THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES POEMS OF LOVE AND FREEDOM BY FRANK TOBEYWINSLOW Copyright 1919 By Frank Tobey Winslow. TS 354-5 To my friends, HENRY M. PIERCE and HARRIS F. WILLIAMS, each learned in law and literature, I respectfully dedicate this volume. THE AUTHOR. 626048 PREFACE. The foreword to a small collection of verses must needs be short, else the cart will come before the horse, and be larger; so in making this, my debut in the society of my readers, I should not do much more than make a bow, say a very few words, and retire. I have little to say that has not already been said. I believe that while poetry should always express the idea, it should never sacrifice rhyme or rhythm, for the idea's sake. Thought is its father and music its mother, and with- out this union, the issue is illegitimate. In some of the verses which follow, there may be a little of music, and in many, the expressions of the in- dividual and not of the multitude, and yet if these ex- pressions have come out of the heart of one who has experienced the heights and depths of feeling, they may be of some value to the reading public. To feel deeply is to live fully, and to sing of what we see and feel and think, is, I believe, in most cases, better than to argue it out in lurid declamation or cold prose. If I shall have lightened one heavy heart, or let the warm, bright sun into the dark chambers of the soul of one man or woman, I feel I shall not have written in vain. FRANK TOBEY WINSLOW. Sweet Marie. SWEET MARIE. Thy bright blue eyes entrancing With wit and mischief dancing, Sweet Marie, Their hypnotic beams enthrall me And completely do install me, Thy champion and thy knight, Till I'm sure I'm only right, If for thee ! Tell me, thou happy fairy, Why thou'rt so gay and airy, Gay Marie? Tell me if thou hast trouble And I'll prick it like a bubble That now floats in the air, And now it is not there, And thou'rt free. When you seek your couch at eve, Pray hear me and believe, Kind Marie, That for you I'd risk my all, For you I'd fight and fall, And, pierced by Cupid's dart, Pour out the life-blood of my heart, All for thee! If another thou dost love, If he thy heart doth move, Sweet Marie, Ah, then I wish you well, "Every daisy in the dell" Will nod its dainty head To approve of him instead Of poor me! The House of Cousin Nettie. THE HOUSE OF COUSIN NETTIE. From the Island of Manhattan, From the acres of Chicago, From the far-off land of Dixie, From the happy homes about us, Come the kinfolk, full of gladness, To the house of Cousin Nettie To renew association To meet with hearty handclasp The friends and kin so many In this land of life and laughter Far removed from haunts of commerce Here in this quiet Northland. In this life of toil and duty 'Tis good to save a moment In the fleeting years that pass us For such a joyous union As the one that is before us. Here we sink our vain ambition And our striving with each other, And think only of the instant Fraught with fine and friendly feeling; For when old and young together Meet and join in happy converse Draw from the past its treasure From the present its happy outlook; Shoot and parry shafts of humor Shake their sides with hearty laughter This is life and this is living And this is what we came for. To you then, Cousin Nettie, We dedicate this meeting, Feeling surely that its spirit Will preside a pleasant memory O'er the happy life before you; Trusting that its even tenor And this clean and well kept mansion May tomorrow be unruffled The House of Cousin Nettie. As the feathers of a gosling Or the waters of a mill pond. But now, honest, we can profit By your life so long and peaceful, And from it draw one lesson, The lesson for the future, The lesson for the peoples, The lesson of your lifetime 'Tis that of Truth and Justice. Now farewell, my Hiawatha, With thy convenient metre, Which I have lamely copied ; Back to the Ojibways ! Back to the laughing water ! Let us hope to meet in heaven, If we all do meet hereafter, And that the "many mansions" Prepared for "those annointed" May be as bright and happy As the house of Cousin Nettie! Watertown, N. Y. Sept. 9, 1905. 