1DD 1 Later Poems Edward Octavus Flagg LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ frit /> POEMS SECOND EDITION, AND LATER POEMS BY EDWARD OCTAVUS FLAGG NEW-YORK THOMAS WHITTAKER 2 AND 3 BIBLE HOUSE 1895 Copyright, 1890, 1895, by THOMAS WHITTAKER. THE DE VINNE PRESS. SDebication (Co mp ^eparteb #rienb0. lines vt ma? in t^e toorln immortal ftp a plan compulsion 31n JH^morg of Dayjs m ve ^j Portal* REV. EDWARD OCTAVUS FLAGG, D. D. POET OF THE 52 D ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE ALPHA DELTA PHI FRATERNITY. DR. FLAGG was born at Georgetown, S. C., Decem- ber 13, 1824. His father was Henry Collins Flagg, Jr., of Yale, Class of 1812; and his grandfather, Henry Collins, was surgeon in the Revolutionary army on Gen- eral Nathanael Greene's staff. While at Yale, Henry Col- lins Flagg, Jr., a native of Charleston, S. C., met his wife, Miss Martha Whiting, daughter of Wm. J. Whiting, a court officer and a Yale man. The subject of this sketch attended the Lancasterian school of New Haven, where he was the gold medallist as best scholar, and it was said of him by his teacher, Mr. John E. Lovell, that " he was able to do more things and do them better " than any boy that ever came under his tui- tion. His versatility was always remarkable. At thirteen he was offered $400 per annum as an assistant in a promi- nent school. After finishing a course of instruction at the Lancasterian and Hopkins Grammar School, New Haven, he studied civil engineering. He then entered Trinity College, Hartford. Among the first in his class while there, he was obliged, in consequence of financial depres- sion, to leave before graduating. He studied law during a short period for educational training. Possessing a tal- ent for music, he became a member of the choir of Trinity vi Rev. Edward Octavus Flagg, D. D. Church, New Haven. Under the ministration of Rev. Dr. Harry Croswell, his thoughts were led to the study of divinity, and he became a candidate for Holy Orders. He pursued a course of theology under the direction of the Rev. Drs. Croswell, Cook, and Pitkin. Upon entering the ministry, his first charge was that of assistant to Rev. Dr. William F. Morgan (afterward of St. Thomas's Church, New York city) in Norwich, Conn. An organization of a second church in that parish, called Trinity, resulted in his election to the rectorship. A fine congregation grew up under his pastorate, and another church was founded and developed in Yantic, Conn. Thereafter he was associate rector of St. Paul's at Balti- more, Md., acting rector of Trinity at New Orleans, re- fusing the permanent rectorship at $6000 a year, and effectively recommending as his successor Bishop Leonidas Polk. He was rector of St. Paul's, at Paterson, N. J. After a year abroad for his health, he accepted a call to All Saints, in New York city. At the request of a few friends he organized the Church of the Resurrection, New York, which was eventually handed over to another pres- byter. Again going abroad in consequence of ill health, on his return he supplied several parishes, including St. Mark's, in New York, where his ministrations were highly acceptable. He was long an assistant at Grace Church, New York, under Bishop Henry C. Potter and Dr. Wm. R. Huntington, where his powers of elocution were widely acknowledged. His last charge was St. Mark's, Tarrytown, the rectory of which was purchased during his incumbency. Threat- Rev. Edward Octavus Flagg, D. D. vii ened with a second attack of pneumonia, he relinquished regular parish work. Dr. Flagg came naturally by his abilities. His father was for five years editor of a Connecticut journal, and five years mayor of New Haven, as well as judge of the city court. He was a brilliant orator, and noted for his elocu- tionary powers. The son's travels have been very extensive. While in New Orleans he was spoken of for bishop of Texas. It is said that while preaching in New York, his name, among forty-seven candidates, came before the coun- cil of the New York University as worthy the degree of D. D. Hon. James T. Brady, who had then recently heard of an extempore address of Dr. Flagg under em- barrassing circumstances, warmly championed him, backed by Gov. John T. Hoffman, and of the three degrees then conferred his was one. While preaching in New York, he was made chaplain of the Prince of Orange Lodge of Free Masons, and of the gth Regiment of the N. G. S. N. Y. He preached at Col. James Fiske's burial; also a sermon over those who fell in the riots of '71. This was published by the press throughout the country, and was much commended for its eloquence and fearlessness, many congratulatory letters being received. During the visit of the Qth Regiment to Boston at the celebration of the Battle of Bunker Hill, he preached a patriotic sermon in the Boston Theater. Colonel Fiske told his private secretary that his purpose was to erect for the Doctor ultimately as handsome a church as could be found in the city of New York. viii Rev. Edward Octavus Flagg, D. D. Dr. Flagg has lectured extensively in New York, Massa- chusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey, in schools and on public occasions. His lectures have been on history, logic, literature, and the English language. From early youth he has been a favorite of the Muse, and his love for versification has resulted in a large number of poems, most of which are the product of his later years. All of them show not only a musical spirit, but a decided origi- nality and versatility. Among the most noted are " Live it Down," "Adirondack Poems," "A Word/' and the Convention poem before the Alpha Delta Phi, in 1884, which fraternity he joined while in Trinity, and where he is often a toast-master among the Alpha Delts. Flagg's poems have appeared in prominent journals in the East and middle West. Many have been set to music by S. P. Warren, Harrison Millard, and other composers. He published a volume including "The Prodigal Son," which won golden opinions. He is widely known as preacher, lecturer, and poet. Dr. Flagg's first wife, Eliza W., was the daughter of Gen. William Gibbs McNeil, U. S. A., who was a graduate of West Point, standing at the head of his class. His second wife, Mary Laetitia, is the daughter of Judge Joshua Beal Ferris, late of Stamford, Conn., who was a graduate of Yale. Dr. Flagg is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, Huguenot Society, the Ridgefield (Conn.) Club, and a number of other societies. The American University Magazine. NOVEMBER, 1894. PROLEGOMENA. THERE is little allurement in our day to tempt the un- professional writer into the field of polite literature. The rewards of present fame or pecuniary profit are now reduced to a minimum where they can be said to exist at all. As respects the verdict of posterity, however, an- other view offers itself. Certainly no harm is done in seek- ing it: for if the writing never reach the jury, literature will not suffer ; while if it ever do get so far, it will be only because it deserves to be heard. Besides, he who writes honestly