f - 1 DO )M Book. - U h O & - Copyrights ^/£ > COPYRIGHT DtPOSir. SONGS OF NATURE LOVE AND LIFE LITTLE RIVER" River! little river! Earthly lies may sever, Hopes of youth may shattered be, Still thou flowest faithfully — Never pausing, ever flowing, liver and forever — River! little river! Flowing to the sea. SONGS OF NATURE LOVE AND LIFE By JOHN WOOD NORTHUP 'MY SHNTINEL PAUL ELDER AND COMPANY PUBLISHERS SAN FRANCISCO Copyright, 1916 By Paul Elder & Company San Francisco T (DV^ JAN -2 iSt? ©«A453 HO I To Those Dear Friends Of This Mortal Life Who Have Been To Me An Inspiration And A Blessing CONTENTS SONGS OF NATURE PAOF. Nature's Call 3 California 5 Monte Cresta 8 An April Day at Monte Cresta 11 My Sentinel 13 The Mystery of the Stars 15 The Music of the Wind 17 The Streamlet 20 Sunrise at Monte Cresta 22 Sunset at Monte Cresta 24 Mount Tamalpais 25 Drifting 29 The Mountains 31 Spring 32 Truck.ee River 34 Lake Tahoe , . 36 Little River 37 SONGS OF LOVE Sing Me a Song of Love 41 Thy Glowing Eyes 43 Lullaby 45 Expectancy 46 Dreaming 47 My Prayer 48 Loneliness 49 If I Could Choose an Hour 50 From a Car Window 51 [VI] PAGE A Night-Dream 53 The Birth of Love 56 A Hymn of Praise 57 A California Legend . 58 Twilight 73 Mother-Love 75 Love's Perfect Whole 76 Love's Passing 77 Understanding 79 If Love Should Die 80 SONGS OF LIFE The Tides of Life 85 A Sabbath Inspiration 88 A New Year Perspective 90 Mv Friend Indeed 92 Adversity 93 Ode to Death 95 My Country 96 The Call 101 In the Vale of the Green Shenandoah 103 The Flag m Life's Journey 112 Thanksgiving Day 114 My Symphony 116 New Year's Eve 118 Night 120 Weariness 122 A Christmas Song 123 Success 124 [VII] PAGE Rest 126 Peace 128 Sleep 120 To Wassily Safonoff 131 A Prayer 133 Retrospection 134 A Burial at Sea 136 Thanksgiving 138 The Martyrs 139 Into the Night 142 Christmas Memories 144 Questionings 145 Boyhood Memories 147 Mexico 149 Peace 151 Joaquin Miller 152 Thanksgiving Day, 1914 155 The March of the Hours 157 The Sixth Sense 158 How I Discovered "Little Rhody!" 159 Failure 164 SONGS OF NATURE [3l NATURE'S CALL fleecy cloud from out the west Floats in the azure sky; A pretty bird from out the nest Sings in the tree-top high; A zepher from the wooded crest Wafts piney odors nigh; A brooklet from the mountain's breast Runs laughing, bawling by: And in that cloud the gentle rain That nurtures springtime-flowers; And in that song-bird's dulcet strain Solace for lonely hours; And in that zepher's sighing vein Comfort for wearied powers; And in that brooklet's limpid train Sweet rest 'neath leafy bowers. Hearken, O man, unto the call Of Nature in her wooing moods — The rain, the birds, the brooklet's fall, The whispering winds in silent woods- U] Then shalt thou better understand The secret of true happiness — That worldly pleasures, howe'er grand, Cannot, like Nature, sooth and bless. IS) CALIFORNIA ^^^here is glory in thy history, M J O California! ^^^ There's a beauty and a mystery In thy golden legends rare. There is wealth within thy mountains, There is health beneath thy skies, There's tinting in thy flowers That with the rainbow vies. There is grandeur in thy ocean O California! There's a tonic and a lotion In the ozone of its air. There's abundance in thy valleys, There is peace no discord mars, There is balm in thy bright sunshine, There is rest beneath thy stars. There's a joy in thy completeness, O California! There's a lusciousness and sweetness In thy fruits beyond compare. There is thunder in thy cataracts, There is healing in thy springs, There's a note of inspiration In thy song-bird when it sings. 6] There's splendor in thy sunsets, O California! There's music in thy streamlets That banishes all care. There's ermine on thy mountain-peaks That pierce the ambient dome, There's boldness in thy eagle's flights That makes those peaks his home. There is vastness in thy forests, O California! There's broadness in thy rivers' breasts Where white-winged vessels fare. There's richness in thy argosies That cross the harbor bar, There's marvel in thy commerce With Foreign lands afar. There's welcome at thy Golden Gate, O California! There's hospitality innate Within its portals fair. There's wondrous industry and thrift, There's education free, There's cherishing of high ideals, There's real philanthropy. [?] There's a greatness in thy destiny, O California! There's a marching-on to victory Beneath thy Golden Bear! There's a mighty host advancing Thy heritage to share! O, be ready to receive them, My California! [8] MONTE CRESTA Xknow a mountain that looks down On a sleepy little town; And on a valley fair and broad — The very "Garden of the Lord!" my Mountain, I adore thee! I would ever more enjoy thee, With thy view, surpassing fine, — Exhilarating as old wine; With thy bay and cypress trees, Through which the balmy, scented breeze, Straight from Araby the Blest, Sings its song of peace and rest: Ah! thou bring'st me nearer Heaven! Thou art the delicious leaven Of a busy, restless life, With its turmoil, care and strife! 1 have seen thee in the sheen Of the morning sun; I have seen thee capped with clouds Ere the day was done. t9l I have seen the mist Change to hue of amethyst On thy brow. I have seen the snow, Ermine white, On thy bosom show. I have seen the stars Shine upon thee through the bars Of the Milky Way. I have seen the Day Start upon its way From thy crest. I have seen it die In thy sunset-sky In the west. I have seen thee glow, When the sun was low, With the dazzling gleams Of transcendent beams. I have seen thee in the hush of night, When the moon shed silvery light [io] Full upon thy verdant breast, — When mysterious voices would not let me rest- Voices that have called to me, Over land and over sea, When I was far away; — Calling me by night and day: Drawing me — as doth the moon The swirling tides of ocean on — To my mountain, ever blest; To my home upon its crest. Mountain-home! No more I'd leave thee, Till angelic voices call me To that Mountain-Home on high, Where the flowers never die! [II] AN APRIL DAY AT MONTE CRESTA MORNING e reen the valley lying there; Scent of lilac in the