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diff --git a/40237-0.txt b/40237-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5c337dc --- /dev/null +++ b/40237-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2557 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40237 *** + +BY THE SEA +AND OTHER VERSES + +_By_ +_H. Lavinia Baily_ + +[Illustration] + +BOSTON +RICHARD G. BADGER +The Gorham Press +1907 + + +_Copyright 1907 by H. Lavinia Baily_ + +_All Rights Reserved_ + +_The Gorham Press, Boston_ + + + + +CONTENTS + + +Myself and You 7 + +By the Sea 8 + +At the Close of the Year 14 + +Risen 16 + +Elizabeth Crowned 18 + +Who is Sufficient 19 + +Peace 21 + +Boys and Girls 22 + +A Smile 23 + +A Sparrow Alone on the Housetop 24 + +To Mother 24 + +Psalm CXXI 25 + +To R. T. B. 26 + +On New Year, 1897 27 + +To Anna 27 + +A Song of Tens 28 + +Jessica 29 + +Transition 29 + +To A. H. B. 30 + +To Winnie 31 + +A Life Work 32 + +Visions 32 + +Be Ye also Ready 39 + +Mimosa 40 + +At the Crisis 41 + +On the Death of Dr. James E. Rhoads 42 + +Eternal Youth 43 + +Building Time 44 + +Sunrise 45 + +Neal Dow 47 + +"Paradise will Pay for All" 48 + +Forgiveness 49 + +A Lost Song? 51 + +A New Earth 52 + +Recall 53 + +Philistia's Triumph 54 + +The White Ribbon Army 55 + +Christmas 57 + +"A Day in June" 57 + +To-day 59 + +Losing Victories 59 + +Not Mine 61 + +In the Desert 61 + +A Phantom in the "Circle" 62 + +A Valentine 66 + +A Convention Hymn 66 + +A Collection Song 67 + +The Ballad of the Boundary Line 68 + +Margaret Lee 71 + +Soaring Upward 74 + +The End of the Road 75 + + + + +BY THE SEA + +_AND OTHER VERSES_ + + + + +MYSELF AND YOU + + +There are only myself and you in the world, + There are only myself and you; +'Tis clear, then, that I unto you should be kind, + And that you unto me should be true. + +And if I unto you could be always kind, + And you unto me could be true, +Then the criminal courts might all be adjourned, + And the sword would have nothing to do. + +A few fertile acres are all that I need,-- + Not more than a hundred or two,-- +And the great, wide earth holds enough, I am sure, + Enough for myself and for you. + +The sweet air of heaven is free to us all; + Upon all fall the rain and the dew; +And the glorious sun in his cycle of light + Shines alike on myself and on you. + +The infinite love is as broad as the sky, + And as deep as the ocean's blue, +We may breathe it, bathe in it, live in it, aye, + It is _life_ for myself and for you. + +And the Christ who came when the angels sang + Will come, if the song we renew, +And reign in his kingdom,--the Prince of Peace,-- + Reigning over myself and you. + +O, then, may I be unto you always kind, + And be you unto me always true; +So the land may rest from its turmoil and strife, + And the sword may have nothing to do. + + + + +BY THE SEA + +AN ARGUMENT FOR PEACE + + +"You do but dream; the world will never see + Such time as this you picture, when the sword +Shall lie inglorious in its sheath, and be + No more of valorous deeds incentive or reward." + +The ocean breezes fanned them where they sat, + At leisure from life's conflict, toil and care, +Yet not unthoughtful, nor unmindful that + In all its weal and woe they held their share. + +The rose-light charm and pride of earliest youth + A chastening touch had toned to lovelier hue, +And the white soul of purity and truth + Looked out alike from eyes of brown and blue. + +"I covet your fair hope," he spake again, + "I cannot share it; all the hoary past +Denies that mightier prowess of the pen + The poet claims, and proves it still surpassed + +"By sword and musket and the arts of war. + And 'twere not so,--the query will return, +Albeit such conflict we must all abhor-- + How should the fires of patriotism burn? + +"Their flames are kindled by the flash of arms, + And fed by recount of heroic deed; +The sanguinary story has its charms + Tho the heart sicken o'er it as we read. + +"And what were Greece without her Marathon? +Or Rome, had not her Caesars fought and won? +How reigns Britannia, Empress near and far, +But for her Waterloo and Trafalgar? + +"And we, know not our souls a quickening thrill +At thought of Lexington and Bunker Hill? +And with a pride no rival passion mars +Greet we not now our glorious Stripes and Stars? + +"Yes, friend, I own your theory is fine; +I grant your outlook far exceedeth mine + In excellence and beauty, in its scope +Embracing that millennial age of bliss +The spirit pants for while it chafes in this; + I covet, tho I cannot share, your hope." + +"My hope," she answered, smiling, "is a faith; + The kingdoms of this world are yet to be +The kingdoms of our blessed Lord, the Christ;-- +Lord of all life thro' dire and vengeful death-- + Wrought thro' such sacrifice, unspared, unpriced, + His word and purpose must fulfilment see, +And realms by mountains bounded or by seas +Must own allegiance to the Prince of Peace. + +"I yield to none"--and as she spoke there sped + Across the opal beauty of the sea +A light-winged vessel, bearing at its head + The starry emblem of the brave and free-- + +"I yield to none in loyalty and love + For yon bright banner, but I hold it still +As token to the world, all else above, + Of peace on earth and unto man good will. + +"God gave His land to be the home of man; + And all that brightens and upbuilds the home +Uplifts humanity; tramp, tribe and clan, + Knowing no hearthstone, are content to roam, + +"But drawing nearer God the man returns + And rears his household altar. In some quest +The feet may wander, but the heart still yearns + For the soft home-light and the quiet rest. + +"Think yet again, good brother, is it not + From off such altar, whether it may glow +In princely palace or in lowliest cot, + That the true flame of country-love must flow? +While that enkindled by the flash of arms +Is a 'strange fire,' consuming while it charms. + +"Lives Greece less nobly in her Parthenon, + In what her Solons wrote, her poets sang, +Than in the gastly pride of Marathon, + And kindred fields where victors' praises rang? + +"And we, enriched thro' Commerce, Letters, Art, + Forgot our earlier grievances and scars, +Are we not ready for a better part? + Have we not now outgrown our need of wars? + +"Surely it should be so," he made reply; + "The sated earth cries out against the flow +Of human blood: 'How long? how long?' The cry + Must pierce the heavens from writhing hearts below. + +"But men heed not; the glamor and the gain +Of warfare blind them to its sin and pain; +They know not pity and they count not cost +Till armies meet and life and cause are lost. + +"Would they but listen 'twere an errand blest +To plead against oppressor for oppressed; +Would they but follow it were joy indeed +Up the white hills of truth and peace to lead. + +"But, ah! the multitudes are gone astray, +The powerful of the earth will have their way; +What profit, sister, in our prayers and tears? +Why mar the spring-time gladness of our years + +"In vain pursuit of universal good? +In fruitless care for earth's vast brotherhood? +Glad would I grasp such work could I but see. +Or near, or far, your hoped-for victory." + +"Whether they hear," she answered, "or forbear, + 'Tis ours with signal truths to light the skies; +God's promises and warnings to declare;-- + How can men follow if no leader rise? + +"The Christ shall be the victor; O my friend, + Why do we limit His almighty power +Who sees from far beginning to the end? + Whose day may be an æon or an hour? + +"The sea is His; He made it; and His word + Can speak its wildest tumult into calm; +As He may will its deepest founts are stirred, + Or surface-ripples breathe a praiseful psalm. + +"As well His power the rise and fall doth sway + Of human passion, tho He suffer long; +The puny pride of man shall yet obey + The mandate of the Only Wise and Strong. + +"But God would have the children of His grace + In this great reclamation have a share; +And each in his appointed hour and place + Must stand, or other brow his crown will wear." + +She paused, and o'er them, as with magic spell, +For a brief space a holy silence fell; +Then while the sunset crimson of the sky +Set ocean all a-blush, he made reply: + +"Reason and candor justify your claim; + The Infinite is infinite in all; +The Power that touches into life that flame + Holds earth and heaven subject to His call, + And at His fiat peoples rise and fall. + +"Your dauntless zeal doth shame my coward heart; + Your word of faith my courage doth inspire; +I see 'tis only noble to have part + In moral contest; not to fan the fire +Of a false glory, which must ever feed +On souls that perish, and on hearts that bleed. + +"And this I gather from your earnest plea;-- + That souls which walk in light and see the way +To heights of truth yet unattained, must be + Fore-runners for their Lord, must work and pray +For the incoming of the perfect day. + +"Join we in this sweet service; cherish still + The trust that gives you courage for the fight; +Your 'peaceful war' on all that's base and ill, + Your patient battle for the pure, the right. + Let us press on and mount the hills of light." + +The ocean murmur fell upon their ears + Sweeter than bird-song or the voice of mirth, +As beamed her answering smile, thro' grateful tears, + While her lips whispered only "Peace on earth." + +"Peace! peace!"