ifcl:'|:l-l':%:*^/ omti tertle l^ecdffiS GoipghtN°. Mid COPYRIGHT DEPOSm ws^?^ ^ «■ -^ '^>i^ H JM^rtlc I(eed K| "S^ r^ 5^5 Copyright, igio by MYRTLE REED McCULLOUGH rbc 1kntckcrbocf;er iprcss, IRcw liJorl; ICU2732l*6 J. S. McC. The author desires to make acknowledgment for the courtesy of the editors of The Smart Set, The Cosmopolitan, Ainslee's Magazine, and The Associated Sunday Magazines, who have given their permission to reprint in this volume certain sonnets originally published in their several periodicals. M Contents PAGE Choice 2 Confession 4 Love's Blindness ^ The Storm 8 The North Star lo An Old Love Song i2 The Water of Forgetfulness ... 14 Sunset on the Shore 16 Violets 18 Roses 20 Where Sea and River Meet .... 22 Dream River 24 Outward Bound 26 Waiting 28 The Tide 30 Your Roses 32 [vii] PAGE Love*s Afternoon 34 Star- Break ....... 36 The Path , . 38 The Lovelight . 40 The House of Pain 42 Forgiveness , . 44 A Violin 46 Weaving 48 At Twilight 50 The Last Journey 52 Night 54 A Lost April 56 A Robin in the Rain 58 Devotion 60 Tokens ........ 62 An Old Garden 64 Lavender . . , 66 Harvest 68 The Vineyard 70 Indian Summer 72 [viii] PAGE Crowned 74 The Last Time 76 Aftermath 78 Absence 80 Winter 82 Old Letters 84 Death and Love 86 Afterward 88 [ix] Sonnete to a Xover Cboice HE eyes of one shall open on the mom Where sunrise fires stain white peaks afar, Another in the valley, where no star Breaks on the gloom, of sea and midnight born; And where the poppies riot through the corn The one, unshod, may pass with wound nor scar — The other's struggling hands no gates unbar; Thus one shall have the rose and one the thorn. w If I could choose and could not be denied, Thy way would lie in many a sunny field While through the night my thorny path would be; Forever in the dark would I abide And I would be thy solace and thy shield, If I could choose — if I could choose for thee! [3] Confession EAR, wouldst thou have me say how much I care, And send the scarlet flood into my cheek? Shall I forget my womanhood and speak? Before thee must my inmost self lie bare? I have no thought I would not have thee share. And yet my faltering words must prove too weak If I would give the knowledge thou dost seek Of love that is not passion, but a prayer. w Ah, chide me not, Heart's Dearest — let me feel Down deep within my soul the stead- fast trust That only those who truly love may know; Forgive me if my lips may not reveal The crimson roses hidden in my dust — I cannot speak because I love thee so! [5] Xove's Blinbness O fault in me? And wouldst thou have me take My lover's tender words and deem them true? What if my sight should find perfection, too, And thus another grievous error make? I would the dream were real for thy dear sake. Since with a greater gladness thou couldst woo Were I a goddess, not a woman who Must fear and tremble lest thou shouldst awake. [6] No fault in me? Dear Heart, it is thy love That with transfiguring mist has veiled thine eyes To make thy vision of me always kind; And so I pray, to Him enthroned above, That to thy height of beauty I may rise, Or else God keep thee still divinely blind. [7] Cbe Storm ILD winds that grow to fury scourge and lash The threatening sea that echoes back their cries; Before the storm a single sea-gull flies While whitening breaker legions meet and crash. The wind and tide in deadly battle clash, Where tattered surges in swift anger rise To thunder back the challenge that de- fies The darkened sky, torn by the lightning's flash. [8] I fear no storm, within thy sheltering arm, Nor yet the thronging thunders, nor the dark, Nor booming breakers through the midnight hurled; Thou art my Captain, shielding me from harm, And through the tempests thou wilt guide my bark Past all the rocks and dangers of the world. [9] ^M 1 Zhc Bortb Star N realms of night, ere dawn and day began, Amid the vaulted dark this star was set, And shining with unchanging splendor yet It guides the faltering steps of wayworn man. Adrift at sea, the troubled pilots scan The stormy heavens and frowning clouds that let No single gleam of white or violet Upon the zenith's dark and threatening span. [10] And even as the storm-tossed sailor lifts Bewildered eyes to midnight's hollow sphere And guides his course by steady lights above, So through the darkness, broken into rifts, I never yet have failed to find thee. Dear, Nor have I lost the compass of thy love. ["] Hn ©lb %ovc Song S if upon my heart-strings softly played By angel hands that touch the chords unseen, Through all the dead sweet years that lie between, There comes the music of a serenade. Of olden dreams the melody is made, Of violets that bloom amid the