s: The God on half-shut feathers sank serene,


s: She breath'd upon his eyes, and swift was seen


s: Of both the guarded nymph near-smiling on the green.


s: Real are the dreams of Gods, and smoothly pass


s: Their pleasures in a long immortal dream.


s: One warm, flush'd moment, hovering, it might seem


s: Dash'd by the wood-nymph's beauty, so he burn'd;


s: Then, lighting on the printless verdure, turn'd


s: To the swoon'd serpent, and with languid arm,


s: Delicate, put to proof the lythe Caducean charm.


s: So done, upon the nymph his eyes he bent,


s: And towards her stept: she, like a moon in wane,


s: Faded before him, cower'd, nor could restrain


s: Her fearful sobs, self-folding like a flower


s: That faints into itself at evening hour:


s: She felt the warmth, her eyelids open'd bland,


s: And, like new flowers at morning song of bees,


s: Bloom'd, and gave up her honey to the lees.


s: Into the green-recessed woods they flew;


s: Nor grew they pale, as mortal lovers do.


s: To change; her elfin blood in madness ran,


s: Her mouth foam'd, and the grass, therewith besprent,


s: Her eyes in torture fix'd, and anguish drear,


s: Hot, glaz'd, and wide, with lid-lashes all sear,


s: Flash'd phosphor and sharp sparks, without one cooling tear.


s: The colours all inflam'd throughout her train,


s: She writh'd about, convuls'd with scarlet pain:


s: Spoilt all her silver mail, and golden brede;


s: Made gloom of all her frecklings, streaks and bars,


s: Eclips'd her crescents, and lick'd up her stars:


s: So that, in moments few, she was undrest


s: Of all her sapphires, greens, and amethyst,


s: And rubious-argent: of all these bereft,


s: Nothing but pain and ugliness were left.


s: Still shone her crown; that vanish'd, also she


s: And in the air, her new voice luting soft,


s: Cried, "Lycius! gentle Lycius!"--Borne aloft


s: With the bright mists about the mountains hoar


s: These words dissolv'd: Crete's forests heard no more.


s: She fled into that valley they pass o'er


s: Who go to Corinth from Cenchreas' shore;


s: And rested at the foot of those wild hills,


s: And of that other ridge whose barren back


s: Stretches, with all its mist and cloudy rack,


s: South-westward to Cleone. There she stood


s: About a young bird's flutter from a wood,


s: Fair, on a sloping green of mossy tread,


s: To see herself escap'd from so sore ills,


s: While her robes flaunted with the daffodils.


s: Or sigh'd, or blush'd, or on spring-flowered lea


s: Spread a green kirtle to the minstrelsy:


s: Of love deep learned to the red heart's core:


s: Not one hour old, yet of sciential brain


s: To unperplex bliss from its neighbour pain;


s: Define their pettish limits, and estrange


s: Their points of contact, and swift counterchange;


s: Intrigue with the specious chaos, and dispart


s: As though in Cupid's college she had spent


s: Sweet days a lovely graduate, still unshent,


s: And kept his rosy terms in idle languishment.


s: But first 'tis fit to tell how she could muse


s: And dream, when in the serpent prison-house,


s: Of all she list, strange or magnificent:


s: How, ever, where she will'd, her spirit went;


s: Down through tress-lifting waves the Nereids fair


s: Wind into Thetis' bower by many a pearly stair;


s: Or where God Bacchus drains his cups divine,


s: Stretch'd out, at ease, beneath a glutinous pine;


s: Mulciber's columns gleam in far piazzian line.


s: And sometimes into cities she would send


s: Her dream, with feast and rioting to blend;


s: And once, while among mortals dreaming thus,


s: Charioting foremost in the envious race,


s: Like a young Jove with calm uneager face,


s: Now on the moth-time of that evening dim


s: He would return that way, as well she knew,


s: To Corinth from the shore; for freshly blew


s: The eastern soft wind, and his galley now


s: Grated the quaystones with her brazen prow


s: Fresh anchor'd; whither he had been awhile


s: To sacrifice to Jove, whose temple there


s: Waits with high marble doors for blood and incense rare.


s: Jove heard his vows, and better'd his desire;


s: For by some freakful chance he made retire


s: From his companions, and set forth to walk,


s: Perhaps grown wearied of their Corinth talk:


s: Thoughtless at first, but ere eve's star appeared


s: His phantasy was lost, where reason fades,


s: In the calm'd twilight of Platonic shades.


s: Lamia beheld him coming, near, more near--


s: Close to her passing, in indifference drear,


s: His silent sandals swept the mossy green;


s: So neighbour'd to him, and yet so unseen


s: She stood: he pass'd, shut up in mysteries,


s: His mind wrapp'd like his mantle, while her eyes


s: Follow'd his steps, and her neck regal white


s: Turn'd--syllabling thus, "Ah, Lycius bright,


s: And will you leave me on the hills alone?


s: Lycius, look back! and be some pity shown."


s: For so delicious were the words she sung,


s: It seem'd he had lov'd them a whole summer long:


s: And soon his eyes had drunk her beauty up,


s: And still the cup was full,--while he afraid


s: Lest she should vanish ere his lip had paid


s: Her soft look growing coy, she saw his chain so sure:


s: "Leave thee alone! Look back! Ah, Goddess, see


s: Whether my eyes can ever turn from thee!


s: Stay! though a Naiad of the rivers, stay!


s: To thy far wishes will thy streams obey:


s: Stay! though the greenest woods be thy domain,


s: Alone they can drink up the morning rain:


s: Of thine harmonious sisters keep in tune


s: Thy spheres, and as thy silver proxy shine?


s: So sweetly to these ravish'd ears of mine


s: Came thy sweet greeting, that if thou shouldst fade


s: For pity do not melt!"--"If I should stay,"


s: Said Lamia, "here, upon this floor of clay,


s: And pain my steps upon these flowers too rough,


s: What canst thou say or do of charm enough


s: To dull the nice remembrance of my home?


s: Thou canst not ask me with thee here to roam


s: Over these hills and vales, where no joy is,--


s: Thou art a scholar, Lycius, and must know


s: In human climes, and live: Alas! poor youth,


s: What taste of purer air hast thou to soothe


s: And by mysterious sleights a hundred thirsts appease?


s: Tiptoe with white arms spread. He, sick to lose


s: The amorous promise of her lone complain,


s: Swoon'd, murmuring of love, and pale with pain.


s: Of sorrow for her tender favourite's woe,


s: But rather, if her eyes could brighter be,


s: Put her new lips to his, and gave afresh


s: The life she had so tangled in her mesh:


s: Happy in beauty, life, and love, and every thing,


s: A song of love, too sweet for earthly lyres,


s: While, like held breath, the stars drew in their panting fires


s: And then she whisper'd in such trembling tone,


s: For the first time through many anguish'd days,


s: Use other speech than looks; bidding him raise


s: His drooping head, and clear his soul of doubt,


s: Than throbbing blood, and that the self-same pains


s: Inhabited her frail-strung heart as his.


s: And next she wonder'd how his eyes could miss


s: Her face so long in Corinth, where, she said,


s: She dwelt but half retir'd, and there had led


s: Days happy as the gold coin could invent


s: Till she saw him, as once she pass'd him by,


s: Where 'gainst a column he leant thoughtfully


s: At Venus' temple porch, 'mid baskets heap'd


s: Of amorous herbs and flowers, newly reap'd


s: Late on that eve, as 'twas the night before


s: The Adonian feast; whereof she saw no more,


s: But wept alone those days, for why should she adore?


s: To see her still, and singing so sweet lays;


s: To hear her whisper woman's lore so well;


s: To unperplex'd delight and pleasure known.


s: Let the mad poets say whate'er they please


s: Of the sweets of Fairies, Peris, Goddesses,


s: There is not such a treat among them all,


s: Haunters of cavern, lake, and waterfall,


s: From Pyrrha's pebbles or old Adam's seed.


s: Thus gentle Lamia judg'd, and judg'd aright,


s: That Lycius could not love in half a fright,


s: So threw the goddess off, and won his heart


s: More pleasantly by playing woman's part,


s: With no more awe than what her beauty gave,


s: That, while it smote, still guaranteed to save.


s: And last, pointing to Corinth, ask'd her sweet,


s: If 'twas too far that night for her soft feet.


s: The way was short, for Lamia's eagerness


s: Made, by a spell, the triple league decrease


s: They pass'd the city gates, he knew not how


s: So noiseless, and he never thought to know.


s: And all her populous streets and temples lewd,


s: Mutter'd, like tempest in the distance brew'd,


s: To the wide-spreaded night above her towers.


s: Men, women, rich and poor, in the cool hours,


s: Shuffled their sandals o'er the pavement white,


s: Companion'd or alone; while many a light


s: Flared, here and there, from wealthy festivals,


s: And threw their moving shadows on the walls,


s: Or found them cluster'd in the corniced shade


s: Of some arch'd temple door, or dusky colonnade.


s: Muffling his face, of greeting friends in fear,


s: Her fingers he press'd hard, as one came near


s: With curl'd gray beard, sharp eyes, and smooth bald crown,


s: Slow-stepp'd, and robed in philosophic gown:


s: Lycius shrank closer, as they met and past,


s: While hurried Lamia trembled: "Ah," said he,


s: Why does your tender palm dissolve in dew?"--


s: "I'm wearied," said fair Lamia: "tell me who


s: His features--Lycius! wherefore did you blind


s: Yourself from his quick eyes?" Lycius replied,


s: And good instructor; but to-night he seems


s: The ghost of folly haunting my sweet dreams.


s: While yet he spake they had arrived before


s: A pillar'd porch, with lofty portal door,


s: Where hung a silver lamp, whose phosphor glow


s: So through the crystal polish, liquid fine,


s: Ran the dark veins, that none but feet divine


s: Could e'er have touch'd there. Sounds Aeolian


s: Breath'd from the hinges, as the ample span


s: Of the wide doors disclos'd a place unknown


s: And a few Persian mutes, who that same year


s: Were seen about the markets: none knew where


s: Were foil'd, who watch'd to trace them to their house:


s: And but the flitter-winged verse must tell,


s: For truth's sake, what woe afterwards befel,


s: 'Twould humour many a heart to leave them thus,


s: Shut from the busy world of more incredulous.


s: Is--Love, forgive us!--cinders, ashes, dust;


s: More grievous torment than a hermit's fast--


s: That is a doubtful tale from faery land,


s: Had Lycius liv'd to hand his story down,


s: He might have given the moral a fresh frown,


s: Or clench'd it quite: but too short was their bliss


s: To breed distrust and hate, that make the soft voice hiss.


s: Besides, there, nightly, with terrific glare,


s: Love, jealous grown of so complete a pair,


s: Hover'd and buzz'd his wings, with fearful roar,


s: And down the passage cast a glow upon the floor.


s: Whose airy texture, from a golden string,


s: Unveil'd the summer heaven, blue and clear,


s: Betwixt two marble shafts:--there they reposed,


s: Where use had made it sweet, with eyelids closed,


s: Saving a tythe which love still open kept,


s: That they might see each other while they almost slept;


s: When from the slope side of a suburb hill,


s: Deafening the swallow's twitter, came a thrill


s: Of trumpets--Lycius started--the sounds fled,


s: But left a thought, a buzzing in his head.


s: For the first time, since first he harbour'd in


s: His spirit pass'd beyond its golden bourn


s: Because he mused beyond her, knowing well


s: That but a moment's thought is passion's passing bell.


