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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7f65f8 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67436 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67436) 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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Barton</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. 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. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Autumn Leaves</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Ardelia M. Barton</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February 18, 2022 [eBook #67436]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>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)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUTUMN LEAVES ***</div> - - - - - -<h1>Autumn Leaves</h1> - -<p class="center p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img001"> - <img src="images/001.jpg" class="w50" alt="Ardelia Maria Barton." /> -</span></p> -<p class="center caption"><em>Ardelia Maria Barton.</em><br /></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img002"> - <img src="images/002.jpg" class="w50" alt="Autumn Leaves" /> -</span></p> - -<p class="center"> -<big>Ardelia M. Barton</big><br /> -<br /> -San Francisco<br /> -1908<br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - - -<p class="center"> -Copyright, by<br /> -Ardelia Maria Barton<br /> -1908</p> -<p class="center p2"> -Press of Bruce Brough<br /> -San Francisco<br /> -</p> - -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Preface">Preface</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="indent"><b>Autumn Leaves</b> was in the hands of the Publisher (<span class="smcap">Bruce -Brough</span>) 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 -<em>me</em> new courage, and by searching, perhaps <em>you</em> may find -one leaf among my <b>Autumn Leaves</b> that you will feel was painted -expressly for you, and is worthy to be pressed upon the tablet of your -heart.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="smcap">Ardelia Maria Barton</span><br /> -</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="Dedication">Dedication</h2> -</div> - -<p class="margin">TO MY MOTHER</p> - -<div class="poetry"> -<p>Who ever watched with loving care<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My childhood’s tender years.</span><br /> -She ever soothed my little woes,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And kissed away my tears.</span></p> - -<p>She guided me o’er Life’s rough road,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And pointed out the snares,</span><br /> -And pitfalls that are e’er in life;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And all the many tares,</span></p> - -<p>And brambles that beset Life’s paths,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And if I fell by way,</span><br /> -She helped me up with loving hands,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And tender words alway.</span> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Contents">Contents</h2> -</div> - - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<th colspan="2" class="tdr"> -<em>Page</em> -</th> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#AUTUMN_LEAVES">Autumn Leaves</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_1">1</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#WRITE">Write</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_2">2</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#DREAMLAND">Dreamland</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_6">6</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#WHAT_WILL_THE_HARVEST_BE">What Will The Harvest Be?</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_8">8</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#WE_KNOW_WHAT_THE_HARVEST_WILL_BE">We Know What The Harvest Will Be</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_10">10</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#MERIDIAN">Meridian</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_12">12</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_INDIAN_LOVERS_PLEA">The Indian Lover’s Plea</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_14">14</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#WINONAS_REPLY">Winona’s Reply</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_16">16</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#AT_LAST">At Last</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_18">18</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_AWAKENING_OF_THE_LILIES">The Awakening Of The Lillies</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_20">20</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#CONQUERED">Conquered</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_25">25</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_WATER_SPIRIT">The Water Spirit</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_26">26</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_WORLD_IS_ASLEEP">The World Is Asleep</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_29">29</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#WHAT_IS_THE_FUTURE_OF_THE_RACE">What Is The Future Of The Race?</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_30">30</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LOVES_PATH">Love’s Path</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_33">33</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#A_PRAYER">A Prayer</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_34">34</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LIFES_ROAD">Life’s Road</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_37">37</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#WHERE_IS_HEAVEN">Where Is Heaven?</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_38">38</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#DESTINY">Destiny</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_40">40</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#WHY">Why?</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_43">43</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LIBERTY">Liberty</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_44">44</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#MY_SOUL_AND_I">My Soul and I</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_46">46</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#FORSAKEN">Forsaken</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_48">48</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#FAREWELL">Farewell</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_51">51</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_PEBBLES_SOLILOQUY">The Pebble’s Soliloquy</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_52">52</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#AN_ANGELS_MESSAGE">An Angel’s Message</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_54">54</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_RACE_OF_LIFE_WITH_TIME">The Race Of Life With Time</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_56">56</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#O_DEATH_WHERE_IS_THY_STING">“O Death Where Is Thy Sting?”</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_59">59</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</span> -<a href="#THE_MOTHERS_PLEA">The Mother’s Plea</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_60">60</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#TO_A_FRIEND">To A Friend</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_63">63</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#TIME_WAITS_FOR_NO_MAN">Time Waits For No Man</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_64">64</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#TIDE_WAITS_FOR_NO_MAN">Tide Waits For No Man</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_66">66</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#FREEDOM">Freedom</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_68">68</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#REVERIE">Reverie</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_71">71</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#A_MOHAMMEDANS_PRAYER">A Mohammedan’s Prayer</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_72">72</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#NATURES_PLAN">Nature’s Plan</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_74">74</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_SUNBEAMS_WOOING">The Sunbeam’s Wooing</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_76">76</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_PROGRESSION_OF_THE_ROSE">The Progression of The Rose</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_78">78</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#ALL_LIFE_HATH_SOUL">All Life Hath Soul</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_80">80</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#IT_MATTERS_NOT">It Matters Not</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_82">82</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#WHAT_IS_MAN_THAT_THOU_ART_MINDFUL_OF_HIM">“What Is Man That Thou Art Mindful of Him?”</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_84">84</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#AS_A_MAN_THINKETH_SO_IS_HE">As a Man Thinketh So Is He</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_86">86</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#MY_GUESTS">My Guests</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_88">88</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#GOD_IS_EVERYWHERE">God Is Everywhere</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_90">90</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#DEAD_HOPES">Dead Hopes</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_92">92</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#BURIED_HOPES">Buried Hopes</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_93">93</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LOVES_MESSAGE">Love’s Message </a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_95">95</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#A_FABLE">A Fable</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_96">96</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#DEPLORE_NOT_THE_SHADOWS_OF_LIFE">Deplore Not The Shadows of Life</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_99">99</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LOVES_GARLAND">Love’s Garland</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_100">100</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LET_US_BUILD_ABOVE_THE_STARS">Let Us Build Above The Stars </a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_103">103</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#GHOSTS_OF_THE_ATTIC">Ghosts Of The Attic</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_104">104</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#NOT_YET">Not Yet</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_107">107</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#DUTY">Duty</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_108">108</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LIFES_PLAN">Life’s Plans</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_111">111</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#BROTHERHOOD_OF_MAN">Brotherhood of Man</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_112">112</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#MAN_DEFYING_THE_DYING_SUN">Man Defying The Dying Sun</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_114">114</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#IF_THERE_IS_NO_HEREAFTER">If There Is No Hereafter</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_118">118</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LOVES_SONG">Love’s Song</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_120">120</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</span> -<a href="#FORGIVE">Forgive</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_122">122</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#FORGET">Forget</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_123">123</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#YESTERDAYS">Yesterdays</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_124">124</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#TOMORROW">Tomorrow</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_125">125</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#CONSOLATION">Consolation</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_126">126</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_DEAD_SUMMER">The Dead Summer</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_127">127</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THERE_IS_A_RIFT_IN_THE_CLOUDS">There Is A Rift In The Clouds</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_128">128</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#TO_A_COMET">To A Comet</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_130">130</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LOVES_DART">Love’s Dart</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_131">131</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#WEEDS">Weeds</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_132">132</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_BLIND_BEGGARS_APPEAL">The Blind Beggar’s Appeal</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_134">134</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_THREADS_OF_LIFE">The Threads of Life</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_136">136</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#MEMORYS_BOOK">Memory’s Book</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_138">138</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#DO_NOT_BORROW_TROUBLE">Do Not Borrow Trouble</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_140">140</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#GIVE_SMILES_NOT_TEARS">Give Smiles, Not Tears</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_142">142</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#FAREWELL_TO_THE_DYING_YEAR">Farewell To The Dying Year</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_144">144</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_BOOK_OF_GIFTS">The Book Of Gifts</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_146">146</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#UNKIND_WORDS">Unkind Words</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_147">147</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#SEEK_FOR_THE_GOOD_IN_LIFE">Seek For The Good In Life</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_148">148</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LOVES_CROWN">Love’s Crown</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_150">150</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#MY_SOULS_DESIRE_AND_DESTINY">My Soul’s Desire and Destiny</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_152">152</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#INCARNATION">Incarnation</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_155">155</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#REINCARNATION">Reincarnation</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_156">156</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LIFES_BURDEN">Life’s Burdens</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_159">159</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#TO_MOUNT_SIERRA">To Mount Sierra</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_160">160</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#OFT_POISONED_IS_THE_WINE_OF_LIFE">Oft Poisoned Is The Wine Of Life</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_162">162</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_GAME_OF_LIFE">The Game of Life</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_164">164</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_OLD_OLD_STORY">“The Old, Old Story”</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_166">166</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_GHOST_OF_LOVE">The Ghost of Love</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_168">168</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#I_SHALL_SING_IT_SOMETIME">I Shall Sing It Sometime</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</span> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_170">170</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#WHEN_I_AM_DEAD">When I Am Dead</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_174">174</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#TIS_FOLLY_TO_BE_WISE">’Tis Folly To Be Wise</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_177">177</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_OLD_OAKS_REVERIE">The Old Oak’s Reverie</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_178">178</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#INGRATITUDE">Ingratitude</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_181">181</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#JUDGE_NOT">Judge Not</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_182">182</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#OUR_VIRTUES_ARE_CARVED_UPON_OUR_TOMBSTONES">Our Virtues Are Carved Upon Our Tombstones</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_184">184</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#HONOR_FAME_OR_LOVE">Honor, Fame, or Love</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_186">186</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#COURAGE">Courage</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_188">188</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#PERSEVERE">Persevere</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_190">190</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#SPEAK_BUT_KIND_WORDS">Speak But Kind Words</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_192">192</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#VAGARY">Vagary</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_194">194</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_HOME_BEAUTIFUL">The Home Beautiful</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_197">197</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_BEATITUDES">The Beatitudes</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_198">198</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#BURY_THE_PAST">Bury The Past</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_200">200</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#TO_A_FRIEND_ON_HER_BIRTH-DAY">To A Friend On Her Birth-day</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_202">202</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#HAVE_IDEALS">Have Ideals</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_203">203</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#SELFISHNESS">Selfishness</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_204">204</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LIFE_IS_NOTHING_WITHOUT_LOVE">Life Is Nothing Without Love</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_207">207</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_CENTURY_FLOWER">The Century Flower</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_208">208</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LIFES_MUSIC">Life’s Music</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_210">210</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LOVES_GARDEN">Love’s Garden</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_212">212</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_LAST_PORT">The Last Port</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_214">214</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#CANST_TELL_ME">Canst Tell Me</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_216">216</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_SOUL_SEEKING_FOR_PERFECTION">The Soul Seeking For Perfection</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_219">219</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LIFES_THOUGHTLESSNESS">Life’s Thoughtlessness</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_221">221</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#THE_FLOWERS_PRAYER_FOR_IMMORTALITY">The Flower’s Prayer For Immortality</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_223">223</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LOVES_OFFERING">Love’s Offering</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_226">226</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#LOVES_ACCEPTANCE">Love’s Acceptance</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_228">228</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#AUTUMNLEAVES">Autumn Leaves</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_230">230</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#FINALE">Finale</a> -</td> -<td class="tdr"> -<a href="#Page_231">231</a> -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - - - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="AUTUMN_LEAVES">AUTUMN LEAVES.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -The autumn leaves are like our lives,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They serve their purpose for a day,</span><br /> -They then return to mother Earth:<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They come but to decay.</span><br /> -<br /> -The trees are gaunt, gaunt sentinels,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Deprived of their warm dress.</span><br /> -They shiver in their nakedness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And moan in their distress.</span><br /> -<br /> -But, as with us, they live again,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Again have garments fresh and new,</span><br /> -And though they seem to die to earth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Again their lives renew.</span><br /> -<br /> -Again the joy of living comes,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And brighter now is their new life;</span><br /> -They had a season of sweet sleep,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And rest from worldly strife.</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="WRITE">WRITE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="margin"><em>Republished by special request.</em></p> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Take thy pen and write, O man!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chronicle thy every thought;</span><br /> -Hath thy life been full of joy?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hath this world all pleasure wrought?</span><br /> -<br /> -If, before thou cam’st to earth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Knowing what thou knowest now,</span><br /> -Free to choose to be, or not,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To life’s problems wouldst thou bow?</span><br /> -<br /> -Wouldst thou think thy life a boon?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It with thankfulness accept,</span><br /> -Or wouldst say O Lord, me spare!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><em>I</em> must weep, for man hath wept.</span><br /> -<br /> -Dost thou think that life is sweet?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dost thou think its joys are more</span><br /> -Than its griefs and misery?<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hath thy bark ne’er touched bleak shore.</span><br /> -<br /> -Stranded hath it never been?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy sweet hopes forever lost,</span><br /> -Wrecked thy bark on shoals by storm,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On rough sea of life been tossed?</span><br /> -<br /> -Is the wind and tide with thee?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And is life without a tear?</span><br /> -Manned is bark with happiness?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hath thy sky been ever clear?</span><br /> -<br /> -Dost thou bless thy natal day?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Long’st thou not for day of death?</span><br /> -Art thou willing to live on<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Blessing God that thou hast breath?</span><br /> -<br /> -Then, to thee, is life a joy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Blessed heritage of peace</span><br /> -Was bequeathed to thee by Love,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><em>God</em> gave unto thee the <em>lease</em>.</span> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> -<p> -I will write in book of life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Trace my thoughts with fadeless ink,</span><br /> -With a pen of gold will write;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Into hearts my words may sink.</span><br /> -<br /> -Born to earth I wished it not,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Earth conditions knew not I,</span><br /> -E’en though filled with misery;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I will never question why.</span><br /> -<br /> -I am here; will do my work,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Even though life stranded be,</span><br /> -E’en though storms beset my way,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wrecked my ship on life’s rough sea.</span><br /> -<br /> -Sunshine, aye, I look not for,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wind and tide are often wrong</span><br /> -For my ship to leave its port;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sad, yea mournful, is life’s song.</span><br /> -<br /> -But I love, and I am loved,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hope is strong within my heart,</span><br /> -Courage, too, I’ll stem life’s tide,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the world do well my part.</span><br /> -<br /> -Tears are shed. Then why should I<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’er from care and grief be free?</span><br /> -I must live, though oft I weep,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Do my work, what e’er it be.</span><br /> -<br /> -Born of Love—O blessed thought!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Earth conditions I can bear;</span><br /> -God is Love, in Him I live,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Utter plaint I will not dare.</span><br /> -<br /> -I will sail my ship of life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Steer it over shoals and rocks,</span><br /> -Bring it safely into port,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It will bear all storms and shocks.</span><br /> -<br /> -When, at last, Life’s dream is o’er,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Time—true censor—takes his flight,</span><br /> -Death, as Captain of my fleet,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In his Log my life will write.</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="DREAMLAND">DREAMLAND.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -In our dreamland we are soaring<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Mong the stars, above the clouds,</span><br /> -Naught seems strange, our dress is moonlight;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not one grief our heart enshrouds.</span><br /> -<br /> -In this dreamland not one sorrow.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All the world is filled with joy.</span><br /> -There is naught but sweet contentment,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All is peace with no alloy.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Mong the clouds we e’er are soaring,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All the heavens we control.</span><br /> -Stars, and planets, are our footstools<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the dreamland of the soul.</span><br /> -<br /> -Butterflies are our companions,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Singing birds make love for aye.</span><br /> -Chariots are drawn by fire-flies;<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">And ’tis sunshine every day.</span><br /> -<br /> -When we wake, our dreams all vanish.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We are in the work-day world.</span><br /> -We are simply common mortals;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the uplands we are hurled.</span><br /> -<br /> -Vanished now is shadowy dreamland;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Most prosaic is the dawn.</span><br /> -Chariots are common waggons,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not by fireflies are they drawn.</span><br /> -<br /> -There are clouds, and rain is falling.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Trouble meets us everywhere.</span><br /> -We must battle with conditions;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many griefs we now must bear.</span><br /> -<br /> -But we dream, e’en though not sleeping,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nothing ever us debars,</span><br /> -Nothing seems to us unreal,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though we soar above the stars.</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="WHAT_WILL_THE_HARVEST_BE">WHAT WILL THE HARVEST BE?</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -We are sowing, we are reaping,<br /> -We are laughing, we are weeping<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For the seeds we sow.</span><br /> -<br /> -We are giving, we are hoarding,<br /> -Are withholding or dispersing<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Broadcast o’er the land.</span><br /> -<br /> -Are they thorns, or are they roses?<br /> -Are they weeds, or are they posies?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That we cull from life?</span><br /> -<br /> -What confronts us at Life’s evening?<br /> -What will greet us on awaking?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will it be Love’s flowers?</span><br /> -<br /> -O the joy of loving, living,<br /> -If to others we are giving<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Out of our heart’s store.</span><br /> -<br /> -Let us do what is before us,<br /> -Not discouraged, not unhappy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If some good we’ve done.</span><br /> -<br /> -When we wake in the hereafter,<br /> -Is it tears, or is it laughter,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That will meet us there?</span><br /> -<br /> -We shall sometimes be confronted,<br /> -And by phantoms shall be haunted—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Phantoms of our past.</span><br /> -<br /> -Let no thought of dire deception<br /> -In our hearts have e’er inception,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then not haunted we</span><br /> -<br /> -By the ghosts of indiscretion,<br /> -By ill deeds and degradation.—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Let us all beware</span><br /> -<br /> -Of temptations e’er surrounding,<br /> -And of evil e’er abounding.—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We must shun them all.</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="WE_KNOW_WHAT_THE_HARVEST_WILL_BE">WE KNOW WHAT THE HARVEST WILL BE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -We plant a bright flower for the butterfly;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We plant a sweet flower for the bee.</span><br /> -We feed and we clothe the hungry and cold,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“We know what the harvest will be.”</span><br /> -<br /> -We plant a good thought in some weary heart,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The thought that we plant goes to seed;</span><br /> -Increasing in strength full an hundred fold,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The thought will become a good deed.</span><br /> -<br /> -A deed that will live in many a heart,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will travel forever, and on;</span><br /> -Forgotten will never be words nor deeds;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They live and will thrive when we’re gone.