green; And like a benediction, calm, serene, A gentle peace upon my soul is laid. [12] And yet, forgive me if the hot tears start, When at the end the deep chords seem to pause And great arpeggios swell out clear and strong, For thou hast kept the sun within my heart And I must weep for very joy because Our years of love are mingled with the song. [13] i^^ft Zbe Matet of S^oroetfulness Y Stygian shores a sunless river flows, Through barren fields and desert wastes of sand; And on its marge strange, ghostly travellers stand To touch the sombre flood and find repose. One draught of Lethe and there comes to those Who journey to that undiscovered strand, A peace unknown upon this troubled land. Which slowly into marble calmness grows. [14] Some day I too, from thy dear arms withdrawn, On that last voyage sped by prayer and dirge. Shall stand with those who wait be- side the stream; But though beyond me lies immortal dawn, I take no cup of peace from that grim surge If thus my heart shall lose its earthly dream. [15] Sunset on tbe Shore HE last white banners of the fleeting day Had trailed along the sum- mit of the hill, And, as a maid to lover's kiss a-thrill, A crimson flush upon the waters lay ; Soft, tangled lights shone through the irised spray That gleamed afar with alien splen- dor, till The thronging sea-bird's plaintive notes were still, And sunset changed to shadow, then to gray. [16] But, out across the sea that moved so slow, As half asleep and dreaming of the clime Where yesterday these tides had laved the shore. There stole the tender light of after- glow — Like love that lingers for a little time, And leaves remembered sweetness evermore. [17] tDiolets HOLD thy violets against my face And deeply breathe the haunting, purple scent That fills my weary heart with sweet content And lays upon my soul a chrismal grace ; The air around me for a little space Is heavy with the fragrance they have lent, And every passing wind that heaven- ward went Has held thy blossoms in a close embrace. [i8] I think I love the violets best of all Because of that hushed sweetness, far and faint As star-dust through the darkness dimly sown; Forever do they hold my sense in thrall, My spirit kneels as to some imaged saint — For they — and thou — were made to be my own. [19] IRoses EEP dews of June upon thy roses lay, Of April rains and Summer sweetness wrought, And chaliced in the blossoms thou hast brought To give me pleasure for a fleeting day. Love's dearest, sweetest messengers are they, For, like a bee in satin petals caught. May hide an unsuspected tender thought That every opening flower must betray. [20] And haply, if sometimes I find surcease Of tears and sorrow in a lover's gift That with its clustered bloom my breast adorns, It is because thy love has brought me peace. And made through cloud and storm a starry rift — Because with roses thou hast hid my thorns. [21] Where Sea anb IRiver nDeet HE tide goes out, and in its peace serene The river dreams all through the afternoon, Or, turning drowsily, begins to croon A lullaby along its banks of green; And then, through rising mist but dimly seen. There gleams a silvered star and crescent moon. The great deep faintly chanting prayer and rune Across the stretch of sand that lies between. [22] The tide comes in, and with the passioned flow, The river's heart goes out to find the sea. Its utmost waters moving toward the sun; And so, together, Life and Love must go- Where sea and river meet, thy love for me And mine for thee must rise and be as one. [23] Bream IRiver LONG the Fields of Sleep the river strays Where in the sun the golden water glows As with a drowsy melody it flows Through woodland aisles and scented forest ways; And like the dew a Summer morning lays Upon the petals of an opening rose, The mist-veiled eyes of tired dreamers close With soft enchantment resting on their gaze. [24] Amid the clover where the wild bees hum And passing silver sunbeams gently sift Their garnered treasure into meadow grass, I wait, my dearest, till God lets thee come — Until adown Dream River we may drift And gather slumber lilies as we pass. [25] ©utwatb Bounb HEN on the unknown deep there comes a sail, Outlined in shadow on the darkened sea, When far beyond the Captain calls to me. And I alone can hear his searching hail ; Why should I fear to pass beyond the pale And say a long farewell to love and thee, When, set on whitening lips so ten- derly, Thy lover's kiss no longer may avail? [26] When all is done, I have no fear nor dread, So when the Captain calls me, speak me fair And hold my hand a moment in thine own; For I should love thee still though I were dead. And past the waste of waters find