PR 6005 .P9 S5 1900 Copy 1 no< SONGS AND LYRICS CHARLES WHITWORTH WYNNE Author of "Ad Astra " NEW YORK HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 1900 SONGS AND LYRICS SONGS AND LYRICS BY / CHARLES WHITWORTH WYNNE Author of " Ad Astral' NEW YORK HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 1900 7 O r^ ^ '*i L.ilsrtjj'y of Congress \i'. Copies Received nm 8 1900 Copynght «ntry SiD'^'D COPY. I O'sts .^ D'V:SION. 1 \ m 27 1900 f\^"- .^ f\ (TO Copyright, 1900, PV CHARLES WHITWORTH WYNNE All rights reserved ROBERT DRUMMOND, PRINTER, NEW YORK TO GLADYS CONTENTS PAGE DAWN FIRES i I have asked you the simplest question THE COTTAR'S SONG 4 Here the birds still chirp and twitter lANTHE 6 lanthe ! could thy name express TWILIGHT 8 O mystic hour ! when day and night FLAVIA'S FAREWELL 10 If love were all, then might not thou and I THE STAR OF HOPE 12 Love is not Love that can admit despair ESTELLE 14 Like a diamond on a roseleaf when the rain has gemm'd the flower vii viii CONTENTS PAGE IS LOVE TENDER ? 17 Is Love tender ? Is Love kind ? THE LITTLE ARCHER . . . . . .18 Deftly the little Archer pUes LOVE-DOUBTS . ' 20 Only as long, and so long as WITHERED HOPES 22 Last night my heart was as a fading Rose THE WHITE POPPY 23 Like a shimmering poppy, robed in white ATTAR OF ROSES 25 Like the petals of the Rose PHYLLIS ^7 'Tis not that my Phyllis has sun-laden hair NATURE AND ART 29 Nature and Art in Her combined SONG 30 All my longing, since first I beheld thee CONTENTS ix PAGE THRO' THE PASS OF LLANBERIS .... 32 You ... at the end of the valley MY SILVER MOON 34 As the moon puts on new lustre SAY YOU LOVE ME 35 Say you love me !— speak it softly THE RING-DOVE c Z7 'Mid beechy umbrage, bosky dell TO MAY 39 May, like a maiden soft and fair INVOCATION TO THE MUSES 42 Awake ! ye tuneful Nine, and sing THE SPRING MINSTRELS 44 Hark ! how the welkin rings THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE 49 He raised his harp, and flung aloft STRAINED RELATIONS So The guest of Sorrow and her sister Care CONTENTS PAGE TO WINIFRED 52 The Syrens alone might tell you LOVE'S GOLDEN PILGRIMAGE . . . . .54 To one who loves, all things are beautiful LOVE'S WELCOME 56 Hark to the spirit voices from Love's sphere ! LOVE'S ONENESS 58 If I had loved thee less, I had been free LOVE'S SLEEPLESSNESS 60 I can no more mine ej'es to sleep compose LOVE'S BITTERNESS (>2 Why should I love, when others would despise ? LOVE'S RULE 64 How soon hath sped this golden summer day ! ESTRANGED 66. You spoke to me harshly, unkindly, last night EVENING AT SEA 67- A perfect night !— a night of calm at sea CONTENTS « PAGE TO A VICTORIAN KNIGHT 68 It is not for the dints upon your shield IMPROMPTU VERSES 70 We quarrell'd over many things TO AN UNKNOWN GODDESS 71 Love ?— I have sought it thro' the universe TO A NONAGENARIAN FRIEND . ... 72 Lo, now you enter on your tenth decade MORNING HYMN 73 Now the golden morning shines MAN'S TOIL 76 Each man would wish to be his own good-master GUARD THY HEART . Guard thy heart ! as tho' thy Lady 77 FORGIVENESS 79 ' Must I forgive till seven times seven ? ' THE SPIRIT OF POETRY 81 Home-returning in a shower ■xii CONTENTS PAGE SORROW'S THROXE ...... 82 Why are friends like summer showers AN EQUATORIAL SUNSET ..... 83 The sun has set, and sea and sky are blending DEATH OF TENNYSON ...... 84 Mourn, all ye nations, mourn ! for he is dead PEACE 86 Thou gentle Dove ! sent out to warn mankind ON DEATH 88 Why shouldst thou fear, since Death must come ? TRUTH 89 A will-o'-the-wisp that ever evades the sight SUNDOWN 90 The noises of day come out distinct and clear SONGS AND LYRICS DAWN FIRES I HAVE ask'd you the simplest question That my soul in its want could conceive, And you treat the question lightly In a world of make-believe. You would have me say that I love you Ten thousand, thousand times, But, when I ask for an answer, 'Tis ever the same old chimes — The chimes of my spirit's fancy, Ringing my heart's desire, 2 DAWN FIRES But never a word that would set me free From the doubts that burn Hke fire! For seven long years have