Class IBS_3JL/^_ copntiGrrr deposit. — t* _ — l/_ LILTS of LOVE ^^. <0 ^^\^ ^ K^'' s^^ Copyright^ tgzo. by R.J. Hamtrshlag HtC P8 1920 ^CU605140 To R. S. E. ±VE, put my heart on each page. Sue, Through all the weary days I've waited. And dedicate this book to you To whom my life is dedicated! R. J. H. July I, igso LILrS of LOVE Index — Chronologically Arranged Page Introductory Excuses 9 Echoes of Youth The Questing 13 Ode 14 The Ballad of Two Poor Fools 15-16 Love at First Sight 17-18 A Dream 19 Blue Eyes 20 Sister and Brother Stuff ai Rhyme of the Pesky Pin 22-23 Farewell Toast 24 Fragments Jr am France The Last Farewell 29 Her Instructions 3° Ballad of the Crow's-Nest 31-32 Loneliness 33-34 Prayer Before Battle 35 Hope 36 O L Living 37 Sunset 38 Later Lilts Love, Lips and Laughter 43 Susie's Soliloquy 44-45 Youth and Beauty 46 Song of the Soulful Souse 47 Ode 48 Once, Long Ago 49 Open Wounds 50 Desire 51 The Rose and the Nightingale 52-53 The Awakening 54 The Talisman 55 The Sea and I 56 A Social Error 57 June Twilight 58 The Fairy Ring 59 Loyalty 60 INTRODUCTORY EXCUSES OOME think that there can be no worse A pest than he who sends A lot of sentimental verse To all his female friends. And since these pages, you'll observe, Echo that very note, I hope that you'll forgive my nerve In making you the goat! The winged words the Muse has lent My fancy follow after — With Humor 'neath the sentiment And Love beneath the laughter. ECHOES OF YOUTH THE QUESTING Jtl EART of my heart, as I gaze tonight From the casement here in my lonely room, At the myriad stars, so fiercely bright, So far away in the velvet gloom, — I breathe'out my heart over land and sea To find yours and bring it home to me. Eager it searches the spaces far, Panting its passion as young hearts do — But the farthest bound of the farthest star Is not as far as am I from vou! Blindly it seeks you, crying your name To the ends of the world where the planets part,- But, winning or losing, its fires shall fiame Forever and ever, — Heart of my heart. 13 ODE rVAREST, fairest, Ruth Suzanne, Of all fairest, Ruth Suzanne, Oft I vision you in dreaming, — Dark hair over shoulders streaming, In your eyes the lovelights beaming For some unnamed, unknown man. Would that they for me were gleaming, Star-eyed little Ruth Suzanne! Nearest, dearest Ruth Suzanne, Ever dearest, Ruth Suzanne, When I hear you, softly singing, Through my heart your voice goes ringing. Sends the blood of me a-flinging Faster than it ever ran! In my breast fresh hope is springing Star- voiced little Ruth Suzanne! Flushing, blushing Ruth Suzanne, Crimson blushing Ruth Suzanne, Hard it is for me to face you Calmly, when I'm wild to chase you, Catch, and in my arms encase you Like some wild, cave-dwelling man. Long and fierce I would embrace you. Crush you to me, Ruth Suzanne. 14 THE BALLAD OF TWO POOR FOOLS XNOW Freddie and me were pals, you see And probably that's how it all began, For when we met Ruth, why, to tell the truth, We fell, as had every other man! Freddie fell first, — but I fell worst, — His was the joy, while the heartache was mine. And he stormed her heart with his devious art Did Freddie, the lad with the luscious line. Oh, her eyes in hue were a soft deep blue That sparkled and shone with a light divine; And they sparkled bright, almost every night. For Freddie, the lad with the luscious line. 'Neath the great round moon they would sit and spoon. Or stroll on the sands near the moaning brine; And she hummed a song, as they bummed along, To Freddie, the lad with the luscious line. They would sail, those two, in a frail canoe. While the hot blood sang through his veins like wine And he swore his love by the stars above, Did Freddie, the lad with the luscious line. He e'en tried his charm out on Sweetbriar Farm, 'Mongst the geese and mosquitoes and lowing kine. And there she would lurk, to admire the work Of Freddie, the lad with the luscious line. Then along came Bob, and got on the job With his staunch little *Paige, and a wild desire To win a kiss from this lissom Miss Who filled his heart with consuming fire. *^The Paige was new that year. 15 Then you'd drive with me to the slow-sighing sea, And I watched your eyes mirror the stars above, — Poured my hopes and fears in your tiny ears, And spoke of everything — but my love! And O, you were fair beyond compare As you cuddled in silence at my side And your heart lay free as the pulsing sea, And my love flowed in, with the rising tide. And sometimes our way lay toward Pleasure Bay, And we'd climb the heights on the Navesink shore Or in Price's we'd glance for a bite and a dance For you had it all over old Terpsichor(e)! Then you sang to me, and the melody Throbbed through my being, — I'll ne'er forget! And my heart lay bare, and you saw it there, And took it, and held it, — and have it yet. How the heart of me springs, aye, each part ofme sings When I think of the maid that may soon be mine: For I'll lay a bet that I'll win you yet From Freddie, the lad with the luscious line! Tell me, O Queen of the witching dance, Tell me, Kid, — have I got a chance? 