p Book. ■Lff^ Z)^^-^ ^ Copyright "N^.. J ;, / COPYRIGHT DEPOSHi 'MY LITTLE BOY WILL WELCOME ME" THE DRUMS AND OTHER POEMS By Walter Romeyn ^enjamin 1917 ROBERT J. SHORES NEW YORK MR. SHORE'S NEW BOOKS DOLLAES AND CENTS By Albert Payson Terhune THE ANCIENT QUEST By Reginald Wright Kauffman BUCKING THE TIGER By AcHMED Abdullah THE DESTINY OF THE UNITED STATES By Snell Smith THE MASTER OF BONNE TERRE By William Antony Kennedy OUR UNITED STATES ARMY By Helen S. Wright EAT YOUR WAY TO HEALTH By Dr. Robert Hugh Rose LOVES AND LOSSES OF PIERROT By William Griffith FRIENDSHIP AND OTHER POEMS By B. H. Nadal MRS. BOBBLE'S TRAINED NURSE By George Fox Tucker EVERYMAN'S WORLD By Joseph Anthony Milburn THE VALLEY OF LEBANON By Helen S. Wright ; Copyrig-ht, 1917 ROBERT J. SHORES New York • MAY -4 1917 ©Ci.A4r)2247 To My Wife Carina de Saint Seigne Benjamin CONTENTS PAGE My Love 7 Hope On ! 8 The Drums 9 The Great Sounding Sea 13 Ghosts . 15 Geraldine % 17 Love Immortal 18 The Shadovp^ of Death 19 Eeincarnation — ^A Vagary 20 The Only Way 22 Love and Death 23 Love on a Bicycle 25 The Mystery 27 Little Brother 28 Your Soul 29 The Eiver of Tears 31 To William the Worst 33 Euralie 34 The Baby's Grave 36 The New Baby . 37 Adele 39 Love's Sweet Bells 40 Christian Hope . 42 A Lover's Quarrel 43 Doubting 44 Despondency 46 Forgiveness 48 Fulfillment 49 Ignorance is Bliss . . 51 Youth 52 To M. B. E 53 His Voice 54 Cheeb Up 55 5 CONTENTS PAGE Whom God Loveth, He Chasteneth 56 A Pbayeb 58 Coming Home 59 The Wokld of Time 61 When I Am Dead 62 T^ Candace Wheelee at 83 63 Tiiu FiEST Cause 64 Their Golden Wedding 66 At Peace 68 The Old Time Songs 70 The Mothee 72 Union College "1874" 74 Spooks 75 Dbifting — The Titanic 77 The Glory of the Cross 79 The Pines 80 A Toast 81 Gaudeamus Igitur 82 The Golden Eule 84 One of His Little Ones 85 Dawn 87 Chaeitt 68 6 MY LOVE MY love knows naught of trick or guile; Her face shows all emotion, It^s either tears or cheerful smile Whene'er she takes a notion. She laughs in glee at silly deeds And sobs when she is scolded. Or loudly cries for what she needs Except when sleep-enfolded. She wakes, alas! at day's first peep. And chirps, and calls and chatters. And any chance of others' sleep — Why, these are foolish matters! Her mouth is set with shining pearls. Her lips are poppies blown, Behind her ears the little curls Come twisting, coyly down. Somewhere, from out the great unknown This blessing came to me; A jewel of the great white throne Dropped from God's treasury. 7 HOPE ON! SOME have little — others more, The ways of God are not the same. Some flourish with an ample store! While some are poor and blind and lame. Yet if you keep an honest name, There's surely hope for you. You may have gifts, the rich man knows He'd give his all, if he could have. "Not every summer rose that blows Is worn by beauty, or the brave. Improve the good your Father gave. There's surely hope for you. Evils on every side abound And traps are set for errant feet. They only walk on solid ground "Who turn from all the bad they meet. And keep to things, good, pure and sweet. There's surely hope for you. Thank God, for what He's done, anew. Thank Him for life and health and friends. 8 You may lack many things, ^tis true, Yet thank Him for the good He sends. Yon thief who prowls the city dens, But for His mercy, might be you! THE DRUMS THE drums, the drums, there is music in the beating of the drums. The heart grows gay and lighter as the brass band onward comes. One falls in step and takes a stride. And with the band walks on in pride, And banging, crashing at his side The drums, the drums, the busy, busy drums. The drums, the drums, the rattling, battling drums. The drums, the drums, the merry, merry, drums. How they set the blood atingling as the brass band onward comes! I have no skill at drumming, yet I have a broken drum That is laid away securely in a sacred place at home. My lost boy held it when he died. Had they but seen it by his side I know the very drums had cried. The weeping and the wailing of the drums. The moaning and the groaning of the drums. 