Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 edition. Excerpt:... THE COMING. I Gathered flowers the summer long; I dozed the days on sunny leas, And wove my fancies into song, Or dreamed in aimless ease. Or watched, from jutting cliffs, the dyes Of changeful waters under me, The lazy gulls just dip and rise, White specks upon the sea -- And far away, where blue to blue Was wed, the ships that came and went, And thought, O happy world! and drew Therefrom a full content. My mates toiled in the ripening field, Nor paused for rest in cool or heat; The yellow grain made haste to yield Its harvesting complete: My mates toiled in their pleasant homes; They plucked the fruit from laden boughs, And sang -- " For if the Master comes And find no ready house!" -- 98 THE COMING. And far and strange their singing seemed, And harsh the voices every one, That woke the pleasant dream I dreamed To thought of tasks undone. Yet still I waited, lingered still, Won by a cloud, a soaring lark; Till, by and by, the land was chill, And all the sky was dark. And lo, the Master! Through the night My mates come forth to welcome Him, Their labor done, their garments white, While mine are stained and dim. They bring to Him their golden sheaves, To Him their finished toil belongs, While I have but these withered leaves, And these poor, foolish songs! MEMORIAL POEM. WRITTEN FOR THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, DECORATION DAY, 1881. The sea-tides ebb and flow; The seasons come and go, Summer and sun succeed the cloud and snow, And April rain awakes the violet. Earth puts away Her sombre robes, and cheeks with tear-drops wet In some sad yesterday Dimple again with smiles, and half forget Their grief, as the warm rose Forgets the night-dews when the noontide glows. Change follows upon change Swift as the...