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diff --git a/old/67436-0.txt b/old/67436-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4592363..0000000 --- a/old/67436-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5902 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Autumn Leaves, by Ardelia M. Barton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Autumn Leaves - -Author: Ardelia M. Barton - -Release Date: February 18, 2022 [eBook #67436] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading - Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from - images generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUTUMN LEAVES *** - - - - - - Autumn Leaves - - [Illustration: _Ardelia Maria Barton._] - - [Illustration: - - AUTUMN - LEAVES - - Ardelia M. Barton - - San Francisco - 1908] - - - - - Copyright, by - Ardelia Maria Barton - 1908 - - Press of Bruce Brough - San Francisco - - - - - Preface - - -=Autumn Leaves= was in the hands of the Publisher (BRUCE BROUGH) at the -time of the Great Fire of April, 1906, and not a single page of the -original manuscript was saved. I could only recall a few titles, and -a line or two here and there, not knowing though where they belonged. -I began to rewrite on the 12th of June, 1908, and on the 12th of -September, 1908, it was ready for publication. It has given _me_ new -courage, and by searching, perhaps _you_ may find one leaf among my -=Autumn Leaves= that you will feel was painted expressly for you, and -is worthy to be pressed upon the tablet of your heart. - - ARDELIA MARIA BARTON - - - - - Dedication - - TO MY MOTHER - - - Who ever watched with loving care - My childhood’s tender years. - She ever soothed my little woes, - And kissed away my tears. - - She guided me o’er Life’s rough road, - And pointed out the snares, - And pitfalls that are e’er in life; - And all the many tares, - - And brambles that beset Life’s paths, - And if I fell by way, - She helped me up with loving hands, - And tender words alway. - - - - - Contents - - - _Page_ - Autumn Leaves 1 - - Write 2 - - Dreamland 6 - - What Will The Harvest Be? 8 - - We Know What The Harvest Will Be 10 - - Meridian 12 - - The Indian Lover’s Plea 14 - - Winona’s Reply 16 - - At Last 18 - - The Awakening Of The Lillies 20 - - Conquered 25 - - The Water Spirit 26 - - The World Is Asleep 29 - - What Is The Future Of The Race? 30 - - Love’s Path 33 - - A Prayer 34 - - Life’s Road 37 - - Where Is Heaven? 38 - - Destiny 40 - - Why? 43 - - Liberty 44 - - My Soul and I 46 - - Forsaken 48 - - Farewell 51 - - The Pebble’s Soliloquy 52 - - An Angel’s Message 54 - - The Race Of Life With Time 56 - - “O Death Where Is Thy Sting?” 59 - - The Mother’s Plea 60 - - To A Friend 63 - - Time Waits For No Man 64 - - Tide Waits For No Man 66 - - Freedom 68 - - Reverie 71 - - A Mohammedan’s Prayer 72 - - Nature’s Plan 74 - - The Sunbeam’s Wooing 76 - - The Progression of The Rose 78 - - All Life Hath Soul 80 - - It Matters Not 82 - - “What Is Man That Thou Art Mindful of Him?” 84 - - As a Man Thinketh So Is He 86 - - My Guests 88 - - God Is Everywhere 90 - - Dead Hopes 92 - - Buried Hopes 93 - - Love’s Message 95 - - A Fable 96 - - Deplore Not The Shadows of Life 99 - - Love’s Garland 100 - - Let Us Build Above The Stars 103 - - Ghosts Of The Attic 104 - - Not Yet 107 - - Duty 108 - - Life’s Plans 111 - - Brotherhood of Man 112 - - Man Defying The Dying Sun 114 - - If There Is No Hereafter 118 - - Love’s Song 120 - - Forgive 122 - - Forget 123 - - Yesterdays 124 - - Tomorrow 125 - - Consolation 126 - - The Dead Summer 127 - - There Is A Rift In The Clouds 128 - - To A Comet 130 - - Love’s Dart 131 - - Weeds 132 - - The Blind Beggar’s Appeal 134 - - The Threads of Life 136 - - Memory’s Book 138 - - Do Not Borrow Trouble 140 - - Give Smiles, Not Tears 142 - - Farewell To The Dying Year 144 - - The Book Of Gifts 146 - - Unkind Words 147 - - Seek For The Good In Life 148 - - Love’s Crown 150 - - My Soul’s Desire and Destiny 152 - - Incarnation 155 - - Reincarnation 156 - - Life’s Burdens 159 - - To Mount Sierra 160 - - Oft Poisoned Is The Wine Of Life 162 - - The Game of Life 164 - - “The Old, Old Story” 166 - - The Ghost of Love 168 - - I Shall Sing It Sometime 170 - - When I Am Dead 174 - - ’Tis Folly To Be Wise 177 - - The Old Oak’s Reverie 178 - - Ingratitude 181 - - Judge Not 182 - - Our Virtues Are Carved Upon Our Tombstones 184 - - Honor, Fame, or Love 186 - - Courage 188 - - Persevere 190 - - Speak But Kind Words 192 - - Vagary 194 - - The Home Beautiful 197 - - The Beatitudes 198 - - Bury The Past 200 - - To A Friend On Her Birth-day 202 - - Have Ideals 203 - - Selfishness 204 - - Life Is Nothing Without Love 207 - - The Century Flower 208 - - Life’s Music 210 - - Love’s Garden 212 - - The Last Port 214 - - Canst Tell Me 216 - - The Soul Seeking For Perfection 219 - - Life’s Thoughtlessness 221 - - The Flower’s Prayer For Immortality 223 - - Love’s Offering 226 - - Love’s Acceptance 228 - - Autumn Leaves 230 - - Finale 231 - - - - -AUTUMN LEAVES. - - - The autumn leaves are like our lives, - They serve their purpose for a day, - They then return to mother Earth: - They come but to decay. - - The trees are gaunt, gaunt sentinels, - Deprived of their warm dress. - They shiver in their nakedness, - And moan in their distress. - - But, as with us, they live again, - Again have garments fresh and new, - And though they seem to die to earth, - Again their lives renew. - - Again the joy of living comes, - And brighter now is their new life; - They had a season of sweet sleep, - And rest from worldly strife. - - - - -WRITE. - -_Republished by special request._ - - - Take thy pen and write, O man! - Chronicle thy every thought; - Hath thy life been full of joy? - Hath this world all pleasure wrought? - - If, before thou cam’st to earth, - Knowing what thou knowest now, - Free to choose to be, or not, - To life’s problems wouldst thou bow? - - Wouldst thou think thy life a boon? - It with thankfulness accept, - Or wouldst say O Lord, me spare! - _I_ must weep, for man hath wept. - - Dost thou think that life is sweet? - Dost thou think its joys are more - Than its griefs and misery? - Hath thy bark ne’er touched bleak shore. - - Stranded hath it never been? - Thy sweet hopes forever lost, - Wrecked thy bark on shoals by storm, - On rough sea of life been tossed? - - Is the wind and tide with thee? - And is life without a tear? - Manned is bark with happiness? - Hath thy sky been ever clear? - - Dost thou bless thy natal day? - Long’st thou not for day of death? - Art thou willing to live on - Blessing God that thou hast breath? - - Then, to thee, is life a joy, - Blessed heritage of peace - Was bequeathed to thee by Love, - _God_ gave unto thee the _lease_. - - * * * * * - - I will write in book of life, - Trace my thoughts with fadeless ink, - With a pen of gold will write; - Into hearts my words may sink. - - Born to earth I wished it not, - Earth conditions knew not I, - E’en though filled with misery; - I will never question why. - - I am here; will do my work, - Even though life stranded be, - E’en though storms beset my way, - Wrecked my ship on life’s rough sea. - - Sunshine, aye, I look not for, - Wind and tide are often wrong - For my ship to leave its port; - Sad, yea mournful, is life’s song. - - But I love, and I am loved, - Hope is strong within my heart, - Courage, too, I’ll stem life’s tide, - In the world do well my part. - - Tears are shed. Then why should I - E’er from care and grief be free? - I must live, though oft I weep, - Do my work, what e’er it be. - - Born of Love--O blessed thought! - Earth conditions I can bear; - God is Love, in Him I live, - Utter plaint I will not dare. - - I will sail my ship of life, - Steer it over shoals and rocks, - Bring it safely into port, - It will bear all storms and shocks. - - When, at last, Life’s dream is o’er, - Time--true censor--takes his flight, - Death, as Captain of my fleet, - In his Log my life will write. - - - - -DREAMLAND. - - - In our dreamland we are soaring - ’Mong the stars, above the clouds, - Naught seems strange, our dress is moonlight; - Not one grief our heart enshrouds. - - In this dreamland not one sorrow. - All the world is filled with joy. - There is naught but sweet contentment, - All is peace with no alloy. - - ’Mong the clouds we e’er are soaring, - All the heavens we control. - Stars, and planets, are our footstools - In the dreamland of the soul. - - Butterflies are our companions, - Singing birds make love for aye. - Chariots are drawn by fire-flies; - And ’tis sunshine every day. - - When we wake, our dreams all vanish. - We are in the work-day world. - We are simply common mortals; - From the uplands we are hurled. - - Vanished now is shadowy dreamland; - Most prosaic is the dawn. - Chariots are common waggons, - Not by fireflies are they drawn. - - There are clouds, and rain is falling. - Trouble meets us everywhere. - We must battle with conditions; - Many griefs we now must bear. - - But we dream, e’en though not sleeping, - Nothing ever us debars, - Nothing seems to us unreal, - Though we soar above the stars. - - - - -WHAT WILL THE HARVEST BE? - - - We are sowing, we are reaping, - We are laughing, we are weeping - For the seeds we sow. - - We are giving, we are hoarding, - Are withholding or dispersing - Broadcast o’er the land. - - Are they thorns, or are they roses? - Are they weeds, or are they posies? - That we cull from life? - - What confronts us at Life’s evening? - What will greet us on awaking? - Will it be Love’s flowers? - - O the joy of loving, living, - If to others we are giving - Out of our heart’s store. - - Let us do what is before us, - Not discouraged, not unhappy, - If some good we’ve done. - - When we wake in the hereafter, - Is it tears, or is it laughter, - That will meet us there? - - We shall sometimes be confronted, - And by phantoms shall be haunted-- - Phantoms of our past. - - Let no thought of dire deception - In our hearts have e’er inception, - Then not haunted we - - By the ghosts of indiscretion, - By ill deeds and degradation.-- - Let us all beware - - Of temptations e’er surrounding, - And of evil e’er abounding.-- - We must shun them all. - - - - -WE KNOW WHAT THE HARVEST WILL BE. - - - We plant a bright flower for the butterfly; - We plant a sweet flower for the bee. - We feed and we clothe the hungry and cold, - “We know what the harvest will be.” - - We plant a good thought in some weary heart, - The thought that we plant goes to seed; - Increasing in strength full an hundred fold, - The thought will become a good deed. - - A deed that will live in many a heart, - Will travel forever, and on; - Forgotten will never be words nor deeds; - They live and will thrive when we’re gone. - - A well we may dig in a desert land, - Some traveler stops on the road, - And quenches his thirst in the living spring, - And lighter will now seem his load. - - We may plant a tree, and its cooling shade - Will shelter some traveler worn, - And never from memory will it fade, - And never from heart can be torn. - - In all of this life, ’tis the little things - That help and will cheer our lone way, - A sip of cold water, a little word, - Will many a sorrow allay. - - And if in our hearts no envy doth reign, - From malice we ever are free, - Have nothing but love for even a foe; - “We know what the harvest will be.” - - - - -MERIDIAN. - - - ’Tis twelve o’clock meridian.--. - My work is not half done. - Turn back the hands upon Life’s clock, - For it must not strike one. - - ’Tis twelve o’clock meridian, - Time faster, faster goes. - All heedless he of my distress, - Unheedful of my woes. - - ’Tis twelve o’clock meridian, - My life is now half gone, - ’Tis useless to begin anew; - Anew life’s pages con. - - ’Tis twelve o’clock meridian, - Ambition now is gone. - I cannot take up stitches dropped; - My work cannot go on. - - I’m tired and weary, will now rest, - Let time go on his way. - Life’s race is almost over now, - Time will not for me stay. - - For wasted time now dead, and gone, - A requiem sad, time tolls. - All squandered hours, all work undone, - In winding-sheet he rolls. - - - - -THE INDIAN LOVER’S PLEA. - - - Winona! Winona! O list to my plea! - O why wilt thou leave me, O canst thou not see - How barren this world if deprived of thy love, - ’Twas given to me by the Great Spirit above. - - Winona! Winona! Return unto me-- - From bonds of the white man O cut thyself free. - Thy heart is still mine, but the glitter of gold - Enticed thee away from thy lover of old. - - The white man will weary of thee in a day, - Forsaken thou’lt be, dishonored for aye. - Thy beauty will fade, alas! for thee then! - Reviled, and dishonored, forsaken of men. - - Forsaken, degraded, and then cast aside; - Dost think that the white man will make thee his bride? - My camp-fire is out, and my wigwam is cold, - The white man has won thee by the promise of gold. - - I feel that I’ve loved thee in ages long gone, - Have fought for thy smiles, have always them won, - Winona dear heart, I will fight for them still, - Though broken thy troth, unbroken my will. - - My arrows are broken, my bow is unstrung, - My powder-horn empty, on high it is hung. - Come back to the forest where we’ve wandered alone; - Come back to my wigwam, and I will condone - - The sin of thy leaving, for thou didst not know - The wiles that the white man around thee couldst throw. - The white man will tire of thy beauty so rare, - His plaything thou’lt be, O Winona beware! - - Return to thy lover before ’tis too late-- - The love of an Indian is as strong as his hate. - Winona! Winona! this is my last plea! - Return unto me! O return unto me! - - - - -WINONA’S REPLY. - - - Oswega! Oswega! I’ll listen to thee-- - Return to thee gladly, again will be free. - ’Tis true, for a moment, the glitter of gold - Enticed my vain heart from my lover of old. - - The white man so subtile flattered my pride-- - He promised me honor for aye by his side. - I loved him not ever, ’twas only my pride - That caused me to waver, and leave thy dear side - - I beg dear Oswega that thou wilt forgive, - And that in thy love-light again I shall live. - Yes, I will return to my lover so brave, - For home without love is as cold as the grave. - - Yes, now dear Oswega I’ll come back to thee; - Though false I have seemed, I am true unto thee. - I will care for thy wigwam, will keep up thy fire, - Of thee my Oswega ne’er more will I tire. - - I love thee Oswega, will love thee for aye-- - ’Twas but for a time that my heart went astray. - I’ll come to thy wigwam, will care for thy home, - And never again from my lover will roam. - - Oswega! Oswega! my heart is as true - As thine is for me, and I bitterly rue - That vanity caused my heart to grow cold, - By flattering words and the glamour of gold. - - The dream is now o’er, it was but for a day. - My vain heart was flattered, I could not say nay. - My beauty may fade, but I know that thy heart - Will ever be mine, and ne’er more shall we part. - - - - -AT LAST. - - - I struggle on blindly; - I know not the way, - I falter by wayside - Forever and aye. - - I seek the right pathway, - ’Tis hidden in gloom, - ’Tis cold as the grave, and - As dark as the tomb. - - So deep are the shadows - I see not the road, - My burden is heavy - I sink ’neath the load. - - So long seems the journey; - O when will it end? - I’m tired, and weary, - ’Neath burdens I bend. - - No light in my pathway, - No hope in my soul. - My life seems a failure, - Far distant my goal. - - * * * * * - - I’ll rise from my languor, - And hope for the best.-- - Now, clouds are dispelling, - I’ll come to my rest. - - Though trials, and sorrows - Have e’er been my lot, - I’ll cast them aside now, - Life’s battles are fought. - - I’ve gained in the battles, - All clouds will now break. - When journey is ended - In heaven I’ll awake. - - - - -THE AWAKENING OF THE LILIES. - - - Beneath the placid waters - A lily bulb had birth; - It slept in sweet reliance - In arms of mother earth. - - In home beneath the waters, - It slept in calm repose; - With sweetness of the lily, - And beauty of the rose. - - One morn the Sun looked downward, - And loving words he spake. - The lily bulb awakened - From dreams, beneath the lake. - - A little bud shot upward - To meet the sun-god’s call, - It sent forth all its fragrance - Its lover to enthrall. - - It sprang from out the waters, - And donned its pure white gown. - No sin defiled its beauty, - Its virtue was its crown. - - The little bud then blossomed,-- - So fragrant, pure and sweet, - The air was filled with fragrance, - And many stopped to greet - - The pure white lily blossom - That on the water lay; - A ruthless hand then plucked it, - But threw it soon away.