S P E C IME N S

A M E R I C AN P O E T R Y
,

WI TH

CR I T I C A L A N D B I O GR A P H I C A L

N O T IC E S .

I N T HREE VO LU MES .

BY S AMU E L KE T T E L L .

V O L . II.

B OS T O N ,
S. G G O O D R IC H
. AN D C O .

MD C C CXXI X .
 B S O TON,

P ress o f Isaac R Butts

. .
 C ONT ENTS O F T HE S EC OND VOLUME .

JOEL BA RL OW,
Th e H asty P uddin g ,

F rom t h e Vision of C olumbus ,

E mbass y of R och a .

G E O R G E R ICHA R DS,
The D eclaration of In dependence ,

MER CY WA R REN ,
Simplicity,

THOMAS DAW E S ,
The L aw given at Sinai ,

R ICHA R D D EVENS ,
Parap hrase of Job ,

SAMU EL D EXTE R ,
The Progress of Science ,

ST JOHN HON EYWOOD,

On t h e Pr esi dent s Farewell Addr ess

,

On th e C apture of R ome by th e French ,

Modern Ar gumentation ,

R OYALL TYL E R ,

C ountry Ode for th e Fourth of

My Mi s tresses ,

Address to D ell a C ru sca ,

C h oice of a W ife ,

On a R uine d Hou se ,

The Town E clo gue ,

0 71
4
88
iv C ONT E NT S .

R ICHA R D ALSOP ,
E ch o ,
No 1 .
,

Verses to t h e Shearwater ,

The Incanta tion of Ulro ,

TH E ODO R E DWI G HT ,
African D istress ,

E ch o No 14 .
,

L ines on th e D eath of W ashin g ton ,

L ines to a Mother ,

SA R AH W MO R TON , .

Th e African C hief ,

JOSIAS L A R NOL D .
,

A Mo dern E clo gue ,

The W arrior s D eath Son g

,

Fragment ,

Son g ,

WI LLIAM BOYD ,
W oman ,

WI LL IAM C LI FF TON ,

Mary w ill Smile ,

T o a Robin ,

To F ancy ,

A Fli gh t o f F ancy ,

R OB E R T T PAIN E .
,

Adam s an d Liberty ,

T h e Street was a R uin ,

Ode for t h e Faustus Association ,

J OHN L ATH R OP ,
Speech of C a non ic us,

JOS EPH STO R Y ,

T he Po wer of Solitu de ,

DAVID EV ER E TT,
A Br anch o f t he Maple ,
 CO NT E N T S .

THOMAS G F ESS E ND EN , .

E le gy on th e D eat h of W ash in gton ,

An Ode,
T ab ith a Towzer,
Sig nior Squeak
s D ancin g Advertisement,

JOHN B L INN , .

T h e P owers of Genius ,

JOHN SHAW ,
T he Autumnal Flower ,

Song ,

WI LLIAM L PI E R C E, .

T h e Year ,

L U CI U S M SA R G ENT , .

The P lun derer s Grave

,

WIL L IAM R AY,

Tripoli ,

Th e W a y to b e Happy ,

Village Greatness ,

WILL IAM C R AF TS ,
R api ds in L ove ,

Serenade Son g ,

S ELL E CK O SBOR N ,

Th e R uin s ,

Th e Quarrels of Love ,

Th e Sailor ,

WASHIN G TON A LL STON ,

T h e P aint Kin g ,

WILL IAM MA XWELL ,

T he R every ,

Th e P riz e ,

Tea,

To a Fair Lady ,

VOL II . .
vi C O NT ENTS .

R OB ERT S . CO FF IN ,
Son g ,

WILL IAM B WA LT ER, .

R omance ,

R ICHAR D DABN EY ,

Th e Sprin g of L ife ,

A W estern W ar Song -
,

Th e H eroes of th e W est ,

Thi rn not to th e E a st ,

To a L ady ,

WASHIN G TON I RVIN G,

The Falls of th e P assaic ,

H EN R Y T FA R M ER ,.

The Battle of the Isle ,

JAME S K P A ULDIN G
.

Th e Backwoo dsman ,

P AUL ALL EN ,
Noah C anto Il
, ,

C R YS T ALIN A,

L YDIA H SI G O UR N EY,
.

E xcuse for not full ling an engagement ,

The C oral Insect ,

D eath of an In fant ,

W ith W il d Flo wers to a Sick Frien d ,

Missolon ghi ,

Burial of th e Young ,

To t h e Moon ,

A Vision of th e Alps ,

C onnecticut R iver ,
Flora s Party

,

Musin g Thoughts ,
 C ONT E N TS . vi

R O B ER T c . SANDS ,
Ya m oy den ,

R O B ER T DINSMOO R ,

Th e Bra es of Glen nier

'

SAMUEL WOODWO R TH ,
The Bucket ,

Th e L a n dsen d,
L ove s E yes

,

Th e Pride of t h e Val ley ,

Wreath of L ove ,

JOHN PI ER PONT ,

Airs of P al estine ,

Th e P il gr im F ath ers ,

W arren s Addre ss t o t h e American Sol diers

,

On L ayin g th e C o rner Stone of th e Bunker Hill Monument ,

In depen dence ,

For a L ady s Album

,

H EN R Y PICK ER IN G ,
To a Beautiful L ake ,

D aph ne ,

Flo wers ,

I Thou gh t it Slept ,

To t h e F rin gilla Melo dia ,

T h e W at erfall ,

D escriptive S onnets ,

H EN R Y C KNI G HT, .

T h e C ountry O v en ,

F S KEY,
. .

Th e Star Span gle d Banner

-
,

KATHA R IN E A WA R E, .

T h ere is a Voice ,

Greece ,

The P artin g ,
v iii C O NT E NT S .

PA GE O

S AR AH J. H AE&
Th e Fath er s C h oice
,

T he Victor s C rown

,

The L igh t of Home ,

The Gifts ,

Th e Mother to h er C hil d ,

EN OCH L INCO L N ,
T he Villag e ,

JOHN C M CALL , .

Th e Troubadour ,

E DWIN C HOLL AND , .

The Pillar of Glory ,

Rise C olumbia ,

D ANIEL B R YAN ,
L afayette ,

A L ON Z O LEWIS ,
D eath Son g ,

Th e Minstrel s L ove

,

T he W an derer of Africa ,

N AT H ANDM. A H AVEN , .

L ines
on Frederic th e Great ,

The P urse of C harity ,

Autumn ,

J AM ES N BA R K ER , .

L ittle R ed Ri din g Hoo d ,

G EO R G E W DOAN E, .

That Silent Moon ,

Oh ! th at I h ad W in gs like a D ove ,

L ines on Sunset ,

Spirit of Sprin g ,

On a very old W e ddin g Rin g ,

Th e C lou d Bri dge .

NATHANI EL H W RI G H T , .
 C ONT E NT S ix

1 The Isle of Flowers ,

Th e Star of Bethleh em ,

SOL YMAN B R OWN ,

L ady Byron to h er Husban d ,

The E migrant s Farewe ll

,

JOS EPH R D R AKE , .

Th e American Flag ,

JAME S A HILL HOUS E,

.

Hadad Scene I II
, ,

An Apolo g ue ,

THOMAS WELL S,
At Musing Hour ,

S olitu de ,

A Vision ,

T h e Battle of New Orleans ,

Sonnet ,

W ILL IAM B TAP P AN, .

R etrospection ,

W hy shoul d we sigh 2
When Death sh all L ay ,

0co m e fro m a W orld ,

To the Nort h Sta r ,

SAMU EL H JENKS , .

0! may we not W eep ,

T he Patriot s Grave

,

POW ers of Rh yme ,

ANTHONY B LEECK ER ,
On revisitin g th e C ottag e of R osa ,

Trenton F a l ls ,

J un gfrau Sp aig er s Apostro phe to her

C at,
E pitaph of Mornai du Plessis ,

G A G AMA G E,
. .

My E arly D ay ,
 C ONT ENT S .

P A GE .

A LB ER T G G REEN E,
.

L ines
,

L ucifer ,

WILL IAM H B R ADLE Y,

.

Giuseppino ,

SAM UEL D E AN E,
The Populous Vil lage ,

SAM UEL G ILMAN ,

H istory of a Ray of L i ght ,
 S P E C I MEN S

AM E R IC AN P O E T R Y

W ITH

C R I T I C AL A N D BI O GR A P HI C AL NOTI C E S .

J O E L BAR L O V .

JOE L BARL O W w as b orn at R ea dm g a small village in F a ir

,

eid c ounty Connectic ut, about the ye ar 1755

,
His fa t h er
.

was a farmer in in dependent, though m o derate circums tances ,

and h ad ten chil dren of whom our poet was the youngest
,
.

H e died w hile J oel wa s a l ad at school and le ft h im little more

,

th an sui c ien t to give him a libe ral e duc ation of s uch a sort
as was c ustomary at that period He ente re d rst at Dart
.

mouth college in New Hamps hire b ut that seminary bein g

,

th en in its infancy and labori n g under many emb arr assments

, ,

h e remove d a ft er a short r esidenc e to Yale c ollege in N ew

,

H ave n In the thir d ye ar of his ac ademic c ourse the rev olu

.
,

t ion a ry wa r broke out and the Co n necti c ut militia b e ing c alled

,

o ut in gre at numbers t o str engthen Washington s army , Bar

l ow coul d n ot resist the inclination to j oin the c amp wh er e

four of his broth ers were in ar ms He shoul dere d his mus ke t
.

dur ing the c ollege vac atio n s , and fought in man y of the S kir
m ish es at the b e ginning of the war A fter completing h is
.

studies with great reputation he rec eive d a degree in 1778

, ,

o n which oc c asion he rst c ame b efore the public as a

p oet,
by pronounc ing an original poem, w hich was soon aft er print
V OL . 1
 2 J O EL BARL O W .

ed He ha d previously made some atte mpts at verse b ut n ot

.
,

it appe ars of any serious charac ter This e arliest of h is works

, .

may b e found in a volume w ith the ti tle of American P oems
publishe d at L it chel d in 1793 .

On le aving c ollege h e b etook h ims elf t o the study of law ,

b ut c ontin u e d it onl y for a short t im e He was strongly ur ge d
.

t o enter the army as a c haplain there b eing a great deciency

,

of thi s kin d among th e troops . Althou g h h e had never under

tak en a c ours e of theological re ading yet th e high opinion
,

entertai ne d of his talents and character and the inuenc e of

,

h is friends, enabled him after a preparatory study of s ix

w ee ks , to pass examination and obtain a lic ense to pre ac h as
,

a c o n gregation a l minister He repaire d imme diately to the

.

army , where in the strict and punctual discharge of his clerical

d uties he su stained a high reputatio n In the s evere labors Of
.

his o fc e , he did not neglect h is more elegant studies, b ut

mingle d devotion to th e mus es with h is spiritu al exhor t ations .

He compose d patriotic songs and addr esses to th e sol di ery ,

an d m ade all his powers s ubservient to th e gre at purpose of
arousin g the patriotism Of th e troops an d sustaini ng the ir
,

c our ag e under their numerous h a rdships and perils He .

c ontinue d with th e army throughout the w ar and ami d thes e ,

oc c upation s wa s also engage d in the c omposition of th e po e m

afterwar ds publishe d under the title of Th e Vision of C o
lumb us On rec eiving th e degre e of Master of Arts at

Ne w Haven , in 1781, he r ecite d a poem call e d The Prospec t

of P eace . Th is was publishe d an d a nnoun c e d as a spe c imen
of the lar ger work he h ad in h and in which th e substanc e of it
,

is s t ill to b e found About the s am e period h e w as marri e d

.

t o Miss B ald win Of N ew H aven , a sister of th e Hon Abra .

ham B al dwin , senator in Congress , from G eorgia .

Mr B arlow h ad not chosen the theological profession in

accordanc e wi th an y decide d tas te for the c alh n g n or with ,

any View b eyond th e emergency wh ic h h ad brought ab out h is

connexion with it The scenes m oreover with which h e h ad
.

been fa mil i arize d in the disc harge of his numero us labors in th e

ra nks of th e army , had induce d s uch hab its as to render it a
 J O EL BARLO W . 8

work of difcul ty for him t o assume at once , and with goo d

e ffec t the ch aracter of a parish clergyman He h ad no scru .

ple therefore in throwing asi de th e clerical o fc e and return ,

ing t o his law studies He se ttled hi mself at N e w Haven

. ,

an d as his profession did not bring him any great immediate

prot he undertook th e management of a we ekly pape r His
,
.

extensive knowledg e and the abil ity he displayed as a writer

, ,

soon gaine d the wo rk gre at circulation a n d c redit as but fe w of ,

the p ubl ic prints at that time were c onducte d with any talent ,

or indeed were an ythi ng more th an me a gre repositori es for th e

ne ws of the day During this c onnexion h e prepare d for the
.

press his Vision o f Columb us whic h was publishe d in 1787, .

He had b ecome s o widely known in the army and was so well ,

aide d by his friends th at a l a rge subscription wa s obtaine d for

,

the work He dedic ate d it to Lou is X VI, and had the satis
.

faction of se ein g it meet with a very favorable ac c eptanc e

from the public A few months a lt e r its appearance it w as
.
,

reprinte d in L ondon and sub se quently w ent through a sec on d

,

edi tion in th is coun t ry and one in P aris , .

Aft er the publicati on of h is poem Barlow w a s engage d by,

the general a ss oc iation of the clergy of Connecticut, to re

vise W a tt s s version of th e Ps alms which had be en in gen

er al us e in their churches and were regarde d by them as

,

c apable of improveme nt by s upplying omissions and altering

th ose parts referrin g t o t he politics an d reli g ion Of Gre at Bri
tain This task he performe d i n a very satisfactory manner
.
.

Twelve psalms whic h had be en omitte d by Watts were added ,

and s ix ne arly re wr itte n besides num erous c orrections improv

, ,

ing the gr ammar and poetic al expression of th e original as ,

w ell as adaptin g the national allusions to the c ircu msta nc es of

this c ountry A selec tion of hymns was also ad ded from Watts
.

an d origin als by himself, in which he succ eede d so w ell i n

imitating his model that as they are interspersed in the volume

,

without bein g marked with the name of the author it is n ot ,

e asy to make the distinction a mong the m This work b e .

c ame the author ize d v ersion of the Connec ticut churches .

Some alte rations were a ft erwards made by Dr Dwight, and it

4 J O E L BARLO W .

still c ontin u es in common use Barlo w upon the public ation

.

of his ps alms , opene d a bookstore in Hart ford for the sale of

the work and as s oon as this was e ffec ted returne d to th e
, ,

practic e of law h aving b efore ab andone d his c on nexion with

,

the newspaper .

As a lawyer he did n ot me et with a very a tterin g success

, .

His oratoric al powers w ere by no means of a high order an d ,

his manners wanted that engag ing pli ancy which is so e ffect ,

ual j n aidin g the exertions of him wh o is striv in g for the p op

ular favor He does not a ppear to have had a s uf c ient ly

.

strong liking for th e stu dy to inc rt e h i m to suc h as siduity in t h e

,

purs uit of it as might have overc ome these gre at h inderanc es

, .

He was so on aware that he c ould indulge no hope of rising to

e m inenc e in the c aree r which h e h ad begun o r even ac quir e ,

a s uic ien t s um for his maintenanc e The property whic h he

.

h ad acqu ired by his literary under t akin gs w as rapidly dis a p ~

pea ri ng a nd he was unde r the nec essity Of b eta king hi msel f

, .

to some n e w oc c upation U nder these ci rc umstanc es he was

.

applie d to by c ertain me mb ers of a land association c all e d th e ,

.

Ohio Company and some other persons who were regarde d as

,

men of property to go to E urope as the agent of a conc ern for

,

dispos in g of large tracts of lan d in the western te rr itory By .

fraudulent m a n m uvres these persons Obtained the management

,

of a large portion of th e funds of the Ohio Company and giv ,

in g themselv es the name of th e Sc ioto Company o ffere d vast ,

qu antities Of land for s ale to whic h they h ad no claim Bar

, .

low w as total ly ignorant of the tr ue c haracter of th e u nd er

taking and r ead ily agreed t o the propos al He s aile d for
,
.

England in 1788 and from that c ountry pr oc eeded to Franc e

, ,

w here h e s ucc ee de d in disposing of some of the lands Th e .

agency however turne d out unfortunate for Barlow .

His reputation gaine d h im the intima cy of the public c har ~

s o ters of the gre atest note and inuenc e in F rance and th e ,

sin gularly novel and interesting sce nes whic h the revolu
tion in that country was exh ibiting from day to day c ause d ,

him to enter into politic s With great ardor As a n Ameri .

can , and one who ha d already lent his aid t o the c aus e
 J O E L BARLO W . 5

of revolution, he could not hesitate to j oin the republic an

party He was affec ted with no smal l portion of the commo n
.

enthusiasm of the day, and indul ge d in zealous an d condent

an ticipations of the wonders in the political an d social or der
of the universe , whic h it w a s j udged were to b e the nal res ult

of thos e early c onvulsions in the po litic al system of E urope .

He sided with that portion O f the republic an party c alle d the ,

Girondists and made hims elf dis tinguishe d as one O f their

,

most active and ze alous partizans He returned to E ngland .

in 1791 and publishe d in L ondon the rst part of a work with

the title of Advic e to the priv ilege d orders which with ,

subsequent additions h as been sever al times reprinte d ; it is

,

a performanc e of so me ability but ab ound ing in the ex t ra v a

,
'

gances whic h the revolutionary eerv esc en c e had engendere d .

This w as follo we d th e next year by a poem c all e d The Con

spira cy of K ings in which as the title manifests h e took
, , ,

for his subject th e engrossing to pic of politic al interest In .

autumn of the s ame ye ar he publish e d a letter to the Nation al

Convention on the defects of the rst c onstitution in whic h
, ,

he s uggested s everal improvements such as abolishing th e ,

royal power d iminishi ng the public salaries making elections

, ,

more frequent and popul ar and dissolving t he c onnexi on of

,

the ch urch with the government Barlow in c onsequenc e of .

thes e public ations b ec ame as sociated with the leading ch ar

,

ac t ers in E ngl and w h o were on the side of reform as also

, ,

with a great numb er Of men of literature and science in L on

don In the latter part of 1792 the L ondon Constitution al
.

Society of which he was a member voted an address to th e

, ,

National Convention and Barlow w ith another passe d over t o

,

F ranc e t o present it Th e Convention as a mark of respect,

.
,

c onferre d on him th e rights of a French citi zen : rights h o w ,

ever which we believe he never exe rc is e d or claime d by any

,

p ub hc ac t .

Aft er a few weeks stay in Paris he was about t o return t o ,

E ngland , when information of the notice which th e British

government had taken of his m ission le d him to think he ,

shoul d be unsafe in E ngland The revolutionary spirit h ad .

*
v oL . II. 1
6 J O EL BARL O W .

extended widely in that country and the government b ec ame ,

alarmed Barlow s errand to P aris was s uspected to have

.

some c onnexion with a s ecret political undertaking and th e ,

b usine ss was o f ciall y investigated In this state of things h e .

determined to remain in Fran ce , and sent for Mrs B a rlow from

E ngland In t he latter part Of 1792 he acc ompanie d his friend
.

th e Abb Gregoire and a deputation of t h e Convention to

,

Savoy whither th ey were despatch e d t o organis e tha t territo

,

r
y as a department of the French republic
, He spent th e .

winter at Chamberry an d at the request of his friends wrote

,

an address to the P ie dmontese inciting them to throw off their

allegianc e to the king of Sardinia It was translate d into .

French and Italian and distrib ute d throughout the c ountry,

,

b ut failed to prod uc e any gre at e ffect Another work whic h .

h as b een much b etter rec eive d by th e public oc c upied the ,

remainder of the se as on His poe m of Has ty P udding the .

,

most popul ar of a ll his writings was written at Chambe rry ,

.

From this c ountry h e returne d to P aris a n d engaged in com ,

m erc ial spec ulations fro m which he reape d c onsiderable prot

,
.

We d o not nd that he took any share in politics at th is

period : and al though many politi ca l writin gs O f a violent and
a t r oc io us ch aracter were given to the public u nder his name
ab out this time w e have his own ass uranc e that he n ever
,

w rote them He c ontinu ed t o indulge hopes th at the s tru ggles

.

whic h were then conv ulsing Franc e with still mighti er power ,
would soon work out her politi cal regeneration ; b ut th e sc e ne s
o f turbul enc e anarchy and blood w hich rec urr ed from day to
, , ,

day shook his faith in the c ause of th e revolution and kept

, ,

him aloof from t he scene of contest Not withstanding he .

c ontinued t o reside at Paris for about thre e years His .

characte r as a neu t ral insur ed him a degre e of safety ami d

th e tumults around him which he c oul d n ot otherwise have,

enjoyed .

In 1795 or near that time he visited the north o f E uro pe ,

,

and on his return re ce ive d information that he had b een a p

pointe d by President Washi n gton Consul for the U nite d ,

States at Algiers and Plenipotentiary for th e negotiat ion of a

,
8 J OE L Ba R Low .

repositories of everyt hin g precious in literature and the arts ,

o ffere d the strong est attractions to a ma n of letters b ut the ,

desire of revis iting th e land of his birth an d beholdin g the ,

wonderful improvements in her social an d politic al state which

th e lapse of a few y ears had wrought, induce d him to sell his
property in Franc e and embark for Americ a A ft er a sh ort
,
.

visit to E ngland he arrive d in this country in 180

,
5 He xe d .

h is abo de at Washin gton where h e purchased an elegant

,

hous e and live d in a splendid and hospitable manner on ter m s

, ,

o f intimacy with the President, an d t h e m ost note d p ubli c

men .

One Of h is e arliest undertakings after his return was the

plan of a n ation al c oll ege or ac ademy , under the immediate
patronage of the government, whi ch h ad b een originally sug
gested by Washington and now receive d the approb ation Of
,

Mr J e fferson Barlow drew up a prospectus Of th e propo s e d

.

institution which is describ ed as an ac ademy to b e erecte d at

,

th e se at of government which shoul d c omb ine the t wo gr eat

Obj ects of sc ient ic in vestigation and of in st ruction, together
with national views by unitin g a university to a learne d soci
,

et y , forme d on a plan rese mbling that of the national institute

of France and add ing to b oth a mili tary and naval ac ademy
, ,

an d a school of ne arts This prospectus h e publishe d in a
.

pamphlet at h is own expense , and c irc ulate d it throug hout

the c ountry The pl a n met with c ons iderable opposition fr om
.

the friends of sever al of the literary institutions in the differ

en t states but was so w armly r ec eive d in m any quarters, th at
,

it w as brou g ht b efore Congress On the 4th Of March 180

. 6,
a bill wa s introduc e d in t h e senate to incorporate a nati onal
,

a c ademy upon the plan O ere d by Barlow It w as pass ed t o

.

a second re ading and referred to a committee A ft er some .

deb ate as to the name which the institution should b ear th e ,

bill wa s referre d to a s elect c ommitte e who never repo rte d ;

whether from a dis approval of t he entire proj ec t or w an t o f ,

ti me for deliberation upon the business we are not informe d

, .

Thus the project failed an d Barlow never rene we d his a t

,

tempt .
 JO E L BARLO W . 9

He now entere d upon an undertaking which he had c o n

t em pla te d for many ye ar s, and th e preparations for which had
al r eady oc cupie d a great po rtion of his life This was th e .

public ation of his Columbi a d the titl e h e b estowe d upon th e

,

n a cd a m en to of the nati onal poem of his early y ears

f That .

production h ad been rec eive d by the Americ an public with

a degre e of favor highly atterin g to th e author Our native
, .

literature at that period w as b ut sc anty , and a work of any

pretensions th ough of ordinary merit, was sure to attract notic e .

The V ision of Columbus made its appearanc e in an attractiv e

shap e , and with strong claims upon th e g eneral regard It .

was the most national and patriotic p erform a n c e b ot h in fram e ,

and spirit, which any native writer h ad pr oduc ed The s ubj ec t .

was familiar to every one and the sc enes of the revolution

,

whic h furnishe d th e au thor with so large a portion of th e in

ciden t s of his story had an interest for his readers , which dis
,

pos ed th em to look with partial ity upon the strains in w hich

thos e deeds were s ung .When we add that th e state of ,

criticism w as c omparatively low am ong us in those days an d ,

that c orrect tas te whic h is forme d by extens ive readin g was ,

by means an ordinary accomplishment, it will not appear sur

prisin g th at suc h a production should b e read u nder th e in u

enc e of strong prepossessions or that the j udgment p as se d up
,

on its merits shoul d have been regulate d by no very dis c rimi

,

nating and philosophical notion Of poetic al excellenc e The .

c onsequenc e was that the Vision Of Columb us was overprais ed

, ,

and Barlow who was acc ustomed to be spoken of as the rst in

,

rank among the Ame ric an bards w as temp t e d to claim a high

,

er character in the poetical scale by giving his work th e im

,

pos ing sta teliness and symmetry of the epopee For this pur .

pos e he c a st the poem ane w and made suc h additions as h e

,

deeme d requ isite to give it th e epic ful ness and perfecti on .

He spared no p a ins nor expense in t he publication and in 180 8 ,

the Columbiad w asf issued from the press in a style of ele

ganc e w hich few works either Americ an or E uropean have
, ,

e ver equal led An edition in duodec imo was pu blishe d t h e

.

n ext year , and the poe m wa s also reprinte d in L ondon .

lO JOE L B ARLO W .

Alth ough the Columbiad wa s the performanc e upon whic h

B arlow chiey relie d for his fame yet now th at it was c omple te d
,

and before the world he did not seem dispose d to desist in any
,

m easure from his literary enterprises He made large c ollee .

tions of materials for a genera l his tory Of th e U nite d Sta tes ,

and was busily engage d in planning th e work in 1811 w hen

h e received the appointment of minister plenipotentiary t o
France Th e Obj ects of his mission were th e n egotiation of
.

a tre aty of c ommerc e and indemnic ation for th e Frenc h

Spoliations He acc epte d the appoin tment s aile d for F rance
.
, ,

and entere d imme diately upon th e business w hich h e found ,

it dif c ult to acc omplish from the many delays and Ob stacles
,

whic h th e French government c ontrive d to throw in his way .

Mr Barlow sp a red no zeal n or perseveranc e t o e ffect h is pur

p os e and b ei n g in vi te d in 1812 to a c onferenc e with Napoleon
,

at Wilna, h e set o ut in Octob er and travelle d day and night

in that severe s eason which ann ihilated th e phalanx e s of t he
,

French E mperor The c o untry through which his c ourse

.

l a y a ft er le aving Franc e wa s s o waste d by the ravages of

, ,

wa r as hardly to a ffor d a meal to t h e traveller an d in a state

, ,

o f extreme debility from fatigue an d want of food and Sleep h e ,

was exposed to sudden ch anges from c old to heat, in the sm al l

a n d c rowde d c otta ges Of the Jews whic h afford th e only t a v
,

e rns to be met with in P oland This produc ed a vi olent in

.

am m a t ion of the lungs of which he died on the 2 2 d of De

,

c em b er 1812 , at Z a rn a wic a a vil lage in P oland near Crac ow

, , .

Barlo w as a poet, c an by no means he allow e d the highest

,

r ank among his c ountrymen even those of his own day ; yet
,

he h as dra wn upon hims elf by the publicit y of his career and ,

the e fforts he made for that purpose a g re ater degree of n o ,

tic e than any other of our native b ards To th e E urope an

, .

world Barlo w was the only trans atlantic poet Th e witlin gs

, .

of the British periodic al press pointed their gibes at our lit

era t ure in the person of this single wri ter and r egarded ,

the Columbiad as the sum total of American genius in t he

shape of vers e A b etter standar d of taste has now lowe re d
.

the estimation of his powers among us , and it is n o longer

 JOEL BAR L o w . 1l

fas hion able c onsider th e literary reputatio n of the country

to
as rest ing upon his atte mpt at epic poe try Still the tale n ts .
,

which h e has unquestionably displayed in his writings entitle ,

him t o no smal l sh are of o ur att ention .

The Conspir acy of King s is a veh ement invective ag ai nst

the potentates of E urope , and the enemies of the French
revolution . In this piece , he expati ates u pon th e c omm on
topics of the writers in the same c ause with gre at warmth ,

an d spirit. It is a good specimen of animated vigorous de ,

clam ation .

The H ast y P uddin g will prob ably retain a greater sh a re of

popul arity th an an y other porti on of his w orks This poe m is .

'

ex ec uted in a lively and entertaining manne r , a n d a ords in

the famili ar and h omely nature of t he subject, and the g aiety
with whic h it is tr e ate d an agree able c ontrast t o the gr avity
,

and stateliness o f the auth or s gene ral style

.

The Columbiad h as m et with small favor from th e c ritics ,

an d its faul ts b oth in plan and exec ution were severely c om
, ,

meri t e d upon at its fi rst appear a nc e The absurdity of attempt

.

ing to give an epic unity an d in t erest thr ou g h t h e mediu m of

a vision t o a series of actions so unconnecte d in date and sub
,

jec t : an d the str an ge and awkward neolog isms by which th e

lang uage of the poe m is disgured c alle d forth the rep rehen
,

sions of the revi ewe rs in eve ry quarter It h a d no popul arity

.

among us and is now fall en quite into neglec t a fate which

,

t he re ader may ascrib e to the improve d taste and understand

ing in li t erary matte rs of the present d ay b ut which w as in
, ,

part occ asione d by the higher character which th e poem as

sumed over the work as it stood in its origin al state T he .

Vision of Columbus wh ile no one cla we d for it an y very ex

,

alte d rank c ontin ue d to b e spoken of in terms of respe c t But

, .

in its n ew sh ape it c ame out with the high prete nsio ns of an

epic and h aving been pronounc e d a failure nobody re ads it
, ,
.

In his prefac e he avo ws the obj ect of the Colum biad t o b e

al t ogether of a moral and politic al nature Most epic poem s .

a re r egarde d as having some similar aim They were des igne d

.

t o leave some mo re important and durable impr ession than

I2 J OEL BAR LO w .

what arises from contemplating th e interest of th e story or the

b eauty of the langu ag e We are led to c onclude , how ever ,
.

from Barlow s explanation of his plan that he c onsidere d more

,

th e philosophy th an the poetry of his work that he w a s less

s olicitous for the classical regularity and interest of t h e fable ,
th an for t he gener al sentiments and mor al e ffec t of the per
form a n c e, forgetting that with out a proper degree Of skill in
arranging the narr a tive which was to be t he vehicle of th e
s entiments they m ust fail of acc omplishing their obj ect It is
,
.

surprising that Barlow s judgment shoul d h ave allowed him t o

i magine that to render his poem perfectly national in ch aracter ,

it was nec essary that it should embrac e the history and topo
graphy as it were o f the whole Americ an c ontinent or that
, ,

h e could have hoped to excite interest by a story w hich ex

te nde d through hundreds o f years ; w h ich treate d Of Manc o
Capac and Washington describe d th e c onquest of Mexico ,
,

an d t h e b attle of Bunker Hill and c ontaine d long p hilos ophi

c al speculations upon almost every subj ect politic al moral, ,

an d scientic . How utterly h e has faile d in this particular we

nee d waste no criticism in showing His notions of what was
.

r equisite to give the epic dignity to his performance seem to have

embrac ed th e most obj ectionable part of the old doctrines upon
the subj ect with ide as of his own altogeth er novel The ma .

chinery which he deeme d it nec essary to introduc e accom ,

s

p lish es hardly an y thing of its d estine d purpose in c ontrollin g

th e m a in events or bringing ab out th e c atastrophe of the story ;
,
'

an d the topics which he h ad oc c asion to h andle oered such

a temptation to specu late , desc ant, an d moralize th at the ,

quantity Of matter in a digressory str a in whic h h e has em s

bodie d in t he work , gives it the ch aracter in some parts of a

philosophic al instead of a narrative poem a defect of plan ,

whic h the highest graces of c omposition c oul d h ardl y redeem .

The v ersic a t ion in this poe m is elaborate d with gre at c are ,

b ut it is not owing nor graceful The language is O fte n tu

.

mid , and extravagant and disgure d with ornaments which

,

denote a viti ated taste There is throughout a w ant of im a

.

g in a t ion , re , and th e m arks of that inbred fac ulty of th e soul ,

 JOE L BARL O W .

th at rened intellectual feeling whic h pours out its energies

with a fervor that reaches the heart Barlow w as a poet by .

din t of study an d labor b ut in the creations whic h his fancy

h as bodi e d forth we se ek in vain for t he b re athing s of that
,

sp irit ofun earthly tone , whic h act like a spell upon the s ens es ,

whose visitings thr ill th e bosom in its deepest an d most h al

lowed recesses stir our sym pathies with a magic potency , and
,

stamp the memory with a deep an d abid in g impression .

His pow ers were inadequ ate to the accomplis h ment of the
un dertak ing which he meditate d in the Columbiad The poe m .

c ann ot be co m mende d as a w hole b ut there are portio n s of it

,

whi ch exhibit the author s talent in a ve ry favorable manner

.

It h as many passages of spirite d rich and spl endid description

, ,

and in expatiating in a moral and philosophic al strain he dis ,

plays a loftin ess of s entiment, and an enthusiasm , whic h i n spire

noble thoughts and k indle some of our most exal ted emotions .

The moral scope of the work in spite of its m isc arriage as an

,

epic , will recommend it to our re g ar d as th e e a rnest endeavor

of a s inc ere philanthrop ist t o furth er the progress of the hu m an

rac e in their advanc es to politic al and moral perfection .

THE H A S T Y P U D D ING .

C AN T O I .

YE Alps au dacious , through the he avens th at rise ,

T o cramp the day and hide me from the skies
Ye Gallic ags th at o er their he ights unfurled ,
,

Bear death to kings and free dom t o th e w orld ,

,

I Sin g not you A soft er theme I choose ,

.

A virgin theme u nconscious of the Muse ,

,

But fruitful , rich , well s uite d to inspire

The purest frenzy of poetic re .

Despise it not , ye b ards t o terror steel d ,

Who hurl your thunders round the epic eld ;
Nor ye who stra in your midnight throats t o sing
Joys that th e vineyard and th e still h ouse brin g-
;
Or on some distant fair your notes employ ,
An d spe ak of raptures th at ou ne er enj oy
y .

V OL . Jr
. 2
l4 JO EL BAR L o w .

I sing the swe ets I know the charms I feel , ,

My mornin g inc ense and my evening me al , ,

The sweets of Hasty P u d ding Come dear bowl, .

,

G lide o er my palate a n d inspire my soul

,
.

The mil k beside thee smoking from the kine , ,

Its substanc e mingled , marrie d in with th ine ,

Sh all c ool a n d te mper t hy superior h eat ,

An d s ave th e pains O f blo w ing wh ile I e at .

Oh ! c ould the smooth the emblematic song ,

Flow lik e thy g en ia l juic es o er my tongue

Could thos e mild m orsels in my numb ers chime ,

And as they roll in substanc e roll in rhyme
, , ,

N O more thy aw k w ard unpoetic name

Should sh un the muse or prej udic e thy fame ,

B ut rising grateful to the a cc ust o m d ear

,

All b ards s h oul d c atch it and all realms revere ,

Assist me rst With pious to il to trac e

Through wr ec ks of time thy line age and thy rac e ; ,

Declare what lovely squaw in days Of yore , ,

(Ere gre at Columb us sou g ht thy native shore )

First g ave th ee to the w orl d her w orks of fame
Have live d in deed b ut live d w ithout a n ame
,
.

Some ta w ny Ceres goddess O f her days , ,

First le a rn d w ith stones to crac k the well dried mai ze ,

Through the rough sieve to shake the g olden shower ,

In b oiling water stir th e yellow our
The yello w our b es t re w d and s t irr d w ith haste
,

,

Sw ell s in the ood a n d thic kens to a paste ,

Then pu ffs and wallops rises to the bri m , ,

Drinks the dry knobs that on the s urfac e swi m ;

Th e knobs at last the busy ladle bre aks ,

And the whole mass its true c onsistenc e takes .

Could bu t her sacre d name unknown so lon g , ,

R ise like her labors to the son of song

, , ,
To h er to t h em I d c onsecrate my lays
, ,

,

And blo w her p u dding w ith the breath of praise .

Not through the ric h P er uvian re al ms alone

The fame of Sol s sweet daughter should b e known ,

But o er the w orld s wide clime should live sec ure ,

Far as his rays exten d as long as they endure , .

D e ar Hasty P udding what unpro m ised j oy ,

Expands my he art to meet the e in S avoy !

,

D o om d o er the world throu g h devious paths to roam ,

E ach chme my country a n d each house my home , ,

My soul is soothed my cares have found an en d,
,

I gre et my long lost unforgotten friend , .

F or thee through P aris th at corrupted town , ,

 16 1 08 1 B ARLOW
. .

Th ere are who strive to stamp with disrep ute

The luscious food b ec ause it feeds the brute

,

In tropes of high st ra in d wit While gau dy prigs

-

,

Compar e thy n ursling man to p a m p er d pigs , ,

With sovereign scorn I treat the vulgar j est ,

N or fear to share thy bounties With t he b e ast .

'

What th ough the generous c ow give s me to qua

The m ilk nutritious am I t hen a c alf ?
Or c an the g enius of the n O i sy s wine ,

Th ough n ursed on pud ding thenc e lay claim to mine ,

Sure the swe et song I fa s hi o n to thy praise, ,

R uns mor e melodious th an the notes they raise .

My song resoun ding in its grateful gle e ,

No merit claims : I pr a ise myself in t h e e .

My father le ed th ee th rou g h h is len g t h of days I

i
.

For thee his fiel ds were sh a ded o e r Wit h maize ;

From thee what health w hat vi g or h e p o s s ess d, ,

Ten stur dy fr eemen from his loms attest ;

Thy c ons t e llation rul ed my nata l morn ,

And all my bones were m a de of In dian corn .

D elicious grain ! whatever form it take ,

To roast or b 01l to s mother or to bake

, ,

In every dish t is w elc ome still to me

But most my H a s ty P u ddin g m o s t i n the e

, ,
.

L et the green s ucc ot a sh With t h ee c ontend ,

L et b eans and c orn their s wee t e s t j ui c e s blen d ,

L et butter drench them in its yello w ti d e ,

And a long slic e of bac on grac e t he ir S i de ;

Not all the plate ho w fame d so e e r it be
,

,

Can please my palate li ke a bo wl of the e

'
.

Som e talk of H oe C a ke fair Vir g inia s pride

-
,

R ich J ohn n y C a ke this mouth h as often t ried ;

-
,

Both please me w ell their virtues muc h the sam e

,

Alike their fabric as allied their fame

, ,

E xc ept in de ar N e w E n g l an d w he re the l ast ,

R ec eives a d ash of pumpkin in the paste ,

To give it sw eetness a n d improv e the taste .

But pl a c e the m all before me smokin g hot , ,

The big roun d dumpling rollin g from the pot,

, ,

The puddin g of the bag w hose quiveri n g breast , ,

With suet lined lea ds on the Yanke e feast ;

,

The C ha rlo tte bro wn Within whose crusty sides

,

A b elly so ft i e pulpy apple hi des

The yello w brea d Whose fac e like amber glows ,

And a ll of Indian that the bake p a n kno ws -

You tempt p i e not m y fa v rit e g reets my eyes

,
To that love d bowl my spoon by instinct i es .
 J OE L BABL O W .
17

CA N T O I I .

To mix the food by vicious rules of art,

T o kill t h e st o m a c h a n d to sink the he a rt,
,

T o mak e mankind to social virtue sour ,

Cram o er each dish and b e wh at they devour ;
,

For th is the kitchen muse rst frame d her book ,

Commanding s we at to stream from every c ook
Chil dren no more their antic gambols tried ,

And friends to physic w on der d w hy they died

.

Not so the Yankee his abundant fe ast ,

Wit h simples furn is h d and with plainness drest ,

A numerous o ffspring gathers roun d the board ,

And cheers alike the servant and the lord

Whose w ell bought hunger prompts the j oyous tas te ,
-

And h ealth attends them from th e sho rt repast .

While the full pail re wards the milk maid s toil , -

Th e mother s ees the m orning c auldron boil ;

To stir the pud ding next de mands their c are ;
To spre a d t h e table and the bowls prepare
To feed the chil dren as their portions c ool
, ,

And c omb t heir hea ds and sen d them o ff to school

,
.

Yet may the simplest dish some rul es impart,

For nature sc orns not all the aids of art .

E en H a s ty P u ddin g purest of all food

-
, ,

May still be b ad in di fferent or good

, , ,

As s age experienc e the short proc ess guides,

Or want of skil l or want of c are presides
, .

W hoe er woul d form it on the s urest pl an

,

To rear the child and long sustain the man ;

To sh iel d the morals While it mends the size ,

And all the po w ers of every food supplies ,

Attend the lesson that the m use shall bring .

S uspend your spoons and listen whil e I Sing

But sinc e 0m an ! thy life and health demand
.
,

Not food al one b ut la b or from thy hand

, ,

First in the eld beneath the sun s stro ng rays ,

,

Ask of thy mother earth the n e edfa l maize ;

She loves the rac e that courts her yielding soil ,
And gives her bounties to the sons of toil .

Wh en now the ox obedient to thy c all

, ,

R epays the loan that ll d the Winter stal l

,
Pursue his traces o er t h e furro w d plain

,
And plant in measure d hil ls the golde n grain .

But when t he tender erm b egins to shoot

And t he green spire d
,

eclares the sp rout in roo t,

Then guard y our nursling from e ach g ree y foe,
VOL . i i . 2 *
18 JO EL BARL O W .

The insidious worm the a ll devouring cro w

,
-
.

A little ashes sprinkled round the spire

, ,

Soon s t eep d in rain will bi d the worm retire

,

T h e fea t he r d robber wit h his hungry maw

Swi ft ies the eld before your man of stra w ,

A frightful image such as schoolboys br in g

, ,

Wh en met to b urn th e pope or hang the k ing ,

.

Thric e in the se ason through eac h verdant row ,

Wield the strong ploughshare and the faithful hoe ;

The faithful h o e a double task that takes
, ,

T o till t h e s ummer c orn a n d roast the Winter c akes,

.

Slo w spri n gs the blade While c hec k d by chilling ,

E re yet the s un the seat of Canc er g ains ;

B ut whe n h is erc est res emblaze the land ,

Then start the j uic es then the roots expand ; ,

Then like a c olumn of Corinthian mould ,

,

The stalk str uts upwar d and t h e leaves unfold ;

The busy branches all the ridges ll ,

E ntwine their arms and kiss from hill to hill

,
.

Here c e ase to vex them all your cares are done ,

L eave the last labors to the parent s un ;

Beneath his genial smil es the well drest eld
. ,
-
,

When autu m n calls a plen t eo us cr op shall yield

,
.

Now the stron g folia g e bears the standards hig h,

And shoots the tall top g a llants to the S I:
The suckling e ars the silky fringes b en ff :
-

And pre nant grown their s welling c oats distend ,

The loa e d stalk while s till th e b urthen gro w s

, ,

O erha n g s the space that runs between the rows ;

High as a hop el d waves the S ilent grove

-
,

A safe retreat for little thefts of love ,

When the pledged roasting ears invite the maid -

,

To meet her s wain b eneat h th e n e w fo rm d shad e ; -

His g enerous h and unloads the c umbrous hill ,

An d the green spo ils h er ready basket ll

Sm al l compens ation for th e t wo fold bliss -
,

T he promise d w ed ding and th e present kiss , .

Slight depredations thes e ; b ut n o w the moon

C alls from his hollo w trees the sly racc oon ;
And w hile by night he bears h is prize away ,

T h e h olde r squirrel labors throu g h the day .

Both thieves alike but providen t of time

, ,

A Virtue rare that almost hides their crime

, .

Then let them steal the littl e stores the y c an ,

And fi ll th eir g ra n ri es from the toil s of man ;

We ve one advantage Where they tak e n o part , ,

With all their wiles they ne er h ave found the art



JOEL BARL OW .

