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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： BEYOND
We must not doubt； or fear； or dread； that love for life is only given；
And that the calm and sainted dead will meet estranged and cold in
heaven：… Oh； Love were poor and vain indeed； based on so harsh and stern
a creed。
True that this earth must pass away； with all the starry worlds of light；
With all the glory of the day； and calmer tenderness of night； For； in that
radiant home can shine alone the immortal and divine。
Earth's lower thingsher pride； her fame； her science； learning； wealth
and power … Slow growths that through long ages came； or fruits of some
convulsive hour； Whose very memory must decayHeaven is too pure for
such as they。
They are complete： their work is done。 So let them sleep in endless
rest。 Love's life is only here begun； nor is； nor can be； fully blest； It has no
room to spread its wings； amid this crowd of meaner things。
Just for the very shadow thrown upon its sweetness here below； The
cross that it must bear alone； and bloody baptism of woe； Crowned and
completed through its pain； we know that it shall rise again。
So if its flame burn pure and bright； here； where our air is dark and
dense； And nothing in this world of night lives with a living so intense；
When it shall reach its home at lengthhow bright its light！ how strong its
strength！
And while the vain weak loves of earth （for such base counterfeits
abound） Shall perish with what gave them birththeir graves are green
and fresh around； No funeral song shall need to rise； for the true Love that
never dies。
If in my heart I now could fear that； risen again； we should not know
What was our Life of Life when herethe hearts we loved so much below；
I would arise this very day； and cast so poor a thing away。
But Love is no such soulless clod： living； perfected it shall rise
Transfigured in the light of God； and giving glory to the skies： And that
which makes this life so sweet； shall render Heaven's joy complete。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
12
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： A WARNING
Place your hands in mine； dear； With their rose…leaf touch： If you heed
my warning； It will spare you much。
Ah！ with just such smiling Unbelieving eyes； Years ago I heard it：…
You shall be more wise。
You have one great treasure Joy for all your life； Do not let it perish In
one reckless strife。
Do not venture all； child； In one frail； weak heart； So； through any
shipwreck； You may save a part。
Where your soul is tempted Most to trust your fate； There； with double
caution； Linger； fear； and wait。
Measure all you givestill Counting what you take； Love for love：
so placing Each an equal stake。
Treasure love； though ready Still to live without。 In your fondest trust；
keep Just one thread of doubt。
Build on no to…morrow； Love has but to…day： If the links seem
slackening； Cut the bond away。
Trust no prayer nor promise； Words are grains of sand； To keep your
heart unbroken； Hold it in your hand。
That your love may finish Calm as it begun； Learn this lesson better；
Dear； than I have done。
Years hence； perhaps； this warning You shall give again； In just the
self…same words； dear； Andjust as muchin vain。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： MAXIMUS
Many； if God should make them kings； Might not disgrace the throne
He gave； How few who could as well fulfil The holier office of a slave。
I hold him great who； for Love's sake Can give； with generous； earnest
will； … Yet he who takes for Love's sweet sake； I think I hold more
generous still。
I prize the instinct that can turn From vain pretence with proud disdain；
Yet more I prize a simple heart； Paying credulity with pain。
I bow before the noble mind That freely some great wrong forgives；
Yet nobler is the one forgiven； Who bears that burden well； and lives。
It may be hard to gain； and still To keep a lowly steadfast heart Yet he
who loses has to fill A harder and a truer part。
Glorious it is to wear the crown Of a deserved and pure success； … He
who knows how to fail has won A Crown whose lustre is not less。
Great may he be who can command And rule with just and tender
sway； Yet is diviner wisdom taught Better by him who can obey。
Blessed are those who die for God； And earn the Martyr's crown of
light … Yet he who lives for God may be A greater Conqueror in His sight。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： OPTIMUS
There is a deep and subtle snare Whose sure temptation hardly fails；
Which； just because it looks so fair； Only a noble heart assails。
So all the more we need be strong Against this false and seeming Right；
Which none the less is deadly wrong； Because it glitters clothed in light。
When duties unfulfilled remain； Or noble works are left unplanned； Or
when great deeds cry out in vain On coward heart and trembling hand； …
Then will a seeming Angel speak： … 〃The hours are fleetinggreat
the need … If thou art strong and others weak； Thine be the effort and the
deed。
〃Deaf are their ears who ought to hear； Idle their hands； and dull their
soul； While sloth； or ignorance； or fear； Fetters them with a blind control。
〃Sort thou the tangled web aright； Take thou the toiltake thou the
pain： For fear the hour begin its flight； While Right and Duty plead in
vain。〃
And now it is I bid thee pause； Nor let this Tempter bend thy will：
There are diviner； truer laws That teach a nobler lesson still。
Learn that each duty makes its claim Upon one soul： not each on all。
How； if God speaks thy Brother's name； Dare thou make answer to the
call？
The greater peril in the strife； The less this evil should be done； For as
in battle； so in life； Dan