Class Book__ CoFpghtW, COF^IGHT DEPOSm POEMS POEMS BY FREDERIC* AND MARY PALMER BOSTON AND NEW YOEK HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY 1912 COPYRIGHT, 191 2, BY FREDERIC AND MARY PALMER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Published November jqi2 (£ ni. A 5! 9. 7 N S R DEDICATION TO GEORGE HERBERT PALMER Ever the Leader! since we pushed from shore In daring voyage across the Boxford Pond, And I looked up, and thought what lay beyond Your vast omniscience God still held in store. I heard, through Poetry's Garden led by you. The clash of Arthur's knights; the dreary call Of curlews flying over Locksley Hall, And the cold silence of the Church of Brou. And as we walked where men of Thought had trod, You cleared the way; and lo! beneath my feet The ground grew firm, and I pressed on to greet. Confident, unabashed, the face of God. So close we dwelt, we hardly stood apart. Before one spoke, subtly the other heard. As hand serves hand without the need of word In quick response, as pulse keeps touch with heart. DEDICATION Now at the restful gate of Age you stand. Shall I, outstripping you for once, press past, And so become the leader at the last. And turn and thence reach back to you a hand ? Or shall you still be foremost ? in the throng Of swift-winged angels speeding far and near On God's bright ministrations, there as here Still foremost, guiding, loving, generous, strong! CONTENTS {The titles 'printed in italics indicate poems written by Mary Palmer.) DEDICATION: TO GEORGE HERBERT PALMER . . . v PROLOGUE 1 EARTH THE NORTH SHORE '^ THE SOUTH SHORE 8 WELLFLEET PONDS 9 SUMMER 10 TO A CUMULUS CLOUD ^ BOXFOBD: THE PARK 12 THE PINES 18 NORTH CONWAY: THE STORM 1* THE MORNING AFTER 15 TO A WOOD-THRUSH 16 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT 1» SPRING'S PURSUER *« SPRING SONG 23 SONG OF THE GLOUCESTER FISHERMAN'S WIFE . . 2* PINES 26 ANDOVER 27 vii CONTENTS CHILDHOOD THE UNBORN 31 THE SEER 32 TO A CHILD 34 THE CHEISTMAS PARTY 36 THE ATTIC 40 RICHES 42 MARRIAGE HER BIRTHDAY 47 SHE 48 NIHIL HABENS ET OMNIA POSSIDENS 49 THE TEMPLE PILLARS 60 A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 61 CHOICE AND LIFE: A VALENTINE 68 OUT OF THE DEPTHS 66 BON VOYAGE 66 TRAVEL 57 LUCERNE 58 ABSENCE 59 MAJOR AND MINOR 60 FEARS — I 61 FEARS — II 62 CONCORDIA DISCORS 63 viii CONTENTS THE THERMOMETER 64 TO ST. VALENTINE 65 THE SILVER WEDDING — I 66 THE SILVER WEDDING — 11 67 LOVE'S IMMANENCE 68 LOVE'S PERMANENCE 69 FRIENDSHIP TO A. E. B 73 ARTEMIS: L. S 74 A BIRTHDAY: E. W. P 75 A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: E. W. P 76 A BIRTHDAY: C. M. L 77 RING SONNETS — I 78 RING SONNETS — II 79 TO H. M. F 80 A LOST CHANCE 81 OCCASIONS ON A YEARLY WOUND CLOCK — I 85 ON A YEARLY WOUND CLOCK — II 87 ON RECEIVING IN 1883 A TRANSLATION OF THE ODYSSEY— I 89 ON RECEIVING IN 1883 A TRANSLATION OF THE ODYSSEY — II 90 STEAMER SONGS: I. THE LOADING 94 II. THE SMOKE 95 ix CONTENTS ON A STATUETTE 96 THE PARTY 98 HEAVEN A HYMN OF PRAYER 105 A HYMN OF PRAISE 107 SUUM CUIQUE 108 AFTER THE RECEPTION 109 SYMPATHY 110 DEATH Ill INFINITY 112 EPILOGUE 113 PROLOGUE PROLOGUE That I can tell of Heaven and Hell These coming lines may show. But how much through experience, And how much through an inner sense — That you shall never know. For I have trod the common sod And seen it burst in jflower, And bushes all with God aflame, And heard sweet suckling babes proclaim His beauty and His power. And I have gazed as one amazed, Beholding things Divine; Who, careless, sitting down to eat. Finds himself served with angels' meat And sacramental wine. But just as up he lifts the cup And reverently drains, He feels a bitter poison dart From out the draught, and stab his heart And burn along his veins. 3 PROLOGUE Can he not tell of Heaven and Hell? Yet what these lines may show — How much experience has taught. How much imagination brought — That you shall never know. EAETH THE NORTH SHORE Thou ceaseless murmur of the unquiet sea, Sounding forever on this rocky coast. These ancient rocks, for all their age can boast, Are but of yesterday compared to thee ! They knew the early world, when men were not, And huge sea-monsters swam in silence by; They knew earth's mighty powers, which gradually Welded them and upreared them in this spot. But thou art still the same as when thy roar Upon creation's primal stillness burst, And God's own hand ordained thee at the j&rst, And morning stars sang forth with awful power. God heard thy voice when first a voice hadst thou. I stand upon the shore and hear thee now! THE SOUTH SHORE What subtle yearning haunts these sea-born hills? Some revelation, sure, they soon will make; Some mighty utterance is about to break. And calm the throb with which my spirit thrills. This broad bare moor, with undulations slow. Is holding something in; these dunes of sand. As endless and inscrutable they stand. Preserve a mystery I fain would know. North, south, the yellow beach sweeps dim away. Here shall I find it? But the waters grim Rise silent up to the horizon's rim And keep the secret I would have them say All beckon solemnly and round me draw. Yet answer not. And I rejoice with awe. WELLFLEET PONDS In cups of green they lie Under the sky, Taking its color deep Into their sleep. Mirrors they are, of glass; And clouds that pass See their own bodies white All bathed in light. Gulls with their pinions soft Wheel up aloft; Herons, with heavy flight, Cry to the night. Sea-breezes salt with spray Make wavelets gay, Rough-tumbling, like the sea, White-capped and free. Twilight falls like a balm; Then utter calm. In their green cups they lie. Under the sky. 9 SUMMER Down on the grass beneath a tree I lay When all the year was rich with days of June, And all the month with one sweet afternoon. I saw the heat uprising from the hay, And heard from far upon his busy way A bumble-bee come booming onward. Soon His hum was lost amid the quiet tune Which all the fields sing on a Summer day. The reeds within the brook moved to and fro, Close by, a pickerel jumped and caught a fly. Above, the fleecy, piled-up clouds moved slow; So slow the motion scarce would catch the eye. Overhead, a breath of wind was rustling low. And made the tree-tops gossip dreamily. 10 TO A CUMULUS CLOUD Thou spirit of the full midsummer time. Floating sublime In the broad heaven, and towering high aloft In whiteness soft, Calm on thy heavenly business thou dost go, Majestic, slow. O'er all our feverish bustle thou dost brood — Our multitude Of small concerns and great. The child at play, The soldier gray. Guilty and guiltless in adjoining cells. Deserts and wells — Thou settest up a glory in the sky To judge these by. That men may lift their eyes and look thereon, And count what's gone Of bliss or woe as holding in life's race But second place; While high above them tower things like thee — Thoughts large and free. Peace brooding deep with soul-refreshing balm. Unruffled calm. Self -guided motion which no shock can swerve. Power in reserve. Life's massive forces holding — what is best — Rest, ever rest. 11 BOXFORD THE PARK Fold upon fold of the magical green; And the Run, like a ribbon, runs blue in the grass, And the little bridge looks at itseK in the glass. And the squirrels go frisking the leaves between. And the willows and shadows blend soft in the heat, And the edge of the wood, where the fairies dance, Stands beckoning dreamily, full of romance. And the path leading inward is soft to the feet. And blest is the beautiful summer to-day, Thy birthday, who hast all the summer in Thee — The glow of the flower, the strength of the tree, And the fairy romance of the deep woodland way. 12 BOXFORD THE PINES Thou winsome, wonder-working nest of green, Whence comes the joy the quiet hours bring? It is not all of earth, this life serene. Where present moments shine and memories cling. This quiet scene, how easy to pass by And never guess the secrets that we know! A low grey house, with tangled shrubbery, A shadow-dotted country road below: In front, green sloping fields, that almost seem, So warm and still beneath the sun they rest. As if they lay in some enchanted dream. Quietly breathing as a baby's breast. Beyond, the dark green pines, with shadows caught And kept within them all the summer day; Those deep abiding shadows, like the thought We keep within our hearts and never say. High thoughts are