thee there — Sweetheart! I know I cannot die alone ! [27] Maitino OMETIMES, when sunset skies are overcast, And I have lived my day as best I know, I fall to dreaming, and remember so The golden hours that shimmered as they passed. Sometimes, when tired eyes are filling fast, I hear thy footfalls near me, hushed and slow; I feel thy kiss upon my hand and grow Toward the calm of perfect peace at last. [28] Sometimes my lonely soul cries out for thee, My hungry heart pleads for thee, deep within. Then once again I hear thy dear voice call; Ah, Sweetheart, say that in Eternity God gives us back these long-lost years, and in A blinding instant we shall find them all. [29] XTbe Zibc AR out at sea the whitening waves grow dim And in a filmy cloud the veiled stars hide; The wind has risen on the waters wide And brought the breakers to the very brim. But yonder, by the dark cloud's shining rim, She moves in beauty, and the restless tide Will pulse around the earth as she may guide And chant the stately measures of a hymn. [30] But, ere her gentle radiance shall fade, The stormy, passioned surge will wait at flood. Its longing music hushed to softest croon ; And like the tide thy wish have I obeyed With answer in my heart and in my blood — I love thee as the sea hath loved the moon! [31] l^our IRoses OUR roses die; the fallen petals blow Across my room with every wandering breeze That stirs the drooping boughs of yonder trees And makes faint music on the shore below ; So still it is, a rose itself might go Star-like, amid the night's dim mys- teries. And, keeping shadowy tryst with one of these. Breathe crimson fragrance to a rose of snow. [32] Your roses die — the petals fade and fall ; The late moon lies upon bare hearts of gold And even these, to-morrow, will be gone; But yet, to-morrow, when my heart shall call, How yours will leap to answer as of old! Your roses die, but oh, your love lives on! [33] Xove'8 Hftetnoon HE sunset radiance on far heights has lain And in hushed murmur flows the singing stream; Amid the maples Autumn splendors gleam, And shadows slowly creep upon the plain. Soft purple dusk lies on the fields of grain And whispered notes of drowsy robins seem Like distant echoes from the hills of dream, Or like the cadence of an April rain. [34] If Love, like dawn and morning, fades away. If only once there comes this thing sublime. If Love's sweet year holds but a single June — I will not ask from God another day, Nor plead for Spring again at harvest- time. But walk toward night with thee, through afternoon. [35] S if by magic sunset gates unbar And through the portals Day goes home to rest; The crimson clouds, massed in the golden west, Foundations of celestial cities are. The flaming beacons shed their light afar Till twilight comes upon the mountain crest ; Gray shadows deepen on Night's quiet breast, That bears the jewel of a single star. [36] Then out upon the meadows, strangely white, Where like a ghostly veil lies autumn mist. The thousand lights of heaven softly shine. Like this thy love has risen on my night, Thy arms around me keep a lover's tryst — Star-break and thee, and thy lips close on mine! [37] Zbc patb E know not where our hidden way may lie, What stress and storm the coming years may hold ; The midday heats and midnights drear and cold May meet us on our journey far or nigh — Yet step by step we go, till by-and-bye The mystic tapestries of Fate unfold; When weary past believing, gray and old, We reach the end together — thou and I. [38] On eyes grown dim the mists of blind- ness creep, The pulse moves slower still, and sorrows fade. But even then we may not under- stand ; Yet God still giveth His beloved sleep — Oh, Heart of Mine, why should we be afraid If only night may find us hand in hand! [39] XLhc Xoveliobt TRONG surges of the world around thee roll And high thy pulses burn at fever heat Amid the thousands in the city street Whose eyes are strained to see a distant goal. The human tide moves far past thy control And weary grow thy hastening, eager feet, When heavy-eyed despair has come to beat With sickening terrors on thy tired soul. [40] My soldier, no! I will not have thee fail! What though untoward Fate against thee seems And far afield has ever made thee roam? Thy steadfast courage must at last pre- vail, And through the lattice-lights my can- dle gleams To lead thee safely back to love and home. [41] Zbc Ibouse of pain AIN rears her castles where the mighty dwell And side by side with them the humblest kneel; The trembling hands that grope in darkness feel Unyielding walls around their prison- cell. She sits amid her rue and asphodel With sorrow on her distaff and her reel; Forever toiling