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 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 '> 
 
 LONDON 
 
 15Q1
 
 Rl'liBY : 
 
 PRlXTliD UY GliORCE E. OVER, 
 
 THE RUGBY PRESS.
 
 
 The love within 7ny heart for thee 
 Before the world was had its birth. 
 
 It is the part God gives to me 
 Of the great wisdom of the earth. 
 
 862930
 
 FIRST LIXES 
 
 Page 
 
 All love, the sweet spring blossoms cling ... i 
 
 Why am I singing all alone 2 
 
 jMy sweetheart lays her hand in mine .... 3 
 
 Below the rocks where the samphire blows . . 4 
 
 She comes through the meadow yonder ... 5 
 
 Amid a crown of radiant hills 6 
 
 In yonder bay the waves find rest 8 
 
 In the first light of the morning 9 
 
 AVhen first I saw your face, love 10 
 
 I am wanting to send you a song, love ....11 
 
 If I were in the valley-land 12 
 
 The birds sang from the tree 13 
 
 Love my heart is aching, aching 15 
 
 Violets, sweet violets 16 
 
 In the distant woods are blowang 17 
 
 is.
 
 Page 
 
 The golden gorse and the heather i8 
 
 Why seems the world so fair 20 
 
 Winds blow cold in the bright March weather . 21 
 
 What song shall I sing to you 23 
 
 Out on the moor the sun is bright 25 
 
 Little maiden are you lonely 26 
 
 The snow queen passed our way last night ... 27 
 
 How gently this evening the ripples break ... 28 
 
 Cold, quite cold, I could only see 30 
 
 The hours of the day have departed 32 
 
 Listen and we shall hear the voice 33 
 
 I have been wandering to-day 34 
 
 Give me thy hand dear friend, and let me take thee 36 
 
 And art thou come again, Oh Night 37 
 
 Oh, what know they of harbours, by E. R. . . 39 
 
 November with mysterious feet 40 
 
 When you are lonely, full of care 41 
 
 The tender touch of a gentle hand 42 
 
 We wandered in that shadow-land 44 
 
 The clouds have gathered soon to-night ... 45
 
 Page 
 
 Are your grave eyes graver growing ? .... 47 
 
 The town is veiy gay to-day 49 
 
 The March wind rises through the skies ... 50 
 
 The skies are blue 5^ 
 
 I saw your portrait, yesterday 52 
 
 Though I may rest in some leafy place .... 54 
 
 There is no unawakened string 55 
 
 Last night again we saw him there 56 
 
 The ladies bow, and partners set 58 
 
 A flash of colour through the trees ....". 61 
 
 All day I read your book ; at eve 63 
 
 XI.
 
 A' 
 
 SPRING-SONG 
 
 H love, the sweet spring blossoms cling 
 To many a broken wind-tossed bough, 
 ^^ And young birds among branches sing 
 That mutely hung tUl now. 
 
 The little new-bom things which lie 
 In dewy meadows, sleep and dream 
 Beside the brook that twinkles by 
 To some great lonely stream. 
 
 And children, now the day is told, 
 From many a warm and cosy nest, 
 Look up to see the young moon hold 
 The old moon to her breast. 
 
 Dear love, my pulses throb and start 
 To-night with longings sweet and new, 
 And young hopes beat within a heart 
 Grown old in loving you. 
 
 I
 
 SONG 
 
 "^T THY am I singing all alone, 
 ' ' Outside your window here ? 
 
 Because the roses are all blown, 
 And all the sky is clear. 
 
 Because the glen I passed was fair. 
 And fresh wth morning dew. 
 
 Because the gold shines in your hair, 
 Because your eyes are blue. 
 
 Because for many a sunny mile 
 The hills stretch out, and furled 
 
 Is every cloud : because God's smile 
 Is shining through the world.
 
 MY SWEETHEART 
 
 TV T Y sweetheart lays her hand in mine 
 
 When she would have me glad, 
 She sings and sings, she never knows 
 What music makes me sad. 
 
 My sweetheart holds my heart to hers 
 When she would have me rest, 
 
 She never hears the hea\y sigh 
 Which breaks ■within my breast. 
 
 Her sweet lips press my tired lids 
 When she would have me sleep ; 
 
 Alas, they have no power to stay 
 The burning tears I weep.
 
 SONG 
 
 "13 ET.OW the rocks where the samphire blows, 
 "^"^ The pebbled beach in an inlet shows 
 A quiet cave, where a green fern grows 
 By the summer sea. 
 
