WHERE THE SHADOWS PLAY

I see her passing through the fieldsAll fresh with daisies and with rye,And something purer, brighter, breathesThan the mere tints of earth and sky.Her dainty head with grace is poised,And 'neath her hat-brim's shade I seeThe soft, dark eyes, the pure child-faceThat hold so much of joy for me!Her feet, as loath to tread the bloomOf flowers and of field-grass bright,Fall lightly as she maketh wayTo pass, nor leave behind her blight.Fearless the eyes, and full of thought,As though Life's secret fain she'd know;Grace, of a wildness all untrained,Wraps her within its subtile glow.And, as she treads her way a-fieldI know she seeks me, me alone!O child! my heart grows weak, to-night,To stifle now its secret moan!What will ye bring her, Love and Life?Or what withhold? I may not see;But, oh, I pray, whate'er ye take,Leave her her grace and purity.

I see her passing through the fieldsAll fresh with daisies and with rye,And something purer, brighter, breathesThan the mere tints of earth and sky.

I see her passing through the fields

All fresh with daisies and with rye,

And something purer, brighter, breathes

Than the mere tints of earth and sky.

Her dainty head with grace is poised,And 'neath her hat-brim's shade I seeThe soft, dark eyes, the pure child-faceThat hold so much of joy for me!

Her dainty head with grace is poised,

And 'neath her hat-brim's shade I see

The soft, dark eyes, the pure child-face

That hold so much of joy for me!

Her feet, as loath to tread the bloomOf flowers and of field-grass bright,Fall lightly as she maketh wayTo pass, nor leave behind her blight.

Her feet, as loath to tread the bloom

Of flowers and of field-grass bright,

Fall lightly as she maketh way

To pass, nor leave behind her blight.

Fearless the eyes, and full of thought,As though Life's secret fain she'd know;Grace, of a wildness all untrained,Wraps her within its subtile glow.

Fearless the eyes, and full of thought,

As though Life's secret fain she'd know;

Grace, of a wildness all untrained,

Wraps her within its subtile glow.

And, as she treads her way a-fieldI know she seeks me, me alone!O child! my heart grows weak, to-night,To stifle now its secret moan!

And, as she treads her way a-field

I know she seeks me, me alone!

O child! my heart grows weak, to-night,

To stifle now its secret moan!

What will ye bring her, Love and Life?Or what withhold? I may not see;But, oh, I pray, whate'er ye take,Leave her her grace and purity.

What will ye bring her, Love and Life?

Or what withhold? I may not see;

But, oh, I pray, whate'er ye take,

Leave her her grace and purity.

Where the long reach of shadows play,And placid waters murmur byI dream throughout the summer dayNor note the hours that wingéd fly.Hushed is the voice of sordid trade,And e'en the birds' sweet song is stilled;While all the cares that Life hath madeSlip from my heart, which now is filledWith peace alone. O Nature pure!To thee, I turn, no more to strayIn spirit, with thee ever sureTo find sweet solace for the day!O leafy homes where song-birds rest;O gentle breeze that rocks and sways!My heart all silent stays to restAnd bide apart these heaven-born days!For other worlds are pictured there;Reflected in the waters lie;And each is clear and passing fair,And fleecy clouds o'er each glide by!

Where the long reach of shadows play,

And placid waters murmur by

I dream throughout the summer day

Nor note the hours that wingéd fly.

Hushed is the voice of sordid trade,

And e'en the birds' sweet song is stilled;

While all the cares that Life hath made

Slip from my heart, which now is filled

With peace alone. O Nature pure!

To thee, I turn, no more to stray

In spirit, with thee ever sure

To find sweet solace for the day!

O leafy homes where song-birds rest;

O gentle breeze that rocks and sways!

My heart all silent stays to rest

And bide apart these heaven-born days!

For other worlds are pictured there;

Reflected in the waters lie;

And each is clear and passing fair,

And fleecy clouds o'er each glide by!

Years have sped by with rapid wingSince those bright days of long ago,When, hand in hand, in Life's sweet spring,We told our love in accents low.For you were young, and fair, and free,And I a youth with ardor bold;You were, of all earth's maids, to meThe fairest—ah, the story's old!Our youthful fancy in the yearsThat now lie far behind, anewSprings forth from memories Time endears,When smiles were frequent, tears were few!Ah well! we parted! Still doth shineYour form on fancy's pictured wall,As when you were my "Valentine,"And I to you was all in all!I see you on the busy street,A comely matron, fair of face;The maiden, tall, and pale and sweet,Keeps by your side with even pace.You see her not? Nay, she is mine,This gracious presence from the Past!She is my one fair ValentineThrough summer's glow, through winter's blast!

Years have sped by with rapid wingSince those bright days of long ago,When, hand in hand, in Life's sweet spring,We told our love in accents low.

Years have sped by with rapid wing

Since those bright days of long ago,

When, hand in hand, in Life's sweet spring,

We told our love in accents low.

For you were young, and fair, and free,And I a youth with ardor bold;You were, of all earth's maids, to meThe fairest—ah, the story's old!

For you were young, and fair, and free,

And I a youth with ardor bold;

You were, of all earth's maids, to me

The fairest—ah, the story's old!

Our youthful fancy in the yearsThat now lie far behind, anewSprings forth from memories Time endears,When smiles were frequent, tears were few!

Our youthful fancy in the years

That now lie far behind, anew

Springs forth from memories Time endears,

When smiles were frequent, tears were few!

Ah well! we parted! Still doth shineYour form on fancy's pictured wall,As when you were my "Valentine,"And I to you was all in all!

Ah well! we parted! Still doth shine

Your form on fancy's pictured wall,

As when you were my "Valentine,"

And I to you was all in all!

I see you on the busy street,A comely matron, fair of face;The maiden, tall, and pale and sweet,Keeps by your side with even pace.

I see you on the busy street,

A comely matron, fair of face;

The maiden, tall, and pale and sweet,

Keeps by your side with even pace.

You see her not? Nay, she is mine,This gracious presence from the Past!She is my one fair ValentineThrough summer's glow, through winter's blast!

You see her not? Nay, she is mine,

This gracious presence from the Past!

She is my one fair Valentine

Through summer's glow, through winter's blast!

Slowly sinks the sun. The evening takes from night a deeper tone;Birds on restless wing are wheeling with a grace and strength their own.Martins! How your note reminds me of the days so long ago,In the time when care or sorrow ne'er had touched me with their woe!Back your song, this evening, takes me, back within that golden past,And I seem to see the village—and the spell of yore is castOnce again about my spirit! Memory brings before my viewFriends and faces long since vanished—sounds and scenes that once I knew.Till the sea-girt town uprises from the mist, in verdure drest,Borne as jewel in its setting on the grand old ocean's breast;O'er the waves the bell sounds clearly with its call to evening prayer,And the martins wheel and circle, now, with swift wing through the air.So I muse while twilight summons once again the long ago,And its clustered memories fill my brooding heart, and overflow.Youth and love, and hope, aweary in these years have grown and IWalk afaint in life's rough pathway where erstwhile my feet did fly.But I think when Azrael greets me I would fain the hour were mine'Twixt the sunset and the even—at the summer day's decline.So the martins through the ether in their graceful flight should beLike the harbingers of freedom to the soul from earth set free!

Slowly sinks the sun. The evening takes from night a deeper tone;

Birds on restless wing are wheeling with a grace and strength their own.

Martins! How your note reminds me of the days so long ago,

In the time when care or sorrow ne'er had touched me with their woe!

