f IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // *<^- V^#?- .\t ^co ///// ^W 4^ 1.0 I.I 1.25 lii|iM IIIII2.5 .IIIM If in 12.2 20 U IIIIII.6 -^ A" o % (? /^ ^/. ''^A ^ 'm c^i em y 4j> ^. /^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy availabie for filming. 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The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent §tre filmds 6 des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour gtre reproduit en un s'^ul cliche, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche 6 droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les aiagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. rrata to pelure, n d n 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 The ^o (0^ That Quinte Sang Marie Joussaye Bbllbvillb, Canada. SUN PRINTING AND PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1895. ' mF \ ^ nt ?a19 y CONTENTS. i. ■ f TITLE. FAGB. By Quinte's Side 11 Rest After Pain ------ 15 If I Had known 16 Some Day -------- 17 Waiting 18 My Ships That Went to Sea - - - - 20 'Two Roses -------- 22 The Recompense -------28 Life and Death ------- 24 Messengers to the Dead ----- 26 ToA. G. C. 27 At the River 28 The Sailor's Grave 80 By the Sea 88 Two Prayers ------- 84 ToE.S. 85 Our Babies ------- 87 To M. A. - - - 88 The Lost Baby 89 Canada -------.41 Good Luck - - - - - - - ^ The Bay of Quinte 43 Just Like Me - - - - - --44 Her Answer ------- 43 Soul and Mind -------50 From Out the Depths 53 I't TITLE. PAO'i}. The Lesson 54 Unanswered Prayers S6 Your Sunny Smile 57 My Friend 58 The Coming of the King 59 Rest 65 Only a Working Girl ------ 66 The Honest Working Man - - - - 68 Lend a Hand -------70 Two Poets ------- 72 In Memoriam, G.P. Y. - - - - - 74 A New T ar's Greeting ----- 76 Dental (>r lie Old Year ----- 78 Clu'istDias Memories ----- 79 1 lie Now Year 80 A Christmas Prayer 82 The Dying Year ------ 83 St. Valentine's Eve 84 Hallowe'en --------86 Thanksgiving ------- 89 My Prayer - - - - - -" -90 Note— The sketch illustrating the lines " Dear hearts, their sleep is calm aud sweet by Quinte's restful side," is from the pen of the late Stewart Hunter, who died a few days after makinc: the sketch. y By Quinte's Side, 9 EAR comrades of a vanished past, My cliildhood's playmates, kind and trae, Who dwell on Quinte's sunlit shove, I give these songs to you. Old Quinte sang them in my ears Long years ago, when I was young. I give them back in later years The songs that Quinte sung. How often when a child I strayed Dear Quinte's peaceful shores along, My heart and soul responding to The music of her song. The wild bird oft would hush its song Whilst skimming by on outspread wixig And listen while old Quinte taught Her poet child to sing. And this the sum of all she taught, As tranquilly she flowed along, Through all these years I've not forgot, "Live, suffer and be strong." Though but a child I understood, Why Quinte sang: that song to me, And my young heart was hushed and soothed By her sweet minstrelsy. w 12 BY QUINTETS SIDE. And some have chided me, because The songs I love to write are.aad, They bid me sing in blither strains And make the world more glad. I heed them not, the harp responds Unto my touch with plaintive ring And, like the birds, I sing the songs That God hath bid me sing. If every bird sang as the lark Their blithesome notes would mock the ear, The thrush's song is not less sweet, Although we weep to hear, And though we love the sunshine well We would not have it always day, Man soon would weary were his life One ceaseless roundelay. You will not chide my mournful songs kindly friends of bygone years ! Because you know my early days Knew less of smiles than tears. And whether critics praise or blame 1 know that loving eyes will note And kindly voices praise ih? songs For love of her who wrote. Let greater poets strive for bays. My heart would throb with truer pride At one kind word of honest praise From friends by Quinte's side. r J BY QUINTETS SIDE. 13 0, friends and playmates of the past, Who dwell on Quinte's sunlit shore, Across the gulf that time has wrought I greet you all once more ! Though new-found friends have smiled on me My heart has never swerved from you The old-time friends must ever be Far dearer than the new. The joys that made your kind hearts glad Have waked an answering chord in mine And ye have wept wlien I was sad My friends of '^ Auld Lang Syne." Through all these weary, waiting years For your dear faces I have yearned And oft through mists of blinding tears My longing eyes have turned Back to the well-loved childhood's haunts, Where dear old Quinte, calm and mild, With sunny smiles of welcome waits To greet her absent child. I miss some faces that I loved Their feet have sought a foreign shore. May Heaven turn their wai.dering steptj To Quinte's side once more. And some, grown weary of this life, Have folded their pale hands and died. Dear hearts, ^heir sleep is calm and sweet By Quinte's restful side. 14 '^ { *^ I ^ i(.i ■ BY QUINTE S SIDE i r[ And ye who stood above their graves, Your saddened hearts with anguish torn, And deemed the burden Heaven sent, Too heavy to be borne Have learned at last, as I once learned, The burden of old Quintets song That life's great lesson is "to live, To suffer, and be strong." 0, friends of vanished childhood's days Who dwell on Quinte's sunlit shore, Across the intervening years I greet you all once more Whilst all my heart goes out in prayer^ May peace and joy with you abide And God be with the friends who dwell By pleasant Quinte's side. .