Page 1 of 88

THE WATCHMAN

and OTHER POEMS

BY L. M. MONTGOMERY, AUTHOR OF

" ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, " ETC.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To t he f ol l owi ng Publ i sher s and Magazi nes my si n-

cer e t hanks and appr eci at i on ar e gi ven f or t hei r ki nd per -

mi ssi on t o use t he poems of whi ch t hey own t he copy -

r i ght : The Yout h' s Compani on, For war d, East and

West , MacLean' s Magazi ne, The Sunday School Ti mes,

Zi on' s Her al d, The Out l ook, Munsey' s Magazi ne, The

New I dea Woman' s Magazi ne, Smar t Set , The Ladi es'

Wor l d, The Canadi an Magazi ne, St . Ni chol as, The Con-

gr egat i onal i st and Chr i st i an Wor l d, Ever ybody' s Maga-

zi ne, The Chr i st i an Endeavor Wor l d, The Amer i can

Messenger , The Del i neat or , Smi t h' s Magazi ne.

DEDI CATI ON

" TO THE MEMORY OF THE GALLANT

CANADI AN SOLDI ERS WHO HAVE LAI D

DOWN THEI R LI VES FOR THEI R COUN-

TRY AND THEI R EMPI RE. "

CONTENTS

PAGE

The Wat chman - 3

SONGS OF SEA

Rai n Al ong Shor e - - - - 11

Sea Sunset - * 3

When t he Dar k Comes Down - - 14

Har bor Moonr i se _ - - 16

Bef or e St or m - - - - 18

On t he Bay - - - - 20

Page 2 of 88

A Shor e Twi l i ght - - - - 22

Song of t he Sea- wi nd - - - 23

Mor ni ng Al ong Shor e - - - 24

Of f t o t he Fi shi ng Gr ound - - 25

I n Por t - - - - - 27

The Gul l s - - - - 28

Sunr i se Al ong Shor e - C2>

The Sea Spi r i t 31

Har bor Dawn - _ - - 32

My Longshor e Lass _ - - 33

When t he Fi shi ng Boat s Go Out - - 34

The Br i dal - - - 36

The Sea t o t he Shor e - - - 37

The Voyager s 39

I X

SONGS OF THE HI I LS AND WOODS

Twi l i ght and I Went Hand i n Hand - - 43

Come, Rest Awhi l e _ - - 45

An Apr i l Ni ght - - - 46

Rai n on t he Hi l l - 47

For Li t t l e Thi ngs - - - - 49

Spr i ng Song - - - - 50

A Day Of f - - - - 51

The Wi nd - 53

The Wood Pool - - - - 54

Down St r eam - - - 55

Echo Del l - - - 57

The Rover s - 58

Among t he Pi nes - - - - 60

A Day i n t he Open _ - - 62

Page 3 of 88

Mi dni ght i n Camp - - - - 64

The Hi l l Mapl es - 66

A Summer Day - - - - 68

Sept ember _ - - - 70

I n Lover s' Lane - - - - 71

On t he Hi l l s - 73

An Aut umn Eveni ng - ( ] %

November Eveni ng - - - 76

Out O' Door s - - - - 78

I n t he Days of t he Gol den Rod - - 79

XI

The Thr ee Songs - - - - - 122

I n an Ol d Town Gar den - - 124

The Seeker - - - - 126

The Poet ' s Thought - 127

The Cal l - - - - 128

The Ol d Home Cal l - - 130

Geni us - - - - - 132

Love' s Pr ayer - - - 133

The Pr i soner - - - - 134

Compani oned - - - 136

You - - - - - 137

Unr ecor ded - - - - 139

Wi t h Tear s They Bur i ed You To- day - - 142

I n Memor y of Maggi e - - - 144

Real i zat i on - - - - 145

The Gar den i n Wi nt er 146

The Di f f er ence - - - - 14/

The Poet - - - - 148

The Mot her - - - - 150

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To One Hat ed - - 152

Whi l e t he Fat es Sl eep - - - 153

The Far ewel l - - - 154

The Ol d Man' s Gr ave - - - 156

For ever - - - - 157

By An Aut umn Fi r e - - - 158

xi i

THE WATCHMAN

THE WATCHMAN

" And f or f ear of Hi m t he keeper s di d shake and become as dead

men. " Mat t hew 23 and 4.

My Cl audi a, i t i s l ong si nce we have met ,

So ki ssed, so hel d each ot her hear t t o hear t !

I t hought t o gr eet t hee as a conquer or comes,

Bear i ng t he t r ophi es of hi s pr owess home,

But Jove hat h wi l l ed i t shoul d be ot her wi se

Jove, say I ? Nay, some mi ght i er st r anger - god

Who t hus hat h l ai d hi s heavy hand on me,

No vi ct or , Cl audi a, but a br oken man

Who seeks t o hi de hi s weakness i n t hy l ove.

How beaut i f ul t hou ar t ! The year s have br ought

An added spl endor t o t hy l ovel i ness,

Wi t h passi on of dar k eye and l i p r ose- r ed

St r uggl i ng bet ween i t s di mpl e and i t s pr i de.

And yet t her e i s somewhat t hat gl ooms bet ween

Thy l ove and mi ne; come, gi r dl e me about

Wi t h t hy t r ue ar ms, and pi l l ow on t hy br east

Thi s achi ng and bewi l der ed head of mi ne;

Her e, wher e t he f ount ai n gl i t t er s i n t he sun

Among t he saf f r on l i l i es, I wi l l t el l

I f so t hat wor ds wi l l answer my desi r e

The shamef ul f at e t hat hat h bef al l en me.

Down i n Jer usal em t hey sl ew a man,

Or god i t may be t hat he was a god

Page 5 of 88

Those mad, wi l d Jews whom Pont i us Pi l at e r ul es.

Thou knowest Pi l at e, Cl audi a a vai n man,

Too weak t o gover n such a howl i ng hor de

As t hose same Jews. Thi s man t hey cr uci f i ed.

I knew nought of hi m had not hear d hi s name

Unt i l t he day t hey dr agged hi m t o hi s deat h;

Then al l t ongues wagged about hi m and hi s deeds ;

Some sai d t hat he had cl ai med t o be t hei r Ki ng,

Some t hat he had bl asphemed t hei r dei t y ;

' Twas cer t ai n he was poor and meanl y bor n,

No war r i or he, nor her o ; and he t aught

Doct r i nes t hat sur el y woul d upset t he wor l d;

And so t hey ki l l ed hi m t o be r i d of hi m

Wi se, ver y wi se, i f he wer e onl y man,

Not qui t e so wi se i f he wer e hal f a god!

I know t hat st r ange t hi ngs happened when he di ed

Ther e was a dar kness and an agony,

And some wer e vast l y f r i ght ened not so I !

What car ed I i f t hat mob of r eeki ng Jews

Had br ought a namel ess cur se upon t hei r heads?

I had no par t i n t hat bl ood- gui l t i ness.

At l east he di ed; and some f ew f r i ends of hi s

I t hi nk he had not ver y many f r i ends

Took hi m and l ai d hi m i n a gar den t omb.

A wat ch was set about t he sepul chr e,

Lest t hese, hi s f r i ends, shoul d hi de hi m and pr ocl ai m

That he had r i sen as he had f or e- t ol d.

Laugh not , my Cl audi a. I l aughed when I hear d

The pr ophecy. I woul d I had not l aughed !

I , Maxi mus, was chosen f or t he guar d

Wi t h al l my t r ust y f el l ows. Pi l at e knew

I was a man who had no f ool i sh hear t

Of sof t ness al l unwor t hy of a man!

My eyes had l ooked upon a t or t ur ed sl ave

As on a beet l e cr ushed beneat h my t r ead;

I gl or i ed i n t he spl endi d st r i f e of war ,

Lust i ng f or conquest ; I had won t he pr ai se

Of our st er n gener al on a scar l et f i el d;

Red i n my vei ns t he war r i or passi on r an,

For I had spr ung f r om her oes, Roman bor n!

That second ni ght we wat ched bef or e t he t omb;

My men wer e mer r y; on t he vel vet t ur f ,

Best ar r ed wi t h ear l y bl ossoms of t he Spr i ng,

Page 6 of 88

They di ced wi t h j est and l aught er ; al l ar ound

The moonl i ght washed us l i ke a si l ver l ake,

Save wher e t hat si l ent , seal ed sepul chr e

Was hung wi t h shadow as a pur pl e pal l .

A f ai nt wi nd st i r r ed among t he ol i ve boughs

Met hi nks I hear t he si ghi ng of t hat wi nd

I n al l sounds si nce, i t was so dumbl y sad;

But as t he ni ght wor e on i t di ed away

And al l was deadl y st i l l ness; Cl audi a,

That st i l l ness was most awf ul , as i f some

Gr eat hear t had br oken and so ceased t o beat !

I t hought of many t hi ngs, but f ound no j oy

I n any t hought , even t he t hought of t hee;

The moon waned i n t he west and si ckl y gr ew

Her l i ght sucked f r om her i n t he br eaki ng dawn

Never was dawn so wel come as t hat pal e,

Fai nt gl i mmer i n t he cl oudl ess, br oodi ng sky!

Cl audi a, how may I t el l what came t o pass ?

I have been mocked at when I t ol d t he t al e

For a cr azed dr eamer puni shed by t he gods

Because he sl ept on guar d; but mock not t hou!

I coul d not bear i t i f t hy l i ps shoul d mock

The vi si on dr ead of t hat Judean mor n.

Sudden t he pal l i d east was al l af l ame

Wi t h r adi ance t hat beat upon our eyes

As f r om noonday sun; and t hen we saw

Two shapes t hat wer e as t he i mmor t al gods

St andi ng bef or e t he t omb; ar ound me f el l

My men as dead; but I , t hough t hr ough my vei ns

Ran a col d t r emor never known bef or e,

Wi t hst ood t he shock and saw one shi ni ng shape

Rol l back t he st one; t he whol e wor l d seemed abl aze,

And t hr ough t he gar den came a r ushi ng wi nd

Thunder i ng a paeon as of vi ct or y.

Then t hat dead man came f or t h ! Oh, Cl audi a,

I f t hou coul ds' t but have seen t he f ace of hi m!

Never was such a conquer or ! Yet no pr i de

Was i n i t nought but l ove and t ender ness,

Such as we Romans scof f at ; and hi s eyes

Bespake hi m r oyal . Oh, my Cl audi a,

Sur el y he was no Jew but ver y god !

Then he l ooked f ul l upon me. I had bor ne

Much st aunchl y, but t hat l ook I coul d not bear !

Page 7 of 88

What man may f r ont a god and l i ve? I f el l

Pr one, as i f st r i cken by a t hunder bol t ;

And, t hough I di ed not , somewhat of me di ed

That made me man. When my l ong st upor passed

I was no l onger Maxi mus I was

A weakl i ng wi t h a pi t eous woman- soul ,

Al l st r engt h and pr i de, j oy and ambi t i on gone

My Cl audi a, dar e I t el l t hee what f oul cur se

I s mi ne because I l ooked upon a god?

I car e no mor e f or gl or y; al l desi r e

For conquest and f or st r i f e i s gone f r om me,

Al l eager ness f or war ; I onl y car e

To hel p and heal br ui sed bei ngs, and t o gi ve

Some comf or t t o t he weak and suf f er i ng.

I cannot even hat e t hose Jews ; my l i ps

Speak har shl y of t hem, but wi t hi n my hear t

I f eel a st r ange compassi on; and I l ove

Al l cr eat ur es, t o t he vi l est of t he sl aves

Who seem t o me as br ot her s! Cl audi a,

Scor n me not f or t hi s weakness ; i t wi l l pass

Sur el y ' t wi l l pass i n t i me and I shal l be

Maxi mus st r ong and val i ant once agai n,

For get t i ng t hat sl ai n god ! and yet and yet

He l ooked as one who coul d not be f or got !

SONGS OF THE SEA

RAI N ALONG SHORE

Wan whi t e mi st s upon t he sea,

East wi nd har pi ng mour nf ul l y

Al l t he sunken r eef s al ong,

Wai l and hear t - br eak i n i t s song,

But adown t he pl aci d bay

Fi sher - f ol k keep hol i day.

Al l t he deeps beyond t he bar

Cal l and mur mur f r om af ar ,

' Pl ai ni ng of a mi ght y woe

Wher e t he gr eat shi ps come and go,

But adown t he har bor gr ay

Fi sher - f ol k keep hol i day.

When t he cl oudy heavens f r own,

And t he sweepi ng r ai n comes down,

Boat s at anchor age must bi de

I n despi t e of t i me or t i de ;

Maki ng mer r y as t hey may

Fi sher - f ol k keep hol i day.

Now i s t i me f or j est and song

Page 8 of 88

Al l t he i dl e shor e al ong,

Now i s t i me f or wooi ng dear ,

Mai dens cannot choose but hear ;

Daf f i ng t oi l and car e away

Fi sher - f ol k keep hol i day.

11

Oh, t he f r et t ed r eef s may wai l ,

Ever y man has f ur l ed hi s sai l !

Oh, t he wi nd may moan i n f ear ,

Ever y l ad i s wi t h hi s dear !

Mi r t h and l aught er have t hei r way,

Fi sher - f ol k keep hol i day.

12

SEA SUNSET

A gal l ant ci t y has been bui l ded f ar

I n t he pi ed heaven,

Banner ed wi t h cr i mson, sent i nel l ed by st ar

Of cr yst al even;

Ar ound a har bor of t he t wi l i ght gl owi ng,

Wi t h j ubi l ant waves about i t s gat eways f l owi ng.

A ci t y of t he Land of Lost Del i ght

On seas enchant ed,

Pr esent l y t o be l ost i n mi st moon- whi t e

And musi c- haunt ed;

Gi ven but br i ef l y t o our r apt ur ed vi si on,

Wi t h al l i t s opal t ower s and shr i nes el ysi an.

Had we some myst i c boat wi t h pear l y oar

And wi zar d pi l ot ,

To gui de us saf el y by t he si r en shor e

And cl oudy i sl et ,

We mi ght embar k and r each t hat shi ni ng por t al

Beyond whi ch l i nger dr eams and j oys i mmor t al .

But we may onl y gaze wi t h l ongi ng eyes

On t hose f ar , spar kl i ng

Pal aces i n t he f ai r y- peopl ed ski es,

O' er wat er s dar kl i ng,

Unt i l t he wi nds of ni ght come shor ewar d r oami ng,

And t he di m west has onl y gr ay and gl oami ng.

Page 9 of 88

13

WHEN THE DARK COMES DOWN

When t he dar k comes down, oh, t he wi nd i s on t he sea

Wi t h l i spi ng l augh and whi mper t o t he r ed r eef ' s

t hr enody,

The boat s ar e sai l i ng homewar d now acr oss t he har -

bor bar

Wi t h many a j est and many a shout f r om f i shi ng

gr ounds af ar .

So f ur l your sai l s and t ake your r est , ye f i sher f ol k

so br own,

For t ask and quest ar e ended when t he dar k comes

down.

When t he dar k comes down, oh, t he l andwar d val l eys

f i l l

Li ke br i mmi ng cups of pur pl e, and on ever y l andwar d

hi l l

Ther e shi nes a st ar of t wi l i ght t hat i s wat chi ng ever -

mor e

The l ow, di m l i ght ed meadows by t he l ong, di m- l i ght ed

shor e,

For t her e, wher e vagr ant dai si es weave t he gr ass a

si l ver cr own,

The l ads and l assi es wander when t he dar k comes

down.

14

When t he dar k comes down, oh, t he chi l dr en f al l

asl eep,

And mot her s i n t he f i sher hut s t hei r happy vi gi l s keep ;

Ther e' s musi c i n t he song t hey si ng and musi c on t he

sea,

The l ovi ng, l i nger i ng echoes of t he t wi l i ght ' s l i t any,

For t oi l has f ol ded hands t o dr eam, and car e has

ceased t o f r own,

And ever y wave' s a l yr i c when t he dar k comes down.

15

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HARBOR MOONRI SE

Ther e i s never a wi nd t o si ng o' er t he sea

On i t s di mpl ed bosom t hat hol det h i n f ee

Weal t h of si l ver and magi cr y;

And t he har bor i s l i ke t o an ebon cup

Wi t h mot her - o' - pear l t o t he l i ps l i ned up,

And br i mmed wi t h t he wi ne of ent r anced del i ght ,

Pur pl e and r ar e, f r om t he f l agon of ni ght .

Lo, i n t he east i s a gl amor and gl eam,

Li ke waves t hat l ap on t he shor es of dr eam,

Or voi ce t hei r l ur e i n a poet ' s t heme!

And behi nd t he cur t seyi ng f i sher boat s

The bar ge of t he r i si ng moon upf l oat s,

The pi l ot shi p over unknown seas

Of t r easur e- l aden cl oud ar gosi es.

Er e ever she dr i f t s f r om t he ocean' s r i m,

Out f r om t he backgr ound of shadows di m,

St eal et h a boat o' er her gol den r i m;

Noi sel essl y, swi f t l y, i t swayet h by

I nt o t he bour ne of enchant ed sky,

Li ke a f ai r y shal l op t hat seeks t he st r and

Of a f ar and unchar t ed f ai r yl and.

16

Now, er e t he sl eepi ng wi nds may st i r ,

Send, O, my hear t , a wi sh wi t h her ,

Li ke t o a vent ur ous mar i ner ;

For who knowet h but t hat on an el f i n sea

She may meet t he bar k t hat i s sai l i ng t o t hee,

And, wi ngi ng t hy message acr oss t he f oam,

May hast en t he hour when t hy shi p comes home?

Page 11 of 88

17

BEFORE STORM

Ther e' s a gr ayness over t he har bor l i ke f ear on t he

f ace of a woman,

The sob of t he waves has a sound aki n t o a woman' s

cr y,

And t he deeps beyond t he bar ar e moani ng wi t h evi l

pr esage

Of a st or m t hat wi l l l eap f r om i t s l ai r i n t hat dour

nor t h- east er n sky.

Sl owl y t he pal e mi st s r i se, l i ke ghost s of t he sea, i n

t he of f i ng,

Cr eepi ng al l wan and chi l l y by headl and and sunken

r eef ,

And a wi nd i s wai l i ng and keeni ng l i ke a l ost t hi ng

' mi d t he i sl ands,

Bodi ng of wr eck and t empest , pl ai ni ng of dol or and

gr i ef .

Swi f t l y t he boat s come homewar d, over t he gr i m bar

cr owdi ng,

Li ke bi r ds t hat f l ee t o t hei r shel t er i n hur r y and

af f r i ght ,

Onl y t he wi l d gr ey gul l s t hat l ove t he cl oud and t he

cl amor

Wi l l dar e t o t empt t he ways of t he r avi ni ng sea

t o- ni ght .

