,,patience ,,worth ,a ,,psychic ,,mystery ,by ,,casper ,s4 ,,yost ,illustration3 colophon ,,new ,,york ,,henry ,,holt ,,and ,,company #aiaf ,,copyright1 #aiaf ,,by ,,henry ,,holt ,,and ,,company ,published ,february1 #aiaf ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,preface ,the compiler of this book is not a spiritualist1 nor a psychologist1 nor a member of the ,society for ,psychical ,research2 nor has he ever had anything more than a transitory and skeptical interest in psychic phenomena of any character4 ,he is a newspaper man whose privilege and pleasure it is to present the facts in relation to some phenomena which he does not attempt to classify nor to explain1 but which are virtually without precedent in the record of occult manifestations4 ,the mystery of ,patience ,worth is one which every reader may endeavor to solve for himself4 ,the sole purpose of this narrative is to give the visible truth1 the physical evidence1 so to speak1 the things that can be seen and that are therefore susceptible of proof by ocular demonstration4 ,in this category are the instruments of communication and the communications themselves1 which are described1 explained and1 in some cases1 interpreted1 where an effort at interpretation seems to be desirable4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,contents ,,page ,,the ,,coming ,,of ,,patience ,,worth #a ,,nature ,,of ,,the ,,communications #i ,,personality ,,of ,,patience #cg ,,the ,,poetry #fc ,,the ,,prose #ajg ,,conversations #agc ,,religion #bbc ,,the ,,ideas ,,on ,,immortality #bdg ,,index #bhg ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,the ,,coming ,,of ,,patience ,,worth ,upon a ,july evening in #aiac two women of ,st4 ,louis sat with a ouija board upon their knees4 ,some time before this a friend had aroused their interest in this unfathomable toy1 and they had since whiled away many an hour with the inscrutable meanderings of the heart-shaped pointer2 but1 like thousands of others who had played with the instrument1 they had found it1 up to this date1 but little more than a source of amused wonder4 ,the messages which they had laboriously spelled out were only such as might have come from the subconsciousness of either one or the other1 or1 at least1 were no more strange than innumerable communications which have been received through the reading of the ouija board4 ,but upon this night they received a visitor4 ,the pointer suddenly became endowed with an unusual agility1 and with great rapidity presented this introduction3 8,many moons ago ,i lived4 ,again ,i come4 ,patience ,worth my name40 ,the women gazed1 round-eyed1 at each other1 and the board continued3 8,wait4 ,i would speak with thee4 ,if thou shalt live1 then so shall ,i4 ,i make my bread by thy hearth4 ,good friends1 let us be merrie4 ,the time for work is past4 ,let the tabbie drowse and blink her wisdom to the firelog40 8,how quaint that is60 one of the women exclaimed4 8,good ,mother ,wisdom is too harsh for thee10 said the board1 8and thou shouldst love her only as a foster mother40 ,thus began an intimate association with 8,patience ,worth0 that still continues1 and a series of communications that in intellectual vigor and literary quality are virtually without precedent in the scant imaginative literature quoted in the chronicles of psychic phenomena4 ,the personality of ,patience ,worth--if personality it may be called--so impressed itself upon these women1 at the first visit1 that they got pencil and paper and put down not only all that she transmitted through the board1 but all the questions and comment that elicited her remarks2 and at every meeting since then1 a verbatim record has been made of the conversation and the communications4 ,these records have accumulated until they have filled several volumes of typewritten pages1 and upon them1 and upon the writer's personal observations of the workings of the phenomena1 this narrative is based4 ,they include conversations1 maxims1 epigrams1 allegories1 tales1 dramas1 poems1 all the way from sportive to religious1 and even prayers1 most of them of no little beauty and of a character that may reasonably be considered unique in literature4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the women referred to are ,mrs4 ,john ,h4 ,curran1 wife of the former ,immigration ,commissioner of ,missouri1 and ,mrs4 ,emily ,grant ,hutchings1 wife of the ,secretary of the ,tower ,grove ,park ,board in ,st4 ,louis1 both ladies of culture and refinement4 ,mrs4 ,curran is a young woman of nervous temperament1 bright1 vivacious1 ready of speech4 ,she has a taste for literature1 but is not a writer1 and has never attempted to write anything more ambitious than a personal letter4 ,mrs4 ,hutchings1 on the other hand1 is a professional writer of skill1 and it was to her quick appreciation of the quality of the communications that the starting of the record is due4 ,it was soon apparent1 however1 that it was ,mrs4 ,curran who was the sole agent of transmission2 for the communications came only when she was at the board1 and it mattered not who else sat with her4 ,during the first months only ,mrs4 ,curran and ,mrs4 ,hutchings sat1 but gradually the circle widened1 and others assisted ,mrs4 ,curran4 ,sometimes as many as five or six would sit with her in the course of an evening4 ,mr4 ,curran has acted as amanuensis1 and recorded the communications at most of the sittings1 ,mrs4 ,curran's mother1 ,mrs4 ,mary ,e4 ,pollard1 occasionally taking his place4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ouija board is a rectangular piece of wood about #af inches wide by #bd inches in length and half an inch thick4 ,upon it the letters of the alphabet are arranged in two concentric arcs1 with the ten numerals below1 and the words 8,yes0 and 8,no0 at the upper corners4 ,the planchette1 or pointer1 is a thin1 heart-shaped piece of wood provided with three legs1 upon which it moves about upon the board1 its point indicating the letters of the words it is spelling4 ,two persons are necessary for its operation4 ,they place the tips of their fingers lightly upon the pointer and wait4 ,perhaps it moves2 perhaps it does not4 ,sometimes it moves aimlessly about the board1 spelling nothing2 sometimes it spells words1 but is unable to form a sentence2 but often it responds readily enough to the impulses which control it1 and even answers questions intelligibly1 occasionally in a way that excites the wonder and even the awe of those about it4 ,its powers have been attributed by some to supernatural influence1 by others to subconsciousness1 but science has looked upon it with disdain1 as1 until recent years1 science has looked upon nearly all unprecedented phenomena4 ,mr4 ,w4 ,t4 ,carrington1 an eminent ,english investigator of psychical phenomena1 in an exhaustive work upon the subject1 has this to say of the ouija board3 8,granting for the sake of argument that the board is moved by the sitter1 either consciously or unconsciously1 the great and vital question still remains3 ,what is the intelligence behind the board1 that directs the phenomena8 ,whoever sets out to give a final and decisive answer to this question in the present state of our knowledge will have his task cut out for him1 and ,i wish him happiness in the undertaking4 ,personally ,i am attempting nothing of the kind40 ,the ouija board has been in use for many years4 ,there is no element of novelty in the mere fact that curious and puzzling messages are received by means of it4 ,i emphasize this fact because ,i wish to place the board in its proper relation to the communications from the intelligence calling herself ,patience ,worth4 ,aside from the psychical problem involved--and which1 so far as the board is concerned1 is the same in this case as in many others--the ouija board has no more significance than a pen or a pencil in the hand4 ,it is merely an instrument for the transmission of thought in words4 ,in comparison with the personality and the literature which it reveals in this instance1 it is a factor of little significance4 ,it is proper to say1 however1 at this point1 that every word attributed to ,patience ,worth in this volume was received by ,mrs4 ,curran through this instrument4 ,,nature ,,of ,,the ,,communications 8,he who buildeth with peg and cudgel but buildeth a toy for an age who will but cast aside the bauble as naught2 but he who buildeth with word1 a quill and a fluid1 buildeth well40--,,patience ,,worth4 ,there are a number of things that distinguish ,patience ,worth from all other 8intelligences0 that have been credited with communications pretending to come from a spiritual source4 ,first is her intellect4 ,one of the strongest arguments against the genuineness of such communications has been the lack of intelligence often displayed in them4 ,they have largely been1 though with many exceptions1 crude emanations of weak mentalities1 and few of the exceptions have shown greater intellect or greater knowledge than is possessed by the average human being4 ,in a work entitled1 8,is ,death the ,end80 ,dr4 ,john ,h4 ,holmes1 an eminent ,new ,york divine1 gives considerable space to the psychic evidence of immortality4 ,in the course of his discussion of this phase of his subject he concisely describes the characteristic features of psychic communications4 8,nobody10 he says1 8can study the evidence gathered in this particular field without noticing1 first of all1 the triviality1 almost the inanity1 of the communications received4 ,here we come1 eager for the evidence of future life and information as to what it means to die and pass into the great beyond4 ,and what do we get8 ,first of all--and naturally enough1 perhaps--frantic efforts on the part of the alleged spirits to prove their identity by the citation of intricate and unimportant details of where they were and what they did at different times when they were here among men4 ,sometimes there is a recounting of an event which is taking place in a part of the world far removed from the locality in which the medium and the recipient are sitting4 ,again and again there is a descent to obscurity and feeble chattering40 ,i quote this passage1 not merely because it so clearly states the experience and conclusions of many who have investigated these phenomena1 but because it serves to show by its marked contrast the wonder of the communications from ,patience ,worth4 ,there are no efforts on her part to prove her identity4 ,on the contrary1 she can rarely be induced to speak of herself1 and the personal information she has reluctantly given is disappointingly meager4 8,about me10 she says1 8thou wouldst know much4 ,yesterday is dead4 ,let thy mind rest as to the past40 ,she never speaks of her own acts as a physical being2 she never refers to any event taking place in the world now or that has taken place in the past4 ,but far more important than these1 she reveals an intellect that is worthy of any man's respect4 ,it is at once keen1 swift1 subtle and profound4 ,there is not once but always a 8sustained level of clear thought and fine feeling40 ,there is obscurity at times1 but it is usually the obscurity of profundity1 and intelligent study generally reveals a meaning that is worth the effort4 ,there is never a 8focusing of attention upon the affairs of this world10 except for the purpose of displaying its beauties and its wonders1 and to assist in explaining the world that she claims is to come4 ,for that other world she seems to try to explain as far as some apparent limitations permit1 speaks as few have spoken before1 and her words often bring delight to the mind and consolation to the soul4 99 99 99 99 99 ,before considering these communications in detail1 it would be well for the reader to become a little better acquainted with the alleged ,patience herself4 ,i speak of her as a person1 for whatever she1 or it1 may be1 the impression of a distinct personality is clear and definite2 and it is1 besides1 more convenient so to designate her4 ,patience as a rule speaks an archaic tongue that is in general the ,english language of about the time of the ,stuarts1 but which contains elements of a usage still more ancient1 and1 not rarely1 word and phrase forms that seem never to have been used in ,english or in any ,english dialect4 ,almost all of her words1 however1 whether in conversation or in literary composition1 are of pure ,anglo-,saxon-,norman origin4 ,there is seldom a word of direct ,latin or ,greek parentage4 ,virtually all of the objects she refers to are things that existed in the seventeenth century or earlier4 ,in all of the great mass of manuscript that has come from her we have not noticed a single reference to an object of modern creation or development2 nor have more than a dozen words been found in her writings that may be of later origin than the seventeenth century1 and some of these words are debatable4 ,she has shown1 in what would seem to be a genuinely feminine spirit of perversity1 that she can use a modern word if she chooses to do so4 ,and if she is living now1 no matter when she was on earth1 why should she not8 7,she has twice used the word 8shack10 meaning a roughly constructed cabin1 a word which is in that sense so new and so local that it has but recently found a place in the dictionaries47 ,but the fact remains that the number of such words is so small as to be negligible4 ,only one who has tried to write in archaic ,english without committing anachronisms can realize its tremendous difficulty4 ,we are so saturated with words and idioms of modern origin that it is almost impossible wholly to discard them1 even when given every advantage of time and reflection4 ,how much more difficult must it be then to use and maintain such language without an error in ordinary impromptu conversation1 answering questions that could not have been expected1 and flashing repartee that is entirely dependent upon the situation or remarks of the moment4 ,yet ,patience does this with marvelous facility4 ,so she can hardly be ,mrs4 ,curran4 ,all of her knowledge of material things seems to be drawn from ,english associations4 ,she is surprisingly familiar with the trees and flowers1 the birds and beasts of ,england4 ,she knows the manners and customs of its people as they were two or three centuries ago1 the people of the fields or the people of the palace4 ,her speech is filled with references to the furniture1 utensils and mechanical contrivances of the household of that time1 and to its articles of dress1 musical instruments1 and tools of agriculture and the mechanical arts4 ,there are also a few indications of a knowledge of ,new ,england life4 ,yet she has never admitted a residence in ,england or ,new ,england1 has never spoken of a birthplace or an abiding place anywhere1 has never1 in fact1 used a single geographical proper name in relation to herself4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the communications of ,patience ,worth come in a variety of forms3 ,conversation that is strewn with wit and wisdom1 epigrams and maxims2 poems by the hundred2 parables and allegories2 stories of a semi-dramatic character1 and dramas4 ,here is an example of her conversation from one of the early records--an evening when a skeptical friend1 a young physician1 somewhat disposed to the use of slang1 was present with his wife4 ,as the ladies took the board1 the doctor remarked3 8,i hope ,patience ,worth will come4 ,i'd like to find out what her game is40 ,patience was there and instantly responded3 8,dost1 then1 desire the plucking of another goose80 ,doctor4--8,by ,george1 she's right there with the grease1 isn't she80 ,patience4--8,enough to baste the last upon the spit40 ,doctor4--8,well1 that's quick wit for you4 ,pretty hard to catch her40 ,patience4--8,the salt of today will not serve to catch the bird of tomorrow40 ,doctor4--8,she'd better call herself the bird of yesterday4 ,i wonder what kind of a mind she had1 anyway40 ,patience4--8,dost crave to taste the sauce80 ,doctor4--8,she holds to her simile of the goose4 ,i wish you'd ask her how she makes that little table move under your hands to spell the words40 ,patience4--8,a wise cook telleth not the brew40 ,doctor4--8,turn that board over and let me see what's under it40 ,this was done1 and after his inspection it was reversed4 ,patience4--8,thee'lt bump thy nose to look within the hopper40 ,doctor4--8,whew6 ,she doesn't mind handing you one1 does she80 ,mrs4 ,pollard4--8,that's ,patience's way4 ,she doesn't think we count for anything40 ,patience4--8,the bell-cow doth deem the good folk go to ,sabboth house from the ringing of her bell40 ,doctor4--8,she evidently thinks we are a conceited lot4 ,well1 ,i believe she'll agree with me that you can't get far in this world without a fair opinion of yourself40 ,patience4--8,so the donkey loveth his bray60 ,the ,doctor's ,wife4--8,you can draw her on all you please4 ,i'm going to keep perfectly still40 ,patience4--8,oh1 e'en the mouse will have a nibble40 ,mrs4 ,curran4--8,there6 ,she isn't going to let you off without a little roast4 ,i wonder what she has to say to you40 ,patience4--8,did'st ever see the brood hen puff up with self-esteem when all her chicks go for a swim80 ,doctor4--8,let's analyze that and see if there's anything in it40 ,patience4--8,strain the potion4 ,mayhap thou wilt find a fly40 99 99 99 99 99 ,this will be sufficient to illustrate ,patience's form of speech and her ready wit4 ,it also shows something of the character of the people to whom and through whom she has usually spoken4 ,they are not solemn investigators nor 8pussy-footed0 charlatans4 ,there is no ceremony about the sitting1 no dimmed lights1 no compelled silences1 no mummeries of any sort4 ,the assistance is of the ordinary1 fun-loving1 somewhat irreverent ,american type4 ,the board is brought into the living-room under the full glare of the electric lamps4 ,the men perhaps smoke their cigars4 ,if ,patience seems to be in the humor for conversation1 all may take part1 and she hurls her javelins impartially4 ,a visitor is at once brought within the umbra of her wit4 ,her conversation1 as already indicated1 is filled with epigrams and maxims4 ,a book could be made from these alone4 ,they are1 of course1 not always original4 ,what maxims are8 ,but they are given on the instant1 without possibility of previous thought1 and are always to the point4 ,here are a few of these prompt aphorisms3 8,a lollypop is but a breeder of pain40 8,an old goose gobbles the grain like a gosling40 8,dead resolves are sorry fare40 8,the goose knoweth where the bin leaketh40 8,quills of sages were plucked from geese40 8,puddings fit for lords would sour the belly of the swineboy40 8,to clap the cover on a steaming pot of herbs will but modify#a the stench40 ,footnote #a3 ,a word of this degree of latinity is very rare with her4 8,she who quacketh loudest deems the gander not the lead at waddling time40 8,climb not the stars to find a pebble40 8,he who hath a house1 a hearth and a friend hath a lucky lot40 ,she is often caustic and incisive4 8,a man loveth his wife1 but1 ah1 the buckles on his knee breeks60 8,should ,i present thee with a pumpkin1 wouldst thou desire to count the seeds80 8,a drink of asses' milk would nurture the swine1 but wouldst thou then expect his song to change from ,want1 ,want1 ,want80 8,some folk1 like the bell without a clapper1 go clanging on in good faith1 believing the good folk can hear them40 8,were ,i to tell thee the pudding string were a spinet's string1 thou wouldst make ready for the dance40 8,thee'lt tie thy ,god within thy kerchief1 else have none of ,him1 and like unto a bat1 hang thyself topsy-turvy to better view ,his handiwork40 8',twould pleg thee sore should thy shadow wear cap and bells40 8,from constant wishing the moon may tip for thee40 8,wouldst thou have a daisy blossom upon a thistle80 8,ye who carry pigskins to the well and lace not the hole are a tiresome lot40 8,he who eateth a bannock well made flattereth himself should his belly not sour40 ,aside from the dramatic compositions1 some of which are of great length1 most of the communications received from ,patience have been in verse4 ,there is rarely a rhyme1 practically all being iambic blank verse in lines of irregular length4 ,the rhythm is almost uniformly smooth4 ,at some sittings the poetry begins to come as soon as the hands are placed upon the planchette1 and the evening is given over to the production of verse4 ,at others1 verses are mingled with repartee and epigram1 but seldom is an evening spent without at least one poem coming4 ,this was not the case in the earlier months1 when many sittings were given up wholly to conversation4 ,the poetry has gradually increased in volume1 as if the earlier efforts of the influence had been tentative1 while the responsiveness of the intermediary was being tested4 ,so1 too1 the earlier verses were fragments4 ,a blighted bud may hold ,a sweeter message than the loveliest flower4 ,for ,god hath kissed her wounded heart ,and left a promise there4 ,a cloak of lies may clothe a golden truth4 ,the sunlight's warmth may fade its glossy black ,to whitening green and prove the fault ,of weak and shoddy dye4 ,oh1 why let sorrow steel thy heart8 ,thy busom is but its foster mother1 ,the world its cradle1 and the loving home ,its grave4 ,weave sorrow on the loom of love ,and warp the loom with faith4 ,such fragments1 however1 were but steps leading to larger things4 ,a little later on this came3 ,so thou hast trod among the tansey tuft ,and murr and thyme1 and gathered all the garden's store1 ,and glutted on the lillie's sensuous sweet1 ,and let thy shade to mar the sunny path1 ,and only paused to strike the slender humming bird1 ,whose molten-tinted wing but spoke the song ,of fluttering joy1 and in thy very hand ,turned to motley gray4 ,then thinkest thou ,to build the garden back by trickery8 ,and then1 some six months after her first visit1 came the poem which follows1 and which may be considered the real beginning of her larger works3 ,long lines of leaden cloud2 a purple sea2 ,white gulls skimming across the spray4 ,oh dissonant cry6 ,art thou ,the death cry of desire8 ,ah1 wail1 ye winds1 ,and search ye for my dearest wish ,along the rugged coast1 and down ,where purling waters whisper ,to the rosy coral reef4 ,ah1 search6 ,ah1 search6 ,and when ye return1 bring ye the answering4 ,do ,i stand and call unto the sea for answer8 ,ah1 wisdom1 where art thou8 ,a gull but shows thee to the ,southland1 ,and leaden sky but warneth thee of storm4 ,and wind1 thou art but a changeling4 ,so1 shall ,i call to thee8 ,not so4 ,i build not upon the spray1 ,and seek not within the smaller world1 ,for ,god dwelleth not abroad1 but deep within4 ,there is spiritual significance1 more or less profound1 in nearly all of the poems4 ,some of the lines are obscure1 but study reveals a meaning1 and the more ,i1 at least1 study them1 the more ,i have been impressed with the intellectual power behind them4 ,it is this that makes these communications seem to stand alone among the numerous messages that are alleged to have come from 8that undiscovered country40 ,an intense love of nature is expressed in most of the communications1 whether in prose or verse1 and also a wide knowledge of nature--not the knowledge of the scientist1 but that of the poet4 ,all silver-laced with web and crystal-studded1 hangs ,a golden lily cup1 as airy as a dancing sprite4 ,the moon hath caught a fleeting cloud1 and rests in her embrace4 ,the bumblefly still hovers o'er the clover flower1 ,and mimics all the zephyr's song4 ,white butterflies1 ,whose wings bespeak late wooing of the buttercup1 ,wend home their way1 the gold still clinging to their snowy gossamer4 ,e'en the toad1 who old and moss-grown seems1 ,is wabbled on a lilypad1 and watches for the moon ,to bid the cloud adieu and light him to his hunt ,for fickle marsh flies who tease him through the day4 ,why1 every rose has loosed her petals1 ,and sends a pleading perfume to the moss ,that creeps upon the maple's stalk1 to tempt it hence ,to bear a cooling draught4 ,round yonder trunk ,the ivy clings and loves it into green4 ,the pansy dreams of coaxing goldenrod ,to change her station1 lest her modest flower ,be ever doomed to blossom 'neath the shadow of the wall4 ,and was not ,he who touched the pansy ,with ,his regal robes and left their color there1 ,all-wise to leave her modesty as her greatest charm8 ,here snowdrops blossom 'neath a fringe of tuft1 ,and fatty grubs find rest amid the mold4 ,all love1 and ,love himself1 is here1 ,for every garden is fashioned by his hand4 ,are then the garden's treasures more of worth ,than ugly toad or mold8 ,not so1 for ,love ,may tint the zincy blue-gray murk ,of curdling fall to crimson1 light-flashed summertide4 ,ah1 why then question ,love1 ,i prithee1 friend8 ,this is poetry1 but there is something more than liquid sweetness in its lines4 ,there is a truth4 ,deeper wisdom and a lore more profound and more mystical are revealed or delicately concealed in some of the others4 ,i searched among the hills to find ,his love1 ,and found but waving trees1 and stones ,where lizards flaunt their green and slip to cool ,adown the moss4 ,i searched within the field ,to find ,his treasure-trove1 and found but tasseled stalk ,and baby grain1 encradled in a silky nest4 ,i searched deep in the rose's heart to find ,his pledge to me1 and steeped in honey1 it was there4 ,lo1 while ,i wait1 a vagabond with goss'mer wing ,hath stripped her of her loot and borne it all to me4 ,i searched along the shore to find ,his heart1 ,ahope the lazy waves would bear it me2 ,and watched them creep to rest upon the sands1 ,who sent them back again1 asearch for me4 ,i sought amid a tempest for ,his strength1 ,and found it in its shrieking glee2 ,and saw man's paltry blocks come crashing down1 ,and heard the wailing of the trees who grew ,afeared1 and1 moaning1 caused the flowers to quake ,and tremble lest the sun forget them at the dawn2 ,while bolts shot clouds asunder1 and e'en the sea ,was panting with the spending of his might4 ,i searched within a wayside cot for ,his white soul1 ,and found a dimple next the lips of one who slept1 ,and watched the curtained wonder of her eyes1 ,aflutter o'er the iris-colored pools that held ,his smile3 ,and touched the warm and shrinking lips1 so mute1 ,and yet so wise4 ,for canst thou doubt whose kiss ,still lingers on their bloom8 ,amid a muck of curse1 and lie1 ,and sensuous lust1 and damning leers1 ,i searched for ,good and ,light1 ,and found it there1 aye1 even there2 ,for broken reeds may house a lark's pure nest4 ,i stopped me at a pool to rest1 ,and toyed along the brink to pluck ,the cress who would so guard her lips3 ,and flung a stone straight to her heart1 ,and1 lo1 but silver laughter mocketh me6 ,and as ,i stoop to catch the plash1 ,pale sunbeams pierce the bower1 ,and ah1 the shade and laughter melt ,and leave me1 empty1 there4 ,but wait6 ,i search and find1 ,reflected in the pool1 myself1 the searcher4 ,and1 on the silver surface traced1 ,my answer to it all4 ,for1 heart of mine1 who on this journey ,sought with me1 ,i knew thee not1 ,but searched for prayer and love amid the rocks ,whilst thou but now declare thyself to me4 ,ah1 could ,i deem thee strong and fitting ,as the tempest to depict ,his strength2 ,or yet as gentle as the smile of baby lips1 ,or sweet as honeyed rose or pure as mountain pool8 ,and yet thou art1 and thou art mine-- ,a gift and answer from my ,god4 ,it is not my purpose to attempt an extended interpretation of the metaphysics of these poems4 ,this one will repay real study4 ,no doubt there will be varied views of its meaning4 ,these poems do not all move with the murmuring ripple of running brooks4 ,some of them1 appalling in the rugged strength of their figures of speech1 are like the storm waves smashing their sides against the cliffs4 ,in my opinion there are not very many in literature that grip the mind with greater force than the first two lines of the brief one which follows1 and there are few things more beautiful than its conclusion3 ,ah1 ,god1 ,i have drunk unto the dregs1 ,and flung the cup at ,thee6 ,the dust of crumbled righteousness ,hath dried and soaked unto itself ,e'en the drop ,i spilled to ,bacchus1 ,whilst ,thou1 all-patient1 ,sendest purple vintage for a later harvest4 ,the poems sometimes contain irony1 gentle as a summer zephyr or crushing as a mailed fist4 ,for instance this challenge to the vainglorious3 ,strike ye the sword or dip ye in an inken well2 ,smear ye a gaudy color or daub ye the clay8 ,aye1 beat upon thy busom then and cry1 8',tis mine1 this world-love and vainglory60 ,ah1 master-hand1 who guided thee8 ,stay6 ,dost know that through the ages1 ,yea1 through the very ages1 ,one grain of hero dust1 blown from afar1 ,hath lodged1 and moveth thee8 ,wait4 ,wreathe thyself and wait4 ,the green shall deepen to an ashen brown ,and crumble then and fall into thy sightless eyes1 ,while thy moldering flesh droppeth awry4 ,wait1 and catch thy dust4 ,mayhap thou canst build it back6 ,she touches all the strings of human emotion1 and frequently thrums the note of sorrow1 usually1 however1 as an overture to a pan of joy4 ,the somber tones in her pictures1 to use another metaphor1 are used mainly to strengthen the high lights4 ,but now and then there comes a verse of sadness such as this one1 which yet is not wholly sad3 ,ah1 wake me not6 ,for should my dreaming work a spell to soothe ,my troubled soul1 wouldst thou deny me dreams8 ,ah1 wake me not6 ,if 'mong the leaves wherein the shadows lurk ,i fancy conjured faces of my loved1 long lost2 ,and if the clouds to me are sorrow's shroud2 ,and if ,i trick my sorrow1 then1 to hide ,beneath a smile2 or build of wasted words ,a key to wisdom's door--wouldst thou deny me8 ,ah1 let me dream6 ,the day may bring fresh sorrows1 ,but the night will bring new dreams4 ,when this was spelled upon the board1 its pathos affected ,mrs4 ,curran to tears1 and1 to comfort her1 ,patience quickly applied an antidote in the following jingle1 which illustrates not only her versatility1 but her sense of humor3 ,patter1 patter1 briney drops1 ,on my kerchief drying3 ,spatter1 spatter1 salty stream1 ,down my poor cheeks flying4 ,brine enough to 'merse a ham1 ,salt enough to build a dam6 ,trickle1 trickle1 all ye can ,and wet my dry heart's aching4 ,sop and sop1 'tis better so1 ,for in dry soil flowers ne'er grow4 ,this little jingle answered its purpose4 ,mrs4 ,curran's tears continued to fall1 but they were tears of laughter1 and all of the little party about the board were put in good spirits4 ,then ,patience dryly remarked3 8,two singers there be2 he who should sing like a troubadour and brayeth like an ass1 and he who should bray that singeth40 99 99 99 99 99 ,these examples will serve to illustrate the nature of the communications1 and as an introduction to the numerous compositions that will be presented in the course of this narrative4 ,the question now arises1 or1 more likely1 it has been in the reader's mind since the book was opened3 ,what evidence is there of their genuineness8 ,does ,mrs4 ,curran1 consciously or subconsciously1 produce this matter8 ,it is hardly credible that anyone able to write such poems would bother with a ouija board to do it4 ,it will probably be quite evident to a reader of the whole matter that whoever or whatever it is that writes this poetry and prose1 possesses1 as already intimated1 not only an unusual mind1 but an unusual knowledge of archaic forms of ,english1 a close acquaintance with nature as it is found in ,england1 and a familiarity with the manners and customs of ,english life of an older time4 ,many of the words used in the later compositions1 particularly those of a dramatic nature1 are obscure dialectal forms not to be found in any work of literature4 ,all of the birds and flowers and trees referred to in the communications are native to ,england1 with the few exceptions that indicate some knowledge of ,new ,england4 ,no one not growing up with the language used could have acquired facility in it without years of patient study4 ,no one could become so familiar with ,english nature without long residence in ,england3 for the knowledge revealed is not of the character that can be obtained from books4 ,mrs4 ,curran has had none of these experiences4 ,she has never been in ,england4 ,her studies since leaving school have been confined to music1 to which art she is passionately attached1 and in which she is adept4 ,she has never been a student of literature1 ancient or modern1 and has never attempted any form of literary work4 ,she has had no particular interest in ,english history1 ,english literature or ,english life4 ,but1 it may be urged1 this matter might be produced subconsciously1 from ,mrs4 ,curran's mind or from the mind of some person associated with her4 ,the phenomena of subconsciousness are many and varied1 and the word is used to indicate1 but does not explain1 numerous mysteries of the mind which seem wholly baffling despite this verbal hitching post4 ,but ,i have no desire to enter into an argument4 ,my sole purpose is so to present the facts that the reader may intelligently form his own opinion4 ,here are the facts that relate to this phase of the subject3 ,mrs4 ,curran does not go into a trance when the communications are received4 ,on the contrary1 her mind is absolutely normal1 and she may talk to others while the board is in operation under her hands4 ,it is unaffected by conversation in the room4 ,there is no effort at mental concentration4 ,aside from ,mrs4 ,curran1 it does not matter who is present1 or who sits at the board with her2 there are seldom the same persons at any two successive sittings4 ,yet the personality of ,patience is constant and unvarying4 ,as to subconscious action on the part of ,mrs4 ,curran1 it would seem to be sufficient to say that no one can