-- - - It faded, and then withered; - The earth was not its home; - It missed the sparkling water, - Nor wished from it to roam - - * * * * * - - Upon life’s turbid waters - A human flower was born. - As pure as water-lily, - With beauty of the dawn. - - ’Twas in a vine-clad cottage - Close by the lily’s home; - Where dwelt this pure young maiden, - Nor wished she e’er to roam. - - To her there came a lover-- - But soon he cast aside - The crushed and faded blossom - Who was his promised bride. - - * * * * * - - In lone, and dreary hovel - A weeping woman lay. - No loving hand to tend her, - And naught but shadows gray.-- - - She sinned in loving, trusting, - And what was her reward? - Dishonored, and forsaken, - No friend had she but God. - - And in this lonely hovel - A little child was born.-- - A little human lily - First saw the light of dawn. - - Unheralded its coming, - Unwelcome was its birth. - This little human lily - Was born from out the earth. - - It came without love’s greeting, - Its death caused not one tear; - ’Twas born into conditions - That cost its mother dear.-- - - This child was pure and holy, - Though it was born of sin.-- - Its heavenly father loved it, - So took it from the din - - Of earthly cares and sorrows. - He took the mother too. - The child is with her sleeping, - No tears their grave bedew. - - Together in one coffin - The human lilies lie; - Dishonored, and forsaken, - They blossomed but to die. - - They lie upon the hillside.-- - Some pitying hand now gave - A pure, white lily blossom, - To deck the outcasts’ grave. - - - - -CONQUERED. - - - I am beaten in the race of life, - Will acknowledge my defeat. - As I struggle on the uphill road, - Naught but failure do I meet. - - I have fought the fight, have conquered been - At every stage of life. - For the battle is not for the weak; - Not fitted they for strife. - - I must leave the battle ground of life - Where I have found but woe. - And at last will give the warfare up, - Lay down my arms to foe. - - For “the race of life is for the swift,” - “The battle for the strong.” - And my place has been marked out for me - Among the defeated throng.-- - - - - -THE WATER SPIRIT. - - - Beneath the wave tossed waters, - Upon the ocean bed; - There dwelt a water spirit, - To sea-king she was wed. - - Years passed in happy wedlock, - And pledges to them came - Of love beneath the ocean; - For love is e’er the same. - - They lived in sweet communion - Among their sea-weed flowers. - ’Twas ever peace and gladness - Within their love-lit bowers. - - One little spirit wandering - Away from childhood’s home-- - Came into unknown waters,-- - Beneath a coral dome,-- - - She heard a spirit teaching - A doctrine, new and strange; - She listened to his preaching, - And thought took wider range. - - He told of other peoples - Who lived above the sea. - Of birds with brilliant plumage, - Who in the air were free. - - To her this was awakening - From out a long, long sleep. - The soul was stirred within her, - To flowers of thought most deep. - - Now to her home returning-- - Dissension there arose; - Her former friends so loving, - Were now her bitter foes. - - They cried to her “O heretic!” - You are forever lost, - Unless you pray to Neptune, - And not by doubts be tossed. - - There is no God but Neptune, - There is no world but ours, - There are no stars, nor planets, - There are but sea-weed flowers. - - And tilled with consternation - At everything she said-- - They even feared pollution, - And from her they all fled. - - * * * * * - - Now e’en above the ocean - Some bigot there may be, - Who only prays to Neptune, - Who dwells beneath the sea. - - He sees no beauty ever, - Except in his own flowers. - And if from him you differ, - Contumely on you showers. - - - - -THE WORLD IS ASLEEP. - - - Step softly for the world’s asleep - And when it wakes, it wakes to weep - O’er all the sins and dire mistakes - That it will see when it awakes. - - O’er griefs and sorrows of the race, - Which all mankind must sometimes face. - O, world sleep on, ’tis better so - Than to awake and see the woe, - - And burdens that mankind must bear; - The aching hearts aye filled with care. - In sleep you dream, and dream of peace; - From turmoil dire you have surcease. - - Sleep on! Dream on! From care be free - Through time, and through eternity. - There is no rest, ’tis toil alway; - ’Tis warfare, death, and then decay. - - - - -WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE RACE? - - - What is the future of the race? - I asked a little brook. - It laughingly replied to me - “I cannot stop to look.” - - Then next I asked a gray old tree, - It shook with laughter too. - “Go ask the river, it may give - An answer unto you.” - - The river stopped upon its course, - And unto me it said, - “Go ask the ocean, it is wise - And I shall soon him wed.” - - The ocean seemed with anger filled, - But unto me replied, - “I have no time for foolish speech, - Do not delay my tide.” - - The wind, in answer to my plea - A moment paused, to say, - “Go ask the sphinx, perhaps she knows, - And will your fears allay.” - - I asked the sphinx, she seemed to smile, - I started back aghast; - She seemed to speak, I heard these words, - “I only know the past.” - - I bowed before the placid stone, - And begged to know the past. - “The present is enough for you, - With all its questions vast.” - - O tell me of the past I beg! - O do not it withhold - Sometime the future I shall know - It will to me unfold. - - * * * * * - - “O man why seekest thou to know - The future, or the past? - The present is enough for you, - If not with clouds o’er cast.” - - The mountains seemed to pity me, - The clouds shed showers of tears, - The sun looked down in reverence, - And said: “Allay your fears,” - - “For there’s a power that rules mankind, - E’er has and ever will. - The future, and the past, are His, - Are governed by His will.” - - Then gazing at the works of God, - My thoughts seemed trivial, small,-- - Why should I worry o’er the race? - When God is over all. - - - - -LOVE’S PATH. - - - Adown the many walks of life, - Though stormy be the weather, - We will clasp hands in confidence, - And walk Love’s path together. - - When days are bright we’ll happy be, - And will not trouble borrow; - But do the very best we can - For clouds may come tomorrow. - - Though life be filled with many cares, - If soul with soul is blending, - We’ll bear the cares most cheerfully. - Love hath with us no ending. - - When Death shall come, as come he must,-- - For life is short, and fleeting, - With outstretched hands and happy smile, - We’ll give him kindly greeting. - - - - -A PRAYER. - - - O Thou Almighty Presence-- - O Thou Almighty Power-- - No greater in the heavens, - Than in the smallest flower. - - We bow to Thee in reverence, - We kneel to Thee in prayer. - We see Thee in the tiny weed, - We see Thee everywhere. - - We know that we are ignorant, - And oftimes sinful are, - But we would keep thy every law, - No plan of Thine e’er mar. - - For perfect are Thy mandates all, - And perfect every work, - And though we oft misunderstand, - We would no duty shirk. - - Thou pitiest us, Thy children, - Wouldst teach us the right way - Wherein to walk, and what to do, - Wouldst teach us to obey - - The law which Thou hast made supreme, - But if we disobey, - Thou still dost plead for our return - To straight and narrow way. - - O God our Lord we reverence Thee! - And humble aye would be. - We love Thee ever, though we sin - Throughout eternity. - - We know Thou art the only Power - Which reigns supreme on earth, - And though we many trials have, - We thank Thee for our birth. - - We thank Thee for the blessings rich - That in our pathway lie. - We thank Thee e’en for tears we shed, - Thy love these tears will dry. - - O help us Lord to do Thy work, - And bury self so deep, - That we shall every duty do, - And have no cause to weep. - - And when we come into the home - That is prepared for us, - We’ll fitted be to dwell within - That home so glorious. - - - - -LIFE’S ROAD. - - - O the road seems long and devious - That our weary feet have trod, - Struggling, struggling, ever struggling, - Till we rest beneath the sod. - - Dark and hidden is life’s pathway, - We have sought for it in vain; - But have fallen by the wayside, - Overcome by grief and pain. - - And our feet are bruised and bleeding, - And life’s burdens are so great - That we fain would give up trying, - And be governed aye by fate. - - All life’s road seems filled with shadows, - In despair we kiss the rod; - Then we see that road leads upward - From the depths, e’en up to God. - - - - -WHERE IS HEAVEN? - - - O where is heaven? cried a child. - Is it above, beyond the sky? - Is it above, beyond the clouds? - How shall I find it when I die? - - O where is heaven? cried a youth. - It seems so far, so far away. - This world is such a weary waste - For Heaven’s peace I ever pray. - - I long to know where heaven is, - Is it the place where angels dwell? - Is it the place where spirits go? - Can mortal man the place foretell. - - I’ve searched in vain the place to find-- - I’ve sought, I’ve searched for heaven’s door, - I cannot find one trace of it - In modern book, nor ancient lore. - - We’re told that heaven is but for those - Who live a life all free from sin. - If this is true, there is no hope-- - No one will ever heaven win. - - O where is heaven? an old man cried. - Is it above the world’s fierce din? - “A still small voice” then spake to him - To find your heaven, O look within. - - - - -DESTINY. - - - When Destiny leads us - We have to obey. - No rest by the roadside; - No loitering by way. - - She beckons us onward - With promise of peace; - Alluring us ever, - From bonds no release. - - We struggle on blindly; - Obeying her call. - A shroud doth us cover, - ’Tis Destiny’s pall. - - The chains that aye bind us - Too strong are to break; - The fetters, and shackles - Are Destiny’s make. - - So strong are these fetters - They bind us to earth. - Grim Destiny welded them - E’en before birth. - - We rise from our bondage, - And try to be free; - But Fate is our gaoler, - She holds fast the key. - - The prison is guarded, - No opening we see, - ’Tis useless to struggle, - For helpless are we. - - Yea, Destiny rules us; - A tyrant is she - Who keeps us in bondage, - When we would be free. - - * * * * * - - The warfare is ended. - Our colors are down. - We bow in submission, - And Destiny crown. - - She now is our monarch, - On her we must lean, - Obeying her ever, - For she is our queen. - - - - -WHY? - - - Why should not we all understand - The laws of life, of living? - That everything in Nature’s works - Is sending forth, and giving. - - She gives her life to help mankind, - She to the world gives beauty, - And it is given ungrudgingly, - And not because ’tis duty. - - O let us try to emulate - Dear Nature in her giving, - Instead of thorns, give roses sweet; - Then life will be worth living. - - Send loving thoughts out to the world, - Your cup returns o’erflowing; - You’ll find it holds no bitter dregs - If good you are bestowing. - - - - -LIBERTY. - - - A little dove impatient grew, - And weary of his bars. - He longed to break his prison bonds, - And soar among the stars. - - He beat his wings against the bars, - And vainly tried to break - The door of his small prison house. - That freedom he might take. - - For liberty he ever sought, - He did not love his home. - He ever wished that he was free - Around the world to roam. - - The little dove most weary was; - Unhappy and distraught. - O why should he a prisoner be? - For liberty he fought. - - But all in vain, he could not break - The bars that held him fast. - The future seemed as dark to him - As had been all his past. - - At last with broken, bleeding wings, - He fell to earth in death. - For freedom sweet, for liberty, - He cried with his last breath. - - - - -MY SOUL AND I. - - - My soul and I a warfare waged, - Which had the right of way? - Precedence was a law laid down, - Which one should it obey. - - I claimed that _I_ was first on earth, - My _soul_ put in the plea - That _I_ was but the home for him; - _He_ claimed eternity. - - We argued long, and earnestly, - But argued all in vain. - Each one was sure that he was right, - No point did either gain. - - So worn was I with argument - I closed my eyes to earth. - How long I slept I do not know. - I wakened to new birth. - - I looked around for my lost soul-- - Had it the victory won? - I looked within, and then I found - My soul and I were one. - - Were one on earth, are one in heav’n, - The body is not _I_, - ’Tis but the garment of the soul, - And in the grave must lie. - - But soul lives on, forever on, - ’Tis even one with God; - It permeates all life, all space, - Arising from its clod - - A spirit of the universe,-- - A light which never dies. - For soul is all creation, - And in the grave ne’er lies. - - - - -FORSAKEN. - - - They say that thou art false to me. - It is not true, it cannot be. - I loved thee once, I love thee yet; - O dearest! canst thou me forget? - - I loved thee e’en when first we met, - And even now do not regret - The love for thee that fills my heart. - Wilt thou O dearest from me part? - - O hath another won thy heart? - Must I alone endure the smart - That cometh from thy broken vow? - If I must suffer, so must thou. - - The past is dead, and buried deep, - For thee my love I can but weep. - Though sad the day that first we met, - That past, for me, holds no regret. - - E’en though thou lov’st another now, - Again thou’lt break thy troth, thy vow. - Thy fickle heart e’er fickle be - Through time, and through eternity. - - Thou seemest not so happy now, - As when to me thou mad’st thy vow - That sometime thou wouldst be my bride, - And thy dear self to me confide. - - The memory of that past is dear, - Though lying on sad memory’s bier. - And now farewell, “I love thee still, - Against my wish, against my will.” - - The future holds no joy for me - If I am parted dear from thee. - Farewell! Farewell! I give thee up. - The dregs of life I now must sup. - - But loving thee, I can forgive. - Without thy love, I cannot live. - Alone, forsaken, and bereft, - There’s naught on earth for me now left. - - Farewell! farewell! our past is dead, - All happiness from me hath fled. - The dreary future must be met; - I find that I can _not_ forget. - - I think that thou wilt love me dear, - When I am dead, and o’er my bier - Thou bendest down to look at me. - My heart will then from grief be free. - - - - -FAREWELL. - - - My lover of the past, farewell! - I do not thee regret; - For thou hast proven false to me, - And I will thee forget. - - I would not turn the wheel of time, - Thy recreant love to gain; - For having once been false to me, - Thou wouldst be false again. - - My love a plaything was to thee, - ’Twas only for a day; - When weary of the love I gave, - ’Twas cast by thee away. - - My lover of the past, farewell! - I grieve not for thee now. - When trust is gone, love follows soon - Upon a broken vow. - - - - -THE PEBBLE’S SOLILOQUY. - - - Though but a pebble on the shore of time, - I feel my mission is sublime. - Though man may tread me ’neath his careless feet-- - With scornful look will e’er me greet-- - - I have my place, no one that place can fill; - I live, and do my Master’s will. - There is a power that lies within my heart-- - I must live on, and do my part. - - I am a part of God--His loving thought, - And for some purpose I was wrought. - Naught else on earth could fill the pebble’s place. - To mountains grand my life I trace. - - I will arise above my low estate, - And with the angels even mate. - I feel, I know, a pebble hath a soul, - And heaven is its right, its goal. - - God put me here, so why should I complain? - I know I was not made in vain. - To you the song of ages I can sing. - Sweet flowers, in time, will from me spring. - - And what is man? A pebble on Life’s strand-- - With me, God holds him in His hand. - And e’en from me deep lessons he can learn. - To dust his body will return. - - ’Tis true he claims a soul, and so do I; - For soul is God, and God doth in me lie. - All that hath life, hath soul I do avow. - With love, all things God doth endow. - - I have ambition, and some day will rise - To meet my God beyond the skies. - For everything on earth, or in the sea - Hath part in God, and immortality. - - -NOTE. - -From the criticism of a friend, I am led to explain myself in regard -to this poem (The Pebble) and some others. What is soul? That which -lives forever--Well, a pebble disintegrates, and vegetation springs up -from it. Vegetation supports the lower forms of life, which in turn -support the higher, from atom up to God. Life is not matter, though -_in_ all matter--_Life_, _Soul_, goes on through all eternity. God is -in everything that he has created; therefore, _everything_ has _soul_. - - - - -AN ANGEL’S MESSAGE. - - - “Make merry,” cried the king, “drive care away. - I would not think of crown nor nation now. - The gayest of the gay I fain would be, - I would that none today before me bow.” - - “Today I would as humblest subject be, - And I would even know the want of food. - A vision was vouchsafed to me this morn, - Methinks an angel by my bedside stood.” - - “And one by one he placed before mine eyes - My subjects poor, who live in direst need, - Whilst I, in thoughtless rioting have dwelt. - And not of them have ever taken heed.” - - “Make haste and send swift couriers o’er the land, - Through every hamlet, and through every town. - Henceforth my scepter shall be love to all, - And justice evermore shall be my crown.” - - “Instead of pomp and pageantry, I will - Hereafter seek to know my subjects all; - Henceforth I’ll be a king in very sooth, - And none need fear upon their king to call.” - - “A monarch I will be of stricken hearts; - Loud hallelujahs through my kingdom ring, - For nevermore shall Hunger stalk abroad, - A dark, dark blot upon the title, King.” - - “Swift justice shall be meted out to all; - Mine eyes are opened now.