GIFT OF / I ^ 1 m earns (Charge & A DREAM of DREAMS THE CHARGE & OTHER POEMS By CARL BRYAN RAYBURN 1920 HARR WAGNER PUBLISHING CO. SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA Copyright by Carl Bryan Rayburn 1920 To the sacred memory of my MOTHER this volume is dedicated Dinuba, California, December 30, 425719 CONTENTS Page Foreword . . . . . . v A Dream of Dreams ...... 6 The Charge 15 The Music Everlasting . . . . 25 Under the Stars and Stripes .... 26 The Dixie Volunteer ... . . . 27 The Night ........ 29 The Wintry Night ...... 30 Spring 31 To a River 32 Night in the Hills . . . - . 34 The Violin s Lament 35 The Angel of Dream 36 Music in the Night .37 Liladore 39 The Solitude of Willow Valley . . . . 40 Estanalee ..... . . 42 Eternity Bids Thee to Never Forget . . 43 SONNETS To Memory ....... 44 To the Whippoorwill ...... 45 To Solitude 45 To the Dove 46 Beauty 46 Sylvinia 47 A Puzzle ........ 48 Upon Thy Bank, O Gentle Stream . . . 49 A Song That Father Used to Sing ... 50 Ye Hills and Cliffs .51 When Parting From a Friend . . . . . 52 Requiescat .53 Psalm the Eighth . . . . 54 Love and Fame . . 55 The Trail of the Yukon . ..... 57 The Lake at Night ...... 60 The Desert s Call . . . 63 L Envoi . . . . 65 FOREWORD TTT HESE poems are published ver- VJ-X batim, without modification from the original compositions, which were written in the days of boyhood and early youth; and, though there is much room for improvement in many instances, they are submitted to the public with the hope that they will not be too severely censured for what ever poetic violations may appear. Should a few distant and scattered friends find even a single pleasure in these verses, I shall be happy and grateful. THE AUTHOR. A DREAM o/DREAMS, The CHARGE OTHER POEMS A Dream of Dreams Fond Muse of Life! if thou couldst sing In sweet accordance with my dream, Then would thy tuneful numbers cling Unto a fair, enchanted stream Which now reflects a fading beam Of days that vanished with the spring. What, then, undying Hope, can bring Boyhood, when all was most divine, And nothing of the world was mine? What can these pleasures half restore Except a dream of days before ? Then, spirit of a higher clime, Ascending on unweighted wings, When thou hast flown to heights sublime, Send down a picture of the things That wakened Infancy s pure dreams Which slumber by the crystal streams. What though old, dull Reality, Realizing only that which is, Know not the things that ought to be, In dreams yet Fancy finds a bliss ; For still that brightest fire of fire Will in the darkest gloom inspire The soul, which fain would fall asleep Upon the billows of the Deep, Were it not for that flame divine, Which gazers of Chaldean line Beheld within the silent skies, Where Light celestial never dies. For who has never watched the glow, 6 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems As dreamers of old Eyraco, Of sleepy stars, and hear the call Of deeper meaning, which will fall Across the silence of the spheres, And move the sensitive soul to tears? Dream of Life ! thou art my own, Crowned on a sempiternal throne: That magic halo cannot fade Of endless glory it was made ! 1 would not try to picture what The poets call angelic thought; Yet once within a vision rare, The form of Beauty sweet and fair, Clothed in a radiant loveliness, Surpassing in sad gracefulness, I faintly saw ; and Nature wild Gave back her image to a child. But thoughts of sadness stealing on With sadder memories of the years, And childish yearnings having gone Into a misty past of tears I saw a look in Beauty s eye That made me tremble ; and the sky Gave signs that far away a cloud Had o er a mountain summit bowed. Then Melancholy, brooding low Beneath the zenith of a star Whose silvery splendor shone afar, Half hid the pale, intenser glow That shone in shrouded space the while ; And cast a shadow o er the smile Of weeping Beauty, on whose face A look of sadness I could trace. And, standing in the stilly Night, And gazing at the lonely light, I felt that every hour of pain A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Must leave the soul to peace again, That all the days of perfect bliss A sigh of sorrow never miss ; For e en the sweetest Lydian lays, Arising from the sylvan streams, And filled with notes of fairy dreams, Oft breathe of dark and dismal days. From out the solitudes there came A breath of music; who can name Such mystic notes that softly swell On fading twilight, there to dwell In deep, heart-rending, fatal sounds, Invading Music s sacred bounds? That music fell upon my soul In strange emotion, in which pain Of all forgotten years that roll Was mingled with delight again. And in the years I grew to love The voice of Music, and to rove To listen hunger for the breath That lulled the silence into death : The dreamy "music of the spheres" Moved Nature to her morning tears ! In Nature s kingdom first I found A freedom which defied restraint, And, wand ring in the wilds around, I saw the fading twilight paint Immortal glory of a saint, Whose lofty brow the stars soon crowned; And then I heard a calling faint It came not from this lowly ground But from the sunset s golden taint It drifted in a meaning sound. Upon me came a rapture quaint ; But, ah ! I answered in complaint, And soon the gentle voice was drowned! 8 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Formosns Miinus! but to see A glimpse of vast Eternity Is to behold an awful space, On which Time leaves no tiny trace ; And yet my spirit, young and proud, And wand ring like an aimless cloud, Once dared to roam the darkness through And feel Death s ever-falling dew. But, though the shadows grim are there, And fear dwells in the gloomy air, There is a Place, a great Beyond, On which a shade has never dawned, To which the sinless soul may fly Beneath the everlasting Sky, Then, as my heart was filled with fear, And strange, abysmal mist was near, My spirit shuddered fainted fell Back to a smiling, earthly dell. And in that vale, when morning fell, A murmuring melody did swell, And tune the merry, wanton bird Which o er the waking valley whirred ; And in the tinkle of a bell Which in the pasture near was heard, To me there came a happy thrill And life was full and sweeter still The morning praises filled the air And Nature was so strangely fair The while I stood and listened, till It seemed a Paradise were there! And when the countless stars of Night, Those timid sparks of Heaven s fire, Within the midnight silence shone, The pensive twinkling of their light Brought to my soul a sad desire To climb up to the mountains throne; A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems And there forever sit, and gaze Upon the weird, golden haze, There on the summit dream away, In solitude, both night and day. But, when the mystic moon had bowed Above a lone, horizon cloud, Increasing, as she higher rose, The pearly splendor of her beams Along the haunted banks of streams, Twas then instinctively I chose, From other things which then were mine, The pathos of a thought divine. The murmuring music of the showers Descending from the closing flowers, Within a cottage once I heard That lonesome rhythm, which no word Can half suggest; and to my heart, As if it were my only part, The dismal dropping of the rain Upon the dripping roof again Sent something of a sweeter pain. Then, listening to the drowsy sound, By dreamy Slumber I was bound, Who passed before my watchful eyes Fair pictures of the azure skies And all the while I vainly tried To hear the falling rain outside ! When but a child, I early read Of poets visions of the Dead, Their good description of a time When to the soul, like theirs, sublime, A shining angel comes to guide The spirit o er the Stygian tide. And, then, I thought, within the tomb There is a glory in the gloom: "0 Death, where is thy victory? 