Her hands! Two blossoms white that, sleeping, float like water-lilies on the harp's still breast. One petal quivers, lo! a liquid note persuades the lilies they must wake from rest. Ah, see! her hands are birds with flutt'ring wings, strong, graceful birds, circling the Ship of Gold, sweeping with passion the responsive strings that calmed a king's tempestuous heart of old. I cannot watch these birds, for I am blind; blinded with ecstasy. But I can hear the rhythmic beat of drums upon the wind, and Arabs o'er the desert drawing near. Into the room they come, loose garments flowing, and all the magic of the East comes, too. And now the Harp is sighing, "They are going, and with them goes the spellbound heart of you!" The scene is changed. The blazing East gives way to some cool spot, with trees outspread and tall. A most exquisite peace holds us in sway; parched souls revive beneath "The Waterfall."
THE STRONG WILL
Strong of will? That's good, indeed. Nice, of course, to get one's way. Sometimes, though, one has to heed a brother's still more urgent need, allow his will to have full sway. Stout-of-will sometimes works ill for those he forces to obey. You always reach the topmost peak? Very nice indeed for you. But did you hurt the shy and meek, the inexperienced and the weak, in doing what you had to do? Did you step upon another, a weaker and a slower brother? There are many ways to gain all the things that seem most sweet, but if the getting might cause pain, better then to meet defeat. To renounce is not so ill as ruthless arrogance of will.
CONKERS
Not in a dictionary? How absurd! Conker is such a stalwart, English word. You do not know it? Well, it is a shame to think you never played that Autumn game, beginning with the cry of "Oblionker." (Oh, magic word preceding "My first conker!") First the attack upon the Chestnut tree; the fruits fall down 'mid noisy shouts of glee. Pockets are stuffed, the robbers homeward go to polish these large seeds to ruddy glow. Then each is pierced with nicety and care and strung in readiness to cleave the air and hit a conker-foe held at arm's length, and shatter it by virtue of one's strength. Oh, joy it is to tramp the woods again and smell the earth fresh washed by Autumn rain, and hear the thrilling, fascinating sound of Chestnuts plopping on the leaf-strewn ground and cry aloud unthinking, "Oblionker," as in the long-ago, "'tis my first conker."
THE BEAUTY-REAPER
Rich fields of beauty 'neath the sun are yours and mine, our heritage. And there is work for every one; and lasting joy's the living wage. There is a field of lovely sights, where eyes may glean, if they but go; may garner such intense delights as only Beauty-lovers know. There is a field of haunting sounds for ears to glean if they desire: some simple phrases which may yield the music of a heart-strung lyre. There is a field of precious thought where eager minds may daily stray; where blossoms rare are never bought, but grow for all to bear away. And there is yet another field, the field of Service, far-flung, wide; the beauty that this land can yield, above all else is glorified. To be a reaper, I must try, in fields that Life has sown for me. My sheaves of beauty will I tie with silken threads of memory.
REMEMBER MAY
Who watched May slip away last night? Only the stars with eyes grown bright with unshed tears. Only the moon, as thin and white as some young girl assailed by fright of unnamed fears. A bride May looked! Golden her hair; and fragile blossoms nestled there, fallen from chestnut trees. Golden Laburnum circled each slim wrist; her snow-white cheeks to blushing pink were kissed by tender midnight breeze. Eastward she gazed towards the dawnlit sky, and saw Queen Juno's chariot drawing nigh. Then breathed "farewell." Westward she turned, and, like a bird in flight, white arms outstretched, she vanished out of sight. Where? Who can tell? Only this song comes wafted on the breeze: "Behold the Iris and the blossomed trees, and tulips tall and gay. And when you praise the loveliness of these, though June be here and strives her best to please—you will remember May!"