18

But t he shi p t hat sai l ed at t he dawni ng, manned by

t he l ads who l ove us

God hel p and pi t y her when t he st or m i s l oosed on

her t r ack!

O women, we pr ay t o- ni ght and keep a vi gi l of sor r ow

For t hose we speed at t he dawni ng and may never

wel come back!

19

ON THE BAY

When t he sal t wave l aps on t he l ong, di m shor e,

And f r et s t he r eef wi t h i t s wi ndy sal l i es,

And t he dawn' s whi t e l i ght i s t hr eadi ng once mor e

The pur pl e f i r s i n t he l andwar d val l eys,

Whi l e yet t he ar ms of t he wi de gr ay sea

Page 12 of 88

Ar e cr adl i ng t he sunr i se t hat i s t o be,

The f i sher man' s boat , t hr ough t he mi st af ar ,

Has sai l ed i n t he wake of t he mor ni ng st ar .

>

The wi nd i n hi s cor dage and canvas si ngs

I t s ol d gl ad song of st r engt h and endeavor ,

And up f r om t he hear t of t he ocean r i ngs

A cal l of cour age and cheer f or ever ;

Toi l and danger and st r ess may wai t

Beyond t he ar ch of t he mor ni ng' s gat e,

But he knows t hat behi nd hi m, upon t he shor e,

A t r ue hear t pr ays f or hi m ever mor e.

When a young moon f l oat s i n t he hol l ow sky,

Li ke a f ai r y shal l op, al l pal e and gol den,

And over t he r ocks t hat ar e gr i m and hi gh,

The l amp of t he l i ght - house al of t i s hol den;

When t he bay i s l i ke t o a l ucent cup

Wi t h gl amor and gl or y and gl ow f i l l ed up,

I n t he t r ack of t he sunset , acr oss t he f oam,

The f i sher man' s boat comes sai l i ng home.

20

The wi nd i s si ngi ng a l ow, sweet song

Of a r est wel l won and a t oi l wel l over ,

And t her e on t he shor e shi nes cl ear and st r ong

The st ar of t he homel i ght t o gui de t he r over

And deep unt o deep may cal l and wai l

But t he f i sher man l aughs as he f ur l s hi s sai l ,

For t he bar i s passed and t he r eef i s di m

And a t r ue hear t i s wai t i ng t o wel come hi m!

21

SHORE TWI LI GHT

Lo, f i nd we her e when t he r i pe day i s o' er ,

A ki ngdom of enchant ment by t he shor e !

Behol d t he sky wi t h ear l y st ar s ashi ne,

A j ewel l ed f l agon br i mmed wi t h pur pl e wi ne.

Li ke a dumb poet ' s soul t he t r oubl ed sea

Moans of i t s j oy and sor r ow wor dl essl y;

Page 13 of 88

But t he gl ad wi nds t hat ut t er naught of gr i ef

Make si l ver speech by headl and and by r eef .

Savi ng f or such t her e i s no voi ce or cal l

To mar t he gr aci ous si l ence over al l

Si l ence so t ender ' t i s a sweet car ess,

A most begui l i ng and dear l onel i ness.

Lo, her e we f i nd a beckoni ng sol i t ude,

A wi nsome pr esence t o be mut el y wooed,

Whi ch, bei ng won, wi l l t each us f abl ed l or e,

The ol d, ol d, gr amar ye of t he si byl shor e!

Oh, what a poi gnant r apt ur e t hus t o be

Li nger i ng at t wi l i ght by t he anci ent sea!

22

SONG OF THE SEA- WI ND

When t he sun set s over t he l ong bl ue wave

I spr i ng f r om my couch of r est ,

And I hur t l e and boom over l eagues of f oam

That t oss i n t he wel t er i ng west ,

I pi pe a hymn t o t he headl ands hi gh,

My comr ades f or ever mor e,

And I chase t he t r i cksy cur l s of f oam

O' er t he gl i mmer i ng sandy shor e.

The moon i s my f r i end on cl ear , whi t e ni ght s

When I r i ppl e her si l ver way,

And whi st l e bl i t hel y about t he r ocks

Li ke an el f i n t hi ng at pl ay;

But anon I r avi n wi t h cl oud and mi st

And wai l ' neat h a cur dl ed sky,

When t he r eef snar l s yon l i ke a quest i ng beast ,

And t he f r i ght ened shi ps go by.

I scat t er t he dawn acr oss t he sea

Li ke wi ne of amber f l ung

Fr om a cr yst al gobl et al l f ar and f i ne

Wher e t he mor ni ng st ar i s hung;

I bl ow f r om east and I bl ow f r om west

Wher ever my l ongi ng be

The wi nd of t he l and i s a hi nder ed t hi ng

Page 14 of 88

But t he ocean wi nd i s f r ee !

23

MORNI NG ALONG SHORE

Har k, oh har k t he el f i n l aught er

Al l t he l i t t l e waves al ong,

As i f echoes speedi ng af t er

Mocked a mer r y mer man' s song!

Al l t he gul l s ar e out , del i ght i ng

I n a wi l d, unchar t ed quest

See t he f i r st r ed sunshi ne smi t i ng

Si l ver sheen of wi ng and br east !

Ho, t he sunr i se r ai nbow- hear t ed

St eal s at hwar t t he mi st y br i ne,

And t he sky wher e cl ouds have par t ed

I s a bowl of amber wi ne!

Sweet , i t s cr adl e- l i l t par t aki ng,

Dr eams t hat hover o' er t he sea,

But t he l yr i c of i t s waki ng

I s a sweet er t hi ng t o me!

Who woul d dr owze i n dul l devot i on

To hi s ease when dar k i s done,

And upon i t s br east t he ocean

Li ke a j ewel wear s t he sun?

" Up, f or sake a l azy pi l l ow! "

Cal l s t he sea f r om cl ef t and cave,

Ho, f or ant i c wi nd and bi l l ow

When t he mor n i s on t he wave !

24

OFF TO THE FI SHI NG GROUND

Ther e' s a pi pi ng wi nd f r om a sunr i se shor e

Bl owi ng over a si l ver sea,

Ther e' s a j oyous voi ce i n t he l apsi ng t i de

That cal l s ent i ci ngl y;

The mi st of dawn has t aken f l i ght

To t he di m hor i zon' s bound,

Page 15 of 88

And wi t h wi de sai l s set and eager hear t s

We' r e of f t o t he f i shi ng gr ound.

Ho, comr ades mi ne, how t hat br ave wi nd si ngs

Li ke a gr eat sea- har p af ar !

We whi st l e i t s wi l d not es back t o i t

As we cr oss t he har bor bar .

Behi nd us t her e ar e t he homes we l ove

And hear t s t hat ar e f ond and t r ue,

And bef or e us beckons a st r ong young day

On l eagues of gl or i ous bl ue.

Comr ades, a song as t he f l eet goes out ,

A song of t he or i ent sea!

We ar e t he hei r s of i t s t i ngl i ng st r i f e,

I t s cour age and l i ber t y.

Si ng as t he whi t e sai l s cr eam and f i l l ,

And t he f oam i n our wake i s l ong,

Si ng t i l l t he headl ands bl ack and gr i m

Echo us back our song!

25

Oh, ' t i s a gl ad and hear t some t hi ng

To wake er e t he ni ght be done

And st eer t he cour se t hat our f at her s st eer ed

I n t he pat h of t he r i si ng sun.

The wi nd and wel ki n and wave ar e our s

Wher ever our bour ne i s f ound,

And we envy no l andsman hi s dr eam and sl eep

When we' r e of f t o t he f i shi ng gr ound.

26

I N PORT

Out of t he f i r es of t he sunset come we agai n t o our

own

We have gi r dl ed t he wor l d i n our sai l i ng under

many an or i ent st ar ;

St i l l t o our bat t er ed canvas t he scent s of t he spi ce

gal es cl i ng,

And our hear t s ar e swel l i ng wi t hi n us as we cr oss

Page 16 of 88

t he har bor bar .

Beyond ar e t he dusky hi l l s wher e t he t wi l i ght hangs

i n t he pi ne t r ees,

Bel ow ar e t he l i ght s of home wher e ar e wat chi ng

t he t ender eyes

We have dr eamed of on f r et t ed seas i n t he hour s of

l ong ni ght - wat ches,

Ever a beacon t o us as we l ooked t o t he st r anger

ski es.

Har k! how t he wi nd comes out of t he haven' s ar ms

t o gr eet us,

Br i ngi ng wi t h i t t he song t hat i s sung on t he anci ent

shor e !

Shi pmat es, f ur l we our sai l s we have l ef t t he seas

behi nd us,

Gl adl y f i ndi ng at l ast our homes and our l oves once

mor e.

21

THE GULLS

ISof t i s t he sky i n t he mi st - ki r t l ed east ,

Li ght i s abr oad on t he sea,

Al l of t he heaven wi t h si l ver i s f l eeced,

Hol di ng t he sunr i se i n f ee.

Lo! wi t h a f l ash and upl i f t i ng of wi ngs

Down wher e t he l ong r i ppl e^ br eak,

Comet h a bevy of gl ad- hear t ed t hi ngs,

' Ti s mor n, f or t he gul l s ar e awake.

I I

Sl umber ous cal m on t he ocean and shor e

Comes wi t h t he t ur n of t he t i de;

Never a st r ong- sweepi ng pi ni on may soar ,

Wher e t he t ame f i shi ng- boat s r i de!

Far and beyond i n bl ue deser t s of sea,

Wher e t he wi l d wi nds ar e at pl ay,

Ther e may t he spi r i t s of sea- bi r ds be f r ee

' Ti s noon, f or t he gul l s ar e away.

I l l

Over t he r i m of t he sunset i s bl own

Sea- dusk of pur pl e and gol d,

Speed now t he wander er s back t o t hei r own,

Wi ngs t he most t i r el ess must f ol d.

Page 17 of 88

Homewar d t oget her at t wi l i ght t hey f l ock,

Sat ed wi t h j oys of t he deep,

Dr owsi l y huddl ed on headl and and r ock

' Ti s ni ght , f or t he gul l s ar e asl eep.

28

SUNRI SE ALONG SHORE

At hwar t t he har bor l i nger s yet

The ashen gl eam of br eaki ng day,

And wher e t he guar di an cl i f f s ar e set

The noi sel ess shadows st eal away;

But al l t he wi nnowed east er n sky

I s f l ushed wi t h many a t ender hue,

And spear s of l i ght ar e smi t i ng t hr ough

The r anks wher e huddl ed sea- mi st s f l y.

Acr oss t he ocean, wan and gr ay,

Gay f l eet s of gol den r i ppl es come,

For at t he bi r t h- hour of t he day

The r oi st er i ng, waywar d wi nds ar e dumb.

The r ocks t hat st r et ch t o meet t he t i de

Ar e smi t t en wi t h a r uddy gl ow,

And f ai nt r ef l ect i ons come and go

Wher e f i shi ng boat s at anchor r i de.

Al l l i f e l eaps out t o gr eet t he l i ght

The shi ni ng sea- gul l s di ve and soar ,

The swal l ows whi r l i n di zzy f l i ght ,

And sandpeeps f l i t al ong t he shor e.

Fr om ever y pur pl e l andwar d hi l l

The banner s of t he mor ni ng f l y,

But on t he headl ands, di m and hi gh,

The f i shi ng haml et s sl umber st i l l .

29

One boat al one beyond t he bar

I s sai l i ng out war d bl i t he and f r ee,

To car r y st ur dy hear t s af ar

Acr oss t hose wast es of spar kl i ng sea;

St aunchl y t o seek what may be won

Page 18 of 88

Fr om out t he t r easur es of t he deep,

To t oi l f or t hose at home who sl eep

And be t he f i r st t o gr eet t he sun.

30

THE SEA SPI RI T

I smi l e o' er t he wr i nkl ed bl ue

Lo! t he sea i s f ai r ,

Smoot h as t he f l ow of a mai den' s hai r :

And t he wel ki n' s l i ght shi nes t hr ough

I nt o mi d- sea caver ns of ber yl hue,

And t he l i t t l e waves l augh and t he mer mai ds si ng,

And t he sea i s a beaut i f ul , si nuous t hi ng!

I scowl i n sul l en gui se

The sea gr ows dar k and dun,

The swi f t cl ouds hi de t he sun

But not t he bal e- l i ght i n my eyes,

And t he f r i ght ened wi nd as i t f l i es

Ruf f l es t he bi l l ows wi t h st or my wi ng,

And t he sea i s a t er r i bl e, t r eacher ous t hi ng!

When moonl i ght gl i mmer s di m

I pass i n t he pat h of t he mi st ,

Li ke a pal e spi r i t by spi r i t s ki ssed.

At dawn I chant my own wei r d hymn,

And I dabbl e my hai r i n t he sunset ' s r i m,

And I cal l t o t he dwel l er s al ong t he shor e

Wi t h a voi ce of gr amar ye ever mor e.

And i f one f or l ove of me

Gi ves t o my cal l an ear ,

I wi l l woo hi m and hol d hi m dear ,

And t each hi m t he way of t he sea,

And my gl amor shal l ever over hi m be;

Though he wander af ar i n t he ci t i es of men

He wi l l come at l ast t o my ar ms agai n.

31

HARBOR DAWN

Ther e' s a hush and st i l l ness cal m and deep,

Page 19 of 88

For t he waves have wooed al l t he wi nds t o sl eep

I n t he shadow of headl ands bol d and st eep;

But some gr aci ous spi r i t has t aken t he cup

Of t he cr yst al sky and f i l l ed i t up

Wi t h r osy wi ne, and i n i t af ar

Has di ssol ved t he pear l of t he mor ni ng st ar .

The gi r dl i ng hi l l s wi t h t he ni ght - mi st col d

I n pur pl e r ai ment ar e hooded and st ol ed

And smi t on t he br ows wi t h f i r e and gol d ;

And i n t he di st ance t he wi de, whi t e sea

I s a t hi ng of gl amor and wi zar dr y,

Wi t h i t s wi l d hear t l ul l ed t o a passi ng r est ,

And t he sunr i se cr adl ed upon i t s br east .

Wi t h t he f i r st r ed sunl i ght on mast and spar

A shi p i s sai l i ng beyond t he bar ,

Bound t o a l and t hat i s f ai r and f ar ;

And t hose who wai t and t hose who go

Ar e br ave and hopef ul , f or wel l t hey know

For t une and f avor t he shi p shal l wi n

That cr osses t he bar when t he dawn comes i n.

32

MY ' LONGSHORE LASS

Far i n t he mel l ow west er n sky,

Above t he r est l ess har bor bar ,

A beacon on t he coast of ni ght ,

Shi nes out a cal m, whi t e eveni ng st ar ;

But your deep eyes, my ' l ongshor e l ass,

Ar e br i ght er , cl ear er f ar .

The gl or y of t he sunset past

St i l l gl eams upon t he wat er t her e,

But al l i t s spl endor cannot mat ch

The wi nd- bl own br i ght ness of your hai r ;

Not any sea- mai d' s f l oat i ng l ocks

Of gol d ar e hal f so f ai r .

The waves ar e whi sper i ng t o t he sands

Wi t h mur mur s as of el f i n gl ee ;

But your l ow l aught er , ' l ongshor e l ass,

I s l i ke a sea- har p' s mel ody,

Page 20 of 88

And t he vi br ant t ones of your t ender voi ce

Ar e sweet er f ar t o me.

33

WHEN THE FI SHI NG BOATS GO OUT

When t he l ucent ski es of mor ni ng f l ush wi t h dawni ng

r ose once mor e,

And waves of gol den gl or y br eak adown t he sunr i se

shor e,

And o' er t he ar ch of heaven pi ed f i l ms of vapor f l oat .

Ther e' s j oyance and t her e' s f r eedom when t he f i shi ng

boat s go out .

The wi nd i s bl owi ng f r eshl y up f r om f ar , unchar t ed

caves,

And sendi ng spar kl i ng ki sses o' er t he br ows of vi r gi n

waves,

Whi l e r out ed dawn- mi st s shi ver oh, f ar and f ast t hey

f l ee,

Pi er ced by t he shaf t s of sunr i se at hwar t t he mer r y 9ea !

Behi nd us, f ai r , l i ght - smi t t en hi l l s i n dappl ed spl endor

l i e,

Bef or e us t he wi de ocean r uns t o meet t he l i mpi d sky

Our hear t s ar e f ul l of poi gnant l i f e, and car e has f l ed

af ar

As sweeps t he whi t e- wi nged f i shi ng f l eet acr oss t he har -

bor bar .

34

The sea i s cal l i ng t o us i n a bl i t hesome voi ce and f r ee,

Ther e' s keenest r apt ur e on i t s br east and boundl ess

l i ber t y !

Each man i s mast er of hi s cr af t , i t s gl eami ng sai l s out -

bl own,

And f ar behi nd hi m on t he shor e a home he cal l s hi s

own.

Sal t i s t he br eat h of ocean sl opes and f r esher bl ows

t he br eeze,

Page 21 of 88

And swi f t er st i l l each boundi ng keel cut s t hr ough t he

combi ng seas,

At hwar t our mast s t he shadows of t he di ppi ng sea-

gul l s f l oat ,

And al l t he wat er - wor l d' s al i ve when t he f i shi ng boat s

go out .

35

THE BRI DAL

Last ni ght a pal e young Moon was wed

Unt o t he amor ous, eager Sea;

Her mai den vei l of mi st she wor e

Hi s ki ngl y pur pl e vest ur e, he.

Wi t h her a br i dal t r ai n of st ar s

Wal ked si st er l y t hr ough shadows di m,

And, mast er mi nst r el of t he wor l d,

The gr eat Wi nd sang t he mar r i age hymn.

Thus came she down t he si l ent sky

Unt o t he Sea her f ai t h t o pl i ght ,

And t he gr ave pr i est who wedded t hem

Was anci ent , sombr e- mant l ed Ni ght .

36

THE SEA TO THE SHORE

Lo, I have l oved t hee l ong, l ong have I year ned and

ent r eat ed !

Tel l me how I may wi n t hee, t el l me how I must

woo.

Shal l I cr eep t o t hy whi t e f eet , i n gui se of a humbl e

l over ?

Shal l I cr oon i n mi l d pet i t i on, mur mur i ng vows

anew?

Shal l I st r et ch my ar ms unt o t hee, bi di ng t hy mai den

coyness,

Under t he si l ver of mor ni ng, under t he pur pl e of

ni ght ?

Tami ng my anci ent r udeness, checki ng my heady

cl amor

Thus, i s i t t hus I must woo t hee, oh, my del i ght ?

Nay, ' t i s no way of t he sea t hus t o be meekl y sui t or

Page 22 of 88

I shal l st or m t hee away wi t h l aught er wr apped i n

my bear d of snow,

Wi t h t he wi l dest of bi l l ows f or chor ds I shal l har p

t hee a song f or t hy br i dal ,

A mi ght y l yr i c of l ove t hat f ear ed not nor woul d

f or ego !

