O O O O O

MA GA L L OWA Y

GRANVILLE P. WILSON.

1 879 .

G O R HAM ,N . H.

M O U N T A I N EE R ' P R I N T !.

1880.

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3K

ENTE R ED A CCO RD IN G TO A CT O F CONG R ESS , IN THE Y E A R

1871 , B Y

G R A NV IL L E P. ! VIL SO N ,

I N THE OFF I CE O F THE L IB R A R IA N O F CONG RE SS, A T

W A smN G TO N .

INTR O DUCTIO N .

The fol low ing are th e poeti cal attempts of an i ndi

vi dual born and reared i n an obscure haml e t on th e

banks of th e M agal loway, n ear th e h eadwaters of th e

Andros coggi n and Conn ecti cut r ivers,where

,wi th i n th e

! fore s t primeval,

” among ! th e murmuri n g p ines and

th e h emlocks,

” wi th ou t l i terary advantage s and wi thout

exampl e i n th e annal s of th e l ocal i ty,whi l e a mere boy,

h e vai nly endeavored to gi ve - utterance in vers e to th e

profound emot ion s w i th wh i ch th e s tudy of darl i n g

nature,i n th e sol i tude of h i s roman t i c s i tuat i on

,had

in spi red h im . As a souveni r of pas t h appy days,h e

has here compil ed a sel ect io n from hi s variou s scrib

bl in gs,and

,h owever contempt ibl e th e resul t

,to h im h i s

efforts have been non e th e l es s en j oyabl e and sp i ri tual ly

profitabl e . That th ey may prove equal ly so to o th ers

i s th e earn es t hope and des ire of

THE WR ITER .

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Introduction ,

PA R T I .

Re trospect i ve,

From Umbagog to Dixvi l l e,

The Uni ty of Human i ty,

Lines on'

the Sudden Cessati on Winter,

A Remin i s cence of Ch i l dhood,

Columbia’s Hundred Years,

Natural Theology,

My Ch ildhood’s Home,

6 TABLE O F CON TENTS .

Seclusi on,

Lamen t for June,

By the Brooks ide,

PART II .

HUM O R O US A N D A M O R O US SELECTION S .

In th e Woods,

Love,

Sanctu s Natura,

Song—Dearest,Breath e a Prayer

The Flower of Columbia,

At th e Cherry Tre e,

Lines to an Old Acquaintance,

Lines to E i n Absence,

Puns,

Lin es accompanying some Wild Flowers

presen ted to aLady Friend,

TABLE O F C O N TENTS .

Lines wri tten inth e Offi ce of a Hotel kept by

a gentl emen named Fi tts,

Lines wri tten i n March,1863, durin g th e

Great Rebell ion,

PART III .

JUVENILE POEM S .

Morn in g i n Summer,

Even ing in Winter,

A Better Land,

Sebastopol,

Lamen t for Summer,

RETROSPECTIVE .

Where M agal loway’s wil d waters

Rol l,on th e i r roman t i c way

To New Hampsh ire’s rugged border ;To i ts forests

,vas t and gray .

Wv

li ere A z iscoos in grandeur

Rears i ts brow,o’er h il l and val e ;

Echoi ng the cascade’s thunder

And th e s tream’s melod ious wai l

To the s cene of l ife’s glad morn in g,To i ts nat ive rural bower

,

Turns my soul,with ardent l ongin g,

Oft by fai thful memory’s power .

Scen e of i n nocen ce and pl easure,Scene of youth’s auspi c i ous dreams,

Where my soul,from l i fe and nature,

Drank,as from o

’erfl ow ing s treams .

Joi n ed w i th al l th at’s pures t , —dearest,In mv fondes t h eart ensh r i ned

,

Sti l l remain thvh i l l s and vall eys,Pictured by my dot ing m ind !

Lin ger ye t,thos e bl est emot ions

,

K i ndled i n my boyhood days ;When i n rapturou s devo t i on

O n thy vari ed charms I gazed .

Ah ! thos e bl i s sful years of promi s e !

When each tree,and mos sy s ton e

,

2

RETRO SPECTIVE .

Mead and moun tai n,

fiel d and fores t,

Spake of l ife,—O f good to come !

Ah ! the bl es t asso ciat i on s

Of each w el l remembered s cene

Of my youth ful re creati on s !

Pastu re,woodland

,val e or s tream ,

Where I sail ed the t iny vess el ,IVi th my B rothe r, now no more ;Or i n manly shal lop wrestl ed

! Wi th th e river’s foam and roar !

Where,a h unter-boy, I bounded

Free as wi ld-deer,o’er t he green ;

And my favori te gun res ounded

Oft th e echoi ng h i ll s between .

Changes,—ah - wha t sad mutations

,

As the fleeti ng years have flown,

Have spread mournful desolat i on

O’e r my Ch i ldhood’s happy home !

O’er thos e h il l s n o more th e s i ren

Golden bow of promi s e,gl eams ;

As of yore,my soul i nspi rin g

Oft to w i l d roman ti c dreams

But the burden— ah —th e burdenOf th e past

,th e landscape bears !

On each rock,and tree

,en graven

,

N ow,I read th e sad word wh ere

—VVhere my you thful h opes Ah ! wh i ther

Have thos e glori ous vi s i ons flown

Gone,are y e, -beloved

,forever

Hark —th e mocking ech o,—gon e

Wh ere my Ch i ldhood’s home, and heaven‘7

Where the c i rcle on ce did Share

R ETEO SPECTIVE . 1 1

That bes t boon to mortal s given

Sad,th e blue h i ll s an swer

,— wh ere

S ti l l th e toweri n g shade trees,planted

By my broth er’s hand,and own ,

Wave as won t,th ei r fai thful bran ches

O’er our l on e, des erted h ome .

Sti l l th e dear loved brook,careerin g

O’e r my memory’s hal lowed ground

,

Sti l l the same Swee t s unl i gh t ch eer in g

A l l th e l ovely l andscap e ’round,

Seem as back to l i fe res torin g

Back to ch i ldhood’s p erfec t dav

My sad spi ri t,wh il e deploring

Youth , and loved on es, pass ed away !

S t il l A z iscoos,i n grandeur

Toweri n g o’er th e lon ely val e,

Echoes back th e cascade’s thunder

- A nd th e s tream’s perp etual wail,

From th e eastern h i l l s resounding,

Chants forever to min e ear

Heavenl y mus i c, now aboundin g

Wi th mein entoes,sad and drear .

Sweet,sweet memori es of ch il dhood !

It were h eaven i ndeed,no more

Than my j oys ami d th e wi ldwood

In i ts glad hours,t o res tore .

Home of youth and manhood’s dawn ing,

Cease no t th i n e exqui s i te sp el l

Fora wanderer, bemoaning

Joys departed,—fare thee wel l !

12 FROM UM BA G O G To D I ! V IL L E .

FROM UM BA G O G TO D I ! VIL L E.

Ye who del i gh t i n th e l andscape,where i n God unvei leth

h i s l ovel i ness,

Cloth in g with beauty unspeakabl e mountain,and stream

l et,and woodland ;

Ye who find bl i s s i n the shade,i n th e h oly s eclus i on of

forests,

Ye who del i gh t i n the pres en ce of God, more than man’s,

and the handiwork ;Come ! when th e l ife-givin g breezes of Jun e and th e

fragrance of fl owerets

Gladden th e soul,as we w ander at glorious morn

,or at

even t i de,

Come with me northward afar,

’mid th e wilds,and th e‘

h i ll s of New England !

To th e land of th e mapl e and p ine ! and th e fai r l akes of

Main e and New Hampsh i re

Come wh ere th e dark Androscoggin,and peacefully

rol l in g Connecti cut,

Bearin g upon th ei r broad bosoms th e weal th and mate

ria l of ci ti es,

Eastward and westward proclaim to th e lovely Wh ite

Mountai n domini on,

To the beauteous empi re of gran it e, thus far shal t thou

go,and no farther !

