首页 >出版文学> Music and Other Poems>第2章
  So,atacertainhour,beforethethroneTheyoungestangel,Asmiel,stoodalone;
  Norglad,norsad,butfullofearnestthought,AndthushistidingstotheMasterbrought:
  "Lord,inthecityLuponIhavefound"Threeservantsofthyholyname,renowned"Abovetheirfellows。Oneisverywise,"Withthoughtsthateverrangeabovetheskies;
  "Andoneisgiftedwiththegoldenspeech"Thatmakesmengladtohearwhenhewillteach;
  "Andone,withnoraregiftorgraceendued,"Haswonthepeople’slovebydoinggood。
  "WiththreesuchsaintsLuponistreblyblest;
  "But,Lord,Ifainwouldknow,whichlovesTheebest?"
  ThenspaketheLordofAngels,towhoselookTheheartsofallarelikeanopenbook:
  "IneverysoulthesecretthoughtIread,"AndwellIknowwholovesmebestindeed。
  "Buteverylifehaspagesvacantstill,"Whereonamanmaywritethethinghewill;
  "ThereforeIreadinsilence,daybyday,"Andwaitforheartsuntaughttolearnmyway。
  "ButthoushaltgotoLupon,tothethree"Whoservemethere,andtakethiswordfromme:
  "TelleachofthemhisMasterbidshimgo"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow;
  "Thereheshallfindacertaintaskforme:
  "Butwhat,Idonottelltothemnorthee。
  "Givethouthemessage,makemywordthetest,"Andcrownformetheonewhoanswersbest。"
  Silenttheangelstood,withfoldedhands,TotaketheimprintofhisLord’scommands;
  Thendrewonebreath,obedientandelate,Andpassed,theself—samehour,throughLupon’sgate。
  FirsttotheTempledoorhemadehisway;
  Andthere,becauseitwasanholy—day,Hesawthefolkbythousandsthronging,stirredByardentthirsttohearthepreacher’sword。
  Then,whiletheechoesmurmuredBernol’sname,Throughaislesthathushedbehindhim,Bernolcame;
  Strungtothekeenestpitchofconsciousmight,Withlipspreparedandfirm,andeyesalight。
  OnemomentatthepulpitstepshekneltInsilentprayer,andonhisshoulderfeltTheangel’shand:——"TheMasterbidstheego"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,"ToserveHimthere。"ThenBernol’shiddenfaceWentwhiteasdeath,andforaboutthespaceOftenslowheart—beatstherewasnoreply;
  TillBernollookedaroundandwhispered,"WHY?"
  Butanswertohisquestioncametherenone;
  Theangelsighed,andwithasighwasgone。
  WithinthehumblehousewhereMalvinspentHisstudiousyears,onholythingsintent,Sweetstillnessreigned;andtheretheangelfoundThesaintlysageimmersedinthoughtprofound,WeavingwithpatienttoilandwillingcareAwebofwisdom,wonderfulandfair:
  AseamlessrobeforTruth’sgreatbridalmeet,Andneedingbutonethreadtobecomplete。
  ThenAsmieltouchedhishand,andbrokethethreadOffine—spunthought,andverygentlysaid,"TheOneofwhomthouthinkestbidstheego"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,"ToserveHimthere。"WithsorrowandsurpriseMalvinlookedup,reluctanceinhiseyes。
  Thebrokenthought,thestrangenessofthecall,Theperilouspassageofthemountain—wall,Thesolitaryjourney,andthelengthOfwaysunknown,toogreatforhisfrailstrength,Appalledhim。WithadoubtfulbrowHescannedthedoubtfultask,andmuttered"HOW?"
  ButAsmielanswered,asheturnedtogo,Withcold,disheartenedvoice,"Idonotknow。"
  Nowashewent,withfadinghope,toseekThethirdandlasttowhomGodbadehimspeak,ScarcetwentystepsawaywhomshouldhemeetButFermor,hurryingcheerfuldownthestreet,Withreadyheartthatfacedhisworklikeplay,Andjoyedtofinditgreatereveryday!
  Theangelstoppedhimwithupliftedhand,AndgavewithoutdelayhisLord’scommand:
  "Hewhomthouservestherewouldhavetheego"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,"ToserveHimthere。"EreAsmielbreathedagainTheeageranswerleapedtomeethim,"WHEN?"
  Theangel’sfacewithinwardjoygrewbright,Andallhisfigureglowedwithheavenlylight;
  HetookthegoldencircletfromhisbrowAndgavethecrowntoFermor,answering,"Now!
  "ForthouhastmettheMaster’sbiddentest,"AndIhavefoundthemanwholovesHimbest。
  "Notthine,normine,toquestionorreply"WhenHecommandsus,asking’how?’or’why?’
  "Heknowsthecause;Hiswaysarewiseandjust;
  "WhoservestheKingmustservewithperfecttrust。"
  February,1902。
  THEVAINKING
  InrobesofTyrianbluetheKingwasdrest,Ajewelledcollarshoneuponhisbreast,Agiantrubyglitteredinhiscrown——
  Lordofrichlandsandmanyasplendidtown。
  InhimthegloriesofanancientlineOfsoberkings,whoruledbyrightdivine,Werecentred;andtohimwithloyalaweThepeoplelookedforleadershipandlaw。
  Tenthousandknights,thesafeguardoftheland,Laylikeasingleswordwithinhishand;
  Ahundredcourts,withpoweroflifeanddeath,Proclaimeddecreesofjusticebyhisbreath;
  AndallthesacredgrowthsthatmenhadknownOforderandofruleupheldhisthrone。
  ProudwastheKing:yetnotwithsuchaheartAsfitsamantoplayaroyalpart。
  NothisthepridethathonoursasatrustTherighttorule,thedutytobejust:
  NothisthedignitythatbendstobearThemonarch’syoke,themaster’sloadofcare,Andlabourslikethepeasantathisgate,ToservethepeopleandprotecttheState。
  Anotherpridewashis,andotherjoys:
  Tohimthecrownandsceptrewerebuttoys,Withwhichheplayedatglory’sidlegame,Topleasehimselfandwinthewreathsoffame。
  Thethronehisfathersheldfromagetoage,Tohisambition,seemedafittingstageBuiltforKingMartintodisplayatwill,Hismightystrengthanduniversalskill。
  Noconsciouschild,that,spoiledwithpraising,triesAteverysteptowinadmiringeyes,——
  Nofavouritemountebank,whoseactingdraws>Fromgapingcrowdsloudthunderofapplause,WasvainerthantheKing:hisonlythirstWastobehailed,ineveryrace,thefirst。
  Whentournamentwasheld,inknightlyguiseTheKingwouldridethelistsandwintheprize;
  Whenmusiccharmedthecourt,withgoldenlyreTheKingwouldtakethestageandleadthechoir;
  Inhunting,histhelancetoslaytheboar;
  Inhawking,seehisfalconhighestsoar;
  Inpainting,hewouldwieldthemaster’sbrush;
  Inhighdebate,——"theKingisspeaking!Hush!"
  Thus,witharestlessheart,ineveryfieldHesoughtrenown,andfoundhissubjectsyieldAsifhewereademi—godrevealed。
  ButwhileheplayedthepettygamesoflifeHiskingdomfellapreytoinwardstrife;
  Corruptionthroughthecourtunheededcrept,Andontheseatofhonourjusticeslept。
  Thestrongtroddowntheweak;thehelplesspoorGroanedunderburdensgrievoustoendure。
  Thenation’swealthwasspentinvaindisplay,Andweaknessworethenation’sheartaway。
  YetthinknotEarthisblindtohumanwoes——
  Manhasmorefriendsandhelpersthanheknows;
  Andwhenapatientpeopleareoppressed,Thelandthatborethemfeelsitinherbreast。
  Spiritsoffieldandflood,ofheathandhill,Aregrievedandangryatthespreadingill;
  Thetreescomplaintogetherinthenight,Voicesofwrathareheardalongtheheight,Andsecretvowsaresworn,bystreamandstrand,Tobringthetyrantlowandliberatetheland。
  ButlittlereckedthepamperedKingofthese;
  Heheardnovoicebutsuchaspraiseandplease。
  Flatteredandfooled,victorineverysport,OnedayhewanderedidlywithhiscourtBesidetheriver,seekingtodeviseNewwaystoshowhisskilltowonderingeyes。
  Thereinthestreamapatientfisherstood,Andcasthislineacrosstheripplingflood。
  Hissilverspoillaynearhimonthegreen:
  "Suchfish,"thecourtierscried,"wereneverseen!
