Afterwhiles by James Whitcomb Riley
page 7 of 121 (05%)
page 7 of 121 (05%)
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Through the orchard ways of his quaint abode--.
Tether the horse, as we onward fare Under the pear-trees trailing there, And thumping the wood bridge at night With lumps of ripeness and lush delight, Till the stream, as it maunders on till dawn, Is powdered and pelted and smiled upon. Herr Weiser, with his wholesome face, And the gentle blue of his eyes, and grace Of unassuming honesty, Be there to welcome you and me! And what though the toil of the farm be stopped And the tireless plans of the place be dropped, While the prayerful master's knees are set In beds of pansy and mignonette And lily and aster and columbine, Offered in love, as yours and mine--? What, but a blessing of kindly thought, Sweet as the breath of forget-me-not--! What, but a spirit of lustrous love White as the aster he bends above--! What, but an odorous memory Of the dear old man, made known to me In days demanding a help like his--, As sweet as the life of the lily is-- As sweet as the soul of a babe, bloom-wise Born of a lily in paradise. |
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