Poems

MEDITATIONS

THE HOUR's GLORY

(Suggested by Emerson's Essay, "Works and Days.")

Each hour has some glory all its own, Some silver lull of streams unheard before, Some glimpses rare of Nature's loveliness, Some song with sweetness newer than of yore.

Each hour waiting spirits, Peace and Hope, Stand near us if we wave them not away; Each hour questions haunt us, bearing balm Imprisoned in the potent yea or nay.

Each hour is a Sibyl, weird and strange, Of eye prophetic and of bacward glance; Each is a restless bird checked in its flight, A whisper that will nevemore entrance.

Each hour souls may catch celestial paeans Of subtle meaning, stealing from afar; As when through shad'wy deeps of purple skies, In voiceless hamony star follows star.

Each hour may gain beauty from the Past, And with the Future's coming glory gleam; But in the light of this, all radiance fades: Each hour is a Truth and not a Dream.

REVEREIE

The brook glides on to the river, The Ever glides to the sea; Each seeks for a broader channel, For broader channels, we.

If we throw the tiniest pebble From the fringed, sylvan shore, The river in widening, circles Flows onward, —-so calm before.

The zephyr softly trembles The glist'ning waves along; The gentle drip of the rain drops Makes sweeter their quiet song.

Word-pebbles flung by the heedless, Will ripple the calmest life; But the kindly hints of friendship, Like zephyrs, soothe the strife.

And thef priceless tears that only From sympathy can flow, Like raindrops, cool the fever Of the troubled waves below.

The brook glides on to the river, The river glides to the sea; Each seeks for a broader channel, For something-more yearn we.

For a fuller, deeper knowledge Of the mystery life enfolds, That puzzles as does the process By which the sculptor moulds.

The child to the skies' rose-tracery Lifts often his earnest eyes, Now, lit with a sense of its beauty, And now, with a vague surprise.

So erst gazed we on these marvels, Nor thouglut of the Master-hand That colors the delicate moonbeams, And seashells among the sand.

So we, still like little children, Have read' not one-half the scroll, Have learned not one-half the lesson Life gives to. the thoughtful soul.

Oh! when will all joy be perfect? Oh! when will all thought be free? Why question? We glide like the river, Toward a vast, vast sea.

The brook glides on to the river, The river glides to the sea; Our yearnings will blend with the chorus Of God's ocean, Eternity!

GOD'S WAYS NOT OUR WAYS

Men choose a crystal goblet filled with wine, That thirst and sense of beauty in all haste May be indulged; but soon the wine is spilled Or proves unpleasant to the sated taste; The crystal chasteness of the goblet slow Grows dimmer, and thus beauty is a loss; And man full weary, to the wayside flings That wealth of pleasure which has turned to dross, Close hugs a wooden bowl —no substitute For grace and radiance —and with pleading eyes, Begs his Creator hum'bly to send down One drop of water from the plenteous skies.; God grants the boon, man drinks-and is content.

Most men refuse to tread on this or that, In their attempts to climb where angels are; Some fain would walk on roses, some on down, Some reach on waves of light the nearest star;

But from the devious modes that they devise, One has adjusted been to ev'ry need; The fiat born of Wisdom goeth forth, And man must reck not that his feet will bleed; Nr dare to say in lofty arrogance, "Walk thou in that path, I will walk in this!" For he who would attain where angels bathe Their willing souls in affluence of bliss, Must climb on Patience' ladder up to God.

/ NATURE'S MINOR CHORDS

The stirring of a feathery cloud May wake a thought of richest womb, The dew up,on the lily's rim To deepest reverie give high.

Half glimpses caught in idle hours Of shifting lights upon a stream, Some sudden glory in the skies May give the soul a magic dream.

The scent of wood-glades when glad Spring Is penciling the dainty leaves, Like subtlest music, round the heart A web of strange enchantment weaves.

The tobin's carol to the dawn Soothes like the answer to a prayer; The cushat's melancholy plaint May change our mood quite to despair.

In Nature's wondrous orchestra, The quiver of a single strain Will poise a thought, and give the soul Most exquisite repose or pain.

AT NATURE'S SHRINE

Sweet Nature,give me holy dreams, Caress thy child once more! Thy holiest cadence softly chant As thou didst oft of yore. Amid these mountains silence-sealed, Beneath this tender sky, Soothed by thy harmony divine, Forever would I lie.

Now creeps the mist, —a violet veil, Above the sacred kills; The rainbow shimmers in the east, Low coo the sparkling rills. My soul so soothed beneath thy touch, O Nature, chaste and calm, Would bow before these solemn fanes, And pour its grateful psalm.

