While the organ played a dirge that no man ever heard before, And then softly sank to silence—silence kept for evermore.
BUTTERFLY AND BABY BLUE
Butterfly and Baby Blue, Did you come together Floating down the summer skies, In the summer weather? Seems to me you’re much alike, Airy, fairy creatures, Though I small resemblance find In your tiny features!
Butterfly has gauzy wings, Bright with jewelled splendor; Baby Blue has pink-white arms, Rosy, warm, and tender. Butterfly has golden rings, Charming each beholder; Baby wears a knot of blue On each dimpled shoulder.
Butterfly is never still, Always in a flutter; And of dainty Baby Blue The same truth I utter! Butterfly on happy wing In the sunshine dances; Baby Blue for sunshine has Mother’s smiles and glances!
Butterfly seeks honey-dew In a lily palace; Baby Blue finds nectar sweet In a snow-white chalice. Butterfly will furl its wings When the air grows colder; While dear Baby Blue will be Just a trifle older!
Ah! the days are growing short, Soon the birds will leave us, And of all the garden flowers Cruel frost bereave us. Butterfly and Baby Blue, Do not go together, Sailing through the autumn skies In the autumn weather!
KING IVAN’S OATH
King Ivan ruled a mighty land Girt by the sea on either hand; A goodly land as e’er the sun In its long journey looked upon! His knights were loyal, brave, and true, Eager their lord’s behests to do; His counsellors were wise and just, Nor ever failed his kingly trust; The nations praised him, and the state Grew powerful, and rich, and great; While still with long and loud acclaim, His people hailed their monarch’s name!
Fronting the east, a stately pile, The palace caught the sun’s first smile; Lightly its domes and arches sprung, As earth’s glad hills when earth was young; And miracles of airy grace, Each tower and turret soared in space. Within——But here no rhythmic flow Of words with light and warmth aglow Can tell the story. Not more fair Are your own castles hung in air! Painter and sculptor there had wrought The utmost beauty of their thought; There the rich fruit of Persian looms Glowed darkly bright as tropic blooms; There fell the light like golden mist, Filtered through clouds of amethyst; There bright-winged birds and odorous flowers With song and fragrance filled the hours; There Pleasure flung the portals wide, And soul and sense were satisfied!