 'Twould cheer and brighten my home alway, 
 But fades if far from the fresh sea spray, 
 It could not live for a single day 
 In the town with me. 
 
 Below the hill where the heather lies, 
 A maiden sings, and her smiling eyes 
 Say love's a blossom that never dies 
 By the town or sea.
 
 SONG 
 
 C|^ HE comes through the meadow yonder, 
 *^ Her face is turned to the west, 
 And I divine how her clear eyes shine 
 
 With the hght of a lasting rest ; 
 And the rays of the sun-set wander 
 
 To bless her, and she is blest — 
 
 By touch of their golden splendoiir, 
 
 By beauty of earth and sky, 
 Her spirit waits at the western gates, 
 
 No music can pass her by 
 That Heaven or Earth may send her, 
 
 I watch where I stand, and sigh.
 
 SONG 
 
 A MID a crown of radiant hills, 
 
 A little wood with blossoms rare 
 
 Breathes sweetly, while the young lark trills 
 
 His new learnt melody and fills 
 The fragrant air. 
 
 Among its boughs the fresh winds play, 
 
 And, where the spreading branches part, 
 The sun-light drops from spray to spray, 
 And seeks the ferny streams which stray 
 Within its heart. 
 
 And there the wild bee fills his cells. 
 
 And murmurs through the golden hours, 
 And charmed fancies and sweet spells, 
 Are woven in the tall blue-bells 
 And cuckoo-flowers.
 
 There many a mossy bank entwined 
 
 With shining leaves awaits our choice, 
 Come swiftly love, my soul unbind 
 With thy dear looks, that it may find 
 Its prisoned voice.
 
 I 
 
 IN YONDER BAY 
 
 N yonder bay the waves find rest, 
 
 They die along the great shore's breast 
 With one low sound 
 
 Of longing for the fuller breeze 
 "NMiich rode across the tracldess seas, 
 And s^\•ept them round. 
 
 Ah love, if I might find their rest. 
 Might end my wanderings on thy breast, 
 I should not sigh 
 
 For fuller life, so I might stay 
 My heart's throb on thy heart some day. 
 Before I die.
 
 SOXG 
 
 TN the first light of the morning, 
 
 When the thrush sang loud and clear, 
 And the black -bird hailed day's dawTiing, 
 How I wished my love could hear. 
 
 When the sun shone on the sand there, 
 And the roses bloomed above, 
 
 And the blue waves kissed the land there, 
 How I longed to see my love. 
 
 Now the birds good-night are calling, 
 And the moonbeams come and go, 
 
 And my tears are falling, falling. 
 Because I want him so.
 
 SONG 
 
 "\ T THEN first I saw your face, love, 
 
 I knew my search was done, 
 You passed my lonely place, love, 
 
 The light I sought was won. 
 When your steadfast eyes looked down on me, 
 And I arose to follow thee. 
 
 And something in your smile, love, 
 
 I knew to be a part 
 Of joy that for a while, love, 
 
 Had slumbered in my heart : 
 To what sweet music it awoke, 
 Wlien first you turned to me and spoke ! 
 
 lO
 
 SONG 
 
 T AM wanting to send 5-ou a song, love, 
 
 From over the sea, 
 But the way, Oh the way is so long, love, 
 
 Between you and me, 
 All the music would die, 
 In the waves and the sky, 
 
 Before it reached thee. 
 
 I am wanting to tell you my love, love, 
 
 But you ^xi^. forget 
 How you lifted your sweet eyes above, love. 
 
 How their lashes were wet 
 When you wished me good-bye, 
 While the stars filled the sky, 
 
 And my sad sails were set. 
 
 II
 
 SONG 
 
 TF I were in the valley-land, 
 
 And you far up the mountain blue, 
 Would you just turn and wave your hand, 
 And bid me strive to follow you. 
 
 If I were in the tossing sea, 
 And you upon the quiet shore, 
 
 Would you send out your help to mc, 
 And bid me to my life once more. 
 
 If I were cast from Heaven's gate. 
 And you within so glad and fair, 
 
 I know you would come forth and wait 
 Beside me love, in ray despair. 
 
 12
 
 SONG 
 
 'T'^HE birds sang from the tree, 
 -^ " Sweetheart 
 
 Go forth across the silent hills, 
 For in the vale their shadow fills 
 Thy love awaiteth thee 
 
 With lonely heart." 
 
