UC-NRLF ill $B 251 fibt, / -i c. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/fagotsfaOOIewirich FAGOTS LILLIAN F. LEWIS BOSTON THE GORHAM PRESS MCMXVIII Copyright, 191S, by Lillian F. L«wit All Riirhts R«BerT«d MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Thb Gorham PRBBi, Boston, ¥. S. A. FOREWORD A bundle of fagots here, To offer you fireside cheer: Mere twigs, it is true, but still They'll blaze, if it be your will; — No brilliant, enduring flame Nor heat of renown they claim ; Theirs only the modest part To warm for awhile the heart. Pictures in the fire suggest memories of sunshine and shadows, flowers and snows, fancies of child- hood and reveries of age, irrespective of times and seasons, — even as fagots, gathered from different brush, are imbued with sap from trees of differing nature ; hence the variety of sentiment offered in this bundle of verse. 470155 CONTENTS Page Foreword 3 Fireside Visions 1 1 The Gleam 12 Petition 12 Life's Lyric 13 The Silent Call 14 Child of the Covenant 14 Assurement 15 Life's Contrasts 16 Trust 16 The Carol of Trust 17 The Psalmody of Cheer 18 Yet 19 Chain Reverie 19 Twilight 20 Happiness 21 A Song of Degrees 22 The Vast Profound 23 Baby 23 The Slumber Sprite 24 Companioned 25 Thoughts 26 Day Dreams 26 The Future 27 The Avowal 27 Love's Cameo 28 Personality 29 My Sky 29 5 Contents Page Their World 30 In Love's Domain 30 Insight 31 The Triad 31 Law and Love 32 Destination 32 Influence 33 Ought 34 Why Not I? 35 Over Us 35 A Challenge 36 Veiled 36 Birthday Anniversary 37 Fault 37 The Longtime Ago 38 Within 38 Sings the Rain 39 Joy-Time 39 A Roundel 40 Lily-of-the-Valley 40 Behold 41 Beyond Words 42 Sundered 42 The Glory of the Rose 43 You 43 June 44 Query 45 Forget'Me-Not 45 A Conceit 46 Autumn 46 A Lesson Lilt 47 Contents Page Time's Advance 48 Fagots 49 The Ingle 50 Snow-Flakes 51 Winter Fairies 52 Providence 52 The Ever Presence 53 Our Sufficiency 54 With the Years 54 Loss 55 Solace 56 Easter Sonnet 56 After Calvary — Victory 57 The Sudden Storm 58 Pride 59 Camouflage 59 The Honor Call 60 Immortalized 61 The Master Poet's Pen 62 Aspiration 62 The Stars and Stripes 63 Co-operation ' . . . . 64 Triolet 64 FAGOTS FIRESIDE VISIONS If found thy comrade dreams are fair arc sweet, Tho' vagrom guests, accord them welcome meet As envoys bearing thee a largess good Of musings fain to hold the idle hour; Invite the spell of their beguiling power, And bid thy meditation share their mood. The lure of pleasing fancies they unfold, The wand by which transform they dross to gold, The art they boast to charm away despair, Be passports these chance visitants present Which speak them no intruders to resent, Of whom it were the wiser to beware ! Companioned thus, thy leisure feels no need. There follows truce to worldly grind and greed And life is over-arched with rainbow hues; Like angels' visits which in silence bless, These fleeting seasons they thy hearth possess; Then act the host! their gifts do not refuse. II 1 2 Fagots THE GLEAM After it, follow it, follow the Gleam. — TenKYSON The Gleam, or either faint or clear it be, That points the path to dimmer visioned height, Leads on and on, once we, intent to see, Discern and follow its benignant light. Its beacon call to near then farther goal. The meed of promised gain along its way. Invite the unappeased, aspiring soul To trust and heed the guidings of its ray. Then after it ! pursue where it insists, The Gleam that fares from better unto best; That shines to dissipate life's clouding mists; That glorifies the milestones by its quest. PETITION Set mine heart to seek the highway, Set up waymarks for my feet. Lest I stumble, lest I falter. Lest I fail Thy tests to meet. Fagots 13 LIFE'S LYRIC The faith that clings and sings, That wafts the soul on wings The heights along, — This is the faith for thee, for me, This is the trust, so fine, so free, That makes life strong. The hope that strives and thrives Where else were barren lives, Despair, or fears, — This is the hope for thee, for me, This is the cheer, so fair so free, That suns the years. The love that bears and shares, That never service spares In walk below. This is the love for thee, for me, This is the bond, so firm, so free. That hearts may know. 14 Fagots THE SILENT CALL As the eventide welcomes the glory Of the heavens with star-worlds ashine, As the mid-night makes call to the morning, So the human would hail the divine. As the hart for the water brooks panteth, As the honey bee haunteth the flower, So the soul hath its thirst and its yearning For the Spirit's infilling of power. CHILD OF THE COVENANT child of my grace, I am with thee, believe, Nor ever will leave thee; 1 watch thee, and