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MY LADY OF THE SEARCH- LIGHT 
 
MY LADY OF 
 THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 BY 
 
 MARY HALL LEONARD 
 
 THE GRAFTON PRESS 
 
 PUBLISHERS NEW YORK 
 
UCT. 34 1905 
 
 
 4Jtoi ^ 
 
 
 
 Copyright, 1905, by 
 MARY HALL LEONARD 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PRELUDE ...... 
 
 . 1 
 
 MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT . 
 
 . 3 
 
 THE STATUE^S STORY 
 
 . 9 
 
 Song of Manlius . 
 
 12 
 
 Querella's Song . 
 
 . 13 
 
 The Mothek's Song 
 
 18 
 
 Queen of Hearts 
 
 22 
 
 A Woman's Question . 
 
 32 
 
 The Voice of the Ages . . 
 
 34 
 
 Manlius and Querella 
 
 54 
 
 POSTLUDE 
 
 55 
 
 [V] 
 
PRELUDE. 
 
 FROM the Orient came a voice 
 In the Ages Primal, 
 'Unto man is woman's lot 
 For his use and blessing.' 
 
 Europe's Middle Epoch then 
 Spake in accents courtly 
 
 'Nay, to her with knightly grace 
 Man shall yield devotion.' 
 
 Modem Age and Western World 
 
 What is thy decision? 
 Speak with wisdom to the ears 
 
 Of the listening future. 
 
 [ 1 1 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 TRIUMPHANT, steady, rich in human freight, 
 Her course achieved, the stately vessel rode 
 Into the harbor, and upon its deck 
 We stood, we two, and watched the shifting scene. 
 Below us noisy in the cabin thronged 
 A many-languaged multitude that sought 
 Homes in the Occident, the chance to breathe 
 New aspirations in a newer world. 
 
 Peaceful had been our voyage. Day by day 
 Dreamily and inert we had reclined 
 In our deck armchairs, while our half-closed eyes 
 Scanned ocean's panorama, seething waves 
 Bright-crested, foam beflecked, long rolling surge 
 With valleys green, a billowy restless main 
 Alike majestic in repose or wrath. 
 
 [30 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 The silver-winged sea-fowl skirted by, 
 
 The freshening breeze across our foreheads blew, 
 
 And under placid skies the obedient waves 
 
 With rhythmic lullabies beguiled our hearts 
 
 To yield ourselves to the alluring spell 
 
 Of the vast, amorous, seductive sea, 
 
 The great immensity that wraps the earth, 
 
 Divider and uniter of the worlds. 
 
 But now at last arrived the journey's end. 
 And through the blissful waning afternoon 
 The land signs thickened, hovering land-birds sailed 
 About our masts, and perfumes from the shore 
 Mixed with the salty spray. The pilot came 
 To guide us through the channel, bringing news 
 Of the great world that we for one brief week 
 Had nigh forgotten. Every fluttering heart 
 Felt the allurements of the welcoming land. 
 While the soft twilight drew her tenuous veil 
 Of golden haze, and draped the embracing shores 
 And headlands glimmering through the misty sheen. 
 Then as the glow dissolved, the infant moon 
 Her sickle drew, and myriad lights of heaven 
 Gleamed softly one by one, and answering lights 
 Kindled on sea and shore. So stood we still. 
 Responsive, sympathetic, and forebore 
 To utter idle words, but held our peace. 
 
 [4] 
 
My lady Of the search-light 
 
 The twilight spell was broken and the night 
 
 Closed firmly in, and yet no evening hush 
 
 Fell on the brilliant scene, nor interlude 
 
 Of shadowing silence. Night and day alike 
 
 The thronging ships with noisy signallings 
 
 And waving pennons travel in and out 
 
 With enterprise unwearied. So from us 
 
 The mood of silence passed. ^'How good to breathe 
 
 These airs of freedom," my companion said, 
 
 ''To feel the New World stimulus and poise, 
 
 The fresher life unburdened by the past, 
 
 Where the ungraven tablet may be traced 
 
 With fairer records, newer hopes." 
 
 But I: 
 "I am a woman, and to me perforce 
 The woman's side appears. Grateful I am 
 For woman's lot in free America. 
 Here she may feel the vital breath of Heaven 
 Filling her soul, enabling her to soar 
 On wings of aspiration, love, and faith. 
 So Hail America, — again I cry, 
 America — the woman's earthly Heaven," 
 
 [5] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Now toward its moorings drew our noble ship. 
 
 And all around us on the bay we saw 
 
 The gleaming flickering lights like firefly lamps 
 
 From white-winged sailing fleets and vessels huge 
 
 Waving gay flags of every varied hue; 
 
 And most admired, our nation's stars and stripes 
 
 Lifted in triumph o'er the king of all 
 
 That ocean craft, a cruiser built for war, 
 
 Full-armed and rigged, a naval potentate. 
 
 Now on this ocean monarch every eye 
 With eagerness was turned. For on its deck 
 The new Olympian Jove with magic powers 
 Was forging modern lightning bolts designed 
 For gentle ends, beneficent to man. 
 So as we watched and waited shot there forth 
 A searchlight signal, bold, insistent, clear, 
 A broad electric beam of whitest flame 
 Circling the horizon to its utmost rim, 
 As though the Angel of the Seven Seals 
 Would search remotest corners of the world 
 For souls in hiding at the Judgment Day. 
 At last the circuit made, it lingering fell 
 Full on the spot where just before us loomed 
 The lofty pedestal and towering form 
 Of the Bartholdi Statue as it rose 
 From out the bosom of the tranquil bay. 
 
 [6] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Serene, majestic, massive, there it stood 
 
 This woman shape, a goddess aureole-crowned. 
 
 Her Hfted right hand held aloft the torch 
 
 Of freedom's flame; within her left she grasped 
 
 A graven tablet. In her mien appeared 
 
 Something more womanly because conjoined 
 
 With gifts that manhood boasts as highest crown, 
 
 Even as manliness most virile seems 
 
 When touched with tender graces. Did we see 
 
 The New World type of Freedom's prophecy? 
 
 Or was the symbol womanhood itself 
 
 Inspired by Liberty's immortal strength? 
 
 Now as the searching shaft of crystal fire 
 
 Fell on My Lady's face, there came a hush 
 
 For a brief instant o'er the multitude 
 
 That watched the pageant from the vessel's deck, 
 
 As dim perceiving sacramental gleams 
 
 Of inspiration in those questioning eyes. 
 
 For a full moment's pause it rested there 
 
 That penetrating beam. As rapt I gazed 
 
 Drinking the revelation, suddenly 
 
 Methought the statue spoke; or was it then 
 
 Its Angel whispered to my listening soul 
 
 From silent lips a heaven-born oracle? 
 
 Beside me stood my friend with eyes aglow. 
 