These mountains veiled in mystery, These skies with meaning fraught, Rest in the hollow of His hand, Whose tones Creation caught. As the strange music of the shell Tells of the mighty sea, So these all to our rev'rent souls, Great Father, speak of Thee!

CLOUD SONG

O snowflake clouds, O feath'ry clouds, Sailing through deeps of sky, Look through the boughs, the apple boughs, Come to the each more nigh.

Bring me a rift of sunshine gold, To circle round my brow; In breezy robes I fain would drift' To some blest island now.

Catch me the dew from those fair hills Where ye are wont to rest; Bring me the rose from Summer skies, When Day dreams in the west. Gather the rainbow's mingled hues, — A blush of purity; Give me the sparkle of the waves Of the mysterious sea.

O snowflake clouds, O feath'ry clouds, Sailing through deeps of sky, Can ye not bring a hint of song And drop it from on high? Same tender song the seraphs sing, So soothing, I could dream That the sweet light of Paradise On my life-path did gleam.

MY EASTER Dove.

There came a dove, an Easter dove, When morning stars grew dim; It fluttered round my lattice bars, To chant a marin hymn.

It brought a lily in its beak, Aglow with dewy sheen; I caught the strain, the incense breathed, And uttered praise between..

It brought a shrine of holy thoughts To calm my,soul that day; I caught the meaning of the note, Why did it fly. away?'

Come peaceful dove, sweet Easter dove! Above earth's storm and strife, Sing of the joy of Easter-tide, Of light and hope and life.

QUESTIONING

Can life's best consciousness of joy Quite charm the soul with, out alloy? Or will its hidden depths be stirred All unawares, by some chance word, To deep regret or nameless pain, With fev'rish yearning in its train?

Ay! as the shadows fleck the grass When through his courts the Sun doth pass., So in the measure Life must dole To th' insatiate, asking soul, Shade-gives to bloom its best relief, Joy comes the sweeter after grief.

Each struggle toward a clearer light, Each noble impulse unto right Makes struggle easy, effort grand; Lo! when' we seize with eager hand The regal rose and meet the thorn, We heed not though our flesh be torn.

For life's best joy may not all be Intense delight though e'er so free

From hint of sorrow, but the calm That soothes the spirit, like a psalm Of benediction flo-ating by, In strains serenest caught on high.

HIDDEN ESSENCE

Some gold lles veiled behind each evening cloud, Some beauty hides in every quiet stream, Some love entwines its tendrils round each soul, With all the rare devotion of a dream.:

Some rose looks forth from ev'ry curled bud, Some note drifts warbling to the last one's need, Some song thrills deeply ev'ry woodbird's heart, Some dew-soft incense haloes each true deed.

Some azure-winged Hope with starry gaze, Floats viewless near, when joy begins to wane; Some lustrous tint through each tear-prism gleams, Some peace reposes'neath each torturing pain.

A FRAGMENT

Our fancies are but joys all unexprest, The rhythm of a carol strange. and sweet. Who would resign his yearning for the best The arts. severe can yield? all incomplete As is the airy fabric of our dream, Yet'bask we in its ro.se-encolored gleam.

Take from our life'its palpitating hope, Rob it of those mysterious undertones, That like the chanting angels, fondly grope Toward harmonies celestial, stifle moans

That, uttered in our longing, half reveal The soul's deep struggles and far more eonceal, —

And what is left us? What avails the lute When thqe sweet player's fingers all are cold? So would it be with us if Hope were mute, No longer with her magic to unfold Our dreams' aerial splendor and transform Their misty shadows to a radiance warm.

Then let us, ever watching rev'rently, Quaff the pure incense of the morning star, Heed the impassioned skylark's reverie, Soaring and singing in the ether far; And bathe our life each hour in beauty new, By guarding fresh the soul's impearled dew.

STAR SONG

O sailing stars! Through pearly bars Of fleecy cloudlets- fair, With liquid gleam, Ye drift, —a dream Of beauty in the air.

Ye sailing stars! Bright silver cars, Moving with rhythmic pace, Can spirits rare Float through the air, With more majestic grace?

O stars so calm! Were life a psalm Attuned to harmony,

On wings of light, To some blest height As calm, our souls would flee.

EASTER CaRO.L

Lilies swinging censers fair, In the dreamy Spring-fide air, Purer seem your bells this morn: Roses on the dewy lawn, Tinted with the hues of dawn,' Ye are sweeter: flow'rets say, Why are ye so rare to-day? Oh why, oh why!

