第2章

类别:其他 作者:Van Dyke, Henry字数:10758更新时间:18/12/24 14:36:23
So,atacertainhour,beforethethroneTheyoungestangel,Asmiel,stoodalone; Norglad,norsad,butfullofearnestthought,AndthushistidingstotheMasterbrought: \"Lord,inthecityLuponIhavefound\"Threeservantsofthyholyname,renowned\"Abovetheirfellows。Oneisverywise,\"Withthoughtsthateverrangeabovetheskies; \"Andoneisgiftedwiththegoldenspeech\"Thatmakesmengladtohearwhenhewillteach; \"Andone,withnoraregiftorgraceendued,\"Haswonthepeople’slovebydoinggood。 \"WiththreesuchsaintsLuponistreblyblest; \"But,Lord,Ifainwouldknow,whichlovesTheebest?\" ThenspaketheLordofAngels,towhoselookTheheartsofallarelikeanopenbook: \"IneverysoulthesecretthoughtIread,\"AndwellIknowwholovesmebestindeed。 \"Buteverylifehaspagesvacantstill,\"Whereonamanmaywritethethinghewill; \"ThereforeIreadinsilence,daybyday,\"Andwaitforheartsuntaughttolearnmyway。 \"ButthoushaltgotoLupon,tothethree\"Whoservemethere,andtakethiswordfromme: \"TelleachofthemhisMasterbidshimgo\"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow; \"Thereheshallfindacertaintaskforme: \"Butwhat,Idonottelltothemnorthee。 \"Givethouthemessage,makemywordthetest,\"Andcrownformetheonewhoanswersbest。\" Silenttheangelstood,withfoldedhands,TotaketheimprintofhisLord’scommands; Thendrewonebreath,obedientandelate,Andpassed,theself—samehour,throughLupon’sgate。 FirsttotheTempledoorhemadehisway; Andthere,becauseitwasanholy—day,Hesawthefolkbythousandsthronging,stirredByardentthirsttohearthepreacher’sword。 Then,whiletheechoesmurmuredBernol’sname,Throughaislesthathushedbehindhim,Bernolcame; Strungtothekeenestpitchofconsciousmight,Withlipspreparedandfirm,andeyesalight。 OnemomentatthepulpitstepshekneltInsilentprayer,andonhisshoulderfeltTheangel’shand:——\"TheMasterbidstheego\"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,\"ToserveHimthere。\"ThenBernol’shiddenfaceWentwhiteasdeath,andforaboutthespaceOftenslowheart—beatstherewasnoreply; TillBernollookedaroundandwhispered,\"WHY?\" Butanswertohisquestioncametherenone; Theangelsighed,andwithasighwasgone。 WithinthehumblehousewhereMalvinspentHisstudiousyears,onholythingsintent,Sweetstillnessreigned;andtheretheangelfoundThesaintlysageimmersedinthoughtprofound,WeavingwithpatienttoilandwillingcareAwebofwisdom,wonderfulandfair: AseamlessrobeforTruth’sgreatbridalmeet,Andneedingbutonethreadtobecomplete。 ThenAsmieltouchedhishand,andbrokethethreadOffine—spunthought,andverygentlysaid,\"TheOneofwhomthouthinkestbidstheego\"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,\"ToserveHimthere。\"WithsorrowandsurpriseMalvinlookedup,reluctanceinhiseyes。 Thebrokenthought,thestrangenessofthecall,Theperilouspassageofthemountain—wall,Thesolitaryjourney,andthelengthOfwaysunknown,toogreatforhisfrailstrength,Appalledhim。WithadoubtfulbrowHescannedthedoubtfultask,andmuttered\"HOW?\" ButAsmielanswered,asheturnedtogo,Withcold,disheartenedvoice,\"Idonotknow。\" Nowashewent,withfadinghope,toseekThethirdandlasttowhomGodbadehimspeak,ScarcetwentystepsawaywhomshouldhemeetButFermor,hurryingcheerfuldownthestreet,Withreadyheartthatfacedhisworklikeplay,Andjoyedtofinditgreatereveryday! Theangelstoppedhimwithupliftedhand,AndgavewithoutdelayhisLord’scommand: \"Hewhomthouservestherewouldhavetheego\"AlonetoSpiran’shuts,acrossthesnow,\"ToserveHimthere。