 Yet when he spoke I knew that not to him 
 
 [ 7] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Had come the statue's story. Mine alone 
 The vision, mine must be its record then. 
 Yea, and I give it here, the very words 
 The statue uttered, or, if faihng that, 
 The truthful impress that was born that hour 
 Within my soul, and after in my dreams 
 Sleeping or waking, and I care not which, 
 Grew to a fadeless and symmetric whole. 
 Whether 'twere prophecy, or history's word, 
 Or nature's voice in allegoric strain. 
 Whether within the body or without 
 My spirit moved or rested in a trance. 
 Alike indifferent seems. Whether a flash 
 Across the subtle wires of human thought 
 Brought subtler insight till I well could swear 
 The statue said it — know I only this. 
 That here I do essay to write with truth 
 A tale that somehow in essential lines 
 Was poured into my soul from that calm face 
 Illumined by that white electric ray. 
 
 [8] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCHLIGHT 
 
 THE STATUE'S STORY. 
 
 WHEN Life and Love were young was born a 
 child 
 Whose foster-mother, Nature, bending low 
 Above her cradle prest the cup of life 
 Unto the baby lips. "Drink deep, sweet-heart, 
 The mingled draught of fervent womanhood/' 
 Then kissed by fortune's smiles she grew apace, 
 Flitting in freedom as the butterfly 
 From sweet to sweet. With searching eyes she 
 
 roamed 
 Forest and field, claiming a kinship close 
 With flowers and trees, questioned the bee and bird 
 For nature's secrets, eager e'er to prove 
 Her universal birthright. 
 
 Close beside 
 Abode another child, a boy endowed 
 With dauntless vigor. As the driven sap 
 Drinks the effulgence of the approaching spring 
 And presses upward, so his virile powers 
 Wakened responsively to nature's sun 
 Greening toward promised fruitage. 
 
 [0 ] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Year by year 
 Boon comrades these; with glad unanxious zeal 
 They challenged fortune's sentries, caring naught 
 Save the awakening impulse to fulfil 
 And compass every joy of active youth. 
 Her name Querella, he as Manlius known. 
 
 Thus childhood fled. But now divergence grew 
 In life's unfoldings, making stern demand 
 For re-adjustment. Vague expanding powers 
 Importunate, contend for mastery 
 With physic force. Feature and form reveal 
 New difference. Gentler now Querella 's face, 
 More introspect her mood. Instinctive thoughts 
 Unknown to Manlius lift a wall between. 
 His stalwart youth breathing potential strength 
 Feels larger self -pronouncement. Each doth view 
 The other with new vision, each withal 
 Conscious of self the more. 
 
 Now Manlius said, 
 "Myself am king of nature and mankind. 
 Heir of all kingdoms I. Like unto God's 
 My sovereign right save only in degree. 
 Yet need I still a helpmeet. Tis not good 
 That man should be alone. This woman she 
 Ordained of Heaven to supplement my need." 
 
 [ 10 ] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 And doubting not that all Creation swung 
 In orbit round his self -poised entity, 
 To this philosophy he keyed his life. 
 
 How fared it with Querella? Earnest eyes 
 Grew large with asking 'Wherefore was I born?' 
 'How shall I read life's cipher?' Visions thronged, 
 Folding her heart in fancy's solitude. 
 
 Then Manlius came, so masterful and brave. 
 His whelming presence with magnetic power 
 Swept all her being, — body, brain and heart, 
 In the strong current of his mastery. 
 
 Blindly they yielded to the impetuous tide, 
 Unwary mariners, and little recked 
 Of chart and compass lacking, and the need 
 For pilot guidance that should safely steer 
 Their fragile life-boat o'er life's stormy sea. 
 
 The fateful die was cast; the vow was sealed; 
 And Love's coercion with resistless force 
 Hurling their souls together linked the bands. 
 Snapping all other ties to make them one. 
 
 So life's great drama, which in every age 
 Is writ in youthful hearts, the curtain drew. 
 And its initial act was played once more, 
 
 [11 ] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 SONG OF MANLIUS. 
 
 COME, sweet love, thy magic presence 
 Doth my heart with rapture thrill; 
 To my fevered yearning spirit 
 
 Speak the joyful word ^I will.' 
 
 Tasks of skill and fame await me, 
 
 Yet if thou my suit deny 
 All my gifts w^ere blighted promise. 
 
 Yield thee, darling, or I die. 
 
 As the bow unto the viol, 
 
 As the crown to royal king, 
 To my ineffectual being 
 
 Thy perfective graces bring. 
 
 Paradise with man as sovereign. 
 
 All creation at his feet. 
 Emptied of its bliss must languish 
 
 Unless love its joys complete. 
 
 Come then, ministering angel, 
 
 By the paths thy mothers trod 
 
 Thou shalt find thine own fulfilment, 
 Thou to me, and I to God. 
 
 [12] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Thus Manlius to Querella, nor did dream 
 But that himself had wisdom to ordain 
 Life's rulings for them both, that so her heart 
 Should rest in peace, trusting his love, — ah, yes. 
 For sure he loved her as a man may love 
 Part of his very self, — so should his love 
 Wax perfect, as she merged herself in him; 
 So ran his thought, this youthful egotist. 
 
 QUERELLA 'S SONG. 
 
 LIFE is aglow! Be still my beating heart 
 That I may comprehend 
 The thrills that through my wakened pulses start, 
 And raptures to each vibrant sense impart. 
 O whither doth it tend? 
 
 Beloved, former aspirations lie 
 
 Buried forevermore. 
 From a dark chrysalis emerging I 
 Arise on wing unfettered to the sky. 
 
 In azure heights to soar. 
 
 [13 J 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 I am most poor, but that thy quickening love, 
 
 Ennobleth all, I ween, 
 That bears thy impress, — joy all joys above. 
 Sleep flies my eyelids. Ecstasy doth move 
 
 My spirit depths serene. 
 
 Ingraft with thine, dear heart, my soul shall grow. 
 
 Thy steadfast weal alone. 
 Thy hopes, thy aims, thy prayers henceforth I'll know. 
 My one glad mission, since I love thee so 
 
 To make thy joys mine own. 
 
 Had I ne'er met thee — ah, that fatal miss 
 Had brought what sorrowings rife! 
 
 But now, — oh perfect and unmeasured bliss. 
 
 All bliss is mine, as life is lost in this, 
 To be thy love, thy wife. 
 
 So sang Querella. But she little dreamt 
 Of what the years would teach her, of the time 
 When mortal need must turn to God alone 
 For help and fulness. Let the lessons wait. 
 
 And so they stood and vowed before high Heaven 
 She to obey, he cherish, both to love. 
 
 [ 14 ] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEAKCH-LIGHT 
 
 And both did mean the vow, and so began 
 Anew earth's Eden tale of wedded souls. 
 
 Then what befell? Answer ye worldly wise 
 
 Trained in Experience' school! How fared it then 
 
 With these young hearts embarked in one frail skiff 
 
 For a life-voyage over heaving seas? 
 
 Could he, the ardent and self-centered soul, 
 
 Be trusted like a God to care for hers? 
 
 Should she, the woman, let her being sink 
 
 Its depth in his, with endless unreserve? 
 
 How long, bethink you, did it take to bring 
 
 To both reaction? For should Manlius fail 
 
 His personal life to hold in perfect poise 
 
 How then another's? Or if she, his wife. 
 
 Misjudge the wifely debt, shall dual souls 
 
 Forbear to vindicate the personal claim? 
 
 Yet loyal vows with love's sustaining bands, 
 
 Linked oy devoted hearts have iron strength. 
 
