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THE DREAM CHILD 
 AND OTHER VERSES 
 
AUTOGRAPH EDITION 
 
 This edition is limited to 
 jive hundred numbered 
 and signed copies. This 
 copy is Number 
 
 ^ 
 
The 
 
 Dream Child 
 
 <£^ Other Verses 
 
 NORMA K. BRIGHT 
 
 0tMO g0t6 
 
 THE GRAFTON PRESS 
 
 Publishers 
 
Copyright, 1905, by The Grafton Press 
 
 Many of the poems included in this 
 
 collection have appeared in Book News. 
 
 John Wanamaker, Philadelphia. 
 
 LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
 Two Copies Received 
 
 DEC 11 1905 
 
 ^-Copyrifirht Entry , 
 CLASS (31 XXc. No. 
 
tETo 
 
 My Father and Mother 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Dream-Child ii 
 
 On the Threshold of Womanhood 15 
 
 St. Cecilia 18 
 
 Morning and Night 19 
 
 Love Lost But Found Again 20 
 
 The Chained Soul 21 
 
 Life 22 
 
 Love 23 
 
 The Immortal Soul 24 
 
 Ambition's Lure . 25 
 
 Friendship 26 
 
 The Music of the Spheres 27 
 
 Following an Ideal 30 
 
 Anticipation 31 
 
 Unafraid 31 
 
 Aspiration 32 
 
 The Death's Head 33 
 
 Spiritual Sight 34 
 
 The Electric Spark 35 
 
 Prayer 36 
 
 Faith 37 
 
 Beyond 38 
 
 Seeking the Way 39 
 
 The Breaking Light 40 
 
 God's Wicket-Gate 41 
 
 The Rooms of Life and Death 42 
 
 The Fall and the Sacrifice 43 
 
 Redemption 4+ 
 
 [7] 
 
• PAGE 
 
 The Failure of Externals 45 
 
 When a Star Shoots 45 
 
 The Spell of Love 46 
 
 The Night-Cactus 47 
 
 The New Leaf 49 
 
 An Autumn Leaf 50 
 
 The Glade 51 
 
 Spring the Debutante 52 
 
 When Comes the Spring 53 
 
 The Romance of the Seasons 54 
 
 In the Month of May 56 
 
 A Fallen Trunk 57 
 
 June 58 
 
 July 59 
 
 A Golden Afternoon 60 
 
 The Sky 61 
 
 The Death of the Old; the Birth of the New . 62 
 
 A Knight Comes Conquering 64 
 
 The New Year 65 
 
 St. Valentine's Eve 66 
 
 The Day of Eros 70 
 
 An Easter Hymn 72 
 
 The Resurrection 74 
 
 Genius 76 
 
 When Woods Afford Retreat 77 
 
 Give the People their Freedom 78 
 
 Inspiration 80 
 
 t8] 
 
THE DREAM CHILD 
 AND OTHER VERSES 
 
THE DREAM-CHILD. " 
 
 I LONE on the wild and stormy-tossed deep, 
 Alone 'neath the sky's azure vault, 
 The frail little barque of the Dream-Child 
 floats, 
 
 With its small golden bow and its sail of mother-of-pearl. 
 And there in the prow the Dream-Child sleeps, 
 The fairy-like child with gold hair. 
 Which, up on the mountain-side far to the east 
 At night when the elves and the fairies feast; 
 Hermes, in fair guise bedight. 
 Bore down from Olympian height, 
 And laid in a cool, shady nook 
 By the side of a murmuring brook. 
 Where the soft breezes of night the dark oak leaves 
 
 shook 
 And the flowers of day their sweet slumbers took. 
 
 Then Phoebus up rose and scattered the stars, 
 
 Aurora the couch of Phaethon left. 
 
 And trailing behind her the sunbeams 
 
 Swept down through the sky. 
 
 Till she stood where the Dream-Child slept; 
 
And a tiny ray from her glittering crown, 
 With a broader beam from her glistening gown. 
 Fell on the baby's small form, 
 Enwrapping it in a rich, warm glow. 
 That caused it to wake and to softly crow. 
 
 And Cytherea, the lovely dame. 
 Just at that time drawing nigh. 
 Lifted the child to her beautiful breast, 
 And tenderly clasped there, let it rest 
 Until she found Love. "My son," said she, 
 "This child hereafter thy playmate shall be." 
 
 Then, together in grassy mead, 
 
 'Mid flowers wild and gay, 
 'Neath sunny skies, by rivers blue. 
 
 The Dream-Child and Eros play. 
 
 But one bright day in the early Spring, 
 
 Venus and Love went away. 
 Far up to Olympus they went. 
 
 The great Jove for Venus had sent. 
 So lonely and sad the Dream-Child was. 
 
 And he wandered far through the wood. 
 Through the desolate wilds of the forest-lands, 
 
 Over mosses of velvet and shores of sand. 
 
 The birds sang above him, 
 The breezes blew cool, 
 
 [12] 
 
And in the sunshine so joyous and full, 
 
 He chased the golden butterfly, 
 He plucked the dainty flower, 
 
 He stroked the coat of the timid fawn 
 As it lay in its secret bower. 
 
 Then on the sward beneath an oak. 
 
 He rested and struck his lyre. 
 Till the fairies came forth from their flower abodes. 
 
 And the wood-nymphs drew near to admire. 
 But tiring at last of his music sweet. 
 
 The Dream-Child his journey resumed 
 Through patches of corn and o'er fields of wheat. 
 
 Across meadows so green where the wild-flowers 
 bloomed. 
 
 Then he struck the trail of a rippling stream 
 
 And followed it on and on. 
 Till a river broke 'neath the sky's soft beam. 
 
 And on its green bank there lay 
 The tiny vessel of silk and pearl, 
 
 That gleamed and flashed in a small blue bay. 
 In a moment the child was aboard the skiff. 
 
 And down the broad stream they swept. 
 Under the sky of deep, deep blue, . 
 
 And past the bright shores where the bent willows 
 wept. 
 Straight on to the ocean the vessel slipped, 
 
 Straight on to the breakers wild; 
 Into the waves the small keel dipped, 
 
 With its cargo of one frail child. 
 
 [13] 
 
Lost on the measureless ocean, 
 
 What will be the Dream-Child's end ? 
 
 Involved in that vortex of motion, 
 Who or what his slight Hfe will defend ? 
 
 Yet thus with Love and Dreams it is ever. 
 If by any chance, they are forced to sever; 
 Love takes his own way, while the Dream bereft^ 
 Wanders on to its end — to its Death! 
 
 [14 
 
ON THE THRESHOLD OF WOMANHOOD. 
 
 THE dawn flaunts her ribbons of yellow light 
 A-down the long river of blue; 
 And casts a glint on each ripple white; 
 From the gray, the sun bursts through. 
 
 The forests glower along the banks 
 And rear their stern columns brown, 
 
 Phoebus kisses lightly the leafy ranks, 
 Albeit, protesting, they frown. 
 
 Half hidden among the foliaged bowers, 
 
 Two maidens, majestic and tall, 
 Await the glad day midst the waking flowers. 
 
 And list to the wood-birds' matin call. 
 
 Far up where the river capriciously bends, 
 
 A galley, light-breezed appears, 
 Down the sparkHng waters irs course it wends. 
 
 Till the dark-shadowed nook it nears. 
 
 Trembling, they watch it approaching nigh. 
 And each in her heart questions low. 
 
 Pride purses two lips, from the others a sigh 
 Bursts and tears in the deep eyes show. 
 
 [15] 
 
Is it Love that comes in that white-winged ship, 
 
 With Fortune aloft on its prow ? 
 Does that Fortune approach with smiling lips, 
 
 Or is unkindness writ on her brow ? 
 
 The one cries, " I care not for Fortune or Fate, 
 What need of her bounties have I ? 
 
 And why for a lover should I await, 
 Why for Love's small caresses sigh ? 
 