\"EreAsmielbreathedagainTheeageranswerleapedtomeethim,\"WHEN?\" Theangel’sfacewithinwardjoygrewbright,Andallhisfigureglowedwithheavenlylight; HetookthegoldencircletfromhisbrowAndgavethecrowntoFermor,answering,\"Now! \"ForthouhastmettheMaster’sbiddentest,\"AndIhavefoundthemanwholovesHimbest。 \"Notthine,normine,toquestionorreply\"WhenHecommandsus,asking’how?’or’why?’ \"Heknowsthecause;Hiswaysarewiseandjust; \"WhoservestheKingmustservewithperfecttrust。\" February,1902。 THEVAINKING InrobesofTyrianbluetheKingwasdrest,Ajewelledcollarshoneuponhisbreast,Agiantrubyglitteredinhiscrown—— Lordofrichlandsandmanyasplendidtown。 InhimthegloriesofanancientlineOfsoberkings,whoruledbyrightdivine,Werecentred;andtohimwithloyalaweThepeoplelookedforleadershipandlaw。 Tenthousandknights,thesafeguardoftheland,Laylikeasingleswordwithinhishand; Ahundredcourts,withpoweroflifeanddeath,Proclaimeddecreesofjusticebyhisbreath; AndallthesacredgrowthsthatmenhadknownOforderandofruleupheldhisthrone。 ProudwastheKing:yetnotwithsuchaheartAsfitsamantoplayaroyalpart。 NothisthepridethathonoursasatrustTherighttorule,thedutytobejust: NothisthedignitythatbendstobearThemonarch’syoke,themaster’sloadofcare,Andlabourslikethepeasantathisgate,ToservethepeopleandprotecttheState。 Anotherpridewashis,andotherjoys: Tohimthecrownandsceptrewerebuttoys,Withwhichheplayedatglory’sidlegame,Topleasehimselfandwinthewreathsoffame。 Thethronehisfathersheldfromagetoage,Tohisambition,seemedafittingstageBuiltforKingMartintodisplayatwill,Hismightystrengthanduniversalskill。 Noconsciouschild,that,spoiledwithpraising,triesAteverysteptowinadmiringeyes,—— Nofavouritemountebank,whoseactingdraws>Fromgapingcrowdsloudthunderofapplause,WasvainerthantheKing:hisonlythirstWastobehailed,ineveryrace,thefirst。 Whentournamentwasheld,inknightlyguiseTheKingwouldridethelistsandwintheprize; Whenmusiccharmedthecourt,withgoldenlyreTheKingwouldtakethestageandleadthechoir; Inhunting,histhelancetoslaytheboar; Inhawking,seehisfalconhighestsoar; Inpainting,hewouldwieldthemaster’sbrush; Inhighdebate,——\"theKingisspeaking!Hush!\" Thus,witharestlessheart,ineveryfieldHesoughtrenown,andfoundhissubjectsyieldAsifhewereademi—godrevealed。 ButwhileheplayedthepettygamesoflifeHiskingdomfellapreytoinwardstrife; Corruptionthroughthecourtunheededcrept,Andontheseatofhonourjusticeslept。 Thestrongtroddowntheweak;thehelplesspoorGroanedunderburdensgrievoustoendure。 Thenation’swealthwasspentinvaindisplay,Andweaknessworethenation’sheartaway。 YetthinknotEarthisblindtohumanwoes—— Manhasmorefriendsandhelpersthanheknows; Andwhenapatientpeopleareoppressed,Thelandthatborethemfeelsitinherbreast。 Spiritsoffieldandflood,ofheathandhill,Aregrievedandangryatthespreadingill; Thetreescomplaintogetherinthenight,Voicesofwrathareheardalongtheheight,Andsecretvowsaresworn,bystreamandstrand,Tobringthetyrantlowandliberatetheland。 ButlittlereckedthepamperedKingofthese; Heheardnovoicebutsuchaspraiseandplease。 