H^H Ml^^mJW^m nnm wpim^t: FiF.SRN n;i) BY ) 3 £. 8-. POEMATA AMANTIS FIRST AND SECOND SERIES BY E. S. Buchanan, m.a., b.sc. New York, mcmxxii POEMATA AMANTIS '^^Y FIRST AND SECOND SERIES BY E. S. Buchanan, m.a., b.sc. AUTHOR OF "ROBERT BROWNING— OPTIMIST "; "GEORGE HERBERT— MELODIST, " ETC., ETC. Verses come on unseen wings, Like the snowfiakes from the sky, Telling us a thousand things Of the folk who dwell on high. New York, mcmxxii Copyright, 191 7 By The Plimpton Press Gift ISXai ft 1823 POEMATA AMANTIS Leave me, O Love, which reaches! but to dust; And thou, my mind, aspire to higher things; Grow rich in that which never taketh rust; Whatever fades, but fading pleasure brings. Draw in thy beams, and humble all thy might To that sweet yoke where lasting freedoms be; Which breaks the clouds, and opens forth the light, That doth both shine, and give us sight to see. O take fast hold; let that light be thy guide In this small course which birth draws out to death, And think how ill becometh him to slide. Who seeketh heaven, and comes of heavenly breath. Then farewell, world; thy uttermost I see: Eternal Love, maintain Thy life in me. —P. Sidney. DEDICATED TO THEIR ONLY INSPIRER PREFACE The hall-mark and bane of modern love poetry is artificiality. These poems are real and not fictitious. A second mark of the poetry accepted by up-to-date magazine editors is paganism. These poems are Christian in their hold of the Christ-taught verities of God, of man's soul, and of the future life. Poets are born — not made at poetry clubs, or universities. They are good, or bad, according as under influence they become God- worshippers, or self-seekers. All our greatest gifts (including poetry) come by divine inspira- tion. There are also malign inspirations, or suggestions. These are responsible for man's misery. The true inspiration leads us to love of God and man; the false degrades us to love of self and envy of others. He that hates the lowliest thing. Is deaf to the song the angels sing. INDEX TO FIRST LINES FIRST SERIES PAGE A miracle of heavenly birth lO Above the dusky hair 19 As the New Year dawned 6 Beautiful hand 22 Behind your eyes 30 Come with the birds' first song 1 1 Dear Love, when mornmg dawns 13 Faces in the street 32 Famished with hunger 29 From the infinite space 16 Give me those hands 27 I have considered 2 I have no song to-night 35 I heard an angel call me 8 I know the way you used to go 18 I love the darkness of your eye 22 I must fix it like a mage 2 I saw a snowdrop 17 I see the children 23 I thank God for the things 7 I think if God should give 4 I thought of her and of her eyes 8 I was so cold 17 I would but cannot 37 If you love me as I love you 11 In hours I spend with you 26 Inspirer of my days 13 Let me be the sun 21 Love, just one sigh 3 More deeply loved 39 More than all earthly gain 38 My track crossed yours one day 10 No longer would the sky be blue 21 Not for us the semblance 24 Not long ago a child 5 O lips I love 33 O Love, I am yearning 37 O Love, true Love 34 O Love, with dark and shining eyes 28 O magic heart 25 O mighty impulse i O moonbeams on the roof 12 night with wings unfurled 9 O the first days of spring 9 O what a rich return 26 O wind, gentle wind ; 6 Others have spacious lands 23 So near you are 35 Song-birds and flowers 36 Take them Love, this sheaf of poems 40 The bee sings in the flowers 16 The days that intervene 12 The evening falls 19 The night is falling. Love 14 There is a blackness that I love 29 There is a redness in the rose .' 15 Thou art more to my soul 20 Thou hast filled up my cup 38 Though I go from the sun 15 Three little words 33 To-night if Christ 32 What can I bring thee 25 What is the sunshine to me 3 When the poems that I write you i Without thy voice to bless me 20 You fill my heart with song 27 Your lips outvie the reddest rose 31 I When the poems that I write you You shall read, My soul from earth's mutations Being freed, You will know that still by Love's impulsion bidden, I am singing by the blue of heaven hidden. When the passion I outpoured you You recall, In your musing,— when the evening Shadows fall, — You will know that in the happy near Hereafter I am waiting for your rippling girlish laughter. II mighty impulse of e'ermastering Love, Drowned fathoms deep in thine unsounded sea, Whose force is far my feeble strength above, I yield at last to thee. In vain the little strives with the immense, Vainly an atom with infinity. Thou hast made bondsmen of mine every sense, I yield at last to thee. If thou must still control my every thought, If thou must still possess my liberty, Contented thus to do as I am taught, I yield at last to thee. O blame me not because this soul of mine Long sought to keep its own identity; Mind, body, spirit, now I all resign — I yield them all to thee. Ill I must fix it like a mage, That sweet look: Write it somewhere in the page Of a book: That when shivering under chill Winter skies, Summer warmth may greet me still In your eyes. Gracious eyes that tenderly Answer mine; Glorious eyes that pour for me Gladdening wine. Eyes that shine and save me in Sorrow's hour; Shaming what is low and mean By their power. Eyes that wake a soul in me, Love aflame. Making death henceforth to be But a name. rv I have considered every grace That human life can hold; The parks and stately palaces, The glory and the gold. The loveliness of Grecian form; The sea-bird's sweep of wing; A child at play upon a lawn; A primrose of the spring. I have imagined what we know When numbered with the dead, In Paradise, where roses blow. Whose bloom is never shed. But gazing now upon a face — Sweet, spirit-pure, apart, — I deem God's highest gift and grace Come with a woman's heart. Love, just one sigh My spirit doth give, Conscious that I Cannot perfectly live. Joys that entrance. Entrancing in vain Do but enhance Mine impotent pain. Rapture that lends Life its delight, Soon as it ends. Whelms me in night. Love, just one sigh My spirit doth give, Since we must die To perfectly live. VI What is the sunshine to me If the voice of my love is away? What all the wonders I see Around me by night and by day? 3 What is the moon as she moves Up from the mist-cinctured hill, Eyemg the earth that she loves, Faulting it white at her will? What are the silver lights hung, Lamping it high overhead, Changeless, eternally young, Deaf to the march of the dead? What is the world vast and wide? What are my days that decline? Naught without her at my side; Naught if her hand clasp not mine. VII I think if God should give Me leave to ask to-night The life I fain would live In pain and grief's respite, I should but ask of Him one thing— My loved one to my heart to bring. I would not ask for ease, Nor wealth nor worldly gain; Possession of all these Might leave me still in pam; For my lone soul knows no relief, Save only love, to end its grief. I wait through weary days, Through many a wakeful night; No softest path I pace Can minister delight Till on my listening ear doth fall The step that makes amends for all. \ VIII Not long ago a child Was laid upon our knees; It calmly slept and smiled, And was not hard to please. Our hearts recall the smiles Upon the dimpled cheek, The pretty baby wiles, The sweet attempts to speak. The little fingers twined In trust around our own; The present scarce divined, The future all unknown. A flower half-disclosed, A spirit just awake, A melody proposed, A song as yet to make. The child we used to bless. The child with dreaming eyes. Is no more passionless, No longer peaceful lies. The tender little child, So gentle and so still, So easily beguiled, So subject to our will: Once quiet in our breast, Hath now imperious grown. Hath robbed us of our rest And made our hearts its throne. IX As the New Year dawned on me I fell into a reverie. Thanks to God for vanished sorrow, Adding comfort to the morrow. He hath heard our prayer and sent us Love's rich purple to content us, With its warm robe to enfold us, Angels envying behold us. Joy and light and peace and pleasure Love doth pour us without measure. Morning dawns with love to guide us, And with happiness provide us. Evening falls and love draws nearer, Making every whisper dearer. In the folds of love soft sleeping, There is no more pain nor weeping. When the next life's morning breaketh. To new rapture love awaketh. X O wind, gentle wind. Sing me a song to-night. My heart is sick with waiting. Waiting for love's delight. O moon, silver moon, Throw me a glance to-night; My heart is cold with longing, Longing for love's delight. 6 O earth, O patient earth, Pity mortality. Tossed forever upon Time's tempestuous sea. O stars, silent stars. More compassionate be! Ye will still shine on When earth forgetteth me. O Love, O Light of life, Eternal Deity; Vain, vain are all Thy gifts If love come not to me. XI I thank God for the things He made To give delight: The morning sun, the evening shade, The gems of night. And for the world invisible That with its grace Doth keep our eyes aloft until We see His face. That even grief, illumed by love, Transmuted is. And draws the soul to things above And fuller bliss. But most I thank Him for His plan- So passing sweet — Whereby He gave to suffering man A true help-meet. What if by day dark thoughts oppress. And peace depart; At even I have her caress To bless my heart. 7 XII I heard an angel call me — " Come up at last and live ; There's nothing to enthrall thee In all that earth can give. The spirits sent to love thee, Save one, are gone before. And now they wait above thee Beside the open door." I would (I answered), only My love I love her so, That should I leave her lonely, My joy would turn to woe. Though heaven wait above me. On earth while still her heart So constantly doth love me, I never can depart." XIII I thought of her and of her eyes The whole day long; I sat me down to moralize. But wrote a song. I rose and paced the crowded street. Yet I was blind: Her form, her voice, surpassing sweet, Possessed my mind. My garden high walls did enclose Seemed made for calm; But wanting her — I found the rose Had lost its charm. 