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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
Dreams of work； and fame； and honour struggling with a tender pity； Till
the loving Past receding saw the conquering Future rise。
Daybreak still found Mildred watching； with the wonder of first
sorrow； How the outward world unaltered shone the same this very day；
How unpitying and relentless busy life met this new morrow； Earth； and
sky； and man unheeding that her joy had passed away。
Then the round of weary duties； cold and formal； came to meet her；
With the life within departed that had given them each a soul； And her sick
heart even slighted gentle words that came to greet her； For Grief spread
its shadowy pinions； like a blight； upon the whole。
Jar one chord； the harp is silent； move one stone； the arch is shattered；
One small clarion…cry of sorrow bids an armed host awake； One dark
cloud can hide the sunlight； loose one string； the pearls are scattered；
Think one thought； a soul may perish； say one word； a heart may break！
Life went on； the two lives running side by side； the outward seeming；
And the truer and diviner hidden in the heart and brain； Dreams grow holy；
put in action； work grows fair through starry dreaming； But where each
flows on unmingling； both are fruitless and in vain。
Such was Mildred's life； her dreaming lay in some far…distant region；
All the fairer； all the brighter； that its glories were but guessed； And the
daily round of duties seemed an unreal； airy legion … Nothing true save
Philip's letters and the ring upon her breast。
Letters telling how he struggled； for some plan or vision aiming； And
at last how he just grasped it as a fresh one spread its wings； How the
honour or the learning； once the climax； now were claiming； Only more
and more； becoming merely steps to higher things。
Telling her of foreign countries： little store had she of learning； So
her earnest； simple spirit answered as he touched the string； Day by day； to
these bright fancies all her silent thoughts were turning； Seeing every
radiant picture framed within her golden Ring。
Oh； poor heartlove； if thou willest； but； thine own soul still
possessing； Live thy life： not a reflection or a shadow of his own： Lean
as fondly； as completely； as thou willestbut confessing That thy strength
is God's； and therefore can； if need be； stand alone。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
Little means were there around her to make farther； wider ranges；
Where her loving gentle spirit could try any stronger flight； And she
turned aside； half fearing that fresh thoughts were fickle changes … That
she MUST stay as he left her on that farewell summer night。
Love should still be guide and leader； like a herald should have risen；
Lighting up the long dark vistas； conquering all opposing fates； But new
claims； new thoughts； new duties found her heart a silent prison； And
found Love； with folded pinions； like a jailer by the gates。
Yet why blame her？ it had needed greater strength than she was given
To have gone against the current that so calmly flowed along； Nothing
fresh came near the village save the rain and dew of heaven； And her
nature was too passive； and her love perhaps too strong。
The great world of thought； that rushes down the years； and onward
sweeping Bears upon its mighty billows in its progress each and all；
Flowed so far away； its murmur did not rouse them from their sleeping；
Life and Time and Truth were speaking； but they did not hear their call。
Years flowed on； and every morning heard her prayer grow lower；
deeper； As she called all blessings on him； and bade every ill depart； And
each night when the cold moonlight shone upon that quiet sleeper； It
would show her ring that glittered with each throbbing of her heart。
Years passed on。 Fame came for Philip in a full； o'erflowing measure；
He was spoken of and honoured through the breadth of many lands； And
he wrote it all to Mildred； as if praise were only pleasure； As if fame were
only honour； when he laid them in her hands。
Mildred heard it without wonder； as a sure result expected； For how
could it fail； since merit and renown go side by side： And the neighbours
who first fancied genius ought to be suspected； Might at last give up their
caution； and could own him now with pride。
Years flowed on。 These empty honours led to others they called
better； He had saved some slender fortune； and might claim his bride at
last： Mildred； grown so used to waiting； felt half startled by the letter That
now made her future certain； and would consecrate her past。
And he came： grown sterner； olderchanged indeed： a grave
reliance Had replaced his eager manner； and the quick short speech of old：
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He had gone forth with a spirit half of hope and half defiance； He returned
with proud assurance half disdainful and half cold。
Yet his old self seemed returning while he stood sometimes； and
listened To her calm soft voice； relating all the thoughts of these long
years； And if Mildred's heart was heavy； and at times her blue eyes
glistened； Still in thought she would not whisper aught of sorrow or of
fears。
Autumn with its golden corn…fields； autumn with its storms and
showers； Had been there to greet his coming with its forests gold and
brown； And the last leaves still were falling； fading still the year's last
flowers； When he left the quiet village； and took back his bride to town。
Homethe home that she had pictured many a time in twilight；
dwelling On that tender gentle fancy； folded round with loving care； Here
was homethe end； the haven； and what spirit voice seemed telling； That
she only held the casket； with the gem no longer there？
Sad it may be to be longing； with a patience faint and weary； For a
hope deferredand sadder still to see