I waited, Trusting the clouds would break, And your spirit dawn upon me The brighter for Love's sake. But now I am none the wiser Than when Love first began, And still the old fire goes smouldering on With a hope I cannot span. Perchance, when this voice is silent, The answer will come too late, And only the wild winds echo The sadness of our Fate! DAWN FIRES For, if in my life I loved you, My death shall more than prove That never for us shall open The pearly gates of Love. THE COTTAR'S SONG Here the birds still chirp and twitter In November days, Meting out the sweet and bitter In the life they praise. London streets may brim with morsels, Dainty bits and fine, But for them the cottage door-sills, Ruddy light and shine! Better half a crumb with gladness In the light of day, THE COTTAR'S SONG 5 Than a feast with pale-faced sadness Brooding o'er the way. Let me feel the warmth of Heaven As it purely flows — Feel that it is freely given, Straight from God's own brows! Not for me the City's glamour, Its adulterate wine — Hectic flush and noisy clamour Of a World supine. lANTHE Ianthe! could thy name express But half the love I feel for thee, Why, from my voice, thou then mightst guess How very dear thou art to me! No other homage would I pay, But simply breathe again thy name — A thousand things it seems to say That thee, and thee alone, proclaim. For in thy presence there doth flow A music that is passing sweet — lANTHE All Other notes are lost below Until within thy name they meet. And, whether by the brooklet's side, Or by the shallow, murmuring weir, In the soft hush of eventide Thy name alone floats on my ear. Or, in the silence of the night. If thy dear name my sleep invade, I wake to clasp a brief delight — I wake to find the vision fade. TWILIGHT O MYSTIC Hour! when clay and night Seem spell-bound with the fading light, When hill and valley, dale and grove, Bespeak none other voice but Love. Recumbent on her couch of pine, With languorous grace and dewy eyne, The Queen of Heaven ^ doth now unfold Her fatal beauty limn'd in gold. Whilst on the air the bat's bent wings Add witchery to earthly things, ^The Planet Venus. TWILIGHT AS; sailing with uneven flight, He mocks the shadows of the night. Now doth my spirit feel a part Of One, Great, Universal Heart — The bond of fellowship at least 'Twixt Man and Nature, bird and beast. FLAVIA'S FAREWELL Suggested % the 'Prisoner of Zenda' If Love were all, then might not thoii and I Seek out some plot of Earth before we die, And live and breathe into each other's being The happiness which seems beyond our seeing? If Love were all, then might I take thy hand, And wander with thee into Fairyland — How poor soe'er thy lot, no cloud could be Too great that did encompass thee and me. If Love were all, then on that all I 'd cast My life, my honour, all that Fame holds fast; 10 FLAVIA'S FAREWELL u For but to be enfolden in thine arms Were rich reward for all a maiden's charms. But Love is only Love when it doth bind Hearts to themselves, with Godhead inter- twined — If I should yield, my love, and fly with thee, Could I believe that God had smiled on me? THE STAR OF HOPE , Love is not Love that can admit despair, For Love was born of Hope, and Hope is fair — With that bright Star to guide him on his way, No Hfe were loveless, tho' Love say him ' nay.' What tho' the World may pass him by with scorn, Life without Love were surely more forlorn — He, who has look'd upon Love's guiding Star, Knows that it never sets — but burns afar! 12 THE STAR OF HOPE 13 Tho' Love shall never here his guerdon find, Love leaves his own sweet recompense behind, For but to love — is to forget the while Earth and its sordid cares in Heaven's blue smile. ESTELLE Like a diamond on a roseleaf when the rain has gemm'd the flower, Like the first faint flush of sunrise steahng over stream and tower, Like the palest hght of evening, darkly deep- ening every hour, So are thine eyes, true love, to me. Like the soft and fleecy treasure of a child's bright golden hair. Like the whiteness of the hawthorn when the summer months