APRIL THE April winds are magical, The hedge is gemmed with diamonds, The air with Cupids full, The cobweb clues of Rosamond Guide lovers to the pool. Each dimple in the water, Each leaf that shades the rock The lore we care to know. MAIDEN SPEECH OF THE ÆOLIAN HARP SOFT and softlier hold me, friends! Unbind and give me to the air. For flute or spinet's dancing chips; I ask more or not so much : Give me to the atmosphere, Where is the wind, my brother, — where ? Lift the sash, lay me within, Lend me your ears, and I begin. And not to-day and not to-morrow Can drain its wealth of hope and sorrow; Unlocks new sense and loftier cheer. I've come to live with you, sweet friends, For I can mend the happiest days And charm the anguish of the worst.' CUPIDO THE solid, solid universe With bandaged eyes he never errs, His blinding light He flingeth white On God's and Satan's brood, And reconciles By mystic wiles The evil and the good. THE PAST THE debt is paid, The verdict said, The Furies laid, The plague is stayed. All fortunes made; Turn the key and bolt the door, Sweet is death forevermore. Nor haughty hope, nor swart chagrin, Nor murdering hate, can enter in. All is now secure and fast; Not the gods can shake the Past; Flies-to the adamantine door Bolted down forevermore. None can reënter there, No thief so politic, No Satan with a royal trick Steal in by window, chink, or hole, To bind or unbind, add what lacked, THE LAST FAREWELL LINES WRITTEN BY THE AUTHOR'S BROTHER, EDWARD BLISS EMERSON, WHILST SAILING OUT OF BOSTON HARBOR, BOUND FOR THE ISLAND OF PORTO RICO, IN 18322 FAREWELL, ye lofty spires That broke the gloom of night! Too soon by ocean tost From hearth and home away, Far away, far away. Farewell the busy town, Far away, far away. Farewell, my mother fond, The winged vessel flies, Farewell, my brothers true, But though aye one in heart, Together sad or gay, Rude ocean doth us part; We separate to-day, Far away, far away. |