Part 10

Ah, Love would smile, and ruffle up, The hair above my brow; And we would laugh at all that seems So very sober, now. And monkey-folk, and scarlet birds, Would peer from every tree, And try to understand the words My True Love said to me!

If I might go with my True Love, To some far, dream-swept land; I would not miss the world, for I Could always touch Love's hand, And feel the magic of his lips-- Oh, by the singing sea, And Eden-place would bloom a-new For my True Love and me!

COMPREHENSION--A MOTHER'S SONG

I KNOW HOW MARY FELT, THERE IN THE HAY, MY LITTLE SON WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY!

I know, as she bent tenderly above Him, She did not think of majesty or power, For he was hers--and she was there to love Him! His hands, as pinkly tinted as a flower, Seemed all too small to carve His deathless story-- What though a star gleamed glorious to guide Him? She snatched Him to her breast as if to hide Him From harm, and fear, and even--yes, from glory.

And when the wise men came to give their treasure, She smiled at them as proud as any queen; She scarcely saw the jewels in countless measure, The gold that gleamed; her gaze was far, serene, Upon the hills where shepherds watched, alone. She did not think of crosses or of dying, For He was just a drowsy baby, lying Wrapped in her love--A baby--all her own!

I KNOW HOW MARY FELT, THERE IN THE HAY, MY LITTLE SON WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY!

SINGING ON THE MARCH

God put a song into my heart one day, A little song as light as ocean form, A little song of love and hope and home, A little song to cheer me on my way.

And though I bowed beneath the load I bore, I found that, when I sang, the way was bright, And that my footsteps swifter grew, and light; And all my life seemed fairer than before.

God has a song that fits in every heart, And though that song may seem a tiny thing, It is your task--so forge ahead, and SING-- And you will find that you have done your part!

EASTER

He came to call last night-- And we began to talk, as young folk will, Half carelessly, and half in awe, of God. It was the springtime, and the night was still And fragrant, all about us. And the sod Was fresh with tender grass, And overhead a crescent moon shone bright. And, "God," he said, "Has built the world on laws, "Like some great watch, and every breathing space "Is measured; and the system has no flaws, "And nothing moves from its appointed place. "God is the Master Scientist," he said, His voice was bold and had a ring of truth-- But God seemed ponderous, and far away....

And then a gentle breeze danced overhead, And caused the timid, new-born leaves to sway, And we began to talk of love, and youth.

And then, I sent him home, and went upstairs, To my still room, and flung the windows wide; And as I knelt to say my evening prayers I saw the stars, far smiling, in the sky. And, all at once, I knew the reason why I worshipped God... knew why He had sent His son to save the world from sin and shame; And, suddenly, like some sweet, healing tide, The meaning of my life swept over me; And, through the dark, my groping soul could see The Christ Who loved us, and was crucified.

And, as I knelt and watched the star's faint shine, I felt God's hand, a moment, touching mine!

RESURRECTION

You took the lilt from my heart of hearts, And the breath of song from my soul; And the mind of me that had once been free And buoyantly young, and whole; Grew calm and still as a barren sea, Where never a star beam shone, A sea where never a ripple danced-- That reflected your face along.

I walked in a daze down well-worn paths-- Paths that your feet had trod; I thought your thoughts and I spoke your tongue, I knelt to your hostile God. And the dreams that had been a part of me, I tossed with a sigh away, And left to rust in the misty dust Of the land called Yesterday.

My hands lay folded in slim repose, Quite as you bade them rest; Folded, meek, o'er the leaden heart That tortured my gypsie breast. And I smiled with my lips--my eyes were numb-- I smiled for I never knew, That the mind of me was a lifeless sea, Reflecting the face of you!

You took the lilt from my carefree life, And the song from my singing heart; But there came a day when the world grew gray, When I knew that we must part.... So I tore you out of your soul-bound shrine-- And, oh, though it caused me pain, I raised my face to the sky and knew That my song would come again!

THE QUEEN

"Barefooted came the beggar maid," So ran the minstrel's lay-- "Barefooted came the beggar maid "Before the King Corpethua." But, oh, her face was like a light, Her hair was black as middle night, And whispers ran from left to right-- "She is more beautiful than day!"

"In robe and crown the king stepped down," So ran the minstrel's lay-- "In robe and crown the king stepped down, "To meet and greet her by the way." And so the beggar maid became, A Queen, but just a queen in name, For, with her gypsie eyes aflame, Her mirror heard her say--

I was a beggar maid, I used to lie Silent and unafraid, beneath the sky, And watch the stars--my little sisters, they, I used to wake at dawning time of day To plunge my body in some mountain stream-- I was a beggar maid! Is this a dream, This golden crown I wear upon my head? This robe of royal purple and of red, This rope of pearls, this ring, these silken shoon?

Not long ago the silver crescent moon Was like a hand that beckoned me to stray, And cities seemed vast centuries away; And as my feet--swift feet, they were, and light-- Carried me through the wonder of the night, I never thought of kings, or kingly power-- My life was all one splendid, singing hour!

I love my king--He raised me from the dust, And looked at me with wonder, and with trust; My hair hung, tangled, to the waist of me, He brushed it from my eyes, that he might see Deep into them! He set me on his steed, He never knew my name, or asked my creed, He just believed in me--and told me so. I love my king, I love him well, but, oh-- Once I wore poppies, red upon my brow, (A crown seems very heavy to me, now,) And once I wore, for all the world to see A gown of rags. (Now, velvets stifle me!) And once my hands (how soft they are!) were strong To toil for me. The days seem very long While I must sit in state above the land-- I love my king... But does he understand? I was a beggar maid, I used to lie Silent and unafraid beneath the sky-- And, now that I am queen, my being longs To hear, once more, the little slumber songs Of night birds nesting in some forest tree-- I want to be myself, again, and free! I want to climb the crest of some great hill, And watch the sunset clouds, again, and thrill Before the color of them! I would stand Alone, once more, and see the wistful land Take on the tint of twilight. I would pray My gypsie prayer, again, at close of day!

I love my king--for he has given me Rare pearls, the treasure of a sighing sea, And rubies, red as sunset clouds a-glow And opals like the wistful winds that blow At twilight-time.