are near, 14 ESTELLE IS Like the warmth of tender nestHngs zoned within a mossy sphere, So are thine hands, true love, to me. Like a brook that purls and ripples ever with a silvery sound, Like the chime of distant sleigh-bells tinkling over frosty ground, Like a soft-string'd Stradivarius, breathing on a spirit wound. So is thy voice, true love, to me. Like the tints that fall at sunset on a cloud- let's drifting snow. Like the flash of crimson streamers when the Alpine ridges glow, Like the blossoms of the almond, like the petals of the sloe. So are thy cheeks, true love, to me. i6 ESTELLE Far beyond all Poet's dreaming — far beyond his Heaven, his Hell, _ Far beyond all depths of feeling—far beyond what lovers tell. Far beyond the voice of Conscience, whisper- ing that thou didst was well, Such is thy smile, dear love, to me. IS LOVE TENDER? She Is Love tender? Is Love kind? Leaves he not his sting behind? He True, he hates a timid holder, Nettle-wise protects the bolder! 17 THE LITTLE ARCHER Deftly the little Archer plies His shafts of light — Thou canst not hold him in disguise, He lurks beneath those summer skies, And revels in his victories Till set of night. And Love and Laughter hide and seek Where lilies vie — They chase the sunbeams o'er each cheek, And ripple low, like waves that break Upon the shingle of a lake Until they die. 18 THE LITTLE ARCHER 19 And Love hangs trembling on thy voice, Entrancing soft — The Love that crowns a maiden's choice, The Love that makes a heart rejoice. The Love that hears none other voice Save that of Love. LOVE-DOUBTS Only as long, and so long as No other heart seeks thine, Wilt thou listen to the music That's swelhng at thy shrine! Only as long, and so long as No other eyes speak tears. Wilt thou guard the sacred portals That hide a vestal's fears! Only as long, and so long as No other voice pleads low, Wilt thou seek to still the tumult Beneath thy bosom's snow. LOVE-DOUBTS 21 Only as long, and so .oLg as No other hand steals thine, Wilt thou thrill beneath the pressure Of this poor hand of mine! Only as long, and so long as No other his homage pays, Wilt thou hsten to my madness, And tremble at its ways! WITHERED HOPES Last night my heart was as a fading Rose, Which in an Urn of Tears I did dispose — When Dawn look'd down from out her pearly- throne, The Rose was left, but ah! the Scent was flown. .22 THE WHITE POPPY Like a shimmering poppy, robed in white, With sashes and bows of golden green — ^ A very woman of soft delight, Yet moulded as the flow^ers have been! Within her eyes the palest blue Bespoke a mind to calmness given, A soul in which a man might view The very sanctities of Heaven. And when she smiled it seem'd as tho' - Pale shadowy moonbeams sought her lips^ 23 24 THE WHITE POPPY And scattered there an argent glow That never suffereth ecHpse. And those soft hands that lie superb Upon the foldings of her gown, O beating heart, how can I curb The folly they would make you own? For I would hold them in despite Of any protest she might make, Until I felt their warmth requite The thing I ventured for her sake! Till, warm'd with secret fires, I feel Her reddening lips droop nearer mine, And life upon its axis reel With kisses that are more than wine! ATTAR OF ROSES Like the petals of the Rose, When the dews their scent disclose, Soft as velvet tho' they be, Fragrant of the Dawn and thee, Yet thy lips are sweeter far Than all garden Roses are. Once I thought my life supreme, Bedded in a Rose's dream — Scent of Attar on my lips, Nectar that the brown bee sips, Yet I never knew before What sweet scents thy lips could store. 25 26 ATTAR OF ROSES This, above that carmine wave, Was the soft response they gave-— Fading fast before my touch, Never yielding overmuch. Now I have no peace of mind Till thy lips again I find! PHYLLIS Tis not that my Phyllis has sun-laden hair, Those long, flowing tresses that lovers declare Are the first of Love's charms, and the breath of its air, I love her. 