[Illustration:  “I LOVE THEE; THEE ALONE”]

     [Illustration:]

     LITTLE QUEEN.

     Do you remember the name I wore—­
       The old pet-name of Little Queen—­
     In the dear, dead days that are no more,
       The happiest days of our lives, I ween? 
     For we loved with that passionate love of youth
       That blesses but once with its perfect bliss—­
     A love that, in spite of its trust and truth,
       Seems never to thrive in a world like this.

     I lived for you, and you lived for me;
       All was centered in “Little Queen;”
     And never a thought in our hearts had we
       That strife or trouble could come between. 
     What utter sinking of self it was! 
       How little we cared for the world of men! 
     For love’s fair kingdom and love’s sweet laws
       Were all of the world and life to us then.

     But a love like ours was a challenge to Fate;
       She rang down the curtain and shifted the scene;
     Yet sometimes now, when the day grows late,
       I can hear you calling for Little Queen;
     For a happy home and a busy life
       Can never wholly crowd out our past;
     In the twilight pauses that come from strife,
       You will think of me while life shall last.

     And however sweet the voice of fame
       May sing to me of a great world’s praise,
     I shall long sometimes for the old pet-name
       That you gave to me in the dear, dead days;
     And nothing the angel band can say,
       When I reach the shores of the great Unseen,
     Can please me so much as on that day
       To hear your greeting of “Little Queen.”

     [Illustration:  “THAT BLESSES BUT ONCE WITH ITS PERFECT BLISS”]

     WHEREFORE?

     Wherefore in dreams are sorrows borne anew,
       A healed wound opened, or the past revived? 
     Last night in my deep sleep I dreamed of you;
       Again the old love woke in me, and thrived
     On looks of fire, and kisses, and sweet words
       Like silver waters purling in a stream,
     Or like the amorous melodies of birds: 
          A dream—­a dream!

     Again upon the glory of the scene
       There settled that dread shadow of the cross
     That, when hearts love too well, falls in between;
       That warns them of impending woe and loss. 
     Again I saw you drifting from my life,
       As barques are rudely parted in a stream;
     Again my heart was torn with awful strife: 
          A dream—­a dream!

     Again the deep night settled on me there,
       Alone I groped, and heard strange waters roll,
     Lost in that blackness of supreme despair
       That comes but once to any living soul. 
     Alone, afraid, I called your name aloud—­
       Mine eyes, unveiled, beheld white stars agleam,
     And lo! awake, I cried, “Thank God, thank God! 
          A dream—­a dream!”