s: "Why do you sigh, fair creature?" whisper'd he:


s: "Why do you think?" return'd she tenderly:


s: Not in your heart while care weighs on your brow:


s: From your breast houseless: ay, it must be so."


s: Where he was mirror'd small in paradise,


s: Why will you plead yourself so sad forlorn,


s: While I am striving how to fill my heart


s: With deeper crimson, and a double smart?


s: Your soul in mine, and labyrinth you there


s: Ay, a sweet kiss--you see your mighty woes.


s: My thoughts! shall I unveil them? Listen then!


s: What mortal hath a prize, that other men


s: But lets it sometimes pace abroad majestical,


s: And triumph, as in thee I should rejoice


s: Amid the hoarse alarm of Corinth's voice.


s: "Let my foes choke, and my friends shout afar,


s: While through the thronged streets your bridal car


s: Wheels round its dazzling spokes." The lady's cheek


s: Trembled; she nothing said, but, pale and meek,


s: Of sorrows at his words; at last with pain


s: Beseeching him, the while his hand she wrung,


s: To change his purpose. He thereat was stung,


s: Perverse, with stronger fancy to reclaim


s: Besides, for all his love, in self despite,


s: Against his better self, he took delight


s: Fierce and sanguineous as 'twas possible


s: In one whose brow had no dark veins to swell.


s: The serpent--Ha, the serpent! certes, she


s: Was none. She burnt, she lov'd the tyranny,


s: When to the bridal he should lead his paramour.


s: Whispering in midnight silence, said the youth,


s: "Sure some sweet name thou hast, though, by my truth,


s: Fit appellation for this dazzling frame?


s: Or friends or kinsfolk on the citied earth,


s: To share our marriage feast and nuptial mirth?"


s: "I have no friends," said Lamia," no, not one;


s: My presence in wide Corinth hardly known:


s: My parents' bones are in their dusty urns


s: Sepulchred, where no kindled incense burns,


s: Seeing all their luckless race are dead, save me,


s: Even as you list invite your many guests;


s: But if, as now it seems, your vision rests


s: Lycius, perplex'd at words so blind and blank,


s: Made close inquiry; from whose touch she shrank,


s: Feigning a sleep; and he to the dull shade


s: The bride from home at blushing shut of day,


s: By strewn flowers, torches, and a marriage song,


s: With other pageants: but this fair unknown


s: His foolish heart from its mad pompousness,


s: She set herself, high-thoughted, how to dress


s: She did so, but 'tis doubtful how and whence


s: Came, and who were her subtle servitors.


s: About the halls, and to and from the doors,


s: There was a noise of wings, till in short space


s: The glowing banquet-room shone with wide-arched grace.


s: Supportress of the faery-roof, made moan


s: Throughout, as fearful the whole charm might fade.


s: Of palm and plantain, met from either side,


s: High in the midst, in honour of the bride:


s: Two palms and then two plantains, and so on,


s: From either side their stems branch'd one to one


s: All down the aisled place; and beneath all


s: There ran a stream of lamps straight on from wall to wall.


s: Teeming with odours. Lamia, regal drest,


s: Mission'd her viewless servants to enrich


s: The fretted splendour of each nook and niche.


s: Between the tree-stems, marbled plain at first,


s: Came jasper pannels; then, anon, there burst


s: Forth creeping imagery of slighter trees,


s: And with the larger wove in small intricacies.


s: And shut the chamber up, close, hush'd and still,


s: When dreadful guests would come to spoil her solitude.


s: The day appear'd, and all the gossip rout.


s: O senseless Lycius! Madman! wherefore flout


s: The silent-blessing fate, warm cloister'd hours,


s: And show to common eyes these secret bowers?


s: The herd approach'd; each guest, with busy brain,


s: And enter'd marveling: for they knew the street,


s: Remember'd it from childhood all complete


s: Without a gap, yet ne'er before had seen


s: That royal porch, that high-built fair demesne;


s: So in they hurried all, maz'd, curious and keen:


s: Save one, who look'd thereon with eye severe,


s: And with calm-planted steps walk'd in austere;


s: 'Twas Apollonius: something too he laugh'd,


s: As though some knotty problem, that had daft


s: His patient thought, had now begun to thaw,


s: And solve and melt--'twas just as he foresaw.


s: His young disciple. "'Tis no common rule,


s: With an unbidden presence the bright throng


s: Of younger friends; yet must I do this wrong,


s: And you forgive me." Lycius blush'd, and led


s: The old man through the inner doors broad-spread;


s: With reconciling words and courteous mien


s: Turning into sweet milk the sophist's spleen.


s: Fill'd with pervading brilliance and perfume:


s: A censer fed with myrrh and spiced wood,


s: Whose slender feet wide-swerv'd upon the soft


s: Wool-woofed carpets: fifty wreaths of smoke


s: From fifty censers their light voyage took


s: To the high roof, still mimick'd as they rose


s: Along the mirror'd walls by twin-clouds odorous.


s: Twelve sphered tables, by silk seats insphered,


s: High as the level of a man's breast rear'd


s: On libbard's paws, upheld the heavy gold


s: Of cups and goblets, and the store thrice told


s: Of Ceres' horn, and, in huge vessels, wine


s: Come from the gloomy tun with merry shine.


s: Thus loaded with a feast the tables stood,


s: Each shrining in the midst the image of a God.


s: Had felt the cold full sponge to pleasure press'd,


s: By minist'ring slaves, upon his hands and feet,


s: Pour'd on his hair, they all mov'd to the feast


s: In white robes, and themselves in order placed


s: Whence all this mighty cost and blaze of wealth could spring.


s: Kept up among the guests discoursing low


s: At first, for scarcely was the wine at flow;


s: But when the happy vintage touch'd their brains,


s: Louder they talk, and louder come the strains


s: Of powerful instruments--the gorgeous dyes,


s: The space, the splendour of the draperies,


s: The roof of awful richness, nectarous cheer,


s: Beautiful slaves, and Lamia's self, appear,


s: Now, when the wine has done its rosy deed,


s: And every soul from human trammels freed,


s: No more so strange; for merry wine, sweet wine,


s: Will make Elysian shades not too fair, too divine.


s: Soon was God Bacchus at meridian height;


s: Flush'd were their cheeks, and bright eyes double bright:


s: Garlands of every green, and every scent


s: From vales deflower'd, or forest-trees branch rent,


s: In baskets of bright osier'd gold were brought


s: High as the handles heap'd, to suit the thought


s: Of every guest; that each, as he did please,


s: Might fancy-fit his brows, silk-pillow'd at his ease.


s: The leaves of willow and of adder's tongue;


s: And for the youth, quick, let us strip for him


s: The thyrsus, that his watching eyes may swim


s: Let spear-grass and the spiteful thistle wage


s: War on his temples. Do not all charms fly


s: There was an awful rainbow once in heaven:


s: We know her woof, her texture; she is given


s: Empty the haunted air, and gnomed mine--


s: The tender-person'd Lamia melt into a shade.


s: By her glad Lycius sitting, in chief place,


s: Scarce saw in all the room another face,


s: Till, checking his love trance, a cup he took


s: Full brimm'd, and opposite sent forth a look


s: 'Cross the broad table, to beseech a glance


s: From his old teacher's wrinkled countenance,


s: And pledge him. The bald-head philosopher


s: Had fix'd his eye, without a twinkle or stir


s: Full on the alarmed beauty of the bride,


s: Brow-beating her fair form, and troubling her sweet pride.


s: Lycius then press'd her hand, with devout touch,


s: 'Twas icy, and the cold ran through his veins;


s: Then sudden it grew hot, and all the pains


s: "Lamia, what means this? Wherefore dost thou start?


s: Know'st thou that man?" Poor Lamia answer'd not.


s: More, more he gaz'd: his human senses reel:


s: Some hungry spell that loveliness absorbs;


s: "Lamia!" he cried--and no soft-toned reply.


s: Grew hush; the stately music no more breathes;


s: The myrtle sicken'd in a thousand wreaths.


s: By faint degrees, voice, lute, and pleasure ceased;


s: A deadly silence step by step increased,


s: Until it seem'd a horrid presence there,


s: And not a man but felt the terror in his hair.


s: "Lamia!" he shriek'd; and nothing but the shriek


s: With its sad echo did the silence break.


s: "Begone, foul dream!" he cried, gazing again


s: In the bride's face, where now no azure vein


s: Wander'd on fair-spaced temples; no soft bloom


s: The deep-recessed vision--all was blight;


s: Lamia, no longer fair, there sat a deadly white.


s: "Shut, shut those juggling eyes, thou ruthless man!


s: Turn them aside, wretch! or the righteous ban


s: May pierce them on the sudden with the thorn


s: Of painful blindness; leaving thee forlorn,


s: In trembling dotage to the feeblest fright


s: Of conscience, for their long offended might,


s: For all thine impious proud-heart sophistries,


s: Corinthians! look upon that gray-beard wretch!


s: Mark how, possess'd, his lashless eyelids stretch


s: Around his demon eyes! Corinthians, see!


s: My sweet bride withers at their potency."


s: "Fool!" said the sophist, in an under-tone


s: Gruff with contempt; which a death-nighing moan


s: From Lycius answer'd, as heart-struck and lost,


s: "Fool! Fool!" repeated he, while his eyes still


s: Relented not, nor mov'd; "from every ill


s: Of life have I preserv'd thee to this day,


s: And shall I see thee made a serpent's prey?"


s: Then Lamia breath'd death breath; the sophist's eye,


s: Like a sharp spear, went through her utterly,


s: Keen, cruel, perceant, stinging: she, as well


s: As her weak hand could any meaning tell,


s: Than with a frightful scream she vanished:


s: As were his limbs of life, from that same night.


s: On the high couch he lay!--his friends came round


s: Supported him--no pulse, or breath they found,


s: And, in its marriage robe, the heavy body wound.


s: Girlhood, the dearest time of joy and love,


s: The sunny spring of gladness and of peace,


s: The time that joins its links with heaven above,


s: And all that's pure below; a running ease


s: Of careless thought beguiles the murmuring stream


s: Of girlish life, and as some sweet, vague dream,


s: Comes oft to lure the girlish feet away,


s: But by the brooklet still they love to stray,


s: Nor long to seek the world's engulfing flood.


s: Hilda--a name that seems to stand alone--


s: So strong, so clear it sharply echoing tone;


s: And yet a name that holds a weirdlike grace,


s: Withal like some strange, haunting, beauteous face;


s: A woman's name, by woman's truth made dear,


s: That leans upon itself and knows no fear,


s: And yet a name a shrinking girl might wear,


s: With girlish ease, devoid of thought and care.


s: And she is worthy of this name so true--


s: This girl with thoughtful eyes of darkest hue,


s: This maiden stepping o'er the golden line


s: That separates the child from woman divine.


s: Not yet she feels the longing, vague unrest


s: That ever fills the woman's throbbing breast,


s: But with a childlike questioning after truth,


s: She lingers yet amid the dreams of youth.


s: She stands where creep the wavelets more and more,


s: Until at last the rocky ledge they meet,


s: And break in foam around her lingering feet.


s: Her eyes glance downward in a careless way,


s: As though she loved their soft caressing play,


s: And fain would stand and muse forever there,


s: Stretched forth in beauty 'neath the sunny skies,


s: And through the clouds' far lifting, sheeny mist


s: She sees the pale blue skies by sunlight kissed.