10 The sobbing and the sighing of the drums. How they set the blood atingling as the craped flag onward conies! Oh, when I hear their dirges I can but think with pain That never more his little hand will strike that drum again. Perhaps in that far distant land He marches in an angel band. Perhaps they echo to his hand. The drums, the drums, the golden, golden drums. The drums, the drums, the sweet, celestial drums. The drums, the drums, the corps of Heavenly drums. How they set the blood atingling as the bright band onward comes! When my sojourn on earth is o'er and my last hour is come, I'll listen in the future world for music of his drum. My little boy will welcome me. His laughing face once more I'll see. How sweet will then their music be. 11 The drumS; the drums, the great, eternal drums! The drums, the drums, the grand, supernal drums! The drums, the drums,. Jehovah's mighty drums! How the soul will sing in glory when that happy moment comes! 12 A THE GREAT SOUNDING SEA FEEBLE old couple, with hands in- terlocking, Stood close to the edge of the great sounding sea; Then turned the old man to his white- haired companion And in these faint words to her softly, s'^id he; *^The years have been fifty since we here together Stood first by the edge of this great sounding sea And always in trouble, in good or bad weather, Faithful you've been, dear, and loving to me. ^^You have nursed me in sickness, in grief and in danger — An angel of goodness, God's blessing to me; Without you I should have been lonely, a stranger, I ne'er can repay all the debt I owe thee." 13 Then said the old woman, in trembling, cracked accents; "The sands and the waves of this great sounding sea Seem the same as the day when we first stood together, And so is the love I had ever for thee. "This life is a moment, but Love is im- mortal. More true and more firm than the great sounding sea, And sometime, it may be, that Heaven's bright portal Shall open, my dear love, for both you and me.'' 14 GHOSTS I HE full-orbed moon parades the star- gemmed sky, Weird shadows fall along the woodland way. A tree toad shrills within the copse near And fluffy owls, who shun the light of day, Now flit among the trees, and with wild cry Disturb the night, in their fantastic play. The grave yard gate hangs open, and it seems As if the ghosts come forth, like folk in dreams. Confused, uncertain, strange of form and face. With circling movements, and with halt- ing pace. They dog our footsteps and from tree to tree We think to see them hover silently. They hide behind the leaning bush that waves Its scarlet blossoms o'er the swelling graves. 15 They creep amid the tangle of lush grass And mock and gibber as we seek to pass. "Come, join us in our narrow beds/' they say, "Come where the crawling worms may have their day;'' "Come from the warmth of Life to Death's cold clay;" "Come where all joys are lost and lost alway." A cloud sweeps o'er the moon, — the owls are still, A sense of horror fills the harrassed mind We turn to fly, and fly we must until We find again the touch of human kind. 16 GERALDINE 1 CARVED the name of Geraldine On granite by the sea; And, as I worked, her soft brown eyes Were sweetly bent on me. The years have come, the years have gone. And now I stand alone Where waves rush in with ceaseless roar. And sea-weeds bind the stone. I trace her name with trembling hand, I kneel and kiss the place Where last I saw her slender feet, Her form of girlish grace. The name remains, but she — alas! (The sea birds mourn above.) Weeping I hasten from the place. The burial place of love. 17 LOVE IMMORTAL WHEN life is o^er and I have passed the gates of Hell Shall I still love thee as I've loved thee ever! Shall my free soul make vain endeavor To speak to you, it loved so well? Ah, it were sad to yield this mortal breath And then find longing in the realm of Death. Or shall I have the happiness of knowing That we are parted but a little while. That death and absence never can defile Our love. True love will but be growing. For God is love, and He will never see The loss of love in all eternity. It may be years ere you come o'er to me But time flies quickly on that farther shore. You'll find me waiting, loving evermore With heart aflame, to see and greet thee. And there united, time and space forgot True love will blossom — as if death were not. 18 THE SHADOW OF DEATH THEKE is an air of gentleness