► •' " Dear hearts. th( ir sleep is calm mid sweet By Quinte'j restful i^if.c." ! REST AFTER PAIN. 15 Rest After Pain. The patient, suffering heart is hushed and still And he has gained eternal rest at last, All care is over now, all weariness, All pain is past . Not as a foe, but as a friend Death came, Bearing the gift of peace in his pale hand ; He touched the tortured heart and anguish fled At his command. Rest, weary one, and he thou not afraid, Death guards thee well, no agonizing dart Can pierce the icy shield his hand has laid Above thy heart. Sleep, well-beloved, no harm can come to the*. For all is peace within that " low green tent," Sleep, and enjoy the long desired rest That Heaven sent. 16 IP I HAD KNOWN. ^ I) h J tlihh If I Had Known. If I had known how steep the path of Fame, How long the weary years of toil and care, How sharp the sting of povert3^ the shame Of baffled hopes, the bitter, wild dispair Of prayers unanswered, ever backward thrust Upon my heart like ashes, dust on dust, I never would have ventured all alone To tread the rugged path, if I had known. If I had known how soon love's roses fade. How soon their bloom and beauty know eclipse, A cluster o'er my heart I had not laid. Nor touched the fragrant blossoms with my lips, And my poor heart and lips had not been torn If I had known love's rose concealed a thorn, Which rankled sore long after Love had flown. I had not suffered so, if I had known. r' If I had known that friendship had a sting, That smiling lips and eyes could hide deceit, I had not crowned or worshiped as a king This poor clay idol, shattered at my feet, Nor given all my loyal trust to learn The friend I loved but mocked me in return. Over its Ijroken hopes my heart makes moan, I had not trusted so, if I had known. SOME DAY. 17 If I had known, nay heart, why should I mourn ? Better by far I did not know the pain Fate had allotted me e'er I was born. And who shall say my life has been in vain ? Life is made up of equal joy and care. The joy I missed hath been another's share And every burden added to my load Hath eased some other comrade oii the road; And God knew best, before the e:riefs now flown My courage would have failed if I had known. Some Day. Some day when I have conned the page of pain So closely that no lesson will remain For me to learn, and when my lips have quaffed Unto the dregs, pale sorrow's bitter druaght, Then will this troubled heart, so sorely tried, From earthly eare and tormoil find release And death will p-rant me all that life denied, Rest and oblivion and unbroken peace. Oh ! longed-for hour, when I shall calmly rest With idle hands crossed over pulseless breast All peacefully within my narrow bed, Unheeding those who weep above my head. But, Ah ! They would not weep if they could know How gladly I shall welcome death, and so Whene'er my sobbmg heart makes moan, I say Hush, hush my heart, the time will come some day. 1 *. -■ I! Ml 18 WATTING. * ., t Waiting. All day long I walk the shore Gazing out across the sea Where the merry white-capped wavew Chase each other in their glee. J ■ M, I I i| ! 'I. And I watch with eager eyes, Pacing slowly to and fro, For the ships I sent to sea Many weary years ago. Other ships come sailing in From countries strange far away And with canvas closely furled Lie at anchor in the bay. And the sailors as they pass Answer me right cheerily "When I ask them of my ships That are still far out at sea. Oh ! I know they pity me, Keeping vigil on the strand, And with words of kindly cheer Come and take me by the hand. And they bid me cease to weep, " Weep no more, dear heart." they say, " Soon you'll see your bonnie ships Anchored safely in the bay." „ ft WAITING. Mr So I dry my tears and stand Gazing out across the main, And with patience wait the hour When my ships will come again. Some day I shall see them all Anchored safely off the shore. Then my heart will cease to moum» And my vigils will be o*er. Just so sure as smile the stars In the mirror of the sea, Just so sure my bonnie ships Will return, some day, to me. nt] < 20 MY SHIPS THAT WENT TO SEA. . .U*IW«-f«- ^fc** — -< I 4 ! a riy Ships That Went to Sea. From the haven of the sheltered bay My ships sailed out in proud array ; *Twas the morn of a golden summer day And the wind blew fair and free. The air was clear, and the sky was bright, And the blue waves laughed in the glad sunlij,;ht And, Oh ! But it was a goodly sight As my ships sailed out to sea. I was proud of my fhips, a gallant fleet. With their graceful hulls, so trim and neat, Sturdy and staunch and all complete From their spars to the smallest rope. One was a ship of stately mien Whose white sails shone with a silver sheen, A goodlier ship was never seen, And I called her " The Golden Hope." And laden was she with a cargo rare, With beautiful dreams and fancies fair, A post's son:? and a true heart's prayer, And many a smile and tear. Dreams of wealth, and dreams of fame, Hopes of winning an honored name And all the pride of a lofty aim, And many a hope and fear. l!!i||i MY SHIPS THAT WENT TO SEA. 31 And I watched them as they sailed afar Till I saw the top of each slender spar Fade beyond the horizon's bar, But my heart was light and gay. For why should I fed a throb of fear When the wind blew fair and the sky was clear fSo my heart was light with hope and cheer As I watched them sail away. But often my heart grew sick with fear For my ships were gone for many a year And 0, but the nights were long and drear And the days dragged wearily, And often when others were fast asleep And the angry storm king rode the deep, The whole night long I would watch and weep For my bonnie ships at sea. But they bring me glad, good news to-day, *' Oh ! Your ships are coming in," they say, " You can see them gliding up the bay In the glow of the morning sun." Oh ! My ships are in with their cargoes rare And their colors streaming in the air My bonnie ships, so brave and fair. They are all in -save one. The Golden Hope with topmai^ts tail Rides like a queen among them all, But a fairy shallop, frail and small. The dearest of all to me. One night when the winds and waves were high Went down to her doom 'neath a pitiless sky. And never a thought for the rest have I Since Love went down at sea. { 23 TWO HOSES. Two Roses. High on a lofty mountain One blossomed in beauty rare, The other bloomed in a valley, And both were sweet and fair. Bnt the longing eyes of the maiden Were fixed on the heights above, *' I will gather Fame's fairest roses. There is time enough for Love." And she climbed the rugged mountain Though the task was hard and long, Though the path proved steep and weary, For her heart was brave and strong. But the sharp thorns wounded sorely As she grasped the longed-for prize, And she could not see its beauty For the tears that dimmed her eyes. But her heatt grew soft and tender Amid all her pain and woe, As she thought of the fair, sweet flower In the pleasant vale below. But, alas, even while she tarried Far up on the mountain side, The beautiful rose in the valley Had faded away and died. THB RBOOMPEJNSBB. 