To boil the H a sty P udding here we shine

-

Superior far to tenants of th e pine

This envie d boon to man shall still belong ,

U nshared by them in substanc e or in song, .

At last the closing s e ason browns the plain ,

And ripe October g athers in the gr a in ;

Deep loade d c arts the spacious corn house ll -
,

Th e sack distende d marches to the mill ;

The la b rin g mill beneath th e b urthen groans ,

And sho wers the f uture pud din g fr om the ston es ;

Till the glad house wife greets the p o wder d gold

And the n e w crop exte rminates the old .

C A N TO III .

T H E days grow short ; b ut though th e fall in g s un

To the gl ad s w ain proclaims h is day s w ork done
,

Night s ple a sm g shades his various tasks prolong ,

An d yield ne w subj ect to my various song .

For now the corn hous e l l d th e harvest h ome

,
-

, ,

Th e invited neighbors to the h as hin g c ome

A frolic scene where work a n d m irth and play
, , , ,

U nite their charms to chase the hours away

, .

Where the huge heap lies c entre d in th e hall ,

The lamp suspen de d from the ch eerful w all ,

Brown corn fe d nymphs and strong h ard hande d beau s

-
,
-
,

Alternate ranged extend in circling rows ,

,

Assume their seats the solid mass attac k ;

,

The dry h usks rustle and the corn c obs crac k ,

-

The song the laugh alternate notes resound

, , ,

And the sweet c i der trips in silenc e round .

The laws of huskin g eve ry Wi g ht can tell

And sure n o law s he ever keeps so well
For each red e ar a general kiss h e gains ,

With each smut ear h e smuts the luc kless s wains ;

B ut w hen to some s w eet maid a prize is cast ,

R ed as her lips and taper a s her waist

, ,

She walks t he rou nd and c ulls one favored beau , ,

Who leaps the luscious tribute to besto w

, .

Various th e sport as are the wits a n d brains

,

Of w ell pleased lasses a n d c ontending swains

Till the vast mound of corn is s wept aw ay ,

And he th at g ets the last e ar wins the day .

Me an while the house wife urges a ll her c are ,

The well e a rn d feast t o h a s t en a n d prepare

-

l
.

The s ifte d meal al rea dy waits her h and ,

The milk is st ra in d t h e bowls in order s t and
, ,
2 0 JOE L H ARL O W .

The re g n es high ; and as a pool (that takes ,

The headl ong stre am that o er the mi ll dam breaks )

-

Foams roars and rages with inc essant toils

, , , ,

So the v ex d c auldron rages roars an d boils

,
.

First with clean salt, s he s easons well the food ,

Then stre ws the our and thickens all t h e ood ,

.

L ong o er the simmering re she lets it stand

To stir it w ell demands a stronger h and

Th e husb and takes his turn and round and round

T he ladle ies at last the toil is c rown d
When to the board the thronging huskers pour ,

And take their seats as at the c orn b efore .

I leave them to their feast There stil l b elong .

More copious matters to my fai thful song .

For rules there are though ne e r unfol de d yet ,

,

Nic e rules and w ise h o w pu dding should he ate ,

.

Some with molasses line the luscious treat ,

And mix like b ards the useful with the sweet
, ,
.

A w holesome dish and well deserving prais e , ,

A great resourc e in thos e bleak w intry days ,

Whe n the c hill d e arth lies buried deep in snow

And ra g ing Boreas dries the shivering c o w .

Blest c ow ! thy praise shall still my notes employ ,

G reat sourc e of he al th th e only sourc e of j oy ; ,

Mother of E gypt s god b ut s ure for me

, , ,

Were I to le ave my Go d I d worship the e ,

.

How oft thy teats these precious hands have p ress d !
How oft thy bounties prove my only feast !
How oft I v e fe d thee with my favorite grain !

And roa r d like thee to n d thy children slain !

, ,

Yes swains who know her various worth to prize

, ,
Ah house her well from winter s angry skies
.

Potatoes pumpkins should h er sadness c heer ,

, ,

C orn from your crib and mashes from your beer ; ,

When sprin g returns she 11well acquit t h e loan ,

,

And nurs e at once your infants and h er own .

Milk then with pudding I would al ways c hoose

To this in future I c onne my muse ,

Till she in haste some i rt he r hints unfold ,

Well for the young n or us eless to the old , .

Fi rst in your bowl the mil k abundant take ,

Then drop with c are al ong the s ilver lake

Yo ur akes of pu dding these at rst will hide
Their little b ul k b eneath the swelling tide ;
But when their gro wing mass no more c an sink ,
When the soft i land loo m s ab ove the brink
s
,
 J O EL B ARLO W .

Then check your hand you v e got th e po rtion due ,

So taught our sires and w hat they taught is true

,
.

There is a choice in spoons Though small appear .

The nic e distinction yet to me t is clear

,

.

The deep b owl d Gallic spoon c o nt i ive d to scoop

In ample draughts the thin dilute d soup ,

P erforms not well in those s ubstantial th ings ,

Whose mass a dh es we to the metal clin g s

Where the strong labial muscles must embrac e ,

The gentle c u rve a n d s weep the hollo w spac e

,
.

With ease to enter and disc harge t he freight ,

A bowl less conc ave b ut stil l more dilate ,

Bec omes the pu dding best The shape the size .

, ,

A s ec ret rests unkno wn to vul g ar eyes

, .

E xperienc e d feeders c an alone impart

A rule s o much above the lore of art .

These tuneful lips that thousand spoons have tr ied

, ,

With j ust precision coul d t he p o m t dec i de ,

Though not in song the muse but p o orly shines

In cones and cubes and geometric lines :
, ,

Yet the tr ue for m as near as s he c an tell

, ,

Is that small section of a goose egg shell ,

Which in t wo equ al portions shall divide

The distanc e from the c entre to the si de .

F ear not to slave r ; t is no dea dly S i n

L ike th e free Frenchman from your j oyous chirr

,

Suspen d the r e a dy napkin or like m e ,

P ois e w ith one h an d your bo w l upon you r knee

J ust in the zenith y our wise head proj ect ,
Your full spoon risin g in a line direct
, ,

Bold as a buc ket hee ds no drops that fall

, ,

The wide m out h d bowl Will s urely c atch them all !

F R OM T H E V IS IO N O F C O L U MBU S .

WHE RE Spring s coy steps in c old Ganadi e stray , ,

And j oyless seasons hold unequal s w ay

He s a w the pine its daring mantle rear ,

Break the rude blast and mock the inclement yea r

, ,
Secure the limits of th e an g ry skies ,

And bid all southern vegetation ris e .

Wild o er the vast impenetrable round ,

The untro d bo wers of shadowy nature frown d

The neighboring c edar w aved its h onors wi de ,

The r s tall boughs , the oak s resistless pride

,
2 2 JOEL BAR L O W .

T he branching beech the aspin e tremblin g shad e

,
,

V eil d the di m he avens and bro w n d t h e dusky glade

.

Here in huge cro wds those sturdy sons of e arth ,

In frosty re g ions claim a nobler b irth

,

Wh ere h eavy trunks the sheltering dome reqm res ,

And copious fuel feeds the w intry res .

While w armer suns that southern clime s embl az e

, ,

A c ool deep u in b ra g e o er the woodland raise

Floridia s bloomin g shores around him spread

,

And Georgian h ills e r ct their sha dy head i

Beneath tall trees in livelier ver dure g a y

, ,

L ong level w alks a h umble garb display

The infant c orn unconsci ous of i ts worth
, ,

P oints the g reen spire a n d bends the foliage forth ;

S w eet en d on o w ery b anks the passin g air

,

Bre athes a ll the untaste d fra g rance of t he year ;

U nbi dden harvests o er the regio ns rise

,

And bloomin g life repays the genial skies .

Where c ircling shores around t he gulf extend ,

The bounteous groves W ith rich er burdens b en d ;
Spontaneous fruits the u plift e d palms u nfol d ,

T h e beauteous o ran g e waves a load of gold ,

The untau g ht vine the Wildly w anton c ane
,
-

Bloom on t he w aste a n d clot he the en a rb or d plain
, ,

The rich pime n to sc ents the ne i g t i in g skies ,

And w oolly clusters o er the c otton rise

.

Here in one vie w the same glad branc hes bring

, ,

The fruits of autumn and the o w ers of spring ;

No wintry blasts t he unchan g ing year deform ,

N or b easts un shelt e r d fear the pinching storm

B ut v ernal bre ezes o er the blossoms rove

,

And bre a the the ri p en d j uic es through the grove

.

Beneath the crystal w ave s inc onstant light,

P earls u n dist i n g u i s h d sparkle on t h e si g ht ;

From opening earth in living lustre shine

, ,

Th e various treasures of the b lazing mine

Hills cle ft before h im all their stores unfold
, , ,
The quic k merc urius and the b urning gold
G ems of un n um b er d hues in bright array

, ,

Illume the chan ging rocks and shed the beams of day .
 JO E L B ARL O W .

O er many a league the aming deluge h url d,

Sweeps total nations from the staggering world .

Mean while at distanc e through the livid light ,

,

A busy c oncourse met their wondering sight ;

The prince drew near where 10! an al tar stood ,

R ude in its form and ll d with burning w ood ;

Wrapt in the ames a ch ild expiring lay

And the fen d father thus w a s heard to pray
R ec eive 0dre adful power from feeble age
, ,

This last pure o fferin g to thy s ateless r a g e

Thric e h as thy vengeance on this h ate d l an d
C la im d a dear infant from my yieldin g han d

,

Thric e have those lovely lips the victim p ress d,

And all the moth er torn that tender breast,

When the dre ad duty stied every S i g h
And not a te ar esc aped her b eauteous eye .

Our fourth and last now meets the fatal doom ;

G roan not my child thy god remands the e home ;
, ,

Atten d onc e more thou dark infernal name

, ,

From yon far streamin g pyramid of ame ;

Snatc h from his h ea v mg esh the blaste d breath ,

Sacre d to the e and all the ends of death

Then in thy h all w ith spoils of nations c ro wn d,
,

C on n e thy w alks beneath the rendin g g ro und

No more on e arth the e m b ow ell d ames to po ur
,

An d scourge my people and my rac e no more .

Th us R ocha heard ; an d to the trembling crowd

Turu d the bright image of his beamin g god

.

T he a f icted chief w ith fear and grief o pp ress d
,

Beh eld the sign and thus the princ e a ddress d

From wh at far land 0royal stranger say

,

, , ,

Asc end thy w andering steps th is ni g htly w a y ?

From plains like ours by holy demons re d ?
,

Have thy brave people in the ames expired ?

And hast thou now to stay the w helmin g ood

, ,

No son to o ffer to the furious god ?

From h appier lands I came the prince returns
, ,
Where no re d aming ood th e c onc ave burns ,
No furious god bestorms our soil and s kies ,
Nor yield our h ands the bloody s acric e ;
But life and j oy the P ower deli g hts to give ,
And bids his children b ut rejoic e and live .

Thou seest through heave n th e day dispensing Sun -

In living radianc e wheel his g olden throne ,

O er e arth s gay s urface send his genial beams

,
Force from y on cli ffs of ic e the vernal streams ;
Wh ile fruits an d owers adorn the c ultured eld ,
 JOEL H ARL O W .

And seas and lakes their c opious treasures yield

He rei g ns our only god In h im we trac e .

The friend th e father of our h appy rac e

,
.

L ate the lone tribes on those u nl a b or d shores
, ,

R a n W ild and s erve d i maginary powers

,

Till he in pity taught their fe uds to c e as e ,

Devis ed their laws a n d fa shio n d al l for peac e

.

My sacre d parents rst t he reign be g an ,

Sent fro m his courts to gui de the paths of man ,

To plant his fruits to manifest his s w ay
, ,

And give their blessings where he gives the day .

Th e legate s now their further course descri ed ,

A young cazique attending as a g uide ,

O er cr ag g y cliffs p ursue d their e ast ern way

,

Trod lofti er ch ampaigns meeting high th e da y ,

Saw timorous tribes in these sublime ab odes

Adore the blasts an d turn the storms t o gods
While every cloud that th unders through the skie ~

Cla ims from their hands a human sacric e .

Awhile the youth th eir b etter faith to gain

, ,

Strives with his u sual art but strives in vain ,

In vain he plea ds the mil dness of the sun ;

A g ale refutes him ere his speech he done
Continu al tempests from their orient blow ,

And load the mountains with eternal sno w .

The s un s own beam th e timid clans declare ,

,

D rives all their evils on the tortured ai r ;

He dra ws the vapors up their eastern sky ,

That s ail and c entre round his dazzlin g eye

L eads the loud storms al ong h is m id day c ourse -

And bi ds t h e An des meet their sweeping force ,

BuIldS their bleak summits with an icy throne ,

To shine th rou gh he aven a semblance of his o wn ,

Hence the sharp sleet these li ft ed lawns that w ait

.

And al l th e scourges that attend their state .

Two toilsome d ays the virtuous Inca strove

To soci al li fe their s avage minds to move ;

When the thir d morni n g glow d serenely bright,
He le d their elders to an e astern height ;
The world unlimite d beneath them lay ,

And no t a cloud obscured th e rising day .

Vast Amazoni a, st arr d With twin klin g stre ams

,

In azure drest a heave n inverted seems

,

Dim P ar a g uay extends the aching si g ht ,

Xara y a gh m m ers like the moon of ni ght ,

VOL . 11 . 3
 JOEL HARL OW )

L and , water , sky , in blending borders play

And smile and brighten to the lamp of day .

When thus the princ e What maj est y divine !

What robes of gold w hat ames about him shine 5
There w alks the god ; his starr y sons on high
D raw their dim veil an d shrink behind the sky
E arth W ith s urroundin g nature s born anew
,

An d men by millions reet t he glorious Vie w .

Who c an behold his 1delightin g s oul

G ive life an d j oy and heaven a n d earth c ontrol
, ,

Bid death a n d darkness from his presenc e move

Who c an behold and not adore and love
Those plains immensely Circling feel his b eams
, , ,

He greens the groves he silvers gay th e streams ,

,

Swells the Wild fruita g e g ives th e b east his food

, ,

And mute creation hails the genial god .

But ri ch er boons his righteous la w s impart ,

To aid the life and mould the social heart ,

H
is arts of peac e through happy real ms t o spread,
n d altars grace w ith s ac ric 1a l b re ad ;

Such our di s t in g uish d lot, who own his sway

,

Mild as his morning stars and lib eral as the day .

His unknown laws the mountain chief replied

, ,

May serve perchanc e your boasted rac e t o guide

And y o u low plains that drink his partial ray
, ,

At his gla d shrine their j ust devotions pay .

But w e nor fear his frown nor trust his smile ;

Vain as our prayers is every anxious toil
O ur bea sts are b urie d in his wh irls of snow ,

O ur c abins drifte d to his slaves below .

E ven n o w his placid looks thy hopes be guil e ,

He lures thy raptures W ith a morning smile ;

But soon (for so those sa ffron robes proclaim )
His ow n blac k tempest shall obstruct his ame ,
Storm thunder re against the mountains driven
, , ,

R ake deep their s ulp hur d sides disgorging here ,

he aven .

He spoke they waited til] the fe rvid ray ,

High from the noontide sh ot the faithless day ;

When lo far gathering un der eastern skies
, ,

Solemn and slow t he dark red vapors ris e

,

F ull clouds c on v olvm g on t h e turbid air

, ,

Move like an oc e an to the watry war .

The host sec urely raised no dangers h arm

, , ,

They sit unclouded and o erlook th e storm

While far beneath t h e sky borne waters ride

,
-
,
Veil the dark deep and sheet the mountain s s ide ;
 G E O RG E R I CH A RD S .

T he

li htn in g s glanc in g res in fury c url d

Bend S i eir lon g forky foldings o er the world ;

Torrents and broken crags and oods of rain

From steep to steep roll down their forc e am ain
In dreadful c ataracts ; the bolts confound
Th e tumblin g clouds , an d rock the solid ground .

The blasts unb urden d tak e their upwar d c ourse ,

And o er the mountain t op resume t heir forc e

.

Swi ft thro ugh the lon g white ridges fro m the north ,
Th e r apid whirl winds le ad their terrors forth ;
High w alks t h e storm , t he circlin g s urges rise ,
And wild gyrations w he el th e hovering skies ;
V ast hills o f snow, in sweeping c olumns driven,
Delu e the air and c hoke th e vo id of heaven ;
F loo cfs burst thei r b ounds the roc ks forget their plac e ,
,

And the rm Andes tremble t o the ir b as e .

L ong gaze d th e host ; wh en th us the stubborn chief,

With eyes on r e , and ll d w ith sulle n grief
Beh old thy c areless g od secure on hig h ,
,

L au ghs at o ur woes and p eac eful W al ks t he sky ,

Drives all his evils on these s eats s ublime ,
And wa fts his favors t o a h appier clime
S ire of the dastard rac e , th y wor ds disclos e,
There lads his c hildren here a lic ts h is foes
Henc e gspee d thy ight ! pursue him where h e lead s,
, .

L e st venge anc e s eize the e for thy father s de eds

,
T hy immolate d limbs a ssu age the re
O f those c urst po we rs , who now a gift require .

The youth in has te c ollects his sc anty tr ai n

And with th e s un ies o er t he wes tern plain ;

The fading orb with plaintive voic e h e plies ,

T o guide his steps an d li g ht him down th e skies .

S o when t he mo on and all th e host of even

Hang pale a nd trembli ng on th e verge of h eaven ,
While storms asc ending thre at their nightly reign ,

They seek th eir absent sire and sink belo w the main .

G E O R GE R IC H A R DS ,

W a s born in R hod e Isl an d He lived for s ome time in

.

Boston , Where he became a pre ac her o f the Univers alist

persuasion . He a ft erwards remove d to Port smouth New ,

Hampshire and thenc e to Philadelphia He has b een de

, .

c e ased we b elieve, twenty years or more H e wro t e much .

V OL . ii . 3*
28 G E O RG E R l C H ABD S .

po etry in the M assachusetts Magazine , among oth er piec es , a

long poe m c all e d the Z enith of G lory w hich was publishe d ,

from time to time in that j ournal He printed i n 1793, a poe m

.

c alle d The Declaration of Independence ; in this producti o n

h e has c ontrive d to introduc e the name of every individual
who signe d the Declaration We shall e x tract th e rst part
. .

TH E D E C L ARA TI ON OF IN D E PE N D E N C L

T HE darin g muse with retrospective eye ,

Throws bac k her glanc e to that immortal day ,

,

When millions sworn to c onquer or to die ,

R ouse d as a lion panting for the p rey ,

An d rushing he adlong to the eld of wa r,

R ode , vengeful rode , on slaughter s gore besprinkled c ar

- .

Why b urnt thus erc e w ithin the frenzied soul ,

U ndying freedo rn s life enkindle d ame

-

Who le d the lightning b ade th e thunder roll ?

Wh at godlike power what deathless son of fame ,
R ent the dar k veil of ancient days in twain ,

A nd gave to independenc e , liberty s loose d rein ?

Say c an st thou c ount the sum o f untol d wron g
, ,

Which re d to rage this last di s c ov er d w orld

,

T o high wrought valor drove th e im p a ssion d throng ,

And the hot bolt of t ricen e vengeanc e h url d,

At th e prou d puppets Of a venal throne ,

Whom e astern lust of h augh t iest r ule h ad b lush d t o own

As well might gaze intens e on y ou g emm d spheres

,

Bring to one point o f view th e s tars of heaven

As soon th e de w drops nature s pearly tears
, ,

,

O r autumn s le aves by rapid whirlwinds driven ,
Shall he wrote down on registers of time ,

As art numeric numb er more th an c ountless crime

, .

Heard ye that sigh ? it is the sigh of la w ,

T h e grand palladium o f terrestrial right ;

 G E ORG E RI CHA RDS .
29

L ies c rush d

by despotism s T y phre an paw ,

And j ustic e sinks to realms of brooding night

Juries are driven before the rising storm ,
A n d king paid j udges , j udgment s gold rule d b ench deform
-

- .

Are th ere no H a m p den s Pyms who dare to ri s e ,

N O Marvels wh o abhor the D anaen shower ?

Yes R oman patriots crowd these western skies ,

Nor hee d th e scorpion las h of Nimrod power

T emperate yet rm th ey pois e the dubious scales
, ,

But private vic e awhile , o er public good prevails

,

.

Th e mild petition , b old remonstranc e fail ;

Infuriate demons l ust Of power and gold
, ,

(Whos e cheeks ne er t urn d at human mis ery pale )

The reins of government triumphant hold

N e w deeds of wrong and acts rst p en n d in blood ,
,

Howl , as Wild furies o er th e Atlantic ood,
.

Spirit of Wolfe ! and ghost of gallant How e

Was it for this C olumbia s yeome n ble d
,

,

Wh en mid the vale or on the mountain s bro w

,

,

You r arms to d eath or crest plume d victory led ,

,
-

A bold intrepid h ardy rustic train ,

, , ,

Whose life with elder Albion s , dye d th e re eking pl ain

,

.

Lo,
mid the bowers of sweet domestic peac e , ,

In t rus iv e t rea ds th e son of h ate d w a r :

Whilst harpies sworn a bleeding lan d to eec e ,,

Th e merchant trap in iron nets of l a w

T ra de dies away and c ommerc e quits the sh ore ,
Where right to hard ea rn d property , is known no m ore
.
.

-
ie 96 96 -
x

See ravage mark a d esolate d c oast

,
.

Ol d oc ean g roans b eneath the sharks of powe r .

In panoply of steel a Gorgon host, ,

Snu ff blood afar and wait the opening hour ,

Which h url d on L exington th e volleye d storm

,

And onw ard p o ur d, in vengeance life demanding form ,
-
.

Behol d that c urling ame whic h mounts in air ,

T is Charlestown rolling agrant to th e skies
,

H ow deep those groans of agony , despair !

 G E ORG E RI C H ARD S .

Wh at piercing scre ams in W il d discordanc e rise !

Thes e run , those y , t avoid e ncircl ing re ,

G ive one fond look at home , fall down , c onvu l se, expire .

-
-
x at x

Cry n ot ghosts of gallant freemen sl ain ,

t he
H o w lon how long ! ere vengeanc e strikes th e blow
Th e dust ofCharlestown itting o er the plain ,

All el oqu ent ac cuses lou d th e foe

, .

Heavens ! shal l their u nion d voic e a b oon demand ,

A nd r ouse n ot into agonies a m a dd n in g land ?

96
X'

Black in th e south , grim Afria s soot st eep d rac e -

,

L i ft at a ma ster s throat th e sh a rp edged k ni fe

.

R ed in th e north , t he bipe d of t h e ch a se ,
'

Q ua s from em b owell d c aptives streaming li fe ;

Whilst erc e Areskoui frantic res his soul , , ,

An d raging , stam ps t o atoms , mercy s w ine ll d b owl

.

All a ges , s ex es ranks are dooni d th e prey,

,

Of l oosen d h avoc k s ca n n ib alia n h ounds

Cities and v illas melt in ame aw ay :

A nd foul dishonor tramples virgin moun ds
Th e son the sire , t h e hu sband wi fe are kill d
, ,

And Abel s righteous blood , by Cain s rude hand , is sp ill d

.

E tern alJud ge of everl asting right !

Shall thine own image bend b ene ath t he stroke ?
Forbi d it earth forbid it worlds of light !
Oh nerve th e arm , as nature nerves th e oa k ,

Which wh ilst t h e s ou nding axe repe ats th e blow

, ,

Ac quires new strength , an d sc orns the idly threatening foe .

is don e ! the c ounc ils of th e sky decree ,

T
That ancient c ompacts sh al l for ever c e as e
The trump of h e aven it h ails Columbia, fre e ,

As enemies in war ; a s friends in pe ac e ,

, ,

Americ a henc eforth Britannia eyes

, ,

Th e last appe al is lodge d ; it th un ders t o t he skies .

Strong i n relianc e on t he power divin e,

,

U ni t e d Dele gates impress t he seal

Heroes and statesmen , hail ! Y our names sh all shine

On glory s page , when he aven , e arth , oc ean feel, ,
Those chymic res which purge the dros s away ,
And leave c reation s gold impassive of dec ay

.
32 ME RC Y W AR R E N .

W ho ne er c onteste d titles , gold , or plac e

.

E re c omm erc e s w hit en d s ails were wafte d Wi de ,

And every bosom c aught the swelling pride

Of boundless w ealth , s urcharged with endless sn ares,
E xotic follies and destructive c ares ;
,

E re arts or eleganc e or t a st e rened ,

, ,

And tempting l ux ury a ssa il d mankind

There oaks and evergreens , a n d poplar shade s ,

In native b e a u ty , rea r d their c onic heads ;

The purple tinge with golden hu es inwrought,

In dapple d forms as sportive nature taught ;
,

The s ilken foliage op en d throug h the me ad

,

A nd the clear fount in wild me anders pl a y d
B eside Whose gentle murmuring stream th ere stood
T h e humbl e h amlet by the pe as ant trod ,
,

Whose he a rt, un bla c ken d by s o mean a vi c e,

As lust of g old , or c arking avaric e

No guilty bribes his whit en d palm p ossess d

N 0dark s uspicion l urk d W ithin his br e ast

L ove c onc ord pe ace , and piety an d truth ,

, ,

Adorn d grey hairs and dignie d the youth ;

Th ere stingless ple as ures c rown d th e temperate fe ast,

And ruddy health , a c onstant w elc om e guest,

F i ll d up th e c up and smile d at every b oard ,

,

Th e friend and handmaid of her generous lord .

The rosy ng erd m om and noontide ray , ,

The streaked twilight or the evening gray ,

We re p a ss d al ike i n innoc enc e and mirth ,

N o riot gendering slow b ut c ertain death ;

U nclou de d reason guide d a ll their way ,

And virtue s self s at innoce ntly gay .

Th e winge d hours serenely glide d by ,

T ill golden t hus dec k d the w estern sky ;

And wh en en wra pp d in evenin g s sable vest,

And midnight sh adows h ush d the world t o rest,

On the fame d ladde r , whos e extende d b ars ,

From e arth s low s u rfac e rea c h d b eyond th e stars ,

From orb to orb thought re ac h d the airy void

,

Throu gh widen d spac e the b usy mind em ploy d,

While angel guards to w atch his fate were given

Prelusive dreams anticipate d h eaven .

B ut ere the bird of d awn h ad h a il d the day ,

Or warbling songsters c hirp d their early lay ,

Th e grateful h eart its j oyful matins raised ,

And nature s G od in morning anthems pra ised

.

Thu s happy that ideal golden age ,

That lives desc riptive in the poet s p a ge ;
 M E R C Y WARR E N .
33

But now , alas ! in dark oblivion lost,

The son s of Adam k now it to their cost ;
Since Go d forbade the mother of mankin d
To taste the fruit to whic h sh e most incline d
Her ta ste so delic ate rened and nic e
, ,

That the exuberanc e even of Para dis e ,

Th e grassy b anks beside the blue cascad e ,

The w inding streams from Pis on s golden h ead ,

Th e spicy groves on Gi b on s l en g t hen d side

H iddekel s fount Assyria s bloo m ing pride ,

,

The fruits luxuri a nt on E uphrates shores ,

Th e rich profusion that a ll E den pours ,

The s hady dome the rosy v aulte d bower

, ,

And nature dec k d with every fruit and ower

Were ins ufcient, rude a n d incomplete ,

.

For taste ran wanton and the fa ir must e at

,
.

Sinc e whic h th e garden s closely loc k d by fate ,

And aming cherubs guard the e astern gate

This glob e is travers e d round from pole to pole ,

And earth resea rc h d t o nd so rich a dole

As happiness un m ix d th e ph a ntom ies ,

No son of E v e has ever w on the prize .

But nearest those who nearest nature live

, ,

Despisin g all that wealth or po w er c an give ,

Or glittering grande ur w hose false optics plac e,

,

Th e su mm u m bon um on the frailest b as e ;

And if too near the threshold of their door ,

Pride blazes high and clamors loud for more

,

More shinin g pomp more eleganc e and zest

, ,

In al l the w ild variety of taste ;

P eac e and c ontentment are rened away ,

And wo rt h u nble m is h d is the Villain s prey
,

,
.

E asy th e toil and simple is the task ,

,

That yields to man all nature bids him ask ;

And eac h improvement on the author s plan ,

Adds new inquietu des to restless man .

As from simplicity h e deviates ,

Fancy proli fic endless wants create s ;

, ,

Creates new wishes foreign t o the soul

, ,

Ten thousan d passions all the mind control ,

So fast they tre ad behind eac h other s h eels ,

That some new image on the fancy steal s

E re the young embryo h alf its form completes ,

Some new vagary the old plan defe ats ;

Down c omes the Gothic or Corinth ian pile ,

And the new vista wears the Doric style .

The ner arts depopulate and waste ,

34 M E RC Y W ARRE N .

And nations sink by eleganc e and taste

Empires are from their lo fty summits rent,
And kingdoms down t o swi ft pe rdition sent,
By so ft c orrupt renements of th e heart ,
,

Wrought up to vic e b y e ac h deceptive art .

R ome , the proud rm st ress of th e world , displays

A lasting proof of what my pen essay s ;
High wrought renem en t usher d i n replete ,
-

With all the ills that sink a Virtuous state ;

T heir sumptuary laws grown obsolete ,

Th ey , un dl sm a y d, the patriot s frown c oul d meet ;

T heir simple manners lost their c ensors dead ,

Spruc e p etit m a itres o er the forum tre ad .

I w eep those days when gentle Maro sung ,

A nd sweetest strains b edeck d the at t erer s ton gu e ;

When so c orrupt and so rene d the times ,

Th e muse coul d stoop t o g ild a tyrant s crimes .

Then paint and sculpture eleganc e and song, ,

Were th e pursuits of all th e busy throng ;

Whe n sil ken co mmerc e held the golden sc ales ,

E mpire was p urchase d at the p ublic sales

N 0longer live d t he ancient R oman pride ,
Her virtue sic ken d and her glory died

, .

What blotte d out t heL C a rt h a g m ian fame ,

A nd le ft n o trac es b ut an empty name
C ommerc e ! th e sourc e of every narrow vic e ,

And honor , b art er d at a t rivi al pric e

.

By court intrigu es th e Commonwe alth s d isg rac ed ,

'
,

B oth s uet es, and senators debase d

By soft renement, and the love of gold ,

F action and strife gre w e mulous and b old ,

Till restless Hanno urge d his purpose on,

An d Scipio s rival by his arts undone .

From age t o age sinc e Ha n ib al s h ar d fate ,

From C aesar s annals t o the r o dern date

Z ,

When B ru nswic k s rac e sits on the British throne ,

And G eorge s foll y stains his grandsir e s c rown ;

When taste improve d by luxury high wrought,

An d fancy craves what nature never taught ;
Aron t ed vir tue mounts h er native s kies
'

And fre edom s genius li ft s h er bloate d ey es ;

As late I s aw in s able vestments stand

, ,

The weeping fair , on Britain s naked strand .

The cloud capt h ills the ec hoing woods and dales

-
, ,

(Where pious Druids dress d the hallow d val es ;

And wrote their missals on the birchen rind ,

And chante d dirges with t he hollo w win d,)
 TH O MA S D AW E S .

Breathe murmuring si g hs o er that ill fated isle ,

Wrapt in renements both absur d a n d vile .

P rou d Thames des erted h er commercial ports

Se ized and p o ss ess d by hated foreign c ourt s

N 0more the lo ft y ships her marts supply ,

The N eria ds ap their watery W in g s an d die

G ray Neptune rises from his oozy b e d ,

And s hakes the sea weed from his shaggy head

-

He b l d S adie u to fair Britannia s shore

,

The s urge reboun ds a n d all the woodl an ds roar ;

,

His c ourse h e bends to war d the western main ,

T he frowning Titans Join the swelling train ,

Meas ure the deep a n d las h the foaming

,

In haste to hail the brave Columbia free

Oc ean rebounds an d earth reverberates
, ,

And heaven conrms the indepen dent states ;

While time rolls on a n d mig hty kingdoms fail
, ,

They peac e a nd freedom on their heirs enta il

, ,

Till virtue s inks and in fa r d istant times

, ,

Dies in the vortex of E uropean crimes .

T H O MA S D A WE S

W a s born in Boston in 1757 and was e duc ated for the la w

, .

He was appointe d a J udge of the Supreme Court in 1792 .

This station he re signed in 180 2 and w a s t hen made J udg e

,

of Probate for t h e c ounty of Su ffolk and Ju dge of the Mn ,

'

n ic ip a l Court in Boston Th e form er oice h e retaine d till

.

his death in J uly 182 5 He wrote some pieces of occ asional

.

poetry in the early part of his li fe .

THE L AW GIVE N AT S INAI .

THROUGH heaven s high courts t he trump eternal roars

L i ft up your he ads ye everlasting doors

And wait t h e Go d of gods l L o at th e sound , ,

Wide y the portals blazing al l around

,
.

And s ee he comes ! adown the rending skies ,

36 TH OMAS DAW E S .

Borne on t h e whirlwind s rapid win g he ies ,
Cherub and s eraphim prepare his way ,

Black thunder rolls a n d h v1d lightni ngs play .

He aven s radiant how his awful head arrays

,

His fac e the sun s reful g ent be am dis plays

Beneath h is feet th e a v en g m g bolts are h url d

,

The avenging bolts th at sh ake a guilty world .

Sounds but his dre ad command wh en do w n they y , ,

The deep m o ut h d thunder rends the vaulte d sky ;

-

All nature trembles as th ey issu e do wn ,

De ep groans the e arth h er utmost regions groan ,

.

And 10 on Sinai s top desc ends the Go d

,

,

That wrapt in tempest trembled as he trod ,

.

Flame smoke , and whir l wind clothe its awful brow

, ,

While earthquake heaves the g roaning base b elow .

Tremendous scene oh how shall men withstand, ,

When Go d in thunder gives the world c ommand !

And hark ! the trumpet s intermitte d sound

R oars from the mount and shakes all nature round .

I a m th e King of Kings the L or d of all

, ,

At w hose dread shrine even G ods in honor fall

By w hom c reation rose divm ely fair , ,

Who form d the stars a n d la un c h d them in the air

,

Whose mighty n o d the rough tumultuous se a ,

The whirl wind s sweep and ren dm g bolt obey

, .

I speak an d 10ten thous and thun ders roll

1 breath e an d ligh tn ing gleams from pole to pole .

The Almi g hty is my name a t m y c ommand

Thic k d arkness rose that v ei l d the Memphian land
.

E mp o we r d by me your leader smote the main

, ,

And c all d up plag ues that p oison d all their plain ;

Th at e en th e earth and air which gave them b irth , ,

Conspired and smote them with enormous death .

I spake the word asunder J ordan ro de

, ,
That Israel o er its dry foundations trod

.

E g ypt pursue d I bade the s a me dread wave

,

R oll b ack and w h elm their m l ll ion s in a grave

, .

Twas said the raging elements c ombine d

,
T h e rushing tempest and the warring wind
Till own d too late a God s s uperior pow er

,
They sunk in depths and s unk to rise no more !,

Still w ould ye have the assistanc e of th at God

Continued throu g h a life s perplexing road

Th at when at last the he avens and earth expire ,

And nature rolls in one devouring re ,

Ye might in tr ansport vie w the a dva n cm g hour ,

 T H OMA S DA WE S .
37

In tran sport hear the last dread thunders roar ;

Then l ik e the d ay emerging from the glo om ,

Arise to ourish in eternal bloom

With due resp ec t wit h holy a we receive
,

T hose institutions which your Go d w ill give

For this he tr od the un hallow d real ms below
,

In all the po mp the powers of heaven c ould show .

-
x ae as it

Thus spake the L egislator of th e sky

And earth s long shore s return the loud reply

.

P e al push d on peal t h e doubling thunders roar

, ,

Bellow the w inds the a m y lightnings glare .

it 9 0 R

96

Such shall the scen e b e at th at dreadful tim e ,

Wh en the last tr ump sh al l soun d his wrath sublime

That po t ent trump which every head shall c all
From eac h dark chamber of the bursting ball .

Then at the am es which in his nostrils glow ,

The everlasting hills in stre am s shall o w
The a ffrighted sun sh all from yon arch retire ,

Shook from his sphere and help the general re , .

Yon moon in blood ! then every star sh all fall ,

I n ru de combustion o er a aming b al l

Creation s unk and al l G od s thunder h url d

,

Down on the wrecks of e ach expiring world .

B ut where s the muse b ehold the Almig

The whirlwind b ears him up the aming s kies .

Follow harmonious al l the tuneful choir ,

Sweet c oncert sw eepin g from the swellin g lyre .

Such notes as at creation s birt h they s ung

,
When heaven s broad arch with hall eluj ahs rung

Hark a t the strain the enraptured spheres reboun d ;

And laboring ech o lengthens o ut the sound .

L ift up your heads celestial gates ! they sin g
,

And s ee they ope n to rec eive the king .

The expecting host their loudest acc ents rais e

E ternal God h ow glorious are thy ways
,

O for some great some more than angel son g

, ,
To speak t h e praises w hich to thee belong !
Imagination faints on this great sc ene
Thou ght is too low and maj esty t oo mean
,

So gre at t hy condescension thus to own

Vile m an the m eanest prostrate at thy thron e
,

May from his grateful altar ever rise

A glad perfume of incense to the skies .

V OL . 4
 38 R I CH ARD D EVE NS .

R IC H A R D D E V E N S

W a sborn at Charlestown , Massachusetts , October 2 3d, 1749 .

He dis played in early life s uc h a passion for letters as to induc e

his father t o give him a c oll egiate educ ation He wa s sent t o
.

Princ eton college in 1764 and receive d a degree in 1768 The

, .

thre e following years he spent i n te achin g sch oo ls in Ne w

Jersey and New York ; aft er whic h h e w a s appointe d tutor
and professor of mathematics at P rinc eton c ollege He ex er .

c is ed th e d uties O f thes e o ce s till 1774 when in cons equenc e

,

of t o o intens e applic ation to his studi es he fe ll into a state of

,

mental derangement, in which he h as c ontinued fr om his 2 4t h

year to the present day .

He wrote a P ar aphr as e of a part of th e Book of Job , pub ~

lished in 1773 and s ubsequ ently in 1795 with alterations

, .

WH O S E art where hum an foot ne er acc ess found
, ,

Adorns in wild diversity th e ground ?

, ,

Makes lonely wal ks to bloom c onfusedly gay ,

And wi t h ric h fragranc e to perfume the day

Through all her lately ourishing increase ,

When vegetation droops c anst thou rele as e ,

From w asting drou ght the summer ? W l ll the r ai n

R us h at thy bid ding , down in oods amain ?
When the black clouds t h impetuou s torrent po ur ,

Canst thou in middle deluge stop t he shower ?

-

Whose thunder when erc e ames the welkin wrap ,

,

Stuns nature s e ar with the tremendous clap ?

Didst thou th e r ainb ow x ? its hues impart

Those hues that dista nc e the exploits of art ?
Who generates the h oary frost ? and who
Bespan g les morning with his orient dew
Hath mi st a sire ? c anst th ou congeal the m ai n
From whom desc end the pearly streams of r ain ?
Dost thou ordain th e seasons o f th e ye ar
And govern all the c h an ges o f the ai r ?
W ho gives th e live green earth its vernal hue ?
-

Dost thou the odor of the elds renew ?

R ipen th e harvest ? drive the eastern blast ?
An d lay th e opulenc e of autumn w as te
4 0 S AM U E L DE XT ER ;

With darting h aste behold h er ample siz e , ,

Full to th enjoy d thou g h dist a nt Victim hie s

,
C ouc h d horrid now she nim bly hovers o er

Her untorn prey in raptures of its gore

, .

Back to her nest she shapes her upward i ght,

Her you n g s uc k up the blood , With dir e delight
'

S A MU E L D E X T E R ,

BORN 1761 . Died 1816 .

Mr Dexter s biography b elongs to a department distinc t
from that of poetry As a statesman an d lawyer a m an of
.
,

profound intellec t, and splendi d powers Of el oquence , he c lai ms

no ordinary notic e , y et as he never aimed at distin c t ion in the
c haracter of a poet we th in k it unnec essary to introduc e an y
,

details of his life her e Th e l in es whic h follow are from a

.

piec e wr itten in his youth , an d delivere d at a public

at Harvar d College .

TH E PR OGRE S S OF S C IENC E .

LE Tmartial souls whom wild ambition warms , ,

The trumpet s clangor and rude din of arms ,

P oint out the path Victorious heroes trod ,

Th e pest of nations an d t h e scourge of God ,

Mine b e the task in humbler vers e to trac e

,

The real greatnes s of t he human rac e .

Though r ude and savage Afric s sons we nd ,

Yet there rst scienc e da wn d upo n mankind ,

There c urb d the passions in perpetu al strife,

And there b egat the so ft er arts of life .

Blest b y kind nature with a generous soil ,

That yielded h erbage though not dress d with toii ,

,

In philosophic ease they p a ss d their years ,

And wa t c h d the motions of t h e rollin g sphere s

.

Their modest w ants plain nature c oul d re dress ,

Arid sc ience gave them rural happine ss .

E gypt beh eld her twilight s fainter ray,
 S AMUE L D E XT E R .
4l

And form d fond hopes of h er meridian day ;

When 10! ,
nic ra g e u surp d the whole
,

And c ramp with fetters each high s w ell ing soul

.

D isorder d fancy superstition bre d ;

She cla pp d her wings and thought her foe was de a d

,

Yet sh e but ed to gain in happy Greec e , ,

What E g ypt had denied her rural peac e .

T h e G reci a n so uls fo rm d Of the subtlest kind

,

,

In freedom n urtured st ren g t hen d and rened ,

,

Quic k c a t ch d the ame it ra n from soul to soul

,

And like electric re inspired t h e whole ,

.

Here poets sang and rhetoricians plead , ,

Here statesmen s at, a n d patriot worthies bled .

Ah blindness to the future ! he adlon g t os s d

,

They g ra s p d the shadow but th e substanc e lost

,
.

G reec e led her armies Troy s hi g h w al ls to raze ;

The city shook an d tottered to its base ,

At lengt h it fell but from its ruins ros e

A va g rant band to subj ugate th eir foes .

Imperial R ome t he mistress of the world , ,

Towns cities kin gdo m s in to ru in hurl d

, ,

,

And reig n d s upreme alone Greece felt her forc e ,

.

Nor st e m m d the torrent in its rapid cours e

All victims fell to its resistless rage ,

The rou g h Barbarian a n d the Grecian sage , .

Arde nt t h e R omans G recian scienc e view d

,

Nor s c orn d to learn of those they had s ub dued ;

They rea ch d the same sublimit Of thought,

And those who learn ed equall those wh o taught

, ,

,
.

There god like Homer rea r d his a w ful he ad

,
Here Virgil sang and h ere great Tully plead , .

As when some mi g hty t orrent swoln with r ain, ,

F alls r ushin g dashing till it meets the plai n ,

, ,

O er craggy rocks bends its resistless force

,
From cli ft to cli ft loud thundering in its c ourse
So did the Athenian patriotic rave ,

And taught his co untry to be nobly brave .

Not so the R oman As the ancient Nile .

G lides smoothl y on within its banks a while

Slo w gradu al rising then o ersp re a ds the plain ,
, , ,
And a dds all E gypt to th e s welling main ;
So sy ren Tul ly onward g ent lyrolls ,
E nchants enraptures and s ub dues our souls
, , .

Behold far north the gath ering tempest rise ,

R ushing impetuous , as th e whirlwind fli es ;
V OL . n . 4*
42 S AMUE L n ax r s n .

T owns , ci t ies ,
kingdoms from their b asis fall ,
And one wide ruin overwhelms t hem al l .

E ternal R ome sinks to the common grave ,

Bursts like a b ubble d ancing on the w ave ,

,

Fl ies off in smok e and r ules the world no more

,

Oh ! blush then e arthly grandeur ! pageant power !

,

Age a ft er age in one sad tenor ran ,

A blank a chasm in the pa e of man .