10 On the Death of Theodore Roosevelt. THOUGHTS ON THE DEATH OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Gone from us who live To join the Dead He Whose name was matchless in the world Because of Knowledge, Courage and Power to do Things of moment for Mankind; He who wrought for all Humanity, Leading all in thought and act From craven cowardice up to where They, too, like him, were fighters for the Right. Oh, Roosevelt, how we shall miss thee, Thy trenchant peri and clear-toned voice Proclaiming human destiny! There is none other to fill thy place To bespeak the true America. Only, as we, each one, repeat thy clarion cry For Justice and Freedom to mankind, Can we progress without thee. This is our duty to posterity, Since thy voice and hand are still in death Else thou hast lived and wrought in vain. Unless we, too, lead the strenuous life And fight, as thou hast fought for Freedom and for Truth, Our world will be a chaos Of conflicting lusts for power and place Destroying all ideals of the race, And next, the race itself. Let us then, be brave like thee And dare to tell to all on earth The truth about themselves in rugged phrase, Smiting, like thee, their consciences, So that, though thou sleepest forever still, Thy virile voice and pen Shall speak through us Still left with life The same bold thoughts for the weal of man Thou spake so fearlessly! Thou would 'st have it so. January 8, 1919. Those Words of Ire. 11 THOSE WORDS OF IRE. Those words of ire, 8 So hasty spoken Of Love's hot fire, Were but the token. For love, you know, 9 Is always jealous; If 'twere not so; He'd not be zealous. The hypocrite 10 Is smooth as oil He has no fit, He does not boil, Because deceit 11 Becomes him better; He fears defeat To snap the fetter. He does not love; 12 He cannot feel The Power above The heart's appeal. He will not fight 13 For Love or Name-. He has no might To carve his fame. He's said his worst; He does not hide His anger 's burst ; He has not lied. Though what he shouts He does not mean; There are no doubts His Love is keen. And now he kneels And begs your grace A look he steals Of your dear face. Oh, smile again, My Sweet Marie, Do not disdain To think of me ! So hard I'll try To never pain you; The world I'll buy If thus I'll gain you. Those words of ire So hasty spoken Of Love's hot fire, Were but the token! Far better him, Though hot and mad, Who speaks with vim, Words that are bad. 12 Thoughts at Dusk. THOUGHTS AT DUSK. 1 I sit alone in the gloaming, My thoughts are sad and drear; Back into the Past they're roaming, That Past which was full of cheer. 2 Across my mind come the flashes Of the sunshine of long ago; For an instant its radiance dashes Aside the memory of woe. 3 And then again comes the sadness Weighting my heart like lead, A truce forever to gladness, Ah, me! How good to be dead! 4 For where is the hope of the morrow When Love is fickle and cold, When the heart is humble in sorrow, When once it was joyous and bold? 5 Then my spirit leapt up in pleasure To do Love's terrible tasks; Then Joy was heaped in full measure, More Joy than any man asks. 6 Then the hours slipped by, all forgotten, In the glorious lethe of Love, Then rapturous thoughts were begotten With the fire that comes from above! 7 Then the night was day in its splendor, For all darkness was gone from the earth ; Then Love was the valiant defender Of Happiness, Joy and Mirth. Thoughts at Dusk. 13 8 But now Love is cold and forbidding; Gone is the thrill of its power! Oh, where is the pleasure of living In this dark and miserable hour? 9 Sunk are my hopes and ambition; Blasted the best aims of life! Never will Joy have fruition, Never will cease the strife 10 Of the irretrievable present With the fading and glorious past, Of the thoughts which were lovely and pleasant With the thoughts which are to last! 11 Into my grave I will falter, A wretch whose life has been lost ! Better choked in the throat with the halter, Much less happiness cost! 12 Go on, bright one, in your glory, Obscuring the gloom with your light! Yet sometimes think of the story Of the one you plunged into night. 14 My Heaven. MY HEAVEN, Oh what can compare with the thrill of true love, As it tingles so full through the veins? They may prattle to me of the Heaven above My Heaven that legend disdains. The Heaven for me is the bright kindling eye That outspeaks the pure soul within Let others gain Heaven when they pine and die, I'd lose theirs, mine but to win. What Heaven is there like the wine of the kiss That love steals from the radiant cheek What rapture is there like the genuine bliss When Love pretends to a pique And draws back so cunning and shy From the fire of the roguish lad's darts And pretends all further assaults to defy In this glorious battle of hearts? Yet, let the poor wight start up to go, In love there's now no pretense The battle's o'er and vanquished the foe To that nameless feeling intense. Now heart to heart they eagerly press And drink from each other the wine Of the lips and the eye, the throbbing caress, Sweeter ne'er came from the vine. One moment they stand in a tremor of joy, The next they may part for all time; But that moment is gold all free from alloy That moment is Heaven sublime. My Heaven. 