s: She stands a creature pure and glad; serene,


s: Her eyes glance heavenward and a roseate shade


s: Plays o'er her Hebe features--perfect made.


s: The arts and wiles which worldlier spirits own;


s: She loves the ocean's ever changing play,


s: When round her form is flung its dashing spray,


s: And oft she laughs in wildest, merriest glee


s: When folded close within its billows free.


s: She loves the wildwood's green and leafy maze,


s: Within whose foliage hide the sun's bright rays;


s: And like a child she hoards the bright-eyed flowers,


s: With loving heart she greets each form of earth,


s: To which God's kindly hand has given birth.


s: But better far than all, she loves to roam


s: Far on the cliff's lone height, and there at eve


s: To watch the dark ships as they wander home.


s: Strange dreams in this calm hour her fancies weave,


s: So quaint and odd, they seem but shadowy rays,


s: Caught from the sunset's deep, mysterious haze.


s: Lo! now she stands like some pale statue fair,


s: With eyes cast down and careless falling hair;


s: She vaguely dreams of things that are to be,


s: A woman's future, noble, fresh and free;


s: And o'er her face youth's crimson colors flow,


s: As with a beating heart she thinks she'll give


s: Her life to one true heart, and with a glow


s: Of pride she vows her future life to live


s: So good and true that all her days shall seem


s: But the fulfillment of his heart's proud dream.


s: Yet soon she trembles with some unknown thought,


s: A vague and restless longing fills her breast,


s: And with a passionate fear her mind is wrought.


s: She cannot case away the strange unrest;


s: With hands clasped close in attitude of prayer


s: She stands, her pleading face so young and fair,


s: Is turned unto the skies, but no, not here


s: Will God speak all unto her listening ear;


s: Too soon in dark, deep strife upon this shore


s: Her soul will yield its peace forevermore.


s: And then she hurries home with flying feet,


s: For there in peace her dear old parents dwell,


s: That simple twain who love this maid so well


s: They fain would keep her with them ever there,


s: A thoughtless child, free from all grief and care.


s: But ah! they cannot understand the heart,


s: Which turns from all their loving ways apart,


s: Within that home she seems to stand alone,


s: By day, that o'er her life shall hold their sway;


s: And like a fragile flower before the storm,


s: She bows her head and ends her slender form,


s: And brave the tempest, for 'tis God's command.


s: And like to her how many a girl has stood


s: And sought in vain from guiding hand and power;


s: But unlike her in that dread trial hour,


s: They've lost their faith, for Hilda's trusting mind,


s: E'en though it stood alone, had so much strength,


s: And faith that to life's problem she could find


s: Solution strange and subtle; even though at length


s: She might complain and grieve o'er all the wasted past.


s: Oh! life is dark and full of unseen care,


s: And better were it if all girls thus fair


s: And young were truly understood at last.


s: For every girl some time will feel the need


s: Of loving hearts to strengthen and to lead,


s: When first are opened to her wondering eyes


s: The world's fair fields and seeming paradise.


s: She only sees the beauty--hears the song,


s: Knows not the hidden snares, nor dreams of wrong.


s: 'Tis woman's happiest time, and yet 'tis true


s: A sombre tinge may mar its brightest hue.


s: For girlhood too will have its doubts and fears,


s: Will lose the past and long for coming years,


s: The eyes see not that should be strong and keen;


s: While powerless, weak girlhood stands between


s: The tides of life, and though its aims are high,


s: Poor Hilda stands and knows it not, the dream


s: Of life to her is bright, youth's sunny gleam


s: Shines over all in tender, softened light,


s: And swiftly do the moments wing their flight.


s: But yet so sensitive her shrinking soul,


s: That o'er her life sometimes great shadows roll,


s: Like angry clouds; upon a wild dark shore


s: She stands, alone and weak, while more and more


s: The unknown forces grow and cast their blight,


s: Till all the past is lost in one dark night;


s: And like a dream the girlish days drift past.


s: That threw their forms athwart the restless sea,


s: Making the radiance of the West grow dim.


s: O'er changing sky and distant rocky caves,


s: While o'er some weary sea-bird's pure white breast,


s: A bright glow spread when dipping in the waves,


s: Her tired form found therein coolness; peace


s: Supremely reigned, and under Silence's wings


s: Vanished afar and near the waves' wide rings;


s: Still grander grew the heavy golden skies,


s: With gorgeous hues and airy snow-white fleece,


s: And dreamier grew the maiden's watching eyes,


s: As through and through her trembling soul and frame,


s: The thrill of nature's beauty softly came;


s: And while her eyes with love and rapture filled,


s: Of all that weird and strangely splendid scene,


s: All other thoughts within her soul were stilled,


s: While o'er her head fair spirits seemed to lean.


s: The waves their ever restless motion stayed;


s: All living nature seemed to hold its breath,


s: As if by some stupendous power o'erweighed;


s: And right athwart the sunset's fading glow,


s: A great black cloud, like some huge monstrous thing,


s: Threw round and round the sun's last dipping ring


s: And lower, lower fell that mighty cloud,


s: With menacing shape as in defiance proud,


s: Seemed filled with shadows from its darkening wings---


s: That dreadful spell cast over waves once free,


s: Hushed into silence deep all living things.


s: And still the maiden's watching, eager eyes


s: Were fixed unmoved on black'ning sea and skies;


s: So motionless she stood with hands clasped close


s: And heart-beats growing few and fainter all this time,


s: That e'en it seemed as though the life-blood froze


s: Within her veins, like streams in frigid clime!


s: To-night she'd seen strange visions in the clouds,


s: Of cities great and busy murmuring crowds,


s: That called her on to some far different life,


s: 'Mid active minds and noisy, changing strife.


s: With beating heart she saw the clouds unfold,


s: Within their depths there gleamed a crown of gold.


s: Too soon the scene had faded from the skies,


s: While o'er the earth the threat'ning cloud had spread


s: That rudely thrust itself before her eyes


s: And filled her with an overpowering dread;


s: Yet still she stood with proud, unbending form,


s: Though all the world seemed near some awful doom.


s: That dreary silence by foretold the storm


s: That soon would rage within the night's dark gloom;


s: A deathly hush o'er waiting land and sea,


s: And then with one loud clap the storm cloud burst.


s: As if with fearful spell they'd long been curst,


s: Now vented all the power of stifled birth


s: The waves around the cliff's low base sprang high


s: And madly dashed their spray in furious rage;


s: The maid, howe'er, looked down with scornful eye,


s: As if she could their mighty power assuage.


s: She gloried in that strange, terrific storm,


s: The lightning's glare and hurried thunder peal


s: A hidden might that bade her trembling kneel


s: And pledge her life to fame, that she might win


s: The glory of the world's enthroning light,


s: Then give it back to God all freed from sin.


s: Long, long she knelt, her soul in prayer thrown,


s: Unheeding still the lightning's lurid glare;


s: For what were raging storms and nature's moan


s: To that mad strife within her bosom fair!


s: At last the lightnings ceased, the winds grew still;


s: All powers recognized God's mightier will;


s: Old ocean, like a child with passion spent,


s: Anon it sighed and to the dark waves lent,


s: A sad, sweet song; the storm indeed was dead.


s: Along the sable robes that veiled the sky,


s: The red stars glowed, yet paled each tiny fire


s: Before the yellow moon, who, throned on high,


s: From Hilda, too, the stormy grief had fled,


s: And with a strange, deep peace inspired, she rose


s: From off the rocks and lifted up her head.


s: The moon smiled on her upturned face, and close


s: Beneath her feet the waves swept to and fro.


s: A smile as that which lit the tide below,


s: Then dawned upon her lips, for god her prayer


s: Had heard; that harp of gold--these skies now fair,


s: Seemed but the emblem that her soul's dark strife


s: Should lead her soon unto a nobler life.


s: Beyond her, on the ledge, a dark form stood,


s: Regarding her with wistful, wondering eyes;


s: He seemed the type of all that's true and good


s: In man; down from the starry, moonlit skies


s: The radiance fell and crowned his youthful head,


s: Seemed shadowed forth.  Yet restless as the sea


s: His eyes that Hilda's fair young face had read.


s: With beating heart he'd watched her kneeling there


s: Upon the rocks; had listened to her prayer


s: In silence wondering; so strange it seemed


s: To see her there amid the storm, but still


s: He stood and powerless; a gladdening thrill


s: Ran through his veins to see that form alone,


s: And o'er his noble, Godlike face there gleamed


s: A pride to think this maid was all his own.


s: He loved--and love our hearts can ne'er repress--


s: In truth he gazed upon that face and form


s: As though upon her head each wet and gleaming tress


s: Were more than all the phantoms of the storm.


s: He loved as even the sun must love the flowers


s: That shyly glance to him 'neath leafy bowers,


s: Or as the river with its strong deep tide


s: Must love the willows nestling by its side.


s: Nor looked upon the earth, nor in the sky;


s: Was as the light that in fair gems doth lie.


s: Entranced she stood--the mocking visions came--


s: But see! she starts; upon the air her name


s: Steals like a whisper of the wave's low song,


s: Borne by the zephyrs of the night along.


s: She turns--beside her on the rocks he stands


s: With questioning eyes and eager, outstretched hands;


s: She smiles, then starts back with a startled look,


s: As some wild fawn within its sheltered nook.


s: "Fair Hilda, tell me why with reckless feet


s: You braved the elements and dared to kneel


s: Here in the angry storm--it was not meet


s: That all this night's wild tempest you should feel."


s: She looked at him with almost haughty air,


s: To think that to reprove her he should dare;


s: She met his eyes that searched her own for truth,


s: She who had scorned the tempest dark and wild,


s: Feared not the chidings of his hasty youth.


s: And undismayed she moved to where he stood,


s: With blushing, beauteous charms of maidenhood,


s: And there with rapt eyes looking up to him,


s: She told him of those visions never dim;


s: Whose restless strength had swayed her fragile form.


s: That he might there its inmost thoughts unroll.


s: Her pleading voice grew stronger with each word,


s: Until enthralled and hushed his spirit heard.


s: Upright she stood in girlish, thrilling grace,


s: The glancing moonlight falling o'er her face;


s: It seemed as though some heavenly, unknown power


s: Had come to her within that strange, short hour,


s: To make the listener feel the truth divine


s: That lingered in her words and true design.


s: In silvery cadence earnest, clear and strong,


s: And still he stood with bowed head 'neath the skies


s: And winning voice--and manly thought he stood,


s: Which seemed with conscious might to grasp the power


s: Of fame, the world's alluring, phantom flower.


s: And startled gazed--the maid he loved had come


s: This night to teach him that her woman's soul


s: Had dared to seek, than his, a higher goal.


s: At last each thought was told; with eager eyes


s: That glowed with fire, as stars throughout the night,


s: She waited as some birdling ere it flies,


s: Awaits to poise itself for stronger flight.


s: But he, when that dear voice had ceased to flow,


s: He knew not what to say, but to and fro,


s: He paced awhile with restless step; too well


s: He knew her dauntless will, her fearless heart;


s: He dared not say her dreams, her plans were naught,


s: And yet to lose her--quickly came the thought--


s: It roused him with a sudden mad'ning start.


s: But burning traces of some ill-starred dream;


s: I grieve that e'er thy soul should long to claim


s: With all a woman's power thou this night


s: Of thy dear eyes and voice, till almost blind


s: But now when freed from th' witchery of thy voice


s: Thou art a woman pure, whose noble heart


s: Would fain do, in this world, its earnest part;


s: But Hilda, with a girl's weak, erring hand,


s: Thy hopes are builded on the treacherous sand.