10 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Grave, where is thy stain?" The sinless spirit soon shall see The smile of God again! What though the drifted, wintry snow Keep white the nameless mound below, The soul can never, God, I know, Hear chilly winds that rage and blow; Nor will it feel, in sacred trust, The dreamless silence of the dust. But, fort una Mors! thou art Not ruler of the human heart. For Love will conquer in the End, And is the very breath of Life ; And Truth and Honor shall ascend In triumph o er this mortal strife, To bear the soul of noble aim To justice and eternal fame. And on the waters of the Deep, Where Wrong assails the crossing soul, Behold ! the billows fall asleep And on the surface cease to roll, If Love but speak a word of cheer, Or smile in lasting brightness near. Immortal Love ! Creation kneels Before thy white, eternal throne; The humble spirit nobly feels Desire to live for thee alone ! The rising splendor of the day Shed dewy fragrance o er the way ; The gentle sighing of the breeze Was heard among the forest trees ; The streamlet, gliding slowly by, Gave back the color of the sky ; Somewhere within the hidden bowers Then woke the lovely, blooming flowers ; A sweet effulgence filled the air A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 11 And made the dome of heavens fair ; And Nature, glorious in her hue, Into surpassing beauty grew ; And that was all but yet a thrill Gave life to valley, vale, and hill ! That magic thrill glad Nature felt, And in a solemn worship knelt, Ah! was it Love, from Heaven sent, That such a mighty rapture lent To Earth? God of all divine! That love, I thought, was even mine ! And when the raging storm was nigh, And darkness covered all the sky, I watched the lightning flame and flash ; While came the thunder s distant crash Which rolled in rumbling echoes far, Like tumult of a fearful war. And when the quivering light was cast, And deeper still the thunder rolled, My spirit rose upon the blast Which all the trembling skies patroled ; In such a restless spirit might Derive a battle-fierce delight, And learn to lose is but to win In such my spirit reveled in. Perhaps within the kingly mind The youthful passions never dwen, Nor in relentless power bind Great souls in Heaven or in Hell ; But yet such passions, as are strong And dominating o er the will, Will rarely lead the soul to wrong Against its earnest efforts still. Then, Heaven, wilt though vindicate The stern decrees of heartless Fate? 12 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems For I, when but a sinless child, Knew something of the passions wild; Then, even then, within my breast There throbbed a fanciful unrest, A longing for mysterious things Which hovered near on phantom wings ; 1 felt Ambition s first desire To climb, beneath that ethereal fire, To higher regions, and to feel Eternal glory round me steal ! And then I felt, I know not how, That bitter sweetness more than now: The history of a thousand years Came o er me like a flood of tears ; And memories I had known before Above me seemed to lightly soar; Then, like the weeping willow s sigh, My foolish dreams were passing by. Who would exchange the days of Youth, Life s golden, cloudless summertime, For those, when Man is in his prime And learns a philosophic truth? The Youth is stronger than the Man : His thoughts are just, his heart is free, His knowledge pure and lofty yet; For when his spotless days began, He knew what was and what would be, And still his soul with dew was wet! The sinful, selfish world must bow In shame before his fearless eye ; Must know him as he passes by ; There shines a glory on his brow ! But, ah ! they pass, those youthful days, A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 13 And still their faintest memory stays; Then manhood grows into old age, When, wise and venerable, the sage Rehearses wisdom s favorite theme, Or dwells upon some sainted dream. Yet, what is Life? and what is Death? And what that highest passion, Love ? Who can its mission here define? Or is it something more divine, And in its calling far above, The mystery of the mortal breath ? But still Eternity reveals An answer on Time s secret page; Which fleeting ages will attest To be the light of Wisdom s crest. And, wondering to himself, the sage Half sees the words that Time conceals. Then Life is but a dream of dreams, And ail its mysticism seems A harbinger of what will be The part of every destiny. And when the evening lights recede Behind the shadow of each deed, The soul of Man will recognize That lesser glory, and realize That none have ever learned the whole Which veils the secrets of the Soul. Yet Truth and Beauty are allied Above the deep, eternal tide To bear Life s victory-emblem, "Love," The restless stream of Time above. Then in the moments last and gray, Thou, Muse of Life, will look away 14 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Across each summer of the Past, Where Memory s light is dimly cast ; The soul will listen to the sounds Escaping from the nameless bounds ; And Azrael, pausing in his flight, Will hesitate on Earth to light. Then, Muse of Life ! if thou couldst sing In harmony with every dream, Then would thy notes of mystery cling To Life and Love, which ever seem A spell within a golden mist, By beams of clouded magic kist. But now thy song I hear no more : Its tune hath died upon the shore. Then, spirit of a higher clime, Descending on thy weary wings, Forsaking now those heights sublime, Reclaim thy picture of the things Which in their mystic beauty seem To be the vision of Life s dream. A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 15 The Charge The night had passed; and o er embattled lines Of bleeding France the troubled sun arose, And looked again upon the broken shrines Which gave sad proof of War s unfeeling woes; While in the beauty of Dawn s early glows, The dews, tears shed by Nature for the slain, Clung to the lilies by the solemn rows, In which slept those who ne er did wake again To meet the rushing foe upon the battle-plain. Like some grim space of death, the No Man s Land Between the great, contending armies lay; Upon one side four lines of trenches scanned As many more across the fatal way, Whose soil had crimson grown in fright ful fray. Far, far behind, the mighty cannon stood ; And fresh battalions, brought up for the day, Concealed themselves within the haunted wood, Whose dying leaves were stained with fallen heroes blood. 16 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems A firing line four hundred miles in length ! Ten million men in Battle s grand array ! Grim nations, clad in War s divided strength, The mighty conflict wage thru night and day! Two flaming fronts the long advance delay ; While over all the long-winged monsters soar In aerial skirmish, as adown the way, Thru dizzy heights, some plunge to rise no more; And rolls afar and near the cannons heavy roar! Ye sons of Freedom, turn, and gaze upon The desolated miles that westward lie : The fruitful fields and happy homes are gone, And naught but devastation meets the eye! Beneath the haunting horrors of the sky, The shattered towns of France and Bel gium tell Of bloody hosts that marched in tri umph by; The ravaged plains, where church and castle fell, Bear witness of the crimes dark as the depths of Hell! Then, for the sake of sweet humanity, For sacred rights secured in other years, For God who granted us our liberty, For Belgium s slain and mothers holy tears, A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 17 Strike hard the foe, dark Tyranny, who sneers, With armored smile and dripping hands, at Right. And courage take; for now the crisis nears : Fresh from their victory of the recent fight, The German-Austrian guns howl in a red delight. Now all is ready for the Allies charge ; Expectant now the eager soldiers wait, And, though they know opposing odds are large, They fear not either battle or its fate. Now for a while the shell and bomb abate Their warning crash ; four sectors now are tense With sudden silence ; and yet hesitate The smaller guns along the first defense, Where upward drifts the smoke as if it were incense. Now all the rear shakes with a sudden roar It is the signal, soon another blast Breaks on the air as sullen as before; The nearer guns begin their firing fast. Above the hostile trenches now is cast A fitful cloud of shattered earth and smoke ; A thunderous boom, more frightful than the last, Rolls from behind the enemy lines ; a cloak Of flame shows where their heavy field artil lery spoke. 