 But the other whispers in gentle tone, 
 
 "I would that Love came to me. 
 It were sad to live all life alone, 
 
 Ne'er caring nor cared-for to be." 
 
 How often do Earth's fair daughters pause thus, 
 On the threshold of womanhood's day. 
 
 And with wistful eyes and quick-throbbing pulse, 
 Seek to pierce the dim Future way ? 
 
 Always a hope hovers yonder and bright. 
 
 Obscure but suggestively fair, 
 Always the rose color tempts the sight. 
 
 To make eager the maiden's prayer. 
 
 But some with contempt and indifference gaze. 
 Their hearts all selfish and cold and steel. 
 
 In them life's best promise no warmth can raise. 
 They scorn to anticipate woe or weal. 
 
 [16] 
 
But many of tenderer heart there are, 
 Whose fondness innate and gently sweet, 
 
 Causes their eyes to gaze afar 
 
 Where High Hopes rests aloft on majestic seat. 
 
 O cannot that oncoming, promising barge. 
 Bring joy to such and Love's fulsome bhss, 
 
 Can it not bring all Love's blessings large, 
 And a lover's surrendering kiss ? 
 
 [17] 
 
ST. CECILIA. 
 
 SHE lays her hand upon the heavy, gilded harp. 
 And gently, dreamily she draws it close, 
 Her fingers fall with soft caress and light 
 Upon the strings, fine glistening and bright. 
 
 Then back and up her haloed head she throws, 
 
 And raises grave, expectant eyes aloft. 
 
 Her soul in ready earnestness she holds 
 
 To catch the song that in the laden spirit grows. 
 
 And in that momentary pause. 
 Wherein the inspiration hovers high 
 Ere stealing down in concord irresistible 
 A throng of sweet-faced cherubs gather by. 
 
 Oh! one can hear that limpid melody 
 Direct from Heaven borne down, 
 Oh, one can feel its charmed subtility, 
 Its tender thrilling and exalting sound! 
 
 [18] 
 
It fills the atmosphere with sweetly penetrating harmony, 
 It satisfies unto the full the yearning, hungering soul, 
 Its mem'ry, long time lingering, is like the vast sea, 
 Quick-throbbing and exultant *neath the sunset's golden 
 glow! 
 
 MORNING AND NIGHT. 
 
 THE soul comes from the east in the morning. 
 In Apollo's shining car, 
 It returns to the west in the evening 
 To the world where all Spirits are. 
 
 In the day we dwell in the daylight. 
 
 At night we go into the dark, 
 In the night we are part of the great Fire, 
 
 In the day we are each but a spark. 
 
 [19] 
 
LOVE LOST BUT FOUND AGAIN. 
 
 MY heart beat strokes like a gloomy bell. 
 That shakes its tall, strong tower, 
 While echoes, reverberating, swell 
 And roll through the mist-clouded air; 
 For Love was lost — and keen despair 
 Was abroad. 
 
 My heart rang out like silver chimes i 
 
 That make music mellow and clear, j 
 
 That fits itself to a thousand fond rhymes | 
 
 Such as fall from the lips of damsels coy; 
 For love was found — and a fulsome joy 
 Swept the earth. 
 
 [20] 
 
 
THE CHAINED SOUL. 
 
 LIKE in ancient ages, Prometheus the mighty, 
 To the great, gray rock was bound by chain, 
 So man's soul through Hfe's allotted span's condemned 
 Fast to the flesh in fetters to remain. 
 
 Not a vulture hungry, upon its vitals preys. 
 Yet in agony as great it hourly writhes. 
 
 For vain longings torture, deep aspirations rise 
 
 And spend their force in action that racks though 
 it defies. 
 
 And no release is offered till Death rends the thongs, 
 
 Death, dark Death but none the less sole rescuer of 
 the soul. 
 With flying pinions through the night, at last Death 
 wings his way. 
 Cuts loose the bonds; the spirit soars aloft to realms 
 of day. 
 
 [21] 
 
LIFE. 
 
 WHAT is life? Life is love 
 And Love is infinite, unbounded as the sea 
 And with the same full, deep, potent vibrations. 
 Each wave some dear emotion is. 
 Each heave some new sensation. 
 Stirring the mighty, forceful under-current 
 To deepmost depths, 
 Then rolling off in undulations creamy-crested. 
 
 All of us at divers times 
 
 Upon this sea embark. 
 
 Nor know we aught of good or ill to come, 
 
 Until we're fairly launched. 
 
 Then some are in a seething whirlpool downward drawn 
 
 And swallowed up; 
 
 While other some do sink 
 
 To later rise again, before the light of day. 
 
 Some struggle madly with the torrent strong 
 
 Until exhaust, when oft they perish quite. 
 
 But just a few upon the billows' bosom float 
 
 In rare security beneath the sunlit sky. 
 
 These bask in warmth and dwell in sweet content 
 
 Unto the isle of rest; 
 
Their only sorrow is the sight of others' woe, 
 
 And this they strive to lessen by their radiating glow. 
 
 Life has a mission, Love has, too; 
 
 'Tis the mission of uphfting; 
 
 To set itself amid adverse conditions 
 
 And by transforming to dispel them. 
 
 LOVE. 
 
 AGAIN, and what is love ? 
 Love is the complement of forces. 
 Of attribute it is the reciprocity. 
 Love, mutual must be, 
 And twain it doth require to give it being. 
 Of those twain, each one, as 'twere, hath natural incom- 
 pleteness, 
 Wherefore what one lacks must be the other's portion 
 And vice versa. 
 
 Else perfect union were impossible. 
 But lack going e'er in quest of its essential, 
 Doth, seeing it, unto itself compel, 
 And hence as by a dovetail joining 
 Is wrought a whole. 
 
 The give and take is all unconsciously effected. 
 Most like by that mysterious magnetism. 
 With which the wise God hath each one of us endowed. 
 And in the gift of which we rest securely. 
 In each event by certain instinct guided. 
 
 [23] 
 
THE IMMORTAL SOUL. 
 
 LIFE is like unto a burning. 
 The flesh is fuel, 
 And to natural shocks and ills it is subjected. 
 Just as logs upon the hearthstone 
 Are by changes in the atmosphere affected; 
 Just as dry they burn, so quick and merrily. 
 And damp they are consumed so slow and wearily; 
 So the body by disease is rendered impotent, 
 Though ever and anon it rallieth; 
 But in the end it is decreed to die! 
 Then all is silent, ghostly, cold. 
 And the flesh so warm and red of old, 
 Hardens gray, like a field in winter frozen, 
 And the blood veins like the brooklets 
 Do congeal and leave the meadows barren; 
 Then a shadow like a pall hovers, hovers over all. 
 But suddenly forth from this lifeless lump of clay, 
 Arises Something, Something vague but omnipresent, 
 Intangible, invisible it is; akin to space. 
 This essence of what was, of what will be apace. 
 "In His image" God made man. 
 Male and female made He him. 
 In His image ? Not those fast departing atoms 
 Can be like to Him ? 
 
 [24] 
 
No; this Unknown Something; this vague, mysterious 
 
 Something, 
 This Something dim and baffling. 
 This Something everlasting 
 'Tis the embryo of Hfe. 
 To Earth from Heaven it doth come, 
 From Earth to Heaven it doth return. 
 Yea, 'tis the spirit that vs^as, that is. 
 That will be evermore. 
 
 AMBITION'S LURE. 
 
 THOU Spirit that fleeth so swiftly before me. 
 How long have I thee pursued! 
 Over meadows of green have I weariedly chased thee^ 
 But thou seem'st ever my grasp to elude! 
 
 Fair fleeting shadow so radiant and golden. 
 Whither would'st lead me away! 
 Would that I thee had never beholden. 
 Oft I fear that thy power my soul may betray! 
 
 [25] 
 
FRIENDSHIP. 
 
