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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte A des taux de reduction diffArents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film* A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de heut en bas, an prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. errata to pelure, }n d n 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 Between Whiles A COLLECTION ...OK VERSES... BY ARTHUR BARRY O'NEILL, C.S.C 1 1 AKRON. O. CHICAGO NEW YORK D. H. MCBRIDE & COMPANY Copyright 1899 BY D. H. McBRIDE & COMPANY Nimquam sis ex toto otiosus; sed aut legens aut scribens. THOMAS A KEMPIS. Be never wholly idle, Than which there's nothing worse; But read some goodly volume, Or even — scribble verse. CONTENTS MARIAN SONGS AND SONNETS . . PAOB My Queen i r A Madonna 12 A Paraphrase 13 Queen of the May 14 The Memorare 15 Queen of the World 16 To a Child of Mary 17 To the Immaculate 18 At Lourdes 19 In May 20 Madonna Mia 21 To THE Virgin-Mother of Sorrows 22 The Magnificat 24 Salve Regina 25 Bernard's Prayer 26 A May-Shrine 27 Our Lady's Favorites 28 In Affliction 29 The Colors of Carmei 30 The Maytime 31 « TOTA PULCHRA Es » 32 The Treasure of the Autumntide 33 An Invocation 34 An Angel's Part 35 In Ransom 36 Inadequate 37 (V) im VI CONTENTS PAOB Our Lady's Miracles 38 To Our Lady of Light 39 Stabat Mater Steciosa 40 To Our Lady in November 4O The Litany of Our Lady 47 Ave Maria 50 « Si'Es Nostra » 51 On Our Lady's Visitation 52 A Thought on the Presentation 53 The Rose-Garden 54 The First Witness 55 Our Lady's Month 56 The Immaculate 57 In Mid- Atlantic 58 A Treasure Gained 59 Assumpta Est 60 M OTHER DEVOTIONAL VERSES A Refuge Blest 63 An Autumn Aspiration 64 Peace 65 Echoes in Autumntide 67 Exiles 68 The Fourth Station 70 A Thought for Christmas 72 Life's Passion 72 Sacerdos Alter Christus 73 An Envied Lot 74 When Eva Died 75 « Veni, Sequere Me » 76 Strife or Rest ? 77 Purity of Intention 79 « Miseremini Mei » 79 The First Christmas 81 A Trusty Pilot 83 On a Feast-Day 84 Premonitions 86 CONTENTS vn PAOB A Snowfai.i. on Ai.I- Souls' 88 A Cliknt of the Rosary 90 l.ovK IN DisciUisE 92 RosKs AM) Thorns A Vkar Ago Two Stars. A I'KIKNI) THK LksS, TlIK I)K I'KoKUNDIS. 93 94 95 ,.... 96 98 VViiF.RK \Vk I ,Aiu Him 09 May Tiiky Rf:st in Peach loi Death's Advent 102 The Mother of Mercy 103 The Dead Hand of Folk.no 105 Lovf:'s Touchstone 106 NovEMHER Feasts 107 To Sisters in Religion 108 Repentance 109 An Anniversary no Human Respect in Queen and Nun 112 The Way of the Cross 113 To Friends 1 14 In Thanksgiving 115 IN VARIOUS KEYS The New Year's Guerdon 119 A Thought 120 To an Absent Friend 121 Life's Golden Bowi 122 Generosity 123 Deceitful Calms 124 Giants 125 Memory 126 At a Grave in Winter 127 The Vacant Chair 128 To Agnes on Her Birthday 129 Life's Heroes 130 viii CONTENTS PAOK A Birthday Gkeetin(; 132 Thk IIoi.y Innocents 133 Musings '34 The Death of a Rei.kmous 135 Ideals ok Youth 137 Hoy and Man 141 To M. B. F 142 Dreamino 143 Beneath the Rose I45 Day by Day MS « Will You be My Friend ?» 146 F:choes of Twilight 150 Some Day 151 In a Young Lady's Album 152 A Changeless Law 152 My Letter I53 At Close of Day I54 In Summer-tide 156 Love of Mother i57 On a Priest's Golden Jubilee 158 Stemminc; the Current i59 John Boyle O'Reilly 160 A Reward 161 The Price of Fame 162 Unshaken Trust 163 The Planting of the Cross 164 Envy 165 The Duty of Praise 166 Steadfastness 167 An Unchanging Problem 168 Hope 169 Judge Not i7o Enduring Fame 171 The Legend of Brother Eugene 172 In Other Days and Now 180 MARIAN SONGS AND SONNETS (Ix) MY QUEEN ICTORS in tourney for love and duty, Chivalrous knights in their golden prime Knelt at the throne of the Queen of Beauty, Ages agone, in the olden time. Kneeling they proffered, and deemed it honor, Guerdons of valor, the tourney's prize ; More than repaid just to gaze upon her, Reading their bliss in her lovelit eyes. Lances no longer we tilt for glory. Gone is the pomp of the tourney now ; Still, like the knights of the olden story, Lovers the queens of their hearts avow. Peerless is mine: with her grace none other E'er may compete, here below c. above,- Queen all unrivaled, O Mary Mother, Grant for my guerdon one smile of love. (") 12 BETWEEN WHILES A MADONNA JUST where the silvery moonbeams fall, Above the desk, on my study wall There gleams a visage more sweet than all I have fancied of nymph or fairy ; E'en when the shadows enfold the room, I see it still through the shrouding gloom — No night so dark as to hide the bloom Of that pictured face of Mary. Madonna fair of an artist's dream, To me as