18 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Leap from the trenches now the waiting men, Eight thousand to each nation on that side. Well armed, they hurry, run, and fire, and then Drop down a moment where they best can hide; Then up and onward; for a region wide Still parts them from the distant trenches, where A battery, blushing in undaunted pride, Repeats its warning in an angry glare, Which flames up redder still and warms the foggy air. The raiders hurry on; the columns blaze With rifle fire along the rushing lines ; The rockets high within the heavens glaze A ghostly streak which for a moment shines ; While every airy current sadly whines A fatal song; and now the dropping shells Begin to burst and leave their scarlet signs; Of planes above the bomb s explosion tells ; Now falls a whole brigade, the din of battle swells ! The charge is on! Beneath the flag they love, The Yankee lads are plunging thru the storm; In splendor bright Old Glory waves above A host that scorns the danger and alarm ! Undaunted youths ! their fearless hearts are warm A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 19 With battle-rage: the struggle fierce they lead To hotter strife, in which they bravely form To fight for Justice ; and each daring deed Commends to God above the wounded ones that bleed. The conflict having desperate grown, now surge The human billows of the charging mass ; O er broken land the staggering lines emerge, Some lost within the shelter of a pass. The Teuton fire is scorching them, alas! The sun is hidden by the lightning-cloud, Where fly the bolts of steel and iron and brass ; The armored cars and stubborn tanks have plowed The way thru jagged wire more speed is now allowed. At last the No Man s Land is crossed: a deep And shattered remnant of a trench is found ; Great heaps of grey, some dead in bloody sleep, Lie scattered in the passage under ground. No time to lose! behind yon trembling mound, The second trench, formidable and grim, Is shaken with the cannons quick rebound ; 20 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems On with the charge ! The light is growing dim! Machine-gun bullets hum a stirring battle- hymn! So toward the next embankments now they press ; Again the network of entangled wire Delays the stricken front; in loud distress The shrapnel howls above the thirsty fire. Now for a while the charging arms re tire; And swift the foe comes rushing o er the top! Have at em, boys! their helmets but inspire Each manly breast their countercharge to stop! Before the rifle range a thousand comrades drop ! The charge is on! The heavens rock and reel ! The earth is trembling with the mighty blast! The bursting clouds of flaming smoke con ceal The reeking holes filled with the dead at last! Long lights of streaming colors now are cast In blazing beauty where the banners soar! And ere the shells combustion deep is past, Like thunder booms the bombs tremen dous roar; And still the tempest sweeps above, behind, before! A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 21 On with the charge ! They yell in foaming rage ! Here fellows fall without another breath ; There hand to hand the struggle fierce they wage; The ground is broken by the shock of Death ! Ho! giving way the dreadful charge be neath, The enemy is falling back ; their dead Left lying under clouds of gory wreath. The second trench is taken; but ahead Two lines of trenches still speak out their challenge red. Then on again ; for Freedom leads the way, And Courage follows close on Valor s heels ! Ah ! many a lad has fallen on this day ; But yet the note of battle-glory peals Upon the blasted air, which half reveals The distant cannon by huge motors drawn. Each soul again the fighting spirit feels : On with the charge! The day is nearly gone; And rises on the din the cry of "Carry on!" The third line trench is taken; and arrive Fresh companies from the Allies distant rear. Sons of America! tis yours to drive Those whom your brothers met without a fear ! Avenge your fallen friends and comrades dear! But lo! no need to rouse these stalwart sons: With fortitude the flaming trench they near, 22 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Some falling here and there before those guns That roar and tremble with the anger of the Huns. The charge is on! The smoke is spurting high; Machine-guns rattle in the ditch again; The rifles flash, the rockets scale the sky; The thunders roll above the leaden rain Which falls in pools red with a gory stain. Shock follows shock ; swift colors dart and stream Above the crash that shakes the stricken plain ; And, where the lights of battle-glory gleam, There fades on many an eye Life s last de parting beam. Yet on the grim, surviving raiders sweep! The shells and bullets drown each furious yell; Upon the banks the last defenders leap In greater numbers than the eye can tell ; And now the trench is but a surging hell: Within the flames, they lunge and fire and clash, Above the din the shouts discordant swell, Close followed by a far-resounding crash; And o er the ragged trench ten thousand Teutons dash. But hark ! the tumult now is dying slow, And lo ! the smoke is carried far at last ; A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 23 The crumbling trench has ceased to flame and glow, The dreadful charge and battle fierce are past. The weary prisoners, bound together fast, March slowly where not long ago they drew The deadly aim, or met the raging blast ; And where their own imperial banner flew, In triumph waves on high the Red and White and Blue ! fearless lads beneath the Stripes and Stars! Sons of the Land predestined to be free ! That spirit, which hath won in other wars, Here leads you on for grand Democracy, Who strikes the chains of base Autoc racy; And here, where that despotic force was drawn To crush the rights of all humanity, Across this plain you rushed and followed on, And made another Chauteau-Thierry or Argonne ! And here resign your comrades slain to God. With their bright blood here Freedom sets her flame Of light undying o er this sacred sod ; And Time records their fair, eternal fame. Above each grave then breathe the precious name, And kneel in memory of the one beneath, 24 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Who from his home across the waters came To help defeat the Plan of Nations Death, But who now calmly lies neath Glory s battle- wreath ! Some day, noble Mothers of the dead ! Those loving sons up yonder ye shall meet. Your yearning hearts the most of all have bled In silent conflict, but not in defeat : In lonely hours, when grief and sorrow beat Against the courage of your tender love, Ye conquered then in prayer, God s mercy-seat ; With bravery, such as only mothers prove, Ye trusted all to Him who reigns in peace above ! The day had passed; and o er the battle field In sorrow gazed the watchful stars of Night; The scene of charge was thru the mist revealed Beneath the moon s sad flood of yellow light. And yet a glory, sweet and strangely bright, Shed peerless beauty earth and sky be tween ; And soldiers, weary from the bloody fight, Lay dreaming on that plain of scarlet sheen, And saw the angel Peace sail o er a land serene ! A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 25 The Music Everlasting A song of sacred feeling From somewhere in the night, Across the shadows stealing, Holds mute the starry light ; It rises slow beneath the glow, Upon a mystic height. Across the waters glancing, Above that boundless sea, The spirits, lightly dancing, Hark to the melody Which over vine and tree Celestial floats in far-off notes, O er strange Eternity ! A soul, without a history, The hymn of silence hears ; And, feeling all the mystery Which gathers from the years, In meditation dreaming Of fleeting hopes and fears, To glory is beseeming The silence of the spheres. And from the deep, unbroken Infinities that roll, The depths of Life unspoken, That music thrills the soul ; And echoes of a token From somewhere faintly toll ! 26 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Under the Stars and Stripes* The blast of the bugle is borne by the breeze, The echoes are sounding afar ; And an army, preparing to cross the blue seas, Is marching to the music of war. Lo! upon the high mountain and over the plain The columns now sweep into view ; And hark ! for the band is now playing that strain, Three Cheers For The Red, White, and Blue! Through the morning s gray light rolls the throb of the drum, Keeping time to the martial tread ; While the peals of the clarion heroically come From the hills where old heroes have led ; And the pride of our nation, by Liberty blest, Now marches, half solemn, half gay Beats the heart of a hero in every breast ! Sons of Freedom in battle array ! But the flag, which is flauntingly waving above, That flag of the stripes and the stars, Most awakens within us that battle-born love Which declares our true freedom in wars ; For the soul of our nation is fervently filled With that spirit which never can die, And the heart of our nation divinely is thrilled By that banner which ever shall fly. *Written soon after the declaration of war between the United States and Germany. A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 27 And well may the soldier, who marches away In the ranks of the brave and the free, Feel the pride and the glory, which with him will stay Neath our banner, on land or on sea. And through the long ages that yet are to come, If tyrants that banner defy, At the blast of the bugle and roll of the drum, Brave freemen will hasten to die ! The Dixie Volunteer The crimson work of War is done, The battle s storm is o er ; But many a brave and gallant son Shall see his land no more. There Fame s immortal heroes lie In Glory s honored grave, And Freedom watches, in the sky, Above her fallen brave. The call to arms came speeding on The wings of April breeze, While sped the cry at break of dawn Across the troubled seas ; And ere the bugle s blast had died Above the mountaineer, Came marching, in his southern pride, The Dixie volunteer! 