LIBRARY UNIVERSITY Of CAUPOftNU SAN DIEGO Op BY MARY E. GRIFFIN CHICAGO THE BLAKELY PRINTING COMPANY 1905 Copyright, 1905, by MARY E. GRIFFIN To Her who was the Teacher and Guide of Child hood and Girlhood, the best beloved Friend and the Inspiration of Womanhood, I offer these simple flowers that I have gathered along the busy roads of life, and woven into a Garland of Song. THE AUTHOR ONE YEAR AGO. The wreath of song I bring, Beloved, Is twined with lowly flowers, But all were gathered, fresh and sweet, In Love s immortal bowers. And nestling close to every bud Are benisons from me, As pure as sheen of morning dew On blossom-sprinkled lea. O, chain of love that ever clasped My brother s heart to mine, Through days of calm and days of storm, Through shade and fair sunshine, A year ago, this sunny May, Another link you found, Strong and enduring as the first, And three, not two, it bound. My sister! Tis a holy name I gave thee on that day, Replete with music as the birds That carol through the May. For his dear sake I loved thee then, But now tis for thy own, The portals to Love s inner room Are widely open thrown. 10 GARLAND OF SONG Spring s promises are all fulfilled When May bids earth rejoice, And Nature chimes in sweet accord With her entrancing voice. The buds that ope, the birds that sing-, Breathe out, "The Summer day" With its rich hoard of precious stores Will follow beauteous May. O well Beloved ! Life s days to you Forever be the May! With hope and peace and trusting love The flowers along the way! And let those blossoms speak of lands Beyond the changing skies, Where hope is lost in endless peace And love in Paradise ! Full well I know, my precious ones, Those lines but ill reveal The sister s heart, so fondly true To you in woe or weal. But to thy care, O Virgin Queen, My dear ones I commend ! Guide, bless, and love them evermore! From everv ill defend ! G ARLAN D OF S O N G 11 SNOWFLAKES. The snow came down in the loveliest forms, On the baby s coat of red ; He smiled as he grasped, but his sobs broke forth- As his beautiful "stars" lay dead. We grasp at the joys that are flying by, While we revel within their light, But the tears flow fast when they disappear In the gloom of a starless night. But once they were ours, and I do not think Tis truth that the poet sings : That a "sorrow s crown of sorrow is Remembering happier things." I know that a grateful strain pervades The song of my life to-day, For the joys and the love that sent their rays From the skies of my varied way. THE SCULPTOR. Hast thou ever gazed on the sculptor As he worked at the huge rough block ? Hast thou seen how he struck and chiseled Hard, deep, through the marble rock ? Now here and now there he touches With a skill that is sharp and true, 12 GARLAND OF SONG Till at last in its marvelous beauty Tis standing most fair to view. Like the block, O Heavenly Sculptor, We lie neath Thine eyes of love ! Wilt Thou form us into the statues That will stand in the niches above? Ah ! not like the silent marble Will we lie neath the touch of pain, But will shrink and quiver in anguish While the blows fall down like rain ! Though well we know, O Master ! That tis only by suffering s hand That we re cut and carved and chiseled, Made perfect for Beulah Land ! O help us to pray, dear Savior, With thy great, grand Saint of yore :- "Here cut, here burn, O Jesus ! But spare us when life is o er!" SACRED HEART. When the conflict rages fast Twixt the powers of grace and sin, And despite our efforts strong, Evil forces seem to win, Sacred Heart, O help us! GARLAND OF SONG 13 When the air is redolent With the fragrant joys of life, And we drift far off from thee, Farther e en than in the strife, Sacred Heart, O help us ! When the shades of sorrow fall, And we grope with tear-dimmed sight, Help us find Thee in the dark, Help us love Thee though Thou smite, Sacred Heart, O help us ! When all labor seems in vain, Ceaseless prayer is still denied, Help us love Thee even then, Heart of Jesus crucified, Sacred Heart, O help us ! Some day, battles, sorrows, joys, Labor, all, will have an end, Then when Death the curtain drops, Be our stay, our tender friend, Sacred Heart, O help us ! WINONA. (To Sister M. B.) Quaffing again to deepest depths The cup of joy untold! Living once more the halcyon hours, The precious days of old! 14 GARLAND OF SONG Meeting again in love s warm clasp The hands of faithful friends! Listening once more to old-time tales While "Home s" sky o er me bends ! O flowery paths and shady groves, Each leaf seems whispering to my soul Of peace, of tenderness and love, As backward turns dear Mem ry s scroll ! never was there spot so fair, O er all the lovely lands of earth, As thou to me, enchanted groves, Where came the grace of "second birth !" 1 stand within the hallowed walls Where Faith s grand blessing came to me, And O the rapture of it all Is only known, my God, to Thee ! I walk along "God s acre" still, To waft a prayer and drop the tear, For friends asleep in Christ; to sense, So far away ! to Faith, so near ! The consecrated hands beloved, That touch my own these summer days, Are opening doors to w.here the sun Of joy sends out the purest rays ! Ah, nevermore those gates will close, Nor that bright sunlight fail to gleam, For Memory s hands will fold them back, And capture every golden beam ! GARLAND OF SONG 15 I bless Thee, O my Spouse beloved! For this pure joy vouchsafed to me! It adds so many golden links In Love s fair chain that binds to Thee ! And what, I ask, must be the depth, The wondrous wealth of Heaven s bliss, When "Home again !" with friends beloved, Begets a rapture like to this ! ARCHBISHOP FEEHAN. Now sweetly sleep ! The way was long, The road was ofttimes steep. Twas weary work to climb the hill, Now sweetly, sweetly sleep ! To be God s faithful servant is No easy task. To wear His purple and His ring oft means His heavy cross to share. All secretly thy noble heart Bled neath the shafts of pain ; The "Soldier of the King" must face The battles fiery rain. To be the Father, Guide and Friend, Means troubled days and years ; To be the Shepherd of the Flock Brings bitter doubt and fears. 16 GARLANDOFSONG And them for whom the requiems toll Wast all of these. Now rest, For when the Master came He found Thee watching. Thou are blest ! O may the Shepherd sent to guard The stricken, mourning fold, Within the gates find Love and Peace, With shining wings unrolled ! Tor the New has charms which the Old has not, And the Stranger s face makes the Friend s forgot. Along the shining beach one day I found this tinted shell, And placed it here mid treasures rare That matched its beauty well. Yet, lift it up. Twill sing for thee A sad. a moaning strain : Tis longing for the dear old sea, With yearnings deep as vain. A blossom blue that bent above A sparkling sun-kissed brook, I bore away and thought twould bloom With roses in this nook. The frail head drooped, the azure eyes Were closed ; the roses gleam Could not replace in violet s heart The cool, clear woodland stream. GARLAND OF SONG 17 O, poet with the silvery tongue ! Tis false, that note of thine ! It sends a harsh, discordant ring All through the flowing line ! The stranger s orbs ne er sparkled so They dimmed a dear one s eyes, And never stars shone half so bright As those in homeland skies ! No voices wake a sweeter strain Than tones that won us first! Strange hands may hold a brimming cup, We cannot slake our thirst Altho tis filled with friendship s wine, For O, we long the while, To drink the nectar flowing from A dearer touch and smile ! For the Old has charms which the Nezv has not. And no Stranger s face makes the Friend s forgot. IN THE SHADOW OF THE PINES. Twas thus you headed words of love That flew to me to-day, From far-off northern lake-girt lands, Beside the wind-swept bay. I prayed, while drinking from the joy Through all the flowing lines "No heavier shadows may life bring, Than shadows of the pines ! " 18 GARLAND OF SONG For if, like them, the shadows fall When love and hope are near, They ll only make the sunshine glow With radiance far more clear. So thus I prayed as streams of joy Poured from those flowing lines "Life s shades to you no darker be, Than shadows of the pines ! A PORTRAIT. The dear old home holds spirits bright, And forms and faces fair; And eyes aglow with happy light, And snowy brows are there. But sweetest soul abides in her Whose portrait now I paint; A worded picture, where the lines Are all too dim and faint, To do her justice; eyes of blue, And locks of nut-brown hair, Soft cheeks where rose and lily bloom, An earnest brow and fair. A soul where purity is shrined, A heart as true as steel, Where you or I could safely trust Our deepest woe or weal. GARLAND OF SONG 19 A mother s pride, a father s joy, The one we love so well, God bless our household angel bright, Our winsome, blithesome Nell ! SUNSHINE. Little Sunshine ! Little Sunshine ! All too soon you stole away, Slipped from out the hearts that loved you, Went to greet Eternal Day. Far upon the "Mount of Beauty," Where the "clean of hand" abide, Little Sunshine ! Only Jesus Could have wooed you from our side ! Only He who, c e tender message Through the shadowy aisles of time Greet our ears like music mellow Of an old cathedral chime "Suffer little children near Me! Let them gather at My knee! For of such is my pure Kingdom ! Suffer them to come to Me !" Little Sunshine ! thou art happy ! Arms divine encompass thee ! Joys celestial flood thy spirit, From earth s fetters ever free! 20 GARLAND OF SONG But O Thou who took our darling, Pity, strengthen, help, we pray, For the heavy shades enfold us Since our Sunshine went away! Little Sunshine! Father s darling! Mother s household angel sweet! Let thy rays of heavenly beauty Beam around our faltering feet! May we walk in God s sweet favor Till we meet thee, Sunshine blest, In the little children s Kingdom Home of love and peace and rest! GROWING OLD. Thrice blessed peace, that hovers o er The life that s growing old, With oars at rest and ebbing tide Shining in sunset gold! The fuel of youth s strong desires Is burned to ashes white, But all undimmed the lamp of love Throws round its lambent light ! O peaceful days ! I love you well, Like vesper hymns you seem ! Low and subdued your tones breathe round Till but of God I dream! GARLAND OF SONG 21 The mem ries of the past return, But restful days, I d give Thee not, e en though twere mine again Youth s buoyant hours to live ! For looking back I m glad they re o er, The battles fierce and long Each day saw waged with world and self, Self with its passions strong! Glad that I ve learned the worth of earth, Glad for the good I ve done ! Glad for the sorrow that sanctified, Glad for the love I ve won ! Aye, glad for the love still glowing warm For true, tried friends of yore, Some with me still, some passed beyond To Heaven s shining shore ! For love that never "groweth old," Though eye is dim, and form Is bent, but lives in vigorous youth In hours of peace and storm ! O vesper hours of twilight dreams, So fraught with happy rest ! Homeward, dear God, I drift to Thee, To anchor with the Blest ! 22 G ARLAN D OF SON G FIFTY YEARS WEDDED. The soft May winds are blowing, While blossoms pink and white Are dropping on earth s bosom, In floods of rosy light. The songsters notes are ringing, The world seems filled with life ; With all spring s rarest promise, The very air is rife. Twas in life s radiant May-time You plighted troth and love ; The way was fair before you, The skies were clear above. Our Mother Mary s blessing Fell o er your hearts that day, And ever since you ve held it Along life s varied way ! Dear hearts, you ve been together Through many, many years! You ve known the lights and shadows, The sunny smiles and tears ! And now the golden sunset Enfolds you in its glow, To find you leal and loyal As you were long ago ! GARLAND OF SONG 23 I pray that God s own blessings May hover o er your way, And guide and keep your loved ones All through life s checkered day. And may He grant our wishes For happiest future years, Until the "Diamond Jubilee" To your glad eyes appears ! ADIEU. When Summer donned her fairest robes And walked the earth a queen, Whose every tone awoke the flowers, And wooed the sunlight s sheen! When skies were blue as sapphires clear, The air with music rife, In joy she stood neath homeland skies, For there were Love and Life ! Ah ! Death will never dare invade When "Father" stands beside To shield and save his "little girl," His one ewe lamb, his pride ! While "husband" pleads, while children pray. While life is in its prime, O, dark-winged angel hovering near, Fly on ! Not yet thy time ! 24 GARLAND OF S ON G Not yet ! Not yet ! Go take the old, The hearts tired out with strife! Not her who stands with beaming eyes On sunny meads of life ! O let her stay! For earth is sweet, And Love is strong and true ! Her arms are filled with treasures rich That ne er were meant for you ! But he folded his pinions, that Angel so dark, And he clasped to his bosom his prize, Then away through the ether his burden he bore. Away through the summer-day skies ! As he flew with his treasure he sang a sweet song, And its music still rings in the air! Let us gather its notes as he passes along, And weave them in melody fair! "Come with me! I ll bear you on To the Heart of Mary s Son ! Life is sweet, but death is bliss, Give to life your parting kiss ! Close your eyes in slumber deep ! Ope them where no shadows creep ! Clasp your loved in fond embrace, Soon you ll meet them face to face, In the land where no good-bye Wakes the shadows in the sky !" GARLAND OF SONG 25 Adieu ! Adieu ! We ll whisper low No saddening farewell ! For thou art quaffing deep of bliss Of which no tongue can tell ! Adieu ! We would not wake thee now From slumber calm and deep, Thou rt safe with Him, O well-beloved! In His strong arm, O sleep ! STRENGTH. Upon a hill, not far away, There stands a tree alone; Around it many storms have raged And many sunbeams shone. But still it towers far above, In strength and might serene, Ne er bending toward the trees that deck The sward below with green. How oft I ve gazed and deemed it like Some soul on Duty s hill : Strong in the strength that comes from God To those who do His will. Not caring for the storms of scorn, Nor for approval s sun, But satisfied if still he hears The Master s sweet "Well done!" 26 G ARLAN D O F S O N G Oh, if our weak and restless souls Striving- for sordid aims, So happy when the world approves, So downcast when it blames Could climb the heights and spend in toil For God, our strength and skill, Full soon would fall the soothing peace That breathes o er Duty s hill. ON THE HILL. Up on the hill where the breezes waft All their treasures of sweets to me, Scent from the clover in meadows wide, Scent from the flower-besprinkled lea ; Under the trees where the robin sings Clearest of notes this Summer day, Here on the hill is peace profound, Driving all thoughts of care away. Sailing across an azure sea, Billowy clouds as white as the snows Bend o er the grasses and golden grain, Bowing to every breeze that blows. Down in the meadows the soft-eyed kine Patiently lie in the clover sweet, Butterflies flit from flower to flower Sipping their wine in this calm retreat. GARLANDOFSONG 27 Beautiful world ! it seems to-day, Sorrow and care ne er lived in thee ! Here is naught but a restful calm, Here on the hills neath the old oak tree. Life, if a cloudless Summer day Perfect as this you e er could be, Soon we d forget the Home above, Finding our all of bliss in thee ! THE RAIN. The sun his warmest rays sends forth From skies of cloudless blue, And not a sound breaks o er the calm That reigns the whole air through. The streamlet flowing o er the stones Forgets its music sweet; The birds are still, the grasses brown, The flowers droop neath the heat. But now, list the whispering all through the trees ! Tis a voice that we welcome, the voice of the breeze ! He sings of the coming of soft, cooling rain, And the birds and the blossoms rejoice at his strain. He marshals his forces, the clouds o er the skies ! He calls out his orders as onward he flies ! Down, down at the voice of the chief fall the showers, And welcome ! sing songsters and brooklet and flowers ! 28 GARLAND OF SON G How oft when we droop in the heat of the day, Worn out by the trials we meet on life s way, A message is wafted from lips that we prize, And strengthened and cheered for the combat, we rise BLUE EYES. O eyes, as blue as Summer skies ! I ll search your depths to-night, And read the language written there Beneath your azure light ! Across your surface ripple waves Of mirth, but far below Are rays that wake to life, when thought And feeling warmly glow ! The glance of earnest thought bespeaks The strong, the active mind ! The frank, clear gaze, the soul beneath Where purity is shrined ! And look of fondest trust that glows When friendship is the theme, O who would not be glad to wake Within those orbs love s gleam ! For then, within your sunny deep, Are rays I know and love, That say, "The heart I yield my own, Is true as skies above!" GARLAND OF SONG 29 O life ! if you the darkened side Reveal to orbs of blue, The tears that flow will only make Them shine with softer hue ! For azure eyes, the rays therein Thus write in words of light, "While love is mine, it matters not If skies be dark or bright, For love and trust will make my day, Their loss, my starless night !" "IF." "If" sorrow with her folded wings Ne er brooded o er life s hours, How many buds of love and peace, Would ripen not to flowers ! For sweetest blossoms often seek The lonely shaded ways, And upward waft their odors rich, When shine no sunny rays. "If" we e er walked the narrow path In our own strength secure, Vain-glory, love of fame or friends, Ne er tainting motives pure ; No helping hands of ours would stretch To brothers weak as we, While still we prayed with lowly hearts, "May God our helper be!" 30 GARLAND OF SONG "If" we should lose the trusting love That stronger grows each day, How much of hope, of joy, of strength, Would steal from life away ! O while the years with ruthless hands, Bear much we prize from sight, Father of all ! leave in our hearts, Love s angel form of light ! THE LIGHT OF HOME. How densely dark the shadows fall, As night creeps on apace ! And snow and sleet together whirl In fierce tempestuous race! But what brook I the tempest wild As crowded streets I roam ! Each onward step brings nearer still The radiant light of home. Blow, bitter winds ! Drop, if you will, Your clinging robes of snow ! The burning, beaming fires at home Will melt it in their glow ! Fall, shadows, fall ! Your deepest gloom Will vanish in the light That streams in clear, undying rays From round the hearthstone bright. GARLANDOFSONG 31 Home ! and I greet the noble wife Whose large, dark, trusting eyes E er mirror forth the loyal love That in her heart-depths lies ! Home! Home! and "Papa! Papa!" Rings in childish tones of glee ! I clasp her close, my brown-eyed girl, My bonnie maiden wee ! Fierce storms outside ! sweet peace within ! O light of home ! I praise The God whose loving care awoke Thy joy-inspiring rays ! A WISH. O would that in those eyes of thine, My own might fondly gaze, To see if still within them shine The light of olden days ! To watch the earnest feeling rise, And wake the fires that sleep, Or see the laugh send dancing beams Across the sparkling deep ! But it may be the world s cold touch Has changed those eyes of brown, And made the depths so deep and dark My own could not pierce down. 32 GARLAND OF SONG Yet I can ne er believe them so, But dream they ll ever be Lit with the old unchanging 1 light For me, at least, for me! Dear Angels ! guard those well-loved eyes Until at last I gaze Within their depths and wake again The light of happier days ! WRINKLES. They are seen on the brow of the youthful, They come with the footsteps of age ! They are pencilled by suffering s fingers, Or drawn by the thoughts of the sage ! They appear with the teardrops of sorrow, Or come where the laughter-light glows, But the wrinkles that tell me a story, Are those that some mother s face shows. With eyes that are reverent I watch them, Those lines drawn by love or by care ! They whisper of nights that were sleepless Of hopes that were blighted ; of prayer. They tell of the dear faces hidden Away neath the mantle of death, Or speak of the blossom she cherished That was blasted by sin s icy breath ! GARLAND OF SONG 33 O, lines that reveal a life s story! I m sure you will plead at the Throne, That mercy for weakness or erring Be unto the mother-hearts shown ! THE ANGELUS BELLS. Borne on the air of the Spring-time morn Floats the music of the bells, And our spirits drift to the "Long Ago" Whose tidings sweet it tells. "Hail full of grace !" the chimings sing, "Hail full of grace !" our souls repeat ! Ring softly, slowly, bells of love, The Angel s greeting meet! Ring soft and low as the balmy wind That breathes among the trees, For the One you greet was gentle as The faintest Summer breeze. Ring loud and strong as the fiercest gale That blows in Winter wild, For the victory won o er the tyrant sin By the Mother and her Child. "Hail full of grace !" Beloved of God, Tis all our hearts can say! "Hail full of grace !" the Lord is thine, And thou art blessed for aye ! 