2^' The Recompense. The King once sent His messenger to me ^^ Charged with a message from the court above. *' Ask what thou wilt and it shall granted be." And my first prayer was, " Angel ! Give me love. ** The angel smiled on me, then gently sighed, *' My child ! To such as thee, Love bringeth woe." But still I prayed and would not be denied, Until at last he murmured, " Be it so," And held Love's chalice to my eager lips. But scarcely had I touched it's golden rim When all life's brightness suffered swift eclipse And sun and stars unto my eyes grew dim. And on my lips Love's sweetness turned to rue. ^^ " Oh, Angel ! " then I cried, with sobbing breath, *' I asked for Love, Life's sweetest gift, and you Have mocked me with the bitterness of Death." The angel smiled once more, then said, "Not so, The sweetness of Love's wine is not for all. To some it bringeth bliss, to others woe ; Upon some lips its honey turns to gall. But fullest recompense awaits above, So be thou comforted, my child, and know That G Jd reserves His richest meed of Love For those who miss its sweetness here below." ■ s! ; 24 LIFB AND DEATH. Life and Death. On a bed of pain the sick girl lay With closed, white-lidded eyes, As the sunset gilded the azure bay And crimsoned the western skies, "Whilst over her head in bitter strife Strove the Angel of Death and the Angel of Life. • '! In and out of the chamber crept The watchers, with noiseless tread, They feared to disturb the one wlio slept. For they knew how frail the tliread That held her light and wavering breath And balanced her soul between life and death. Then a gentle voice the silence broke, And they gathered around the bed; In low, sweet accents the sick girl spoke. Strange were the words she said : " Hearken to me and cease the strife, O Angel of Death and Angel of Life. ** I am weary listening to the strife And to end it I am fain, So cease to struggle, Death and Life And I'll choose between ye twain." Then turning to Life she wearily sighed,; " Tell me, what gifts can'st thou give thy bride ? " LIFE AND DEATH. 25 And swift from lii.s lips iho auswor came ; "O maiden ! I'll j'ivo thee health And youth and hope and deathless fame, And treasures of golden wealth." Then his voice ffre\y soft as tlie note of a dove, " But best of all, I will give thee love." But she weariJy turned her head aside As lie sjuike Love's fatal name. " Thou dost mock my sorrow, Life 1 " she cried, " For what to me is fiime? And health and wealth prove worthless too, Since hope is dead and my love untrue. " Angel ! I spi rn tl y gifts and tl ee." And she turned to his rival. Death, *' And thou ! what hast thou in store for me ? " She whispered with fleeting breath, A cool, soft kiss on her brow ho pressed. And murmured, " Oblivion, peace and rest." And the maiden's face grew strangely calm At the sound of the angel's voice. And .she laid her hand in his pale, cold palm. Oh ! wise was the maiden's choice. And the watchers in silence held their breath As her soul went out to the arms of Death. '1! ( i n I ml > Hr .2(1 MESSENGERS TO THE DEAD. flcssengers to the Dead. Friends who even now are weeping 'Round tlie one you love so well, Know that sound of human sorrow Cannot break Death's mighty spell. Cease to weep, thy bitter wailing Falls upon a deafened ear, Tears and sobs are unavailing. He is dead, he cannot hear. From a friend who knew and loved him Since his earliest childhood's hour. And w^ho shares your bitter heart ache Comes tliis oiTering of flowers. Let their beautj'- light the shadows Death has brought around his bed, Breathing forth their subtle incense. Messengers unto the dead. Lay them on his pulseless bosom, Clasp them in his pale, cold hand. As they breathe their silent message He will kno'v and understand For their breath is far more subtle Than the power of human speech. And can penetrate his senses Where our voices cannot reach. A. a. c. ^ Tell him, white and fragrant Roses, Of our friendship, strong and true ; Of our deep and heartfelt sorrow, Whisper thou, mournful Rue ! But we leave the tenderest message Unto thee. Forget-me-not, Tell him that through all life's changes He will never be forgot. A. G. C. Dear child, 'twas vain for me to pray That storms might never cloud thy skies, Or that the tears of anguish may Ne'er dim thy bonnie eyes. For never mortal yet but knew The weight of sorrow's crushing thrall, Joy cometh to a chosen few. But sorrow comes to all. Yet from my heart this prayer goes up. When Sorrow's draught your lips must meet, May Love and Friendship kiss the cup And make the bitter sweet. I t . i i 1' ■" I ^ AT THE RIVER. At the River. I am standing? alone by a mystic tide, And the dark swift waters flow past my feet, While'st floating across from the other side Come strains of music, heavenly sweet. And I see the beautiful white-robed throng Beckoning to me across the wave. And I long to join in the rapturous song, But the cold, dark waters I dare not brave. I press my feet to the River of Death, But backward shrink with quivering start For the icy waters have stopped my breath And frozen the blood in my friajhtsned heart. Then softly and sweetly the angel song Comes floating across to my listening ear : *' Though the river is dark and swift and strong, There is one who will help you, so be of good cheer ^^ And then in the midst of the beautiful throng A wondrous vision bursts on my sight : I seem to see on that shining strand A form of celestial glory and light. And softly there steals to my troubled soul Those loving words that calm all fear : *' Fear not, my child, though the river be cold I will bear thee up, so be of good cheer." AT THE RIVER. 