Quotes from ELIZABETH AKERS ALLEN

The wind is full of memories; It whispers low and clear The sacred echoes of the past, And brings the dead more near.

Ah, we were blest in Arcady! Our hearts were innocent and free, We had no word for doubt or fear, We knew no sorrow and no tear, We felt no heart-ache and no pang, But lived and loved and laughed and sang-- Nor dreamed that heaven could happier be Than our glad life in Arcady!

Oh, it was fair in Arcady! Birds built and sang in every tree, And trill and warble, chirp and song, Rang sweet and clear the whole day long; The violets blossomed all the year, No lightnings scathed our happy sphere, Nor frost congealed on wood or lea, What time we dwelt in Arcady!

Many a check at the memory pales; The jubilant music faints and fails, Dying in low and mournful wails For those whose graves are green; The crowd grows still with a conscious dread, So still that you almost hear the tread, The ghostly tread of the gallant dead Who walk in the ranks unseen.

I count no more my wasted tears; They left no echo of their fall; I mourn no more my lonesome years; This blessed hour atones for all.

Is it a dream? The day is done, The long, warm, fragrant summer day; Afar beyond the hills, the sun In purple splendor sinks away.

Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight, Make me a child again, just for to-night! Mother, come back from the echoless shore, Take me again to your heart as of yore; Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care, Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair; Over my slumbers your loving watch keep-- Rock me to sleep, mother--rock me to sleep!

Up the sky in silence holy Comes the young moon slowly, slowly, Softly with her light divine, Filling, like a cup with wine.

Dawn of a brighter, whiter day Than ever blessed us with its ray-- A dawn beneath whose purer light all guilt and wrong shall fade away.

Backward, flow backward, O tide of the years! I am so weary of toil and of tears-- Toil without recompense, tears all in vain-- Take them, and give me my childhood again!

Once I longed for Wealth and Place, Happiness and Love's sweet grace-- Now there lives within my breast Only this one wish--for Rest.

O flowers! the soul that faints or grieves New comfort from your lips receives; Sweet confidence and patient faith are hidden in your leaves.

Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight make me a child again just for to-night!

Backward turn backward O Time in your flight Make me a child again just for tonight.

Over my slumber your loving watch keep - Rock me to sleep, mother; rock me to sleep.