3 34 GARLAND OF SONG Hail Lily-Cup ! o erbrimming with The sweetest of God s love ! Hail Rose of Light ! Hail Violet pure In the chosen bower above. Cheer us when clouds hang dark above, And guard us safe through sunny ways, For dangers hide in flowery glens, And Death may lurk in brightest rays ; Ring on, sweet bells ! for she is blest Forevermore to see God s face ! Chime on ! chime on ! in dulcet tones, "Hail full of grace ! Hail full of grace !" THE QUESTION. "Would you like to die while the streamlet of youth Is gliding along its sunniest way, And your boat floats on by the flowery shore While the balmiest breezes o er it play? When the bark of Friendship is sailing beside, O erladen with treasures the heart-depths prize, When Fame can be won and good can be done, W T culd you wish Death s hand to darken the skies ?" We list to the promise the brooklet gives, We look aloft on the azure sky, We clasp our beloved to our trembling hearts, "No! no! not in youth is the time to die!" GARLAND OF SO N G 35 "Would you like to die," says a thrilling voice, "To sail to my Home while the heart is pure ? To go while your loved ones are still your own And await them there in your bliss secure? Shall I send my sleep e er you ve tasted all The embittering draughts of a false world s fame, Will you come and learn the grand love of the heart That broke for you on the Cross of shame?" We look on the world with its loveless lives, Its blighted hopes and severed ties ; We think on the land where joy e er lives, And the bliss of loving never dies. We turn to our Lord with outstretched arms "O let us not stay till Age draws nigh ! Take us home ! Take us home ! e er the bloom is gone, For youth, fresh youth is the time to die !" TO MY MOTHER. Out from the merry, laughing throng, Where pleasure reigns supreme, I steal away, my own beloved, Of thee and home to dream. Here neath the beaming, starlit skies, Here in the calm of night, My soul forgets the scene within, To wing to thee its flight. I miss thee, mother! By thy side Once more I long to be, To nestle near the heart that throbs With constant love for me. 36 G ARLAN D O F S ON G Ring, loudest song- and merriest jest, You fail to still my longing cry, Though hearts beside yield me their love, I miss thee, mother ! still I sigh. O love, the truest, kindest, best My life shall ever know ! The charm of living would be lost, If thou wert not below ! God keep thee, dear one ! soon again Within thy arms I ll rest! And in my treasured home once more With sweet content be blest! THE CONVENT CHAPEL. Sweet home of our Jesus ! how peaceful you seem On this happy, this beautiful day ! Here kneeling within thee, our spirits can dream Of naught but the Home far away ! The lilies are swaying beneath thy dear eyes, The roses are blushing, so near Thee they lie ; The lights are aglow like the stars in the skies, Happy flowers ! Happy rays ! in His honor to die ! Our poor restless natures before Him are still, The world and its dreams of ambition forgot ! There s a song in our souls like the song of the rill, The music of peace that the earth knoweth not. GARLAND OF SONG 37 We dread to go out mid the rude, clashing sounds Of a world every busy with things of a time, We dread the temptations in which it abounds May steal from our heart-strings this sweet angel- chime ! Dear, dear little chapel ! we lingered beside To ponder the love of the One hidden there, Till we longed in His pure, peaceful dwelling to hide Till life with its dangers was over fore er! Ah, yes ! twould be bliss to sit at His Feet And drink in the beauty that beamed from His Heart, As He spoke to our souls in His accents sweet : "Beloved, thou hast chosen the better part!" But duty is calling, and Jesus we go, For Thou wilt come with us as Savior and Guide ; The billows may threaten, the tempest may blow, What matter, dear Pilot, if Thou art beside? Come dangers and trials, our hearts know not fear ! In the wide, busy world, a sweet chapel we ve found, Tis the wound in the Side, tis the Love shining near, Be it sadness or gladness that s reigning around! 38 GARLAND OF SO NG REV. PATRICK J. MULCONRY, S. J. O Death ! full well we know to-day, The shining mark is dear To thee, when through our tears we gaze Upon thy victim here! On him, the strong, the brave, the true, God s priest, His chosen one, Laid low while still his eyes were turned Towards life s clear, rising sun! Laid low, while still his priestly hands Were gathering fruits for God ! Ah, splendid type of strength ! tis hard To give thee to the sod! O well beloved! Thou ever made Thyself be "all to all," Like Paul of old, that souls might turn Responsive to thy call! That silvery tongue whose eloquence Enchanted all who heard, Bore, on the music of its notes, God s grand enduring Word ! O St. Ignatius loyal son ! For God thy strength was spent! Thou hast returned, a hundred-fold, The talents that He lent. GARLANDOFSONG 39 In many a soul that thou hast saved, Thy name is shrined to-day ; They ll twine it round with love s fair flowers, And bless thee while they pray! We ll bear thee on to sweetest rest, Ignatius soldier brave ! For death, no victory is thine, Nor sting in thee, O grave ! THE DYING SUMMER. Summer, Summer, clothed in beauty! Loath we are to see you fly ! Bearing far from sight the radiance That you poured o er earth and sky! You so rich in perfumes precious, Floating on the Zephyr s wing, Sweet in grand entrancing music, Making hill and forest ring ! Breathe around your tones melodious, Let your balmy breezes blow, Memory will retain the blessings, That you scatter as you go ! Still again we hope to greet you When the wintry days are o er, Smiling with a rarer beauty Than you ever knew before ! 40 GARLAND OF SONG As we trust to meet the dear ones Who have glided from our sight, In the Summer lands eternal In love s paradise of light! LOVE. There s a beautiful light in this world below That illumines its gloomiest days, And the darker the night is the fairer its glow, The brighter its life-giving rays. If the shadows of sorrow obscure the soul s sky, Let this beacon of love shine abroad, And the clouds of adversity lighten and fly Near this glorious gift of our God ! O fond, human love, so strong and so pure, No darkness thy glory can fade, And no power on the earth can thy beauty allure From the heart where thy dwelling is made. For Love is a blessing the Father has sent To cheer us, to guide and to save, To beam on our pathway till life s day is spent, And but die in the night of the grave. Yes, Death ends it all ! O seek higher, clear soul, For the love that will burn on fore er, And find it where years of Eternity roll In that beautiful Home over there ! 41 A FRAGMENT. The leaves so russet, red and golden brown, On every wind are sending "good-byes" down. The grasses fading neath the Autumn sky Are whispering as they wither fast, "good-bye !" In music of the birds as south they fly To sunny climes, is ringing forth, "good-bye!" And I, to scenes most fair and dear hearts true, Am breathing not "good-bye" but fond "adieu !" LIZZIE. "A Happy New Year !" Lizzie dear, With all my heart I say ! "A Happy New Year !" though you lie In Death s deep sleep to-day. For what is life, with all its bliss, Compared to endless rest? The joys of earth are fleeting ones, The peace of God is best! Thy mother s love encompassed thee, Her arms were round thee twined, And where but in thy God couldst thou A kinder refuge find? 42 GARLAND OF SONG And when upon thy cheek, dear friend, Her farewell kiss was pressed, God grant thou slept to waken in The home of angels blest! And so, dear Lizzie, sleeping now, With all our hearts we say : "A Happy New Year" with thy God ! A happy, endless day! No night to dim its beauty rare, No clouds to veil its skies, No pain, no loss, no sighs, no tears Just bliss in Paradise ! APPLE BLOSSOMS. A golden glory fills the earth From June s most perfect day, While grandma sits with folded hands And dreams the hours away. The sunlight s slender arrowy beams Steal in through ivied shade To fall athwart her wrinkled brow, And face of little maid. A winsome maid with locks of jet, With dancing, laughing eyes As darkly blue as mountain streams That mirror forth the skies. CARL AND OF SONG 43 Her arms are full of gifts she bore From orchards fair and wide, And apple blossoms rich with sweets She drops on every side. The dear old eyes bedimmed by age Ope on the scented mass ; Rest on the upturned love-lit face Of merry little lass; Pressing a fond, a yearning kiss Upon the youthful brow, Her tears flow fast "O grandma, dear ! Why are you weeping now?" "Ah, darling mine! Those rosy buds Have opened memory s door, While forms and faces dearly loved, Troop out from days of yore. I see again my childhood s home, The cot near shaded ways, Where filled with all that makes life sweet Were passed youth s merry days ! At last there came a day when June s Rare odors filled the breeze ; I pledged my troth to him I loved Beneath the apple trees. And when a bride I bade good-bye To scenes where youth was spent, Across the hills the breezes bore The apple blossoms scent. 44 G ARLAN D OF S ON G " Tis far across the sea, that home Where Shannon s waters lave, And grandpa lies in southern soil Within a soldier s grave ! Yet this old heart each memory holds Within a sacred shrine, But I must cease, e er flow your tears ; Come kiss me, darling mine !" "I love you, darling grandma, mine! Just take me in your lap, And you and I and apple blooms Will have a long, long nap." They rest amid the blossoms pink, One s course is but begun, The other drawing near the goal, Life s race is almost won ! The sunbeams dart o er locks of jet And those of snowy white ; On tears and smiles, on shade and sun, On eve and morning light ! JANUARY. Clad in robes of snowy white, Decked with gems of gleaming light, Blossoms neath my garments lie, Hushed in sleep; their lullaby GARLANDOFSONG 45 Winds that ever moan and sigh, Sweeping past the snow-filled sky. Earthly artists rival not Scenes I paint in every spot. Voices ring in laughter loud From the skaters merry crowd. Eyes of youth grow bright with glee When my whirling flakes they see. I m the Frost King s champion bold, January, clear and cold ! BY THE FIRESIDE. The firelight s flickering shadows play Around the dim-lit room; Their slender fingers reach and clasp Each corner hid in gloom. And lo ! they ope the door that hides The past away from sight, While forms and faces loved and lost Come trooping out to-night ! I lie and gaze with half-closed eyes, And list as in a dream To tones that died in silence deep While gliding o er death s stream ! I hear again the merry laugh Ring out from friends of yore, And eyes aglow with love and truth Look into mine once more! 46 GARLAND OF SON G The firelight dies. Its fingers touch No more the dim-lit room ! The dear dream-faces fade away And vanish into gloom! A wave of longing for our dead Is sweeping o er the soul, But outstretched hands grasp empty air, And shadows round us roll ! OUR DEAREST ONE. We travel o er the busy roads of earth, Where hand clasps hand, and speech meets speech ; But O, how varied are the lives we meet ! How different are the hearts, the minds, the souls ! Some only touch us as they pass along, But never reach beyond the inner doors That guard the sacred rooms of hidden self, While some sweet, pure and holy lives steal in With all the gentle influence of the dew Upon the flowers, and soften and revive And strengthen struggling selves. Twas thus that thou, O well beloved! from couch of pain sent forth The might of love and held each one of us Beneath its sway! No harsh, unkindly word Could live near thee, nor selfish envious thought Would dare to clothe itself in garb of speech, Or, if it did, those sad, sweet eyes of thine GARLAND OF SONG 47 Would make it shrink, abashed into the darkness ! Our cares, our doubts, our griefs, were near thee laid, And when thy tender love breathed over them, They seemed no more. O pain-racked, fragile frame ! Thou wert the temple of a mighty soul, Upon whose altars ever burned the fires Of sacrifice, of patience, purity, And strength ! Oh, Death ! thou art a powerful king, But thou canst not destroy those rays of love, For memory like a vestal virgin pure, Alive, for aye, will keep them ! O well-beloved ! Thou art not dead ! Thy influence e er will breathe O er words and thoughts and deeds, and we will be Because of it the gentler, nobler, purer ! O white, strong soul, more fit for cloistered home Than busy world, we beg thy prayers may stretch Like a bright, golden chain, from thee to earth ! O let it twine around our mother s lonely life, So she may read upon each shining link, "God gave ! God took ! O may His will be done ! A little while, and I shall fold her close Where mother-love is victor over Death !" 48 GARLAND OF SO N G IN MEMORIAM. Dear heart, I cannot think that thou Hast bade us all "Good night !" Hast drawn the curtains of thy couch While still the day shone bright. And yet I hear the "Requiem Bells" Toll over thee, asleep ! A while ago the sun was high, Now fall the shadows deep ! Like Roman old, I mourn the friend, "Faithful and just to me ;" O loyal heart ! Death stole a gem Of rarest worth, in thee ! Dear friend, the path was ofttimes dark, The stones beneath were sharp, And minor, wailing, yearning chords Rang out from life s great harp ; But through it all thy patient soul Strode on with strength from God ; And now when life was sweet and fair, They ve laid thee neath the sod ! Thou sleepest, but Death cannot still The influence of thy life, The spring where deepest draughts we ll quaff In hours of pain or strife. GARLAND OF SONG 49 And o er the "bairns" whose tender love In life, in death, was thine, The memory of thy noble soul In lambent light will shine ! May "God be with thee," friend of mine, Till breaks the morning light, Where nevermore upon our ears Will fall Death s sad "Good Night !" THE ASSUMPTION, 1904. No darksome tomb may veil from sight, The mother of her risen God ! The temple where the Christ-child dwelt Must never crumble neath the sod ! So angels in their reverent arms Upbore thee to thy God and Son ; Enthroned thee at His sacred side, Our Queen, while endless ages run ! When erring mortals fear to plead For pity from the Heavenly King, They kneel to thee, O tender one, And like the little children cling To thee, their Mother! Surely earth Would be a long and bitter way, If when the thorns and brambles tore, We dared not whisper, "Mary, pray !" 50 GARLAND OF SONG O Mother Mary, Virgin pure, The beacon true o er every way ! We cling to thee in fondest trust, In life, in death, O for us pray! THE GOLDEN JUBILEE OF THE IMMACU LATE CONCEPTION DEC. 8, 1904. Tis a glorious, golden sunlight, That is flooding earth s abode, Bathing in its streams of beauty, All that lies along its road, Immaculate ! Mother Church reached forth to grasp it With her powerful, loving hands, And those sunbeams, flowing from her, Stream to near and far off lands, Immaculate ! All her children throng together In the splendor of those rays, While throughout the earth are ringing Carols of their loving praise, Immaculate ! Without sin conceived, O Mary Pray for us, O Mother, pray! Jubilate! hearts are singing! Jubilate ! while we say Immaculate ! GARLAND OF SONG 51 THE OLD YEAR. The old year s going! The sobbing wind Wails out its requiem moan; An old man sits by the dying fire In his mansion home alone ! Watching the embers fitful glow, The darkly falling shades, Lower his head droops on his breast, Faster the firelight fades ! " Tis near ! Tis near ! the fair New Year ! But I welcome it not !" he cries, "And gladly I d lay down the burden now, As the Old Year s echo dies ! For I m weary of living with all its din, Weary of sin and pain, Weary of winning but Dead Sea fruits, Of toiling for shadows vain ! Take me, Old Year, to your peaceful grave, Where they ve borne the friends of my life ! Take me to rest, for I m weary now Of my long, long day of strife !" "Dying ! Dying !" the breezes sob ! "Dead !" now floats on the wave ! The shadows grow darker, the firelight dim, The Old Year rests in its grave ! The silence grows deeper; a peaceful light Plays on the aged face ! The Old Year s dead, and he sleepeth, too, The last of an honored race ! 52 GARLAND OF SONG "Farewell to the Old ! Hail, hail to the New ! The New of joy and mirth ! How can men bear to die, and leave Their beautiful Mother Earth ! Fair shining world with its wealth and fame, Its noble hearts and true ! Bright, glorious life whose rainbow tints Just burst upon my view ! Your battles I fear not, for I will be The victor on every field ! Long may I live to taste the sweets Your stores of bounty yield !" Thus speaks the youth of the sunny brow As he greets the New Year entering now ! Sing on, dear boy, tis ever thus : Age glad to go ; Youth glad to stay ! May the world so trusted, ne er deceive Nor stones of failure mark the way ! Like you, we ll bid the Old "Godspeed !" It bears with it a varied load, While with deep trust in God, we ll turn To greet the New Year on the road. ONLY. Twas "only" a baby that Death bore afar, Twas "only" a baby they say, But "Mother" bends o er it with heart that will ache Full many a sorrowful day ! GARLAND OF SONG 53 Tis "only" a beggar with wistful eyes, There standing and pleading for bread, And yet tis the image of Him who had once No rest for His tired, sacred Head ! Twas "only" a smile that a treasured one gave, When weary and faint grew the soul, But it broke on the darkness like sunlight through clouds And strengthened we sped to the goal ! Twas "only" a word from the lips that we love, Falling soft as the dew on the flowers, But twill shine evermore with its own chastened light, And illumine Earth s gloomiest hours ! O, tis "onlies" that make up the music of life, Some loud, and some soft, and some sad, And some that float upward in strains so divine, The Angels, God s Angels, are glad ! REV. JOSEPH M. FEELY, C. M., D. D. O richly dowered, noble, childlike soul, A garden fair wert thou in sight of Him Who made thee beautiful ! Who filled thee with The flowers of innocence, of God-like humbleness, So like the blossoms pure that bloom with in The hearts of little ones ! O radiant mind, Aglow with intellect s all-shining gems, 54 G ARLAN D F SON G That ne er were vaunted ! Hidden till the Master Told thee bring them forth, that their white light Might stream upon the way, and lead to Him The souls of others ! O son of blest Saint Vincent ! The angels looked and smiled! The spotless Lamb Craved thee within His train, and lo, the call That won thee from our midst ! O priestly brother, Weeping now above thy well beloved ! O grieving mother-love neath Southern skies ! The music of my verse may soothe ! It sings Of him, the pure, the bright, the saintly one ! With God, for God, your treasure lived ! In God He died ! That love, divine and measureless, Holds him for ever! O the little step From you to him, if you but think, how short Is time ! How long the happy, glad eternity ! SOULS IN EXILE. Far away in lonely exile From the Savior that we love, Waft we up our cry for mercy To the pitying Heart above Miserere Domine ! Waiting for the Queen of Heaven, Bearing pardon from on high, Till she leads us mid the ransomed, Where no more we ll sadly sigh Miserere Domine ! GARLANDOFSONG 55 Friends whose heartstrings twined around us, While on earth we walked beside, Prayer from you will break our fetters, Let it float on love s strong tide Miserere Domine ! When the prison gates are opened, And we bask in Heaven s rays, Then will rise for thee our pleadings, Mingled with our song of praise Gloria, tibi, Domine ! CHRISTMAS BELLS. Over the snow of the Northland sky, Over the South, where the song birds fly, Over the sad and over the glad, Over the good and over the bad, The Christmas bells are ringing! Ringing aloud the same old song, From Bethlehem s manger swelling along, "Glory to God this Christmas morn! Christ the King of Kings is born !" Thus Christmas bells are ringing! Born for the soul that s lily-white, Born for the heart as black as night, Born for the haughty and the meek, Born for the mighty and the weak! So Christmas bells are ringing ! 56 GARLANDOFSONG O Babe Divine, of beauty rare, Beside the Virgin Mother fair, With Joseph, spouse of Mary s heart, Give us this day the better part, While Christmas bells are ring-ing. The perfect Love "that casts out fear," The Hope that ever shineth clear, The Faith that moves Doubt s mountains high, These are the gifts for which we sigh, While Christmas bells are ringing. Over the snows from Northland sky, Over the South where song birds fly, Over the lowly and high of earth, Is sung the hymn of the Savior s birth, While Christmas bells are ringing. A SMILE. A smile is a trifling thing, I know, Yet one we love to see, For cheery sunbeams round it gleam, And shadows from it flee. What though beneath the surface lies A weight of wearying care, Smile on the world, despite it all; Few wish your load to share. GARLAND OF SON G 57 Come out and learn in Nature s school A lesson that she ll teach; Her voice will ring from distant skies Yet not beyond your reach. Though many dark storm-bearing clouds Have rolled athwart her face, See how the smiling stars and moon Veil from you every trace. And watch her during heaviest showers Still beam on you the while, Until at last through all her tears You see the rainbow smile. Then meet the world with smiles, dear friend, But in your woe and care, To Him who pities, cheers and guides, Fly, on the wings of prayer! NEW YEAR S WISHES. May every heart that now is sad, Within the coming year be glad ! May every soul that s steeped in sin, Let Angels of Repentance in ! May heart s desires be granted thee, If to thy God they pleasing be ! May Love and Trust along thy way The evergreens of beauty lay ! 58 GARLAND OF SON G May this New Year the happiest be Of all that have been granted thee ! And may the future hold in store Of happy ones full many more! IN THE WOODS. Come into the woods and the fragrance inhale Of blossoms, and list to the birds; And gaze on the sky, smiling blue overhead, They re all singing "songs without words." Aye, "songs without words," and yet sweeter by far Than any that human lips sing, While they re teaching our hearts in the clearest of ways As upward their melodies wing. The flowers, as they bloom on their green grassy couch, Are whispering 1 : "Be pure in thy life, Exhale the rich perfume of kind, gentle deeds, Be truthful and strong in the strife." The nests built so high by the songsters last year Have been whirled by the tempests to earth, But new homes are theirs and no minor strains Can be heard in their warblings of mirth. GARLAND OF SON G 59 The storm clouds have sailed o er that firmament blue, Yet see, it now smileth serene : Resignation and faith, O clear skies and dear birds ! Are the virtues you teach us, I ween. Then come to the woods where the air is all balm, And list to the songs without words; They are swelling on high from the trees and the sky, From the flowers and the swift flying birds. "HE WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD." (Dedicated to "The Professor."