to him dost thou living seem ; Full oft from thine eyes benedictions gleam That incite me to fresh endeavor. O Mother mine, may the tender grace That hath won my love for thy pictured face. Still guard my heart from affections base Till I gaze on thyself forever. BETWEEN WHILES 13 A PARAPHRASE WHO Cometh forth as the morning rising, Fair as the moon, bright as the sun? Ah, who but that gem of our God's devising, Of all earth's daughters the spotless one. Lily she, midst the thorns of ages, Peerless in bloom and for aye to reign, Sung of old by the Prince of Sages : "Thoii art all fair, — in thee no stain." Let whosoe'er her grandeur measures, Heed well the words from on high that fall : " Full many daughters have gathered treasures. Thou, my love, hast surpassed them all." 14 BETWEEN WHILES QUEEN OF THE MAY HARK to the hymns that are heavenward swell- ing Morning and eve all around the wide world, See from each shrine, blossom-decked for her dwelling, Incense-clouds floating like banners unfurled. Fragrance and song to her Bring all who throng to her, Children of Mary, their homage to pay, While from each heart to her, Love-arrows dart to her, Peerlessly beautiful Queen of the May. Virginal Queen, with their myriad voices, Earth, sea, and sky swell the chorus of men ; All thy Son's universe blithely rejoices. Welcoming fondly thine own month again, — Month the most dear to us, Fullest of cheer to us. Blest by thy graces illuming our way : Mother, above to thee Send we our love to thee ; Deign to accept it, sweet Queen of the May. BETWEEN WHILES IS THE MEMORARE NOT for his age alone was Bernard speaking, O Virgin Mother, 'mongst all women blest, When thy assistance in his sore need seeking, The Memorare voiced his soul's request. He echoed but a prayer that long resounded In fainting hearts o'er all the woful earth, The cry for help of those whom sin hath wounded In every age since Christ the Savior's birth. The echoes of an echo, we repeat it With all of Bernard's confidence and love ; And now as ever dost thou kindly greet it. And grant it, Mother, in thy home above. i6 BETWEEN WHILES QUEEN OF THE WORLD SUNBEAMS o'er woodland and dell are dancing, Starry-eyed blossoms from meads are glancing, Full-throated songsters their notes entrancing Carol the livelong day; Whisper the breezes of new-born pleasures, Murmur the streamlets in blithest measures, — Nature hath lavished her choicest treasures, Greeting the Queen of the May. Fairest of sovereigns sung in story, Peerless in mercy and power and glory, Promised to earth from the ages hoary, Destined to reign for aye; Mary, our Mother, from Heaven's splendor Beams on us all with a love-glance tender, — Who but shall hail and at need defend her. Queen of the world and of May. BETWEEN WHILES 17 TO A CHILD OF MARY ''I ancing, ads are cing es, — es, ; ay. lor r, — lay. IXTHAT though the shadows crowd thick and On the road thou fain wouldst follow? vVhat though the storm-wind's furious blast Sweeps fiercely o'er hill and hollow ? Be faith and hopeful courage thine, Nor let thy purpose vary : Through gloom and tempest the stars still shine For the fervent child of Mary. The shadows that gather the long night through Are scattered when dawns the morning, The tempest sweeps by, and the heavens blue Are aglow with the sun's adorning. Though lowering doubts obscure thy way, Fear not that woe shall betide thee : In darkest gloom as in lightsome day. Thy Mother blest will guide thee. 1 I8 BETWEEN WHILES TO THE IMMACULATE STAR of the Morning, whose splendor illumined Shadows that dark o'er the primal world lay, Still doth thy glory redeem the sad story Angels record of mankind day by day ; Still art thou shining bright, Piercing the mists of night, Steadfastly gleaming o'er life's troubled sea ; Gladly we hail thy ray. Hopeful the while we pray, "Virgin Immaculate, guide us to thee." ■t ii- I Lily of Israel ! Nature's ideal. Type the most perfect of woman most fair. Poets have hymned thee and painters have limned thee, Art knows no beauty with thine to compare. Lily all free from stain. Soul in whom Grace's reign Ne'er was disturbed by the shadow of sin ; Virgin Immaculate, Teach us like thee to bate Aught save the glory that lies all within. BETWEEN WHILES 19 AT LOURDES ined /orld sea; ir, iimned pare. BEFORE thy shrine I knelt, O gracious Mother, — Thy far-famed shrine amid the Pyrenees, — And vainly sought the rising sobs to smother, The while I murmured low my fervid pleas. The Gave's swift waters ceased their noisy brawling, Soft breezes crooned a melody divine, One almost heard the benedictions falling With ceaseless rustling