PUIS Class TsS g 5 io ^5 Book S ^P C* PRESENTED BY cobj £ Complimentary A BOOK OF QUATRAINS A BOOK OF QUATRAINS ORIGINAL AND TRANSLATED BY FREDERIC ROWLAND MARVIN ' How strange a thing is life, with its many moods, reflected well in the short poems and terse sayings of wise poets I In the Epigrams of Martial, and in the Quatrains of later writers, the world is described with brutal frankness. The poets disclosed what they saw, and what they saw all men may behold in their verses with equal clearness if they will." — Arch^eologia. BOSTON SHERMAN, FRENCH & COMPANY 1909 *V\** Copyright 1909 Sherman, French &* Company 4^ Gift Author AW 23 i9iu lb TO THE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORS CLUB OF NEW YORK IN REMEMBRANCE OF AMBROSIAL NIGHTS THESE QUATRAINS ARE DEDICATED / T r HE author of this little book has ■*" here brought together a few original and some translated quatrains that have been elsewhere published. To these he has added about a hundred original quat- rains that here for the first time make their appearance in print. They were written in odd moments, and reflect the varying moods of one who, from the quiet and se- clusion of his library, has observed with curious eye the ever-changing panorama of human life. No system of philosophy is represented and no theory of human life is taught, but the author believes that they may furnish some food for contemplation to those who, like himself, view from with- out rather than from within, the toil and conflict of man's mind in the rush and tur- moil of our modern world. CONTENTS ORIGINAL PAGE HEINE 17 SHELLEY 17 ALFEIRl's TOMB 1 8 JUNIUS l8 HELEN 19 BOOKS 19 AN HONORARY DEGREE 20 THE HALL OF FAME 20 WHICH? 21 SATAN 21 EXPERIENCE 22 DANGEROUS WEAKNESS 22 A LOUD CALL 23 CURED 23 LOVE .24 THE AMERICAN CHAUFFEUR .... 24 WAR 25 " HASTE MAKES WASTE " 25 SIXTY 26 THE DIVINE DOUBT 26 AGNOSTICS 27 MEETING OF THE FREE-RELIGIOUS ASSOCIA- TION 27 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE 28 HOW TO ESCAPE DOUBT 28 VALUE 29 TOO LATE 29 PAGE CASTLES IN SPAIN 30 RECRUITS 30 EQUITY 31 LIFE AND DEATH 3 1 MEN FEAR THE TRUTH 32 RIGHT BETTER THAN PEACE 32 THE UNKNOWABLE . 33 HERESY 33 EARLY TRAINING 34 CHANCE 34 MATERIALISM • • • 35 TRANSCENDENTALISM 35 ASPIRATION 36 EVENING OF THE LORD'S DAY .... 36 ASSURANCE * 37 BEYOND THE HARBOR-BAR 37 THE UNIVERSAL MOTHER 38 TRUTH 38 HERE AND NOW 39 PASSION 39 THE USELESSNESS OF WRANGLING . 4O A SELFISH HEART ....... 40 FRIENDSHIP 41 CHOICE 41 LIFE 42 YOUTH AND AGE 42 CHURCH AND STATE 43 THE INNER WORSHIP 43 WHY? 44 "HOW DO CHERRIES TASTE?" .... 44 PAGE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH 45 YOUTH ATTRACTIVE . . . . . . . 45 A NEW ENGLAND HOUSEWIFE .... 46 POPULAR ROMANCE 46 THE BEST CREED 47 COMPOUNDING FOR SINS WE ARE INCLINED TO 47 DRIFT-WOOD 48 PREACHING VERSUS PRACTICE .... 48 THE HOUR 49 FINESSE 49 HATEFUL LOVE . 50 PEACE AT LAST 50 DR. GIRTH 51 TO A PLAGIARIST 51 MODERN EDEN 52 THE FOOL'S SUCCESS 52 PROCRASTINATION 53 "YOU CANNOT MAKE A SILVER CUP FROM A PEWTER POT " 53 WINE 54 OPIUM 54 TOBACCO 55 THE WRONG NAME 55 EPITAPHS, I. II. III. IV 56, 57 MODERN GREEKS 58 AT LAST 58 THE CANDLE OF THE LORD 59 TOO MANY CHURCHES 59 NATURAL FAITH ......... 60 THE HOLY LAND 60 PAGE SELF-CONCEIT 6 1 THE WALKING DELEGATE 6 1 POLITICIANS 62 THE NIHILIST 62 LEZE-MAJESTY 63 THE LAND OF LABOR STRIKES .... 63 PROTECTION 64 BONDAGE 64 LIKE CURES LIKE 65 THE TRUE BROTHER 65 VAIN SEARCH .66 TRUTH OR REPOSE . . . . . . .66 ONCE 67 THE NEW AGE 67 THE LARGER KNOWLEDGE 68 PROFANITY . 68 " MY LIFE IS WIND " 69 EVERYWHERE IS PEACE 69 TRANSLATIONS woman's sword. From the French . . 73 the COST of prosecution. From the French 73 adieu. From the French 74 THE UNEQUAL MARRIAGE. Goethe . . 74 the soldier's solace. Goethe . . . 75 EACH LIKES BEST THE PLACE WHEREIN HE lives. Goethe 75 TO A METAPHYSICIAN. Goethe ... 76 APPARENT DEATH. Goethe .... 76 ON DR. MEAD. Lessing 77 PAGE THE evening HOUR. From the German . 77 SPIRITUAL EPIGRAMS I. II. III. IV. Angelus- Silesius 78, 79 ON MICHAEL ANGELO's STATUE OF NIGHT. Lines by Giovanni Strozzi .... 80 ANSWER BY MICHAEL ANGELO. From the Italian 80 ON holbein's half-length portrait of Erasmus. Latin of Theodore Beza . . 81 transubstantiation. Latin of the Fif- teenth Century 81 Balaam's ass. Latin of the Fifteenth Cen- tury 82 ON A FLY ENGRAVED IN A GOLDEN DRINK- ING-CUP. Cunradinus 82 EPIGRAMS FROM MARTIAL. I. TO AVITUS 83 II. AN INSECT IN AMBER 83 III. ON FABULLUS 84 IV. TO AFRICANUS 84 V. IMPROMPTU VERSES 85 VI. ON QUINTUS 85 VII. THE COOK 86 SOCRATES. Latin Anthology .... 