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April 2016 Caroline Davenport Swan Correspondence Maine State Library
Caroline Davenport Swan 1841
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This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Maine State Library Special Collections at Maine State Documents. It has been accepted for inclusion in Maine Writers Correspondence by an authorized administrator of Maine State Documents. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SWAN, CAROLINE DAVENPORT. C? w I Born Dec. 2, 1841 at Gardiner, Maine. Died, in South Portland, April 4, 1938, a3a
Dec* 13, 1922
Dear Miss Swan:
Your friend Mr, Milliken of Gardiner was in my office this afternoon and presented me with a copy of your book, "The
Unfading Light".
I have not read this book but will take it home with me and read in it this evening.
I have no way to properly tell you how much I appreciate your generous gift and I am especially grateful to your friend for suggesting it to you.
I think you will be pleased to know that we are making a col lection of books by Maine authors and I shall place your book in this special collection.
Can you send me some biographical notices and some facts about your own life, that will furnish us with material for an ar ticle in the Library Bulletin. We have the article which appears in the poets of Maine.
I am sending you a copy of our Library Bulletin which tells you about the collection.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would send me a photo graph of yourself, I want this for our special Maine collection.
Again, thanking you for your courtesy and kindness, I am,
Sincerely youra,
Henry E. Dunnack, Carolyn Davenport Swan, Librarian. South Portland, Maine. Q33
WKJOCC. >tt ^ "KjAI^ V^4UUMU aAY v ^nnr«~ ViCet5i*> °> ^^jJW. S*~L .'c. ^ ^ 5 ViJt. «»3i£i2C. ^ >r . % % ^ y^ptyy WObS (L QwiuLC&iL ftjAxAfa Vw du ^ % ^*rujc* ^frA&>w^ ^"erv ^Vu^* Vu^.^ U"^W», fyscQjIr&vxAA^ Jl$r OudL wijJSwus. "VUMtvOA VOjJkUfKllL* OA ^ §au«A«, 'W**,rlkUL oL*. (9T} . ll 0jU^X~rvfi^ W-~~v. "vg^, eCL^lo-oL-s. S«v«v3^"CH tiuwL.^. *sSL.n —>~\X"sk''\• ^X- awjoIjiWL W 1V>X vo«^Y«~i "WiOS aX>VH<, °s w. vKIL^X ^ pa % *1 *\VVO.VWL» * I August 17, 1923 * Dear Mrs. Swan:- Again you have placed me under very great obligation for your courtesy in forwarding me the autographed photo graph of yourself. This will tee an in valuable addition to our Maine collection. I am writing for the St. Louis Magazine so that this article may be added also. I am, Sincerely yours, Henry E. Dunnack. Librarian. Mrs. Carolyn D. Swan, 112 Harriet St,, South Portland, Maine. n «: <^Av H***?5 ^ulZtT %JSc£A&zr&X-'A^lxr\U *Us »~- ^ &3C 0*J> '» i-- 0 H~ Vm- \iu- * 3*. ®^>OXAr *W^3&~a* ^WiA '*iW *YS NWow ^.uc^- vJ^ dLit } "^Mt. ^» n . - * J>* jfc -SWAs/fc- SA , *>> **•*•' N , . • <*> «»v \\x\W>*-&- . August 25, 1923 Mrs. Caroline D. Swan, 112 Harriet Street, South Portland, Maine. My dear Mrs. Swan: Your communication of recent date, together with enclosure, has been received. Since receiving your former letter I have been trying to locate this article, but I have had no satisfactory response, I had about decided it would be impossible to secure it. Please accept my sincere thanks for your kindness in forwarding this copy for our files. I am especially grateful for the correction of "Leaf-Buds". The little poem was sadly named without that second verse. I am very grateful for your interest in the matter, and for your cooperation in making our list as com plete as possible. Sincerely yours, MAINE STATE LIBRARY Librarian. HED/HF (3**JUS VkL crvT^Vju. to <53$.^ o^L. QJl) « -VSo =3y^<^ % ^X"^vvL> \Vo^L_^ . ^ V ^ . r, < , < Vv^' ^a_ =i^{LV. U«_ j\w.c^ "^\j_ ^JoJis-^-vic^ HJU$5S^S CLjoM-tf^jLjw-ci . ^ ^vjLX,^i^%w £Jk t^^S3^Jvuy '-^ ^ o ^4LSo^i <4"«W4ti, £k *S) ^o3$JL Ka-4_J ^U-(5J5 &^'^iV«3<::3\l>oUAa. ^ ^ Q^A-q^t, ffvdW. 'Vwa^U.q, "V^L C C~?W-,S. Qjl3li)iL- ^CjdL Q*jk& Or^'^Wu^ ^^^N^hjvxa.