Robin, tender robin, say, Why art thou so glad to-day? Never has thy note to me Borne beneath its melody, Such inspiring mystery. Warbling robin, softly say, Why art thou so glad to-day? Oh why, oh why!

Silver-throated lark,' reply! ~ Far off in the azure sky, Wherefore does that song of thine, Soaring in a strain divine, Strangely thrill this soul of'mine? Fluting lark, reply, reply! Is't to bear my soul on high? On high, on high!

Questioner! the bird's reply, Christ ascends to-day on high, From the sadness and the gloom, From the shadows of the tomb.

For His glory sweeter bloom Rose and lily; this is why Strains divine thrill through the sky, 'Tic why,'tis why!

Pure as is the lily's bowl, List'ner! ever be thy soul! Fragrant as the rose thy life, Kindliness o'ercoming strife; Jesus' vict'ry gives new life. Then uplift thy drooping brow, Join in Nature's gladness now! Sing now, sing now!

Yes! the Easter-tide is fair, Strains triumphant flood the air; So bright garlands we entwine For the Son of God Divine. Then rejoice, O soul of mine! With the chanting bit& and flow'rs, Consecrate these blessed hours, Rejoice! rejoice!

AN IDEAL

An evanescent hue whose pearly gleam Transfigures all it glows upon, a dream Of forms aerial, chiseled so fair That angel fingers must have lingered there.

A scent as of celestial roses blown From consecrated meadows, many a tone Sublime in ecstasy and rev'rent hush, An exaltation that no wrong can crush.

A hint of harmonies in life's strange psalm, A-sense of Heaven's completeness, all its calm; A shining goal suffused with radiant light, — Such the Ideal that lures from height to height...

THE HERMIT AND THE SOUL

The hermit in his cave beside the sea, In mood contemplative, the mystery, —-- Ay, all the wondrous meaning fain would trace Of swinging stars sphered in unfathomed space.

The soul in life's dim cave beside the sea, Is pond'ring likewise all the mystery, T he solemn something that the years unfold, A riddle never new, yet never old.

Ah! musing hermit, wake from out thy dreams! See'mid the stars refulgent, one that streams With sheen sublime; the shepherds., ages gone, Saw it illume the plain one frosty morn.

Ah! restless soul, immortal dow'r is thine! Christ. came to earth, the Son of God Divine, To solve the myst'ry: therefore cease. thy strife, Light from the cross leads on to endless life.

COMPENSATION

How the majestic stellar lights of Heaven Gliding in rhythm through take aisles of space, Shed cheering radiance on the waiting earth, When all day long the Sun has hid his face.

How glowed the painter's soul with rapture mute, When after weary toil and vague unrest, The Head Divine upon his vision broke, And rare contentment closed a loving quest.

Men who dare mighty deeds with dauntless-will, Oft meet defeat, not glorious victory; But tbe uplifting souls to undreamed heights, May not of poorest laurels worthy be.

There is a heroism born,of pain, Whose recompense in noble impulse lies; And sometimes tears that' e'en from grief did flow,. Are changed, to joy-drops in pathetic eyes.

From out the din of mighty orchestras, The sweetest, purest bones are oft evolved; So from the discord. of our restless lives, May come sweet harmony when all is solved

A VISION OF MOONLIGHT

O silver splendor, marvelous! Transfigured is the rare. blue sky, Where cloudlets crowned with amber mist, Glide to a whispered music by.

What seem they, circling round the spheres, Swans that majestically sway?. Or weird white ships far out at sea, With lamps hung up to light the way?

Or are they rather, like the bright, Fantastic wreaths of feathery spray, Revealing gleams of ringlets gold, Tossed by the mermaidS in their play?.

A pearly skimmer lies within The rose's petals folded up; Shy lilies peep through river-reeds, With liquid, sweetness in their cup.

A fleecy, opal-tinted veil Hangs on the waters sleeping calm;! Fountains of rainbow sheen fling high Their cadence mellowed to a psalm.;

As hope upspringing in the breast Irradiates the human face, E'en so the moonlight's mystic glow ShedS o'er all things unwonted grace.

The soul is nobler for great thoughts, The heart is richer for love's boon, The flowers are brighter for the dew, The sky is rarer for the moon.

O solemn silence! do the leaves Stop rustling tO enjoy the scene? Do waves, all tremulous with sound, Pause to adore, their hymns between?

O tranquil moonlight! as some strains Suggest a master-spirit's song, Thy beauty pure, impalpable, Must to celestial spheres belong.