here, where spirits blest have been. Souls that have moved the world have rested here, Have fed their eyes on waves of sun-bathed green. Have fed their hearts on peace deep and serene. And found in field and wood a Heaven near. NORTH CONWAY THE STORM What wizard loveliness ! Mysterious, large, Behind a shimmering veil of falling snow. Its pines all dim and heavy, row on row. In outline strange, uncertain, looms Kearsarge. The nearer trees, bowed gently with their charge Of woolly white, how delicate they grow! More and more lace-like, dream-like, losing so All weight. The building near, a magic barge Becomes, alluring, beckoning us away Into some silent country far and white. Where foot-falls make no sound, and day and night Change only from enchanted gray to gray. Muffled in beauty so, how endless far All petty cares, all restless yearnings are! 14 NORTH CONWAY THE MORNING AFTER The golden glory of the morning light, The shining silver world — they meet and kiss, Like lovers long apart. What joy is this ! Kearsarge stands plain and proud, a noble sight Against the blue; the pines, all tipped with white, Point up like countless spires, in conscious bliss ; And Washington, in misty chrysalis. Holds yet a shred of cloud about his height. Yet needs must glitter, through the heavenly veil Shining resplendent, like a silver shield. Soft violet, grey, and brown tint every field Where bush or shadow lies on hill or dale. At last triumphant beauty holds full sway; There is no sorrow in the world to-day. TO A WOOD-THRUSH Thou shy brown bird, whose distant note comes ringing Clear as the tinkle of a silver bell. In what sequestered thicket dost thou dwell? What ear enraptured waits upon thy singing? For such a wondrous song unheard were sure A waste that Nature's wasteful self could not endure. And yet that note in utter solitude. Pouring its flood where none may see or hear, SuflBces to itself. One listening ear, One wandering step which haply might intrude Into thy hidden bower, and thou art flown. Thy song is for thyself and for thyself alone. The day's each splendor dost thou claim for thine. The morning's freshness hears thy joy upswelling. And in the high, hot noon again thou 'rt telling Thy soul its story, and at day's decline. When over all a hushed pink silence broods. Thy note comes rippling forth from out the darken- ing woods. Kindred thou hast, spirit of liquid clearness! The crystal sparkle of the mountain brook 16 TO A WOOD-THRUSH GKnting in sun and shade; the maiden's look When first her lover's kiss proclaims her dearness; Soft childish laughter; love- words heard anigh; The pale young crescent moon, hung in the western sky. Thy voice comes from a realm remote, where pain And anxious problems and depressing care Have never entered; in whose morning air We feel the early world beat young again, And see Nausicaa's startled shy surprise, And David's ruddy face and wonder-gazing eyes. Ah, since that old-world secret is so clear To thee, prophetic singer, voice it forth ! Reveal some word to give to life new worth ! Utter the message that we wait to hear! The weary world lies hopeless and outworn; One glowing word from thee shall make her rise new- born. Yet no, so deep a message were in vain To put in words; else were its worth but small. No mystery it reveals, but one clear call — The eternal pain of joy, the joy of pain; A note ageless, immortal, sounding on Unchanged, while all the changing years have come and gone. 17 TO A WOOD-THRUSH O let me drink thy song ! drink o'er and o'er A draught of airy joyousness like thine, Thy secret wisdom and thy calm divine ! Drink in that soul which here thou dost outpour ! Once more that note, once more, and I shall be Upcaught, enraptured, made a spirit glad like thee! A MIDSUMMER NIGHT The long white street gleams in the moon's clear light, While awed, mysterious, still, the houses stand. We had beneath our vines sat hand in hand As the slow moon rose and the porch grew bright. We spoke of early years, of life made hard By hopes we thought could never be attained; We spoke of work, of love we since had gained. All that from which we once had seemed debarred ; And then She bade Good-Night and went within. There stands the house - — and all the world is mine ! I walk the lawn flecked with the clear moon-shine. And present joy seems worth past discipline. Two crickets to each other chirp reply, While over all the quiet moon rides high. 19 SPRING'S PURSUER I KNOW where dwells the shy maid, Spring. (Form a ring! Speak low!) In a lane between two hills. Where three rills Trickle, tinkle, babble, patter, quick and slow. There the young leaves' misty distance lingers; And, while maples flaunt their brown and red. And the white birch swings her dainty fingers, Apple-blossoms riot overhead. All around, On the ground, Violets blue and white are found. Such a carpet ne'er was seen When the maids of Turkestan Spun and wove and wove and spun Of their rugs a royal one For the palace of a Queen, For the harem of a Khan. Spring has woven here her own Carpet of pine-needles brown; Where the downy fern up-pushes, And the lady's-slipper blushes. 20 I i SPRING'S PURSUER There the fox-berry's starred bands Wander towards the swamp, where stands Wet-shod, hovering on the brink. Bare rhodora, veiled in pink. There I heard a partridge drumming. And a bumble-bee was humming. Bound with lazy hurry on Some boon errand for the Spring. She had dropped some girdle-thing, Bade him look where it had gone; Sent a finch to hop and spy Through the bare pine boughs, and fly Back to her, that she may ask How the bee performs his task. I will find her, I will woo her. Full of charm in every mood; Beckoning gaily the pursuer. Turning, flying, when pursued. They all knew where Spring was hiding, Spring, reluctant and confiding. All the wood-folk saw her plain. "There beyond you," trolled the linnet, "Yonder thicket, she is in it. Look, you cannot look in vain." "Would you catch her, would you kiss her, 21 SPRING'S PURSUER Here she is; you cannot miss her," Crooned the cat-bird in a dream. And I saw (Draw closer! Listen!) Almost saw her white feet glisten, Almost saw her shoulders gleam ! Ah, good people, say. Saw ye one Spring, sweet Spring, flit past this way? In the next field shall I look to find her, Or across the slope of yonder hill? Is not that her fluttering robe behind her. With whose breath the air is fragrant still? Hush ! The breeze Whispers to the interested trees, "She is coming, coming here again!" And I know Sure it must be so. For she dwells, believe me, in this lane. SPRING SONG The sun shines bright, And the fields glow with light, And the bobolinks are laughing o'er the corn, And the finches twitter. And the dewdrops glitter. And the whole world smiles new-born. O 't is good to drink the air, And neither know nor care Where the feet may of themselves chance to run Just to taste the present minute And to bathe one's spirit in it. And to give oneself to glory and the sun ! 23 SONG OF THE GLOUCESTER FISHERMAN'S WIFE Eastward I gaze day after day, When my man has gone to sea, And pray that the schooner that bore him away May brmg him safe home to me. Oh, how does my heart leap up with thanks Each time that I get him back From the fishing-grounds on the northern banks, From the fog and the steamer's track ! And when to the top of the Point I go On stormy, wind-tossed nights, I bless the sweep and the steady glow Of the Thatcher's Island Hghts. Oh, it's joy when I see the white foam flash. As she rounds the Point for the town ! Oh, it's joy when I hear the anchor splash, And the cable go rattling down ! 1 THE GLOUCESTER FISHERMAN'S WIFE The waves toss high and the spray flies straight, And the vessel may ride that can; But the fare I ask is no cargo's weight; I ask her to bring but a man. For a woman must live with a trembling lip When her maiden days are o'er; For the way of a man 's aboard his ship, But the way of the wife 's ashore. PINES See how the pines, in these bright Summer days When fields are gay, faded and lifeless show. Scattered among the other trees, whose glow Of living green the woodland-side displays ! And yet in grim December's biting air Their sober dress of green these pines still keep. Cheery they seem, while in their winter sleep The other trees stand gaunt and pinched and bare. So have I seen strong men of serious mould. And women taught by years of love and pain, Who seemed amid the holiday domain Of glad free life but little place to hold. But when bright Summer joys are flown away. When friends are gone, when plans and hopes are dead, A glow of joy and strength around they shed. While hearts, once thoughtless, reverent homage pay. Little the world regards them in its mirth, But, taught by sorrow, learns their needed worth. 