THE TALL PALMETTOandOTHER POEMS

THE TALL PALMETTO

The dense live-oaks were swept with wrath,The rubber trees swung roots in mire,A fine-leafed cedar tittered spite,Magnolias were flushed with ire.Alone within the garden paleA tall palmetto gently swayed,Serenely straight its feathered headAbove all else had skywards strayed,To catch the first, faint blush of dawn,To linger long with sunset's glow,To trace the moon's illusive courseFrom orange disc to silvery bow.So strove the palm and was contentTo glimpse at times a furtive clue,To pierce the haze of mystery,Emerging thence with leaflet new.And as the leaf, fanlike, unfurled,Its green was showered with radiance,Eternal truth had shed fresh light,Another phaze! another glance.And so the palm in stature grew,In lofty thought and vision wide,Unmindful of a carping world,Outdistancing the trees beside.Nor hearkened to their small-leafed tones,The rustling of close-quartered boughs,Nor dreamt of murky depths beneathWhose dark no errant sunbeam ploughs.An ancient oak, misshapen, knarled,Whose prideful age man's care had crutched,Whose groaning branches bent toward earthUntil the barren soil was touched,Spoke low with mirthless muttering:"A scrub palmetto! cabbage palm!A worthless sprout but yesterdayDisdaining us with saucy calm!"The rubber tree now sputtered backWhile dropping rootlets scratched the dirt:"The palm makes bold to grasp the clouds,With gauzy forms it seeks to flirt."The rounded cedar, clipped and dwarfed,Agreed with snickers scarce-repressed:"A slender form might tempt the clouds,But never earthlings verdure dressed."The richly decked magnolias,Who boasted cultured lineageAnd garden-birth in foreign climes,Made inward flutterings of rage.A country yokel! cabbage palm!To air itself in heaven's blue!So far above their august heads,What was this new world coming to?The slim palmetto gave no signAnd yet at last these murmuringsHad forced attention, drawn its thoughtsFrom godly height to baser things.It sought the reason, paused awhile;Though skies had greyed there pearled some light;Then flashed the truth, itself could see;Those other trees had vision slight.And then the palm began to talkAnd told of dawn and afterglow.How skies touched earth with brilliancy,It traced the seven-coloured bow.It spoke of rifts in frothy clouds,Of silent lakes illumed with stars,Of earth-mirage in misty air,Of spirit force that light unbars.The trees were still and hearkened now;But shallow cups hold little draughtAnd soon the weary listeners tired,Some curled their leaves, while others laughed.Then beauty spilled and fell to earthWhere tiny flowers sucked up the drops.No single thought had gone awaste,From some there came rich harvest crops.Long afterward, when death had chilled,A fallen log lay swathed in vine,Whence sword-like cacti pushed their bladesAnd orchids peered 'mid tufted pine.Such beauteous decay still blessedAs once the wishful, dreamy palmAnd trees, that erst reviled, made boastThat they had heard its twilight psalm.And little flowers that humbly trail,Content to star unseen, unsought,'Neath grass to spread their milky-way,Remember what the palm once taught.

The dense live-oaks were swept with wrath,The rubber trees swung roots in mire,A fine-leafed cedar tittered spite,Magnolias were flushed with ire.

The dense live-oaks were swept with wrath,

The rubber trees swung roots in mire,

A fine-leafed cedar tittered spite,

Magnolias were flushed with ire.

Alone within the garden paleA tall palmetto gently swayed,Serenely straight its feathered headAbove all else had skywards strayed,

Alone within the garden pale

A tall palmetto gently swayed,

Serenely straight its feathered head

Above all else had skywards strayed,

To catch the first, faint blush of dawn,To linger long with sunset's glow,To trace the moon's illusive courseFrom orange disc to silvery bow.

To catch the first, faint blush of dawn,

To linger long with sunset's glow,

To trace the moon's illusive course

From orange disc to silvery bow.

So strove the palm and was contentTo glimpse at times a furtive clue,To pierce the haze of mystery,Emerging thence with leaflet new.

So strove the palm and was content

To glimpse at times a furtive clue,

To pierce the haze of mystery,

Emerging thence with leaflet new.

And as the leaf, fanlike, unfurled,Its green was showered with radiance,Eternal truth had shed fresh light,Another phaze! another glance.