Back your song, this evening, takes me, back within that golden past,And I seem to see the village—and the spell of yore is castOnce again about my spirit! Memory brings before my viewFriends and faces long since vanished—sounds and scenes that once I knew.

Back your song, this evening, takes me, back within that golden past,

And I seem to see the village—and the spell of yore is cast

Once again about my spirit! Memory brings before my view

Friends and faces long since vanished—sounds and scenes that once I knew.

Till the sea-girt town uprises from the mist, in verdure drest,Borne as jewel in its setting on the grand old ocean's breast;O'er the waves the bell sounds clearly with its call to evening prayer,And the martins wheel and circle, now, with swift wing through the air.

Till the sea-girt town uprises from the mist, in verdure drest,

Borne as jewel in its setting on the grand old ocean's breast;

O'er the waves the bell sounds clearly with its call to evening prayer,

And the martins wheel and circle, now, with swift wing through the air.

So I muse while twilight summons once again the long ago,And its clustered memories fill my brooding heart, and overflow.Youth and love, and hope, aweary in these years have grown and IWalk afaint in life's rough pathway where erstwhile my feet did fly.

So I muse while twilight summons once again the long ago,

And its clustered memories fill my brooding heart, and overflow.

Youth and love, and hope, aweary in these years have grown and I

Walk afaint in life's rough pathway where erstwhile my feet did fly.

But I think when Azrael greets me I would fain the hour were mine'Twixt the sunset and the even—at the summer day's decline.So the martins through the ether in their graceful flight should beLike the harbingers of freedom to the soul from earth set free!

But I think when Azrael greets me I would fain the hour were mine

'Twixt the sunset and the even—at the summer day's decline.

So the martins through the ether in their graceful flight should be

Like the harbingers of freedom to the soul from earth set free!

Leave me alone to my sorrow, my sorrow,Leave me alone, I would "mourn my dead!"Never again on the morrow'll he greet me,Never again, it is said, it is said!Never again shall I see him approaching,Hear his clear voice ring over the lea;Never again shall his strong arm enfold me,Never again, ah, woe is me!Never again! oh the weight of this anguish!Never to see him, to hear him again!Only my heart to my heart can disclose it—Never, ah! never—this quivering pain!Never again will he wait 'neath my window,Bidding me join him, as loving he stands;Never to watch for his coming to meet meOver the sea from those distant lands!Dark are his eyes as is the veiled splendorOf tropical skies in storm overcast!Glorious his smile as the sunlight descending,Full on the earth when that tempest is past!Now in the land of his birth though he wander,'Neath Southern palms tho' his footsteps rove,Ever, I know, in its pain and its longing,Turns his heart's trust unto mine's deathless love!Leave me alone to my sorrow, my sorrow,Leave me alone with life's dreary refrain!Never again shall I hear his fond pleading,Listening I hear only—"Never again!"We are severed by more than the ocean's vast billows!We must walk in our paths each alone and in pain!But our hearts grow but closer, and fonder, and nearer,Though here upon earth, it be "never again!"

Leave me alone to my sorrow, my sorrow,Leave me alone, I would "mourn my dead!"Never again on the morrow'll he greet me,Never again, it is said, it is said!

Leave me alone to my sorrow, my sorrow,

Leave me alone, I would "mourn my dead!"

Never again on the morrow'll he greet me,

Never again, it is said, it is said!

Never again shall I see him approaching,Hear his clear voice ring over the lea;Never again shall his strong arm enfold me,Never again, ah, woe is me!

Never again shall I see him approaching,

Hear his clear voice ring over the lea;

Never again shall his strong arm enfold me,

Never again, ah, woe is me!

Never again! oh the weight of this anguish!Never to see him, to hear him again!Only my heart to my heart can disclose it—Never, ah! never—this quivering pain!

Never again! oh the weight of this anguish!

Never to see him, to hear him again!

Only my heart to my heart can disclose it—

Never, ah! never—this quivering pain!

Never again will he wait 'neath my window,Bidding me join him, as loving he stands;Never to watch for his coming to meet meOver the sea from those distant lands!

Never again will he wait 'neath my window,

Bidding me join him, as loving he stands;

Never to watch for his coming to meet me

Over the sea from those distant lands!

Dark are his eyes as is the veiled splendorOf tropical skies in storm overcast!Glorious his smile as the sunlight descending,Full on the earth when that tempest is past!

Dark are his eyes as is the veiled splendor

Of tropical skies in storm overcast!

Glorious his smile as the sunlight descending,

Full on the earth when that tempest is past!

Now in the land of his birth though he wander,'Neath Southern palms tho' his footsteps rove,Ever, I know, in its pain and its longing,Turns his heart's trust unto mine's deathless love!

Now in the land of his birth though he wander,

'Neath Southern palms tho' his footsteps rove,

Ever, I know, in its pain and its longing,

Turns his heart's trust unto mine's deathless love!

Leave me alone to my sorrow, my sorrow,Leave me alone with life's dreary refrain!Never again shall I hear his fond pleading,Listening I hear only—"Never again!"

Leave me alone to my sorrow, my sorrow,

Leave me alone with life's dreary refrain!

Never again shall I hear his fond pleading,

Listening I hear only—"Never again!"

We are severed by more than the ocean's vast billows!We must walk in our paths each alone and in pain!But our hearts grow but closer, and fonder, and nearer,Though here upon earth, it be "never again!"

We are severed by more than the ocean's vast billows!

We must walk in our paths each alone and in pain!

But our hearts grow but closer, and fonder, and nearer,

Though here upon earth, it be "never again!"

So many things, dear Lord, I asked;So many things that were untried;So many things I sought, but ohHadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!I did not know their gold was dross;I did not see the chasm wideBut downward plunged, and now I cry—Hadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!So many things, with outstretched hands,I begged might not be turned aside.I know the best had oft been mineHadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!I wearied Thee with my wild prayersTo taste of joys that ne'er abide.While many blessings had been mineHadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!Hadst Thou denied my foolish wish;Hadst Thou my spirit longer tried!All these vain years, in grief, I own,Had reaped rich gain hadst Thou denied!

So many things, dear Lord, I asked;So many things that were untried;So many things I sought, but ohHadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!

So many things, dear Lord, I asked;

So many things that were untried;

So many things I sought, but oh

Hadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!

I did not know their gold was dross;I did not see the chasm wideBut downward plunged, and now I cry—Hadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!

I did not know their gold was dross;

I did not see the chasm wide

But downward plunged, and now I cry—

Hadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!

So many things, with outstretched hands,I begged might not be turned aside.I know the best had oft been mineHadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!

So many things, with outstretched hands,

I begged might not be turned aside.

I know the best had oft been mine

Hadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!

I wearied Thee with my wild prayersTo taste of joys that ne'er abide.While many blessings had been mineHadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!

I wearied Thee with my wild prayers

To taste of joys that ne'er abide.

While many blessings had been mine

Hadst Thou denied! Hadst Thou denied!

Hadst Thou denied my foolish wish;Hadst Thou my spirit longer tried!All these vain years, in grief, I own,Had reaped rich gain hadst Thou denied!

Hadst Thou denied my foolish wish;

Hadst Thou my spirit longer tried!

All these vain years, in grief, I own,

Had reaped rich gain hadst Thou denied!

