MY HERITAGE.

     I into life so full of love was sent
       That all the shadows which fall on the way
       Of every human being could not stay,
     But fled before the light my spirit lent.

     I saw the world through gold and crimson dyes: 
       Men sighed and said, “Those rosy hues will fade
       As you pass on into the glare and shade!”
     Still beautiful the way seems to mine eyes.

     They said, “You are too jubilant and glad;
       The world is full of sorrow and of wrong. 
       Full soon your lips shall breathe forth sighs—­not song.” 
     The day wears on, and yet I am not sad.

     They said, “You love too largely, and you must,
       Through wound on wound, grow bitter to your kind.” 
       They were false prophets; day by day I find
     More cause for love, and less cause for distrust.

     They said, “Too free you give your soul’s rare wine;
       The world will quaff, but it will not repay.” 
       Yet in the emptied flagons, day by day,
     True hearts pour back a nectar as divine.

     Thy heritage!  Is it not love’s estate? 
       Look to it, then, and keep its soil well tilled. 
       I hold that my best wishes are fulfilled
     Because I love so much, and cannot hate.

     RESOLVE.

     Build on resolve, and not upon regret,
       The structure of thy future.  Do not grope
     Among the shadows of old sins, but let
       Thine own soul’s light shine on the path of hope
     And dissipate the darkness.  Waste no tears
     Upon the blotted record of lost years,
     But turn the leaf and smile, oh, smile, to see
     The fair white pages that remain for thee.

     Prate not of thy repentance.  But believe
       The spark divine dwells in thee:  let it grow. 
     That which the upreaching spirit can achieve
       The grand and all-creative forces know;
     They will assist and strengthen as the light
     Lifts up the acorn to the oak tree’s height. 
     Thou hast but to resolve, and lo!  God’s whole
     Great universe shall fortify thy soul.

     AT ELEUSIS.

     I, at Eleusis, saw the finest sight,
       When early morning’s banners were unfurled. 
       From high Olympus, gazing on the world,
     The ancient gods once saw it with delight. 
     Sad Demeter had in a single night
       Removed her sombre garments! and mine eyes
       Beheld a ’broidered mantle in pale dyes
     Thrown o’er her throbbing bosom.  Sweet and clear
     There fell the sound of music on mine ear. 
       And from the South came Hermes, he whose lyre
       One time appeased the great Apollo’s ire. 
     The rescued maid, Persephone, by the hand
     He led to waiting Demeter, and cheer
     And light and beauty once more blessed the land.