15 8 Of such I would my Heaven on earth Be composed in plenteous part, Away with the grinning folly of mirth, Give me the thought of the Heart! 9 That soul thrilling moment, dear one, came to me Last night ere I'd left your side In sooth 'twas then you set my soul free, 'Twas then my apathy died. 10 O may that Heaven came oft to us both To set us free on the wing A truce to the Heaven of life-sapping sloth, The glove to its champions I fling. 11 The Heaven for me is the bright kindling eye, That outspeaks the pure soul within, Let others gain Heaven when they pine and die, I 'd lose theirs, mine but to win ! 16 The Dance. THE DANCE. No repining Floor a-shining Music's starting Now we're darting Here and there, Everywhere, Keeping time In a rhyme; Feet a-flying, Bodies swaying, Sorrow dying, All a-playing In the everlasting maze, In the iridescent blaze Of the dance In the palpitating whirl, In the vortex of the swirl Of the dance! Holding tight, Guiding right Maidens fair Beauties rare, Strength a-wielding, Muscles yielding, Coming, going; Now so swiftly. Now so slowly, Till the groaning of the floor Moves us to waltz no more And sit out the last encore In the everlasting maze, In the iridescent blaze Of the dance; In the palpitating whirl, In the vortex of the swirl Of the dance ! The Dance. 17 Eyes a blazing, Love-thoughts raising, Warm hands clasping, Voices gasping, Voices whispering Tales of passion Till the music ceases playing And the morning light comes straying Now so faintly, Now so clearly, Through the shutters and the door And the town's slow-rising roar Tells us to play no more In the everlasting maze, In the iridescent blaze Of the dance, In the palpitating whirl, In the vortex of the swirl Of the dance! Dawn a-breaking Limbs a-quaking, Duties fearing, Day appearing Care receding, Joy a-speeding As we work, No duties shirk, As we're thinking, thinking, thinking, Of the glories of the night With pleasure so bedight Turning darkness into light In the everlasting maze, In the iridescent blaze Of the dance, In the palpitating whirl, In the vortex of the swirl Of the Dance ! Chicago, December 2, 1912. 18 The Capture of the Doc. THE CAPTURE OF THE DOC. The Doc, he sez to me, sez he, I'm tired of single life, I'm going to hunt around and see If I can find a wife. Now Doc was awful hard to please, He'd had so many chances; He just did love the girls to tease, And smite them with his glances. They flocked around him thick and fast, These maidens of all ages, Those guileless, and those with a past With its many open pages. But Doc, he was a wary cuss, He vowed no one could catch him; If you desired to raise a fuss You only had to fetch him Right up near a blooming lass Who had a winning manner, The Doc'd simply let her pass, The Doc was from Urbana. He knew a blessed thing or two About the wiles and graces Of girlies vowing to be true With honest smiles and faces. So Doc, he gave a stony stare To all these forward hussies; 'Tis two it takes to make a pair And two to make all fusses. The Capture of the Doc. 19 8 So me to be a single man, The Doc, he bravely said ; So catch me, woman, if you can, You'll only catch me dead. 9 Now, Kit appeared upon the stage, And smiled and won her way Right through the Doc's pretense of rage, And Kit, she came to stay. 10 She knew the Doc from childhood up, And loved him all the while; To Doc and Kit we drain the cup, They both have got some style. 11 The Doc, he was a willing slave To Katherine's love and look; He thought he'd be so awful brave And dodge again the hook: 12 But Kit, she took the hook, you know, And with it hooked the Doc; You all can see that this is so, They're anchored to a rock. 13 Now Kit, it's up to you, my dear To treat the Doc so fine, That you can read your title clear To Doc's far western mine. 14 And Doc, it's up to you to give To Kit for her affection, So that both of you may live In mutual predilection, 15 A goodly share of love and gold, Yet not too much you know; For without gold, love soon grows cold, The lawyers tell us so. 16 So here's a glass to Doc and Kit, A long and happy life; On Kit may sorrow never sit, Nor on Doc a heavy wife. 20 A lone. ALONE. 1 Alone, alone, alone; Love is dying, Love is dead; Away with sighing; away with dread! A stone, a stone, a stone they give me When I cry for bread! 