s: Give up this dream that in thy mind now lies


s: "No, no" the dark eyes flash with sudden fire,


s: "Of this bright dream I know I ne'er shall tire;


s: And take my station, be it high or low."


s: "Dear Hilda," then his voice grew low and sweet,


s: "I love thee; and my love has not been brief.


s: When thou wert young I led thy wand'ring feet,


s: And ever guarded thee from pain and grief.


s: Through all my life thou wert its hope and pride,


s: But now you turn from that true life aside,


s: In other paths, by luring dreams beguiled.


s: Not so my love for thee; though e'en the sun


s: Should disappear, his race of glory run,


s: And stars like lost souls wand'ring through the sky,


s: Should vanish as that sun; though worlds should die,


s: And all the purple clouds should come at eve


s: And for the earth a robe of mourning weave,


s: While to the very skies the seas should roll


s: In waves of grief to sweep the heavens' scroll,


s: It could not change my smallest thought of thee;


s: I count a man as naught if he's not free,


s: Yet willingly for thy dear sake I'd live


s: Where all the world my freedom could not give,


s: If that I knew could save thee from one tear.


s: Than werefore take from my thy presence dear?


s: If thou would'st wear a crown, why leave this scene?


s: But stay! I'll crown thee as my love--my queen."


s: O'er bending face a heightened color spread,


s: "You cannot understand me yet," she said,


s: Then wistfully she looked out on the sea,


s: I'd use it that the world should better grow;


s: I long for fame because I then should know


s: My power was felt and recognized--but stay,


s: My words are vain, you sadly turn away."


s: "Choose, Hilda," then once more he proudly cried;


s: Upon his face there gleamed a passionate pride;


s: "Between this love that I now offer thee


s: And that vain fame as faithless as the sea.


s: I give thee deepest love that man can feel,


s: Before thine own my heart in truth doth kneel.


s: Lest it should die as some poor tortured dove;


s: If once 'tis dead your woman's heart my grieve


s: Whose glory, dead and gone, will haunt you still."


s: Her eyes were filled with grief, her head bent low,


s: Upon the shore the waves crept to and fro,


s: Their moan was vaguely echoed in her breast


s: That vainly struggled with its great unrest.


s: Her heart was throbbing with the heavy pain


s: His words had caused; on each fair cheek a stain


s: Of crimson lay, as that which softly falls


s: From setting sun on gleaming marble walls.


s: In fitful gleams; on drooping eyelids lay


s: A weight, yet 'neath those heavy veils of snow


s: The dark eyes quivered with a restless glow.


s: She could not speak, mute as the rocks that stand


s: She stood, while stars looked down from heaven's shore


s: Her heart had not yet dared to make reply


s: Lest in those words a deeper pain should lie.


s: Looks down with troubled frowns and stifled sighs.


s: As quick as light across the calm, clear skies,


s: A meteor flashes down, a dazzling sight,


s: Then dies, and all the heavens seem as before.


s: "Look, Hilda, look! so dies this lamp of night


s: That once was placed upon god's starry floor


s: To give us light, while yet doth gleam each star


s: That calmly moves within its own allotted space.


s: Take warning, Hilda, fly not from thy place.


s: Nor seek to wander from thy realm too far,


s: Lest in a trackless waste thy soul shall stray,


s: And as this meteor, flash and fade away,


s: While all unmoved the world's calm eyes shall gaze,


s: Nor give one tear unto thy shortened days."


s: Back from her face the waves of crimson rolled,


s: And left it pale as death; as flowers unfold


s: Their dewy depths, to him her liquid eyes


s: Were gently raised:  "Within that symbol lies


s: Perhaps a truth," she says, "I dare not say,


s: A crown will rest that will not fade away.


s: Oh! seek not in my sorely troubled breast


s: To rouse again its strength of dark unrest;


s: For better were my heart in torture wrung


s: Than linger here and leave its song unsung."


s: With sad, sad eyes he looked into her face,


s: Then turned aside with grand, unconscious grace,


s: Though in his voice his sorrow still did lie.


s: "Then as the sea that looks up to some star,


s: And as the star's light in the deep blue sea


s: Still mirrored in my life thy soul shall be.


s: Even as the ocean hears the star's glad song


s: And in my saddest hours will gladden me.


s: I give thee to that mocking world so vain,


s: Although it gives me much and weary pain,


s: And may its ruthless hand be laid on thee


s: With lighter touch than it has given me.


s: Remember, if thy spirit should grow weak,


s: To thee my aid will come if thou'lt but speak


s: And tell me if within thy troubled breast


s: A longing comes for loving care and rest.


s: Because thou lov'st not me; each waving tress


s: As sunlight to each flower and budding tree.


s: One look into those eyes I love so well,


s: And then, dear one--a sad, a last farewell."


s: With that he caught her small and trembling hand;


s: With simple royal grace and gesture grand,


s: He pressed it to his lips, then let it fall;--


s: His dream of love had passed beyond recall.


s: That touch awakened all her woman's love,


s: As flowers love the strong, brave sun above,


s: She loved this man nor ever questioned why.


s: Before this night no doubts had come between


s: To mar its trust or stir its depths serene.


s: Oh! blessed is that love and faith indeed,


s: Which knows no doubt but only feels its need;


s: That unsought love which comes and fills the breast


s: Because we cannot help--that is the best.


s: She pressed her hand, then backward swept the hair


s: Whose shining wreath around her form was thrown;


s: Her darkened eyes with pleading, troubled air


s: Looked up into his own; she seemed a child


s: Beside his strength, yet through his form a shiver


s: Ran, and to his lips there came a painful quiver,


s: That told too well the stormy passion wild


s: This childlike girl had wakened this hour.


s: Its might swept o'er his soul with fearful power--


s: He dared not move--a silence strange and deep


s: Fell o'er them both, as some half-waking sleep.


s: To lose her! ah! the fearful, madd'ning thought,


s: Unto a wilder grief his soul it wrought;


s: With desperate pride he wrestled with his pain


s: Lest she should see it in his face again.


s: But ah! what slender chain of love is this


s: That can be broken with a last warm kiss!


s: With longing eyes she stood there by his side,


s: Her looks fixed on the ocean's tireless tide,


s: Then gazed down on the robes that swept her feet;


s: His searching eyes she dared not, could not meet;


s: And why? within her own the dark tears stood,


s: True signs of weak and loving womanhood.


s: At last she put aside her love's young dream,


s: Because it must be banished from her heart.


s: They stood so near, and yet how far apart--


s: A gulf had come between them, vast and wide,


s: A gulf made by her longing, restless pride.


s: With low and trembling voice at last she said


s: With sadly falling tears and bended head:


s: "Oh! Adrian, my faint heart fain would dwell


s: Forever here beneath thy love's dear spell;


s: But ah! beyond the height where breaks the day,


s: There lives a charm that calls my soul away.


s: Afar the mountains glow in pale, blue mist,


s: By fleecy clouds and summer sunshine kissed.


s: Beyond this shore, beyond the trackless sea.


s: Ah! this is why, dear Adrian, we must part,


s: Although it rends my grieving, restless heart;


s: Forgive me if to-night I've caused thee pain--


s: If grief be thine, forgive me once again.


s: Farewell! when from thy life my love is fled,


s: Henceforth to thee let Hilda's name be dead."


s: And this was all--vague shadows crept around,


s: The waves sung in his ears their moaning sound;


s: He looked in vain for Hilda's dear, sweet face,


s: To him.  In vain he called forth in despair;


s: Like some pale spirit she had stolen from him


s: And left him there 'mid shadows dark and grim.


s: Oh what is fame! a flower that dies at eve,


s: A golden mist that subtle fancies weave,


s: An unknown star that wise men never see,


s: An idle dream of things that may not be.


s: Farewell to peace when once the dreams of fame


s: Shall stir the soul into a restless flame.


s: There is no rest by day, no sleep by night;


s: The eyes are blinded by the dazzling light.


s: Ah! woe to him who first espies the star,


s: It hath the power his life to make or mar.


s: The faintly-gleaming stars half-hidden lie;


s: Upon Night's bending head a hood of snow


s: With gentle frowns she shakes her sable hair


s: And sends the snow-flakes whirling through the air.


s: And soon a soft, thick mantle, pure and white,


s: Gives to the earth a new and holy light.


s: While with a thousand lamps the city glows


s: Each lamp transformed into a sparkling gem,


s: That o'er the earth its flickering splendor throws.


s: Paris, that brilliant city, gleams to-night


s: With glittering lights that hide her ghastly woes;


s: Though in her heart a tide of crimson flows.


s: The city is aglow with wealth and pride;


s: A gilded hall is thronged from side to side


s: With fashion's train of beauteous dames, who smile


s: With gallant men who smile on them again.


s: All seems forgotten--want and weary pain


s: That fill the earth with all their drear distress;


s: Yet many a heart beneath the silken dress


s: 'Neath such bright smiles that none would ever guess


s: What lies concealed; and handsome, manly eyes


s: In which the hidden lovelight dreaming lies,


s: Are telling o'er in silent language sweet,


s: The love which lips and tongue would fain repeat.


s: And costly robes each womanly charm enhance,


s: From tempting coral lips gay laughter flies,


s: To be reflected o'er in arch, coquettish eyes.


s: But see! each tongue is hushed within that hall,


s: From dainty hands gay fans unheeded fall;


s: While eyes that one glad moment just before


s: Were bent 'neath love's warm glances to the floor,


s: Are looking now, forgetting lovers' sighs,


s: And breathless waits that glittering, changing throng,


s: To hear once more their idol's rippling song.


s: Dark eyes that gleam with proud and passionate air,


s: A brow that shadows forth a noble pride.


s: And she is here--the queen of song, Arline,


s: With flashing eyes and proud triumphant mien.


s: She smiles--she knows her potent power full well;


s: With silvery song she breaks the golden spell


s: Of silence--sings until the walls resound


s: With echoing strains, and all the air around


s: And reach with daring wings the listening skies.


s: Within her breast a power that cannot die


s: Seems lifting her beyond the earth; along


s: On living waves of fire her glorious song


s: Of songs seems borne.  Triumphant in this hour,


s: Her voice reveals a wild and stormy power


s: Of weird, sad passion that awakes each soul


s: And leave the air in silence once again.


s: Ah! conquering song, thou wert not born of earth,


s: Celestial stars proclaim thy heavenly birth!


s: And proud Arline, with wondrous, thrilling art,


s: Has cast thy spell upon each answering heart.


s: Oh, sing, Arline, and fear not for thy song!


s: Is not so grand as that, nor e'en the roar


s: Of countless oceans swiftly borne along.


s: Oh! poets, rave not of your singing seas,


s: Your rivers with their rippling melodies;


s: The human voice alone can touch the heart,


s: Then sing, Arline, uplift your starry eyes,


s: And rouse to nobler deeds this eager throng;--


s: In all the world there's naught so sweet as song.


s: But hush--in low sad strains the music dies,


s: Low at her feet a wealth of flowers lies;


s: She smiles--the world's bright fame is clearly won,


s: Along her veins the quickened fires now run;


s: Her dark eyes flash--Oh! fame, thou art divine!


s: Into her heart, like streams of blood-red wine,


s: The world's sweet homage flows; a deepening strain


s: Of crimson plays upon her face.  Oh! fame,


s: Fear not, for she is thine; within thy flame


s: Her soul enraptured burns--and love's sad pain


s: That proves too well her strange and gifted power.