Green-margined,rock-bound Umbagog, no more thy

tumultuous ech oes

Wake to th e l oon’s revei ll e,— of th e brant or th e bi ttern

at day-d

No more thy gl i tteri n g surface, unmarked by the rude

keel of progress,

FROM UM BA G O G TO D I ! V IL L E . 13

Yields to th e wil d fowl alon e,to th e s torm

,or th e fi sher

man’s Shal lop .

Louder than loon’s pi erci ng cry,or h i s death knell

,the

gun of th e huntsman

Peal s o’er thy waters . at morn now,th e s teamer’s w i l d

sh ri ek,and at n i ghtfal l

Breaks on thy won ted repos e, not the s teal thy oar-dip of

th e fowler,

But th e wil d ru sh in g and roar of th e m igh ty and hot

breath ed usurper .

Pleasant i t i s when th e sunl i gh t of morn gilds th e

mountai ns surroundin g,

Calmly and safely to s tand on the Pioneer’s deck,and

career ing

Swift o’er the pi cturesque lake, to contemplat e the vas t

panorama

Haml et and h ill . fiel d and flood,bl endin g al l i n one

prospec t of l ovel i nes s

Here unmol es ted of ol d dwel t th e red man,and far

th rough th e wildernes s

Gleamed th e bark roof th rough th e day,and by n igh t

th e red bl aze Of h i s W i gwam ;Oft o’er th e turbul ent wave sped h i s fragil e canoe

,and

al tern ately

Borne on th e fleet w i nds,h i s Shout and th e wai l of th e

captive resounded .

O u—past th e ! l on e Indian’s Isl e —in h i s mi gh t,sp eeds

th e man-made l eviathan ;Land of the pi n e tre e , farewel l —now he n ears w i l d

Coos and M agal loway ;

Leaps down th e dismal ! outl et,

” lon e woods from far

di stance re-echo ing

14 FROM UM BA G O G TO D I ! V IL L E .

Loudly h i s hoars e alarm note ; soon h e ga i ns h is firs t

harbor,where thunderin g

Wi ldly th e broad Androscoggin sweeps o’er th e h il l s ides

of Erro l l

Toss i n g al oft i ts whi te waves and th e venturous boats of

th e ri vermen

Ti rin g the far mountai n echoes,by ni gh t and by day,

with i ts roarin g .

D ecki ng i ts margi n i n beauty on ei ther hand from th e

dark w i ldernes s,

Spread l ike a gorgeous mantl e afar over mountain and

i nterval e ,G leameth th e s nowy wh i te bi rch , l ike creat i on of art,

and th e poplar,Earl i es t fol i age of spri ng, and th e las t of th e s tormy

October.’Gainst th e dark greenwood

,i n lovely and pi cturesque

con t rast,

Fanned by i ts boughs,wh en th e glad winds of mid

summer s i gh th rough th e t ree tops,

Standeth th e snowy Hotel,h i gh and firm on the western

accl ivi ty,

Built by the hands,and appointed th e home of th e to i l

weari ed l umbermen .

Lovers of change and of pl easure,the gay and the h ealth

s eekin g touri s t,

Sport on i ts green l awn,and breath i n g the l i fe-giving

ai r of th e woodland,

Or s eeking,w i th ardor unbounded

,the sweet-fl avored

trout of th e r iver,

Find here glad respi te from labor, from care and the

tumult of ci t i es .

FROM UM BA G O G TO D I ! V ILLE . 15

Journeving onward, refresh ed from repos e at th i s wood

land oas i s,

Wild bi rds O ’erhead ch ee r our c i rcu i tous way down th e

ri vers ide

Leading,ere l ong

,to the val e and th e meadow l ands

fert i l e and pl en t i ful ,Wash ed by Cl ear S tream

,and th e ways ide lake in i ts

l ovel i n es s .

Broad l ike a prai ri e,and ch eerin g as firs t we approach

from th e wildwood,

Seems th e fai r l ands cape , bes tudded w ith sumptuou s

farm-house and factory,

One l onging,l in geri ng look at th e l oved haunts of men

,

and we ente r

Once more the S i l ence and shade of th e qu i et and tenant

l es s wi ldern es s .

Tenantl es s,—aye

,—of th e l i vi n g ; but 10 ! at our fee t,

by th e waysi de,

Marked by memorial of sculp ture not rough or inelegan t

,

Graves of s ome ! haml et’s rude forefathers,

”o

’ergrown

wi th h erbage,

Implore,as we pass th em

,th e tribut e of s i gh s and of

revei ence.

Here, mourned by natu re alone, her associates res t from

th ei r labo rs,

Sung by th e w inged mins trel s only,thei r requ i em

,or

by th e rivul e t

Leaping th e n ei ghbori n g h i ll s ide,wh i ch oft

,wh en the

wind s i gheth fl tful ly ,

Talks l ike maj esti c Pel ion O f O ld to the fai r fields of

Thessaly.

16 FROM UM BA G O G To D I ! V ILLE .

Barred s e ems th e narrow way onward,by h i gh h i ll s

,and

rude,as we j ourn ey

Hence through th e beautiful wood,to explore s cen es

roman ti c and wonderful

Echoin g loud from th e trees,sounds the squ irrel s’ gay

twi tter,and carol l in g

Bl i th ely th e musi cal b i rds,hai l th e glad comi ng day,

and th e travel er .

Through th e gray m ists of th e morn , through th e fogs

that envelop th e woodland,

Towering aloft,l ike th e turrets of castl es renowned and

maj esti c,

Loom o’er th e h i ghway the crags of the wi ld pass of

Dixvil l e,

Gate of Conn ecti cut val ley,— th e marvelous northern

Thermopylae .

Stron g as th e pass of Achaia,here too mi ght a s econd

Leon idas,

Armed l ike th e Grecian of old,i n defence of h is home

,

and of l iberty,

Stand l ike th e col umn,defy ing th e foes of th e common

weal th,

Countl es s and val i ant as Sparta’s,and h url back a host

w i th a handful .

Crownin g aloft th e huge ramparts,l ike Ossa of ol d

,upon

Pel ion

Cl i ff upon cl i ff,gray and mass ive

,wi th th reaten ing

aspect and dismal,

Frown o’er our way,wh il e maj es t i c as Babylon’s monu

ument

O’er al l th e gi gan t i c p i nnacl es, rear th e ir heads vaun t

ingly heavenward .

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18 THE UN ITY O F HUMANITY .

Even the beauteous person,th e landscape

,th e seas

,and

th e fi rmament,

And that wh ich of h im may be known,i s manifes t

,e

’en

to th e s ens es

Wherefore as God hath ordain ed that th e s ens es should

teach u s to l ove h im,

Even so hath h e ordained that th ey t each us to love on e

anoth er .

Hath not th e s cripture declared h im a l iar who loves not

h is brother

Whom h e hath s een,and yet cla imeth to l ove th e unseen

Creator

Love proceedeth from s en se,and wi th fa i th leadeth on

ward to hol i n ess

Whatsoever i s,by nature

,th e Lord requ i reth wi th

usury !

Nature provideth materi al s,ampl e and meet

,for th e

bui ldi ng !

But grace,alon e

,arrangeth and reareth the same unto

IIeaven .

Love,wh ich Jehovah accepted

,hath root in th e flesh

,

and th e V i tal s

Love th ou th e Lord thy maker wi th al l thy power of

l ovin g,

”

This i s th e firs t great command,and th e s econd i s l ik e

unto i t,

Love as thi n e own s elf thy n e i ghbor,and self-l ove

n egl ects n ot the physi cal .

Love whi ch maketh of twai n on e soul , on e flesh and on e

spi ri t,

Love wh i ch annul leth d i s t i nct i on s of form and i ndivid

ual ity,

THE UNITY O F HUMAN ITY . 19

Love wh i ch longeth to merge i ts be i ng i n that of

anoth er,

Such i s th e manner of l ove th e Fath er bes towed and

require th .

