Retrospect
As one who journeying over unknown lands
Ere yet the sun withdraws its western ray.
Stops on some mountain top whose height commands
A distant view of hill and woodland way ;
And now his glances linger, now retrace
The downward path to that sequestered place
Where flowers were fair, and wild birds woke to song
His morning's prime; so I who loitered long
Amid such nappy valleys, would descend
In vision whence I clomb when life was young.
Ere memory fail and my last footsteps end.
E'en as I look, a longing thought expands
The ambit of the past for my survey,
And childhood reappears with laughing bands
Of lost companions in forgotten play.
But soon ascending mists of time erase
Those early summers, and mine eyes embrace
Another scene. Therein with Love's light thong
Two lives arc knit in one ; the bells are rung
And Love is crowned. How could I make amend.
Were grief to fill the breast where gladness clung.
Ere memory fail and my last footsteps end ?
Nearer my gaze I What valiant spirit Stands
In bright perspective, comrade of the day
On yonder hill ? The hands that held my hands
Have fallen apart, the feet have gone astray
In death's dark valley ; but the eager face,
Love cannot lose, nor death itself abase.
Leans to me Still from out that ghostly throng
Whose eyes once burnt so bright and hearts beat strong.
Had I but known the grief that did impend
Upon my path ! Let it attend my tongue
Ere memory fail and my last footsteps end.
Between us lies a belt of barren sands
Across whose dearth my journey hither lay ;
Whereon the hours are milestones, and each brands
The road to misery, and would betray
Despondent feet to find in death disgrace.
There faith forsook me, and I found no trace
Of guide or goal those desolate dunes among.
Anguish assailed my soul, as downward swung,
The carrion bird Despair to seize and rend.
" Dear Lord, have mercy," from my heart was wrung,
" Ere memory fail and my last footsteps end."
God is all-merciful. Who understands
The labyrinths of our life, and when we pray
Sends forth His angels to unravel the Strands
Intended as our guide but tangled. They
Perform His pleasure ; bridge the broken space ;
Or point a path. So was it in my case;
For as I lay forsaken, wounded. Stung
By memory and regret, His angel sprung
To succour me. She that I loved would spend
On me, she said, " Love's treasure hoarded long,"
Ere memory fail and my last footsteps end.
Envoy
Angel of God ! Long since thine arm was flung
About my neck, the while thy true lips hung
O'er mine to bless. Now would I wholly blend
My life with that to which its days belong,
Ere memory fail and my last footsteps end.