^ , THE QUEEN'S WORK ^ ^0 201 A Book of Verses Underneath the Bough ODAY, in a By Four Gates," whose title is symbolical of world of the seasons, the religious element is in the ascendency. Salutary lessons are to T chaos and SARA KOUNTZ DIETHELM unrest, poetry be found within the confines of this little seems more essen volume. One might designate them little tial than ever. tury, and that when a Catholic attempts lamps of spiritual wisdom illuminating Knocking gently to reflect in words some of the beauty of the traveler's path along the highways at the portals of which as a poet he is conscious, he can and byways of life's journey. One little the soul, it pleads not be far from prayer. My understand lamp, "As Angels See," contains a power to enter that it ful sermon. ing of the delight and enthusiasm which * may delight our Kilmer brought to his task was greatly sensibilities with A little deed, a little prayer, enhanced by a letter he wrote me from So slight we scarcely heed the while; i t s melody and the heart of the battlefield, in which he message. But the A moment's love—arid what is there said, "I am delighted to know that To make an angel smile T average man is• 'Dreams and Images' pleases you and has too preoccupied the advantage of your generous aid in with matters mun A little guile, a little sin, coming to the attention of the public. So brief our hearts no memory keep; dane to appreci The task of selecting the poems that fill ate the phantasies of the poet. Lacking A moment's hate—ah, what is there it I greatly enjoyed, and I felt it an To make an angel weept the insight of the seer, he is slow to dis honor to attempt such a work." And so it cover evidence of the spiritual in the is pleasant to avail myself of this oppor "The World and the Waters" contains grandeur of nature or to seek counsel in tunity to arouse fresh interest in the delightful songs of childhood and nature the impassioned music of the bard. anthology. and reveals the lyrelike quality of Father It was Francis Thompson, in his mas Joyce Kilmer's work is too well known Garesch6's verse. "Niagara" is an ode terly essay on Shelly, who bade us to to need more than passing mention. Yet rich in metaphor and sublime in its in "shelter poetry under the rafter of faith." for the poet who wrote that he would terpretation of the poet's theme. Vastly He pleaded for a return of the glory of rather write "moderately well about the different is "Horizons," which impresses poetry, which he averred had been relin faith that was his by adoption than mag the reader with the wonder of the wide quished to aliens during two centuries. nificently well about anything else" we and sweeping spaces that confront the Yet even as he was lamenting the exit must find a brief space in this paper, eye as he scans the visible universe. An of the muse from the Church, a renais which proposes to consider American other poem, "Raining," was reprinted in sance of Catholic poetry was slowly mak Catholic poets. the Literary Digest with the comment ing its influence felt. It is well-nigh impossible to read Kil that it was an example of its author's Holy Mother Church, in all the splen mer's poems without sensing his chivalry marked felicity of expression when deal dor of her liturgy and symbolism, affords and his lofty ideals, his ardent worship ing with nature. "To Rose in Heaven" an imposing background for a group of of beauty and his keen appreciation of invites repeated perusal. To me it ap lyrists whose noble and often incompar the romance that lies hidden in the most pears to be the magnum opus of Father able verse bears witness to the undying ordinary things of life. He wove pretty Garesche's creative genius. Joyce Kilmer, flame of a faith long cherished by their fancies about commuters* trains and about whose little dead daughter inspired it, forbears, and ,for another group who empty houses and snowmen. Those who did not hesitate to pronounce it one of sing in glorification of a faith that is weary of the colorless round of daily the noblest elegiac poems in our language. theirs by adoption. Thus the great treas routine will find a world of