26 ANDOVER A HOLY calm pervades the place, And even in common things we trace A dignity, a special grace. Yet Nature flaunts her glad array; River and fields and hills are gay; The graceful elms their fingers sway. And man and Nature both combine To heal the severance unbenign That parts things natural and divine. 27 CHILDHOOD THE UNBORN Some years from now, some soft delicious day. When, just as now, the earth and sky obey The law of harmony divine — the sun Flooding the earth with brightness, and the leaves Quivering with gladness, while the sea upheaves Its little glittering wavelets, every one Holding a diamond fair in sapphire set — A little face we have not seen as yet Will gain new light, as God's own summer grace Enters his childish soul, and finds a place Among the innocent fancies dwelling there; A little voice, which yet we have not heard. Will sing for joy, by all this beauty stirred, Finding our world so wonderfully fair. 31 THE SEER I PASSED where cheap-built houses stood With garden-plots before them, All in a row, while here and there A tree or two hung o'er them. I heard a sound, and heard again The tones of satisfaction, And looked around, but still could not Unravel the transaction. At length I spied a little child. Who on the grass was seated. Who simply said, "Hullo!" and then Her greeting she repeated. I passed unseen; it was not I She had in contemplation. But to the universe at large She made her observation. Blest child! I thought, to whom mere life, Apart from all employment. Is strange enough and rich enough To furnish large enjoyment! 32 1 THE SEER The air, the sunshine, grass and trees. And every living creature — Thou talk'st in freedom with them all. For thou art one with Nature. Or didst thou greet great Life itself. And feel dim adumbrations Of thought and passion, joy and death. In all their variations? I left the place; but still my eyes With Nature's soul were meeting. And still the sky, the grass and trees. Gave back the childish greeting. TO A CHILD Little man, with eyes of blue, Seeking knowledge the world through; Asking why the moon is roimd. Where the flame goes when it's out, What the rain says in the spout. What the flowers do underground — We, who know so many things, Ejiow the pain which knowledge brings. Wiser we, of riper age. Stepping slowly off the stage. How we long that you may do All that we have left undone! Shining goals we would have won, Lo, we pass them on to you. All your wishes shall be poured In your lap; our utmost hoard. All is yours. Sleds and ponies. Every toy-shop all your own is. Cars and steam-ships, real and great. Rich with every country's freight — Europe, China, blue Azores, Silken Samarcand, the glowing Red Sahara, trade-winds blowing 34 TO A CHILD From the spicy Indian shores — All for you shall pour their wealth. Honors shall you have, and health. All that we have toiled to gain Take it all; but give again Just the touch we could not give. Make our lifeless projects live! Just the step we could not take, Take it for us, for our sake. Lo, we hand the torch to you. Speed it on, more brightly burning! Let your eye be more discerning; Be your words more subtly true! Blessings, blessings on you fall, Little Paul! THE CHRISTMAS PARTY Grandson Eric and Dear Helen, In that charming home you dwell in Let 's have a Christmas Party, you and I. And we'll ask in several others Just for sisters and for brothers, And we '11 give them Four-and-Twenty-Blackbird Pie. For a few must be invited In whom we 've most delighted — R. Crusoe, with his parrot and his goat. But we '11 draw the line at Friday, For we all are neat and tidy. And we fear he might not wear a full-dress coat. Dear Alice we must see, too; Tweedledum and Tweedledee, too. Although their conversatioji 's rather slow. But I think it won't much matter If we don't invite the Hatter, For he 's just been at a Tea-Party, you know. We won't invite Aladdin, For perhaps he might be gaddin' With a Genie, or some other shady tramp; THE CHRISTMAS PARTY And he might not think us bright, and Might suppose we 'd be enhghtened If he brought along his horrid dirty lamp. It would make them to esteem us To ask Romulus and Remus, Provided they will leave the Wolf behind, And we can give them what '11 Purchase them a nursing-bottle Of a sterilized and up-to-datish kind. But to make our guests all happy And prevent their being scrappy. There 's the chief of all whom we must have. Because We should have a fist-to-fist muss; For no Christmas would be Christmas If we did n't ask in dear old Santa Claus. When they all have got together. We must see about the weather; For it might be raining fit to drown a fish. So we '11 hunt among the ditches Till we find Macbeth 's three Witches, And they '11 cook us just the weather that we wish. Then we'll shoot the Chutes before a Gaping crowd on the Aurora, Riding up far into space from where it spreads, 37 THE CHRISTMAS PARTY And come back upon a comet; And as we sit there, from it Drop down our peanut shells on people's heads. We will dive beneath the ocean. Where with swinging swaying motion The banners of the brown kelp-ribbons wave Round the rocks the coral worm made; And there'll come a pretty mermaid To invite us home to luncheon in her cave. She will give us oyster-patties And lobscouse — whatever that is — So good that our shell-plates will ask for more. And the crumbs will feed the fishes As they flock to clean our dishes. While she brings us up the green waves safe to shore. Or we '11 get some nutmeg-graters And hunt for alligators. And scrape them till their roughnesses are gone. When we hear the tigers howling. We can track them by their growling And shoot them in the jungles on the lawn. We had better take our pistols When we go to see the crystals Which the Gnomes are making underneath the ground; THE CHRISTMAS PARTY For they might attempt to harm us Or do something to alarm us, If we picked up any pretty things we found. Then we '11 take along some candy, And we'll find a Noah's Ark handy. And launch her in the meadow down the Brook; And we '11 sail along and try lands Till we find some Tropic islands, Where we'll beach her in a cool and shady nook. There we'll wade among the shallows. And dig sponge-cakes and marshmallows. And pick the puddings hanging on each tree. Till the wind blows cool and nipping; When we'll all again take shipping And sail away for home in time for tea. We shall never have to own up To a solitary grown-up That we've all of us been having lots of fun; For they '11 think that you 've been busy With your toys, and they 'd be dizzy If they knew of half the lovely things we 've done. THE ATTIC The attic holds such lots of things — My extra marbles, balls, and strings, A warming-pan behind the door. And beans spread out upon the floor; With ears of corn hung on the wall. Which I shall reach when I am tall. And it all smells so queer and good. Like Mother's fan of foreign wood. Then on the nails some clothes are hung — A cloak I had when I was young. Grandfather's vest and tall white hat, A thing I often wonder at; And further, past the shoes and boots, Regular clothes, and all in suits. I Ve never known why they hang there. Why we don't take them down to wear. When it is dark, by half -past five, They almost seem to come alive. And then I 'm glad to help get tea. And not wait till Jane calls for me. There in that corner all alone Are things that are my very own: A knife — the haft without the blade — An arrow that one day I made, 40 THE ATTIC And something that's my special joy Far more than any other toy, Of which I never can be tired — A Roman candle that's been fired. There are some things that may amuse : The cradle that I used to use; The rattle I would shake and bite And pound about with all my might; A pair of snow-shoes, that might break, Such as, they say, the Indians make. And there 's a crutch, the very same Some General had when he was lame. I've named it "John" and take it out And hobble with it all about. But in behind my large Noah's Ark, Past the big chimney, where it 's dark, I never like to go alone. And what 's in there I 've never known. Once, so that I should understand. My brother took me by the hand And in I went, prepared to see Whatever might appear to me. But I could hardly see at all, And bumped my head against the wall. The things that ought to have been found Kept themselves out of sight and sound; And back we came again; and so What 's there even now I do not know. 41 RICHES I WALKED the hot and dusty street. The dogs lay still and panted, While on the doorsteps children sprawled And brazen women flaunted. Apart from these I saw a child. Pale and but poorly thriving, Who with a stick and bits of string A broken chair was driving. His self -absorption touched my heart — That such high exaltation. So absolute a bliss, should have So paltry a foundation! Small memory from the past had he Or visions bright to treasure. Of wood and field, of sea or stream. To give to this its pleasure. It was a dream of joys scarce known. Simple imagination Created field and wood and sea Rich in its own creation. 