第2章
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  So,atacertainhour,beforethethroneTheyoungestangel,Asmiel,stoodalone;

  Norglad,norsad,butfullofearnestthought,AndthushistidingstotheMasterbrought:

  \"Lord,inthecityLuponIhavefound\"Threeservantsofthyholyname,renowned\"Abovetheirfellows。Oneisverywise,\"Withthoughtsthateverrangeabovetheskies;

  \"Andoneisgiftedwiththegoldenspeech\"Thatmakesmengladtohearwhenhewillteach;

  \"Andone,withnoraregiftorgraceendued,\"Haswonthepeople’slovebydoinggood。

  \"WiththreesuchsaintsLuponistreblyblest;

  \"But,Lord,Ifainwouldknow,whichlovesTheebest?\"

  ThenspaketheLordofAngels,towhoselookTheheartsofallarelikeanopenbook:

  \"IneverysoulthesecretthoughtIread,\"AndwellIknowwholovesmebestindeed。

  \"Buteverylifehaspagesvacantstill,\"Whereonamanmaywritethethinghewill;

  \"ThereforeIreadinsilence,daybyday,\"Andwaitforheartsuntaughttolearnmyway。

  \"ButthoushaltgotoLupon,tothethree\"Whoservemethere,andtakethiswordfromme:

  \"TelleachofthemhisMasterbidshimgo\"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow;

  \"Thereheshallfindacertaintaskforme:

  \"Butwhat,Idonottelltothemnorthee。

  \"Givethouthemessage,makemywordthetest,\"Andcrownformetheonewhoanswersbest。\"

  Silenttheangelstood,withfoldedhands,TotaketheimprintofhisLord’scommands;

  Thendrewonebreath,obedientandelate,Andpassed,theself—samehour,throughLupon’sgate。

  FirsttotheTempledoorhemadehisway;

  Andthere,becauseitwasanholy—day,Hesawthefolkbythousandsthronging,stirredByardentthirsttohearthepreacher’sword。

  Then,whiletheechoesmurmuredBernol’sname,Throughaislesthathushedbehindhim,Bernolcame;

  Strungtothekeenestpitchofconsciousmight,Withlipspreparedandfirm,andeyesalight。

  OnemomentatthepulpitstepshekneltInsilentprayer,andonhisshoulderfeltTheangel’shand:——\"TheMasterbidstheego\"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,\"ToserveHimthere。\"ThenBernol’shiddenfaceWentwhiteasdeath,andforaboutthespaceOftenslowheart—beatstherewasnoreply;

  TillBernollookedaroundandwhispered,\"WHY?\"

  Butanswertohisquestioncametherenone;

  Theangelsighed,andwithasighwasgone。

  WithinthehumblehousewhereMalvinspentHisstudiousyears,onholythingsintent,Sweetstillnessreigned;andtheretheangelfoundThesaintlysageimmersedinthoughtprofound,WeavingwithpatienttoilandwillingcareAwebofwisdom,wonderfulandfair:

  AseamlessrobeforTruth’sgreatbridalmeet,Andneedingbutonethreadtobecomplete。

  ThenAsmieltouchedhishand,andbrokethethreadOffine—spunthought,andverygentlysaid,\"TheOneofwhomthouthinkestbidstheego\"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,\"ToserveHimthere。\"WithsorrowandsurpriseMalvinlookedup,reluctanceinhiseyes。

  Thebrokenthought,thestrangenessofthecall,Theperilouspassageofthemountain—wall,Thesolitaryjourney,andthelengthOfwaysunknown,toogreatforhisfrailstrength,Appalledhim。WithadoubtfulbrowHescannedthedoubtfultask,andmuttered\"HOW?\"

  ButAsmielanswered,asheturnedtogo,Withcold,disheartenedvoice,\"Idonotknow。\"

  Nowashewent,withfadinghope,toseekThethirdandlasttowhomGodbadehimspeak,ScarcetwentystepsawaywhomshouldhemeetButFermor,hurryingcheerfuldownthestreet,Withreadyheartthatfacedhisworklikeplay,Andjoyedtofinditgreatereveryday!

  Theangelstoppedhimwithupliftedhand,AndgavewithoutdelayhisLord’scommand:

  \"Hewhomthouservestherewouldhavetheego\"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,\"ToserveHimthere。\"EreAsmielbreathedagainTheeageranswerleapedtomeethim,\"WHEN?\"

  Theangel’sfacewithinwardjoygrewbright,Andallhisfigureglowedwithheavenlylight;

  HetookthegoldencircletfromhisbrowAndgavethecrowntoFermor,answering,\"Now!

