A BALLADE OF MIDSUMMER. The heat wave sweeps along the street, And blister all things with their glow. O for the winds that o'er ocean blow! Along the shadeless ways you greet No damsel fair, no buckramed beau- A sultry, sullen, scorching woe. The melting, sweltering world belowO for a breath of the salt sea breeze! The laggard steed with aching feet And so Before his stint is done. Or to the ocean fain would go— Envoi. Princes or peasants, friend and fce, No man may have all that he please ; Midsummer heat shall lay him low O for a breath of the salt sea breeze! BRANDER MATTHEWS RAIN AND SHINE. (Ballade à double refrain.) The clouds are thick and darkly lower; As though exulting in its power, The storm beats down with steady strain; Upon the ivy of the tower I hear the pattering of the rain ; And molten with a golden stain. Envoy. Although like some far, faint refrain, The storm is past. No more repining- BRANDER MATTHEWS. AN AMERICAN GIRL. She's had a Vassar education, And points with pride to her degrees; A Whistler, too, perchance might please A free and frank young Yankee maiden. She does not care for meditation; Within her bonnet are no bees; She has a gentle animation, She joins in singing simple glees. She tries no trills, no rivalries With Lucca (now Baronin Räden), With Nilsson or with Gerster; she's A frank and free young Yankee maiden. I'm blessed above the whole creation, I ask you for congratulation On this the best of jubilees: I go with her across the seas Unto what Poe would call an Aiden, - Envoy. Princes, to you the western breeze Bears many a ship and heavy laden, A free and frank young Yankee maiden. "FROM BATTLE, MURDER AND SUDDEN DEATH, GOOD LORD, DELIVER US. What of this prayer which myriad skies Hear from the shrines where tired men kneel, Godward upturning anguished eyes, Clasping gaunt hands in strong appeal? What of this fear that worn lives feel? Why should some strain their labouring breath, Since they must gain not woe but weal, From battle, murder and sudden death! Is it not well with him who dies Flushed amid smoke and flash of steel; Men ask deliverance, while they reel, Can one so dead be harmed by lies, Tortured by wounds smiles ill conceal? Vain visions, or grim fate's iron heel Till, wretched as He of Nazareth, Man loathes the life he yet prays to steal Envoi. Waifs that on life's tide sink and rise, Chaff that each chance wind winnoweth, IN WINTER. Oh, to go back to the days of June, Birds were singing with might and main: South they flew at the summer's wane, Leaving their nests for storms to harry, Since time was coming for wind and rain Under the wintry skies to marry. Wearily wander by dale and dune Footsteps fettered with clanking chain- Joys that fly, and sorrows that tarry— Now we chant but a desolate rune- And length of living is length of pain : Envoi. Youths and maidens, blithesome and vain, Mate in season, for who is fain Under the wintry skies to marry? LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON. |