</span><br /> -<br /> -A well we may dig in a desert land,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Some traveler stops on the road,</span><br /> -And quenches his thirst in the living spring,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">And lighter will now seem his load.</span><br /> -<br /> -We may plant a tree, and its cooling shade<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will shelter some traveler worn,</span><br /> -And never from memory will it fade,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And never from heart can be torn.</span><br /> -<br /> -In all of this life, ’tis the little things<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That help and will cheer our lone way,</span><br /> -A sip of cold water, a little word,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will many a sorrow allay.</span><br /> -<br /> -And if in our hearts no envy doth reign,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From malice we ever are free,</span><br /> -Have nothing but love for even a foe;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“We know what the harvest will be.”</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="MERIDIAN">MERIDIAN.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -’Tis twelve o’clock meridian.—.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My work is not half done.</span><br /> -Turn back the hands upon Life’s clock,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For it must not strike one.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis twelve o’clock meridian,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Time faster, faster goes.</span><br /> -All heedless he of my distress,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unheedful of my woes.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis twelve o’clock meridian,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My life is now half gone,</span><br /> -’Tis useless to begin anew;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Anew life’s pages con.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis twelve o’clock meridian,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ambition now is gone.</span><br /> -I cannot take up stitches dropped;<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">My work cannot go on.</span><br /> -<br /> -I’m tired and weary, will now rest,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Let time go on his way.</span><br /> -Life’s race is almost over now,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Time will not for me stay.</span><br /> -<br /> -For wasted time now dead, and gone,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A requiem sad, time tolls.</span><br /> -All squandered hours, all work undone,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In winding-sheet he rolls.</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_INDIAN_LOVERS_PLEA">THE INDIAN LOVER’S PLEA.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Winona! Winona! O list to my plea!<br /> -O why wilt thou leave me, O canst thou not see<br /> -How barren this world if deprived of thy love,<br /> -’Twas given to me by the Great Spirit above.<br /> -<br /> -Winona! Winona! Return unto me—<br /> -From bonds of the white man O cut thyself free.<br /> -Thy heart is still mine, but the glitter of gold<br /> -Enticed thee away from thy lover of old.<br /> -<br /> -The white man will weary of thee in a day,<br /> -Forsaken thou’lt be, dishonored for aye.<br /> -Thy beauty will fade, alas! for thee then!<br /> -Reviled, and dishonored, forsaken of men.<br /> -<br /> -Forsaken, degraded, and then cast aside;<br /> -Dost think that the white man will make thee his bride?<br /> -My camp-fire is out, and my wigwam is cold,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span>The white man has won thee by the promise of gold.<br /> -<br /> -I feel that I’ve loved thee in ages long gone,<br /> -Have fought for thy smiles, have always them won,<br /> -Winona dear heart, I will fight for them still,<br /> -Though broken thy troth, unbroken my will.<br /> -<br /> -My arrows are broken, my bow is unstrung,<br /> -My powder-horn empty, on high it is hung.<br /> -Come back to the forest where we’ve wandered alone;<br /> -Come back to my wigwam, and I will condone<br /> -<br /> -The sin of thy leaving, for thou didst not know<br /> -The wiles that the white man around thee couldst throw.<br /> -The white man will tire of thy beauty so rare,<br /> -His plaything thou’lt be, O Winona beware!<br /> -<br /> -Return to thy lover before ’tis too late—<br /> -The love of an Indian is as strong as his hate.<br /> -Winona! Winona! this is my last plea!<br /> -Return unto me! O return unto me!<br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="WINONAS_REPLY">WINONA’S REPLY.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Oswega! Oswega! I’ll listen to thee—<br /> -Return to thee gladly, again will be free.<br /> -’Tis true, for a moment, the glitter of gold<br /> -Enticed my vain heart from my lover of old.<br /> -<br /> -The white man so subtile flattered my pride—<br /> -He promised me honor for aye by his side.<br /> -I loved him not ever, ’twas only my pride<br /> -That caused me to waver, and leave thy dear side<br /> -<br /> -I beg dear Oswega that thou wilt forgive,<br /> -And that in thy love-light again I shall live.<br /> -Yes, I will return to my lover so brave,<br /> -For home without love is as cold as the grave.<br /> -<br /> -Yes, now dear Oswega I’ll come back to thee;<br /> -Though false I have seemed, I am true unto thee.<br /> -I will care for thy wigwam, will keep up thy fire,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span>Of thee my Oswega ne’er more will I tire.<br /> -<br /> -I love thee Oswega, will love thee for aye—<br /> -’Twas but for a time that my heart went astray.<br /> -I’ll come to thy wigwam, will care for thy home,<br /> -And never again from my lover will roam.<br /> -<br /> -Oswega! Oswega! my heart is as true<br /> -As thine is for me, and I bitterly rue<br /> -That vanity caused my heart to grow cold,<br /> -By flattering words and the glamour of gold.<br /> -<br /> -The dream is now o’er, it was but for a day.<br /> -My vain heart was flattered, I could not say nay.<br /> -My beauty may fade, but I know that thy heart<br /> -Will ever be mine, and ne’er more shall we part.<br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="AT_LAST">AT LAST.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I struggle on blindly;<br /> -I know not the way,<br /> -I falter by wayside<br /> -Forever and aye.<br /> -<br /> -I seek the right pathway,<br /> -’Tis hidden in gloom,<br /> -’Tis cold as the grave, and<br /> -As dark as the tomb.<br /> -<br /> -So deep are the shadows<br /> -I see not the road,<br /> -My burden is heavy<br /> -I sink ’neath the load.<br /> -<br /> -So long seems the journey;<br /> -O when will it end?<br /> -I’m tired, and weary,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span>’Neath burdens I bend.<br /> -<br /> -No light in my pathway,<br /> -No hope in my soul.<br /> -My life seems a failure,<br /> -Far distant my goal. -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /> -<p> -I’ll rise from my languor,<br /> -And hope for the best.—<br /> -Now, clouds are dispelling,<br /> -I’ll come to my rest.<br /> -<br /> -Though trials, and sorrows<br /> -Have e’er been my lot,<br /> -I’ll cast them aside now,<br /> -Life’s battles are fought.<br /> -<br /> -I’ve gained in the battles,<br /> -All clouds will now break.<br /> -When journey is ended<br /> -In heaven I’ll awake.<br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_AWAKENING_OF_THE_LILIES">THE AWAKENING OF THE LILIES.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Beneath the placid waters<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A lily bulb had birth;</span><br /> -It slept in sweet reliance<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In arms of mother earth.</span><br /> -<br /> -In home beneath the waters,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It slept in calm repose;</span><br /> -With sweetness of the lily,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And beauty of the rose.</span><br /> -<br /> -One morn the Sun looked downward,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And loving words he spake.</span><br /> -The lily bulb awakened<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From dreams, beneath the lake.</span><br /> -<br /> -A little bud shot upward<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To meet the sun-god’s call,</span><br /> -It sent forth all its fragrance<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Its lover to enthrall.</span><br /> -<br /> -It sprang from out the waters,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And donned its pure white gown.</span><br /> -No sin defiled its beauty,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Its virtue was its crown.</span><br /> -<br /> -The little bud then blossomed,—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So fragrant, pure and sweet,</span><br /> -The air was filled with fragrance,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And many stopped to greet</span><br /> -<br /> -The pure white lily blossom<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That on the water lay;</span><br /> -A ruthless hand then plucked it,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But threw it soon away.—</span><br /> -<br /> -It faded, and then withered;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The earth was not its home;</span><br /> -It missed the sparkling water,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor wished from it to roam</span> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> -<p> -Upon life’s turbid waters<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A human flower was born.</span><br /> -As pure as water-lily,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With beauty of the dawn.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Twas in a vine-clad cottage<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Close by the lily’s home;</span><br /> -Where dwelt this pure young maiden,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor wished she e’er to roam.</span><br /> -<br /> -To her there came a lover—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But soon he cast aside</span><br /> -The crushed and faded blossom<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who was his promised bride.</span> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /> -<p> -In lone, and dreary hovel<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A weeping woman lay.</span><br /> -No loving hand to tend her,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">And naught but shadows gray.—</span><br /> -<br /> -She sinned in loving, trusting,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And what was her reward?</span><br /> -Dishonored, and forsaken,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No friend had she but God.</span><br /> -<br /> -And in this lonely hovel<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A little child was born.—</span><br /> -A little human lily<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">First saw the light of dawn.</span><br /> -<br /> -Unheralded its coming,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unwelcome was its birth.</span><br /> -This little human lily<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Was born from out the earth.</span><br /> -<br /> -It came without love’s greeting,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Its death caused not one tear;</span><br /> -’Twas born into conditions<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">That cost its mother dear.—</span><br /> -<br /> -This child was pure and holy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though it was born of sin.—</span><br /> -Its heavenly father loved it,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So took it from the din</span><br /> -<br /> -Of earthly cares and sorrows.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He took the mother too.</span><br /> -The child is with her sleeping,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No tears their grave bedew.</span><br /> -<br /> -Together in one coffin<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The human lilies lie;</span><br /> -Dishonored, and forsaken,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They blossomed but to die.</span><br /> -<br /> -They lie upon the hillside.—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Some pitying hand now gave</span><br /> -A pure, white lily blossom,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To deck the outcasts’ grave.</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="CONQUERED">CONQUERED.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I am beaten in the race of life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will acknowledge my defeat.</span><br /> -As I struggle on the uphill road,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Naught but failure do I meet.</span><br /> -<br /> -I have fought the fight, have conquered been<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At every stage of life.</span><br /> -For the battle is not for the weak;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not fitted they for strife.</span><br /> -<br /> -I must leave the battle ground of life<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where I have found but woe.</span><br /> -And at last will give the warfare up,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lay down my arms to foe.</span><br /> -<br /> -For “the race of life is for the swift,”<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“The battle for the strong.”</span><br /> -And my place has been marked out for me<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Among the defeated throng.—</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_WATER_SPIRIT">THE WATER SPIRIT.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Beneath the wave tossed waters,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Upon the ocean bed;</span><br /> -There dwelt a water spirit,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To sea-king she was wed.</span><br /> -<br /> -Years passed in happy wedlock,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And pledges to them came</span><br /> -Of love beneath the ocean;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For love is e’er the same.</span><br /> -<br /> -They lived in sweet communion<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Among their sea-weed flowers.</span><br /> -’Twas ever peace and gladness<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Within their love-lit bowers.</span><br /> -<br /> -One little spirit wandering<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Away from childhood’s home—</span><br /> -Came into unknown waters,—<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beneath a coral dome,—</span><br /> -<br /> -She heard a spirit teaching<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A doctrine, new and strange;</span><br /> -She listened to his preaching,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And thought took wider range.</span><br /> -<br /> -He told of other peoples<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who lived above the sea.</span><br /> -Of birds with brilliant plumage,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who in the air were free.</span><br /> -<br /> -To her this was awakening<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From out a long, long sleep.</span><br /> -The soul was stirred within her,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To flowers of thought most deep.</span><br /> -<br /> -Now to her home returning—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dissension there arose;</span><br /> -Her former friends so loving,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Were now her bitter foes.</span><br /> -<br /> -They cried to her “O heretic!”<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">You are forever lost,</span><br /> -Unless you pray to Neptune,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">And not by doubts be tossed.</span><br /> -<br /> -There is no God but Neptune,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There is no world but ours,</span><br /> -There are no stars, nor planets,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There are but sea-weed flowers.</span><br /> -<br /> -And tilled with consternation<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At everything she said—</span><br /> -They even feared pollution,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And from her they all fled.</span> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /> -<p> -Now e’en above the ocean<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Some bigot there may be,</span><br /> -Who only prays to Neptune,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who dwells beneath the sea.</span><br /> -<br /> -He sees no beauty ever,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Except in his own flowers.</span><br /> -And if from him you differ,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Contumely on you showers.</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_WORLD_IS_ASLEEP">THE WORLD IS ASLEEP.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Step softly for the world’s asleep<br /> -And when it wakes, it wakes to weep<br /> -O’er all the sins and dire mistakes<br /> -That it will see when it awakes.<br /> -<br /> -O’er griefs and sorrows of the race,<br /> -Which all mankind must sometimes face.<br /> -O, world sleep on, ’tis better so<br /> -Than to awake and see the woe,<br /> -<br /> -And burdens that mankind must bear;<br /> -The aching hearts aye filled with care.<br /> -In sleep you dream, and dream of peace;<br /> -From turmoil dire you have surcease.<br /> -<br /> -Sleep on! Dream on! From care be free<br /> -Through time, and through eternity.<br /> -There is no rest, ’tis toil alway;<br /> -’Tis warfare, death, and then decay.<br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="WHAT_IS_THE_FUTURE_OF_THE_RACE">WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE RACE?</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -What is the future of the race?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I asked a little brook.</span><br /> -It laughingly replied to me<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“I cannot stop to look.”</span><br /> -<br /> -Then next I asked a gray old tree,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It shook with laughter too.</span><br /> -“Go ask the river, it may give<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">An answer unto you.”</span><br /> -<br /> -The river stopped upon its course,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And unto me it said,</span><br /> -“Go ask the ocean, it is wise<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And I shall soon him wed.”</span><br /> -<br /> -The ocean seemed with anger filled,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But unto me replied,</span><br /> -“I have no time for foolish speech,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Do not delay my tide.”</span><br /> -<br /> -The wind, in answer to my plea<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A moment paused, to say,</span><br /> -“Go ask the sphinx, perhaps she knows,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And will your fears allay.”</span><br /> -<br /> -I asked the sphinx, she seemed to smile,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I started back aghast;</span><br /> -She seemed to speak, I heard these words,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“I only know the past.”</span><br /> -<br /> -I bowed before the placid stone,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And begged to know the past.</span><br /> -“The present is enough for you,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With all its questions vast.”</span><br /> -<br /> -O tell me of the past I beg!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O do not it withhold</span><br /> -Sometime the future I shall know<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It will to me unfold.</span> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -“O man why seekest thou to know<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The future, or the past?</span><br /> -The present is enough for you,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If not with clouds o’er cast.”</span><br /> -<br /> -The mountains seemed to pity me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The clouds shed showers of tears,</span><br /> -The sun looked down in reverence,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And said: “Allay your fears,”</span><br /> -<br /> -“For there’s a power that rules mankind,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’er has and ever will.</span><br /> -The future, and the past, are His,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Are governed by His will.”</span><br /> -<br /> -Then gazing at the works of God,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My thoughts seemed trivial, small,—</span><br /> -Why should I worry o’er the race?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When God is over all.</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LOVES_PATH">LOVE’S PATH.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Adown the many walks of life,<br /> -Though stormy be the weather,<br /> -We will clasp hands in confidence,<br /> -And walk Love’s path together.<br /> -<br /> -When days are bright we’ll happy be,<br /> -And will not trouble borrow;<br /> -But do the very best we can<br /> -For clouds may come tomorrow.<br /> -<br /> -Though life be filled with many cares,<br /> -If soul with soul is blending,<br /> -We’ll bear the cares most cheerfully.<br /> -Love hath with us no ending.<br /> -<br /> -When Death shall come, as come he must,—<br /> -For life is short, and fleeting,<br /> -With outstretched hands and happy smile,<br /> -We’ll give him kindly greeting.<br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="A_PRAYER">A PRAYER.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -O Thou Almighty Presence—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O Thou Almighty Power—</span><br /> -No greater in the heavens,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than in the smallest flower.</span><br /> -<br /> -We bow to Thee in reverence,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We kneel to Thee in prayer.</span><br /> -We see Thee in the tiny weed,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We see Thee everywhere.</span><br /> -<br /> -We know that we are ignorant,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And oftimes sinful are,</span><br /> -But we would keep thy every law,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No plan of Thine e’er mar.</span><br /> -<br /> -For perfect are Thy mandates all,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And perfect every work,</span><br /> -And though we oft misunderstand,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">We would no duty shirk.</span><br /> -<br /> -Thou pitiest us, Thy children,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wouldst teach us the right way</span><br /> -Wherein to walk, and what to do,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wouldst teach us to obey</span><br /> -<br /> -The law which Thou hast made supreme,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But if we disobey,</span><br /> -Thou still dost plead for our return<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To straight and narrow way.</span><br /> -<br /> -O God our Lord we reverence Thee!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And humble aye would be.</span><br /> -We love Thee ever, though we sin<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Throughout eternity.</span><br /> -<br /> -We know Thou art the only Power<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Which reigns supreme on earth,</span><br /> -And though we many trials have,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">We thank Thee for our birth.</span><br /> -<br /> -We thank Thee for the blessings rich<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That in our pathway lie.</span><br /> -We thank Thee e’en for tears we shed,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy love these tears will dry.</span><br /> -<br /> -O help us Lord to do Thy work,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And bury self so deep,</span><br /> -That we shall every duty do,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And have no cause to weep.</span><br /> -<br /> -And when we come into the home<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That is prepared for us,</span><br /> -We’ll fitted be to dwell within<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That home so glorious.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LIFES_ROAD">LIFE’S ROAD.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -O the road seems long and devious<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That our weary feet have trod,</span><br /> -Struggling, struggling, ever struggling,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till we rest beneath the sod.</span><br /> -<br /> -Dark and hidden is life’s pathway,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We have sought for it in vain;</span><br /> -But have fallen by the wayside,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Overcome by grief and pain.</span><br /> -<br /> -And our feet are bruised and bleeding,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And life’s burdens are so great</span><br /> -That we fain would give up trying,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And be governed aye by fate.</span><br /> -<br /> -All life’s road seems filled with shadows,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In despair we kiss the rod;</span><br /> -Then we see that road leads upward<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the depths, e’en up to God.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="WHERE_IS_HEAVEN">WHERE IS HEAVEN?</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -O where is heaven? cried a child.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is it above, beyond the sky?</span><br /> -Is it above, beyond the clouds?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">How shall I find it when I die?</span><br /> -<br /> -O where is heaven? cried a youth.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It seems so far, so far away.</span><br /> -This world is such a weary waste<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For Heaven’s peace I ever pray.</span><br /> -<br /> -I long to know where heaven is,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is it the place where angels dwell?</span><br /> -Is it the place where spirits go?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Can mortal man the place foretell.</span><br /> -<br /> -I’ve searched in vain the place to find—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I’ve sought, I’ve searched for heaven’s door,</span><br /> -I cannot find one trace of it<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">In modern book, nor ancient lore.</span><br /> -<br /> -We’re told that heaven is but for those<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who live a life all free from sin.</span><br /> -If this is true, there is no hope—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No one will ever heaven win.</span><br /> -<br /> -O where is heaven? an old man cried.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is it above the world’s fierce din?</span><br /> -“A still small voice” then spake to him<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To find your heaven, O look within.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="DESTINY">DESTINY.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -When Destiny leads us<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We have to obey.</span><br /> -No rest by the roadside;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No loitering by way.</span><br /> -<br /> -She beckons us onward<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With promise of peace;</span><br /> -Alluring us ever,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From bonds no release.</span><br /> -<br /> -We struggle on blindly;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Obeying her call.</span><br /> -A shroud doth us cover,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis Destiny’s pall.</span><br /> -<br /> -The chains that aye bind us<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Too strong are to break;</span><br /> -The fetters, and shackles<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Are Destiny’s make.</span><br /> -<br /> -So strong are these fetters<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They bind us to earth.</span><br /> -Grim Destiny welded them<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’en before birth.</span><br /> -<br /> -We rise from our bondage,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And try to be free;</span><br /> -But Fate is our gaoler,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She holds fast the key.</span><br /> -<br /> -The prison is guarded,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No opening we see,</span><br /> -’Tis useless to struggle,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For helpless are we.</span><br /> -<br /> -Yea, Destiny rules us;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A tyrant is she</span><br /> -Who keeps us in bondage,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When we would be free.</span> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -The warfare is ended.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our colors are down.</span><br /> -We bow in submission,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And Destiny crown.</span><br /> -<br /> -She now is our monarch,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On her we must lean,</span><br /> -Obeying her ever,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For she is our queen.</span><br /> -</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="WHY">WHY?</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Why should not we all understand<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The laws of life, of living?</span><br /> -That everything in Nature’s works<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is sending forth, and giving.</span><br /> -<br /> -She gives her life to help mankind,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She to the world gives beauty,</span><br /> -And it is given ungrudgingly,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And not because ’tis duty.</span><br /> -<br /> -O let us try to emulate<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dear Nature in her giving,</span><br /> -Instead of thorns, give roses sweet;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then life will be worth living.</span><br /> -<br /> -Send loving thoughts out to the world,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Your cup returns o’erflowing;</span><br /> -You’ll find it holds no bitter dregs<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If good you are bestowing.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LIBERTY">LIBERTY.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -A little dove impatient grew,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And weary of his bars.</span><br /> -He longed to break his prison bonds,<br /> -And soar among the stars.<br /> -<br /> -He beat his wings against the bars,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And vainly tried to break</span><br /> -The door of his small prison house.<br /> -That freedom he might take.<br /> -<br /> -For liberty he ever sought,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He did not love his home.</span><br /> -He ever wished that he was free<br /> -Around the world to roam.<br /> -<br /> -The little dove most weary was;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unhappy and distraught.</span><br /> -O why should he a prisoner be?<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">For liberty he fought.</span><br /> -<br /> -But all in vain, he could not break<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The bars that held him fast.</span><br /> -The future seemed as dark to him<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As had been all his past.</span><br /> -<br /> -At last with broken, bleeding wings,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He fell to earth in death.</span><br /> -For freedom sweet, for liberty,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He cried with his last breath.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="MY_SOUL_AND_I">MY SOUL AND I.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -My soul and I a warfare waged,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Which had the right of way?</span><br /> -Precedence was a law laid down,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Which one should it obey.</span><br /> -<br /> -I claimed that <em>I</em> was first on earth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My <em>soul</em> put in the plea</span><br /> -That <em>I</em> was but the home for him;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><em>He</em> claimed eternity.</span><br /> -<br /> -We argued long, and earnestly,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But argued all in vain.</span><br /> -Each one was sure that he was right,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No point did either gain.</span><br /> -<br /> -So worn was I with argument<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I closed my eyes to earth.</span><br /> -How long I slept I do not know.<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">I wakened to new birth.</span><br /> -<br /> -I looked around for my lost soul—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Had it the victory won?</span><br /> -I looked within, and then I found<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My soul and I were one.</span><br /> -<br /> -Were one on earth, are one in heav’n,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The body is not <em>I</em>,</span><br /> -’Tis but the garment of the soul,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in the grave must lie.</span><br /> -<br /> -But soul lives on, forever on,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis even one with God;</span><br /> -It permeates all life, all space,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Arising from its clod</span><br /> -<br /> -A spirit of the universe,—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A light which never dies.</span><br /> -For soul is all creation,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in the grave ne’er lies.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="FORSAKEN">FORSAKEN.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -They say that thou art false to me.<br /> -It is not true, it cannot be.<br /> -I loved thee once, I love thee yet;<br /> -O dearest! canst thou me forget?<br /> -<br /> -I loved thee e’en when first we met,<br /> -And even now do not regret<br /> -The love for thee that fills my heart.<br /> -Wilt thou O dearest from me part?<br /> -<br /> -O hath another won thy heart?<br /> -Must I alone endure the smart<br /> -That cometh from thy broken vow?<br /> -If I must suffer, so must thou.<br /> -<br /> -The past is dead, and buried deep,<br /> -For thee my love I can but weep.<br /> -Though sad the day that first we met,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span>That past, for me, holds no regret.<br /> -<br /> -E’en though thou lov’st another now,<br /> -Again thou’lt break thy troth, thy vow.<br /> -Thy fickle heart e’er fickle be<br /> -Through time, and through eternity.<br /> -<br /> -Thou seemest not so happy now,<br /> -As when to me thou mad’st thy vow<br /> -That sometime thou wouldst be my bride,<br /> -And thy dear self to me confide.<br /> -<br /> -The memory of that past is dear,<br /> -Though lying on sad memory’s bier.<br /> -And now farewell, “I love thee still,<br /> -Against my wish, against my will.”<br /> -<br /> -The future holds no joy for me<br /> -If I am parted dear from thee.<br /> -Farewell! Farewell! I give thee up.<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span>The dregs of life I now must sup.<br /> -<br /> -But loving thee, I can forgive.<br /> -Without thy love, I cannot live.<br /> -Alone, forsaken, and bereft,<br /> -There’s naught on earth for me now left.<br /> -<br /> -Farewell! farewell! our past is dead,<br /> -All happiness from me hath fled.<br /> -The dreary future must be met;<br /> -I find that I can <em>not</em> forget.<br /> -<br /> -I think that thou wilt love me dear,<br /> -When I am dead, and o’er my bier<br /> -Thou bendest down to look at me.<br /> -My heart will then from grief be free.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="FAREWELL">FAREWELL.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -My lover of the past, farewell!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I do not thee regret;</span><br /> -For thou hast proven false to me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And I will thee forget.</span><br /> -<br /> -I would not turn the wheel of time,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy recreant love to gain;</span><br /> -For having once been false to me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou wouldst be false again.</span><br /> -<br /> -My love a plaything was to thee,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Twas only for a day;</span><br /> -When weary of the love I gave,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Twas cast by thee away.</span><br /> -<br /> -My lover of the past, farewell!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I grieve not for thee now.</span><br /> -When trust is gone, love follows soon<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Upon a broken vow.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_PEBBLES_SOLILOQUY">THE PEBBLE’S SOLILOQUY.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Though but a pebble on the shore of time,<br /> -I feel my mission is sublime.<br /> -Though man may tread me ’neath his careless feet—<br /> -With scornful look will e’er me greet—<br /> -<br /> -I have my place, no one that place can fill;<br /> -I live, and do my Master’s will.<br /> -There is a power that lies within my heart—<br /> -I must live on, and do my part.<br /> -<br /> -I am a part of God—His loving thought,<br /> -And for some purpose I was wrought.<br /> -Naught else on earth could fill the pebble’s place.<br /> -To mountains grand my life I trace.<br /> -<br /> -I will arise above my low estate,<br /> -And with the angels even mate.<br /> -I feel, I know, a pebble hath a soul,<br /> -And heaven is its right, its goal.<br /> -<br /> -God put me here, so why should I complain?<br /> -I know I was not made in vain.<br /> -To you the song of ages I can sing.<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span>Sweet flowers, in time, will from me spring.<br /> -<br /> -And what is man? A pebble on Life’s strand—<br /> -With me, God holds him in His hand.<br /> -And e’en from me deep lessons he can learn.<br /> -To dust his body will return.<br /> -<br /> -’Tis true he claims a soul, and so do I;<br /> -For soul is God, and God doth in me lie.<br /> -All that hath life, hath soul I do avow.<br /> -With love, all things God doth endow.<br /> -<br /> -I have ambition, and some day will rise<br /> -To meet my God beyond the skies.<br /> -For everything on earth, or in the sea<br /> -Hath part in God, and immortality.<br /> -</p></div> - - -<p class="center p2">NOTE.</p> - -<p class="indent">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 <em>in</em> -all matter—<em>Life</em>, <em>Soul</em>, goes on through all eternity. God -is in everything that he has created; therefore, <em>everything</em> has -<em>soul</em>.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="AN_ANGELS_MESSAGE">AN ANGEL’S MESSAGE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -“Make merry,” cried the king, “drive care away.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I would not think of crown nor nation now.</span><br /> -The gayest of the gay I fain would be,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I would that none today before me bow.”</span><br /> -<br /> -“Today I would as humblest subject be,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And I would even know the want of food.</span><br /> -A vision was vouchsafed to me this morn,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Methinks an angel by my bedside stood.”</span><br /> -<br /> -“And one by one he placed before mine eyes<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My subjects poor, who live in direst need,</span><br /> -Whilst I, in thoughtless rioting have dwelt.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And not of them have ever taken heed.”</span><br /> -<br /> -“Make haste and send swift couriers o’er the land,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through every hamlet, and through every town.</span><br /> -Henceforth my scepter shall be love to all,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">And justice evermore shall be my crown.”</span><br /> -<br /> -“Instead of pomp and pageantry, I will<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hereafter seek to know my subjects all;</span><br /> -Henceforth I’ll be a king in very sooth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And none need fear upon their king to call.”</span><br /> -<br /> -“A monarch I will be of stricken hearts;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Loud hallelujahs through my kingdom ring,</span><br /> -For nevermore shall Hunger stalk abroad,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A dark, dark blot upon the title, King.”</span><br /> -<br /> -“Swift justice shall be meted out to all;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mine eyes are opened now.—I have been blind</span><br /> -To all the misery that around me lay,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All heedless of the sufferings of mankind.”</span><br /> -<br /> -“So, merry be, for I have found my soul,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And <em>Love</em> is now the watchword of your king.</span><br /> -Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, henceforth.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Glad tidings now to all my people bring.”</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_RACE_OF_LIFE_WITH_TIME">THE RACE OF LIFE WITH TIME.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Life and Time once ran a race<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O’er hills of sorrow and despair.</span><br /> -Life often halted by the way<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For he had many ills to bear,</span><br /> -But Time went on, and on, and on.<br /> -<br /> -Poor Life oft weary was, and worn.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oft fell at Time’s unflagging feet.</span><br /> -But rose again with strength renewed,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And valiantly old Time did greet.</span><br /> -Who still went on, and on, and on.<br /> -<br /> -Though Life oft blinded was by tears,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Discouraged he could never be.—</span><br /> -While Time rushed on to win the race;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s work was for eternity.</span><br /> -Yet Time still onward went his way.<br /> -<br /> -Life cried, O tarry, father Time!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">One moment stop in thy mad race;</span><br /> -There is so much that I must do,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So many problems yet to face.<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span>Time took no heed, but still rushed on.</span><br /> -<br /> -Life often staggered ’neath his load,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And ever begged that Time would stay.</span><br /> -But Time, with scorn upon his brow<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rushed faster, faster on his way.</span><br /> -Went madly on, and on, and on.<br /> -<br /> -Time had precedence in the race,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And to Life’s pleadings paid no heed.</span><br /> -He cared not for Life’s weariness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor would one point to him concede.</span><br /> -But still went on, and on, and on.<br /> -<br /> -O Time! cried Life, one moment pause!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O stay one moment in your flight,</span><br /> -For I am weak, the road is rough;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Too soon, too soon comes death’s dark night.</span><br /> -Still Time went on, and on, and on.<br /> -<br /> -Time went his way, nor heeded he<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That Life was weary, worn, distressed.</span><br /> -Life’s burdens all too heavy were;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At every dawn Time was refreshed,</span><br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span>With courage new went on his way.<br /> -<br /> -But Life still struggled bravely on,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With patience bore his heavy load,</span><br /> -And though he often fell by way<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Upon the weary upward road,</span><br /> -Time took no heed, but still went on.<br /> -<br /> -Life begged, implored that Time would halt,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But Time ne’er tarried on Life’s way;</span><br /> -But when Life wept, with pitying hand<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Time stopped to wipe the tears away,</span><br /> -And then went on, and on, and on.<br /> -<br /> -At last Time seemed to fall behind—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then Life with joy increased his pace.</span><br /> -Time laughed with almost fiendish glee,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He knew that Life would lose the race,</span><br /> -While he would still go on, and on.<br /> -<br /> -Poor Life gave up the fight at last,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He laid his burdens down and died.</span><br /> -But still with agonizing voice<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With his last breath to Time he cried.</span><br /> -Time took no heed, but still went on.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="O_DEATH_WHERE_IS_THY_STING">O DEATH WHERE IS THY STING?</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -The world will still go on its course<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When we have passed away.</span><br /> -Not e’en one ripple on Life’s waves<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There’ll be for e’en one day.</span><br /> -<br /> -How vain and fleeting is all life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis but a little breath.</span><br /> -’Tis but a smile, and then a tear,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And then to us comes death.</span><br /> -<br /> -We have high hopes at life’s bright morn,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Alas! they fade by noon.</span><br /> -They fade, they wither, fall to earth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And death is then a boon.</span><br /> -<br /> -Yet over all our dead, dead hopes,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We joyfully will sing:</span><br /> -“O Grave where is thy victory?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O Death where is thy sting.”</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_MOTHERS_PLEA">THE MOTHER’S PLEA.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -It is my little baby,<br /> -Now lying fast asleep.<br /> -Her brow with wrinkles furrowed.—<br /> -O angels guard and keep<br /> -My precious, precious baby.—<br /> -For her I’d gladly die<br /> -To save her life from sorrow,—<br /> -For grief is ever nigh. -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -Now ope thine eyes my baby,<br /> -And gaze thou into mine.<br /> -If thou dost love me darling,<br /> -Thine arms around me twine.<br /> -I loved thee O my baby<br /> -Before thou camst to earth.<br /> -I longed for thy dear coming,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span>I longed for baby’s birth.<br /> -<br /> -Thou wert a gift from heaven,<br /> -And selfishly I cling<br /> -To thee my precious baby.<br /> -No sorrow dost thou bring.<br /> -Dost know that ’tis thy mother<br /> -That’s speaking to thee now?<br /> -If so, the little wrinkles<br /> -Will vanish from thy brow.<br /> -<br /> -Look up to me my baby,<br /> -And put thy hands in mine.<br /> -Dost thou not know, my precious!<br /> -That for thy love I pine?<br /> -Was’t kind in me, thy mother<br /> -To give to thee earth-life?<br /> -With all of its wild turmoil,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span>And all of its fierce strife.<br /> -<br /> -If life shouldst be a burden,<br /> -No joy in it for thee,<br /> -Will future life repay thee?<br /> -And I forgiven be?<br /> -Will heaven be compensation<br /> -For all of earthly care?<br /> -Wilt thou forgive thy mother<br /> -For all that thou must bear?<br /> -<br /> -In vain is all my pleading—<br /> -Alas! it is too late,—<br /> -For thou must bear life’s burdens,<br /> -And thou must meet thy fate.—<br /> -But, angels guard, and keep thee,<br /> -This is thy mother’s prayer.<br /> -At last to heaven take thee;<br /> -To meet thy mother there.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="TO_A_FRIEND">TO A FRIEND.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -O thou fair daughter of a northern clime!<br /> -To thee, dear heart, I dedicate my rhyme.<br /> -Dost know that life to thee shouldst be sublime?<br /> -<br /> -Though thou hast many problems yet to face,<br /> -Thou wilt not fall, nor falter in the race.<br /> -Nor e’en the smallest thing in life debase.<br /> -<br /> -“New England” blood is coursing through my veins,<br /> -No evil deed, nor thought, thy pure heart stains.<br /> -Thy life is melody,—not sad refrains.—<br /> -<br /> -In brightest life, some shadows there will be.<br /> -If thou dost bear these shadows cheerfully,<br /> -The clouds will break, and sunshine come to thee.<br /> -<br /> -Not having burdens of thine own to bear,<br /> -Thou must be willing others’ griefs to share,<br /> -There are enough for all, and some to spare.<br /> -If this thou doest uncomplainingly<br /> -Thou wilt be blest throughout eternity.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="TIME_WAITS_FOR_NO_MAN">TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -O father Time one moment tarry!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I have so much, so much to do,</span><br /> -And death will find my work unfinished,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For every day brings something new.</span><br /> -O Time, dear Time, what doth it matter?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A month, a year, is naught to thee,</span><br /> -But hours, minutes, even seconds,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To me doth make eternity.</span><br /> -<br /> -Much time I feel that I have squandered;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So many hours, so many years.—</span><br /> -The misspent time that now confronts me<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will ever cause me bitter tears.</span><br /> -Life is so sweet when breaks the morning,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But groweth bitter by the noon;</span><br /> -By night I am so worn and weary,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’en death doth seem to me a boon.</span><br /> -<br /> -O Time give back my happy childhood,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And I will bless thee ever, aye;</span><br /> -My every task with joy performing;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And not from duty will I stray.</span><br /> -E’en Time seemed filled with deepest pity,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But cried, “O man, it is too late</span><br /> -To save the years that thou hast squandered;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So I must leave thee to thy fate.”</span><br /> -<br /> -“Farewell O man! I must not tarry;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Long years ago my work began.</span><br /> -In vain, in vain is all thy pleading<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For Time and Tide wait not for man.”</span><br /> -Farewell then Time, farewell for ever;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For there is naught but death for me.</span><br /> -A slave I have been to thee ever,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But now, in dying, I am free.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="TIDE_WAITS_FOR_NO_MAN">TIDE WAITS FOR NO MAN.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -O Tide, O Tide, just wait one moment,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My ship is not prepared to sail;</span><br /> -She must be manned with sailors trusty,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Equipped to meet the coming gale.</span><br /> -It turned, and looking back a moment,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In angry waves this speech began:</span><br /> -“I cannot listen to thy pleading,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I cannot wait for any man.”</span><br /> -<br /> -It turned and left me at my mooring,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And seemed to mock my earnest plea:</span><br /> -“Too long already I have tarried<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On my long journey to the sea.”</span><br /> -Again it turned, and looking backward,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Derisively thus spoke to me;</span><br /> -“Thy words to me are vain and useless,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">No longer will I list to thee.”</span><br /> -<br /> -And yet he seemed to have some pity,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With kindness spake again to me.</span><br /> -“O man why art thou so persistent?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My work has been mapped out for me;</span><br /> -Was given to me by my Creator,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In æons past my work began.</span><br /> -I must no longer to thee listen,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I must not wait for any man.”</span><br /> -<br /> -“Farewell O man! Farewell forever!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dost thou not know that I am free?”</span><br /> -And waving me a bright good morning,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Tide then hastened to the sea.</span><br /> -Alone I stood upon Life’s landing,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The waves to me this message bore:</span><br /> -“Thou needst no longer by me loiter.”<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They then receded from the shore.</span><br /> -<br /> -Upon Life’s shoal I now was stranded;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Alone, forsaken evermore.</span><br /> -All hope had with the Tide receded,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s ship was left upon the shore.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="FREEDOM">FREEDOM.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -The prisoned bird doth oftimes sing<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Behind its prison bars;</span><br /> -But sweeter far its song would be<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If carolled to the stars.</span><br /> -<br /> -Just ope his door, he flies aloft,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The hills with music ring.</span><br /> -Exultant notes of melody<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The bird when free, will sing.</span><br /> -<br /> -When once is gained his liberty,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each day new joys to meet,</span><br /> -He looks not back to prison home,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">His freedom is so sweet.</span><br /> -<br /> -No morsel giv’n, no word of love<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will tempt him back to cage.</span><br /> -Though he may often lack for food,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">He now hath freedom’s wage.</span><br /> -<br /> -And so with soul, when once ’tis free,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It sings sweet notes of joy;</span><br /> -Loud hallelujahs will send forth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In them is no alloy.</span><br /> -<br /> -When once the soul escapes its bonds<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To soar above the stars,</span><br /> -Has broken chains, and freedom gained,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It ne’er goes back to bars.</span><br /> -<br /> -It soars aloft, a happy soul,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’en to bright heaven’s dome.</span><br /> -Emancipated it is now<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From narrow gilded home.</span> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -Then soul be free from error’s chain,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And break the bars that bind</span><br /> -You to your prison cell so dark;<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then freedom you will find.</span><br /> -<br /> -No more you’ll sup on prison food,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Contented with a crumb</span><br /> -That falls to you from gaoler’s hand,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To truth forever dumb.</span><br /> -<br /> -When once the soul its prison leaves,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It finds such sweet relief</span><br /> -In knowing that the truth it hath,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Instead of a belief.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="REVERIE">REVERIE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I am sitting in the gloaming,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sipping honey from Life’s flowers;</span><br /> -Gathering sweetness for the future;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I will store it in Love’s bowers.</span><br /> -<br /> -Nothing bitter will I gather<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To confront me by and by.</span><br /> -Though dark clouds are overhanging,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shining is the sun in sky.</span><br /> -<br /> -All the little clouds, and shadows<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I will drive from out my heart;</span><br /> -For I love the sunshine better,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From no sunbeam will I part.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though the raindrops may be falling,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though the day is dark and drear;</span><br /> -It will clear before Life’s evening,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And Life’s sun again appear.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="A_MOHAMMEDANS_PRAYER">A MOHAMMEDAN’S PRAYER.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Thou art Allah, God divine,<br /> -And we bow before Thy shrine.<br /> -Humbly bend to Thee in prayer.<br /> -Thou my God art everywhere.<br /> -<br /> -Thou hast willed th’ stars into space,<br /> -Everywhere we see Thy face.<br /> -In sidereal spaces grand<br /> -Worlds were fashioned by Thy hand.<br /> -<br /> -Thou art Maker, Ruler, King;<br /> -Of Thy praises we will sing.<br /> -Allah great, O Allah good!<br /> -By Thy side we once have stood.<br /> -<br /> -We are part of Thee, O Lord,<br /> -Though we sprang from ’neath the sod.<br /> -By Thy side we still would stand,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span>Guided by Thy loving hand.<br /> -<br /> -There couldst never heaven be<br /> -But for immortality.<br /> -Thou dost need our helping hand<br /> -Even in Thy heavenly land.<br /> -<br /> -Man was fashioned from the dust,<br /> -But his soul doth in Thee trust;<br /> -And will rise to Thee at last,<br /> -Not forgetting though, its past.<br /> -<br /> -Man, from ages hath come down,<br /> -And in future Thou wilt crown<br /> -Him immortal, part of Thee;<br /> -Absorbed in Love, in Deity.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="NATURES_PLAN">NATURE’S PLAN.</h2> -</div> -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I am a part of Nature’s plan,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A part of her great work;</span><br /> -And incomplete would be all life<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Should I my duty shirk.</span><br /> -<br /> -I am a thread in Nature’s web,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If stitch is dropped by me,</span><br /> -The fabric most imperfect is,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will not accepted be.</span><br /> -<br /> -I am a stone the builder needs,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No other stone will do;</span><br /> -Nor structure ever finished be<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For naught will do in lieu.</span><br /> -<br /> -For I was fitted for the place,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Was taken from the earth,</span><br /> -And cut to fill this vacancy,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’en at my very birth.</span><br /> -<br /> -There is a leaf in Nature’s book<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That is reserved for me,</span><br /> -And I must write my name thereon,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No blank in book must be.</span><br /> -<br /> -I am a drop in Life’s great sea.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A drop seems very small;</span><br /> -But drops of water, grains of sand<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Are worthy of God’s call.</span><br /> -<br /> -I am a little candle light<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That throws its beams—not far,</span><br /> -Yet lighting up the space around<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’en as a little star.</span><br /> -<br /> -I may be but a common weed,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But weeds, in time, are flowers,</span><br /> -And are a part of Nature’s plan<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To beautify God’s bowers.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_SUNBEAMS_WOOING">THE SUNBEAM’S WOOING.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -A fickle sunbeam fell in love<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With a little flower;</span><br /> -He scattered sunshine in her path,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And tarried in her bower.</span><br /> -<br /> -The little flower returned his love,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her heart was filled with pride</span><br /> -To be the chosen flower of love;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To be the sun-god’s bride.</span><br /> -<br /> -For bridal robe on wedding day<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She chose her richest gown,</span><br /> -And donned a veil of sunshine bright,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And dew-drops for her crown.</span><br /> -<br /> -Then up the aisle of sunbeams swept,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A queen of beauty she.</span><br /> -The sunbeam never brighter was.<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">In gorgeous dress was he.</span><br /> -<br /> -Most proud he was of his fair bride,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So beautiful, and pure;</span><br /> -And thought, as he had found his mate,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">His love would aye endure.