air; Birds are singing everywhere: Wake! wake! my soul! AFTERNOON Drowsy humming of the bees 'Mongst the blossoming apple trees; Touch of summer in the breeze: Dream! dream! my soul! EVENING Sunset's glow in all the west; Birds swift-winging to the nest; Weary Nature going to rest: Rest! rest! my soul! NIGHT Overhead the twilight deep; O'er the landscape shadows creep; All the poppies gone to sleep: Sleep! sleep! my soul! [12] BENEDICITE Far above this mountain-height, From their starry windows bright, Angel voices call "Good-night! Peace! peace to thee, O soul!" they cry. Ringing in the moon-lit sky, Answer echoes sweet and light — "Peace! peace to thee, O soul! Good-night! Good-night!" [i3i MY SENTINEL Hor centuries old thou hast stood Great monarch of all the green wood! And still thou art lord of the hill! At dawn the sun gilds all thy branches, The moon thy dark outline enhances When night falls so slumbrous and still. The birds seek the cool of thy shade Through the heat that the noontide hath made, They sleep in the peace of thy bowers. And under thee, pensively lying, I watch the glad day slowly dying, 'Mid the bay-leaves and sweet mountain flowers. The sunset glows red in the west; Thou foldest each beam to thy breast As if thou wouldst hold it for aye; But the long shadows stealthily creep Over valley and woodland and steep, And softly the light fades away. The stars gleam afar in the sky; The night-birds swoop to thee and cry And tell thee the secrets of air; The night-winds so gently caress thee, And tenderly, lovingly press thee, And solemnly whisper a prayer. [14] And thou echoest the voice oi the wind, And I list to thy music and find Surcease from all trouble and care; And all through the long, weary night, In my visions and dreams, sad or bright, Thou standest, my sentinel, there! [i5l THE MYSTERY OF THE STARS ^^^he stars seem nearer to me to-night M J Than they've ever seemed before; ^^^ There is a mystery in their light That fills my soul with awe. I think of all the sons of men, Of every race and clime, They've shone upon with rays serene Since the first dawn of Time. Yea, e'en before Old Father Time His keen scythe first did wield, Through long eternities sublime, They've held the glistening field. They crowned the ladder Jacob saw On that far-distant night, And shed on him, forevermore, Their soft, effulgent light. The wanderer in the wilderness, Discouraged, lost, forlorn, Lifts weary eyes and them doth bless Till night fades into morn. [i6] O, when with problems sore perplexed And heavy heart within, My soul by countless trials vexed And crushed with weight of sin, I turn mine eyes to starry skies, I scan the gleaming dome — Beyond those stars my pathway lies, Beyond the stars is home! [17;] THE MUSIC OF THE WIND Histen to the music of the wind!— Breathing, whispering, sighing, In the tree-tops dying — 'Tis the murmuring sea Softly calling me. Listen to the music of the wind! Listen to the breathing of the wind! — 'Tis as if some monster lay Sleeping Titan-cares away: O'er the mountains, seas, and lands, Slow his mighty breast expands. Listen to the breathing of the wind! Listen to the wailing of the wind! — 'Tis some soul in pain Crying in the rain; 'Tis the fiendish swell From lost souls in Hell. Listen to the wailing of the wind! Listen to the whispering of the wind! — 'Tis as if it fain would tell Secrets it hath kept so well Since this old world first began — [18] Secrets of primeval man. Listen to the whispering of the wind! Listen to the moaning of the wind! 'Tis some sad heart breaking, Leave of anguish taking; 'Tis some spirit grieving O'er sorrows, past relieving. Listen to the moaning of the wind! Listen to the sighing of the wind! — 'Tis for hopes forever fled; 'Tis for happiness long dead; 'Tis for love's long-lost desires Swept by passion's flaming fires. Listen to the sighing of the wind! Listen to the rushing of the wind! — 'Tis the breakers' roar On some distant shore; 'Tis the thunder's-crash When the lightnings flash. Listen to the rushing of the wind! Listen to the cooing of the wind! — 'Tis as when the dove Calleth to her love; [19] Or when lovers kiss, Lost in realms of bliss. Listen to the cooing of the wind! Listen to the last sigh of the wind! — As at break of day Soft it dies away, Voices o'er the hill Whisper "Peace! Be still!" Listen to the last sigh of the wind! Listening to the music of the wind, Through the restless night, Waiting for the light, On my couch I lay Longing for the day, Listening to the music of the wind! Listening to the last sigh of the wind, Now I close mine eyes — Visions from the skies Glide with morning's beams Through my peaceful dreams. O delicious rest! Far-off in the west They listen to the music of the wind! [90[ THE STREAMLET ^^^tiK MUSIC o( the spheres" B J Falls Oil our eager ears ^^^When thy low murmur soundeth near, O streamlet dear! The whisperings of the breeze Sigh through the redwood trees, Yet still thy Voices soft We hear, streamlet clear! Upon thy bank we lie. Our eves fixed on the sky, Held spellbound by thy siren song, streamlet strong! The nimble squirrels gray Among the tree-tops play, That filter sunbeams on thy breast, streamlet blest! The birds swoop to thv brink And cooling nectar drink And bathe each feathery-pinion fleet, O streamlet sweet ' [21] The length'ning shadows shift, And rocks their heads uplift To sentinel thy somber sleep, O streamlet deep! And as thy limpid tide Seeks the vast ocean's side, Reflecting true, sky, rock and tree, O streamlet free! — So run our lives away; And faster, day by day, Adown Time's stream we onward glide, O river wide! Reflecting on our souls divine Deeds ill or actions fine, Until at last we sink, like thee, Into Eternity! [22] SUNRISE AT MONTE CRESTA ^^^HE RISING SUtl M J Sheds golden light ^^^On fog-sea, Lily-white. The mountain-tops All purple glow; The sky-line ruby-tinged; The valley hid below. An intermingling of strange sounds Comes in upon the undertow Of this weird ocean, Heaving slow. As if the weary, waking-world, Down there, four hundred fathoms deep, Were calling through the fleecy waves That roll