159

date: 1920-04-08

names-on-the-page: Mrs. Filley; Mrs. Curran; Judge Allen

transcription: April 8, 1920 - Page 6

We asked Mrs. Filley to give Patience a subject for a poem and she asked
Patience to give her one on her grandson. Patience asked:

"Wouldst thou for to set thee through thy dame a wishin' or would
thee I set me a singin' wrapped of thy love?"

"Set me an invocation," answered Mrs. Filley and Patience gave her this:

-Invocation-

Not in a great word
But in a simple faith would I
Let my lips become a chalice
To contain the hope which burns
My heart for thee, beloved.

Not in a great strength
Would I enhance thee, neither would I
Declare thee victorious o'er hosts.
Nay, rather would I know thee
In simple depths, in steadfast labors.
I would kindle thy days of faith,
Yea and leave hope as the dregs
Of thy cup. Unto thee hath poured
A stuff which is a quickening fire.
Inheritant hast thou imbibed a holy wine.
My faith is pinned then to that
Red stream.

Beloved, in my words is a witchery.
I would have thy day unfold as
A perfect script. I would let thy
Young lips read unfalteringly the law.
This is victory. To read the law
Finally with no upward inflection.
I would leave thee to light
The wick of a new substance.

Here Mrs. Curran stopped to complain that while she saw this child as
usual, while she was writing, the boy's back was to her and he was stran-
gely quiet. Patience gave her no hint, however, of why this was so.

Judge Allen having come in, Patience gave him this poem:

-Truth's Armor-

I have no faith in lances.
And a rusted sword, to me, means quite
So much as one reflecting every shadow.
I pin no faith in armor

Con'd

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