So,atacertainhour,beforethethroneTheyoungestangel,Asmiel,stoodalone;
Norglad,norsad,butfullofearnestthought,AndthushistidingstotheMasterbrought:
"Lord,inthecityLuponIhavefound"Threeservantsofthyholyname,renowned"Abovetheirfellows。Oneisverywise,"Withthoughtsthateverrangeabovetheskies;
"Andoneisgiftedwiththegoldenspeech"Thatmakesmengladtohearwhenhewillteach;
"Andone,withnoraregiftorgraceendued,"Haswonthepeople’slovebydoinggood。
"WiththreesuchsaintsLuponistreblyblest;
"But,Lord,Ifainwouldknow,whichlovesTheebest?"
ThenspaketheLordofAngels,towhoselookTheheartsofallarelikeanopenbook:
"IneverysoulthesecretthoughtIread,"AndwellIknowwholovesmebestindeed。
"Buteverylifehaspagesvacantstill,"Whereonamanmaywritethethinghewill;
"ThereforeIreadinsilence,daybyday,"Andwaitforheartsuntaughttolearnmyway。
"ButthoushaltgotoLupon,tothethree"Whoservemethere,andtakethiswordfromme:
"TelleachofthemhisMasterbidshimgo"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow;
"Thereheshallfindacertaintaskforme:
"Butwhat,Idonottelltothemnorthee。
"Givethouthemessage,makemywordthetest,"Andcrownformetheonewhoanswersbest。"
Silenttheangelstood,withfoldedhands,TotaketheimprintofhisLord’scommands;
Thendrewonebreath,obedientandelate,Andpassed,theself—samehour,throughLupon’sgate。
FirsttotheTempledoorhemadehisway;
Andthere,becauseitwasanholy—day,Hesawthefolkbythousandsthronging,stirredByardentthirsttohearthepreacher’sword。
Then,whiletheechoesmurmuredBernol’sname,Throughaislesthathushedbehindhim,Bernolcame;
Strungtothekeenestpitchofconsciousmight,Withlipspreparedandfirm,andeyesalight。
OnemomentatthepulpitstepshekneltInsilentprayer,andonhisshoulderfeltTheangel’shand:——"TheMasterbidstheego"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,"ToserveHimthere。"ThenBernol’shiddenfaceWentwhiteasdeath,andforaboutthespaceOftenslowheart—beatstherewasnoreply;
TillBernollookedaroundandwhispered,"WHY?"
Butanswertohisquestioncametherenone;
Theangelsighed,andwithasighwasgone。
WithinthehumblehousewhereMalvinspentHisstudiousyears,onholythingsintent,Sweetstillnessreigned;andtheretheangelfoundThesaintlysageimmersedinthoughtprofound,WeavingwithpatienttoilandwillingcareAwebofwisdom,wonderfulandfair:
AseamlessrobeforTruth’sgreatbridalmeet,Andneedingbutonethreadtobecomplete。
ThenAsmieltouchedhishand,andbrokethethreadOffine—spunthought,andverygentlysaid,"TheOneofwhomthouthinkestbidstheego"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,"ToserveHimthere。"WithsorrowandsurpriseMalvinlookedup,reluctanceinhiseyes。
Thebrokenthought,thestrangenessofthecall,Theperilouspassageofthemountain—wall,Thesolitaryjourney,andthelengthOfwaysunknown,toogreatforhisfrailstrength,Appalledhim。WithadoubtfulbrowHescannedthedoubtfultask,andmuttered"HOW?"
ButAsmielanswered,asheturnedtogo,Withcold,disheartenedvoice,"Idonotknow。"
Nowashewent,withfadinghope,toseekThethirdandlasttowhomGodbadehimspeak,ScarcetwentystepsawaywhomshouldhemeetButFermor,hurryingcheerfuldownthestreet,Withreadyheartthatfacedhisworklikeplay,Andjoyedtofinditgreatereveryday!
Theangelstoppedhimwithupliftedhand,AndgavewithoutdelayhisLord’scommand:
"Hewhomthouservestherewouldhavetheego"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,"ToserveHimthere。"EreAsmielbreathedagainTheeageranswerleapedtomeethim,"WHEN?"