and peace That falls upon the lives of those who tread The borders of that mystic, future land. The cares of earth fall from them one by one, Their eyes take on a saddened, searching look. As if they peered into the dim beyond. And sought to read the riddle of the stars. Dear, dying Saints, how can we ever know What unseen messengers are sent by God To tell the soul of its approaching change? Forewarned, the eager soul prepares for flight And turns itself to higher, better things. Careless of earth, it lets its mortal frame Fall to disuse, and preens its growing wings. While waiting for the final, welcome call. Then comes the change, so gentle and so slow We think them living, when with Death they go. 19 REINCARNATION— A VAGARY STTAT.Ti we all know, at some far dis- tant day, That we have lived this life and more beside, That these frail bodies of uplifted clay- Are but the shell in which our souls abide, Till, freed by death, they take on other forms And leave the old to quick decay and worms. How strange to learn that this immortal spark Had served to kindle other human lives. Till, climbing upward from primeval dark To God's effulgence it in time arrives. Progressing ever towards the highest goal, Wherein, grown holy, shines the perfect soul. One life is all too short to win the prize That Heav'n holds out to those who love the Truth. 20 In strong endeavor all the contest lies, And that demands, alas! eternal youth. So, Phoenix-like, from death to death we rise And gain our final triumph in the skies. 21 THE ONLY WAY T^HE road to Heaven with thorns is JL sown^ Dropt from the crown our Saviour wore, And burdens on our backs are thrown, As heavy as the cross He bore. The path to Calvary is long. It calls for many a weary day; We all must walk it for our sins. It is the only way. The road to Hell is straight and wide; One travels there with careless ease, While gathered near on ev'ry side Are wordly things that tempt and please. Give me, dear Lord, the narrow path; I care not what the world may say. Oh, let me ever walk with Thee, Thou art the only Way. 22 LOVE AND DEATH THE day will come — it may be close at hand, Wlien thou beside a shrouded form shalt stand, And bending o'er the cold, responseless face With thy dear lips, give me a last em- brace. Deem not love's tribute lost, for I shall know E'en tho into the land of shades I go. As some rich robe, decayed by age and wear. So lies the body dead and worthless there. Think not that it is I, for I have grown Into a form far fairer than thine own. And now a spirit of the upper air I wander free of earth and earthly care. Life's burden lost, and fear of death far gone. Love looks with courage to the coming dawn Of a new life, more happy and more blest 23 Than e'er by prophet's burning lips pro- fessed. And there it waits and naught to it more sweet Than welcome music of thy coming feet. 24 LOVE ON A BICYCLE (June) MISS ROSE upon a tricycle Is often won't to ride, While I, upon a bicycle, Go spinning by her side. And when I sometimes strike a stone, And tumble on the dirt, She asks me in a quizzing tone, "Did it hurt?'' I tell her no, altho' I feel In every bone a pain. Then haste to mount my fallen wheel And take the road again. Thro' lonely lanes, we often go O'er hills and valleys roam. And sometimes we are very slow, Coming home. (October.) One night, on last September, We rode by light of moon, I said to Rose, — "Remember We shall be parted soon. 25 Our cycle trips are ended here; Vacation days are past, Their memory with you, I fear, May not last." She looked up from her tricycle In such a winning way. That I, upon my bicycle, Fell mad in love that day, I told her how I loved her. She said to ask papa. And they have both consented. Pa and Ma. 26 THE MYSTERY SHE died at dawn and now she lies With pallid lips and vacant eyes. Her hands are folded on her breast, (A dead bird in a broken nest) . By her side her doll is lying, (In the trees the winds are sighing), With candles burning at her head And lilies scattered o'er the bed. Our hearts are weighted down with woe, (We can but weep, who loved her so). No more the patter of her feet. No more her laughter, low and sweet. Too pure, too good to stay on earth, (The angels called her from her