  \"ForthouhastmettheMaster’sbiddentest,\"AndIhavefoundthemanwholovesHimbest。

  \"Notthine,normine,toquestionorreply\"WhenHecommandsus,asking’how?’or’why?’

  \"Heknowsthecause;Hiswaysarewiseandjust;

  \"WhoservestheKingmustservewithperfecttrust。\"

  February,1902。

  THEVAINKING

  InrobesofTyrianbluetheKingwasdrest,Ajewelledcollarshoneuponhisbreast,Agiantrubyglitteredinhiscrown——

  Lordofrichlandsandmanyasplendidtown。

  InhimthegloriesofanancientlineOfsoberkings,whoruledbyrightdivine,Werecentred;andtohimwithloyalaweThepeoplelookedforleadershipandlaw。

  Tenthousandknights,thesafeguardoftheland,Laylikeasingleswordwithinhishand;

  Ahundredcourts,withpoweroflifeanddeath,Proclaimeddecreesofjusticebyhisbreath;

  AndallthesacredgrowthsthatmenhadknownOforderandofruleupheldhisthrone。

  ProudwastheKing:yetnotwithsuchaheartAsfitsamantoplayaroyalpart。

  NothisthepridethathonoursasatrustTherighttorule,thedutytobejust:

  NothisthedignitythatbendstobearThemonarch’syoke,themaster’sloadofcare,Andlabourslikethepeasantathisgate,ToservethepeopleandprotecttheState。

  Anotherpridewashis,andotherjoys:

  Tohimthecrownandsceptrewerebuttoys,Withwhichheplayedatglory’sidlegame,Topleasehimselfandwinthewreathsoffame。

  Thethronehisfathersheldfromagetoage,Tohisambition,seemedafittingstageBuiltforKingMartintodisplayatwill,Hismightystrengthanduniversalskill。

  Noconsciouschild,that,spoiledwithpraising,triesAteverysteptowinadmiringeyes,——

  Nofavouritemountebank,whoseactingdraws>Fromgapingcrowdsloudthunderofapplause,WasvainerthantheKing:hisonlythirstWastobehailed,ineveryrace,thefirst。

  Whentournamentwasheld,inknightlyguiseTheKingwouldridethelistsandwintheprize;

  Whenmusiccharmedthecourt,withgoldenlyreTheKingwouldtakethestageandleadthechoir;

  Inhunting,histhelancetoslaytheboar;

  Inhawking,seehisfalconhighestsoar;

  Inpainting,hewouldwieldthemaster’sbrush;

  Inhighdebate,——\"theKingisspeaking!Hush!\"

  Thus,witharestlessheart,ineveryfieldHesoughtrenown,andfoundhissubjectsyieldAsifhewereademi—godrevealed。

  ButwhileheplayedthepettygamesoflifeHiskingdomfellapreytoinwardstrife;

  Corruptionthroughthecourtunheededcrept,Andontheseatofhonourjusticeslept。

  Thestrongtroddowntheweak;thehelplesspoorGroanedunderburdensgrievoustoendure。

  Thenation’swealthwasspentinvaindisplay,Andweaknessworethenation’sheartaway。

  YetthinknotEarthisblindtohumanwoes——

  Manhasmorefriendsandhelpersthanheknows;

  Andwhenapatientpeopleareoppressed,Thelandthatborethemfeelsitinherbreast。

  Spiritsoffieldandflood,ofheathandhill,Aregrievedandangryatthespreadingill;

  Thetreescomplaintogetherinthenight,Voicesofwrathareheardalongtheheight,Andsecretvowsaresworn,bystreamandstrand,Tobringthetyrantlowandliberatetheland。

  ButlittlereckedthepamperedKingofthese;

  Heheardnovoicebutsuchaspraiseandplease。

  Flatteredandfooled,victorineverysport,OnedayhewanderedidlywithhiscourtBesidetheriver,seekingtodeviseNewwaystoshowhisskilltowonderingeyes。

  Thereinthestreamapatientfisherstood,Andcasthislineacrosstheripplingflood。

  Hissilverspoillaynearhimonthegreen:

  \"Suchfish,\"thecourtierscried,\"wereneverseen!

