THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES SUNGLEAMS AND SHADOWS EDWAED CAPEEN, ATTTHOR or "POEMS." " BAUADS AND SONGS," " ^TAYSIDE WABBLES,' AND THE "DEVONSHIRE MELODIST." ''5t^> Hark ! Hey away ! his "Lillelu." Tlie throstle-cock is sounding ; It's O ! to brush the bonny dew. Whore merry stags are bounding. Page 77. LONDON : KENT & CO., PATERNOSTER ROW. BIRMINGHAM : Cornish Bros., 37, New Strbet. HouoHTON & Hammond, Scotland Passaoe. 1881. [The rigJU of translation is resened.] " The murkiest wave hath its eddy of light, The sunniest ripple its shade." [(gntEvcb lit rStiitioncrs' ^mll.] HOUGHTON ANJU HAUUOND, PRINTERS, BIRMINQHAM. THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED, BY PEaMISSlON, TO ALDERMAN THOMAS AVERY, J. P., EDGBASTON, AS A MARK 01' THE AUTHOR'S HIGH APPRBOIATION OF HIS UNFAILING COURTESY, AXD THE WARM INTEREST HE HAS ALWAYS MANIFESTED IN THE SOCIAL, INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL ADVANCEMENT OP THE PEOPLE. 775440 PREFACE, The second edition of " Wayside Wakbles " being out of print, I have been repeatedly asked, either to re-publish them, or give the public a new volume of my lyrics. After duly considering the matter I have decided on adopting the latter course, and I trust that the contents of the present work will be found worthy of the same favour so generously accorded to my former productions. As heretofore, I have sought my inspiration in the field and the lane, in the woodland and by the stream, and the majority of the poems now presented to the world for the first time, have been composed during my rambles. I must not omit here to mention the obligations I owe to the Press for the very flattering manner in which it has always noticed my writings ; and my best thanks and acknowledgments are also due to Mv. Thomas Murby, of 32, Bouverie Street, London, and the Proprietors of the Gentleman's Magazine, Good Words, Saturday Journal, Day of V 1. PREFACE. Best, Mid-England, Leisure Hoxtr, Fun, Hood's Comic Annual, etc., etc., for their kindness in permitting me to use the Poems whicli had previously appeared in their publications. It is right, too, that I should state for the information of my numei-ous friends, who were so good as to favour me with their support, when more than twelve months ago I first advertised " SUNGLEAMS AND SHADOWS," that, but for a severe and prolonged domestic affliction, this volume would have appeared at a much earlier date. In conclusion, let me say I am deeply sensible of the fact that after being before the Pubhc for a ^warter of a century, I have, in addition to those of my old frieiuls still surviving in Devon and elsewhere, whose interest in my work has never flagged from the commencement of my literary career, a large and increasing circle of readers in the Midlands, where I have resided during the past fourteen years, to all of whom I tender my most cordial and grateful thanks. EDWAED CAPEPN. Heath KoaJ, Harborne, March 2iui, 1881. CONTENTS SUNGLEAMS. TO THK READER . . • • THE SECRET OF MY ART PASTORAL PICTURES LILLELU . . . • WOMAN^ . . . . ■ A LOVE SONG .... PURPOSE . TO A MOSS ROSK MUTE MELODY . . ■ ■ OLD LOVE LANE A WEDDING FAVOUR LOVE OF NATURE THE SPIRIT OF THE SPRING SONG— MY BEAUTIFUL LAND OF THE WE8T FLORAL FELLOWSHIP SONG — THE SPRING O' THE DAWN MAIDENHOOD . . . • DOROTHY .... THE PINNACLE OF FAME . woman's STRENGTH . THE LITTLE BLIND LAMB THE DIVINE HARMONY OF THINGS . THE LILY ....-, PAGE 3 4 6 .7 10 1,1 15 1^ m 1.7 l.» 19 20 22 23 24- 27 27- 29' 32 3.3 vin. CONTENTS. IHE THKKE GKACES . WORSUIP . A WAYSIDE rAI,I, MV KKPLY I'KO MEMOKIA NOONTJUE THE WITHEU'S HEART IS \Vl' KM TO A FORGET-ME-NOT SANCTIFIED SORROW . SONG— I SAID TO MY LOVK THE MKRRY RARKKRS TO PRUDENTIA THE SPIRIT OF liEAUTY WEST AND SOUTH HOME TREASURES SONG— A SIGH FOR DEVON PHliMIE THE FAIR TO JANIE . TO A ROSEBUD BEAUTY OLD CALEB TO HIS FRIENDS . TO THE SUN nature's TINTERN ABBEY SONG— CORA LEE . SONG — SWEET HETTIE O' CARI.OW SONG— THE MAID O' BONTDDU SONG OF THE KEEPER MV VALENTINE . SONG — THE "charming" OF THE lilUDS SONG— YEW LAND . THE 1;1,UEBELL's COMPLAINT THE I'lilUE O' THE YEAR TO THE SOUTHWEST WIND 34 35 36 38 41 43 43 45 46 48 49 51 53 54 55 59 60 63 64 65 66 66 67 69 70 71 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 CONTENTS. IX. ai,FiiA . . . . . EPITHALAMIOX MY LOVE-LAND .... -SONG — I'OLLT PELLEW ON HEARING THE LARK SING IN OclO]!i;i; SONG — ALWAYS LEAVE SOMETHING IJKIC BEHIND .... THE AFTERGLOW . THE nailers' TAliADISE THINKING EVENTIDE A SONG OF JOY . THE MAIDEN MOWER . THE poet's HOMILY -SONG — I AM THINKING LOVE OF THEE THE LITTLE MISCHIEF MAKER WEE MAGGIE . SONG— THE COUNTRY SQUIRE FIND A WAY OR MAKE IT . THE TWINS PRIMROSES AND VIOLETS VICTOR — A PORTRAIT A SPRING PSALM HOMELY COUNSEL THE TRYST THE PLAYGROUND DREAM-THOUGHTS SHADOWLAND TO CECILIA PIXY-LAND TO MR. JOHN MORRISON A FLORAL FANCY DEAN ALFORD l'l,KAM'l;K S5 S6 89 »1 93 95 96 98 101 103 105 106 107 108 111 114 116 118 120 121 122 124 125 126 127 129 130 131 132 135 139 140 X. CONTENTS. THE MAGDALEN . ... 