</span><br /> -<br /> -But sunbeams are not always true.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In glancing round one day,</span><br /> -He saw another little flower,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And by her wished to stay.</span><br /> -<br /> -His chosen bride deprived of love,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Soon faded, withered, died.</span><br /> -A poor forsaken flower of earth<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For love now vainly cried.</span><br /> -<br /> -Alas for her! His love had cooled;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He hid behind a cloud.</span><br /> -He hid his face from his first love<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her bridal veil was shroud.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_PROGRESSION_OF_THE_ROSE">THE PROGRESSION OF THE ROSE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -The rose, when born, was purest white,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And of her beauty never thought.</span><br /> -The sun began to smile on her,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then a great change in her was wrought.</span><br /> -<br /> -The sun looked down admiringly.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She of her beauty ’gan to think;</span><br /> -Some one in passing, gave her praise,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And she then blushed a rosy pink.</span><br /> -<br /> -The moss-rose next sprang into life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With beauty rare, and fragrance sweet.</span><br /> -So modest was this little rose,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The public gaze she feared to meet.</span><br /> -<br /> -She was so timid, and so shy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She hid her face in veil of green;</span><br /> -It was a crown of beauty rare,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">More beautiful had never queen.</span><br /> -<br /> -She longed though for companionship.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She wished full oft to tell her woes.</span><br /> -So chose a mate among the flowers,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And then became a bridal rose.</span><br /> -<br /> -She now ambitious was to rise,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And with disdain looked on the earth;</span><br /> -She then sent many tendrils out,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And then the climbing rose had birth.</span><br /> -<br /> -She now was filled with greatest pride,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And struggled hard to reach the skies,</span><br /> -But Nature sent her edict forth<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That she no higher e’er should rise.</span><br /> -<br /> -The rose with anger now was filled,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For glancing down upon her bed,</span><br /> -She saw a worm coiled ’mong her roots,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And then she turned an angry red.</span><br /> -<br /> -And now was born the bright red rose,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And though its beauty came from hate.</span><br /> -No one disputes its right to reign<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A royal queen in regal state.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="ALL_LIFE_HATH_SOUL">ALL LIFE HATH SOUL.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -The running brook is never straight;<br /> -A pebble oft will change its course;<br /> -A tiny twig, a little sand<br /> -Is oft to it sufficient force<br /> -To send it dancing on its way<br /> -To reach its home, the sparkling sea.<br /> -So with our lives, from birth to death,<br /> -We’re struggling ever to be free.<br /> -<br /> -A little word, a little thought<br /> -Will change our course, will change our way.<br /> -For life doth run in devious paths,<br /> -E’en tiny twig it must obey.<br /> -Alas! Our soul wings have been bound,<br /> -Or we would soar beyond the clouds;<br /> -And know the destiny of man,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span>And why a pall his life enshrouds.<br /> -<br /> -We’re reaching up to even God.—<br /> -For we would know life’s meaning now;<br /> -Free from the shard that binds our thoughts,<br /> -And if with soul, God doth endow<br /> -The lower animals as we.<br /> -And if all life hath mind, hath soul?<br /> -Whatever God hath made, hath life,<br /> -And mind doth ever life control.<br /> -<br /> -All living things; the trees, the flowers,<br /> -The ocean, mountain, and the sea;<br /> -The pebbles on the ocean beach,<br /> -And also grass upon the lea.—<br /> -We are as sand upon Life’s hill,<br /> -And but as grass, we live and grow,<br /> -“Tomorrow in the oven cast;”<br /> -For Death each day the grass doth mow.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="IT_MATTERS_NOT">IT MATTERS NOT.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -What matters it what we may think,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or what is our belief;</span><br /> -’Tis worthless straw thrashed o’er and o’er,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No wheat is in the sheaf.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis what we <em>are</em>, ’tis what we <em>do</em><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That makes of life a song.</span><br /> -We may believe that black is white,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And though we are quite wrong:</span><br /> -<br /> -It matters little to the world;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For we are as a drop</span><br /> -Of water in Life’s ocean broad;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s tide will never stop</span><br /> -<br /> -To see if we are in our place,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or what we mean to do;</span><br /> -It comes, and goes without our help,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would not our death e’en rue.</span><br /> -<br /> -We are of little consequence,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Although perhaps we think</span><br /> -The world would be a barren waste,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If we perchance should sink</span><br /> -<br /> -Beneath the waves of Life’s great sea.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or on its shores be tossed.</span><br /> -But not a ripple would there be<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’en though our lives were lost.</span><br /> -<br /> -The world would e’er go on the same.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s tides would come and go;</span><br /> -Regardless of our happiness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Regardless of our woe.</span><br /> -<br /> -And yet we have our little place,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That little place is ours.</span><br /> -None other could our life work do,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor pluck for us Life’s flowers.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="WHAT_IS_MAN_THAT_THOU_ART_MINDFUL_OF_HIM">“WHAT IS MAN THAT THOU ART MINDFUL OF HIM?”</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -O man with all thy knowledge,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dost know what brought thee here?</span><br /> -Dost know the law of living?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To die is not more drear</span><br /> -Than living on uncertain<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of what the future state.</span><br /> -Is death annihilation?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is it to be our fate?</span><br /> -<br /> -O th’ myst’ry of our coming!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From what were we evolved?</span><br /> -O th’ myst’ry of our going!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will it be ever solved?</span><br /> -We’re filled with dark forebodings,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We know not what our end.</span><br /> -Is there a power that governs?<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">If so, we to it bend.</span><br /> -<br /> -Shall we e’er know the myst’ries,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The problems that we meet</span><br /> -At every stage of living;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With fear we e’er them greet.</span><br /> -What may be in the future?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The present we deplore.</span><br /> -The past hath been a failure,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With shadows e’er before.</span><br /> -<br /> -An angel heard my questions,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And sorrowed at my fears.</span><br /> -“O know that God is mindful<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of man; though it appears</span><br /> -That man is aye complaining,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not trusting to the Power</span><br /> -That gave to him existence,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And blessings on him shower.”</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="AS_A_MAN_THINKETH_SO_IS_HE">“AS A MAN THINKETH SO IS HE.”</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -So think no evil, if not evil thou wouldst be,<br /> -For as thou thinkest, so wilt thou e’en be.<br /> -If hate thou thinkest, hate will thee control.<br /> -If love thou thinkest, love will fill thy soul.<br /> -<br /> -If seeking ill, ill in thy friend thou’lt find.<br /> -If seeking good, to good thou wilt him bind.<br /> -Instead of seeking in thy friend for sin,<br /> -O turn a retrospective glance within.<br /> -<br /> -For what thou seekest thou wilt surely find,<br /> -For good, or evil is in thine own mind.<br /> -For as thou thinkest, thou wilt surely be<br /> -Then seek for good, and happier thou wilt be.<br /> -<br /> -Mayhap thy friends may evil think of thee,<br /> -Then look within, and shocked thou mayest be<br /> -At thine own faults, and then some good may’st see<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span>In friend or foe, whichever he may be.<br /> -<br /> -Before thou censurest friend, it doth behoove<br /> -Thee to correct thyself; thy ways improve.<br /> -Thou’lt find thyself no better than thy friend,<br /> -And thinking good, thy conduct will amend.<br /> -<br /> -Love’s search-light turn upon thy bitterest foe,<br /> -And thou mayst find in him such utter woe<br /> -That all thy anger mayst then turn to love,<br /> -And gentle be thy thoughts as gentlest dove.<br /> -<br /> -And thou shouldst study self with greatest care;<br /> -Though heart mayst seem most pure, some fault is there.<br /> -The faults in others, thou shouldst aye condone,<br /> -If thou art perfect, thou mayst cast a stone.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="MY_GUESTS">MY GUESTS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Cold Wisdom was a guest of mine;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But Pleasure came one day,</span><br /> -And she, with almost fiendish glee<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Drove Wisdom far away.</span><br /> -<br /> -I tried to call chill Wisdom back;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Alas! it was too late.</span><br /> -She never could an entrance gain<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With Pleasure at my gate.</span><br /> -<br /> -And so with recklessness I gave<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Myself to Pleasure’s call.</span><br /> -She led me such a merry chase,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I soon seemed past recall.</span><br /> -<br /> -Then Pleasure seemed to tire of me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And left me worn, distraught.</span><br /> -She left me for a fresher field,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">And never gave one thought</span><br /> -<br /> -To me, nor to my previous life;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She’d other things to do;</span><br /> -For she had other lives to wreck,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Had work in pastures new.</span><br /> -<br /> -For Pleasure has no conscience e’er.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She cares not who may fall</span><br /> -So long as she doth have her way,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her victims to enthrall.</span><br /> -<br /> -One need not treat her with disdain,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor drive her far away.</span><br /> -She often is a welcome guest,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If Wisdom too doth stay.</span><br /> -<br /> -Companions they may even be.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though ’tis not always wise</span><br /> -For Pleasure to take foremost rank,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though decked in royal guise.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="GOD_IS_EVERYWHERE">GOD IS EVERYWHERE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -God guides us o’er the barren wilds,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And o’er the waters still;</span><br /> -He guides us in all walks of life<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If we but do His will.</span><br /> -<br /> -Is with us in the sunshine bright,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in the falling rain;</span><br /> -And God is in the pastures green,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in the growing grain.</span><br /> -<br /> -And He is in the fragrant flower,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in the smallest weed;</span><br /> -Is in our every thought, and act,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is in our every deed.</span><br /> -<br /> -He dwells upon the mountains high,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He dwells upon the lea;</span><br /> -He made, and rules the ocean grand.<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">He dwells upon the sea.</span><br /> -<br /> -Through ignorance we oftimes sin,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">God loves us though we fall;</span><br /> -He helps us to arise again,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Does ever on us call.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis vain to mourn, ’tis vain to weep,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And we should feel, should know</span><br /> -That life is not a funeral dirge,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That life is not all woe.</span><br /> -<br /> -And we must live for others’ weal;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of evil e’er beware.</span><br /> -And we must love, and we must trust;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For God is everywhere.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="DEAD_HOPES">DEAD HOPES.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -When Love was young, and in his prime,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in deception not yet skilled,</span><br /> -I found that guile was in his heart,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’en as with saw-dust dolls were filled.</span><br /> -<br /> -Alas! Though sad the lesson was,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And with the deepest misery fraught;</span><br /> -The lesson has not been in vain,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though ’tis experience dearly bought.</span><br /> -<br /> -I had a loved, and trusted friend,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But when I found she was untrue,</span><br /> -I plucked her image from my heart;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No more for friendship will I sue.</span><br /> -<br /> -Today Love pleads to me in vain;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For nevermore shall I him trust.</span><br /> -When once deception comes to us,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dead hopes henceforth are only dust.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="BURIED_HOPES">BURIED HOPES.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I found a slight flaw in a diamond,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And now it is worthless to me;</span><br /> -Though the gem is as brilliant as ever,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Henceforth ’tis the flaw I shall see.</span><br /> -<br /> -I had a dear friend most enticing,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her life seemed so pure unto me;</span><br /> -I found a slight fault in her living,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That fault evermore I shall see.</span><br /> -<br /> -I stood by the grave of a loved one,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The world seemed so drear, and so cold;</span><br /> -No hope in my heart, and the future<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No promise of peace did unfold.</span><br /> -<br /> -I had a belief in my girlhood,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Essential it seemed unto me;</span><br /> -But now my belief seems a phantom;<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">From bigotry now I am free.</span><br /> -<br /> -Alas for the hopes of our childhood;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They blossom, then wither and die,</span><br /> -Are buried full deep in Love’s coffin;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The grave is so cold where they lie.</span><br /> -<br /> -We cherish our hopes for a moment,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A will-o’-the-wisp they oft are,</span><br /> -Dark phantoms eluding us ever,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And often our lives they will mar.</span><br /> -<br /> -I seek for the <em>truths</em>, and <em>truth</em> only.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All error henceforth I decry,</span><br /> -And hid in the grave of oblivion<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Full deep in that grave must e’er lie.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LOVES_MESSAGE">LOVE’S MESSAGE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I sent thee a message my darling,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Across the great highway of thought.</span><br /> -Transmitting my love to thy keeping;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy soul must the message have caught.</span><br /> -<br /> -Receiving it into thy being,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Absorbing my love into thine.</span><br /> -When hearts are once truly united,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The love of their souls is divine.</span><br /> -<br /> -And life is a heaven created<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By love, the great Ruler of all,</span><br /> -And love is the message He sendeth;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It lightens life’s heaviest pall.</span><br /> -<br /> -Send love to thy friend and thy neighbor.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Send love to thy bitterest foe.</span><br /> -It costs thee not even one farthing.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Love’s coin we can always bestow.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="A_FABLE">A FABLE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -A mother mouse with mien most humble<br /> -Called to her children—one and all—<br /> -Revealed to them her sins so many,<br /> -That o’er her heart hung like a pall.<br /> -<br /> -“I must my sins be expiating<br /> -Before my life draws to an end.<br /> -To convent holy, I will enter,<br /> -And my past sins will there amend.”<br /> -<br /> -“O do not seek me! Do not follow!<br /> -Where I am, seek not to know.<br /> -Take heed my children to my warning,<br /> -For it will save you pain and woe.”<br /> -<br /> -“Farewell! Farewell! I now must leave you,<br /> -Of my <em>advice</em> O pray take heed;<br /> -And do not follow my <em>example</em>,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span>To grief it surely will you lead.”<br /> -<br /> -When left alone the little mouselets<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Were very happy for a while;</span><br /> -For mice, like children, are forgetful,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They soon forgot their mother’s guile.</span><br /> -<br /> -They hopped around, all rules forgetting,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Until their hunger made them think</span><br /> -Of their dear mother, their provider,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their eyes with tears then ’gan to blink.</span><br /> -<br /> -“O let us search for our dear mother;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She may be hungry, cold, or dead.</span><br /> -O we will never give up hunting,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though we may die with her instead.”</span><br /> -<br /> -They searched for her in every corner,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In every crevice, every nook.</span><br /> -But searched in vain, they could not find her:<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">So thought no further they would look.</span><br /> -<br /> -But they a big round cheese discovered;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It long upon a shelf had lain.</span><br /> -“Forsooth we’ll take a little breakfast,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our search has not been all in vain.”</span><br /> -<br /> -All their past searching they found needless;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For snugly housed within the cheese</span><br /> -They found their poor repentant mother,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With conscience very much at ease.</span><br /> -<br /> -Forgotten was their mother’s <em>teaching</em>,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And all that she for them had borne,</span><br /> -They only thought of her <em>example</em>,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And for her sins they could but mourn.</span></p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -If you have sins my friends to mourn for,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Seek not a cheese to hide within.</span><br /> -For surely someone will be seeking,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And finding cheese, will look therein.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="DEPLORE_NOT_THE_SHADOWS_OF_LIFE">DEPLORE NOT THE SHADOWS OF LIFE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Our lives are rounded out by pain,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And though it oft doth seem</span><br /> -That we have more than we can bear,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through it we catch a gleam</span><br /> -<br /> -Of light celestial from on high;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The angels speak sweet words</span><br /> -Of hope, and peace, encouragement,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their loving care engirds</span><br /> -<br /> -Our weary, worn, and saddened hearts,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And though not understood</span><br /> -While here on earth, we know full well<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our lives, by God are viewed.</span><br /> -<br /> -E’en though in life are many clouds;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There is some sunshine too;</span><br /> -Then store the sunshine you may have<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And shadows not pursue.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LOVES_GARLAND">LOVE’S GARLAND.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -We will weave Love’s sweetest garland,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fit to deck a monarch’s brow,</span><br /> -We will hide the thorns with roses,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And before Love’s throne will bow.</span><br /> -<br /> -We will strive to make all happy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And will never duty shirk.</span><br /> -Never loiter by life’s wayside,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ne’er in heart shall malice lurk.</span><br /> -<br /> -We are sowing, ever sowing—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Soon the harvest we shall reap;</span><br /> -We are planting for the morrow.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Deeds will ripen while we sleep.</span><br /> -<br /> -We may harvest richest blessings,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or may gather thorns instead.</span><br /> -We may place Love’s choicest garland<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">On some tired and drooping head.</span><br /> -<br /> -If an unkind word we utter,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We shall make some poor heart sad.</span><br /> -If we give a cup of water,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It will make some faint heart glad.</span><br /> -<br /> -We may often light life’s pathway<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With the candle of our love,</span><br /> -And its beams will shine forever<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the heaven we make above.</span><br /> -<br /> -We may bring a ray of sunshine<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where before was darkest cloud.</span><br /> -And with flowers hide a coffin,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And may cover up the shroud.</span><br /> -<br /> -We can give a smiling welcome,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We can send out loving words;</span><br /> -E’en our tears may comfort some one<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Showing that our love engirds,</span><br /> -<br /> -And surrounds him as a garland<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Woven by Love’s tireless hands;</span><br /> -Woven from Love’s sweetest blossoms,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Love translated in all lands.</span><br /> -<br /> -We are gathering joy or sorrow<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In our every walk of life.</span><br /> -We are sowing, we are reaping,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sowing peace, we reap not strife.</span><br /> -<br /> -We may garner, we may scatter<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many blessings on life’s road.</span><br /> -We may help to carry burdens,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We may help to lift the load</span><br /> -<br /> -From our weaker brother’s shoulders<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From our weary sister’s way,</span><br /> -We may cast a ray of sunshine<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O’er some dark and stormy day.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LET_US_BUILD_ABOVE_THE_STARS">LET US BUILD ABOVE THE STARS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Let us build above the stars,<br /> -We are able to thus build,<br /> -There is nothing that debars<br /> -Us from ever doing so.<br /> -<br /> -Though foundation be the earth;<br /> -Have the corner-stone well laid;<br /> -If it grounded was at birth,<br /> -We can rest our pillars there.<br /> -<br /> -Have our plans all drawn with skill,<br /> -And have God as architect.<br /> -We must ever do His will,<br /> -And must trust Him ever, aye.<br /> -<br /> -Even though we fall to earth<br /> -With the plans that God has made.<br /> -What we’ve gained, to us is worth<br /> -All the efforts we have made.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="GHOSTS_OF_THE_ATTIC">GHOSTS OF THE ATTIC.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Memory takes me back to childhood<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To my home upon a hill;</span><br /> -I am sitting in the attic,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Memories cause my heart to thrill.</span><br /> -<br /> -Now the rain is dropping, dropping,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Softly dripping from the eaves,</span><br /> -And the wind is sighing, moaning<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A sad dirge for dying leaves.</span><br /> -<br /> -In the attic there are hanging<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Herbs of catnip, sage, and mint;</span><br /> -Filling all the air with fragrance,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While the sunbeams throw a glint</span><br /> -<br /> -Through the tiny attic windows,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then they rest upon a chest;</span><br /> -And this chest seems almost sacred,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">For beneath its lid doth rest</span><br /> -<br /> -A small package of old letters<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tied with ribbon once so blue;</span><br /> -And the love that is within them<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oft though told, is ever new.</span><br /> -<br /> -Faded now the ink, and ribbon,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And the letters yellow are;</span><br /> -But the words which there are written<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Father Time can never mar.</span><br /> -<br /> -They were written by my father,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Every word was tender, true,</span><br /> -They were love notes to my mother,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Even now when brought to view</span><br /> -(Though the ink is faded, yellow,)<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To my eyes they bring hot tears,</span><br /> -To my breast a pang of anguish.<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">They are ghosts of other years.</span><br /> -<br /> -Ghosts of love, and truth, and virtue,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But these ghosts I would not lay;</span><br /> -They are memories of my childhood,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And through life shall with me stay.</span><br /> -<br /> -O the subtle, subtle fragrance<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the herbs upon the wall;</span><br /> -They now fill my heart with sadness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And to memory they recall</span><br /> -My dear mother, my dear father,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And my childhood’s happy years;</span><br /> -And forgotten they are never—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ghosts they are which bring no fears.</span><br /> -<br /> -Now the home of my dear parents<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is the grave-yard by the sea.</span><br /> -But their love has new awakening<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the bright eternity.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="NOT_YET">NOT YET.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -What doth the future hold for us?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall we the past forget?</span><br /> -The answer came in plaintive tones:<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Sometime you may. Not yet.”</span><br /> -<br /> -When will the future be made plain?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The past hold no regret?</span><br /> -In present be not one mistake—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The answer, is “Not yet.”</span><br /> -<br /> -When will the path of life be smooth?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No pitfalls by the way,</span><br /> -No stone to bruise our weary feet,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And never shadows gray.</span><br /> -<br /> -O shall we ever understand<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Why trials should beset</span><br /> -Us in our every walk of life?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We ask in vain: “Not yet.”