Said the water glass; "I can not boast Of a king dethroned, or a murdered host, But I can tell of hearts that were sad By my crystal drops made bright and glad; Of thirst I have quenched, and brows I have laved; Of hands I have cooled, and souls I have saved. I have leaped through the valley, and dashed down the mountain, Slept in the sunshine and dripped from the fountain. I have burst my cloud-fetters, and dropped from the sky, And everywhere gladdened the prospects and eye; I have eased the hot forehead of fever and pain; I have made the parched meadows grow fertile with grain. I can tell of the powerful wheel of the mill, That ground out the flour, and turned at my will, I can tell of manhood debased by you, That I have uplifted and crowned anew. I cheer, I help, I strengthen and aid; I gladden the hearts of man and maid; I set the wine-chained captive free, And all are better for knowing me." These are the tales they told each other, The glass of wine and its paler brother, As they sat together, filled to the brim, On a rich man's table rim to rim. THE KINGDOM OF LOVE In the dawn of the day when the sea and the earth Reflected the sun-rise above, I set forth with a heart full of courage and mirth To seek for the Kingdom of Love. I asked of a poet I met on the way Which cross-road would lead me aright. And he said: "Follow me, and ere long you shall see Its glittering turrets of light." And soon in the distance the city shone fair. "Look yonder," he said; "how it gleams!" But alas! for the hopes that were doomed to despair, It was only the "Kingdom of Dreams." Then the next man I asked was a gay cavalier, And he said: "Follow me, follow me;" And with laughter and song we went speeding along By the shores of Life's beautiful sea. Then we came to a valley more tropical far Than the wonderful vale of Cashmere, And I saw from a bower a face like a flower Smile out on the gay cavalier. And he said: "We have come to humanity's goal: Here love and delight are intense." But alas and alas! for the hopes of my soul-- It was only the "Kingdom of Sense." As I journeyed more slowly I met on the road A coach with retainers behind. And they said: "Follow me, for our lady's abode Belongs in that realm, you will find." 'Twas a grand dame of fashion, a newly-made bride, I followed encouraged and bold; But my hopes died away like the last gleams of day, For we came to the "Kingdom of Gold."