love thy love to receive; It grieves me to grieve thee; I care for thy care ; I joy in thy joy, And ask for thy task, life's highest employ. My will be thy will, My fulness, thy fill. Fagots 15 ASSUREMENT At evening time it shall be light. — Zech. 14:7. There shall be no night there, — Rev. 21 :25 When over me darkness foldeth Some fabric despair hath spun, Or happen my evening holdeth No hope of the morrow's sun, — Oh Lord in thy heaven heeding, Oh Christ in thy love, I pray, Vouchsafe for my spirit's leading A glimpse of Eternal Day. Ah then, though that hour of gloaming Deny me its break of morn — Assured of the cloudless doming Where death unto Life is born, I'll know in thy presence waking ^ Thy likeness henceforth to share. All shadows of earth forsaking, No night shall await me there. 1 6 Fagots LIFE'S CONTRASTS Nor world's caress, nor man's distress Is his to stay; An unhazed blue, or sombre hue May sky display, — Then ebon night, or starry light, At shut of day. Its smiles, its frowns, its "ups and downs," Or work, or play; Both joys and cares, here helps, there snares, Fair blooms, decay ; Now hopes, now fears, now songs, now tears, Make grave or gay. Though weal, or woe, its hours bestow Yet souls can pray, — "When ends earth's strife, from death to life Lead, Lord, the way." TRUST So superfine, — so rich a thing is trust, It flecks with gold the dunes and common dust. Fagots 17 THE CAROL OF TRUST Bird of passage, here sojourning From thy haunts of Far-away, Welcome be thy glad returning, Hail to thine inspiring lay: Poised on swaying branch for perch, Fearing not its fitful lurch — Lo, a message thou dost bear. Orator of sky and air! Lyrist, born to free communion Where celestial space and speech, Heaven's thought and nature's instinct Form the creed thy carols teach: Here and yonder on the wing, Brave to soar and blithe to sing, — Thou art pledged the Father's care Every-whither, every where. Plumaged pilgrim, cheery ever Whether flitting or a-nest, What thy shelter, what the weather. Thou dost witness, Trust is best. He who notes the sparrow's fall. Of His creatures, great and small, Claimcth confidence and praise — As so simply speak thy days! 1 8 Fagots THE PSALMODY OF CHEER Sing who will in joy and pleasure, Let me sing in pain ; Praise who will the stars and sunshine, Let me praise the rain. Clouds may bear a better blessing Than the sapphire day; Easy runs the chant of gladness Where the smiling way! Let me hymn of hope and courage When there wells the tear, When some burdened soul is needing Psalmody of cheer. Fagots 19 YET Tho' sullen clouds encircle low, Yet, unforlorn, I fear no woe: The way tho' lone, the day tho' long, Mine inner life hath yet its song. Upon the hearth but embers show Where leapt the flame's alluring glow, Yet naught of gloom to me they bring — So bright the past of which they sing. CHAIN REVERIE Out of the silence come voices. Voices tenderly low; Low as the murmur of sea shells, Shells that tide-secrets know; Know as the soul kens its cloister- Cloister brightened by song, Song that accompanies visions, Visions lost in the throng. 20 Fagots TWILIGHT Across the narrows filmed by ebbing light, A drawbridge dusken hands have outward swung Now spans the gloaming-tide twixt day and night. Enchanted seem its glimmering path and arch. All softly lit by waning lanterns hung On either side where moments line in march. Soon memory's drifting gondolas draw near, And gondoliers give seranade of song That stirs the heart and charms the inner car ; We breathe afresh the scent of cherished rose That pleasured us so dearly and so long, And falls upon the soul a sweet repose. Becomes so hushed the languid, amorous air, We scarcely sense the mundane tire and stress Of busy hours that plied their trade of care, Nor deem it strange that twilight weaves a spell For trysting vows, and innocent caress, And secret cravings not for us to tell! Fagots 2i HAPPINESS Too taut the tension under test supreme, A hcartstring snapped ; no longer might I play The chords of joy's content ; yet when came dream Its place to fill, I went each likely way In quest of substitute by world supplied; But found not one of all the varied marts, Not one of all the pleasure-counters tried, Could furnish what again would sound those parts. To self-forgetting service later led. Unsought was met the want desired so long; Now this, — a golden string in other's stead- Gave richer, fuller tone to purer song, And well I knew must hold for me far more Than any melody had meant before. 