UC-NRLF 27 fl57 GIFT OF a DC C J du !(=]( V J 2 CJ 73 C 03 bJD C o 03 h 0. fcfi . _c 1 ^ S W 5 ^ 3 "8 O P O y ^" -c w > 03 W H U < J M I >> c u U J.H < a w 7 S <u ^ 2 ^ *- S .?! "8 73 .S2 73 03 -9 03 JS ^ J c5 H H- 4 i i o o i-a - H r- H 03 <J O CD 09 p. cj lr > KJ H- CO H- o* co H 03 d > *< rj* H 1 v c+ c+ "*^ td H* Mj J S H 03 H h* 03 *<: < O LJ P 03 POEMS Copyright 1913 by Arthur Franklin Fuller WETZEL BROS. PRINTING CO. 2110 Addison St., Berkeley, Cal. IB A BOOK OF POEMS BY ARTHUR FRANKLIN FULLER Seventh Thousand Revised and Greatly Enlarged Edition ANCHOR PUBLISHING CO. 2110 Addison Street Berkeley, California CONTENTS LYRIC POEMS Simple Lyric In Confidence Memory s Solace - Love s Arch - Thy Face Songs of Cheer Help Me to Win Her - A Picture Waitin Exultation Kathleen Sunset Songs of Yearning Yearning A Heart s Request Dependence Do You Ever Think of Me ? - Impatience Love s Hope 1 ^; _.*. - "Songs of Pathos Lost -/ , H -*; -- While TKou rt* Away At Parting - Disappointment Constant - Page 8 13 89 111 15 16 46 99 101 18 76 14 39 97 100 96 78 98 42 44 62 m m Lullabys Mother s Song - Father s Song - Possession (To a Bride) Elegies Pass On Beloved - A Neglected Garden - An Empty Place - Her Irretrievable Mistake Since Thou Art Gone - Odes Eula - Death - Heaven - Hymns The Gospel Train A Prayer _____ How Many Voices Call I Will - Watchers Song EPIC POEMS Tales My Little Comforter - An Old Maid Humorous Narratives The Joys of Summer - An Old Staff Unregenerate - The Vacation Problem - 60 63 47 71 73 83 29 120 49 129 131 94 82 34 112 127 40 68 103 122 117 55 265779 Ballads The Poet s Prayer Money - An Undying Grief Aunt Susie s Birthday A Summer Morning Twilight Idylls Pastoral By the Fire-place - - Sonnet (Heroic) Fear ------ Didactic What Are We Living For? What is Man? Duty Didactic (Humorous) Retaliation ----- Bud - ... The Waning Honeymoon Friendship Forget-Me-Not - Consolation ----- Friendship ----- Gray Ballad - - - - - Good-bye ----- 10 22 31 74 36 38 65 119 91 52 85 80 26 87 133 116 124 114 134 1 You who are gentle, generous, kind, Will care to own this book Whose sympathies are all refined Its faults will overlook , You will love the aspiration Esteem the work, the thought Your warm appreciation Is all thafs wished or sought. 7 IN CONFIDENCE Come, take me to your den, just now That snug retreat from formal life Where each thing seen doth self endow; Unhampered, free from sordid strife; Confusion there may reign supreme, But still the soul is not distrought Is true and frank and self-sincere Where time and space til day are nought. Come take me to your private nook, And there unveil the thoughts herein; Between the covers of this book Perchance some note to yours is kin, And you ll forget the steady grind Of daily toil and mental groove Some solace for your heartaches find, And honest fellowship approve. Come, take me to your hallowed place, Where fervid prayers outspoken be Expressed with every pulsing thought Unvarnished, simple grandly free! O now receive your humble guest, And find yourself as sweet received And thus your spirit will be blest These Heart-Life rhymes be soon retrieved. Come, take me to your quiet nook, Make welcome there your humble guest Mayhap within this modest book Awaits some germ of peace and rest; Some hint of grit may stir your blood Your soul with fire and hope renew, And thus Tomorrow s sunny flood Bring confidence in life and You. ; y THE POET S PRAYER I prayed my Muse to fill my groping mind With inspiration noble and supreme That I might elevate and help mankind Becoming thus a loved immortal beam; "But let me drink, O Fount of Art," I cried The wondrous waters drunk by those of old, Whom Fame hath crowned e en after they have died, And writ their names in letters clear and bold. "Give me an understanding spirit too A mighty power of influence over all That love and kindness, health and comforts new, Shall be dispensed where e er my words may fall ; Injustice, malice let me root them out Bring beauty, pureness, goodness, in their place Appreciation, trust, instead of doubt Both crime and war would my work then erase!" 10 Twas thus I prayed my Muse but smiled and said, "Thine aspirations grace thee well my son Some due reward shall surely crown thy head Repay thine industry hard toil, well done. But it is not for thee to do a work As great as thou hast asked and yearned to do; I tell thee gently now without a quirk, So Time can leave thy vision just and true. "Be thou content with that I deign to give So many lives are spoiled by too much ease The happiest souls are those who love to live, Who love to work and someone s need ap pease ; If thou wilt strive with all thy little might, Wilt labor hard with hand and heart and head, Thy rhymes may gain thee lodging for a night, May win for thee a crust of hardened bread. 11 "If thou canst be a mouth-piece for one soul, Whom pain, despair cr love hath stricken dumb, Canst be a message help one gain a goal, Give comfort to some heart by grief made numb; Assure one fear-crazed soul that nears the brink, Death s shoreless river leads to rest and peace, No soul who has done his best, here needs to shrink, The hardest strain is sometime bound to cease. "If thou canst cheer one laboured drooping heart, Canst rouse the best in one by shame cast down If thou canst take the weaker vessel s part, Give one a smile in place of worry s frown; Then thou may st see thou hast not wrought in vain To help one soul get nearer to his God To strengthen one to bear his bitter pain, Is worth thy while my son, so onward plod" 12 n MEMORY S SOLACE I bless Thee, Father Time, Despite thy varied pace, Thou st let me know The sunshine of her face, And hence my woe-tried soul Can brave Tomorrow Her sweetness Mem ry stored From thence I ll borrow. I bless thee, Mother Earth Despite the changing years Thou st held thine own And lost no grace by tears; And though, both Birth and Death Attend Tomorrow, A solace Mem ry gives To quell man s sorrow. II ill 13 A HEART S REQUEST O turn me not away, The quest has been so long Life s way has been so hard, The tempest strong. Receive my aching heart, And let my spirit rest; Of all earth s roses fair Thou art the dearest, best. Take thou my loving hand, Hear my despairing cry; Life s bitter turn to sweet, And be thou ever nigh. O do thou understand, My humble, ardent call; Open thy heart, thine arms, And love me "Best of all. 14 HELP ME TO WIN HER Shine, glorious sun smile, cloudless sky, Babbling brook cry, tender breeze sigh, Plead, mighty ocean you may stir Her heart, til I win her. Beam, hopeful face; look, sanguine eye; Bound, aspiring heart, at joyous pace. Exalted mind, her praise prefer Lend thine aid to win her. For her all Nature sings a song; For her this glad world moves along What raptures in her presence are! Help me, Heav n, to win her. Bedeck thyself with colors rare, Dame Nature; make the world more fair! Her soul expand and she her hand Shall yield, and I win her! I A PICTURE Your limpid eyes with kindness glow, Your voice is soft and sweet; Your gentle ways refinement show, And make your charms complete. Your rose-lips, damp with honey-dew, My heart with yearnings fill, While precious dreams of home and you My soul with rapture thrill. Your tap ring arms so round and white, So soft and warm your breasts My hungry heart swells with delight, And now contented rests. Tis sweet to hold your dainty hands In quietude s retreat, While coming thence at joyous pace, I praise thy flying feet. I I 16 Your many gifts and faults so few, Your cultivated powers Assure appreciation true, And coming pleasant hours. Holy that temple, top to toe, In palace or lowly cot Though miles divide, I humbly pray, That thou forget me not. 17 SUNSET My sunset love is passing fair, The golden west illumes her hair; Sunbeams reluctant, sink to rest And make rare tints on the sea s broad breast. Her crown of glory is more grand Than regal crown of any land; Can this poor tongue her worth recite? Describe her charm, my heart s delight! My sunset love is wondrous sweet, My heart enslaved lies at her feet. Tis joy to live, conceive and know God s boundless good for Man below. May this perverted world perceive, Though dull and dense it aye hath been, And yield the homage due her light, My sunset love, good-night, good-night. 18 My sunset love hath eyes that shine With mildness, mercy gifts divine; No evil things engage her thought Of plot or plunder she knows naught; With her no games for bloody gold Of selling souls and being sold, So, godly fair, and simply bright, Heav n keep my sunset love this night! My sunset love hath sunny hair That charms away my weary care; In her companionship I find Repair for body, soul and mind; Ah, all is well when love is near, To soothe and comfort, rest and cheer Life and the West with gold are bright, My sunset love, good-night, good-night. 