37

Wi t h a r ed- gol d weddi ng r i ng, mi ned f r om t he caves

of sunset ,

Fast shal l I bi nd t hy f ai t h t o my f ai t h ever mor e,

And t he st ar s wi l l wai t on our pl easur e, t he gr eat nor t h

wi nd wi l l t r umpet

A t hunder ous mar r i age mar ch f or t he nupt i al s of

sea and shor e.

38

THE VOYAGERS

We shal l l aunch our shal l op on wat er s bl ue f r om some

di m pr i mr ose shor e,

We shal l sai l wi t h t he magi c of dusk behi nd and en-

chant ed coast s bef or e,

Over oceans t hat st r et ch t o t he sunset l and wher e l ost

At l ant i s l i es,

And our pi l ot shal l be t he vesper st ar t hat shi nes i n

t he amber ski es.

The si r ens wi l l cal l t o us agai n, al l sweet and demon-

f ai r ,

And a pal e mer mai den wi l l beckon us, wi t h mi st on her

ni ght - bl ack hai r ;

We shal l see t he f l ash of her i vor y ar ms, her mocki ng

and l ur i ng f ace,

And her gui l i ng l aught er wi l l echo t hr ough t he gr eat ,

wi nd- wi nnowed space.

But we shal l not l i nger f or woven spel l , or sea- nymph' s

sor cer i es,

I t i s our s t o seek f or t he f ount of yout h, and t he gol d

of Hesper i des,

Ti l l t he har p of t he waves i n i t s r hyt hmi c beat keeps

t i me t o our pul ses' swi ng,

And t he or i ent wel ki n i s smi t t o f l ame wi t h aur or al

Page 23 of 88

cr i msoni ng.

39

And at l ast , on some whi t e and wondr ous dawn, we

shal l r each t he f ai r y i sl e

Wher e our hope and our dr eam ar e wai t i ng us, and t he

t o- mor r ows smi l e;

Wi t h song on our l i ps and f ai t h i n our hear t s we sai l

on our anci ent quest ,

And each man shal l f i nd, at t he end of t he voyage, t he

t hi ng he l oves t he best .

40

SONGS OF THE HI LLS

AND WOODS

41

TWI LI GHT AND I WENT HAND I N

HAND

Twi l i ght and I went hand i n hand,

As l over s wal k i n shi ni ng Mays,

O' er musky, memor y- haunt ed ways,

Acr oss a l onel y har vest - l and,

Wher e west wi nds chant ed i n t he wheat

An ol d, ol d vesper wondr ous sweet .

Oh, Twi l i ght was a comr ade r ar e

For gypsy heat h or t empl ed gr ove,

I n her gr ay vest ur e, shadow- wove ;

I saw t he dar kness of her hai r

Fai nt - mi r r or ed i n a f i el d- pool di m,

As we st ood t i p- t oe on i t s r i m.

We went as l i ght l y as on wi ngs

Thr ough many a scent ed chamber f ai r ,

Among t he pi nes and bal sams, wher e

I coul d have dr eamed of dar l i ng t hi ngs,

Page 24 of 88

And ever as we went I knew

The peepi ng f ai r y f ol k went t oo.

I coul d have l i nger ed now and t hen

By gat es of moonr i se t hat mi ght l ead

To some f or got t en, spi cer i ed mead,

Or i n some mossy, cl oi st er ed gl en,

Wher e si l ence, ver y st i l l and deep,

Seemed f al l en i n enchant ed sl eep.

43

But Twi l i ght ever l ed me on,

As l over s wal k, unt i l we came

To hi l l s wher e sunset ' s shaken f l ame

Had pal ed t o ashes dead and wan;

And t her e, wi t h f oot st eps st ol en- l i ght

She l ef t me t o t he l ur e of ni ght .

44

COME, REST AWHI LE

Come, r est awhi l e, and l et us i dl y st r ay

I n gl i mmer i ng val l eys, cool and f ar away.

Come f r om t he gr eedy mar t , t he t r oubl ed st r eet ,

And l i st en t o t he musi c, f ai nt and sweet ,

That echoes ever t o a l i st eni ng ear ,

Unhear d by t hose who wi l l not pause t o hear

The waywar d chi mes of memor y' s pensi ve bel l s,

Wi nd- bl own o' er mi st y hi l l s and cur t ai ned del l s.

One st ep asi de and dewy buds uncl ose

The sweet ness of t he vi ol et and t he r ose ;

Song and r omance st i l l l i nger i n t he gr een,

Embl ossomed ways by you so sel dom seen,

And near at hand, woul d you but see t hem, l i e

Al l l ovel y t hi ngs bel oved i n days gone by.

You have f or got t en what i t i s t o smi l e

I n your t oo busy l i f e come, r est awhi l e.

Page 25 of 88

45

AN APRI L NI GHT

The moon comes up o' er t he deeps of t he woods,

And t he l ong, l ow di ngl es t hat hi de i n t he hi l l s,

Wher e t he anci ent beeches ar e moi st wi t h buds

Over t he pool s and t he whi mper i ng r i l l s;

And wi t h her t he mi st s, l i ke dr yads t hat cr eep

Fr om t hei r oaks, or t he spi r i t s of pi ne- hi d spr i ngs,

Who hol d, whi l e t he eyes of t he wor l d ar e asl eep,

Wi t h t he wi nd on t he hi l l s t hei r gay r evel l i ngs.

Down on t he mar shl ands wi t h f l i cker and gl ow

Wander s Wi l l - o' - t he- Wi sp t hr ough t he ni ght ,

Seeki ng f or wi t ch- gol d l ost l ong ago

By t he gl i mmer of gobl i n l ant er n- l i ght .

The ni ght i s a sor cer ess, dusk- eyed and dear ,

Aki n t o al l eer i e and el f i n t hi ngs,

Who weaves about us i n meadow and mer e

The spel l of a hundr ed vani shed Spr i ngs.

46

RAI N ON THE HI LL

Now on t he hi l l

The f i t f ul wi nd i s so st i l l

That never a wi mpl i ng mi st upl i f t s,

Nor a t r embl i ng l eaf dr op- l aden st i r s;

Fr om t he anci ent f i r s

Ar oma of bal sam dr i f t s,

And t he si l ent pl aces ar e f i l l ed

Wi t h el usi ve odor s di st i l l ed

By t he r ai n f r om ast er s empear l ed and f r i l l ed,

And a wi l d wet savor t hat dwel l s

Far adown i n t awny f al l ows and br acken del l s.

Then wi t h a r ush,

Page 26 of 88

Br eaki ng t he beaut i f ul hush

Wher e t he onl y sound was t he l i spi ng, l ow

Conver se of r ai ndr ops, or t he dear sound

Cl ose t o t he gr ound,

That gr asses make when t hey gr ow,

Comes t he wi nd i n a gay,

Rol l i cki ng, t ur bul ent way,

To wi nnow each bough and t oss each spr ay,

Pi pi ng and whi st l i ng i n gl ee

Wi t h t he vi br ant not es of a mer r y mi nst r el sy.

47

The f r i endl y r ai n

Si ngs many a haunt i ng st r ai n,

Now of gl adness and now of dol e,

Anon of t he gl amor and t he dr eam

That ever seem

To wai t on a pi l gr i m soul ;

Yea, we can hear

The gr i ef of an el der year ,

And l aught er hal f - f or got t en and dear ;

I n t he wi nd and t he r ai n we f i nd

Fel l owshi p meet f or each change of mood or mi nd.

48

FOR LI TTLE THI NGS

Last ni ght I l ooked acr oss t he hi l l s

And t hr ough an ar ch of dar kl i ng pi ne

Low- swung agai nst a l i mpi d west

I saw a young moon shi ne.

And as I gazed t her e bl ew a wi nd,

Page 27 of 88

Loosed wher e t he syl van shadows st i r ,

Br i ngi ng del i ght t o soul and sense

The br eat h of dyi ng f i r .

Thi s mor n I saw a danci ng host

Of poppi es i n a gar den way,

And st r ai ght my hear t was mi r t h- possessed

And I was gl ad as t hey.

I hear d a song acr oss t he sea

As sweet and f ai nt as echoes ar e,

And gl i mpsed a poi gnant happi ness

No car e of ear t h mi ght mar .

Dear God, our l i f e i s beaut i f ul

I n ever y spl endi d gi f t i t br i ngs,

But most I t hank Thee humbl y f or

The j oy of l i t t l e t hi ngs.

49

SPRI NG SONG

Har k, I hear a r obi n cal l i ng!

Li st , t he wi nd i s f r om t he sout h !

And t he or char d- bl oom i s f al l i ng

Sweet as ki sses on t he mout h.

I n t he dr eamy val e of beeches

Fai r and f ai nt i s woven mi st ,

And t he r i ver ' s or i ent r eaches

Ar e t he pal est amet hyst .

Ever y l i mpi d br ook i s si ngi ng

Of t he l ur e of Apr i l days;

Ever y pi ney gl en i s r i ngi ng

Wi t h t he maddest r oundel ays.

Come and l et us seek t oget her

Spr i ngt i me l or e of daf f odi l s,

Gi vi ng t o t he gol den weat her

Gr eet i ng on t he sun- war m hi l l s.

Our s shal l be t he moonr i se st eal i ng

Thr ough t he bi r ches i vor y- whi t e;

Our s shal l be t he myst i c heal i ng

Of t he vel vet - f oot ed ni ght .

Page 28 of 88

Our s shal l be t he gypsy wi ndi ng

Of t he pat h wi t h vi ol et s bl ue,

Our s at l ast t he wi zar d f i ndi ng

Of t he l and wher e dr eams come t r ue.

50

A DAY OFF

Let us put awhi l e away

Al l t he car es of wor k- a- day,

For a gol den t i me f or get ,

Task and wor r y, t oi l and f r et ,

Let us t ake a day t o dr eam

I n t he meadow by t he st r eam.

We may l i e i n gr asses cool

Fr i ngi ng a pel l uci d pool ,

We may l ear n t he gay br ook- r unes

Sung on amber af t er noons,

And t he keen wi nd- r hyme t hat f i l l s

Mossy hol l ows of t he hi l l s.

Wher e t he wi l d- wood whi sper st i r s

We may t al k wi t h l i spi ng f i r s,

We may gat her honeyed bl ooms

I n t he dappl ed f or est gl ooms,

We may eat of ber r i es r ed

O' er t he emer al d upl and spr ead.

We may l i nger as we wi l l

I n t he sunset val l eys st i l l ,

Ti l l t he gypsy shadows cr eep

Fr om t he st ar l i t l and of sl eep,

And t he mi st of eveni ng gr ay

Gi r dl es r ound our pi l gr i m way.

51

We may br i ng t o wor k agai n

Cour age f r om t he t assel l ed gl en,

Br i ng a st r engt h unf ai l i ng won

Fr om t he pat hs of cl oud and sun,

And t he whol esome zest t hat spr i ngs

Fr om al l happy, gr owi ng t hi ngs.

Page 29 of 88

52

THE WI ND

O, wi nd ! what saw you i n t he Sout h,

I n l i l i ed meadows f ai r and f ar ?

I saw a l over ki ss hi s l ass

New- won beneat h t he eveni ng st ar .

O, wi nd! what saw you i n t he West

Of passi ng sweet t hat wooed your st ay?

I saw a mot her kneel i ng by

The cr adl e wher e her f i r st - bor n l ay.

O, wi nd! what saw you i n t he Nor t h

That you shal l dr eam of ever mor e?

I saw a mai den keepi ng t r yst

Upon a gr ay and haunt ed shor e.

O, wi nd! what saw you i n t he East

That st i l l of anci ent dol e you cr oon?

I saw a wan wr eck on t he waves

And a dead f ace beneat h t he moon.

53

THE WOOD POOL

Her e i s a voi ce t hat soundet h l ow and f ar

And l yr i c voi ce of wi nd among t he pi nes,

Wher e t he unt r oubl ed, gl i mmer i ng wat er s ar e,

And sunl i ght sel dom shi nes.

El usi ve shadows l i nger shyl y her e,

And wood- f l ower s bl ow, l i ke pal e, sweet spi r i t -

bl oom,

And whi t e, sl i m bi r ches whi sper , mi r r or ed cl ear

I n t he pool ' s l ucent gl oom.

Her e Pan mi ght pi pe, or wander i ng dr yad kneel

To vi ew her l ovel i ness besi de t he br i m,

Or l aughi ng wood- nymphs f r om t he byways st eal

To dance ar ound i t s r i m.

Page 30 of 88

' Ti s such a wi t chi ng spot as mi ght beseem

A seeker f or young f r i endshi p' s t r yst i ng pl ace,

Or l over yi el di ng t o t he i mmor t al dr eam

Of one bel oved f ace.

54

DOWN STREAM

Comr ades, up! Let us r ow down st r eam i n t hi s f i r st

r ar e dawnl i ght ,

Whi l e f ar i n t he cl ear nor t h- west t he l at e moon

whi t ens and wanes;

Bef or e us t he sun wi l l r i se, deep- pur pl i ng headl and and

i sl et ,

I t i s wel l t o meet hi m t hus, wi t h t he l i f e ast i r i n our

vei ns !

The wakeni ng bi r ds wi l l si ng f or us i n t he woods wi nd-

shaken,

And t he sol i t ude of t he hi l l s wi l l be br oken by hymns

t o t he l i ght ,

As we sweep past dr owsi ng haml et s, st i l l f eat her ed by

dr eams of sl umber ,

And l eave behi nd us t he shadows t hat f el l wi t h t he

f al l i ng of ni ght .

The young day' s st r engt h i s our s i n si new and t hew

and muscl e,

We ar e f i l l ed and t hr i l l ed wi t h t he spi r i t t hat dwel l s

i n t he wast e and wol d,

Gl amor of wi nd and wat er , char m of t he wi l der ness-

es

Oh, t he dear j oy of i t , gr eat er t han human hear t s

can hol d!

55

Whi l e t he wor l d' s t i r ed chi l dr en sl eep we bend t o our

oar s wi t h f aces

Set i n our eager gl adness t owar ds t he mor ni ng' s

gat e;

Lo, ' t i s t he sweet of t he day! On, comr ades mi ne, f or

beyond us

Al l i t s dower of beaut y, i t s gl or y and wonder . wai t .

56

ECHO DELL

Page 31 of 88

I n a l one val l ey f ai r and f ar ,

Wher e many sweet begui l ement s ar e,

I know a spot t o l ag and dr eam

Thr ough damask mor ns and noons agl eam;

For f eet f al l l i ght l y on t he f er n

And t wi l i ght i s a wondr ous t hi ng,

When t he wi nds bl ow f r om some f ar bour ne

Beyond t he hi l l r i ms west er i ng;

Ther e echoes r i ng as i f a t hr ong

Of f ai r i es hi d f r om mor t al eyes

Sent l aught er back i n spi r i t gui se

And song as t he pur e soul of song;

Oh, ' t i s a spot t o l ove r i ght wel l ,

Thi s l onel y, wi t chi ng Echo Del l !

Even t he wi nds an echo know,

El usi ve, f ai nt , such as mi ght bl ow

Fr om wander i ng el f - l and bugl es f ar ,

Beneat h an occi dent al st ar ;

And I have t hought t he bl ue bel l s l ent

A subt l e musi c t o my ear ,

And t hat t he pal e wi l d r oses bent

To har ken sounds I mi ght not hear .

The t assel l ed f i r t r ees sof t l y cr oon

The f abl ed l or e of el der days.

And t hr ough t he shi mmer i ng east er n haze

Fl oat s sl owl y up t he mel l ow moon;

Come, hear t o' mi ne, f or l ove must dwel l

I n whi sper i ng, wi t chi ng Echo Del l .

57

THE ROVERS

Over t he f i el ds we go. t hr ough t he sweet s of t he pur pl e

cl over ,

Page 32 of 88

That l et t er s a message f or us as f or ever y vagr ant

r over ;

Bef or e us t he del l s ar e abl oom, and a l eapi ng br ook

cal l s af t er ,

Feel i ng i t s ki nshi p wi t h us i n l or e of dr eams and l augh-

t er .

Out of t he val l eys of moonl i ght el f i n voi ces ar e cal l i ng ;

Down f r om t he mi st y hi l l s f ai nt , f ar gr eet i ngs ar e

f al l i ng ;

Whi sper t he gr asses t o us, mur mur i ng gl eef ul and ai r y,

Knowi ng us pi xy- l ed, seeki ng t he haunt s of f aer y.

The wi nd i s our j oyf ul comr ade wher ever our f r ee

f eet wander ,

Over t he t awny wol ds t o t he mer es and meadows yon-

der ;

The mi l d- eyed st ar s go wi t h us, or t he r ai n so swi f t l y

f l yi ng,

Raci ng us over t he wast es wher e t he heml ocks and

pi nes ar e si ghi ng.

58

Acr oss t he upl and di m, down t hr ough t he beckoni ng

hol l ow

Oh, we go t oo f ar and f ast f or t he f eet of car e t o

f ol l ow !

The gypsy f i r e i n our hear t s f or t he wi l der ness wi de

and l ur i ng;

Ot her l oves may f ai l but t hi s i s gr eat and endur i ng.

Ot her del i ght s may pal l but t he j oy of t he open never ;

The char m of t he si l ent pl aces must wi n and hol d us

f or ever ;

Bondage of wal l s we l eave wi t h never a gl ance be-

hi nd us.

Under t he l ucent sky t he del i ght s of t he r over shal l f i nd

us.

59

AMONG THE PI NES

Page 33 of 88

Her e l et us l i nger at wi l l and del i ght somel y hear ken

Musi c aeol i an of wi nd i n t he boughs of pi ne,

Ti mbr el of f al l i ng wat er s, sounds al l sof t and sonor ous,

Wor shi pf ul l i t ani es sung at a banner ed shr i ne.

Deep l et us br eat he t he r i peness and savor of bal sam,

Tear s t hat t he pi nes have wept i n sor r ow sweet ,

Wi t h i t s ar oma comes begui l ement of t hi ngs f or got -

t en,

Long- past hopes of t he year s on t i p- t oei ng f eet .

Far i n t he boski est gl en of t hi s wood i s a dr eam and

a si l ence

Come, we shal l cl ai m t hem our s er e l ook we l ong ;

A dr eam t hat we dr eamed and l ost , a si l ence r i chl y

hear t ed,

Deep at i t s l yr i c cor e wi t h t he soul of a song.

I f t her e be st or m, i t wi l l t hunder a mar ch i n t he

br anches,

So t hat our f eet may keep t r ue t i me as we go ;

I f t her e be r ai n, i t wi l l l augh, i t wi l l gl i st en, and beckon,

Cal l i ng t o us as a f r i end al l l i ght l y and l ow.

60

I f i t be ni ght , t he moonl i ght wi l l wander wi nsomel y

wi t h us,

I f i t be hour of dawn, al l heaven wi l l bl oom,

I f i t be sunset , i t ' s gl ow wi l l enf ol d and pur sue us.