impart knowledge subconsciously1 unless it has been first acquired through the media of consciousness2 that is to say1 through the senses4 ,no one1 for example1 who had never seen or heard a word of ,chinese1 could speak the language subconsciously4 ,one may unconsciously acquire information1 but it must be through the senses4 ,it remains but to add that the reputation and social position of the ,currans puts them above the suspicion of fraud1 if fraud were at all possible in such a matter as this2 that ,mrs4 ,curran does not give public exhibitions1 nor private exhibitions for pay2 that the compositions have been received in the presence of their friends1 or of friends of their friends1 all specially invited guests4 ,there seems nothing abnormal about her4 ,she is an intelligent1 conscientious woman1 a member of the ,episcopalian church1 but not especially zealous in affairs of religion1 a talented musician1 a clever and witty conversationalist1 and a charming hostess4 ,these facts are stated not as gratuitous compliments1 but as evidences of character and temperament which have a bearing upon the question4 ,,personality ,,of ,,patience 8,yea1 ,i be me40 ,patience1 as ,i have said1 has given very little information about herself1 and every effort to pin her to a definite time or locality has been without avail4 ,when she first introduced herself to ,mrs4 ,curran1 she was asked where she came from1 and she replied1 8,across the sea40 ,asked when she lived1 the pointer groped among the figures as if struggling with memory1 and finally1 with much hesitation upon each digit1 gave the date #afdi4 ,this seemed to be so in accord with her language1 and the articles of dress and household use to which she referred1 that it was accepted as a date that had some relation to her material existence4 ,but ,patience has since made it quite plain that she is not to be tied to any period4 8,i be like to the wind10 she says1 8and yea1 like to it do blow me ever1 yea1 since time4 ,do ye to tether me unto today ,i blow me then tomorrow1 and do ye to tether me unto tomorrow ,i blow me then today40 ,indeed1 she at times seems to take a mischievous delight in baffling the seeker after personal information2 and at other times1 when she has a composition in hand1 she expresses sharp displeasure at such inquiries4 ,as this is not a speculative work1 but a narrative1 the attempt to fix a time and place for her will be left to those who may find interest in the task4 ,all that can be said with definiteness is that she brings the speech and the atmosphere1 as it were1 of an age or ages long past2 that she is thoroughly ,english1 and that while she can and does project herself back into the mists of time1 and speak of early medieval scenes as familiarly as of the ,english renaissance1 she does not make use of any knowledge she may possess of modern developments or modern conditions4 ,and yet1 archaic in word and form as her compositions are1 there is something very modern in her way of thought and in her attitude toward nature4 ,an eminent philologist asked her how it was that she used the language of so many different periods1 and she replied3 8,i do plod a twist of a path and it hath run from then till now40 ,and when he said that in her poetry there seemed to be echoes or intangible suggestions of comparatively recent poets1 and asked her to explain1 she said3 8,there be aneath the every stone a hidden voice4 ,i but loose the stone and lo1 the voice60 ,but while the archaic form of her speech and writings is an evidence of her genuineness1 and she so considers it1 she does not approve of its analysis as a philological amusement4 8,i brew and fashion feasts10 she says1 8and lo1 do ye to tear asunder1 thee wouldst have but grain dust and unfit to eat4 ,i put not meaning to the tale1 but source thereof40 ,that is to say1 she does not wish to be measured by the form of her words1 but by the thoughts they convey and the source from which they come4 ,and she has put this admonition into strong and striking phrases4 8,put ye a value 'pon word8 ,and weigh ye the line to measure1 then1 the gift o' ,him 'pon rod afashioned out by man8 8,i tell thee1 ,he hath spoke from out the lowliest1 and man did put to measure1 and lo1 the lips astop6 8,and ,he doth speak anew2 yea1 and ,he hath spoke from out the mighty1 and man doth whine o' track ashow 'pon path he knoweth not--and lo1 the mighty be astopped6 8,yea1 and ,he ashoweth wonders1 and man findeth him a rule1 and lo1 the wonder shrinketh1 and but the rule remaineth6 8,yea1 the days do rock with word o' ,him1 and man doth look but to the rod1 and lo1 the word o' ,him asinketh to a whispering1 to die4 8,and yet1 in patience1 ,he seeketh new days to speak to thee4 ,and thou ne'er shalt see ,his working4 ,nay6 8,look ye unto the seed o' the olive tree1 aplanted4 ,doth the master1 at its first burst athrough the sod1 set up a rule and murmur him1 #8',tis ne'er an olive tree6 ,it hath but a pulp stem and winged leaves8' ,nay1 he letteth it to grow1 and nurtureth it thro' days1 and lo1 at finish1 there astandeth the olive tree6 8,ye'd uproot the very seed in quest o' root6 ,i bid thee nurture o' its day astead4 8,i tell thee more3 ,he speaketh not by line or word2 ,nay1 by love and giving4 8,do ye also this1 in ,his name40 99 99 99 99 99 ,but1 aside from the meagerness of her history1 there is no indefiniteness in her personality1 and this clear-cut and unmistakable individuality1 quite different from that of ,mrs4 ,curran1 is as strong an evidence of her genuineness as is the uniqueness of her literary productions4 ,to speak of something which cannot be seen nor heard nor felt as a personality1 would seem to be a misuse of the word1 and yet personality is much more a matter of mental than of physical characteristics4 ,the tongue and the eyes are merely instruments by means of which personality is revealed4 ,the personality of ,patience ,worth is manifested through the instrumentality of a ouija board1 and her striking individuality is thereby as vividly expressed as if she were present in the flesh4 ,indeed1 it requires no effort of the imagination to visualize her4 ,whatever she may be1 she is at hand4 ,nor does she have to be solicited4 ,the moment the fingers are on the board she takes command4 ,she seems fairly to jump at the opportunity to express herself4 ,and she is essentially feminine4 ,there are indubitable evidences of feminine tastes1 emotions1 habits of thought1 and knowledge4 ,she is1 for example1 profoundly versed in the methods of housekeeping of two centuries or more ago4 ,she is familiar with all the domestic machinery and utensils of that olden time--the operation of the loom and the spinning wheel1 the art of cooking at an open hearth1 the sanding of floors2 and this homely knowledge is the essence of many of her proverbs and epigrams4 8,a good wife10 she says1 8keepeth the floor well sanded and rushes in plenty to burn4 ,the pewter should reflect the fire's bright glow2 but in thy day housewifery is a sorry trade40 ,at another time she opened the evening thus3 8,i have brought me some barley corn and a porridge pot4 ,may ,i then sup80 ,and the same evening she said to ,mrs4 ,pollard3 8,thee'lt ever stuff the pot and wash the dishcloth in thine own way4 ,alackaday6 ,go brush thy hearth4 ,set pot aboiling4 ,thee'lt cook into the brew a stuff that tasteth full well unto thy guest40 ,a collection of maxims for housekeepers might be made from the flashes of ,patience's conversation4 ,for example3 8,too much sweet may spoil the short bread40 8,weak yarn is not worth the knitting40 8,a pound for pound loaf was never known to fail40 8,a basting but toughens an old goose40 ,these and many others like them were used by her in a figurative sense1 but they reveal an intimate knowledge of the household arts and appliances of a forgotten time4 ,if she knows anything of stoves or ranges1 of fireless cookers1 of refrigerators1 of any of the thousand and one utensils which are familiar to the modern housewife1 she has never once let slip a word to betray such knowledge4 ,at one time1 after she had delivered a poem1 the circle fell into a discussion of its meaning1 and after a bit ,patience declared they were 8like treacle dripping10 and added1 8thee'lt find the dishcloth may make a savory stew40 8,she's roasting us10 cried ,mrs4 ,hutchings4 8,nay10 said ,patience1 8boiling the pot40 8,you don't understand our slang1 ,patience10 ,mrs4 ,hutchings explained4 8,roasting means criticising or rebuking40 8,yea1 basting10 said ,patience4 ,mrs4 ,pollard remarked3 8,i've heard my mother say1 #8,he got a basting6'0 8,an up-and-down turn to the hourglass does to a turn10 ,patience observed dryly4 8,i suppose she means10 said ,mrs4 ,hutchings1 8that two hours of basting or roasting would make us understand40 8,would she be likely to know about hourglasses80 ,mrs4 ,curran asked4 ,patience answered the question4 8,a dial beam on a sorry day would make a muck o' basting40 ,meaning that a sundial was of no use on a cloudy day4 99 99 99 99 99 ,but ,patience is not usually as patient with lack of understanding as this bit of conversation would indicate4 8,i dress and baste thy fowl10 she said once1 8and thee wouldst have me eat for thee4 ,if thou wouldst build the comb1 then search thee for the honey40 8,oh1 we know we are stupid10 said one4 8,we admit it40 8,saw drip would build thy head and fill thy crannies10 ,patience went on1 8yet ye feel smug in wisdom40 ,and again3 8,i card and weave1 and ye look a painful lot should ,i pass ye a bobbin to wind40 ,a request to repeat a doubtful line drew forth this exclamation3 8,bother6 ,i fain would sew thy seam1 not do thy patching40 ,at another time she protested against a discussion that interrupted the delivery of a poem3 8,who then doth hold the distaff from whence the thread doth wind8 ,thou art shuttling 'twixt the woof and warp but to mar the weaving40 ,and once she exclaimed1 8,i sneeze on rust o' wits60 99 99 99 99 99 ,but it must not be understood that ,patience is bad-tempered4 ,these outbreaks are quoted to show one side of her personality1 and they usually indicate impatience rather than anger3 for1 a moment after such caustic exclamations1 she is likely to be talking quite genially or dictating the tenderest of poetry4 ,she quite often1 too1 expresses affection for the family with which she has associated herself4 ,at one time she said to ,mrs4 ,curran1 who had expressed impatience at some cryptic utterance of the board3 8,ah1 weary1 weary me1 from trudging and tracking o'er the long road to thy heart6 ,wilt thou1 then1 not let me rest awhile therein80 ,and again3 8,should thee let thy fire to ember ,i fain would cast fresh faggots40 ,and at another time she said of ,mrs4 ,curran3 8,she doth boil and seethe1 and brew and taste1 but ,i have a loving for the wench40 ,but she seems to think that those with whom she is associated should take her love for granted1 as home folks usually do1 and she showers her most beautiful compliments upon the casual visitor who happens to win her favor4 ,to one such she said3 8,the heart o' her hath suffered thorn1 but bloomed a garland o'er the wounds40 ,to a lady who is somewhat deaf she paid this charming tribute3 8,she hath an ear upon her every finger's tip1 and 'pon her eye a thousand flecks o' color for to spread upon a dreary tale and paint a leaden sky aflash4 ,what need she o' ears80 ,and to another who1 after a time at the board1 said she did not want to weary ,patience3 8,weary then at loving of a friend8 ,would ,i then had the garlanded bloom o' love she hath woven and lighted1 ,i do swear1 with smiling washed brighter with her tears40 ,and again3 8,i be weaving of a garland4 ,do leave me then a bit to tie its ends4 ,i plucked but buds1 and woe6 they did spell but infant's love4 ,i cast ye1 then1 a blown bloom1 wide petaled and rich o' scent4 ,take thou and press atween thy heart throbs--my gift40 ,of still another she said3 8,she be a star-bloom blue that nestleth to the soft grasses of the spring1 but ah1 the brightness cast to him who seeketh field aweary60 ,and yet again3 8,fields hath she trod arugged1 aye1 and weed agrown4 ,aye1 and e'en now1 where she hath set abloom the blossoms o' her very soul1 weed aspringeth4 ,and lo1 she standeth head ahigh and eye to sky and faith astrong4 ,and foot abruised still troddeth rugged field4 ,but ,i do promise ye 'tis such an faith that layeth low the weed and putteth 'pon the rugged path asmoothe1 and yet but bloom shalt show1 and ever shalt she stand1 head ahigh and eye unto the sky40 ,upon an evening after she had showered such compliments upon the ladies present she exclaimed3 8,i be a wag atruth1 and lo1 my posey-wreath be stripped60 99 99 99 99 99 ,she seldom favors the men in this way4 ,she has referred to herself several times as a spinster1 and this may account for a certain reluctance to saying complimentary things of the other sex4 8,a prosy spinster may but plash in love's pool10 she remarked once1 and at another time she said3 8,a wife shall brush her goodman's blacks and polish o' his buckles1 but a maid may not dare e'en to blow the trifling dust from his knickerbockers40 ,with a few notable exceptions1 her attitude toward men has been expressed in sarcasm1 none the less cutting to those for whom she has an affection manifested in other ways4 ,to one such she said3 8,thee'lt peg thy shoes1 lad1 to best their wearing1 and eat too freely of the fowl4 ,thy belly needeth pegging sore1 ,i wot40 8,patience doesn't mean that for me10 he protested4 8,nay10 she said1 8the jackass ne'er can know his reflection in the pool4 ,he deemeth the thrush hath stolen of his song4 ,buy thee a pushcart4 ',twill speak for thee40 ,and of this same rotund friend she remarked1 when he laughed at something she had said3 8,he shaketh like a pot o' goose jell60 8,i back up1 ,patience10 he cried4 8,and thee'lt find the cart10 she said4 ,of a visitor1 a physician1 she had this to say3 8,he bindeth and asmears and looketh at a merry1 and his eye doth lie4 ,how doth he smite and stitch like to a wench1 and brew o'er steam6 ,yea1 'tis atwist he be4 ,he runneth whither1 and1 at a beconing1 7beckoning7 yon1 and ever thus2 but 'tis a blunder-mucker he he4 ,his head like to a steel1 yea1 and heart a summer's cloud athin 7within71 enough to show athrough the clear o' blue40 99 99 99 99 99 ,but it is upon the infant that ,patience bestows her tenderest words4 ,her love of childhood is shown in many lines of rare and touching beauty4 8,ye seek to level unto her10 she said of a baby girl who was present one evening1 8but thou art awry at reasoning4 ,for he who putteth him to babe's path doth track him high1 and lo1 the path leadeth unto the ,door4 ,yea1 and doth she knock1 it doth ope4 8,cast ye wide thy soul's doors and set within such love4 ,for1 brother1 ,i do tell thee that though the soul o' ye be torn1 aye1 and scarred1 'tis such an love that doth heal4 ,the love o' babe be the balm o' earth4 8,see ye6 ,the sun tarrieth 'bout the lips o' her2 aye1 and though the hand be but thy finger's span1 'tis o' a weight to tear away thy heart40 ,and upon another occasion she revealed something of herself in these words3 ,know ye2 in my heart's mansion ,there be apart a place ,wherein ,i treasure my ,god's gifts4 ,think ye to peer therein8 ,nay4 ,and should thee by a chance ,to catch a stolen glimpse1 ,thee'dst laugh amerry1 for hord 7hoard7 ,would show but dross to thee3 ,a friend's regard1 ashrunked and turned ,to naught--but one bright memory is there2 ,a hope--now dead1 but showeth gold hid there2 ,a host o' nothings--dreams1 hopes1 fears2 ,love throbs afluttered hence ,since first touch o' baby hands ,caressed my heart's store ahidden4 ,returning to the femininity of ,patience1 it is also shown in her frequent references to dress4 ,upon an evening when the publication of her poems had been under discussion1 when next the board was taken up she let them know that she had heard1 in this manner3 8,my pettieskirt hath a scallop10 she said4 8,mayhap that will help thy history40 8,oh10 cried ,mrs4 ,curran1 8we are discovered60 8,yea10 laughed ,patience--she must have laughed1 8and tell thou of my buckled boots and add a cap-string40 ,further illustrative of her feminine characteristics and of her interest in dress1 as well as of a certain fun-loving spirit which now and then seems to sway her1 is this record of a sitting upon an evening when ,mr4 ,curran and ,mr4 ,hutchings had gone to the theater1 and the ladies were alone3 ,patience4--8,go ye to the lighted hall to search for learning8 ,nay1 'tis a piddle1 not a stream1 ye search4 ,mayhap thou sendest thy men for barleycorn4 ',twould then surprise thee should the asses eat it40 ,mrs4 ,h4--8,what is she driving at80 ,mrs4 ,p4--8,the men and the theater1 ,i suppose40 ,mrs4 ,h4--8,patience1 what are they seeing up there80 ,patience4--8,ne'er a timid wench1 ,i vum40 ,mrs4 ,c4--8,you don't approve of their going1 do you1 ,patience80 ,patience4--8,thee'lt find a hearth more profit4 ,better they cast the bit of paper40 ,mrs4 ,c4--8,what does she mean by paper8 ,their programmes80 ,patience4--8,painted parchment squares40 ,mrs4 ,p4--8,oh1 she means they'd better stay at home and play cards40 ,mrs4 ,h4--8,are they likely to get their morals corrupted at that show80 ,patience4--8,he who tickleth the ass to start a braying1 fain would carol with his brother40 ,mrs4 ,c4--8,if the singing is as bad as it usually is at that place1 ,i don't wonder at her disapproval4 ,but what about the girls1 ,patience80 ,patience4--8,my pettieskirt ye may borrow for the brazens40 ,mrs4 ,p4--8,now1 what is a pettieskirt8 ,is it really a skirt or is it that ruff they used to wear around the neck80 ,patience4--8,nay1 my bib covereth the neckband40 ,mrs4 ,h4--8,then1 where do you wear your pettieskirt80 ,patience4--8',neath my kirtle40 ,mrs4 ,c4--8,is that the same as girdle8 ,let's look it up40 ,patience4--8,art fashioning thy new frock80 ,mrs4 ,h4--8,i predict that ,patience will found a new style--,puritan40 ,patience4--8',twere a virtue1 egad60 ,mrs4 ,h4--8,you evidently don't think much of our present style4 ,in your day women dressed more modestly1 didn't they80 ,patience4--8,many's the wench who pulled her points to pop4 ,but ah1 the locks were combed to satin6 ,he who bent above might see himself reflected40 ,mrs4 ,c4--8,what were the young girls of your day like1 ,patience80 ,patience4--8,a silly lot1 as these of thine4 ,wait60 ,there was no movement of the board for about three minutes1 and then3 8',tis a sorry lot1 not harming but boresome60 ,mrs4 ,h4--8,oh1 ,patience1 have you been to the theater80 ,patience4--8,a peep in good cause could surely ne'er harm the godly40 ,mrs4 ,c4--8,how do you think we ought to look after those men80 ,patience4--8,thine ale is drunk at the hearth4 ,surely he who stops to sip may bless the firelog belonging to thee40 ,when the men returned home they agreed with the verdict of ,patience before they had heard it1 that it was a 8tame0 show1 8not harming1 but boresome40 ,the exclamation of ,mrs4 ,curran1 8,let's look it up10 in the extract just quoted from the record1 has been a frequent one in this circle since ,patience came4 ,so many of her words are obsolete that her friends are often compelled to search through the dictionaries and glossaries for their meaning4 ,her reference to articles of dress--wimple1 kirtle1 pettieskirt1 points and so on1 had all to be 8looked up40 ,once ,patience began an evening with this remark3 8,the cockshut finds ye still peering to find the other land40 8,what is cock's hut80 asked ,mrs4 ,h4 8,nay10 said ,patience1 8,cock-shut4 ,thee needeth light1 but cockshut bringeth dark40 8,cockshut must mean shutting up the cock at night10 suggested a visitor4 8,aye1 and geese1 too1 then could be put to quiet10 ,patience exclaimed4 8,wouldst thou wish for cockshut80 ,search revealed that cockshut was a term anciently applied to a net used for catching woodcock1 and it was spread at nightfall1 hence cockshut acquired also the meaning of early evening4 ,shakespeare uses the term once1 in ,richard ,,iii41 in the phrase1 8,much about cockshut time10 but it is a very rare word in literature1 and probably has not been used1 even colloquially1 for centuries4 ,there are many such words used by ,patience--relics of an age long past4 ,the writer was present at a sitting when part of a romantic story-play of medieval days was being received on the board4 ,one of the characters in the story spoke of herself as 8playing the jane-o'-apes40 ,no one present had ever heard or seen the word4 ,patience was asked if it had been correctly received1 and she repeated it4 ,upon investigation it was found that it is a feminine form of the familiar jackanapes1 meaning a silly girl4 ,massinger used it in one of his plays in the seventeenth century1 but that appears to be the only instance of its use in literature4 ,these words may be not unknown to many people1 but the point is that they were totally strange to those at the board1 including ,mrs4 ,curran--words that could not possibly have come out of the consciousness or subconsciousness of any one of them4 ,the frequent use of such words helps to give verity to the archaic tongue in which she expresses her thoughts1 and the consistent and unerring use of this obsolete form of speech is1 next to the character of her literary production1 the strongest evidence of her genuineness4 ,it will be noticed1 too1 that the language she uses in conversation is quite different from that in her literary compositions1 although there are definite similarities which seem to prove that they come from the same source4 ,in this also she is wholly consistent3 for it is unquestionably true that no poet ever talked as he wrote4 ,every writer uses colloquial words and idioms in conversation that he would never employ in literature4 ,no matter what his skill or genius as a writer may be1 he talks 8just like other people40 ,patience ,worth in this1 as in other things1 is true to her character4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it may be repeated that in all this matter--and it is but a skimming of the mass--one may readily discern a distinct and striking personality2 not a wraith-like1 formless1 evanescent shadow1 but a personality that can be clearly visualized4 ,one can easily imagine ,patience ,worth to be a woman of the ,puritan period1 with1 however1 none of the severe and gloomy beliefs of the ,puritan--a woman of a past age stepped out of an old picture and leaving behind her the material artificialities of paint and canvas4 ,from her speech and her writings one may conceive her to be a woman of ,northern ,england1 possibly3 for she uses a number of ancient words that are found to have been peculiar to the ,scottish border2 a country woman1 perhaps1 for in all of her communications there are only two or three references to the city1 although her knowledge and love of the drama may be a point against this assumption2 a woman who had read much in an age when books were scarce1 and women who could read rarer still3 for although she frequently expresses disdain of book learning1 she betrays a large accumulation of such learning1 and a copious vocabulary1 as well as a degree of skill in its use1 that could only have been acquired from much study of books4 8,i have bought beads from a pack10 she says1 8but ne'er yet have ,i found a peddler of words40 ,and then1 after we have mentally materialized this woman1 and given her a habitation and a time1 ,patience speaks again1 and all has vanished4 8,not so10 she said to one who questioned her1 8,i be abirthed awhither and abide me where40 ,and again she likened herself to the wind4 8,i be like the wind10 she said1 8who leaveth not track1 but ever 'bout1 and yet like to the rain who groweth grain for thee to reap40 ,at other times she has indicated that she has never had a physical existence4 ,i have quoted her saying3 8,i do plod a twist o' a path and it hath run from then till now40 ,at a later time she was asked what she meant by that4 ,she answered3 8,didst e'er to crack a stone1 and lo1 a worm aharded8 7a fossil74 ',tis so1 for list ye1 ,i speak like ye since time began40 ,it is thus she reveals herself clearly to the mind1 but when one attempts to approach too closely1 to lay a hand upon her1 as it were1 she invariably recedes into the unfathomable deeps of mysticism4 ,,the ,,poetry ,am ,i a broken lyre1 ,who1 at the ,master's touch1 ,respondeth with a tinkle and a whir8 ,or am ,i strung in full ,and at ,his touch give forth the full chord8 --,,patience ,,worth4 ,as the reader will have observed1 the poetry of ,patience ,worth is not confined to a single theme1 nor to a group of related themes4 ,it covers a range that extends from inanimate things through all the gradations of material life and on into the life of spiritual realms as yet uncharted4 ,it includes poems of sentiment1 poems of nature1 poems of humanity2 but the larger number deal with man in relation to the mysteries of the beyond4 ,all of them evince intellectual power1 knowledge of nature and human nature1 and skill in construction4 ,with the exception of one or two little jingles1 the poems are rhymeless4 ,patience may not wholly agree with ,milton that rhyme 8is the invention of a barbarous age to set off wretched matter and lame metre10 but she seldom uses it1 finding in blank verse a medium that suits all her moods1 making it at will as light and ethereal as a summer cloud or as solemn and stately as a ,wagnerian march4 ,she molds it to every purpose1 and puts it to new and strange uses4 ,who1 for example1 ever saw a lullaby in blank verse8 ,it is1 ,i believe1 quite without precedent in literature1 and yet it would not be easy to find a lullaby more daintily beautiful than the one which will be presented later on4 ,in all of her verse1 the iambic measure is dominant1 but it is not maintained with monotonous regularity4 ,she appreciates the value of an occasional break in the rhythm1 and she understands the uses of the pause4 ,but she declines to be bound by any rules of line measurement4 ,many of her lines are in accord with the decasyllabic standard of heroic verse1 but in no instance is that standard rigidly adhered to3 some of the lines contain as many as sixteen syllables1 others drop to eight or even six4 ,it should be explained1 however1 that the poetry as it comes from the ouija board is not in verse form4 ,there is nothing in the dictation to indicate where a line should begin or where end1 nor1 of course1 is there any punctuation1 there being no way by which the marks of punctuation could be denoted4 ,there is usually1 however1 a perceptible pause at the end of a sentence4 ,the words are taken down as they are spelled on the board1 without any attempt1 at the time1 at versification or punctuation4 ,after the sitting1 the matter is punctuated and lined as nearly in accord with the principles of blank verse construction as the abilities of the editor will permit4 ,it is not claimed that the line arrangement of the verses as they are here presented is perfect2 but that is a detail of minor importance1 and for whatever technical imperfections there may be in this particular1 ,patience ,worth is not responsible4 ,the important thing is that every word is given exactly as it came from the board1 without the alteration of a syllable1 and without changing the position or even the spelling of a single one4 ,as a rule1 ,patience spells the words in accordance with the standards of today1 but there are frequent departures from those standards1 and many times she has spelled a word two or three different ways in the same composition4 ,for example1 she will spell 8spin0 with one n or two n's indifferently3 she will spell 8friend0 correctly1 and a little later will add an e to it2 she will write 8boughs0 and 8bows0 in the same composition4 ,on the other hand she invariably spells tongue 8tung10 and positively refuses to change it1 and this is true also of the word bosom1 which she spells 8busom40 ,there are indications that the poems and the stories are in course of composition at the time they are being produced on the ouija board4 ,indeed1 one can almost imagine the author dictating to an amanuensis in the manner that was necessary before stenography was invented1 when every word had to be spelled out in longhand4 ,at times the little table will move with such rapidity that it is very difficult to follow its point with the eye and catch the letter indicated4 ,then there will be a pause1 and the pointer will circle around the board1 as if the composer were trying to decide upon a word or a phrase4 ,occasionally four or five words of a sentence will be given1 then suddenly the planchette will dart up to the word 8,no10 and begin the sentence again with different and1 it is to be presumed1 more satisfactory words4 ,sometimes1 though rarely1 ,patience will begin a composition and suddenly abandon it with an exclamation of displeasure1 or else take up a new and entirely different subject4 ,once she began a prose composition thus3 8,i waste my substance on the weaving of web and the storing of pebbles4 ,when shall ,i build mine house1 and when fill the purse8 ,oh1 that my fancy weaved not but web1 and desire pricketh not but pebble60 ,there was an impatient dash across the board1 and then she exclaimed3 8,bah1 'tis bally reasoning6 ,i plucked a gosling for a goose1 and found down enough to pad the parson's saddle skirts60 ,at another time she began3 8,rain1 art thou the tears wept a thousand years agone1 and soaked into the granite walls of dumb and feelingless races8 ,now----0 ,there was a long pause and then came this lullaby3 ,oh1 baby1 soft upon my breast press thou1 ,and let my fluttering throat spell song to thee1 ,a song that floweth so1 my sleeping dear3 ,oh1 buttercups of eve1 ,oh1 willynilly1 ,my song shall flutter on1 ,oh1 willynilly4 ,i climb a web to reach a star1 ,and stub my toe against a moonbeam ,stretched to bar my way1 ,oh1 willynilly4 ,a love-puff vine shall shelter us1 ,oh1 baby mine2 ,and then across the sky we'll float ,and puff the stars away4 ,oh1 willynilly1 on we'll go1 ,willynilly floating4 8,thee art o'erfed on pudding10 she added to ,mrs4 ,curran4 8,this sauce is but a butter-whip40 ,and now1 having briefly referred to the technique of the poems1 and explained the manner in which they are transmitted we will make a more systematic presentation of them4 ,for a beginning1 nothing better could be offered than the ,spinning ,wheel lullaby heretofore referred to4 ,in it we can see the mother of1 perhaps1 the ,puritan days1 seated at the spinning wheel while she sings to the child which is supposed to lie in the cradle by her side4 ,one can view through the open door the old-fashioned flower garden bathed in sunlight1 can hear the song of the bird and the hum of the bee1 and through it all the sound of the wheel4 ,but6--it is the song of a childless woman to an imaginary babe3 ,patience has declared herself a spinster4 ,strumm1 strumm6 ,ah1 wee one1 ,croon unto the tendrill tipped with sungilt1 ,nodding thee from o'er the doorsill there4 ,strumm1 strumm6 ,my wheel shall sing to thee4 ,i pull the flax as golden as thy curl1 ,and sing me of the blossoms blue1 ,their promise1 like thine eyes to me4 ,strumm1 strumm6 ',tis such a merry tale ,i spinn4 ,ah1 wee one1 croon unto the honey bee ,who diggeth at the rose's heart4 ,strumm1 strumm6 ,my wheel shall sing to thee1 ,heart-blossom mine4 ,the sunny morn ,doth hum with lovelilt1 dear4 ,i fain would leave my spinning ,to the spider climbing there1 ,and bruise thee1 blossom1 to my breast4 ,strumm1 strumm6 ,what fancies ,i do weave6 ,thy dimpled hand doth flutter1 dear1 ,like a petal cast adrift ,upon the breeze4 ,strumm1 strumm6 ',tis faulty spinning1 dear4 ,a cradle built of thornwood1 ,a nest for thee1 my bird4 ,i hear thy crooning1 wee one1 ,and ah1 this fluttering heart4 ,strumm1 strumm6 ,how ruthlessly ,i spinn6 ,my wheel doth wirr an empty song1 my dear1 ,for tendrill nodding yonder ,doth nod in vain1 my sweet2 ,and honey bee would tarry not ,for thee2 and thornwood cradle swayeth ,only to the loving of the wind6 ,strumm1 strumm6 ,my wheel still sings to thee1 ,thou birdling of my fancy's realm6 ,strumm1 strumm6 ,an empty dream1 my dear6 ,the sun doth shine1 my bird2 ,or should he fail1 he shineth here ,within my heart for thee6 ,strumm1 strumm6 ,my wheel still sings to thee4 ,who would say that rhyme or measured lines would add anything to this unique song8 ,it is filled with the images which are the essentials of true poetry1 and it has the rhythm which sets the imagery to music and gives it vitality4 8,the tendrill tipped with sungilt10 8the sunny morn doth hum with lovelilt10 8thy dimpled hand doth flutter like a petal cast adrift upon the breeze0--these are figures that a ,shelley would not wish to disown4 ,there is a lightness and delicacy1 too1 that would seem to be contrary to our notions of the adaptiveness of blank verse4 ,but these are technical features4 ,it is the pathos of the song1 the expression of the mother-yearning instinctive in every woman1 which gives it value to the heart4 ,and yet there is a pleasure expressed in this song1 the pleasure of imagination1 which makes the mind's pictures living realities4 ,in the poem which follows ,patience expresses the feelings of the dreamer who is rudely awakened from this delightful pastime by the realist who sees but what his eyes behold3 ,athin the even's hour1 ,when shadow purpleth the garden wall1 ,then sit thee there adream1 ,and cunger thee from out the pack o' me4 ,yea1 speak thou1 and tell to me ,what 'tis thou hearest here4 ,a rustling8 ,yea1 aright6 ,a murmuring8 ,yea1 aright6 ,ah1 then1 thou sayest1 'tis the leaves ,that love one 'pon the other4 ,yea1 and the murmuring1 thou sayest1 ,is but the streamlet's hum4 ,nay1 nay6 ,for wait thee4 ,ayonder o'er the