19 My sunset love hath pearly teeth, As sweet as new-mown hay her breath Rose petals form her dainty lips, My soul in fancy boldly sips The nectar of her kisses sweet; For her alone this heart doth beat Her angel hands are soft and white, My sunset love, good-night, good-night. My sunset love s dear voice to me Is sweeter than a song-bird s glee Ignoble impulse flees in shame At the mere mention of her name! Her flesh is soft and firm; and grace Of movement, outline, give her place As queen of queens O vision bright! My sunset love, good-night, good-night. 20 And thus may you my love behold Templed Life, in Beauty s mold; Of all God s creatures, you ll agree, The fairest of the fair is she! I cannot, would not think nor dream Of anything in Earth or Heav n Save God and her, my life, my light, My sunset love, good-night, good-night. m MONEY Money Money Money Once I sought the jingling hoard-stuff, Heard its siren tinkle sounding, Felt the lust that makes men battle, Disregard all save achievement; Every muscle, nerve and talent, Bent to winning sordid treasures, Scorning peace and homelier pleasures, Blinding eyes to Nature s doings, Deafening ears to song-bird s wooings, Longing, feverish, for that great hour, When should sound at their dictation Siren tones that conquer most men Make them slaves as I have been. Money Money Money Well I knew its magic jingle, Sweet, elusive as its mother; Tameless, lawless, who may hold her? Wings she taketh, swift and silent, Leaving subtly, without warning 22 Cruel as a woman s scorning. Money! how the sound did lure me Made me bow to my task-master, Fiercely guard each hard won vantage Long it baffled my endeavors; But in time I gained the summit Formed a gold-tide, watched the scramble Made a test of what twould buy me. Money Money Money Disapproving frowns now vanished; Doors that had been closed, now opened Haughty ways were changed to fawning; Strangers boasted long acquaintance, Pledged their everlasting friendship; Balls, receptions, in my honor, Signs of favor without number, Sped the time, fulfilled my longings, Turned such appetite to loathing; Satan laughing, scoffing, sneering, Watched the fall my hopes were taking; All this lacked the ring of true steel Echoed only siren tinkle. 23 Money Money Money When the silly, vapid laughter Died away and left me stranded, When the dance had turned to fool-play, And the dinners changed to hell-feasts, When I saw the drifting favor, Pierced the shallowness and pretense, Soft I heard a voice of music, Sounding like a voice from Heaven; Knew a hand-clasp, heard the joy-tone Of a heart s sincere devotion. Then I knew that gold and silver Bring no joy to feed the hunger Of a heart that yearns for trueness. Money Money Money Blessed be the day you left me Now I laugh at Satan s luring; I have learned the truer values Count my treasures in the tresses Gold as sunset crowning glory Of a vision fair as wholesome Mark the rubies of her rose lips, 24 Love the turquois neath her lashes, Love the smile that shows her pearl teeth: Love the privilege of love-clasp, Love her graceful form, and yielding; Love her sweet ways, loving service, Love the blessing of her nearness. Money Money Money What a silly, teasing earth-god Bringing discontent to thousands Bribing, tempting, cursing many; Tinkle, tinkle, clinking silver Chime your sweetest, yellow gold-stuffs, I have treasures far above you, Far more precious than you all I ve a queen that knows my ardor, Loves my love and care and labor; Treasures, treasures, boundless, worthy, Here my whole heart glad, enslaved is Here my jewels, gold and silver, Life flows peaceful as a river. 25 I know a little nigger boy Whose name is simply "Bud" He chaws the worst tobacco And keeps close friends with mud His face is always dirty, His clothes are far from clean, And such a rakish fellow Your eyes have never seen. And more about this nigger boy I m really bound to tell, For he s a sort of critter That folks like none too well; Perhaps you ll thus see clearly Just what his failings are, And hitch your better notions To a higher moving star. This fellow s mighty lazy An sleeps most all the time Except when grub or mischief Invites his senses fine. The hair is black and kinky That caps his bullet head His loose mouth shows his "ivories A beauty-mark, tis said! This sorry little nigger boy Is never seen at school, But you can often find him Watchin men play pool; To skip off, an go fishin , He d even miss a meal His tongue is glib at lyin , And his fingers quick to steal. 27 o This sorry little nigger boy Is sowing brambles now, And as the path gets rougher, He ll wonder why, and how! Twere foolishness to tell him That ease is Nothingness And Manhood comes from Effort- Brings joys he d never guess. This sorry little nigger boy Had ne er a chance like you; But shiftlessness can never bring Results both good and true; So hitch your wagon boldly To a higher moving star, And let your best ambitions Sail proudly out afar. 28 HER IRRETRIEVABLE MISTAKE I know that thine was a vehement love, I knew my beauty woke it into life, And could have bought a life of heaven with you, My noble-hearted lover, steadfast, true; Ease, luxury, all the world deems superfine, Enticed me, darling, from your love away; The praise of many, rather than of one, Intoxicated, lured me til I chose. I know I took the sunlight from your life, The darkness made thy nature grope and droop, Til crushed and bleeding thy patient spirit Returned again to the God who gave it. I chose the husks forsook the grain so rare Exchanged for a yoke of love a cross of care; My heart, my life is empty; and I cry, "To gain the world and lose love is to die." 1C 29 I know thy soul is in that Paradise, Where I trust is comfort for thy mourning I am not worthy, having spurn d your love That you should even pity me, my king; I have drained the cup I preferred to take Its phantom sweets were bitter without love If you were only here but you are gone! O God of Heaven, why has this come to pass? The world still says that I am beautiful, With lustrous, wistful, liquid eyes so deep With dimpling cheek and figure fair to see Would God these charms could bring you back to me! O cruel fate! O tender memories! O gentle hands! O voice of yearning, Which called me and I would not hear, Dear Love, My peace, my rest, my soul are gone with you. 30 AN UNDYING GRIEF One day you let me take your hand so white, Your lustrous eyes assured me that I might; I kissed it and my story told, Of love-starved life, and heart-ache old ; Felt honored and favored that I should be Blessed with your sweet sympathy; By your mercy only, worthy to be near A woman wholesome, sweet and so sincere. One day you let my arm slip round your waist, As through the fragrant woods old paths we traced; I humbly questioned if twere true That I was walking there with you; And thrilled in happy awe to hear Your soft assurance we were near. Ah, how fond recollections make one sigh, For departed pleasures and days gone by. 31 ; One day you let me lay my weary head Upon your breast a place so sacred, A pillow sweet. I recall how Your dear hands smoothed the hair from my brow; Your rose-breath above me, the rise and fall Of your bosom banished all Heart- ache and fear; O what cheer, Lullaby haven, resting place dear. One day you let me take you in my arms One day when I succumbed to your charms; Your graceful form so yielding, soft Rapturous moments! blissful contact! I felt that having you life s labors, strife, Were blest means of wearying That I might know the sweetness of your rest And everything worth while, my dearest, best! i i 32 I One day the sun grew dark, the light went out; Earth echoed my heart s desolation; Shrieking winds, through winter-stripped trees The wolf- howl, the owl-screech, yea these Blood-chilling sounds, but hint of the anguish That freezes my heart! My God Why can t I die? My joy, my rest are gone, And I must face Life desolate, alone! HOW MANY VOICES CALL How many voices call How long til you will heed? Your loving mother wrings her hands In anguish prays to prove your need; She knows, as you will one day know, The baubles you so madly chase, Are empty, vapid, dying things, That rob of Hope, and spoil life s race. Chorus : From Calvary s cruel Tree, The gentle Savior calls you; "Your soul is sinking, sick and sore- Accept, and live forevermore!" 