</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="DUTY">DUTY.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -When Duty doth call us,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unless we obey,</span><br /> -No rest doth she give us<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By night, nor by day.</span><br /> -<br /> -We cannot escape her,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She gives us no peace.</span><br /> -Till duty is done<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We have no release.</span><br /> -<br /> -We try to avoid her,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Pretend not to see</span><br /> -The road she hath taken<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O’er mountain or lea.</span><br /> -<br /> -We cannot evade her,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For by us she stands,</span><br /> -And fetters the strongest<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">She binds on our hands.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though we may not listen<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To Duty’s loud voice,</span><br /> -Obeying her mandates<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">May not be our choice;</span><br /> -<br /> -We ever are happy<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When duty is done;</span><br /> -When self is once conquered,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A victory is won.</span><br /> -<br /> -She smiles now upon us,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The demon is laid.</span><br /> -We’re glad that she conquered,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That we have obeyed.</span><br /> -<br /> -We will no more stumble,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor push her aside,</span><br /> -Triumphant is Duty,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">With us will aye bide.</span><br /> -<br /> -We now have acknowledged<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her right to control</span><br /> -Each thought, and each action;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yea—even our soul.</span><br /> -<br /> -We give up the battle,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Proclaim our defeat,</span><br /> -Now Duty triumphant<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Doth sweetly us greet.</span><br /> -<br /> -We haul down our banner,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Put Duty on throne,</span><br /> -Though we were once traitors,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We now will atone</span><br /> -<br /> -For all our past errors,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And sit at her feet,</span><br /> -With joy do her bidding,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each duty will meet.</span><br /> -<br /> -The battle is ended,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And now we are free</span><br /> -From selfish indulgence,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And happy are we.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LIFES_PLAN">LIFE’S PLAN.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -The plan of my life is marked out,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is traced with most infinite skill.</span><br /> -Through ignorance the plan may be changed,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And of good, I may often make ill.</span><br /> -<br /> -Not arbiter, I, of my life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet I must forever beware—</span><br /> -For every mistake that I make<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will add to my trouble and care.</span><br /> -<br /> -I builded the best that I knew,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And no one I’m sure could do more.</span><br /> -The Architect God drew the plans,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I knew not the tracings they bore.</span><br /> -<br /> -So, blindly, I work from the plans;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In future, they all will unfold,</span><br /> -God means that sometime I shall know;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And will not the plans e’er withhold.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="BROTHERHOOD_OF_MAN">BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -We are the children of one God.—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This truth I’ll not deny.</span><br /> -But <em>you</em> stand clad in fine array,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Have houses grand, while <em>I</em></span><br /> -Must toil in grime from morn till night,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And oft am hungry, cold,</span><br /> -My loved ones living in a hut,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All for the want of gold.</span><br /> -<br /> -<em>You</em> know not what it is to work;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><em>Your</em> measure is complete;</span><br /> -Aye running over; pressed hard down;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While I toil on in heat,</span><br /> -In cold, in wind, in rain, and snow,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With aching back and feet;</span><br /> -With pittance small, and that begrudged.—<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">You scorn me when we meet.</span><br /> -<br /> -You prate of “Brotherhood of Man,”<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But will you hold the plough?</span><br /> -Or till the soil, or plant the grain,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or stack the hay in mow?</span><br /> -I see you smile my <em>brother</em> (?) man;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><em>You</em> are of higher birth.</span><br /> -<em>You</em> fix your eyes upon the stars,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While <em>mine</em> belong to earth.</span><br /> -<br /> -<em>Your</em> children must to college go,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But <em>mine</em> must learn to work,</span><br /> -Must learn to wait on <em>you</em> and <em>yours</em>,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And never duty shirk.</span><br /> -Yet, brothers we, in very sooth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Are children of one God;</span><br /> -And though you claim a higher birth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We’re leveled ’neath the sod.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="MAN_DEFYING_THE_DYING_SUN">MAN DEFYING THE DYING SUN.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Farewell, farewell, O dying Sun!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy glorious race is almost run.</span><br /> -But I acknowledge this to thee<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That thou hast fought most valiantly.</span><br /> -Wast ever foremost in the fight,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No rest for thee by day, nor night.</span><br /> -I too have fought most manfully,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And stand erect, defying thee.</span><br /> -<br /> -I’ve fought the fight, have gained the day,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I shall live on forever, aye.—</span><br /> -Farewell then Sun, for <em>thou</em> must die;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While <em>I</em> have gained eternity.</span><br /> -When thou art dead and cold, O Sun,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou’lt be a crownless king laid low.</span><br /> -No pity shall I have for thee,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">O thou my conquered, fallen foe.</span><br /> -<br /> -Thou seem’st to laugh exultantly—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou shalt be humbled, haughty Sun;</span><br /> -He laughs the best, who laughs the last,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For now thy race is nearly run.</span><br /> -I stand alone defying thee<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">One moment, then, I too shall die.</span><br /> -But I have gained the victory;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I nevermore to thee shall cry.</span><br /> -<br /> -Thou standest in thy majesty,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou standest in thy glorious might.</span><br /> -With scorn thou viewest dying man<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From out thy wondrous, wondrous height</span><br /> -Thou lookest down on me, O Sun,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And dost contempt upon me cast.</span><br /> -But thou art slowly dying, Sun,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy greatness is but of the past.</span><br /> -<br /> -I stand alone upon the earth—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No living thing can I now see;</span><br /> -But I shall witness thy defeat;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A fallen king thou soon wilt be.</span><br /> -One moment I shall stand erect;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A sovereign of the earth, and space;</span><br /> -Then die as thou hast died, O Sun,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The last of all my dying race.</span><br /> -<br /> -The last of all humanity—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I’ve struggled hard to win the race;</span><br /> -Have conquered too, for now I stand<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Alone on earth, grim death to face.</span><br /> -The earth is mine, I’ve conquered thee—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">One moment witness thy defeat,</span><br /> -Then falling to the earth, now king;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A dead, cold Sun, I proudly greet.</span> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -The earth is cold; (all life is gone,—)<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And little now it holds for me.</span><br /> -I miss thy warmth, I miss thy light,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Although I stand exultantly.—</span><br /> -Thou never canst atone, O Sun,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For all the misery thou hast wrought—</span><br /> -’Tis evermore on earth, dark night;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though I have life, ’tis dearly bought.</span><br /> -<br /> -Farewell! Farewell! defeated Sun!<br /> -Thou now art dead; thy race is run.—<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="IF_THERE_IS_NO_HEREAFTER">IF THERE IS NO HEREAFTER.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -If soul has no hereafter,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What is the unknown bond</span><br /> -That bindeth soul to matter,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And what is the beyond?</span><br /> -<br /> -What is the power that buildeth?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What is the mind that wills?</span><br /> -What is the power within us<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That all our being thrills?</span><br /> -<br /> -If there is no hereafter<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What use to us was birth?</span><br /> -We’re naught but vegetation<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Encumbering the earth.</span><br /> -<br /> -If knowledge had been given<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of th’ power that brought us here—</span><br /> -The law of living, dying.—<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of death we’d have no fear.</span><br /> -<br /> -We’d start on our new journey,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And would not death regret.</span><br /> -These questions are deep problems<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Which sometime must be met.</span><br /> -<br /> -This life would be a failure<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If naught there was beyond;</span><br /> -No tie twixt soul and matter,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No everlasting bond.</span> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -O Thou Almighty Father!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Canst be that soul must die?</span><br /> -O listen to my pleading,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O Father hear my cry!</span><br /> -<br /> -O tell me what is dying?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I would by Thee be taught.—</span><br /> -Give me the glimpse of heaven<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Which I so long have sought.—</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LOVES_SONG">LOVE’S SONG.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -What sounds the deepest notes of life?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is it bright sunshine, aye?</span><br /> -Some wish that we have had fulfilled,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or pleasure in our way.</span><br /> -<br /> -Are we the happiest when some note<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of praise rings through the air?</span><br /> -Or when proud Fame entices us,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then leaves us to despair.</span><br /> -<br /> -When people list with bated breath<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To hear the words we speak,</span><br /> -And words of admiration give,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And joyously us seek?</span><br /> -<br /> -Ah no! The deepest note is struck<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When we with others weep;</span><br /> -When we have sympathy for those<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who are in trouble deep.</span><br /> -<br /> -It is afflictions we must bear,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mistake that we have made,</span><br /> -That strikes the deepest chords of life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And ne’er from mem’ry fade.</span><br /> -<br /> -The loss of those who were a part<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of every joy, and grief.</span><br /> -The shadowy thoughts within our souls<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That is of life the chief.</span><br /> -<br /> -To feel, to know, there is a world<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where we shall meet again</span><br /> -The loved ones who have gone beyond;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But not beyond our ken—</span></p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -Now all the past forgotten is,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And notes of joy will ring</span><br /> -Throughout the blest eternity,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For we Love’s song now sing.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="FORGIVE">FORGIVE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Forgive me dear, I did not know<br /> -That words of mine wouldst cause thee woe.<br /> -I love thee all too well to bring<br /> -To thy dear heart the smallest sting.<br /> -Thy life is all too sweet and pure<br /> -To ever grief or pain endure.<br /> -<br /> -And evermore I’ll guard my speech,<br /> -E’ermore my careless tongue I’ll teach<br /> -To speak but loving words to thee,<br /> -From caustic speech I will be free.<br /> -The past is past. Wilt thou forget<br /> -The words I spake when first we met?<br /> -<br /> -The thoughtless words that I then spake<br /> -Will ever in my heart awake<br /> -Remorse, and sorrow, deepest pain.—<br /> -O must I plead to thee in vain?<br /> -E’er more I’ll speak but love words, dear,<br /> -For only love-words shouldst thou hear.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="FORGET">FORGET.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Forget the past, ’tis dead and gone.—<br /> -When book is read, no further con<br /> -The pages old; unless therein<br /> -There’s something that will ever win<br /> -A throb of joy within thy heart,<br /> -And of thy life seem e’en a part.<br /> -<br /> -The sacred present we will hold.<br /> -The future to us will unfold.<br /> -The dead, dead past shall be entombed;<br /> -Forget it dear, for it is doomed<br /> -To mould in grave, to dust return,<br /> -All record of that past we’ll burn.<br /> -<br /> -Begin the “Book of Life” anew;<br /> -This book we’ll not with tears bedew.<br /> -In it we’ll have but love, and peace,<br /> -All bitterness of past must cease.<br /> -The present, and the future be<br /> -Love’s sweetest song, and symphony.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="YESTERDAYS">YESTERDAYS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -For all the buried yesterdays<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I have not one regret;</span><br /> -I love them not, I mourn them not,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I would them all forget.</span><br /> -<br /> -Of all the dead, dead yesterdays<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Which were so dearly bought,</span><br /> -I care not to remember one,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They were with misery fraught,</span><br /> -They held no joy, they held no peace,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each day had some deep pain;</span><br /> -So I would never call them back;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each day seemed lived in vain.</span><br /> -<br /> -Today I live, today I love,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The yesterdays are dead.</span><br /> -I wot not of the passing days<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though by them I am led.</span><br /> -Today is mine with all it holds,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I’ll do the best I know.</span><br /> -The future is a closed up book,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And may be filled with woe.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="TOMORROW">TOMORROW.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -O the sweet happy thoughts of tomorrow.—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No shadowy clouds in Life’s sky,</span><br /> -No tears in our eyes, and no mourning,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No trouble in pathway doth lie.</span><br /> -<br /> -Today may be filled with dark shadows,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tomorrow they all clear away.</span><br /> -For Hope is the goddess that guides us,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tomorrow she with us will stay.</span><br /> -<br /> -Tomorrow may not be as happy<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As Hope bids us look for, today.</span><br /> -But if we’ve reached out for Life’s gladness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s gladness will come in our way.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis better to seek the bright sunshine;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The rainbow comes after the clouds,</span><br /> -And sweeter is life after storm-clouds,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For vanished the gloom that enshrouds.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="CONSOLATION">CONSOLATION.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -To my soul a voice hath spoken,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hath spoken thus to me.</span><br /> -O earth-child be not discouraged,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For God doth pity thee.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though thy way be filled with shadows,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And Life’s sun obscured by clouds;</span><br /> -Though Life’s road seems leading downward,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And deep darkness all enshrouds;</span><br /> -<br /> -There is light for thee, and gladness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And sweet Peace will thee enfold.</span><br /> -In the evening, in the gloaming<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Joy unbounded will thee hold.</span><br /> -<br /> -Never more will desolation<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In thy heart find resting place,</span><br /> -If with Love thou meetest troubles,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And with him thou keepest pace.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_DEAD_SUMMER">THE DEAD SUMMER.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -In the forest, in the autumn,<br /> -’Neath the oaks, and ’neath the beeches,<br /> -Are the dead and dying children<br /> -Of the mother trees.<br /> -<br /> -And the trees are sighing, moaning,<br /> -And the clouds are weeping, weeping<br /> -Tears of sorrow for the summer<br /> -That is dead, and gone.<br /> -<br /> -E’en the sun his face has hidden<br /> -By a veil of clouds and shadows,<br /> -All the earth seems grieved and troubled<br /> -At the summer’s death.<br /> -<br /> -But the earth has a new carpet,<br /> -Gorgeous with its brilliant colors.<br /> -For the autumn leaves have covered<br /> -And hid the sodden ground.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THERE_IS_A_RIFT_IN_THE_CLOUDS">THERE IS A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Though life may be gloomy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And dark be thy way,</span><br /> -No light in thy pathway,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not even one ray.</span><br /> -Look up to the heavens;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There’s a rift in the clouds.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though life may be warfare,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy heart have no peace,</span><br /> -Fear not, thou wilt conquer,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy heart have surcease.</span><br /> -Look upward, not downward,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There’s a rift in the clouds.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though friends may prove faithless,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And false unto thee;</span><br /> -There may be a reason<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That thou dost not see.</span><br /> -Have charity always,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">And see rift in the clouds.</span><br /> -<br /> -Thy days may be cloudy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy sun be obscured,</span><br /> -To thee may come evil,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It can be endured.</span><br /> -There’s a rift in the clouds.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Soon the sun will peep through.</span><br /> -<br /> -Give comfort to some one<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who comes in thy way.</span><br /> -O be not despondent,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Be cheerful alway.</span><br /> -Look up and be happy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">See the rift in the clouds.</span><br /> -<br /> -May the rift in the clouds<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O’erspread all thy sky,</span><br /> -And all birds of ill omen<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Away from thee fly.</span><br /> -Seek ever life’s sunshine,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And the rift in life’s clouds.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="TO_A_COMET">TO A COMET.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -O thou uncanny, fearful thing!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A flaming sword art thou;</span><br /> -Thou may’st be sent by demon’s hand<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Among the stars to plough.</span><br /> -<br /> -Thou’st travelled on for many years,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And still must travel on.</span><br /> -Thy master’s bidding thou must do<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Until the victory’s won.</span><br /> -<br /> -Sometime perhaps thy anger fierce<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No more will burn in wrath.</span><br /> -Thou’lt gently fall upon the earth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Leave blessings in thy path.</span><br /> -<br /> -Thou art a mystery now to us,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy life may be <em>divine</em>—</span><br /> -Although it seems that demons black<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hath part in life like thine.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LOVES_DART">LOVE’S DART.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -My heart is filled with joy today;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There’s peace within my soul.</span><br /> -My cup is running o’er with bliss,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There’s love in pleasure’s bowl.</span><br /> -<br /> -I will not think of aught that’s sad;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I’ll happy be today.</span><br /> -Tomorrow may bring pain and grief,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But love will each allay.</span><br /> -<br /> -Life’s bowl is filled with happiness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There’s naught that I regret.</span><br /> -It is so full of love and joy<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I would not it forget.</span><br /> -<br /> -The god of love peeped in at morn,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From bow, he sent a dart,</span><br /> -In aim he was so accurate<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It lodged within my heart.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="WEEDS">WEEDS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -A weed was in my garden growing;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I nurtured it with tender care,</span><br /> -It grew to be a flower of beauty<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With col’ring rich and fragrance rare.</span><br /> -<br /> -It only needed love, and culture<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To bring out beauty from its heart;</span><br /> -It ever had been timid, shrinking,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But now it proudly took a part</span><br /> -<br /> -With other flowers whose birth was higher.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though coming up from out the sod</span><br /> -It gave to all sweet ministration,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It was a thought, a part of God.</span><br /> -<br /> -Now if a little weed so humble,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A higher place in life could gain</span><br /> -By care, and love, and sweet attention,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Why not a human weed attain</span><br /> -<br /> -Conditions better, and by struggling,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Arise from out its low estate?</span><br /> -But <em>it</em> needs help and cultivation<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To rise above its seeming fate.</span><br /> -<br /> -It needs but pruning, needs but watching.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From human weed ’twill rise to be</span><br /> -A flower of love, with soul of beauty;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It needs though, <em>love</em> and <em>sympathy</em>.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though but a weed in Life’s bright garden,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is not crushed by th’ heel of Fate.</span><br /> -It only needs a new awakening<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To enter Life’s bright golden gate.</span><br /> -<br /> -Then give at least as much attention<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To human weed as garden flower,</span><br /> -And thus you will enrich creation,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And God will blessings on you shower.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_BLIND_BEGGARS_APPEAL">THE BLIND BEGGAR’S APPEAL.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Just close your eyes and try to walk<br /> -Along the crowded thoroughfare;<br /> -And ask each passer-by for help,<br /> -Then know the insults I must bear.<br /> -<br /> -I’m hungry, homeless, cold and sick.<br /> -I’ve groped around the livelong day;<br /> -No pitying word have I once heard,<br /> -No one has stopped me on my way<br /> -<br /> -A little pittance to dole out<br /> -To me, who as a little child<br /> -Had mother love, and father’s care,<br /> -Enough to eat, enough to wear.<br /> -<br /> -O God have pity! And now take<br /> -The poor blind beggar who does crave<br /> -Some resting place upon the earth;<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span>E’en though that place should be the grave.<br /> -<br /> -I seek some shelter from the cold;<br /> -Some place to lay my weary head.—<br /> -Some day I shall have covering warm,<br /> -But that will be when I am dead.<br /> -<br /> -Sometime sweet flowers will cover me,<br /> -The grass grow green upon my grave.<br /> -My weary body will have rest,<br /> -My soul return to God who gave<br /> -<br /> -The poor blind beggar rest at last,<br /> -A place to rest beneath the sod,<br /> -A covering of sweet flowers and grass.—<br /> -So patiently I’ll kiss the rod<br /> -<br /> -Though it may scourge my body weak,<br /> -Though I be hungry, blind and poor,<br /> -I’ll bear my burdens patiently,<br /> -And thank my God that I them bore.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_THREADS_OF_LIFE">THE THREADS OF LIFE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I count my age by what I’ve done<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And not by months, and years.</span><br /> -I count from smiles, and happiness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And not from pain, and tears.</span><br /> -<br /> -By these I’ve lived an hundred years,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">May live an hundred more.</span><br /> -I’ll count the sunbeams in my life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The clouds I will ignore.</span><br /> -<br /> -I’ll count the good that I have done.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Alas! That will not do.</span><br /> -If by that standard I should count,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My years would be too few.</span><br /> -<br /> -Turn back O wheel of Time I pray—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Another chance I crave.</span><br /> -I would more worthy be of life,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">More worthy of the grave.</span><br /> -<br /> -But I have failed through thoughtlessness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through ignorance also;</span><br /> -But thoughtlessness and ignorance<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Excuse me not, I know.</span><br /> -<br /> -I must pick up the threads of life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And weave them o’er again,</span><br /> -For every stitch I’ve dropped in past,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Has left on soul a stain.</span><br /> -<br /> -Life’s shuttle I must hold with care,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s web must perfect be.</span><br /> -I weave not for this world alone,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But for eternity.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="MEMORYS_BOOK">MEMORY’S BOOK.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I ope the book at mother’s side,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And turn the leaves so pure.</span><br /> -I read the pages with delight;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their innocence allure.</span><br /> -<br /> -I turn the leaves with greatest care,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I find there naught of pain;</span><br /> -’Tis happy childhood’s joyous days,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And were not lived in vain.