22 Fagots A SONG OF DEGREES To be alive, with mind alert, With soul a-stir Amid the moil, and medley din Of traffic's whir; To grow in health and hardihood—- Ah, that is good. To feel the press, to know the thrill Of inner urge That bears the tides of life along In forward surge. And steers or speeds some mate ashore, Is better, more. To sympathize with all distress, To grieve for wrong; Reverse some strain of discontent To joyous song; The heart of things, a goal, a quest,- That, that is best. Fagots 23 THE VAST PROFOUND For all your surge, loud dash and thundery tone, You hold deep silences beneath your moan, You bosom countless secrets long your own And age-old mysteries to man unknown. Although your speech of variant mood and strain Seem never wholly hushed, nor else than plain, Yet who can understand your voice of pain — So true your tides, so vast your proud domain. BABY Wee little monarch. Crowned from above, Ruling already Thy kingdom of love, — New little stranger. Helpless but here. Eager our welcome Dependent most dear! 24 Fagots THE SLUMBER SPRITE Moving to music of lullaby song, Airily, fairily tripping along, Dream-realm's enchantress, in raiment of white, Cometh to wish thee and kiss thee good-night. List to her footfall, — belike she'll appear Bearing the blessing of sleep for thy cheer, "Over the window of each open eye, Cover its curtaining lid," she will cry; "Fear not the shadows that creep on thy sight, Bending to guard thee are angels of light." Closer approacheth her small sandaled feet, — Bright Eyes, thy winkers are almost asleep! Hush-a-by hour is now chiming for thee, — That is the reason soft steppings there be. That is the reason a voice sweetly low Lures thee to Napland where babies must go. Calm little captive ! thy sorcerous guest Crowns thee with garland of sleep for thy rest. Fagots 25 COMPANIONED Congenial guests, Improving zests; Fond quests. A moonlight view, Old whisperings new- Just two! The leisure dream, The fish-line's gleam, By stream; A travel-day, Fresh smell tf hay; At play. Now grate-fire's snap ; Now child in lap For nap; Or cosy nook Of comrade look. And book. Piano keys, An hour of case To please; From people free, A cup of tea With me. 26 Fagots THOUGHTS Our thoughts are angels good or bad That bid for our control; We open wide to them the doors Of mind and heart and soul, Accept the proffered hoard they bring Perchance of wealth or dole, That makes our lives well worth the while, Or wanting, as a whole; That even may misguide our feet To alien paths, or goal. Our thoughts are angels good or bad, To which our years pay toll. DAY DREAMS The castles that we build in sunny Spain — Esteem them, shall we, idle dreams and vain. If be they brighten by a roseate touch Our sombre stretch of toil, our daily stress? If, leisure moments visionary bless That else were dull, or burdened evermuch? Fair fancies, thus a stimulus to hope. May mitigate the odds with which we cope In meeting stern realities and strife ; A respite from the sordid cares that play Their commonplace refrain from day to day, May tune the mind to more melodious life. Fagots 27 THE FUTURE I love to imagine the world holds a time When I shall attain to the grace Of every ideal that should become real To one of a privileged race; I love to believe it will bring me the day When all of my duty-work planned Accomplished will be, and I, at last, free To follow the choice of my hand ! THE AVOWAL Heart of my heart, awake! Hark to the plea I make To win thine ear, O thou most dear. Soul of my soul, rejoice! Heed the impassioned voice Of calling love, all else above. Life of my life, reply ; Pledge me but lip and eye — Thy look, thy kiss shall be my bliss. Love of my love, O sweet, Now is my life complete ; My heart, my «oul, arc thine in whole. 28 Fagots LOVE'S CAMEO As clearly cut and purely white As ever gem that hails the light : The carved features, sweet, refined, Reflecting thoughts unselfish, kind; The character expressed in face Denoting traits of force and grace, With spirit limned in has relief As one attuned to joy and grief. Whose symmetry of mold and line Portrays the touch of Hand divine; Whose charm and worth grow never less As years advance, as rivals press. A cameo doth love behold That hath for setting, deeds of gold ; Whose image on my heart I wear, — It pins my faith to fabric fair; It helps me see in human lives Adorn which change and loss survives; Fagots 29 PERSONALITY Bribe nor brawn can buy it, Brain may not defy it, — Permanent its sway ; Friend may not supply it, Foe may not deny it Royal right-of-way. 