_He sits by the slowly dying fire. The storm is heard with increased violence._
Wild weather. The lash of the sleet On the gusty casement tapping-- The sound of the storm like a sheet My soul and senses wrapping.
Wild weather. And how is she, Now the rush of the rain falls serried Over the turf and the tree Of the place where she is buried?
Wild weather. How black and deep Is the night where the mad winds scurry!-- Do I sleep? do I dream in my sleep That I hear her footsteps hurry?
Hither they come like flowers-- And I see her raiment glisten, Like the robe of one of the hours Where the stars to the angels listen.
Before me, behold, how she stands! With lips high thoughts have weighted, And testifying hands, And eyes with glory sated.
I have spoken and I have kneeled; I have kissed her feet in wonder-- But lo! her lips--they are sealed, God-sealed, and will not sunder.
Though I sob, "Your stay was long! You are come,--but your feet were laggard!-- With mansuetude and song For the soul your death has daggered."
Never a word replies, Never to all my weeping-- Only a sound of sighs, And raiment past me sweeping....
I wake; and a clock strikes three-- And the night and the storm beat serried Over the turf and the tree Of the place where she is buried.
IN THE HARBOR OF HOPE Mary Elizabeth Blake
_Other volumes in preparation._ 16 mo. Flexible Leather. $1.25.
The following are but a few extracts from many reviews received on _Poems of the Town_. Among this chorus of praise there has not been one dissenting voice.
"For terse English, for picturesque and appropriate imagery, for keen and faithful portraiture Mr. McGaffey has no superior. And there will be many to say that this book entitles him to recognition as the interpreter of his age."--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._
"It is doubtful if any American poet has written a finer, more humane, more nobly and righteously wrathful outburst against the maladies of civilization than the poem in this collection entitled _Laocoon of the Town_."--_St. Louis Mirror._
"His lyrics have that touch of universality which distinguishes true poetry from mere verse. It is not too much to say that _Poems of the Town_ are certain to take a place among the best examples of American poetry."--_Editorial Chicago Chronicle._