And as the leaf, fanlike, unfurled,

Its green was showered with radiance,

Eternal truth had shed fresh light,

Another phaze! another glance.

And so the palm in stature grew,In lofty thought and vision wide,Unmindful of a carping world,Outdistancing the trees beside.

And so the palm in stature grew,

In lofty thought and vision wide,

Unmindful of a carping world,

Outdistancing the trees beside.

Nor hearkened to their small-leafed tones,The rustling of close-quartered boughs,Nor dreamt of murky depths beneathWhose dark no errant sunbeam ploughs.

Nor hearkened to their small-leafed tones,

The rustling of close-quartered boughs,

Nor dreamt of murky depths beneath

Whose dark no errant sunbeam ploughs.

An ancient oak, misshapen, knarled,Whose prideful age man's care had crutched,Whose groaning branches bent toward earthUntil the barren soil was touched,

An ancient oak, misshapen, knarled,

Whose prideful age man's care had crutched,

Whose groaning branches bent toward earth

Until the barren soil was touched,

Spoke low with mirthless muttering:"A scrub palmetto! cabbage palm!A worthless sprout but yesterdayDisdaining us with saucy calm!"

Spoke low with mirthless muttering:

"A scrub palmetto! cabbage palm!

A worthless sprout but yesterday

Disdaining us with saucy calm!"

The rubber tree now sputtered backWhile dropping rootlets scratched the dirt:"The palm makes bold to grasp the clouds,With gauzy forms it seeks to flirt."

The rubber tree now sputtered back

While dropping rootlets scratched the dirt:

"The palm makes bold to grasp the clouds,

With gauzy forms it seeks to flirt."

The rounded cedar, clipped and dwarfed,Agreed with snickers scarce-repressed:"A slender form might tempt the clouds,But never earthlings verdure dressed."

The rounded cedar, clipped and dwarfed,

Agreed with snickers scarce-repressed:

"A slender form might tempt the clouds,

But never earthlings verdure dressed."

The richly decked magnolias,Who boasted cultured lineageAnd garden-birth in foreign climes,Made inward flutterings of rage.

The richly decked magnolias,

Who boasted cultured lineage

And garden-birth in foreign climes,

Made inward flutterings of rage.

A country yokel! cabbage palm!To air itself in heaven's blue!So far above their august heads,What was this new world coming to?

A country yokel! cabbage palm!

To air itself in heaven's blue!

So far above their august heads,

What was this new world coming to?

The slim palmetto gave no signAnd yet at last these murmuringsHad forced attention, drawn its thoughtsFrom godly height to baser things.

The slim palmetto gave no sign

And yet at last these murmurings

Had forced attention, drawn its thoughts

From godly height to baser things.

It sought the reason, paused awhile;Though skies had greyed there pearled some light;Then flashed the truth, itself could see;Those other trees had vision slight.

It sought the reason, paused awhile;

Though skies had greyed there pearled some light;

Then flashed the truth, itself could see;

Those other trees had vision slight.

And then the palm began to talkAnd told of dawn and afterglow.How skies touched earth with brilliancy,It traced the seven-coloured bow.

And then the palm began to talk

And told of dawn and afterglow.

How skies touched earth with brilliancy,

It traced the seven-coloured bow.

It spoke of rifts in frothy clouds,Of silent lakes illumed with stars,Of earth-mirage in misty air,Of spirit force that light unbars.

It spoke of rifts in frothy clouds,

Of silent lakes illumed with stars,

Of earth-mirage in misty air,

Of spirit force that light unbars.

The trees were still and hearkened now;But shallow cups hold little draughtAnd soon the weary listeners tired,Some curled their leaves, while others laughed.

The trees were still and hearkened now;

But shallow cups hold little draught

And soon the weary listeners tired,

Some curled their leaves, while others laughed.

Then beauty spilled and fell to earthWhere tiny flowers sucked up the drops.No single thought had gone awaste,From some there came rich harvest crops.

Then beauty spilled and fell to earth

Where tiny flowers sucked up the drops.

No single thought had gone awaste,

From some there came rich harvest crops.

Long afterward, when death had chilled,A fallen log lay swathed in vine,Whence sword-like cacti pushed their bladesAnd orchids peered 'mid tufted pine.

Long afterward, when death had chilled,

A fallen log lay swathed in vine,

Whence sword-like cacti pushed their blades

And orchids peered 'mid tufted pine.