Flatteredandfooled,victorineverysport,OnedayhewanderedidlywithhiscourtBesidetheriver,seekingtodeviseNewwaystoshowhisskilltowonderingeyes。 Thereinthestreamapatientfisherstood,Andcasthislineacrosstheripplingflood。 Hissilverspoillaynearhimonthegreen: \"Suchfish,\"thecourtierscried,\"wereneverseen! \"Threesalmonlongerthanacloth—yardshaft—— \"Thismanmustbethemasterofhiscraft!\" \"Aneasyart!\"thejealousKingreplied: \"Myselfcouldlearnitbetter,ifItried,\"Andcatchahundredlargerfishaweek—— \"Wiltthouacceptthechallenge,fellow?Speak!\" Thefisherturned,camenear,andbenthisknee: \"’Tisnotforkingstostrivewithsuchasme; \"YetiftheKingcommandsit,Iobey。 \"ButoneconditionofthestrifeIpray: \"Thefishermanwhobringstheleasttoland\"Shalldowhate’ertheothermaycommand。\" LoudlaughedtheKing:\"Afoolishfisherthou! \"ForIshallwinandruletheethenasnow。\" SotoPrinceJohn,asobersoul,sedateAndslow,KingMartinleftthehelmofstate,WhiletothenovelgamewitheagerzestHeallhistimeandallhispowersaddrest。 Suresuchasightwasneverseenbefore! Forrobedandcrownedthemonarchtrodtheshore; Hisgoldenhooksweredeckedwithfeathersfine,Hisjewelledreelranoutasilkenline。 Withkinglystrokeshefloggedthecrystalstream,Far—offthesalmonsawhistacklegleam; Carelessofkings,theyeyedwithcalmdisdainThegaudylure,andMartinfishedinvain。 OnFriday,whentheweekwasalmostspent,Hescannedhisemptycreelwithdiscontent,Calledforanet,andcastitfarandwide,Anddrew——athousandminnowsfromthetide! Thencamethefishertoconcludethematch,Andatthemonarch’sfeetspreadouthiscatch—— Ahundredsalmon,greaterthanbefore—— \"Iwin!\"hecried:\"theKingmustpaythescore。\" ThenMartin,angry,threwhistackledown: \"RatherthanlosethisgameI’dlosemycrown!\" Nay,thouhastlostthemboth,\"thefishersaid; AndashespokeawondrouslightwasshedAroundhisform;hedroppedhisgarmentsmean,AndinhisplacetheRiver—godwasseen。 \"Thyvanityhastbroughttheeinmypower,\"Andthoushaltpaytheforfeitatthishour: \"Forthouhastshownthyselfaroyalfool,\"Tooproudtoangle,andtoovaintorule。 \"Eagertowinineverytrivialstrife,—— \"Go!Thoushaltfishforminnowsallthylife!\" Wrathful,theKingthescornfulsentenceheard; Hestrovetoanswer,butheonlyCHIRR—R—ED: HisTyrianrobewaschangedtowingsofblue,Hiscrownbecameacrest,——awayheflew! Andstill,alongthereachesofthestream,ThevainKing—fisherflits,anazuregleam,—— Youseehisrubycrest,youhearhisjealousscream。 April,1904。 LYRICS AMILEWITHME OwhowillwalkamilewithmeAlonglife’smerryway? Acomradeblitheandfullofglee,Whodarestolaughoutloudandfree,Andlethisfrolicfancyplay,Likeahappychild,throughtheflowersgayThatfillthefieldandfringethewayWherehewalksamilewithme。 AndwhowillwalkamilewithmeAlonglife’swearyway? AfriendwhosehearthaseyestoseeThestarsshineouto’erthedarkeninglea,Andthequietrestattheendo’theday,—— Afriendwhoknows,anddarestosay,Thebrave,sweetwordsthatcheerthewayWherehewalksamilewithme。 Withsuchacomrade,suchafriend,Ifainwouldwalktilljourneysend,Throughsummersunshine,winterrain,Andthen?——Farewell,weshallmeetagain! December,1902。 