for posterity must be strongly impressed with the conviction that he has something particular to say; and the world is always the gainer by the work of an earnest man unless perchance he be mad or silly. It is a poor and contemptible lamentation of the un- successful writer, that there are already too many authors. To one holding such views, good sense ought to dictate that he would better quit the field, and not add to what he complains of as a nuisance. Unless an author thoroughly believes he has something new to say to the world, . . . there 's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility. Yet I suppose the true reason why men write belles- lettres, in spite of the fact that publishers pay so few of x Prolegomena. them for their work, is that many writers court a sympathy for their thoughts they cannot hope otherwise to reach. There is always a large number of men and women in every community whose education and ideas are beyond the appreciation of those immediately surrounding them. They grow dissatisfied with the exercise of merely revolv- ing their "thoughts, feelings, and fancies" in silence in their own minds. It is a healthy relief to their mental con- gestion when they have the courage to write them out. Besides, by so formulating them, they can the better test their coherency and soundness. Moreover, when once written, they may be dismissed from the mind of the au- thor, to make way for new ones based either upon, and evolved from, what is thus laid aside, or upon what is freshly originated from a new angle of vision. It was well said, somewhat in this spirit, by La Bruyere : " When I wish to forget anything entirely, I write it down." But there is a great deal more than this. Every man who really is inspired by the mens divinior has within him what may be called a spiritual instinct for self-perpetua- tion. He desires intellectual offspring. When he writes with this aspiration, he spins from his own vitals as cer- tainly as does the silk-worm. Coupled with this instinct, when it is normal and sane, is the conviction that posterity will " not willingly let die " his memory. So strong is this overpowering faith that it often so overcomes his modesty as to make him, like Horace and others, blurt out such ex- pressions as Non omnis mortar, or Exegi monumentum, etc. Who shall blame his honesty ? I have been led to these reflections by reading the fore- Prolegomena. xi going biographical sketch of the Rev. Dr. Flagg, and ex- amining some of the advance-sheets of a volume of his poems now in press. There are, in many of these verses, an impress of earnestness, a religious spirit, a fervor of patriot- ism, and a touch of deep feeling that need no apology for coming into the overcrowded mart of poetical offerings at this time. It is in evidence that a man who has led so busy a life was under the influence of some irrepressible afflatus, else he would have found occupation for all of his hours when out of professional harness without yield- ing to the importunities of the Muse. The brief verses "Live it Down" (often set to music), U A Word," and " Death is Swallowed up in Victory," to be found among the more recent poems in this collection, are specially to be commended to any susceptible reader. From the touching verses entitled " A Word," a single stanza is here quoted as a specimen of the Doctor's musical quality : Perchance a word we now remember, Of one long passed away ; It comes back in our life's December, A blossom of its May. Not volumes, with such gentle power, The depths of soul awake; 'T will linger to our latest hour For that loved sleeper's sake. DECEMBER, 1894. A. M. CONTENTS. PAGE. A COMRADE 227 A DOG'S DEATH 206 A HYPERCRITICAL WORLD FROM THE AFGHAN. . . . 100 AIR OF SlASCONSET 135 AT A BANQUET OF THE SONS OF THE REVOLUTION. 246 A TRUST 220 A WORD 190 BEAUTIFUL HUDSON 134 BE LOWLY, O CHRISTIAN ! 108 CALAMITY 105 CAMP SONG ( i ) 86 CAMP SONG (2) 87 CAMP SONG (3) . . 88 CAST ANCHOR 136 CHILDREN AND THE CHURCH 241 CHRISTMAS CAROL (i) 71 CHRISTMAS CAROL (2) 73 CHRISTMAS MEDITATIONS 69 CLOUDS 158 CONJUGALITY 226 CONVENTION POEM OF THE ALPHA DELTA PHI 41 " DEATH is SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY " 233 DEDICATION OF AN ALBUM 141 DIES IRJE 230 DOES THE POET LIVE ? 214 EASTER CAROL , 156 FLORAL TRIBUTE 63 GENERAL VON MOLTKE 196 xiv Contents. PAGE. HAIL WE ALL THE GLADSOME HOUR 235 " HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED " 243 I LOOK BEYOND 131 I LOVE MY CHURCH 240 INDIVIDUALITY 103 IN MEMORY OF PHILLIPS BROOKS 221 LET DOWN THE BARS 216 LIFE AS IT is 127 LIFE IN DEATH , 1 23 LINES ON THE DEATH OF LONGFELLOW 95 LIVE IT DOWN 159 LORD TENNYSON 197 MODERATE AIMS 228 MOONLIGHT AT RIDGEFIELD 225 MY CANARY 209 MY FLOWERS 139 MY FRIEND 200 MY WORLD WITHIN 157 NEVER DESPAIR 149 NEW VERSION OF THE SCRIPTURES 151 No NORTH, No SOUTH 153 NOVEMBER MUSINGS 199 OMNIPRESENCE 238 ON PRESENTING A FLORAL HORSESHOE TO A BRIDE, 148 ON SEEING A PICTURE OF LABORERS AT PRAYER ... 146 ON THE DEATH OF NATHANIEL S. RICHARDSON, D. D. 115 ON THE DEATH OF REV. STEPHEN H. TYNG, D. D. . . 129 OTONDA 165 PARTING HYMN FOR THE VAN NORMAN INSTITUTE, 143 PARTING HYMN 234 RAIN 207 REASON AND REVELATION 237 REFINEMENT 155 Contents. xv PAGE. RENEWAL OF WORK ON BARTHOLDI'S STATUE 98 REVERIES ON VIRGINIA BEACH 203 ST. HUBERT'S ISLE (i) 83 ST. HUBERT'S ISLE (2) 85 STANLEY'S MARCH 160 STATEN ISLAND 119 TAKE NO THOUGHT FOR THE MORROW 121 TEACHERS OF IMMORTALITY 244 ATHEISM 144 THE BEAR IN THE ADIRONDACKS 89 THE BELL BUOY 113 THE BETTER SIDE 241 THE BREAKER ' 112 THE DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION 192 THE DREADED ISLAND 201 THE EASTER SONG 236 THE EMPTY STOCKING , 75 THE ENGLISHMAN AND THE SCOT 212 THE EVENING GUN 138 " THE FAR-AWAY LOOK " 217 THE FLOWERS IN BOSTON PUBLIC GARDEN 204 THE GRAVE OF JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE 1 18 THE HIDDEN CROSS 1 1 1 THE HORSE 211 THE LION'S FEAST 186 THE LORD'S PRAYER 207 THE MAGDALEN'S PRAYER 141 THE OCTOGENARIAN'S LAMENT 215 THE PRODIGAL SON 1 1 THE SEVENTIETH BIRTHDAY OF WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN 197 THE SILENT MARCH 117 THE SILKWORM 244 xvi Contents. PAGE. THE SOUL OF LOVE 223 THE STORM SPIRIT 224 THE TOMB OF ULYSSES S. GRANT 109 THE WACCAMAW , 219 THE WINDS 147 " THOSE WE REMEMBER " 229 To A BEREAVED FRIEND 79 To A DISTINGUISHED PHYSICIAN ON HIS SEVENTY- SECOND BIRTHDAY 213 To A FRIEND AFTER A LONG ABSENCE 210 To BE A PROTESTANT 107 To MY DAUGHTER BESSIE 132 To MY DAUGHTER SALLIE 133 To ONE BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY 74 To THE CAPITOL AT WASHINGTON 194 UNCROWNED KINGS 222 VAIN REGRETS J 16 WASHINGTON 124 WINTER 125 WORK FOR LOVE AND DUTY 64 THE PRODIGAL SON. THE PRODIGAL SON. HOME of old enchained the eye Of those its charms might see ; Parental kindness wove a tie, From formal rule set free. The wearied, there enticed to rest, Could find some spell to soothe the breast. ii In pride the brilliant lily grew, Which paled the monarch's sheen, When gorgeous clad he met the view Of Sheba's noted queen. Cool zephyrs fanned where fountains played, And sweetest bird-notes filled the glade. 