86 GREEK EPIGRAM 87 ARISTOPHANES. Greek Anthology ... 87 THE DEADLY PRESENCE. Hedylus ... 88 THE GIFT OF the MUSES. From the Greek 88 mortality. Menander 89 equality in the grave. Anyte of Tegea 89 PAGE cures for love. Crates of Thebes . . 90 ON THOSE WHO FELL AT THERMOPYLAE. Greek Epitaph 90 secrecy. From the Hebrew . . . .91 GAIN STRENGTH BY HELPING OTHERS. Saadi 9 1 intoxication. Saadi 92 the saint's reply. Saadi 92 the unity of faith. Vemana . . . 93 envy pursues the fruitful. From the Persian • . 93 the present heaven. Hafiz .... 94 what need of a sacred house ? Hafiz . 94 the divine demand. From the Persian . 95 much in little. From the Persian . . 95 THE APPOINTED HOUR. From the Mahab- harata 96 THE WORDS OF THE WISE ARE FEW. Saskya Pandita 96 HOW TO BECOME A saint. From the San- scrit 97 the brahmin's delight. From the San^ scrit 97 the right road. Mahomet in the Gul- shan-i-Raz 98 stolen glances. Beha-ed-din Zohein . 98 pilgrimage. From the Arabic .... 99 fertile of resources. From the Arabic . 99 true generosity. From the Arabic . .100 the unhallowed dead. From the Arabic 100 the true counsellor. From the Arabic 101 ORIGINAL HEINE Derision curled his lip, And in his smile was scorn ; Yet bloomed the golden rose Beside the iron thorn. SHELLEY The sorrows of the world to music sweet Our English Ariel set, And in his perfect verse the tenderest love With deathless daring met. 17 ALFIERI'S TOMB Canova's marble ! — Alfieri's dust ! Genius divine and heavenly art ! Vain were they both had Passion kindled not The flame of love in woman's heart. JUNIUS Unknown to all, yet knowing all too well, Thyself a nom de plume, how trenchant was thy blade ! The years are flown, thy mighty foes are dead, And still refuse the laurels on thy brow to fade. 18 HELEN For Helen burned the towers of Troy, Those lordly walls are flaming still ; Unchecked the fires of passion rage, And modern Helens have their will. BOOKS Our friends, as years advance, depart, But noble books remain ; In them the blessed dead return, To dwell with us again. 19 AN HONORARY DEGREE The college gave him LL.D., It made him happy as could be ; And happy college ! for its share The fool endowed a Latin chair. THE HALL OF FAME By numbering noses we have made men great, Glory bestowed where glory there was none; Consider this, aspiring sons of men, By votes conferred, fame is no longer won. 20 WHICH? The snow-white poppy or the green-leaved weed! the better, which? De Quincey loved the flower ; while in his London home, Carlyle Consumed the fragrant weed. One calmly dreamed, the other growled : On both impartial Fame, the lovely girl, bestowed her smile. SATAN Of Satan all our priests have made too much, As though with God he played at chess ; And, matching love with hatred, cried out " check! — My curse on every soul you bless ! " 21 EXPERIENCE He only charts the heavens for me, Who sails himself that upper sea ; His teaching must from knowledge flow, If he would have me with him go. DANGEROUS WEAKNESS What most I fear is not yon giant clad in steel, But that sweet-tempered fool I cannot trust ; He trips my soul with silly counsel and ad- vice, While I can deal the giant thrust for thrust. 22 A LOUD CALL How loud to Tipping church the urgent call — Ten thousand and a costly city house ! From other churches soundless every call As the soft footsteps of a nimble mouse. CURED The skillful surgeon feared he could not live, And so he wisely slew him with a knife ; He might have died, poor fool, like other men, Had not the healing art destroyed his life. 23 LOVE No man can love, and from his fellowmen The all-transforming passion hide ; It changes every feeling of the soul, Exalts his courage, and subdues his pride. THE AMERICAN CHAUFFEUR What cared the chauffeur that a dozen folk be killed? Our laws are still more dead than are the men he slew. The wheelless rabble crowd the busy thor- oughfare — There are too many men, we well can spare a few. 24 WAR Our far ideal is the distant peace, But the strife has too its sacred mission now; Behind the cruel sword we rightly dread, It is the mailed hand that drives the plow. HASTE MAKES WASTE " " Great wits will jump ! " and so will nim- ble fleas. I pray you, Master Stern, remember this: The greatest wits take time, and never fail Of what the jumping fools are sure to miss. 25 SIXTY Sixty — how swift the flying years go by ! One scarce begins to live, when he must die; Yet I have lived, though I should live no more, And I have found life sweet from stem to core. THE DIVINE DOUBT Must I believe? Good friend, I doubt much more Than you have ever thought there was to doubt; And yet with equal joy and service I have lived Your forms of worship and your creed without. 