28 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems In France, across the ocean far, He fought in Freedom s name, And in the fiercest of the war He won eternal fame ; For when the dreadful charge was made Upon the German ranks, He fell, amid the fearful raid, Upon the trenches banks. They found him neath the stars of night, His young blood still and cold; Heroic warrior of the fight! His name is not untold: Before him lay a wounded Hun, Beside another dead. Revealing that old Dixie s son Was not the first that bled ! Somewhere in France he lies in peace, Above him is no tomb; But never shall the lilies cease Around his grave to bloom. Nor shall the voices o er that mound Disturb the silent rest Of him who sleeps beneath the ground, By Victory proudly blest. No more he tramps with martial tread Toward the struggling lines ; Nor does he watch the plane o erhead, Its movements, and its signs; No longer in the trench he hears The Captain s quick command, Amid the battle s thund ring fears, To cross the No Man s Land. A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 29 No more he dashes o er the plain Of blood and smoke and fire; Nor shall the cannons roar again His dauntless soul inspire. For in the hallowed space he lies, Clothed in a glory proud, Whose light has banished from those skies Autocracy s low cloud. Son of the Dark and Bloody Ground ! On old Kentucky s shore The call of Freedom shall resound Within thine ears no more. Thy native hills in mourning shed For thee a solemn tear, And proudly claim their noblest dead The Dixie volunteer! The Night The golden light hath faded o er the hill, Now silent falls the gath ring gloom of Night, The skies are beautiful by starry light; And o er the mist there seems a mystic thrill Which fills the soul with music and delight. Upon the mountains play the dancing beams, The valleys sparkle in their dewy gems, While o er the lake the airy angel dreams, And from the fields arise the holy hymns. Faint music drifts from out the midnight skies ; Celestial sounds the melody that floats From where the love of Heaven sacred lies, Like echoes from the happy angels notes Which from the harps of Heaven softly rise. A paradise doth Nature still reveal, And giveth us what Life cannot conceal ! 30 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems The Wintry Night Blow, winds of Winter, blow Across the frozen stream and wood And field of drifted snow, Above the icy gems that glitter Beneath the stars pale glow ; Blow, winds of Winter, blow. Howl, winds of Winter, howl, And break the silence of the night. Alone the sheltered owl, Somewhere within the dreary distance, Bemoans the weather foul ; Howl, winds of Winter, howl. Wail, winds of Winter, wail Around the corners of the house. We listen to a tale, Or crack the nuts before the fireplace And pick them with a nail ; Wail, winds of Winter, wail. Bring, winds of Winter, bring Dim visions from the dreary past Of those who once did sing On wintry nights when ye were howling. Our memories to them cling ; These visions bring, oh, bring! A Dream, of Dreams and Other Poems 31 Spring From the south, in her love that is shining Far across the lone valley and hill, Cometh Spring in her gay-colored lining; And all Nature is feeling her thrill. Gentle breezes around her are sighing In a music, like sunshine and rain ; And the flowers, that seemed to be dying, Are revived by the showers again ! The trees in the orchard are blooming, The blossoms perfume the pure air, And the brooklet, its murmur resuming, Flows by lilies that are smiling and fair; From the maple and willow the singing Of the birds float upon the light breeze How the notes of glad praises are ringing O er the humming and buzzing of bees ! In the woods the squirrels are playing, And eating the buds on the limb, While the sunset winds are delaying The whippoorwill s evening hymn ; And the shadows, that slowly are filling The valley with mystical dreams, The deepening silence are thrilling, O er the beautiful, winding streams. Spring! Earth s gay voices are praising Thy beauty in melody sweet, And the skies, that are silently gazing, The echoes would gladly repeat! And visible angels are bearing The songs to the Father above, A sentence of Nature declaring Of sunshine and music and love ! 32 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems To a River Silva, dear river ! Upon thy lone bank, Where the flowers of silver The sunshine has drank, 1 watch thy deep flowing To meadows away. Ever coming and going, All night and all day, Thy waters are singing A song sadly sweet ; Low music thou rt bringing : Thy murmurs defeat The sighing of sadness, Its moaning and groan ; Flow, rythm of gladness, In a musical tone ! Bright diamonds are gleaming, En jeweled in thy wave; The moonlight is streaming Across thy blue wave; And the shore, lightly dreaming, Is lulled by thy wave. The whippoorwilFs singing Beneath the tall trees; And the echoes are ringing On the wings of the breeze, The breeze which is sighing Sad stories of love, Which faintly is sighing From the heavens above. A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 33 Far clouds o er thee floating Thy waters reveal, As in the sky gloating, They silently steal. Airy spirits above thee On celestial waves float, And they sail high above thee In their white airy boat, Ah, here the winged Muses Fly ever around, While Fancy amuses The shadows around; And often fond Memory Steals from the dim Past, Bringing visions O Memory! Why can they not last ? Silva, wherever Thy waters may glide, There Beauty forever Shall dwell on thy tide; And Solitude, seeing Her glory divine, Is happy in being Beneath her sunshine. And, Silva, when billows Of Life will roll high, I ll come to thy willows, Beneath the blue sky ; And there, as the rapture No sadness shall save, Sweet music will capture The song of thy wave! 34 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Night in the Hills The golden light above the sinking sun Has faded o er the western, summer hill ; Light breezes play upon the nightly air In music low ; and, one by one, the stars Now creep into the silent heavens above. In silvery light the glowing moon now climbs Into the eastern sky, and throws her rays Of soft, majestic fire o er hill and plain, Upon the tossing waves of lake and stream, And o er the shadows of still solitude. The whippoorwilPs far chant is rising from The rocky glen and from the gloomy cliff; Incessant are the crickets chirping low Beneath the hollow log and rotten stump ; Along the fence and in the orchard trees, In high musical time, the katydids Are singing to the ever-list ning stars ; From out the thicket comes the chorus of The tuneless frogs, upon the water s edge. Far, far away the mighty forest lies In slumber deep; soft breezes steal between The silent trees and sigh their nightly hymn In mystic tones; mysterious shadows haunt, In ghostly forms, the lone recesses of The wild, undaunted, solitary depths Of Nature grand. How queenly smiles the moon ! She sends unsparingly her yellow light Which warms the happy heart of Nature. Nature wild and free ! thy voices sweet Are music unsurpassed by band or choir O glorious Night ! thy music drifts unto The zephyrs, whisp ring in the airy mist, Where Truth and Beauty reign in love divine. A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 35 The Violet s Lament Low, softly, and slowly, upon the night air I send my sweet music in melody rare, Beneath the starlight, The pale, silvery light; And stealing, faint stealing to breezes above, My notes are revealing fond stories of love. To the breezes they steal ; There they faintly reveal Their rapture, concealing a passionate love. My harmonies rise unto the blue skies, Where the light of fair heavens So tender lies, Where