birth) . Ours for a short and happy day. She heard the call and fled away. 27 LITTLE BROTHER LITTLE brother, Little brother. How have I lost you I In the old days — the far days, The vanished youthful days, Still I feel your hand in mine, Still I see your big blue eyes upturned In loving faith in my good will. Like a dog you followed me. Always at my elbow, always cheerful, Exulting in my comradeship. Anxious to please in all you did. Little brother, Little brother. How have I lost you! Today you count your millions. In your palace Are many servants, gold and lace and silver, In my house, plain living only. No longer do I see you. Too well I know That my ways are not your ways. Beneath your notice now, being poor. And yet my heart turns back to old days. Little brother. Little brother. How have I lost you! 28 YOUR SOUL YOUR soul! The only thing that^s really yours! Your body is but borrowed from the dust. And to that dust it shall as dust return. A few years back its dull and senseless clay, Was garnered by some hungry, spread- ing root, Which sprang to flower and then to ripened grain. Then used as food it served to build a man. How many times it had been used before. How many times it shall be used again, No one may know. Guard well your heav'nly soul. Straight from your God — a gift of won- drous price, For you alone, and none can own it else. A solemn gift to do with as you will. Well kept, it ripens into perfect flower, Kesigned to sin, it sinks to deepest Hell. Then guard it well. You have this single chance To nurse it forth into the richest bloom 29 And if by grace of God, you shall succeed, Transplanted to the blest celestial clime That soul shall blossom to the end of time. 30 THE RIVER OF TEARS N channels worn deeply by passing of years r It flows on forever, the River of Tears. The willows hang low o^er its dark-shaded bank, The rushes that line it are matted and dank; Its waters run swiftly and murmur with sighs, While over its rapids it breaks in loud cries. Deep, sullen and noisy it echoes with moans And, mingled with sobbing, rise heart- breaking groans. It springs from the fountains of grief and of shame And gathers in volume from woes with- out name. There are tears of the maiden whose lover is gone. And tears of the mother who wails her first-born; Hot tears of the father who sees his son dead. And tears of the widow whose last hope is fled. 31 still onward it flows, and it ever must flow Till Time in its fullness makes end to our woe. Yet I know that this River which darkens our eyes Finds end to its flowing in fair Paradise. 32 TO WILLIAM THE WORST! LET loose the savage dogs of war, Throw wide the gates of hell, And let the cannon^ s cruel mouth Its bloody story tell. Upon the altars of your pride Heap high the piles of slain. What though your steel-clad, heavy hands Are soiled with gory-stain! You do not fill these early graves, Your sons are not the spoil Of ghastly fields of wounds and death Where suffering thousands toil. O Germany! What woes are yours! What horrors yet to come! Drive forth the tyrant from his throne And peace will bless your home. 33 EURALIE SOMEWHERE. Somehow. I know that I shall meet her, Som.ewhere, where flowers bloom, and birds are singing. Somehow. It matters not, — but I shall greet her As she comes forth to me, — ^bright sun- shine bringing. Earth holds no greater bliss for me, Than Euralie — my bride to be. How shall 1 know her? Who of us can ten What sweet responsive chords within us lie? Where'er her radiant face may come. Full well I know I could not blindly pass it by, No greater prize in life for me Than Euralie — my bride to be. When we shall meet, dear Love, our hearts will know And rush together in a burst of flame. Our hearts and souls, alike in joy or woe, 34 Were meant in time to meet and love the same. None shall be dearer then to me Than Euralie — my bride to be. She waits my step. Oh Love, speed on the day When first her longed for, prayed for face 1^11 see, When hand in hand we'll take our joyous way And welcome give to Love's eternity. Heav'n has no greater bliss for me Than life with thee — my Euralie 35 THE BABY'S GRAVE TWO little shoes with broken toes, Two little feet that strayed away, Two drooping lids that sought repose And closed, alas; till Judgment Day. Two broken hearts, and tearful eyes, A baby's grave and an empty chair. The nights will pass, and suns will rise Yet tender thoughts must linger there. The grass grows rank, the cold rains fall, And wild winds moan the whole night thro'. The deep snow drapes it with a pall — Yet hope from Heav'n comes shining, too. For far away in God's great host, These two are waiting, bright and fair; The mother has found the babe she lost — Dear Lord, be kind, my humble prayer. 