s: But see! still deeper grows the crimson glow


s: She sees in star-gemmed flowers of purest snow


s: Of circling red; and in their midst a gem


s: That sparkles with a strange intensive light.


s: She smiles--a smile that rouses all the fire


s: In one young heart; with quick and eager flight


s: His eyes seek hers; unto her face still higher


s: The warm blood flows beneath that ling'ring gaze.


s: Her drooping eyes grow liquid with the rays


s: Of light within their depths; the rippling hair,


s: With burnished hues of brown and amber rare,


s: Falls o'er the shaded brow; while sweeping low,


s: The long, dark lashes hide the deepening glow


s: Of silvery streams and shaded, flowery dell,


s: Nor talk of clouds with faces to the sun,


s: That hang low down where golden rivers run.


s: But dare to paint with skillful, cunning art


s: Oh, catch the light that lingers in her eyes--


s: The passing gleam that o'er the shadow flies;


s: Then paint for me the secrets of her soul,


s: That I may read as on some written scroll.


s: If this you cannot do, then talk no more


s: Of nature's wealth of deep and mystic lore--


s: A woman--the fairest picture e'er was wrought;


s: A poem fresh from God's own living thought.


s: She turns again, for once more at her feet


s: A few fair flowers fall--spell-bound she stands,


s: Then stoops and clasps them all with eager hands;


s: Forget-me-nots and daises, pure and white--


s: Oh! dear wild flowers, how come you here this night


s: To welcome her with shy and modest eyes,


s: With warm, bright lips--the royal diadem


s: Is thrown aside for these few welcome flowers,


s: And all forgotten is the fame--the hours


s: Of dazzling triumph; like an eager child


s: She stands and clasps them in her hands; and wild


s: And restless are her thoughts; oh! mocking fame,


s: Where is thy victory now! thy burning flame!


s: On memory's wings she's carried back to where


s: These same wild flowers perfumed the sunny air.


s: And once again in childhood's tireless feet,


s: She wanders on the shore where dark waves beat


s: And moan.  She bends her head, her eyes are wet


s: With tears.  Weep not, Arline! your heart may fret


s: Itself in vain, the world will never care.


s: Reveal not to these heartless eyes the pain


s: That clasps your heart, but raise your head again


s: And let your grand, young voice ring on the air!


s: See! 'neath your feet the crown of roses lies


s: All crushed and torn; then lift your proud, dark eyes


s: Unto this throng once more, and let them see


s: Within those depths, a spirit strong and free.


s: The fragrant breath of flowers she loves so well


s: Breathes on her face and wraps her in a spell;


s: Bring back the sunny past--the present gloom.


s: Arline, Arline, the world is at your feet,


s: Why droop your head, why grow so still and pale?


s: Are flowers worth tears, does life no joys repeat?


s: And fame is yours--is this the hour to fail?


s: And see! those eyes have never left your face,


s: Those eyes like pansies heavy with the dew;


s: They seek your own, reflect your royal grace,


s: Arline, and read your every thought; anew.


s: They wonder at your silence--smile once more,


s: Thou queenly one, and send that eager heart


s: There lies his off'ring--turn your steps apart


s: And crush it not, for he will grieve, Arline,


s: Are raised once more, and now a gentle queen


s: She stands before them all--the shadow dies--


s: A softened splendor like the night's weird grace


s: Rests on her brow and faintly-glowing face.


s: She lifts her head--she sees the eager crowd,


s: Her blood begins to leap, her eyes grow proud,


s: Yet still within their liquid depths there lies


s: A childlike mournfulness, a dread of truth.


s: Forever fled they are, the dreams of youth,


s: She wears the crown of fame upon her brow.


s: For those bright laurels that so soon can fade


s: She's sold her love nor deemed the choice ill made.


s: Her rich voice ripples like a golden stream


s: Let loose beneath the sun; a yearning prayer


s: Within her low-voiced, echoing song doth seem


s: To lie.  The bounding blood now swiftly flows


s: Along her veins, and on her face it glows


s: With warm, bright fires.  With trembling hands are pressed


s: The flowers against her heart, a dark unrest


s: Seems in her soul, yet in those glancing eyes


s: A tender radiance, like faint sunlight lies.


s: Oh, sing, Arline, and let the echoes die


s: Sing on, for hearts are growing pure again


s: Beneath thy woman's spell; a power divine


s: You wield to-night to soften and refine.


s: Faint hearts are growing sad and full of pain,


s: Proud eyes that have not wept for many years


s: Are downward cast, and filled with unshed tears.


s: What though thy heart is in that low, sad song,


s: They know it not, their souls are borne along


s: And strangely thrilled by its sweet melody;


s: They cannot know what thoughts may dwell in thee.


s: And o'er each life the tides of memory roll.


s: The music dies--she fain would go--but no.


s: They call her back, again her dark eyes glow


s: With longing light; once more she stands and sings


s: The plaintive words whose hidden sorrow rings


s: Through every heart.  These words her lips repeat;


s: The crowd move not; they listen at her feet.


s: Though brighter memories round thee throng


s: When fond lips with their glad, dear thrill,


s: And there, where life and love are well,


s: A parting glance--a glimpse of dreamy eyes,


s: A fair young face on which a shadow lies;


s: And she is gone, the plaintive song is done.


s: Fades from the skies, and left no parting trace,


s: Save memories of her pale and haunting face.


s: 'Tis twelve o'clock, the city lies asleep,


s: A dark veil falls o'er tired, earthly eyes;


s: Sleep bids us take farewell of care and sin


s: Night watches like a black-robed, silent nun,


s: When men would sleep, and kindly shades the sun


s: Till morning comes.  Upon the grim, dark walls


s: The moon's pale light in softened splendor falls,


s: Hides each unsightly stain and time-worn blight;


s: While unto eyes now old and dim with grief,


s: Come visions of a childhood glad, though brief,


s: When mother-love touched from their hearts all care


s: And left the impress of her teachings there.


s: As rifts in hanging clouds through which the rays


s: Of silvery moonlight glance, so o'er each heart


s: Steal flitting gleams of happy golden days,


s: When in life's drama sorrow took no part.


s: Her face is pale, her hands are white and cold,


s: The silken hood falls from her loosened hair;


s: She heeds it not, but listlessly stands,


s: With thoughtful eyes and tightly folded hands.


s: At last the maid with noiseless step draws near,


s: Removes her wraps and in her listening ear


s: Speaks these few words:  "In passing through the crowd


s: To-night, a man of face and manner proud,


s: This missive gave to me.  I looked around,---


s: For one brief moment his face upon me frowned,


s: Then he was gone, and though I scanned the street,


s: His form again my glances did not meet."


s: The lady takes the note with careless hands,


s: Then turns to where the ling'ring maid still stands


s: With eyes indifferent, though thoughtful grown,


s: She looks upon the note.  "Oh woman's heart,


s: Can you and earthly love ne'er dwell apart?


s: Why is it though I would not love, love's pain


s: Must ever follow me.  Are hearts so weak


s: That they must love though love is all in vain,


s: And all unworthy is the prize they seek.


s: Couched in such words as do my proud heart grieve;


s: So fleet, it lingers but a tearful hour,


s: Whose shallow depths too well her eyes may scan.


s: Too oft his love with deep and fearful blight


s: Steals from her woman's life its holiest light.


s: My heart is not for love, though love is well,


s: Wrapped in the cherished mission of my art,


s: Contentment dwells within my earnest heart.


s: The choicest treasures of the world belong.


s: Why seek for more, the world and fame are mine,


s: Then wherefore love, though love should be divine?"


s: At last she reads the note; upon her face


s: A deep indifference lies,--a cold, calm grace;


s: But suddenly her eyes light up, her hands


s: Are trembling, with a nervous haste she stands


s: And glances o'er the page.  What can this be,


s: Arline, that brings such new-found pain to thee?


s: At first her eyes are filled with unshed tears,


s: Brought back by memories of other years;


s: Anon, her mind by wondering fear is wrought


s: Ah! these the words that stir her heart and soul,


s: And write new truths on life's unwritten scroll.


s: "Arline, from all the world thou fame hast won.


s: A crown thou wear'st that fades not with the sun;


s: I speak such words as thou may'st grieve to hear,


s: For I shall give thee tidings from the shore


s: Which knows thy face and welcome step no more.


s: "The two beloved ones left alone, each day,


s: Grieved more and more until in peace at last


s: The bounding line of life was safely past,


s: They pined in vain for that dear birdling flown,


s: Who, with swift wings had left them there alone.


s: Yet oft in gentle tones they spoke of thee


s: And longed they fair, young face once more to see.


s: Unto our far-off shore there sometimes came


s: Faint rumors of thy longed-for, new-found fame.


s: This gave them joy indeed, yet more of pain.


s: For thus they knew their hopes were all in vain.


s: Allured unto the world was thy young heart;---


s: The gay, bright world in which they had no part.


s: "But, ere thy mother's eyes were closed in sleep,


s: She gave to me a secret strange to keep;


s: 'Twas this, that though they called thee daughter, child,


s: No blood of theirs flowed in thy veins, thy race


s: Upon thy brow their dauntless pride is worn---


s: But stay, thy mother, child, though strangely fair,


s: Was but a singer whose voice of wondrous power


s: Thine own is like, a voice that filled the air


s: With strange, sweet sounds, and oft, in many an hour,


s: Enchantment threw o'er all the eager throng


s: Who came to hear.  Enthralled by her glad song


s: One young heart pined; low at her feet he laid


s: The glory of his life that she might wear


s: His crown of love.  His wife she soon was made;


s: Until thou show'dst thy tiny, smiling face,


s: And then thy mother died that thou might'st live.


s: He grieved as only strong, brave men can grieve


s: For what is lost.  Then wandered off a pace


s: To seek new life in lands across the sea;


s: He left thee here, thy life was wild and free.


s: Long years ago came tidings of his death,


s: Born sadly on the wind's taint whispering breath.


s: He was a peer, the last of all his race,


s: His Saxon strength was written on thy face.


s: Yet in thy veins thy mother's Southern blood


s: Is bounding with its warm, impetuous flood.


s: He left that may thy heart with gladness fill,


s: And left for thee his rich and vast estate.


s: Into the world's deep tide thy life is cast,


s: Yet thou art still the mistress of thy fate.


s: If thou would'st wear thy birthright's name and power


s: Speak but the word and claim thy rightful dower."


s: And this is all, her head is bending low,


s: From shaded eyes the tears unbidden flow.


s: Across her face the darkening shadows fly


s: That tell too well the thoughts that hidden lie.


s: "Oh, God! where is the joy that honor brings,


s: Where is the spell a golden glory flings,


s: When one short hour, like this, of passing pain,


s: Can prove the brightest hopes of life are vain?


s: I fondly dreamed that fame's short, fleeting power,


s: Then wherefore is this pain, these sudden tears,


s: That fell like rain upon the last few years,


s: And wash their glory out?  What joy is mine,


s: When two dear hearts that loved me as their own,


s: Have gone and left me, saddened and alone!


s: Sweet mother, had I heard that voice of thine


s: My life had not been thus.  Can fame, though dear,


s: Replace that loss or save me from one tear?


s: And can it fill my heart through all the years---


s: Oh, God! be kind, my heart is full of fears."


s: A passionate misery o'er her fair face swept,


s: It awakened all the fires that long had slept.


s: She threw the missive down, and paced the floor


s: With restless steps, then suddenly stood still.