wall doth rise ,the white faced ,sister o' the ,sky4 ,and lo1 she beareth thee a fairies' wand1 ,and showeth thee the ghosts o' dreams4 ,look thou6 ,ah1 look6 ,a one ,doth step adown the path6 ,the rustle8 #8,tis the silken whisper o' her robe4 ,the hum8 ,the love-note o' her maiden dream4 ,see thee1 ah1 see6 ,she bendeth there1 ,and branch o' bloom doth nod and dance4 ,hark1 the note6 ,a robin's cheer8 ,ah1 ,brother1 nay4 ',tis the whistle o' her lover's pipe4 ,see1 see1 the path e'en now ,doth show him1 tall and dark1 aside the gate4 ,what6 ,what6 ,thou sayest ',tis but the rustle o' the leaves1 ,and brooklet's humming o'er its stony path6 ,then hush6 ,yea1 hush thee6 ,hush and leave me here6 ,the fairy wand hath broke1 and leaves ,stand still1 and note hath ceased1 ,and maiden vanished with thy word4 ,thou1 thou hast broke the spell1 ,and dream hath heard thy word and fled4 ,yea1 sunk1 sunk upon the path1 ,they o' my dreams--slain1 slain1 ,and dead with but thy word4 ,ah1 leave me here and go1 ,for ,earth doth hold not ,e'en my dreaming's wraith4 ,in previous chapters ,i have spoken of the wit and humor of ,patience ,worth4 ,in only one instance has she put humor into verse1 and that ,i have already quoted2 but at times her poetry has an airy playfulness of form that gives the effect of humor1 even though the theme and the intent may be serious4 ,here is an example3 ,whiff1 sayeth the wind1 ,and whiffing on its way1 doth blow a merry tale4 ,where1 in the fields all furrowed and rough with corn1 ,late harvested1 close-nestled to a fibrous root1 ,and warmed by the sun that hid from night there-neath1 ,a wee1 small1 furry nest of root mice lay4 ,whiff1 sayeth the wind4 ,whiff1 sayeth the wind4 ,i found this morrow1 on a slender stem1 ,a glory of the morn1 who sheltered in her wine-red throat ,a tiny spinning worm that wove the livelong day1-- ,long after the glory had put her flag to mast-- ,and spun the thread ,i followed to the dell1 ,where1 in a gnarled old oak1 ,i found a grub1 ,who waited for the spinner's strand ,to draw him to the light4 ,whiff1 sayeth the wind4 ,whiff1 sayeth the wind6 ,i blew a beggar's rags1 and loving ,was the flapping of the cloth4 ,and singing on ,i went to blow a king's mantle 'bout his limbs1 ,and cut me on the crusted gilt4 ,and tainted did ,i stain the rose until she turned ,a snuffy brown and rested her poor head ,upon the rail along the path4 ,whiff1 sayeth the wind4 ,whiff1 sayeth the wind4 ,i blow me 'long the coast1 ,and steal from out the waves their roar2 ,and yet from out the riffles do ,i steal ,the rustle of the leaves1 who borrow of the riffle's song ,from me at summer-tide4 ,and then ,i pipe unto the sands1 who dance and creep ,before me in the path4 ,i blow the dead ,and lifeless earth to dancing1 tingling life1 ,and slap thee to awake at morn4 ,whiff1 sayeth the wind4 ,there is a vivacity in this odd conceit that in itself brings a smile1 which is likely to broaden at the irony in the suggestion of the wind cutting itself on the crusted gilt of a king's mantle4 ,equally spirited in movement1 but vastly different in character1 is the one which follows3 ,hi-ho1 alack-a-day1 whither going8 ,art dawdling time away adown the primrose path ,and wishing golden dust to fancied value8 ,ah1 catch the milch-dewed air1 breathe deep ,the clover-scented breath across the field1 ,and feed upon sweet-rooted grasses ,thou hast idly plucked4 ,come1 ,brother1 then let's on together4 ,hi-ho1 alack-a-day1 whither going8 ,is here thy path adown the hard-flagged pave1 ,where1 bowed1 the workers blindly shuffle on2 ,and dumbly stand in gullies bound1 ,the worn1 bedogged1 silent-suffering beast1 ,far driven past his due8 ,and thou1 beloved1 hast thy burden worn thee weary8 ,come1 ,brother1 then let's on together4 ,hi-ho1 alack-a-day1 whither going8 ,hast thou begun the tottering of age1 ,and doth the day seem over-long to thee8 ,art fretting for release1 and dost thou lack ,the power to weave anew life's tangled skein8 ,come1 ,brother1 then let's on together4 ,the second line of this will at once recall ,shakespeare's 8primrose path of dalliance10 and it is one of the rare instances in which ,patience may be said to have borrowed a metaphor2 but in the line which follows1 8and wishing golden dust to fancied value10 she puts the figure to better use than he in whom it originated4 ,beyond this line there is nothing specially remarkable in this poem1 and it is given mainly to show the versatility of the composer1 and as another example of her ability to present vivid and striking pictures4 99 99 99 99 99 ,reference has been made to the love of nature and the knowledge of nature betrayed in these poems4 ,even in those of the most spiritual character nature is drawn upon for illustrations and symbols1 and the lines are lavishly strewn with material metaphor and similes that open up the gates of understanding4 ,this picture of winter1 for example1 brings out the landscape it describes with the vividness and reality of a stereoscope1 and yet it is something more than a picture3 ,snow tweaketh 'neath thy feet1 ,and like a wandering painter stalketh ,frost1 ,daubing leaf and lichen4 ,where flowed a cataract ,and mist-fogged stream1 lies silvered sheen1 ,stark1 dead and motionless4 ,i hearken ,but to hear the she-e-e-e of warning wind1 ,fearful lest ,i waken ,nature's sleeping4 ,await ye6 ,like a falcon loosed ,cometh the awakening4 ,then returneth ,spring ,to nestle in the curving breast of yonder hill1 ,and sets to rest like the falcon seeketh ,his lady's outstretched arm4 ,and here is another picture of winter1 painted with a larger brush and heavier pigment1 but expressing the same thought1 that life doth ever follow death3 ,dead1 all dead6 ,the earth1 the fields1 lie stretched in sleep ,like weary toilers overdone4 ,the valleys gape like toothless age1 ,besnaggled by dead trees4 ,the hills1 like boney jaws whose flesh hath dropped1 ,stand grinning at the deathy day4 ,the lily1 too1 hath cast her shroud ,and clothed her as a brown-robed nun4 ,the moon doth1 at the even's creep1 ,reach forth her whitened hands and sooth ,the wrinkled brow of earth to sleep4 ,ah1 whither flown the fleecy summer clouds1 ,to bank1 and fall to earth in billowed light1 ,and paint the winter's brown to spangled white8 ,where1 too1 have flown the happy songs1 ,long died away with sighing ,on the shore-wave's crest8 ,will they take ,echo as their ,guide1 ,and bound from hill to hill at this1 ,the sleepy time of earth1 ,and waken forest song 'mid naked waste8 ,ah1 slumber1 slumber1 slumber on4 ',tis with a loving hand ,he scattereth the snow1 ,to nestle young spring's offering1 ,that dying ,earth shall live anew4 ,how different this from ,thomson's pessimistic1 ,dread winter spreads his latest glooms ,and reigns tremendous o'er the conquered year4 ,this poem seemed to present unusual difficulties to ,patience4 ,the words came slowly and haltingly1 and the indications of composition were more marked than in any other of her poems4 ,the third line was first dictated 8,like weary workmen overdone10 and then changed to 8weary toilers10 and the eighteenth line was given3 8,on the shore-wavelet's breast10 and afterwards altered to read 8the shorewave's crest40 ,possibly it was because the poet has not the same zest in painting pictures of winter that she has in depicting scenes of kindlier seasons1 in which she is in accord with nearly all poets1 and1 for that matter1 with nearly all people4 ,her pen1 if one may use the word1 is speediest and surest when she presents the beautiful1 whether it be the material or the spiritual4 ,she expresses this feeling herself with beauty of phrase and rhythm in this verse1 which may be entitled 8,the ,voice of ,spring40 ,the streamlet under fernbanked brink ,doth laugh to feel the tickle of the waving mass2 ,and silver-rippled echo soundeth ,under over-hanging cliff4 ,the robin heareth it at morn ,and steals its chatter for his song4 ,and oft at quiet-sleeping ,of the ,spring's bright day1 ,i wander me to dream along the brooklet's bank1 ,and hark me to a song of her dead voice1 ,that lieth where the snowflakes vanish ,on the molten silver of the brooklet's breast2 ,and watch the stream1 ,who1 over-fearful lest she lose the right ,to ripple to the chord of ,spring's full harmony1 ,doth harden at her heart ,and catch the song a prisoner to herself2 ,to loosen only at the wooing kiss ,of youthful ,winter's sun1 ,and fill the barren waste with phantom spring4 ,or1 passing on to autumn1 consider this apostrophe to a fallen leaf3 ,ah1 paled and faded leaf of spring agone1 ,whither goest thou8 ,art speeding ,to another land upon the brooklet's breast8 ,or art thou sailing to the sea1 to lodge ,amid a reef1 and1 kissed by wind and wave1 ,die of too much love8 ,thou'lt find a resting place amid the moss1 ,and1 ah1 who knows6 ,the royal gem ,may be thine own love's offering4 ,or wilt thou flutter as a time-yellowed page1 ,and mould among thy sisters1 ere the sun ,may peep within the pack8 ,or will the robin nest with thee ,at ,spring's awakening8 ,the romping brook ,will never chide thee1 but ever coax thee on4 ,and shouldst thou be impaled ,upon a thorny branch1 what then8 ,try not a flight4 ,thy sisters call thee4 ,could crocus spring from frost1 ,and wilt thou let the violet shrink and die8 ,nay1 speed not1 for ,god hath not ,a mast for thee provided4 ,autumn1 too1 is the theme of this3 ,she-e-e6 ,she-e-e6 ,she-e-e-e6 ,the soughing wind doth breathe4 ,the white-crest cloud hath drabbed ,at season's late4 ,the trees drip leaf-waste ,unto the o'erloved blades aneath1 ,who burned o' love1 to die4 ',tis the parting o' the season4 ,yea1 and earth doth weep4 ,the mellow moon ,stands high o'er golded grain4 ,the cot-smoke ,curleth like to a loving arm ,that reacheth up unto the sky4 ,the grain ears ope1 to grin unto the day4 ,the stream hath laden with a pack o' leaves ,to bear unto the dell1 where bloom ,doth hide in waiting for her pack4 ,the stars do glitter cold1 and dance to warm them ,there upon the sky's blue carpet o'er the earth4 ',tis season's parting4 ,yea1 and earth doth weep4 ,the ,winter cometh1 ,and he bears her jewels for the decking ,of his bride4 ,a glittered crown ,shall fall 'pon earth1 and sparkled drop ,shall stand like gem that flasheth ',pon a nobled brow4 ,yea1 the tears ,of earth shall freeze and drop ,as pearls1 the necklace o' the earth4 ',tis season's parting4 ,yea1 ,and earth doth weep4 ',tis ,fall4 ,she does not confine herself to the ,seasons in her tributes to the divisions of time4 ,there are many poems which have the day for their subject1 all expressive of delight in every aspect of the changing hours4 ,there is a pan to the day in this3 ,the ,morn awoke from off her couch of fleece1 ,and cast her youth-dampt breath to sweet the ,earth4 ,the birds sent carol up to climb the vasts4 ,the sleep-stopped ,earth awaked in murmuring4 ,the dark-winged ,night flew past the ,day ,who trod his gleaming upward way4 ,the fields folk musicked at the sun's warm ray4 ,web-strewn1 the sod1 hung o'er o' rainbow gleam4 ,the brook1 untiring1 ever singeth on4 ,the ,day hath broke1 and busy ,earth ,hath set upon the path o' hours4 ,mute ,night hath spread her darksome wing ,and loosed the brood of dreams1 ,and ,day hath set the downy mites to flight4 ,fling forth thy dreaming hours6 ,awake from dark6 ,and hark6 ,and hark6 ,the ,earth doth ring in song6 ',tis ,day6 ',tis ,day6 ',tis ,day6 ,the close observer will notice in all of these poems that there is nothing hackneyed4 ,the themes1 the thoughts1 the images1 the phrasing1 are almost if not altogether unique4 ,the verse which follows is1 ,i am inclined to believe1 absolutely so3 ,go to the builder of all dreams ,and beg thy timbers to cast thee one4 ,ah1 ,builder1 let me wander in this land ,of softened shapes to choose4 ,my hand doth reach ,to catch the mantle cast by lilies whom the sun ,hath loved too well4 ,and at this morrow ,saw ,i not a purple wing of night ,to fold itself and bask in morning light8 ,i watched her steal straight to the sun's ,bedazzled heart4 ,i claim her purpled gold4 ,and watched ,i not1 at twi-hours creep1 ,a heron's blue wing skim across the pond1 ,where gulf clouds fleeted in a fleecy herd1 ,reflected fair8 ,i claim the blue and let ,my heart to gambol with the sky-herd there4 ,at midday did ,i not then find ,a rod of gold1 and sun's flowers1 ,bounded in by wheat's betasseled stalks8 ,i claim the gold as mine1 to cast my dream4 ,and then at stormtide did ,i catch the sun1 ,becrimsoned in his anger2 and from his height ,did he not bathe the treetops in his gore8 ,the red is mine4 ,i weave my dream and find ,the rainbow1 and the rainbow's end--a nothingness4 ,almost equally weird is this 8,birth of a ,song03 ,i builded me a harp1 ,and set asearch for strings4 ,ah1 and ,folly set me 'pon a track ,that set the music at a wail2 ,for ,i did string the harp ,with silvered moon-threads2 ,aye1 and dead the notes did sound4 ,and ,i did string it then ,with golden sun's-threads1 ,and ,passion killed the song4 ,then did ,i to string it o'er-- ,and 'twer a jeweled string-- ,a chain o' stars1 and lo1 ,they laughed1 and sorry wert the song4 ,and ,i did strip the harp and cast ,the stars to merry o'er the ,night2 ,and string anew1 and set athrob a string ,abuilded of a lover's note1 and lo1 ,the song did sick and die1 ,and crumbled to a sweeted dust1 ,and blew unto the day4 ,anew did ,i to string1 ,astring with wail o' babe1 ,and ,earth loved not the song4 ,i felled asorrowed at the task1 ,and still the ,harp wert mute4 ,so did ,i to pluck out my heart1 ,and lo1 it throbbed and sung1 ,and at the hurt o' loosing o' the heart ,a song wert born4 ,that1 however1 is but a pretty play of fancy upon things within our ken1 however shadowy and evanescent she may make them by her touch4 ,but in the poem which follows she touches on the border of a land we know not3 ,i'd greet thee1 loves of yester's day4 ,i'd call thee out from ,there4 ,i'd sup the joys of yonder realm4 ,i'd list unto the songs of them ,who days of me know not4 ,i'd call unto this hour ,the lost of joys and woes4 ,i'd seek me out the sorries ,that traced the seaming of thy cheek1 ,o thou of yester's day6 ,i'd read the hearts astopped1 ,that ,earth might know the price ,they paid as toll4 ,i'd love their loves1 ,i'd hate their hates1 ,i'd sup the cups of them2 ,yea1 ,i'd bathe me in the sweetness ,shed by youth of yester's day4 ,yea1 of these ,i'd weave the ,earth a cloak-- ,but ah1 ,he wove afirst6 ,they cling like petal mold1 and sweet the ,earth4 ,yea1 the ,earth lies wrapped ,within the holy of its ghost4 8',tis but a drip o' loving10 she said when she had finished this4 ,nearly every ,english poet has a tribute to the ,skylark1 but ,i doubt if there are many more exquisite than this3 ,i tuned my song to love and hate and pain ,and scorn1 and wrung from passion's heat the flame1 ,and found the song a wailing waste of voice4 ,my song but reached the earth and echoed o'er its plains4 ,i sought for one who sang a wordless lay1 ,and up from 'mong the rushes soared a lark4 ,hark to his song6 ,from sunlight came his gladdening note4 ,and ah1 his trill--the raindrops' patter6 ,and think ye that the thief would steal ,the rustle of the leaves1 or yet ,the chilling chatter of the brooklet's song8 ,not claiming as his own the carol of my heart1 ,or listening to my plaint1 he sings amid the clouds2 ,and through the downward cadence ,i but hear ,the murmurings of the day4 ,one naturally thinks of ,shelley's 8,skylark0 when reading this1 and there are some passages in that celebrated poem that show a similarity of metaphor1 such as this3 ,sounds of vernal showers ,on the twinkling grass2 ,rain-awakened flowers2 ,all that ever was ,joyous and clear and fresh ,thy music doth surpass4 ,and there is something of the same thought in the lines of ,edmund ,burke3 ,teach me1 ,o lark6 with thee to greatly rise1 ,t' exalt my soul and lift it to the skies2 ,to make each worldly joy as mean appear1 ,unworthy care when heavenly joys are near4 ,but ,patience nowhere belittles earthly joys that are not evil in themselves2 nor does she teach that all earthly passions are inherently wrong3 for earthly love is the theme of many of her verses4 ,her expressions of scorn are sometimes powerful in their vehemence4 ,this1 on 8,war10 for example3 ,ah1 thinkest thou to trick8 ,i fain would peep beneath the visor4 ,a god of war1 indeed6 ,thou liest6 ,a masquerading fiend1 ,the harlot of the universe-- ,war1 whose lips1 becrimsoned in her lover's blood1 ,smile only to his death-damped eyes6 ,i challenge thee to throw thy coat of mail6 ,ah1 ,god6 ,look thou beneath6 ,behold1 those arms outstretched6 ,that raiment over-spangled with a leaden rain6 ,o1 ,lover1 trust her not6 ,she biddeth thee in siren song1 ,and clotheth in a silken rag her treachery1 ,to mock thee and to wreak ,her vengeance at thy hearth4 ,cast up the visor's skirt6 ,thou'lt see the snakey strands4 ,a god of war1 indeed6 ,i brand ye as a lie6 ,such outbreaks as this are rare in her poetry1 but in her conversation she occasionally gives expression to anger or scorn or contempt1 though1 as stated1 she seldom dignifies such emotions in verse4 ,love1 as ,i have said1 is her favorite theme in numbers1 the love of ,god first and far foremost1 and after that brother love and mother love4 ,to the love of man for woman1 or woman for man1 there is seldom a reference in her poems1 although it is the theme of some of her dramatic works4 ,there is an exquisite expression of mother love in the spinning wheel lullaby already given1 but for rapturous glorification of infancy1 it would be difficult to surpass this1 which does not reveal its purport until the last line3 ,ah1 greet the day1 which1 like a golden butterfly1 ,hovereth 'twixt the night and morn2 ,and welcome her fullness--the hours ',mid shadow and those the rose shall grace4 ,hast thou among her hours thy heart's ,desire and dearest8 ,name thou then of all ,his beauteous gifts thy greatest treasure4 ,the morning1 cool and damp1 dark-shadowed ,by the frowning sun--is this thy chosen8 ,the midday1 flaming as a sword1 ,deep-stained by noon's becrimsoned light-- ,is this thy chosen8 ,or misty startide1 ,woven like a spinner's web and jeweled ,by the climbing moon--is this thy chosen8 ,doth forest shade1 or shimmering stream1 ,or wild bird song1 or cooing of the nesting dove1 ,bespeak thy chosen8 ,he who sendeth light ,sendeth all to thee1 pledges of a bonded love4 ,and ye who know ,him not1 look ye6 ,from all ,his gifts ,he pilfered that which made it ,his ,to add ,his fullest offering of love4 ,from out the morning1 at the earliest tide1 ,he plucked two lingering stars1 who tarried ,lest the dark should sorrow4 ,and when the day was born1 ,the glow of sun-flush1 veiled by gossamer cloud ,and tinted soft by lingering night2 ,and rose petals1 scattered by a loving breeze2 ,the lily's satin cheek1 and dove cooes1 ,and wild bird song1 and ,death himself ,is called to offer of himself2 ,and soft as willow buds may be1 ,he claimeth but the down to fashion this1 thy gift1 ,the essence of ,his love1 thine own first-born4 ,in brief1 the babe concentrates within itself all the beauties and all the wonders of nature4 ,its eyes1 8two lingering stars who tarried lest the dark should sorrow10 and in its face 8the glow of sun flush veiled by gossamer cloud10 8rose petals0 and the 8lily's satin cheek02 its voice the dove's coo4 8,from all ,his gifts ,he pilfered that which made it ,his0--the divine essence--8to add ,his fullest offering of love40 ,this is the idealism of true poetry1 and what mother looking at her own firstborn will say that it is overdrawn8 ,so much for mother-love4 ,of her lines on brotherhood ,i have already given example4 ,in only a few verses1 as ,i have said1 does ,patience speak of love between man and woman4 ,the poem which follows is perhaps the most eloquent of these3 ',tis mine1 this gift1 ah1 mine alone1 ,to paint the leaden sky to lilac-rose1 ,or coax the sullen sun to flash1 ,or carve from granite gray a flaming knight1 ,or weave the twilight hours with garlands gay1 ,or wake the morning with my soul's glad song1 ,or at my bitterest drink a sweetness cast1 ,or gather from my loneliness the flower-- ,a dream amid a mist of tears4 ,ah1 treasure mine1 this do ,i pledge to thee1 ,that none may peer within thy land2 and only ,when the moon shines white shall ,i disclose thee2 ,lest1 straying1 thou should'st fade2 and in the blackness ,of the midnight shall ,i fondle thee1 ,afraid to show thee to the day4 ,when ,i shall give to ,him1 the giver1 ,all my treasure's stores1 and darkness creeps upon me1 ,then will ,i for this return a thank1 ,and show thee to the world4 ,blind are they to thee1 but ah1 the darkness ,is illumined2 and lo6 thy name is burned ,like flaming torch to light me on my way4 ,then from thy wrapping of love ,i pluck ,my dearest gift1 the memory of my dearest love4 ,ah1 memory1 thou painter1 ,who from cloud canst fashion her dear form1 ,or from a stone canst turn her smile1 ,or fill my loneliness with her dear voice1 ,or weave a loving garland for her hair-- ,thou art my gift of ,god1 to be my comrade here4 ,next to such love as this comes friendship1 and she has put an estimate of the value of a friend in these words3 ,of ,earth there be this store of joys and woes4 ,yea1 and they do make the days o' me4 ,i sit me here adream that did ,i hold ,from out the whole1 but one1 my dearest gift1 ,what then would it to be8 ,doth days and nights ,of bright and dark make this my store8 ,nay4 ,do happy hours and woes-tide1 then1 ,beset this day of me and make the thing ,i'd keep8 ,nay4 ,doth metal store and jewelled string ,then be aworth to me8 ,nay4 ,i set me here1 ,and dreaming1 fall to reasoning for this1 ,that ,i would keep1 if but one gift wert mine ,must hold the store o' all4 ,yea1 must hold ,the dark for light1 yea1 and hold the light for dark1 ,aye1 and hold the sweet for sours1 aye1 and hold ,the love for ,hate4 ,yea1 then1 where may ,i to turn8 ,and lo1 as ,i adreaming sat ,a voice spaked out to me3 ,what ho6 ,what ho6 ,and lo1 the voice of one1 a friend6 ,this1 then1 shall be my treasure1 ,and the ,earth part ,i shall hold ,from out all gifts of ,him4 ,love of ,god1 and ,god's love for us1 and the certainty of life after death as a consequence of that love1 are the themes of ,patience's finest poetry1 consideration of which is reserved for succeeding chapters4 ,yet a taste of this devotional poetry will not be amiss at this point in the presentation of her works1 as an indication of the character of that which is to come4 ,lo1 'pon a day there bloomed a bud1 ,and swayed it at adance 'pon sweeted airs4 ,and gardens oped their greend breast ,to shew to ,earth o' such an one4 ,and soft the morn did woo its bloom2 ,and nights wept 'pon its cheek1 ,and mosses crept them 'bout the stem1 ,that sun not scoarch where it had sprung4 ,and lo1 the garden sprite1 a maid1 ,who came aseek at every day1 ,and kissed the bud1 and cast o' drops ,to cool the warm sun's rays4 ,and bud did hang it swaying there1 ,and love lept from the maiden's breast4 ,and days wore on2 and nights did wrap ,the bud to wait the morn2 ,and maid aseeked the spot4 ,when1 lo1 there came a ,stranger ,to the garden's wall1 ,who knocked ,him there ,and bid the maiden come4 ,and up unto her heart she pressed her hand1 ,and reached it forth to stay the bud's soft sway1 ,and lo1 the sun hung dark1 ,and ,stranger knocked ,him there4 ,and 'twere the maid did step most regal to the place4 ,and harked1 and lo1 ,his voice aspoke4 ,and she looked upon ,his face1 ,and lo1 'twere sorry sore1 and sad6 ,and soft there came ,his word ,of pleading unto her3 8,o' thy garden's store do offer unto me40 ,and lo1 the maid did turn and seek her out the bud1 ,and pluck it that she bear it unto ,him4 ,and at the garden's ope ,he stood and waited her4 ,and forth her hand she held1 therein the bud1 ,and lo1 ,he took therefrom the bloom ,and left the garden bare1 ,and maid did stand astripped ,of heart's sun 'mid her garden's bloom4 ,when lo1 athin the wound there sunk ,a warmpth that filled it up with love4 ,yea1 'twere the smile o' ,him1 the price4 ,but she has given another form of poem which should be presented before this brief review of her more material verse is concluded1 and it is a form one would hardly expect from such a source4 ,i refer to the 8poem of occasion40 ,a few days before ,christmas1 ,mrs4 ,curran remarked as she sat at the board3 8,i wonder if ,patience wouldn't give us a ,christmas poem40 ,and without a moment's hesitation she did4 ,here it is3 ,i hied me to the glen and dell1 ,and o'er the heights1 afar and near1 ,to find the ,yule sprite's haunt4 ,i dreamt me it did bide ,where mistletoe doth bead2 ,and found an oak whose boughs ,hung clustered with its borrowed loveliness4 ,ah1 could such a one as she ,abide her in this chill8 ,for bleakness wraps the oak about ,and crackles o'er her dancing branch4 ,nay1 her very warmth ,would surely thaw away the icy shroud1 ,and mistletoe would die ,adreaming it was spring4 ,i hied me to the holly tree ,and made me sure to find her there4 ,but nay1 ,the thorny spines would prick her tenderness4 ,ah1 where then doth she bide8 ,i asked the frost who stood ,upon the fringd grasses 'neath the oak4 8,i know her not1 but ,i ,am ever bidden to her feast4 ,ask thou the sparrow of the field4 ,he searcheth everywhere2 perchance ,he knoweth where she bides40 8,nay1 ,i know her not1 ,but at her birthday's tide ,i find full many a crumb ,cast wide upon the snow40 ,i found a chubby babe1 ,who toddled o'er the ice1 and whispered1 ,did she know the ,yule sprite's haunt8 ,and she but turneth solemn eyes to me ,and wags her golden head4 ,i flitted me from house to shack1 ,and ever missed the rogue2 ,but surely she had left her sign ,to bid me on to search4 ,and ,i did weary of my task ,and put my hopes to rest1 ,and slept me on the eve afore her birth1 ,full sure to search anew at morn4 ,and then the morning broke2 ,and e'er mine eyes did ope1 ,i fancied me a scarlet sprite1 ,with wings of green and scepter of a mistletoe1 ,did bid me wake1 and whispered me ,to look me to my heart4 ,soft-nestled1 warm1 ,i found her resting there4 ,guard me lest ,i tell2 ,but1 heart o'erfull of loving1 ,thee'lt surely spill good cheer6 ,the following week1 without request1 she gave this ,new ,year's poem1 remarkable for the novelty of its treatment of a much worn theme3 ,the year hath sickened2 ,and dawning day doth show his withering2 ,and ,death hath crept him closer on each hour4 ,the crying hemlock shaketh in its grief4 ,the smiling spring hath hollowed it to age1 ,and golden grain-stalks fallen ,o'er the naked breast of earth4 ,the year's own golden locks ,have fallen1 too1 or whitened1 ,where they still do hold4 ,and do ,i sorrow me8 ,nay1 ,i do speed him on1 ,for precious pack he beareth ,to the land of passing dreams4 ,i've bundled pain and wishing ',round with deeds undone1 ,and packed the loving o' my heart ,with softness of thine own2 ,and plied his pack anew ,with loss and gain1 to add ,the cup of bitter tears ,i shed ,o'er nothings as ,i passed4 ,old year and older years-- ,my friends1 my comrades on the road below-- ,i fain would greet ye now1 ,and bid ye ,godspeed on your ways4 ,i watch ye pass1 and read ,the aged visages of each4 ,i love ye well1 and count ye o'er ,in fearing lest ,i lose e'en one of you4 ,and here the brother of you1 every one1 ,lies smitten6 ,but as dear ,i'll love him ,when the winter's moon doth sink2 ,and like the watery eye of age ,doth close at ending of his day4 ,and ,i shall flit me through his dreams ,and cheer him with my loving2 ,and last within the pack shall put ,a ,hope and speed him thence4 ,and bow me to the ,new4 ,a friend mayhap1 but still untried4 ,and true1 ye say8 ,but ne'er hath proven so6 ,old year1 ,i love thee well1 ,and bid thee farewell with a sigh4 ,one who reads these poems with thoughtfulness must be impressed by a number of attributes which make them notable1 and1 in some respects1 wholly unique4 ,first of all is the absence of conventionality1 coupled with skill in construction1 in phrasing1 in the compounding of words1 in the application to old words of new or unusual but always logical meanings1 in the maintenance of rhythm without monotony4 ,next is the absolute purity1 with the sometimes archaic quality1 of the ,english4 ,it is the language of ,shakespeare1 of ,marlowe1 of ,fletcher1 of ,jonson and ,drayton1 except that it presents ,saxon words or ,saxon prefixes which had already passed out of literary use in their time1 while on the other hand it avoids nearly all the words derived directly from other languages that were habitually used by those great writers4 ,there is rarely a word that is not of ,anglo-,saxon or ,norman birth4 ,nor are there any long words4 ,all of these compositions are in words of one1 two and three syllables1 very seldom one of four--no 8multitudinous seas incarnadine40 ,among the hundreds of words of ,patience ,worth's in this chapter there are only two of four syllables and less than fifty of three syllables4 ,fully #ie per cent of her works are in words of one and two syllables4 ,in what other writing1 ancient or modern1 the ,bible excepted1 can this simplicity be found8 ,but the most impressive attribute of these poems is the weirdness of them1 an intangible quality that defies definition or location1 but which envelops and permeates all of them4 ,one may look in vain through the works of the poets for anything with which to compare them4 ,they are alike in the essential features of all poetry1 and yet they are unalike4 ,there is something in them that is not in other poetry4 ,in the profusion of their metaphor there is an etherealness that more closely resembles ,shelley1 perhaps1 than any other poet2 but the beauty of ,shelley's poems is almost wholly in their diction3 there is in him no profundity of thought4 ,in these poems there is both beauty and depth--and something else4 ,,the ,,prose 8,word meeteth word1 and at touch o' me1 doth spell to thee40--,,patience ,,worth4 ,strictly speaking1 there is no prose in the compositions of ,patience ,worth4 ,that which ,i have here classified as prose1 lacks none of the essential elements of poetry1 except a continuity of rhythm4 ,the rhythm is there1 the iambic measure which she favors being fairly constant1 but it is broken by sentences and groups of sentences that are not metrical1 and while it would not be difficult to arrange most of this matter in verse form1 ,i am inclined to think that to the majority it will read smoother and with greater ease as prose4 ,nevertheless1 as will be seen1 it is poetry4 ,the diction is wholly of that order1 and it is filled with strikingly vivid and agreeable imagery4 ,there is1 however1 this distinction3 most of the matter here classed as prose is dramatic in form and treatment1 and each composition tells a story--a story with a definite and well-constructed plot1 dealing with real and strongly individualized people1 and mingling humor and pathos with much effectiveness4 ,they bring at once a smile to the face and a tear to the eye4 ,they differ1 too1 from the poetry1 in that they have little or no apparent spiritual significance4 ,they are stories1 beautiful stories1 unlike anything to be found in the literature of any country or any time1 but1 except in the shadowy figure of 8,the ,stranger10 they do not rise above the things of earth4 ,that is not to say1 however1 that they are not spiritual in the intellectual or emotional sense of the word1 as distinguished from the soul relation4 ,at the end of an evening a year and a half after ,patience began her work1 she said3 8,thy hearth is bright4 ,i fain would knit beside its glow and spinn a wordy tale betimes40 ,at the next sitting she began the 8wordy tale40 ,up to that time she had offered nothing in prose form but short didactic pieces1 such as will appear in subsequent chapters of this book1 and the circle was lost in astonishment at the unfolding of this story1 so different in form and spirit from anything she had previously given4 ,her stories are1 as already stated1 dramatic in form4 ,indeed they are condensed dramas4 ,after a brief descriptive introduction or prologue1 all the rest is dialogue1 and the scenes are shifted without explanatory connection1 as in a play4 ,in the story of 8,the ,fool and the ,lady0 which follows1 the fool bids adieu to the porter of the inn1 and in the next line begins a conversation with ,lisa1 whom he meets1 as the context shows1 at some point on the road to the tourney4 ,it is the change from the first to the second act or scene1 but no stage directions came from the board1 no marks of division or change of scene1 nor names of persons speaking1 except as indicated in the context4 ,in reproducing these stories1 no attempt has been made to put them completely in the dramatic form for which they were evidently designed1 the desire being to present them as nearly as possible as they were received2 but to make them clearer to the reader the characters are identified1 and shift of scene or time has been indicated4 ,,the ,,fool ,,and ,,the ,,lady ,and there it lay1 asleep4 ,a mantle1 gray as monk's cloth1 its covering4 ,dim-glowing tapers shine like glowflies down the narrow winding streets4 ,the sounds of early morning creep through the thickened veil of heavy mist1 like echoes of the day afore4 ,the wind is toying with the threading smoke1 and still it clingeth to the chimney pot4 ,there stands1 beyond the darkest shadow1 the ,inn of ,falcon ,feather1 her sides becracked with sounding of the laughter of the king and gentlefolk1 who barter song and story for the price of ale4 ,her windows sleep like heavy-lidded eyes1 and her breath doth reek with wine1 last drunk by a merry party there4 ,the lamp1 now blacked and dead1 could boast to ye of