"FOR THIS TRUE NOBLENESS I SEEK IN VAIN"

"For this true nobleness I seek in vain, In woman and in man I find it not; I almost weary of my earthly lot, My life-springs are dried up with burning pain."

Thou find'st it not? I pray thee look again,

Look inward through the depths of thine own soul.

How is it with thee? Art thou sound and whole?

Doth narrow search show thee no earthly stain?

BE NOBLE! and the nobleness that lies
In other men, sleeping, but never dead, 10
Will rise in majesty to meet thine own;
Then wilt thou see it gleam in many
eyes,

Then will pure light around thy path be shed,

And thou wilt nevermore be sad and lone. 1840. 1840.

"MY LOVE, I HAVE NO FEAR THAT THOU SHOULDST DIE"

My Love, I have no fear that thou shouldst die;

Albeit I ask no fairer life than this, Whose numbering-clock is still thy gentle kiss,

While Time and Peace with hands enlocked fly;

Yet care I not where in Eternity
We live and love, well knowing that there is
No backward step for those who feel the
bliss

Of Faith as their most lofty yearnings high:

Love hath so purified my being's core, Meseems I scarcely should be startled,

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,
Sun-like, o'er faces brown and hard, ro
As if in him who read they felt and saw
Some presence of the bard.

It was a sight for sin and wrong
And slavish tyranny to see,

A sight to make our faith more pure and strong

In high humanity.