A Poem by Will Carleton

1900

While I was visiting at the home of my constant and loving friends, Mr. and Mrs. Will Carleton, in Brooklyn, New York, on my eightieth birthday Mr. Carleton wrote the following poem, which I insert here, not from vanity, I am sure my readers will believe, but with a desire to place on record my happiness at some of the kind things that have been said about me.

Song-bird in the dark. Adding each day unto our lyric treasure,

And rising, like the lark, Nearer to heaven for each ecstatic measure:

Sing on, O rich, clear voice, ‘Mid the world’s clamor for the world’s possession; Thou art the angels’ choice To give their sweetest anthems earth-expression I

Love on, O gentle heart. To all mankind with stately pureness clinging;

Poem by Will Carleton.

The followers of thy art, With lips devout caress thee in their singing!

In myriad temples grand, Through whose broad aisles the organ-tones are peaUng,

Thy words walk hand in hand With truths the rich-bound Bible is revealing.

By many a cottage door. Where Faith and Love with Poverty are dwelling.

Thy sweet words, o’er and o’er. The mother to her new-found babe is telling.

Where arctic snow-storms sweep. Where tropic ghosts a hand to death are reaching. Thy jeweled words still keep Their tryst with God, and aid His solemn teaching.

Song-bird in the light, Thou shalt see splendors when this world’s have faded! E’en now thy path is bright With stars in heaven, whose kindling thou hast aided.

Yearn on, O lofty soul. Though voices from the song-land intercede thee! Spurn not this earth’s control Yet many years: our suffering mortals need thee.

But when at last The King Shall bid thy friends above to cease their waiting.

The angel-choirs will sing. To welcome thee, some hymn of thy creating.

And Christ will be thy guide. Confirming, step by step, His wondrous story;

And seek the Father’s side, And say, “She taught the world to sing Thy glory.”