Matins

MATINS
Francis Sherman
Title page decoration
BOSTON COPELAND AND DAY MDCCCXCVI
COPYRIGHT 1896 BY COPELAND AND DAY
TO MY FATHER
CONTENTS
AT THE GATE
Swing open wide, O Gate, That I may enter in And see what lies in wait For me who have been born! Her word I only scorn Who spake of death and sin. I know what is behind Your heavy brazen bars; I heard it of the wind Where I dwelt yesterday: The wind that blows alway Among the ancient stars. Life is the chiefest thing The wind brought knowledge of, As it passed, murmuring: Life, with its infinite strength, And undiminished length Of years fulfilled with love. The wind spake not of sin That blows among the stars; And so I enter in (Swing open wide, O Gate!) Fearless of what may wait Behind your heavy bars.
A LIFE
Let us rise up and live! Behold, each thing Is ready for the moulding of our hand. Long have they all awaited our command; None other will they ever own for king. Until we come no bird dare try to sing, Nor any sea its power may understand; No buds are on the trees; in every land Year asketh year some tidings of some Spring. Yea, it is time,—high time we were awake! Simple indeed shall life be unto us. What part is ours?—To take what all things give; To feel the whole world growing for our sake; To have sure knowledge of the marvellous; To laugh and love.— Let us rise up and live!
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