O glory royal, marvelous! Thou may'st perhaps the shadow be Of glory all-surpassing, that Streams from God's throne eternally.

SEA CADENCES

Many are thy tones, O Ocean, Filling us with strange emotion As we hear the murmurs wild; In their weird and solemn power, Thou dost send them ev'ry hour To thy yearning, list'ning child.

Like a voice subdued and tragic, Many of thy songs bring magic, Others to us hoarsely call; Some are sweet and fraught with gladness, Some have strains akin to sadness, Yet we prize and love them all.

In the heart nigh crushed with sorrow, Dreading the unknown to-morrow, Wishing past the drear to-day, In the soul its burden bearing While the lip a smile is wearing, They have waked an answering lay.

Thou hast ps'alms of glad thanksgiving, Choral anthems for the living, Dirges for the silent throng; For the beautiful who, lying Where the mermaids low are sighing, Nevermore shall join thy song.

There is freedom in thy dashing As thy waves the rocks are lashing, Singing loud their mad re~rain; Of unrest the chords are telling, And from many a soul's depth welling, Comes an echo to the strain.

Like some lone heart's plaintive throbbing, Leap the billows, wildly sobbing, Flinging to the pulseless air, Now, a cadence hushed and calming, Now, a peal fierce and alarming, Now a wail of deep despair.

As the sad mysterious surges Chant their melancholy dirges, In a whisper ne'er repressed, So within the realm of feeling, Hopes and longings softly stealing, Moan forever unexpressed.

When thy sweetly chiming chorus Throws its fascination o'er us, We would fain translate it all; But in vain is e'en our trying, For thy notes are never-dying, And they baffle as they fall.

Soft thy hymns of awed devotion Float on waves of ceaseless motion, To the throne of God above. Many are thy tones, O Ocean, Filling us with strange emotion, Tuning souls to praise and love.

A THOUGHT oN LAKE ONTARIO

The lucent lake was lit with sheen, Shining the crested waves between, And through the purpling air The.young birds trilled their lightsome lays, To join the hymn of Nature's praise, And earth was passing fair.

The summer sky was liquid blue, The lake's deep gleam, a sapphire hue Of gem-like radiance rare; It seemed a quiet dream of rest,' The billows on its mighty breast Swayed in accordant prayer.

I deem Apollo ne'er had seen More wondrous depths of glist'ning sheen, Than thine, O dreamy lake! Nor has his lyre swept the deep, Wherein more magic shadows sleep, Than those thy ripples wake.

No Triton in the rosy dawn,' Blew sweeter music on his horn, Than thy soft melody; No Nereid seeking ocean caves, Blew lighter foam across the waves Of the impassioned sea.

When glist'ning in the sunset-rose Thy tinted waves suggest repose, All troubled yearnings cease; When life is discord and unrest, We come to seek upon. thy breast, A hint of perfect peace.

SKY PICTURE

Through pearly'deeps of sky, cloud-mountains rose Amid the haze, a land of tinted snows; A dream of beauty where the palest gold And rarest azure did their bloom unfold. It was a vision.fair, set in the air, Where form and color kissed through violet mist.

HYMN TO TfIE THOUSAND ISLANDS

O islets green, Nature's immortal gems, Ye smile —a thought of God —-rare diadems Framed in majestic waters.! Here and there Ye sparkle, tiny emeralds, from the air Dropped by chaste ~ngel fingers in the deep. Were ye, when first Creation woke from sleep, An anthem sung at sunrise to the Light, Like Memnon's statue at the dazzling sight? Dotting the placid waters, marvels ye,. A masterpiece. of sculptured scenery! Ye are a fragment of the mighty plan, Linking in rhythm divine Nature and man. Ye are a cadence of perpetual praise To Him who guards the soul through endless days.

ON THE RAPIDS OF THE ST. LAWRENCE.

The gurgling waters foam and play, And whirl and dash the live-long clay In jets of spray.. They roll and dance, and laugh and sing, They are forever on the wing, A restless thing!

What talle of pathos do they tell, As onward they tumultuous swell,— Is it a knell, A lay of love, or joy or woe, Enacted in the long ago? We cannot know!

The emerald waters rage and boil, And madly whirl in wild turmoil, Unending toil

Is theirs:they hint of strange unrest, The foamy waves upon their breast Seem sore distrust.