S i nce i n th e body alone i s th e work of probat i on aecom

pl i shed ,

S i nce there i s no salvation the mi nd can arriv e un to

s eparately,

Sin ce i n connect ion wi th matter alon e i s h eaven attainabl e,

How deem many the flesh no t ess en t ial to l i fe,and to

happin es s

Is th e flesh not of th e man — ask th e weary and fam

i sh ing travel er,Sen t unrefresh ed from th e dwell i n g of on e claim ing

chri s ti an fraterni ty,

Unto whom speaketh th e Lord ! Inasmuch as ye did

not th i s ki ndn es s

Unto th e least of my brethren,did ye i t not unto me .

! No meat ye gave when I hungered,or dri nk wh en I

th i rsted,

Cloth i ng when naked,or comfort when s i ck and i n

pri son ;Therefore depart far from me

,ye curs ed

,i nto fire ever

lastin g,

Prepared for th e D evil,h i s angel s

,and whoso worketh

in i qu i ty ! ”

Love wh i ch i s not for th e body,i s not that of God for

Hi s creatures !

Neith er of Chri s t th e Savior,for fall en and mortal

humani ty

Th ink’st thou th e Son of G od died , to redeem that wh i ch

i s not corruptible

20 LINES O N SUnnEN CES SATION O F W INTE R .

Could flesh and bl ood make atonemen t for sp i ri ts,wh i ch

have none of ei th er

Wherefore h i s i n carnati on,to ransom a soul immaterial

Why wen t h i s soul to th e grave,but to give soul s th ere i n

immortal i ty

L I N E 8

O N THE SUDDEN CES S AT ION O F VVIN TER , JAN’Y,1874 .

Lo ! what a ch ange —how marvelous th e scen e !At h ei gh t of Winter’s desolati n g rei gn ,The Earth

,wh i ch l at e i n snowy sh roud hath lain

,

Bursts from i ts folds,l ike vi s ion of a dream .

See ! where th e frown in g , frosty mound hath been ,Nature’s dear

,st ri cken

,sal l ow face appear !

Smil i n g,anon

,th rough desolat i on drear

,

In p i teous gl eams of l ate l amen ted green

How sweet once more th e babbl in g streaml et’s sound,

The sou th wind’s s i gh,wh ere fi r-t ree branch es wave !

The w i th ered l eafle t,from its wi ntry grave

,

Skips to gl ad musi c o’er th e faded ground !

The duteous mapl e of th e grove,e’e n now

,

At our command,i ts peerl ess n ectar yi el ds

Whil e over mountai n and unguarded fields,

The j oyous flocks i n ques t of pas ture go .

O bl es t repri eve from winter’s i ron rei gn

The gloomy fate,i n evi tabl e deemed !

Ere yet from nature’s bounteous bosom weaned,

How welcome her l ife-giving sweets again !

A REMINI SCENCE O F CHI L DHOOD . 21

A REMINISCENCE OF CHILDHOOD .

Long years have s i nce pass ed, yet cl early I remember,

A s i t h ad only been a twelvemonth i nterval

Si nce th at sad afternoon , wi th i n th e period

That tri ed men’s soul s,

- th e t ime when men’s hearts

fai l ed th em,

For fear of th in gs soon coming on th e Earth

It was a gloomy hour z—tl i ick,murky cl ouds

V e i l ed th e fai r Autumn sky, and o’e r th e h il l s

O’er nature vas t,a sol emn s i l ence re i gned

Profoundes t s i l ence,th at th e wh i l e s eemed burdened,

Fraught wi th impendin g i l l,as th e dread calm

Precedi n g i n afar off cl imes th e earthquake,

Or devas tat i n g whi rlwi nd . Sil en tly

Abou t th e hous ehol d toi led my l ovin g moth er,sadly s eri ous brow ; my elder broth ers

Talked wi th low voi ce,and h in ted covertly,

IV i th in my i nfant h eari ng ; wh ich , tho’ gu il el es s

And unsuspi ci ous as th e dove,I marked

And qu es t i oned th em con cernin g,but rece ived

Evas i ve answer ! th en wi th eagerness

And wakened curi os i ty I asked,

Mo ther ! what i s i t of wh i ch broth e r speaks

The end of t ime,

”she answered pi tyin gly

The end of t ime —when why,th i s afternoon 7”

And wi th s ti l l sadder l ook and ki nder accen ts,

! Thi s i s th e day,

”she sai d

,

! foretol d by Mil l er,

When Earth , and al l th ere in , mus t be des troyed .

O love — that mother’s changel ess l ove whi ch fai n

Woul d then with her frai l form have barred the t ide

22 A REMINIS CENCE O F CHILDHOOD .

Of God’s fierce wrath,aimed at h er darl i ng son

,and

quench ed th e flame

That preyed upon h is flesh wi th her h eart’s blood,an d

grieved to know

Her generous pass i on vain . A nd gladly I

In that n e’er fai l i n g love would s ti l l h ave found

The panacea for my bosom’s angui sh ,Which h i th erto had every pang all ayed

And proved a remedy for al l th e i l l s

I suffered bu t alas for me,

-a ch i ld

I ne’ertheless too ful ly understood

The i nsuffici ency of human aid i n thi s

(As th en supposed! Earth’s las t extremity .

Thus suddenly cut off from al l resource

Of s afety or of h ope , to me concei vabl e,Whose tender thoughts n e’er soared above the sphere

Of home,and th ings terres trial

,I awai ted

,

Like sh ip i n far off s eas,wi thout a chart

,

The s torm so soon expected, pass ivelv

I had not thought , or known , ti l l th en , th e mean ing

Of that th e world di s cours ed of,al l

,and pondered

,

And ofttimes scoffed , as ’neath th e grave attent i on

Of candid men , and when I compreh ended,With terror-qui ckened brain

,th e dire s i gnificance

,

The fearful import of thos e credulous words,

From an au thori ty I never questi oned,My young h eart sank wi th in me z—dumb wi th dread

And awfull est suspens e,I marked th e moments

,

Essaying no t a word,t i l l I mi gh t h ear

The migh ty trumpet’s dead-awakening voi ce

And th e appal l i ng words— ! Depart ye curs ed

But minutes passed ; and hours ; yet unshaken

The everlast ing mountain s reared the i r heads

p;

A R E M IN IsoE -N CE O F CHILDHOOD . 23

In qu i et grandeur,wh il e afar ben eath

The foam i ng river ran,and th rough th e wildernes s

,

And past our dwell in g, s i gh ed melodi ously, —th e tuneful

bi rds

Hail ed wi th ecstat i c song th e parti ng gl eam

Of sunl i gh t,whi ch on h il l-top s l ingered long ;

A s loth to l eave th e trembl in g worl d i n fear .

Thus calm and undi sturbedly, aven t down

The sun of that sad , memorabl e day,And to me u seful

,though I was a chi l d

In courage,as i n years

,but wh o has not

,

Youthful or ol d,had l ike exp eri en ce ;

Or wil l no t have,i n n ear anti cipati on

Of an approach i n g ri gh teous God to judge

A worl d of gui l ty s inn ers How shal l we

Who shared that sol emn warnin g face again

Th e awful prosp ect —in di smay as th en ‘7

Or with composure as becomes th e prudent,

Who evermore th e evil day fores ee,

And h ide th emselves in th e Alm i ghty’s name,

In that stron g tower i nto wh i ch th e ri ghteous

Run and are safe ‘7 If thou art fal teri n g,

If th ere i s augh t in l i fe or death tho u feares t,

Thou art no t then compl ete,as man or chr i s t i an

For h e’s a bondman who fears augh t below

But love,made perfect

,cas teth out all fear.

Let, th en , th e Psalmi s t’s confidenc e be ours

,

That we may i n that las t great day excl aim! The god of Jacob i s our s trength and refu ge ,A very pres en t h elp i n t ime of troubl e !

Therefore we wil l not fear,th o’ Earth be moved

A nd a l l the h il ls be cast into the s ea. ”

24 C OLUMB IA s HUNDRED Y EARS .

COLUMBIA ’S HUNDRED YEARS .

(R EAD A T M A G A L L O W A Y SETT L EM ENT , JUL Y 4TH ,

Hail,realm of freedom —hai l —

ye woodland bowers

Awake th e prai s es of h er natal hour !