8 I left my flowers white and red, My garden plot: There is no ease for me, I said, Where she is not. XIV O the first days of sprmg With their sun and their scent, What a yearning they bring For love's sweet content! How the leaves gently stirred By the wind at its will. And the charm of the bird Set the pulses athrill! O heart be thou strong There is One doth provide For the song-bird a song, And an arbour beside. And the white-blossom's Maker, Ere summer be spent. May make thee partaker Of love's sweet content. XV O night, with wings unfurled Fall from the crystal dome; The one who makes my world Awaits my coming home. O night, like Holy Dove, Descend that I may see The spirit that I love Come out to welcome me. O night, that bringest bliss! Expectancy is sweet; But sweeter far than this — The hour when lovers meet. XVI A miracle of heavenly birth Her woman's heart to me; More than the treasures of the earth, Or those hid in the sea. A smile from her Creator's face She brings me every day, And love's deep undertone I trace. In all that she doth say. Of many moods, by fancy led. Impatient of control, A radiance still on me is shed From her love-lighted soul. Though seasons come and pass away. Her heart shall keep its youth, And wear, in some diviner day. Its glorious robe of truth. XVII My track crossed yours one day, We met — and it was done; The love that will not pass away Was instantly begun. On looking back I see A leading sure and strong — A Hand unseen directing me. Amid the countless throng. 10 If clouds obscure the sky, The sun is surely there; And Love, that sleeps not, standeth nigh To hear and answer prayer. Though eyes may lose the light, The soul descries its ray; The little minute of the night Lends brightness to the day. XVIII If you love me as I love you. Earth and sky have faces new. If you love me as I love you, All but love hath passed from view. If you love me as I love you, We shall walk with vision true. If you love me as I love you. Love through all we shall pursue. If you love me as I love you, Every bar is broken through. If you love me as I love you, God hath fashioned one of two. XIX Come with the bird's first song; Come with the breath of dawn; Come, for my days have been long; Come, for my heart is forlorn. Speak, and the morning breaks, Speak, and the night is spent; Speak, and my spirit wakes; Speak, and my heart is content. Whisper as mothers do; Whisper as lovers can; Whisper / love but you; Whisper as woman to man. Stay with me in my mirth; Stay with me when I sigh; Stay with me here on earth; Stay with me still in the sky. XX The days that intervene The cold, the chilling days, Since last your face was seen And love was more than praise, Are mists that veil, but cannot hide, The sun that they have glorified The miles that intervene, The dark, the dreary miles. Whose enmity would screen From me your happy smiles, Are spaces in the vault of night Through which the stars shine doubly bright. My spirit still doth lean Across the farthest space. Until — no bar between — I find your shining face, And touch your cheek, and hold you fast. My utmost joy attained at last. XXI O moonbeams on the roof, O lights upon the river, O night of love and truth. Held in my heart forever. Three words of melody, A figure drest in white, — And earth and sky and sea Were clad in new delight. face I thrill to view, O voice that fills my brain, My spirit finds in you A respite for its pain. No happier they who dwell In heav'n's unchanging light. Than we beneath the spell Love wove for us last night. XXII Dear love, When morning dawns, I turn to you; When noontide burns, I rest with you; When evening falls, I call to you. Sweet love. As earth recedes, I shall need you; As day departs, I hold to you; As heaven breaks, It brings me you. XXIII Inspirer of my days, And solace of my nights. Companion of my ways, And sharer of my fights: 13 The demons do not love us, Our pathway they would bar; But blue skies stretch above us, And evening hath its star. Response when doubts were rife, And banisher of cold, Whose touch upon my life, Turned all its dross to gold: The world will never know us, But still will wonder why The kingdoms it doth show us, We pass for love's sake by. XXIV The night is fallmg, love, And my spirit calling, love, Just for you. The bats are flying, love, And my heart replying, love, Just to you. The stars above me, love. Seem all to love me, love, Because of you. The breeze doth bring me, love, Sweet joy, and sing me, love, A song of you. And all that liveth, love. My spirit giveth, love, New dreams of you. 14 XXV Though I go from the sun, beloved, Whenever our pathways part; Though the loss of your presence, beloved, Throw a shadow on my heart: Yet I will not complain, beloved, But I will rejoice that we Are sure of the life, beloved, That enters eternity. We part but to meet, beloved, And when hands clasp again. The grass at our feet, beloved. Will be brighter for the rain. XXVI There is a redness in the rose to-day I never knew before; A sweeter fragrance from the jasmine spray Floats through the open door. A fuller melody is in the wind That whispers in my ear: The winter with its snow is left behind; The long, warm days are here. A happier murmur have the summer bees That rob the honeyed flowers; Then: joyous undersong doth greatly please, Recalling childhood's hours. It is thy voice, O love, that lends such worth To flower and breeze and bee. Imparting to what fades so soon on earth Hues of eternity. IS XXVII The bee sings in the flowers A song of happier hours Than used to be. The daffodil doth wear A robe more debonair Than anciently. The summer doth disclose A fuller redder rose Than once I knew. And every bush doth glow With glory angels know — Since I loved you. XXVIII From the infinite space Fell the night; And I yearned for the feel of your face, Heart's delight. From the mind's cloudy sky Doubt came down; And I longed for your low-voiced reply, Mine heart's own. Then I slept a sweet sleep; And you came; And at once, with a tenderness deep. Called my name. At the words which you said, True and kind. Flew my fears, and a calm came instead To my mind. i6 And at dawn my first thought, With eyes raised, Was to murmur for gladness you brought, " God be praised ! " XXIX I saw a snowdrop bloom to-day Upon a nameless grave; I think a woman planted it For one no tears could save. And musing on our little life That hastens to its close; I thought of Christ Who wept and died. And from the grave arose. How could I love your darksome eyes, Your hand, your lips, your hair, — Your mind, so prompt to answer mine. Your spirit fine and rare; How could I keep them in my soul. While worship deeper grows, If over human hope and love The grave could ever close? The snowdrop rising from the tomb. Brought Easter chimes to me: And sealed upon my heart the truth Of love's eternity. XXX I was so cold, Until thine arms Were round me thrown, My love, mine own. 17 It was so dark, Until the light Of thy dear face Lit every place. I was so sad, Until true joy Thou didst impart, Mine own sweetheart. And now with thee. In warmth and light And joy I dwell — Perpetual. XXXI I know the way you once did go, Dear maid of mine. Through meadows where the daisies grow, And butterflies dance to and fro, And sunbeams shine. I know the songs you once did sing, Wild, unrestramed, Until their rapture seemed to bring To kindling eyes the very thing That fancy feigned. And now that crags ascend more steep Than hath been yet, Although your path you steadfast keep, I ween that sometimes in your sleep Your cheek is wet. But still with me you choose to stay, Come what come will; And dauntless and without dismay, Lend sunshine to the darkest day, And love me still. i8 XXXII The evening falls: Your spirit calls: Through walls on walls I pass to you. The morning breaks, The earth awakes: Soft as snowflakes I glide to you. The fancy sweet Is incomplete Until lips meet, And I hold you. XXXIII Above the dusky hair. Above the darksome eyes, I love the heart, so real and rare, Where hidden treasure lies. Above the brow snow-white. The pink upon the cheek, I love the smile so full of light, That kindles when I speak. Above the perfect grace Of velvet hand and arm, I love the gleam upon the face That heightens every charm. The joy that reds the rose And gladdens heaven too. Came with the gift the angels chose. The gift supreme of you. 19 XXXIV Without thy voice to bless me, Thy soft hand to caress me, The world is pain. Without thy step at even To bring my heart its heaven, My life is vain. Without thy mind to strengthen My faith when shadows lengthen, My hope doth wane. With thy sweet spirit near me, To comfort and to cheer me, E'en grief is gain. XXXV Thou art more to my soul Than the light to mine eye. And from pole unto pole While shineth the sky So long shall I love thee, — mine own! Thou art dear to my soul As the glory of God; And thy smile is the goal Of the path I have trod; For I love, for I love — thee alone! And at last on the soul When the full light shall dawn. And the mists that now roll On the sight are withdrawn, To thy love's height I hope to have grown. XXXVI No longer would the sky be blue; No longer bright the sun that shone; The rose no longer red of hue — If you were gone. No golden morn with breathing sweet, No evening hour with mystic thrill, Would make my pulses quicklier beat — If yours were still. No child, to steal my heart away, With eyes of your own colour deep. Could lure me in this world to stay — If you should sleep. No gain nor goal would be of worth. Nowhere for comfort could I fly, No refuge find in all this earth — If you should die. XXXVII Let me be the sun With golden ray To greet your eye At break of day. Let me be the wind To kiss your cheek When you climb alone The mountain peak. Let me be the rain With finger rare To touch your lips And tingling hair. Let me be the dew And gently come Upon your breast To find its home. Let me be the moon With silver light That shares your pillow, Love, all night. XXXVIII Beautiful hand that God hath made, If I were as good as I should be, I imagine my hand would be half afraid To touch you other than sacredly. Fingers attired in velvet white. If I had the eye no beauties escape, I think I should drink a new delight In gazing upon your perfect shape. Speaking hand with a spirit's power, Calling out from beyond the keys Music, like some fair scented flower, My inmost soul to uplift and please: Sensitive hand that God hath made, And more than others