--the evening zephyrs caught the strain, + The wavelets sent the word across the sea; +Exultant Nature trilled the glad refrain;-- + "Peace! peace! The Christ is come, and peace shall be!" + + + + +AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR + + +Neighbor, neighbor, prithee stay; +Wherefore hasten on thy way? +Give a moment's heed to me, +I would ask a thing of thee. + +Neighbor, days and months have fled, +Seasons one by one have sped, +And to-night I greet thee here +At the passing of the year. + +'Tis the time of reckoning now, +Of new resolves and annual vow; +Time of straightening ugly crooks, +And careful balancing of books. + +Pardon if I now demand +How accounts of thine may stand; +Hast thou rendered, fair and true, +Unto every man his due? + +Hast thou given timely heed +To thy poorer brother's need? +Hath thy strong arm been a stay +To the weaker on the way? + +When didst thou a joy impart +To thy sister, sad at heart! +When didst thou her grief beguile +With the sunshine of thy smile? + +When the heavy-laden came +Didst thou breathe a Saviour's name? +When temptations fierce did prove +Didst thou whisper of His love? + +When hosts of evil have assailed, +And against the right prevailed, +Hast thou still undaunted stood +Pleading for the pure and good? + +When--but neighbor, this is strange! +While I question comes a change: +All that I have asked of thee +Comes for answer back to me. + +Comes, against my wish and will, +Comes and sets my heart a-thrill; +Comes with terrors of the law, +Filling me with fear and awe. + +Strange transition! Can it mean?-- +The marvel of this shifting scene-- +Yes, I read the mystery now. +Neighbor, mine own soul art thou. + +Now, my soul, 'tis thine to say +How the record stands to-day +Give account of loss or gain, +Talent used or spent in vain. + +All unwitting how they sped +I my listed queries read; +Raised the duty-standard high, +Challenged measurement thereby. + +While I queried came a change, +Silent, solemn, passing strange;-- +Neighbor glided into mist, +Soul and self were keeping tryst. + +And the queries come anew: +Soul of mine, be brave and true; +Lo! _our_ books we balance now; +I have questioned; answer thou. + + + + +RISEN + + +"He is risen; He is risen, + Here His empty tomb you see; +And He goeth as He told you + To the hills of Galilee." +Thus to loving, loyal women, + In the centuries agone, +Angel voices told the story + Of the resurrection morn. + +He is risen! He is risen! +Years hand down the glad refrain; +Let the ages on to ages + Waft the tidings yet again. +He who near the Bethlehem manger + Lowly child of earth was born, +King of kings reigns all triumphant + Since the resurrection morn. + +Christ is risen! Calvary's anguish + All a lost world's ransom paid; +Then, with tears, "the hope of Israel" + In the new-made tomb was laid. + +Deep and dark the desolation + Falling with that night forlorn; +Radiant the dawn awakening + With the resurrection morn. + +He has risen! By this token + We with Him shall rise again; +Faith shall vanquish doubt and terror, + Joy shall banish grief and pain. +No more fear of sin's temptation, + No more dread of hatred's scorn, +O the glory purchased for us + On the resurrection morn! + +Christ is risen! Bow before Him, + To His courts an offering bring; +Suffering Lord and Lamb victorious, + Crown Him Conquerer, Priest and King. +Robe of light for robe of mocking, + Diadem for crown of thorn, +Wears He now, and in His likeness +Rise we, satisfied, immortal, + In the resurrection morn. + + + + +ELIZABETH CROWNED + + +Elizabeth of Hungary, a widow at the age of twenty, was sought +in marriage by Frederick II., Emperor of Germany. She, having taken +a vow never to marry again, declined his offer, and devoted her life +to deeds of kindness and charity. She died at the age of twenty-four, +and was canonized as a saint by Gregory IX. At this ceremony Frederick +placed upon her head a golden crown, saying, "Since thou wouldst +not be crowned as my Empress, I crown thee to-day as an immortal +Queen in the kingdom of God." + +When once I saw thee, fair, yet sad and lone,-- + Tho wealth and beauty waited at thy hand-- +I would have crowned thee, saintly one, mine own; +Glad would have had thee share with me my throne, + Bride of my heart, and Empress of my land! + +But thou wert wedded to thy valiant dead, + And to the service of a Christ-like love; +So by thy hand the suffering poor were led, +And from thy bounty were the hungry fed, + Till came thy summons to the Court Above. + +Now hast thou passed from tears and pain away, + Thine ear hath caught the heavenly melodies;-- +So be it mine, with reverent touch, to-day, +On thy fair head this diadem to lay, + And crown thee Queen immortal for the skies! + + + + +WHO IS SUFFICIENT? + + +Six-and-thirty little mortals + Coming to be taught; +And mine that most "delightful task + To rear the tender thought." +Merry, mischief-loving children, + Thoughtless, glad and gay, +Loving lessons--"just a little," + Dearly loving play. + +Six-and-thirty souls immortal, + Coming to be fed; +Needing "food convenient for them," + As their daily bread. +Bright and happy little children, + Innocent and free, +Coming here their life-long lessons + Now to learn of me. + +Listen to the toilsome routine, + List, and answer them, +For these things who is sufficient + 'Mong the sons of men? +Now they, at the well-known summons, + Cease their busy hum; +And, some with pleasure, some reluctant, + To the school-room come. + +Comes a cunning little urchin + With defiant eye, +"Making music" with his marbles + As he passes by. +But, alas! the pretty toys are + Taken from him soon, +And the music-loving Willie + Strikes another tune! + +Comes a lisping little beauty, + Scarce five summers old; +Baby voice and blue eyes pleading, + "Please, misth, I'm stho cold!" +Little one, the world is chilly, + All too cold for thee; +From its storms "Our Father" shield thee, + And thy refuge be. + +While I turn to caution Johnny + Not to make such noise; +Mary parses: "Earth's an adverb, + In the passive voice." +Well, indeed, it must be passive, + Else it is not clear +How such open language-murder, + Goes unpunished here. + +"Second Reader Class" reciting-- + "Lesson verse or prose?" +None in all the class is certain; + Each one thinks he knows. +"Well," is queried then, "the difference + Who can now define?" +Answers Rob: "In verse they never + Finish out the line!" + +Boy, thy thought doth strangely thrill me, + And as hours roll on, +Hears my heart a solemn query: + Is my day's work done? +Do I make of this my life-task + Prose or idle rhyme? +Do I in the sight of Heaven + Finish out the line? + +Oh, it is "too fine a knowledge" + For our mortal sight, +All these restless little creatures + How to lead aright. +He who prayeth while he worketh, + Taking lessons still +Of the Friend of little children, + Learning all His will; + +He alone can walk before them + Worthily and well; +He alone of life's strange language + Can the meaning tell. +May I then with heart as tender + As a little child +Lead my flock; and Father, keep them + Pure and undefiled. + + + + +PEACE + + +O blessed peace, that floweth like a river, + Unstayed, unwearied, ever on and on; +That hath its fount and spring in Christ the giver, + And finds its ocean round the great white Throne. + +O peace of God, that passeth understanding, + Thou art the answer to my soul's long quest; +Doubts, fears and sins, their serried hosts disbanding, + I leave, launch on thy wave, and anchored, rest. + + + + +BOYS AND GIRLS + + +We were "seven in all," as the dear rustic maid + To the poet so sweetly protested; +And together we rambled and studied and played, +Each imbibing a share of the sunshine and shade + Wherewith our young life was invested. + +And black eyes and blue eyes and brown eyes and gray + Looked up to the face of our mother, +As she led us in study in labor or play, +Or told of "Our Father," and taught us to pray, + And to cherish and love one another. + +O, the rapture of being when life is a-tune + With the song-life and beauty of morning; +When the roseate dawn brightens into the noon, +And the year hastens on to the splendor of June, + In her fragrance and matchless adorning. + +So our years flitted by and the youngest of all-- + Our dark-eyed and fun-loving brother-- +Was grown to be manly and lithesome and tall, +And to couteous titles we answered the call, + But were still "boys" and "girls" to each other. + +O, the joy of endeavor, endurance and toil + On thro' summer-time vigor and sweetness, +Of triumph o'er that which would hinder or foil, +Of the patience of hope after tears and turmoil, + In the glory of autumn's completeness. + +And the toil and the turmoil and tears have been ours-- + From our ranks we have missed a loved brother +We've encountered the thorns, but we've cherished the flowers; +We've passed under the clouds on to sunnier hours, + And we're still "boys" and "girls" to each other. + + + + +A SMILE + + +The gliding of a fairy form + And rosy lips that knew no guile, +With wonder parted, came to ask, + "Papa, what is a smile?" + +A smile, whate'er it is, then stole + That gentle parent's features o'er; +For ne'er to him had been proposed + Query so strange before. + +But while he pondered in his heart + How he should to his child reply, +A new, triumphant joy lit up + Her loving, lustrous eye;-- + +And with this gladsome, new-found thought, + She answered in her own behalf: +"Oh, now, I know; a smile must be + _The whisper to a laugh!