They leap and toss their mad caps high, They rave and plunge and sadly sigh; Yet to the sky Their weird anfiphonies ascend, And with celestial anthems blend, As up they wend.:

VOICES O.F THE RAIN

Hear the dreary, dreary rain, Beating'gainst the window pane! Causing little ones to shiver, Causing aged forms to wither, Murm'ring through the dying ember, Making fireless homes more somber, O the dreary, dreary rain!

Hear the cheerful, cheerful rain, Laughing through the golden grain! Waking cowslips in the meadow Which the stately oaks o'ershadow; Fanning soft the fainting flowers That have drooped their heads for hours. O the cheerful, cheerful rain!

Hear the tearful, tearful rain Sobbing o'er the battle-plain! Where the Warrior fought in glory, Where death closed life's tangled story. Teardrops kiss his matted tresses, Tears, instead of love's caresses. O the tearful, tearful rain!

Hear the music Of the rain, In the brook and stormy main! On the roof it softly patters, Tones concordant far it scatters. Children tucked away to slumber, Hear its notes and count their number. Pretty music of the rain!

Hear the solemn, solemn rain, Moaning o'er the burial plain! Chanting low a dirge, and sighing For the loved so missed in dying, When above them flowers are paling, Hear its sad, monot'nous wailing. O the solemn, solemn rain!

OUR TASK

If we could know the mystery Hid in the skylark's wondrous song, If we could hear the dulcet psalms The sheeny stars have sung so long, — We yet must turn to other sounds., human voices oft in pain; To dissonance which should be tuned To truest harmony again.

We cannot know, O fluting lark, What lent thy song its ecstasy; We yearn, in mediative mood To fathom all the mystery Of Natur'e's tireless orchestra. Ay! but that joy we can forego, For there is need of listning ears Where other voices charm us. So,

With vision dear. and purpose pure, Humanity's broad scheme we'll trace; A wrong to fight, a sob to bush, To see.a brother in each face That lifts itself toward God's blue dome In suppliant hope, —thus life expands To swat fruition, till the waves Of Time are lured on golden sands.

ECHO REVERIE

(At Echo Lake, White Mountains.)

Along the lake the bugle rings, And hark! what harmony of sound Breaks through the mountains: silv'ry clear The chorus is diffused~ around. It multiplies from cliff to cliff, A weird antiphony, so sweet The magic tones, the heart throbs high, Entranced with unison complete.

Ay, listen! now it steak again: From peak to peak the music rings:, Wave upon wave; until the soul Thrilled and subdued, in rapture sings. One echo wakes, it dies away; Soft, softer, hushed, till in a dream Of ecstacy divine we muse, Floating adown the peaceful stream.

O holy echo! sweet and clear, Thou tell'st of the Creator's hand That swung the singing planets there In distant orbits, when were planned

These mountains: thou dost but repeat Some fragment of the harmony The morning stars together sang; O wondrous, echoing mystery!

LINES WRITTEN ON A rAREWELL VIEW OF THE FRANCONIA MOUNTAINS AT TWILIGHT

Blue mists surround the mountains now, In shadowy splendor slowly fades Their perfect outline; each pure brow Is bathed in mystery; the shades Of pensive twilight gather round, The timid stars forbear awhile To lift their misty curtain; sound Thy lyre, O soul! 'neath Nature's smile.

THE COMING OF SPRING ~

The buds from winter's frost-work lift Their dainty heads; a golden rift Of sunshine from the misty space Of Cloudand comes. apace.

And we are sealed in dreams to-day. Look! fair Spring beckons! wherefore stay? Deep in the forest's mystery, Strange visions we would see.

The young bird twitters on his nest; His tender notqes so long represt, Soar to the ether, clear,and calm, A pure, exultant psalm.

The youth charmed by the whisp'ring leaves, Tells life's sweet secret'neath the caves, And finds more fair than sunset skies The Springtime in her eyes.

What colors deck the woodland shade! What airy pencilings! the glade Is rich with, lily-belLs whose glow Seems borrowed from the snow.

She comes fair Spring, with rhythmic pace! Say, have you looked her in the face? Her glance is ecstacy, her smile All sorrow can beguile.

In reveries almost divine, What visions bright before us shine! Lo! erst we yearned: we see fulfilled The fantasies we willed.

She comes our chant of praise to hear, Sweet, airy Spring, and lingers near; Without her dreams, her nameless hope, How sadly would we grope!

We raise our heads, our hearts elate Meanwhile, and fit to toy with fate. How can life's changes e'er distress While clasped in Spring's caress.