Men drudged their lab or d a ln ess t o rehearse ,

T o form an anagram or e g in verse ; ,

Th ey stie d genius with p e antic rul es ,

And l a b or d h ard to prove th an th ey wer e fool s

.

N O mighty task though l a b or d in s o long

,

,

E ach line was proof was demonstration strong ;

,

And men Oh dulness to perfection brought !

,

Blush d t o b e guilty of a noble thought

.

Yet in this gloom did R oger B ac on ris e ,

L ike l ightn ing ashing th rou gh the cloude d skies ,

He burst the b arrie r of pedantic rules ,

And all the lab or d j argon of t h e sch ools

.

As forked lightnings with their hasty light

, ,

Serve b ut to show the horrors of the night ;

S O h e b ut show d the dulness of th e age ,

A stain a blot upon t h h istoric pa e .

As when c old Z em b la wrapt in dar est shade

, ,

F irst sees t h e sun erect his radiant h ead,

In gratitude to the b enignant power ,
They gather round and Persian like ador e ; -

H e gives them light, not only light b ut heat ; ,

Warms with new life an d makes th at life c omplete

, .

The expanding blossoms sm ile on every clod ,

And laughin g valley s own t h e present Go d ;
L oud hymns of praise the fea t her d trib es employ

,

And savage b e asts ho wl th eir tremendous joy .

 8T WOR N H ON E YW O OD .

ST J O IDV H O N E Y W O O D
-

W a s born at Le icester, in M assa ch usetts, in 1765 His .

parents died in his youth , and le ft him without resources ; but

through the g enerosity of some in divi d ual s , he was place d in a
L atin schoo l at L ebanon in Conn ecticut, and from thenc e
transferred t o Yal e College , where he bec ame a favorite of
Dr Stiles , the president, and received much ass istanc e from
him . He was dis tinguished at c ollege for his superior c l assi
c al attainments A ft er completing his studies, he went t o t e
.

side at Sc henectady , in New York, where he continued about

two year s as Precepto r t o an Ac ademy He then remove d t o .

Albany and studie d law A ft er be ing ad m itted t o th e b ar b e

.

x e d his residenc e at Sal em , in the county of Washington , and

there pas se d the remainder of hi s l ife He w as made a Mast er
.

in Chancery , b ut resigne d the of ce on be in g appointed Clerk

of the c oun ty
"

. He was on e of the Electors of the President

when Adams succeede d Was hington He die d Septemb er .

l st , 1798, in his 34t h year .

ON THE PRE S IDENT S FARE WE L L A DD RE S S .

As th e r ud e Z em blian v iews with anxious eye s

The sun fast rolli ng o m h is w intry skies
'

W hile gathering clouds th e shade d vaults deform ,

An d holl ow w in ds announc e the impendin g storm '

,

His an g uis h d soul rec oil s With wild a rig ht ,
From th e dread horrors of the tedio us ni ght ;

Suc h fears alarm d su ch gloom o erc ast each min d ,

When Was hin gton his sacred trust resig n d,

And ope n d to his much love d country s view ,

The ins tructive page which bid th e long adieu .

S O erst N u n n ides , of prophetic tongue ,

Chief victor seer to J udah s liste ning throng,

,

G ave his last bless ings : So long ages sinc e,

M ild Solon and the stern L aconian princ e ,
Those boasts of fame the ir parting c ounse ls gave,
,

When worn with toil they sought t he pe ac e ful grave .

44 ST J OH N n o n s r woon .

Col umbians long preserve that pe erless pag e,

S t a m p d with th e prec epts of our warrior sage

In all your archives b e the g enroll d,

'

Suspend it to your walls enc as e d w ith gold ;

Bid schools recite it let the priestly train
,

Chant it on fes t al days nor deem t h e task profane

,

When round your knees your infant O ffspring throng ,

T O j oin the matin prayer or evening song ,

Thos e rites p erform d invite them to attend

,
The farewell c ounsels of their good old ien d ,

And say h e le ft you as his last bequest

, , ,

These g olden rules to make a nation blest

0land th ric e blest if to thy interest w is e
.

, , ,

Thy senates learn this precious boon to priz e

While g uilty E urope s blood s ta in d empires fal l
-

,

While heaven incensed lets loose the infuriate Gaul ,

Th states in phal an x rm a sacre d b a nd , ,

S a e from the mighty wreck unm ove d shall stand .

0
9

Beh old th e man ! ye crown d and erm ine d train ,

And le arn from him the royal art to reign ;

No gu a rds surround him or his walks infest, ,

N O cuirass meanly shi elds his noble breast ;

His the defenc e which despots ne er can nd
,

The love the prayers the interest of mankind

, ,
.

Ask ye what spoi ls his far famed arms have won ,

What cities s a c k d what hapless re alms undone

,

Though Monm outh s eld supports no vulgar fame

,

Though capture d York shal l long preserve his n ame ,

I quote n ot these a nobler sc ene b ehold ,

Wide cultured el ds fast ripening into gold !

There as his toil the cheerful peasant plies
, ,

New m arts are opening a n d ne w spires aris e ; ,

He re c ommerc e smiles a n d there en g ro up e ar e seen

, ,

The useful arts and those of sprightlier mien

To cheer the w hole t h e Muses tune their lyr e
, ,
And Independence leads t h e white robe d c hoir .

Trophies like thes e, to vul gar minds unknown ,

Were sought and prize d by W ashin g ton alon e ,

From these with all his coun try s honors crown d

,

,
As sage in counc ils as in arms ren own d ;

All of a piece and faithful to th e l ast,

,

G reat in this action as in all the pas t,

He turns and urges as his last request ,

R emote from power his weary h ead to rest .

I llustrious m an , adieu ! yet ere we part,

 S T J OH N H ONE YW O O D .

F orgive our factions which have wrung thy he a rt ;

Still with ind ulgent eyes thy c ountry see ,

Whose ceaseless prayers ascend the heavens for thee

G o , mids t the shades of tranquil Vernon stray

,

In vain att empt to shun the pierc ing ray

Of c irc um arn b ien t glory ti ll rene d ,

All that could clog to earth the he aven lent mi nd , -

The n soar tri umphant to the blest abodes ,

And join those ch iefs whom virtue raised to gods .

ON THE C A P TURE OF R OME B Y T H E FRENC H .

ON R ome
s devote d h ead t h e bolt descends ;
The prou d Oppressor s long dominion en ds

Spirits of martyrs pure if aught ye k no w ,

In the bri ht re al ms of bliss of things belo w

Join the glad h y mn of triumph ye wh o stood
, ,

Firm for the faith and s e al d it With your blood

,

.

N 0more shall R ome disturb t h e world s repose

'

Q uen c h d is her torch a n d blood no longer ows

C rush d is the fe ll destroy er in her turn

,

And the free d world i n s ults h er hate d urn

0Truth divine thou choic est g i ft of Go d !
.

Man s guide and solac e in this drear abode
Plain was th y garb and lovely w as thy mien ,
,

When usher d by the spotless Nazarene

From shouting cro w ds a n d p a geantry he ed ,

T O the lone desert or the pauper s shed

There tau ght his humble followers to desp ise

All that t h e proud a ffect, or w orldlings priz e
Truly he gave to man s repentant rac e
'

,

The peerless tre as ures of his sovereign grac e

Yet b ade no r es descen d no thunders roll , ,

To forc e his bounty on the wayw ard soul .

Join then c elestial Truth the g lad acclai m ;

, ,

C r us h d is the prou d us urper of thy name ;

Who rst with blood thy snow white robes dist ain d -

,

And with vain pomp thy holy rites profane d .

46 S T J OH N H ONE YW O OD .

M ODE RN AR GUMENTATI ON * .

T wa

at C om m en cem en t tide so goes the tal e ,
s ,

At Harvar d D artmouth P rinceton King s , or Yale,
, , ,

A c andidate for lea rnin g s prime degree
Propos ed this q uestion to the fa c ulty
This horse will always from a tan yar d y, -

While that unmoved a tan yard passes by ;

, ,
-

Which is the wiser hors e say le arned s ir s, , ,

?
The one that starts or he that never stirs ,

The question thus propose d and understood ,

P ro mor e s olit o debate e ns ue d ,

.

96 it

Th e starting advoc ates this tr uth premise

That of all exc ellenc e b elo w the skies
,

Man is the standard h enc e, wh ene er w e nd

In b e asts o r birds strong semblanc e to manki n d ,

We count it worth and are w ell please d t o se e

,

In instinct au g ht that apes humanity .

E x emp li g ra ti a w ho sinc e time b e g an ,

, ,

E er h urt the bird that buil ds her nest with man ?

If Mrs iry though involved i n debt

, ,

P aid ten bright dollars for a paroquet ,

And for a monkey six th e c ause w e know ,

This tal k d th at ut t e r d like her favorite b eau

,

,

Yet the s ame lady loathe d the s erpent s form

A nd c a ll d for hartshorn if she s aw a worm

Now to apply th is reasonin g to our c as e ,

We deem him worthiest of the human rac e

Who at the mention of atrocious deeds
, ,

Starts bac k W ith horror a n d with pity ble eds ,

.

But the vile miscreant whose s upreme delight ,

Is plac e d in havoc an d in sc enes of ght,

Who rudely revels in t h e house of w o ,

We hate a n d blush th at man c an sin k s o lo w

, .

Why starts the steed whene er a tan yar d s spied ,

-

B ut that he sees a bro ther s reekin g hide ?

Here then they s ay a strong resemblan c e lies

, , ,

E rg o the horse that starts is qu a si w ise
, .

-
x it ee

Ay , b ut man and h ors e this rule extends

to ,

The means must b e s ubservie nt to the ends .

Wh at s the chief end of horse

his lord to pleas e -
,

To b e ar his w eight with saf ety sp eed and eas e , ,

W rit ten ez t cmp or a, i

w t h a p enc , w hi il le t he a ut h or was riding with A friend,
whose horse st a rt ed o n p ass ing a t.a n -
y a rd .
48 RO YALL TYLE R .

a re very numerous The gre ater part of them r st app ear ed

.

in the F armer s Muse um , a paper of high c elebrity publishe d

a t Walpole in New Hampshire Tyler wa s the associate of

.

Dennie its e ditor an d c ontrib ute d many of the b est art icles in
, ,

that j ournal He was al so th e author of the Algerine Captive

. ,

a n ovel of great merit and interest which passe d with some ,

re aders in E ngland for a story of real life A c ritic of that .

c ountry as we are informed undertook to show th at it c ontain

, ,

ed some errors in point of fact In addition t o these works he

.

publishe d a collection of legal c ases in two volumes 8v o en ,

title d Vermont R eports .

His poems are lively and entertaining b ut we are not ac ,

qua in t e d with any one among , them of magnitude They are .

short unstudie d s allies of a sprightly fancy .

C OUNTR Y ODE F O R THE F OURT H OF J UL Y

.
.

S QU E a x the fe and b eat the drum ,

,

Independenc e da y is c ome
L et the roasting pig b e bled ,

Quic k twist Off t h e c ockerel s head ,

Quickly rub the pew ter platter ,

H eap the n ut c a kes frie d in butter

, .

Set the c ups and be ak er glass

, ,

The pumpkin and the apple sauc e ,

Send th e ke g to shop for brandy
Mapl e sugar we h ave h andy .

Independent staggering D ick ,

,

A noggin mix O f swingeing thick ,

S al p ut on your russet skirt,
,

J otham get your boug ht en shirt

, ,

Today we danc e to tiddl e diddle .

Here c omes Sambo wi t h his ddle

;
Sambo tak e a dr am of whiskey
, ,
And play up Yank ee doodle frisky .

Moll c ome leave your witc he d trick s

, ,
An d let us have a reel of six .

Father and mother shal l make t wo ;

S al Moll and I stan d all a row
,
-
,

S ambo play an d dance W ith quality ;

,

This is the day o f blest equ ality .

 R OYALL T YLE R .

F ather and m ot her are but men ,

An d S amb a i ns a c i tiz en

-
.

Come foot it , Sal Moll , gure in ,

And moth er u danc e up to him ;
,
N ow s aw as t as e er you can do,

And father on cross o er to Sambo

,

anc e and thus we play ,

Thus we
,

On glorious Independent day .

R ub more rosin on your bow ,

And let us have another g o .

Z ounds ! a s s ure as e ggs and b ac on,

Here s ensign Sneak an d uncle D e acon , ,

Aunt Thiab and their Bets behind her

, ,

On blundering mare than beetle blinder ,

.

And there 9 the Squire too with his lady

,

S al hold th e be ast I 11take th e b aby

, ,

.

Moll bring the Squire our great arm ch ai r

,

,

G ood folks w e t e glad to see y ou her e

,

.

Joth a m, get the gre at c ase bottle ,

Your teeth c an pul l its corn cob stopple - .

E nsign Deaco n never min d ;

, ,

Squ ire drink until y o u re blind

,

.

Thus we dr ink and danc e away ,

This glorio us Indepe ndent day !

M Y MI S TRE S SE S .

LE T Cowley soft in amorous ve rse

Th e rovings Of his love rehe arse ,
With passion most u nr uly ,

Boast how he woo d sweet Amoret ,

T h e sobbing J ane and sprightly Bet , ,

The lily fair and s mart brunette ,

In sweet succ ession truly .

But l ist ye lovers and on 11swear
, , ,

I roved w ith him beyon compare ,

And was far more unlucky .

F o r never yet in Yankee c oas t

Were found suc h girls who so c ould ,

An honest lover s he art to roast ,
From C asco t o Kentucky .

When rst t he girls nicknamed me be au ,

And I wa s all for dress and show ,

VOL . l l. 5
 ROYALL TYLE R .

I set m e out a c ourti ng .

A romping miss W ith he e dl ess art ,,

First c au ht, th en almos t brok e my h ear ts

Miss Con d
,

uct name d ; we soon did part,

I did n ot l ike suc h sporting .

The n ext c oqu ette who r ai se d a am e, ,

Was far more grave and s omewhat lam e , ,

She in my h eart did rankl e .

She c on quer d with a su dden glanc e
,

The spiteful slut w as c all d M i ss C hanc e ;

I took the gipsy out t o dan c e

She al most brok e my ank l e .

A thou ghtless girl, just in her teens ,

Was the next fair whom love it see ms ,

Had made me priz e mo st h ighly .

I thought t o court a lovely mate ,

But, how it made my heart t o ache ;
It w as that j ade , the Vile Miss Take
In troth , love did it slyly .

And last Mi ss Fortune wh imp e ring c am e, ,

Cured me of love s tormentin g ame ,

And all my b eau pretenc es .

In widow s wee ds , the prude appe ars
See now she drowns me with her tears,
With bony st, now slaps my e ars ,
And b ring s me t o my sens es

ADD RE S S T O DE L L A C RU S CA .

O T n o u , who with thy blue ce rule a n blaz e,

,

H ast circled E urope s brow wi t h love lorn pr aise ; -

Whose magic pen its gelid ligh t ning throws ,

Is n o w a sunb eam now a fra g ra n t rose
, .

Child of t he dapple d spr ing whos e gr ee n delight, ,

Drinks with her snow drop lip s th e dewy light

,
-
, .

Son of the s um mer s bland prolic rays , ,

Who sheds her lo ft iest tre as ures in t h lays ;

Who swell s he r golden lips t o trump n ame ,
Which sinks t o whispers at thy azure ame , .

Brown autumn nursed thee with her d ul cet dews,

And lurid winter roc k d t hy cradled m us e
.

S e asons and suns and Spangle d syste ms r oll ,

,

L ik e atoms vast, bene ath thy cloud c apt soul -

.
 ROYALL TYLE R .
51

Time wings its panti ng i ght in h urried ch ase ,

B ut s inks in dew dropt lan g uor in the i mmorta l race .

0thou wh os e soul the nooky Brita i n ac orn s ;

,
Whos e white cliffs tremble when thy ge ni us storms ,
.

The sal lo w Afn c w ith her c urle d domains ,

,

And purpled Asia With her muslin plains ,

And sur g y E urope vain thy soul conned ,

Which lls all spac e a n d e e n Matilda s rm n d

Ann a s c a p a c io us mind whic h all agree

'

, ,

C on t a in d a wilderness of words in thee

.

More happy thou th an Mac edonia s lord ,

Who wept for worlds to fee d his fa m ish d sword

,

Fatigued by attic c onquest of the Ol d ,

Fortune to thee a novel world unfolds .

Come mighty conqueror thy foes dispers e

, ,

L et loose thy epithets thos e dogs of verse ,

Draw forth thy gorgeous sword of da m a sk d rhyme

,

And ride triumphant through Columbia s clime ,

Till sober lett er d s ens e shall dying smile ,

Before the mi g hty magic O f thy style .

What ta wny tribes in dusky forest wait ,

T o grac e t h ovation of thy victor state

.

What ochred chiefs v erm ilion d by thy sword ,

,

Ma rk d by thy epithets shall o wn thee lord

,
.

The punic Creek and n ig rie d Choctaw , ,

The high b one d Wab as h and bland h an gi n g Maw ; ,

G reat little Billy Pi a m i n g o brave , ,

With pity s dew drops w et M Gilv e ry s grave

-

.

What sonorous streams meander throu g h thy lays ,

What lakes shall bless t h rich b equest of prais e

R ough H oc kh oc k in g a n dg entle Chic ago
,
,

, ,
The twin Miamis placid Scioto .

H ow will Ohio roll his lordly stream ,

What blue mists danc e upon the liquid scene ,

G o ds ! ho w sublime shall D ella Crusca rage ,
W hen al l Niagara c atarac ts thy page .

Wh at arts what arms unknown to thee belong ?

, ,

What ruddy sc alps shall dec k thy sanguined song ?

What fumy c a l m et s scent the ambient air ,
What love lorn war whoops c apitals declare
- -
.

Cerulean tomahaw ks shall g rac e each l ine ,

And blue eyed wampum glisten throu g h thy rhyme
-
.

R ise D ella Cr usca princ e Of bar ds subli me

, , ,
And pour on us whole c ataracts of rhyme .

Son of the s un aris e w hose brightest rays

, , ,
All merge to tapers in thy ignite blaze .
52 R OYALL TYL E R .

L ike s om e c olossus stride the Atlantic o er

,

,

A leg of genius plac e on either shore ,

Ext end thy re d right arm to either world

Be the prou d standard of thy s t y le un furl d ;
'

P roclaim thy sounding page fr om shor e to sho r e

, ,

And swear tha t sense in vers e sh all b e no mor e ,

.

C H O I CE OF A W IFE .

FL UTTE R ING lovers giddy boys , ,

Sighing so ft for Hymen s j oys

,

Wo ul d you shun the trick in g arts ,

Beauty s traps for youthful hearts

,

Would y o u treasure in a wife ,

R iches , w h ich shall last through life ;

you in your c hoic e be nic e ,

Hear Minerva s sage advice

.

Be not c au ght with shape , nor air ,

Coral lips nor owing hair ;

,

Shape and j aunty air may cheat,

Coral lips may speak deceit .

G irls unm as k d w oul d you descry,

Fix your fancy on the ey e ;

Nature there has truth desig n d
,

T is the eye that sp eaks the min d

,
.

Shun the proud disdainful eye ,

,

Frownin g fancie d dignity ,

Shu n the eye with vac ant glare

C ol d in diff erenc e winters there .

Shun the e ager orb Of re ,

Gloating With impur e desire ;

Shun the W ily eye O f prude ,
L ooking c oy to b e p ursued .

From the jiltin g e e refrain ,

Gla n c in l ove an now disdain

, .

Fly the erce , satiric eye ,

Shooting keen severity ;

For nature thus her truth des ig n d
,

And made the eye proclaim t he mind .

ON A RUINE D H OU SE IN A R OMANT I C C OUNTRY .

AN D this re ft house is that t h e w hic h h e buil t,

L amente d Jac k ! and here his malt he piled ,
 ROYALL TYL ER .

C autious in vain ! these rats that squeak s o wild ,

Squeak , not unconscious of their father s guil t

.

Did ye not see her gleaming through the glade !

Belike t was she the maiden al l forlorn
,

,
.

What thou g h she milk n o cow with crumple d horn ,

Yet aye , she haunts the dale where erst she stra y d ;
,

And aye beside her stal ks her amorous knight !

, ,

Still on his thighs their wonte d brogues are w orn ,

And through those brogues still t at t er d a n d b e t orn ,

,

His hindward charms gleam an unearthly White ;

As when thro ugh broken clouds at night s high noon
P eeps in fair fragments forth the full orb d harvest moon !

THE T OIVN E C L OGUE .

SE E ,
se e blu ff winter quits the town
, ,

A nd congees With her surly frown :

In her train the beldame c arries
All s weet fashion s gay vagaries ;

Her c ork soled shoes and b onnet rough ,

-
,

Her c amel sh awl a n d bearsk in mu ff , ,

Her beaver gloves and eec y dress ,

R e d comforter an d silk pelisse

And what is wors e the beldame s stole ,

Of all our bliss the very soul ,

H as stole the concert play an d b all ; , ,

An d what is still the worst of all ,

Has Cooper sto l e a n d with him ed , ,

And le ft us in his stead .

the town bre d Sprin g a dva n c in

-

F riend to grass and foe to danc ing ,

See adorn her lovely tresses

Cabbage sprouts and water cresses
While for plume th e hoyden lass ,

Sports a b unch of sparrow grass -

.

Se e bene ath her market wre ath ,

,

She smil es her dandelion teeth ;

\W hil st With voic e as sweet or s weeter
, ,

Than Billings strains or S t ern hold s metre
,
With vo ic e which music c a nnot ape h er ,
L ike ni ghtingale or Mrs Draper ,
She cheers her p a nn ier d mare and scre am s

Her strawberries and fresh string b eans : -

Or whilst her one wheel d c hariot rattl es ,

,

She b awls her epic urean chatt els ;

VOL . 11. 5*
54 RI C H ARD ALS OP .

Her S helly stores from old Cape Cod ,

Her mackerel lobsters and tom cod

, ,
-

Or in her awning stalls dis plays

, ,

Her tempting l ures to hungry gaze

Her lusc ious sto res of sh fowl esh , , ,

Her salmon smoked and salmon fresh ;

Cod s tong ues and sounds and smelt an d eel

, , ,

C alves fe et and he a d and pluck and veal

, ,

Far rich er owers than rural spring

From al l her scented hoards c an bring .

For c an the rose s gayest dye

With s almon soused in beauty vie

Or c an the rose s sweetest smell

Vie with a fresh c aught mac kerel ?

Her rustic c oz let others s ing ,

But let m e taste th e to wn bred Spr ing -

.

Close by h er side see W s mil e ,

That critic in dumb sh and o il ,

Who thinks there s h eaven in good di nners

,
And hell is fill d with hungry Sinners

.

Clos e by her side the g lutton stands '

,
And takes his sn u and r ubs his hands, ,
With critic nos e assays her trash ,

And lic ks his lips and pays the c ash .

R IC H A R D A L SO P .

R IC HAR D AL S O P was b orn at Middletown , in Conn ectic ut ,

in 1759, and resided in that plac e during the most of his life .

He was bre d to the merc antile profession b ut devote d hims elf ,

occ asion al ly to letters from a native taste for t h e pursuit His

,
o
.

obj ect in writing appears to have b een amusement rather th an

dis tinc tion as few of his productions were given t o th e world
,

under his name His works are numero us , and embrac e a

.

great variety of s ubj ects He published vari ous translations

.

from the French and Italian ; among others a portion of Ber ,

ui s Orlando Inamorato which was printe d in 180 8 under t he

, ,

title of The Fairy of th e E nchanted L ake He le ft a large .

number of unpublishe d works behind him, one of them a poem

56 R IC H AR D AL S OP .

i ons . This turne d the c onversation upon the ab s urd an d con

c eit ed pro ductions with whic h most of the newspapers of that

day were lled ; a n d th e notion wa s suggeste d of ridic uling

this bad taste by versifying some extravagant piec e of that
s ort. The Boston thunder storm was xe d upon ; e ach c on -

t ribute d a few lines and a c onsiderable part of t h e work was

,

soon exec uted Alsop took th e writing home gave it a few

.
,

nishing strokes an d sent it to the e ditor of the Hartford paper

,
.

The performanc e w as happil y exec ute d The solemn bomb ast .

an d bathos o f the gazetteer s el oquence were dresse d out in a

gure of the most ludicrous c ut, and the public were so much
entertained as to induce the authors to execute other pieces in
t h e same strain Hopkins Trumb ull and oth ers soon uni te d
.
, , ,

in th e b usiness the work gaine d an extensive noti ce , and the

,

appellation o f the Hartford wits b ec ame a widely known
and honorable designation .

The novelty of the plan and the hi g h de gre e of talent which

,

t h e writers of the work brou g ht to th e undertaking were sin ,

g ul arly e ffec tual in accomplishing the designe d obj ec t The .

E cho obtained great inuence No scheme c oul d h ave b een

.

devised better tte d for c asting derision upon th e wordy and

bomb astic nonsens e so c ommon in th e newspaper eli usions of

that period The plan of the work w as soon extended From

. .

'

ridic ul ing a ec ta t ions of style , th e writers p asse d t o a wider

eld for the exerc is e of their s atiric weapons and levelle d their ,

s h a ft s ag ainst th e political doctrines of which they were oppo

neuts , for party dissens ions had begun t o w ax warm The .

E cho soon bec ame principally occ upied in responding tr aves

ti es of public speeches an d writings of a political c ast It
, .

to ok sides W ith th e Feder al party and inve ig h ed ze alously ,

ag ai ns t the principles of the French revolution , an d Mr J ef

fers on s administration The satire which it dealt in , is not
.

w it hout severity but is in general fre e from that c oars e , ill ib

,

e r al ab us e an d bitterness of animosity which ch ar acterize

, ,

most of th e party wr itings of the same stamp The humor .

o us part is very happy in its wa y , and the gener al exec ution of

th e work spirite d and e asy Its de fects are a want of harm o

.
 RI C HARD AL SOP .

ny and corr ectness occ asionally in th e v ersica tion ; faults how

ever, which the c ritic will be less d isposed to quarr el with ,
upon the reection that the main obj ect of the work le ft out of
sight and signic anc e these minor perfections Th e wit and .

sarc asm adapte d for popular e ffect, w ere reli e d upon by the
writers rather than the grac e and euphony of the numb ers
, ,

if indee d the harsh and ru gge d style of v ersic at ion in whic h

t he E cho is written were not purposely selecte d as t h e most
,

appropriate t o its character and purpose .

The politics of the E cho , we do not feel call ed upon t o crit

icis e
. We spe ak of it in i t s literary character al one with ,

out the intention of havi ng our remarks c onstrued into a p

probation or disapprobation of the doc trines which it was

the principal design of that performanc e to uphold The .

origin ality of plan whic h it exhibits and the reputation

,

and ability of its authors , c all it into notic e as the most t e

markable production of the poetic al kind whic h our country
h as seen The several pieces of whic h it c onsists were col
.

l ect ed into a volume and illustrate d with some exc e llent de

,

signs by Tisdale The volume w as publishe d in c onnexion

.

with some other poems by the same authors in 180 7 , .

Alsop wrote a greater porti on of the Echo than any other

contributor though it is impossible t o assign the separate a u
,

th orship of more than one or t wo piec es Dr Hopkins , who

.

excelle d his associates in bold and inventive genius , furnis h e d

man y orig ina lt houg hts t o Alsop , and devolved upon him o n a o ,

c ount of his readiness at v ersic a t ion the task of clothing them

,

in numbers The poem of Guillotina and the rst of the n ew

.

year s verses which acc ompany the Echo were princip ally th e

, ,

work of Hopkins The Politic al Green House in t he s ame

.

vol ume was written for the most part by Alsop Thes e display
, .

much of the characteristic talent of their authors b ut are t oo ,

deeply involved in matters which have lost their interest t o b e

read with s atis faction at th e present day .
 *
n cn o n o . r.

Tuesday last great Sol with piercing eye ,

ON ,

P ursued his Journey th rou g h the v a ulted sky ,

And in his c ar e ulg en t roll d his Way
'

Four hours b eyond the b u rning zone of day ;

When 10l a cloud , o ersha do win g all th e pl ai n ,

From countl ess pores perspire d a liquid rain ,

Whil e from its cracks th e li ghtn ings m ade a peep ,

And chit chat thunders roc k d our fears asleep

-

.

B ut s oon th e vapory fo g dispersed in air ,

And le ft the azure blue eyed conc ave bare -

Even the last drop o f hope which dripping skies ,

G ave for a moment t o our strain ing eyes ,

In o rder i
t ha t t h s p iece m a y be u nders t ood , t he newsp ap er pa ra grap h which
furn ish ed t h e oc ca s ion fo r it is here bj in ed
su o .

On Tu esda y l a st , a bout fou r o cl

k P M
oc , . . ca m e on a sm a rt s ho wer of ra n , i
a tt end e dW ith light n in g a n d th u n der , no wa y s rem a r a k bl e. T he l
c o uds soon dis
s ip a t ed, a nd t he a p pea ra nce o f t he a zu e r va u t , l left t riv ia l h o pes of furt he r
n eedful sup p li es fro m t he sm ear Led
-
b ot t l es o f h ea v en . In a fe w m o men t s t he
h ori z on was v
a ga in o ers h a do w ed , a n d a n a lm os t i m p enet ra bl e g l o om ma nt led the
fa ce of t he s k i es . T he W
i ti g f m e p o int t a not he vhft
i nd frequen t y sh f l n ro on o
'

r, v
b
'
n

ed t h e clouds i n va ri us d i ec t ons u t l a t l a st t hey u i t ed in ne

o r mrh
i c t e
, n i n o co on en r

and sh r uded th e oi b l g l be t h k d k V is T h e t t dan t l ig h t ni n g with

e o in ic ar nesss a en ,

t he acco m p a y i g t h u d n b ug ht fort h f m t h e t asu t h t m b t t l d le

n n er, ro ro re res a e a e e

m en ts t a vful o i t w e ex t m ly vivid d m z i g l ud Th se buil di gs

v con c , er re e , an a a n o . o n

t h t we
a def nded b y elec t ric r d s , p p ea red t be wr p ped i sheets of liv id
re e o a o a n

th me a nd ,
o d f t he p u a o lled it b u ing to e t s d w t hen n vi t h
o re re ro s rn rr n o n

a l a rm i ng i l ce T h ma je t i r
v o en f di p l di g t h u d
. e w b u t in g wit h
s c oar o s o n n ers , n o rs

a udd
s as h a d n w w
en cr ti g th
, um bl
n g E h o f th i u d
as in ther e r in c o o e r so n s n o

lan ds added i d, ib a b l e g a d ur t o t h
n escru b li m Scene The wi idows of the
r n e e s . r

up per reg ion s a p pea d as t h r wn wi de Open a nd t he t r emb hn g ca ta ract p oured

re o ,

im p et uous d wn Mo re a l uta y h w r an d m ne d d ha v t been x pe i

o . s r s o e s, ore e e , e no e r

e ced t h i
n um m Se
s s al p u w k h d h b it d m l h ly ight
er. v er re v ro s ee s a ex i e a e anc o s

t he dure f l d w
ve r no l y d t y d ; d t he p at i t h u ba dr n alr ioet
e s as ea r es ro e an en s n na r

exp eri nced d p i e T wo bea ut ful r i bo w t h

es a r. ist g in it na t i Ve glo
i a n s, e one ex in s

r ies a nd t h e t h a sp l nd d ee t i
, o erf p im it i ve l c losed t he ma g ni cent
e i r c on o r co o rs ,

pi ct ure dp e , te d t
an t he co t em p l t
r s en mi d th g l f m
o y l t h d w it h
n a i ve n , e an e o erc ,c o e

t he b ll i ri f t hi ia nce odi t ed h d di p e n f h t y t a
s rra a m b l d wo l ds
a rc , an s ns e cr o ss e e r .

It is ot u at u
n l t o expec t t h a t t he t hu d r t m w uld be a t t ended with
nn ra n e s or o

so m e da m g W e he r a ba
a e. bel g i g if Mr VVy t h of C a mbridge ca ug h t
a rn on n e

r f m t h l ig h t n i g which ent i el y c sum ed t he sa me t g t her W i th se era l

e ro e n , r on
, o e v

t ons of ha y , G
cc
.
 R ICH ARD ALS OP .

L ike Boston m m, from heaven s jun k bottles br oke ,

L ost all the c orks , and v an ish d into smoke

.

But swift from worlds unkno wn , a fresh supply

Of vapor dimm d the gr eat horiz on s eye

The crazy clouds, by shift ing zephyrs drive n,

W a it e d th eir course s throu g h the high arch d heaven , -

T ill pile d al oft in one stupendous he ap ,

The see n and unseen worlds grew dark , a n d nature gan
weep .

Attend ant li g htnin gs st rea m d their tails afar ,

And social thunders wake d ethere al w a r ,

From dark deep pockets brou ht their treas ure d store ,

E mbattled elements incre as e the r oar
R e d crinkling res expended all their forc e ,

And tumbling rumbl in g s st eer d their hea dlong course

.

Those guarded fram es by thunder poles sec ured ,

Though wra pp d in sheets of ame those sheets endured ;

,

O er their broad roofs the ery torrents roll d,
An d every shingle s ee m d of burning gold
.

Maj estic th unders with disploding roar

, ,

And s udden c rashin g bounc e d alon g t he shore

, ,

Till lost in other lan ds the wh ispering soun d

, ,

Fled from our ears and fainte d on the ground .

R ain s house on high its w indow sashes oped ,

And out th e c ataract impetuous h0pp d

,

Whil e th e grand scene by far more grand app ea r d

,

With lightnings never se en and th unders never h eard .

More salutary showers have not be en known ,

To was h dame N ature s dirty homespun gown

For several weeks the good ol d J oan s b een seen

,

With lth b esp a t t er d like a lazy quean

The h usbandman fast travell ing to despair ,

L aid down his hoe and took his rocking chair

While his fat wife the well and cistern dried
, ,

Her mop grown useless hung it up and cried , .

T wo rainbows fair that Iris brought along ,

Pic k d from the choic est of her color d throng ;

The rst born dec k d in pristine hues of lig ht

,
In al l its native glories g lo win g bright,
The next a dorn d with less refulgent re 8

,

But b orrowing lustre from its brother s laze ;
Shone a bright reex of those c olors gay
That dec k d with light creation s pr imal da y

,

When infant Nature l isp d her earliest n ot es,

And y ou n ker da m crept in petticoats

And to the people t o reection given ,
 R I CH ARD ALSOP .

The sons of Boston , the elect of heaven ,
Presente d Mercy s angel smiling fai r

,

Irradiate splendors frizzle d in his hair ,

U ncorking de m i j ohns and pourin g down

-
,

He aven s liquid blessings on the gapin g town .

N B At Cambridge town , th e selfsame

. .

A barn was b urnt well ll d with hay

.

Some say the lightning tur u d it red ,
Some say the thunder struc k it de ad ,

Some s ay it made th e c attle stare ,

And some it kill d an a g e d mare

But we expect the truth to learn ,

From Mr Wythe , who own d the b arn
.

v n n sn s TO THE S HE AR WA TE R ON THE M O R N IN G AF TE R
*
A S T O RM A T SE A .

WHENC E with morn s rst blush of light

C o m s t thou thus to greet mine eye ,

Whilst the fa mous storm of n ight

Hovers yet around the sky ?

On the ery tossing wave ,

Calmly cradl e d dost thou sleep ,

When the midnight tempests rave ,
L onely wanderer of the deep ?

Or from som e rude isle afar ,

Castled mid the roaring waste,

With the b eams of morning s star

,

On lightni n g pinion dost thou haste P

In thy mottled plumage drest ,

L ight thou s kimm st the ocean o er ,

Sporting round the breaker s crest

E xulting in the tempest s roar .

O er the vast rolli n g watry way
-

While our trembling bark is born e ,

And j oyful peers the lamp of day ,
L ighting up the brow of morn ;

*

This p iece, we bel ieve , ha s never b efore been p rin t ed
.
 R IC HARD AL S OP .

As thr h yon cloud it s struggling beams

Arou a partial lustre she d ,
And m ark at ts with g ol den gle ams
Th e mount a in bil low s surging head ;

Whilst the long lines of foamy white ,

At distanc e o er the expanse so blu e ,

As domes and c as tles spiring bright ,

Comminglin g rise on fancy s Vl eW
,

F rom wave t o wave swi: skimmin light,

N ow near an d n ow at distance o un d,
,

Thy ai ry form in c eas eless flight

, ,

Cheers the lone dre ariness around .

Throu g h the vessel s storm rent sides , -

When the r ushing bil lows rave ;

And with erc e gigantic s t rides ,

Death terric walks th e wave ,

Still on hoverin g pinion near ,

Thou p ursue st thy sportive w ay
Still un c h ec k d by a n ht of fear

,

Cal mly seek s t thy ny prey .

Far from e arth s remotest trac e ,
What impels the e th us t o roam ?
What h ast thou to mark the plac e
When thou seek st thy distant home ?

Without star or magnet s aid ,

Thou thy faithful cours e dost keep ;

Sportive still still un dism a y d
,

,

L onely wanderer of the deep !

T HE INCANTATI ON O F UL F O .

F R OM T H E C O N QU E ST OF S C A N D N A V IA
I .

F o rums from his c amp the di re enchanter st ray d

,

Mid th e weird horrors of the midnight shade

,
Till a lone dell his wandering footsteps found ,
'

Fenc e d with rough clifs, with mournful cypress crown d

VOL . 11. 6
 RI C HARD AL S OP .

Th er e stay e d his c ourse : with ste m terric look , ,

Thric e w aved on hi h his in ic wand h e shook ; ,

And thrice he r a ise the wild un ereal yell ,

That c al ls th e spirits from t h abyss of hell

.

When , shrilly answerin g to the yell afar ,

Borne on the winds thre e femal e forms appear ; ,

Dire as the b a g wh o mi d the dreams of night, ,

P ursues the fever d hectic s trembling ight

.

With gestur es strange approac h the haggar d b and , ,

An d nigh t he wizar d take their s ilent stand .

Ne ar in a roc k , adown whose rugge d side

,

The lonely waters of t he desert g h de,

O erg rown with brambles ope d an ample c ave

, ,

Drear as the gloomy mansions of the gr ave .

Within th e scre ech owl made her mournful home

,
-
,

And birds obsc ene that hover round the tomb

Dark from the m oss grown top , together cl ung
,
-
,

Ill om en d b ats in torpid clusters hung ;

-

, ,

And o er the b ottom with d a nk le aves b estrow d

,

,

Crept the bl a ck adder and the bloate d toad ,

.

Thither the magic thron rep air d to form

,

Their spells obsc ure an w eave th e unh allow d ch ar m ,

.

Muttering dire words thrice strode th e w izard round ; ,

Thrice with his potent wand h e smote th e ground

, ,

D eep groans ensue d ; on w in gs of circlin g ame ,

Slow rising from b eneath a c aul dron c ame

-
,

Blue gl eam d the res amid th e shades of night,

An d o er th e c avern shot a livid li ght

.

N ow ope d a horrid sc ene : all blac k with blood ,

Th infernal b and prepar ed for slau g hter stood

,
'
, .

T wo b eauteous b ab es , by g rion s b orne aw ay ,

While lock d in sleep the hapless mothers lay,
Whose smiles the frozen breast to love might warm ,

And e en th e unsparing wolf to pity charm ,

The b a g s un veil d ; and sportive as they play d,

D eep in the i r hearts embrue d the murderous blade ;

Their dying p angs with smile malignant v iew d
,

And life s last eb b in gs in the s en n ine ood .

Now m ix d with vario us herbs 0 magic power ,

,

In the d ark c auldron glows the purple gore :

The night shade dire whose b aleful branches wave
-
, ,

In glooms of horror o er th e murderer s grave

The manchineel alluring to the eye , ,

Where v eil d in be auty deadliest poiso ns lie

,

,

The far fame d Indian herb , of power t o move

-

The fees of nature t o um t e in love ,

 s i c m i nn a r s on.

G oddess ! whose te rric sway

N a st ron d s realms of gu ilt obey
Where , ami d impervious gloom ,
Sullen frowns the serpent dome

R oll d b ene ath t h en ven om d tid e ,

Where the sons of sorr ow bide

Thee th e mighty demon host ;

,

The e th e gi ants of th e frost ;

,

Thee the genii tribes adore ;

,

Fenris owns thy sovereig n powe r

And t h imperial princ e of re ,

S urt ur, trembles at thin e ire .

Thine th e Vic tor s pride to mar
,

Thine t o turn the scal e of war

,

C hiefs and princ es at thy c all ,

From their spheres of glory fall ;

E mpires are in r uin h url d

Desolation blasts th e w orld .

From th e dr eary realms belo w ,

Fr om th e dark domains of fear,

From the ghastly se ats of w o ,

Hear ! tre mendous Hela , hear !

Qu een of terror , queen of death !

Thee we summon from b ene ath
,
.

From the deep infer n al shade

From the mansion of the dead ;

N ih eim s black fun ere al dome ,

Hither rise an d h ither c ome 1

,

By the potent R unic rh y m e ,

Awful , m ystic , and subl i m e
By the streams that roar below
By the s able fount of w e ;
By the burning gul f of pain ,
Musp el s home and S urt ur s reign ;

,

By th e da when o er the world , ,

Wild c on usion shall b e h url d

,

R ymer mount his fiery car ,

G iants , genii rush to war , ,

To vengeanc e move the prince of re ,

And he aven , and earth , in ames expire !

 a ra nn AL S OP .
65

From the dreary realms b elow ,

Fr o m the dark domains of fe a r,
From the ghastly seats of wo ,

Hear ! tremendous Hela ! hear .

He c eas ed t he ames withdrew their magic li t

And , clothed in deeper horrors frown d the niggt ,

h .
,

At onc e, an awful stillness paused around ,

H ush d were the winds a n d mute the tempest s sound

, ,

One deep portentous c alm o er nature spread
, ,

Nor e en the aspen s restless foliage pla y d

S uc h the dire c alm t hat looms C a ri b ea n shores ,

E re rouse d to rage , the ell tornado roars

,

N ot long for 10! from c entr al e arth releas ed

, ,

Shrill through the c avern sig h d a hollow bl ast ;

Wild wail s of wo, with shrieks of terror join d,

In deathful murmurs groan al ong th e wind ;

Pe al following pea] , hoarse b ursts the thunder round f
R edoubling echoes swell th e dreadful sound ;
Flash the blue lightnings in c ontinual blaze ;
One sheet of re th e k indling gloom displays
And o er the vault, with p al e , s ulphureous ray,

Pour all the horrors Of infern al day .

N ow he aved the vale around the c a v ern d rock

, ,

The e arth , dee trembling , to its c entre shook ,

Wide yaw u d e rending oor and gave t o sight ,

A chasm tremendou s as the gates of night .

Slow from the gul f mid lightnin gs faintly seen ,
,

R ose t he dre ad form Of death s terric queen ;

Of wol s h as pect and with eyes of ame

, ,

Black J a rn vid s witch her fell attend ant, c ame

,

Than whom no mons ter roams the dark abodes

, ,
More fea r d by friends, more hate d by th e gods

.

More frightful more deform d, than fancy s power

,

Pourtrays the demon of the midnight hour ,

In hideous maj esty of various hu e , ,

P art s allow pal e and part a livid blue ,

,

A form gi gantic , awful Hela frown d ;

Her towerin g head with sable s erpents crown d ;

Around her w aist, in man y a vol ume roll d,

A crimson adder wreath ed his pois onous fold ;

And o er her fac e beyond description dre a d

, ,

A sulphury mist its shrou ding mantle spread .

Her voic e , the groan of war th e shriek Of wo , ,

When s ink s the city whelm d in gul fs below,

V OL . 11 . 6*
 RI C H ARD AL S OP .

In tones of th under o er th e c avern broke

,

,

And nature sh udder d as th e demon spoke

.