36 THE NEW BABY THE baby at our house is new, We are so glad he's come, We sit around and grin like fools, While Baby sucks his thumb. His face is red, his head is bald. He rarely shows his eyes. And all of us come running up Whene'er he starts and cries. He waves his chubby arms about, And signals with his toes. He has an awful appetite. And what he wants, he knows. For when he thinks supplies are low He gives a piercing yell. And when his tummy is quite full He quiets down a spell. He snuggles up beside his Ma And heeds her slighest call, While as for Pa and all the girls. He doesn't care at all. 37 Poor little chap, he can not know What joy he brings us home; We love to sit and look at him, While Baby sucks his thumb. 38 ADELE A DELE! — The night draws on apace The clock ticks slowly in the outer hall. The phantom hours each other chase, Yet lighten not my grief at all. What tho' a weary year has flown, Still bleeds my heart as on the day When death his random dart had thrown, And torn my sweet Adele away. The shaft which struck thee to the earth. Alike pierced me with cruel wound. Too late, alas, I know thy worth; No joy in life can now be found. What words can bind a broken heart; What tender sympathy avail To dry the tears that needs must start At mention of thy name, Adele? 39 LOVE'S SWEET BELLS A HASTY word or ill considered act May sadly wound the one we love the best. A surly comment, or a lack of tact May cause her sadness, or a deep un- rest. We little think when carelessly we speak That peace at home is God's best boon, That Love's fond heart is very soft and weak When Love's sweet bells are jangled out of tune. Keep such a constant guard upon your lips That naught but kindness on her ears may fall; He walks in danger and makes many slips Who speaks out brusquely, and ne'er thinks at all. This life is short, its joyous days are few. Our fleeting years must all be ended soon. Why waste in anger? You will surely rue When Love's sweet bells are jangled out of tune. 40 For love breeds love, and peace cannot abide Where homely virtues are thus cast away, He goes in gladness, — ^who puts care aside And turns his forehead to the sunny day. With peace at home, we shall find strength to bear The frosts of winter and the heats of June, The want of money and the family care; And Love's sweet bells will chime in perfect tune. 41 CHRISTIAN HOPE I N every life there conies a time of sorrow That fills the heart with bitter pain and fears. Where'er we turn we see no bright to- morrow, And in the future naught but tears. Our steps are clogged with utter, deep disaster, Our dearest hopes are sunk in grief and shame. On every side the blows come fast and faster. Till joy to us is but a name. 'Tis then our courage should be best and strongest. He wins no palm who lives in idle ease. He is the victor who can fight the longest And bend to sorrow on his knees. Humbly we pray, and strength to us is given To conquer evil, and once more arise Armed for our troubles, from doubting shriven. Expecting rest in Paradise. 42 A LOVER'S QUARREL I LOVE her more than I can tell And yet, in jealous pride, I sought to wound her whom I prized Than all the world beside. In shame I asked forgiveness To woo away her pain; She smiled on me while weeping Like sunshine thro' the rain. I felt downcast and shameful, My conscience smote me sore. She gave me good for evil then. In measure running o'er. No more can I distress her No more awake her fears, 'Tis joy to see her smiling, Without reproachful tears. 