 WHAT, then, is Friendship ? 
 'Tis another vague, incomprehensible attrac- 
 tion. 
 Of qualities adherent, 
 Of magnetic, subtle attribute. 
 'Tis a current to the naked eye invisible. 
 Of limitless expansion it is capable. 
 Though close contraction is as v^ell among its potencies. 
 No throb of passion e'er disturbs its aspect. 
 For its warmth is of a mean. 
 And ne'er like heat o' love consumes itself; 
 But renders satisfaction utmost 
 Unto each desire. 
 Its range may be of inches 
 And content, unmoved, reside. 
 Or its stretch may bound the wide seas 
 And its trust remain untried. 
 Love is pain both sweet and poignant, 
 Friendship is a restful calm. 
 Love dwells upon the storm-tossed ocean. 
 Friendship abides beneath Elysian balm. 
 
 [26] 
 
THE MUSIC OF THE SPHERES. 
 
 Iwas a captive in a castle old and gray, 
 In an eastern watch-tower high, 
 I was a soul of bondage the poor prey, 
 
 And liberty, freedom, was my every moment's cry. 
 But behold, one day at the eventide. 
 
 Ere the sun had scarce retired, 
 I heard a rustling at my side, 
 
 New hope my soul inspired. 
 An angel beside me was standing. 
 
 In a robe of shadowy gray. 
 And with a sword, golden, gleaming, 
 
 Was silently pointing the way. 
 
 I arose, without effort, floating. 
 
 Till I neared the prison dome, 
 The window above opened slowly, 
 
 I was leaving my cruel captive's home. 
 Out, out with lightness ecstatic. 
 
 Far upward, through the still air. 
 On wings, as it were, seraphic. 
 
 The breezes my spirit did bear. 
 Till earth was left far behind me, 
 
 And I was resting in space, 
 
 [27] 
 
All the planets were swinging before me, 
 In the centre, the sun's smiling face. 
 
 Then over my senses stealing, 
 
 Came a charm too deep to explain, 
 It was sound from the worlds that were reeling. 
 
 And it echoed in mellow refrain. 
 Now 'twas low, tender, inexpressibly sweet. 
 
 Its movement, adagio y 
 As with graceful motion, the planets greet 
 
 The depths of the great deep below. 
 Then higher rising in lighter tone, 
 
 A sprightlier note now sounds, 
 A joyous allegro is upward thrown. 
 
 As toward the sun some glad world bounds. 
 
 Then as if the wind with a mighty rush, 
 
 Came the lively notes to dispel, 
 A heavy largo calls a hush. 
 
 And even the young stars their music quell. 
 But not for long — from the darkness o'erhead, 
 
 A soft broad beam bursts through. 
 In the depths of its light, many angels tread, 
 
 Countless stars, like diamonds, their raiments 
 bedew. 
 And on trumpets of silver, one note they prolong, 
 
 Then myriad lyres strike in tender and sweet, 
 With graceful accompaniment of low, thrilling song. 
 
 As myriad voices in unison meet. 
 
 [28] 
 
Then in a deep, grand oratorio, 
 
 The revolving spheres fall and rise 
 In triumphant measure; v^ith v^arm, rich glow 
 
 The universe shines with a million eyes. 
 And o'er my being falls a shimmering veil, 
 
 Like a delicate web by the dew bekiss'd, 
 And close enwrapped in the fabric frail, 
 
 I float along through the quivering mist. 
 Straight up to the window in the sky. 
 
 Into that gold glow of light. 
 Into the midst of the angels I fly. 
 
 Away from the cold of the drear, black night. 
 
 On through the opening I send my gaze, 
 
 A single star burns on high. 
 Around there rests a purple haze, 
 
 Many vaprous forms sway near by. 
 'Twas the world of spirits, the happy land. 
 
 Where in peace and joy eternal. 
 Dwell in perfect bliss the chosen band, 
 
 'Mong the unknown regions supernal. 
 Of the wondrous mysteries there revealed, 
 
 Ere back to my earthly way 
 To abide as a slave till by death relieved 
 
 I returned, I cannot say! 
 
 Too miraculous far for tongue to speak, 
 Nigh too perfect for mind to desire. 
 
 But the goal that all should zealously seek, 
 The end whereto all should aspire. 
 
 [29] 
 
FOLLOWING AN IDEAL. 
 
 THRUST from thee all, save only this, the highest. 
 Hedge thyself fast about, with carefulness, 
 Till thou e'en with the best alone abidest. 
 Till thy soul has, regarding what is best, no doubt. 
 
 Know thy Ideal and closely then enshrine it 
 In the most secret sanctuary of thy heart, 
 In every thought and smallest act define it. 
 From its sure mandate never dare depart. 
 
 All ideals were meant for constant guide-stars. 
 Too often are they born to be forgot, 
 Thereat the promises so fair, destruction mars,, 
 And Hell, not Heaven, is set to be the lot! 
 
 [30] 
 
ANTICIPATION. 
 
 ANTICIPATION hovers in the distant sky, 
 And by its rosy hues lures mortals nigh, 
 Ah, yes, the Dream is fair! 
 
 Bold Realization stands upon the goal with haughty mien, 
 We reach her, what a disappointment keen, 
 Alas! Reality is bare. 
 
 UNAFRAID. 
 
 THE dark. I do not fear it, 
 Neither the dark nor the cold. 
 For the Spirit Above will sustain me 
 And in its deep depths will enfold 
 And bear onward. 
 My timorous soul. 
 
 31] 
 
ASPIRATION. 
 
 IF I could coax some haughty breeze that blows 
 To waft me up into the depths of the dim blue, 
 Would you, oh star, employ your golden glow, 
 To guide me through those spaces vast — or no ? 
 
 If yon high star with all its dazzling rays, 
 
 My progress through realms unexplored would rule, 
 
 Would you, oh moon, bear me along the way 
 
 In your bright car — or would you answer, "Nay?" 
 
 [32] 
 
 I 
 
w 
 
 THE DEATH'S HEAD 
 
 HAT then that speck upon the mountain top 
 Which black doth stand against the rose-tinged 
 sky? 
 
 It is a Death* s Head placed there by 
 The All- Wise Ruling Hand. 
 
 But why so drear and grim and terrible a sign 
 Doth crown a hill so tempting fair ? 
 
 Ah, why? that htll which smilest so benign 
 Is but in truth a deadly fatal snare! 
 
 How so, kind seer ? discern'st thou not the gold 
 That gleams so bright upon its sloping sides ? 
 
 Ay, gold that leadeth men to sell their lives. 
 
 But gold doth furnish many beauteous things, 
 Fair luxuries and power enow, I wean, 
 
 So know 7, but man soon a slave becomes. 
 And the fair soul is stoVn away unseen. 
 
 O! son! look not upon the gold. 
 
 No matter how it glistens, look above. 
 
 And the free air full absorb. 
 
 The breath of liberty, the food of life and love! 
 
SPIRITUAL SIGHT. 
 
 THEN look beyond, 
 And pierce the mists that veil the far-ofF peaks. 
 Unloose the soul's enthralling bondages 
 The flesh enchainments rend. 
 Soar then aloft, a thing ethereal, 
 A presence highly sensitized, a consciousness acute. 
 Look then and feel 
 And all the mysteries manifold 
 That lurk in yon cloud's dim. 
 Experience, absorb, and saturate thus, 
 Return unto the sodden clay, new born. 
 
 Transfigure it. 
 This dust that was, that is, that yet must be once more. 
 
 [34] 
 
THE ELECTRIC SPARK. 
 
 IT kindles. How, we cannot know. 
 But something in us concentrates 
 Then suddenly bursts forth 
 
 In fine and countless currents 
 That disseminate their force 
 
 In myriad directions, 
 And each thing they touch 
 
 Is rendered animate. 
 Magnetic, with the force to draw 
 
 And to be drawn. 
 
 [3S] 
 
PRAYER. 
 