Such beauteous decay still blessedAs once the wishful, dreamy palmAnd trees, that erst reviled, made boastThat they had heard its twilight psalm.

Such beauteous decay still blessed

As once the wishful, dreamy palm

And trees, that erst reviled, made boast

That they had heard its twilight psalm.

And little flowers that humbly trail,Content to star unseen, unsought,'Neath grass to spread their milky-way,Remember what the palm once taught.

And little flowers that humbly trail,

Content to star unseen, unsought,

'Neath grass to spread their milky-way,

Remember what the palm once taught.

Florida,January, 1922.

Florida,

January, 1922.

CHARLESTON.

I.An ancient house, thrice tiered its galleriesAnd sideways placed, its gardens tucked behindHigh walls and iron gates, with taste designed,Whence peeps are caught of palms and mossy trees;The passion-flamed poinsettia at easeWith quiet pansy bloom, and jonquils linedIn stiff array, and rose that holds enshrinedMan's love, and English ivy trailing these.Within the stately home such tales unfoldAs flowers and weathered brick have writ without:Adventure, proud success, war's agony,And now the gentle calm that cloaks the old,That stills the heart and gives a sense devout;So, Charleston, thou reveal'st thyself to me.II.I've wandered much through Charleston's cobbled streetsAnd found each corner's turn a fresh delight;Old churches, with their memories, invite,Their yards, grave-strewn, suggestive, calm retreats.A court, with one-time slave annex, completesThe tale of life gone by, while gardens brightMake known a Southern town; whose homes uniteThis land with charm of English country seats.Gay cavaliers imprint their rank and mirthAnd courage proven well; sad[1]HuguenotsBequeath the virtue tried by terror's reign;And Charleston folk are proud to trace their birth,When forefathers such gracious gifts bestow;Through changing times the days long past remain.III.Now hark! those slow-drawled cries: "Fine chucks, pecans!""Crabs, crabs!—live crabs!" then, "Cabage, cabagees!""Yes ma-am! raw shrimps, yes ma-am." Still further pleas:"Sweet potats. I-rish´ potats!" "Banans."And so each passing vendor stays and scansSome friendly gate, whose ancient hinges wheeze;There's soft-voiced bargaining 'neath spiky trees;The turbaned cook and tempter—Africans.Africans! nay, nay, Americans!Their comeliness well suits this smiling clime;Unwilling captives once, now citizens,Whose hearts hold scarce a trace of savage clans;If childlike still, so be! the hand of timeIs stretched past legacies to shape and cleanse.

An ancient house, thrice tiered its galleriesAnd sideways placed, its gardens tucked behindHigh walls and iron gates, with taste designed,Whence peeps are caught of palms and mossy trees;The passion-flamed poinsettia at easeWith quiet pansy bloom, and jonquils linedIn stiff array, and rose that holds enshrinedMan's love, and English ivy trailing these.

An ancient house, thrice tiered its galleries

And sideways placed, its gardens tucked behind

High walls and iron gates, with taste designed,

Whence peeps are caught of palms and mossy trees;

The passion-flamed poinsettia at ease

With quiet pansy bloom, and jonquils lined

In stiff array, and rose that holds enshrined

Man's love, and English ivy trailing these.

Within the stately home such tales unfoldAs flowers and weathered brick have writ without:Adventure, proud success, war's agony,And now the gentle calm that cloaks the old,That stills the heart and gives a sense devout;So, Charleston, thou reveal'st thyself to me.

Within the stately home such tales unfold

As flowers and weathered brick have writ without:

Adventure, proud success, war's agony,

And now the gentle calm that cloaks the old,

That stills the heart and gives a sense devout;

So, Charleston, thou reveal'st thyself to me.

II.

I've wandered much through Charleston's cobbled streetsAnd found each corner's turn a fresh delight;Old churches, with their memories, invite,Their yards, grave-strewn, suggestive, calm retreats.A court, with one-time slave annex, completesThe tale of life gone by, while gardens brightMake known a Southern town; whose homes uniteThis land with charm of English country seats.

I've wandered much through Charleston's cobbled streets

And found each corner's turn a fresh delight;

Old churches, with their memories, invite,

Their yards, grave-strewn, suggestive, calm retreats.

A court, with one-time slave annex, completes

The tale of life gone by, while gardens bright

Make known a Southern town; whose homes unite

This land with charm of English country seats.