*) Healing the sick, the suffering ones, The "Great Physician" went! Day in, day out, no rest for Him, His loving skill was lent! In "doing good" He went about, O grandly active life! What more could e en the man God do, Where pain and sin were rife? And with a skill God-given, grand, A "manly man" I see, Before the magic of whose touch Disease and suffering flee ! In "doing good" he goes about, Restoring health s rich glow, While "many rise and call him blessed," The poor, the high, the low ! *Dr. Nicholas Senn. 60 GARLAND OF SONG A "Great Physician !" Title grand, The grandest earth bestows ! It meaneth fame and grateful love, As "doing good" he goes! God hold undimmed the noble mind That seems of Him a part, Unweakened keep the skill sublime, And bless the strong, true heart ! EX-CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM F. MAHONEY. When the trees that are bent with the storms of the years Fall prone in the forest, we sigh ; When the saplings all rich with the buddings of youth Are struck by the bolt and low lie, We grieve for the promise of youth unfulfilled, For the beauty, departed from earth, For the leaves that but partly unfolded to view, For the buds that were killed in their birth. We gaze on thee, friend, like a tree in its prime, Cut down in the fullness of noon, On the big, manly form in the stillness of death, And we whisper, "It seemeth too soon!" Too soon, for thy life knew deep love from the wife, So sweet and so tender and true ; GARLAND OF SONG 61 From the children beloved and the sisters so dear, From friends that each pathway e er knew. Too soon, for Hope s rainbow encircled life s sky, And the way seemed so straight and so bright ; But lo ! came the turn in the beautiful road, And their dear one had vanished from sight ! But O, if the Lord would reveal to the gaze What lies past the valley between, The music, the glory, that ear hath not heard, Nor eye of the human hath seen! The tears would be dried, and the grieving be stilled, The Cross would be patiently borne ; You d give to his mother the boy of her heart, And wait till the dawn of God s morn. THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. Moon of beauty, silvery gem, Set within the crown of night, How the splendor of the stars Pales beside thy limpid light! Mother Mary, radiant moon, Shining near the Sacred Heart, How the splendor of the saints Pales near rays that from thee dart! 62 GARLAND OF SON G Hail, thou spotless, snow-white soul, Even free from Adam s taint ! Of thy beauty marvelous, None can sing and none can paint ! Darksome tomb dare never hide That pure body, God s own shrine ! Angels bore it to the throne, Waiting near thy Son divine! LIFE S SUNSET. Only waited "till the shadows Were a little longer grown," Till the golden gleams of sunset All along her way were thrown; Till the harvest rich was ready, And the ripened grain was bound, Then the eyes were closed in slumber, In the peace of God profound. Dear old Saint ! I loved to greet thee In the vanished Summer days, Sitting in the shaded window, Looking out o er "Village" ways ! Loved to see the smile of welcome Lighting up the kindly face, While I felt the soul beneath it Was the temple of God s grace. GARLAND OF SONG 63 Often through those quiet fingers Slipped the Virgin Mary s "Beads," While the "Ave !" softly whispered, Told thy Mother all thy needs! Surely her dear arms twined round thee When Death s shadows o er thee fell ! Surely it was she that bore thee To the God thou served so well ! One by one the dear old faces Vanish o er the sunset hills ; Theirs the rapture of God s presence, Ours the hearts that sorrow fills! But we see Hope s star celestial, Shining in life s darkened sky, Whispering of the Land where never Falls the shadow of good-bye! FEBRUARY. I walk the earth with softer tread Than January bold ! I leave untouched the snowy veil O er hill and valley rolled ! I waken not the tender flowers, Nor buds asleep on trees, Though loud and lusty songs I sing In every passing breeze ! 64 GARLAND O F SONG SERMON IN SONG. The earth is bathed in moonlight s waves, O er which the summer sails, And, with a voice to music tuned, Breathes forth her varied tales. It seems as if the silver streams That flood the perfect night, Could never float a grief or care Adown their waves of light. Yet well we know the wondrous moon, The stars in far-off skies, The summer fair all gaze upon Sad hearts and tear-filled eyes. And still from out their depths of calm I hear, it seems to me, Cast all thy care upon the Lord, For He hath care of thee !" The Hand that guides the glowing orb Through soundless depths of blue, That holds it through the ages vast, Within its courses true, Will never give a cross so hard Thou lt not have strength to bear. Cast all thy care upon the Lord, For He of thee hath care." O perfect night ! O gem so clear ! Within the summer s crown! Along each ray from yonder moon A stream of peace floats down. GAR LAND OF SONG 65 The wailing cry of sorrow dies, The doubts and worries flee ; The message falls : Cast cares on God, For He hath care of thee ! GLORIA IN EXCELSIS! Lovely Queen, we kneel beside thee At the crib of Infant King! From our hearts we fondly greet thee, While the Christmas angels sing, Gloria in Excelsis Deo! Virgin purest, Virgin fairest, Fit to be our Jesus own ! Bethlehem s stable with thee in it, Grander grows than earthly throne. Gloria in Excelsis Deo! Virgin purest, Virgin fairest, Whom the centuries love and praise. Waft to us a mother s blessing, As we echo Angels lays, Gloria in Excelsis Deo! Bethlehem s King will not refuse thee Aught thou claimest from His Love ; Grant, O grant, while Christmas carols Fly on music s wings above. In terra, pax! 66 GARLAND OF SONG MERRY CHRISTMAS! Merry Christmas ! Merry Christmas ! Hear it echo o er the earth, While the Yuletide bells are telling Of the Infant Savior s birth ! Merry Christmas ! Merry Christmas ! Young and old take up the cry ! May its music drown the suffering Of each sorrow s wailing sigh ! May all sinning die forever While its rhythmic wavelets float ; Hatred, anger and dissension Perish in each swelling note ! Merry Christmas ! Merry Christmas ! Hear it echo, near and far ! While the hearts of men grow purer Neath the rays of Bethlehem s Star ! ST. VINCENT S MARTYRED CHILDREN. In the distant soil of China, Far away from home they love, Gathering in a wond rous harvest For their glorious King above ! Sowing seeds that bud and blossom In each poor neglected soul, Till the fields, in matchless beauty, All around them verdant roll ! GARLAND OF S ON G 67 Chorus Dear St. Vincent s martyred children ! Blessed John Perboyre and Francis Clet ! Listen to our hymn of pleading Floating o er the air to-day ! Still the years went rolling, rolling, Down the sloping hill of time, Till the sheaves were bound and gathered In that far-off Asia clime ! Then the shades of night were falling, Jesus bade His toilers rest, But the homeward pathway led them Neath the cross that Christ caressed ! Chorus Dear St. Vincent, did you greet them When the gates were opened wide? Did you lead your martyred children To the loving Savior s side? With them plead, O, dearest Father, Near the Master s Great White Throne, If we may not die for Jesus, We may live for Him alone ! Chorus Dear St. Vincent s martyred children ! Blessed John Perboyre and Francis Clet ! Listen to our hymn of pleading Floating o er the air to-day ! 68 GARLANDOFSONG TO M. S. It was a long, long life, old friend, And on the winding way You met its sunshine and its storms, Its noon, its night, its day. No wondrous deeds are standing out Along the road you trod, But faithfulness to duty shines, And trust in man and God. Your children, weeping o er their dead, This heritage retain A life with record ever clear, A name without a stain. The day was long, yet night fell fast Across its radiance clear, But still the harvest was prepared For Him, the Master dear! And tender, consecrated hands Were laid within thy own, While streams of grace from Mother Church Upon thy soul were thrown ! Tasks done, it seems hy far the best That life should steal away, No pangs of parting then are ours, Just night to glide from day ! GARLAND OF SONG 69 To fall asleep and waken near A God of mercy vast, And list from out His Sacred Heart, "My son, thou rt home at last!" "EGO TE ABSOLVO." O love of our Savior that ne er will decay ! O mercy of Jesus that lasteth for aye! How grandly you burn in those words full of might, How brightly you glow with an undying light In "Ego te Absolve!" All stained with the foulness and blackness of sin Come souls that are anxious new lives to begin, Before the Priest, kneeling, their guilt is laid bare, And hearts deeply sullied are made brightly fair By "Ego te Absolve !" For the hand of the Priest is uplifted on high, His soft-spoken whisper upfloats to the sky, And if sorrow s clear waters will over it flow Then sin, even sin is made whiter than snow By "Ego te Absolvo !" Dear Savior! We kneel full of love at thy Feet, Thy sufferings procured us those graces so sweet, Thy blood for our sins and our miseries shed, Is flowing each day on the penitent s head With "Ego te Absolvo!" 70 GARLAND OF S ON G O, Jesus, dear Jesus ! may earth and may heaven Sing praises to Thee for the power thou hast given ! Forever, forever, with love may we glow For Thee, that so much love for us doth e er show In "Ego te Absolve !" UNDER THE TREES. The summer wind on trembling leaves Is playing sweetest strains, And waving branches shadows fling Over the grass-edged lanes. The long, warm hours I dream away, As under the trees I lie, And gaze on fleecy, feathery clouds, So lazily floating by. An hour like this, and memory comes With every peaceful day, That blossomed like the violets sweet, Along life s busy way. One day stands out from all the rest A summer day like this, When, not alone, beneath the trees I drank in all its bliss. Two sparkling eyes of darkest blue, Two eyes of honest gray, Were shining with the thoughts that came And went that summer day. GARLAND OF SONG 71 We talked of many, many things, Or dreamed in silence there; While I wove Fancy s fairest web Around that happy pair. And is my web destroyed? Ah, no! Blue eyes since flew away And nestled in a grand, strong soul, Whose windows are of gray. Now, lying here beneath the trees, I dream my dreams and pray That life, for those dear hearts, may be One happy summer day! AN ALLEGORY. Come, sail along with me, dear friends, Adown life s gentle tide, And let us moor our boat to rest Where meadows lie beside. A harvest fair is blooming there, The skies are blue and clear, While from the woods that skirt the edge, The birds sweet strains we hear. Only a few short years ago, A barren plain it lay, And none who gazed e er dreamed T would bud or blossom as to-day ! 72 GARLAND OF SONG Only a few short years, but still The days were full of toil, The nights of care ! Twas weary work, The digging of the soil. At first the harvest seemed so scant, And heavy clouds of doubt, At earnest prayer refused to let The bow of promise out. And still they toiled, those harvesters, Their eyes and hearts on high ; Hands on the plough, hopes fixed on God, For him to do or die! And now the lovely meadow lies In all its beauty here, While songs of promise fill the air, And charm the listening ear! The meadow fair is our loved school, Our priests, our sisters dear, The toilers in the verdant field ; The harvest? It is here. We ll give the world the grain that feeds The honest Christian life, That nerves the soul to fight its foes And win in prayerful strife. God bless the Presentation School ! We re proud to call it ours ! GARLAND OF SONG 73 God keep the ones who give to it The fullness of their powers. God bless our people, stanch and true, And O, the most of all, We beg that on our Pastor loved God s benedictions fall ! GOING BACK TO SCHOOL. A gentle, winsome little maid, In dainty garments fashioned fair, Receives Love s kiss, and starts to school, Its wondrous mysteries to share. The way to her is filled with joy, For "Sister" takes the little hand, To lead her on by easy steps, Along the big, strange Knowledge Land. The days, the weeks, the months, the years, Speed on with swiftly flying feet, And now our little girl of old Stands "where the brook and river meet !" Again she wends her way to school, The bluest sky still smiles above, While stars of Hope so clearly shine, And air is filled with songs of Love ! 74 GARLAND OF SONG Dear girl, when those bright days are o er, And life has summoned thee to school, I wonder will thou know as now The tenderness of Love s fond rule. We do not know, we may not pierce The coming time with aisles so dim, But Love has placed thee in His Heart, And trusts thy future years to Him ! September, 1904. EASTER. The wood-flower peeps above the mold And whispers to the snow, " Tis Easter-tide ! Our risen Lord Has bade me wake and grow !" The stream throws off its chains of ice And sings its song of glee, " Tis Easter-tide ! Our risen Lord Has bade me to be free !" The breezes sing to tender buds Within their cradles deep, Tis Easter-tide ! Our risen Lord Now bids thee wake from sleep !" The birds that weave their nests, the blue That peeps the clouds between; GARLAND OF SONG 75 The rain that sends refreshing drops To newly wakened green ; All sing the same glad song of hope, All join the prayerful chime "Our Lord has risen ! Praise to Him ! It is the Easter time ! While still the ringing chorus pours From Nature s throbbing throat, From every human heart we pray May float the answering note ! Tis Easter-tide ! Dear Risen Lord, May Virtue s seeds take root And may the harvest yield to Thee A hundred-fold of fruit! THE HYMN. Upon the incense-perfumed air The music wavelets float ; A hymn to Mother Mary pours From many a childish throat : On this day, O, beautiful Mother ! On this day we give thee our love ! Near thee, Madonna, fondly we gather, Trusting thy gentle care to prove !" 76 GARLAND OF SONG The tears unbidden rise and fall, For Memory s rushing tide Has borne me to a chapel sweet, From out this temple wide. We sang it thus, long years agone, Within that chapel dim, Mid flowers and lights and incense, too, Arose that self-same hymn. It rose from merry hearts that dreamed Earth knew not pain nor guile, And if a random tear e er fell Twas hidden in a smile. O, merry, trusting, pure young hearts Within that chapel dim, Did life s loud din have power to still The memory of that hymn? Or hush the voice of her who stood Our guide along the ways ? None knew thee. Sister, but to love, None named thee but to praise !" The grandest mind, the noblest heart, The life all rounded out ! E en from the grave she speaks to-day In hours of grief and doubt. Back from the Past we come ! Bless God And Mother Mary for that Past, So sweet, so pure, so full of love! Is t dead ? Nay ! not while life doth last ! GARLAND OF SONG 77 And as we sang in days of yore Our hearts sing now with deeper love : "Near thee, Madonna, fondly we gather, Trusting thy gentle care to prove !" GOING HOME. I ve traveled long and far, dear Lord, Upon life s varied way. I ve braved the storm, enjoyed the calm, Known night and sunny day! But now the windings of the road Are lost in straighter lines I m Going Home ; the rest draws near For which my spirit pines ! Of all the winding road I take A retrospective view ; Along it lie my tears and toil, Success and failure, too ! I see the bounding, buoyant hopes, The joyous, laugh-filled hours But now, dear Lord, I m Going Home, I ve culled life s thorns and flowers ! I ve drunk the promise sweet of dawn, I ve stood neath noon s red sky, I ve felt the twilight s tender peace, And now the night is nigh ! 78 GARLAND OF SONG I do not dread its darkness deep, It speaks of rest to me ! I m Going Home, dear Lord, at last, I m Going Home to Thee ! I m going home to Him who waits For me beyond the shade, So do not weep, though neath the grass My lowly bed be made! I long to sleep, then wake in bliss, The thought is joy to me ! I m Going Home, dear Lord, at last, I m Going Home to Thee! MOTHER MARIANA OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. The curtains of thy noble life With reverent hand I draw aside, To show the world the virtues rare That Vincent s Daughter fain would hide. Gifted beyond the lot of most, A bright young mind endowed with all That wins the plaudits of the world, Bows meekly down beneath Christ s thrall. She hears the "call" more sweet by far Than any music earth can play ; It leads her mid Christ s lowly poor, Along St. Vincent s fruitful way. GARLAND OF SONG 79 Life s silvery dawn, its golden noon, Its chastened, softened sunset hours, Are burdened for her dearest Lord With choicest buds from Virtue s bowers. The tender, helpless, lonely babe, That s left to weather life s hard storms, Finds shelter safe within her love, That waits beside with open arms. The fair young soul just reaching out To view the vista of its dreams, Is led by her up "Science Hills," But all the way glow Faith s strong beams. When cruel War stalked forth to lay His curse upon our treasured land, The soldier s pain-racked mind and frame Found soothing rest neath "Sister s" hand. But O the last, the sweetest years, When she, our "Mother," stood beside ! Years rich in grace and peace and love, And work for "Jesus Crucified!" Tears for our dead, our well-beloved, Our noble, kindly, loving one ! Above her grave we weep, but pray As she would wish, "Thy will be done !" 80 GARLAND OF S O N G Good-night, dear "Mother !" not "Good-bye !" You sailed away with Life s swift tide ! But O, dear heart ! you re safely moored Near Him you love, Christ Crucified! Good-night ! Good-night ! When morning breaks, Be thou the first to greet thy own ! To bid us welcome to the Feast We trust awaits us round the Throne. SUMMER DAYS. Blow, Summer breeze ! O how I love To feel your soft caress That charms away all care and thrills The soul with happiness. Rustle the leaves, the blossoms bend, And make the grasses wave, Let Summer load your wings with sweets, Ere Autumn digs its grave. O Summer days ! so dear to me, I m loath to let you go, To see your radiant beauty hide Beneath the Winter s snow. As all we love grows fairest when Death s angel draweth nigh, So you are sweetest near the time You fade away and die. GARLANDOFSONG 81 Summer days ! I cannot count Your precious gifts to me, Nor could I measure half the joys I ve gathered up from thee ! 1 can but store your treasures rich Deep down in memory s cell, And there, when life brings shadowy hours, I ll send my thoughts to dwell. THE NEW YEAR. The Old Year stands with hands outstretched, To take our own in parting clasp, And ere we lose his feeble touch, We feel the New Year s vigorous grasp. The Old Year moves along the road, To Memory s halls with pictures filled, Where old-time songs and old-time talks Will chime and ring till life is stilled. Beside us stands the bright New Year, Erect and strong in lusty youth, But round him folds a close-meshed veil, That hides from all the Future s truth. Yet he that s walked for any length Along life s dark or sunny ways, Yearns not to lift the veil that hides The joy or gloom of coming days. 6 82 GARLAND OF SON G For we who live the Past again, Who all its shade and sunshine see ; Know that fulfilled His promise was : "Just as thy day, thy strength shall be !" And thus no mystic veil we dread, But trust the God who loves us all, The watchful care that never sleeps, That even notes the sparrow s fall. TO MY DEAR FRIEND, A. G. A. husband dear, just lent to me To let me taste the sweets of love ! And then to fall asleep in God, To wake to Christmas joys above! Alas for us, the wife beloved, The precious, darling baby boy ! How can we face the lonely way, Bereft of thee, our dearest joy! 1 gaze along the road we ve passed, So full of blooming, fragrant flowers, Where songs of hope rang sweetly clear, And all the bliss of love was ours ! And now the kindly, noble heart, The ever-watchful tender care Are gone ! but O, with all my heart, I bless thee, dearest, lying there ! GARLANDOFSONG 83 I bless thee for the blissful years That made my life a happy dream ! I bless thee for the floods of joy That poured to me from Love s pure stream ! I bless thee for the noble life, A beacon-light still shining on, To guide along the darkened way The lonely wife, the baby son! God bless thee, dearest! In His love O may He hold thee evermore! O plead that on our aching hearts His balm of comfort He may pour ! PAUL. Face framed in aureole, golden bright, Eyes shining out with Heaven s own light, Cheeks tinted pink as the rose-leaf in June, Lips roundly curved like the silvery new moon, Dear little face to the window close pressed, Watching for "mother," the one he loves best! Love all around thee, O beautiful boy! Life sings for thee a sweet song of joy! Blessings and tenderest of care are thy own, God grant that "mother s" prayer reaches the throne, So that the dear little son may some day, Be "daddy s" prototype, her hope and stay. 84 GAR LAND OF SONG THE ROSES. Beautiful rose, with your crimson heart, Bowing to me from your trellised wall, Dropping your petals down here at my feet, Sending out perfume, as past me you fall ! Crimson your heart as the blood of my Lord, Flowing on Mother Church altars to-day ! Filling the world with its odors of grace, Washing the sins of the sinful away ! Stream never-ending, Fountain of love, Cooling the fires of our passion and pain, Strength ning the weak, and refreshing the strong, Pouring forth love as the skies pour the rain. WELCOME HOME. I ve heard the sweetest, softest strains That music calls to birth ! I ve gazed upon the fairest scenes That lie on God s fair earth ! And voices "tuned to melody" And beauy s face with starlit eyes Have met me in my wanderings Neath many foreign skies! But now in two dear words I hear The sweetest strains of all, As echoes glad of "Welcome Home!" Around me softly fall ! GARLAND OF SONG 85 O, brighter than the brightest skies My native ones now seem, And fairer than the fairest lands My own loved home I deem ! What orbs to me so beautiful As eyes of those I prize? What voices are so music-filled Neath any foreign skies? Sweet "Welcome Home!" Within your depths What bliss there lies for me, That with the hearts I love the best, Once more my own can be ! MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART. O month of the roses! O beautiful June! When over the earth all of nature s in tune ! When leaves in their rustlings talk back to the birds, And streams in their ripplings sing "songs without words," When mountains all bathed in the softest of mists, Look down on the valleys the sunbeams have kissed ! O beautiful month with the life-giving rays, To the dear Sacred Heart do we offer your days; To the Heart that was opened so long, long ago, That the stream of its mercy forever might flow, That the world might be cleansed in the deep crim son tide That flows evermore from the wound in the side ! 