The Project Gutenberg eBook ofContrasted Songs

The Project Gutenberg eBook ofContrasted SongsThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Contrasted SongsAuthor: Marian LongfellowRelease date: February 11, 2013 [eBook #42076]Most recently updated: October 23, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Greg Bergquist, Mary Akers and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONTRASTED SONGS ***

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Contrasted SongsAuthor: Marian LongfellowRelease date: February 11, 2013 [eBook #42076]Most recently updated: October 23, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Greg Bergquist, Mary Akers and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

Title: Contrasted Songs

Author: Marian Longfellow

Release date: February 11, 2013 [eBook #42076]Most recently updated: October 23, 2024

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Greg Bergquist, Mary Akers and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONTRASTED SONGS ***

Transcriber's note:Minor spelling and punctuation inconsistencies have been harmonized. The original use of accented words has been retained. Missing page numbers are page numbers that were not shown in the original text.

Marian Longfellow

Title Page

MARIAN LONGFELLOW

logo

BOSTONRICHARD G. BADGERThe Gorham Press1905

Printed atTHE GORHAM PRESSBoston, U. S. A.

In Perpetual and Loving Remembrance ofM. P. F.Who Has Gone Before,and ofE. T. L.Who Still Walks with Me,These Songs are dedicated byThe Author

PREFACE

In presenting to the public the within collection, some of which were published originally under thenom-de-plumeof "Miriam Lester," I have had to go into the highways and byways to gather the children who had strayed into various paths.

Some have been easily found in books of which they were a part, and I desire to thank the editors of "The Library of Religious Poetry," the family of the late Charles Henshaw Dana, of Worcester, Mass., the Boston "Herald," and others for permission to use such.

The task of gathering the children who made their debut within the columns of the Boston "Transcript," the Eastport "Sentinel," the Washington "Post," the "Saturday Gazette" (Boston), and other journals, has been no light task, and some are still straying beyond my ken.

Among these "Contrasted Songs" I trust that the reader will find something to which the heart may respond.

Faithfully yours,Marian Longfellow.Washington, D. C.

The mystic sea is singing its golden song to me;I bend to catch its murmur in silent ecstasy;Till, as the music ringeth in sweet and solemn tone,An answering echo waketh a music all mine own!The sea sings softly, softly upon my listening ear,And still its notes fall ever in cadence full and clear.The song that waxeth stronger within my beating heartSeems but a second measure—seems of the sea a part!And far from all the burdens that day brings in its train,My soul hath found Elysium—renews its youth again!I hear the golden billows beat on the rock-bound shore,And still my heart is singing that sweet song o'er and o'er!O happy Youth, how quickly the sands of life have run!The shades of eve are falling ere yet the day is done!The golden sea eternal beats loud and strong and free,And bears upon its bosom a joy eternally!

The mystic sea is singing its golden song to me;I bend to catch its murmur in silent ecstasy;Till, as the music ringeth in sweet and solemn tone,An answering echo waketh a music all mine own!

The mystic sea is singing its golden song to me;

I bend to catch its murmur in silent ecstasy;

Till, as the music ringeth in sweet and solemn tone,

An answering echo waketh a music all mine own!

The sea sings softly, softly upon my listening ear,And still its notes fall ever in cadence full and clear.The song that waxeth stronger within my beating heartSeems but a second measure—seems of the sea a part!

The sea sings softly, softly upon my listening ear,

And still its notes fall ever in cadence full and clear.

The song that waxeth stronger within my beating heart

Seems but a second measure—seems of the sea a part!

And far from all the burdens that day brings in its train,My soul hath found Elysium—renews its youth again!I hear the golden billows beat on the rock-bound shore,And still my heart is singing that sweet song o'er and o'er!

And far from all the burdens that day brings in its train,

My soul hath found Elysium—renews its youth again!

I hear the golden billows beat on the rock-bound shore,

And still my heart is singing that sweet song o'er and o'er!

O happy Youth, how quickly the sands of life have run!The shades of eve are falling ere yet the day is done!The golden sea eternal beats loud and strong and free,And bears upon its bosom a joy eternally!

O happy Youth, how quickly the sands of life have run!

The shades of eve are falling ere yet the day is done!

The golden sea eternal beats loud and strong and free,

And bears upon its bosom a joy eternally!

'Tis the Spirit of the Water! it breathes upon the sea;As phantom in its motions it glides mysteriously!I see the snow-clad islands that deck the opal bay,And the Spirit of the Water now robed in mist and spray.The charm that clings eternal to ocean fills my soul,As mist-wreathed waves in grandeur pass on unto their goal!Ye phantoms on Life's ocean! how like the mist ye seem,As backward turneth memory across Life's glow and gleam!For ye figure forth Life's pleasures, its cares, its tears and pain,And recall with all their glamour Youth's joyous dreams again!While still the fateful presence glides on across the wave,Nor lifts its veil of mystery until we reach the grave!O speak! is it endeavor, or is it blighted faith?Or is it but the passing of pain—this silent wraith?We know not, oh, we know not here, for o'er Life's restless seaWe too glide on, as phantoms all, this side Eternity!

'Tis the Spirit of the Water! it breathes upon the sea;

As phantom in its motions it glides mysteriously!

I see the snow-clad islands that deck the opal bay,

And the Spirit of the Water now robed in mist and spray.

The charm that clings eternal to ocean fills my soul,

As mist-wreathed waves in grandeur pass on unto their goal!

Ye phantoms on Life's ocean! how like the mist ye seem,

As backward turneth memory across Life's glow and gleam!