Sound—sound ye bil lows on your race amain,

The mornin g note of l iberty agai n !

Ye pin es,th at from A z iscoos on h i gh

Saw th e grim tyran t of oppress i on d i e,

Ye toweri ng ehn s, Vour hoary frontl ets rear,

Wake th e proud ep ic of h er hundred years

Thunder th e echo !

Chant th ei r grand requi em o’er our h eroes’ graves .

wave,ye fir trees

,wave !

Rus tl e ye l eaflets ! al l ye breezes,si gh !

Murmur th e anth em,where our patriots l i e .

Sin g o’er th e tomb of one who saw its bi rth,

Thy glorious deeds . O nobl es t realm o f Earth .

Warbl e ye winds,—ye bowin g fores ts roar !

Sound th e l oud chorus to Bri tann ia’s shore

Humani ty al l equal and al l free,

”

A mighty nat ion born to l iberty !

From vast Atlant i c to Pacific’s flood ,Behol d th e purchas e of our Fath ers’ bl ood !

Eastward or westward, hath Columbia found

N O barri e r, save eternal nature’s bound

N O foe h er proudly grand care er to s tay,

No peer or rival of h er maj esty .

Behold ! against th e val iant of th e Earth

The rust i c handful conqueri ng go forth !

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26 C OLUMB IA’s HUNDRED YEARS .

Peace spreads once more h er h eal in g wings abroad ;The red-man’s hatch et slumbers ’neath th e sod

In bl es t s ecuri ty from harm or fear,

The emi grant h i s h umbl e cabi n rears,

The mi ghty prai ri e y i elds i ts bounteous grai n,

A nd al l i s prosperou s , al l i s glad agai n .

Ah earth ly peace — how mutabl e,how frai l !

Ah fleet in g fortunes of this’

earthly val e

Alas ! th e State i n grandeur thus begun,For dearest l i fe must sacrifice h er son s

,

A s Godl ike Junius, for th e good of Rome,Spared no t i ts ch i ldren, but destroyed h i s own .

L o ! despoti sm,wi th defian t s tri de

,

Mocketh Columbia’s democrat i c pride !

Lo negro sl avery,wi th i nsati ate aim

Usurpeth freedom’s hal lowed domain

See th e vi l e s erpent, o’er th e good and great

,

Vomi t h i s sl ime , and swal low Church and S tate !

See th e dread monster,wi th envenomed th rus t

,

Strike,as to lay Columbia i n th e dust !

While ch ri s ti an powers wi nk only at th e deed,

O r bi d th e vil e, i nfernal brute G od-sp eed!

From wide Potomac to M i s souri’s flood,

Ascends th e cry of unavenged blood .

East,West

,and North

,th roughout Col umbia’s bounds

The mournful summons to her ai d resounds .

Far off Nevada h ears th e dread alarm ;Through Cal i forn i a peal s th e cry

,— to arms !

! ui ckly respons ive, green V ermont repl i es,Up ! sons of All en —or your freedom di es

*l

C OLUMBIA’s HUNDRED YEARS . 2

New Hampsh i re’s mountai n s catch th e di re refrai n,

With myriad vo ices ri n g th e wilds of Maine,

Along Umbagog’s peace-devoted shore

Sounds th e sh ri l l p ibroch of impendin g war

A nd th ere are l as t, who firs t i n glory’s field

Rear th e starred bann er,but are las t to yi eld .

See ! from remotest h aml ets of th e north,The s talwart yeomen for th e ri gh t go forth

Aroostook and Penobscot’s hardy sons

Lay down th e axe,and s ei ze th e deadly gun .

From Rangel ey’s flood,from Parmachene’

s wave

Speed th e loved youth,the gal lant and th e brave .

See ! from h i s home on ’Galloway’s green s ide,

The only son,th e broth er true and tri ed

Ere th e first bl as t of war hath ceas ed to sound,

Among h i s country’s foremost ch ampi on s found .

Alas ! poor haml et,unbefri ended

,l on e ,

Shorn of i ts s tren gth,th

!

e few she cal l s h er own,

Struggl i ng amid her penury to give,

That country,fri ends and l iberty may l i ve .

W'

here now her h eroes of th e swamp and chase,

The young and strong,rej o i ci n g i n th e race

Gone — in th e i r glory— from th ei r nat i ve shore

Th e pl ace th at knew shal l know them hence no more .Her bl i s s

,h er ! oy, th e n ew-el ected bri de

Sees rudely torn i n angui sh from her s i de

The aged wi dow,doubly now bereft

,

Hath non e of al l h er manly l oved ones l eft

Sadlvth e fath er l eaves h i s tender care,

His country’s lo t and mis ery to sh are ;Forsakin g home

,and al l h i s bl i s s below

,

For dan ger,hardsh ip

,wretch edn ess and woe.

28 COLUMBIA’s HUNDRED YEARS .

Ah ! how the moth er’s anxi ous h eart doth bl e ed,

W ho h ears h er l i ttl e on e’s for ! Papa ” plead,

Sees for th ei r abs ent s i re h er darl i ngs mourn,

A nd canno t promi s e h e wi ll e’er return

See th irst for gl ory and th e love of gain,

Crowding Col umbia’s ranks i n ! Un i on’s name

See all for ett in i n th ei r countr r’s n eed

7 7

Disuni on’s root— the war’s i nfernal s eed,

H id in for Uni on’s sake th e nati on’s s ing! 7

Protect in g,sh i elding th e accurs ed th ing

Guarding th e demon whence h er woes have sprun g

Nurs i ng th e s erpen t wh i ch her breast hath s tung

Columbia meeteth now , i n deadly shock,Her treacherous offsprin g

,but prevai l e th not .

Woe— woe— Columbia — land of h eroes,weep !

The cry of bondmen who your fields have reaped,

The pri cel es s soul s ye h ol d as noth in g worth

Has moved on h i gh,the Lord of Sabaoth

Rel entl es s now l eaps from i ts rus ted sh eath,

The sword of j ust i ce for th e work of death ;Throughout th e land

,what wai l in gs ye t unknown

,

What myriad moth ers weep the i r eldes t born !

The pompous s tatesman,who

,with s ervi l e tongue

,

hIa inta ined th e bondman’s gri evous curs e no wron g,

The cunning scribe,wi th sycophanti c p en

,

Pleadin g for traffi c i n the soul s O f men

The pries t blasphemer,who

,for sordid gain

,

Sanct ion ed al l s in,i n th e Redeemer’s n ame !

All— al l confounded,—l ow from out th e ground

Thei r p i teous moan i n g and complai n ts resound !

C OLUMB IA’s HUNDRED YEARS . 29

Thus sai th the Lord,

! R efrain thy vo ice from woe,

Loos e ye th e bondmen,—l et my peopl e go

SO shal l thy fai th, thy work rewarded be ,Thy land restored safe from th e en emy !

Your hosts th e fight of freedom cannot w i n

Whi l e ye at al l partake of s lavery’s s in

Up — cl eanse th e land — your tribes before me bri n g,

Put from among you the accurs ed th in g ! ”

N ow echoi ng loudly o’er th e s tartl ed earth,

Th e n ew decree of l iberty goes forth

Hark — o’er th e t umult

,—o’er th e bloody ground

The mighty trump of j ubi l e e resounds

See the Pathfinder,as i n Gospel days

,

Showing before vi c torious freedom’s way !

See,i n h i s glory, God-l ike Lin col n s tand,

Proclaimi ng l iberty ! th roughout th e l and

N ow,as of old

,renowned

-

Ulyss es rears

The fal l en s tandard of h i s l ate compeers,

Seeks out th e stronghold of th e exulti ng foe,

Smi tes t o th e heart,and lays red treason low .