_" + + + + +"A SPARROW ALONE ON THE HOUSETOP" + + +Sing, little sparrow, sing thy song. + No peril neareth thee; +Tho night be dark or day be long, +Or clouds hang low, sing on, sing on, + The dear God heareth thee. + +Sing, little bird, whate'er befall-- + Trill out thine utmost need; +Thou canst not soar, thou canst not fall +But He will note who knoweth all, + And He thy plaint will heed. + +O little sparrow, far and high + Thy soft notes God-ward go, +And I with thee send up my cry, +And both shall somewhere find reply, + _God careth for us so._ + + + + +TO MOTHER + + +O mother, from thy home beyond the stars + Hast thou not known the yearning of thy child + For thy sweet love? Hast thou not heard her wild +And piteous moaning for thy soft caress? +Felt her heart's aching for the tenderness + And the low patience of thy loving voice? +Hast thou not seen her 'mid life's toils and jars, +Pant as a bird behind its prison bars, + For freedom to fly forth and be with thee? +And canst thou not, sweet mother, send reply? +Oh, thro' the depths of glory, thro' the sky, + Look for one moment down and say to me + That all of loss on earth thou findest to be + Great gain in heaven; that thou dost rejoice +In all that was, and is, and shall betide +At last to all; and that, in Him who died, + Yet liveth evermore, I, too, shall see + All discord blended into harmony; +And that I, too, shall be, as thou art, satisfied. + + + + +PSALM CXXI + +INSCRIBED TO MY SISTER, R. S. B. + + +Lift up thine eyes unto the hills; + A pure and fragrant breath +Is wafted from their purple tops,-- + The Heaven-sent breath of _Faith_. + +Lift up thine eyes unto the hills; +Beyond their shadowy slope +The Sun of Righteousness doth rise +In roseate dawn of _Hope_. + +Lift up thine eyes unto the hills; + Around, below, above, +The holy sky is all aglow + With the warm light of _Love_. + +Lift up thine eyes unto the hills;-- + Faith, Hope and Love are given +To point from fading joys of earth, + To endless joy of Heaven. + + + + +TO R. T. B. + +ON HER MARRIAGE DAY + + + Sister, we know +That God is good, and He hath led us on +By pleasant ways or painful to this day. +Our lives went on together until now. +In childhood and in youth the same fond home +Hath been our earthly refuge; the same Rock +Our shelter when earth had no rest or shade. +At the same fancy we have often smiled, +For the same sorrow wept; and oft our souls, +In mingling aspirations, have sent up +The same thanksgiving, the same burning prayer. +Yes, we have lived _together_; we have known +The visible blending of the outward life +Made real by the holier unison +Of loving spirit and aspiring mind. +The spells of joy have bound us--and of hope, +And tears--which are the diamond links of love-- +Have made the chain of our affection strong. +It may be thus no more; yet--God is good-- +I hush the moaning of my riven heart, +And smile that thou art happy; and give thanks +That thy sweet life, rejoicing, hath put on +Its richest diadem, its crown of love. +May the kind Father grant that crown to be +All worthy of the wearer; may His smile +Lend brightness to it ever; and at last, +When it is laid with earthly robes away, +O may the infinite and eternal Love +Rest like a glory on thy radiant brow. + + + + +ON NEW YEAR, 1897 + +TO G. D. AND S. F. B. + + +God bless you thro' this bright new year, + The first you spend together; +Give peace and trust thro' cloudy days, + Joy in its sunny weather. + +And may the days as days go by, + Still richer seem and sweeter, +And passing seasons make your lives + In every good completer. + +There are not words to tell the love + In which I could caress you; +Your dear united names I breathe, + And once more pray, God bless you. + + + + +TO ANNA + +ON HER SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY + + +Sixteen! and life to thee looks bright and fair;-- + A book unread, rose-tinted, golden edged, +Encased in binding curious, costly, rare;-- + And all the years to be thou holdest pledged +To give thee from its pages, day by day, +Readings to cheer and bless the blithesome way. + +And life is such a volume, only thou, + From garnered storage of the heart and mind, +Must fill unwritten pages, and allow + Fair pictures--of pure thought, of self resigned, +Of kindly deeds--each new-made page to grace;-- +How blest if none thou, later, woulds't efface! + +Sixteen! A May-day in the path of life, + A marvelous puzzle on the finger twirled; +Sixteen again; a stir of earnest strife + And toil and tumult in a restless world; +Repeated still,--a patient, steadfast hold +On good attained,--ripe fruit, and grain of gold. + +Sixteen once more! Serene in shade or sun, + A brighter outlook now; existence grand! +Content in hopes fulfilled, in victories won, + Mingling with holier yearnings for that land, +Whose o'er-flown radiance and whose surplus bliss +Have been the glory and the joy of this. + + + + +A SONG OF TENS + +TO MARY + + +At the tenth birthday all the world looks fair; +The twentieth scarcely shades it with a care; +At the third decade life soars grand and high; +But with the fourth its heyday passes by. + +The fifth comes on,--a century's half is told; +The sixth,--our little girl is growing old. +Another half-score milestone passed, and then +We've reached the allotted three-score years and ten. + +Years may be added; should they come to thee +May Faith and Wisdom their companion be; +Hope thy sure anchor; Peace with thee abide, +And Love still be thy light at eventide. + + + + +JESSICA + + +A gentleman once wrote of Elizabeth Fry: "Her name has long +been a word of beauty in our household." + +Make thy name a word of beauty, + Like the lily pure and fair, +From its perfumed cup exhaling + Sweetest fragrance on the air. + +Make thy name a word of beauty + Lustrous as the ocean pearl; +Constant in life's loving service, + Guileless through youth's mazy whirl. + +Make thy name a word of beauty, + Radiant, steadfast, like a star; +Shedding from a glowing center + Love's effulgence near and far. + +Aye, we greet thee, rare-sweet maiden, + (Make it evermore thy right), +Jessica--our word of beauty, + Lily, pearl, and star of light. + + + + +TRANSITION + + +Out of the blindness and the night +Into clear and constant light. + +Out of the weariness and pain +Into everlasting gain. + +Out of the toil and durance hard +Into rest and rich reward. + +Out of the doubting and distress +Into certain blessedness. + +Out of the dusty lanes of care +Into pastures green and fair. + +Out of the glaring desert sun +To shades where cooling waters run. + +Out of the din of woe and wrong +Into choral waves of song + +Out of the dwelling, worn and old, +Into the city of pearl and gold. + +Where now, O Death, where is thy sting? +Thou art the summons to the King. + +O Grave, where is thy victory? +Thou art the gateway to the free! + + + + +TO A. H. B. + +A "COMMENCEMENT" GREETING + + +With Portraits of Eminent Authors + +Dear Hallam, with this trifling gift + Best wishes now I send thee; +Through all thy future life may joy + And grace and peace attend thee. + +May this the bright beginning be + Of days love-crowned and royal; +May griefs and faults and foes be few, + Friends manifold and loyal. + +May gems from authors such as these + Store well thy mental coffer, +But for thy heart's enrichment please + Accept the love I offer. + +1882 + + + + +TO WINNIE + +ON HER WEDDING DAY + + +Stars will shine on, tho thou art gone, + But we shall miss the gleaming +Of one bright eye's responsive smile, + And love-light softly beaming. + +And flowers will bloom,--but we shall miss + A fragrance and a beauty +That brightened for us here and there + The sombre path of duty. + +And friends will greet us on our way, + But we shall miss the sweetness +Of a fair presence that hath made + So much of life's completeness. + +And yet 'tis well; we give thee joy, + And pray with this caressing; +That love and peace without alloy + May be thy bridal blessing. + + + + +A LIFE WORK + +IN MEMORY OF DANIEL HILL + + +He heard the cry of man enslaved + In bonds and servile toil; +And gave his voice for freedom