'Tis beyond the taking — 'Tis of life's own making. Always, only, ours; Forceful past our rating, Past our thought's forsaking. Greatest of our powers. MY SKY I sang me of love at the gloaming, Of love that would never grow old ; Of love that by loving increaseth. Of love that can never be told. I sang me of love at the dawning, — And the day was a shimmer of gold. 30 Fagots THEIR WORLD "The world is wide, and you, my bride, Have all that world for me impearled, — And worlds on worlds in fair expense Are lit for me by your bright glance." "The world is small — you are its all For me," she cried, this joyous bride, — "And nothing in it matters much That hints not of your voice or touch!" IN LOVE'S DOMAIN There lies no limit north or south, No boundary cast or west. In travel of the thought to reach The loved one loved the best ; There is no language may not voic« The heart's impassioned speech, Nor erudition in its school But love to love can teach. Fagots 31 INSIGHT We never spoke of love, dear one, As lovers love to do, And 3^et I knew you knew my heart Throbbed quickest but for you. We never said the many things That lovers love to say, But well you knew I knew the part And loved you love's own Avay. THE TRIAD A dear little ditty I send thee Of only a triad of words. But listen the while that I tell thee It's sung by the rapturous birds ; 'Tis breathed by the deep-blushing roses, That nestle so close to thy breast, And whispered by wooing breezes Caressing thy face as their quest ; 'Tis voiced by the musical waters That fare to the amorous sea, As surely and sweetly and simply As now its confession from me: — "I love thee, — I love thee." A dear little ditty I send thee, That's sung by the rapturous birds; And all that I ask is thy answer Shall bring me its triad of words! 32 Fagots LAW AND LOVE Both hailed from court above, And each to each made bow. Said Law to Love: — I greater am than thou, I may thy very oracles defy! Love gave reply: — I am a law unto myself ; 1 am a freakish little elf, As old as thou but not so cold, Nor yet as vain in point of brain; I rule with tender force, with soft-gloved hand; Thy grip of rigor sterner makes command, — A power I neither envy nor resent. The world hath need of me as needs it thee; I hold its heart and am content. DESTINATION The serving rivers seek the glorious sea ; Where head your currents flowing strong and free? Fagots 33 INFLUENCE Heard you never voice of pebble As it sang amid the stream Where its circles ever widened, Ever distanced in their gleam: — "Watch the wavelets spreading onward, See effects I can produce ; Plunge ahead into the current, Every effort is of use!" Heard 50U never voice of nature Sing in accents clear and true, — "There is nothing lost nor fruitless, All is vital that I do; What may seem to fail and perish Shall survive to serve its end; Never act of high endeavor But the heaven's will befriend." "Should the faithful be discouraged?" Hear the harvest fields inquire. "Though unseen the promised reaping Though delayed the heart's desire?" You are weeping! Oh, I fear me You have dared some evil deed, — For there's sorrow comes from sowing \{ you plant unrighteous seed. 34 Fagots OUGHT A stern, unyielding word, dogmatic, dread? Not always: — sweet reminder it may shed Of wisdom's course, of undeveloped goodj Of timely call to haler hardihood. Behind it heaven presses her kind law; Within it, places visions clear of flaw; Beneath it lo! temptations lose in power; Above it, fragrant ends and meanings flower. Poetic nor esthetic in its mold, But yet in ethic spirit, purest gold, — Or whether as a spur or as a stay, It mirrors duty ; marks the turn of way. Fagots 35 WHY NOT I? The teakettle sings, tho' accorded no beauty Except that it meets its monotonous duty In just the right way; Why not I? A narrow, unpropheting sphere, do you say? Prithee, why? Fideh'ty, Service, — to these a large place Eternity gives in her plan and her space ; To do what the task with a song of good grace, Ennobles the day. The teakettle joys in its work, why not I ? OVER US Each dawn, behold the pilot sun To voyage day; In life's recurrent round and run God guides the way. At night, star-sentinels illume The sunless sky ; His angels light our even-gloom, Nor sleeps His eye. 36 Fagots A CHALLENGE Th^ hill acclaimed to valley, — "I farther s^c than you; I boast a broader vision, Less circumscribed, more true." The valley ventured protest, — • "My view less wide, less far? But looking up the higher, I scan where heavens are." The sky observed serenely To hill and vale below, — "You both can glimpse how little Of vast survey I know!" VEILED Though the sky be overcast, And duskcn the night, Nor the sun nor the stars Are any less bright Where they shine, for the while. Quite hid from our sight. Fagots 37 BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY The candles are too many, now^ to count. And yet, I beg you, blow not any out. Another milestone reached! Shorter lies the road beyond; Nearer looms the destination toward which The years of life determinately move; 'Tis well. The past recedes; The present pauses scarcely to take breath ; The future, lighted by its star of hope, More clearly beckons toward the final goal. Forward, dowered soul ! Press onward unafraid, without demur, — As heir of promise, gladly hastening on To claim the fair estate that yonder waits. FAULT Thou ne'er didst err — is that thy tale? Nor wrong thy soul, nor ever fail? Belike, then, thou dost witless sin By pride of purity within! 