New Collected Rhymes (1910)

This poor little flutter of rhymes would not have been let down the wind: the project would have been abandoned but for the too flattering encouragement of a responsible friend. I trust that he may not "live to rue the day," like Keith of Craigentolly in the ballad. The "Loyal Lyrics" on Charles and James and the White Rose must not be understood as implying a rebellious desire for the subversion of the present illustrious dynasty. "These are but symbols that I sing, These names of Prince, and rose, and King; Types of things dear that do not die, But reign in loyal memory. ACROSS THE WATER surely they Abide their twenty-ninth of May; And we shall hail their happy reign, When Life comes to his own again," - over the water that divides us from the voices and faces of our desires and dreams.