</span><br /> -<br /> -I turn another leaf, and find<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Some things I would forget;</span><br /> -Some selfish thought, some unkind act,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And much that I regret.</span><br /> -<br /> -Again I turn a leaf, and there<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I see inscribed thereon,</span><br /> -Mistakes, and errors, selfishness,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet many victories won.</span><br /> -<br /> -Full many times I conquered self,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And overcame much ill.</span><br /> -These memories are the dearest ones,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And linger with me still.</span><br /> -<br /> -One memory sweet has its own place,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Has its own sacred nest.</span><br /> -’Tis buried deep within my heart,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And rests there—let it rest.</span><br /> -<br /> -O childhood days come back again!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When at my mother’s knee</span><br /> -I learned the songs my mother sang,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In our cottage by the sea.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="DO_NOT_BORROW_TROUBLE">DO NOT BORROW TROUBLE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Do not ever trouble borrow;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">You’ll find enough of it at home;</span><br /> -Find enough for self, and neighbor,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">You will for it not have to roam.</span><br /> -<br /> -Go not forth to meet sad Trouble,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For she with tears will e’er you greet.</span><br /> -But if given a cold greeting,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She will acknowledge her defeat.</span><br /> -<br /> -Do not cross life’s troubled waters<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While you are yet upon the land.</span><br /> -Do not feel that you are sinking<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beneath life’s drifting, shifting sand.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though your life may seem a desert,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of scorching winds, and burning sand;</span><br /> -You may find some green oasis,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Some beauty in a desert land.</span><br /> -<br /> -Trouble is a turbid river.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On it you need not launch life’s boat.</span><br /> -Life has rivers calm and peaceful,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And placid streams on which to float.</span><br /> -<br /> -You may never cross the river,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On troubled sea may not be tossed.</span><br /> -Though life’s bridge be weak and swaying,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By you, the bridge need not be crossed.</span><br /> -<br /> -Do not think that you must carry<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The burdens of life’s yesterday.</span><br /> -Do not look for grief tomorrow,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With courage live your life today.</span><br /> -<br /> -You must rise above all trouble,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And keep it ever from your view;</span><br /> -It can ever then be vanquished,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And you can bid it glad adieu.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="GIVE_SMILES_NOT_TEARS">GIVE SMILES, NOT TEARS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Give to the world your happy thoughts,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Too many give but tears.</span><br /> -A word, a thought, a deed full oft<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Makes some heart sad, or cheers</span><br /> -Some lonely, weary, world sick soul,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who now will drop his cares,</span><br /> -And even smile at his defeats,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And disappointment bears.</span><br /> -<br /> -For in his heart is now a hope,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A hope for better things.</span><br /> -The world is now not half so sad,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And joy it even brings.</span><br /> -If you are sad, hide grief beneath<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A happy smiling face.</span><br /> -No one is better for your tears,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor stronger for Life’s race.</span><br /> -<br /> -Then bury grief within your heart,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And dig its grave full deep;</span><br /> -And cover it with flowers of Hope,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And do not o’er it weep.</span><br /> -Too many keep their sorrows fresh<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By tears too often shed.</span><br /> -Look up! Look out! Your sorrows hide,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And rest in Hope’s own bed.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="FAREWELL_TO_THE_DYING_YEAR">FAREWELL TO THE DYING YEAR.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Farewell! farewell! thou dying year;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For thee we will not mourn,</span><br /> -But bury thee in grave of past,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In garments worn, and torn.</span><br /> -<br /> -And yet, thou hast not been unkind,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou’st giv’n more smiles than tears;</span><br /> -Hast giv’n us health, e’en though not wealth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bright hopes of coming years.</span><br /> -<br /> -So we should bury thee with pomp,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Take off thy garments torn,</span><br /> -And give to thee more fitting shroud<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than that which thou hast worn.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though we give tribute to thee new;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We’ll still remember thee.</span><br /> -We know thou didst the best thou couldst<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">While struggling to be free.</span><br /> -<br /> -Free from the chains that bound thee down,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And though we shed no tear</span><br /> -At thy demise, we feel that thou<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hast given us some good cheer.</span><br /> -<br /> -The blare of trumpets at thy death<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shouldst sorrow to us bring,</span><br /> -For thou canst never be recalled.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A dirge, we should then sing,</span><br /> -<br /> -For opportunities we’ve lost.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our chance comes not again</span><br /> -To do the things we should have done.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">How sad the words, “It might have been.”</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_BOOK_OF_GIFTS">THE BOOK OF GIFTS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -An angel came to me one day<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With “Book of Gifts” in hand,</span><br /> -And offered any one therein<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That I should then demand.</span><br /> -<br /> -With pride he pointed out to me<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each gift, and urged that I</span><br /> -Would take from them the choicest one.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For in his power did lie</span><br /> -The giving out of life’s rich stores.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This single time had man</span><br /> -Been given the choice of worldly gifts<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Since life on earth began.</span><br /> -<br /> -I had the choice of all life’s gifts,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fame, honor, untold wealth.</span><br /> -I chose not one he offered me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But begged for <em>love</em> and <em>health</em>.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="UNKIND_WORDS">UNKIND WORDS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -If we could know the sorrow<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That unkind words aye give;</span><br /> -We never would them utter;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For unkind words will live</span><br /> -Long after we’ve forgotten<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That we the words once spake,</span><br /> -And that a harsh word spoken<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Some weary heart may break.</span><br /> -<br /> -When once a word has started<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Upon its journey long;</span><br /> -It travels on forever.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And mingles with the throng</span><br /> -Of other words of censure;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">More bitter grows each day,</span><br /> -And though perhaps forgiven<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It sometime love will slay.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="SEEK_FOR_THE_GOOD_IN_LIFE">SEEK FOR THE GOOD IN LIFE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -In our lives there’s much of gladness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Also much that is sad,</span><br /> -Much in life without a blemish,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Many things that may be bad.</span><br /> -<br /> -But, we should ignore all evil;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There is ever much of good.</span><br /> -We shall find what e’er we look for,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then o’er evil do not brood.</span><br /> -<br /> -Grasp the good when e’er you find it.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Good is not for but the few;</span><br /> -If too much to you is given,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Some one else can share with you.</span><br /> -<br /> -There is sunshine, there is shadow,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Clouds must come before the rain;</span><br /> -After storm clouds, comes the rainbow,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oft from grief, we peace attain.</span><br /> -<br /> -Some one else must share our troubles;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They should share our pleasures too;</span><br /> -For life’s flowers are ever brightest<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When Love’s tears the flowers bedew.</span><br /> -<br /> -Be ye never then disheartened,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There is beauty everywhere.</span><br /> -There are fragrant flowers growing<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the garden of Despair.</span><br /> -<br /> -Let us then be not discouraged,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Soon life’s storms will clear away.</span><br /> -Though our griefs seem overwhelming,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brighter soon will be life’s day.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though life’s sun his face has hidden,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And black clouds obscure our view,</span><br /> -All the flowers take on new beauty,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">After rain, and after dew.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LOVES_CROWN">LOVE’S CROWN.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -The tasks that have been set for me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Are almost done; are almost done.</span><br /> -I’ve labored hard, and faithfully,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But now life’s race is nearly run.</span><br /> -<br /> -I’m weary, and I’m sore distressed,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My burdens all too heavy are.</span><br /> -In vain I try to lay them down;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I’ve brought them all too far, too far.</span><br /> -<br /> -I’ll try to lay them down at eve,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And from my labors try to rest.</span><br /> -Though I begin another day,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tonight I’ll rest, tonight I’ll rest.</span><br /> -<br /> -Tomorrow at the break of day,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Again I take them up with grief,</span><br /> -And through another day I work;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For me, there never comes relief.</span> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -Complaints will never do my work,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor fit me for life’s weary day.</span><br /> -With courage then I’ll do my tasks,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And all life’s laws try to obey.</span><br /> -<br /> -I’ll bear my cross whatever it is,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No one shall bear a cross for me;</span><br /> -And though I bend beneath life’s load,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From selfishness I will be free.</span><br /> -<br /> -There is a time not distant far,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When I can lay life’s burdens down.</span><br /> -So many crosses I have borne,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At last I hope to win Love’s crown.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="MY_SOULS_DESIRE_AND_DESTINY">MY SOUL’S DESIRE AND DESTINY</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I’ve travelled down through centuries.<br /> -Have never known one moment’s rest.<br /> -Have passed through every phase of life.<br /> -Is this, O Father, Thy behest?<br /> -<br /> -I’ve battled with conditions that<br /> -Oftimes seemed much too hard to bear,<br /> -Would then give up, and seem to sink<br /> -Into the maelstrom of Despair.<br /> -<br /> -Again would take Life’s burdens up<br /> -Without a knowledge of my past.<br /> -Experience was of little use<br /> -In seething whirlpool it seemed cast.<br /> -<br /> -The same temptations come to us;<br /> -As fiends, they ever us pursue.<br /> -The consequences are the same.<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span>We’ve brought down retribution too.<br /> -<br /> -I still desire to live, to do—<br /> -I am not ready yet to change<br /> -My form, my thoughts, my puny life;<br /> -E’en though I gain a wider range.<br /> -<br /> -Absorbed though I may be in Love,<br /> -And e’en a part of Deity,<br /> -I still am human in <em>desire</em>,<br /> -And human still, I wish to be.</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -Soul’s Destiny I now take up.—<br /> -Where shall I go? What shall I be?<br /> -Shall I aye travel on, and on?<br /> -Or be a part of Deity.<br /> -<br /> -Will memories of the past be mine?<br /> -And will a panoramic view<br /> -Before mine eyes be ever cast?<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span>If so, that past I can but rue.<br /> -<br /> -Absorbed in God, I lose myself.<br /> -I am no part of my <em>own</em> life.<br /> -Though one with God, and part of Him,<br /> -My soul will still keep up its strife<br /> -<br /> -To be <em>itself</em>, apart, though with<br /> -The Maker, Ruler of my soul.<br /> -The <em>Soul’s Desire</em> is not yet dead,<br /> -E’en though bright heaven is its goal.<br /> -<br /> -Though I may carry “Karma” on,<br /> -Improve upon it ever, aye;<br /> -Could I not do the same, and yet<br /> -Not on this weary earth e’er stay?<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="INCARNATION">INCARNATION.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Though part and parcel of the past<br /> -The future is an unknown book—<br /> -Though writing for eternity,<br /> -I dare not on its pages look.<br /> -<br /> -My past is dead, and buried too.<br /> -In grave of Hope it lies full deep;<br /> -It resurrected ne’er shall be,<br /> -It is a nightmare of my sleep.<br /> -<br /> -Will life’s fair morning never come?<br /> -I wait for it impatiently.<br /> -And Death’s long sleep I fain would break<br /> -With all its gruesome mystery.<br /> -<br /> -I pray to go forever on,<br /> -Retracing ne’er earth’s steps again.<br /> -Incarnate <em>once</em>, and <em>only</em> once,<br /> -I would not live on earth again.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="REINCARNATION">REINCARNATION.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I feel that I have lived before,<br /> -That I shall live again.<br /> -Shall yet have my desires fulfilled,<br /> -Although I know not when.<br /> -<br /> -If <em>now</em> is all there is of life,<br /> -What use to me was birth?<br /> -Not one desire has been fulfilled,<br /> -Since first I came to earth.<br /> -<br /> -There is a realm not yet explored,<br /> -I feel it in my soul,<br /> -I’ll struggle on (though oft I fail)<br /> -To reach that blissful goal.<br /> -<br /> -Full oft I catch a glimpse of past.<br /> -Old mem’ries round me throng.<br /> -The mem’ries of a long gone past.—<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span>Again I hear a song<br /> -<br /> -That I once heard in previous life,<br /> -And it to me doth seem<br /> -As though an angel sang the song;<br /> -My life his chosen theme.<br /> -<br /> -The notes seem now so strange and weird.<br /> -I’ve heard them though, before;<br /> -In former life the music sweet<br /> -Came from celestial shore.<br /> -<br /> -A vague, vague dream of other lives<br /> -Doth often with me stay;<br /> -But when I try to hold the dream,<br /> -It vanishes straightway.<br /> -<br /> -My present life is incomplete.<br /> -A fragment is of past.<br /> -I shall take up the threads again,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span>And in Life’s loom them cast.<br /> -<br /> -The “Great First Cause” has charge of<br /> -The lives that have been mine.<br /> -The web that’s woven on Life’s loom<br /> -In time becomes divine.<br /> -<br /> -Absorbed in God I soon shall be.<br /> -E’en now I feel Love’s kiss.<br /> -Life’s struggles soon will ended be<br /> -In everlasting bliss.<br /> -<br /> -What was my life in that dim past?<br /> -It matters not to me.<br /> -My Karma of the past will be<br /> -Absorbed in Deity.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LIFES_BURDEN">LIFE’S BURDEN.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Each one hath some burden to carry,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each one hath some sorrow or woe.</span><br /> -But hearts that are cheerful, and willing,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Can every trouble o’erthrow.</span><br /> -<br /> -We will not complain, but have courage<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To bear every cross, and all pain;</span><br /> -For burdens when carried with patience<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Are blessings which we may attain.</span><br /> -<br /> -Our hopes may be bright in the morning,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But fade, as the day grows apace;</span><br /> -Though clouds may obscure all Life’s evening,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With patience these clouds we must face.</span><br /> -<br /> -Behind every cloud is some sunshine,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Behind every grief is some mirth.</span><br /> -Behind every tear there is laughter,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though tears came first at our birth.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="TO_MOUNT_SIERRA">TO MOUNT SIERRA.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Thou grand old granite mountain<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Canst tell me what thy age?</span><br /> -What secrets art thou holding<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Within thy heart O sage.</span><br /> -<br /> -Couldst man find out by delving<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Deep in thy stony breast,</span><br /> -How long thou hast been rearing<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On high, thy hoary crest.</span><br /> -<br /> -Hadst thou e’er a beginning?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wilt thou in death e’er fall?</span><br /> -Canst thou these questions answer?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On thee I humbly call.</span><br /> -<br /> -Is life, within thy bosom?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or art thou cold and dead?</span><br /> -Thou standest in thy myst’ry<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">No tears of misery shed.</span><br /> -<br /> -Thy heart, thy life is granite,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou carest not for woe.</span><br /> -If tear thou ever sheddest<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It turns to ice and snow.</span><br /> -<br /> -But why seek I thy secrets,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou haughty mountain king?</span><br /> -Thou wilt not give me answer,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No knowledge to me bring.—</span> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -The wind doth give me answer<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That thou wast born of fire.</span><br /> -Thou claimest Earth as mother,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Jehovah is thy sire.</span><br /> -<br /> -Farewell O Mount Sierra!<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I leave thee to thy rest.</span><br /> -But, man will wrench thy secrets<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In future from thy breast.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="OFT_POISONED_IS_THE_WINE_OF_LIFE">OFT POISONED IS THE WINE OF LIFE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Socrates drank of the hemlock;—<br /> -Others drink of poisons deadly.—<br /> -Poison as a draught of hemlock<br /> -Will unrequited love aye be.<br /> -<br /> -And ingratitude of loved ones<br /> -Sharper than a serpent’s tooth is,<br /> -And misunderstandings cruel<br /> -That ever meet us on Life’s way.<br /> -<br /> -Often we are greeted coldly,<br /> -By the ones who should be friendly.<br /> -We may fall, and we may falter.<br /> -Life’s battles we may never win.<br /> -<br /> -Others soon will take our places.<br /> -Take the love, and take the friendship,<br /> -Which was ours by laws most holy,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span>And love is now but in the name.<br /> -<br /> -Hemlock would not be as poisonous,<br /> -Nor would be so hard its taking.<br /> -As cold words of bitter taunting<br /> -From trusted friends whom we have loved.<br /> -<br /> -Faithless friends may give a chalice,<br /> -Filled with poison just as deadly,<br /> -As the hemlock which was drunken<br /> -By Socrates in that long past.<br /> -<br /> -Every day we meet deception<br /> -From some one we loved, and trusted.<br /> -Poison may be in each vessel<br /> -From which we drink the wine of Life.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_GAME_OF_LIFE">THE GAME OF LIFE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Would we turn back the wheel of Time,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And live this life all o’er?</span><br /> -Take up the threads of life anew,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And weave them as before?</span><br /> -<br /> -Methinks I hear you say “Ah no!”<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s fabric is worn out.</span><br /> -The colors too, have lost their hue.—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I would not turn about</span><br /> -<br /> -And live my life all o’er again,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unless I could improve</span><br /> -Upon the game of Life I’ve played;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">More skillfully could move.</span><br /> -<br /> -For I have oft made dire mistakes,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Made errors in Life’s deal,</span><br /> -And could I change the game, would it<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Add something to my weal?</span><br /> -<br /> -I never learned Life’s game quite right;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mistakes I ever made,</span><br /> -And if I gained a single point,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My ignorance next outweighed</span><br /> -<br /> -All I had gained in former move.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I ever lost in game.</span><br /> -It seems I ever lacked in skill,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If so, I’m not to blame.</span><br /> -<br /> -And now the game I must give up,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But I will not despair.</span><br /> -I will begin all o’er again—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Defeat I cannot bear.</span><br /> -<br /> -But it will not be on this earth;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For here I’m done with life.</span><br /> -I’ve played Life’s game, and ever lost,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To live is naught but strife.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_OLD_OLD_STORY">“THE OLD, OLD STORY.”</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Come into the garden sweet Lilith<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When the clock in the tower strikes nine.</span><br /> -When the moon by the hill tops is hidden,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For thine eyes e’er the moonbeams outshine.</span><br /> -<br /> -Come into the garden my loved one,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While the nightingales sing in the trees.</span><br /> -All th’ air is filled with the fragrance<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That the flowers send forth to the breeze.</span><br /> -<br /> -Come into the garden and meet me<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beneath the old oak on the lawn.</span><br /> -To thee I will tell the same story<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That was told at the world’s first dawn.</span><br /> -<br /> -Come into the garden sweet Lilith,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To thee, I’d anew my vows plight.</span><br /> -Again I would speak to thee love words,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Again by the moon’s waning light.</span><br /> -<br /> -Come into the garden my Lilith,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The meadow lark chants his love song.</span><br /> -E’en the trees are whispering sweet love notes,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For they to each other belong.</span><br /> -<br /> -Come into the garden sweet Lilith,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where the fire-flies seem dancing around.</span><br /> -They are plighting their love to each other,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their love smiles light up all the ground.</span><br /> -<br /> -Come into the garden sweet Lilith,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O listen, sweetheart, to my plea.</span><br /> -The trees, and the birds, and the fire-flies<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tell their love; then <em>why</em> should not we?</span><br /> -<br /> -My heart is with love overflowing,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I would clasp thee in Love’s close embrace.</span><br /> -If parted from thee my sweet Lilith,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy love I could never efface.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_GHOST_OF_LOVE">THE GHOST OF LOVE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Thou art a specious pleader,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But thou dost plead in vain.</span><br /> -Though once I loved, and trusted,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My love and trust thou’st slain.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though in the past were hidden<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy many faults from me;</span><br /> -As phantoms they now haunt me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As ghosts, those faults I see.</span><br /> -<br /> -The mask that ever covered<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The evil in thy life,</span><br /> -From thy false face hath fallen,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And now thy passions rife</span><br /> -<br /> -Stand out in greatest contrast<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From what they seemed in past.</span><br /> -To me ’tis revelation—<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">With awe I stand aghast.</span><br /> -<br /> -And feel a sense of horror,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That love should come to me</span><br /> -For one whose life was hideous,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But now,—Thank God I’m free!</span><br /> -<br /> -Free from the ties that bound me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Free from the chains of ill.—</span><br /> -Thy love no more enthralls me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And yet—O heart be still!</span><br /> -<br /> -I find that love, and pity<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lie deep within my heart.</span><br /> -I cannot, cannot hate thee—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou art of life a part.</span><br /> -<br /> -Farewell! Farewell! ’Tis better<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For both; that we are free.</span><br /> -For life, when trust hath left us<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is naught but misery.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="I_SHALL_SING_IT_SOMETIME">I SHALL SING IT SOMETIME.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -There is a poem somewhere<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That is perfect in its time;</span><br /> -That is perfect in its metre,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That is perfect in its rhyme.</span><br /> -<br /> -It is written on the flowers,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is floating in the air;</span><br /> -It is written on the hill tops,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is singing everywhere.</span><br /> -<br /> -And I know sometime I’ll write it—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is singing in my brain.</span><br /> -I will seek it, I will find it,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In my soul it long has lain.</span><br /> -<br /> -When I try to grasp this poem,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It eludes me ever, aye—</span><br /> -It is ever just beyond me,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though I hear it night and day.</span><br /> -<br /> -It is sung by hosts unnumbered,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And was heard when world was new.</span><br /> -It is heard when storm-clouds gather,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in glistening drops of dew.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis the singing of the flowers,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis the music of the stars.</span><br /> -’Tis the rhythm of the ocean,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And most perfect are its bars.</span><br /> -<br /> -In the universe ’tis written,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And it is so sweet, and rare—</span><br /> -It was written by the Master,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It inspires every prayer.</span><br /> -<br /> -O if I could catch the rhythm<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That aye fills the universe—</span><br /> -That is sung by choir of angels;<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Inspired would be my verse.