cheer in "Del Its stately measured cadences suggest the ury of Catholic literature is adorned by icatessen." After all our tasks are what influence of the sublime and lofty senti the profound and noble lines of Aubrey we make them, and with effort and op ment of Coventry Patmore, whose mag de Vere; the exalted lyrics of Lionel timism we can glorify them and, with nificent odes are characterized by some Johnson; the unadorned, mystic crafts the departed poet, see of the most profound meditations 011 manship of Gerard Hopkins, S.J.; the death and immortality of which our delicate artistry of Alice Meynell; the Beneath the shopman's clumsy dress language boasts. austere stanzas of Coventry Patmore and The splendor of humanity. There are times when the soul wearies Richard Crashaw; the masterful lyrics of The love poems are tender and touch of the old familiar phrases and when Ven. Robert Southwell, S.J.; the rich im ing, possessing a bit of the courtly spirit time-worn petitions yield not one whit of agery of Francis Thompson; the fanciful of knighthood days and being written sensible fervor. For such moments why creations of Louise Imogen Guiney; the mostly in praise of versatile poems of Joyce Kilmer, the poet Aline. In his sacred of faith and hope and love; Cardinal lyrics we find Kilmer Newman's intensely spiritual "Dream of chanting of the souls Gerontius"; the contemplative songs of who are striving for Edward F. Garesch6, S J.; the deeply re communion with the su ligious verse of the blind Father Tabb; pernatural, and he lends the exquisite color tones of Rev. Charles his creative gift to help . O'Donnell, C. S. C.; the glorious sonnet A bring back the robust I of Caroline Davenport Swan; the delight-F faith that was a part ful cradle songs of Katherine Tynan; and of medieval times. the music of a score of lesser singers. The allusion, in the A splendid index to the work of some preface of "Dreams and of the best Catholic poets will be found Images," to the relation in Joyce Kilmer's "Dreams and Images." between poetry and prayer It is a book for personal possession be recalls to mind that Arch cause of the treasures it contains, and bishop Spalding once though it has been criticised for not be wrote that poetry is the ing entirely representative, yet it fulfills natural language of all the purpose for which it was compiled. worship and that when Its very existence proves the great need we are deeply moved prose no longer for a complete Catholic anthology—aye, satisfies. This sentiment is beautifully here is a task that awaits the patience exemplified in the poems of Father and skill of some devotee of the Faith Edward GareschS—prayer poems, they and of the muse. might be termed, coming as they do The soldier poet's preface, which is a from the heart of a priest. fine bit of literature, explains that he had Father GareschS, through his activity attempted to bring together his favorite in civic and religious affairs, and through poems that were written by Catholics his devotional books, has brought the since the middle of the nineteenth cen- beauty of holiness to multitudes. In "The 202 THE QUEEN'S WORK cW not try to memorise a few of the poems such delicate child fancies as are found of the brush as well as master of German, in "The Four Gates," perhaps "Mother of in "Foot Soldiers," "The Time Brood," French, Italian and Latin, she has Sorrows" or "Give It Me" or "A Son's "High and Low," "The Tryst" and "An brought to her work an enriched men Petition." And there are many worth Idolator." I cannot resist quoting the tality, and a highly developed sense of remembering in other poems, for the merry song of the squirrel. the aesthetic. Jhurch is singularly blessed in her poet Who combs you, little squirrel? Miss Swan reminds me of the little priests, each of whom has fostered his And do you twist and tioirl arbutus flower, "which comes to its per creative power as something sacred, a gift When someone puts the papers on fection of purity and perfume beneath the destined to reflect the