s: Unto her heart there came a dreadful thrill


s: Her face grew pale as death, her lips were white,


s: And then she cried, "Oh! Father, pity me,


s: For I am grieved and full of doubt to-night.


s: I sink as one into a dark and lonely sea


s: Where ships are not, so desolate it seems.


s: Are hearts no better when they hear my song!


s: My visions fair,--Oh! are they then but dreams,


s: "Oh! Adrian, had'st thou then the better thought,


s: Do all our hopes but lead to care and pain,


s: Has life no sunshine, only clouds and rain?


s: Has woman no power to rouse to nobler deeds


s: The heart of man, and fill his higher needs!


s: Oh, God! in heaven, guide thy child to-night,


s: Upon my longings shed thy holiest light.


s: Oh! mother, with thy tender, loving eyes,


s: Look down upon me from the starlit skies."


s: Her face against the velvet cushion pressed


s: With hands clasped tightly to her throbbing breast.


s: Her robes of satin sweep the floor; her hair


s: Unloosened, falls low down, a golden snare


s: Of wondrous lights and shades; and pale and cold


s: Her face gleams 'neath that veil of brown and gold.


s: Her breath comes quick, she battles with the storm


s: That gathers in her breast and trembling form.


s: She stills her heart--heeds not its painful throb,


s: Drives back her longings, stifles every sob;


s: And bravely through the watches of the night,


s: She turns her soul to God for help and light.


s: A prayer breathed low, a struggle long and wild,


s: Then peace comes near, and like a weary child,


s: Worn out with grief, Arline lays low her head.


s: A silence falls, the night is almost fled,


s: The lamp burns low, the moon with mystic grace


s: Looks down upon her fair, uplifted face.


s: She moves not, o'er her dusky, shaded eyes


s: The lids lay closed, a moonlit splendor lies


s: Upon her broad, white brow, and cheeks of snow


s: Are pressed against the crimson velvet's glow


s: A fairer form than thine, Arline, nor thought


s: Was ever purer than thine own; though wild


s: And free thy life has ever been, a child


s: Indeed thou art in ways of sin and wrong.


s: Within thy eyes and silvery sounding song,


s: There ever lives a simple, heaven-born truth.


s: An earnest motive and a girl's fair youth


s: Are thine, and though thy heart is wrought with fears--


s: Ah! sacred unto heaven those falling tears--


s: For these are more to Him than many a prayer


s: God does not care so much for empty deeds,


s: If pure the motive that such action feeds.


s: Then rest, Arline; upon thy pale, young face


s: There falls the peace of heaven, a lovely grace;


s: Around thy head the moon's bright, silver rays


s: Are not more stainless than thy youthful days.


s: Of God's own colors hangs in dreamy pride;


s: A wealth of purple stains and gleams of gold,


s: A crimson splendor o'er each waving fold;


s: A hanging cloud by glancing sunbeams kissed.


s: A warm, bright wave upon the skies' pale hue.


s: The country of the passions and the heart,


s: Oh, painter! still your heart's wild throb and cry,


s: You cannot paint this sunset tough you try;


s: Oh! you must dip your brush in waves of gold


s: If you would paint for me that amber fold.


s: Oh! poet, seize your pen--'tis all in vain,


s: You cannot paint in words that crimson stain;


s: Though all your soul in quivering rapture lies,


s: Your pen brings not those clouds to other eyes.


s: Though Art has power, still Nature is the queen,


s: Her hand alone commands this glorious scene.


s: Back from the shore there stands a villa old


s: And quaint, upon a sloping flower-wreathed hill,


s: Along the side thee flows a singing rill;


s: Beyond, the frowning rocks rise clear and bold.


s: With marble terraces and princely lands;


s: Rare paintings fill each high and finished room,


s: And marble statues made by master hands.


s: Without, a view of waves, and skies, and flowers;


s: Of ease and wealth; a spot where one could dwell


s: Forever 'neath some strange, enchanted spell.


s: Since last we looked upon its haunting grace.


s: Yet still the same child mouth, the radiant eyes,


s: The dauntless pride, that time cannot efface.


s: Before her gazes the earth in beauty lies;


s: With dreamy, far-off looks and thoughtful mien.


s: Then wends her way to where the flowers lie,


s: She lingers here, she cannot pass them by,


s: And as she bends to touch each smiling flower,


s: Her hands seem gifted with a magic power


s: That draws unto herself their clinging love,


s: At last with ling'ring steps she takes her way


s: To where great massive rocks like near the bay;


s: Upon a rock which seems a resting place,


s: Just formed by Nature for some tired queen,


s: She half reclines, and upward lifts her face


s: Low on her cheeks the veiling lashes sweep


s: That hid the languid fire within her eyes,


s: Like shadows fall'n on flowers that softly sleep


s: Beneath Night's falling dews and bending skies.


s: Her dark brown hair, with gleams of flitting gold,


s: A wealth of hair whose careless waves enfold


s: The quivering sunlight, and its rays chain down.


s: But soon she starts, for even at her side


s: There stands a youthful from with fearless pride;


s: And then a haughty look within her eyes,


s: As turning round she views the handsome face


s: So near her own with careless, easy grace.


s: "Why come you here?" she says, "why follow me?


s: Oh! from thy presence can I ne'er be free?"


s: "Arline!" he tosses back his sunny hair,


s: Half kneels before her with a humble air;


s: "Forgive me, for the fault indeed is mine


s: To love too well, and for thy face to ever pine.


s: But oh! Arline, without thee life is naught,


s: An idle dream, with only longings fraught;


s: And once, Arline, you listened to my prayer,


s: Nor turned away with cold and haughty air."


s: "Why bring back memories of the long ago?


s: The past is dead, wake not its depths again,


s: Lest such remembrance bring thee only pain.


s: 'Tis true that once a careless, heedless child,


s: Bewildered by the world, by fame beguiled,


s: I have allowed my heart to hear thy prayer."


s: "Yes, yes, Arline," he speaks with eager air,


s: "I know full well your love was mine, and I


s: Now claim the hand your heart cannot deny."


s: "Lorraine, how can you speak such words to me?


s: My love was never thine, my heart is free;


s: You know full well I was but kind, Lorraine,


s: When from thy love I fled to save thee pain.


s: When first I met the world a vision came


s: So bright--of glorious power and wealth and fame;


s: A part of that bright dream your worship seemed,


s: That you could claim my heart I little dreamed.


s: Yet soon I woke and with an earnest will


s: I sought thy mind with deeper thoughts to fill.


s: It mattered not, your heart's bright flame still burned;--


s: I loved thee not; each one I would have spurned,


s: Had not my woman's heart been kind to thee.


s: At last to fly from thee, the season o'er,


s: And though the riches of the world were thine,


s: They could not win for thee one thought of mine."


s: His face grows darker with a fiery pride,


s: His eyes flash forth the love he cannot hide;


s: A passionate fury his will cannot control,


s: To tell me this, for by the fates above,


s: You shall be mine!  See, yonder is my boat,


s: Upon the waves with me you soon shall float.


s: What angry might your scorn has wrought in me."


s: "Lorraine!" she meets his gaze with fearless eyes,


s: Though on each cheek a burning crimson lies.


s: She folds her arms and stands before him there


s: A womanly woman, pure, and good, and fair.


s: She says no word, but who can tell the power


s: An earnest woman wields in such an hour?


s: He turns away--a silence falls--the night


s: She moves not--from her face the color dies


s: He comes again:  "Forgive my hasty pride,


s: Arline, for me thou are too purely good,


s: He takes it with a loving awe, as though


s: It were a sacred thing, and thus they stand.


s: At last he speaks:  "Arline, before I go


s: The secrets of thy life I'll tell to thee,


s: That you may see 'tis not unknown to me.


s: You say you ne'er have loved--'tis false, before


s: You sought for fame, upon a wild, dark shore,


s: You lived and loved"--to Arline's questioning eyes


s: There came a startled look--a vague surprise--


s: "The one you loved, Arline, no more loves you,


s: Although, perchance, you dream that he is true."


s: Why grow so pale, Arline, why stand so still?


s: Have you no woman's pride? no woman's will?


s: Why should you care? the world is yours and fame,


s: And worldly hearts will love you all the same.


s: To meet no more.  Why bend your head so low!


s: Lorraine is watching you with searching eyes,


s: Before his gaze your poor heart quivering lies;


s: He still speaks on, his words are sure, though slow,


s: They find the truth he long has sought to know.


s: Back from her face she sweeps the heavy hair,


s: And looks up with a proud, unconquered air;


s: Ah! few have wills like hers to do or die,


s: To hide each wound, to still each longing cry.


s: "Lorraine, the secrets of my life are mine,


s: You tell me that you love, yet love is rare


s: And generous, its truth you ne'er can know,


s: If thus within the dust you trail it low."


s: The night has come, the clouds are hanging low,


s: Their splendor gone, the wind begins to blow,


s: It shifts the clouds across the gloomy sky,


s: Now lashed to foam the troubled waters lie.


s: The sails are hurrying home, the sea bird flies


s: Around and round with frightened, screaming cries.


s: From rock to rock across the frowning hill,


s: And deep within the vale, a muttering sound


s: Of far-off thunder rolls along the ground,


s: A herald of the storm, then all is still.


s: And yet they heed it not, "Arline!  Arline!"


s: He cries with flashing eyes, "my peerless queen,


s: You thrill my heart, your beauty divine.


s: What matters it though you have loved before,


s: You cannot love him now, that dream is o'er.


s: Look up, Arline, within your starry eyes


s: I care not for the heaven or earth below--


s: If you are mine, what care I more to know?


s: A woman's love can make man what it will,


s: For love and thee my heart is throbbing still.


s: Oh! quick, Arline, for see on yonder height


s: The lightning circles round with flashing light,


s: It grows so dark--I scarce can see your face,


s: Give me your hand, I'll lead you to the place


s: Where waits my boat; before the storm comes on


s: We'll reach the farther coast, for I am strong


s: And with a shudder shuts her frightened eyes;


s: A silence as of death--the storm-cloud parts;


s: A sheet of lightning flashes o'er the skies,


s: It blinds his eyes, then all is dark again.


s: Where is Arline?  She is not there, in vain


s: His search--how fierce the storm, how black the night!


s: Is this?  Arline upon the ground, her head


s: Against the rocks, as pallid as the dead.


s: And look! on one fair temple lies a stain


s: Of blood, and on her dusky veil of hair,


s: The crimson moisture too--what cruel pain


s: The rocks have caused; and yet how pale and fair


s: She lies, unconscious of the rain and storm.


s: "Oh, God! what fearful sight is this to see!"


s: Half frantic he attempts to lift her form


s: A voice rings out, "To touch her do not dare,


s: If she is dead 'tis by your hand alone--


s: One pitying thought your dark soul does not own.


s: Upon these rocks one of us two must die.


s: Ah! think you not, you fair-faced, proud Lorraine,


s: I know you not; and well I know the pain


s: You gave Arline; her lovely grace is far


s: That decks God's throne; then go and leave her here,


s: And looks upon her face with dread and fear,


s: Dark stains, and with a strong, yet tender grace,


s: Lies close unto his own--he bends his head


s: And is he any less the man because one tear


s: Falls on that wayward face so proud and dear?


s: What thoughts are his! they parted long ago


s: To meet again, but how?  Ah! who can know


s: What bitterness he feels--that slender form


s: Within his arms.  Beneath the fierce wild storm


s: He hurries to her stately home, and there


s: Her followers wait with hushed and frightened air.