hath beautified: Within mine own when trusting laid, My life's deep longing is satisfied. XXXIX I love the darkness of your eye Wherein a thousand sparks do lie. I love the whiteness of your face, That witnesseth an inward grace. I love the redness of your lips, That never suffers an eclipse. The darkness is the kindly night, That veils the world in starry light. The whiteness is the fallen snow, That folds the flowers that live below. The redness is the rose's hue The bee doth kiss, — as I kiss you. XL Others have spacious lands, love, And parks and mansions new; And all that gold commands, love, But I have only you. I do not ask for wealth, love, Nor parks, nor mansions new: I am content with health, love. With health and only you. The things of time and sense, love. Are not the real and true; My joys are more intense, love. And I have only you. Earth vanisheth away, love. And all its treasures too; My wealth will ever stay, love, My wealth is only you. XLI I see the children playing in the lane, I see the lark upspringing to the sky; I see the yellow wheatfields on the plain; I see them, — but I sigh. 23 I watch the glow that glorifies the West; I watch the night descending from on high; I watch the birds repairing to their nest; I watch them, — but I sigh. I hear the voice of comfort of the Night; I hear her step, and know that she is nigh; I hear the song she singeth of delight; I hear them,— but I sigh. It is for hau- more darksome than the Night's; It is for eyes that love doth beautify; It is for hands that pour me all delights; It is for these I sigh XLII Not for us the semblance Men may buy for pelf; Nor a fine resemblance, But the thing itself. Not for us the seeming; But a power we feel — Waking as when dreaming- To be just as real. Not for us pretences. Whereof earth is full, Stirring but the senses. Passing by the soul. Not for us the flowers Man's art may devise; This sweet rose of ours Grew in Paradise. 24 XLIII What can I bring thee, dear, for all thy love to me? My heart's full tribute is too poor a fee: Naught can I bring thee, for all thy love to me. What can I sing thee, dear, for all thy love to me. My songs are less than love's own melody: Naught can I sing thee, dear, for all thy love to me. What can God bring thee, dear, for all thy love to me? A benediction thine eternally: This doth God bring thee, dear, for all thy love to me. What will they smg thee, dear, for all thy love to me? The samts who see God's face continually: A sweet thanksgiving, dear, for all thy love to me. What is the issue, dear, of all thy love to me? A soul that knoweth God through loving thee: This is the issue, dear, of all thy love to me. XLIV O magic heart God made for mine. You bring me birds and flowers, And make a brighter sun to shine Upon this earth of ours. O woman's soul exceeding dear. Encircling me with rays. You make the darkness disappear. And fill with light my days. O answering love, that perfects mine- Sweet, exquisite, apart — Your potency is all divine. And floods with peace my heart. 2S XLV In hours I spend with you, Hours unalloyed with pain, The songs my childhood knew Come singing through my brain. My spirit meeting yours Finds inward peace, — though all Be tempest out of doors, And leaves in myriads fall. The homes of Europe weep; The days foretold have come; As men have sowed they reap; And they who sang are dumb. how were I forlorn. Had God not sent you hither; — My rose without a thorn. My rose no cold can wither. XLVI O what a rich return For all to-day's work-crowded hours, Your welcoming kiss. O what a heavenly balm To brain tired with protracted thought. Your cooling hand. what a pillow soft. Softer than down to weary head, Your peaceful breast. O what a priceless pearl For earth and for eternity, Your woman's heart. 26 XLVII You fill my heart with song; You with the singing eyes, You with the spirit strong, For whom my prayers arise. You make the sun more bright; You with the eyes of day. You with the eyes of light That drive the mists away. You shield me from the cold; You with the passion pure, You with the heart all gold. In which I rest secure. You who have all my trust, You with the feeling true, Yours is such love — I must Love God Who fashioned you. XLVIII Give me those hands and eyes and lips: I am the thirsty bee that sips From that mysterious honeyed source His being and his vital force: Give me those lips. Give me those hands and eyes and lips: Bid the sun suffer no eclipse, I am the flower that needs must turn My face to where his glories burn: Give me those lips. Give me those hands and eyes and lips: The measured sand too quickly slips From out my glass, and soon the night Will rob me of my dear delight: Give me those lips. 27 Give me those hands and eyes and lips: 'Twas writ in love's apocalypse That this our passion was to be: And who resisteth Destiny? Give me those lips. Give me those hands and eyes and lips: Our tongue in utterance often slips, Our words are weakness at their best; In silence love must be confessed: Give me those lips. XLIX Love with dark and shining eyes, So dear, so kind, so true, The Maker of the starry skies Their light bestowed on you. 1 know not why, of His sweet grace, Their charm to me is given; I only know your woman's ways Have made on earth a heaven. With you my days do gleam and glide Like swans adown a stream Where sedges sigh at eventide And waters overbrim. Your presence wraps me warm when earth Assumes a cheerless hue; And every hour has added worth When it is shared with you. I waken with the birds, and sing. For in my nightly dreams You walk with me where lilies spring Beside enchanted streams. 28 Companions on the path of life, We meet its ills together, And fix our gaze when storms are rife, On heaven's unclouded weather! Famished with hunger, Heartsick and faint, — Bread, give me bread, Was my spirit's complaint. Freezing from coldness, Soul petrified, — Warmth, give me warmth, In mine anguish I cried. God in His kindness Answered my call, — Down from His Heaven Manna did fall. In the deep winter. Warmth did appear, — That was thine heart, love. Unspeakably dear. LI There is a blackness that I love. All other hues it glows above; This colour rich, this colour rare. Dwells only in my lady's hair. There is a whiteness that I know, No other colour shineth so; This snowy whiteness, with its grace, Speaks only from my lady's face. 29 There is a darkness, more than light, That dazzles far above the night; This darkness, wherein beams do lie, Lives only in my lady's eye. There is a sweetness known to me, Whose source is deepest mystery; This hidden sweetness I can feel, But cannot to the full reveal. LII Behind your eyes A spirit lies; A thousand ways Your thought it sways, — tell me what this spirit is. That droops and laughs in pain or bliss? Beneath your looks, As stones in brooks, A soul doth live. And upward strive, — O tell me what this soul can be, Whose light, as through a veil, I see? Beneath the mesh, We call the flesh, A presence moves. That hates and loves, — O tell me whence this presence came. Impalpable as air and flame? If language can Explain to man. Explain to me Love's mystery, — These moods, these motions manifold, Their secret spring I would be told. 30 I kiss your lip, And nectar sip; Your hand I hold, * Your form enfold, — And yet your spirit is as free As roving winds that sweep the sea. Since this is so, I fain would know How can we blend, Fulfil our end? — O love, have you not learned (said she), / most am yours when most I am free. LIII Your lips outvie the reddest rose, Bright being breathing thoughtful breath; With you my spirit's stature grows Beyond the reach of death. Your hair is duskier than the night; Your eyes outshine the evening star; With you my spirit takes its flight To where the angels are. Your step hath music more than all The melodies that life enhance; And at the sound of your footfall With joy my heart doth dance. Your smile hath grown so very dear, That in its welcoming embrace, I'm caught up from this lower sphere To heaven's highest place. 31 LIV To-night if Christ Whose voice I wait Should say, Come thou to Me, I would arise and follow straight, Yet, — half regretfully, — My look would linger on each scene Where you and I had happy been. To-night if heaven's light should break Upon my dreaming eyes, And without you I should awake In blissful Paradise, My wistful gaze would wander back To where you still pursued life's track. To-night if God should give me rest. Who find the struggle long; Although the angels round me pressed To teach me the new song, The tears into mine eyes would start If you were not with me, sweetheart. LV Faces in the street Pass on every side; Multitudes I meet By me ghost-like glide. Eagerly engrossed In the things they see, None of all the host Gives a thought to me. But a thousand miles From this human stream Some one lives and smiles In a happy dream. 32 For her spirit hears Mid the silent throng Of her hopes and fears Just one undersong. And a radiance glows From her eyes that tell What no poet knows To express so well. Faces in the street, Vanished soon are ye; But her presence sweet Ever stays with me. LVI O lips I love and hair and eyes, O woman's heart the crown of all. From you the light of Paradise On me doth fall. O lips I love and hair and eyes, O woman's ways, so winsome sweet, O spirit made to sympathize, O true helpmeet. O lips I love and hair and eyes. For you my feeling is so deep. Within my heart your image lies E'en while I sleep. LVII Three little words you said to-night Have filled my heart with singing. And set the bells, — the silver bells, — Of earth and heaven ringing. 