34 How many voices call O er hill, o er dale, o er plain, Christ s Living Ministry who preach Good news of peace, and joy again: Awake and claim your heritage, For shame! that you have scorned so long His love twill give you all that s good And fill your life with light and song. Chorus How many voices call The patient, Heav nly Dove, The Holy Spirit ceaseless strives To make men know God s wondrous love; Ah, not forever will He plead And strain to storm your hard ning heart, The next time may be time TOO LATE, And of Salvation, GONE your part! Chorus 3-; A SUMMER MORNING First along the eastern sky A golden glow is seen Clouds and shadows speed away, Grass and trees show green ; Flowers and other vegetation, Yester-eve forlorn, Stand erect a glad oration To the dew of morn. Roosters make exultant call Heralds of the day Birds full throated glad with all Sing as song birds may; Nature gives revivication Heaviness is gone Earth is glad with expectation, With the approach of dawn. Beautiful is this mundane sphere Best at early morn Ldvelier in her virgin state, Than aught which man can form; Night-time hints of dissolution Day and hope are done Life and noble aspiration Dawn with Morning s sun. 37 TWILIGHT At last the tedious day is at an end The long cool shadows hush the world to calm; The grateful quietude of twilight hours, Distills o er tired earth its .restful balm. From out the clovered meadows misty depths, The lowing kine come slowly into sight; The circling swallows chirp their vesper hymn, And hoof and feather seem to welcome night. Anon the frogs in lusty chorus make Response to creeky solos from the trees; The risen moon his calm approval smiles To star-lamps all in place, and earth at ease. 38 DEPENDENCE O what is life but labor d breath, And ceaseless strife from birth til death? And what am I, that I should dare Expect to find a welcome there? Yet dark indeed would be the way, Did Hope not whisper every day : "Strive on and you shall surely find Your Counterpart among mankind!" O what is life? A tear, a sigh, A swift caress, and then "Good-bye". Deny me not our time is short Earth s joys are of a sorry sort; And only Love is worth the while Of care-worn mortals, pure or vile; All know their pain in every day, And need Love s sun to bright the way. 39 MY LITTLE COMFORTER The gusty wind moaned sad and chill, The autumn sky was gray; But love can warm a longing heart, To hasten all the way. Her dear eyes with fulfillment shone I clasped her to my breast And on her soft, responsive lips A lover s kiss I pressed. How fast our happiest hours flash by; How deep is human bliss; In hours of woe, let s not forget The joys we did not miss. We talked, we laughed, we sung, we dreamed, Our inner selves communed; The future full of promise, seemed To music sweet attuned. i 40 I know not if her throbbing heart Shall beat again on mine, Or if her glowing face on me Will beam with love divine. I know not if these hungry arms Her form again shall hold Nor if her clinging clasp shall me Within its circle fold. Though disappointments strew the way, And adverse things occur, Life s crazy patch-work is worth the while, Through comfort wrought by her. 41 AT PARTING O warden fair, of treasures rare, For thee my heart is bleeding maiden sweet, at thy dear feet I still am humbly pleading; But cruel is the circumstance That lets aught come between us. 1 let thee go thou will st it so And strife shall not demean us. Good-bye to thee good-bye to hope To all that heart could long for; Life s rosy day hath flown away And left me much to mourn for; The music of the birds and streams, The perfume of the roses; Are fraught for me, with thoughts of thee- Eve s dream of morn now closes. 42 The night creeps on its subtle chill Within my heart is stealing For light was dear, and love was sweet, A heav n of bliss revealing; But thou wert far, so far from me Love could not bridge the distance; So I go on Woe s prisoner For useless is resistance! 43 DISAPPOINTMENT They said that years would bring me joy And years indeed have quickly flown; But where s the bliss without alloy The treasures I should call mine own? And where s the silver to the clouds The harvest for the labor wrought? And where s the comfort that I deemed Would sure be mine if bravely sought? I m hungry for a little love I thirst for that I deem my right; My grief-worn heart its sigh exhales, And yearneth for you day and night. 44 The ocean in majestic turn Sends foam-capp d waves from shore to shore As ceaseless in my lonely heart Arise Hope s ghosts forevermore. Ah, sad the smile that hides the wrecks The clinging clasp would fain retain For God in heaven only knows If even dreams may come again! I m hungry for a little love I thirst for that I deem my right; My trembling soul in anguish waits, And craves response through day and night. 45 WAITIN When I see my darlin comin Thru the rustlin summer leaves, On the laden boughs a-swingin To the music of the breeze, Seems to me that folks must know it, An I blush from top to toe, But I ain t ashamed to show it That I luv my darlin so. He s my Bonnie he s my Laddie, He s my own soft-hearted John, An he s strong, an kind, an honest, He s a true, good mother s son; I kin see his face a-beamin An my soul is filled with glee, Cause I see my darlin comin , Comin glad, an straight for me. 46 POSSESSION "Marriage is honorable in all." ( Heb. 13:4.) "Rejoice with the wife of thy youth and be thou always ravished with her love." (Prov. 5:19.) "Let every man have his own wife and every woman her own husband." (I. Cor. 7:2.) O sleep, gentle lady, and sweet be your dreams This world, since I found you, a Paradise seems; No one else shall e er lie where you pillow your head Only yours is the comrade who rests in your bed - So sleep, gentle lady. So gently I ll smooth back these stray wisps of hair, It will not disturb you I ll surely take care; And when in the morning your dear eyes first peep, You ll see that I love you, awake and asleep So sleep, gentle lady. It is worth while to love when you re loved in return, The lamp of Sincerity ever to burn; So I draw you still closer with a prayer to our God: "Let naught come between us til we re laid neath the sod!" Sleep on, gentle lady. 47 i My hands love to pass o er your dear graceful form, And bless your white satin so tender and warm; Your breath is so fragrant, your kisses so sweet I guessed it and that s why I knelt at your feet Stay close, pretty lady. Too soon day will come, dear for awhile we must part When night falls, come nestle again o er my heart; God grant you ll ne er want aught I cannot bestow Though years make us older, we ll still closer grow Stay close, gentle lady. Home-maker! All my love and my sympathy, too, Are yours I appreciate all that you do; Little wife compensation for the stones in life s way May I ne er be less worthy than now when I say, Stay close, gentle lady. May your dear breasts ever touch me may your limbs never stray, Very far from the lover who claims you today; May we be "pals" forever gain heaven at last; When our sojourn as children our schooling is past Stay close, gentle lady. - 48 EULA Eula means sweet. Ah, sweet indeed was she A lily from God s own garden, given me; She well deserved to wear the dearest name, That human lips and tongue could ever frame; In disposition, person, conduct, life, She earned her name my dainty little wife Dear God how can I bear this heavy cross This bursting pain this breaking, bitter loss? Eula was sweet. Many sweethearts had I known, Before she let me have her for my own Each one in turn, I had idealized Adored the creature Fancy had disguised; Paid each my court used every ardent word, To tell what strong emotions had been stirred ; But fickle or false were all til Eula stood And justified my faith in womanhood. 49 Ah, twas sweet when torn with life s fierce storms, To gain the love-locked harbor of her arms, And there upon her graceful, cushioned breast, To steep my soul in peace and joy and rest; In every phase of life, one must be steeled To loss twixt promised harvest and the yield Eula looked full-laden proved to be much more All I could need, and yet a boundless store! Eula, Every nerve and fiber my sweet! yearns To have you back. In vain my spirit turns And gropes about to seize its lost estate, And feel again your nearness, precious mate; The world cares nothing for one s torturing woe Bear up, my heart bear up, and onward go! The saddest tale is that none will believe The deepest grief no weeping can relieve. 50 !B Eula was sweet. I tell you ladies, sirs I never saw a sweeter smile than hers Had Angel Death but waited for her word, Heaven s joys a period she would have de ferred, And stayed a while with me she loved me so, I know full well, twas hard for her to go; No other loss could make one feel so odd In this brief life except he lose his God. Eula all sweet! Dear God, heed if you can, The prayer of this poor, blundering, sinful man Since now there s nought my feeble strength can do, O mighty Jesus, see my darling through; Though nothing in her hands my loved one brings, Accept my humble witness, King of Kings, And give my loyal queen an honored place, Where she may ever view Thy holy face. 51 WHAT IS MAN I sat me down by the wayside To watch the passing throng And guess at the varied interests That moved each one along. I saw the young and simple Who flirt in wanton glee The hurrying man of business As serious as could be. I sat me down by the wayside To note the crowd and din, Where haste keeps ever silent The still, small voice within; For minds that brim with conquest Forget what is right and wrong And hearts that seethe with lustings, Unreasoning, drift along. 