beneath my feet. Ah me! the strifes, the hates, the loves Of those poor mortals, toiling there! What sufferings, strivings, hopes and fears, Down in that world of care! I turn from spectral sea and sound, And lo! what fairy-land is this, 1*3 I Where every leaf and bud and flower Is bending to the sun's first kiss? The birds are singing in the trees, The quail are calling on the hill, The dewdrops glisten on the grass, The air the blossom-odors fill. Ah, this indeed is Heaven! I've crossed that billowy sea: Those peaks upon its farther shore, Those sounds of toiling life below, Are the Old World of Time to me! The earthly toil and strifes and hates, The sufferings, strivings, fears, Lie buried deep beneath that sea — This is my World! My Heavenly Rest My Blest Eternity [2 4 ] SUNSET AT MONTE CRESTA X climb the height, lured by the sunset's blaze. The mountain stands transfigured in its rays. The valley's eastern verge is all aglow, While 'neath my feet the gathering shadows grow. The wooded range, by flaming splendor crowned, Looks down on canyons wrapped in gloom profound. Far-out upon the bay a white sail ghostly gleams, Reflecting on its swelling breast the dying beams. Now, Glory's dazzling tints grow ashen in the west, And dusky fingers of the night touch e'en the top- most crest. Along the far-horizon's rim the pale cluods sleep; Around the lower hills fog-phantoms slowly creep. The twilight fades into advancing night. Yet still the western sky retains a ghastly light — A memory of transcendent brightness fled — Weird shroud for Day, now vanquished, dead. The evening winds sigh softly overhead. The darkness falls; Stars dot the violet dome; And astral gleamings guide me safely home. [25] MOUNT TAMALPAIS ^tw^ill you long for that mountain-top high, ¥ ■ With its Titan-rocks piercing the sky, ^■MS And its slopes clad in verdure so green? Will you cling to those memories tender Of that dying day's slow-fading splendor, Of that gray ocean's far-flashing sheen ? Will you dream of that vision supernal — Of a sunset with colors eternal, Whose tints kiss the fleece of the cloud? Will you sigh for that mystical Elf-land, And yearn for a home on its bright strand Far away from earth's clamor and crowd? Will you dwell on that last glowing picture That filled to o'erflowing with rapture Our souls as we stood there enchanted — When, with one supreme outburst, the Day-God Shot forth his red challenge to Night-God — Defiance from Glory levanted? Will you wish for that night's deepening stillness, For the balm of the air and its clearness, And the flash of the lighthouse to seaward; For the bright, throbbing stars in the heaven, [26] For the wind's soft caress, with its leaven Of peace and refreshing from skyward? Will you think of that walk in the night-light, With the valleys shut out from our dim sight, When only the gleam of their myriad lamps Gave sign that poor mortals under our feet Pain and sorrow and toil did greet, As once did we down in those noisome damps? Will you cherish the thoughts of that moment, When we three kindred spirits, at-one-ment, Sat beneath the dark wings of the soft night And listened to rhymes of dead poet's lines? — How those cadences sweet to the quick ear declines, Holding us spellbound, enthralled with delight! Will you think of the on-coming sun And with what haste the steep crest we won, And gazed expectant toward the distant east; Whose horizon, already flecked with light, Gave forth rich promise of effulgence bright, On which our glowing eyes at length did feast? Will you think of that swift downward leap From mountain-top to valley deep, When through the fleeting hours that Sabbath morn, We measured the extremes of depth and heighth, All obstacles o'ercome by spirits light, That with each cooling draught again seemed born? Will you recall that final resting place, When, tired and famished, we upon the grace Of a kind hostess cast ourselves at last? Ah, of what wisdom does the proverb savor! For "rest," indeed, "is the sweet sauce of labor. " And now we rest indeed, all toil and troubles past. Ah, yes! you will long for that grand mountain-height, And cling to soft memories of that dying light, And dream that sweet dream of a vision supernal, And sigh for that mystical, far-distant land, And yearn for a home on its beautiful strand, — O prototype fair of that Heaven Eternal! Ah, yes! you will wish for that night's deepening stillness, And oft will you think of that dark walk with gladness, And cherish sweet thoughts of that dead poet's lines, And think once again of that on-coming sun, And of that swift leap 'ere his course was yet run, And of that last rest 'mongst the trees and the vines. O mountain-top! O dying light! O dreaming sweet of vision bright! ( ) sighing For thai fairy land! o yearning * ni thai mystic strand I ( > w ishing i"i that stilly night I o thoughts ol walk in darkened light! cherished thoughts of poet's line! o beams ol rising sun divine I ( ) leap into the dsrk unknot n I O peaceful place for rest alone I Bright vision, seen through sunset's radisnf bars! Oi fade not, till we rest beyond the stars! 1*91 DRIFTING i i.oai on .1 < aim summer ses Willi green slopei afai on the Ice! And I dream at I floal I /i my i my boat) On the waves of .1 < aim summer sea. Adrift on ;i | ;ilm sumnn i se.i With green slopes afai on the leel And wit h never ;i | ar<- I'm drifting there, On the waves ol a calm summei sea. AIoih- on ;i ' . 