FAILURE

What is failure? When the maiden Pensive, reading from the page, Breathes the crushed' roseleaf's fragrance And far more than counsel sage

Does its subtle odor woo her On to happy fields of light, Where love's tremulous requirements All are reconciled quite, —

Has the sweet rose missed its mission, With, its petals rudely torn? Nay!its perfume brought a vision, Fairer than the fairest morn.,

To the dreaming maiden:.therefore Grieve not rose, thy doom was best; Murmur not to carry to her, After tumult, hints of rest.

What is failure? When the poet Hears his verses harshly scorned, Can he yet forget the rapture, That upon his spirit dawned, —

As the cadences-so holy Lulled his senses in a trance, And aerial fingers dainty Swept his lyre? Ay, perchance

He but loves the strains the better — Tender nurslings from the skies — And although no ruth awaits him, Newer glory fills his eyes.

What is failure? Ah,! we know not! 'Tis but an indiff'rent thing; Sometimes to unrest an impulse, Sometimes angels on the wing.

Calling us to finer raptures, Chanting for us nobler strains, From the world's dissatisfaction Gleaning for us priceless gains.

THE TRIPLE BENISON

Come to guard us, come to bless us, Holy, mystic sisters three! On our bowed heads pour a chrism, Daughters of the Deity.

Crown us with your triple chaplet, Roses red and lilies fair, Dark green leaves: entwined around them, Fragrant with May's tender air.

We are waiting —suppliants needy — For your beauteous three-fold gift, That to heights of calm completeness Our beseeching souls can lift.

~ How can we without your favor Make of life what it should be? Come then, guard us, aid and bless us, Daughters of the Deity.

Be our soul.s as pure and stainless, Blending all the perfect hues, Sacred Faith, as is the color We shall ever for thee choose.

Be our paths as green with verdure, Yearning Hope, as thine must be; And our lives as flushed with radiance, As thine, O blessed Charity!

VERSES TO MY HEART'S-SISTER

We've traveled long together, O sister of my heart, Since first as little children All buoyant, we did stark Upon Life's checkered pathway, Nor dreamed of aught save joy; But ah! To-day can tell us Naught is wigout alloy.

Rememb'rest thou the gambols Of those sweet,-early days, When siren Fancy showed. us Our dreams through golden haze? Ah, well thou dost remember The mirth we then did sh:are, The sports, the tasks, the music, The all-embracing prayer.

Somehow my own sweet sister, Our heart-strings early twined; Sorne rare bond of affection Of tastes and aims combined, Made us, e'en in our Springtime, Soul-sisters fond and leal; And how that love has strengthened The years can well reveal.

We've seen our loved' ones vanish Far from our yearning gaze, Into the peace of Heaven. O those sad, saddest days, When we two clung together, So lonely,and forlorn, With our crusheel hearts all quiv'ring, All bruised, and scarred. and born.

So nearer clung we, sister, And loved each other more; The tendris of our natures Twined closer than before. We could speak to no other Of those sweet, holy things, So tender yet so nameless, Which sorrow often brings.

The troubles that have thickened.' Around our daily path, We've borne together, sister, And oft when courage hath Grown feeble, and the future Was dark with naught of cheer, Could one have faced the conflict Without the other near?

And sister, dear Heart's-Sister, When all the mystery Of this strange life is ended In Immortality, We'll love each other dearly As now we do-, and more; For sacred things in Heaven Grow richer than before.

And shall not those sweet loved ones Missed.here so long! so long! Join with us in the music Of an all-perfect song? We feel a gladder cadence Will thrill their rapt'rous strain, When we are with them, sister, All, ne'er to part again!

So now as here we linger, May ours be happy days! O generous-hearted sister, In all Life's winding ways May we have joy together! And this I fondly pray, — God bless thee, dear Heart's-Sister! Forever and for aye!

AMONG THE BERNSHIRE HILLS

The hills in emerald robes of richest dye, Decked e'en most regally, slope to the sky n daintiest curves and many a lakelet calm leeps in the vale below, while like a psalm The silv'ry waters murmur; all around, Majestic silence reignqs, save when the sound Of some fair warbler stirs the air with song, Sweet as if they to Heav'n's'isles did belong. Yea, in eternal grandeur stand the Mils Wrapped oft in misty veils Of blue; the rills Trickle in motion musical, meanwhile The landscape shimmers golden'neath the smile Of Nature in her kindest mood; she seerns Benignant to these peaceful slopes; rich gleams Of sunshine flicker o'er them, shadows chase n shapes fantastic and With rarest grace, The light across these mountains; far and near, Like to a silver ribbon winding clear, The Housatonic mirrors back the skies, And through the quiet meadows gently hies To join the music of. the solemn band, Played by the sea. Touched by th' enchanted wand Of magic beauty lies fair Stockbridge Bowl, —. A lake whose calm brings rest within the soul.

