Page:The poems of Richard Watson Gilder, Gilder, 1908.djvu/95

Rh When fulfilled the trust,

And the mourners weep;

When, tho' free from rust,

Sword hath lost its worth—

Let me bring to earth

No dishonored dust.

TO A DEPARTED FRIEND

friend, who lovedst well this pleasant life!

One year ago it is this very day

Since thou didst take thy uncompanioned way

Into the silent land, from out the strife

And joyful tumult of the world. The knife

Wherewith that sorrow cut us still doth stay,

And we, to whom thou daily didst betray

Thy gentle soul, with faith and worship rife,

Love thee not less but more—as time doth go

And we too hasten toward that land unknown

Where those most dear are gathering one by one.

The power divine that here did touch thy heart—

Hath this withdrawn from thee, where now thou art?

Would thou indeed couldst tell what thou dost know!}}

"THE EVENING STAR"

evening star trembles and hides from him

Who fain would hold it with imperious stare;

Yet, to the averted eye, lo! unaware

It shines serene, no longer shy and dim.

O, slow and sweet, its chalice to the brim

Fills the leaf-shadowed grape with rich and rare

Cool sunshine, caught from the white circling air!

Home from his journey to the round world's rim,—