29 With a world of love in his patient eyes He stretches the wounded hands to aid, And once more speaks in such sad surprise : "Oh doubting one, art thou still afraid? My feet once pressed the cold dark wave, Unaided I stepped o'er the river's brink, And wil't thou not trust me. its dangers brave? I will bear thee up and thou can'st not sink." Then all fear goes out from my doubting soul A nd a wondrous peace steals in instead, As once mora I press to the river cold And the icy waters no longer dread. And as boldly I plunge in the chilling tide The song of the Angels rings sweet and clear— "Though the river is dark and cold and wide Thy Saviour is with thee, so be of good cheer." 30 THE sailor's GRWE. The Sailor's Grave. A stately ship sails out to sea, And her sailors sing ritrlit merrily As they cheerih'' hoist the snowy sail Which bends before the fresh ning gale. But there is one who stands apart, For song and jest he has no heart. And his eyes are dim with unshed tears As the fading shore slow disappears. Now 'tis lost to si^^ht, he breathes a sigh, *'My own, dear native land, good bj'-e, Farewell, loved ones on yonder shore We part to meet, perchance no more.'* The ocean rests in slumber grand. And the ship is far out from the land ; All gilded in the radiant beams Of the golden sun, her white sail gleams. On the good ship's deck the sailors pace, A solemn fear on every face. A stranger grim with chilling breath Has come on board, his name is Death. * O bi-ave young heart ! that undismayed Shrank not when death's chill hand was laid Upon thy lips, stilling their breath Sealing them with the seal of death. THE sailor's grave. 81 « With canvas coarse for wiiidin.::; sheet They shrouded him from head to feet, Brushed from his brow the curls of gold, And crossed his hands on his bosom cold. Then a praj-er was murmured low and soft, While the rising: winds in the shrouds aloft Sang a mournful requiem, slow and sad— A funeral dirge for the sailor lad. Then a sob broke forth from each manly breast As he slowly sank 'neath the blue wave's crest O noble heart ! so true and brave, Sleep on in rest in your sailor's grave. Sleep on and fear no earthly harm, Sleep ! till the judgment's dread alarm Shall wake thee from thy dreamless sleep And call thee from the silent deep. ********* And the years roll on in grief and joy. And a mother weeps for her fair-haired boy, And a sister prays with a sob and tear For the safe return of her brother dear. And a maiden stands in a cottage door Listening for a step that will come no more. And she prays as she looks across the sea, *• God speed my darling back to me." And when at eve in the glowing west The golden sun sinks down to rest They often watch the fading light And say, '* Perhaps he will come to-night." t I < <- 82 THE sailor's ORAVB. Ah ! faithful hearts! 'tis all in vain, Your loved one will not come again. Far, far away 'neath the rolling wave He f=ileeps alone in a sailor's grave. BY THE SEA. 88 By the Sea. On the cold, gray shore I walk alone Where the curling waves o'er the wet sands creep, And ray heart responds to the sea's sad moan As all in vain for my love I weep. my dear, dead love ! my onlj' love, love that I loved so fond and true. Do you ever look down from your home above, Or think of the heart that is aching for ^ou? 1 remambar well when you sailed away, "We stood on the shore in the wind and rain. And you said you'd come back to me, dear, some day, But ah ! you will never come liack again, For under the cold, dark waves yoa sleep. Oh love, dear love my heart is sore. And my eyes grow dim with the tears I weep For my dear, dead love, who will come no more. With arms outstretched to the moaning sea 1 cry aloud in my dreary pain : " Bring back the love that you stole from me. Oh ! bring me my dear, lost love again," But the cold waves break on the grey sea shore And a sorrowful dirge the3'^ sing to me, •* You may weep and sigh till time is no more. But we'll never bring back thy love to thee." And the dreary days drag wearily by. And I mourn and weep for the joys long past. On leaden wings the moments fly. But the end must surely com3 at last. O my dear, dead loye, we will meet again On the golden shores of Eternity, And my weary waiting will not bo vain When the sea gives back what it stole from me. 1 m t i ':i; 84 TWO PRAYERS. Two Prayers. A woman knelt la prayer and bowed her head, And to her guardian angel softly said : ** O angel ! tell me have the fates above Decreed that I'll be blessed in my love? I love so dearly and I fain would learn If he I love doth love me in return." The angel paused, then gently breathed a sigh As in soft, pitying tones he made reply, *' Even as you love him so doth he love thee, But Fate decrees that you must parted be." She sighed, then murmured, " Still my life is blest, If he but love me I can bear the rest." Another woman prayed with drooping head: " Oh Ano^el ! will my love love me? " she said, The Angel's tears fell fast like summer rain As soft he answered her, "Thy prayer is vain ; He loves another and can never be More than a true and faithful friend to thee," And then she slowly raised her drooping head And smiling through her tears she softly said : " He may not love me other than a friend. But I love him and will unto the end Of time, aye, and through all eternity And that alone is heaven enough for me." TO B. 8. 8& To E. S. O heartstricken. sorrowing mother ! No words ever written or said Can lessen the weight of your sorrow Since the baby you love is dead. Bu*. remember, O sorrowful mother Thy heart should rejoice, not repine. Since of all earth's beautiful treasures The Master has chosen thine. The fairest, the brightest, the purest. Find grace in His loving eyes And the Lord hath chosen thy treasure To beautify Paradise. Dear baby hands that will never Grow weary with earthly strife, Sweet baby eyes that will never Grow dim with the cares of life. Wee feet that will never stumble Over Life's ruggjed way, For the hands of angels now guide them And they cannot go astray. But a mother's love is boundless As the seas or the skies above, And a mother's heart grows jealous E'en of the angels love. ^5 TO B. 8. i . t' And she longs for her baby's kisses, The touch of the dimpled hand, And the baby voice now thrilling The ears of the angel band. But you need not fear, O mother ! Tho' the years be many or few, Tho' the time pass slow or swiftly. For the baby heart is true. Not even the songs of the angels Or the joys of Paradise Can banish the tender yearning From your baby's gentle eyes As she lingers beside the portal Of her shining, heavenly home And asks of the angel warder If her mother soon will come. And the wistful longing deepens In her ej'es as she stands and waits, Watching for mother darling At the City's pearly gates. Cease then to mourn, sad mother, Take up Life's burden anew, Shape thou the future before thee With earnest endeavor and true, That no thought or deed unworthy May bring shame to the baby eyes That are watching so wistfully for thee From the gates of Paradise. ■P OUR BABIES. d7 Our Babies. Willie and Annie, our two pretty babes. Our dear household an^cels, we love them so well ; Brown eyes and blue, so merry and glad. Which is the dearest, 'tis hard for to tell. Dear little Nan with the nut-brown curls And bonnie brown eyes, so tender and true, Willie with locks of the sunniest gold And eyes like a bit of Heaven's own blue. When dear, little Willie climbs up on my knee. And gazes so lovinp:iy into my face, I think the wide world can hold nothing more dear Than our bonnie, wee lad, with his sweet baby ways. While Nan with her tricks drives us all nearly wild. And we try, all in vain, to make her '* be good," But I know as I clasp the sweet rogue to my heart» We would not have her otherwise e'en if we could. O, innocent babies ! so pure and so fair. You must soon wander forth in the world'^ busy strife, And the dimpled, white hands will be wounded and torn, For thorns ever lurk 'ner.th the roses of life. God guard you, and keep you, my innocent ones ; May the sad tears of pain never dim your bright eyes. The pathway before you seems cloudless and fair, God grant that no sorrow may darken the skies. 5 1 i V :i I I : ^1 ■ I 1 1 ll 1 Ai 1 1 if 1 n I SB TO M. A. To M. A. Even in the hour of her birth, When cradled on her mother's breast, A helpless babe, she lay at rest, The angel Pain came down to earth. And bending o'er the sleeping child, He laid a burden or. her heart, Then turned, but e'er he could depart The babe awoke and sweetly smiled. The pathos in those great, dark eyes Went to his heart even as he spread His shining wings, then straight he sped In silent swiftness to the skies. And reaching Heaven the angel Pain Sought out the ranks of seraphs fair, And kissed the ^ vveetest singer there, Then winged his way to earth again. And gazing on the child through tears, Upon her infant lips he left The kiss from heaven's singer reft, A recompense for future years. And as the maiden grew in years They marveled at her winsome grace. The sweetness of her voice and face. Which moved mankind to smiles and tears. But angels mourn while we rejoice To hear the strains, divine and sweet, For Heaven's choir is incomplete Without the music of her voice. TUB LOST BABY. 00 The Lost Baby. The birds are sing^ini? sweet and clear, Their songs are full of gladness, The sun is shining bright, but still My heart is filled with sadness. It matters not how glad the birds, Or fair the sunny day be. My heart is heavy with its grief, I've lost my little baby. Oh have you seen him passing by, A bonnie little fellow. With eyes as blue as summer's sky And silky curls of yellow ? He disappeared quite suddenly And left no sign or token To let me know where he has gone ; My heart is almost broken. A manly lad is in his place. Much taller and much older, With boots and pockets, sun-burned face. A school-bag on his shoulder. Who clasps his arms around my neck, And laughs with boyish vigor — " Why Auntie, dear, that baby's me, Only I'm grown up bigger. " Mi t J n '■ \ K i It >li 40 THE LOST BABY. And did you really think me lost ? How could you be so silly ? For though I'm grown up 'most a man I'm still your little Willy, Who'll always love you just the same, And some day, Auntie, may be You'll love me every bit as much As you have loved that baby." Dear little man, a wistful note Into his voice is creeping. Which warns me that the boyish heart Is full almost to weeping. And so with tender words I haste To soothe his heart's dejection. And strive with many a loving kiss To prove my fond affection. Dear lad, I take you to my heart. To hold you there forever And pray that stern misfortune's frown M ay rest upon you never. But there's one chamber in my heart, Deep in the inmost center, •^rbm all the rest it stands apart. Within it none may enter. And there on Memory's golden shrine Is pictured bright and clearly, The image of the baby boy I used to love so dearly. CANADA. 41 Canada, I love the land of Canada, The dear land of my birth ; I deem my native country The fairest place on earth. I love her lakes and rivers, Her forests, grand and high, And her golden sunsets bright'ning The landscape to the eye. I love the slender Tamarac, The tall and stately Pine, The bonnie Birch and sturdy Oak With clinging Ivy vine. So beautiful ! So glorious ! In Autumn splendor dreat, I love them all, but ah ! I love The Maple Tree the best. Old England has her Royal Rose, The Thistle's Scotland's pride. Whilst many brave and gallant men For Erin's Shamrock died. But give to me the Maple Leaf, More fair than all the rest, Our country's precious emblem, The dearest and the best. '42 GOOD LUCK. lovely land of Canada May joy and peace be thine, May the sun of bright prosperity O'er thy Dominion shine. May thy sons be brave and noble, Thy daughters, true and kind, And the love of home and country Our hearts in friendship bind. i . Oood Luck. While passing through a meadow All wet with early dew, I espied this four-leaved clover And gathered it for you. They say a four-leaved clover Brings fortune, fair and true. And so with loving wishes I send it, dear, to you. Oh ! May it bring you best of luck, And health and wealth galore ; May all that's beautiful and bright For you be held in store. May happiness be always thine. And peace your steps attend, And Heaven's choicest blessings rest On you, my dearest friend. THE BAY OP QUINTE. 