141 AN OLD HOME ..... 142 OUR GATHERED LAMBS . . . . .144 SNOW ON THE GRAVES . . . 145 LILIAN ....... 146- TO JAN IE ON HER BIRTHDAY . 147 SONG— THE THRESHER . . . . .149 SONG — LOVE AND BEAUTY .... 151 SONG — BONNIE JEANXIE ROBERTSON . 152 SONG — TRUE LOVE .... 154 GREAT THOUGHTS . . . .. .154 TUK MGHTWOODS . . . 155 FOi; GWENDOLINE . . . .155 malvern — a suggestion .... 157 tam-mie's token ...... 157 THp; maiden's DREAM . . . 158 TO G. w. i;. , . . . . . 159 nV THE ROADSIDE . 160 TO MRS. T , ON HER PRESENTING THE Al IIKH: WITH A DRAWING OF LYNTON, NORTH. DEVuN . 162 love's dial . . . . . ' . 163 TO A I..VDV FRIEND ON HER FIFTIETH BIRTH KAV . 164 love's LETIER BOX . . . . . 166 A MEMORY OF WILDERSMOUTH, 1837 . . 170 TO CARRINA . . . . ... 170 ON THE FELLING OF FRANKLEY BEECH . 172 SONG — LOVE IN SUNSHINE . . . 173 SONG — THE LOVE LETTER . . .174 THE REQUEST . . ... 176 THE ELEGY ...... 178 SONG — THE HONEST MAN .... 179 SONG — HURRAH FOR THE SUNSHINE . . . 182 T'l THE ADIANTUM ..... 185 CONTENTS. XI. TO J. T. T. , A POSY FOR THE BRIDAL . . . 186 TO THE LATE SIR THOMAS DYKE ACLAND, BART., ON HIS EIGHTIETH niUTHDAY . . . 188 APUIL FOOLING ...... 190 TO D. n ...... 193 I'OETICAL PERCEPTION ..... 194 LOVE IN ENGLAND ..... 194 LOVE IN INDIA, FROM HAFIZ .... 19& ABILITY AND CONCEIT .... 196 *T0. A. I!. 1". . . . . . . 197 love at first sight .... 198 love's rebuff ...... 199' to e. ii. buruington on the death of his lirotiikil frederick ..... 199 THE BLIND boy's CAROL .... 201 you'd not serve danda so ... 203 the happy merman ..... 205 the .swan of isca ..... 208 l-lMtSAKEN LOVE ..... 211 POETIC PLE.-VSUUES . . . . . 211 SONG OF THK EXMOOR HUNT . . , .212 THE .STORM . . . ■ . . . 214 A POUTUAIT ...... 215 MOUNTAIN LOVE ..... 216 TWO SIDES TO A SAYING . . . . .217 DETRACTION ...... 218 THE JE.SSAMINK ...... 218 TO LUCELIA ...... 220 YOUNG ASTRONOMERS ..... 220 TO KATIE ...... 221 MOUTHOE ....... 222 THE SNOWDROP ..... 222 CARES ....... 223- X. CONTENTS. THE MAGDALEN . , . 141 AN OLD HOME ..... 142 OUR GATHERED LAMBS ..... 144 SNOW ON THE GRAVES . . . 145 LILIAN . . . . .146 TO JAN IE ON HER BIRTHDAY . 147 SONG— THE THRESHER . . . . . .149 SONG — LOVE AND BEAUTY . . . 151 SONG — BONNIE JEANNIE ROBERTSON . . 152 SONG — TRUE LOVE .... 154 GREAT THOUGHTS . . . .. .154 TIIK LIGHTVVOODS . . . . 155 FOR GWENDOLINE . . . .155 MALVERN — A SUGGESTION .... 157 TAM.M1E'.S TOKEN ...... 157 THE MAIDKN'.S DREAM . . . 158 TO (;. w. i;. . . . . . 159 BY THE ROADSIDE . . . 160 TO MRS. T , ON HER PRESENTING THE Al lIKill WITH A DRAWING OF LYNTON, JfORTH DEVON . 162 LOVE'.S DIAL ...... 163 to a lady friend on her fiftieth birthday . 164 love's letier box ..... 166 A memory of wildersmouth, 1837 . . 170 to carrina . . . . ... 170 ON THE felling OF FRANKLEY BEECH . 172 SONG — LOVE IX SUNSHINE . . . . 173 SONG — THE LOVE LETTER . . .174 THE REQUEST . . ... 176 THE ELEGY ...... 178 SONG— THE HONEST MAN .... 179 SONG— HURRAH FOR THE SUNSHINE . . 182 Ti) THE ADIANTUM ..... 185. CONTENTS. XI. TO J. T. T., A POSY FOR THE BRIDAL . . . 186 TO THE LATE SIR THOMAS DYKE ACLAND, BART., ON HIS EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY . . . 188 APRIL FOOLING ...... 190 TO D. D ...... 193 POETICAL PERCEPTION ..... 194 LOVE IN ENGLAND ..... 194 LOVE IN INDIA, FROM HAFIZ .... 19& ABILITY AND CONCEIT .... 196 *T0. A. B. P. . . . . . • 197 love at first sight .... 198 love's rebuff . . . . . .199- TO E. H. BURKINGTON ON THE DEATH OF HIS BROTHER FREDERICK ..... 199 THE BLIND BOY's CAROL .... 201 you'd not SERVE DANDA SO . . . 20& THE HAPPY MERMAN ..... 205 THE SWAN OF ISCA . . . . . 208 FORSAKEN LOVE . . . . .211 POETIC PLEASURES ..... 211 SONG OF THE EXMOOR HUNT . . . .212 THE STORM . . . • . . . 214 A PORTRAIT . . . . . .215 MOUNTAIN LOVE . . . . . 216 TWO SIDES TO A SAYING ..... 217 DETRACTION ...... 218 THE JESSAMIN K ...... 218 TO LUCELIA ...... 220' YOUNG ASTRONOMERS ..... 220 TO KATIE ...... 221 MORTHOE ....... 222 THE SNOWDROP ..... 222 CARES ....... 223. Ml. CONTENTS. \ ' .lANtTARY ....... 227 KRHIil.'ART ...... "21:7 AiAiii'H . . . . . 2"2S .ui:ii. ....... 221' M.\x . . . . . . 2ol .irvn . . . . . . 2oo •Mji.v ....... 