Sideways to move, or backward, when discreet;
Life is not all advance,--sometimes retreat!
_Leo_--Fire.
The sign of Leo is the sign of fire.
Hatred we hate: but no man should desire
A heart too cold to flame with righteous ire.
_Virgo_--Love.
Mysterious symbol, words are all in vain
To tell the secret power by which you reign,
The more we love, the less we can explain.
_Libra_--Justice.
Examine well the scales with which you weigh;
Let justice rule your conduct every day;
For when you face the Judge you'll need fair play
_Scorpio_--Self-Defense.
There's not a creature in the realm of night
But has the wish to live, likewise the right:
Don't tread upon the scorpion, or he'll fight.
_Sagittarius_--The Archer.
Life is an arrow, therefore you must know
What mark to aim at, how to use the bow,--
Then draw it to the head and let it go!
_Capricornus_--The Goat.
The goat looks solemn, yet he likes to run,
And leap the rocks, and gambol in the sun:
The truly wise enjoy a little fun.
_Aquarius_--Water.
"Like water spilt upon the ground,"--alas,
Our little lives flow swiftly on and pass;
Yet may they bring rich harvests and green grass!
_Pisces_--The Fishes.
Last of the sacred signs, ye bring to me
A word of hope, a word of mystery,--
We all are swimmers in God's mighty sea.
February 28. 1918.
BRITAIN, FRANCE, AMERICA
The rough expanse of democratic sea
Which parts the lands that live by liberty
Is no division; for their hearts are one.
To fight together till their cause is won.
For land and water let us make our pact,
And seal the solemn word with valiant act:
No continent is firm, no ocean pure,
Until on both the rights of man are sure.
April, 1917.
THE RED CROSS
Sign of the Love Divine
That bends to bear the load
Of all who suffer, all who bleed,
Along life's thorny road:
Sign of the Heart Humane,
That through the darkest fight
Would bring to wounded friend and foe
A ministry of light:
O dear and holy sign,
Lead onward like a star!
The armies of the just are thine,
And all we have and are.
October 20, 1918,
for the Red Cross Christmas Roll Call.
EASTER ROAD
1918
Under the cloud of world-wide war,
While earth is drenched with sorrow,
I have no heart for idle merrymaking,
Or for the fashioning of glad raiment.--
I will retrace the divine footmarks,
On the Road of the first Easter
Down th
|