TO MY WIFE ELAINE GOODALE EASTMAN IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION OF HER EVER-INSPIRING COMPANIONSHIP IN THOUGHT AND WORK AND IN LOVE OF HER MOST INDIAN-LIKE VIRTUES I DEDICATE THIS BOOK I speak for each no-tongued tree That, spring by spring, doth nobler be, And dumbly and most wistfully His mighty prayerful arms outspreads, And his big blessing downward sheds. —SIDNEY LANIER. But there’s a dome of nobler span, A temple given Thy faith, that bigots dare not ban— Its space is heaven! It’s roof star-pictured Nature’s ceiling, Where, trancing the rapt spirit’s feeling, And God Himself to man revealing, Th’ harmonious spheres Make music, though unheard their pealing By mortal ears! —THOMAS CAMPBELL. God! sing ye meadow streams with gladsome voice! Ye pine-groves, with your soft and soul-like sounds! Ye eagles, playmates of the mountain storm! Ye lightnings, the dread arrows of the clouds! Ye signs and wonders of the elements, Utter forth God, and fill the hills with praise!... Earth, with her thousand voices, praises GOD! —COLERIDGE. |