I am stirred by the dream of an af… Of a perfect day—though it was not… The lilt of winds, and the droning… That a busy city was humming. And a bronze-brown head, and lips…

So much one thought about the life… He did not drain the waters of his… And when death laid his children ’… He called it—‘the mysterious will… He would not strive for worldly ga…

I’d rather have my verses win A place in common people’s hearts, Who, toiling through the strife an… Of life’s great thoroughfares, and… May read some line my hand has pen…

Our lives are songs. God writes t… And we set them to music at pleasu… And the song grows glad, or sweet,… As we choose to fashion the measur… We must write the music, whatever…

Dost thou not tire, Isaura, of th… ‘What play?’ Why, this old play o… Nay, now, lift not thine eyes in t… ’Tis all in vain—I know thee and… Let us be frank, Isaura. I have m…

‘The maiden free, the maiden wed. Can never, never be the same, A new life springs from out the de… And with the speaking of a name– A breath upon the marriage bed,

What are these nameless mysteries, These subtleties of life and death… That bring before our spirit eyes The loved and lost; or, like a bre… Of lightest air, will touch the ch…

Above her veil a shrouded Moorish… Showed melting eyes, as limpid as… A brow untouched by care; a band o… And nothing more. The all-conceal… Fell to her high arched instep. A…

I am thinking of the Springtime On the farm out in the West, When my world held nothing for me… (Save a courage all undaunted), And my foolish little rhymes,

AIR-'O SUSANNAH!’ Ye soldiers in the temperance caus… Our work is but begun. Oh! sit not down in idleness And think the field is won.

Why do we pity those who weep? Th… That finds a ready outlet in the f… Of salt and bitter tears is blesse… And does not need our sympathies.… But fits the shorn field for new y…

As the old year sinks down in Tim… Stand ready to launch with the new… And waste no regrets, no emotion, As the masts and the spars pass fr… Weep not if some treasures go unde…

If any line that I ever penned, Or any word I have spoken, Has comforted heart of foe or frie… In any way, why my life, I’ll say… Has reaped the reward of labour,

Now, while thy rounded cheek is fr… While beauty lingers, laughing, in… Ere thy young heart shall meet the… Or thy blithe soul become the home… Were it not kindness should I giv…

My soul is like a poor caged bird… Beating its wings against the pris… Longing to reach the outer world o… And, all untrammelled, soar among… Wild, mighty thoughts struggle wit…