'Tis not that my Phyllis has wonderful eyes. Whose depth is the ocean, whose zenith the skies, Whose harmonies wake in the kingdom of sighs, I love her. 27 28 PHYLLIS 'Tis not that my Phyllis is sweet as the Rose, When the dews of the morning its freshness disclose, Or as it more fragrantly sinks to repose, I love her. Tis not that my Phyllis is tender and kind, That self is abandon'd — and others may find That the charm of all charms is the charm of her mind, I love her. Then w4iy do I love her? — Can any one tell? And why should this maiden all maidens ex- cel — With Her is my Heaven, and with Her is my Hell! NATURE AND ART Nature and Art in Her combined To make a perfect shrine Where one may bare the spirit's brow To worship the divine. 29 SONG All my longing, since first I beheld thee, My lips in three words would convey, But to speak them might breathe of dishonour To one whom I would not betray. Oh, what if I never may tell thee, And die with the burden I bear! Wilt thou value the friendship I gave thee^ The silence that cost me so dear? 30 SONG 31 And so in our hearts we must cherish The knowledge that makes life divine, And, when in the dawning we perish, God mingle thine ashes with mine! THRO' THE PASS OF LLANBERIS You ... at the end of the valley, Storm-wrack and cloud before — Thro' the wild pass of Llanberis To the gleam of a southern shore. So, thro' the gulfs of sorrow, Thro' anguish of heart and mind, One only hope to my journey. One haven of peace I find. THRO' THE PASS OF LLANBERIS 33 Yet, if that hope should fail me, That home in the valley fair, Alone, 'mid the wastes of the mountains, Must I wrestle with despair! MY SILVER MOON As the moon puts on new lustre In the blackest of the night, So thine eyes with deepening splendour Flood my darken'd soul with light. 34 SAY YOU LOVE ME Say you love me! — speak it softly, Breathe once more the whisper'd vow, Look into mine eyes, and teil me That you never loved till now. Let me feel your arms around me. Hold me ever closelier prest, Life has no diviner greeting, Love no holier place of rest. 35 36 SAY YOU LOVE ME Raise once more the cup of passion To my aching Hps anew, Let me dream that I am fading Into Heaven's eternal blue. THE RING-DOVE 'Mid beechy umbrage, bosky dell, Tis there the Ring-dove loves to dwell. And, when the fiery noon is high, Croon softly to the sapphire sky. Like plashing waters heard at even. In which the sunset lights are riven. His mellow voice is soft and cool As moonbeams on a silent pool. Not here the upward-soaring lark With quivering throat can pierce the dark- 37 38 THE RING-DOVE The Nightingale might sing in vain Within the Ring-dove's hush'd domain. Thy song is like a summer dream Beside some gently-rilling stream — A vale where quiet hearts may rest And in Love's sanctity be blest. Amid the lush and waving grass I watch the shadows as they pass, And in thy leafy covert find A solace to my wounded mind — That Life is short, and Art is vain — All unpremeditate thy strain! That Love is long, and Virtue sure, And wedded bliss is more and more. TO MAY May, like a maiden soft and fair, With pink-white blossoms in her hair, Came tripping thro' the verdant mead. With lightsome heart and frolic tread. To her capie lovers, old and young. Whom wintry griefs had kept from song, To pay once more their votive vows For all the wealth her grace bestows. The Cuckoo, too, his note doth raise In one incessant song of praise, 39 40 TO MAY And little birds from tree and bough Her, Queen of all the months, allow. The Chestnut and the Hawthorn vie Whose blossoms shall outmatch the sky, Where soft and fleecy clouds unveil Their blueness to the Nightingale. Now mounts the Lark on quivering wing The treasures of his heart to sing, And flood the hollow vault of Heaven With music not to mortals given. Dame Nature in her softest gown Doth greet the darling as her own, And with a mother's loving heart Doth press those tender lips apart. TO MAY 41 Maiden of Months! to thee I bring This Httle tribute of the Spring — Content, if in thy smiles I see A glimpse of what thy love might be! INVOCATION TO THE MUSES Awake! ye tuneful Nine, and sing The budding glories