Part 14 (1/2)

If there live in honour's sway An all-loving breast Whose devotion cannot stray, Never gloom-oppressed-- If this n.o.ble breast still wake For a worthy motive's sake, There a pillow I will make For thy head to rest.

If there be a dream of love, Dream that G.o.d has blest, Yielding daily treasure-trove Of delightful zest, With the scent of roses filled, With the soul's communion thrilled, There, oh! there a nest I'll build For thy heart to rest.

THE FIDDLER

There's a fiddler in the street, And the children all are dancing: Two dozen lightsome feet Springing and prancing.

Pleasure he gives to you, Dance then, and spare not!

For the poor fiddler's due, Know not and care not.

While you are prancing, Let the fiddler play.

When you're tired of dancing He may go away.

THE FIRST MEETING

Last night for the first time, O Heart's Delight, I held your hand a moment in my own, The dearest moment which my soul has known, Since I beheld and loved you at first sight.

I left you, and I wandered in the night, Under the rain, beside the ocean's moan.

All was black dark, but in the north alone There was a glimmer of the Northern Light.

My heart was singing like a happy bird, Glad of the present, and from forethought free, Save for one note amid its music heard: G.o.d grant, whatever end of this may be, That when the tale is told, the final word May be of peace and benison to thee.

A CRITICISM OF CRITICS

How often have the critics, trained To look upon the sky Through telescopes securely chained, Forgot the naked eye.

Within the compa.s.s of their gla.s.s Each smallest star they knew, And not a meteor could pa.s.s But they were looking through.

When a new planet shed its rays Beyond their field of vision, And simple folk ran out to gaze, They laughed in high derision.

They railed upon the senseless throng Who cheered the brave new light.

And yet the learned men were wrong, The simple folk were right.

MY LADY

My Lady of all ladies! Queen by right Of tender beauty; full of gentle moods; With eyes that look divine beat.i.tudes, Large eyes illumined with her spirit's light;