12 The Prodigal Son. in No careless wish, at random sent, Was ever breathed in vain, And cunning skill, with kind intent, Stood near to baffle pain. 'T would seem one scarce could wish for more, On earth, than blessed that home of yore. IV But strange, there dwells in wayward man A demon ill at ease, Howe'er contrivance lays its plan, The changeful whim to please The word of fondness, winning smile, Can ne'er from purpose rash beguile. v An elder son, severe and sage, Endued with self-control, Sought first to nurse a father's age, And never wished to stroll From scenes, wherein, his childhood reared, The ripening hours had more endeared. VI Like nestling, beating half-formed-wing, Assaying flight in vain, The Prodigal Son. 13 His brother scorned joy's well-known spring, Forbidden fruits to gain. Impatient, like a mastiff bound, He filled the air with doleful sound. VII To sire indulgent thus he spake, In tone unfilial, rude : " My portion give, and let me break From scenes in which long mewed. 'T is hard to bear restraint unmeet ; I wish a stirring world to greet." VIII This heedless youth, with skill untried, Would tempt a stormy wave, While those who oft have stemmed the tide Dare not such billow brave. The early buds too soon will die, And fledglings fall that strive to fly. IX Thus ever man insults that Will, Obeyed, revered above : Yea, whispered accents mild and still, Embalmed in Jesus' love ; Distrustful as to daily bread, Though like the sparrow, constant fed. 14 The Prodigal Son. Since every effort proved but vain, To reach such truant mind, The father, fraught with heartfelt pain That love had ceased to bind, Though deeply moved his child to save, The portion sought, reluctant gave. XI 'T is thus, while leads that Shepherd's crook Which guides to pastures green, Those deaf through sin, no longer brook A counsel wise, serene. Permission tempts a soul awry, Its own inventions crude to try. XII This younger brother sees a life Of pleasure, half-revealed, Those pastimes which with death are rife, Whose poison lies concealed, A thoughtless boy let loose from school, Deriding all restrictive rule. XIII Endowed with means to suit his ends, Inconstant fancy please, The Prodigal Son. 15 His mind perverted, close he bends, The shortest route to seize, By which to gain the perfumed heights, Where sweet Hymettus yields delights. XIV He would some " far off country " seek, Unvexed by precepts sage, Where healthful warnings should not preach, From lips of hoary age. He longed to roam in sunny lands, 'Mid mirth, and song, and sarabands. xv The sinner's haunts are far away From God's serene domain; 'Mid riot, pomp and roundelay, Where madness waits on pain, Those Saturnalia, wild and deep, In which both law and virtue sleep. XVI With lavish hand he strewed the wealth, His father kind bestowed. He lightly ventured name and health, While free the goblet flowed. The gold, long stored with frugal care, Exhaled like mist that melts in air. The Prodigal Son. XVII With forethought drugged, he tossed the dice, To artful rogues a prey : In secret, where the gamester's vice Abhors the light of day. By guile allowed, he won at first, Till deep decoyed, he fared the worst. XVIII Attired in fashion's raiment new, Of costly fabrics made; He oft appeared in varied hue, With silly dress parade. By foppish trappings' tawdry glare, He sought to make plebeians stare. XIX He roamed in halls of marble white, Enriched with bronze and gold, Where windows flashing mingled light, Devices quaint unfold Gay nymphs and satyrs oft descried, 'Mid columns, bas-reliefs beside. xx Fair vases pleased, of Egypt's art, Surpassing later skill, The Prodigal Son. 17 And Grecian taste performed its part, Some favored niche to fill ; The painter spread a wanton charm, That gilded vice and augured harm. XXI The seas were dragged, the woods explored, Which dainty food supplied. Choice wines, that clusters rich afford, Out flowed, a crimson tide. Attendants grave, a dusky band, Obeyed at once their lord's command. XXII In splendid chariot swift he rode, By prancing coursers drawn, Equipped in latest courtly mode, They swept across the lawn Ambitious in his paltry lust, To revel 'mid a cloud of dust. XXIII The syren Pleasure lured him on, To vilest haunts of crime, Till shame had left its youthful throne,- That shield which guards our prime. He sacrificed life's sacred hours To Vice that haunts voluptuous bowers. 2 1 8 The Prodigal Son. XXIV A dulcet voice entranced his ear, Like chiming water's flow. He deemed no lurking evil near, Presaging future woe. As beauty spun her subtle thread, Defeated resolution fled. xxv At game he lost, yet still he played, Until his hoard was gone. His summer friends their exit made, And left him all alone. A helpless wreck on fortune's main, No beacon rose to cheer again. XXVI To drown remorse he quaffed the bowl, While imps shrieked through the air, As reason fled beyond control, Uprose a lurid glare ; And when deep tolled the midnight bell, Before him yawned avenging hell. XXVII By want distressed, he sought for aid, Of those his purse had shared, The Prodigal Son. 19 But quick did summer friends evade His suit nor e'en had cared Should he, so kind when they applied, Through such ingratitude have died. XXVIII A mighty famine smote the land, Scant fruits the harvest bore. 'T was so when great Jehovah's hand Had Israel scourged of yore ; When men despised those terms benign, Declared by seer, upheld by sign: XXIX " A citizen " 't is told he found Amid his sorry plight, Who soon to vilest service bound This man that scorned the right. He sent him to the sty to feed The unclean brute of sateless greed. XXX And could he, stricken thus, still rove, Yet longer leave his home ? Despised and scorned, neglect that love, Whence madly lured to roam ? Did Folly tread its thorny way, Unblessed by Duty's filial ray ? 20 The Prodigal Son. XXXI So weak are all apart from God, Sad wanderers o'er the earth, They lightly heed correction's rod, Impugn their heavenly birth. But harder yet the lot in store, For Crime will scourge them more and more. XXXII What thoughts within, conflicting burned, When pondering o'er his fate, To swineherd's menial labor turned, From rich and envied state ! Alas, the baneful fruits of sin ! Such prize do Pleasure's suitors win. XXXIII Can Jew descend to this gross task, Take charge of loathsome beast, Whose flesh no hind would stoop to ask For meanest Hebrew feast ? Those demon-haunted go-betweens, Where dwelt the heathen Gadarenes ! XXXIV Behold a step beyond, Vice leads One duped through self-deceit. The Prodigal Son. 21 Devouring hunger loudly pleads For husks the swine did eat. But e'en such boon no hand would give, That this poor famished wretch might live. XXXV No better lot mere Sense bestows, On such as woo her joys; From worse to worse the victim goes, As Satan's art decoys. Those bound to flesh who slight God's will, With world husks ne'er can have their fill. xxxvi Now turn aside from this sad scene, With sacred lessons fraught ; In hope that all God's care may screen, From joys by ruin bought ; And let the heart its strength renew, As brighter prospects meet the view. XXXVII 'Neath yonder tall and beauteous tree, With branches spreading wide, Inviting by its shade, to flee From heat and traffic's tide, Behold a feeble, outstretched form, A stranded bark in life's rude storm. 