 And so Querella, striving to fulfill 
 
 Her wifely part, brought forth in pain a child 
 
 Unto her husband, and in weakness strove 
 
 To please his wish in all, and held her peace 
 
 If selfish impulse or a blind desire 
 
 O'erstepped the just demand; and made excuse 
 
 [15] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 For every failing; yea, e'en justified, 
 Deeming it meet that his career should be 
 The goal of mutual effort, grieving most 
 That limitations in herself should fail 
 His expectation; morbidly indeed 
 Blaming herself for these and feeding still 
 His blinded selfhood. Ah, how sad the sight 
 Of worse than wasted wealth of wifely love! 
 
 But Manlius felt at times the measure hard 
 
 His wife should lack so far the power to fill 
 
 His cup of joy, that loveliness should fade 
 
 And strength decline. Yet would he honor still 
 
 His nuptial vow. Besides 'twere wise withal, 
 
 For so are women better ruled if love 
 
 The scepter wield. So he provided well 
 
 For child and wife with duteous care, despite 
 
 Complacent Virtue's lack of full reward. 
 
 Now to Querella's heart the baby brought 
 
 New tasks of love. The helpless clinging life 
 
 Division gave to duty. Manlius' share 
 
 Must suffer some eclipse, as Motherhood 
 
 Woke call responsive in Querella's soul. 
 
 Her husband was a man, equipped with powers 
 
 For manly effort. If she failed in aught 
 
 [16] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Of wifely mission, there were other springs 
 
 For his advantage. Nay, she reasoned still, 
 
 His faithful wife and helpmeet (well she knew) 
 
 Was far from being all in all to him; 
 
 But for this tender life thus given in trust 
 
 Into her keeping, — ah, if she should fail 
 
 In mother-service, what for baby then? 
 
 Were even bonds of nuptial love so close 
 As ties that bind the mother to the babe 
 That draws its life pre-natal from the springs 
 Of her rapt being? Thus Querella mused. 
 Spending with royal lavishment her strength 
 In service for her husband and her child; 
 But when the ambitious world insistent claimed 
 The busy brain of Manlius, gently then 
 Querella stifled thoughts of self and turned 
 To the sweet solace found in mother-love. 
 
 [17] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 THE MOTHER'S SONG. 
 
 HUSH thee, my babe, 'tis thy mother that holds 
 thee. 
 Freely her strength doth supply 
 Life's brimming fount, as her presence enfolds thee 
 
 With soothings of soft lullaby. 
 Down to the Dreaming-land softly he goes, 
 Peacefully yielding to nature's repose. 
 
 Gladly I lavish health, beauty, and pleasure, 
 
 Yea, life itself would I give 
 To rescue from peril the innocent treasure 
 
 For whose dear future I live. 
 Nurture of manhood my highest employ, 
 Motherhood's burden is womanhood's joy. 
 
 Keep me from failure O Father Eternal, 
 
 Out of thy plenitude lend 
 Wisdom and strength for my mission maternal 
 
 And crown with thy blessing its end. 
 Better than riohes or ease or renown 
 Better than life is Motherhood's crown. 
 
 [ 18] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Thus fared the months. But now another heart 
 
 Was beating neath Querella's, while her spent 
 
 Vitahty refused the double load. 
 
 And Manlius full of lusty vigor failed 
 
 The signs to interpret, even secretly 
 
 Harbored a mute complaining. It was hard 
 
 A weakly wife to cherish. Had he been 
 
 In lesser haste to wed, mayhap his choice 
 
 Had wiser proven. Now, alack, he'd make 
 
 The best of it, perforce; so fitful tried 
 
 To ease her burdens by occasional thought 
 
 Detached from other interests and given 
 
 Unto the world of home. 
 
 And so, one day 
 Arrived the crisis. Mother-love and pain 
 O'ercame Querella and grim-visaged Death 
 Stood nigh to snatch her to his darkened realm. 
 Unconscious there with fluttering breath she lay 
 And ebbing pulse, while the attendants moved 
 In noiseless waiting for the final sigh. 
 
 Remorseful anguish conquered Manlius then. 
 Kneeling beside her couch he prayed to God 
 And to his wife with tears, ''O dearest love. 
 Return and let me prove repentance true. 
 And win forgiveness. Turn to earth once more, 
 
 [19^ 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEAKCH-LIGHT 
 
 It needs you and I need you. Leave me not, 
 Life of my life, heart of my heart, come back." 
 
 Then the pale sufferer oped her glazing eyes. 
 And feebly smiled and said ''Dear love, I tried 
 To do my duty, but my strength was small." 
 So closed her lids, and the attendant said 
 "The life is going." — Suddenly the lips 
 Were seen to move. "My baby'' was the word 
 They weakly framed. Softly the nurses brought 
 The new-born infant and the elder child 
 Led by the hand, who lisped with childish glee 
 "Kiss Mamma," and they placed him on the bed 
 And let his soft lips brush the icy brow. 
 Now at the instant did the sleeping babe 
 Utter a wailing cry. At touch and sound 
 The sinking woman stirred and tried to speak. 
 They brought her cordials and with impulse new 
 She strove to swallow. Then the flickering pulse 
 Showed conscious beat again. Returning will 
 Lent skill to effort and the mother-heart 
 Smiled faintly on her babes, and gently sank, 
 Not in the arms of death but healing sleep. 
 And when she waked, her husband who all night 
 Had held his kneeling vigil cried with tears 
 Clasping her to his close embrace, "Dear heart, 
 
 [20] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Given back to me out of the jaws of death." 
 
 And his wife answered "Yes, and to my babes." 
 
 Then all that wealth and loving could devise 
 Did Manlius lavish for the invalid's cure, 
 Wooing her smiles with offerings dearly bought 
 Like a fond lover winning first his bride; 
 Till lured by sunshine of affection's care 
 Back to the ways of earth Querella came 
 With youthful health and beauty all restored, 
 Yea, and enhanced beneath the light of love. 
 
 Now Manlius looked on her with altered eyes. 
 No more her precious life should waste its wealth 
 In menial tasks. An angel pure she seemed 
 Vouchsafed from Heaven above to lift his soul 
 To purer heights. Her hand should hold the prize 
 While grosser man should win for love of her 
 Life's tournaments. Woman was manhood's queen, 
 Nay, saint within his home, his private shrine 
 Where he might daily worship. She should be 
 His advocate with Heaven. But sacredly 
 Apart from noisy revels and the strife 
 Of rude opinions must her soul be kept. 
 As love, not knowledge, doth her being sway. 
 Man on his part would be her earthly prop, 
 
 [21 ] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Her lamp of wisdom and defender brave 
 From base-born perils of the grosser sort. 
 In sheltered privacy within the home 
 Provided by his care, no stain should mar 
 The polished glass of her sweet purity. 
 Thus the decree of Manlius for his wife 
 And for the infant daughter of his love. 
 
 QUEEN OF HEARTS. 
 
 QUEEN of hearts, to thee I sing, 
 At thy feet my own I fling, 
 Loyal tribute freely bring, 
 Fair Woman. 
 
 Guardian angel by my side, 
 In thy counsels I'll confide 
 Lest my wavering footsteps slide, 
 Pure Woman. 
 
