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ROADSIDE RHYMES 
 
ROADSIDE RHYMES 
 
 Joseph Edward Hargrave 
 
 DENVER 
 
 THE KENDRICK-BELLAMY CO. 
 
 1913 
 

 Copyright. 1913 By 
 Joseph Edward Har^rave 
 
 Limited Edition 
 
 # 
 
 ©Ci.A3010G8 
 
PRELUDE 
 
 Shoved aside from the world of strife, 
 
 I sit mid rest by the road, 
 And watch men toil and struggle past. 
 
 Spurred by necessity's goad. 
 
 And as I sit, my songs I sing, 
 Of things as they seem to me, 
 
 Hoping that some may thus be cheered 
 To travel more hopefully. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page. 
 
 The Glory of the Hills 13 
 
 Out of the Night 14 
 
 Nature's Call 15 
 
 The Leaven of Love 16 
 
 Sleep, Baby Dear 17 
 
 When I Dream 18 
 
 A Morning Call 19 
 
 Try It 20 
 
 Contentment 21 
 
 In the Rapids 22 
 
 De Winter Tarn 24 
 
 A Christmas Wish 25 
 
 A Christian Gentleman 26 
 
 For To-Day 28 
 
 The Laugh of a Child 29 
 
 The Chimes 30 
 
 On Lac Magog 31 
 
 A Birthday Wish 32 
 
 Lovelight 33 
 
 Aspiration 34 
 
 The Song of the Bird 35 
 
 A Prayer for Courage 36 
 
 Dreams Are Only Dreams 37 
 
 I'm Singin' All Day 38 
 
 Solace 39 
 
 To M. F. H. On Her Third Birthday 40 
 
 A Pair of Brown Eyes 41 
 
 The River of Time 42 
 
 Outdoors at Night 43 
 
 Fight On 44 
 
 Ma Leetle Dog 46 
 
 When I Go Forth 47 
 
 Firelight Fancies 48 
 
 The Hour That's Best 49 
 
THE GLORY OF THE HILLS 
 
 The face of earth is grandly scarred, 
 As shown where mountains stand; 
 
 Where nature's elements once warred, 
 Then ceased at God's command. 
 
 We wonder at the power that heaved 
 
 And piled them into place, 
 What giant intellect conceived 
 
 Such splendor for earth's face. 
 
 The mighty grandeur of the hills 
 Seen tow 'ring o'er the plain, 
 
 With wonderment our being fills, 
 All else appearing vain. 
 
 While at their feet we stand and gaze, 
 
 As sinks the sun behind, 
 Their glory, through the evening haze, 
 
 Is framed in heart and mind. 
 
 13 
 
OUT OF THE NIGHT 
 
 Out of the night your call comes clear, 
 In yearning my heart goes out to thee ; 
 
 I face life's battle without fear^ 
 
 Made brave by the thought of your 
 love for me. 
 
 Out of the night your call comes clear, 
 Bringing a message of love to me ; 
 
 My heart cries out in answer, dear, 
 That my love is yours through eter- 
 nity. 
 
 14 
 
NATURE'S CALL 
 
 I long for the outdoor life again, 
 To pitch my tent where I list again, 
 By rippling lake, or in shady glen. 
 To paddle all day in my good canoe, 
 And lie by the fire when my work is 
 
 through, 
 Smoking my pipe, and dreaming my 
 
 dreams. 
 At peace, where everything peaceful 
 
 seems ; 
 Till the fire has burned itself quite out, 
 Then with a lingering look about, 
 Turn in for a night of dreamless sleep. 
 With only the stars a watch to keep. 
 Though alluring are the haunts of men, 
 I long for the outdoor life again. 
 
 15 
 
THE LEAVEN OF LOVE 
 
 God, who madest earth and heaven, 
 
 The mountain and the plain, 
 put into our hearts the leaven 
 
 Of love, nor let the bane 
 Of selfishness and hate take hold. 
 
 Our inmost souls to kill ; 
 But may Thy love our lives enfold, 
 
 And every moment fill. 
 