22 The Prodigal Son. XXXVIII He wears a garb of coarsest kind, His feet are bruised and bare, The stifled, sighing, dirge-like wind Uplifts his silken hair. Too soon the marks of age appear, For Time could leave few tokens here. xxxix His features, formed of classic mold, Were once a parent's pride ; Misguided friends their beauty told, While worth was laid aside. Indulgence, mark the fatal end To which thy unsafe guidings tend ! XL The tearful eyelids oft o'erflow, 'Mid bursts of poignant grief, As though the soul, oppressed with woe, Could never find relief. A weeping child again we see, In him abased beneath yon tree. XLI Reproaches come from every brute Which uncomplaining feeds, The Prodigal Son. 23 Content, enforced in language mute, With what supplies our needs ; He learns how all God's creatures thrive, Who by His law submissive live. XLII " Unto himself" he now has come, His manhood's nobler self. A blessing sober thought has won, Transcending fame or pelf. The grief he cannot longer bear A bliss enfolds, which angels share. XLIII He muses, how the hireling bands, That serve his sire's full board, Best food enjoy the yielding lands In harvest rich afford ; While famished he, with portion fled, Could claim no place to rest his head. XLIV A late repentance melts his heart, And bends his stubborn will ; Deep yearnings, long repressed, upstart, Nor shame nor fear can chill. They bid an injured parent seek, So just and yet withal so meek. 24 The Prodigal Son. XLV " I will," the truant says, " arise, And to my father go. Will say, ' My sin to heaven cries, A sin that brings thee woe. Thy servant make me, call not son An ingrate who such wrong hath done.' " XLVI A parent's love no tongue can tell, 'T is like the ocean deep, Which laves the shore with ceaseless swell, It cannot pause nor sleep. 'T is like the changeless stars above, That never from their orbits move. XLVI I Fit pattern He, who came to earth, From yon supernal home, To save the lost of mortal birth, That fitful, foolish roam, With ardor chasing bubbles thin, Which dance and lure to haunts of sin. XLVIII And ah, 't is oft the wandering child Towards which the parent leans ; The Prodigal Son. 25 Although to darkest deeds beguiled, This ne'er affection weans. He sees, perchance, a fairer side At times to reckless faults allied. XLIX Thus pause we o'er some statue old, Despite its broken grace, Disfigured long by envious mold, On hand, on foot, on face, Which, yet a power of genius shows, No common work can e'er disclose. And so to Israel's bard of yore, Though stained with dreadful crime, Jehovah tender feeling bore For David's love sublime. His judgment Mercy soon effaced, As this bright gem beneath he traced. LI Thus lenient he, in saddest mood, Whose son, long since away, His father's counsel, sage, withstood, In distant lands to stray. A void remained both dark and chill, His brother strove in vain to fill. 26 The Prodigal Son. LII The gently sighing wind is fraught With eastern odors rare, While many a gift is kindly brought To banish dull despair. The father's spirit cannot rise ; A cloud obscures the radiant skies ! LIII But now the son, with heart elate, His tears replaced by smiles, Sets forth for home, with quickened gait, Surmounting weary miles. As storm-tossed birds to covert fly, This hapless youth did thither hie. LIV Thus hasten those by conscience pressed, Who grace once lost would win; To seek again the slighted rest, And life anew begin. They eager tread the narrow way, Through many a gloomy, lengthened day. LV 'Mid drear and rock-ribbed wastes he toiled, And frightening dangers braved, The Prodigal Son. 27 His scanty garb was torn and soiled, While food he vainly craved. His feeble limbs, his meager form, Could scarce withstand the driving storm. LVI At each advance his nerve had failed, His strength had given o'er, For fortune's blasts had oft assailed, And ills remained in store. Yet Fancy sketched dear scenes beyond His soul could never quite despond. LVII His only bed the dismal ground, His roof the vault above ; His hardships so extreme he found, 'Gainst desperate thoughts he strove. But soon the light of opening day, Restored fond trust with blessed ray. LVIII The via dolorosa One, With bleeding footstep trod, And he must choose that path alone, That seeks again his God ; If recreant e'er in noblest strife, Which gains the font of endless life. 28 The Prodigal Son. LIX At last his native haunts are seen, As they were wont to charm; Each well-known spot in memory green, Aloof from worldly harm. Kind welcomes float from bird and rill, With echoed strains 'mid glade and hill. LX Oh, most refreshing, blissful sight, In all this world of ours A gleam of once familiar light, From early cherished bowers ; When years have passed since youth essayed To leave the home where childhood played. LXI And nought delights the vision more, When long from fostering care Of Christian nurture, heavenly lore, In sin's remorseless snare, Than light from that unshadowed clime, Where seraph voices greetings chime. LXII And now, as mourning ewe perceives The lost returned from far, The Prodigal Son. 29 While dingle, brake and shadowing leaves Her sense can ne'er debar, Through features changed, and plight forlorn, The father knows his younger born. LXI1I And as fond ewe, without delay, Leaps forth her lamb to meet, No longer will that father stay, But hastes his son to greet. He clasps and kisses once again, The child who caused him anxious pain. LXIV Our condescending Parent kind, That light of every home, The contrite soul will always find, Howe'er it choose to roam. A pardoning kiss, a sweet embrace, Will yet the chiding past efface. LXV The wanderer speaks, he pleads, " Forgive, Dear father, him who kneels, A culprit base, unfit to live, And who just vengeance feels. Thy servant make me, call not son, A disobedient, faithless one." 30 The Prodigal Son. LXVI Observe how he o'erlooks the past, This soul oppressed relieves, What guerdon binds repentance fast, How dear its blest reprieves ! No menial office will be given, To one reclaimed from earth to heaven. LXVII He shall not wear those rags debased, A purple robe is brought, A ring is on his finger placed, Of finest gold, well wrought. His unprotected feet in shoes No thorns can pierce, no stones will bruise. LXVI II The slave to freeman's state advanced, A robe and ring could claim. Fit symbols these of lives enhanced From servile walks of shame ; When man by sin no longer bound, Through faith released, in Christ is found. LXIX The fatted calf must leave his stall, To bleed for this event. The Prodigal Son. 31 To boon companions one and all, A summons far is sent. " The dead now lives, the