38 Fagots THE LONGTIME AGO "Is it following memory's trail leading low Into the past of your child-sheltered years, That you speak with a sigh of the longtime ago?" "No, dear, no." "Is it treading again in the cypress-lined lane — Where your farewell doomed a sweetheart to tears, That you utter the phrase with an echo of pain?" "No, love, no; It's the halcyon days when my trust was so strong Life brought no burdens of doubts or of fears; When all ills had a cure, and all sorrows a song, Long ago!" WITHIN There dwells a self within myself That strives to better be ; Beyond the thoughts my pen can frame Are thoughts I yearn to free; There beats a heart within my heart That loves the purest things; There breathes a soul within my soul Where voice of angel sings. Fagots 39 SINGS THE RAIN The gentle pitter-patter splash of rain In rythmic monologue against the pane; Its metric beat upon the roof and leaves, Its music-making run along the eaves; The riant choral of its crystal pour, Its drip and drop antiphony of score; Its chant that boon to things a-thirst declares, The lulling note its liquid cadence bears; Or, chance the minor key its tone express When wayward winds its path unwelcome press, — Each runic mood imparts a lyric strain To voicings of its greeting and refrain, And, unto ear attuned, assurance brings That rain which warns and glads the verdure, sings ! JOY-^TIME Daffodil, daffodil, Laugh if you will; Now is the Spring-song, Joy's at its fill ! 40 Fagots A ROUNDEL We cannot tell how lilies grow — The snowy lilies loved so well; From blackest soil why white they show, We cannot tell : Although where Christ did perfect dwell And argent lilies were a-blow, We wonder not so pure each bell ; Nor that their stainless blooms bestow Such fragrance all their florent spell, But whither may their incense go We cannot tell. LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY Fm the lily-of-the-valley, And I sing a valley song: — I do not need the sunshine To keep me sweet and strong, Nor depend on care and coaxing. Every year to blossom long. Fagots 41 BEHOLD Behold the rose beside the thorn, With fear nor care it threatens there, But looks to its protection share; Each velvet folcj of whose adorn A perfume wafts that mate forlorn. Behold the honeysuckle flower: — It opens up its golden cup The dew to sip; for bee to sup; And lifts alike to sun and shower A friendly front to claim its dower. Behold the odored violet, Which holds its place with lowly grace — Although of royal-purpled race— Which by its modest sweetness, yet Makes all around, its pride forget. Behold the sunflower — what its ways, How high it grows, how hale it glows; The orb of day its habit knows: Discerns its life his lead obeys, Observes its face reflects his rays. Behold the lily of the field, — Its fine array, its envied away. Which toils nor spins to seek display, Yet Solomon no power could wield To match the glory it revealed. 42 Fagots Behold the early blooms of spring: — So brave their gleam, so glad they seem To brighten meadow, woods, and stream, In sweet refrain their muses sing, "A smile awaits each cheering thing." BEYOND WORDS Dear, my own, if I could I tell thee All thou art to me, Thou wouldst rank with loves the lesser Than I reckon thee. Words the best can not suffice me — What their tender tone; By that lack, my heart confesseth Kept for thee its throne. SUNDERED She held the rose I'd given her With monment's look of cold disdain : While I forgave the passing pain That she ignored its fragrant heart, For this I've never shriven her, — Its petals, then, she tore apart; Her penitence must plead in vain, No power can put them back again! Fagots 43 THE GLORY OF THE ROSE O rose in the weight of thy beauty Bending fond glances to greet — Far brighter is earth for thy blessing, Sweeter is life for thy sweet. *Tis true over-brief seems thy lasting, Still, but the transient while, Again in thy splendor appearing, Breaks now the world into smile. We welcome thy bloom and thy fragrance — Lavish in service of cheer — And see in thy blossom's unfolding Glory revealed to us here. YOU Roses, love, the moonlight's call, — Yet you