of the Spring, Awake! and sweep each sounding lyre, Breathe on the strings celestial fire! Euterpe first, with her soft flute, Shall bid the whistling winds be mute. And after her let each in turn Reveal the thoughts that inward burn! And you, ye Nymphs, that haunt the grove, Whose only hardship is to love, Who all night long in revel gay Prolong the scenes ye shun by day, 42 INVOCATION TO THE MUSES 43 And, circling round your Fairy Queen, In sprightly dance rejoice unseen, Awake! and let the Chorus bear Your blended voices thro' the air! * f * H» H« THE SPRING MINSTRELS THRUSH Hark! how the welkin rings, Trembling with glee! Hark! how the Mavis sings, Changing his key! Bird of the dapple-gray! Thine is the sweetest lay, Whistling from fragrant bay, Happy and free. 4i THE SPRING MINSTRELS 45 BLACKBIRD The Blackbird's piping call Rings on my ear, Its accents seem to fall Both far and near — Yet, with how true a note The quavering stanzas floatl I would I had by rote The half I hear! LARK Queen of the azure sky! Whose dew-lapp'd home, Green blades, or wheat, or rye Serve for a dome — THE SPRING MINSTRELS Soaring, with spiral flight, High o'er the realms of sight, Wrapt in thy song's delight, Where dost thou roam? LINNET List! how that gentle lay, Sweetly refined, Warbled from tender spray. Floats on the wind — Hopping from tree to tree, Filling my soul with gle^. Linnet, thy melody Is wondrous kind! THE SPRING MINSTRELS 47 ROBIN What ails thee, winter bard, Melodious Robin? Was that the voice I heard When winds were sobbing? Hast thou some vain regret That holds thee in iis net? Surely the Spring can set Thy heart a-throbbing! THE ROOKS Cradled in sunset glows, Rock'd by the storm, Far from their fellest foes, Happy and warm — 48 THE SPRING MINSTRELS Love in community, Strong in Love's unity — Dawn's importunity Is Evening's calm. ALL Ye Poets of the air! Ye that can fly, Ye all have gifts most rare, Ye all must die — Then sing while sing ye may, And sing while lasts the day. Praising this Season gay And God on High! THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE He raised his harp, and flung aloft Its utmost power of song — Tho' thousands jeer'd, and thousands scofif'dy One little smile, as sweet as soft, Repaid him for his wrong! 4J> STRAINED RELATIONS The guest of Sorrow and her sister Care, I slept in their strange mansion yester-night, Where foulest dreams disturb'd my restful t right, And left me wide-awake with icy stare! I breakfasted in those same Halls to-day — The pictures frown'd upon me in their gloom, And all was dark and deadly as the tomb: I fled — Iho' I was press'd upon to stay! On, on, I flew towards the sunny South — The fields and waters laughing at my haste 50 STRAINED RELATIONS 51 Sang merrily their songs from mouth to mouth, And I felt bashful and the half-disgraced. To-night I dine with other friends, but they Are not relations, dare I so to say! TO WINIFRED (Aged Eighteen Months) The Syrens alone might tell you The Land whence my Lady came. Or the days she took to travel Over a sea of flame. She came with the early Dawn,, Before the stars were set, The roseate streamers lighting The gold on her coverlet. But now . . . can I tell the wonder The Love that has com.e to me, In the light of the bluest eyes That ever smiled out of the sea? 52 TO WINIFRED 53 Such treasure of golden floss, In strands of drifting ore! 'Twas spun by a faery hand, By the hght of faery lore. Her smile is a flash of the Dawn, Before the morning breaks — Twould scatter the duHest clouds That ever the East awakes! Such tiny hands and feet, Such mimicking words and ways! And, oh, for that childish prattle, When the heart, itself, betrays! For to thee, thou little Innocent! The world cannot help but be kind-^ But, the larger the heart, the greater The sorrow it needs must find. LOVE'S GOLDEN PILGRIMAGE To one who loves, all things are beautiful — Love colours every thought, and on his wings Doth bear those tender, sweet imaginings That stir the soul to depths most dutiful. The merry clamour of the bells at Yule, The Cuckoo's