THE LADDER OF ST. AUGUSTINE. SAINT AUGUSTINE! well hast thou said, Beneath our feet each deed of shame! All common things-each day's events, The low desire-the base design, And all occasions of excess. The longing for ignoble things, The strife for triumph more than truth, The hardening of the heart, that brings Irreverence for the dreams of youth! All thoughts of ill-all evil deeds, That have their root in thoughts of ill, Whatever hinders or impedes The action of the nobler will! All these must first be trampled down We have not wings-we cannot soar― The mighty pyramids of stone That wedge-like cleave the desert airs, When nearer seen and better known, Are but gigantic flights of stairs. The distant mountains, that uprear Their frowning foreheads to the skies, Are crossed by pathways, that appear As we to higher levels rise. The heights by great men reached and kept, Standing on what too long we bore Nor deem the irrevocable Past L'ENVOI. YE voices, that arose And whispered to my restless heart repose! Go, breathe it in the ear Of all who doubt and fear, And say to them, "Be of good cheer." Ye sounds, so low and calm, Seemed to me like an angel's psalm! With the perpetual roar Of the pine forest, dark and hoar! Tongues of the dead, not lost, Of the vast plain where death encamps! The Seaside and the Fireside. DEDICATION. As one who, walking in the twilight gloom, So walking here in twilight, O my friends! I hear your voices, softened by the distance, If any thought of mine, or sung or told, Thanks for the sympathies that ye have shewn ! Kind messages, that pass from land to land; Kind letters, that betray the heart's deep history, In which we feel the pressure of a hand,— One touch of fire, and all the rest is mystery! The pleasant books, that silently among Our household treasures take familiar places, And are to us as if a living tongue Spake from the printed leaves or pictured faces! Perhaps on earth I never shall behold, With eye of sense, your outward form and semblance; Never grow old, nor change, nor pass away! Not chance of birth or place has made us friends, Being oftentimes of different tongues and nations, But the endeavour for the selfsame ends, With the same hopes and fears and aspirations. Therefore I hope to join your seaside walk, The grand, majestic symphonies of ocean. Therefore I hope, as no unwelcome guest, BY THE SEASIDE. THE BUILDING OF THE SHIP. "BUILD me straight, O worthy Master! Stanch and strong, a goodly vessel, That shall laugh at all disaster, And with wave and whirlwind wrestle!" The merchant's word, Delighted the Master heard; |