the love of the angels Compassionate lies. Ah, the strains, overflowing To the stars which are glowing, Now musically swell, Now rhythmically swell; And the flowers, and green bowers, And the vines on the towers, All feel a quaint spell, A spell that is ringing, and fitfully bringing A melody swinging Fantastically, faintly, and far. 36 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems In the silence of Night, When the breezes have died, And the voices of Nature are still, My melodies flow ; And the silence they fill With moments that go To the heart of the listener, Who sits in a dream Neath the stars silvery gleam, And hears the quaint strain Of sad notes that seem, Like a musical dream, To sink to a low Impassioned refrain. And never again My harmonies shall rise unto the blue skies, But mournful and slow, Faint, sadly, and low, My music shall flow In a weird refrain Which steals to the heart, to never depart, In a sad and mystical strain ! The Angel of Dream The angel of dream, sweet angel of dream! In dreamland she s a bright fairy Who brings a light dream Beneath the moonbeam, And by the deep stream, Where the spirits of slumber do tarry ; And in the pale light Of the mystical night, Her visions to us she will carry. A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 37 In the still summer night, When the breezes are sighing A song to the lonely trees, Comes the maiden of light In a rapture undying, To dwell in the song of the breeze; And the slumber that steals O er the fancy reveals The angels of dream in the breeze. Forever may This maiden fair, Pure as the air Of blushing May, In the peaceful dreamland fly ! And the lights, that seem To be gleaming in a dream, Far within the lonely sky, Will send the sweet angel of dream. Music in the Night When music from the violin And from the silver-toned guitar Drifts softly on the evening wind, Beneath the early, silver star, Into our souls faint Echo rolls The music far and dying; The low notes seem to weave a dream Upon the breezes sighing. Romantic seem the twinkling light, The distant moon, the hush of Night; And the silence lightly listens To the strain, 38 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems While the dewy diamond glistens On the grain Which golden stand upon the land For miles and miles away. Low the winds are sighing High above; Far the notes are dying Full of love, And then faintly they rise To the list ning skies, Where the melody dies, Full of love. Ah, sweet music has its many nameless charms, As it tunes the balmy, nightly air ; In its voices there is something that informs Us of sounds of beauty pure and rare. Often as we listen to the tune Of a sad and weird song, Then forgotten hopes will throng With the happiness of birds in June ; And once again The thrilling strain Will lift our souls to where the Lord Would have them be. And music will forever fill The space of great Eternity! A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 39 Liladore Blow soft and low, ye gentle winds steal silent o er that face Of her whose spirit far has flown, but left the youthful grace; Ah, faintly fan her snow-white brow, ye breezes from the sky ; For upward through the starry Blue a saintly soul did fly! Her spirit sweet, on wings so fleet, has flown the river Death; The flight was short, but dark and swift, it took her precious breath ! In Faith s fond arm she peaceful died; in Death s mysterious night, With angel Hope along her side, she winged her happy flight. And as she neared the Golden Gate, a band of seraphs came In radiant flame outside the Gate, and sweetly sang her name ; Then through the open Gate she sailed, and all the Kingdom hailed Her as she flew her home into, as o er the streets she sailed. Look on her face ! In lovely grace, there lin gers still a smile ! Her heart was pure as morning dew ; for her there was no trial. Ah, toll no bell and roll no knell, but let them silent be ; For far above, where angels dwell, her soul is singing free ! Above the sky her spirit floats where angel notes arise ; In Heaven high she gently floats where sing ing never dies. 40 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems The maiden fair to Aideen there the King has called His own, Where angels sing and praises ring around the mighty Throne. She joined that throng, where endless song arise in glorious strain, And in the bright, celestial light she sings the sweet refrain! So pure and rare, the one we loved, for Earth too sweet and fair, Has flown above, where all is love, to breathe immortal air. She sailed away where shine the gleam and beam of golden ray, Where ever stream the shining lights of that eternal Day. Sweet Liladore did lightly soar unto that waiting Shore ; heart! grieve not: she s happy and she s gone forevermore! The Solitude of Willow Valley In the mountains by a sea Lies the lonesome Willow Valley. There tearfully And dismally, The breezes from the crystal sea O er the shadows faintly rally, And sigh a song Forgotten long, A song of melancholy notes ; Sad it floats O er the mountain to a fountain, A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 41 Where it waits, And fascinates The solitude of Willow Valley. From the fountain flows a river Clear and deep ; And the murmurs of that river Lull asleep The flowers and trees, And the mystic breeze Which sighs o er the river deep. And often a strain of rapture and fear Steals o er the evening shadows, Like music from a distant sphere, And tunes the solitude of Willow Valley. At night, when the stars are all shining, And the wings of Mystery soar The valley o er, Romance, in the shadows reclining, Tells stories of the future And of days that are no more; While the moonlight brings To the wild, roaming things The mystery of Night. Through the silvery light, in a strange delight, Gather the spirits of the summer night, And fly in the solitude of Willow Valley. Ah, in this valley By the sea, In the mountain, where the fountain Gushes free, No people dwell; A curious spell Ever haunts the valley. At day sad songs of music swell in mourn ful tones 42 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Which hold a note of rapture, Mingled with faint moans and groans. And that s the reason why no people Here can dwell ; And even Israfel Could not break the mystic spell Which haunts the solitude of Willow Valley. Estanalee In the shadows that linger On mountain and sea, Far above, a sweet Singer Sings faintly and free; And the silence with music that dismally dwells In the wonder of magic, in harmony swells. Not of morals and duty Estanalee sings; But of visions of Beauty In lovelier things, Of the smiles that enrapture the beautiful day, And the mystery that gathers upon the lone way. In his songs are the trances Of spirits that dream Where the silvery glances Bediamonded gleam, As he breathes of the amative splendor of . Night, With its jewels of vapor and mystical light. A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 43 When tenderly tinkle The heavenly bells, And tearfully twinkle Bright dews in the dells, Modest violets, awaking from slumbers of love, Hear the music celestial faint drifting above. Where the sky-lights resemble A flashing of flame, And the fairies assemble To worship his name, Estanalee sings his most dreamy-like song; While dreams of the midnight all silently throng. mystical Spirit That dwellest alone! Could an angel inherit Thy musical tone ? Ah, well may thy numbers, unrivaled below, Through the endless enchantment in melody flow! Eternity Bids Thee to Never Forget Eternity bids thee to never forget The sorrows and raptures of Love; For the spirit that conquers will never regret The thorns and the flowers of Love. And when the dark shadows of Death fall around, The thorns bitter pain will not be, And the flowers, that grew in Life s broken ground, Will eternally blossom for thee ! 