Theangel’sfacewithinwardjoygrewbright,Andallhisfigureglowedwithheavenlylight;
HetookthegoldencircletfromhisbrowAndgavethecrowntoFermor,answering,"Now!
"ForthouhastmettheMaster’sbiddentest,"AndIhavefoundthemanwholovesHimbest。
"Notthine,normine,toquestionorreply"WhenHecommandsus,asking’how?’or’why?’
"Heknowsthecause;Hiswaysarewiseandjust;
"WhoservestheKingmustservewithperfecttrust。"
February,1902。
THEVAINKING
InrobesofTyrianbluetheKingwasdrest,Ajewelledcollarshoneuponhisbreast,Agiantrubyglitteredinhiscrown——
Lordofrichlandsandmanyasplendidtown。
InhimthegloriesofanancientlineOfsoberkings,whoruledbyrightdivine,Werecentred;andtohimwithloyalaweThepeoplelookedforleadershipandlaw。
Tenthousandknights,thesafeguardoftheland,Laylikeasingleswordwithinhishand;
Ahundredcourts,withpoweroflifeanddeath,Proclaimeddecreesofjusticebyhisbreath;
AndallthesacredgrowthsthatmenhadknownOforderandofruleupheldhisthrone。
ProudwastheKing:yetnotwithsuchaheartAsfitsamantoplayaroyalpart。
NothisthepridethathonoursasatrustTherighttorule,thedutytobejust:
NothisthedignitythatbendstobearThemonarch’syoke,themaster’sloadofcare,Andlabourslikethepeasantathisgate,ToservethepeopleandprotecttheState。
Anotherpridewashis,andotherjoys:
Tohimthecrownandsceptrewerebuttoys,Withwhichheplayedatglory’sidlegame,Topleasehimselfandwinthewreathsoffame。
Thethronehisfathersheldfromagetoage,Tohisambition,seemedafittingstageBuiltforKingMartintodisplayatwill,Hismightystrengthanduniversalskill。
Noconsciouschild,that,spoiledwithpraising,triesAteverysteptowinadmiringeyes,——
Nofavouritemountebank,whoseactingdraws>Fromgapingcrowdsloudthunderofapplause,WasvainerthantheKing:hisonlythirstWastobehailed,ineveryrace,thefirst。
Whentournamentwasheld,inknightlyguiseTheKingwouldridethelistsandwintheprize;
Whenmusiccharmedthecourt,withgoldenlyreTheKingwouldtakethestageandleadthechoir;
Inhunting,histhelancetoslaytheboar;
Inhawking,seehisfalconhighestsoar;
Inpainting,hewouldwieldthemaster’sbrush;
Inhighdebate,——"theKingisspeaking!Hush!"
Thus,witharestlessheart,ineveryfieldHesoughtrenown,andfoundhissubjectsyieldAsifhewereademi—godrevealed。
ButwhileheplayedthepettygamesoflifeHiskingdomfellapreytoinwardstrife;
Corruptionthroughthecourtunheededcrept,Andontheseatofhonourjusticeslept。
Thestrongtroddowntheweak;thehelplesspoorGroanedunderburdensgrievoustoendure。
Thenation’swealthwasspentinvaindisplay,Andweaknessworethenation’sheartaway。
YetthinknotEarthisblindtohumanwoes——
Manhasmorefriendsandhelpersthanheknows;
Andwhenapatientpeopleareoppressed,Thelandthatborethemfeelsitinherbreast。
Spiritsoffieldandflood,ofheathandhill,Aregrievedandangryatthespreadingill;
Thetreescomplaintogetherinthenight,Voicesofwrathareheardalongtheheight,Andsecretvowsaresworn,bystreamandstrand,Tobringthetyrantlowandliberatetheland。
ButlittlereckedthepamperedKingofthese;
Heheardnovoicebutsuchaspraiseandplease。
Flatteredandfooled,victorineverysport,OnedayhewanderedidlywithhiscourtBesidetheriver,seekingtodeviseNewwaystoshowhisskilltowonderingeyes。
Thereinthestreamapatientfisherstood,Andcasthislineacrosstheripplingflood。
Hissilverspoillaynearhimonthegreen:
"Suchfish,"thecourtierscried,"wereneverseen!