 Man's devotion shall extend 
 Strength to succor and defend. 
 Loving shelter gladly lend. 
 Sweet Woman. 
 
 [22] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Walls of home thy cherished bound, 
 Best delights therein are found, 
 Thus is life and living crowned. 
 Dear Woman. 
 
 In Love's kingdom throned apart 
 Thou a gentle sovereign art, 
 Rest thee in thy husband's heart. 
 Blest Woman. 
 
 Happy Querella basking in his love 
 Fairer and sweeter grew and wore her part 
 With wifely fondness and unwavering trust 
 In her knightly lover. 
 
 So the days flew by. 
 And all was lovely and brave tales were told 
 By Manlius to the world, of bliss of home, 
 Of woman's surer instincts, saintlier mind. 
 The fitting law that while on man was laid 
 The outward rule, yet hers the gift to sway 
 By subtler energies his sovereign will. 
 Hers then the dearest headship after all 
 Could her submissive heart accept its own. 
 
 [23] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 So all the world approved. Querella too 
 Smiled in contentment with her lavish home 
 Well-ordered, and the children grew apace. 
 
 So seemed it. Did this tell the story quite? 
 What in the lone hour secrets spake her soul? 
 Woman had heart and feeling. Had she brain? 
 Were mental talents given and yet denied 
 The right to use them? Such decree w'ere hard 
 To justify. Since our first mother fell 
 Woman as lief as man hath knowledge craved, 
 And risked her soul for gaining its fair fruit. 
 O foolish man! Think well before thou dare 
 To legislate the bound of woman's world, 
 Thyself must suffer if there be mistake. 
 
 Now in her quiet hours Querella fed, 
 But secretly, these inner wants represt, 
 Wrestled with science, pondering long and deep 
 Perplexing doubts and questions. If by chance 
 Her husband found her thus, anon he smiled 
 Indulgently, ''What, sweet, and dost thou think 
 To weigh such matters? They are not for thee.' 
 And she responsive laid the book aside, 
 And smiled as was her duty, yielding thus 
 To gentle fondling and the arts of love. 
 
 [24] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEAKCH-LIUHT 
 
 The years sped on. But for the children now 
 Life's problems rose. The boy was placed at school, 
 Tutored in manly arts, with bars let down 
 To every road and freest vantage given 
 For starting on life's race. 
 
 As to the girl, 
 The Mother said, ^'Let Filia have it too, 
 The liberal training.'' 
 
 But the father said 
 ''Nay, dearest heart, her narrower mission calls 
 For gentle arts and sweet accomplishments 
 That make a woman wise and womanly; 
 No stint in these, so they be truly used 
 To lift her to the final place that fits 
 Her woman's nature." 
 
 Then the gathering flow 
 Of pent-up feeling in Querella's soul 
 So long represt, burst the restraining bands. 
 At first a tiny rift, but as the flood 
 O'ercame resistance, painfully it surged 
 In tides of passion. 
 
 First with cynic tone, 
 "Her 'woman's nature' say you? Tell me then, 
 Hath every mind in all the universe 
 
 [25] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Or man or bird or beast, the leave to try- 
 All paths, use every talent, save indeed 
 Woman, the only thing fate hath condemned 
 To occupy a Sphere?'' 
 
 But Manlius stood 
 With wondering dismay. ''How now? This comes 
 Of books beyond thy scope. I should have seen 
 The menace. It doth mar the polished stone 
 To jostle o'er the highway. Question not, 
 My wife and daughter. You are both unversed 
 In the world's wickedness. I pray you trust 
 My clearer wisdom. Thankful should you be 
 For your safe Eden and exemption blest 
 From burdens men must bear. Filia shall have 
 All true advantage. Be content. Have peace." 
 
 But ah, Querella could not be content. 
 
 That which for self her wifehood had renounced, 
 
 The more insistent for her daughter now 
 
 She must demand. 
 
 Passionate then she spoke. 
 ''Woman, poor fool, they say that she was made 
 Not for herself, but man. So may she Uvse 
 Only such talents as he giveth leave. 
 Our work is supervised and man must set 
 Its price in the market. He alone is free, 
 
 [26] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Woman his slave; if petted and caressed 
 No less the vassal." 
 
 Manlius then with scorn 
 ''Thou foolish woman. Let thy brawling cease." 
 Querella, half repentant, now with tears, 
 ''But nay, my husband, for I meant it not, 
 Save in the general. Gentle hast thou been, 
 Most true and tender to thy wife who pleads; 
 So let thy innate justice now reply. 
 The question will not down. Women and men, 
 Are they co-equal halves of the human whole, 
 Or is the woman nature's underling?'' 
 
 But Manlius frowning stood nor answer deigned. 
 Until the daughter by the mother's side 
 Pleaded for opportunity as free 
 As was her brother's. Then the mother-heart 
 Took up the theme again. To many a trite 
 And fettering maxim that had passed as truth 
 Unquestioned, now Querella dared to make 
 Denial bold. 
 
 As to a wayward child 
 A parent deals displeasure, Manlius then 
 Quoted the Scripture^s plain demands, — to yield 
 Honor and due obedience to her lord 
 
 [27] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Whose helpmeet she was made. Woman's the task 
 To bring forth children, to be chaste, discreet. 
 Good works to do, and modestly refrain 
 From public clamor; would she learn in aught 
 To question of her husband first at home. 
 Querella laughed. And mockingly that laugh 
 Did sink in Manlius' tempest-riven soul 
 And drove the sharpened wedge that should divide 
 Their mutual trust. 
 
 "Nay, it is man'' she cried 
 "Who to his selfish ends interpreteth 
 The blessed Scripture. 'Tis some strange mistake. 
 God ne'er denies what He himself hath writ 
 In a woman's heart. The Blessed Book itself 
 Hath lifted woman to her rightful place 
 Beside her Brother Christ, the Man of men; 
 And we thy wife and daughter dare appeal 
 To Heaven's Eternal Judgment Bar our claims 
 Of sacred womanhood." 
 
 Aghast he stood 
 This wondering husband, at such impious words 
 From one he thought the sum of pious love 
 And sweet submission to the lot ordained 
 Of God and nature. 
 
 [28] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Then with hot disdain, 
 "Dost think thy puerile brain can conquer realms 
 Of art, of governance, of public weal, 
 Where never woman yet did laurels win? 
 Let the presumptuous youth who fain would guide 
 Across the heavens the chariot of the sun 
 Warn thee from folly that would overturn 
 The well-poised universe." 
 
 Persistent still 
 Querella answered, "History recks of Queens 
 Who need not doff their royal crowns abashed 
 Before their kingly peers. Yet vantage free 
 And educative Time alone may say 
 What woman's gifts include. Whate'er I can 
 That may I. Then if failure looms, not man 
 But nature hath restraining fetters laid." 
 
 With wrath of triumph Manlius now, "Aha, 
 
 Then are they laid already. So indeed 
 
 Thy madness speaketh reason. Dost not know 
 
 That War doth judge the court of last appeal, 
 
 And might hath final headship? Wilt thou take 
 
 Thy boasted talents into battle's fray 
 
 And win thy scepter thus? If not, forbear 
 
 To mar thy womanhood in vain attempt 
 
 To pair thyself with man in manhood's realms." 
 