43 DOUBTING WHERE shall my troubled spirit go When death has burst the bond, That binds me to this earth below? Shall I find life beyond? When stripped of brain, my senses gone, Shall I then know and see The glories of another one Which God prepares for me; Or shall my last expiring sigh Just mark the end of all, And dust become, that which was I, And in the dust down fall! Shall all the knowledge I could find Be lost at one fell blow, And what was once an eager mind No longer knowledge know! Shall all the toils, the griefs, the cold That marked my life with pain. Be but a story that was told. And may be told again. Shall all my lov'd ones fall away Forever in the gloom. And nowhere in God's bright array. To love be given room? 44 No, no. Sad soul, Awake! Arise! Forego such foolish fears. No contrite heart will He despise, Nor will He slight your tears. Somewhere beyond, on shining shore, Full radiant by His side. Love will repay the ills you bore. And Life be glorified. 45 DESPONDENCY THIS is a world of sorrow and of parting, Our days of joy are short and very few. We meet and laugh, but soon the tears are starting, When death breaks hearts, 'tis hard to start anew. We seek for pleasure and we find but sadness. Long weary days to weary days suc- ceed; We turn to friends in eager hope of glad- ness. And find that they but join us in our need. They say dark clouds have each a silver lining. That frigid storms the burning sun- shine hide; That earnest hope should shut out all repining, '^Let all stand fast when God is on your side.'' 46 'Tis sweet to know we may rejoice here- after, That all our pains will there rewarded be; And yet I would that happy times and laughter Were not postponed to some eternity. 47 FORGIVENESS I WAS a wandering lamb; far from the fold astray Into the world I went, and only sought to play. The sun shone fair and the fields were green, Joy, peace and hope on all sides were seen, I looked for a life of delight. But the night came on and the wind was high, And many wierd ghosts came trooping "by; I fell in a bog which sucked me down. Deep and deeper. I saw I must drown. And of help there was none in sight. Then I called on the Master, to come to my afd. I was chilled to the marrow, my heart was afraid, I hoped he might hear, I didn't know. He was so kind and He lov'd me so; He heard me and came to my side. He gave me his hand and drew me out. He gave me his cloak and staff so stout He gave me a kiss, no word of blame. He took me home and all was the same. And now I no longer roam wide. 48 FULFILLMENT WITHIN each soul tliere is a golden flower, Which often fails to blossom here, But bursts in bloom when by God's gracious power It reaches to the Heavenly sphere. The soil of Earth is rank and bitter cold, Sown full of grief and wearing care, "Which kills the root and wastes the precious gold. And cuts off promise everjrwhere. Had we to live our wasted lives again We should all go the same sad way. From fall to fall, from pain to greater pain, The same old troubles day by day. 'Tis vain to think that we should ever lead A life far better than the past; We'd but retrace our wandering steps indeed, And this same end we'd find at last. 49 From Earth removed, in God's own Heavn'ly light, That flower has chance to ripen free, And there relieved from every blight It blossoms to Eternity. 50 IGNORANCE IS BLISS COULD I but read my loved one's heart, And gain the secret it conceals, Could I but scan her inmost thoughts. And know the truth she really feels, Then would I learn my lesson through, And if I found she loved me true, I would be gay. And if I found she loved me not, I'd turn away. And yet I'd fear to read the book Of woman's heart thus free to me. Perhaps t'were better to remain In this sad, sweet uncertainty. For if I found she loved not me My heart would break and I would be Cast down indeed. Her heart and thoughts I shall not scan, Nor seek to read! 51 YOUTH OH olden days! Oh golden days! Oh days when time was young! Give back to me the dreams of youth, Give back the songs unsung! When all of earth was fair and new, Each hour untried by care. While now the joys of age are few And sadness for its share. Each rising sun with singing lark. Brought gladness to the mind. Each sunset glow and falling dark. Left beauty's touch behind. On all sides scenes of glory rose, That tuned the soul to song, To-day no more fair fancy glows. But broods on human wrong. Give back to me the open eye That faced the world with calm. Give back the heart that could defy The tempter's poisoned charm. Oh olden days! Oh golden days. Oh days when time was young. Give back to me the dreams of youth, Give back the songs unsung! 