For ye figure forth Life's pleasures, its cares, its tears and pain,

And recall with all their glamour Youth's joyous dreams again!

While still the fateful presence glides on across the wave,

Nor lifts its veil of mystery until we reach the grave!

O speak! is it endeavor, or is it blighted faith?

Or is it but the passing of pain—this silent wraith?

We know not, oh, we know not here, for o'er Life's restless sea

We too glide on, as phantoms all, this side Eternity!

Calm seas that lie 'neath summer skiesAnd mirror back those skies to me,Upon whose breast white sails ariseAnd glide like spirits grand and free.Calm seas beneath whose hidden deepAre wonders far beyond my ken,There, rocked in murmuring currents, sleepThe secrets not revealed to men!Peace, like a white-winged dove descendsAnd hovers o'er the waters bright,While glory of the sunset blendsWith tones of the approaching night.My glad soul bids thee welcome, andGoes forth upon the ocean's tide!Far from the care that fills the land,To where my spirit would abide!Till, as the cares of day departAnd the glad sea its greeting calls,I rise unshackled, strong of heart,And from my life the burden falls!Thus in this quiet nook I findAll that I longed and sought in vainIn the world's haunts, my soul to bind,And, seeking, found but grief and pain.Now, like a blessing falls thy grace,O grand, beloved, glorious sea!Drawn by thy message, face to face,My longing greets thy mystery!

Calm seas that lie 'neath summer skiesAnd mirror back those skies to me,Upon whose breast white sails ariseAnd glide like spirits grand and free.

Calm seas that lie 'neath summer skies

And mirror back those skies to me,

Upon whose breast white sails arise

And glide like spirits grand and free.

Calm seas beneath whose hidden deepAre wonders far beyond my ken,There, rocked in murmuring currents, sleepThe secrets not revealed to men!

Calm seas beneath whose hidden deep

Are wonders far beyond my ken,

There, rocked in murmuring currents, sleep

The secrets not revealed to men!

Peace, like a white-winged dove descendsAnd hovers o'er the waters bright,While glory of the sunset blendsWith tones of the approaching night.

Peace, like a white-winged dove descends

And hovers o'er the waters bright,

While glory of the sunset blends

With tones of the approaching night.

My glad soul bids thee welcome, andGoes forth upon the ocean's tide!Far from the care that fills the land,To where my spirit would abide!

My glad soul bids thee welcome, and

Goes forth upon the ocean's tide!

Far from the care that fills the land,

To where my spirit would abide!

Till, as the cares of day departAnd the glad sea its greeting calls,I rise unshackled, strong of heart,And from my life the burden falls!

Till, as the cares of day depart

And the glad sea its greeting calls,

I rise unshackled, strong of heart,

And from my life the burden falls!

Thus in this quiet nook I findAll that I longed and sought in vainIn the world's haunts, my soul to bind,And, seeking, found but grief and pain.

Thus in this quiet nook I find

All that I longed and sought in vain

In the world's haunts, my soul to bind,

And, seeking, found but grief and pain.

Now, like a blessing falls thy grace,O grand, beloved, glorious sea!Drawn by thy message, face to face,My longing greets thy mystery!

Now, like a blessing falls thy grace,

O grand, beloved, glorious sea!

Drawn by thy message, face to face,

My longing greets thy mystery!

(1881)

O solemn cliffs of Grand Manan!In silent might ye rise,As bounded by th' eternal seaAnd by the azure skies!Like a proud soul that stands apart,Unknown, unloved, unsought,Ye guard your stronghold silentlyThrough many battles fought.The sea-gull sweeps across your wall,And seaward shapes his course!While at your feet the waves beat loudIn measure wild and hoarse.O solemn heights! O grand and calm!Ye hold my heart in thrall!And not a sound is heard beyondThe ocean's rise and fall.But as the waves beat strong and loudUpon your rugged shore,Through it the sea's sad monotoneI hear forevermore!The sunset glow hath kissed your heights,As loth to leave you yet;And, bathed in glories red and gold,The eve and you have met.The boat speeds on—we may not stay,But from my brooding heartYour image, while this life remains,Can nevermore depart!

O solemn cliffs of Grand Manan!In silent might ye rise,As bounded by th' eternal seaAnd by the azure skies!

O solemn cliffs of Grand Manan!

In silent might ye rise,

As bounded by th' eternal sea

And by the azure skies!

Like a proud soul that stands apart,Unknown, unloved, unsought,Ye guard your stronghold silentlyThrough many battles fought.

Like a proud soul that stands apart,

Unknown, unloved, unsought,

Ye guard your stronghold silently

Through many battles fought.

The sea-gull sweeps across your wall,And seaward shapes his course!While at your feet the waves beat loudIn measure wild and hoarse.

The sea-gull sweeps across your wall,

And seaward shapes his course!

While at your feet the waves beat loud

In measure wild and hoarse.

O solemn heights! O grand and calm!Ye hold my heart in thrall!And not a sound is heard beyondThe ocean's rise and fall.

O solemn heights! O grand and calm!

Ye hold my heart in thrall!

And not a sound is heard beyond

The ocean's rise and fall.

But as the waves beat strong and loudUpon your rugged shore,Through it the sea's sad monotoneI hear forevermore!

But as the waves beat strong and loud

Upon your rugged shore,

Through it the sea's sad monotone

I hear forevermore!

The sunset glow hath kissed your heights,As loth to leave you yet;And, bathed in glories red and gold,The eve and you have met.

The sunset glow hath kissed your heights,

As loth to leave you yet;

And, bathed in glories red and gold,

The eve and you have met.