part to many an undoing of the unwary4 ,the roof1 o'er-hanging and bepeaked1 doth 'mind ye of a sleeper in his cap4 ,the mist now rises like a curtain1 and over yonder steeple peeps the sun1 his face washed fresh in the basin of the night4 ,his beams now light the dark beneath the palsied stair1 and rag and straw doth heave to belch forth its baggage for the night4 99 99 99 99 99 7,fool7 8,eh1 gad6 ',tis morn1 ,beppo4 ,come1 up1 ye vermin2 laugh and prove thou art the fool's4 ,an ape and jackass are wearers of the cap and bells4 ,thou wert fashioned with a tail to wear behind1 and ,i to spin a tale to leave but not to wear4 ,for the sayings of the fool are purchased by the wise4 ,my crooked back and pegs are purses--the price to buy my gown2 but better far1 ,beppo1 to hunch and yet to peer into the clouds1 than be as strong as knights are wont to be1 and belly1 like a snake1 amongst the day's bright hours4 8,here1 eat thy crust4 ',tis funny-bread1 the earnings of a fool4 8,i looked at ,lisa as she rode her mount at yesternoon1 and saw her skirt the road with anxious eyes4 ,dost know for whom she sought1 ,beppo8 ,not me1 who1 breathless1 watched behind a flowering bush to hide my ugliness4 ,now laugh1 ,beppo1 and prove thou art the fool's6 8,but 'neath these stripes of color ,i did feel new strength1 and saw me strided on a black beside her there4 ,and1 ,beppo1 knave1 thou didst but rattle at thy chain1 and lo1 the shrinking of my dream6 8,but we do limp quite merrily1 and could we sing our song in truer measure--thou the mimic1 and ,i the fool8 ,thine eyes hold more for me than all the world1 since hers do see me not4 8,we two together shall flatten 'neath the tree in yonder field and ride the clouds1 ,beppo1 ,i promise ye1 at after hour of noon4 8,see6 ,tonio has slid the shutter's bolt6 ,i'll spin a song and bart him for a sup40 99 99 99 99 99 7,tonio7 8,so1 baggage1 thou hast slept aneath the smell thou lovest best60 7,fool7 8,oh1 morrow1 ,tonio4 ,the smell is weak as yester's unsealed wine4 ,my tank doth tickle with the dust of rust1 and yet methinks thou would'st see my slattern stays to rattle like dry bones1 to please thee4 ,see1 ,beppo cryeth6 ,fetch me then a cup that ,i may catch the drops--or1 here1 ,i'll milk the dragon o'er thy door60 7,tonio7 8,thou scrapple6 ,come within4 ',tis he who loveth not the fool who doth hate his ,god40 7,fool7 8,i'm loth to leave my chosen company4 ,come1 ,beppo1 his words are hard1 but we do know his heart4 8,a health to thee1 ,antonio4 ,put in thy wine one taste of thy heart's brew and ,i need not wish ye well4 8,to her1 ,beppo4 ,come1 dip and take a lick4 8,tonio1 hast heard that at a time not set as yet the tournament will be8 ,who think ye rides the ,king's lance and weareth ,lisa's colors8 ,blue1 ,tonio1 and gold1 the heavens' garb--stop1 ,beppo1 thou meddling pest6 ,antonio1 ,i swear those bits of cloth are but patches ,i have pilfered from the ragheap adown the alleyway4 ,i knew not they were blue4 ,and this is but a tassel dropt from off a lance at yester's ride4 ,i knew not of its tinselled glint1 ,i swear6 8,so1 thou dost laugh8 ,ah1 ,beppo1 see1 he laughs6 ,and we too1 eh8 ,but do we laugh the same8 ,come1 jump6 ,thy pulpit is my hump4 ,aday1 ,antonio60 7,antonio7 8,aday1 thou fool1 and would ,i had the wisdom of thy ape40 99 99 99 99 99 7,on the ,road to the ,tournament47 7,lisa7 8,aday1 fool60 7,fool7 8,ah1 lady fair1 hath lost the silver of thy laugh1 and dost thee wish me then to fetch it thee80 7,lisa7 8,yea1 jester4 ,thou speaketh wisely2 for may ,i ripple laughter from a sorry heart8 ,now tease me1 then40 7,fool7 8,a crooked laugh would be thy gift should ,i tease it with a crooked tale2 and1 lady1 didst thee e'er behold a crooked laugh--one which holds within its crook a tear80 7,lisa7 8,oh1 thou art in truth a fool4 ,i'd bend the crook and strike the tear away40 7,fool7 8,aye1 lady1 so thou wouldst4 ,but thou hast ne'er yet found thy lot to bear a crook held staunch within ,his hand6 ,spring rain would be thy tears--a balm to buy fresh beauties4 ,and the fool8 ,ah1 his do dry in dust1 e'en before they fall60 7,lisa7 8,pish1 jester1 thy tears would paint thy face to crooked lines1 and thee wouldst laugh to see the muck4 ,my heart doth truly sorry4 ,hast heard the ,king hath promised me as wages for the joust8 ,and thee dost know who rideth 'gainst my chosen80 7,fool7 8,aye1 lady1 the crones do wag1 and ,i do promise ye they wear their necks becricked to see his palfrey pass4 ,they do tell me that his sumpter-cloth doth trail like a ladies' robe40 7,lisa7 8,yea1 fool1 and pledge me thy heart to tell it not1 ,i did broider at its hem a thrush with mine own tress--a song to cheer his way1 a wing to speed him on40 7,fool7 8,hear1 ,beppo1 how she prates6 ,would ,i were a posey wreath and ,beppo here a fashioner of song4 ,we then would lend us to thy hand to offer as a token4 ,but thou dost know a fool and ape are ever but a fool and ape4 ,i'm off to chase thy truant laugh4 ,who cometh there8 ,the dust doth rise like storm-cloud along the road ahead1 and 'tis shot with glinting4 ,oh1 ,i see the mantling flush of morning put to shame by the flushing of thy cheek6 ,see1 he doth ride with helmet ope4 ,its golden bars do clatter at the jolt1 and--but stop1 ,beppo1 she heareth not6 ,we1 poor beggars1 thee and me--an ape with a tail and a fool with a heart6 8,see1 ,beppo1 ,i did tear a rose to tatters but to fling its petals 'neath her feet4 ,they tell me that his lance doth bear a ribband blue and a curling lock of gold--and yet he treads the earth6 ,let's then away6 ,the world may sorrow ,but the fool must laugh4 ',tis blessed grain ,that hath no chaff4 ,to love an ape ,is but to ape at love4 ,i sought a hand1 ,and found--a glove6 8,beppo1 laugh1 and prove thyself the fool's6 ,i fain would feel the yoke1 lest ,i step too high4 8,come1 we'll seek the shelt'ring tree4 ,i've in my kit a bit of curd4 ,thy conscience need not prick4 ,i swear that ,tonio1 the rogue1 did see me stow it there6 8,ah1 me1 'tis such a home for fools1 the earth4 ,and they that are not fools are apes4 8,i see the crowd bestringing 'long the road1 and yonder clarion doth bid the riders come4 ,well1 ,beppo1 do we ride8 ,come1 chere1 we may tramp our crooked path and ride astraddle of a cloud4 8,she doth love him1 then2 and even now the horn doth sound anew--and she the prize6 8,i call the ,god above to see the joke that fate hath played2 for ,i do swear1 ,beppo1 that when he rides he carries on his lance-point this heart4 8,i fret me here1 but dare ,i see the play8 ,yea1 'tis a poor fool that loveth not his jest4 8,i go1 ,beppo2 ,i know not why1 save ,i do love her so4 8,i'll bear my hunch like a badge of ,his colors and ,i shall laugh1 ,beppo1 shall laugh at losing4 ,he loves me well1 else why didst send me thee8 8,the way seems over long4 8,they parry at the ring6 ,i see her veil to float like cloud upon the breeze4 8,she sees me not4 ,i wonder that she heareth not the thumping of my heart4 ,my eyes do mist4 ,beppo1 look thou6 ,ah1 ,god1 to see within her eyes the look of thine6 8,they rank6 ,and hell would cool my brow1 ,i swear4 ,beppo1 as thou lovest me1 press sorely on my hump6 ,her face1 ,beppo1 it swayeth everywhere1 as a garden thick with bloom--a lily1 white and glistening with a rain of tears4 ,my heart hath torn asunder1 that ,i know4 8,the red knight now doth cast6 ,o ,heaven turn his lance6 8',tis put6 8,and now the blue and gold6 ,wait1 brother ape6 ,hold1 in the name of ,god6 ,straight6 ',tis tie6 ,can ,i but stand8 8,i--ah1 lady1 he doth ride full well4 ,may ,i but steady thee8 ,my legs are wobbled but--my hand1 dear lady1 lest ye sink4 70,beppo1 'tis true she seeth me67 8,thy hand is cold4 ,i wager you he wins4 ,he puts a right too high4 ,thy thrush is singing2 hear ye not his song8 ,his wing doth flutter even now4 ,ah1 he is fitting thee---- 8,i do but laugh to feel the tickle of a feathering jest4 ,an age before he puts6 ,a miss6 ,a tie6 ,ah1 lady1 should'st thee win ,i'll laugh anew and even then will laugh at what thee knowest not4 8,the red knight6 ,god weight his charger's hoof6 7,my ,god1 ,beppo1 she did kiss my hand67 8,he's off6 ,beppo1 cling60 7,lisa7 8,the fool6 ,look ye1 the fool and ape6 ,oh heaven stop their flight6 ,he's well upon them6 ,blind me1 lest ,i die6 ,he's charged anew1 but missed6 ,what1 did his mantle fall8 ,that shape that lieth6 ,come60 7,lisa1 to her knight7 8,so1 thou1 beloved1 didst win me right6 ,where go they with the litter80 7,knight7 8,the fool1 my lady1 and a chattering ape1 did tempt to jest a charger in the field4 ,we found them so4 ,he lives but barely40 7,enter ,fool upon litter47 7,fool7 8,aday1 my lady fair6 ,and hast thee lost the silver of thy laugh and bid me fetch it thee8 ,the world doth hold but fools and lovers1 folly sick40 7,lisa7 8,his eye grows misty4 ,fool1 ,i know thee as a knave and love thee as a man40 7,fool7 8',tis but a patch1 ,beppo1 a patch and tassel from a lance 444 but we did ride1 eh8 ,laugh1 ,beppo1 and prove thou art the fool's6 ,i laugh anew1 lest my friends should know me not4 ,beppo1 ,i dream of new roads1 but thou art there6 ,and ,i do faint1 but she 444 did kiss my hand4444 ,aday 444 ,l--a--d--y40 99 99 99 99 99 ,very soon after the completion of this story ,patience began another one1 a ,christmas story1 a weird1 mystical tale of medieval ,england1 having for its central theme a 8,stranger0 who is visible only to ,lady ,marye of the ,castle4 ,the stranger is not described1 nor does he speak a word1 but he is presumedly the ,christ4 ,there are descriptions of the preparations for the ,christmas feast at this lordly stronghold of baronial days1 and the coarse wit of the castle servants and the drunken profanity of their master1 8,john the ,peaceful10 form a vivid contrast to the ethereal ,lady ,marye and the simple love of the herder's family at the foot of the hill4 ,there are striking characters and many beautiful lines in this story1 but it is not as closely woven nor as coherent in plot as the story of the fool and the lady4 ,,the ,,stranger ',twas at white season o' the year1 the shrouding o' spring and summerstide4 ,steep1 rugged1 was the path1 and running higher on ahead to turret-topped and gated castle o' the lordly state o' ,john the ,peaceful1 where ,lady ,marye whiled away the dragging day at fingering the regal4#b ,footnote #b3 ,regal4 ,a small portable pipe organ used in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries4 ,it was played with one hand while the bellows was worked with the other4 ,from sheltered niche she looked adown the hillside stretching 'neath4 ,the valley was bestir4 ,a shepherd chided with gentle word his flock1 and gentle folk did speak o' coming ,christ-time4 ,timon1 the herder's hut1 already hung with bitter sweets1 and holly and fir boughs set to spice the air4 99 99 99 99 99 8,timon1 man1 look ye to the wee lambs well1 for winter promiseth a searching night40 ,thus spake ,leta1 who stands1 her babe astride her hip4 8,and come ye then within4 ,i have a brew that of a truth shall tickle at thy funny bone4 ,bring then a bundle o' brush weed that we may ply the fire4 ,i vow me thy boots are snow carts1 verily6 8,hast seen the castle folk8 ,and fetched ye them the kids8 ,they breathe it here that the boar they roast would shame a heiffer4 ,all of the sparing hours today our ,leta did sniff her up the hill2 nay1 since the dawning she hath spread her smock and smirked4 8,leta1 thou art such a joy6 ,thou canst wish the winter-painted bough to bloom1 and like the plum flowers falls the snow4 ,fetch thee a bowl and put the bench to table-side4 ,thy sire wouldst sup4 ,go now and watch aside the crib4 ,perchance thee'lt catch a glimpse o' heaven spilled from ,tina's dream4 8,timon1 man1 tell me now the doings o' the day4 ,i do ettle#c for a spicey tale40 ,footnote #c3 ,ettle4 ,in this case1 to have a strong desire4 7,timon7 8,well1 be it so then1 minx4 ,i did fell the kids at sun-wake1 and thee'lt find the skins aneath the cape ,i cast in yonder corner there4 ,and ,i did catch a peep aslaunch#d at mad ,lady ,marye1 who did play the pipes most mournfully4 ,they tell me she doth look a straining to this cot of ours4 ,and what think ye1 ,leta8 ,she doth only smile when she doth see our wee one's curls to glint4 ,and ever she doth speak of him who none hath seen4 ',tis strange1 think ye not80 ,footnote #d3 ,aslaunch4 ,aslant or obliquely4 ,as we would now say1 8,out of the corner of the eye40 7,leta7 8,nay1 ,timon1 ,i full oft do pause and peer on high to see her at the summertide4 ,like a swan she bendeth1 all white1 amid her garden 'long the lake1 and even 'tempts to come adown the path to us below4 ,and ever at her heels the pea-fowl struts4 8,she ne'er doth see my beckoning1 but do ,i come with ,tina at my breast she doth smile and wave and sway her arms a-cradle-wise4 8,they tell1 but breathlessly1 that she doth sadly say the ,stranger bideth here40 7,timon7 8,i'll pit my patch 'gainst purse o' gold1 that #8,mad ,marye' fitteth her as surely as #8,peaceful ,john' doth fit her sire4 ,thee knowest 'peace' to him is of his cutting1 and 'piece' doth patch his ripping4 8,they've bid a feast at ,christ-night1 and ye shouldst see the stir6 ,i fain would see ,sir ,john at good dark on that eve1 besmeared with boar grease and soaked with ale1 his mouth adrip with filth1 and every peasant there who serves his bolts shall hit4 ,and ,lady ,marye setteth like a lily under frost6 8,leta1 little one1 thine eyes do blink like stars beshadowed in a cloudy veil4 ,come1 bend thy knee and slip away to dream60 7,little ,leta prays7 8,vast blue above1 wherein the angels hide2 and moon1 his lamp o' love2 and cloud fleece white--art thou the wool to swaddle ,him8 ,and doth ,his mother bide upon a star-beam that leadeth her to thee8 ,i bless ,thy name and pray ,thee keep my sire to watch full well his flock4 ,and put a song in every coming day2 my ,tina's coo1 and mother's song at eve4 ,goodnight1 sweet night6 ,i know ,he watcheth thee and me40 7,timon7 8,he heareth thee1 my ,leta4 ,watch ye the star on high4 ,see ye1 it winketh knowingly4 ,god rest ye1 blest40 7,at the ,castle47 7,lady ,marye7 8,and ,i the ,lady ,marye1 o' the lord's estate6 ,jana1 fetch me a goblet that ,i drink40 7,jana7 8,aye1 lady4 ,a wine1 perchance80 7,lady ,marye7 8,nay1 for yester thou didst fetch me wine1 and ,i did cast it here upon the flags4 ,its stain thee still canst see4 ,shouldst thou fetch a goblet filled to brim with crystal drops1 and ,i should cast it here1 the greedy stone would sup it up1 and where be then the stain8 ,think ye the stone then the wiser o' the two8 8,i but loosed my fancy from its tether to gambol at its will1 and they do credit me amiss4 ,i weave not with strand upon a wheel4 ',tis not my station4 ,nay1 ,i dally through the day with shuttle-cock and regal--a fitting play for yonder babe4 8,jana1 peer ye to the valley there4 ,doth see the ,stranger8 ,he knocketh at the sill o' yonder cot4 8,i saw him when the cotter locked the sheep to tap a straying ewe who lagged1 and he did enter as the cotter stepped within--unbidden1 ,jana1 that ,i swear--and now he knocketh there60 7,jana7 8,nay1 lady1 'tis but a barish limb that reacheth o'er the door4 ,the cotter heedeth not1 ye see40 7,lady ,marye7 8,i do see him now to enter1 and never did he turn6 ,jana1 look ye now6 ,doth still befriend a doubt80 7,jana7 8,come1 lady1 look6 ,sirrah ,john hath sent ye this1 a posey1 wrought o' gold and scented with sweet oils40 7,lady ,marye7 8,ah1 ,jana1 'tis a hateful sight to me--a posey ,i may keep6 ,why1 the losing o' the blossom doth but make it dear6 8,stay6 ,i know thee'lt say 'twas proffered with his love4 ,but1 ,jana1 thou hast much to learn4 ,what1 then1 is love8 ,can ,i then sort my tinder for its building and ply the glass to start its flame8 ,the day is o'er full now of ones who tried the trade4 ,nay1 ,jana1 only when ,he toucheth thee and bids thee come and putteth to thy hand ,his own doth love abide with thee4 8,come to the turret1 then4 ,i do find me whetted for a look within4 8,how cool the eve6 ',tis creepy to the marrow4 ,look ye down the hillside there below4 ,see ye the cotter's taper burning there8 ,how white the night6 ',tis put upon the earth a mantling shroud1 and sailing in the silver sky a fairy boat4 ,perchance it bringeth us the ,babe4 8,jana1 see'st thou the ,stranger8 ,he now doth count the sheep4 ,dare ,i trust him there8 ,i see him fondling a lamb and he doth hold it close unto his breast40 7,jana7 8,nay1 lady1 'tis the shepherd's dog who skulketh now ahind the shelter wall40 7,lady ,marye7 8,ah1 give me1 spite o' this1 the power to sing like ,thine own bird who swayeth happily upon the forest bough and pours abroad his song where no man heareth him4 8,hear ye them below within the hall8 ,they do lap at swine-broth4 ,their cups do clank4 ,at morrow's eve they feast and now do need to stretch their paunches4 ,full often have ,i seen my ladye mother's white robe stained crimson for a jest1 and oftener have ,i been gagged to swallow it4 ,but1 ,jana1 ,i do laugh1 for the greatest jest is he who walloweth in slime and thinketh him a fish40 7,jana7 8,see1 ,lady ,marye6 ,this1 thy mother's oaken chest1 it still doth bear a scent o' her4 ,and this1 thy gown o' her own fashioning40 7,lady ,marye7 8,yea1 ,jana1 and this o' her1 a strand wound to a ball for mine own casting4 ,and this6 ,i tell thee1 'tis oft and oft she did press me to her own breast and chide me with her singing voice3 #8,my ,marye1 'tis a game o' buff1 this living o' these days o' ours o' seeking happiness4 ,when ye would catch the rogue he flitteth on4' 8,see1 these spots o' yellowed tears--the rusting of her heart away6 ,stay1 ,jana1 ,i'll teach thee a trick o' tripping1 for she full oft did say a heart could hide aneath a tripping4 8,thee shouldst curtsey so2 and spread thy fan4 ',tis such a shield to hide ahind4 ,then shouldst thy heart to flutter1 trip out its measure1 so4 ,see1 ,i do laugh me now--nay1 'tis ne'er a tear1 ,jana1 'tis the mist o' loving6 ,doth see the moon hath joined the dance8 ,or1 am ,i swooning8 ',tis fancy4 ,see1 the cotter's taper still doth flicker from the shutter4 ,what's then amiss8 ,the stranger1 ,jana6 ,see6 ,he entereth the shelter place6 ,come1 ,i fear me lest ,i see too much8 ,lend me thy hand4 ,i've played the jane-o-apes till the earth doth seem awry4 8,hear ye the wine-soaked song1 and aye1 the feed-drunkened8 ,my sire1 ,jana1 my sire6 ,i do grow hateful of myself1 but mark ye1 at the setting o' the feast ,i do wage him war at words6 ,a porridge pot doth brew for babes2 ,i promise ye a full loaf4 ,do drop the curtain now1 ,i weary me with reasoning40 7,morning at the ,castle ,gate47 7,tito7 8,aho1 within6 ,thine eyes begummed and this the ,christ-eve and mornin' come8 ,scatter6 ,petro1 stand ahand6 ,i do fetch ye sucklings agagged with apples red4 ,ye gad1 my mouth doth slime6 ,to whiff a hungerfull would make the sages wag40 7,petro7 8,amorrow1 ,tito4 ,thee'lt wear thee white as our own ,lady long afore ye e'en canst dip thy finger in the drip40 7,tito7 8,pst6 ,petro1 ,i did steal the brain and tung4 ,canst leave me have a peep now to the hall8 ,jesu6 ,what a breeder o' sore bellies4 ,i'd pay my price to heaven to rub ,sir ,john a briskish rub with mullien o'er the back4 8,they do tell me down below that trouble bideth ,timon4 ,his ,tina layeth dull and ,leta doth little but mumble prayer40 7,petro7 8,tito1 thee art a chanter of sad lays at this ,christ-time4 ,go thou to the turret and play ye at the pipes4 ,put thee the sucklings to the kitchen1 aside the fire dogs there4 ,and ,tito1 thee'lt find a pudding pan ahind the brushbox4 ,go thee and lick it there60 7,to ,sir ,john7 8,aye1 ,i do come1 my lord4 ',tis but the sucklers come4 ,i know not where in the castle she doth bide1 but hark ye and ye'll surely hear the pipes40 7,sir ,john7 8,bah6 ,damn the drivelling pipes6 ,i do hear them late and early4 ',tis a fine bird for a lordly nest6 ,go1 fetch her here6 ,but no1 ,i'd tweak her at a vaster sitting4 ,get thee1 thou grunting swine6 ,and take this as thy ,christ-gift4 ,i'd deal thee thrice the measure wert not to save these lordly legs4 ,here1 fetch me a courser4 ,i'd ride me to the hounds4 ,and strip him of his foot cloth1 that ,i do waste me not a blow4 ,dost like the smart8 ,or shall ,i ply it more8 ,thee'lt dance to tune1 or damn ye1 run from cuts6 8,ho1 ,timon1 how goes it with the brat8 ,the world's o'erfull o' cattle now60 7,timon7 8,yea1 sire1 so did my ,leta say when she did see thee come4 ',tis with our ,tina as a bird behovered in the day4 ,aday1 and ,god forgive thee40 7,in ,lady ,marye's ,chamber47 7,lady ,marye7 8,jana1 morn hath come4 ',tis ,christ-tide and ,he not here6 ,my limbs do fail1 and how do ,i then to stand me thro' the day8 ,the feast1 the feast1 yea1 the feast6 ,the day doth break thro' fog in truth6 8,my mother's bridal robe6 ,go1 ,jana1 fetch it me1 and one small holly bough4 ,lend me a hand4 ,i fain would see the cot4 8,see thou6 ,the sun doth love it1 too1 and chooseth him to rise him o'er its roof6 ,hath thee seen the herder yet to buckle loose the shelter place8 ,and1 ,jana1 did all seem well to thee8 ,nay1 the ,stranger1 ,jana6 ,see1 he still doth hold the lamb6 #8,my ,marye1 'tis a game o' buff1 this living o' these days o' ours4' ,in truth1 'tis put4 8,jana1 ,i did dream me like a babe the night hours through2 a dream so sweet1 o' vast blue above wherein the angels hid1 and ,i did see the ,christ-child swaddled in a cloud2 and ,mary1 maid of sorrows1 led to him adown a silver beam4 8,then thee dost deem my fitful fancy did but play me false8 ,stay thou1 my tears1 and1 heart o' me1 who knoweth ,he doth watch o'er thee and me8 8,her robe6 ,ah1 ,fancy1 'tis thy right that thou art ever doubted4 ,for thou art a conjurer1 a trickster1 verily4 ,what chamming#e joy didst thee then offer her8 ,footnote #e3 ,obsolete form of 8champing40 ,used here figuratively4 8,thou cloud of billowed lace1 a shield befitting her pure heart6 ,and ,i the flowering of the bud6 ,hear me1 all this o' her6 ,i love thee well1 and should the day but offer a bitter draft to quaff1 'tis but to whet me for a sweeter drink4 ,and mother1 heart o' me1 hearken and do believe4 ,i love my sire1 ,sir ,john4 8,come1 ,jana4 ,hear ye the carolers8 ,their song doth filter thro' my heart and lighten it4 ,the snow doth tweak aneath their feet like pipes to 'company them4 ,cast ye a bit o' holly and a mistletoe4 8,the feasters come to whet them with a pudding whiff4 ,see1 my sire doth ride him up the hill and o'er his saddle front a fallow deer4 ,hear thee the cheering that he comes6 ,her loved1 my ,jana1 and her heart doth beat through me6 8,christ-love to thee1 my sire6 ,dost hear me here8 ,and ,i do pledge it thee upon ,his precious drops caught by the holly tree4 ,he seeth not1 but she doth know60 7,christmas ,eve47 7,jana7 8,my lady1 who doth come a knocking at the door8 ',tis ,petro1 come to bid ye to the feast40 7,petro7 8,the candles are long since lit and ,sirrah ,john hath wearyed him with jest4 ,the feasting hath not yet begun1 for he doth wait thee to drink a health to feasters in the hall40 7,lady ,marye7 8,yea1 ,petro1 say unto my sire1 the ,lady ,marye comes4 ,and say ye more1 she bids the feasters ,god-love4 ,and say thee more1 she doth bear the blessings of her ,lady ,mother who wisheth ,god's love to them all4 ,and fetch ye candle trees to scores1 and fetch the dulcimer and one who knocketh on its strings1 and let him patter forth a lively tune1 for ,lady ,marye comes4 8,jana1 look ye once again to the valley there4 ,the tapers burn not for ,christ-night4 ,nay1 a sickly gleam1 and see1 the ,stranger1 how he doth hold the lamb6 ,and o'er his face a smile--or do my eyes beblur1 and doth he weep80 7,jana7 8,nay1 lady1 all is dark4 ',tis but the whitish snow and shadow pitted by the tapers' light40 7,lady ,marye7 8,fetch me then my fan4 ,i go to meet my ,lord4 ,doth hear8 ,already they do play4 ,i point me thus1 and trip my heart's full measure40 7,in the ,hall47 7,sir ,john7 8,so1 lily-lip1 thee'lt scratch6 ,thy silky paw hath claws1 eh8 ,egad6 ,a phantom6 ,a ghoulish trick6 ,my head doth split and where my tung8 ,get ye6 ,why sit like grinning asses6 ,and where thy tungs8 ,my ,god6 ,what scent o' graves she beareth with that shroud60 7,lady ,marye7 8,god cheer1 my lord1 and doth my tripping suit thee well8 ,these flags are but my heart and hers1 and do ,i bruise them well for thee8 ,ah1 aha6 ,see1 ,i do spread my fan4 ,to shield my tears1 ye think8 ,nay1 were they to fall like ,mayday's rain and thee wert buried 'neath a stone1 as well then could'st thou see6 ,and yet ,i love thee well4 ,see thee1 my sire1 ,i pour this to thee6 8,look ye1 good people at the feast2 the boar is ready to slip its bones4 7,aside7 8,god1 send ,thy mantling love here to ,thine own6 ,for should ,i judge1 when ,thou ,i know dost love the saint and sinner as ,thine own8 8,to thee1 my sire1 to thee60 99 99 99 99 99 ,and gusted wind did flick the tapers out and they did hear her murmuring 8,the ,stranger6 ,he doth bid me come60 ,and to this day they tell that ,lady ,marye cast the wine into a suckler's mouth and never did she drink6 8,by all the saints6 ,do thee go and search60 ,thus spake her sire1 ,sir ,john4 ,and all the long night thro' the torches gleamed1 but all in vain4 ,and they do say that ,sirrah ,john did shake him in a chilling and flee him to a friar1 while still the search did last4 7,in ,timon's ,cot47 7,leta7 8,timon1 waken ye6 ,our ,leta still doth court her dreams and ,i do weary me4 ,the long night thro' the feasters cried them thro' the hills and none but ,him could shield our ,tina from their din4 8,take heart1 my lad1 ,i fear me yet to look within the crib4 ,hold thou my hand1 man4 ,nay1 not yet6 ,come1 waken ,leta that she then do feed thy lambs40 7,timon7 8,come1 ,leta1 wake6 ,the sun hath tipped the crown o' yonder hill and spread a blush adown her snow-white side40 7,leta7 8,yea1 sire4 ,and ,tina1 how be she80 7,timon7 8,a fairy1 sleeping1 ,tad40 7,leta7 8,ah1 sire1 but ,i did dream the dark o' yesterday away4 ,and1 mother1 she doth strain unto the sun6 ,i see her eyes be-glistened4 ,see1 the frost-cart dumped beside our door1 and look ye6 he1 the ,frost man1 put a cap upon the chimney pot4 ,i'll fetch a brush and fan away his cloak4 ,my ,christ-gift1 it would be my ,tina's smile4 ,she did know me not at late o' night2 think ye it were the dark8 ,stay1 sire6 ,i'll cast the straw and put the sheep aright60 7,exit47 99 99 99 99 99 7,timon7 8,my ,leta1 come6 ,thy ,christ-gift bideth o'er our ,tina's lips and she doth coo60 7,leta7 8,timon1 call aloud1 that she heareth thee4 ,leta6 ,leta6 ,little one6 ,dost hear thy sire to call8 ,why1 what's amiss with thee8 ,thy staring eyes1 my child6 ,speak thou60 7,leta7 8,sh-e-e-e6 ,sire1 ,his mother's come6 ,and1 ah1 my heart6 ,all white she be an' crushed unto her breast a holly bough1 and one white arm doth circle o'er a lamb6 ,see1 sire1 the snow did drift it thro' and weave a fairy robe to cover her40 7,timon7 8,who leaveth by the door2 a stranger80 7,leta7 8,nay1 ,he bideth here40 7,timon7 8,the ,lady ,marye1 on my soul6 ,leta1 drop ye here thy tears1 for madness bideth loosed upon the earth6 ,and shouldst----0 7,leta7 8,nay1 sire6 ,who cometh there80 99 99 99 99 99 ,and searchers there did find the ,lady ,marye1 dead1 amid the lambs and snow--a flowering o' the rose upon a bush o' thorn4 ,and hark ye6 ,at the time when winter's blast doth sound1 thee'lt hear the wailing o' the ,lady ,marye's pipes1 and know the ,stranger bideth o'er the earth4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,the two dramatic stories presented here were but a paving of the way for larger work4 8,the ,stranger0 had been hardly completed when ,patience announced1 8,thee'lt sorry at the task ,i set thee next40 ,and then she began the construction of a drama that in its delivery consumed the time of the sittings for several weeks1 and it contained when finished some #bj1jjj words4 ,it is divided into six acts1 each with a descriptive prologue1 and three of the acts have two scenes each1 making nine scenes in all4 ,it1 like the two shorter sketches1 is medieval in scene1 and the pictures which it presents of the customs and costumes and manners of the thirteenth or fourteenth century 7the period is not definitely indicated7 are amazingly vivid4 ,it has a somewhat intricate plot1 which is carried forward rapidly and its strands skillfully interwoven until the nature of the fabric is revealed in the sixth act4 ,this play is much more skillfully constructed in respect of stage technique than the two playlets that preceded it1 and it could1 no doubt1 be produced upon the stage with perhaps a little alteration to adapt it to modern conditions4 ,some idea of its beauty1 its sprightliness and its humor may be obtained from the prologue to the first act1 which follows3 ,wet earth1 fresh trod4 ,highway cut to wrinkles with cart wheels born in with o'erloading4 ,a flank o' daisy flowers and stones rolled o'er in blanketing o' moss4 ,brown o' young oak-leaves shows soft amid the green4 ,adown a steep unto the vale1 hedged in by flowering fruit and threaded through with streaming silver o' the brook1 where rushes shiver like to swishing o' a lady's silk4 ,moss-lipped log doth case the spring who mothereth the brook1 and ivy hath climbed it o'er the trunk and leafless branch o' yonder birch1 till she doth stand bedecked as for a folly dance4 ,rat-a-tat6 ,rat-a-tat6 ,rat-a-tat6 ,sh-h-h-h6 ,from out the thick where hides the logged and mud-smeared shack4 ,rat-a-tat6 ,rat-a-tat6 ,sh-h-h-h6 ,and hark ye1 to the tanner's song6 ,up1 up1 up6 and down1 down1 down6 ,a hammer to smite ,and a hand to pound6 ,a maid to court1 ,and a swain to woo1 ,a heiffer felled ,and ,i build a shoe6 ,a souse anew in yonder vat1 ,and ,i'll buy my lady ,a feathered hat6 ,the play then begins with the tanner and his apprentice1 and the action soon leads to the royal castle1 where the exquisite love story is developed1 without a love scene4 ,there is no tragedy in the story4 ,it is all sentiment1 and humor4 ,and it is filled with poetry4 ,consider1 for example1 this description of ,easter morn1 from the prologue to the sixth act3 ,the earth did wake with boughs aburst4 ,a deadened apple twig doth blush at casting ,winter's furry coat1 to find her naked blooms abath in sun4 ,the feathered hosts1 atuned1 do carol1 8,he hath risen60 ,e'en the crow with envy trieth melody and soundeth as a brass2 and listening1 loveth much his song4 ,young grasses send sweet-scented damp through the hours of risen day4 ,the bell1 atoll1 doth bid the village hence4 ,e'en path atraced through velvet fields hath flowered with fringing bloom and jeweled drops1 atempting tarriers4 ,the sweet o' sleep doth grace each venturing face4 ,the kine stand knee depth within the silly-tittered brook1 or deep in bog awallow4 ,soft breath ascent and lazy-eyed1 they wait them for the stripping-maid4 ,the play is permeated with rich humor1 and to illustrate this ,i give a bit of the dialogue between ,dougal1 the page1 and ,anne1 the castle cook4 ,to appreciate it one must know a little of the story4 ,the hand of the ,princess ,ermaline is sought by ,prince ,charlie1 a doddering old rake1 whom she detests1 but whom for reasons of state she may be compelled to accept4 ,however1 she vows she will not speak while he is at court1 nor does she utter a word1 in the play1 until the end of the last act4 ,she has fallen in love with a troubadour1 who has come from no one knows where1 but who by his grace and his wit and his intelligence has made himself a favorite with all the castle folk4 ,anne has a roast on the spit1 and is scouring a pot with sand and rushes1 when ,dougal enters the kitchen4 ,dougal4--8,anne1 goody girl1 leave me but suck a bone4 ,my sides have withered and fallen in1 in truth40 ,anne4--8,get ye1 ,dougal6 ,thy footprints do show them in grease like to the ,queen's seal upon my floor60 ,dougal4--8,the princess hath bidden me to stay within her call1 but she doth drouse1 adrunk on love-lilt o' the troubadour1 and ,prince of ,fools 7,prince ,charlie7 hath gone long since to beauty sleep4 ,he tied unto his poster a posey wreath1 and brushed in scented oils his beauteous locks1 and sung a lay to ,ermaline1 and kissed a scullery wench afore he slept40 ,anne4--8,the dog6 ,i'd love a punch to shatter him6 ,and ,ermaline hath vowed to lock her lips and pass as mute until his going40 ,dougal4--8,yea1 but eye may speak1 for hers do flash like lightning1 and though small1 her foot doth fall most weighty to command4 8,yester1 the ,prince did seek her in the throne room4 ,he'd tied his kerchief to a sack and filled it full o' blue-bells1 and minced him 'long the halls astrewing blossoms and singing like to a frozen pump4 8,within the chamber1 ,ermaline did hide her face in dreading to behold him come1 but at the door he spied the dear and bounded like a puppy 'cross the flags1 apelting her with blooms and sputtering 'mid tee-hees4 ,she1 tho'1 did spy him first1 and measured her his sight and sudden slipped her 'neath the table shroud4 ,and he1 ,anne1 ,i swear1 sprawled him in his glee and rose to find her gone4 ,and whacked my shin1 the ass1 acause ,i heaved at shoulders40 ,anne4--8,ah1 ,dougal1 'tis a weary time1 in truth4 ,thee hadst best to put it back1 to court thy mistress' whim4 ,good sleep1 ye6 ,and ,dougal1 ,i have a loving for the troubadour4 ,whence cometh he80 ,dougal4--8,put thy heart to rest1 good ,anne2 he's but a piper who doth knock the taber's end and coaxeth trembling strings by which to sing4 ,he came him out o' nothing1 like to the night or day4 ,we waked to hear him singing 'neath the wall40 ,anne4--8,aye1 but ,i do wag6 ,for surely thee doth see how ,ermaline doth court his song40 ,dougal4--8,nay1 ,anne1 