1 1 f m summei sea ! I [ark ! the nighi birds < all to me; And t he night lights gleam Afar on the heam, ( )n the waves of a i aim summei sea. Asleep on ;i ( .dm summer sea While the winds Mow COOl and free! And in dreams of delight I drift through the "ij', M, > On the Waves of a < aim summer sea. I ,et me drift on ;i < aim summei se;i To those green slopes afaf on the Ice! (3°] Let me drift to those Isles in the West Where the weary and homesick find rest! Let me drift on a calm summer sea! [3i] THE MOUNTAINS "And the strength 0/ the hills is His also." O mountain-peaks with ermine clad! O swirling, crystal torrents mad! O solitary, silent heights, Whose sole companions through the lonely nights Are eagles' pinions and the throbbing stars, I greet thee! thou titanic, adamantine rocks, That through long ages have withstood the shocks Of subterranean forces, mighty beyond ken Of all the puny, helpless sons of men, — 1 gaze on thee with wide and awe-struck eyes! My soul is humbled to the dust, and cries Aloud to the divine Creator of it all — "Lord, let me know mine end! O, let me fall Upon my knees amidst the solemn stillness of these peaks! O, let me here await, in peace, the coming of Thy call!" SPRING now oft have poets written of the Spring! This joyous time when Nature casts Her mantle full in the lap of Mother Earth — This birth-time of the birds and trees and flowers. From myriad branches float the songs they sing — Winged-messengers of springtime hope and cheer; While at my feet the sweet arbutus glances up And brings me back to happy days of youth, When, through the fragrant fields and leafy woods, a king, I strode — monarch of all, it seemed to me, So full of rich, strong, vibrant life, I was. Ah, then 'twas Spring indeed, for me! Old noisy Winter, with his frosty sting, Had fled discomforted to northern caves Before the south-wind's balmy breath, And all the happy sprites of Spring Danced in one long, mad carnival of glee. And so doth poor humanity forever cling, Through days of wintry darkness chill, To thoughts and hopes of a returning Spring, When all of life's distress and care and toil Shall flee eternally away. Ittl But, O! what of those lives that never ring With songs of springtime hope and joy? Who struggle on through winters of adversity Without one single ray of light to rend the gloom? Into whose dreary span of years there comes no living thing Of love nor bliss nor satisfied desires, — Only the icy clutch of hope-deferred forever at the heart, The soul benumbed, bewildered with a dumb despair? Perhaps there'll come a time when these shall fling, Full in the face of earthly winter hoar, Their cerements of clay, and stand redeemed, With faces shining as the sun! And, kissed by those celestial breezes soft, that bring To pallid cheeks the light of peace and joy, They'll lift their voices and exultant sing: "The winter of our troubled life has fled away! O glorious clime! God's Country, fair! Land of Eternal Spring!" fi [34] TRUCKEE RIVER k ivER, swift! whence flowest thou? Dost thou know? Born 'mid ice and snow, Whirling, madly swirling, Ever onward hurling — Wave on wave — Onward to thy grave. Seething, hissing, foaming, Wayward in thy roaming, Heedless of those flowers of lovely hue And calm summer-skies of blue That greet thee, hurrying past, Boisterous to the last — Wave on wave — Onward to thy grave. Winter's icy bands strive with thee in vain: Turbulent in shine or rain, Leaping like a frightened horse, Nothing stays thy mad'ning course — Wave on wave — Onward to thy grave. Knowest thou thy destiny? — That ocean's waste-immensity [351 Is not thy final bourn? Of all thy power shorn, Supine thou'lt sink at last In the burning sand Of a silent land — In Nevada's desert, vast ! Soul of mine! whence goest thou? Dost thou know Better than the river's flow? Whirling, swirling in the strife Of this fleeting mortal life; Heedless in thy mad'ning course; Reaping sorrow and remorse; Passing all earth's flowers by; Never gazing in the sky Of God's Great Benignity — Soul! what is thy destiny? Wilt thou lose thyself at last In some desert, wild and vast? Sink into the burning sand In some far-off Silent Land? [36] LAKE TAHOE ^"""N^m bosom ed 'mongst primeval forests vast, lT^^*j And girt about by the eternal hills, — ^^-^^ Whose ermined peaks look down on thee and smile When touched with splendor by the dying sun — Tahoe, of sapphire and of emerald hues, I greet thee! And thou dost answer smile with smile Until the last-departing beam hath faded from thy breast: And then, the hush of night enfolds thee, — Unbroken, save for the even-song the tall pines whisper to thee, And the murmur of the ripples on thy shore. The night skies cover thee, as with protecting wings, And from their silent depths thou mirrorest in thy depths The gleamings of a radiant host of stars. Good-night to thee! And yet again, good-night! Into thy unfathomed deeps I'd cast forever all of the sorrows, Cares and fruitless seekings of this mortal life, And turn from thee regenerated, free, with face serene As is thy face when morning breaks upon thee, And ushers in another summer day as peaceful As these fleeting Sabbath hours, — Reflecting God's Eternal Peace! fi [37] LITTLE RIVER jver! little river! Tender memories hover Round thy every winding turn. Thoughts of youth within me bum As I on thy bosom float. Thou art ever dear to me, River! little river! Flowing to the sea. River! little river! Evening shadows gather As the day dies in the west, And the young birds seek the nest: Then each rock and flower and tree Mirrored in thy depths I see, River! little river! Flowing to the sea. River! little river! Moonbeams on thee dance and quiver; Sunbeams, star-gleams, kiss thee ever; Summer breezes soft, caress thee; Wintry winds across thee shiver; Still thou flowest, changing never, River! little river! Flowing to the sea. [38] River! little river! Earthly ties may sever, Hopes of youth may shattered be, Still thou flowest faithfully — Never pausing, ever flowing, Ever and forever — River! little river! Flowing to the sea. River! little river! I am weary of Life's fever — Bear — O, bear me to the Giver Of all joy and peace and rest! Bear me on thy tranquil breast To the Islands of the Blest! Little river! — Mine forever! — Bear me to thy Boundless Sea! To thy Vast Infinity! SONGS OF LOVE [41] SING ME A SONG OF LOVE ING me a song with love for its theme, — Love that's unselfish and pure, Love that is boundless and sure — Sing me a song of love. Sing me a song with love for its theme, — Not love that is found in some beautiful dream, But every-day love with its laughter and losses, Its hopes and its heartaches and crosses — Sing me a song of love. Sing me a song with love for its theme, — Love full of sunshine and joy and thrills, The real love, the old love — "old