never came. Rue for me, and midnight's pall, — Roses not the same! 44 Fagots JUNE O, ardent month of roses, P'air fields and flaunting posies And vivid overhue — The birds, how glad they greet thet, How grasses smile to meet thee, Which grace the verdant view! As wake of dawn discloses Thy leafage, sward, and roses Begemmed with sparkling dew — Thy balmy breezes wing us, And perfumed blossoms bring us What praise of thee anew! Now eye of day reposes Upon thy reigning roses And brightly gives them gaze; While over mead and river The sunbeams break aquiver Through filmy veil of haze. Thy tender touches thrill us; Unstinted blessings fill us With sense of good untold ; — Thy morn, mid-day, and evening. In turn, some boon receiving To band thy hours with gold. Fagots 45 Thy fragrant breath and fairness, Invite the cold and careless To share thy charm and cheer: — Full strange did all not love thee, And count no month above thee Throughout the changing year! QUERY Why do I prize it so, Why do I keep it thus near — This jar of unsingular mold? Ah, but its hidings hold Ashes of roses, my dear, Of roses the rarest that grow! FORGET-ME-NOT A floweret tiny — Do not pass me by, See how my vesture vies with blue of sky; Because so tiny. I might be forgot But for my pleading name, For-get-me-not. A floweret tiny, I so oft abide Where weeds and marshes my ambitions chide Without the proffer of my valued sweet The world more seldom might my name repeat! 46 Fagots A CONCEIT The leaves assembled, great and small, To hold their annual festive ball Before the chilling snows should fall. They all were gorgeous as you please. And danced to pipe of merry breeze, Well chaperoned by parent trees. But afterward, the gossips say, Each hied to bed for lengthy stay — So wilted, so tired out were they. AUTUMN The roar of wind like surge of heavy seas, A sighing tone, a rustle in the trees; A glimpse of nature's mellow charm and glow Amid the ruddy colors frosts bestow; The sight of waving grain, of garnered shelves; A shower of red and golden russet leaves That flutter, chase, or stray as breezes bid; A haze that hints of splendors partly hid. Now touch of Indian Summer's gracious sway, Now witchery of early snow's display; Ingathered fruits of husbandry and care; A crisply chill, invigorating air; The time of fagot fires, of harvest moon, With scenes familiar as the rose of June. A season that earth's gratitude must praise For countless benefits and regal days. Fagots 47 A LESSON LILT Through rain unspent and chill, Through wind uncalmed and shrill, Attend, my soul, to robin's dauntless trill That saith, on branch a-swing: — "Cling on, still cling and cling!" The day hath veiled her face. The dark draws on apace. Respond, my soul, to jubilance of grace The nightingale doth bring: — "Sing on, yet sing and sing!" The summer-tide hath flown, The autumn, sterner grown ; Awake, my soul now birds of passage own The time is come to sing: — "Wing on, just wing and wing!" Ah ! denizens of th' air, Or frowning skies, or fair. This roundelay my listening soul ye bear: — "Hold on, look up, take wing. And heaven will help thee sing!" 48 Fagots TIME'S ADVANCE The autumn air, how clear! Away, then fear! The y^ar but nears its goal, As doth the soul. When fall and fade the leaves, Lo, golden sheaves The splendid tribute bring That harvests sing. Lament not, nor despair When youth so fair To ripened age gives place: — Its glory face: For there is beauty still, Look where you will, — Though morn and noon be past And day wanes fast. So holds life's sunset tint No color stint; It would the glowing West Were loved the best. Fagots 49 FAGOTS From out the crackling blaze a hearth-fay came, And spake to dreamer musing near the flame: — "Though seems this of itself to burn, 'tis clear Its start and feeding drew on fuel here; To light and keep aglow within the heart The alter-fires that kindle love and cheer, Contribute service-fagots as thy part." Then woodland fairy bade the fagots sing: — "Refuse not smallest offerings to bring; Despise not, mighty oak, thy twigs to share, Nor sapling, spurn thy branchlets thus to spare, For we together number large, and gain — By use that calls for little care — An end we might not each alone attain." 