  "Threesalmonlongerthanacloth—yardshaft——
  "Thismanmustbethemasterofhiscraft!"
  "Aneasyart!"thejealousKingreplied:
  "Myselfcouldlearnitbetter,ifItried,"Andcatchahundredlargerfishaweek——
  "Wiltthouacceptthechallenge,fellow?Speak!"
  Thefisherturned,camenear,andbenthisknee:
  "’Tisnotforkingstostrivewithsuchasme;
  "YetiftheKingcommandsit,Iobey。
  "ButoneconditionofthestrifeIpray:
  "Thefishermanwhobringstheleasttoland"Shalldowhate’ertheothermaycommand。"
  LoudlaughedtheKing:"Afoolishfisherthou!
  "ForIshallwinandruletheethenasnow。"
  SotoPrinceJohn,asobersoul,sedateAndslow,KingMartinleftthehelmofstate,WhiletothenovelgamewitheagerzestHeallhistimeandallhispowersaddrest。
  Suresuchasightwasneverseenbefore!
  Forrobedandcrownedthemonarchtrodtheshore;
  Hisgoldenhooksweredeckedwithfeathersfine,Hisjewelledreelranoutasilkenline。
  Withkinglystrokeshefloggedthecrystalstream,Far—offthesalmonsawhistacklegleam;
  Carelessofkings,theyeyedwithcalmdisdainThegaudylure,andMartinfishedinvain。
  OnFriday,whentheweekwasalmostspent,Hescannedhisemptycreelwithdiscontent,Calledforanet,andcastitfarandwide,Anddrew——athousandminnowsfromthetide!
  Thencamethefishertoconcludethematch,Andatthemonarch’sfeetspreadouthiscatch——
  Ahundredsalmon,greaterthanbefore——
  "Iwin!"hecried:"theKingmustpaythescore。"
  ThenMartin,angry,threwhistackledown:
  "RatherthanlosethisgameI’dlosemycrown!"
  Nay,thouhastlostthemboth,"thefishersaid;
  AndashespokeawondrouslightwasshedAroundhisform;hedroppedhisgarmentsmean,AndinhisplacetheRiver—godwasseen。
  "Thyvanityhastbroughttheeinmypower,"Andthoushaltpaytheforfeitatthishour:
  "Forthouhastshownthyselfaroyalfool,"Tooproudtoangle,andtoovaintorule。
  "Eagertowinineverytrivialstrife,——
  "Go!Thoushaltfishforminnowsallthylife!"
  Wrathful,theKingthescornfulsentenceheard;
  Hestrovetoanswer,butheonlyCHIRR—R—ED:
  HisTyrianrobewaschangedtowingsofblue,Hiscrownbecameacrest,——awayheflew!
  Andstill,alongthereachesofthestream,ThevainKing—fisherflits,anazuregleam,——
  Youseehisrubycrest,youhearhisjealousscream。
  April,1904。
  LYRICS
  AMILEWITHME
  OwhowillwalkamilewithmeAlonglife’smerryway?
  Acomradeblitheandfullofglee,Whodarestolaughoutloudandfree,Andlethisfrolicfancyplay,Likeahappychild,throughtheflowersgayThatfillthefieldandfringethewayWherehewalksamilewithme。
  AndwhowillwalkamilewithmeAlonglife’swearyway?
  AfriendwhosehearthaseyestoseeThestarsshineouto’erthedarkeninglea,Andthequietrestattheendo’theday,——
  Afriendwhoknows,anddarestosay,Thebrave,sweetwordsthatcheerthewayWherehewalksamilewithme。
  Withsuchacomrade,suchafriend,Ifainwouldwalktilljourneysend,Throughsummersunshine,winterrain,Andthen?——Farewell,weshallmeetagain!
  December,1902。
  SPRINGINTHESOUTH
  Nowintheoakthesapoflifeiswelling,Tho’totheboughtherustyleafageclings;
  Nowontheelmthemistybudsareswelling,Seehowthepine—woodgrowsalivewithwings;
  Blue—jaysfluttering,yodelingandcrying,Meadow—larkssailinglowabovethefadedgrass,Red—birdswhistlingclear,silentrobinsflying,——
  Whohaswakedthebirdsup?Whathascometopass?