as the hills" — Sing me a song of love. Sing me a song with love for its theme, — The love of a maid with its resplendent gleam, As she gives her first kiss to the youth of her choice, And knows that she lives but to love and rejoice — Sing me a song of love. Sing me a song with love for its theme, — The love that shines forth from the fond mother's eyes When close to her bosom her sleeping babe lies — Sing me a song of love. Sing me a song with love for its theme, — The love that's as broad as humanity's scheme, That noblest of all love, encompassing all, The love that in Eden held sway, 'ere the Fall — Sing me a song of love. (431 THY GLOWING EYES ^^"v glowing eyes so deep, dear, I J Speak of the happy hours ^^■'^When hand in hand we wandered 'Mid fields and springtime flowers. Thy tender eyes so sweet, dear, Tell tales of bygone bliss, And memories beset me Of one last, lingering kiss. Thy sparkling eyes so bright, dear, Rouse me to action fine, And noble thoughts possess me — True counterparts of thine. Thy laughing eyes so glad, dear, Uplift my heart oppressed, Till through its chambers swelling Chime anthems of the blest. Thy mournful eyes so sad, dear — The sorrows of the past Shall nevermore remembered be When these arms hold thee fast. [44] O wondrous, wondrous eyes, dear! A spell o'er me they cast That, strong and sure, shall bind me Till Life's dream ends at last! [451 LULLABY 'leep, my dear one, sleep! Angels guard thy rest! Lay thy tired head Close against my breast — Sleep, my dear one, sleep! Sleep, my dear one, sleep! Sorrows all forgot, In the dreamland realms Bliss shall be thy lot — Sleep, my dear one, sleep! Sleep, my dear one, sleep! Gone from thee all care; Seraphs' songs for thee are ringing In the silent air — Sleep, my dear one, sleep! Sleep, my dear one, sleep! God's own stars gleam on To guide thee through the maze of night Unto the Perfect Dawn — Sleep, my dear one, sleep! [;4*1 EXPECTANCY ^^^he night-bird wings its flight to realms in air; M JSoft o'er the mountains falls the purple haze; ^^^And, one by one, the glist'ning stars in heaven appear, And over all the sunset's dying blaze: — The summer day, so beautiful, is done! Onward I speed into the gathering gloom Toward one bright star resplendent in the West — Dear star of love, which shines in every room Of this enslaved heart that chafes within my breast — Patience, O heart! a little longer yet, and Heaven is won! [47] DREAMING X dream of thee when throbbing stars are shining, And all the slumb'ring world is hushed in dark repose; I feel thy yielding arms about my neck entwining, While deep within my heart Love's fire resplendent glows. I dream of thee when Dawn its way is winging Out of the shadows on blazing pinions fleet; I hear the birds in all the tree-tops singing, And feel within my soul thy gentle presence sweet. I dream of thee amid the noontide splendor, When in heaven's deeps of blue the white clouds float and fade; I hear thy voice in accents soft and tender; I feel upon my brow dear hands caressing laid. I dream of thee and life no more is dreary, All care and sorrow flee eternally away; Then in these arms I'd fold thee close, my dearie, And upward sweep with thee to realms of Endless Day! [48] MY PRAYER ^^«^he love-light in thine eyes, dear heart, fl JDwells ever with me — even in my dreams: ^■^And though in space and time we're far apart, Thy presence thrills me, stills me, holds me with its beams. Ojoy! peace! bliss divine! All, all, is mine, if in thy faithful love I share — Sun of my soul! O, let me call thee mine! God bless thee, keep thee, save thee, is my prayer. [49] LONELINESS Oh e art bereft! The hours are sad and dreary; The wings of Time seem leaden; The way is long and weary — O heart bereft! O heart bereft! O heart bereft! Life seems an endless sorrow; A somber, joyless day, Without one glad tomorrow — O heart bereft ! O heart bereft ! O heart bereft! In loneliness declining, Know that behind the clouds The sun is ever shining: That, for each hour of grief and pain, God gives an hour of joy again — O heart bereft! O heart bereft! [So] IF I COULD CHOOSE AN HOUR Xf i could choose an hour, dear heart, An hour from care and trouble free- From all life's worries set apart — I'd spend that hour with thee. If I could choose an hour, dear heart, Full to the brim with joy and glee, Afar from men and busy mart, I'd spend that hour with thee. If I could choose an hour, dear heart, When I from earthly bonds might flee, Urged on by Love's swift, flaming dart, I'd spend that hour with thee. If I could choose my final hour — The very last in life for me, — Helpless, undone, in Death's chill power, I'd spend that hour with thee! [5i] FROM A CAR WINDOW ^^^he mountains grand M J On every hand ^^^Are mantled quite In ermine-white. The sage-brush low Droops 'neath the snow And Winter's breath Brings touch of death. To leaden skies The lone bird cries And dreary desolation reigns In all the Desert's treeless plains. But in my heart Dwell thoughts apart From this chill scene — Sweet thoughts serene. They hurry back Along the track The iron-horse, In madd'ning course, [5*1 Hath carried me, Far, far from thee, And now thy presence sweet Fills me with joy complete. And in this gloom Rich flowers bloom; Hope, Love, and Peace are mine,- Foretaste of Heaven divine! 