Pres umptuous mortal ! that with mystic str ain , ,

Dost s ummon Hela from the realms of pain ,

What c ause thus prompts thee rashly to invade
Th e deep repose O f death s eternal shade P

What , from th e abodes of n ever ending night -

,

C al ls me reluctan t to th e climes of light

,
E mpress supreme ! whose w ide extende d sway
,
-

All nature owns and earth and hell ob ey

,

The solemn c all no trivial wish in spires ;

N 0c ommon c ause thy potent aid r equires
The dooms of empires on the issue wait ,

And doubtful tr emble in the sc al e of fate .

The glow of morn on y ou extended heath

, ,

Will h g ht the nations t o the strife of death .

There S a ra cinia s sons their forc e unite

With Sc a ndia s monarch W ol dornir in ght ;

, ,

By st rength c ombined proud Odin to o erwh el m ,

The erc e invader of the Sc andian realm ;

By Woden fa v or d with pec uliar grac e

Friend Of the gods an d odious to thy rac e

, .

Then in t h impending ght thy suc cor lend

,

, ,
An d o er our host thy arm of strength ext end ;

The hostile b ands protecte d by thy foes

, ,

With dangers circle an d with rui n clos e ,

With wil d dismay their shrinkin ranks p er va de

g
Whelm their pale numb e rs in t h etern al shade ;
And win g with c ertain aim the missive dart,
, ,

Or point the falchion to th e le ader s he art , .

Thus Ul fo spoke and Hela thus ret urn d

.

Kno w while in primal night creation m ourn d

,

The eternal c ause the great all ruling mind

, ,
-
,

The various term of human life a ss ig n d

Irr evocably rm the x d intent

,

N O power c an vary and no ch anc e prevent ,

.

Mark d by the fates for ye ars of bloody strife

, ,

R olls the long ood of Odin s varie d life ;

N or is it ours the stern decree to thwart

By open vi olenc e or by cove rt art,
.

Y et st ill the power is le ft us to annoy ,

Whom rigid heaven denies us to destroy

And , thou gh of life sec ure t h e hostile c hief , ,

The wretc he d vic tim Of severest grief ,

Shall mourn his arms disgra c ed on yond er plain , ,_

H is laure ls blasted , and his heroes slain .
 T H E OD ORE D W I GH T .

She c eas ed in thunder vanishin g from vi ew ,

The ends the cauldron and the b a gs with dre w
, , .

Back to the c amp the enchanter sped hi s way ,

Ere o er th e east arose the rst faint glimpse of day

, , .

T H E O D O R E D W IG H T .

MR D w m is a native of North ampton in Massachusett s

rrr
'
,

an d brother of the late President Dwight He rec eive d a .

degree at Y al e Coll ege in 1798 and followed t h e profession

,

of law in the early part of his life at Hartford Connectic ut , .

He w a s appointed to several public Oic es among others that , ,

of R epresentative in Congress from Connectic ut About the .

year 1810he establ ished th e Conn ectic ut Mirror at Har tford

, ,

.6 sometime aft erward remove d to Albany where h e had the ,

e ditorial charge of the D aily Advertiser Of that plac e He .

has s inc e established a new paper under th e s ame title , in

New York These j ournals h e has c onducte d W ith distin
.

g u ish e d ability Mr Dwight

. is now principally known as a
statesman and poli tical writer b ut in e arly life h e gave him
,

self occasional ly to p oetry and wa s one of the most noted

,

among the Hart ford wits H is New Year s rhymes writ
.

,

te n under th e strong excite ment of party feeling both be for e

and duri ng the late war mus t be well recollec ted In a spe
,
.

cies Of dignie d Hudibrastic verse he has had fe w equals ,

although from the transient interest of the topics whic h the

most of h is writin gs embrac e , his poetical talents h ave not
been exerted in a way to obtain a lasting reputation in thi s
department of literature He has the credit of havin g fur
.

n ished some of the b est pieces in the E cho .

AFRI C AN D I S TRESS .

HE L P ! Oh help ! t hen God of Christians !

,

Save a mother from despair !

Cruel white men steal my chil dren !
God of Christi ans , he ar my prayer !
68 T H E ODOR E D W IGH T .

From my arms by forc e they re t ended,

Sa i lors drag them to the se a ;

Yo nder ship at anchor riding , ,

Swift will c arry t h

There my son lies , and ble eding ; st ripp

d,
Fast W ith thongs his hands ar e b ound
, ,
.

Se e t he tyrants how they scourge him !

, ,

Se e his Sides a reeking wound

Se e his little sister by him ;
Qu aking tr embling ho w she lies
, ,

Drops of blood her face b esprink le ;

Tears Of ang uish ll her eyes .

N ow they tear her broth er from her ;

Down below the dec k he s thrown ;
, ,

Sti ff with h ea tin g through fear silent , ,

Save a single , death like , groan -

.

H ear the little creature b egg ing

Take me white men for your own ! , ,

Spare Oh spare my darling brother !

, ,

He s my mother s only s on

.

Se e upon the shore she s raving

,

D own she falls upon the s ands

Now sh e te ars her esh with madness
,

Now sh e prays with lif t e d h an ds

,
.

I am young an d strong and hardy ; , ,

He s a sick and feebl e boy

,

T ak e me whip me chain me starve me

, , , ,

All my l ife I ll toil with j oy .

Christian s ! who s the G od y ou w orship ?

Is h e cr uel , erc e or good ,

D oes he ta ke delight in mercy 9

Or in spilli ng human blood ?
Ab , my poor di st racte d mother
Hear her scre am upon the shore .

Down the sava e c aptain struck her,

L ifeless on e vessel s oor
.

Up his sails he quickly hoiste d ,

To th e ocean b ent his wa y ;

Headlong plunged th e raving mother ,

From a high rock in th e sea , .

 TH E OD O RE D W I GH T . 69

ECHO N O.

Our son g reso un ds a t hunder st orm on ce m ore

But N o rwich fa r t ranscends Bo t

s om a

s ro a r
,
.

ON
Monday last the s un with scorching ray, ,

Pour d down on Norwich rocks a red hot day ,

Alon th e streets no verdant wee ds a pp ea r d

,

N O b ades of grass the ge ese and goslings cheer d ,

,

N O brook nor pond mud puddle slough n or pool , ,

-
, , ,

Where ducks might paddle and where pigs might c ool ,

But all wa s so c ompletely burnt and bare ,

That b a d old Bab el s king be en pasture d there

,

On such short feed (I do n ot mean to j oke ) ,

He never would have staid with out a poke .

At len g th slow risin g up north western skies ,

,
-

Some litt le clouds about E lij ah s size

,

Told us in hints and indic ations plain ,

Th at they wer e sensible we wanted rain .

At rst the teazin g showers our patienc e tried ,

By s ailing north erly at distanc e wide ,

Till thre e O clock wh en lo ! a w ondrous cloud ,

F m t h e N or wi h P acket f J u e 2 0 1793
ro c ,
o n , .

M m m t h 2 7t h i t b i g y w m t h
o y e pp ns d i th N W
. e n e e al
v er ar , ere a ea re n e . . s v r

sm a ll c l uds whi h i d
o t ed wha t t he e t h g ea t ly t od i
, c n i ca eed f h we ar r s o n n o , v i z. s o rs

o f ra i whi h a wa d
n, c ll ct ed a d di ct ed t h i c ur t t h
er r s co e t h w rd of n re e r o se o e n or a

t hi p l ace t ll bo ut t h ee o l k w hen a l ud l t h d i
s , i a r b le b l k g t h red in

c oc ,
c o c o e n sa ac a e

t he wes t aro e a n d p s ed i a d i re t l i e v
, s t hi i t y : w ft d W t h u om m on
a s n c n o er s c a e i nc

il
v o ence b y t h w i d uct ua t i g i e i us dir t i
n p t d t t he h um a
n n var o ec on s , resen e o n

m d in pe ta s l e l m g t b h l d a t w hig hl y h ged W t h l ect i uid

c ac a ar in o e o i as c ar i e r c ,

an d lm t i e
a os t ly b u t i t
nc s sa n m f m whi h t
rs k ed t he h ven
n s rea so cri son re , c s rea ea s

wit h a t hi g l u t
s on i s v a l f wh i h f m t h a
n s re se e ier bet we t he
o c , ro e ne r con n x o n en

b la z d ep t m u t h
e an r ora h d t he , th t f
s d t t t h ugh w d
a v e re c e ot ea r no ar is an , o e o n

lea of yrn
qu t i l d m g
an con s e u t d It en t ued t
a d b urd
a a it el f of
es s s a i ne . c on i n o is en s

it s c t t W t h u rem t t d
on e n s d
i d i l n e u t il t hi h a de
e f ev i g h a d
o r er a n v o en c n e s s o en n

s p d a ou d u t h cu t i
rea r n f th s ig h t wh n it g a du ll y di p p red
e r a ns o a d e n ,
e r a sa ea n

t he h r z o shone g i
o i n l a d b gh t G y Lu a wh i m je t i w y was
a a n c ea r n ri . a n o n a s c s a

no w t a v ll i g t he d w w d k i
r e n h e W th u u u l pl d
o n ar a d th
s t
es s be on i n s a s en or, n e s ar

s p a g l ed a p y
n f h av
c no fu i h d o e at ece b u t i fu l t
en t h ey
rn s f t he e a sce n on ea o e e o

beh lde T h f a t h d t b wh du i g t he t o m w h u hed i il ce ow

o r. e e ere ri e o r n s r e re s n s en , n

e ec t d t h i
r e
p l um y W g
e r o t t u ed t t h God f in t ure t h
s, a s f blne , a g n o e o na ei r ee e son s

g h b i g gr m il h m i z d m u ic
of p i e d th
ra s , a n m d t c e ti
e n ei or n o v es a i s r a on s s

es , ar on e s

ec hoed t h ug h t h rok th th h e s ved g dly up p ly f i nd t he

i es e ea r as rece i a oo s o ra n , a

wo k f
r s o tu u d t u bed l ugh
na re, d j in l t udi b l g t it ude w a k e t h
is r a an re o ce e a e ra a e
,

v i f m on t h cca i fo n f t he ch i t f h
o ce o an is o s on bl i g ro eo o ces o ea ven s

es s n s.

W e h r t ha t t hree cow were k ll d a t Bo l t n l a st M nda y eve i g b y t he

ea s i e o o n n ,

l ight ni g n .
 TH E OD O R E D W I GH T .

Full dress d in sable black like funer al shroud ,

R ose in the west, and climb d its awfu l wa y

,

In proud de a nc e of th e god o f day ,

W h o soon erceived his rays were vai nly shed ,

And there ore rashly st ripp d an d went t o b e d
,
.

B ut not much u se d to bla n kets in th e h eat

Of J une his godship soon b egan to sweat,
,

And snore an d p a d and piteously c omplai n,

, ,

Which we mistook for thunder wind and rain ,

.

This reverend cloud came on with dreadful r umpus ,

Wa it e d by winds which blew all round th e compass,

And t o the mind (the medium of sight )
A scene presente d pre gnant with ed right

F or overcharge d W ith true electric shot,

(Which all who v e felt, well kn ow ar e rather h ot )

As musket loaded deep on training day ,

When Captain Flip c ommands to bo u ze a way ,

From breech to muzzle splits in splinters dire

T he cloud incessant b urst in stre ams of re
W h ile o er the inky vaul t the lustr e spread

,

And st reak d the c oncave with surprising re d

.

S ome of thes e streaks w ere foll ow d by a roar,
Whic h c ame s o near the streak that went befor e ,

T hat if the rst th e e arth did ever nd ,

The latter s urely w as not far b ehi nd .

And though we have not hear d which wa th ey we nt,

What plac e they st opp d at where their ury spent

, ,

Whene er they re found like bir ds o f equal feather

, ,

I ll lay my ears you ll nd them both togeth er

.

The ardent cloud c ontinu ed to unlade ,

L ike se a sic k man in violent cascade

-
,

Till evening shades afraid to s ee the light,

,

Took c are to spre ad the c urtains of the night,

But all in vain old Sol his s w eating o er ,

,
Kick d O the clothes and st il l d his tuneful snore

, ,
Just ra ised his hea d and Ope d his drowsy eyes ,

And gave one ash of lightning through the skies,

When 10! the stars who thought the nig ht begun ,
In wil d amazement starte d b ack and run ;
W hil e nodding Phaeb us t rim m d in slumb ering cap
,

,
Ya wn d out a smile and took his evenin nap

But L una somewhat wiser th an th e resg

.

, ,
St ep p d s oft ly out, in pink a n d silver dress d,

And trode with c autious step the western way ,

T O see if all w ere safe where Ph ce b us lay
F or well she knew if Sol again should ri se ,
 TH E OD OR E D W I GH T .

Where sh all th e heart for c onsolation turn ,

Wh ere e nd its grief or how forget t o mourn ?

,

Beyond these clouds appears no cheering ray ,

N O mornin g star proclaims t h appr oac h Of d ay

.

Ask hoary Age from whenc e his sorrows c ome ,

His voic e is S ilent and his sorrow dumb ;
,

E nquire of Infancy why droops his head ,

Th e prattler lisps great Washington is dead :

Why b en d yon statesme n o er their tas k severe ?

Why drops yon chief th e unavailing tear ?

What s ullen grief h an gs o er y on marti al band ?

What deep distress pervades the extende d land

In sad responses sounds from shore to shore
Our Friend o ur G uide our Father is no more .
, ,

L et fond remembranc e turn his achin g s ight,

Survey t he past, dispel Oblivion s night,
By Glory led pursue the mazy road
, ,

Which leads the traveller t o her high abode ,

Then vi ew that gre at, that venerated name ,

Inscribe d in sunbeams on the roll of Fame .

N o l aps e Of ye a rs shall so il th e sacr ed spot,

N O future age its memory sh all blot
Millions unborn shall mar k its sacre d re,
And latest Time behol d it and admire .

A widow d country ! what protectin g form

Shal l ope thy pathway throu g h the gatherin g storm !

What mi g hty h a n d thy tremblin g b ark shal l g ui d e ,

Through Faction s rough and overwhelm ing tide
The hour is p a st th y Washington no more
D escries with an gel ken the pe ac eful shore
,
-
, .

Free d from th e terrors of his awful eye ,

N O more fell Treason seeks a mid n ight sky ,
But crawling forth , o n deadliest mischief b ent,
R ears her blac k front and t a b with c urse d in tent
, .

Behold ! arrange d in long and black array, ,

Prepare d for c onict, thirsting for their prey ,

O ur foes advanc e , nor force nor danger dread ,

Their fears all v an is h d when his spir it ed

.

O ft , when our bosoms ll d with dire dismay
, ,

Saw mischief ather round our c oun try s way ;

When furious is cord s eized her aming brand ,

And threatene d ruin t o our in fant land
When faction s im p s s ow d thic k the s eeds of strife

,
And a im d destruc ti on at the bliss Of life

When war with bloody hand her a g un furl d,

 TH E ODORE DWI GH T . 73

And her loud trump ala rm d the western world ;

His awful voic e b ade al l c ontention c eas e ,

At his comm a nds th e storms were hush d to peac e .

But who c an speak what a cc ents c an relate ,

,

The solemn sc enes which marke d the great man s
Ye ancient s ages , who so lo udly claim
T he brightest station on the l i st of F ame ,
At his a pproac h with di i den c e retire ,

His high er worth acknowledge an d a dmire , .

When keenest anguish ra c k d his mighty mind ,
And the fond h eart the j oys of li fe res ig n d

NO t, nor terror st ret c h d its har d control

,

N o oub t obsc ured the suns hine of th e soul .

Prepare d for death his cal m and ste ad eye ,

,

LOOk d fearless upward to a p ea c eful s y ;

wonderin g an gels p om t th e airy road ,

Which le ads the Christian to th e hous e o f God .

L INE S ADD RE S SE D T O A M OTH E R , W H O H AD B EEN AB S EN T

F R OM H OME S E VE RA L W E E KS , ON H E R SEE ING H E R
IN F ANT C H I LD A S L E E P .

W R AP P D in in nocent repose ,

L ost t o all its little woes ,

S ee that lovely infant rest,
On the pill ow s downy breast

.

Wearied with the toils of day,

L ittle frolics , chil dish play ,

Frequent j oy an d frequent grief,

,

N ature yiel ds a short relie f .

Say, my sleepin g cherub , s ay ,

Whither doth thy spirit stray
Art thou own to realms above ,

On some angel s wings of love ,
Where , a rr a y d in purest white ,

Dwell th e s ainte d sons of light,

Hymn ing round the eternal throne ,
Praise to God s Al mighty Son ?

Or dost thou now at random roam ;

Throu gh creation s ui ht ly tomb ,

Borne by D eath s insi ious power ,

To h is temporary bower ?
VOL . 7
74 T H E ODOR E D W I GH T .

H ush th e t hought l I see th ee smile !

Dreams th y little heart beg uile ;
O er t h y sweet, en chanting fac e,

Steals inimitable grac e .

Sa y my little c herub say

, , ,

Whither doth thy spirit stray

Hark his answer ing smile replies
Far from henc e my spirit ies
;

Borne on F a ncy s wing I move ,

T o a mother s arms of love

And clasp d in sw eet embrac es , re st

On her bal my angel bre ast -

.

Here th e tides of ple as ure roll ,

R apture c harms t he lic ens e d soul ,

Here div inest transports play,
'

Here a ec t io n loves t o stray ,

Here I share th e envied k iss ,

S ink in ple asure drown in bliss

, .

Spotless as the b e ams of light ,

C rowdin g o n the ra vish d sight,
E ver new its b eauties rise ,
Charmin u n forbid den eyes .

Hark y mother s voic e b enig n ,

Speaks in h ar mony divine

P eaceful here , my infant rest,
On your rapture d p a r ent s b rea st
.

Here no hand sh all enter ru de ,

N O unh allow d eye intrude

In th is parad ise of j oy ,

Dwells no spirit to destroy ;

B ut, on Virtue s spotless throne ,

Thy happy Father r eign s alone ,

L icens e d here alone to move ,

B athin g in voluptuous love ,

P le as ure here with out alloy,
Ho urs an en dless stream of j oy ,
While its blissful cu rrents roll ,

Through th e mazes of his soul .

 S AR AH W E NT W ORT H M O RT O N .

S AR A H W E N T W O R T H MO R T ON ,

W i n e of th e Hon Pere z Morton , Atto rney G en eral of

.

Mas sachus etts is a native of Boston and occupie d the r st

, ,

rank am ong th e fem al e writers of Americ a in th e e arly part

,

of her life . Her verses publishe d under th e nam e of Phil e .

ni a, enj oyed about thirty ye ars sinc e a wide popul arity Of .

late years she h as n ot devoted herself muc h t o poetry ; b ut

in 182 3 she publishe d a volume of prose an d verse ,
My Mind a n d its Thoughts .

T HE AFRI C AN C H IE F .

S E E ho wth e blac k ship cleaves the main ,

High b Oun din g o er th e dar k blue wave

,

R em urm urin with th e groans of pain,

Deep freig ted with the princely slave '
Did all the gods Of Afric sleep ,

Forgetful of th eir g uar dian love ,

When th e w hite tyrants of t he de ep ,

Betrayed him in t he pa hn y g rove .

A chi ef Of G ambia s golden s hore,

Whose arm the band of warriors led ,

Or more the lord of generous po wer ,

By whom th e foodless poor w ere fed .

Does not the voice of re ason c ry ,

Claim t he rst right that nat ure gave ,

F rom th e red scourge of bondage y ,
Nor deign to live a b urden d slave
.

H as
'

not his s u erin o sp rin g clung,

Desponding roun his fet t er d knee ;

On h is worn shoulder weepin g hung,,

And urged one e ffort to be free ?

H is
wife by nameless wrongs s ub dued ,

His bosom s friend to death resig n d ;

The in t y path way drenc h d in blood ;

-

He sa w with c old and frenzie d mind .

76 SARAH W E NT W O R TH M O RT O N .

St rong in desp air then sought th e pl ai n,

,
T o h eaven was r aise d his steadfast eye ,
R esolved t o burst the crush ing ch a in ,

Or mi d the b attle s blast t o die

.

First of his rac e , h e led the band ,

G uardless o f danger h urling roun d,
,

Till by his re d aven g in g h and ,

Ful l m an y a despot st a in d th e ground

Wh en erst Mess en ia s sons Op p ress d

,

Fl ew desperate to the sanguine eld ,

With iron cloth e d e ach inj ure d breast,

And sa w th e cruel Spartan yield ,

Did not t h e soul t o h eaven al lied ,

With the proud heart as gr eatly swell ,

As wh en th e R oman Decius died ,

Or when th e G recian victim fell ?

D o later de eds quic k rapture rais e ,

Th e boon Batavia s Willi am won ,

P aoli s time endur ing praise
-
,

Or the yet gre ater Washin gton

If thes e exalt thy sacred zeal ,

To hate oppression s mad c ontrol ,
F or blee ding Afric learn t o feel ,

Whose Chie ft ain claim d a k i n dre d soul .

Ah mourn th e last d isastrous h our

, ,

L i ft the full eye o f bootless grie f,

While victory tre ads th e sultry shore ,

And te ars from h ope the c aptive c hief ;

While the h ard rac e of palli d hue ,

U npractis ed in th e power to feel ,

R esign h im t o t h e m urderous crew ,

The horrors of the quivering whee l .

sorrow b ath e eac h bl ushin g chee k,

L et

Bend piteous o er the torture d slave ,

Whose wrongs c ompassion c annot speak

Whos e only re fu ge was the gr av e .
 JOS IA S LYND ON ARNOLD .

J O SI A S L Y N D O N AR NOL D
W a s born at Providenc e R hode Island ab out t he ye ar 1768, , ,

an d was the son of one of the rst settlers and proprietors of St

J Ohnsb ury in Vermont He studie d at Dartmouth College , a n d

.

a ft erwards Oi cia t ed for a short time as rector of the Ac ademy

at Plain el d in Connectic ut He then removed t o P rovidenc e .

and began t h e study of law He w as ad mitte d t o the bar, but .

did not pursue this profession as w e presently nd h im ex er ,

c isi ng the o fc e of a tutor in the c ollege at Providenc e On .

the death of his father h e settle d in St J ohn sb ury , where h e

die d June 7th 1796 in his 2 9 t h year H is performances , c on
, , .

sisting of a few light and h a sty e ffusions in verse , were pub

lished aft er his de ath * .

A M ODE RN E C L OGUE .

CAR Y L the barber and his wife , of late ,

H ad journeying homeward words of high deb ate ;

, ,
He long had lived suspicious of th e fair ;
T o j ealous b osoms t ri es light as air
(
,

Are conrmations strong ) yet ne er h ad b een

S O prompt before to c harge her with the sin .

The Muse was by , and , ple as e d with s uch rar e sport,

Has told the dialogue in this here sort .

CARY L .

At three new Boston shop st ers h ave I tried ,

And bo u ght a chintz would ornament a bride
This bosom pin , this locket tie d wit h blue
-
,
I bought for Susan thinki ng she was true ,

But, a h ! for all my love What sad return ,

S inc e you for s wa i ns b eside your C aryl burn .

T is well I saw you not these eyes h a d ow d

Away in tears, and I h a d lifeless stood .

How times have al t er d sinc e I rst th ee kn ew !
How am I left the wedding day t o rue !
Ah luckless Caryl ! Sus an , faithless fair
, ,

Has soil d her fame , and san k thee t o despair !

T he p iece t it l d T h e La t W ds
en e s or of S ha lom , whi ch t he edit or
c l uded i n A ol d vol ume is b y F renea u
rn

s , .

V OL . ii. 7*
 JOS IAS L Y ND O N AR NOLD .

U S AN S .

T is true 0Caryl times have a lt er d qui te,

, ,

Sinc e rst you kiss d me on the nuptial night ;

Indeed they ve alt er d in four se asons gone

B ut charge not me th e fault is al l thy own .

Wh ile stood our cot on Bagley s fertile plai n,

I was thy nymph and thou my onl y swain , .

Then in thy presenc e b rig ht en d every sc ene ,

More red the rose gre w and the grass more g re e n ,

Soon as the s un from e astern ski es arose ,

We le ft o ur leafy c ouch and sweet repose ;
Then did I rst b ene ath the ashes hi d e
I wic e twenty roug h skins and o ur me al provide ;

-
,

Then swept an d to my spinning wh eel sa t down , -

Nor envie d her who w ears a golden crown ;

And when at n oon wit h lab or spent and heat, ,

Thou didst O Caryl t o thy c ot retreat,

, ,

I cheer d the e fainting with a cup Of whey ,

From C omstoc k s brought, an d fan u d the heat away

.

H ow o ft en then, attest ye stars above ,

Did Susan breadl ess make a me al on love

, ,
.

H ow oft did she refrain from every crus t,

Th ough p in c h d with hunger an d to quench thy th irst,

, ,

T O thee O C aryl all the whey resig n d

, , ,

Contente d al ways while h er swain w as kind

H OW oft , 0s un w ithin y ou pine tree grove
.

-
, ,

H ast thou heard Caryl tell me tales of love ;

And when thou hastenin g down the w este rn sky
, ,

Didst seek at eve i n Th etis lap to lie

,

Then did we to our humbl e c ot repair ,

And seek for rest and satis faction there .

But now , alas ! th e h appy glass is run ,

Caryl is faithless Sus an is undone .

C A RY L .

Stay Susan , stay ; from all repro a ch refra in

, ,

5 3 11 p rove m e faithless ere thou dost c omplain ,

.

H ere C a i j l stands , a pure a n d spotless youth ,

S heaven pres erv e m e as I spe ak th e truth

( O
H ere stands he pure a s thou my lovely b ri e , ,

Six months b efore th e nuptial knot wa s tie d

?
B ut say st thou this thy

o w n disgr ac e t o c ure
H a ! that s a trick I never will endure

.

I ll beat thee , Sus an for thou art my Wi fe;

,

I

ll b eat thee though I love the
,
e as my h fe .
0
8 J OSIA S LY ND O N A RNOLD .

Yet still I fa il d you sought another fai r ,

And Dermot saw you Caryl you know where , ,

.

You loathe d my love , your Susan s arms you ed ,

And cruel left me in a lonely be d ;

A female weakness th en us urp d my bre ast ;

I sought revenge my tears must tell the rest .

C AR YL .

Dermot was fal se and all h e told thee lies ;

,

But I forgive thee , Sus an ; wipe thine eyes .

U SA N 8 .

This is the only r eason I c an give

F or my past c onduc t ; but with th e e I 11live

In future Caryl spotless as the dove

, , ,

And fai thful as the redbreast to her love .

But now let s le ave this vile P awtuc ket town,
And in the country onc e more s et t le d o wn : a

L et s move our hut to Bagley s fertil e plain ,

And dwell in love and happiness again .

THE W ARRI O R S DE A TH S ONG

.

DEE P in th e west th e sun is gone ,

And darkness rapidl y comes on ;
B ut s oon his be a ms again sh al l rise ,

And radiant light o ersp rea d th e skies

.

Thus though th e raging ame destroy

,

This mortal ame to scenes of j oy ,

T h e soul shall y where Podar rei gns,

O er pleas ant woods an d fertile plains .

There nations sh all no mor e b e foes ,

Nor warriors tribe to trib e Oppos e
N O h ideous war song shall be h ear d ,
-

'
But pe ac e inspire the ravish d bard .

NO arrows tipt with d bone , p olish

Nor tomahawk shall there b e known

B ut all till time itself shall c e ase ,
,

Shall live in h armony and pe ac e .

U rgeth e n the torments h aught foes ,

Thus death the sooner sh all disc ose

 J OS IA S LYND ON A RN OLD .

Th e lan d where every torment ies ,

Where endless j oys and pleas ures rise .

Bid erc er ames around him roll ,

And t ry to b end his stubborn soul ;
Yet vai n the hope th e tri al vain,
,

T O mak e great Ell a c s son compl ain

.

No sting Of wo nor ain severe ,

,

Sh all from his ey eli s draw a tear ;

B ut e en his foes themselves sh a ll s ay ,

A noble c hief has fall n toda y

.

Tell then your sons y e warriors , tell

,

Without c omplai nt how Kallac k fell ;

How his rm bre ast no fear a p p all d
,

T o die whene er his nation ca ll d

.

Thus shall their manly bosoms glow ,

With soul s invincible by w o,
E xult like Ell ac s son to die ,

And to th e realms of Podar y .

Th us spake t h e h ero of t h e s h ore ,

Where broad Ka nh a wa s waters roar ;

Then close d his eyes untaught to weep , ,

An d sunk in glory s arms t o sleep

.

F RAGMENT , DE S C RI P T IV E O F T H O SE E XTRA ORDIN AR Y ANI

MAL S W H O S E B ONE S H AVE BE EN F OUND IN THE W E 8T ~

E RN C OUNTR Y .

THE monsters rage and round th e e arth

,

Spread ruin a n d destruction fell ,

*
Sent by the great P e hO Og t hsi s wrath ,
Fierce from th e angry g ates of hell
Haste my Shootai has te awa
, ,

Destruction wai t s upon delay .

Above t h e highest pines they rais e

In horrid maj esty th eir head
Their eyes in veng eful an ger blaze ,
Their j aws grind nations of the dead .

*E vi l Sp irit .

2
JOS IA S LYND O N ARNOLD .

Haste my Shootai haste away ,

, ,

Destruction waits upon delay

S ave us J[ Oroo n oh ! at a leap
,

O er Allegany s height they b ound,

O er Huron s darkly rolling deep

,

And w ith c onvulsions rend the ground .

H aste my Shootai h aste awa

, ,

Destruction waits upon delay

They breath e the woods are prostrate laid ,
,

The rocks are move d; they roar ,

Old E rie on his fall is st a y d

,

Ka nh a w a trembles o n h is shore .

Haste , my Shootai h aste aw ay , ,

D estr ucti on waits upon delay !

S ONG .

WH ILE zephyrs fan the verdant groves ,

And o weret s grac e the plain ,

Whil e shepherds tell th e nymphs their lov es ,

And aunt in pleas ure s train

To yon der c ottag e of my fai r

My anxious footsteps ten d ;
Wh at joy so gre at as viewing there
A lover and a friend ?
T o h er Ifear not to disclos e
T he feeh n g s of my heart ;
She b e ars a part in all my woes ,
In all my j oys a part .

If e er sh e w eeps I kiss t h e te ar ,

And bid her sorrows end

If she is ple as ed j oy show s me near
,

A lover and a friend .

She s youthful innocent and gay ,
,

Of perfect mind and mien ;

She quickly steal s all hearts away ,
Wherever she is s een .

B ut thou g h e ach shepherd s heart she cha rms ,

And they before her bend ,

R ound me alone she t hrows her arms ,

A lover and a friend .

G od S p it o ir .
 W I LLI AM B OYD .

W IL L IAM B O Y D

W a s born in He w as graduate d at Harvard C olleg e

in 1796, and had ne arly c omplete d a c ourse of medic al st u
di es , when he was seized with a consumption of which h e die d ,

J anuary 13th , 180 0, in

his 2 4t h ye ar He publishe d at t he . .

age of nineteen , a po em, entitle d Woman, delivere d by
him at a public e x hibition at college .

W OMAN .

WH EN tim e w as young and nature rst began

,

T o form this odd fa ntas tic b eing man

, , ,

She ra ck d her fancy to invent a j oy
U nknow n before to ple ase the smili ng boy
, .

Her choicest viands fr o m the eld she brought ,

C h eris h d each herb and all their uses taught ;

,

Press d the c old earth and bade the fou ntai n pour

,

Its stream m ea n derin t o the distant shore .

T o cheer the day an bani sh ey ery pain ,

She spread luxuriance o er the festive plain ,

Smiled on th e scene and c a ll d the c horri st s song

,

T O sweete n ple asure and th e joy prolong

, .

Though far around was po ur d the plenteous tide,

NO ch arm forgotten and no bliss denied

,

Though rich profusion l a vish d all its store

,
Man saw the tasteless sweets and p ined for mo re , .

Still anxious c are his feeling heart opp ress d

,

And pensive languor rankled on his breast .

.

The plagu e ennui his dearest j oys had s tole ,

And solitude s col d pleasure c hill d his soul
.

P arental c are again the tas k ren ew d

,

Again each art, with fondest zeal pursued ;

From Opening roses c a ll d the blushing dye

An d the mil d lustre of the n e w born sky ; -

From every sweet expanding to the view

The magic power a soft perfection drew ;
Best ow d each rac e that nicest skill c ould give

, ,
An d c all d the ovely c omposition E ve

, .

The winning fair from nature s wardrobe dress d

,

,
By heaven applauded , and by man c aress d
,
 W IL LIAM B OYD .

E ac h melting ch arm w ith artless pride display d,

In form an angel, and in he a rt a maid .

Now ple as ure chas t e as virtue s self c ould fei gn ,

,

R ened the he art an d war m d the lin gering v ein ;

E ach j oy c omplete ; a n d man exulting w ove

The silken fetters of connubial love .

Had h eaven s behest in providenc e deni e d

Nature s best gi ft , an d m an s t oo c harming pride ,

N O gentle tie the savage bre ast could bind ,

And instinct only r ule the vac ant mind .

E nchantin g woman bade an E den smile ,

Where the rough glebe deed th e lab orer s toil ;

On the b are roc k a pleas in banquet spre ad ,

And taught the int to y ie d a downy bed .

The happy peas ant climbs the mountain s b row,
'

Builds on th e ch nor asks the plai n b elow ;

,

Conte nt and peac e b eneath th e tempest dwell ,

And lovely woman cheers the humble c ell .

In s oft er climes where be ams a milder ray,

,

Where laughin g elds enj oy eternal May ,

E nli gh t en d m an to female me rit true ,

,

Has paid the homage to perfec tion due .

The hardy veter an qu its the fatal plain ,

Where la urell d honor strode amid the slain ;

To gentler passions the willing hear t,

Bows to the fai r an dyields
owns the p leas m g smart
,

The sceptre d despot, now n o lon er proud ,

De s erts the throne and le aves the awning crowd
, ,
H imself a s uppli an t, to th e fair he ies ,

L ives in her smile , and in her fro wn he dies .

E mpires and states in m adde n ing di scor d rage ,

Forget affection and the c ombat wage
,

For some fair s he whom artful man b e guiled ,

,

And Troy expires b ecaus e a Helen s mi led

, .

Cornelia s worth sh all grac e t h historic p age ,

And all her virtues live to latest age ;

A sh ining portr ait e er hel d up to l ife ,

An ancient model for a modern wife .

The modest matron far from publi c show , ,

Bent the young mind and tau ght the heart t o grow ,

Deep in the nursery s shade unenvied shon e,
Nor wish d the ge wgaws of the world h er o wn

.

N O diamond there its blazing lustre shed ,

N O toil et splendor to th e eye was spread ;

The infant s prattle, and t he winning play ,

 W ILLI AM B OYD .

With dearer j oys beguil e d the te dious day,

Than t in sell d show and fading w eal th impart,

These charm the he ad b ut those delight the heart ,

.

Far to th e north wher e L apland deserts lie ,

,

A w aste unpitie d by the inclement sky ,

The savage boor to sympathy unknown ,

,
Aud mutual pleasures w hich de cre ase his own , ,

S t ret ch d at hi s ease neglec ts the husband s c are

, ,

Wh ile menial labors grind the h apless fair .

From Afric sands , where Siroc s poisonous b re ath

Blasts th e young herb , and te ems with w asting de ath ,

T o the mild clime where G anges laves th e plain ,

Where smiling spring and whispering zephyrs rei gn,

S t ill liv es this truth by s avage man confesa d ,
,

Woman b eloved yet woman the Oppress d

,

.

The Turk a tyrant to the c aptive maid

, ,

C onn es her beauties to th e h aram s shade

There on its w all each dastar d act engraved

, ,

He c ounts his glories by the fai r enslaved .

The j eal ous knave would tame a female s hate
Wi t h splendid t ri es and t he charms of state ;

With regal pride the lover s warmth woul d give '
,

An d in a pris on bid a ec tion live .

Preposterous thought ! where slavery s galling c hain
Chill s the young wish , an d turns each j oy to p ain ,

L ove , free as ai r from c urse d Oppression ies ,

,

P ines at the fetter and imp ris on d dies

,

.

In milder E urope when the infant ray ,

Of pure renement b ea m d unc ertain d ay ,

Th e hapless fair e ach h umble labor plied ,

And c old neglect attende d at her si de .

Now genial scienc e on the mind has shone , ,

Its rigor soften d and its passions won ;

,

N ow female worth shall honest praise assume ,

N or fade n eglected i n the cloister s g loom

Columbia hail ! alon g thy fa vor d shore ,

T he end Oppression sh al l b e heard no more

N o tyrant lord with j eal ous fear shall bind
, ,

T h e soft a ffections of th e female mind ;

N O groveling wretch w ith impious zeal shal l dare ,
A ss ault th e rig ht s Of he aven protected fair -

Soon sh il the w orld rec eive the generous re

.

,
Bl u sh at its follies and the fair admire ,

S o on shal l the time , by ancient b ards foretold

A j oyful era to the heart unfold
v on . 11 . 8
 W I LLI AM C L I FF TON .

When female worth with purest beam shall shin e,

Nor rival man wi t h s ordid envy pin e ;
Wh en mutual ple as ures un dis t urb d shall roll
,
An d th e rude Ar ab own a woman s so ul
.

W IL L IAM C L IF F T O N .

IVIL L IAM CL I FF T ON was the son of a quaker of Phila de

phi a, an d was born in 1772 He is s aid t o h ave manifested in
.

his e a rly years an uncommon vivacity and quickness of mind ,

a n d soon distinguishe d himself for his attachment t o elegant

literature and strong thirst for every kind of liberal kno w

,

ledge His health v hich was prec arious from infancy re

.
,
q ,

ceiv ed s o severe a sh ac k by the rupture of a blood vessel at .

t he age of nineteen , as t o disqualify h im for al l kinds Of active

business His fe eble c ondition having from th e b egin ning
.

held out nothing favorable for h is future prospec ts in life as

r egards the c o m mon oc c upations of the world he was n ot c d ,

uc a t e d with a view to any particul ar profession Th e c ircum .

stanc es Of his father who was a wealthy man enable d him t o

, ,

devote the intervals Of his t h e whic h debility an d diseas e

,

al lowed t o study He mingle d little in society and was led

, .
,

by n o c ontrol or advic e in the c ourse of his literary pursuits ,

trusting to his own sound j ud gment and c orrec t tas te U nder .

this guidance the great mas ters of poetry and eloquence were
studied and imitated with a ll the ze al and assid uity which his
,

phys ic al in rm it ies g ave Opport unity for exerting .

By his parents who were a mong the straitest of th eir s ect,

,

h e w as brought up in a rig id adherenc e t o the quaker m an ners

and pr inciples These however although not altogether in
.
, ,

c ompatible with a taste for polite letters as rec ent examples ,

h ave shown yet w ere found quite uns ui table to th e ch aracter

,

and part ialities of t he young devotee of the muses In th e .

latter part of his life , therefore he threw Off th e quaker dre ss

,
 W ILL IA M C LI FF T O N .

My maiden h ands for ght shall dress th e e ,

And when th e drum beats far away ,
I ll drop a s ilent tear and bless the e

.

R et urn d with honor , from the hostile plain

,

Mary will smile , and all b e fair again .

Th e b ugles through t h e forest wind ,

Th e woodland soldiers c all t o battle ,
Be som e protecting angel kind ,
And guard thy life when c annons rattle
She sung and as th e rose appears
,

In sunshine whe n the storm is over

, ,

A smile b ea m d sweetly through her tears ,

The blush of promise to her lover .

R et urn d in triumph from the hostile plain

,

All shall b e fair and Mary smi le agai n

,
.

T O A R OB IN .

FR OM winter so dreary and lon g ,

Esc a ed ah ! how welcome the d ay ,

,

Sweet ob with his innoc ent song ,

Is ret urn d to his favo rite spray

.

When th e voic e of the tempest was he ard ,

As o er th e bleak mountain it p as s d

,

He hie d to the thicket, poor bird

And shrunk from the pitiless blast .

By the maid of the v alley s urvey d

,

Did she melt at thy c omfortless lot

Her h and w as it st re t ch d to thy aid
, ,

As thou p ic k ds t at the door of her

c ot

She did ; and th e wint er y wind ,

May it h owl not around her green grove

Be a b osom s o gentl e a n d kind ,
Only fan ni d by the bre athings of love .

Sh e did ; and th e kiss of h er swain,

With rapture the de ed shall requite
, ,

Th at gave to my window a ain

P oor Bob an d his song 0 delight .
 W ILLIAM CLI FF TO N .

T O FAN C Y .

A ra r traveller queen of song, ,

S weetest fancy ever young , ,

I to th ee my soul resign ;
All my future life be thin e
R ic h or beggar d c h a in d or free

, ,

L et me h ve and laugh with thee .

Prid e perhaps may knock and say , ,

37
R is e thou slug g ar d come away ,
.

B ut c an he thy Joy im part ,

?
Will he cro wn my leaping he art
If I banish hence thy s m i le
Wil l he make it worth my while .

Is my lonely pittance pas t,

Fleetin g o o d too light to last ,

L i ft s my rien d the latch no more ,

F ancy thou c anst al l restore
,

Thou c anst wit h t hy airy shell

, ,

To a p a lace rais e my cell .

At ni g ht while st ret c h d on lowly b ed

,

,

When tyr ant tempest sh ak es my she d ,

And pipes aloud ; how b less d am I

,

All cheerin g nymph if thou art by , ,

If thou art by to snatc h my soul

Where bill ows rage and thunders roll .

From cloud o er peering mounta in s brow

,

We 11 mark the mighty coil below

,
While roun d us innocently play

The li ht nin g s ash and meteor s ray

And 5] so sa d some spectre form

,

, ,

Is h eard to moan ami d the storm .

With thee t o guide my steps I ll creep

In some old h aunte d nook t o sleep ,

L ull d by th e dre ary night bird s sc re am

-

,
That it s along th e wiz ard stream ,
And there till mornin g gins appe ar
,

,

The tales of troubled spirits hear .

*
V OL I L
. 8
0
9 W ILL I AM C L I FF T O N .

S weet s the dawn s ambiguous light

,

Quiet pause tween day an d night,

When afa r th e mellow horn

, ,

C hides th e tardy gaited morn

-
,

And asleep is yet the gal e

On sea b e at mount, and river d v al e
-

.

B ut the morn , th ough sweet and fa ir,

Sweeter is wh en thou art th ere
Hymning stars s ucc essive fade ,

F ai ries hurtle through the shade ,

L ove lorn owers I we eping see

-
,

If th e scene is t ouch d by thee

.

When uncloude d shines th e day ,

W hen my spirits danc e and play ,

To s ome sunn y b ank we ll go

Where the fairest roses blow ,

And in gamesome vein prepare

Chaplets for thy spangle d h a ir .

Thus through life with th ee I ll glide ,

Happy still whate er betide ,

And while plodding sots c omplain

Of c e as eless toil and slender g ain ,

E very passin g hour shal l be

Worth a golden age t o me .

Then lead on deli ghtful power

, ,

L ead Oh ! le ad m e to thy bower ;

,

I to thee my soul resign ,

All my future life b e thine .

R ich or beggar
d c ha in d or free
,

,

L et me live and laugh with thee .

A FL IGH T OF F A N C Ya

F o a l onely shades , a n d rustic b ed ,

L et phil osophic spirits Sigh ;

ask no melanc holy she d,
N o her mit s dr eary c ave , not I

.
92 W ILLIAM C L IFF T ON .

In breezy isles and fores ts near ,

The sylvans oft t heir hau nts sh all le ave

And oft th e torrent paus e to hear
The lake nymph s song , at silent eve
-

.

There shall the moon with half shut eye ,

Delirious hear her voc al beam

, ,

To ngering sounds resp on swe sigh ,

And bless the hermit s midnight dream .

No magic wee d nor poison fell

Shall tremble there ; nor dru g uncouth ,

To round the mutterin g W izard s spell ,

Or bathe with death the serpent s tooth

.

No cruste d ditch nor festering fen

With plagues shall teem a deadly brood ,
.