2;-'>.'' Ai(!iisr ...... 237 .SK.ITKMBEK . . . 23S • KTOBISR . . ... 2">;' .M p V K.M BER, ■^\•I^•rKl; token.s, wiuitk.v for .mv oi h I'RIENI), IIAKUISO.N WEIIl . . . . 24 i DKCKMBER, TlIK I'.l.E.-^SKD Cll]: IM M As Tl.MK . . 2'14 .SHADOWS. -■"HAI.l. U£ tVKU JIKKT AOAIK ? . . 24!^ .<0N<; THE SUM.MEllS LONO ACO . . 2iVj .-<»N': — IN SOLITUDE . . . . .2."'] riOSO — OUT OF Till: DKlTHs, l)Kl)J(AI>;i> Id .-A.Mll.l, IM.IMSOLl,, Ksy., .M.l'. .... 2i'>y xi.N.. I WOVLD I JIAI) .SU.ME ONE JO J.UVK . . 2[>i THI; r UO PRIMROSES . . . . 2r>.'i " 1 SIKUED ...... 207 V III HUE— A 15ALLA1) OF I HE SEVEKN . . . 2r'>S >U.MilER SNOW ..... 20i I UK 11N.SEEN HAND ..... 20".: .sONtJ— A SUill FOR Sl'l:i.N(; .... 2ti". .* S(JN(; OF LON'G A(JO ..... 2*U .sON<^ IHE .MESSAGE FROM IHE SEA . . 2H;'> IHK MOI'RNEU ...... iu^ CONTENTS. ^'11. •26P .^ONG— ON ISCA S BANK . . . •■ IIIE BLACK COUNTRY RAGGED FEAST . . . 27(^ IHK GRAVE ON THE HH.L .... '^7^ A MAY SHADOW . . . . ,. . '275 I v> MY SON, ON THE LOSS OF HfS LITTLK DAUGHTER. MILLY ...... -7n I IE 1'ILOT's STORY ..... 277 ' )YE IN SHADOW ..... '281 HOLLY AND M IS-I'LK'COK .... 2S'2 .,.>Ny— TH I'-.V lilD MK LOVE AND SMILK AGAIN . . ^S^' ^jSa^OH, IIIE HEAUT U.\TH ITS Ti; KASKl: r.s . 'iHri LAYS FOR THE LITTLE ONES. iE DUCKLING ...... -80 LIE ORPHAN LA.MI! ..... 2fl0 , 3LL ME WHAT THE MILL DOTH SA^ . . . 'JPI 3E SONG OK THE I'EWIT .... -IV',', I ;!E CHILD AND THE ItUTTEIIl'LY . . . JV'-I I ;!E SQUIRKEL ..... 29!;' IE DORMOUSE ...... -296 ,0 RUFUS, A I'ET CAT .... 298 L IE A.SS AN1> THE CF.ESK .... -299 . ;iK doll's LEVEE . . . . . :lOO A CO.MICAL STORY ..... ■'>()i', «'-!RRILY THE MOMENTS FLV .... :j04 PATRIOTIC AND OTHER I'OEMS. OJR OWN BELOVED ENGLAND .... .30.5 HlLLEIl, THE Hi; AVE ..... J]C6 ATERLOO BOB . . . . . . 310 I HE CL.VRION SOUNDS .... 5i].^i ,.;R DRAGONS OF THE DEEP .... :U6 XIV. CONTENTS. I-ALMEUSTON ..... FAITH IX HUMAN PROGRESS YE WARWYCKSHYRE HUNTTE TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF DERliV SONG OF THE HAPPY MAN 318 319 320 322 322 B R R 4i T A . Taj^c 142, line 11, for " t;ike Tliee at," recul "rest upon." l'.t:-;e lOS (foot note), /or " Church, &(;.," lead " In the Chuich, &c." P;it;e 177, line I'i.for "angel's," roul "angels'." P:iSP IS J, line 17, fur '" exeelleth," read " excellest." Pa^e 187 (foot note), /or "Aug 9th," reoul "Aug. 9th, 1S77," r.i:,''; 12:i, /or " borne," read " born." SUNGLEAMS ' ' The merry sunshine makes for earth A happy holiday ; And he who sings of Nature's mirth Gives life a golden ray." How sweet it is, when mother Fancy rocks The wayward brain, to saunter through a wood ! An old place, full ot many a lovely brood, Tall trees, green arbours, and ground flowers in flocks. Wordsworth. TO THE EEADER. Sun-gleams and shadows 1 yes, just so ; Bright glintings of the May ; And little palls on frozen snow. Beneath a cypress-spray. Still, read no more, if thou would'st crave All sunshine, and no shade ; "While primrose makes her dewy grave Within her native glade. Yet know, I almost worship light, And sometimes, thinking wrong, Wish we had little less of night, And for the sigh, a song. But, gentle reader, take my book As young men take their loves, Away unto some quiet nook Made musical with doves ; A 1 THE SECRET OK MY ART. And having scanned it, pardon nie For taxing so tliy time, Unless thine eye arrested be To revel in a rhyme. Or thou hast learnt, witli me, to sing Of simple wayside weeds — To the wild music of the spring, That purls amid the reeil^ ; And shout, as comes the bright bluebell. Delighted as a boy, " I never can refuse to tell The world what I enjoy." THE SECEET OE MY AET. What is the secret of my Art 1 In honest faith I never knew it : I simply play the loyal part. And write as nature bids me do it. And oh ! of all the joys I know, There are but few like that of singing, When souls with rapture overflow To fairy-love bells sweetly ringing ; THE SECRET OP MY ART. '5 Most happ)' then it is for me, If I o.m in some ferny dingle, And "wandering, like a honey-bee, To the wild music of my jingle. I have no other Art but this, I fly the fog, where fancy lingers, And numbers, that will run amiss, Like those men count upon the fingers. Eight helter skelter on I dash, Unweeting of the tune or measure, Delighted, with each sunny flash Of thought, alive with heart and pleasure. And this would be reward enough. If self-enjoyment were the reason That made me sing, by brake and bluff, The first fair floweret of each season : But, when I find my artless songs Can make e'en chilly winter warmer, And touch to mirth the children's tongues, Ambition makes me play the