"Threesalmonlongerthanacloth—yardshaft——
"Thismanmustbethemasterofhiscraft!"
"Aneasyart!"thejealousKingreplied:
"Myselfcouldlearnitbetter,ifItried,"Andcatchahundredlargerfishaweek——
"Wiltthouacceptthechallenge,fellow?Speak!"
Thefisherturned,camenear,andbenthisknee:
"’Tisnotforkingstostrivewithsuchasme;
"YetiftheKingcommandsit,Iobey。
"ButoneconditionofthestrifeIpray:
"Thefishermanwhobringstheleasttoland"Shalldowhate’ertheothermaycommand。"
LoudlaughedtheKing:"Afoolishfisherthou!
"ForIshallwinandruletheethenasnow。"
SotoPrinceJohn,asobersoul,sedateAndslow,KingMartinleftthehelmofstate,WhiletothenovelgamewitheagerzestHeallhistimeandallhispowersaddrest。
Suresuchasightwasneverseenbefore!
Forrobedandcrownedthemonarchtrodtheshore;
Hisgoldenhooksweredeckedwithfeathersfine,Hisjewelledreelranoutasilkenline。
Withkinglystrokeshefloggedthecrystalstream,Far—offthesalmonsawhistacklegleam;
Carelessofkings,theyeyedwithcalmdisdainThegaudylure,andMartinfishedinvain。
OnFriday,whentheweekwasalmostspent,Hescannedhisemptycreelwithdiscontent,Calledforanet,andcastitfarandwide,Anddrew——athousandminnowsfromthetide!
Thencamethefishertoconcludethematch,Andatthemonarch’sfeetspreadouthiscatch——
Ahundredsalmon,greaterthanbefore——
"Iwin!"hecried:"theKingmustpaythescore。"
ThenMartin,angry,threwhistackledown:
"RatherthanlosethisgameI’dlosemycrown!"
Nay,thouhastlostthemboth,"thefishersaid;
AndashespokeawondrouslightwasshedAroundhisform;hedroppedhisgarmentsmean,AndinhisplacetheRiver—godwasseen。
"Thyvanityhastbroughttheeinmypower,"Andthoushaltpaytheforfeitatthishour:
"Forthouhastshownthyselfaroyalfool,"Tooproudtoangle,andtoovaintorule。
"Eagertowinineverytrivialstrife,——
"Go!Thoushaltfishforminnowsallthylife!"
Wrathful,theKingthescornfulsentenceheard;
Hestrovetoanswer,butheonlyCHIRR—R—ED:
HisTyrianrobewaschangedtowingsofblue,Hiscrownbecameacrest,——awayheflew!
Andstill,alongthereachesofthestream,ThevainKing—fisherflits,anazuregleam,——
Youseehisrubycrest,youhearhisjealousscream。
April,1904。
LYRICS
AMILEWITHME
OwhowillwalkamilewithmeAlonglife’smerryway?
Acomradeblitheandfullofglee,Whodarestolaughoutloudandfree,Andlethisfrolicfancyplay,Likeahappychild,throughtheflowersgayThatfillthefieldandfringethewayWherehewalksamilewithme。
AndwhowillwalkamilewithmeAlonglife’swearyway?
AfriendwhosehearthaseyestoseeThestarsshineouto’erthedarkeninglea,Andthequietrestattheendo’theday,——
Afriendwhoknows,anddarestosay,Thebrave,sweetwordsthatcheerthewayWherehewalksamilewithme。
Withsuchacomrade,suchafriend,Ifainwouldwalktilljourneysend,Throughsummersunshine,winterrain,Andthen?——Farewell,weshallmeetagain!
December,1902。
SPRINGINTHESOUTH
Nowintheoakthesapoflifeiswelling,Tho’totheboughtherustyleafageclings;
Nowontheelmthemistybudsareswelling,Seehowthepine—woodgrowsalivewithwings;
Blue—jaysfluttering,yodelingandcrying,Meadow—larkssailinglowabovethefadedgrass,Red—birdswhistlingclear,silentrobinsflying,——
Whohaswakedthebirdsup?Whathascometopass?
Lastyear’scotton—plants,desolatelybowing,TrembleintheMarch—wind,raggedandforlorn;
Redarethehill—sidesoftheearlyploughing,Grayarethelowlands,waitingforthecorn。
Earthseemsasleepstill,butshe’sonlyfeigning;
Deepinherbosomthrillsasweetunrest。
LookwherethejasminelavishlyisrainingJove’sgoldenshowerintoDanae’sbreast!
Nowontheplumthesnowybloomissifted,Nowonthepeachthegloryoftherose,Overthehillsatenderhazeisdrifted,Fulltothebrimtheyellowriverflows。
Darkcypressboughswithvividjewelsglisten,Greenerthanemeraldsshininginthesun。
Whohaswroughtthemagic?Listen,sweetheart,listen!
Themocking—birdissingingSpringhasbegun。
Hark,inhissongnotremorofmisgiving!
Allofhishearthepoursintohislay,——
"Love,love,love,andpuredelightofliving:
Winterisforgotten:here’sahappyday!"
FairinyourfaceIreadtheflowerypresage,Snowyonyourbrowandrosyonyourmouth:
SweetinyourvoiceIheartheseason’smessage,——
Love,love,love,andSpringintheSouth!
March,1904。
LOVE’SNEARNESS
Ithinkofthee,whengoldensunbeamsshimmerAcrossthesea;
Andwhenthewavesreflectthemoon’spaleglimmer,Ithinkofthee。
Iseethyform,whendownthedistanthighwayThedust—cloudsrise;
Indeepestnight,abovethemountainby—way,Iseethineeyes。
Iheartheewhentheocean—tidesreturningLoudlyrejoice;
Andonthelonelymoor,instillnessyearning,Ihearthyvoice。
Idwellwiththee:thoughthouartfarremoved,Yetartthounear。
Thesungoesdown,thestarsshineout,——
Beloved,Ah,wertthouhere!
>FromGoethe:"NahedesGeliebten。"
TWOSCHOOLS
IputmyhearttoschoolIntheworld,wheremengrowwise,"Goout,"Isaid,"andlearntherule;
"Comebackwhenyouwinaprize。"
Myheartcamebackagain:
"Nowwhereistheprize?"Icried。——
"Therulewasfalse,andtheprizewaspain,"Andtheteacher’snamewasPride。"
IputmyhearttoschoolInthewoods,whereveeriessing,Andbrooksruncoolandclear;
Inthefields,wherewildflowersspring,Andtheblueofheavenbendsnear。
"Goout,"Isaid:"youarehalfafool,"Butperhapstheycanteachyouhere。"
"Andwhydoyoustaysolong,"Myheart,andwheredoyouroam?"
Theanswercamewithalaughandasong,——
"Ifindthisschoolishome。"
April,1901。
APRAYERFORAMOTHER’SBIRTHDAY
LordJesus,ThouhastknownAmother’sloveandtendercare:
AndThouwilthear,whileformyownMothermostdearImakethisbirthdayprayer。
Protectherlife,Ipray,Whogavethegiftoflifetome;
Andmaysheknow,fromdaytoday,ThedeepeningglowofLifethatcomesfromThee。
AsonceuponherbreastFearlessandwellcontentIlay,Soletherheart,onTheeatrest,Feelfearsdepartandtroublesfadeaway。
Hereverywishfulfill;
AndevenifThoumustrefuseInanything,letThywisewillAcomfortbringsuchaskindmothersuse。
Ah,holdherbythehand,Asonceherhandheldmine;
AndthoughshemaynotunderstandLife’swindingway,leadherinpeacedivine。
IcannotpaymydebtForallthelovethatshehasgiven;
ButThou,love’sLord,wiltnotforgetHerduereward,——blessherinearthandheaven。
July,1903。
INDIANSUMMER
Asoftveildimsthetenderskies,AndhalfconcealsfrompensiveeyesThebronzingtokensofthefall;
Acalmnessbroodsuponthehills,Andsummer’spartingdreamdistillsAcharmofsilenceoverall。
Thestacksofcorn,inbrownarray,Standwaitingthroughtheplacidday,Liketatteredwigwamsontheplain;
ThetribesthatfindashelterthereArephantompeoples,formsofair,Andghostsofvanishedjoyandpain。
AteveningwhenthecrimsoncrestOfsunsetpassesdowntheWest,Ihearthewhisperinghostreturning;
Onfar—offfields,byelmandoak,Iseethelights,Ismellthesmoke,——
TheCamp—firesofthePastareburning。
TertiusandHenryVanDyke。
November,1903。
ONEWORLD
"TheworldsinwhichwelivearetwoTheworld’Iam’andtheworld’Ido。’"
Theworldsinwhichweliveatheartareone,Theworld"Iam,"thefruitof"Ihavedone";
Andunderneaththeseworldsofflowerandfruit,Theworld"Ilove,"——theonlylivingroot。
HIDEANDSEEK
I
Allthetreesaresleeping,allthewindsarestill,Alltheflocksoffleecycloudshavewanderedpastthehill;
Throughthenoondaysilence,downthewoodsofJune,Hark,alittlehunter’svoicecomesrunningwithatune。
"Hideandseek!
"WhenIspeak,"Youmustanswerme:
"Callagain,"Merrymen,"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!"
NowIhearhisfootsteps,rustlingthroughthegrass:
Hiddeninmyleafynook,shallIlethimpass?
Justalow,softwhistle,——quickthehunterturns,Leapsuponmelaughing,rollsmeintheferns。
"Holdhimfast,"Caughtatlast!
"Nowyou’reit,yousee。
"Hideyoureye,"TillIcry,"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!"
II
Longagoheleftme,longandlongago:
NowIwanderthroughtheworldandseekhimhighandlow;
Hiddensafeandhappy,insomepleasantplace,——
Ah,ifIcouldhearhisvoice,Isoonshouldfindhisface。
Faraway,Manyaday,WherecanBarneybe?
Answer,dear,Don’tyouhear?
Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!
Birdsthatinthespring—timethrilledhisheartwithjoy,Flowershelovedtopickforme,mindmeofmyboy。
Surelyheiswaitingtillmystepscomenigh;
Lovemayhideitselfawhile,butlovecanneverdie。
Heart,beglad,ThelittleladWillcallsomedaytothee:
"Fatherdear,"Heavenishere,"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!"
January,1900。
DULCISMEMORIA
Long,longagoIheardalittlesong,(Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?)
Solowly,slowlywoundthetunealong,Thatfarintomyheartitfoundtheway:
Amelodyconsolingandendearing;
Andstill,insilenthours,I’moftenhearingThesmall,sweetsongthatdoesnotdieaway。
Long,longagoIsawalittleflower,——
(Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?)
Sofairoffaceandfragrantforanhour,Thatsomethingdeartomeitseemedtosay:
AthoughtofjoythatblossomedintobeingWithoutaword;andnowI’moftenseeingThefriendlyflowerthatdoesnotfadeaway。
Long,longagowehadalittlechild,——
(Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?)
Intohismother’seyesandminehesmiledUnconsciouslove;warminourarmshelay。
Anangelcalled!Dearheart,wecouldnotholdhim;
Yetsecretlyyourarmsandmineinfoldhim——
Ourlittlechildwhodoesnotgoaway。
Long,longago?Ah,memory,makeitclear——
(Itwasnotlongago,butyesterday,)
SolittleandsohelplessandsodearLetnotthesongbelost,theflowerdecay!
Hisvoice,hiswakingeyes,hisgentlesleeping:
Thesmallestthingsaresafestinthykeeping。
Sweetmemory,keepourchildwithusalway。
April,1903。
AUTUMNINTHEGARDEN
WhenthefrostykissofAutumninthedarkMakesitsmarkOntheflowers,andthemistymorninggrievesOverfallenleaves;
Thenmyoldengarden,wherethegoldensoilThroughthetoilOfahundredyearsismellow,rich,anddeep,Whispersinitssleep。
’Midthecrumpledbedsofmarigoldandphlox,WheretheboxBorderswithitsglossygreentheancientwalks,There’savoicethattalksOfthehumanhopesthatbloomedandwitheredhereYearbyyear,——
Dreamsofjoy,thatbrightenedallthelabouringhours,Fadingastheflowers。
Yetthewhisperedstorydoesnotdeepengrief;
ButreliefForthelonelinessofsorrowseemstoflowFromtheLong—Ago,WhenIthinkofotherlivesthatlearned,likemine,Toresign,AndrememberthatthesadnessofthefallComesaliketoall。
Whatregrets,whatlongingsforthelostweretheirs!
AndwhatprayersForthesilentstrengththatnervesustoendureThingswecannotcure!
Pacingupanddownthegardenwheretheypaced,IhavetracedAlltheirwell—wornpathsofpatience,tillIfindComfortinmymind。
Faintandfarawaytheirancientgriefsappear:
YethownearIsthetendervoice,thecareworn,kindlyface,Ofthehumanrace!
Letuswalktogetherinthegarden,dearestheart,Notapart!
TheywhoknowthesorrowsotherliveshaveknownNeverwalkalone。
October,1903。
THEMESSAGE
Wakingfromtendersleep,Myneighbour’slittlechildPutouthisbabyhandtome,Lookedinmyface,andsmiled。
ItseemedasifhecameHomefromahappyland,TotellmesomethingthatmyheartWouldsurelyunderstand。
Somewhere,amongbrightdreams,AchildthatoncewasmineHadwhisperedwordlesslovetohim,Andgivenhimasign。
Comfortofkindlyspeech,Andcounselofthewise,HavehelpedmelessthanwhatIreadInthosedeep—smilingeyes。
Sleepsweetly,littlefriend,Anddreamagainofheaven:
WithdoubleloveIkissyourhand,——
Yourmessagehasbeengiven。
November,1903。
LIGHTBETWEENTHETREES
Long,long,longthetrailThroughthebroodingforest—gloom,Downtheshadowy,lonelyvaleIntosilence,likearoomWherethelightoflifehasfled,AndthejealouscurtainscloseRoundthepassionlessreposeOfthesilentdead。
Plod,plod,plodaway,Stepbystepinmoulderingmoss;
ThickbranchesbarthedayOverlanguidstreamsthatcrossSoftly,slowly,withasoundIntheiraimlesscreepingLikeasmotheredweeping,Throughtheenchantedground。
"Yield,yield,yieldthyquest,"
Whispersthroughthewoodlanddeep;
"Cometomeandbeatrest;
"Iamslumber,Iamsleep。"
Thenthewearyfeetwouldfail,Butthenever—dauntedwillUrges"Forward,forwardstill!
"Pressalongthetrail!"
Breast,breast,breasttheslope!
See,thepathisgrowingsteep。
Hark!alittlesongofhopeWhenthestreambeginstoleap。
Thoughtheforest,farandwide,Stillshutsoutthebendingblue,Weshallfinallywinthrough,Crossthelongdivide。
On,on,onwardtramp!
Willthejourneyneverend?
Overyonderliesthecamp;
Welcomewaitsusthere,myfriend。
Canwereachiterethenight?
Upward,upward,neverfear!
Look,thesummitmustbenear;
Seethelineoflight!
Red,red,redtheshineOfthesplendourinthewest,Glowingthroughtheranksofpine,Clearalongthemountain—crest!
Long,long,longthetrailOutofsorrow’slonelyvale;
ButatlastthetravellerseesLightbetweenthetrees!
March,1904。
RELIANCE
Nottotheswift,therace:
Nottothestrong,thefight:
Nottotherighteous,perfectgrace:
Nottothewise,thelight。
ButoftenfalteringfeetComesuresttothegoal;
AndtheywhowalkindarknessmeetThesunriseofthesoul。
AthousandtimesbynightTheSyrianhostshavedied;
AthousandtimesthevanquishedrightHathrisen,glorified。
ThetruththewisemensoughtWasspokenbyachild;
ThealabasterboxwasbroughtIntremblinghandsdefiled。
Notfrommytorch,thegleam,Butfromthestarsabove:
Notfrommyheart,life’scrystalstream,ButfromthedepthsofLove。
October,1903。
GREETINGSANDINSCRIPTIONS
KATRINA’SSUN—DIAL
Hoursfly,Flowersdie:
Newdays,Newways:
Passby!