Why should I remember the days of long ago?Days we spent together, beside the river's flow;Why should I remember the dreams that haunt me yet?Ah, why should I remember—if you forget!Why should I remember the nights I sat and dreamedAs stars came out in Heaven—when they and I it seemed,Alone kept watch and vigil—ah, I recall them yet!But why should I remember—if you forget!Why should I remember those days of Summer timeWhen Love immortal bound me, and sang his witching rhyme.Why should I remember your vows as there we met?Ah, why should I remember—if you forget!Why should I remember the grave I fashioned wideWithin my heart and laid you, and all that with you died.Why should I bewail you, and why should it be yetThat I must still remember—and you forget!Why has my heart grown empty and why this empty throneWhere you who made life dear have left me now alone?Why can I not a watch against your mem'ry set?Ah, why should I remember—when you forget!

Why should I remember the days of long ago?Days we spent together, beside the river's flow;Why should I remember the dreams that haunt me yet?Ah, why should I remember—if you forget!

Why should I remember the days of long ago?

Days we spent together, beside the river's flow;

Why should I remember the dreams that haunt me yet?

Ah, why should I remember—if you forget!

Why should I remember the nights I sat and dreamedAs stars came out in Heaven—when they and I it seemed,Alone kept watch and vigil—ah, I recall them yet!But why should I remember—if you forget!

Why should I remember the nights I sat and dreamed

As stars came out in Heaven—when they and I it seemed,

Alone kept watch and vigil—ah, I recall them yet!

But why should I remember—if you forget!

Why should I remember those days of Summer timeWhen Love immortal bound me, and sang his witching rhyme.Why should I remember your vows as there we met?Ah, why should I remember—if you forget!

Why should I remember those days of Summer time

When Love immortal bound me, and sang his witching rhyme.

Why should I remember your vows as there we met?

Ah, why should I remember—if you forget!

Why should I remember the grave I fashioned wideWithin my heart and laid you, and all that with you died.Why should I bewail you, and why should it be yetThat I must still remember—and you forget!

Why should I remember the grave I fashioned wide

Within my heart and laid you, and all that with you died.

Why should I bewail you, and why should it be yet

That I must still remember—and you forget!

Why has my heart grown empty and why this empty throneWhere you who made life dear have left me now alone?Why can I not a watch against your mem'ry set?Ah, why should I remember—when you forget!

Why has my heart grown empty and why this empty throne

Where you who made life dear have left me now alone?

Why can I not a watch against your mem'ry set?

Ah, why should I remember—when you forget!

(Jan. 28, 1885.)

Dear heart, sweet heart that through these yearsHast walked with me, in sun, in shade!Though thy dear presence bides with meIn thought alone, that ne'er shall fade!We may not wander hand in hand,We seldom greet us face to face,Yet in my life thy love, thy wordsHave ever yet a hallowed place!Together in the past we roamedWhen girlhood's fancies bound our will,—To-day, no less, we deem it sweetThe tie that holds us captive still!To thee, beloved, my storm-tost heartTurns now, as then, for word of cheer.In those far days my arm was strong,My love did hold thee from all fear;But now my strength is well nigh spent,Though mem'ry crowns each happy hour,And fain would forms now vanished seek,And fain recall that witching power!Some sleep in death whom we called dear;Some roam afar in distant lands,While you and I have ever grownThe nearer, knit by Friendship's bands!And as the years roll on I cling,Dear heart, more closely to thy love;God grant for all life's bitternessA lasting peace to come, above!

Dear heart, sweet heart that through these years

Hast walked with me, in sun, in shade!

Though thy dear presence bides with me

In thought alone, that ne'er shall fade!

We may not wander hand in hand,

We seldom greet us face to face,

Yet in my life thy love, thy words

Have ever yet a hallowed place!

Together in the past we roamed

When girlhood's fancies bound our will,—

To-day, no less, we deem it sweet

The tie that holds us captive still!

To thee, beloved, my storm-tost heart

Turns now, as then, for word of cheer.

In those far days my arm was strong,

My love did hold thee from all fear;

But now my strength is well nigh spent,

Though mem'ry crowns each happy hour,

And fain would forms now vanished seek,

And fain recall that witching power!

Some sleep in death whom we called dear;

Some roam afar in distant lands,

While you and I have ever grown

The nearer, knit by Friendship's bands!

And as the years roll on I cling,

Dear heart, more closely to thy love;

God grant for all life's bitterness

A lasting peace to come, above!

"And they shall rise again!" Oh, words of comfort givenTo many hearts by sorrow borne unto the earth!"And they shall rise again!" The gates of death are riven,And forth, immortal, steps the Soul unto her birth!Long had they lain in vast Nepenthe's hidden coffers,The germs of life that silent waited but the callOf Love Divine to seize upon the gift it proffers,And to throw back and off, forever, the dark pall."And they shall rise again!" Arise to glories boundingNo earth-born vision, and no span of fleeting days,But, born of depths which life thus far had been but sounding,The heirs of Heaven's crown and its immortal praise!"And they shall rise again!" Oh joys of hope eternal!That though we, weeping, lay them 'neath the heavy sod,God's angels, guarding now, behold their spring supernal,And hold them trusting, waiting but the call of God!So shall this Easter morn, to-day, bring to us waiting,His Word fulfilled,—His gift of gifts above all price!For Earth and Light and Air are all to us relatingThe glories borne at dawn from shores of Paradise!

"And they shall rise again!" Oh, words of comfort given

To many hearts by sorrow borne unto the earth!

"And they shall rise again!" The gates of death are riven,

And forth, immortal, steps the Soul unto her birth!

Long had they lain in vast Nepenthe's hidden coffers,The germs of life that silent waited but the callOf Love Divine to seize upon the gift it proffers,And to throw back and off, forever, the dark pall.

Long had they lain in vast Nepenthe's hidden coffers,

The germs of life that silent waited but the call

Of Love Divine to seize upon the gift it proffers,

And to throw back and off, forever, the dark pall.

"And they shall rise again!" Arise to glories boundingNo earth-born vision, and no span of fleeting days,But, born of depths which life thus far had been but sounding,The heirs of Heaven's crown and its immortal praise!

"And they shall rise again!" Arise to glories bounding

No earth-born vision, and no span of fleeting days,

But, born of depths which life thus far had been but sounding,

The heirs of Heaven's crown and its immortal praise!

"And they shall rise again!" Oh joys of hope eternal!That though we, weeping, lay them 'neath the heavy sod,God's angels, guarding now, behold their spring supernal,And hold them trusting, waiting but the call of God!

"And they shall rise again!" Oh joys of hope eternal!

That though we, weeping, lay them 'neath the heavy sod,

God's angels, guarding now, behold their spring supernal,

And hold them trusting, waiting but the call of God!

So shall this Easter morn, to-day, bring to us waiting,His Word fulfilled,—His gift of gifts above all price!For Earth and Light and Air are all to us relatingThe glories borne at dawn from shores of Paradise!

So shall this Easter morn, to-day, bring to us waiting,

His Word fulfilled,—His gift of gifts above all price!

For Earth and Light and Air are all to us relating

The glories borne at dawn from shores of Paradise!

And so I take mine onward path, alone,And yet not quite alone if God decree;The way my Lord hath trod shall be mine own,And so my strength shall be!What though it lead through tangled brake and brier,And sharpest stones shall pierce my wounded feet?Unto that height if my faint soul aspireThese words mine ear might greet:—"If thou but follow Me through toil and pain,If thou but take thy cross and follow Me,I will reward thee, when I come again,For all Eternity."But if thou wilt not bear thy cross with MeThou canst not hope to win the victor's prize;No martyr's crown, no saint's green palm shall beThy share in Paradise!"And so I fain would take mine onward wayIn humble imitation of my Lord.This hope to be bear me in it day by day,—His never-failing word!