42 i RICHES Such pure faith lent its wealth to me; And o'er the street's hot glitter I saw green swaying branches meet And heard the jBnches twitter. Saw open glades and heavy woods, And paths wind in and out them, And caught the scent of needles warm Which pine trees drop about them. Above the glare I saw white clouds Hang o'er a summer ocean. And boats at moorings lie and rock With long and steady motion. And jutting headlands, round whose base Dark olive weed was streaming. While on the clear horizon line A sail or two was gleaming. And still the child pursued his play The while I stood surveying. I turned and hastened from the spot, Lest he should cease from playing. MARRIAGE HER BIRTHDAY A NIGHT long years ago, And the cry of a new-born child, And the angel that held my soul in his hands Looked suddenly up and smiled. For the cry and the mother's groan In the grey of the growing morn, Came calling across the abyss to me. For the half of myself was born. A girl with dreamy eyes, And a window open wide, And she looks forth to greet the on-coming years, And ask them what shall betide. What will the bright years bring. And who is her mate to be? And from leagues away and unknown to both The years were bringing me. cry in the far grey morn, You were mine, for I hear you still! You were mine, O dreaming girlish face Gazing out from the window-sill ! 1 was born before I was born; For or ever I saw the light. The half of my life and my soul and my joy Came into the world that night. 47 SHE As when from out November days of gloom Men long for Summer's brightness, far off seen, And "Courage!" say they, "days and months have been Ere this; work on and wait; 't will surely come!" As when 'mid swelling buds of early Spring They feel already gorgeous Summer's glow, And hearts leap up, and "It is coming!" now They cry, and mark the dayhght's lengthening; And as when June is come, and Summer-time Stands still while men drink in the glowing year. They know their joy and say, "Yes, it is here!" — So after boyhood dreams and youth's glad prime I now in manhood vigor look on Thee, And "She is come!" I say; "Yes, this is She!" 48 NIHIL HABENS ET OMNIA POSSIDENS I GAVE my Love a kerchief blue; It was the first thing e'er I gave her. She looked adown; her thanks were few. Was it her coldness, or her favor? I gave my Love a diamond bright. In which lay depth and passion meeting. She gave me kisses as of right, While life's awed pulses held their beating. I gave my Love a plain gold ring, The joyous goal of long endeavor. She gave me — gave it glorying — To love and live with her forever. And now what have I left to give? I stand, my poverty confessing; She has my all. And yet I hve More than a world of wealth possessing! 49 THE TEMPLE PILLARS Within the house where Israel's God abode There rose two Columns pointing to the sky, Jachin and Boaz; one in majesty The Strength of God and one His Beauty showed. Whene'er the tide of full thanksgiving flowed To Heaven, the glad procession passed them by; And power and glory through them from on high A blessing upon waiting hearts bestowed. Within my own life's temple two Days stand, This my Love's Birthday, that our Wedding-day. Into the sacred shrine they mark the way With strength and beauty upon either hand. So point these Columns upward to the unseen. While we in glad procession pass between. 50 A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY The earth expands again; The joyous leaves are out. And all about Glad Spring runs riot with her pleasing train. The apple-blossoms blush; And hush ! Deep in the pine-wood sings the shy wood-thrush. The year is in full tune; And lovely May, Lovelier each day. Leads in the full-blown splendors of rich June. O ever fresh surprise ! Not all the years. Each decked in glory such as now appears. Can make me view it with accustomed eyes. The energizing power Hid in midsummer's wealth of tree and flower. In Autumn's sullen gloom And Winter's tomb. To-day proclaims itself in gorgeous bloom. Our day. Love, comes again; And quickened thought goes back 51 A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY On the year's track, And that of all its antecedent train. O joyous calm procession ! Holding in due possession Glad, ardent hope, Eager ambition's scope, Passionate joys that thrill. Dull disappointment's chill, Long days whose quiet dress Proclaims them days of deep-found happiness; Only despair — Limb of life rent from limb — is wanting there; While work, desire, and aim, A settled orbit and a centre claim. O holy, glad surprise ! Not all the years. Rich with the blessing which this day endears. Can make me view it with unwondering eyes ! The beatific power Which blesses every hour, Which, whether felt or not. Binds to itself, where'er I go, each spot. Bursts into bloom to-day, and lo ! I see *' Its sway, its gladness, centering, Dear, in Thee ! CHOICE AND LIFE A VALENTINE What is the flower of Life? Choice. Now all around The small flowers spring; Now stirs each thing Where life is found. Hark how the birds From merry throats Pour forth their notes Which, set to words, Say, "Thus I choose thee mine To be my Valentine!" Nature proclaims the fact Of life's consummate act. I too exult to-day with tuneful voice In Choice ! What is the flower of Choice? Life. Birds make their nests, And chosen pairs 53 CHOICE AND LIFE Of lovers, theirs; And choice molests Their thoughts no more, But jgrowth controls And joins two souls Diverse before. So thus I find Thee mine Because each thought is Thine. Each slight, unconscious act Proclaims choice grown to fact. Thus I exult to-day, my own dear wife, In Life! OUT OF THE DEPTHS The sea was laughing, broad and bright and gay. Under the bluest heaven, for Thou and I Were in the boat together. Ah! to fly- Was nowise needed then; for far away, Immensely far, as night from broadest day, Was all life's darkness. Then with one wild cry I fell! The sea engulfed me cruelly. Up stretched my arms. "Ah, Love, come too, I pray!" Thou earnest not. Then as the sea uncurled I saw the darkness of the underworld. Under the sea, in darkness, and alone, I looked for God, and found Him. Had I died? But wonderful past thought — there by God's side Thou stoodest, shinmg like the morning sun! 55 BON VOYAGE YoTJR ship plows through the mass of dark grey sea. There runs the Hne where ocean meets the sky. I feel the breezes salt and cool and free, I hear the sailors singing lustily, I stand beside Thee on the deck — I see, I feel, I know it all. My eyes meet Thine. We do not speak, but I am there with Thee And Thy beloved hand is touching mine. We walk together up and down, in glee Laughing aloud because our hearts are gay; Or else we watch the waters silently As into dusk the daylight fades away. And the white moon rides up in majesty And throws her silver bar across the sea. 56 TRAVEL Where 'er I go, my Love, Thou meetest me ! The rhythm while onward speeds the rushing train; The river's silence, gliding toward the sea; The dim blue distance o'er the cloud-flecked plain; The little child, with grave, believing eyes, Trustful of all the world; the wit and thought Which find fit words; friends' kindly courtesies; The grace of all things being as they ought — The stamp which shows a spirit-touch in each. And makes all excellence akin through all. After its absent kindred needs must reach. And for its chief exhibitors must call. This harmony which speaks in all to me, Whom could it speak of, Love, but God and Thee! 57 LUCERNE Dear, when Thy journey brings Thee to this place, And when Thou standst beside this lovely Lake, And seest the mountains in their stately grace. And distant peaks their magic colors take, And opal water, violet, green, and rose. Spread in a gleaming, glassy sheet below; A spirit-hand may stir Thy hand's repose And nestle there, while with the beauty's glow Thy heart is full. For years ago a maid. Young and with glowing heart, stood on this spot, And filled with all the beauty here displayed. She dreamed a dream of Heaven — I know not what — But, Dear, that dream has taken name and face. And she stands with Thee in this lovely place. 