26 AGNOSTICS How fade youth's golden dreams from view ; Mid-lite invites the critic-crew, Who pierce our hoary fables through, Yet cannot tell us what is true. MEETING OF THE FREE-RELI- GIOUS ASSOCIATION A Free-Religious farce of warring creeds and men, Wherein the Heavenly Vision none be- hold! What boots it now which form of worship lives, Since Love is dead, and all her altars cold? 27 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Nor science true, nor yet a Christian cult, But Mumbo- Jumbo in the brain; And a new Bible by our lady writ, With single eye to worldly gain. HOW TO ESCAPE DOUBT Would you your doubts escape ? Behold the path of weal ! — Live less in what you think, And more in what you feel. 28 VALUE Better than fairest pebble is, In yonder brook you saw, The diamond that was scorned because It had an ugly flaw. TOO LATE God tricks no soul; none are deceived by fate; And when the moving finger writes, " Too late!" Upon the ruined walls of life, decay Makes plain the truth that hope had passed away. 29 CASTLES IN SPAIN Dear friend of other days no more, And friend of those that still remain, What boots our wealth of golden hours, If all our castles are in Spain? RECRUITS On every corner : " Wanted, young men to enlist! " Pictures of ships, and soldiers in their colors bright Entice the callow striplings, and away they march, For some unworthy king and worthless flag to fight. 30 EQUITY The other side of stern requital is reward, Together in one common soil they grow ; Their living roots take hold on justice, and behold! Who scorns the one must see the other go. LIFE AND DEATH Nor life nor death we understand, But one we love and one we fear : Perhaps in other worlds than this, No great distinction will appear. 31 MEN FEAR THE TRUTH Men long to know the Truth, And yet the Truth they fear ; The heavenly prophets speak, And they refuse to hear. RIGHT BETTER THAN PEACE Fools cry for peace while cruel wrongs abound, And sing of love while hate survives ; The thousand years of peace we would not know, Till right and justice change our lives. 32 THE UNKNOWABLE We cannot know What we have wrought; Life far exceeds Our utmost thought. HERESY " Do you deny the devil? " asked the pious priest, " 'Tis whispered you no more believe in hell." " E'en so, good priest ! I now believe in God, And must be counted worse than infidel." 33 EARLY TRAINING Holy Religion, I thy word believe ; Yet why? I never studied aught to know. Ah, me ! the truth to tell, it was because From infant's cradle I was started so. CHANCE " None but the brave deserves the fair," Yet oft the coward wins the maid ; I've seen the hero travel far, And for his pains bring back a jade. 34 MATERIALISM A faith that grasps the outer shell But never seeks for hidden fruit, And to explain the soul of song Would weigh and measure pipe and lute. TRANSCENDENTALISM A dark abyss where nothing is ; Adown whose silent spaces deep, From naught to naught, with wild delight, The modern saint and sibyl leap. 35 ASPIRATION As longs the star for night, The flower for the sun ; So longs my soul for Thee, O Holy One. THE EVENING OF THE LORD'S DAY And now to rest — the sacred day is o'er ! O Soul, it was a blessed day of Grace, Made beautiful with holy love divine, And with the shining of thy Saviour's face. 36 ASSURANCE How, when and where — of these I may not know, My times are in Thy hand ; Through calm and storm alike, my boat, unharmed, Draws near the heavenly land. BEYOND THE HARBOR-BAR Why weep, sweet heart? the night draws nigh, When tears and laughter all shall cease ; The hours use well that still remain, Beyond the harbor-bar lies peace. 