And so I take mine onward path, alone,And yet not quite alone if God decree;The way my Lord hath trod shall be mine own,And so my strength shall be!

And so I take mine onward path, alone,

And yet not quite alone if God decree;

The way my Lord hath trod shall be mine own,

And so my strength shall be!

What though it lead through tangled brake and brier,And sharpest stones shall pierce my wounded feet?Unto that height if my faint soul aspireThese words mine ear might greet:—

What though it lead through tangled brake and brier,

And sharpest stones shall pierce my wounded feet?

Unto that height if my faint soul aspire

These words mine ear might greet:—

"If thou but follow Me through toil and pain,If thou but take thy cross and follow Me,I will reward thee, when I come again,For all Eternity.

"If thou but follow Me through toil and pain,

If thou but take thy cross and follow Me,

I will reward thee, when I come again,

For all Eternity.

"But if thou wilt not bear thy cross with MeThou canst not hope to win the victor's prize;No martyr's crown, no saint's green palm shall beThy share in Paradise!"

"But if thou wilt not bear thy cross with Me

Thou canst not hope to win the victor's prize;

No martyr's crown, no saint's green palm shall be

Thy share in Paradise!"

And so I fain would take mine onward wayIn humble imitation of my Lord.This hope to be bear me in it day by day,—His never-failing word!

And so I fain would take mine onward way

In humble imitation of my Lord.

This hope to be bear me in it day by day,—

His never-failing word!

Calm seas upon whose placid breastMy barque one day shall anchored lie,Beyond this season's keen unrest,Beneath a softened evening sky!I shall not in those hours of peaceRecount the storms that strike me now;For me the struggle sore shall cease,And Trust stand at my vessel's prow!The shipwreck and the storm no moreMay toss me 'neath its stern decree;But anchored within sight of shoreA perfect rest shall welcome me!I shall not count the tears that flowThese weary hours, these restless days;For then my keener sight shall knowThe hidden meaning of His ways!And thus I look beyond the storm,Beyond the clouds that now appear;Knowing the ills that take such formShall flee before the evening clear!Calm seas upon whose placid breastMy barque one day shall anchored lie,My soul may not possess thy restUntil the evening draweth nigh!

Calm seas upon whose placid breastMy barque one day shall anchored lie,Beyond this season's keen unrest,Beneath a softened evening sky!

Calm seas upon whose placid breast

My barque one day shall anchored lie,

Beyond this season's keen unrest,

Beneath a softened evening sky!

I shall not in those hours of peaceRecount the storms that strike me now;For me the struggle sore shall cease,And Trust stand at my vessel's prow!

I shall not in those hours of peace

Recount the storms that strike me now;

For me the struggle sore shall cease,

And Trust stand at my vessel's prow!

The shipwreck and the storm no moreMay toss me 'neath its stern decree;But anchored within sight of shoreA perfect rest shall welcome me!

The shipwreck and the storm no more

May toss me 'neath its stern decree;

But anchored within sight of shore

A perfect rest shall welcome me!

I shall not count the tears that flowThese weary hours, these restless days;For then my keener sight shall knowThe hidden meaning of His ways!

I shall not count the tears that flow

These weary hours, these restless days;

For then my keener sight shall know

The hidden meaning of His ways!

And thus I look beyond the storm,Beyond the clouds that now appear;Knowing the ills that take such formShall flee before the evening clear!

And thus I look beyond the storm,

Beyond the clouds that now appear;

Knowing the ills that take such form

Shall flee before the evening clear!

Calm seas upon whose placid breastMy barque one day shall anchored lie,My soul may not possess thy restUntil the evening draweth nigh!

Calm seas upon whose placid breast

My barque one day shall anchored lie,

My soul may not possess thy rest

Until the evening draweth nigh!

Some day when all this weary timeNo more hath power to stay my flight;When far from earth's unhappy climeMy soul shall speed her way to light,I shall no more this garb of clay(Beneath whose weight I sink opprest)Bear with me; but, oh blesséd day,Find all denied in life of rest!Some day! ah, how my heart doth cryWith longing and with pain, aloud,For some faint sign lest hope should die;For some small token through the cloud!Lest joy no more my guest should be,And peace, that calms with tender touch,No more should come to visit me,Who need their presence here so much.Some day! Nay, do I not know wellThis life bears little in its handThat we should lie as in a spellBeneath its strong and cruel band.At best, 'tis but a span dealt outTo each; as grains of sand may seemThat, as the tempest whirls about,Are gone, and ended as a dream!

Some day when all this weary time

No more hath power to stay my flight;

When far from earth's unhappy clime

My soul shall speed her way to light,

I shall no more this garb of clay

(Beneath whose weight I sink opprest)

Bear with me; but, oh blesséd day,

Find all denied in life of rest!

Some day! ah, how my heart doth cryWith longing and with pain, aloud,For some faint sign lest hope should die;For some small token through the cloud!Lest joy no more my guest should be,And peace, that calms with tender touch,No more should come to visit me,Who need their presence here so much.

Some day! ah, how my heart doth cry

With longing and with pain, aloud,

For some faint sign lest hope should die;

For some small token through the cloud!

Lest joy no more my guest should be,

And peace, that calms with tender touch,

No more should come to visit me,

Who need their presence here so much.

Some day! Nay, do I not know wellThis life bears little in its handThat we should lie as in a spellBeneath its strong and cruel band.At best, 'tis but a span dealt outTo each; as grains of sand may seemThat, as the tempest whirls about,Are gone, and ended as a dream!

Some day! Nay, do I not know well

This life bears little in its hand

That we should lie as in a spell

Beneath its strong and cruel band.

At best, 'tis but a span dealt out

To each; as grains of sand may seem

That, as the tempest whirls about,

Are gone, and ended as a dream!

(TWILIGHT)

O fair, broad Lake, upon whose breastThe shifting shadows rise and fall,Thy surging waters' vague unrestSinks beneath twilight's gathering pall.Thy changing beauties quickly glideSuccessive past th' entrancéd eye,While hills around, in regal pride,Reflected in thy waters lie.I hear the plash of dipping oar,I see the boats swing on their way;The waves flow on from shore to shore,While softly, slowly dies the day.And sweetly with the evening's calmUpon my heart there falls a peace,That comes as comes the evening psalm,That bids the world's vain tumult cease.And as fall swift the shades of nightAlong the path my feet must tread,Lo! through the clouds a golden lightUpon Life's passing scene is shed.And so, bathed in its softened glow,And tuned to sweetest harmoniesFar, far beyond Life's ebb and flow—The soul, immortal, seeks the skies!

O fair, broad Lake, upon whose breastThe shifting shadows rise and fall,Thy surging waters' vague unrestSinks beneath twilight's gathering pall.

O fair, broad Lake, upon whose breast

The shifting shadows rise and fall,

Thy surging waters' vague unrest

Sinks beneath twilight's gathering pall.

Thy changing beauties quickly glideSuccessive past th' entrancéd eye,While hills around, in regal pride,Reflected in thy waters lie.

Thy changing beauties quickly glide

Successive past th' entrancéd eye,

While hills around, in regal pride,

Reflected in thy waters lie.

I hear the plash of dipping oar,I see the boats swing on their way;The waves flow on from shore to shore,While softly, slowly dies the day.

