 V\^ith beauty's dower to greet. 
 
 Such wealth of beauty they possess, 
 
 Those eyes it seems to me 
 Would bring the best of earth to thee 
 
 Their pleasant smile to see. 
 
 To bask within their light and love 
 
 If only for awhile, 
 Would make me think that Heaven were 
 near 
 
 Whene'er on me they'd smile. 
 
 Such lovely eyes, Oh, blissful joy 
 
 To gaze into their light 
 And see within their sparkling depths 
 
 The love for which I'd fight. 
 
 I mean not rude to be to you, 
 
 Or that I want a fuss. 
 But tben I hope you understand 
 
 I'd fight for you if I must. 
 
86 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 SONNET, TO A GRAND RAPIDS GIRL. 
 
 A little lassie, Oh, so sweet, 
 
 I've met again tonight, 
 She 's such a beauty; Oh, you kid, 
 
 You're simply out of sight. 
 
 I know not why I like you so, 
 
 But verily I do, 
 I think you're nice as you can be. 
 
 And, Oh, so pretty, too. 
 
 You're just the girl that I admire. 
 With a face so winsome sweet. 
 
 That I would love to be with thee 
 Just to hear the moments fleet. 
 
 I want naught else but to be near 
 
 A girl like you, I say; 
 With a heart so good and loving kind 
 
 That my heart would for you sway. 
 
 Tf I for you could brighten 
 
 A wee bit of your life, 
 I'd count It worth ten thousand joys 
 
 And ne'er regret the strife. 
 
 'Twere not In vain my time were spent 
 
 For but a smile from thee 
 Would drive away my fears and doubts 
 
 And my heart be in glee. 
 
 TO A GRAND RAPIDS GIRU 
 
 I met her at the rink one night 
 
 Only a week ago, 
 She is so sweet, I can't help think 
 
 I'd like to be her beau. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 87 
 
 She's such a dear sweet lassie. 
 With arms so plump and round. 
 
 So sweet and fair and debonair 
 My heart seems all spell-bound. 
 
 Oh, great the joy in knowing thee 
 As we skated 'round and 'round, 
 
 Such pleasure I have never known 
 This whole wide world around. 
 
 I'd skate with you forever, 
 Yes. every hour each day, 
 
 If you would only let me 
 I'd make your heart so gay. 
 
 What joy were ours, dear lassie, 
 This old world could not say, 
 
 And when we kissed each other 
 No one could say us nay. 
 
 'TIS A FAIR OCTOBER EVENING. 
 
 'Tis a fair October evening 
 And the glowing sun hath set. 
 
 The leaves are nigh all fallen 
 And the grass with dew is wet. 
 
 The night is fast advancing 
 And the shadows come and go 
 
 As the 'lights that gleam around us 
 Flicker often, flicker slow. 
 
 This evening we've assembled 
 'Round about the festive board. 
 
 Each with their own desires 
 All hearts in sweet accord. 
 
88 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 We have all partook in measure 
 Of the bounties of this feast, 
 
 Both their excellence and savor 
 One desire is filled at least. 
 
 We have all partook the bounties 
 Of the feast and of the wine, 
 
 Wine of service, wine of gladness 
 That bringeth us to no repine. 
 
 For to fill our hearts with gladness 
 
 And to give a cheery smile 
 Is to taste of wine delicious 
 
 All our senses to beguile. 
 
 So then we can be so thankful 
 
 For the time we thus shall spend, 
 
 Thankful for a cheery greeting 
 Ne'er forgotten to the end. 
 
 The lights still seem to flicker 
 And the shadows come and go. 
 
 And the night is fast advancing 
 Bringing joy and bringing woe. 
 
 For to some hearts night is darkening. 
 Lengthening shadows come and go, 
 
 There can be no retrospection 
 Life is sorrow and all woe. 
 
 But the night is not all darkness, 
 Gloom alone can not prevail, 
 
 Brightly shine the lights around us 
 And no shadows can avail. 
 
 For the stillness of the evening 
 And the shadows lengthening long 
 
 Seem to leave with us a message 
 For the contrite and the strong 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 89 
 
 Life is not without its shadows 
 And no sorrow, howe'er deep 
 
 But will have the after sweetness 
 Peace and joy so full, complete. 
 
 For the shadows are but symbols 
 Of the joy so full, sublime 
 
 That alone will follow sorrow 
 When the heart is mellowed fine. 
 
 When you feel deepest emotions. 
 When you feel of joy sublime, 
 
 Just remember others' sorrow. 
 Give a cheery smile in time. 
 
 KENTON, MY KENTON. 
 
 Pride of my heart and my own eyes' delight, 
 Thou hast a name that in itself is might, 
 For it inspires us and its name resounds 
 Where'er 'tis heard to glorious renown. 
 
 There is no name that can to thine compare 
 Past time or present, none thy fame may 
 
 share. 
 For thy fair name is magic unto all, 
 Woos all the earth and every heart enthralls. 
 
 Kenton, my Kenton, thou hast a name thy 
 
 own, 
 No other name can come within its zone, 
 And every heart that enters in thy gates 
 Cheered by thy welcome beckons all the 
 
 fates. 
 
90 MESSENGERS OF LOVE 
 
 Thou, art the greatest town upon this earth, 
 No other town is equal to thy worth, 
 And none shall ever to thy fame arise 
 Wherein all greatness and all goodness lies. 
 
 No other town on earth is quite so dear, 
 None can surpass thee none shall be thy 
 
 peer, 
 And when the Gods immortal judge thy 
 
 worth 
 They will pronounce it glorious, best on 
 
 earth. 
 
 Could any mortal e'er thy worth assay. 
 Palaces and gardens would only part convey 
 All thy allurements and their attractions 
 
 grand 
 Would thru thy worth nobler more still ex- 
 pand. 
 
 And in expanding, beauty in all its power 
 Would to thy charms give yet another flower. 
 Till all the earth and all the worlds that be 
 Should sing thy praises to eternity. 
 
 Think ye not, then, that Kenton, noble, fair. 
 Has fame enough for all on earth to share. 
 And that to live within her portals grand 
 Bids all of us to nobly by her stand. 
 
 Then let us welcome all on earth to come. 
 Throw ye wide the portals unto every one, 
 Let your heart its radiance shed abroad each 
 
 day, 
 Doubt and all its kindred dispel with dismay. 
 
MESSENGERS OF LOVE 91 
 
 Welcome, then, Oh, welcome unto all the 
 
 earth, 
 Fear and doubt and trouble dispel ye with 
 
 mirth. 
 Oome and let us help you, come and let us 
 
 cheer, 
 Welcome, then, Oh, welcome unto Kenton, 
 
 dear. , 
 
 Welcome, welcome, welcome is the song we 
 
 sing, 
 Kenton, Kenton, Kenton re-echoes to the 
 
 ring; 
 Know ye now the slogan, "strike the Kenton 
 
 trail," 
 And when ye have struck it sing it without 
 
 fail. 
 
 And when all things mortal shall have 
 passed away. 
 
 Leaving naught of sorrow, nor of man today. 
 
 There shall still re-echo unto heights sub- 
 lime 
 
 Thy glorious fame intrinsic in eternity's 
 regime. 
 
L 
 
DEC 1g im