  Lastyear’scotton—plants,desolatelybowing,TrembleintheMarch—wind,raggedandforlorn;
  Redarethehill—sidesoftheearlyploughing,Grayarethelowlands,waitingforthecorn。
  Earthseemsasleepstill,butshe’sonlyfeigning;
  Deepinherbosomthrillsasweetunrest。
  LookwherethejasminelavishlyisrainingJove’sgoldenshowerintoDanae’sbreast!
  Nowontheplumthesnowybloomissifted,Nowonthepeachthegloryoftherose,Overthehillsatenderhazeisdrifted,Fulltothebrimtheyellowriverflows。
  Darkcypressboughswithvividjewelsglisten,Greenerthanemeraldsshininginthesun。
  Whohaswroughtthemagic?Listen,sweetheart,listen!
  Themocking—birdissingingSpringhasbegun。
  Hark,inhissongnotremorofmisgiving!
  Allofhishearthepoursintohislay,——
  "Love,love,love,andpuredelightofliving:
  Winterisforgotten:here’sahappyday!"
  FairinyourfaceIreadtheflowerypresage,Snowyonyourbrowandrosyonyourmouth:
  SweetinyourvoiceIheartheseason’smessage,——
  Love,love,love,andSpringintheSouth!
  March,1904。
  LOVE’SNEARNESS
  Ithinkofthee,whengoldensunbeamsshimmerAcrossthesea;
  Andwhenthewavesreflectthemoon’spaleglimmer,Ithinkofthee。
  Iseethyform,whendownthedistanthighwayThedust—cloudsrise;
  Indeepestnight,abovethemountainby—way,Iseethineeyes。
  Iheartheewhentheocean—tidesreturningLoudlyrejoice;
  Andonthelonelymoor,instillnessyearning,Ihearthyvoice。
  Idwellwiththee:thoughthouartfarremoved,Yetartthounear。
  Thesungoesdown,thestarsshineout,——
  Beloved,Ah,wertthouhere!
  >FromGoethe:"NahedesGeliebten。"
  TWOSCHOOLS
  IputmyhearttoschoolIntheworld,wheremengrowwise,"Goout,"Isaid,"andlearntherule;
  "Comebackwhenyouwinaprize。"
  Myheartcamebackagain:
  "Nowwhereistheprize?"Icried。——
  "Therulewasfalse,andtheprizewaspain,"Andtheteacher’snamewasPride。"
  IputmyhearttoschoolInthewoods,whereveeriessing,Andbrooksruncoolandclear;
  Inthefields,wherewildflowersspring,Andtheblueofheavenbendsnear。
  "Goout,"Isaid:"youarehalfafool,"Butperhapstheycanteachyouhere。"
  "Andwhydoyoustaysolong,"Myheart,andwheredoyouroam?"
  Theanswercamewithalaughandasong,——
  "Ifindthisschoolishome。"
  April,1901。
  APRAYERFORAMOTHER’SBIRTHDAY
  LordJesus,ThouhastknownAmother’sloveandtendercare:
  AndThouwilthear,whileformyownMothermostdearImakethisbirthdayprayer。
  Protectherlife,Ipray,Whogavethegiftoflifetome;
  Andmaysheknow,fromdaytoday,ThedeepeningglowofLifethatcomesfromThee。
  AsonceuponherbreastFearlessandwellcontentIlay,Soletherheart,onTheeatrest,Feelfearsdepartandtroublesfadeaway。
  Hereverywishfulfill;
  AndevenifThoumustrefuseInanything,letThywisewillAcomfortbringsuchaskindmothersuse。
  Ah,holdherbythehand,Asonceherhandheldmine;
  AndthoughshemaynotunderstandLife’swindingway,leadherinpeacedivine。
  IcannotpaymydebtForallthelovethatshehasgiven;
  ButThou,love’sLord,wiltnotforgetHerduereward,——blessherinearthandheaven。
  July,1903。
  INDIANSUMMER
  Asoftveildimsthetenderskies,AndhalfconcealsfrompensiveeyesThebronzingtokensofthefall;
  Acalmnessbroodsuponthehills,Andsummer’spartingdreamdistillsAcharmofsilenceoverall。
  Thestacksofcorn,inbrownarray,Standwaitingthroughtheplacidday,Liketatteredwigwamsontheplain;
  ThetribesthatfindashelterthereArephantompeoples,formsofair,Andghostsofvanishedjoyandpain。
  AteveningwhenthecrimsoncrestOfsunsetpassesdowntheWest,Ihearthewhisperinghostreturning;
  Onfar—offfields,byelmandoak,Iseethelights,Ismellthesmoke,——
  TheCamp—firesofthePastareburning。
  TertiusandHenryVanDyke。
  November,1903。
  ONEWORLD
  "TheworldsinwhichwelivearetwoTheworld’Iam’andtheworld’Ido。’"
  Theworldsinwhichweliveatheartareone,Theworld"Iam,"thefruitof"Ihavedone";
  Andunderneaththeseworldsofflowerandfruit,Theworld"Ilove,"——theonlylivingroot。
  HIDEANDSEEK
  I
  Allthetreesaresleeping,allthewindsarestill,Alltheflocksoffleecycloudshavewanderedpastthehill;
  Throughthenoondaysilence,downthewoodsofJune,Hark,alittlehunter’svoicecomesrunningwithatune。
  "Hideandseek!