I hear the plash of dipping oar,

I see the boats swing on their way;

The waves flow on from shore to shore,

While softly, slowly dies the day.

And sweetly with the evening's calmUpon my heart there falls a peace,That comes as comes the evening psalm,That bids the world's vain tumult cease.

And sweetly with the evening's calm

Upon my heart there falls a peace,

That comes as comes the evening psalm,

That bids the world's vain tumult cease.

And as fall swift the shades of nightAlong the path my feet must tread,Lo! through the clouds a golden lightUpon Life's passing scene is shed.

And as fall swift the shades of night

Along the path my feet must tread,

Lo! through the clouds a golden light

Upon Life's passing scene is shed.

And so, bathed in its softened glow,And tuned to sweetest harmoniesFar, far beyond Life's ebb and flow—The soul, immortal, seeks the skies!

And so, bathed in its softened glow,

And tuned to sweetest harmonies

Far, far beyond Life's ebb and flow—

The soul, immortal, seeks the skies!

O storm-tost soul in thine hour of needTurn to the light ere the moments fly,Turn unto One who will ever heed—Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!Hark, what mean these songs of praiseAnd clouds of incense that float on high?See! borne on wings on this day of days,Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!If thou but touch His garment's hemAs they did of old (if thou wouldst not die),Lo, from His person, as unto them,Healing and love flow silently!Into each heart He entereth now,Listeneth unto each sinner's cry!Then—leaving His blessing upon each brow—Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!Joy that we sat at His blesséd feet!Joy that He hears e'en the faintest sigh!Loudly our lips exultant repeat—"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!"

O storm-tost soul in thine hour of needTurn to the light ere the moments fly,Turn unto One who will ever heed—Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!

O storm-tost soul in thine hour of need

Turn to the light ere the moments fly,

Turn unto One who will ever heed—

Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!

Hark, what mean these songs of praiseAnd clouds of incense that float on high?See! borne on wings on this day of days,Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!

Hark, what mean these songs of praise

And clouds of incense that float on high?

See! borne on wings on this day of days,

Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!

If thou but touch His garment's hemAs they did of old (if thou wouldst not die),Lo, from His person, as unto them,Healing and love flow silently!

If thou but touch His garment's hem

As they did of old (if thou wouldst not die),

Lo, from His person, as unto them,

Healing and love flow silently!

Into each heart He entereth now,Listeneth unto each sinner's cry!Then—leaving His blessing upon each brow—Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!

Into each heart He entereth now,

Listeneth unto each sinner's cry!

Then—leaving His blessing upon each brow—

Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!

Joy that we sat at His blesséd feet!Joy that He hears e'en the faintest sigh!Loudly our lips exultant repeat—"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!"

Joy that we sat at His blesséd feet!

Joy that He hears e'en the faintest sigh!

Loudly our lips exultant repeat—

"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!"

Nearer my rest with each succeeding dayThat bears me still mine own allotted task.Nearer my rest! the clouds roll swift away,And nought remains, O Lord, for me to ask,If I but bear unflinchingly life's pain,And humbly lay it at Thy feet divine,Then shall I see each loss a hidden gain,And Thy sweet mercy through the darkness shine.Nearer my rest! and as I journey onGrant me, dear Lord, (my angel-guides to be,To keep and help me ere that rest be won),Patience, and Faith, and blesséd Purity.These guides, I pray Thee, each Thine attribute,And thou, O Lord, my shield and armor bright;For without Thee no tree shall bear good fruit;These three, O Lord, to lead me through the night!

Nearer my rest with each succeeding dayThat bears me still mine own allotted task.Nearer my rest! the clouds roll swift away,And nought remains, O Lord, for me to ask,

Nearer my rest with each succeeding day

That bears me still mine own allotted task.

Nearer my rest! the clouds roll swift away,

And nought remains, O Lord, for me to ask,

If I but bear unflinchingly life's pain,And humbly lay it at Thy feet divine,Then shall I see each loss a hidden gain,And Thy sweet mercy through the darkness shine.

If I but bear unflinchingly life's pain,

And humbly lay it at Thy feet divine,

Then shall I see each loss a hidden gain,

And Thy sweet mercy through the darkness shine.

Nearer my rest! and as I journey onGrant me, dear Lord, (my angel-guides to be,To keep and help me ere that rest be won),Patience, and Faith, and blesséd Purity.

Nearer my rest! and as I journey on

Grant me, dear Lord, (my angel-guides to be,

To keep and help me ere that rest be won),

Patience, and Faith, and blesséd Purity.

These guides, I pray Thee, each Thine attribute,And thou, O Lord, my shield and armor bright;For without Thee no tree shall bear good fruit;These three, O Lord, to lead me through the night!

These guides, I pray Thee, each Thine attribute,

And thou, O Lord, my shield and armor bright;

For without Thee no tree shall bear good fruit;

These three, O Lord, to lead me through the night!

These hands have labored, Lord, so many years;So many years these feet have trod this road;So many years these shoulders, bent and weak,Have borne their own and others' heavy load!This heart has broken in these many years,And tears have dimmed these eyes, till lifeHas seemed but one sad wilderness, and fewThe hours of peace amidst the bitter strife!Must I, then, Lord, toil on unceasing here?Hast thou no words of comfort for my soul?Are all the cheerless, fainting hours to winNo progress toward my weary spirit's goal?Nay! as I speak, I know the day will dawnFrom out the dark and tempest-driven night,When I, released, shall stand erect and freeWithin the glory of that radiant light!No more, then, heart, bewail these hours of earth,No more shed tears of blood, for surely there,Beyond the darkness and the pain and gloomShines forth the sun in lands that are most fair!

These hands have labored, Lord, so many years;So many years these feet have trod this road;So many years these shoulders, bent and weak,Have borne their own and others' heavy load!

These hands have labored, Lord, so many years;

So many years these feet have trod this road;

So many years these shoulders, bent and weak,

Have borne their own and others' heavy load!

This heart has broken in these many years,And tears have dimmed these eyes, till lifeHas seemed but one sad wilderness, and fewThe hours of peace amidst the bitter strife!

This heart has broken in these many years,

And tears have dimmed these eyes, till life

Has seemed but one sad wilderness, and few

The hours of peace amidst the bitter strife!

Must I, then, Lord, toil on unceasing here?Hast thou no words of comfort for my soul?Are all the cheerless, fainting hours to winNo progress toward my weary spirit's goal?

Must I, then, Lord, toil on unceasing here?

Hast thou no words of comfort for my soul?

Are all the cheerless, fainting hours to win

No progress toward my weary spirit's goal?

Nay! as I speak, I know the day will dawnFrom out the dark and tempest-driven night,When I, released, shall stand erect and freeWithin the glory of that radiant light!

Nay! as I speak, I know the day will dawn

From out the dark and tempest-driven night,

When I, released, shall stand erect and free

Within the glory of that radiant light!

No more, then, heart, bewail these hours of earth,No more shed tears of blood, for surely there,Beyond the darkness and the pain and gloomShines forth the sun in lands that are most fair!

No more, then, heart, bewail these hours of earth,

No more shed tears of blood, for surely there,

Beyond the darkness and the pain and gloom

Shines forth the sun in lands that are most fair!