N o monster leave his ni g htly den

T o lap the w1l der d pilgrim s bloo d

.

B ut on the rose s de wy brink

,

E ach prismy tear shall catc h the gleam ;

And give the infant b uds to drink ,

Th e colors of the morning b eam .

The waters sweet from whispering wells

, ,

Shall loiter neath the owery brake ;

Sh al l visit oft th e N a ia d s c el ls
,

And hie them to th e s ilver lake .

The muse shall h ail at peep of dawn, ,

Melodiously t h e coming day

At eve her song shall soothe the lawn ,

And w ith the mountain ech oes play .

There spring shall laugh at winter s frow n,

There s ummer blus h for gamesome spring ,

And autumn p ra n k d in Wheaten crown
, ,
His stores to h ungry winter bring .

T is mine t is mine ! this sacred grove ,

Where truth and beauty may recline ,

The sweet resort of many a love
Monimia , come and make it thine .
 ROBE R T T RE AT PAIN E .

For thee the b ursting b uds are ripe ,

The whistling robin c alls thee h ere ,
To thee c omplains the w oodl an d pipe ;
Will not my love d Monimia he ar ?
A fawn I 11bring t h ee gentl e maid

, ,
To gambol round thy ple asant door ;

I ll curl thee wreaths that ne er sha ll fade ,

What shall I say to tempt thee more ?

The bl ush that w arms thy m a iden cheek ,

The mornin g eye s s eques t er d tear

,
F or me thy ki n dlin passion speak
,

And ch ain this s u tle vision here .

Spots o f delight, and many a day

Of s ummer love for me sh all shin e
In truth my b e ating heart is g a
At sight of th at fond s mile o thin e .

C ome , c ome my love , away with me

, ,
The m o m of li fe is has tenin g by ,
T o this g a y sc en e w e 11 gaily ee
,

An d spo rt us neath th e peac eful sky .

'

An d when th at awful day shall ris e,

That s ees thy c heek w ith age grow pale ,
An d t h e s oul fading in thine eyes ,

We 11sigh and qui t the w eepin g vale .

R 0BE R T T RE AT P A IN E .

"
R OBE RT TRE AT P a m s w a s born at Taunton in Massa
'

chus et t s Dec ember 9 th 1773

,
His father w as th e Hon R ob
,
. .

ert Tre at P aine , one of the signers of the Declar ation of In

dependenc e In his eighth year his father removed t o Boston

. ,

and he entere d H arvard U niversity in 1788, where he began

H is n am e wa s orig in a lly T h o m as Pain l

e , a n d a tered by l
a n a ct of t he legis a

r 0
t u e in 18 1 .
94 R OB E RT T R EAT u rn s .

to write verses on the occasion of havin g b een th e s ubj ect of

s ome s atirical lines scrawle d upon the walls of th e c ollege .

His suc cess prompted him to further endeavors , and he soon

acquire d a hi g h reputation for poetry among his associates .

After a temporary s uspe nsion in c onsequenc e of refractory

b ehavio ur in c ertain matters connecte d with the disc ipline of
th e seminary h e w a s graduate d in 1792
,
On leaving c ollege .
,

h e w as plac e d in the c ounting room of a merc hant in Boston ,

most prob ably rather in accordanc e with the wishes of his p a

rents th an his o wn inclination as he does not appe ar t o have
, ,

applie d h imself to b usiness with any degree of industry or

good will He c ontinu e d for a year or two penning stanzas
.

when he sho uld have engross ed till h is minority was expire d ,

,

When h e bade adie u to the leger and b egan his c areer as a

,

m an of letters by setting up a we ekly newspaper in Boston ,

,

with the title of The Fe deral Orrery H is ambition for ex .

c elli ng in poetry h ad b efore this rec eive d a ne w stimulus by

the rec eption o f a gold me dal for a prize poem at the Opening
o f the Boston Theatre in 1793 This w a s t he fo undati on of an
.

attac hment to the pleas ures of th e stage which exerted a po w

e rful inuenc e upon his fortunes In 1795 h e marrie d Miss
.

Baker , a beautiful and acc omplishe d actress who belonged t o ,

the rst company of c omedians that occ upie d the Fe deral

street boards The match produc e d a s eparation b etween him
.

and his fath er , whos e prej udices against the charac ter of a
p ub lic performer coul d not b e overcome although Mrs P aine ,

never appeare d upon the stag e a fter her marriag e .

The Federal Orr ery w a s n ot s ucc essful in his h ands A .

lar g e s ubscription was rst obtaine d for it i n cons equenc e of

the high Opinion entertaine d of the talents of the e ditor b ut ,

th e p ublic expectation w as d i sappointed P aine gave har dly .

any atten t ion to the c oncerns of the paper Amusements an d .

indolent h abits c ons umed his time and h e s u ffered a work ,

with which he h ad c onnected his name an d reputation to sink ,

into di sr egar d During this period he wrote the Invention of

.
,

L etters a poem which he delivere d at C ambridge on receiv

,
J

ing a Mas ter s degre e This wa s printe d , and obtaine d such

.
96 R O B E RT T R EAT PAI N E .

s ums mo ney, and the most extrav ag ant praise , b ut a vol um e

of

o f h is works c ould n ot n o w b e s old His prose writi ngs in

.

th e sh ape of orations occasional addresses , a n d the like , which

,

r ec eive d n o less applaus e than his e ffusions in verse , are among

the most remarkable speci me n s of b ad taste which that species
of wr itin g c an exhibit Some of his most elab orate pieces
.

rise ab ove mediocrity , b ut th e bul k of his poetry h as ab out t h e

s ame de gre e of merit as th e c ommon r un of magazine rhym es

, .

H is stage pr ologues and epilogu es are next t o one or t wo of

,

his smaller pieces perhaps the b est of his works His nation
,
.

a l son
g of Adams and L iberty is the most widely known .

The patriotic spirit of the piec e gave it a cu rrency w hich its

merits as a literary production alone would h ave fail e d t o se ,

c ure There is an approach towar ds a poetic al id e a in a s in

.

gle stanza b ut the general strai n of thought and e xpression

, ,

is quite c ommonplac e .

P aine was immoderately overr ate d in th e h eyday of his pop

ul arit y , yet his tal ents were respectable His fancy wa s rich .

and lively b ut not reine d in by a proper t as t e W e a re

, .

told h e ende avore d to form his style of composition aft er

the manner of Dryden ; it is s urprising that the study of such
a m odel should not have rendere d him more attentive t o t he
c orrectness and polish of his diction .

ADAM 5 AN D L IBE RTY .

YE s ons of Columbia, who bravely have fought

For those ri g hts whic h unstaine d fr om yo ur sires had de
,

scended ,

May you long taste the blessings your valor has bought,
And your sons reap the soil which their fathers defended .

Mid the reign of mil d peac e ,
May your nation increase ,

With the g lory of R ome and the w isdom of Greec e ,

And ne er shall the sons of Columbia b e slaves ,
While th e e arth bears a plant , or the sea rolls its waves .

In a c lim e whose rich vales fee d the marts of the world ,

,

Whose shores are unshaken by E urope s c o mmotion

,
 R O B E RT T REA T PAI NE .

The trident of commerc e should n ever be h url d,

T o inc ense the legitimate powers of t he ocean V

.

But should p irates invade ,

Though in thunder arra y d
,

Let your c annon declare the free charter of trade .

For ne er shal l the sons , & c .

The fame of our arms of our laws the mil d sway

, ,

Had j ustly ennoble d our nation in story ,

Till the dark clouds of faction obscure d our young

And enveloped the sun of Americ an glory .

But let traitors b e told ,

Who their country have sold ,

And b a rt er d the ir Go d for his image in gold

,

That ne er will the s ons & c , .

W hile Franc e her huge limbs bathes recum bent in bl ood ,

And society s b as e threats with w ide dissolution

Ma pe ac e like the dove who returne d fr om the ood

, ,

ind an ark of abode in our mild constitution .

But though peac e is our aim ,

Yet the boon we disdain,

If bought by our sovereignty , j ustic e or fame , .

For ne er shall the sons & c

, .

T is the re o f the int, each American warms

Let R ome s h aughty victors beware of c oll ision ,

L et them bring all t h e vas s als of E urope in arms ,

We re a world by our selves an d dis dain a division, .

While with patriot pride ,

T o our laws we re allie d

,

N o fee c an sub due us no faction divi de, .

For ne er sh all th e sons , & c .

O ur mountains are c rown d with imperial oak ;

W hose roots lik e our liberties , ages have n ourish d

,

But long e er our nation submits to the yok e ,
Not a tre e shall be le ft on the eld where it ourished .

Shoul d invasion impend ,

E very grove would desc end
From the hill
.

tops they shaded our shores to defend

, , .

For ne er shall the sons & c , .

L et our patriots destroy An arch s pestilent worm ;

L est our lib erty s growth should be c heck d by c o rrosion

VOL . i i. 9
98 R OBE R T T RE AT ra m s .

Then let clouds thicke n round us we h eed not the storm

Our realms fe ar n o shoc k but the earth s own explosion
,

.

Foes assail us in vain ,

Though their eets bridge the

F or our altars and laws with our lives we ll maintain .

For ne er sh all th e sons , & c

.

Should the tempest of wa r overshado w o ur lan d ,

Its bolts coul d ne er ren d freedom s temple asunder ;

or unmoved at its portal would Washington stan d

, , , ,

And repuls e with h is breast, th e as s aults of th e thun der !

,

H is sword from th e sleep

Of its sc abbard w ould leap ,

And conduct with its poin t, every ash t o the deep !

,

For ne er sh all th e sons , & c .

L et fa me
to the world sound Americ a s voic e

No intri gues c an her sons from their governments sever ;

Her pride is her Adams ; her laws are his choice ,
An d sh all our ish till lib erty slumbers for ever
,
.

Then unite he art an d h a nd ,

L ike L e oni das band
,

And swear to the Go d of th e oc ean an d l and ,

That ne er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves

,

Whil e the earth be ars a plant, or th e sea rolls its waves .

THE S TREE T W AS A R UIN .

T m : street was a ruin , and night s horri d gl are

Bl umin ed with terror the fac e of desp air ;

Whil e houseless bew ailing , ,

Mute pity assailin g ,

A moth er s wild shr ieks pierc e d th e mercil ess ai r

.

Beside her stood E dward implorin g each W in d , ,

T o w ake his love d sister wh o lin g er d behind ; ,

Awake m y poor Mary , ,

Oh ! y to me Mary ; ,

In th e arms of your E dward a pillow y ou ll n d

, .

In vain he c all d, for now t h e volumed smok e

,

Crackling between the parting ra ft ers broke ;

,

Through t h e rent seams the forked ames aspir e,

All all , is lost ; th e roof the r oof s on re !
, ,

 ROB E RT T R E AT PAI N E .

C H O RU S .

An d the c olors of thou g ht in the ir elements r un ,

As the prismatic glass show s th e hues of the sun .

In the m om of the west as the light roll d away

,

From th e grey eve of re frion s by bi otry cloude d ,

,

With the dawn wok e our Fi a n klin an glancing t h e day ,

,

Turu d its beams through the mist, With which art wa s

shroude d ;
To kindle her shrine ,
His Promethean line
Drew a spark from the clouds and made printing divine
,

C H OR U s .

When th e re by his rod was attracte d from he aven ,

Its ash by th e type , his c ond uctor , wa s given .

Ancient wisdom may boast of th e spic e and the weed ,

Which em b al m d the c old form of its her oes and s ages ;

B ut their fame lives alone on the leaf of th e ree d ,

Whic h has gro wn throu g h th e cle fts in t h e ruins of ages ;

C ould they rise they would shed ,
,

L ike Cic ero s head ,

Tears of blood on th e spot w here th e w orld they had le d

,
.

C H O RU S .

Of om p ey and Caes ar unknown is the tomb ,

ut the type is their forum , the page is th eir R ome .

Blest geni us of type down the vista of time a

As thy ight le aves behind th ee th is v ex d generation

Oh ! transmit on thy scroll this bequest from our c lime ,

,

The press c an c ement or dismember a nation

, .

Be thy temple the mind

There like Vesta enshrined
, , ,

Watch and foster the ame whic h i nsp ires h uman kind !
,

C H OR U S .

P reser v ing all arts may all arts cherish th ee

,

And thy science and Virtue te ach man to b e fre e !

 J O H N L AT H R O P .

J O H N L ATH R O P w a s born in Boston , in January , 1772 and ,

w as th e son of the R e v John L athrop of t he same plac e

. .

He stu die d at Harvard U niversity and commenc e d busi ,

ness in Boston as a lawyer He aft erw ards remove d t o Ded

.

h am where he wa s appointe d clerk of the court for th at

,

county He held the o fc e only for a short time , and retu rned
.

to Boston He met with s o little s ucc ess in his profession

.
,

th at he determine d to leave his country and seek h is fortun e ,

in In dia It does n ot appear that he ha d any very distinct

.

views or expectations in that quarter but we are told that he ,

met with disappointments and a fter some time opene d a school

, ,

in Calcutta in which however h e was not allowed to pursu e

, , ,

s o extensive a system of e duc ation as he c ontemplated He .

presented to the Marquis Wellesley, Governor G ener a l of

Indi a a plan of a literary institution in whic h the yo uth of
,

India mi ght be ed ucated Without going to E n g land to pros e :

c ute their studies The proposal was rej ecte d from the a p
.

pre hension that s uch an establishment would tend to weake n

th e dependence of British India upo n th e mother c ountry and ,

lay the foundation for a revolt .

He p as Sed ten years in Indi a, employed in the c ares of his

school , and in writing for the public j ournals , b ut witho ut realiz
ing any of those golden prospects of success the anticipation ,

of which had entic ed h i m from his home The government .

w as j e alous of foreigners the public press was under s ever e

,

restrictions and the paths to we al th and distinction were oc

,

c up ie d by more adventurous and fortunate c ompe titors He .

r e t urne d to this c ountry in 180 9, and at rst meditate d the

es tabl ishment of a literary journal b ut the period was most
,

unfavorable to such an enterprise The violence of party dis

.

putes which occ upied the public attention , had nearly banishe d
all taste and inclination for literary pursuits and hardly any ,

thin g was relishe d which did not relate in some shape or other
t o the loc al politics of the day L ath rop had little partiality
.

VOL . ii. 9*
 JOH N LATH ROP .

for s uc h avoc ations besides that his absenc e from home had
,

estrange d him from all interest and famili arity with most of
the prominent topics of political debate The d esign of the .

j ourn al was droppe d and as h e was prevented by the lo n g in

,

t erval w hich h e had passed out of practice from resuming his ,

profession of th e law he betook himself to his later employ,

ment of teaching He superintende d a school in Boston for

.

se veral years besides delivering scientic lec t ures , addresses

,

and orations He w as enable d t o g ai n a support in th is m an

.

ner b ut after a while the prospect of better succ ess induc e d

,

him to remove to t he south He pursue d the b usin ess of in .

struction delivere d lectures , a n d exercised his pen in that

,

qu arter and nally obtained a situation in the post ofc e

, .

He die d January 30 t h, 182 0 .

L athrop possessed talents whic h might have s ec ured him

we al th and distinction but his facility of dispos ition his
, , ,

want of foresight a n d his im providenc e hindere d them

, ,

from being exer te d muc h to the e molument or renown of

the possessor His benevolent feelings prompte d him t O
.

ac t s of k indness which threw him into embarrassments , and

m a terially hindere d the accomplis hment of many of h is pl ans .

His poems consist mostly of occ asional piec es on misc ella ,

n eous topics published in the newspapers in this country and

,

India We believe n o c oll ection h as ever been made of them

. .

H is longest piec e is th e Speech of C a n on ic us written on th e

,

voyage to India and rst publishe d at C al c utta It was re

,
.

printe d in Boston in 180 3 b ut has b een so lit tle kno wn among

, ,

us that a biographer of th e poet w as ignorant that it ha d ever

,

p as sed through the American press This poem is a sort of .

In dian Theo g ony , made up of t he aboriginal traditions .

S P EE C H OF C AN O N IC U S .

O U R Go d commands fe rtile real ms I has t e, . To

Compared with which your gardens are a w aste ,

There in ful l bloom , etern al spring abide s

, ,

And swar ming shes glide through azure tides ;

Continu al sunshine gilds the cloudle ss skies ,
 J OH N LAT H ROP .

And torture , as they mould the magic clay .

Yot a a n i t * too he form d who When t is dark ,

, ,

, ,

E licits from a stone th e precious spark , ,

That th e poor Indian c old and w eary , w arms ,

, ,

And cheers t he tedious hours w hen W inter storms

Bid the c hill d blood through all life s channels ow,

And draws a beverage pure and sweet from snow,

When bridge d with ic e the stagnant rivers sleep ,
, ,

And c ease to pour their tributes to the deep .

Tempt not his rage for dreadful is his ire ,

,

Th en harvests trees and towns asc end in re

,

If his c onsuming wrath our crimes provoke ,

He scatters to t he winds our wealth in smoke

From him our comfort or distress proce eds ,
E vil or good propo rt ioned to our deeds .

Th en b urst our mother E arth s prolic womb ;

Then groves aspired and me ads b e g an to bloom ,

,

The li v m g streams e a ch mountain sourc e to shun ,

,

R oll sparkling down and in their c ourses run ,

The S e ip m a m t og r c onue nt waters wed ,

And o er the tee ming s orl a green luxuriance spread

.

Next, b easts w ere formed the tenants of the wood , ,

Birds for the air and shes for the ood

,
.

First in the briny depth the c umbrous whale ; ,

The e agle yon bl ue eminenc e to scale ;

,

The Wily fox whose sense eludes our arts

, ,

And venome d s n ak e that on the unwary darts ;

,

The re asoning beaver ; and th e moos e we prize ,

Whose esh our meat whose sk in our garb supplies

Innumerous ani m al s of v arious brood ,
T h at prey with ravenous teeth or browsing g ain their , ,

Creation g ro a n d wh en with l aborious bir th

,

Mammoth w a s born to rul e his parent earth ,

Mammoth ! I tre mble while my voice recounts ,

H is size th at t ower d o er all our misty mounts

His wei g ht a balanc e for y o u pine crowned hills -

,

On whos e broad front h alf heaven in de w disti ls

His motions forc ed the sta rry sphe res t o shake ,

The sea to roar the soli d land to quake .

H is breath a Whirlwin d From his angry eye , .

F lash d ames lik e res that light the nort hern sky ;

The noblest river scarc e supplie d him drink ,

Nor food , the herds that graze d along its brink

* T he
god of re .
t River gods .
 JOH N LATH R OP . 0
1 5

Trampling through forests w ul d the mons ter pass,

'
Breasting t h sto utest oaks 1 e blades o f grass !
Creation nished Go d a s abbath kept , ,

And twic e two h undred moons profoundly slept ;

At length from cal m and un disturb ed repo se
,

With kind intent the sire of natu re ros e

N orthwa rd he bent his course with parent care , ,

T o view his cr eatures an d his love declare ,

T o bless th e works his wisdom erst had pl an n d,
And with fresh bounties ll the grateful lan d .

Hoar Pa um p a g ussit s well d with c onscious pride

,

And here the Almighty o er eac h looming tide ;

S weet owering b ushes sprang where er he trod

,

And groves a n d vales a n d mounta ins h a il d t heir Go d ;

, , ,

With more e ffulgent beams Kees uc kqua n d shone ,

And lent to night a splendor like his ow n .

Thus moved the deity But vengeful wrath .

,

Soon g a t her d awful glooms around his path

,

Approachin g near to Mammoth s Wide domain

,

H e v iew d t he ravage of the tyrant s rei g n

.

Not the gaunt wolf nor cougar erce a n d wild ,

,

E scaped the tusks that all the el ds des p oil d

N o beast that range d the v alley plain or w oo d , ,

Was spared by e arth s fell chief and his ins atiate brood

.

Nor did j ust anger rest Behold a storm .

,

Of sable horrors clothe the etern al s form

.

L oud thunders b urst while forke d li g htnings dart ,

And e a c h red bolt t ra n s x d a Mammoth s hear t

,

T all ce dars c ras h d bene ath them falling pron e

,

And heaven reb ello w d with their dying g roan

.

So undermine d by inw ard res or t i me

, , ,

Some cra g gy moun t that long has t o wer d s ublime

,

T umbles in ruins with tremen dous sound ,

And spreads a horrible destruction round

The trembling land through all its c averns roars ,
And oc ean hoarsely draws his billows from th e shores .

Mammoth meanwh i le , opposed his mally hide

, ,

And shagged front that th underbolts deed

,

C elesti al arms from his rough dead he shook ,

An d tr ampling With his hoofs the blunte d weapons brok e , .

At len gt h on e shaft discharged With happi er aim

, ,

Pierce d his huge side and wra pp d his bulk in ame

.

Mad with the angu ish of the burning w oun d ,

With furious speed he raged along t h e ground ,

And p as s d Ohio s billows with a bou nd

Thence , o er Wabash and Illinois he ew,

 J OH N L ATH ROP .

Deep t o their beds the river gods Withdrew,

A rig ht ed nature tremble d as h eed
'

And Go d alone continued free from dread

,
.

Mammoth in terrors awfully sublime ,

L ike some v as t comet blazing from our clime , ,

Impetuous rush d O er Allegany s brow

.

He leap d an d howling plun g d to wilds b elow ;

,

There in immortal anguish he remains

, , 0

No peace he knows no bal m c an e as e his pai ns o

And oft his voice appals the chie ft ain s breast,
L ike hollow thunders murmurin g from the west,
To every Sachem dre adful truths reve al s ,

And m onarchs shu dder at its solemn pe al s .

Such is the punishment by righteous fate , ,

The dread avenger of each inj ure d state ,

R eserved for tyrant chiefs wh o m adly dare ,

Oppress the tribes c ommitte d to their care .

.

Almi ghty wrath purs ues them for their deeds ,

Th ey stab their souls in every w retch th at bleeds ,

The hideous wound eternal shall endure ,

R emorse despair alas what skill c an cure !

, , ,

96 96

Onega then the forest s fairest ch ild

,

,

Sweet as the violet as the turtle mil d , ,

Bloom d in her sixteenth summer s perfect charms ,

And ll d each bosom W ith love s soft alarms

.

One fa vor d youth her gentle bre ast inspired

,

One youth her heart W ith mutual passion re d

Yet chastely tender was t he virg in ame ,

That wa rm d life s genial c urrent throu g h her frame

The bea uteous novic e g ave it friendship s n ame

Alas too soon the maid w a s forced to prove ,

What sad misfort unes owe their birth to love
Oswego pride of N a rra g ha n s et s plains
,

,
T ower d as th e c e dar o er his fello w swains ;

,

H is air was noble every motion g rac e , ,

H is soul s hi g h valor lig ht en d from his fac e

Fearless of death he ranged the d angerous eld ,

And sc orn d the ragin g boar o r foe c on c eal d
,
The insidious serpent in the tangled brake ,
Or h erds of moose whose hoofs the champaign shake ,
E ach night h o w welcome every ni ght ret urn d
,

Wh ile his true heart with fond impatience b urn d

,
He ew One g a in the g rove to meet,
,

And lay his choic est trophies at her feet,

 JOH N LATH ROP .

And savage yells they broke his useless bow ,

Thus break thy heart they cried th at love repai d ,
, ,

With the fond pas sion of the matchless maid ,

Now gone to heaven Ah hadst tho u fallen al one ,
Our e ars had feasted on h er piteous moan
Her li fe protracted through long years of we,
Had c ause d our hearts With ecstasies to glow .

N O j oy remains for us P e ac e ne er shal l c ome ,

.

With scente d breath t o cheer our dreary home ,

No parent s welcome meet us at th e door

,

For us n o feasts sh al l load the verdan t oor ,

No wives or children soothe our toil or c are ,

Ours is the deepest hell of black desp air .

We y from this ens anguined scene an d leave ,

Our fathers mothers , sisters friends to grieve ;

, ,

Die then , b efore we go and taste a j oy

We c annot c ovet, witness or destroy
A friendl y t om ax then like lightning driven ,

R ele as e d Osw ego s soul it ew to love and heaven !

Th is deed of death p eif orm d the va gr ant b and

, ,

S ojourn d in exile to a distant land ,

And near Ontario s hoarsely m urm urin w ave
They form d a tribe blood thirsty b o d and br ave

,
-
,

At length in justic e to Oswego s fame

,

,

They gave their c ouncil town his de athl ess n ame

And long as Onondaga s waters ow ,

Shal l live tli e ffects of murder war and wo
Deep in our woods and round our roc k bound c oasts -
,
Shall rage alas ! their mad infuriate host s
, ,
And tr an sient peac e , b ut deadlier vigor eld
'

T o rush with wilder vengeanc e to the e ld .

Hence t ra in d to arms our strong and dauntless b an ds
,

Yell the loud wa r whoop t hrough o ffending lands ;

-

Snu ff the red smoke that mantles o er t h e plain

,
C rim son d with gore and reeking with the sl ai n

,
Till full revenge hath satise d our wrongs ,

And the clouds echo with trium phant songs .

 J OS E P H ST OR Y .

JUDGE ST OR Y is t he author of a volum e of poems p ublishe d

in 1804, s inc e whic h time w e b elieve h e has altogeth er ab an
doued the m uses and devote d hims elf to the severer labors
,

of the profession in which he has b ec ome s o eminent His .

principal work is of the desc riptive kind and entitle d The ,

Power of Solitude T h e vol ume does not appe ar to have been

.

widely known b ut we think its merits shoul d preserve it fro m

,

n eglect .

F R OM T H E P O WE R O F S O L IT U D E .

F AB from the world its ple asures and its st rifh,

,

The good St Aubin passe d his tr anqu il life ;

.

Deep in a g len the rur al mansion rose ,

And half an acre sp a n n d its modest close ;

Just by the door a living streamlet r oll d

,

Whos e pebbly bottom lea m d w ith s andy gold

,
There rst th e w o o dla r h a il d propitious sprin g ,

Th e humming insect dipp d his g los sy wing

The b ranching el m s in ancient grandeur spread ,

Inwe ave d with myrtles near its babbling head .

Behind vast mountains close d the won drous v i

,

Hung o er the horizon v eil d in h az y blue
,

S ave when the shuttin g eve mid vapors hoar

Boll d its last g leams their woody s ummi ts o er ;

An d se e n at distanc e through some opening brake

, ,

Transparent bri ghtness lit th e neighboring lak e .

S c e h es where Salvato r s so ul had o d to cli mb
, jy
Mid wilds ab rupt, and im a es sublime
Or c aught with k indling gI
,
a n ce the bold designs ,

Where horror s for m on beauty s lap reclines

.

Meek was St Aubin s soul his gentle air

.

, ,
S oke to the searching g lanc e the man o f c are ;
ulike the g ia n t oak which p rop p d on high
,

,

L ooks o er t he storm and dares its bolts defy ,

,

But as the h umbler reed whose pliant train ,

Bend to the bre eze and rise to bloom again, .

His ready smile relieve d the welcome poor ,

Who t hrong d with daily joy his opening door ;

U nskill d by wo rldly arts the soul to sc an,

v on . ii. 1 0
 JOSE PH S TORY .

His soc ial nature love d the rac e of man ;

N or sought by godly rites reli gious prais e ,
More please d to pa ob eisanc e than to raise ,

Nor wis h d the b oo taught lore whose schemes co nned

-
,

To on e small spot the c harities of mind .

L et the vain L evite pas s th e other side

In c ourtly pomp , in dul l o fcial pride
'
, ,

His proer d alm s th e w anderin g stranger found ,

Wine for his heart, and ointment for his wound ;

The cheer reply the sch olar s modest j est, ,

In want a shelter and a home for rest ,

.

One darling daughter cla im d the g ood man s c are ,

G ay as the lark b ut scarc e more gay th an fair

, ,

L ight were the sportive locks whose c urls profus e ,

Hung o er h er nec k in native w ildness loose
Blue were the speaking eyes wh ose bende d lash ,

Half hid an d hal f b et ra y d a uttering as h

Health s glowing ros e in sha do w d l ust re sleek

,

,

Diffused its virgin blush o er either cheek ;

L ove in h er form the bright perfection trac ed ,

Yet dress d the model still to nature chaste ;

,

N O sober tricks , no m awkish whims c on ne d

Her lively ease her innocence of mind ;,

A parent s taste e ach pure renement tau ght,

,

And x d the polish when it form d the t hought

,

,

T o fancy s lustre lent the touch of art

,

And gave the j ud gment force to guide the heart .

U p w ith the morn t h e hermit s kimm d the de w

,

And through the echoing woods his shri ll horn blew ;

At noon well pleas e d b eside some rippling stre am
Wove blameless ct ion s le g endary dream,

Or l ull d to peac e , w ith curi ous love pursue d

,

The c ourteous muse through every ch a nging mood ,

Wept at her woes of many a tear b eguile d , ,

And felt her joys and acte d o er the c hild ,

.

But when the c urfe w t oll d the hour of rest,

And eve s ne blush imb ue d the glowing west .

Beneath a shadowy bower with myrtles c ro wn d, ,

His moral lectures constant audienc e found .

C harm d to his kn ees his cheerful infant c ame

T o lisp with trembling voic e a father s name

,

R ehearsed her e arly task and ple as ed awhil e ,

With e arnest sweetness drew his a nxi ous smile .

There t oo in riper age the artless J ane

Pour d in wild tones her melancholy strain ,

Or t ouch d the lute With many a pensive air

,

Or b reath d her grateful soul in than ks an d prayer ;

 JOS EPH S T ORY .

His m eek repose his balm un alt er d loo k

, ,

,

Save wh en th e ritual close d its sainte d strain;

, r

And o er the c oin roll d the eart h again
,

One l in gering tear th at seem d the man to speak ,
,

With briny lustr e trickled d own his cheek ,

One lingering te ar was all his spirit gave ,

The n how d a last farewell and left the grave

,

Yet had not memory lost her s oothing a rt ,

Nor fancy close d her empire in the heart

Whe n up the gr oves unclouded moonligh t st rea m d
At the lone h our, to goblin s sacre d dee m d
,

When sob er day mid vapory glooms descried

, ,

Shot its faint crims on round at eventid e ,

Oft would h e rov e some m ountain s brow along ,

And pour in sha t t er d tones his plaintive song ;

K iss the stray owers whic h dress d the stre aml et s marg e,
,

Or row ath wart the lake his age d barge ;

And when some spot wh ere J ane w a s wont t o roam
,

Some favorite p as ti me c all d his spirit home

,

If once a sigh his he aving bosom p ress d

,

H is trust in he a ve n w as all that sigh exp res s d

.

O would h e trim his wintry hearth and c our t ,

R em em b er d sc enes of pleasantry and sport,
Ma rk , where the lute s ec ure d its d usty plac e ,
The nee dle d landscape on the w ainsc ot trac e ,

The quaint r emark the evening t as k r evie w

, ,

And chas e the eeting shades and dream an e w , .

Nor smile ye proud if thoughts like these , engag e

, , ,

The friendless so ul in melancholy age ,

More sweet than all the hym ns of active joy,

,

One moment s acred to this ch as te employ ,

One pio us hour to moral musing given

, ,
Its relish truth it s harmonies from he aven !
,

And as the hapless wretch by s torms o erc a st

, ,

,
Clings sh uddering clin g s him t o the fatal mast,
, ,

So hope a n d love yet b uoyant on the wave

, ,
Shall snatch their r elics from the rave n o us grave ,
And most as life recedes with fond ala rms
, ,

Fold the dear types imm ortal in their ar ms .

Near where a cypress shades the lonely h eath ,

L ong h as St Aubin slept the sl eep of death ;
.

O er the rude hill oc k w aves the rank grass high ,
And moans t he Wild blast as it hurtles by ,

One simple stone with Village rhyme s b edight,

,

Just te lls th e tale t o eve ry p assing Wight ,

And bids his drooping soul aspire to raise

Suc h love in life , in deat h such honest pr ais e .
 D A V ID E VE R E T T

W a s born at P rinc eton ,

in Massachusetts and educ ated at ,

Dartmouth College w here he was g raduated about the year

,

1795. He was the editor of a newspaper in s ome part of the

state of New Hampshir e in the e arly part of his life and
, ,

also c ontributed to the F armer s Museum He was aft er .

wards one of the editors and proprietors of the Boston P atriot .

He die d a fe w years sinc e in the sta te of Ohio .

He wrote a volume o f essays in prose , entitle d Co m mon

Sense in D ishabille a nd a
work upon the Prophecies
. His .

poetry consists of a few short piec es and a tragedy c all ed ,

D ara n zel or the P ersian P atriot, which was acte d and pub
,

lishe d at Boston in 180 0 The play is decient in acc urate

.

and strik ing representations of indi vid ual character b ut has ,

many eloquent passages , and scenes of high dramatic interest .

A BRANC H OF TH E MA P L E .

LE T the tall oak the bolts of heaven deride ,

Or d e a l h is mimic th under on the tide ;

Be this the theme for Albion s lofty muse

An humbler task my famel ess pen pursues

,
.

Sh all roses bloom 111 verse from a g e to age ,

Shrubs spread their foliage on the p eet s page

The willow poplar r an d c edar throng

, ,

Alik e the r ustic and the classic song

Pines wave in Milton and no h ard he found
, ,
To plant the maple on poetic ground
Columbia s muse forbids in simple s train

, ,

She sings the maple and the hardy Sw ain ,

Who draws the nectar from her S ilver pores ,

Nor envies India all its p a m p er d stores
.

Wh a t though the cane our c older clime deni es ;

,

T he c ulture d plant a native tree supplies

A tree the fai rest of the forest kin d
, ,

Al ike for u se and orn a ment desig n d

.

For use to those who rst essay the wood

, ,
To form the table and supply its food ;
V OL . 0
1 *
 TH O MAS G . F E S S E ND EN .

To w arm th e laborer by its bounty fed

And rear the lowly c ottage o er his head

For ornament to grac e the winding rill

, ,

Shade the g reen vale or wave u pon t h e hill ;

Or l eave the forest wh ere it useless grows ,
,

R ise in the c ulture d eld in stately rows ,

Sprea d o er the rocky waste a shady gr ove ,

Th e haunt for sportive mirth and pensive love .

E re jarring s easons rest in equal scal es

W hile winter now and now the sp rin prevails ;
,

Sol s milder b e ams around the maple p a y ,

Frost chill s by night a thrilling warmth by day

,

Dilates e ach tub e ; th e tube , by mystic laws ,

The sap nutritio us from earth s bosom draws ;

As higher still th e swellin g tub e distends ,

The Circling sap to every branch asc ends

No w each young b ud the ric h donation shares ,

F or la urel d spring his e arliest wreath prepares

.

Great universal caus e mysterious power ,

Th at clothes the forest and that paints the ower ;
,

Bids the fell poison in the U pas gr ow ,

And sweet nutrition in the maple ow

L et Berk eley s pupil dream in endless tranc e

T he w il der d a t hiest form his w orl d by c hanc e ,

By this his re as on th at his sense belied

, , ,

A world disc arde d and a Go d denie d ;,

In spite of these the impartial eye must s ee

,
E ach leaf a volume its great author thee ; ,

Nor less in every twig than Aaron s rod

Behold the agency of nature s G od !

T H O MAS G R E E N F E S SE N D E N .

MR FE S SE N DEN is the son of a clergyman of Walpo le in ,

New Hampshire His father h aving a numerous family he

.
,

was indebted t o h is o wn exertions for th e means of his edu

c ation and by teaching schools during the terms of vac ation
, ,

wa s enable d t o accomplish a c ollegiate c ourse at Dartmouth ,

where he was graduated in 1796, after which he applie d him

1l 6 T H OMA S G. F E SS E ND E N .

this c ountry A fter h is return to America , he gave t o the

.

w orld his Democracy U nveiled another sa tir e in Hudibras tic,

verse which enj oye d high favor so long as th e public appetite

,

was in a state to relis h whatever came hotly seasone d wi th

the re d pepper of party vituperation .

Mr Fessenden has succ ee de d b est in his li ght and burlesqu e

c ompositions For many years past he h as nearly ab andone d
.

his rhymes He has conducte d a paper at Bellows F alls in

.

Vermont and is now the editor of the N ew E nglan d F armer

,

in Boston .

E L EG Y ON TH E D E ATH OF W AS H INGT ON .

W moves to mournful me as ures slow

HY
Yon sable retinue of w o ,

With te arful eye and vis age pale 9

And why this universal g loom ?
S ure N ature tre mbles o er h er tomb
,

And bids her wrlder d children wa il !

Do pl a g ues infes t d o wars alarm

, ,

Has G o d in w rath made bare his arm ,

To hurl his bolts of vengeance round ?

H ave towns been s a c k d by h ostile ire

H av e C l t l e S s unk in oods of re ,

Wh i le e arthquakes shook the shuddering ground ?

Ah no thy sons C olumbia mourn

, , , ,

A hero past that fatal bourne

From wh enc e no tr aveller returns ;
Before him none more good more gre at , ,
er felt t h unerring shafts of fate

,

Though glory s lamp i ll ume th eir urns .

Behold yon pallid w ar worn chief -

,

A marble monument o f grie f ,

W h o onc e our troops to Vieto } le d

The burst of s orrow n ow con t rd l
l

But n ow the tears of anguish roll ,

A tri b ute to t h im mortal de ad

Fain woul d t h e muse those vi rtue s scan ,

Which dignie d the godlike man ,

 T H O MA S G . F E S S E ND E N .

'

And launch in sea s w ith out a shore ;

B ut sure his name alone conveys

More than a thousand hymns of prais e ,

The matchless Wash i ngton s no more

AN O D E .

AL MIGHTY P ower ! th e One Supreme !

Our souls inspire attune our lays
,

With h earts as s olemn as our theme ,

To s ing hos annas to thy prai s e

Then while we s w ell the s acre d song,

,

And bid the pealing anthe m rise ,

May seraphi m the strain prolong ,

And hymns of glory ll the s ki es .

Thy word o mrii c form d this earth

,

E re time b e g a n revolvin g y ears

T hy at gave to nature birth
And tuned to h armony the spheres .

When stern oppression s iron hand

Our pious fathers forc e d to roam ,

And o er the Wild wave seek th e land

Where free d o m rears h er hallow d dome

When tempests h owl d and o er the main

,

,

Pale horror r e a r d his hag g ard form ;

Tho u didst the fra g ile b ark s ustain

To stem the fury of the storm !

When sav a ge hordes from wilds immens e

, ,

R ais ed the shrill war whoops frantic ye ll ,

-

Thi ne arm made bare in our defenc e

Disperse d the gloomy hosts of hell .

Thou b a d s t the wilderness disclos e

The varied s we ets of vernal bloom

'
The desert blo ssom d like the rose ,

And br eathe d Arabia s rich perfume

118 T H O MA S G . F E S S E ND E N .

L ookdown from heaven s empyreal height,
And gil d with smiles this happy day .

Send us some chosen son of light

O ur feet to guide in wisdom s way

.

The sons of Faction strik e with aw e ,

And hush the din of p arty r age ,
Th at lib erty secure d by law ,
,

May re alize a golde n age .

O n those thy choic est blessings shower

To Whom the c ares of state are given ;
May j ustic e wield t he sword of power ,

T i ll e arth s the miniature of h e aven

TA B I TH A T O W Z E R .

M i s s TABI T HA T o w z n n is fair ,

No guinea pig ever wa s ne ater ,

L ik e a h a km a t a k slender and spar e ,
And s weet as a mush squash or swe eter
-
, .

Miss Tabith a To w zer is sleek ,

When dress d in her pretty new tucke r,

L ik e an otter that paddles the cre ek ,

In quest of a mud p out or s uc ker
-
, .

Her forehead is smooth as a tray ,

Ah smoother than that on my soul , ,
And t urn d as a b ody may s ay

, ,
L ike a delic ate neat wooden bowl -
.

To what shall I liken h er h air ,

As straight as a c a rpenter s line

,
For s 1miles s ure must be rare ,

When w e speak of a nymph so divine .

Not the head of a Nazarite seer ,

That never wa s shaven or shorn .

Nought equals the locks of my d ear ,

B ut the silk of an ear of green c orn .
12 0 TH O MA S G . F E SSE NDE N .

Should I mention her gait or her a ir ,

You might th ink I intended to banter ;

She moves with more grac e you would swear ,

Than a foun der d horse force d to a c anter

.

She s ang with a b eautiful voic e ,

W hic h ra vish d y o u out of your se ns es ;

A pig will mak e just such nois e

When his hind leg stuc k as t in the fence is .

D ANC ING a n v n n r rsn ms n r
'
si e n ro n s qn n a x s .

A GE N TL E MAN of vast agility ,

Who teaches c apers and civility ,

And w hose whole life c onsists of play days ,

I n forms the g entlemen an d ladi es

Of Bellows Falls and other plac es , ,

That he s grand m aster of the graces

Professor of the violin ,

An d hopes to suit them to a pin

In teaching arts and fascinations
, ,

D ancing and other recre ations .

Amphion Orpheus or Apollo

, , ,
.

In ddling he c an beat all hollo w ;

And al l those wonder working elves , -

Who made huge hous es b u i l d thems elves ,

And rocks responsive to their ditti es ,

R ise into palac es and cities ,

Compared with him are every one ,

L ike re b ugs liken d to the sun
-
.

He steps a hornpipe so genteel ,

You d think him dealing with th e de il

.

Can teach young ladies nineteen millions

Of spic k an d span n e w Frenc h c otill ions ,
With ourishes and turns and twists
, , ,

Of arms and elbows toes and wrists , ,

And attitudes of fascination ,

E nough to ravis h all creation .

He whirls and bounds and sinks and rises

, , ,

Makes gures o f all sorts and sizes ,

Flies nine times round the hal l before ,

H e c ondesc ends to to uch the oor,

And now and then like lightning springs
And borne alo ft on pigeons wings
,
 J OH N BLAI R LI N N .

C uts c apers wonderful and rare

L ike fairy frolicking in the air .

He w altzes in a style so smart

A lady s adamantine heart

W ill be inevitably melted ,

L ike ore that s in a fur nace smelted

.

All these and fty other c apers

Not t to print in public papers ,

Which put the g polish on ,

And t a tippy f0enteel
r th e ton ,

Said Signior Squeak wil l teach his scholars

Terms per quarter , twenty dollars
,
.

N a t a Ban e
ladies grown ,

Said Signior waits upon alone ,

Teaching grac es arts and airs

, , ,

And other delic ate a ffairs ;

H o w to look and act as prettily
As belles of E ngland , France , of Ita ly .

J O H N B L AIR L IN N

W a s b orn at Shippensb urg in Pennsylvania, March 14th ,

1777 His father remove d with him to N e w York about nin e
.

years afte r his birth Having passe d two or thee years at

.

school in Flatbush on L ong Island h e entere d Columbia col

,

l ege in New York where he c omplete d his e duc ation He

, .

studie d law under th e direction of Alexander Ham ilton, but

at the end of a year disc overe d that he h ad no inclination for
the pursuit He h ad imbibe d a strong partiality for th e sta ge ,
.

and before quitting his legal st udies produc e d a play c all,

e d Bourville Castle wh ic h wa s represented with success

, ,

b ut t he plans whic h this might have le d him t o form , were

quickly laid asid e for an undertaking of a totally different c ast .

T he religious impressions which fro m his earliest life had at

interval s occ upied his mind now took such po werful hold of
,

him, that he dete rmine d to embrac e the ministry As he had .

V OL . XL 11
12 2 JOH N B LA I R LI NN .

a repugn anc e to exercise his new profession at New York ,

amid the sc enes of his j uvenile gaieties and in an intimacy,

with the companions who had b e en familiar w ith the ligh t

amus ements of his former life he remove d t o Sc henectady ,
,

where h e c omplete d a c ourse of theologic al study and was ,

settle d a s a p rea c her in the First Presbyterian Ch urch in

Ph il adelphia , in 1799 .