--I have been blind - To all the misery that around me lay, - All heedless of the sufferings of mankind.” - - “So, merry be, for I have found my soul, - And _Love_ is now the watchword of your king. - Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, henceforth. - Glad tidings now to all my people bring.” - - - - -THE RACE OF LIFE WITH TIME. - - - Life and Time once ran a race - O’er hills of sorrow and despair. - Life often halted by the way - For he had many ills to bear, - But Time went on, and on, and on. - - Poor Life oft weary was, and worn. - Oft fell at Time’s unflagging feet. - But rose again with strength renewed, - And valiantly old Time did greet. - Who still went on, and on, and on. - - Though Life oft blinded was by tears, - Discouraged he could never be.-- - While Time rushed on to win the race; - Life’s work was for eternity. - Yet Time still onward went his way. - - Life cried, O tarry, father Time! - One moment stop in thy mad race; - There is so much that I must do, - So many problems yet to face. - Time took no heed, but still rushed on. - - Life often staggered ’neath his load, - And ever begged that Time would stay. - But Time, with scorn upon his brow - Rushed faster, faster on his way. - Went madly on, and on, and on. - - Time had precedence in the race, - And to Life’s pleadings paid no heed. - He cared not for Life’s weariness, - Nor would one point to him concede. - But still went on, and on, and on. - - O Time! cried Life, one moment pause! - O stay one moment in your flight, - For I am weak, the road is rough; - Too soon, too soon comes death’s dark night. - Still Time went on, and on, and on. - - Time went his way, nor heeded he - That Life was weary, worn, distressed. - Life’s burdens all too heavy were; - At every dawn Time was refreshed, - With courage new went on his way. - - But Life still struggled bravely on, - With patience bore his heavy load, - And though he often fell by way - Upon the weary upward road, - Time took no heed, but still went on. - - Life begged, implored that Time would halt, - But Time ne’er tarried on Life’s way; - But when Life wept, with pitying hand - Time stopped to wipe the tears away, - And then went on, and on, and on. - - At last Time seemed to fall behind-- - Then Life with joy increased his pace. - Time laughed with almost fiendish glee, - He knew that Life would lose the race, - While he would still go on, and on. - - Poor Life gave up the fight at last, - He laid his burdens down and died. - But still with agonizing voice - With his last breath to Time he cried. - Time took no heed, but still went on. - - - - -O DEATH WHERE IS THY STING? - - - The world will still go on its course - When we have passed away. - Not e’en one ripple on Life’s waves - There’ll be for e’en one day. - - How vain and fleeting is all life, - ’Tis but a little breath. - ’Tis but a smile, and then a tear, - And then to us comes death. - - We have high hopes at life’s bright morn, - Alas! they fade by noon. - They fade, they wither, fall to earth, - And death is then a boon. - - Yet over all our dead, dead hopes, - We joyfully will sing: - “O Grave where is thy victory? - O Death where is thy sting.” - - - - -THE MOTHER’S PLEA. - - - It is my little baby, - Now lying fast asleep. - Her brow with wrinkles furrowed.-- - O angels guard and keep - My precious, precious baby.-- - For her I’d gladly die - To save her life from sorrow,-- - For grief is ever nigh. - - * * * * * - - Now ope thine eyes my baby, - And gaze thou into mine. - If thou dost love me darling, - Thine arms around me twine. - I loved thee O my baby - Before thou camst to earth. - I longed for thy dear coming, - I longed for baby’s birth. - - Thou wert a gift from heaven, - And selfishly I cling - To thee my precious baby. - No sorrow dost thou bring. - Dost know that ’tis thy mother - That’s speaking to thee now? - If so, the little wrinkles - Will vanish from thy brow. - - Look up to me my baby, - And put thy hands in mine. - Dost thou not know, my precious! - That for thy love I pine? - Was’t kind in me, thy mother - To give to thee earth-life? - With all of its wild turmoil, - And all of its fierce strife. - - If life shouldst be a burden, - No joy in it for thee, - Will future life repay thee? - And I forgiven be? - Will heaven be compensation - For all of earthly care? - Wilt thou forgive thy mother - For all that thou must bear? - - In vain is all my pleading-- - Alas! it is too late,-- - For thou must bear life’s burdens, - And thou must meet thy fate.-- - But, angels guard, and keep thee, - This is thy mother’s prayer. - At last to heaven take thee; - To meet thy mother there. - - - - -TO A FRIEND. - - - O thou fair daughter of a northern clime! - To thee, dear heart, I dedicate my rhyme. - Dost know that life to thee shouldst be sublime? - - Though thou hast many problems yet to face, - Thou wilt not fall, nor falter in the race. - Nor e’en the smallest thing in life debase. - - “New England” blood is coursing through my veins, - No evil deed, nor thought, thy pure heart stains. - Thy life is melody,--not sad refrains.-- - - In brightest life, some shadows there will be. - If thou dost bear these shadows cheerfully, - The clouds will break, and sunshine come to thee. - - Not having burdens of thine own to bear, - Thou must be willing others’ griefs to share, - There are enough for all, and some to spare. - If this thou doest uncomplainingly - Thou wilt be blest throughout eternity. - - - - -TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN. - - - O father Time one moment tarry! - I have so much, so much to do, - And death will find my work unfinished, - For every day brings something new. - O Time, dear Time, what doth it matter? - A month, a year, is naught to thee, - But hours, minutes, even seconds, - To me doth make eternity. - - Much time I feel that I have squandered; - So many hours, so many years.-- - The misspent time that now confronts me - Will ever cause me bitter tears. - Life is so sweet when breaks the morning, - But groweth bitter by the noon; - By night I am so worn and weary, - E’en death doth seem to me a boon. - - O Time give back my happy childhood, - And I will bless thee ever, aye; - My every task with joy performing; - And not from duty will I stray. - E’en Time seemed filled with deepest pity, - But cried, “O man, it is too late - To save the years that thou hast squandered; - So I must leave thee to thy fate.” - - “Farewell O man! I must not tarry; - Long years ago my work began. - In vain, in vain is all thy pleading - For Time and Tide wait not for man.” - Farewell then Time, farewell for ever; - For there is naught but death for me. - A slave I have been to thee ever, - But now, in dying, I am free. - - - - -TIDE WAITS FOR NO MAN. - - - O Tide, O Tide, just wait one moment, - My ship is not prepared to sail; - She must be manned with sailors trusty, - Equipped to meet the coming gale. - It turned, and looking back a moment, - In angry waves this speech began: - “I cannot listen to thy pleading, - I cannot wait for any man.” - - It turned and left me at my mooring, - And seemed to mock my earnest plea: - “Too long already I have tarried - On my long journey to the sea.” - Again it turned, and looking backward, - Derisively thus spoke to me; - “Thy words to me are vain and useless, - No longer will I list to thee.” - - And yet he seemed to have some pity, - With kindness spake again to me. - “O man why art thou so persistent? - My work has been mapped out for me; - Was given to me by my Creator, - In æons past my work began. - I must no longer to thee listen, - I must not wait for any man.” - - “Farewell O man! Farewell forever! - Dost thou not know that I am free?” - And waving me a bright good morning, - The Tide then hastened to the sea. - Alone I stood upon Life’s landing, - The waves to me this message bore: - “Thou needst no longer by me loiter.” - They then receded from the shore. - - Upon Life’s shoal I now was stranded; - Alone, forsaken evermore. - All hope had with the Tide receded, - Life’s ship was left upon the shore. - - - - -FREEDOM. - - - The prisoned bird doth oftimes sing - Behind its prison bars; - But sweeter far its song would be - If carolled to the stars. - - Just ope his door, he flies aloft, - The hills with music ring. - Exultant notes of melody - The bird when free, will sing. - - When once is gained his liberty, - Each day new joys to meet, - He looks not back to prison home, - His freedom is so sweet. - - No morsel giv’n, no word of love - Will tempt him back to cage. - Though he may often lack for food, - He now hath freedom’s wage. - - And so with soul, when once ’tis free, - It sings sweet notes of joy; - Loud hallelujahs will send forth, - In them is no alloy. - - When once the soul escapes its bonds - To soar above the stars, - Has broken chains, and freedom gained, - It ne’er goes back to bars. - - It soars aloft, a happy soul, - E’en to bright heaven’s dome. - Emancipated it is now - From narrow gilded home. - - * * * * * - - Then soul be free from error’s chain, - And break the bars that bind - You to your prison cell so dark; - Then freedom you will find. - - No more you’ll sup on prison food, - Contented with a crumb - That falls to you from gaoler’s hand, - To truth forever dumb. - - When once the soul its prison leaves, - It finds such sweet relief - In knowing that the truth it hath, - Instead of a belief. - - - - -REVERIE. - - - I am sitting in the gloaming, - Sipping honey from Life’s flowers; - Gathering sweetness for the future; - I will store it in Love’s bowers. - - Nothing bitter will I gather - To confront me by and by. - Though dark clouds are overhanging, - Shining is the sun in sky. - - All the little clouds, and shadows - I will drive from out my heart; - For I love the sunshine better, - From no sunbeam will I part. - - Though the raindrops may be falling, - Though the day is dark and drear; - It will clear before Life’s evening, - And Life’s sun again appear. - - - - -A MOHAMMEDAN’S PRAYER. - - - Thou art Allah, God divine, - And we bow before Thy shrine. - Humbly bend to Thee in prayer. - Thou my God art everywhere. - - Thou hast willed th’ stars into space, - Everywhere we see Thy face. - In sidereal spaces grand - Worlds were fashioned by Thy hand. - - Thou art Maker, Ruler, King; - Of Thy praises we will sing. - Allah great, O Allah good! - By Thy side we once have stood. - - We are part of Thee, O Lord, - Though we sprang from ’neath the sod. - By Thy side we still would stand, - Guided by Thy loving hand. - - There couldst never heaven be - But for immortality. - Thou dost need our helping hand - Even in Thy heavenly land. - - Man was fashioned from the dust, - But his soul doth in Thee trust; - And will rise to Thee at last, - Not forgetting though, its past. - - Man, from ages hath come down, - And in future Thou wilt crown - Him immortal, part of Thee; - Absorbed in Love, in Deity. - - - - -NATURE’S PLAN. - - - I am a part of Nature’s plan, - A part of her great work; - And incomplete would be all life - Should I my duty shirk. - - I am a thread in Nature’s web, - If stitch is dropped by me, - The fabric most imperfect is, - Will not accepted be. - - I am a stone the builder needs, - No other stone will do; - Nor structure ever finished be - For naught will do in lieu. - - For I was fitted for the place, - Was taken from the earth, - And cut to fill this vacancy, - E’en at my very birth. - - There is a leaf in Nature’s book - That is reserved for me, - And I must write my name thereon, - No blank in book must be. - - I am a drop in Life’s great sea. - A drop seems very small; - But drops of water, grains of sand - Are worthy of God’s call. - - I am a little candle light - That throws its beams--not far, - Yet lighting up the space around - E’en as a little star. - - I may be but a common weed, - But weeds, in time, are flowers, - And are a part of Nature’s plan - To beautify God’s bowers. - - - - -THE SUNBEAM’S WOOING. - - - A fickle sunbeam fell in love - With a little flower; - He scattered sunshine in her path, - And tarried in her bower. - - The little flower returned his love, - Her heart was filled with pride - To be the chosen flower of love; - To be the sun-god’s bride. - - For bridal robe on wedding day - She chose her richest gown, - And donned a veil of sunshine bright, - And dew-drops for her crown. - - Then up the aisle of sunbeams swept, - A queen of beauty she. - The sunbeam never brighter was. - In gorgeous dress was he. - - Most proud he was of his fair bride, - So beautiful, and pure; - And thought, as he had found his mate, - His love would aye endure. - - But sunbeams are not always true. - In glancing round one day, - He saw another little flower, - And by her wished to stay. - - His chosen bride deprived of love, - Soon faded, withered, died. - A poor forsaken flower of earth - For love now vainly cried. - - Alas for her! His love had cooled; - He hid behind a cloud. - He hid his face from his first love - Her bridal veil was shroud. - - - - -THE PROGRESSION OF THE ROSE. - - - The rose, when born, was purest white, - And of her beauty never thought. - The sun began to smile on her, - Then a great change in her was wrought. - - The sun looked down admiringly. - She of her beauty ’gan to think; - Some one in passing, gave her praise, - And she then blushed a rosy pink. - - The moss-rose next sprang into life, - With beauty rare, and fragrance sweet. - So modest was this little rose, - The public gaze she feared to meet. - - She was so timid, and so shy, - She hid her face in veil of green; - It was a crown of beauty rare, - More beautiful had never queen. - - She longed though for companionship. - She wished full oft to tell her woes. - So chose a mate among the flowers, - And then became a bridal rose. - - She now ambitious was to rise, - And with disdain looked on the earth; - She then sent many tendrils out, - And then the climbing rose had birth. - - She now was filled with greatest pride, - And struggled hard to reach the skies, - But Nature sent her edict forth - That she no higher e’er should rise. - - The rose with anger now was filled, - For glancing down upon her bed, - She saw a worm coiled ’mong her roots, - And then she turned an angry red. - - And now was born the bright red rose, - And though its beauty came from hate. - No one disputes its right to reign - A royal queen in regal state. - - - - -ALL LIFE HATH SOUL. - - - The running brook is never straight; - A pebble oft will change its course; - A tiny twig, a little sand - Is oft to it sufficient force - To send it dancing on its way - To reach its home, the sparkling sea. - So with our lives, from birth to death, - We’re struggling ever to be free. - - A little word, a little thought - Will change our course, will change our way. - For life doth run in devious paths, - E’en tiny twig it must obey. - Alas! Our soul wings have been bound, - Or we would soar beyond the clouds; - And know the destiny of man, - And why a pall his life enshrouds. - - We’re reaching up to even God.-- - For we would know life’s meaning now; - Free from the shard that binds our thoughts, - And if with soul, God doth endow - The lower animals as we. - And if all life hath mind, hath soul? - Whatever God hath made, hath life, - And mind doth ever life control. - - All living things; the trees, the flowers, - The ocean, mountain, and the sea; - The pebbles on the ocean beach, - And also grass upon the lea.