37 THE UNIVERSAL MOTHER Death, kindly mother, gently rocks in love The coffin-cradles of the old; To sweet and dreamless slumber croons us all, When life's brief story has been told. TRUTH There danger dwells where dwells not Truth; Nor gold, nor gems, nor rosy youth Shall friendly be, when she hath fled ; The soul that knows her not is dead. 38 HERE AND NOW "What is a ghost?" inquired a little child: I gently pressed its trembling hand, And softly whispered, " You behold a ghost, And this bright world is spirit-land." PASSION Who tastes not Passion's burning cup, The wine of knowledge never drains ; Like childhood's hours, his life is filled With infant's joys and infant's pains. 39 THE USELESSNESS OF WRAN- GLING Men may argue, discuss and contend About sects and parties and schools, But a touch of sweet love in the world Makes all the debaters seem fools. A SELFISH HEART How oft our trembling nerves we drug, Neglecting the disease ; The trouble is a selfish heart, That loves its own sweet ease. 40 FRIENDSHIP Love burns the heart with ceaseless flame, But friendship, like the summer air, With scent of flowers from wood and field Breathes gentle fragrance everywhere. CHOICE No fate compels the soul of man To sorrow or rejoice; There is no fate in earth or heaven But that of man's free choice. 41 LIFE Inwoven wreaths of mist From the sea, blown To islands far remote, And lands unknown. YOUTH AND AGE " Pleasure! " cries Youth, "'tis pleasure I demand; With eager lip the crystal cup I drain." Sighs weary Age, "I do remember well, And am content if quiet ease remain." 42 CHURCH AND STATE Behold the wedding of the Church and State ! And lo, the bitter bridal of despair ! The one doth justice barter to the priest, With gold the other chokes the mouth of Prayer. THE INNER WORSHIP By too much incense the idol is ob- scured, — The pomp of worship blinds our feebler sight; The heavenly vision waits not our com- mand, — The heart outweighs all holy word and rite. 43 WHY? Why should you die before you die? Cross bridges e'er you reach the stream ? If life be as men say, a sleep, Sleep on, sweetheart, and dream your dream. "HOW DO CHERRIES TASTE? How do cherries taste? I cannot tell ; But the children know, And birds as well. 44 THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH Dear cricket on my lonely hearth, The winter-snows are drifting now; Your quiet chirp through all the night Brings Autumn thoughts of bird and bough. YOUTH ATTRACTIVE On the lips of Experience Lives the larger truth; Yet sweeter sounds the callow voice Of shallow Youth. 45 A NEW ENGLAND HOUSEWIFE Through all her life 'twas dust and only dust her thought engaged ; Some dust was real, but more her nim- ble mind supplied ; The poet's art she scorned, the painter's skill despised; For dust she lived, and dying, " Dust to dust! " she cried. POPULAR ROMANCE From out our minds how swift the stories slip, — It matters not ! The worthless stuff men print, and fools devour, Is well forgot. 4 6 THE BEST CREED So many creeds my faith demands, I know not which to choose ; Perhaps the best is, after all The one I best can use. COMPOUNDING FOR SINS WE ARE INCLINED TO Without a scratch our modern sinners 'scape, While pulpit wrestlers thrash the an- cient Jews; Loud roars the wicked world with laugh- ter wild, To see the ducats drop from wealthy pews. 47 DRIFT-WOOD Upon my hearth the drift-wood burns Rude waves have brought me from afar Across the sea my children went, — To-night I wonder where they are. PREACHING VERSUS PRACTICE " Briskly venture," wrote the poet, " Briskly roam "; Yet how well the German singer Loved his home. 4 8 THE HOUR Dost in God believe ? — What canst thou achieve? Hast thou the power ? Behold the hour ! FINESSE Make all your words, good friend, and every deed To please the luckless scamp who shares your time ; Seem most to yield when most you have your way, And unperceived, by slow degrees still climb. 49 HATEFUL LOVE O, hateful Love forever on the wing, I feel the fiery torment of thy sting ! Like cruel wasp, no mercy hast thou now, 'Tis always sigh, or hope, or fear, or vow. PEACE AT LAST In pain my gentle mother gave me birth, And always Sorrow sat beside my hearth; E'er sinks the sun, and all my troubles cease, Turned sixty, grant me, Lord, a little peace. 50 DR. GIRTH Who rests beneath this stone concerns thee not; To be unknown was always his sad lot ; But if thou must his humble name unearth, Know this : it rhymes with what he lacked — sweet Mirth. TO A PLAGIARIST You stole my gold and I upbraided not, I gave you more to help you in your need; But when you stole my songs you stole my heart, And " Thief " I brand you for your shameless greed. 