58 ABSENCE How glad am I to be awhile apart ! Not that Thy presence is not joy to me And life; like breath and sunlight and the free Clear morning air — such life to me Thou art. But that Thine absence makes Thee present more; For Thou art with me even when most alone. So deep into my very soul has gone Thy spirit's sweet and penetrating power. Thou prophet, Absence, thy glad voice I hear, That Death itself can send me to no spot In this wide universe where She is not; If I am I, She must be with me there. Where art thou, Death? My Love and I have killed thee! O parting Space, my Love and I have filled thee ! 59 MAJOR AND MINOR Why was I so glad, Love, when I woke this morning? Earth and heaven were all aglow — all aglow with you! In my ears your words were ringing — not a hint of warning — Just "I love you!" Oh, those wondrous words — could they be true? Why am I so sad. Dear, now the dusk is growing? Not that, false to her, you were falser still to me. You are not the You I loved. Would I had died un- knowing ! For love remains, but you and God have both ceased to be! 60 FEARS I One summer evening, in the perfumed air Beneath our vines, where all was green and still, We sat and talked. Somewhat of pain and care Had entered in, our serious minds to fill. A passionate spirit, and what it may do To stir and ruin the fair stream of life; The unseen depths that lay within us two Which might some day perhaps lead us to strife. Until a sudden fear possessed and pained And shook me, though Thy hand my hand did press And Thy warm cheek was near. Is nothing gained By all our years of work and happiness? And the night air sent back no answering tone. While closer still we drew, yet seemed alone. 61 FEARS II Such moments could not last with Thee so near. Nay, wert Thou far away, they still must fly. For as white flowers through the darkness peer. Or bright stars sudden through a cloudy sky; Or as, a long hard week of work just ended, A Sabbath morning breaks with blessed calm. And, all disturbing thoughts in union blended. Bathes the worn spirit in its sunshine balm; So came a peace to me, a confidence, A knowledge storms would threaten us in vain. From storms without, our love was our defence; Storms from within would vanish in their rain. So my free heart could smile with God and Thee At fears which but kind monitors should be. 62 CONCORDIA DISCORS Kiss me again, now we are friends once more, Now that the Harpies, strident- winged, are fled ! Here in my neck as usual lies your head. And all is with us as it was before; Oneness and you ! And yet that evil spot I hated in you so, I hate it still; Though nothing troubles me, no fear of ill. Now I am sure that you too own it not. How loud the clock ticks hurrying through the gloom ! Why must a sense of saddening failure come In God's cause even, in fighting for the right? So fighting we are one. We rest, my Own, As on a tomb two lovers carved in stone, Silent. Have you forgiven me yet? Good-night! 63 THE THERMOMETER Blow hot, blow cold. Our love shall hold. Blow cold, blow hot, It matters not. Hearts make our weather. Two together. Or here, or there. The weather 's fair. TO ST. VALENTINE Ho, St. Valentine! A simple thing I'm asking! Not like so many, who beg a love that's new, Rich, coy, or far away, your utmost power tasking. What I want can surely not be hard for you to do. No, St. Valentine! Only keep things steady! No need to count o 'er your pretty maids arow. Send me for Sweetheart the one I have already, The one that you sent twenty-five years ago ! 65 THE SILVER WEDDING I O BUT to find my Love at home, after a time apart! To hear her voice and to see her smile and to feel her hand in mine! Life comes back then to its course again, and gladly sings my heart. Then the sun may shine and the wind blow, or may neither blow nor shine. O but to find my Love here after the long years past — The sick years, the happy years — and to find they have left us alive ! Looking ahead at the first I said, "What if the first were the last?" And now they are all behind us, the silvery Twenty- five. O but to find my Love again after the years are done, And we both are safely dead and awake, with the new life stretching abroad ! For can She be She or can I be I, dear Lord, if we are not one? Lest the sun grow dark and there be no Heaven, hold fast to Thy laws, O God! THE SILVER WEDDING II But Age, they told me, was a leaden thing; So heavy, men and women, filled with fear. Would droop with hearts aghast when it drew near, Earth lose its beauty, birds forget to sing. Friendship grow stale, and love — ah ! love would fling No more its glory on the darkness drear. They told me — But I laugh! How is it. Dear? Do we go moping? Why, I think we sing! Our hearts sing soft as nesting birds in May. Let any youth and maiden come and say, Timid with wonder, what is passion's seeming. Quiet we smile; we know they are but dreaming Of that real life for which the poets pray. The life we entered on our wedding-day. 67 LOVE'S IMMANENCE How rich am I, that ample breath attends me, Unpaid, unnoticed, servant of my days. And year-long, asking neither thought nor praise Unceasingly its ministration lends me ! How wealthy, having Law to fence me round, While I, regardless, walk upon my way. And never think of why the sunbeams play. Nor what it costs to weld the solid ground ! How blest am I, O God, in having Thee, Surer than thought; so that, neglecting chance, I inay, without one reassuring glance Build on Thee with unthinking certainty ! Dear, how thrice blest, that our love is, not less Than these, deeper than thought or consciousness ! 68 LOVE'S PERMANENCE " Bui as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob ? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." St. Matt, xxii, 31, 32. "But can love last?" Yes, heart to heart joined fast, Nothing can quench their glow, nothing can sever. Age may grow grey, Bodies may fade away. But love makes men, like God, to live forever. This, this we know; For one must have its two. If two are one — foreseeing. Where thought can reach. Each soul will carry each Stamped in its inmost being. For one means two, and two means four, And four means fifty million more; And fifty million stopped the sun. Because they missed one little one. God cannot rest in His eternal bliss Without each atom which was ever His. If Thou in me and I in Thee have grown And both in God, then all we three are one. 69 FRIENDSHIP TO A. E. B. Kind years ! How gently on thy head they lay Ever anew some quiet nobleness ! As in the Spring the South wind's soft caress Deepens the delicate greenery with its play, While scarce we know it changes day by day, So will the kind years ever love to press Some joy within thy hand, will love to bless Thy head with honors naught can take away. Kind years ! And when they lead thee to a place Like Boxford, but even fairer, full of grace And music and of sunlight and of trees. Of songs of thrushes and of hum of bees. Of glory fairer far than all of these, How natural then to thee will seem its face ! 73 ARTEMIS L. S. Short-skirted, straight, and free I go Through all the woodland green. Where sings the oven-bird I know. And where chewinks are seen. I love the moss my feet below, Above, the leafy screen. The brook that trips and bubbles so Its ferny banks between. Mine is the pale young moon's first glow. And mine her full-orbed sheen. I range alone, to men a foe; I am the forest's Queen, Short-skirted, straight, and free I go Through all the woodland green. 