-- - We are as sand upon Life’s hill, - And but as grass, we live and grow, - “Tomorrow in the oven cast;” - For Death each day the grass doth mow. - - - - -IT MATTERS NOT. - - - What matters it what we may think, - Or what is our belief; - ’Tis worthless straw thrashed o’er and o’er, - No wheat is in the sheaf. - - ’Tis what we _are_, ’tis what we _do_ - That makes of life a song. - We may believe that black is white, - And though we are quite wrong: - - It matters little to the world; - For we are as a drop - Of water in Life’s ocean broad; - Life’s tide will never stop - - To see if we are in our place, - Or what we mean to do; - It comes, and goes without our help, - Would not our death e’en rue. - - We are of little consequence, - Although perhaps we think - The world would be a barren waste, - If we perchance should sink - - Beneath the waves of Life’s great sea. - Or on its shores be tossed. - But not a ripple would there be - E’en though our lives were lost. - - The world would e’er go on the same. - Life’s tides would come and go; - Regardless of our happiness, - Regardless of our woe. - - And yet we have our little place, - That little place is ours. - None other could our life work do, - Nor pluck for us Life’s flowers. - - - - -“WHAT IS MAN THAT THOU ART MINDFUL OF HIM?” - - - O man with all thy knowledge, - Dost know what brought thee here? - Dost know the law of living? - To die is not more drear - Than living on uncertain - Of what the future state. - Is death annihilation? - Is it to be our fate? - - O th’ myst’ry of our coming! - From what were we evolved? - O th’ myst’ry of our going! - Will it be ever solved? - We’re filled with dark forebodings, - We know not what our end. - Is there a power that governs? - If so, we to it bend. - - Shall we e’er know the myst’ries, - The problems that we meet - At every stage of living; - With fear we e’er them greet. - What may be in the future? - The present we deplore. - The past hath been a failure, - With shadows e’er before. - - An angel heard my questions, - And sorrowed at my fears. - “O know that God is mindful - Of man; though it appears - That man is aye complaining, - Not trusting to the Power - That gave to him existence, - And blessings on him shower.” - - - - -“AS A MAN THINKETH SO IS HE.” - - - So think no evil, if not evil thou wouldst be, - For as thou thinkest, so wilt thou e’en be. - If hate thou thinkest, hate will thee control. - If love thou thinkest, love will fill thy soul. - - If seeking ill, ill in thy friend thou’lt find. - If seeking good, to good thou wilt him bind. - Instead of seeking in thy friend for sin, - O turn a retrospective glance within. - - For what thou seekest thou wilt surely find, - For good, or evil is in thine own mind. - For as thou thinkest, thou wilt surely be - Then seek for good, and happier thou wilt be. - - Mayhap thy friends may evil think of thee, - Then look within, and shocked thou mayest be - At thine own faults, and then some good may’st see - In friend or foe, whichever he may be. - - Before thou censurest friend, it doth behoove - Thee to correct thyself; thy ways improve. - Thou’lt find thyself no better than thy friend, - And thinking good, thy conduct will amend. - - Love’s search-light turn upon thy bitterest foe, - And thou mayst find in him such utter woe - That all thy anger mayst then turn to love, - And gentle be thy thoughts as gentlest dove. - - And thou shouldst study self with greatest care; - Though heart mayst seem most pure, some fault is there. - The faults in others, thou shouldst aye condone, - If thou art perfect, thou mayst cast a stone. - - - - -MY GUESTS. - - - Cold Wisdom was a guest of mine; - But Pleasure came one day, - And she, with almost fiendish glee - Drove Wisdom far away. - - I tried to call chill Wisdom back; - Alas! it was too late. - She never could an entrance gain - With Pleasure at my gate. - - And so with recklessness I gave - Myself to Pleasure’s call. - She led me such a merry chase, - I soon seemed past recall. - - Then Pleasure seemed to tire of me, - And left me worn, distraught. - She left me for a fresher field, - And never gave one thought - - To me, nor to my previous life; - She’d other things to do; - For she had other lives to wreck, - Had work in pastures new. - - For Pleasure has no conscience e’er. - She cares not who may fall - So long as she doth have her way, - Her victims to enthrall. - - One need not treat her with disdain, - Nor drive her far away. - She often is a welcome guest, - If Wisdom too doth stay. - - Companions they may even be. - Though ’tis not always wise - For Pleasure to take foremost rank, - Though decked in royal guise. - - - - -GOD IS EVERYWHERE. - - - God guides us o’er the barren wilds, - And o’er the waters still; - He guides us in all walks of life - If we but do His will. - - Is with us in the sunshine bright, - And in the falling rain; - And God is in the pastures green, - And in the growing grain. - - And He is in the fragrant flower, - And in the smallest weed; - Is in our every thought, and act, - Is in our every deed. - - He dwells upon the mountains high, - He dwells upon the lea; - He made, and rules the ocean grand. - He dwells upon the sea. - - Through ignorance we oftimes sin, - God loves us though we fall; - He helps us to arise again, - Does ever on us call. - - ’Tis vain to mourn, ’tis vain to weep, - And we should feel, should know - That life is not a funeral dirge, - That life is not all woe. - - And we must live for others’ weal; - Of evil e’er beware. - And we must love, and we must trust; - For God is everywhere. - - - - -DEAD HOPES. - - - When Love was young, and in his prime, - And in deception not yet skilled, - I found that guile was in his heart, - E’en as with saw-dust dolls were filled. - - Alas! Though sad the lesson was, - And with the deepest misery fraught; - The lesson has not been in vain, - Though ’tis experience dearly bought. - - I had a loved, and trusted friend, - But when I found she was untrue, - I plucked her image from my heart; - No more for friendship will I sue. - - Today Love pleads to me in vain; - For nevermore shall I him trust. - When once deception comes to us, - Dead hopes henceforth are only dust. - - - - -BURIED HOPES. - - - I found a slight flaw in a diamond, - And now it is worthless to me; - Though the gem is as brilliant as ever, - Henceforth ’tis the flaw I shall see. - - I had a dear friend most enticing, - Her life seemed so pure unto me; - I found a slight fault in her living, - That fault evermore I shall see. - - I stood by the grave of a loved one, - The world seemed so drear, and so cold; - No hope in my heart, and the future - No promise of peace did unfold. - - I had a belief in my girlhood, - Essential it seemed unto me; - But now my belief seems a phantom; - From bigotry now I am free. - - Alas for the hopes of our childhood; - They blossom, then wither and die, - Are buried full deep in Love’s coffin; - The grave is so cold where they lie. - - We cherish our hopes for a moment, - A will-o’-the-wisp they oft are, - Dark phantoms eluding us ever, - And often our lives they will mar. - - I seek for the _truths_, and _truth_ only. - All error henceforth I decry, - And hid in the grave of oblivion - Full deep in that grave must e’er lie. - - - - -LOVE’S MESSAGE. - - - I sent thee a message my darling, - Across the great highway of thought. - Transmitting my love to thy keeping; - Thy soul must the message have caught. - - Receiving it into thy being, - Absorbing my love into thine. - When hearts are once truly united, - The love of their souls is divine. - - And life is a heaven created - By love, the great Ruler of all, - And love is the message He sendeth; - It lightens life’s heaviest pall. - - Send love to thy friend and thy neighbor. - Send love to thy bitterest foe. - It costs thee not even one farthing. - Love’s coin we can always bestow. - - - - -A FABLE. - - - A mother mouse with mien most humble - Called to her children--one and all-- - Revealed to them her sins so many, - That o’er her heart hung like a pall. - - “I must my sins be expiating - Before my life draws to an end. - To convent holy, I will enter, - And my past sins will there amend.” - - “O do not seek me! Do not follow! - Where I am, seek not to know. - Take heed my children to my warning, - For it will save you pain and woe.” - - “Farewell! Farewell! I now must leave you, - Of my _advice_ O pray take heed; - And do not follow my _example_, - To grief it surely will you lead.” - - When left alone the little mouselets - Were very happy for a while; - For mice, like children, are forgetful, - They soon forgot their mother’s guile. - - They hopped around, all rules forgetting, - Until their hunger made them think - Of their dear mother, their provider, - Their eyes with tears then ’gan to blink. - - “O let us search for our dear mother; - She may be hungry, cold, or dead. - O we will never give up hunting, - Though we may die with her instead.” - - They searched for her in every corner, - In every crevice, every nook. - But searched in vain, they could not find her: - So thought no further they would look. - - But they a big round cheese discovered; - It long upon a shelf had lain. - “Forsooth we’ll take a little breakfast, - Our search has not been all in vain.” - - All their past searching they found needless; - For snugly housed within the cheese - They found their poor repentant mother, - With conscience very much at ease. - - Forgotten was their mother’s _teaching_, - And all that she for them had borne, - They only thought of her _example_, - And for her sins they could but mourn. - - * * * * * - - If you have sins my friends to mourn for, - Seek not a cheese to hide within. - For surely someone will be seeking, - And finding cheese, will look therein. - - - - -DEPLORE NOT THE SHADOWS OF LIFE. - - - Our lives are rounded out by pain, - And though it oft doth seem - That we have more than we can bear, - Through it we catch a gleam - - Of light celestial from on high; - The angels speak sweet words - Of hope, and peace, encouragement, - Their loving care engirds - - Our weary, worn, and saddened hearts, - And though not understood - While here on earth, we know full well - Our lives, by God are viewed. - - E’en though in life are many clouds; - There is some sunshine too; - Then store the sunshine you may have - And shadows not pursue. - - - - -LOVE’S GARLAND. - - - We will weave Love’s sweetest garland, - Fit to deck a monarch’s brow, - We will hide the thorns with roses, - And before Love’s throne will bow. - - We will strive to make all happy, - And will never duty shirk. - Never loiter by life’s wayside, - Ne’er in heart shall malice lurk. - - We are sowing, ever sowing-- - Soon the harvest we shall reap; - We are planting for the morrow. - Deeds will ripen while we sleep. - - We may harvest richest blessings, - Or may gather thorns instead. - We may place Love’s choicest garland - On some tired and drooping head. - - If an unkind word we utter, - We shall make some poor heart sad. - If we give a cup of water, - It will make some faint heart glad. - - We may often light life’s pathway - With the candle of our love, - And its beams will shine forever - In the heaven we make above. - - We may bring a ray of sunshine - Where before was darkest cloud. - And with flowers hide a coffin, - And may cover up the shroud. - - We can give a smiling welcome, - We can send out loving words; - E’en our tears may comfort some one - Showing that our love engirds, - - And surrounds him as a garland - Woven by Love’s tireless hands; - Woven from Love’s sweetest blossoms, - Love translated in all lands. - - We are gathering joy or sorrow - In our every walk of life. - We are sowing, we are reaping, - Sowing peace, we reap not strife. - - We may garner, we may scatter - Many blessings on life’s road. - We may help to carry burdens, - We may help to lift the load - - From our weaker brother’s shoulders - From our weary sister’s way, - We may cast a ray of sunshine - O’er some dark and stormy day. - - - - -LET US BUILD ABOVE THE STARS. - - - Let us build above the stars, - We are able to thus build, - There is nothing that debars - Us from ever doing so. - - Though foundation be the earth; - Have the corner-stone well laid; - If it grounded was at birth, - We can rest our pillars there. - - Have our plans all drawn with skill, - And have God as architect. - We must ever do His will, - And must trust Him ever, aye. - - Even though we fall to earth - With the plans that God has made. - What we’ve gained, to us is worth - All the efforts we have made. - - - - -GHOSTS OF THE ATTIC. - - - Memory takes me back to childhood - To my home upon a hill; - I am sitting in the attic, - Memories cause my heart to thrill. - - Now the rain is dropping, dropping, - Softly dripping from the eaves, - And the wind is sighing, moaning - A sad dirge for dying leaves. - - In the attic there are hanging - Herbs of catnip, sage, and mint; - Filling all the air with fragrance, - While the sunbeams throw a glint - - Through the tiny attic windows, - Then they rest upon a chest; - And this chest seems almost sacred, - For beneath its lid doth rest - - A small package of old letters - Tied with ribbon once so blue; - And the love that is within them - Oft though told, is ever new. - - Faded now the ink, and ribbon, - And the letters yellow are; - But the words which there are written - Father Time can never mar. - - They were written by my father, - Every word was tender, true, - They were love notes to my mother, - Even now when brought to view - (Though the ink is faded, yellow,) - To my eyes they bring hot tears, - To my breast a pang of anguish. - They are ghosts of other years. - - Ghosts of love, and truth, and virtue, - But these ghosts I would not lay; - They are memories of my childhood, - And through life shall with me stay. - - O the subtle, subtle fragrance - Of the herbs upon the wall; - They now fill my heart with sadness, - And to memory they recall - My dear mother, my dear father, - And my childhood’s happy years; - And forgotten they are never-- - Ghosts they are which bring no fears. - - Now the home of my dear parents - Is the grave-yard by the sea. - But their love has new awakening - In the bright eternity. - - - - -NOT YET. - - - What doth the future hold for us? - Shall we the past forget? - The answer came in plaintive tones: - “Sometime you may. Not yet.” - - When will the future be made plain? - The past hold no regret? - In present be not one mistake-- - The answer, is “Not yet.” - - When will the path of life be smooth? - No pitfalls by the way, - No stone to bruise our weary feet, - And never shadows gray. - - O shall we ever understand - Why trials should beset - Us in our every walk of life? - We ask in vain: “Not yet.” - - - - -DUTY. - - - When Duty doth call us, - Unless we obey, - No rest doth she give us - By night, nor by day. - - We cannot escape her, - She gives us no peace. - Till duty is done - We have no release. - - We try to avoid her, - Pretend not to see - The road she hath taken - O’er mountain or lea. - - We cannot evade her, - For by us she stands, - And fetters the strongest - She binds on our hands. - - Though we may not listen - To Duty’s loud voice, - Obeying her mandates - May not be our choice; - - We ever are happy - When duty is done; - When self is once conquered, - A victory is won. - - She smiles now upon us, - The demon is laid. - We’re glad that she conquered, - That we have obeyed. - - We will no more stumble, - Nor push her aside, - Triumphant is Duty, - With us will aye bide. - - We now have acknowledged - Her right to control - Each thought, and each action; - Yea--even our soul. - - We give up the battle, - Proclaim our defeat, - Now Duty triumphant - Doth sweetly us greet. - - We haul down our banner, - Put Duty on throne, - Though we were once traitors, - We now will atone - - For all our past errors, - And sit at her feet, - With joy do her bidding, - Each duty will meet. - - The battle is ended, - And now we are free - From selfish indulgence, - And happy are we. - - - - -LIFE’S PLAN. - - - The plan of my life is marked out, - Is traced with most infinite skill. - Through ignorance the plan may be changed, - And of good, I may often make ill. - - Not arbiter, I, of my life, - Yet I must forever beware-- - For every mistake that I make - Will add to my trouble and care. - - I builded the best that I knew, - And no one I’m sure could do more. - The Architect God drew the plans, - I knew not the tracings they bore. - - So, blindly, I work from the plans; - In future, they all will unfold, - God means that sometime I shall know; - And will not the plans e’er withhold. - - - - -BROTHERHOOD OF MAN. - - - We are the children of one God.