51 MODERN EDEN Our rights are many and our duties are but few: To live, be happy, and forever free ; These unforbidden fruits in Modern Eden grew — Three golden apples on a single tree. THE FOOL'S SUCCESS Wrote Pope: " Fools rush in where an- gels fear to tread." 'Tis so. The stupid fools we load with scorn In life's great race ofttimes come boldly out ahead, And blow with lusty throat their vulgar horn. 52 PROCRASTINATION Wisdom too late they learn, Who learn not now ; Vain is the search for fruit On winter bough. "YOU CANNOT MAKE A SILVER CUP FROM A PEWTER POT " On every street her silken garments trail, But her rude manners tell the tale of youth ; We strive to seem what we can never be, And while we lie, behold we tell the truth. S3 WINE In sun and shower the purple clusters grow, Their branches swing with ev'ry dancing breeze That softly whispers : " Song, and picture fair, And world-wide wisdom dwell in these." OPIUM Forbidden fruit! Yet he who eats se- renely lives, And where he will his tranquil soul may, dreaming, dwell; Yet nevermore by light or gloom may he discern If he be safe in Paradise or locked in Hell. 54 TOBACCO The shadows fall, and evening brings re- pose,— From friendly pipe the fragrant clouds ascend ; O sweet consoler of life's toil and grief, In thee at last all pain and sorrow end ! THE WRONG NAME How oft the Providence Divine For our improvidence we blame ; " 'Tis just my luck! " we rashly cry, Where " fault " or " slip " were better name. 55 EPITAPHS I Pluck now a flower for memory's sake, If e'er you knew the dead; White for the pure and stainless faith, For life's high noon the red. II The huntsman chased the luckless fawn Across the distant lea; So Death, forever swift of foot, Pursued and captured me. 56 Ill Envious Death pursued my child, And tore him from my breast ; The bough remains, but on the earth Low lies the ruined nest. IV Death waited long for me; Now here I must remain, The friend of flower and weed, Bright sun and falling rain. 57 MODERN GREEKS Forever talking, talking, talking were the Greeks of old : " Winged words " of Homer, mystery of song. Still they speak with voice triumphant, never ceasing ; We are theirs, and ever they to us be- long. AT LAST We once imagined what we now believe, We now believe where knowledge waits for all ; Stepwise we rise : from what eternal height, Long years to come, shall man, trium- phant, fall! 58 THE CANDLE OF THE LORD If God will light His candle in my heart, The candle on the altar may depart ; For in my breast, behold, that inner light Makes e'en the heavenly glory darker night. TOO MANY CHURCHES When Father Taylor saw ten churches in a row, " These are the devil's inns," he cried, " right well I know ! The peace of God one church might mean, but never ten ; For war these stand, and bitter hatred among men." 59 NATURAL FAITH Some men believe, 'tis true, because they must, They were not formed to question and deny; I cannot think a trick of birth has made One man to live, another man to die. THE HOLY LAND Men deem the shores of Jordan holy land, But why more holy than their native strand ? Are not all countries one to him who knows Alike in all the flower of mercy grows? 60 SELF-CONCEIT Strong doubts of self the noblest minds distress, — Great Shakspeare may have thought himself a fool; But Tupper, if he ever thought at all, Believed the world to him should go to school. THE WALKING DELEGATE " My country, 'tis of thee!" — so in the church they sing: " Sweet land of liberty! " — that means no rule of king: Take warning, sovereigns all, behold ap- proaching fate ! We have one master now — the Walking Delegate. 61 POLITICIANS God send us politicians by the score, A hundred thousand bosses, if not more; Their self-effacing spirit and their love of truth Inspire new virtues in the heart of youth. THE NIHILIST What would the hater of all lands and men? Himself! himself! and but himself alone ! His cruel way to have, with one fell blow he'd wreck Both lowly cabin and the royal throne. 62 LEZE MAJESTY The Ten Commandments stand revised : " Take not the Kaiser's name in vain " — r That awful name great England fears, France, Russia, and the mighty Spain. THE LAND OF LABOR-STRIKES " The Land of Freedom ! " — 'tis a name the Sophomore likes, But truer name is this: " The Land of Labor-strikes ! " There is no reason Mike or Jake should work an hour; They came not here to work, but only to devour. 