charmer. PASTORAL PICTURES. Twirling into quaintest notes Of interrogation, As a host of featliered throats Sing with emulation ; Mark the little lambs at play, Dancing to their praises, Asking, in their pretty way. Where can be the daisies 1 Now athwart, the azure sky, Paying spring a favour, Shoots the gladsome lark ou high. Music's living quaver ; — Lilting up his airy way, Full of adoration ;- — Happy seraph of the May ! For the new creation. Daisies, rathe and rosy-rimm'd, 'Mid the tender grasses, Golden boss'd, and nectar brimni'd, Welcome now the lasses ; — While around, from sea to sea, Mellow cuckoos singing. Come to keep us company, Joyful tidings bringiuLr. LILLELU. Sweet, oh ! sweet is summer-time, Wliite witli liawtliorn-blossoms. Life's delight, and golden prime Of impassion'd bosoms. When, from silv'ry clouds above, Down to marish rushes, Nature chants one song of love, Choruss'd by the thrushes. 1879. LILLELU. ON HEARING THE THRUSH SING HIS FIRST SPRING SONG. " LiLLBLU ! " that's he I know, Listen, love, he'll sing again, "Tewteweet, teweet, tewoo." What a charm is in his s^^^rain ! This is what he seems to say — " Winter ! thou hast had thy share, Let our little maiden fair. Snowdrop, show her face to-day, " Lillelu ! Lillolu ! Lillelu ! " LILLELU. •' Lillelu ! " that is the word The throstle trills when deep in love, As, perched above his mate, the bird In tenderness outvies the dove : — - It means, if I interpret right, *' .\ry love is sweet, and she is near. The sweetest sweetling, is my deaf ; ' And this lie sings from morn to night — ■ "Lillelu! Lillelu! Lillelu!" " Lillelu ! " just mark the notes, The cream and honey of his song ; And as the strain mellifluous floats, And sweeps the fragrant vales along, T catch, as I have caught, the soul nf everything he sings, and sense : — • As hidden by some hawthorn-fence, I've heard his bursts of passion roll, " Lillelu ! Lillelu ! Lillelu ! " " Lillelu !" the master-tone And key-note of each merry lay ; For sings he not one song alone, He has a song for every day ; And rich and various as his themes. So are the solos of his choice ; And given with a flexile voice. In matins, and in vesper hymns, — " LUlelu ! Lillelu ! Lillelu 1 " WOMAN. " Lilielu ! " the country side Rings ever with the sweet refrain ; But would'st thou hear him in his pride, Then seat thyself in yonder plain, And see that he's a six-year-old, A iDird of courage in his prime, And let young April be the time, And thou shalt find him brave and bold- " Lilielu ! Lilielu ! Lilielu 1 " " Lilielu ! " he giveth thrice, In the sweetest tone he sings, " Toot-toot-toot," and " tulu" twice, Till the whole theatre rings. Then he makes his glorious runs O'er the octaves to the close, Major notes and minor ones. Seeking, not till night, repose- ^ " Lilielu ! Lilielu ! Lilielu ! " February 10th, 1876. WOMAN. Sweet woman brightens daily life. By love and cheerful duty ; Our rainbow, in its storm of strife. That paints the cloud with beauty. 10 A LOVE SONG. A RAPTURE trilling from the lieavt, A gush of inspiration, A sigh we breathe, when far apart, "With musical vibration. A thread, ou which the poet strings The jewels of aflection ; A nielodj'-, the whole world sings, When Love makes his selection. Who will may make the laws for nu', Who will may build the city, And pen the prosy things that be, Let me but pipe my ditty. Some tender love-lay, nothing else, The simple song revealing ; A power that stirs the vital pulse Of universal feeling. Harborne, October 25tli, 1876. 11 PUKPOSE. Thus a minstrel, as he ponder'il, Sang of purpose on a day, As he saw men faint and falter At the dangers of the way. " What is evil 1 Who will answer? There is little we can find That may not be made a blessing, As a buttress for the mind. As the prospect wider opens To the climber in his path, And the mower scents the fragrance Of his labour in the swath, And the earth-root of the seedling Striketh down into the night. While the blade, with soul diviner. Struggles upward to the light, 'Till the patience of the sower By the yellow sheaf is crown'd ; So, in bitter pain and travail, Golden guerdons aye are founi]. 12 PURPOSE. Up, my soul, then, and the hero Play witli all thy might and main, And, with trasty sword, advancing, ^Feet the battle thou would'st gain. c Who is he that dares to hinder Courage on a purpose bent ? Bid him stay the •whizzing arrow By the master-archer sent ; Bid him bind the winds of Heaven, Still the tempest, span the sky, Chain the comet, tame the ocean, Bar the lightnings as they fly. Where's the rock too hard for boring When a diamond cuts the way ? And an earnest soul in action Is a fate the Gods obey. What is hindrance to the lesser. To the greater is an aid. Is the torrent by a boulder In its raging fury stay'd ? Opposition maketh valiant, And those mightiest are hail'd Who with few in number triumph When by 'whelming hosts assail'd. PURPOSE. 