 '\TEATH the wide and spreading shadows of the 
 1 1 great White Spirit's wings, 
 Kneel I in the misty gloaming, golden-shot with light 
 
 that springs 
 From the vast and central glory, gleaming, as on Sinai 
 
 years ago. 
 Softly round me sounds sweet music, speaks a wondrous 
 
 voice that rings. 
 Thrilling to my inmost being, lo! a gentle peace it brings. 
 Answer to my humble pleading, vision to a longing soul. 
 
 [36] 
 
FAITH. 
 
 WHAT then is faith ? 
 'Tis to find in bitterness the sweet, 
 To penetrate the shadows for the beam beyond; 
 'Tis with spirit calm adversity to greet, 
 And, well-resolved, each obstacle to meet. 
 
 From Faith, contentment is not far, 
 
 Its optimism lightly leaps each hindering bar. 
 
 [37] 
 
BEYOND. 
 
 WHEN the purple mists of morning 
 From the mountain heads so hoary 
 Pierced by the sun's bright glory, 
 Shall forever roll away; 
 
 Shall we know each other there, 
 In that land so far and fair. 
 In that land of everlasting peace and day ? 
 
 When in glory all transcending, 
 To the heights above ascending, 
 We shall mount on zephyr's wing. 
 To the throne of our Great King, 
 Shall we recognize our loved ones, 
 Those beloved ones gone before. 
 And with them shall we dwell there. 
 In communion sweet and rare ? 
 
 Ah! that broad realm of chastened spirits. 
 
 Whose centre is Christ supreme. 
 Who can its eternal joys picture. 
 
 Or who of its fulness can dream ? 
 Beyond the closed pearly portals 
 
 That shine in the western skies, 
 'Tis there lies the abode of immortals, 
 
 The land free from teardrops and sighs. 
 
 [38] 
 
Think you we shall know each other, 
 
 In that land so far and fair, 
 With beloved ones think you we shall dwell there. 
 
 In communion holy and rare ? 
 
 SEEKING THE WAY. 
 
 AND darkness fell upon the soul, 
 Which, blinded, prayed for light, 
 But light could none obtain. 
 So dumbly did it press ahead 
 And midst the shadows grope 
 With one dim hope to aid its faltering tread; 
 A hope that ever flagged in strength 
 And fast consumed the small remaining faith. 
 
 [39] 
 
THE BREAKING LIGHT. 
 
 THERE is no God!" the man cried, 
 And the darkness swept Hke a pall 
 Down and around and upon him, 
 And blackness settled o'er all. 
 And he groped in the gathered shadows; 
 And sought in vain for a spark 
 To guide his now faltering footsteps; 
 While his voice rolling on through the dark 
 Only echoed — despairingly echoed. — 
 
 " Is there a God ? " was his new cry, 
 
 And a gleam very feeble but bright, 
 
 Shot through the closely-laced tree-boughs 
 
 And shed on the dim, a faint light, j 
 
 And the fallen one rose with a new hope i 
 
 And courageously pressed ahead j 
 
 To the white speck that seemed like a star-point i 
 
 While his heart a wistful prayer said. j 
 
 And lo! through the woods came a whisper. — i 
 
 "There is a God!" was his last cry. j 
 
 And the mighty sun scattered the gloom i 
 And a radiant light shone about him, 
 
 'Neath his feet rose the flowers abloom. , 
 
 And in the rose dawn of the morning, • I 
 
 He drank deep of the fragrant perfume I 
 
 While a mighty force gath'ring within him, | 
 
 Victoriously cried out Death's doom! I 
 And from his purged lips burst a song forth. — 
 
 [40] ' 
 
GOD'S WICKET-GATE. 
 
 THERE spreads a desert dim and waste, 
 There grows a garden fair; 
 Upon the first the Devil builds his roaring fires, 
 Within the last the High God dwells and reigns 
 And peace prevails. 
 
 In which of these abide thee, brother mine. 
 In the desert or the garden bright, 
 Thirst ye amid the heat and fierce flames. 
 Famish ye for water clear and bright ? 
 Behold thy God hath set a wicket-gate. 
 Upon the desert's borders bare 
 On hither side of forests cool and green; 
 Behold thy God hath opened wide the portal. 
 And freely does he give thee privilege to pass — 
 Cast down thy pride, O godless one, and weakling,^ 
 Take up the cross that ran with holy blood. 
 Deny thyself! 
 
 Believe again, oh, ye of little faith. 
 Cast down thyself, put God upon the throne 
 Of thine hard heart! 
 
 Accept that which so generously is thine. 
 Thine without money, thine without a price. 
 Thine by a right and will and thought divine! 
 
 [41] 
 
THE ROOMS OF LIFE AND DEATH. 
 
 *'' I ""IS but a door that separates man's two estates, 
 1 The one that is; the one that yet will be; 
 
 A door plain-hewn and unornate, 
 A door we feel, albeit we cannot see, 
 For shadows do envelop its vicinity. 
 
 But ever and anon a wraith doth rise, 
 
 Suggestively foreboding doth its form appear 
 
 To man, who looks with clouded eyes, 
 
 Enshadowed, darkened with increasing fear. 
 As Death its genii-height doth upward rear. 
 
 Yet there are times when sunlight bursts 
 
 In golden radiance upon the gathered gloom. 
 
 And the dread figure then doth stand immersed 
 
 In scintillating beams, that flashing through the room. 
 Proclaim the grim door-watch no more a messenger 
 of doom. 
 
 They show instead a Prince of knightly mien, 
 Who holds on high a gleaming golden key, 
 
 And bends upon mankind a countenance serene 
 And merciful divine; no annihilator he 
 But rather rescuer and guide to weak humanity. 
 
 [42] 
 
And when he shall the door at length unlock, 
 And bid us each the hallowed threshold cross, 
 
 What wonders potent will our progress block. 
 What beauties indescribable engross 
 Our minds and lift our souls to pinnacles aloft ? 
 
 THE FALL AND THE SACRIFICE. 
 
 THE woman and the man did eat, 
 And thenceforth was the world full plunged and 
 steeped 
 In base intent and baser deed, 
 Until the Christ 
 Upon the cross did offer Blood; 
 The cleansing blood to purge of evil all. 
 
 [43 
 
REDEMPTION. 
 
 ALL Nature was in mourn arrayed 
 About Gethsemane, 
 Where the doomed Christ knelt and prayed, 
 
 In direst agony. 
 What if that bitter cup ordained 
 
 For him, the Christ, to drink. 
 Had been removed ? 'Twould have remained,. 
 
 For all mankind to sink 
 To sin and av^ful degradation, 
 E'en to the lov^est depths. 
 
 But no! not thus the vast, omnipotent design. 
 
 Of the great Father wise — 
 Though Adam was constrained to resign 
 
 His beauteous Paradise, 
 Yet was Redemption full provided for 
 
 In way most wonderful. 
 
 Hence was the Lamb upon the Altar slain. 
 
 And blood divine was spilled; 
 The mighty Sacrifice was not in vain, 
 
 For thereby was the Father's plan fulfilled. 
 And free Salvation proffered 
 
 Unto each and all. 
 
 [44] 
 
THE FAILURE OF EXTERNALS. 
 
 OF what avail the gHttering shell with tawdry tinsel 
 hung 
 If close within, the kernel rank, corrupt, lies hid ? 
 If petty spirit reigns supreme all men among. 
 And men their souls sell for the highest bid. 
 What profiteth it this outward luxury and wealth, 
 These fortunes founded on the clever schemes of stealth ? 
 
 WHEN A STAR SHOOTS. 
 
 *'' I IS said that ever when across the evening sky, 
 
 1 A golden star goes shooting fast, 
 Another soul has summoned been on high, 
 Another child of earth been called upon to die. 
 
 What means this symbol of the star that springs 
 'Way from its station in the blue ? 
 Is then its journey to the realms where sings 
 The cherub and the note of silver trumpet rings ? 
 
 Perchance there rises in that world so far, 
 
 A steep and rock-bound wall, 
 
 God's table of recording, whither wends the star 
 
 To stamp death's count in deep and fire-wrought scar. 
 