</span><br /> -<br /> -In Cathedral ’tis resounding,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chanted ’tis at altar pure;</span><br /> -And the rhythm haunts me ever—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Spirit song which doth allure.</span><br /> -<br /> -It is stately in its measure,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though it be a sad refrain;</span><br /> -Though it be a merry jingle<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That goes dancing through my brain.</span><br /> -<br /> -Yet it <em>may</em> be but the <em>echo</em><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of a symphony, or dirge,</span><br /> -Or a mother’s loving ditty,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That may through my brain e’er surge.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis the waterfall’s loud roaring,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or the humming of the bee.</span><br /> -’Tis the raging of the tempest<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">As it moans upon the sea.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis the detonating cannon,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or the sigh of dying leaf.</span><br /> -’Tis a song of glad rejoicing,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or a threnody of grief.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis the ghost of an old love song,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or the spirit of a prayer.</span><br /> -’Tis a wail of deepest anguish,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And I hear it everywhere.</span><br /> -<br /> -It is floating in the ether,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is written in the sky;</span><br /> -But wherever may be poem,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I shall sing it by and by.</span><br /> -<br /> -Be it song, or be it anthem—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It doth in my heart e’er lie;</span><br /> -And my soul for song is waiting,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I shall sing it by and by.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="WHEN_I_AM_DEAD">WHEN I AM DEAD.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Will friends remember that I lived,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Give me a passing thought,</span><br /> -Give tribute to what I have done,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To what I may have wrought.</span><br /> -<br /> -Or will they pass with heedless laugh,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not feeling one regret</span><br /> -That I have gone beyond their ken;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And will they soon forget</span><br /> -<br /> -That <em>I</em> loved them, that <em>they</em> loved me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That friendship in the past</span><br /> -Was part, and parcel of our lives;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We hoped ’twould ever last.</span><br /> -<br /> -But when I’m dead, I hope few tears<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will then be shed for me.</span><br /> -If others then shall take my place,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">I shall not grieve to see</span><br /> -<br /> -My loved ones happy without me.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Why should they grieve for aye?</span><br /> -Their duties they must ever do,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The laws of life obey.</span> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -Forget me then when I am dead;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I fain would have it so.</span><br /> -If world is better for my life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bequeath I would not woe</span><br /> -<br /> -To those I leave behind on earth;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They need not shed one tear,</span><br /> -Nor be unhappy for one hour;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor need they have one fear</span><br /> -<br /> -Of what befalls me when I die.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I’ll go where I belong.</span><br /> -I shall not crowd nor push aside<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">The ever swelling throng.—</span><br /> -<br /> -My place I’ve made while here on earth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And I shall go therein</span><br /> -Without a fear, without a thought<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of any earthly sin.</span><br /> -<br /> -I’ve lived, I’ve loved, I’ve done the work<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That was laid out for me.</span><br /> -I still shall live, I still shall love<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Throughout eternity.</span> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -Be patient with the living ones,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The dead need not your care.</span><br /> -The living ones need comforting<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For much they have to bear.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="TIS_FOLLY_TO_BE_WISE">“’TIS FOLLY TO BE WISE.”</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Poor Folly will build a grand mansion,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in it the wise man may live.</span><br /> -Poor Folly may hoard up his money,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But Wisdom will gladly it give.</span><br /> -<br /> -Poor Folly Life’s game is aye playing,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And often the game he may win.</span><br /> -And Folly may build a cathedral,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And Wisdom may pray therein.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though Folly knows how to make money,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He spends it full oft like a fool,</span><br /> -And Wisdom may do the same also,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But it is not always the rule.</span><br /> -<br /> -If Folly were better than Wisdom,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Twere foolish for us to be wise,</span><br /> -Perhaps though there’s folly in wisdom,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And wisdom in folly oft lies.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_OLD_OAKS_REVERIE">THE OLD OAK’S REVERIE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I’ve stood and fought for centuries past<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The storms of wind which beat,</span><br /> -And hurled their fury on my head,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But could not me defeat.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though generations have passed on,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And gone to their last rest.</span><br /> -I’ve stood the ravages of time,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Have ever borne the test</span><br /> -<br /> -Of summer’s heat, of winter’s cold,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And lightning’s scorching blast.</span><br /> -Unconquered been in nature’s fight,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As if of iron cast.</span><br /> -<br /> -Sometimes when storms beat on my head,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I little cared for life;</span><br /> -I would have giv’n the battle up,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">With all its fierce, fierce strife.</span><br /> -<br /> -But then again I felt life’s love<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Go coursing through my veins,</span><br /> -And then I felt impelled to say<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I’m thankful that God reigns.</span><br /> -<br /> -Long years ago,—I count them not,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A child on hillside stopped.</span><br /> -His pockets filled with acorns ripe,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And one of them he dropped.</span><br /> -<br /> -I soon sprang up from out the earth,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With life and hope so strong.</span><br /> -I took my place, have kept it too<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through all these centuries long.</span><br /> -<br /> -For many years the birds have built<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their nests beneath my boughs,</span><br /> -Have sung their love songs through the days,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each day renewed their vows.</span><br /> -<br /> -I learned their love songs I am sure,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I shared their joy and pride;</span><br /> -When lover brought to his old home<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">His sweetheart, his bird bride.</span><br /> -<br /> -I’m lonely e’er when they depart<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To fairer, warmer lands.</span><br /> -Impatiently await the time<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When Love again demands</span><br /> -<br /> -Their secret nesting ’mong my boughs.—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Again I’ll hear Love’s call;</span><br /> -Will hear their marriage vows renewed.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For Love e’en birds enthrall.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="INGRATITUDE">INGRATITUDE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -If we should help a friend in need<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We would not have him kneel</span><br /> -In humble, abject gratitude;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And yet—we’d have him feel</span><br /> -<br /> -Some little kindness in his heart,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sometimes to it allude.</span><br /> -“For sharper than a serpent’s tooth”<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is base ingratitude.</span><br /> -<br /> -We try to keep the rule laid down,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Let not your right hand know”</span><br /> -What e’er your left may give, or do,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though friend may change to foe.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though friends ignore what we have done,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And often cause us pain,</span><br /> -We still will help to lift the loads,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And burdens on them lain.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="JUDGE_NOT">“JUDGE NOT.”</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Judge not of others’ lives by yours,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unless your own is pure.</span><br /> -You know not what the others bear<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or what they may endure.</span><br /> -<br /> -Temptations may have been too strong,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And they, alas! too weak</span><br /> -To cope with all the sins in life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And purity aye seek.</span><br /> -<br /> -Heredity is oft the cause;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And e’en the strongest mind</span><br /> -May find it hard to overcome;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For it, to sin may bind.</span><br /> -<br /> -And yet there is a power within<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To overcome all ill.</span><br /> -By cultivating this high power<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">All thought of sin we kill.</span><br /> -<br /> -Yet “do not judge lest you be judged.”<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Look deep in your own heart,</span><br /> -And you may find some secret sin<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That of your life is part.</span><br /> -<br /> -If you are sinless, then you may<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The first stone throw at them;</span><br /> -If it recoils and falls on you,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yourself you must condemn.</span><br /> -<br /> -There are so many pitfalls deep<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At every turn of road;</span><br /> -And all life’s paths so devious,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So heavy is life’s load</span><br /> -<br /> -That man must carry up life’s hill,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Too oft he falls by way;</span><br /> -But he has strength to bear the load<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If he God’s laws obey.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="OUR_VIRTUES_ARE_CARVED_UPON_OUR_TOMBSTONES">OUR VIRTUES ARE CARVED UPON OUR TOMBSTONES.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -In attic bare and dreary,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With fingers blue with cold,</span><br /> -A man sat writing, writing,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For pittance small of gold.</span><br /> -<br /> -His limbs were cramped, and trembling,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The light was low and dim.</span><br /> -For hours he had been writing,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And Hunger sat by him;</span><br /> -<br /> -Sat even at his elbow<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With taunting words of fame,</span><br /> -With promises alluring<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That he would make a name.—</span> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -The morning light was breaking,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Still empty was his cot.</span><br /> -He seemed to be still writing.—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He had the world forgot.</span> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -In grave-yard he is lying,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“God’s acre” is the name.</span><br /> -Cold criticism killed him.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He fought too hard for fame.</span> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -Not colder is the grave-yard<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than was his attic bare,</span><br /> -When death had claimed his victim,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They found his “writings rare”</span><br /> -<br /> -His name was now emblazoned<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Upon the hearts of those</span><br /> -Who never did him justice,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor troubled at his woes.</span> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -Thus Fame, and Honor, Riches,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oft come to man when dead,</span><br /> -Are proud to do him justice,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With <em>laurel</em>, crown his head.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="HONOR_FAME_OR_LOVE">HONOR, FAME, OR LOVE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -High Honor came to visit me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And with him goddess Fame.</span><br /> -But Happiness deserted me<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When Fame and Honor came.</span><br /> -<br /> -I courted Honor, courted Fame,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They coldly smiled on me;</span><br /> -They soon became unwelcome guests,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For they caused Love to flee.</span><br /> -<br /> -I fain would then have cast aside<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The guests which I had sought.</span><br /> -Alas! It was too late, for they<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Had then the evil wrought.</span><br /> -<br /> -They were installed as guests of mine,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But soon I weary grew</span><br /> -Of their commands, of their demands,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">And begged that Love renew</span><br /> -<br /> -Dominion o’er my heart and home;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For home is drear indeed,</span><br /> -Though lacking nothing but sweet Love;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For Love the world doth lead.</span><br /> -<br /> -My guests brought Jealousy one day.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Destroyer it, of peace.</span><br /> -When he came in, Love fled in fright,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And took with her sweet peace.</span><br /> -<br /> -For Honor, Fame, and Love, can ne’er<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In peace together dwell.</span><br /> -When Jealousy once joins the throng,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is Love’s funeral knell.</span><br /> -<br /> -When Love within our household reigns<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Let none usurp her place.</span><br /> -She is the queen that e’er should rule,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And none should her abase.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="COURAGE">COURAGE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -You will not find the bravest men<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Upon the battle ground;</span><br /> -For in the quiet ranks of life<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Great courage oft is found.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though man may fight with brother man<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In battle’s fierce array,</span><br /> -He may not have the courage to<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Combat what others say.</span><br /> -<br /> -If <em>others</em> are of “higher grade”;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To gain himself a place</span><br /> -Upon the social rung of life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He may their views embrace.</span><br /> -<br /> -If e’er the time shall come to you<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When you will shrink with fear,</span><br /> -And do not dare defend your views,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though they to you are dear</span><br /> -<br /> -Let not your courage fail you then.—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Be sure that you are <em>right</em>,</span><br /> -Then never swerve from <em>truth</em> one point,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And for the truth e’en fight.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though courage needed is in life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And should of life be part,</span><br /> -Perverted it should never be,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor rule a loving heart.</span><br /> -<br /> -“The race is not aye for the swift,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor battle, for the strong.”</span><br /> -Have courage to uphold the right.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And to denounce the wrong.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="PERSEVERE">PERSEVERE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Starting out to fight Life’s battles,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere, persevere.</span><br /> -Though at first you may be worsted,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though Life’s road be rough, and thorny,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere, persevere.</span><br /> -Never falter by the wayside;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though your burdens may be heavy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere, persevere.</span><br /> -Never drop them by the roadside;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere.</span><br /> -<br /> -Your ideal should be high heaven.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere, persevere.</span><br /> -By perseverance you will gain it.<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere.</span><br /> -<br /> -In this world, if seeking pleasure,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">You will find, alas! but tears.</span><br /> -But in doing every duty,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere.</span><br /> -<br /> -E’en though hard may be the battle<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For the right, for the right.</span><br /> -You must stand e’er by your colors.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere.</span><br /> -<br /> -Your companion must be Valor,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On your banner, Truth.</span><br /> -Perseverance be your pass-word.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere.</span><br /> -<br /> -If you’ve won in Life’s hard conflict;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">You must still persevere.</span><br /> -For another life awaits you.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Persevere.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="SPEAK_BUT_KIND_WORDS">SPEAK BUT KIND WORDS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Speak but kind words to those you love,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For there may come a day</span><br /> -When what you’ve said, and what you’ve done<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’er more will with you stay.</span><br /> -<br /> -If you have unkind words to say,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O say them to the dead;</span><br /> -The dead cannot by them be grieved,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their hearts not filled with dread.</span><br /> -<br /> -Nor filled with fear and hopelessness.—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And you will not regret</span><br /> -That you have caused unhappiness.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For you can ne’er forget</span><br /> -<br /> -That you have caused a loved one grief,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Your words have given pain.</span><br /> -You never can forgive yourself,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">And <em>Love</em> you may have slain.</span><br /> -<br /> -A word seems but a little thing,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But it may break a heart,</span><br /> -Though thought is but a vapor light,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It causes many a smart.</span><br /> -<br /> -It is the little pin pricks sharp<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That are so hard to bear.</span><br /> -We are prepared for troubles great,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And only have our share.</span><br /> -<br /> -Then speak kind words to those you love,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is not hard to do.</span><br /> -Just keep a guard o’er thoughts, and tongue,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then you’ll have naught to rue.</span><br /> -<br /> -When death shall come to those we love,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If we have caused them pain,</span><br /> -Repentance then will be too late,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Regrets will then be vain.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="VAGARY">VAGARY.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Vagary is stalking all over the land,<br /> -His home is a hut, or a palace most grand.<br /> -Whatever his folly, no matter how wild,<br /> -Some one will accept it, by it, be beguiled.<br /> -<br /> -Vagary once built a “Home” on a hill,<br /> -And hoped that his dupes his coffers would fill.<br /> -This “Home” was a refuge for those in distress,<br /> -And, judging by numbers, it was a success.<br /> -<br /> -He promised a cure for each ache, and each ill.<br /> -With lame, halt, and blind, the “Home” did soon fill.<br /> -Vagary was doctor, vagary was nurse,<br /> -And if at the door stood ever a hearse,<br /> -<br /> -No comment was made, and it soon disappeared.<br /> -Respect had Vagary, and no one e’er sneered.<br /> -Vagary was doctor, and if patient he killed<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span>No one made remark, and the place was soon filled.<br /> -<br /> -Vagary discovered an underground mine<br /> -Called “Bonnevinterre” a lake of pure wine.<br /> -“Like sheep to the slaughter,” the people all rushed,<br /> -The mine proved a myth, and their hopes were all crushed.<br /> -<br /> -Vagary then started a charity scheme,<br /> -To write all the bylaws took a full ream<br /> -Of “Fool’s Cap” commercial; for written thereon<br /> -Were benefits gained, and dividends won.<br /> -<br /> -“O help the poor widows and orphans” he cried,<br /> -And money flowed in on every side.<br /> -Vagary was treasurer, and bookkeeper too,<br /> -Received all the dividends when they were due.<br /> -<br /> -The widows got little, the orphans still less,<br /> -He ever was talking of their great distress.<br /> -Vagary grew richer, and richer each day,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span>For charity well managed, ever will pay.<br /> -<br /> -He next discovered a marvelous light,<br /> -Compared to it, e’en the sun was as night.<br /> -Directly all other lights became dim,<br /> -As usual, the money poured in unto him.<br /> -<br /> -He now with the highest magnates took rank,<br /> -For money he had in every bank.<br /> -But magnates, like others, sometime must die,<br /> -And in the same earth with poverty lie.<br /> -<br /> -Vagary grew ill, and gave up the ghost,<br /> -But with his last breath he still made the boast<br /> -That every ill on earth he could cure.<br /> -And even though dying, did many allure.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_HOME_BEAUTIFUL">THE HOME BEAUTIFUL.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -’Tis not a palace built of marble,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis not a mansion made of stone,</span><br /> -’Tis not a hostelry of splendor,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor a seat upon a throne.</span><br /> -<br /> -It <em>may</em> be but a humble cottage<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With loving welcome at the door,</span><br /> -With sunshine peeping in at window,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And lighting up the naked floor.</span><br /> -<br /> -It <em>may</em> be but a tent by brookside,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But air is pure, and water sweet.</span><br /> -The tent is home of rarest splendor,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If Love, by brookside, doth you greet.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis love that gives to home its beauty,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is not honor, riches, fame.</span><br /> -For Love will light up every corner,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In home of beauty is Love’s name.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_BEATITUDES">THE BEATITUDES.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Once Honesty and Faith combined<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To find for each a mate.</span><br /> -They searched for Love all in vain,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They only found fierce Hate.</span><br /> -<br /> -Forever Love eluded them;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For Love is hard to win.</span><br /> -They gave up Love, and searched for Faith,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For Faith, to Love is kin.</span><br /> -<br /> -When Faith and Honesty are wed,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If Love will place her seal,</span><br /> -Confirmed is then the marriage vow,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From it there’s no appeal</span><br /> -<br /> -When Love, and Truth, and Honesty,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In wedded life is found;</span><br /> -When Faith shall be their handmaid pure,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">The four together bound;</span><br /> -<br /> -There will be Peace and Harmony,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For Love has found her nest.</span><br /> -Now Happiness will join the throng,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And Love be now at rest.</span><br /> -<br /> -It is too seldom that is found,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Them all combined in one,</span><br /> -There could be Faith, Truth, Honesty,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And yet sweet Love not won.</span><br /> -<br /> -But if together all shall dwell,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A heaven on earth is home,</span><br /> -No discord ever will there be,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is as heaven’s dome.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="BURY_THE_PAST">BURY THE PAST.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Do we ever think that others<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">May have griefs as well as we?</span><br /> -Can we bear our own griefs better?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If we know we’ll sometime be</span><br /> -Free from trials, free from troubles,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the happy by and by,</span><br /> -And our burdens, although heavy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In a grave will sometime lie.</span><br /> -<br /> -We should be prepared for trouble;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We should be prepared for care.</span><br /> -For we know not of the morrow,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor what trials we must bear.</span><br /> -When today has passed beyond us<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is gone forever, aye,</span><br /> -And today should then be buried<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the grave of yesterday.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though today we are in bondage,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We tomorrow may be free</span><br /> -From the yesterdays of sorrow;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’en look back on them with glee.</span><br /> -Then the dead, dead past we’ll bury<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In a shroud, and then forget</span><br /> -All the past that was unhappy<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O’er that past we will not fret.</span><br /> -<br /> -We can happy be, though burdens<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">May be hard for us to bear,</span><br /> -Happy be, and e’en contented,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though we have much grief and care.</span><br /> -If we know that the tomorrows<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will to us bring sweet relief.</span><br /> -All the yesterdays we’ll bury,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And will shed no tears of grief.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="TO_A_FRIEND_ON_HER_BIRTH-DAY">TO A FRIEND ON HER BIRTH-DAY.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Thy years are pearls strung on Life’s chain.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Not counted they by days, nor years.</span><br /> -But numbered by the good thou’st done;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And friend thou needest have no fears</span><br /> -That pearls have ever tarnished been;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou’st kept them bright by good thou’st done.</span><br /> -For thou hast many burdens borne,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And thou hast many vict’ries won</span><br /> -In Life’s hard battles for the right.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou oft hast had temptations strong,</span><br /> -But thou hast ever conquered them,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And thou hast overcome all wrong.</span><br /> -<br /> -Congratulations I give thee,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On this, thy happy natal day,</span><br /> -And this shall be my earnest prayer,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That pearls of love be thine alway.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="HAVE_IDEALS">HAVE IDEALS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -My ideals are the highest,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though my feet rest on the sod.</span><br /> -I aspire e’en to high heaven,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Even to the “throne of God.”</span><br /> -<br /> -And I think it is much better<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That we soar above the stars,</span><br /> -Than to grovel in the low-lands,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or behind a prison’s bars.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though ourselves have built the prison<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That confines our souls therein;</span><br /> -We must ever live in darkness<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Till we break the bars within,</span><br /> -<br /> -And escape into God’s sunshine,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To the sunshine of the soul;</span><br /> -And live up to our ideals,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And take heaven as our goal.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="SELFISHNESS">SELFISHNESS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -We really do not understand<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That which within us lies.</span><br /> -We think that we have conquered self,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And then there will arise</span><br /> -Some serious point within our hearts;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Some question there will be—</span><br /> -Some preconceived idea of self;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It vital seems to be.</span><br /> -<br /> -We must begin all o’er again.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For self must conquered be.</span><br /> -We must accept the “Golden Rule”,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From selfishness be free.</span><br /> -Deep in the gardens of our hearts<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We’ve sowed broadcast the seeds</span><br /> -Of selfishness; they’ve taken root,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Producing noxious weeds.</span><br /> -<br /> -In time, by watchfulness and care<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We may exterminate</span><br /> -Each selfish thought within our hearts,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And love accumulate.</span><br /> -We e’en are selfish in our love,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And selfish in our hate;</span><br /> -For Self doth rule with selfish hand,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’er sits within our gate.</span><br /> -<br /> -The ego is e’er uppermost;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We ever look within.</span><br /> -Self magnifies what good there is,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But overlooks the sin.</span><br /> -She sits upon the highest throne,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And on the lowest stool.</span><br /> -Self governs every act in life;<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">For self doth ever rule.</span><br /> -<br /> -And Self is “mightier than the sword.”<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If given once control</span><br /> -She conquers all there is of us<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In mind, in heart, in soul.</span><br /> -Then let us bury selfishness<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In grave with selfish deeds.</span><br /> -Erect a monument to Love<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From stones cut from good deeds.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LIFE_IS_NOTHING_WITHOUT_LOVE">LIFE IS NOTHING WITHOUT LOVE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Though of down may be your pillow,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And most sumptuous be your bed,</span><br /> -All your dreams will be unhappy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unless Love sits at your head.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though your table may be loaded,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With rich viands e’er be spread;</span><br /> -All will be most flat and tasteless,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unless Love shall break the bread.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though you travel o’er creation,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Have all things that you demand;</span><br /> -Nothing meets your expectation,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unless Love does by you stand.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though you dwell in gorgeous palace,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Even though you may be king.</span><br /> -All is vanity, and joyless,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If sweet Love is on the wing.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_CENTURY_FLOWER">THE CENTURY FLOWER.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -What wakened thee from thy long sleep?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who told thee when to bloom?</span><br /> -A century seems a long, long time<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For thee to lie in gloom.</span><br /> -<br /> -How didst thou know when to arise?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And thy new garment don;</span><br /> -Thou mightst have slept thy life away<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whilst time was going on.</span><br /> -<br /> -Was there a power within thy soul?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A wish within thy heart?</span><br /> -To soar above all other flowers,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And with the birds take part</span><br /> -<br /> -In singing songs of grateful joy<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That thou hast waked from sleep,</span><br /> -That thou again dost see the light,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hast risen from the deep;</span><br /> -<br /> -The grave where thou so long hast lain.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To raise thy head on high,</span><br /> -And looking up to Deity<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Once more; then droop and die.</span><br /> -<br /> -Alas! Thy days are all too short<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For thy long dreamless sleep.</span><br /> -When thou dost wake again to life,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wilt thou awake to weep?</span><br /> -<br /> -If thou rememberest aught of past,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou mayst perhaps regret</span><br /> -The flowers, and trees, now dead and gone,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And for them mourn e’en yet.</span><br /> -<br /> -A generation will have passed;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A new one thou wilt greet;</span><br /> -All will be strangers unto thee,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No friend of past thou’lt meet.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LIFES_MUSIC">LIFE’S MUSIC.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Though life may seem a symphony,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is a sad, sad song.</span><br /> -Its music is a funeral dirge,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And weary are the throng</span><br /> -Who march to a weird threnody<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s long, and gloomy day,</span><br /> -The road made rough by all the ills<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That meet us on our way.</span><br /> -<br /> -The road, though long and devious<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hath guide posts on its way.</span><br /> -Though there are many sharp, sharp turns,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If guide posts we obey,</span><br /> -We safely reach our journey’s end,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And rest beneath the shade</span><br /> -Of Love’s own tree, whose buds, and flowers<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of hope will never fade.</span><br /> -<br /> -Disheartened though we often are<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Upon the uphill road.</span><br /> -If hope within our hearts is strong<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Twill lighten every load;</span><br /> -The saddest song be turned to joy,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sweet music fill the soul.</span><br /> -Triumphant will our life march be<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Until we reach our goal.</span><br /> -<br /> -The final song we then shall sing.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s measure be complete.</span><br /> -No minor chord shall lower life’s song,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor sound for us defeat.</span><br /> -The meter of our lives shall be<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Exultant melody.</span><br /> -No sad refrain shall e’er be sung,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nor doleful threnody.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LOVES_GARDEN">LOVE’S GARDEN.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Sow the seeds of loving kindness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And then gather flowers of joy.</span><br /> -Cultivate e’er peace and gladness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life will then have no alloy.</span><br /> -<br /> -Pluck the weeds that e’er are growing<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In the garden of the heart.</span><br /> -Train up all Love’s little tendrils<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They are of life the sweetest part.</span><br /> -<br /> -Prune the trees that bear but discord,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And then graft sweet peace thereon.</span><br /> -Ever help those who have trouble,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Pointing out to them Love’s morn.</span><br /> -<br /> -In Love’s garden, if the shadow<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the Cyprus hides Love’s way.</span><br /> -Plant the asphodel; its brightness<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will burst forth, and light Love’s day.</span><br /> -<br /> -Clear Love’s garden of its wormwood,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And plant heartsease there instead.</span><br /> -’Tis not fitting that aught bitter<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Should e’er grow where Love has led.</span><br /> -<br /> -In all gardens are not roses,—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But rank weeds grow everywhere,</span><br /> -And it may be God’s intention<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That the weeds should be your care.</span><br /> -<br /> -There are many hearts now aching<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For a loving word from you.</span><br /> -In their hearts is bitter wormwood,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In their gardens grow the rue.</span><br /> -<br /> -You should plant for them sweet roses,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Give Love’s sunshine ever, aye.</span><br /> -From their hearts take all the darkness,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In its place put Love’s bright ray.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_LAST_PORT">THE LAST PORT.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -My ship of life has left its moorings<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To sail upon an unknown sea.</span><br /> -Though ship is staunch, and ne’er has failed me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s bearings are unknown to me.</span><br /> -<br /> -I have no chart, I have no compass,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But my life’s voyage must be made,</span><br /> -When once life’s ship on way has started,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The laws of life must be obeyed.</span><br /> -<br /> -Each day the log must be well written;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Be kept with truthfulness, and care.</span><br /> -In it must be not one false entry,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For close inspection it must bear.</span><br /> -<br /> -With courage I will start on voyage,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For God will guide me o’er the bar,</span><br /> -Lest I be dashed upon the breakers.<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Port of Death is not so far.</span><br /> -<br /> -I must go on though storms assail me,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This voyage means so much to me.</span><br /> -No other refuge can I enter,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I sail for <em>Port Eternity</em>.</span><br /> -<br /> -Without a chart, without a compass,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The star of <em>Hope</em> shall be my guide,</span><br /> -And I shall have no fear of shipwreck,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For all Life’s storms I shall outride.</span><br /> -<br /> -My ship is making its last voyage,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis well I chose dear <em>Hope’s</em> bright star,</span><br /> -To guide me to my heavenly harbor<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With God to help me o’er the bar.</span><br /> -<br /> -My ship will safely reach its landing,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And God will meet me at death’s bar;</span><br /> -Will not forsake me at Life’s ending.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thank God for <em>Hope</em>, my guiding star.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="CANST_TELL_ME">CANST TELL ME?</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Canst thou tell me dear friend of the other side?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of thy beautiful home over there.</span><br /> -Dost thou love us the same as when here on earth?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Canst thou help us our burdens to bear?</span><br /> -<br /> -And is heaven the same thou once thought it was?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hast thou met thy dear friends gone before?</span><br /> -Wouldst thou wish to come back to this earth again?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To again live thy life as of yore?</span><br /> -<br /> -All its pains and its griefs to take up again,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Were earth’s joys compensation for woes?</span><br /> -Art thou glad that thou’st lived, and loved, and e’en died?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Canst thou now upon others bestow</span><br /> -<br /> -The sweet peace that is thine, the love of thy soul?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Canst thou teach us to live, and to die?</span><br /> -Canst thou meet us, and guide us to heaven above,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Solve the problems that in us e’er lie?</span> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -I’ve lived my life, thou must live thine.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In thine own soul life’s problems lie.</span><br /> -I cannot teach thee how to live,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I cannot teach thee how to die.</span><br /> -<br /> -Take up thy burdens, and thy cares.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With patience bear thy every grief.</span><br /> -Thy back is fitted for each cross,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Death is surcease, and brings relief.</span><br /> -<br /> -Though I have passed from earth away,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I still do feel what thou must bear.</span><br /> -But knowing what thy crosses are,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I say, be brave, thy crosses bear.</span><br /> -<br /> -Do what thou canst for others’ weal,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Do what thou canst to conquer sin.</span><br /> -Then leave the rest in hands of God.<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">With pitying love he looks within,</span><br /> -<br /> -And sees the burdens thou must bear.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He knows how weak, and sore distressed</span><br /> -His earthly children ever are.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But in His love they’re more than blessed.</span><br /> -<br /> -Have courage, patience, pity, love,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Have charity for all who sin.</span><br /> -Thou need’st not look abroad for faults,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To find them, friend, O look within.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_SOUL_SEEKING_FOR_PERFECTION">THE SOUL SEEKING FOR PERFECTION.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -One day my soul a journey went;<br /> -It traveled East, it traveled West,<br /> -It searched in vain one soul to find<br /> -That able was to bear the test<br /> -Of perfect living, perfect love;<br /> -E’en in the best it found some flaw;<br /> -Some lack of truth, some selfishness;<br /> -Not <em>one</em> had kept the “Perfect Law”.<br /> -<br /> -Discouraged, weary, sore distressed;<br /> -It gladly turned again to home.<br /> -It thought perfection there to find,—<br /> -No farther it would have to roam.<br /> -Alas! Though once more snugly housed,<br /> -Perfection was not found therein.<br /> -Contented it could never be;<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</span>For e’en at home it found much sin,<br /> -O Soul! Though you have found much sin;<br /> -You’ve also found much that was good.<br /> -Temptations overcome by man,—<br /> -Known many ills he has withstood.<br /> -<br /> -Perfection is not found on earth—<br /> -If it were so, no one would know<br /> -The joy of helping man to bear<br /> -Up under all the grief and woe<br /> -That is the heritage of life;<br /> -Bequeathed to man before his birth.<br /> -Be not discouraged then, O Soul,<br /> -Expect to find much sin on earth.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LIFES_THOUGHTLESSNESS">LIFE’S THOUGHTLESSNESS.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -With careless feet we trample down<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Love’s sweetest flowers oftimes.</span><br /> -Life’s music has so many sharps,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Discordant are Love’s rhymes.</span><br /> -<br /> -With selfish hands we ever grasp<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At what we think is best.</span><br /> -Unmindful we of others’ needs<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or what is their behest.</span><br /> -<br /> -The thoughtless words we oftimes speak<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Recalled can never be.</span><br /> -The heedless censure of a friend<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Can ne’er forgotten be.</span><br /> -<br /> -The unjust judgment which we give<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">May wean from us a friend.</span><br /> -Impatient words are daggers sharp<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">That will Love’s heart aye rend.</span><br /> -<br /> -With selfish greed we grasp life’s joys;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No care for others’ woes.</span><br /> -The world is welcome to the thorns,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If we can keep the rose.</span><br /> -<br /> -If our own ship outrides the gale,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Life’s bar we’ve safely crossed—</span><br /> -All other ships may be engulfed;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or on rough waves be tossed.</span><br /> -<br /> -Our careless words may pierce some heart,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And cause it deepest pain—</span><br /> -Awakening memories of the past<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Which long in grave have lain.</span><br /> -<br /> -’Tis ever so in life I fear.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Love’s flowers neglected are.</span><br /> -The weeds will thrive where flowers die,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And thus Love’s garden mar.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="THE_FLOWERS_PRAYER_FOR_IMMORTALITY">THE FLOWER’S PRAYER FOR IMMORTALITY.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -The fragrance of th’ dying flower<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ascends ’e’en unto God;</span><br /> -Returning to its Maker<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From birthplace ’neath the sod.</span><br /> -<br /> -Its soul goes forth in anthems;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In songs of praise to Him</span><br /> -Who gave to it existence,—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And, dying, sings a hymn</span><br /> -<br /> -Of thanks, and of rejoicing<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To God for its short life,</span><br /> -Which e’er hath been a symphony,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With naught of care, nor strife.</span><br /> -<br /> -Its God hath given it sunshine,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Its God hath given it food.</span><br /> -Bequeathed to it the dewdrops,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">He hath pronounced it good.</span><br /> -<br /> -It longs to soar to heaven,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So breathes its fragrance rare</span><br /> -To God, as invocation.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To Him sends forth this prayer:</span> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /><p> -O God accept my perfume,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis all I have to give.—</span><br /> -O I would be immortal:<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I would forever live,</span><br /> -The flower Thou hast created,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wouldst live forever, aye.—</span><br /> -What use would be its fragrance?<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If lost ’mid shadows gray.—</span><br /> -I claim of Thee my birthright,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My fragrance is my soul.</span><br /> -Though earth hath been my birthplace,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">High heaven is my goal.</span><br /> -Take back what Thou hast given,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis fit for heavenly bower;</span><br /> -Accept it O my Maker,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">This incense of a flower.</span><br /> -<br /> -E’en in my earthly prison,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When I was but a seed,</span><br /> -Thou spakest words so loving.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That upward they didst lead</span><br /> -My soul from out its darkness<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Into thy glorious light.</span><br /> -It burst the bars of prison,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Became a flower bright.</span><br /> -To Thee I gave my fragrance—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I breathed to Thee a prayer,</span><br /> -A prayer of adoration<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That sensed is everywhere.</span><br /> -All life, however lowly,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is one, and part with Thee—</span><br /> -By Thee it was created,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And claims eternity.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LOVES_OFFERING">LOVE’S OFFERING.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I have no rare jewels to give thee,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No diamonds, no pearls; and of gold</span><br /> -But one little circlet, as emblem<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That love will thee ever enfold.</span><br /> -<br /> -Thy home will be only a cottage,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And even the floors may be bare.</span><br /> -The furnishings be the most simple,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And frugal be also the fare.</span><br /> -<br /> -The cottage will be by the brookside,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By willows so shady and cool.</span><br /> -Thy beauty will be e’er reflected<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In mirror that is but a pool.</span><br /> -<br /> -Thou wilt not be decked in fine linen;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">E’en cotton may be all thy gowns.</span><br /> -But, love-words will e’er be my greeting,<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">And kisses take place of dark frowns.</span><br /> -<br /> -My love is the most I can offer—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will love cover up a bare floor?</span><br /> -Or will it fly out of the window,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If poverty enters at door?</span><br /> -<br /> -I know that thy beauty would honor<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A palace, instead of a cot.</span><br /> -That silks should be e’er thy adorning,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But happiness ne’er can be <em>bought</em>.</span><br /> -<br /> -In palace there <em>can</em> be much sorrow,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Neath jewels may be broken heart.—</span><br /> -Though clothed in the finest apparel,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All naked the wound, and the smart</span><br /> -<br /> -That comes from a troth that is broken;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That comes from a love that is cold.</span><br /> -’Thout love, e’en a palace is dreary,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though furnished with jewels, and gold.</span><br /> -<br /> -Then, darling, take what I can offer—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My heart filled with love, and my home</span><br /> -A nest for my birdling, my sweetheart,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And never from thee will I roam.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="LOVES_ACCEPTANCE">LOVE’S ACCEPTANCE.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -Love’s jewels are better than baubles.—<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A palace may not be a <em>home</em>;</span><br /> -Unhappiness dwelling within it<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though jeweled from throne-room to dome</span><br /> -<br /> -Love’s jewels are all that I ask for;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">True love is more precious than gold,</span><br /> -I wish not for palace, nor mansion<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thine arms shall me ever enfold.</span><br /> -<br /> -A sip from Love’s brook is far better<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than wine from a gold jeweled cup.</span><br /> -’Tis poison in chalice, if Hatred<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sits with us at table to sup.</span><br /> -<br /> -The mirror I crave is the love-light<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That beams in thine eyes, and thy face,</span><br /> -And, cottage when furnished with love-deeds;<br /> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of poverty shows not a trace.</span><br /> -<br /> -Love ever looks upward, not downward,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will therefore not think of bare floor;</span><br /> -And will not fly out of the window,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though Poverty enters at door.</span><br /> -<br /> -My gowns may be cotton, or linen;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It matters but little to me.—</span><br /> -My beauty is not of much value,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Unless it is pleasing to thee.</span><br /> -<br /> -The nest thou hast built by the brookside,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is better, far better for me</span><br /> -Than mansion, or palace, or castle;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No shadow within shall there be.</span><br /> -<br /> -But echoing songs of thy “birdling”<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall fill every corner, and nook.</span><br /> -The willows shall be sylvan bowers;<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And fountain of love shall be brook.</span><br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="AUTUMNLEAVES">AUTUMN LEAVES.</h2> -</div> - - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -I now have culled from out Life’s forest<br /> -These Autumn Leaves which I shall send you<br /> -They have been pressed into service<br /> -For my little book.<br /> -<br /> -Perhaps if you the leaves had chosen,<br /> -You would have culled more brilliant colors,<br /> -And pressed them better too.<br /> -<br /> -By careful searching you may find one<br /> -That pleases you by word, or measure,<br /> -And <em>cherished</em> e’en will be.<br /> -<br /> -I hope that you will take some pleasure<br /> -In reading book, and conning measure.<br /> -But <em>kindly</em> criticise.<br /> -<br /> -I give my leaves into your keeping,<br /> -I hope with love you will receive them,<br /> -These offsprings of my heart.<br /> -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak margin" id="FINALE">FINALE.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="poetry"> -<p> -My “Autumn Leaves” are gathered,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And now they must be pressed.</span><br /> -I hope they will give pleasure,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And hearts by them be blessed.</span><br /> -</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter transnote"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcriber_Notes">Transcriber Notes</h2> - -<p>In a few cases, obvious errors in punctuation have been fixed.</p> - -<p>In the <a href="#Contents">table of contents</a>, “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”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_32">Page 32</a>: A missing quote was added after “Are governed by His will.”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_54">Page 54</a>: A missing quote was added before “A monarch I will”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_60">Page 60</a>: “Eor her I’d gladly die” changed to “For her I’d gladly die”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_67">Page 67</a>: “They then receeded from the shore.” changed to “They then -receded from the shore.”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_162">Page 162</a>: “Sharper than a sepent’s tooth is,” changed to “Sharper than -a serpent’s tooth is,”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_201">Page 201</a>: In tears of grief the original version had the f printed -upside down</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_207">Page 207</a>: “LIFF IS NOTHING WITHOUT LOVE.” changed to “LIFE IS NOTHING -WITHOUT LOVE.”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_217">Page 217</a>: “Dealh is surcease” changed to “Death is surcease”. “thy -erosses bear” changed to “thy crosses bear”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_230">Page 230:</a> “These Antumn Leaves” changed to “These Autumn Leaves”</p> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUTUMN LEAVES ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - 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