SPRINGINTHESOUTH Nowintheoakthesapoflifeiswelling,Tho’totheboughtherustyleafageclings; Nowontheelmthemistybudsareswelling,Seehowthepine—woodgrowsalivewithwings; Blue—jaysfluttering,yodelingandcrying,Meadow—larkssailinglowabovethefadedgrass,Red—birdswhistlingclear,silentrobinsflying,—— Whohaswakedthebirdsup?Whathascometopass? Lastyear’scotton—plants,desolatelybowing,TrembleintheMarch—wind,raggedandforlorn; Redarethehill—sidesoftheearlyploughing,Grayarethelowlands,waitingforthecorn。 Earthseemsasleepstill,butshe’sonlyfeigning; Deepinherbosomthrillsasweetunrest。 LookwherethejasminelavishlyisrainingJove’sgoldenshowerintoDanae’sbreast! Nowontheplumthesnowybloomissifted,Nowonthepeachthegloryoftherose,Overthehillsatenderhazeisdrifted,Fulltothebrimtheyellowriverflows。 Darkcypressboughswithvividjewelsglisten,Greenerthanemeraldsshininginthesun。 Whohaswroughtthemagic?Listen,sweetheart,listen! Themocking—birdissingingSpringhasbegun。 Hark,inhissongnotremorofmisgiving! Allofhishearthepoursintohislay,—— \"Love,love,love,andpuredelightofliving: Winterisforgotten:here’sahappyday!\" FairinyourfaceIreadtheflowerypresage,Snowyonyourbrowandrosyonyourmouth: SweetinyourvoiceIheartheseason’smessage,—— Love,love,love,andSpringintheSouth! March,1904。 LOVE’SNEARNESS Ithinkofthee,whengoldensunbeamsshimmerAcrossthesea; Andwhenthewavesreflectthemoon’spaleglimmer,Ithinkofthee。 Iseethyform,whendownthedistanthighwayThedust—cloudsrise; Indeepestnight,abovethemountainby—way,Iseethineeyes。 Iheartheewhentheocean—tidesreturningLoudlyrejoice; Andonthelonelymoor,instillnessyearning,Ihearthyvoice。 Idwellwiththee:thoughthouartfarremoved,Yetartthounear。 Thesungoesdown,thestarsshineout,—— Beloved,Ah,wertthouhere! >FromGoethe:\"NahedesGeliebten。\" TWOSCHOOLS IputmyhearttoschoolIntheworld,wheremengrowwise,\"Goout,\"Isaid,\"andlearntherule; \"Comebackwhenyouwinaprize。\" Myheartcamebackagain: \"Nowwhereistheprize?\"Icried。—— \"Therulewasfalse,andtheprizewaspain,\"Andtheteacher’snamewasPride。\" IputmyhearttoschoolInthewoods,whereveeriessing,Andbrooksruncoolandclear; Inthefields,wherewildflowersspring,Andtheblueofheavenbendsnear。 \"Goout,\"Isaid:\"youarehalfafool,\"Butperhapstheycanteachyouhere。\" \"Andwhydoyoustaysolong,\"Myheart,andwheredoyouroam?\" Theanswercamewithalaughandasong,—— \"Ifindthisschoolishome。\" April,1901。 APRAYERFORAMOTHER’SBIRTHDAY LordJesus,ThouhastknownAmother’sloveandtendercare: AndThouwilthear,whileformyownMothermostdearImakethisbirthdayprayer。 Protectherlife,Ipray,Whogavethegiftoflifetome; Andmaysheknow,fromdaytoday,ThedeepeningglowofLifethatcomesfromThee。 AsonceuponherbreastFearlessandwellcontentIlay,Soletherheart,onTheeatrest,Feelfearsdepartandtroublesfadeaway。 Hereverywishfulfill; AndevenifThoumustrefuseInanything,letThywisewillAcomfortbringsuchaskindmothersuse。 Ah,holdherbythehand,Asonceherhandheldmine; AndthoughshemaynotunderstandLife’swindingway,leadherinpeacedivine。 IcannotpaymydebtForallthelovethatshehasgiven; ButThou,love’sLord,wiltnotforgetHerduereward,——blessherinearthandheaven。 July,1903。 INDIANSUMMER Asoftveildimsthetenderskies,AndhalfconcealsfrompensiveeyesThebronzingtokensofthefall; Acalmnessbroodsuponthehills,Andsummer’spartingdreamdistillsAcharmofsilenceoverall。 Thestacksofcorn,inbrownarray,Standwaitingthroughtheplacidday,Liketatteredwigwamsontheplain; ThetribesthatfindashelterthereArephantompeoples,formsofair,Andghostsofvanishedjoyandpain。 