Hushed i s th e s torm —from off th e nat ion rol l s

The cloud of battl e,l ike retreati n g scroll ;

On joyous hosts,from blood and chain s rel eased

,

Breaks forth th e sun of l iberty and peace

See God-l ike mercy to th e vanqui shed horde

Crownin g th e tr iumphs of th e deadly sword !See great Col umbia’s human e control

Extended nor thward to th e Arct i c pol e

O’er tower ing mountains h ear h er chario ts rage

O n al l earth’s waters s e e her flag displ ayed

30 C OLUMBIA’s HUN DRED YEA RS .

O’er every stream her swan-l ike vess el s skim,

In every port h er forts of i ron swim

Upward h er sons,on wings as eagl es r i s e

,

And soar tr iumphant to afar off ski es ;Whi le underneath th e world-compass i ng sea

,

Sh e s ends th e l ightn i ngs,sayi ng ! Here are we

Tremendous commonweal th —i n creas i n g s ti ll,

Thy worl d-allott ed period fulfil l ed,

Finds i n thy h eal thful and unfadin g bloom

No S i gn or symptom of foreboded doom !

Thy root s til l t ender,and thy branch es green

,

The glorious pl edges of thy youth redeemed,

An age’s t empests thou hast wel l wi thstood,

And,l ike th e eagl e’s

,i s thy youth ren ewed !

Thou who a century s i nce,to toi l and bl eed

,

W ent’st weepi ng forth, with fre edom

’s precious s eed,

Now to thy birth-place dos t return agai n,

Bringin g w i th j oy thy sh eaves of h eavenly grai n

Sound — pipe of mi rth and thou h i s tori c bell,

Which rang of old oppres s i on’s funeral knel l !Thunder

,loud organs ! and ye cannons boom

Freedom’s glad pean,and dark sl avery’s doom

Swear l ike y our S i res, ye hosts to freedom born ,E ternal hatred to Oppress ion’s forms

B id from your coas ts th e monster hydra fle e,

And pri cel ess freedom re ign from sea to s ea !

NATURAL THEOLO G Y . 31

NATURAL THEOLOGY .

Is th ere a God what say th e verdant val es

And h i l l s respl enden t i n th e suns et glowThe s i gh ing fores t and th e cascade’s wai l

The crys tal s treams that onward murmurin g flow,

All th i ngs of beauty i n th e Earth bel ow

Th e pens ive morn,— th e cl ear, efful gen t noon ,

Summer’s gay verdure,—winter’s spotl es s snow

Ch i ldhood’s fai r brow,and youth’s an gel i c bl oom 9

0 j oy exqui si t e ! O del i ghtful boon !

Hath man no ears to h ear,no eyes to s ee

,

With in th e worl d of nature’s ch arms alon e,

Th e truth,— th e pres ence of divin i ty

A nd shal l th es e peri sh ‘f— beauty ceas e to be

When i n i ts earthly forms i t charms no more,

Or shal l a power survi ve humani ty,

And al l Earth’s pri s ti n e lovel i n es s res tore 9

Rei gn o’er th e l and,and

,as i n days of yore

,

Bl i s s un i versal and del i gh t abound

No tempter l ure to evil as before,

N O s erpent’s form poll ute th e hal lowed ground.

Where shal l no rude or ravenous beas t be found,

But where the ransomed,th e redeemed

,shal l th ron g

,

Whil e ! i on’s j asper wal ls aloud resound

Prai s e to the Lamb,—triumphan t Mos es’ s ong !

Divin i ty dwel l s not i n Heaven al on e

Th e beau t i ful on Earth thy soul adm ires,

32 MY CH ILDHO OD’S HOM E.

Which moves thy sp i ri t to subl imest tone,And k indles nature’s pures t

,hol i es t fires

,

! uench in g for aye al l grovel l i ng des i res .

Th i s i s divin i ty —’t i s God below !

The charm of Earth no creature can wi th s tand,

The remnant of p erfe ct i on,even now

,

Wh i ch sprang of old from th e Creator’s hand,

And ye t again shal l rei gn at h i s supreme command .

MY CHILDHOOD’S HOME.

O happy hours ! O days of bl i s s untol d !

O trebly bl es t,my gui l el ess early years !

When first l i fe’s scen e before my gaze unrol l ed,

A nd Earth,— sad Earth

,an Eden d id appear !

When fre e from toil,from care . and anx ious fear

,

t eager sp i ri t hail ed,with rap turous j oy

,

Each n ew-found phase o f l i fe that did appear,

The scenes unclouded , des tin ed to employ

The hours,— the bl i ssful years

,I l i ved a mus ing boy .

O precious memori es of departed t ime

My world,my bl i ss

,my type of heavenly j oy !

Where in alone I ye t may hope tofi nd

Such happines s and peace w i thout al loy !

Treasures th at time nor tempes t can destroy,

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34 MY CHILDHOOD’S HOM E .

Ere pri ‘cel es s fre edom,in i ts i nfan cy

,

Found place among th e mi gh ti es t of Earth,

And peace and bl es s ing brough t to many an humbl e

h earth .

The antiqu e ki tch en,wh ere a Sunday morn

,

Each wi th a Copy of th e Sacred I'Vord ,

Cloth-covered , but wi th pages marked and worn ,Our ready m inds wi th pi ou s truth were s tored ;Or where

,ass embl ed a t the

’

fest ive board

When th e bri ck arch h er weekly cheer did yi eld,

No sph ere of wide creati on could afford

A happi er scen e than that was t lIere reveal ed,

Or that wi th mi gh t i er cl aim to grat itude appeal ed .

How prone th e fanci es of l i fe’s l ater years

To take to them the l iken es s,and re trace

The images of s cen es that di d appear

When Earth was n ew and fai r i n every phase !How oft I pause on l i fe’s u nsparin g race

,

And turn my heart from Sol i tude and woe,

To feas t on memori es of th e dear Ol d pl ace,And loved and l ovi ng on es

,who l ong ago

Gave home a spel l— a charm— i t ne’er again wi l l know !

There Mary and S i lvanus,playmates

,lon g

Directed my unwarvs teps and mind ;The si s ter, j oyous as th e bi rds of song,The broth er

,though tful

,studiou s and kind .

O ! where i n Earth’s dark val l ey shal l I fi ndAnoth er l ike that loved compani on gone

Ch i ld . teach er,ma‘n

,evangel i s t

,combi ned

,

MY CHIL DHO O D’s HOME . 35

A val i an t soldi er of th e Holy On e,

He wai ts in dust th e call of God’s anoi nted Son .

Dear broth er Joh n — (in dreams I see h im yet! ,Model of manl in es s i n boyhood’s years !

How l on g ere thos e who wi tness ed wil l forget

Th e l ustre of h i s short but sage career !

Or virtues that h i s b ei n g did endear

To youn g and o ld,where’er h e ch an ced to stray !

He was th e field’s del igh t,— th e fi res ide’s cheer

,

Th e househol d’s counsel lor from day to day,

Till,to return no more

,h e pas sed from home away .

E’en now,sad fancy s ees poor moth er weep

As she was went, at ment i on of h i s name,

For whom she l on g, unweari ed watch di d keep,To gre et th e wanderer

,who n ever came

Thri ce di sappointed afid bereaved,th e same ;

Thrice mourni ng thos e on endl es s j ourn ey gon e,

Like one not to be comforted agai n,

Sh e sorrowed for h er firs t and nobl es t born

And gri eved to see re turn th e beauteous l i gh t of

Th ere’s more of glory i n affecti on’s t ear !

There’s more of tr iumph i n one weep ing hour !

There’s more of th i s exi s t ence I h ol d dear

In sorrowin g love,than i n a monarch’s power !

Scenes that i n moral grandeur h i gh es t tower,

Are thos e wh erei n al l h eart-corrodin g woes

Are swept away by gri ef’s impetuous shower,

Leaving th e spi r i t i n serene repos e,

Which Earth can n ever give,no r base ambi tion knows .

36 MY CH ILDHOOD’S HOME .

I’ve oft enough i n such experi ence shared,

To l earn th i s us eful l esson once for al l !

That. al l th e worth of earth ly th i n gs,compared

Wi th that of h earts,i s infini tely smal l !

And he,who at ambi t i on’s l oudes t cal l

,

Would sacrifice one grain of h eavenly l ove,

Deserves n ot epi taph,or ston e

,or pall

,

Remembrance of h i s fellow men to prove,

Or pardon from below,or Him who rei gns above .