1 53] A NIGHT-DREAM ^^^he brooding spirit of the Night M J Holds me as one enthralled! ^^^ Her sable mantle, star-bedight, Hath quenched the last, faint, flickering gleams Of sunset's dying beams. The lowing kine no longer call; The birds are sleeping in the nests; Beneath a subtle, slumbrous pall, All Nature rests. Onward I plunge into the deep'ning night: To the four corners of the silent earth — East, West, North, South — I look in vain for light; For just one solitary human ray To guide my lonely way. I send my voice into the inky void: I listen for one single human word To cheer my tired soul, But no reply is heard. Upward I lift my face unto God's skies: Ah, yes! His lamps are burning there — Those gleaming, countless, starry-eyes — But O, so cold, so far-away they seem, As in a dream ! (54l I send into those astral deeps A long, wild cry to Him who keeps The worlds within the hollow of His hand, And e'en the sparrow's fall doth see: "O Abba Father! answer me! Guide Thou my stumbling feet! I cannot longer stand!" And lo! His wondrous voice replies Out of the ambient skies: But O, so cold, so far-away it seems, As in a dream! I raise my heavy hands to Him in sore distrust, Then sink bewildered, fainting in the dust: I grovel in that stygian darkness there; I wrestle with my stricken soul in prayer. "O Love! Dear Love! canst hear my voice? Is this the end?" I cry — "O, haste thee on the wings of Night! O, stay not for the dawning-light! Outstretch to me thy tender arms! Else, must I die!" The song-birds sweet, are waking; Her soft hand mine is taking; [55l The music of her voice is in my ear; Her glowing eyes upon me shine; Her tender arms about me twine; Her throbbing heart beats close to mine- The morning breaks! All nature wakes! ! My Love is here! ! ! [56] THE BIRTH OF LOVE Hove comes, as comes the blossom sweet — With tender care the seed is sown; We watch, each morning, for the tiny shoot; And lo! at last, we've come into our own. The rain falls on the parched earth, The sun's warm splendor follows swift, And flowers come forth, kissed by the rain and sun; And over all the fleecy cloud doth drift. Thy gentle presence, like the rain, falls on my parched heart, And follows swift the sunshine of thy smile; And Love, the sweetest flower in earth or Heaven, is born; And soft, entrancing music drifts o'er my soul the while! (57] A HYMN OF PRAISE 'ing, O my soul, thy hymn of praise! Shout forth to highest heaven thy joy; Join thou the song-birds' morning lays; Sing, O my soul! Angelic notes employ. Sing, O my heart, the sweet refrain of love! Break every evil bond that binds thee to the Past; Catch thou grand harmonies from the choirs above; Sing, O my heart! for love now holds thee fast. Sing, O my life, a long, triumphant song! Crush to the earth each mean, unworthy thought; Rise in thy power and smite the hosts of Wrong; Sing, O my life! for love thy soul hath bought. Rise then, my soul! My heart! My life! Send ringing down the years kind words and actions fine; Gird on thine armor, enter bold the strife; Sing, with thy dying breath, "Love's Heaven is mine!" [*8] A CALIFORNIA LEGEND beautiful legend is told By the Klamaths, once war-like and bold, Of Ahwahnee, the fairest of maids, And Owayno, the God of the Sun, Who many a fair maid had won As at evening she strolled in the glades. The swift, dazzling gleam of his smile The eyes of each maid did beguile; But swifter the clasp of his arm As he folded them close to his breast And swept to his caves in the west, And the sunset's ineffable calm. But of real love he never had heard: His heart was as free as the bird That wakes at the first touch of dawn And sees on the blue mountain-height The torch of the Sun-God alight, And greets it with rapturous song. Now, Ahwahnee was loved by a youth, — The son of the great chief Karsooth — Who among all the Klamaths was known [59l As the mightiest hunter and brave That ever the Great Spirit gave Their proud tribe — the noble Kahsoon. And the love of Kahsoon was returned By the gentle Ahwahnee, who learned From her master and lord many things: How the bear lay asleep all the winter; How the deer and the panther did enter The snares that were set by the springs. And how the industrious beaver, That cunning and marvelous weaver Of sticks and of stones, built his wigwam In the depths of the swift-flowing river, With its rush and its gleam and its quiver Through the forest in sunshine and storm. And of the great grizzly bear That Kahsoon bravely tracked to his lair. And she saw the deep scars at his throat That the monster had made ere he died With the knife of Kahsoon in his side, — Who swooned with the pain, as he smote. And then of the terrible battle, When the Modocs, with war-whoop and rattle [6a] Of war-drum, swooped down on the slumbering village. And how, after long hours of fighting, The maurauders saw victory alighting, And began their red plunder and pillage. How the rising sun, scorching and red, Looked down on the field of the dead Where the Klamaths had made their last stand: How the wail of the women, grief-ridden, Who in the dark forest lay hidden, Was borne through the desolate land. How, afar in the heart of the mountains, Where the limpid streams gush forth like fountains, Kahsoon and his band of young warriors Were hunting the panther and bear, When clear, through the still morning air, Rose the yells of the fiendish destroyers. How, on his wild steed, at the sound, He swept, like the wind, o'er the ground, With his followers close at his back — On! On! with the speed of the wind, Till the trail of the spoilers they find, And madly they follow the track. On! On! Through the heat of the noon, Till the westering sun reached the zone [6i] Of the night, and the bright California moon Shed its beams o'er the Modocs' wide path, They swept in their fierce, silent wrath, And prayed that their vengeance come soon. At last the encampment-fires gleam By the side of a slow-running stream, And Kahsoon and his warriors alight: To the spot where the Modocs lie sleeping, All unconscious of foes on them creeping, They stealthily glide through the night. The tomahawks' swift, silent fall Cleave the heads of the sentinels, all — No time for the death-song is given; But the death-rattle sounds in the throat, And the howls of the dogs rise and float, And with war-whoops the still air is riven. Now, the rush of the battle is on ! Though outnumbered an hundred to one The Klamaths fall quick on the foe: The play of their lances, swift-flashing, The whir of their arrows, swift-crashing, Cause the Modocs' red life-blood to flow. And Kahsoon, in the thick of the fight, Hews down to the left and the right [62] The fiends that encircle him round; Until all about him arc lying Great heaps of the dead and the dying. While torrents oi blood drench the ground. Ami now, straight before him there stands. With knife and with lance in his hands, OneCO, the great Modoc chief; And