  \"Threesalmonlongerthanacloth—yardshaft——

  \"Thismanmustbethemasterofhiscraft!\"

  \"Aneasyart!\"thejealousKingreplied:

  \"Myselfcouldlearnitbetter,ifItried,\"Andcatchahundredlargerfishaweek——

  \"Wiltthouacceptthechallenge,fellow?Speak!\"

  Thefisherturned,camenear,andbenthisknee:

  \"’Tisnotforkingstostrivewithsuchasme;

  \"YetiftheKingcommandsit,Iobey。

  \"ButoneconditionofthestrifeIpray:

  \"Thefishermanwhobringstheleasttoland\"Shalldowhate’ertheothermaycommand。\"

  LoudlaughedtheKing:\"Afoolishfisherthou!

  \"ForIshallwinandruletheethenasnow。\"

  SotoPrinceJohn,asobersoul,sedateAndslow,KingMartinleftthehelmofstate,WhiletothenovelgamewitheagerzestHeallhistimeandallhispowersaddrest。

  Suresuchasightwasneverseenbefore!

  Forrobedandcrownedthemonarchtrodtheshore;

  Hisgoldenhooksweredeckedwithfeathersfine,Hisjewelledreelranoutasilkenline。

  Withkinglystrokeshefloggedthecrystalstream,Far—offthesalmonsawhistacklegleam;

  Carelessofkings,theyeyedwithcalmdisdainThegaudylure,andMartinfishedinvain。

  OnFriday,whentheweekwasalmostspent,Hescannedhisemptycreelwithdiscontent,Calledforanet,andcastitfarandwide,Anddrew——athousandminnowsfromthetide!

  Thencamethefishertoconcludethematch,Andatthemonarch’sfeetspreadouthiscatch——

  Ahundredsalmon,greaterthanbefore——

  \"Iwin!\"hecried:\"theKingmustpaythescore。\"

  ThenMartin,angry,threwhistackledown:

  \"RatherthanlosethisgameI’dlosemycrown!\"

  Nay,thouhastlostthemboth,\"thefishersaid;

  AndashespokeawondrouslightwasshedAroundhisform;hedroppedhisgarmentsmean,AndinhisplacetheRiver—godwasseen。

  \"Thyvanityhastbroughttheeinmypower,\"Andthoushaltpaytheforfeitatthishour:

  \"Forthouhastshownthyselfaroyalfool,\"Tooproudtoangle,andtoovaintorule。

  \"Eagertowinineverytrivialstrife,——

  \"Go!Thoushaltfishforminnowsallthylife!\"

  Wrathful,theKingthescornfulsentenceheard;

  Hestrovetoanswer,butheonlyCHIRR—R—ED:

  HisTyrianrobewaschangedtowingsofblue,Hiscrownbecameacrest,——awayheflew!

  Andstill,alongthereachesofthestream,ThevainKing—fisherflits,anazuregleam,——

  Youseehisrubycrest,youhearhisjealousscream。

  April,1904。

  LYRICS

  AMILEWITHME

  OwhowillwalkamilewithmeAlonglife’smerryway?

  Acomradeblitheandfullofglee,Whodarestolaughoutloudandfree,Andlethisfrolicfancyplay,Likeahappychild,throughtheflowersgayThatfillthefieldandfringethewayWherehewalksamilewithme。

  AndwhowillwalkamilewithmeAlonglife’swearyway?

  AfriendwhosehearthaseyestoseeThestarsshineouto’erthedarkeninglea,Andthequietrestattheendo’theday,——

  Afriendwhoknows,anddarestosay,Thebrave,sweetwordsthatcheerthewayWherehewalksamilewithme。

  Withsuchacomrade,suchafriend,Ifainwouldwalktilljourneysend,Throughsummersunshine,winterrain,Andthen?——Farewell,weshallmeetagain!

  December,1902。

  SPRINGINTHESOUTH

  Nowintheoakthesapoflifeiswelling,Tho’totheboughtherustyleafageclings;

  Nowontheelmthemistybudsareswelling,Seehowthepine—woodgrowsalivewithwings;

  Blue—jaysfluttering,yodelingandcrying,Meadow—larkssailinglowabovethefadedgrass,Red—birdswhistlingclear,silentrobinsflying,——

  Whohaswakedthebirdsup?Whathascometopass?