50 Fagots THE INGLE "Sit thee by the ingle, when The sear fagot blazes bright." — Keats. I went on a happy adventure, Ensconsed in a wonderful book; I travelled the world almost over Without ever leaving my nook. I revelled in scenes most romantic, My heart rode the sea's highest crest — With never an ocean-wave sighted Yet many a port for my quest. In company novel and famous I journeyed the weariless while, Returning refreshed from that voyage, Inspired by. its thrilling beguile. I thought of the marvelous places Attained without peril or slip, And gratefully blessed the bright fagots That led to my taking the trip! Fagots 51 SNOW-FLAKES Welcome awaiteth you, wingers of snow, Lighting now hither, now yonder a-whirl, Decking gray nature with ermine and pearl, — Scattering brightness wherever ye go! Silently, softly yet fleetly ye file, — Stellular flakes of a comrade intent. Leaguing the fairest scenes to present, Merging in might as ye gather the while. Graciously wending from region above, Over uncomliness spreading thy sheen, — Seem ye like spirit-evangels that screen Human defects with the mantle of love. Greeted with zest where your myraids show. Guests at a season when aspect were drear Save for your coming and but for your cheer, — All of us welcome you, wingers of snow! 52 Fagots WINTER FAIRIES Fresh from native sky-haunt, Speeding gently down, Come the fairy snow-flakes Each in fleecy gown. Witching trains attend them Whither they alight, Making all about them Change to lustrous white. How they smile and glisten Where at rest they cleave ! At the sun-god's calling, Take they tearful leave. PROVIDENCE "For He saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth.' The seasons He hath planned To serve our weal; His will; My times are in His Hand His purpose to fulfill. Fagots 53 THE EVER PRESENCE The darkness boasts His Vigil, Behind the cloud, His light; The shower reveals His rainbow, The storm proclaims His might; The "angel of His presence" Consoles the bed of pain. And sorrow chants its morrow Of kindly purposed gain. The heavens declare His glory, The planets own His sway; The seedtime, soil and harvest His changless laws obey; He rules the tides of ocean. The thunders voice His will. And winds and waves defiant. Must heed His "Peace, be still." The sparrow claims His watch -care, The healing herb, His thought; His love attends each heart-cry What help or solace sought; The grave reflects His radiance, And mercies ever new, Descend like silent sunshine, Or fall of gracious dew . 54 Fagots OUR SUFFICIENCY O Son of man, supreme to feel Our human call and needs, No sorrow but thy hand may heal, No prayer thine ear unheeds. O Son of God, so rich in grace. The life, the truth, the way. Thou ruler over time and space Our stronghold art and stay. Compassionate beyond compare. Whose word is law's decree — We seek thy keeping, guiding care, O Christ of Galilee. WITH THE YEARS A coronal of blessing pearl thy brow. Each pearl a memory of lustrous worth, — The gift of grateful years that here and now Acknowledge royal favors through thy birth. Fagots 55 LOSS '7 sleep, but my heart waketh," Sorely was I bereaved : A spirit rare, A comrade sad to spare Was she for whom I grieved, — A faithful, helpful friend Inspiring to the end ; But memories of her set my soul a-thrill, And her sweet influence surrounds me still. Later was I bereft: By some strange fate A childhood mate And intimate of many after years, That friendship left. No tone nor touch of hate Estranged our lives, yet is there call for tears No halo her remembered name endears! SOLACE The hours of my day can be lonely and long However well filled they may be ; But, lo! in the night-time my solace and song, Since dreams then return thee to me. 56 Fagots EASTER SONNET When Easter morn its pristine radiance shed And waiting hearts, cast down with fearsome grief, Beheld the tomb effulgent past belief; When angel guard the joyant sureness spread That Christ bemourned was risen from the dead, — Ah, then what infinite, supreme relief Came flooding in to dissipate the brief, Despotic sorrow Calvary had bred ! No other day that smiled on any year So wondrous spake within its lease of time; Such token gave that heaven's brighter sphere. In touch with earth can make its toll sublime; Nor peals from any belfry sweeter cheer Than Easter bells in message clearly chime. Fagots 57 AFTER CALVARY— VICTORY So vast the Golgothas of war have grown, Its Calvaries so smite the anguished sense, We need that gospels clear, assuaging tone— - That vital promise of high recompense— Which Easter daybreak gave in triumph cry: After Calvar}^ — victory! In wake of edict that surprised the world, Though ghastly tragedies and fates extreme Their awful weight on savior-nations hurled, These held the holier cause of man supreme ; Although grim might the right may crucify- After Calvar>' — victory. By test a-face the dread despotic cross, By cruel thorn and nail thrusts borne to-day, — Not thus a righteous conflict suffers loss; Nay, though a darkened sun lend brief dismay, The paean of redemption cannot die, — After Calvary — victory ! 