I wore a jewel my breast,Nor knew, till late, that it was such;Oft hath it robbed me of my rest;Oft have I shivered at its touch!I wore it, trembling, and I knewNor why it was, in fact, nor howIts presence fell like evening dewOn shrinking heart, and lip and brow!It was a thing of pain, and yetA subtile blessing seemed to flowFrom 'neath its touch, though eyes were wetAs from the stab of ruthless foe!Not until years had fled did IBehold the inner presence there;Not until Time had passed all by,Did I perceive its beauty rare.But now I know thee as thou art,O Face divine that lookest downUpon my life and bruiséd heart;And fear of thee fore'er hath flown!Thow shalt walk with me, as I know,For the brief space of years to be;A newer, higher path to showWhere sorrow wins me purity!

I wore a jewel my breast,Nor knew, till late, that it was such;Oft hath it robbed me of my rest;Oft have I shivered at its touch!

I wore a jewel my breast,

Nor knew, till late, that it was such;

Oft hath it robbed me of my rest;

Oft have I shivered at its touch!

I wore it, trembling, and I knewNor why it was, in fact, nor howIts presence fell like evening dewOn shrinking heart, and lip and brow!

I wore it, trembling, and I knew

Nor why it was, in fact, nor how

Its presence fell like evening dew

On shrinking heart, and lip and brow!

It was a thing of pain, and yetA subtile blessing seemed to flowFrom 'neath its touch, though eyes were wetAs from the stab of ruthless foe!

It was a thing of pain, and yet

A subtile blessing seemed to flow

From 'neath its touch, though eyes were wet

As from the stab of ruthless foe!

Not until years had fled did IBehold the inner presence there;Not until Time had passed all by,Did I perceive its beauty rare.

Not until years had fled did I

Behold the inner presence there;

Not until Time had passed all by,

Did I perceive its beauty rare.

But now I know thee as thou art,O Face divine that lookest downUpon my life and bruiséd heart;And fear of thee fore'er hath flown!

But now I know thee as thou art,

O Face divine that lookest down

Upon my life and bruiséd heart;

And fear of thee fore'er hath flown!

Thow shalt walk with me, as I know,For the brief space of years to be;A newer, higher path to showWhere sorrow wins me purity!

Thow shalt walk with me, as I know,

For the brief space of years to be;

A newer, higher path to show

Where sorrow wins me purity!

A day whose wondrous dawn is writIn letters firm and free and bold,Through years whose prophecies shall fitThis stone from Life's mosaic old!A day wherein my hands shall restFrom labor ill-requited here;The hands whose clasp on peace hath prestToo light to hold it very near.That day whose number ofttimes nowRolls past each year, but all unseenBy eyes now holden, shades the browWhere other shades have frequent been!Some token in each joyous yearThat most I loved, abides unseen,And bears aloft an index clearUpon its leaves now clasped between.The month, the day, the hour is there,Unconscious to my searching eyeWhen, be the skies or dark or fair,Shall added be the Year I die!And as I note each feast of songOn earth; each joy, each loss or birth,Shall I not give—nor thus be wrong—A thought to that, when clogging earthShall hold me bond-slave here no more!No more shall dim with tears mine eyes;When I shall simply pass the doorNo living hand impatient tries!Not mine to know that day as yet;But in the watches of the night,The watch my soul herself hath set,I wait the coming of that light.Not then as messenger of dreadI wait to read it on the scroll;Not as impatient, nor as wedTo life, abides my waiting soul!Though now inscribed "unknown" it takesIts place on calendar of earth,An anniversary that wakesTo greet us from the hour of birth!

A day whose wondrous dawn is writIn letters firm and free and bold,Through years whose prophecies shall fitThis stone from Life's mosaic old!

A day whose wondrous dawn is writ

In letters firm and free and bold,

Through years whose prophecies shall fit

This stone from Life's mosaic old!

A day wherein my hands shall restFrom labor ill-requited here;The hands whose clasp on peace hath prestToo light to hold it very near.

A day wherein my hands shall rest

From labor ill-requited here;

The hands whose clasp on peace hath prest

Too light to hold it very near.

That day whose number ofttimes nowRolls past each year, but all unseenBy eyes now holden, shades the browWhere other shades have frequent been!

That day whose number ofttimes now

Rolls past each year, but all unseen

By eyes now holden, shades the brow

Where other shades have frequent been!

Some token in each joyous yearThat most I loved, abides unseen,And bears aloft an index clearUpon its leaves now clasped between.

Some token in each joyous year

That most I loved, abides unseen,

And bears aloft an index clear

Upon its leaves now clasped between.

The month, the day, the hour is there,Unconscious to my searching eyeWhen, be the skies or dark or fair,Shall added be the Year I die!

The month, the day, the hour is there,

Unconscious to my searching eye

When, be the skies or dark or fair,

Shall added be the Year I die!

And as I note each feast of songOn earth; each joy, each loss or birth,Shall I not give—nor thus be wrong—A thought to that, when clogging earth

And as I note each feast of song

On earth; each joy, each loss or birth,

Shall I not give—nor thus be wrong—

A thought to that, when clogging earth

Shall hold me bond-slave here no more!No more shall dim with tears mine eyes;When I shall simply pass the doorNo living hand impatient tries!

Shall hold me bond-slave here no more!

No more shall dim with tears mine eyes;

When I shall simply pass the door

No living hand impatient tries!

Not mine to know that day as yet;But in the watches of the night,The watch my soul herself hath set,I wait the coming of that light.

Not mine to know that day as yet;

But in the watches of the night,

The watch my soul herself hath set,

I wait the coming of that light.

Not then as messenger of dreadI wait to read it on the scroll;Not as impatient, nor as wedTo life, abides my waiting soul!

Not then as messenger of dread

I wait to read it on the scroll;

Not as impatient, nor as wed

To life, abides my waiting soul!

Though now inscribed "unknown" it takesIts place on calendar of earth,An anniversary that wakesTo greet us from the hour of birth!

Though now inscribed "unknown" it takes

Its place on calendar of earth,

An anniversary that wakes

To greet us from the hour of birth!

God of the Nations! Thou whose mightHath led us from the dark to light,Since first a puny people weSought and obtained our Liberty!Grant, we beseech Thee, for the EarthA Peace that shall have noble birth!A Peace that shall beneath its wingsEnfold the brightest, best of things!Keep Thou the people of that land,Who for their homes and firesides stand;Teach Thou another land to restHer arms, and bend her haughty crest!Bring Thou within the fold of rightAll who are plagued with war and blight!And bring, O God, in this New Year,A reign of Love and not of Fear!So shall we keep Thy word divine;So shall the land no more repine;And this wide world, oppressed with fear,Look onward to a brighter year.God of the Nations! Thou whose mightHath led us from the dark to light,Grant us to live that we may beWorthy our birthright—Liberty!

God of the Nations! Thou whose might

Hath led us from the dark to light,

Since first a puny people we

Sought and obtained our Liberty!

Grant, we beseech Thee, for the Earth

A Peace that shall have noble birth!

A Peace that shall beneath its wings

Enfold the brightest, best of things!

Keep Thou the people of that land,

Who for their homes and firesides stand;

Teach Thou another land to rest

Her arms, and bend her haughty crest!

Bring Thou within the fold of right

All who are plagued with war and blight!

And bring, O God, in this New Year,

A reign of Love and not of Fear!

So shall we keep Thy word divine;

So shall the land no more repine;

And this wide world, oppressed with fear,

Look onward to a brighter year.

God of the Nations! Thou whose might

Hath led us from the dark to light,

Grant us to live that we may be

Worthy our birthright—Liberty!

(April 19, 1775.)