43 The Bay of Quinte. O lovely Bay of Quinte ! Rolling on in tranquil flow, Thine azure bosom tinted By the .sunset's ruddy glow — I might roam thro' every country, I might sail o'er every sea, And never find a place more fair Than Quinte is to me. No rugged cliffs nor mountains Outline thy tranquil shore, But the peaceful scenery ! No heart could wish for more. Thy sloping hills and valleys All clad in freshest green, fairer shores than Qainte's No mortal eye hath seen, 1 love thee, Bay of Quinte ! I love th^'- pleasant shores, Thou art entwined with memories Of childhood's vanished hours. Oft have I stood upon the shores Thy dancing wavelets kiss And thought " 'Tis but in Heaven There are fairer scenes than this." I love the Bay of Quinte, And when this life is o'er And I with joyous steps will tread -Dear Quinte's side no more, Oh ! let me sleep by Quinte's side. More sweet would be my rest Beside the pleasant waters I have alwavs loved the best. s f ■ 8 V, tmmmimmmmm u JUST LIKE ME3. Just Like rie. *' Now Annie, ba quiet." I sharply say, " I have had enough of your noisa to-d ly, Ani I think it is tim3 yoa tried to be good, And behave yourself as a little girl should. Why do you persist in acting so ? You're the naughtiest little girl I know." I pause, and Nan looks demurely down To hide the gleam in her eyes so brown. Then says : " Dear Auntie, I s'pose it's so, I am very naughty, but then you know Grandma says that you used to be, When you were a little girl, just like me. m *' She says you played ' hookej' ' 'most every day With Uncle Eddie down to the Bay, And you two used to fi^?ht like cats and dogs. And push one another off the logs In the shallow water, just for fun. Then sit on the logs and dry in the sun. And you used to run the big boom 'round, And once you fell in and were nearly drowned, But some men heard Uncle Eddie shout And came just in time to pull you out. JUST LIKE ME. 45 " And you used to dress and nurse the cat, And play in the sun without any hat, 'Till she'd think your very brains would bake, And you ' hooked ' her pies and ' fobbled ' her cake. And often you and my Uncle Ed For being naughty were sent to bed, Without any supper, and you used to cry When you had to wash dishes, same as I. " And you used to run off to the fields for flowers, And stay away for hours and hours, Then slip in the back way upstairs to bed, You and Aunt Emmie and Uncle Ed. And she says you could climb a fence or tree. And tear your clothes just the same as me. " So, Auntie. I think it is hardlj'^ fair," The dear little maid ^oes on to declare, " That you should be always scolding so Because I am naughty, when j'^ou know You did the very same things I do. So Grandma says, and it must be true." Like a culprit I sit and listen, dismayed, To the charges road by this little maid, I am vanquished, ay ! Jnit I bear no grudge As I plead my guilt to tlie youthful judge. For memory wakes with o rush and whirl. Aroused by the words of the little girl. And, looking down in the bright, young face The well-known features and smile I trace Of another wee lassie I used to know Somewhere about twenty years ago. %, X \ It ' ' . h \ I, to . Ij^TlKi !l I ir ;f'i ?i "■i^«h ill 43 JUST LIKE MB. xiiid I close tny eyes while memory strays Back to my wild, sweet childhood's days, And my heart beats fast and my pulses st.r As I think of when I was "just like her." Then two dimpled arms around me twine As the honest brown eyes glance into mine. Meeting my gaze so fearlessly As this strange question she puts to me, A question that thrills me through and through, *' When I grow up will I be like you ? For I think " she goes on in a musing tone, *' It is awfully jolly to live alone. Without any husband to grumble and growl, Or bothersome babies to fret and howl, But just a dear, little niece like me," How the brown eyes sparklewith mischievous glee I " To come now and then to visit you And make things liveljs same as I do. And when called ' old maid ' by people unkind, To smile so serene, as if you don't mind. O, I think it's so nice to ba big and wise And have dear, little wrinkles around your eyes, And write nice verses and stories too. Oh ! I'd love to grow up and be just like you." *' Just like me." Ah ! She does not think How her prattle causes my heart to sink. As msmory kneels o'er the grave of th^ Past, While the blinding tears fall thick and fa.st, Weaving a shadowy veil between My longing eyes and what might have been. JUST LIKE ME. 47 *• Just like me." Forbid, God ! She should ever look back over pathways trod, As I have done, and see through tears, The shattered hopes and dreams of years. Grant that her lips may never quaff. As mine have done. Pain's bitter draught, Father ! I pray, may it so Thee please That all resemblance between us cease, And her life no more be likened to mine "When once she has crossed the boundary line That divides the battle-field of Life From the gardens with childish pleasures rife. •' Just like me." Forbid, God That her feet should tread where mine have trod. Then smiling down in the clear, brown eyes That have watched my emotion with grave surprise, I clasp her close as I pray that she May never grow up to be "just like me." » C^' h fvs ' ', 'i ' '4 > ii'.. 48 HER ANSWER. Her Answer. They said to her, " Why are your son{?s so sad ? Such hidden pain and pathos in them lie, Such mournful thoughts in sombre language clad, They bring the tears unbidden to tl e eye. If you would only sing in strains more glad The world would laugh, and so forget to sigh. II Life has its pain, but has its pleasures too ! A cheery smile is better than a tear ; Some hearts are false, we know, but some are true, The world is sad, why make it ^-till more drear ? We love Life's roses better than Life's rue, Better than dirge of woe the song of cheer." And as they talked with her in cheerful strain A shadow stole o'er her averted face, But when she turned to meet their gaze again Her smiling lips showed naught of sorrow's trace, Though in her eyes still lurked a shade of pain Which naught might banish from its dwelling place. The lark sings gaily in the morning sun Uprising from its nest amid the wheat; The nightingale's sweet notes, when day is done, Float gently from the woodland's cool retreat In soft and plaintive strains, yet is there one Who hearingboth, would deem thelaik'b more sweet? HER ANSWER. 48 '* A smile is better than a tear you say, Brlieve me, friends, it is not always so, As I can prove. 'Twas but the other day I stood with one whose heart was crushed with woe, Beside the coffin where her treasure lay, So great, so deep her grief, tears would not flow. 'W ' " Upon ray breast she laid her aching head, I tried to comfort her, but words were vain, But as my tears fell fast above the dead Her tears burst forth in showers like the rain ; Then when her grief was spent, she smiled and said : ' Dear friend, those tears have eased ray heart's dull pain in 50 SOUL AND MIND. Soul and Mind. Here at the glass I stand and wait To meet that cold, proud gaze of thine, Some questions I would put to thee, So answer true, Soul of mine ! Lift up those clear, calm eyes to mine. Calm eyes that search me thro' and thro'. And listen while I question thee, O Soul of mine and answer true. Life is so full of mysteries That are not understood by men. So full of problems yet unsolved, Too deep and vast for human ken. Mine eyes, earth-blinded, vainly strive To read each wondrous mystery. But thou art heaven-born, they say, Soul ! It must be plain to thee. Then tell me. was it worth my while To live thro' all those dull, gray years, With scarce a ray of joy or light To lift the clouds of grief and tears. When as a child I knew no wrong. And hope within my heart beat high, When faith in human kind was strong, O Soul ! Were it not best to die ? SOUL AND MIND. 51 Whon Love's sweet magic thrilled my soul, And Life a paradise did seem, O Soul ! Were it not beat to die Than live to find it all a dream? And when I tried to reach the gO! 1 Upon the heights so far above, Another passed me in the race And won the prize for which I strove. And as I watched my fair hopes die, My heart grew cold and hard as stone. Then balked Ambition vanquished Faith, Whilst cruel Doubt usurped her throne. O Soul ! Thou knowest how I tried To keep my faith in God and man, But every hope was swept from me. Why was it ? Answer, if you can. Soul ! Is there joy enough in Heaven To make amends for human woe? Can all eternity atone For what we suffer here below ! The preacher bids us kiss the rod, And bow our heads to Heaven's decree, Says Sorrow is the lot of man ; But tell me. Soul! Why must it be? Nay, gaze not with accusing ej' es. Mine eyes can stare as well as thine, Those questions I have pxit to thee. Thou can'st not answer, Soul of mine ! ■ '< 1 ?^' . ix 1 ''J « 52 SOUL AND MIND. m i A clear, sweet voice stole on my ear, A voice of wondrous melody. As from the mirror's crystal depths My Soul looked out and answered me. I cannot tell you what she said. For words of mine are all too weak ; It was no lans;uage of this earth In which my Soul to me did speak. Oh ! Wondrous were the words she spake, Wisdom and Truth, sublime and i^rand ! They hushed my mind's wild questioning And fell upon my heart like balm. Her eyes met mine with steadfast gaze, Until, abashed, I gazed no more, But knelt before my God, and prayed As I had never prayed before. i FnoM orrr the depths. 5ft From Out the Depths. The nij;lit is closing fast around me, Lord, The shades of darkness ^atlier, swift and gray, My aching eyes can scarcely [tierce the gloom, And my weak, faltering feet have lost the way, come to me in Sorrow's dreary niglit And load mo from the darkness into light. There whs a time when I was well content To walk within the paths appointed me, But listening to my heart's rebellious voice I wandered, step by step, afar from Thee. Night cometh fast, and swiftly fades the day ; Father have pity, I have lost my way. When, hand in hand, I walked with Thee, dear Lord, Thy strength upheld me in my darkest hour, But now ray burden bends me to the earth — I miss t! '^ aid of Thy sustaining power. liOrd, turn om me *^he vengeance of Thy wrath And lead my faltering steps along the path. My sin is this, O Lord, I tried to solve Those problems that are known to none but Thee. Bewildered and perplexed, I vainly strove To find an answer to Life's mystery. Thus, step by step, the dangerous path I trod Till like the fool, I said : " There is no God." Lord, I confess with tears, my sin is great, But, penitent and humbled in the dust, 1 ask Thy pardon for my waywardness ; Have pity on me. Lord, in Thee I trust, Hear Thou my cry of penitence and grief : " Lord ! I believe, help Thou my unbelief." h *fT' il' dM 54 TFIE LESSON. The Lesson, Once when my heart had dared to spurn Tha wisdom of His will sublime, God set a task for me to leai ii — To break this stubborn will of mine. Humbled and penitent, T knelt At my stern teacher Sorrow's knee, And with white lips, heart-stricken spelt The lesson God had set for me. Through shades of swiftly gathering night I strove the tear-stained page to con. Whilst friends who smiled with morning's light Departad as the night came on. Then with my lesson learned by heart I turned to face the world again, And watched each fickle friend depaj ,, Mine eyes badimmed With tears of pain. I scanned each face with wistful eyes For fii -ndiy smile, but there was none. Then turned away with bitter sigh And cried : " God ! There is not one, " Who heedless of the world's cold scorn Will step from out the beaten road, .