The vacill ation of purpose which h e h a d displayed in

ch anging his pursuits from the law to the stage and from t h e ,

stage to the desk seems not to have le ft him at any period of

,

h is life He had assumed th e character of a clergyman in

.

ob edience to one of thos e strong impulses of feeling which

lead a man of ardent and s anguine temperament to the hasty
adoption of any novel obj ect of purs uit His disposition was
.

warm and enthusiastic and his fe rv id i magination gilde d th e

,

prospe ct which opened upon him with the splendor which a

youthful fancy w ill c onfer upon the sc enes of its own creating .

But in his new profession h e was still doome d to disappoint

ment The r ec urrenc e of his w avering inclination dis turbe d
.

h is r epose cloude d his fond anticipations It is easy to per

,
.

ceiv e that wh ile prosecuting his studies of divinity h e was , .

dissatised and gloomy but in adopting his last profession he

had taken a step which he felt scrupulous in retracing without
a m o re specious and solid reason than an ab atement of zeal
,

in the undertaking He evidently stru ggle d h ard to rec onc il e

.

himself to his situation the strong sense of duty prevailing over

,

the transie nt inclinations of whic h his mind was susc eptible .

He exerted himself with unwe aried assiduity in the discharg e

o f his cleric al func tions mingling the elegant avoc ation of a
,

poet w ith the grave and severe d uties of a minister paying ,

l
c ourt to th e ni us es an d dealing in the subti ties of p olom ical
,

argumentation Dr P riestley had published a religious trac t

.

which c alle d forth the anim a dversions of the theologians and ,

L in n was among the foremost who strove for the distinction of

breakin g a lanc e W ith the great champion of Unitarianism .

He rece ived t h e deg ree of Doctor of D ivinity from the univer

of P ennsylvania at an e arlier age than the same h ono r
i
s yt
h ad ever been b est owed upon ano t her .
 JO H N BLAI R LIN N .

human fac ulties and to illustrate the superiority of those rare

,

and lo ft y menta l endow ments , which are th e g i of nature, ove r

those of a factitious and c onventional stamp suc h as are acquit
,

e d by study an d imita tion L i n n makes some ende avor in h is

.

prefac e at a regula r an aly sis of that great power of th e hu

,
.
-
r

m an mind which forms th e s ubj ec t of his work , b ut in the p o ~

e m h e is total ly decient in m etaphysic al acc uracy His .

id eas are vague and indistinct and his attempt to il lustra te

,
s

them emb arrasse d by a great inco rrectness of style and con

,

fusion of image ry H is poem is not as it purports t o b e , a

.

philosophical view of the development and operation of t he

highest power of th e soul b ut a string of desultory sketche s
,

made up by glancing indiscrimin a tely at t h e various p henom

en a which th e w orks of h uman intellect , of whatever de gre e

or n ature , exhibi t .

In t he arg umentative part o f t he poem , he h as c er t ainly

failed but in some of his descriptive pass age s h e gives evi
,

denc e of c onsiderable imaginative power His posthumous.

: ~

poem of Valerian whic h his friends c onsidere d it d ue to his

,

memory to publish , h as little to rec ommend it to our

T HE P O W E R S OF GENI U S
T ri s h uman fabric e arly from its birth
Feels some fon d inuenc e from i ts parent e arth
In di fferent regions different forms w e trac e ,
Here d wells a feeble there an iron rac e ;
,

H ere genius liv es and w akeful fancies play ,

Here nois eless stupor sle eps its life a way .

A rugge d r ac e th e cli ffs and mountains bear ,

They leap th e precipic e and bre ast the air ;

Follow the Chamois on th e pointed roc k ,

And clamber heights to seek their beard ed oc k .

L ou d from the Baltic s ounds th e dre a dful storm ,

And gathering hosts the fac e of da y deform

Be n eath the ir rage the soft It al ian yields
His boaste d laurels and his blooming eld s ,

The wandering Tartars by their rigorous land ,

Were le d to war , to victory and c ommand .
 J OH N BLAI R L I NN .
12 5

While southern climes w ere sunk i n deep repose ,

(An easy con quest to inva ding foes ) .

V Vh e re spreads the quiet a n d luxuriant vale ,

For o v er fan u d by sprin g s ambrosial gale ;

Where ov er pebbles r uns the l impi d r ill ,

And woods o ers ha de the W il dly sloping hil l

T here roves the s wain a ll gentle a n d serene , ,

An d guards his sheep while bro wsing on the green .

H e le a ds the danc e b y C y nthia s S ilver light

,

An d lulls With sport t he d us ky ear of ni g h t

Breathes from his pipe the dulc et strain of love ,
An d warbles Ellen t hrough t h e mea d and grove .

Ih tho e drear climes w here scorching suns prevai l

s
,

And fever ri des the tainte d b urning gale ;

W h ere dra ws the giant snake his loathsom e tra in ,
An d poisons With h is bre ath the yello w plain
There lan g uid pleasure waves h is g ilde d w ings ,

An d slothful ease the mental powe r unstrings .

Where Ic elan d s p i s her dark and frozen wild

On whose fell sno w s no c heering sunbe am smil ed ,

T here in the ir stormy cold a n d mi dni g h t c ell

, , ,

T he c heerl cs s sherme n With stupor dw ell

Wrapt in their furs th ey slumber li fe away ,

And mimic with t h e i r lamps the li g ht of da y .

C hill through his trackless pines t he hunter p as s d,

H is yell arose upon the howlin g blast :

Before him ed w ith all t he speed of fear
, ,

His w ealth and victim y o n de r h elpless deer

, .

S a w you the s av a g e man how fell a n d wild , ,

With w hat g rim ple asure as h e p a ss d h e smile d ?

U nhappy m a n ! a w retche d Wig w am s she d

Is his poor shelter some dry skins his bed

,

S ometimes alone upon the woo dless height

He strikes his re an d spen ds his watchful night ;
His dog With howling bays the m oon s re d b eam
,
And starts the Wil d deer in his nig htly dream
- - q

P oor sav a g e man for him no yello w grain

-
,

Waves its bright billo ws o er the fruitful plain ;

For him no harvest yields its full supply

When w inter hurls his tempest throu g h t he sky .

N o joys he kno ws but thos e w hich s p ri n from s trife, rr

U nknow n to him the charms of so m al h e .

R age m alic e e nv y all his thoughts c ontrol

, , , ,

An d every dreadful passion burns h is so ul .

V OL I I
. .
 J OHN S H A W .

Should culture meliorate his darkso nie h om e ,

And cheer th os e wil ds w here h e is wont to roam

Beneath the hatchet should his forests fall
And the mil d tabor warble through his hall ,

Should elds of tillage yield their rich increase ,

And through his wastes walk forth the arts of pe ac e ;

His sullen soul would feel a geni al glow ,

Joy woul d bre ak in u pon the n i g ht of w o ;

Knowled g e would spread her mil d revivin g ray , ,

And on his Wigwa m ris e the dawn of day .

J O H N SH AW .

DR J o u r: SHA W w as born at Annapolis in Mary lan d May

4th 1778 He was e duc ate d at St J oh n s c ollege in th at place ,

.
,

where h e received a degree in 1795 He b egan the study of

.

medicin e in Annapolis and in 1798 removed to Philadelphia t o

,

attend the me dic al lectures th ere At this time a eet was

.

tting out at Philadelphia for the Me diterranean an d Shaw ,

wh o had a n at ural desir e for rambling was tempted by a v a

,

canc y in the o fc e of surgeon of the eet to j o in the expedi ,

tion This resolution was h astily adopted without cons ulting

.
,

his father an d agai nst th e re monstranc es o f his friends an d

, ,

c aused him n o little regre t aft erwards The eet arrived at

.

Al giers in Febru ary 180 0and afterwards vis ite d Tunis where
, ,

Shaw rem aine d as s ecre tary to the Americ an c ons ul G ener al ,

.

Eaton He wa s induc ed t o ac cept this station by the hOp e of

.
,

prot in th e pr a ctic e o f phy s io b ut the negotiations between

,

our c onsul and th e Bey , were thrown into s uch dii c ult ies that

Shaw w as soon desp a tch ed to L ondon to c onsult the Ameri

,

c an min ister there D uring his stay at Tunis h e appears t o have

.

made pretty diligent observatio n of th e state of the c ountry an d

m anners of the people , th e result of which h e has given in
his j ournal In my inqui ries resp ec ting poetry and lit era
.
a
12 8 JOHN SHA W .

TH E A UT UMNAL P L O WVER .

W E A MA A
R IT T N T LT .

Ari why , wh en all the sc ene around

Has told approaching W inter ni g h ,
When dark Novemb er s g loom has fro wn d

And s a dden d al l the sickly sky

Ah why , so ft ow ret , dost thou dare
U pon this bleak asc ent to bloom
Thou c o m st amid th e dying ye ar

To waste untimely thy perfume

, ,
.

Thou shouldst h ave h a il d the vernal tide

,

When rst the green bud clothed the plain ,

Or so u ght the breezy valley s S ide

When Summer held his golden reign .

Then many a morning s s unny sheen

H a d w ake d thee With soft magic spells ,

An d m any a de w y eve h a d seen

Thee close unhurt thy tender b ells
, ,
.

So ft fosterin g gales had made their c ar e

To ch as e e a c h nipping frost away ,

An d murmurin g W i ld b e es li n g er d near

Thy o dors all th e j oyful day

,
.

But Summer s golden reign is o er ,

And g enial Spring long sin ce has own , ,

The wil d bees murmur h ere no more ,

And every tepid gale is gone .

Already o er the s ea g irt hill

,

-
,

The blasts that lea d the tempest blo w

And 10! the frig ht en d billows swell

And whiten all the shore below .

So ft o wer thy fate the wanderer mour n s

, ,

Who o er t h ese rocky summits strays ,
Wh ile eve with chilling damps returns
And dims the s un s departin g rays
.

P oor ower ! before those rays once more

Shall kindle up th e tardy day ,
 J O H N S H AW .

thy fragranc e shall be o er ,

im ple beauties die away .

No sunny morn shall call the e fort h ,

Nor evening smile on thy repose

For dark and c old the c oming North
Bids all thy shrinking ow ret s close
.

96 96 96

In vain the radiant step of Spring

Awakes the year e er A utumn close ;

No vernal j oys n o w spread the wing

N o give me to my native snows !

To these I g o Farewell s w eet ower !

.
,

Thou roc ky sea g irt isle farewell !

,
-
,

Where hostile strangers strive for power ,

And fear and s uperstition dwell .

Yon vessel in t h e b ay b elo w

.

Tomorro w bears me o er t h e foam

And some returning morn shall sho w

A land of free do m and a home .

He s aid and from the lonely h eight

,

He t urn d and do w nward bent his wa y ;

,

An d sou ght wh ile darke r grew the night

, ,

The ship at anchor in the b ay .

But many a s un sh all seek the sea ,

And many a long l on g ni g ht h e o er, ,

E re morn, returning , smile to se e

The wanderer on his native shor e .

S ONG .

W H O has rob b d the ocean c ave

To tinge t h lips with c or al h ue P

Who from In ia s distant w ave ,

For thee thos e pearly tre asures drew

,

Who , from yonder o rient sky ,

S tole t he morning of thine eye 9

13 0 W IL L l AM L E I G H P I E RC E .

Thousand charms thy form to dec k

, ,

From sea and earth and air are t orn ;

, ,

R oses bloom upon thy cheek ,

On thy breath their fragranc e b orne .

G uard thy bosom fro m the day ,

L est thy snows should melt away .

But one ch arm remains behind ,

Which mute c a i t h c a n ne er impart ;
Nor in ocean w ilt thou n d ,

Nor in th e c ircling air a he art .

Fairest ! woul dst thou per fect be ,

Take , oh take that h eart from me .

W IL L IAM L E IG H P IE R C E ,

A n a r i vrz we b eliev e of th e western p art o f the state o f

, ,

New York where he died several years sinc e , p ublis h ed at

,

t he age of 2 2 a poem c alle d

The Year It is a review of .

th e political occ urrenc es of t he ye ar 1812 relating to this

c ountry and displays c onsiderable talent
,
for one of his age ,

The obj ect of the poem as th e w riter informs us , was pe

,

c ul ia rly c onned to circ ulating more generally in s oc iety s uch

politic al tenets as he c onceived w ere c orrect Party prej a .

di ces and antipathies in which h e seems to h ave participate d

,

de eply will acc ount for the h arshness of his invec ti ves , and
,

t h e gloomy and distorted picture whic h i n many c as es h e has

drawn of the state of a ffa irs .

TH E Y EA R .

IN al l
the varied ch ange and state of life ,
The calm of solitude or noisy stri fe, ,

Man still is man a n d read him as you w ill

, ,
U n s t rip t h e stands the chil d of interest still ;
,

The w andering Tartar and the swarthy Moor ,

T he P arthian arc her , and Norwegian boor ;

132 W I LLIA M L E IGH PI E R C E .

The daring miscreant to th e nether world 0

In durance s t ret c h d a n d bound with m a ssy chain s,

,

C on de m n d to torment and eternal pains

On his torn bre as t a greedy vulture fares ,

Sucks the w arm blood the tender liver te ars ,

In v ain devou rs in vain the torrent ows ,

,

Still still the bloo dy feast immortal gro w s

, ,
.

May heaven all b ounteous with b enignant h and ,

, ,

Shower c hoicest blessings o er thee dearest land

,

But a h b e faithful to thyself the wh ile

, ,

And guard against the arts of crafty wile ;

With harvest s sh e af her ru ddy temples b ound

,

Does not blith e Ceres cheerful smile around ?

Are not thy hills W ith verdant honors spread ?
Does not t h e oak thus w arn thee from its shade
Behold Columbia yon extended plain ;
, ,

Do all its luscious frm t s thus blush in vain ?

Where is the hand that harvest to c ollect ,
?
Or where th e forc e such ple ty to protect
n ,

Shall idle w aste permit those fruits to die,

Or fall to earth a n d there neglecte d lie
Cerulean w aves old oc ean stretches w ide ,
T hy girting strands yet e ager kiss his tide
Freight the blue billows of the roaring de ep ,
Thy c ommerc e loiters lo ! kind z ephyrs swe ep
L et me descend from every h ill and plain
And b ear your produce o er th e briny main
,

To save your c ommerc e from dark plunder s strok e

Bid freedom s th unders clothe h er native oa k

.

Alas my c ountry wb y in d arkness lay 3

,

W hy close thine eyes a n d sh un the daw ning day 9

Th e gaunt wolf prowls the tiger is abroad ,

The shepherds see their havoc and a ppl aud ; ,

R emember oh reme m b er wh o have bled

, ,

Thy youth s defenders stern c pp ressio n s dread

,

.

D ear wa s the treasure which your ransom bought ,

For many and g a llant w ere the brave who fought ;

0 then respect th ysel f thy rights preserve
, ,

, , ,

Stand forth in vi g or s wel l each generous nerve ,

With high so ul d h onor raise the arm of forc e

-

,

Nor longer w aywar d trea d a devious c ourse ;

Arr est corruption strip delusion bare , ,

And drive the art ful leopard from his lair

Behold thy sons in meanest b ondage lie ,

Forge their o wn chains , for str ipes and slavery sigh

 W IL L l AM L E I G H PI E R C E . 133

What magic ch arm what incantation fell, ,

Has m ix d t h e potion , wove the fatal s pell ?

Is h e less slave who yields to wear the ch ain

, ,

While on e o r w hile one thousand tyrants reign P

,

Trust me the difference is n ot vas tly gr eat

,

If demagogu es or despots rule a state

Self is the shrine where either b asely bend ;
Self all th e obj ect, self the de arest friend .

And are you free ? behold your b a rt er d polls !

Wisdom is silent while intrigu e cajoles .

Hear yon un let t er d upstart c oarsely b awl ,

He seeks your s u ffrage for the congress hall ;

What virtues brings h e t o that lo fty seat ?
Dec eption s scholar skill d to cringe and cheat

,

.

He pours the whiskey in a c opious ood ,

While reeling drunkards c all him wise and good

Nay more perh aps from dis tant lands he c ame
, ,

And sports the tin s el of a foreign name

Perhaps in Franc e with e ager eyes he saw, ,

Dis order triumph over prostrate law

P erhaps he h eard a ro und a bleedin g queen ,

A nation shout God s ave the guillotine !

,

P erhaps he tells y ou with exulting smile ,

The rebel story of his dear gre en isle

Besides , Columbia s native sons are weak,
S mite them on on e, they turn th e oth er che ek .

Their recreant arms are quite unskill d t o wield

The w arrior s blad e, and rule the b attle eld ;
Much prone to fear , the cow ard souls aspire
N o further than the cr avings of desire ;
Ill iterate they in scienc e dull and slow
, ,
S o E urope says and sure it must be so
, .

VOL . 11
.
 L U C I US M S ARG ENT . .

L U C IU S M . sa ne n N T ,

OF Boston , gave to th e world in 1813, the poem of Hube rt

and Ellen with other pieces
, He is als o the auth or of a
.

translation of the Culex of Vir g il w hic h was publishe d with ,

th e te xt in 180 7 We b elieve he has not on any recent

.

oc c asion come before th e p ublic as a poet .

r m: P L UN D E a E a s GRAVE .

S n o w hides t h e gree n mountain

Beneath its white billow
And ch i ll d is the fountain

And leaess the Willo w

Th e te mpest lou d s w ellin g ,
,

Now drives along dreary ; ,

Before the storm yellin g , ,

Th e s ea me w ies weary
~
, ,

And , cowering s eeks sh elter from oc e an s wil d roar
, , .

While billo ws are b ounding ,

O er rude rocks surroundin g

,

The long sandy beach , and t h e craggy lee shore -

.

Where now does the bark ride ,

The w ild w ater b ra v m g ?
Where now o er the dark tide ,
,

Th e gay streamer wa v m g
And wh ere n o w so fearless , ,

Th e mariner, helming ,

Mid clouds , dark a n d ch eerles s,
And oc ean o erwhelm in g ?

Where now is the heart of that mariner brave ?

That b ark is dismaste d !
That mariner blasted !
Th at streamer has drunken the w ild water wave -

O er bre akers loud crashin g

, ,

T h e w aves ercely bo und h er ;

Wh ile rude billows dashing , ,

In riot, roll round h er .

G o helmsman mid oc ean,

, ,

Thine a rm now must save t hee

Oh ! kiss with devotion ,
 LUC I U S M S ARG EN T . .

O e r wil d ocean, braving ,

Har d earn d was th e tre asure ,

Thr ough tempest, lo ud raving ;

Though toili ng was ple as ure ,
F or her , who w as dear t o the mariner bold , .

The erc e h and unsparin g , ,

N ow rudely is tearing
The poo r h umble garb fr om the c orse that is c old !
The ple dge of devotion
Th ine arm still is weari ng !
Th at pledge mid the oce an ,
,

G ave heart to thy daring .

When eyes b rightly b e aming ,

,

Have ever b es et thee ;

When fal se fears w ere dreaming ,

Thy girl woul d forget the e

It b right en d thy love and it solac ed thy fears :

F or the girl who wa s d earest,

, ,

When dan g er was ne arest ,

There bound the fair pl edge and b edew d it with tears ,

.

The eye o f the de mon

Glares horrid in pleas ure
, ,

P oor , h eart s u n ken s eaman !

-

He grasps at thy tr easure !

And shall he b ereave th ee
Thy darh n g pledge sever ?
And cr uell y leave thee ?
No mariner never !
, ,

The ta ll w av e indignan tly rolls to the shore !

The arm of the Thunderer
Seizes the plunderer !
Floods overwhelm him ! h e ris es n o more !
The re uea illow
N ow leaves th e b each w aveless ; ,

The ood is t h e pillow

Of mariner graveless ,
.

B ut , mark the w ave stranding , ,

More b oldly aspirin g ;

The mariner landing ,

Then slo wly retiring !

plunderer comes not along w ith the tide !
The sh ark is heard d ashing , ,

Amid the w ave splashing ! ,

froth of the b illow with cri mson is dye d !

While chill blasts are blowing,
 W ILLIAM R AY .
137

W h o o er th e corse gazes ?
,

,

His garb round it t hro wm g, , ,

T he s ailor he raises .

From Winds c old and storming, ,

The stranger has borne him ;

Th e blaze kindly warming , ,

To life shall return h im

,

The stranger shall a id him th e stranger defend ,

.

His puls e n ow is owing ,

His bosom is g lowing

He ne er shall forget the poor mariner s friend

.

The white winter billow

Has le ft the g reen mountain ;
N o w leaves dress the Willo w ;
N o w rippl es the fountain .

Where tempests w ere swellin g,

So ft breezes are s weeping ,

The se a mew late yelling

-
, ,

Is n ea t n the rock sle epin g ;

,

,

The sailor is far from the rough rolling m ai n .

The girl that wa s de arest

, ,

When dan g er w a s nearest ,

Now holds to her bosom her sail or again ! ,

W IL L IA M R AY
'

WI L L I AM was b orn at Salisb ury , in t he c ounty of

R AY
Lit cheld Connecticut Dec ember 9t h, 1771
, , H e w rote .

verses at about te n years of age which the minister of his p a ,

rish pron ounce d wonderful and attere d the young autho r ,

with the hopes of bec oming as great a poet as Dr Watts .

His father re moved to th e state of New York and in th e re ,

mote and solitary spot which he occupied , th e youth had little

ch anc e to purs ue his inclination for lette rs At t he ag e of .

nineteen , he went t o reside in Dover in Dutchess c ounty, ,

where he taught a school This oc cupation h e soon ab andon

.

ed, and b etook hi mself to tr ade , w hich h e pursue d for a few

v0L. Ii . 12 *
138 W I LL IA M R AY .

y e ars , when he bec ame b ankrupt, an d nding it impossible t o

obtain a release from his creditors , or support h imself at home
in any manner he was forc ed t o leave his wife and s et off
, ,

for another quarter He re ache d Philadelphia with the pros

.
,

p ec t of nding a situation as an e ditor but meeting with dis ,

appointment ia this and every o th er attempt he m ade to pro

vide for himself an d destitute of resources h e entered in a low
, ,

c apacity on board the frig ate Philadelphia acc ordin g t o his ,

own statement Without eith er in quiring or c arin g where

she was b ound She s ailed in Jul y , 180
. 3, for the Me dit erra
nean .

The Philadelphia wa s destine d t o j oin o ur squ adron against

Tripoli A ft er cr uising in several ports of th e Mediterranean
.
,

sh e fell in with an enemy s ship off th e h arbor of Tripoli on

,

the 3l st of October and while giving her chase four or ve

,

miles from the town , the frigate struc k on a rock and in spite ,

of all the e fforts made t o save her w as oblige d t o surr ender ,

to the Tripolitan gunb oats The crew were strippe d , m ar che d .

o n shore an d set t o h ard l abor

, In their c aptivity whic h en l .
,

dured more than a ye ar and a hal f they s u ffere d great m is e ,

ries of whic h R a y has giv en us a very striking picture in

,

his narrative One h undre d an d fty of our men myself

.
,

among the rest were sent to rais e an old wrec k of a vessel

, ,

deeply barred in the s and under water e astward from t h e ,

town It was now t he c oldest season of th e year we were

.
,

al mos t naked and w ere driven into the wate r up t o our arm
,

pits We ha d t o shovel the san d from t he bottom an d carry it

.
,

in b askets t o the b anks The ch illing waves almost arreste d.

the ow of life for ever , and the T urks seemed more b arb arous
t h an us ual , b e ating us with their b a mboos , and exultin g i n o ur
sufferings They k ept u s in the w ater from ab out sunris e
.
,

until t wo o c lo ck P M , b efore we were permitted t o come out

. .
,

or to taste a mo uthf ul of food for th at day When we h ad .

snatche d a short repas t we were driven agai n into the wa ,

ter and kept there until s unset We h ad no clothes t o chang e ,

,
.

b ut were oblige d t o sleep in our wet ones, on the damp e arth

140 W I LLI AM R AY .

unanimously resolved th at if death sh ould b e the c ons eque nc e,

,

not to turn out anoth er day without food and this brou g ht the ,

Turks to terms for th a t ti me .

In June 180 5 a peace was c onclude d with th e Tripol itan

, ,

g overnment and R a y on regaining his liberty entered as cap

, , ,

tai n s clerk on board the frigate E ssex, and the next ye a r t e

turne d home In 180 . 9 h e s ettle d in E ssex c ounty New York

, , ,

an d res ume d his oc cupation o f trading but wi th n o b etter ,

succe ss than b efore On th e declaration of war in 1812 , h e

.

w a s made a m aj or in the detache d mil itia, w hich w as statione d

at Plattsb urgh A ft er a sh ort term of servic e in that quarter ,
.

he reside d in several parts of the state of New York , and nal

ly settled in Onondaga holding the o f c e of a Justic e of re
,

P eac e and c o m missioner in c ourts of record He die d at

,
.

Auburn in 182 7
, .

His volume o f poems w as publ ishe d in 182 1 They c an n ot .

be allowed any very high praise but a claim up on o ur atten ,

tion is put forth in their favor after a manner n ot t o b e t e,

sisted in the closing c ouplet of th e writer s E xordiu m
,

.

When you re c apture d by a T urk

Sit down and write a b etter work .

TR I P O L I .

Yr: lurid domes ! whose tottering c olumns stan d ,

Marks of the despot s desolating hand :

Whose w e e d g rown roofs a n d mouldering ar ches sho w

-

The c urse of ty rann y , a nat ion s we ;

In every r uin every pile I nd

A warning lesson to a thou g htful m in d .

Yo ur g loomy c ells expressive s ilenc e break ,

E cho to groans a n d eloq uently speak ;
,
The Christian s blood c ements the stones h e rears ;

Th is clay w a s m o ist en d with a Christian s te ars ;

P al e as these walls a prisoner o ft has lain

, ,

F elt the keen sc ourge and worn the ruthless chain ;

While scoi n g foes incre asing tortures pour,
 W ILLIAM RAY .

Till th e poor victim fe els , alas ! no more

Here thy brave tars America are found , ,

L oc k d in fo ul prisons and in fette rs bound

.

Heavens what sad times ! must fr ee Columb ians b ow

Before y ou tinsel tyrant s murky brow

?
Cringe t o a power w hich death and r p a iue crown
Smile at a smile and tremble at a frown ?
,

Kneel at a throne its clemency implore

, ,

E n ric h d by spoils and s t a in d W ith human gor e ?

,

Bear the sharp lash t he po nderous l o ad sustain

, ,

Suppress th eir anger and revenge restrain ? ,

L eave a fre e cli me explore the treacherous wa ves ,

,

The sport of miscre ants and the slave of slaves

Heavens ! at the sight eac h patriot bosom glows

With virtuous hatre d on its c ountry s foes ;
At every blow indignant passi ons ris e,
'

And vengeanc e ashes from resentful eyes .

But heaven is j ust though man s b ewil der d

,

To the dark w ays of provi denc e is blind ;

E lse why a re some o rda in d above the rest,

Or V i llains tre ate d better than th e best

Why m a rt y r d virtue hang t h y inj ured h ead
,

,
Why lived an Arnold whi le a Warren ble d ? ,

E arth s murderers t rium h proud oppressors reign

, ,

While patriots bleed an c aptives si g h in vain ?

,

Yet slum berin g j ustic e soon shall wake and sho w

Her sword un s hea t h d aud venge anc e W ing t he blow
,

,

Columbia s geni us glorious as th e sun
, ,

With thy blest shade immortal Washington ! ,

U nite to guar d us from nefarious foes ,

And he aven defen d and an g els interpos e
, ,

Devote d tyrants c ause j ust wrath to feel ,

Make Beys and Bash aws in submission kneel

Man s equal right s w eet liberty restore

, , ,

And despotis m crush , to ris e no more .

THE IVA Y T O BE HA PPY .

D o troubles overwhelm thy soul ,

L ike b illows of th e oce an ,

That o er the s p wrec k d victim
hi
roll ,
In
terrible c ommotion ;
Seize bold Irn a g in a t ion s wing
,
142 W ILLIA M RAY .

And soar to he aven so se eming, ,

Or reign a potenta te and king

T is all o b t a in d b y dreaming

.

Do p ai n and poverty unite

To rob th ee of a ll ple asure
L ike thieves break in at dead of night,
And steal a w ay thy treas ure ,

The treas ure of a tranquil mind

With j oy and rapture teeming ,

Seek seek my friend a n d tho u shalt

, ,

More solid j oy ia dreaming .

F orlet th e world still darker frow n

Than night clouds on creation
-
,

And shower its tenfol d venge anc e down ,

Its wrath and indignation ,

On this devote d h ea d of mine ,

One star is still le ft gle am ing ,

One light that W ill for ever shine

The hope the bliss of dreaming .

T he worl d c an neither give nor take

Away these mental rich es
They re m ine a n d sle eping or awake

,

I love the little Witches ;

T hey c harm my senses to repos e ,

While c ares an d wants are screamin g

My eyes and ears to misery close
, ,

A nd give me peac e ih dreaming .

Whene er I lay me down to rest ,

With toils and sorro ws weary

A he art most feelingly dist ress d
,
And all on earth looks dre ary ;
A erial po wers around me throng ,

With li g ht and g lory be amin g ,

And wa ft my rapture d soul along

The para dise o f dreaming .

And o ft as pensively I w alk

In solitary places ,

I hear c elestial spirits talk ,

And think I see their faces ;

 W ILLI AM C RA F T S .

To clear such rubbish from the earth ,

Thou h real genius mental worth ,

An scienc e to attend y o u ,
You might as well the sty rene ,

Or c as t your pe arls b efore t h e swine ,

They d only turn and rend you .

W IL L IA M C R A F T S

W A s born at Charleston South C arolin a, January 2 4th , 1787

, .

H e received his educ ation at H arvard U niversity , and stu die d

law a n d spent the remain der of his life in his n ative c ity ,
where he b ec ame note d as a lawy er of great ab ility an d elo
quen c e . He was a member of the legislatur e of South C aro
lina , and wa s for some time e ditor of the Charleston Courier .

He die d at L eb anon Springs , New York , Se ptembe r 2 3d

182 6, at th e age o f 39 A collection of h is works , comprising
.

poems , essays in prose and orations , with a biographic al me

,

moir, was published at Charleston durin g th e l ast ye ar .

RA PI D S IN L OVE .

T H E RE a re r apids in love b ut th ey fal l as they ew,

,

Thus pleasure inh abits the bodies of w o ,

And the tears of their union thou gh sunbe ams ill ume ,
They meet in the r ai nb ow an d part in the gloom
, .

There are rapids in love but th ey must b e past o er
,

By thos e who will not b e c on ne d to the shore ;

E ven danger has charms when it points t o delight,
And morm n g is lovelier for followm g night .

L et risk the desc ent our b arks shall c ombine ,

us
Our hopes and our hearts shall together incline :
L ove bec kons us on t o the per i lous wave ,

One moment shall ruin us both or shall save

, .

Protect us , ye stars of th e fond and t he true ,

The d a ngers of lovers are sacre d t o y ou ;

 S E LLE C K os n omv . 145

T he rapids are over surviving secure ,

, ,

In the s ea of delight our barks we W i ll moor .

SERENADE S ONG .

BE W ARE the so ft seduce r ;

E lude his S ilken snare ,

An d gu ard thy ten der boso m

From anguis h and despair .

Believe him not y o u i g la dy !

Thou g h oy t he st a rs h e s wear
The night is pas t ! a lready
The stars do disappe a r .

But the r e is remainin g

on e ,

T h e morning star alone ,

Just l l he a mai d c omplaining
Whe n a ll her hopes are gone .

S E L L E C K O SBO R N .

SE LLE CK OSB ORN w a s born we b elieve in Lit chel d, C on

, ,

n ec t ic ut, an d brou g ht up t o the trade of a printer He con .

ducted a newspaper in L it cheld about 180 6 or 180

, 8 and was ,

imprisoned in that plac e for a publication which , under t h e

in uenc e of party excitement was declared libellous Th e
, .

sympathy of his political friends wa s powerfull y excite d by th is

event and a p ubhc proc ession w as made t o th e plac e of his
,

c onnement .

This circumstance leads to th e mentio n of another unec

,

dote respecting him which ill ustrates the inuenc e of politic al

,

attachments and prej u dic es Wh ile it offers a conj uncture of ln

,

ciden t s which might a fford the ground work of a good c om

,

edy. Osborn had been engage d to deliver an o ra tion at

v oL . II . 13
146 S E LL E C K o s n oa N .

Ridg eel d, in F a ireld c ou nty on the 4t h of July The day

, .

c ame , the audience had assembled and th e orator mounte d ,

t h e desk , when he discovered that h e had lost his manuscript

in his way to the meeting h ouse He had ridden a long dis
-
.

ta nce to searc h for it was h opeless and the confusion an d

, ,

perplexity into whic h th e loss h ad thrown him rendered it im ,

possible to prepare an y off h and s ucc edaneum for his written

-

perform anc e A situation more a wkward can hardly b e im

.

a g in ed .A thronging auditory collected on t h e great national

holiday animate d with the exc itement of politics at the most
, ,

b usy a n d over h eate d time of party turb ulenc e and the orator
-
,

with nothing to say ! Meanwhile a post rider on his c ourse

from R idg eel d h ad spie d the manuscript upon the road and
,

picke d it up ; on ex afn in in g it the rst glanc e disc overe d to

,

h im th at it was a production designe d for public recital on th at

day and perhaps at that moment Here the c atastrophe of
, .

the affair stood upon a sharp edge The post rider w as a .

w arm partizan (every man was a politician then ) and it de

,

pende d upon the political character of the oration Whether it

shoul d b e returne d s easonably to the owner Fortunately .

for Osb orn the nder o f his m anusc ript was one of his own
,

party , an d h e was plac ed in the dilemma of either h aste n ing

bac k with the w riting to th e owner and thereby inc urring a ,

forfeiture for delay in transporting the mail or subjecting his ,

friends to th e m ort ic a t ion and disappointment of losin g their

oration He hesitated b ut for a moment and turned his horse
.
,

b ack He arrived at R idg e el d in time to hand the manu

.

script t o the orator j ust as he had abandone d himself to despair

and w as descendi n g from th e rostrum .

Osborne onc e e dite d a paper at Windsor Vermont, and ,

in the l atter part of his life h e w as the editor of a paper in

the state of De laware He publishe d a collection of his
.

poems at Boston, in 182 3 and die d in P hiladelphia in 182 6

,
.
148 S E LL E C K OS B OR N .

Oh how that frown did chill my h e art

, ,

And quench my too presumptuous ame !

Of my regret h o w keen t he smart !
H o w glow d my burning cheek with shame !

How c ould I with un hallow d lip

,

,
That bosom s purity profane

Or dare ambrosi al sweets to sip ,

F or which e en love h ad s ue d in vai n

Mark how that cloud in drops of pe arl , ,

Dissolves as s unshine bre aks th e wh ile

,

S 0wept my kind relentin g girl , ,

Wh en penitenc e reg a i n d her s mile

.

Mark h ow that mild c er ulean h u e,

, ,

E xp ands amidst retiring sh ade ;

,

T was thus her eye of he avenly bl ue , ,

All her returning love b et ra y d

.

Mark too that how of spl endid ligh t

, , ,

That bends o er e arth its grac eful form ,

That shines so c he ering to the sight ,

When b ursting s unb eams ch ase t h e storm

As g lows th at signal from above , ,

Of promise d pe ac e t w e en man and heaven,

So g lo w d the blush of yielding love

,

While gently m urm rin g thou rt forgive n ,

T HE SA I L O R .

wary se a bird scream s afar

T m: -

Alon g the w ave dire omens sweep

From the v eil d sky no friendly star

Be ams on the undulating de ep .

Hark ! from the cli ffs of distant shores ,

The L oni emits his dismal c ry
The w ave portentous w arning roars ,

An d speaks the thre atening tempest nigh .

 W AS H I NG TON AL LS I ON
'
.

What g uardian a n gel s w atchful power

Shall snatc h me from t h e an g ry deep ,

Or bid in that tremen dous hour
, ,

The demon of the w aters sleep ?

O r wh o if on some d esert wil d

,

I dri ft we ak famished a n d distrest

, , ,

Shall hush t h e sorro ws of my child ,

Or soothe L avinia s wounded breast ?

Sweet obj ects of my early love ,

For you with aching b ea rt I mourn ;

Far from your peac efu l val e I rove ,

Ah hopeless ever to return !

Yet should it b e m y happy lot

,

To hail ag ain my native shore ,

Secure w ithin my humble c ot,

I ll brave the restless deep no more .

His prayer was h eard the rolling b ark

R o de throu g h the storm w ith stubborn pride
And Willia m blithe as mornin g lark
, ,

Flew to his sweet enrapture d bride .

Yet Will with love and liquor warm

,
'
,

E re yet a mont h had p a ss d in glee ,

Forg e t the terrors of the storm ,

And singing s quare d away for sea !

, ,

W AS H IN G T O N A L L S T ON

W As b orn in South C arolina, and rec eived his educ ation in

New E ngland He was graduated at Harvard University in
.

180 0 He has since made himself well known to the world

.

as a painter , in whic h capacity h e has given evidenc e of a

geni us of the rst order He has reside d in the course of his
.

l abors in Ital y and En gl and , but is at p resent in Boston , em

v 0L . II. 13*
 W AS H I NG TON ALLS TON .

ploying his pencil upon an historical subject of a highly inter

esting character His p oem s, c onsist ing of Th e Sylph s of the

Se asons and a fe w short pieces were published in 1813

, ,
.

TH E P A INT KING .

Fa ra Ellenwas long the delight of the young ,

No damsel c ould with h er c ompare

Her charms w ere the theme of th e heart and the tongue ,
And bards without number in ecstasies sung ,
The be auties of E llen the fair .

Yet c old was the maid ; and though legions advanc ed ,

All drill d by Ov ide an art

,

And la n g uish d an d ogled protested and danc ed

, , ,

L ike sha do ws they came and like shadows they glance d ,

From the h ard p olis h d ice of her h eart

.

Yet still did the h eart of fair Ellen implore

A something that coul d n o t be found
L ike a s ailor she s e em d on a desolate sh ore

With nor house n or a tre e nor a soun d but

, ,
th e ro a r
Of breakers high dashing around .

From obj ect to obj ect still still would sh e veer , ,

Though nothing alas c oul d sh e nd ; , ,

L ike the moon w ithout atmosphere brilliant and clear
, , ,

Yet do om d like the moon with no being to cheer

,

Th e brigh t b arren waste of her mind .

But rather th an sit like a st a t ue so still

W hen the rain made her mansion a pound ,
Up and down would she go lik e the sails of a mill , ,

And at every stair like a w oodpecker s bill

,

,

rom t he tiles of th e roof to the ground .

One morn as the maid from her c asement inclin e d ,

,

Pa s s d the youth with a frame in his hand

.

The c asement she close d not the eye of her m in d

For , do all she coul d no she c oul d n ot be blind ;
, ,

Still before her she sa w the youth stand .

 W AS H l N G T O N ALLST ON .

As frowning he t hun der

d I am the P aint King ! -
,

And mine , lovely maid tho u art now ,

Then high from the ground did the grim monster lift
The loud scre aming maid like a b last
-

And he sped though the air like a mete or swift ,

W h ile the clou ds w a n d rin g by him did fearfully dri ft

,

,

To the right and the le ft as he p a ss d

.

N ow suddenly sloping his h urric ane ight ,

With an e ddyin g whirl h e desc ends ;
The air a ll belo w him becomes blac k as night ,
'

And the g roun d where h e treads as if move d with a ri

, g ht,
L ike the surge of the Caspian b ends .

I am h ere said the end and he thundering knock d ,

At the gates of a mountainous c ave ;

The g ates open ew as by magic u n lo c k d
,

,

Whil e the pe aks of the m ount reeling to and fro , roc k d ,

L ike an island of ic e on the w ave .

mercy
Oh , c ri ed Ellen and s w o on d in his arms ,
.
,

"
But the P aint K in g h e s c o d at her pain
-
, .

d
P rithee love sai the monster w hat mean these alarms ?
, , ,

She he ars not she sees not the terrible charms

, ,

That work her to horror again .

She opens h er lids b ut no longer h er eyes

,

Behold the fa ir youth she w ould woo

N ow appears t h e P aint K in g in his natural guise ;
-

His face like a palette of Villainous dies

, ,

Blac k and white re d and yello w and blue

, , , .

On the skull of a Titan that Heaven dee d , ,

Sat the end like the grim giant G og
, ,

While a lo ft to his mouth a huge pipe he applied ,

T wic e as big as the E ddystone L i g hthouse , descrie d

As it looms through an easterly fog
"
And anon as he p u d the vast volumes were seen ,
, ,
In horrid festoons on the wall ,

L egs a n d arms heads and bodies e m erg in betwe en ,

L ike the dra wing room grim of the ScotchSawney Beane ,
,
-

By the D evrl dress d o ut for a ball

.
 W AS H I NGT O N ALLS T O N . 15 3

Ah me cried the damsel and fell at h is feet .

Must I hang on t hese w alls to b e dried ?

,

Oh, no ! said th e en d while h e sprung from h is seat,

,

A fa r nobler fort un e4hy person shall meet ;

Into paint will I grind thee my bride ! ,

Then seizing the maid by her dark aub urn hair

, ,

An o il jug h e p l un g d her within

,

.

Seven days seven ni g hts w ith the shrieks of despair

, , ,

Di d Ellen in torment convulse the dun air

All c o ver d with 011to the chin

.

On th e morn of th e eigh t, on a huge sable ston e

Then Ellen all reeking he lai d
, ,

With a rock for his mu ller he c rush d every b one , ,

But, though ground to j elly still still di d she groan , ,

For life had forsook not the maid .

N ow reaching his palette with m asterly c are ,

E ach tint onits s urface he spre ad

The blue of her eyes a n d th e bro w n of her h air
, ,

And th e pearl and the white of her foreh ead so fair ,

And her lips and her ch eeks rosy red

.

Th en stamping his foot did the monster excl a im ,

, ,
Now I brave cruel fairy thy scorn !
, ,

When 10 from a chasm wide yawning there c ame -

A light tiny chariot of rose c olo r d ame

By a team of ten glow worms upborne .

E nthrone d in the midst on an emerald bright ,

Fair G eraldine sat w ithout peer ;

Her rob e was a gleam of the rst b lush of light ,

And her mantle the eec e of a noon cloud white , -

And a b eam of the moon was her spear .

In an acc ent that stole on the still charmed air

L ike the rst gentle language of E v e ,

Thus spake from her chariot the fairy so fair

I come at thy c all but oh P aint K ing b eware -
, , , ,

Beware if again you dec eive .

T is true
s aid the monste r , th o u queen of
,

Thy portrait I o ft hav e e s s a y d ;

Yet ne er to the c anvas c ould I With my art
 IVAS H IN GT ON ALL S TON .

Th e le ast of thy wonderful b eauties impart ;

And my failure with scorn you repaid .

I s wear by the li g ht of the Comet King s tail !

N ow -

And he t ower d W it h pride as he spoke ,

'

If again with th ese ma g ic al c olors I fail ,

Th e crater of E tna shall henc e b e my j ail ,

And my food shall be sulph ur and smoke .

B ut if I succ eed then oh fair Geraldine !

, , ,

Thy promis e w ith j ustic e I claim ,

And thou queen of fairies shalt ever b e mine

, , ,

Th e b ride of my b ed a n d thy portrait divin e

Shall fill al l the e arth with my fame .

He spake wh en b ehold th e fair Geraldine s for m
, ,

On the c anvas enchantingly g low d
His touches they e w like t h e leaves in a storm
And the p ure pearly w hite and the c arnation w arm
C ontend ing in harmony ow d
.

And now did the portrait a twin sister see m -

To th e gure of Geraldine fair

With the same sweet expression did faithfully tee m
E ach muscle each feature in short not a gle am
, ,

Was lost of her b e autiful hair .

T was the fairy herself ! b ut al as her blue eyes , ,

Still a pupil did r uefully lack ;
And wh o shal l describe the terric surprise
That seize d the P aint King w he n behold he descries
-
, ,

Not a spec k of his palette of blac k !