16 LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT ^^H, Love at first sight came to me one night In June, just two summers ago; And ever since then, Dear, again and again I've rejoiced that it all happened so! I had but a glance of you at a dance, And I lamped you from afar; And I spoke to my chum, and he asked you to come A-riding with us in my car. Most blithely you came, and he told you my name, Which int'rested you not at all; But, lovely as Venus, you snuggled between us — And straightway I started to fall! We sped silent along, and you sang us a song Till I quivered and thrilled through and through; For your ways and your voice were so sweet, I'd no choice But to tumble in love with you! Oh, the fragrant delight of that warm starlit night Will linger for aye in my mind; And I'll see you again, even as you were then. When I've left Youth and Joy far behind. We sped from the cornfields to deep-shadowed woods. Moon and stars disappeared from our ken. And we sniffed the cool breeze 'mongst the whispering trees,- Then out into moonlight again! W^e passed fields of clover, wild roses, and thyme. Drank deep of the sweet-perfumed air, — But sweeter to me, in my mad ecstasy. Was the scent of your wind-tousled hair! 17 For a stray curling strand had escaped from its band, And, fluttering, blew 'gainst my face, And my lips caught and pressed it, and kissed and caressed it. Before you returned it to place! And I thought of my life, — full of sorrow and strife. Next to vast love that I might have had; And I swore to the sky that I'd love you for aye. And the great moon smiled down, ami was glad. Now often I've tried, with you at my side To find what your feelings might be; And I made it quite clear that I wanted you. Dear, And learned that you didn't want me! And if I can't win with a good-natured grin I shall have to try treating you rough. And though you get sore, I shall kiss you the more, — For I ne'er know when I've had enough! Now I've sung the lay, in my clumsy way, Of my suit for your heart and hand; In a jesting guise, — but, Dear, you are wise. And I'm sure vou will understand. That I love you so, but too well you know. And have known from the very start, So judge, in your mirth, what the jest is worth. That covers an aching heart! 18 A DREAM iVlY pulse beats fast and faster As I wander with you along, Where the moon's soft rays light the shadowed ways And the lure of the night is strong; And my soul, as a harp to its master. Vibrates to the thrill of your song. And my heart is overflowing With Life's red, o'erpowering wine, So I seize you, warm, in my 'circling arm And crush your lips to mine; And lo! your cheeks are glowing With the flush of the crimson vine! And starry lights are gleaming In your sott deep eyes of blue, And the moments fly, and you breathe a sigh And kiss me, as I kissed you, — Then I wake with a cry from my dreaming And pray it will all come true! 19 BLUE EYES i^OFT as the blue of the virgin skies In the warmth of the suns of June — E'en so is the blue of your laughing eyes When vour heart is all in tune. Dark as the flashing blue of the wave Before the day-dawn nears — So dark your eyes when your thoughts are grave And your soul is steeped in fears. As the liquid blue of the lone pond's hue That mirrors the stars above, — So deep and true are the eyes of you With their glory of mirrored love! But, alas! for the star-flung hopes of Youth Whose dreams shall never be; For deep have I gazed in those eyes, O Ruth, And their light is not for me! 20 SISTER AND BROTHER STUFF X HE last lone link has been broken Which bound you so fast to me, For the words that I have spoken Have served to set you free. I swore that I'd be your Brother, To watch and guard you for aye. And I yielded unto another The joy ot the Lover's way! And my soul is steeped in sorrow And my eyes are near to tears As I think of the vain tomorrow And the loom of the empty years! Cast not again upon my heart Your spell, O witching Ruth Suzanne Lest I forget the Brother's part And change once more to man! 21 RHYME OF THE PESKY PIN (In Jan. j — Out Jan. lo, 1918) l\ PESKY Pin once started in to see the world of Man, So he saUied forth on a piece of fur round the neck of Ruth Suzanne. Suzanne looked sweet as she went to meet her beau at the Plaza Grill, And her heart was gay, for she little dreamed of the impending ill. She reached the Grill, but the joint was still, — her guy was not yet there; So she adjourned to the Ladies' Room, to tidy her wind-blown hair. She soon fixed that, put on her hat, and straightened her dress round the hips. Took the Pesky Pin by its great round head, and put it between iier lips. She forgot the damn thing and began to sing, — but e'er she had uttered a note The Pesky Pin, with a sneering laugh, slid down her unwilling throat. She coughed a bit, and near threw a fit, but the rude Pin still went down, So Sue rushed out to tell her man, her pretty face a-frown. She found her beau, and let him know that she'd swallowed the Pesky Pin, And he, in fear to the doctors near, phoned but could find none in. So they hastened back to the Regal shack where dwelled the sweet Suzanne And told her Dad, who hurried her to the home of the X-Ray man. And the Pesky Pin oozed its trail of tin toward the place where the eatables go. But came to a dark inviting hole and switched off to see the show. And the membranes there, all naked bare, did see the Pin and blush. So they tucked him away in a downy cloud of mellowy mucous mush. 22 And the fluoroscope soon got the dope, and found the bilious boob With his big black head, on its mucous bed, asleep in the bronchial tube. And then they laid the plucky maid on an operating table xAnd the doctor tried to get inside as fast as he was able. He stuck his paw down her tender jaw, to pull the damn thing out But he couldn't reach the Pesky Pin, — his forearm was too stout. So he tried in vain, and through awful pain, Suzanne did laugh and joke. And her cheery wit and her wondrous grit surprised the blooming bloke. For her mouth was sore, and her throat was raw, her insides racked with pain, But she kidded the Doctor-Man along, and urged him to try again! They took her at last to that village vast where Dr. Jackson bunked; And the Pesky Pin grinned a ghastly grin, for he knew that he was skunked! The famous man took the brave Suzanne, and turned her feet-side up, Till the Pesky Pin came sliding out plumb into the waiting cup! And the Pin was mad, but the Girl was glad, and danced around for joy, And packed the Pin in a Parcel Post, to send to her Soldier Boy. I He took the Pin and stuck it in a crack in the prison wall. And his Casuals came, with eyes aflame, — four hundred men in all. x-And no one stirred, but at his word, — (they knew their work full well) Four hundred rifles roared as one, and the Pin was shot to Hell! And now as I bid her "Good-bye," and softly breathe her name, I know her pluck will give me, too, the guts to play the Game! 23 FAREWELL TOAST Hi .ERE'S to the light of those blue-gray eyes That smile on me in dreams: Blue with the gladness of summer skies, Gray with the pain that behind them lies, Lighting with laughter, clouding with sighs, Shining with stardrift gleams! Here's to the fragrance of orient lands Haunting your dark brown hair! To the glint of gold in its curling strands' Here's to the touch ot the tiny hands That clasped my heart as in iron bands And locked your image there! Here's to your shoulders, like gleaming snow, And the lure of your warm young arms! To the lips, up-curved in a Cupid's bow, And the sweet star-voice that thrills me so, That rings in my ears where'er I go, And holds me with fairy charms! Here's to the heart of you, Ruth Suzanne, Great as the boundless sky! Out in the far-Hung battle's van I'll fight as only Lovers can, — If I acquit me as a man What matter if I die? Think ot me sometimes, Ruth Suzanne, — Here's to you. Dear, — Goodbye! 24 FRAGMENTS FROM FRANCE THE LAST FAREWELL Your eyes are bright with a starry light, Honest and brave and true; And I must leave, though my heart is burning. All of my soul is a hungry yearning, Dear, and my eyes will be always turning Westward, to vision you! Heart of me, smile for a little while And hide away your pain — Put far away. Dear, the phantoms that hound you. Remember only that Love has now found you Dear, and my arms will be always around you When I come home again! Your voice is low as you bid me go. And your heart is torn and sore; Soul of my soul, I shall aye dream of you. True as the stars that shine above you, — More than all else in the World I love you Now and for evermore! You breathe a sigh as I say good-bye And hide away your pain — Dear, I will give you the moon to stay with, Give you the stars to run away with All the wide World will be yours to play with When I come home again! 29 HER INSTRUCTIONS X ALK not of Life, Dear For Life means but sorrow, Struggle and strife, Dear, Painful and sore! Talk not of Death, Dear, For Death means no morrow. Only a dark dream that ne'er will be o'er! Life is a light, Dear, Fitfully gleaming Through the black night, Dear, But vanished at day; Death is a darkness, — a Lethean dreaming,- Only our Love, Dear, Lives on for aye! Talk then of Love, Dear, That, like a blessing, Comes from above, Dear, In our hearts to rest; Then with your lips. Dear, My lips caressing — Hold me, enfold me, close to your breast! 30 BALLAD OF THE CROW'S-NEST In a crow's-nest, lashed to a flimsy mast. Swung high o'er the blue-green sea Swayed a soldier lad, and his heart was sad And choked with misery. His keen eyes swept the sparkling waves For he guarded the men below; And the day was clear, so far and near He watched for the lurking foe. The cloudless sky was clear and blue. The wind laughed merrily, And the sun shone bright, and the waves foamed white All over the blue-green sea. His keen eyes swept the sun-kissed waves. But his thoughts were far away With a little maid, by whose side he'd strayed Through many a happy day. Her voice was the song of the merry wind That laughed at his tale of love. But her heart was true as the deep, deep blue Ot the vaulted sky above. Damp was her hair as the brown seaweed And scented with mystery, And her arms were white as the foam, and the light Ot her eyes was the light of the sea! His keen eyes swept the glancing waves That foamed white as the snows, — On her cheeks lay the flush of the rose's blush. And her breath was the breath of the rose. 31 Pure she was as the snow-white gull That hovered o'er the sea — But he had pressed her to his breast And held her hungrily! Sweet she was as a summer breeze, — Proud as a Goddess is — But he'd kept her, warm, in his circling arm And crushed her lips to his! O, the wistful light in her wistful eyes When he — but his own were keen, And he shouted, "Ho, down there below, At forty, a submarine!" Then out Death poured as the great guns roared Till the sea flung their echoes back; And only the rising bubbles showed The dying monster's track. And again the lad in the crow's-nest high Took up the watcher's part, With his eyes toward France, but his young Romance Still tugging at his heart! 32 LONELINESS (At Lake Champlain) -L^ ONELY I sit in the evening, on the shore of the moonlit lake, Watching the silvered ripples widen until they break, Watching the shadows deepen 'neath the great moon's steady rays. While the mountains loom Through the purple gloom Like ghosts of the bygone days. Silent and sad I sit there, alone on the shelving shore. Dreaming of castles in the air that I built in the days of yore, Dreaming of many happy hours I spent with One apart; And the moondrift shines Through the scented pines Deep into my hungry heart. But sudden my senses quicken, and my blood runs all aflame. For I seem to hear, through the stillness, a loved voice call my name. And I leap to the shade of the pine-trees, and search there all around And a dear face floats Through the haunting notes And draws me to the sound. Then, through the great night-silence, I hear the call again And eager I rush to the thicket whence comes the sweet refrain, But no, — 'tis only a lonely bird, sobbing a plaintive song, And I raise my eyes To the star-strewn skies, And cry aloud, "How long.^" "How long, O King of many worlds. Lord of Eternity, "Must I toil and sufi^er, and sorrow, and wait in agony.'' "Shall my heart be filled with shadows, where once the sunlight shone? "Tell me, O God, "Must I always plod "Life's dreary path alone?" 33 I speak, and listen eager, with yearning arms stretched high, And sudden a great Voice answers, that booms from the very sky: "When the Great War is over and ended, and Peace has come again, "You shall be rid of your sorrow, you shall be free of your pain, "So gird you now for blood-soaked fields where the crimson star-shell gleams, "Strike hard and deep, "And you shall reap "Rewards beyond your dreams!" I turn and wend my lonely way back to the sleeping camp, And bend down over a rough hewn bench beside a feeble lamp, And write to the One I hunger for, that, though the night is grey, I can see afar Through the smoke of war The dawn of a happier day! 34 PRAYER BEFORE BATTLE 1 F Death should call on me to-night, Dear Lord, To claim me as his own. In all the fierce red clamor of the fight I pray thee, let me answer, with the right To find my way alone. If I should pass to-night beyond thy ken, Dear Heart, Outside the vision of thine eyes, Slain by the passion of my fellow-men, Still, be thou brave! — Our lips shall meet again In Paradise! 