As the ambitious sculptor, tireless, lifts Chisel and hammer to the block at hand, Before my half-formed character I stand And ply the shining tools of mental gifts. I'll cut away a huge, unsightly side...
Long, long ago, ere yet our race began, When earth was empty, waiting still for man, Before the breath of life to him was given The angels fell into a strife in heaven. ...
In that great journey of the stars through space About the mighty, all-directing Sun, The pallid, faithful Moon has been the one Companion of the Earth. Her tender face,...
Is any one sad in the world, I wonder? Does any one weep on a day like this, With the sun above, and the green earth under? Why, what is life but a dream of bliss? ...
I am singing a song to the boys to-day, A song of the home that is far away. And I know that an echo the word is waking In many a heart that is secretly aching,...
In the rapture of life and of living, I lift up my heart and rejoice, And I thank the great Giver for giving The soul of my gladness a voice. In the glow of the glorious weather,...
In the rapture of life and of living, I lift up my heart and rejoice, And I thank the great Giver for giving The soul of my gladness a voice. In the glow of the glorious weather,...
Fair Freedom's ship, too long adrift - Of every wind the sport - Now rigged and manned, her course well planned, Sails proudly out of port; And fluttering gaily from the mast This motto is unfurled,...
In through the open window To the chamber where I lay, There came the beat of merry feet, From the dancers over the way. And back on the wings of the music That rose on the midnight air,...
There was a man who killed a loving maid In some mad mood of passion; and he paid The price, upon a scaffold. Now his name Stands only as a synonym for shame. There was another man, who took to wife...
Let the wild red-rose bloom. Though not to thee So delicately perfect as the white And unwed lily drooping in the light, Though she has known the kisses of the bee And tells her amorous tale to passers-by...
You call me an angel of love and of light, A being of goodness and heavenly fire, Sent out from God's kingdom to guide you aright, In paths where your spirit may mount and aspire,...
So vast the tide of love within me surging, It overflows like some stupendous sea, The confines of the Present and To-be; And 'gainst the Past's high wall I feel it urging,...
Why dost thou shrink from my approach, O Man? Why dost thou ever flee in fear, and cling To my false rival, Life? I do but bring Thee rest and calm. Then wherefore dost thou ban...
Out from the harbour of youth's bay There leads the path of pleasure; With eager steps we walk that way To brim joy's largest measure. But when with morn's departing beam...
My grand-dame, vigorous at eighty-one, Delights in talking of her only son, My gallant father, long since dead and gone. 'Ah, but he was the lad!' She says, and sighs, and looks at me askance....