To t he r emot est val l ey of pur pl e gl oom.

Lo ! t he pi ne wood i s a t empl e wher e t he days meet t o

wor shi p,

Layi ng t hei r car k and car e f or t he nonce asi de,

God, who made i t , keeps i t as a wi t ness t o Hi m f or -

ever ,

Wal ki ng i n i t , as a gar den, at event i de.

61

A DAY I N THE OPEN

Ho, a day

Wher eon we may up and away,

Wi t h a f et t er l ess wi nd t hat i s out on t he downs,

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And t her e pi pi ng a cal l t o t he f al l ow and shor e,

Wher e t he sea ever mor e

Sur get h over t he gr ay r eef , and dr owns

The f i er ce r ocks wi t h whi t e f oam;

I t i s our s wi t h unt i r ed f eet t o r oam

Wher e t he pi nes i n gr een gl oom of wi de val es make

t hei r mur mur i ng home,

Or t he pool s t hat t he sunl i ght hat h ki ssed

Mi r r or back a bl ue sky t hat i s wi nnowed of cl oud and

of mi st !

Ho, a day

Wher eon we may up and away

Thr ough t he or i ent di st ances hazy and pi ed,

Hand i n hand wi t h t he gypsyi ng br eezes t hat bl ow

Her e and t her e, t o and f r o,

O' er t he meadows al l r osy and wi de,

Wher e a l yr i c of f l ower s

I s sweet - sung t o t he f r ol i cki ng hour s,

And t he mer r y buds l et t er t he f oot - st eps of t i p- t oei ng

shower s ;

We may cl i mb wher e t he st eep i s beset

Wi t h a t ur bul ent wat er f al l , l ovi ng t o cl amor and f r et !

62

Ho, a day

Wher eon we may up and away

To t he year t hat i s hol di ng her cup of wi l d wi ne;

I f we dr i nk we shal l be as t he gods of t he wol d

I n t he bl i t he days of ol d

El at e wi t h a l aught er di vi ne;

Yea, and t hen we shal l know'

The r ar e magi c of sol i t ude so

We shal l never mor e wi sh i t s del i ght and i t s dr eams t o

Page 35 of 88

f or ego,

And our bl ood wi l l upst i r and upl eap

Wi t h a f el l owshi p spl endi d, a gl adness i mpassi oned

and deep !

63

MI DNI GHT I N CAMP

Ni ght i n t he unsl umber i ng f or est ! Fr om t he f r ee,

Vast pi nel ands by t he f oot of man unt r od,

Bl ows t he wi l d wi nd, r oami ng r ej oi ci ngl y

Thi s wi l der ness of God;

And t he t al l f i r s t hat al l day l ong have f l ung

Bal sami c odor s wher e t he sunshi ne bur ned,

Chant t o i t s har pi ng pr i mal epi cs l ear ned

When t hi s ol d wor l d was young.

Beyond t he l ake, whi t e, gi r dl i ng peaks upl i f t

Unt r oubl ed br ows t o vi r gi n ski es af ar ,

And o' er t he uncer t ai n wat er gl i mmer s dr i f t

Of f i t f ul cl oud and st ar .

Sur e never day such myst i c beaut y hel d

As syl van mi dni ght her e i n t hi s sur cease

Of t oi l , when t he ki nd dar kness gi ves us peace

Gar ner ed f r om year s of el d.

Lo! Hear ken t o t he mount ai n wat er f al l

Laughi ng adown i t s pat hway t o t he gl en

And near er , i n t he cedar s, t he l ow cal l

Of br ook t o br ook agai n;

Voi ces t hat gar i sh dayt i me may not know

Wander at wi l l al ong t he bosky st eeps,

And si l ent , si l ver - f oot ed moonl i ght cr eeps

Thr ough t he di m gl ades bel ow.

64

Oh, i t i s wel l t o waken wi t h t he woods

And f eel , as t hose who wai t wi t h God al one,

The f or est ' s hear t i n t hese r ar e sol i t udes

Beat i ng agai nst our own.

Cl ose- shut behi nd us ar e t he gat es of car e,

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Di vi ni t y enf ol ds us, pr one t o bl ess,

And our soul s kneel . Ni ght i n t he wi l der ness

I s one gr eat pr ayer .

65

THE HI LL MAPLES

Her e on a hi l l of t he Occi dent st and we shoul der t o

shoul der ,

Comr ades t r i ed and t r ue t hr ough a mi ght y swat h

of t he year s!

Spr i ng har ps gl ad l aught er t hr ough us, and mi ni st r ant

r ai ns of t he aut umn

Si ng us agai n t he songs of anci ent dol or and t ear s.

The gl or y of sunr i se smi t es on our f ai r , f r ee br ows

upl i f t ed

When t he si l ver - ki r t l ed day st eps over t he t wi l i ght ' s

bar s;

At eveni ng we l ook adown i nt o val l eys hear t ed wi t h

sunset ,

And we whi sper ol d l or e t oget her under t he smoul d-

er i ng st ar s.

Cr escent moons of t he summer gl eam t hr ough our

swayi ng br anches,

Knee- deep i n f er n we st and whi l e t he days of t he

sun- t i me go;

And t he wi nds of wi nt er l ove us t he keen, gay wi nds

of t he wi nt er ,

Comi ng t o our gr ay ar ms f r om over t he pl ai ns of

snow.

66

Down i n t he val l eys beneat h us i s wooi ng and wi nni ng

and weddi ng,

Down i n t he l ong, di m val l eys ear t h- chi l dr en wai l

and weep;

But her e on t hese f r ee hi l l s we gr ow and ar e st r ong

and f l our i sh,

Comr ades shoul der t o shoul der our wat ch of t he

year s t o keep.

67

A SUMMER DAY

I

The dawn l aughs out on or i ent hi l l s

Page 37 of 88

And dances wi t h t he di amond r i l l s ;

The ambr osi al wi nd but f ai nt l y st i r s

The si l ken, beaded gossamer s;

I n t he wi de val l eys, l one and f ai r ,

Lyr i cs ar e pi ped f r om l i mpi d ai r ,

And, f ar above, t he pi ne t r ees f r ee

Voi ce anci ent l or e of sky and sea.

Come, l et us f i l l our hear t s st r ai ght way

Wi t h hope and cour age of t he day.

I I

Noon, hi vi ng sweet s of sun and f l ower ,

Has f al l en on dr eams i n waysi de bower ,

Wher e bees hol d honeyed f el l owshi p

Wi t h t he r i pe bl ossom of her l i p;

Al l si l ent ar e her poppi ed val es

And al l her l ong Ar cadi an dal es,

Wher e i dl eness i s gat her ed up

A magi c dr aught i n summer ' s cup.

Come, l et us gi ve our sel ves t o dr eams

By l i spi ng mar gi ns of her st r eams.

68

I l l

Adown t he gol den sunset way

The eveni ng comes i n wi mpl e gr ay ;

By bur ni shed shor e and si l ver l ake

Cool wi nds of mi ni st r at i on wake;

O' er occi dent al meadows f ar

Ther e shi nes t he l i ght of moon and st ar ,

And sweet , l ow- t i nkl i ng musi c r i ngs

About t he l i ps of haunt ed spr i ngs.

I n qui et ude of ear t h and ai r

' Ti s meet we yi el d our soul s t o pr ayer .

69

SEPTEMBER

Lo! a r i pe sheaf of many gol den days

Gl eaned by t he year i n aut umn' s har vest ways,

Wi t h her e and t her e, bl ood- t i nt ed as an ember ,

Some cr i mson poppy of a l at e del i ght

At oni ng i n i t s spl endor f or t he f l i ght

Page 38 of 88

Of summer bl ooms and j oys

Thi s i s Sept ember .

70

I N LOVERS' LANE

I know a pl ace f or l oi t er i ng f eet

Deep i n t he val l ey wher e t he br eeze

Makes mel ody i n l i chened boughs,

And mur mur s l ow l ove- l i t ani es.

Ther e sl ender har ebel l s nod and dr eam,

And pal e wi l d r oses of f er up

The f r agr ance of t hei r gol den hear t s,

As f r om some i ncense- br i mmed cup.

I t hol ds t he sunshi ne si f t ed down

Sof t l y t hr ough many a beechen scr een,

Save wher e, by deeper woods embr aced,

Cool shadows l i nger , di m and gr een.

And t her e my l ove and I may wal k

And har ken t o t he l apsi ng f al l

Of unseen br ooks and t ender wi nds,

And wooi ng bi r ds t hat sweet l y cal l .

And ever y voi ce t o her wi l l say

What I r epeat i n dear r ef r ai n,

And eyes wi l l meet wi t h seeki ng eyes,

And hands wi l l cl asp i n Lover s' Lane.

71

Come, sweet - hear t , t hen, and we wi l l st r ay

Adown t hat val l ey, l i nger i ng l ong,

Unt i l t he r ose i s wet wi t h dew,

And r obi ns come t o evensong,

And woo each ot her , bor r owi ng speech

Of l ove f r om wi nds and br ooks and bi r ds,

Unt i l our sunder ed t hought s ar e one

And hear t s have no mor e need of wor ds.

72

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ON THE HI LLS

Thr ough t he pungent hour s of t he af t er noon,

On t he aut umn sl opes we have l i ght l y wander ed

Wher e t he sunshi ne l ay i n a gol den swoon

And t he l i nger i ng year al l i t s sweet ness squander ed.

Oh, i t was bl i t hesome t o r oam at wi l l

Over t he cr est of each west er i ng hi l l ,

Over t hose dr eamy, enchant ed l ands

Wher e t he t r ees hel d t o us t hei r f r i endl y hands !

Wi nds i n t he pi ne boughs sof t l y cr ooned,

Or i n t he gr asses compl ai ned most sweet l y,

Wi t h al l t he musi c of ear t h at t uned

I n t hi s dear r i pe t i me t hat must pass so f l eet l y:

Gol den r od as we i dl ed by

Hel d i t s t or ches of f l ame on hi gh,

And t he ast er s beckoned al ong our way

Li ke f ai r f i ne l adi es i n si l k ar r ay.

We passed by woods wher e t he day asi de

Knel t l i ke a pensi ve nun and t ender ,

We l ooked on val l eys of pur pl e pr i de

Wher e she r ei gned a queen i n her mi st y spl endor ;

But out on t he hi l l s she was wi l d and f r ee,

A comr ade t o wander r i ght gi psi l y,

Lur i ng us on over wast e and wol d

Wi t h t he char m of a message hal f sung, hal f t ol d,

73

And now, when f ar i n t he shi ni ng west

She has dr opped her f l ower s on t he sunset meadow,

We t ur n away f r om our wi t chi ng quest

To t he ki ndl y st ar shi ne and gat her i ng shadow;

Fi l l ed t o t he l i ps of our soul s ar e we

Wi t h t he beaut y gi ven so l avi shl y,

And hand i n hand wi t h t he ni ght we come

Back t o t he l i ght and t he hear t h of home.

Page 40 of 88

74

AN AUTUMN EVENI NG

Dar k hi l l s agai nst a hol l ow cr ocus sky

Scar f ed wi t h i t s cr i mson pennons, and bel ow

The dome of sunset l ong, hushed val l eys l i e

Cr adl i ng t he t wi l i ght , wher e t he l one wi nds bl ow

And wake among t he har ps of l eaf l ess t r ees

Fant ast i c r unes and mour nf ul mel odi es.

The chi l l y pur pl e ai r i s t hr eaded t hr ough

Wi t h si l ver f r om t he r i si ng moon af ar ,

And f r om a gul f of cl ear , unf at homed bl ue

I n t he sout hwest gl i mmer s a gr eat gol d st ar

Above t he dar keni ng dr ui d gl ens of f i r

Wher e beckoni ng boughs and el f i n voi ces st i r .

And so I wander t hr ough t he shadows st i l l ,

And l ook and l i st en wi t h a r apt del i ght ,

Pausi ng agai n and yet agai n at wi l l

To dr i nk t he el usi ve beaut y of t he ni ght ,

Unt i l my soul i s f i l l ed, as some deep cup,

That wi t h di vi ne enchant ment i s br i mmed up.

75

NOVEMBER EVENI NG

Come, f or t he dusk i s our own; l et us f ar e f or t h t o-

get her ,

Wi t h a qui et del i ght i n our hear t s f or t he r i pe, st i l l ,

aut umn weat her ,

Thr ough t he r ust l i ng val l ey and wood and over t he

cr i spi ng meadow,

Under a hi gh- spr ung sky, wi nnowed of mi st and

shadow.

Shar p i s t he f r ost y ai r , and t hr ough t he f ar hi l l - gaps

showi ng

Lucent sunset l akes of cr ocus and gr een ar e gl owi ng ;

' Ti s t he hour t o wal k at wi l l i n a waywar d, unf et t er ed

Page 41 of 88

r oami ng,

Car i ng f or naught save t he char m, el usi ve and swi f t ,

of t he gl oami ng.

Wat chf ul and st i r l ess t he f i el ds as i f not unki ndl y hol d-

i ng

Har vest ed j oys i n t hei r cl asp, and t o t hei r br oad bos -

oms f ol di ng

Baby hopes of a Spr i ng, t r ust ed t o mot her l y keepi ng,

Thus t o be cher i shed and happed t hr ough t he l ong

mont hs of t hei r sl eepi ng.

76

Si l ent t he woods ar e and gr ay; but t he f i r s t han ever

ar e gr eener ,

Ni pped by t he f r ost t i l l t he t ang of t hei r l oosened

bal sam i s keener ;

And one l i t t l e wi nd i n t hei r boughs, eer i l y swayi ng and

swi ngi ng,

Ver y sof t and l ow, l i ke a wander i ng mi nst r el i s si ng-

i ng.

Beaut i f ul i s t he year , but not as t he spr i ngl i ke mai den

Gar l anded wi t h her hopes r at her t he woman l aden

Wi t h weal t h of j oy and gr i ef , wor t hi l y won t hr ough

l i vi ng,

Wear i ng her sor r ow now l i ke a gar ment of pr ai se and

t hanksgi vi ng.

Gent l y t he dar k comes down over t he wi l d, f ai r pl aces,

The whi sper i ng gl ens i n t he hi l l s, t he open, st ar r y

spaces ;

Ri ch wi t h t he gi f t s of t he ni ght , sat ed wi t h quest i ng

and dr eami ng,

We t ur n t o t he dear est of pat hs wher e t he st ar of t he

homel i ght i s gl eami ng.

77

Page 42 of 88

OUT O' DOORS

Ther e' s a gypsy wi nd acr oss t he har vest l and,

Let us f ar e f or t h wi t h i t l i ght l y hand i n hand ;

Wher e cl oud shadows bl ow acr oss t he sunwar m wast e,

And t he f i r st r ed l eaves ar e f al l i ng l et us hast e,

For t he wani ng days ar e l avi sh of t hei r st or es,

And t he j oy of l i f e i s wi t h us out o' door s!

Let us r oam al ong t he ways of gol den r od

Over upl ands wher e t he spi cy br acken nod,

Thr ough t he wi l dwood wher e t he heml ock br anches

cr oon

Thei r r une- chant of el der days acr oss t he noon,

For t he mel l ow ai r i t s pungency out pour s,

And t he gl or y of t he year i s out o' door s !

Ther e' s a gr eat gr ay sea beyond us cal l i ng f ar ,

Ther e' s a bl ue t i de cur l i ng o' er t he har bor bar ;

Ho, t he br eeze t hat smi t es us sal t l y on t he l i ps

Whi st l es gai l y i n t he sai l s of out bound shi ps;

Let us send our t hought s wi t h t hem t o f abl ed shor es,

For t he pi l gr i m mood i s on us out o' door s !

Lo! t he wor l d' s r ej oi ci ng i n each spi r i t t hr i l l s,

St r engt h and gl adness ar e t o us upon t he hi l l s ;

We ar e one wi t h cr i mson bough and anci ent sea,

Hol di ng al l t he j oy of aut umn hour s i n f ee,

Hope wi t hi n us l i ke a quest i ng bi r d upsoar s,

And t her e' s r oom f or song and l aught er out o' door s.

78

I N THE DAYS OF THE GOLDEN ROD

Acr oss t he meadow i n br oodi ng shadow

I wal k t o dr i nk of t he aut umn' s wi ne

The char m of st or y, t he ar t i st ' s gl or y,

To- day on t hese si l ver i ng hi l l s i s mi ne;

On hei ght , i n hol l ow, wher e' er I f ol l ow,

By mel l ow hi l l si de and sear i ng sod,

I t s pl umes upl i f t i ng, i n l i ght wi nds dr i f t i ng,

I see t he gl i mmer of gol den- r od.

I n t hi s l at est comer t he vani shed summer

Has l ef t i t s sunshi ne t he wor l d t o cheer ,

And bi ds us r emember i n l at e Sept ember

What beaut y mat es wi t h t he passi ng year .

The days t hat ar e f l eet est ar e st i l l t he sweet est ,

And l i f e i s near t o t he hear t of God,

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And t he peace of heaven t o ear t h i s gi ven

I n t hi s wonder f ul t i me of t he gol den- r od.

79

A WI NTER DAY

The ai r i s si l ent save wher e st i r s

A bugl i ng br eeze among t he f i r s;

The vi r gi n wor l d i n whi t e ar r ay

Wai t s f or t he br i degr oom ki ss of day;

Al l heaven bl ooms r ar el y i n t he east

Wher e ski es ar e si l ver y and f l eeced,

And o' er t he or i ent hi l l s made gl ad

The mor ni ng comes i n wonder cl ad ;

Oh, ' t i s a t i me most f i t t o see

How beaut i f ul t he dawn can be!

I I

Wi de, spar kl i ng f i el ds snow- vest ur ed l i e

Beneat h a bl ue, unshadowed sky;

A gl i st eni ng spl endor cr owns t he woods

And bosky, whi st l i ng sol i t udes;

I n heml ock gl en and r eedy mer e

The t ang of f r ost i s shar p and cl ear ;

Li f e hat h a j ol l i t y and zest ,

A poi gnancy made mani f est ;

Laught er and cour age have t hei r way

At noont i de of a wi nt er ' s day.

80

I l l

Fai nt musi c r i ngs i n wol d and del l ,

The t i nkl i ng of a di st ant bel l ,

Wher e homest ead l i ght s wi t h f r i endl y gl ow

Gl i mmer acr oss t he dr i f t ed snow;

Beyond a val l ey di m and f ar

Li t by an occi dent al st ar ,

Tal l pi nes t he mar ge of day beset

Li ke many a sl ender mi nar et ,

Whence pr i est - l i ke wi nds on cr yst al ai r

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Summon t he r ever ent wor l d t o pr ayer .