The boat speeds on—we may not stay,But from my brooding heartYour image, while this life remains,Can nevermore depart!

The boat speeds on—we may not stay,

But from my brooding heart

Your image, while this life remains,

Can nevermore depart!

O for the bounding wave, and the salt, salt spray on my face!For the sweep of the filling sail, and its free, untrammeled pace!For the life that hath no bound to its path but the open sea;For the soul as free as air, that by right belongs to me!For power to cast aside these fetters dark and strong,To bound over heaving deep—and no more to feel the thongThat cuts through the quivering heart and the restless soul, as well!I yearn for a fuller life, with a might I cannot quell!O for the bounding wave, and the salt, salt spray on my face!For the strength to grasp and hold the plan of a waning race.For might to compel the tide in its turn to serve my will,That my heart of the fountain deep, may drink to the brim its fill!

O for the bounding wave, and the salt, salt spray on my face!

For the sweep of the filling sail, and its free, untrammeled pace!

For the life that hath no bound to its path but the open sea;

For the soul as free as air, that by right belongs to me!

For power to cast aside these fetters dark and strong,

To bound over heaving deep—and no more to feel the thong

That cuts through the quivering heart and the restless soul, as well!

I yearn for a fuller life, with a might I cannot quell!

O for the bounding wave, and the salt, salt spray on my face!

For the strength to grasp and hold the plan of a waning race.

For might to compel the tide in its turn to serve my will,

That my heart of the fountain deep, may drink to the brim its fill!

O sweetest bird that ever sangIn notes of wild rejoicing;Thine even-song as first it rang,Was thrilling in its voicing!I felt thy rapture as I heardThy song in all its beauty;To me it scarce seemed but a bird;'Twas life, and love, and duty!I could not see thy tiny form,As softly closed the gloaming;And like a wanderer in the stormMy heart was blindly roaming.While, as thy song rang pure and clearO'er sweet smell of the haying,Mem'ry sped back through many a year,Both light and shade displaying.And still thy notes of reed-like toneCame clear o'er mead and river,With tender meaning all its own,And trilled and trilled forever!"O heart," it sang, "let thine own lifeBecome a song to others,That thou mayst count them in the strifeNot alien, but as brothers!Sing on, sing on, thy notes repeat,Sing life, and love, and duty,That mystic three whose names repleteAre e'er with heavenly beauty.Sing life, the gift of ray divineThat pierced the gloom of even;The first upon our path to shine,A heritage of Heaven!And love—oh, what were life withoutThis second gift eternal,That bids the glad earth blossom outIn summer's garb supernal!Yet love and life were both in vainWere duty not a flowerThat springs beneath the blesséd rainTo crown Life's darkest hour!"Not unto me a bird, that eve,In notes of earth was singing,But a pure voice its way did cleaveFrom Heaven its message bringing!

O sweetest bird that ever sangIn notes of wild rejoicing;Thine even-song as first it rang,Was thrilling in its voicing!

O sweetest bird that ever sang

In notes of wild rejoicing;

Thine even-song as first it rang,

Was thrilling in its voicing!

I felt thy rapture as I heardThy song in all its beauty;To me it scarce seemed but a bird;'Twas life, and love, and duty!

I felt thy rapture as I heard

Thy song in all its beauty;

To me it scarce seemed but a bird;

'Twas life, and love, and duty!

I could not see thy tiny form,As softly closed the gloaming;And like a wanderer in the stormMy heart was blindly roaming.

I could not see thy tiny form,

As softly closed the gloaming;

And like a wanderer in the storm

My heart was blindly roaming.

While, as thy song rang pure and clearO'er sweet smell of the haying,Mem'ry sped back through many a year,Both light and shade displaying.

While, as thy song rang pure and clear

O'er sweet smell of the haying,

Mem'ry sped back through many a year,

Both light and shade displaying.

And still thy notes of reed-like toneCame clear o'er mead and river,With tender meaning all its own,And trilled and trilled forever!

And still thy notes of reed-like tone

Came clear o'er mead and river,

With tender meaning all its own,

And trilled and trilled forever!

"O heart," it sang, "let thine own lifeBecome a song to others,That thou mayst count them in the strifeNot alien, but as brothers!

"O heart," it sang, "let thine own life

Become a song to others,

That thou mayst count them in the strife

Not alien, but as brothers!

Sing on, sing on, thy notes repeat,Sing life, and love, and duty,That mystic three whose names repleteAre e'er with heavenly beauty.

Sing on, sing on, thy notes repeat,

Sing life, and love, and duty,

That mystic three whose names replete

Are e'er with heavenly beauty.

Sing life, the gift of ray divineThat pierced the gloom of even;The first upon our path to shine,A heritage of Heaven!

Sing life, the gift of ray divine

That pierced the gloom of even;

The first upon our path to shine,

A heritage of Heaven!

And love—oh, what were life withoutThis second gift eternal,That bids the glad earth blossom outIn summer's garb supernal!

And love—oh, what were life without

This second gift eternal,

That bids the glad earth blossom out

In summer's garb supernal!

Yet love and life were both in vainWere duty not a flowerThat springs beneath the blesséd rainTo crown Life's darkest hour!"

Yet love and life were both in vain

Were duty not a flower

That springs beneath the blesséd rain

To crown Life's darkest hour!"

Not unto me a bird, that eve,In notes of earth was singing,But a pure voice its way did cleaveFrom Heaven its message bringing!

Not unto me a bird, that eve,

In notes of earth was singing,

But a pure voice its way did cleave

From Heaven its message bringing!