s: Oh! can it be that she is dead, Arline--


s: The idol of his heart, the world's proud queen?


s: No, no; it must not be, her white lids move,


s: She wakes once more to life and song and love.


s: The pale lips quiver with a sudden pain,


s: He gives her up, and leaves her to their care--


s: When she awakes she must not find him there.


s: Oh! brave, warm heart, your love indeed is true,


s: You give your all though naught is given you.


s: True love is like the watching stars of night,


s: They shine for aye though eyes see not their light.


s: And Adrian, fear not, God hears your cry,


s: In His strong hand your fears and sorrows lie.


s: And what is life?--a pleasure and a pain,


s: And what is love?--a dream, a chain of gold


s: That turns to iron bands when love is cold.


s: What matters they?--the visions of our youth,


s: Through years of sorrow we must pass to truth.


s: Her heart is not content to live on praise;


s: She must have more; a woman measures life


s: By length of love, a man by deeds and strife.


s: Arline! once more we greet thy sunny face.


s: Once more behold thy noble, earnest grace;


s: But ah, how changed! the hopes of youth are dead;


s: Life's dark unrest has bowed thy proud young head,


s: And fame the mocking vision of thy youth,


s: Has led thee from the paths of peace and truth.


s: With longing eyes Arline is standing now,


s: The same deep pride is written on her brow,


s: As once was there of old; her gold-brown hair


s: Is gathered back in careless waves of light


s: That hide a scar--the memory of one night.


s: Her eyes look down, her dark robes sweep the floor--


s: She starts, for some one passes through the door;


s: She glances up--recoils with haughty pride,


s: Which all her self-possession cannot hide;


s: She meets Lorraine with kind, forgiving grace.


s: Before I gave thee pain, my heart has need


s: I crave the boon that only thou canst give."


s: "Lorraine, the highest graces of a woman's heart


s: Can e'er replace these gifts; 'gainst sin and wrong


s: They are her surest safe-guards, and her guide


s: In life.  With these she conquers man's dark pride


s: And wins the tributes that to Heaven belong.


s: With humbled pride he bowed his proud young head,


s: Then looking in her face he gently said:


s: "'Tis nobly given; if women were all like thee,


s: Where woman leads.  And on this earth below


s: The grandest masterpiece of Nature's art


s: For thee, Arline, the passion of my life is dead;


s: The feverish dream is o'er, and in its stead,


s: There comes a reverence for all thy kind,


s: For like some pure and upward-soaring dove,


s: Yet, fair Arline, oh, with thy lovely grace,


s: And with thy tender eyes and pitying face,


s: Oh lead to worthier deeds this heart of mine!"


s: "Lorraine, each one must know the price of sin,


s: Each erring heart must know what lies within;


s: God puts there thoughts that we may never find.


s: "We should not judge, for hearts indeed are weak,


s: And vain and selfish, are the ends we seek;


s: Will tend to make us stronger, all in all.


s: Think not thy way is right nor full of power,


s: For every heart must have its wayward hour;


s: And though men grieve thee with their outward sin,


s: Remember nobler thoughts may dwell within.


s: "And now I thank you for your refeverent love,


s: My own right sphere.  I am a woman weak,


s: As all proud women are, and soon, too soon,


s: I feel the world another queen will seek


s: To wear its crown of fame, and then my noon


s: And like the foam upon the waves' bright crest,


s: My life will glide unheeded to its rest;


s: Like other hearts forgotten and unknown,


s: And yet"--and here the dark eyes flashed again--


s: "The world shall never know its hidden pain,


s: For late, too late, I feel the world is cold,


s: It wounds the brow that wears its crown of gold.


s: Have thought me cold and even deemed me proud,


s: When, had they known the truth of that cold pride,


s: They'd known 'twas but my better thoughts to hide,


s: When 'mid the bitterness of worldly strife,


s: I felt for what I'd given my longing life--


s: On which in scorn my own true self looked down.


s: Oh, Fame!  I chose thee with a girl's weak hand,


s: And now on life's dark shores alone I stand;


s: When at a worldly shrine my life I laid.


s: But ah! the world's too full of heedless wrong


s: For one weak hand to lead it back to truth;


s: It mocked to scorn my innocence and youth;


s: My restless heart e'en now might be content,


s: Oh, woman's life was never made for fame,


s: Her soul is burnt to ashes in its flame."


s: "You wrong yourself!" he cries at last, "untrue


s: Your words, for worldly hearts look up to you


s: And bless your song,--I know, for I am one


s: Of these, and know the good that you have done.


s: One heart in truth has felt your better power,


s: And that is mine, in this last happy hour;


s: and have you nobler made even one weak heart,


s: You've done within this world a worthy part.


s: And many hearts, Arline, have heard your song


s: And turned away ashamed from sin and wrong.


s: No man, however dark his heart, could gaze


s: Upon a face like yours, where all is pure,


s: By graces true as thine, there would be less


s: Of sorrow and of pain, and man would bless


s: Are turned to him with eager, glad surprise;


s: "I thank you for these words," she says, "for true


s: I welcome hope.  And we are friends again,


s: Came in his eyes, yet with a new-born pride


s: He turned away, that look from her to hide.


s: "To-night I go, Arline, we meet no more,


s: Yet in my heart thy image will be there,


s: To soothe each wayward hour, to lighten care;


s: Thy simple teachings have unlocked the door


s: Of life's best thoughts to me, and if I grow


s: to better manhood, you have made me so."


s: A sunbeam fell and lit with mystic grace


s: Her dark, uplifted eyes, then quickly fled


s: A heart's wild passion dead, a new-born pride;


s: One moment looking on her face he stood,


s: Then turned and went forever from her side.


s: The twilight comes, the first-born child of night,


s: A warning monitor of time's quick flight;


s: A dear, enchanted hour, when all are near


s: We love on earth, and yet an hour of fear


s: And joy and hope have fled beyond recall.


s: Her heart cries out with longing pride and pain,


s: And endless doubts; will faith ne'er come again?"


s: Oh, striving heart, no mind the problem yet


s: Has solved of life--'tis happier to forget;


s: When once the mind is roused to questioning thought


s: The happiest minds are those that question not--


s: To live in faith is mankind's fairest lot.


s: And darker grow the shadows of the night,


s: She looks upon the sea, the distant height;


s: Are wandering with brooding wings, and grim


s: Oh!  Fame, where is thy joy? oh! love's bright dream,


s: Where is thy spell? life, like the night, is dim


s: Her whispered words steal on the silent air:


s: "Oh, what is life, my soul, when love has fled?--


s: And every one that I have loved is dead,


s: Save one, and he--oh, must I say it now,--


s: He loves me not, I dare not claim his vow.


s: Adrian, too late I prize thee--what is fame


s: When 'tis not shared with thee!  No other name


s: Can touch me like thine own; but now, indeed,


s: Where is the love that answers to my need?


s: I had a dream amid the storm that night,


s: A vision strange--'mid flashes of the light


s: Methought I saw your face, your well-known form;


s: You held me close and safe from rain and storm,


s: And breathed no, lest the dream should pass away;


s: Fell from your eyes upon my face, and dear


s: My hair seemed wet with blood--with dreadful pain


s: My temples throbbed, yet there with love and thee


s: Too soon, howe'er, the vision passed away,


s: Mock not my hollow heart with songs of eve,


s: Oh! heart be still, keep back your hungry cry,


s: Our griefs we all can conquer if we try;


s: Oh! soul shrink back into thy smallest space,


s: For thee the heedless world will give no place.


s: Oh! what is life when only shadows fall!


s: Oh! what is love, when love is past recall!


s: My laurel wreath unto the winds I fling,


s: For worldly praise I never more will sing.


s: Oh! tears, what do you here--keep back, I say,


s: Each human life must know a sunless day."


s: Unto her breast her hands are tightly pressed,


s: She bravely struggles with the old unrest;


s: Yet lower droops her form, the lashes sweep


s: Across her cheeks.  Dark memories seem to creep


s: As shadows fall at night o'er vale and town;


s: And still and white as some pale form of death


s: She stands, with folded hands and faint drawn breath.


s: But suddenly through the silence of the room


s: The one word "Hilda" pierces through the gloom;


s: A whispered word, yet see! it makes her start,


s: And sends the life-blood throbbing to her heart.


s: she turns--her face is stained with crimson o'er,


s: It dies and leaves her paler than before.


s: Oh, life is dark, and hearts are weak and wild!


s: With one faint cry she sees his longing eyes,


s: His outstretched arms, and as a tired child,


s: Unto that last, safe refuge quickly flies.


s: Then presently her head droops low again,


s: She draws away--there comes a bitter pain.


s: "Oh, Adrian, my life has all been wrong;


s: My erring heart is selfish, and to blame,


s: To sorrow and to grief it should belong.


s: I left thee with a willful, proud design,


s: And cared not that a hopeless life was thine.


s: "No, no! look up, Arline, bend not your head;


s: You wrong yourself--your life is good and true,


s: And pure the motive that your actions fed;


s: Life's highest meed of praise belongs to you;


s: Few hearts possess your true and earnest thought,


s: Else would the world with nobler deeds be fraught.


s: No man could look into your earnest eyes,


s: And claim that truth in woman never lies,


s: Nor could he gaze upon that lovely face,


s: And scorn again a woman's pleading grace.


s: I wonder not the world has worshipped thee,


s: For well thy beauty's spell is known to me.


s: A kindly grace may touch the hardest heart.


s: Then weep no more, Arline--you've reached the goal--


s: The world is better for your sweet-voiced art.


s: And, Hilda, had thy power not been good,


s: My love these years could never have withstood."


s: Her face is turned to his with eager gaze


s: She drinks in all his words with ecstasy.


s: Of all the world those words come now to me;


s: Naught but a shadowy dream--a pain--a strife?"


s: A grave, sweet smile stole o'er his face, his eyes


s: Met hers with earnest look, yet half surprise:


s: "God knows the longings of each human heart,


s: And each assigns some noble, worthy part,


s: And they who seek will find; the battle's won


s: When thought is true, and duty is well done.


s: From world to world the deeds of man may fly,


s: Yet in each heart a woman's grace may lie.


s: Few men may comprehend her longing need--


s: She lives in thought, he lives in strife and deed.


s: His boasted deeds may live but for a day


s: The man who claims a woman's hand and heart,


s: Knows not what boon he craves, what precious thing;


s: She gives her all--he only gives a part--


s: She gives her freedom up and crowns him king.


s: 'Tis true she murmurs not,--when love is there


s: No duty is too great, she feels no care;


s: 'Tis only when that love is cold and dead


s: She feels the galling chains--the hand of lead.


s: Of love, and not of fame, she should be queen.


s: 'Tis love that wakes a man to woman's grace;


s: He first finds heaven when looking in her face,


s: He sees the trusting soul, the wealth untold


s: Of noble thoughts that God has written there.


s: Love binds his heart to hers with chains of gold,


s: And makes him comprehend the beauty rare


s: Of womanhood; 'tis this unlocks the door


s: And shows him truths he ne'er has known before.


s: Grieve not, Arline; your song has done some good,


s: An emblem of the true your life has stood.


s: Your aims were high; your art was truly grand,


s: Hearts nobler grew, Arline, at your command.


s: Then do not weep,--Oh, save those precious tears!


s: The light of heaven shines on the past few years.


s: And see! the shadows all have fled--the night


s: Is clear, the stars shine out, the moon's pale light


s: Is falling on your face; look up and know


s: The fading of the shadows 'neath the glow


s: Of happiness that now shall gild your days."