there before thy shrine. Before thy shrine where myriad tapers gleaming Around thy statue shone as mimic suns, I knelt and gazed upon thy features beaming With sweet compassion on earth's stricken ones. The blind, the halt, the palsied there were kneeling. All confident that thou wouldst ne'er decline To grant their prayers, their sore afflictions healing, As others thou hast healed before thy shrine. Before thy shrine, O tender-hearted Virgin, The soul's perceptions take a wider scope ; There, all the heart's emotions blend and merge in One fervent act of mingled love ?nd hope. There, earth becomes as nowhere else the portal, The very threshold of thy Home divine; And earth's poor children taste of bliss immortal. The while they weeping kneel before thy shrine. 20 BETWEEN WHILES IN MAY IN ARBORS airy to Mother Mary The sweet birds vary their songs of praise ; Though skies be dreary they never weary, But bright and cheery their carols raise. Her feasts of sorrow they know, and borrow Sad notes the morrow will change to gay, And earth rojoices to hear their voices With raptures greeting the Queen of May. O Mother tender, our blest defender We too would render thee homage meet: The birds* excelling beyond all telling, Our praise goes welling e'en to thy feet. No words can measure the peace and pleasure Our souls now treasure from day to day, Nor sweetest story express the glory We give thee, Mary, thou Queen of May. I ■I BETWEEN WHILES 21 MADONNA MIA w EAK though my praise of thee, Feeble my lays of thee, Tender Madonna whose mercies I sing, Favors besought of thee Render the thought of thee Sweet as the rose-blooms that perfume the spring. Mother, in dreams of thee Come there faint gleams of thee, Lustrous in beauty and lovely as light: Never did fairies' land Match with the Mary's land Where roams my soul in the watches of night. Mother, whose prayers for me Lighten life's cares for me. Still flood my soul with the sunshine of peace ; And as no other love Equals thy mother-love. Ne'er shall my praise of thee suffer surcease. wtmmm aa BETWEEN WHILES TO THE VIRGIN-MOTHER OF SORROWS* SWEET spirit of Poesy, mystical maiden, Thou solace and joy of my lengthening years, To Mary, my Mother, with sorrow o'erladen, Bear swiftly this tribute of love and of tears. Though feeble the note of her age -stricken serv^ant. Twill not shame thee his song-gift to lay at her shrine; And she who ne'er frowns on petitioners fervent. Will grant to the singer forgiveness benign. Near that shrine of my Mother, O would I were kneeling. To lull and to lessen her sevenfold pain ; By sighs and by tears my compassion revealing. Her robe the while kissing again and again. Her name I first lisped when in life's sunny morning I gazed with delight on her fair sculptured face. And, won by the sweetness her visage adorning. Pressed my young lips to hers in caressing em brace. * From the l,atin of Rev. J. A. Alizeri, C. M. BETWEEN VVmr.ES 23 How blissful my heart in that springtime of glad- ness, When Heaven's bright Queen was its first, only love ! Now, freighted with sin and o'erburdened with sad- ness, It scarcely dares look to her fair throne above. So, spirit of Song, in my stead, go deliver My gift to the Mother whose dolors I rue; But should she inquire the name of the giver, Conceal it: 'twould only her sorrow renew. Yet say that my heart its affection discloses By culling each day in the garden of prayer Choice blossoms to weave a coronal of roses. Fit wreath for the brow of the Virgin all fair. Ah, surely my Queen, not less gracious than holy. Prompt pardon will grant me, and banish my fears ; Sweet mercy she'll show to her suppliant lowly, And perchance stem the tide of his heart-riven tears. tv\ 24 BETWEEN WHILES THE MAGNIFICAT M" I-: Y GRATEFUL soul doth magnify the Lord, God my Savior hath my spirit joyed, Because His humble handmaid, all devoid Of worth, He deigns to favor and reward : For lo ! He wills that all who Him adore Shall henceforth call me blessed evermore. For He that mighty is, great things hath done To me, His servant: holy is His name. From age to age His mercy shall they claim Who fear Him, the supreme eternal One: His arm a power exceeding great hath showed, Dispersed He those whose hearts gave pride abode. |i i< I He hath put down the mighty from their seat; To raise instead the humble hath He willed : The hungered ones with good things He hath filled, And, empty-handed, bid the rich retreat. All mindful of His mercy inconceived, His servant Israel He hath received : As spake He to our fathers in their day, To Abraham and all his seed for aye. BETWEEN WHILES 25 i, ed, evoid