till + The "Freedman" tilled "free-soil." + +He saw his weaker brother reel, + Pierced by Drink's poisoned dart, +And wrought and wrote with fervent zeal + To stay the Tempter's art. + +He heard the clash of sword and gun + In deadly battle-strife; +And pleaded till his day was done + For Love's sweet rule in life. + +He rests in peace. Who now shall wear + The mantle he let fall? +Who teach as he the Father-love, + The brotherhood of all? + + + + +VISIONS + + +I saw when Israel toiled and groaned beneath the Pharoah's rod, +And in his hopeless bondage moaned his helpless prayer to God. + +I saw when from the river's brink the infant leader rose, +Who, reared in Egypt's royal court, still felt his brothers' woes. + +I heard him at the burning bush his swift excuses bring: +"Who, who am I, that I should stand before the Egyptian king? + +"And who am I that I should lead the people of thy choice? +My warning word they will not heed, nor hearken to my voice. + +"And who am I that I should move a monarch to relent? +I, but a man, and slow of speech, nor wise, nor eloquent." + +I marked the answer: "Plead no more thy vain excuse to me; +I am the Lord; my servant thou; my glory thou shalt see. + +"I am the Lord; the power is mine; 'tis thine to hear and do; +The Lord almighty is to save, by many or by few." + +The man of doubt exchanged his fears for faith in God and right, +While meek obedience on his brow sat like a crown of light. + +The slow of speech grew eloquent, till Israel gladly heard; +And bolder waxed the Leader, till the king's hard heart was stirred, + +And he in fierce displeasure drove the captives from his land; +Not knowing their deliverance was all divinely planned. + +Down the long line of two-score years I looked and saw at last, +The blissful view from Pisgah's height; the Jordan safely passed; + +And heard--as Memnon's harp had caught the sweet enchanting strain, +And sent adown the waves of time brave Miriam's glad refrain-- + +"Sing, for the Lord hath triumphed; sing, great wonders can he do; +The Lord is mighty and can save by many or by few." + +I saw again, when sin-enslaved, by Jabin's hand oppressed, +A people's cry went up to God for rescue and for rest. + +Then up rose Deborah, judge and seer, with all her valiant band, +And drove the oppressor from her gates, his chariots from her land. + +And Jael, wife of Heber, slew his captain with the sword; +So woman's hand achieved that day the victory for the Lord. + +And woman's voice extolled in song the great Deliverer's name:-- +"Praise God! He hath avenged His own, for willingly they came. + +"The mountains melt before His face, the tribes their strength renew; +The Lord is mighty and doth save by many or by few." + +I saw when Gideon led his band down to the water's bank +To prove and set them in array, as man by man they drank, + +And with the handful chosen thus went forth against the foe, +And vanquished all the Midian host, and laid their princes low. + +Not with the thousands called from far, who pitched by Harod's well; +Nor yet the undismayed who stood when the faint-hearted fell; + +But "Now, with these three hundred men, go forward," said the Lord; +"Do thou thy part, let them do theirs, trust, and obey my word." + +Their torches flashed like dancing flames, their trumpets loudly blew; +Strange warfare! but the Lord can save by many or by few. + +Once more I saw when Israel quailed before Philistia's pride; +While great Goliath, day by day, Jehovah's power defied. + +The weak and timid fled away, the valiant shrank with fear;-- +'Twas threatened death or dire defeat, and life and fame are dear. + +Even Saul, their chosen king, forgot (admiring Israel's boast!) +That he stood head and shoulders high above his martial host. + +"And are there none," he cried, "who dare to meet this vaunting foe? +And must the banner of our God trail in dishonor low?" + +Then forth there came a ruddy youth: "That banner I'll defend; +Be it not said our God hath none on whom He may depend. + +"Let no heart fail to-day because of this Philistine's boast; +The battle is the Lord's and He will vanquish this proud host." + +Then spake he to the giant foe: "A loyal servant I +Of Israel's God, whose holy name thou darest to defy. + +"In that dread name I charge thee stand, and shield thee as thou may; +The fowls of air, the beasts of earth shall feast on thee to-day." + +'Twas but a pebble from the brook, sent by a loyal will; +But sword and spear not mightier were God's purpose to fulfil. + +For one may chase a thousand, and ten thousand flee from two; +The God of right is strong to save by many or by few. + + * * * * * + +Years, ages pass and now I see a land beloved and fair; +And lo! a cruel enemy hath gained possession there. + +The riches of this goodly land into his coffers pour; +Insatiate and unscrupulous, his constant cry is "More!" + +"More money clinking in my till, more men--my licensed prey; +More _boys_ to feed my traffic when these men have passed away." + +Thus man is robbed of purse and soul, home of its peace and joy; +The wife of husband is bereft, the mother of her boy. + +The land doth mourn. On every side the spoiler hath his way; +No past oppression hath surpassed this vision of to-day. + +And who, like Moses, will exchange his self-distrust and fear +For faith to meet the encroaching foe and check his bold career? + +And who, like Deborah, will arise and lead a valiant band +To drive the Tyrant from her gates, the Traffic from her land? + +Who will, like Gideon and his men, the light of truth dare throw +On darkest evil, and the trump of coming victory blow? + +Or who, like David, will come forth in God's great name, alone, +And lay the boastful giant low, as once with sling and stone? + +When Avarice and unholy Pride against the good contend, +The battle is the Lord's and He His people will defend. + +The great Red Sea of wrong, while He doth pass, shall stand aside; +Mountains shall bow before Him, and proud Jordan's waves divide. + +Each epoch hath its burning bush, and each its palm-tree shade; +And each its oak of Ophrah, where the pledge of peace is made. + +And each its fold, where kingly soul in shepherd guise is found; +And when the Master calleth there the place is "holy ground." + +Holy the place; but whose the hour? perchance He calleth _thee_, +Or _thee_; who, who will answer now, "Lord, here am I; send me?" + +O, for the love of land and home, make answer brave and true; +Our God is mighty still to save, by many or by few. + + + + +BE YE ALSO READY + + +Let us be still before Him. Yet once more +That voice hath spoken to our startled souls +Which fell in solemn cadence on the ear +Of the hushed listeners on Mt. Olive's hill: +"At eventide, at midnight, or at morn, +The Son of Man shall come, shall surely come; +Be ready, for ye may not know the hour." +And if at eventide, when Nature folds +Her toil-spent hands and sinks into repose; +Or if at midnight hour of gloom Thou come, +Or when the morning spreads her wings of light, +Oh make us ready for the solemn call. +Supply our need, of knowledge, wisdom, grace, +Dear Lord, that with confiding joy our souls, +Made pure of sin and strong in faith, may go +To meet Thee at Thy coming. If the sound +Of sweet home-voices follow to the brink +Of death's dark river, as they fainter grow, +Then let us hear Thy still small voice of love; +Say to us, "It is I--be not afraid." +Or if the angel of the icy hand +Should find us when no human friend is near +And summon us away, then as we lose +Our hold of earth and fall away from life, +O wilt Thou grant our parting spirits may +Go out in silence and be found with Thee. + + + + +MIMOSA + + +A modest plant; soft shades of green + In leaflets poised on slender stem; +And all outspread to catch the glow + Of morning sun or dew-drop gem. + +But, lo, what change! When finger-tips + But touch the leaflets' fringe, the charm +Of life is gone--Mimosa shrinks, + As conscious of some present harm. + +So would I have my soul recoil + From touch of wrong or thought of sin; +So throw its portals wide again, + To let the dew and sunshine in. + + + + +AT THE CRISIS + + +I.--THE STEAMBOAT BELLS + +When steamboats approach Mt. Vernon their bells begin to toll, +and continue the mournful service until the sacred spot is again left +in the distance. + +Mt. Vernon's shade sweet vigil keeps +Where on her breast her hero sleeps; +O passing bells, soft be your tone, +Toll gently for our Washington. + +Toll, the great Warrior's strife is o'er; +Toll, for the Statesman pleads no more; +Toll--for a Man is fallen--on, +Peal out your dirge for Washington. + +Toll for a people's wounded heart, +Toll for a bleeding Nation's smart, +Toll for a World!--toll sadly on-- +The world hath lost a Washington. + +Ring out your wailing on the air, +And let it be a voice of prayer; +He whom we greatly need is gone;-- +God give another Washington. + +1863 + +Thus while she listened to the mournful knell + That woke sad echoes on Potomac's shore; +Saw how from Sumter's height her banner fell, + And heard, not distant far, loud battle's roar;-- + +Thus, while she heard the impatient bondman's moan, + Knew her own power defied, her trust betrayed; +While Treason rose to hurl her from her throne-- + The Spirit of the Union mused and prayed. + + +II.