63 PROTECTION Ten thousand vast monopolies Stand trembling at the door : " We are such feeble folk," they cry, "Protect us, we implore." BONDAGE Vast time and space the human mind con- ceives, And then of both becomes the willing slave ; A narrow world immures the living man — Perhaps he'll leave his bondage in the grave. 6 4 LIKE CURES LIKE The laughter of the world rings thin Upon the heart that knows its grief ; Tears are less sad to one who mourns, And sorrow is its own relief. THE TRUE BROTHER Thy brother is not thine by blood alone, But by the tender heart, and just, and true; Such dost thou know? To him cleave evermore, For brothers of the heart are far and few. 65 VAIN SEARCH Men search the world for Christ, And scale the heavens above ; Yet never in their hearts Discern His changeless love. TRUTH OR REPOSE We have one choice — 'tis truth or mean repose; The sacred flower of wisdom only grows Far up the rugged steep, and pathless height, While to repose the fragrant vales invite. 66 ONCE A SINGLE night she curled her hair, And dreamed of golden ringlets fair ; But once — Ah ! that was why she failed, For never yet has " once " availed. THE NEW AGE " Hitch thy wagon," wrote the sage, " un- to a star: " He lived before the age of the motor car. Now hitched our world is to the lightning's speed — Of sage and star alike we have scant need. 6 7 THE LARGER KNOWLEDGE Could I but find the secret In the heart of some poor weed, I'd win a larger knowledge Than is locked in your small creed. PROFANITY Why do we shudder at the ruffian's oath profane, When every day the miser takes God's name in vain? The one roars out his oath, the other acts his curse: I think the miser's imprecation is the worse. 68 " MY LIFE IS WIND " Are then the dead not dead? Or have the living life? Man is like wind and tide, And all his days are strife. EVERYWHERE IS PEACE The weary day declines in cool, refreshing night, Along the hills the shadows deepen, fades the light From out the quiet blue, and all at length is still. It matters little: day and darkness work God's will. 6 9 TRANSLATIONS WOMAN'S SWORD The tongue is woman's sword, and to it she doth trust; By constant use she keeps it always free from rust; Deep in the heart of man she sheathes its glittering blade; And lo! the mighty hero falls before the timid maid. From the French THE COST OF PROSECUTION The judge wants money, and the lawyer too, And when the long-protracted case is through, There'll not a franc be left, my friend, for you — A franc ? — they'll leave you not a sou. From the French 73 ADIEU Adieu! adieu, thou fair and cruel one! 'Tis done, thy scorn I little reck ! I haste me now love's burning grief to quench — To hang ? — Yes, round another's neck. From the French THE UNEQUAL MARRIAGE Ah, poorly matched were e'en the heavenly pair; Celestial Psyche, spirit clear and free, New wisdom gained with every flying year, But laughing Amor, still a child was he. Goethe 74 THE SOLDIER'S SOLACE In truth no lack is here I do believe : The bread is white, the maidens dark as eve! Next night unto another town I go : Black is the bread, the maidens white as snow! Goethe EACH LIKES BEST THE PLACE WHEREIN HE LIVES So wisely hath the Lord God framed these human souls of ours, That each likes best the place where he doth dwell : Ask the lost spirits where Perdition is, they'll say in Heaven ; Ask saints, they'll tell you 'tis in Hell. Goethe 75 TO A METAPHYSICIAN Over the azure sky Your cobwebs weave; I profit by my life, Nor stop to grieve. Goethe APPARENT DEATH Weep, maiden, o'er the lonely tomb of Love; He died of nothing who by chance was slain. But is he truly dead ? — Ah, that I dare not say: A merest chance might give him life again. Goethe 7 6 ON DR. MEAD When Mead unto the lonely Styx was come, With trembling voice affrighted Pluto said: " Confound him ! once the sightless and the dumb He saved, and now he would restore the dead!" Lessing THE EVENING HOUR All day the restless feet of eager men, The ceaseless strife for gain and place and power, And then the gentle darkness cool and still, The calm refreshment of the evening hour. From the German 11 SPIRITUAL EPIGRAMS, Ah, yes ! I would a Phoenix be, And burn my heart in Deity ! There should I dwell by His dear side, And in the self of God abide. II I DO believe there is no death ; Though every hour I die, Yet every hour, with new delight, A better life draws nigh. 78 Ill I hold that since by death alone God bids my soul go free, In death a richer