e, and I hear
The mellow bells of distant churches chime.
I wander on, with never thought of fear,
Secure as in some peaceful heav'nly clime.
Majestic, mystic things seem close and clear,
And all my soul is wrapt in thoughts sublime.

SHADOW DANCE

We two sat watching the shadows dance,
(Long years had passed since we were young),
And o'er the days that had fled there hung
A mist of sorrow and sad romance.

From out the gloom of an old stone wall,
The moon drew creatures of wondrous shape,
And none of our lost dreams could escape,
A cruel magic revealed them all.

They bowed and swayed with a mocking grace,
And held our gaze as they flitted by;
Our deep-drawn breaths were our sole reply,
As one by one we beheld each face.

A dream of Wealth and a dream of Fame,
And Love's dream, these were the foremost three,
Each with its shadowy train, till we
Could greet the phantoms of youth by name.

Our faces paled and we trembled there,
Watching the shadows dance on the wall;
Wealth, Fame and Love--we had missed them all,
And Sorrow's chalice had been our share.

But there was hope and we still had life,
And hearts are brave that the years have tried;
We looked in each other's eyes and sighed,
Sad, pain-filled eyes, but free of strife.

Dance on, gaunt shadows, beside the wall,
We shrink from you in your cruel mirth;
But what are _you_ and the dreams of Earth?
Our hard-won peace is worth them all.

AT AN OLD TRYSTING-PLACE

Where, dearest, fare thy feet this summer eve?
Hast found a pasture green in which to tread,
Beside refreshing waters art thou led,
Content beyond my powers to conceive?
Does overflowing cup thy thirst relieve,
With princely feast hast thou thy hunger fed,
Uplifted high is thine anointed head,
Among thy kind dost thou esteem receive?

I pray 'tis so; and evermore shall be,
That year by year thy honors may increase,
No shadow darken thy prosperity,
Nor treach'rous pitfall mar thy way of peace.
My loving eyes would always joy to see
Thy path lie fair until thy journey cease.

TO A WATER LILY

This is her bed!
Dip the oars lightly,
Guide the craft rightly,
Where her sweet head
Nestles so calmly.

What says her heart,
Fragrant and golden?
In its depths holden,
With maiden art,
Whose image hath she?

Dare I disturb
Fancies so tender,
E'en to sur