lost is found, Oh, spread the glorious tidings round." LXX The happy parent cannot keep Within his surcharged breast, A pleasure fraught with import deep, The homestead once more blest, But wide proclaims, his truant one Is now again an honored son. LXXI As bidden guests are glad below Through God's mysterious ways, Most thrilling notes responsive flow Where rise celestial lays ; Since e'en when one repentant sues, Rejoicing angels bear the news. LXXI I The tabret sends a merry sound, The harp, the viol too, The gleesome strains afar rebound, Where smiles each sylvan view ; The long deserted chambers ring, As friends elated dance and sing. 32 The Prodigal Son. LXXIII And where dwells he of cynic mold, Who chides such harmless mirth ? Does festal warmth a serpent cold In envy wake from earth ? No feast without its specter grim, To dash the bowl e'er reached the brim. LXXIV As night steals on, the elder born Pursues his homeward way, While mingling sounds not heard at morn, His eager footsteps stay. He asks why orgies loud intrude, To mock the evening solitude. LXXV Surprised he learns, quite safe and sound That brother long away, Within his father's home now found, Awakens scenes so gay ; The dance, the song, the shouts of glee, From neighbors glad his face to see. LXXVI As flashes, 'thwart the cloudy sky, Precede a storm's descent, The Prodigal Son. 33 So gathering gleams within his eye Show anger's fierce intent. He, unfraternal, will not come To share his brother's joy at home. LXXVII But, like our Lord, persistent, kind To those that mocked his name, Who turned so oft the wayward mind From stubborn, vengeful frame, With mild entreaties seeks his sire, To curb this restless, chafing ire. LXXVII I " For many years," declares the son, " Thee faithful I have served, Of thy commandments broken none, From duty never swerved. Yet e'en a kid has not been slain, In proof that I thy rule sustain. LXXIX " But when, by many a harlot vile, Thy gains have been devoured, Upon a spendthrift thou dost smile, And greetings fond are showered. Though naught is done in my behalf, For him is killed the fatted calf." 34 The Prodigal Son. LXXX The sire would such harsh thoughts allay, And motives just outline : " Son, near me thou dost ever stay, And all I have is thine. But now o'erjoyed we feast within, Because a soul is saved from sin." LXXXI 'T would seem the elder's sharp complaint Was urged by sense of right, But different when the facts we paint Reflecting gospel light. Broad truth disdains that narrow cell, Wherein vain mortal judgments dwell. LXXXII The first-born brother, stern and cold, Emotion kept at bay, Imagined (cast in moral mold) His logic sure must sway, Where one, to passion's spur a slave, Had dared a parent's will to brave. LXXXIII He never felt the power of love To render service meet ; The Prodigal Son. 35 That found, the simplest act will move At gentle Mercy's feet. Affection's aid he could not blend With those their broken lives would mend. LXXXIV The Scribe, and Pharisee of old, Claimed pardon as a debt, Their acts of merit loud were told, 'Gainst each transgression set. So sought the formal son to place The law above God's boundless grace. LXXXV The father, like the gospel's Lord, While pleased with service strict, To love would pardon swift accord, Though justice might conflict. We thus discern free grace is shown, That comes from God's eternal throne. LXXXVI Our story treats of ways divine, For all o'ercome with sin, It doth a tender wish enshrine, The soul misled to win. May matchless solace touch the deeps, Where unconsoled repentance weeps. 36 The Prodigal Son. LXXXVII Lone child of frailty, long hath strayed In crime's unhallowed path ? By habit chained, art sore dismayed At black impending wrath ? Art crushed to earth, despised, forlorn, No heart to rise 'mid social scorn ? LXXXVII I Dost weep for sin's reproachful dye, For highest trust misused ? Doth waked contrition heave a sigh, For choicest friend abused ? Wouldst yet repair that shattered life, So oft depressed with thickening strife ? LXXXIX Then think of him in woful form, Who left pollution's mire. He saw a bow above the storm, A patience naught could tire. Repentance won a robe and ring, Made happy neighbors dance and sing. xc Quick yield thy swineherd's wretched lot, And fly to sheltering home, The Prodigal Son. 37 Where absent ones are ne'er forgot By Him who bids us come. A ring of freedom waits thee there, A spotless robe thou too canst wear. xci The merry heart of Christian thine, Beneath an ample roof, No need of feast, of song, of wine, To aid Redemption's proof, But o'er thy brow a halo bright, Will tell of changeless, pure delight. xcn Pray, never suffer evil eye, A brother's faults to view, When purest saints, with thoughts on high, Indulgence humbly sue. Without the Christ-atoning hand, The test of justice none can stand. XCIII Thus He who treasured Mary's tears, Did Peter frail forgive, Will quiet all tumultuous fears, Will cause the soul to live, Where faith and charity combined, Rich fruits of hope shall ever find. 38 The Prodigal Son. xciv And ah, corroding envy shun, When others win the race. If they with footstep fleet outrun, 'T were wise to mend the pace. Unfair to grudge the better meed, That well befits the better deed. xcv And view not with contracted look, This life the Church the State, Each seeming difference mildly brook On God content to wait; Convinced that He in future years Will make more plain what dark appears. xcvi And ye who would improve mankind, Would point the better way, Recall that father's constant mind, Unwearied by delay. Let Love's inspiring flame still burn, Although a son should not return ! ALPHA DELTA PHI POEMS. ALPHA DELTA PHI POEM. DELIVERED AT THE FIFTY-SECOND CONVENTION, MIDDLETOWN, CONN., MAY 28, 1884. I AIR city, which compos'd and queen-like sits With vassal streamlet at thy side, | Thy lovely picturesqueness well befits These spirits choice, an academic tide Who lustrous by the gems of ancient thought, To trace the beautiful have best been taught. ii With love of learning and with open heart Thy residents extend good cheer To those for whom its living fountains start, Who deem its rich rewards of mind more dear Than ingots, which with pain are brought from far Or trophies crimson'd with the gore of war. 41 42 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. in Much pleas'd, thy sons and daughters do we greet For all invoking halcyon days ; May life's embittered cup be rendered sweet Its gloom dispelPd by heavenly rays. If corn and wine in other lands should fail, May thy rich valleys ne'er such loss bewail. IV And as the muse, which lives beyond the age And smiles upon the time to come, May growing worth thy lengthen'd years engage And ratify thy nursing home Of intellect, of prowess and of love, Which from high truth immortal ne'er shall move. A tender int'rest in our greeting wakes, As turn we to yon classic shrine, Enlight'ning those for whose especial sakes These friends congenial now entwine, And who of fellow-feeling touched the spring