s: He takes her hand in his--and love's sweet thrill


s: Runs through her veins, vague dreams her sense fill.


s: Her face grows childlike in its faith again,


s: He heart yields up its wealth of doubt and pain,


s: Her soft, dark eyes reveal their depths of fire.


s: "For fame my heart has never more desire,


s: Were all our planets moons, night could not know


s: The splendor of the sun--his light is best.


s: So, were each heart to worship at my shrine,


s: All filled with love, it could not equal thine,


s: For thine is more to me than all the rest.


s: Then, like the purple pansies, bending low,


s: That yield unto the sun their royal glow,


s: I'll yield my love, and know no idle fears.


s: The meteor has flashed across the skies,


s: That star shall sail on wings of hope and love,


s: While fame, the meteor that mocks the sight,


s: Shall die upon the earth--a faded light.


s: And now, for thee alone, my heart shall sing,


s: Far from my sight my crown of fame I'll fling,


s: Of love and womanhood--earth's crown most fair."


s: Out on the terrace, where the moonlight falls


s: In silver radiance o'er the time-stained walls,


s: A man and woman stand--he, strong and fair,


s: She, lovelier than the flowers that scent the air.


s: Her eyes are velvety and soft and brown,


s: Her hair--a shimmering splendor falls low down,


s: Her dark robes sweep the marble floor; one hand


s: Is clasped in his; in silence now they stand,


s: No need of words when silence speaketh more


s: Than all the wealth of speech, or written lore.


s: Her eyes are turned to his; no more they grieve;


s: Oh, who can tell the spell that love doth weave?


s: The music of the stars, a faint, sweet strain,


s: Floats down--an echo of their heart's refrain.


s: Two lives that glow as bright as heaven's own--


s: Two stars, that in the night have closer grown,


s: God sets the music in each soul; no hand


s: The song of life is done--the tale is told,


s: God grant the chain may count some links of gold.


s: A woman's life--a man's true love--a song--


s: What dreams of life may not to these belong!


s: Life's strange, sad mingling of the false and true.


s: It yields no music to the touch most bold,


s: But to the hand that o'er the chords may sweep


s: And gently wake the music from its sleep.


s: Yet do not dreams belong to thee and me?


s: Are we to blame that they are sometimes wrong?


s: True women make true men,--'tis always so;


s: Yet careless touch may soil the purest snow,


s: The shadows of the night may hide the sky,


s: Yet still beyond them all the stars still lie.


s: Oh would the earth were filled with flowers


s: No hand like thine can sweep the chords,


s: And would my soul could trace the thought


s: The following autograph letter was received from the poet:


s: Where the Orient treasures its hills of gold,


s: And the rivers lie in the sun's bright rays


s: That spring to earth at a king's command;


s: There are treasures here in the far great West


s: That rival the hills on the Orient's crest.


s: Where the wild birds sing in the evening air,


s: And the dews fall down in a silent shower


s: On the fragrant head of each beaming flower;


s: While far and near o'er the land sun-kissed,


s: Hangs the roseate veil of the sunset mist.


s: There's a glimmer of roses fair and tall,


s: And the crimson heart of each royal flower


s: Gleams purely forth from its leafy bower.


s: There are things in this world too sweet to last,


s: But we catch their grace ere the bloom is past,


s: And the roses that die in the early morn


s: The dear little pansies, quaint and fair,


s: And the gleam of the purple tinged with gold


s: There are tropical plants from the Southern seas


s: Where the flowers sleep in the perfumed breeze;


s: And the scent of the orange groves fill the air


s: Magnolia blooms float in a sea of green;


s: And their fragrance falls on the dewy air


s: Like the breath of the tropics richly rare.


s: And up from the South in the voiceless night


s: Steals the scent of the blossoms pure and white,


s: They shrink away, from that touch, to die.


s: There are trees and flowers from every clime


s: There are beautiful lawns where the feet could rest,


s: There are peaceful nooks where the soul might dwell


s: But the tomb of the man who is great and wise


s: That the children of God love to wander there;


s: And the emerald green of its winding ways


s: Is flecked with the gold of the sun's last rays.


s: There are statues, too, of the good and great,


s: Who point on forever to Truth's wide gate,


s: And the bronze and the green and the sun's red gold


s: Who hath given these treasures so fair to see,


s: And the grace of the flowers he loves so well


s: The truth of his goodness forever shall tell.


s: But fairer than all are the deeds of love


s: That shine in God's temple of grace above;


s: And Fame on her beautiful shadowless height


s: Whence come these changing tints of thine?


s: And stained thee with their hues divine?


s: What dost thou know; what canst thou tell?


s: A train of satin that sweeps the floor--


s: A beautiful scene on this Christmas eve,


s: Where all could linger and none could grieve,


s: But turn your steps to the lonely street,


s: Where fierce winds mutter and wild storms beat;


s: Where life is a burden and hopes are low.


s: You close your eyes--'tis a dreadful sight;


s: That rang unheard through the stormy sky.


s: Lay rescue and love and warmth and light;


s: There gleamed the bright depths of a paradise.


s: Oh! look on this picture, thou fair young bride,


s: One glittering gem from your breast or hair,


s: Could have saved this woman who lieth there.


s: Could have bought the food that she craved this night;


s: One drop of love from your boundless store


s: Oh, sadd'ning picture, this Christmas eve,--


s: To think in this city of wealth and might


s: She loved the light and she loved the sun,


s: And the peaceful night when the day was done,


s: But the faithless sun in his careless way


s: Had broken her heart on that summer's day.


s: She had bathed her soul in his warm sweet, rays,


s: And her crimson heart--it was his alone--


s: Had conquered the heart of the king above;


s: And the proud queen-rose on that summer's day


s: The pansies laughed in the summer breeze,


s: And the lilies swayed in the waving grass,


s: But the sun glanced down with a mocking light,


s: And the heart of the rose stood still at the sight,


s: Would her crimson heart be filled to the brim.


s: "Ah me!" she sighed, as she drooped her head,


s: For though she is lowly, her life is sweet;


s: And knows not the longings that make me sad."


s: And she heard the words of the sighing rose,


s: "Ah, rose!" she cried, "I am like to you;


s: There's never a heart in this world that's true;


s: And I'm weary of life on this summer's day.


s: "But listen, my rose, and I'll tell you, sweet,


s: There's never a heart in this wide, wide world


s: In the depths of his azure seas for aye;


s: But the rose that blooms in the garden of love,


s: "The smallest flower that slakes her thirst


s: Is as great as the stars in heaven above,


s: Is treasured in heaven through all the hours,


s: And the crimson heart of the proud queen-rose


s: Is as fair a gem as the earth-land knows."


s: The queen-rose listened and held her breath


s: And then, with a grace that was fearless and grand


s: Did she long for the love of the golden sun;


s: For the lesson she learned on that summer's day


s: Who e'en their fragrant heads are lifting


s: But one is left, with sad tears falling,


s: Twin stars upon the waves were gleaming;


s: With his purple robes and his crown of gold


s: With his home in the wonderful azure skies,


s: There are bars of gold in the crimson west


s: And guide my soul through the shadows of earth


s: There are years that melt in the seas of life


s: And the joys they bring are as soon forgot


s: Be thou the light that shall guide me far


s: Of colors that flash ere they fade and die;


s: And the rippling waves where the waters run


s: Are stained with the gold of the summer sun;


s: And the rose that blossoms to-day, my own,


s: The grasses that spring at your feet, my queen,


s: Oh, what would you know of my love's sweet will


s: The heart speaks most when the lips are still;


s: And the love that is filling my soul to-day


s: Is the beautiful blossom you throw away.


s: But I worship you still, my queen, my queen,


s: For the loveliest blossom on earth I know


s: Oh, what would you have, you splendid sun,


s: And why do you lean o'er the lilies pale?


s: You've crimsoned the rays in the heart of the rose,


s: And down in the meadows your golden light


s: The thirsty flowers that grow on the hill


s: Your rays are so warm, like the glances of love,


s: And whispers her secret with silent joy,


s: I've counted my treasures and claimed them not,


s: But, eager sun, with your restless rays,


s: For the sun that knoweth a world of loves


s: 'Tis eventide; the noisy brook is hushed


s: Worn out with play; the tangled weeds lie still


s: Within the marshy hollow.  Quaint and dark


s: The willows bend above the brooklet's tide,


s: The dark-browed trees, with faces to the sky,


s: Shut out the light that fades in crimson lines


s: Along the western sky.  And yonder shade


s: Of purple marks the cloud, the storm-god rides


s: With wild-wood blossoms drinking in the dew.


s: Their scented breath is sweeter than the maid's


s: Who stands at eve and drinks in love and hope


s: With fiery breath has held his hot, long reign;


s: The leaves have quivered 'neath his burning gaze,


s: And all the flowers have drooped; yet now the moon,


s: His pale young bride, awaking from her spell


s: Of sweet day dreams, arises in the dusky East,


s: And sweeping back the clouds that dim her crown


s: Of stars, floods all the world with holy light.


s: Oh, welcome night! the flowers love their queen!


s: Yea, better than their king, for he is fierce


s: Her hand is cool and soothing! 'neath its spell


s: When all he world's asleep, and thought can fly


s: On tireless wings from sky to sky, when, free


s: From earthly chains, the soul immortal feels


s: When God looks down from every shining star,


s: And breathes in every dew-gemmed flower, when faith


s: His everlasting glory sings!  Oh, welcome night!


s: Thy beauty holds the spell that wakes to life


s: All things immortal.  Crowned be thou with light


s: Eternal as the sun whose radiance wakes the day.


s: Yet the chains that bind thee earthward,


s: Through the windows creeps the sunlight,


s: Would my life were crowned with sunlight,


s: Earth were Heaven, and Heaven were mine.


s: The lake grew proud and claimed each star


s: "Ah! they are mine," she said; "these gems


s: The bright waves swept the silent shore,


s: May touch the soul--a pure and beauteous sight;


s: May reach the spot where life's dark waters run;


s: Yet, when the sun is gone, the splendor dies,


s: With drooping head the tender flower lies.


s: And such is life; a golden mist of light,


s: When shadows come, the glory takes its flight,


s: The treads are dark and worn, and life is done.


s: Oh! tears, that chill us like the dews of eve,


s: Why come unbid--why should we ever grieve?


s: Why is it, though life hath its leaves of gold,


s: The book each day some sorrow must unfold!


s: What human heart with truth can dare to say


s: No grief is mine--this is a perfect day?


s: Oh! poet, take your harp of gold and sing,


s: And all the earth with heavenly music fill!


s: You may do this, yet song can never bring


s: One sunbeam back, let song be what it will.


s: Oh! painter, you can catch the glowing light


s: That tints the skies before the coming night;


s: With throbbing heart and upward lifted eyes,


s: You paint the splendor of the purple skies;


s: Yet tell me, does your genius hold the key


s: To life's strange secrets and its mystery?


s: Oh! life is sad, yet sunshine, too, is there;


s: We cannot tell what spell the years may weave--


s: Perchance a song that dies upon the air--


s: Perhaps a shadow that the sun doth leave.


s: Beyond the mist that veils the coming years


s: I see no gathering clouds, nor falling tears.


s: And happily there we've plucked the sweet wild flowers


s: while heedless passed away the sunny hours.


s: Keep in thy soul its faith and trusting love


s: Until they e'en must bloom in heaven above.


s: Yet, far beyond the mist, our longing eyes