omnipotence of To keep your tail in curli snow and out of sight." With character Him who vouchsafed it. And must you see the dentist istic modesty, she has assured me upon One of this little band, Father Charles For every tooth you break f more than one occasion that she did not O'Donnell, C. S. C., professor of English And are you apt from eating nuts care for notoriety, but that she did prize literature in the University of Notre To get the stomach-achet excellence. Her indifference to the plaud Dame, recently glorified the treasury of "Confided" is the anguished cry of a its of the world is testified in a line from Catholic poetry with a volume of verse desolate mother heart, yet is it full of ^er "Fame and the Poet," in which she that will at the outset arrest the atten solace for her whose babe is safe in the says that eulogy of the poet is "at best tion of the discriminating. "Cloister and arms of the Shepherd. a tifisel crown." Other Poems" is a book to own, indeed Father Tabb'? mastery of the quatrain Miss Swan's impassioned love of nature to cherish, for it is a distinct addition to is unquestioned. His quatrains are like has been undoubtedly influenced by her American literature. The book embraces gleaming jewels in the ethereal setting long worship at the feet of the muse, and lyrics of unusual quality, quatrains which he has so exquisitely wrought from •Milton, Wordsworth, Tennyson and Cow- unique in their interpretation of the sub his close communion with nature and the per were early loves of this cultured and jects chosen, and a few longer poems— supernatural. A letter received from a womanly poetess. all conceived in an intensely exalted professor in Manchester, England, to I cannot imagine anything more beau mood. In the nature group we find vivid whom I sent a copy of the lyrics, con tifully expressive of the first warm pulse pictures completed in a few deft strokes tained this beautiful tribute: "Letters of spring in the earth than the lilting that delight the heart and the mind with from America seem to bring something melody of "Leaf Buds," a poem that rep visions unforgettable of "the earth and with them beside their contents—a sense resents a playful, whimsical mood. the fullness thereof." "The Earth Hour," of things from a world conditioned differ Curled up on the boughs of a poplar tree. "In Late Spring," "On Indian Lake** and ently from ours. D'abord I've to thank Oh, little gray buds of the spring, "Harvest Fields" are manifestly the re you for that beautiful little book of Fa Do you feel the cheer and the bliss that sult of keen, patient, loving observation. ther Tabb's. I think these snatches of lies "Drought" is full of the music of bees wood and soul music quite apart from In the sudden promise of sapphire skies( silently droning in the arid, dusty sum anything of their kind written. They are And the bluebird's riotous car/olingf <. mer as "falls no drop of rain or quicken rich in spiritual suggestion and are con "Why surely we do, and who doubtst** * ing dew." ceived in an intensely human and sym Said the little gray buds of the spring. In the quatrains one marvels at the pathetic atmosphere. 'Tis well to know Miss Swan's sonnets appear frequently discipline which culminates in a restraint that a sweet singer of the finer things of in the Catholic World, and are often re that climbs to the heights of transcend life could develop and deliver his message printed in the Literary Digest and else ent artistry. Like the echoes of a mjgnty amidst the hustle and rush of America." where. Though it was late in life that chorus of sacred music the melody and We read Father Tabb with the same she entered the Church, her deeply reli richness of each verse lingers to delight sheer abandon of joy with which we read gious verse had always made a strong ap the senses. I love the matchless art of Tennyson and Keats and Shelly. Dr. peal to Catholic hearts. A number of her ".Magi," which reveals a cloud picture of Henry Van Dyke wrote recently that the beautiful sonnets and lyrics