We name our heroes in the hushThat follows battle's awful roar,And count the cost of that great rushTo victory! They deemed no moreThan just the simple right to shedTheir blood in such a holy cause.Where the unconquered died or bledWe turn, from our safe ground, and pauseTo wonder how, in days long gone,Such power was given to right the wrong!We deem them worthy of all praise,The heroes of that battlefield;And looking backward to those days,That meed of praise most gladly yield.Were they more true to dictates boldOf honor in that olden time?Or, when the weight of proof is told,Rang out the truth in purer chime?Gave they more freely of life's streamThan we would do? than we dare dream?They did not flinch when in the wageOf war stern duty's standard waved,But heart and hand did both engage,And on each soul was deep engraved"Country and Home;" fit words to urgeTo action more heroic still,As o'er that mighty ocean's surgeRang out the watchward of their will!As onward pressed to libertyThe men through whom we now are free!In conflict rang their cry of might,"Ours is the cause that must be won;God is the helper of the right!"So sped the word at Lexington,While hurrying from peaceful plowTo war's red-stainéd field they came.Not theirs 'neath tyranny to bow;Not theirs a country's death and shame;But to go on to greater heightWith wings outspread for purer flight.Hail heroes in our country's need!We bring ye wreathes of laurel leaves;We gather of the scattered seedIn full and ripened harvest sheaves.Yours be it e'er to lift our mindsTo realms of higher deed and thought;Be ours to loose what here but bindsAnd holds us from the object sought.Then may we hope, in time, to standAs staunch and true as that brave band.To-day, as meet, we hold this pageOf History before the world;While overhead, undimmed by ageOur country's flag is all unfurled!O emblem of sweet Freedom's gift,Not vainly are thy stars displayed!To thee our eyes with pride we lift;Thy Stars and Stripes our strength have made.Hail! heroes of brave deeds well done;Hail! day that gave us Lexington!

We name our heroes in the hush

That follows battle's awful roar,

And count the cost of that great rush

To victory! They deemed no more

Than just the simple right to shed

Their blood in such a holy cause.

Where the unconquered died or bled

We turn, from our safe ground, and pause

To wonder how, in days long gone,

Such power was given to right the wrong!

We deem them worthy of all praise,The heroes of that battlefield;And looking backward to those days,That meed of praise most gladly yield.Were they more true to dictates boldOf honor in that olden time?Or, when the weight of proof is told,Rang out the truth in purer chime?Gave they more freely of life's streamThan we would do? than we dare dream?

We deem them worthy of all praise,

The heroes of that battlefield;

And looking backward to those days,

That meed of praise most gladly yield.

Were they more true to dictates bold

Of honor in that olden time?

Or, when the weight of proof is told,

Rang out the truth in purer chime?

Gave they more freely of life's stream

Than we would do? than we dare dream?

They did not flinch when in the wageOf war stern duty's standard waved,But heart and hand did both engage,And on each soul was deep engraved"Country and Home;" fit words to urgeTo action more heroic still,As o'er that mighty ocean's surgeRang out the watchward of their will!As onward pressed to libertyThe men through whom we now are free!

They did not flinch when in the wage

Of war stern duty's standard waved,

But heart and hand did both engage,

And on each soul was deep engraved

"Country and Home;" fit words to urge

To action more heroic still,

As o'er that mighty ocean's surge

Rang out the watchward of their will!

As onward pressed to liberty

The men through whom we now are free!

In conflict rang their cry of might,"Ours is the cause that must be won;God is the helper of the right!"So sped the word at Lexington,While hurrying from peaceful plowTo war's red-stainéd field they came.Not theirs 'neath tyranny to bow;Not theirs a country's death and shame;But to go on to greater heightWith wings outspread for purer flight.

In conflict rang their cry of might,

"Ours is the cause that must be won;

God is the helper of the right!"

So sped the word at Lexington,

While hurrying from peaceful plow

To war's red-stainéd field they came.

Not theirs 'neath tyranny to bow;

Not theirs a country's death and shame;

But to go on to greater height

With wings outspread for purer flight.

Hail heroes in our country's need!We bring ye wreathes of laurel leaves;We gather of the scattered seedIn full and ripened harvest sheaves.Yours be it e'er to lift our mindsTo realms of higher deed and thought;Be ours to loose what here but bindsAnd holds us from the object sought.Then may we hope, in time, to standAs staunch and true as that brave band.

Hail heroes in our country's need!

We bring ye wreathes of laurel leaves;

We gather of the scattered seed

In full and ripened harvest sheaves.

Yours be it e'er to lift our minds

To realms of higher deed and thought;

Be ours to loose what here but binds

And holds us from the object sought.

Then may we hope, in time, to stand

As staunch and true as that brave band.

To-day, as meet, we hold this pageOf History before the world;While overhead, undimmed by ageOur country's flag is all unfurled!O emblem of sweet Freedom's gift,Not vainly are thy stars displayed!To thee our eyes with pride we lift;Thy Stars and Stripes our strength have made.Hail! heroes of brave deeds well done;Hail! day that gave us Lexington!

To-day, as meet, we hold this page

Of History before the world;

While overhead, undimmed by age

Our country's flag is all unfurled!

O emblem of sweet Freedom's gift,

Not vainly are thy stars displayed!

To thee our eyes with pride we lift;

Thy Stars and Stripes our strength have made.

Hail! heroes of brave deeds well done;

Hail! day that gave us Lexington!

O Land of our Birth! whose bright colors are wavingFrom mountain and valley; o'er sea and o'er land;A pathway of light, Lo! its glory is paving,To wane not, nor darken, at despot's command!We stand 'neath the Flag that embodies the union,While History passes in stirring review;Our hearts, in remembrance, now hold proud communionWith the record of deeds both gallant and true!O Land of our Birth! 'tis a glory undyingThat sheds its soft light over each scene outspread;And Tyranny's hand, all in vain, is defyingThe Heaven-born Peace that to Freedom is wed!We feel the glad throb of the patriot's devotion,That e'er to the Stars and the Stripes must be due,All else is engulfed in o'erwhelming emotionThat finds its fulfillment the Red, White and Blue!

O Land of our Birth! whose bright colors are wavingFrom mountain and valley; o'er sea and o'er land;A pathway of light, Lo! its glory is paving,To wane not, nor darken, at despot's command!

O Land of our Birth! whose bright colors are waving

From mountain and valley; o'er sea and o'er land;

A pathway of light, Lo! its glory is paving,

To wane not, nor darken, at despot's command!

We stand 'neath the Flag that embodies the union,While History passes in stirring review;Our hearts, in remembrance, now hold proud communionWith the record of deeds both gallant and true!

We stand 'neath the Flag that embodies the union,

While History passes in stirring review;

Our hearts, in remembrance, now hold proud communion

With the record of deeds both gallant and true!

O Land of our Birth! 'tis a glory undyingThat sheds its soft light over each scene outspread;And Tyranny's hand, all in vain, is defyingThe Heaven-born Peace that to Freedom is wed!

O Land of our Birth! 'tis a glory undying

That sheds its soft light over each scene outspread;

And Tyranny's hand, all in vain, is defying

The Heaven-born Peace that to Freedom is wed!

We feel the glad throb of the patriot's devotion,That e'er to the Stars and the Stripes must be due,All else is engulfed in o'erwhelming emotionThat finds its fulfillment the Red, White and Blue!

We feel the glad throb of the patriot's devotion,

That e'er to the Stars and the Stripes must be due,

All else is engulfed in o'erwhelming emotion

That finds its fulfillment the Red, White and Blue!