 She wound a -vvreath of flowers 
 
 So sweet. 
 And, while the birds still sang their song, 
 Across the hUls she passed along 
 In the fan- sunrise hours, 
 
 Her love to meet. 
 
 13
 
 But when the sun, asleep 
 
 At eve, 
 Lay hid behind a purple cloud, 
 Each little bird in leafy shroud 
 Saw her return and weep, 
 
 "And dost thou grieve." 
 
 Ah no, I am not sad 
 
 She said, 
 He did not know me when I came, 
 But I have crowned him all the same. 
 And how can I be sad. 
 
 My heart is gl;i(l. 
 
 H
 
 SONG 
 
 "T OVE my heart is acliing, aching, 
 -^^ While the soft sea-wind is making 
 Music in the aspens, breaking 
 
 Silence in my soul. 
 With its sad-voiced singing blending 
 With my sighs, whUe stars befriending, 
 Beams to mid-night seas are sending 
 
 As they eastward roll. 
 
 IS
 
 VIOLETS 
 
 ■\ 7I0LETS, sweet violets, 
 
 I cau find the fairest, 
 In a little ferny glen 
 
 Blossom all the rarest, 
 I can reach the leafy beds 
 Where they hide their dc\\7 heads. 
 
 From the mossy stones and rocks 
 Where the pools arc deepest, 
 
 I can leap across the stream 
 Where the banljs are steepest, 
 
 And beneath the hawthorn get 
 
 Many a scented violet. 
 
 i6
 
 SPRING-TIME 
 
 T N the distant woods are blowing 
 
 Tender buds and blossoms sweet, 
 Fragrant leaves and grasses glowing 
 
 From the touch of fairy feet. 
 In the woods a spirit singing 
 
 Stays and touches every tree, 
 And to loving branches clinging 
 
 Flowers open tremblingly. 
 
 17
 
 SONG 
 
 'T~^IIE golden gorse and the heather 
 Bloom do\\Ti the whole hill side, 
 And below in the rocks are lying 
 Still pools where the sea-flowers hide, 
 And all the day 
 The shadows play 
 In the cliffs and the chasms wide. 
 
 The hedges are decked with berries. 
 
 The lanes gleam with yellow and red, 
 And the pale blue endive blossoms. 
 And the golden-rod lifts its head. 
 And poppies shine. 
 And wild wood-bine 
 Scents the nir round the fern's green bed. 
 
 i8
 
 And Time passes by like a dream, 
 
 And birds sing the whole day long, 
 And bright-wing'd insects fill the air 
 With munnurs, and flash along 
 
 When the green leaves part, 
 And my own heart 
 Is full of a happy song. 
 
 19
 
 SONG 
 
 "t T 7IIY seems the world so fair, 
 
 ^ ^ Why do I sing ? 
 Why ? in the meadow there 
 
 When it was Spring, 
 There when all fair things were 
 
 Clearer to see. 
 All the young dreams I'd lost 
 Came back to me. 
 
 * * * ♦ 
 
 I may not enter now, 
 
 But there's a Spring 
 Somewhere beyond the sun. 
 
 So I can sing, 
 So I can wait and sing, 
 
 While I prepare 
 My soul to welcome thine. 
 
 When wc meet there. 
 
 20
 
 TWO SONGS 
 
 T T TINDS blow cold in the bright March weather, 
 
 Yet I heard her sing in the street to-day, 
 And the tattered garments scarce hung together 
 
 Round her tiny forra as she tm-ned away. 
 She was too little to know or care 
 Why she and her mother were singing there. 
 
 Skies are fair when the buds are springing, 
 
 When the March sun rises up fresh and strong, 
 
 And a httle maid, with her mother, singing, 
 Smiled in my face as she skipped along, 
 
 She was too happy to wonder why 
 
 She laughed and sang as she passed me by. 
 
 21
 
 Stars arc bright, and the moon rejoices 
 
 To pierce the clouds with her broken Hght, 
 But the air is heavy with childish voices, 
 
 Two songs ring through the clear March night- 
 Songs which the night with burning tears 
 Sings out again to tlic coming years. 
 
 22
 
 WHAT SONG SHALL I SING 
 
 "T T THAT song shall I sing to you 
 Now the wee ones are in bed, 
 What books shall I bring to you 
 
 Now each little sleepy head 
 Is tucked away on pillow white, 
 All snug and cosy for the night. 
 
 Many many singers now, 
 
 Sing their new songs in the land, 
 Many writers bring us now 
 
 Many books to understand, 
 But I can sing, these evening times. 
 Only the children's songs and rhymes. 
 