My one wee bud that grows in the meadow,Far apart from the flaunting garden blooms,Afar, where the brook and birds are singing,And the soft noon haze o'er the distance looms.My one wee bud, but to grow so bravelyWhere the rushes rise from the moorland green,Where birds skim close o'er the grassy billowsAnd the low breeze murmurs its plaint between.My one wee song I sing in the even,When the home doth gather its loved ones close,And the world's afar and hearts grow nearer,And the jar of life sinks into repose.My one wee song, like a flower growingIn this life of mine that were else so bare!Ah! shalt thou go forth to do my bidding—My love, shall he cull it as blossom fair?Ah! flower and song, be this thy meaning,Thy mission of love in the world is clear;The grace once born of seed sown in shadowShall bloom in the hearts that now hold thee dear!

My one wee bud that grows in the meadow,Far apart from the flaunting garden blooms,Afar, where the brook and birds are singing,And the soft noon haze o'er the distance looms.

My one wee bud that grows in the meadow,

Far apart from the flaunting garden blooms,

Afar, where the brook and birds are singing,

And the soft noon haze o'er the distance looms.

My one wee bud, but to grow so bravelyWhere the rushes rise from the moorland green,Where birds skim close o'er the grassy billowsAnd the low breeze murmurs its plaint between.

My one wee bud, but to grow so bravely

Where the rushes rise from the moorland green,

Where birds skim close o'er the grassy billows

And the low breeze murmurs its plaint between.

My one wee song I sing in the even,When the home doth gather its loved ones close,And the world's afar and hearts grow nearer,And the jar of life sinks into repose.

My one wee song I sing in the even,

When the home doth gather its loved ones close,

And the world's afar and hearts grow nearer,

And the jar of life sinks into repose.

My one wee song, like a flower growingIn this life of mine that were else so bare!Ah! shalt thou go forth to do my bidding—My love, shall he cull it as blossom fair?

My one wee song, like a flower growing

In this life of mine that were else so bare!

Ah! shalt thou go forth to do my bidding—

My love, shall he cull it as blossom fair?

Ah! flower and song, be this thy meaning,Thy mission of love in the world is clear;The grace once born of seed sown in shadowShall bloom in the hearts that now hold thee dear!

Ah! flower and song, be this thy meaning,

Thy mission of love in the world is clear;

The grace once born of seed sown in shadow

Shall bloom in the hearts that now hold thee dear!

Scarlet and gold and crimson,Their banners flung to the breeze,Like monarchs' brilliant vestureThe ranks of the maple trees.Golden and brown and russetThe oaks in their Autumn dress;Soldiers in ranks deploying,To the front they onward press.Pale in their coats of yellow,Tinged and with orange flecked,The chestnuts on the hillside,As with royalty bedecked.Scarlet and gold and crimson,And golden and russet brown;Pale with a sun-kissed yellowAre the leaves now fluttering down.Garb of the season's bringing,Majestic it decks the hills,And Autumn's lavish splendorThe soul with its beauty fills.

Scarlet and gold and crimson,Their banners flung to the breeze,Like monarchs' brilliant vestureThe ranks of the maple trees.

Scarlet and gold and crimson,

Their banners flung to the breeze,

Like monarchs' brilliant vesture

The ranks of the maple trees.

Golden and brown and russetThe oaks in their Autumn dress;Soldiers in ranks deploying,To the front they onward press.

Golden and brown and russet

The oaks in their Autumn dress;

Soldiers in ranks deploying,

To the front they onward press.

Pale in their coats of yellow,Tinged and with orange flecked,The chestnuts on the hillside,As with royalty bedecked.

Pale in their coats of yellow,

Tinged and with orange flecked,

The chestnuts on the hillside,

As with royalty bedecked.

Scarlet and gold and crimson,And golden and russet brown;Pale with a sun-kissed yellowAre the leaves now fluttering down.

Scarlet and gold and crimson,

And golden and russet brown;

Pale with a sun-kissed yellow

Are the leaves now fluttering down.

Garb of the season's bringing,Majestic it decks the hills,And Autumn's lavish splendorThe soul with its beauty fills.

Garb of the season's bringing,

Majestic it decks the hills,

And Autumn's lavish splendor

The soul with its beauty fills.

Adown the grassy hill they come,To greet me, every morn;Those little maids (in Norman caps)Of joy and spring-time born.They march demurely, side by side,How many pair there be!Far as mine eye can reach, their formsIn green and white I see.Each sister wears with youthful graceHer snowy Norman cap,And in the long procession thereI see no pause or gap.And so, I watch to see them comeAs morn by morn I pass,The green of shimmering robe and glintOf snow within the grass.They never speak and yet they nodA friendly greeting there,And all their beauty round me seemsA fragrance in the air.I speak to them? Oh, yes, I speakAnd lovingly I bidThem welcome every summer morn,Those maids with downcast lid!They are so modest, pure and fair;They are so very sweet,I fain would linger there and callThem clustering round my feet.Far backward in the view my eyesThe slow procession see,And yet they never leave the pathNor can they speak to me.'Tis the flag-lily growing tallAmid the meadow grass;The Iris, as we often callEach snowy-snooded lass.In couples stately, there they standAs far as eye can scan,And round them waves the nodding grassAs homage due from man.They stand a line of vestals pure,Or each a sweet-faced nun;While on each snowy cap there fallsThe radiance of the sun.Although the power of speech may notBe theirs in worldly phrase,They teach a lesson just as true,And just as full of praise.In their allotted path they walk,And fill their destined end,Their beauty gladdens every eye,As down the hill they wend.O flower-sisters, if ye makeOne heart in rapture rise;If ye but waken one pure thoughtTo bloom in Paradise.Then have your lives, though brief, as boonTo mortal man been given,To draw from earth his sordid thoughtsAnd bid them rest on Heaven!