1 3 Throw the coward down, he flattens, Like a soulless lump of lead ; But, the heavier falls the hero, Higher bounds he o'er your head. Nothing that can be accomplish'd Is impossible to him ; Clear he sees in cloudy regions Where the craven's sight is dim. What's the Materhorn or Maelstrom To the man with soul to dare, Whose march-word, '* Nil desperandum," Cows the YGYj fiend Despair 1 Naught to him are plotting mortals. As they fret, and fume, and mar ; And, with petty hate and envy, . Wound and harrass in the war. Till a moth, then, stops the fountain, And a rushlight shames the sun, And the mouse o'erturns the mountain, High Resolve his course will run, — With a fixed and noble purpose, Shouting, ' Death or Victory ! Man is not a two-legg'd creature. But a dcmi-god is he ' » 14 TO A MOSS EOSK Bright offspring of a fairy clime ! Embalmed in many an olden rhyme ; When first we met, at summer time, In my beloved "West, — Young Poesy came every day, With song of bird, and bloomy spray. And all the world was blest. A deeper blush suffused thy cheek, Rethought, when I essayed to speak A word of praise, but words were weak To sing thy matchless worth ; And yet at times my simple strains Were honoured, for the singer's pains. Queen Eose of all the earth ! . So dainty, and so delicate, And so ethereal's thy state, Young Zephyr wooed thee for his mate, Witli aromatic kiss ; And wrapped thee in a robe of moss, Lest Beauty's self should suffer loss. And life its rapture miss. OLD LOVE LANE. 15 Enougli ! had I a golden flute, Soft toned as is an elfin lute, Thy meetest praise were worship mute, While music filled the air With melodies of hirds and bees, And whisperings of summer trees. Sweet wonder of the fair ! August 1st, 1878. MUTE-MELODY. ' There is a silent music of the soul, That, waiting for an utterance in words, Will burst at length, impatient of control, Like vernal melodies of singing birds. OLD LOVE LANE. Just a blue-bell, here and there, now marks the pleasant way we took To the cottage in the valley, by the little purling brook ; There were balmy hawthorn hedgerows, then, with primroses and fern, And the red rose-campion met us, in the lane at every turn. 16 A WEDDING FAVOUR. In the merry month of April, when the willows woo the gale, And miles of meadow-buttercups make golden every vale ; And in the bonny May-moon time, when daisies, all aglow, Paint every pleasant field with sweet white showers of sunny snow. There we, haltinp-, plucked the wilding, and, a moment to beguile, Enquired of it our fortune, as we rested on the stile ; But no vestige of the bankside lingers now, or gate, to show The track of the old vanished lane of love's sweet long ago. Edgbaston, May, 1878. A WEDDIXG FAVOUIt. LovE-WEDDED in these sunny times Of lily-bloom and rose, Made sweeter with the scent of limes By every wind that blows ; Ve have a fragrant prophecy. And pledge, of rare felicity. 17 LOVE OF NATUEE Earth «eems pausing in her race ; — While the Avinds, I know not why, Through the silent realms of space, Half-regretful softly sigh. Yet the folk move to and fro, One may note them every day ; Hasting come, and hasting go, Seeing nothing on their way. Skies to them are ever blue ; Autumn much the same as Spring : All is old, and nothing new : Birds are birds, and they should sing. Is it not so 1 — ^yet I feel Oft impelled to halt awhile, Where the silvery brooklets steal Out into the sun, and smile. Whence this subtile sympathy 'Twixt dull matter and the mind, And which, moving aye in me. Is not common to my kind. B 18 THE SPIRIT THE SPRING. Not in any school was taught The sweet trick of doing so, Nature woos me, and the thought Tells it if I write or no. Nov. 11th, 1875. THE SPIRIT OF THE SPEING. Sweet Spirit.of the Spring, I hear thee on the wing ; I saw tnee leave thy darling where the snowdrops shed their light ; And I heard thee, singing, say. Come, love, with me away, And I'll chant a sweeter matin as we sunward take our flight. I will show thee where the lilies. The laughing daffodillies, Are l)right with golden halos and bending o'er the brooks, Whose pretty, playful ways Have scooped out fairy bays In the willow-wattled bank-side and by alder-shaded nooks. MY BEAUTIFUL LAND OF THE WEST. 19 Come say, love, wilt thou