Destiny

(artwork by Henry Ryland)

Destiny

by Robert Cameron Rogers

To one she gave a rose and said,

'see to it well it does not die'

To one a bunch of poppies red,

'Lo, guard them well," then bade good-bye.

The slow years came, the slow years went-

a stately rose tree upward grew-

to every summer flung its scent,

with every summer bloomed anew.

The slow years went, the slow years came -

Thickly before an empty shrine

The poppies stood like sprays of flame,

Like sunbeams shot through Chian wine.

He of the rose, his whole career

Was like the rose, fate's early dower -

Success pursued him year by year,

And year by year, came fame and power...

He of the poppies - no one wept.

His end, though last of all his line

For through his life, his soul had slept,

And dreamed before an empty shrine.

So, I have a fun story about 'destiny' of a sort. Several weeks ago, I found this absolutely lovely black and white drawing of a sweet young girl holding a rosary. The picture is a vintage limited edition reproduction of a piece created by the artist Henry Ryland. The artwork is dated 1867. I fell in love with this picture instantly, and couldn't wait to get it home and put it in the guest/room art studio. Here it is - on the wall:

I hadn't heard of Henry Ryland before.  He was born in the mid 1800s in England, and studied art in Paris.  When I looked him up, I was thrilled to find more of  his artwork.    However, try as I might - I couldn't find the exact image that I now owned.  Alas.  I particularly wanted to find a decent copy, so that I could post it here - knowing how awful my cell phone camera pictures turn out!

In any case, I gave up for a bit, content to enjoy the actual picture itself.  Lucky me.  Then, as if my stroke of vintage art luck hadn't been enough, I was beyond thrilled when I wandered into an antique store (here) this weekend, and found that one of the booths inside was closing down and the vendor was offering all of her wares at 70% (!) off!  I found an absolutely lovely original watercolor and caligraphy print from the early 1900s - of a poem by Robert Cameron Rogers.  Here is a picture of that lovely piece of artwork, also hanging in my art studio / guest room:

It's truly a wonderful piece, and as soon as I get a better camera - I will post a better picture.  I wish I knew who created the artwork - but the only identifying mark is that of the poet (Robert Cameron Rogers).

Here is the poem inscribed on the artwork:

THE HOURS I spent with thee, dear heart,

Are as a string of pearls to me;

I count them over, every one apart,

My rosary.

Each hour a pearl, each pearl a prayer,

To still a heart in absence wrung;

I tell each bead unto the end—and there

A cross is hung.

Oh, memories that bless—and burn!

Oh, barren gain—and bitter loss!

I kiss each bead, and strive at last to learn

To kiss the cross,

Sweetheart,

To kiss the cross.

Not knowing anything about Robert Cameron Rogers, I thought I would give him a looky loo on the old internet, as well.  Turns out he was an American poet, born in New York in the mid 1800s.  He died in California at the age of 60 - from complications due to an apendectomy.  So, yes, Mr. Rogers and Mr. Ryland were born around the same time - but they were entire continents apart from one another.  Can you imagine my surprise, when - upon looking up the poetry of Mr. Rogers - I found that some of it had been put to music - and indeed My Rosary was one of those poems.  Well, that was not the surprise - this was:  Here is the image that popped up when I looked up the sheet music for My Rosary:

 Notice anything familiar?  Ha!  What an odd coincidence, given that I had no idea who either the artist or the poet were, and that the sheet music does not mention the artist at all - however, clearly - it is the exact same image on my vintage poster.  The only slight difference between the image on my poster, and the image on the sheet music is in the eyes.  For whatever reason, the eyes on my poster are much softer - more... innocent looking.  Whereas the eyes on this piece of sheet music seem to be a bit more open, more wide - giving her a startled look.  Ah well, I like my version better - so it all works out.

Anyway - seeing as how it is Vintage Thingy Thursday - I figured I would share my new 'vintage thingys' story with you.  I hope you found it as facsinating as I did!

If you would like to see additional entries, or blog about some vintage goodness yourself - check out Colorado Lady's blog - here:

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/