 23
 
 All the day they play with me, 
 My heart grows full of their looks, 
 
 All their prattle stays with me. 
 And I have no mind for books, 
 
 Nor care for any other tune 
 
 Than they have sung this golden June. 
 
 24
 
 ON THE MOOR 
 
 /^^UT on the moor the sun is bright, 
 
 And the gorse is yellow, 
 The sky is blue and the air is Ught, 
 
 And a little fellow 
 May walk for miles in the grassy way 
 On a holiday. 
 
 Out on the moor the wild bee dips 
 
 In the sweet fresh heather, 
 And through the bracken the young hare slips 
 
 In the autumn weather, 
 And all around shine the tiny wings 
 Of a thousand things. 
 
 25
 
 LITTLE MAIDEN 
 
 T ITTLE maiden are you lonely, 
 
 Standing there beside the sea, 
 Are your blue eyes sad or only 
 
 Filled with dreams too fair for me. 
 Are the summer breezes making 
 
 Fairy music on the sand, 
 And the quiet ripples breaking. 
 
 From some sea-girt fairy-land. 
 
 Ah, the fragrant flowers never 
 
 Fade in that sweet sunny air, 
 And the fairy people ever 
 
 Send you dreams and fancies rare. 
 Little maiden, you must only 
 
 Keep your blue eyes clear and free, 
 And you never will be lonely, 
 
 Standing there beside the sea. 
 
 26
 
 THE SNOW-QUEEN 
 
 'T'^HE snow queen passed our way last night, 
 
 Between the darkness and the light, 
 And flowers from an enchanted star, 
 Fell showerlike from her flying car. 
 
 And silently through all the hours, 
 The trees have borne their magic flowers, 
 And now stand up with dauntless head, 
 To catch the morning's gold and red. 
 
 27
 
 WESTLEIGH BELLS 
 
 TT OW gently this evening the ripples break 
 -^ On the pebbles beneath the trees, 
 
 With a music as low as the full leaves make, 
 
 When they stir in some soft sea-breeze. 
 And as day-light dies, if I rest my boat 
 
 'Neath this bough where the blossoms fall, 
 I shall hear the curlew's last good-night note, 
 
 As he answers the sea-gull's call. 
 
 And there where the wheat lies in golden sheaves 
 
 In the fields across the river. 
 And wood-bine creeps over porches and eaves. 
 
 And fuchsia and myrtle quiver. 
 Lives my love, my love ; tis her casement see, 
 
 Where the light glimmers to and fro, 
 If she were my love she would come to me 
 
 This evening, I long for her so. 
 
 28
 
 I long for her so that to Hnger near 
 
 Her home as I do sometimes, 
 And send her blessings across from here, 
 
 When they ring the Westleigh chimes, 
 Makes my summer glad, so I stay my boat 
 
 'Neath this bough where the blossoms fall, 
 While the curlew flies with his good-night note. 
 
 To the sea where the white gulls call. 
 
 29
 
 COLD STONE 
 
 /^^ OLD, quite cold, I could only see 
 
 Beauty of curve and line, 
 I could not find that deeper thing 
 That secret which dwells in everything, 
 
 I could not make it mine. 
 The marble stood so cold and still, 
 
 And yet within her breast, 
 I knew lay hid a wondrous spell 
 To open dreams too fair to tell. 
 
 Where I might stay and rest. 
 I find it ever in the flowers. 
 
 In tints and perfumes sweet, 
 And in the silent stars at night. 
 And in the rays of sun-set light 
 
 Their meaning is complete. 
 I cried for light to find it here, 
 
 30
 
 And waited, till one day 
 The hand that hid the wondrous gift 
 Came from the past the clouds to lift 
 
 And drew the veil away. 
 
 31
 
 TO-NIGHT 
 
 'T^HE hours of the day have departed, 
 
 They folded their Arings to rest, 
 When the last red ray of sun-light 
 
 Faded away in the west. 
 And fleecy clouds cover the stars, 
 
 And beyond is a world of blue, 
 And my soul awakes from a slumber 
 
 To-night, and I see right through — 
 
 Away to a world of azure, 
 
 Where white-wing'd spirits meet, 
 While the clouds float and fade below them, 
 
 And the stars shine at their feet. 
 They hold out their hands in welcome. 
 
 And now, for a moment of lime. 
 Limitless worlds, and boimdless space. 
 
 And planets — they all are mine. 
 
