991 F3LG UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES ROBERT ERNEST COWAN I x 7 fr^Z^e^ LINES WRITTEN AFTER READING MRS. M. B. M. TOLAND'S THRKE POEMS, "STELLA," "SIR RAE," AND "IRIS, OR T.HE ROMANCE OF AN OPAL RING." BY V. L. F. MARCH, 1879. PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA. 1879. PS 39 LINES. " LIKE a beautiful star seemed Stella last night, From Heaven she'd floated away, >: In her hand was a taper she lit from that light * OB Ever shining by night and day. C9 * " With the smile of a seraph her immortal love She sent to her best earthly friend, With the promise that all the good angels above Your paths in this life shall attend. 3 28118.3 4 Lines. " And bid me send roses as the flowers that best Recall to your mind that sweet day, When her cold hands you crossed on her tawny breast As her soul took flight from its clay. " Then the tears that you shed, turn'd to pearls on the dead, So pure did they fall from your eyes, That the good angels near guarded well ev'ry tear, And took them with me to the skies." "I humbly implore, Sweet spirit, say more ! Lines, Oh, tell of that beautiful land, Its pure crystal streams, By John seen in dreams, Does the great jasper wall still stand?" " Tis not for the dead," She reverently said, " To speak of that city afar, They only can tell All things will be well, When entering the gates ajar." Then quenched was the flame She lit as she came, Lines. And quickly she vanished away, As a lesser light Reveal'd a Scotch knight, The noble, the constant Sir Rae. By him " coyly stood," With blue tartan snood Untied from her bonnie fair brow, His dearest Maidee, Now a great lady, Your pen made so worthy his vow. " We both here were led," Sir Rae to me said, Lines. "To ask you a boon that is meet: When roses you send, That with them you blend ' The blue bells of Scotland' so sweet. i " For Scotland we claim The name and the fame Of the lady we love so well; She writes of its nooks, Its crags, and its brooks, Sure near them she sometimes must dwell. " So canny she brings The true Highland rings, Lines. Our mountains and bagpipes seem near, The pibroch's sweet note Comes from her fair throat, Oh list, Maidee, dinna ye hear!" Just then we all heard A sweet mocking-bird, That whistled so strong and so clear, It startled Sir Rae, Who hastened away With Maidee, who left with a tear. " Oh, bird of the South, Now open your mouth, Lines. And tell me how came ye so far?" Birds scarcely can see To fly round a tree By light of the moon or a star. But its little beak A word could not speak, It seem'd tho' to whistle and sing: " I come from the clime Of the Palm and Pine, I have seen the bright opal ring. "As I flew hither A glowworm's glimmer IO Lines. Soon guided my wings near a shore, I paus'd then to rest, My head on my breast, And saw Rosmer a boat unmoor. " ' Come Iris, my bride/ He lovingly cried, ' My sails, see, are ready to fill ; E'er sinks the moon's crest We'll sail to the west, For lovers time does not stand still.' " She came with a bound At that kindly sound, Lines. 1 1 And freighted his boat with flowers, That filled the air With those perfumes rare Exhal'd from sweet Southern bowers. " Again I took flight, To watch with delight Where Rosmer and Iris would land ; 'Tis here I behold Their spirits unfold, As close by your side they now stand. " We are not too late Our wishes to state," 1 2 Lines. Said Rosmer so modest and true, Like the wing'd goddess, Raven-tress'd Iris ! Came swiftly a favor to sue. " Oh ! lady, you know The South is not slow To take to her heart a fair friend, Whose genius so bright Did gracefully write, Our homes and our loves to defend. " We've brought her from groves Where the birds repose, Lines. \ 3 And cheerily chirp in the morn, Magnolias so fair, No flowers compare With their fragrance and stately form. " Then for Iris' sake, At the day's first break Send her offerings cull'd with care, Lest the warm sun's ray Of the later day Their freshness and beauty impair." Then silence profound Reigned all around, 14 Lines. t And suddenly I was alone, With so much to dread From spirits just fled, Their rivalry now to me known. Lamenting the hour That spirits had power, To angels I offered this prayer: "Oh come to my side, And quickly decide These matters that cause me despair." "We've heard your prayer," So whispered the air. Lines. 1 5 I felt that the angels were near To guide me aright; Altho' not in sight, My soul could but listen to hear: " The pure loves of earth Are not without worth, But earthly their gifts have alloy, In heaven above Only souls we love, And Stella's we've wept o'er with joy. " ' Her gift will impart' To the Christian heart 1 6 Lines. Memories to cheer best her friend, Who winnowed the chaff, And planted the staff, That Stella leaned on to the end. " Take, then, roses sweet, To place at her feet, And that message of saintly love. Earth's spirits beware ! Ye never could dare To thwart that the angels approve." The rustling of wings, Like musical strings, Lines. \ 7 Touch'd softly and soothingly low, Brought melody near, My grieved heart to cheer, For doubting what gift to bestow. Then Sir Rae, farewell, Let Maidee's soft spell Long lovingly bind her to you ; May the opal ring Much happiness bring To Rosmer and Iris. Adieu ! 281183 UNIVERSITY of CAUFOltWJI AT LOS ANGELES LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY This book is DUE on the last date stamped below Form L-9-20m-8,'37 PS 991 Tdnes written F3L6 after reading Mrs. --Xolandls- M. B. M. three poems UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 001372132 9 PS 991 F3L6