blessing is Than all the world to me. IV The cross of Golgotha can never save Thy soul from deeper hell, Unless with loving faith thou sett'st it up Within thy heart as well. Angelus Silesius 79 ON MICHAEL ANGELO'S STATUE OF NIGHT LINES BY GIOVANNI STROZZI Thou seest the sleeping Night in grace re- clining, An angel called her from the silent stone ; She sleeps and therefore lives; if doubt there be, Awake her now — She speaks ! and doubt is flown. ANSWER BY MICHAEL ANGELO 'Tis sweet to sleep, but better far in stone, For since, unaltered, loss and shame re- main, Unconscious darkness crowns supreme de- ^ light; Speak low, I pray thee, wake me not to pain. From the Italian 80 ON HOLBEIN'S HALF-LENGTH PORTRAIT OF ERASMUS But half the mighty sage this canvas shows, Whom all the world with loving reverence knows ; Why shows it not the whole ? Surprise re- frain, Him the wide earth could never quite con- tain. Latin of Theodore Beza TRANSUBSTANTIATION If it be possible with " hoc est corpus meum " The Lord of glory into bread to change, That sinful men with cruel teeth should dare to pierce Him, Of all things seems the strangest of the strange. Latin of the Fifteenth Century 81 BALAAM'S ASS Balaam's ass beheld the shining angel stand With flaming sword his path before ; The prophet, blinded by his sinful heart, Saw but the ass and nothing more. Latin of the Fifteenth Century ON A FLY ENGRAVED IN A GOLDEN DRINKING-CUP In golden cup of sparkling wine I drew my latest breath : How could I seek a nobler tomb, Or crave a sweeter death ? Cunradinus 82 EPIGRAMS FROM MARTIAL I TO AVITUS Of all these epigrams a few are good, And some are fair, and others bad ; No other way, my dear Avitus, could So large a book as this be had. II AN INSECT IN AMBER Upon an unsuspecting ant a drop of amber fell, When lo ! the insect we so oft despise Is changed, as by a sudden stroke of light, into a gem We more than gold of Ophir seek and prize. 83 Ill ON FABULLUS Sweet the fragrance — much it pleased me, But I nothing had to eat ; He is like a corpse, anointed, Who hath perfume for his meat. IV TO AFRICANUS In gold and silver Africanus rolls, And seeks for more from rise to set of sun: To some great Fortune gives too much; alas! That wayward goddess gives enough to none. 84 V IMPROMPTU VERSES Oh, why, my Stella, so severe a task? Impromptu verses at the feast you ask: But since you thus insist I must comply, And if they're poor you know the reason why. VI ON QUINTUS Quintus loves Thai's — what ! — that squint-eyed, one-eyed girl? By mighty Jove, the fellow's far more blind than she! For Thai's wants one eye, but Quintus — he wants two : His foolish love for Thai's proves he can- not see. 85 VII THE COOK 'Tis not enough to have the art Savory dishes to prepare; The cook must know his master's heart, His ev'ry wish and taste must share. SOCRATES Great Socrates, the wisest and the best of men, Was not ashamed that Alcibiades of old Should find him with the children, and astride a stick, Or wild with noisy sport as in the dust he rolled. Latin Anthology 86 GREEK EPIGRAM If it were true, as some have boldly said, That in the grave the wise and mighty dead Have sense and knowledge sacred things to seize, I'd hang myself to see Euripides. ARISTOPHANES The Graces sought a sacred shrine, For songs of love and peace ; And lo ! they found it in the soul Of Aristophanes. Greek Anthology 87 THE DEADLY PRESENCE No fatal herb to Aristagoras did Agis give, He merely entered and his host was dead. Ye coffin-makers, pelt this living aconite with flowers ; With rosy chaplets crown his mighty head. Hedylus THE GIFT OF THE MUSES With old Herodotus one day the Muses came to dine; And when they left th' historian's board all gay with sparkling wine, They gave him — 'twas a priceless gift from the immortal Nine — The peerless books that evermore his name with theirs enshrine. From the Greek 88 MORTALITY Thou art a mortal man by human frailty girt, 'Tis this the sum of wise philosophy to learn ; To-day thou rul'st a mighty empire with thy frown, — To-morrow, crownless, shalt thou fill the funeral urn. Menander EQUALITY IN THE GRAVE Manes when living was a humble slave, But Death hath crown'd his brow; And in the grave, great king Darius, know That slave's as great as thou. Anyte of Tegea 8 9 CURES FOR LOVE Sharp pangs of hunger may love's raging fever cure, Or years of absence passion's fury alter ; But if the flame