Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1920 — THE TWO VILLAGES [ARTICLE]

THE TWO VILLAGES

Over the river, on the hill, Lieth a village white and still; All around it the forest trees Shiver and whisper in the breeze; Over it sailing shadows go Of soaring hawk and screaming crow. And mountain grasses, low and sweet. Grow in the middle of every street. Over the river, under the hill, : Another village Heth still; There I see in the cloudy night Twinkling stars of household light. Fires that gleam from the smithy’s door. Mists that curl on the river shore; And in the roads no grasses grow. For the wheels that hasten to and fro. In that vlllageonthehlH Never is sound of smithy or mill: The houses are thatched with grass and flowers; Never a clock to toll the hours; The marble doors are always shut. You can not enter in hall or hut; All the villagers He asleep; , Never again to sow or reap; Never in dreams to moan or sigh; Silent and idle and low they He. In that village under the hill, When the night is starry and still. Many a weary soul in prayer Looks to the other village there, And weeping and sighing, longs to go Up to that home from this below; Lpngs to sleep in the forest wild. Whither have vanished wife and child. And heareth, praying, this answer fall; “Patience, that village shall hold ye all!* —Rose Terry Cooke.