 [29] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 "I know not how the Court of War shall judge 
 My cause," Querella said, ^^The earth doth wait 
 The promised Age of Peace. Grim War itself 
 May change its visage, growing more humane 
 Through gains of Science, or indeed, — who knows?— 
 By woman's ingress. This I surely know: 
 In all of human welfare woman holds 
 Inherent part, and all, — yea, man himself, — 
 Must suffer detriment, if woman's share 
 Be disallowed. Yet as a woman still 
 She entereth into all, and finds her place, 
 Not of man's tutelage, nor yet restrained 
 By fear of man's rebuke, but owning first 
 Nature the primal guide of all alike. 
 Thus as a woman now I claim my part 
 In all that is." 
 
 Dumb with amazement first 
 Stood Manlius. Then with dry and whitening lips 
 He answered, "Foolish woman, be it so; 
 Until you learn in shame and misery 
 To prize the kingdom that you thus resign." 
 
 Querella awed yet resolute, "Forgive, 
 Yet hear me still. The woman best doth know 
 The woman's portion. How should man disport 
 As judge and jury both? Not I to thee 
 
 [30] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 And thou to God; but with my husband I 
 In mutual faith must look alike to God. 
 I dare not turn nor falter. Future years 
 Wait on my act. Womanhood yet unborn 
 Pleadeth to bring this question to the test. 
 Now for all women's sake with solemn vow 
 I go to prove it. Husband, fare thee well." 
 
 And Manlius deadly pale, with voice supprest, 
 "Then go, as thou hast said. I with my son 
 Mingling with ranks of men and large affairs 
 Accept the desolate hearth and ruined home 
 Until the wife and mother turns again 
 Unto her duty. All my manhood now 
 Biddeth me join the issue to the end. 
 Try your experiment. We'll test the case 
 And find the resultant. Go thy chosen path, 
 And for thy speeding here is gold. I pray 
 You take it feeely. It would cause me pain 
 That wife or daughter suffer. Go, — farewell." 
 
 "Nay Manlius," said Querella, "keep your gold, 
 We need it not, for I myself may earn. 
 But thank you none the less, my husband, dear 
 As when I plighted first my maiden troth. 
 
 [31] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Yet must we part. Thus only may we win 
 
 Release from senile fetters. If a sphere 
 
 I own, 'tis large as yours whose radius meets 
 
 The starry dome encircling boundless space, 
 
 The universe of matter and of mind. 
 
 Naught else can I accept, no more than you. 
 
 God keep you, husband. — Daughter, come. — Fare- 
 
 weU." 
 "Farewell, Querella." So they went their ways. 
 
 A WOMAN'S QUESTION. 
 
 THE fount of life hath flowing springs, 
 Are they to me forbid? 
 Shall truth's sweet light, O Bounteous God, 
 Be from thy children hid? 
 
 Were not all paths that lead to good 
 Made to thy daughters free 
 
 When ancient fetters were dissolved 
 In gospel liberty? 
 
 [32] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Perchance thy subtle wish, O man, 
 
 Hath Scripture truth misread, 
 
 To my own heart I'll turn to list 
 
 What God to me hath said. 
 
 Unto the pattern shown within 
 
 111 first of all be true, 
 And oh! believe me, only thus 
 
 Can I be true to you. 
 
 Taking her daughter's hand Querella stept 
 
 Into the larger life as steps a queen, 
 
 And every door of human effort swung 
 
 Unto her knock. So marvelled all the world 
 
 As arts, professions, trades or high or low, 
 
 Science, invention, politics and creeds 
 
 Grew richer with the woman's side revealed. 
 
 But if in lonely hours Querella felt 
 
 An empty void, with yearnings deep for ties 
 
 Thus sundered, who shall say? She held her peace. 
 
 [33] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 THE VOICE OF THE AGES. 
 
 A VOICE from the ages is sending 
 --^--^ To the Hstening future a cry 
 With echoes prophetic of destiny blending, 
 Yet pausing in vain for reply. 
 
 Like the rhythmic sob of the ocean, 
 
 Like the surf that beats on the shore, 
 
 Like forest-born sighings of wind in commotion 
 Swells the refrain evermore. 
 
 Whence sprang the woman to being? 
 
 Whither doth womanhood tend? 
 How shall her life to its impulse agreeing, 
 
 Into the universe blend? 
 
 Philosophy straineth to learn it. 
 
 While History, Scripture and Art 
 
 Are heavily prest with the task to discern it, 
 The meaning of womanhood's part. 
 
 But think not ye prophets and sages. 
 
 Masculine mentors and seers, 
 Ye only may compass the question of ages 
 
 More difficult grown with the years. 
 
 [34 ] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Nor yet shall the irritant wrangle 
 
 Of woman's inconsequent zeal 
 Resolve for the world the complicate tangle 
 
 In a verdict surpassing appeal. 
 
 Nay, human and angel and devil 
 
 And Heaven and the Earth are involved, 
 And children unborn shall inherit the evil 
 
 If falsely the question be solved. 
 
 And yet after all must the woman 
 
 The final adjudicant find 
 In the issue so weighty to interests human,— 
 
 Her place in the realm of mankind. 
 
 Bring forward your arguments forceful. 
 
 Let all in due order be heard, 
 But woman herself from her nature resourceful 
 
 Shall utter the ultimate word. 
 
 Yet No! Let humanity ponder 
 
 Together its problems so vast, 
 And link with discretion and wisdom and wonder 
 
 The present, the future, the past. 
 
 [35] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 YEARS came and went. The Twentieth Cen- 
 tury's dawn 
 Had risen in promise, but with problems new 
 Ever confronting. So one day was heard 
 The invitation that from near and far 
 Should delegates for every Cause convene 
 In the brave city where the Golden Gate 
 Opens its latch-string toward the Orient, 
 For the westering Car of Empire had fulfilled 
 Its course of triumph round the spheral globe 
 And linked the evening and the morn together. 
 
 Thus came they on, a group of congresses 
 
 With all-embracing plans to mark anew 
 
 The mete and bound of all philosophies 
 
 In Heaven and earth, and chase to limbo shades 
 
 Decrepit fictions of the elder world. 
 
 If future ages would eclipse a plan 
 
 Of such exhaustive amplitude, 'twould seem 
 
 That sister planets must unite with ours 
 
 To prove the universe; or if confined 
 
 By natural laws to earth, the future man 
 
 Must fitly join with beasts to arbitrate 
 
 A re-adjustment of their mutual claims. 
 
 [36] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Now in this Parliament of human-kind 
 
 Had all the lesser cliques fulfilled their course 
 
 And held their innings. So the closing month 
 
 Was come that should all lingering issues solve 
 
 And speed the youthful century on its course 
 
 Triumphant. 
 
 Two assemblies now absorbed 
 The gathered people. In a stately hall 
 Embowered with floral charms a congress sat 
 Of women of the world in every type; 
 The queen of Europe's Courts, the beauty veiled 
 By Eastern harems, savagery enwrapt 
 In her rude blanket, dames of high career, 
 Maiden and matron and religieusey 
 The loud-tongued talker, the submissive wife, 
 Athlete, domestic, and the frivolous girl 
 Drifting with currents of the modern age, 
 Minerva, Dian, Juno, Venus, all 
 Found prototype, and all intent to face 
 One problem by the finished centuries left 
 As heirloom to the future. 
 
