Page:Anthology of Magazine Verse (1921).djvu/199

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Of the vaulted elm at the door of my house,
I open the window and make salute:
"God bless thy branches and feed thy root!
Thou has lived before, live after me,
Thou ancient, friendly, faithful tree."

Scribner's MagazineHenry van Dyke


OF A BEAUTIFUL POEM
(Three Voices)

I
Lifeblood and spirit-fire
 Went to its making:
Surely the Maker found
 (His for the taking)
All a kind word could show
 Of gracious living,
And happy stars could give,
 Lavishly giving—
Honor and easefulness,
 Wealth to buy leisure,
Beauty of man's device,
 Nature's high pleasure,
White moons to glorify
 Times of far roaming,
Orchards in bloom to make
 Sweet the home-coming

II
Lifeblood and spirit-fire
 Went to its making:
Surely the Maker found
 Naught for free taking.
It was a warring soul
 Flamed in such fashion,

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