81

6

TWI LI GHT

Fr om val es of dawn hat h Day pur sued t he Ni ght

Who mocki ng f l ed, swi f t - sandal l ed, t o t he west ,

Nor ever l i nger ed i n her waywar d f l i ght

Wi t h dusk- eyed gl ance t o r ecompense hi s quest ,

But over cr ocus hi l l s and meadows gr ay

Sped f l eet l y on her way.

Now when t he Day, shor n of hi s f ai l i ng st r engt h,

Hat h f al l en spent bef or e t he sunset bar s,

The f ai r , wi l d Ni ght , wi t h pi t y t ouched at l engt h,

Cr owned wi t h her chapl et of out - bl ossomi ng st ar s,

Cr eeps back r epent ant l y upon her way

To ki ss t he dyi ng Day.

82

THE CALL OF THE WI NDS

Ho, come out wi t h t he wi nd of spr i ng,

And st ep i t bl i t hel y i n woodl ands waki ng;

Fr i end am I of each gr owi ng t hi ng

Fr om t he gr ay sod i nt o sunshi ne br eaki ng;

Mi ne i s t he magi c of t wi l i ght s di m,

Of vi ol et s bl ue on t he st i l l pool ' s r i m,

Mi ne i s t he br eat h of t he bl ossoms young

Sweet est of f r agr ances st or i ed or sung

Come, ye ear t h- chi l dr en, wear y and wor n,

I wi l l l ead you over t he hi l l s of mor n.

Ho, come out wi t h t he summer wi nd,

And l oi t er i n meadows of r i peni ng cl over ,

Wher e t he pur pl e noons ar e l ong and ki nd,

And t he gr eat whi t e cl ouds dr i f t f l eeci l y over .

Mi ne i s i mmor t al mi nst r el sy,

The f el l owshi p of t he r ose and bee,

Begui l i ng l aught er of wi l l owed r i l l s,

The r ej oi ci ng of pi nes on i nl and hi l l s,

Come, ye ear t h- chi l dr en, by dal e and st r eam,

I wi l l l ead you i nt o t he ways of dr eam.

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Ho, when t he wi nd of aut umn r i ngs

Thr ough j ubi l ant mor ni ngs cr i sp and gol den,

Come wher e t he yel l ow woodl and f l i ngs

I t s hoar ded weal t h over by- ways ol den.

Mi ne ar e t he gr asses f r ost ed and ser e,

83

That l i sp and r ust l e ar ound t he mer e,

Mi ne ar e t he f l yi ng r acks t hat di m

The l i nger i ng sunset ' s r eddeni ng r i m,

Ear t h- chi l dr en, come, i n t he wani ng year ,

I wi l l har p you t o l aught er and buoyant cheer .

Ho, when t he wi nd of wi nt er bl ows

Over t he upl ands and moonl i t spaces,

Come ye out t o t he wast e of snows,

To t he gl i mmer i ng f i el ds and t he si l ent pl aces.

I whi st l e gai l y on st ar r y ni ght s

Thr ough t he ar ch of t he el f i n nor t her n l i ght s,

But i n l ong whi t e val l eys I pause t o har k

Wher e t he r i ng of t he home- l i ght s gems t he dar k.

Come, ye ear t h- chi l dr en, whose hear t s ar e sad,

I wi l l make you val i ant and st r ong and gl ad !

84

A WI NTER DAWN

Above t he mar ge of ni ght a st ar st i l l shi nes,

And on t he f r ost y hi l l s t he sombr e pi nes

Har bor an eer i e wi nd t hat cr oonet h l ow

Over t he gl i mmer i ng wast es of vi r gi n snow.

Thr ough t he pal e ar ch of or i ent t he mor n

Comes i n a mi l k- whi t e spl endor newl y- bor n,

A swor d of cr i mson cut s i n t wai n t he gr ay

Banner s of shadow host s, and l o, t he day !

85

THE FOREST PATH

Oh, t he char m of i dl e dr eami ng

Wher e t he dappl ed shadows dance,

Al l t he l eaf y ai sl es ar e t eemi ng

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Wi t h t he l ur e of ol d r omance!

Down i nt o t he f or est di ppi ng,

Deep and deeper as we go,

One mi ght f ancy dr yads sl i ppi ng

Wher e t he whi t e- st emmed bi r ches gr ow.

Lur ki ng gnome and f r eaki sh f ai r y

I n t he f er n may peep and hi de . . .

Sur e t hei r whi sper s l ow and ai r y

Ri ng us i n on ever y si de!

Saw you wher e t he pi nes ar e r ocki ng

Nymph' s whi t e shoul der as she r an?

Lo, t hat musi c f ai nt and mocki ng,

I s i t not a pi pe of Pan?

Hear you t hat el usi ve l aught er

Of t he hi dden wat er f al l ?

Nay, a sat yr speedi ng af t er

I vy- cr owned bacchanal .

Far and f ar t her as we wander

Sweet er shal l our r oami ng be,

Come, f or di m and wi nsome yonder

Li es t he pat h t o Ar cady!

86

AT NI GHTFALL

The dar k i s comi ng o' er t he wor l d, my pl aymat e,

And t he f i el ds wher e popl ar s st and ar e ver y st i l l ,

Al l our gr oves of gr een del i ght have been i nvaded,

Ther e ar e voi ces qui t e unknown upon t he hi l l ;

The wi nd has gr own t oo wear y f or a comr ade,

I t i s keeni ng i n t he r ushes spent and l ow,

Let us j oi n our hands and hast en ver y sof t l y

To t he l i t t l e, ol den, f r i endl y pat h we know.

The st ar s ar e l aughi ng at us, O, my pl aymat e,

Ver y, ver y f ar away i n l onel y ski es,

The t r ees t hat wer e our f r i ends ar e st r anger s t o us,

And t he f er n i s f ul l of whi sper s and of si ghs.

The sounds we hear ar e not what we may shar e i n,

We may not l i nger wher e t he whi t e mot hs r oam,

Page 47 of 88

We must hast en yet mor e swi f t l y, l i t t l e pl aymat e,

To t he house among t he pi nes t hat i s our home.

The dar k i s cr eepi ng cl oser yet , my pl aymat e,

And t he woods seem cr owdi ng near er as we go,

Oh, how ver y, ver y bol d have gr own t he shadows,

They may t ouch us as t hey f l ut t er t o and f r o!

The si l ence i s t oo dr eadf ul f or our l aught er ,

The ni ght i s ver y f ul l of st r ange al ar ms,

But i t cannot hur t us now, O, l i t t l e pl aymat e,

One mor e st ep and we ar e saf e i n mot her ' s ar ms !

87

THE TRUCE O' NI GHT

Lo, i t i s dar k,

Save f or t he cr yst al spar k

Of a vi r gi n st ar o' er t he pur pl i ng l ea,

Or t he f i ne, keen, si l ver y gr ace of a young

Moon t hat i s hung

O' er t he pr i est - l i ke f i r s by t he sea ;

Lo, i t i s st i l l ,

Save f or t he wi nd of t he hi l l ,

And t he l ur i ng, pr i meval sounds t hat f i l l

The moi st and scent ed ai r

' Ti s t he t r uce o' ni ght , away wi t h unr est and car e !

Now we may f or get

Love' s f ever and hat e' s f r et ,

For get t o- mor r ow and yest er day;

And t he hopes we bur i ed i n musky gl oom

Wi l l come out of t hei r t omb,

War m and poi gnant and gay;

We may wander wi de,

Wi t h onl y a wi sh f or a gui de,

By heat h and pool wher e t he Li t t l e Fol k bi de,

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We may shar e i n f ai r y mi r t h,

And par t ake once mor e i n t he happy t hought s of ear t h.

88

Lo, we may r est

Her e on her cr adl i ng br east

I n t he wonder f ul t i me of t he t r uce o' ni ght ,

And sweet t hi ngs t hat happened l ong ago,

Sof t l y and sl ow,

Wi l l cr eep back t o us i n del i ght ;

And our dr eams may be

Compact of young mel ody,

Just such as under t he Eden Tr ee,

' Mi d t he ser aphi m' s l ul l abi es,

Eve' s mi ght have been er e bani shed f r om Par adi se.

39

MI SCELLANEOUS

91

TO MY ENEMY

Let t hose who wi l l of f r i endshi p si ng,

And t o i t s guer don gr at ef ul be,

But I a l yr i c gar l and br i ng

To cr own t hee, O, mi ne enemy!

Thanks, endl ess t hanks, t o t hee I owe

For t hat my l i f el ong j our ney t hr ough

Thi ne honest hat e has done f or me

What l ove per chance had f ai l ed t o do.

I had not scal ed such wear y hei ght s

But t hat I hel d t hy scor n i n f ear ,

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And never keenest l ur e mi ght mat ch

The subt l e goadi ng of t hy sneer .

Thi ne anger st r uck f r om me a f i r e

That pur ged al l dul l cont ent away,

Our mor t al st r i f e t o me has been

Unf l aggi ng spur f r om day t o day.

And t hus, whi l e al l t he wor l d may l aud

The gi f t s of l ove and l oyal t y,

I l ay my meed of gr at i t ude

Bef or e t hy f eet , mi ne enemy!

93

AS THE HEART HOPES

I t i s a year dear one, si nce you af ar

Went out beyond my year ni ng mor t al si ght

A wondr ous year ! per chance i n many a st ar

You have soj our ned, or basked wi t hi n t he l i ght

Of mi ght i er suns; i t may be you have t r od

The gl i t t er i ng pat hways of t he Pl ei ades,

And t hr ough t he Mi l ky Way' s whi t e myst er i es

Have wal ked at wi l l , f i r e- shod.

You may have gazed i n t he i mmor t al eyes

Of pr ophet s and of mar t yr s ; t al ked wi t h seer s

Lear ned i n al l t he l or e of Par adi se,

The i nf i ni t e wi sdom of et er nal year s;

To you t he Sons of Mor ni ng may have sung,

The i mpassi oned st r ophes of t hei r mat i n hymn,

For you t he choi r s of t he ser aphi m

Thei r har pi ngs wi l d out - f l ung.

But st i l l I t hi nk at eve you come t o me

For ol d, del i ght some speech of eye and l i p,

Deemi ng our mut ual conver se t hus t o be

Fai r er t han ar changel i c comr adeshi p;

Dear er our cl ose communi ngs f ondl y gi ven

Than al l t he r ai nbow dr eams a spi r i t knows,

Sweet er my gat her ed vi ol et s t han t he r ose

Upon t he hi l l s of heaven.

Page 50 of 88

94

Can any exqui si t e, unear t hl y mor n,

Si l ver l y br eaki ng o' er a st ar r y pl ai n,

Gi ve t o your soul t he poi gnant pl easur e bor n

Of vi r gi n moon and sunset ' s l ust r ous st ai n

When we t oget her wat ch t hem? Oh, apar t

A hundr ed uni ver ses you may r oam,

But st i l l I know I know your onl y home

I s her e wi t hi n my hear t !

95

TWO LOVES

One sai d; " Lo, I woul d wal k hand- cl asped wi t h t hee

Adown t he ways of j oy and sunl i t sl opes

Of ear t hl y song i n happi est vagr ancy

To pl uck t he bl ossom of a t housand hopes.

Let us t oget her dr ai n t he wi de wor l d' s cup

Wi t h gl adness br i mmed up ! "

And one sai d, " I woul d pr ay t o go wi t h t hee

When sor r ow cl ai ms t hee; I woul d f ence t hy hear t

Wi t h mi ne agai nst al l angui sh; I woul d be

The comf or t er and heal er of t hy smar t ;

And I woul d count i t al l t he wi de wor l d' s gai n

To spar e or shar e t hy pai n! "

96

THE CHRI STMAS NI GHT

Wr apped was t he wor l d i n sl umber deep,

By seawar d val l ey and cedar n st eep,

And br i ght and bl est wer e t he dr eams of i t s sl eep;

Al l t he hour s of t hat wonder f ul ni ght - t i de t hr ough

The st ar s out bl ossomed i n f i el ds of bl ue,

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A heavenl y chapl et , t o di adem

The Ki ng i n t he manger of Bet hl ehem.

Out on t he hi l l s t he shepher ds l ay,

Wakef ul , t hat never a l amb mi ght st r ay,

Humbl e and cl ean of hear t wer e t hey;

Thus i t was gi ven t hem t o hear

Mar vel l ous har pi ngs st r ange and cl ear ,

Thus i t was gi ven t hem t o see

The her al ds of t he nat i vi t y.

I n t he di m- l i t st abl e t he mot her mi l d

Looked wi t h hol y eyes on her chi l d,

Cr adl ed hi m cl ose t o her hear t and smi l ed ;

Ki ngl y pur pl e nor cr own had he,

Never a t r appi ng of r oyal t y ;

But Mar y saw t hat t he baby' s head

Wi t h a sl ender ni mbus was gar l anded.

97

Speechl ess her j oy as she wat ched hi m t her e,

For get f ul of pai n and gr i ef and car e,

And ever y t hought i n her soul was a pr ayer ;

Whi l e under t he dome of t he deser t sky

The Ki ngs of t he East f r om af ar dr ew ni gh,

And t he gr eat whi t e st ar t hat was gui de t o t hem

Kept war d o' er t he manger of Bet hl ehem.

98

I N AN OLD FARMHOUSE

Out si de t he af t er l i ght ' s l ucent r ose

I s smi t i ng t he hi l l s and br i mmi ng t he val l eys,

And shadows ar e st eal i ng acr oss t he snows;

Fr om t he myst i c gl oom of t he pi nel and al l eys.

Gl amour of mi ngl ed ni ght and day

Over t he wi de, whi t e wor l d has sway,

And t hr ough t hei r pr i soni ng azur e bar s,

Gaze t he cal m, col d eyes of t he ear l y st ar s.

But her e, i n t hi s l ong, l ow- r af t er ed r oom,

Wher e t he bl ood- r ed l i ght i s cr ouchi ng and l eapi ng,

The f i r e t hat col or s t he hear t of t he gl oom

The l ost sunshi ne of ol d summer s i s keepi ng

The weal t h of f or est s t hat hel d i n f ee

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Many a season' s r ar e al chemy,

And t he gl ow and gl adness wi t hout a name

That dwel l s i n t he deeps of unst i nt ed f l ame.

Gat her we now r ound t he opul ent bl aze

Wi t h t he f ace t hat l oves and t he hear t t hat r ej oi ces,

Dr eam we once mor e of t he ol d- t i me days,

Li st en once mor e t o t he ol d- t i me voi ces!

Fr om t he cl ut ch of t he ci t i es and pat hs of t he sea

We have come agai n t o our own r oof - t r ee,

And f or get t i ng t he l oves of t he st r anger l ands

We year n f or t he cl asp of our ki ndr ed' s hands.

99

Ther e ar e t al es t o t el l , t her e ar e t ear s t o shed,

Ther e ar e chi l dr en' s f l ower - f aces and women' s sweet

l aught er ;

Ther e' s a chai r l ef t vacant f or one who i s dead

Wher e t he f i r el i ght cr i msons t he anci ent r af t er ;

What r eck we of t he wor l d t hat wai t s

Wi t h car e and cl amor beyond our gat es,

We, wi t h our own, i n t hi s wi t chi ng l i ght ,

Who keep our t r yst wi t h t he past t o- ni ght ?

Ho! how t he el f - f l ames l augh i n gl ee!

Cl oser yet l et us dr aw t oget her ,

Hol di ng our r evel of memor y

I n t he gui l i ng t wi l i ght of wi nt er weat her ;

Out on t he wast e t he wi nd i s chi l l ,

And t he moon swi ngs l ow o' er t he west er n hi l l ,

But ol d hat es di e and ol d l oves bur n hi gher

Wi t h t he wane and f l ash of t he f ar mhouse f i r e.

100

A REQUEST

When I am dead

I woul d t hat ye make my bed

On t hat l ow- l yi ng, wi ndy wast e by t he sea,

Wher e t he si l ver y gr asses r ust l e and l i sp ;

Ther e, wher e t he cr i sp

Foam- f l akes shal l f l y over me,

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And mur mur s cr eep

Fr om t he anci ent hear t of t he deep,

Lul l i ng me ever , I shal l most sweet l y sl eep.

Whi l e t he eer i e sea- f ol k cr oon

On t he l ong di m shor e by t he l i ght of a wani ng moon.

I shal l not hear

Cl amor of young l i f e anear ,

Voi ces of gl adness t o st i r an unr est ;

Onl y t he wander i ng mi st s of t he sea

Shal l compani on me ;

Onl y t he wi nd i n i t s quest

Shal l come wher e I l i e,

Or t he r ai n f r om t he br oodi ng sky

Wi t h f ur t i ve f oot st ep shal l pass me by,

And never a dr eam of t he ear t h

Shal l br eak on my sl umber wi t h l ur e of an out - l i ved

mi r t h.

101

MEMORY PI CTURES

I

A wi de- spr i ng meadow i n a r osy dawn

Bedr opt wi t h vi r gi n buds; an or i ent sky

Fl eeced wi t h a dappl ed cl oud but hal f wi t hdr awn;

A mad wi nd bl owi ng by,

O' er sl opes of r i ppl i ng gr ass and gl ens apar t ;

A br ackened pat h t o a wi l d- woodl and pl ace

A l i mpi d pool wi t h a f ai r , l aughi ng f ace

Mi r r or ed wi t hi n i t s hear t .

I I

An anci ent gar den br i mmed wi t h summer sun

Upon a st i l l and sl umber ous af t er noon;

Ol d wal ks and pl easances wi t h shadows spun

Wher e honeyed odor s swoon;

A vel vet t ur f wi t h bl ossoms gar l anded;

A hedge of Mar y- l i l i es whi t e and t al l ;

And, shi ni ng out agai nst a l i chened wal l ,

A st at el y- gol den head.

I l l

An aut umn hi l l t op i n t he sunset hue,

Page 54 of 88

Pi ne boughs upt ossed agai nst t he cr yst al west ,

And, gi r dl ed wi t h t he t wi l i ght di m and bl ue,

A val l ey peace- possessed;

A hi gh- spr ung heaven st ai ned wi t h col or s r ar e,

A sheen of moonr i se on t he sea af ar ,

And, br i ght and sof t as any gl i mmer i ng st ar ,

Eyes hol y as a pr ayer .

102

DOWN HOME

Down home t o- ni ght t he moonshi ne f al l s

Acr oss a hi l l wi t h dai si es pi ed,

The pear t r ee by t he gar den gat e

Beckons wi t h whi t e ar ms l i ke a br i de.

A savor as of t r ampl ed f er n

Al ong t he whi sper i ng meadow st i r s,

And, beacon of i mmor t al l ove,

A l i ght i s shi ni ng t hr ough t he f i r s.

To my ol d gabl e wi ndow cr eeps

The ni ght wi nd wi t h a si gh and song,

And, weavi ng anci ent sor cer i es,

Ther et o t he gl eef ul moonbeams t hr ong.