-- - This truth I’ll not deny. - But _you_ stand clad in fine array, - Have houses grand, while _I_ - Must toil in grime from morn till night, - And oft am hungry, cold, - My loved ones living in a hut, - All for the want of gold. - - _You_ know not what it is to work; - _Your_ measure is complete; - Aye running over; pressed hard down; - While I toil on in heat, - In cold, in wind, in rain, and snow, - With aching back and feet; - With pittance small, and that begrudged.-- - You scorn me when we meet. - - You prate of “Brotherhood of Man,” - But will you hold the plough? - Or till the soil, or plant the grain, - Or stack the hay in mow? - I see you smile my _brother_ (?) man; - _You_ are of higher birth. - _You_ fix your eyes upon the stars, - While _mine_ belong to earth. - - _Your_ children must to college go, - But _mine_ must learn to work, - Must learn to wait on _you_ and _yours_, - And never duty shirk. - Yet, brothers we, in very sooth, - Are children of one God; - And though you claim a higher birth, - We’re leveled ’neath the sod. - - - - -MAN DEFYING THE DYING SUN. - - - Farewell, farewell, O dying Sun! - Thy glorious race is almost run. - But I acknowledge this to thee - That thou hast fought most valiantly. - Wast ever foremost in the fight, - No rest for thee by day, nor night. - I too have fought most manfully, - And stand erect, defying thee. - - I’ve fought the fight, have gained the day, - I shall live on forever, aye.-- - Farewell then Sun, for _thou_ must die; - While _I_ have gained eternity. - When thou art dead and cold, O Sun, - Thou’lt be a crownless king laid low. - No pity shall I have for thee, - O thou my conquered, fallen foe. - - Thou seem’st to laugh exultantly-- - Thou shalt be humbled, haughty Sun; - He laughs the best, who laughs the last, - For now thy race is nearly run. - I stand alone defying thee - One moment, then, I too shall die. - But I have gained the victory; - I nevermore to thee shall cry. - - Thou standest in thy majesty, - Thou standest in thy glorious might. - With scorn thou viewest dying man - From out thy wondrous, wondrous height - Thou lookest down on me, O Sun, - And dost contempt upon me cast. - But thou art slowly dying, Sun, - Thy greatness is but of the past. - - I stand alone upon the earth-- - No living thing can I now see; - But I shall witness thy defeat; - A fallen king thou soon wilt be. - One moment I shall stand erect; - A sovereign of the earth, and space; - Then die as thou hast died, O Sun, - The last of all my dying race. - - The last of all humanity-- - I’ve struggled hard to win the race; - Have conquered too, for now I stand - Alone on earth, grim death to face. - The earth is mine, I’ve conquered thee-- - One moment witness thy defeat, - Then falling to the earth, now king; - A dead, cold Sun, I proudly greet. - - * * * * * - - The earth is cold; (all life is gone,--) - And little now it holds for me. - I miss thy warmth, I miss thy light, - Although I stand exultantly.-- - Thou never canst atone, O Sun, - For all the misery thou hast wrought-- - ’Tis evermore on earth, dark night; - Though I have life, ’tis dearly bought. - - Farewell! Farewell! defeated Sun! - Thou now art dead; thy race is run.-- - - - - -IF THERE IS NO HEREAFTER. - - - If soul has no hereafter, - What is the unknown bond - That bindeth soul to matter, - And what is the beyond? - - What is the power that buildeth? - What is the mind that wills? - What is the power within us - That all our being thrills? - - If there is no hereafter - What use to us was birth? - We’re naught but vegetation - Encumbering the earth. - - If knowledge had been given - Of th’ power that brought us here-- - The law of living, dying.-- - Of death we’d have no fear. - - We’d start on our new journey, - And would not death regret. - These questions are deep problems - Which sometime must be met. - - This life would be a failure - If naught there was beyond; - No tie twixt soul and matter, - No everlasting bond. - - * * * * * - - O Thou Almighty Father! - Canst be that soul must die? - O listen to my pleading, - O Father hear my cry! - - O tell me what is dying? - I would by Thee be taught.-- - Give me the glimpse of heaven - Which I so long have sought.-- - - - - -LOVE’S SONG. - - - What sounds the deepest notes of life? - Is it bright sunshine, aye? - Some wish that we have had fulfilled, - Or pleasure in our way. - - Are we the happiest when some note - Of praise rings through the air? - Or when proud Fame entices us, - Then leaves us to despair. - - When people list with bated breath - To hear the words we speak, - And words of admiration give, - And joyously us seek? - - Ah no! The deepest note is struck - When we with others weep; - When we have sympathy for those - Who are in trouble deep. - - It is afflictions we must bear, - Mistake that we have made, - That strikes the deepest chords of life, - And ne’er from mem’ry fade. - - The loss of those who were a part - Of every joy, and grief. - The shadowy thoughts within our souls - That is of life the chief. - - To feel, to know, there is a world - Where we shall meet again - The loved ones who have gone beyond; - But not beyond our ken-- - - * * * * * - - Now all the past forgotten is, - And notes of joy will ring - Throughout the blest eternity, - For we Love’s song now sing. - - - - -FORGIVE. - - - Forgive me dear, I did not know - That words of mine wouldst cause thee woe. - I love thee all too well to bring - To thy dear heart the smallest sting. - Thy life is all too sweet and pure - To ever grief or pain endure. - - And evermore I’ll guard my speech, - E’ermore my careless tongue I’ll teach - To speak but loving words to thee, - From caustic speech I will be free. - The past is past. Wilt thou forget - The words I spake when first we met? - - The thoughtless words that I then spake - Will ever in my heart awake - Remorse, and sorrow, deepest pain.-- - O must I plead to thee in vain? - E’er more I’ll speak but love words, dear, - For only love-words shouldst thou hear. - - - - -FORGET. - - - Forget the past, ’tis dead and gone.-- - When book is read, no further con - The pages old; unless therein - There’s something that will ever win - A throb of joy within thy heart, - And of thy life seem e’en a part. - - The sacred present we will hold. - The future to us will unfold. - The dead, dead past shall be entombed; - Forget it dear, for it is doomed - To mould in grave, to dust return, - All record of that past we’ll burn. - - Begin the “Book of Life” anew; - This book we’ll not with tears bedew. - In it we’ll have but love, and peace, - All bitterness of past must cease. - The present, and the future be - Love’s sweetest song, and symphony. - - - - -YESTERDAYS. - - - For all the buried yesterdays - I have not one regret; - I love them not, I mourn them not, - I would them all forget. - - Of all the dead, dead yesterdays - Which were so dearly bought, - I care not to remember one, - They were with misery fraught, - They held no joy, they held no peace, - Each day had some deep pain; - So I would never call them back; - Each day seemed lived in vain. - - Today I live, today I love, - The yesterdays are dead. - I wot not of the passing days - Though by them I am led. - Today is mine with all it holds, - I’ll do the best I know. - The future is a closed up book, - And may be filled with woe. - - - - -TOMORROW. - - - O the sweet happy thoughts of tomorrow.-- - No shadowy clouds in Life’s sky, - No tears in our eyes, and no mourning, - No trouble in pathway doth lie. - - Today may be filled with dark shadows, - Tomorrow they all clear away. - For Hope is the goddess that guides us, - Tomorrow she with us will stay. - - Tomorrow may not be as happy - As Hope bids us look for, today. - But if we’ve reached out for Life’s gladness, - Life’s gladness will come in our way. - - ’Tis better to seek the bright sunshine; - The rainbow comes after the clouds, - And sweeter is life after storm-clouds, - For vanished the gloom that enshrouds. - - - - -CONSOLATION. - - - To my soul a voice hath spoken, - Hath spoken thus to me. - O earth-child be not discouraged, - For God doth pity thee. - - Though thy way be filled with shadows, - And Life’s sun obscured by clouds; - Though Life’s road seems leading downward, - And deep darkness all enshrouds; - - There is light for thee, and gladness, - And sweet Peace will thee enfold. - In the evening, in the gloaming - Joy unbounded will thee hold. - - Never more will desolation - In thy heart find resting place, - If with Love thou meetest troubles, - And with him thou keepest pace. - - - - -THE DEAD SUMMER. - - - In the forest, in the autumn, - ’Neath the oaks, and ’neath the beeches, - Are the dead and dying children - Of the mother trees. - - And the trees are sighing, moaning, - And the clouds are weeping, weeping - Tears of sorrow for the summer - That is dead, and gone. - - E’en the sun his face has hidden - By a veil of clouds and shadows, - All the earth seems grieved and troubled - At the summer’s death. - - But the earth has a new carpet, - Gorgeous with its brilliant colors. - For the autumn leaves have covered - And hid the sodden ground. - - - - -THERE IS A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS. - - - Though life may be gloomy, - And dark be thy way, - No light in thy pathway, - Not even one ray. - Look up to the heavens; - There’s a rift in the clouds. - - Though life may be warfare, - Thy heart have no peace, - Fear not, thou wilt conquer, - Thy heart have surcease. - Look upward, not downward, - There’s a rift in the clouds. - - Though friends may prove faithless, - And false unto thee; - There may be a reason - That thou dost not see. - Have charity always, - And see rift in the clouds. - - Thy days may be cloudy, - Thy sun be obscured, - To thee may come evil, - It can be endured. - There’s a rift in the clouds. - Soon the sun will peep through. - - Give comfort to some one - Who comes in thy way. - O be not despondent, - Be cheerful alway. - Look up and be happy, - See the rift in the clouds. - - May the rift in the clouds - O’erspread all thy sky, - And all birds of ill omen - Away from thee fly. - Seek ever life’s sunshine, - And the rift in life’s clouds. - - - - -TO A COMET. - - - O thou uncanny, fearful thing! - A flaming sword art thou; - Thou may’st be sent by demon’s hand - Among the stars to plough. - - Thou’st travelled on for many years, - And still must travel on. - Thy master’s bidding thou must do - Until the victory’s won. - - Sometime perhaps thy anger fierce - No more will burn in wrath. - Thou’lt gently fall upon the earth, - Leave blessings in thy path. - - Thou art a mystery now to us, - Thy life may be _divine_-- - Although it seems that demons black - Hath part in life like thine. - - - - -LOVE’S DART. - - - My heart is filled with joy today; - There’s peace within my soul. - My cup is running o’er with bliss, - There’s love in pleasure’s bowl. - - I will not think of aught that’s sad; - I’ll happy be today. - Tomorrow may bring pain and grief, - But love will each allay. - - Life’s bowl is filled with happiness, - There’s naught that I regret. - It is so full of love and joy - I would not it forget. - - The god of love peeped in at morn, - From bow, he sent a dart, - In aim he was so accurate - It lodged within my heart. - - - - -WEEDS. - - - A weed was in my garden growing; - I nurtured it with tender care, - It grew to be a flower of beauty - With col’ring rich and fragrance rare. - - It only needed love, and culture - To bring out beauty from its heart; - It ever had been timid, shrinking, - But now it proudly took a part - - With other flowers whose birth was higher. - Though coming up from out the sod - It gave to all sweet ministration, - It was a thought, a part of God. - - Now if a little weed so humble, - A higher place in life could gain - By care, and love, and sweet attention, - Why not a human weed attain - - Conditions better, and by struggling, - Arise from out its low estate? - But _it_ needs help and cultivation - To rise above its seeming fate. - - It needs but pruning, needs but watching. - From human weed ’twill rise to be - A flower of love, with soul of beauty; - It needs though, _love_ and _sympathy_. - - Though but a weed in Life’s bright garden, - It is not crushed by th’ heel of Fate. - It only needs a new awakening - To enter Life’s bright golden gate. - - Then give at least as much attention - To human weed as garden flower, - And thus you will enrich creation, - And God will blessings on you shower. - - - - -THE BLIND BEGGAR’S APPEAL. - - - Just close your eyes and try to walk - Along the crowded thoroughfare; - And ask each passer-by for help, - Then know the insults I must bear. - - I’m hungry, homeless, cold and sick. - I’ve groped around the livelong day; - No pitying word have I once heard, - No one has stopped me on my way - - A little pittance to dole out - To me, who as a little child - Had mother love, and father’s care, - Enough to eat, enough to wear. - - O God have pity! And now take - The poor blind beggar who does crave - Some resting place upon the earth; - E’en though that place should be the grave. - - I seek some shelter from the cold; - Some place to lay my weary head.-- - Some day I shall have covering warm, - But that will be when I am dead. - - Sometime sweet flowers will cover me, - The grass grow green upon my grave. - My weary body will have rest, - My soul return to God who gave - - The poor blind beggar rest at last, - A place to rest beneath the sod, - A covering of sweet flowers and grass.-- - So patiently I’ll kiss the rod - - Though it may scourge my body weak, - Though I be hungry, blind and poor, - I’ll bear my burdens patiently, - And thank my God that I them bore. - - - - -THE THREADS OF LIFE. - - - I count my age by what I’ve done - And not by months, and years. - I count from smiles, and happiness, - And not from pain, and tears. - - By these I’ve lived an hundred years, - May live an hundred more. - I’ll count the sunbeams in my life, - The clouds I will ignore. - - I’ll count the good that I have done. - Alas! That will not do. - If by that standard I should count, - My years would be too few. - - Turn back O wheel of Time I pray-- - Another chance I crave. - I would more worthy be of life, - More worthy of the grave. - - But I have failed through thoughtlessness, - Through ignorance also; - But thoughtlessness and ignorance - Excuse me not, I know. - - I must pick up the threads of life, - And weave them o’er again, - For every stitch I’ve dropped in past, - Has left on soul a stain. - - Life’s shuttle I must hold with care, - Life’s web must perfect be. - I weave not for this world alone, - But for eternity. - - - - -MEMORY’S BOOK. - - - I ope the book at mother’s side, - And turn the leaves so pure. - I read the pages with delight; - Their innocence allure. - - I turn the leaves with greatest care, - I find there naught of pain; - ’Tis happy childhood’s joyous days, - And were not lived in vain. - - I turn another leaf, and find - Some things I would forget; - Some selfish thought, some unkind act, - And much that I regret. - - Again I turn a leaf, and there - I see inscribed thereon, - Mistakes, and errors, selfishness, - Yet many victories won. - - Full many times I conquered self, - And overcame much ill. - These memories are the dearest ones, - And linger with me still. - - One memory sweet has its own place, - Has its own sacred nest. - ’Tis buried deep within my heart, - And rests there--let it rest. - - O childhood days come back again! - When at my mother’s knee - I learned the songs my mother sang, - In our cottage by the sea. - - - - -DO NOT BORROW TROUBLE. - - - Do not ever trouble borrow; - You’ll find enough of it at home; - Find enough for self, and neighbor, - You will for it not have to roam. - - Go not forth to meet sad Trouble, - For she with tears will e’er you greet. - But if given a cold greeting, - She will acknowledge her defeat. - - Do not cross life’s troubled waters - While you are yet upon the land. - Do not feel that you are sinking - Beneath life’s drifting, shifting sand. - - Though your life may seem a desert, - Of scorching winds, and burning sand; - You may find some green oasis, - Some beauty in a desert land. - - Trouble is a turbid river. - On it you need not launch life’s boat. - Life has rivers calm and peaceful, - And placid streams on which to float. - - You may never cross the river, - On troubled sea may not be tossed. - Though life’s bridge be weak and swaying, - By you, the bridge need not be crossed. - - Do not think that you must carry - The burdens of life’s yesterday. - Do not look for grief tomorrow, - With