Gay cavaliers imprint their rank and mirthAnd courage proven well; sad[1]HuguenotsBequeath the virtue tried by terror's reign;And Charleston folk are proud to trace their birth,When forefathers such gracious gifts bestow;Through changing times the days long past remain.

Gay cavaliers imprint their rank and mirth

And courage proven well; sad[1]Huguenots

Bequeath the virtue tried by terror's reign;

And Charleston folk are proud to trace their birth,

When forefathers such gracious gifts bestow;

Through changing times the days long past remain.

III.

Now hark! those slow-drawled cries: "Fine chucks, pecans!""Crabs, crabs!—live crabs!" then, "Cabage, cabagees!""Yes ma-am! raw shrimps, yes ma-am." Still further pleas:"Sweet potats. I-rish´ potats!" "Banans."And so each passing vendor stays and scansSome friendly gate, whose ancient hinges wheeze;There's soft-voiced bargaining 'neath spiky trees;The turbaned cook and tempter—Africans.

Now hark! those slow-drawled cries: "Fine chucks, pecans!"

"Crabs, crabs!—live crabs!" then, "Cabage, cabagees!"

"Yes ma-am! raw shrimps, yes ma-am." Still further pleas:

"Sweet potats. I-rish´ potats!" "Banans."

And so each passing vendor stays and scans

Some friendly gate, whose ancient hinges wheeze;

There's soft-voiced bargaining 'neath spiky trees;

The turbaned cook and tempter—Africans.

Africans! nay, nay, Americans!Their comeliness well suits this smiling clime;Unwilling captives once, now citizens,Whose hearts hold scarce a trace of savage clans;If childlike still, so be! the hand of timeIs stretched past legacies to shape and cleanse.

Africans! nay, nay, Americans!

Their comeliness well suits this smiling clime;

Unwilling captives once, now citizens,

Whose hearts hold scarce a trace of savage clans;

If childlike still, so be! the hand of time

Is stretched past legacies to shape and cleanse.

1.Pronounced as in French.

LAKE GEORGE.

Where cedars taper, there's a lake beyond;Once visioned from the hill, it beckons me;Soft-hazed with heat's grey, slumbrous canopy,Or bright with glittering dust of diamond,Or calmed when waning day wafts glances fond,Or freighted with the moon's pale poesy,Or blown till sobbing wavelets plash the lea,Or sunk in starless night like fabled pond.Whate'er thy mood, O dream-kissed, mountain lake;It lingers still, my inmost self replies;But where's the song that plumbs the depth of thought?The lyre has lost its strings, the words forsake.What Art's so high; but Nature far outvies?In silent wonderment, God's voice is caught.

Where cedars taper, there's a lake beyond;

Once visioned from the hill, it beckons me;

Soft-hazed with heat's grey, slumbrous canopy,

Or bright with glittering dust of diamond,

Or calmed when waning day wafts glances fond,

Or freighted with the moon's pale poesy,

Or blown till sobbing wavelets plash the lea,

Or sunk in starless night like fabled pond.

Whate'er thy mood, O dream-kissed, mountain lake;It lingers still, my inmost self replies;But where's the song that plumbs the depth of thought?The lyre has lost its strings, the words forsake.What Art's so high; but Nature far outvies?In silent wonderment, God's voice is caught.

Whate'er thy mood, O dream-kissed, mountain lake;

It lingers still, my inmost self replies;

But where's the song that plumbs the depth of thought?

The lyre has lost its strings, the words forsake.

What Art's so high; but Nature far outvies?

In silent wonderment, God's voice is caught.

THE EVENING STAR.