e. a SALVE REGINA HAIL, O thou holiest Queen of creation, Mother of mercy, Hfe's comfort and hope, List to our pleading for grace and salvation. Children of Iwe who in exile still grope. Trust we our souls to thy merciful keeping, Thee do we supplicate, owning our fears, Sighing for succor the while w^e are weeping, Pvlourning our woes in this valley of tears. lowed, pride Come, then, our advocate kind and forbearing, Turn on us wistful thy pitying eyes, Potent thy glance to console the despairing, Soothing our sorrows and stilling our sighs. Grant that our love for thee never may vary, And, when dispelled is our banishment's gloom, . Merciful, gracious, and sweet Virgin Mary, Show to us Jesus, blest fruit of thy womb. f 26 BETWEEN WHILES BERNARD'S PRAYER I' i ill I 1 I REMEMBER, Mary, Virgin tender-hearted, How from of old the ear hath never heard That he who to thine arms for refuge darted, Implored thy help with many an earnest word, Besought thy prayers and on thy interceding With loving contidence and trust relied, — Did ever futile find his fervent pleading. Or see thy grace and favor e'er denied. O Virgin-Mother, 'mongst all mothers tender. With equal confidence to thee I fly. To thee I come a.^ to a sure defender, A weeping sinner, unto thee I cry. Sweet Mother of the Word Incarnate, hear me — May e'en my halting words efificient prove — Cast not away my prayer, but deign to cheer me, And let my sore distress thy pity move. yi BETWEEN WHILES 27 A MAY-SHRINE 1, heard ; word, der, r me — rove — eer me, AS HARBOR lights on darksome nights Gleam lustrous through the ocean's gloom- ing, In many a row the tapers glow, Our Lady's altar soft illuming. Shy blossoms fair are clustered there, The perfumes of the May exhaling, And quaint wreaths twine about the shrine Where fragrant incense-clouds are trailing. O Mother sweet, still at thy feet My harbor let me find forever, That haven blest my constant quest, To reach it, all my life's endeavor ; And heart of mine, be thou a shrine Where all fair blooms disclose their beauty, Where vows and sighs like incense rise, And grateful love is one with duty. '.I i. 28 BETWEEN WHILES OUR LADY'S FAVORITES I » THEY know thee but in part, sweet Mother Mary, Whose lives untroubled flow adown the years, Whose placid currents storm-winds i.ever vary, Nor cloud-bursts quicken with a flood of tears. I They know thee but in part, O gracious Virgin, Who have not sunk beneath the weight of care, Nor seen hope's glowing sunshine fade and merge In The cheerless gloom of life's dread night, de- spair. Not joy the tutor, Martyr-Queen of sorrows, That aids us best to see thee as thou art; Tis grief, the semblance of thine own that borrows. Gains clearest vision of thy loving heart. We know thee best, and love thee most, dear Mother, Whose anguished souls, in thy compassion sweet, Thou oft hast guided to our Elder Brother, To leave us, solaced, at His blessed feet. BETWEEN WHILES 39 IN AFFLICTION Up FROM a heart oppressed with pain, On whose riven wreck the bitter rain Of remorseful tears doth fall in vain, Comes a cry no grief can smother ; The world is deaf to my soul's lament, My friends proclaim their compassion spent, But thou, to whom my appeal is sent, Mcmonirc, O gracious Mother. Remember thy child, though fallen low. Sustain, while he drinks his cup of woe, And aid him so firm of will to grow That he ne'er need drink such another ; In sore distress he beseeches thee For the grace and strength all sin to flee ; Ah, Refuge of Sinners, pray for me, Memorarc, O gracious Mother. 30 BETWEEN WHILES THE COLORS OF CARMEL COURSING to battle with armor gleaming, Heroes of chivalry long ago Caught from their lady-loves' colors, streaming Bright from their lances, a martial glow ; Potent incentive to knightly valor. Fair shone those colors mid darkest strife, Robbing e'en Death of his spectral pallor, Flooding the victors with fuller life. f^'t;. fplli Lady of Carmel, a brighter glory Gleams from the colors thy true knights wear, Prompts them to prowess untold in story, Nerves them the battle's reverse to bear. Scapular Brown, o'er my heart reposing, Badge during life of my faith and love. Dark when around me death's gloom is closing, Light me to Mary, my Queen above. BETWEEN WHILES THE MAYTIME J OYOUS May time, Nature's playtime, Free from faintest tinge of sorrow, Mirth and pleasure Fill thy measure, Grief therein no place may borrow. 31 Skies all tearless, Sunshine peerless, Breezes crooning wooing burdens, Green-robed bowers, Birds and flowers, — These to men thy welcome guerdons. So, with reason, Fairest season, Mary's month we call thee ever ; In thy graces Finding traces Of her beauty, cloying never. ! 