Besi de t he open ki t chen door

My mot her st ands al l l ovi ngl y,

And o' er t he pat hways of t he dar k

She sends a year ni ng t hought t o me.

I t seeks and f i nds my answer i ng hear t

Whi ch shal l no mor e be peace- possessed

Unt i l I r each her empt y ar ms

And l ay my head upon her br east .

103

THE CHOI CE

Li f e, come t o me i n no pal e gui se and ashen,

I car e not f or t hee i n such pl aci d f ashi on!

Page 55 of 88

I woul d shar e wi del y, Li f e,

I n al l t hy j oy and st r i f e,

Woul d sound t hy deeps and r each t hy hi ghest passi on,

Wi t h t hy del i ght and wi t h t hy suf f er i ng r i f e.

Whet her I bi de wi t h t hee i n cot or pal ace,

I woul d dr i nk deepl y, Li f e, of t hy gr eat chal i ce,

Even t o i t s bi t t er l ees

Yea, shr i nki ng not f r om t hese,

Si nce out of bi t t er ness come st r engt h and sol ace

And wi sdom i s not won i n sl umber ous ease.

Wan peace, uncol or ed days, wer e a poor f avor ;

To l ack gr eat pai n and l ove wer e t o l ack savor .

Li f e, t ake t he hear t of me

And f i l l i t br i mmi ngl y,

No mat t er wi t h what poi gnant br ew or f l avor ,

So t hat i t may not shr unk and empt y be.

Yea, Li f e, t hus woul d I l i ve, nor pl ay at l i vi ng,

The best of me f or t hy best gl adl y gi vi ng,

Wi t h an unf al t er i ng cheer ,

Gr eet i ng t hee year by year ,

Even i n t hy dour est mood some good achi evi ng,

Unt i l I r ead t hy deep- hi d meani ng cl ear .

104

TWI LI GHT I N THE GARDEN

The scent of t he ear t h i s moi st and good

I n t he dewy shade

Of t he t al l , dar k popl ar s whose sl ender t ops

Agai nst t he sunset bl oom ar e l ai d,

And a r obi n i s whi st l i ng i n t he copse

By t he di m spr uce wood.

Page 56 of 88

The west wi nd bl owi ng o' er br anch and f l ower

Out of t he wol d,

St eal s t hr ough t he honeysuckl e bower

And bear s away on i t s ai r y wi ngs

Odor s t hat br eat h of par adi se;

Di m ar e t he poppi es' spl endi d dyes,

But many a pal l i d pr i mr ose swi ngs

I t s l amp of gol d.

A whi t e mot h f l i t s f r om t r ee t o t r ee

Li ke a wander i ng soul ;

Deep i n t he l i l y a muf f l ed boom

Tel l s of a honey- dr unken bee

Wi l der ed wi t h sweet s i n t hat i vor y bowl ;

Many a subt l e mel ody,

Many a r ar e sound al l unknown

To t he l ust y dayl i ght ' s f ul l er t one

Thr eads wi t h i t s magi c t hi s hush and gl oom.

105

Many a dear t hought deep i n t he hear t ,

Many a memor y, dul cet and f i ne,

Wakes as we wal k i n t he gar den t o- ni ght ,

I n t hi s sof t ki ssi ng of dar k and l i ght ,

When t he wor l d has dr awn i t sel f apar t

Fr om our spi r i t ' s shr i ne.

106

MY LEGACY

My f r i end has gone away f r om me

Fr om shadow i nt o per f ect l i ght ,

But l eavi ng a sweet l egacy.

My hear t shal l hol d i t l ong i n f ee

A gr and i deal , cal m and br i ght ,

A song of hope f or mi ni st r y,

A f ai t h of unst ai ned pur i t y,

Page 57 of 88

A t hought of beaut y f or del i ght

These di d my f r i end bequeat h t o me ;

And, mor e t han even t hese can be,

The wor t hy pat t er n of a whi t e,

Unmar r ed l i f e l i ved most gr aci ousl y.

Dear comr ade, l oyal t hanks t o t hee

Who now hat h f ar ed beyond my si ght ,

My f r i end has gone away f r om me,

But l eavi ng a sweet l egacy.

107

GRATI TUDE

I t hank t hee, f r i end, f or t he beaut i f ul t hought

That i n wor ds wel l chosen t hou gavest t o me,

Deep i n t he l i f e of my soul i t has wr ought

Wi t h i t s own r ar e essence t o ever i mbue me,

To gl eam l i ke a st ar over devi ous ways,

To bl oom l i ke a f l ower on t he dr ear est days

Bet t er such gi f t f r om t hee t o me

Than gol d of t he hi l l s or pear l s of t he sea.

For t he l ust er of j ewel s and gol d may depar t ,

And t hey have i n t hem no l i f e of t he gi ver ,

But t hi s gr aci ous gi f t f r om t hy hear t t o my hear t

Shal l wi t ness t o me of t hy l ove f or ever ;

Yea, i t shal l al ways abi de wi t h me

As a par t of my i mmor t al i t y ;

For a beaut i f ul t hought i s a t hi ng di vi ne,

So I t hank t hee, oh, f r i end, f or t hi s gi f t of t hi ne.

108

FANCI ES

Sur el y t he f l ower s of a hundr ed spr i ngs

Ar e si mpl y t he soul s of beaut i f ul t hi ngs!

The poppi es af l ame wi t h gol d and r ed

Wer e t he ki sses of l over s i n days t hat ar e f l ed.

The pur pl e pansi es wi t h dew- dr ops pear l ed

Wer e t he r ai nbow dr eams of a youngl i ng wor l d.

Page 58 of 88

The l i l y, whi t e as a st ar apar t ,

Was t he f i r st pur e pr ayer of a vi r gi n hear t .

The dai si es t hat dance and t wi nkl e so

Wer e t he l aught er of chi l dr en i n l ong ago.

The sweet ness of al l t r ue f r i endshi p yet

Li ves i n t he br eat h of t he mi gnonet t e.

To t he whi t e nar ci ssus t her e must bel ong

The ver y del i ght of a mai den' s song.

And t he r ose, al l f l ower s of t he ear t h above,

Was a per f ect , r apt ur ous t hought of l ove.

Oh! sur el y t he bl ossoms of al l t he spr i ngs

Must be t he soul s of beaut i f ul t hi ngs.

109

ONE OF THE SHEPHERDS

We wer e out on t he hi l l s t hat ni ght

To wat ch our sheep ;

Dr owsi l y by t he f i r e we l ay

Wher e t he wani ng f l ame di d f l i cker and l eap,

And some wer e wear y and hal f asl eep,

And some t al ked l ow of t hei r f l ocks and t he f r i ght

Of a l i on t hat day.

But I had dr awn f r om t he ot her s apar t ;

I was onl y a l ad,

And t he ni ght ' s gr eat si l ence so f i l l ed my hear t

That I dar ed not t al k and I dar ed not j est ;

The moon had gone down behi nd t he hi l l

And even t he wi nd of t he deser t was st i l l ;

As t he t ouch of deat h t he ai r was col d,

And t he wor l d seemed al l out wor n and ol d ;

Yet a poi gnant del i ght i n my soul was guest ,

And I coul d not be sad.

St i l l wer e my t hought s t he t hought s of yout h

Under t he ski es:

I dr eamed of t he hol y and t ender t r ut h

That shone f or me i n my mot her ' s eyes ;

Of my l i t t l e si st er ' s i nnocent gr ace,

And t he mi r t hf ul l ur e i n t he ol i ve f ace

Page 59 of 88

Of a mai d I had seen at t he wel l t hat day,

Si ngi ng l ow as I passed t hat way,

And so sweet and wi l d wer e t he not es of her song,

That I l i st ened l ong.

no

Was i t t he dawn t hat si l ver ed and br oke

Over t he hi l l ?

Each at t he ot her l ooked i n amaze,

And never a br eat hl ess wor d we spoke.

Fast i nt o r ose and daf f odi l

Deepened t hat spl endor ; at hwar t i t s bl aze

That pi er ced l i ke a swor d t he gul f of ni ght

We saw a f or m t hat was shaped of t he l i ght ,

And we vei l ed our f aces i n awe and dr ead

To hear ken t he t i di ngs t he Br i ght One t ol d

Oh! wonder f ul wer e t he wor ds he sai d

Of a Chi l d i n Bet hl ehem' s manger ol d.

The st ar s wer e dr owned i n t hat or i ent gl ow;

The sky was abl oom l i ke a meadow i n spr i ng;

But each bl ossom t her e was a r adi ant f ace

And each f l ash of gl or y a shi ni ng wi ng;

They har ped of peace and gr eat good wi l l ,

And such was t hei r musi c t hat wel l I know

Ther e can never agai n i n my soul be space

For a sound of i l l .

The h' ght di ed out as t he sunset di es

I n t he west er n ski es;

Swi f t went we t o t he Bet hl ehem khan,

Many our quest i ons l aughed t o scor n,

But one, a gr ay and wr i nkl ed man,

Wi t h st r ange, deep eyes t hat sear ched t he hear t ,

Led us down t o t he chi l d new- bor n

I n a di m- l i ght ed cave apar t .

i l l

Ther e on t he st r aw t he mot her l ay

Wan and whi t e,

But her l ook was so hol y and r apt and mi l d

Page 60 of 88

That i t seemed t o shed a mar vel l ous l i ght ,

Fai nt as t he f i r st r ar e gl eam of day,

Ar ound t he chi l d.

I t was as ot her chi l dr en ar e

Savi ng f or somet hi ng i n t he eyes,

St ar l i ke and cl ear and st r angel y wi se

Then came a sudden t hought t o me

Of a l amb I had f ound on t he wast e af ar ;

Lost and si ck wi t h hunger and col d,

I had br ought i t back i n my ar ms t o t he f ol d

For t ender mi ni st r y.

Dawn had f l ooded t he east as a wave

When we l ef t t he cave;

Al l t he wor l d suddenl y seemed t o be

Young and pur e and j oyous agai n;

The ot her s l i nger ed t o t al k wi t h t he men,

Ful l of wonder and r apt ur e st i l l ;

But I hast ened back t o t he f ol d on t he hi l l

To t end t he l amb t hat had need of me.

112

I F MARY HAD KNOWN

I f Mar y had known

When she hel d her Babe' s hands i n her own

Li t t l e hands t hat wer e t ender and whi t e as a r ose,

Al l dent ed wi t h di mpl es f r om f i nger t o wr i st ,

Such as mot her s have ki ssed

That one day t hey must f eel t he f i er ce bl ows

Of a hat r ed i nsane,

Must r edden wi t h hol i est st ai n,

And gr asp as t hei r guer don t he boon of t he bi t t er est

Page 61 of 88

pai n,

Oh, I t hi nk t hat her sweet , br oodi ng f ace

Must have bl anched wi t h i t s angui sh of knowl edge

above her embr ace.

But i f Mar y had known,

As she hel d her Babe' s hands i n her own,

What a t r easur e of gi f t s t o t he wor l d t hey woul d br i ng ;

What heal i ng and hope t o t he hear t s t hat must ache,

And wi t hout hi m must br eak;

Had she known t hey woul d pl uck f or t h deat h' s st i ng

And set open t he door

Of t he cl ose, j eal ous gr ave ever mor e,

Maki ng f r ee who wer e capt i ves i n sor r ow and dar k-

ness bef or e,

Oh, I t hi nk t hat a gr aci ous sunr i se

Of r apt ur e had br oken acr oss t he despai r of her eyes!

113

I f Mar y had known

As she sat wi t h her baby al one,

And gui ded so gent l y hi s bar e l i t t l e f eet

To t ake t hei r f i r st st eps f r om t he t hr one of her knee,

How wear y must be

The pat h t hat f or t hem shoul d be meet ;

And how i t must l ead

To t he cr oss of humani t y' s need,

Gi vi ng hi ssi ng and shame, gi vi ng bl ame and r epr oach

f or i t s meed,

Oh, I t hi nk t hat her t ear s woul d have dewed

Those dear f eet t hat must wal k such a har d, st ar l ess

way t o t he Rood!

But i f Mar y had known,

As she sat wi t h her Baby al one,

On what er r ands of mer cy and peace t hey woul d go,

How t hose f oot st eps woul d r i ng t hr ough t he year s of

al l t i me

Wi t h an echo subl i me,

Maki ng hol y t he l and of t hei r woe,

That t he pat hway t hey t r od

Woul d gui de t he wor l d back t o i t s God,

And l ead ever upwar d away f r om t he gr asp of t he cl od,

Page 62 of 88

She had sur el y f or got t o be sad

And onl y r emember ed t o be most i mmor t al l y gl ad !

114

I f Mar y had known,

As she hel d hi m so cl osel y, her own,

Cr adl i ng hi s shi ni ng, f ai r head on her br east ,

Sunned over wi t h r i ngl et s as br i ght as t he mor n,

That a gar l and of t hor n

On t hat t ender br ow woul d be pr essed

Ti l l t he r ed dr ops woul d f al l

I nt o eyes t hat l ooked out upon al l ,

Abr i m wi t h a pi t y di vi ne over cl amor and br awl ,

Oh, I t hi nk t hat her l ul l aby song

Woul d have di ed on her l i ps i nt o wai l i ng i mpassi oned

and l ong!

But i f Mar y had known,

As she hel d hi m so cl osel y, her own,

That over t he dar kness and pai n he woul d be

The Conquer or hai l ed i n al l oncomi ng days,

The wor l d' s hope and pr ai se,

And t he gar l and of t hor n,

The symbol of mocki ng and scor n

Woul d be a vi ct or i ous di adem r oyal l y wor n,

Oh, I t hi nk t hat i nef f abl e j oy

Must have f l ooded her soul as she bent o' er her won-

der f ul Boy!

115

AT THE LONG SAULT

( " Sear chi ng t he pi l e of cor pses t he vi ct or s f ound f our Fr ench-

men st i l l br eat hi ng. Thr ee had scar cel y a spar k of l i f e . . .

t he f our t h seemed l i kel y t o sur vi ve and t hey r eser ved hi m f or

f ut ur e t or ment s. "

Par kman' s Hi st or y. )

A pr i soner under t he st ar s I l i e,

Wi t h no f r i end near ;

To- mor r ow t hey l ead me f or t h t o di e,

The st ake i s r eady, t he t or ment s set ,

They wi l l pay i n f ul l t hei r deadl y debt ;

But I f ear t hem r i ot ! Oh, none coul d f ear

Of t hose who st ood by Daul ac' s si de

Page 63 of 88

Whi l e he pr ayed and l aughed and sang and f ought

I n t he ver y r eek of deat h and caught

The mar t yr passi on t hat f l amed f r om hi s f ace

As he di ed!

Wher e he l ed us we f ol l owed gl ad,

For we l oved hi m wel l ;

Some t her e wer e t hat hel d hi m mad,

But we knew t hat a heavenl y r age had pl ace

I n t hat daunt l ess soul ; t he good God spake

To us t hr ough hi m ; we had naught t o do

Save onl y obey; and when hi s eyes

Fl ashed and ki ndl ed l i ke st or m- swept ski es,

And hi s voi ce l i ke a t r umpet t hr i l l ed us t hr ough,

We woul d have mar ched wi t h del i ght f or hi s sake

To t he j aws of hel l .

116

The mi st s hung bl ue and st i l l on t he st r eam

At t he mar ge of dawn ;

The r api ds l aughed t i l l we saw t hei r t eet h

Li ke a snar l i ng wol f ' s f angs gl i st en and gl eam;

Sweet l y t he pi ne t r ees under neat h

The shadows sl ept i n t he moonl i ght wan;

Sweet l y beneat h t he st eps of t he spr i ng

The gr eat , gr i m f or est was bl ossomi ng;

And we f ought , t hat spr i ngs f or ot her men

Mi ght bl ossom agai n.

Fai nt , t hi r st - maddened we pr ayed and f ought

By ni ght and by day ;

Eyes gl ar ed at us wi t h ser pent hat e

Yet somet i mes a hush f el l , and t hen we hear d naught

Page 64 of 88

Save t he wi nd' s shr i l l har pi ng f ar away,

The pi pi ng of bi r ds, and t he sof t ened cal l s

Of t he mer r y, di st ant wat er - f al l s;

Then of ot her scenes we t hought

Of val l eys bel oved i n sunny Fr ance,

Pur pl e vi neyar ds of song and dance,

Hopes and vi si ons r oseat e;

Of many a hol y f est al mor n,

And many a dr eam at vesper bel l

But anon t he shudder i ng ai r was t or n

By noi ses such as t he f i ends of hel l

Mi ght make i n hol di ng hi gh hol i day!

Once, so bi t t er t he deat h- st or m hai l ed,

We shr ank and quai l ed.

117

Daul ac spr ang out bef or e us t hen,

Shamed i n our f ear s;

Gl or i ous was hi s f ace t o see,

The f ace of one who l i st ens and hear s

Voi ces unear t hl y, summoni ngs hi gh

Rang hi s t one l i ke a cl ar i on, " Men,

See yonder st ar i n t he gol den sky,

Such a man' s dut y i s t o hi m,

A beacon t hat wi l l not f l i cker nor di m,

Shi ni ng t hr ough dar kness and despai r .

Al most t he mar t yr ' s cr own i s your s!

Thi nki ng t he pr i ce t oo hi gh t o be pai d,

Wi l l you l eave t he sacr i f i ce hal f made?

I t el l you God wi l l answer t he pr ayer

Of t he soul t hat endur es!

" Comr ades, f ar i n t he f ut ur e I see

A mi ght y l and;

Thr oned among t he nat i ons of ear t h,

Nobl e and happy, cal m and f r ee ;

As a vei l wer e l i f t ed I see her st and,

And out of t hat f ut ur e a voi ce t o me

Pr omi ses t hat our names shal l shi ne

Page 65 of 88

On t he page of her st or y wi t h l ust r e di vi ne

I mpel l i ng t o vi si ons and deeds of wor t h.

118

" Ever t hus si nce t he wor l d was begun,

When a man hat h gi ven up hi s l i f e,

Saf et y and f r eedom have been won

By t he hol y power of sel f - sacr i f i ce ;

For t he memor y of your mot her ' s ki ss

Val i ant l y st and t o t he br each agai n.

Comr ades, bl ench not now f r om t he st r i f e,

Qui t you l i ke men ! "

Oh, we r ushed t o meet at our capt ai n' s si de

Deat h as a br i de!

Al l our br ave st r i pl i ngs br avel y f el l .

I , l ess f or t unat e, sl owl y came

Back f r om t hat di n of shot and yel l

Sl owl y and gaspi ngl y, t o know

A har der f at e r eser ved f or me

Than t hat br i ef , spl endi d agony.

Thr ough many a bi t t er pang and t hr oe

My spi r i t must t o- mor r ow go

To seek my comr ades; but I bear

The t i di ngs t hat our desper at e st and

By t he Long Saul t has saved our l and,

And God has answer ed Daul ac' s pr ayer .