 At the head 
 Behold Querella, queen of all the throng, 
 Holding the balance as the tangled coil 
 
 [37] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEAKCH-LIGHT 
 
 Should be resolved, the facts of woman's sex, 
 
 Its subtle power to make or mar the world; 
 
 Nor sex alone the theme, large fact indeed, 
 
 But not the only fact, as sex doth sink 
 
 Into the larger fact, humanity. 
 
 And though the final word should not be spoke, 
 
 For so the world itself might not contain 
 
 The books that should be written, none should fear 
 
 Boldly to face all truth and pierce the core 
 
 Of human mystery. 
 
 Thus they discoursed 
 Scripture and myth and logic and the maze 
 Of history's records. So was heard the fame 
 Of Portia, Juliet, Sappho, Milton's Eve, 
 Pilgrim Priscilla, Florence Nightingale, 
 Lucre tia with her jewels, Helen of Troy, 
 The Virtuous Woman famed in Holy Writ, 
 Dorcas her garments folding, the Virgin blest 
 Of Raphael's vision, type of motherhood, — 
 All had their advocates and honors there. 
 
 Meanwhile across the Court another hall 
 An equal gathering held, for men aroused 
 By women's zeal were also met to face 
 The impending crisis. In the chair behold 
 Manlius, the leader, calmly resolute. 
 
 [ 38 ] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 As heaving currents hastening toward the strait 
 Gather the floating straws with yellow froth 
 Commingled, thus did crude opinions float 
 And toss as surface freight above the tide 
 Of swelling purpose surging in alarm 
 Toward bold decisive ends still unrevealed. 
 
 *'Our wives," they said '^are in delusion gulfed. 
 To hear their maunderings one might well conceive 
 That woman was a late discovery 
 And luckless man her stern implacable foe." 
 
 '^Ah!'' it was answered, '^Let the folly run 
 To its conclusions. Lures of fame will prove 
 Weaker than nature's laws. Fiction hath failed 
 Aught to discover saving marriage bands 
 As ending to the story." 
 
 "Yet," said one, 
 "Beware lest stinted justice we accord 
 To her we hold most dear. It helpeth not 
 The issue to belittle. It were best 
 Somewhat to yield. Humanity itself 
 Hangeth in poise. Haply if women fail 
 Through human frailty, rightly to divide 
 Strength from presumption, are we sure our skirts 
 Are spotless? Some unmanliness in us 
 
 [39] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH- LIGHT 
 
 Hath gendered ill in them. If our pretence 
 Of headship were well taken, surely fault 
 Inheres in us who had not grace to hold 
 Our kingdom steady." 
 
 "True," a voice replied, 
 *'If in the moral world the woman's strength 
 Be highest, then is she the head, and men 
 To women's primacy must meekly bow. 
 Let us then mend our ways, and fitly yield 
 All fullest dues; — the sooner they'll return 
 To love and home." 
 
 "But why this paltry din?" 
 Another cried, "The time hath been perhaps, 
 When woman was opprest. But 'tis not now! 
 Nor do we merit such a rash contempt. 
 Surely 'twere time a just recognizance 
 Should re-enthrone the Ever- Womanly." 
 Added an eager voice, " 'Tis nature's plan 
 That man should lead, and at his loving beck 
 The wife should follow. Though she oft may guide 
 By man's renouncements, yet if folly flaunts 
 Such rule as woman's birthright, then, perforce 
 We'll prick the bubble, Law must hold its own." 
 
 [40] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Thus either side with bold criterion shaped 
 Its wavering counsels. Hast thou never seen 
 How nature's laboratory slow prepares 
 Her separate compounds that at last shall join 
 With force precipitate, perhaps to blend 
 The brisk of ferment in one basic whole, 
 Or haply, with explosive burst to deal 
 Broadcast destruction to the world around? 
 To which conclusion think you, shall the clash 
 Of these strategic fateful ventures tend? 
 
 Now at the Woman's Hall the question rose 
 ^'What if a word of greeting we should send 
 Unto the men? So shall we prove ourselves 
 Of liberal mind." 
 
 Forthwith it was dispatched, 
 A message framed in formal courtesy. 
 
 The men surprised, 
 ''Why heed such idle breath? 
 When women learn their duty it were time 
 To pause for parley." 
 
 Yet anon prevailed 
 A gentler counsel and came duly back 
 A deferent reply. 
 
 [41 ] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 The women pleased, 
 "So far is fitting. It were trifling risk 
 Should we go farther. To our beauteous hall 
 We will invite them. It were well to know 
 Their trend of thinking." 
 
 Straightway was agreed. 
 Then a protesting voice, ''How if they claim 
 In joint assembly that the men must hold 
 Official headship?'' 
 
 "Banish needless fear," 
 Querella answered. "It were better grace 
 Since they are guests, that by our courtesy 
 Their chairman should preside, nor yield we aught 
 In final wise of just prerogative." 
 
 Gravely the men debate the message sent. 
 If to accept would compromise their Cause. 
 "Gracious and fair the bidding seems," they said, 
 "Yet if sincerely meant, ours is the place 
 For the joint gathering." 
 
 So with careful phrase 
 They made acceptance: 
 
 [42] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEAKCH-LIGHT 
 
 Twas a happy thought, 
 This Union meeting, where in friendly parle 
 Each congress could unfold its drift and aim; 
 But it were fitting that they now reverse 
 The invitation. Theirs the larger hall 
 And for such throngs the amplest audience room 
 Were none too spacious. 
 
 Now in turn arose 
 The counter-doubt, What if the women seek 
 Precedent rank since of themselves had come 
 The initial move? Surely 'twas meet, they said, 
 That Manlius hold his rightful place. Yet still 
 If to the Hall of Men with free accord 
 The women came, 'twas all that they would ask. 
 Besides, 'twas rumored that the women meant 
 To yield the point. So not to be outdone 
 In fairest courtesy, they would first invite 
 Querella to the chair. 
 
 Thus step by step 
 The plans were laid. 
 
 And now the women glowed 
 In preparation for the great event. 
 With flower-filled hands in happy groups they came 
 To make the spacious room a festive bower. 
 At mom betimes they all with best attire 
 
 [43] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 And winning smiles betook them to the hall 
 Where gathering men doffing their careless ways 
 Now stepped with courtly grace. 
 
 So struck the hour. 
 With anxious expectation all the throng 
 Waited denouement. 
 
 Manlius first arose. 
 "For tasteful skill that hath adorned these walls 
 We thank our gentle friends. I move that now 
 Madame Querella shall assume the role 
 Of dignity and here preside this day." 
 And there was stillness over all the room. 
 
 Then rose Querella, 
 "Nay, w^e beg that thou 
 In thine own hall retain thy usual place." 
 
 So each refused the office, till at last 
 'Twas put to vote. The men with one accord 
 Gave ballot for Querella, and the rest 
 Voted for Manlius. So there was a tie. 
 
