The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, June 30, 1901, Page 11

THE SUNDAY CALL. 11 By Jose de Olivares. 1 ‘\“‘ 7 AR T W RN\t “‘!\\‘\\\é\‘n\\\_‘\\fi RV | N .l‘!:p\‘\\ A N u_—,,v/g, A D R Wl L SO SRS 0735 NN S \\\ s M sy RN RNV 7525, I SRR SN AL )“,‘,,,',’: NANSNNS o s ALz i .\\\.\§\\“_- SN R % = ’ SESsSST BN YW & = g > & § L RN — z ! S S N x 2 — | P ‘\:'- Among the hills a day has dxwned most fair; n hazy languor tower the mountain crests; nd bathed in splendor are i} “And oft on the midnight’s gentle gale, . “When woods are silent .and skies are clear, he uplands where To our wild domain do the sea sprites sail, The vale of La Crescenta cals And we laugh and sing in the moonlight pale Till the purple dawn is near. v TeCsts, Here Solitude in sweet seclusion reigns, " 1 ¢ R From all the elements of strife apart; “In a far-off town on the sultry plain, With the mortals dwelt we long ago, Till the Dryads called us to join their train, And we followed, ne'er to return again, While the laughing waters flow.” And peaceful pleasures strike away the chains That worldly cares have forged about the heart. A loitering horseman secking to beguile \ In Nature’s realm the golden summer hours, With lagging pace ascends the long defile That upward wir The measure o'er, the queenly sylph retires With languid grace amidst the fairy band,’ When, stepping - forth, the cavalier desires, s through slopes of fern and flowers. Anon, some verdant canopy beneath, His charger reined; he lingers for a time, With gallant mein, a welcome to their land. The perfume-laden atmosphere to breathe, And feast his fancy on the scene sublime. In startled haste the lissome nymphs arise, And shrinking back intg the forest shade Before him stretch in undulating grace ] Upon the stranger gaze in mute surprise, Expansive sun-kissed fields of ripening grain; Who now proceeds—his mild obeisance paid— While threadlike streams in silvery radiance trace Their winding courses o’er the distant plain. In courtly terms his presence to explain; Then, scarcely passed though are the morning hours, He pleads fatigue and would awhile remain, To seek refreshment in their fragrent bowers, The rippling brooklet springing at his feet— he silent river flowing through the lea— Their ways pursue until at length they meet, And, sweeping onward, seek the boundless sea. Oh, yielding man! How transient were the dreams That briefly since entranced thee with their wiles! \What now.are lone retreats and purling streams The glorious sea! Yon wvast resplendent sheet, Whence glistening shafts of golden light are driven, Compafcd to glances shy and sunny smiles! Its billows wi de the vague horizon greet And melt into the firmament of heaven. For now, with sweet and winning diffidence, The gentle spirits slowly venture. near; While from each fair angelic countenance Has vanished every trace of doubt and fear. A dreamy And und Above, the austere eagles iily soar, illness dwells the landscape o’er, isturbed is Nature’s deep repose; / ike guardian wraiths whose vigils never close. They bid their guest the freedom of their haunts— Before him place the choicest of their board, And kindly minister unto his wants, Till Paradise naught sweeter could afford. But hark! TUpon the stillness faintly steals The weird vibration of a distant strain; & In softest rhythm float the mystic peals, As echoes from an elfin choir’s refrain. Thus joyously the leisure moments speed, And soon o'er earth the shade of even steals; Awzkened from his reverie profound, With vain regret the traveler girths his steed, With eager interest the wanderer guides But ere he mounts this sentiment reveals: His courser on toward whence the luring sound Is borne adown the canvon’s wooded sides. FINALE. “The Minstrel and the Muse may sing Of spheres where blooms eternal Spring— Of joy untold that hidden lies Beyond the azure of the skies— ° Their psalmodies might vainly seek The glories of this land to speak! Nor breathes the Bard who can portray The raptures I have known to-day. Thus onward drawn as by a phantom cord— The echoes answering in vague replies— He views at length upon an emerald sward The source from whence the magic sounds arise. But vain the poet’s tongue may seek to tell, In lyric verse or measured sonnet sweet, The rich enchantments which this mountain dell Unfolds, the stranger’s wondering gaze to greet. “Ye gentle nymphs who vigils keep O'er sparkling rills and eddies deep, This blessing would I fain call down From Paradise, your lives to crown; Hence, as of yore, may peace divine, Within your realms forever shine; And when ye rest the stars beneath May zephyrs o'er you soitly breathe; While angels guard with zealous love Your slumbers, from their thrones above. band of Naiads here their bower have made, With sylvan charms luxuriantly graced; . nd deep within the grove's sequestered shade, On cunning webs, grotesquely interlaced With drooping boughs, the gladsome nymphs recline; While one, the sweetest ¢f the concourse fair, Around whose brow the sunbeams gently twine, Pours forth this carol on the balmy air: “In spirit kneeling at your feet, I thank you for the moments sweet Thus spent within your fair domain; . And oft amid December’s rain ¢ I'll dream the happy June-tide, when I wandered to this blissful glen; And here will memory fondly rest Where I have Leen an honored guest.” “Ob, fair is the realm where the Naiads roam, "Neath the spreading shade of the whispering trees; And careless and free in our mountain home, Where the wavelets dance and the torrents foam, We sport in the gentle breeze. " “No cares we own in cur blissful clime— ) No wasting sorrows nor baneful ills, But our voices glad ond the brooklet’s chime Are softly blended in rippling rhyme As we chant by the eddying rills, \ “ Adieu!” he cries, and answering, swell - The echoes of the Nymphs' farewell. \ " Copyright, 1go1.