Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Jessie B. Rittenhouse, ed. (1869–1948). The Second Book of Modern Verse. 1922.

A Song of Two Wanderers

DEAR, when I went with you

To where the town ends,

Simple things that Christ loved—

They were our friends;

Tree shade and grass blade

And meadows in flower;

Sun-sparkle, dew-glisten,

Star-glow and shower;

Cool-flowing song at night

Where the river bends,

And the shingle croons a tune—

These were our friends.

Under us the brown earth

Ancient and strong,

The best bed for wanderers

All the night long;

Over us the blue sky

Ancient and dear,

The best roof to shelter all

Glad wanderers here;

And racing between them there

Falls and ascends

The chantey of the clean winds—

These were our friends.

By day on the broad road

Or on the narrow trail,

Angel wings shadowed us,

Glimmering pale

Through the red heat of noon;

In the twilight of dawn

Fairies broke fast with us;

Prophets led us on,

Heroes were kind to us

Day after happy day;

Many white Madonnas

We met on our way—

Farmer and longshoreman,

Fisherman and wife,

Children and laborers

Brave enough for Life,

Simple folk that Christ loved—

They were our friends.…

Dear, we must go again

To where the town ends …