(Dedicated to the Children of America)

Fling to the breeze our noble Flag,And let it ride the gale!In time of War 'twill never lag;Its stars and stripes ne'er pale!Give it to Heaven's breeze, once more,And let it proudly float!The emblem bear from shore to shore,To herald Freedom's note!Look to it, Children! 'Tis a giftMost precious in its worth;No slave his streaming eyes need liftTo curse his wretched birth!No deed to bring the blush of shameShould flaunt beneath its folds;But ever brighter grow the fameOf work its plan unfolds.Look to it, Children! Let it beAs fair, to-day, as whenThe founders of our libertyStood forth, God's noblemen!When by the price of blood and tearsThey sealed that sacred deed,And cast aside all doubts and fears,To meet a Country's need.Then let it float to Heaven's breeze,Beneath the sapphire dome;Far o'er the tops of waving trees;"For Country and for Home!"Fling to the breeze our noble Flag,And let it ride the gale!In time of War 'twill never lag;Its stars and stripes ne'er pale!In time of Peace how fair to see—Sent forth by patriot hand—This symbol of sweet LibertyThroughout our native land!

Fling to the breeze our noble Flag,And let it ride the gale!In time of War 'twill never lag;Its stars and stripes ne'er pale!

Fling to the breeze our noble Flag,

And let it ride the gale!

In time of War 'twill never lag;

Its stars and stripes ne'er pale!

Give it to Heaven's breeze, once more,And let it proudly float!The emblem bear from shore to shore,To herald Freedom's note!

Give it to Heaven's breeze, once more,

And let it proudly float!

The emblem bear from shore to shore,

To herald Freedom's note!

Look to it, Children! 'Tis a giftMost precious in its worth;No slave his streaming eyes need liftTo curse his wretched birth!

Look to it, Children! 'Tis a gift

Most precious in its worth;

No slave his streaming eyes need lift

To curse his wretched birth!

No deed to bring the blush of shameShould flaunt beneath its folds;But ever brighter grow the fameOf work its plan unfolds.

No deed to bring the blush of shame

Should flaunt beneath its folds;

But ever brighter grow the fame

Of work its plan unfolds.

Look to it, Children! Let it beAs fair, to-day, as whenThe founders of our libertyStood forth, God's noblemen!

Look to it, Children! Let it be

As fair, to-day, as when

The founders of our liberty

Stood forth, God's noblemen!

When by the price of blood and tearsThey sealed that sacred deed,And cast aside all doubts and fears,To meet a Country's need.

When by the price of blood and tears

They sealed that sacred deed,

And cast aside all doubts and fears,

To meet a Country's need.

Then let it float to Heaven's breeze,Beneath the sapphire dome;Far o'er the tops of waving trees;"For Country and for Home!"

Then let it float to Heaven's breeze,

Beneath the sapphire dome;

Far o'er the tops of waving trees;

"For Country and for Home!"

Fling to the breeze our noble Flag,And let it ride the gale!In time of War 'twill never lag;Its stars and stripes ne'er pale!

Fling to the breeze our noble Flag,

And let it ride the gale!

In time of War 'twill never lag;

Its stars and stripes ne'er pale!

In time of Peace how fair to see—Sent forth by patriot hand—This symbol of sweet LibertyThroughout our native land!

In time of Peace how fair to see—

Sent forth by patriot hand—

This symbol of sweet Liberty

Throughout our native land!

(The Golden Rod)

It grows 'mid tangled underwood,All brilliant in the fields,And o'er our hearts a subtile spellIts golden beauty wields.Perchance some exile's foot hath pressedThe road with weary tread,When lo! from out the wayside growthIt rears its bonny head.Not with the first faint tints of SpringAre its bright blossoms seen;But, radiant in its garb, and deckedWith Autumn's fruitful sheen.Then hail! bright floweret of our choice—With multiform design;Though many in thy blossom's wealth,Still one on parent vine!

It grows 'mid tangled underwood,All brilliant in the fields,And o'er our hearts a subtile spellIts golden beauty wields.

It grows 'mid tangled underwood,

All brilliant in the fields,

And o'er our hearts a subtile spell

Its golden beauty wields.

Perchance some exile's foot hath pressedThe road with weary tread,When lo! from out the wayside growthIt rears its bonny head.

Perchance some exile's foot hath pressed

The road with weary tread,

When lo! from out the wayside growth

It rears its bonny head.

Not with the first faint tints of SpringAre its bright blossoms seen;But, radiant in its garb, and deckedWith Autumn's fruitful sheen.

Not with the first faint tints of Spring

Are its bright blossoms seen;

But, radiant in its garb, and decked

With Autumn's fruitful sheen.

Then hail! bright floweret of our choice—With multiform design;Though many in thy blossom's wealth,Still one on parent vine!

Then hail! bright floweret of our choice—

With multiform design;

Though many in thy blossom's wealth,

Still one on parent vine!

(Arlington, May 30, 1902.)

Roll, muffled drums, upon the air, and flags furl colors bright;For this is hallowed ground we tread, and here we learn Death's might.Our heroes, whose last rest is now within this silent spot,In lowly tents their bivouac find, though not by us forgot.Wail forth, oh music, in soft strains, and learn, oh soul of man,As down the leafy aisles it throbs, how brief on earth the spanOf Life, and turn from its rude clash and all its weary pain,To muse awhile on heroes gone and hear their praise again.As words of orator now fall upon the listening ear,Life grows less close and Death is robbed of much of doubt and fear;For, as the burning words go forth upon the balmy wind,Men's thoughts are swayed by tones that sing the glory of mankind.Then, muffled drums, roll on, and flags your brilliant colors furl;For here the Dead sleep on, and here no more may warfare hurlIts blighting torch, its screaming shell, its horror and its dread.Hark! on the summer wind is born a Requiem for the Dead!

Roll, muffled drums, upon the air, and flags furl colors bright;

For this is hallowed ground we tread, and here we learn Death's might.

Our heroes, whose last rest is now within this silent spot,

In lowly tents their bivouac find, though not by us forgot.

Wail forth, oh music, in soft strains, and learn, oh soul of man,As down the leafy aisles it throbs, how brief on earth the spanOf Life, and turn from its rude clash and all its weary pain,To muse awhile on heroes gone and hear their praise again.

Wail forth, oh music, in soft strains, and learn, oh soul of man,

As down the leafy aisles it throbs, how brief on earth the span

Of Life, and turn from its rude clash and all its weary pain,

To muse awhile on heroes gone and hear their praise again.

As words of orator now fall upon the listening ear,Life grows less close and Death is robbed of much of doubt and fear;For, as the burning words go forth upon the balmy wind,Men's thoughts are swayed by tones that sing the glory of mankind.

As words of orator now fall upon the listening ear,

Life grows less close and Death is robbed of much of doubt and fear;

For, as the burning words go forth upon the balmy wind,

Men's thoughts are swayed by tones that sing the glory of mankind.

Then, muffled drums, roll on, and flags your brilliant colors furl;For here the Dead sleep on, and here no more may warfare hurlIts blighting torch, its screaming shell, its horror and its dread.Hark! on the summer wind is born a Requiem for the Dead!

Then, muffled drums, roll on, and flags your brilliant colors furl;

For here the Dead sleep on, and here no more may warfare hurl

Its blighting torch, its screaming shell, its horror and its dread.

Hark! on the summer wind is born a Requiem for the Dead!

(Julius Eichberg)

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