Which from their daily cares old comrades bring. VI John Wesley, name to every Christian dear, Such monument was reared to thee Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 43 Whom, if in world of light we may appear, Be sure we there with palm shall see Well known among the beatific throng That 'round the throne pour forth the seraph song. VII If undeserving, yet with pen aglow I speak for loftier name than all ; 'T were well conceived that Wesleyan bestow On Trinity within her call, The meed of clothing in poetic strains Those deathless sentiments the soul contains. VIII Dear sister, on the wing of cherished love Accept our treasured memory kind ; We trust our hearts from thee will never rove Where leagues but few affections bind. May health be theirs who mental tendrils train, Thy chapter worthy ne'er receive a stain. IX And well it were we pass not coldly by The name of Berkley, prized so well, And one long known to friendship's hallowed tie Whose precepts cannot fail to tell When long forgotten is this favored day, And o'er our sod the sighing breezes play. 44 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. Ye brethren of the Alpha Delta near Whom other institutions claim With unfeigned greetings we your hearts would cheer Whate'er may be your clime or name ; Accept a salutation fraught with power, Whose bloom defies the bustling, fleeting hour. XI The motive which cements our cordial will Uprose from no mean, sordid bond Briarean are the welcomes we distil From choicest reminiscence fond ; Our Banian tree has planted wide and deep From germs which were not born in cloistered sleep. XII We trust that all your cares are left behind, Beguiled by sweet communion's joy ; That blissful wakenings here you chance to find, Sad retrospect may not destroy ; And when enshrined within the heart of home These scenes may linger, gladdening years to come. XIII But greeting o'er to choose some fitting theme A tribute meet where earnestness we find Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 45 An undisputed duty plain must seem Where thought is not to duty blind. To tendencies material which appear, In terms concise we would invite your ear. Who dare assert our land is chained to sense, To mammon- worship and to vain expense In what the wise esteem but toys, Proud reason, deep-immersed in vapid joys That Darwin-like the masses seem to think The chattering ape must be the missing link ; Or, Epicurus-like, the eternal soul Base flesh did make and also doth control ? Sure lofty spires invite to realms above, And pastors speak the words of heavenly love If ofttimes fearing it were not so well To shock good taste with that proscribed word spell. Religion, perfumed, rises on the air, While notes of sweet persuasion are not rare. Then Education sheds her healthful smile, With well-schooled measures seeking to beguile From low, ensnaring and ill-timed pursuits, Reducing to a level with the brutes. Contrivances appear in every guise, To lift the earth-bound to supernal skies, To tear asunder from the mental gaze Obstructions which conceal the truth's clear rays ; 46 Alpha Delta Phi Poems, Yet still the carnal mind seeks carnal things, Despite each plan which moral effort brings. E'en as the cat which once was made a queen, A mouse appearing still a cat did seem, So those belonging to a sin-soiled race For old enticements disavow their grace; Professors grave and mitres, chair of state, Become the same as at a prior date Before transforming honor raised the wand, Enabling to assume the higher stand. An earthen vessel time at length reveals, Although a precious treasure it conceals. ii A moment let us glance the eye around And trace such taint as in the Church is found. The Church of Christ a spirit truth invests As pure as snow-flake which on mountain rests ; A Bride of Spouse Divine she is proclaimed, Of Him who in high heaven Chief is named ; Compared she is to that chaste silvery light Whose effluence pure relieves the raven night ; She is to soar without polluting spot In all the record of her endless lot. But as 'mid Eden crept the wily foe Fair innocence ensnared with cunning low So coils and venomed slime are found within That garden of redeemed ones, cleansed from sin. Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 47 Beyond the teachings of a simple creed Corrosive fashion and vain rite proceed, 'Till Babylonian is the scarlet hue That grieves the sober and reflecting view Or else, compounding with the natural man, The Faith relaxes from her ancient plan, And doctrine full of conservating power Obeys the skeptic triumph of the hour. The preacher's strength is on the human side ; Consulting taste, he must the Word divide ; Of vice in general he may speak at will ; Of vice particular, 't were best be still, Else to his grief, and also his dismay, He finds that he has preached himself away. Religious entertainment men require, And not for truth's sake they their clergy hire. in Then when we view Society, that state Presumed upon religion to await, Ordained for healthful purposes alone Supposed most rational in respective zone Much this is marred by horrid brazen crime, More base than in the untaught early time (Allowance made for heading of the press That suits a morbid public in the dress), The mischief-loving sisters of Macbeth May caldron stir, 'mid ceaseless dance of death, 48 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. Combining in their broth, some heads of banks, With disunited couples from all ranks. Alluding to a goodly, well-known state, Where marriage banns did much on courts await, A bishop once a distich did invent ; As memory serves, 't was somewhat thus it went : " I say * connect ' excuse the way 't is put When soon the well-feed lawyer says ' I cut.' " Of yore, a chief position it is said Was yielded to the heart and to the head. But often now the heels usurp the place Of intellect, the glory of the race. To speak the German no one need assay ; To dance it, were the accepted better way. IV Grotesque the exhibitions that we see A comedy without th' admission fee. Let 's take a peep at Folly's magic glass And choose from modish figures as they pass. Pray what is this that trips along the pave, With arms akimbo and with visage grave, O'er wrought in keeping one glass at the eye, Resistive well-bleached collar rising high ; With curtailed overcoat and long-tailed frock, And pantaloons so tense that children mock ; And bell-crowned beaver of such ample size That vapory thoughts find space in which to rise ; Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 49 With horizontal cane at midway held As though each saucy poodle would be quelled That rashly questioned with a rival gaze, This sample setting female hearts ablaze ? And what is this with wriggling, mincing pace, Its hair descending o'er the nobler face, With bonnet poised above the giddy head As though of brains it had a dainty dread ; With struggling limbs in fettering silks encased, With flying hands and lung-destroying waist, Which seems a grasshopper of larger growth While to