2 Alone, alone, alone ! My heart cries in despair ! Away with high thoughts! Away with prayer! A bone, a bone, a bone, they leave me, And I sit and stare! NIGHT AND MORNING. Think not that my love is cold Because it's sad and pensive; Tis when rash Cupid is too bold, Tis then he's most offensive. Because I do not fill your ears With empty repetition Of Love's bright hopes and Love's sad fears, Of Love's deathless ambition, 'Tis not because I love you less Than him whose talk amazes; There's more true love in one caress Than in vain words and phrases. Let others couch their endless love In long and prosy story; Yet will this thy heart so move As the nameless glory Of that Love that suffers long When no hope appeareth; Of that Love that leaps in song And no coolness feareth? Alone Morning. 21 Tell me, girl, what is this power That loses me my head? That moves me at this midnight hour To start and leave my bed? Is't not proof to you more sure Of a Love most deep, That this long night I must endure In a waking sleep? And yet 'tis not the wakeful night My bursting heart regrets; But 'tis gay Cupid's mournful plight- That 's why my spirit frets. Yet now I'll stop and wait for dawn To bring me peace again. After night there is a morn A rest from woe and pain. 1 All hail! This genial Winter sun, Set in its sky of azure, Sends all my night thoughts on the run; It is a morn of pleasure! 2 Its rays stream in my window bright And say to me in sorrow "Arise, disperse the thoughs of night! There's joy in a tomorrow!" 22 Michigan to Ontario. MICHIGAN TO ONTARIO. Down by the side of the inland sea I sit on a Sunday morn; My thoughts are roaming wild and free, But my hope is yet forlorn. I think of the times of long ago When happiness was my lot, When sadness was an unknown foe And harsh care was forgot. I look out on the tossing main, Resplendent in the sun; My eyes roam o'er the watery plain, I am looking for someone. I'm looking for a maiden lair, Who, on a luckless day My tender heart-strings dared to tear, Took ship and sailed away. Far out, where the sea-line meets the sky, Her ship I ceased to see, And now 'tis vainly that I try To bring it back to me. The fierce, white sun obscures my sight And mocks me when I stare; Against my feelings I must fight, For she nor ship is there. Far off by another shore she sits; Maybe she's thinking, too; Perhaps, before her vision flits The shapes of memory's view. Michigan to Ontario. 23 8 Perhaps, she also strains her eye For that she cannot see; Perhaps, her wits begin to fly; Perhaps, she thinks of me. 9 Ah, no! I'm too presuming, far; Another claims her thought; Tis his name, flashing like a star, Whose love this maid has sought. 10 Tell her for me, ye whispering waves, Tell her, ye winged winds, He loves you, and the tempest braves, As on his sword he binds. 11 Ah, yes! "We both will fight for you, My little girl, Marie; Oh, give us aught to dare or do, We'll do it all for thee! 12 We've severed many a friendly vow, Because of thy dear self; But we are firm united now And not by fear or pelf. 13 You have inspired us to aspire, You've set the shining mark; To you we humbly string the lyre, For you've aroused the spark. 14 That now again we boys are friends, Let those who know us swear; 'Tis your kind face has made amends, Our friendship none can tear. 15 For, when our thoughts go flying back To the happy days of yore, No one can put us off the track That leads to joy once more. 24 Michigan to Ontario. 16 Then once again let love have sway With its impartial will; Let's throw all fearful thoughts away, To friendship drink our fill. 17 Love whom thou wilt, sweet queen of earth, But know that this is true, And I speak not in mocking mirth; We, both of us, love you! 18 Carry afar, old Michigan, My message, sweet and low, To her, who sits in a distant land, On the shores of Ontario! The Caravels. 25 THE CARAVELS. 1 Reminders of the past, Three hulks are anchored fast In the lagoon; 'Gainst the darkling shore Whence we pull the oar They seem from classic lore To have come. The moon sends down its light Across the sheltered bight, Revealing all The ancient caravels, The cozy, wooded dells, The lapping wave that swells Against the wall. 3 As we scan the decks Of these phantom wrecks With eager eye: Don't we seem to see That glorious company Which, so bold and free, Dared to die? 4 Though not meeting death, Far from their native heath, Still they dared The dark seas to breast, Nor did they ever rest From their lonesome quest, 111 prepared 5 For their journey blind Blown by the cruel wind That came from home; Till they leapt on shore Of San Salvador And to God did pour Glad welcome. 26 The Caravels. 6 E'en now we see that one Before our search is done, Along the deck; Him whose spirit brave Brought them across the wave, Who taught them not to rave When all seemed wreck. 