THE WORD The Cumæan sibyl offered Tarquin the Proud nine books for what seemed an exorbitant sum. He refused. She burned three of the books, and placed the same price on the six as on the original nine. Again he refused. She burned three more books, and offered the remainder for the sum she first named. This time Tarquin accepted. The books were found to contain prophecies and invaluable directions regarding Roman policy, but alas, they were no longer complete. So it is with joy. To take it now is to get it in its entirety. To defer until some other occasion is to get less of it-at the same cost. O-DAY, whatever may annoy, The word for it is Joy, just simple joy: The joy of life; The joy of children and of wife; The joy of bright blue skies; The joy of rain; the glad surprise Of twinkling stars that shine at night; The joy of winged things upon their flight; The joy of noonday, and the tried, True joyousness of eventide; The joy of labor and of mirth; The joy of air, and sea, and earth The countless joys that ever flow from Him The lustrous light of day, And lavish gifts divine upon our way. I'll put off till To-morrow, And when To-morrow comes, why, then 'Twill be To-day, and Joy again! Reprinted by permission of "The Atlantic Monthly." John Kendrick Bangs. ENVOI Franklin K. Lane stipulated that when he died his body should be cremated and the ashes scattered from El Capitan over the beautiful Yosemite Valley. He thus symbolized what many of us feel the unity of our deeper and finer selves with the eternal life and loveliness of nature. H seek me not within a tomb; OH Thou shalt not find me in the clay! I pierce a little wall of gloom To mingle with the Day! I brothered with the things that pass, Not Death can sheathe me in a shroud; Oh subtle in the sap athrill, My God and I shall interknit As rain and Ocean, breath and Air; Permission of the Author. From "The Quest" (collected lyrics), The Macmillan Co. John G. Neihardt. JAW We all like a firm, straightforward chin providea it is not ruled by a wagging, gossiping tongue. HIS fellow's jaw is built so frail TH you That fellow's chin retreats until The lower jaw should be as strong Yes, with endurance, let it too St. Clair Adams, THE CONQUEROR Age is wise; it attempts nothing impossible. Youth is wiser; it believes nothing impossible. Age conserves more; youth accomplishes more. Between the two is an irreconcilable difference "Crabbéd age and youth as Shakespeare says. And the sympathy of the world is with youth. It is better so; for though many cherished things would be saved from sacrifice if rash immaturity were more often checked, progress would be stayed if life were dominated by sterile and repressive age. ROOM for me, graybeards, room, make room! Menace me not with your eyes of gloom; Jostle me not from the place I seek, For my arms are strong and your own are weak, I am the spirit of Youth; make way! Room for me, timid ones, room, make room! I laugh at sorrow and jeer defeat; Room for me, mighty ones, room, make room! I topple the king from his golden throne, I am not hampered by yesterday. Room for the spirit of Youth; make way! Room for me, all of you, make me room! Berton Braley. From "Things As They Are," Copyright, 1916, George H. Doran Co., Publishers. IS IT RAINING, LITTLE FLOWER? "Sweet are the uses of adversity." They bring us benefits not otherwise to be had. To mope because of them is foolish. Showers alternate with sunshine, sorrows with pleasure, pain and weariness with comfort and rest; but accept the one as necessary to the other, and you will enjoy both. IS it raining, little flower? Be glad of rain. Too much sun would wither thee, The sky is very black, 'tis true, But just behind it shines The blue. Art thou weary, tender heart? In sorrow the sweetest things will grow As flowers in the rain. God watches and thou wilt have sun When clouds their perfect work Have done. Anonymous, |