The fel lowship of Ch i ldhood’s home and youth’s

IS purer— dearer— t han i n after years ;More artl es s love

,s i nceri ty and tru th

In that bel oved commun ion th en appear,

A nd on th e Earth a sanctuary rear,

Where God dwell s most of al l th e sh rin es below,

Whi ch sordid i nterest, or worl dly fear,N or base estrangemen t of th e h eart doth know,And l ives

,l ike mingl i ng s treams

,i n one sweet chann el

fl ow .

That fellowsh ip,so unl ike aught I’ve s een

,

Th e wh i l e a stran ger on th e Earth I’ve roamed,

Seems now a gl impse— a foretas te— to have been’

Of swee t communi on i n a heavenly home ;Where

,re-un ited at Jehovah’s th ron e

,

With on e accord,as oft i n early days

,

IVe’l l s i ng ! Thus far th e Lord hath led me on

,

While angel s j o i n i n never-ending lays

To swel l salvat i on’s s ong,th e ceas el ess psalm of prais e .

Three bro thers,— partners of my i nfant years

,

Pures t and nobl es t of th e sons of men,

MY CHILDHOOD’S HOME . 37

In differen t l ands,—i a graves afar and n ear

,

Li e s cattered,moulderi n g to th e dus t agai n .

My mo th er (ever bl ess ed name, O ! when

Shal l Heaven above that moth er’s l os s restore ! !Apart from th es e

,i n n arrow hous e hath l ain

For years,wh ere fai r Connecti cut doth pour

Its peaceful b i l lows pas t New Hampsh i re’s rugged shore .

My s ire (dear, honored sage! , h e l i ngers yetGray monument of hardsh ip and of care

,

Endured for thos e too ready to forget

Th e good h e suffered l on g wi th th em to sh are .

How do th th e dear abode h i s impres s wear !

H i s memory haunt th e l on g-des erted Shore

Port i on and parcel of th e landscape th ere,

He seems,st i l l l i n geri ng where i n y ears before

He triumphed,wept and to i l ed

,but now doth toi l no more .

Th e bridge,th e wei r

,and mi l l s wh i ch bore h i s name

,

Have l ong s i nce van i sh ed from th e rocky Shore

The dear old cot al on e remain s th e same,

A nd ! Edward’s tree,

” as i n the days of yore .Could I but meet i n that dear h ome on ce more

,

Wi th fath er,broth ers

,S i s ters

,who remain

,

A nd l i ve one day i ts hallowed memories o’er

,

Be for one hour a gladsome boy agai n,

Heaven were not then afar, or l ife’s dark maze i n vain

SECLUS ION .

SECLUSION .

Where th e wi l d-wood waves,

And the foamin g torrent,

flash ing’Mid i ts

!

mossy caves,

In perpetual wrath i s dash i n g

Where th e sol i d ground,

Day and n i gh t,with ceas el es s quaking

,

Trembl es far around

While th e lofty woods are shaking

Where forever pour

Wild M agal loway’s rude bil l ow s

,

Whose un ceasi ng roar

Wakes the S l umberer on h i s pi ll ow

Let my foots teps roam,

Oft,when Sprin g hath ope’d th e fountai ns !

And i n ri ll s hath flown

All th e hoar fros t of th e moun tai ns !

When th e Earth rel eased,

Springs from Winter’s i cy thraldom,

And al l nature breath es

Th e pure atmosphere of freedom !

When th e wi ld bi rd th rong,

Givin g voi ce to gl addened nature,

With unrival l ed song

Chan ts th e prai s e of the Creator !

SECLUS I ON . 39

Where th e fragran t breeze,

The l i fe-givi n g breath of fores ts,

Sti rs th e awakened trees,

And the wi ldernes s rej o i ceth

Leave me long , to pore

On th e matchl es s th eme of wonder

W’

ri t ten on th e shore !

Spoken i n th e torrent’s th under !

In my glad retreat,

From the sord id world’s confus ion,

There my h eart Shal l beat

Calmly,i n i ts swee t s ecl us ion !

Whil e th e Apri l sun,

Like forgivi n g smi l e Of h eaven,

All th e fores t crown s

Wi th th e glowi ng t ints of Eden .

Sweet th e l on ely hour !

Sweet th e torren t’s dash and thunder,

And th e bill ows’ roar !

Though i t rend the Earth ‘ asunder !

Where no sound Of s in,

V i l en ess,tyranny

,o r fol ly

,

Mocks the peace wi th i n,

And the pres ence of th e holv!

Earthly gui l e hath reared

Here no monumen t o r token

G od al on e i s h ere !

Here h is vo ice alone hath spoken

LAMENT FO R JUNE .

LAMENT FOR JUNE .

! ueen of all nature’s vernal bloom !

Thou fai rest of th e beau teous year !

I sorrow for thy loss sweet Jun e

And mourn thy part i ng hour so near !

Remnant of perfect Eden’s day !

Thou balm for l ife’s enshrouding gloom,

Fai n woul d I bid th ee ever s tay !

Alas that we must part so s oon

The waving grass,th e rustl i ng grove

,

All nature’s l ovel i er charms combi ned

A nd j oys vouchsafed of h eaven above,

To cheer the w o rld,sweet month

,are thi n e !

O tel l me not midsummer’s bloom

And autumn Ski es are pass i ng fai r !

Thy crown ing j oy,O time ! i s June !

And noth ing with her can compare !

Type of th e beauteous world to come !

Thou foretaste‘

Of eternal Spring !

Though al l Earth’s tun eful choi rs were dumb,

Thy prai s e,sweet June

,I st i l l would s i ng !

If happiness,that h eavenly boon

,

f

Poor erri ng mortal s e’er may share,

’Tis i n thy l eafy hours,O June !

When Earth,i ts lovel i e s t aspect wears !

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42 BY THE BROOK S IDE .

Far from l i fe’s busy stage,

How sweet,upon th e downy brake repos in g !

And nature’s wondrous page

Fresh beauti es ever to the s i gh t di sclos i ng !

Sweet sol i tude ! s eren e

And undi s turbed by s in,or i l l’s invas ion !

How l ike a fai ry dream !

How l ike th e glory of the n ew creat ion !

0 Lord ! to u s restore

The fiel d and wood, with fri ends we love and cheri sh .

When t im e shal l be n o more,

Let not th e Earth,with al l that’s lovely

,perish !

Let th e secl uded place

Th e des ert and th e wil derness,again

Declare thy pl enteous grace

For th i n e th e power and glory bee—amen !

Augus t,1870.

IN THE W OODS . 43

P A R T S E C O N D .

sweati ng and myrnas rlrrtisng.

IN THE WOODS .

0 would thou wert bes ide me,Dear angel maid I—sweet an gel mai d !

To share my transpo rts w i th me,

Amid th e shade—amid th e shade !

Wh ere summer spreads her mantl e

Of gorgeous green—of gorgeous green!

Th e l ivelong day to rambl e,

And vi ew th e s cen e—and vi ew th e scene !

Wh ere tuneful birdl ings twi tter,Melodious throng—melodious throng !

Thy vo ice to me were sweeter,

A lovel i er song—a l ovel i er song !

’Mid beauteous forms of nature,

That round me tower— that round me tower !

Thy pres ence woul d enrapture,

Would charm me more- w would Charm me more !

LOVE .

Wh en Sol , wi th mid-day fi erceness,

Gleams from above— gl eams from above

Safe i n our l eafy fastness ,We’d talk of love—we’d talk of love !

When eve succeeds to noon-day,

Del i ghtful even— del i gh tful even !

Retracin g late our pathway,

We’d dream of heaven— we’d dream of h eaven !

And Shoul d we by th i ck darknes s

O’ertaken be—o

’ertaken be

How sweet w ere n i gh t,th ough starl es s

,

Abroad with th ee—abroad wi th th ee !

June 10,1871 .

LOVE .