'tis but to fill an empty day40 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,when ,patience had finished this she preened herself a little4 8,did ,i not then spin a lengthy tale80 she asked4 ,but immediately she began work upon another1 a story of such length that it alone will make a book4 ,it differs in many respects from her other works1 particularly in the language1 and from a literary standpoint is altogether the most amazing of her compositions4 ,this1 too1 is dramatic in form1 but scene often merges into scene without division1 and it has more of the characteristics of the modern story4 ,it is1 however1 medieval1 but it is a tale of the fields1 primarily1 the heroine1 ,telka1 being a farm lass1 and the hero a field hand4 ,perhaps this is why the obscure dialectal forms of rural ,england of a time long gone by are woven into it4 ,in this ,patience makes an astonishingly free use of the prefix 8a10 in place of a number of prefixes1 such as 8be0 and 8with10 now commonly used1 and she attaches it to nouns and verbs and adjectives with such frequency as to make this usage a prominent feature of the diction4 ,let me introduce ,telka in the words of ,patience3 8,dewdamp soggeth grasses laid low aneath the blade at yester's harvest1 and thistle-bloom weareth at its crown a jewelled spray4 8,brown thrush1 nested 'neath the thick o' yonder shrub1 hath preened her wings full long aneath the tender warmth o' morning sun4 8,afield the grasses glint1 and breeze doth seeming set aflow the current o' a green-waved stream4 8,soft-footed strideth ,telka1 bare toes asink in soft earth and bits o' green acling1 bedamped1 unto her snowy limbs4 ,smocked brown and aproned blue1 she seemeth but a bit o' earth and sky alight amid the field4 ,asplit at throat1 the smock doth show a busom like to a sheen o' fleecy cloud aveiling o'er the sun's first flush4 8,betanned the cheek1 and tresses bleached by sun at every twist of curl4 ,strong hands do clasp a branch long dead and dried1 at end bepronged1 and casteth fresh-cut blades to heap40 ,such is ,telka in appearance4 8,she seemeth but a bit o' earth and sky alight amid the field40 ,seemeth1 yes1 but there is none of the sky in ,telka4 ,she is of the earth1 earthy1 an intensely practical young woman1 industrious1 economical1 but with no sense of beauty whatever1 no imagination1 no thought above the level of the ground4 8,i fashioned jugs o' clay10 her father complained1 8and filled with bloom1 and she becracked their necks and kept the swill therein40 ,add to this a hot temper and a sharp tongue1 and the character of ,telka is revealed4 ,franco1 the lover1 on the other hand1 is an artist and poet1 although a field worker4 ,he has been reared1 as a foundling1 by the friars in the neighboring monastery1 and they have taught him something of the arts of mosaics and the illumination of missals4 ,between these two is a constant conflict of the material and the spiritual1 and the theme of the story is the spiritual regeneration or development of ,telka4 8,see10 says ,franco1 8,yonder way-rose hath a bloom6 ,she be a thrifty wench and hath saved it from the spring40 ,telka4--8,i hate the thorned thing4 ,its barb hath pricked my flesh and full many a rent doth show it in my smock40 ,franco4--8,ah1 ,telka1 thine eyes do look like yonder blue and shimmer like to brooklet's breast40 ,telka4--8,the brooklet be bestoned1 and muddied by the swine4 ,thy tung doth trip o'er pretty words40 ,franco4--8,but list1 ,telka1 ,i would have thee drink from out my cup60 ,telka4--8,ah1 show me then the cup40 ,and ,telka's father1 a wise old man1 cautions ,franco3 8,thee hadst best to take a warning1 ,franco4 ,she be o' the field and rooted there2 and thee o' the field1 but reaped1 and bound to free thee of the chaff by flailing of the world4 ,she then would be to thee but straw and waste to cast awhither40 ,but an understanding of the nature of this strange tale and its peculiar dialect requires a longer extract4 ,the 8,story of the ,judge ,bush0 will serve1 better perhaps than anything else1 to convey an idea of the characters of ,telka and ,franco1 as well as to illustrate the language2 and the episode is interesting in itself4 ,the dialogue opens with ,telka1 ,franco and ,marion on their way to ,telka's hut4 ,marion is ,telka's dearest friend1 although one gets a contrary impression from ,telka's caustic remarks in this excerpt2 but unlike ,telka1 she can understand and appreciate the poetic temperament of ,franco4 ,to show her contempt for ,franco's aspirations1 ,telka has taken his color pots and buried them in a dung-heap1 and this characteristic act is the foundation of the 8,story of the ,judge ,bush40 7,franco7 8,come1 we do put us to a-dry4 ',tis sky aweep1 and 'tis a gray day from now4 ,i tell thee1 ,telka1 we then put us to hearth1 and spin ye shall4 ,and thou1 ,marion1 shalt bake an ash loaf and put o' apples for to burst afore the fire4 ',tis chill1 the whine-wind o' the storm4 ,we then shall spin a tale by turn2 and ,telka1 lass1 ,i plucked a sweet bloom for thee to wear4 ,thine eye hath softened1 eh1 my lass8 ,here1 set thy nose herein and thou canst ne'er to think a tho't besoured40 7,telka7 8,ah1 'tis a wise lad ,i wed1 who spendeth o' his stacking hours to pluck weed1 and thee wouldst have me sniff the dung-dust from their leaf4 ,do cast them whither1 and 'pon thy smock do wipe thy hand4 ,it be my fancy for to waste the gray hours aside the fire's glow1--but1 ,franco1 see ye1 the wee pigs asqueal6 ',tis nay liking the wet4 ,do fetch them hence4 ,here1 ,marion1 cast my cape about thee1 since thou dost wear thy pettiskirt and ,sabboth smock4 ,gad6 ,blue maketh thee to match a plucked goose4 ,thy skin already hath seamed1 ,i vow4 ,and1 ,marion1 'tis 'deed a flash to me thy tress be red6 ,should ,i to bear a red top ,i'd cast it whither40 7,franco7 8,telka1 ,telka1 drat thy barbed tung6 ,cast thou the bolt4 ,gad6 ,what a scent o' browning joint60 7,telka7 8,do leave me for to turn the spit that ,i may lick the finger-drip4 ,thy nose1 ,franco1 doth trick thee4 ,thou canst sniff o' dung-dust and scoff at drip4 ,go1 roll the apples o'er in yonder pile4 ,they then would suit thee well60 7,franco7 8,telka1 ,i bid thee to wash away such tunging4 ,here1 ,i set them so4 ,now do ,i to fetch thy wheel4 ,nay1 ,marion1 do cast thy blush4 ',tis but the ,telka witch4 ,do thou to start thee at thy tale aspin40 7,telka7 8,aye1 ,marion1 thou then1 since ne'er truth knoweth thee1 thou shouldst ne'er to lack for story4 ,story do ,i say8 ,aye1 or lie1 'tis brothers they be4 ,and1 ,franco1 do thou to spin1 'twill suit thy taste to feed 'pon maid's fare4 ,i be the spinner o' the tale afirst4 ,but1 ,franco1 ,i fain would have thee fetch a pair o' harkers4 ,didst deem to fret me that thee dumped the twain aneath the stack8 ,go thou and fetch4 ',tis well that thee shouldst bed with swine lest thee be preening for a swan40 7,franco7 8,ugh1 ,telka6 ,thou art like to a vat o' wine awork4 ,thou'lt fetch the swine do ye seek to company them40 7,telka7 8,so well1 ,polly1 ,i do go1 for 'tis swine o' worth amore than color daub4 ,set thee1 since thou be wench40 7,franco7 8,look ye1 ,telka1 'tis here ,i cast the cloak and show thee metal abared4 ,thou hast ridden 'pon a high nag for days1 and ,i do kick his hock and set him at a limp4 ,do thou to clip thy words ashort or ,i do cast a stone athro' thy bubble40 7,telka7 8,ah1 ,franco1 'tis nay meaning6 ,put here4 ,do spin thy tale1 but do ye first to leave me fetch the wee-squeals4 ,then ,i do be a tamed dove4 ,see ye80 7,franco7 8,away1 then1 and fetch thee back ahurry40 7,exit ,telka47 7,franco7 8,marion1 'tis what that ,i should put as path to tread8 ,she be awronged but do ,i feed the fires1 or put a stop80 7,marion7 8,franco1 'tis a pot and stew she loveth4 ,think ye to coax thy dream-forms from out the pot8 ,telka arounded and awrathed be like unto a thunder-storm1 but ,telka less the wrath and round1 be ,winter's dreary40 7,franco7 8,not so1 ,marion1 ,i shall then call forth the ghosts o' painted pots and touch the dreary abloom4 ,didst thou e'er to slit thy eye and view thro' afar8 ,dost thou then behold the motes8 ,so1 then1 shall ,i to view the ,telka maid4 ,whist6 ,here she be6 ,aback1 ,telka8 ,come1 ,i itch for to spin a tale4 ,sit thee here and dry the wet sparkles from thy curls4 ,list1 do6 8',twere a peddle-packer who did stroll adown the blade-strewn path along the village edge1 abent4 ,and brow-shagged eye did hide a twinkle-mirth aneath----0 8,e-e-ek6 ,e-e-e-k60 7,telka7 8,look1 ,franco1 see they 'e-e-e-k' do ,i to pull their tails uncurl60 7,franco7 8,do ye then wish thee1 ,telka1 for to play upon their one-string lyre1 or do ,i put ahead80 8,bestrung1 aborder o' the road1 the cots send smoke-wreathes up to join the cloud4 ',twere sup-hour1 and drip afrazzle soundeth thro' the doors beope1 like to a water-cachit aslipping thro' dry leaf to pool aneath4 ,do ,i then put it clear80 7,telka7 8,yea1 ,franco1 what hath he in his pack8 ,i'd put a gander for a frock60 7,marion7 8,on1 ,franco1 thy tale hath a lilt40 7,franco7 8,awag-walk he weaveth to the door afirst-hand4 ,the wee lads and lass do cluster 'bout the door1 and twist atween their finger and thumb their smock-hem1 or chew thereon4 ,but he doth seem aloth to cast of pack or ope1 and standeth at apeer to murmur--then to cast40 8,e-e-e-k6 ,e-e-e-k60 7,telka7 8,nay1 ,franco1 'twere not my doing1 ,i swear4 ',twere he who sat upon a fire-spark4 ,do haste6 ,i hot for sight athin the pack40 7,franco7 8,what1 ,telka1 thou awag and pig asqueak1 and me the tail6 ,do put quiet6 8,the dame and sire do step them out from gray innards o' the hut1 and pack-tipper beggeth for a mug o' porridge1 and showeth o' the strand-bound pack4 ,wee lads and lass aquiver1 tip-topple at a peep1 and dame doth fetch the brew1 but shaketh nay at offering o' gift1 and spake it so3 #8,a porridge pot doth hold a mug1 and one amore for he who bideth 'thout a brew4 ,nay1 drink ye1 and thank the morrow's sun4 ',tis stony path thee trod1 and dust choketh4 ,do rest1 and bide thee at our sill till weariness awarn away4' 8,think ye1 ,marion1 that peddle-man did leave and cast not pence8 ,what think ye1 ,telka80 7,telka7 8,i did hear thee tell o' his fill1 but tell thee o' fill o' pack40 7,franco7 8,a time1 ,telka4 ,nay1 he did drink and left as price an ancient jug o' clay1 and thick and o' a weight1 to thank and wag-weave hence40 7,telka7 8,did he then to pack anew and off 'thout a peep80 7,franco7 8,yea1 and dark did yawn and swallow him4 ,but morrow bringeth tale that peddle-packer had paid to each o' huts a beg1 and what think ye8 ,left a jug where'er1 he supped60 7,telka7 8',twere a clayster1 and the morrow findeth him afollow for price1 egh80 7,franco7 8,nay1 ,telka1 not so4 ,and jugs ashaken soundeth like to a wine2 but atip did show nay drop4 ,marion1 do tweak the ,telka--she be aslumber40 7,marion7 8,wake thee1 ,telka1 the jugs be now to crack40 7,telka7 8,nay1 'tis a puddle o' a tale--a packster and a strand-bound pack1 aweary40 7,franco7 8,but list thee6 ,for 'twere eve that found the dames awag4 ,for tho' they set the jugs aright1 there be but dust where they did stand4 ,yea1 all1 ,telka maid1 save that the peddle-man did give to dame at first hand4 ,the gabble put it so1 that 'twere the porridge begged that dames did fetch but for a hope o' price1 where jugs ashrunk40 7,telka7 8,but 'twere such a scurvey1 ,franco6 ,i wage the jug aleft doth leak4 ,what think ye ,i be caring 'bout jug or peddle-packer80 7,marion7 8,snip short thy word1 ,telka4 ,leave ,franco for to tell4 ,i be aprick for scratch to ease the itch o' wonder4 ,on1 lad1 and tie the ends o' weave-strand40 7,franco7 8',tis told the dame did treasure o' the jug1 and sire did shew abroad the wonder1 and all did list unto the swish o' 'nothing wine1' and thirsted for asup1 and each did tip its crook'd neck and shake1 but ne'er a drop did slip it through4 ,and wonder1 ,marion1 the sides did sweat like to a damp within6 ,so 'twere4 ,the townsmen shook awag their heads and feared the witch-work or the wise man's cunger1 and they did bid the sire to dig a pit and put therein the jug40 7,telka7 8',twere waste they wrought1 ,i vow1 for should ye crack away its neck 'twould then be fit for holding o' the swill4 ,there be a pair ahind the stack40 7,franco7 8,nay1 ,telka1 not as this1 for they did dig a pit and plant jug therein1 and morrow showed from out the fresh-turned earth a bush had sprung1 and on its every branch a bud o' many colored hue alike to rainbow's robe4 ,and lo1 the dames and sires did cluster 'bout1 and each did pluck a twig aladen with the bud1 but as 'twere snapped1 what think ye8 ,there be in the hand a naught--save when the dame who asked not price did pluck4 ,and 'tis told that to this day the townsmen fetch unto the bush and force apluck do they make question o' their brotherman4 ,and so 'tis with he who fashions o' the rainbow's robe a world to call his own1 and fetcheth to the grown bush his brother for to shew1 and he seeth not1 'tis so he judge40 7,telka7 8,o1 thou art a story-spinner o' a truth1 and peddle-packer too1 egh8 ,and thou dost deem that thou hast planted o' thy pot to force thy bush by which ye judge4 ,paugh6 ,thou art a fool1 ,franco1 and thy pots o' color be not aworth thy pains4 ,so thou dost think then ,i be plucking o' naught aside thy bush4 ,well1 ,i do tell thee this4 ,thy pots ne'er as the jug shall spring4 ,nay1 for morn found me adig1 and ,i did cast them here to the fire1 afearing they should haunt40 7,franco7 8',tis nuff1 ,telka1 ,i leave them to the flame4 ,but thou shouldst know the bush abud doth show in every smouldering blaze40 7,telka7 8,see1 ,franco1 ,i be yet neck ahead1 for ,i do spat upon the flame and lo1 thy bush be naught60 7,franco7 8,aye1 'tis so1 but there be ahid a place thou ne'er hast seen4 ,therein ,i put what be mine own--the love for them4 ,thou art a butterfly1 ,telka1 abeating o' thy wing upon a thistle-leaf4 ,do hover 'bout the blooms thou knowest best and leave dream-bush and thistle-leaf40 ,it is a remarkable story4 ,many lines are gems of wit or wisdom or beauty1 and it contains some exquisite poetry4 ,there are many characters in it1 all of them lovable but ,telka1 and she becomes so ere the end4 ,a curious and interesting fact in this connection is that after beginning this story ,patience used its peculiar form of speech in her conversation and in her poems4 ,previously1 as ,i have pointed out1 there was a natural and consistent difference between her speech and her writings1 and it would seem that in this change she would show that she is not subject to any rules1 nor limited to the dialect of any period or any locality4 ,scattered through this present volume are poems1 prose pieces and bits of her conversation1 in which the curious and frequent use of the prefix a-1 the abbreviation of the word 8of0 and the strange twists of phrase of the ,telka story are noticeable4 ,all of these were received after this story was begun4 99 99 99 99 99 ,but there is another form of prose composition that ,patience has given to us4 ,while she is writing a story she does not confine herself to that work1 but precedes or follows it with a bit of gossip1 a personal message1 a poem or something else4 ,sometimes she stops in the midst of her story to deliver something entirely foreign to it that comes into her mind4 ,during one week1 while 8,telka0 was being received1 she presented three parables1 all in the peculiar language of that story4 ,i reproduce them here and leave it to the reader to ponder o'er their meaning4 8,long1 yea1 long agone1 aside a wall atilt who joined unto a brother-wall and made atween a gap apoint abacked1 there did upon the every day1 across-leged1 sit a bartmaker1 amid his sacks aheaped4 ,and ne'er a buy did tribesmen make4 ,nay1 but 'twere the babes who sought the bartman1 and lo1 he shutteth both his eyes and babes do pilfer from the sacks and feed thereon1 till sacks asink4 ,and still at crosslegs doth he sit4 8,yea1 and days do follow days till ,winter setteleth 'pon his locks its snow4 ,aye1 and lo1 at rise o' sun 'pon such an day as had followed day since first he sat1 they did see that he had ashrunked and they did wag that 'twere the wasting o' his days at sitting at crossleg4 8,and yet the babes did fetch for feast and wert fed4 ,till last a day did dawn and gap ashowed it empty and no man woed2 but babes did sorry 'bout the spot 'till tribesmen marveled and fetched alongside and coaxed with sweets their word4 ,but no man found answer in their prate4 ,and they did ope remaining sacks and lo1 there be anaught save dry fruit1 and babes did reach forth for it and wert fed1 and more1 it did nurture them1 and they went forth alater to the fields o' earth astrengthened and fed 'pon--what1 ,brother8 ,list ye4 ',pon truth40 99 99 99 99 99 8,there be aside the market's place a merchant and a brother merchant4 ,aye1 and one did put price ahigh1 and gold aclinketh and copper groweth mold atween where he did store4 ,and his brother giveth measure full and more1 for the pence o' him who offereth but pence1 at measure that runneth o'er to full o' gold's price4 8,and lo1 they do each to buy o' herds1 and he who hath full price buyeth but the shrunk o' herd1 and he who hath little1 buyeth the full o' herd4 ,and time maketh full the sacks o' him who hoardeth gold1 and layeth at aflat the sacks o' him who maketh poor price4 ,and lo1 he who hath plenty hoardeth more1 and he who had little buyed o' seed and sowed and reaped therefrom4 ,and famine crept it nearer and fringed 'pon the land and smote the land o' him who asacketh o' gold and crept it 'pon the land o' him o' pence4 8,and herds did low o' hunger and he who hath but gold hath naught to feed thereon4 ,for sacks achoked 'pon gold4 ,and he who had but pence did sack but grain and grass and fed the herd4 ,and lo1 they fattened and did fill the emptied sacks with gold1 while he who hath naught but gold did sick1 and famine wasted o' his herd and famine's sun did rise to shine 'pon him astricken 'pon gold asacked40 99 99 99 99 99 8,there wert a man and his brother and they wrought them unalike4 ,yea1 and one did fashion from wood1 and ply till wonderwork astood1 a temple o' wood4 ,and his brother fashioneth o' reeds and worketh wonder baskets4 ,and he who wrought o' wood scoffeth4 ,and the tribesmen make buy o' baskets and wag that 'tis a-sorry wrought the temple1 and spake them that the ,lord would smite1 and lay it low4 ,for he who wrought did think him o' naught save the high and wide o' it1 and looked not at its strength or yet its stand 'pon earth4 ,and they did turn the baskets 'bout and put to strain1 and lo1 they did hold4 ,and it were the tribesmen1 who shook their heads and murmured1 #8,yea1 yea1 they be a goodly4' 8,so 'tis2 he who doth fashion from wood o' size doth prosper not1 and he who doth fashion o' reed and small1 doth thrive verily40 ,these are all somewhat cryptic1 although their interpretation is not difficult1 but that which follows on the magic of a laugh needs no explanation4 8,i do fashion out a tale for babes10 said ,patience1 when she presented this parable of the fairy's wand1 and in it she gives expression to another one of her characteristics1 one that is intensely human1 the love of laughter1 which she seems to like to hear and often to provoke4 8,lo1 at a time thou knowest not1 aye1 ,i1 thy handmaid1 knowest not1 there wert born unto the earth a babe4 ,and lo1 the dame o' this babe wert but a field's woman4 ,and lo1 days and days did pass until the fullness of the babe's days1 and it stood in beauty past word o'me4 8,yea1 and there wert a noble1 and he did pass1 and lo1 his brow was darked1 and smile had forsook his lips4 ,and he came unto the cot and there stood the babe1 who wert now a maid o' lovely4 ,and he spaked unto her and said3 8#8,come thou1 and unto the lands of me shall we make way4 ,thou art not o' the fields1 but for the nobles4' 8,and she spake not unto his word4 ,and lo1 the mother of the babe came forth and this man told unto her of this thing1 that her babe wert not of the field but for the nobled4 ,and1 at the bidding of the noble1 she spake1 yea1 the maid should go unto his lands4 8,and time and time after the going1 lo1 no word came unto the mother4 ,and within the lands of the noble the maid lived1 and lo1 the days wert sorry1 and the paths held but shadows1 and nay smiles shed gold unto the hours4 ,and she smiled that this noble did offer unto her much of royal stores4 ,yea1 gems1 and gold1 and all a maid might wish1 and she looked in pity unto the noble and spake3 8#8,what hast thou8 ,lo1 thou hast brought forth of thy store and given unto me1 and what doth it buy8 ,thy lips are ever sorry and thy hours dark4 ,then take thou these gifts and keep within such an day as thine1 for1 hark ye1 my dame1 the field's woman1 hath given unto me that which setteth at a naught thy gifts2 for hark ye3 mid thy dark o' sorry ,i shall spill a laugh1 and it be a fairies' wand1 and turneth dust to gold4' 8,and she fled unto the sun's paths of the fields4 8,verily do ,i to say unto thee1 this1 the power of the fairies' wand1 is thine1 thy gift of thy field-mother1 ,earth4 ,then cast out that which earth-lands do offer unto thee and flee with thy gift40 ,it is somewhat difficult to select an ending for this chapter on the prose of ,patience3 the material for it is so abundant and so varied1 but this 8,parable of the ,cloak0 may perhaps form a fitting finish3 8,there wert a man1 and lo1 he did to seek and quest o' sage1 that which he did mouth o'ermuch4 ,and lo1 he did to weave o' such an robe1 and did to clothe himself therein4 ,and lo1 'twer sun ashut away1 and cool and heat and bright and shade4 8,and lo1 still did he to draw 'bout him the cloak1 and 'twer o' the mouthings o' the sage4 ,and lo1 at a day 'twer sent abroad that ,truth should stalk 'pon ,earth1 and man1 were he to look him close1 shouldst see4 8,and lo1 the man did draw 'bout him the cloak1 and did to wag him #8,nay' and #8,nay1 'twer truth the sages did to mouth and ,i did weave athin the cloak o' me4' 8,and then 'twer that ,truth did seek o' ,earth1 and she wert clad o' naught1 and seeked the man1 and begged that he would cast the cloak and clothe o' her therein4 ,and lo1 he did to draw him close the cloak1 and hid his face therein1 and wag him ',nay1' he did to know her not4 8,and lo1 she did to fetch her unto him athrice1 and then did he to wag him still a #8,nay6 ,nay6 ,nay6' ,and lo1 she toucheth o' the cloth o' sage's mouths and it doth fall atattered and leave him clothed o' naught1 and at a wishing4 ,and he did seek o' ,truth1 aye1 ever1 and when he did to find1 lo1 she wagged him nay1 and nay1 and nay40 ,,conversations 8,this be bread4 ,if man knoweth not the grain from which 'twer fashioned1 what then8 ',tis bread4 ,let man deny me this40--,,patience ,,worth4 ,but after all1 perhaps the truest conception of the character and versatility of ,patience can be acquired from her 8conversations40 ,the word 8conversation0 ,i here loosely apply to all that comes from her in the course of an evening1 excepting the work on her stories4 ,the poems and parables are usually woven into her remarks with a sequence that suggests extemporaneous production for the particular occasion1 although as a rule they are of general application4 ,almost invariably they are brought out by something she or someone else has said1 or as a tribute1 a lesson or a comfort to some person who is present4 ,her songs1 as she calls her poems1 are freely given1 apparently without a thought or a care as to what may become of them4 ,they seem to come spontaneously1 without effort1 with no pause for thought1 no groping for the right word1 and to fall into their places as part of the spoken rather than the written speech4 ,so it is that the term 8conversation0 in this connection is made to include much that ordinarily would not fall within that designation4 ,one of the pleasures of an evening with ,patience is the uncertainty of the form of the entertainment4 ,never are two evenings alike in the general nature of the communications4 ,she adapts herself to circumstances and to the company present1 serious if they are bent on serious subjects1 merry if they are so2 but seldom will the serious escape without a little of the merry1 or the merry without a little of the serious4 ,sometimes her own feelings seem to have an influence4 ,always1 however1 she is permitted to take her own course1 except in the case of a formal examination1 to which she readily responds if conducted with respect4 ,she may devote the evening largely to poetry1 possibly varying the themes1 as on one evening when she gave a nature poem1 one of a religious character1 a lullaby1 a humorous verse and a prayer1 interspersed with discussion4 ,she may talk didactically with little or no interruption4 ,she may submit to a catechism upon religion1 philosophy1 philology1 or any subject that may arise4 ,she may devote an evening to a series of little personal talks to a succession of sitters1 or she may elect just to gossip4 8,i be dame10 she says1 and therefore not averse to gossip4 ,but rarely will she neglect to write something on whatever story she may have in hand4 ,she speaks of such writing as 8weaving40 8,put ye to weave10 she will say1 and that means that conversation is to stop for a time until a little real work is accomplished4 ,the conversations which follow are selected to illustrate the variety of form referred to1 as well as to introduce a number of interesting statements that throw light on the character of the phenomena4 ,upon a certain evening the ,currans had two visitors1 ,dr4 and ,mrs4 ,w4 ,with ,dr4 ,w4 and ,mrs4 ,c4 at the board and ,mrs4 ,w4 leaning over it1 ,patience began3 8,ah1 hark6 ,here abe athree2 yea1 love1 faith and more o' love6 ,thee hast for to hark unto word ,i do put o' them1 not ye40 ,and then she told this tale of the ,mite and the ,seeds3 8,hark6 ,aneath the earth fell a seed1 and lay aside a ,mite1 a winged mite1 who hid from cold4 ,yea1 and the ,mite knew o' the day o'er the ,earth's crust1 and spake unto the ,seed1 and said3 8#8,the hours o' day show sun and cloud1 aye1 and the ,earth's crust holdeth grass and tree4 ,aye1 and men walk 'pon the ,earth4' 8,aye1 and the ,seed did say unto the ,mite3 8#8,nay1 there be a naught save ,earth and dark1 for mine eye hath not beheld what thou tellest of4' 8,yea1 and the ,mite spake it so3 8#8',tis dark and cold o'er the crust o' ,earth1 and thou and me awarm and close ahere4' 8,but the ,seed spake out3 #8,nay1 this be the time ,i seek me o'er the ,earth's crust and see the ,day thou tellest of4' 8,and lo1 he sent out leaf1 and reached high4 ,and lo1 when the leaf had pushed up from 'neath the crust1 there were snow's cut and cold1 and it died1 and knew not the ,day o' the ,mite3 for the time was not riped that he should seek unto new days4 8,and lo1 the ,stalk that had sent forth the ,seed1 sent forth amore1 and lo1 again a one did sink aside the ,mite4 ,and he spake to it of the ,day o' ,earth and said3 #8,thy brother sought the ,day1 and it wert not time1 and lo1 he is no more4' 8,and he told of the days of ,earth unto the seed1 and it spaked unto him and said3 #8,this day o' thee meaneth naught to me4 ,lo1 ,i shall spring not a root1 nor shall ,i to seek me the days o' ,earth4 ,nay1 ,i shall lay me close and warm4' 8,and e'en though the ,mite spake unto the ,seed at the time when it wert ripe that it should seek1 lo1 it lay1 and ,summer's tide found it a naught1 for it feeded 'pon itself1 and lo1 wert not4 8,and at a later tide did a seed to fall1 and it harked unto the ,mite and waited the time1 and when it wert riped1 lo1 it upped and sought the day4 ,and it wert so as the ,mite had spaked4 ,and the ,seed grew into a bush4 8,and lo1 the winged ,mite flew out3 for it had brought a brother out o' the dark and unto the ,day1 and the task wert o'er4 8,these abe like unto them who seek o' the words o' me4 8,now aweave thou40 ,patience then wrote about two hundred words of a story1 after which ,mrs4 ,w4 inquired of ,mr4 ,c3 8,don't you ever try to write on the board80 ,to which he replied facetiously1 8,no1 ,i'm too dignified40 ,patience4--8,yea1 he smirketh unto swine and kicketh the nobles40 ,then seeming to feel that the visitors were wanting something more personal than the 8,tale0 she said3 8,alawk1 they be ahungered1 and did weave a bit4 ,then hark4 ,here be4 8,what think ye1 man8 ,they do pucker much o'er the word o' me1 and spat forth that thou dost eat and smack o' liking4 ,yea1 but hark6 ,who shed drop for ,him but one o' ,his1 yea1 the ,son o' ,him8 ,think ye this abe the pack o' me8 ,nay1 and thou and thou and thou shalt shed drops in loving for the pack1 for it be o' ,him4 ,now shall ,i to sing3 ,how doth the ,mise-man greed1 ,and lay unto his store1 ,and seek him out the pence of ,earth1 ,wherein the hearts do rust8 ,how doth the ,muse-man greed1 ,and seek him o' the ,day1 ,and word that setteth up a wag-- ,while hearts o' ,earth are filthed8 ,how doth the ,see-man greed8 ,yea1 and how he opeth up his eye1 ,and seeth naught and telleth much-- ,while hearts of earth are hurt4 ,how doth the ,good-man greed1 ,who dealeth o' the ,word8 ,he eateth o' its flesh and casts but bone1 ,while hearts o' ,earth are woed4 ,how doth the ,man-man greed8 ,he eateth o' the store1 yet holdeth ope ,his hands and scattereth o' bread ,and hearts o' ,earth are fed4 ,this then abe1 and yet will be ,since time and time1 and beeth ever40 ,as soon as this was read1 she followed with another song3 ,drink ye unto me4 ,drink ye deep1 to me4 ,yea1 and seek ye o' the ,brew ye quaff1 ,for this do ,i to beg4 ,seek not the wine o' ,summer's sun1 ,that hid 'mid purpled vine1 ,and showeth there amid the ,brew ,thou suppest as the ,wine4 ,seek not the drops o' pool1 ,awarmed aneath the sun1 ,and idly lapping at the brink ,of mosses' lips1 to sup4 ,seek not o' vintage ,earth doth hold4 ,nay1 unto thee this plea shall wake ,the ,wine that thou shouldst quaff4 ,for at the loving o' this heart ,the ,wine o' ,love shall flow4 ,then drink ye deep1 ah1 drink ye deep1 ,and drink ye deep o' ,love4 8,yea1 thine unto me1 and mine to thee40 ,after which she explained3 8,i did to fashion out a brew for her ayonder and him ahere4 ,and they did eat o' it4 ,yea1 for they know o' ,him and know o' the workings o' ,him and drinked o' the love o' me as the love o' ,him4 ,yea1 and hark1 there abe much athin this pack for thee40 ,this1 it will be observed1 is rather a discourse than a conversation1 and it is often so1 ,patience filling the evening with her own words2 not as exclusively so1 however1 as this would indicate3 for there is always more or less conversation among the party1 which it would profit nothing to reproduce4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the next sitting is somewhat more varied4 ,there were present ,dr4 ,x41 a teacher of anatomy1 ,mrs4 ,x41 ,mrs4 ,w4 and ,miss ,b4 ,dr4 ,x4 sat at the board with ,mrs4 ,curran3 ,patience4--8,eh1 gad6 ,here be a one who taketh ,truth unto him and setteth the good dame apace that she knoweth not the name o' her4 ,i tell thee 'tis he who knoweth her as a sister1 and telleth much o' her1 and naught he speaketh oft holdeth her1 and much he speaketh holdeth little o' her1 and yet ever he holdeth her unto him4 ,he taketh me as truth1 yea1 he knoweth he taketh naught and buildeth much1 and much and buildeth little o' it4 ,i track me unto the door o' him and knock and he heareth me40 ,this1 of course1 referred to ,dr4 ,x4 and his work1 and it aroused some discussion1 after which ,patience asked1 8,would ye ,i sing80 ,the answer being in the affirmative1 she gave this little verse1 also directed to ,dr4 ,x43 ,out 'pon the sea o' learning1 ,floateth the barque o' one aseek4 ,out 'pon troubled waters floateth the craft1 ,abuilded staunch o' beams o' truth4 ,and though the waves do beat them high ,and wash o'er and o'er the prow1 ,fear thee not1 for ,truth saileth on4 ,set thy beacon1 then1 to crafts not thine1 ,for thou hast a light for man4 8,there1 thou knowest me4 ,i tell thee ,i speak unto him who hath truth for his very own4 ,set thee aweave40 ,the sitters complied and received about six hundred words of the story1 after which ,mrs4 ,x4 took the board1 remarking as she did so that she was afraid1 which elicited this observation from ,patience3 8,she setteth aside the stream and seeth the craft afloat and be at wishing for to sail1 and yet she would to see her who steereth40 ,mrs4 ,x4 gave up her place to ,miss ,b41 a teacher of botany1 to whom ,patience presented this tribute3 8,the eye o' her seeth but beauties and shutteth up that which showeth darked1 that that not o' beautie setteth not within the see o' her4 ,yea1 more2 she knoweth how 'tis the dark and what showeth not o' beauty1 at ,his touching showeth lovely for the see o' her4 8,such an heart6 ,ah1 thou shouldst feast hereon4 ,i tell thee she giveth unto multitudes the heart o' her2 and such as she dealeth unto earth1 earth has need for much4 ,she feasteth her 'pon dusts and knoweth dust shall spring forth bloom4 ,hurt hath set the heart o' her1 and she hath packed up the hurt with petals40 ,patience then turned her attentions again to ,dr4 ,x4 8,he yonder10 she said1 8hath much aneath his skull's-cap that he wordeth not40 ,thus urged1 ,dr4 ,x4 inquired3 8,does ,patience prepare the manuscript she gives in advance8 ,it rather seems that she reads the material to ,mrs4 ,curran40 8,see ye10 cried ,patience1 8he hath spoke a thing that set aneath his skull's-cap60 ,and then1 in answer to his question3 8,she who afashioneth loaf doth shake well the grain-dust that husks show not4 ,then doth she for to brew and stir and mix1 else the loaf be not afit for eat40 ,by grain-dust she means flour or meal1 and she uses the word brew in its obsolete sense of