Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 Excerpt: ... she died as the picture was finished; my darling, my darling! But from out of the distance came murmurings, mel lowed by time: "God be thanked, for this vision He gives us, of sweetness and glory." Then I knew that the work was not mine, that in truth 'twas well done. Then the sorrow of life made my righteousness softer, more tender; I grew careless of preaching, cared only for healing men's souls; And I painted the flowers by the wayside, and knelt as I painted; And men said, "He is growing, this painter, --is near ing the great." As the racer is cheered in his strife by a voice that he knows not, So a friend, who was only a voice to me, led me till now: But they say he is dead; and they praise me, you say, little Gracie? Do they praise him, I wonder, who made me--the last of my friends? Yes, the work is completed, I think, for the worker is worn. THE HERMIT. /UT in the greenwood free, Lord of myself to be! Far from the fuming and fretting of men.--Surely the father was feeble then: "This be your penance," said he. All the day long mine own, Never a jarring tone; Now shall I sing as a friar should sing, Now to the altar pure incense shall bring, Living for worship alone. Come to me, beasts so fair; Flourish, ye flow'rets rare, --All the creation is perfect but man; He is the outlaw, and lives under ban, Poisons the innocent air. i Mother, mine earth, be kind; Let me, on you reclined, Dream out my folly, my sin, and my pain; Rise as a plant newly bathed with the rain, Fresh with the fanning of wind. Fountain so still, so clear, Let me stoop down and hear All of the wisdom that babbles so sweet; Hast thou no welcome the stranger to greet? Hast thou thy secrets, held dear? Life, like an autumn day, Fruitful, shall glide away, Rich...