74 A BIRTHDAY E. W. P. Must we be sad or merry on this day? Oil grief in joy, to see thy vacant place! Oh joy in grief, that Nature framed that face, And sent thee forward on thine eager way ! A soul of passion, peering joyously Into each realm throughout life's wide domain, Counting all gain of others thine own gain. Thy spirit reigned exultant, large, and free. In thee we first knew gladness. Thou didst fill All paths of life with duty turned to ease. Is there a charm in moon-lit summer trees? Does gracious word or action send a thrill? They all are bound to thee, through thee are dear. No, no, thou art not dead; thou still art here! 75 A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY E. W. P. That path of dear romance she loved so well — Loved it in others' lives, and when she read How lovers loved each other, and were wed. And how love brought a joy no words could tell That very path, eight years ago to-day She entered on herself. Within her lay Rich dreams all full of color and delight. And great ideals of the spirit's might To conquer and enjoy, to love and live. And gather in of happiness and give Great heaping handfuls of it to the rest Of human beings not so richly blest. How radiant and free she took her way Along that path eight years ago to-day ! 76 A BIRTHDAY C. M. L. Kindly the years have touched you, friend of mine ! To you what radiant souls have given love ! Many have poured their friendship, far above The common kind, of temper high and fine. Flower and fern and leaf and delicate vine Have graced your sunny windows, so to prove How to your care their hearts responsive move. And in the later days — best gift of all ! — God sends a gentle daughter, fair and bright. Loyal, and full of service, to delight Your household; children's voices laugh and call. And in the midst of all this wealth, your days Are gliding, while God Hstens for your praise. 77 RING SONNETS I {To a Harvard Student, vnth a ring engraved "Veritas*'.) "And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads." Rev. xxii, J/.. I STOOD where came from all the earth a throng Of noble souls to enter at Heaven's gate. And there were men whom the world blest as great. And those who suffered much, unknown and long. There was the Statesman, whom no gain had swerved; The Sailor, with his eye fixed on a star; A child and doll; a Monk with scapular; A Servant, and the Master whom he served. I turned and asked a Youth in garments bright, Who flying, marshalled all their glittering squares, "What is that Mark each on his forehead bears. Which sheds, unseen by him, a lambent light.^" "That is my Seal," answered the Heavenly Youth, "On all who enter here. The Seal is Truth." 78 RING SONNETS II " A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth : and a word spoJcen in due season, how good is it 1 " Prov. XV, 23. Words flutter like leaves wind-driven here and there. Some glad, some heavy with the weight of tears ; Some calm, some tremulous with hidden fears ; Some whose mere breath is music on the air. A word that stirs the spirit — O how rare ! Truth, spoken from a noble heart, endears The man who speaks it to us through all years. We honor, follow, love him everywhere. The seal of Truth is in his very heart. And stamps his words as coins of precious worth, Richer than all the wealth of all the earth. Nay rather, of all wealthiest wealth a part. Dear Son, may all words through thy lips that pass Bear deep the golden Seal of "Veritas"! 79 TO H. M. F. There is no gift that I can send to thee. For God has heaped such wealth about thy feet, Thou standest hidden, like a Princess sweet. Behind whose ivied wall men cannot see. Or like some strangely splendid foreign tree. With fruit abundant in the tropic heat Thou standest, in luxuriance complete. Then when of love thou boldest such a store. Why do I send, of love unneeded, more.'^ An added drop of friendly love from me Is as a dew-drop added to the sea. Yet, unabashed, my little gift I send. For joy that thou hast called me "Dear" and "Friend." 80 A LOST CHANCE It was a chance to make you happy, Dear; And all the time I thought that you were cross! Your eyes were veiled, as if a web of floss Hid all their lovely light, while, hovering near. Some strange unwelcome presence gave you fear. And it was only I ! A sense of loss Sent me in grief away. I could not toss My love against a soul that could not hear. And all the time you were not cross, but sad ! One small, insistent, unasked word from me Had sent you forth all smiling and all free. All radiant again and straight and glad. I missed your need, misunderstood your pain. Would God would let me have that chance again! 81 OCCASIONS ON A YEARLY WOUND CLOCK LEFT TICKING THROUGH THE WINTER IN A COUNTRY HOUSE I Thou hermit. Time-inspired, Who, close retired. Dreaming dost sit within thy cave of glass. The while without. Around thee and about. The waves of hurrying life Jflow, ebb, and pass; From these thou dwellst apart. Careless thou art Whether abroad stern winter tempests play, Or whether flowers Through summer's golden hours Make change lamented and the meadows gay. These are to thee unknown. Silent, alone. Thou keepest house within thy chamber strait, Where with shut eye Thou dost continually Twist and untwist the spinning thread of Fate. 85 ON A YEARLY WOUND CLOCK Yet thou a call dost hear, When once a year Thou dost step down into the road of Time, And take thy bread — Food for the year ahead — And start afresh upon thine upward climb. Thy years outlast our day; Thou keepst thy way When our forgotten graves have long been filled. Yet nay, for we Joyous shall outlast thee When thy year-fed activity is stilled. ON A YEARLY WOUND CLOCK n The clock speaks Whence came these delicate wheels of brass, This quivering spring, This dial telling of the hours that pass. This pendulum's rhythmic swing? I cannot solve the mystery, and yet I feel them here; Some sacred human hand, knowing, has set And wound the wondrous gear. And now I seek a Master. Let me be In some loved spot Where in the silence breathes a mystery. And harsh sounds enter not. Where in the Summer, shadows quiver grey. And sunlight comes Softened by green, and all the sunny day The summer music hums; Where men are busy at their golden lore Of weighty books. Books that shall last when students dwell no more In these green nooks. 87 ON A YEARLY WOUND CLOCK Where in the winter-silence, long and still, In snow-soft nights, A Beauteous One may wander here at will Down from the heavenly heights. She strays from room to room, with starry eyes All soft the while. Full of the glory of loved memories. Half sadly she will smile. And look upon me kindly, while she says With mien sublime, "How strange, O little clock, these mortal ways! But where I live, there is no Time!" ERRATUM On page 89, last line, for our read out. ON RECEIVING IN 1883 A TRANSLATION OF THE ODYSSEY I We four, in the bright June morning, sat and read That book of thine, the work of many a year, Wherein the early poet in cadence clear Speaks to us now, by thee interpreted. Freshly the story runs, as it were said By some wise child who fain would have us hear As he has heard, with that untired ear By only Life's and Nature's music fed. Breathless he speaks with interest and delight. Repeating oft the same unstudied phrase; And yet, so clear his eye, so straight his gaze. That e'er he knows, the words have come aright. He takes us back to that young world of his. Bringing out colors, like the morning's kiss. 89 A TRANSLATION OF THE ODYSSEY II The morning mail had brought us in The Book, And down we sat to run it through and look Again on sweet Nausicaa's maiden grace And the worn furrows of Odysseus' face, When just as we were sitting down, we Four, There came a sudden ring at the front door. (A knock would have been fitter far, but things Are changed and knocks have given place to rings.) *'There!" said 'AttoWt) (feminine of Apollo), "We can't sit down but some call's sure to follow; Here, let me run!" She bundled up her knitting, Looped a stray lock of hair up, and was flitting. When in there came a gray-haired, oldish party With long and serious face, but kind and hearty In voice and manner, moving slow each limb. As if his eyesight were a little dim. His clothes all looked, though not so fresh and gay. Like Mr. Riddle's in the Cambridge play. I just began, "Excuse me. Sir, but who — " When down he sat before I said, "are you?" "Ah, here my exile, if it is such, ends! At last," said he, "I've got among my friends! Just think, the President of Harvard College Talks of admitting other kinds of knowledge. From here and there and all about creation. To take my place at June examination ! But there, don't mind me; egotism's bad breeding. 