--THE EMANCIPATOR + +God gave another; while we stood +Aghast before the coming flood +Of war, and its attending woes, +The one for whom she prayed arose. + +Blinded and deaf, we knew him not; +Yet saw him wipe out slavery's blot; +Heard him proclaim his people free, +From lake to gulf, from sea to sea. + +Saw this and heard, but deaf and blind, +We failed to recognize the Mind, +Which, going on from strength to strength, +From grace to grace, had grown at length, + +Thro the stern lessons of the hour, +Of danger, censure, praise and power, +To be the Man among us, one, +Whom now we hail, since he is gone, +Lincoln, our more than Washington. + +1866 + + + + +ON THE DEATH OF DR. JAMES E. RHOADS + + +Fallen? No; his part was finished + In the earthly toil and strife; +He hath but lain his armor by, + And entered into life. + +Silent? No; tho' hushed forever + Tones that did like music thrill, +Through example, helpful, holy, + Lo, he speaketh still. + +Vanished? Lost to those that loved him? + No; his spirit lingering near +Still doth woo them, onward, upward, + Whispering, "Be of cheer." + +Crowned? Aye, crowned in earth and heaven; + Here with laurels fairly won; +There with star-lit diadem, + Inscribed "Well done! well done!" + + + + +ETERNAL YOUTH + + +Looking in thine eyes of azure, + Looking on thy hair of gold, +Once I wished, Evangelina, + That there were no growing old. + +For I thought of how thy sweet eyes + Would grow dim with tears and care; +How the years would turn to silver + All thy wealth of golden hair. + +How the lines of life would gather + O'er the face so placid now; +Traces of its toil and struggle + Touching lip and cheek and brow. + +This I thought, and wished the shadows + Might not lengthen o'er thy way; +Wished there were no time but spring-time, + Were no evening of the day. + +Now I fear, Evangelina, + That my wish was half a prayer, +That the listening Father heard me, + That thou liest, an answer, there. + +For thou liest in thy beauty,-- + Eyes of blue and hair of gold, +Lip and cheek and brow of marble, + Folded fingers, still and cold;-- +O my angel, God hath called thee + Where there is no growing old. + + + + +BUILDING TIME + + +The time of the singing of birds is come; + 'Tis the happiest time of the year: +They are saying, "Let's build us our summer home, + For the frost-king no longer we fear." + +The time of the singing of birds is come, + And the time of their building, too; +With a feather, a straw and a stray bit of gum + They will shew what bird-builders can do. + +The time of the singing of birds is come: + I was eaves-dropping under the trees; +And as I translated the twitter and hum, + I thought the words sounded like these: + + "Twirr-a-whirr, twirr-a-whirr, + The young leaves are astir; +We will make us a nest snug and warm + On this apple-tree bough-- + We are at it e'en now-- +All secure from intruders and storm. + + "'Tis for home, 'tis for love, + 'Tis for heaven above, +And our roof is the clear azure sky; + The foundations we lay + In this rough straw and clay, +But we'll line it with moss by and by." + +The time of the singing of birds is here, + And if under the apple-tree bough +Orlando and May would a domicile rear, + Let them hear what the birds tell them now: + + "Build for home, build for love, + Build for heaven above, +Build with music and cheer like the birds; + And if palace or cot, + Built of marble or what, +Line your nest with the moss of kind words," + + + + +SUNRISE + + +The incident here narrated occurred some years ago at the Media +Training School for Feeble-Minded Children, then in care of Dr. I. +N. Kerlin. + +A feeble, idiot boy, he stood + Where Nature in her beauty grew, +And over field and flowering wood + Her summer mantle lightly threw. + +The scene had met his eye before; + The pleasant path he oft had trod; +And one who sought in simple lore + To teach him things of heaven and God + +Had often wandered with him there, + And pointed out each lovely spot,-- +The sunlit cloud--the floweret fair-- + But still he comprehended not. + +For all his soul was void and still, + And darkness held his mind in thrall; +He recognized no Sovereign Will, + Nor saw the hand of God in all. + +In Nature's presence now alone + He stood, and filled with silent awe, +Beheld, before the coming sun, + The curtained Night in haste withdraw. + +And gazing there with vacant eye, + All motionless and mute he waits, +When lo! the chariot of the sky + Rolls through the morning's crimson gates. + +The orient beams with beauteous light-- + Hath not his soul its radiance caught? +His being grasps a new delight; + A deep, mysterious change is wrought. + +A light is kindled in his breast; + A temple-veil at length is riven; +And in that hour of strange unrest + A thought is born--of God in heaven. + +In haste he seeks his tutor's side, + For he who "bore in grief a part" +Will, in this happy hour of pride, + Responsive hail his joy of heart. + +The glowing cheek, the flashing eye, + The parted lips--_not voiceless now_-- +And, caught from that resplendent sky, + The marvelous light upon his brow,-- + +While these, ere yet he speaks, attest + The rapture which that thought has given; +He lifts his finger toward the east + And softly whispers, "_God, in Heaven!_" + +O blessed hour! and happy he + To whom, thro patient love 'twas given +To set a fettered spirit free, + And wake a hope of God in Heaven + + + + +NEAL DOW + +WRITTEN FOR A MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE + + +A Soul was stirred as one thro' blinding tears + Rehearsed a tale of want and cruel wrong; +Keen indignation banished doubts and fears; + The purpose of imperial youth grew strong. + +A Voice was heard: "Alas! that on the side + Of sin and mad oppression there is power, +But we will change all this, if God so aid":-- + And Maine's new freedom dated from that hour. + +A Life was given; fraught with noble deeds;-- + Aflame with words of truth, and tireless zeal, +And boldness for the right that gave no heed + To threatening hate, or sycophant's appeal. + +But men decried the fervor of that Soul, + And would have hushed the Voice that pleaded still +Against the oppressors' power, and such control + As brought _them_ gain, all others loss and ill. + +And men denounced that Life; and where it came + Ofttimes their scoffings tainted the sweet air, +As with malicious scorn they hailed a name + That calumny itself left clean and fair. + +And now that Soul hath entered into rest; + That Voice is silent, and that peerless Life +Hath crossed the threshold where the good and blest + Enter, and cease from sorrow, toil and strife. + +O Life and Voice and Soul! O princely one! + Our loyal hearts send greeting to thee now; +Thy name has lighted near a century gone,-- + 'Twill brighten ages yet to come, Neal Dow. + + + + +"PARADISE WILL PAY FOR ALL" + +LAST WORDS OF SAMUEL A. PURDIE + + +From the charm of idle pleasure, + From Ambition's siren song, +From the rush for earthly treasure + Of the busy, careless throng; +In the dawn of life's fair morning + He had heard the Master's call; +"Yea, I come," his heart made answer, + "Paradise will pay for all." + +On through years of toil and struggle + Walked he, faithful to his word; +Blameless life and kind entreaty + Leading many to the Lord. +Meeting dangers, bearing burdens + Well might stoutest heart appal; +But to every doubt replying, + "Paradise will pay for all." + +Now at eve, toil-spent and weary, + Pierced with pain the pilgrim lay; +Watching still with faith triumphant + For the dawn of brighter day. +Then upon his ear there falleth + Once again the Master's call: +"Come up higher." "Yea," he answers, + "Paradise will pay for all." + + + + +FORGIVENESS + + +Father in Heaven, I thank Thee for this hour, +This blessed hour wherein my contrite soul +Humbled and happy bows itself to Thee, +Pleading that all its error and its sin +May be forgiven--even as I forgive. + +The cruel wrong swept o'er me like a flood; +And my hurt soul in fierce defiance rose, +And all forgetful that itself could sin +Heaped heavy hatred on the offender's head. +There came a calmer hour in which I saw +The strong temptation that had moved him thus +To barter all his better life away-- +Love, honor, principle--to gain the world. +And seeing this I learned to pity him. +For well I knew the bauble he had won +Would only mock him with its faithless glare; +And well I knew the golden fruit he grasped +Would be but dust and ashes in his hand; +And knowing this I learned to pity him. +And as my pity grew it turned to prayer-- +That when the glitter of the gold was gone, +And the sweet fruit was bitter to his taste; +When the sad memory of the slighted past +Came, and made deeper still the