are collected wondrous beauty, recalling my cnildish blind poet priest had the exquisite art in a volume called "The Unfading Light," habit of seeking for fantastic visions in of the Greek epigram at his command, in in which the poems are divided into such the clouds. one of his delicately finished poems attractive groups as "Easter-Tide," "Sear Three clouds of sunset gather with their "Keats-Sappho," which I quote: Drift," "Christmas-Tide,*" and "Bird gold. Methinks when first the nightingale Flight," exhibiting a wide range of imag What strange persuasion does their half Was mated to thy deathless song ination. light bring! That Sappho, with emotion pale, Miss Swan has a marked genius for Just now I thought they grew like camels, Amid the Olympian throng, word painting, but it is not merely the each Stood listening with lips apart delicate chastity of her diction that fas With purple slung, and carrying a king. To hear in thy melodious love cinates her readers; it is rather the ster What an enchanting bedtime tale for The pantings of her heart. ling religious sentiments underlying her the children! Set to music, it would be a But Father Tabb's worship of beauty exquisite pen pictures. fitting prelude to the story of the Three was ever tempered by dignity and by the In the Easter group "In Ecclesia" vi Wise Men and their quest for a lonely light of his glorious faith. He loved art brates with the joy of the Resurrection, cave at Bethlehem. not only for art's sake, but because while a sonnet, "From Shade to Sun," "Raiment" and "Scourged and Crowned" through it he could deliver his message. sings gloriously of the Easter miracle. In urge the heart toward meditation on Gol His poems have been fittingly called gems nearly all the poems a prayer is embod gotha and the tragedy consummated of the sanctuary, because it was in the ied, or mayhap a thought that will con there. Repeated over and over they can great feasts of the liturgical year that he sole the weary amid the storm and stress not but help one to enter into the spirit found some of his holiest inspiration. The of life. The Christmas verses teach with of Holy Week. shadowy dep.ths of Gethsemane, the tri a beautiful simplicity some of the lessons Like Chesterton and Newman, Father umphant glory of Easter and the magic unfolded at Bethlehem when the glad O'Donnell cherishes a profound respect of the Holy Night all found glorification ftidings flashed across the "heavenly * for the traditions and culture of the Mid in Father Tabb's mastery of the canons hills." In this group it is difficult to de- g dles Ages, and his "Cloister" is certain to of poetry, and those who learn to appre cide which will make the biggest appeal. endure in American poetry. To me it is ciate the value of his poems will feel My own favorites are "Singing Stars," an exemplar of that noble type of poetry the influence of his teachings, even as "Stars of Cheer," "A Star Song" and "The which was defined by the beloved Father his friends and pupils felt the benediction • Royal Babe." Tabb as of his kindly presence. Miss Swan believes that "poetry is the A gleam of heaven; the passion of a star One of my very dear friends in the lit ' divinest of all arts; for it is the breathing Held captive in the clasp of harmony; erary world is Caroline Davenport Swan, or expression of that principle or senti A silencet shell-like, breathing from afar a dear "old lady" as she styles herself, ment which is deepest or sublimest in The rapture of the deep, eternity. who lives on the shore of beautiful Casco human nature." In her sonnet "A Soul's What tender, blessed thoughts the name Bay on the rugged Atlantic coast. Awakening," with which this paper con of John Bannister Tabb evokes! It is a It was in the little town of Gardiner, cludes, it is easy to discern the lofty name to be revered and loved in every Maine, a beauty spot on the Kennebec character of her thought and to under Catholic household. First there are his River, which has been immortalized by stand the underlying