52 Behold th approaching master! With pompous ways supreme Perhaps he s just created A Universe, I ween! Now, what is God beside him Who struts so proud and chill Omnipotence is nothing When one has Power to Will! O vaunting, crumbling castle, O sod that stalks so fine Where didst thou get thy power, Thy intellect sublime? Well friend, just let me tell thee A Truth that thou shouldst know- Thou mayst be wise and mighty, But such had e en to grow. 53 Now listen, self-fooled debtor, And learn this lesson well There s nothing so important As keeping out of hell; Too late thou mayst discover Some laws must honored be No man has e er escaped them To this thou must agree. No thing was e er created By man, and man alone The very thought thou thinkest, God gives thee now to own; Conception is receiving And fostering, law on law, The thought which God created And full fruition saw. 54 m All Power that was, or is, sir, Or may seem given birth, Comes straight from God Almighty, Be it in heav n or earth; Then be not quite so haughty, But choose a lowly place Humility becomes us Who live but by His grace. THE VACATION PROBLEM The summer days again are here, And make one glad vacation s near; Where best to spend it who can know? The list of places seems to grow; Attractions varied, promise charms, At seashore points, and inland farms; Now better not in haste decide Regrets might then the spirit chide. 55 Resorts along the sea s cool shore Claim sports peculiar by the score; The white-brimmed waves majestic roll Makes music for a pleasant stroll; The salt-breeze proves a tonic fine, And fish respond to hook and line; Again returns the appetite, And life seems bursting with delight. At night the band makes music sweet, And those who dance find joy complete; The drift-wood bonfire s ruddy glow Makes ghostly shadows come and go; The "clam-bake" parties laugh and sing Til sea and earth and welkin ring No grinding cares their minds infest, And mirth swells every heaving breast. 56 Convention s rules are set aside, Flirtations there, but few will chide; Voluptuous sights oft meet the gaze Restraint seems scarce a voice to raise Extravagance seems quite the thing; And hard-earned savings soon take wing; Yet lack of means is ne er confessed The home-trail s shown to such distressed. E en dreams of this may fascinate Such times are good to contemplate But pause a moment thus be fair. Let inland life its charms declare; The curse of this, our modern way, Is rushing through life s passing day For stimulation calls for more, And beggars Nature s bounteous store. 57 Here flowers bloom in mossy dell, And song-birds unmolested dwell, While fruited bush and leafy tree Make overtures so restfully; The city s din is now forgot All seem contented with their lot The war for gain seems useless strife, For all Man s needs, earth s harvest s rife. One ponders on an early day; When man lived in an easier way When there was much less to be done Twixt early morn and setting sun; These hardy men their hearts were true, But books and luxuries were few That out-door life full vigor lent In simple rounds their days they spent. 58 Their guns unwritten laws enforced, For honor in their blood-veins coursed Their wives were loyal helpmates, too, And kept the vows their whole lives through ; The landlord knows some thrilling tales, And thus his guest he oft regales And twilight hours too soon are past, And sleep must claim its own at last. Tis hard to make a choice, Since both their claims have given voice The inland mountains, rivers, farms, Are quite as great as seashore charms; Just toss up a coin, and then abide By its chance fall and thus decide! But it s very expensive far to roam, So better be wise and stay at home. MOTHER S SONG Soft the silver stars Nestle in Heaven s breast, Soft the mating birds Chirp to their cosy nest; Soft the fresh ning dew Shines on each flower-head, Soft the Angel Hosts Watch o er my baby s bed. Refrain Good-night glows the sun, Good-night laps the sea, O mother s lamb, Sleep peacefully; Smile, ever smile, And never cry Be brave and be true! Lullaby, lullaby. 60 Kind the evening breeze Tenderly fans my dear Guardian canine s sighs, Tell baby friends are near; Kind the father s kiss, Strong man so quick subdued, Kind the shrine of home, With perfect love imbued. Refrain Dream the dreams that bless Life is a passing dream, Temporal things must end So keep thy face a-beam; Time may make thee old Keep thou thy trusting smile, God will love thee still, And keep thee all the while. Refrain 61 CONSTANT City throngs are hastening by, Seeking pleasures new ; Alone am I though in their midst, While I am away from you. Scenes both strange and wonderful, Cease not all day through; Yet nought can quell the loneliness, While I am away from you. Music, drama, gala things, Pleasure s great ado But my little world is blank and void, While I am away from you. Glad the hours spent by your side, Soothing their review; Sweet content can ne er return, While I am away from you. 62 FATHER S SONG Sleep, little atom of life, Shadows are lengthening fast Twilight has come, The world is at home, The long day has finally passed; Now close your innocent eyes Dear little form, be at rest When need shall appear, Your mother is near, We ll love you and tend you the best. Rock-a-bye, hush-a-bye, Faithful watch we ll keep; Rock-a-bye, hush-a-bye, O precious off-spring, sleep. 63 1 Sleep, little motherless babe Time brings its sorrows and strife; Death soon has come, And called mother Home, Your best friend and my darling wife; O growing image of her Now must I cherish you more Your mother s sweet soul Held Heaven its goal, Her spirit will unction outpour. Rock-a-bye, hush-a-bye, Mem ry faith will keep; Mother s soul hovers near, To sing our grief to sleep. 64 >^. I BY THE FIRE-PLACE When the days are getting shorter, When the nights are long and chill, W ith my cares and work forgotten, And the whole world hushed and still Then I love to make a fire, Watch the flamelets dance and race, For things are mighty cozy, By the fire-place. I love to have a friend or two To make the deal complete Shoes off, cocked on an extry chair, We toast our weary feet; A bowl of pop-corn sittin near, While time slips by apace, Why folks, it s awful cozy, By the fire-place. 65 Pretty soon some nice quotation, Comes a-singin through his head A clean and sweet potation, Whose charm is quickly spread; I ll bound I ll give an answer, A match for his in grace Dad Time s a grand romancer, By the fire-place. Then my friend may tell a story, Course I ll try to do as well We ll both be in our glory, Just a-weavin fiction s spell; I ll read some book of poems Prose animates his face A man gets stout but younger, By the fire-place. 66 We may tell the joys and sorrows That have figured in the past, Speculate on our Tomorrows But tears may start at last In those glowing, ruddy embers, Fancy paints an absent face There s a comfort one remembers, By the fire-place. Bye n bye it comes to bed-time, And I wind the clock and say, "Nine more hours an we ll be facin Another little day; But b gosh, twill soon be over, Back again our steps we ll trace Spend another pleasant evenin By the fire-place." 67 AN OLD MAID Anna s eyes were tender brown, Anna s heart was kind, Shapely brows that would not frown, Pure and strong her mind; Edgar saw the beauty sown, Bright and worthy he Took her heart and gave his own, For one were they to be. Sickness led her far away Both their hearts were true Anna ne er forgot to pray, God gave health anew; Then they planned that he should come, Claim her for his bride Bring his pretty sweetheart home, And honeymoon the ride. 68 Anna blossomed like a flower Lovelier grew each day Glad she d yield him all her dower, Why should he delay? Trains arrived yet came not he Letters came instead Froze her blood the words to see Her lover then was dead! Anna s breasts are plump and warm Anna s arms are round All about her graceful form, Feminine charms are found ; Sympathetic, kind and true, Is this gentle maid, Virtuous Woman through and through, Whose ideals never fade. Look into her cheery face, You would never guess Nought can e er the pain erase Waiting his caress; Stifled, yearning for his touch- Things that ne er can be! Though men offer over-much, "Old Maid" she ll please to be. PASS ON BELOVED Pass on beloved; as we sadly gaze Upon thy face so still in its last sleep, Our minds are filled with thoughts of bygone days, And though against our wills we bow and weep; Yet not for thee our bitter tears now fall Ah, not for thee this ache in heart and mind But for the severed ties this cruel pall : That we must wait our turn, and stay behind. Pass on beloved; though beyond the veil Our straining eyes in vain will seek to see; Upon that unknown stream thou lt safely sail; Thy captain is the Christ who died for thee; We would not call thee back, again to take Thy heavy load of burdens, crosses, pains, In God s good time, we know that thou shalt wake, Where sin is not where Love forever reigns! 