preparation for cooking4 ,the answer may be interpreted that she arranges the story in her mind before its dictation1 and as to her formal work she has said many things to indicate that such is her method4 ,dr4 ,x4 then asked3 8,are these stories real happenings80 ,to which ,patience replied3 8,within the land o' here her land be packed the days o' ,earth1 and thy day hath its sister day ahere1 and thy neighbor's day and thy neighbor's neighbor's day4 ,and ,i tell thee1 didst thou afashion tale thou couldst ne'er afashion lie1 for all thou hast athin thy day that thy put might show from the see o' thee hath been2 at not thy time1 yea1 but it hath been40 8,then10 asked ,dr4 ,x41 8should you have transmitted through one who spoke another language you would have used their tongue80 ,patience answered3 8,i pettiskirt me so that ye know the me of me4 ,yea1 and ,i do to take me o' the store o' her that ,i make me word for thee40 8,pettiskirt0 is a common expression of hers to mean dress1 in either a literal or a figurative sense4 ,the answer does not mean that she is limited by ,mrs4 ,curran's vocabulary1 but is an affirmative response to the question4 ,the word 8put0 in the preceding answer is one that requires some explanation1 for it is frequently used by her1 and makes some of her sayings difficult to understand4 ,she makes it convey a number of meanings now obsolete1 but it usually refers to her writings1 her words1 her sayings4 ,she makes a noun of it1 it will be noticed1 as well as a verb4 ,in the foregoing instance it means 8tale10 and it has a relation to the primary meaning of the verb1 which is to place4 ,the words that are put down become a 8put10 and the writer becomes a 8putter40 ,to a lady who told her that she had heard a sound like a bell in her ear1 and asked if it was ,patience trying to communicate with her1 she answered dryly3 8,think ye ,i be a tinkler o' brass8 ,nay4 ,i be a putter o' words40 ,further to illustrate this use of the word1 and also to throw an interesting light upon her method of communication and the reason for it1 ,i present here a part of a conversation in which a ,dr4 ,z4 was the interrogator4 ,dr4 ,z4--8,why isn't there some other means you could use more easy to manipulate than the ouija board80 ,patience4--8,the hand o' her 7,mrs4 ,curran7 do ,i to put 7write7 be the hand o' her1 and 'tis ascribe 7the act of writing7 that setteth the one awhither by eyes-fulls she taketh in40 ,by this she seems to mean that if ,mrs4 ,curran tried to write for ,patience with a pen or pencil1 the act1 being always associated with conscious thought1 would set her consciousness to work1 and put ,patience 8awhither40 ,dr4 ,z4--8,how did you know this avenue was open80 ,patience4--8,i did to seek at crannies for to put2 aye1 and 'twer the her o' her who tireth past the her o' her1 and slippeth to a naught o' putting2 and 'twer the me o' me at seek1 aye1 and find4 ,aye1 and 'twer so40 ,at the time ,patience first presented herself to ,mrs4 ,curran1 she 7,mrs4 ,curran7 was very tired1 and was sitting at the board with ,mrs4 ,hutchings1 with her head1 as she expresses it1 absolutely empty4 ,dr4 ,z4--8,did you go forth to seek1 or were you sent80 ,patience4--8,there be nay tracker o' path ne'er put thereon by sender40 ,dr4 ,z4--8,did you know of the ouija board and its use before80 ,patience4--8,nay1 'tis not the put o' me1 the word hereon4 ',tis the put o' me at see o' her4 8,i put athin the see o' her1 aye and 'tis the see o' ye that be afulled o' the put o' me1 and yet a put thou knowest not4 8,that which ye know not o' thy day hath slipped it unto her1 and thence unto thee4 ,and thee knowest 'tis not the put o' her2 aye1 and thee knowest 'tis ne'er a putter o' thy day there be at such an put4 ,aye1 and did he to put1 'twould be o' thy day and not the day o' me4 ,and yet ye prate o' why and whence and where4 ,i tell thee 'tis thee that knowest that which ye own not40 ,dr4 ,z4--8,why don't we own it1 ,patience80 ,patience4--8',tis at fear o' gab40 ,it is no easy task to untangle that putting of puts1 but1 briefly1 it seems to mean that ,patience does not put her words on the board direct1 with the hands of ,mrs4 ,curran1 but transmits her words through the mind or inner vision of ,mrs4 ,curran1 and yet it is the word of ,patience and not of ,mrs4 ,curran that is recorded4 ,this accords with ,mrs4 ,curran's impressions4 ,and thou knowest1 ,patience farther says1 that it is not the language of her1 and no writer of thy day would or could write in such a language as ,i make use of4 99 99 99 99 99 ,returning to ,dr4 ,x4 and his party4 ,they were present again a few days after the interview just given1 having with them a ,miss ,j41 a newspaper writer from an ,ohio city4 ,dr4 ,x4 in the meantime had thought much upon the phenomena1 and ,patience immediately directed her guns upon the anatomist1 in this manner3 ,patience4--8,hark ye1 lad1 unto thee ,i do speak4 ,thou hast a sack o' the wares o' me1 and thou hast eat therefrom4 ,yea1 and thou hast spat that which thou did'st eat1 and eat it o'er4 ,and yet thou art not afulled4 8,hark6 ,here be a trick that shall best thee at thine own trick4 ,lo1 thou lookest upon flesh and it be but flesh4 ,yea1 thou lookest unto thy brother1 and see but flesh4 ,and yet thy brother speakest word1 and thou sayest3 #8,yea1 this is a man1 aye1 the brother o' me4' ,then doth death lay low thy brother1 and he speak not word unto thee1 thou sayest3 #8,nay1 this is no man2 nay1 this is but clay4' ,then lookest thou unto thy brother1 and thou seest not the him o' him4 ,thou knowest not the him o' him 7the soul7 but the flesh o' him only4 8,more ,i tell thee4 ,thy very babe wert not flesh2 yea1 it were as dead afore the coming4 ,yet1 at the mother's bearing1 it setteth within the flesh4 ,and thou knowest it and speak1 yea1 this is a man4 ,and yet ,i tell thee thou knowest not e'en the him o' him6 ,then doth it die1 'tis nay man1 thou sayest4 ,yet1 at the dying and afore the bearing1 'twer what8 ,the him o' him wert then1 and now1 and ever4 8,yea1 ,i speak unto thee not through flesh1 and thou sayest3 ,this is no man1 yea1 for thine eyes see not flesh1 yet thou knowest the me o' me1 and ,i speak unto thee with the me o' me4 ,and thou art where upon thy path o' learning60 ,there was some discussion following this argument in which ,dr4 ,x4 admitted that he accepted only material facts and believed but what he saw4 ,patience4--8,man maketh temples that reach them unto the skies1 and yet ,he fashioneth a gnat1 and where be man's learning6 8,the earth is full o' what the blind in-man seeth not4 ,ope thine eye1 lad4 ,thou art athin dark1 and yet drink ye ever o' the light40 ,dr4 ,x4--8,that's all right1 ,patience1 and a good argument2 but tell me where the him o' him of my dog is40 ,patience4--8,thou art ahungered for what be thine at the hand o' thee4 ,thy dog hath far more o' ,him than thy brothers who set them as dogs and eat o' dog's eat4 ,the ,one o' ,one1 the ,all o' ,all1 yea1 all o' life holdeth the ,him o' ,him1 thy ,sire and mine6 ',tis the breath o' ,him that pulses earth4 ,thou asketh where abides this thing4 ,aneath thy skull's arch there be nay room for the there or where o' this60 ,miss ,j4 then took the board and ,patience said3 8,she taketh it she standeth well athin the sight o' me that she weareth the frock o' me40 ,this caused a laugh1 for it was then explained by the visitors that ,miss ,j4 had chosen to wear a frock somewhat on the ,puritan order1 having a gray cape with white cuffs and collar1 and had said she thought ,patience would approve of it4 ,patience4--8,here be a one aheart ope1 and she hath the in-man who she proddeth that he opeth his eyes4 ,yea1 she seest that which be and thou seest not40 ,it was remarked that ,patience was evidently trying to be very nice to ,miss ,j4 ,patience4--8,nay1 here be a one who tickleth with quill1 ,i did hear ye put4 ,think ye not a one who putteth as me1 be not a love o' me8 ,yea1 she be4 ,and ,i tell thee a something that she will tell unto ye is true4 ,oft hath she sought for word that she might put1 and lo1 from whence she knoweth not it cometh40 ,miss ,j4 said this was true4 ,patience4--8,shall ,i then sing unto thee1 wench80 ,miss ,j4 expressed delight1 and the song followed4 ,ah1 how do ,i to build me up my song for thee8 ,yea1 and tell unto thee of ,him4 ,i'd shew unto thee ,his loving1 ,i'd shew unto thee ,his very face4 ,do then to list to this my song4 ,early hours1 strip o' thy pure1 ,for 'tis the heart of ,him4 ,earth1 breathe deep thy busom1 ,yea1 and rock the sea1 ,for 'tis the breath of ,him4 ,fields1 burst ope thy sod1 ,and fling thee loose thy store1 ,for 'tis the robe of ,him4 ,skies1 shed thou thy blue1 ,the depth of heaven1 ,for 'tis the eyes of ,him4 ,winter's white1 stand thou thick ,and shed thy soft o'er earth1 ,for 'tis the touch of ,him4 ,spring1 shed thou thy loosened ,laughter of the streams1 ,for 'tis the voice of ,him4 ,noon's heat1 and tire o' earth1 ,shed thou of rest to ,his1 ,for 'tis the rest of ,him4 ,evil days of earth1 ,stride thou on and smite1 ,for 'tis the frown of ,him4 ,earth1 this1 the chant o' me1 ,may end1 as doth the works o' man1 ,but hark ye2 ,earth holdeth all ,that hath been2 ,and ,spring's ope1 and sowing ,o' the ,winter's tide1 ,shall bear the ,summer's full ,of that that be no more4 ,for1 at the waking o' the ,spring1 ,the wraiths o' blooms agone ,shall rise them up from out the mould ,and speak to thee of ,him4 ,thus1 the songs o' me1 ,the works o' thee1 ,the ,earth's own bloom1 ,are ,,him4 ,the interest of ,dr4 ,x4 in this phenomenon brought an eminent psychologist1 associated with one of the greatest state universities in the country1 some distance from ,missouri1 for an interview with ,patience4 ,he shall be known here as ,dr4 ,v4 ,with him and ,dr4 ,x4 was ,dr4 ,k41 a physician4 ,dr4 ,v4 sat at the board first1 and ,patience said to him3 8,here be a one1 verily1 that hath a sword4 ,aye1 and he doth to wrap it o'er o' silks4 ,yea1 but ,i do say unto thee1 he doth set the cups o' measure at aright1 and doth set not the word o' me as her ahere 7,mrs4 ,curran74 ,nay1 not till he hath seen and tasted o' the loaf o' me2 and e'en athen he would to take o' the loaf and crumb o' it to bits and look unto the crumb and wag much afore he putteth4 ,and he wilt be assured o' the truth afore the putting40 ,this was discussed as a character delineation4 ,patience4--8,i'd set at reasoning4 ,since the townsmen do fetch aforth for the seek o' me1 and pry aneath the me o' me1 then do thou alike4 ,yea1 put thou unto me40 ,dr4 ,v4--8,why fear ,death80 ,patience4--8,thou shouldst eat o' the loaf 7her writings74 ,ayea1 'tis right and meet that flesh shrinketh at the lash40 ,dr4 ,v4 was told of her poems on the fear of death4 ,dr4 ,v4--8,what do you think of the attempts to investigate you8 ,is it right80 ,patience4--8,ayea4 ,and thou hast o' me the loaf o' the me o' me1 and thou hast o' it afar more than thou hast o' thy brother o' earth1 and yet they seek o' me and seek ever40 ,dr4 ,v4--8,have you ever lived80 ,patience4--8,what6 ,think ye that ,i be a prater o' thy path and ne'er atrod8 ,then thou art afollied1 for canst thou tell o' here80 ,dr4 ,v4--8,when did you live on earth80 ,patience4--8,a seed aplanted be watched for grow4 ,ayea1 but the seed held athin the palm be but a seed1 and ,earth hath seeds not aplanted that she casteth forth1 e'en as she would to cast forth me1 do ,i not to cloak me much40 ,dr4 ,v4--8,i understand2 but can you not answer a little clearer the question ,i put80 ,patience4--8,the time be not ariped for the put o' this40 ,dr4 ,v4--8,what does ,lethe mean80 ,patience4--8,this be a tracker6 ,ayea1 'tis nay a word o' thy day or yet the word o' thy brother1 that meaneth unto me4 ,i be a maker o' loaf for the hungered4 ,eat thou4 ',tis not aright that thou shouldst set unto the feast athout thou art fed40 ,by this she seemed to mean that she wanted him to read her writings and see what it is she is endeavoring to do4 ,she continued3 8,brother1 this be not a trapping o' thy sword1 the seeking o' me4 ,nay1 'tis ahind a cloak ,i do for to stand1 that this word abe1 and not me40 ,mr4 ,curran here stated that this had ever been so2 that ,patience had obscured herself so that her message could not be clouded4 ,patience4--8,aright4 ,i do sing4 ,gone6 ,gone6 ,ayea1 thou art gone6 ,gone1 and earth doth stand it stark4 ,gone6 ,gone6 ,the even's breath ,doth breathe it unto me ,in echo soft2 yea1 but sharped1 ,and cutting o' this heart4 ,gone6 ,gone6 ,aye1 thou art gone6 ,the day is darked1 and sun ,hath sorried sore and wrapped him in the dark4 ,gone6 ,gone6 ,this heart doth drip o' drops ,with sorry singing o' this song4 ,gone6 ,gone6 ,yea1 thou art gone6 ,and where1 beloved1 where8 ,doth yonder golden shaft o' light ,that pierceth o' the cloud ,then speak unto this heart8 ,art thou athin the day's dark hours8 ,hast thou then hid from sight o' me1 ,and yet do know mine hour8 ,gone6 ,gone6 ,what then hath ,earth8 ,what then doth day to bring ,to this the sorry-laden heart o' me1 ,that weepeth blood drops here8 ,gone6 ,gone6 ,yea1 but hark6 ,for ,i did trick the sorry1 loved2 ,for where e'er thou art am ,i4 ,yea1 this love o' me shall follow thee ,unto the ,where1 and thou shalt ever know ,that though this sorry setteth me ,i be where'er thou art40 ,after this ,dr4 ,k41 who resides in ,st4 ,louis1 took the board4 ,patience4--8,here abe a townsman4 ,aye1 a ,sirrah who knoweth men and atruth doth ne'er acloak the blade o' him as doth brother ayonder4 ,ayea1 ahind a chuckle beeth fires4 8,there abe weave 'pon the cloth o' me1 yea1 but 'tis nay ariped the time that ,i do weave4 ,yea1 thou hast a pack o' tricks4 ,show unto me1 then1 thine40 ,here ,dr4 ,v4 asked3 8,do you know ,dr4 ,james80 ,this referred to the late ,dr4 ,william ,james1 the celebrated psychologist of ,harvard4 ,patience4--8,i telled a one o' the brothers and the neighbors o' thy day1 and he doth know40 ,she had given such an answer to a frequent visitor who had inquired as to her knowledge of several eminent men long since dead4 ,it was considered an affirmative answer4 ,dr4 ,v4--8,have you associated with ,dr4 ,james80 ,patience4--8,hark6 ,unto thee ,i do say athis2 'tis the day's break and ,earth shall know1 e'en athin thy day1 much o' the ,here4 8,this1 the brother o' ye1 the seeker o' the ,here1 hath set a promise so1 and 'tis for to be1 ,i say unto thee4 ,thou knowest 'tis the word o' him spaked in loving4 ,yea1 for such a man as the man o' him wert1 standeth as a beacon unto the ,here40 ,dr4 ,v4--8,could ,dr4 ,james1 by seeking as you did1 communicate with someone here as you are doing80 ,patience4--8,this abe so2 he who seeketh abe alike unto thee and thee4 ,ayea1 thee and thy brother do set forth with quill1 and thou dost set aslant1 and with thy hand at the right o' thee4 ,and thy brother doth trace with the hand at the left of him4 ,and 'tis so1 thou puttest not as him4 ,this1 the quill o' me1 be for the put o' me1 and doth he seek and know the trick o' tricks o' sending out a music with the quill o' me1 it might then be so40 ,this was interpreted as meaning that if ,dr4 ,james could find one who had the conditions surrounding ,mrs4 ,curran1 and was able to master the rhythm which ,patience uses to give the matter to her1 then he could do it4 ,when the record of the foregoing interview was being copied1 ,mrs4 ,curran felt an impulse to write4 ,taking the board1 ,patience indicated that she had called1 and at once set forth1 apparently for ,dr4 ,v41 the following explanation of her method of communication and the principle upon which it is based3 ,patience4--8,aye1 'tis a tickle ,i be4 ,hark1 there be a pulse--,nay1 she 7,mrs4 ,curran7 putteth o' the word6 ,alist4--,there abe a throb2 yea1 the songs o' ,earth each do throb them1 like unto the throbbing o' the heart that beareth them4 ,yea1 and there be a kinsman o' the heart that beareth them4 ,yea1 and there be a kinsman o' thee who throbbeth as dost thou4 ,yea1 and he knoweth thee as doth nay brother o' thee whose throb be not as thine4 ,so 'tis1 the drop that falleth athin the sea1 doth sound out a silvered note that no man heareth4 ,yet its brother drops and the drop o' it do to make o' the sea's voice4 ,aye1 and the throb o' the sea be the throb o' it4 ,so1 doth thy brother seek out that he make word unto thee from the ,here1 he then falleth aweary4 ,for thee of ,earth do hark not unto the throb4 ,and be the one aseeked not attuned unto the throb o' him he findeth1 'tis nay music4 ,so 'tis1 what be the throb o' me and the throb o' her ahere1 be nay a throb o' music's weave for him aseek4 8,i tell thee more4 ,the throb hath come unto thy day long and long4 ,yea1 they be afulled o' throb1 and yet nay man taketh up the throbbing as doth the sea4 ,the drop o' me did seek and find1 and throb met throb o' loving4 ,yea1 and even as doth the sea to throb out the silvered note o' drop1 even so doth she to throb out the love o' me40 ,this seems1 in effect1 a declaration that communications of this character are a matter of attunement1 possible only between two natures of identical vibrations1 one seeking and the other receptive4 ,it indicates too that her rhythmical speech has an influence upon the facility of her utterances4 ,at another time she described her own seeking in this verse3 ,how have ,i sought6 ,yea1 how have ,i asought1 ,and seeked me ever through the earth's hours1 ,amid the damp1 cool moon1 when winged scrape ,doth sound and cry unto the day ,the waking o' the hosts6 ,yea1 and 'mid the noon's heat1 ,when ,earth doth wither 'neath the sun1 ,and rose doth droop from sun's-kiss1 ,that stole the dew2 and 'mid the wastes ,o' water where they whirl and rage1 ,and seeked o' word that ,i ,might put to answer thee4 ,ayea1 from days have ,i then stripped ,the fulness of their joys1 and pryed ,the very buds that they might ope for thee4 ,aye1 and sought the days apast1 ,that ,i might sing them unto thee4 ,and ever1 ever1 cometh unto me ,thy song o' why8 why8 why8 ,and then1 lo1 ,i found athin this heart ,the answer to thy song4 ,aye1 it chanteth sweet unto this ear1 ,and filleth up the song4 ,do hark thee1 hark unto the song1 ,for answer to thy why8 why8 why8 ,i sing me ,give6 ,give6 ,give6 ,aye1 ever ,give6 ,when the foregoing verse was received1 ,dr4 ,x4 was again present1 this time with his wife and two physicians1 ,dr4 ,r4 and ,dr4 ,p4 ,it will have been observed that many doctors of many kinds have 8sat at the feet0 of ,patience ,worth1 but all1 as ,i have said1 have come as the friends of friends of ,mrs4 ,curran1 upon her invitation1 or upon that of ,mr4 ,curran4 ,on this occasion ,patience began3 8,they do seek o' me1 ever2 that they do see the pettiskirt o' me1 and eat not o' the loaf6 7,more interested in the phenomenon than the words47 ,ayea1 but he ahere 7,dr4 ,r47 hath a wise pate4 ,aye1 he seeketh1 and deep athin the heart o' him sinketh seed o' the word o' me4 ,aye1 even though he doth see the me o' me athrough the sage's eye o' him1 still shall he to love the word o' me40 ,after due acknowledgments from ,dr4 ,r41 she continued3 8,yea1 brother1 hark unto the word o' me1 for thou dost seek amid the fields o' ,him6 ,aye1 and 'tis1 thou knowest1 earth's men that be afar amore awry athin the in-man than in the flesh4 ,and 'tis the in-man o' men thou knowest40 ,dr4 ,r41 a neurologist1 gave hearty assent4 8,put thou unto me4 7,question me47 ',tis awish ,i be that ye weave40 ,dr4 ,r4--8,do you see through ,mrs4 ,curran's eyes and hear through her ears80 ,patience4--8,even as thou hast spoke1 it be4 ,aye1 and yet ,i say me 'tis the me o' me that knoweth much she heareth and seeth not40 ,then to a question had she ever talked before with anyone1 she said3 8,anaught save the flesh o' me40 8,fetch ye the wheel10 she commanded1 8that ,i do sit and spin40 ,this was one of her ways of saying that she desired to write on her story1 and she dictated several hundred words of it1 after which ,dr4 ,p4 took the board and she said3 8,what abe ahere8 ,a one who seeth sorry and maketh merry6 ,yea1 a one who leaveth the right hand o' him unto its task1 and setteth his left at doing awry o' the task o' its brothers4 ,aye1 he doeth the labors o' his brother1 aye1 and him4 ,do then1 aweave40 ,in compliance some more of the story was written1 and then ,dr4 ,r4 8wondered0 why he could not write for ,patience1 to which she answered3 8,hark unto me1 thou aside4 ,thou shalt put 7say7 'tis her ahere 7i4e41 ,mrs4 ,curran1 who does it72 ayea1 and say much o' word1 and e'en set down athin thy heart thy word o' what ,i be1 and yet ,i tell thee1 ,i be me6 ,aye1 ever1 and the word o' me shall stand1 e'en when thou and thou art ne'er ahere6 8,e'en he who doth know not o' the ,here hath felt the tickle o' my word1 and seeketh much this hearth4 8,then eat thee well and fill thee up1 and drink not o' the brew o' me and spat forth the sup4 ,nay1 fill up thy paunch4 ',twill merry thee60 ,dr4 ,p4 asked her a question about her looks4 8',tis a piddle he putteth10 she said4 99 99 99 99 99 ,and now we come to a sitting of a lighter character4 ,there were present at this ,dr4 and ,mrs4 ,d41 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,m4 and ,mrs4 and ,miss ,g4 8,aflurry ,i be60 cried ,patience4 8,aye1 for the pack o' me be afulled o' song and weave1 and e'en word to them ahere4 8,yea1 but afirst there be a weave1 for the thrift-bite eateth o' me40 7,the bite of her thrifty nature47 ,some of the story followed and then she said to ,mrs4 ,m41 who sat at the board3 8,here be aone who doth to lift up the lid o' the brew's pot1 that she see athin6 ,aye1 ,dame1 there abe but sweets athin the brew for thee4 ,amore1 for e'en tho' ,i do brew o' sweets and tell unto thee1 ,i be a dealer o' sours do ,i to choose6 ,ayea1 and did ,i to put the spatting o' thee athin the brew1 aye verily 'twould be asoured a bit60 ,then deprecatingly3 8',tis a piddle ,i put6 8,yea1 for him aside who sitteth that he drink o' this brew do ,i to sing2 fetch thee aside1 thee the trickster o' thy day60 ,there being so many 8tricksters0 in the room1 they were at a loss to know which one she meant4 ,mr4 ,c4 asked if she meant ,dr4 ,d41 but ,patience said3 8,thinkest thou he who setteth astraight the wry doth piddle o' a song8 ,anay1 to him who musics do ,i to sing40 ,this referred to ,mr4 ,g41 who is a musician and a composer1 and he took the board4 ,patience at once gave him this song3 ,nodding1 nodding1 'pon thy stem1 ,thou bloom o' morn1 ,nodding1 nodding to the bees1 ,asearch o' honey's sweet4 ,wilt thou to droop and wilt the dance o' thee1 ,to vanish with the going o' the day8 ,hath the tearing o' the air o' thy sharped thorn ,sent musics up unto the bright1 ,or doth thy dance to mean anaught ,save breeze-kiss 'pon thy bloom8 ,hath yonder songster harked to thee1 ,and doth he sing thy love8 ,or hath he tuned his song of world's wailing o' the day8 ,doth morn shew thee naught save thy garden's wall ,that shutteth thee away1 a treasure o' thy day8 ,doth yonder hum then spell anaught1 ,save whirring o' the wing that hovereth ,o'er thy bud to sup the sweet8 ,ah1 garden's deep1 afulled o' fairies' word1 ,and creeped o'er with winged mites1 ,where but the raindrops' patter telleth thee ,his love-- ,doth all this vanish then1 at closing o' the day8 ,anay4 ,for ,he hath made a one who seeketh here1 ,and storeth drops1 and song1 and hum1 and sweets1 ,and of these weaveth garland for the earth4 ,from off his lute doth drip the day of ,him4 ,patience then turned her attention to ,mr4 ,m41 saying3 8,ayea1 he standeth afar from the feasting place and doth to smack him much60 ,mr4 ,m4 took the board1 and she began to talk to him in an intimate way about the varying attitudes of people toward her and her work1 and what they say of her3 8,i be a dame atruth10 she said1 8and ,i tell thee the word o' wag that shall set thy day1 meaneth anaught but merry to me4 ,hark6 ,i put a murmur o' thy day1 for at the supping o' this cup the earth shall murmur so3 8',tis but the chatter o' a wag6 ,aye1 the putting o' the mad6 ',tis piddle6 ,yea1 the trapping o' a fool6 ,yea1 'tis but the dreaming o' the waked6 ,aye1 the word o' a wicked sprite6 ,yea1 and telleth naught and putteth naught6 8,and yet1 do harken unto me4 ,they then shall seek to taste the brew and sniff the whiffing o' the scent2 ayea1 and stop alonger that they feast6 ,and lo1 'twill set some asoured1 and some asweet2 aye and some1 ato 7too71 shall fill them upon the words ,,they do to put o' me1 and find them filled o' their own put1 and lack the room for eat o' the loaf o' me4 ',tis piddle1 then6 ,aye1 and yet ,i say me so1 'tis bread1 and bread be eat though it be but sparrows that do seek the crumb4 ,then what care ye8 ,for bake asurely shall be eat60 ,this is a point she often makes1 and strives earnestly to impress--that whatever she may be1 whatever the world may think she is1 there is substance in her words4 ,it is bread1 and will be eaten1 if only by the sparrows4 ,so1 she is content4 ,she has put this thought1 somewhat pathetically1 into the little verse which follows3 ,loth as ,night to dark o' ,day1 ,loth do ,i to sing4 ,aye1 but doth the ,day aneed a song1 ',tis they1 o' ,him1 ,the songsters o' the ,earth1 ,do sing them on1 to ,him4 ,what though 'tis asmiled8 ,and what ,though 'tis nay aseeked o' such a song8 ,aye1 what though 'tis sung 'mid dark8 ',tis ,i would sing1 ,do thee to list1 or nay4 8,i be a dame who knoweth o' the hearth4 ,aye1 and do to know o' the hearts o' men10 she said to ,mrs4 ,d41 who next took the place with ,mrs4 ,curran4 8,ayea1 and do to put o' that athin the hearts o' them that doth tickle o' their merry6 ,this be a tale for her ahere40 ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,herbs 8,lo1 there wert a dame and her neighbor's dame and her neighbor's dame4 ,and they did to plant them o' their gardens full4 ,and lo1 at a day did come unto the garden's ope a stranger1 who bore him of a bloom-topped herb4 ,and lo1 he spaked unto the dame who stood athin the sun-niche that lay at the garden's end1 and he did tell unto her of the herb he bore4 ,and lo1 he told that he would give unto her one of these1 and to her neighbor dame a one1 atoo 7also71 and to her neighbor dame a one atoo1 and he then would leave the garden's place and come at the fulling o' the season-tide when winter's bite did sear1 and that he then would seek them out1 and they should shew unto him the fulling o' the herb4 8,and lo1 he went him out unto the neighbor's dame and telled unto her the same1 and to her neighbor's dame the same1 and they did seek one the other and tell o' all the stranger had told unto them4 ,and each had sorry1 for feared 'twer the cunger o' the wise men1 and each aspoke her that she would to care and care for this the herb he did to leave1 and that she would have at the fulling o' the season the herb that stood at the fullest bloom4 ,and each o' the dames did speak it that this herb o' her should be the one waxed stronger at the fulling4 ,and lo1 none told unto the other o' how this would to be4 8,and lo1 the first o' dames did plant her herb adeep and speak little1 and lo1 her neighbor dames did word much o' the planting1 and carried drops from out the well that the herbs might full4 ,and lo1 they did pluck o' the first bud that them that did follow should be afuller4 ,and lo1 the dame afirst o' the garden the stranger did to seek1 did look with sunked heart at the thriving o' the herbs o' the neighbor dames4 ,and lo1 she wept thereon1 and 'twer that her well did dry1 and yet she seeked not the wells of her sisters4 ,nay1 but did weep upon the earth about the herb1 and lo1 it did to spring it up4 ,and lo1 she looked not with greed upon her sister's herb2 nay1 for at the caring for the bloom1 lo1 she loved its bud and wept that she had nay drop to give as drink unto it4 8,and lo1 at a certain day the stranger came and did seek the dames1 and came him unto her garden where the herb did stand1 and he bore the herbs of her sisters1 and they wert tall and full grown and filled o' bloom4 ,and he did to put the herb o' her sisters anext the herb o' her1 and lo1 the herb o' her did spring it up1 and them o' her sisters shrunked to but a twig4 ,and he did call unto the dames and spake3 8#8,lo1 have ye but fed thy herb that it be full o' bloom1 that thou shouldst glad thee o'er thy sister8 ,and lo1 the herb o' her hath drunked her tears shed o' loving1 and standeth sweet-bloomed from out the tears o' her4' 8,and lo1 the herb did flower aneath their very eyes4 ,and lo1 the flowering wert fulled o' dews-gleam1 and 'twer the sweet o' her heart1 yea1 the dew o' heaven40 ,following this pretty parable someone spoke of a newspaper article that had appeared that day1 and ,patience remarked3 8',tis a gab o' fool4 ,aye1 and the gab o' fool be like unto a spring that be o'erfull o' drops1 'tis ne'er atelling when it breaketh out its bounds40 ,with this sage observation she dismissed the 8fool0 as unworthy of further consideration1 and gave this poem3 ,do ,i to love the morn1 ,when ,earth awakes1 and streams ,aglint o' sun's first gold1 ,as siren's tresses thred them through the fields2 ,when sky-cup gleameth as a pearl2 ,when sky-hosts wake1 and leaf bowers ,wave aheavied with the dew8 ,do ,i to love the eve1 ,when white the moon doth show1 ,and frost's sweet sister1 young night's breath1 ,doth stand aglistened 'pon the blades2 ,when dark the shadow deepeth1 ,like to the days agone that stand ,as wraiths adraped o' black ,along the garden's path2 ,when sweet the nestlings twitter ',neath the wing of soft and down ,that hovereth it there within ,the shadows deep atop the tree8 ,do ,i to love the mid-hours deep-- ,the royal color o' the night8 ,for earth doth drape her purpled1 ,and jeweled o'er athin this hour4 ,do ,i to love these hours1 then1 ,as the loved o' me8 ,nay1 for at the morn1 ,lo1 do ,i to love the eve6 ,and at the eve1 ,lo1 do ,i to love the morn6 ,and at the morn and eve1 ',tis night that claimeth me4 ,a little of the reasoning of ,patience upon ,earth questions may appropriately come in here4 ,the ,currans1 with a single visitor1 had talked at luncheon of various things1 beginning with music and ending with capital punishment1 the latter suggested by an execution which at the moment was attracting national attention4 ,when they took the board1 after luncheon1 ,patience said3 8,list thee4 ,earth sendeth up much note4 ,yea1 and some do sound them at wry o' melody1 and others sing them true4 ,and lo1 they who sing awry shall mingle much and drown in melody4 ,and ,i tell thee1 o'er and above shall sound the note o' me60 ,and then she gave them to understand that she had listened to their discussion6 8,ye spake ye of eye for eye4 ,yea1 and tooth for tooth4 ,yea1 but be thy brother's eye not the ope o' thine1 then 'tis a measure less the full thou hast at taking o' the eye o' him4 ,yea1 and should the tooth o' him put crave for carrion1 and thine for sweets1 then how doth the tooth o' him serve thee80 ,here the sitters asked3 8,how about a life for a life1 ,patience80 ,patience4--8,ye fill thy measure full o' sands that trickle waste at each and every putting4 ,i tell thee thou hast claimed life2 aye1 and life be not thine or yet thy brother's for the taking or giving4 ,yea1 and such an soul hath purged at the taking or giving1 and rises to smile at thy folly4 8,aye1 and more4 ,list6 ,the earth's baggage1 hate1 and might1 and scorn1 fall at earth's leave1 a dust o' naught1 like the dust o' thy body crumbleth4 8,thou canst strip the body1 yea1 but the soul defieth thee60 99 99 99 99 99 ,the visitor referred to in the preceding talk is a frequent guest of the ,currans1 and is one of the loved ones of ,patience4 ,this visitor1 who is a widow1 remarked one evening that ,patience was deep and lived in a deep place4 8,aye10 said ,patience1 8a deeper than word4 ,there be ahere what thou knowest abetter far than word o' me might tell4 7,this seems to refer to the visitor's husband47 ,ayea thou hungereth1 and bread be thine1 for from off lips that spaked not o' the land o' here in word o' little weight1 thou hast supped of love1 and know the path that be atrod by him shall be atrod even so by thee1 e'en tho' thou shouldst find the mountain's height and pits o' depth past ,earth's tung4 8,shouldst thou at come o' here to hark unto the sound of this voice1 thinkest thou that heights1 aye or depths1 might keep thee from there8 ,and even so1 doth not the one thou seeketh too1 haste e'en now to find the path and waiteth8 8,then thinkest thou this journey be lone8 ,nay1 ,i tell thee1 thou art areach e'en past the ye o' ye1 and he areach ato4 ,then shall the path's ope be its end and beginning4 ,in love is the end and beginning of things4 8,yea1 yea1 yea1 the earth suppeth o' the word o' me1 and e'en at the supping stoppeth and speaketh so4 ,what that one not o' me doth brew4 ,thou knowest this1 dame4 ,aye1 but what then8 ,and why doth not the blood o' me speak unto me8 8',tis a merry ,i be4 ,lo1 have ,i not fetched forth unto a day that holdeth little o' the blood o' me1 that ,i might deal alike unto my brother and bring forth word that be ahungered for aye1 and they speak them o' her ahere and wag and hark not8 ,yea1 and did the blood o' them spake out unto their very ears ,i vow me 'twould set the earth ariot o' fearing4 ,yea1 man loveth blood that hath not flowed1 but sicketh o'er spilled blood4 ,yea1 then weave40 ,there was some discussion following this1 to the effect that whatever explanations might be given of this phenomenon1 many would believe in ,patience ,worth as an independent personality1 which brought from her the following discourse which may well conclude these conversations3 8,yea1 the tooth o' him who eateth up the flesh ,i did to cloak me athin1 shall rot and he shalt wither4 ,aye1 and the word o' me shalt stand4 ,fires but bake awell4 