What’s so l ike h eaven as love,

Which e’er i n kindred soul s triumphan t re i gns’Tis bl i s s l ike that above

,i ts sweets to prove

,

Whil e toi l i ng h ere amid Earth’s s cen es of pain !

To find,ami d l i fe’s care

,

A h eart congen ial,an swering to on e’s own !

Nature and nature’s God al ike declare,

! It i s not good for man to be alone ”

SANCTUS NATURA . 45

Alon e but hal f to l ive,

Half to enj oy th e bl ess i n gs God h as given ;Pleasures wh i ch fal l en Eden have survived

,

To charm an ew,forevermore, i n heaven .

Love cannot be alone l

The common source and l i fe of all manki nd

Dwel l s only in exi st en ces combin ed,

And in th e eternal One .

Fond h earts are no more twai n !

But one flesh — holy to th e Lord on h i gh

B ein g parcel s of the same

Nor mal e and femal e lon ger in hi s eyes !

SANCTUS NATUR A .

Th e pathl e ss wood,th e l eafy grove

,

Nature’s unbounded weal th of green,

The nearest i s to h eaven above,

Of al l Earth’s s i n-pol lu ted scenes !

In realms,and haunts of evi l men

,

Rei gn wars,and tumul ts n ever ceas e ;

In wildernes s and lon ely gl en

God re i gns,and al l i s peace .

O tranqui l bowers ! O gladden i n g shade !Ye are my joy

,my h ealth, my home !

Wherei n no bl i gh t in g cares i nvade,

Or gui l e, or l ofti nes s can come !

46 DEAREST,BREATHE A PRAY ER F O R M E .

Here puri ty’s terrestri al th rone,

And freedom’s dwell i ng pl ace,are found

,

The soul,unfettered here

,alone

,

Renews i ts vi gor,hence to roam

Beyond creat i on’S bounds .

Had I a monarch’s weal th and power,

I’d n e’er the charms of nature fly,

But dwel l amid h er l eafy bowers,Wi th one dea‘r k indred s pi r i t n igh !

And oft,wh en June’s sweet breezes S i gh

Through th e l one wood,at morn or even

,

To th e l uxurious shade I’d h i e,

While glows th e radiant summer sky,And dream of love and h eaven

SONG .

DEA R EST ,BR EATHE A PR AY ER FO R

Thou whos e sm i l e alone hath cheered me,

Oft,when hop e i ts l i ght den i ed !

Thou whos e gui lel ess charms endeared thee

To my heart,wh en

”

by thy S i de !

Then for whom my soul‘

,i n angui sh

,

Oft hath pl ead on bended kn ee

Now,wh i l e far from thee I langu i sh

,

Dearest,breath e a prayer for me !

DEAREST, BREATHE A PRA Y ER F O R ME . 47

CHORUS

Thou whose angel guards i n h eaven

God’s own face forever see

Let one hal lowed s igh be glvenBreath e one fai thful prayer for me !

When th e festi ve th rong surroundin g,Seeks to l ure thy soul astray 7

When th e world,wi th smi l es abounding

,

Tempts th ee from th e ch i ld-l ik e way !

Think of h im,who lonely wai tin g

,

Scorn s al l earthly j oy but th ee

And th e thoughtl es s crowd forsak ing,D eares t

,breath e a prayer for me !

When thy lovely. sm i l e at morni ng

Greets wi th j oy th e l i gh t of day

Ere,th e beauteous Earth adorn ing

,

Goest thou on l ife’s glad way

In thy sweet repos e at even,

Where are non e but God and thee,

Then to h im who hears i n h eave n,

Dearest, breathe a prayer for me !

THE FLOW ER O F COLUMBIA .

THE FLOWER OF‘

COLUMBIA .

In th e val e where Connecti cut flows

O’er meadowlands,blooming and w i de

,

In a cot h edged around by the beauteous ros e,

Did th e Flower of Columbia res i de

0 fai r i n th e sweet mon th of June,

Was the green lawn,wi th primros es crowned !

But fai rer th e Flower of Columbi a bloomed

Than th e primros es,all th e year round .

Like th e graces,th rough garden and bower

Sh e gl i ded,at midsummer morn !

Like n i ghtingal e’s note,at th e soft twi l i ght hour

Floated oft her melodious son g.

When flowers decayed on th e lawn,

And pal e,gloomy winter drew near

,

Her pres ence,l ike v is i on of spring’s early dawn

A s sh e passed o’er the way, did appear .

0 youth , —l ovely, h eal thful and fai r !To th e e

,bl es s in g’s ful l cup i s given

Can Earth’s boasted maj esty wi th thee compare,

Or augh t ’neath the glory of heaven 7

The princes of Earth own thy sway,

Thi ne ever i nvin cibl e charms

Th e proud monarch oft at thy fair feet h ath lain,

For th e clasp of thy h eart-tempti ng arms !

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AT THE CHERRY TREE .

O,had they golden appl es b een

,

The smi le had wel l repaid,

With wh i ch,accepted at my hand

,

Were frui t and proffered ai d ;And th e dear l ips, wh i ch mi gh t have

The word of l ife to me,

Said ! ! Thank you —thank you e’er so much,

There at the ch erry tree .

Dear one I—nay, pause —that hallowed th eme

(I may not speak of love;!Is not for on e so poor and mean !

’Tis too l ike h eaven above !

And yet,beyond th e pearly gate

,

I hop e s ome t ime to be

With angel s,l ike the on e I met

There at th e cherry tree .

All earthly ti es and joys are frai l

And mutabl e,I know !

But who can hope for h eaven above,

Wi th n e’er a taste below !

And such,to my poor human heart

,

Such preci ous moments be,

As I that summer day enj oyed

Bes i de the cherry tree .

L INES To AN OLD AC ! UAIN TAN CE . 51

LINES TO AN OLD AC ! UA INTANCE .

Dear fri end,shoul d you ask what perfect i on of bl i s s ,

In my poor opin i on , would be,The an swer at once would be someth in g l ike th i s

As often as would wi th h er pl easure cons i s t,To be W i th a certai n young

,dear l i ttle M iss ,

And get,now and th en

,such a heavenly ki s s ,

As angel s mi ght envy e’en me .

I know no t what raptures awai t al l th e j ust,

In realms we are s eek ing on h i gh !

But candor compel s me,and say i t I mus t

,

There’s raptures bel ow I would l ike to have fust .

’

And have ’em I will,in my l ifet ime

,or bus t

Go crazy, get hateful, and di e !

There’s a sweet l i ttl e angel,without any wings

,

Has bl ess ed my glad vi s i o n e’en h ere ;A nd

,judgin g by earth ly of h eavenly th i ngs,

By th e !oy th at a gl impse of h er dear pres ence br ings ,If al l earthly good flows from heavenly spri ngs

,

How l ovely th e fount mus t appear !

52 LINES TO E IN A BSENCE .

LINES TO E IN ABSENCE .

Though far far removed,yet my thoughts are wi th thee

,

My heart i s away in th in e own peaceful home

But O for thy radian t presen ce,to be

A l ight to my path,through th e wild as I roam .

O ! s corn not th e earn est, th e amorous s i gh,Which oft for thy soul i n my bosom doth burn

Thri ce buri ed wi th i n must th e dead Spi ri t l i e,

Wh i ch n ever for mortal companion hath yearned .

How sweet th e commun ion of spi ri ts that love,

Th e j oys how exqu i s i te that fond lovers know !O rapture l ike that Of th e bl ess ed above

,

When young h earts and fai thful together do flow .

The gl immeri n g l i gh t through th e tree tops at dawn,

The mornin g’s red gl eam o’er th e fores t,i s fai r !

Th e camp-fi re i s ch eering wh en bri gh t day i s gon e,

And O,l i fe were j oyous i f thou wert but th ere !

0 ! l ove, wi th the e only exi sten ce i s real,And all earthly treasure a th ing to des i re !The heart i s a voi d whi ch hath not i ts i deal

,

Its realm of aff ect ion to wh i ch to aspi re .

M agalloway Woods, Nov., 1872 .

PUN S . 53

PUNS .