44 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems The mysteries of ages upon thee may fall, With their gloom, fascination, delight ; And the voices of the dead may silently call Through the stillness and slumber of Night. Yet triumph in these can the soul ever find ; A music will tune the lone heart ; And Memory will call to the spirit and mind Past visions which never depart. Eternity sends thee a message of peace, And the hope of it thrills the deep soul ; But the mystery it holds will never release The future of ages that roll: Chaotic and dismal as annals of Death Seem the Fates in their mystical sphere ; But the soul, when the body is void of its breath, Shall learn what it longed to know here ! Sonnet To Memory Memory, thou art a brilliant light Reflecting on the Past with ling ring gleam ! In silence oft thy bright, resplendent beam Shines through the lonely darkness of the night; And o er the passing years swift, thought less flight Thou throwest far thy tearful rays, until The days of childhood rapture seem to fill The sleepy Present ; and we softly dream. And though the fogs of annals round thee rise To make thy light dim in the humid air, Thou lightest still the distant, sunny skies Of mornings long ago, so fresh and fair. Forever shine, sunlight of Man s soul ! Him shalt thou bless as ages swiftly roll ! A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 45 Sonnet To the Whippoorwill Lone Whippoorwill, when o er the silent vale And forest depths the dusky shadows fall, Tis sweet to hear thy far, complaining call Resounding from somewhere within the dale. While in the west the sunset colors pale, Thy notes, sad drifting on the misty gloom Which reigns until the flowers of Heaven bloom, Send out a wistful chanting over all ; And he, who listens to thy lonesome song Which nightly rises from the rocky glen, Must feel the dreams of pensive Fancy throng, Or Retrospection s thrill of what has been. Cease not thy notes, chanter ; for in them Oft steal the sounds of some forgotten hymn ! Sonnet To Solitude Within thy sacred realm, Solitude! There is a solemn silence pure and deep, Where winds of meditation softly sweep Across thy mystic throne in thoughtful mood ; For never there the social cares intrude. But cometh peace to soothe the weary mind Which in thy haven sweet may ever find A bliss akin to that of gentle sleep. Thy vast domain the home of nature be ; Whence visions of the truer worship spring, To lead the spirit of the strong to see The wealth and glory, which around thee cling. And there the soul may find a wisdom true, The heart may learn what Knowledge never knew! 46 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Sonnet To the Dove When from the topmost limb, gentle Dove, The sighing breezes bear thy cooing low Across the waters that beneath thee flow, There steals a thrill of pure, contented love Within the notes of solemn sounds above; And to the lazy loneliness of Spring Thy song a drowsy harmony doth bring, Half mournful, as a strain of joy and woe. All other voices heard no more, thy faint And distant echoes fill the solitudes, Almost suggestive of a meek complaint, And yet exultant, like a song that broods In tender pathos o er a lover s dream Beside the twilight murmurs of the stream. Beauty Within the morning sun s bright, golden rays The smile is seen of Beauty rare and sweet. Her loveliness makes glad the summer days ; And shadows of her form the eye doth meet Upon the flowery meadow, hill, and sky. The wilds of Nature she doth beautify ; The winding stream, the valley wide and deep, The mountain high, the woods where violets sleep, And seas whose surface billows madly sweep. And Beauty, who dwells here and high above, With stalwart Truth has ever been in love ; With him, she glorifies the solemn Earth. The angels, goodness, mercy, peace, and mirth, Unto fair Beauty bring their flowers of love ! A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 47 Sylvinia In a beautiful vale of Virginia, Where the waters of Melody steal, Dwells a maiden whose name is Sylvinia, Where the mountains the valley conceal. And her lovely and mystical beauty Is the charm of that valley of Love, Where the angels, to keep a high duty, Stay the clouds from assembling above. Ah ! the smile of Sylvinia is brighter Than the glory of Summer s first morn, And her fairy-like form is much lighter Than the graces the angels adorn; And her love, which forever is burning, Lights the depths of her innocent eyes, As the stars when the night is returning To her home in the evening skies. And I love that most beautiful maiden : She s the queen of my every-day dream ; With her glory sweet Nature is laden, Neath the sunlight, star, or moonbeam ! But I dare not to tell her I love her ; For I fear she would vanish away To her home in the skies, and her lover Would be sorry and lonely alway. Ah ! the love of Sylvinia I cherish ; Her deep eyes are the light of my soul ; My affection for her could not perish Could I live all the ages that roll. And the clouds of this life all dissemble When her smile of pure rapture I see ; But the shadows and gloom reassemble When I think she was born not for me ! 48 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Oh, if winds to a distance could carry A fond message of love that is true, I would send to that wonderful fairy : Lovely maiden, I m longing for you ! Or if yearning and hoping could bring her On a magical plane of the sky, Then no longer alone would she linger, But to me from that valley would fly. my beautiful, charming Sylvinia ! In a love that is sacred and deep, Now for thee, fairest maid of Virginia, Tears of sorrow and sadness I weep. And no magic my love can dissever; For my heart you have stolen from me. But remember, sweet maiden, if ever You return it, you too will mine be! A Puzzle My distant friend, within this stanza hidden, Sacred lies thy name in letters bold. Survey the lines ; for, by the muses bidden, They artlessly that precious name enfold. Though no word of discontent expressing, Long you strove in vain the name to find; But, alas ! thy grave and earnest guessing Never unseals a mystery of this kind. And to thee, who motherly guided me Patiently through my youthful years, I am sending this note with grateful tears. A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 49 Upon Thy Bank, Gentle Stream Upon thy bank, gentle stream, Beneath the silent willow, I used to lie and softly dream On Fancy s peaceful pillow; In thought I lay, and dreamed some day Thy waves would bear me far away. Ah, years and moments far have fled, Dear friends are gone forever ; Fond Memory steals with silent tread To fleeting years, whenever Faint breezes o er thy slumb ring shore In sad tones whisper, "Nevermore!" Still oft I steal, as o er the hill The light of Day is fleeing, To feel the night s mysterious thrill That sweeps through all my being; And in the light of mystic Night Thy waves give back the trembling light. Again beside thy gentle flow O let me ever linger, As in the days of long ago When Fancy s charming finger Would point away, and she would say, "These waves shall bear thee far away!" 60 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems A Song That Father Used to Sing A song that father used to sing Ah, sing it soft and low, While to my heart sweet memories bring The nights of long ago, The nights when by the summer vine I watched the stars above us shine, And listened to that song which rose Upon the evening s still repose. A song that father used to sing Oh, breathe it lower still ; For to this heart that tune will bring Those far-off nights, until Again I watch the stars pale gleam, And hear, as though I m in a dream, Him singing low that quaint old song Which I have heard him sing so long. A song that father used to sing Just sing it once for me, As from the past the shadows bring The starry nights, when he Would sing it, looking far away As though he longed for some past day ; While I would fly on Fancy s wings To coming days and future things. A song that father used to sing ! Ah, through the misty years A vision will that song e er bring, With Memory s sighs and tears. Then sing it soft and low again And once again beneath that strain, There at my father s side I dream And watch the stars above us gleam ! A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 61 Ye Hills and Cliffs Ye hills and cliffs, where nineteen years ago I first looked on this valley here below, Again I come, a wanderer, to my home, Around thy steeps and rugged crags to roam. As in those happy childhood days gone bye, Once more upon thy rocky summits I In silence stand and view the summer scene: The noble hills, the stream, the vales serene, The endless woods that stretch for miles away, And all the charms that come with early Day. silent hills ! receive a youth who strayed Far from these scenes, where often he has played, \V hose soul is hungry for thy blissful rest, Whose heart is longing for thy silence blest. Ye hills sublime! I hear a welcome sweet Sung by the birds ; the breezes low repeat That welcome which is free and makes me free; The cow-bells tinkle music dear to me, The sheeps lone bleat awakens memories old; Oh, what a joy these sounds of Nature hold! Yes, childhood scenes, fond memories awake ! The charm of crowded, brilliant streets for sake And die within these shades of solitude, Where never sin and worldly pride intrude. A music, sweeter than in music-hall Up to the marble portals white e er fall, In melody now somewhere rises low To list ning ears which all the pauses know; A soul unto the songs of Nature flies And sings in rapture neath the sunny skies. 