 32
 
 EVENING 
 
 T ISTEN and we shall hear the voice 
 "^^ Of Evening, her name she told 
 When we stayed our boat by the shore to know 
 What wee flower shone 'neath the willow so, 
 And her hair was radiant gold. 
 
 Now veiled in grey with silent step, 
 
 She walks where shades are deep, 
 And the great trees hear, and the blossoms know, 
 The song she sings, and her music low 
 
 Is charming them to sleep. 
 
 My unseen brother and sister 
 Who dwell 'neath the roofs we pass, 
 
 Are you sad and weary with toil and care, 
 
 My rest is full, I have rest to spare, 
 I whisper it through your grass. 
 
 33
 
 OUT ON THE MOOR 
 
 T HAVE been wandering to-day 
 
 Out on the moor, and have seen 
 The country stretching far away, 
 In stony slopes and wastes of green. 
 
 And watched the distant hill-tops lie 
 Far in the sun-set fair and free, 
 
 Like purjile clouds across the sky, 
 — And further still the line of sea. 
 
 And heard the lark above me sing. 
 And seen the plover flying near, 
 
 And many a little hidden spring, 
 
 And twinlding water brown and clear. 
 
 And brightest sun, and darkest shower. 
 And day and night-time, come to rest, 
 
 And toihng wind and tender flower, 
 Upon the moor's untiring breast. 
 
 34
 
 We falter in our smiles and tears, 
 
 And faint with joys and sorrows won, 
 
 The moors stretch out through all the years, 
 In perfect peace — till Time is done. 
 
 And peace is love, dear love I know 
 There is no greater thing than this. 
 
 It is the utmost love can show. 
 It is the utmost love can miss. 
 
 The love within my soul for thee 
 Before the world was had its birth, 
 
 It is the part God gives to me 
 
 Of the gieat wisdom of the earth. 
 
 35
 
 MY PALACE-HOME 
 
 /'^ TVE me thy hand dear friend, and let me take thee 
 ^-"^ Into my palace-home and garden fair, 
 Beside me follow close, ah, it will make thee 
 Still dearer, sweetest friend, to see thee there. 
 
 Give me thy hand, dear friend, and let me show thee 
 The peaceful resting places in the shade. 
 
 Where the stream, flowing pleasantly below thee, 
 Stills each unquiet thought the day has made. 
 
 • « * • 
 
 No, no, dear friend, my palace-home is lonely. 
 No hand but mine may pluck the flowers there. 
 
 And, since for me they bud and blossom only. 
 Thou canst not tell me that they are not fair. 
 
 36
 
 NIGHT 
 
 A ND art thou come again, Oh Night ; 
 I know thee by thy starry crown, 
 And by the mists of violet light 
 
 Which gather where thy robes fall down. 
 I know thee by the purple clouds 
 
 Thy strong wings spread around the moon. 
 And by the stillness which enshrouds 
 
 Thy presence, thou art come too soon. 
 Too soon, for lo thy fair love Sleep 
 
 Turns not her sweet face to the skies. 
 She lingers where the shadows creep. 
 
 And stays to kiss our children's eyes. 
 
 But when her gentle hands have blest 
 Our homesteads, she will come to thee. 
 
 And through the holy hours of rest 
 Thine arms will hold her safe, and she 
 
 WiU hear the promises again 
 
 Thou bringest from the distant spheres, 
 
 37
 
 And learn the reason of our pain, 
 And meaning of our bitter tears. 
 
 Thine eyes arc steadfast and I dare 
 Their mighty mystery to read, 
 
 But mine are dimmed by thought and care, 
 And ful mc in my greatest need. 
 
 I watch for thee, will thou not bring 
 
 0)te message to my fainting heart ? 
 Through summcr-tirae and snow and spring 
 
 I watch for thee, must thou depart 
 Thus silently — when will it come. 
 
 That perfect day which wc await ? 
 For us thy lips arc ever dumb, 
 
 And voiceless is thy calm estate. 
 Ah ! tell thy fair love Sleep, that she 
 
 May touch me when she passes by, 
 And whisper what she hears from thee 
 
 In some sweet lullaby. 
 
 38
 
 HEART AiSTD HOME 
 
 /^ H, what know they of harbours 
 
 Who toss not on the Sea ! 
 They tell of fairer havens 
 But none so fair there be 
 
 As Plymouth town outstretching 
 Her quiet arms to me — 
 Her breast's broad welcome spreading. 
 From Mewstone to Penlee. 
 