 [45] 
 
THE SPELL OF LOVE. 
 
 LOVE threw a halo all round and about, 
 A bulwark 'gainst Anger and Hate, 
 Utopia reigned and Elysian calm. 
 While Happiness high on a golden throne sate. 
 
 And Jealousy knocked on the portals forsooth, 
 
 And Discord besieged the high walls, 
 
 But the city in blissful security dwelt. 
 
 And Enjoyment laughed free in the feasting halls. 
 
 For the spell of Love is omnipotent. 
 Before it the whole world obeisance makes, 
 All other passions before it fall, 
 To its will it all nations breaks. 
 
 [46] 
 
THE NIGHT-CACTUS. 
 
 NOT till the evening shadows grow, 
 And darkness close enwraps the drowsing world, 
 Not till the breezes, fragrant, softly blow. 
 Doth the night-cactus bloom, unfolding slow, 
 Awake to life. 
 
 For weeks upon the plant so oddly twis't. 
 
 Where stem and leaves are seemingly confused. 
 
 The bud has grown, by sun and moonlight gently kissed. 
 And with the love for being full infused 
 Throughout. 
 
 Then suddenly, some night, when quiet all 
 
 Pervades, beneath the dusky skies. 
 The dull rose calyx quickly bursts its thrall, 
 
 And into slender ribbons that uprise. 
 It slowly parts. 
 
 Then petals, pure and waxen gracefully unfold, 
 
 A perfect, star-like flower opens wide. 
 Within its depths a heart of yellow gold. 
 
 Whereby the glistening dew-drops shyly hide 
 Their sparkling light. 
 
 And through the atmosphere there spreads 
 
 A subtle, winning fragrance, a perfume 
 Delicate, that permeates and threads 
 
 Its course from every portion of the lovely bloom 
 Which stands revealed. 
 
 [47] 
 
All through the black night it liveth, 
 
 An eye, clear and pure and bright, 
 A beautiful soul's wide-oped window, 
 
 A chaste heart's steady beacon-light; — 
 Infallible sign. 
 
 But in the rose dawn of the morning, 
 
 The sun, rising, enamored becomes 
 Of the flower so rare and so fragile, 
 
 About which the early fly hums, 
 And longingly lingers. 
 
 And with face all a-smiling and gleeful, 
 The sun to the earth bends down close. 
 
 Hot kisses are pressed on the blossom, 
 
 The frail petals are scorched by the touch, 
 Till they droop. 
 
 But a brief while and the rude-mannered wooing. 
 
 So o'erwhelms the delicate flower. 
 That it shudders and shrinks from the suing, 
 
 And its slight strength ebbing away 
 It, withering, dies. 
 
 Thus, in only the star and the moonlight, 
 'Mid the shadows and depths of the dark. 
 
 Can the night-cactus find room for its spirit. 
 Can live this clear, beautiful spark. 
 This untainted soul. 
 
 [48] 
 
THE NEW LEAF. 
 
 IN its jacket of brown the tiny bud sleeps, 
 While over its head the Winter's blast sweeps, 
 But snugly the firm coat the little bud keeps 
 Till the Spring sun comes piercing the sky's gray deeps. 
 
 Then slowly, scarce gladly, the bud awakes. 
 And slowly from off it the brown coat it shakes. 
 While of the sweet air a long breath it takes. 
 And with a bright dewdrop its thirst it slakes. 
 
 And lo! under the sheath of dowdy brown 
 Is a shapely leaf in resplendent gown; 
 Green, sparkling with drops of new, sweet rain, 
 A dainty page for the fair Spring's train. 
 
 [49] 
 
AN AUTUMN LEAF. 
 
 I PICKED up a leaf from a rustling bed 
 Of autumn leaves that lay thickly spread 
 Over the earth cold and brown; 
 'Twas a garnet leaf of the richest hue, 
 A smooth, bright rose, v^ith a shadov^ or two, 
 And a silky, rose-petal feel. 
 
 And all alive seemed this leafling to be, 
 
 For it trembled and quivered at a touch, 
 As if from a possible hurt it would flee, 
 But its potent beauty was ample plea, 
 And as I looked it seemed to me 
 That it nestled closely in my hand 
 As if at finding a friend it were glad. 
 
 So it came that I sheltered this helpless child 
 That had strayed away from the forest wild 
 
 And far from its mother tree; 
 I cherished it 'gainst the chilling breeze. 
 The strident winds that ruthlessly freeze; 
 I gave it a soft, warm bed, 
 And there it rested until it was dead. 
 
 As I knew it surely would die. 
 
 And one day I found it all stiffened and pale, 
 
 With the red blood dried from its veins. 
 Then I carried it down to a still, leafy dale, 
 
 [so] 
 
All moist and damp with the recent rains. 
 And gently buried it there 
 'Neath a horse-chestnut tree, tall and spare. 
 
 And when in the Springtime the shoots burst green, 
 And the sun shines softly with golden sheen, 
 My leafling's grave will be bathed in light, 
 And decked in splendor with blossoms bright. 
 
 THE GLADE. 
 
 WEAVE on your spell, oh, forest tall and splendid, 
 Sing your sweet lays for aye you murmuring 
 stream; 
 Here on the rocks that your high, rugged banks build. 
 Let me in silence sit and dream! 
 
 Let my ear listen to the gentle whisper. 
 
 That the Wind-god sends in breezes through the leaves, 
 Let my eyes feel repose of sun sheen finely sifted 
 
 And my weariness the velvet rest of moss that cleaves. 
 
 Just a secluded glade by high trees bounded. 
 Only a few cool rocks in moist earth set, 
 
 Just a bright brooklet, tumbling, stumbling 
 
 In foam-frost waves that grooves and pitfalls fret; 
 
 Just a gold gleam of sunlight sweetly stealing 
 Through lacy roof of leaves to kiss the stream. 
 
 Merely a fleeting bar of wood-bird's lyric. 
 
 Just a stray fragment of the great God's dream. 
 
 [51] 
 
SPRING THE DEBUTANTE. 
 
 DAME NATURE bade Mother Earth prepare 
 For the graceful young Spring's debut, 
 **Make haste," she cried, with her haughty nod, 
 "Have everything beautiful, gay and new!" 
 
 So Earth awoke from her long winter's sleep, 
 
 And aroused all her children dear. 
 Bidding them don their best, freshest attire. 
 
 As the Spring's "coming out" was drawing near. 
 
 Then in a trice all the fields grew green, 
 
 The wild flowers vied in opening. 
 The brook children merrily gambolled free, 
 
 Ah! 'twas a sight worth beholding! 
 
 At last was the day for the great event come, 
 
 All the woods stood robed in green. 
 The Quaker-Maid and the Violet, too, 
 
 'Mid the emerald leaves were early seen. 
 
 And the sky above was all blue and calm. 
 And the sun laughed aloud in his glee, 
 
 And all the birds in glad chorus sang 
 Till the echoes rang from sea to sea. 
 
 [52] 
 
Even the fairies tripped lightly forth, 
 
 And danced among the flowers, 
 Titania's whole kingdom with mischievous Puck 
 
 Swarmed in the cool, fragrant bowers. 
 
 And when at last Spring, radiant, arrived, 
 
 With her cheeks aglow and her fair hair wreathed, 
 
 A dozen resplendent gallants in her train. 
 
 She to each of the throng a bright smile bequeathed. 
 
 Then at once her gracious reign began. 
 
 And glorious the days that ensued, 
 Until Summer, so handsome and debonair, 
 
 The heart of the young Spring successfully wooed! 
 
 WHEN COMES THE SPRING 
 
 WHEN bonny April spreads again her gauzy wings, 
 When playfully she whips the lazy flowers — 
 And chases gleefully the balmy breeze. 
 Those naughty buds, so fond of cozy sleep — 
 Then will the world awake right joyfully. 
 And greet the gallant earth full gracefully, 
 As smiling it attends the marriage feast 
 Of Nature and the fairy sprite — sweet Spring. 
 