Kahsoon, in a voice tull of scorn, Calls him squaw-man, and cow.ird, and t'.iwn, And liar, and boaster, and thief. And OneCO returns gibe tor gibe — Tells Kahsoon that he never will live To see the first gleam of the dawn; And then hand to hand they engage. And fierce is the struggle they wage. While Klamath and Modoc look on. Till Kahsoon, with a masterful thrust, Lays Oneco, the great, in the dust, And severs the scalp from his head; While the Modocs in terror are Hying, At sight of their chieftain there, dying — Flying back to their great Lava Bed. 63l ii. Ahwahncc these tales oft had heard From the lips of her master and lord, — These tales, and a great many more; And she listened with eyes brightly beaming, The love in her heart eaeh day seeming Far stronger than each day before. And they sat in the hush of the evening, When the notes of the whippoorwill blending With the cricket's sweet, low plaintive song, Made music that banished all sadness, And filled all the night with its gladness, While the tide of their love swept along. And they talked of the day, yet to come, When his wigwam should be, too, her home, And she kissed him, and whispered her love; And she said: "I will follow, Kahsoon, As the green sea doth follow the moon — Be as true as the bright stars above! "With bright feathers thy war-lance shall glow; I will make for thee arrows and bow, And with skill weave thy moccasin beads; And when the sun sinks in the west [6 4 ] I will make a soft bed for thy rest Out of pine boughs and sweet tule-reeds. "For thee all the burdens will bear; From the deer thou dost kill will prepare The choicest of savory food; And when the dread fever hath laid Its hand on Kahsoon's aching head, I will steep him herbs that are good." And so spake Ahwahnee the fair, To her master and lord sitting there In the hush of the evening so still; And on his broad breast soft she lay, And he watched till the fingers of Day Made their imprint on woodland and hill. in. Now the legend doth say, you have heard, That the Sun-God knew never a word Of love — that bewildering thing! Notwithstanding the maids he had won, Owayno, the God of the Sun, Was untouched by its maddening sting, Until one balmy evening in May, When in ambush he stealthily lay 1*5] In the glade where the maidens did walk, He .saw, in the gleam of his smile, Ahwahnee stroll down the green aisle, And softly behind her did stalk. And he flashes his bright golden beams 'Cross the path of the maiden, who dreams, As she walks, of the noble Kahsoon; Then, as she turns, her slow steps to retrace, The Sun-God sends full in her face Those gleams that all maidens have won. But not so with Ahwahnee the fair, Who is standing, so beautiful, there; For the warm, glinting rays in her eyes Doth neither bewitch nor beguile, As she waits, all so pensive, the while, And Owayno looks down in surprise. And whence comes this pang of unrest As he sweeps to his caves in the west And the sunset's ineffable calm? With chagrin he hath found that his dart Hath failed to reach Ahwahnee's heart, While his own hath been pierced by her charm [66] IV. And thus the great Owayno heard Of love — O, the marvelous word! — And he felt all the pangs that it brings — The longings, the sighings, the moanings, The miseries, happiness, groanings, Of poor mortals who suffer its stings! And eve after eve in the glade The Sun-God in green ambush laid For Ahwahnee, who walked in his beams; But try as he did every wile, This maiden he failed to beguile, For the noble Kahsoon filled her dreams. And so, with the sting and the smart Of love unrequited, his heart Grew heavy with anguish and pain; For his passion was vivid and real — Such as only the great gods can feel — But he longed for Ahwahnee in vain. For the maid to Kahsoon now was wed; And when Owayno heard it, he said: "My curse on the mortals of Earth! In winter no more will I shine! [6 7 ] In summer, the maize and the vine I will kill at the moment of birth!" So in winter he sulked in his cave And no warmth to the Klamaths he gave, And thousands died under his curse: But the fate that remained for the rest, When the Sun-God came back from the West, Was even a thousand times worse. For when, in the first days of Spring, The maize, vines, and every green thing Gave promise of plenteous store, Owayno's fierce, blistering rays Beat down on them through the red haze, And they withered and died, evermore! Then Famine stalked through all the land, And fair California's strand Was piled high with the corpses of men; And Kahsoon laid his head on the breast Of Ahwahnee and sank to his rest, As he blessed her again and again. And then came the terrible rain, As Owayno now sent back again The waters he's stored in the sky; [68] And higher and higher the flood Rose, until the whole land was submerged, Except one sharp mountain-peak high. And there on that peak, all alone, Ahwahnee, her face turned to stone, Sat watching the black waters roll; And she sent up an agonized cry That reached to the depths of the sky: "Kahsoon! O, receive thou my soul!" Far above, in the heart of a cloud, Heard the Sun-God the cry of his love, And straight through the mist and the rain He flashed his bright beams on the rock To which Ahwahnee clung, 'midst the shock Of the turbulent waters, in vain: For the swirl of the ravaging flood Swept over the spot where she stood And she sank 'neath the surge of the wave; But she rose in a moment, and soon Felt the rays of the God of the Sun, And heard his far-call — "I will save!" Then on each drop that held her entombed He focused the blaze of his sun, [6 9 ] And, swifter than lightning's sharp glare, Drew her up to his bright home above, And cried: "Ahwahnee! My light and my love!" And kissed her, and stroked her soft hair. And she lay for a moment at rest 'Midst the life-giving beams on his breast, Then uplifted her beautiful head; But he pressed her again to his heart, And whispered "No more shall we part!" And Ahwahnee made answer, and said: "Great Sun-God, I owe thee my life; And, for this, will become now thy wife; But I cannot bring to thee the boon Of a life and a heart full of