  Lastyear’scotton—plants,desolatelybowing,TrembleintheMarch—wind,raggedandforlorn;

  Redarethehill—sidesoftheearlyploughing,Grayarethelowlands,waitingforthecorn。

  Earthseemsasleepstill,butshe’sonlyfeigning;

  Deepinherbosomthrillsasweetunrest。

  LookwherethejasminelavishlyisrainingJove’sgoldenshowerintoDanae’sbreast!

  Nowontheplumthesnowybloomissifted,Nowonthepeachthegloryoftherose,Overthehillsatenderhazeisdrifted,Fulltothebrimtheyellowriverflows。

  Darkcypressboughswithvividjewelsglisten,Greenerthanemeraldsshininginthesun。

  Whohaswroughtthemagic?Listen,sweetheart,listen!

  Themocking—birdissingingSpringhasbegun。

  Hark,inhissongnotremorofmisgiving!

  Allofhishearthepoursintohislay,——

  \"Love,love,love,andpuredelightofliving:

  Winterisforgotten:here’sahappyday!\"

  FairinyourfaceIreadtheflowerypresage,Snowyonyourbrowandrosyonyourmouth:

  SweetinyourvoiceIheartheseason’smessage,——

  Love,love,love,andSpringintheSouth!

  March,1904。

  LOVE’SNEARNESS

  Ithinkofthee,whengoldensunbeamsshimmerAcrossthesea;

  Andwhenthewavesreflectthemoon’spaleglimmer,Ithinkofthee。

  Iseethyform,whendownthedistanthighwayThedust—cloudsrise;

  Indeepestnight,abovethemountainby—way,Iseethineeyes。

  Iheartheewhentheocean—tidesreturningLoudlyrejoice;

  Andonthelonelymoor,instillnessyearning,Ihearthyvoice。

  Idwellwiththee:thoughthouartfarremoved,Yetartthounear。

  Thesungoesdown,thestarsshineout,——

  Beloved,Ah,wertthouhere!

  >FromGoethe:\"NahedesGeliebten。\"

  TWOSCHOOLS

  IputmyhearttoschoolIntheworld,wheremengrowwise,\"Goout,\"Isaid,\"andlearntherule;

  \"Comebackwhenyouwinaprize。\"

  Myheartcamebackagain:

  \"Nowwhereistheprize?\"Icried。——

  \"Therulewasfalse,andtheprizewaspain,\"Andtheteacher’snamewasPride。\"

  IputmyhearttoschoolInthewoods,whereveeriessing,Andbrooksruncoolandclear;

  Inthefields,wherewildflowersspring,Andtheblueofheavenbendsnear。

  \"Goout,\"Isaid:\"youarehalfafool,\"Butperhapstheycanteachyouhere。\"

  \"Andwhydoyoustaysolong,\"Myheart,andwheredoyouroam?\"

  Theanswercamewithalaughandasong,——

  \"Ifindthisschoolishome。\"

  April,1901。

  APRAYERFORAMOTHER’SBIRTHDAY

  LordJesus,ThouhastknownAmother’sloveandtendercare:

  AndThouwilthear,whileformyownMothermostdearImakethisbirthdayprayer。

  Protectherlife,Ipray,Whogavethegiftoflifetome;

  Andmaysheknow,fromdaytoday,ThedeepeningglowofLifethatcomesfromThee。

  AsonceuponherbreastFearlessandwellcontentIlay,Soletherheart,onTheeatrest,Feelfearsdepartandtroublesfadeaway。

  Hereverywishfulfill;

  AndevenifThoumustrefuseInanything,letThywisewillAcomfortbringsuchaskindmothersuse。

  Ah,holdherbythehand,Asonceherhandheldmine;

  AndthoughshemaynotunderstandLife’swindingway,leadherinpeacedivine。

  IcannotpaymydebtForallthelovethatshehasgiven;

  ButThou,love’sLord,wiltnotforgetHerduereward,——blessherinearthandheaven。

  July,1903。

  INDIANSUMMER

  Asoftveildimsthetenderskies,AndhalfconcealsfrompensiveeyesThebronzingtokensofthefall;

  Acalmnessbroodsuponthehills,Andsummer’spartingdreamdistillsAcharmofsilenceoverall。

  Thestacksofcorn,inbrownarray,Standwaitingthroughtheplacidday,Liketatteredwigwamsontheplain;

  ThetribesthatfindashelterthereArephantompeoples,formsofair,Andghostsofvanishedjoyandpain。

  AteveningwhenthecrimsoncrestOfsunsetpassesdowntheWest,Ihearthewhisperinghostreturning;