33 Three little words you said to-night Have made the saints in glory- Suspend their songs, — their deathless songs, To listen to our story. Three little words you said to-night My heart will hold forever; Beyond the bounds of time and space, Beyond the unknown river. Three little words you said to-night The joy of heaven will heighten, When Christ, Who is our spirits' light, The darkness here shall lighten. LVIII Love, true Love, Love of my life, my all, — 1 cannot live through the days to come Apart from thy foot fall. Love, kind Love, My utmost joy and pride, — 1 cannot work through the years to come Without thee at my side. O Love, sweet Love, My joy and ecstasy, — There is no 'joy in earth, or heaven, That is not joined with thee. O Love, dear Love, Life's supreme desire, — For thee in my veins by night and day There burns a quenchless fire. 34 LIX I have no song to-night, Nor any zest for singing, After the warmth and light Around your presence clinging, The street was cold, it chilled my heart, And tears into my eyes do start. I cannot lift my heart: Too heavy on it lies The thought of days apart From your dark shining eyes. When I shall long, and long in vain, For one soft hand to rest my brain. Upon my face I fall As doth a tired child; For comfort I recall That God on us hath smiled; And so this heart, that paineth still. Awaits the unfolding of His will. LX So near you are, so dear you are. The merest smile from you Doth thrill my heart, my happy heart, With rapture through and through. If you are nigh, give sigh for sigh. The faintest word you say Doth flood my heart, my foolish heart. With radiance like the day. So dear you are, so near you are, I tell you, tell you true, 'Twould break my heart, my trusting heart, The least cold look from you. 35 If you are nigh, give sigh for sigh, I laugh at grief and pain, And see in stars upon the sky My happiness writ plain. LXI Song-birds and flowers, Singing together, With their sweet powers Perfect the weather. Children at play On the green grass All the long day Merrily pass. Only my heart. Dreaming alone, Standeth apart. Cold as a stone. Joy doth enthrall All except me: Deaf to her call. Why should I be? Dower of my life, Darksome and dear. Sorrow is rife Till thou appear. Winsome and wise, God's gift to me, Nothing supplies Absence from thee. 36 LXII love, I am yearning to-night, For your voice with its magical tone, To bring me the hours of delight We knew in the days that are flown. Since then how the hours have been long. No light hath illumined the sky; No robin hath trilled me a song; No marigold greeted mine eye. To-day like its fellows hath been; It is passed, and night's curtain is spread; But there is no moon to be seen, No star in the vault overhead. The stars do not come where you're not; The moon, too, refuses to shine; But there is no desolate spot. If only your presence is mine. How long must I languish in vain, Alone in the cold crowded street, For the laughter that's music's refrain; For the kiss that is earth's sweetest sweet. LXIII 1 would but cannot — bitter words Expressive of our human fate; To image heaven and yet remain Outside the gate. We see the bliss we may not grasp; We watch the tide that laves the strand, And long to sail upon the deep, — Yet powerless stand. Joy holds a cup before our gaze, — The cup we count life's only gain, — And looking on it with a thirst That's more than pain, 37 The eyes dUate, the pulses thrill; We taste a heaven in our hearts; We stretch out supplicating arms — And Joy departs. O life, inadequate to Joy ! Can we but catch her smile, — no more, Until the kindly hand of death Unbar the door? LXIV Thou hast filled up my cup With joy from above; Thou hast lifted me up, O most wonderful love. Because thou dost pour Thy nectar for me, I live evermore In deep ecstacy. Thy coming doth bring Such light to mine eyes That glory doth ring The stars in the skies. Far, far beyond hope Thy sweetness I prove; Thou hast lifted me up, O most wonderful love. LXV More than all earthly gain Your heart so true; More than the world's refrain One word from you. 38 Sweeter than angel songs Your voice doth ring; And in the midst of throngs, I hear you sing. Upsprings, — as light doth come Forth from a star, — Joy and the sense of home, Where'er you are. For such immortal love To crown my days, God, with the choir above. Daily I praise. LXVI More deeply loved than aught on earth beside, For thee by night and day my prayers ascend, My best companion, comforter and guide. My alone only friend. So strong my passion is, and so intense. So close our twin-born spirits intertwine. The angel guard that calls thy spirit hence, Will also call for mine. Ringed thus around by love that does not tire. But groweth deeper, tenderer day by day. Through viewless hosts that 'gainst the soul conspire. Unharmed we take our way. We take our way, as pilgrims, hand in hand, Through mists that do not dim the unseen sunshine. On to the goal where we shall understand What here we but divine. 39 LXVII Take them, love, this sheaf of poems, Written as my heart was glowing, — Glowing with the fire that burneth In the deep depths of my spirit, — Fire which you yourself have kindled. White and still and cold the paper. Black and dead the ink and lifeless; But a breath hath passed upon them, From the vital soul within me. Till the lifeless are the living. And, as in your magic music, Which you weave into a language. Chords are blended, interwoven, Simple in themselves, yet telling In their blending man's whole story: So in these my songs I sing you, Searching, you will find the meaning, See the things love only seeth, Seize the message of the spirit, Which the dead are unaware of. And your spirit, — in my singing, — Listening to my spirit speaking, You will catch the oft-heard whisper, Flashed as from the eyes beside you — Love is best; love faileth never. Verses come on unseen wings, Like the snowflakes from the sky, Telling us a thousand things Of the folk who dwell on high. 40 INDEX TO FIRST LINES SECOND SERIES PAGE A child, there lies 49 A fire God lit 4^ A precious thought appeared 77 As the rose allures ^5 Before the light of morning 6i Dear, do you realize 55 Dearest, when I go home 5^ How weary of words I am 8o I cannot lose you 9^ I have learned under the sun 4^ I have seen the fair ideals 45 I knew you would come 7^ I listen to the wind 50 I love you more each day 89 I thought once ^7 I woke with joy 75 It's not your form so fair 68 I will paint you 5^ Last night at the midnight hour 83 Last night my soul 60 Last night the fireflies 79 Lying listless on the ground 4^ Maid of the bright and sparkling eye 51 Maid with downcast eyes 47 Not for long you said 74 O how desired the night 63 O Loved One, that suddenly 5^ Once I saw a workman 43 41 She is not wise as some 73 Since you did depart 77 Such strange and sudden suffering 64 Sunless are the Heavens 89 Sweet and eternal love 90 The hush of night 78 The love of God brings back the spring 71 The moon was overhead 92 The wires one day will carry 92 There's none but you 67 There are miles and miles 87 There are millions of women 88 The sunshine had departed 57 The years of Heaven are many 66 Thy close is come 84 Waking I lay 59 Wandering through the woods 46 What shall I do 71 What's the prettiest thing 69 When birds come back 62 When I go to the departed 43 When the Lord Jesus walked upon the sea 81 When we go hence 85 When you are away 70 When you think of me 72 With a smile yet wistfully 81 With the earthly when out of tune 90 Yesterday I saw no trees 73 You tell me sunlight dies 54 Your eyes' bright beams 84 Your eyes shine through the dark 86 Your loving heart 66 42 When I go to the departed, In answer to God's command, You will not, love, be heavy hearted. Though you miss the touch of my hand. You will know that the old heart-aching Is finished beneath the sun; And that from world-slumber awaking Life is at last begun. From striving against depression. Often in vain (so it seemed), I shall pass to have in possession The things whereof I have dreamed. In a place where existence is sweeter. And lovers their vows renew. And joy after pain is completer, I shall be waiting for you. You come; and the consequent gladness Extinguishes sorrow and sin; Nor will there be any more sadness When Heaven's light shuts us in. II Once I saw a workman Take a piece of metal Dust-stained, dull and dingy, Thing of little worth, Throw it in a furnace. Blow a breath upon it. Make it incandescent, Make it light the earth. 43 Dark and dead my spirit, Full of cogitations, Sated with earth's pleasure, And despising it. Suddenly a maiden, — Innocent and child-like, — Cast a glance upon me. And the fire was lit. Sunset-hued and lovely As the apple blossom Is the light that lingers On her rosy cheek; Soft as is the velvet Of her snowy bosom Are the five fair fingers Of her hands that speak. In His great compassion God, Who worketh wonders, Threw my lifeless spirit Into beauty's blaze; Blew a breath upon it, Banished death and dullness, Made it incandescent, Made it emit rays. Miracles can't happen, Says the idle scoffer; Here's a proof conclusive That the scoffer lies: — I was dust and ashes Till love's breath revived me, And God's glory met me In a maiden's eyes 44 Ill I have seen the fair ideals Of my youth fade and depart With the heel of the oppressor Trampling on man's quivering heart. I have loved my very haters; Disbelieved in actions base, Till the devil in his malice Threw their venom in my face. I have dipped down deep in sorrow, Touched the bottom of the pit; Shrunk from sunlight and from moonlight, Mocked at joy and scouted it. Last I have known in my anguish A soft voice and eyes of light. Standing like a picture painted On a background dark as night. Once again I find the moonlight Full of power (as poets say) To impress upon the spirit Thoughts that never come by day. Meditations, emanations. Whispers from the Mystic Three, Breaking in upon time's shallows From far-off eternity. As of old the light of heaven, Sweet and lovely in its hues, Offers me the cup of blessing That my soul did long refuse. Doubt and darkness have departed, And an endless sun doth rise — All through meeting in a meadow A fair maid with downcast eyes. 4S IV Lying listless on the ground, Dreaming, dreaming. Life seemed a monotonous round. Sunlight o'er me streaming. Laughed a child, above me stooped, Showed three faces In a tiny picture grouped, — Yours among the Graces. Straight a strange and sudden fever O'er me came. And a rapid pulse, that ever Burned within like flame. Useless dram or potion strong In my anguish; For a smile my soul did long, For a hand's touch languish. Why should fall upon my heart Such distress; And the tears unbidden start At a picture — guess! V Wandering through the woods together In the blue October weather. Smiling at the sky above us, We were sure that God did love us. And that we should never die, You and I. Stepping on the