52 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Ye hills and cliffs! when tired of wandering o er The weary world, from ocean shore to shore, On nightly streets, in dazzling halls where wealth In splendor reign instead of love and health, Toward thy wild recesses shall I turn, The grace of God and Nature sweet to learn ; To dream again the dreams of long ago ; To watch the stars of night above me glow ; To live again the life of Youth sublime, And o er thy summits high and crags to climb ! When Parting From A Friend When parting from a friend we ve known For long and many bygone years, How dear to us that friend has grown : Ah, then will fall the saddest tears! Oh, could we and that faithful friend A few more days together stay, And feel the hearts warm glows that send A light upon Life s cloudy way ! Ah, in those solemn moments crowd Sweet memories of the happy past, When o er our sunny lives no cloud Of grief or pain its shadow cast ; And in the silence then we stand And dream of days that are no more The time has come : we grasp his hand, To journey on the path before. A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 53 And often in our hearts we feel A longing for that friend so true, And often will fond Memory steal To us a smile so long we knew ! Tis sad ; but in our souls that love, Which first began in other years, Will shine, until in Heaven above We meet that friend where fall no tears ! Requiescat Tread softly ; she is sleeping Within this lonely grave! Fair lilies, o er her weeping, Above her meekly wave ; While breezes sigh up in the sky For her, whom Beauty gave. Not long ago she wandered Along this lovely stream, And by its murmurs pondered Beneath the golden beam; But now that one, whom Death has won, Lies in eternal dream. In sweet and mystic slumber, Beneath this sacred sod, She now is of that number Whose spirits are with God ; And sorrowing seem the wood and stream, Where she in beauty trod. 54 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Upon this solemn mountain In silence sanctified, The wavelets of a fountain Weep for the maid who died, Who, with fond eyes like magic skies, Was once a lover s pride. Tread gently; she is sleeping Within this lonely mound ! Fair lilies, near her weeping, Keep green the hallowed ground ; And faintly drear, afar and near, The tolling bells resound. Psalm the Eighth: A Paraphrase Lord, our Lord, how gracious is thy name In all the earth ! And thou hast set thy flame Within the heavens; in babes and sucklings hast Thou strength ordained, the foe away to cast. When I unto thy heavens lift mine eyes And view the moon, the stars, their holy ray, And all thou hast created in the skies, Then, deep within, my trembling soul doth say: Oh, what is man, whom thou forgettest not, And whom thou givest thy most sacred thought? For him a little lower thou hast made Than angels, and upon him thou hast laid Glory and honor. Thou didst him create To have dominion o er the work thy hands Did form; sheep, oxen, and all beasts that mate A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 65 In fields, are under him in all the lands ; Also the fowl of air, and fish of sea, And all that in the depths of ocean be. Lord, our Lord, in whom we have our birth, Thy name is excellent throughout the earth ! Love and Fame The day of the dreary December Had fled o er the snow-covered hill, And Night, with her silence and chill, Brought the stars, each a distant, pale ember, Which glowed in the heavens with chill. Not a sound broke the silence, save only The owl s far, dull, lonesome "whoo-whoo"; And oft from his dwelling so lonely He complained to the stars of the Blue. On that night, on the top of a Mountain That rose in the desolate plain, In pride of its ancient domain, Stood a man by the side of a fountain, Which flowed in a tuneful refrain. And with him was no friend or companion : Alone and all silently there, Near the edge of a gloomy, deep canyon, He breathed the pure mountainous air. Far below lay the long and wide level Of the plain in the silence of night, Where the spirit Romance, in delight, O er the scene fascinating did revel, In the beautiful, mystical light. And the moon, in her glory and gleaming, Looked on the lone Mountain below, And sent her pale, golden light streaming On the plain of bediamoned snow. 66 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Long the man on the Mountain stood thinking How the beauty and radiance did seem Like the smile of the queen of his Dream ; His soul deep within him was drinking Of the glory which on him did stream. Yet he wondered why came not his Angel, The maid who had promised to be His bride on Mount Fame ; but his Angel Was not there, as she d promised to be. Then long oh, how long! for the Maiden He watched o er the plain far below, That plain which was covered with snow ; And his heart grew, then, heavy and laden With a feeling of sorrow and woe. But he saw not her form of fair beauty, Nor her face like the splendor above: She must come she would come twas her duty, For she d promised in the vows of her love ! Hark ! he hears a low voice that is singing A song like a funeral hymn, It sounds like a funeral hymn ; And softly and solemnly ringing, It gently is speaking to him : "Thy fair One is dead, O fond lover! Her spirit has flown far away She has gone to the angels that love her, In the light of the Heavenly Day. "On this lone and this silent, cold Mountain, On this summit the humans call Fame, By this canyon and mystical fountain, The queen will ne er change her fair name 1 The light of her love will, oh, never Shine upon this lone summit of fame ; For thy Angel has gone where, forever, Her love is much greater than fame !" A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 67 Then the night of the dreary December, With its silence and sorrow and chill, Took the stars, each a distant, cold ember, And fled o er the snow-covered hill. Not a sound broke the silence, save only The owl s far, dull, lonesome "whoo-whoo" ; And oft, in his dwelling so lonely, He complained to the lights of the Blue, To the winds from the heavens of blue. And a man, in the light that was gleaming From the sun in the skies high above, Came down from the Mountain, and, dream ing, Said slowly, "All perish, but Love What is fame and all wealth, without love?" The Trail of the Yukon There s a stream among the mountains Of a land that s bleak and cold, Where the ice-winds freeze the fountains, And the wolf is ever bold. And if ever you have wandered On the Trail along that stream, Why you left it, you have wondered, And you see it in your dream. Oh, the Trail is white and broken By the canyons dark and deep, And the only sounds there spoken Make the chills across you creep : In the distance bears a-growling O er a wretch who went too far, 58 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Hungry wolves forever howling To the silent midnight star. Then you listen, fascinated By the sounds and scenes around, Till you love the land you hated When those mountains you first found. There is gold deep in the hollow, On the mountain side there s fur; But the Trail I d rather follow With a rifle and a cur. In its silence there s a mystery, Strong it holds you in its spell ; And you feel its dreary history, Which to others you can t tell. And tis lonesome when you listen In your cabin, all alone, To the silence, see peaks glisten Like a distant, desert bone ; Then you buckle on your legging, Take the rifle from the nail, Feed the dog to stop his begging And you hit the frozen Trail. Then you strike the Trail that stronger Makes the brave heart on its road, Where the weak can stay no longer Than a fishing-worm or toad. Here you follow by the canyons, Through the valley, o er the peak, Never wishing for companions As you steal along a creek ; And you feel the mountains glory, Seems they give you of their strength, As they stand there old and hoary, Tall and matchless in their length ! A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 59 Ah, the Trail is calling, calling ! Still it calls me to its track When the leaves begin their falling, Guess I ll pack up and go back To that Land that s full of danger, Where I find a strange delight; Where I meet the howling ranger In the darkness of the night. There the Yukon s silvery water Glistens neath the summer sun, And the glaciers seem to totter At the roaring of a gun. But I love that land of wonder, And I m going right away To that Trail of ice up yonder, And up there I ll always stay ! Hark! the Yukon Trail is calling Me back to its frozen Wild, Where the snowflakes, thickly falling, On the mountain tops are piled. To that Trail so long forsaken, To that land of ice and snow, Where the mountain peaks are shaken By the hurricanes that blow, I am going. On the mountain Once again the heights I ll climb, Track the bear beside the fountain, In that snowy, frigid clime. There the valleys now are dreaming, Far the wolves send up their wail And the lights above are gleaming On the frozen Yukon Trail. 