THE SHEPHERD OF KING ADMETUS. THERE came a youth upon the earth, Some thousand years ago, Whose slender hands were nothing worth, Upon an empty tortoise-shell He stretched some chords, and drew Music that made men's bosoms swell Fearless, or brimmed their eyes with dew. Then King Admetus, one who had And so, well-pleased with being soothed Three times his kingly beard he smoothed, His words were simple words enough, That what in other mouths was rough Men called him but a shiftless youth, And yet, unwittingly, in truth, They knew not how he learned at all, He sat and watched the dead leaves fall, It seemed the loveliness of things Did teach him all their use, For, in mere weeds, and stones, and springs, Men granted that his speech was wise, Yet after he was dead and gone, And e'en his memory dim, Earth seemed more sweet to live upon, More full of love, because of him. And day by day more holy grew Their first-born brother as a god. THE TOKEN. It is a mere wild rosebud, Quite sallow now, and dry, Yet there's something wondrous in it,— And stir my heart's blood far below Its short-lived waves of joy and woe. Lips must fade and roses wither, All sweet times be o'er, They only smile, and, murmuring "Thither!" Stay with us no more: And yet ofttimes a look or smile, Forgotten in a kiss's while, Years after from the dark will start, And flash across the trembling heart. Thou hast given me many roses, Earth's stablest things are shadows, Haply some chance-saved trifle May tell of this old home: As now sometimes we seem to find, AN INCIDENT IN A RAILROAD CAR. He spoke of Burns: men rude and rough Pressed round to hear the praise of one Whose heart was made of manly, simple stuff, As homespun as their own. And, when he read, they forward leaned, Drinking, with thirsty hearts and ears, His brook-like songs whom glory never weaned From humble smiles and tears. Slowly there grew a tender awe, It was a sight for sin and wrong A sight to make our faith more pure and strong I thought, these men will carry hence God scatters love on every side, |