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day I saw a Swallow Flitting past my prison bars； And my cell has just one
corner Whence at night I see the stars。〃
But its bitter taunt repeating； Cried the harsh Voice： 〃Where are they
… All the friends of former hours； Who forget your name to…day？ All the
links of love are shattered； Which you thought so strong before； And your
very heart is lonely； And alone since loved no more。〃
But the low Voice spoke still lower： … 〃Nay； I know the golden chain
Of my love is purer； stronger； For the cruel fire of pain： They remember
me no longer； But I； grieving here alone； Bind their souls to me for ever
By the love within their own。〃
But the Voice cried：… 〃Once remember You devoted soul and mind To
the welfare of your brethren； And the service of your kind。 Now； what
sorrow can you comfort？ You； who lie in helpless pain； With an impotent
compassion Fretting out your life in vain。〃
〃Nay；〃 and then the gentle answer Rose more loud； and full； and clear：
〃For the sake of all my brethren I thank God that I am here！ Poor had been
my Life's best efforts； Now I waste no thought or breath … For the prayer of
those who suffer Has the strength of Love and Death。〃
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： THE CARVER'S
LESSON
Trust me； no mere skill of subtle tracery； No mere practice of a
dexterous hand； Will suffice； without a hidden spirit； That we may； or may
not； understand。
And those quaint old fragments that are left us Have their power in
this；the Carver brought Earnest care； and reverent patience； only
Worthily to clothe some noble thought。
Shut then in the petals of the flowers； Round the stems of all the lilies
twine； Hide beneath each bird's or angel's pinion； Some wise meaning or
some thought divine。
Place in stony hands that pray for ever Tender words of peace； and
strive to wind Round the leafy scrolls and fretted niches Some true； loving
message to your kind。
Some will praise； some blame； and； soon forgetting； Come and go； nor
even pause to gaze； Only now and then a passing stranger Just may loiter
with a word of praise。
But I think； when years have floated onward； And the stone is grey；
and dim； and old； And the hand forgotten that has carved it； And the heart
that dreamt it still and cold；
There may come some weary soul； o'erladen With perplexed struggle
in his brain； Or； it may be； fretted with life's turmoil； Or made sore with
some perpetual pain。
Then； I think those stony hands will open； And the gentle lilies
overflow； With the blessing and the loving token That you hid there many
years ago。
And the tendrils will unroll； and teach him How to solve the problem
of his pain； And the birds' and angels' wings shake downward On his heart
a sweet and tender rain。
While he marvels at his fancy； reading Meaning in that quaint and
ancient scroll； Little guessing that the loving Carver Left a message for his
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
weary soul。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： THREE ROSES
Just when the red June Roses blow She gave me one；a year ago。 A
Rose whose crimson breath revealed The secret that its heart concealed；
And whose half shy； half tender grace Blushed back upon the giver's face。
A year agoa year ago … To hope was not to know。
Just when the red June Roses blow I plucked her one；a month ago：
Its half…blown crimson to eclipse； I laid it on her smiling lips； The balmy
fragrance of the south Drew sweetness from her sweeter mouth。 Swiftly do
golden hours creep； … To hold is not to keep。
The red June Roses now are past； This very day I broke the last … And
now its perfumed breath is hid； With her； beneath a coffin…lid； There will
its petals fall apart； And wither on her icy heart：… At three red Roses' cost
My world was gained and lost。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： MY PICTURE
GALLERY
I。
You write and think of me； my friend； with pity； While you are
basking in the light of Rome； Shut up within the heart of this great city；
Too busy and too poor to leave my home。
II。
You think my life debarred all rest or pleasure； Chained all day to my
ledger and my pen； Too sickly even to use my little leisure To bear me
from the strife and din of men。
III。
Well； it is true； yet； now the days are longer； At sunset I can lay my
writing down； And slowly crawl （summer has made me stronger） Just to
the nearest outskirt of the town。
IV。
There a wide Common； blackened though and dreary With factory
smoke； spreads outward to the West； I lie down on the parched…up grass； if
weary； Or lean against a broken wall to rest。
V。
So might a King； turning to Art's rich treasure； At evening； when the
cares of state were done； Enter his royal gallery； drinking pleasure Slowly
from each great picture； one by one。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VI。
Towards the West I turn my weary spirit； And watch my pictures：
one each night is mine。 Earth and my soul； sick of day's toil； inherit A
portion of that luminous peace divine。
VII。
There I have seen a sunset's crimson glory； Burn as if earth were one
great Altar's blaze； Or； like the closing of a piteous story； Light up the
misty world with dying rays。
VIII。
There I have seen the Clouds； in pomp and splendour； Their gold and
purple banners all unfurl； There I have watched colours； more faint and
tender Than pure and delicate tints upon a pearl。
IX。
Skie