 Now with a blush Querella rose. "My friends, 
 To-day I tell a secret that I thought 
 Should never pass my lips. But know you all 
 This is my husband. He shall act for me. 
 
 [44] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Are we not one? Let him then take the chair." 
 And all the women waved their handkerchiefs, 
 But all the men sat silent. 
 
 Manlius now 
 Stepped to Querella^s side, "Honor bestowed 
 Upon my wife is honor shown to me, 
 I yield to her." 
 
 Then all the men broke forth 
 In loud applause. 
 
 Rosy and pale by turns 
 Querella speechless sat, with downcast look. 
 The silence painful grew. At last she rose, 
 White as a lily now her cheek, her eyes 
 Suffused with liquid lenses that enhanced 
 Their lustre, yet not filled, nor overflowed. 
 Thus trembling sunbeams in a breath of mist 
 Enlarge the radiance of the orb of day 
 When glad Aurora greets the waking world. 
 Soft and distinct her voice. 
 
 "Hear me," she said, 
 "The Woman-Soul the offspring is and heir 
 Of life in all its fulness, and her heart 
 Holdeth its own in treasure. Yet to-day 
 I do avow that dearer than all gifts 
 
 [45] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Of personal fame or vantage is the crown 
 
 Of wifehood that hath wreathed my woman's brow. 
 
 If it be needful, glad I now resign 
 
 The rights of selfhood for the sweeter bliss 
 
 Of yielding self unto the claims of love. 
 
 Manlius, my husband ^ take your wife again,'' 
 
 But ere the word was finished, Manlius grasped 
 
 The extended hand, all mastery now gone 
 
 From out the tender equal glance that met 
 
 Querella's, — glad, entreating, yielding all, 
 
 Yet with no loss of manly dignity. 
 
 Clear fell his words: ^'If it be needful? Nay, 
 
 Far be it that my blinded heart should claim 
 
 Wifely renunciation of the wealth 
 
 Of woman's heritage. My precious wife, 
 
 Never so much my chosen wife as now. 
 
 For all the graces of thy newer world 
 
 Are added jewels in thy wifely crown. 
 
 So let me now the husband's duty yield, 
 
 I, too, my life thus losing, that I may 
 
 Find it again in thine as thou in mine. — 
 
 But come we now apart. Our converse doth 
 
 Distract the meeting." So they drew aside. 
 
 Again was silence as the wondering throng 
 Waited expectant. 
 
 [46] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Then a timid voice, 
 "I mind me of an ancient tale enshrined 
 In Persian lore, of the unsymmetric bird, 
 The Juftak, dowered with a single wing. 
 But on the wingless side the male doth show 
 A hook and on the female stands a ring, 
 Only when fastened each to each can they 
 Fly to the upper air. The human race 
 Is that same Juftak. Read this fable well. 
 Since in our hall all human-kind are met. 
 Hath not our chairman need to be endowed 
 As man and woman both? Should not the two 
 Together hold this office?'' 
 
 "Nay, indeed," 
 Broke forth the general cry. "'Twere folly thus 
 To breed confusion. Either well may guide, 
 Manlius or Querella, and we care not which, 
 Since both are worthy, but no double head." 
 
 The first insistent, "Nay the twain are one, 
 
 The only whole. The family group is set 
 
 As social unit, its united pair 
 
 The representing type. Woman or man 
 
 Singly must halt, a fraction impotent 
 
 Of a Hfe complete." 
 
 [47] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Now with a flashing eye 
 Uprose a woman tall, with lines of gray- 
 Streaking her raven hair. "I pray you, friend, 
 Revoke the foolish word. Mother nor wife 
 Am I, yet dare to challenge that life's cup 
 May brim with other vintage. I have seen 
 Childless, unwedded women who knew more 
 Of faithful troth, of heart of motherhood. 
 Of life's deep stress and passion, of its heights 
 And deep abysms, its mastering pain and bliss, 
 Than many a one who weds and children bears 
 With human instincts all unsanctified 
 By spiritual insights. Lofty souls 
 Not set in matrimonial gardens may aspire 
 To beauteous blossom and perfected fruit. 
 The childless arms may clasp most tenderly 
 The sad unmothered children. Loves unclaimed 
 By husband or by wife may fructify 
 In largest fulness, ripening luscious gifts 
 To bless a hungering world. Dare ye believe 
 The Blessed One who shared our mortal lot 
 And tasted death for all humanity 
 Missed life's ideal for lack of marriage vows? 
 Christ's birth hath set a seal on motherhood, 
 But his example to the end of time 
 Hath also sanctified the virgin life 
 For man and woman both. 
 
 [48] 
 
MY LADY O^ THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 "Nor dare ye boast 
 Ye wedded mates, the undue monopoly 
 Of love's congenial fellowships. We all 
 As sister, daughter, brother, son, do move 
 In sweet relations with our mutual own. 
 Yea, even the solitary ones are set 
 Of God in families. 
 
 "And yet the links 
 The tenderest, dearest, that entwine true hearts 
 With souls akin, are wove from braided strands 
 Of fateful circumstance and yielding change. 
 But the Self-Unit absolute doth hold 
 Its sure identity. Nor time nor space 
 Divides me from Myself, sole integer 
 By nature's primal law. Singly our souls 
 Were born, singly we cross the final bourne 
 To meet our Maker and alone receive 
 The last arbitrament of joy or shame." 
 She ceased, but from her passionate words there fell 
 An oppressive silence over all the room. 
 
 Now rose an aged man, "Good are thy words, 
 
 My sister, yet a part is still untold. 
 
 Wheels lie within life's wheels. The steadfast day 
 
 RoUeth his course; so doth the solar year 
 
 His separate orbit swing; and each may serve 
 
 [49] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 As measuring-rod of time. Nature's large plan 
 
 Includeth both the individual soul 
 
 And family bond. Yet neither doth embrace 
 
 Life's full content. A fraction still is each 
 
 Of the vaster unit, Great Humanity. 
 
 These lesser wholes, whence came they? Trace them 
 
 back 
 To the far past. Look forward where they lead. 
 Lo, no beginning neither end appears 
 To the moving chain of living links that spans 
 Eternity. This then the primal fact, 
 We all are members of the boundless Whole, 
 Like planet worlds that wheel their ceaseless course 
 'Mid interstellar spaces, yet compose 
 One system intricate, — the Universe 
 Of spirit life that comprehends us all." 
 
 The old man took his seat. Uprose forthwith 
 
 One with the fire of action in his eye, 
 
 "Why waste we words? One question rules the hour. 
 
 Brethren, 'tis manhood's privilege to yield 
 
 To woman's moulding. As her true desire 
 
 Is to her husband, so be ours to her. 
 
 Bid claims begone! Querella well hath proved 
 
 Fitness for leadership. If she will take 
 
 The chair of office, it shall please us well." 
 
 [50] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 "Nay, brethren, fathers, husbands, hear me now," 
 Pleaded a woman's voice, "When manhood speaks 
 Words of such gentle justice as to-day 
 Have fallen on our ears, our souls are stirred 
 To nobler womanhood. Believe me, friends. 
 Woman is happiest when she freely yields 
 Unto her husband's love her personal life. 
 Querella, — she hath said it, — best were pleased 
 To leave the public task since Manlius stands 
 Ready to do it for her gentle sake." 
 
