San Francisco Call, Volume 95, Number 27, 27 December 1903 — POEMS OF DEPTH [CHAPTER]

POEMS OF DEPTH

Sorne Excellent Verse by John' G. Jury.

.f% LITTLE book of poems, of more \\ than ordinary worth has Just jl come from the pen of John G. * . Jury, a young barrister of local reputation. So unusual; is it to find Blackstone and poesy hand in hand that Jury's verse will * be read with curious interest.' ,

j "Omar and FitzGerald," the most pretentious verse of the collection and the one from' which the booklet derives its title, is unfortunately not the best between the covers. In his preface the lawyer gets the better of the poet and. a brief argument is advanced to demonstrate the causus Vivendi of "Omar, and FitzGerald." Jury undertakes to explain that he takes exception to old Omar's pessimistic views of life and that his lines seek to read into the secret of the Persian philoso-pher-poet a. little' optimism. Were one to read the poem without the prefatory key to the meaning he would feel very much like the sick man who thought that his brain had weakened because he could not understand Browning. The thought in this poem Is clouded by an overweening desire to Imitate the verse form and diction of the Rubalyat. t ' . But it is when the verse writer allows himself to be natural and does not follow after chosen 'gods that his poetic power is manifested most advantageously. A strong faith and sincere belief that ."-. "God's in his heaven: All's right with the world—" these are the dominant thoughts . in Jury's verse. They lend to his poems a simple strength which compels admiration. For example, .the following ode on "Night" rings true: -- 'Hall, beauteous Night! Queen of Eternity! Before whose mansions all the whit* stars 11* l>lke stepping stones across the chasmed sky. Reflected., where I walk. In depths, I see The lights and temples of Infinity. Most Mighty Father, what In truth am I That thou In glory shouldst approach so nigh, And with Omnipotence encompass me? ' E'en as the wayside flower, whose tiny hands Outstretch and lock the day in their embrace, So. rapturously, do I Into an hour- . ~ -,. Press Immortality. O heavenly. lands! '-¦ Mere may I 'meet thy angels, face to face. Where holy night revealeth Grace and Power.

Though' the j majority ; of the verses which - Jury - has , collected c into this, his /first book, are • didactic in tone, there are, a few which voice the" love passion in a remarkably sweet tone

and which will bear reading many more • times than the first casual glance. They are not at all Byronesque, nor of the bombastic blather of the rejuvenescent Joaquin Miller, but light little thoughts, cunningly chiseled. One in particular, "When Love Looks Through Her Tears at Me," well merits citation: I've wandered oft o'er vale and hill. And through earth' a forests grandly fair; I've paused where sings the crystal rill. Close to the mountain-lion's lair; Where every breath of heaven's free air Hath filled my heart with ecstasy — Yet that is joy beyond compare. t When love looks through her tears at ma. And when day's fading hoars Instill Sweet restfulness in every care — When all the chords of nature thrill With one melodious, soulful air — .-^ When lifts the weary heart in prayer. Ah, holler joy there cannot be Than that which grief cannot impair — When love looks through her tears at me! When time's stern winter winds so chill Sweep round us ere we are aware. And scatter years like leaves, until The tree of life is thin and bare — Then would I fly from drear Despair. And take my place, dear one. with the*. For naught of joy can I forswear. When love looks through her tears at m*. I/ENVOI. Then all Heaven's tents. O Prince, prepare. For Rapture speedeth unto thee! And fain would I attend her there. .When love looks through her tears at me. ("Whltaker & Kay Company, San Francisco.)