  Onfar—offfields,byelmandoak,Iseethelights,Ismellthesmoke,——

  TheCamp—firesofthePastareburning。

  TertiusandHenryVanDyke。

  November,1903。

  ONEWORLD

  \"TheworldsinwhichwelivearetwoTheworld’Iam’andtheworld’Ido。’\"

  Theworldsinwhichweliveatheartareone,Theworld\"Iam,\"thefruitof\"Ihavedone\";

  Andunderneaththeseworldsofflowerandfruit,Theworld\"Ilove,\"——theonlylivingroot。

  HIDEANDSEEK

  I

  Allthetreesaresleeping,allthewindsarestill,Alltheflocksoffleecycloudshavewanderedpastthehill;

  Throughthenoondaysilence,downthewoodsofJune,Hark,alittlehunter’svoicecomesrunningwithatune。

  \"Hideandseek!

  \"WhenIspeak,\"Youmustanswerme:

  \"Callagain,\"Merrymen,\"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!\"

  NowIhearhisfootsteps,rustlingthroughthegrass:

  Hiddeninmyleafynook,shallIlethimpass?

  Justalow,softwhistle,——quickthehunterturns,Leapsuponmelaughing,rollsmeintheferns。

  \"Holdhimfast,\"Caughtatlast!

  \"Nowyou’reit,yousee。

  \"Hideyoureye,\"TillIcry,\"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!\"

  II

  Longagoheleftme,longandlongago:

  NowIwanderthroughtheworldandseekhimhighandlow;

  Hiddensafeandhappy,insomepleasantplace,——

  Ah,ifIcouldhearhisvoice,Isoonshouldfindhisface。

  Faraway,Manyaday,WherecanBarneybe?

  Answer,dear,Don’tyouhear?

  Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!

  Birdsthatinthespring—timethrilledhisheartwithjoy,Flowershelovedtopickforme,mindmeofmyboy。

  Surelyheiswaitingtillmystepscomenigh;

  Lovemayhideitselfawhile,butlovecanneverdie。

  Heart,beglad,ThelittleladWillcallsomedaytothee:

  \"Fatherdear,\"Heavenishere,\"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!\"

  January,1900。

  DULCISMEMORIA

  Long,longagoIheardalittlesong,(Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?)

  Solowly,slowlywoundthetunealong,Thatfarintomyheartitfoundtheway:

  Amelodyconsolingandendearing;

  Andstill,insilenthours,I’moftenhearingThesmall,sweetsongthatdoesnotdieaway。

  Long,longagoIsawalittleflower,——

  (Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?)

  Sofairoffaceandfragrantforanhour,Thatsomethingdeartomeitseemedtosay:

  AthoughtofjoythatblossomedintobeingWithoutaword;andnowI’moftenseeingThefriendlyflowerthatdoesnotfadeaway。

  Long,longagowehadalittlechild,——

  (Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?)

  Intohismother’seyesandminehesmiledUnconsciouslove;warminourarmshelay。

  Anangelcalled!Dearheart,wecouldnotholdhim;

  Yetsecretlyyourarmsandmineinfoldhim——

  Ourlittlechildwhodoesnotgoaway。

  Long,longago?Ah,memory,makeitclear——

  (Itwasnotlongago,butyesterday,)

  SolittleandsohelplessandsodearLetnotthesongbelost,theflowerdecay!

  Hisvoice,hiswakingeyes,hisgentlesleeping:

  Thesmallestthingsaresafestinthykeeping。

  Sweetmemory,keepourchildwithusalway。

  April,1903。

  AUTUMNINTHEGARDEN

  WhenthefrostykissofAutumninthedarkMakesitsmarkOntheflowers,andthemistymorninggrievesOverfallenleaves;

  Thenmyoldengarden,wherethegoldensoilThroughthetoilOfahundredyearsismellow,rich,anddeep,Whispersinitssleep。

  ’Midthecrumpledbedsofmarigoldandphlox,WheretheboxBorderswithitsglossygreentheancientwalks,There’savoicethattalksOfthehumanhopesthatbloomedandwitheredhereYearbyyear,——

  Dreamsofjoy,thatbrightenedallthelabouringhours,Fadingastheflowers。

  Yetthewhisperedstorydoesnotdeepengrief;

  ButreliefForthelonelinessofsorrowseemstoflowFromtheLong—Ago,WhenIthinkofotherlivesthatlearned,likemine,Toresign,AndrememberthatthesadnessofthefallComesaliketoall。

  Whatregrets,whatlongingsforthelostweretheirs!