 Again the old man spoke, "To-day we face 
 Peculiar problems. Men and women we 
 Who, other issues waiving, would adjust 
 Our mutual obligations. It were wrong 
 If partial sympathies should vitiate 
 The just conclusion. For to-day at least 
 Twere well befitting that our chairman hold 
 The dual gifts of life. Wherefore let both 
 Manlius and Querella here preside this dayJ^ 
 
 So it was voted. Then were quickly placed 
 
 Two chairs, Querella sitting at the right 
 
 Of Manlius, as the task he undertook 
 
 To organize the meeting. If arose 
 
 A variance, mutual counsel quickly served 
 
 To bring adjustment. When for transient cause 
 
 [51 ] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 Her husband turned aside, Querella stept 
 Unto the fore, and so progressed the work 
 Right merrily. All was equipped at last, 
 With chosen officers in full supply- 
 Installed for duty. 
 
 Manlius now arose, 
 "What is the business that hath called us here? 
 Will some one now propose?'' 
 
 But no one spoke. 
 Each turned to other striving to recall 
 The questions they had gathered to resolve. 
 And none could think. Indeed it almost seemed 
 That all was done. What was there to decide? 
 For all relations of the human race 
 Seemed to be settled, and was nothing left. 
 
 At last with trembling tone a voice began 
 The old Doxology. 'Mid smiles and tears 
 All caught the strain and loud the welkin rang. 
 
 Then rose Querella. "It was in our plan 
 To ask you all to dine. At two o'clock 
 In Woman's Hall the dinner will be served. 
 The intervening hour may well be given 
 To social converse. Let us now adjourn." 
 
 [52 ] 
 
MY LABY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 So it was voted. And within that hour 
 Did many a wife regain her husband's side, 
 And brother sought for sister, and withal 
 Full many a youthful heart gave quick response 
 To thrilling glance or touch of kindred soul. 
 
 Then at the signal arm in arm they passed 
 Unto the banquet. At its happy close 
 As wit and wisdom kindled, every eye 
 Sought Manlius and Querella where they sat 
 Gracing the feast at its presiding board. 
 ''Our Presidents." — Responsive to the toast 
 They rose and clasping hands as if to take 
 New marriage vows, in clear duet they sang; 
 While every eye was moist, and at the close 
 Echoed tumultuous bursts of long applause. 
 
 [53 1 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 MANLIUS AND QUERELLA. 
 
 MUTUAL love hath sealed our union. 
 Loyal hearts in us are wed, 
 Each the stronger, each the weaker, 
 Each submissive, each the head. 
 
 Heirs alike in equal lineage 
 
 To the wealth of life's estate. 
 
 Neither will the heavenly birthright 
 E'er deny or desecrate. 
 
 Nature's leadings felt within us 
 Follow we with gentle awe, 
 
 Breaking bonds of old conventions 
 If they fetter primal law. 
 
 Yet to either will the other 
 
 In all honor still defer, 
 Man and woman joined in duty 
 
 She to him as he to her. 
 
 So our troth is firmly plighted 
 
 Till we rest beneath the sod, 
 
 Each to self, and each to other. 
 
 Both to each, and each to God. 
 
 [54] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 POSTLUDE. 
 
 THE story was told, but my spirit had sped 
 Afar beyond limits of time or of space 
 Across trackless forests and oceans widespread, 
 
 Away from humanity's trace, 
 Till I stood in a featureless desert alone, 
 Aweary of living, opprest by the irritant wrangle 
 Of men, so unskilled to resolve life's complicate tangle, 
 
 When suddenly towered before me 
 
 The Sphinx of the ages, its eyes. 
 
 Those calm inscrutable eyes. 
 
 Looked forth from the cold dead stone 
 
 Shedding an influence o'er me 
 
 That filled me with solemn surprise. 
 
 I felt me no longer alone. 
 But as if in my heart throes the statue could feel 
 The stress of life's passion, its endless appeal 
 To an infinite something, a silent beseeching 
 For Eternity's clue. Time's issues outreaching. 
 
 If to man or to woman such look could belong 
 As I saw on the statue, I knew not, I cared not. 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 But somehow its spell like a tide of the ocean 
 O'erswept my faint heart with a speechless emotion, 
 
 And question it further, I dared not. 
 Transfixed by the gaze yet too weary to ponder 
 The mysterious look, I let my eyes wander 
 And follow its far away glance till it came 
 To the distant horizon, and there I discovered 
 
 A mirage of the desert, a fair 
 
 And wonderful picture of air 
 
 That low in the Orient hovered. 
 
 At first indistinct and remote was the vision. 
 But soon gathered clearness, precision; 
 Two crystaline spheres revolving, as held 
 Like binary stars to one center compelled 
 By a mutual force, that each circuit impelled. 
 In size and in lustre I thought them the same. 
 Yet scanning more closely, I difference knew 
 In the radiant orbs so worthily mated, 
 For the rays of the one seemed chiefly of light. 
 The other with heat seemed to pulsate and glow. 
 
 With intricate movement I watched them pursue 
 Their paths unrelated, 
 When, lo! 
 They were bearing together. I anxiously waited 
 With paralyzed sense as one waiteth the flash 
 Of the lightning stroke or the thunderbolt's crash. 
 
 [56] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 How useless my fears! They melt into one 
 With a movement majestic and fleet. 
 
 Lo! a single sphere endowed like the sun, 
 With life-giving light and heat. 
 
 The statue and I were enwrapt in the beams 
 
 That stretched far away in out-flashing streams 
 To the bounds of creation, 
 
 And I bowed me in mute adoration. 
 
 For now in its center a vision doth glow 
 
 A face like the face of the Christ strong and tender. 
 
 The artists of old sought to render 
 
 The Lord of humanity so. 
 With features of manhood and womanhood blent, 
 
 As if each in its fulness had lent 
 Perfections of beauty, of power, and grace 
 
 To the dual worshipful face. 
 Yea, thus in the pattern for all mankind 
 Must the graces of all be enshrined. 
 
 As I pondered the vision so strange 
 
 I was suddenly ware of a change. 
 Christ's face into that of the Father seemed turning, 
 A fatherhood potent, yet gentle and yearning 
 
 [ 57] 
 
MY LADY OF THE SEARCH-LIGHT 
 
 As the mother who comforts the child of her love 
 With motherhood's comfort, all comforts above, — 
 A parental presence, all-loving, all seeing, 
 The primal source of all Being. 
 
 But quickly the miracle sped, 
 
 And suddenly lifting my head. 
 
 The statue alone was before me; 
 With deep inscrutable eyes that drew me 
 Yet seemed to go o'er me, beyond me, and through me. 
 The eyes, not of woman or man, but of soul, 
 A spirit sublimed from humanity's whole. 
 
 So there in the desert, no visitant nigh, 
 We faced it in silence, the statue and I, 
 The question of Ages, the measureless strife 
 Of the problem unending, the problem of Life. 
 
 [58] 
 
OCT 24 1905 
 
 Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
 Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
 Treatment Date: Sept. 2009 
 
 PreservationTechnologies 
 
 A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 
 
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