 16 
 
SLEEP, BABY DEAR 
 
 Stars are shining in the sky, 
 
 Watching baby dear; 
 God's own angels hov'ring nigh, 
 
 Guarding baby dear. 
 
 Sleep, little baby mine, 
 Sleep, and have no fear ; 
 
 Mother's hand is holding thine, 
 Sleep, for she is here. 
 
 Sleep, my little one, and rest, 
 
 God is always near ; 
 Guarding baby in his nest. 
 
 Sleep then, baby dear. 
 
 17 
 
WHEN I DREAM 
 
 When I dream 
 
 You come to meet me, dear, 
 With love to greet me, dear, 
 What rapture mine to feel your pres- 
 ence near ; 
 Your eyes so bright 
 With love's pure light; 
 With all my heart and soul I love you, 
 dear. 
 
 When I dream 
 
 I see love light your eyes 
 
 Brighter than morning skies. 
 As side by side we roam through love's 
 fair day; 
 
 Content am I 
 
 To live or die, 
 Because I know our love will live alway. 
 
 18 
 
A MORNING CALL 
 
 fluffy bird, in coat of brown, 
 I do not know your name, 
 
 But somehow, it seems more cheerful 
 And brighter since you came. 
 
 When hopping on my window ledge, 
 
 At rise of sun this morn. 
 You chirped so sweetly, telling me 
 
 A new day had been bom. 
 
 Now your coat is very dingy, 
 Your plumage is not gay; 
 
 But your voice is such a sweet one, 
 I fain would have you stay. 
 
 Just how welcome are your visits, 
 I would that you might know, 
 
 And that your promise to return. 
 You'd give me, ere you go. 
 
 little brown bird, I thank you 
 For this bright morning call, 
 
 For coming at the birth of day. 
 To cheer me through it all. 
 
 19 
 
TRY IT 
 
 Force a smile upon your face, 
 When your heart is sad, 
 
 And you'll find it will sink in, 
 Till your heart is glad. 
 
 It may hurt your face to smile, 
 But it's worth the pain, 
 
 For it chases gloom away, 
 And brings joy again. 
 
 20 
 
CONTENTMENT 
 
 A seasoned pipe and a seasoned book, 
 An easy chair in a cozy nook 
 In front of a roaring open fire ; 
 What more could a mortal man desire? 
 
 The weather outside be what may, 
 It matters nothing if I may stay 
 Settled here cozily by the fire, 
 Reading my book and smoking my briar. 
 
 So a seasoned pipe, a seasoned book, 
 An easy chair in a cozy nook 
 In front of a roaring open fire. 
 Is the whole extent of my desire. 
 
 21 
 
IN THE RAPIDS 
 
 what keen joy to kneel in a canoe, 
 and feel 
 It bounding 'neath yon down a rush- 
 ing stream, 
 As your frail craft you guide, and be- 
 tween rocks you glide. 
 Whose spray-covered sides in the sun- 
 light gleam. 
 With brain and arm steady, eye alert 
 and ready 
 To see and steer clear of shallow and 
 reef ; 
 You dash through the churning wild 
 rapids, while spurning 
 All obstacles that might bring you to 
 grief. 
 
 Each muscle aquiver, as the swift run- 
 ning river 
 Carries you on in its glorious flight. 
 Sweet is the water's roar, rushing past 
 rocky shore, 
 Raging and leaping in grandeur and 
 might. 
 
 22 
 
IN THE RAPIDS 
 
 With spray your face stinging, your 
 heart a song singing, 
 The joy of living runs strong through 
 your veins; 
 Till you shoot out at last, where all dan- 
 ger is past, 
 And the joy of it all your memory 
 retains. 
 
 23 
 
DE WINTER TAM 
 
 I lak' w'en winter tarn come roun', 
 An' snow is cover all de groun'; 
 Den plaintee bird come ev'ry day, 
 An' roun' ma leetle caban play. 
 
 'Tis pleasan' t'ing to see dem dere, 
 An' hear deir chirpin' fill de air; 
 I scatter crumb aroun' ma door, 
 For den I know dey'U come for more. 
 
