Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... CONFEDERATE LOVE SONG. Over the mountains of Winter, And the cold, cold plains of snow, Down in the valleys of Summer, Calling my love I go. And strong in my woe and passion, I climb up the hills of Spring, To listen if I hear his voice In Bongs he used to sing. I wait in the fields of Autumn, And gather a feast of fruit, And call my love to the banquet; His lips are cold and mute. I say to the wild bird flying: "My darling sang sweet as you; Fly o'er the earth in search of him, And to the skies of blue." I say to the wild-wood flowers: "My love was a friend to you; Send one of your fragrant spirits To the cool Isles of Dew," "Gold-girt by a belt of moonbeams, And seek on their gleaming shore. A breath of the vanished sweetness For me his red lips bore." I stand at the gates of Morning, When the radiant angel, Light, Draws back the great bolt of darkness, And by the gates of Night, When the hands of bright stars tremble While clasping their lanterns bright; And I hope to see him passing, And touch his garments white. 0, lore! if you hear me calling, Flee not from the wailing cry; Come from the grottoes of Silence And hear me, or I die! Stand out on the hills of Echo; The sensitive, pulsing air Will thrill at your softest whisper-- Speak to me, love, from there! O, love, if I hear you calling, Though far on the heavenly side, My voice will float on the billow: "Come to your spir1t bride." --Mary A. H. Gay. TO THE READER, Who has kindly perused these sketches, I would say, as they have already attained length and breadth not anticipated from the beginning, I will withhold the sequels to many of them for, perhaps, another volume of reminiscences. Were I possessed of the Sam Weller genius and versatility, and the happy faculty of making the...