Steel them with judgment, darken them with blame; But by the ways of light ineffable

You bade me go and I have faltered from,

By the low waters moaning out of hell

Whereto my feet have come,

Lay not on me these intolerable

Looks of rejoicing love, of pride, of happy trust!

Nothing dismayed?

By all I say and all I hint not made

Afraid?

O then, stay by me! Let

These eyes afflict me, cleanse me, keep me yet,

Brave eyes and true!

See how the shriveled heart, that long has lain

Dead to delight and pain,

Stirs, and begins again

To utter pleasant life, as if it knew

The wintry days were through;

As if in its awakening boughs it heard

The quick, sweet-spoken bird.

Strong eyes and brave,

Inexorable to save!

"The Little Book of Modern American Verse." Houghton Mifflin Company.

MOTHER TO CHILD

ON A SEVENTEENTH BIRTHDAY*

BY ANNE P. L. FIELD

To-day my tall broad-shouldered lad,
With such a grave, protective mien,
I watched with eyes grown strangely sad,
Though proud these mother-eyes had been,—
For brave and bonny seventeen

Is not a saddening sight to see,

Yet I have lost, long years between, My little boy that used to be!

How well-remembered and how glad
That hour when happier than a queen
A rosy infant son I had,

When all the singing world was green;
With what deep gratitude serene

I welcomed my maternity—

He was the sweetest ever seen My little boy that used to be!

And just a trifle vain, I ween,—
Showing his new suit to his " dad,”

As male birds their fine feathers preen.
His curls had such a golden sheen,

And by his crib on bended knee

I'd pray God's love from harm would screen
My little boy that used to be!

ENVOY

O son upon whose strength I lean,
Be very patient, dear, with me,
For mothers miss with anguish keen
The little boy that used to be!

* Reprinted by courtesy of "The Youth's Companion."

MY SONG*

BY RABINDRANATH TAGORE

This song of mine will wind its music around you, my child, like the fond arms of love.

This song of mine will touch your forehead like a kiss of blessing.

When you are alone it will sit by your side and whisper in your ear, when you are in the crowd it will fence you about with aloofness.

My song will be like a pair of wings to your dreams, it will transport your heart to the verge of the unknown.

It will be like a faithful star overhead when dark night is over your road.

My song will sit in the pupils of your eyes, and will carry your sight into the heart of things.

And when my voice is silent in death, my song will speak in your living heart.

* Copyrighted 1913 by The Macmillan Company.