32 I )' BETWEEN WHILES "TOTA PULCHRA ES " THOU art all fair, O Mother blest, In thee is found no stain ; Thou'rt purer far than whitest crest That decks the troubled main. Thy soul no taint did ever bear Of imperfection's shade ; And Satan never counted there The blots his wiles had made. First creature formed since Adam's fall Who shared not Adam's sin. Thy life was spent that mortals all Celestial life might win. Glad sight to Heaven's highest court, To view their peerless Queen ; And feeble man's most firm support In that fair maid is seen. O thou, fond Mother, guard me well, I trust my soul to thee ; Defeat the serried ranks of hell, Safe guide me o'er life's sea. And when, all spent my mortal days, I kiss Death's fatal rod, Be "Tota pulchra es" the phrase My soul shall hear from God. I # I BETWEEN WHILES 33 THE TREASURE OF THE AUTUMNTIDE M ONTH of the maple-leaf's changing hue,. Of the hoar-frost gleaming where late the dew Shone bright 'neath a firmament deeply blue, 'Neath a sky now gray and sober ; Month of the meadows all bare and brown, Of the clover and aftermath stricken down. Though thy smile be sterner than August's frown, We welcome thee still, October ! Month of our chaplets entwined each day, Rich wreaths of bloom at her feet to lay Whose love o'er our hearts holds sovereign sway, Whose largess exceeds all measure, — Swiftly our welcome goes out to thee, Hail we thine advent full joyously. Fair month of the Holy Rosary, The autumntide's richest treasure ! 3 34 BETWEEN WHILES AN INVOCATION V IRCilN SO pure and bright, Robed in celestial light, Blest be thy name in this desert below. Guardian of trusting souls. Who e'er like thee condoles Hearts that are bursting with sorrow and woe ? Mother whom Jesus gave. Fondly thine aid we crave ; Help thy weak children obtain their reward. Queen of fair purity, Aid us like thee to flee Aught that displeases thy Son and thy Lord. Star of the Morning, fair, Shine through the mists of care, Banish the gloom that lies dark o'er our way ; Send us, oppressed with grief, — Send to our quick relief, Joyous and soothing, one luminous ray. Beam o'er life's turbid sea, Guide those who trust in thee, Lest in the vortex of sin we go down. Mary, our Mother mild, Grant to each loving child Strength for the cross that will merit the crown. ■'I BETWEEN WHILES 35 AN ANGEL'S PART (from the latin ok Tin; rkv. j. a. alizeki, c. m.) AS WHEN a cautious mother deems her boy In peril of a fall, she loudly chides; Yet when he falls, full quickly lifts him up, Prompt pardon grants unto the weeping child. And fondly kisses all his tears away; So let the priest rebuke each erring one, Yet kindly lift the sinner fallen low. To fall but human is; to rise, divine: Who stretches forth in love a helping hand To raise the prostrate, doth an angel's part. So wish, so order I, the clergy's Queen, That pastors ever greet with kindly yearning, Each truant member to the fold returning. I le crown. 3« BETWEEN WHILES IN RANSOM WITH the plaintive tones of a mourner's moans, Sigh the winds of bleak November, And each ashen cloud is the trailing shroud Of some loved one we remember; Through the mist of years, through a veil of tears, We recall friends tender-hearted, And renew the woe felt long ago For the loss of our dear departed. Though no sterile grief gives them blest relief, Though no tears from their pains can deliver Those friends of yore on that farther shore Of death's darkly-coursing river, Rich treasures we may as their ransom pay While life's sunlight still streams o'er us: Tell Our Lady's beads for the urgent needs Of those dear ones gone before \\s. BETWEEN WHIl.LS 37 INADEQUATE VIRGIN and Mother, thy matchless graces Artists may Hmn in their dreams alone; Crude and unworthy, their fairest faces Pictured on canvas or carved in stone. Ne'er but in visions to saints accorded Glowcth thy loveliness here below, Nor till thy. Son hath our trust rewarded May we the spell of thy beauty know. m^ So, of the scope of thy mercy, Mother, Vainly we strive in weak words to tell; Pleading thy cause with each tepid brother. Urging him fondly to serve thee well. Not upon earth shall we gauge that ocean, Fathomless deep of thy tender love, Not till as crown of our life's devotion. Share we thy bliss in our Home above. 1! W. 