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VERSE： PICTURES IN THE
FIRE
What is it you ask me； darling？ All my stories； child； you know； I have
no strange dreams to tell you； Pictures I have none to show。
Tell you glorious scenes of travel？ Nay； my child； that cannot be； I
have seen no foreign countries； Marvels none on land or sea。
Yet strange sights in truth I witness； And I gaze until I tire； Wondrous
pictures； changing ever； As I look into the fire。
There； last night； I saw a cavern； Black as pitch； within it lay Coiled in
many folds a dragon； Glaring as if turned at bay。
And a knight in dismal armour On a winged eagle came； To do battle
with this dragon； And his crest was all of flame。
As I gazed the dragon faded； And； instead； sate Pluto crowned； By a
lake of burning fire； Spirits dark were crouching round。
That was gone； and lo！ before me； A cathedral vast and grim； I could
almost hear the organ Peal alone the arches dim。
As I watched the wreathed pillars； Groves of stately palms arose； And
a group of swarthy Indians Stealing on some sleeping foes。
Stay； a cataract glancing brightly； Dashed and sparkled； and beside
Lay a broken marble monster； Mouth and eyes were staring wide。
Then I saw a maiden wreathing Starry flowers in garlands sweet； Did
she see the fiery serpent That was wrapped about her feet？
That fell crashing all and vanished； And I saw two armies close … I
could almost hear the clarions； And the shouting of the foes。
They were gone； and lo！ bright angels； On a barren mountain wild；
Raised appealing arms to Heaven； Bearing up a little child。
And I gazed； and gazed； and slowly Gathered in my eyes sad tears；
And the fiery pictures bore me Back through distant dreams of years。
Once again I tasted sorrow； With past joy was once more gay； Till the
shade had gathered round me … And the fire had died away。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： THE SETTLERS
Two stranger youths in the Far West； Beneath the ancient forest trees；
Pausing； amid their toil to rest； Spake of their home beyond the seas；
Spake of the hearts that beat so warmly； Of the hearts they loved so well。
In their chilly northern country。 〃Would；〃 they cried； 〃some voice could
tell Where they are； our own beloved ones！〃 They looked up to the
evening sky Half hidden by the giant branches； But heard no angel…voice
reply。 All silent was the quiet evening； Silent were the ancient trees； They
only heard the murmuring song Of the summer breeze； That gently played
among The acacia trees。 And did no warning spirit answer； Amid the
silence all around； 〃Before the lowly village altar She thou lovest may be
found； Thou； who trustest still so blindly； Know she stands a smiling bride！
Forgetting thee； she turneth kindly To the stranger at her side。 Yes； this day
thou art forgotten； Forgotten； too； thy last farewell； All the vows that she
has spoken； And thy heart has kept so well。 Dream no more of a starry
future； In thy home beyond the seas！〃 But he only heard the gentle sigh Of
the summer breeze； So softly passing by The acacia trees。
And vainly； too； the other； looking Smiling up through hopeful tears；
Asked in his heart of hearts； 〃Where is she； She I love these many years？〃
He heard no echo calling faintly： 〃Lo； she lieth cold and pale； And her
smile so calm and saintly Heeds not grieving sob or wail … Heeds not the
lilies strewn upon her； Pure as she is； and as white； Or the solemn chanting
voices； Or the taper's ghastly light。〃 But silent still was the ancient forest；
Silent were the gloomy trees； He only heard the wailing sound Of the
summer breeze； That sadly played around The acacia trees
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： HUSH
〃I can scarcely hear；〃 she murmured； 〃For my heart beats loud and fast；
But surely； in the far； far distance； I can hear a sound at last。〃 〃It is only
the reapers singing； As they carry home their sheaves； And the evening
breeze has risen； And rustles the dying leaves。〃
〃Listen！ there are voices talking。〃 Calmly still she strove to speak； Yet
her voice grew faint and trembling； And the red flushed in her cheek。 〃It is
only the children playing Below； now their work is done； And they laugh
that their eyes are dazzled By the rays of the setting sun。〃
Fainter grew her voice； and weaker As with anxious eyes she cried；
〃Down the avenue of chestnuts； I can hear a horseman ride。〃 〃It was only
the deer that were feeding In a herd on the clover grass； They were startled；
and fled to the thicket； As they saw the reapers pass。〃
Now the night arose in silence； Birds lay in their leafy nest； And the
deer couched in the forest； And the children were at rest： There was only a
sound of weeping From watchers around a bed； But Rest to the weary
spirit； Peace to the quiet Dead！
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： HOURS
When the bright stars came out last night； And the dew lay on the
flowers； I had a vision of delight … A dream of by…gone hours。
Those hours that came and fled so fast； Of pleasure or of pain； As
phantoms rose from out the past Before my eyes again。
With beating heart did I behold A train of joyous hours； Lit with the
radiant light of old； And； smiling； crowned with flowers。 And some were
hours of childish sorrow； A mimicry of pain； That through their tears
looked for a morrow They knew must smile again。
Those hours of hope that longed for life； And wished their part begun；
And ere the summons to the strife； Dreamed that the field was won。
I knew the echo of their voice； The starry crowns they wore； The
vision made my soul rejoice With the old thrill of yore。
I knew the perfume of their flowers； The glorious shining rays Around
these happy smiling hours Were lit in by…gone days。
Oh stay； I criedbright visions； stay； And leave me not forlorn！ But；
smiling still； they passed away； Like shadows of the morn。
One spirit still remained； and cried； 〃Thy soul shall ne'er forget！〃 He
standeth ever by my side … The phantom called Regret！
But still the spirits rose； and there Were weary hours of pain； And
anxious hours of fear and care Bound by an iron chain。
Dim shadows came of lonely hours； That shunned the light of day； And
in the opening smile of flowers Saw only quick decay。
Calm hours that sought the starry skies For heavenly lore were there；
With folded hands and earnest eyes； I knew the hours of prayer。
Stern hours that darkened the sun's light； Heralds of coming woes；
With trailing wings； before my sight From the dim past arose。
As each dark vision passed and spoke I prayed it to depart： At each
some buried sorrow woke And stirred within my heart。
Until these hours of pain and care Lifted their tearful eyes； Spread
their dark pinions in the air And passed into the skies。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： THE TWO
INTERPRETERS
〃The clouds are fleeting by； father； Look in the shining west； The great
white clouds sail onward Upon the sky's blue breast。 Look at a snowy
eagle； His wings are tinged with red； And a giant dolphin follows him；
With a crown upon his head！〃
The father spake no word； but watched The drifting clouds roll by； He
traced a misty vision too Upon the shining sky： A shadowy form； with
well…known grace Of weary love and care； Above the smiling child she
held； Shook down her floating