at her loom and wheel With warp and woof she weaves her grievous spell. [42J And yet a captive, in torn garments clad, Who with uplifted face goes singing by Hath sometimes changed a bitter loss to gain; For God hath strangely mingled sweet with sad And in the thorns a hidden rose may lie, Since Love lives ever in the House of Pain. [43] jforGiveness EAR, why shouldst thou for my forgiveness plead And take the blame in knightly lover's way, When thou must know I could not tell thee nay, Since my unfailing pardon is thy meed? Of my mistakes thou hast not taken heed. But yet I fear thy clearer vision may Discern behind thy dream my faulty clay — Then of thy grace shall I have greater need. [44] Forgive thee, dearest? It were passing strange To grant thee pardon for a single fault When all of mine must balance with thy one; I have thy love, beyond the reach of change, Which all my erring future must exalt — And I forgive thee all thou hast not done. [45] H IDioUn ARK night and storm and passioned breakers' din, The sea-bird's note, the vast- ness of the tide And softest winds that through the forest sighed Are with this fibre strangely woven in. The organ tones of surge and sea begin Within this mystic temple, sanctified By all the vanished years that, ere they died, Had hid their sweetness in a violin. [46] Some day the buried music shall be found When master hands awake the sleeping voice To some great song that in crescendo rings ; And thus, as silence changed to rapturous sound, My wakened heart must evermore rejoice Because thy fingers touched the hidden strings. [47] Meavino SOMBRE web is laid upon my loom Where for a little space my hands must weave Whatever pattern passing Fate may leave Upon the threshold of my darkened room. No roses 'neath my trembling fingers bloom, Loose threads and errors I cannot retrieve, And ever with a sore despair I grieve. For stars have never broken on my gloom. [48] When at the last my tears have ceased to flow, When life tides wait forever at the ebb, And Master hands my tapestries unroll, From pleading lips the cry will come, I know: "Dear God, forgive! In that uneven web There lies enmeshed a loving woman's soul ! '* [49] HEN twilight creeps upon thy life and mine, And on the margin of the sea we stand, Will some forgotten light gleam on the sand, Or some lost star in shadow faintly shine ? Shall we find friendly beacons, or a sign To lead us safely to the unknown land That lies in far-off beauty, when my hand Slips softly for the last time into thine? [50] When twilight falls, and, hidden in our dust, No rose of youth our dimming eyes discern, When darkness comes upon us from above ; Shall we still have unstained our life- long trust? Dear God! Thy utmost lessons we will learn, And not complain — if we may keep our love! [51] ^be Xast Journeig OME day the winding path that we have trod, Its changing puroose ever unrevealed, Will lead us safely to a sunny field Where white and crimson clover breaks the sod. Some day, when we have passed beneath the rod. Our harvest at the best a barren yield, The heartaches and the pain shall all be healed By that white peace which is the gift of God. [52] And yet a little longer I would wait, The while thy sands of life still slowly run, Until for thee the sunny fields unbar ; Yes, I will stand beside the meadow gate Till thy last journey, too, is almost done And on the clover faintly gleams a star. [53] Biobt DOWN the lane come flocks of weary sheep With muffled tinklings to the waiting fold; Dim grayness lies upon the sun's last gold, And timid stars into the shadow creep. A gracious darkness on the rocky steep Has fallen where the drowsy sheep- bells tolled, And far afield the drooping poppies hold Within their dusky petals softest sleep. [54] Twilight and hush, and then the mystic hours When Dian moves along her starry ways, From day-long bondage of the sun set free; My soul has opened as night-blooming flowers That fear the heat and splendor of the days — , Ah, Love, 't is night, and I am wait- ing thee! [55] a Xo8t april S this September? In a golden light The sudden rain has passed, and sparkling dew Is dripping from the trees, each drop pierced through With quivering sun-threads, shining sil- ver white. The thrush's note ascends in rapturous flight, And every meadow-lark that upward flew From clover fields at dawn is singing, too, As if there were no Autumn and no night. [56] Is this September? Nay, for on the earth In radiant beauty April treads again, And wooes the robins with her smiles and tears. And so, if dead Spring has another birth, We have not lost our love's first sweetness, then- It waits somewhere adown the aisle of years. [57]