love, For true as the bright stars above, I remain to my husband, Kahsoon! "I know never more I shall see His face, that is dearer to me Than all else in that old world or this, But I'm sure in the Great Spirit's Land, — Perchance on some beautiful strand — My Kahsoon walks in infinite bliss!" t7o] The anguish, the pain, the surprise, That shone in Owayno's clear eyes, Moved the gentle Ahwahnee to tears, And, prostrate, she cried: "Take my life! Take my blood! O thou noble Sun-God! But leave me the love of past years!" VI. And Owayno, the Sun-God, looked down On that fair face and quivering form, And there came to his tear-bedimmed eyes A look of compassion, so tender and real, Such as only the great gods can feel, And as soft as his own sunset skies. And he lifted her up, with the grace of a god, And cried: "Kahsoon shall again be thy husband and lord! O Ahwahnee! My love and my lost! Ah! It never was meant that the great Gods should win The love of the children of men! O Ahwahnee! My love and my lost! "And the flood on the earth shall subside When my beams its deep waters hath dried, And thy race shall inherit the land; [7i] And fairer than ever before That old world shall be, evermore — Only blessings shall fall from my hand. ' 'And, for thy sake, I never again Will withhold from thy people the rain, Nor kill the young maize, nor the vine; And for thy sake, no more in the winter The Frost-God their wigwams will enter: And this promise I give thee and thine." VII. Then, straight to the beautiful strand Of the Great Spirit's fair, happy land, He shot forth the beams of his sun, And they caught up Kahsoon, walking there, And swept back with him, through the clear air, To Owayno's bright, far-distant home. And there, on the fleece of a cloud, Knelt Ahwahnee, her lovely face bowed In the passionate longing of prayer; And then through the tremulous gleams Of the Sun-God's rich, translucent beams, She saw her Kahsoon standing there. And she fell in his arms with a cry That rang e'en to the Great Spirit's sky — [7^1 "Kahsoon! O my husband! My lord!" For a moment Owayno looked on, Then swept from their sight and was gone. And, weeping, they cried — "Come back! O thou noble Sun-God!" And out of the silence and dazzling flame Of transcendent splendor and glory, there came A wild echo from far-heights above: "It never was meant that the great gods should win The love of the children of men! OAhwahnee! My lost and my love!" And the Klamaths believe the sweet legend, And when the rain falls on the parched land, Bringing promise of harvest and cheer, They say: " 'Tis Ahwahnee, returning To Earth with her love and her yearning For home and her people, so dear!" And when, the blessed rain over, The sun rends the dark clouds that cover His face in the afternoon-sky, And they see his beams drawing up water, They cry: " 'Tis Ahwahnee, our daughter, Returning to Kahsoon on High!" [73l TWILIGHT ^^^^here is an hour, M J 'Twixt daylight and the dark, ^^^When tender recollections come to me,— Sweet memories that overpower All else of place or time or sense. Soft then the touch of her dear hands, Our tears, commingling, fall again; Her soul speaks to my soul; her heart Is bound to mine with tender bands Of love and joy and everlasting trust. The deepest depths are stirred again; Surpassing fair all life unto me seems; The Present full of noble thoughts and aims; The Future holds no haunting shadows then; Gone all the sorrow, passion, pain. O twilight hour! I long for thee That I may live again those moments dear; O, haste thee on Time's leaden wings And bring my lost love back to me! And when Life's twilight falls on me, And death-damps dim my glazing eyes, (74l And stalking through the gloom I see the specters of Eternity, O, let not memories then be mine, But blessed, sweet reality! Her warm breath on my icy cheek, Her dear lips pressed against mine own, Her sobbing farewells in my tailing ear, Her soft hand clasping my cold hand, I'll gently pass into the Silent Land! [751 MOTHER-LOVE ^■t^e may well say that love is the lever 1 m ^ nat movetn this old world forever. VJIx Yet, love hath so many gradations, So many poor adulterations, That pure love's exceedingly rare. There's the love that is worldly and sordid, Where only one's self is accorded The right to the best on Life's table, And, like unto the fox in the fable, Wants also the other's poor share. And there's love like the dog's for his master, Whose footsteps he'll follow the faster When he knows there's a bone to be given; And when he the choice morsel hath riven, Will lie down content with his fare. But there's one love that's ever unfailing, Over all of Life's trials prevailing; — I'm sure that the Lord looked on it and smiled, When he gave to the mother her love for her child. X l7<>1 i OVE'S PERFECT WHO] E know .i wnni.Hi wiih such ten dei eyes, rii.ii just i" :'i > into their deeps Is like -i glimpse ol Pai adise. I know i woman with such wondrous lips, I'h. u just to touch them \\ ith mine own Tin ill', to i !>*■ \ ei \ finget tips* l kiu'w .1 woman with •> smile so sweet) I'h. it just (" bask u\ us bright beams Fills nu- with i>>\ complete! I kiu'w .i woman with •> heart so true) That it l o> c t .in Imk enter there I ove dun is boi n .un \\ 1 know .i woman with .i soul so pure, No earthly dross can tarnish it, \i< W.M k|l\ W ileS HI. IN' 111! Q, \iui in (in-, woman's tender eyes, l hi sunk- so sweet, hei wondrous lips, I Km- heart so true and hei pure soul, I find l ove*s pei feet \\ hole. 77 I.OVI/S PASSING ove < .inic to niy humble dwelling) ( Jcnl ly i apped upon I lie dooi i ( razed I ai her from my window I'.iiki face ne'er seen beroi el H " I .el me in I" '.I"' cried) entreating) " I have i ome to bud with I heel Still l lingered at the i asement , Till l < ould no longer see. 11 Let ii"' in I The nighl '■• advani mg! I am wc.ny, hungry) < old I Then the door I (|ui< kly opened, Took her in my ;u ms so hold, Set her down before I he lire, Placed before hei food and wine; All the room seemed now transfigured Wiih < elestial light divine. Then I knelt beside her '.ofily, I )kw her < Lose unto my breast , l