motives of the poet, child poems, collected in one volume. The Nathaniel Hawthorne in his delightful who is seer as well as singer, as he little ones seem instinctively to grasp American Notes, that Miss Swan was weaves a magic thread of thought their meaning, because Father Tabb pos born. The daughter of a fine old New through his creations. Moreover, if he be sessed the happy faculty of sensing child England family, she was reared in an at true to his best impulses, his work will ish sorrow and childhood's bubbling joys. mosphere of culture. Extensive travel be full of religious sentiment and beauti I appeal to mothers who may read this and scholarly pursuits qualified her well ful philosophy, even though his pattern paper to teach their children to love for her chosen craft, and being an artist (Continued on page 223) which founded Canada, the old and the new. "A Book of Verses Underneath the Bough" (Continued from page 202) be now fanciful and again serious, so that, if the reader be in the right spirit to appreciate the song of the bard, he will cherish his immoral verse as one of his most precious possessions. I wandered lone beneath the starry skies i i In early days of springtime when the ' \ 1 dark •Is all pulsation. Through the dusky • park Shy, scarlet maple buds with sleepy eyes Hung drooping overhead. In rapt surprise I felt the stirring life, whose hidden spark Of strange/ mysterious fire awakes the lark ; And bids the frail anemone arise. Then came a melting fragrance unaioares, The breath of violets, which softly rose From out their dewy purple of repose, Sweetening the dark. "O Love" I cried, - "that dares Reveal itself to darkened souls like mine, / feel Thee, clasp Thee, Jes-u, Lord Di vine!" aV3 BY A WELL-KNOWN WRITER OF VERSE Unfaiing tig(|t Bg Caroline Saoenport Swan jjX a (fidu^-cL. Boston Sherman, 7renc(| ^ Company ^ TftK^.iiNFAI)INC LIGHT artist,—the sonnets, in particular, being rich and full of charm. 11V Many expressions of appreciation upon the appearance of not a few of these CAROLINE DAVENPORT SWAN poems in religious and. secular periodi cals evince their stimulating and sugges tive helpfulness. The editor of a weekly A deeply devout as well as poetic journal speaks thus highly of the author's spirit manifests itself in this volume of work: verse. One catches the religious sym "There is no one familiar with her bolism of many of these lines as through beautiful verses who does not appreciate cathedral windows. The hallowed light the important position which she holds of trust and worship pervades them all. among the foremost writers of the pres The purity of things sacred, the adora ent day. Her poetry has inspired and ble in all that is divine, the aspiratiou consoled many: it has been as a refresh toward the holy mind and heart have ing balm to the weary and heavy-laden. received sympathetic and understanding Religious fervor prevails throughout all -4 expression. her works. Is it to be wondered, then, And it is with^his same sensitiveness*^ \ that they are so sublime and full of hojR*- of feeling and perception of inward ful inspiration ?" beauty and truth that nature is observed We offer this book, so truly Catholic and interpreted. In color, form^n^ in tone, to Clergy and laity k in full finish we have the work of a literary assurance of faith.'' Cloth; 12mo.; $1.25 net; by mail, $1.35 Cloth; 12mo.; $1.25 net; by mail, $1.35 SHERMAN. FRENCH & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS SHERMAN, FRENCH & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 6 Beacon Street, , Boston, Massachusetts 6 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 6'AfUJ/.v/:j;7Mt. CAROLINE DAVENPORT 3 /AN .oithor of: The Unfading Light * In?cri:s tion: Presented to the Maine State Library by the Author, Caroline Davenport Swan, So. Portland, 1922. Peems {Clippings and manuscript with letter giving list of poems. Received, sometime after August 1923, 3V7 c °iwr^ -w^A v __ "Nv^t. ^YVvO/vu*^ VJvO^At* *^»gA- Qj«S5L»e- fluujk yiox*. TVU^^Wa. ^IvL U^^A.w^ <$L^3C3 * «^elftSL aeSfixftt^»v-. —JV,*^ "tUc ^»cn^L <»U£ck^®} v*&L SUtL srVUU- OK. Ut>0 WjD^C. QjXIAU 1. ft KaAx VOsXXO-uLrt ^ &JL ^-o>>-v. 