90 A TRANSLATION OF THE ODYSSEY Go on. Don't let me interrupt your reading." "Well, really, then," said I, *'if you'll excuse us. We've got a book we're thinking will amuse us. This author writes poetic prose; embodies he The very life and soul of Homer's Odyssey." The old man gave a start and said, ''Indeed!" But Chrysostom took up the book to read, The Doctor crossed his legs and smoothed his breeches, 'AttoXXtj set herself to count her stitches, While I enjoyed the luxury in reading Of being fed myself instead of feeding. We chose the tenth book, where the woes begin. Odysseus' crew have burst the wind-filled skin, And raised, as if on Winter Street, the weather. Where winds all come from every side together. We read of Laistrygonia's strange night-day, And how Odysseus' ship fled from the bay; How as his fortune went from bad to worse, he Found a year's prison in the house of Circe. Our guest soon grew uneasy in his chair. He muttered here and knit his forehead there; And once I heard him say, "Confound the fellow, With his new-fangled book of blue and yellow!" Soon he broke out, "I'll leave it to you whether This line 'Then all the ships went down together' Is n't sheer poetry! Why, they'll find it easy! They've always rendered /3vKTao)v by * breezy'! This nonsense," he went on with louder clamor, 91 A TRANSLATION OF THE ODYSSEY "Distracts attention wholly from the grammar. Give a boy this, and he'll soon cease to be Well up on special forms of verbs in /xt. I'll not endure it; I'll — " but here I grew Impatient: "But, Sir, pray, then, who are you?" "What!" said he, rising, "surely you know me? Author, proprietor, sole patentee? My name is Homer. Your old friend I am; We made acquaintance under Uncle Sam." But while he spoke, a something in his tone Convinced me 't was a tramp I once had known. We 'd met, indeed, at Uncle Sam's, but slowly Had dropped acquaintance utterly and wholly. 'T was not the great Ionian, clear of song. Wise, child-like, eager, dignified and strong. This fellow needed more than emendation And was no nearer than a poor relation. Besides, as he came in he made no bow. While Homer nods. (Horace informs us how; Which though to mention may not be good form, it at Least is the case, ''Bonus Homerus dormitat"). 'AttoXXt] smiled and he turned to accost her. When I broke out, "Sir, you're a rank impostor! Get out of here at once and leave the Rectory ! None of your manners Ajaxy and Hectory ! That name you used just now is a misnomer; You 're not the genuine, you 're Scholastic Homer. This book and you, you're right, cannot be friends. 92 A TRANSLATION OF THE ODYSSEY This gives your death-blow; your dominion ends. Schoolboys shall learn in studying Greek's laws. Amazed, that parsing 's not its final cause. This ends their born hostility to Greek. Here living men and women move and speak; Their life we feel; why, we can almost see 'em! Not like wax figures in your old museum, But men, who love and hope and fear and pray And feel the interests that we feel to-day. Come, there 's the door. Sir ! Leave ! I 'd have you know I cut our slight acquaintance long ago!" With this I turned him out and slammed the door. And trust I never shall behold him more. But as we all began to talk and wonder, My eye fell on the bust of Homer yonder. — I '11 swear 't was so, although I know it 's odd — I saw it several times distinctly nod. STEAMER-SONGS I THE LOADING Ah-0 ! Slack your brake, lower away steady ! Down goes the freight into the deep dark hold! Look out below, men, stand by, ready ! Unhitch the chain, and away the crate is rolled ! Ah-0! hoist away, swing your boom over! Drop the chain down on the brightly lighted pier! Up the plank a bale comes. Grasses sweet with clover. Your home is the meadows; what do you here? Ah-0! Turk's Island washed out this salt for us; These hides were roaming Colorado's plains; Over Alabama the sky arched its vault for us. To send us in this cotton its sunshine and its rains. See, the hold is filling fast — earth's best and man's best, Stowed snug and trimmed safe for calm or for blow ! Once more lower away, and then she is ready drest; Let the winch rattle round again, Ah-0 ! 94 STEAMER-SONGS n THE SMOKE Free, free, free! At last I have escaped into the air! I had lain a sullen prisoner since that tree Caught and held me in the long-ago somewhere. How I chafed to feel the branches clasp me round! How I struggled as we stiffened into coal ! How the mountains pressed us grimly underground ! They were dull and did not know we had a soul. But it slumbered through the ages in the dark. Till it burst beneath the boilers into flame. Oh the rapture, as the first upleaping spark, Escaping from the funnel, told my name ! And I grow and roll, involving and enfolding. As my column rises dark and floats unfurled To the fixed horizon vast, where I hold the vessel fast As I tie her to the border of the world. But I ponder as I hover and I hang. What the power is that has come and loosed my chain. I have felt man's mighty hand, and I cannot under- stand, So I hurry back to Nature once again. 95 ON A STATUETTE [A faun holding his tail in his hand and j contemplating it] What is it fills thy thoughts with sudden pain. Thou merry Faun that hast not known a care? Have haunts deep in the woodland lost their charm, Where thou so oft in noontide's sultry glare. Pillowing thy head upon thy bended arm Careless and free hast lain? Have wood-nymphs ceased to seek thy favorite nooks. Or run, with garments fluttering in the breeze. Along the glades, under the moon-lit trees. Or cross, white-limbed, the cool, clear, mountain brooks? Where is thy pipe, which 'mid the yellow grain The half -awed reapers heard, and stopped to hear. While thou from far, beneath some low-boughed tree, Madest the notes resound, thin, sweet, and clear, Melting thine own heart with the melody That swelled along the plain. The world is fair to-day as e'er before; The reapers listen for thy song again. And turn to work. Why is their listening vain? Why dost thou play and sing and sport no more? 96 ON A STATUETTE Was it the sight, through a half -open door, Of some tired laborer resting in his home, With wife to cheer and babe to welcome him. And flickering firelight filling all the room, While thou, without, didst feel the world more dim And colder than before? Was it some troop of home-bound soldiers, few. Flushed from the fight, while blood-drops stained the ground? Was it a church-bell's far, mysterious sound? What was it filled thy heart with longings new? Alas ! poor Faun, futile is all thy pain ! Those old sweet days thou never more shalt see, For thou hast looked upon a life more wide. Some spirit-touch has found and wakened thee. Some vision strange from which thou canst not hide. Yet seest all in vain. Why did Fate show thee what thou hadst not known ! Thine eyes have peeped within her folded scroll Only to see revealed a human soul. Only to know thou hadst and couldst have none ! THE PARTY Quick, just a brush once more, and I am drest ! These men are famous whom I go to meet; These women are both beautiful and sweet. And I would stand before them in my best. How I delight In social concourse where wit glances bright. And great thoughts leap Responsive, and deep calleth unto deep ! And women's eyes. Entrancing, make one wonder If what is beautiful and what is wise Must always, or can ever be, asunder. Now am I in the midst, and all around Bright talk and looks and laughter light abound. Now let me fling myself in, glad and free. This is the place where I have longed to be. What does it lack.^^ Why am I holding back? Why is my spirit entering not, but viewing All as a passing show, itself pursuing Apart some alien track .^ I seek the true, the real. Which hides and issues not through this ordeal. 