 [53 
 
THE ROMANCE OF THE SEASONS. 
 
 APRIL danced forth in resplendent attire, 
 Old Winter stepped sadly aside, 
 His aged features were pale and worn. 
 For the Spring had come to abide. 
 
 But a little smile flitted over his face. 
 
 As with lips ripe and cherry-red, 
 Sweet April touched lightly his wrinkled brow, 
 
 And freshening life through his dry veins spread. 
 
 Then his feeble hand close clasped in her own, 
 
 She led him back to his desolate home. 
 Over the ice and through drifts of snow. 
 
 Where the icicles hung on the woodland's dome. 
 
 Winter's garments froze, and his breath blew chill, 
 His companion shivered, but made no moan. 
 
 They walked on and on to his ice-bound cave, 
 Where it stood on the hill-side drear and lone. 
 
 ** Farewell, Father Winter," she sweetly cried, 
 *' Farewell, my daughter," he answered low; 
 
 "Be joyful and happy, be gladsome, be glad. 
 
 But think of old Winter in the land where you go!" 
 
 They parted; he to his lonely abode. 
 
 While she away through the forests sped. 
 
 Where her sweet voice summoned the spring birds forth, 
 And the wild flowers sprang up beneath her light tread. 
 
 [54] 
 
Then she called to the trees, " Bring forth your buds," 
 
 And the tiny green shoots obeyed; 
 "Now my carpet of velvet, dear mother earth," 
 
 And the waiting blades no longer delayed. 
 
 Thus she wandered along over hill and vale. 
 While the whole great world grew green, 
 
 The streamlets bubbled for very joy, 
 
 Beneath the soft smile of this Being serene. 
 
 But one fair day in the afternoon, 
 
 April chanced on a rose bower gay, 
 Within, his gold head on a cushion of moss, 
 
 A very Adonis lay. 
 
 Alas for April and all her joy, 
 
 One short week of bliss she knew, 
 Then Cupid's arrow lost its sway, 
 
 And love away from her flew. 
 
 'Twas a beautiful maiden, majestic and tall, 
 
 A maiden by name of May, 
 Whose blushing cheek and statelier, grace. 
 
 Stole the love of Adonis away! 
 
 Sad April retreated into the wood, 
 
 And wept in a perfect shower. 
 Till a sunbeam darted Across her face, 
 
 And with warm rays lighted her bower. 
 
 [SS] 
 
Then she sprang from her couch with laughter gay, 
 
 And brushed the bright tears away. 
 " *Tis an old tale," she cried, "what care I, pray ? 
 
 For May he leaves April but for June he'll leave May!" 
 
 IN THE MONTH OF MAY. 
 
 SKIES like a peaceful lake of vivid blue 
 Are banked about with woods of freshening green, 
 Clear streams the flowering fields leap singing through. 
 And early birds their feathers prune and preen. 
 
 Somewhere on high a breeze laughs softly through the 
 leaves; 
 
 Somewhere below a fragrant violet gently breathes; 
 Down where the moss on jagged rock ledge cleaves, 
 
 A spring with sparkling bubbles, sympathizing, seethes. 
 
 There is healing in the very air for sadness. 
 
 There is stimulus in all these waxing things for 
 
 gladness. 
 There is, in this new earth, a potent grandness. 
 Life's lengthened lease on happiness and joy! 
 
 'Twas yesterday and Nature sat sedate in Quakerish 
 
 gray; 
 The brightest hues earth knows, she wears to-day; 
 'Tis Winter's sad; Spring's right 'tis to be gay: 
 Oh, what a thing this is, to be alive in May! 
 
 [56] 
 
A FALLEN TRUNK. 
 
 DEAD — on the rocks and the chill-bound earth, 
 The once grand old tree of once mighty girth, 
 Its proud coat rotted, 
 And with Hchens bespotted. 
 Its haughty heart eaten by insects away. 
 
 All round and about it up-springs green, young life, 
 The sun pours upon it with gladness all rife. 
 But the dead, alas, does not awaken; 
 When body by soul is forsaken. 
 Naught is left but to sink and decay. 
 
 tS7] 
 
JUNE. 
 
 JUNE, magical month of June, 
 When Nature's conserved genius bursts in bloom, 
 When birds their joyous carolHngs attune 
 To the abandoned ripple of the unchained streams. 
 June, month of rosy, radiant-hued dreams, 
 A very golden age of all the year. 
 Which gives a full-blown rose to cover o'er the sear 
 On earth's fair bosom ruthlessly impressed by Winter's 
 
 hand. 
 June, joyous month when all the fairies band 
 And gaily dance upon the emerald sward. 
 Amid the glistening mist from the vast sun-lake poured, 
 Ten million specks of bright dust, a veritable king's 
 
 hoard. 
 Held lightly in a sparkling, clear solution. 
 Then does the earth, in daily revolution. 
 Fling its exuberant song far into space. 
 And man and beast and flowers succumb with easy grace 
 To the hilarious spirit that prevails o'er all. 
 
 [58] 
 
JULY. 
 
 JULY, and the year's meridian is reached, 
 And each day then seems poised upon a fiery spear, 
 Enveloped all about with golden, flame-flecked 
 haze — 
 
 Then does existence in the long, hot days 
 Know full that strain, reach full that pitch. 
 Which e'er a crisis or a climax does attend; 
 Then flowers smile no more, nor lightly bend, 
 But stare, with eyes wide-ope'd, as if in dread 
 Of some dire, far-off vision cruelly spread. 
 
 The roses, perfect blooms a month agone. 
 Do drop their silky petals one by one. 
 Upon the altar of the burning earth. 
 Thus making sacrifice their beauteous worth. 
 
 Then man and beast do harbor their small strength, 
 And flee to shelter from the scorching sun; 
 
 The hours drag away their weary length. 
 And all are happy when the day is done. 
 
 [59] 
 
A GOLDEN AFTERNOON. 
 
 A GOLDEN afternoon — leaves red and yellow tinted^ 
 Soft garnets, orange bright and mixed brown green, 
 Blue sky with gleams of pale bronze lightly hinted, 
 Sky hazy with the mist of soft sun-sheen. 
 
 Clouds delicately purple, lightly passing. 
 Great birds with violet wings, tipped grey. 
 
 Flee, — the swift-moving winds in speed surpassing,, 
 Over the rose of the sunset-brightened way. 
 
 But the stout heart joys to hear the shrill wind, 
 And swift feet linger in the rustling rug of leaves. 
 
 All Nature is to reckless rollicking resigned, 
 Ere at sweet Summer's funeral bier she grieves. 
 
 [60] 
 
THE SKY. 
 
 SOFT streams of gold, 
 Sky-rivers kissed with sun, 
 And far-outreaching, level banks of blue; 
 White clouds high-rolled. 
 Where mists in threads of silver run. 
 And birds in circles wide go sweeping through. 
 
 Sun, clouds, the birds and sky. 
 
 The tapestry 'cross Heaven's portals hung, 
 High secrets to withhold from mortal eye, 
 
 Secrets that live immortal souls among. 
 
 [6i] 
 
THE DEATH OF THE OLD; THE BIRTH OF 
 THE NEW. 
 
 TWELVE by the clock! 
 Hark to the slow, solemn strokes 
 That toll the knell of the year. 
 Now the last dies away into silence; 
 Death claims his own; 
 
 The Old Year has perished, 
 The New Year is here. 
 
 Upward the steep pathway climbing, 
 
 But a few short hours ago, 
 Came a bent form, weak and wasted, 
 
 Weary, sad, and marked with woe. 
 
 Stumbling, halting came the aged one 
 Step by step drew near the height, 
 
 Sank halfway and lay there panting. 
 Shorn of power, stripped of might. 
 
 Night hurried on, and with its darkness 
 
 Overtook the failing form. 
 Enveloped it in gloomy shadows, 
 
 Trampled it beneath a storm. 
 
 The high winds raged, the rain fell heavy. 
 
 Violently the tree-tops swayed. 
 Earth and sky were wrapped in madness. 
 
 All nature groaned in agony. 
 
 [62] 
 
And there on the dreary hillside, 
 On the earth so damp and cold, 
 
 Lay the wayworn traveller fainting. 
 Crushed beneath the onset bold. 
 
 The hours fled; the storm passed over. 
 Peace at length can hold its sway, 
 
 In the east the sun is rising, 
 
 A rosy dawn foretells the day. 
 
 Now joy to the weary wanderer 
 
 Beneath the great oak-tree, 
 Once more he can take up his burden 
 
 And press onward joyfully. 
 
 But where is the little, bent figure ? 
 
 Where the sad eyes and white hair f 
 On the spot where the old one slumbered, 
 
 Rests a child, small, tender and fair. 
 
 Did the glorious angels of Heaven 
 Pitying the tired, weak form, 
 
 Bear it far upward with them. 
 
 To a land that is sheltered from storm .? 
 
 Yes, for every life that is finished. 
 
 For every mission complete, 
 God sends as a fair equivalent, 
 
 A new soul, fresh, gentle and sweet. 
 
 [63] 
 
A KNIGHT COMES CONQUERING. 
 
 THE Knight of the New Year rode gaily in, 
 With colors all bright and flying, 
 He took his throne with a winning grace, 
 And a smile to the Old Year resigning. 
 
 And in the midst of his jubilee, 
 
 His delight in the present exalting, 
 
 No cloud of his own fall twelve months on. 
 
 Called his joy to untimely halting. 
 
 But the Year dethroned smiled ever so slight. 
 Not with bitterness, though he was sad. 
 He knew full well the pride of might. 
 But he knew also the lesson of being glad 
 In another's cause for rejoicing. 
 
 [64] 
 
THE NEW YEAR. 
 
 THE far-ofF mountains glimmer 'neath the western 
 sun, 
 The purple hazes shimmer, for the day is nearly 
 done. 
 High rides the golden Phoebus, and soon his car will dip 
 Into the distant ocean, where Night's potion he will sip. 
 
 Then darkness over all will hover, and the stars will 
 brightly peep; 
 And the whole wide world will bow its head in sweet, 
 refreshing sleep, 
 All save aged Father Time will rest with closed eye, 
 He alone will linger waking, where another year will 
 shortly die. 
 
 But as the last breath falters, as the passing sigh is heaved, 
 The world will once more waken, a mourner yet 
 scarce bereaved. 
 For as Father Time mantles the dead, he will turn with 
 a gentle smile. 
 To a child beside him awaiting; a child, fair and yet 
 free from guile. 
 
 Then will there be great rejoicings and acclamations glad. 
 Perchance now and then will a tear fall, perchance here 
 and there a face sad 
 Will recall the dead Past; not for long; 
 
 Sad thoughts needs are vanquished by the young 
 future strong. 
 
 [65] 
 
ST. VALENTINE'S EVE. 
 
 IN a pretty cottage, 
 By the deep, blue sea, 
 Dwelt a fisher's maiden; 
 The gentle Helen Lee. 
 
 ^ 2)C 3|C SfC 
 
 'Twas twilight, St. Valentine's Eve, 
 
 The clouds hung grim and low. 
 The mighty rush of the ocean's roar 
 
 Came on like a conquering foe. 
 By her cottage window. 
 
 With her fair face drawn and white. 
 Sat Helen, lonely and heart-sore. 
 
 Gazing into the gloomy night. 
 
 And memory, cruel, pitiless memory, 
 
 Was at work beneath the pale brow, 
 And its whispers so full of sadness. 
 
 Caused the lone heart with sorrow to bow. 
 For it recalled just twelve months ago, 
 
 The last eve of St. Valentine's Day, 
 When another had sat there beside her, 
 
 WhiHng the hours away. 
 [66] 
 
How grave he had been, and how tender, 
 
 And when he had asked her so low, 
 "Wilt be my Valentine, darling?" 
 
 Think you she had answered '*No ?" 
 Then when even more softly and gently. 
 
 He had begged for a lock of her hair. 
 Think you that she had refused him ? 
 
 What maiden in love would dare ? 
 
 Then had come the unlooked-for summons. 
 
 Far away must the sailor go, 
 Joy's springtime must have intermission, 
 
 Perennial sweets Life does not bestow. 
 So down on the sandy seashore. 
 
 One damp and chilly morn, 
 Helen bade farewell to her lover. 
 
 E'er over the sea he was borne. 
 
 That was the end. No word came ever. 
 
 Of the fate of ship or crew. 
 While the deadly pain at the maiden's heart. 
 
 With steady persistness grew. 
 And to-night as she sat at the window. 
 
 Her soul so hungry and sad. 
 She yearned and yearned for the tidings 
 
 Of the lot of her sailor lad. 
 
 Had he, in some far-off country, 
 
 Been wrecked on an unknown strand. 
 
 Or been vanquished in a struggle 
 With some foreign savage band ? 
 
 [67] 
 
Or had he — her breath came more quickly — 
 
 In a land across the sea, 
 Met another, more beautiful maiden, 
 
 And forgotten his love on the lea ? 
 
 Or out in the mighty ocean. 
 
 Overcome by vs^ind and v^ave, 
 Had the good ship "Victor" foundered 
 
 And gone dow^n with her sailor brave ? 
 Thus Helen mused, till the Dream-god 
 
 Came v^inging along through the night, 
 And touching his v^and to the drooping form. 
 
 Spread a vision before her sight. 
 
 She sav^ the v^ide, restless ocean, 
 
 Beneath the tempest's cruel sway, 
 And pinned to the billows, helpless, 
 
 A stalwart vessel lay. 
 Then suddenly out of the darkness 
 
 Shot forth a serpent-like flame, 
 The hulk was wrapped in a seething fire. 
 
 Destruction was playing a winning game! 
 
 And now, from the dusky shadows. 
 
 Into the fire's bright glow. 
 Came a tiny boat with a handful of men. 
 
 Attempting to flee from the dangerous foe. 
 But alas, the wind was too heavy. 
 
 With a sudden lurch and a leap. 
 The frail little barque went over. 
 
 Its burden was cast in the deep! 
 [68] 
 
But one form seemed apart from the others, 
 
 One face strong and brave, but white, 
 Seemed to come near and nearer, 
 
 Till clearly revealed in the light. 
 It was he, the long-grieved for lover. 
 
 And his words, as they, sank seemed to be, 
 "Helen, farewell, my beloved one, 
 
 E'en in death I'll be faithful to thee!" 
 
 The sad vision vanished, and peace 
 
 Settled over the maiden's soul. 
 Doubt and misgivings were conquered. 
 
 Love had opened the secret, sealed scroll! 
 What matter if Death were between them, 
 
 Soon she, too, would have to prepare 
 To cross the tide of the river, 
 
 She could wait for the glad meeting there. 
 
 So contented, joyous and peaceful. 
 
 She closed her tired eyes once more. 
 And sank into happy oblivion. 
 
 With a heart no longer sore. 
 But at dawn on St. Valentine's morning. 
 
 By the window, a smile on her face, 
 Helen slept the last sleep, for her spirit 
 
 Had gone to her lover's embrace. 
 
 [69] 
 
THE DAY OF EROS. 
 
 YOUNG Eros stood poised on a grassy knoll, 
 And surveyed the fair landscape around; 
 Afar to the east fiery Father Sol 
 Smiled benignly down at the boy on the mound. 
 
 The sky was blue and the mountains clear, 
 The brooklets were dancing gaily and cheer, 
 
 For this was a holiday, 
 A day of no work and much play. 
 
 This was the day of the young Love's sway. 
 Which we call St. Valentine. 
 
 For on that day, so bright and gay. 
 The arrows of Eros fly far and away; 
 
 They pierce the hearts of men handsome and plain; 
 
 They seek the breasts of maids modest and vain. 
 
 And to some they bring a wonderful bliss. 
 