There Nature comes to us with ev'ry phase Of loveliness, and charms away our days, Until refreshed the wearied spirit grows, Lulled to unwonted harmony nor knows. It aught of restlessness amid such peace; Unrest and care have there a. swift release: Nature has vesture of a thousand hues,— Skies sapphire blue, bright waters, pearly dews; Her panorama changes with the hours. 'Twas morn: above the hills. shell-tinted flow'rs Were strewn along the pathway of the sun, Just peeping o'er the slopes, his race begun. 'Twas noon: the leaves, werd dancing in the breeze; Clouds clad in sheeny tissues, kissed the trees, Crowning the summits, while to the glad gaze Stretched out a rare perspective dim with haze. And o'er the hills one fair cloud calmly slept, Fair as an angel dreaming; blue m.ists crept ~ In sinuous curves above the stately heights, Which gleamed resplendent in the shifting lights. 'Twas sunset when a charm, the earth enshrouds; A setting exquisite of tinted clouds Illumined changing scenes of mount and glade; And all the majesty of light and shade Bewildered with its beauty, while afar Looked o'er the heights one silver vesper star. And soon the moonlight touched the hills with sheen, Bathed them in mystery which Night's chaste queen. Dispels around her. Thus the vision grows, And the enchanted gleams that Nature throws O'er mountain, valley, grove and laughing rills, We see in regal beauty mid these hills. Through colonnades of pines the vistas green Invite the gaze to linger, while between The shadows slant, and through the golden air Each scene dissolves into one still more fair. All this calm loveliness can but enthrall.

We dream amid these solitudes,.and all Th' unuttered praise of many a soul ascends. In thanks to Him who here such glory sends.

EvENING PRAYER

Father of Love! We leave our souls with Thee! Oh!may Thy Holy Spirit to us be A peaceful Dove!

Now when day's strife And bitterness are o'er, Oh! in our hearts all bruisèd gently pour The dew of life.

So as the rose — Though fading on the stem — Awakes to blush when morning's lustrous gem Upon it glows; —

May we awake, Soothed by Thy pricdess balm, To chant with grateful hearts our morning psalm, And blessings take.

Or let it be, That where the palm trees rise, And crystal streams flow we uplift our eyes To Thee! —to Thee!

RETROSPECTION

What do the long years bring us, The weary, restless years? Hopes, dreams unrealized, yet balm To stay the bitt'rest tears.

Some gold tint in the. prism, Some kind words softly said, Some hint of love most tender E'en when glad joy has fled.

Not grief perchance, nor sorrow, And yet a vague unrest Will mingle with our musings, A pang all unexpressed. The minstrel's song though gladsome, Enfolds a minor strain; Each throbbing joy brings with it Inevitable pain.

for through the cleansing fires Our'shrinking souls must go, Ere we the wholesome lesson Of life can really know. Then let us be undaunted, Leaving to God the end, Reincrab'ring, more than sparrows, We find in C'twist, a friend

AT CHRISTMAS-TIDE

Gleamed a resplendent star Over the hillsides far, While shepherds watched by night On the peaceful height.

Softly the gold-light fell Over the vale and dell, While angels warbled clear "Lo! the Christ-child's here!"

Wise men brought there with them, ~ Sweet Child of Bethlehem, Rare gifts to offer Thee, For Thou mad'st them free.

"Peace!" list the magic word Now.through He ages heard; "Good-will!" it echoes still With the olden thrill.

Sweet Child in mercy sent, Jesus, grant us content. Evermore may we be Near to truth and Thee!

Broken HEART

Ah blow!thou art the last, the last! Grief cannot harm me any more. I'm weary now that hope is past, My heart is broken at the core, Ay, at He core.

Then call me henceforth, Broken Heart! It is the name most meet for woe. Since I can ne'er with Sorrow part, I care no other name to know. Ah! call me so.

I never thought my life would be All poisoned by a fatal dart, But now no joy can rescue me. Yes! call me ever Broken Heart, Sad Broken Heart.

Jesus says, "Broken Heart be mine; I'll take thee, shattered as thou art. Come rest upon my Love Divine, Come weary, weary Broken'Heart, Never to part.

"The world has. wounded, Heaven will not; Life sore has pricked thee, Broken Heart, Her page is dark with many a blot. Alas! thy bitt'rest tears will start, Poor Broken Heart!