98 THE PARTY Out ! into the air, For that at least is free! Here I may dare To be what I would be. It's over, then, at last! The close, hot rooms, The music-drunken flowers with faint perfumes, The dance, the chit-chat and the crowd are past; And what remains, oppresses — The memory of the evening's foolishnesses. The word I uttered without really meaning, The thing I did but never meant to do. The subtle social pressure contravening The aim, which would be true — Was this just now the case? Yet here the clear sharp air tastes fresh and sweet, The crisp snow crunches underneath my feet. While full in face Shoots the pale circle of the Northern Light, And from heaven's height Countless the eternal stars gaze calmly down. No stern didactic frown The face of Nature wears At mortals' frail affairs, But heaven's high roof 99 THE PARTY In silence speaks reproof. Here is the true, the real; The eternal fact Gives here its just and full expression. With no confession Of lying act — Accomplishment divorced from high ideal. These constellations hold their steadfast sway Unchanged, unchanging. Let me be as they. Yet can man's life be so? Like stars that gaze at life, themselves unborn. Passionless, thoughtless, giving praise nor scorn, Nor change nor failure know.'^ Nay, for one child, one feeblest human creature. With thought creative or with passion glowing, O'ertops the stars, outshines their glory, showing A deeper side of Nature's inmost nature. I fall, for I can rise. And God shall know me. But you, ye skies. That glitter far above me are below me. You are God's furniture. Decking the house where He abides, Whose services to me inure. You for companions have mere winds and tides; But I walk free 100 THE PARTY With Him and with His household — all mankind — In whom I find My measure — heights and depths — shown clear to me. That merry mansion then, Where folly played with women and with men, Is it not rather One of the mansions of my Heavenly Father? These are His guests, for they show forth His ways. The house's customs are its master's praise. When in its best Body or mind or soul is drest, Of God's own glory is it then partaker; For Best is homespun and reveals its maker. The accurate, just words That man spoke, free from compliment or blame. Kinship with truth eternal claim, Exhibiting a charm which is the Lord's. That woman's face In beauty rare, Where unconcealed Shines forth the spirit's grace. Proclaims with joy how wondrous fair Must Beauty's self be, thus in part revealed. Even those who hold Small store of worth. From them I wash out gold, 101 THE PARTY As miners do from clods of earth. Commercial smartness shows An aim and speed, like those Which ope heaven's gate and bid the soul to enter; And even the rude, dull fool I find a useful school Of loyalty to one self -chosen centre. Each thing here cries, "See me, and rise!" The festiveness in clothes, the kindly speech. The friendly attitude of each to each. Rebuke my dusty spirit's clownish dress. And bid me deck myself in gloriousness. O Lord, Thy house is fair, above, below. Thy works and saints alike Thyself revealing ! O raise each thought, quicken each torpid feeling. That Thine eternal fullness I may know! HEAVEN 1 A HYMN OF PRAYER Father, I fain would keep mine eyes From selfish dimness free, That not one ray from out Thy skies Might shine unseen by me. Father, I would mine ear might keep Undeafened by earth's noise; That I, like Samuel, even in sleep Might hear and heed Thy voice. Father, might my timid heart Beat with Thy knowledge strong. That I, with an unerring art, Might sever right from wrong! 1 know not, sometimes, whether 't is An angel speaks to me, Or if some power from the abyss Is tearing me from Thee. Yet of these voices which dismay I know one is divine; I know there surely is a way To tell which one is Thine. 105 A HYMN OF PRAYER The power to hear, the power to know, O Father, give me these; And let my soul to largeness grow By strong and sure degrees. Then shall I have a holy strength, And walk erect and free. Till earth and heaven shall mean at length One life, lived all in Thee. A HYMN OF PRAISE Lord, how shall I rejoice this day? The fields their greenest tribute pay; This clear bright sky, the sparkling sea, Send forth their song of praise to Thee. The birds sing praises in the trees. I would be tuneful, Lord, as these; Yet words of thankfulness or prayers My mouth no more can frame than theirs. Thou that hast made the winds to blow. And knowest how they come and go. Thou surely, too, the Author art Of this dumb joy within my heart. I can but lift my eyes to Thine, And seek Thy loving hand with mine, Thankful at heart, on this Thy day. Thou knowest what that heart would say. 107 SUUM CUIQUE If I were but a grain of sand, I *d sing my Maker's praises loud In angles sharp, in substance, and Arrest the thoughtless crowd. Or if I were a gorgeous flower, I 'd flaunt abroad my Maker's praise. Showing His colors hour by hour, Painting to men His ways. Or if I were a climbing hind. My feet should tell my Maker's art, Since for His praise He thus designed And dignified that part. So now I am a living soul. My thought and will shall praise the Lord, And all my parts with Nature's whole Shout forth some glorious word ! 108 AFTER THE RECEPTION Our minds too were in evening costume drest. The stars came slowly out; the waning moon Prolonging twilight for a little, soon Red and distorted sank into the West. We spoke of childish hopes that turned to pain. The prized last moments of our dear ones gone, Their life in us in which they still lived on, And life-long sorrow working endless gain. Until as we sat silent, hand in hand, All time and place had vanished; we became Spirits, unconscious of a lower claim Of body or of thought. We seemed to stand On the last peak where earth-born soul can be. Peering into the dim eternity 109 SYMPATHY Thinking myself alone one night I played — Played carelessly. The evening breeze came whispering through the shade And so I played Just what it said to me. It whispered, "Cease your search, it is in vain; Your friends are gone. You cannot find true, loving hearts again; It is in vain. Be brave and live alone.'* I think it was a simple minor strain And then some chords Which trembling came and sobbed and died again. That spoke my pain, My grief too deep for words. And in the morning sunshine warm and bright She came and said Softly, "I liked the way you played last night." Surprised I read Deep in her eyes' clear light, As blue and gentle as the sky in June, A contradiction to my mournful tune. 110 DEATH "A SORELY tired human being resting. Eyes that no longer watch the pelting day; Lips that no longer try to smile and pray; Ears that no longer hear the empty jesting, While the deep heart, life's earnest lesson testing. Wonders, and vainly tries to join the play. Thy spirit dwelt so long, like stag at bay. Puzzled and wounded with the world's molesting ! And now, how good, simply to lie and sleep ! " Thus did I moan to ease my spirit numb. Hark! Are the angels mocking that I weep? Sure there is laughter, though thy lips are dumb. Oh happy angels ! may I ever keep Your message clear, through the dark years to come! Ill INFINITY Infinity lay bare to me last night. I saw the Milky Way stretch star on star, Space beyond space, inimitably far, Dim nebulae and ordered planets bright. What Thought, outwearied in its utmost flight Could not conceive, lay plain before my eyes. I gazed upon it with a new surprise, So unsurprising was the common sight. Grave thinkers have discussed with deep surmise Whether Infinity might be. Yet high Beyond the depths far-reaching of the sky Before my vision stretched the sought-for prize. So when my eyes shall gaze, O God, on Thee, Strange and familiar will the vision be. m EPILOGUE EPILOGUE *'LoRD, I have seen Thy glory in the sky; Such color as the angels bathe in, spread Deep in the Western heaven, orange-red. Let me but paint, before the glory die. To show my soul hath on Thy beauty fed; For here are precious pigments, fresh and wet." But God replied, "Not yet." "Lord, I have heard celestial harmonies. Music the giant masters have not known; It was the harpers round about Thy throne Breathing their golden-throated symphonies. To show I heard, let me some phrase intone That those who hear may nevermore forget." But God replied, "Not yet." "Lord, I have seen Thee face to face, and know That it was Thou and that Thou spakst to me. The shadows fall and soon my life will be Far spent. May I not speak before I go Some word to show that I have been with Thee? Ah, Lord, before my lips are sealed and set — " But God replied, "Not yet." 115 \f\JW 19 ««/l^ CAMBRIDGE • MASSACHUSETTS U • S • A