present gloom, +The darkness might be lifted, and the Soul, +Self-robbed and famishing, might find its way +To the green pastures and the springs of life, +That in the heart whence love and joy had fled, +Whence hope was exiled, there might yet be peace. +But suddenly I queried in my heart +What power had moved me that I should have prayed +For him I counted as my life-long foe. +Greatly I marveled what it meant that thus +I had called down such blessing upon him-- +The kindliest boon of heaven, the peace of God. +Deep in my soul there came an answering voice: +"O Child, _it is but this--thou hast forgiven_!" + +Then thanks, O Father, for this plessed hour, +Wherein my soul, by Thine own Spirit taught, +Prays with no mockery of words Thy prayer: +"Forgive my trespasses, _as I forgive_." + + + + +A LOST SONG? + + +Horror of combat, and tumult and dread; + Thunder of cannon and bursting of bomb; +Moans of the wounded (who envy the dead) + Lost in the clamor of trumpet and drum. + O where is the song of the angels? + O when shall we hear it again? + "Peace on earth," rang the chorus seraphic, + "And good will evermore among men." + +Here is fierce anger and hatred and death, + Pitiless slaughter of pitiless foe; +Blessings and curses poured forth in a breath; + Brave self-forgetting, and measureless woe. + But where is the song of the angels? + O when shall we hear it again? + "Peace on earth," rang the chorus seraphic, + "And good will evermore among men." + +Blue waves of ocean are reddened with gore, + Victor and victim earth holds to her breast; +Hearts that will thrill with ambition no more; + Heads that so lately fond mothers caressed. + O where is the song of the angels? + O when shall we hear it again? + "Peace on earth," rang the chorus seraphic, + "And good will evermore among men." + +Victory, purchased at infinite cost, + Honors and titles so fearfully won, +Fame, at the price of lives blighted and lost, + Graves, all unnoted, unnumbered, unknown. + O where is the song of the angels? + Dear Christ, let us hear it again; + "Peace on earth," send the chorus seraphic, + "Peace on earth, and good will among men." + + + + +A NEW EARTH + + +I have dreamed a sweet dream; I have seen a fair vision; + I have looked the wide universe o'er; +And earth's nations arise in a glory elysian-- + They do not learn war any more. + +There are music and mirth; there are childhood's sweet voices, + Winsome age lends its placid charm there; +There are laughter and glee as when home-life rejoices + Unshadowed by sorrow or care. + +In all noble achievement, all worthy endeavor, + Men in kindly ambition contend; +But the valiant of heart may yet know he hath ever + In his sturdiest foeman a friend. + +Nevermore the proud boast or the haughty defiance;-- + Without end shall His kingdom increase; +'Tis the day of _all nations in Holy Alliance_, + 'Tis the reign of truth, justice, and peace. + +Nevermore shall a nation lift sword against nation, + The dominion of Hatred is o'er; +'Tis the triumph of Love, 'tis the dawn of Christ's kingdom, + They shall not learn war any more. + + + + +RECALL + + +Put up thy sword, O Nation, grand and strong! + Call in thy fleet-winged missiles from the sea; +Art thou not great enough to suffer wrong, + Land of the brave, the freest of the free? + +Put up thy sword. 'Tis nobler to endure + Than to avenge thee at another's cost; +And while thy claim and purpose are made sure, + Behold that other's life and honor lost. + +Put up thy sword. It hath not hushed the cry + That called it all too rashly from its sheath; +Still o'er the fated isle her children lie + And find surcease from anguish but in death. + +Put up thy sword, O Country, strong and free, + Let strife and avarice and oppression cease; +So shall the world thy Star of Empire see + Resplendent o'er the heaven-touched hills of Peace. + + + + +PHILISTIA'S TRIUMPH + + +1 Samuel 4: 10, 11; 7: 3. + +(WRITTEN ON THE DEFEAT OF THE PROHIBITION AMENDMENT +IN PENNSYLVANIA.) + +They fought with lances in that ancient day, + With sword and spear and arrow deftly sped. +At eventide the hosts of Israel lay + Vanquished and spoiled, the dying with the dead; + And the Ark of God was taken. + +They fought with ballots in our nearer day; + From morn to eve the light-winged missiles flew; +Again Philistia's triumph brought dismay, + And Wrong, victorious, struggling Virtue slew, + And the Ark of God was taken. + +O ye to whom the sacred trust was given + To guard the altar and the ark of God, +Have ye been recreant to the charge of heaven, + That thus we fall before the avenging rod, + And the Ark of God is taken? + +Rouse from your shameful slumbers. Put away + Your strange gods from among you. Turn again; +That in the drawing of some nobler day + The hosts of sin may be rebuked of men, + And the Ark of God re-taken. + + + + +THE WHITE RIBBON ARMY + +(Air: King Bibbler's Army.) + +FOR M. B. T. + + +In the years, years ago, when the true-hearted women, + Started forth on their errand of prayer, +Many said, "'Tis the cry of the Home for protection"; + Many said, "'Tis delusion and snare." +Some said, softly, "God bless you"; some murmured, "Mistaken"; + Some the swift shafts of calumny hurled; +But they went bravely forward, a praying procession, + Marching out, out, out in the world. + + _Chorus_ + + Hark! hark! a trembling chorus: + No, no, no, no; + We cannot have Rum ruling o'er us; + No, no, no, no; +And now to save our young men the White-Ribbon Army + Marches on, on, on round the world. + +At the head of the host came the silver-haired mothers, + Arm in arm with the daughters so fair; +While the wives for their husbands, the girls for their brothers, + Raise their voices to heaven in prayer. +As their pleadings prevail, and "the worst foe" surrenders, + The white banner of peace is unfurled; +And we now may behold them, a joyful procession, + Marching on, on, on round the world. + + _Chorus_ + + Hark! hark! a swelling chorus: + No, no, no, no; + We cannot have Rum ruling o'er us; + No, no, no, no; +And oh to save our country the White-Ribbon Army + Marches on, on, on round the world. + +They have entered the gates of the Empire Celestial, + They have compassed the Isles of the Sea, +And they carry glad tidings of good to all people, + From the land of the brave and the free. +On the peeress of England, on Afric's dark daughter, + Is the white-ribbon emblem now twirled; +And the army moves onward, a dauntless procession, + Marching on, on, on round the world. + + _Chorus_ + + Hark! hark! a ringing chorus: + No, no, no, no; + We cannot have Rum ruling o'er us; + No, no, no, no; +And lo! to save all nations the White-Ribbon Army + Marches on, on, on round the world. + + + + +CHRISTMAS + + +Dawn of glory! radiant morn! +To-day the Christ, our King, is born. +Our King, our Saviour, Son of Man, +And Son of God--all-wondrous plan! +A Virgin's joy; a world's salvation; +Humblest type of exaltation! +Highest form of life despised; +Visage marred, and beauty prized. +By angels heralded on high; +By men abhorred and doomed to die. +Entombed secure 'neath seal and stone; +Uprisen to the Eternal Throne! +Hail, blessed light! Hail glorious morn! +The Wonderful, the Christ is born! + + + + +"A DAY IN JUNE" + + +The Early Dawn looked out upon the world + And cried, "How beautiful a world to be!" + The Dawn herself was beautiful to see; +Her hair of glowing golden light uncurled + About a face of clear serenity, + Whereon rose-tinted smiles played daintily and free. +"Aye, fair the earth," she said, "most fair--and yet +How can I for one briefest space forget +How dark a stain its loveliness doth mar; +A stain, a scourge, the cruel curse of war! +Even now I dimly see and faintly hear +The clang of drum, the clash of sword and spear." +And pale with pity, swift she shrank away, +Leaving the world and war to broader day. + +The Sun at noon looked down upon the world; + From depths of vast ethereal blue looked down, + And mused, "You far, fair Earth, sure we must crown +Queen of the Universe. Great flags unfurled + O'er her bright waters witness high renown + Won by her creature, Man; aye, bring for Earth a crown! + +Yet stay--there riseth over Afric plains +A cloud of battle-smoke; with crimson stains +Her rivers run; her hills and meadows fair, +Trampled by hostile hordes, lie waste and bare. +And yonder, in the islands of the sea, +A people struggle vainly to be free; +And everywhere the banners of fair fame +Trail in the dust of hatred, greed and shame. +No crown for Earth; I mourn so bright a star +Lost in the chaos of consuming war." +And veiled in robe of woe, he went his way, +Borne by the passing hours to close of day. + +The twilight lingered, and the Evening Star + Looked back upon the world and whispered low: + "These who have spoken surely could not know:-- +Earth is a great, pure pearl, and seems from far + Set with fair homes, like gems; in amber glow, + Or emerald green, or gold or roseate snow. +But hush! In palace hall a bitter cry; +A mangled hero is borne in to die; +And in yon lowly cot, a widow's moan;-- +A mother's heart-break o'er her only son. +Alas! 'tis true. Earth's battle-fields destroy +Her noblest manhood; rob her homes of joy." +And sad the Star of Evening sank from sight, +While Earth lay shrouded in the gloom of night. + +But from afar--beyond the Morning's birth, +Beyond the depths whence Sun looked down on earth, +Beyond the dreamy distance of the Star,-- +A voice proclaimed: "They shall no more learn war." + + + + +TO-DAY + + +Light on my pathway, blessed Lord, + The light of life, I pray; +O, let the glory of Thy word + Shine o'er my life to-day. + +I cry to Thee for present help, + Turn not my prayer away; +O Strength and Refuge of Thine own, + Keep Thou my soul to-day. + +My willing but uncertain feet + Guide in Thy chosen way; +And let Thy grace sufficient be + For all my need to-day. + + + + +LOSING VICTORIES + + +My 'Infant Class' one summer morn, + Was gathered in the maple shade +Near the church door, and there we talked + Of the fair world our Lord had made-- + +The swaying trees upon the hill, + The waving grain, the shadowy grove-- +Till every little heart seemed filled + With the sweet sense of Jesus' love. + +A query came: Dear little ones, + As days go by what shall we do-- +Since Jesus has so loved us all-- + To show him that we love him too? + +"I'll mind mama," said wilful Tim; + And Ben, "I'll carry in the wood;" +Said Mary, "I will lessons learn;" + While Dimple lisped, "I will be dood." + +And how will Helen show her love? + She, with a wistful glance at Rose-- +A sweet, but pale and timid child-- + Replied, "By giving up, I 'spose." + +Dear girl! To fragile sister Rose + She oft must yield her will and way; +But now this duty shall disclose + Her love for Jesus, day by day. + +Oh oft, were we but wise, we'd find + Our triumph in another's gain; +On glowing altar--coals of love-- + Would joy to see self-idols slain. + +In simplest ways the soul may drink + With Christ the sacrificial cup, +And many a victory is won, + And nobly won, by 'giving up.' + + + + +NOT MINE + + +Thy will, Thy way, not mine, O blessed Lord; + My will would choose the smooth and pleasant way, + And that might lead from duty's path astray; +Nay, I would walk "according to Thy word," + Choosing Thy way, not mine. + +Thy peace, my gracious Saviour, would I choose, + My peace might lead me man, not God, to please, + Might lure my soul to take its selfish ease, +And, gaining all the world, itself to lose, + Give me Thy peace, not mine. + +Thy will, Thy way, Thy peace, Thou knowest best; + Let me but see the guiding of Thine eye, + Let me but know Thy voice, and swift reply +My soul shall make to every know behest, + Doing Thy will, not mine. + + + + +IN THE DESERT + + +Ah me! what life since hers in age agone + Hath not known Hagar's hour in desert wild; +Outcast from sheltering home, adrift, alone, + Bereft of love's sweet ministry, her child-- +Her heart's one treasure--late so fond and fair, +Become a burden more than she could bear; + All earth and sky a strange enfolding scroll +Writ o'er with nameless pain and sense of need +To which nor pitying eye nor ear gave heed + _Till came the thought of God._ Even so the soul, +Consumed with vain regret and doubt and dread-- + As she upon the barren sand her boy-- + Lays all it once had counted hope and joy +Upon the desolate waste itself had spread; + Self-abnegating, tho with bitter cry-- + "I yield thee, but I cannot see thee die." +But, passing thence, the agonizing plea +Faith transforms into tuneful harmony, +Glad to remember "Thou, God, seest me." + + + + +A PHANTOM IN THE "CIRCLE" + + +Written for a literary club, to which the author had formerly belonged, +in Waterford, Va. + +Start not, good friends; there was a time + When I, whom fate, in kindly mood, +Made brief sojourner in your clime, + Was glad partaker of the good +That from your "Circle" emanated; + And as the seven days went 'round + The appointed "Fourth-day evening" found +Me with its members congregated. +And also now I recognize +The smiling lips and beaming eyes +Of some, who, cordial, kind and free, +Had smiles and loving words for me. +Who, when I entered rose to greet, +And welcome gave, sincere and sweet. +But that was years ago, and now +There may be wrinkles on my brow; +There may have fled from form and face +The transient charms of youth and grace, +And time and sadness may have thrown +A shadow o'er the "chestnut brown" +Of locks that once--well, let that pass;-- + These are but sorrowful reflections, +And, like those of my looking-glass, + Do but discover imperfections; +So let us leave this train of thought + And start in happier directions. +But first I think it may be due +Alike unto myself and you, +Lest some should think I may have brought +My ghostly presence here unsought, + To make this note of explanation:-- +That not for pride, or praise, or gloom, +Or curious motive am I come; + Nor yet for want of occupation; +Far from intruding thus, I would +Have it distinctly understood + I'm here by "special invitation." + +Here! and my phantom pulses quicken! + Pale memories gather round me fast, +And now they grow, and gleam, and thicken, +And fan me with their wings of light, +And bear me to a realm more bright +Than fairy land or elfin home, +Or that sweet world whence dreams do come + The heaven of a happy Past! + + * * * * * + +Familiar faces on me smile, + Remembered voices greet my ear, +And social converse gives the while, + The old-time wisdom and good cheer. +But while we're all engaged in chat, +Of work, of weather, and all that, + And voices rise and smiles grow broader, +Presiding dignity comes forth +With modest but "amazing" worth + And calls the whole concern to order. +Then "minutes" penned by snow-white hand, +Approved without dissension stand; +And hushed is all the talk and noise +The while some soft or manly voice +From gifted author doth unfold +Before us treasures new and old. +We grant them rare, yet lay them by +Our intellectual strength to try + In essay, speech, or declamation; +We reverence the might of mind, +But here our home-spun thoughts still find + A kindlier appreciation. +With hushed breath and eyes that glisten, +To some fine argument we listen, +From one with head so full of lore +That to prevent its brimming o'er + He must impart his information. +The which he does "by book and rule," +Achieving in the village school + A never-ceasing reformation. +With rapt attention now we hear +A discourse upon Sound and Ear, + Wherein is beautifully blended, +The Science and the History, +The Knowledge and the Mystery + So fair, when fairly comprehended. +Then some poetic brain is fired, + Some secret spring unlocked, for +A brother brings, with love inspired, +Kind thoughts in glowing words attired, +And prays at once with heart and pen-- +And all the people say Amen-- + "God bless the Country Doctor." + +And "lesser lights" send out a gleam + Of intellectual glory; +And many a grave or playful theme, +Or fact profound, or doubtful dream, + Or song, or allegory +Beguiles the gloom of winter night, +And makes the slow hours swift and light; +To social pleasure adds a charm, +Makes young hearts wise and old hearts warm, + And Life a pleasant story. + + * * * * * + +O friends, I live it o'er again! +I cross the gulf 'twixt Now and Then, +And live that happy time again; +Its varied joy and brightness, all-- +The crowded room, the lighted hall, + The merry laugh, the friendly nod-- +And bless the Fate that brought--but no, +Let us not read these chances so-- + _Fate is the Sovereign will of God_; + He marks the paths by mortals trod; +And He appoints our joy and woe. +Then bless we God, whose gracious hand + Hath led us gently on our way; +By whose good will to-day we stand + Rejoicing that we live to-day. +By whose sweet mercy yet we trust +That all of us which is not dust, +From time and toils of earth shall rise +To nobler life beyond the skies. + + + + +A VALENTINE + + +Up in the same sweet heaven, + Though parted far, +We two may see at even + The same bright star. + +So the same blessed guide-star + Of Love divine +Illumines with its glory + Thy path and mine. + +When thoughts of these, of heaven + And love are thine, +Be one kind memory given + Thy Valentine. + + + + +A CONVENTION HYMN + + +Bless us now, our Heavenly Father, + As we gather once again +And unite our hearts and voices + In a grateful, glad refrain; +Praises for a Father's bounty, + Praises for a Saviour's reign. + +Guide us by thy Holy Spirit, + Lead us in thy perfect way; +Show us as we strive to serve Thee, + What to do and what to say; +Teach us how to work and suffer, + How to watch and how to pray. + +Gracious Lord, we come with pleading + For our tempted brother's sin; +At the open door of mercy + Praying Thou wilt take him in. +Sin-sick, heart-sore and repentant, + Let him now new life begin. + +And we bring our sister, moaning + Over blighted hope and home; +Robbed of all life's best possessions + By the ruthless