86 GARLAND OF SONG Where the weak find their strength, and the weary find rest ; Where the sinner finds peace and the saint grows more blest; Where the proud one is meek and the doubter finds light; Where the shades of repining steal far out of sight ; Where peace and tranquillity reign evermore ; O dear Sacred Heart ! we Thy blessing implore ! GO TO JOSEPH! Sometimes, roads of life are stony, And they bruise our aching feet; Sometimes, cup of life is bitter, Holding not a drop of sweet. Do you want a balm of healing? Will you quaff a wine that cheers? Go to Joseph ! He will give them, Let him wipe away your tears! Sometimes, roads have many turnings, Which to take is hard to know ; Sometimes, even friends forget us, And the storm-clouds hover low. Do you want the wisest counsel? Do you seek a friendship true ? Go to Joseph ! Ask his blessing ! It will flow in streams on you. GARLANDOFSONG 87 Some day when life s sun is sinking In the cloudlands of the west, And your dearest can but whisper, "Give to him eternal rest !" Do you know who ll not desert you, When Death s darkness folds o er you? Go to Joseph ! Trust him fully, He will prove a guardian true ! THE NEW YEAR S MESSAGE. Come, take my book, dear heart. Its leaves Are white as falling snow. The last year s volume, bound and clasped, Lies in the "Long ago !" Tis formed entire of God s dear will, This precious book I bear! Tis bound in Love and clasped by Faith, While Hope lies everywhere ! Across its leaves of spotless white, O trace in lines of light The thoughts and deeds that surely will Find favor in God s sight! And when with "Finis" written o er Tis laid within the Past, May many a happy New Year book Be thine, ere comes the last. GARLAND OF SONG MEMORY S ANSWER. Dead, do you say? Those days of old, With their pleasant paths and their hearts of gold, With the tears that dried as soon as they fell, With the joys that held us neath pleasure s spell, With the smiles that came at each merry word, With the songs the sweetest ear ever heard. Dead ? The hearts and the days, beloved so well ? Ah, never, while memory throws its spell All over the Past ! Outring the chimes From the merry days of the dear "Old Times," As true and as clear to the heart to-day, As they rang in the lands of the Far Away ! When toil grows heavy, and hearts grow sore, We hear the bells from the days of yore, And they never can die, those days of old, With their pleasant paths and their hearts of gold ! THE PRECIOUS BLOOD. O, ruby-tinted stream that flowed For us long years ago, Within whose lucid depths there glowed The love but God can show. Upon the cruel cross twas shed In love s grand mighty tide ! From hands, from feet, from thorn-crowned head And from the lance-pierced side ! GARLANDOFSONG 89 We greet thee, precious, precious blood, Glowing with love s pure light! With tears we view thee, wondrous flood, Bedewing Calvary s height. Each day upon our altars fair With softened lights you glow, All through the hearts there purified You gently, clearly flow. And each day, too, with eager love You come to sin-stained hearts, To bring them peace from Heaven above And hope s sweet joys impart. Come, come and with thy fervent heat O, melt the ice-bound heart! There nourish seeds of virtue blest, Bid weeds of vice depart ! There keep the lily and the rose, The violet so fair, Until one bright bouquet it glows To bloom near God fore er! TO ELIZA ALLEN STARR. And now the vesper bells have rung, The shades of night are here, While o er the deep, dark waves of Death The boatman s voice rings clear : 90 GARLAND OF SONG "Come, gentle soul, thy toil is o er ! The hour of rest has come ! The Father bids me summon thee To sail away toward Home. The smooth, still water speaks of sleep, No storm will break its calm, As on we sail to win for thee A victor s deathless palm !" MARCH. Whiz ! Whiz ! goes the wind like a cannon ball, Dashing on in a mad career! Whirling the snowflakes wildly round, Sighing and moaning and whistling near! Calling down through the fireplace wide, Taunting the flame as it leaps on high, Bending the trees and lashing the waves, The blustering month of March am I ! AN ACROSTIC. Earth rejoice, and hymn your praise ! Angels sing your heavenly lays ! Sin and Death are conquered now, To the risen Christ they bow ! Easter, glorious feast, is here ! Ring, O Alleluias, clear ! GARLAND OF SON G 91 THE CHAPEL LIGHT. Below, the hum of busy tongues, The sound of laughter gay; Above, the prayer of reverent hearts, Where God s pure love has sway. Below, the glare of gas or lamp To make the darkness bright ; Above, the golden softened glow The dear, dear Chapel Light ! Below, the lives of ceaseless toil To gain the gifts of earth; Above, the earnest prayer to win God s things they know their worth. Below, poor spirits war against The Lord of Holy Might; Above, submission s incense breathes Around the Chapel Light! Below, the world its cunning web Twines oft around the soul ; Above, the safeguards from its mesh, The helps to reach the goal. Below, Ambition s proud demands The noblest spirits blight ; Above, ah, naught but God s own peace Breathes round the Chapel Light! Pure, golden rays ! around thee still The tenderest memories rest! Our Chapel Light ! our Altar loved ! Our School, the dearest, best! 92 G ARLAN D O F S ON G O may God bless the treasured hearts That precious home once knew, And keep them fresh and pure as then, To childhood s teachings true ! Dear "Light of Home !" as darkness creeps, We watch thy rays appear, And hearts go forth to Him who rests Behind thy radiance clear ! O may our lives for Him e er glow Amid the world s dark night, And in His service, die away Like thee, dear Chapel Light! "GOD IS GOOD." "God is good," the dancing sunbeams Paint in tints of gold, "God is good," within their petals Nature s flowers enfold. "God is good," the sparkling raindrops Speak in music low, "God is good," the limpid brooklets Ripple as they flow. "God is good," rings thro the woodland, Birds peal forth the song, "God is good," the stars are beaming Mid their glorious throng. GARLAND OF SO NG 93 "God is good," the rainbow smileth From the glowing sky. "God is good," the south winds softly Through the forest sigh. "God is good!" All nature s ringing With the notes of praise ! "God is good!" O, man re-echo! Grateful peans raise. "God is good !" and man He loveth With an endless love ! "God is good !" O, may we sing it In His Home above ! REQUIESCANT! O, dear old mother lying there In arms of perfect Rest, "Pis not for thee that tears fall fast, While pity wrings the breast, But for the lonely, aching hearts That, mourning, weep to-day, Because the precious Light of Home Passed from their sight away. They know it has but glided on Along Death s calmest deep, To live, within the Heart of Him, Who gives His loved ones sleep. 94 GARLAND OF SONG Faith s star is shining through their tears, Hope sings within their souls, But O, tis Love that weeping stands Where Death s dark water rolls ! Yet He, who wept o er Lazarus dead, Chides not their yearning cry, But holds them near His Sacred Heart, And points beyond the sky, To where the Mother, patient, sweet, So loved, so treasured here, Still lifts her voice in suppliant prayer, For sister, children, dear. My girlhood s friend, turn back with me On road of "Auld Lang Syne," And list again our "Sister s" voice : Thy will, O Lord! not mine!" The human friend but weeps with Thee, Aid comes from Heart divine ! O take the chalice from His Hands! Thy will, O Lord! not mine! VOICES IN THE RAIN. Patter! Patter! Patter! Hear the Dropping of the rain! While it plays its mournful music On the roof and pane! GARLAND OF SONG 95 List the breezes, sobbing requiems O er the dying flowers! Faded leaves and grasses, children Of the summer hours ! And they wake a strain as saddening In the heart to-night. Stirring chords of longing for the Faces gone from sight! Patter! Patter! sadly falling On their graves so deep, But the raindrops may not rouse them From their dreamless sleep ! And yet, O dead and dying flowers, And grasses brown and sere, The dreary days will soon be o er, Life-giving spring appear ! Her dulcet tones will bid thee rise Lovely in form and hue, To grace again the velvet sward Bedecked in beauty new. And lonely hearts, the loved ones gone You ll meet beyond the skies Aglow r with all the light of love, That burns in Paradise. 96 GARLANDOFSONG A REVERIE. To every heart there comes a time When God sends bitter, bitter woes, And vainly through the vale of life, We seek a spot where sunlight glows. We sit and moan neath shadows dark, O er idols broken at our feet, And cry "O, grief and woe intense, No deeper pain our hearts can greet !" And yet to see a loved one s woe, Methinks is grief more deep, To gaze all helplessly on pain Love cannot lull to sleep. And though the heart so prized and tried Can hide the cloud neath sunny smile, To know that o er the brave, true life, The darkened hours still reign the while. And yet, ah, me ! we cannot lift One shadow from that life, The Love that floods our souls must lie All powerless in the strife. All powerless? Yes, until we kneel To Him who hears each sigh, And weep before the Sacred Heart That bled on Calvary high. GARLAND OF SONG 97 Then passing gently through our souls Sweet Hope her web can weave, And sing a hymn whose burden is, "Ask, and you shall receive." And though we know tis bitter woe To watch a loved one s pain, We feel that soon our prayers will wake The sunshine after rain. SUMMER S GOING. Summer s going! Summer s going! Nature sings in saddened tone ; Soon will sobbing Autumn breezes Wail o er leaves their requiem moan ! Soon the flowers will droop and wither, Pining for the sun s warm ray, And the earth s sweet songsters speed them To a softer clime away. Then will icy winds of Winter Fetter fast the forest stream, And the snow in lily whiteness All around us coldly gleam ! But then, when Spring s soft raindrops fall, The snow will disappear ; We ll list again the brooklet s voice And birds sweet music hear. 7 98 GARLAND OF SONG The sun his brightest rays will beam, And wake anew the flowers, And earth with siren voice soon hail The Summer s gladsome hours ! Souls are losing, souls are losing Fairest beauties day by day ; Winds of sin come sweeping o er them Bearing Truth s green leaves away ; Flowers of virtue droop and wither, Pine they all for love s warm ray ; Dim the lamp of Faith is burning; Hope s sweet songsters speed away. All that s good, and all that s noble, Far off, slowly, surely roll ; Dark Despair, with icy fingers, Tightly grasps the shrinking soul. But then God s grace like Spring s soft rains Soon melts the icebound heart, And bids sweet Hope chime forth again And dread Despair depart ! The flowers of virtue raise their heads To greet the sun of love ; The lamp of Faith beams out again, Lit by the Hand above. The soul pours forth a gladsome strain; Tis echoed e en on high. Sing, happy soul, sing on for aye, Thy Summertime is nigh ! GARLAND OF SONG 99 MY ROSARY. My chaplet fair of shimmering pearls! My rosary, dear to me! How many a hope and thought and care I ve whispered unto thee! How many a time my fingers slipped Along each shining stone, While every "Ave" from my lips Was sorrow s sobbing moan ! But with "Hail Mary" came a calm That soothed the bitter pain, And tears gave birth to flowers of peace, As buds aw r ake in rain ! How many a time those Aves rose, Burdened with joy and praise, Rose from a heart as full of bliss As sunbeams are of rays ! And softly fell Hail Marys then At our dear Mother s feet, And while I knelt her grateful child The sweetness grew more sweet! When doubt s dense darkness gathered round And hid the light from me, How many a time, O rosary loved! I told the tale to thee ! 100 GARLAND OF SO N G And then "Hail Mary full of Grace" Lit up the darkened sky, And Doubt stole off, a vanquished foe, While Hope and Peace drew nigh! Thou art a friend that never broke The trust reposed in thee ! Thou art a fount that never failed To yield deep draughts to me! Thou knowest all my hopes and fears, My sorrow, joy and care, Yet thou art silent, save to me, O Rosary! loved and fair! THE BELLS. How fair ! how sweet this world of ours, Now Summer reigns its queen! What stores of joy for us abide In woods, neath skies serene! O deep the draughts of peace we quaff While roaming quiet dells, And listening, as the shadows fall, To chimes from distant bells ! Long, long ago, o er storm-tossed seas, A "Peace, be still !" was heard ; The troubled waves grew strangely calm, Obedient to His word. GARLAND OF S ON G 101 Methinks, if o er my soul there flowed Of saddening thoughts a tide, Could I but list the bells at eve The tempest would subside. Peace ! peace ! they ring from out their heights, From out the home of prayer, To hearts that bravely strive to breast The mighty waves of care ! O hark the promise of the bells, "Peace ! After troubled days, Peace! If you seek it from the God We call on you to praise !" FANCY S CHIMINGS. Fancy s chimings ! How we love them In the morning of life s day, When they ring out Hope s rich promise, Ring it all along the way! Fancy s chimings ! How we listen In life s fervid hour of noon, Building, while they ring their message, Castles, crumbling all too soon! Fancy s chimings! How they brighten Life s long, lonely, evening hours, Bearing us upon their music Into restful, dream-filled bowers. 102 GARLAND OF SO NG A FANCY. Two brooklets, in their silvery course, Long days ran side by side, And loved the path they rambled through. The verdant valley wide. They loved each other ; every beam Sent down to light their foam Was shared, and brighter seemed than rays That glanced outside their home. Or if the shade e er fell athwart, They rippled songs of cheer, Until the shadow stole away To show the sunlight clear. O merrily, merrily passed those days When love smiled over all, And brooklets sang they d constant be Whatever might befall. One day they reached the valley s end ; A forest grand they spied, And sped to greet its shady depths, As ever side by side. But when they entered, one, all dazed By flowers so strange and fair, By trees that seemed to touch the sky And songs that filled the air, GARLAND OF SONG 103 And, more than all, by placid streams That gently flowed beside, Sped from the friend of other days. Through newer paths to glide. The lonely streamlet mourns the vale Where love smiled over all, And brooklets sang of constancy Whatever might befall. AUTUMN DAYS. You beam around our every path, O softened Autumn days ! The sweetest smiles of nature s face Aglow with golden rays ! W T e love you, month of sunset lights, The best of all the year, And yet the heart is saddest when Your whisperings greet the ear ; For vanished days with all their joys Before the soul arise, Till every breeze seems laden with A chorus of good-byes ! Imagination, airy sprite, Come, fold your arms around And hie with me to pastoral scenes Where songs of peace resound ! The city s roaring, surging waves Of noise seem strange to-day ! 104 GARLAND OF SONG They clash and chafe I fain would rest Corqe, hasten far away To woodland haunts where Autumn winds Sing requiems sad but sweet, For russet, gold and crimson leaves Asleep beneath our feet ! How full of rest those grand old woods ! But noble, stately trees, Why must your leaves of changing light Fly with each passing breeze? "Their work is done ! The Summer long They threw their cooling shade ; Lovely in life, see e en in death Their beauty does not fade ! Will you not miss their clinging arms, Their music night and day?" "Ah, yes !" the branches sighed, "but we The voice of God obey !" O human, restless hearts ! When joy Lies dead beneath our feet, Why not believe "It brightened life, Its work is now complete !" And why not let its memory live, A thing of beauty bright, To crush rebellious thoughts gainst Him Who bore it from our sight? O Fancy ! spirit kind to me ! Your wand is laid aside! GARLAND OF SONG 105 Back to the city s busy din We fly from woodlands wide ! But as the fevered earth revives Beneath the welcome rain, So you a cooling hand have pressed On brow and heart and brain ! APRIL. Skies of blue and skies of gray, Hours of sun and shade, Tears that soon are merged in smiles, Smiles that quickly fade; Such are April s varied days, Month of sunny showers, Waking emerald grass and leaves, Brooks and springtime flowers. AT REST. Along the old familiar ways, While smile the skies o erhead, While trees are robed in Summer s garb And blossoms sweetness shed, With stricken hearts we slowly pass Through paths beloved fore er, To the fair "city of the dead," The precious mother bear. 106 GARLAND OF SONG Here, where her youth s fair sunshine streamed, Where shadows sometimes fell, We lay her mid the scenes and friends Her loyal heart loved well. They press around, the friends beloved, And gaze on marble brow, On silent lips, on death-touched eyes, That cannot greet them now. Dear generous heart ! so brave, so bright, As true as shining steel ! O never, never more thou lt throb At aught of woe or weal! And though thy children bend o er thee, With hearts that ache and yearn, Thy soft, dark eyes no more on earth Will love s fond gaze return. But list ! Through my heartdepths are wafted sweet tones, And I see, through the shadows, soft light; Look, look on the sky in its beauty and peace, And turn from the grave s deepened night ! O children, so worthy the loved one asleep! The tomb is her pathway to life, To eternity glorious, teeming with bliss, Freed forever from care and from strife. GARLAND OF SONG 10? Through memory s halls you will evermore hear The tones that so fondly you love, Till at last in a melody sweet they will blend With your own, in the mansions above. Then gaze on the sky smiling blue overhead, And turn from the grave s shadows deep, O trust the dear Father who chastens His own And who gave the beloved one sleep. ON DECK. I gaze on the restless, rolling waves, As they pass beneath my eye, And list while they moan and sob and fret, For the shores of rest they sigh ! But I know that beneath their heaving breasts, Below where the eye can reach, Is a deep, a wondrous land of calm, A peace surpassing speech ! I think of some hearts that I have known, Noble and strong and brave, That have bent so many, many times Neath sorrow s rolling wave; That have felt the tempest s fury break On every side, but found A harbor safe in God s dear heart, A rest, a peace profound ! 108 GARLAND OF SONG And the world saw naught but the storms of pain That over the surface broke, Knew naught of the deep where the soul found peace, As alone with its God it spoke. MY GIFT. Sweet blossoms robed in beauty s garb, You come to me to-day To whisper messages of love From friends so far away. To haunts where balmy breezes blow, Where air is filled with song, You bear me off on fancy s wings From out the city s throng; Away where leaves on woodland paths Glow golden ere they die, As faces that we love appear More sweet as death draws nigh ; To where in spirit now I list To birds whose notes arise Clearer, methinks, because full soon They ll sing neath Summer skies ! O pansies ! with your eyes of blue And hearts of sunny gold, And robes of purple clinging round In softest velvet folds ! GARLAND OF SONG 109 I read upon your blooming cheeks The sender s loving thought, And for the welcome gift my heart With gratitude is fraught. You ve borne to me the peace that hides In rural scenes away, And filled my soul with thoughts that made Me better for their stay. A blessing on the blossoms pure ! God s gifts of bounteous love ; That draw the heartstrings far from earth, To bind them fast above! THE PROCESSION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. The waves of sorrow flood the soul ; They buffet fierce and fast; They toss and sweep, they roar and surge, Till Hope seems drowned at last ! Not yet, dear soul ! Sweet help is nigh In Jesus passing, passing by ! The clouds of doubt loom up before. So dense and darkly drear ! No faith in God ! No trust in man ! The skies will never clear! Look up, dear soul ! Sweet light draws nigh In Jesus passing, passing by! 110 GARLAND OF SONG The fires of sin, like desert winds, Sear up the flowers of grace! Despair, with parching lips, exclaims : "No hope to see His face !" Arise, dear soul ! Sweet mercy s nigh In Jesus passing, passing by ! O priest, who bears the God of Hosts To scatter blessings rare ! No powerful potentates of earth In rank with thee compare ; Be pure as snow on mountains high, For you hold Jesus, passing by ! ALICE. Dear girl, with sparkling eyes aglow, Where merry laughter s sunbeams played, With ruby lips, with cheeks of rose. With brow where youth and beauty made Their home ! The big, wide world to thee So bright and happy ever seemed ; For naught but love thy portion was, And all its sunshine near thee streamed ! O radiant girl! Sweet vine of love That grew within thy mother s heart, Until its tendrils twined around Its every deepest, sacred part ! GARLAND OF SONG 111 That stretched its clinging arms to fold Across thy priestly brother s life ! Twas hard to see death tear the roots While life with joy and youth were rife ! My Lord has need of flow rets gay," ( Twas thus the poet spoke for death) ; And so I reap the blossoms bright, The bearded grain at every breath ! And now," he cries, "I tore your vine To plant it where no touch can kill ; The flower that graced it while on earth, In God s rich garden bloometh still." Sweet Alice, with the deep, dark eyes, The face where smiling beauty lay, To faith s clear sight thou art not dead, Just gone, a little while, away! The mother, brother, dearly loved, Have bidden thee a fond good-night! But O, the eternal God sent bliss That waits the dawn of heaven s light ! THE BOYS HYMN. List the boyish voices ringing Clear and silvery through the air, While the burden of their singing Is the tender, loving prayer: 112 GARLAND OF SONG "Mother Mary, tell our Jesus That we love Him fond and true, And, O Mary, dearest mother, Tell Him we belong to you !" Sing they now in life s fair morning-, In the dawning of the day, While the sun of Hope s rich promise Throws its radiance o er their way. We, who ve known life s heat and burden. Who have bowed beneath its care, Echo, while we list their singing, "Mother Mary, hear their prayer!" Save them from the snares that wait them, Guide them through each devious way, Keep them from the world unsullied, Hear them, heed them while they pray ! MAY. Thy winds caresses are ; skies, smiles ; The flowers, thy treasures rare ; Thy music is the bird s clear note ; Thy robe, Spring s vesture fair. Thou art a month of promise rich, As o er the hills you stray, With sunny face, and whisper low From balmy winds, O May! GARLAND OF SONG 113 We love thee well, O days of May ! Thou rt Mary s very own ! And nearer, dearer does she seem While thou art on Spring s throne ! LIFE S FLOWERS. Along your road, O dear old life, The sweetest blossoms grow ! I cannot cull one half I see, They bloom and cluster so ! In such profusion do they lie, Their names I cannot call ; I can but stoop and gather fast Their petals as they fall. I do not like to hear men say Life s way is choked with weeds, For well I know twas they that sowed The deadly noxious seeds. Nor do I care to hear them sigh Of thorns that cut and tear; What if they wound, when all around The roses scent the air? The flowers of gentle, patient tones, Of words of kindly cheer, Of joyous laughter, pleasant smiles, Of hand-clasps, warm, sincere, s 114 GARLAND OF SONG Of thoughtful, bliss-producing deeds, Of loving, tender prayer. dear old life, these blossoms sweet Fall from you everywhere ! 