'Vurwt. VvCoXL' HA,t 0- AjLaiL irvu^ vwasjjt ^uQas ^jvavS ^ikIV3C. w- Q,5ut. V^Q-M-1 1 ^ O-Vv—. nAJ9%a V»haS^*^ *4J»O*^S 3 ~Y*HAC ^V- *^tVu- "^-uJlAw-^ va&juifiw &A* Ovuj W ' W.C. w^nQii^ i bsY* \Vva- J\ v®-kfc.CJk.s»tt.fcvo *V^U/x£AJJ ^ YVUjv^Xl^iL^ tnj' VuM-a-cfi_C3CS Po- , C^*A> * » ^.QfVMQi^, JWT ^vejsT, *W*KAj ^ 1m-J- - Q-^ftfl-Vlq-yiQ Q Q. ^ k \4ASi. ^-O-S ^vs"i- v^5^*-a."c-^ J ~tt3_ ^- ^cJdCuaJWh^abK. ^ X>Av*ji ""^A. 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"kcvwt o* "W*i <^JJ^C£vw""XlAAA.i^ ^ \jq lVyAj\ ^ V*A" °"* "Vwa^-i^ ^ftb4>LH v* ^ ft* -YWO^U <&*.* — o^Ajn^SE -m. <&L*vxAA W- e- 1. ^ X.C.-o^?^tt.OiCW^ » %Aj^U o- ^uW» fr^Vv^fcve.** _ U^voA_> v^ewJl^ \vwvw- <$jjj£L- ^rwAvw ^ Vvao^a^^ Cd-vw«^-A-. 5 ^J>, V^&S^K. «r^CEAJkiU^O,^V, V OJJ^-sC-®. ^0^v». ., MAAJLl^L^ ULS ts » \UCVj«3»• C^ruoK, JV^'T^UxJlcjw ^ <^bv ^ CEo^fl^jE. ^^VUfl^O^A- — CWWAjC^'iiiii^ . ^ \v6-sh- *vnP^ n^j^iSv&.A_ 'yaj-v wwV &fc aflSL »,.-* &-.JT \VWC«~J-^ •vs^fi^A o^vn.0 >» oQ»y,t , ~^—« °S "**^iv<- \»j-«a»<»^<. ^ ^AsJtn^ i * fit <•«, p. ^*-®X *I\A>,WS^ , ®\ eMW- ^ApP^ \^*jC>'X—tJkl—s.\ Cse^^3 .i; \VUumju£^oX>^ ^L^<.c^OJU-Cma^ $*yxO^&— i A REVERENT MUSE o?1 Caroline Davenport Swan's recently 4What can I do for Thee, Lord? My The waxen touch of Love Divine the published volume of poems, "The Unfad Lord!" Holy Child bestows; ing Light/' is one of the most graceful, His word is nigh: O bid His blessing fall on us, like rose- ender and spirit-dowered treasures of 'Gather my sheep and the lambs a-cold, light on the snows. poetic thought that have appeared from I Luring them back to the blessed Fold! the press for some time. I am not sur 1 Quick! Ere they die. Through all our earthly sorrowing His prised to learn that it has been so favor They have wandered far in the snow innocence can pass, _ ably received by critics and lovers of and rain; And make a whitenesgJlajQiiX-SO^lB-i^ght true poetry everywhere. I Jiear their moaning, I feel their pain!" —--- as tl>2 Sea of Glass, A For many years the author of this Where, full aflame in emerald light, the excellent and charming volume of verse Over the crags and the pathless plain Lamb for sinners slain, has been a contributor to our religious They softly come. Eternally reflected, shall forever live and and secular journals and quietly and un Breathless and blissful I lead them on,— reign. observed has sung her way into the For love, it is mighty to rest upon!— } hearts of her readers her sweet and In silence dumb; j Ther» are baby angels carolling across reverent thoughts, abiding and nestling Thine is the Voice which they love and I that soundless sea; in their souls like doves of peace and know; Exultant, in a silver flood of light and ' prayer sent out from the ark of God's I only guide them through sleet and holy glee, love. snow. In the everlasting Presence of the Christ Rarely have I read a volume of poems they knew below,— published in our day containing so little Ever Thy tenderness fills the gloom O tearless eyes, O wondrous peace, which poetic dross, so full of the sweet sanctity With life and cheer. earth may never know! of thought, so dowered with poetic feel Help us and welcome us, Lord of the ing, grace, and that fine spirit which Fold! For here are crowns of briars; but im holds the key to the inner temple of Show us Thy radiant City of Gold, mortal roses cling song. Swung close a-near! To brows illumined by the light of end It is essentially a woman's soul in Windless, unruffled, Thy luminous Sea, less worshiping. spired by the divine beauty of our holy Ever reflecting the rose-warmth of Thee. We walk in sorrow-laden wilds; but oh, faith, and the service of religion that the lilied plains! plans and fashions the lyrics and son Let me now turn for a moment to a Their dewy glow, perpetual grace! O nets within the covers of this delightful consideration of Miss Swan's Sonnets. misty,'golden rains! little volume. Caroline