7 Ah, Columbus, for 'tis he That now we seem to see Looking grand; Thou art he who came Not for earthly fame But the wilds to tame To fairer land! 8 Alas! a hideous cloud Precursor of a crowd Hurtling up the sky Comes athwart the moon; Dark now is the lagoon, The storm '11 be on us soon, Let us fly! 9 As we ply the oar Towards the wooded shore, We look back, Three ships are all we see; Where is that company So bold and gay and free? Alas ! Alack ! 10 Twas but a phantom crew! They've took wings and flew With the storm, Back to their spirit land, Back to the golden strand, All the ghastly band, Safe from harm. 11 We too, take our feet Back to the dusty street With its roar; Leaving the caravels Rolling on the swells Of the wave that wells 'Gainst the shore, My Queen. 27 MY QUEEN. 1 She sits not on a throne of gold To rule and sway mankind; She has not hoarded wealth untold, A fawning court to bind. 2 She does not wear the jewels rare, Bequeathed from every land; Her pallid brow knows naught of care With its bewrinkling band. 3 She does not know the pomp and show Of a gay and glittering court; She does not hear the mutterings low That make the feelings smart. 4 She has not at her beck and call A thousand cringing slaves; No kinsmen, swift to plot her fall In secret woods and caves. 5 No cares of state perplex her mind And rob her lids of sleep; For her no navies breast the wind Across the treacherous deep. 6 And yet my queen's not less a queen Though lacking crown and gold; Her eyes alone have 'nough of sheen To make the coward bold. 7 By sweet and gentle words she rules All fortunate to know, And not by precepts of the schools Laid down just "so and so." 28 My Queen. 8 And when she lightly trips along In mull and leghorn hat, He who'd not break out in song, Must blind be as the bat! 9 And when her blue eyes turn to mine, In soft and pleading gaze, Ah, then ! What joy divine, What everlasting praise, 10 Can justice do to thoughts so true That leap gay in my heart! Alas, that there are words so few My feelings to impart! 11 Oh, may you never cease to reign Over my lonely life; For you each tingling nerve I'll strain, For you is all my strife ! 12 Let others bow to queens by birth Who rule by gold and place, Who seek dominion o'er the earth With their decaying mace. 13 To none of these so proud I yield One jot of 'legiance vile! Let me stand out in open field And not in a defile ! 14 And there, with my head upturned To blazing sun and sky, I shall have then the lesson learned These false queens to defy. 15 Then, by that ever-shining sun, Then, by that azure sky I shall plight my oath to one, For her to do and die ! My Queen. 29 16 And that one, sweet girl, then know Is no one less than you; Methinks I see you coming slow Under the sky so blue. 17 And now humbly at your feet I kneel, My love for you how keen! Oh heed this heart of heart's appeal, My lovely, radiant queen. 18 Bid me arise, a valiant knight To do your service grand; Fill me with spirit for the fight As on my feet I stand! 19 And then I'll do a curious thing Thout fear or false alarms; My sword and shield away I'll fling And clasp you in my arms! 20 And thus my lovely queen and I Will win the fights of life, And thus the devil's wiles defy Be conquerers in the strife! 21 And yet to me you'll ever be The queen of my desire; My soul will mount aloft as free Indeed it will mount higher. 30 Hope in Despair. HOPE IN DESPAIR. 1 Plunged am I in blackest woe, Darkness everywhere I go, Murkiness profound; Not a ray of heavenly light To disperse this hideous night Gathering round. 2 Groping blindly on and on, Hope and courage almost gone, Joy disturbed; Gone the sprightliness of mirth, Peace no longer on the earth For me perturbed. 3 Perish all my noblest aims Together with the lesser fames Of the crowd! No more I seek the laurel wreath, For me the only joy is death, My spirit 's cowed ! 4 Tell me, philosopher so cool Why you deem that man a fool Who stakes his all On the cards that speak of love, Love that comes from Heaven above, To retrieve his fall? 5 Ah, no! They are not fools To disregard the gab of schools And plunge in; Far better to have dared Than that thy life be spared For endless sin. Hope in Despair. 