"Then come, O wherefore wouldst thou wait? Carry thy cross and follow on. I am thy portion, early, late; Haste Broken Heart, this very morn, This happy morn.

"Sweet peace I give thee, Broken Heart, 'Twill be a cure for ev'ry woe. None e'er has loved thee, Broken Heart, As I have loved thee long ago,. Ah no! ah no!

"Does earth still weave her subtle charm? Oh!will thou not with, Sorrow part For soothing, everlashing balm? Do I suffice thee, Broken Heart? Speak, Broken Heart!"

"Yes, Jesus, Thou art all I need, I'll gladly rise and follow Thee. Life sore has pricked me, made me bleed, But now Thy child I am to be, Yes! Thine to be."

"Ay, dearest child, my blood, for thee Will heal thy heart's poor broken core; My blood that floweth full and free, Will in thy soul rich blessings pour, Forevermore!

"Then hold my hand', dear Healed Heart! I'll lead thee to thy home and then We never, nevermore shall part." "O Jesus, hear my soul's Amen, Amen, Amen!"

PRAYER

O Christ, who in Gethsemane Didst all alone in anguish pray, "Father, if it be possible, Let this cup, Father, pass away," —

O holy Christ, who rose serene, Sublime in victory to cry, "Not as I will, but as Thou wilt!" Let us in faith on Thee rely.

Did not the stars in far off space, Upon their silver axes pause To hear those words? Was not the air Calmed by the myst'ry and, its Cause?

O Christ, veiled in Humanity! O Victor over deepest woe! When we, like Thee, endure the pain, Let us, like Thee, submission know.

Grant us a vict'ry like to Thine, O'er all the storms that rage within. Teach us, O Christ, we humbly pray, The trust that fain would conquer sin.

And when life's discords all,are hushed, Blended in perfect harmony, Call us, O pitying Son of God, Take us, O blessed Christ, to Thee!

SHADOW AND SUNSHINE.

Poor heart, unsatlsfied.! Poor soul, trying and tried! Trying to reach the goal, And tried art thou, O soul, In all thy ways.

Seeking whore'or it be, Something to solace thee; Choosing whatever part, Unfilled art thou, O heart, Through length of days.

Wherefore these shadows sent? Wherefore these hours of Lent? Wherefore the rugged. rock, The fire, the stumbling block, The vale of tears?

Earth's gilded pleasures lure; Canst share them and endure True to thy nobler self, Soul, with thy mine of wealth, For many years?

Listen! discouraged heart, Loath with thy pain to part; Hear, O sad, tearful soul, Seeking the radiant goat, Christ's holy plea.

"Thy strength e'en weakness is; Perfect in Me thou liv'st. I am the Way, the Truth, Come without further proof, Come unto Me!"

Rest thou shalt find and peace, And joys that never cease; Light o'er the mountain comes, Voices from distant homes Echo the song.

When most despondent ye, Louder the voice shall be; Bliss-crowned the radiant goal Sought by thee sorrowing soul, So long, so long!

SOUL INCENSE

As round the rose's heart the golden threads Of summer sunshine gently wind themselves, And deeper, richer grows the native tinge, More beauteous in its kindling loveliness, So round the human heart unconsciously The tendrils gold. of love entwine themselves, And make it sweeter, richer, holier far Than.'twas before; and as on deep'ning blooms The gaze of man delights to rest awhile, So on the heart lit by love's radiant glow, The angels look with glance serene and pure.

As unseen dews descend and softly rest, Like to a jewel, upon each green spray, And leave it sparkling with unwonted sheen, E'en so the unseen dews of sweet content And holy consecration, crystal beads, Of many a lowly soul the shadows dim Illume, and. like the balmy breath of morn, ~ Make it resplendent with the changing gleam, Of priceless_ jewels, —stars within the soul.

As lightly dripping rain the fragrance woos, Alike of blossoms waking to the sun And, blooms mature, that through the silent grove, Their fresh bath o'er —rock in the cooling breeze And make it redolent with fragrance rare, So deeds in silence done. and kind words said, The influence o~ a pure and holy life Shed on each pathway their aroma rare.

As birds uplift their gorgeous-tinted wings, Rich as the purple flush of autumn (lays, And seek the mellow climes of orange bow'rs Ere uncongenial gales their plumage beat, So from the harsh, forbidding sons of men Whose ears. are not attuned to catch her song, The child with. spirit sensitive and rapt, Turns lovingly to, those whose sympathy, Like chord's responsive, catch the sweet refrain, And send it throbbing back, a silver link, Uniting kindred souls in union blest.