D. Swan is as She has many of the gifts requisite for reverent in her poetic spirit as that Eng a good sonnet writer—compression, deli Smile on our children here below, O lish Catholic singer who is so popular in cacy of thought and artistry. We think Mary Mother dear! our hearts and homes, and whom Charles the following one of her best sonnets: O Virgin-born Redeemer, bless all their Dickens, the great novelist, so much ad • baby cheer! mired—the gentle and serene songstress Sunrise in June. Oh, clasp thtm ever close to Thee and of our sacred groves—Adelaide Proctor. calm our wearied eyes— Miss Swan divides or classifies her Thrnnyh—the—faint - glimmer of shadow-lands, But ah, no tears for those who keep poems under six heads: Luce Oriente their Christmas in the skies! Sonnets, Christmastide, Sea-Drift, Easter- Across the silver meadows, dank with \de and Bird-Flights. Her volume com- rain, A far, fine line of light illumes the The publishers, Sherman, French &.rs /ises one hundred and seventeen poems Co. of Boston, in bringing out Miss. —the work, I presume, of a lifetime, and plain. It wakes the world, its sudden sway ex Swan's poems, have done their work a work creditable, too, indeed, to her fine pands. well. The volume, 1 understand, sells poetic gifts and admirable literary work for one dollar and twenty-five cents. It manship. The Sun-god flames adown th' exultant ^ sands, is a valuable addition to the poetry„fif_ Her genius, it is true, never takes our land, and its gifted author has laid what might be termed lofty or daring And woe and doubt and misery are slain: us all under obligation through her flights. Her upper lift of song is the sweet, ministry of song. calm, serene atmosphere of the soul de His loving touch is on our mounds of j void of the lurid light of passion or the pain, , . THOMAS O'HAGAN. sharp thunder of vexing clouds. The And none his blaze ineffable stands. beauty of God is ever spread about her The birds the rapturous miracle proclaim and she never loses sight of the tapers In their green palaces! The brilliant of faith upon His altar. Morning, Noon bees and Night are full of the anthems of Sip nectar from the chalices of June! His love and the ritual of Spring and Au- Sweet princess of the year! Her spirit's tumntide minister to her heart as Na flame ture stands vested at the altar over which Brightens our lives to kindred rhapso floats the incense of peace and prayer. dies — I would like to set before our readers And with the lark we sing her heaven- something of the beauty and grace and set tune. spiritual apperception found in the poems of Miss Swan. Perhaps the spirit and From the section of Miss Swan's poems known as "Christmastide," we take this method of her work are best exemplified beautiful poem, redolent of the joyous in the very opening poem in the volume, season when the Babe of Bethlehem "The; Earthly Shepha-»g." J in brings kneeling to the crib the Christian breathe^" a devotion ^and tenderness, a world with sweet spices and frankin trusting faith that are truly character cense and prayer. These hallowed lines istic of all her work: are full of the fragrance of prayer, and The Earthly Shepherd. devotion and reveal the beautiful spir I see One coming across the wold, itual nature of their author: My gracious Lord! Whiter than snow is He—is He! The Children of the Kingdom. And tender the gaze that He bends on There are baby voices carolling, and baby me, eyes aglow, O blest reward And dimpled cheeks, whose tender flush ^or all my labor, for all my pain, the Christmas roses know; 3 feel I dwell in His heart again! children - fearlessly and sing j How shall I welcome my gracious Lord, For He is come, the Jesus-Babe! O hail Now He is here? Sudden a-tremble, passionate, dim, Him, Lord and King. The tear-stained face that I turn *to Him And we think of blessed Bethlehem, that In anxious fear." night beneath the stars; He proffers pardon. O joy divine! O Mary Mother melt our hearts, efface Bliss of forgiveness! His love is mine. their stinging scars!