31 6 Yet, since I saw thee last Three whole days have passed Of dreary rain. In sooth, it seems to me, God's sympathy to be With my pain. 7 As these days were dark and drear, Bedewed with Heaven's tear, So profuse; That thus my hours have been Since you I last have seen, Swear my muse! 8 Yet the sky '11 not ever weep, Mankind in woe to steep, There is a morn; And, in the radiant dawn Joy leaps up like a fawn, Love is born! 9 Oh, dispel this awful gloom ! Give my tethered spirit room, Sweet Marie! Shine on my clouded heart Thy glorious love impart To poor me! 10 Then my spirit will arise When I gaze upon thine eyes Speaking love; Then naught shall curb my power, Then no dark skies shall lower From above; 11 Then, aided by thy might, I will win a future bright For us both; Men will speak our names with praise, This earth know grander days For our worth' 32 Love and Law. LOVE AND LAW. "'Tis not to be," She said to me, And quoted me the law; "What's law to me? Love should be free; I do not care a straw." "I love you true," She said to me, And gazed at me so sweetly; ' ' Oh, then, why wait ; Oh, why be late To yield to me completely?" "By a rope I 'in bound Completely round; The minister did tie it." "Two tied in one Can be undone, You've only now to try it." Life's meant for love, Best treasure-trove For us poor stumbling mortals; Why wear the chains? Law, Love disdains, And pushes through the portals To a life of joy Without alloy It leads in reckless measure; Why close your eye, When you can buy The best and highest pleasure? Love and Law. 33 Speak out your soul, Mark out your goal, And run your race with spirit; Come, cut your thongs, Life to love belongs, And so, why need you fear it? Come, come to me, And then you'll see That life is all for lovers So live and love That Heaven above It's true ideal discovers. And in my arms, Away from harms You'll find true love eternal; And in our Kiss, And in our bliss, Our joy will be supernal! 34 Lines to a Lassie from Ayr LINES TO A LASSIE FROM AYR ON PRESENTING HER WITH A COPY OF BURNS' POEMS, The Past is dark with thoughts of gloom, I will not look upon it; To restrospect would spell my doom, And spoil this little sonnet. My life is full of thoughts of joy Of every kind and nature; Which now all gloomy thoughts destroy I've found a lovely creature, Who rouses hope and love and life Through all my wakened being; Who spurs me keener for the strife, My fettered spirit freeing. And you, dear Helen, are the one Who's giving me this pleasure; Never more I'll be alone, Nor wanting love's full measure. You've come to shine upon my heart, And make it warm and tender; For you I'll try to do my part In being your defender. Not that you need defense, my dear For aught you've undertaken; 'Tis only to dismiss all fear You'll ever be forsaken By one who in his deepest soul Has learned in truth to love you Who's set you as his shining goal, For there are none above you. And now from me accept this book Of Bobby Burns' verses, And pray, dear, do not overlook His love-thoughts or his curses, But when you read them, one and all, And on them ponder duly, Remember me whose soul's in thrall The one who loves you truly. To My New Found Friend Norma. 35 TO MY NEW FOUND FRIEND NORMA. L Lovers may tell the old, old tales Of that which fills their hearts, Lovers may plight the old, old vows, Cupid may shoot his darts I Piercing these hearts of woman and man Causing the utmost pain Making the wounds that never heal, That leave an indelible stain. ! A stain that ever lingering, stays Until the two are made one Not even the bond that ties them secure Not even the radiant sun t Is able to rid their life of the blot Put there by the all jealous Boy He laughs long and loud as he hides and he looks, For he who makes can destroy. ) Oh no, as for me, away with this pest! Away with his arrows that sting ! Away with the havoc and wreck of his course! Away with the sorrows they bring! i For, looking above this travail and woe, This scene of love and despair, My eyes rest upon a beautiful sight A maiden exquisite and fair. No love vows to her, so strong do I pour No hopes does she hold out to me And yet in her eyes so honest and blue As the blue of the great wide sea I I read the message, for which my heart yearns, The message of friendship and life It comes to me almost broken in grief And all worn out with the strife, > And says, I think, if I read it aright "Do not break, do not bend You have found, sir, in the midst of your night The best gift of God A true friend!" 36 Prospect. LINES SUGGESTED BY A PAUSE AT THE STATUE OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, IN LINCOLN PARK. 1 To thee, who sits enthroned in majesty Of bronze Here in the western world, Far from thy haunts of birth And plenteous life, Thine eyes turned toward thy Former home, we bring Our wreaths and homage. 2 On this beauteous day Aglow with spring's new light, A-quiver with the bursting Buds and blades, we of the Sordid west, pause at thy Figured shape, and bow in Reverence to thy royal mind, Illumining for all men since Thy earthly death, the firmament; To thee, and to thee alone we Kneel, Oh Shakespeare! April 23, 1911. PROSPECT. 