[The scene of this poem is set at the United States immigrant station in New York harbor. Compare the poetic argument for a liberal attitude toward the immigrant class, with that expressed in Aldrich's poem, page 366.] At the gate of the West I stand, Descended, perhaps, from one of the band Deathless in story and song Who combed their long hair at Thermopyla's pass? Ah, I forget the straits, alas! More tragic than theirs, more compassionworth, That have doomed you to march in our "immigrant class" Where you're nothing but "scum o' the earth." I Titans. Who dared to war against the ancient gods. 2 Icarian wings. Icarus made wings for himself, but when he flew too near the sun, the wax that held them melted, and he fell into the sea. When a world from the wave began to rise. You're merely a butt for our mirth. You're a "sheeny" and therefore despised And rejected as "scum o' the earth." Countrymen, bend and invoke For that we spat on this marvellous folk, 80 Our peers, and more than our peers. At the sons of our ancient more-thanpeers. Mercy for us who dare despise Men in whose loins our Homer lies; Mothers of men who shall bring to us The glory of Titian, the grandeur of Huss ;3 90 THE MERRY-GO-ROUND MARGARET L. WOODS [From a long poem called "Marlborough Fair."] Merry-go-round is a-turning, turning! What will you mount upon, where will you ride? Merry-go-round is a-turning! 10 The organ is high over every sound, Whither away goes the Merry-go-round, A crimson feather, a grass-green sash, 20 Busily whirling, dizzily whirling. 10 Once made in Nazareth, Yes, but his hammer still is shown THE MOTHER KATHARINE TYNAN 20 Busily whirling, dizzily whirling, They are swift on the tide, they are sailing the wind, 70 1 Djinn. A Mohammedan spirit, made of fire. There is no height, no depth, that could set us apart Body of mine and soul of mine, heart of my heart. I would wash you white again with my tears and my grief, Body of mine and soul of mine, till you found relief. Though you had sinned all sins there are ''twixt east and west, You should find my arms wide for you, your head on my breast. Child, if I were in heaven and you were in hell, Angels white as my spotless one stumbled and fell, I would leave the fields of God and Queen Mary's feet, Straight to the heart of hell would go seeking my sweet. He who has given men gift of laughter, Made in His image; He fashioned fit The blink of the owl and the stork thereafter, The little wren and the long-tailed tit. "Dearlings," He said, "make songs for my praises!" He tossed them loose to the sun and wind, Airily sweet as pansies and daisies; He taught them to build a nest to their mind. The dear Lord God of His glories wearyChrist our Lord had the heart of a boy Made Him birds in a moment merry, Bade them soar and sing for His joy. (1912) |