71 F Pass on beloved ; words with comfort rife, To us float down the years His peace to give: "I am the Resurrection and the Life! He that believes, though dead, yet shall he live! Good Shepherd, keep us in the years to come, So that we shall attain yon fairer shore, And may they be found waiting welcoming Home Our dear departed who have gone before! Chorus Pass on beloved, take thy rest The world is poorer by thy loss But ransomed souls for aye are blest Who mustered out with Calv ry s Cross! 72 A NEGLECTED GARDEN Alone am I all joy is gone! Yet who can ease this bitter pain? Since he no more my flowers can take, They die as if for lack of rain. O why has Fate thus treated me What have I done to merit this? No price would I refuse to pay Could I once more receive his kiss. O ring no more your solemn bells, Nor leave me idle and alone, A soul can live a thousand hells Through viewing loss of love just known! Roll back the curtains of the day, And let the sun shine warm and clear; Tell me that he for aye is safe, And that his soul is hovering near: Or, if perchance he liveth yet, He will come back o er stream and field, Care for his garden as of old For him alone twill sweetness yield. 73 "AUNT SUSIE S" BIRTHDAY PARTY The world s eternal course brings year on year Summers of buoyant life, winters so bleak and sere; The thirty-eighth mile-post I ll pass today, But my blood is warm and my heart is gay; My five years teaching of dear "Class Ten" Has made me happy and young again Its twenty-six members I ll carve each name In mem ry s sacred Hall of Fame. With joy I gaze into each beaming face, And love this source of courage for life s race, And hope each heart has found some pow r, Some faith, new-born each searching hour The influence here spread forth, a stay To cheer to noble acts the strenuous day The mighty truths sincerely taught The Good Book s news salvation bought. 74 1 la m Thus your "Aunt Susie s" heart is full today, It brims with love and joy, and now would Pay A tribute to God, who gives all good Our friends, our raiment and our food ; So girls and boys, we ve gathered here To take this feast and quaff this cheer For innocent pleasure is ne er amiss, And saints need have no shame|for this. YEARNING Dear little maid with soul so true, Tell me how to be good to you: Tis sweet to remember, and hard to forget, And say, little girl, regard st me yet? Dear little maid with velvet hand, Show me the way to Fulfilment Strand; Give me the keynote, and teach me to sing, That over your soul a charm I may bring. Craving to know the things you d prize Longing to see as through your eyes, I m ready to love whate er you esteem, Meet you half way, and travel up-stream. Coziest maid that ever man knew, Hungry is this heart for you; O, how can I ever your favor attain, That night shall ne er find me so lonely again? 5 76 Bonnie of person, dainty of mouth Sweet as roses from the South, This homeless heart can know no rest, Til anchor d, welcome, on your breast. Dear little maid with soul so true, Tell me how to be good to you! O how can I ever your favor attain, That night shall ne er find me so lonely again? 77 LOST Thou didst not please to choose me thy companion, And make our lives one endless summer day; Pledged life of care-free ease was our un doing All paths are rough if love smooths not the way ; As long as life shall last I will remember The happy fleeting hours I ve spent with you; There is nowhere for me to flee for comfort In lonely grief I ll tread life s journey through. So a sigh for you, and a sigh for me, And a prayer for grace through grief to smile; A tear for the bliss we ne er may know O say, little girl, what is worth while? 78 What mad delights were mine had I but won you, And Oh, how kind and thoughtful I d have been! I d ne er have changed with time, but always cherished, Til reaper Death my sheaves should gather in. The beauteous flowers bedeck the summer meadows, And birds to heav n their songs of love outpour, But what is beauty, perfume, song or riches, If Love hath taken flight forevermore? So a sigh for you, and a sigh for me, And a prayer for grace through pain to smile; A sob for the bliss we ne er shall know O say, little love, what is worth while? f 79 1 RETALIATION He that knocks and runs away May live to knock some more next day But he who slanders in the open May live to wish he had not spoken. Some take vengeance through the law, While others use a mighty paw But the meanest bully takes a crack At helpless folk who can t fight back. He that gluts his soul with "fun" Can squander money by the ton. None mourn nor worry where it went to, What use the seller s funds are bent to Neither feels accountable To his neighbor, friend or foe But the street-man s ways must keep in line With saints and sinners judgment fine. 80 Sweet Spirit of love and tenderness Gentle ministrant of Mercy s dower To the selfish thou must e er remain un known The ruthless crush thee down as flowers full blown; O hapless hour when on this earth Some foul animus gave mean birth To thy disgraceful counterfeit Which all mankind should scorn and hate. Ne er let the day dawn on my sight That sees me shorn of sense of right Nor let me hold by chance, or strength, or stress, A thing I would not have all men possess; For envy, thoughtlessness and scorn Make full many a life forlorn Distrust and selfishness remove All thought of Charity and Love. 81 A PRAYER Once more, our heav nly Father, We come to worship Thee Confess our sins and failures, And ask Thy pardon free; Thy love hath gently led us Thus far upon our way, O draw us ever closer To yon eternal Day. O holy, patient Father, O loving, pitying Son, Rejoice we now and ever For all that Thou hast done; The Peace which Thou hast given Is ours by day, by night, And death is but a tunnel That ends in joy and light. A* A* 82 1 AN EMPTY PLACE Soft was the touch of her, Sweet was the kiss of her, Kind was the way of her Eula my Treasure. Dear was the voice of her, Cheerful the light of her, Pleasant the sight of her, Eula my Treasure. Shone the clear eyes of her, Rose the perfume of her, Tender the breast of her, Eula my Treasure, Strong was the mind of her, Quick was the wit of her, Great was the worth of her, Eula my Treasure. Blithe was the heart of her, Godly the life of her, Pure was the love of her, Eula my Treasure, 83 Black was the hair of her, Brown were the eyes of her, Graceful the lines of her, Eula my Treasure. Pain had his will of her, Cruel the cross of her, Lonely the end of her, Eula my Treasure. Hard was the death of her, Hard was the loss of her, Jesus the Hope of her, Eula my Treasure, 84 DUTY Do all you can for those you ought to love Tis thoughtfulness and service that best prove Awaken! realize each circled dial The worth of what tis yours to own a while; Bring now your flowers, the praise so fitly said Twill bless the living cannot cheer the dead; Let men deride your sentimental spell Stay calm and know that you are doing well. Do all you can for her whom you should love Each fleeting opportunity improve Be gentle, kind and tender while you may Regrets cannot bring back this passing day; And if she craves for admiration s balm, Deny her not, but lie without a qualm If need be such sin will God condone Her happiness will for that blot atone. gj Do all you can for those you ought to love O rather be dumb than in haste to reprove About those blunders which you now deplore, You ll some day cry, "Come back and make some more!" No harshness, just or unjust is forgiven By self when death these ties for aye has riven O cherish those who love you crave your love And God will smile a blessing from above. 