fallen leaf Without sorrow, without grief. Spring we knew would do her duty, Deck the woods again in beauty: Teaching us we cannot die. You and I. 46 On your cheek a ruddy glow, Fleet your foot as mountain roe; Tripping light along the road, Laughter from your eyes o'erflowed. Full, too full of life to die. You and I. Maiden, we who walked to-day Hand in hand along the way, We shall 'scape these mortal bands To inhabit brighter lands, There to love and never die. You and I. VI Maid with downcast eyes, before Your departure I deplore I would have your spirit know I'll not lose you though you go; — Reminiscent still I am: Te per omnia diligam. You do charm me day by day At your work and in your play; Draw me by an inward grace And the gleam upon your face; — Thoughtful, pensive still I am: Te per omnia diligam. To my soul you give content By your very merriment; By your eyes of liquid fire Lead me to the Light that's higher: Grateful, faithful still I am: Te per omnia diligam. What is life if it contain Nothing to offset its pain? 47 Into this dark house of clay You have brought a gladdening ray; — Unforgetful still I am: Te per omnia diligam. VII I have learned under the sun Living and striving are one: Living is striving against the despair That the devil brings on us unaware, And foiling by grace the thousand wiles Wherewith the spirit of man he beguiles. I have learned under the sun Living and loving are one: Living is loving in spite of pain And hateful thoughts that possess the brain, Loving on still when the sight is dim, And the pulse is low, and the senses swim. I have learned under the sun Hades and hate are one: Hate is the malady fiends employ To interrupt all human joy. He that hates the lowliest thing Is deaf to the song the angels sing. I have learned under the sun Loving and heaven are one: So are we made and silently wrought. So by the Spirit inwardly taught, That the soul that loves not knows no rest, And only the soul that loves is blest. VIII A fire God lit that cannot die I feel within my soul; Its flame descending from the sky Has passed from my control. 48 Such rapture permeates the sense, And smooths the brow of pain, Bids every torturing thought. Go hence; And brings back peace again. The flame in stubble lit, or fern, Is destined to expire; But that which in the soul doth burn Is an eternal fire. Calm, gentle, of celestial birth, Mighty and yet serene. It may not stay upon the earth. But seeks a distant scene: Where, — after sparks that here but showed What fire is, — we shall find The things that love's delight did cloud Forever cast behind. To foil the devil's deep disdain, As long as here we dwell Moments God sends us in our pain When Heaven excludeth hell. IX A child — there lies within your eyes A light unseen on land or sky: In worlds far off it took its rise, And it will never die. The opals of the morning fade; The crimsons leave the sunset hill; The sunshine yieldeth to the shade; But this light shineth still. A woman brave — the smUe you have Is not untouched by human pain, And knows for roses there's a grave, Nor may the Spring remain. 49 The world may laugh at grief and toil, Boasting while others groan they sleep; But there is that within your smile Which says, Unseen I weep. A spirit rare — your form so fair Conceals a form more fair within, A pledge of that far country where There is no death or sin. And in the long eternity, Succeeding our soon-ended days, I think my deepest joy will be With you to learn God's praise. X I listen to the wind alone. And it can only sob and moan; I hear the same sad wind with you — It laughs and nothing else can do. Alone I walk the street and see A selfish, soulless company; I pace it arm in arm with you — The men are kind, the women true. I look alone on autumn fields; The prospect only sadness yields; I see them through your laughing eyes And they resemble Paradise. I seek for joy alone and find There's nothing suited to my mind; I make the quest with you, — and all The world is keeping festival. I am content if you are near And glad as soon as you appear; But when your presence is withdrawn, 'Tis midnight and I watch for dawn. SO O lend an ear to my complaint, And love me when my soul doth faint; Smile on me at my latest breath, And then I shall not shrink from death. XI Maid of the bright and sparkling eye, Shedding a light on my days, Of all the stars in the spacious sky One only attracts my gaze. Though how it can gleam and glisten so, Is a mystery past my ken. Its light was given, I seem to know, To gladden the souls of men. In Spring we behold the rose in bloom, And hear the nightmgale trill; But afterwards cometh snow and gloom And the cold blast over the hill. Finished for me are April and May, Finished are June and July; Now it is autumn with frosts on the way, And gathering clouds in the sky. Think you I suffer or sorrow for this— That gone are the days of June? The spirit that seeks for an infinite bliss With the finite is out of tune. It finds on earth there is no repose Whose joy flies fast as its pain; And pants for the music without a close. For the joy that will still remain. SI Only a cadence here and there We catch from the music of earth To suggest to the soul a world more fair Where the bliss that lasts has birth. One such cadence I caught to-day When you gave me a gracious smile, And taught my soul by that golden ray How Heaven makes earth worth while. XII Dearest, when I go home. And you muse in the twilight alone. Remember I still am near, And your least whisper can hear. What is this life but a dream! How niggard and narrow must seem All the endowment of sense To the soul that has just gone hence ! Bowing at Nature's shrine, Beauty and power we divine, — Round us, beneath us, above; — But where is the word of love? How do we know that we, — Tossed from eternity To this earth we inhabit, cast On the shore of the visible Vast, — How do we know that we Are loved by the Powers that be? Shall we question the silent years With their freight of laughter and tears? Shall we measure the hay and the grass That we in our barns amass? Or reckon the more or less Of what men call success? 52 Success if the soul be dead To the song of the stars overhead, Is nothing, is less than naught, Is far too dearly bought. Had we been screened from pain. Enriched without stress or strain, Attaining all our ends, Having to make no amends: Had we been this or that, No sorrow, no sin to combat; Created kings and queens, Owners of vast demesnes — Nowise such gifts would prove That God's individual love Embraced us. Gifts can be Given in enmity. There is but one release From anxiety, foe of peace; 'Tis the message of Christ, Who died, 'Tis the Word of the Crucified. He like the glorious sun Poured love-light on every one. And gave by word and deed The assurance we so much need. As long as on earth we strive. Our spirits from Him may derive The comfort the tempted know. When, — after long days of woe, — His suffering form appears. As a rainbow through their tears, And doth to the spirit prove. Behind this life is love. S3 XIII You tell me, Sunlight dies; In truth it is not so; It lightens other skies; And soon the morn will show How vain is human sorrow For loss repaired to-morrow. I loved you when we met, — I cannot tell you why, — And now more deeply yet I love your shining eye, Unfolding worlds to me Where we shall one day be. The summers come and pass, And youth and colour fade; But look not in the glass. Look (and be unafraid) At the soul's silent gain That ever will remain. The eye lit with the light Of pure and heavenly rays, Is more surpassing bright Than any other gaze, And hath a hidden grace. Illumining the face. Although the rose depart, And snow fall on the hair, The soul doth live apart. Intrinsically fair; And loveliness concealed You have to me revealed. You say. But beauty dies; In truth it is not so; The beauty in the eyes 54 That are with love aglow, Beyond these hills of time Will rise yet more sublime. XIV Dear, do you realise By what a slender thread To this brief life we hold; That, spite of lustrous eyes. We both among the dead Soon, soon will be enrolled? To me there is no sting When human strength doth fail And I could calmly view Death, on his viewless wing. Approach the sufferer pale, Come even, Dear, to you. For then within the light And love and glory — where Amid the angelic throng The Father's presence bright Makes an enchanted air, Filled with seraphic song, — The soul finds after pain A calm earth never knew, A deep eternal peace That falls like gentle rain. That drops like morning dew. And all temptations cease. The hue, as when suns set, Upon your snowy cheek. The brightness of your eye, The laugh that killeth fret, The low voice when you speak, — These, these will never die. SS The Eternal Loveliness Who at creation made Mortality so fair, Will wrap you in a dress When you have passed the grave Such as the angels wear. And in that endless space With Heaven's star-dust strown, With love sufficed at last, Which here we could but taste, Our happy souls shall own God's love in all the past. XV I will paint you as I see you. Face and form and eyes, With the mirth that from your spirit Fountain-like doth rise. Fairer than a summer morning And its dower of flowers. Is the dreamy light that stealeth From those eyes of yours. Morning cannot speak as you speak With a tone that tells Of a treasury of devotion In your heart that dwells. Evening cannot make the restless Spirit so rejoice As my own does in the twilight Listening to your voice, God has formed you with perfections Passing words of mine. Set you in this world's transition For His praise to shine. 56 Star to guide the weary traveller Who doth stand and gaze At the seeming far-off Heaven From earth's dusty ways. Bird to sing his soul a ditty, Minding him of home, Till to the eternal city At the last he come. Star and bird, and, more than either,- Woman made for love; Eyes that gleam and hair that glistens Magically wove. I can bear this world's rejection. And the spirit pain. If until the morning breaketh Vou with me remain. XVI The sunshine had departed From hills where once I roved; I saw no more the visions That once my spirit moved. My eyes were growing dimmer. My footstep not so light; The morn I once rejoiced in Charmed less than sombre night The beauty of creation, The gleam in woman's eye, The tenderness of passion, The whispered low reply — I seemed to lose the gladness Of all these gracious things. As though the birds of summer Had taken to them wings. 