enlarge the mind alone seems loath ? Fantastic the conceit that thus would shine Oblivious of an origin divine ; Why, pray, the painted savage more despise, When so-called Christians don such queer disguise ? Of yore a pluck'd fowl Plato styled a man ; Perhaps such model serves a present plan. Methinks less graceful is this hampered gait Than that suggested by the unfeathered state. Oh, when will Nature's face in charms appear Of paint and dye relieved, and uncouth gear ? Note next the conversation of the day ; How much in its behalf have we to say ? It gravitates upon the upper air With which its thinnest gases may compare ; 50 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. Not sparkling like the fluid in the glass, Or glistening dew-drop crowning blade of grass, With wit which, if not the highest, serves to cheer And drive from grief's abode the rising tear ; But seems it as to trees, mere oozing gum, Or like on buoyant waters floating scum ; Unseasoned by the salt of healthful lore, The man of thoughtfulness is styled a bore ; Instead of themes that lift the groveling mind, The senseless and the child-like do we find ; Or should the topic rise to serious grade, It dwells on stocks, on market movements, trade, Or last sensation in the journal read, On those but lately married, or the dead. Full many knit the brow in effort vain To find out if to-morrow it will rain ; Or if 't is very hot or very cold Whate'er the weather you will oft be told. But next can conversation be enhanced With thoughts so worthless in our books advanced ? Oft gravity is shocked with flimsy speech Because of much that 's published in our reach. Books to us are faithful blessings O'er the chequered path of life ; Soothing, full of kind caressings Are they 'mid this toilsome strife. Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 51 Yet are they as great an evil When perverted from their end ; Children are they of the devil, If foul error they defend. in Mental muscle fast increaseth When with noble thoughts that teem ; Mental muscle fast decreaseth If unreal as a dream. IV Trifling fiction much supplanteth Fact, exalting, living, pure; And the facile author granteth What more purchases secure. Books that read themselves are vended, Which the sluggard mind enjoys; And if crumbs of good be blended, Sweet and vapid treacle cloys. VI Bacon, Locke and Aristotle, Gibbon, Hume and Rollin, too, Upstart authors quickly throttle An ignoble Waterloo. 52 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. VII Light confections fail to nourish When the system strong meat craves ; So our minds cannot thus flourish, Sinking to dyspeptic graves. VIII And like books, so Art doth pander To a morbid, vicious need ; From its higher walks doth wander, Unenlighten'd tastes to feed. IX Classic schools are oft derided By the painters of the day ; Sordidly, it is decided, Classic schools will never pay. Glittering and fantastic pictures Much the connoisseur offend Whereon artists place no strictures, Since the trade it doth befriend. XI Music and the art dramatic Bend low to the vulgar will, While the critic when emphatic Doth with rage impostors fill. Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 53 XII Poesy of noble mission, Sent from grossness vile to save, Tell me, pray, what thy condition While sweeps on this vandal wave ? XIII Dost thou lift unsullied beauty Spite such devastation fell; Hast forgot thy sacred duty Errors' darkness to dispel ? XIV Shade of Shakespeare make thee stronger 'Mid the slough of deep despond; If thou struggle ages longer Give to him thy fealty fond. xv Lo, the muse, with dastard yielding, Stoops unworthy crown to wear ; Ne'er relenting, judgment shielding, Seeking soon such wreath to tear. XVI For the sake of favor winning, And the populace to please, Oft we find the poet sinning On the side of pelf and ease. 54 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. XVII Rhetoric takes the place of thinking, Luring with convenient haze ; Form, advanced with foppish prinking. Doth bewildered readers daze. XVIII Much the crowd affect to like it, Captured by a verbose show ; From the page would good sense strike it For one thought in lucid flow. XIX Note yon orb with frenzy rolling, While ascends poetic mist ; ? Mid vagarious numbers strolling, Vainly seek you for the gist. xx Milton vanish in confusion, Coleridge, Wordsworth, Pope and Burns Bleeding from severe contusion, Rest neglected in your urns. XXI Turn we now from art and letters To the needful judged by most; Leaving verdict for our betters To the criticising host. Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 55 XXII Wealth our Father kindly gave us, In a soil of rare resource ; Much His aid we need to save us From a soul-consuming course. XXIII This a shining bubble dances, While the wise and foolish chase ; This the zest of life enhances, Spurs the slow, unwilling pace : XXIV Argonautic expeditions For the golden fleece equipped, Rousing men in all positions, Eager rush they to be shipped. XXV Much of good the gold hath done us ; Tears uprising doth it stay ; But, alas, it oft hath won us To forsake the better way. XXVI While the noblest are empowered With this tempting misused trust Many fraught with virtue cowered, Soon are conquered by its lust. 56 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. XXVII Oft it causes petrifaction Where a Christian love should guide; Oft foments a wild distraction, Whence unnumber'd ills betide. XXVIII Social barriers are erected, Shutting out the worthy poor, Where, if merit were detected, Wide would ope the bolted door. XXIX See entire nations bowing, Dancing round the golden calf, With their best the god endowing, While complacent demons laugh. XXX Maidens bright, refined and comely, In appeasement have been sold To the witless, cross-grained, homely, With deep pockets full of gold. XXXI Grammar tortured, port ungainly, Do not lessen flattery's guile, While good speech and bearing, vainly, Seek to win approving smile. Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 57 XXXII Little wonder lured by money, Men will suffer, toil and cheat ; E'en as flies transfixed by honey They are held by this deceit. As the sun golden Rises at morning, Nature adorning, Sending his life-giving beam o'er the sea, Bringing forth flowers, Fragrant in bowers, Grain in response whitening, covering the lea, Sowing in harvestmen hopeful delight ; So with full measure Those tried with treasure Freely should give, Causing to live Cheering with slumbers kind, Dark brooding night. ii Oh, how we grovel In palace and hovel, Steeping the senses In creature expenses ; 'Mid dainties novel, 58 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. Reaping such fruits As gluttonous brutes ; Eating the acorn, nor looking above, Nurturing branches, feeding in love. in From dust we spring, Of dust we sing, To dust we cling, Shrouding the beam of the undying soul; Daily it pineth, Droopeth, declineth, Overwhelmed by surgings that piteously roll. IV An age material, Worldly, imperial, Scouts as ethereal