follow, Over lieight and primrose hollow 1 I will give thee in a solo the heart's sweet overflow, Till the merle takes up the chorus, As the zephyrs whisper o'er us, " most pleasant 'tis to warble where the daffodillies grow." Sweet Spirit of the Spring, 'Tis heaven to hear thee sing, For spring, with flowers and sunshine, and the merry lark away, Were but an eyeless Grace, With the soul out of her face, Though our children light the meadows and frisky lambkins play. MY BEAUTIFUL LAND OF THE WEST. SONG. The Cingalese boast of their isle, With its citron and cinnamon-groves, Where the brightest of summer-suns smile, And Joy in a Paradise roves ; I know it is fragrant and fair. Its charms have been ever confessed, But no spot with my own can compare — My beautiful laud of the West. 20 IMilKM KKM OWSIlir. 0( \\w (:\Y ,i\V!iy rogion of luil. 'Pho swiwlhv skimuHl cliildicii sing; AvS t.luMi" hun,uMl(>ws home to tluMr iniiiil ThiMr iniMnori(>s lovingly bring ; Hut vain :\vo the j^rovos of (^ashniore, With inaiilons nil !;org(H>nsly «lr0SS0(1, Tho.y vanish w Iimk-vit ;\i>p(';ir Tlu^ (ln\uns of my lu>;\utifiil \V(>st,. Thoy say that th(- thrushes arc inutc, If rhilonu'l thilhcr .loth st.ray, And ]H'nsivo.ly trills, like a lute. The notc'-i of Iht iKisloral la\ , No iuarv(>l ! .io strango is lu'v song, Uogrt'tfiil to l('av«\ anil ilislroasod, Her hunliMi the tlay and nis'Iit. hnig l.s, " rx^auliful lau.l iA' the W(\st." ki,oi:ai, i'l'.M.owsiiir. (), I'l.OWKliS 1 HO lUUl.l'ly ('loipilMlt, Whoso lijis anihrosial hrcaMio Lho scinil Of VAvu in I'laith's prinnil days WIkmi Kvc lo Aduni sang yoiir i)raiau l'l,OI(AI; KKLI.0WHI11J', 21 III vir>!,iiial iirid Kwoolent Hoiig, Willi luijjolliitod li(!aj't uiid ioiif^uo.- y<} havo l/wo woiHliijiporH to-iiay ! The ardont huji, wIjobg golden ray Your lialo makes, an aure(;]e Of glloHHoni with betrothal ring, III mossy nianlch't arrayed, And dearer than the " lioiiihoii " inaid ; What \h your tnini.stry liclow '( It niiiHt he one of grace, i trow, Jiut aB I write your jn-tiilH fall^ 'I'o deck yotu' own Hweet funerul- Which makes me half unconscious sigli 'J'o think such lovely things miist die. 22 THE SPRING O' THE DAWN. Thus full of gratitude, that we Have shared your love and purity ; And that, when you have ceased to live, You still will sweetest odour give, I, lacking the magician's art To stay the fell destroyer's dart, Would fain embalm you in a line, And so your subtile charms enshrine. THE SPEING 0' THE DAWN. SONG. O ! HAVE you been up when the spring o' the dawn With its glow lights the green on^he brow o' the lawn, Ere the " bell " o' the buck wakes the doe, with her fawn To hear the lark's song in the morning i The bonny wee warbler, refresh'd with his rest, " Good morrow ! " lilts out to his love in her nest, While pluming his pinions and rearing his crest To welcome the light o' the morniu". Xow fluttering his wings, all bedabbl'd with dew. He soars up the grey for a sight o' the blue, Loud singing his song, until lost to the view, His first morry song in the morniug. MAIDENHOOD. 23 So it's ! to be out in the spring o' the dawn, "When the glare o' the grey greens the grass on the lawn, Ere the bellowing buck wakes the doe, with her fawn, To hear the gay lark in the morning. MAIDENHOOD. TO ROSE. Maidenhood's the May of life, Charming, bright, and sweet sixteen Little care and little strife, Hope, and heart, and fancy green. Then the rose is partly blown. Love's most captivating lure ; Life a dulcet semitone, And the lily-bell is pure. Soft enchantments everywhere, Work their spells upon the soul ; Earth bewitches — Heaven is fair. All is bliss from pole to pole. Take thy pleasure, Eose, to day, Harvest sunshine for thy gloom ; Know December makes no hay, Meadows do not ever bloom. 24 IXJROTHY. A NEW year's handsel. A LITTLE living flash of light ! She met my gaze a year ago ; Lithe, golden-lock'd, in blue and white, With forehead like the virgin snow, Joy gave his jewels for her eyes ; And such a grace was in her mien, I stood entranc'd with rapt surprise ! And idoliz'd the tiny queen. Methinks I hear her bird-like call. When I enshrin'd her as my saint ; And see the legends in the hall, That decorate her palace quaint. In olden English "East or West," For them Contentment did bestead, Was o'er the hearth with " Hame is best," And " Give us Lord our daily bread." It was a literary " meet " A sweet exchange of courtesies ; And as we took our homeward beat, Along a lane with pleasant trees, A friend this simple question ask'd, " You saw that pretty thing at play. Wilt have her little life unmask'd " I DOROTHY. 