1 lift them up with gentle hands. The beauteous flowers of earth The hours, the days, the years that make A wreath of joy and mirth ! But O, gainst throbbing, thankful heart, With reverent touch I lay The blossoms rarest, best of all The friendships on Life s way ! THE DEAD MOTHER. Aye ! weep as you gaze on that lifeless form, On that peace-filled pallid brow, On the hands that are laid o er the pulseless breast. And the lips that are silent now ; For the noblest, tenderest heart that beat Is numbered among the dead, And the sweetest spirit that ever breathed, From its dwelling below hath fled. Dear, waxen hands ! Our own no more In greeting warm you ll hold ; And smiles of welcome ne er will wreathe The lips now still and cold. GARLAND OF SONG 115 So beautiful in death thou art, Like child asleep who dreams He visits lands aglow with flowers, Green trees, and running streams. Dear, gentle one ! In sunnier days, How brightly beamed thy smile ; And, when the shadows fell, it shone With softer light the while. The heaviest crosses on thee laid Were meekly borne, O patient one ! Amid thy sorrows deepest shades, Arose the prayer, "Thy will be done !" Tis ended now, the weary pain ; And gazing on thy placid brow, We feel, if aught could break that calm, Thou wouldst not wish it broken now For surely thou lt awake to life In realms of light above, To wear the crown thy crosses bought From His unfailing love. O tender blossoms left on earth To breast life s storms alone. How bravely bend ye to the task Without a sigh or moan ! God bless and keep you in His love Till Heaven one day can show A glorious counterpart of "Home," So sadly wrecked below ! 116 OUR MOTHER. Upon the soil of Mother Church, What lovely blossoms grow ! Each petal decked in fairest hues That Nature can bestow ! They re sparkling with the dew of faith, They re nourished with our prayers, And, strange to say, they re brightest when We know life s tears and cares ! Within the garden plot reserved For Mary, spotless queen, The sweetest blossoms lift their heads From sward of living green. She gives with generous, open hand To those who for them pray, And scatters them most lavishly, When shines the sun of May. The passion-flower she twines around Each wearing, heavy cross ; With rose of love she compensates For every earthly loss ; Her snowy lilies nestle near The poor, repentant soul ; Her blue-eyed violets shyly plead, When pride is in control. For every ill, for every grief, Our Mother holds a balm ; GARLAND OF SONG The flowers from out her garden live Amid life s storm and calm. O Mother dear, bequeathed to us From Calvary s Cross ! we pray In life, in death, be thou our own, Our lovely Queen of May ! GOD KNOWETH ALL. Dear soul ! the night of bitter woe Is closing round thy life ! Dark, dark the shades that compass thee Of sorrow, care and strife. But through the dense and lowering clouds A star of beauty peers, And from the darkened sky, a song Of promise greets the ears: "The heavy, gloomy shades may fall, God knoweth all ! God knoweth all !" The world is beautiful, dear soul, Its sunshine all is thine ! But comes the bitter thought that round Thy youth Death s arm must twine. That soon the boatman grim will bear Thee o er the silent deep. And yet there s One who ll watch with Him That peaceful, dreamless sleep ; The sun may rise, the night may fall ; God knoweth all ! God knoweth all ! 118 GARLAND O F SONG O, breathe it thro the heart of woe, This sweet, this blessed truth ! To struggling souls, to doubting minds, Old age and restless youth ! His care is hovering o er His own, The God who notes the sparrow s fall : O music filled, joy-bringing thought, "He knoweth all! He knoweth all!" HOMESICKNESS. Your city home is grand, I know, In all that wealth can buy, Sweet sounds, fair sights on every side, Entrance the ear and eye. But while you bid me happy be Amid the splendors here, My truant heart goes wandering back To scenes more fondly dear. A little vine-embowered cot With roses climbing o er, That ope to hummingbirds that flit Like sunbeams past the door. The lawn where shade and sunshine lie, The hills where breezes play, The bridge that spans the brook that sings Forever on its way. GARLAND OF SONG 119 O treasures strewn with lavish hands, I d gladly you resign, If once again that dear old cot, That long-lost home were mine! O dulcet tones now breathing round, Once sweeter strains I knew, And robins sang them o er the lane, Where many blossoms grew! So, though your mansion gorgeous is, In all that wealth can yield, My yearning thoughts go straying back To cot and lane and field; And I would give the world to-day But once again to roam The hills, the grassy meadows wide, Around my childhood s home ! GOOD-BYE. It speeds away Each Summer day, Still brimming o er with light and song; And I would stay Its onward way, As on Time s wings it flies along. O sunny hours Of trees and flowers, You ve spread a feast of peace and rest ! 120 GAR LAND OF SONG Could your repast, But always last, I d ever be your happy guest. Where joys abound, Where mirth is found, In the quaint old house by shaded ways, For me twas there Your treasures rare Were richly stored, O Summer days ! Twas there the flowers Of friendship s bowers With lavish hands were strewn for me ; Where the warm seeds Of kindest deeds And words, became Love s faithful tree. O evening hours Where silvery showers Streamed out from Luna s disc of light ! With jest and song, You sped along, And left but mem ry in your flight ! With Byron s hills, And rippling rills, And valleys clothed in verdure bright, O Summer days In mem ry s rays, You ll ever live in purest light ! GARLAND OF SO NG 121 And while I say Good-bye to-day To sylvan scenes and skies of blue, I fondly pray, God bless for aye, The friends I ve found so leal and true ! GOOD NIGHT! Good night! Dear, loyal, noble friend, The sunset hour is near! You rest within its golden rays, We wait in shadows here ! We watch your ship go sailing past Amid the waves of light, And stand on shore with saddened hearts To waft you our "Good night !" Good night, dear life, as guileless as The snowy, brooding dove ; As trusty as the stars that shine In matchless light above ; As noble as the knight of old ; As simple as a child, But wise in lore that makes men saints, And keeps them undefined. Good night ! Good night ! dear heart, for us, With deepest loving filled! No more on earth we ll clasp the hands Now crossed, so white and stilled; 122 GARLAND OF SONG No more on earth those deep brown eyes Will turn in love to ours ! Good night ! Good night ! but not good-bye ! We wait the morning hours ! Good night ! God grant the boy you loved Beyond all power to tell, Has whispered on the shores of day "My father ! All is well !" Good night, my dear true friend, you ve sailed Far with life s ebbing tide ! But O the joy of morning s dawn In Heaven s harbor wide ! LOVE IS BEST. A wond rous power, O shining gold! Is lurking in your burnished face. To yield to sense all things desired. And poverty s dread shadows chase. But you can never still the moan That s wrung from out a sorrowing breast : When suffering touches sons of Earth, Then "Love is best ! Dear Love is best !" And when the wayward restless soul Would pass along forbidden ways, There s naught can w r in it back to truth Like Love s sweet voice or Love s sad gaze. GARLAND OF SONG 123 Deprived of Love we still could live ; But life, how strange a thing twould be ! All drear and cold without its smile, While with it darkest shadows flee And, when Death s Angel hovers nigh, Tis not to wealth or power we ll turn ; The trembling soul will eager crave That light of Love beside it burn. The Love of Earth ! The Love of Heaven ! Ah ! he who feels its might is blest For, since it broke a heart divine, "Dear Love is best! Dear Love is best!" THE OLD BELL. Ringing out upon the stillness Peals the old familiar bell, That so often asked an entrance Into scenes I loved full well. Memory now with touch so skillful, Plays her sweet and tender note, Happy schooldays, bright and blissful On her music wavelets float ! And once more I list to teachings From a mind with wisdom fraught ; Once again Religion s lessons By the same dear lips I m taught. 124 GARLAND F SONG Merry jest and joyous laughter Ring anew in music clear ; Spirits light e er dwelt within thee, Schoolroom precious, bright and dear! But the earth with bitter sorrow Filled the hearts that lightest throbbed ; Sunny hopes and aspirations Crushed were soon, of brightness robbed. Still, the lessons learned while with thee, Teach us where to look for aid, Faith there nurtured, ever strengthens, Love and Hope will never fade. E en though earth bestow her brightest, I will ne er as happy be, As in days when those I treasured Dwelt with me, dear school, in thee ; Other steps are echoing through thee, Thou art now the stranger s home, But, dear school, love will not yield thee, Thou rt my own, where er I roam ! O, my happy, happy school days ! Gone from me forevermore! Joys the fairest, hopes the brightest, Fled with thee, a glittering store! Other scenes may yet surround me, Other friendships yet be mine, But, fond memory, like the ivy, Round my school days e er shall twine. CARL AN D OF SONG 125 Time, my love can never weaken, They will ne er less bright appear, Only death the bond can sever, School friends, schoolroom, all so dear ! SISTER S GOLDEN JUBILEE. So many years, my Jesus sweet! Since first I heard Thy call ! Through life s fair morn, and noon and eve, Thou wert my own, my all ! O precious day, my own Beloved ! That called me close to Thee ! And blessings on Thee, Bridegroom loved, That chose unworthy me! Time s chaplet knew the silver stones, And now in gold it gleams ! While "Fifty years Saint Vincent s child," All through its radiance beams ! O dear Saint Vincent, father blest ! Hear thou my prayer to-day! Help me in truth as well as name To be thy "child," for aye. And while I walk life s sloping hill, While twilight shadows fall, Take thou my hand, O help me keep The graces of the "Call !" 126 GARLAND OF SONG TO THE VERY REV. P. J. CONWAY. I knew a garden fair and wide, Where blossomed many flowers ; And tender was the gardener s care Of all its leafy bowers. His hand destroyed the noxious weeds That peeped above the sod, And cherished every beauteous bud, Fresh from the love of God. Within his heart, to each bright flower, Of love he gave a share ; But there were some fair blooming ones That felt his tenderest care : The Lily with its snowy cup The Rose of regal grace The Violet that hid away Its sweet and winsome face. Brighter and brighter, day by day, His floral treasures grew More fair, more pleasing to his eye In number, strength and hue. But soon a message sped to him That called him from his own, And other hands now tend the plants Whose seeds by him were sown. Will those bright flowers, so well beloved- The souls to him so dear Wither beneath the stranger s care, And lose their radiance clear? GARLAND OF SONG 127 Ah, no ! Our guide and friend revered, Still strong and fair we ll bloom, Whether tis sunshine from on high, Or leaden skies of gloom ! Farewell ! We ll miss thy beaming smile- Thy greeting warm and true The ready sympathy we met When clouds o ercast the blue. But still we would not stay thy course; God keep thee in His love ! Farewell ! We ll bless thy honored name, Until we meet above ! RETROSPECTION. Tis twilight s dreamy hour ! I sit Within the firelight s glow, And conjure up with mystic spell The scenes of "Long Ago!" I see again the schoolroom loved. The girlish faces bright ! I hear once more the merry laugh. And tones from hearts as light As thistledown. And now their eyes Are fixed with earnest gaze Upon one face, the most revered Of girlhood s happy days. 128 GARLAND OF SONG She leads us slowly, surely up The hill of knowledge high, And stones seem smooth and heights seem low With her dear presence nigh. Our faith grows strong and broad and deep, While noblest thoughts arise, As Sister points the narrow way That leads beyond the skies. And now the loving eyes are turned, While fervent prayers ascend, Where tapers burn before the shrine Of Mary, Mother, Friend! The firelight dies, the shadows fall ; The schoolroom fades away; O faces loved ! or grave, or gay, Where are ye all to-day ? Some, God s own spouses, labor on Within His vineyard blest, And some, beneath the verdant sod, In dreamless slumber rest ! The years for some most bitter draughts, For others, sweetness pour, But weal or woe has never dimmed The memories fond of yore ! GARLAND OF SONG 129 O schoolday joys, the purest, best, That life can ever know ! O girlhood friends ! O teachers loved ! O happy "Long Ago!" We bless our God you once were ours, And O we fondly pray, That our dear Sisters and their girls May meet in Heaven some day ! SUNSET HOUR. Fair Day has climbed the hills of Eve, And lingers on its height, To flood the earth from beauty s fount, Ere comes the sombre night ! She gazes on the waves of light That ripple from the sky, Then goes with slow, reluctant step, As if so loath to die ! When life s brief day has reached the mount Beyond which lies death s gloom, As earth recedes,, will all its joys A fairer garb assume? Will the sweet love that filled our souls With bliss of Paradise, Seem richer, rarer, nobler far, When sunset tints the skies ? 9 GARLAND OF SONG Oh ! if our own are still on earth. When life s night hours draw nigh, Be sure we ll turn to gaze on each With eager, longing eye, Unless Faith whisper : Though the night Is creeping on apace, An endless dawn will see thee clasp Thy loved in fond embrace ! WHICH ? "I think," said a man whose snowy hair, Whose wrinkled brow and faded eye Betrayed a near approach to death, "That the bliss of heaven in peace must lie ! That we long to reach its shores because We ll never again know care or toil, But rest in His arms through endless days, Away from all sounds of earth s turmoil." "I think," said a youth with flashing orbs, And a form erect in strong young pride, "That we yearn to go to our God because In His Heart we shall all be satisfied! No more will we know the longing for love For a joy, for a fame we ne er can reach, Like the waves that are striving far out at sea, But can never caress the shining beach !" GARLAND OF SONG 131 I think," said a winsome, blue-eyed girl, "We wish to fly beyond the skies, That we may drain to its deepest depths The cup of loving in Paradise ! He will press us close to His tender Heart The souls that are joined with Him above, And I know that heaven is heaven because Tis filled with the sweets of a boundless love !" GOLDEN WEDDING. June, the month of roses ! June, the Summer s queen ! June, the fairest jewel In year s chaplet seen ! June, so lovely, winsome, Even the Heart Divine Lets His creatures offer It before His shrine! Fifty years together!" So June sings to-day! Surely God s sweet blessing Rested on your way! With your children s children Gathered round your side, And with hearts as loyal, As when groom and bride ! 132 GARLAND OF SONG Let me send my greetings In this month of flowers ; May God s choicest blessings Fill the coming hours ! May the "golden" jewel With its glimmering light Yield in distant future Place to "diamond" bright. THE LEAF. A leaf that had clung to a poplar tree All through the Summer fair, Fluttered to earth one Autumn day, And as it slowly withered away, This was its wistful prayer : "Dear tree, would I could cling to thee Once more before I die ! I d tell thee of the love that rilled My heart, and through my being thrilled In happy days gone by. "While thy protecting arms were near, My voice was ever dumb; Now tis too late for thee to hear The songs of love so sweet and clear In death the power is numb." GARLANDOFSONG 133 Ah ! many a life at its fading away, As the dying leaf will feel, As the pang of a love but half confessed, Of a feeling of gratitude half expressed, All through the soul will steal. And the thought of the tender words ne er said, Caresses e er denied, That our well beloved so longed to know, Will surge through the soul in streams of woe, A fierce, o ermastering tide ! TO SISTER MARY: DAUGHTER OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. Sleep ! Sleep ! my beloved ! For thou rt wearied at last By the Cross thou hast borne through the years of the past! Rest, rest, my own Spouse ! In the arms of my Love, And awake but to glory and beauty above! The summons has come from the mansion of light, The voice of the Bridegroom is heard in the night, The music of Heaven is borne deep within, And stills earthly discords, its pain and its din. Thou rt gone, and the world seems to grow strangely drear To the hearts that have loved thee for many a year ! Thou rt gone and the grief of thy children is deep, As they gaze on thee now, in thy last peaceful sleep. 134 GARLAND OF SON G Wise head, that directed and governed in Love ! Kind heart, whose sweet Charity blossomed above ! Pure soul, of whose beauty but Jesus can tell! O, how can we whisper to these, our farewell ! Farewell to the life that was one strain of song, Whose notes fell like silver, so pure and so strong ! For the Angels have listened, have pleaded, and lo ! "Tis heard past the skies, and tis ended below ! Ended ? Ah, no ! it is breathing around And hushing the wail of the "Requiem" sound ! Tis soaring aloft in the "Gloria s" notes, While Sister s loved spirit o er all of us floats. O, beautiful life and beautiful rest, Near the altar of Him thy true heart loved the best! For Him didst thou live, didst thou suffer and die, Thou gavest Him all and now Heaven is nigh. Dear friend of our childhood ! thy memory will rest For aye with the ones thy pure lifetime has blest! Plead for the Sisters and child of thy love, Plead for us all with the Savior above ! Ah, well, dear companions ! The battle s not long, Let grief be subdued by the Faith that is strong ; And patience, my Sisters ! she ll meet you one day Where Love knows no sunset or dimming of ray ! GARLAND OF SON G 135 GOD S WISDOM. If the Father had set the fair crown of each life With naught but Joy s diamonds and gold, How much that is noble, and tender, and sweet, Would we miss in a world strangely cold ! If we never had wept in our passionate grief O er the form of the loved, gone from earth, Could we light the fair lamp that would shed its bright ray Thro the soul where the shadows had birth. If we never had shrunk, in our quivering pain, When cut by a look or a word, When passion was roused, mid its tumult and din, Could sweet, patient meekness be heard? If "good-byes" never brought us their dumb, bitter pain, If our hearts idols always were near, Our God we d forget, and the soul s destined Home, While forever we d wish to be here. If we never had struggled and lost in the fight, If our natures were easily tamed, Would we stretch helping hands to the brother that erred, Would we pity when others but blamed? Ah, no ! if the sword never entered our hearts, If the tears ne er bedewed our own eyes, But little we d care for another s dark life, While sunshine lit up our own skies. 