Anthology of Massachusetts Poets Part 7

Suns.h.i.+ne of May that will gild every day Pledge I to thee if thou'lt harken to me."

Lo! in the light thro' the gay branches streaming, Quivering in answer to all the bird sings, Warm on a breath, leaps a soul with love gleaming, Speeds to its mate on its glittering wings.

"Dear, on thy breast Earth yields its best!

Loud in the singing I heard thy call ringing, Pleading and strong in the voice of the song, Whisper low,--Yes, just so!-- Softly revealing the depth of thy feeling, Words in whose fire glow thy love and desire."

MARY GERTRUDE HAMILTON

HYMNS AND ANTHEMS SUNG AT WELLESLEY COLLEGE

I

MOUNT CARMEL

WHERE art Thou, O my Lord?

Mount Carmel saw the throng Of priests and heard the song; To Baal was their call-- From morn till night did fall.

Where art Thou, O my Lord?

Again Mount Carmel heard Not in the spoken word, Not in the earthquake's shock, Not in the thunder roll, But in the inmost soul.

II

VESPER HYMN

Send peaceful sleep, O Lord, this night, To keep us till the morning light; And let no vision of alarm Come near to do Thy children harm

Within Thy circling arms we lie, O G.o.d, in Thine infinity;

Our souls in quiet shall abide Beset with love on every side.

III

THIS IS THAT BREAD

This is that Bread that came down from Heaven, he that eateth of this Bread shall live forever.

Bread on which angels feed, Bread for the spirit's need By faith receiving, New life do Thou impart, New strength to every heart, Pure love of G.o.d Thou art To us believing.

IV

O SLOW OF HEART

O slow of heart to believe! Ought Christ not to have suffered these things and to enter into His Glory?

Quicken, Lord, my fainting heart, Touch my eyes that they may see, Let me know Thee as Thou art.

Life and Immortality.

V

ALL HAIL TO THEE, CHILD JESUS

All hail to Thee, child Jesus!

As the brooding darkness flies At the swift approach of day, Sun of righteousness, arise, Chase the gloom of night away.

Great Prince of Peace, come to thine own, And build in every heart Thy throne.

Come to shed Thy healing balm On all nations of the earth, Child Jesus, come with holy calm, How we hail thy wondrous birth.

Great Prince of Peace, come to Thine own, And build in every heart Thy throne.

All hail to Thee, Child Jesus!

VI

THE WINE-PRESS

Who is this that comes from Edom In such glorious array, With his festal garments gleaming, Travelling on his royal way With a face majestic, calm and grave?

I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Why is thy apparel crimson, Why is all thy garments' pride Stained as in the time of vintage And with blood-red-color dyed?

Because of helpers I had none-- I have trodden the wine-press alone.

VII

WAKEN, SHEPHERDS!

(Angels) Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!

(Shepherds) Waken, Shepherds, waken; Whence this glowing light?

Ere the dawn of morning, Solemn signs of warning Portent of affright!

(Angels) Courage, Shepherds, courage!

Banish your dismay, or ye all are saved.

In the town of David Christ is born to-day.

(Shepherds) Harken, Shepherds, harken, Hear the angels sing!

Jehovah sends a token, He himself hath spoken To proclaim our King.

(Angels) Hasten, Shepherds, hasten, This shall be your sign; Where the kine are stabled, In a manger cradled Lies the Child Divine.

(Shepherds and Angels) Angels, Shepherds, People, Shout the glad refrain!

Joy to every nation Bringing full salvation, Christ has come to reign.

Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!

CAROLINE HAZARD

REUBEN ROY

LITTLE fellow, brown with wind-- I saw him in the street Peering at numbers on the posts, But most discreet: