THE FLOWER. NCE in a golden hour I cast to earth a seed. Up there came a flower, The people said, a weed. To and fro they went Thro' my garden-bower, And muttering discontent Cursed me and my flower. Then it grew so tall It wore a crown of light, But thieves from o'er the wall Stole the seed by night. Sow'd it far and wide By every town and tower, Till all the people cried, Splendid is the flower." Read my little fable: He that runs may read. Most can raise the flowers now, For all have got the seed. And some are pretty enough, And some are poor indeed; And now again the people Call it but a weed. REQUIESCAT. AIR is her cottage in its place, Where yon broad water sweetly slowly glides. It sees itself from thatch to base Dream in the sliding tides. And fairer she, but ah how soon to die! Her quiet dream of life this hour may cease. Her peaceful being slowly passes by To some more perfect peace. THE SAILOR BOY. E rose at dawn and, fired with hope, Shot o'er the seething harbour bar, And reach'd the ship and caught the rope, And while he whistled long and loud "The sands and yeasty surges mix In caves about the dreary bay, And on thy ribs the limpet sticks, And in thy heart the scrawl shall play." "Fool," he answer'd, "death is sure To those that stay and those that roam, But I will nevermore endure To sit with empty hands at home. "My mother clings about my neck, My sisters crying, 'Stay for shame;' My father raves of death and wreck, They are all to blame, they are all to blame. "God help me! save I take my part Of danger on the roaring sea, A devil rises in my heart, Far worse than any death to me." |