57 But in the desolation That fast was coming on, A sudden light from Heaven Upon my spirit shone. I looked up and beheld it, As fair as the sunrise, Its depths on depths of glory- Hid in a maiden's eyes. XVII Loved One, that suddenly Vanished from sight. The peace of your presence 1 long for to-night. How few and how fleeting The gleams of content; How frequent the sorrow Since you from me went. I dreamed as a child Of a sweetness to be When a love such as yours Should be given to me. I pictured the blue skies With never a cloud; And to-night in my anguish To earth I am bowed. O Loved One, that livest Where love changes not, Whose hand rocked my cradle, And tended my cot: From you came the teaching Above all to prize The depth of affection That shone in your eyes. 58 Those eyes are now hidden By mists in between; But still I am longing For what has once been. O tell me, O tell me If skies will be blue, And love deep as yours Make my child-dream come true? XVIII Waking I lay the whole night through, In a trance of love and prayer. Drowned in tresses of dusky hue, In tresses of Annie's hair. The stars through the lattice looked lovingly And smiled and murmured her name; They had lent their beams to the eyes of Annie When down to the world she came. I was lost in a vision of fair Annie, Her step, her voice, her form. Her bosom that such a sweet pillow might be For love to dream upon. As frozen snow begins to glow And melt when the sun doth rise, So dissolved my soul, my desolate soul, In the beams of Annie's eyes. The dearest moments earth confers. And Heaven cannot eclipse, I re-live in my dreams since my soul met hers At the touching of the lips. 59 XIX Last night my soul flew up From this dark earth To where beyond the clouds It had its birth. Two angels came and held My hands in theirs, And helped me say to God My thankful prayers. One with a girlish glance Moved me to sing, And drew me through the air On rapid wing. We came to a fair land And, side by side. Sat down to rest and watch The river glide. How long we heard the stream Sing in its flow; How long sat hand in hand I do not know. The sun is risen, yet earth Seems strangely sad; For no one has the smiles The angels had. But I am nearer Heaven' Than I have been; And narrower is the sea That rolls between. 60 XX Before the light of morning Had died from off the hills, And living was a rapture, And joys outnumbered ills — Each dawn of day beheld me, Alert and full of fire. Awake with expectation And feverish desire. To days that were too fleeting For all I would secure, To happiness and friendship I fancied would endure. But sorrow came upon me Increasing with the years, And eyes that brimmed with laughter Were dimmed by silent tears. And looking on creation It seemed a sordid place Where life began in glory And ended in disgrace. And only up in Heaven Was any joy, or rest; And those who perished early Appeared of all most blest. But as the horizon darkened Love came on silver wing, And threw his beams of beauty On every common thing. He made the hill-tops radiant With golden mist again. And to my sinking spirit Brought antidotes for pain. 6i He taught my soul contentment, And lit the little while 'Twixt this world and God's presence With the radiance of his smile. Each day he sets beside me A gracious angel form, To lean my aching head on When weary of the storm. And though the tired spirit My watchful foes molest, When glanced at by my angel I enter into rest. XXI When birds come back in Spring, The bluebird in his coat Of sparkling hue. The robin with his note. So strong and bold and true, I too am moved to sing. When sunshine floods the hills. And golden shafts do fly Adown deep space, Enlightening the eye And brightening the face, My heart with rapture fills. So after sorrow long Had locked the world in ice. And frost, and snow. My soul did hear a voice. Melodious in its flow. And melted into song. 62 The sunbeams with their spell, Gliding from heaven's height To wake the brook, Afford no such delight As doth a look From eyes that I love well. The birds that chirp and call, When the first rays of dawn Illume the sky. Have for my soul a charm And ministry; But thou hast more than all. XXII how desired the night That on her raven wings Deep feelings of delight To the tired spirit brings. In childhood's happy hours She came as calm and fair; But of her grace and charm My soul was unaware. But I am changed, and now 1 find more dear than day The shadowy hours of night In which I muse and pray Until upon me steals The peace that I shall know When angels bid my soul Into God's presence go. In childhood's happy hours I knew not sorrow's might, Nor thought the dark could be As lovely as the light. 63 But I have wept, and now • My soul through suffering knows The comfort of the night, And all its deep repose. Day is for pressing on With songs upon the road; Night is for thought and love And communing with God. Your voice is like the night And doth my spirit thrill. And bless me with a joy That's indescribable. XXIII Such strange and sudden suffering My spirit did oppress; It crushed from out my human heart Each drop of happiness. Such longing for a love unknown, Yet dreamed of in my dreams. Such strong desire my thirst to quench At yet-untasted streams. Life's heavy anchor seemed to drag. And I to drift away From all the moorings of the world To an eternal day. What was earth's light that clouds do dim. Earth's joy that sorrows break? And what the worship mortals give To idols that they make? What was this love of womankind But a bright bird with wings, A honey that no man can take Who shrinks from painful stings? 64 Far better be where angels live In the perpetual light, And cast life's smoky torch away That could not pierce the night. Tempted I was to give up hope, And mock at sympathy, And call the world an empty dream,- And then you came to me. Your eyes met mine in earnest gaze And brought me instant rest; For in your loving soul I saw Life's purpose manifest. XXIV As the rose allures the bee So thy beauty draweth me. As the sunflower seeks the sun So my steps to thee do run. Not the reddest rose that blows Half thy grace and beauty owes. There's no yellow sunflower holds Richer sunlight in its folds. Rose and sunflower may not stay; They must droop and must decay. Thou hast what can never die In thy voice and in thine eye. Though the cold wind from the north Stops the crocus peeping forth: Though in icy chains the earth Groans and waits the Spring's re-birth: 65 Roses bloom within my walls, And the birds sing madrigals. For thy voice is like the bird's, And hath only loving words. And the roses thou dost veil Make all other roses pale. XXV Your loving heart in my distress Has helped me as before; All others leave me desolate, But you my soul restore. Your truth and trust my comfort are In face of countless foes; Your smile lights up the darkest place That human sorrow knows. Gentle your voice and soft and low To calm my harrowing fears; Your hand is perfect in the art Of wiping away tears. Your eyes shine on me constantly, As never planet shone; I see them in my nightly dreams; I wake and still dream on. And even though I were to die Your image would remain Within my waiting soul until My love found you again. XXVI The years of heaven are many; The days of earth are few; Nor would I have them longer If it were not for you. 66 The seeming satisfaction That things of sense can give To me is no incentive That I should wish to live. The only joy of living Is to be loved again By one whose deathless spirit With us wUl still remain: To watch the eyes that brighten, To catch the tones that hold Such melody as music Did never yet unfold. To thrill beneath a whisper, To tremble at a sigh, To have to all our questions Love's wordless sweet reply. To trust God for the future, And know that what we lose, Or miss in this existence, He will not then refuse. Your eyes, love, keep the secret Of happiness for me; And give me the assurance Of love's eternity. XXVII There's none but you Can save me from despairing Of happiness this side Eternity ; There's none but you Can keep me from not caring What here becomes of me. 67 There's none but you In all the world to love me And never hurt, or stab, My wounded soul; There's none but you And your sweet eyes to move me To act a hero's role. There's none but you When I have done with sorrow, — As soon I hope to be By heavenly grace, — Can fill with joy The unknown and dear to-morrow When we shall see God's face. XXVIII It's not your form so fair, Nor wealth of rippling hair, Nor voice that soundeth low In my long dreamings — no; It's not that when you smUe My sorrow you beguile; Nor yet your winning ways, The sunshine of my days; 'Tis something deeper far Than all things outward are; 'Tis holden from the eye Of sense; and that is why Your loveliness of soul, Seen day by day unroll, As blossoms do in May Under the warm sun's ray: 68 Your inward dower of light, Known but to second sight, The soul's eye, that avails When other vision fails: Your lovingness — not yours But given by God, Who pours On you His loving's gift, — Do lighten and uplift The spirit, filled with awe, Till perfect, without flaw, I own God's loving plan, That crowns His thought for man: And night and morning see, By love you shew to me. What depths of love await The soul beyond death's gate. XXIX What's the prettiest thing in the world? An apple tree with blossoms white And pmk against a sky of blue? A field of daffodils in the light Of a May morning, when the dew Is sparkling on the invisible strand The spider weaves at God's command? What's the prettiest thing in the world? The clouds that tinged by day's last rays Form islands of fire in oceans of green? The starry night with the countless fays That cluster around their silent queen. Who draws man's spirit, bound to earth. In an upward gaze to the place of his birth ? 