trumpet-call, wdien first it rings On unaccustom'd ears . . . and other Springs Fade fast before the mind's bright vestibule! . . . Are messengers of Love, but Love has more Than all the wealtl^ of Nature can bestow, 54 LOVE'S GOLDEN PILGRLAL-\GE 55 For he who loves, has of Love's boundless store A heart, a mind, whose riches overflow, And, in the light and wisdom of Love's lore. Perceives in Nature thins^s unseen before. LOVE'S WELCOME Hark to the spirit voices from Love's sphere! Sweet close to this melodious summer night — Softly the song floats on from height to height, And every voice is eloquent of Her! Can this be night, the brightness is so fair? My Hall of Love is lit with crystal light, If so my Lady shall my watch requite, And earth and sky a richer radiance wear! Shine on for ever o'er this heart of mine, Ye night and stars, and Thou who lovelier art 56 LOVE'S WELCOME 57 Than what my wildest fancy might portray! Entwine thy hallow'd glory round my heart, And so encloud me, till I swoon away, A victim to the Love that is divine. LOVE'S ONENESS (To a Lady who complained that others were neglected for herself) If I had loved thee less, I had been free To smile when others smiled — to hope, or fear, And lend to each such silent sympathy As well might prove a friend was listening near. But, loving thee, I have no eyes to see What others see, or feel as others feel — • I have no thoughts that are not part of thee, And all my sweets from thoughts of thee I steal. 58 LOVE'S ONENESS 5^ By day, by night, a presence everywhere, Thy mirror'd loveliness in all I find — In others' griefs I am not fit to share. Who cannot turn from thee my steadfast mind. Thus loving thee far more than aught beside, I've lost my friends, and thou dost merely chide! LOVE'S SLEEPLESSNESS I CAN no more mine eyes to sleep compose, And thou alone sweet cause of my unrest! Yet think not I would drive thee from my breast, Tho' ne'er again I might mine eyelids close. Whilst thou hast closed thy petals like the rose, And, safely shelter'd in thy little nest, Art dreaming of a love thy tears caress'd, Unconscious of thy lover and his woes! Oh, would that I might tend thy lovely sleep. And guard the passage of thine incensed breath! — 60 LOVE'S SLEEPLESSNESS 6i To dwell upon thy breast's entrancing steep Were all of Heaven, and too much of Death — The heart that once had beat so near to thine Would stop for aye, when sever'd from its shrine! LOVE'S BITTERNESS Why should I love, where others would despise? Why idly hope thou still may'st love me best? — When every act doth wear a bold disguise, And other friendships seem to stir thy breast i And yet, to look but once upon those eyes, So darkly beautiful, so purely true, I, for my doubts, can but myself chastise, Who could of thee such bitter thoughts re- view ! Have I no cloak of hauteur, or of pride, That I must fall to thinking foul of thee? 62 LOVE'S BITTERNESS 63 Shall jealous fears in my strong love abide? Or is there estimate of love in me? No, tho' mine eyes should tell me thou hadst lied, I 'd tear them out to prove thy constancy! LOVE'S RULE How soon hath sped this golden summer day! This day for ever sacred in our eyes, That first reveal'd to us far dearer ties Than any we iiave held 'neath Friendship's sway. Neither will lightly let it pass away, And, as a thought long fondled never dies. The memory of it shall renew our sighs When other youthful joys have known decay. So shall we blissfully from life decline, Knowing that we have tasted to the full 64 LOVE'S RULE 65 The cup that other Hps have deem'd divine — The cup we drain'd in nectarous draughts and cool! And may Love's rosy garlands here enshrine The Day we first submitted to Love's rulel ESTRANGED You spoke to me harshly, unkindly, last night, When my heart was full of love, You rain'd on me scorn from your realms above, And left me passionless quite I 66 EVENING AT SEA A PERFECT night! — a night of cahii at sea, In all its grace and all its purity, And not a sound, save where the glittering spray Falls off in emerald furrows round our way. Myriads of little stars, divinely fair, Come shimmering thro' the vestures of the night, And Venus in her loveliness is there, Enthroned Queen of all those realms of light! Now, from the furthest disc, comes peeping forth Diana, in her chastest robes of snow, Pale as the daylight in the frozen North, Yet full of sympathy, as lovers know, For, as she mellows with each darkening hour. Their linked hearts confess her gracious power. 67 TO A VICTORIAN KNIGHT It is not for the dints upon your shield That tell of prowess in the ensanguined field, For which our pure and princely Arthur gave That badge of Honour — Knighthood to the brave. Nor yet like those great rovers of the main, Who curb'd, and crush'd the mighty fleets of Spain, And, with the wisdom that her statesmen drew. Made good Queen Bess's Knights both brave and true. 68 TO A VICTORIAN KNIGHT 69 No, greater than all these! Victoria's Knights Their Sovereign's love in wider fields requites — It is the power of brain, not of the sword. On which they base their title to reward! IMPROMPTU VERSES (On leaving R.M.S. Norham Castle) We quarreird over many things, Agreed about few, And yet, I am grieved At parting from you. Perhaps, ere we meet again, You will discover I was a truer friend Than many a lover! 70 TO AN UNKNOWN GODDESS Love? — I have sought it thro' the universe, And found it never yet — Oh, will some maid the glorious tale rehearse. And let me pay Love's debt? On lips and heart and eyebrows I would shower The gifts that God hath given, From Her receive a more than equal dower Of all the gifts of Heaven. 71 TO A NONAGENARIAN FRIEND (On his Ninetieth Birthday) Lo, now you enter on your tenth decade, In all your man'ellous faculties array'd, May you complete it with the other nine Before you go to share the life divine! 72 MORNING HYMN Now the golden morning shines, Let us each be up and doing, And, when dayhght swift dedines, May it find us still pursuing! Each hath his appointed sphere, Hands and brain alike achieving, Crowning all the fleeting year With new beauties of his weaving. Tho' the labour of his hands Seems but to enrich another, 74 MORNING HYMN God, above him, understands He is helping on some brother, Who, of frailer mould and form, Other purposes fulfilling. Else had perish'd in the storm. Laying by God's task, unwilling. Tho' in mines he delve all day. Gloom perennial surround him. Every blow emits a ray From the spot where Duty bound him. Never let the heart repine, Tho' thy toil seem unavailing — Every labourer's work 's divine, Never canst thou speak of failing! MORNING HYMN 75 Art, and Science, Medicine, Law, Into unknown realms extending. From thy steady purpose draw Glorious triumphs, never-ending. Every labourer 's worth his hire — Known to each his heart's devotion — Every spark of burnish'd fire Swells the tribute of the ocean. > MAN'S TOIL Each man would wish to be his own good- master — Freedom the distant goal to which he strains. 'Tis strange such energy should court disaster, Since he is happiest who last attains! GUARD THY HEART! Guard thy heart! as tho' thy Lady Hung her costhest jewels there — Tho' a thousand fiends persuade thee, Yield not to the fleshly snare! Let thy hand be firm and steady, Let thy heart be stout and true, Let thy feet be ever ready, Tho' the Master's calls be few. Every thought of self abandon'd, Every passion lull'd to rest, 78 GUARD THY HEART ! Every insult kindly pardon' d, Every angry word repress'd, Thou may'st rend the veil asunder, See thy Master face to face! In thy life reflect the wonder Of so fair a dwelling-place. And, when age to youth succeedeth, Each fond memory shall appear Like a voice that sweetly pleadeth, Whispering words of love and cheer FORGIVENESS ^ Must I forgive till seven times seven? ' A voice within me cried, * As thou wouldst hope to be forgiven/ A Voice within replied, And this my only hope of Heaven? — O Lord, Thou know'st how hard I 've striven To conquer all my pride! And must I turn each smarting cheek, And kindly make reply? My arm is strong — my faith is weak. And storm-tears cloud mine eye. 79 r 80 FORGIVENESS * Beyond his strength is no man tried/ That Voice within again replied, 'Tis Heaven — to pass it by! And have I but the hour withstood? Revenge, a welcome guest? And shall this second, fiercer tlood O'erwhelm my battling breast? O let me feel Thy Presence near. Thy words of Love alone can cheer, Alone can bring me rest! THE SPIRIT OF POETRY Home-returning in a shower, Found that I was smiHng, At the very time and hour Most men would be riHng" — Thus, if Nature prove unkind, Only a poetic mind Can laugh without reviling! 