P s 1534 054^5 V 1902. XHE <11)0ETIG\L yiCiNTERI^INEP/ T.5.DENIS0N PUBLISHER DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS. Price IS Cents Each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price is Qiven. COMEDIES, MELODRAMAS, Etc. M. F. All That Glitters is Not Gold, 2acts, 2hrs 6 3 Arabian Nights, 3 acts, 2^4 hrs. 30min 4 5 Aunt Dinah's Pledge, temper- ance, 2 acts, 1 hr 6 3 Beggar Venus, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 30 min (25c) 6 4 BlackHeifer, 3acts, 2hrs.(25c) 9 3 Bonnybell, operetta, 1 hr.(25c) 2 5 Caste, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 30 min 5 3 Chas. O'Malley'sAunt, 50 min. (25c) 5 3 Chimney Corner, 2 acts, 1 hr. 30 min 5 2 Consort of Heroines, 3 scenes, 35 min 16 Cricliet or, the Hearth, 3 acts, Ihr. 45 min : 7 8 Danger Signal, 2 acts, 2 hrs.. .. 7 4 Down in Dixie, 4 acts, 2 hrs. 30min (25c) 8 4 Early Vows, 2 acts, 1 hr. (25c) 4 2 East Lynne, 5 acts, 2 hrs 8 7 Elma, The Fairy Child, 1 hr. 45 min., operetta (25c) 5 8 Engaged Girl, 3 acts, 30 min.. 2 7 Eulalia. 1 hr. 30 min (25c) 3 6 From Sumter to Appomattox, 4 acts, 2 hrs. 30 min.. (25c) 6 2 Fruits of the Wine Cup, tem- perance, 3 acts, Ihr 6 4 Handy Andy, Irish, 2 acts, 1 hr. 30min 8 3 Home, 3 acts, 2 hrs 4 3 Indiana Man, 4 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 6 4 Iron Hand, 4 acts, 2 hrs. . . (25c) 5 4 It's All in the Pay Streak, 3 acts, Ihr. 45 min (25c) 4 3 Jedediah Judkins, J. P., 4 acts, 2 hr. 30 min (25c) 7 5 Lady of Lyons, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 30 min 8 4 Let Love But Hold the Key, musical, Ihr (25c) 2 2 Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 2M hrs. 15 min (25c) 7 4 London Assurance, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 30 min 9 3 Lost in London, 3 acts, 1 hr. 45 min 6 3 Louva, the Pauper, 5 acts, 1 hr. 45 min 9 4 Man from Borneo, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 5 2 Michael Erie, 2 acts, 1 hr. 30 m. 8 3 Miriam's Crime, 3 acts, 2 hrs. . . 5 2 Mitsu-Yu-Nissi, Japanese Wed- ding, 1 hr. 15 min 6 6 Money, 5 acts, 3 hrs 9 3 My Wife's Relations, 1 hr 4 6 New Woman, :J acts, 1 hr 3 6 M. F. Not a Man in the House, 2 acts, 45 min 5 Not Such a Fool as He Looks, 3 acts, 2 hrs 5 3 Odds with the Enemy, 4 acts, 1 hr. 45 m 7 4 Only Daughter (An), 3 acts, 1 hr. 15 min 5 2 On .the Brink, temperance, 2 acts, 2 hrs 12 3 Our Boys, 3 acts, 2 hrs 6 4 Our Country, 3 acts, 1 hr 10 3 Ours, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 30 min 6 3 Out in the Streets, temperance, 1 hr. 15min 6 4 Pet of Parson's Ranch, 5 acts, 2 hrs 9 3 Pocahontas, musical burlesque, 2acts, Ihr 10 2 School Ma'am (The), 4 acts, 1 hr. 45 min 6 5 Scrap of Paper, 3 acts, 2 hrs — 6 6 Sea Drift, 4 acts, 2 hrs 6 2 Seth Greenback, 4 acts, 1 hr. 15 min 7 3 Snowball, 3 acts, 2 hrs 4 3 Soldier of Fortune, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 20 min 8 3 Solon Shingle, 1 hr. 30 min 7 2 Sparkling Cup, temperance, 5 acts, 2 hrs 12 4 Sweethearts, 2 acts, 35 min — 2 2 Ten Nights in a Barroom, tem- perance, 5 acts, 2 hrs 7 4 Those Dreadful Twins, 3 acts, 2hrs (25c) 6 4 Ticket of Leave Man, 4 acts, 2 hrs. 45 min 8 3 Tony, the Convict, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 30 min (25c) 7 4 Toodles, 2 acts, Ihr. 15 min... 6 2 Topp's Twins, 4 acts,2 hrs. (25c) 6 4 Uncle Josh, 4 acts, 2 hrs. 15 min (25c) 8 3 Under the Laurels, 5 acts, 1 hr. 45 min 5 4 Under the Spell, 4 acts, 2 hrs. 30min (25c) 7 3 Wedding Trip (The), 2 acts, 1 hr 3 2 Won at Last, 3 acts, 1 hr. 45 min 7 3 Yankee Detective, 3 acts, 2 hrs, 8 3 A successful list. T. S. DENISON, Publisher, 163 Randolph St., Chicago. 'And near it grew a tangled wood." "A Poetical Entertainer/* THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE AND OTHER Poems and Conceits in Verse .y BY T. S. DENISON AUTHOR OF AN IRON CROWN, THE MAN BEHIND, MY INVISIBLE PARTNER, AND THIRTY-SIX PLAYS. ILLUSTRATED " The hasty and the tardy 77ieet at the ferry ^ CHICAGO : T. S. DENISON, Publisher, 163 Randolph Street o THE LifcRARYOF CONGRESS, Two C«piet R«c«iv«4 DEC 29 1902 C»|iyrnht Entfy CLASS Ct^ XXcN*. COPY a COPYRIGHT, 1902 BY T. S. DENISON • " • * • •* I ••• ^ (*--. TO THE PERSON WHO READS A PREFACE. Some of these poems have appeared in various periodicals. Most of them,, however, have never ^> seen the light of publicity. They are part of the ;^ bric-a-brac accumulated in my intellectual workshop ^ during twenty-five years. Not knowing what else to do with them, I cast them forth on the sea of print as a mother bird casts her fledgelings from the nest. Some of them, like "Hasten, Love, Hasten," are poetry ; others, like "The" Ibis," merely rhymes. If I were to indulge any regret concerning their pub- lication, it would be that not more of them are poetry. But verse is undoubtedly the best if not the only vehicle for the expression of many moods and passing fancies. T. S. Denison. October, igo2. ILLUSTRATIONS All the illustrations are by Mr. Morris B. Aleshire, except El Capitan and Wady el Kelt, which are reproduc- tions of photographs. "And near it grew a tangled wood."- Frontispiece "Though men may flout the dreamer's rhyme." 20 "The whitening fodder in the serried shocks." 24 "The limpid waters gleam." - - - - 42 "The water boy bears from the spring his jug." 52 "And thou, El Capitan, cloud-piercing rock." - 72 "Where prophets once had converse with Great Jah." - 82 "And peace the toiler's way." . - - 102 CONTENTS VARIOUS POEMS. page The Old Schoolhouse 1 1 Life 14 Long Ago 15 The Zodiacal Light 16 Inscription in a Book of Verse 17 The Thing That Will Not Be 18 The Poet is Born, Not Made 20 An Ideal 21 Indian Summer 24 Inscribed on a Flyleaf 25 The Leper 26 An Ode of Anacreon 28 Learn to Labor and to Wait 29 The Snow Plant 31 It is an 111 Thing to be Dying 32 The 'Op Tree at Kew 33 An Admonition 34 The Bugaboo Tree 35 Presentiments 'il The Shouting Dervish 40 The Whispering Dervish 41 The Birth of the Rainbow 42 To a Book Just Published 44 The "Hant" 45 The Traitor's Guile 47 The Hermit Crab 48 The Palace 49 July 52 The Runaway Slave 53 7 8 CONTENTS POEMS OF LOVE. page Oh Hasten, Love, Hasten 59 If Love Were June 60 I Gave You a Rose 62 Love'^ Inner Light 63 The Evils of Love 64 On the Greek View of Love 65 The Mermaid's Call 66 POEMS OF TRAVEL. Crillon 71 El Capitan 7^ Glacier Point 73 Sunrise at Mirror Lake 75 The Grand Canon of the Colorado 76 The Ibis 77 To the Mummy of Rameses II 78 Jaffa 80. The Mountains of Moab 82 Gethsemane 84 Beni Hassan 85 Sunset In the African Desert 88 The Isle of Pines 89 POEMS OF WAR. Columbia 97 The March of the Dead Brigade 98 The Charge of Pickett's Brigade 99 Our Unknown Heroes loi The Sleuthing of the Tiger 103 The Hymn of the Avenger 105 The Poet and the Word 107 The Chant of the Boer 108 The Boy Prisoner no THE TYRANT IMMORTAL 115-128 VARIOUS POEMS *'The corn ;passes from hand to hatid, but comes at last to the tnilU" . ' . ^^if^ THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE AND OTHER POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE The schoolhouse stood on Sandy Hill, A noisy, old-time knowledge mill, Where Yankee masters came to teach And wield the thought-inciting beech. And near it grew a tangled wood — "May apples" there inviting stood; And oft we were too late for class In digging 'seng or sassafras. That log house was of good report, As strong as blockhouse or a fort ; Great white-oak logs, well chinked with clay, Combined to keep the wind away. THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE. Along the bench the master comes, Pronouncing words and 'Moing" sums ; Behind his back an urchin grins ; The hot stove bakes our tender shins. The learning there was like the place, Plain rudiments with little grace; And of those scholars few there be Who ciphered past the Rule of Three. Twas Readin', 'Ritin', 'Rithmetic; The books were hard and heads were thick Our thoughts ran more on "corner" ball, Or scratching pictures on the wall. The schools are better now, they say. With drawing cows and muddling clay ; But learning sometimes on us palls — We chewed our books for paper balls ; And slyly tossed them up on high. Upon the ceiling, there to dry. But well we learned that simple rule : 'The rod is made for back of fool." AND POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 13 How very slow the laggard sun His noontide journey seemed to run ! We longed for lunch of 'buttered bread And mellow apples, ripe and red. Too short that noon, we rushed to ball ; Soon, ''Books !" we heard the master call. A figure lank, I see him still A-standing on the old log sill. At lessons, then, with buzz and hum, We spell, or puzzle o'er a sum. At four, with shout and rout, we go, But some are kept, the very slow. And then our girls ! would I could tell The charms and virtues of sweet Nell, ""Or limn the gentle face of Ann, Or write the hoyden tricks of Fan. We scarce our triumph could disguise When we found favor in their eyes, And saw them home from spelling school, Or bore them lightly o'er a pool. Sometimes the master thought it well, To let them work their siren spell, 14 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. And when some booby broke a rule, Set him among them in the school. The pokeweecl rankles round that door Where trod the noisy feet of yore ; But still that old, neglected spot The boys and girls have ne'er forgot. And where are they, that noisy throng? Some stood for right and some went wrong Some drew the sword, some held the plow, And some rest in the churchyard now. LIFE. From the Greek. For him who doeth all his duty well, The span of life is brief in goodly work. Who doeth ill hath but one endless night. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN I/ERSE. 15 LONG AGO. In "Hours of Recreation," li The pall of the past with its woes and joys Is the threadbare mantle of Time, — Old Time who silvers the locks he toys While their owners once more are girls and boys In childhood's beautiful clime. Oh, those cherished times of the long ago. They are far and still farther away; And manhood's years as days we know. For sorrows will come, and pleasures will go, Till the months pass by as a day. Away — away, till ages it seems — In the long ago prone idols lie 'Mid stranded wrecks of cherished schemes, Once big with hope in our boyish dreams — • They flourished, but only to die. i6 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Happy were we, though our fitful moods Caused a mother's tear or a mother's kiss, For imagination's wonderful broods Peopled a realm where no care intrudes, A realm of air-castles and bliss. We are wiser now ; we were happier then, When our young hearts knew not a sigh ; And a something whispers the old refrain. The reason of all our happiness then, We knew not that hopes could die. THE ZODIACAL LIGHT. Pale, spectral visitor of radiant southern skies. Thy nightly apparition charms my wondering eyes. A mystery thy shadowy aspect ever keeps, Hid from all eyes which search the vast, celestial deeps. The Milky Way were but an old familiar friend; But thy pale mystic shade with Heaven's blue dbth blend. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 17 Sweet shadow, tell me, art thou some celestial maid Of bold Arcturus or Aldebaran afraid? Or dost thou fiee thy lover, the pursuing sun, Too coy to yield thyself, yet willing to be won? PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION IN A BOOK OF VERSE. Dear Clara, gentle cousin mine, Pray read the verses in this book. The poet's fire is divine; It lightens many a darksome nook. The poet's inspiration deep May lead us from our earthy selves ; So in your soul fine verses keep, Instead of keeping them on shelves. It needs a sympathetic heart To vibrate to a tender verse ; And, if you feel the poet's art, Your praise is better than your purse. i8 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. THE THING THAT WILL NOT BE. A futile race, a thin, white face, No funeral dirges o'er his bier. One line his work will briefly trace — *'A great ambition ended here." A mother stands beside the gate; Hope whispers : "He will come to me. My boy who went with heart elate." She hopes the thing that will not be. Each hour tells of sad farewells. Since time and hope together met, And youth will go where fortune dwells, As others went whose sun has set. The home ones bear a voiceless grief And fear the thing they yearn to see. Ah, me ! to hold against belief The hope of thing that will not be. The hour was rife, ambition's strife Has left but age and wasted days; POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 19 We spurned the joys of humble life — Oh, mad ambition, curse thy ways ! But eagerly they seize each place, As swiftly as the winds may flee. With hope alight in every face They seek the thing — oh, will it be? Ye plant in vain who know not pain, And better field than yours is none ; Though far-ofif lands allure with gain, At home there's duty to be done. And honor is the choicest fruit That duty plants or men may see, And ever shall the world impute To it the things that ought to be. Oh, young and fair, be this your prayer, Though ye may wander or abide ; "Be honor with me everywhere, With ebbing as with flooding tide." Be zealous then, thine hour is brief, In faith someone doth pray for thee, And someone holds thee in belief As him who brings what ought to be. 20 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. THE POET IS BORN, NOT MADE. Poeta nascitur, non fit." Men say the poet's born, not made — Divine his birth, sublime his trade. Who seems to sing with easy grace The song that Hghts a toiler's face. Though men may flout the dreamer's rhyme, The poet's word endures with time. His thoughts are tuned to aching heart. And spring at touch of sorrow's dart. With kindling zeal he sings his song That prostrate souls may rise up strong. When men despair he flies his flag, And bravely sings lest others lag. His life blood ebbs, his hope is gone, Knight of the right, he cheers men on, His soul aflame with noble wrath. Sweet flowers deck the poet's path. Who sows 'mid clods of human greed, In future years shall spring the seed. 'Though men may flout the dreamer's rhyme," POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. E'en though his sorrows end in night, Full time shall trim the poet's light, And men shall know the poet's trade. Poet, of pain and sorrow made. Hold fast this truth, despite men's scorn, The poet's made as well as born. AN IDEAL. An Imitation. In "Hours of Recreation," 1880. If I had wit and beauty Awhile I'd play the beau ; I'd pledge a solemn duty To let my humor flow. I'd keep my spirits frisky And charm the fair with chat, For jesting isn't risky When jokes are never flat. 22 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. The lords of all creation Most envious should be, When woman's adoration The fair bestowed on me. If I had untold money, Then servants full a score, The wise, the grave, the funny Should serve my ample store. I'd give the choicest dinners. My viands of the best, I'd ask both saints and sinners ; They munch with equal zest. My wife, a stately beauty, Should royally preside; A queen of love and duty Must be my happy bride. In travel there is solace ; I'd sit with dukes and kings; I'd build a summer palace At Newport or the "Springs." I'd read and write at leisure, And ofreat men I would know, POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 23 Rare books Fd make a treasure, I'd talk of art, so, so. I think I could be merry Ha ! ha ! quite merry, sure. In charity not weary, I'd give to all the poor. And then I'd surely covet A modicum of fame ; If one can get above it, A lowly station's tame. At last upon the summit, I'd look serenely down, And measure with my plummet The lofty heights I'd won. But I couldn't smile forever; Then what wisdom's in my plan? Alas, perhaps there never Lived a very happy man. 24 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. INDIAN SUMMER. The aging year in its revolving course Doth seem to linger fondly in the haze Of languorous Indian summer's witching spell. The forests glow in red and gold and brown, While hill and valley drape themselves in blue. The golden paw-paw hangs a-ripening, And in the grass the yellow walnuts gleam. Sweet chestnuts hide beneath the russet leaves, Where busy squirrels gather winter's hoard. The whitening fodder in the serried shocks Of corn is foil to gleaming pumpkins' gold ; And gold that would have tempted Argonauts, In piled profusion, marks the busker's course. As shirt-sleeved farmers gather in the corn. The mellow air is fraught with perfume sweet Of ripened fruits, of apples and of grapes. Waiting, insistent, for the gathering. In straggling, noisy squadrons fly the crows. All marshaled for their southern pilgrimage. 'The whitening fodder in the serried shocks.' POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 25 And blackbirds swoop along the wheatfield's edge, In noisy consultation and farewell. At early morn the air is crisp with frost ; At eve the sun drops through the veiling haze, A fiery globe, whose martial aspect seems At war with all the beauties of the day. And all too short, this season of delight, For Indian summer heralds winter's snow. INSCRIBED ON A FLY-LEAF. Helen, precious friend of mine. Read this book, 'tis half divine; May you feel the poet's art; Keep it always in your heart. Books are many, poets few ; Guard with care the good and true; Let the worldlings hawk and trade, Treasure thoughts that ne'er shall fade. 26 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. THE LEPER. That distant time is by a halo lit, Those happy days of home and friends and fame, Until that came, the nameless thing, and it I took me unbeknown, To slay my being and to blast my name. Good-bye to wife and child ; we meet no more. Friends shun me, horror stamped in every face. Cease vain lament, forget me, I implore; A leper is unclean, And unclean things the memory may not trace. All doors are closed to these, the living dead, Who in the ashes of repentance cry ; So vile their place that even beasts had fled, Discovering its bounds. And seeing them, I prayed that I might die. But soon my eyes were blasted by the sight Of ebbing life thus linked to festering death, POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 27 Till one, most dreadful, tilled me with affright, A limbless lump decayed, And cursing fate I fled with bated breath. So, speeding on, I met a prince of state, Who rode in pomp with trumpet's martial blare, While throngs acclaimed him greatest of the great, And runners cleared his way. But as he passed I saw the leper there. Rebellious, then I cried: "Oh, why undone am I? For he, too, has the poison's fatal sting." They mocked me, but a cynic made reply : "Go, fool, thou art discovered, And purple hides the errors of a king." Enraged, the people then began to rave And stoned me till I shrieked : ''Oh, God unjust, I curse thee." And escaping, in a cave, Made friends of reptiles. Lost! Forsworn and filled with all a devil's lust. But solitude had tamed my surging heart, And, reconciled, I sought that leper band To claim the crust that was my humble part, As men fling bones to dogs. And there an angel took my leprous hand 28 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. And spake : "Rage not. He hath attained his goal But fallen angels wait to chant his dirge. Have pity ; his is leprosy of soul, But thine is of the flesh, Which prayer and humility may purge. 'The prince hath sinned against the Holy Ghost, Insulting Heaven's grace. Thy sin is pride. And lowliness redeems thy virtue lost. But ever pray for him, Lest he in Hades curse the day he died." AN ODE OF ANACREON. The black earth ever drinketh. The forest drinks from her, The deep sea drinks the zephyrs That o'er its bosom stir. The sun-orb, ocean sated. From thirsting moon doth flee. So, comrades, why oppose it? Go, leave my cup to me. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 29 LEARN TO LABOR AND TO WAIT. In "Hours of Recreation," 1881. There's an adage trite and golden, "Learn to labor and to wait," And that maxim worn and olden Ever points to wisdom's state. Hear the words of truth, nor falter At the lessons she may teach ; Neither luck nor fate can alter Any prize within your reach. But the meaning of the sages Oft is hid from careless view, And the wisdom of the. ages Must be learned by each anew. Learn to labor ! Sacred duty Lies enshrined in that behest, And our toil is robed in beauty When our labor earns us rest. 3p POEMS AND CONCEITS hW VERSE. But the waiting! ah, the waiting! Naught is labor ; doubt is pain ; Deepest wisdom Hes in sating Present wants with present gain. Dream not of the golden showers That may crown your efforts brave ; You may rest in fortune's bowers, Mayhap in a pauper's grave. Not by toiling, not by waiting, Can we open Eden's gate; Greedy toil has no abating. And the miser learns to wait. Time for gaining, time for giving, Journey ever very near, And the life that's worth the living Toils, enjoys, and scatters cheer. / POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 31 THE SNOW PLANT. Snow plant by the mountain trail, Ruddy flesh of warmest glow, Curious were your simple tale. Told of life beneath the snow. Crisp and leafless little plant, Grown on root of sugar pine; Nature's freak you are, I grant. Glowing red as sparkling wine. And your flowers, crimson, too, Little pendant fairy bells. Pure as snow from which they grew. Hidden in Sierra's dells. Flesh with neither seed nor root. Plant that loves the spotless snow, Beautiful your fragile shoot, Bursting from the frost below. 32 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Most carnations love the light, You prefer the mountain shade. Warmth and color love should plight- Snow plant, you are oddly made. IT IS AN ILL THING TO BE DYING. A Sentiment of Sappho. An evil death must be, For so the gods decree ; I fain at rest would lie Were *t beautiful to die. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 33 THE 'OP TREE AT KEW. It befell in the gardens of Kew Where I sought for an old English yew, And a gardener lame Volunteered me the same, In the space of a minute, to view. But to cruise and to roll alongside Such a stumpy and grumpy old guide Set my wits all askew In the curious gardens of Kew, And his accents my tympanum tried. For his words, like his mariner's walk, Seemed to pitch and to roll in his talk. *' 'Ere's a fine Hinglish hew, There's a Hirish hew, too, Likewise we've a howl and an 'awk." 34 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. And I tipped him some big British pence. (In their size there is not any sense). With a lurch like a smack in a squall He bowed, for the tip was too small, And he said: "As I 'opes no hoffense." All gardeners — and guides — have a plan ; His features antique I did scan ; Then a sixpence, straightway, I tossed up in play. And he showed me an 'Op tree, that man. AN ADMONITION. Translated from the German of Goethe. And wilt thou always falter, Since good is ever here ? Wouldst thou thy fortune alter. Good luck is ever near. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. THE BUGABOO TREE. Oh, fearsome and weird is the bugaboo tree, For round it are dancing the dead ; Its quivering boughs Httle children may see Through the blankets that cover each head. A phantom comes whispering, glib in its glee, Of goblins and ghosts in white : "A bogie man lives in the bugaboo tree And he'll carry you off to-night." And frightened we covered each tousled head, We cuddled down closer for fear, And shuddered, bethinking that under the bed The bogies might gibe and jeer. The buga/boo tree groweth far and wide, And it tosses uncanny limbs. And very brave people by day deride Who suffer at night its whims. 36 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. It causes full many a spectral dream — ■ Black cats, they are very bad luck, But swift, muddy water will make you scream And run in your dreams amuck. And ships, too, are built of the bugaboo tree. On Friday they never set sail; 'Tis an ominous day, as the sailors agree, For bogie men ride in the gale. The tables have turned on the bogie, poor man, And vainly he flees to his tree. We've laid him, the humbug, beneath a ban Of plain, common sense, as you see. But, common sense, tell me, is that all a myth, Since wiseacres pooh away pain? Per^haps it has neither a root nor a pith — Let people of Science explain. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 37 PRESENTIMENTS. In ''Scrap-Book Recitations," 1880. The following poem was suggested by the belief that many people have presentiments of coming evil. It is said that President Lincoln had such presentiments for many years. There's naught but ceaseless moaning In the beat of the restless sea, And only pain In that refrain Foreboding ill to me. The gale that swept the ocean Inrushes o'er the earth, It stirs the lake, The forests quake, A specter rides in mirth. 38 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. That specter haunts me ever In many a specious guise, He comes and goes With friends and foes And mocks with fateful eyes. Prophetic whisperings warn me Of death in manhood's prime ; By day and night That phantom sprite Waits his appointed time. He holds the darkened corner, I chat by the fireside, I laugh in glee, I jest so free, The phantom laughs aside. I think it all a fancy And busy myself with men, With many cares, And great affairs. Awhile I'm free again. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 39 In travel and scenes of pleasure Life grows each day more sweet ; With sudden glee I shout Fm free ; Lo ! fate is at my feet ! There's naught but ceaseless moaning Where beats the restless sea, And only pain In that refrain Foreboding ill to me. A cloud broods o'er the ocean; It sails above my head ; That fleecy cloud Becomes a shroud To cover me when dead. 40 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. THE SHOUTING DERVISH. "Our town is but small; we all know one another." — From the Arabic There's a dervish m the East, Who howls just Hke a beast, There's a quiet, whirHng dervish better bred. We've a talking dervish man In our little social clan, Whose shouting must, I fear, disturb the dead. Now if Allah only would — He's the source of every good — If his mercy might relieve us of the din. Would by miracle or plan, He could change our shouting man To a dervish who would take a silent spin. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 41 THE WHISPERING DERVISH. To accompany 'The Shouting Dervish.' There is a mysterious dervish, Who wears a secretive air, And drags men into an alcove To whisper to them there. Hotels and clubs he inhabits, And for his victims — wo worth ! Oh, would that, like the dodo, He'd disappear from the earth. He comes when you are conversing And spirits your friend away Into a quiet corner To join in a mystery play. And has this serious dervish Any desirable schemes ? Ah, no! his story is simple — He deals in the wares called dreams. 42 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. THE BIRTH OF THE RAINBOW. A radiant bouquet, A careless maid one day, Threw in a sparkling brook. The fountain's naiad took The pretty little gift. And quickly through the rift Of silver flashing foam Bore it to her fairy home. The limpid waters gleam, The sparkling little stream Is blushing through and through, Dyed with the rose's hue. As morning's growing light Illumines sable night. 'Tis summer hot and dry, Bold Phoebus rides on high; His unrelenting rays Have stilled the warbled lays Of all the dainty throats Whose' sweetly trilling notes Were born with April flowers, Silent now in leafy bowers. 'The limpid waters gleai POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 43 The fields are burning up ; And Sol, with golden cup, • Dips from the fountain's store, Replenishing once more The cloud's fantastic rim Above the mountain grim. With joy-enkindled eye The plowman saw the sky Pour precious waters down On farm and dusty town; Then Sol began to blink From out an opening chink That melted fast and wide Through the dark cloud's, side. And lo ! a splendid scene — The gracious naiad queen Had placed the beauty glow Of flowers in the fcow. The careless maiden gazed Upon the rainbow pleased, With not a passing thought Of the beauty she had wrought. And so a little deed Of love in time of need May stir some doubting heart To play a hero's part. 44 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. TO A BOOK JUST PUBLISHED. When critics praise or sneer by turns, Who may discern the godlike flame Of genius that a twelvemonth burns ? Impartial Time shall write his name. Time seals it — history or song, Romances, sermons, epic pages; A myriad acolytes may throng, And one is chosen for the ages. I set adrift my little craft, Content to give it to the sea ; If Fame so please, then let her waft My venture safely back to me. And if in scorn Fame pass me by. Why should I fret who owe her naught ? Ambition wins, but wins to die, My wage is peace by duty bought. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 45 THE "HANT.'^ There be a few things Too deep for science, Or any appHance That knowledge brings To mortals here. Of all the oddities in creation, With weird and wizardly reputation, A walking spook I think most queer. He stalks at night, So awfully solemn. And straight as a column, To give you a fright By the light of the moon. Across your way by indirection, He seems to glide without reflection, And makes you a face by the light o' the m>oon. Oh, pity his lot ! To all intents He circumvents One gruesome spot By a ruined house. 46 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. With hair on end Hke a piggie's bristle, And goose flesh, too, you couldn't whistle. Or raise the courage to beard a mouse. He carries his head Under his arm To keep it from harm, Like a loaf of bread Or coffee bought at the store. He makes you a face like a son of perdition By the light of the moon and superstition. And you wish that the dead would walk no more. For who is this hant. That comes from the dead. And carries his head, And glides with a slant, Like a wounded crane? He dealt in cattle, ycleped a drover, And bought fat steers from off the clover. But slain for his money he haunts. Is it plain? Oh spirit so sad, I think it folly, So melancholy, A ghost should gad, By the light of the moon. -In. ..VAg.' POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 47 And though you look a sad-eyed griever, I'd like to tell you I'm not a believer In folks afraid to be seen at noon. THE TRAITOR'S GUILE. There's a wound that stings, And the hand that flings The shaft is the hand of a friend. For the traitor's dart Sinks to the heart, And love will not defend. There's a word that kills As its poison spills From lips that once were kind ; And the honied smile. And the traitor's wile, Breed anguish most refined. There's a deed that's done By a trusted one Who was our heart's delight ; And our love lies dead, 'Neath her pall, outspread, That covers treason's blight. 48 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE, THE HERMIT CRAB. So you are Mister Hermit Crab, Who bears his house upon his back? You little tramp, you're quick to grab A neater thing that's in your track. The human tramp o'er dirt will gloat. You're clean and saucy, snug and trim, Although you want your neighbor's coat — He's wearing it, you wait for him. Your eye's on every vacant house. You try them on to find a fit. And tuck in snug as bug or mouse ; You're tickled when you make a hit. Some people covet, and they spy The house of friend and try things on. They scarce can wait to see him die ; They want his things before he's gone. This crab-ed moral's quickly read, The hermit isn't quite a goose; He waits till t'other chap is dead And puts his things to better use. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 49 THE PALACE. Suggested by the fall of the dome of the courthouse at Rockford, 111., 1882. Stone by stone the marble palace reared its snowy front on high, Day by day its added glories towered grander to- ward the sky. Scores of passers gazed with wonder on the city's fairest pride, Praised with many words the beauties of their city's marble bride. And the builder in whose visions sprang to Hfe that beauteous dream Gladly heard the people's praises, words that sweet as honey seem. Far abroad the fame was wafted of that wondrous justice hall, And the artist read with rapture how his work sur- passed them all. Workmen builded, sculptors chiseled, swinging careless in midair ; Stately columns! graceful sculpture! strength and beauty everywhere! 50 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Joys are added to the artist, and he leads a fair young bride To the stately pile to glory in his own, his city's pride. They have passed within the portals, busy hammers cease to swing, Rousing cheers for bride and bridegroom through the lofty arches ring. Hark! Above the dying echoes rises one appalling cry From the workmen on the tower, swinging yonder toward the sky ; Shrill and awful for one second rings that dreadful warning sound, Then a whirl of wreck and ruin, down, the palace thunders down. Mortar-bearer, gifted artist, side by side together bleed ; What for service, what for genius, now shall be the fitting meed? Fairer than the broken marble, senseless lies the stricken bride, Genius dying in his triumph, crushed and bleeding at her side. Toil-worn wives and aged mothers, voiceless, tear- less, view their dead; POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 51 Lost to them is every dear thing, Hfe and hope and daily bread. Genius reared that great rotunda, Genius sought to pierce the sky ; Now, dare Genius tell those widows that in vain brave men may die? Sacrifice is offered daily somewhere 'neath the flee- ing sun. Or for truth or cruel error sacrifice must still be done . Only God's divinest wisdom numbers all the woes of man, That betide when rash presumption daring builds with faulty plan. Now the artist's dream has vanished, and instead a shapeless mass Cumbers all the busy plaza where the countless thousands pass. Short his fame, but long the sorrow, nurtured in his cherished scheme Shall, enshrined in public legend, live to mark fame's empty dream. So misguided genius ever writes his name upon the sand ; And but truth with angel presence may for aye enduring stand. 