136 GAR LAND OF SONG And so the wise Father besprinkles each crown, With pearls, whether many or few, They re the teardrops that fall and awake into life, The gems that are fairest to view. Then bless Him, and praise Him, the all knowing God, That sends us the crosses we need, For He sees, with the eyes of His merciful Love, Our hearts will be His if thev bleed! LINES. O happy soul ! O happy soul ! How blest, how blest thou art, Through all the din, to hear the call That binds thee to His Heart! To know, those lovely wounded Hands, Since life awoke for thee, Outstretched have been, to lead thee on, "His own beloved" to be ! O, sweet the love that earth can yield, But then it knows decay; And sweet the joys that live in life, Yet they, too, fade away. But thou hast found, in His dear Heart, Unfailing joy and love. O, happiness begun on earth To live for aye above ! GARLAND OF SONG 137 Ah ! down in that deep wound of Love, You ve placed your vows sincere, To hold the poor and lowly hearts As he e er held them dear. As "He was subject" thou wilt be, His voice thou lt ever hear, And in thy soul sweet chastity Will steadfast beam, and clear. O, happy one ! O, happy one ! Our Jesus spouse to be ! The angels bend in wondering love To feast their eyes on thee. O, keep undimmed the Bridegroom s crown That s beaming on your brow, Until you gaze upon that Heart That won your virgin vow. THE BRIDEGROOM S CALL. "Arise, my Beloved !" Tis the Bridegroom that calls, He longs for His Spouse, in His heavenly halls! A smile lights her face as the sun lights the west ! The Rose of Columba s is gone to her rest ! The Cross was borne bravely, the Crown is now won. She hears from her Master His loving "Well done." Thrice nobly she toiled in His field till the last, And Death had no terrors when life s day was past. 138 GARLAND OF SONG None know but to love her, and many a tear Falls hot on the casket of her they hold dear. Aye ! even the stranger will feel the drop start As he lists to the tale of her warm, noble heart. O, soul that was noble and earnest and kind ! O, life where the rarest of virtues we find! O, mind ever pure as the white lily-flower! How sadly they ll miss you, each day and each hour ! Thy children, whose tears fall so fast on thy grave, Will miss the loved teacher, that to them oft gave The lessons of wisdom, of virtue and love, That fitted for earth and for Heaven above. Thy Sisters ! Ah ! well may they weep for thee now, As they press the last kiss on thy cold, pallid brow, For never again will Columba s own bower Be graced by a Rose like its transplanted flower. But not for her, Sisters, should "Requiems" moan Let rather "Te Deum" burst forth its grand tone. Her spirit, too noble, through earth s walks to roam, Now basks in the sunshine of God s blessed Home ! O, Daughter of Vincent ! thrice happy and blest, At the feet of thy Father to peacefully rest And wait, while thy hymn with the seraphs ascends, Till the message speeds forth to thy loving earth- friends. GAR LAND OF SONG 139 Till, while in each bosom love s light purely glows, In Heaven they ll greet thee, their own Sister Rose ! Ah ! then with such joy will the meeting be fraught They ll forget the deep pain that the parting hours brought ! OCTOBER. "O what is so rare as a day in June !" Excepting a day in October! When breezes are singing a requiem strain As brimming with sweetness as tis with pain, A sigh for the days that are over! Oh, these are the hours I long to roam The woods and the vales of Byron! To list while the music from feathered throats Is gushing and pouring in silvery notes More sweet than the songs of a siren. To tread on a carpet deep with leaves All tinted with Autumn glory, And read in each leaf of changing light, So russet and red, so golden and bright, Of life and of death the story! The tree is the life, and the leaves the joys That cluster and blossom beside it ; But they slip from our grasp as the days go by And the scar that remains as away they fly. Ah ! we do our best to hide it. 140 GARLAND OF SO NG But when o er the scars a new joy grows, The world to our eyes seems fairer; And thus do we live, while each brief day That flies to our lives on its onward way, Is a joy or a sorrow bearer. Till at length life s tree sees its strength depart, Sees the last of its joys or sorrow; And is glad to gaze upon Death s stern face, To feel, while it yields to its close embrace, Twill never know earth s to-morrow ! ONE DAY. O er a golden field near a silvery lake, With the emerald isles between; O er the yellow grain and the buckwheat white, And the meadows deeply green ; O er the woods where the leaves of the oak and the elm Bend low as the winds go by, Where the wild flowers peep from the velvet sward And the streamlet ripples by; Where the notes of the birds and the songs of the brook And the hum of the busy bee, With the softened sounds from the fields afar, Are all that are borne to me, G ARLAN D OF SON G 141 I gaze, while a cloudless sky smiles o er The beautiful, peaceful scene, And never, I know, were treasures as rich Spread out before king or queen. The world may come with its dreams of fame, Of wealth and of deepest bliss, But never a joy in its storehouse vast, Compares with a day like this ! O, the sweetest songs that were ever sung, Ring over the farm to-day! And the sweetest tales that were ever told, Are heard while the breezes play ! And this grand old earth seems the fairest spot That mortal heart may know, While the soul o erflows with a grateful love To the God that made it so. NO SPOT IN THEE. Spotless spouse of holy Joseph, Lily of the scented May, From our hearts we fondly greet thee, Macula non est in te! Sorrow s thorns so often wound us, Thou can st take the sting away, Mother Mary, ever tender! Macula non est in te! 142 GARLAND OF SON G Clouds of doubt oft times surround us, Truth s clear sunbeams near thee play, Thou hast never, never failed us, Macula non est in te ! Weak and sinning, but presuming On thy love, to thee we pray, Wash us in the fount of mercy, Macula non est in te ! When Death s angel drops the curtain On life s ever-varied play, Mother, to our souls O whisper, Macula non est in te! MISSED. "He was old," you say. I know it, Beyond "threescore and ten," Beyond the span allotted By psalmist unto men. "His life work done;" well, maybe, If labor s all of life, Though ofttimes sweeter blessings Are born in rest than strife. Twas thus with him, sojourning Within the vale of age, With undimmed vision scanning Life s closely written page. GARLAND OF SONG 143 His was no wondrous learning, Yet though not seer nor sage, He taught the fullest lessons From off that finished page. For writ thereon so clearly Were trust in human kind ; Fidelity to friendships Around his heartstrings twined. A charity for sinners ; In God a faith sublime; A nature all unsullied, Untouched by frosts of time. And this is why we miss him Asleep beneath the sod, White-haired but sunny-hearted, "The noblest work of God." THE HUMBLE POET. The rare exotic s beauty rich Can dazzle every eye But sweet and tender are the thoughts That come with violets shy. The ocean in its vast expanse Sends through the soul a thrill But streamlets o er the woodland ways Our hearts with music fill. 144 GARLAND OF SONG The storm-clouds sailing, rolling on, Are grand in power and might But O, we love the feathery clouds That float through skies of light ! Our minds are raised to heights sublime, Near peaks all robed in snow But rest and peace are in the vale That nestles far below ! To music of the masters old, Minds send responsive chords ; But hearts are touched when from the trees Ring out the songs of birds. The humble poet s flowers of song Are blooming everywhere ; Mayhap they ll soothe, as once they did, Some restless "pulse of care." Then though you never reach the "heights," Sing on the lowly way! Some hearts may cull your blossoms pure, And twine a sweet bouquet. SUNSET. A golden lake where dark ships lie At rest ! An amethyst shore With castles grand, whose sapphire towers Far in the distance soar ! GARLAND OF SONG 145 A glowing, glorious ball of fire That slowly sinks from sight, While earth and air, and sea and sky Lie chained in beauty s might ! The robin in the elm sends forth A tiny stream of song: "Praise God ! Praise God !" the wavelets say, As still they float along. The cheery whistle o er the farm, From those whose toil is done, Seems trilling forth a strain of praise To Him who rules the sun. Down, down it sinks ! The castles fall, The shores recede from sight ! The moon appears, with starry train, Majestic queen of night! WHY. Why do I love to ramble alone Through the mossy wood and the shady lane? Because the songs that are sung therein, Awake in my heart an answering strain. Let me whisper the notes I hear, All but the ones too sweet to tell, Wondering if they ll impart to you The peace they have taught to me so well ! 10 146 GARLAND OF SONG The little flower near the hanging rock Perfumes the air by the wayside walk ; But few can see the pretty head That droops so low on the tender stalk, Hidden from all in sweet content, Caring naught for admiring gaze, Only grateful that life is spent In scattering sweets o er the shady ways ! Away in the branches the birdies build Their cunningly woven nest, But the storms arise and their home is torn From the oak tree s sheltering breast! And now with a patient, cheerful chirp The birds their work renew, And stronger weave and firmer bind The nest the winds o erthrew ! The bee comes buzzing to the rose To steal its honey sweet, Unmindful other bees have borne The spoils he hoped to greet ; Undaunted, towards the thistle-cup He flies, rich stores to see, The rough outside a treasure veils And this he knows, wise bee ! The sunset dips its brush and paints The trees, the flowers, the sky, And writes, "If earth so lovely seem, What beauties past it lie! GARLAND OF SONG 147 And if my hour can bathe the soul In such a stream of peace, Think what must be the bliss beyond, Where rest and joy ne er cease !" Now, do you know why I ramble alone Through the mossy wood and the shady lane ? The songs that are sung do you understand, Do they wake in you the same answering strain ? O listen with me to Nature s songs And learn the lessons sweet they tell, May they bring to you as they ve brought to me, The peace and the joy they teach so well ! JUNE. June, the queen of Summer s land, Flowery scepter in thy hand, Crown of beauty on thy brow, Fairest of them all art thou ! All thy blossoms seem to bloom, Sending out their rich perfume, All thy radiance seems to shine For the Sacred Heart divine! Jesus, with Thy arms outspread, Sacred Heart, Thy last drop shed, Grant like June our lives may be Consecrated all to Thee ! 148 GARLAND OF SON G ASLEEP. "One by one the dear old faces Vanish o er the sunset hill !" Work is done, the harvest gathered, And the toil-worn hands are still ! Life s strong tree lies prone and leafless, But its fruits are stored above, And the soul that made its beauty Rests within a Heart of love ! Nature s nobleman, we greet thee ; Ended now is life s long fight; Gentle, honest, kindly-hearted, Thou didst ever seek the right! Sturdy type of old-school virtue, Scorning what was mean or base, Holding high the stainless record Of an ancient, honored race. While life s evening bells were tolling, And the shadows slowly fell, "Ave s" music floated round thee From the rosary loved so well. God s anointed whispered blessings, Cherished children knelt beside, Peace and prayer and love w r ere with thee At the ebbing- of the tide. "One by one, the dear old faces Vanish o er the sunset hill," But the memory of their virtues Is abiding with us still ! GARLANDOFSONG 149 No "good-byes" may Faith s lips utter, "Rest in peace," we fondly pray ; For the night that follows sunset Breaks at last in perfect day ! TO MY DEAR FRIEND MRS. J. H . There s a sobbing strain that is borne along On the balmy breeze of May ; There s a wailing note that is floating round For the heart that s still to-day, For the husband loved, for the father dear, For the home that s saddened now, For the hopes that died, for the joys that fled, When the Death King touched his brow. Ah ! the grass will grow, and the skies will smile, And the blossoms bud and bloom ! But the warm hand clasp and the cheery tone Are hid in the silent tomb! Then sigh and sob for the aching heart That bends o er his verdant bed, For Jesus wept o er His friend beloved, His Lazarus lying dead ! But hark ! Is that a requiem hymn ? That softened tender strain That floats and falls as rose leaves drop? That soothes the bitter pain? 150 CARL AND OF SONG It stills the storm as long ago He calmed the raging sea ; Tis "Nearer, O my God ! to Thee ! Nearer to Thee !" Nearer to Thy tender Heart, There let him rest ! Clasp him in Thy loving arms, Thou knowest best! O er my lonely darkened way Send Hope s lambent light ! Help our little ones to walk In the path of right ! Let him with our baby girl Wait beside the Throne Till the pearly gates are oped, And we meet "our own !" THE REASON. "Sing on, my soul, the glittering goal By distance brighter seems ! Work on ! Work on ! Twill soon be won, The castle of thy dreams !" He sings away thro youth s short day, Till Age full soon appears, His struggles past, he s crowned at last Where Fame her castle rears ! GARLANDOFSONG 151 Thro marble halls, by gilded walls, He treads with pensive air, By light subdued is keenly viewed The beauty everywhere. Yes, yes ! tis bright and full of light, Yet much is wanting still, Far more than this must come e er bliss His yearning soul can fill. He steals away where Nature s lay Is heard from morn till night, Where brooklets flow, where blossoms grow, Where Peace sheds chastened light. And borne along upon their song, He hears with quick surprise : "They build too low who build below God s grand enduring skies !" UNDYING. They say those glad days all have vanished, Their chimes full of sweetness and peace, Borne far, far away into silence, Evermore, evermore, now must cease. And tis wrong to sit eagerly listening To yearn for their blithe, happy sound, For they re dead and the bells of stern duty, Are ringing its vot ries around. 152 GARLAND OF SONG We go ; but oh ! say not those chimings Forever are stilled in this life! Hear you not, hear you not their own echoes Ringing clear, mounting high o er the strife. O, chimes ever hallowed and precious, Loved music of fair golden days, Till death still our senses we ll list you, Above all the din hear your lays ! Then, think not they re dead or e en sleeping, They re living and breathing for aye In music tis true, sadly tender, But ah ! would we change for the gay ? Ring clear, for life s burdens are heavy, Chime on, till its worries are past ! And safe in the arms of the Savior Come Peace and Contentment at last ! THE FAVORED ONE. On ivied porch, a gladsome sight, Mother and children fair. Two blithe boys, one gentle girl, With sun-kissed golden hair. I wonder which of the happy three Shares most of Mother s heart. You know ? Then tell me e er the four From yonder porch depart. GARLAND OF SONG 153 "I ve asked the self-same question, friend That you ve just put to me, And what she answered at the time, I will impart to thee." "Which of the three I love the best?" She said, while to her eyes Uprose a sadly wistful look I met with some surprise. "The favored one you wish to know? That would be hard to tell ; I love as only mothers can, My Percy, Will and Nell. "But there s another far away, The brightest, merriest one, With laughing eyes and nut-brown hair Unlike their locks of sun. "He was so restless, e en my love His longings could not fill, He turned him from his boyhood s home, O, heart of mine be still ! "He was not gentle like the rest, My proud and headstrong boy, He gave me pain and cost me tears, While they give naught but joy. 154 GARLAND OF SONG "Yet thro the darkness of the night, The brightness of the day, I miss the flower of all the flock, The boy that roamed away. "For, O, I love my wanderer best ! God bring him home some day, Child of my prayers, child of my tears, Child of my heart for aye !" DAY IS DONE. Rest, gentle mother, sweetly rest, Within the Sacred Heart! For in the Master s vineyard wide Full well thou didst thy part ! From dawn till vespers twilight hour, Aye, till the night drooped down, Thou toiled and prayed and nobly strove, Now comes the victor s crown ! A gentle, tender, patient heart, A faith as mountains high, An unassuming, pure, sweet life, Now "Home" beyond the sky! Those precious to thy mother heart Are now God s spouses dear, O, may each be within thy crown A gem of radiance clear! GARLAND OF SONG 155 Rest, gentle mother, day is done ! The ripened grain is bound ! The Angels strains of "Harvest Home!" Through God s dear land resound ! TO GRACE. Our Grace is dead ! Life s lovely flower has closed Its petals fair ! The sweet-toned voice is still ! The eyes that mirrored forth a soul all white, Are closed ! The gentle heart that ever throbbed With pity for the poor and lowly ones Is quiet now ! Not e en the father s deep O ermastering love could match thee, Death, when thou Didst wrest from him the strongest tie that bound Him unto earth ! Grace ! Well they named thee so ! Thou surely wert God s own sweet Grace, A blessing fair to home and friends! a flower That shed the odors rare of kindliness, Of gentle deeds and words, that made life s vale A lovely spot ! So patient, noble, true, Tis bitter hard to give thee up, but yet, Tis God who claims thee ! In his home, dear Grace, Thou lt know the joy eternal, and, some day, Around thy father loved wilt twine thy arms, And there, no Angel Death can enter in To break the ties that bind him to his own ! 156 GARLAND OF SONG FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART. We greet thee with rapture, we hail thee with joy, O, happy, O, thrice blessed day! The feast of our Jesus, the feast of our God, Of love that will ne er pass away ! O, Heart ever human, yet ever divine, The center of glory and might! Heart pierced with the lance of an undying love, And broken on Calvary s height ! O, Heart that can brighten with fairest of flowers The dreariest, gloomiest ways ! And make e en the sun of prosperity s hours Cast clearer, more beautiful rays ! O, Heart ever guiding the just in the way That leads them to Heaven above, Ever seeking the poor, straying sheep of thy flock With tender and sorrowful love! O, Heart of our Jesus, our Lord and our God ! What gifts shall we offer to-day? Thy hearts, my own children ! Yield them unto me, And nevermore take them away! Yes ! Yes ! sweetest Jesus, we willingly hide Them deep in the depths of Thy Heart! May they Love Thee for aye and all others in Thee, Till life and things earthly depart! GARLAND OF SO NG 157 And then may we soar far away to Thy arms, In Thy beauty forever have part, Be sharers for aye in Thy glorious Home, O, grant it, dear beautiful Heart ! ABSENT. Gently creeping, softly stealing, Shades of night come clustering round, Opening founts of thought and feeling, Stilling labor s busy sound. Wintry winds without are blowing. Stars o erhead their vigils keep, Fires within are warmly glowing, Shadows lengthen as they creep. Bright the fireside looks and cheery As our band now gathers there, But our hearts are sad and dreary, We behold one "vacant chair." One we miss from out the circle, Miss his ready wit and song, Miss the eyes that used to sparkle Brightest of the family throng. Aye, our "bonny boy" we miss thee, Miss thee, morning, noon and eve, Hearts are yearning to caress thee, Home is waiting to receive. 158 May the wintry breezes blowing, Waft to thee our love sincere, May the stars above the glowing, Whisper low our earnest prayer: That the Angel spirits round thee May protect from harm to-night, And if darkened clouds surround thee, Help thee see the silvery light! TO A DEAR FRIEND. Far, far away from the dear old home She lies asleep ! The Cross is dropped, the Crown is won, God now will keep Forevermore within His Heart This faithful soul ; At rest within His peaceful home While ages roll ! So faithful to the Master s work Through toilsome days ! So patient in His service sweet O er thorny ways ! So loyal to His will divine In suffering s hour! Oh, when the Bridegroom came to thee, How rich thy dower! GARLAND OF SONG 159 How beautiful the gentle heart, The kindly ways ! The unassuming life aglow With Love s pure rays ! The sympathetic soul that strove To lighten care ! These were the gifts the Bridegroom found And claimed fore er! Goodby, dear friend ! God with thee be Until we meet! Oh, pray for us now rest is thine At Jesus feet! For thee our prayers of love will rise, Both morn and night, And bind us close to thee, dear heart, With chains of light ! FEAST OF THE PURIFICATION. Where, where art thou speeding, O beautiful one ! With Jesus so close to thy breast? To the Temple? What need canst thou have of man s prayers, Sweet Virgin, the grace-filled and blessed? "I go, that my children submission may learn To God and His servants commands, That His love be remembered and self be forgot. No matter how loud its demands." 160 G ARLAN D OF S ON G O, Fountain of Purity ! Vessel of Light ! In rapture we kneel at Thy Feet, As to-day the pure lips of that fair long ago, Its lessons of beauty repeat ! We offer thee hearts far from perfect, alas ! But bathed with repentance warm tears ; Wilt thou fold them, fond mother, close, close to thine own, And hold them thro all the long years? And if we would wander, O, twine round our necks The dear wounded Arms of thy Son, And then over selfishness, weakness and sin Will a glorious vict ry be won ! And now, dearest Mother, send blessings to-day, On our lives and on those we love best, O, deck them with Purity s fair matchless grace, Till with thee, evermore, they may rest ! SUBMISSION. "Sweet flowers that decked the smiling vales, Were you not sad when Summer fled, And Winter s snowy mounds were laid Upon your erstwhile grassy bed?" "O, yes, we missed the sunny days, But then, twas God that bade them die, And so we calmly fell asleep, And never stopped to question why. >: GARLAND OF SONG 161 "Dear birds, whose music rilled the woods, Whose nests were built on leafy trees, Are you not sad that branches bare Now bend beneath the wintry breeze?" "Ah, yes, we miss our verdant home, But as to softer climes we fly, We know God s wisdom ruleth all, And never stop to question Svhy. " "Dear stricken soul, do not repine, If all your choicest blessings flee, And other lives drink draughts of joy That ne er will be vouchsafed to thee. O, meekly bend, although above The grave where hope s fair blossoms lie, For peace abides with him who bears And strives to never question why. " GOD IS LOVE. I love thy flowery, leafy groves, O, sunny beaming life ! Thy buoyant hopes and cheery songs, Thy days with blessings rife ! Thy sky looks on with face undimmed, Fulfilled is every dream, One song resounds from morn till night- Life, life, how fair you seem! Another hymn floats from above God is Love ! God is Love ! 11 162 GARLAND OF SONG How sad you ve grown ! How still your groves O, darkened, mournful life ! How full of tears your skies appear! Your days with sorrow, rife. Dear hope ! dear hope ! around me now Your softened rays ne er beam, My heart can sing but one low song Life, life, how dark you seem ! But still the music from above God is Love ! God is Love ! I leave you, Earth! leave all your joys, And all your bitter tears, To go to Him who sent me both, Thro many, many years ! I m glad, and yet I fear the vale That leads to Death s abode, If those I love could only come Twould seem an easy road. I go ! I go ! But not alone ! For listen! from above Is borne to earth the message sweet Your guide is God and He is Love ! LINES. You chided me for tears that came At your light spoken word; A "woman" should not feel or show (Which is it?) thoughts that live and glow When memories fond are stirred. GARLAND OF SONG 163 Tis long ago that Summer day When our "good-byes" were said, But bitter tears will come again, The pain is sharp and deep as then, The wistful love not dead. Through all the triumphs of to-day, Through all the pleasant hours, Our thoughts roam back to dear "old times," We hear again youth s merry chimes, And pick Love s fairy flowers. Old times ! Old times ! We love you so, We miss your tender, blissful strain, And not that then no "woes could sting us," But "that this life no more can bring us One joy so sweet as your worst pain." Some time, perhaps, the world will teach Me much I need of woman s art, In hiding all, as well as some Of joys and sorrows deep that come To rest within the heart. But these the world can never change, The wish that one dear time could last, The heart that clings to friends of yore, That sees each day its love grow more, For all the blessed past. 164 GARLANDOFSONG When fondest memories thrilled the heart, O, wonder not that eyes grew dim ! Would I could be with thee once more, Close to thy side till life was o er, Then only leave thy love for Him. THE PROMISE. When the Cross, its shadow throwing, Looms upon the way, And our hearts, so bruised and broken, Will not see tis love s sweet token Dimming thus the day ; When our prayers and tears are fruitless With the God of all; Doubt and anguish are before us, While the shadows deepen o er us, For the cross must fall. Fall, and bury in its falling Sweetest hopes we knew. O er the grave where joy lies sleeping, Pray we now, in bitter weeping For one glimpse of blue. List, through all the by-gone ages Floats the promise true for aye ; Blessed are the hearts of sorrow, They will know the glad to-morrow. "I will wipe their tears away !" GARLAND OF SONG 165 Not on earth, O, tender Savior! May that promise be fulfilled; But when life is from us stealing, Then our hearts will know their healing, Then the bitter cry be stilled ! THE REPLY. "A question lies hiding, my darling, Deep down in those dark eyes of gray, While in the fair glow of youth s sunshine Beside me you re sitting to-day." "Right keenly you ve read me, wise auntie, What I fain would learn from you is this : Of the joys and the blessings earth gave you, Which yielded the richest of bliss?" Over her face a radiance beamed, And filled her eyes of blue, The eyes that Age but served to make More tender in their hue. Fondly she kissed the earnest brow, And smoothed the golden head, Praying the web of life might be, Woven of shining thread. "My laugh was once as free as thine, My heart as blithe and gay ; My brow crowned too with golden locks Time since transformed to gray. 166 G ARLAN D OF S ON G The world its cup of pleasure served, I quaffed it oft and deep, And dreams that earth held higher bliss Filled not my happy sleep. "But soon I met a noble soul, Earnest, sincere and strong, Slowly it won me to its side, From out the giddy throng. Then rang aloft in cadence clear, Pure friendship s song of joy, Ah ! never felt I greater bliss, The bliss that cannot cloy ! "It blest my life, that tender love Resting in God s own heart, To nobler objects led the mind Where earth held greatest part. I will not say that skies e er smiled Clear and undimmed above, For Love has storm clouds, bitter hours, More bitter for the love. "But the bliss of the tender word or deed From a heart so fondly dear Will more than balance all that brought The heartache and the tear. "The waters rippling round my bark Are tinged with sunset light, The shades of twilight faster fall, They ll soon be merged in night. GARLAND OF SONG 167 And when my Savior softly calls, I ll bless Him for the love He sent to guide me on the way That led to Home above. Then, amid all the glittering band I ll seek the friend of yore. And soul to soul be bound by links Death s hand can break no more." Gently the young girl stepped away, Leaving old age to muse The cherished friend that filled life s sky With softest, tenclerest hues. A hopeful light creeps up her face, And nestles in her eyes, A dreamy smile plays round her lips, Slowly the sunset dies ! MAY MEMORIES. When May draws nigh, we travel back To happy days of "Auld Lang Syne," And see again our childhood s skies, Where stars of beauty brightly shine. The dear old school ! The tiny shrine, With Mother Mary s statue white! The sisters, teachers, friends beloved, The girlish faces beaming bright. 