35 HOPE Wi HEN night's at its blackest, And dawn seems afar, There gleams, through the darkness, A Star. When Life's at its grimmest, And Death hovers above, O'er the sea thrills a whisper Of Love! 36 ON LIVING K EEP courage in your heart, — faith in your soul And beauty in your mind; Build visions of the glory of the goal You are to find. Sometimes realities may bathe you in A fleeting, sweet caress — But only through illusions can you win To happiness. Live hard and straight and clean, so that you may Gain broader, nobler view, — And hold fast to your dreams — some far-off day They will come true! 37 SUNSET Vy EYES that gaze across the sea, all flecked with starlit gleaming, To where the long white roads of France merge into twilit sky; That seek to pierce the bloody mist, and, dimmed with tears and dreaming. Vision a well-loved form among the dead that never die! O arms outstretched to shelter me, all soft and young and yearning, Whose warmth enfolds me even now, though far and all alone. Arms that encircle all my heart, so sadly, madly burning To fly to you o'er half the world, and fold you in my own! O lips that droop so wistfully, all laden down with sorrow. Whose whispered words of love I hear four thousand miles away, Lips that I once crushed close to mine — O, I fear not tomorrow If only I can taste again the lips of yesterday! O heart that is a part of me, where'er I may be roaming, Whether it he o'er shell-swept fields or danger-lurking sea, — Through all the wars of all the Worlds, — I know, when I come homing. Those lips and arms and eyes I love are waiting there for me. 38 LATER LILTS LOVE, LIPS AND LAUGHTER L/ONG, weary days I visioned you in France As on the night you bade good-bye to me — When Love, and Lips, and Laughter met by chance And sealed their pledge of lasting loyalty. Long, weary nights I dreamed you kept me warm Beneath the soft cloak, of your fragrant hair, — The while I pressed you close, with hungry arm Encircling you, to hold you always there. But now the War is over, and I learn You cannot yet divine your Soul's desirfes; You have no words to welcome my return — My flaming heart awakes no answering fires. Laughter will not survive the autumn rain, Lips will soon wither, nor grow young again, Love, unreturned, will die, and leave but pain! 43 SUSIE'S SOLILOQUY R OSSBACH'S dates I often break- Full fifteen years he's known me And if my folks should see him make His wool and my silk shimmy shake I know they would disown me! He always has the damnedest cheek — I let hhn see me once a week. Larry is tall, thin as a ghost, His neckties are entrancing; He Hupps me hup and down the coast, I really think I like him most When he's dolled up for dancing. He foxtrots like a perfect streak — I let him see me twice a week. Freddie always treats me rough. His fussing sometimes bores me. But even when I've had enough He tries to pull his cave-man stuff, — Cheesechriste, how he adores me! We always fight, and part in pique, I let him see me thrice a week. Alfy's a darling little dear, So young and yet so shikker. He Buicks round when I am here And takes me down to Silvermere And fills me full of liquor. He is so handsome and so chic That I see him four times a week. Walter is full of pep and vim. His conversation's witty; He and I ride and drive and swim, — I sit long dances out with him, — His sisters are so pretty! Once, years ago, I punched his beak; He dates me up five times a week. 44 Young Blum's a stickler in his dress, His golf-suit's a humdinger; He's sometimes shocked at the excess- ive naughty way I talk, — and, yes, He idolizes Singer! He often comes his girl to seek. So I see him six times a week. Bob is a good old faithful scout. He's loved me many years. He likes to call and take me out For auto rides, one arm about Me while the other steers. He phones me when he stays away — He comes round at least once each day. For me they make day and night ring With fun and jolly laughter; We dance and ride and play and sing. And give no thought to anything To come in the Hereafter. Some day with pain six hearts will throb When I run off — and marry Bob! Author s Note. — While the ratings of the various contestants have changed considerably since this rhyme was written (September, 1919) nevertheless the last verse still holds good. — R. J. H. 