52 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. JULY. Aglow, in lusty ardor, July brings Her deep fruition to all things create. Life leaping with new force, in pregnant light, With emulation triumphs o'er decay. The golden wheat, the swelling fruits, the leaves In verdant canopy, all speak of life. The joyous birds, with songful pride, regard Their uncouth fledgelings, and the lowing kine Make loving answer to their sportive young. Rejoicing in his waving wheat, afield. The farmer reaps the increase of his lands. By turns at butter-making and preserves The wife anticipates the winter's needs. With fruits the children make an all-day feast. The invalid breathes in the healing air. In converse with the birds beneath a tree. The noisy reaper fells the fragrant grain; The water boy bears from the spring his jug. A silver burnish veils ethereal blue, The water boy bears from the spring his jug." POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE, 53 In summer's glorious sky ; the fleecy clouds, Like mountains lying low and far away, Fit barriers were of some enchanted land, Their silver edges cut like cameos. The breezes ripple through the leafy boughs With murmurs softer than a naiad's sigh. The idler lies upon the bending grass Unconscious of the busy world he fled, And all his being thrills with July's joy. THE RUNAWAY SLAVE. Translated freely from the Creole French dialect of Louisiana. In a sweet gum tre^ the mocking-bird sits. 'Teelo, peeloo," he sings, and he flits. "Ho there, nigger, cutting in the cane, Buckle to the work now, might and main." Negro picking on the old "banzoo" Stops to listen, for they want him, too. 54 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Down in the swamp, he hears the refrain, Of the master's call to the slaves in the cane. Down in the swamp, by the bayou's side, "Ole Massr finds me he'll tan mah hide." There in the swamp, 'mid the cypress knees, On a moss-grown isle is a bower of ease. Woodpecker taps in a pine tree's top, Negro listens for the chase to stop. Deep in the woods there is plenty of room, Where the rare sweet jasmin spends its bloom. Woodpecker taps on a hollow tree — ''Bless yo', honey, dah's a house fob me!" Rat-tat-ta in the shimmering noon. And the "banzoo" strums to a negro tune. i POEMS OF LOVE ' ' Si Henri quatre me donnait Sa grande ville de Paris, Je ;pr^fe'rrais ma Tnie, Je 'Pr(fe'rrais ma mie." ' ' My only books Were zuoma?t's looks, And folly 's all they taught me. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE, 59 OH HASTEN, LOVE, HASTEN! Oh hasten, love, hasten, for time flieth fast; Our youth is for love and old age for the past. So come to my arms, love, and list to the beat Of a heart that will throib to a love token sweet. I've built thee a bower 'mid roses and vines, Where each fragrant hour to love lore inclines ; The south wind is blowing, the rose is aglow. Oh hasten, love, hasten, thy coming is slow. And if thou come not in the flush of the spring, The fruitage of summer thy favors will bring. My star's in the zenith, so come in thy power, In beauty a vision, in perfume a flower. The tendrils entwine the fair bower I built, The beaker is brimming, oh, come ere 'tis spilt. For the heyday of manhood surpasses in love As far as the eagle's flight passes the dove. And failing the summer, then autumn shall plight. For the charms that are ripened are fair to the sight. Thine eye is a star, and my heart is, in truth, More steadfast in love than the heart of my youth. 6o POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. So hasten, love, hasten, the sap's in the vine, The purple grapes ripen, come, take them for thine. Oh, come like Aurora, a rose of the morn, While the autumn is fat with her fruits and her corn. The sun's in the West and the song birds have flown. The roses are dead and I'm waiting alone. Oh hasten, love, hasten, my heart is still warm ; With love at the ingle we'll laugh at the storm. No longer my blood like the charger doth spring, Like gold are the hours thy presence will bring. I'll cherish thee, dear one, I'll kiss thy pale brow, And our bark shall float outward with love at the prow. IF LOVE WERE JUNE. If love were June, the month of flowers, When perfume laden steal the hours, And but one day were numbered mine, That day, sweet love, should all be thine. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 6i If January's virgin snows Sealed all the earth in death's repose, And stars sang out time's last refrain, Then hope would live did love remain. Were I in Afric's deserts wild, And I were nature's trusting child, And love fled in the fierce Khamseen, I still would trust in her, my queen. More, I would sail the Indian Sea To find thee, love, who waits for me. And, gliding 'neath the tropic moon, With thee I'd scorn the wild monsoon. Though thou didst fly to frigid zone, I still would seek thee for my own ; For Greenland's longest, darkest night Were rosy dawn if love did plight. I must have thee, love, for my own ; Without thee nothing else were won — Pearls, baubles, all that gold may buy. Were useless things if love should die. I'll seek thee now — thou wilt not flee — And in my heart thou'rt near to me; And heart hath more as heart doth share, 'Twas made for love to nestle there. 62 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. I GAVE YOU A ROSE. I gave you, love, a rose, You asked it with your eyes ; Your face did naught disclose Except sweet love's emprise. My rose you picked apart And idly threw away; Your eyes then begged my heart- I could not say them nay. You took my peace of mind, A gift beyond recall ; I thought you true and kind, Your eyes said : "Give me all." I asked your heart of you ; Your face grew cold as stone ; Ah, traitor eyes untrue ! Your heart was not your own. Fair traitor, then I knew Why you despoiled my flower ; Ah ! like your love it grew To last one fleeting hour. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 63 Where is my one poor rose? You plucked its petals fast . Where is my peace of mind? Gone ! gone to join the past. So all sweet friendship's years You blasted with your smile, And dust bedewed with tears, That's for a woman's wile. LOVE'S INNER LIGHT. I walked, one night, beneath the stars. And while my feet were drawn to earth My eyes pierced heaven's shining bars ; For love exalted me, And in my soul joy leaped with sudden birth. I labored in a garden rare. Where once but weeds had vexed my sight ; And lo ! I saw sweet flowers there, All limned by love's own hand. And for her sake my pains became delight. 64 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Each duty of my urgent days Grew light as whisperings in a dream. Love silenced envy with dispraise As sweet as poet's song, Or tinkling music of a limpid stream. With chant the world's expectant choir Uplifts to heaven its pleading eyes And begs one spark of sacred fire ; But love has lit my soul, And by her side I walk in paradise. THE EVILS OF LOVE. From the Greek. Misfortune call it not to love, And bad is love let trial prove. But worst of all fate's cruel stings Is love that unrequited springs. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 65 ON THE GREEK VIEW OF LOVE. All love is evil, thought the Greeks, But youth such evil ever seeks ; For not to love is quite as bad, And love that's scorned — oh plight most sad ! Ah, well, to evil all are prone, And, right or wrong, Fll seek my own ; And be there evil in a kiss Fll take the evil with the bliss. E'en cruel doubt is sweet delight, When fair ones work us sorry plight. Though love be seldom smiles and flowers, One smile is worth all pain of oursi So live and love, go drain the cup. The draught is bitter, drink it up. 'Tis but a madness, that is clear, But love is life, and life is dear. And when some fair, bewitching girl Sets all your being in a whirl. Let her not all the havoc make, For love's a game of give and take. 66 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. THE MERMAID'S CALL. Translated from the German — Schiller's "William Tell. It smiles, the blue sea, It invites to the bath, The boy lies asleep, On the grass by the path. He hears in his dreaming A whisper as sweet As the voice of an angel, For paradise meet. She calls from the water: "Oh, boy, thou art mine. I'll lure thee far down Where the seaweeds entwine.' POEMS OF TRAVEL "Hoiv much a diuice that has been sent to roam Excels a dunce that has been kept at home." POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 71 CRILLON. Lines to a Statue of Crillon at Avignon. Brave old Crillon, standing there In that little graveled square, At xA.vignon, the papal town, Whence thy title and renown? ''Crillon, le brave," the legend reads. Armored knight, recount thy deeds. Broad thy chest and strong thy arm. Sympathy to thee shall warm. Warrior, speak from out the grave ; Knight of knights, who- called thee "brave Tell me, chevalier of old, Didst thou ever fight for gold ? In my fancy now I see Indignation cover thee. No ! in truth that arm so strong Ne'er was raised in aid of wrong. ''Many blows indeed I gave For the orphan and the slave. Captive maid and widowed dame Never wept at Crillon 's name. 72 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Sword I drew for Christ my Lord, Never false was Crillon's word." Weighty reasons Crillon gave Why the world should call him brave. EL CAPITAN— YOSEMITE. Overland Monthly. No milestones mark the mighty handiwork Of God's creation. Time is but a spark That points the vastness of eternity. A satellite may run its course and mark A fleeting second on that vaulted disk Where nebulae revolve a single hour. But mortal all, we know an infinite Of lesser scope to mete by measures vast. And thou, El Capitan, cloud-piercing rock. Which rearest in one matchless height supreme Three thousand feet of awful majesty, Dost stand and mark the greatness of thy birth. Lost in transcendent awe, the mortal eye 'And thou, El Capitan, cloud-piercing rock. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 73 Regards thy unsealed, battled heights benumbed, And seeks in vain thy hidden origin. Three thousand feet ! 'Tis but a feeble span ! And there on high thy cloud-capped fretted head Hast scorned the fuming storms of gnawing time. And thou, perchance, hast seen the fiery birth Of planets, and beheld the perishing Of suns, unmoved on thy supernal seat. Thine ow^n birth hid in deepest mystery. Thou greater than the sphinx. But thou divine. Stupendous form, exalted one of time. Through untold aeons, wilt thou break the spell Of thine immensity and tell thy tale ? How wast thou reared, colossus, granite ribbed, Great monument of Nature's wild caprice ? GLACIER POINT— YOSEMITE. The giant pines behind me hid the sky ; Before me lay the awe-inspiring deeps Of great Yosemite. Afar on high The winter king eternal vigil keeps, 74 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. And silent peaks beneath their snowy hood Stand guard for him o'er this, God's holy rood. For this is holy ground ; men tread with awe, And gaze far down on that stupendous pale, As to that brink their trembling limbs they draw, And look upon earth's one sublimest vale, Or on that lofty rim, whence cataracts Leap on the scene and each his part enacts. The setting of this wondrous stage sublime Benumbs each sense and every thought appalls ; None with an equal grandeur seen since time Began — Nevada and the Vernal Falls. Eight hundred feet, Nevada, is thy spume, Thence down to Vernal in a mighty flume. And Half Dome, facing great El Capitan ! What genius carved such monuments in stone- Twin giants, hoary when our race began ? Yosemite, the matchless, stands alone. Imagination halts and Nature seals Her book of mystery and naught reveals. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 75 SUNRISE AT MIRROR LAKE— YOSEMITE. A sheet of liquid glass in meadow set, And springing near to meet the dark blue sky, Three thousand feet of rock and wreathing pines. 