AteveningwhenthecrimsoncrestOfsunsetpassesdowntheWest,Ihearthewhisperinghostreturning; Onfar—offfields,byelmandoak,Iseethelights,Ismellthesmoke,—— TheCamp—firesofthePastareburning。 TertiusandHenryVanDyke。 November,1903。 ONEWORLD \"TheworldsinwhichwelivearetwoTheworld’Iam’andtheworld’Ido。’\" Theworldsinwhichweliveatheartareone,Theworld\"Iam,\"thefruitof\"Ihavedone\"; Andunderneaththeseworldsofflowerandfruit,Theworld\"Ilove,\"——theonlylivingroot。 HIDEANDSEEK I Allthetreesaresleeping,allthewindsarestill,Alltheflocksoffleecycloudshavewanderedpastthehill; Throughthenoondaysilence,downthewoodsofJune,Hark,alittlehunter’svoicecomesrunningwithatune。 \"Hideandseek! \"WhenIspeak,\"Youmustanswerme: \"Callagain,\"Merrymen,\"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!\" NowIhearhisfootsteps,rustlingthroughthegrass: Hiddeninmyleafynook,shallIlethimpass? Justalow,softwhistle,——quickthehunterturns,Leapsuponmelaughing,rollsmeintheferns。 \"Holdhimfast,\"Caughtatlast! \"Nowyou’reit,yousee。 \"Hideyoureye,\"TillIcry,\"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!\" II Longagoheleftme,longandlongago: NowIwanderthroughtheworldandseekhimhighandlow; Hiddensafeandhappy,insomepleasantplace,—— Ah,ifIcouldhearhisvoice,Isoonshouldfindhisface。 Faraway,Manyaday,WherecanBarneybe? Answer,dear,Don’tyouhear? Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee! Birdsthatinthespring—timethrilledhisheartwithjoy,Flowershelovedtopickforme,mindmeofmyboy。 Surelyheiswaitingtillmystepscomenigh; Lovemayhideitselfawhile,butlovecanneverdie。 Heart,beglad,ThelittleladWillcallsomedaytothee: \"Fatherdear,\"Heavenishere,\"Coo—ee,coo—ee,coo—ee!\" January,1900。 DULCISMEMORIA Long,longagoIheardalittlesong,(Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?) Solowly,slowlywoundthetunealong,Thatfarintomyheartitfoundtheway: Amelodyconsolingandendearing; Andstill,insilenthours,I’moftenhearingThesmall,sweetsongthatdoesnotdieaway。 Long,longagoIsawalittleflower,—— (Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?) Sofairoffaceandfragrantforanhour,Thatsomethingdeartomeitseemedtosay: AthoughtofjoythatblossomedintobeingWithoutaword;andnowI’moftenseeingThefriendlyflowerthatdoesnotfadeaway。 Long,longagowehadalittlechild,—— (Ah,wasitlongago,oryesterday?) Intohismother’seyesandminehesmiledUnconsciouslove;warminourarmshelay。 Anangelcalled!Dearheart,wecouldnotholdhim; Yetsecretlyyourarmsandmineinfoldhim—— Ourlittlechildwhodoesnotgoaway。 Long,longago?Ah,memory,makeitclear—— (Itwasnotlongago,butyesterday,) SolittleandsohelplessandsodearLetnotthesongbelost,theflowerdecay! Hisvoice,hiswakingeyes,hisgentlesleeping: Thesmallestthingsaresafestinthykeeping。 Sweetmemory,keepourchildwithusalway。 April,1903。 AUTUMNINTHEGARDEN WhenthefrostykissofAutumninthedarkMakesitsmarkOntheflowers,andthemistymorninggrievesOverfallenleaves; Thenmyoldengarden,wherethegoldensoilThroughthetoilOfahundredyearsismellow,rich,anddeep,Whispersinitssleep。 ’Midthecrumpledbedsofmarigoldandphlox,WheretheboxBorderswithitsglossygreentheancientwalks,There’savoicethattalksOfthehumanhopesthatbloomedandwitheredhereYearbyyear,—— Dreamsofjoy,thatbrightenedallthelabouringhours,Fadingastheflowers。 Yetthewhisperedstorydoesnotdeepengrief; ButreliefForthelonelinessofsorrowseemstoflowFromtheLong—Ago,WhenIthinkofotherlivesthatlearned,likemine,Toresign,AndrememberthatthesadnessofthefallComesaliketoall。 Whatregrets,whatlongingsforthelostweretheirs! AndwhatprayersForthesilentstrengththatnervesustoendureThingswecannotcure! Pacingupanddownthegardenwheretheypaced,IhavetracedAlltheirwell—wornpathsofpatience,tillIfindComfortinmymind。 Faintandfarawaytheirancientgriefsappear: YethownearIsthetendervoice,thecareworn,kindlyface,Ofthehumanrace! Letuswalktogetherinthegarden,dearestheart,Notapart! TheywhoknowthesorrowsotherliveshaveknownNeverwalkalone。 October,1903。 THEMESSAGE Wakingfromtendersleep,Myneighbour’slittlechildPutouthisbabyhandtome,Lookedinmyface,andsmiled。 ItseemedasifhecameHomefromahappyland,TotellmesomethingthatmyheartWouldsurelyunderstand。 Somewhere,amongbrightdreams,AchildthatoncewasmineHadwhisperedwordlesslovetohim,Andgivenhimasign。 Comfortofkindlyspeech,Andcounselofthewise,HavehelpedmelessthanwhatIreadInthosedeep—smilingeyes。 Sleepsweetly,littlefriend,Anddreamagainofheaven: WithdoubleloveIkissyourhand,—— Yourmessagehasbeengiven。 November,1903。 LIGHTBETWEENTHETREES Long,long,longthetrailThroughthebroodingforest—gloom,Downtheshadowy,lonelyvaleIntosilence,likearoomWherethelightoflifehasfled,AndthejealouscurtainscloseRoundthepassionlessreposeOfthesilentdead。 Plod,plod,plodaway,Stepbystepinmoulderingmoss; ThickbranchesbarthedayOverlanguidstreamsthatcrossSoftly,slowly,withasoundIntheiraimlesscreepingLikeasmotheredweeping,Throughtheenchantedground。 \"Yield,yield,yieldthyquest,\" Whispersthroughthewoodlanddeep; \"Cometomeandbeatrest; \"Iamslumber,Iamsleep。\" Thenthewearyfeetwouldfail,Butthenever—dauntedwillUrges\"Forward,forwardstill! \"Pressalongthetrail!\" Breast,breast,breasttheslope! See,thepathisgrowingsteep。 Hark!alittlesongofhopeWhenthestreambeginstoleap。 Thoughtheforest,farandwide,Stillshutsoutthebendingblue,Weshallfinallywinthrough,Crossthelongdivide。 On,on,onwardtramp! Willthejourneyneverend? Overyonderliesthecamp; Welcomewaitsusthere,myfriend。 Canwereachiterethenight? Upward,upward,neverfear! Look,thesummitmustbenear; Seethelineoflight! Red,red,redtheshineOfthesplendourinthewest,Glowingthroughtheranksofpine,Clearalongthemountain—crest! Long,long,longthetrailOutofsorrow’slonelyvale; ButatlastthetravellerseesLightbetweenthetrees! March,1904。 RELIANCE Nottotheswift,therace: Nottothestrong,thefight: Nottotherighteous,perfectgrace: Nottothewise,thelight。 ButoftenfalteringfeetComesuresttothegoal; AndtheywhowalkindarknessmeetThesunriseofthesoul。 AthousandtimesbynightTheSyrianhostshavedied; AthousandtimesthevanquishedrightHathrisen,glorified。 ThetruththewisemensoughtWasspokenbyachild; ThealabasterboxwasbroughtIntremblinghandsdefiled。 Notfrommytorch,thegleam,Butfromthestarsabove: Notfrommyheart,life’scrystalstream,ButfromthedepthsofLove。 October,1903。 GREETINGSANDINSCRIPTIONS KATRINA’SSUN—DIAL Hoursfly,Flowersdie: Newdays,Newways: Passby! Lovestays。 ** TimeisTooSlowforthosewhoWait,TooSwiftforthosewhoFear,TooLongforthosewhoGrieve,TooShortforthosewhoRejoice; ButforthosewhoLove,Timeisnot。 TOJAMESWHITCOMBRILEY Onhis\"BookofJoyousChildren\" Yoursisagardenofold—fashionedflowers; Joyouschildrendelighttoplaythere; Wearymenfindrestinitsbowers,Watchingthelingeringlightofdaythere。 Old—timetunesandyounglove’slaughterRippleandrunamongtheroses; Memory’sechoes,murmuringafter,Filltheduskwhenthelongdaycloses。 Simplesongswithacadenceolden—— TheseyoulearnedintheForestofArden: Friendlyflowerswithheartsallgolden—— TheseyouborrowedfromEden’sgarden。 Thisisthereasonwhyallmenloveyou; Truthtolifeisthecharmofart: Otherpoetsmaysoaraboveyou—— Youkeepclosetothehumanheart。 December,1903。 AHEALTHTOMARKTWAIN AthisBirthdayFeastWithmemoriesoldandwishesnewWecrownourcupsagain,Andhere’stoyou,andhere’stoyouWithlovethatne’ershallwane! Andmayyoukeep,atsixty—seven,Thejoyofearth,thehopeofheaven,Andfamewell—earned,andfriendshiptrue,Andpeacethatcomfortseverypain,Andfaiththatfightsthebattlethrough,Andallyourheart’sunboundedwealth,Andallyourwit,andallyourhealth,—— Yes,here’saheartyhealthtoyou,Andhere’stoyou,andhere’stoyou,Longlifetoyou,MarkTwain。 ARONDEAUOFCOLLEGERHYMES Ourcollegerhymes,——howlighttheyseem,Likelittleghostsoflove’syoungdreamThatledourboyishheartsawayFromlecturesandfrombooks,tostrayByflowerymeadandflowingstream! There’snothinghere,informortheme,Ofthoughtsublimeorartsupreme: WewouldnothavethecriticweighOurcollegerhymes。 Yetif,perchance,aslenderbeamOffeeling’sgloworfancy’sgleamStilllingersinthelineswelayAtAlmaMater’sfeettoday,ThetouchofNaturemayredeemOurcollegerhymes。 May,1904。 THEMOCKING—BIRD Inmirthhemockstheotherbirdsatnoon,Catchingtheliltofeveryeasytune; Butwhenthedaydepartshesingsoflove,—— Hisownwildsongbeneaththelisteningmoon。 March,1904。 THEEMPTYQUATRAIN Aflawlesscup:howdelicateandfineTheflowingcurveofeveryjewelledline! Look,turnitupordown,’tisperfectstill,—— Butholdsnodropoflife’sheart—warmingwine。 April,1904。 INSCRIPTIONSFORAFRIEND’SHOUSE THEHOUSE ThecornerstoneinTruthislaid,TheguardianwallsofHonourmade,TheroofofFaithisbuiltabove,ThefireuponthehearthisLove: Thoughrainsdescendandloudwindscall,Thishappyhouseshallneverfall。 THEDOORSTEAD Thelintellowenoughtokeepoutpompandpride: Thethresholdhighenoughtoturndeceitaside: Thedoorbandstrongenoughfromrobberstodefend: Thisdoorwillopenatatouchtowelcomeeveryfriend。 THEHEARTHSTONE Whenthelogsareburningfree,Thenthefireisfullofglee: Wheneachheartgivesoutitsbest,Thenthetalkisfullofzest: Lightyourfireandneverfear,Lifewasmadeforloveandcheer。 THESUN—DIAL TimecannevertakeWhatTimedidnotgive; Whenmyshadowshaveallpassed,Youshalllive。 THESTATUEOFSHERMANBYST。GAUDENS ThisisthesoldierbraveenoughtotellTheglory—dazzledworldthat’warishell’: Loverofpeace,helooksbeyondthestrife,Andridesthroughhelltosavehiscountry’slife。 April,1904。 THESUN—DIALATWELLSCOLLEGE TheshadowbymyfingercastDividesthefuturefromthepast: Beforeit,sleepstheunbornhourIndarkness,andbeyondthypower: Behinditsunreturningline,Thevanishedhour,nolongerthine: Onehouraloneisinthyhands,—— TheNOWonwhichtheshadowstands。 March,1904。