In their previous states these little Bonnet-Bees of mine have apparently given pleasure to quite a number of intelligent and thoughtful folk; and now--chiefly, I am bound to say, for my own satisfaction in seeing them all together--I have gathered them into one bunch. If they please you--good! If not, there is no harm done, and one man is content. JOHN OXENHAM CREDO Not what, but WHOM, I do believe, That, in my darkest hour of need, Hath comfort that no mortal creed To mortal man may give;-- Not what, but WHOM! For Christ is more than all the creeds, And His full life of gentle deeds Shall all the creeds outlive. Not what I do believe, but WHOM! WHO walks beside me in the gloom? WHO shares the burden wearisome? WHO all the dim way doth illume, And bids me look beyond the tomb The larger life to live?-- Not what I do believe, BUT WHOM! Not what, But WHOM! NEW YEAR'S DAY--AND EVERY DAY _Each man is Captain of his Soul, And each man his own Crew, But the Pilot knows the Unknown Seas, And He will bring us through_. We break new seas to-day,-- Our eager keels quest unaccustomed waters, And, from the vast uncharted waste in front, The mystic circles leap To greet our prows with mightiest possibilities; Bringing us--what? --Dread shoals and shifting banks? --And calms and storms? --And clouds and biting gales? --And wreck and loss? --And valiant fighting-times? And, maybe, Death!--and so, the Larger Life! _For should the Pilot deem it best To cut the voyage short, He sees beyond the sky-line, and He'll bring us into Port_. And, maybe, Life,--Life on a bounding tide, And chance of glorious deeds;-- Of help swift-born to drowning mariners; Of cheer to ships dismasted in the gale; Of succours given unasked and joyfully; Of mighty service to all needy souls. _So--Ho for the Pilot's orders, Whatever course He makes! For He sees beyond the sky-line, And He never makes mistakes_. And, maybe, Golden Days, Full freighted with delight! --And wide free seas of unimagined bliss, --And Treasure Isles, and Kingdoms to be won, --And Undiscovered Countries, and New Kin. _For each man captains his own Soul, And chooses his own Crew, But the Pilot knows the Unknown Seas, And He will bring us through_. PHILOSOPHER'S GARDEN "_See this my garden, Large and fair_!" --Thus, to his friend, The Philosopher. "'_Tis not too long_," His friend replied, With truth exact,-- "_Nor yet too wide. But well compact, If somewhat cramped On every side_." Quick the reply-- "_But see how high!-- It reaches up To God's blue sky_!" Not by their size Measure we men Or things. Wisdom, with eyes Washed in the fire, Seeketh the things That are higher-- Things that have wings, Thoughts that aspire. FLOWERS OF THE DUST