Adown the grassy hill they come,To greet me, every morn;Those little maids (in Norman caps)Of joy and spring-time born.

Adown the grassy hill they come,

To greet me, every morn;

Those little maids (in Norman caps)

Of joy and spring-time born.

They march demurely, side by side,How many pair there be!Far as mine eye can reach, their formsIn green and white I see.

They march demurely, side by side,

How many pair there be!

Far as mine eye can reach, their forms

In green and white I see.

Each sister wears with youthful graceHer snowy Norman cap,And in the long procession thereI see no pause or gap.

Each sister wears with youthful grace

Her snowy Norman cap,

And in the long procession there

I see no pause or gap.

And so, I watch to see them comeAs morn by morn I pass,The green of shimmering robe and glintOf snow within the grass.

And so, I watch to see them come

As morn by morn I pass,

The green of shimmering robe and glint

Of snow within the grass.

They never speak and yet they nodA friendly greeting there,And all their beauty round me seemsA fragrance in the air.

They never speak and yet they nod

A friendly greeting there,

And all their beauty round me seems

A fragrance in the air.

I speak to them? Oh, yes, I speakAnd lovingly I bidThem welcome every summer morn,Those maids with downcast lid!

I speak to them? Oh, yes, I speak

And lovingly I bid

Them welcome every summer morn,

Those maids with downcast lid!

They are so modest, pure and fair;They are so very sweet,I fain would linger there and callThem clustering round my feet.

They are so modest, pure and fair;

They are so very sweet,

I fain would linger there and call

Them clustering round my feet.

Far backward in the view my eyesThe slow procession see,And yet they never leave the pathNor can they speak to me.

Far backward in the view my eyes

The slow procession see,

And yet they never leave the path

Nor can they speak to me.

'Tis the flag-lily growing tallAmid the meadow grass;The Iris, as we often callEach snowy-snooded lass.

'Tis the flag-lily growing tall

Amid the meadow grass;

The Iris, as we often call

Each snowy-snooded lass.

In couples stately, there they standAs far as eye can scan,And round them waves the nodding grassAs homage due from man.

In couples stately, there they stand

As far as eye can scan,

And round them waves the nodding grass

As homage due from man.

They stand a line of vestals pure,Or each a sweet-faced nun;While on each snowy cap there fallsThe radiance of the sun.

They stand a line of vestals pure,

Or each a sweet-faced nun;

While on each snowy cap there falls

The radiance of the sun.

Although the power of speech may notBe theirs in worldly phrase,They teach a lesson just as true,And just as full of praise.

Although the power of speech may not

Be theirs in worldly phrase,

They teach a lesson just as true,

And just as full of praise.

In their allotted path they walk,And fill their destined end,Their beauty gladdens every eye,As down the hill they wend.

In their allotted path they walk,

And fill their destined end,

Their beauty gladdens every eye,

As down the hill they wend.

O flower-sisters, if ye makeOne heart in rapture rise;If ye but waken one pure thoughtTo bloom in Paradise.

O flower-sisters, if ye make

One heart in rapture rise;

If ye but waken one pure thought

To bloom in Paradise.

Then have your lives, though brief, as boonTo mortal man been given,To draw from earth his sordid thoughtsAnd bid them rest on Heaven!

Then have your lives, though brief, as boon

To mortal man been given,

To draw from earth his sordid thoughts

And bid them rest on Heaven!

Like a frail shell on the breast of the oceanSways now my heart to the rhythm of thine!Cradled, is borne on the crest of emotion,Sinks in the deep of a languor divine!And as the shell the wild waves onward carry,So doth thy love bear my heart to its shore!Here on its golden sands blissful to tarryHeld in thy fond clasp to wander no more!Lay thy dear lips to my lips, oh my lover,—Read in mine eyes all my tongue may not tell!Love, as a bee, gaily sips (gallant rover!),Rove thou no more—nay, I yield to thy spell!

Like a frail shell on the breast of the oceanSways now my heart to the rhythm of thine!Cradled, is borne on the crest of emotion,Sinks in the deep of a languor divine!

Like a frail shell on the breast of the ocean

Sways now my heart to the rhythm of thine!

Cradled, is borne on the crest of emotion,

Sinks in the deep of a languor divine!

And as the shell the wild waves onward carry,So doth thy love bear my heart to its shore!Here on its golden sands blissful to tarryHeld in thy fond clasp to wander no more!

And as the shell the wild waves onward carry,

So doth thy love bear my heart to its shore!

Here on its golden sands blissful to tarry

Held in thy fond clasp to wander no more!

Lay thy dear lips to my lips, oh my lover,—Read in mine eyes all my tongue may not tell!Love, as a bee, gaily sips (gallant rover!),Rove thou no more—nay, I yield to thy spell!

Lay thy dear lips to my lips, oh my lover,—

Read in mine eyes all my tongue may not tell!

Love, as a bee, gaily sips (gallant rover!),

Rove thou no more—nay, I yield to thy spell!

Oh, to be out on the Ocean! where the waves beat wild and free,Where there's naught 'twixt the sky and billows but the boat, and you, and me!Where the winds with their touch caress us, and the sea-gulls sweep on high,And the bell, from its rocky outpost, sends forth its warning cry!Oh, to be out on the Ocean! with the cold, salt spray to dashAthwart the bows of the vessel, and foaming, to merrily lashThe boat to freer effort, as she plunges a-thrill with lifeO'er the crest of the bounding billows and above their surging strife!Oh, to be out on the Ocean! with no heart 'twixt you and me!With no bond that must bind forever here, but strong and brave and free!With the song of grand old Ocean, as it lulls us on its breast,—With the thought of a perfect union, and of perfect love and rest!Oh, to be out on the Ocean! although storms rise dark and strong,Though by wind and by wave through the tempest we sweep our way along;Till the stars come out in the Heavens, and the wind has sunk to rest,And I list to words of comfort as I lean on your faithful breast!Oh, to be out on the Ocean! and to leave the din and strife,To taste but once more of freedom and to drink of the wine of life!Oh, to be out on the Ocean! where the waves beat wild and free,With naught 'twixt the sky and the billows but the boat, and you and me!

Oh, to be out on the Ocean! where the waves beat wild and free,

Where there's naught 'twixt the sky and billows but the boat, and you, and me!

Where the winds with their touch caress us, and the sea-gulls sweep on high,

And the bell, from its rocky outpost, sends forth its warning cry!

Oh, to be out on the Ocean! with the cold, salt spray to dashAthwart the bows of the vessel, and foaming, to merrily lashThe boat to freer effort, as she plunges a-thrill with lifeO'er the crest of the bounding billows and above their surging strife!

Oh, to be out on the Ocean! with the cold, salt spray to dash

Athwart the bows of the vessel, and foaming, to merrily lash

The boat to freer effort, as she plunges a-thrill with life

O'er the crest of the bounding billows and above their surging strife!

Oh, to be out on the Ocean! with no heart 'twixt you and me!With no bond that must bind forever here, but strong and brave and free!With the song of grand old Ocean, as it lulls us on its breast,—With the thought of a perfect union, and of perfect love and rest!

Oh, to be out on the Ocean! with no heart 'twixt you and me!

With no bond that must bind forever here, but strong and brave and free!

With the song of grand old Ocean, as it lulls us on its breast,—

With the thought of a perfect union, and of perfect love and rest!

Oh, to be out on the Ocean! although storms rise dark and strong,Though by wind and by wave through the tempest we sweep our way along;Till the stars come out in the Heavens, and the wind has sunk to rest,And I list to words of comfort as I lean on your faithful breast!

Oh, to be out on the Ocean! although storms rise dark and strong,

Though by wind and by wave through the tempest we sweep our way along;

Till the stars come out in the Heavens, and the wind has sunk to rest,

And I list to words of comfort as I lean on your faithful breast!

Oh, to be out on the Ocean! and to leave the din and strife,To taste but once more of freedom and to drink of the wine of life!Oh, to be out on the Ocean! where the waves beat wild and free,With naught 'twixt the sky and the billows but the boat, and you and me!

Oh, to be out on the Ocean! and to leave the din and strife,

To taste but once more of freedom and to drink of the wine of life!

Oh, to be out on the Ocean! where the waves beat wild and free,

With naught 'twixt the sky and the billows but the boat, and you and me!

(The Answer)

We are sailing over the crest of the billow,Afar from the world and its sorrow and pain;While I on thy soft breast my head now may pillowAnd lull me to rest and to peace once again!Nay, Love, how thy heart in its prison is beating!It throbs 'neath mine ear as a fluttering bird;While swift to my lips comes thy low song, repeatingThe lilt of the waves, in a measure half-heard!"For oh! to be out on the Ocean, the Ocean,—And oh! to be far from the world, Love, with thee!"It rises and falls with the waves' rhythmic motion,Is filled with night's balm as with starbeams the sea!"With naught 'twixt the sky and the billows"—now singingThe words keep repeating the tender refrain—"But the boat,"—comes once more in cadence clear ringing,—"'Twixt the sky and billows"—I hear it again!Now, "save thee and me"—falls the song in its measureAcross the wide Ocean of thought, love, from thee,And I know to my heart's deep, mysterious treasure,Thy love, like a bird, flies to harbor with me!Nay, how could we dream that o'er Time's trackless oceanThy soul, thus responsive, should answer to mine?Or, that out of the chalice of silent emotionMy heart drink in equal communion with thine!

We are sailing over the crest of the billow,Afar from the world and its sorrow and pain;While I on thy soft breast my head now may pillowAnd lull me to rest and to peace once again!

We are sailing over the crest of the billow,

Afar from the world and its sorrow and pain;

While I on thy soft breast my head now may pillow

And lull me to rest and to peace once again!

Nay, Love, how thy heart in its prison is beating!It throbs 'neath mine ear as a fluttering bird;While swift to my lips comes thy low song, repeatingThe lilt of the waves, in a measure half-heard!

Nay, Love, how thy heart in its prison is beating!

It throbs 'neath mine ear as a fluttering bird;

While swift to my lips comes thy low song, repeating

The lilt of the waves, in a measure half-heard!

"For oh! to be out on the Ocean, the Ocean,—And oh! to be far from the world, Love, with thee!"It rises and falls with the waves' rhythmic motion,Is filled with night's balm as with starbeams the sea!

"For oh! to be out on the Ocean, the Ocean,—

And oh! to be far from the world, Love, with thee!"

It rises and falls with the waves' rhythmic motion,

Is filled with night's balm as with starbeams the sea!

"With naught 'twixt the sky and the billows"—now singingThe words keep repeating the tender refrain—"But the boat,"—comes once more in cadence clear ringing,—"'Twixt the sky and billows"—I hear it again!

"With naught 'twixt the sky and the billows"—now singing

The words keep repeating the tender refrain—

"But the boat,"—comes once more in cadence clear ringing,—

"'Twixt the sky and billows"—I hear it again!

Now, "save thee and me"—falls the song in its measureAcross the wide Ocean of thought, love, from thee,And I know to my heart's deep, mysterious treasure,Thy love, like a bird, flies to harbor with me!

Now, "save thee and me"—falls the song in its measure

Across the wide Ocean of thought, love, from thee,

And I know to my heart's deep, mysterious treasure,

Thy love, like a bird, flies to harbor with me!

Nay, how could we dream that o'er Time's trackless oceanThy soul, thus responsive, should answer to mine?Or, that out of the chalice of silent emotionMy heart drink in equal communion with thine!

Nay, how could we dream that o'er Time's trackless ocean

Thy soul, thus responsive, should answer to mine?

Or, that out of the chalice of silent emotion

My heart drink in equal communion with thine!

I pinned a red rose o'er my heart,The rose my lover gave to me,With many vows and tender words,My love, my own, I love but thee.I wore the red rose o'er my heart,That summer day with gladness,And knew not doubt nor haunting care,Nor slightest touch of sadness.But ah! a thorn's within my heart,A thorn of false love's planting,Deceit had pressed its bitter sting,My life forever haunting.I took the red rose from my heart,No more, oh love, 'tis blowing,The thorn lies deep within my breast,Where never sign is showing.

I pinned a red rose o'er my heart,The rose my lover gave to me,With many vows and tender words,My love, my own, I love but thee.

I pinned a red rose o'er my heart,

The rose my lover gave to me,

With many vows and tender words,

My love, my own, I love but thee.

I wore the red rose o'er my heart,That summer day with gladness,And knew not doubt nor haunting care,Nor slightest touch of sadness.

I wore the red rose o'er my heart,

That summer day with gladness,

And knew not doubt nor haunting care,

Nor slightest touch of sadness.

But ah! a thorn's within my heart,A thorn of false love's planting,Deceit had pressed its bitter sting,My life forever haunting.

But ah! a thorn's within my heart,

A thorn of false love's planting,

Deceit had pressed its bitter sting,

My life forever haunting.

I took the red rose from my heart,No more, oh love, 'tis blowing,The thorn lies deep within my breast,Where never sign is showing.

I took the red rose from my heart,

No more, oh love, 'tis blowing,

The thorn lies deep within my breast,

Where never sign is showing.

A fair little boat went sailing the sea,Far over the bright blue wave;And she dipped and curt'sied, gay and free,As became a craft so brave.A blithe young maiden a song of loveSang out on the summer air;The birds took the notes, on their boughs aboveAnd answered her, cheerily, there!As the boat went out and over the barThe white sails set to the breeze,Her clear song followed on pinions afar;The birds sang forth from the trees.O boat in your path to the rising sun,To that land beyond the sea,Pray, what is the cargo,—your journey done—You will bear her, if Fate decree?For you take her heart (on your snowy deck)Where Love is now High Priest,And you take her troth—may there be no wreck,No tempest out of the East!Will you bring her the perfect love she gave,And keep it unsoiled and true?Will you bring her a heart as strong and braveAs the one she gives to you?Else what does it matter if wreck betide;Or the sun go down in cloud?It were better for her, this day, you diedThan that Love should wear a shroud.It were better far that her song were mute,To swell forth a later day;For Love that hath never a constant rootMust fade and wither away.So boat sail on, if you be not true;And maiden, oh hush that song!For the years that are coming swift to youBear a dearer love along!

A fair little boat went sailing the sea,Far over the bright blue wave;And she dipped and curt'sied, gay and free,As became a craft so brave.

A fair little boat went sailing the sea,

Far over the bright blue wave;

And she dipped and curt'sied, gay and free,

As became a craft so brave.

A blithe young maiden a song of loveSang out on the summer air;The birds took the notes, on their boughs aboveAnd answered her, cheerily, there!

A blithe young maiden a song of love

Sang out on the summer air;

The birds took the notes, on their boughs above

And answered her, cheerily, there!

As the boat went out and over the barThe white sails set to the breeze,Her clear song followed on pinions afar;The birds sang forth from the trees.

As the boat went out and over the bar

The white sails set to the breeze,

Her clear song followed on pinions afar;

The birds sang forth from the trees.

O boat in your path to the rising sun,To that land beyond the sea,Pray, what is the cargo,—your journey done—You will bear her, if Fate decree?

O boat in your path to the rising sun,

To that land beyond the sea,

Pray, what is the cargo,—your journey done—

You will bear her, if Fate decree?

For you take her heart (on your snowy deck)Where Love is now High Priest,And you take her troth—may there be no wreck,No tempest out of the East!

For you take her heart (on your snowy deck)

Where Love is now High Priest,

And you take her troth—may there be no wreck,

No tempest out of the East!

Will you bring her the perfect love she gave,And keep it unsoiled and true?Will you bring her a heart as strong and braveAs the one she gives to you?

Will you bring her the perfect love she gave,

And keep it unsoiled and true?

Will you bring her a heart as strong and brave

As the one she gives to you?

Else what does it matter if wreck betide;Or the sun go down in cloud?It were better for her, this day, you diedThan that Love should wear a shroud.

Else what does it matter if wreck betide;

Or the sun go down in cloud?

It were better for her, this day, you died

Than that Love should wear a shroud.

It were better far that her song were mute,To swell forth a later day;For Love that hath never a constant rootMust fade and wither away.

