The Congo and Other Poems Part 13

They had the waiters whirling round Just sweeping up the smear and smash.

They tried to buy the State-house flag.

They showed the Janitor the cash.

And old Dan Tucker on a toot, Or John Paul Jones before the breeze, Or Indians eating fat fried dog, Were not as happy babes as these.

One morn, in hills near Cripple-creek With cheerful swears the two awoke.

The Swede had twenty cents, all right.

But Ga.s.sy Thompson was clean broke.

Rhymes for Gloriana

I. The Doll upon the Topmost Bough

This doll upon the topmost bough, This playmate-gift, in Christmas dress, Was taken down and brought to me One sleety night most comfortless.

Her hair was gold, her dolly-sash Was gray brocade, most good to see.

The dear toy laughed, and I forgot The ill the new year promised me.

II. On Suddenly Receiving a Curl Long Refused

Oh, saucy gold circle of fairyland silk-- Impudent, intimate, delicate treasure: A noose for my heart and a ring for my finger:-- Here in my study you sing me a measure.

Whimsy and song in my little gray study!

Words out of wonderland, praising her fineness, Touched with her pulsating, delicate laughter, Saying, "The girl is all daring and kindness!"

Saying, "Her soul is all feminine gameness, Trusting her insights, ardent for living; She would be weeping with me and be laughing, A thoroughbred, joyous receiving and giving!"

III. On Receiving One of Gloriana's Letters

Your pen needs but a ruffle To be Pavlova whirling.

It surely is a scalawag A-scamping down the page.

A pretty little May-wind The morning buds uncurling.

And then the white sweet Russian, The dancer of the age.

Your pen's the Queen of Sheba, Such serious questions bringing, That merry rascal Solomon Would show a sober face:-- And then again Pavlova To set our spirits singing, The snowy-swan bacchante All glamour, glee and grace.

IV. In Praise of Gloriana's Remarkable Golden Hair

The gleaming head of one fine friend Is bent above my little song, So through the treasure-pits of Heaven In fancy's shoes, I march along.

I wander, seek and peer and ponder In Splendor's last ensnaring lair-- 'Mid burnished harps and burnished crowns Where n.o.ble chariots gleam and flare:

Amid the spirit-coins and gems, The plates and cups and helms of fire-- The gorgeous-treasure-pits of Heaven-- Where angel-misers slake desire!

O endless treasure-pits of gold Where silly angel-men make mirth-- I think that I am there this hour, Though walking in the ways of earth!

Fourth Section ~~ Twenty Poems in which the Moon is the Princ.i.p.al Figure of Speech

Once More--To Gloriana

Girl with the burning golden eyes, And red-bird song, and snowy throat: I bring you gold and silver moons And diamond stars, and mists that float.

I bring you moons and snowy clouds, I bring you prairie skies to-night To feebly praise your golden eyes And red-bird song, and throat so white.

First Section: Moon Poems for the Children/Fairy-tales for the Children

I. Euclid

Old Euclid drew a circle On a sand-beach long ago.

He bounded and enclosed it With angles thus and so.

His set of solemn greybeards Nodded and argued much Of arc and of circ.u.mference, Diameter and such.

A silent child stood by them From morning until noon Because they drew such charming Round pictures of the moon.

II. The Haughty Snail-king

(What Uncle William told the Children)