  "WhenIspeak,"Youmustanswerme:
  "Callagain,"Merrymen,"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!"
  NowIhearhisfootsteps,rustlingthroughthegrass:
  Hiddeninmyleafynook,shallIlethimpass?
  Justalow,softwhistle,——quickthehunterturns,Leapsuponmelaughing,rollsmeintheferns。
  "Holdhimfast,"Caughtatlast!
  "Nowyou’reit,yousee。
  "Hideyoureye,"TillIcry,"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!"
  II
  Longagoheleftme,longandlongago:
  NowIwanderthroughtheworldandseekhimhighandlow;
  Hiddensafeandhappy,insomepleasantplace,——
  Ah,ifIcouldhearhisvoice,Isoonshouldfindhisface。
  Faraway,Manyaday,WherecanBarneybe?
  Answer,dear,Don’tyouhear?
  Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!
  Birdsthatinthespring—timethrilledhisheartwithjoy,Flowershelovedtopickforme,mindmeofmyboy。
  Surelyheiswaitingtillmystepscomenigh;
  Lovemayhideitselfawhile,butlovecanneverdie。
  Heart,beglad,ThelittleladWillcallsomedaytothee:
  "Fatherdear,"Heavenishere,"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!"
  January,1900。
  DULCISMEMORIA
  Long,longagoIheardalittlesong,(Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?)
  Solowly,slowlywoundthetunealong,Thatfarintomyheartitfoundtheway:
  Amelodyconsolingandendearing;
  Andstill,insilenthours,I’moftenhearingThesmall,sweetsongthatdoesnotdieaway。
  Long,longagoIsawalittleflower,——
  (Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?)
  Sofairoffaceandfragrantforanhour,Thatsomethingdeartomeitseemedtosay:
  AthoughtofjoythatblossomedintobeingWithoutaword;andnowI’moftenseeingThefriendlyflowerthatdoesnotfadeaway。
  Long,longagowehadalittlechild,——
  (Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?)
  Intohismother’seyesandminehesmiledUnconsciouslove;warminourarmshelay。
  Anangelcalled!Dearheart,wecouldnotholdhim;
  Yetsecretlyyourarmsandmineinfoldhim——
  Ourlittlechildwhodoesnotgoaway。
  Long,longago?Ah,memory,makeitclear——
  (Itwasnotlongago,butyesterday,)
  SolittleandsohelplessandsodearLetnotthesongbelost,theflowerdecay!
  Hisvoice,hiswakingeyes,hisgentlesleeping:
  Thesmallestthingsaresafestinthykeeping。
  Sweetmemory,keepourchildwithusalway。
  April,1903。
  AUTUMNINTHEGARDEN
  WhenthefrostykissofAutumninthedarkMakesitsmarkOntheflowers,andthemistymorninggrievesOverfallenleaves;
  Thenmyoldengarden,wherethegoldensoilThroughthetoilOfahundredyearsismellow,rich,anddeep,Whispersinitssleep。
  ’Midthecrumpledbedsofmarigoldandphlox,WheretheboxBorderswithitsglossygreentheancientwalks,There’savoicethattalksOfthehumanhopesthatbloomedandwitheredhereYearbyyear,——
  Dreamsofjoy,thatbrightenedallthelabouringhours,Fadingastheflowers。
  Yetthewhisperedstorydoesnotdeepengrief;
  ButreliefForthelonelinessofsorrowseemstoflowFromtheLong—Ago,WhenIthinkofotherlivesthatlearned,likemine,Toresign,AndrememberthatthesadnessofthefallComesaliketoall。
  Whatregrets,whatlongingsforthelostweretheirs!
  AndwhatprayersForthesilentstrengththatnervesustoendureThingswecannotcure!
  Pacingupanddownthegardenwheretheypaced,IhavetracedAlltheirwell—wornpathsofpatience,tillIfindComfortinmymind。
  Faintandfarawaytheirancientgriefsappear:
  YethownearIsthetendervoice,thecareworn,kindlyface,Ofthehumanrace!
  Letuswalktogetherinthegarden,dearestheart,Notapart!
  TheywhoknowthesorrowsotherliveshaveknownNeverwalkalone。
  October,1903。
  THEMESSAGE
  Wakingfromtendersleep,Myneighbour’slittlechildPutouthisbabyhandtome,Lookedinmyface,andsmiled。
  ItseemedasifhecameHomefromahappyland,TotellmesomethingthatmyheartWouldsurelyunderstand。
  Somewhere,amongbrightdreams,AchildthatoncewasmineHadwhisperedwordlesslovetohim,Andgivenhimasign。
  Comfortofkindlyspeech,Andcounselofthewise,HavehelpedmelessthanwhatIreadInthosedeep—smilingeyes。
  Sleepsweetly,littlefriend,Anddreamagainofheaven:
  WithdoubleloveIkissyourhand,——
  Yourmessagehasbeengiven。
  November,1903。
  LIGHTBETWEENTHETREES
  Long,long,longthetrailThroughthebroodingforest—gloom,Downtheshadowy,lonelyvaleIntosilence,likearoomWherethelightoflifehasfled,AndthejealouscurtainscloseRoundthepassionlessreposeOfthesilentdead。
  Plod,plod,plodaway,Stepbystepinmoulderingmoss;
  ThickbranchesbarthedayOverlanguidstreamsthatcrossSoftly,slowly,withasoundIntheiraimlesscreepingLikeasmotheredweeping,Throughtheenchantedground。
  "Yield,yield,yieldthyquest,"
  Whispersthroughthewoodlanddeep;
  "Cometomeandbeatrest;
  "Iamslumber,Iamsleep。"
  Thenthewearyfeetwouldfail,Butthenever—dauntedwillUrges"Forward,forwardstill!
  "Pressalongthetrail!"
  Breast,breast,breasttheslope!
  See,thepathisgrowingsteep。
  Hark!alittlesongofhopeWhenthestreambeginstoleap。
  Thoughtheforest,farandwide,Stillshutsoutthebendingblue,Weshallfinallywinthrough,Crossthelongdivide。
  On,on,onwardtramp!
  Willthejourneyneverend?
  Overyonderliesthecamp;
  Welcomewaitsusthere,myfriend。
  Canwereachiterethenight?
  Upward,upward,neverfear!
  Look,thesummitmustbenear;
  Seethelineoflight!
  Red,red,redtheshineOfthesplendourinthewest,Glowingthroughtheranksofpine,Clearalongthemountain—crest!
  Long,long,longthetrailOutofsorrow’slonelyvale;
  ButatlastthetravellerseesLightbetweenthetrees!
  March,1904。
  RELIANCE
  Nottotheswift,therace:
  Nottothestrong,thefight:
  Nottotherighteous,perfectgrace:
  Nottothewise,thelight。
  ButoftenfalteringfeetComesuresttothegoal;
  AndtheywhowalkindarknessmeetThesunriseofthesoul。
  AthousandtimesbynightTheSyrianhostshavedied;
  AthousandtimesthevanquishedrightHathrisen,glorified。
  ThetruththewisemensoughtWasspokenbyachild;
  ThealabasterboxwasbroughtIntremblinghandsdefiled。
  Notfrommytorch,thegleam,Butfromthestarsabove:
  Notfrommyheart,life’scrystalstream,ButfromthedepthsofLove。
  October,1903。
  GREETINGSANDINSCRIPTIONS
  KATRINA’SSUN—DIAL
  Hoursfly,Flowersdie:
  Newdays,Newways:
  Passby!