Beneath a weight of glistening snow each bough was bent,Ice-glued the crystal cushions took strange form,Like ghosts of prehistoric ferns whose palour blentWith earth and sky—the aftermath of storm.The splattering rain had stayed its noisy, windblown courseAnd now the padding flakes had ceased to come.A silent world that stilled all passion and remorse,Heart-throbbings, grief, thoughts dull and burthensome.And in the shanty's warmth a child lay stretched at rest,As delicate as winter tracery.A mother's eyes sought hers in anxious, tender quest,Then turned with prayerful light toward western sky,As though to wrest the secret of the universeFrom silver drapery and peeps beyond,As though one added effort would avail to pierceThe cloaking space, that something must respond.A something e'en more wonderful than branchlets sprayedIn weird fantastic tire 'gainst heaven's deep;And lo the mystic blush of evening gently rayed,Wee cloudlets strayed from mist like flocks of sheep.A wind! or was't a cry? The infant gasped for breath.Belike soft bleating lambs had wakened her,Belike the new-born soul was lured toward lanes of death,The rosy flush had held a messenger.Ah woe that Mother's heart as close she pressed her child;Poor quivering nameless thing and O so frailTo penetrate that void—her thoughts grew fierce and wild.An infant unbaptised, what fears assail?An erie wind had risen; hark its shrilling cry IA flickering candle loosed deep shadows roundThat emphasized despair and cruel misery;The night had come, a sullen night that frowned.And nought remained but burning love for help was far,Nor remedies; and grief had surged and ebbed.Again the Mother sought the sky and lo a starHad forced the clouds; it peered through boughs close-webbed.A bright and steadfast star that shot its friendly rays."O Evening Star," the woman softly sobbed,"Be sponsor, shed celestial light through trackless haze."Asudden within her heart the answer throbbed,Or winds had drifted: "Innocence." She hearkened, yes"Innocence," the Star had sanctioned it:Her baby's name! Upon its brow with fond caressAnd moistened touch the crossing sign was writ.And Innocence looked up and smiled and caught the lightThat streamed from Evening Star and breathed a sighThat held content; a faint, sweet sigh that put to flightA mother's fear, that hushed anxiety.And so the Babe was named and Innocence still cheeredThe lonely hut. A father heard the tale;How Evening Star had given aid as he had steeredThrough her his homeward course, obscured by gale.And oft at sunset hour the parents sat and watchedReceding day with grave expectancy,At times through lattice work of branches gaunt and notched,At times through leafy boughs that swathed the sky.And when the rosy prelude, orchestra of tint,Had dimmed; with deep, upwelling thought that strivesAnd gladsome awe, they faced the Evening Star; whose printWas on their baby's brow, had marked their lives.Then Innocence would laugh and stretch her hands and prayerHalf-breathed would rise that happiness remain.The Evening Star flung beams of trust and through the airOft "Innocence" was voiced by winds again.And Innocence grew tall as passed the years; but frailAt times she seemed, still more when strangers neared.Ah then she'd seek some ferny haunt, 'mid flowerlets paleShe'd cower, nor knew what dreaded ill she feared.A lily-maid in homespun garb of softest white,Her winter coat of silky rabbit skinOr ermine brought by Indian guide. Her cheeks as whiteUnless the flush to evening skies akin.And so time passed, the nearby settlement becameA village, then a boastful town and roadAnd searching railway broke the still and helped defameSequestered charm that God, through Grace, bestowed.And Innocence would shrink from noise and close her eyesWhen drifting smoke showed progress near, like plantThat's sensitive, that shrivels from man's touch and liesSo piteous with tremulous leaves aslant.Too weak for woodland stroll, a hammock-couch was strung'Neath lofty pines and there the young girl layAnd watched a robin's second brood, or chipmunk swungOn sapling bent, or butterflies at play.One heavy night she stayed without, till Evening StarHad blown a kiss, then dipped beneath some clouds.A silence crept, scarce broke by owlet's hoot afar,While mists arose like ghosts in flaunting shrouds.A rustling sound! but Innocence had dropped asleep;Within her hand a dangling lily stem,Whose cool, white bud unfolded tales that willows weepWhere broad green leaves and starry petals gem,Where waters pause from maddened rush to catch the calmThat slips through foliage, to rest awhileIn reedy bays as man fatigued might search for calm'Neath roofing church, immunity from guile.A rustling sound, a stealthy tread, some broken twigs,And Guilt peeped low through scrubby briar growth,Then pushed his ruthless way, nor cared that tender sprigsRefused to bloom, once heard his muttered oath.He plucked a burr that pulled his coat askew, then brushedAside some pollen dust, some larva-thread;His outward garb so sleek and glossed, with step that hushedHe fast approached—above dark clouds had spread;But through the gloom, the lily bud was visible,The pallid curve of maiden's cheek; one stride,He stood befogged, a something stayed against his will.A something childlike, Godlike that defied.For Innocence had wakened now and unabashed,Unharmed she gazed at Guilt and pity layWithin her eyes, a pity blent with pain that lashed,Till Guilt one blinding moment felt its play.He sank to earth beseeching what? He scarcely knew.Respite? was pardon past? He felt a touchAs light as though from highest Heaven a Seraph blewA kiss that floated downwards bringing much.And on his heart he pressed the flower that InnocenceHad proferred him, the lily bud that erstHad lain on waters cool and clear. It brought from thenceSome mirrored truth that Nature's self had nursed.But Innocence had breathed her last, one gasp, 'twas all,While Guilt affright, scarce pausing, fled; once moreThe Evening Star shone forth, winds sobbed a lingering call,The parents listened—useless to implore.The grave awoke with crimson flowers; new birth attained,The Evening Star had guided faithfully;For ever since no grovelling soul has been so stainedBut moments come that give some chance to free.'Twas long ago, in our old Province of Quebec,This tale at evenfall was whispered me.One spoke—and was that one alive? or but a speckOf spirit-world, of God's Eternity?