I am lost said t he end and h e sh ook like a leaf ;
, ,

When casting his e y es to the g roun d

, ,

He s aw the lost pupils of Ellen with g rief

In t he ja ws of a mouse and the sly little thie f
,

Whisk away from his S ight W ith a bound .

I am lost ! said the en d an d he fell like a stone,

Then rising the fairy in ire

With a to uch of her n g er she loos en d h er zone
,

(Whil e the limbs on the w all gav e a terrible groan ,)

A d she swell d to a c olumn of re
n

.
15 6 W ILLI AM MAXW E LL .

There love show d his glittering dart,
J ust b athe d in the nectar of bees ;
While fancy persuaded my he art,
Th at his only design was to pleas e .

An d fame held her wreath of renown ,

All blooming with laurels divine

And promise d the ouris hin crown,
To circle these temples o fmine .

Then I said to mysel f in my sleep ,

H o w lovely is all that I se e !
I sh all never have reason to weep ,

For the world is a g arden to me .

B ut an an g el c ame do wn from th e skies ,

And c la i m d me at onc e as h er o wn ;

Fair truth shed her li g ht on my eyes ,

And the shades of delusion are own .

I sigh for the dreams of my youth ,

All melte d away into air ;

Yet say that the sweet light of truth
,

Betray my poor heart to despair ?

Ah no ! I may m o urn for awh ile ,

Till my b osom is freed from its le aven ;

Then peac e shall return with a s m ile ,
And faith w aft my spirit t o heaven .

THE P RI Z E .

CL O D P OLE a simple rustic clo wn

, ,

L ived j ust a fe w miles out of to w n

The City s name ? I wont be sure

,
I think thou g h it w a s Baltimore
,

An honest c ountrym a n by tra de ,

E xtremely clever W ith his spa de ,

Coul d drive his plou g h o ff in a race ,

Arid plant potatoes Wit h a g rac e .

His W ife too w as a tidy soul ,

A t hmvrn g p a rt upon t he whole .

But times grew har d ; E mbar g o came ;

P oor things ! they did n t kno w who to blame

.

Some sai d the En g lish are the c ause

,

Some said , R e d Breeches b urn his laws !

-
 WILLI AM MAXW ELL .

But no w a lottery a pp ear d

P oor Clo dpole rea d t h e scheme and stared .

For c ertainly the plan wa s great ,

And w a s n t it s a n c t ion d by the state ?

He goes at onc e to b uy a tic ket ,

And begs the clerk to let him pic k it ;

T was at the o f c e kept by Waite ,

hat is so truly fortunate

Then looks and looks with all his eyes ,

And w isely thinks to choose t he prize ,

And now all day he reads the scheme ,

And ev ry ni g ht h e dreams a dream

.

He thought the money in his poc ket,

And bought a chest and key to lock it .

A t length the lottery is drawn .

Clod hears th e ne w s and he is gone ,

.

My wife says h e , I m o ff for town
,

,

To se e if I am still a clown .

So if y ou see me coming Harriot , ,

A s ure nough great man in my chariot

,

Mind see it w e ll W ith b oth your eyes

, ,

You may b e sure I v e got the prize .

Then seize your lon g est handle d broom -

,

And y like li g htnin g roun d the room ;

Break e v ry t hi n g you v e got more too

And we 11buy everything that s new

.

Yes and I 11give you such a go wn !

L ike Mrs D as h a wa y s in town

.

He goes to to wn or rather ies ,

My ticke t Sir is it a prize , ,

The clerk soon read the fellow through ,

And felt a little wa g gish too .

So with a strange mysterious look , ,

He turns and turns and turns his book

, , .

Your ticket, friend Clo d st ret c h d h is eyes

H as drawn has drawn what ? wh at

prize
But a dead blank ! Clod heard n o more ,

But down he fell upon t h e oor .

A d oc tor ! run ! t h e man W ill die .

A doctor wa s j ust riding by ;

(These doctors are as thic k as crows
H e smelt the c arrion I suppos e .

He feels Clod s pulse , a n d shakes his head
It is a t : he must be ble d .

VO L . i i. 14
158 W ILL IAM MA XW ELL .

His c onstitution though s g ood stuff '

.

I 11give him medicine enough .

Th ey ll cure him if they should n t

At any rate th ey ll help the bill

.

Out lancet, and h e st uc k a vein .

T he clown c omes to himself again ,

And rolls around his wondering eyes ,

L ik e a w ise owl, in great s urpris e .

The doctor be ars him off in haste

T o his own chariot , sees him plac ed ,
And bids t h e c oachman drive him hom e .

Dame Harriot s ees th e c arriage c ome ,

0! he has g ot the prize ! we re mad
e

G ood by t ye to th e hoe and spade !
Away sh e r an a n d seize d the broom ,
,
And e w like lightning round the room ,

Breaking up all she could get a t

E xcept the j ug sh e c ould n t break that

A present from her mother G ray ,

And given her on her w e ddin g day

There was none like it t o b e sold ,

And s uch ne b eer as it would hold !

B ut all the rest demolishe d quite ,
You never s aw now such a si g ht .

Just then poor Clodpole enters in

Stop stop ! h e cries it is a sin

.

For mercy quit this foolish prank ,

H e says my prize has drawn a blank .

See ! there they stand as stiff as posts ;

An d white as t wo meal p owder d ghos t s
-

At last Clod cries , Give me a hug .

I m glad to nd you v e s aved th e j ug

.

Confound all lott eries I say ! , '

Stick to th e plou h and w ork away !

,

B ad luc k h as ma e me monstrous wis e ,

So , spite of ch anc e , I v e got the prize .

TEA .

GIVE me , give me her e my tea ;

L adies nectar ! give it me ;
S weet as what the Hummer sips,
Or the dew on Be auty s lips

.

Te a t is m akes the spirits ow,

160 ROB E RT s. C O FF I N .

in m a nuscript, which showe d respec table powers o f s a rc asm

and ridic ule He die d at R owley , near Newb uryport, in May
.
,

182 7 at the age of about thirty

, His life w as chequere d by
.

c onsiderable variety he h aving b een at one time a sailor ; th e

,

p ublic sympathy w a s muc h excited for him toward the close of

his c are er and Mr Bryan w rote a poem th e prots o f whic h
, ,

were given to relieve his nec essities .

S ONG .

L OVE ,
the leaves are fallin g round thee
All the forest tre es are bare ;

Winter s snow W ill soon surround thee ,

Soon will frost thy raven hair

Then say W ith me , ,

L ove W ilt thou e e

, ,

N or w ait to h e ar sad autumn s prayer
F or w inter rud e
Will soon intrude ,

Nor aught of s ummer s blush ing b eauties spare

.

th
m w w w he e
N ature s c harms will quic kly y the e

,
Chi lling rains around thee pour
Oh then W ith me
, ,

L ove Wilt th ou e e
, ,

E re whirlin g tempests round the e roar,

And W inter dread
Shall frost thy hea d ,

And a ll thy raven ringlets s ilver o er ?

L ove , th e moon is sh inin g for thee

All th e lamps of h eaven are bright ,

H r ly spirits g li d e b e t o re the e
iIrgin g on thy tar dy ight ;
,

Then say W ith me , ,

L ove Wilt thou e e

, ,

Nor wait the s un s return ing light ?
Time s nger rude

,

Will soon intr ude

R elentless , all thy bl ushing beauties blight .

L ove , the owers no longer greet the e,

All t heir lovely hues are e d !
 W I LL IAM B . WALT E R . 16 1

N 0more th e violet springs t o meet thee ,

Li in slo w its modest h ead
g '
I hen say with m e , ,

L ove W ilt tho u e e

, ,

And leave this darkling desert dread ?

And seek a clime
Of j oy sublime ,

Where fadeless owers a lasting fragrance sh ed

W IL L IAM B . W AL T E R ,

W a s born in Boston and educate d at Bow doin College , in

,

Maine He a ft erwards studie d divinity at C ambridge b ut

. ,

never entere d the pulpit He die d at Charleston , S C , in

.
. .

182 2
age d ab out twentysix or s even He w rote Sukey ,
.
,

and a volume of poems , published in 182 1 .

R OMANC E .

T th e last hour ! far o er the beetling steep ,
is

The g lorious s un desc ends into the deep ,

And i n g s around a ery ood of light ,

In fare well be ams magnic ently bri g ht

The sha do win g clouds in min g led clusters driven,
In lin g erin g splendor oat along the heaven :
On rose ate Win g s al l so ftly now are stealin g ,

Veil his bright b eams the n s ud denly revealing ;

Tinging the to wering cliffs and glowing s kies ,

With r adiant streaks of blue a n d purple dyes ;

While the long gleam that swe eps the crimson west,
Trac es the mi g hty limits of his rest .

80sink the po w erful and the g ood of e arth

, ,

From t h is fair worl d that glorie d in their birth !

,

Their fame beams bri g ht o er death s dispersing gloom ,

An d c ro wns w ith living light their hallo w d tomb !

T is t he last hour and a ll around is st ill !
N o murmur bre a ks on Cal vary s lone h ill

VOL i i
. . 14*
 W I LLIA M B . IVALT E R .

G i b on s green b anks and w aves of heavenly blu e,

And vales and w oods t ou ch d with a soft en d hu e

Shine g ladly forth , and greet th e rapture d vie w !

H ush d is th e fall of waters ! evening s purple dew

Is all around the sweet owers blossoming

Droop their bright he ads over the sa cre d spring !
T he high blu e depths of air are silent now
And spirits crow d along that mountain s brow

Their rushin g pl umes are w aving in the light ,

Spangle d w ith stars their waving tresses bright,

,

Circle d with dia de ms en wrea t h d With owers

Th ey c ome in glory from immortal b owers ;

Hark t is the music of a golden string

,

Swept by the swe et winds softl y quiverin g !

That trembles on the air with thrilling Wing,
An d soothes the soul with its wil d wandering
L ike the love d hymn of early j oys departed ,

That leaves th e pilgri m al most broken hearte d ; -

Too richly de ar its deep ench anting swell

,

That has n o name b ut only breathes farewell !

T is gone and silent now the broad blue skies,

R olling in splendor as they gently rise
Soaring on radiant wings far far away ! , ,

H ow solemnly b eautiful departing day !

And oh how c hange d from that when Jesus die d
On that lone mountain s solitary sid e

Thic k clouds of darkness veil d its hallow d crest

,
And hovering lo wer d upon its awful bre ast ;

H eavy and still the gathering vol umes form

Hark ! t is the hol low muttering of the storm !

It c omes at last in gloom and w ildering terror ;

,

The skies hang h eavy like a mighty mirror ,

D esp o il d of all its splendor and its light !

Dim crowding shapes a re t h ron g in down th e night li

R edoubling pe al on peal the th un er rolls ,

An d rends the re ddeni ng vapor s bloody folds !
96 96 96

Sudden an d quic k th e lurid ashes driven

In angry quiverin g s shot along the heaven ,

Shivering the foldings of that darksome shroud !

R ent are the mountain rocks ! earth shrieks aloud !
Th e tempest Winds are s t rug glin erce and far
D own the deep vale rolls on the ea rful war !
The volume d mass , all trembling, now receding,
 W ILLIAM B . W ALT ER .

As it fell on the crests of th e w arrior brave

The crimson plume mingling with cresc ent of light
The struggles of de ath in the h eat of the ght !
Where the w ild wa r hors e trampled over the de ad ,

And c rush d out the souls of the living and e d ?

,

His fetlocks all gory and ghastly his eye

,

And the groan and the curse , and the horrible yell
Of the victor and v a n quish d like spirits o f hell

,

From their chains unbound and warring high ,

Shrieking out the long c ur se of their agony

Banners are spread on the mountain roc k

Dark sh adows are melting a n d lo there s a shock ,
And the b attle is ending a loud stirring cry
Swells on the cloud wind exultingly
The dark volumed s mok e rolls a wfully there !
L ivid ash es! of light throu g h its c anopy glare
L ike meteor ame in the stormy air
Million of shafts g iving dreadful tok en !
Spears kindlin g along ! all bloody a n d broke n
L ike the angry clouds of the lowering morn !
Wildly they r ush through the smoke an d ame ,
Fi g hting to win a glor ious name ,
Or lonely there to die !
Wh ence is that form th at comes terribly on ?
With a helmet of li ht ln the dark battle won .

In t h e splendor 0 youth ! it is v a n is h d and gone !

0 gone for aye in the whirlwind breath

,

Of the spirit that rides on the clouds of death !

His white c ourser plun g ing with terrible wrath
And leaping along the e n c um b er d path

His rider he drags o er the c arnage ground

Still muttering out an encoura g ing sound ,

And w avin g in vain his broken s abre round

His b osom gore staine d with a sabre woun d
In vain ! t he scimetars are n earer clashing
And arms of blood like death stars ash ing !
R oll i ng of drums and shrieks for li fe
,

The earthquake motion of the strife

And hark ! a fearful pause in that din pro found !
The dark ght deepens and gathers roun d
,

The re d cross b anners are up on th e gale !

And their oating is like the shattere d s ail
Of the proud ship wrec k d by th e ocean storm !

Some frigate of air of the bravest form ,

,

F lashing in blood , by the thunder torn

 W ILL IAM B . W AL T E R

How they hurry al ong ; by their ight upborne !

The crescents are down ! there are s uns in th e sky '

And hark ! the glad shout of victory

Dark as the wave when spectres lower
And shrou d the deep at midnight ho ur
Thick as t he le aves whe n autu mn tide ,
Has re ft the forest of its pri de !
Swift as the clouds by whirlwinds driven
Far far along the troubled heaven
The glorious vision p as s d

R ed r uin graspe d his scythe and strode along the wa ste ! u

,

x -
x ar -
x~ at

The moon rides high in heave n ; the stars are bright

Along the azure depths she dding a timi d light ! ,

W ho has not felt the mysteries of night ?

Ye a ! there is something h allow d in this hour,

Wh en the mind wanders in its newb orn power ,

F ar fro m the things of earth to things above ,

And worships in the world of holiness and love !

In regions pure where veil d archan g els dwe ll
,

,

C irch n g the eternal front of life ineffabl e

Sometimes we w ander to the fairy land ,
Where t he soul dances and her W ings expand !
u g . -4
_ A A _ L n .A

And dewy shrubb e ry and moonli g ht bowers , ,

R etreat of fancy s glittering vag rant powers .

F air he aven where many c olor d clouds enfold

Bright islets oating in t he se a of gold !

P roud domes and palac es are shining there ,
With i vory columns g e mm d with i e s tai n d spar
,
'
-

There wanton zephyrs danc e on b udd ing owers ,

And wa ft t h e fragrant leaves in snowy showers
By sunny banks the silver w aters whirl

A wildering music o er their sands of pearl !
And birds are singing from their star lit bowers , -

T o lull the sleeping of the blue eyed hours !

L ig ht things are itting in this world o f a ir !
G ay creatures born of thought are dwelling there ,

The eln rac e who bathe in dews of morn !

,

And climb the r ainbow of the summer storm '

Floating ab out in thinnest robes of light,

,

F rom meteors c au g ht that sh oot al ong the night

, .

Crowns studded o er with gems their brows adorn
, , ,
Stol e from the ey eh ds of the wakin g morn
 R I C H ARD D AB N E Y .

Th ey wave bright sc eptres , wrought of moonlight b eams ,

And spe ars of cry stal tinge d with lightnin g gle ams
,

Young nak ed L ove s are sporting on the main ,

'

Or g h de on clouds along the ethereal plain !

Their snowy breasts oating the waves among ,
Are kiss d by shapes of light and swim along

,

In liqui d sapphire with their humid locks

Dropping thick diamonds o er their mossy rocks

The s e a green realm is all W ith emeralds shining,

-

With rainbo w arches o er the depths reclining

And other skies are deeply rollin g under ,

With clouds of trembling am e and slumb ering th und er !

And minstrels blow their horns of tulip owers !
I n echoes so ftly from their air b orne towers -
,

Floats b ac k the music with a dreamy sound !

,

A dove win g d presenc e hovering round and ro und

-

,

Visions of j oy i n s un rob e garments sporting

-
,

De ar L oves ! with gay looks in green path w ays c ourting

Who spe ak with eyes and move with steps of s adne ss,
,

And now , we list a che erful son g of gladness !

R IC H A R D D A B N E Y,

A NATIVE of Virginia ; h e reside d for a tim e in Philadel

phia , where h e wa s engaged in some li terary occ upations .

F urther than this w e h ave obtaine d n o information respecti ng

,

him He is the author of a small volume o f poems p ublishe d

.

i n 1814 at P hiladelphia several of which w er e included in

,

oscoe
s spec i mens f Americ an poetry a n d rec eive d a good
R o ,

deal of commendation from the ed itor in his critic al rem ark s .

TH E SPRING OF L IFE .

T not enough th at virtue sways
is
Our present hours and p as s m g days

T is not enough , o ur purpose b e
F rom every b as e int en t i i n fr e e
 R I C H ARD DAB N E Y .

Its shade avenging meets his sight

, ,

Com es dec k d With all the warmth of youth ,

,

When life was love and peac e and truth , , ,

Comes dec k d with all the charms that blest ,

,

In e arly life his g uiltless breast

,
.

It s miles in fancied Vie w appears , ,

The virtuous bliss of youthful ye ars

It frowns b efore his blaste d e y es ,

His present vic es hide ous rise .

A W E S TE RN
'
W AR SONG .

T o t h e north western wilds has our gall ant youth gone

-
,

Though his breast with a t emp est of feeling w a s torn

, , ,

Yet he s c orn d a weak tear and dis daine d a weak sigh

,

He is we dde d to ven e anc e or bounden to d ie , ,

For the horror fra ug t fate of th e victim so dear

-

To th e he art of the h ere , the brave volunteer .

On his dauntless steed b orn e h e hastens to ride

'

, ,

On his shoulder his ri e his s w ord by his side

,

O er r ivers through forests like the swift wind h e ies

, ,

To the soun ds that he pants for the battle eld s c ries

, ,
-

.

For w e dde d to venge anc e and stranger to fear , ,

Is the heart of the hero the brave volunte er,

.

Hurra at Moravia that b attle cry wakes

, ,
-
,

From the ranks the di re peal of the m usketry breaks .

The brave volunteer mi dst the death a shin g clo ud
,
-
,

Invokes the de ar name of th e murdered aloud ,

Then quic k to the c harge w ith h is death deal ing blow

,
-
,

P ours his w rath on the friends of th e hatchet and b o w .

For we dded to venge ance a stranger to fear , ,

Is the soul of the h ero , t he brave volunteer .

At that dre ad hour of night when his ch erish d love ble d, ,

And her man g led form slept With the mas s acred dead,
He had sworn a dread oath that his rie and ste el , ,

On the merc iless demons deep vengeanc e shoul d deal

, ,
For the horrorfraught fate of the vi ctim so dear
To the he art of th e hero the brave volunteer , .
 R I CHARD D ABNEY . 169

Then joy to the brave voluntee r who h as sped ,

To the wilds of the north w est where thous an ds have

-
,
Who , we dded to vengeanc e a dread oath has s worn , ,

On the arms of his c omrades a corse to b e borne ; ,

Or the deep debt of vengeance in tenfol d to de al

On the merciless ends with his r ie and steel
, ,

For the soul harrowing sc athe of the victim so de ar

-

To the heart of the hero , t h e brave volunteer .

THE H E R OE S O F TH E W E ST .

How sweet is the song of the fest al rite ,

When the bosom With rapture swells high

When the heart at the so ft touc h of ple as ure b eats light,
, ,

And bright is the b eam of the eye '

.

In the dir g e that is p our d o er a ec t ion s bier ,

,

H o w holy an interest dwells ,

When the frequent drop of the frequent tear ,

The he art rending anguish tells
-

But sweeter the song that t he m instrel should rais e

T o the patriot Victor s fame
,

And livelier the tones of the heart g en der d pr a ise , -

That should w ake from the harp at his name

But holier the dir g e that the min strel should pour
O er the fal len hero s grave

,

Whose arm wields the s word for his country n o mo re ,

Who has die d the death of the brave .

There live s in the b osom a feeling sublime

Of all t is the strongest tie
,

U nvaryin g through every change of tim e ,

And on ly with h fe does it ( he .

T is the love that is borne for th at lovely land ,

That smiled on the hour of our birth ;

T is the love that is plante d by natur e s hand ,

,

For our s a cred native earth .

T was this that the patriot victor inspired ,

Was strong in the strength of his arm ,

With the holiest zeal his brave bosom red ,

And to dan g er and death gave a c harm .

T w as t his that the dying hero blest

,

And h allow d the ho ur when he fell ,
VOL . n : 15
 R I CH ARD DABN EY .

Th at t hrob b d in the nal thr ob o f his b reastfl

And heave d in his b osom s l ast swell :

Wh en a thousand swords in a thous and h ands,

, '

T o the sunbe ams of heaven shone bright ;

When th e Willing he arts of C olumbia s b ands ,

Were rm for Columbia s r ight
When the blood of the w est in the battle w as p our d,
,

In defenc e of the rights of the west ;

Wh en th e blood of th e east sta in d th e point of the s word ,

At the E astern king s behest

Till t h e angel form of returnin g pe ac e ,

O er the plain and the moun ta i n s mile d

Bade the rude bl as t of war from its rava g e t o c e ase ,

And the sweet gale of plenty breathe mild .

She smiled a n d t h e nation s mighty woes
Ceased to stream from t he na t ion s eyes ;

She smil ed and a fabric of wisdom aros e,

And exalted its fame to the skies .

Then rm b e its b ase as the giant roc k

,

Midst the oc ean waves al one ,

That the b eating rain an d the tempest sh ock ,

For numberless years has borne .

And blasted the parricide ar m that shall pla n ,

That glorious structure s fall

B ut stil l may it sanction the rights of m an ,

And liberty guardian to all .

The n sweet b e th e song th at the minstr el shoul d rais e ,

To the patriot Victor s fame ,

And lively the tones of the heart g en de r d praise , -

That shoul d wake from the h a rp a t his name .

Then holy the dirge that th e minstrel s houl d pour ,

O er the fal len hero s grave

Whose hand wields the s word for his country no more ,

Who has die d th e death of the brave .

TURN N OT T O TH E EAST .

C AN the heart which rst glow d in a far foreign seat,
For a di fferent land feel its warm pulses beat ?
C an the eye oped not here prop the heart g en der d te ar
, ,
-

On the blood that was sp i lt for the bl essings we bear ?

4
172 W A S H I N GT O N I R VING .

Wh ere winter s gloom was never known,

Nor fell dise ase s holl ow groan ;

Where grie f deceit despair and wo

, ,

D are not their forms of horror sh ow ,

L ady , w a s plac e d thy destined lot

B ut fate that destiny forgot ;
,

Or envious of thy blissful s tate

, ,

Some end of earth , and earthly hate ,

Gave the e to pain and sorro w here
Be t ra y d the e to this world of c are

.

W A S H IN G T O N IR VIN G

W AS b orn in th e ci t y of N e w York , and edu c ated at Colum

bia College His e arliest productions were written at about
.

th e seventeenth year of his age , an d appeare d rst in th e

New York Morning Chronicle , under the title of Th e L etters
of Jonath an Oldstyle These li g ht a n d h asty performanc es o f
.

his youth w ere a few years sinc e c ollecte d and republishe d in

a volume He b egan the study of la w , b ut in 180
. 5 , the de
c lin in g state of his he alth induce d him to undertake a voyage

to E urope . He travelle d over most of the South of Eu

rop e, and England , and returne d to this c ountry in 180 7 He .

c omplete d his la w studies , b ut feeling more attachment to lit

era ry occ upations h e di d not pursu e the profession In 180 7 .

h e bega n in c onnexion with Mr P aulding and Mr Verplanck ,

th e public ation of Salmagundi , which appeared in numb ers at
irregular periods , and attaine d to suc h a popularity , that in a
ye ar it ran throu gh six editions In 1810h e gave to the world
.

Kni ckerb ocker s History of N e w York , a work whic h gave

h i m a w ide reputation He furnish ed a gre at amount of mat

.

ter for th e Analectic Ma g a zm e among other articles the b io

, ,

graph ies of our most distinguished naval comman ders During .

the w a r, Mr Irving was military secretary , and aide de camp t o - -

the G overnor of the state of N ew York In 1815 h e w ent .

 W AS HI N GTON I RVI NG . 173

t o E urope , where h e has s inc e resided The Sketc h Book .

,

Br a c ebridge Hall Tales of a Traveller , The L ife of C o

,

lumbus and biographies of the principal writers of G reat

,

Britain , works whic h he has exec u ted since he le ft this c oun

try have extende d his fame w herever E nglish literature is
known .

The s ubj oine d extra ct is the only p o etrv to our knowledge ,

th at has be en publishe d with h is name .

THE F A L L S OF THE P A S S AI C .

IN a wild tranquil vale fringe d W ith forests of green ,

, ,

Where nature had fa shion d a soft sylvan scene

, ,

The retreat of the ring dove the haunt of the deer ,

-
,

P assaic in s ilenc e roll d gentle and clear

N 0grandeur of prospect ast on ish d the si g h t

,

No abruptness sublime min g le d a we W ith delight ;

Here the Wild o w ret blos so m d th e elm prou dly wave d ,

,

And pure was th e c urrent th e green b ank that laved .

But the spirit that r ule d o er the thic k tan g le d wood ,
And deep in its gloom x d his murky abo de

Wh o love d the W il d sc ene that the w hirlwinds deform,

And gloried in thunder and ligh t nin g , and storm ;
,

All ush d from t he tumult of b attle h e came

,

Where the re d m en en c o un t er d the children of ame ,
Whil e the noise of the war whoo p still ran g in his ears ,
-

And the fresh blee d ing scalp as a trophy he hea rs

With a gl anc e Of disgust, he t h e landsc ape survey d,

With its fragrant wil d owers its wide waving shade ,

Where P assaic meanders throu g h margins of green ,

So tr an sparent its waters , its surfac e ser ene .

He rive d th e green hills , th e wild woods h e lai d lo w ;

He tau g ht t he pure stream in rough channels to ow;
H e rent the ru de rock the steep precipic e gave
, ,

And hu rl d down the ch as m the t hundering wave

VO L . II . 15*
 H E NRY T . F ARM E R .

Countless moons h ave

sinc e roll
d in the long laps e of ti me

C ultivation has softened th os e features sublime

The axe of the white man has li g ht en d the sh ade ,

And disp ell d the de ep gloom of the thickete d glade

.

But t he stranger still gazes with wondering eye

, ,
On the rocks rudely torn and groves mounte d on high
,

Still loves on the Cli ff s dizzy borders to roam

,
W here th e torrent leaps he a dlong emb osom d in foam
.

H E NR Y T . F AR ME R ,

A NATIVE of Charleston S C , where he now resides as a . .

physician , is the author of a volume of poems publishe d in

1819 .

T HE B ATTL E TH E I S LE
OF .

A C O MIC O-T R AG A A EIC L T L .

P ART I .
T H E I S L E .

ON the v erge of the deep where the dark sea bird hovers,
,
-

Wh ere the wave in lou d fury bursts w ild on the shore

, ,

Near the light house whos e ame to the wand erer discovers
-
,

A beam like the glanc e of those long s ev er d lovers

,
-

,

Who meet in blest raptur e , to sever no more

An isle of white sand lik e a dese rt is se en
, ,

Where n o wild ower bl ushes in meadow of green ;

But where long tangle d se a weed is cast on th e strand
,
-
,

L ike the gray locks of age pl uc k d by merc ile ss hand ;

,

For the storm tore it up from its de ep c ozy bed ,

As the ruia n tears locks fr om th e w anderer s head
d
Oh ! ye w ho woul d view this fame d esert aright
,

G o visit the strand by the pale starry light ;

W hen the ble ak w in d is high and the breakers are gle aming,
,

And the owl is abroad , and the sea gull is screaming -

Then sit near yon c irc ummure d c astle awh ile ,

,

And b ehold the fell grandeur of Sullivan s isle .

The moonbeam Just gleams on y ou ruin so bare ,

 H E NR Y T . F ARM ER .

Un a rm d with b attle axe or brand ,

-

Or faulchion broad or spear : ,

Anon they s t o pp d before the tower,

Wh ere fair F lore s sa * slept in bower ,

Far from enchanter s baneful power ,

o r hag g ard wizard dre ar .

I know this b eauteous virgin rare ,

An d by yon vaulted arch I swear ,

A foot more light a fac e more fair , ,

And sooth an eye more bright,

On e arth b efore has never b een ,

And s he yclept the fairy quee n
By wil der d knight or damsel seen ,

Would wither in her sight .

L et poet Spenser deftly tell ,

Of Britomart and F lori m el ,

An d lou dly w ild his numbers swell ,

In either damsel s praise

Or e en let Ariosto rear

A trophy to Ma r p h is a s spe ar
,

Or Tasso crown h is vi rgin dear

With never fading bays -

For these must bow before h er shrine,

And e en the Amazon divine

,

Who tasted Alexan der s Wine ,

And J oan of Arc b esi de .

Thus spoke the foremost knight, an d st rode

In S ilenc e o er the sandy ro a d ,

That le d to wa rd h er blest abode ;

The gate ew open W ide .

P ART I I I. -
TH E V I S IT .

Slow o er t h e platform pac ed a knight,
In glittering vest a n d armor dight ;
High on his helm like passing cloud , ,
With awful nod a horsetail how d ,

.

T was said by D ouglas in his prid e , ,

R ight fairly doth L ord Marmion rid e
To give this mailed chief his due ,
He rode as w ell and fairly too .

The steed Buc ephalus of yore ,

A icli w ido w
'
.

TT he hero of t he p iece , who k ep t l ivery sta b les

.
 H E NRY T . F ARM E R . 177

Triumphant through the battle bore

G reat Philip s son in warlike pride ;

,

T is sai d when that famed stallion died ,

,

The mo narch many a te ar drop shed , -

And b uilt a city o er h is head

Our chief for love of fait hful steed ,

,

Had done almost as good a deed

To b uild a city though not able , ,
He b uilt t was all he c ould a stable
,

.

The knights * who to the gateway c ame ,

C a ll d on Floress a s h onor d name

,
Saying , within that lady s bower

They c ame to spend a short half hour .

Th e maile d Chieftain turnin g said

Th at lady bright h as gone to be d
, , ,

The knight his manly port admired ,

And bowing would have soon retired ;
When quic k they heard a mighty j ar ,

A tumul t wild a din of w a r : ,

High on th e c astle s slantin g stair

,
App ea r d the form of female fair ;

W i ld was her loo k with haggard fright,

Her h air wa s loose her dress was w hite ,

D own down she swept like fell Simoom , ,

L eft all her armor in her room ,

T oss d from h er eyes the owing hair,

Bra n dis h d her stal wart arm in air ;

And thus midst thunde rs re and smoke ,

, ,

That tender , lovely virgin spoke .

P ART IV .
T H E B ATTL E
Hold thieves and murderers on your ,

Bring pistols sc issors carving knives

, , ,

And she d their impious gore :

She caught the foremos t by his coat ,

Gra s p d W it h her sinewy hand his thro at,

To d ash him on the oor

A knife a knife y quickly y
, , , ,

Att ac k the Villains or I die .

What pistols ho ! is no one h igh ?

, ,

Quic k minion on thy life

, ,

My castle for a gleaming steel ,

a T wo of cers be lo ngi ng t o t he U n it ed S t a t es a rm y
.
178 H E NRY T . F ARME R .

To mak e those damne d robbers feel

Th e d e adly blow this ar m c an de a l ;
My kingdom for a knife l

Fire quic k a ash b ea m d ruddy bright,
A bullet took its errin g ight
From smoking petronel .

Death now a p p e a r d to c all his court,

For soon as if in playful sport,

,

A seeming v ic t m i fell .

Off from my b al l you scoundrels base ,

, ,

L et no one longer show h is fac e ,

Th is is my own domain an d place ,

L et no da m n d slave deri de it ;

Who dares amon g you all to frown ?

I paid in yonder distant town ,

E ach farthing of the m oney down ,

The very h our I buy d it

.

Down with the hu g e portcullis straight,

G o quick as li g htnin g shut the gate ,
,

Th e lowly villains bind

With that, she gave a h earty dam n
To either knight t h e gate goes sl am ,
,

And one remains b ehind

Gle a m d in her hand the pointe d knife

.


T is a rm d at that lone c aptive s life ,

With many a de adly thrust ; '

The s ervants shudde r with a right ,

F or n ever was a mortal wight
So h andle d, a n d so cursed .

Against suc h gentleness such charm s , ,

What knight could wield his missile arms ?

Sure all must b e s ubd ued !
And he who tarried in h er hold ,
And s aw her meek demeanor bold ,

In c ool amazement stood !

Th e chieftain w ith the w aving cre st
Felt some c ompunction in his breast,
And oped the g ate again ;
From whenc e the c aptive soon withdrew ,

And o a ths like hailstones after ew

In Eleus m i a n strain .

Thus en ded without blood or spoil

, ,

The battle s rage and lou d turmoil ,
And imprec ations Vl le
F rom hence y e warriors all beware ,
 JAM E S K PAULDI NG . .

TH E B ACKW O ODSMAN .

F w a s sun set s hallow d time and such an

ev e

Mig ht lal m ost tempt an angel h eaven to leave .

Never di d brighter glories greet the eye ,

Low in t h e warm and ruddy wes t ern sky
Nor the light clouds at s ummer ev e unfold
More varie d tints of purple , red and gold ,
.

Some in th e pure transluc ent liquid bre ast

, ,
Of crystal lake fast a n c hor d seem d to rest ,
,

Like g olden islets sc a t t er d far a nd wide ,

By eln skill in fancy s fable d tide

,

Where as wrl d e astern legends idly feign ,

,

Fairy or genii hold despotic reign

, , .

Others like vessels gill with b urn is h d gold ,

,
.

Their itting airy w a y a r e seen to hold ,

All g allantly equi p p d with stre amers g a y

,

Whil e han ds uns een or c hanc e d irects their way ;,

Around athw art the pure ethereal ti de

, , ,

With swelling p urp le s a il they rapi d gli de , '

Gay as th e bark , w here E gypt s w an ton queen

R eclining on th e shade d dec k w as se en ,

At whic h as gaze d the uxorio us R oman fool ,

Th e subj ect world slipt from h is dotard r ule .

A n on the gorgeous sc ene be g ins to fade ,

,

And deeper hues the r ud dy skies invad e

The h aze of gathering t wilight nature shrouds ,

And p ale and paler w a x the changeful clouds

, ,
.

Then sunk the breeze into a breathless calm ,

T h e Sil ent dews of evening dropt like b alm ;
T h e h ungry ni g h thawk from his lone haunt hies ,
To chase the Vl e eS S insect through t h e skies ;
The b at began his lantern loving i g ht, -

The lonely whip p oor w ill our bir d of night,

- -
,

E ver unsee n ye t ever seeming ne a r

, ,

H is s hrill note quav er d in the s t artle d ear ;

The buzzing b eetle forth did g aily hie ,

With idle hum and c areless blunderin g eye

,

The little trusty watc hman of pale night,

The re y t rim m d anew his lamp so bright ,
-

And took his merry airy circ uit roun d

The sparkling mea do w s g reen and fra g rant b ound,

Where blosso m d clover bath e d in balmy dew,

,

In fair l ux urianc e s weetly blushing gre w

, .
 J AME S K
s PAULD IN G . l 81

R
it 3? 96 9t

N ow all through Pennsyl vania s ple as ant land ,
U nheede d p as s d our li ttle roving b and ,

- For every soul ha d something here t o do,

Nor turu d aside o ur c avalc ade to view

By Bethlehem w here Moravi an e xiles bide,

,

In rural para dise on L eh igh s side ,

,

And York and La ncaster w hose rival rose

In this good lan d n o bloody discord knows ,
.

N ot suc h their fate th e ever grateful soil

R ewards the blue eye d G erman s patient toil ; -

R icher an d rounder every year he grows,

Nor other ills his stagnant bosom kno ws
'

T han c a it i grub o r curse d Hessian y , ,

M ilde ws a n d smuts a dry or humid sky ;

, ,

Before he s ells the mark et s s udde n fall

,

,

Or s udden rise when sold still worse than all I

,

Calmly h e live s the tempest o f the m ind -

,

That marks its cours e by many a wrec k behind ;

The purpose hi g h that g re at ambition feels ,

Sometimes perchanc e upon his vision steal s,

But never in his sober waking thou g ht
One sti rrin g active impulse e ver w rou g ht
, .

Calmly he li v es as free from good as blame,

His home his dress h iS e quip a g e the s ame
, ,
'

And when h e dies in s oo th t is s oon forgot , ,

What onc e he was o r what he onc e w a s not ,

An honest man perhaps t is some what odd

, ,

,

That such should be the noblest work of G o d !

So have I see n i n garden ric h a n d g a y ,

A stately c abba g e w ax in g fat each da y ;

U nlike t he lively folia g e of the trees ,

Its stubborn leaves ne er w ave in summer breeze

,
Nor o wer like those that prank the w alks arou
,

U pon its clumsy ste m is ever foun d ;

It heeds not noontide he ats or evening s b alm ,

,
And stands unmove d in one ete rnal calm .

At last whe n all the garden s pride is lost,

,

It ripe ns in drear autumn s k illin g frost,

And in a savory so urkro ut nds its end ,

From whic h deteste d dish , me heaven defend !

96 i it

Our Basil beat the lazy sun next day ,

A nd bright and e arly had been on his w ay ,
V OL I L . 16
 JAM E S K PA ULD I N G . .

But th at the world h e saw e en yesternight,
S eem d fade d li ke a vision fr o m his sight

.

One en dless ch aos spre ad be fore his eyes ,

No vestige le ft of earth or azur e skie s ,

A boundless not hingness re ig n d every where

,

Hid the gre en el ds and s ilent all the air

, .

As l ook d the traveller for the world below ,

The lively morning breeze be g an t o blo w ,

The magic cu rtain roll d in mists away

And a gay landscape l a ug h d upon the day

.

As light th e eeting vapors u p ward g lide ,

L ike sheete d spectres on the mountain S ide ,

Ne w obj ects open to his wondering vie w

Of various form and c om binations ne w
,
.

A roc ky precipic e a w av m g w ood

, ,

Deep W inding dell a nd fo amin g mountain ood

, ,

E ac h a fter eac h with c oy and s w eet d elay

, ,

Brok e on his sight as at youn g da w n of day

, ,

Bounde d afar by peak aspiring b ol d ,

L ike g iant c apt W ith helm of b urn is h d gold

.

So when the w an de rin g g randsire o f o ur rac e

On Ararat had found a resting plac e ,

At rst a shoreless oc ean met his eye ,

Mingling on every s 1d e W ith one blue sky ;

But as the waters every passin g day
, ,

Sunk in the e arth or ro ll d in mists a w ay

,

Gradual the lo fty hills like isl a nds p eep

, , ,

Fr o m the rough bosom of the b oundless deep ,

Then the round hillocks and t h e mea do ws green ,
,

E ac h after e ach in fres he n d bloom are seen

,

,

Till a t the l ast a fair a n d n is h d whole

, ,

Comb ine d to w in the gazing patriarc h s soul

.

Yet oft he look d I w e en with anxious eye
, , ,

In li ngering hope somewh ere perchanc e to spy , , ,

Within the silen t wo rld some li ving thin g
/
, ,

Crawling on earth or moving on the wing

, ,

Or man or b east alas was neither there

, ,

N o t hin g that breathed of life in earth or air ;

F w a s a vast S ilent mansion rich and gay ,

Wh ose occupant w a s dro w n d the other day

A church yard where t he gayest owers oft bloom

-
,

Amid the m elancholy of the tomb

A charnel h ouse where all the human race
,

Had piled their bones in one wide resting pl ac e

 JAME S x . P AULni N e .

Th at would not stoo p an inch to sc ape de ath s dar t ,

That never shrunk from c ertai n danger here ,

Will qu ail and shiver with an aguish fear ;

T is when some unknown mischief hovers nigh ,

And h eaven its elf seems threatening from o n high .

Brave w as our Basil as bec ame a man , ,

Yet still his blood a little c ool er ran ,

T wixt fe ar and wond er at that murm ur drear

"

, ,

That every moment w ax d more loud and nea r

.

Th e riddle soon w a s re a d a t last it c ame ,

And nature trembled to h e r inmost frame ;

T h e forest roa r d the everlasting oak

, ,

In writhing agonies the storm b espoke ,

Th e live le aves sca tt er d W ildly everywh ere

,

W hirl d roun d i n mad dening c ircles in the a ir

'

The stoutest limbs were s c a t t e r d all around

,

Th e stoutest tre es a stouter m as te r found ,

C rac klin g and c rashing down they th undering go

, , ,

And see m to crus h the shrinking rocks be lo w

The n the thick rai n in g ath ering torre nts p our d ,

Higher the river r os e a n d lou der ro a r d

,

An d on its dark quic k eddying s urfac e b ore

,

The g a t h er d s pel ls of e arth along its shore

,

Wh ile trees that not an hour b efore had stood

The lo fty monarchs of the stately w ood ,

N o w whirlin g round and roun d w ith furious forc e ,

Das h gainst the rocks that bre ast the torrent s fo rce
,

An d sh ive r like a re e d by urchin broke ,

Through idle mischie f or with h ee dless stroke ,

A h undre d cataracts unknown be fore , ,

R ush down th e mountain s side w ith fearful roar

And as with foami ng fury do wn they go ,

L oose th e rm r o c ks and thunder them belo w ;

Bl ue li g htnings fro m the dark cloud s bosom sprung
,

L ike s erpents menacing W ith forked ton g ue

, ,

While many a sturdy oak that sti fy brave d

The thre atenin g h urric ane that round it raved ,

S hiv er d b ene at h its bright resistles s ash

Came tu mblin g do w n amai n W ith fearful c rash .

Air earth and skies se e m d now to try their power

, , ,

,
A nd struggle for the maste ry of the hour ;
Higher th e w aters rose and blac ke r still , ,

And t hreat en d soon the narrow val e to ll

.
 PA UL A LL E N .

P AU L AL L E N .

PAUL A LL E N was
born at P rovidence R hode Island Feb , ,

r ua ry 15 th 1775 His father P aul Allen was a repres enta

, .
, ,

tive from th at town in the G eneral Assembly toward the close ,

of the R evolutionary w a r Mr Alle n w a s educate d at R hod e

.

Island College and received his degree in 1796 He was

, .

educate d for the b ar b ut never practised ,

After residing .

some time in Providence he went to P h iladelphia an d w as

, ,

engage d as a writer in the Port Folio and the U nite d

State s G azette in that pl ac e About the same time h e was
.
,

employe d to prepare the travels of L ewis and Clark for the

press , a piec e of work whic h gave him credit and noto
riet y as a w riter al though the performanc e was c ertainly not
,

calc ulate d to c all any high degree of talent into exerc is e He .

was directly aft er this , engaged as one of th e e ditors of t he

Federal R ep ublic an and assisted in conducting that paper for
,

s ome time but not b eing able to obtain a s upport from the
,

b usiness and disagreeing with his partner in the editors hip

, ,

he ab andone d it and fell into a nervous a ect ion under w hic h

, ,

he was impressed with a xed belief that h e was to be way

laid and murdered In addition to this mental disorder he
.
,

wa s in a c ondition of extreme indigence With a widowe d ,

mother to support, who had left her home in h erol d age and ,

journeyed to Baltimore to reside with her favorite son .

Some years before this he h ad proposed to write a History

,

of the American R evolution and for a long time it was a n ,

n ounce d every few months as nearly re ady for publication .

Meantime he had not written a lin e Of th e work nor as it ap ,

pe ars from the relation of those who were intimate with hi m .

at that period so much as made th e preparation of readin g

,

F single book u pon the subj ect His poverty wa s such at

.

this time that h e was thrown into j ail for a debt Of thirty dol
,

l ars and the b a d state of his he alth so incre ase d his nervous

malady , th at he would leave his be d at midnight unde r t he ,

VOL . rt . 16*
186 PAUL ALL E N .

impression th at there w ere persons in h is room or under his

window co n spiring to take his life In the midst of his
, .

troubles however h e h a d friends and an underta king w as

, , ,

set on foot in his behalf by the es tab lishmen t of the J ournal ,

Of the Times the direc tion Of whic h was entruste d to him

, .