L I NE S A CCOM PA NY ING SOM E W I L D F L OW ERS PRE SENTED To A

L AD Y FR I END .

Lovel i es t of woodland flowers

Blooming far from Earth’s rude gaze !

D eck thou h er i nviolat e bower,

Whos e charms,l ike th i n e

,s eek not di splay .

There dispen se thy matchl ess fragrance !

Fearl essly thy t in ts expos e !

A nd,at l as t

,l e t her sweet pres ence

L u l l thy petal s to repos e !

L INES

W RI TTEN IN THE O FF I CE O F AN HO TE L, K EPT BY A G ENT L E

M A N NA M ED FITTs .

Lone,toi l i n g o’

er l ife’s weary road

Bes et by snares and pi ts,

To lodge and res t me from my load,

Give me,O give me Fi tts !

L INES

W R I TTEN IN M AR CH ,1863

, D UR ING THE G RE A T R EBE L L I ON .

When Burns ide, sore, th e rebel s feel ;And Hooker doth th ei r laurel s s teal ;

PUNS .

Rosecrans hath rose again in migh t,

And put the i r Braggart h os ts to fl i gh t ;Wh en Banks shal l pay

,and to th em waft

Hard co in for every rebel draft

And Uncl e Sam’s Sharp S i ckles reap

Secesh’s harves t

,h eaps on h eaps !

When everywhere secess ion water

Gives place to s tout Ol d Yankee Porter,

Wh i ch our ch i ef Butl er on occas i ons

Sets on,to trea t confederat ion

When once agains t s ecess i on rul e,

O ur Pope l ets l oos e h i s mi gh ty bull,

And canoni zes , without quarter,Whol e regiments of rebel martyrs

When rebel Hindman i s i n front,

Pursued by yankees bol d and Blun t

And Uncl e Sammy’s Foote comes down,

Like thunderbol t,on Pemberton ;

When Abram,as of old

,doth arm

The servants born on h i s own farm

Three hundred thousand and ei ghteen,

And chas es ol d s ecesh to Dan,

Then may our Hunter,not in vai n

,

The Fores t scour i n s earch of game ;Then Harker

,on h i s n i gh tly round

,

Shal l h ear from Tombs a dol eful sound ;Fortune our flag wi l l th en in Richmond plant

,

And Jeffy’s Uncondit ional Surrender Grant .

M ORN IN G IN SUMMER . 55

P A R T TH I R D .

wr e a ths

MORNING IN SUMMER .

How sweet, at early morn , th e vi ew

Of nature,w i th i ts chan gin g hues !

The golden cl ouds, th e sky so bl ue,Th e sun o’er mounta ins sh i n in g .

When l on g has been th e summer rain,And balmy morn in g dawns again ,Th e drippi n g h erbage , grass and grain,And open ing buds recl i n in g !

Through overhan ging fog and spray,Th e ch eerful sparrow hai l s th e day ;Th e j oyous th rush

,wi th mel t in g lay

,

B reaks forth in tunefu l ch im ing !

O ! who can muse at early morn,

When nature’s smi les th e Earth adorn,

’Mid al l the sweets of l ife n ew-born,

With heart i n gri ef rep i n i ng

56 EVENIN G IN W INTER .

Full sad mus t be the lot of h im,

Who, ponderi ng nature’s beauteous scene

,

Stil l broods o’er sorrows wh i ch have been,

H i s soul in bonds confin i ng !

Augus t,1856.

EVENING IN WINTER.

Th e moon gl eams o’er th e s nowy h i l l,

~

The mass ive gl aci ers sh in e

Like strea’

ms wh ich summer’s sun l i ght

Or ocean’s gl i ttering brine .

How calmly,wh en bri gh t day i s gone

,

The tender,radiant beams

,

That ush er i n th e Lunar morn,

Steal o’er th e s i lvery scen e !

O’er th e W h i t e mantl e, far and n ear,Which nature’s form enshrouds

,

Deckin g with Spl endor mild and clear

The wavy wintry clouds .

Seren ely as respl endent pearl ,Gleams from i ts t emptin g h ei ght

,

Upon a rapt,admiring world

,

The glory O f th e ni gh t .

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SEBASTOPOL .

A BETTER LAND .

*

Is th ere a land wh ere al l are fre e

Free from contention,woe and s tr ife

Is th ere a peopl e free from pain

Of th ings connected wi th th i s l i fe

A nd are th ere h earts wh i ch never mar

Each oth er’s peace and qui etude

Are th ere n o sounds wh ich ever j ar

Upon pure vi rtue’s sol i tude ‘7

Where i s th at l an d for I would go

Where al l i s peaceful,al l s eren e ;

A land where s tr ivin g never shows

Its h ideous forms . repl ete wi th s in .

SEBASTOPOL .

W R I TTEN IN 1854, D UR I NG THE SI E G E O F SEBASTOPOL

ENG L AND,FRA NCE A N D TU R K E Y .

Sebastopol i s th e talk of al l ;Sebastopol and th ey

Who to i l beneath i t s mass ive wal l,

Who figh t both n ight and day,

And strange events,and great and small

,

Are pass ing o’er S ebastopol .

Th e w ri ter’s fi rst a ttempt at verse .

SEBASTOPOL . 59

The j ournals of th e pres s come in

With t i din gs flowin g o’er,

How G ortschakoff th e figh t di d W in,

And save th e Russ ian towers

And Raglan took h i s l eave of al l,

And died before Sebastopol .

How Johnny Bull s i ts in h i s chai r,

And reads th e lat e advi ce s ;And start i ng from h i s s eat

,he stares

,

And then h i s ch oler ri ses ;To s ee h i s power grown so small

I t cannot take Sebastopol .

All s tori es,true and fals e

,are out

,

Twas said the th ird Napol eon

Was going to take th e ch i ef command,

A nd drive al l th in gs before h im

But now,th e news comes

,after all

,

He has no t s een Sebas topol .

Th e Austri ans , they made a s t i r ;Were goin g to j o in the all i es

Th e Scots,and the Sardin i ans

,

A n d a ll creat ion,rall i es

To brin g about th e final fall

Of Russ ia and Sebastopol .

M . K ossuth eyes th e scen e askance

From h i s n eglected corner,

In hopes h e, too, can find a chance,And res tore h is nation’s honor

SEBASTOPOL .

But no —i t would not do at al lTo have h im at Sebastopol .

He who h as once been through th e mil l,

And seen i ts various wi ndings,

Tell s th em,

! Beware of Austria ” s til l,

They too may get a gri ndin g .

He poi nts hi s hand to Warsaw’s wall,

! There, you can take Sebastopol

And so i t goes — th e al l i ed hos ts

Are ful l of s i ck and dying ;From cold

,and hunger

,and the ir pos ts

,

The men,al l ways

,are flying

,

Whil e thousands by th e bull ets fall

Of Russ ians,at Sebastopol .

In England’s house of Parl iament

Comes up th e usual ques t ion,

What’s do in g by our gallan t men‘At th e s eat of operation s

Th e answer echoes through th e hall,

They ’ve not yet taken Sebastopol

LAMENT F O R SUMMER . 61

LAMENT FO‘R SUMMER .

How dreary th e broad face of nature appears

How bleak i s the prospect wh ere al l was so gay !

The ch illy winds howl as pal e wi nter draws near,

And wan desolat ion comes on day by day .

But l at ely I roamed o’er th e meadows at morn

Th e cattl e stood grazi ng al l qu i et and sti ll,

The bri gh t sun o’er green waving fol iage shone

,

And tuneful b i rds fl i tted o’er field and o’er h i ll .

I san g,as I gazed on th e prosp ect so sweet

,

O what i s l ike summer, so cheerful and mi ld !And forgot that

,ere long

,winter’s boi s terous feet

Would change the fai r s cen e to one dreary and W i ld .

Where th e rich orchard bloomed,now th e trees are al l

bare ,The l i ttl e b irds s in g in th ei r branches no more

The soft,downy snow-fl akes that float on th e a i r

,

All tel l u s,too plain ly

,that summer i s o’

er .

November,1853.