courage live your life today. - - You must rise above all trouble, - And keep it ever from your view; - It can ever then be vanquished, - And you can bid it glad adieu. - - - - -GIVE SMILES, NOT TEARS. - - - Give to the world your happy thoughts, - Too many give but tears. - A word, a thought, a deed full oft - Makes some heart sad, or cheers - Some lonely, weary, world sick soul, - Who now will drop his cares, - And even smile at his defeats, - And disappointment bears. - - For in his heart is now a hope, - A hope for better things. - The world is now not half so sad, - And joy it even brings. - If you are sad, hide grief beneath - A happy smiling face. - No one is better for your tears, - Nor stronger for Life’s race. - - Then bury grief within your heart, - And dig its grave full deep; - And cover it with flowers of Hope, - And do not o’er it weep. - Too many keep their sorrows fresh - By tears too often shed. - Look up! Look out! Your sorrows hide, - And rest in Hope’s own bed. - - - - -FAREWELL TO THE DYING YEAR. - - - Farewell! farewell! thou dying year; - For thee we will not mourn, - But bury thee in grave of past, - In garments worn, and torn. - - And yet, thou hast not been unkind, - Thou’st giv’n more smiles than tears; - Hast giv’n us health, e’en though not wealth, - Bright hopes of coming years. - - So we should bury thee with pomp, - Take off thy garments torn, - And give to thee more fitting shroud - Than that which thou hast worn. - - Though we give tribute to thee new; - We’ll still remember thee. - We know thou didst the best thou couldst - While struggling to be free. - - Free from the chains that bound thee down, - And though we shed no tear - At thy demise, we feel that thou - Hast given us some good cheer. - - The blare of trumpets at thy death - Shouldst sorrow to us bring, - For thou canst never be recalled. - A dirge, we should then sing, - - For opportunities we’ve lost. - Our chance comes not again - To do the things we should have done. - How sad the words, “It might have been.” - - - - -THE BOOK OF GIFTS. - - - An angel came to me one day - With “Book of Gifts” in hand, - And offered any one therein - That I should then demand. - - With pride he pointed out to me - Each gift, and urged that I - Would take from them the choicest one. - For in his power did lie - The giving out of life’s rich stores. - This single time had man - Been given the choice of worldly gifts - Since life on earth began. - - I had the choice of all life’s gifts, - Fame, honor, untold wealth. - I chose not one he offered me, - But begged for _love_ and _health_. - - - - -UNKIND WORDS. - - - If we could know the sorrow - That unkind words aye give; - We never would them utter; - For unkind words will live - Long after we’ve forgotten - That we the words once spake, - And that a harsh word spoken - Some weary heart may break. - - When once a word has started - Upon its journey long; - It travels on forever. - And mingles with the throng - Of other words of censure; - More bitter grows each day, - And though perhaps forgiven - It sometime love will slay. - - - - -SEEK FOR THE GOOD IN LIFE. - - - In our lives there’s much of gladness, - Also much that is sad, - Much in life without a blemish, - Many things that may be bad. - - But, we should ignore all evil; - There is ever much of good. - We shall find what e’er we look for, - Then o’er evil do not brood. - - Grasp the good when e’er you find it. - Good is not for but the few; - If too much to you is given, - Some one else can share with you. - - There is sunshine, there is shadow, - Clouds must come before the rain; - After storm clouds, comes the rainbow, - Oft from grief, we peace attain. - - Some one else must share our troubles; - They should share our pleasures too; - For life’s flowers are ever brightest - When Love’s tears the flowers bedew. - - Be ye never then disheartened, - There is beauty everywhere. - There are fragrant flowers growing - In the garden of Despair. - - Let us then be not discouraged, - Soon life’s storms will clear away. - Though our griefs seem overwhelming, - Brighter soon will be life’s day. - - Though life’s sun his face has hidden, - And black clouds obscure our view, - All the flowers take on new beauty, - After rain, and after dew. - - - - -LOVE’S CROWN. - - - The tasks that have been set for me, - Are almost done; are almost done. - I’ve labored hard, and faithfully, - But now life’s race is nearly run. - - I’m weary, and I’m sore distressed, - My burdens all too heavy are. - In vain I try to lay them down; - I’ve brought them all too far, too far. - - I’ll try to lay them down at eve, - And from my labors try to rest. - Though I begin another day, - Tonight I’ll rest, tonight I’ll rest. - - Tomorrow at the break of day, - Again I take them up with grief, - And through another day I work; - For me, there never comes relief. - - * * * * * - - Complaints will never do my work, - Nor fit me for life’s weary day. - With courage then I’ll do my tasks, - And all life’s laws try to obey. - - I’ll bear my cross whatever it is, - No one shall bear a cross for me; - And though I bend beneath life’s load, - From selfishness I will be free. - - There is a time not distant far, - When I can lay life’s burdens down. - So many crosses I have borne, - At last I hope to win Love’s crown. - - - - -MY SOUL’S DESIRE AND DESTINY - - - I’ve travelled down through centuries. - Have never known one moment’s rest. - Have passed through every phase of life. - Is this, O Father, Thy behest? - - I’ve battled with conditions that - Oftimes seemed much too hard to bear, - Would then give up, and seem to sink - Into the maelstrom of Despair. - - Again would take Life’s burdens up - Without a knowledge of my past. - Experience was of little use - In seething whirlpool it seemed cast. - - The same temptations come to us; - As fiends, they ever us pursue. - The consequences are the same. - We’ve brought down retribution too. - - I still desire to live, to do-- - I am not ready yet to change - My form, my thoughts, my puny life; - E’en though I gain a wider range. - - Absorbed though I may be in Love, - And e’en a part of Deity, - I still am human in _desire_, - And human still, I wish to be. - - * * * * * - - Soul’s Destiny I now take up.-- - Where shall I go? What shall I be? - Shall I aye travel on, and on? - Or be a part of Deity. - - Will memories of the past be mine? - And will a panoramic view - Before mine eyes be ever cast? - If so, that past I can but rue. - - Absorbed in God, I lose myself. - I am no part of my _own_ life. - Though one with God, and part of Him, - My soul will still keep up its strife - - To be _itself_, apart, though with - The Maker, Ruler of my soul. - The _Soul’s Desire_ is not yet dead, - E’en though bright heaven is its goal. - - Though I may carry “Karma” on, - Improve upon it ever, aye; - Could I not do the same, and yet - Not on this weary earth e’er stay? - - - - -INCARNATION. - - - Though part and parcel of the past - The future is an unknown book-- - Though writing for eternity, - I dare not on its pages look. - - My past is dead, and buried too. - In grave of Hope it lies full deep; - It resurrected ne’er shall be, - It is a nightmare of my sleep. - - Will life’s fair morning never come? - I wait for it impatiently. - And Death’s long sleep I fain would break - With all its gruesome mystery. - - I pray to go forever on, - Retracing ne’er earth’s steps again. - Incarnate _once_, and _only_ once, - I would not live on earth again. - - - - -REINCARNATION. - - - I feel that I have lived before, - That I shall live again. - Shall yet have my desires fulfilled, - Although I know not when. - - If _now_ is all there is of life, - What use to me was birth? - Not one desire has been fulfilled, - Since first I came to earth. - - There is a realm not yet explored, - I feel it in my soul, - I’ll struggle on (though oft I fail) - To reach that blissful goal. - - Full oft I catch a glimpse of past. - Old mem’ries round me throng. - The mem’ries of a long gone past.-- - Again I hear a song - - That I once heard in previous life, - And it to me doth seem - As though an angel sang the song; - My life his chosen theme. - - The notes seem now so strange and weird. - I’ve heard them though, before; - In former life the music sweet - Came from celestial shore. - - A vague, vague dream of other lives - Doth often with me stay; - But when I try to hold the dream, - It vanishes straightway. - - My present life is incomplete. - A fragment is of past. - I shall take up the threads again, - And in Life’s loom them cast. - - The “Great First Cause” has charge of - The lives that have been mine. - The web that’s woven on Life’s loom - In time becomes divine. - - Absorbed in God I soon shall be. - E’en now I feel Love’s kiss. - Life’s struggles soon will ended be - In everlasting bliss. - - What was my life in that dim past? - It matters not to me. - My Karma of the past will be - Absorbed in Deity. - - - - -LIFE’S BURDEN. - - - Each one hath some burden to carry, - Each one hath some sorrow or woe. - But hearts that are cheerful, and willing, - Can every trouble o’erthrow. - - We will not complain, but have courage - To bear every cross, and all pain; - For burdens when carried with patience - Are blessings which we may attain. - - Our hopes may be bright in the morning, - But fade, as the day grows apace; - Though clouds may obscure all Life’s evening, - With patience these clouds we must face. - - Behind every cloud is some sunshine, - Behind every grief is some mirth. - Behind every tear there is laughter, - Though tears came first at our birth. - - - - -TO MOUNT SIERRA. - - - Thou grand old granite mountain - Canst tell me what thy age? - What secrets art thou holding - Within thy heart O sage. - - Couldst man find out by delving - Deep in thy stony breast, - How long thou hast been rearing - On high, thy hoary crest. - - Hadst thou e’er a beginning? - Wilt thou in death e’er fall? - Canst thou these questions answer? - On thee I humbly call. - - Is life, within thy bosom? - Or art thou cold and dead? - Thou standest in thy myst’ry - No tears of misery shed. - - Thy heart, thy life is granite, - Thou carest not for woe. - If tear thou ever sheddest - It turns to ice and snow. - - But why seek I thy secrets, - Thou haughty mountain king? - Thou wilt not give me answer, - No knowledge to me bring.-- - - * * * * * - - The wind doth give me answer - That thou wast born of fire. - Thou claimest Earth as mother, - Jehovah is thy sire. - - Farewell O Mount Sierra! - I leave thee to thy rest. - But, man will wrench thy secrets - In future from thy breast. - - - - -OFT POISONED IS THE WINE OF LIFE. - - - Socrates drank of the hemlock;-- - Others drink of poisons deadly.-- - Poison as a draught of hemlock - Will unrequited love aye be. - - And ingratitude of loved ones - Sharper than a serpent’s tooth is, - And misunderstandings cruel - That ever meet us on Life’s way. - - Often we are greeted coldly, - By the ones who should be friendly. - We may fall, and we may falter. - Life’s battles we may never win. - - Others soon will take our places. - Take the love, and take the friendship, - Which was ours by laws most holy, - And love is now but in the name. - - Hemlock would not be as poisonous, - Nor would be so hard its taking. - As cold words of bitter taunting - From trusted friends whom we have loved. - - Faithless friends may give a chalice, - Filled with poison just as deadly, - As the hemlock which was drunken - By Socrates in that long past. - - Every day we meet deception - From some one we loved, and trusted. - Poison may be in each vessel - From which we drink the wine of Life. - - - - -THE GAME OF LIFE. - - - Would we turn back the wheel of Time, - And live this life all o’er? - Take up the threads of life anew, - And weave them as before? - - Methinks I hear you say “Ah no!” - Life’s fabric is worn out. - The colors too, have lost their hue.-- - I would not turn about - - And live my life all o’er again, - Unless I could improve - Upon the game of Life I’ve played; - More skillfully could move. - - For I have oft made dire mistakes, - Made errors in Life’s deal, - And could I change the game, would it - Add something to my weal? - - I never learned Life’s game quite right; - Mistakes I ever made, - And if I gained a single point, - My ignorance next outweighed - - All I had gained in former move. - I ever lost in game. - It seems I ever lacked in skill, - If so, I’m not to blame. - - And now the game I must give up, - But I will not despair. - I will begin all o’er again-- - Defeat I cannot bear. - - But it will not be on this earth; - For here I’m done with life. - I’ve played Life’s game, and ever lost, - To live is naught but strife. - - - - -“THE OLD, OLD STORY.” - - - Come into the garden sweet Lilith - When the clock in the tower strikes nine. - When the moon by the hill tops is hidden, - For thine eyes e’er the moonbeams outshine. - - Come into the garden my loved one, - While the nightingales sing in the trees. - All th’ air is filled with the fragrance - That the flowers send forth to the breeze. - - Come into the garden and meet me - Beneath the old oak on the lawn. - To thee I will tell the same story - That was told at the world’s first dawn. - - Come into the garden sweet Lilith, - To thee, I’d anew my vows plight. - Again I would speak to thee love words, - Again by the moon’s waning light. - - Come into the garden my Lilith, - The meadow lark chants his love song. - E’en the trees are whispering sweet love notes, - For they to each other belong. - - Come into the garden sweet Lilith, - Where the fire-flies seem dancing around. - They are plighting their love to each other, - Their love smiles light up all the ground. - - Come into the garden sweet Lilith, - O listen, sweetheart, to my plea. - The trees, and the birds, and the fire-flies - Tell their love; then _why_ should not we? - - My heart is with love overflowing, - I would clasp thee in Love’s close embrace. - If parted from thee my sweet Lilith, - Thy love I could never efface. - - - - -THE GHOST OF LOVE. - - - Thou art a specious pleader, - But thou dost plead in vain. - Though once I loved, and trusted, - My love and trust thou’st slain. - - Though in the past were hidden - Thy many faults from me; - As phantoms they now haunt me, - As ghosts, those faults I see. - - The mask that ever covered - The evil in thy life, - From thy false face hath fallen, - And now thy passions rife - - Stand out in greatest contrast - From what they seemed in past. - To me ’tis revelation-- - With awe I stand aghast. - - And feel a sense of horror, - That love should come to me - For one whose life was hideous, - But now,--Thank God I’m free! - - Free from the ties that bound me, - Free from the chains of ill.-- - Thy love no more enthralls me, - And yet--O heart be still! - - I find that love, and pity - Lie deep within my heart. - I cannot, cannot hate thee-- - Thou art of life a part. - - Farewell! Farewell! ’Tis better - For both; that we are free. - For life, when trust hath left us - Is naught but misery. - - - - -I SHALL SING IT SOMETIME. - - - There is a poem somewhere - That is perfect in its time; - That is perfect in its metre, - That is perfect in its rhyme. - - It is written on the flowers, - It is floating in the air; - It is written on the hill tops, - It is singing everywhere. - - And I know sometime I’ll write it-- - It is singing in my brain. - I will seek it, I will find it, - In my soul it long has lain. - - When I try to grasp this poem, - It eludes me ever, aye-- - It is ever just beyond me, - Though I hear it night and day. - - It is sung by hosts unnumbered, - And was heard when world was new. - It is heard when storm-clouds gather, - And in glistening drops of dew. - - ’Tis the singing of the flowers, - ’Tis the music of the stars. - ’Tis the rhythm of the ocean, - And most perfect are its bars. - - In the universe ’tis written, - And it is so sweet, and rare-- - It was written by the Master, - It inspires every prayer. - - O if I could catch the rhythm - That aye fills the universe-- - That is sung by choir of angels; - Inspired would be my verse. - - In Cathedral ’tis resounding, - Chanted ’tis at altar pure; - And the rhythm haunts me ever-- - Spirit song which doth allure. - - It is stately in its measure, - Though it be a sad refrain; - Though it be a merry jingle - That goes dancing through my brain. - - Yet it _may_ be but the _echo_ - Of a symphony, or dirge, - Or a mother’s loving ditty, - That may through my brain e’er surge. - - ’Tis the waterfall’s loud roaring, - Or the humming of the bee. - ’Tis the raging of the tempest - As it moans upon the sea. - - ’Tis the detonating cannon, - Or the sigh of dying leaf. - ’Tis a song of glad rejoicing, - Or a threnody of grief. - - ’Tis the ghost of an old love song, - Or the spirit of a prayer. - ’Tis a wail of deepest anguish, - And I hear it everywhere. - - It is floating in the ether, - It is written in the sky; - But wherever may be poem, - I shall sing it by and by. - - Be it song, or be it anthem-- - It doth in my heart e’er lie; - And my soul for song is waiting, - I shall sing it by and by. - - - - -WHEN I AM DEAD. - - - Will friends remember that I lived, - Give me a passing thought, - Give tribute to what I have done, - To what I may have wrought. - - Or will they pass with heedless laugh, - Not feeling one regret - That I have gone beyond their ken; - And will they soon forget - - That _I_ loved them, that _they_ loved me, - That friendship in the past - Was part, and parcel of our lives; - We hoped ’twould ever last. - - But when I’m dead, I hope few tears - Will then be shed for me. - If others then shall take my place, - I shall not grieve to see - - My loved ones happy without me. - Why should they grieve for aye? - Their duties they must ever do, - The laws of life obey. - - * * * * * - - Forget me then when I am dead; - I fain would have it so. - If world is better for my life, - Bequeath I would not woe - - To those I leave behind on earth; - They need not shed one tear, - Nor be unhappy for one hour; - Nor need they have one fear - - Of what befalls me when I die. - I’ll go where I belong. - I shall not crowd nor push aside - The ever swelling throng.