45 YOUTH AND BEAUTY Youth and Beauty met one day When the skies gleamed warm above; The fields were flowered with colors gay, The warblers trilled in the hawthorn spray, And the earth was heavy with scents of May And pregnant with dreams of love. And proud Youth cried — "I am young and strong "And my blood is aflame with Life's ardent fire! "I've waited and worshiped and loved you long, "Heart of me, — come, — fulfill my desire!" But Beauty answered — "It's good to live, "To thrill to passion, to feel, to see, — "And I am not ready yet to give "My heart to you, — I would still be free!" * * * * Youth and Beauty met one day As the year was growing old; The rain-filled clouds hung bleak and grey. The birds and the flowers had gone away, Brown on the sod the seared leaves lay, And the earth was dead and cold. And Beauty whispered — "I've had my fill "Of laughter and joy, and must search anew "For the meaning of Life! I no longer thrill "To be free, so. Dear, let me come to you!" Youth sadly answered — "No more we'll hear "The songs of Spring that the birds have sung; "Your beauty has faded like flowers, Dear, "And I am no longer strong and young. "Our lips are withered, our hearts are bled, "Our veins run dry as the sapless trees, — "Our love lies shriveled and seared and dead "As the brown leaves stirred by the winter breeze! "Deep did you drink, and greedily, "But Life's wine is bitter on your tongue, — "O, why would you never come to me "When you were lovely, and I was young?" 46 SONG OF THE SOULFUL SOUSE V^H, it's great to go aridin', with my Cookie alongside in My flivver on a moonlit summer night; And I whisper how I love her, how I'm always dreamin' of her, While the shimmyin' stars above her twinkle bright. Through the fragrant night we flounder, and my arm steals close around her, And I tell her how I'll treat her if she'll marry me: That I'll doll her up in laces, that she'll bet at all the races, That I'll give her many cases of five-star Eau de Vie. Then I turn my little flivver down the old Shrewsbury river, And at Silvermere we debark for a bite; On the bay the moonlight's glancin', and the music's most entrancin', So we start a-madly dancin', huggin' tight. Then I call a pickaninny who soon gets my Cookie ginny — Gee — the Orange-Blossoms that they mix down there! And if I cry out for whiskey, and I start a-gettin' frisky. And my language becomes risque — she don't care! In my ears her voice is ringin', close to mine her hands are clingin'. And she's made a captive of me with her charms; And I slip the coon my money, and my heart's behavin' funny So I gather up my Honey in my arms. I don't care how drunk she may be, — she is not a new-born baby, And she never lets me kiss without a fight, — Then I put her in the flivver, and my good right arm I give her, And my hot heart is aquiver with delight! Then as homeward we go racin', from our path the moon keeps chasin' The shadows that the trees before us hurled, — And the soul of me is singin', and her lips to mine are clingin', Gee, — that Kid's the sweetest thing in all the world. Oh, man ne'er won richer booty than the red lips of my Cutie As she sways into my arms beneath the moon! Wine and Woman, Lass and Liquor, make my fierce heart pound the quicker, •And I'll prove that I'm so7}2e picker, Goddam soon! 47 ODE 1 SPUN a web of silk out of my dreams To hold for aye the fragrance of your hair. I wove a filmy robe ot rainbow gleams Of thought, to keep you always young and fair. To guard you safe, while all the world roared by I built a shelter for you of my Youth — Reared of my hopes a temple to the sky, And set you there, and worshiped you, O Ruth! Your vivid beauty's of my fashioning — I kindled in your eyes those eager fires — Your blood is crimson with my passioning — Your panting heart is hot with my desires! Not e'en by Death from my arms you'll be torn Who were predestined for me since Earth's morn,- My kisses swept your lips e're you were born! 48 ONCE LONG AGO Oi 'NCE, long ago, Dear,^envious of Night — I stole the silent stars from out the skies And placed them, gleaming, in a pool ot light. That they might all be mirrored in your eyes! From Orient lands I garnered with my ships The rarest roses that were blooming there, — I breathed their crimson blushes on your lips. Wafted their fragrance deep into your hair. From nightingale I won a wondrous note And others from the lark, — so mellow clear — I set them, all a-tremble, in your throat. So that your voice thrilled all who chanced to hear! From myth and storied fable, ages old. The purest thoughts, the sweetest