69 What's the prettiest thing in the world? A maiden's eyes that shine and speak; A maiden's eyelids drooping low; A rosy blush upon the cheek; A bosom white as winter snow; — All these to you God's hand has given To teach my soul the beauty of Heaven. XXX When you are away from me, And I only behold you in dreams, Things lose their reality, And the sky its golden gleams. In songs, I have no more joy; They only darken my day; Nor can I find any employ To drive my sadness away. Why must we leave when we go To the one who in loneliness stays, To enhance and add to his woe, The longing for by-gone days? Why should laughter and love, And the touch of a speaking hand, Bring on us when they remove. Darkness so hard to withstand? Under the spell of your voice. And knowing that you are near. It is easy for me to rejoice. And stifle every fear. But as long as sleepless I lie, And call for your presence in vain, And there comes not any reply, — There is no end to my pain. 70 XXXI The love of God brings back the Spring, And paints in green the rolling hills; The rose begins its blossoming, And all the air with sweetness fills. The love of God brings back the bird, Across long leagues of ocean foam, Obedient to a heavenly word, To sing and make a summer home. The love of God brings back the warm, Long, lightsome days loved by the bee. Who leaves the hive and finds a charm In every blossom he doth see. So from my heart that dormant lay While winter storms above it swept. Responsive to the voice of May, At last a song of love has crept. Like to the bird, I'd build a nest With you for mate the summer through, And when by winter dispossessed Would fly to brighter climes with you. XXXII What shall I do when you are away, O Star of my darkest night ! And I long in vain for your laugh so gay, And the eyes that love makes bright? What shall I do when you are away, And heart and brain are tired; And sick in soul, your presence I crave, Unrested and uninspired? 71 What shall I do when you are away, And fancies upon me press, That strangle joy and leave me the prey To memories of past distress? What shall I do when you are away. And skies in May are blue; And the song-sparrow sings on the orchard spray, And I listen — without you? I will be strong; for I hate to be weak; Will suffer as man has before, And in my dreams that country seek Where hearts can ache no more. XXXIII When you think of me Will your spirit rejoice, O Joy of my soul? And hearing the voice Of a love without end, Shall I still be your choice For your friend — best loved friend ? When you think of me WUl you wish for the day, O Joy of my soul, When no longer we stay At two ends of the earth While the hours pass away To which love lends all worth? When you think of me Will you pray that life's pain, O Joy of my soul. May at last turn to gain; And the moments of bliss Return and remain That were mine in your kiss? 72 XXXIV She is not wise as some folks are In wisdom won from books; Her native sense is better far And shines in all her looks. The things philosophers do guess She does not seek to prove; Her strength is in her gentleness, Her charm is in her love. She was not born for selfish ends^ And though unused to grief She sympathises with her friends, And runs to their relief. I did not know when first we met What were our destinies: But in my memory lingers yet The first smUe from her eyes. Praise to her Maker Who such grace To crown my days has given That when I look upon her face I have a glimpse of Heaven. XXXV Yesterday I saw no trees, Heard no bird. Felt no wind; But was blind. Yestereve my head did ache. Heart was sick, Watching stars Through the bars, 73 You yourself came — " Love, sweet love ! " Sang the bird — And I heard. You yourself smiled — And I saw Dance the trees In the breeze. You yourself laughed — Flashed a spark; Eyes were moist; Words low- voiced. How the south wind Shook the leaf That it fell, Can I tell? Red the roses On a bush; But my rose Surpasses those. And I am Intoxicate With the dower Of my flower. XXXVI " Not for long," last night you said Could my love endure; You had but a foolish head, Its training had been poor. " Picturesquely foolish " would What you were convey; And I therefore, if I could, Should go another way. 74 Education, to be sure, Heart and mind improves; But a woman steeped in lore A man seldom loves. That which draws and ever holds A man's full devotion Slowly with the years unfolds — Deep as is the ocean. You may call it what you will Trust, or faith, or truth; In the soul it shineth still — Most of all in youth. Pity 'tis it should depart As the years progress; Poor indeed is woman's heart Without this richesse. Pray to keep alive the love Given you as a child; Lift each day your eyes above Lest you be beguiled. Leave to others to be wise. Learned, witty, clever; Shun pretention and disguise, And be loved forever. XXXVII I woke with joy in my heart As one wakes in the light of Heaven, Where for all the woes of earth Consolation in full is given. I looked on the world and it held Beauty too deep to know Hid in a cluster of pines Afire with the morning's glow, 75 A million silver drops Gleamed in the emerald grass; Their splendor passes not; 'Tis only man doth pass. Not life; not love. They endure, Outlasting the stars and the sky; The sun may disappear But love can never die. Such comfort was mine as I woke With your image in my heart; And the thrill of your touch in my soul No death can make depart. XXXVIII " I knew you would come " was all you said, But the words were a benediction; For they told me you trusted the promise I made. And knew that my love was no fiction. What do we give to the soul who shares With us life's sorrow and joy That for perfect sweetness and charm compares With a trust without alloy? What do we give to God, from Whom To this dark world we came, So dear as our trust that beyond the tomb His love will be ever the same? When I step on the stair of the starry sphere Appointed our second home, My trust is a girlish voice to hear. And a whisper — *' I knew you would come." 76 XXXIX Since you did depart The days have been long, Sick is my heart, Nor careth for song. How very unwise (Hear the foe!) to have grown So fond — I surmise Now you'll let love alone? The charm was not wove By human design Which taught me to love That beauty of thine. The bond that doth bind And keep in control. My spirit and mind. My body and soul. Is so bitter betimes. So inwoven with pain, That comfort declines. And death would be gain. It may be, my Sweet, I am tortured like this That I may when we meet In mere respite find bliss. XL A precious thought appeared to-day As swallows come from o'er the sea; It was that though so far away You could not change to me. 77 The lonely days without your glance, The nights unlighted by your eyes, The trysting time do yet advance When all my sorrow dies. The visitants when you are gone, Who haunt and harass and affright, Have not my trust in God o'erthrown, / know the morn is bright. Athirst for home, athirst for rest, Hated by all the devil's host. My inextinguishable quest Is 'for love's uttermost. O spirit's joy, O evening star, Desired so much, and out of reach, Your beams that bless me from afar God's love and glory teach. XLI The hush of night After the strife of day; The cooling hour When sinks the burning ray, Are gifts of God, And do His love convey. The evening star In splendor all alone. Ere the heavens are With constellations strown, Reproves the heart That would His love disown. The calm that falls Soft as the feathery dew Upon my soul Since, Dearest, I loved you. Is His sweet grace, And doth my Hfe renew, 78 Your love each day Keeps His love in my mind; Your kindness tells Me that He too is kind; And, sure of God, The path of peace I find. XLII Last night the fire flies in the dell Cast o'er my dreaming soul a spell, As dear as when we walked together And watched them in the selfsame weather. The peerless moon was overhead; The patient stars their lustre shed; Again I heard the barking dog; Again the croaking of the frog. The same west wind was in the pine You stood beneath, your hand in mine, And listening to its plaintive sigh I held my breath expectantly. I felt a presence near to bless; A hand unseen did mine caress; Upon a face a soft light played. And peace to my sad heart conveyed. The stars are gone, and it is day; The T)wl and bat have fled away; The wind is yet among the trees, Which dance as if in ecstasies. The crickets chirp; the sky is blue; The happy birds their songs renew; But oh! give back the night to me. The fire flies and your memory. 79 XLIII How weary of words I am! They are limited and lame; They are valueless and vain ! If I could but see your eyes, If they on my dark should rise, Language would be too weak. Not a word would I speak. I would gaze in a kind of dream On your movements and your mien To be sure that you did not seem, But were really you at last With the separation past, And perfect days in store, New heights of love to explore. I would listen to what you said As one for some time dead Who to speak is half afraid; Nor could I at once resume The thrilling and tender tune That rose to my lips each day Before you went away. I would have to be taught anew The song so touching and true That I daily sang to you; I am sure I could sing it again If you let your hand remain In mine, and gave me the look Which you from the angels took. How v/eary of words I am! Yet if only to-night you came And fanned these ashes to flame, I would speak just three, — and then After you had spoken ten; 80 For all the rest of the night Not a word would say, or write. XLIV When the Lord Jesus walked upon the sea At midnight on the Lake of Galilee And drew near to the little company Of tired disciples rowing wearily They asked the Lord in their familiar talk, Why on the waste of waters dost Thou walk?" I walk upon the sea, was the reply, To shew unto the human spirit's eye The glory of the Father of the sky In all its infinite immensity: And also the eternal glory tell Of the Holy Spirit and God's Son as well. I wish upon that lake I might have been, And had a part in that stupendous scene: It would have been my changeless daily theme: It would have been my constant nightly dream. Seeing Eternal Love come to my aid, Nothing henceforth should make my soul afraid. XLV With a smile, yet wistfully. Not for long you said to me Could the tie betwixt us be. It might weary hours beguile. Light our steps a little while; But would surely pass away As the night succeeds the day. So you warned me to relax Nor my brain to overtax 8i Blowing on the smoking flax. Laugh, you said, at change and fate; Nor for any future wait; Roses which to-day are red Are to-morrow sere and dead. As one conscious of your grace, And the glow upon your face, Scarcely knoweth what he says. Dazzled by your gleaming eyes Far too much to analyze, — Though my heart within was hot I was dumb and answered not. All alone at dead of night Meditating love's delight, Came a thought unmanned me quite: Is love, then, one day to end? And would God, Who did commend Love in Christ, cause ceaseless pain By resuming it again? What ! must joy give place to groan. Vanish every tender tone. Till at last uncheered, alone, We met death with love estranged, And a changeless God Who changed. Made our hearts sweet love to hold, Drew it back, and left us cold? Dearest, listen to the word That my spirit deeply stirred For its consolation heard: Love that is earth's only prize Is continued in the skies: By the trials it undergoes Brighter than the stars it grows. 