-- - - My place I’ve made while here on earth, - And I shall go therein - Without a fear, without a thought - Of any earthly sin. - - I’ve lived, I’ve loved, I’ve done the work - That was laid out for me. - I still shall live, I still shall love - Throughout eternity. - - * * * * * - - Be patient with the living ones, - The dead need not your care. - The living ones need comforting - For much they have to bear. - - - - -“’TIS FOLLY TO BE WISE.” - - - Poor Folly will build a grand mansion, - And in it the wise man may live. - Poor Folly may hoard up his money, - But Wisdom will gladly it give. - - Poor Folly Life’s game is aye playing, - And often the game he may win. - And Folly may build a cathedral, - And Wisdom may pray therein. - - Though Folly knows how to make money, - He spends it full oft like a fool, - And Wisdom may do the same also, - But it is not always the rule. - - If Folly were better than Wisdom, - ’Twere foolish for us to be wise, - Perhaps though there’s folly in wisdom, - And wisdom in folly oft lies. - - - - -THE OLD OAK’S REVERIE. - - - I’ve stood and fought for centuries past - The storms of wind which beat, - And hurled their fury on my head, - But could not me defeat. - - Though generations have passed on, - And gone to their last rest. - I’ve stood the ravages of time, - Have ever borne the test - - Of summer’s heat, of winter’s cold, - And lightning’s scorching blast. - Unconquered been in nature’s fight, - As if of iron cast. - - Sometimes when storms beat on my head, - I little cared for life; - I would have giv’n the battle up, - With all its fierce, fierce strife. - - But then again I felt life’s love - Go coursing through my veins, - And then I felt impelled to say - I’m thankful that God reigns. - - Long years ago,--I count them not, - A child on hillside stopped. - His pockets filled with acorns ripe, - And one of them he dropped. - - I soon sprang up from out the earth, - With life and hope so strong. - I took my place, have kept it too - Through all these centuries long. - - For many years the birds have built - Their nests beneath my boughs, - Have sung their love songs through the days, - Each day renewed their vows. - - I learned their love songs I am sure, - I shared their joy and pride; - When lover brought to his old home - His sweetheart, his bird bride. - - I’m lonely e’er when they depart - To fairer, warmer lands. - Impatiently await the time - When Love again demands - - Their secret nesting ’mong my boughs.-- - Again I’ll hear Love’s call; - Will hear their marriage vows renewed. - For Love e’en birds enthrall. - - - - -INGRATITUDE. - - - If we should help a friend in need - We would not have him kneel - In humble, abject gratitude; - And yet--we’d have him feel - - Some little kindness in his heart, - Sometimes to it allude. - “For sharper than a serpent’s tooth” - Is base ingratitude. - - We try to keep the rule laid down, - “Let not your right hand know” - What e’er your left may give, or do, - Though friend may change to foe. - - Though friends ignore what we have done, - And often cause us pain, - We still will help to lift the loads, - And burdens on them lain. - - - - -“JUDGE NOT.” - - - Judge not of others’ lives by yours, - Unless your own is pure. - You know not what the others bear - Or what they may endure. - - Temptations may have been too strong, - And they, alas! too weak - To cope with all the sins in life, - And purity aye seek. - - Heredity is oft the cause; - And e’en the strongest mind - May find it hard to overcome; - For it, to sin may bind. - - And yet there is a power within - To overcome all ill. - By cultivating this high power - All thought of sin we kill. - - Yet “do not judge lest you be judged.” - Look deep in your own heart, - And you may find some secret sin - That of your life is part. - - If you are sinless, then you may - The first stone throw at them; - If it recoils and falls on you, - Yourself you must condemn. - - There are so many pitfalls deep - At every turn of road; - And all life’s paths so devious, - So heavy is life’s load - - That man must carry up life’s hill, - Too oft he falls by way; - But he has strength to bear the load - If he God’s laws obey. - - - - -OUR VIRTUES ARE CARVED UPON OUR TOMBSTONES. - - - In attic bare and dreary, - With fingers blue with cold, - A man sat writing, writing, - For pittance small of gold. - - His limbs were cramped, and trembling, - The light was low and dim. - For hours he had been writing, - And Hunger sat by him; - - Sat even at his elbow - With taunting words of fame, - With promises alluring - That he would make a name.-- - - * * * * * - - The morning light was breaking, - Still empty was his cot. - He seemed to be still writing.-- - He had the world forgot. - - * * * * * - - In grave-yard he is lying, - “God’s acre” is the name. - Cold criticism killed him. - He fought too hard for fame. - - * * * * * - - Not colder is the grave-yard - Than was his attic bare, - When death had claimed his victim, - They found his “writings rare” - - His name was now emblazoned - Upon the hearts of those - Who never did him justice, - Nor troubled at his woes. - - * * * * * - - Thus Fame, and Honor, Riches, - Oft come to man when dead, - Are proud to do him justice, - With _laurel_, crown his head. - - - - -HONOR, FAME, OR LOVE. - - - High Honor came to visit me, - And with him goddess Fame. - But Happiness deserted me - When Fame and Honor came. - - I courted Honor, courted Fame, - They coldly smiled on me; - They soon became unwelcome guests, - For they caused Love to flee. - - I fain would then have cast aside - The guests which I had sought. - Alas! It was too late, for they - Had then the evil wrought. - - They were installed as guests of mine, - But soon I weary grew - Of their commands, of their demands, - And begged that Love renew - - Dominion o’er my heart and home; - For home is drear indeed, - Though lacking nothing but sweet Love; - For Love the world doth lead. - - My guests brought Jealousy one day. - Destroyer it, of peace. - When he came in, Love fled in fright, - And took with her sweet peace. - - For Honor, Fame, and Love, can ne’er - In peace together dwell. - When Jealousy once joins the throng, - It is Love’s funeral knell. - - When Love within our household reigns - Let none usurp her place. - She is the queen that e’er should rule, - And none should her abase. - - - - -COURAGE. - - - You will not find the bravest men - Upon the battle ground; - For in the quiet ranks of life - Great courage oft is found. - - Though man may fight with brother man - In battle’s fierce array, - He may not have the courage to - Combat what others say. - - If _others_ are of “higher grade”; - To gain himself a place - Upon the social rung of life, - He may their views embrace. - - If e’er the time shall come to you - When you will shrink with fear, - And do not dare defend your views, - Though they to you are dear - - Let not your courage fail you then.-- - Be sure that you are _right_, - Then never swerve from _truth_ one point, - And for the truth e’en fight. - - Though courage needed is in life, - And should of life be part, - Perverted it should never be, - Nor rule a loving heart. - - “The race is not aye for the swift, - Nor battle, for the strong.” - Have courage to uphold the right. - And to denounce the wrong. - - - - -PERSEVERE. - - - Starting out to fight Life’s battles, - Persevere, persevere. - Though at first you may be worsted, - Persevere. - - Though Life’s road be rough, and thorny, - Persevere, persevere. - Never falter by the wayside; - Persevere. - - Though your burdens may be heavy, - Persevere, persevere. - Never drop them by the roadside; - Persevere. - - Your ideal should be high heaven. - Persevere, persevere. - By perseverance you will gain it. - Persevere. - - In this world, if seeking pleasure, - You will find, alas! but tears. - But in doing every duty, - Persevere. - - E’en though hard may be the battle - For the right, for the right. - You must stand e’er by your colors. - Persevere. - - Your companion must be Valor, - On your banner, Truth. - Perseverance be your pass-word. - Persevere. - - If you’ve won in Life’s hard conflict; - You must still persevere. - For another life awaits you. - Persevere. - - - - -SPEAK BUT KIND WORDS. - - - Speak but kind words to those you love, - For there may come a day - When what you’ve said, and what you’ve done - E’er more will with you stay. - - If you have unkind words to say, - O say them to the dead; - The dead cannot by them be grieved, - Their hearts not filled with dread. - - Nor filled with fear and hopelessness.-- - And you will not regret - That you have caused unhappiness. - For you can ne’er forget - - That you have caused a loved one grief, - Your words have given pain. - You never can forgive yourself, - And _Love_ you may have slain. - - A word seems but a little thing, - But it may break a heart, - Though thought is but a vapor light, - It causes many a smart. - - It is the little pin pricks sharp - That are so hard to bear. - We are prepared for troubles great, - And only have our share. - - Then speak kind words to those you love, - It is not hard to do. - Just keep a guard o’er thoughts, and tongue, - Then you’ll have naught to rue. - - When death shall come to those we love, - If we have caused them pain, - Repentance then will be too late, - Regrets will then be vain. - - - - -VAGARY. - - - Vagary is stalking all over the land, - His home is a hut, or a palace most grand. - Whatever his folly, no matter how wild, - Some one will accept it, by it, be beguiled. - - Vagary once built a “Home” on a hill, - And hoped that his dupes his coffers would fill. - This “Home” was a refuge for those in distress, - And, judging by numbers, it was a success. - - He promised a cure for each ache, and each ill. - With lame, halt, and blind, the “Home” did soon fill. - Vagary was doctor, vagary was nurse, - And if at the door stood ever a hearse, - - No comment was made, and it soon disappeared. - Respect had Vagary, and no one e’er sneered. - Vagary was doctor, and if patient he killed - No one made remark, and the place was soon filled. - - Vagary discovered an underground mine - Called “Bonnevinterre” a lake of pure wine. - “Like sheep to the slaughter,” the people all rushed, - The mine proved a myth, and their hopes were all crushed. - - Vagary then started a charity scheme, - To write all the bylaws took a full ream - Of “Fool’s Cap” commercial; for written thereon - Were benefits gained, and dividends won. - - “O help the poor widows and orphans” he cried, - And money flowed in on every side. - Vagary was treasurer, and bookkeeper too, - Received all the dividends when they were due. - - The widows got little, the orphans still less, - He ever was talking of their great distress. - Vagary grew richer, and richer each day, - For charity well managed, ever will pay. - - He next discovered a marvelous light, - Compared to it, e’en the sun was as night. - Directly all other lights became dim, - As usual, the money poured in unto him. - - He now with the highest magnates took rank, - For money he had in every bank. - But magnates, like others, sometime must die, - And in the same earth with poverty lie. - - Vagary grew ill, and gave up the ghost, - But with his last breath he still made the boast - That every ill on earth he could cure. - And even though dying, did many allure. - - - - -THE HOME BEAUTIFUL. - - - ’Tis not a palace built of marble, - ’Tis not a mansion made of stone, - ’Tis not a hostelry of splendor, - Nor a seat upon a throne. - - It _may_ be but a humble cottage - With loving welcome at the door, - With sunshine peeping in at window, - And lighting up the naked floor. - - It _may_ be but a tent by brookside, - But air is pure, and water sweet. - The tent is home of rarest splendor, - If Love, by brookside, doth you greet. - - ’Tis love that gives to home its beauty, - It is not honor, riches, fame. - For Love will light up every corner, - In home of beauty is Love’s name. - - - - -THE BEATITUDES. - - - Once Honesty and Faith combined - To find for each a mate. - They searched for Love all in vain, - They only found fierce Hate. - - Forever Love eluded them; - For Love is hard to win. - They gave up Love, and searched for Faith, - For Faith, to Love is kin. - - When Faith and Honesty are wed, - If Love will place her seal, - Confirmed is then the marriage vow, - From it there’s no appeal - - When Love, and Truth, and Honesty, - In wedded life is found; - When Faith shall be their handmaid pure, - The four together bound; - - There will be Peace and Harmony, - For Love has found her nest. - Now Happiness will join the throng, - And Love be now at rest. - - It is too seldom that is found, - Them all combined in one, - There could be Faith, Truth, Honesty, - And yet sweet Love not won. - - But if together all shall dwell, - A heaven on earth is home, - No discord ever will there be, - It is as heaven’s dome. - - - - -BURY THE PAST. - - - Do we ever think that others - May have griefs as well as we? - Can we bear our own griefs better? - If we know we’ll sometime be - Free from trials, free from troubles, - In the happy by and by, - And our burdens, although heavy, - In a grave will sometime lie. - - We should be prepared for trouble; - We should be prepared for care. - For we know not of the morrow, - Nor what trials we must bear. - When today has passed beyond us - It is gone forever, aye, - And today should then be buried - In the grave of yesterday. - - Though today we are in bondage, - We tomorrow may be free - From the yesterdays of sorrow; - E’en look back on them with glee. - Then the dead, dead past we’ll bury - In a shroud, and then forget - All the past that was unhappy - O’er that past we will not fret. - - We can happy be, though burdens - May be hard for us to bear, - Happy be, and e’en contented, - Though we have much grief and care. - If we know that the tomorrows - Will to us bring sweet relief. - All the yesterdays we’ll bury, - And will shed no tears of grief. - - - - -TO A FRIEND ON HER BIRTH-DAY. - - - Thy years are pearls strung on Life’s chain. - Not counted they by days, nor years. - But numbered by the good thou’st done; - And friend thou needest have no fears - That pearls have ever tarnished been; - Thou’st kept them bright by good thou’st done. - For thou hast many burdens borne, - And thou hast many vict’ries won - In Life’s hard battles for the right. - Thou oft hast had temptations strong, - But thou hast ever conquered them, - And thou hast overcome all wrong. - - Congratulations I give thee, - On this, thy happy natal day, - And this shall be my earnest prayer, - That pearls of love be thine alway. - - - - -HAVE IDEALS. - - - My ideals are the highest, - Though my feet rest on the sod. - I aspire e’en to high heaven, - Even to the “throne of God.” - - And I think it is much better - That we soar above the stars, - Than to grovel in the low-lands, - Or behind a prison’s bars. - - Though ourselves have built the prison - That confines our souls therein; - We must ever live in darkness - Till we break the bars within, - - And escape into God’s sunshine, - To the sunshine of the soul; - And live up to our