 24 
 
A CHRISTMAS WISH 
 
 My wish for you on this Glad Day, 
 Is that God in His Goodness may 
 Grant you Content that will not cease, 
 And fill your heart with Perfect Peace. 
 
 25 
 
A CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN 
 
 To W. H. S. 
 
 Great deeds are done, and brave, 
 And the whole world applauds; 
 
 Kingdoms are won and lost, 
 And men are hailed as gods. 
 
 Worthy indeed are they 
 
 Who've done their duty well; 
 Worthy to be honoured, 
 Who fought their fight and fell. 
 
 But worthy more, by far, 
 
 Is one of whom I sing ; 
 A prince among all men, 
 
 Nay, more than prince, a king. 
 
 He too his duty does. 
 
 Yet ever in his mind 
 Are gentle thoughts for all, 
 
 For he is always kind. 
 
 To brave and noble men. 
 Is praise and honour due ; 
 
 But most to those who are 
 Gentle and kindly too. 
 
 26 
 
A CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN 
 
 'Tis nobler far to show 
 Kindness wherever one can; 
 
 Therefore I praise and love 
 This Christian gentleman. 
 
 27 
 
FOR TODAY 
 
 God always gives us strength to bear 
 
 The troubles of each day ; 
 So if to Him we would be fair, 
 
 Well use it to allay 
 The troubles that to-day are ours, 
 
 Nor pile to-morrow's fears 
 On those now past, thus building towers 
 
 Of pain and bitter tears. 
 
 28 
 
THE LAUGH OF A CHILD 
 
 The laugh of a child, gladsome sound, 
 
 No music is half so sweet ; 
 The laugh of a child, a little one 's laugh 
 
 Makes hearts in sympathy beat. 
 
 The rippling, gurgling laugh of a child 
 
 Causes all sorrow to flee ; 
 No heart so sad, but it must be cheered 
 
 At sound of a baby's glee. 
 
 The mirth of a child is just as pure 
 
 As that of angels above ; 
 The laugh of a child, a youngster's laugh 
 
 Brings joy to the world, and love. 
 
 29 
 
THE CHIMES 
 
 "eJesn lover of my soul/' 
 Cathedral bells are ringing, 
 
 Sweet the tones, as out they roll, 
 Like angel voices singing. 
 
 ^^Let me to Thy bosom fly,'' 
 The harmony is stealing 
 
 'er the earth, np to the sky. 
 To God on high appealing. 
 
 ^^Safe into the haven guide,'' 
 The music sweetly soaring. 
 
 Mighty as an ocean 's tide, 
 A prayer to God outpouring. 
 
 30 
 
ON LAC MAGOG 
 
 Wen summer tarn she's come again, 
 111 tole you w'at I'll do, ma frien'; 
 111 lef dis place an' tak' ma dog 
 An' camp once more on Lac Magog. 
 
 In ma canoe I'll feesh all day, 
 Dat's w'ere you get good sport — sapr6! 
 Wen night is fine, lie on de groun', 
 An' hear de night calls all aroun'. 
 
 Sometam de loon geev crazy scream, 
 Dat's mak' you t'ink you got bad dream, 
 Dat's sign beeg storm she's soon be dere ; 
 But s'pose she's come, wall ! I don't care. 
 
 I tak' w'at come an' have good tam, 
 Sunshine or rain, it's all de sam, 
 Alway I'm happy wit' ma dog, 
 Wen I camp out on Lac Magog. 
 
 31 
 
A BIRTHDAY WISH 
 
 To W. S. H. 
 
 Though far away, my thoughts are with 
 
 you, dear, 
 On this the day you start another year ; 
 The message that I would to you convey 
 Is ^'May God keep you in His care al- 
 
 way. 
 Guard you from harm, as through the 
 
 years you go. 
 And make your heart with joy and 
 
 peace overflow." 
 
 32 
 
LOVELIGHT 
 
 The setting sun is a gorgeous sight, 
 As it tints the west in reds and golds, 
 
 And we watch it till encroaching night 
 Softly the earth in its cloak enfolds. 
 
 And our souls are awed to see it rise, 
 As slowly its rays spread o'er the 
 earth ; 
 
 And ever it is a new surprise 
 To see another day given birth. 
 