25 Then sauntering upon the Avay "A strange romance indeed," he said, "As strange as aught thine ears can hear, Is thrown around that little maid," The tale — whose finis is a tear. " The merry mass was nearly o'er, The moon was frozen in the sky ; Deep lay the snow upon the moor ; And stars were shiv'ring in the sky : — - The owl in yonder hollow tree, ^'^e'er ventur'd forth in search of prey ; And silence could not deader be, That hour before the 'New Year's day. When lo ! a peasant passing by. Returning from the ringing feast, Heard a long faint and tremulous cry, Unlike the wail of bird or beast ; And halting for awhile the sound Came with the driving sleet again ; When nearing it behold he found A little babe upon the plain. Hard was his hand, but soft his heart. He clasp'd the infant to his breast. And proud to play a parent's part, He made the little thing a nest. There ! that's the place, and that's the brick, That made its pillow, which you .see ; " 26 DOIIOTHY. Then leaping o'er the fencing, quick He broke a portion off for me. I see the very spot in Kent, Hard by a village church it lies. With ancient lichgate weather-rent ; And yew-grove barring out the skies. But to his story. " Love is love And 'tis the sweetest thing on earth ; Know nothing could the infant move, Or make it show a sign of mirth ; And so, of course, when daylight came. The ' find ' was ruraour'd far and near ; And many a maid, and married dame, Call'd in, and dropp'd soft pity's tear : Still not a token gave the child That it was pleas'd, or satisfied, — Until yon lady on it smil'd, When lo ! to lift its hands it tried. She bending lower down, it clung Around her fair and slender neck ; When the sweet lullaby was sung, As tears ran down, a tiny beck. ' Heaven's will be done,' the lady said, 'I have no child, I'll cherish thee.' The foundling is that blue-eye'd maid, God's gift — they nam'd her Dorothy." 27 THE PINNACLE OE FAME. Would'st mount it 1 know 'tis next the sky ! And when 'tis reach'd, 'tis hard to stand Observ'd by every curious eye That seeks a wonder in the land. The glowworms light their little fires, Unharm'd in the untrodden ways ; While lighthouse-lamps and temple-spires Attract the levin's deadly blaze. So hear, before thou dost ascend, If thou must climb its slipp'ry steep ; Small danger little souls attend, The fall of great men is sea-deep. WOMAN'S STRENGTH. Who ever had a thought of might When speaking of the flowers 1 We only think of the delight They give in sunny hours ; Or how, when heaven is black with gloom, And human hearts are sad, We bear them to the sick one's room To make the spirit gkd. 28 woman's strength. Yet lilies bending to the blast, Are delicately strong ; And fledglings as the storms sweep past Will suffer little wrong. The lark sits closer to her nest As beats the pelting rain ; For there's a fire within her breast, That never glows in vain. The force of feeble helplessness, What hero can withstand 1 The little infant's fond caress Makes strong the heart and hand. And ! what power is in a smile, And might in simple words ! E'en whispers can our woes beguile And charm like happy birds. What so defenceless as a dove, Or little meek-eyed lamb? And yet we keep the first for love, And Avhen, without its dam. The orphan wean bleats on the waste, I low potent is its voice To make the faithful shepherd haste And bid its heart rejoice. THE LITTLE BLIND LAMB. 29 So, weakness is a woman's strength, She, powerless to defend Herself, will own the man at length Her best and bravest friend ; Yet when in times of sore distress, His hope despairing flies — Strong in her love and tenderness She saves him or she dies. THE LITTLE BLIND LAMB. He who hath open eyes may see God's care is over all ; This lovely truth was taught to me One April festival— When earth was green, and heaven was blue, And with jDrismatic light, There shone in every drop of dew A little jewel bright. " Cvome, let us o'er the stile, across The meadow to the dell. Where Oberon's shield, with golden boss Blows by the moschatel." 