Beneath a weight of glistening snow each bough was bent,

Ice-glued the crystal cushions took strange form,

Like ghosts of prehistoric ferns whose palour blent

With earth and sky—the aftermath of storm.

The splattering rain had stayed its noisy, windblown courseAnd now the padding flakes had ceased to come.A silent world that stilled all passion and remorse,Heart-throbbings, grief, thoughts dull and burthensome.

The splattering rain had stayed its noisy, windblown course

And now the padding flakes had ceased to come.

A silent world that stilled all passion and remorse,

Heart-throbbings, grief, thoughts dull and burthensome.

And in the shanty's warmth a child lay stretched at rest,As delicate as winter tracery.A mother's eyes sought hers in anxious, tender quest,Then turned with prayerful light toward western sky,

And in the shanty's warmth a child lay stretched at rest,

As delicate as winter tracery.

A mother's eyes sought hers in anxious, tender quest,

Then turned with prayerful light toward western sky,

As though to wrest the secret of the universeFrom silver drapery and peeps beyond,As though one added effort would avail to pierceThe cloaking space, that something must respond.

As though to wrest the secret of the universe

From silver drapery and peeps beyond,

As though one added effort would avail to pierce

The cloaking space, that something must respond.

A something e'en more wonderful than branchlets sprayedIn weird fantastic tire 'gainst heaven's deep;And lo the mystic blush of evening gently rayed,Wee cloudlets strayed from mist like flocks of sheep.

A something e'en more wonderful than branchlets sprayed

In weird fantastic tire 'gainst heaven's deep;

And lo the mystic blush of evening gently rayed,

Wee cloudlets strayed from mist like flocks of sheep.

A wind! or was't a cry? The infant gasped for breath.Belike soft bleating lambs had wakened her,Belike the new-born soul was lured toward lanes of death,The rosy flush had held a messenger.

A wind! or was't a cry? The infant gasped for breath.

Belike soft bleating lambs had wakened her,

Belike the new-born soul was lured toward lanes of death,

The rosy flush had held a messenger.

Ah woe that Mother's heart as close she pressed her child;Poor quivering nameless thing and O so frailTo penetrate that void—her thoughts grew fierce and wild.An infant unbaptised, what fears assail?

Ah woe that Mother's heart as close she pressed her child;

Poor quivering nameless thing and O so frail

To penetrate that void—her thoughts grew fierce and wild.

An infant unbaptised, what fears assail?

An erie wind had risen; hark its shrilling cry IA flickering candle loosed deep shadows roundThat emphasized despair and cruel misery;The night had come, a sullen night that frowned.

An erie wind had risen; hark its shrilling cry I

A flickering candle loosed deep shadows round

That emphasized despair and cruel misery;

The night had come, a sullen night that frowned.

And nought remained but burning love for help was far,Nor remedies; and grief had surged and ebbed.Again the Mother sought the sky and lo a starHad forced the clouds; it peered through boughs close-webbed.

And nought remained but burning love for help was far,

Nor remedies; and grief had surged and ebbed.

Again the Mother sought the sky and lo a star

Had forced the clouds; it peered through boughs close-webbed.

A bright and steadfast star that shot its friendly rays."O Evening Star," the woman softly sobbed,"Be sponsor, shed celestial light through trackless haze."Asudden within her heart the answer throbbed,

A bright and steadfast star that shot its friendly rays.

"O Evening Star," the woman softly sobbed,

"Be sponsor, shed celestial light through trackless haze."

Asudden within her heart the answer throbbed,

Or winds had drifted: "Innocence." She hearkened, yes"Innocence," the Star had sanctioned it:Her baby's name! Upon its brow with fond caressAnd moistened touch the crossing sign was writ.

Or winds had drifted: "Innocence." She hearkened, yes

"Innocence," the Star had sanctioned it:

Her baby's name! Upon its brow with fond caress

And moistened touch the crossing sign was writ.

And Innocence looked up and smiled and caught the lightThat streamed from Evening Star and breathed a sighThat held content; a faint, sweet sigh that put to flightA mother's fear, that hushed anxiety.

And Innocence looked up and smiled and caught the light

That streamed from Evening Star and breathed a sigh

That held content; a faint, sweet sigh that put to flight

A mother's fear, that hushed anxiety.

And so the Babe was named and Innocence still cheeredThe lonely hut. A father heard the tale;How Evening Star had given aid as he had steeredThrough her his homeward course, obscured by gale.

And so the Babe was named and Innocence still cheered

The lonely hut. A father heard the tale;

How Evening Star had given aid as he had steered

Through her his homeward course, obscured by gale.

And oft at sunset hour the parents sat and watchedReceding day with grave expectancy,At times through lattice work of branches gaunt and notched,At times through leafy boughs that swathed the sky.

And oft at sunset hour the parents sat and watched

Receding day with grave expectancy,

At times through lattice work of branches gaunt and notched,

At times through leafy boughs that swathed the sky.

And when the rosy prelude, orchestra of tint,Had dimmed; with deep, upwelling thought that strivesAnd gladsome awe, they faced the Evening Star; whose printWas on their baby's brow, had marked their lives.

And when the rosy prelude, orchestra of tint,

Had dimmed; with deep, upwelling thought that strives

And gladsome awe, they faced the Evening Star; whose print

Was on their baby's brow, had marked their lives.

Then Innocence would laugh and stretch her hands and prayerHalf-breathed would rise that happiness remain.The Evening Star flung beams of trust and through the airOft "Innocence" was voiced by winds again.

Then Innocence would laugh and stretch her hands and prayer

Half-breathed would rise that happiness remain.

The Evening Star flung beams of trust and through the air

Oft "Innocence" was voiced by winds again.

And Innocence grew tall as passed the years; but frailAt times she seemed, still more when strangers neared.Ah then she'd seek some ferny haunt, 'mid flowerlets paleShe'd cower, nor knew what dreaded ill she feared.

And Innocence grew tall as passed the years; but frail

At times she seemed, still more when strangers neared.

Ah then she'd seek some ferny haunt, 'mid flowerlets pale

She'd cower, nor knew what dreaded ill she feared.

A lily-maid in homespun garb of softest white,Her winter coat of silky rabbit skinOr ermine brought by Indian guide. Her cheeks as whiteUnless the flush to evening skies akin.

A lily-maid in homespun garb of softest white,

Her winter coat of silky rabbit skin

Or ermine brought by Indian guide. Her cheeks as white

Unless the flush to evening skies akin.

And so time passed, the nearby settlement becameA village, then a boastful town and roadAnd searching railway broke the still and helped defameSequestered charm that God, through Grace, bestowed.

And so time passed, the nearby settlement became

A village, then a boastful town and road

And searching railway broke the still and helped defame

Sequestered charm that God, through Grace, bestowed.

And Innocence would shrink from noise and close her eyesWhen drifting smoke showed progress near, like plantThat's sensitive, that shrivels from man's touch and liesSo piteous with tremulous leaves aslant.

And Innocence would shrink from noise and close her eyes

When drifting smoke showed progress near, like plant

That's sensitive, that shrivels from man's touch and lies

So piteous with tremulous leaves aslant.

Too weak for woodland stroll, a hammock-couch was strung'Neath lofty pines and there the young girl layAnd watched a robin's second brood, or chipmunk swungOn sapling bent, or butterflies at play.

Too weak for woodland stroll, a hammock-couch was strung

'Neath lofty pines and there the young girl lay

And watched a robin's second brood, or chipmunk swung

On sapling bent, or butterflies at play.

One heavy night she stayed without, till Evening StarHad blown a kiss, then dipped beneath some clouds.A silence crept, scarce broke by owlet's hoot afar,While mists arose like ghosts in flaunting shrouds.

One heavy night she stayed without, till Evening Star

Had blown a kiss, then dipped beneath some clouds.

A silence crept, scarce broke by owlet's hoot afar,

While mists arose like ghosts in flaunting shrouds.

A rustling sound! but Innocence had dropped asleep;Within her hand a dangling lily stem,Whose cool, white bud unfolded tales that willows weepWhere broad green leaves and starry petals gem,

A rustling sound! but Innocence had dropped asleep;

Within her hand a dangling lily stem,

Whose cool, white bud unfolded tales that willows weep

Where broad green leaves and starry petals gem,

Where waters pause from maddened rush to catch the calmThat slips through foliage, to rest awhileIn reedy bays as man fatigued might search for calm'Neath roofing church, immunity from guile.

Where waters pause from maddened rush to catch the calm

That slips through foliage, to rest awhile

In reedy bays as man fatigued might search for calm

'Neath roofing church, immunity from guile.

A rustling sound, a stealthy tread, some broken twigs,And Guilt peeped low through scrubby briar growth,Then pushed his ruthless way, nor cared that tender sprigsRefused to bloom, once heard his muttered oath.

A rustling sound, a stealthy tread, some broken twigs,

And Guilt peeped low through scrubby briar growth,

Then pushed his ruthless way, nor cared that tender sprigs

Refused to bloom, once heard his muttered oath.

He plucked a burr that pulled his coat askew, then brushedAside some pollen dust, some larva-thread;His outward garb so sleek and glossed, with step that hushedHe fast approached—above dark clouds had spread;

He plucked a burr that pulled his coat askew, then brushed

Aside some pollen dust, some larva-thread;

His outward garb so sleek and glossed, with step that hushed

He fast approached—above dark clouds had spread;

But through the gloom, the lily bud was visible,The pallid curve of maiden's cheek; one stride,He stood befogged, a something stayed against his will.A something childlike, Godlike that defied.

But through the gloom, the lily bud was visible,

The pallid curve of maiden's cheek; one stride,

He stood befogged, a something stayed against his will.

A something childlike, Godlike that defied.

For Innocence had wakened now and unabashed,Unharmed she gazed at Guilt and pity layWithin her eyes, a pity blent with pain that lashed,Till Guilt one blinding moment felt its play.

For Innocence had wakened now and unabashed,

Unharmed she gazed at Guilt and pity lay

Within her eyes, a pity blent with pain that lashed,

Till Guilt one blinding moment felt its play.

He sank to earth beseeching what? He scarcely knew.Respite? was pardon past? He felt a touchAs light as though from highest Heaven a Seraph blewA kiss that floated downwards bringing much.

He sank to earth beseeching what? He scarcely knew.

Respite? was pardon past? He felt a touch

As light as though from highest Heaven a Seraph blew

A kiss that floated downwards bringing much.

And on his heart he pressed the flower that InnocenceHad proferred him, the lily bud that erstHad lain on waters cool and clear. It brought from thenceSome mirrored truth that Nature's self had nursed.

And on his heart he pressed the flower that Innocence

Had proferred him, the lily bud that erst

Had lain on waters cool and clear. It brought from thence

Some mirrored truth that Nature's self had nursed.

But Innocence had breathed her last, one gasp, 'twas all,While Guilt affright, scarce pausing, fled; once moreThe Evening Star shone forth, winds sobbed a lingering call,The parents listened—useless to implore.

But Innocence had breathed her last, one gasp, 'twas all,

While Guilt affright, scarce pausing, fled; once more

The Evening Star shone forth, winds sobbed a lingering call,

The parents listened—useless to implore.

The grave awoke with crimson flowers; new birth attained,The Evening Star had guided faithfully;For ever since no grovelling soul has been so stainedBut moments come that give some chance to free.

The grave awoke with crimson flowers; new birth attained,

The Evening Star had guided faithfully;

For ever since no grovelling soul has been so stained

But moments come that give some chance to free.

'Twas long ago, in our old Province of Quebec,This tale at evenfall was whispered me.One spoke—and was that one alive? or but a speckOf spirit-world, of God's Eternity?

'Twas long ago, in our old Province of Quebec,

This tale at evenfall was whispered me.

One spoke—and was that one alive? or but a speck

Of spirit-world, of God's Eternity?

THE END.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTESSilently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

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