  AndwhatprayersForthesilentstrengththatnervesustoendureThingswecannotcure!

  Pacingupanddownthegardenwheretheypaced,IhavetracedAlltheirwell—wornpathsofpatience,tillIfindComfortinmymind。

  Faintandfarawaytheirancientgriefsappear:

  YethownearIsthetendervoice,thecareworn,kindlyface,Ofthehumanrace!

  Letuswalktogetherinthegarden,dearestheart,Notapart!

  TheywhoknowthesorrowsotherliveshaveknownNeverwalkalone。

  October,1903。

  THEMESSAGE

  Wakingfromtendersleep,Myneighbour’slittlechildPutouthisbabyhandtome,Lookedinmyface,andsmiled。

  ItseemedasifhecameHomefromahappyland,TotellmesomethingthatmyheartWouldsurelyunderstand。

  Somewhere,amongbrightdreams,AchildthatoncewasmineHadwhisperedwordlesslovetohim,Andgivenhimasign。

  Comfortofkindlyspeech,Andcounselofthewise,HavehelpedmelessthanwhatIreadInthosedeep—smilingeyes。

  Sleepsweetly,littlefriend,Anddreamagainofheaven:

  WithdoubleloveIkissyourhand,——

  Yourmessagehasbeengiven。

  November,1903。

  LIGHTBETWEENTHETREES

  Long,long,longthetrailThroughthebroodingforest—gloom,Downtheshadowy,lonelyvaleIntosilence,likearoomWherethelightoflifehasfled,AndthejealouscurtainscloseRoundthepassionlessreposeOfthesilentdead。

  Plod,plod,plodaway,Stepbystepinmoulderingmoss;

  ThickbranchesbarthedayOverlanguidstreamsthatcrossSoftly,slowly,withasoundIntheiraimlesscreepingLikeasmotheredweeping,Throughtheenchantedground。

  \"Yield,yield,yieldthyquest,\"

  Whispersthroughthewoodlanddeep;

  \"Cometomeandbeatrest;

  \"Iamslumber,Iamsleep。\"

  Thenthewearyfeetwouldfail,Butthenever—dauntedwillUrges\"Forward,forwardstill!

  \"Pressalongthetrail!\"

  Breast,breast,breasttheslope!

  See,thepathisgrowingsteep。

  Hark!alittlesongofhopeWhenthestreambeginstoleap。

  Thoughtheforest,farandwide,Stillshutsoutthebendingblue,Weshallfinallywinthrough,Crossthelongdivide。

  On,on,onwardtramp!

  Willthejourneyneverend?

  Overyonderliesthecamp;

  Welcomewaitsusthere,myfriend。

  Canwereachiterethenight?

  Upward,upward,neverfear!

  Look,thesummitmustbenear;

  Seethelineoflight!

  Red,red,redtheshineOfthesplendourinthewest,Glowingthroughtheranksofpine,Clearalongthemountain—crest!

  Long,long,longthetrailOutofsorrow’slonelyvale;

  ButatlastthetravellerseesLightbetweenthetrees!

  March,1904。

  RELIANCE

  Nottotheswift,therace:

  Nottothestrong,thefight:

  Nottotherighteous,perfectgrace:

  Nottothewise,thelight。

  ButoftenfalteringfeetComesuresttothegoal;

  AndtheywhowalkindarknessmeetThesunriseofthesoul。

  AthousandtimesbynightTheSyrianhostshavedied;

  AthousandtimesthevanquishedrightHathrisen,glorified。

  ThetruththewisemensoughtWasspokenbyachild;

  ThealabasterboxwasbroughtIntremblinghandsdefiled。

  Notfrommytorch,thegleam,Butfromthestarsabove:

  Notfrommyheart,life’scrystalstream,ButfromthedepthsofLove。

  October,1903。

  GREETINGSANDINSCRIPTIONS

  KATRINA’SSUN—DIAL

  Hoursfly,Flowersdie:

  Newdays,Newways:

  Passby!