•\nd help with words of kindness born A comrade sinking 'neath the load." ■4,i THE LESSON. 65 O friend ! I own that I was wrong, My hasty judgment now I rue, You stepped from out tliat worldly throng To clasp my hand in friendship true. The memory of that kindly deed •^ Shall ever in my heart be shrined. For in that hour of sorest need You saved my faith in human kind. And though God's hand hath smitten sore. Hath broken this poor heart of mine. And darkened all that lies before, I will not murmur nor repine. For had my sun ne'er known eclipse. Had Life'^ fair blooms ne'er turned to rue, Had (Sorrow's cup not pressed my lips, I had not found a friend like you. Of all I know, 'twas you alone, Who stretched towards me helping hands, Content to let the fruitless past Be judged by Him who understands. Your hand had power my steps to stay As unbelief's dark paths I trod. And pointed out a better way, The peaceful path that leads to God. U ■M 7 m 'i 56 UNANSWERED PRAYERS. i!ii ii i Unanswered Prayers. I asked for Love, God would not grant my prayer ; I prayed for Fame, and still He s rid me nay; I could not understand His loving care, That what He did was for my good alway. And so I murmured at the stern decree, Rebellious anger swelling in mj'^ breast ; He smiled forgiveness as He said to me : '* My child, all that I do is for the best." And now my heart is cold to Love's sweet voice ; Ambition's flame lies lifeless in my bieast ; Nor Love, nor Fame can make my heart rejoice — The only boon I ask of God is Eest. My prayer is yet unanswered, but I know That God knows best how much my heart can bear; When it hath borne the allotted share of woe I know that he will hearken to my prayer. His time and justice I can safely bide Knowing that He will grant me this request, And all Life's longings will be satisfied In that sweet hour when God will give me Best. V-»i YOUR SUNNY SMILE, 67 :t«r Your Sunny Smile. In summer when the skies were blue And sunshine bathed the land with light , When friends were mine whom I deemed true And Life seemed pleasant to my sight, With sunny smile you came to me And promised love and fealty. Fairer than sunbeams did appear The sunshine of your smile to me, The love-light in your eyes more clear Than all the light on land and sea, And all my heart went out to you — I loved you and believed you true. The sun withdrew, and all the land Grew dark, the world spoke harsh of me, Friends fell away on every hand, I mourned them not, I still had thee ; But when I sought you in my need Your love proved but a broken reed. iV }{*: I J. II 'Twas but a cloud, and soon it passed. The sun shone fairer than before ; Old friends returned, even you at last Smiled on me as in days of yore, But I had learned in that dark while To live without your sunny smile. i m f I 58 MY FRIEND, riy Friend. I had no friead ! With heavy burdened heart And droopino^ head, alone I walked throupjh Life And in the world's gay pleasures had no part ; My soul was wearied with the bitter strife. Unloved, unknown, I wandered through Life's mart. Through gloomy paths with many a sorrow rife. I had no friend. The skies o'er head were heavy, dull and gray, "Without one ray of sunshine breaking through, My starving heart grew faint aloni? the way, When glancing up I met your gozs so true, Then all the dreary night was changed to day And I rejoiced, dear heart, becau.se I knew I'd found a friend. You never failed me, loving friend and truo. Since that glad hour when we two first did meet, No longer do I dread Life's bitter rue Which Friendship's lips have touched and rendered sweet, Still rough the paths that I must journey through, But what care I tho' tempests 'round me beat, I have a friend. i!^4, THE COMING OF THE KINO. 59 .1 iP ».. The Coming of the King. O God ! T^oFfc Thou not hear the bitter wailing Ascer.ding from the Earth unto Thy Throne? Are human tears and prayers so unavailing That Heaven heareth not our sobbing moan? " As a shepherd feeds his flock," so it is written, Lord, we believe, even as Thou hast said, Yet see, God ! By Famine's gaunt hand smitten Thy children faint and die, They have no bread. Thou hast endowed the Earth with goodly treasure That each may have a portion, fair and just, And bade Thy stewards give with flowing measure, Yet see, Lord, how they abuse Thy Trust. Hearken, O God ! O King, in justice hearken ! Earth's toiling millions moan in agony. How long, dear God, muf,t man's oppression darken The lives of those who put their trust in Thee ? Angel host, whose songs are ever ringing Around Jehovah's Throre, so sweet and clear, For one brief moment cease, O cease thy singing, And let Earth's bitter wailing reach His ear. 60 THE COMING OF THE KINO. Weep on, ye sufferers, raise your moans to Heaven, Let cries of an4?uish swell more lourl and long Until Earth's pain tlie jasper walls hath riven, And hushed the rapture of the anj2:els' song. There was silence in Heaven around the Throne, As up from the Earth came a sobbing moan Fraught with such anguish and bitter wrong That the singers in Heaven hushed their song, And the Lord stooped down from His Throne to hear Earth's bitter cry as it reached His ear, And His heart was moved for t'le wo s of men — *' My children need me on Earth again." Then He said to His shining herald : " Go, Wing thy swift way to the world below, And proclaim this message unto all men, * The King is coming to Earth again.'" Through the Grates of Pearl, like a winged flame, Down to the Earth the Angel came, And the hearts of men, erstwhile so sad With the cares of Life, grew light and glad When they heard the tidings the herald bore : *' Rejoice ! The King is coming once more." And all the rulers met to plan How Earth should welcome the Son of Man. And they summoned the myriad slaves of Earth, The sad-faced toilers of humble birth. Saying: " Work ! We bid ye, slaves of the land ! Build us a mansion, more high and grand THE COMING OP THE KING. 61 Than ever was seen on Earth before, For our King is comin