Songs of Travel, and Other Verses

The following collection of verses, written at various times and places, principally after the author’s final departure from England in 1887, was sent home by him for publication some months before his death. He had tried them in several different orders and under several different titles, as “Songs and Notes of Travel,” “Posthumous Poems,” etc., and in the end left their naming and arrangement to the present editor, with the suggestion that they should be added as Book III. to future editions of “Underwoods.” This suggestion it is proposed to carry out; but in the meantime, for the benefit of those who possess “Underwoods” in its original form, it has been thought desirable to publish them separately in the present volume. They have already been included in the Edinburgh Edition of the author’s works.

Youth and Love: i.—Once only by the garden gate

Youth and Love: ii.—To the heart of youth the world is a highwayside

Let Beauty awake in the morn from beautiful dreams

I will make you brooches and toys for your delight

We have loved of Yore—Berried brake and reedy island

Mater Triumphans—Son of my woman’s body, you go, to the drum and fife

Home no more home to me, wither must I wander?

Winter—In rigorous hours, when down the iron lane

To Dr. Hake—In the belovèd hour that ushers day

To ---—I knew thee strong and quiet like the hills

I have trod the upward and downward slope

He hears with gladdened heart the thunder

If this were Faith—God, if this were enough