30 THE LITTLE BLIND LAMB. Thus spake my niend ; I followed, when Tie whispered as he led, — ■ " You see those sheep on yonder plain," " I do," I softly said. " Well, when Ave near that little lamb. That's feeding there apart Without the care of gentle dam, Ee cautious lest it start." I watched the little lonely thing, Wee orphan of the flock ; Until it reached a tiny spring That bubbled from a rock. And then it gave a plaintive bleat, To which no answer came, And oft and oft did it repeat The cry, the very same. When lo ! a sound as of a bird, At which it pricked its ears ; And then a kindly voice I heard Dispelling all its fears. " What ails my pretty 1 Hither pet ; " It wriggled first its tail, A sight I never shall forget, Then sniffed the odorous eale. THE LITTLE BLIND LAMB. And spriBging with a thrill of love, Sped swiftly o'er the ground ; And answering its friend above, Kept straight towards the sound. " Just go you on, with noiseless tread," Said he, " and bear in mind. Don't get, if you would pat its head. Between it and the wind." In following my friends behest, I marked the pretty thing Of the sweet herbage, cropped the best That clothed the fields of spring. But as the space that did divide Us less and lesser grew, A sight pathetic, I espied. As ever met my view. The little, sightless, innocent, Sore startled by its fear, Appeared to see my whole intent, And eye me with its ear : For back, towards a purling rill. As I advanced, it stept, And, keeping the same distance still. Itself in safety kept. 31 32 'IKK DIVINE HARMONY OF THINGS. Another signal, from my friend, At which it made a hound ; And hastened to the further end, Dehglited at the sound. Ar.d having pressed him witli its liead, Obedient to command ; " There's not a thhig but loves," he said, "To feel the human hand." Then did I learn, for evermore. From that poor lambkin's state, — That Heav'n hath aye a joy in store. To cheer a hapless fate. THE DIVINE HARMOXY OF THINGS. He who made all things well, hath all ordained ; Harmonious change is His most stedfast plan : Great sinners' love is ever most unfeigned ; And God's bright glory most is seen in man ; His mercy shone, when he was under ban : Hills rise out of the valleys, yet we see Without the valleys no huge hills there be. THE LILY. 33 Wheu lands lie fallow, IS'ature's force is rife ; Upon her couch, the earth is taking rest, The Winter sleeps, that spring-time, fresh with life, May rear her flowers, and be with joyance blest. The bird, of shrivelled leaves-, makes cosiest nest. Without the setting comes no rising sun ; And night shows not her stars till day is done ! The bitter draught, more welcome makes the sweet ; Forgiveness hath no virtue, without wrong ; The slow Avayfarer tireth out the fleet ; And he thinks deepest, with a silent tongut* ; The bird that sings is captured for its song ; Wbile those that mute be, know no captive's pain ; And humblest souls, the highest heavens gain. Harborne, December, 14th. 1870. THE LILY. TO TOTTIE. See'st thou the pretty fairy curl Of this sweet lily, named the " Queen " 1 Each odorous petal is a pearl Set round a heart of gold and green. So be thou too, a vestal white. And incense bearer of the light. 34 THE THKEE (PEACES. Deborah l^uve, and Josephine, Tripping o'er the village green, Oh ! how beautiful the pair ! And the maids are dcibonair. Deborah's a proud brunette, Josephine a blonde coquette ; Fairy twins ! now tell to me "Which my favourite will be ? Fairer than the summer-sheen, Is the lovely Josephine ; \Vith a blue, bewitching eye, Changing ever, like the sky. Deborah's lustre is the light Of the levin in the night ; Flashing with as fine a scorn As an eagle's in the morn. Josephine has slender hands, Delicate as lily- wands ; Lips, as the carnation sweet ; And the daintiest of feet. Deborah is firmly knit, Strong of hand, and keen of wit ; And, unmoved as Mona's rock, r>raves the fiercest tempest-shock. WORSHIP. 35 Deborah Dove, and Josephine, Two such maids are rarely seen ;- Deborah, the dark brunette, Josephine, the blonde coquette ; But the rose of innocence, Dora ! with her love intense, Who entranced me yester-e'en, Deborah shames, and Josephine. July 31st, 1870. WOESHIP. Sat, what is worship, but a sense Of holy joy, that love is born ; That interfusing effluence Of heav'n which glorifies the morn. Some lovely vision takes the sight. Some vestal in her virgin charms. Chaste Dian with her silver light, Or babe inviolate in arms, Or Love's fair lady- rose, Celine, In lily lustre, may be seen ; "When Kapture, radiant, flaps her wings, And all around with music rings. 36 A WAYSIDE CALL. " It is not good to be alone," Thus said the High and Holy One, Of our first father's state ; And so I felt to-daj^, as I In solitude went musing by Thy old familiar gate. And hence I've dropped in just to see^ If thou wilt bear me company, For one short hour or so ; I know thy philosophic mind, And that to list, thou art inclined ; But let us up and go. As one by one the flowers appear, To calender the rolling year, 'Tis well and wise to mark. That beauty is the aim and end Of all that nature does, my frien