  Lovestays。

  **

  TimeisTooSlowforthosewhoWait,TooSwiftforthosewhoFear,TooLongforthosewhoGrieve,TooShortforthosewhoRejoice;

  ButforthosewhoLove,Timeisnot。

  TOJAMESWHITCOMBRILEY

  Onhis\"BookofJoyousChildren\"

  Yoursisagardenofold—fashionedflowers;

  Joyouschildrendelighttoplaythere;

  Wearymenfindrestinitsbowers,Watchingthelingeringlightofdaythere。

  Old—timetunesandyounglove’slaughterRippleandrunamongtheroses;

  Memory’sechoes,murmuringafter,Filltheduskwhenthelongdaycloses。

  Simplesongswithacadenceolden——

  TheseyoulearnedintheForestofArden:

  Friendlyflowerswithheartsallgolden——

  TheseyouborrowedfromEden’sgarden。

  Thisisthereasonwhyallmenloveyou;

  Truthtolifeisthecharmofart:

  Otherpoetsmaysoaraboveyou——

  Youkeepclosetothehumanheart。

  December,1903。

  AHEALTHTOMARKTWAIN

  AthisBirthdayFeastWithmemoriesoldandwishesnewWecrownourcupsagain,Andhere’stoyou,andhere’stoyouWithlovethatne’ershallwane!

  Andmayyoukeep,atsixty—seven,Thejoyofearth,thehopeofheaven,Andfamewell—earned,andfriendshiptrue,Andpeacethatcomfortseverypain,Andfaiththatfightsthebattlethrough,Andallyourheart’sunboundedwealth,Andallyourwit,andallyourhealth,——

  Yes,here’saheartyhealthtoyou,Andhere’stoyou,andhere’stoyou,Longlifetoyou,MarkTwain。

  ARONDEAUOFCOLLEGERHYMES

  Ourcollegerhymes,——howlighttheyseem,Likelittleghostsoflove’syoungdreamThatledourboyishheartsawayFromlecturesandfrombooks,tostrayByflowerymeadandflowingstream!

  There’snothinghere,informortheme,Ofthoughtsublimeorartsupreme:

  WewouldnothavethecriticweighOurcollegerhymes。

  Yetif,perchance,aslenderbeamOffeeling’sgloworfancy’sgleamStilllingersinthelineswelayAtAlmaMater’sfeettoday,ThetouchofNaturemayredeemOurcollegerhymes。

  May,1904。

  THEMOCKING—BIRD

  Inmirthhemockstheotherbirdsatnoon,Catchingtheliltofeveryeasytune;

  Butwhenthedaydepartshesingsoflove,——

  Hisownwildsongbeneaththelisteningmoon。

  March,1904。

  THEEMPTYQUATRAIN

  Aflawlesscup:howdelicateandfineTheflowingcurveofeveryjewelledline!

  Look,turnitupordown,’tisperfectstill,——

  Butholdsnodropoflife’sheart—warmingwine。

  April,1904。

  INSCRIPTIONSFORAFRIEND’SHOUSE

  THEHOUSE

  ThecornerstoneinTruthislaid,TheguardianwallsofHonourmade,TheroofofFaithisbuiltabove,ThefireuponthehearthisLove:

  Thoughrainsdescendandloudwindscall,Thishappyhouseshallneverfall。

  THEDOORSTEAD

  Thelintellowenoughtokeepoutpompandpride:

  Thethresholdhighenoughtoturndeceitaside:

  Thedoorbandstrongenoughfromrobberstodefend:

  Thisdoorwillopenatatouchtowelcomeeveryfriend。

  THEHEARTHSTONE

  Whenthelogsareburningfree,Thenthefireisfullofglee:

  Wheneachheartgivesoutitsbest,Thenthetalkisfullofzest:

  Lightyourfireandneverfear,Lifewasmadeforloveandcheer。

  THESUN—DIAL

  TimecannevertakeWhatTimedidnotgive;

  Whenmyshadowshaveallpassed,Youshalllive。

  THESTATUEOFSHERMANBYST。GAUDENS

  ThisisthesoldierbraveenoughtotellTheglory—dazzledworldthat’warishell’:

  Loverofpeace,helooksbeyondthestrife,Andridesthroughhelltosavehiscountry’slife。

  April,1904。

  THESUN—DIALATWELLSCOLLEGE

  TheshadowbymyfingercastDividesthefuturefromthepast:

  Beforeit,sleepstheunbornhourIndarkness,andbeyondthypower:

  Behinditsunreturningline,Thevanishedhour,nolongerthine:

  Onehouraloneisinthyhands,——

  TheNOWonwhichtheshadowstands。

  March,1904。

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