spoiler--Rum, +To her rest in Thy compassion, + Bid the heavy-laden "Come." + +And we pray, O God of Nations, + That thine outstretched arm of might, +May rebuke this prowling evil, + May drive back the powers of night, +And preserve us Home and Country + Overruled by Love and Right. + + + + +A COLLECTION SONG + +FOR THE LOYAL TEMPERANCE LEGION + + +Kind friends, we thank you, one and all, + For giving such attention, +While we've arraigned Old Alcohol, + And of his faults made mention. +And if you'd like to see him now + Put "in a pretty pickle," +Just lend a hand and help us on + By giving us a nickel. + +He stalks the earth from east to west, + A deal of mischief doing; +But we are "on the war-path" now, + Old Alcohol pursuing. +So if you'd like to see him caught + And punished for his crime, sir, +Just lend a hand and help us on + By tossing us a dime, sir. + +He robs our homes of peace and joy; + He fills the land with sighing; +Sets snares and pitfalls for our feet, + (He'd better be a-dying.) +So if you think he should be slain, + As we believe he'd or'ter, +Just lend a hand and help us on + By handing out a quarter. + +He boasts himself a King--by law + And license well protected; +But now "the children are a-field" + We'll have him soon ejected. +So if you'd see us tackle him, + And take him by the collar, +Just lend a hand and help us on + By dropping in a dollar. + + + + +THE BALLAD OF THE BOUNDARY LINE + + +"Here shall the Boundary Line be laid." +"Not so, but here," the other said. +Clamor of contest ran fierce and high,-- +Defiant challenge and proud reply. + +For heights of the Andes rose between +The Chilean States and the Argentine; +And the mooted question, day by day, +Was "What doth limit my neighbor's sway?" + +The sunlight rose and the shadows fell +On either slope, but none could tell +Just where the morning's magic wand +Touched the Argentine or Chile land. + +Fair in their verdure, pure in their snow, +So near to heaven their summits go-- +Why should they ever by man be trod? +'Twould seem they should only belong to God. + +But the strife went on with passing years, +Fed by resentment and pride and fears; +Nor priest nor people could yet define +The rightful range of the Boundary Line. + +The strife went on with its loss and shame, +As generations went and came, +And each in its turn the task essayed +To solve the problem so long delayed. + + * * * * * + +Then kinder, kinglier thought prevailed, +Where threat of sword and gun had failed; +And love-illumined reason wrought +The adjustment long so vainly sought. + +"For how can a trifle of earth and air +With the worth of human lives compare? +And what can it matter if thine or mine +Be the narrow side on the Boundary Line? + +"And why should greed and grim distrust +Despoil us of our faith and trust? +Enough, enough, let us pledge our word +To settle by judgment, not by sword. + +"Let us heed the counsel our good priests bring, +And raise the standard of Christ our King, +And the here or there of the Boundary Line +Let God and the British king define." + +Then the mother-heart of the nation stirred, +As the fair De Costa's plea was heard: +"Fathers and brothers! warriors, men! +Shall we give our bravest to death and pain? + +"Shall we hush our hearts as we see them go-- +God pity!--to strive with a brother foe? +Long we have waited, have suffered and prayed +For a joy still denied us, a hope still delayed. + +"Enough; let the sun in highest heaven +Pencil the line for which you have striven; +Let a princely people on either side +In friendship and fair accord abide; + +"Be the strife of the past to the wild winds swept; +The faith of the future unswervingly kept; +And let 'The Christ of the Andes' rest +In token of peace on the mountain's crest." + +Grandly the people made reply; +The pledge was taken, the arms laid by, +And glad thanksgiving and festal song +Witnessed the joy of the gathered throng. + +Joy! for the strife of the past was o'er; +Joy! for the promise of war no more; +Joy in the gladness of land and home, +Joy for the world-wide peace to come. + +On snow-tipped height of the Andean range +They planted the statue fair and strange; +And there, to the query of the sky, +Its bronze and granite make reply: + +"I witness the failure of the sword, +The victory of the Love-sent word; +To dust may crumble rock and hill, +This pledge of nations abideth still." + + * * * * * + +So now the Boundary Line is laid; +Christ in the heart hath the conflict stayed; +And now doth "the Christ of the Andes" rest +In token of peace on the mountain's crest. + + + + +MARGARET LEE + + +Margaret Lee--you do not know her? + Rightly named--a pearl is she; +Half a score of years I've loved her-- + Precious Margaret Lee. + +"Dimples?" No; nor "golden tresses," + Nor yet "voice of silvery tone";-- +If such phrases must express her, + Beauty she has none. + +Soft brown hair and grey eyes dreaming + Visions that none others see; +Plain her features; _you_ might call her + Homely Margaret Lee. + +Margaret owns no stately mansion, + Carries not a heavy purse; +Heiress to no "lordly acres," + Humble station hers. + +Quietly she treads life's highway; + Quiet, yet with noble mien; +'Mid the lowly, 'mid the lofty + Journeying like a queen. + +Some have called her cold and haughty, + From her bearing, high and free; +Some have said a lofty spirit + Dwells with Margaret Lee. + +Why then do the "heavy-laden" + Hail with joy her coming nigh? +Why the childern love her shadow + As she passeth by? + +Some have deemed her weak, erratic. + Some, too self-reliant, strong; +One avers, her mood too gloomy; + One, too light her song. + +All may be; the clouds of error + Ofttimes overshade her way, +Hiding where the rough and changeful + Paths of duty lay. + +But unseen by mortal vision + Daily bends a suppliant knee; +Humbly bows a contrite spirit-- + Praying Margaret Lee-- + +Asking of the All-forgiving + Pardon for her erring life; +Seeking wisdom, faith and patience + For its coming strife. + +So with footstep sometimes faltering, + But with steadfast hope in God, +Keeps she still a blithesome journey + O'er the earthly road. + +And at last all loss and failure + Lost in mercy, it may be +Heaven's gate of pearl will open + For sweet Margaret Lee. + +There redeemed from sin and sorrow, + There from care and conflict free; +She will walk the angel city, + Angel Margaret Lee. + + + + +SOARING UPWARD + + +A. G. M., lingering on the threshold of eternity, looked lovingly +back to tell of the glory revealed to her purified vision. "Angels are +waiting," she whispered, "and all is beautiful, beautiful." Then, as +her spirit winged its happy way, a sweet murmur again was heard, +and the words were: "Soaring upward, upward into Heaven." + +They call thee dead. They say that thou art gone, + Forevermore from earth. It is not so; +I know thy gentle spirit will return + And linger fondly round the loved below. + +They call thee dead. And now thou art not ours; + "God touched thee," for thy work on earth was done. +Thy presence was to us like summer flowers; + And they are faded now; and thou art gone. + +I had not thought, fair girl, that thou couldst die; + I knew thee gentle, innocent and gay; +And dreamed not that the brightness of thine eye, + Was destined thus so soon to fade away. + +'Tis well: "He giveth His beloved sleep,"-- + O Sleeper, thou so early loved and blest! +Say, were it wrong, if we who linger weep, + And long to sleep, like thee, and be at rest? + +Ay, we who linger should not idlers be; + Day hath appointed work from morn till even; +And while we wait 'tis sweet to think of thee + As "soaring upward, upward into heaven!" + + + + +THE END OF THE ROAD + + + Do you wonder at my smiling? +Do you wonder that I faint not 'neath the burden of my load? + O, the gloom and toil and duty + Change to light and praise and beauty +While I'm looking toward the end of the road. + + Though the way is long and dreary, +And I languish for a happier, a more serene abode, + As the light of earth grows dimmer, + Looking up, I see the glimmer +Of its glory at the end of the road. + + Though the talent seemeth meager, +And my Sovereign Lord doth gather, ever, where He hath not strowed, + Yet I would not therefore spurn it, + But "with usury" return it, +At His coming at the end of the road. + + Though I now go forth with weeping, +If I bear the precious seed which the Master would have sowed, + I shall come again with singing, + Sheaves of plenty with me bringing +To His harvest at the end of the road. + + Peace shall follow tribulation: +This the boon Divine Compassion upon mortal hath bestowed; + Heavy now the cross I'm bearing; + Bright the crown I'll soon be wearing +In the Temple at the end of the road. + + * * * * * + + +Transcriber's Note + +Spelling oddities have been retained from the original book. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of By the Sea and Other Verses, by +Hannah Lavinia Baily + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40237 *** |