81 SORROW'S THRONE Why are friends like summer showers, As fresh as they are fleeting? Why are friends hke all sweet flowers That die within the greeting? — The sweetest sweets the soonest cloy, Our dearest hopes deceive us, And so with Friendship's fitful joy. It only smiles to grieve us! 82 AN EQUATORIAL SUNSET The sun has set, and sea and sky are blending In tints of purple, amaranth, and gold, While fretted clouds, that stretch in line un- ending, New harmonies of light and shade unfold. Like Sappho's cheek with love incarnadined. The Western main is deepening every hour — Till from the distance comes the soft night wind Delicious numbness on the sense to pour. Bringing forgetfulness of place and time — When lo! from out the waves, apparell'd bright, In all her witchery of golden light. Fair Venus rises radiantly sublime. And, 'mid the jewell'd splendour of the sky, Calls forth a tear from many a lover's eye! 83 DEATH OF TENNYSON (October 6, 1892) Mourn, all ye Nations, mourn! for he is dead— ^ The sweetest singer of our later choir. Whose thoughts were borne aloft on wings of fire, And Truth and Beauty left us in their stead. The last of all our prophets now is fled — Fled is the music of his magic lyre. The melody of half a world's desire, The yew and cypress wound about his head. Sunrise and sunset shall go fleeting by. And all the voice of Nature now be mute, 84 DEATH OF TENNYSON 85. Since he, who loved them, leaves us but his lute. With none the master of its minstrelsy — Yet, in his life and death, what joy have we Who knew the tree, and tasted of its fruit! PEACE Thou gentle Dove! sent out to warn mankind Of such a time when war shall cease to be, Yet ever to thy sheltering Ark dost flee, For nowhere can thy feet a foothold find. The air thou cleavest is with sulphur blind, While horrent shapes scud o'er the foamy sea, That bristles with a monster progeny — The clash of arms is borne upon the wind. O when wilt thou return to tell of fields Ripening with plenty, whilst the smiling lands Are bound by fellowship of hearts and hands? 86 \ f PEACE 87 No more the sword its bloody sceptre wields! Come to us from the realms where Heaven, expands, And bring the leaf the tender olive yields! V \ ON DEATH Why shouldst thou fear, since Death must come? Why, Mortal, shouldst thou fear the tomb? Thou canst not one sweet minute gain, Nor stay the Hand that stilleth pain, Then bravely meet the silent Foe, If Foe He be, Who ends thy woe! For at the worst Forgetfulness — And at the best great Happiness — Will minister to thy distress, And make the parting less and less! 88 L.ofC. TRUTH A will-o'-the-wisp that ever evades the sight. The nearer we get, the blacker grows the night, And he, who would grasp it, grasps but a reedy light, Whilst over his sinking shadow it dances bright! 89 SUNDOWN The noises of clay come out distinct and clear, While children's voices break the muffled roar That rises from the village. Evermore The babble of birds disturbs the dreaming ear. The ring-dove gurgles from a coppice near, The lark just flits above his wheaten floor, And tired of climbing seeks his nestlings four, Whilst swallows cleave the laden atmosphere.. The bloom of fruit is on the distant firs, The valley fills with soft and filmy spray. The breeze just fans the face and dies away, And not a leaf within the forest stirs. 90 SUNDOWN 91 The sun goes down upon the throbbing air, And leaves the hills more silent than they were. NOV 8 1900 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 641 648 2