60 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems The Lake at Night I stood at night by Lake Lavada, where The waves in music play upon the depths, And watched the glowing moon in splendor rise Above the summer hills. The golden light Across the lovely lake in radiance fell; The whippoorwill s high chanting rose upon The balmy air in vesper notes ; the breeze Was whispering low among the silent trees A mystic hymn. In silence deep I stood And thought upon those holy, nameless things That fill Man s heart with wonder, love and awe, That come upon the soul with fear and hope, When Meditation leads into the paths Of wisdom. Long, in thoughtful mood, beneath The lonely trees, as Night s majestic fire Stole o er the shadows of still solitude, I stood, my mind engaged in reasoning on The fate of Time, the Past, and of the Soul. And while I pondered thus, a Voice arose Afar in music, like the floating of The evening winds into a harp of fine, Celestial, golden strings, across the blue Ethereal heavens hung. In melody That seemed to drift from angel bands above, The Voice, at first in distant tones, arose From far away ; then nearer came, until It woke the slumbering earth, and reached The twinkling sky, then filled the misty space With liquid notes of harmony. And then The Voice, directly o er me now, said to My trembling soul: "Immortal Soul, that s born To never die! what seekest thou upon This glorious night? The happiness serene A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 61 That fills the sky with holy light and thrills The heart of Nature? That love so strong, By which the beings, Truth and Beauty, shall Forever live? Or wouldst thou fathom deep The infinite and mystic depths of Mystery, And learn the secret which will never stir The surface of the stream of Time; why all Things are ; the great divine Purpose of those Eternal Laws; the hope of Life, and fear Of that dark time, called Death ; the Destiny That waits thee in the still Beyond ? "0 hark, Thou restless soul! In ages far and gone, Have sages reached the dazzling hall of Fame The happy bards have sung their tuneful songs Which echoed in the heart of listening Man Monarchs have reared despotic thrones and held The sword of power o er trembling slaves the fools Have striven through their weary lives to make Their riches greater still. And, yet, the hall, Which Knowledge lighted as the solemn sage Profoundly entered at the door Renown, Is silent, dark, and cold the sleeping bard s Impassioned strain has died upon the faint And fleeting breezes of the past the king Has heard the heeded call to join the throng That lie beneath the sad inglorious tomb The wealth the miser loved and guarded long Is his no more. "0 Soul, to higher things Yet lift thine eyes ; behold the wondrous work 62 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Of God, and see His glory and His love, Which give to Nature all her serenity. And thou shalt hear her low, harmonious songs And see her beauty sweet and grace divine : The towering mountains rise to lofty heights In rugged sublimation, to watch the sun With glory light the dewy path of Morn; To see despairing Day retreat into The west, as jealous Night in triumph sets Her starry banner o er the field she takes. The sloping plain and thirsty desert hold Upon their wide and solitary domain A mystic atmosphere of solemn worship. Through valleys and between high mountains far, With majesty, the rolling rivers sweep By rocky shores that hear the music of The dashing waves. Down gentle hills, into Green vales below, clear streamlets murmur songs In low, complaining tones ; then steal across Broad meadows, gay with flowers, where they glide Away beneath the sunny skies. Remote, W 7 here solitude commands the list ning air, Transparent lies the silent lake; above, The starry lights look down at night to see Their beauty in the waveless mirror far Below ; the moon arises to behold Her silvery smile within the crystal depths; And lonely trees, that guard the sleeping shore, With reverence greet the gentle, passing breeze. In sacred atmosphere, far stands the deep And solemn forest, that ancient temple where The joyful birds forever sing of His A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 63 Great wisdom. Mystic breezes lightly steal Beneath the arches green and up the long And winding aisles, to carry upward to The King of all the consecrated hymns Of love and peace and worship true. In strength Untamed, in restless pride, forever rolls The blue, unfathomed Ocean in its deep, Musical roar, beneath the smile of Morn, The evening sun, and stars of silent Night." The Voice then ceased ; the music drifted slow Away ; and Silence seemed to faintly wrap The Universe in misty shrouds of love And peace. And then once more the waves low dash Came softly from the lake ; the birds of night Sent up their carols sweet ; and winds again, In gentle sighs, stole o er the lonely lake. The moonlight gave enchantment to the night, And Truth and Love and Beauty, above the lake, Conversed with Nature and my wondering soul. The Desert s Call The hot, relentless sun has tread Its journey o er the desert dread; The varied colors, changing fast, Above the shadows faintly cast Their last reflections in the sky, And in approaching darkness die; While Night, on dark and silent wings, Her gloom above creation flings. 64 A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems Now all is silence ; and it seems That silence holds a thousand dreams, Which, stealing from some mystic sphere, Invade the magic of the year. Across the desert land away, The stars enchanting beams betray A dreamy loveliness that grows Defiant in the hidden woes, Which haunt the very bird that flies Into the danger of those skies; Because that thirsty, barren land Defies achievement of Man s hand, And still the ancient horrors reign O er all that barrier-like domain. But yet the stillness and the gloom, Suggestive of relentless doom, Retain a worship grim and stern, By which humanity might learn A reverence for the Great Alone, And bow before its mighty throne. And hark ! from somewhere to the soul The sounds of fleeting ages roll! They echo through the desert-night, Component of a strange delight : It is the desert s mystic call Transcending Time s eternal wall. It is the whispering of the Wild To share its loneness undefiled ; To brave its desolation vast, The summer heat, and stormy blast ; To challenge danger, conquer death, Upon the range of torrid breath. A tragic and eternal law Holds both the heart and soul in awe ; The while the dismal voices fall, The desert s own unanswered call! A Dream of Dreams and Other Poems 65 L/Envoi The verses this volume contains, These rhymes of a wandering youth, Are only the gathered remains Of visions of Beauty and Truth; Imperfect in measure a,nd thought Though many or all of them be, Revealing a freedom untaught, They whisper of things of the free. Poetic and mystical dreams Each human beholds luhen the hand Of Mystery points to the streams That flow to a dreamy -far Land; But feelings of loftier love, Emotions of purpose divine, Are treasures each values above All else on this side of Death s line. For Life is a Valley of Tears, Eternity s summits around; Yet Faith thru the mist of the years A glory immortal hath found. And Hope in her patience hath seen Another Yosemite s spell, A splendor of beauty serene Surrounding wherever Men dwell * * * * * And lo! on the pages of Time The old Christianity shall be A version of meaning sublime, A calling to you and to me; And, reading those mandates of Life, This mission most noble we find : Be brave, though unknown in the strife, By helping and serving Mankind! YC 14428 ^ r 7i UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY