Carleton H. Parker
AN AMERICAN IDYLL
THE LIFE OF
CARLETON H. PARKER
By
CORNELIA STRATTON PARKER
BOSTON
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY PRESS
1919
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY PRESS
1919
Thepoem on the opposite page is here
reprinted with the expresspermission of
Messrs. Charles Scribner'sSons, publishers
of Robert Louis Stevenson'sWorks.
reprinted with the expresspermission of
Messrs. Charles Scribner'sSons, publishers
of Robert Louis Stevenson'sWorks.
Yet, Ostricken heart, remember, O remember,
How of human days he lived thebetter part.
April came to bloom, and neverdim December
Breathed its killing chillupon the head or heart.
Doomed to know not Winter,only Spring, a being
Trod the flowery Aprilblithely for a while,
Took his fill of music, joy ofthought and seeing,
Came and stayed and went, norever ceased to smile.
Came and stayed and went, andnow when all is finished,
You alone have crossed themelancholy stream,
Yours the pang, but his, Ohis, the undiminished,
Undecaying gladness,undeparted dream.
All that life contains oftorture, toil, and treason,
Shame, dishonor, death, to himwere but a name.
Here, a boy, he dwelt throughall the singing season
And ere the day of sorrowdeparted as he came.
How of human days he lived thebetter part.
April came to bloom, and neverdim December
Breathed its killing chillupon the head or heart.
Doomed to know not Winter,only Spring, a being
Trod the flowery Aprilblithely for a while,
Took his fill of music, joy ofthought and seeing,
Came and stayed and went, norever ceased to smile.
Came and stayed and went, andnow when all is finished,
You alone have crossed themelancholy stream,
Yours the pang, but his, Ohis, the undiminished,
Undecaying gladness,undeparted dream.
All that life contains oftorture, toil, and treason,
Shame, dishonor, death, to himwere but a name.
Here, a boy, he dwelt throughall the singing season
And ere the day of sorrowdeparted as he came.
Writtenfor our three children.
Dedicated to all those kindredsouls, friends of
Carl Parker whether they knewhim or not, who
are making the fight, withoutbitterness but with
all the understanding,patience, and enthusiasm
they possess, for a saner,kindlier, and more joyous
world.
And to those especially wholove greatly along
the way.
Dedicated to all those kindredsouls, friends of
Carl Parker whether they knewhim or not, who
are making the fight, withoutbitterness but with
all the understanding,patience, and enthusiasm
they possess, for a saner,kindlier, and more joyous
world.
And to those especially wholove greatly along
the way.