words, I drew, I searched the souls of Angels tor their gold And then concentered all of it in you! The sculptured marble lent your limbs their grace. The sun shot golden gleams through your dark hair, The breeze blew crisping curls across your face And made its lovely oval e'en more fair! But when I saw the Beauty that my art Had fashioned of your image in my brain, Blindly I fell in worship of your heart That taught me passion, and that brought me pain! 49 OPEN WOUNDS IVIEN tell me that Time, with his minist'ring years, Can heal all our sorrows, and dry all our tears — That death-laden Sleep can o'erpower regret, For we breathe of the poppies of Night, and forget. But the wound in my heart is too great and too deep To be e'er healed by Time, or o'erpowered by Sleep! For the lilt of your voice, Dear, still throbs through my brain- It thrills me with mem'ries, and chills me with pain; The curve of your cheeks, and your shoulders' slim grace — The smile in your grave eyes — the light of your face — The warmth of your arms, and the scent of your hair That cloaked me like night as I prisoned you there 'Gainst my heart, with the blood of me singing like wine, — And the red of your lips that were clinging to mine! Oh, I may forget all the torture and tears That were woven by Life in the woof of the years — But the dream of your love, Dear, is haunting me yet. And not through Eternity shall I forget! 50 DESIRE A HE first time I caught sight of you Your lips were curved for song; I wanted just a mite of you, One warm moon-silvered night of you To cheer my way along. I sensed the elfin art of you In every move and tone. And wanted then a part of you, The pass'nate pulsing heart of you To throb against my own. I cherished all the charms of you White as the fragrant foam; And prayed those slender arms of you, Those warm young tender arms of you Might always be my home! The kisses that I stole of you Burn on my lips like wine! And oh, — I want the whole of you — The fierce impassioned whole of you The body, heart and soul of you To be forever mine! 51 THE ROSE AND THE NIGHTINGALE (After an Oscar Wilde fairy-tale) 1 HERE'S a legend, Dear, of ancient days. An Orient-pertumed tale, Of a lad in a garden who loved a maid — Of a rose and a nightingale. The rose was white as the snowy foam On the breast of the silver sea, And it nodded and swayed in the autumn breeze Alone on its scented tree. The nightingale swung on a lazy leaf Close to the rose's breath. And thrilled out her soul to the lad below On the glory of Love and De»th. And oh, how her tiny, fluttering heart Leapt when he near her strayed. For her dreams were all of the lonely lad, As his, ot the winsome maid. One night he lay on the dew-sweet grass, His eyes a-dream with love, While the nightingale swayed near the lone white rose And trilled to him from above. But the lad's poor heart bathed its hungry dreams Deep in the salt of his tears; And the joyous notes of the glorious song Fell on unheeding ears. And he cried in pain, — "One chance is left — "But all my hope is fled; "For she asked me to bring her a red, red rose — "And alas! They are long since dead!" 52 The nightingale, hearing, hushed her song And fluttered silently To the thorn that guarded the lone white rose Now drooping in sympathy. She pressed her breast on the cruel point Of the great, green-bladed dart, And her soul thrilled out in a wild, free song As it pierced her unhappy heart. All night the tiny bird sobbed out Her heart against the thorn. While the lone white rose, with every throb Grew red as the crimson morn! And as dawn arose in the eastern skies And flushed the world in red. The waking lad found the scarlet rose, — But the nightingale lay — dead! This is the story they spun, of old. And its truth. Dear, — Ah, who knows? Of a lad in a garden who loved a maid, — Of a nightingale and a rose. And, Dear, to-day there's another lad Living the selt-same tale — Yielding his soul to the passion of pain — Just like the nightingale! His warm blood stains the wild white rose Of your life into crimson morn, And he sobs his love through the cruel night With his heart against the thorn! 53 THE AWAKENING Whoever loves has a great Re-Birth, His senses are keened to the glories of Earth, To the dazzling mist of the rainbow's gleams, And the essence of beauty, and faith, and dreams. There's a wondrous joy that no one knows In the song of the lark, in the breath of the rose, — In the warmth of the sun and the light of the sea And the heart of a lover's ecstasy. And I, — I learned it all. Dear, then, So give me your lips to kiss again! 