Thou who wouldst be wise
Open wide thine eyes;
In each sunny hour
Pluck the one perfect flower!
"BEYOND ALL BEAUTY IS THE UNKNOWN GRACE"
Beyond all beauty is the unknown grace;
Above all bliss a higher; and above
The lovingest is a more loving love
That shows not the still anguish of its face.
Than death there is a deathlier. Brief space
Behind despair the blacker shadows rove;
Beneath all life a deeper life doth move:
So, friends of mine, when empty is my place,—
For me no more grass grows, dead leaves are stirred,—
And still the songs that once you loved to hear;
True friends whom well I thank for every word
Of heart-help,—praise or blame,—as you draw near
I pray that 'mid your tears this may be heard:
"For what he never did he is most dear."
THE VIOLET
A violet lay in the grass,
A tear in its golden eye;
And it said: "Alas and alas!
The night is over and gone,
Another day is anigh,
And I am alone, alone!
There is none to care if I die,
There is none to be glad that I live;