  Lovestays。
  **
  TimeisTooSlowforthosewhoWait,TooSwiftforthosewhoFear,TooLongforthosewhoGrieve,TooShortforthosewhoRejoice;
  ButforthosewhoLove,Timeisnot。
  TOJAMESWHITCOMBRILEY
  Onhis"BookofJoyousChildren"
  Yoursisagardenofold—fashionedflowers;
  Joyouschildrendelighttoplaythere;
  Wearymenfindrestinitsbowers,Watchingthelingeringlightofdaythere。
  Old—timetunesandyounglove’slaughterRippleandrunamongtheroses;
  Memory’sechoes,murmuringafter,Filltheduskwhenthelongdaycloses。
  Simplesongswithacadenceolden——
  TheseyoulearnedintheForestofArden:
  Friendlyflowerswithheartsallgolden——
  TheseyouborrowedfromEden’sgarden。
  Thisisthereasonwhyallmenloveyou;
  Truthtolifeisthecharmofart:
  Otherpoetsmaysoaraboveyou——
  Youkeepclosetothehumanheart。
  December,1903。
  AHEALTHTOMARKTWAIN
  AthisBirthdayFeastWithmemoriesoldandwishesnewWecrownourcupsagain,Andhere’stoyou,andhere’stoyouWithlovethatne’ershallwane!
  Andmayyoukeep,atsixty—seven,Thejoyofearth,thehopeofheaven,Andfamewell—earned,andfriendshiptrue,Andpeacethatcomfortseverypain,Andfaiththatfightsthebattlethrough,Andallyourheart’sunboundedwealth,Andallyourwit,andallyourhealth,——
  Yes,here’saheartyhealthtoyou,Andhere’stoyou,andhere’stoyou,Longlifetoyou,MarkTwain。
  ARONDEAUOFCOLLEGERHYMES
  Ourcollegerhymes,——howlighttheyseem,Likelittleghostsoflove’syoungdreamThatledourboyishheartsawayFromlecturesandfrombooks,tostrayByflowerymeadandflowingstream!
  There’snothinghere,informortheme,Ofthoughtsublimeorartsupreme:
  WewouldnothavethecriticweighOurcollegerhymes。
  Yetif,perchance,aslenderbeamOffeeling’sgloworfancy’sgleamStilllingersinthelineswelayAtAlmaMater’sfeettoday,ThetouchofNaturemayredeemOurcollegerhymes。
  May,1904。
  THEMOCKING—BIRD
  Inmirthhemockstheotherbirdsatnoon,Catchingtheliltofeveryeasytune;
  Butwhenthedaydepartshesingsoflove,——
  Hisownwildsongbeneaththelisteningmoon。
  March,1904。
  THEEMPTYQUATRAIN
  Aflawlesscup:howdelicateandfineTheflowingcurveofeveryjewelledline!
  Look,turnitupordown,’tisperfectstill,——
  Butholdsnodropoflife’sheart—warmingwine。
  April,1904。
  INSCRIPTIONSFORAFRIEND’SHOUSE
  THEHOUSE
  ThecornerstoneinTruthislaid,TheguardianwallsofHonourmade,TheroofofFaithisbuiltabove,ThefireuponthehearthisLove:
  Thoughrainsdescendandloudwindscall,Thishappyhouseshallneverfall。
  THEDOORSTEAD
  Thelintellowenoughtokeepoutpompandpride:
  Thethresholdhighenoughtoturndeceitaside:
  Thedoorbandstrongenoughfromrobberstodefend:
  Thisdoorwillopenatatouchtowelcomeeveryfriend。
  THEHEARTHSTONE
  Whenthelogsareburningfree,Thenthefireisfullofglee:
  Wheneachheartgivesoutitsbest,Thenthetalkisfullofzest:
  Lightyourfireandneverfear,Lifewasmadeforloveandcheer。
  THESUN—DIAL
  TimecannevertakeWhatTimedidnotgive;
  Whenmyshadowshaveallpassed,Youshalllive。
  THESTATUEOFSHERMANBYST。GAUDENS
  ThisisthesoldierbraveenoughtotellTheglory—dazzledworldthat’warishell’:
  Loverofpeace,helooksbeyondthestrife,Andridesthroughhelltosavehiscountry’slife。
  April,1904。
  THESUN—DIALATWELLSCOLLEGE
  TheshadowbymyfingercastDividesthefuturefromthepast:
  Beforeit,sleepstheunbornhourIndarkness,andbeyondthypower:
  Behinditsunreturningline,Thevanishedhour,nolongerthine:
  Onehouraloneisinthyhands,——
  TheNOWonwhichtheshadowstands。
  March,1904。