Chivalry's aims; Eminent knowledge Fetters the college Life genial dashing, As though 't were clashing With serious claims; The secret society, With badge of variety, Reaching satiety, Yields to propriety, Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 59 Clouding the festal ray 'Neath learning's dome; The sweets of communion, The service of union. Must vanish away Through edicts to come. Again we are so practical, Exact and mathematical, In business so fanatical, That forsooth Some even would ignore Or limit classic lore, As bearing faint relation To the truth. They would leave Olympic heights, And extinguish ancient lights, As but rubbish little suited To the need Of a rising generation Which must form the future nation That should not any Lofty craving feed. Thus the noblest thoughts that spring, Which with inspiration ring Uneffaced upon the brightest Page of time, 60 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. Are crippled by the fashions, Nay, verdict of the passions, And whatever is opposed to The sublime. VI Now, brethren, 't is your duty, Convened through social tie, To strive lest low ambition Our heritage belie ; To yield to the material, Its fair, its proper place, Resisting foul corruption Its headlong, fatal pace ; To urge that coin be valued Alone for what 't is worth, The same as occupation, Environment of birth ; Not made a god to worship The lord of heaven and earth ; To banish all imposture Where'er its trail be found, While treading with due caution Near consecrated ground ; To kindle love of country At shrine of love to man ; So pure in its devotion That angels e'en may scan ; Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 61 To strive that chiefs like Pericles Be found to rule the State ; Or like the censor Cato, Aurelius, mild and great; Or like the good King Alfred Who raised the Saxon race ; Or Washington, the peerless, Controlled by Christian grace ; To seek lest king-ruled strangers Who cast with us their lot Expose to foreign dangers Our Freedom's resting spot ; From brutal degradation To lift each sense-bound soul ; To aim, through education, The passions to control. As in rude germ secreted, A plant may spring on high, Unfolding leaves of beauty To greet the summer sky, So most perverted manhood Conceals a plant divine, Which with celestial glory Eternally may shine; As Buonarotti's chisel An angel brought from stone, So ye, to stainless being May lift the fallen one. 62 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. VII As lifeboats in the storm Are launched upon the main To cheer the sinking form With radiant hope again, So men of Christian thought, While mammon's billows roll, Your mission 't is to save From hapless doom the soul. As o'er the treacherous deep The pilot keeps his eye, Observe life's tempest track, Its ever-changing sky. With wistful, tender care The pole-star guides at night ; So 'mid each doubt and fear Shines Bethlehem's watchful light. Then seize the coming day, Its portents vast behold ; Whate'er the cost may prove, For God, for Right, be bold. Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 63 FLORAL TRIBUTE TO A A 4>. I SOUGHT the fragrant heliotrope, A gift, dear Alpha, loved, to thee; For when the sun awakens hope His joyous beam she turns to see ; From him enticement ne'er allures, Unmoved by Art's or Nature's sway, Her patient constancy endures When dismal shades conceal the day. Our pride, our joy ; thy spell we own Whate'er the charm that spreads its wiles, 'Mid every scene in every zone, From fond allegiance nought beguiles ; A sun thou art to lead us on With memories bright of genial mirth, To bid unseemly care begone, And lend a glow to saddened earth. in Oh, modest make us like the hue Which decks the plain, unboastful flower; For fragrant worth we also sue, A presence felt, a helpful power. 64 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. We trust, when leaves are scattered far, And stems lie low before the wind, The crescent proud, the radiant star As loyal hearts again shall find. WORK FOR LOVE AND DUTY, WORK for love and duty, On thyself rely, Crown with truth and beauty Alpha Delta Phi. E'en the brightest morning Sheds a flickering ray, Roseate hours adorning, Pluck the fleeting day. REFRAIN. Work for love and duty, On thyself rely, Crown with truth and beauty Alpha Delta Phi. Cease not star thy shining, O'er the crescent curve, Growing, ne'er declining, Deathless hope preserve. Alpha Delta Phi Poems. 65 Towards each Mecca steering Brave to reach the strand, Nought of danger fearing, Safe our bark shall land. REFRAIN. Work for love, etc. in Ne'er our zeal can falter Cheered by noblest aim, While devotion's altar Glows with sacred flame. Every brother drooping Loath to run the race Humbly, gently stooping Urge his wearied pace. REFRAIN. Work for love, etc. IV May the vows uniting Pledged in days gone by, Ne'er a comrade slighting, Sacred bind for aye ; While a world capricious Woos or turns aside, Let no plot malicious Hearts endeared divide. REFRAIN. Work for love, etc. 66 Alpha Delta Phi Poems. Through the coming battle, Plant the standard high, 'Mid the roar and rattle Dare to do or die. Sing the song fraternal, Boon companions toast, In the march eternal Lead the living host. REFRAIN. Work for love, etc. CHRISTMAS POEMS. CHRISTMAS POEMS. CHRISTMAS MEDITATIONS. HILE I sit musing this evening, Home scenes inspiring a song, Thoughts of my youth would I gather, Which to these visions belong. Christmas is weaving its garlands, Sending its presents to cheer, Lines of a brother I send thee Hallowed by memories dear. Blest was the group of our childhood, Watched with its tenderest care, When sorrow's cloud overshadowed Always an iris was there. 6 9 70 Christmas Poems. Bright were illusions, now broken, Precious the faces, now gone; Fresh were the pleasures inviting Never in after years known. Grand was the old-fashioned yule-log, Melting the frosts like the sun, Or, like a kind nature beaming, Welcomes withholding from none. Icy winds scattered the snow-flakes, Shook the bare limbs of the trees ; Warm hearts with good cheer at Christmas, Arctic winds never could freeze. Sympathy gave to the needy, Those without fuel or food ; Outflowed a holiday bounty, Where it might do the most good. Oft I recall those revered ones, Seeking the tendrils to train, Whose words, like manna from heaven, Never shall reach us again. Vivid that group seems this evening, Every bright face do I see; Yet am I mocked by my senses, Most from their troubles are free. Christmas Poems. 71 May the sweet glamour, dear sister, Picturing days that are past, Change to reality fadeless, Where such bright visions will last. Gold is much valued of metals, Chiefly because it is rare ; Home do we cherish more dearly, When fewer numbers are there. Hence do we cling to each other, Even as wave clings to wave, 'Mid the long lost and forgotten, Each cherished link would we save. CHRISTMAS CAROL. HARK ! those strains, so sweetly falling, On that festal morn ! To our hearts are they recalling, Christ, our King, was