86 THE WANING HONEYMCX)N A mood of discontent Oho, I see! You re not as happy as you used to be The wife seems not as charming as of old Love s getting somewhat tiresome guess you re sold ; So many a girl you see upon the street, Appears more fair, more absolutely sweet A better dispositioned, cleverer dame, Than the little woman who now bears your name. I m proud to find you just as good a man As on the day your married life began It s pretty hard to see your comrade fade, Let go the bloom of youth look like a jade, Of course you ve let her shift the furniture, Do all the chores, your comfort to insure Such exercise could only do her good She raised your babes but such is mother hood! 87 tl She might have had a little better show To ve kept her looks if she d have hoed your row But friend, if that sleek woman you admire Were indeed your wife you d have to make the fire Do chores, be driven slave instead of boss Your homely comforts would surely suffer loss; A part of one s good looks is in the clothes Does your wife own a decent pair of hose? Your mouth may fairly water as you dream About the graceful form you just have seen But could you know the facts both plain and nude, Your true-souled bed-mate is at least as good; Besides, some lovely creatures have no heart No warmth of soul let not your faith de part You ve got.the sweetest girl you ever knew She had to be to wed the likes of you! 88 LOVE S ARCH Renew, my love, the fire That once did burn so bright, Upon the altar of your heart, And happiness invite; For love is a treasure few possess Without it life is comfortless; I m glad you re back but can t you see, That things are not as they used to bel Tis not our portion here, In full to realize The tender ideals of our youth Our plans we should revise; For disappointment breaks the heart, When one expects too fine a part; O heart of mine, respond to me, And have things now as they used to be. 89 As long as there are coals, Among the smouldering heap, As great a fire as hearth can hold Re-fed, can wake and leap! If aught there is I yet can do, But tell me dear you ll never rue Perfect Loves Arch and jojn with me Let s have things now as they used to be! Your head on my shoulder lay, Let mine incline o er yours Hands clasped and one arm holding close, Complete response assures ; Foundation built of deathless faith, Love s Arch shall stand til Time s a wraith! Each live for the other, whate er life s lea Lets have things now as they used to be. WHAT ARE WE LIVING FOR ? "Is life worth living?" the workers ask, As they go about their irksome task; Each generation comes and goes, And sees increase in Problem s woes; Within the factories, shops and mines, Are faces seamed by Dearth s sure lines; These toilers homes boast comforts few, In vain their bairns for culture sue: What are they living for? Look in upon the wealthy class, Within their homes or as they pass On boulevards, mid pomp and show, Where poorer folk can never go; How hard they seek for some new thrill Some way to pass the time until Tomorrow works its way around Relief from boredom is transient found: What are they living for? 91 But turn unto the happiest folk The middle class they ll hardly croak! They have their share of joy and grief, Success and failure all are brief; They earn enough for present needs More than enough, but worry breeds; Yet looking back o er years and days, The woe, they say, their weal out-weighs: What are they living for? Well we were given life to learn Great lessons, and the same to turn To good account; t,he privilege ours, To view and praise Jehovah s powers; To rise above environment In virtue always to augment; When we shall gain perfection grand, We ll then be fit to understand: What are we living for? 92 Til then, tis good for us with might To hold the Truth so much of light, As comes to us from day to day To help somebody on his way, By precept and example too, Our humble part with conscience do; And pilot others from the reef Of Error; oft we ve said with grief, What are we living for? Though wealth, position, fame be won, They re but a sham when life is done, The past goes by in swift review, And gazing, one sees much to rue; He who is useful knows the Lord, Renounces self, and loves His Word, Who is loved of friends who shirks no task, Succeeds in life; and ne er will ask: What are we living for? 93 THE GOSPEL TRAIN Where are you going, trav ler? The night is wild and dark The road has many pitfalls, And woe each step will mark; O Stranger, go no farther Without a trusty Guide, Calamities await you, Without Him by your side. Chorus : "All aboard all aboard!" The warning words sound clear, "All aboard all aboard!" The leaving time is here; No more trains this the last! Get your ticket, quick decide Arguing time now is past, In heav n or hell abide! 94 There is one name under heaven Whereby you can be saved, Tis certain Transportation To where streets with gold are paved ; Its owner gives you solace For every earthly woe, With trust and peace surrounds you, Wherever you may go. Chorus Then come and know the Savior Before it is too late, Come now and claim Salvation While there s an open gate; Come quick! the bell is ringing, The Gospel train may go, O do not wait, my brother, . Eternal death to know. Chorus 95 o LOVE S HOPE Yes, somewhere in this cold and selfish world, A heart o erflows with love and sympathy Soft lips my lingering kisses now await, And clinging arms would open e en to me; Though Stygian darkness rises as a wall, And Fate has robbed of every helpful thing, I ll launch my cry "Sweetheart!" God speed the call : And may today my living Answer bring. I scan each passing face with anxious eye, Reach out my hands at every spark of hope, And yearn for her who will not pass me by He makes mistakes who must in darkness grope! I haven t much to offer to you dear, Just love and home appreciation due Who ll say, "He gives enough who gives his all" I need her now sweet lady, is it YOU? 96 ^<s. DO YOU EVER THINK OF ME O maid of velvet lashes, And eyes of winsome brown, Your charms my heart have captured And torn its armor down. Do you ever think of me? Will you deign my plight to see? Hazy dawn til purple twilight Do you ever think of me? Gentle maid, with voice of music, And soul both sweet and true, Days and nights o erflow with goodness When blessed by dreams of you. You are all the world to me! Can captive Captor be? Gloomy night til rosy morning Do you ever think of me? 97 WHILE THOITRT AWAY Bells that chime o er the waving fields, Birds with their thrilling lay But how can the world with music ring, While thou rt away, away? Sunset-painted skies, Mirrored in rock-bound bay But what can a sight or a sound rejoice, While thou rt away, away? Hills and dales with verdure clad, Flowers with their colors gay; But how can aught a charm distill, While thou rt away, away? While thou rt away ah, me, my sweet- Tears and sighs hold sway; For what can a spark of comfort bring, While thou rt away, away? li 98 EXULTATION How come such roses in your cheeks, How come your mouth with honey reeks? How come you have such graceful lines, Your arms, your breasts are such joy-mines? Reckon some bird gave you his voice, To make your words so blithely choice? Geraniums hover you I bet Cause say you re mighty sweet to pet! How come your soul so kind and true? You thrill me dearie, through and through If this whole lovely world were mine, I d humbly bring it to your shrine; My heart keeps singin all the day, Since I dared ask and found I may Expect to have you needn t fret And Gee you re mighty sweet to pet! 99 IMPATIENCE My heart is full of yearning, Mine eyes are filled with tears; Wild thoughts my brain are thronging, No rest my spirit cheers. I hear thee, see thee, feel thee, At morn, at noon, at night; Thy winsome grace and lovely face My soul fills with delight. The day is long and dreary, Though faithful smiles the sun; With grief my heart is weary Would God the task were done! Ah, do not think I doubt thee Tis simply hard to feel That bliss as great as having you Shall not be dreamed, but real. 100 H KATHLEEN Sweetheart Kathleen, Dear little queen Happy the day that I found you ; Heaven has blest, Now I can rest, Love in his meshes has bound you; Though the path may wind, Fate seem unkind, Within your arms still joy I ll find. Refrain Sweetheart Kathleen, my true love, Round you my arms I twine Fresh as the dew-dipped roses, Glad in the sun s warm shine; This world o erflows with beauty, How can a heart repine? Pleasant the path of duty God keep you ever mine! m 101 Mother so dear Dad I revere Both in yon church-yard are sleeping; Old homestead gone, Kinsfolk all drawn, Far from old scenes memory s keeping} But while some may please, The world to roam, We ll choose the joys of "Home, sweet home. Refrain 102 THE JOYS OF SUMMER The season Queen of all the year, When all things at their best appear, When airs are soft and skies are clear, O the joys of summer! Then sports and pastimes multiply, Then leisure hours go hastening by, Then work is tackled with a sigh, O the joys of summer! The fishing seems all-fired good, The birds are calling from the wood, You d hasten out there if you could, O the joys of summer! But since you re bound to stay at home, While those more lucky shirk and roam, You ll get the hose and soak the loam, O the joys of summer! 