54 THE TALISMAN VyNE winter night, beneath a winter sky, I unexpected came to say Good-bye, And roused you from your dreams. Over my heart, aflame with love of you You pinned a tiny charm, with stones of blue xA.nd red and white, flashing like sunset dew, — How long ago it seems! And as it glistened blue, and white, and red, — "Oh, may it keep you safe from harm," you said. And through the years in camp and battlefield I wore it where you'd pinned it, as my shield To keep me safe and strong. Blue of your eyes that misted tenderly. White of your arms that fast encircled me. Red of your lips that would not set me free, — And in my ears your song! And, after weary days of tortured pain It brought me safely home to you again! And now, Dear Heart, I face another war, A fiercer one than e'er I fought before. Resounding with Life's ceaseless threnody. For this your talisman has lost its charm. And, if you still would keep me safe from harm. Yield yourself up into my hungry arm, And give your lips to me. This is my only hope, O Ruth Suzanne — That I may wear your Love as talisman! 55 THE SEA AND I 1 LIKEN my heart to the silver sea, Pulsing its passion through the years; Sighing its love-song silently, Warming its dreams in the salt of its tears. But dreams are followed by pitiless morn Which scatters their visions with blood-red breath; And the flower of love has a cruel thorn Which turns delight to death! The sea is breaking its silver heart On the rainbow-flashing shore; And the thorn is tearing mine apart, To bleed for evermore! 56 A SOCIAL ERROR \y NE day I sat with Susie at A meal in her hotel; The people there all turned to stare- She looked so Ritz and swell. And I discussed — as needs I must To hide my burning passion — The price of shoes, the latest news From world of crime and fashion. I told her of Miss Widener's love For a lad of obscure name; How they'd eloped, and how I hoped Some day she'd do the same. She raised her eyes, in sweet surprise. And long she laughed at me, /•\11 because I had said "Fi-Fi," Instead of saying "Fi-Fi!" 57 JUNE TWILIGHT v^N the meadows the twilight is falling, The pink flushes fade from the sky, A querulous robin is calling Her young from their wand'rings nearby. A tremulous silence sinks over The hot-heaving heart of the sea; And the dew glistens gold on the clover Released from the lust of the bee. The crickets have started their singing, Dark shadows creep up toward the west; And there a gaunt fish-hawk goes winging Her way to her lone naked nest. The leaves of the maple are trembling Beneath the night-wind's breath, As the heart of a woman dissembling Her fear in the presence of Death. And out from the meadows comes stealing The perfume of roses and sea, Till it quickens the senses, revealing Old visions, long vanished to me. And memories come crowding and thronging,- The breeze brings them fresh on each gust — Of starlight and whispers and longing That years have long changed into dust. There wafts a low voice to me, thrilling Sweet words that I'll never forget. And the ghosts of caresses are filling The spaces of night with regret. And oh, how it hurts to remember — For Youth leaves such long-lasting gleams — That June must aye turn to September, And Love to the ashes of dreams! 58 THE FAIRY RING Tt HERE'S a slender span of blue and gold Upon my finger gleaming, That binds me round with love untold, With haunting hopes, and thoughts of old, — Old starlight and old dreaming. Three happy years it's glistened fair Since the first day I wore it; So tight it clings — I cannot tear It off. No, it shall nestle there With all my life before it. There's magic in its golden band That nightly brings me healing: I feel it throbbing on my hand. And lo! — through the dim shadow-land Your dear sweet face comes stealing. And some day Death to life shall bring My prayer since first Love found me — Once more to mine your lips shall cling, And your young arms, Dear, like the Ring, Shall circle tight around me! 59 LOYALTY jL/ ONG centuries past I was a boy, And loved a maiden mightily; My himgry heart was hut her toy, — Her lips the cup which held my joy Of ecstasy! The weary years roll endless by, And she is far away from me. But still, in all my wand'rings, I Cling to the thoughts that bring her nigh In memory. Oh, if you still can hear me. Sue, Where'er you dwell so happily — Know that my heart is ever true, Know that my dreams are filled with you, Know, Dear, that I shall love you through Eternity! 60 fBAp?1 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 1 II III ill I III III III I L 015 873 459 A • t