A Child of the People And Other Poems. By James Chapman Woods |
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ON A FLY-LEAF. |
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 | A Child of the People |  |
132
ON A FLY-LEAF.
Some poets even puff not their wares to-day.
There are who sing to silence, neither heed
Though the world wreathe no bay
For word or deed;
There are who sing to silence, neither heed
Though the world wreathe no bay
For word or deed;
And such the man whose heart I send you is.
What bird-notes of the children, grave and wild,
Pipe in each song of his,
An older child;
What bird-notes of the children, grave and wild,
Pipe in each song of his,
An older child;
Whose hand, by some clear stream he singeth of,
Old nature clasped in days of childish fears,
And holds with lasting love
Through all the years;
Old nature clasped in days of childish fears,
And holds with lasting love
Through all the years;
Whom follow yet the mystery and the pain,
And moans that from the lips of life o'erflow,—
“Never to be again!”
“I shall not know!”
And moans that from the lips of life o'erflow,—
“Never to be again!”
“I shall not know!”
133
Him the Guide's gracious presence satiates still;—
“I live alone; Fame is not here,” she saith;
“Go, seek her if you will!”
He stays till death.
“I live alone; Fame is not here,” she saith;
“Go, seek her if you will!”
He stays till death.
The children love him; let the world go by:—
“Love be my crown,” saith he,—“Life's perfect end!”—
I should be happy, I
Who call him friend!
“Love be my crown,” saith he,—“Life's perfect end!”—
I should be happy, I
Who call him friend!
| A Child of the People | |