52 TO M. B. R. WITH lowered lids, my Mary's eyes Work havoc in my timid heart. In vain my harried spirit tries To turn aside that fatal dart. I know the weakness of my will, And yet bewitched must stay until I make of all a full surrender, As not for worlds would I offend her. I do not mind her open gaze; For that is clear of all deceit. — Who e'er is skilled in women's ways Knows when they're seeking means to cheat. It's when she keeps her eyes half closed As if she slept a bit or dozed. That I have found much cause to fear. For then I know my fall is near. 53 HIS VOICE YOUR Savior calls from Calvary's mount! Hear his appealing cry! "My wandering lambs, come to the fount Where none who drink can die!'' Can you poor sinners, close your ears, While there sweet Jesus stands. Will you not cast out doubts and fears And take those outstretched hands? Will you not say; "Jesus, I'll come, And love and trust in Thee, Thou art my refuge and my home, My God! — who died for me!" 54 CHEER UP THE darkest clouds will surely pass away, Good times will come again. The sun Will shine once more on work well done And you'll forget you had so hard a day. Who does his very best and pays no heed To prophets of sad times and woe Will find their sayings are not so, And learn to shun all of that sorry breed. A cheerful face, kind heart and willing hand Will win for you your proper share Of high success. Go cast off care And with the earnest workers take your stand. Press on! Press on! Do all you find to do And do it well. You may be sure That work well done will e'er endure And bring its fair and rich reward to you. 55 WHOM GOD LOVETH, HE CHASTENETH IF all is well and time is passing gaily, One seldom sounds the depths of human life. When trouble comes, its burden gives us daily A chance to learn sad lessons from the strife. Within our hearts there are deep founts of feeling Which need a storm to make their sweetness plain. Weighed down by grief, despondent, broken, kneeling, We then may win a recompense for pain. What seems a loss may prove a gain in passing. In shadow lies the end of God's intent. When woes on woes upon our heads are massing, He knoweth best for what those woes were sent. Tried as by fire, we rise from grief un- broken. And face the future with a braver heart, 56 Content to know, even though it be un- spoken, That strength has come to do our better part. 57 A PRAYER MY feet move downward to the tomb, My eyes look up to Thee, Thy loving care I dare to hope May ne'er he drawn from me. Guide Thou my steps through all the way, Keep me in peace and rest, And may my name in Thy good time Be numbered with the blest. 58 COMING HOME IT'S plain I am a homely man, That anyone can see; And yet I have three worshippers Who think the world of me. They hang upon my every look, They glory in my smiles, And say that no one is so fine Within ten thousand miles. My modesty is put to test Whene'er I go back home, There are such shouts and cries of joy You'd think the Czar had come. It makes me feel so much abashed I want to hide my head, And yet I own I like it well If simple truth were said. There's Mary witn ner sunny face. And Clelia full of fun, And gay Ottavia's jolly laugh As down the stairs they run. They rush to clasp me round the neck. They cry "Papa is here," And one would think, who didn't know, I'd been away a year. 59 No matter if the times are hard And customers are slow, It's good to find a welcome sweet When home at last you go. A single life may please some men, They are but selfish churls; I never wish to change with them, Give me my little girls. 60 THE WORLD OF TIME THE mighty reaper Time with sharp- ened scythe Moves through his world and cuts down young and old. No pity has he for the babe that hangs In helpless woe upon its mother^s breast. The good, the true, the wise, alike are prey To his devouring blade. Nor might of power Nor store of gold can stay his fell design. All, all must fall before the dread ap- proach; And if perchance we for a little while May hope to shun the touch of his col