burn on thou canst no more endure, Why, friend, I do advise thee buy a halter. Crates of Thebes ON THOSE WHO FELL AT THERMOPYLAE Great glory thus it is to bravely die Upon thy holy field, Thermopylae : Above our dust an altar rear divine, Since sacred Greece and liberty are thine. Greek Epitaph 90 SECRECY Thy friend hath still another friend, And he a friend as well; Be silent, lest to all the world Their lips the secret tell. From the Hebrew GAIN STRENGTH BY HELPING OTHERS Distress not with thy troubles other souls, Since life hath thorns enough for all ; With kind and tender heart and helpful hand, Gain strength by lifting those who fall. Saadi 91 INTOXICATION Whom the ruby wine doth intoxicate, Shall sober when the fumes are blown away; But whom the cupbearer doth intoxicate, Shall sober not until judgment-day. Saadi THE SAINT'S REPLY Unto a saint a mighty monarch said : " How often dost thou think of me? " The holy man made answer thus: u O king, When I forget the Lord I think of thee." Saad 92 THE UNITY OF FAITH Kine are of divers colors, but they all milk the same ; Altar flowers are not alike, but worship is one flame ; Systems of faith may differ with every changing zone; But God, unchanging ever, remaineth God alone. Vemana ENVY PURSUES THE FRUITFUL Rejoice, O my soul, and be glad, When Envy speaks evil of thee! Sticks, and stones, and clods of the field Are cast at the fruit-bearing tree. From the Persian 93 THE PRESENT HEAVEN Look not beyond the stars for Heaven, Nor 'neath the sea for Hell ; Know thou who leads a useful life In Paradise doth dwell. Hafiz WHAT NEED OF SACRED HOUSE? All forms of faith one holy object have; All men the Loved One seek with con- stant care ; And since the world is Love's fair dwell- ing-place, Why talk of mosque or sacred house of prayer ? Hafiz 94 THE DIVINE DEMAND God will not seek thy race, Nor will He ask thy birth ; Alone He will demand of thee, " What hast thou done on earth? " From the Persian MUCH IN LITTLE In the eye of a gnat an elephant sleeps, Thousands of harvests the corn-kernel keeps, A dewdrop the banished Euphrates doth hold, And a mustard-seed doth the Almighty enfold. From the Persian 95 THE APPOINTED HOUR No child of man may perish e'er his time arrives, A thousand arrows pierce him, and he still survives ; But when the moment fixed in Heaven's eternal will Comes round, a single blade of yielding grass may kill. From the Mahabharata THE WORDS OF THE WISE ARE FEW Of all the lands where mighty forests grow, But few that bear the sandalwood I know ; In every clime the wise and good I view, And yet, alas ! their golden words are few. Saskya Pandita 9 6 HOW TO BECOME A SAINT In every human heart a herd of swine, With hoof unclean and vile and greedy snout, Trample upon God's fragrant flowers di- vine: Wouldst be a saint? Then drive the creatures out. From the Sanscrit THE BRAHMIN'S DELIGHT Two things the noble Brahmin's heart de- light : A friend whose love is always warm and true, And holy songs from sacred volumes learned; He lives contented who may claim the two. From the Sanscrit 97 THE RIGHT ROAD Follow Moses and Amram, and press on in this road Until you hear the solemn words, " I am Deity!" So long as the mount of being remains be- fore you, The answer to " Show me " is, " Thou shalt not behold Me." Mahomet in the Gidshan-l-Raz STOLEN GLANCES Thou mean and sour-faced eunuch, listen well, And every word I breathe, unto thy master tell! But thou canst not the secret meaning spy, That lingers in the sweeter language of the eye. Beha-ed-din Zohein 9 8 PILGRIMAGE To lighten my sins to Mecca I went, And thought at the mosque my guilt to repent ; From Caaba the holy and Zem-Zem I came, And my burden of guilt was exactly the same. From the Arabic FERTILE OF RESOURCES A foot of water in the tank, Yet in he plunged and down he sank ; The water came not to his knees, And yet he swam about with ease. From the Arabic 99 TRUE GENEROSITY He only is generous Whose gift, By willing hand proffered, Is swift. From the Arabic THE UNHALLOWED DEAD If the winding-sheet be ragged and old, The corpse-washer be one-eyed and mean, The bier be broken, and the burial-ground salt, The dead belongeth in hell I ween. From the Arabic ioo THE TRUE COUNSELLOR He alone can counsel give Of all his tribe, Whom death cannot affright, Nor treasure bribe. From the Arabic IOI APR 80 WW - . ' . . ' '■'■'■ R*|pflfNfI|; mm WMMM mgm ggfgfjglliis :