8,sweet hath the sound of the word o' ,him asounded unto the ears o' ,earth that hark not4 8,yea1 and ,he hath beat upon the busom of ,earth and sounded out a loud noise1 and ,earth harkened not4 8,and ,he hath sung thro' the mother's songs o' ,earth1 and ,earth harkened not4 8,yea1 and ,he hath sent ,his own with word1 and ,earth harkened not4 8,then 'tis ,earth's own folly that batheth her4 8,yea1 and ,folly cometh astreaming ribbands1 and showering color1 and grinning 'pon his way4 8,yea1 but ,folly masketh and leadeth ,earth and man assuredly unto ,follies pit--self4 ,and self is blind4 8,then whence doth ,earth to turn for aid8 ,for ,folly followeth not the blind1 and the voice of him who falleth unto the pit of ,folly soundeth out a loud note4 ,yea1 and it echoeth 'self4' 8,and lo1 the ,earth filled up o' self1 hearketh not unto the words of ,him1 the ,king of ,wisdom4 8,yea1 and ,i say unto thee1 though them o' ,him fall pierced and rent athin the flow o' their own blood thro' the self-song o' his brother1 he doeth this for ,him4 8,and the measuring rod shall weight out for him who packeth the least o' self athin him1 afull o' measure1 and light for him who packeth heavy o' self4 8,ayea1 and more4 ,i speak me o' lands wherein the high estate be self4 ,yea1 yea1 yea1 o' thy lands do ,i to speak4 ,woe unto him who feareth that might shall slay6 ,self may wield a mighty blow1 but it slayeth never4 8',tis as the dame who watcheth o'er her brood1 and lo1 this one hath sorry1 and that one hath sorry4 ,and she flitteth here and yon1 and lo1 afore she hath fetched out the herbs1 they sleep them peaceful4 ,so shall it be at this time4 ,the herbs shall be fetched forth but lo1 the lands shall sleep them peaceful4 8,yea1 for ,folly leadeth1 and ,wisdom warreth ,folly40 ,,religion 8,teach me that ,i be ,ye40 ,and now we well may ask3 ,what is the purpose of all this8 ,here we appear to have an invisible intelligence1 speaking an obsolete language1 producing volumes of poetry containing many evidences of profound wisdom4 ,so far as ,i have been able to find out1 no such phenomenon has occurred before since the world began4 ,do not misunderstand that assertion4 ,there is nothing extraordinary in the manner of its coming1 as ,i have said before4 ,the publications of the ,society for ,psychical ,research are filled with examples of communications received in the same or a similar way4 ,the fact that makes this phenomenon stand out1 that altogether isolates it from everything else of an occult nature1 is the character and quality of its literature4 ,literature is something tangible1 something that one can lay hands on1 so to speak4 ,it is in a sense physical2 it can be seen with the eyes4 ,and this literature is the physical evidence which ,patience ,worth presents of herself as a separate and distinct personality4 ,but why is it contributed8 ,is there in it any intimation or assertion of a definite purpose8 ,if we may assume that ,patience is what she seems to be--a voice from another world1 then indeed we may discern a purpose4 ,she has a message to deliver1 and she gives the impression that she is a messenger4 8,do eat that which ,i offer thee10 she says4 8',tis o' ,him4 ,i but bear the pack apacked for the carry o' me by ,him40 ,constantly she speaks of herself as bearing food or drink in her words4 8,i bid thee eat10 she said to one1 8and rest ye1 and eat amore1 for 'tis the wish o' me that ye be filled40 ,the seed1 the loaf1 the cup1 are frequently used symbolically when referring to her communications4 8,there be a man who buyeth grain and he telleth his neighbor and his neighbor's neighbor1 and lo1 they come asacked and clamor for the grain4 ,and what think ye8 ,some do make price1 and yet others bring naught4 ,but ,i be atelling ye1 'tis not a price ,i beg4 ,nay1 'tis that ye drink my cup40 8',tis truth o' earth that 'tis the seed aplanted deep that doth cause the harvester for to watch4 ,for lo1 doth he to hold the seed athin 7within7 his hand1 'tis but a seed4 ,and aplanted he doth watch him in wondering4 ,verily do ,i say1 'tis so with me4 ,i be aplanted deep2 do thee then to watch40 ,and with greater significance she has exclaimed3 8,morn hath broke1 and ye be the first to see her light4 ,look ye wide-eyed at ,his workings4 ,he hath offered ye a cup40 ,it is thus she announces herself to be a herald of a new day1 a bearer of tidings divinely commissioned4 ,what1 then1 is her message8 ,for answer it may be said that it is at once a revelation1 a religion and a promise4 ,whatever we may think of the nature of this phenomenon1 ,patience herself is a revelation1 and there are many revelations in her words4 ,the religion she presents is not a new one4 ,it is as old as that given to the world nineteen centuries ago2 for fundamentally it is the same4 ,it is that religion1 stripped of all the doctrines and creeds and ceremonials and observances that have grown up about it in all the ages since ,his coming1 and paring it down to the point where it can be expressed by the one word--,love4 ,love1 going out to fellow man1 to all nature and overflowing toward ,god4 ,in the consideration of this religion let us begin at the beginning1 at the ground1 so to speak1 with this expression of love for the loveless3 ,ah1 could ,i love thee1 ,thou1 the loveless o' the earth1 ,and pry aneath the crannies ,yet untouched by mortal hand ,to send therein this love o' mine-- ,thou creeping mite1 and winged speck1 ,and whirled waters o' the mid o' sea ,where no man seeth thee8 ,and could ,i love thee1 the days ,unsunned and laden with hate o' sorrying8 ,ah1 could ,i love thee1 ,thou who beareth blight2 ,and thou the fruit bescorched ,and shrivelling1 to fall unheeded ',neath thy mother-stalk8 ,ah1 could ,i love thee1 love thee8 ,aye1 for ,him who loveth thee1 ,and blightest but through loving2 ,like to him who bendeth low the forest's king ,to fashion out a mast4 ,love for everything is the essence of her thought and of her song4 ,and as she thus sings for the loveless1 so she sings for the wearied ones and the failures of the earth3 ,i'd sing4 ,wearied word adropped by weary ones1 ,and broked mold afashioned out by wearied hands2 ,a falter-song sung through tears o' wearied one2 ,a fancied put o' earth's fair scene ,afallen at awry o' weariness4 ,love's task ,unfinished1 aye1 o'ertaken by sore weariness-- ,o' thee ,i'd sing4 ,aye1 and put me such an songed-note ,that earth1 aye1 and heaven1 should hear2 ,and thou1 aye all o' ye1 the soul-songs ,o' my brothers1 be afinished1 ,at the closing o' my song4 ,aye1 and wearied1 aye and wearied1 ,i'd sing4 ,i'd sing for them1 the loved o' ,him1 ,and brothers o' thee and me4 ,amen4 ,this is the prelude and now comes the song3 ,i choose o' the spill ,o' love and word and work1 ,the waste o' earth1 to build4 ,ye hark unto the sages1 ,and oft a way-singer's song ,hath laden o'erfull o' truth1 ,and wasteth 'pon the air1 ,and falleth not unto thine ear4 ,think ye ,he scattereth whither ,e'en such an grain8 ,nay4 ,and do ye seek o' spill ,and put unto thy song1 ',twill fill its emptiness4 ,ye seek to sing but o' thy song1 ,and 'tis an empty strain4 ',tis need ,o' love's spill for to fill4 ,the spill of earth1 the love that goes unnoticed and unappreciated1 the words that are unheard or unheeded1 the work that seems to be for naught--none of these is waste4 ,a song it is for the wearied ones1 the heart-sick and discouraged1 8the loved of ,him and brothers of thee and me40 -------------- ,and yet she calls them waste but to show that they are not4 8,the waste of earth10 she says1 8doth build the ,heaven10 and this is the theme of much of her song4 ,earth hath filled it up o' waste and waste4 ,the sea's fair breast1 that heaveth as a mother's1 ,beareth waste o' wrecks and wind-blown waste4 ,the day doth hold o' waste4 ,the smiles that die1 that long to break1 ,the woes that burden them already broke1 ',tis waste1 ah yea1 'tis waste4 ,and yet1 and yet1 at some fair day1 ,e'en as the singing thou dost note ,doth bound from yonder hill's side green ,as echo1 yea1 the ghost o' thy voice2 ,so shall all o' this to sound aback ,unto the day4 ,of waste1 of waste1 is heaven builded up4 ,it is to the waste of earth that she speaks in this message of love and sympathy3 ,ah1 emptied heart6 ,the weary o' the path6 ,how would ,i to fill ye up o' love6 ,i'd tear this lute1 that it might whirr ,a song that soothed thy lone1 awearied path4 ,i'd steal the sun's pale gold1 ,and e'en the silvered even's ray1 ,to treasure them within this song ,that it be rich for thee4 ,from out the wastes o' earth ,i'd seek ,and catch the woe-tears shed1 ,that ,i might drink them from the cup ,and fill it up with loving4 ,from out the hearts afulled o' love ,would ,i to steal the o'er-drip ,and pack the emptied hearts of earth4 ,the bread o' love would ,i to cast ,unto thy bywayed path1 and pluck me ,from the thornd bush that traileth o'er ,the stepping-place1 the thorn1 that brothers ,o' the flesh o' me might step 'pon path acleared4 ,yea1 ,i'd coax the songsters o' the earth ,to carol thee upon thy ways1 ,and fill ye up o' love and love and love4 ,and a message of cheer and encouragement she gives to those who sorrow1 in this3 8,the web o' sorrow weaveth 'bout the days o' earth1 and 'tis but ,folly who plyeth o' the bobbin4 ,i tell thee more1 the bobbins stick and threads o' day-weave go awry4 ,but list ye2 'tis he who windeth o' his web 'pon smiles and shuttleth 'twixt smiles and woe who weaveth o' a day afull and pleantious4 ,and sorrow then wilt rift and show a light athrough40 ,smiles amid sorrows4 ,he who windeth of his web upon smiles not only rifts his own woes but those of others1 as she expresses it in this verse3 ,the smile thou cast today that passed ,unheeded by the world2 the handclasp ,of a friend1 the touch of baby palms ,upon its mother's breast-- ,whither have they flown along the dreary way8 ,mayhap thy smile ,hath fallen upon a daisy's golden head1 ,to shine upon some weary traveler ,along the dusty road1 and cause ,a softening of the hard1 hard way4 ,perchance the handclasp strengthened wavering love ,and lodged thee in thy friend's regard4 ,and where the dimpled hands caress1 ,will not a well of love spring forth8 ,who knows1 but who will tell ,the hiding of these fleeting gifts6 ,and she gives measure to the same thought in this3 ,waft ye through the world sunlight2 ,throw ye to the sparrows grain ,that runneth o'er the heaping measure4 ,scatter flower petals1 like the wings ,of fluttering butterflies1 to streak ,the dove-gray day with daisy gold1 ,and turn the silver mist to fleece of gold4 ,hath the king a noble who is such ,an wonder-worker8 ,or hath his jester ,such a pack of tricks as thine8 ,both of these last have to do with the hands and with the use of the hands in the expression of love for others1 but in the following poem ,patience pays a tender and yet somewhat mystical tribute to the hands themselves1 empty hands filled with the gifts of ,him1 the power to build and weave and soothe3 ,hands4 ,hands4 ,the hands o' ,earth2 ,abusied at fashioning1 ,aye1 ,and put o' this1 aye1 and that4 ,hands4 ,hands upturned at empty4 ,hands4 ,hands untooled1 aye1 but builders ,o' the soothe o' ,earth4 ,hands4 ,hands aspread1 aye1 and sending forth ,that which they do hold--the emptiness4 ,aye1 at empty they be1 afulled o' the give o' ,him4 ,at put at up1 aye1 and down1 'tis at weave ,o' cloth o' ,him they be4 ,hands4 ,hands afulled o' work o' ,him2 ,aye1 and ever at a spread o' doing in ,his name4 ,aye1 and at put o' weave ,for naught but loving4 ,there are no doubt such hands on earth1 many of them 8ever at a spread of doing in ,his name10 but not often have their work and their mission been so beautifully and so fittingly expressed as in this strange verse which1 to me at least1 grows in wonder at every reading4 ,and this not so much because of the quaintness of the words and the singularity of the construction1 as for the thought4 ,this1 however1 is characteristic of all of her work4 ,there is always more in it than appears upon the surface4 ,and yet when one analyzes it1 one finds that whatever may be the nature or the subject of the composition1 in nearly every instance love is the inspiration4 ,the love that she expresses is universal4 ,it goes out to nature in all its forms1 animate and inanimate1 lovely and unlovely4 ,it is manifested in all her references to humanity1 from the infant to doddering age2 and her compositions are filled with appeals for the application of love to the relations between man and man4 ,but it is when she sings of ,god that she expresses love with the most tender and passionate fervency--,his love for man1 her love for ,him4 8,for ,he knoweth no beginning1 no ending to loving10 she says1 8and loveth thee and me and me and thee ever and afore ever40 8,sighing but bringeth up heart's weary2 tears but wash the days acleansed2 hands abusied for them not thine do work for ,him2 prayers that fall 'pon but the air and naught1 ye deem1 sing straight unto ,him4 ,close1 close doth ,he to cradle ,his own to ,him40 ,she gives poetic expression to this divine love in the song which follows3 ,brother1 weary o' the plod1 ,art sorried sore o' waiting8 ,brother1 bowed aneath the pack o' ,earth1 ,art seeking o' the path ,that leadest thee unto new fields ,o' green1 and breeze-kissed airs8 ,art bowed and bent o' weight o' sorry8 ,art weary1 weary1 sore8 ,then come and hark unto this song o' ,him4 ,hast thou atrodden 'pon the ,earth1 ,and worn the paths o' folly ,till thou art foot-sore8 ,and hast the day grinned back to thee1 ,a folly-mask adown thy path ,that layeth far behind thee8 ,thy heart1 my brother1 hast thou then ,alost it 'pon the path8 ,and filled thee up o' word and tung ,o' follysingers long the way8 ,ah1 weary me1 ah1 weary me6 ,come thou unto this breast4 ,for though thou hast suffered o' the ,earth1 ,and though thy robe be stained ,o' travel o'er the stoney way1 ,and though thy lips deny thy heart1 ,come thou unto this breast1 ,the breast o' ,him4 ,for ,he knoweth not the stain4 ,aye1 and the land o' ,him doth know ,no stranger 'mid its hosts4 ,ayea1 and though thou comest mute1 ,this silence speaketh then to ,him1 ,and ,he doth hold ,him ope ,his arms4 ,so come thou brother1 weary one1 ,to ,him1 for 'tis but ,earth and men ,who ask thee ,,why4 ,she pours out her love for ,god in many verses of praise and prayer4 ,bird skimming to the south1 ,bear thou my song1 ,sand slipping to the wave's embrace1 ,do thou but bear it too6 ,and1 shifting tide1 take thou ,unto thy varied paths ,the voicing of my soul6 ,i'd build me such an endless ,chant to sing of ,him ,that days to follow days ,would be but builded chord ,of this my lay4 ,still more ardently does she express her love in these lines3 ,spring1 thou art but ,his smile ,of happiness in me1 and sullen days ,of weariness shall fall when ,spring is born ,in winds of ,march and rains of ,april's tears4 ,methinks 'tis weariness of ,his that ,i1 ,his loved1 should tarry o'er the task ,and leave life's golden sheaves unbound4 ,and1 ,night1 thou too art mine1 of ,him4 ,thy dim and veiled stars are but the eyes ,of ,him that through the curtained mystery ,watch on and sever dark from me4 ,and1 ,love1 thou too art ,his1 ,his words of wooing to my soul4 ,should ,i1 then1 crush thee in embrace1 ,and bruise thee with my kiss1 ,and drink thy soul through mine8 ,what1 then6 ',tis ,he1 'tis ,he1 my love1 ,that gave me thee1 and while my love is thine1 ,what wonder is it causeth here ,this heart of mine to stifle so ,and seek expression in a prayer of thanks8 ,with equal fervency of devotion and gratitude she sings this tribute to the day3 ,ah1 what a day ,he hath made1 ,he hath made6 ,it flasheth abright and asweet1 and asweet4 ,it showeth ,his love and ,his smile1 yea1 ,his smile4 ,the hills stand abrown1 aye astand brown1 ,and peaked as a monk in his cowl1 aye1 his cowl6 ,the grass it hath seared1 aye1 hath seared ,and scenteth asweet1 yea1 asweet4 ,ayonder a swallow doth whirl1 aye1 doth whirl1 ,and skim mid the grey o' the blue1 ,aye1 the grey o' the blue4 ,the young wave doth lap 'pon the sands1 ,yea1 lap soft and soft 'pon the sands4 ,the field's maid doth seek1 yea1 doth seek1 ,and send out her song to the day1 ,yea1 send out her song to the day4 ,my heart it is full1 yea1 'tis full1 ,for the love of ,him batheth the day1 ,yea1 the love of ,him batheth the day4 ,ah1 what a day ,he hath made1 ,yea1 ,he hath made it for me6 ,her prayers are not appeals for aid2 they are not begging petitions4 ,they are outpourings of love and trust and gratitude4 ,to an old couple1 friends of ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,curran1 who passed a round-eyed evening with ,patience1 she said3 ,keep ye within thy heart a song ,and murmur thou this prayer3 8,my ,god1 am ,i then afraid ,of heights or depths8 ,and doth this dark benumb my quaking limbs8 ,and do ,i stop my song in fear ,lest ,thee do then forsake me8 ,nay1 for ,i do love ,thee so1 ,i fain would choose a song ,built from my chosen tung1 ,and though it be but chattering ,of a soul bereft of reasoning1 ,i know ,thou would'st love it as ,thine own1 ,for ,i do love ,thee so60 ,this was not given for another1 but is her own cry3 ,i beseech ,thee1 ,lord1 for naught6 ,but cry aloud unto the sunlight ,who bathes the earth in gold ,and boldly breaketh into crannies ,yet unseen by man3 ,flash thou in flaming sheen6 ,mine own song of love doth falter ,and my throat1 it is afail6 ,and thou1 the greening shrub along the way1 ,and earth at bud-season1 ,do thou then spurt thy shoots ,and pierce the air with loving6 ,and age-wabbled brother-- ,i do love thee for thy spending1 ,and ,i do gaze in loving at thy face1 ,whereon ,i find ,his peace1 ,and trace the withered cheek ,for record of ,his love4 ,around thy lips doth hang ,the child-smile of a trusting heart2 ,and world hath vanished ,from thine eyes1 bedimmed ,to gard thee at awakening4 ,thou1 too1 art of my song of love4 ,i beseech ,thee1 ,lord1 for naught4 ,these hands are ,thine for loving1 ,and this heart1 already ,thine1 ,why offer it8 ,i beseech ,thee1 ,lord1 for naught4 ,this one does ask for something1 but only to know ,him3 ,teach me1 ,o ,god1 ,to say1 8',tis not enough40 ,aye1 teach me1 ,o ,brother1 ,to sing1 and though the weight ,be past this strength1 ,teach me1 ,o ,god1 to say1 8',tis not enough--to pay60 ,teach me1 ,o ,god1 for ,i be weak4 ,teach me to learn ,of strength from ,thee4 ,teach me1 ,o ,god1 to trust1 and do4 ,teach me1 ,o ,god1 no word to pray4 ,teach me1 ,o ,god1 the heart ,thou gavest me4 ,teach me1 ,o ,god1 to read thereon4 ,teach me1 ,o ,god1 to waste not word4 ,teach me that ,i be ,ye6 ,that last line presents the most impressive principle of the religion she expresses1 and which1 we might almost say1 she embodies4 8,who are you80 she was once asked abruptly4 8,i be ,him10 she replied2 8alike to thee4 ,ye be o' ,him40 ,at another time she said3 8,i be all that hath been1 and all that is1 all that shalt be1 for that be ,he40 ,taken alone this would seem to be a declaration that she herself was ,god1 but when it is read in connection with the previous affirmation it is readily understood4 8,thou art of ,him10 she said again1 8aye1 and ,i be of ,him1 and ye be of ,him1 and ,he be all and of all40 ,in this prayer1 where she says 8,teach me1 ,o ,god1 no word to pray10 it is evident from her other prayers that she uses the word pray in the sense of 8to beg40 ,her prayers are merely expressions of love and gratitude4 ,she herself interprets the line1 8,teach me1 ,o ,god1 to waste not word10 in this verse3 ,speak ye a true tongue1 ,or waste ye with words the ,soul's song8 ,a damning evidence is with wasted words2 ,for need ,i prate to yonder star ,when hunger fills the world wherein ,i dwell8 ,cast ,i a glance so precious as ,his ,which wakes at every dawn8 ,speak ,i a tongue one half so true ,as sighing winds who sing amid ,aeolian harps strung with siren tress8 ,for lo1 the sea murmureth a thousand tones1 ,wrung from its world within1 ,but telleth only of ,him1 ,and so ,his silence keeps4 ,in the order in which we have chosen to present these poems1 they are more and more mystical as we go on4 ,we trust1 then1 that the reader meeting them for the first time will feel no impertinence in increasing attempts at elucidation from one who has read them often and pondered them much4 ,there is another and a very interesting phase of these communications in the place ,christ holds in them4 ,patience's attitude toward the ,savior is one of deep and loving reverence4 8,didst thou then10 she says1 8with those drops so worth1 buy the throbbing at thy memory set aflutter8 ,and is this love of mine so freely thine by that same purchase1 or do ,i love thee for thy love of me8 ,and do ,i1 then1 my father's tilling for love of ,him1 like thee to shed my blood and tears for reapers in an age to come1 because ,he wills it so8 ,god grant 'tis so60 ,nor does she hesitate to assert ,his divinity with definiteness4 8,think ye10 she cries1 8that ,he who doth send the earth aspin athrough the blue depth o' ,heaven1 be not a wonder-god who springeth up where'er ,he doth set a wish6 ,yea1 then doth ,he to spring from out the dust a lily2 so also doth ,he to breathe athin 7within7 the flesh1 and come unto the earth1 born from out flesh athout the touch o' man4 ',tis so1 and from off the lute o' me hath song aflowed that be asweeted o' the blood o' ,him that shed for thee and me40 ,and she puts the same assertion of ,his divine birth into this tribute to the ,virgin3 ,mary1 mother1 thou art the ,spring ,that flowereth1 though nay man aplanteth thee4 ,mary1 mother1 the song of thee ,that lulled ,his dreams to come1 ,sing them athrough the earth and bring ,the hope of rest unto the day4 ,mary1 mother1 from out the side of ,him ,that thou didst bear1 aflowed the crimson tide ,that doth to stain e'en unto this day-- ,the tide of blood that ebbed the man ,from out the flesh and left the ,god to be4 ,mary1 mother1 wilt thou then leave me catch ,these drops1 that ,i do offer them as drink ,unto the brothers of the flesh of me of earth8 ,mary1 mother of the earth's loved6 ,mary1 bearer of the ,god6 ,mary1 that ,i might call thee of a name befitting thee1 ,i seek1 ,i seek1 ,i seek1 and none ,doth offer it to me save this3 ,mother6 ,mother6 ,mother of the ,him2 ,the flesh that died for me4 ,,the ,,ideas ,,on ,,immortality 8,earth6 ,earth1 the mother of us all6 ,aye1 the mother of us all6 ,how loth1 how loth1 like to a child we be1 to leave and seek 'mid dark60--,,patience ,,worth4 ,if the personality of ,patience ,worth and the nature and quality of her literary productions are worthy of consideration as evidences of the truth of her claim to a spiritual existence1 then in the sufficiency of the proof may be found an answer to the world-old question3 ,is there a life after death8 ,to what extent the facts that have been presented in this narrative may be accepted as proof1 is for the reader to determine4 ,but ,patience has not been content to reveal a strange personality and a unique literature2 she has had much to say upon this question of immortality4 ,there is more or less spiritual significance in nearly all of her poetry and in some of her prose1 and while her references to the after life are usually veiled under figures of speech1 they nevertheless give assurances of its existence4 ,she makes it clear1 however1 that she is not permitted to reveal the nature of that life beyond the veil1 but she goes as far apparently as she dares1 in the repeated assertion1 through metaphor and illustration1 of its reality4 8,my days10 she cries1 8,i have scattered like autumn leaves1 whirled by raging winds1 and they have fallen in various crannies 'long the way4 ,blown to rest are the sunny spring-kissed mornings of my youth1 and with many a sigh did ,i blow the sobbing eves that melted into tear-washed night4 ,blow on1 thou zephyr of this life1 and let me throw the value of each day to thee4 ,blow1 and spend thyself1 till1 tired1 thou wilt croon thyself to sleep4 ,perchance this casting of my day may cease1 and thou wilt turn anew unto thy blowing and reap the casting of the world4 8,what then is a sigh8 ,ah1 man may breathe a sorrow4 ,doth then the dumbness of his brother bar his sighing8 ,nay--and hark6 ,the sea doth sigh1 and yonder starry jasmine stirreth with a tremorous sigh2 and morning's birth is greeted with the sighing of the world4 ,for what8 ,ah1 for that coming that shall fulfill the promise1 and change the sighing to a singing1 and loose the tongue of him whom ,god doth know and1 fearful lest he tell ,his hidden mysteries1 hath locked his lips40 ,and again she asks3 8,needest thou see what ,god himself sealeth thine eyes to make thee know80 ,meaning1 undoubtedly1 that only through the process of death can the soul be brought to an understanding of that other life2 and she declares that even if we were shown1 we could not comprehend4 8,if thou should'st see ,his face on morrow's break10 she says1 8'twould but start a wagging10 a discussion4 ,and she continues3 8,ah1 ope the tabernacle1 but look thou not on high1 for when the filmy veil shall fade away--ah1 could'st thou but know that ,he who waits hath looked1 aye looked1 on thee1 and thou hast looked on ,him since time began60 ,this enigmatical utterance is in itself sufficient to start a 8wagging10 but ,patience evidently feels that the solution is beyond our powers3 for she repeatedly asserts that the key to the mystery is within our reach if we could but grasp it4 8,fleet as down blown from its moorings1 seeking the linnet who dropped her seed1 so drift ye10 she says1 8ever seeking1 when at the root still rests the seed pod40 ,and again3 8,knowest thou that fair land to which the traveler is loath to go1 but loath1 so loath1 to leave8 ,ah1 the mystery of the snail's shell is far deeper than this40 ,yet she tells us again and again that ,nature itself is the proof of another life4 8,why live10 she asks1 8the paltry span of years allotted thee1 in desolation1 while all about thee are ,his promises8 ,thou art1 indeed1 like a withered hand that holds a new-blown rose40 ,the truth1 she says1 is not to be found in 8books of wordy filling10 but in the infant's smile and in the myriad creations and resurrections that are ever within our cognizance4 8,i pipe of learning10 she cries1 8and fall silent before the fool who singeth his folly lay40 ,the natural evidences she points out are visible to all and within the comprehension of the feeblest intelligence1 but he whose vision is obscured by book knowledge 8is like unto the monk who prays within his cell1 unheedful of the timid sunbeam who would light the page his wisdom so befogs40 8,ah60 she exclaims1 8the labor set thee to unlearn thine inborn fancies60 meaning1 apparently1 the suppression of the intuitions of immortality2 and in the same line of thought she cries3 8,am ,i then drunkened on the chaff of knowledge supped by mine elderborn8 ,nay1 my forefolk drank not truth1 but sent through my veins acoursing1 chaff1 chaff1 naught by chaff40 ,plainly1 then1 ,patience has no great respect for learning1 and it is the book of ,nature rather than the book of words that she would have us read4 ,i made a song from the dead notes of ,his birds1 ,and wove a wreath of withered lily buds1 ,and gathered daisies that the sun had scorched1 ,and plucked a rose the riotous wind had torn1 ,and stolen clover flowers1 down-trodden by the kine1 ,and fashioned into ropes and tied with yellow reed1 ,an offering unto ,him3 and lo1 the dust ,of crumbling blossoms fell to bloom again1 ,and smiled like sickened children1 ,wistfully1 but strong of faith that mother-stalk ,would send fresh blossoms in the spring4 ,so it is she sings1 presenting the symbolisms of nature to illustrate the renewal or the continuance of life2 or again1 she likens life to the seasons 7as did ,shakespeare and ,keats1 and many another poet7 in this manner3 ,my youth is promising as spring1 ,and verdant as young weeds1 ,whose very impudence taketh them ,where bloom the garden's treasures4 ,my midlife1 like the summer1 who blazeth ,as a fire of blasting heat1 fed by withered ,crumbling weeds of my spring4 ,my sunset1 like the fall who ripeneth ,the season's offerings4 ,and hoar frost ,is my winter night1 fraught with borrowed warmth1 ,and flowers1 and filled with weeds1 ,which spring e'en 'neath the frozen waste8 ,ah1 is the winter then my season's close8 ,or will ,i pin a faith to hope and look ,again for spring1 who lives eternal in my soul8 ,faith is the keynote of many of her songs1 the faith that grows out of that profound love which is the essential principle of the religion she presents4 ,the triumph of faith she expresses in the poem which follows3 ,o sea6 ,the panting bosom of the ,earth2 ,the sighing1 singing carol of her heart6 ,i watch thee and ,i dream a dream ,whose fruit doth sicken me4 ,white sails do fleck thy sheen1 and yonder moon ,doth seem to dip thy depths ,and sail the silver mirror1 high above4 ,unharbored do ,i rove4 ,along the shore behind1 ,the shadow of ,tomorrow creepeth on4 ,a seething silvered path doth stretch thy length1 ,to meet the curving cheek of ,lady ,moon4 ,i dream the flutt'ring waves to fanning wings ,and fain would follow in their course4 ,but stay6 ,my barque doth plow anew1 and set the wings to flight2 ,for though ,i watch their tremorous mass1 my craft ,but saileth harbor-loosed1 and ever stretcheth far ,beyond the moon's own phantom path-- ,and ,i but dream a dream whose fruit doth sicken me4 ,ah1 ,sea6 who planted thee1 and cast ,a silver purse1 unloosed1 upon thy breast8 ,my barque1 who then did harbor it1 ,and who unfurled its sail8 ,and yonder moon1 from whence her silver coaxed8 ,methinks my dream doth wax her wroth1 ,else why the pallor o'er her cast8 ,dare ,i to sail1 to steer me at the wheel8 ,shall ,i then hide my face and cease my murmuring1 ,o'erfearful lest ,i find the port8 ,nay1 ,i do know thee1 ,lord1 and fearless sail me on1 ,to harbor then at dawning of new day4 ,i stand unfearful at the prow4 ,at anchor rests my barque4 ,away1 thou phantom ,moon1 ,and restless1 seething path6 ,my chart ,i cast unto the sea1 ,for ,i do know ,thee1 ,lord6 ,this triumph of faith is also the theme of the weird allegory which follows4 ,it is1 perhaps1 the most mystical of ,patience's productions4 ,,the ,,phantom ,,and ,,the ,,dreamer ,phantom3 ,thick stands the hill in garb of fir1 ,and winter-stripped the branching shrub4 ,cold gray the sky1 and glistered o'er ,with star-dust pulsing tremorously4 ,snow1 the lady of the ,winter ,knight1 ,hath danced her weary and fallen to her rest4 ,she lieth stretched in purity ,and dimpled 'neath the trees4 ,a trackless waste doth lie from hill ,to valley 'neath1 and ,winter's ,knight ,doth sing a wooing lay unto his love4 ,cot on cot doth stand deserted1 ,and thro' the purpled dark they show ,like phantoms of a life long passed ,to nothingness4 ,hear thou the hollowness ,of the sea's coughing beat against ,the cliff beneath1 and harken ye ,to the silence of the valley there4 ,doth chafe ye of thy loneliness8 ,then sleep and let me put a dream to thee4 ,see ye the cot-- ,a speck o' dark adown the hillside1 ,and sheltered o'er with fir-bows1 ,heavy-laden with the kiss of ,lady ,snow8 ,come hither then4 ,let's bruise this snowy breast1 ,and fetch us there unto its door4 ,see6 ,here a twig ,hath battled with the wind1 and lost4 ,we then may cast it 'mid its brothers ,of the bush and plow us on4 ,look ye to the thick thatch ,o'er the gable of the roof1 ,piled higher with a blanketing of snow2 ,and shutters hang agape1 to rattle ,like the cackle of a crone4 ,the blackness of a pit within1 ,and filled with sounds that tho' they be ,but seasoning of the log1 doth freeze ,thy marrowmeat4 ,i feel the quake ,and shake thee for thy fear4 ,stride thou within and set a flint to brush ,within the chimney-place4 ,we then shall rouse ,the memory of the tenant here-- ,a night1 my friend1 thee'lt often call to mind4 ,the flame hath sprung and lappeth at the twigs4 ,thee'lt watch the burning of thy hastiness1 ,and wait thee long ,until the embers slip away to smoke4 ,then strain ye to its weaving ,and spell to me the reading of its folds4 ,dreamer3 ,i see thin1 threading lines that writhe them ,to a shape--a visage ever changeful1 ,or mine eyes do play me false1 ,for it doth smile to twist it to a leer1 ,and sadden but to laugh in mockery4 ,i see a lad whose face ,doth shine illumed1 and he doth bear ,the kiss of wisdom on his brow4 ,i see him travail 'neath a weary load1 ,and close beside him ,wisdom follows on4 ,burdened not is he4 ,do ,i see aright8 ,for still the light of wisdom shineth o'er4 ,but stay6 ,what6 ,do mine eyes then cheat8 ,this twisting smoke-wreath ,filleth all too much my sight6 ,phantom3 ,nay1 friend1 strain thee now anew4 ,the lad6 ,now canst thou see8 ,nay1 for like to him ,thou hast looked thee at the face of ,doubt4 ,dreamer3 ,who art thou1 shape or phantom1 then1 ,that thou canst set my dream to flight8 ,i doubt me that the lad could stand ,beneath the load6 ,phantom3 ,nay1 thee canst ravel well1 my friend4 ,the lad was thee1 and ,doubt ,o'ertook with ,wisdom on thy way4 ,come1 bury ,doubt aneath the ash4 ,we travel us anew4 ,seest thou1 a rimming moon doth show ,from 'neath the world's beshadowed side4 ,a night bird chatteth to its mate1 ,and lazily the fir-boughs wave4 ,we track us to the cot whose roof ,doth sag--and why thy shambling tread8 ,i bid ye on6 ,dreamer3 ,who art thou--again ,i that demand-- ,that ,i shall follow at thy bidding8 ,who set me then this task8 ,phantom3 ,step thou within6 ,stand thee on the thresh of this roofless void6 ,look thou6 ,dost see the maid ,who coyly stretcheth forth her hand ,to welcome thee8 ,she biddeth thee ,to sit and sup4 ,i bid thee speak4 ,awaken thee unto her welcoming4 ,dreamer3 ,enough6 ,this fancy-breeding sickeneth ,my very soul6 ,a skeleton of murdered trees1 ,ribbed with pine and shanked of birch6 ,and thee wouldst bid me then ,embrace the emptiness4 ,i see naught1 and believe but what ,i see4 ,phantom3 ,look thou again1 and strain4 ,what seest thou8 ,dreamer3 ,i see a newly kindled fire1 ,and watch its burning glow until ,the embers die and send their ghosts aloft4 ,but ash remaineth--and ,i chill6 ,for rising there1 a shape ,whose visage twisteth drunkenly1 ,and from her garments falls a dust of ash4 ,phantom3 ,doubt6 ,unburied1 friende6 ,we journey on1 ,and mark ye well each plodding footfall ,singing like to golden metal with the frost4 ,the night a scroll of white1 and lined ,with blackish script-- ,the lines of ,his own putting6 ,read thee there6 ,thou seest naught1 ,and believe but what ye see6 ,stark nakedness and waste--but hearken ye6 ,the frost skirt traileth o'er the crusted snow ,and singeth young leaves' songs of ,spring4 ,still art thou blind6 ,but at ,his touching shall the darkness bud ,and bloom to rosy morn4 ,and even now1 ,were ,i to snap a twig 'twould bleed and die4 ,see ye2 'tis done6 ,look ye6 ,ye believe but what ye see3 ,here within thy very hand ,thou holdest ,doubt's undoing4 ,i bid ye look upon the bud ,already gathered 'neath the tender bark4 ,the sun's set and rise hath coaxed it forth4 ,thee canst see the rogue hath stolen red ,and put it to its heart4 ,and here ,aneath the snow the grass doth love the earth ,and nestles to her breast4 ,i stand me here1 and lo1 the ,spring hath broke6 ,the dark doth slip away to hide1 ,and flowering1 singing1 sighing1 loving ,spring ,is here6 ,dreamer3 ,aye1 thou art indeed ,a wonder-worker in the night6 ,a black pall1 a freezing blast1 ,an unbroken path--and thou ,wouldst have me then to prate o' ,spring1 ,and pluck a bud where dark doth hide the bush6 ,who cometh from the thicket higher there8 ,phantom3 ',tis ,doubt to meet thee1 friend6 ,dreamer3 ,who art thou8 ,i fain would flee1 ,and yet ,i fear to leave lest ,i be lost4 ,i hate thee and thy weary task6 ,phantom3 ,nay1 brother1 thy lips do spell1 ,but couldst thee read their words aright ,thee wouldst meet again with ,doubt4 ,come6 ,we journey on unto the cot ,beloved the most by me4 ,i bid thee ,let thy heart to warm within thy breast4 ,a thawing melteth frozen ,hope4 ,see how1 below1 the sea hath veiled ,her secret held so close1 ,and murmured only to the winds ,who woo her ever and anon4 ,the waves do lap them1 hungry for the sands4 ,careful6 ,lest the sun's pale rise ,should blind thee with its light4 ,a shaft to put it through ,the darkness of thy soul must needs ,but be a glimmering to blind4 ,step ye to the hearthstone then1 ,and set thee there a flame anew4 ,i bid ye read again ,the folding of the smoke4 ,dreamer3 ',tis done1 thou fiend6 ,a pretty play for fools1 indeed4 ,i swear me that 'tis not ,for loving of the task ,i builded it1 ,but for the warming of its glow4 ,phantom3 ,in truth ye speak4 ,but read6 ,dreamer3 ,i see a hag whose brow ,doth wrinkle like a summer sea4 ,for do ,i look unto the sea ,at ,beauty's own fair form1 ,it writheth to a twisted shape1 ,and ,i do doubt me of her loveliness4 ,the haggard visage of the crone ,i now behold1 doth set me doubting ,of mine eye1 for dimples seem ,to flutter 'neath the wrinkled cheek4 ,phantom3 ,so1 then1 thee believest ,but what thine eyes behold6 ,thee findest then ,thy seeing in a sorry plight4 ,i marvel at thy wisdom1 lad4 ,look ye anew4 ,mayhap thee then ,canst coax the crone away4 ,dreamer3 ,enough6 ,the morn hath kissed the night adieu1 ,and even while ,i prate ,a redwing crimsoneth the snow in flight4 ,kindled tinder smoldereth away1 ,and ,i do strain me to its fold4 ,i glut me of the loveliness ,i there behold1 ,for from the writhing stream a sprite is born ,whose beauteous form bedazzles me1 ,and she doth point me ,to the golding gray of morn4 ,the sea ,is singing1 singing her unto my soul4 ,i dreamed she sighed1 but waked to hear her sing4 ,i hear thee1 ,phantom1 bidding me on1 on6 ,but morn hath stolen dreams away4 ,i strain me to the hills to trace our path1 ,and lo1 unbroken is the snow1 ,and cots have melted with the light1 ,and yet1 methinks a murmuring doth come ,from out the echoes of the night1 ,that hid them 'neath the crannies of the hills4 ,life6 ,life6 ,i lead thee on6 ,and faith doth spring from seedlings of thy doubt6 ,,epilogue4 ,thick stands the hill in garb of fir and snow4 ,the ,lady of the ,winter's ,knight hath danced ,her weary1 and stretched her in her purity1 ,to cover aching wounds of ,winter's overloving woo4 99 99 99 99 99 8,and faith doth spring from seedlings of thy doubt60 plainly meaning an active doubt that searches for the truth and finds it4 ,but she personifies ,doubt in another and more forbidding form in this3 ,like to a thief who wrappeth him ,within the night-tide's robe1 ,so standeth the specter o' the ,earth2 ,yea1 he doth robe him o' the ,earth's fair store4 ,yea1 he decketh in the star-hung purple o' the eve1 ,and reacheth from out the night unto the morn1 ,and wringeth from her waking all her gold1 ,and at his touching1 lo1 the stars are dust1 ,and morn's gold but heat's glow1 and ne'er ,the golden blush of ,his own metal store4 ,yea1 he strideth then ,upon the flower-hung couches of the field1 ,and traileth him thereon his robe1 ,and lo1 the flowers do die of thirst ,and parch of scoarching of his breath4 ,yea1 and 'mid the musics of the earth he strideth him1 ,and full-songed throats are mute4 ,yea1 music dieth of his luring glance4 ,and e'en the love of earth he seeketh out ,and turneth it unto a folly-play4 ,yea1 beneath his glance1 the fairy frost ,upon the love sprite's wing ,doth flutter1 as a dust1 and drop1 and leave ,but bruised and broken bearers for ,his store4 ,yea1 and 'mid man's day he ever strideth him ,and layeth low man's reasoning4 ,his robes ,are hung of all the earth's most loved4 ,from off the flowers their fresh2 from off the day ,the fairness of her hours4 ,for dark1 and hid ,beneath his cloak1 he steppeth ever1 ,and doth hiss his name to thee-- ,doubt4 ,i have said that the message of ,patience ,worth contained a revelation1 a religion and a promise4 ,the revelation is too obvious to need a pointer4 ,in the preceding chapter were presented the elements of the religion that she reveals1 with which should be included the unfaltering faith expressed in these poems4 ,love and ,faith--these are the two ,graces upon whom1 to personify them1 all her work is rested1 and from them spring the promise she conveys4 ,that promise has to do with the hereafter1 and ,patience knows the human attitude in relation to that universal problem1 and she gives courage to the shrinking heart in this poem on the fear of death3 ,i stride abroad before my brothers like a roaring lion1 ,yet at even's close from whence cometh the icy hand ,that clutcheth at my heart and maketh me afraid-- ,the slipping of myself away1 ,i know not whither8 ,and lo1 ,i fall atremble4 ,when ,i would grasp a straw1 'tis then ,i find it not4 ,can ,i then trust me on this journey lone ,to country ,i deem peopled1 but know not8 ,my very heart declareth faith1 yet hath not thine ,been touched and chilled by this same phantom8 ,ah1 through the granite sips the lichen-- ,and hast thou not a long dark journey made8 ,why fear8 ,as cloud wreaths fade ,from spring's warm smile1 so shall fear ,be put to flight by faith4 ,i pluck me buds of varied hue and choose the violet ,to weave a garland for my loved and best4 ,i search for bloom among the rocks ,and find but feathery plume4 ,i weave1 and lo1 the blossoms fade ,before ,i reach the end1 ,and faded lie amid my tears-- ,and yet ,i weave and weave4 ,i search for jewels 'neath the earth1 ,and find them at the dawn1 ,besprinkled o'er the rose and leaf1 ,and showered by the sparrow's wing1 ,who seeketh 'mid the dew-wet vine ,a harbor for her home4 ,i search for truth along the way ,and find but dust and web1 ,and in the smile of infant lips ,i know myself betrayed4 ,i watch the swallow skim across the blue ,to homelands of the ,south1 ,and ah1 the gnawing at my heart doth cease2 ,for how he wings and wings ,to lands he deemeth peopled by his brothers1 ,whose song he hears in flight6 ,not skimming on the lake's fair breast is he1 ,but winging on and on1 ,and dim against the feathery cloud ,he fades into the blue4 ,i stand with withered blossoms crushed1 ,and weave and weave and weave4 ,this is ,patience's answer to the eternal question3 ,can ,i then trust me on this journey lone ,to country ,i deem peopled1 but know not8 ,it is the cry of him who believes and yet doubts1 and ,patience points to the swallow winging across the blue 8to lands he deemeth peopled with his brothers0 who have gone on before4 ,in imagination he can hear their song in the home lands of the ,south1 and though he cannot see them1 and cannot have had word from them1 he knows they are there1 and he does not skim uncertainly about the lake1 but with unfaltering faith 8wings him on and on0 until-- ,dim against the feathery cloud ,he fades into the blue4 ,but ,patience does not content herself with appeals to faith1 eloquent as they may be4 ,while her communications are always clothed in figures of speech1 they are sometimes more definite in statement than in the lines which have been thus far presented4 ,in the prose poem which follows1 she asks and answers the question in a way that can leave no doubt of her meaning3 8,shall ,i arise and know thee1 brother1 when like a bubble ,i am blown into ,eternity from this pipe of clay8 ,or shall ,i burst and float my atoms in a joyous spray at the first beholding of this home prepared for thee and me1 and shall we together mingle our joys in one supreme joy in ,him8 ,it matters not1 beloved1 so comfort thee4 ,for should the blowing be the end1 what then8 ,hath not thy pack been full1 and mine8 ,we are o'erweary with the work of living1 and sinking to oblivion would be rest4 ,yet sure as sun shall rise1 my dust shall be unloosed1 and blow into new fields of new days4 ,i see full fields yet to be harvested1 and ,i am weary4 ,i see fresh business of living1 work yet to be done1 and ,i am weary4 ,oh1 let me fold these tired hands and sleep4 ,beloved1 ,i trust1 and expect my trust1 for ne'er yet did ,he fail40 ,she puts this into the mouth of one who lives1 but it is not merely an expression of faith2 it is a positive assertion4 8,yet sure as sun shall rise1 my dust shall be unloosed1 and blow into new fields of new days40 -------------- ,and again she sings3 ,what carest1 dear1 should sorrow trace ,where dimples sat1 and should ,her dove-gray cloud to settle 'neath thine eye8 ,the withering of thy curving cheek ,bespeaks the spending of thy heart4 ,lips once full are bruised ,by biting of restraint4 ,wax wiser1 dear4 ,to wane is but to rest and rise once more4 ,or she puts the thought in another form in this assurance3 ,weary not1 ,o brother6 ',tis apaled1 the sun's gold sink4 ,then weary not1 but set thy path to end1 ,e'en as the light doth fade and leave ,nay trace to mar the night's dark tide4 ,sink thou1 then1 as doth the sun1 ,assured that thou shalt rise6 -------------- ,all these1 however1 are but preparatory to the communication in which she asserts not only the actuality of the future life but something of the nature of it4 ,one might say that the preceding poems and prose-poems1 taken alone and without regard to the mystery of their source1 were merely expressions of belief1 but in this communication she seems to speak with knowledge1 seems even to have overstepped the bounds within which1 she has often asserted1 she is held4 8,my lips be astopped10 she has said in answer to a request for information of this forbidden character1 but here she appears to have been permitted to give a glimpse of the unknown1 and to present a promise of universal application4 ,this poem1 from the spiritual standpoint1 is the most remarkable of all her productions4 ,how have ,i caught at fleeting joys ,and swifter fleeting sorrows6 ,and days and nights1 and morns and eves1 ,and seasons1 too1 aslipping thro' the years1 afleet4 ,and whither hath their trend then led8 ,ah1 whither6 ,how do ,i to stop amid the very pulse o' life4 ,afeared6 ,yea1 fear clutcheth at my very heart6 ,for what8 ,the night8 ,nay1 night doth shimmer ,and flash the jewels ,i did count ,e'er fear had stricken me4 ,the morn8 ,nay1 ,i waked with morn atremor1 ,and know the day-tide's every hour4 ,how do ,i then to clutch me ,at my heart1 afeared8 ,the morrow8 ,nay1 ,the morrow but bringeth old loves ,and hopes anew4 ,ah1 woe is me1 'tis emptiness1 aye1 naught-- ,the bottomlessness o' the pit that doth afright6 ,afeared8 ,aye1 but driven fearless on6 ,what6 ,promise ye 'tis to mart ,i plod8 ,what6 ,promise ye new joys8 ,ah1 but should ,i sleep1 to waken me ,to joys ,i ne'er had supped6 ,i see me stand abashed and timid1 ,as a child who cast a toy beloved1 ,for bauble that but caught the eye ,and left the heart ahungered4 ,what6 ,should ,i search in vain ,to find a sorrow that had fleeted hence ,afore my coming and found it not8 ,ah1 me1 the emptiness6 ,and what6 should joys that but a prick ,of gladness dealt1 and teased my hours ,to happiness1 be lost amid this promised bliss8 ,nay1 ,i clutch me to my heart ,in fear1 in truth6 ,do harken ,ye6 ,and cast afearing ,to the wiles of beating gales and wooing breeze4 ,i find me throat aswell and voice attuned4 ,ah1 let me then to sing1 for joy consumeth me6 ,i've builded me a land1 my mart1 ,and fear hath slipped away to leave me sing4 ,i sleep1 and feel afloating4 ,whither6 ,whither6 ,to wake1-- ,and wonder warmeth at my heart1 ,i've waked in yester-year6 ,what6 ,ye8 ,and what6 ,i'st thou8 ,ah1 have ,i then slept1 to dream8 ,come1 ,ne'er a dream-wraith looked me such a welcoming6 ',twas yesterday this hand wert then afold1 ,and now1--ah1 do ,i dream8 ',tis warm-pressed within mine own6 ,dreams6 ,dreams6 ,and yet1 we've met afore6 ,i see me flitting thro' this vale1 ,and tho' ,i strive to spell ,the mountain's height and valley's depth1 ,i do but fall afail4 ,wouldst thou then drink a potion ,were ,i to offer thee an empty cup8 ,couldst thou to pluck the rainbow from the sky8 ,as well1 then1 might ,i spell to thee4 ,but ,i do promise at the waking1 ,old joys1 and sorrows ripened to a mellow heart4 ,and e'en the crime-stained wretch1 abasked in light1 ,shall cast his seed and spring afruit6 ,then do ,i cease to clutch the emptiness ,and sleep1 and sleep me unafeared6 ,what is it that affrights1 she asks1 when we think of death8 ,it is the emptiness1 she answers1 the utter lack of knowledge of what lies beyond4 ,and if we waken to 8joys we ne'er have supped0--using the word sup in the sense of to taste or to know--what is there to attract us in the prospect8 ,it is an illustration she presents of our attitude toward promises of joys with which we are unfamiliar2 and which therefore do not greatly interest us--the child who casts aside a well beloved toy 8for bauble that but caught the eye and left the heart ahungered40 ,shall the joys1 she makes us exclaim1 which we have known here but barely tasted in this fleeting life1 8be lost amid this promised bliss60 and shall we 8search in vain to find a sorrow that had fleeted hence before our coming80--meaning1 apparently1 shall we look there in vain for a loved one who has gone before8 ,she answers these questions of the heart4 ,personality persists beyond the grave1 she gives us plainly to understand4 ,we take with us all of ourselves but the material elements4 8,thou art ye10 she has said1 8and ,i be me and ye be ye1 aye1 ever so40 ,the transition is but a change from the material to the spiritual4 ,we 8wake in yesteryear10 she says1--amid the friends and associations of the past2 and the joys of that life1 one must infer1 are the spiritual joys of this one1 the joy that comes from love1 from good deeds1 from work accomplished4 ,for it is quite evident that she would have us believe that there is a continuous advancement in that other life4 ,and e'en the crime-stained wretch1 abasked in light1 ,shall cast his seed and spring afruit4 ,this can mean nothing else than that the hardened sinner1 amid supernal influences1 shall develop into something higher1 and as no one can be supposed to be perfect when leaving earth1 it follows that progress is common to all4 ,progress implies effort1 and this indicates that there will be something for everyone to do--a view quite different from the monotony of eternal idleness4 ,but this ,i promise at the waking1 ,old joys1 and sorrows ripened to a mellow heart4 ,to those who would peer into the other land these are perhaps the most important lines she has given4 ,but what does she mean by 8sorrows ripened to a mellow heart80 ,she was asked to make that plainer and she said3 8,that that hath flitted hence be sorrows of earth1 and ahere be ripened and thine4 ,love alost be sorrow of earth and dwell ahere40 ,she thus makes these lines an answer to the question put before3 ,what6 ,should ,i search in vain ,to find a sorrow that had fleeted hence ,afore my coming and found it not8 ,these are the sorrows that are 8ripened to a mellow heart10 and she was asked if there were new sorrows to be borne in that other life4 ,she replied3 8,nay4 ,earth be a home of sorrow's dream4 ,for sorrow be but dream of the soul asleep4 ',tis wake 7death7 that setteth free40 ,and after such assurance comes the cry of faith and content and peace3 ,then do ,i cease to clutch the emptiness1 ,and sleep1 and sleep me unafeared6 ,with this comforting assurance in mind one may cheerfully approach her solemn address to ,death3 ,who art thou1 ,who tracketh 'pon the path o' me-- ,o' each turn1 aye1 and track8 ,thou6 ,and thou astand6 ,and o'er thy face a cloud1 ,aye1 a darked and somber cloud6 ,who art thou1 ,thou tracker 'mid the day's bright1 ,and 'mid the night's deep2 ,e'en when ,i be astopped o' track8 ,who art thou1 ,that toucheth o' the flesh o' me1 ,and sendeth chill unto the heart o' me8 ,aye1 and who art thou1 ,who putteth forth thy hand ,and setteth at alow the hopes o' me8 ,aye1 who art thou1 ,who bideth ever 'mid a dream8 ,aye1 and that the soul o' me ,doth shrink at know8 ,who art thou8 ,who art thou1 ,who steppeth ever to my day1 ,and blotteth o' the sun away8 ,who art thou1 ,who stepped to ,earth at birth o' me1 ,and e'en 'mid wail o' weak1 ,aye1 at the birth o' wail1 ,did set a chill 'pon infant flesh2 ,and at the track o' man 'pon ,earth ,doth follow ever1 and at height afollow1 ,and doth touch1 ,and all doth crumble to a naught4 ,thou6 ,thou6 ,who art thou8 ,ever do ,i to ask1 and ever wish ,to see the face o' thee1 ,and ne'er1 ne'er do ,i to know thee-- ,thou1 the ,traveler 'pon the path o' me4 ,and1 ,brother1 thou dost give ,that which world doth hold ,from see o' me6 ,stand thou6 ,stand thou6 ,and draw thy cloak from o'er thy face6 ,ever hath the dread o' thee ,clutched at the heart o' me4 ,aye1 and at the end o' journey1 ,i beseech thee1 ,cast thy cloak and show thee me6 ,aye1 show thee me6 ,ah1 thou art the gift o' ,him6 ,the ,key to ,there6 ,the ,love o' ,earth6 ,aye1 and ,hate hath made o' man ,to know thee not-- ,thou6 ,thou6 ,o ,death6 ,she finds ,death terrible from the human point of view1 and reveals him at the end as 8the gift of ,him1 the ,key to ,there60 ,one of her constant objects seems to be to rob death of its terrors1 and to bring the 8,there0 into closer and more intimate connection with us4 ,here is another effort3 ,spring's morn afulled o' merry-song1 ,aye1 and tickle o' streams-thread through ,summer's noon2 ,arock o' hum o' hearts-throb1 ,and danced awhite the air at scorch2 ,winter's rage asing o' cold ,and wail o' ,winter's sorry at the ,summer's leave2 ,ashivered breeze1 abear o' leaf's rustling ,at dry o' season's ripe2 ,night's deep1 where sound astarteth silence2 ,morn's sweet1 awooed by bird's coax4 ,earth's sounds1 ye deem8 ,i tell thee 'tis but the echoing o' ,here4 ,thy days be naught ,save coax o' ,here athere6 ,all that is worth while on earth is but the echoes of ,heaven1 and there would be nothing to life but for the joys that have been 8coaxed0 from there4 ,how closely that thought unites the here and the there4 ,earth sounds but the echoes of the other land adjoining6 ,she makes it something tangible1 something almost material1 something we may nearly comprehend2 and then1 having opened the door a little way1 as far1 no doubt1 as it is possible for her to do1 she presents this response to human desires1 this promise of joys to come3 ,swift as light-flash o' storm1 swift1 swift1 ,would ,i send the wish o' thine asearch4 ,swift1 swift as bruise o' swallows' wing 'pon air1 ,i'd send asearch thy wish1 areach to lands unseen2 ,i'd send aback o' answer laden4 ,swift1 swift1 would ,i to flee unto the ,naught ,thou knowest as the ,here4 ,swift1 swift ,i'd bear aback to thee ,what thou wouldst seek4 ,swift1 swift1 ,would ,i to bear aback to thee4 ,dost deem the path ahid doth lead to naught8 ,dost deem thy footfall leadest thee to nothingness8 ,dost pin not 'pon ,his word o' promising1 ,and art at sorry and afear to follow ,him8 ,i'd put athin thy cup a sweet1 a pledge o' love's-buy4 ,i'd send aback a glad-song o' this land4 ,sing thou1 sing on1 though thou art ne'er aheard-- ,like love awaked1 the joy o' breath ,anew born o' ,his loving4 ,set thee at rest1 and trod the path unfearing4 ,for ,he who putteth joy to earth1 aplanted joy ,athin the reach o' thee1 e'en through ,the dark o' path at end o' journey4 ,his smile6 ,his word6 ,his loving6 ,put forth thy hand at glad1 and ,i do promise thee ,that ,joy o' earth asupped shall fall as naught1 ,and thou shalt sup thee deep o' joys1 ,o' ,bearer1 aye1 and ,source2 and like glad light o' day ,and sweet o' love1 thy coming here shall be6 ,with this promise1 this covenant1 we bring the narrative of ,patience to an end4 ,there will be many and widely varied views of the nature of this intelligence1 but surely there can be but one opinion of the beauty of her words and the purity of her purpose4 ,she has brought a message of love at a time when the world is sadly deficient in that attribute1 wisely believed to be the best thing in earth or heaven2 and an inspiration to faith that was never so greatly in need of strength as now4 ,an inevitable consequence of the world-war will be a universal introspection4 ,there will be a great turning of thought to serious things4 ,that tendency is already discernible4 ,may it not be possible that it is the mission of ,patience ,worth to answer the question that is above all questions at a time when humanity is filled with interrogation8 ,,finis4 ,,index ,affection1 #df ,allegory1 on faith 7verse71 #bee-bff ,anatomist4 ,see ,teacher of anatomy ,anglo-,saxon1 #ajd ,anne1 #ade1 #adf ,ape1 #aab1 #aag ,aphorisms1 #ai ,attunement1 #bjc ,autumn 7verse71 #hb1 #hc1 #hd ,b41 ,mrs41 #ahb ,babe1 parable of a1 #afh ,bartman1 parable of a1 #afe ,basketmaker1 parable of the1 #afg ,beppo1 #aab ,birth of a ,song 7verse71 #hf1 #hg ,blank verse1 #ba1 #fd1 #ajg ,book learning1 #bea ,books1 #fj ,botanist4 ,see ,teacher of botany ,brew1 #ahe 8,builder of dreams0 7verse71 #he1 #hf ,burke1 #hi ,capital punishment1 #bag ,carrington1 ,w4 ,t41 quoted1 #f ,charlie1 ,prince1 #ade1 #adf ,childhood1 tone of1 #ea 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,reality1 #bdg ,recognition of friends1 #bgj1 #bgf ,impatience1 #de1 #df ,individuality1 #da ,infancy1 #ib1 #id ,inn of ,falcon ,feather1 #aaa ,j41 ,miss1 #ahi1 #aib1 #aic ,james1 ,wm41 #aii1 #bjj ,jana1 #abg ,jane-o'-apes1 #eh1 #aca ,john the ,peaceful1 #abb1 #abc1 #acb ,joy1 promise of future1 #bhc-bhd ,k41 ,dr41 #aie1 #aii ,king of ,wisdom1 #bba ,kirtle1 #ee1 #ef ,language1 #ac1 #ef1 #ajd1 #adi1 #aej1 #aec1 #afd1 #ahi ,laughter1 #afh ,leaf1 fallen 7verse71 #hb ,leta1 #abd ,life for a life1 #bah ,life likened to the seasons 7verse71 #beb ,lisa1 #aji1 #aab ,literature1 #bbc1 #bbd ,love1 childhood1 #ea ,divine 7verse71 #bce1 #bcf for ,christ1 #bdd for the loveless 7verse71 #bbf for the wearied 7verse71 #bbg ,friendly1 #if ,god's 7verse71 #ig ,man and woman 7verse71 #id maternal1 #ib1 #id ,religious1 #bbf ,song1 8,drink ye unto me10 #ahj to ,god 7verse71 #bcg-bci ,universal1 #bcd 8,loves of yester's day0 7verse71 #hh ,lullaby1 #fd1 example1 #fh ,spinning ,wheel1 #fi ,m41 ,mr4 and ,mrs41 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,see ,communications ,puritan1 #ee1 #ei1 #fi1 #aib 8,put10 #ahf-ahi ,r41 ,dr41 #bjd-bjg ,records of communications1 character1 #c ,regal1 #abc ,religion1 #bbc1 #bbf ,revelation1 #bbe1 #bbf ,rhyme1 #ba1 #fd ,rhythm1 #ajg ,sarcasm1 #di ,scottish1 #fj ,seed1 #bbd1 #bbe ,seeds4 ,see ,mite and the ,seeds ,self1 #bba1 #bbb ,shakespeare1 #eg1 #gg1 #ajd ,shelley1 #ij1 #aje ,simplicity1 #ajd1 #aje ,sittings1 character1 #ah1 #ce ,skylark 7verse71 #hi ,society for ,psychical ,research1 #bbc ,song1 birth of a 7verse71 #hf1 #hg ,songs1 #agc 8,do ,i love the morn80 #bae 8,drink ye unto me10 #ahj 8,gone1 gone10 #aih 8,how have ,i sought60 #bjc 8,loth as ,night10 #baa ,mise-man1 #agi ,to ,miss ,j41 #aic ,to ,mr4 ,g41 a musician1 #bjh ,sorrow1 comfort for1 #bca 8,sorrows ripened to a mellow heart10 #bge1 #bgh ,soul1 #aij ,body and1 #bah ,spelling1 #ff ,spinning1 #bjf ,spinning ,wheel 7verse71 #fi ,spinster1 #di1 #fi ,spirituality1 #bd1 #aeb ,spring 7verse71 #ha ,stories1 #ajh ,character1 #ahe ,dramatic 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#afh2 love her inspiration1 #bcd2 men1 attitude toward1 #di2 message1 #bbd2 mission1 #bhd1 #bhe2 obscurity1 #aii2 on being investigated1 #aif2 personality1 #ab1 #ei1 #bbj1 #bbd2 phrases1 striking1 #dj2 place1 #ch2 revelation1 #bbf2 sarcasm1 #di2 speech1 #ci1 #ef1 #ajd1 #adi1 #aej1 #aec1 #afd1 #ahi2 spinster1 #di1 #fi2 substance in her words1 #baa ,x41 ,dr41 #ahb-aie1 #bjd ,x41 ,mrs41 #ahb1 #ahc ,z41 ,dr41 #ahg-ahi ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- 8,an ,authentic ,original ,voice in ,literature40--,the ,atlantic ,monthly4 ,,robert ,,frost ,the ,new ,american ,poet ,,north ,,of ,,boston ,alice ,brown3 8,mr4 ,frost has done truer work about ,new ,england than anybody--except ,miss ,wilkins40 ,new ,york ,evening ,sun3 8,the poet had the insight to trust the people with the book of the people and the people replied #8,man1 what is your name8'444 ,he forsakes utterly the claptrap of pastoral song1 classical or modern4444 ,his is soil stuff1 not mock bucolics40 ,boston ,transcript3 8,the first poet for half a century to express ,new ,england life completely with a fresh1 original and appealing way of his own40 ,brooklyn ,daily ,eagle3 8,the more you read the more you are held1 and when you return a few days later to look up some passage that has followed you about1 the better you find the meat under the simple unpretentious form4 ,the ,london ,times caught that quality when it said3 #8,poetry burns up out of it1 as when a faint wind breathes upon smouldering embers4'444 ,that is precisely the effect44440 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,a ,,boy',s ,,will ,mr4 ,frost's ,first ,volume of ,poetry ,the ,academy 7,london73 8,we have read every line with that amazement and delight which are too seldom evoked by books of modern verse40 ,,north ,,of ,,boston4 ,cloth4 #b4ce net4 ,,north ,,of ,,boston4 ,leather4 #b4jj net4 ,a ,,boy',s ,,will4 ,cloth4 #ge cents net4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,jean-,,christophe ,by ,,romain ,,rolland ,translated from the ,french by ,,gilbert ,,cannan4 ,in three volumes1 each #a4ej net4 ,this great trilogy1 the life story of a musician1 at first the sensation of musical circles in ,paris1 has come to be one of the most discussed books among literary circles in ,france1 ,england and ,america4 ,each volume of the ,american edition has its own individual interest1 can be understood without the other1 and comes to a definite conclusion4 ,the three volumes with the titles of the ,french volumes included are3 ,,jean-,,christophe ,dawn--,morning--,youth--,revolt ,,jean-,,christophe ,,in ,,paris ,the ,market ,place--,antoinette--,the ,house ,,jean-,,christophe3 ,,journey',s ,,end ,love and ,friendship--,the ,burning ,bush--,the ,new ,dawn ,some ,noteworthy ,comments 8#8,hats off1 gentlemen--a genius4'444 ,one may mention #8,jean-,christophe' in the same breath with ,balzac's #8,lost ,illusions'2 it is as big as that4444 ,it is moderate praise to call it with ,edmund ,gosse 'the noblest work of fiction of the twentieth century4'444 ,a book as big1 as elemental1 as original as though the art of fiction began today4444 ,we have nothing comparable in ,english literature44440--,springfield ,republican4 8,if a man wishes to understand those devious currents which make up the great1 changing sea of modern life1 there is hardly a single book more illustrative1 more informing and more inspiring40--,current ,opinion4 8,must rank as one of the very few important works of fiction of the last decade4 ,a vital compelling work4 ,we who love it feel that it will live40--,independent4 8,the most momentous novel that has come to us from ,france1 or from any other ,european country1 in a decade40--,boston ,transcript4 ,a #cb-page booklet about ,romain ,rolland and ,jean-,christophe1 with portraits and complete reviews1 on request4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,the ,,home ,,book ,,of ,,verse 8,a collection so complete and distinguished that it is difficult to find any other approaching it sufficiently for comparison40--,n4 ,y4 ,times ,book ,review4 ,compiled by ,,burton ,e4 ,,stevenson ,collects the best short poetry of the ,english language--not only the poetry everybody says is good1 but also the verses that everybody reads4 7#cgdb pages1 ,india paper1 complete author1 title and first line indices47 ,the most comprehensive and representative collection of ,american and ,english poetry ever published1 including #c1abj unabridged poems from some #a1ajj authors4 ,it brings together in one volume the best short poetry of the ,english language from the time of ,spencer1 with especial attention to ,american verse4 ,the copyright deadline has been passed1 and some three hundred recent authors are included1 very few of whom appear in any other general anthology1 such as ,lionel ,johnson1 ,noyes1 ,housman1 ,mrs4 ,meynell1 ,yeats1 ,dobson1 ,lang1 ,watson1 ,wilde1 ,francis ,thompson1 ,gilder1 ,le ,gallienne1 ,van ,dyke1 ,woodberry1 ,riley1 etc41 etc4 ,the poems as arranged by subject1 and the classification is unusually close and searching4 ,some of the most comprehensive sections are3 ,children's rhymes 7#cjj pages72 love poems 7#hjj pages72 nature poetry 7#djj pages72 humorous verse 7#ejj pages72 patriotic and historical poems 7#fjj pages72 reflective and descriptive poetry 7#djj pages74 ,no other collection contains so many popular favorites and fugitive verses4 ,india ,paper ,editions ,cloth1 one volume1 #g4ej net4 ,cloth1 two volumes1 #aj4jj net4 ,half ,morocco1 one volume1 #ab4ej net4 ,three-quarters ,morocco1 two volumes1 #ah4jj net4 ,,eight ,,volume ,,edition ,,on ,,regular ,,book ,,paper4 ,,sold ,,in ,,sets ,,only4 #ab4jj ,,net4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,mason',s ,,hypnotism ,,and ,,suggestion in ,therapeutics ,education1 and ,reform4 #cdd pp4 #abmo4 #a4ej4 #b;d ,impression of a popular yet scientific work4 ,book ,buyer3 8,the tone of ,dr4 ,mason's book could not be better4444 ,the statements of a modest1 earnest1 candid man of science1 who is not thinking of himself1 but who1 through facts1 is seeking after law and through law1 for the newer therapeutics1 the wider education1 the nobler living40 ,n4 ,y4 ,herald3 8,written by a practising physician1 who finds an incidental interest in the scientific study of an important subject4 ,dr4 ,mason does not seek to astonish you with the record of hypnotic marvels performed by himself4 ,he deprecates the sensational ways in which hypnotism has been exploited by the periodicals and the press1 so that the unlearned and unstable have been duped into all sorts of extravagant ideas as to its possibilities40 ,public ,opinion3 8,a model of simplicity and common sense4 ,the book gives a clear idea of the meaning of hypnotism and suggestion in a scientific sense1 but it is to be more highly valued for its exposition of the utilities 7and illustrations7 of these agents of reform and therapeutics4 ,the chapter concerning #8,rapport' is to be especially recommended to those who find in the phenomena of subconsciousness support for supernatural and spiritistic theories40 ,chicago ,evening ,post3 8,he discusses the question with earnestness1 candor and many illustrations4444 ,he says many things that are sensible and suggestive40 ,churchman3 8,the book has a very practical value1 and considerable ethical significance40 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,mason',s ,,telepathy ,,and ,,the ,,subliminal ,,self4 ,treating of ,hypnotism1 ,automatism1 ,dreams1 and ,phantasms4 #eth ,impression4 #cdc pp4 #abmo4 #a4ej4 ,boston ,transcript3 8,he repudiates the idea of the supernatural altogether1 and in this he is in accord with the best thought of the day4444 ,interesting and logical40 ,n4 ,y4 ,times3 8,the curious matter he treats about he presents in an interesting manner40 ,outlook3 8,will have many readers4444 ,a not inconsiderable contribution to psychical research40 ,chicago ,tribune3 8,certain to attract wide attention2 444 thoroughly interesting4444 ,the spirit of his work is such as to deserve respectful attention from every scientific mind40 ,,henry ,,holt ,,co4 #bi ,west #bc;d ,street ,new ,york ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,transcriber's ,notes ,generally1 older or dialectual spellings were left unchanged4 ,a couple of obviously needed typographical changes were made4 ,in addition3 ,on page #bca thornd was changed to thornd ,in the ,index page #cfe for ',doubt' was changed to page #bfe4