 And with this home-thought, darling, 
 Come crowding thoughts of thee — 
 Oh, what know they of harbours 
 Who toss not on the Sea ! 
 
 39
 
 CHRYSANTHEMUMS 
 
 XT OVEMBER with mysterious feet 
 Creeps slowly tbrough the land, 
 And on the bridge and in the street, 
 Amid the town's tumultuous beat, 
 
 Spreads out a quiet hand, 
 And wraps around us unaware 
 
 His mantle grey and cold ; 
 But he has blossoms still to spare : 
 We find fresh flowers rich and rare 
 
 Hid in each misty fold. 
 
 40
 
 WHEN YOU ARE LONELY 
 
 T T THEN you are lonely, full of care, 
 
 ' '^ Or sad with some new sorrow, 
 And when your tired fancy hides 
 
 The brightness of the moiTOW, 
 Ah, turn your footsteps to the woods 
 
 And meadows, where the riUs 
 Are quietly flowing, when the moon 
 
 And stars shine on the MUs. 
 
 Upon your brow the great wise trees 
 
 Will breathe, and something sweet 
 WiU reach you from the fragrant grass 
 
 You press beneath your feet, 
 And some fair spirit of the fields, 
 
 Peaceful and happy-eyed, 
 Will find a way into your heart, 
 
 I think, and there abide. 
 
 41
 
 MY FRIEND 
 
 'IpHE tender touch of a gentle hand 
 
 To-night on my aching brow, 
 The sound of a loving low-tuned voice, 
 
 How pleasant they would be now ; 
 I think they would send the shadows away 
 Which hang so closely around me to-day. 
 
 And, sitting idly, I close my eyes 
 
 And dream how perhaps one day. 
 In my lonely hours, my long sought friend 
 
 Will come to my home and say 
 " Bring all your tired thoughts to me dear and rest. 
 No shadow will touch you here on my breast " 
 
 I shall not tell her, but she will know ; 
 My rest will be very sweet. 
 
 42
 
 And all the shadow and gloom will go, 
 
 Caught up in the toiling street, 
 And I shall thank her and clasp her hand, 
 And she wiU smile and understand. 
 
 And if on the morrow we chance to meet 
 
 With others, her face will be 
 Happy and bright for them all, and just 
 
 A little kinder for me, 
 And once I shall look in her eyes, and so. 
 Learn something there no other may know. 
 
 43
 
 ORPHEUS 
 
 "\ T TE wandered in that shadow-land, 
 
 My fair love, you and I, 
 Through all its strangeness hand in hand 
 We journeyed silently. 
 
 My lyre is hanging cold and dumb. 
 Mute with our triumph song, 
 
 I have no voice now you are come, 
 Whom I have sought so long. 
 
 But I will bring you in Love's land, 
 
 Into Trove's highest place. 
 And crown you there, and understand 
 
 The wonder of your face. 
 
 And then my joyous song shall rise 
 
 To sun and moon and star ; 
 And all the worlds beyond the skies 
 
 Shall tell how fair you are. 
 44
 
 BY THE SEA 
 
 'T^HE clouds have gathered soon to-night, 
 
 They hang above the quiet sea, 
 And through the air a muffled sound 
 Is borne to me 
 
 From that dim island where the souls 
 
 Of all the Ages lie at rest ; 
 It beats upon my throbbing brain 
 
 And troubled breast. 
 
 If thou wert standing on the shore 
 Beside me now, and held my hand, 
 
 I think that I should hear it plain 
 And understand 
 
 For there is one note in it all. 
 
 Which loud and clear has come to me, 
 And I have caught it in my heart 
 
 To tell to thee. 
 
 45
 
 " Eyes steadHist from the watch of worlds, 
 Hearts big with secrets of the spheres, 
 We have no power to move you now 
 With hopes or fears." 
 
 "No power," thy soul has filled my soul. 
 Thy life has rounded all of mine. 
 Thy love has girt me with a strength 
 WTiich is divine. 
 
 And when that sound perchance one day 
 Comes to us with a mighty roll, 
 
 We two shall stand unmoved, and hear 
 And learn the whole. 
 
 46
 
 IX THE WOODS 
 
 A RE your grave eyes graver growing ? 
 Sweetheart, may I look 
 At the treasured thoughts which move you 
 
 In the poet's book ? 
 Stay not in the lazy shade 
 "With the drowsy roses ; 
 Come into the woods and see 
 Where I find my posies. 
 
 Has the buried singer left us 
 
 Songs to make you weep ? 
 Are you saddened by the son-ow 
 
 "V\Tiich his numbers keep ? 
 Or were all the songs he gave us 
 
 Bom in happy hours ? 
 Come with me, he found his music 
 
 WTiere I find my flowers. 
 
 47
 
 Where a little mossy patb-way 
 
 Lies beside the stream, 
 Long ago the poet lingered ; 
 
 Sun and pale star-beam 
 Touched his lips, while there he wandered 
 
 Summer-time and Spring, 
 And the mighty woods and river 
 
 Taught him how to sing. 
 
 48
 
 RETURN OF THE TROOPS 
 
 *" i *HE town is veiy gay to-day, 
 
 And down our busy street 
 Flags wave, and all the balconies 
 Are filled, our men to greet. 
 
 One night, not very long ago, 
 I heard them marching down 
 
 To where their ship lay, and the sound 
 So filled the silent town 
 
 With farewell voices that I wept 
 
 To know no word or deed 
 Of mine had stirred the sleeping night, 
 
 To bid our men God-speed. 
 
 The town is very gay to-day, 
 
 And in our busy street, 
 My eyes are dim with tears for those 
 
 I neither sped nor greet. 
 
 49
 
 MARCH 
 
 'T^HE March wind rises through the skies, 
 
 His great wings rustling as he flies, 
 And downward sweeps o'er plain and hill 
 The sunshine to the daffodil. 
 
 50
 
 JUNE 
 
 ''T^HE skies are blue 
 
 O'er the meadows now, 
 And the leaves are new 
 
 On the willow-bough, 
 And the whole earth sings 
 
 In one joyous tune 
 AU the happy things 
 
 Of the happy June. 
 
 Oh the golden time 
 
 Of the sweet fresh June, 
 And the happy rhyme 
 
 Dies away so soon ; 
 But again — again — 
 
 When the years are young, 
 Will the sweet refrain 
 
 Be suag — be sun^. 
 
 51
 
 A BRIDE 
 
 T SAW your portrait yesterday, 
 
 Set in a golden frame ; 
 Around it twines a blossom-spray, 
 Beneath it is your name. 
 
 And tender smiles are round your mouth. 
 High thoughts are on your brow. 
 
 The world is beautiful as Youth, 
 You are so happy now. 
 
 The shining gates are opened wide, 
 
 Love stretches forth his hand 
 And bids the bridegroom bring his bride 
 
 Into the promised land. 
 
 And you and he dwell there alone, 
 
 Beneath Love's radiant sky. 
 While all the world's great grief and moan. 
 
 As a sad dream pass by. 
 
 52
 
 Yet on Love's flowers strange and rare, 
 Your saddest tears may fall, 
 
 And in Love's country you may fare 
 The loneliest of all. 
 
 53
 
 TO THE UNKNOWN AUTHOR OF 
 
 OBITER DICTA 
 
 July, 1884. 
 
 np HOUGH I may rest in some leafy place, 
 
 "*" And read, through the summer day. 
 
 Thy pages penned in the busy town, 
 
 — So busy and far away — 
 Though hills stretch out, and sunlight falls 
 
 On acres of swelling land, 
 I seem to span the misty miles 
 
 Between us, and clasp thy hand ; 
 For thou hast bound with magic chain, 
 The vagrant thoughts I chased in vain. 
 
 54
 
 MY SONGS 
 
 'T^HERE is no unawakened string, 
 No untried note for me to ring, 
 No new-found song for me to sing. 
 
 Old numbers round my day and nigbt ; 
 When summer comes my heart is light ; 
 'Tis heavy, when the birds take flight. 
 
 My love is young, her face is fair, 
 The sun-light never leaves her hair, 
 Her beauty fills me with a prayer. 
 
 And many a tryst and watch I keep, 
 
 With those who laugh and those who weep. 
 
 Between the hours of work and sleep. 
 
 The songs I strive to sing have roUed 
 Through times and ages manifold, 
 A mighty chorus fully told. 
 
 55
 
 IN OUR SQUARE 
 
 T AST night again we saw him there 
 
 Beneath the plane-tree in the Square, 
 Our student neighbour. 
 
 He watches every evening now 
 Our garden tennis, and somehow 
 It seemed a labour 
 
 The running round, and futile stretching 
 At random balls while he was sketching 
 That foolish Polly 
 
 Who (juietly stood, with arm up-raised. 
 The while her junior partner praised 
 Her style of volley. 
 