1 On yester-eve thy thoughts turned back To the day of days for thee When thou and thy first love joined hands Under the nuptial tree. 2 Then all was bright and all was fair The future outlook grand It was then that thou wast indeed The happiest in the land! 3 The youth around so glad and gay Who helped to see you wed ; Of these today some still are left And some are with the dead. Prospect. 37 4 And him who stood so fine and strong And gave his vows so true He too has gone the lonesome road Without his girls and you. 5 Tis right that on this wedding day You turn your thoughts back home And think so deeply of the past And brush away life's foam. 6 But now, my dear, the day has gone, Another day is here Another one now claims your thought, The dawn is bright and clear. 7 He comes to you and clasps your hand And looks into your eye. He whispers words of love and hope, The words that never die. 8 He tells you not to weep nor mourn Nor think more of the past, But only of the time to come Ah, yes, the die is cast! 9 No longer can we fight our fate, It's fixed it seems, though slow, That on some future glorious day When whispering breezes blow, 10 We too, may stand beneath the tree That makes for love and life And there to plight eternal vows To live as man and wife; 11 To live not selfishly for self But each for the other's joy, And the sun will shine and the world will laugh At our happiness without alloy. 12 Tonight it's you who comes to me Through spaces far between And fills me with these happy thoughts My own, my life's real queen! 38 To the One Who Became My Wife. TO THE ONE WHO BECAME MY WIFE. 1 To you tonight my feelings turn The chosen one of all; For you alone my heart doth burn, For you my senses call. 2 To hold you closely in my arms, That is my heart's desire; To gaze upon your many charms. And kindle passion's fire. 3 And yet 'tis not base passion's power That draws me near to thee; Tis not the feeling of an hour, But of eternity! 4 The love that knits our souls in one Knows neither time nor space, Dan Cupid no one can out run In such an honest race! 5 Together we will climb the hill, The heights of peace and love- Yes, we'll not pause until The One who is above 6 Shall say to us at even-time: "Well done my faithful pair." Oh ! This were happiness sublime Without a trace of care! 7 That day will come for you and me, If we deserve its joy, Oh, may our actions ne'er so be It's advent to destroy! Doubt. 39 DOUBT. 1 In thy brown eyes gazing Is born a love amazing, Most intense; So that my thought goes ranging Never fickle, never changing, (No offense?) 2 To a sweet and gentle maiden With precious bounties laden Of face and form; Will she spurn my loving verses And meet my praise with curses In a storm? 3 Nay, do not treat me coolly Do not be unduly Vexed and mad! How can you so deny me? Will you still defy me, Me, so sad? 4 Sad for just a token Of esteem unbroken From your heart; Sad for your glance of kindness, To relieve the awful blindness, Of my part! 5 For I fear to play the lover And later to discover Another one supreme; On account of this I ask you Tis for this I task you With this theme. 40 Who and What Is She? 6 Tis too true, your beauty Has lost for me my duty To do right; I think not of the sorrow Of a dim far-off tomorrow In your sight. 7 I think you will not spurn me And swift and quickly turn me From my course; At least a hearing grant me, E'er others swift supplant me By love's force. 8 Till then my heart is beating For the joyous, gladsome meeting Of us twain Till then I will be fearing The fateful answer nearing With its joy or pain! WHO AND WHAT IS SHE? Pinker far than pink June roses That a summer sun discloses To our view, Are her cheeks of alabaster, Where the color rushes faster Than a truant from his master In a stew! Bluer than the vault of Heaven On a shining day at eleven, Are her eyes; Whiter than the pearls of ocean Are the teeth which claim devotion Almost glowing with emotion Without guise. Who and What Is Shef 41 Fairer far than Grecian maiden With languorous incense laden, Is her form. Bright as molten gold her tresses Which the glorious Sun-God blesses, Or the playful wind caresses In a storm. Yet, 'tis neither forms nor faces With their thousand witching graces, That men love; Tis the pure and gentle spirit That all the good inherit That wins the lasting merit From above. And that she is so gifted That her beauteous life is lifted 'Bove the crowd, Tell my muse, in wondrous story; Tell of her radiant glory, Tell, till thy hair is hoary, Be not cowed. Tell of her generous nature How she loveth every creature That is born; How her happy wiles and graces Have wreathed in smiles our faces, Have made naught of serious cases, Of hopes forlorn. Tell of it all at leisure Or tell in hasty measure, Tis the same; What cares her truest lover So long as love can move her To write in skies above her His dear name. For her he runs life's races, For her he'll win chief places In the strife. 