82 XL VI Last night at the midnight hour, After I had been restless all day, Came the scent of a beautiful flower, And my agony passed away. At the honied heart of the bloom I drank as a thirsty bee, Till swam the walls of the room. Till the visible faded from me. Faded the malice of men, — Robbing us of our repose. But powerless to vex us when God gives us the scent of a rose. Faded the sense of ennui. That makes life hard to endure, That weighs on the spirit till we Of even God's love are not sure. In a moment my spirit had joined The dead on the heavenly floor. And was searching their squadrons to find A face that I loved before. A compassionate angel throng Approached me and kissed my brow, And I longed to sing their song; But as yet I knew not how. And I sighed, teach me to sing The tender and soft refrain That can light the eyes and bring Such joy to the souls of men. A loved voice called my name; I awoke; and God alone knows How rapture and song both came To my soul in the scent of a rose. 83 XLVII Your eyes' bright beams were never seen In planet, moon, or star; They tell me past this mortal screen What gleaming worlds there are. Your voice's tone doth more delight Than song of robin or wren; I can hear it in the hush of night. And amid the hum of men. Your lips are roses whence distils A nectar unknown to the bee; One sip whereof my spirit fills With a kind of esctasy. Your woman's heart is a Paradise, Wherein no serpent is; But many a nameless dainty device To add to a lover's bliss. Your spirit came from God Himself, As come the birds in spring That daily upon my window shelf Their Maker's glory sing. Your loving soul my soul doth teach, And indicate the road That man must take if he would reach The shining home of God. XLVIII Thy close is come, perfect day; The sun is set; the night is here; Only the memory doth stay Of skies so blue and clear. 84 Dear God, our joy is incomplete, Is clouded with a sense of pain;— Why hast Thou made the hours so fleet Which we would have remain? We cannot be as we would be; Our eyes their lustre may not keep; We fain would watch; but wearily Like flowers we fall asleep. Thou must befriend us; for unless We have Thy love, our life is vain; Too desolate the wilderness, Too hard to bear the chain. Reach downward to our hearts that ache For deeper love, for tireless bliss; Into Thine arms Thy chUdren take, And heal them with a kiss. XLIX When we are gone hence, And the things of sense Have ceased to hem us in; When the spirit that yearned Has to God returned From a world of sorrow and sin. The work I have done You say will live on. The poems I write survive; But what comfort were this If cold to your kiss I myself were no longer alive? Could honor's voice, Or posterity's choice, 85 Provoke the silent dust? Could praise of men Bring life again To a being their hate had crushed? I have lost all care, Or desire, to share The glory that men discuss; My support is the thought Your love has taught That God still loveth us. His word did fashion And give its passion To body and mind; then sheathe The spirit in earth To learn the worth Of the struggle with sin and death. To the world to come We shall carry love's sum. The pearl of a bitter sea; As here so there. But beyond compare. The chUdren of God shall be. Your eyes shine through the dark on me As do the moon's pale beams; Waking their gracious light I see, Sleeping they fill my dreams. Your face is chiseled in changeless calm; Your lips are scarcely red; 'Tis your eyes alone that pour their balm On my spirit cold and dead. 86 They hold a gleam that was never seen Skyward, or on the earth; A light derived from the place serene Where spirits have their birth. O heav^en-born eyes, shine on me still And make me more resigned In love and patience to fulfill The tasks by God assigned. LI I thought once if that bitterest thing — A coldness — came twixt me and you The birds would cease their carolling, The rose would lose its hue. And yet I listen to the thrush Sing sweet as yester-morn it did; And on the drooping dewy bush The roses still are red. Bloom still, although I suffer blight; Song still, although my songs are past,- Grieving that there should be a night As wretched as the last. I think the angels weep when we Are namelessly afflicted so. Knowing no bliss can ever be Like that which we forego. LIT There are miles and miles between us, But nothing between our souls; No bars can stem the river That ever onward rolls. 87 There are days and days between us In which to stifle tears; But the trysting hour is coming That will make amends for years. What of the restless dreaming Before that waking hour: The fear of love's defection, So painful to endure? Only one Voice can comfort The spirit thus distrest: God gives and lends not; wherefore Return unto thy rest." LIII There are millions of women that breathe in the world, Thousands I pass each day; But only one with the loving look That charms my sorrow away. There are millions of hands which are soft and white, And mine for a moment might hold; Yet only one in the universe At last would not leave me cold. God in designing the human heart Hath willed that it should be Shut to all except to the one To whom He gives the key. Just two hands there are in the world, And just one pair of eyes. To unlock the chambers of the soul, And remove its maladies. 88 LIV Sunless are the heavens, And the birds are songless; Speechless are the planets, And the moon is sUent — If you love me not. Sorrowful earth's visage, All its voices mournful; Painful mere existence. Music only discord — If you love not me. Faultless is Creation, And its beauty peerless; Matchless God's provision, Sweet the joy of living — If you love me still. Joyful, trustful, hopeful Is my troubled spirit; Nor the issue doubtful (Faithful is our Maker) — If you still love me. LV I love you more each day that passes; Your presence is my source of rest; I see all life through rose-tint glasses When of your smile possessed. I need you more each day that passes; Your eyes disarm the phantom host Of doubts and fears that life amasses As all its hopes are crossed. I trust you more each day that passes; And, trusting so, find peace on earth. Wild flowers growing in the grasses, And wisdom born of mirth. I bless you more each day that passes; Your beauty ask me not to praise. My spirit stricken dumb confesses That God's love crowns my days. LVI Sweet and eternal love. The sunshine of my day, Joy visits not this heart When thou'rt away. Solace and strength and hope Of all the hours to come. Thy dear society Maketh my home. Prayed for in every prayer. Dreamed of in all my dreams. From those clear eyes of thine God's glory streams. Safe in His loving care You and I are — UntU we soar beyond The farthest star. LVII With the earthly when quite out of tune I can slip from these mortal bars; I can wander beyond the moon, I can mingle among the stars. 90 I can mount as flame in air, Meander as light through glass, The wildest ascensions dare, From planet to planet pass. Yet still to my spirit there clings A need for the love of the earth, — For the bird with the beautiful wings To deaden my pain with its mirth. I mourn for the heart-moving tone, I pine for the low-voiced replies, For the peace that is not to be known Except under two loving eyes. Thus, whether in star-land I glide. Or through a vindictive world roll, Unless, Love, thou art at my side, I am restless and sick in my soul. LVIII I cannot lose you now; Your soul from mine No power in heaven, or earth below, Can disentwine. Come pain, come agony, or death. It nought avails; Almighty arms are underneath, And love prevails. There's none can separate us when We stand as one Against aU wrongs to mortal men • That may be done. What's death but a delusive thing We can defy: Love gaineth strength from suffering To scale the sky. 91 At last sits down upon the banks Of heaven's river, And satisfied gives endless thanks To God the Giver. LIX The wires one day will carry o'er: He has passed on; And you will shut your chamber door, And muse alone. Perhaps you'll wish unspoken then Some words you said; And whisper low to quench your pain: He is not dead. Weep not, beloved, sure of this, — I'm with you still; More close than when we felt (O bliss!) Our pulses thrill. With you as sunlight on your way Until we meet: Supporting to the close of day Your tireless feet. Past death God gives us endless years For love's increase: No heart-ache more, nor any tears, To mar our peace. LX The moon was overhead. Pale, silent and serene; The distant mountains shed Faint shadow on the scene. 92 In sinuous line they seemed To touch the northern stars; A dream of love I dreamed, And passed these mortal bars. Long while I had been dead, — Ashes in lieu of fire, — At last I lived instead, And had my heart's desire. Your voice was in my ear, — My spirit knew its tone, — More moving and more dear For years and months alone. The bitterness and pain Of exile from your face, Of seeking it in vain, To joy had given place. At last no more debased By offerings of the earth, I saw its little taste Of love held all its worth. 93 Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 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