  A LITTLE WHILE(March 14, 1889.) A little while, my friends, and I am lying Beneath the sod that tells us Spring is nigh; And I, who've found this life no rest supplying, Shall lay my task aside without a sigh. A little while, and friends who kindly greet me Shall seek my place—in tears shall seek in vain; And those whose love and tender thought now meet me, Shall say—"She comes, our friend, no more again!" A little while—and oh, how great the yearning To lay the burden down, to be as free As bird that hails its nest, on wing returning; So do I think, beloved, of rest and thee! The rest my weary heart and soul have waited Through all these years of sorrow and of doubt; As traveller on his homeward way, belated, Impatient seeks and can not bide without. And thee! Oh loved one gone, this year, before me, Unto a world of light and rapture pure; The thought of thee doth, smiling, now allure me To draw more close and yet to more endure! REVERIEO'er the long reach of water comes The plash of dipping oar, And faintly, borne upon the wind, Far voices gain the shore. I hear their low, faint murmur as The boat glides on its way, And with the glance of flashing oar Fall silver drops of spray! I lie with half-closed eyes and dream Of days that long are fled; While fancy brings unto my side The forms of those now dead. When life and love were as a song From vibrant chords of youth! When every heart that greeted me Spoke but of trust and truth! Thus half-adream I hold commune With mine own heart, and ask Were youth and joy the greater gain, Or life's more finished task? Quick comes the answer to my lips— Quick to the question craved— "The noblest deeds of life are those In later years engraved "On tablets of the living mind, In characters full bold; Not happiness, nor yet content, Can here life's measure hold! "Not to glide on in summer dreams, Nor yet to love, is best; But in thy noble strength to grow And earn the longed-for rest!" So not with envious eyes I watch The boat whose living freight Is youth and all youth's sunny dreams— I, who have learned to wait! HEIMWEHO heart of mine, why sighest For joys thou may'st not taste? O eyes, why turn in longing Across the weary waste? And lips that falter sadly Of home and love and peace, Now all thy vain repining And doubt and grief, oh, cease! Home! Nay, thy home is distant; Will longing bring it near, And heart, will thy complaining Point out the way more clear? O heart of mine, thou sighest In vain, thy home's afar; It shineth as a beacon To exile—as a star Unto the lonely sailor Who dreams of land and love, But as he dreams looks ever Unto his star above! Then, heart, bind to thy longing The gaze that turns aloft Beyond the raging tempest To seek love's guidance oft. Heimweh! O homesick sailor, Across life's stormy main Return unto thy haven, No more to roam again! GRAND MANAN(1886) O'er the wild reach of wave afar Thy cliffs arise; once more I turn mine eyes upon thy hills And purple-tinted shore. All silent in majestic state, Monarch of mighty realm, Thy front is raised to meet the storm, When fierce gales overwhelm. Yet on this lovely autumn day, In soft enchantment's chain, Outlined fore'er on distant sky Thy memory shall remain. My feet must tread in other paths Than this belovÉd land, And other footprints in their turn Shall press this shining sand. Sea, air and sky are filled alike With beauty and delight; The sea is shimmering at my feet With all of life and light. So let me bear to other scenes This picture; it shall stay As memory and as joy to me Through many a weary day. And oft shall rise before my sight When distance, time and care Have touched my life with graver thought, This vision passing fair! MADELEINE(1891) WHERE THE SHADOWS PLAYWhere 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! A VALENTINEYears 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 me The fairest—ah, the story's old! 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 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. 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! THE MARTINSSlowly 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 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. 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 be Like the harbingers of freedom to the soul from earth set free! NEVER AGAINLeave 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 me Over the sea from those distant lands! 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! 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!" HADST THOU DENIEDSo 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 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 mine Hadst 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! 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 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 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 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 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! TO H. N. T.(Jan. 28, 1885.) 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! |
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