58 Fagots THE SUDDEN STORM There loomed a fleet in the over blue, — A series of clouds sailing by — Each pennant rimmed with a silver hue Reflecting the smile of the sky. How stately, how unperturbed their run, As, cresting the billows of light. These liners bore not a single gun Nor cannon to waken affright. An ominous cloud -crew hailed their path, Enshrouding these vessels in smoke; The placid blue were a look of wrath When thunder's artillery spoke: A flash ! a volley ! a bolt ; a crash ! The fleet so defenseless went down. /'Alas! alas!", moaned the rain, "how rash To take no precautions, — and drown-!" Fagots 59 PRIDE A tyrant prisoner of war I took with my degree, (Obtained by fight with circumstance), At victory's decree. , This alien captive that I kept Within my brainiest cell, Evoked more liberal care from me Than modesty may tell ; And when, at last, this same intern Stern judgment bade me free — That cherished tyrant, now I found, Had turned the key on me! CAMOUFLAGE To win, perchance, a passing fame From but a certain few, I dipped in classic lore a bit. And learned a myth or two; I quoted lines from Attic bards Of whom they little knew. And when the scheme successful seemed, Should any present pry Beyond my ken and question me, I simply made reply: *T11 not attempt to answer give — You know as well as I," 6o Fagots THE HONOR CALL As belfry bells kept calling To worship's prayer and song, I saw the number kneeling,* I heard them hymn, — Be strong. When rang the bell of freedom The call our country gave, In bidding to the colors I heard it peal, — Be brave. At last, alone with conscience, That "still, small voice" I knew, With kind but grave insistence To honor called, — Be true. Fagots 6i IMMORTALIZED The wreath immortal wears a wondrous guise, And rarely ranks as such one should disdain; "Imperishable name!" ambition cries, "That were a boon most worth the while to gain." But Pilate's name is linked where Christ's is known, And Nero's, lives with tale of burning Rome, Some Cain or Judas, too, hath history shown Since peopled earth beheld its azured dome. The world may crown with laurel well and right, Remains unmatched that storied place and fame Which alabaster box and widow's mite, Throughout all time, above, below, can claim. The nations, — let them memory's tribute pay, And keep alive illustrious names they boast; Let Christendom recount and own the sway Of heroes who have lighted far her coast, — There still may be a glory here unwon Which earth's unhonorcd worthies yet may win — The crown immortal, with the laud : Well done, Thou good and faithful servant, enter in. 62 Fagots THE MASTER POET'S PEN Where wrought, or how, the golden pen That writ thy perfect verse, — Enduring, vivid, rich in thought While 5'et unforced and terse? Wherein doth he its magic power? The humbler bards would know ; Seems charmed its every trick and word To set thy page aglow ! So smoothly, simply run its lines In strong, in fine appeal. Is caught no sound of pen at all Although its art we feel. It is a gift — that master pen — Which hand of genius guides; It cannot borrowed be, nor earned Except where skill presides. ASPIRATION I wish I could with eloquence Indite my song Supply it worth and melody To linger long. In this, at least, I may succeed Without dissent, — To key it to the harmony Of high intent. Fagots 63 THE STARS AND STRIPES To mine eyes the most beautiful banner Unfurled on the land or the sea, Is the tri-colored flag of my country — The home of the brave and the free. Ah its fairness, with folds all unsullied By tyrannous conquest or spoil, Whose Colonial stripes cry devotion To Liberty's sonship and soil ; While its patron-states, proudly united In star-studded setting of blue, Bid it challenge the cause of injustice And champion that which is true. As the hearts' bleeding dye of its loyals Is fadelessly stamped on its float, So its pearly white stream_ers betoken The pureness it aims to prom-ote. Best belov'd among National ensigns To those who its standards uphold, May the heavenly stars in their courses Help fight where its signals unfold. 64 Fagots CO-OPERATION Not merely the soldiers and sailors, Not only the leaders of men, Are serving the hour in struggle To drive the dread Hun to his den. But women, wide-organized masses, The poor and the millionaire classes, The patriotic needle and pen. TRIOLET How lightly lie those embers white Serenely marred in calm repose; But lately shed by fagots bright — How lightly lie those embers white ; As soft and silent as the night Whose moon her palest crescent shows, How lightly lie those embers white Serenely massed in calm repose. y^ 470155 UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNU LIBRARY m\\