 But to me a far more wondrous sight 
 Than watching the sun to set or rise, 
 
 Is the lovelight shining pure and bright 
 For me, deep down in my dear love's 
 eyes. 
 
 33 
 
ASPIRATION 
 
 Just as the tree, bowed by the raging 
 gale, 
 Rights itself again when the storm is 
 past: 
 So may my spirit, undaunted, prevail 
 O'er the ills w^ith which my life is 
 harassed. 
 
 And as the sun sinks gently in the west, 
 And peaceful twilight steals across 
 the sky: 
 So may I go to my eternal rest, 
 
 When the time appointed comes for 
 me to die. 
 
 34 
 
THE SONG OF THE BIRD 
 
 little bird, singing to your mate, 
 How sweet is the mnsic you create, 
 Filling the air with your song so clear. 
 Letting her know you are waiting here ; 
 You'll not have long to Avait, little bird, 
 For surely your call will soon be heard ; 
 Be not discouraged, but pipe away. 
 Gladdening our hearts, this summer's 
 day. 
 
 35 
 
A PRAYER FOR COURAGE 
 
 To Thee, God, I pray, 
 That courage may be mine to greet 
 All difficulties I may meet, 
 Even though certain of defeat. 
 
 With no feeling of dismay. 
 
 Such courage day by day, 
 That disappointments may not shake 
 My faith in Thee, nor ever make 
 Me wish my duty to forsake. 
 
 For this, God, I pray. 
 
 36 
 
DREAMS ARE ONLY DREAMS 
 
 If I could make my dreams come true, 
 
 happy would I be ! 
 For then I 'd be with thee, dearheart, 
 
 I'd always be with thee. 
 
 I'd take thee in my arms, dear love. 
 And thy sweet face I'd kiss; 
 
 I'd hold thee, so tenderly, 
 And count it perfect bliss. 
 
 I would I could make dreams come true, 
 
 Or else keep dreaming on; 
 But dreams are only dreams, sweetheart, 
 
 Alone I face the dawn. 
 
 37 
 
TM SINGIN' ALL DAY 
 
 I'm singin' all day, for ma heart she's 
 gay! 
 I'll tole you de reason w'y — 
 Wall! somet'ing at las', she was come 
 to pass, 
 For w'ich I was long* tam try. 
 
 I'm try for to get ma petite Fleurette, 
 
 For promise to mariee; 
 Now she say she will, an' I can't keep 
 still, 
 
 Dat's w'y I'm singin' all day. 
 
 38 
 
SOLACE 
 
 It seems, sometimes, as though my heart 
 would surely break, 
 The weight of my great burden, more 
 than I can bear; 
 But God in His great goodness, soothes 
 the pain and ache, 
 Sending me my loved ones, in dreams 
 all bright and fair. 
 
 It seems as though the days would never 
 have an end; 
 I long for night to come, that with 
 them I may be. 
 When day at last is o'er, to God my knees 
 I bend, 
 And pray that He may send these 
 dreams again to me. 
 
 39 
 
TO M. F. H. 
 
 On Her Third Birthday. 
 
 My dear little girl, for you I pray 
 A wealth of blessings on this day ; 
 Round you may angels ever stay, 
 Your precious self to guard alway. 
 
 From every ill, God keep you, dear, 
 
 Remove all cause for any fear, 
 
 And make your pathway bright and 
 
 clear. 
 No worry may you ever know. 
 Calm and contentment with you go, 
 Each day with laughter gay, be rife. 
 So may God bless you, dear, through life. 
 
 40 
 
A PAIR OF BROWN EYES 
 
 A pair of bro^vn eyes show deep love 
 
 for me, 
 Openly careless if all the world see; 
 Whether in private, or in public place, 
 I see only love on a certain face. 
 Perhaps you may think it shameless to 
 
 show 
 One's heart to the world where'er one 
 
 may go ; 
 But I'm sure such thoughts you would 
 
 soon put down, 
 If you knew my dog owned those eyes 
 
 of brown. 
 