103 = The purse, indulgence still denies Since action always mollifies, You ll vent your spite by swatting flies; O the joys of summer! That fellow had his trunk all packed, And ticket bought no speed he lacked, But left, just as he was attacked O the joys of summer! A fly is sure a mighty pest He s there to tease when you would rest He thinks your pawing but a jest : O the joys of summer! Some epidemic we should start, To give Sir Fly a failing heart, Or Meningitis mighty dart Augment the joys of summer! 104 iBss** Whoever read of "Flies Sun-struck!" "Appendicitis has em stuck!" What human had that much good luck? O the joys of summer! Now one of summer s greatest joys, Is getting up a crowd of boys, And camping far from city noise; O the joys of summer! So thus you rest your weary soul, On a cot right width for a barber-pole, While skeeters take their nightly toll : O the joys of summer! These river skeeters seem to be, Some form of wing-ed elephantry, With a spike on the end of his trunk, by gee! O the joys of summer! 105 The fish bite best when you re alone Such selfishness we may condone; The boat from camp you softly sneak, To some snug cove way up the creek; At noon, some Rube you ll think to bilk, Out of some food, or at least, some milk; It seems the old man s gone to town The girls are home! yes, you ll sit down! Since daddy won t be home til dark, Tis sure a first class chance to spark; Of course you know the way to camp! Remain for supper your vantage tamp: O the joys of summer! At last the good old man appears, And ah the time for parting nears! Tis hard to tear yourself away, But hope to come again next day; So back toward camp you bravely start, With whistled tune and happy heart; 106 You think you ll take a shorter cut You tie the boat and start off but Somehow the woods seem mighty dark, Taint like walking through a park A fallen tree a pool such luck! You stumble fall right in the muck : O the joys of summer! If your camp friends should see you now, They d swear you d flirted with a sow. You dig the junk from out your eyes, And wish that you had been more wise Regret you stayed til after dark; Such grewsome shades and noises hark! Your flesh creeps heart thumps erect your hair: Perhaps yon thing s a grizzly bear! About worn out with bumps and fright My goodness gracious, what a night At last you find the blessed camp, And sneak to bed without a lamp : O the joys of summer! 107 When morning comes you square yourself, By telling how the woodland elf Had treated you the night before Which, though amusing, made you sore; But after breakfast, get the gun, And see if hunting s any fun; You see a squirrel miss your aim Give chase and almost catch the game; But city feet are clumsy junk You get them tangled, and ker-plunk! A beehive-pillow s not the thing A while your face rides in a sling: O the joys of summer! The farmer s girls must wait in vain One can t be nice when in such pain; Besides, your looks would make them laugh You re in no mood to take their chaff; Folks say that berrying s lots of fun, 108 Although it s warm out in the sun; But as you pick, a garter snake Decides his leave he d better take; You see him move, and yells out-pour; It might be an asp or a constrictor! So up you jump and run for life You seem no kin to old Lot s wife : O the joys of summer In swimming breeches now essay, To sport some idle hours away; Get sun-burned, all a cherry red The hide peels off from hips to head ; Then is aught in the way of dress, An abomination of heaviness: A farmer s orchard you invade Harsh sounds the welkin soon pervade When you re in the top of the tallest tree, The farmer turns his game-dogs free; By such small Space you win the race, You should sit down yet can t with grace: O the joys of summer! 109 A drizzling rain sets in next day So in the tent you re doomed to stay; The guy-ropes shrink up come the stakes You drive them back til the mallet breaks; All go to bed, but in the night, The wind starts blowing with ripping might The blooming tent comes dripping down The rain beats in as if to drown! Wet matches mean no fire or light Sit round and shiver all through that night And rain all food-stuffs sure denies; The nearest town? About five miles: O the joys of summer! So all agree to start for home Tis safer, neath a solid dome; As from the depot with load you go, A crowd is spied up Newspaper Row; Perhaps there s something great to see The President or a dog-fight free: First bulletins of how our team Is showing York giants some base-ball steam; 110 So, rushing madly up the street, You feel distressed when loafers greet Your haste with jeers a sorry deal Just a man been killed by an automobile! Go home pray for sense this life s whole show, Is but a blooming farce you know: Like the joys of summer! THY FACE O er hill and vale the rising sun, The gloom of night doth chase So care and grief now flee before Thy sweet and holy face. Ill I WILL Brother, life s day is short Eternity has no end; You should claim salvation now, Judgment day you ll need a Friend; Jesus gave his blood for you, Jesus is a friend who s true; Brother, how can you stay? Renounce the world and say : Refrain I will heed the Savior s knock, And become one of his flock ; Since he now forgives the past, With the Cross my lot I ll cast; I will take the manly stand, Turn from sin, do God s command; I will answer while I may I will yield my soul today. m I 112 Jesus is at the door O fail not to let him in; You should take him for your guide, It is death to live in sin; You cannot be saved by tears, Give no mind to mortal fears; Trust Him and strive and pray, Come up, dear soul, and say: "I will," etc. Satan will strive to hold His triumph is now at stake; Every day his fetters grow, Break them while you ve power to break ; Say not, you are free from sin Mortal man has never been: Vaunt not your pride today, Take sides with Christ, and say: "I will," etc. mm* 113 GRAY BALLAD Still hold thy lamp dear friend, Before mine eyes A wealth of comfort In its glimmer lies; How soon the selfish friendship Fades and dies! Would I might ever keep These holier ties Still hold thy lamp. In youth and prime, both road And sky are clear No dearth to hinder Plenty far and near; When all is changed and age stands Stark and sere, One gropes about and counts A welcome dear. Still hold thy lamp. 114 The light of friendship cheers The darkest way When constantly it sheds Its blessed ray; The noblest acts are those Not done for pay I ve nought to give but yet I humbly pray: Still hold thy lamp! 115 CONSOLATION Turn, turn to me whatever be thy burden Strive not to keep thy grief within thy heart ; When trouble comes, the shallow all forsake thee Constancy bids me do a kinder part! Though selfish men have niched thy precious treasures Taken thine all, and left thee lost and lone Call, call to me! with zeal and haste I ll answer, Thine to command is all I am or own! Come, dear one, come; relieve thy bitter heartache Welcome art thou let love this tribute pay ; I ll understand, with insight swift and gentle These loving hands would wipe thy tears away. UNREGENERATE The doctor sez my stummick, Has got plumb out o fix, My liver has done wasted Seeds jam my ap-pen-dix. My skin keeps on a yallerin , My lease is hastenin by, In short, I m totely founderin, From too much berry pie. I wish that my Creator Had made old Adam keep Right in the straight and narrow, An let his senses sleep. But since he chose the habit Of cravin things too high, I feel I ve got excuses For wantin berry pie. Now when life s day is over All done with hopes and fears The fashion is to tender Sweet flowers and salty tears. I wish my friends would do this, The day before I die, And let their fond affections Be spressed in juicy pie. I ll then climb in the coffin, Without a qualm or sigh, And take the plunge full-stummicked, With nuff of berry pie. 118 FEAR Thou blighting viper from a Dante s hell Imbued into the mind from infancy, To rob of peace, reduce man s potency, To hurt the health, make failures, ring Faith s knell : And when thy growth no force attempts to quell, Thy vantage shows in greater vacillancy, Unchecked, to culminate in maniacy: No quarter ever marks thine influence fell ; Thou st been so sly, thou ne er wert seen til late, But now thou rt known, thou lt find man dares defy; Except he yield, no power can separate That soul from God who strives from sin to fly; By prayer, by will, this curse annihilate O dragon Fear, now and forever, DIE! 119 SINCE THOU ART GONE Since thou art gone, the restful sky Hath lost its lovely blue, No more have bells a thrilling sound, Nor flowers a charming hue. Since thou art gone I wait and wait, And listen all the while, O how I long thy step to hear And see thy loving smile. Since thou art gone this body seems A worthless mass of clay Life s endless round, but vapid dreams, That keep Friend Death away. Since thou art gone if God there be, That heedeth human grief- He 11 soon call thence my mangled soul And send the grave s relief. 