I. Though there was wrong on both sides, they never would have separated had it not been for the old man. He was Ben’s father, and Ben was an only child–a spoiled, selfish, high-tempered lad, who had grown up with the idea that his father, Anson English, or the “old man,” as his dutiful son […]

Of a thousand things that the Year snowed under –The busy Old Year who has gone away –How many will rise in the Spring, I wonder,Brought to life by the sun of May?Will the rose-tree branches, so wholly hiddenThat never a rose-tree seems to be,At the sweet Spring’s call come forth unbidden,And bud in beauty, […]

One leaned on velvet cushions like a queen –To see him pass, the hero of an hour,Whom men called great. She bowed with languid mien,And smiled, and blushed, and knew her beauty’s power. One trailed her tinselled garments through the street,And thrust aside the crowd, and found a placeSo near, the blooded courser’s prancing feetCast […]

Upon the white cheek of the Cherub YearI saw a tear.Alas! I murmured, that the Year should borrowSo soon a sorrow.Just then the sunlight fell with sudden flame:The tear becameA wondrous diamond sparkling in the light –A beauteous sight. Upon my soul there fell such woeful loss,I said, “The CrossIs grievous for a life as […]

Across the miles that stretch between,Through days of gloom or glad sunlight,There shines a face I have not seenWhich yet doth make my world more bright. He may be near, he may be far,Or near or far I cannot see,But faithful as the morning starHe yet shall rise and come to me. What though fate […]

Up from the South come the birds that were banished,Frightened away by the presence of frost.Back to the vale comes the verdure that vanished,Back to the forest the leaves that were lost.Over the hillside the carpet of splendour,Folded through Winter, Spring spreads down again;Along the horizon, the tints that were tender,Lost hues of Summer-time, burn […]

Every morning and every nightThere passes our window near the street,A little girl with an eye so bright,And a cheek so round and a lip so sweet!The daintiest, jauntiest little missThat ever any one longed to kiss, She is neat as wax, and fresh to view,And her look is wholesome, and clean, and good.Whatever her […]

Toward even, when the day leans downTo kiss the upturned face of night,Out just beyond the loud-voiced townI know a spot of calm delight.Like crimson arrows from a quiverThe red rays pierce the waters flowing,While we go dreaming, singing, rowingTo Leudemanns-on-the-River. The hills, like some glad mocking-bird,Send back our laughter and our singing,While faint–and yet […]

My thoughts soar not as they ought to soar,Higher and higher on soul-lent wings;But ever and often, and more and moreThey are dragged down earthward by little things,By little troubles and little needs,As a lark might be tangled among the weeds. My purpose is not what it ought to be,Steady and fixed, like a star […]

SUNDAY Lie still and rest, in that serene reposeThat on this holy morning comes to thoseWho have been burdened with the cares which makeThe sad heart weary and the tired head ache.Lie still and rest –God’s day of all is best. MONDAY Awake! arise! Cast off thy drowsy dreams!Red in the East, behold the Morning […]

In a garb that was guiltless of coloursShe stood, with a dull, listless air –A creature of dumps and of dolours,But most undeniably fair. The folds of her garment fell round her,Revealing the curve of each limb;Well proportioned and graceful I found her,Although quite alarmingly slim. From the hem of her robe peeped one sandal […]

Somebody said, in the crowd, last eve,That you were married, or soon to be.I have not thought of you, I believe,Since last we parted. Let me see:Five long Summers have passed since then –Each has been pleasant in its own way –And you are but one of a dozen menWho have played the suitor a […]

It is done! in the fire’s fitful flashes,The last line has withered and curled.In a tiny white heap of dead ashesLie buried the hopes of your world.There were mad foolish vows in each letter,It is well they have shrivelled and burned,And the ring! oh, the ring was a fetter,It was better removed and returned. But […]

Slipping away–slipping away!Out of our brief year slips the May;And Winter lingers, and Summer flies;And Sorrow abideth, and Pleasure dies;And the days are short, and the nights are long;And little is right, and much is wrong. Slipping away is the Summer time;It has lost its rhythm and lilting rhyme –For the grace goes out of […]

Come to me, Love! Come on the wings of the wind!Fly as the ring-dove would fly to his mate!Leave all your cares and your sorrows behind!Leave all the fears of your future to Fate!Come! and our skies shall be glad with the goldThat paled into gray when you parted from me.Come! but remember that, just […]

Two sat down in the morning time,One to sing and one to spin.All men listened the song sublime –But no one listened the dull wheel’s din. The singer sat in a pleasant nook,And sang of a life that was fair and sweet,While the spinner sat with a steadfast look,Busily plying her hands and feet. The […]

Thank Fate for foes! I hold mine dearAs valued friends. He cannot knowThe zest of life who runneth hereHis earthly race without a foe. I saw a prize. “Run,” cried my friend;“‘Tis thine to claim without a doubt.”But ere I half-way reached the end,I felt my strength was giving out. My foe looked on the […]

All through the night time, and all through the day time,Dreading the morning and dreading the night,Nearer and nearer we drift to the May timeSeason of beauty and season of blight,Leaves on the linden, and sun on the meadow,Green in the garden, and bloom everywhere,Gloom in my heart, and a terrible shadow,Walks by me, sits […]

“By-and-bye,” the maiden sighed–“by-and-byeHe will claim me for his bride,Hope is strong and time is fleet;Youth is fair, and love is sweet,Clouds will pass that fleck my sky,He will come back by-and-bye–by-and-bye.” “By-and-bye,” the soldier said–“by-and-bye,After I have fought and bled,I shall go home from the wars,Crowned with glory, seamed with scars.Joy will flash from […]

We know not what lies in us, till we seek;Men dive for pearls–they are not found on shore,The hillsides most unpromising and bleakDo sometimes hide the ore. Go, dive in the vast ocean of thy mind,O man! far down below the noisy waves,Down in the depths and silence thou mayst findRare pearls and coral caves. […]