Part 9 (1/2)

SUMMER SONG[1]

TALCOTT M. BANKS '90

Come, friend scholar, cease your bending Over books with eager gaze; Time it were such work had ending,-- Well enough for rainy days.

Out with me where sunlight pours, Life to-day is out of doors!

Busy? Pshaw! what good can reach you Frowning o'er that dog-eared page?

Yonder rus.h.i.+ng brook can teach you More than half your Cla.s.sic Age.

Banish Greeks and Siren sh.o.r.es, Let your thoughts run out of doors!

Rest we here where none can spy us, Deep in rippling fields of gra.s.s; Scented winds blow softly by us, Lazy clouds above us pa.s.s; Higher yet my fancy soars-- All my soul is out of doors!

_Literary Monthly_, 1888.

[Footnote 1: Copyright, 1907, by T.M. Banks. With permission.]

THE BACKWARD LOOK[1]

TALCOTT M. BANKS '90

Once on a bright October day, I took the road whose winding track Leads up among the hills away Across Taconic's s.h.a.ggy back, Leaving the valley broad and fair For barren heights in upper air.

At last I stood upon the crest; The ruddy sun was sinking low, And all the country to the west Lay flooded with a golden glow-- A fairyland of misty light, Unsullied by the touch of night.

I turned, and lo, a sudden change Had swept across the valley's face.

The shadow of Taconic's range Had fallen on the lovely place; And darkness followed thick and fast Behind the shadow as it pa.s.sed.

Since then the changeful years have flown Till now once more I seem to stand Upon the mountain top alone, And look abroad upon the land.

But all before is gray and dim, Half-hidden in the cloud-wrack grim; While in the Berks.h.i.+re valley stays The light that dawned in happier days.

_Literary Monthly_, 1893.

[Footnote 1: Copyright, 1907, by T.M. Banks. With permission.]

SERENADE

ARTHUR OLIVER '93