119

THE EXI LE

We t ol d her t hat her f ar of f shor e was bl eak and dour

t o vi ew,

And t hat her sky was dul l and mi r k whi l e our s was

smi l i ng bl ue.

Page 66 of 88

She onl y si ghed i n answer , " I t i s even as ye say,

But oh, t he r agged spl endor when t he sun bur st s

t hr ough t he gr ay! "

We br ought her dew- wet r oses f r om our f ai r est sum-

mer bower s,

We bade her dr i nk t hei r f r agr ance, we heaped her l ap

wi t h f l ower s;

She onl y sai d, wi t h eyes t hat year ned, " Oh, i f ye mi ght

have br ought

The pal e, unscent ed bl ossoms by my f at her ' s l owl y

cot ! "

We bade her l i st en t o t he bi r ds t hat sang so madl y

sweet ,

The l yr i c of t he l aughi ng st r eam t hat di mpl ed at our

f eet ;

" But , O, " she cr i ed, " I wear y f or t he musi c wi l d t hat

st i r s

When keens t he mour nf ul west er n wi nd among my na-

t i ve f i r s! "

120

We t ol d her she had f ai t hf ul f r i ends and l oyal hear t s

anear ,

We pr ayed her t ake t he f r esher l oves, we pr ayed her

be of cheer ;

" Oh, ye ar e ki nd and t r ue, " she wept , " but woe' s me

f or t he gr ace

Of t ender ness t hat shi nes upon my mot her ' s wr i nkl ed

f ace! "

121

THE THREE SONGS

The poet sang of a bat t l e- f i el d

Wher e dought y deeds wer e done,

Wher e st out bl ows r ang on hel m and shi el d

And a ki ngdom' s f at e was spun

Wi t h t he scar l et t hr ead of vi ct or y,

And honor f r om deat h' s gr i m r evel r y

Page 67 of 88

Li ke a f l ame- r ed f l ower was won!

So br avel y he sang t hat al l who hear d

Wi t h t he st i ng of t he f i ght and t he t r i umph wer e

st i r r ed,

And t hey cr i ed, " Let us bl azon hi s name on hi gh,

He has sung a song t hat wi l l never di e! "

Agai n, f ul l t hr oat ed, he sang of f ame

And ambi t i on' s honeyed l ur e,

Of t he chapl et t hat gar l ands a mi ght y name,

Ti l l hi s l i st ener s f i r ed wi t h t he god- l i ke f l ame

To do, t o dar e, t o endur e!

The t hi r st y l i ps of t he wor l d wer e f ai n

The cup of gl amor he vaunt ed t o dr ai n,

And t he peopl e mur mur ed as he went by,

" He has sung a song t hat wi l l never di e! "

And once mor e he sang, al l l ow and apar t ,

A song of t he l ove t hat was bor n i n hi s hear t ,

Thi nki ng t o voi ce i n unf et t er ed st r ai n

I t s sweet del i ght and i t s sweet er pai n;

122

Not hi ng he car ed what t he t hr ongs mi ght say

Who passed hi m unheedi ng f r om day t o day,

For he onl y l onged wi t h hi s mel odi es

The soul of t he one bel oved t o pl ease.

The song of war t hat he sang i s as naught ,

For t he f i el d and i t s her oes ar e l ong f or got ,

And t he song he sang of f ame and power

Was never r emember ed beyond i t s hour !

Onl y t o- day hi s name i s known

By t he song he sang apar t and al one,

And t he gr eat wor l d pauses wi t h j oy t o hear

The not es t hat wer e st r ung f or a l over ' s ear .

123

I N AN OLD TOWN GARDEN

Shut f r om t he cl amor of t he st r eet

By an ol d wal l wi t h l i chen gr own,

Page 68 of 88

I t hol ds apar t f r om j ar and f r et

A peace and beaut y al l i t s own.

The f r eshness of t he spr i ngt i me r ai ns

And dews of mor ni ng l i nger her e;

I t hol ds t he gl ow of summer noons

And r i pest t wi l i ght s of t he year .

Above i t s bl oom t he eveni ng st ar s

Look down at cl osi ng of t he day,

And i n i t s sweet and shady wal ks

Wi nds spent wi t h r oami ng l ove t o st r ay,

Upgat her i ng t o t hemsel ves t he br eat h

Of wi de- bl own r oses whi t e and r ed,

The spi ce of musk and l avender

Al ong i t s wi ndi ng al l eys shed.

Out si de ar e shadel ess, t r oubl ed st r eet s

And soul s t hat quest f or gol d and gai n,

Li ps t hat have l ong f or got t o smi l e

And hear t s t hat bur n and ache wi t h pai n.

124

But her e i s al l t he sweet of dr eams,

The gr ace of pr ayer , t he boon of r est ,

The spi r i t of ol d songs and l oves

Dwel l s i n t hi s gar den bl ossom- bl est .

Her e woul d I l i nger f or a space,

And wal k her ei n wi t h memor y;

The wor l d wi l l pass me as i t may

And hope wi l l mi ni st er t o me.

125

THE SEEKER

I sought f or my happi ness over t he wor l d,

Oh, eager and f ar was my quest ;

I sought i t on mount ai n and deser t and sea,

I asked i t of east and of west .

I sought i t i n beaut i f ul ci t i es of men,

On shor es t hat wer e sunny and bl ue,

And l aught er and l yr i c and pl easur e wer e mi ne

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I n pal aces wondr ous t o vi ew;

Oh, t he wor l d gave me much t o my pl ea and my pr ayer

But never I f ound aught of happi ness t her e!

Then I t ook my way back t o a val l ey of ol d

And a l i t t l e br own house by a r i l l ,

Wher e t he wi nds pi ped al l day i n t he sent i nel f i r s

That guar ded t he cr est of t he hi l l ;

I went by t he pat h t hat my chi l dhood had known

Thr ough t he br acken and up by t he gl en,

And I paused at t he gat e of t he gar den t o dr i nk

The scent of sweet - br i ar agai n;

The homel i ght shone out t hr ough t he dusk as of yor e

And happi ness wai t ed f or me at t he door !

126

THE POET' S THOUGHT

I t came t o hi m i n r ai nbow dr eams,

Bl ent wi t h t he wi sdom of t he sages,

Of spi r i t and of passi on bor n;

I n wor ds as l ucent as t he mor n

He pr i soned i t , and now i t gl eams

A j ewel shi ni ng t hr ough t he ages.

127

THE CALL

Mot her of her who i s cl ose t o my hear t

Cease t o chi de!

For no smal l t hi ng must I wander af ar

Fr om t he t ender ar ms and l i ps of my br i de

My l ove wi t h eyes l i ke t he gl owi ng st ar

I n t he t wi l i ght sky apar t .

Coul ds' t t hou have seen Hi m st andi ng t her e

Er e t he day was bor n,

Wi t h t he mi l d hi gh l ook t hat was l i ke a pr ayer ,

Thou woul ds' t not mar vel t hat I must l eave al l

I hol d most dear t o answer t he cal l

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Of t hat wonder f ul mor n.

We wer e cast i ng our net s i n t he sea,

Andr ew and I ;

Over t he mount ai ns a young wi nd came

To ki ss t he wat er s of Gal i l ee,

And i n t he cal m bl ue nor t her n sky

The gl eami ng cr est of ol d Her mon r ose

Gi r t wi t h i t s di adem of snows,

And t he east was smi t wi t h f l ame.

Al l our t hought s wer e si mpl e and gl ad

As t oi l er s' shoul d be;

Andr ew, t hat car el ess, dar k- eyed l ad

Sang a song r i ght mer r i l y,

Joyous of mel ody and wor d,

As he wor ked wi t h oar and net and sai l ,

128

But I dr eamed of t he f ace t hat woul d bl ush and pal e

When my st ep shoul d be hear d !

Then, as we l i f t ed heedl ess eyes,

We saw Hi m t her e,

Wher e t he si l ver wat er s cur l ed on t he shor e ;

Behi nd Hi m t he r adi ance of t he ski es

Shi ni ng over Hi s l ong, f ai r hai r

Wr eat hed i t as wi t h a cr own of l i ght ;

And oh, t he gr andeur and t he gr ace

Of t hat pal e and ki ngl y f ace

We wer e wear y and hunger ed wi t h t oi l of t he ni ght

But we t hought not of i t mor e !

He l ooked upon us wi t h eyes t hat must see

Far i n our hear t s past mor t al ken ;

Al l t he del i ght s of t he wor l d gr ew di m

Sweet er i s seemed t o suf f er pai n

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And wander , out cast of men wi t h Hi m,

Than shar e i n anot her ' s j oy and gai n;

Spake He t hus r oyal l y, " Come wi t h me;

I wi l l make you f i sher s of men. "

Mot her of her who weeps at my si de

Cease t o chi de!

Thou knowest not how t hat one wor d r i ngs

Ever by day and by ni ght i n my ear ,

I cannot hear ken t o ol den t hi ngs

I cannot l i st en t o hope or f ear ;

Mot her of her who i s dear est of al l ,

I must f ol l ow t he Nazar ene' s cal l !

129

9

THE OLD HOME CALLS

Come back t o me, l i t t l e danci ng f eet t hat r oam t he wi de

wor l d o' er ,

I l ong f or t he l i l t of your f l yi ng st eps i n my si l ent

r ooms once mor e;

Come back t o me, l i t t l e voi ces gay wi t h l aught er and

wi t h song,

Come back, l i t t l e hear t s beat i ng hi gh wi t h hopes, I

have mi ssed and mour ned you l ong.

My r oses bl oom i n my gar den wal ks al l sweet and wet

wi t h t he dew,

My l i ght s shi ne down on t he l ong hi l l r oad t he wani ng

t wi l i ght s t hr ough,

The swal l ows f l ut t er about my eaves as i n t he year s of

ol d,

And cl ose about me t hei r st eadf ast ar ms t he l i spi ng pi ne

t r ees f ol d.

But I wear y f or you at mor n and eve, O, chi l dr en of

my l ove,

Come back t o me f r om your pi l gr i m ways, f r om t he

Page 72 of 88

seas and pl ai ns ye r ove,

Come over t he meadows and up t he l ane t o my door

set open wi de,

And si t ye down wher e t he r ed l i ght shi nes f r om my

wel comi ng f i r esi de.

130

I keep f or you al l your chi l dhood dr eams, your gl ad-

ness and del i ght s,

The j oy of days i n t he sun and r ai n, t he sl eep of car e-

f r ee ni ght s,

Al l t he sweet f ai t hs ye have l ost and sought agai n shal l

be your own,

Dar l i ngs, come t o my empt y hear t I am ol d and st i l l

and al one!

131

GENI US

A hundr ed gener at i ons have gone i nt o i t s maki ng,

Wi t h al l t hei r l ove and t ender ness, wi t h al l t hei r

dr eams and t ear s;

Thei r vani shed j oy and pl easur e, t hei r pai n and t hei r

hear t - br eaki ng,

Have col or ed t hi s r ar e bl ossom of t he l ong- unf r ui t -

f ul year s.

Thei r vi ct or y and t hei r l aught er f or t hi s have st r ong

men gi ven,

For t hi s have sweet , dead women pai d i n pat i ence

whi ch sur vi ves

That a gr eat soul mi ght br i ng t he wor l d, as f r om t he

gat e of heaven,

Al l t hat was r i ch and beaut i f ul i n t hose f or got t en

l i ves.

132

LOVE' S PRAYER

Bel oved, t hi s t he hear t I of f er t hee

I s pur i f i ed f r om ol d i dol at r y,

Fr om out wor n hopes, and f r om t he l i nger i ng st ai n

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Of passi on' s dr egs, by peni t ent i al pai n.

Take t hou i t , t hen, and f i l l i t up f or me

Wi t h t hi ne unst i nt ed l ove, and i t shal l be

An ear t hy chal i ce t hat i s made di vi ne

By i t s r ed dr aught of sacr ament al wi ne.

133

THE PRI SONER

I l ash and wr i t he agai nst my pr i son bar s,

And wat ch wi t h sul l en eyes t he gapi ng cr owd . .

Gi ve me my f r eedom and t he bur ni ng st ar s,

The hol l ow sky, and cr ags of moonl i t cl oud !

Once I mi ght r ange acr oss t he t r ackl ess pl ai n,

And r oar wi t h j oy, unt i l t he deser t ai r

And wi de hor i zons echoed i t amai n :

I f ear ed no f oe, f or I was monar ch t her e !

I saw my shadow on t he par chi ng sand,

When t he hot sun had ki ssed t he mount ai n' s r i m ;

And when t he moon r ose o' er l ong wast es of l and,

I sought my pr ey by some st i l l r i ver ' s br i m ;

And wi t h me my f i er ce l ove, my t awny mat e,

Meet mot her of st r ong cubs, meet l i on' s br i de . .

We made our l ai r i n r egi ons desol at e,

The sol i t ude of wi l der nesses wi de.

They sl ew her . . . and I wat ched t he l i f e- bl ood

f l ow

Fr om her t or n f l ank, and her pr oud eyes gr ow di m :

I howl ed her di r ge above her whi l e t he l ow,

Red moon cl omb up t he bl ack hor i zon' s r i m.

134

Me, t hey ent r apped . . . cowar ds ! They di d not

dar e

To f i ght , as br ave men do, wi t hout di sgui se,

And f ace my unl eashed r age ! The hi dden snar e

Page 74 of 88

Was t hei r devi ce t o wi n an unt amed pr i ze.

I am a capt i ve . . . not f or me t he vast ,

Whi t e dome of sky above t he bl i ndi ng sand,

The sweepi ng r apt ur e of t he deser t bl ast

Acr oss l ong r anges of unt r odden l and!

Yet st i l l t hey f et t er not my t hought ! I n dr eams

I , deser t - bor n, t r ead t he hot wast es once mor e,

Quench my deep t hi r st i n cool , unt ai nt ed st r eams,

And shake t he dar kness wi t h my ki ngl y r oar !

US

COMPANI ONED

I wal ked t o- day, but not al one,

Adovvn a wi ndy, sea- gi r t l ea,

For memor y, spendt hr i f t of her char m,

Peopl ed t he si l ent l ands f or me.

The f aces of ol d comr adeshi p

I n gol den yout h wer e r ound my way,

And i n t he keeni ng wi nd I hear d

The songs of many an or i ent day.

And t o me cal l ed, f r om out t he pi nes

And woven gr asses, voi ces dear ,

As i f f r om el f i n l i ps shoul d f al l

The mi mi cked t ones of yest er year .

Ol d l aught er echoed o' er t he l eas

And l ove- l i pped dr eams t he past had kept ,

Fr om waysi de bl ooms l i ke honeyed bees

To company my wander i ngs cr ept .

And so I wal ked, but not al one,

Ri ght gl ad compani onshi p had I ,

On t hat gr ay meadow wast e bet ween

Di m- l i t t en sea and wi nnowed sky.

136

YOU

Onl y a l ong, l ow- l yi ng l ane

Page 75 of 88

That f ol l ows t o t he mi st y sea,

Acr oss a bar e and r usset pl ai n

Wher e wi l d wi nds whi st l e vagr ant l y;

I know t hat many a f ai r er pat h

Wi t h l ur e of song and bl oom may woo,

But oh! I l ove t hi s l onel y st r at h

Because i t i s so f ul l of you.

Her e we have wal ked i n el der year s,

And her e your t r uest memor i es wai t ,

Thi s spot i s sacr ed t o your t ear s,

That t o your l aught er dedi cat e;

Her e, by t hi s t ur n, you gave t o me

A gem of t hought t hat gl i t t er s yet ,

Thi s t awny sl ope i s gr aci ousl y

By a r emember ed smi l e beset .

Her e once you l i nger ed on an hour

When st ar s wer e shi ni ng i n t he west ,

To gat her one pal e, scent ed f l ower

And pl ace i t smi l i ng on your br east ;

And si nce t hat eve i t s f r agr ance bl ows

For me acr oss t he gr asses ser e,

Far sweet er t han t he l at est r ose,

That f aded bl oom of yest er year .

137

For me t he sky, t he sea, t he wol d,

Have beckoni ng vi si ons wi l d and f ai r ,

The myst er y of a t al e unt ol d,

The gr ace of an unut t er ed pr ayer .

Let ot her s choose t he f ai r er pat h

That wi nds t he di mpl i ng val l ey t hr ough,

I gl adl y seek t hi s l onel y st r at h

Compani oned by my dr eams of you.

138

UNRECORDED

Page 76 of 88

I l i ke t o t hi nk of t he many wor ds

The Mast er i n hi s ear l y days

Must have spoken t o t hem of Nazar et h

Wor ds not f r ei ght ed wi t h l i f e and deat h,

Pi er ci ng t hr ough soul and hear t l i ke swor ds.

But gr aci ous gr eet i ng and gr at ef ul phr ase,

The si mpl e speech

That pl ai n f ol k ut t er each t o each.

Er e over hi m t oo dar kl y l ay

The pr ophet shadow of Cal var y,

I t hi nk he t al ked i n ver y t r ut h

Wi t h t he i nnocent gayet y of yout h,

Laughi ng upon some f est al day,

Gent l y, wi t h si nl ess boyhood' s gl ee.

I t hi nk i f he had ever sai d

To a mot her apar t ,

Cr adl i ng her baby' s shi ni ng head,

" Thy man- chi l d i s st r ong of l i mb and hear t , "

She must have been f r om t hat gl adsome day

Thr i l l ed wi t h endur i ng pr i de al way,

Fear l ess of any f ut ur e dr ead,

Knowi ng t he son upon her knee

Wor t hy her pai n and l ove woul d be.

139

Or i f by t he dust y waysi de wel l ,

Fr om t he gl ar e and heat

Of t he bur ni ng noon a wayf ar er sought

A moment ' s r est wher e t he pal m shade f el l ,

And he sai d t o hi m, " The day i s hot ,

And your r oad i s r ough f or wander i ng f eet , "

Then I t hi nk on hi s way t he pi l gr i m went

As one who has shar ed i n a sacr ament ,

Page 77 of 88

Feel i ng no l onger on hi m pr ess

The bur den of hi s wear i ness.

I f he sai d t o a mai d, " The sunset l i es

Redl y on Nazar et h hi l l s t o- ni ght , "

Each sunset of her l i f e woul d br i ng

A benedi ct i ve memor y

Of hi s haunt i ng f ace and hol y eyes ;

Or i f t o a br i degr oom t hus i n spr i ng,

" The wi f e of t hy yout h i s f ai r and wi se, "

So woul d she ever have seemed t o be

I n her husband' s si ght .

I f he but bade a passi ng guest

Hi s meal t o shar e,

Woul d not t he one so honor ed deem

Hi msel f of al l most hi ghl y bl essed,

The f ood he at e heaven' s manna r ar e?

Or when he t o a f r i end addr essed

A wor d of t hanks f or ser vi ce done,

Or homel y, f ami l i ar f avor , none

Of r i cher r ecompense coul d dr eam.

140

No evangel i st ' s gol den pen

Wr ot e t hem f or us

The wor ds of t he Mast er t o t hose he mi ght meet

By t he car pent er ' s bench or i n Nazar et h st r eet

But i n t hem I t hi nk t her e wel l mi ght be

I t i s sur el y sweet t o f ancy t hus

Al l of t he benedi ct i on f or men

Al l of t he t ender humani t y,

That l eaven t he wor ds of hi s l at er age

On t he hol y page.

141

WI TH TEARS THEY BURI ED YOU

TO- DAY

Wi t h t ear s t hey bur i ed you t o- day,

But wel l I knew no t ur f coul d hol d

Your gl adness l ong beneat h t he moul d,

Or cr amp your l aught er i n t he cl ay;

Page 78 of 88

I smi l ed whi l e ot her s wept f or you

Because I knew.

And now you si t wi t h me t o- ni ght

Her e i n our ol d, accust omed pl ace;

Tender and mi r t hf ul i s your f ace,

Your eyes wi t h st ar r y j oy ar e br i ght

Oh, you ar e mer r y as a song

For l ove i s st r ong!

They t hi nk of you as l yi ng t her e

Down i n t he chur chyar d gr i m and ol d ;

They t hi nk of you as mut e and col d,

A wan, whi t e t hi ng t hat once was f ai r ,

Wi t h di m, seal ed eyes t hat never may

Look on t he day.

But l ove cannot be cof f i ned so

I n cl od and dar kness; i t must r i se

And seek i t s own i n r adi ant gui se,

Wi t h i mmor t al i t y agl ow,

Maki ng of deat h' s t r i umphant st i ng

A l i t t l e t hi ng.

142

Ay, we shal l l augh at t hose who deem

Our hear t s ar e sunder ed! Li st en, sweet ,

The t r i ppi ng of t he wi nd' s swi f t f eet

Al ong t he by- ways of our dr eam,

And har k t he whi sper of t he r ose

Wi l di ng t hat bl ows.

Oh, st i l l you l ove t hose si mpl e t hi ngs,

And st i l l you l ove t hem mor e wi t h me ;

The gr ave has won no vi ct or y ;

I t coul d not cl asp your shi ni ng wi ngs,

I t coul d not keep you f r om my si de,

Dear and my br i de!

143

I N MEMORY OF " MAGGI E"

A pussy- cat who was t he househol d pet f or sevent een year s.

Naught but a l i t t l e cat , you say;

Yet we r emember her ,

Page 79 of 88

A cr eat ur e l ovi ng, l oyal , ki nd,

Wi t h mer r y, mel l ow pur r ;

The f ai t hf ul f r i end of many year s,

Shal l we not gi ve her meed of t ear s?

Sl eek- sui t ed i n her vel vet coat ,

Whi t e- br east ed and br i ght - eyed,

Feel i ng when she was pr ai sed and st r oked

A ver y human pr i de;

A qui et nook was sur e t o pl ease

Wher e she mi ght t ake her cushi oned ease.

Li t t l e gr ay f r i end, we shal l not f eel

Ashamed t o gr i eve f or you;

Many we know of human- ki nd

Ar e not so f ond and t r ue;

Dear puss, i n al l t he year s t o be

We' l l keep your memor y l oyal l y.

144

REALI ZATI ON

I smi l ed wi t h skept i c mocki ng wher e t hey t ol d me

you wer e dead,

You of t he ai r y l aught er and l i ght l y t wi nkl i ng f eet ;

" They t el l a dr eam t hat haunt ed a chi l l gr ay dawn, " I

sai d,

" Deat h coul d not t ouch or cl ai m a t hi ng so vi vi d and

so sweet ! "

I l ooked upon you cof f i ned ami d your vi r gi n f l ower s,

But even t hat whi t e si l ence coul d br i ng me no bel i ef :

" She l i es i n mai den sl eep, " I sai d, " and i n t he young-

l i ng hour s

Her seal ed dar k eyes wi l l open t o scor n our f ool i sh

gr i ef . "

But when I went at moonr i se t o our anci ent t r yst i ng

pl ace

And, oh, t he wi nd was keeni ng i n t he f i r - boughs

over head !

And you came never t o me wi t h your l i t t l e gypsy f ace,

Your l i ps and hands of wel come, I knew t hat you

wer e dead!

145

Page 80 of 88

10

THE GARDEN I N WI NTER

Fr ost y- whi t e and col d i t l i es

Under neat h t he f r et f ul ski es;

Snowf l akes f l ut t er wher e t he r ed

Banner s of t he poppi es spr ead,

And t he dr i f t s ar e wi de and deep

Wher e t he l i l i es f el l asl eep.

But t he sunset s o' er i t t hr ow

Fl ame- l i ke spl endor , l ucent gl ow,

And t he moonshi ne makes i t gl eam

Li ke a wonder l and of dr eam,

And t he shar p wi nds al l t he day

Pi pe and whi st l e shr i l l y gay.

Saf e beneat h t he snowdr i f t s l i e

Rai nbow buds of by- and- by;

I n t he l ong, sweet days of spr i ng

Musi c of bl uebel l s shal l r i ng,

And i t s f ai nt l y gol den cup

Many a pr i mr ose wi l l hol d up.

Though t he wi nds ar e keen and chi l l

Roses' hear t s ar e beat i ng st i l l ,

And t he gar den t r anqui l l y

Dr eams of happy hour s t o be

I n t he summer days of bl ue

Al l i t s dr eami ngs wi l l come t r ue.

146

THE DI FFERENCE

When we wer e t oget her , hear t of my hear t , on t hat

un f or got t en quest ,

Wi t h your t ender ar m about me t hr own and your head

upon my br east ,

Ther e came a gr i ef t hat was bi t t er and deep and

st r ai t l y dwel l wi t h me,

And I shunned i t not , so sweet i t was t o suf f er and be

wi t h t hee.

And now when no mor e agai nst mi ne own i s beat i ng

t hi ne eager hear t ,

When t hi ne eyes ar e t ur ned f r om t he gl ance of mi ne

and our ways ar e f ar apar t ,

A dear and l ong- sought j oy has come my const ant

guest t o be,

Page 81 of 88

And I l ove i t not , so bi t t er i t i s, unf el t , unshar ed, by

t hee.

147

THE POET

Ther e was st r engt h i n hi m and t he weak won f r eel y

f r om i t ,

Ther e was an i nf i ni t e pi t y, and har d hear t s gr ew sof t

t her eby,

Ther e was t r ut h so unshr i nki ng and st ar r y- shi ni ng,

Men r ead cl ear by i t s l i ght and l ear ned t o scor n a l i e.

Hi s wer e songs so f ul l of a whol esome l aught er

Those whose cour age was ashen f ound i t once mor e

af l ame,

Hi s was a chi l d- l i ke f ai t h and wander i ng f eet wer e

gui ded,

Hi s was a hope so j oyous despai r was put t o shame.

Hi s was t he del i cat e i nsi ght and hi s t he poi gnant vi -

si on

Wher eby t he wor l d mi ght l ear n what wi ne- l i pped

r oses know,

What a dr i f t of r ai n mi ght l i sp on a gr ay sea- dawn-

i ng,

Or a pal e spr i ng of t he woodl and babbl e l ow.

148

He bui l ded a cast l e of dr eam and a pal ace of r ai nbow

f ancy,

And t he st ar ved soul s of hi s f el l ows l i ved i n t hem

and gr ew gl ad;

And yet t her e wer e t hose who mocked t he gi f t s of

hi s gener ous gi vi ng,

And some but he smi l ed and f or gave t hem who

deemed hi m whol l y mad!

149

THE MOTHER

Her e I l ean over you, smal l son, sl eepi ng

War m i n my ar ms,

And I con t o my hear t al l your dew- f r esh char ms,

Page 82 of 88

As you l i e cl ose, cl ose i n my hungr y hol d . . .

Your hai r l i ke a mi ser ' s dr eam of gol d,

And t he whi t e r ose of your f ace f ar f ai r er ,

Fi ner , and r ar er

Than al l t he f l ower s i n t he young year ' s keepi ng;

Over l i ps hal f par t ed your l ow br eat h cr eepi ng

I s sweet er t han vi ol et s i n Apr i l gr asses ;

Though your eyes ar e f ast shut I can see t hei r bl ue,

Spl endi d and sof t as st ar shi ne i n heaven,

Wi t h al l t he j oyance and wi sdom gi ven

Fr om t he many soul s who have st anchl y st r i ven

Thr ough t he dead year s t o be st r ong and t r ue.

Those f i ne l i t t l e f eet i n my wor n hands hol den . .

Wher e wi l l t hey t r ead ?

Val l eys of shadow or hei ght s dawn- r ed?

And t hose si l ken f i nger s, O, wee, whi t e son,

What val or ous deeds shal l by t hem be done

I n t he f ut ur e t hat yet so di st ant i s seemi ng

To my f ond dr eami ng?

What wor ds al l so musi cal and gol den

Wi t h st ar r y t r ut h and poesy ol den

150

Shal l t hose l i ps speak i n t he year s on- comi ng?

O, chi l d of mi ne, wi t h waxen br ow,

Sur el y your wor ds of t hat di m t o- mor r ow

Rapt ur e and power and gr ace must bor r ow

Fr om t he poi gnant l ove and hol y sor r ow

Of t he hear t t hat shr i nes and cr adl es you now !

Some bi t t er day you wi l l l ove anot her ,

To her wi l l bear

Love- gi f t s and woo her . . . t hen must I shar e

You and your t ender ness ! Now you ar e mi ne

Fr om your f eet t o your hai r so gol den and f i ne,

And your cr umpl ed f i nger - t i ps . . . mi ne com-

pl et el y,

Whol l y and sweet l y;

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Mi ne wi t h ki sses deep t o smot her ,

No one so near t o you now as your mot her !

Ot her s may hear your wor ds of beaut y,

But your pr eci ous si l ence i s mi ne al one;

Her e i n my ar ms I have enr ol l ed you,

Away f r om t he gr aspi ng wor l d I f ol d you,

Fl esh of my f l esh and bone of my bone !

151

TO ONE HATED

" Hat e i s onl y Love t hat has mi ssed i t s way. "

Had i t been when I came t o t he val l ey wher e t he pat hs

par t ed asunder ,

Chance had l ed my f eet t o t he way of l ove, not hat e,

I mi ght have cher i shed you wel l , have been t o you f ond

and f ai t hf ul ,

Gr eat as my hat r ed i s, so mi ght my l ove have been

gr eat .

Each col d wor d of mi ne mi ght have been a ki ss i m-

passi oned,

War m wi t h t he t hr ob of my hear t , t hr i l l ed wi t h my

pul se' s l eap,

And ever y gl ance of scor n, l ashi ng, pur sui ng, and

st i ngi ng,

As a l ook of t ender ness woul d have been wondr ous

and deep.

Bi t t er our hat r ed i s, ol d and st r ong and unchangi ng,

Twi ned wi t h t he f i br es of l i f e, bl ent wi t h body and

soul ,

But as i t s bi t t er ness, so mi ght have been our l ove' s

sweet ness

Had i t not mi ssed t he way st r ange mi ssi ng and sad !

t o i t s goal .

152

WHI LE THE FATES SLEEP

Come, l et us t o t he sunways of t he west ,

Hast en, whi l e cr yst al dews t he r ose- cups f i l l ,

Let us dr eam dr eams agai n i n our bl i t he quest

O' er whi sper i ng wol d and hi l l .

Cast l es of ai r yon wi mpl i ng val l eys keep

Wher e mi l k- whi t e mi st st eal s f r om t he pur pl i ng sea,

They shal l be our s i n t he moon' s wi zar dr y,

Whi l e t he f at es, wear i ed, sl eep.

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The vi ewl ess spi r i t of t he wi nd wi l l si ng

I n t he sof t st ar shi ne by t he r eedy mer e,

The el f i n har ps of heml ock boughs wi l l r i ng

Fi t f ul l y f ar and near ;

The f i el ds wi l l yi el d t hei r t r ove of spi ce and musk,

And bal sam f r om t he gl ens of pi ne wi l l f al l ,

Ti l l t wi l i ght weaves i t s t angl ed shadows al l

I n one di m web of dusk.

Let us put t ear s and memor i es away,

Whi l e t he f at es sl eep t i me st ops f or r evel r y ;

Let us l ook, speak, and ki ss as i f no day

Has been or yet wi l l be;

Let us make f r i ends wi t h l aught er ' neat h t he moon,

Wi t h musi c on t he i mmemor i al shor e,

Yea, l et us dance as l over s danced of yor e

The f at es wi l l waken soon!

153

THE FAREWELL

He r i des away wi t h swor d and spur ,

Gar bed i n hi s war l i ke bl azonr y,

Wi t h gal l ant gl ance and smi l e f or her

Upon t he di m- l i t bal cony.

Her ki ss upon hi s l i ps i s war m,

Upon hi s br east he wear s her r ose,

Fr om her f ond ar ms t o st r ess and st or m

Of many a banner ed f i el d he goes.

He dr eams of danger , gl or y, st r i f e,

Hi s voi ce i s bl i t he, hi s hand i s st r ong,

He r i des per chance t o deat h f r om l i f e

And l eaves hi s l ady wi t h a song;

But her bl ue- br i mmed eyes ar e di m

Wi t h her deep angui sh st andi ng t her e,

Sendi ng acr oss t he wor l d wi t h hi m

The dear , whi t e guer don of her pr ayer .

For her t he l onel y vi gi l wai t s

When ashen dawnl i ght s come and go,

Each br i ngi ng t hr ough t he f ut ur e' s gat es

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I t s pr esages of f ear and woe;

For her t he wat ch wi t h soul and hear t

Gr own si ck wi t h dr ead, as women may,

Yet keepi ng st i l l her pai n apar t

Fr om t he wan dut i es of t he day.

154

' Ti s her s t o wal k when sunset s yi el d

Thei r pai nt ed spl endor s t o t he ski es,

And dr eam on some f ar bat t l ef i el d

Per chance al one, unwat ched, he di es;

' Ti s her s t o kneel i n pat i ent pr ayer

When mi dni ght st ar s keep sent i nel ,

Lest t he chi l l deat h- dews damp t he hai r

Upon t he br ow she l oves so wel l .

So st ands she, whi t e and sad and sweet ,

Upon t he l at t i ced bal cony,

Fr om gol den hai r t o sl ender f eet

No l ady i s so f ai r as she ;

He l oves her t r ue, he hol ds her dear ,

But he must r i de on danger ous quest ,

Wi t h gal l ant gl ance and smi l e of cheer ,

And her r ed r ose upon hi s br east .

155

THE OLD MAN' S GRAVE

Make i t wher e t he wi nds may sweep

Thr ough t he pi ne boughs sof t and deep,

And t he mur mur of t he sea

Come acr oss t he or i ent l ea,

And t he f al l i ng r ai ndr ops si ng

Gent l y t o hi s sl umber i ng.

Make i t wher e t he meadows wi de

Gr eenl y l i e on ever y si de,

Har vest f i el ds he r eaped and t r od,

West er i ng sl opes of cl over sod,

Or char d l ands wher e bl oom and bl ow

Tr ees he pl ant ed l ong ago.

Make i t wher e t he st ar shi ne di m

May be al ways cl ose t o hi m,

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And t he sunr i se gl or y spr ead

Lavi shl y ar ound hi s bed.

And t he dewy gr asses cr eep

Tender l y above hi s sl eep.

Si nce t hese t hi ngs t o hi m wer e dear

Thr ough f ul l many a wel l - spent year ,

I t i s sur el y meet t hei r gr ace

Shoul d be on hi s r est i ng- pl ace,

And t he mur mur of t he sea

Be hi s di r ge et er nal l y.

156

FOREVER

I

Wi t h you I shal l ever be;

Over l and and sea

My t hought s wi l l compani on you;

Wi t h your s shal l my l aught er chi me,

And my st ep keep t i me

I n t he dusk and dew

Wi t h your s i n bl i t hesome r hyme;

I n al l of your j oy shal l I r ej oi ce,

On my l i ps your sor r ow shal l f i nd a voi ce,

And when your t ear s i n bi t t er ness f al l

Mi ne shal l mi ngl e wi t h t hem al l ;

Wi t h you i n waki ng and dr eam I shal l be,

I n t he pl ace of shadow and memor y,

Under young spr i ngt i me moons,

And on har vest noons,

And when t he st ar s ar e wi t hdr awn

Fr om t he whi t e pat hway of t he dawn.

I I

O, my f r i end, not hi ng shal l ever par t

My soul f r om your s, your s f r om my hear t !

I am your s and you mi ne, i n si l ence and i n speech,

Page 87 of 88

Deat h wi l l onl y seal us each t o each.

Thr ough t he dar kness we shal l f ar e wi t h f ear l ess j est ,

St ar war d we shal l go on a j oyous new quest ;

Ther e be many wor l ds, as we shal l pr ove,

Many suns and syst ems, but onl y one l ove!

157

BY AN AUTUMN FI RE

Now at our casement t he wi nd i s shr i l l i ng,

Poi gnant and keen

And al l t he gr eat boughs of t he pi nes bet ween

I t i s har pi ng a l one and hunger i ng st r ai n

To t he el dr i t ch weepi ng of t he r ai n;

And t hen t o t he wi l d, wet val l ey f l yi ng

I t i s seeki ng, si ghi ng,

Somet hi ng l ost i n t he summer ol den.

When ni ght was si l ver and day was gol den;

But out on t he shor e t he waves ar e moani ng

Wi t h anci ent and never f ul f i l l ed desi r e,

And t he spi r i t s of al l t he empt y spaces,

Of al l t he dar k and haunt ed pl aces,

Wi t h t he r ai n and t he wi nd on t hei r deat h- whi t e f aces,

Come t o t he l ur e of our l eapi ng f i r e.

But we bar t hem out wi t h t hi s r ose- r ed spl endor

Fr om our bl i t he domai n,

And dr own t he whi mper of wi nd and r ai n

Wi t h undaunt ed l aught er , echoi ng l ong,

Cheer y ol d t al e and gay ol d song;

Our s i s t he j oyance of r i pe f r ui t i on,

At t ai ned ambi t i on.

Our s i s t he t r easur e of t est ed l ovi ng,

Page 88 of 88

Fr i endshi p t hat needs no f ur t her pr ovi ng;

158

No mor e of spr i ngt i me hopes, sweet and uncer t ai n,

Her e we have l ar gess of summer i n f ee

Pi l e hi gh t he l ogs t i l l t he f l ame be l eapi ng,

At bay t he chi l l of t he aut umn keepi ng,

Whi l e pi l gr i m- wi se, we may go a- r eapi ng

I n t he f ai r est meadow of memor y!

159