 I passed so near him, as we played, 
 He looked so peaceful in the shade. 
 Amid our bustle. 
 56
 
 He draws and sketches all the day, 
 And studies through the night, they say, 
 Some bone or muscle. 
 
 And is this why his cheek is pale, 
 And why he looks so thin and frail, 
 And is such labour 
 
 The reason that his coat is bare, 
 And worn, and marks him everywhere — 
 Our student neighbour ? 
 
 I know that I shall almost cry. 
 To-morrow when we pass him by. 
 All bound to-gether 
 
 For Cornish seas, while he — but there 
 Miss Polly's always in the Square 
 This summer weather. 
 
 57
 
 SOLILOQUY OF A MAIDEN AUNT 
 
 'T^HE ladies bow, and partners set, 
 And turn around and pirouette 
 And trip the Lancers. 
 
 But no one seeks my ample chair, 
 Or asks me with persuasive air 
 To join the dancers. 
 
 They greet me, as I sit alone 
 Upon my solitary throne, 
 
 And pass politely. 
 
 Yet mine could keep the measured beat. 
 As surely as the youngest feet, 
 And tread as lightly. 
 
 No other maiden had my skill 
 In our old homestead on the hill — 
 That merry May-time 
 58
 
 When Allan closed the flagging ball, 
 And danced with me before them all, 
 Until the day-time. 
 
 Again I laugh, and step alone. 
 And curtsey low as on my owti 
 
 His strong hand closes. 
 
 But Allan now seeks staid delight. 
 His son there, brought my niece to-night 
 These early roses. 
 
 Time orders well, we have our Spring, 
 Our songs, and may-flower gathering, 
 Our love and laughter. 
 
 And children chatter all the while, 
 And leap the brook and climb the stUe 
 And follow after. 
 
 59
 
 And yet — the step of Allan's son, 
 Is not as light as was the one 
 That went before it. 
 
 And that old lace, I think, falls down 
 Less softly on PrisciUa's gown 
 
 Than when I wore it. 
 
 60
 
 A IMODERN POLYPHEME 
 
 A FLASH of colour through the trees, 
 •^ A step upon the trembhng plank, 
 
 A white sail flapping in the breeze, 
 
 And then a maiden leaves the bank. 
 
 Each day I watch her, as she guides 
 Her little boat with dexterous hand, 
 
 And like a river goddess rides 
 
 In gracious triumph through the land. 
 
 I watch her as she lightly tacks, 
 And marvel at the art which steers 
 
 Her boat into the quiet "backs," 
 And sorrow when it disappears. 
 
 Who, in the summer evening, knows 
 What gentle feelings fill her breast. 
 
 Or by what bower the water flows 
 Which bears her dingy to its rest ? 
 6i
 
 Perchance a lover, dark and tall, 
 
 Awaits her in some flowery nook, 
 And gazing at her gathers all 
 
 Her thoughts, as from an open book. 
 
 Perchance — I have not learnt her name, 
 I know not where her home may be, 
 
 For one brief space alone I claim 
 Her beauty, as she passes me. 
 
 For then tlie Heaven-winged dreams, which smile 
 And fade in youth's first golden hour, 
 
 Come back and soothe my soul awhile 
 As the sweet perfume of a flower. 
 
 And so I watch for her nor care 
 
 "Where Acis tarries down the stream- 
 Enough to see her, I forswear 
 Thy black emotions, Polypheme ! 
 62
 
 A DREAM OF " DREAMS " 
 
 To Olive Schreincr. 
 
 A LL day I read your book ; at Eve 
 
 Your dreams into my dark sleep stole, 
 Through the unbroken hours to -weave 
 A picture for my soul. 
 
 Now from the deep inspired night 
 I rise, and, near and stretching far, 
 I see the earth lie clear and bright 
 Beneath one morning star. 
 
 The great World- Spirit watching still 
 Broods over all with folded wings, 
 And ever down-cast eyes until 
 
 The first bird wakes and sings, 
 
 And through the eastern clouds the sun 
 Breaks with a new unnumbered day 
 And now His Avatchiug is all done — 
 The night has passed away. 
 63
 
 He turns toward the dawn, and I 
 "Wait as he breathes the sweet fresh air, 
 Then with a new-born joy I cry 
 To see His face so fair. 
 
 64
 
 This book is DUE on ihe lad 
 date stamped below. 
 
 REMINGTON RAND INC. 2n 213 (533) 
 
 OUNIA
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 AA 000 367 767 l 
 
 PR 
 5205 
 R112 1 
 1891