Lovestays。
**
TimeisTooSlowforthosewhoWait,TooSwiftforthosewhoFear,TooLongforthosewhoGrieve,TooShortforthosewhoRejoice;
ButforthosewhoLove,Timeisnot。
TOJAMESWHITCOMBRILEY
Onhis"BookofJoyousChildren"
Yoursisagardenofold—fashionedflowers;
Joyouschildrendelighttoplaythere;
Wearymenfindrestinitsbowers,Watchingthelingeringlightofdaythere。
Old—timetunesandyounglove’slaughterRippleandrunamongtheroses;
Memory’sechoes,murmuringafter,Filltheduskwhenthelongdaycloses。
Simplesongswithacadenceolden——
TheseyoulearnedintheForestofArden:
Friendlyflowerswithheartsallgolden——
TheseyouborrowedfromEden’sgarden。
Thisisthereasonwhyallmenloveyou;
Truthtolifeisthecharmofart:
Otherpoetsmaysoaraboveyou——
Youkeepclosetothehumanheart。
December,1903。
AHEALTHTOMARKTWAIN
AthisBirthdayFeastWithmemoriesoldandwishesnewWecrownourcupsagain,Andhere’stoyou,andhere’stoyouWithlovethatne’ershallwane!
Andmayyoukeep,atsixty—seven,Thejoyofearth,thehopeofheaven,Andfamewell—earned,andfriendshiptrue,Andpeacethatcomfortseverypain,Andfaiththatfightsthebattlethrough,Andallyourheart’sunboundedwealth,Andallyourwit,andallyourhealth,——
Yes,here’saheartyhealthtoyou,Andhere’stoyou,andhere’stoyou,Longlifetoyou,MarkTwain。
ARONDEAUOFCOLLEGERHYMES
Ourcollegerhymes,——howlighttheyseem,Likelittleghostsoflove’syoungdreamThatledourboyishheartsawayFromlecturesandfrombooks,tostrayByflowerymeadandflowingstream!
There’snothinghere,informortheme,Ofthoughtsublimeorartsupreme:
WewouldnothavethecriticweighOurcollegerhymes。
Yetif,perchance,aslenderbeamOffeeling’sgloworfancy’sgleamStilllingersinthelineswelayAtAlmaMater’sfeettoday,ThetouchofNaturemayredeemOurcollegerhymes。
May,1904。
THEMOCKING—BIRD
Inmirthhemockstheotherbirdsatnoon,Catchingtheliltofeveryeasytune;
Butwhenthedaydepartshesingsoflove,——
Hisownwildsongbeneaththelisteningmoon。
March,1904。
THEEMPTYQUATRAIN
Aflawlesscup:howdelicateandfineTheflowingcurveofeveryjewelledline!
Look,turnitupordown,’tisperfectstill,——
Butholdsnodropoflife’sheart—warmingwine。
April,1904。
INSCRIPTIONSFORAFRIEND’SHOUSE
THEHOUSE
ThecornerstoneinTruthislaid,TheguardianwallsofHonourmade,TheroofofFaithisbuiltabove,ThefireuponthehearthisLove:
Thoughrainsdescendandloudwindscall,Thishappyhouseshallneverfall。
THEDOORSTEAD
Thelintellowenoughtokeepoutpompandpride:
Thethresholdhighenoughtoturndeceitaside:
Thedoorbandstrongenoughfromrobberstodefend:
Thisdoorwillopenatatouchtowelcomeeveryfriend。
THEHEARTHSTONE
Whenthelogsareburningfree,Thenthefireisfullofglee:
Wheneachheartgivesoutitsbest,Thenthetalkisfullofzest:
Lightyourfireandneverfear,Lifewasmadeforloveandcheer。
THESUN—DIAL
TimecannevertakeWhatTimedidnotgive;
Whenmyshadowshaveallpassed,Youshalllive。
THESTATUEOFSHERMANBYST。GAUDENS
ThisisthesoldierbraveenoughtotellTheglory—dazzledworldthat’warishell’:
Loverofpeace,helooksbeyondthestrife,Andridesthroughhelltosavehiscountry’slife。
April,1904。
THESUN—DIALATWELLSCOLLEGE
TheshadowbymyfingercastDividesthefuturefromthepast:
Beforeit,sleepstheunbornhourIndarkness,andbeyondthypower:
Behinditsunreturningline,Thevanishedhour,nolongerthine:
Onehouraloneisinthyhands,——
TheNOWonwhichtheshadowstands。
March,1904。