It were better far that her song were mute,

To swell forth a later day;

For Love that hath never a constant root

Must fade and wither away.

So boat sail on, if you be not true;And maiden, oh hush that song!For the years that are coming swift to youBear a dearer love along!

So boat sail on, if you be not true;

And maiden, oh hush that song!

For the years that are coming swift to you

Bear a dearer love along!

One day I cast my lot upon the troublous tides of life,And ventured all my hoarded love upon its fitful strife.On one frail mortal like myself I set the store of years,And freighted well the ship that day with all my hopes and fears.With all my hopes (for fears were not, upon that happy day),And never sign of cloud uprose above my sunlit way!Ah, me! can life e'er bring again such perfect trust as this,Such eager hopes, such joyous dreams of ever present bliss?My ship sailed forth—to many a storm she bared her gallant breastAnd still she sails the wide, wide seas, but never finding rest.One day! Ah, me! 'tis years ago since first I saw her sail,And sent my prayers and tears for her above the gathering gale!Will she come back, my noble ship, and captain brave and crewOf joys and hopes and high resolves, of love both deep and true?Or, solemn thought! shall she ne'er find the haven here below,But anchor in the "silent land," beyond Life's ebb and flow,Beyond vain fret and fond regard, and strivings e'er to seeThe reason why so oft denied our dearest hopes should be!

One day I cast my lot upon the troublous tides of life,

And ventured all my hoarded love upon its fitful strife.

On one frail mortal like myself I set the store of years,

And freighted well the ship that day with all my hopes and fears.

With all my hopes (for fears were not, upon that happy day),

And never sign of cloud uprose above my sunlit way!

Ah, me! can life e'er bring again such perfect trust as this,Such eager hopes, such joyous dreams of ever present bliss?My ship sailed forth—to many a storm she bared her gallant breastAnd still she sails the wide, wide seas, but never finding rest.One day! Ah, me! 'tis years ago since first I saw her sail,And sent my prayers and tears for her above the gathering gale!

Ah, me! can life e'er bring again such perfect trust as this,

Such eager hopes, such joyous dreams of ever present bliss?

My ship sailed forth—to many a storm she bared her gallant breast

And still she sails the wide, wide seas, but never finding rest.

One day! Ah, me! 'tis years ago since first I saw her sail,

And sent my prayers and tears for her above the gathering gale!

Will she come back, my noble ship, and captain brave and crewOf joys and hopes and high resolves, of love both deep and true?Or, solemn thought! shall she ne'er find the haven here below,But anchor in the "silent land," beyond Life's ebb and flow,Beyond vain fret and fond regard, and strivings e'er to seeThe reason why so oft denied our dearest hopes should be!

Will she come back, my noble ship, and captain brave and crew

Of joys and hopes and high resolves, of love both deep and true?

Or, solemn thought! shall she ne'er find the haven here below,

But anchor in the "silent land," beyond Life's ebb and flow,

Beyond vain fret and fond regard, and strivings e'er to see

The reason why so oft denied our dearest hopes should be!

"Drink to me only with thine eyes, and I will pledge with mine,"I read in this old song, anew, this living love of thine!The old, old song that in the days now swift and sure are fled,Recalls its sparkle and its mirth, oblivious of its dead!It served to bear as lover's gift all tender thought and true,It wove among the garlands sweet red roses, never rue!"Drink to me only with thine eyes," ay with thy tender eyes—And read in mine, half-veiled from thee, my own heart's sweet surprise!"And I will pledge with mine," dear love, yea, pledge a thousand-foldThe hours of life that thou alone in mem'ry shalt enfold.Only within thy dark, grave eyes would I be mirrored now,And only from thy folded lips learn love's own cherished vow."Drink to me only with thine eyes, and I will pledge with mine!"While overhead, above life's stream, shines out love's star divine.And life no more is dark and drear, and storms no more may breakWhere love's own glorious light shines forth and bids the heart awake!

"Drink to me only with thine eyes, and I will pledge with mine,"

I read in this old song, anew, this living love of thine!

The old, old song that in the days now swift and sure are fled,

Recalls its sparkle and its mirth, oblivious of its dead!

It served to bear as lover's gift all tender thought and true,It wove among the garlands sweet red roses, never rue!"Drink to me only with thine eyes," ay with thy tender eyes—And read in mine, half-veiled from thee, my own heart's sweet surprise!

It served to bear as lover's gift all tender thought and true,

It wove among the garlands sweet red roses, never rue!

"Drink to me only with thine eyes," ay with thy tender eyes—

And read in mine, half-veiled from thee, my own heart's sweet surprise!

"And I will pledge with mine," dear love, yea, pledge a thousand-foldThe hours of life that thou alone in mem'ry shalt enfold.Only within thy dark, grave eyes would I be mirrored now,And only from thy folded lips learn love's own cherished vow.

"And I will pledge with mine," dear love, yea, pledge a thousand-fold

The hours of life that thou alone in mem'ry shalt enfold.

Only within thy dark, grave eyes would I be mirrored now,

And only from thy folded lips learn love's own cherished vow.

"Drink to me only with thine eyes, and I will pledge with mine!"While overhead, above life's stream, shines out love's star divine.And life no more is dark and drear, and storms no more may breakWhere love's own glorious light shines forth and bids the heart awake!

"Drink to me only with thine eyes, and I will pledge with mine!"

While overhead, above life's stream, shines out love's star divine.

And life no more is dark and drear, and storms no more may break

Where love's own glorious light shines forth and bids the heart awake!

(May 13, 1890)

Back to Index Next