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fearful … That his memory might grow dim。
I must guard her from all sorrow； I must play a brother's part； Shield
all grief and trial from her； If it need be； with my heart。 Years passed； and
his name grew famous； We were proud； both she and I； And we lived upon
his letters； While the slow days fleeted by。
Then at lastyou know the story； How a fearful rumour spread； Till all
hope had slowly faded； And we heard that he was dead。 Dead！ Oh； those
were bitter hours； Yet within my soul there dwelt A warning； and while
others mourned him； Something like a hope I felt。
His was no weak life as mine was； But a life； so full and strong … No； I
could not think he perished Nameless； 'mid a conquered throng。 How she
drooped！ Years passed； no tidings Came； and yet that little flame Of
strange hope within my spirit Still burnt on； and lived the same。
Ah！ my child； our hearts will fail us； When to us they strongest seem； I
can look back on those hours As a fearful； evil dream。 She had long
despaired； what wonder That her heart had turned to mine？ Earthly loves
are deep and tender； Not eternal and divine！
Can I say how bright a future Rose before my soul that day？ Oh； so
strange； so sweet； so tender … And I had to turn away。 Hard and terrible the
struggle； For the pain not mine alone； I called back my Brother's spirit；
And I bade him claim his own。
Told hernow I dared to do it … That I felt the day would rise When he
would return to gladden My weak heart and her bright eyes。 And I
pleadedpleaded sternly … In his name； and for his sake： Now； I can speak
calmly of it； Then； I thought my heart would break。
Soonah； Love had not deceived me； （Love's true instincts never err；）
Wounded； weak； escaped from prison； He returned to me； to her。 I could
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
thank God that bright morning； When I felt my Brother's gaze； That my
heart was true and loyal； As in our old boyish days。
Bought by wounds and deeds of daring； Honours he had brought away；
Glory crowned his namemy Brother's； Mine too！we were one that day。
Since the crown on him had fallen； 〃VICTOR IN A NOBLE STRIFE；〃 I
could live and die contented With my poor ignoble life。
Well； my darling； almost weary Of my story？ Wait awhile； For the
rest is only joyful； I can tell it with a smile。 One bright promise still was
left me； Wound so close about my soul； That； as one by one had failed me；
This dream now absorbed the whole。
〃SINGER OF A NOBLE POEM；〃 … Ah； my darling； few and rare Burn
the glorious names of Poets； Like stars in the purple air。 That too； and I
glory in it； That great gift my Godfrey won； I have my dear share of
honour； Gained by that beloved one。
One day shall my darling read it； Now she cannot understand All the
noble thoughts； that lighten Through the genius of the land。 I am proud to
be his brother； Proud to think that hope was true； Though I longed and
strove so vainly； What I failed in； he could do。
I was long before I knew it； Longer ere I felt it so； Then I strung my
rhymes together Only for the poor and low。 And； it pleases me to know it；
（For I love them well indeed；） They care for my humble verses； Fitted for
their humble need。
And； it cheers my heart to bear it； Where the far…off settlers roam； My
poor words are sung and cherished； Just because they speak of Home。 And
the little children sing them； （That； I think； has pleased me best；） Often；
too； the dying love them； For they tell of Heaven and rest。
So my last vain dream has faded； （Such as I to think of fame！） Yet I
will not say it failed me； For it crowned my Godfrey's name。 No； my
Angel did not cheat me； For my long life HAS been blest； He did give me
Love and Sorrow； He will bring me Light and Rest。
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VERSE： A WOMAN'S
QUESTION
Before I trust my Fate to thee； Or place my hand in thine； Before I let
thy Future give Colour and form to mine； Before I peril all for thee；
question thy soul to…night for me。
I break all slighter bonds； nor feel A shadow of regret： Is there one link
within the Past； That holds thy spirit yet？ Or is thy Faith as clear and free
as that which I can pledge to thee？
Does there within thy dimmest dreams A possible future shine；
Wherein thy life could henceforth breathe； Untouched； unshared by mine？
If so； at any pain or cost； oh； tell me before all is lost。
Look deeper still。 If thou canst feel Within thy inmost soul； That
thou hast kept a portion back； While I have staked the whole； Let no false
pity spare the blow； but in true mercy tell me so。
Is there within thy heart a need That mine cannot fulfil？ One chord
that any other hand Could better wake or still？ Speak nowlest at some
future day my whole life wither and decay。
Lives there within thy nature bid The demon…spirit Change； Shedding
a passing glory still On all things new and strange？ … It may not be thy
fault alonebut shield my heart against thy own。
Couldst thou withdraw thy hand one day And answer to my claim；
That Fate； and that to…day's mistake； Not thouhad been to blame？ Some
soothe their conscience thus： but thou； wilt surely warn and save me
now。
Nay； answer NOTI dare not hear； The words would come too late；
Yet I would spare thee all remorse； So； comfort thee； my Fate … Whatever
on my heart may fallremember I WOULD risk it all！
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： THE THREE RULERS
I saw a Ruler take his stand And trample on a mighty land； The People
crouched before his beck； His iron heel was on their neck； His name shone
bright through blood and pain； His sword flashed back their praise again。
I saw another Ruler rise … His words were noble； good； and wise； With
the calm sceptre of his pen He ruled the minds and thoughts of men； Some
scoffed； some praisedwhile many heard； Only a few obeyed his word。
Another Ruler then I saw … Love and sweet Pity were his law： The
greatest and the least had part （Yet most the unhappy） in his heart … The
People； in a mighty band； Rose up； and drove him from the land！
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： A DEAD PAST
Spare her at least： look； you have taken from me The Present； and I
murmur not； nor moan； The Future too； with all her glorious promise； But
do not leave me utterly alone。
Spare me the Pastfor； see； she cannot harm you； She lies so white and
cold； wrapped in her shroud； All； all my own！ and； trust me； I will hide her
Within my soul； nor speak to her aloud。
I folded her soft hands upon her bosom； And strewed my flowers upon
herTHEY still live … Sometimes I like to kiss her closed white eye…lids；
And think of all the joy she used to give。
Cruel indeed it were to take her from me； She sleeps； she will not
wakeno fearagain： And so I laid her； such a gentle burthen； Quietly on
my heart to still its pain。
I do not think that any smiling Present； Any vague Future； spite of all
her charms； Could ever rival her。 You know you laid her； Long years ago；
then living； in my arms。
Leave her at leastwhile my tears fall upon her； I dream she smiles；
just as she did of yore； As dear as ever to menay； it may be； Even dearer
stillsince I have nothing more。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： A DOUBTING HEART
Where are the swallows fled？ Frozen and dead； Perchance upon some
bleak and stormy shore。 Oh doubting heart！ Far over purple seas； They
wait； in sunny ease； The bal