168 GARLAND OF SONG Do you remember, friends of yore, The walks to mass ? The prayer, the hymn, That rose in Mary s honor in The old, old church, like cloister dim? Ah, some, the gayest then, since quaffed Of sorrow s cup, both full and deep ; And some, the sweetest and the best, God s spouses are, or lie asleep ! Dear Mother Mary ! Life has shown To us both dark and sunny side, But in the shadow or the light, Thou rt still our stay, our friend, our guide ! O May-day breeze ! you waft to us The memories sweet of "Auld Lang Syne !" Each thought a loving prayer for those Who knelt with us near Marv s Shrine ! THE DEATH-ANGEL. Laden with hopes and plans and dreams, With thought and care and prayer, The Day had climbed the hill of Night To lay its burdens there ! Upon the summit, still and far, Two angels brooded low ; The spirits twain of Peace and Sleep That mortals love and know! GARLAND OF SONG 169 They took thee in their arms, dear friend, And breathed upon thy soul, And lo ! within its deepest depths The strains celestial roll ! The Easter Alleluias ring And drown earth s wail of woe, Upon the heights is peace profound ! The tears, the grief, below ! In calmest majesty of death She lieth smiling now, All heedless of the bitter tears That rain upon her brow ! They mourn the stanch, true mother-love That never, never failed ! She basks within Eternal Light To their weak vision veiled. She fell asleep, her life-work done, His Cross upon her breast ! She woke within the arms of Him Whose image close she pressed ; Ah, tenderly Christ crucified Gazed on that mother then, While from the angelic choirs burst forth Heaven s glorious "Amen !" lay this simple flower of song Upon thy grave, dear heart, And may its fragrance soothe the wound Inflicted by Death s dart. 170 GARLAND OF SONG Where thou hast gone there is no grief, Then plead that peace may come To those who mourn in sorrow now Within the darkened home ! APPLE BLOSSOMS. My little blue-eyed pupil, With curls of golden brown, Came tripping up with sweetest smiles, To lay a love gift down : A bunch of apple blossoms, That flooded air with scent, And bore my spirit far away On wings that Fancy lent To wide and shady orchards, To brooks as crystal bright, To haunts of birds and flowers, To home of sunset light. And all that day while floated That subtle fragrance round, The purest thoughts within my heart Abiding places found. There are lives like apple blossoms, Strong hearts of untold worth, Diffusing sweetest fragrance, As they pass along the earth ; GARLAND OF SONG 171 Cheering, sustaining, guiding The weaker ones they meet Upon the dusty highway So full of glare and heat. O blessings on those hearts we say ! And praise to Him be given Who sent such souls to flood our lives, With perfume, born in Heaven ! LIFE S EVENING. You are glowing, purely glowing, Visions in life s evening skies, Night is nearing, you are cheering, While day s sunlight slowly dies. Golden hues more mellow growing Sparkle on the glistening foam, Raydrops streaming from the gleaming, Born within the Father s Home. Spirit voices soothing lull me, Drifting, drifting with the tide, Peace breathes o er me, Rest before me, Fear I not Death s ocean wide ! They wait beyond the waters deep The loved ones gone before. O, hearts I ve missed, I ll greet you soon My own forevermore! 172 G ARLAN D OF S ON G I turn with all pervading joy To bid farewell to earth, Flow waters flow, glow sunset glow, Till Heaven s Peace has birth ! Ambition s yearning hopes are fled, All, all of earth but Love is dead ! The light pours out in golden streams, And peace, thou rt mine, beyond my dreams, The streets of Pearl in glory shine, Rest, rest my soul, God s Home is thine! TO JOHN. Eleven times have summer suns Shone o er thy grassy mound, And full as oft have wintry snows Spread robes of light around. We ve heard for years the songs of spring And marked the leaflet s fall, Since through our home, long days ago Rang loud the solemn call. O, well beloved ! when Death claimed thee, He took the "household light" And left but stars of Memory To cheer the heavy night! Thou wert so pure, so good, so true, So gentle and so kind, And selfishness within thy breast No resting place could find. GARLAND OF SONG 173 The mother weeps the tender love That brightened every day ; The father mourns the many hopes That fled with thee away. Tho years have passed, thy name, beloved, Is yet a "household word," For mothers hearts are loyal ones Where love is ever heard ! The sculptured marble o er thy grave Proclaims thy beauteous life ; And in our hearts sweet memories live, Enshined where Love is rife. Thrice blest career ! So short and yet So full of deeds called just, The deeds God loves that "smell so sweet And blossom in the dust !" O, brother, may thy life be mine ! One strong all brightening ray Like that which God bore heavenward Eleven years to-day! THE SACRED HEART. "The way is so weary, dear Lord," we cry, " The sky is so gloomy, the summit so high ; The Cross is so heavy, we droop neath the load, And we long for the end of the desolate road, As we stand in our doubting and weakness alone, To send up to Heaven our pitiful moan." 174 G ARLAN D O F S ON G Is it heard? Is it answered? A thorn-crowned brow, And eyes lit by love are besides us now ! Two beautiful hands with the wounds filled with light, The Feet that bore Love up to Calvary s height, The Side where the gateway was ope d by the steel, Dear Jesus ! Dear Jesus ! before thee we kneel. Is the sky then so gloomy and heavy the load? Do you long for the end of the desolate road ? When I bore my Cross were there flowers neath my feet? Did bright sunny skies my tearful gaze meet? My child you forget that sorrow-filled way Or you would not repine at your brief darkened day. Come to my Heart, if the way seem too long, And I will bequeath you the Love that makes strong ! If I send through your life a bright happy strain, Come in your joy, as you come in your pain, For my love, dearest children, will never depart, Confide in it, love it, my own Sacred Heart. AFTER FIFTY GOLDEN YEARS. (To Mother E.) A life we see in its spring-time fair When buds are ripening to blossoms bright, When skies give promise of sunniest days That ll ne er be merged in darksome night. GARLAND OF SONG 175 Standing by, the busy world With its vot rics at its feet, Tells this soul, in siren song, All its fame and pleasures fleet. And we see, in the distance a spear-pierced Heart, Two hands that are wounded and two bleeding Feet, While pressed on the kingly, the beautiful Head, The sharp, cruel thorns in a ruby crown meet. With eyes brimming over with God-like love, He looks in the heart-depths so fresh and fair, He whispers of peace, of eternal joys, Of bliss that His spouses alone may share. A life we see in its spring-time bright When buds are ripening to blossoms sweet, Yield all for the nuptial garment pure That lies, in its whiteness, at Jesus Feet. The budding spring to summer wanes, To fervid, blossoming sunny days, And sees this life the beacon light That guides "His own" through narrow ways. Angels note the tender words, Falling like refreshing showers, Wak ning in the doubting heart, Opening buds and fairest flowers, Leading souls inflamed with love, Closer, closer to their God, Up the mounts of Faith and Prayer, Sainted ones before them trod. 176 GARLAND OF SONG The beautiful Bridegroom is standing beside, The rays of His Love on His chosen one fall, The chalice of graces He pours upon her, He crowned with the wonderful grace of the "call. Tis autumn, and its glowing fruits Are gathered still by Jesus Hands. The spouse He won is guiding on Predestined souls to "promised lands ;" Is bending o er the poor, the sick, Wherever suffering makes its moan, And seeing in each sorrowing one, The lovely image of her "Own." Happy angels sweetly sing, While the unfading wreath they twine, "He that leads My own to me, Like the stars above shall shine/ Softly place they now the gems, Soon the crown will be complete Soon the life-long work of love End in rest at Jesus Feet. O, our Jesus, Bridegroom dear, Blessings, blessings on thy Heart That reveals to chosen souls Beauties of the "better part!" Be to her, our Mother loved, Evermore her "All in All," Till the crowning grace descend In thy Heaven bringing call ! GARLAND OF SONG 177 WHAT THEY TEACH. The flowers and buds of Summer bright, Light earth with beauty fair, And load the breezes, winging past With incense rich and rare. They speak of songs of happy birds, Of woods and azure skies, But never breathe of Winter s gloom That hid them from our eyes. The petals, many-hued, will tell No tales of struggles hard To burst from out their prison cells, And deck the verdant sward. The brook goes dancing through the vale, And sings a cheery song ; It throws its spray to grass and trees And buds, its path along. Thus, laughing, glistening in the sun, It speeds upon its ways, But tells not of the mountain dark That chained it many days. And songsters, too, in gilded cage, Send sweetest strains on high ; But ne er we hear the longing tone For woods and fields and sky. 12 178 GARLAND OF SON G O, flowers and streams and birds ! You teach A lesson sweet and deep : To share our joys, our smiles with all With Him, alone, to weep! THE LAST TIME. I stand beside the schoolhouse door, The old red schoolhouse on the hill, And watch each little "student" bend Above his task with earnest will. Back o er the busy years I step, And call from out the walks of life, From lonely graves on land and sea, From scenes of peace and scenes of strife, The faces known so long ago ; Not one not one do I forget. I loved them then I love them now, Though years have fled since last we met ! O dear old schoolhouse! Dearer still That I my last must look on thee ! Would I could cross thy threshold now The care free child I used to be ! Farewell ! I turn a last, fond look On scenes endeared since childhood s days On every tree, and stream, and flower, Along the old familiar ways. GARLAND OF SONG 179 They say that wealth and fame will both Be mine beyond the sea ; That duty bids me break the bonds Dear home, twixt thee and me. But they may brighten as they will The future, and may tell Of duty s claims, but cannot take One pang from out "Farewell !" The last, last time to look on home, On all I trust and prize To hear no more the voice of love, To meet no more, love s eyes ! O bitter wound, that fame nor wealth, Nor duty e en can heal ! That leaves the heart for many years Untouched by woe or weal ! TO AMY. When the Summer sun shone and the blossoms of light Were decking this fair world of ours, An Angel flew forth from his Heaven so bright And brought us the fairest of flowers. The "baby" he bore to her home on this earth To scatter love s fragrance for aye, To fill it with sunshine, with gladness and mirth Came Amy, just "three years" to-day! 180 GARLAND OF SON G Three years ! Only three blissful Summers of life, And yet she has won every heart, By sweet guileless ways, by a spirit that s rife With beauties that ne er will depart. The "pet of the household" she reigns as its queen, And cheerfully subjects obey. Such a dear little ruler there never was seen, As Amy, just three years to-day ! Ah ! would that the eyes now so bright and so blue, Could never be dimmed by the tear ! That the love all around her, so earnest and true, In the struggle, could ever be near ! But these, little one, the cold world cannot give, Its offerings, too soon, fade away, We ll ask the fair treasures that ever will live For Amy, just three years to-day! O, Father of tenderness, Father of love, Of a love that will never depart, Send choicest of blessings from Heaven above, To the pet of a fond mother s heart ! Sweet Angels e er guard her, the prized and the dear, Bring gifts that will never decay, To brighten the birthday we now welcome here Of Amy, just three years to-day! GARLAND OF SONG 181 IN MEMORIAM. (Denis J. Swenie, ex-Fire Marshal of Chicago.) Toll, requiem bells ! The "Chief" is dead ! The brave, the dauntless one ! Life s last "alarm" has struck above Chicago s noblest son ! And as he harkened during life To Duty s slightest call, So now all fearlessly he stepped Beneath Death s sable pall. For him, brave son of Mother Church, The shadows held no foe; The "Chief" had served his Master well, Why should he fear to go? They gather in the temple dim, The friends from far and near, To bring the tribute of their love In heartfelt prayer and tear. The comrades true who faced with him Full many an hour of dread, May think, while still the Kyries sob, We followed, but he led. O, comrades of the days gone. by, Although your "Chief" lies dead, Still walk along the path of Right, Still follow where he led. 182 GARLAND OF SONG To her who loved him best of all, Who shared his every thought, Who gazes now on lonely ways With grief and longing fraught, We can but say: "The light still shines Beyond the darkened skies, And at the bend of lonely roads, God s peace eternal lies !" Toll, requiem bells ! The "Chief" lies dead ! But evermore there dwells The influence of his stainless life. Toll, toll, O requiem bells! OLD AGE AND THE RAIN. All day long the rain is falling, Beating gainst the window pane, On the cottage roof tis pouring, In the garden, in the lane. I am musing where the firelight Throws its shadows on the wall, Dreaming while with patter steady On my heart the raindrops fall ; Waking with their saddening music Voices from the years long fled, Ever thus since early childhood, Raindrops bring me back my dead ! GARLANDOFSONG 183 On through all the lights and shadows Of a life of four-score years, Memory, blessed spirit, wanders, Now in smiles and now in tears. Treading, with her noiseless footsteps, Through the ever-changing Past, Laden now with trophies many, Back to me she comes at last ! Childhood dreams and girlhood fancies Flooded o er with radiance bright, Woman s hopes and aspirations Glowing with more mellow light, Years when love made earth a heaven, Years when sorrow bowed the heart, Failures, triumphs, strangely blended, In my varied life have part. Which were dearest, which most happy Of these many chequered years? Were they days when woman, victor, Won by prayerful toil and tears? Or, when in the scene of splendor Dazzling eyes with all its light, There mid beauty, wit and talent, Hers shone brightest of the bright ? Ah, me, no ! I linger longest On the time when sunny youth Threw the guise of Fancy s figure O er the form of sober truth. 184 GARLAND OF SO N G When the love that fond hearts yielded Filled with sunshine all my days, And no selfish, worldly feeling- Dimmed the brightness of the rays. Yes, these were the dearest moments That my long, long life e er knew, Friends and joys of happy childhood ! O, had I but died with you ! The earth is now smiling, for sunset is glowing, The birds merry music is heard ; The raindrops have ceased and the firelight is shining, The leaves by the soft wind are stirred ! Thus, thus, O my Savior, will life s lonely evening Light up with the sun of thy love, And soon thou wilt call me, thy earth-wearied creature, To rest with Thee ever above ! ON THE DEATH OF A BOY FRIEND. When youth is sending up its songs Of hope ; when roads, so smooth and white, Are stretching far ; when all things speak Of love, fruition and delight, Tis hard, tis bitter hard to see Death s gloom envelop all ; Yet through the shadows steals a light. While words of comfort fall. GARLAND OF SONG 185 "I took him in his budding youth, But frost of sin can never blight; I took him e er he felt the wounds In life s unceasing, bitter fight. "I took him e er he brought to you A cloud of grief; while still He was your own, your cherished child, Obedient to your every will. "I left him in your loving care, To soothe with all your tenderest art ; I took him when the soft June winds Were wafting homage to my heart. "I took the son I lent to you, And bore him on to Heaven s joy ; Before my heart he ll plead for you, And I will hear your darling boy." Dear hearts, so bowed beneath the rod, O let Faith s stream of sunshine flow, And let Gethsemane s sobbing prayer Be heard above your chord of woe ! "Thy will, not ours, O God! be done!" The Cross is hard, but Thou art nigh ! O guide us on the narrow way Till heaven opens, bye and bye ! 186 GARLAND OF SONG JESUS LAMENT. Is there none to approach his Lord s table to-day ? Not one that will make me His guest? Are my children all deaf to the cry of my love ? "Come ye that are weary, and rest!" Are you free from all sorrow, all pain and all care, Is the earth such a peaceful abode That you need naught from Heaven to comfort and cheer, Or to guide you along the straight road ? Ah, no, my poor children ! deep darkness and sin And pain are too fruitful below, While I m waiting to brighten, to cleanse, to relieve, With a love that no mortal can show. If you knew how I long to enfold in my arms The children my sufferings have won ! But you re turning away to the world I despise, Turning away from God s Son ! And back to my pure little home I return, To mourn the hard hearts of my own ; With my wounded hands clasped o er my lance- pierced breast, I weep and I pray all alone. Alone ! though my angels in myriads kneel, And lay down their crowns at my throne, For my cry is unheard by the children of men, By those I love best, by my own ! GARLAND OF SONG 187 For none will approach his Lord s table to-day, Not one will receive me His guest ! But my love is unceasing, tis waiting you still, "Come ye that are weary and rest!" SONG OF ABSENCE. When thou wert nigh, the beaming skies Shone out in brighter blue, When thou wert nigh, the flowers of earth Took on a fairer hue. The brooklet s voice was sweeter far, The song bird s trill more clear, All Nature wore a richer garb When thou, beloved, wert near ! The notes of joy rang blithely out When thou, dear one, wert nigh, And thou could st ever lull to sleep A deep, deep sorrow s cry. But now the pain is borne alone, Unheeded falls the tear, And missed the depth Joy s music knew, When thou, beloved, wert near ! The rising sun that wakes the earth, Beholds a heart that longs for thee; The orb that sinks to rest at eve, That yearning spirit still can see; 188 GARLAND OF SONG The twilight deepening into night, The stars that stud the darkened sky, Can list the same unceasing prayer, If thou, beloved, wert only nigh ! The weary task will soon be done, The harvest borne above, We ll lose the Cross to wear the Crown Within our Home of Love. Back to their shrines will be restored The idols broken here, And God s own sunshine ever beam When thou, beloved, art near ! STRAY THOUGHTS. You sing of the woe that o ershadows the love Whose fragrance is shed at the feet Of the few who receive it, but will not return An incense as lavish and sweet. But think of the joy, of the heaven-fed bliss In the giving of love ever stored, And then you ll forget the embittering draught That over its sweetness is poured. We go with our friendship to some chosen heart, And giving, we give it for aye, Our lives then are changed, for the light of that love Plays round us by night and by day. GARLAND OF SONG 189 But stop not to doubtingly question that love. Let our own be so strong and so true, Twill master each feeling that threatens to rise And darken our skies azure hue. There s many a soul that is stirred to its depths With feelings it never can tell, Whose life work will be but to keep within bounds The love that too strongly would swell. And how do we know but the hearts we so prize Are brimming with love like our own, While over the struggle, the silence of years, Mayhap of a lifetime is thrown. But when we have passed from the valley below To the garden of Beauty above, The veil will be drawn and disclose to the eye, The depths of their half-expressed love. OCTOBER. With a step that is light and an eye that is bright, Come, gather the nuts that fall ; The rich, purple grapes and the apples that lie So thick by the orchard wall. Oh, a merry old month is October bluff, And rich in treasures is he ! Go roam through the woods with him for a guide, And a storehouse vast you ll see ! 190 GARLAND OF SON G FAREWELL. Only a few short months ago Thy hands in mine were laid, And smiles lit up the winsome face, So sweet in light or shade. All brightly then shone eyes of blue, While merry words we said ; I little dreamed when next we d meet I d bend above thee dead! Dear hands, so cold, now yield me not The pressure fond of old. The heart, erstwhile so warm, stirs not Death s snowy garment s fold. Pure eyes are closed to all this earth s Dark scenes of pain and strife, And ne er again will they be dimmed By sorrow in this life. With summer days thy spirit fled To realms than this more bright; The Angels craved thy heart so pure To add to Heaven s light ! To keep a soul so chaste as thine Earth was too full of sin, So God threw wide the gates of pearl And bade thee enter in. O, sorely, sorely art thou missed By those who knew thy worth, But far more grievously thou rt mourned By her who gave thee birth ! GARLAND OF SONG 191 Thou wert the only ray of light That lit her lifetime s day ; Without thee, O how dark and drear Looms up her lonely way ! How can we soothe that stricken heart, How ease its heavy load? Naught can we do but weep with her And point to Calvary s road. Beneath His Cross the wounded soul Will find a healing balm, And to the spirit sore distressed Will come the restful calm. LEO XIII. Leo is dead ! The message thrills a world That mourning kneels, and leaves beside his grave A tribute rich of prayers and tears and love. Christ s vicar, truly, both in name and deed, The fragrance of his life pervaded earth. The mighty bowed before his crystal mind, His spotless soul, that conquered where the sword Would fail. No king too proud to honor him ; No wit so keen his could not match its steel ; No battlefield of thought so full of foes That he would fear defeat ; no warring factions Failed to heed his cry of "Peace !" No creed so narrow but it widened out Beneath the pressure of his well-filled life. 192 GARLAND OF SONG "Lumen in coelo !" and the light still lives! Down through the coming ages will it burn ! "I am content !" Leo, thou well mayst be ! God s friend and humanity s on earth, mourned now By monarchs, diplomats and sons of toil, While from all hearts uplifts this prayer for thee, "Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord!" ANSWERED. Am I lonely? you ask. Take a look at those trees With their giant arms spread to the sweet Summer breeze ; How they woo and they win every soft breeze that plays Through the calm, restful nights and the long, glowing days! Every leaf is a key ; every breeze is a note As clear as what pours from the forest bird s throat ! They are singing of hope, for it seems but a day Since their boughs were all bare and the birds far away; Now they re decked out anew in their mantles of green While the birdlings are nestling their branches between, And I m nearer to God as I rest neath the trees, To drink in the music evoked by the breeze. See the moss at the roots! Ah, how firmly it clings, While of faithful affection it evermore sings ! GAR LAND OF SONG 193 Of hearts that, once given, forever are leal, As staunch as the rocks and as true as the steel ! O blessings, dear moss, for the story you tell Of hearts that can love us so fondly and well ! Am I lonely ? you ask me. Ah, could you but hear The secrets they whisper, those giant trees near, How gladly you d rest on the earth at their feet To listen with me to their murmurings sweet! And nearer to heaven they d draw you, I ween, Those grand, massive trees in their mantles of green! IN THE HAMMOCK. So lazily swinging and swinging In the shade of the maple trees, While the perfume of roses is wafted On the wings of the evening breeze, While the sun in its golden glory Seems close to the hilltops pressed, And the cloudlets are slowly sailing Away to the glowing West ! O wind that is scarcely stirring The leaves as you rustle by ! Will you let me whisper my wishes As afar to the South you fly ? That you take from my lips their kisses, And out from my heart their prayer, Then away to my absent dear ones With your burden of love repair. 13 194 GARLAND OF SONG And when you bear them my greeting, linger awhile and see If eye or voice is betraying A single thought of me. And if you hear them whisper My name as their lips you greet, Speed back to me, gentle South Wind, And tell me your story sweet ! So swinging and swinging and watching, Twixt the leaves, the blue of the sky, And hearing the patter over the stones Of the brook in the roadside nigh, I think of the home and its loved ones, 1 dream of peace and rest, And seem so near to God as I gaze On the radiant, golden West ! APRIL DAYS. You wake at last from slumbers deep, O buds and grasses green! And all of nature s pulses throb At sight of Spring, the queen. What sweet, sad thoughts you bring to us, O month of sun and showers! What hopes as your own sunlight fair! What tears for buried hours! GARLAND OF SONG 195 There s not a breeze but wafts to us Some memory of the dead, Some face or form we ve loved and lost, Or hope forever fled ! And yet there s not a blade of grass That from the mold doth peep, But speaks the resurrection day For every joy asleep! Full many a flower ere Spring departs Will droop its leaves and die ; Full many a tender sapling rear Its head in pride on high. Aye, some will faint neath loads, and some Be victors in the end ! And life and death and sun and shade Around us strangely blend. But list ! The minor tones run through My simple little strain Come, let us strike a sweeter chord, A heartier refrain ! Let us sing of a faith in the dear, loving God, Whose touch is awaking from sleep The buds and the grasses, the clear waterfalls That merrily chatter and leap ! Let us go with our love to the dear ones who live, For the dead cease to weep and to sigh ! Ah ! how often through life is all tenderness hid To be lavished on graves by and by ! 196 GARLAXD OF SONG Let us seek through the world for the good and the true We ll find them on every side, And with them at last through the portals of pearl May we pass with our souls sanctified! OUR NELLIE. She is lying asleep mid the lilies so fair Our Nellie, as pure as they ; While the beautiful roses down at her feet Are breathing their lives away ; With a smile of peace on her winsome face She lies like a child at rest ; And O, dear God ! as our darling sleeps, Tis so hard to say, "It is best." O angel of death, if human love Were only as strong as thou, Would the joy of a home be resting there With thy signet on her brow? If thou couldst be moved by the prayers and the tears Of the hearts that treasured her best, Wouldst thou stretch out those arms of fearful strength And our prize away from us wrest ? List to the answer that floats through the air, List ! Tis as soft as the breath of a prayer, Gentle and tender as touches of wings, Sweet as a message the bird of Spring sings : GARLAND OF SONG 197 " Love could not hold her! you cry in yonr pain Love twas that snapped her life cords in twain ; Love but not human. The love that s divine Spoke, and she slipped from your arms into mine. There she is nestling- away from the storm, Safe from all dangers, protected from harm ; Close to my bosom I clasp her and fly Far to the Beulah land, far past the sky. "Peace ! She awaits her beloved over there ! Waits in the kingdom where woe enters ne er ! Prays that the Father who chastens His own Lead kindly her dear ones in joy to His throne!" Tis meet thou shouldst sleep mid those blossoms of light, As tender as they and as spotlessly white ; Tis meet as we bear thee mid tears and with prayer That the snowflakes of purity circle the air. Then rest mid the lilies, our sweet, broken flower. We would not revive thee, if ours were the power; For the hand that has plucked is the hand of a God. We love Him ! We love Him ! though bowed neath His rod. UNREST. Down in the sweetest valley spot A pretty flower grew The sparkling streamlet at its feet; Above, the skies of blue. 198 GARLAND OF SONG The velvet mosses clung to trees Where birds sang all the day, And naught but nature s voices broke The stillness of the way. Thrice happy was the little flower Until a bird s sweet lay Told her a tale of cities grand Beyond the valley s way. The little brook hummed cheeriest songs ; The dewdrop sparkled on the green ; The birds trilled on, and yet the flower Could see no beauty in the scene. For now a vague unrest had come ; The breezes heard her longing cry ; They bore her from her valley home And laid her neath the city sky. She ope d her eyes the timid flower And shed her fragrance through the air, But on they rushed, th unthinking crowd, Nor noted aught of beauty there. Poor slighted blossom, left alone, Now, now it longs for valleys fair ! It sees a zephyr from the vale ; "O bear me home !" is all its prayer. Gently the soft south wind bent down ; The dying flower it bore along, To breathe its last sweet perfume where It first had heard the brooklet s song. GARLAND OF SONG 199 The dewdrops decked the glistening grass, Tears for the beauteous blossom dead. "Our God knows best ! O be content Where er thou art," the brooklet said. CALLED AWAY. Life s valley lay with beauty filled, The songs of joy rang through the air, The skies of blue had not a cloud, And fragrance flooded everywhere. But like a flash from Summer skies, The beauty, peace, away had passed ; The storm burst forth in awful might, The Death King rode upon the blast! The sparkling eyes, the sunny smile, The cheeks with tints of applebloom, The merry laugh, the silvery voice, Were hidden neath his robe of gloom. Like sleeping bride in robe of white, With beauty s stamp on cheek and brow, The loving mother, wife and child, In Death s embrace is lying now ! O Death! how couldst thou aim thy dart At her, so young, so fair! While Love sat throned within her heart, And bliss reigned everywhere. 200 GARLAND OF SONG No answer comes. God s ways to us Are mysteries profound, And still, the depths of His dear love, No human power can sound. No toilsome road is waiting her, No sorrow s heavy pall, No loss of love, no pang of grief, No bitter tears to fall. She slipped from arms of trusting love To seek the Heart Divine ! She fell asleep to waken where Eternal glories shine. Some day, O dear ones, stricken sore ! God s plans will be revealed, And seeds of sorrow spring as flowers In Heaven s celestial field ! TO AN OLD FRIEND. Another good-by to a dear old friend, Borne on o er Death s dark wave! Another wait on the sunset shore ! Another grassy grave ! And far beyond on the other side, In God s sweet peace at rest, She greets the waiting ones beloved, Forever, ever blest ! GARLAND OF SONG 201 O big-, warm heart, life told to thee Full many a varied tale Of sighs and songs, of toil and prayer, Ere Death took in the sail ! faithful, open-handed friend ! O pitying, tender soul ! No deed of thine has ever dimmed The whiteness of life s roll ! With arms around the daughter loved, So dear to thee and me, 1 stand within the sunset rays And waft "good-bye" to thee! A "God be with you !" dear old friend, Till death with ebon sails Has borne us o er the shadowed stream To Light that never fails ! THE LESSON. I roamed the woods one summer day, When my heart was rilled with vague unrest, For I dreamed that mid its shady paths Might lurk the peace that makes man blest. Downward they bent their branches dark, The green, the leafy trees, And sighed with happiness to meet The kisses of the breeze. 202 GARLAND OF SONG The little birds with notes of joy Awoke the echoes round, As swift they winged their merry flight Toward skies or mossy ground. The flowers lit up with hues of light The resting place they knew, And bloomed as fair when eve drew near As neath the morning dew. Each tree, each breeze, each grassy blade, Each flower of varied hue, Each bird that caroled o er my head, Contentment happy knew. They did the work the Master gave, And naught they craved beside ; They lived to brighten earth for man, And, when God willed, they died. "Do likewise, restless soul !" they cried, "Then o er the waves of discontent The Peace, be still of olden days Will echo till the storm is spent !" MEMORIES. I kneel within the temple blest ; Around float hymns of praise, And every note that soars aloft Bears thoughts of other days. GARLAND OF SONG 203 I list to tones from out the past, So rich, so full, so rare, That but to hear them ever dulled The sense of pain and care. She sang as angels sing, methinks ; No dream of earth was there; She sang, and every note that fell Was still a heartfelt prayer. I do not heed the voices strange That ring round me to-day ; I list, instead, a voice I love From isles of "Far Away !" I live again the days of old, The happy, merry hours, When all life s skies were cloudless blue, Its pathways filled with flowers. The dream is o er ! I know the past Is but a memory now ; That death has twined a chaplet dark Around its marble brow. Stillness within the temple reigns, But hark ! A tinkling bell ! Ah ! there is One abiding here Who doeth all things well! There s One whose love is reaching out, Wide as the boundless sea ! Who holds within His sacred arms Those hearts I prize, and me! 204 CARL AND OF SON G What matter if we lie apart By many a weary mile ! Though even death has stepped between, Tis but "a little while !" A little while" to work His will, And then the endless rest ; A little while" of longing here, And then forever blest ! A HEART SONG. Vain to essay the task, dear friend, To paint thy noble worth ; Thy grace of mind, of heart, of soul, He knows who woke its birth. I would but whisper in thine ear Of love, a simple song, A strain from melodies that chime Within me loud and strong! heart to me so fondly true, You ve shared my deepest woe, And searched and found the good that slept My many faults below ! 1 said you soothed my heaviest griefs, But all my joy you never knew, For the sweet bliss your friendship brought Could not be spoken e en to you. GARLAND OF SONG 205 And do you know the prayer I breathe This gladsome Easter day ? 5 Tis that in death s dark hour thy love May be my strengthening stay. I will not fear that valley s gloom If thy dear face I see, If the sweet voice so well beloved, Will pray to Him for me ! God bless you for your tender love, Your life so pure and true, Your counsel, that in doubting hours Clears shadows from my view. May angels guard thee still, beloved, And keep a place for me Deep in thy heart, unworthy though Of love like thine I be ! DOWN THE LANE. Peaceful as childhood s slumbers, Sweeter than youth s bright dreams, Filled with a wondrous beauty The scene around me seems. The sun s last rays are painting Beyond the western hills, Pictures so rare, so lovely, Each pulse within me thrills. 206 GARLAND OF SONG Like a stream by grasses bordered, A line of silvery light, The footworn path is winding Away beyond the sight. The crickets chirp in the clover, The birds are still in the nest, And every breeze o er the meadow Is softly whispering "Rest!" Full many and many a footstep Has echoed along this lane, And many a merry whistle, And many a sob of pain ! The springing step of the youthful, The faltering feet of the old ; Hearts eager to read life s story, Hearts glad that the tale is told ! Hearts crowded with eager yearnings, Hearts mourning their buried joy ; Some seeing but gold the purest, And others the base alloy. O footworn path ! Though voiceless, You sing me a soft refrain, With swelling strains of gladness And minor tones of pain ! GARLAND OF SONG 207 I love to wander along you, To dream my dreams alone, And list to the tales that are told me By the grass and the mossy stone ! THE PINE S REPLY. "Why do you sigh, O stately Pine ! On the hill, this wintry day ? Your branches are green ; the oak, the elm Are mourning their leaves decay ! The Ice King s touch has no power to chill The life blood in your veins ; Then why do you burden the passing winds With those doleful, saddening strains?" And this is the answer the Pine Tree made, As he ceased for awhile his moan : "I know that I m robed in a mantle green, But I stand, thus decked, alone. See the oak and the elm I loved so well Bereft of their leafy crown; Ah, me ! each pang that they felt was mine, As their treasures fluttered down ! "I strove with an aching heart to turn The blast of the storm on me ; Ah ! could I but yield up my life for theirs, How happy and glad I d be ! 208 GARLAND OF SONG But pity and pleadings and loving were vain ; Leafless arms are outstretched to the skies, And for every deep scar that they carry, its mate Deep down in my heart depths lies." And I thought, as I turned from the sighing Pine, That the sharpest of pangs we know Is the grief that comes when we helpless gaze On a loved one s bitter woe ! CALLING THE COWS. Along the narrow grass-edged path That countless feet have trod, She dances on, the merry girl, With steps that spurn the sod. The birds and squirrels flitting past Are not so full of glee, While o er the fields in ringing tones, "Co boss !" "Co boss !" calls she. The slender maid with life s fair dawn, Toward noon just reaching out, Trips on with song more music-filled Than schoolgirl s merry shout ; It tells of airy castles built With hope and love as stones, While o er the fields, "Co boss! Co boss!" Rings out in dulcet tones ! GARLAND OF SONG 209 The woman, bent with toil and years, Goes slowly o er the way ; The castles reared in early youth Have crumbled into clay. The weariness that s in her heart, Is echoed in her tone : "Co boss ! Co boss !" The quavering cry Dies into sighing moan. Still Mother Nature s feast is spread, Let hearts be sad or gay ! Her songs re-echo whether gloom Or joy lie on our way ! And when the weary woman-heart Is resting neath the sod, Some young, glad voice will call "Co boss !" O er path where once she trod. FATHER DAMIEN. O sing your requiems, waves and winds, On far off tropic shore! O mourn the Soldier of the Cross, Arms stacked forevermore ! The weapons forged in Love s fierce flame Of sacrifice untold ! And shining with the glittering gems Of abnegation s gold ! 14 210 GARLAND OF SONG Dear father, twas a lonely way, Where waves moaned on the shore, While with their wailings rose the cry Of suffering evermore. Aye, lonely as the world defines, The loneliness of soul, But well we know the angels walked Beside thee to the goal ! Treading within the Savior s steps, "And doing all things well ;" Letting the light of Christian Hope Shine through Despair s dark cell, So like thy Master, hands upraised To serve and heal and bless, While to His little ones you gave The Father s pure caress. Within that far-off tropic isle The twilight splendor glows In dazzling hues for one brief space, And then as swiftly goes ; So thou when life was radiant with Thy splendid deeds of light, Saw deepening shadows gather round And fold thee in Death s night. But o er the gloom of wind-swept grave, A star of beauty beams, And through its rays, to all the world, Thy martyr s halo gleams. GARLAND OF SONG 211 While man remembers glorious deeds, Thy name shall live in light, For never Soldier of the Cross Died in a nobler fight! O sigh your requiems, ocean winds, Above the martyred one! But clearer than your wailing rings The Master s sweet "Well done!" No grander, purer, nobler soul E er waged the war of God. Sleep on, O soldier of the Cross, Beneath the sea-girt sod! CHRIST REIGNS ! In St. Vincent s Church, Chicago, as the midnight hour ushered in the century, the Sacred Host was enthroned on the altar, and above it electricity wrote in letters of light : "Christ Reigns." O glorious message, flashing forth Above the Host of white ! O grandest truth in fiery lines Beside the God of might ! Aye, Babe Divine of Bethlehem s Crib! The Child of Nazareth s ways ! The Man-God dying on the Cross ! Thy standard tis we raise ! The Century dawns with all its hopes, Its joys and trembling fears, 212 GARLAND OF SONG Its promises of future good, Mayhap its sin and tears ! Yet He who holds the endless years Within his grasp to-day, Will from the evil bring the good And wipe the tears away ! Christ Reigns ! O glorious, blissful truth, Flashed out above the shrine ! Christ Reigns ! O may His "Kingdom come" Within thy heart and mine ! SISTER ST. GERTRUDE. "Our Lord has need of this flow ret fair," The Christmas Angels said. The stem was snapped ; the lily white In all its bloom lay dead. O spouse of Jesus, lying there, God s peace upon thy brow, How strange it seems to chant o er thee The Misereres now ! More fitting far twould be to let The Glorias loudly ring, Or the Laudate s tones of praise Their flight above to wing. GARLAND OF SONG 213 For when youth s roseate rays of dawn Streamed o er life s flowery way, When "Home" outstretched its yearning arms And pleading, bade thee stay, Thou turned away; thine ears attuned To Heaven s rapturing strain, Thine eager eyes fixed far beyond Where walked the virgin train. And now the Christmas anthems ring, The Babe has claimed His own, The lily soul is with the Lamb Forever round the throne. O weeping ones, all bowed in grief Above your broken flower! Our tears for you who drink to-day The cup of Calvary s hour ! But He, the Babe Divine, who threw The gloom across your ways, Will send the sunshine of His love To light the darkened days. O give to Him the "Mary" loved Who "chose the better part !" And let the peace from Bethlehem s Crib Steal to each sorrowing heart! 214 GARLAND OF SONG CHIMES FROM THE PAST. I list to the bells in the distance, To the chirrup of birds in the trees, To the swaying and sighing of branches, That are wooed by the evening breeze ! The clouds in their snowy beauty Sail over an azure sea, And I revel in all the sweetness, So lavishly scattered for me ! The day with its treasures of pleasure, Its laughter and merry jest, Is sailing in ships that are golden, Away to the far-off West ! And I waft it a good-bye greeting, And I m sorry to see it go, But I turn to the restful evening, With a heart that is all aglow ! How many an airy castle We rear in those sunset hours ! What matter it if it perish Like fairest of fragile flowers ! We taste in those fairy mansions The rarest of earthly joy, And forget, while Fancy builds them, That the gold has aught of alloy! Like vesper bells in a village That nestles among the hills ! Like sweetest of silvery music That comes from the rippling rills ! GARLAND OF SONG 215 Like soft, calm light from the moonbeams, Like all that is pure and clear, Are the thoughts that the evening bringeth To the heart that its song can hear ! could I but sing of the rapture The hour of the twilight e er brings ! But only the faintest of echoes Respond to the touch of the strings ! 1 wonder when Life s ship is sailing Far off to the sunset shore, Will the same sweet peace be my portion, My own forevermore. UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 000 774 396 6