The Poems of Henry Van Dyke Part 28

The nymphs a shepherd took To guard their snowy sheep; He led them down along the brook, And guided them with pipe and crook, Until he fell asleep.

But when the piping stayed, Across the flowery mead The milk-white nymphs ran out afraid: O Thyrsis, wake! Your flock has strayed,-- The nymphs a shepherd need.

ECHOES FROM THE GREEK ANTHOLOGY

I

STARLIGHT

 

With two bright eyes, my star, my love, Thou lookest on the stars above: Ah, would that I the heaven might be With a million eyes to look on thee.

_Plato._

II

ROSELEAF

A little while the rose, And after that the thorn; An hour of dewy morn, And then the glamour goes.

Ah, love in beauty born, A little while the rose!

_Unknown._

III

PHOSPHOR--HESPER

O morning star, farewell!

My love I now must leave; The hours of day I slowly tell, And turn to her with the twilight bell,-- O welcome, star of eve!

_Meleager._

IV

SEASONS

Sweet in summer, cups of snow, Cooling thirsty lips aglow; Sweet to sailors winter-bound, Spring arrives with garlands crowned; Sweeter yet the hour that covers With one cloak a pair of lovers, Living lost in golden weather, While they talk of love together.

_Asclepiades._

V

THE VINE AND THE GOAT

Although you eat me to the root, I yet shall bear enough of fruit For wine to sprinkle your dim eyes, When you are made a sacrifice.

_Euenus._

VI

THE PROFESSOR

Seven pupils, in the cla.s.s Of Professor Callias, Listen silent while he drawls,-- Three are benches, four are walls.

_Unknown._

ONE WORLD

_"The worlds in which we live are two: The world 'I am' and the world 'I do,'"_

The worlds in which we live at heart are one, The world "I am," the fruit of "I have done"; And underneath these worlds of flower and fruit, The world "I love,"--the only living root.

JOY AND DUTY

"Joy is a Duty,"--so with golden lore The Hebrew rabbis taught in days of yore, And happy human hearts heard in their speech Almost the highest wisdom man can reach.

But one bright peak still rises far above, And there the Master stands whose name is Love, Saying to those whom weary tasks employ: "Life is divine when Duty is a Joy."

THE PRISON AND THE ANGEL

Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul; Love is the only angel who can bid the gates unroll; And when he comes to call thee, arise and follow fast; His way may lie through darkness, but it leads to light at last.

THE WAY

Who seeks for heaven alone to save his soul, May keep the path, but will not reach the goal; While he who walks in love may wander far, But G.o.d will bring him where the Blessed are.

LOVE AND LIGHT