'IM 3i BETWEEN WHILES f • OUR LADY'S MIRACLES T >HEY tell me, dear Mother, that far o'er the ocean, 'Mid peoples whose hearts are enamored of thee, Are shrines where thy clients behold their devotion Rewarded by marvels right wondrous to see. They tell how to victims all worn by the rigor Of ailments no power of art can arrest. Thou givest, sv/eet Mother of Jesus, new vigor : Death staying his hand at thy simple behest. By thousands the sufferers throng to thy altars. By thousands they lave in thy waters at Lourdes ; Thy help they implore with a faith that ne'er fal- ters : Thou hearest them, Mother, and lo ! they are cured Ah, well may I credit these tales of thy glory, Though never thy world-renowned shrines bless my sight. Thou hast writ in my heart a more wonderful story ; Of death changed to life, and of darkness to light. BETWEEN WHILES 39 TO OUR LADY OF LIGHT WHEN the bright star of morning, the heavens adorning, Gleams lustrous and fair over valley and sea, All its radiance and splendor but prompt me to render The heart's truest homage, sweet Mother, to thee. When the Day-god, uprisen from night's gloomy prison, . i Floods earth, sky, and water with glory and flame, All his golden rays beaming but write, to my seeming. The homage and praise that is due to thy name. When the Night-queen, unvt lling her beauty, goei sailin g My Majestic through cloud-billows silvery white, soul loves to wander above and beyond her, And bask in thy glory, Our Lady of Light. ^ 40 BETWEEN WHILES STABAT MATER SPECIOSA STABAT Mater speciosa, Juxta foenurn gaudiosa, Dum jacebat parvulus. Cujus animam gaudentem, Laetabundam et ferventem, Pertransivit jubilus. ■•^■ O quam laeta et beata Fuit ilia immaculata Mater unigeniti. Quae gaudebat, et ridebat, Exsultabat, cum videbat Natl partum inclyti. Quis jam est qui non gauderet Ciiristi Matrem si videret In tanto solatio? Quis non posset collietari Christi Matrem contemplari Ludentem cum Filio? BETWEEN WHILES 41 STABAT MATER SPECIOSA (translation) STOOD the Mother sweet and holy, Joyous by the manger lowly Where she loving vigil kept; O'er her soul, its measure filling With a glad, ecstatic thrilling, Floods of purest rapture swept. Oh, how blest, how transport-ladea, Was that fair, unsullied Maiden, Mother of the Holy One. How she joyed, her vigil whiling, All entranced by that beguiling \''°sion of her new-born Son. i? Who hath soul so steeped in sadness A.S to share not Mary's gladness. Bliss that words can ne'er define? Who but views with heart dilating Christ's sweet mother jubilating, I^oridling now her Babe Divine? ■^ 42 BETWEEN WHILES Pro peccatis suae gentis, Christum vidit cum jumentis, Et algori subditum. Vidit suum dulcem natum Vagientem, adoratum Vili diversorio. Nato Christo in praesepe, Coeli cives canunt laete Cum imme ':o c^audio. Stabat senex cui.. uella, Non cum verbo nee loquela, Stupescentes cordibus. Eia Mater, fons amoris, Me sentire vim ardoris Fac ut tecum sentiam. Fac ut ardeat co^ meum In amando Christum Deum Ut sibi complaceam. Sancta Mater, istud agas: Prone introducas plagas Cordi fixas valide. Tui Nati coelo lapsi. Jam dignati foeno nasci Poenas mecum divide. BETWEEN WHILES 43 True, she sees that Babe fulfilling Man's redemption, victim willing, Housed with cattle — cold the while; Yet, above His cries deploring, Hears she myriad hosts adoring Jesus in that stable vile. O'er the Christ in manger lying, Angel-choristers are vying Worthily to hymn their joy ; While all mute and heart-astounded, Stand the Maid and Spouse confounded, Worshipping the wondrous Boy. Fount of love, O Mother fervent, Quicken me, thy sluggard servant, Let me thine emotions share ; Make my heart a furnace showing Naught but love of Jesus glowing . Ever bright and brighter there. Mother, hear my sore beseeching: Deign to stamp His wisdom-teaching Love-wounds fast upon my mind; Let our smiles and tears be blended O'er thy Son, the Heaven-descended, Manger-born for humankind. :?' 44 BETWEEN WHILES Fac me vere congaudere Jesulino cohaercre, Donee ego vixero. In me sistat ardor tui, Puorino fac me frui, Dum sum m exilio. Hunc ardorem fac communem, Ne facias me immunem Ab hoc desiderio. Virgo virginum praeclara, Mihi jam non sis amara: Fac me parvum rapere. Fac ut pulchrum Fantem portem, ' Oui nascendo vicit mortem Volens vitam tradere. Fac me tecum satiari Nato tuo inebriari Stans inter tripudia. Inflammatus et accensus, Obstupescit omnis sensus Tali de commercio. Fac me Nato custodiri, Verbo Dei pra^muniri, Conservari gratia. Quando corpus morietur, Fac ut animae donetur Tui Nati gloria* BETWEEN WHILES 45 li. Of thy joy partaking ever, Till life's close let nothing sever Me from Christ's communion blest; Strengthen thou my weak volition, Grant me of thy Babe fruition Whilst in exile still I rest. With thine ardor set me burning, Satisfy this eager yearning, In my heart thy Son enthrone ; Virgin, 'mid all virgins peerless, Heed my prayers, nor leave me cheerless,- Grant me Jesus for mine own. Let me clasp that Infant charming, In whose birth was Death's disarming. By whose advent life was won : With such union fully sated, All its longings sublimated, Let my heart, like thine elated, Henceforth be inebriated With the beauty of thy Son. To my prayer benignly yielding, Grant me. Mother, through His shielding, Ne'er to lose thy Jesu's grace ; Grant, when ended life's brief story. Safe for aye with thee in glory, I may see Him face to face. 46 BETWEEN WHILES TO OUR LADY IN NOVEMBER PRONE at thine altar, O Queen tender-hearted, Fount of exhaustless compassion and peace, Plead we the cause of our faithful departed, Destitute captives whom thou canst release. Borne on the wild-sobbing winds of November, Plaintive their cries for sweet Charity's doles ; Deign the j in pity their woes to remember. Ransom them, Queen of the suffering souls. Shorten, dear Mother, our loved ones* probation. Lighten their torments, their grieving allay, Change thou their woe into glad jubilation. Lead them from night to the full perfect day. Victors on earth, and yet exiles from Heaven, Surely thy heart with their anguish condoles ; Grant, we implore, that their shackles be riven, Ransom them. Queen of the suffering souls. BETWEEN WHILES 47 Mother alone undefiled and peerless, Mother inviolate, sinless, fearless, Mother most lovable, — life is cheerless ; Be thou a comfort and stay for us : Mother most wondrous, to grandeur fated, Mother of Him who the world created, Mother of Jesus, the Passion-sated, Mary, sweet Mother, O pray for us. THE LITANY OF OUR LADY i!i ' *J M' OTHER of God, 'mongst all creatures holy, Virgin of Virgins most meek and lowly. Mother of Christ whom we follow slowly, Smooth thou the wearisome way for us ; Mother of grace from the Godhead welling, Mother most pure and most chaste, excelling Fairest of angels in Heaven dwelling, Mary, sweet Mother, O pray for us. M'l 48 BETWEEN WHILES Virgin most prudent enshrined in story, Virgin revered since the ages hoary, Virgin renowned, of thy dazzling glory Spare but a glimmering ray for us; Virgin most potent, whose foes surrender, Virgin most merciful, kind, and tender, Virgin most faithful, our sure defender, Mary, sweet Mother, O pray for us. Mirror of Justice and all perfection. Seat of true wisdom by Christ's election, Cause of our joy and of hell's dejection. Passion's wild tumult allay for us ; Spirit-like vessel with grace abounding, Vessel of honor to God redounding. Vase of devotion unique, astounding, Mary, sweet Mother, O pray for us. Mystical rose with a bloom eternal, Tower of David 'gainst foes infernal, Tower of ivory, fair, supernal. Symbol of hope in the fray for us ; Mansion of gold that delights our vision, Ark where the law suffers no misprision, Gate of our beautiful Home elysian, Mary, sweet Mother, O pray for us. BETWEEN WHILES 49 Star of the morning through deserts giiidin<^, Health of the weak and their hope abiding, Refuge of sinners in thee confiding, Still thy compassion display for us ; Comforter blest of the sorrow-stricken, Help of all Christians when perils thicken, Grant that our hearts with thy love may quicken, — Mary, sweet Mother, O pray for us. I ■^ 'I ».; ' '«i Queen of the angels, creation olden, Prior to thee but to thee beholden, Queen of the patriarchs, swift to bolden Souls that solicit thy sway for us ; Queen of the prophets, the wisdom-gifted. Queen of apostles by thee uplifted. Queen of all martyrs with hearts woe-rifted, Mary, sweet Mother, O pray for us. Queen of confessors for Christ outspoken. Queen of fair virgins with vows unbroken, Queen of all saints, may our love betoken Triumph like theirs, not dismay for us ; Queen most immaculate, sullied never, Queen of the Rosary blest forever. Union with thee not e'en death can sever, Mary, sweet Mother, O pray for us. 50 BETWEEN WHILES AVE MARIA " I HAvi; known one word hanjij starlike, O'er a dreary waste of years, And it only shone the brighter I^ooked at through a mist of tears." ETERNAL Ave, dwelling long unspoke, For age on age within the Father's mind, E'er voice angelic, like caressing wind, Low whispered thee to Mary; then there broke O'er sin-dark earth a gladsome dawn that woke Responsive thrills of joy in all mankind, — Of joy in Him who came earth's wounds to bind, And save a race enthralled 'neath Satan's yoke. O starlike word, whose beauty pure, serene, Hath blest the world for twice a thousand years, Undimmed by time, thy fair celestial sheen Still glows o'er darkened minds, and glowing, cheers, — Eternal word, thine echoes ne'er shall cease To soothe the sad and bring the slave release BETWEEN WHILES 5« "SPES NOSTRA" No DAY is ended till its sun hath set, Nor life completed till death's sombre gloom Steals o'er its twilight, and the yawning tomb Engulfs its sin and sorrow, toil and fret Who most has cause to mourn with vain regret A guilty past and dread eternal doom May, if he will, his future course illume, And reap the saints' rich, golden harvest yet. i^or she, the Mother blest, whom Jesus gave, All-potent advocate at Mercy's throne, Lends willing ear when contrite sinners cr'ave The sweet compassion she has ever shown To bruised reeds. Ah, who would not be brave When Heaven's Queen doth make his cause her own? i') m,m* 'sr 5* BETWEEN WHILES ON OUR LADY'S VISITATION 'O JUDAH, country of the hills, one day- There came a dust-stained maid from Gali- lee ; Her soul intent on wondrous things to be, No man had she saluted by the way, No city entered, made no brief delay; But, moved by sweet and eager charity. Sought her whose old-age son, from sin made free. E'en from his mother's womb did homage pay. ii Ah, Virgin fair, thy visitation blest Extend to us, grown old in sin and woe. Perchance /hen next we greet thee as our guest, Our sterile hearts, grace-touched, may fruitful grow; And, tuned to thine in full and sweet accord, Like thine, our souls may "magnify the Lord," I BETWEEN WHILES 53 1 A THOUGHT ON THE PRESENTATION I WHAT Strange new fragrance this that scents the air Of Sion's temple with aroma sweet? What gracious marvel do the angels greet, As, poised on silver vvin^^s, they cluster there? Earth's choicest blossom, Sharon's Rose all-fair. To-day is laid at great Jehovah's feet. A peerless flower with beauty's grace replete, Its bloom, oblation; and its odor, p-ayer. A life, the type and m.odel of our own, Who heeds its lesson may its guerdon claim ; The Mystic Rose to full perfection grown, Herself the Temple of the Word became. Hast given all to God? It hath sufficed ; Thy heart a temple is, wherein dwells Christ («ii ^fl^ 54 ^ BETWEEN WHILES THE ROSE-GARDEN IN OLDEN days, as German legends tell, Upon the castled banks of storied Rhine, There bloomed a garden fair, a floral shrine Wherein the Princess Criemhilde loved to dwell ; All knights avowed her beauty's potent spell. And rapture thrilled his pulse like bodied wine, The victor round whose brows her hands would twine A ro^^e- wreath — token that he jousted well. A fairer garden blooms for us to-day, A fairer Queen of Beauty dwelleth there; And oft as we our pleading Ar^s say. Those mystic roses form a wreath of prayer, — A love-twined wreath we humbly offer thee, Sweet Lady of the Holy Rosary. BETilEEN WHILES %% THE FIRST WITNESS I ■: WHAT visit paid He first, that glowing morn. When, all refulgent, burst He from the tomb And flashed His glory through the sullen gloom Which, pall-like, hung o'er earth and men forlorn? What dearest one did prescient raptures warn That He was near whose features, all abloom With life supernal, mocked Do-th's boasted doom And told a tale of victory new-born? ■ji Not she whose penitential tears sufficed To wash the scarlet of her sins awa) , The second, she, to view the Risen Christ When morning broke, that primal Easter day Ere yet 'twas dawn, the Man-God first had pressed His Mother Mary to His loving breast. '»:»• 56 BETWEEN WHILES . OUR LADY'S MONTH ^TOT for thy grace alone, fair Month, of old ^ Belauded in each blithesome singer's lay. Not for the jocund buds that 'neath thy sway Their tiny petals stir, then swift unfold Their wealth of beauty, to bedeck the mold And woo the wanton winds that round them play,— Not for ihy sunny mien or wind-soni^s gay We bid thee hail and welcome manifold. But chiefly that thou art Our Lady's time, Her gala month of homage, praise, and prayer, When myriad soul-harps sing in every clime Fond hymns of love to Heaven's Queen all- fair, Though May-day's rites of yore lie buried deep. Three decades now of Mary's days we keep. BETWEEN WHILES 57 THE IMMACULATE Whene'er the poet's soul cloth wander wide O'er all the boundless universe of dreams, Upon his vision clear at times there gleams A peerless form that, fleeting, will not bide, A beauteous face, lost even as descried — A form and face would serve as fitting themes For pen inspired or brush dipped in the beams Of gold wherewith the summer clouds are dyed. Yet can no poet sing, no artist paint The grace ideal of his vision bright, Or show, save in a copy blurred and faint, The dreamland Queen who thus has blest his sight: 'Tis She, God's masterpiece of beauty rare, The Spouse to whom He said: **Thou art all f:.Ir." I '!i I; :i I i