 41 
 
THE RIVER OF TIME 
 
 As day by day the years go by, 
 
 Time like a river flows; 
 Sometimes it all too swiftly runs, 
 
 Sometimes too slowly goes. 
 
 We long for power to hasten it, 
 When sorrow comes our way; 
 
 But when our days are filled with joy, 
 We fain would have it stay. 
 
 If days of sadness come to you. 
 
 May they be quickly gone ; 
 But may your days of happiness 
 
 Linger and linger on. 
 
 42 
 
OUTDOORS AT NIGHT 
 
 When the moon is clear and bright, 
 On a crisp, cold winter's night, 
 Have you on your snowshoes gone 
 Through the woods and fields alone, 
 
 Felt new life come into you, 
 Tingling nerves and muscles true ; 
 Freed your heart from every care, 
 As you breathed the bracing air? 
 
 Then you've known the joy of life, 
 Felt your primal instincts rife, 
 Seen all things with clearer view, 
 Felt that God was nearer you. 
 
 For man's soul experiences 
 In the outdoor silences, 
 Deepest awe and reverence 
 Before God's omnipotence. 
 
 43 
 
FIGHT ON 
 
 When fate deals you a blow between the 
 eyes, 
 Which staggers you, and all but knocks 
 you out; 
 So suddenly it takes you by surprise, 
 And while you 're down, deals you an- 
 other clout. 
 
 Get up again, and stand upon your feet, 
 If you are wise, you will not show 
 you're cowed; 
 But that you 11 fight, and will not take 
 defeat. 
 And though you 're bruised, your spirit 
 is unbowed. 
 
 Keep up the fight, so long as you can 
 stand. 
 And even when your strength has 
 given out, 
 And you must rest at nature's sharp 
 command, 
 You still may show youVe pluck be- 
 
 vond a doubt — 
 
 44 
 
FIGHT ON 
 
 By cheerfulness in every act and word. 
 With happiness your daily stock in 
 trade, 
 Your heart, by fear, will never more be 
 stirred, 
 And you can face the worst then, un- 
 afraid. 
 
 45 
 
MA LEETLE DOG 
 
 At night I sit in ma old caban, 
 Wit' ma leetle dog by ma side, 
 
 An' talk to lieem lak' he was a man, 
 An' he open hees beeg eyes wide. 
 
 Alway he onderstan' w'en I'm sad, 
 An' he puts hees head on ma knee ; 
 
 An' purty soon den, ma heart feel glad, 
 Vv^'en I see all hees love for me. 
 
 46 
 
WHEN I GO FORTH 
 
 I feel the time is drawing near, 
 When I must journey forth alone, 
 
 Unto that port whence none return, 
 And where I will, with care, have done. 
 
 In perfect trust will I embark, 
 Though on a voyage yet untried ; 
 
 My course will be made clear for me, 
 When I go with the ebbing tide. 
 
 Let no one weep when I go forth, 
 
 Nor mourn for me when I have gone ; 
 
 But know that rest and peace are mine, 
 And say with me, [' Thy will be done. ' ' 
 
 47 
 
FIRELIGHT FANCIES 
 
 In the twilight of the evening, 
 
 Ere the lights have been tnmed on, 
 
 I sit and gaze into the fire, 
 
 And dream of the times now gone. 
 
 It seems my love then comes to me, 
 And whispers low in my ear. 
 
 In the same sweet way she nsed to : 
 ^^I love you, I love yon, dear." 
 
 When thus she comes, and the firelight 
 Shows her leaning o'er my chair, 
 
 I reach out to draw her to me. 
 Though I know she is not there. 
 
 48 
 
THE HOUR THAT'S BEST 
 
 Of all the day, the hour that's best. 
 Is when the sun sinks in the west, 
 And birds are twitt'ring in the nest, 
 Softer and softer, till they cease, 
 And o'er the earth spreads wondrous 
 
 peace ; 
 When twilight shadows gently creep, 
 And very nature seems to sleep, 
 In her soft cloak of silence dressed, 
 And calmly, sweetly sinks to rest — 
 Of all the day, this hour is best. 
 
 49 
 
DEC 2 1913 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 665 9