This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ... LIFE TRANSCENDENT This being the name of praise given to a fair lady. I Used to think, when the corn was blowing, Of my lost lady, Life Transcendent, Of her valiant way, of her pride resplendent: For the corn swayed round, like her warrior- band When I knelt by the blades to kiss her hand. But now the green of the corn is going, And winter comes and a springtime sowing Of other grain, on the plains we knew. So I walk on air, where the clouds are blowing, And kiss her hand, where the gods are sowing Stars for corn, in the star-fields new. IN THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH Hunted by friends who think that life is play, Shaken by holy loves, more feared than foes, By beauty's amber cup, that overflows, And pride of place, that leads me more astray: -- Here I renew my vows, and this chief vow -- To seek each year this shrine of deathless power, Keeping my springtime cornland thoughts in flower, While labor-gnarled grey Christians round me bow. Arm me against great towns, strong spirits old! St. Francis keep me road-worn, music-fed. Help me to look upon the poor-house bed As a most fitting death, more dear than gold. Help me to seek the sunburned groups afield, The iron folk, the pioneers free-born. Make me to voice the tall men in the corn. Let boyhood's wildflower days a bright fruit yield. Scourge me, a slave that brings unhallowed praise To you, stern Virgin in this church so sweet, If I desert the ways wherein my feet Were set by Heaven, in prenatal days. THE OLD GENTLEMAN WITH THE LANTERN (AND THE PEOPLE OF HIS HOUSEHOLD) The Savage Necklace The reader need not expect this book to contain any nicely adjusted plot with a villain, hero, lawyer, papers, surprise, and happy ending. The highway is irrelevant. The highway is slipshod. The..