tranquil eye; his calm reflections chime With mine: “Why do we at the present fleer? Why do we always wait for Death and Time?”

  The reading world with acclamation rings For my last book. It led the list at Weir, Altoona, Rahway, Painted Post, Hot Springs:  Great literature is with us year on year. The Bookman gives me a vociferous cheer. Howells approves! I can no higher climb. Bring then the laurel, crown my bright career. Why do we always wait for Death and Time?

[Pg 29] L’Envoi

[Pg 29]

L’Envoi

  Critics, who pastward, ever pastward peer, Great literature is with us year on year. Trumpet my fame while I am in my prime. Why do we always wait for Death and Time?

[Pg 30]

[Pg 30]

THE KAISER’S FAREWELL TO PRINCE HENRY

  Aufwiedersehen, brother mine! Farewells will soon be kissed; And ere you leave to breast the brine Give me once more your fist;

Farewells will soon be kissed;

Give me once more your fist;

  That mailéd fist, clenched high in air On many a foreign shore, Enforcing coaling stations where No stations were before;

On many a foreign shore,

No stations were before;

  That fist, which weaker nations view As if ’twere Michael’s own, And which appals the heathen who Bow down to wood and stone.

As if ’twere Michael’s own,

Bow down to wood and stone.

  But this trip no brass knuckles. Glove That heavy mailéd hand; Your mission now is one of Love And Peace—you understand.

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