ideals, - And take heaven as our goal. - - - - -SELFISHNESS. - - - We really do not understand - That which within us lies. - We think that we have conquered self, - And then there will arise - Some serious point within our hearts; - Some question there will be-- - Some preconceived idea of self; - It vital seems to be. - - We must begin all o’er again. - For self must conquered be. - We must accept the “Golden Rule”, - From selfishness be free. - Deep in the gardens of our hearts - We’ve sowed broadcast the seeds - Of selfishness; they’ve taken root, - Producing noxious weeds. - - In time, by watchfulness and care - We may exterminate - Each selfish thought within our hearts, - And love accumulate. - We e’en are selfish in our love, - And selfish in our hate; - For Self doth rule with selfish hand, - E’er sits within our gate. - - The ego is e’er uppermost; - We ever look within. - Self magnifies what good there is, - But overlooks the sin. - She sits upon the highest throne, - And on the lowest stool. - Self governs every act in life; - For self doth ever rule. - - And Self is “mightier than the sword.” - If given once control - She conquers all there is of us - In mind, in heart, in soul. - Then let us bury selfishness - In grave with selfish deeds. - Erect a monument to Love - From stones cut from good deeds. - - - - -LIFE IS NOTHING WITHOUT LOVE. - - - Though of down may be your pillow, - And most sumptuous be your bed, - All your dreams will be unhappy, - Unless Love sits at your head. - - Though your table may be loaded, - With rich viands e’er be spread; - All will be most flat and tasteless, - Unless Love shall break the bread. - - Though you travel o’er creation, - Have all things that you demand; - Nothing meets your expectation, - Unless Love does by you stand. - - Though you dwell in gorgeous palace, - Even though you may be king. - All is vanity, and joyless, - If sweet Love is on the wing. - - - - -THE CENTURY FLOWER. - - - What wakened thee from thy long sleep? - Who told thee when to bloom? - A century seems a long, long time - For thee to lie in gloom. - - How didst thou know when to arise? - And thy new garment don; - Thou mightst have slept thy life away - Whilst time was going on. - - Was there a power within thy soul? - A wish within thy heart? - To soar above all other flowers, - And with the birds take part - - In singing songs of grateful joy - That thou hast waked from sleep, - That thou again dost see the light, - Hast risen from the deep; - - The grave where thou so long hast lain. - To raise thy head on high, - And looking up to Deity - Once more; then droop and die. - - Alas! Thy days are all too short - For thy long dreamless sleep. - When thou dost wake again to life, - Wilt thou awake to weep? - - If thou rememberest aught of past, - Thou mayst perhaps regret - The flowers, and trees, now dead and gone, - And for them mourn e’en yet. - - A generation will have passed; - A new one thou wilt greet; - All will be strangers unto thee, - No friend of past thou’lt meet. - - - - -LIFE’S MUSIC. - - - Though life may seem a symphony, - It is a sad, sad song. - Its music is a funeral dirge, - And weary are the throng - Who march to a weird threnody - Life’s long, and gloomy day, - The road made rough by all the ills - That meet us on our way. - - The road, though long and devious - Hath guide posts on its way. - Though there are many sharp, sharp turns, - If guide posts we obey, - We safely reach our journey’s end, - And rest beneath the shade - Of Love’s own tree, whose buds, and flowers - Of hope will never fade. - - Disheartened though we often are - Upon the uphill road. - If hope within our hearts is strong - ’Twill lighten every load; - The saddest song be turned to joy, - Sweet music fill the soul. - Triumphant will our life march be - Until we reach our goal. - - The final song we then shall sing. - Life’s measure be complete. - No minor chord shall lower life’s song, - Nor sound for us defeat. - The meter of our lives shall be - Exultant melody. - No sad refrain shall e’er be sung, - Nor doleful threnody. - - - - -LOVE’S GARDEN. - - - Sow the seeds of loving kindness, - And then gather flowers of joy. - Cultivate e’er peace and gladness, - Life will then have no alloy. - - Pluck the weeds that e’er are growing - In the garden of the heart. - Train up all Love’s little tendrils - They are of life the sweetest part. - - Prune the trees that bear but discord, - And then graft sweet peace thereon. - Ever help those who have trouble, - Pointing out to them Love’s morn. - - In Love’s garden, if the shadow - Of the Cyprus hides Love’s way. - Plant the asphodel; its brightness - Will burst forth, and light Love’s day. - - Clear Love’s garden of its wormwood, - And plant heartsease there instead. - ’Tis not fitting that aught bitter - Should e’er grow where Love has led. - - In all gardens are not roses,-- - But rank weeds grow everywhere, - And it may be God’s intention - That the weeds should be your care. - - There are many hearts now aching - For a loving word from you. - In their hearts is bitter wormwood, - In their gardens grow the rue. - - You should plant for them sweet roses, - Give Love’s sunshine ever, aye. - From their hearts take all the darkness, - In its place put Love’s bright ray. - - - - -THE LAST PORT. - - - My ship of life has left its moorings - To sail upon an unknown sea. - Though ship is staunch, and ne’er has failed me, - Life’s bearings are unknown to me. - - I have no chart, I have no compass, - But my life’s voyage must be made, - When once life’s ship on way has started, - The laws of life must be obeyed. - - Each day the log must be well written; - Be kept with truthfulness, and care. - In it must be not one false entry, - For close inspection it must bear. - - With courage I will start on voyage, - For God will guide me o’er the bar, - Lest I be dashed upon the breakers. - The Port of Death is not so far. - - I must go on though storms assail me, - This voyage means so much to me. - No other refuge can I enter, - I sail for _Port Eternity_. - - Without a chart, without a compass, - The star of _Hope_ shall be my guide, - And I shall have no fear of shipwreck, - For all Life’s storms I shall outride. - - My ship is making its last voyage, - ’Tis well I chose dear _Hope’s_ bright star, - To guide me to my heavenly harbor - With God to help me o’er the bar. - - My ship will safely reach its landing, - And God will meet me at death’s bar; - Will not forsake me at Life’s ending. - Thank God for _Hope_, my guiding star. - - - - -CANST TELL ME? - - - Canst thou tell me dear friend of the other side? - Of thy beautiful home over there. - Dost thou love us the same as when here on earth? - Canst thou help us our burdens to bear? - - And is heaven the same thou once thought it was? - Hast thou met thy dear friends gone before? - Wouldst thou wish to come back to this earth again? - To again live thy life as of yore? - - All its pains and its griefs to take up again, - Were earth’s joys compensation for woes? - Art thou glad that thou’st lived, and loved, and e’en died? - Canst thou now upon others bestow - - The sweet peace that is thine, the love of thy soul? - Canst thou teach us to live, and to die? - Canst thou meet us, and guide us to heaven above, - Solve the problems that in us e’er lie? - - * * * * * - - I’ve lived my life, thou must live thine. - In thine own soul life’s problems lie. - I cannot teach thee how to live, - I cannot teach thee how to die. - - Take up thy burdens, and thy cares. - With patience bear thy every grief. - Thy back is fitted for each cross, - Death is surcease, and brings relief. - - Though I have passed from earth away, - I still do feel what thou must bear. - But knowing what thy crosses are, - I say, be brave, thy crosses bear. - - Do what thou canst for others’ weal, - Do what thou canst to conquer sin. - Then leave the rest in hands of God. - With pitying love he looks within, - - And sees the burdens thou must bear. - He knows how weak, and sore distressed - His earthly children ever are. - But in His love they’re more than blessed. - - Have courage, patience, pity, love, - Have charity for all who sin. - Thou need’st not look abroad for faults, - To find them, friend, O look within. - - - - -THE SOUL SEEKING FOR PERFECTION. - - - One day my soul a journey went; - It traveled East, it traveled West, - It searched in vain one soul to find - That able was to bear the test - Of perfect living, perfect love; - E’en in the best it found some flaw; - Some lack of truth, some selfishness; - Not _one_ had kept the “Perfect Law”. - - Discouraged, weary, sore distressed; - It gladly turned again to home. - It thought perfection there to find,-- - No farther it would have to roam. - Alas! Though once more snugly housed, - Perfection was not found therein. - Contented it could never be; - For e’en at home it found much sin, - O Soul! Though you have found much sin; - You’ve also found much that was good. - Temptations overcome by man,-- - Known many ills he has withstood. - - Perfection is not found on earth-- - If it were so, no one would know - The joy of helping man to bear - Up under all the grief and woe - That is the heritage of life; - Bequeathed to man before his birth. - Be not discouraged then, O Soul, - Expect to find much sin on earth. - - - - -LIFE’S THOUGHTLESSNESS. - - - With careless feet we trample down - Love’s sweetest flowers oftimes. - Life’s music has so many sharps, - Discordant are Love’s rhymes. - - With selfish hands we ever grasp - At what we think is best. - Unmindful we of others’ needs - Or what is their behest. - - The thoughtless words we oftimes speak - Recalled can never be. - The heedless censure of a friend - Can ne’er forgotten be. - - The unjust judgment which we give - May wean from us a friend. - Impatient words are daggers sharp - That will Love’s heart aye rend. - - With selfish greed we grasp life’s joys; - No care for others’ woes. - The world is welcome to the thorns, - If we can keep the rose. - - If our own ship outrides the gale, - Life’s bar we’ve safely crossed-- - All other ships may be engulfed; - Or on rough waves be tossed. - - Our careless words may pierce some heart, - And cause it deepest pain-- - Awakening memories of the past - Which long in grave have lain. - - ’Tis ever so in life I fear. - Love’s flowers neglected are. - The weeds will thrive where flowers die, - And thus Love’s garden mar. - - - - -THE FLOWER’S PRAYER FOR IMMORTALITY. - - - The fragrance of th’ dying flower - Ascends ’e’en unto God; - Returning to its Maker - From birthplace ’neath the sod. - - Its soul goes forth in anthems; - In songs of praise to Him - Who gave to it existence,-- - And, dying, sings a hymn - - Of thanks, and of rejoicing - To God for its short life, - Which e’er hath been a symphony, - With naught of care, nor strife. - - Its God hath given it sunshine, - Its God hath given it food. - Bequeathed to it the dewdrops, - He hath pronounced it good. - - It longs to soar to heaven, - So breathes its fragrance rare - To God, as invocation. - To Him sends forth this prayer: - - * * * * * - - O God accept my perfume, - ’Tis all I have to give.-- - O I would be immortal: - I would forever live, - The flower Thou hast created, - Wouldst live forever, aye.-- - What use would be its fragrance? - If lost ’mid shadows gray.-- - I claim of Thee my birthright, - My fragrance is my soul. - Though earth hath been my birthplace, - High heaven is my goal. - Take back what Thou hast given, - ’Tis fit for heavenly bower; - Accept it O my Maker, - This incense of a flower. - - E’en in my earthly prison, - When I was but a seed, - Thou spakest words so loving. - That upward they didst lead - My soul from out its darkness - Into thy glorious light. - It burst the bars of prison, - Became a flower bright. - To Thee I gave my fragrance-- - I breathed to Thee a prayer, - A prayer of adoration - That sensed is everywhere. - All life, however lowly, - Is one, and part with Thee-- - By Thee it was created, - And claims eternity. - - - - -LOVE’S OFFERING. - - - I have no rare jewels to give thee, - No diamonds, no pearls; and of gold - But one little circlet, as emblem - That love will thee ever enfold. - - Thy home will be only a cottage, - And even the floors may be bare. - The furnishings be the most simple, - And frugal be also the fare. - - The cottage will be by the brookside, - By willows so shady and cool. - Thy beauty will be e’er reflected - In mirror that is but a pool. - - Thou wilt not be decked in fine linen; - E’en cotton may be all thy gowns. - But, love-words will e’er be my greeting, - And kisses take place of dark frowns. - - My love is the most I can offer-- - Will love cover up a bare floor? - Or will it fly out of the window, - If poverty enters at door? - - I know that thy beauty would honor - A palace, instead of a cot. - That silks should be e’er thy adorning, - But happiness ne’er can be _bought_. - - In palace there _can_ be much sorrow, - ’Neath jewels may be broken heart.-- - Though clothed in the finest apparel, - All naked the wound, and the smart - - That comes from a troth that is broken; - That comes from a love that is cold. - ’Thout love, e’en a palace is dreary, - Though furnished with jewels, and gold. - - Then, darling, take what I can offer-- - My heart filled with love, and my home - A nest for my birdling, my sweetheart, - And never from thee will I roam. - - - - -LOVE’S ACCEPTANCE. - - - Love’s jewels are better than baubles.-- - A palace may not be a _home_; - Unhappiness dwelling within it - Though jeweled from throne-room to dome - - Love’s jewels are all that I ask for; - True love is more precious than gold, - I wish not for palace, nor mansion - Thine arms shall me ever enfold. - - A sip from Love’s brook is far better - Than wine from a gold jeweled cup. - ’Tis poison in chalice, if Hatred - Sits with us at table to sup. - - The mirror I crave is the love-light - That beams in thine eyes, and thy face, - And, cottage when furnished with love-deeds; - Of poverty shows not a trace. - - Love ever looks upward, not downward, - Will therefore not think of bare floor; - And will not fly out of the window, - Though Poverty enters at door. - - My gowns may be cotton, or linen; - It matters but little to me.-- - My beauty is not of much value, - Unless it is pleasing to thee. - - The nest thou hast built by the brookside, - Is better, far better for me - Than mansion, or palace, or castle; - No shadow within shall there be. - - But echoing songs of thy “birdling” - Shall fill every corner, and nook. - The willows shall be sylvan bowers; - And fountain of love shall be brook. - - - - -AUTUMN LEAVES. - - - I now have culled from out Life’s forest - These Autumn Leaves which I shall send you - They have been pressed into service - For my little book. - - Perhaps if you the leaves had chosen, - You would have culled more brilliant colors, - And pressed them better too. - - By careful searching you may find one - That pleases you by word, or measure, - And _cherished_ e’en will be. - - I hope that you will take some pleasure - In reading book, and conning measure. - But _kindly_ criticise. - - I give my leaves into your keeping, - I hope with love you will receive them, - These offsprings of my heart. - - - - -FINALE. - - - My “Autumn Leaves” are gathered, - And now they must be pressed. - I hope they will give pleasure, - And hearts by them be blessed. - - - - -Transcriber Notes - -In a few cases, obvious errors in punctuation have been fixed. - -In the table of contents, “Our Virtues Are Carved Upon One Tombstones” -changed to “Our Virtues Are Carved Upon Our Tombstones”. “Can’st Tell -Me” changed to “Canst Tell Me”. “To A Friend On Her Birthday” changed -to “To A Friend On Her Birth-day” “Yesterday changed to Yesterdays” - -Page 32: A missing quote was added after “Are governed by His will.” - -Page 54: A missing quote was added before “A monarch I will” - -Page 60: “Eor her I’d gladly die” changed to “For her I’d gladly die” - -Page 67: “They then receeded from the shore.” changed to “They then -receded from the shore.” - -Page 162: “Sharper than a sepent’s tooth is,” changed to “Sharper than -a serpent’s tooth is,” - -Page 201: In tears of grief the original version had the f printed -upside down - -Page 207: “LIFF IS NOTHING WITHOUT LOVE.” changed to “LIFE IS NOTHING -WITHOUT LOVE.” - -Page 217: “Dealh is surcease” changed to “Death is surcease”. “thy -erosses bear” changed to “thy crosses bear” - -Page 230: “These Antumn Leaves” changed to “These Autumn Leaves” - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUTUMN LEAVES *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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