'Tis early morn, and crisp the mountain air Invigorates the eager ones who stand Expectantly to greet the rising sun. Most wonderful ! They gaze into those depths And not on high. For there lies mirrored deep • That mighty rock with fringing conifers, Two mountains base to base, one dozvnward thrust. A fairy scene now bursts upon the eye In dazzling splendor. In that mirrored notch, Far down shoot silver rays athwart the fringe Of pines that seem but lace of rarest weft ; And threads of gold entwine that matchless web, Fit draping for the fairy queen. And lo! The god of day, a threaded crescent first Upon his flaming brow, then all his disk, With fiery glow to light his wide domain. One fleeting moment's inspiration deep! Spellbound we gaze enrapt, then vainly praise The matchless glories of Yosemite. 76 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. THE GRAND CANON OF THE COLORADO. White City Club, Oct. 14, 1902. Amazing, measureless immensity! As if some errant planet, in its flight, Had torn the vitals of our mundane sphere And left her wounded in her nakedness, That puling man through seons yet to come Might look and feel the Universal Might. A turbid thread, the Colorado winds Below, past mountains, in those shudd'ring depths. Which rear their stony, silent heads aloft In futile effort to o'ertop that brink — Great giants that do but impede the sweep Of that fell cleft where all the cumb'ring dead Of all the world might find a sepulture. On either side the desert-plain sweeps up; And lo! 'tis cut as if by Parca's shears, In envy of Earth's fructifying breast. And trembling mortals, riveted in awe. Gaze down upon the many-colored crags. Where blend the spectrum tints of variant light. And shadows mingle, an ethereal veil. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Jj As eve its purpling mantle slowly folds Around to let the gazer have surcease, Lest awe should work him some uncanny spell. THE IBIS. The ibis is a holy bird, At least I've heard men say so, And from his very solemn look I think he means to stay so. Beside the Nile, upon one leg, He stands on sandy bottom. And seems so very full of thoughts, You wonder where he got 'em. In ancient days, when Pharaoh ruled, Religion was a mixture; With sacred snakes and tabby cats, The ibis was a fixture. At sight of this long-legged fowl, In need of some emulsions, 7S POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. The priest, with laughter, surely must Have fallen in convulsions. But stay, he's such a solemn chap. Although he's not a croaker, No one would ever laugh at him, Unless 'twere Pharaoh's joker. Some men are like that sacred bird, A smile will never win 'em ; They stand around and look so wise. And yet there's nothing in 'em. TO THE MUMMY OF RAMESES H. And here beneath the curious public's view Has ended all thy greatness, Ra-Messu. Son of the mighty Seti, thy renown Three thousand clashing years have handed down. And once before thee princes knelt like slaves ; To-day, with kindred clay from royal graves, Thy poor mute form for fee is daily shown — POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 79 Five mean piastres, in this land thine own ! Thy kingly presence once so passing great, In awe the nations wondered at thy state. The Hittites and the Ethiopians far In strongholds quailed when thou didst go to war. Concerning Jews, perchance thy conscience pricks, Withholding straw and yet demanding bricks. Great spirit, once within this blackened clay. That hoped to stir, it in a future day, With shame dost weep o'er this thy corse, time worn Or dost thou note the curious with fell scorn ? Of regal race, Great Ra, son of the sun, On earth so potent, has thy spirit won A crown of glory in that new sUn-land ? Or dost thou by the Styx ignoble stand. And brood o'er perished glory, Ra-Messu, Bewailing olden times, as many do? Since here on earth enduring is thy name, Doubt vantage thee and laureled be thy fame. 8o POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE, JAFFA. Ho! ye artisans of Hiram, Men of might and cunning skill, Truly did you land at Joppa, Or at Jaffa on the hill? 'Tis a thing past comprehension, And I think you never did. For the boiling surf of Jaffa Chases up a rocky skid, Tossing sixty feet of silver, Liquid feathers in the air ; Sons of Hiram, were you seasick When you made the landing there ? Me, embarking, poor landlubber, Jaffa's beggars, there they be ! And our boat, just like a bronco, Tries to buck the roaring sea. Nose to heaven, . plunging madly, • Dinners shifting in the hold ; Down, Lord save us ! to inferno. Seasick men are not o'er bold. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 8i Hiram, if you went to Jaffa — It is hinted in the Book- Did you undertake the landing? Or to tourist agent look? Up again in awful tumult, Skyward, Arabs cling to oars, Stomach this time shifts its cargo And a comber o'er us pours. Raging sea and swearing bos'n, Sinking hearts and rising lunch. Wailing women, monstrous billow, Turks and Christians in a bunch. Ship in offing— just a mile off- Women all too scared to wail ; Weather for a brief diversion Rains a deluge, then some hail. But the Father of the Faithful Has no use for harbors new, For if Allah needed shipping He'd 'a buih the harbor, too. Tell me, Hiram, King of Ty You and Solomon were thick 82 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Were you eighteen-carat metal Or a Tyrian gold brick ? Royal humbug were you surely If you own to Joppa's birth, For this seaport far the worst is To be found upon the earth. Father of the Faithful, close it ; Tisn't worth a battered sou, And your custom house — don't breathe it- Can be bribed with filthy lu — . THE MOUNTAINS OF MOAB.* Upon Judea's stony hills we stand And gaze on Moab's land of mystery. There gleam the waters of the bitter sea Whose tideless waste fit symbol is of death, In this dead land whose youth is long forgot. *The panorama seen from Jerome, Arizona, greatly re- sembles that described here. Wady el Kelt, Palestine — with convent of St. Elias and old Roman bridge. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 83 And there, in Jordan's plain, wild Arabs dash In reckless wantonness on fleetest steeds And brandish naked swords with matchless skill, Half sport, half earnest, to amuse the Frank. The turbid Jordan gnaws, like giant tooth, A yellow notch into the dark-blue sea ; While Sodom apples and the puny brake Attest an endless war 'twixt life and death Upon this plain of cities purged by fire. Surpassing far imagination's scope. Are seen the mountains of the Moabites ; Great panorama that would shame the brush Of Titian or of Raphael, in tints Laid on by burning sun 'neath wondrous sky, A glowing violet with golden red And flushing brown and fading yellow-green. All blended on this canvas of the gods, 'Neath sky fit rival of the waters blue. With worldly minds we journeyed to this land Where prophets once had converse with great Jah, And we, one moment, grasp the deeper truth, For here God's spirit quickens all his work. 84 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. GETHSEMANE. Outworn and stricken is this holy land, And there dejected sits Jerusalem, Above that vale of tears, Gethsemane, The place of earth's most awful tragedy. The hoary, gnarled olive trees decayed. Its silent witnesses, are stayed with stones; But Christ in agony no solace had. A land of blood is this where curse of guile Moves hearts of men to rhythm of violence. And here mistaken reverence has set Upon the walls in garish, palsied art Christ's awful agony. Vain work of love! All impotent, it jars the inner sense; For who can paint the torment of a soul. In throes of mortal agony ? And least His soul which bore the woes of all the world, Wrung with that voiceless pain, ineffable, Pursued by hate and cursed treachery. Nay, rather let these blasted hills and vales Recall his passion and that shameful death, In cunning, legal form which wrong so loves. This land of sorrow, smitten with a curse, POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 85 In every rood recalls the Christ of love. So, hoary boughs, be mortuary wreaths ; And, flowers of the garden, like sweet nard, Distill your perfumes round this sacred spot. BENI HASSAN. Beni Hassan, sons of Hassan, don't you think your conduct bad Raising such a mighty shindy if a shilling's to be had? Beggars all, ye sons of Ishmael, sheik as well as fellaheen, Swarming like the flies of Pharaoh where the Nile is flowing green. (Green's the color of the river in the babbling poet's dream. Just as heaven's blue is ''oh fay" for the Danube's turbid stream.) Now the Frank in dahabeah comes to see your an- cient caves, 86 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Like the kite upon the pigeon, down ye swoop, ye idle knaves; Donkey driver, sheik and women, mangy cur and ancient goat, By the bank, ye ragged ruffians, waiting for the Prankish boat; With your throats attuned to "bakshish," for the traveller dreadful cry. ''Give us something, oh howadji, or we'll let our cudgels fly." Oh, ye thieving sons of Hassan, Ibrahim, a man of blood Hanged some children of the Hassan, swung them for the public good. Tis a lesson long forgotten ; on they swarm in ragged rank. As the puffing Prankish steamer glides against the sloping bank. Prankish women scream in chorus as the sons of Hassan rush, In a riot, bakshish riot, shouting, fighting, in a crush ; Howling, pushing, sweating, praying, rural guard and ancient sheik. Greedy Arab, dog and donkey, all a mighty tumult make. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 87 Dragoman in rainbow raiment, like to Joseph's gor- geous coat, Swings his whip and calls his allies, seamen from the Prankish boat. Lovely woman pale with terror, stolid man enjoys the scene; In a moment stills the tumult where the Nile is running green. And the sheik with mighty cudgel speaks as Moses spake of old. Cowed, ignoble sons of Hassan, after all you're not so bold ! Dead and wounded ? Ha ! not any, one unlucky bleeding head; And on donkey back howadjis to the ancient caves are led. Greedy sons of robber Hassan, why in tumult waste your time? Very easy is the answer. Donkey drivers earn a dime. And of Balaam's faithful servants, waiting, forty were or more, While the curious howadjis reckoned but a single score, POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. SUNSET IN THE AFRICAN DESERT. Around is sand and in the distance hills Whose ruddy sides glow in the setting sun. No living green, the heated, tawny earth Lit by mysterious splendor as the day Is ended. Blue and orange is the east ; The west all gold ; and stillness over all. The scene is hallowed, and a reverence Springs in the softened heart the while the eye Dwells on the splendors of the dying day. And distant stands, black set on russet ground, An ancient Arab tent, and near its door A camel silhouetted on the sky. A yellow globe the sun drops in a sea Of gold, while quickly turn the ruddy cliffs To duller hue. A cool, sweet-scented breeze Springs like a lover to embrace the night. A feathered creature of the dusk pipes up As flitting aimlessly from rock to cliff He bathes his wings in cooling welcome eve. Meanwhile, we jaded children of the West, In pensive meditation seek the Nile. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 89 THE ISLE OF PINES. A laughing sea and tropic sun, A lazy river, 'twill not run, A puffing steamer, swarthy crew, On crazy wharf stand soldiers two. Here in this Httle, hidden bay Cast anchor buccaneers they say. And o'er the pirate vessel's side, Their prayers said, men walked and died. And motley villains swarth of hue Divided coins and ingots new. Here, in this lovely Isle of Pines, They slitted throats and drank good wines. Now soldiers two of haughty Spain, While dusky Cubans tug amain At cable as we idly float On lazy river, wheezing boat. We step ashore 'neath tropic sun And buzz of greetings is begun ; While waiting till we disembark, Stands vehicle like Noah's ark. 90 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. With aimless fussing to and fro, At last we're ready and we go, With caballeros, looking queer, On lanky steeds, in front and rear. And one with accents very throaty Much resembled Don Quixote. Away we race in evening breeze O'er jolting stones and fallen trees. Our Senoritas, Dons and Dames In Spanish call each other names ; But what had seemed to us a fight, In truth was converse most polite. In piney woods to Santa Fe, The memory lingers many a day. Delightful, quaint old Cuban town, Where lazy nature will not frown. Except when comes the hurricane And then she plays Old Nick 'tis plain. With roofs of thatch and drowsy square; And goats and negroes idling there; And tossing fronds in evening breeze Are royal palms, the prince of trees. POEMS ANJ) CONCEITS IN VERSE. 91 Wbat scene is this that greets my eyes ? I stand and gaze in mute surprise. Banana, hut and palm I note, And negro, too, and nibbHng goat. A moment there I puzzled stand ; Have I in dream seen such a land? And, reminiscent, then, I look. Ah, picture 'tis from some old book ; For memory has kept them all ; Hut, negro, goat and palmtree tall. POEMS OF WAR ' The falcon dies and his eye is still lifon his prey." POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 97 COLUMBIA. "Invocation" — from an unpublished historical poem. Columbia, latest titan born of pregnant time, Proud arbiter of seas and guardian of the isles, The great revolving Bear beholds in polar clime Thy starry flag ; thine eyes the Southern Cross be- guiles. Heed well, lest siren-songed ambition lead in ways Which conquerors have trod, the sword thy final choice, Where once thy star-emblazoned segis lent its rays To light the world, and nations hearkened to thy voice. To thee men look though but from Pisgah's distant height ; For seeing thee full many a slave has died in chains With hope, because thy arm holds might as less than right, And charged his sons : *'Be brave ; Columbia re- mains." 98 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Amid thy laurels twine the olive branch of peace; Teach all thy sons the ways of righteousness and love, That war, the sport of kings, in all the earth may cease ; That God thy mission to the nations may approve. The light of truth outshines the glitter of a crown, With crimson halo, limned by hand that draws the sword. Since vaunting best befitteth those who seek re- nown, Let one word sum thy creed, and freedom be that word. THE MARCH OF THE DEAD BRIGADE. In Century Magazine (July, 1898), No sound disturbs the drowsy dawn. As forms the dead brigade; Its silent ranks in serried lines Glide onward toward the springing pines. All phantoms in parade. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 99 Their steps bend not the drooping corn ; These warriors all are ghosts. In rank and file with solemn tread, Their captains marching at the head, Move on these silent hosts. From out the tented camp of death, Their flag of peace displayed, With footfall soft as dew at morn These cohorts sweep the bending corn, Where battle once was laid. The mark of God's eternal peace Their countenances bear ; And, freed from all unholy hate, They shine with that exalted state Which heaven's angels share. THE CHARGE OF PICKETT'S BRIGADE. In Gettysburg at break of day The hosts of war are held in leash To gird them for the coming fray, L.ofC. loo POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. E'er brazen-thmated monsters flame, Mad hounds of death that tear and maim. Ho, boys in blue, And gray so true, Fate calls to-day the roll of fame. On Cemetery Hill was done The clangor of four hundred guns ; Through drifting smoke the morning sun Shown down a line of battled gray Where Pickett's waiting soldiers lay. Virginians all, Heed glory's call, You die at Gettysburg to-day. 'Twas Pickett's veteran brigade. Great Lee had named ; he knew them well ; Oft had their steel the battle stayed. Oh warriors of the eagle plume. Fate points for you the hour of doom. Ring rebel yell. War cry and knell ! The stars, to-night, will set in gloom. Oh Pickett's men, ye sons of fate, AwT-stricken nations bide your deeds. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. loi For you the centuries did wait, While wrong had writ her lengthening scroll And God had set the judgment roll. A thousand years Shall wait in tears, And one swift hour bring to goal. The charge is done, a cause is lost; But Pickett's men heed not the din Of ragged columns battle tost ; For fame enshrouds them on the field, And pierced, Virginia, is thy shield. But stars and bars Shall drape thy scars ; No cause is lost till honor yield.. OUR UNKNOWN HEROES. By Permission of Woman's Home Companion. The soldier dies in battle And glory guards his name ; Then twine one wreath of laurel For heroes lost to fame. I02 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. The soldier dies in battle; The engineer dies, too, Amid a wreck of iron. His courage just as true. He guides his flying monster By bridge and mountain side, Though death sit on the pilot To share his last swift ride. In battle dies the soldier ; Men write his name on high ; Under the stone the miner, With none to hear his cry. The one in God's bright sunshine, For glory yields his life ; The other in the darkness For children and for wife. And him who bends to labor, Through twoscore years and ten, Grave deep his name in marble. Let him be known of men. The warrior wins a guerdon ; But fields of golden wheat "Ami peace, the toiler' s way. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. io3 Redeem God's lasting promise That all mankind shall eat. The soldier's trade is slaughter; And peace the toiler's way ; Whose then shall be the trophy Upon the judgment day? Carve all their names in marble, Our roll of honored dead — The soldier's for our country, The toiler's for our bread. THE SLEUTHING OF THE TIGER. Since first the sons of women Have sought the forest shade The sleuthing of the tiger Has made their souls afraid ; Forever, at the daybreak, His helpless quarry cries, And, waking with the morning, Is the fear that never dies. 104 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Men say of old he hunted For humbler, timid game; Slim-flanked and shod in velvet, To haunts of deer he came. But once in dreadful hour He tasted human blood; Now, dainty, sleuthing tiger, He trails a nobler brood. With age has grown his cunning; His robe once tawn is white; The sleuthing of the tiger No more is done by night. This tyrant of the forest Would fain to men be leal. But 'neath his mask deceitful Lie bristling rows of steel. And envoy of the nations. Of destiny the mate. He cons the book of logic And seals the book of fate. The stealthy, sleuthing tiger Would wear God's seal and sign To carry law and order, • Dark man, to thee and thine. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 105 And far off in the forest Resounds the hopeless wail Of wretched, hunted people, The tiger on their trail, < The crafty, sleuthing tiger, God's self-appointed beast, Who robs the child of nature That tigers still may feast. THE HYMN OF THE AVENGER. On the eve of the Spanish-American War, April 3, 1898. Hark, the trumpet of an angel, and behold a vision dire! See the awful god of hatred at his sacrificial fire ! Lo, in Cuba and Armenia his loathsome altars rise ! And the smoking of the sacrifice pollutes our South- ern skies. While the waiting nations ask: Oh God, how long? In the sunny vales of Turkey see the heaping of the slain, i io6 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. And the shrieking of his victims rings across the Spanish Main, While the rav'ning god of hatred in the fierceness of his zeal, Girds anew his bloody garments and he whets his cursed steel. And the money changers whisper : Let us wait. Oh, shall babes and weeping maidens cry and ever cry in vain ? No, the voice of mercy speaketh : ''Let the mad- dened beast be slain," And a million freemen draw their blades to smite him in their wrath. May the God of Justice guide them as they break him in his path. And the awful sentence ringeth : He shall die. Let the sword of righteous judgment cleave the beast from head to heel ; And the wrath of God consume him on an altar built of steel ; Strewing wide his unclean ashes in the battle's mighty blast, Tliat the weak and the oppressed may abide in peace at last. For the mighty are the servants of the Lord. POEMS ANV CONCEITS IN VERSE. 107 THE POET AND THE WORD. In Chicago Chronicle (November 26, 1899.) Lines suggested by the slaughter breathing emanations of certain English poets. Scorn for the men Who wield the pen To bolster usurpation. Vain is a people's boasted pride, Vain is the cause for which Christ died, When madness grips a nation. For bond or free, Tis God's decree That mankind shall inherit ; That every man, in every clime. Shall prove his work and bide his time For judgment of his merit. And 'tis the man That in God's plan Shall strive to win his guerdon. And none, proud Briton, Turk or Gaul, May bid his neighbor "Heed my call, 'Tis mine to fix thy burden." I io8 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. That story plain Is not in vain Of Naboth's small possessions. And ye who covet lands, ye great, Think not God shall regard your state When meting your transgressions. And none so poor, Or slave or Boer, But God will heed his crying. When time is ripe, His potent Word Shall dull the proud oppressor's sword ; And right takes no denying. THE CHANT OF THE BOER. In the Inter Ocean, Chicago (January 2, 1902). I ride the tawny veldt in pain; To die for home I count but gain ; The English foemen press my track; My trusty rifle answers back. And though I ride straight on to doom, POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. ioq My fate shall tell through all the years That freedom's price is blood and tears. The kopje soothes my aching breast; The stars above me guard my rest ; For friends my rifle and my steed, In these I trust in time of need, Though all the legions of a king Shall trace in flame their master's word, That right is but a name for sword. My fallen comrades speak to me; They died to make their country free. The glories of Majuba Hill And Spion Kop, I see them still. There sleeps his last my haughty foe. To him a nation marble rears ; Let men remember me with tears. In every vale I meet my foe, By night his fires round me glow. But while one Boerman lives to ride, A silent host is at his side. So long as Afric sky is bright, I'll claim my own, my veldt so poor. And none shall wrest it from the Boer. no POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. THE BOY PRISONER. Gone to a land of strangers, Gone to a lonely cell, Facing unknown dangers, Branded as traitor fell. All alone in his anguish, Far from friends and home. Day by day to languish, Soon despair will come. Charged with the crime of treason, Oh, so young and fair ! Scarcely knowing the reason. Why he is dying there. Neighbors, father, brother, Fighting for that creed. Wonder 'twere if other. The boy held right, indeed. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. in Gone from his hills and valleys, Gone to far Camp Chase, Hoping still he rallies, But death is in his face. Compassionate, the sentry Smiles with a friendly nod ; And when the guard makes entry, A soul has gone to God. Virginia mother weeping. Under the old roof tree; Tears for the boy that's sleeping, Prayers for the boy with Lee. \ THE TYRANT IMMORTAL 1 90 1 " 'OvK 'e^Aw irXovTc'iv, ovk ivxofJ.ai' ' aWd /xol 'ei'ij ^i]v €K Twp oXiyoiu /xrfdev Vxoi'Ta KaKOv." " / do not desire great riches, I do not pray for thein, rather let iny lot be to live on little, escaping" evil." THE TYRANT IMMORTAL. Argument. The author sets forth that each age has a master passion which prevails over the minor vices and foibles of humanity and gives character to an era. Part I. Degrading fetich worship and human sacrifice prevail, giving color and trend to the life of savages and semi-civilized nations. Part II. The king becomes a demi-god and uses his divine authority to awe and oppress the igno- rant people. Part III. The lust of conquest, dominion and glory animate the world, especially Rome, which practically was the world. Part IV. In the Middle Ages the religious feel- ing is again- dominant and the crusades are an ex- hibition of its power. Alongside of religion, owing to the ignorance of the times, flourished magic, witchcraft and belief in signs and omens. Part V. The age of Progress promised to bring in a practical millennium. But greed, a detestable passion, has grown with accumulating wealth until it threatens the liberties of the people as did all the other forms of the ruling passion. ii6 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. u? THE TYRANT IMMORTAL. I sing" of a tyrant immortal, Of a tyrant without a name, Who sits in humanity's portal And taxes humanity's shame. PART I. THE FETICH GOD. Like backward glances flung by one who fears And runs, so let the vision scan the field Sown by that farthest age to yield A crop of vileness and of human tears. And It man worshiped was a monster lank, Couchant, with vengeful eyes regarding men, Who blew his poison breath from out his den. To scorch with vapors that were hot and dank. And with that vile contagion men went mad; Eating their brothers' flesh at horrid feasts, ii8 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. To gain from it new strength 'gainst foes or beasts. And slew with joy, for blood-lust made them glad. And It, that monster on the farthest edge, Beheld his blood-dyed votaries with joy, While they with trembling, lest his glance de- stroy, Laid on his altar each a living pledge. Sometimes a maiden of a tender age. Or babe that nestled to its mother's breast, Or captive spared when death had ta'en the rest ; And still, unsatisfied, he sulked in rage. Till fell the lightning from insulted Heaven To smite the dragon and his priesthood dead, While dupes and votaries in horror fled. And conscience quickened with a grain of leaven. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 119 PART II. THE KING GOD. The King it was whose power made the state ; The sun sat on his brow and smote men's eyes And bHnded with effulgence of the skies, There centering all the things that men call great. And of this god, whose glance transfixed a foe, Vicegerent god and brother of the sky, No groveling subject dared to meet the eye, Lest presence slay him e'en without a blow. When royal Ra sat brooding by the Nile, Or Bel, ''Creator," by Euphrates' wave, Man toiled a beast, a scourged and sweating slave. That wine and beauty might his god beguile. He piled a mausoleum of the dead, With human blood cementing every stone, And, in the desert, voices seem to moan, Lamenting all those millions who have bled. 120 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. With hidden meaning and with magic rite, The priests and eunuchs riveted men's chains Till e'en the soul had suffered mortal pains, And pined unnourished in eternal night. In coward fear of saurians of the deep, Of dogs and vilest thing that flies or crawls. They built them fanes and sculptured on the walls Base images in superstition's keep. Fear ruled the world, for on the royal brow. Did not sit vainly thunders that could smite The mightiest who dared his king's despite ; And scorn so lofty hates the slaves who bow. PART III. THE GLORY GOD. Ambition next all barriers had rent. And s'hook the frighted earth with battle clash And made the sword successor to the lash. While war was holiday with gladness blent. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 121 Great Rome had marked the world a destined prize, Exacting homage from a thousand chiefs, Who erst had fought for gain or petty griefs, And discord led, that Rome by craft might rise. In marble fanes men kneeled to pallid death. And loud huzzas acclaimed the god of war, While captives tugged and died upon the oar, And soldiers, spent, cursed with their dying breath. A Caesar shadowed all the crouching world. And with the fire of his touch he seared it, Yea, far as Tigris, men had feh and feared it, Dreading his oriflamme of war unfurled. The great fed on the great, and lower sank The rabble in a cankering slough of lust. Till faith was not and none his mate could trust, And Caesars in a day rose from the rank. And mighty Rome had writ her name the highest, Teaching the world the. lesson of the sword, 122 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. That virile men might con it word by word And add one Hne : ''Vain is thy pomp, thou diest." PART IV. THE SUPERSTITION GOD. As one in fever who hath troubled sleep, Benumbed with some narcotic, dreamed the world. The flags that blew for glory were all furled, And Superstition held mankind in keep. In that dark age the slave was twice a slave, Who feared his master's whip, but more that one Whose potent lash could reach the soul undone, Or with a word could intercede to save. In cloister sat the monk and pondered well The ways of spirits, and if ten could dance Upon a needle's point, or if perchance The fallen angels' wings were singed in hell. Then royal grace could cure by royal touch — "King's Evil!" rottenness, a name to wring POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 123 The hearts of kneeHng sufferers, who bring Their sores before the throne. God pity such. And zealots burned the doubter at the stake, A holy work that won a heavenly meed, In name of Christ. To justify a creed, They burned their brothers for the brothers' sake. And mumbled prayers o'er a crumbling bone; Or fumbled relics to avert the spell Of witches, and of evil shapes that dwell In haunted places, where none go alone. So proud the baron was he did despise The wretch in rags who was his needy serf, And hacked his flesh as lightly as the turf That must be well subdued ere crop may rise. Men walked, half waking, in sad, lethal dreams. While superstition, mounted, like a hag. Spurred on her victims, lest their zeal should flag And reason move them with some transient gleams. 124 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. But, like to gods, a chosen few were those, Who found in chaos forms divinely fair, Where genius quickened with her tableaux rare And from the dust art's radiant lily rose. And lo ! the genius of a new-born age Shakes out the folds of her enchanting robe, Whose bright effulgence circles all the globe, And writes but Progress on a snow-white page. PART V. THE MONEY GOD. Vanished the gods of cold, insensate stone! To Saurians no more is homage paid, And witchcraft to Anubis flees afraid, While vain man boasteth he is all his own. Olympian Progress sits enthroned to rule, While clanging presses vomit knowledge forth, In deluge like to Noah's o'er the earth, And he who serves not progress is a fool. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 125 For progress belts the trembling earth with steel, And builds her houses twenty stories high. But, like Anubis, when her loved ones die, Embalms them fondly as if clay could feel. And progress crowds her millions in one spot, So thick their clamor doth astonish Heaven ; And with a dash of learning's frothy leaven They move to pity at the heathen's lot. Little hath he but freedom's tonic air. He wears no harness through the weary hours. But on his track the civilizing powers Sleuth him as savage beasts are trailed to lair. Hail progress! hail the god whose temples spring Thickly upon the earth ; whose servitors not few Bring costly oif'rings in their garments new. While jovous paeans to their god they sing. But like the votaries of ancient days. These servitors have servants who are poor. 126 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. Sore stricken with disease that finds no cure, For, slave or freeman, 'tis the toiler pays. For man and master meet throughout the ages, One proud, erect, the other 'neath the yoke ; One was the exalted demi-god who broke His fellow with the sword — and word of sages. For words have keener barbs than loaded whips. And fairest word too oft conceals a gyve For willing slave ; while babbling prophets thrive By cunning service which is from the lips. Hail progress ! Tis a cry of subtle might. Go rend the old, if, breaking, you may swell Your reputation and your purse as well. And change is progress, hence all change is right. This age has doffed her once enchanting robe. That radiant garment with its lucent stars, And donned instead the panoply of Mars, That progress may encircle all the globe. POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. 127 And barons, cunninger than those of old, With alchemy, our freedom deftly bring To crucibles of trial whence doth spring A ready genius that turns blood to gold. Stupid Anubis, with the jackal head ! Thy servile worshipers must needs have whips, But wiser is our god, who deftly slips Gold in the palm ; our god is better bred. The new inrushing years with fatness cloy. And freedom's increase holds the world in scorn, She hails her kings of iron, oil and corn. For oil makes gladness and in corn is joy. She thanks thee, progress, for the right to cheer This Pantheon that greets her wondering eyes, With Plutocrats the mightiest 'neath the skies, Whose chief may count a thousand millions clear. 128 POEMS AND CONCEITS IN VERSE. EPILOGUE. The dragon's fane was dabbled with men's blood ; The mighty sun-god smote his trembling slaves ; Rome's god, the sword, her priesthood were her braves ; The monkish ages prayed the holy rood. Oh, freemen, heed the parting of the ways ! Our quest is freedom's Holy Grail, Thou, God, be with us lest we, too, may fail, And might prove right, as in the darker days. AN IRON CROWN, (4th Edition,) By T. S. Denison. AN IRON CROWN, published years ago, stands to-day as the greatest anti-monopoly book. " Who is the man with the courage, skill and daring to write such a book?" — Pittsburg Comtnercial-Gazette. "A stirring tale. The author enumerates some startling truths." — New York Sun. 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DENISON, Publisher, 163 Randolph St., CHICAGO THE KING i^ THE KNAVE and ^ THE DONKEY By PYTHIAS DAMON. A remarkably original book with all the fascination of a novel. The greatest political satire which the United States has produced. '^ Equal to the satires of JuvenaV^ "A book for radicals and reformers generally." Full of sharp sayings. Detroit Tribune. "A concise history of the human race from 4004 B. C. down to ten o'clock last night." Christian Evangelist, St. Louis. "A clever bit of pasquinade. The author deals with existing economic and sociological conditions and those whom he esteems their authors in a spirit of refreshing candor and much plainness of speech." BrooTclyn Citizen. "Cleverly dissects the whole scheme of existence." Denver BejnihUcan. "A powerful arraignment of millionaires and the sacredness with which large fortunes are treated." Farm, Stock and Banch, Minneapolis. "The chapters on 'Ananias' and * Columbia's In- fants' are especially seasonable." 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IF YOU WANT TO GET UP : A SCHOOIi EXHIBITION, A LITERARY PROGRAM, A CHURCH SOCIABLS, AN EVENING'S PARLOR AMUSEMENT, THIS IS THE VERY BOOK YOU WANT. IX COiTT-A-IlTS CHARADES, PARLOR GAMES IN GREAT VARIETY, PAN- TOMIMES OF POPTJI.AR POEMS, SHADOW SCENKS Ili- liUSTRATING POPULAR PASSAGES FROM THE POETS. PUZZLES, ENIGMAS, CONUNDRUMS, RIDDLES, ETC , ETC. Full directions for performance. Nothing expensive or difficult to get up. Miss Jacques is a lady of great ingenuity in devising pleasing performances for young and old. A capital book. All new and fresh, not a reprint. PRICE, MANILA SIDES. CLOTH BACK, 162 PAGSa 25 CENTS. Y. S. DENISON, 163 Randolph St., CHICAGO, The ENCflfiNTED Wood. An Operetta. Libretto by Fannie E. Newberry. Music by T. M. Towne. Characters: Miss Muffit, Mistress Mary, Bopeep, Simple Simorij Boy Blue, Jack Horner, Fairy Queen (soprano), and maids of honor, school teacher (soprano), Mother Goose (contralto), police, and other fairies. Time of playing, from i hr. 30 min. to i hr. 45 min. Hand- some costumes, easily made at home. PLOT. — Six children start out from school on an expedition into the woods, but separate and wander singly into the borders of an enchanted wood. Here, by order of the Fairy Queen, they are lured further on till they sink down exhausted, and are thrown into a deep sleep by six fairies with poppy wands. Mother Goose requests the pleasure of transforming them into such characters of her own rhymes as they most resemble, an J they are roused to find themselves Jack Horner, Bopeep, etc. A Capital Taking Piece. Scenes simple and EasYc Price, 35 cents; Six Copies, $1.50. ) -— K Social Card Games. By CHARLES TOWNSEND. A practical guide for playing all modern social games, with full instructions. Includes Whist, French Whist, Catch the Odd, Euchre (9 kinds), Ecarte, Cribbage, Scat, Bezique, Sixty-six (3 kinds), Casino, Seven Up, (all kinds) Pitch, Auction Pitch, Pedro, Sancho-Pedro, etc , etc. By omitting long details on nice points, the author has given full and authoritative rules for playing all games ordinarily played, besides many totally new to most people. A necessity for handy reference. Also contains TRICKS f\ND DIVERSIONS at cards. Tl' ise consists of many new and amusing tricks (illustrated) which may be readily learned, and will greatly amuse and puzzle your friends. 128 PAGES PRINTED ON GOOD PAPER FROM CLEAR TYPE Price, cloth, 50 cents; paper 35 cents. PLAY5 by T. S. DENI50N. That the plays written by T. S. Denlson are, all things con- sidered, the best for amateurs, is attested by their very large and increasing sale, over 455,000, to Oct. i, 1902. New plays in this type. COMEDIES. ACTS. TIME. M.F. Odds With the Enemy, 4, 2 hrs, 7—4 Seth Greenback, - - . - - - - 4, i h. 15 m. 7—3 The School Ma'am, - - - - - - 4, i h. 45 m. 6 — 5 Only Daughter, 3, i h. 15 m. 5—2 Louva, the Pauper, - - - - -''- 5, 2 hrs. 9 — 4 Under the Laurels, - . - . . 5, 2 hrs. 5 — 4 Danger Signal, - - - - - - - 2, i h. 45 m. 7—4 Our Country, Historical Play, - - - 3, i h. 10 — 5 The Sparkling Cup, - - - - - -5, 2 hrs. 12 — 4 Topp's Twins, 4, 2 hrs. 6 — 4 It's all in Pay Streak, 3, i h. 40 m. 4—3 The New Woman, 3. ih. 3—6 FARCES. ACTS. TIME. M.F. Initiating a Granger, 25 m. 8— Wanted, a Correspondent, 2, 45 m. 4—4 A Family Strike, -...--- 20 m. 3 — 3 Two Ghosts in White, 20 m. —8 The Assessor, -.-.-.. 10 m. 3 — 2 Borrowing Trouble, - - - - - - - 20 m. 35 Country Justice, 20 m. 8— The Pull Back, 20 m. —6 Hans von Smash, --.---. a, 30 m. 4—3 Hard Cider, -- . . - - . . 10 m. 4 — 2 Irish Linen Peddler, ..--.. 2, 40 m. 3 — 3 Kansas Immigrants, -.----- 20 m. 5 — i Too much of a Good Thing, ... - 45 m. 3 — 6 Is the Editor In? - - - - - - - 20 m. 4-2 Pets of Society, --...-- 20 m. — 7 Wide Enough for Two, - - - - - - 45 m. 5—2 Only Cold Tea, --.---. 20 m. 3 — 3 Patsy O'Wang, 35 m. 4—3 Rejected, 40 m. 5—3 A First'Class Hotel, 20 m, 4— Mad, Princeton's Temple of Beauty, - - 20 m. — 6 Dude in a Cyclone , 20 m. 5—3 The Cobbler, 10 m. i— M, head of column, means male: F, female: 25 m., etc., 25 minutes. J86^ Topp's Twins and It's all in the Pay 5treak, 25c. each. All others 15c. each. Postpaid. ^ Catalogue of 250 plays and books free. T. S. DENISON, Publisher, ,53 Randolph Street, - - CHICAGO. DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS. Price 15 Cents Each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price is Given. FARCES AND SKETCHES. M. F. Assessor, sketch, 10 min 3 2 April Fools, 30 min 3 Bad Job, 30 min 3 2 Bardell vs. Pickwick, 25 min... 6 2 lieautiful Forever, 30 min 2 2 lietsy Baker, 45 min 2 2 Blind ISIargaret, musical, 30 m. 3 3 Borrowed Luncheon, 20 min... 5 Borrowing Trouble, 25 min 3 5 Box and Cox, 35 min 2 1 Breezy Call, 25 min 2 1 Bumble's Courtship, 18 min. .. 1 1 Cabman No. 93, 40 min 2 2 Christmas Ship, musical, 20 m. 4 3 Cobbler, 10 min 10 Convention of Papas, 25 min... 7 Country Justice, 15 min 8 Cow That Kicked Chicago, 20 min 3 2 Cut Ott" with a Shilling, 25 min. 2 1 Deception, 30 min 3 2 Desperate Situation, 25 min 2 3 Documentary Evidence, 25 min. 1 1 Dude in a Cyclone, 20 min 5 3 Fair Encounter, sketch, 20 min. 2 Family Strike, 20 min 3 3 Pirst-Class Hotel, 20 min 4 Freezing a Mother-in-Law, 45 min 3 2 Great Medical Dispensary, 30 min 6 Hans Von Smash, 30 min 4 3 Hard Cider, temperance, 15 m., 4 2 Happy Pair, 25 min 1 1 Homoeopathy, Iris b, 30 min 5 3 I'llStay Awhile, 20 min 4 I'm Not Mesilf at All, 25 min.. 3 2 Initiating a Granger, 25 min.. . 8 In the Wrong House, 20 min. .. 4 2 Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min. . 3 3 Is the Editor in? 20 min 4 2 John Smith, 30 min 5 3 Just My Luck, 20 min 4 3 Kansas Immigrants, 20 min 5 1 Kiss in the Dark, 30 min 2 3 Larkin's Love Letters, 50 min.. 3 2 Lend Me Five Shillings, 40 min. 5 2 Limerick Boy, 30 min 5 2 Little Black Devil, 10 min 2 1 Love and Rain, sketch, 20 min. 1 1 Lucky Sixpence, 30 min 4 2 Lucy's Old Man, sketch, 15 m. 2 3 Madame Princeton's Temple of Beauty, 20min 6 Mike Donovan, 15 min 1 3 Misses Beers, 25 min 3 3 Mistake in Identity, 15 min... 2 Modelof a Wife, 25 min 3 2 Mrs. Gami)'s Tea, sketch, 15 m. 2 My Jeremiah, 20 min 3 2 My Lord in Livery, 45 min 4 3 My Neighbor's Wife, 45 min. ... 33 M. p. My Turn Next, 50 min 4 3 Narrow Escape, sketch, 15 m... 2 Not at Home, 15 min 2 Obstinate Family, 40 min 3 3 On Guard, 25 min 4 2 Only Cold Tea, 20 min 3 3 Outwitting the Colonel, 25 m.. 3 2 Patsy O' Wang, 35 min 4 3 Pat the Apothecary, 35 min.... 6 2 Persecuted Dutchman, 35 min. 6 3 Petsof Society, 30 min 7 Played and Lost, sketch, 15 m. 3 2 Pull-Back, 20 min 6 Quiet Family, 45 min 4 4 Realm of Time, musical, 30 min. 8 15 Regular Fix, 50 min 6 4 Rejected, 40 min 5 8 Rough Diamond, 40 min 4 3 Row in Kitchen and Politician's Breakfast, 2 monologues... 1 1 Silent Woman, 25 min 2 1 Slasher and Crasher, 1 hr. 15 m. 5 2 Taming a Tiger, 20 min 3 That Rascal Pat, 35 min 3 2 To Oblige Benson, 45 min 3 2 Too Much for One Head, 25 m.. 2 4 Too Much of a Good Thing, 50 min 3 6 Treasure from Egypt, 45 min.. 4 1 Trick Dollar, 30 min 4 3 Turn Him Out, 50 min 3 3 Twenty Minutes Under Um- brella, sketch, 20 min 1 1 Two Bonnycastles, 45 min 3 3 Two Gay Deceivers, 25 min 3 Two Gents in a Fix, 20 min.... 2 Two Ghosts in White, 25 min.. 8 Twoof a Kind, 40min 2 3 Two Puddifoots. 40 min 3 3 Uncle Dick's Mistake, 20 min.. 3 2 Very Pleasant Evening, 30 min 3 Wanted : a Correspondent, 1 hr. 4 4 Wanted; a Hero, 20 min 1 1 Which Will He Marry? 30 min. 2 8 White Caps (The),musical,30m. 8 Who is Who, 40 min 3 2 Who Told the Lie? 30 min , . . . . 5 :{ Wide Enough for Two, 50 min. 5 2 Woman Hater (The), 30 min... 2 1 Wonderful Letter, 25 min 4 1 Wooing Under Difficulties, 35 min 4 3 Yankee Peddler, 1 hr 7 3 The publisher believes that he can say truthfully that Denison's list of plays is on the whole the best se- lected and most successful in the market. New Plays will be added from time to time. For Ethiopian Plays see Catalogue T. S. DENISON, Publisher, 163 Randolph St., Chicago. CHOICE PLAYS AND AMUS-^- LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Plays by T. S. DENISON. That the plays written by T. S. Denison are, all things considered, the best for amateurs, is attested by their very large and increasing sale. Kew plays in this type. COMEDIES. M. r. Odds with the Enemy, 4 acts, 1 hr. 45 min 7 4 Seth Greenbacli, 4 acts, 1 hr. 15 min 7 3 The School Ma'am, 4 acts, 1 hr, 45 min 6 5 Onlv Daughter, 3 acts, Ihr. 15m. 5 2 LouVa, the Pauper, 5acts, 2hrs. 9 4 Under the Laurels, 5 acts. 2 hrs. 5 4 Danger Signal, 2 acts, Ihr. 45m. 7 4 Our Country, Historical Play, 3acts, Ihr 10 5 Topp'cTwIns, 4 acts, 2 hrs 6 4 It's all .n Pay Streak, 3 acts, 1 hr. 40 min 4 3 The New Woman, 3 acts, 1 hr.. 3 6 FARCES. Initiating a Granger, 25 min. . . 8 Wanted :a Correspondent, 2 acts, 45 min 4 4 A Fami ly Strike, 20 min 3 3 Two Ghosts in White, 20 min . . 8 The Assessor, 10 min 3 2 borrowing Trouble, 20 min — 3 5 Country justice, 20min 8 The PuU-Kack, 20 min 6 Hans von Smash, 2 acts, 30 min. 4 3 Irish Linen Peddler, 2 acts, 40 min 3 3 Kansas Immigrants, 20 min.... 5 1 Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 min 3 6 IstheEditor In? 20min 4 2 Pets of Society, 20 min 7 Wide Enough for Two, 45 min. 5 2 Patsy O'Wang, 35 min 4 3 Rejected, 40 min 5 3 AFirst=CIassHotel, 20min.,.. 4 Madame Princeton's Temple of Beauty, 20 min 6 Dude in Cyclone, 20 min 5 3 The Cobbler, 10 min 10 A Convention of Papas, 25 min. 7 TEMPERANCE. The Sparkling Cup. 5 acts, 2 hrs. 12 4 Hard Cider, 10 min 4 2 Only Cold Tea, 20 min 3 3 |^°Topp's Twins, and It's All in the Pay Streak, 25c each. All others, 15c each, Postpaid. OPERETTAS. Bonnybell 25c. Elma, the Fairy Child ... 25c. Eulalia 25c. Let Love Hut Hold the Key..., 25c. Pocahontas 15c. Large Catalogue Free. Friday A 015 863 523 9 Twenty-five original pieces... 25C. All Sorts of Dialogues. New, fine for older pupils 25c. When the Lessons are Over. New Dialogues, Drills, Plays.. 25c. Dialogues from Dickens. Thirteen Selections 25c. From Tots to Teens. Dialogues for youths, chil- dren, little tots, pieces for special occasions 25c. SPEAKERS. Poetical Entertainer. New original poems for all 'occasions (bound)411ustrated. 50c. Friday Afternoon Speaker. For pupils of all ages 25c. Favorite Speaker. Choice prose and poetry 25c. Comic Entertainer. Comic recitations, finales, monologues, dialogues, etc.... 25c. Choice Pieces for Little People. 25c. Patriotic Speaker. Selections from best authors. . 25c. Dialect Readings. Irish, Dutch, Negro, Scotch,etc., 25c. Scrap^Book Recitations. Choice collections, pathetic, humorous, descriptive, prose, poetry. 13 Nos„ per No.. 25c. SPECIALTIES, Entertainments, etc. Best Drill Book. Taking Drills and Marches. . 25c. Little Folk's Budget. Best book for tiny folks 25c. Shadow Pictured^'antomimes. Charades, and m)w to prepare, 25c. School and Parlor Tableaux. For school, church and parlor, 25c. Wax FIggers of Mrs. Jarley. With full directions 25c. Private Theatricals. Selecting plays, cast, rehear- sals, rain, lightning, etc 25c. Negro Minstrels. Tells the whole thing 25c. Black American Joker. For minstrel shows 25c. New Jolly Jester. Full of the keenest fun 25c. Work and Play. A gem of a book for children. 25c. One Hundred Entertainments. New parlor diversions, socials, 25c. Pranks and Pastimes. Games, puzzles, shadows 25c. Social Card Games. Complete manual 25c. Debater's Handbook (cloth) .... 50c. Good Manners 25c. Everybody's Letter Writer. . . . 25c. T. S. DENISON, Publisher, 163 Randolph St., Chicago.