120 Since thou art gone I grope, I fall, I wonder who I am, And what existence here is for, And what the end of man? Since thou art gone O Faith, stand by! Oh, leave me not alone There is a God He ll hear my cry And some day call me home. Home where moth and rust eat not, Nor thieves break in and steal Where mortal woes are all forgot, And Christ all wounds doth heal! 121 AN OLD STAFF Tis many a mile we ve been, my wooden friend Mere rosewood stick yet oft I apprehend, You have a grain of consciousness a heart For how could aught that s dead play such a part? Few men can claim acquaintance broad as mine, Yet not a soul among the human kind, Has been as brave as you and free from blame, Sweet-scented staff that s earned a worthier name. Twas forty years ago my sweetheart Fay, Gave you to me that happy Christmas Day Your graceful crook lay snug about my arm An ornamental thing a guard from harm; Outside my reach you scarce have been since then, And may you never pass beyond my ken E en when tis time to lay me neath the soil, I ll clasp you still true friend through play and toil. m 122 Aha! but we did make those ruffians fly. That stormy night they thought no help was nigh And sought to sault my Fay or take her purse She ran, but fell which made the matter worse; I hasted fast as e er legs took a man, And swung my rosewood stick as few men can I knocked their weapons from their hands and beat Them into ignominious retreat. You helped me win my sweetheart for my wife You ve helped me in a thousand sorts of strife : In youth the touch that made me feel well- dressed A source of calm to help me do my best; And now in feeble age, my trusty stay, That aids my crumbling castle on the way I won t feel quite at home in yon bright land, Unless my rosewood stick be in my hand. 123 FRIENDSHIP Thou wert ever good and kind Therefore have I called thee Friend; Thou hadst me often in thy mind- No wound thy gentle tongue did send; No selfish purpose taught thy ways No subtle greed e er bribed thy heart; In looking back I bless those days And sore regret that friends must part. Kinship is no guarantee, Those whom birth hath placed close by Will hold their interest pure and free And seek thy good with single eye; But thou wert faithful, noble soul, And kindly just from year to year; Thou heldst thine aims to higher goal Than victories over Friendship s bier. 124 Sorrow came thy comfort too; Shame accused yet thou didst trust; My early efforts, crude, you knew, Yet strengthened me with upward thrust ; No matter hid I from thy gaze A guide wert thou of firmest mien; In every way thou st earned fair praise A truer friend hath man ne er seen. Father mine, and mother dear Brother, sister, neighbor, wife In whomsoe er these traits appear, I see the sprite that sweetens life; What though this trusting heart may break From faithlessness of one loved friend, Yet I will know and solace take That time another sure will send. 125 Thou hast e er been good and kind Therefore have I called thee Friend; No fears or doubts assail my mind No loss or change I apprehend; But though one friend should fickle be, Or flail the heart with coldness new Thanks be to God I plainly see, The Spirit of Friendship aye is true. 126 m WATCHER S SONG Jesus is coming O hear the glad word, The like of it has not for ages been heard Then come precious Saviour, and come noble King, A few souls are ready Thy welcome to sing. Jesus is coming O happy the day False doctrines and mystery will vanish away; All creeds and religions He will merge into one, Possess all His vineyards, thou husbandman s Son. Jesus is coming but how will He come Descend from the heavens with trumpet and drum, With shouting archangels and fiery cloud, Convincing at once both the humble and proud ? Jesus is coming O what would we do, If He should come meekly when nobody knew? Would we be like children or apostles of old, Accept His new gospel and enter His fold? 127 Jesus is coming then come blessed Christ The worth of thine advent could not be o er- priced ; Conviction place on us, the Truth let us see, That nothing can keep us from knowing tis Thee! Jesus is coming O hasten the hour, When sin, pain and sorrow shall no more have power; There s nothing we hold but we d gladly release, To gain us a place in Thy Kingdom of Peace. 128 DEATH Behold an enemy worthy of thy steel! Prepare to quit thee as becomes a man: Nerve up thy courage, lest thou flinch or reel : Be thou content to meet this racial ban; Since man is born to hardship, grief and pain, Why feel regret this fickle world to leave? Has any pleasure proved too good to wane? In what can man perfection here achieve? Farewell proud earth too well indeed thou st feigned To be God s good creation man s estate. And thou wert fair, til Disobedience strained The Creature s standing and deserved this Fate; If atheistic claims be wholly true, Then no Hereafter makes the dead dis tressed ; If pain and sorrow cease, there s naught to rue, And Death is but a means of perfect rest. 129 nsi All things through Death are transitory made ; His authority is absolute his call Quite irresistible. This grewsome shade At last has triumphed since old Adam s fall. That Death is but a birth, there is some chance And not a greater change than embryos know, When forced from ease to full inheritance, Yet of their previous life no memory show. Away with Dread away with Doubt, my soul! Hold fast the sheaves thou st gleaned from earthly dross! For One came down from heaven to fix thy goal To show the way and buy thee through His cross; Beyond such mercy s reach thou canst not fall- Though justice be too good for such as thee But trust in Him thy times can bring no gall; By Faith, thou lt soon be done with Mystery! 130 HEAVEN Sure, Heaven is a state of consciousness: Existing therefore wholly in degree; Where God is, there is lasting happiness, For all who love both right and equity; E en in this transient little world of ours, There are so many deep and wondrous things So much to learn that s quite beyond our powers, Who dares fore-judge thy Heaven, thou King of kings! In this short life, rejoicing, we have used, Each added power; with Him as we unfold, With joy we ll see God s gracious gifts in fused, Eternal progress in ourselves behold ; For then as now, He ll give to every one, More than he can in full appreciate; We ll own the friendships dear, on earth begun Renew old ties, no more to separate. 131 "But where is Heaven?" some doubting one inquires; Shun idle talk thy first concern should be To know the Lord; to live as He requires, Accept His Christ and strive the Truth to see; "Believe and ye shall never die!" Tis writ Then know, the righteous merely taste of death The wicked suffer it. Sown in the pit The seed must die, to heed Life s quicken ing breath. "But where is Heaven 7 " some doubter still may ask; Tis that fair place where mansions are prepared ; Man enters in the outer courts to bask In glory s light when he no pains has spared To get in harmony with Deity. The overcomers leave this plane at once to go To Life and Service wholesome piety While others sleep a thousand years or so. 132 FORGET-ME-NOT No letter comes from you my dear So soon have you forgot? In these sad eyes there shines a tear Sweet friend, forget-me-not! Oh! would that I within your heart, Had gained so warm a spot, To treat me so, such pain would start, You would forget-me-not. May Time twine roses in your hair, A thornless path allot Of all that s good a bounteous share, And Faith forget-me-not! Thy "f are- thee- well" was sweet and kind, With hope these lines I jot Again to come before your mind And say "Forget-me-not!" 133 GOOD-BYE Tis time to part how dear those hours We ve spent in fellowship divine! Both work, and recreation s flowers, Made sweet by Friendship s holy wine; For when our tongues no words have found, It just seemed good to have you round The all-wise God alone can know How hard it is to let you go Good-bye, sweet friend. We ve each desired the other s weal Sought to bring out the very best That in us lay; thus both may feel, All those who have such friends are blest; Ah yes! tis mighty hard to part, And bitter tears will often start; The future s veiled from us indeed How much may each the other need! Good-bye sweet friend. 134 Not everyone may we well call By the sacred name of friend alas! Few have much depth when known they pall, And into kind oblivion pass; My purpose perfect in all things Is your sweet faith such joy it brings; Your loss an aching void will leave Reunion only can retrieve: Good-bye sweet friend. I ll sadly miss your cheery smile, The lingering hand-clasp, ready ear, Your tender sympathy, free from guile, That understanding, rare and dear; Yet these not more than that fine trait Which condoned my failings, ne er did prate, Yet sanctioned not; in heaven, I ween, There s naught to mar or intervene: Good-bye sweet friend. 135 1 i s YC 14686 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY