esteemed friend who lives there. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ POEMS _BY VARIOUS HANDS._ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GRADY. ------- I. SUNS rise and set, stars flash and darken: To-day I stand alone and hearken Unto this counsel, old and wise: “As shadows still we flee.” The blossom May hide the rare fruit in its bosom, But in the core the canker lies. II. To-day I stand alone and listen— While on my cheek the teardrops glisten And a strange blindness veils my sight, Unto the story of his dying And how, in God’s white slumber lying, His laureled brow is lulled to-night. III. Dear friends, I would not mock your sorrow With this poor wreath that ere to-morrow Shall fade and perish—little worth; But from the mountains that lament him, And from these vales whose violets lent him Their fragrance; from around the earth, IV. Wherever Love hath her dominion, Sorrow hath plumed her shadowed pinion And paid the tribute of her tears; And here is mine! In pathways lowly This man, whose dust ye count as holy Met me, a traveller of the years, V. And reached his strong right hand—a brother, Saying: “Mankind should love each other,” And so I shared and felt his love; And now my heart its grief expresses As comes from out lone wildernesses The sad lamenting of the dove. VI. Yet while I weep States mourn together And in the world ’tis rainy weather And all that bright rain falls for him! States mourn, and while their voices fame him The fond lips of the lowly name him, And little children’s eyes grow dim, VII. With tender tears, because they love him; Their hands strew violets above him: They lisp his dear name in their dreams. And in their sorrows and afflictions Old men breathe dying benedictions Where on his grave the starlight gleams. VIII.