The worst three things for man to fear, O Son! are these: Doubt and suspicion in a young child’s eyes; Accusing shame upon a woman’s face; And in himself no consciousness of God.

p. 35EARTH BOUND

p. 35

New paradise, and groom and bride; The world was all their own; Her heart swelled full of love and pride; Yet were they quite alone? ‘Now how is it, oh how is it, and why is it’ (in fear All silent to herself she spake) ‘that something strange seems here?’

Along the garden paths they walked— The moon was at its height— And lover-wise they strolled and talked, But something was not right. And ‘Who is that, now who is that, oh who is that,’ quoth she, (All silent in her heart she spake) ‘that seems to follow me?’

He drew her closer to his side; She felt his lingering kiss; And yet a shadow seemed to glide Between her heart and his. p. 36And ‘What is that, now what is that, oh what is that,’ she said, (All silent to herself she spake) ‘that minds me of the dead?’

p. 36

They wandered back by beds of bloom; They climbed a winding stair; They crossed the threshold of their room, But something waited there. ‘Now who is this, and what is this, and where is this,’ she cried, (All silent was the cry she made) ‘that comes to haunt and hide?’

Wide-eyed she lay, the while he slept; She could not name her fear. But something from her bedside crept Just as the dawn drew near, (She did not know, she could not know—how could she know?—who came To haunt the home of one whose hand had dug her grave of shame).

p. 37A SUCCESSFUL MAN

p. 37

There was a man who killed a loving maid In some mad mood of passion; and he paid The price, upon a scaffold. Now his name Stands only as a synonym for shame. There was another man, who took to wife A loving woman. She was full of life, Of hope, and aspirations; and her pride Clothed her like some rich mantle.

First, the wide Glad stream of life that through her veins had sway He dammed by rocks, cast in it, day by day. Her flag of hope, flung gaily to the world, He placed half mast, and then hauled down, and furled. The aspirations, breathing in each word, By subtle ridicule, were made absurd:

p. 38The delicate fine mantle of 

 Prev. P 20/48 next