Part 9 (1/2)

Requiem.

SLEEP, thou, whom Care so long oppressed.

Care whispers by thy couch no more.

Kind Death has shut the outer door; None can disturb thee,--sleep and rest.

Thy hands are folded on thy breast That throbs with Life's deep pain no more.

Though Love waits grieving by thy door, He cannot enter,--sleep and rest.

Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH, Thou comest a refres.h.i.+ng breath From meadows green, where morning stays, To those who bear the noon-tide blaze.

Elizabeth, Thou couldst look in the eyes of Death, Undaunted, did he promise thee Some bright new scene of mirth or glee.

I cannot think that time will gray That sun-bright head, nor bear away One dimple in those rose-cheeks hid; Sure he were daring if he did.

Elinor.

IN that shadow-land, where the Sisters three Are weaving the web of destiny, There floated once through the fateful gloom A thread of suns.h.i.+ne, that gleamed upon The thread of a life from the distaff drawn, And mingling, they pa.s.sed to the busy loom.

The wondering Parcea looked and smiled, As the light grew into the soul of a child, And in and out and through devious ways, They wove it in with the woof of days.

But they said on earth (who knew not the Fates) ”As the lily's chalice holds the dew, So in her heart, at the morning's gates, She caught the suns.h.i.+ne, when she came through.”

On a Fly-Leaf of ”Flute and Violin.”

A MASTER-HAND hath swept Life's violin and flute.

For him they laughed and wept When others found them mute.

From his high alt.i.tude He catches, fine and clear, The notes that might elude A less discerning ear.

Transposing to a lower key The dream-song that he hears, He sets his heavenly melody To human smiles and tears.

Inspiration.