'Tis hers the soul that guides him So that whate'er betides him Always his time he bides him To know life, 42 The Kiss. THE KISS. It was your lips of red A' quiver with emotion That lost for me my head And gave you my devotion. It was your willing eye That made me seize your hand, And timidity defy So I could near you stand. And as I bent my head And brought yours close to mine, All hesitation fled You were to me like wine, Which, sparkling in the light, Arrests my sober thought, And makes my senses fight As never they have fought. And as your warming breath Came mingling with my own I cared no more for Death No more was I alone. And as our lips did meet In one long loving kiss, What joy is more complete What is a greater bliss? For a moment was I dead, Dead to all but you; Then all my senses fled, Only my heart beat true. Death. 43 And when we kissed once more And many many a time, Joy filled me o'er and o'er And Happiness sublime. Your Kisses were the draught That set my Soul on fire; Their liquor that I quaffed These verses did inspire. Oh, may they come to me To cheer my lonely life Again, as warm and free; With them I '11 win the strife ! DEATH. The end of heart-beats, the stoppage of the breath, The fading out of sight and taste and sound, The sinking of the mind into unconsciousness, A prelude to eternal sleep This is universal death. Shall we again awaken on a distant morn, A long drawn-out existence to pursue In endless aeons of the maze of time, Renewing the struggle for excellence, Eternally with all the countless dead, Enthroning Ambition beyond the grave, Which often marred our earthly life: Or, falling to the deadening plane Of an unwieldy Socialistic State, Where the greatest dares not outstrip the least, Where not even Man is ruler, but where the mass Lives, moves, acts, and rules in sickening unison, Neither by Man nor by the People ruled Our lives to be the same? 44 Death. Or shall we rather sink to final sleep, As reckless and uncaring for the act As when at night we lay our weary frame Upon a downy bed and glide away To that dark and sweet oblivion. Which was our natal heritage, And which encompassed us when we were not, For countless periods before our birth? Having run with honor our life's full course, Let us have eternal rest. Of what use, then, is life to me, A small and minute speck of time, Snatched from the womb of Eternity? Work half -finished, burdens and sorrows borne For these is there no recompense? Kind deeds bring their own rewards; Sorrows have their counterpart of joys; Work, half-done, is finished by Posterity. Ah! That's the stimulus for life, That, each day, we strive our utmost here on earth, Both draining for ourselves the cup of Joy, And building for those to come an edifice That neither Time nor Change can crumble nor dissolve, But which shall stand, a shining beacon-light To countless coming ages and hordes of men. Knowing we have thus well and fully wrought, When Time strikes with solemn tone the final stroke, We can then drowse away into Eternity, Glad of endless sleep. January 30, 1909. Present and Future. 4o PRESENT AND FUTURE. Oh, what are we coming to? Oh, where are we going to ? When to drink or have drink is a crime! When to drink soft drinks is sublime! Oh, what are we coming to ? Oh, where are we going to ? Oh, what are we coming to ? Oh, where are we going to ? When some said Man was Divine, We were fighting Beasts from the Rhine ; Oh, what are we coming to ? Oh, where are we going to ? Oh, what are we coming to ? Oh, where are we going to ? It remains for the clergy to tell If we are all going to h 1, Oh, what are we coming to ? Oh, where are we going to 1 Oh, what are we coming to ? Oh, where are we going to? Man is just as ready to fight As when he first saw the light, Oh, what are we coming to ? Oh, where are we going to 1 Oh, what are we coming to? Oh, where are we going to? I'm sure I don't care a d n bit So long as I make myself fit, Oh, what are we coming to ? Oh, where are we going to? Oh, what are we coming to ? Oh, where are we going to? So long as we look for the Light, So long as we fight for the Right, Who cares what we are coming to? Who cares where we are going to? UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. AUG 8 is p '' JUL 21981 DISCHARGE-URL" .XJL- 'tp'Tr JUN3 ' ffl?D ii MAR 1 ^ *1K IM III." 1 V^ * LD-URU :1969 51969 fe HOV 3 1 376 o-T 9 ? ^C* ^' ig&ig$f Sw*?, .V-Vi* ^. ; 3i Form L9-42m-8,'49(B5573)444 3 1158 00700 7403