 While to some they may bring pain; 
 To some they mean a fond lover's kiss, 
 
 But to others love's cruel disdain. 
 To some they bear overwhelming sorrow; 
 To some they bring even Death on the morrow. 
 But whether 'twill joy, or whether pain; 
 
 [ 70 ] 
 
Whether 'twill Death or new Life; 
 Whether 'twill peace, or whether content; 
 
 Or whether 'twill bitterest strife, 
 Young Eros laughs ever gladly and gay, 
 While he wields his bow on St. Valentine's Day. 
 
 [71] 
 
AN EASTER HYMN. 
 
 OSING the song of Easter Day, 
 Ye men and angels, sing! 
 Give forth, ye bells, your sweetest lay, 
 All glory to Him bring! 
 
 Repeat the story, though 'tis old, 
 
 It ever will be new. 
 Let His vict'ry over Death be told 
 
 His resurrection, too! 
 
 Tell of the first bright Easter day, 
 
 The women came at dawn. 
 They found the stone was rolled away, 
 
 They saw that Christ was gone! 
 
 Their hearts within them shrank with fear, 
 
 They sat down by the tomb, 
 When lo! they saw a form appear, 
 
 A light broke on the gloom ! 
 
 "I know," the angel gently said, 
 
 "For whom thine eyes are dim; 
 Fear not, thy Saviour is not dead, 
 
 But risen; follow Him!" 
 
 [72] 
 
"The Christ has gone toward Galilee, 
 
 Go; the disciples meet!" 
 The women rose, and joyfully 
 
 They bore the message sweet. 
 
 And ever since on Easter day, 
 We hear the same glad song. 
 
 It aids us on the bright pathway 
 Of right, instead of wrong. 
 
 So as we all the anthem sing. 
 We say with deep sincerity, 
 
 "O Death! where is thy sting ? 
 O Grave! where is thy victory ?" 
 
 [73] 
 
THE RESURRECTION. 
 
 HE died. And all the elements were roused 
 To grief; and sorrowed at his passing, 
 The thunder roared and rolled, the jagged lightning 
 
 leaped. 
 And darkness made the world one blot of gloom, 
 The Crucifixion was as Doom ! 
 
 He slept in death! Expectancy 
 
 Beat with a pulse insistent but subdued 
 
 In all men's hearts. His promise had been given 
 
 To rise again when the third day should break, 
 
 And half in fear and half in hope 
 
 They looked for Him to wake. 
 
 He rose. All nature felt the thrill 
 
 Attending Death and the dark Tomb's vanquishment; 
 
 Great mountains trembled and the high trees bowed and 
 
 bent. 
 The rivers bubbled and resolved into a sparkHng spray, 
 It was the Resurrection Day! 
 
 Then was the earth all calm and golden-tinted, 
 And the air was balm and flower fragrant, 
 
 [74] 
 
Each spirit sang its song — a hymn of reverence, 
 Commingled with a beauteous newborn joy! 
 
 He is risen! 
 
 Mankind's redemption sure! 
 
 Established immortality! 
 
 No more the haunting vision of the dank, damp hole, 
 
 But always now and evermore, 
 
 Assurance of a life, a home beyond! 
 
 "O death, where now thy sting ? 
 
 O grave, where now thy victory ?" 
 
 [75] 
 
GENIUS. 
 
 GENIUS! the capacity to dream! 
 To penetrate domains invisible, 
 Where naught but spirits do inhabit 
 Realms infinitely removed. 
 
 To dream! and see through flesh — 
 
 See without eyes, see merely w^ith the soul, 
 
 To climb in sleep the topmost peaks 
 
 And snatch av^ay the stars for torch-lights; 
 
 To quench in one deep draught, that rarer thirst, 
 
 With dew distilled from cloudy vapors. 
 
 To dream! and sink as far 
 
 As the deep sea*s floor — the mysteries of ocean to inter- 
 pret; 
 To gather by the armful, unseen flowers 
 That bloom in gardens where the sea-nymphs roam; 
 To gather gems of rare and countless colors. 
 Strewn round about tall palaces of rainbow pearl. 
 
 To dream! What boundaries do dreams encompass! 
 What heights, what depths, what ranges 
 
 [76] 
 
Of space immeasurable they leap! 
 
 Dante's Hell and Dante's Heaven; 
 
 Proud Lucifer's descent "from morn till dewy eve"- 
 
 Such dreams as these 'tis Genius is vouchsafed. 
 
 WHEN WOODS AFFORD RETREAT. 
 
 WHEN Phoebus wantonly, his torturing arrows 
 speeds; 
 And gleefully along his fire - strewn way pro- 
 ceeds; 
 Then flee we from the open fields and heated scene; 
 And shelter seek, where generous and fragrant green 
 Repose invites; and singing brooklets greet; 
 Where shadowy woods afford a cool retreat. 
 
 When summer rains on dry reeds patter unexpected 
 
 down; 
 And clouds of darker threatening, in the far sky frown; 
 Then follow we the forest's blossomed path, 
 Protection needing from the dusky Storm-god's wrath; 
 Haste we to where the woven boughs in compact roofing 
 
 meet. 
 To where the shadowed summer woo^s afford a safe 
 
 retreat. ^ 
 
 [77 
 
GIVE THE PEOPLE THEIR FREEDOM. 
 
 GIVE the people their freedom, 
 You great White Czar! 
 You who their ''Little Father" are! 
 
 How father you them, 
 With the knife and the knout, 
 Inspiring their hearts with fear and with doubt ? 
 
 They ask you for bread. 
 Do you give them a stone ? 
 
 Do you heedless hear the shriek and the groan f 
 Do you watch unmoved the red blood flow ? 
 
 A man is a man and a king; 
 As much a monarch as you! 
 With a soul to dare and to do! 
 
 Would you trample him low ? 
 Have him bend and bow at your beck ? 
 Put your foot, at will, on his neck ? 
 
 The spirit cries "Justice" loud; 
 What! Do you merely smile grim ? 
 Smile as at childish whim ? 
 Then zealously flee from him ? 
 
 [78] 
 
There's a mine 'neath your throne! 
 Who will touch the fuse ? 
 Who of the millions you abuse ? 
 
 Are you ready to pay the toll, 
 The toll of your tyranny and crime, 
 The price of your rule by ** right divine ?" 
 
 The darkness comes slow; 
 Do you tremblingly wait 
 For the death-dealing blow of frenzied hate ? 
 For the final stroke of inevitable Fate ? 
 
 Give them their freedom, 
 You great White Czar! 
 You who their "Little Father" are! 
 
 What of your "universal peace ?" 
 Would you woo the white angel with war ? 
 Strike her down when she knocks at your door ? 
 
 Cast her body to ravenous wolves ? 
 Hear her plea! 
 
 The glad smiles of a whole people see! 
 The smiles of a people united and free! 
 
 [79] 
 
V' 
 
 INSPIRATION. 
 
 A MOMENT'S surging of consummate glory, 
 A concourse of winged angels gathering by, 
 A song of beauty, wondrous, soul-enthralling, 
 The background all of rainbow glinting sky. 
 
 Clouds, violet and pink, to pale-gray blended. 
 With sunbeams golden, interspersed between. 
 
 Sway trembling, from the sky's high arch suspended. 
 High Heaven's lustrous, many-folded screen. 
 
 Forms, robed in white and of a radiant seeming. 
 Spangled, as 'twere, with dew-drops steeped in sun; 
 
 Rapt faces, eyes with holier vision gleaming. 
 
 Souls straight from God, supreme approval won. 
 
 Sweet voices all athrill with ecstasy. 
 
 Setting in vibration the light-quivering air, 
 
 A choral burst of awesome harmony, 
 A music, penetrating, rangeful, rare. 
 
 A soul on earth, in readiness awaiting. 
 
 The message of the chorus, visioned bright; 
 
 A spirit lifted, fit for angel mating, 
 
 Absorbs the song, wears worthily the crown of light. 
 
 [80] 
 
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