[Illustration: text decoration] EVOLUTION. A child of the Sun I am ages old, I live on the past, and its wisdom unfold; A handmaid of nature my dwelling unseen, I’m integrally part of whatever has been. Like a meteor I sprang from the womb of the sky, For of sun dust and star dust an atom am I; Whatever my place in cosmogonic laws, I belong to the great and invisible cause. Incorporate yet with the corporate mind I resolve myself, evolve, and govern mankind. I was nursed in oblivion, with silence was reared, Controlling man’s destiny, ever unheard; I press through the centuries slowly, but sure, And I never may rest until time be no more. An atom of mighty centrifugal force, No power can destroy or can alter my course: Though earth and her satellite fall like a star, I still will rejoice on some planet afar. A mentor I am if man will but read, For cause and effect are God’s agents indeed. Though I ever despoil, yet I ever renew, And I silently work where no mortal may view: I move on the mountains, I move in the deep, I never am still, yet eternally sleep; Like the dew of the morning refreshing the ground I bless and am blended with all things around. From the steps of the past to the future I climb, For from Heaven I am sent with a message sublime: On the rocks--nature’s book--my traces I leave, That in me--Evolution--you all may believe. LOVE’S REVERIE. I sang a song one glorious eve Meant for your ears alone, I may not sing that song again For years since then have flown; But I remember that the dew Lay glistening in your eyes so blue. I sang to you one summer day All through the golden hours As down a mossy dell we strayed And plucked the scented flowers; And as I sang love’s sweet refrain Your eyes were dim with tears again. I sang when night in splendour fell Where southern stars look down And they and you alone could tell How deep my love had grown, And when I saw your eyes ashine It seemed to make my love divine. Dear heart, I sang to you alone My song with trembling voice, Which told how love could make our lives A holy sacrifice. Then tenderly, with quivering breath You gave yourself to me till death. TO THE ROSE. Goddess of beauty: at thy magic breath My spirit turneth from the gate of death, And in thy deep red heart would find repose And dreams of Arcady: thou queenly rose. This morn I deemed that happiness had flown, For all the world to me had colder grown. But lo! The angel of the flowers hath kissed Thy petals with the dew of morning mist.