EPILOGUE TO ASOLANDO BY ROBERT BROWNING At the midnight in the silence of the sleep-time, Will they pass to where-by death, fools think, im- Low he lies who once so lov'd you, whom you lov'd so, Oh to love so, be so lov'd, yet so mistaken! What had I on earth to do With the slothful, with the mawkish, the unmanly? One who never turn'd his back but march'd breast forward, Never doubted clouds would break, Never dream'd, though right were worsted, wrong Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, No, at noonday in the bustle of man's work-time Bid him forward, breast and back as either should be, HOPE IN FAILURE By A. E. Though now thou hast failed and art fallen, despair not because of defeat, Though lost for a while be thy heaven and weary of earth be thy feet, For all will be beauty about thee hereafter through sorrowful years, And lovely the dews for thy chilling and ruby thy heart-drip of tears. The eyes that had gazed from afar on a beauty that blinded the eyes Shall call forth its image for ever, its shadow in alien skies. The heart that had striven to beat in the heart of the Mighty too soon Shall still of that beating remember some errant and faltering tune. For thou hast but fallen to gather the last of the secrets of power; The beauty that breathes in thy spirit shall shape of thy sorrow a flower, The pale bud of pity shall open the bloom of its tenderest rays, The heart of whose shining is bright with the light of the Ancient of Days. EPILOGUE TO ASOLANDO BY ROBERT BROWNING At the midnight in the silence of the sleep-time, Will they pass to where-by death, fools think, imprison'd Low he lies who once so lov'd you, whom you lov'd so, -Pity me? Oh to love so, be so lov'd, yet so mistaken! What had I on earth to do With the slothful, with the mawkish, the unmanly? Like the aimless, helpless, hopeless did I drivel -Being who? One who never turn'd his back but march'd breast forward, Never doubted clouds would break, Never dream'd, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph, Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, No, at noonday in the bustle of man's work-time Bid him forward, breast and back as either should be, "Strive and thrive!" cry "Speed,-fight on, fare ever There as here!" HOPE IN FAILURE By A. E. Though now thou hast failed and art fallen, despair not because of defeat, Though lost for a while be thy heaven and weary of earth be thy feet, For all will be beauty about thee hereafter through sorrowful years, And lovely the dews for thy chilling and ruby thy heart-drip of tears. The eyes that had gazed from afar on a beauty that blinded the eyes Shall call forth its image for ever, its shadow in alien skies. The heart that had striven to beat in the heart of the Mighty too soon Shall still of that beating remember some errant and faltering tune. For thou hast but fallen to gather the last of the secrets of power; The beauty that breathes in thy spirit shall shape of thy sorrow a flower, The pale bud of pity shall open the bloom of its tenderest rays, The heart of whose shining is bright with the light of the Ancient of Days. THE HELMSMAN BY M. A. DEWOLFE HOWE What shall I ask for the voyage I must sail to the end alone? Summer and calms and rest from never a labor done? Nay, blow, ye life-winds all; curb not for me your blast, Strain ye my quivering ropes, bend ye my trembling mast. Then there can be no drifting, thank God! for boat or me, Eager and swift our course over a living sea. Mine is a man's right arm to steer through fog and foam; Beacons are shining still to guide each farer home. Give me your worst, O winds! others have braved your stress; E'en if it be to sink, give me no less, no less. LESSONS BY SARA TEASDALE Unless I learn to ask no help From any other soul but mine, Nor shade beneath a straggling pine; |