The paper went on for a short time but w as discontinued for ,

want of c apital He wa s about this period a writer in t he

.

Portico a magazin e publi he d at Baltimore in w hic h enter

,
s
,

pris e he was assoc iated with Pierpont and Ne al names sinc e ,

highly distinguish ed in Ame rican literature .

At last his friends s ucc eede d in est ablishing the Baltimor e

,

Morni ng Chronicle a paper which under his care so on Oh

, ,

t a in e d a wide a n d apparently a pro fitable circ ulation

, While .

Allen s reputation was at the height it w as determined to bring ,

out th e History Of th e R evolut ion which t h e public h ad b ee n ,

so long expecting and for whic h a subscription unequall e d

,

it is b elieved in th is country had b ee n Obtained Allen had

, ,
.

done nothing and c ould do nothing towar d the work and a fter
, ,

a de nl O f negotiation the whole work was actually written by

,
*
N e al and Watkins althou g h it appe are d in order to c orres
, ,

pond with the propos als under the name of Allen who wrote , ,

only a page or two of the prefac e His poem of Noa h w as .

als o submitte d to Neal and by him c ut down to about one ,

ft h o f its original size and revise d and altered throughout

,

b e fore public ation It made its appearanc e in 182 1

. .

He continued w e b eli eve , editor of th e Morning Chronicle

,

till his death which took plac e in 182 6

,
.

Allen was a m em b er of the Delphian Club of Baltimore and ,

by an inc ident occ asioned b y his c onnexion with that body ,

got c onsid erable repu tation as a humorist neve rtheless w e , ,

are assured by one who knew him well t hat he h ad little hu ,

mor of any sort in him

As a m a n , th e same authority
.

proc eeds he was on e of the best I ever kne w as chil d like

,
-

b eg a n i
w t h t he Decl a ra t ion of I n depen den ce , a nd ish d t h
n e e rst
v l ume
o . It was ve y ba dl y p i
r r n t ed he informs us t h a t he ne ve sa w a p
r roo tl
188 PAU L ALLE N .

L e aves thee O Ararat ! and feels no shame ,

,

And scarc ely do h is lips inquire thy name .

H ad not thy towerin g summit lon g b efore

R e dee m d th e b urden that the deluge bo re

, ,

Thou hadst not worn memorials so unj ust,

The prints of thoughtless footsteps in thy dust
And earth until this very hour had run
A silent planet round the golden s un .

T was Ararat alone preserve d from death
The little portion of almighty bre ath .

When the erce warfare of the heaven is o er ;
And t hunders ans wering thunders c ease to roar
, ,

H o w be autiful to see the sun s bri g ht helm

Shining s erene in his rec ov e r d realm !

The Victor in his robes of triumph drest ,

L ooks gay and smiling from the rosy w est !

The de w drops c atch the triumphs of the sky ,

And ash a little s un on every eye

Such Joy did in th e patriarch s b osom reign
,

W h en rst the m ob repos ed on earth a g ain .

He cries in reverenc e to this holy plac e

,
.

P ut Off your san dals all Of Noah s rac e
,

It is the h our Of mercy and invites ,

T h e blee ding sac ric e and solemn rites .

Th e few s urvivors of the ood dra w near ;

A n alta r fo rm d with pious h aste they rear

,

And fain w oul d female pity interc e de ,

T he favorite lamb is now c o n dem n d to bleed

He unsuspectin g inj ury dra w s nigh

, , ,

Nor thinking he is ever doo m d to die

Bounds by the altar with h is merry feet ;

,

The mo u ntain echoes stil l return h is bleat ;

When J a ph et h grasps him by his sno wy eec e ,

U p w ard he looks his eyes betoken peac e

, ,

So pure is innoc enc e so u n dis m a y d !

,

He sees no terror in the li ft ed blade

Then faint and dying at the altar s base ,

One look he c asts upon the female fac e ,

And while the r uddy drops his vestu re stain

He wonders why he feels t he sudden pain .

The ame asc ends and while the suppliants kne el ,

,

And o ffer up their prayers with pious zeal ,

They start they lis ten for a sudden sound

, ,

Disturbs the sac red quiet reigning round

It c alls thee Noah and th e accent ows ,
,

So ft as a zephyr s whisper t o a rose

.
 PAUL ALL E N .

He turu d and saw a fac e th at see m d to wear

,

A mingled c haracter of joy and c are :

It was n ot j oy for thou g h upon the c hee k
A smil e a p p ea r d it w a s a sm ile so meek ,

,

So coy so placid every eye might kno w

, ,

T was t o uc h d with memory Of former wo

And though the foreheads yielding ivory w ere

The marks that Care s rude hand h a d sc ulpture d o er

,

The traces n o w were fugitive and faint,

Smoothe d to the resignation O f a saint .

He sa w a n eye that when it cast a look

,

Down on th e delu g e instantly partook ,

Of deep anxiety ; w hen on th e fac e

Of Noah it h a d found a resting pl a c e
, ,

Sorrow was b a n is h d from its or b it quite ,

It sparkle d with a tender mild deli g ht .

The patriarc h gazed , and felt he kne w not why , ,

U ncommon reverenc e for that pensive eye

But when he s a w the ho w that rose and spread
Its m ello w d radianc e ro u nd the stran g er s head ;

When he b eheld upon her panting brea st

Th e dove ali g ht and close his W in g s to rest ;
,

Doubt w a s remove d he cried with welcome brow, ,

Angel of mercy I behol d t h e e n o w !

,

The e P atriarch I h ave kno wn t he vision said
, , ,

From earliest infancy I ve watched thy he ad

.

I knew thee in that se a son w he n the toy ,

Of merry c hildhood c oul d a ffor d thee j oy

Saw thee when truant from a parent s c are
,

With spirits hi g h a n d heart as lig ht as ai r

, ,

Thy infant eye h a d c a u g ht in summer hour

T he ins ec t plundere r of the fra g rant ower ,

L oadin g his little t highs With waxen spoi l

And h umming like a l aborer o er h is toil
.

Beheld thy hand that could not then forbear

To seize t he poor mechanic seated there ,

The little captive lo o k d a n d saw W ith dre a d

,

The in fant bloss om closing o er his he ad ;

Disconsolate he ro a m d his narro w c ell

,

,

The petty prisoner O f a o we ret b ell .

Be it my present o ffic e to display

Some g reat events that time s unfoldin g ray '

In long futurity shall brin g to light ,

Though n o w deep burie d in the shades of night .

N O more the thorns a n d thistles in thy g round ,

Shall raise their martial points to fenc e thee ro und

 0
19 PAUL ALLE N .

That sad and mournful family that sh un ,

All vegetation and t he c he erin g sun ,

And seem in some secl ude d spot to tell ,

In whispers to t h e wind th at Adam fell ,
.

Thy spot Of g round no r utii a n wee d shall taunt ,

But in its ste a d thy hand the Vl ll e s hall plant

, ,

The fruitful Vine and w hile thou joy st to know
, ,

How full and dark its clustering honors grow ,

More shalt thou Jo y to hear w hat Go d enj oins

Thy pro g eny shall far exc e ed the vine s .

B ut ah ! thou little kn o w st wh at depth of Si n ,

What idiot frenzy d w ells the grape W ithin ;

R eason no longer holds her balanc e true
With eyes o nc e bathe d in this be wildering dew ;
He tastes the victi m kno ws not when to stop ,
Though frantic demons poison every drop .

Down down he sink s in ruin a n d despair ;

, ,

In vain may sacred friendship w eeping there , ,

In vain may fathers brot hers intercede ,

,
In vain may honor exec rate th e dee d .

Still does the charm the infernal spell all ure ,

,

Th e demon l a u g hs his p i ey is now sec ure

,
.

T h e solid e arth presents too small a spac e

To b ound the enterpris e of Adam s rac e ;

A har dy rac e of men shall sprin g from the e

Whose only res i denc e an ark shall b e .

F or 10! a st o n is li d oc ean shall s urvey

,

I n future times though distant n o w the d ay

, ,

Suc h w onders as h ave never re a c h d his ken

.

H is empire h umble d by the sons O f men .

Arks b eyond number borne by he avenly bre ath

, ,

Shall dare the s urfac e of the roarin g death .

Vain does he fret and climb th e h ei g hts Of air ,

L ike some proud steed that see m s his lord to bear .

In vain he foams a n d rears for h uman s kill ,

H as c on quer d an d he feels the bridle still

, .

Oc ean s prou d g iant sees the roaring main

U s urp d by m an and ies but ies in vai n ,

, ,

O er liqui d mountains horrible to n ame

, ,

I ntent on death m a n seeks the timorous game

,

In vain t h e monster t rembles and retreats ,

T o his d ark caverns and his c oral seats

, .

Th e persec utor anxious for his prey

, ,

W ai ts his return unto the beams of day

There struc k he ies and o un ders with t he pain ,
192 PAUL ALLE N .

Shall se e some venturous son of Adam s r ace ,

Mounte d on wings with balance j ust and true ,

,

S couring with him the rm a m en t of blue

Such wonders shal l be known in future times
U nterri fie d fr om clou d to cloud he climbs , ,

Till from the height of his celestial s eat,

R ivers sh al l vanish underneath his feet .

And even Ararat that towers so grand ,

Shall seem dim in ish d to a grai n of s and

.

Behold him where the ae rial tribes are seen

S upported by a b ubble sail serene , ,

And though the sport of all t h e winds that blow ,

He sees a s ubj u g ated worl d b elow .

N o w in a clou d the g littering wonder hides

, ,

Anon it skims al on g the clear blue tides

, ,

While shouting thousands w ith admiring gaze ,

P ursu e this sailor of the solar blaze .

The time shall come so spe aks Almighty doom

, ,

When h u m an art sh all triumph o er the tomb

The bo dy form d With such transc endant art,

Such nicety of S kill in every part ,

Shall thou g h the seat of an immortal mind

, ,

Vanish from e arth and leave its shade behind

,
.

Thy tame obsequious shadow in thy wa y

, ,

That h umble Offspring of th e solar ray ,

L ives to proclaim this truth to all thy line ,

A s unbeam boasts a longer date than thi ne .

G o worship at ambition s bloody fane

,

T ill even rapine would its rage restrain ;

G O climb the elds of air the h eights explore
, ,

Beyond wh ere even eagles dare to soar

G O set thy footstep o n the roarin g wave ,
Defy the oc ean s depth his coral c ave ;

G O snatch the lightnin g from the azure eld ,

And teac h thy hand t h e bolt of heaven to Wield '

Then son of Adam c ount thy m ig hty g a ins

, , ,
Of a ll thy glory b ut the c orpse remains ;
,

Poor heir of S ic kness sorro w and dec ay

, , ,

Thou w retche d tenant of a little day ,

One moment movin g like a g o d au g ust

, ,
The next a mass of S ilent mouldering dust ;
Thou g h death w ith such remorseless vengeance drives ,
Thy c old insensate shado w still survives .

It lives to tell h o w small the h uman span

What frail materials c om t i t u i man
f

s
 PAUL ALLE N .

It live s a sat ire on the ve ry name

Of human g randeur and thy hopes of fame ,
.

Still art sh all trium ph W ith the c onqueror s wreath ,
And teach the rugge d marble how to breath e
The human form beneath h er magic shoc k
Breaks from the r ude rec esses of the rock ;
The frowning quarry th at no tempest fears ,
That bears t h e brunt of he aven for endless years ,

When t ouc h d by art, and fas hion d by her s kill

,

Dissolves in female be auty at h er will .

Behold enr apturing every h eart and hand ,

,

Cold a n d serene th e marble virgin stand

What harmony what symmetry What grac e ,
, ,

Move o er eac h limb and languish on the fac e

How loose h ow lovely a ll the tresses ow

,

U pon that bosom s pure an d lustrous snow ;

She frowns , each b old intruder to reprove ,

Ah ! why does n ot the lovely vision move
Wh erefore this silenc e why this steadfast air ,

R ouse from thy Slumber speak thou lovely fair ! , ,

Alas ! how vain is all th is blaze of skill ,

The breath the Almighty breath is w

,

Stay and this lovely prodigy behold

, ,

How beautiful to Vie w a n d yet h o w c old ,

.

What idle industry wh at fruitless pain ,

The Virgin steps into the bloc k agai n .

Monarchs sh al l strive amidst an empire s Shock
T o gain possession of th is b eauteous bloc k :
P oets Sh all sing its prais e in s trains S O sweet,
That even liste n ing an g els might repeat ;
From distant nations pil g rims still shal l come,
,

And gaze till a dmirati on s self b e dumb ;

T is still bere ft of an Almighty breath ,

And stan ds a ste adfast monument of death .

U n con quer d man by science g uide d far ,
,

Shall boldly measure every brilliant star,

Till all these orbs in glory so replete
Sh all roll in silent homa g e at his feet .

Here is a triumph for thy honor d bro w

Is man encircle d with the laurel n ow ?

This c onquest, purchased by no bloody st ains ,
Among thy kindre d no distinction gains ,

In vain the lights of yonder heaven m ay plead

If c arnage does not c ons ecrate t h e deed !
VOL 11
. .
 C R YS T ALIN A.

The angel pa use d her fa ce so fair t o vi e w

L oo k d lovelier in th e drops of sorrowin g de w ;

The patriarc h gazed the vision sunk in air , ,

But Mercy s te ars were stil l remainin g th ere .

C R YST AL IN A .

C R YST AL IN A ,
a Fa iry Tale by an Americ an was pub , ,

lis hed at New York in 1816 We have not b een able to learn
.

the n ame of/ the author b ut the high merit of the poe m will
,

not allo w us to pass it without notice It is a tal e o f wil d and .

wondro us adventure replete with all th e marvels of Fairy

,

L and , and the potent and w onder working machinery of magic -

and incantation The execution is very unequ al, but a gre at

.

portion of the w ork sho ws extraordin ary power of imagina

tion, an d c ommand of poetical language t woul d b e dif c ult .

to produc e from the whole bo dy of E nglish literature , an y

th ing of the same k in d superior to t h e p assages Of bol d and '

m a gnic ent description with which this anonymous production

abo unds .

0
9

THE N down the v al e , the her m it le d t h e way ;

The Kni ght p ursue d impati ent of delay
,

Dark was that val e of tall gigantic wood

, ,

The grim abode of elves and beas ts of blood

The c ouch an t tiger s c rea m d as they p a s s d by,

And on them w il d] roll d his meteor eye

-

The w olf spran g righte d from the cr a c kl ing brake,

And in their path w a c oil d the hissing snake
.

High o er their h e a s umbrag eous oaks outspread

,

The ir giant arms and awful mu rmurs mad e

, .

Sc arc e had they rea ch d the c entr e of the val e ,

When lo ! blac k clouds b efore a northern gal e, ,

Came sweeping on , and with a dusky ve il

 C R YS T AL IN A.

Then r ose from earth de ep gr oans and fear ful c ries,

And luri d m eteors shot along the skies .

When round the ring h e hurrie d thric e ag ain ,

The e arth sent up a blue s ulphureous ame ,

That b urnt and quiv er d like a dying lamp

B ut on h e p ress d with firm an d fearless tramp
No w when nine times the Knight had has t e d ro und ,
The hollo w earth sent forth a rumbling sound ,

And wide an d s udden yaw u d th e rocking ground

, ,

.

Down th e d ark chasm the desp ra t e w arrior strode ,

With random steps along a viewless road

Till m as sy rocks his onward m a rclr o p p os e d ,

An d o er h is he ad the earth in thunder closed ;

But soon a p ass age in the cloven stone

With j oy he found and boldly hurrie d on
, .

But slo w and c autious w ith his p on d ro us spear

,

,

P oise d his bold marc h along the labyrinth drear .

Through rayless glooms ; throu gh silenc e d eep and dread ,

Down downward far the d i smal c avern le d

,
.

At length bene ath him s hone a silver h g ht,

L ik e glow wor m twinklin g throu h the gloom of ni ght,
i
-

And tuneful s ounds c elestial hi

,
and clear ,
, ,

R ose from b eneath and c h a rm d his wondering e ar

.

Thithe r he sped and fr o m th e nar row way

,

Sprang with deh g ht into a realm of day ,

And upright stood u pon the radi a nt plai n

Of Fairy land a heavenly domain
0 t was a Val ley Of ench anting Vie w
.
,

,

Where all thin g s lovely and delightful grew ;

Where groves O f orange c innamon and myrrh ,
, ,

Trees th at ble d frankinc ense and b als ams rare ,

With grateful odors ll d the breezy air
Elysian groves of h armony and owers ,
L e afy p a v rl ion s and ambrosial b owers
Wit h many a mead and many a Winding stream ,
,

Glade o w ering fair and glittering lak e between

,
.

Not the Spic e d bree ze fro m Ceylon s groves that spring s
, ,
Or Shakes Arab ian odors from its wings
Not shinin g gardens of Hesperide s ,

Whose golden rivers and aurife rous trees ,

The setting s un fro m his prone c hariot se es ,

Nor aught o n earth for fragr an c e c ould compar e ,

Nor yet for b eauty with this valley fair .

This g a y c eles t ial v alley to e nc los e

, ,

Mou nt ains s ublim e in even c ircle rose ,

 C R YS T ALIN A .

And towering high , on tip toe s eem d t o st and , -

T o g a ze enchanted on th e radian t land .

G lowin g al o ft a golden cloud was spre ad ,

'

Whose splendid vault a rich e ulg en c e she d

On all below for s un nor moon nor star , ,

Was ever seen or ever neede d there

,
.

L ike a vast amphitheatre it s eem d

,

With mountain walls ; from storm and sunshin e screen d
-

By c ostly c anopy of sheete d gold

B ut gr eater far an d fairer to b ehold .

In swe et amaze an d exultation hi g h ,

O er all the sc ene the yout h direc ts his eye
His w il der d thoughts in oo d s of r ture oat,

And time and plac e and be ing are or ot

, ,

Celestial visions ! c rie d t h astonis h ht

Ye golden prospects that enchant my sight .

Are ye indee d substantial ? or but vai n ,

An d w ild il lusions Of a love sic k brain ? -

Meth inks I dream ! When thus R in aldo said ,

His well known self he doubtfull y s urv ey d,

-
,

An d wave d his arm and sh oo k his plume d head .

B ut soon the memory of his c aptive love

The sweet amazement from h is senses drove
F air land ! h e cried
.

and dangerous a s fair ,

A foe to thy prosperity is near ;
D arkness shall soon t hy s affron skies o erwhelm

I c ome to spoil the e of thy richest gem

B ut where where y to nd my c aptive fair ?
,

N O c ities elds o r c ottages appear

, , .

T is desert all t h un n um b er d o w ret s sw eet

L ift th e ir gay he ads unbr uise d by livin g feet ;

Even at m hand the fearless songsters sing ,
And roun me utter with fa mili ar wing ;
Or mi d the owers li ke sunbeams glanc e about,

, ,

Sipp ing with slender tongues th e dainty nectar out .

i "
96

H e c eased , an d now a litterin g palac e sees ,

Deep in the v ale ami d em o werin g trees !
A splendid pil e of recious gems it s eems,
Wrapt in a blaze opvariegated beams
With cautious steps he thither bent his way ,
Whil st al l around, irradiatio ns gay
F ull on his pathway b ea m d c elestial day
s

He trode on c arpe ts org eo usly dis pla y d,
,

Of woven owers an gr ass y verdu re mad e.

'
Q
VO L . 11. 17
,
 C R YS T AL IN A.

From all the w aving trees, t he plu my throngs ,

Welcome d th e warlik e stranger with their songs
And 10 from bowers of myrtle fair and green , ,

A c hoir of damsels danc e with smiling mien !

Their silken robes the playful zephyrs thr o w
Fro m side to side and wantonly bestow ,

D eli g htful glimpses of their limbs of snow .

With lily hands they s trike the trembling string s

-

Of golden lyres the grove re sponsive rings ,

Soothing his soul With endless echoing s .

96 96

Towards the palac e silent and alon e ,

The hero m oved afar the fabric shone

L ike gorgeous cl o u ds that throng the setting s un
B ut ere he rea c h d that p ala c e h ug e and bright

, ,

A glorious scene det a in d the w on d ering Kni ght

A pearly river ! whose melodious tide

L ave d golde n shores whos e b anks we re b ea ut ied
With trees wide w aving p a ridis ia n b owers
-
,

And all the gaudy multitude of ow ers

Th at on spring s lap the libera l Flora showers

.

Th is stream dividing roll d its branches twain

, ,

,

In c ircling sweep around a o wery plain ,

Through voc al groves the n fondly met again , .

The Islet fair so fo rm d arose between

,

, ,

With dome like s well a rra y d in riches t green

-
,

.

So fair it was s o smooth so heavenly sweet,

, ,

It seem d made only for angelic feet

.

On this green isle the splendid pal ac e stood ,

And r ainbo w brid es arch d the pearly ood
'
O

A fairer b ow fair funo ne er displ ay d

In vernal Skies though not lik e J uno s , m a de
, ,

Of subtle sun b eams but of solid gems ,

-
,

Suc h as adorn im p e rial diadems .

l ts blue w as soli d sapphire Its gay gree n .

W as m as sy emerald The ruby she en .

F o rm d its bright c u rve of ric h and rosy re d ;

Its yellow h ue the golden t Op a z shed .

S e e m d either end on snow white cl oud s t o li e

-

They were not clouds b ut sc ulpture d ivory ! ,

An d now a bugle bre athed a Silver soun d ,

Wh ose n otes with s oft reverb erations round ,

R an g sweet and long now silently unfo ld

The diamond gates ou h in ge of polish d gold .

 C R YST ALINA.

And some at h appy intervals around ,

, ,

With trumps sonorous swell the tide of sound ;

Some b ending r aptured o er their g olden lyres ,
,

With c unnin g nger s fret the tuneful wires ;

With rosy lips s ome press the syren shell
, ,

And through its crimson lab rin t hs impel ,

Melliuo us breath W ith art ul sink an d swell

,
.

Some blow the mello w melancholy horn , ,

Which save the K night, no man of woman born ,

,

E er heard and fell not sens eless to the ground ,

Wi t h vie wless fetters of enchantment bound .

Th e noddin g trees its m agic inuenc e own ,

An d, s p ell struck drop the ir gold en cl us ters down ;

-
,

The forests quaver and elysian bowers , ,

With ple asing tremors she d their frag rant owers .

An awful S ilenc e winds and waters keep

,

And spell cha in d brooks th at boun d from ste ep t o
-
,

On j utting rocks delay their he adlong leap

, .

T he cross alone the holy cross disarms

,

The Fairy ends , an d b a fes all their c harms

. .

S O N G OF TH E SE E R .

On sweet May eve when groves were green ,-

,

And wil d birds chante d merrily ,

When the air was c alm the sky serene , ,

I t w a s a lady of high degree ,

And she s at under a green wood tre e , -

0! she w ite d there for her d ear knight,

a
B ut th e sun had s et the b irds were m ute , ,

The dark wolf h o wl d on the mountain height ;

The rave n c roa k d the owl did hoot

, ,

And pale re d meteors round her shoot

-
.

0! oft sh e gazed and oft she sig h d ,

O ft listened for Alonzo s tre ad

Why tarries thus my love ? sh e cried

The hour th e appointed hour has ed ,
,

T h e night de w chill s my house less h e ad

-
.

Ah ! why did I believe his tale ,

And leave my father s castle g a
T o meet him in this secret v ale
Or why a h why does Alonzo stay ?
,

T is night, and t h e c astle is far away !
 C RYS TAL ] N A .

But hark ! a distant voic e I hear

T is not my love b ut the night owl s cry ,

Thus w ails Sy r en n a w ild With fe ar ; ,

Her raven loc ks on the night winds y

- -
,

Her breath is quic k an d her heart beats high .

Now th e sky g re w black the w inds blew loud , ,

Th e lightning g lea m d on th e dusky val e

And thunder spoke fro m his deep blue clou d -

Up rose Sy ren na w il d and pale , ,

And shriek d and ed through the stormy gale

But when sh e rea c h d a lonely glad e

,

Where wild briars rude and thist les stood

-
,

A gh astly end h er eyes s urvey d !

It b ec ko n d her to a gloomy wood

T is my love ! sh e cried and sw ift pursued .

It led th e m a id to a c avern deep !

But on the gulf the lightning g lared ,
Before she took the fatal leap !
The spectre la ug h d and disa p p ear d

B ut the Bei i shie s fatal scre am sh e he ard

.

And she heard in her ear 8 death b ell , ,

.
-
t ell,
And the raven croak on a blasted tree
The L ord have mercy on her soul !
It was a pite ous sight to s e e
The sorrows o f that sweet lady .

And now a do wn that dusky glen

-

She s aw elie chas e d the fell r ush light

,
-

It le d h er to a w atery fen ,

Then s hri e k d and quen c h d its taper bright
,

And all wa s h orror all wa s night , .

And now strange Voices ll the a ir ,

And yells and shouts b ot h loud an d long

,

Ah y ! ah y distracte d fair ,

For fi erc e and fast the ends c ome on ,

And s ee ! grim phantoms round th ee throng .

ed in vain e d sh e ;
S y ren n a ,

For the ghastly crew met her blaste d view ,

And a blac k fiend spoke , and erc e spoke he,

2 0
2 C R YST ALIN A.

As his arms round her snow white neck he th rew, -

We lady fa ir ! are the Eln crew !

,

Thric e welcome to our merry glen !

And thou shalt be our mistress bright,
And dance with us on the quaking fen ,

To the rush light s re d and limm e rin g light,
When tempests howl at deadof night
-

They r a sp d her h ard by her tender hand ,

They g ra g
g d her away by her raven h air ;

Her shrieks were lo u d b ut the h a stly b and ,

To a stormy heath l e d the lady air ,

And bare d her breast to th e drivin g air .

On the stormy heath a ring they form ;

They plac e therein the fe arful maid ,
And round her danc e in the ho wling storm
Th e winds beat h ard on her lovely h e ad
B ut she cla sp d h er hands and nothing said

.

O ! t was I ween a gh astl y sight,
, ,

To se e their unc outh revelry ;

Th e lig htning was the taper bright,
Th e thunder w as the melody ,

T o which they danc e d wi t h horrid gle e

Th e erc e eye d o wl did on the m s o owl ;

-

The bat pla y d round o n le ath ern wing

T he c oal blac k wolf did at them h ow]

-
,

The c oal black raven did c roak and s in g

-

And o er th em ap his dusky win g .

A n e arthquake heave d b eneath the ir fe et ;

P ale meteors rev el d in the s ky

The cl o uds s a i l d by like a route d eet

The night winds sh riek d as they p a s s d by,

-

The dark re d moon was eclipse d on high

-

B ut h ark ! wh at voic e as thunder loud , ,

Now shakes the wild erness profound ?

Whose form appears so tal l and proud ?
Bene ath whose foot step quak es the groun d, -

And whose bright armor gle ams arou nd ?

 LYD IA H SIGOUR N E Y
. .

L YD IA H U NT L E Y S IG O U R N E Y .

Mn s SIGO URNE Y is a native Norwich Connec tic ut D a

of ,
.

ring t h e rst twenty ye ars o f her life she reside d in her native
town ; she has sinc e liv ed at Hartford , and is n ow th e wife of
Charles Sigourney E sq of that city
,
. .

It i s an omen of favorable impo rt t o o ur national literature ,

th at the claims of female tal ent have b een ably advanc ed and ,

re adily acknowledge d The val ue of s uc h an acc ession to its

.

intere sts, c an not fail of being d uly esti mate d in an age , which

is enj oying the p ure and delightful bre athings of Mrs Heman s
poetry and the strong practical sense of Miss E dgeworth T o .

these ch erished names w e do no discr edit, wh en we associate

wi t h them that of the acc omplis he d lady , of wh om we now

sp eak .

It w as in the year 1815 th at Mrs Sigourney (then Miss Hunt ,

ley ) rst gave h er name to th e world , as th e authoress of Mo

,

r al piec es in prose and verse This volume
. which ,
to adopt ,

her own unpretending acc ount of it wa s written solely for ,

the s ake of improvement, and to gratify a love of c omposition ,

owed its p ub li c a t ion t o a benevolent gentleman, whose ple as
ure it was to encourage industry and to raise intell ec t from
,

obsc urity No ordinary acknowledgments are d ue to the
.

pe netration which thus disc overed th e latent gem and to t he ,

kindness and liberali ty with whic h its purest ray serene

w as develope d to t he w orld The work itself does not indee d

.

'

a o rd any very decide d earnest of the present most deserve d

reputation of its authoress ; b ut eve ry page of it is instin c t

with that purity of purpose and fruitful in those sentiments of
,

virtue whic h dis tinguish all her writings ; while several of t he

,

piec es whic h it c onta ins as the E xc use for not ful l ling an
,

eng agement The ove
,
D The Solitary Sta r
, Morn ing ,

Prayer and th e First Morning in May are , in n o small
, ,

degree , honorable to her tal e nts From th e rst name d o f

.

th ese , th e reader W ill learn that, l ike Mrs Barb a ul d, an d

,
 LYD I A H . s i e oua Na v . 2 0
5

Mrs More Mrs Sigourney

,
devote d some of her e arlier
h as
ye ars to the instruction of youth A more complete re futa .

tion of the c urrent slander ag ainst this most useful an d en

n obling e mp loyment, as tendin g t o produc e morosity an d
querulousness , nee d not b e desired than th at which is fur ,

h ishe d by the playful contented , and affectionate spirit which

,

a nimates the Excuse .

In 1816 appe are d the Writin gs of Nancy Maria Hyde ,

with a sketch of h er L ife The moti ves which induce d Miss

.

Huntley to u ndertak e this performance , are al ike honorable

-

t o h er as a friend a nd as a Christian ; and the pious o fc e w a s

dis ch ar g e d with a ffection and delity .

In 182 2 Tr a its of the Aborigines of America a poem

, , ,

was o ffered to the public the avails of the work being

devote d exclusively to reli g ious c harities Had t he author .

given to this work more of th e narrative and less of the di ,

da c tic char acter better j ustice might have been done to her
,

s ubject and the expectation excite d by the title

,
woul d have ,

b een more c ompletely an swere d She also e rr ed at leas t in.

,

o ur j udgment in preferrin g blank vers e to rhyme

,
as the ve ,

hicle of her s entim ents Notwithstandi ng these obj ections it

.
,

e vinces muc h talent a n d information, and is written in an en

gaging sp irit of Christian p hil a nthropy .

The Sketc h of C onnectic ut, Forty Ye ar s Since, is writ
ten in prose an d appe ared in 182 4 It w as designed to pour
, .

t ray , with an allow able de gree of embellishment from ction ,

the character of the author s e arliest benefactress , and t he

manners of the period in whic h she lived Judged by th e .

elevate d standard of ctitious composition which ha s be en

e stablishe d in our day faults and deciencies w ill be disc o

,

v ered. Such a j udgment of its merits however would b e , ,

un fair It pro fesses to b e no more than a Sketch a n d

.

tho ug h the parts may not always be in perfect keeping nor ,

t he details touched with the exquisite delic acy of a m iniature ,

von . 11. 18
2 6 0 LYDI A H . s m o un N s v .

there is spirit and boldness in the outline and delity in t he ,

c oloring A biographical n otice of Hannah More , written for

.

the n ew Americ an edition of her works in t wo volumes 8vo ,

.

of which it is su f cient to s ay that it is worthy of its subj ect,,

and of its author , a n d a volume entitle d P oems by the Author

M or al Piec es , complete th e c atalogue of Mrs Sigourney s

public ations .

U pon none of th e volumes h owever whic h h ave b e en t he , ,

subject of our remarks does the literary rep utation of our

,

author depend Our specimens the rst exc epted hav e

.
, ,

all been written sinc e 182 4 Withi n that period she has
.
,

e x hibite d a rapid improvement, and we rej oic e to s ay that ,

this improvement is yet in full c are er It is in the depart .

ment of fugitive poet ry a n appellation c ertainly most in , ,

appropriate when applied to m uch which has b een written

,

unde r that name in this its golden age that Mrs Sigourney
, ,
'

h as reaped her m ost e n durin g laurels It is no disparagement .

t o her tal ents to say that this is the eld for which they are
, ,

b est adapted The highest living talent h as be en ex ert e d i n

.

it, and foun d its recompense To b e classe d with Watts and .

,

Hervey and Bryant , and Halleck and Mrs Hemans is an

, , ,

a ssociation of which the most succ essful votary of the muse,

,

i n any age,
might j ustly b oast Only less popular than th e .

l ast of thes e gi ft ed minds the productions of our author ,

h ave b een widely waft e d with hers on the wings of th e p eri ,

odic al press The re is indeed no other shape in which the

.
, ,

W idest popularity may so well be c ombin e d with the most per

m anent enduranc e We trust therefore th at Mrs Sigourney
.
, ,

will not su ffer this rich ve in of h er genius to lie u nworked .

The c irculation which in th is rened age its treasures hav e

, ,

enj oyed is the b est evidenc e of their sterling value An d so

,
.

far from being e x hausted we venture to predict th at as she

, ,

digs m ore deeply the golden ore will b e found more rich a nd
, ,

more ab undant .

The prevailing attributes of Mrs Sigourney s poetry ar e

 L YD I A H SIG O UR N E Y
. .

Yet who would think a mid the toil ,

(Though sc arc e a toil it b e ) ,

That th ro uo h th e door th e m uses c oy

b
r

Should deig n to peep at me .

Their brow is somewh at c old and st ern,

As if it fa in would s ay ,

We did n ot know you kept a school ,

We must h ave lost our way .

Their visit w as b ut short indeed ,

As thes e slight numbers show ,

But ah th ey bade me write with speed ,

My friend , I c an n ot g o .

T H E C ORA L INS EC T .

T orn on ! toil
ye ephemer al train ,
on
Who b u ild in the tossing and tre acherous main
Toil ou for the wisdom o f man ye moc k
, ,

With your s an d b as e d structures and domes of roc k

-

Your c olumns the fa th ornl ess founta ins lave ,

And your a rches sprin g up to th e creste d wave
Ye re a puny rac e thus t o boldly rear

,

A fabric so v a st, in a realm so dre ar .

Ye b ind th e deep with your sec ret zon e ,

The oce an is sc al d and the surge a stone ; ,

Fresh wre aths from the c oral pavement spring ,

L ike the terrac e d pride of Assyria s king ;
The turf looks green W here the b re akers roll d

O er the whirlpool ripens the rind o f gold

The se a sn a t c h d isle is the home of men ,

-

And mountains exult where th e wave h ath b een .

But why do ye plant neath th e b illow s dark
The wrecking reef for th e gallant bark ?
There are snares enough on the tente d eld ,

Mid the b lo ss o m d swe ets that the valleys yield ;

Th ere are serpents to 0011 ere the owers are up ; ,

There s a poison drop in man s purest c up
-
,

There are foes that watch for his cradle breath ,

And why nee d ye sow th e oods with de ath ?
 LYD I A H . S IGOURN E Y .

With moul derin g bones the deeps are white ,

From the ic e clad pole to th e tropics bri g ht
-

The mermaid hat h twisted her ngers cold

With the mesh of the s ea boy s c urls of gold , -

And the go ds of ocean have frown d to see

The mariner s bed in their halls of glee

Hath earth no graves that ye thus must spread ,

The boundless sea for the throngin g dead

Ye b uild y e b uild but ye enter not in

, , ,

L ike the tribes whom the desert dev our d in thei r sin ;

From the land o f promise ye fade and die ,

E re its verdure gleams forth on your weary eye
As the kin g s of the cloud crown d pyramid -

,

Their noteless b ones in oblivion hid ;

Ye slumber un m ark d mi d the desolate main
,

While the w onder an d pride of yo ur works remain .

DE AT H OF AN INFANT .

DE ATH found s tran ge b eauty on that cherub b row ,

And da sh d it out There was a tint of ros e

.

On cheek and lip h e t o uch d t he veins with ice ,

And the ros e fa de d Forth from those blue eyes

There spoke a wis hi l tenderness a doubt ,

Whether to grieve or sleep which Innoc enc e ,

Alone c an wear With ruthless haste he bound

.

The silken fringes of their c urtaining lids

For ever Th ere had been a murmuring sound
.

With whi ch the bab e would cl aim its mother s ear,

Charming her even to tears The spoiler set .

His seal of S ilenc e But there b eam d a smil e

.

S o x d and holy from that marble brow ,

Death gazed an d left it th ere he dare d not steal -

The Signet ring of heaven-

.

VO L I I
. .
 0
2 1 LYD IA H . S I GOUR N E Y .

W IT H W I LD F L O W E R S T O A S I C K F RIEND .

R I S E from the dells wh ere ye rst w ere b orn ,

Fro m th e tangled b eds of the wee d an d thorn ,
R ise ! for th e dews of the m o m are bright,
And h aste away w ith your brows of light .

Should the gre en h ouse patric ians With gathering frown

-
,

On your plebeian vestures look hau g htily down ,

Shr in k n ot for H is nger your he ads hath h ow d
, ,

Who h e eds the lo wl y and humbles the prou d .

The tar dy spring and the frosty sky

, ,

Have mete d y our robes W ith a miser s eye ,

And c h ec k d the blush of your blossoms free ,

With a g entler friend your home sh all be ;

To a kinde r ear you may tell your t ale
Of th e z ep li y r s kiss and the scente d vale

Ye are c ha rm d ! ye are c h a rm d ! and your fragrant sigh

Is h eal th t o t h e b osom on which ye die .

MI S S OLONGH I .

FAMINE hath worn them pale that noble b and ,

Yet roun d the lon g b elea g ue r d wal l ,

With waste d frame and iron hand , ,

L ike w atching skeletons they stand ,

T o c onquer or to fall .

Hark Hark ! th e war c ry Swells the shout

- -
.

From wild Arab ia s w andering rou t,

From turbid N l lus sw a rthy brood ,

From Ibrahim s host who thirst for blood ,

T is a n s w er d from the echoing skies

,

Sons of Miltiades , aris e

Age d men with temples gray

,

W hy do y e haste to th e b attle fray

Home to the c ouch of e ase and pra ,

But ah I read on those brows of g 00m ,

That your sons h ave found a gory tomb ,

And ye with de spair and grief opprest ,

Would strike ere ye sh are their clay cold -

 LYD I A H S IG O URNE Y . .

She he aves with blast more wild and lou d ,

,
T hen when with trump of thunders pr oud ,
The electric ame sub dues the cloud ,

Torn and dis m em b er d frames are thrown on high ,

And then the oppressor and opp ress d in equal Sil enc e lie
.

Come jewell d Sultan from thine h a ll of state !

,

,

E xult o er Missolonghi s fall

With ashing eye a n d step elate ,

The blood pools count around her r uin d wall

-

.

S ee k s t tho u th us W ith glanc es vain

The re mnant of thy Moslem train

Hither they came with haughty brow , ,

They c on quer d here Where are they n ow

,

Ask the h oarse vulture with her new esh d b eak , -

Bid the gaunt watch dog speak -

,

Who bay d so long around his m urder d m aster s door,

They with shriek a n d ban c an tell

,

The b urial plac e of the in del , -

G o ! b ind thy turban round thy brow of shame ,

And hurl t he m ut t er d c urs e at thy false prophet s n ame

.

Ancient and b eautiful W il o stand st alone ~

In the dire c rus ade While with he arts of stone ,

Thy sister natio n s close the le aden eye

R egar dless o f thine agony .

S u ch f rien ds ha d H e, who onc e With bursting pore ,

On sad G ethsemane a lost world s b urden bore

.

L eave leave the sacre d steep

,

Where thy lone muses we ep ,

Forth from thy sc ulpture d h alls ,

T hy pilgrim haunted w alls , -

Thy c la ssrc fountains crystal ood

Ge l angel st ren g th en d to the eld of blood

-
.

R aise thy White arm unb in d thy wreathed h air,

,

And G od s dre ad name upon thy breastplate wear,

Stand in H is mig ht t ill the pure c ross aris e

,

O er the proud minaret, and woo propitious skies

.

B URIA L OF THE Y O UNG .

.

THE RE was an open grave and many an eye ,

-

Look d down upon it

Slo w the sable hearse .
 L Y D IA H S IG O URNEY . . 2 13

Moved on as if r eluctantly it bare

,

The young unwearie d form to that cold c ouch ,

,

Which a e and sorrow render sweet to man

g .

There s eem d a sadness in t he humid air

L i ft ing the long grass from thos e verdant mounds

Where slumber multitudes .

There was a train

Of young fair females with their brows of bloom ,

, ,

And sh ining tresses Ar m in arm they came , .

And stood upon the brink of that dark pit,

In pensive beauty w aiting the approach ,

Of their c ompanion She was wont to y .

,
And meet them as the gay bird meets the sprin g
, ,

Brushing the dew drop from the morning owers ,

-

And bre athing mirth and gladness N ow she cam e .

With movements fa shion d to the deep tone d bell :

-

She c ame With mourning sire and s orrowing friend , ,

And tears of those who at h er side w ere nurse d

By the same mother .

Ab ! an d one wa s there ,

Who ere the fading of the summer ros e

, ,

Had hope d to gre et her as his bri de But death .

Arose b etwee n them Th e pale lover wa t ch d .

So close her j ourney throu g h t he shado wy val e,

That almost to his h eart the ic e of death ,

E n t er d from hers

There wa s a brilliant ush
.

Of yout h about h er and her kindling eye ,

P our d such unearthly light that hope wo uld han g

,

E ven on the archer s arro w Whi le it d ropp d
,

Deep poison Many a restless night she t oil d

.

For that slight breath whi ch held her from the tomb ,
Still wastin g lik e a snow wre ath which the sun -
,

Marks for his own o n some c ool mountain s breast
, ,

Yet spares and tinges long w ith rosy light

090o er the musin g s of her silent c ouch
.
,

,

C ame visions of that matron form Which bent

With nursing tenderness to so othe and bless ,

Her cradle dream and her e maciate h and

In trembling prayer she raised that He who save d
The sainte d mother w ould rede em t h e child , .

Was the orison lost P Whenc e then that peac e

So dove like settling o er a soul t hat lov ed
-
,

Earth and its pleasures P W li en c e that angel smil e

W ith which the allurements of a world so dear
W ere co unte d and resig n d ? that eloquenc e
2 14 LYDI A H . s rc o u a i v s r

S 0fondly urging those whose he arts were full

Of s ublunary happ iness to s e ek
A b etter portion ? Wh ence that voic e of joy ,
Which from the marble lip in life s last strife

B urst forth to b a il her everlasting home

,
Col d reasoners ! b e c onvinc ed And wh en ye .

Where that fair brow and those unfroste d locks,

R eturn to dust wh ere the young sleeper waits
,

The resurrection morn Oh lift the h e art ,

In prais e to Him , wh o gave th e victory .

T O T H E M O ON .

H a rt b eauteous and inconstant

. Thou wh o roll st

T hy silver c ar around the realm of nigh t,

Quee n of soft h ours how fanciful a rt t hou
In equipage and vesture Now thou c o m s t .

With slender horn piercing th e weste rn cloud ,

As erst on J uda h s hills whe n j oyous throngs

,

With trump and festival s alute d thee ;

Anon thy w axing c rescent mid the host

Of constellations like som e fairy boat,

,

G lides o er the waveless s ea ; th en as a bride
Thou b o w s t t ii y cheek behind a ee c y veil

,
Timid and fair ; or bright in r egal robes
, ,

Dost b id thy full orb d chariot proudly roll ,
Sweeping with silent r ein the starry path
U p to the high est no d e then plunging low
,
-

To seek dim Nadir in his misty c ell .

L ov s t thou our earth that tho u dost hold thy lamp ,

To guide and ch eer h er whe n the w earied sun ,

F orsakes her P Sometimes rovin g on thou she dd st , ,

The eclipsing blot ungrateful on that sire ,

Who feeds thy urn With li g ht b ut sinking deep ,

Neath the dark sha dow of the earth dost mourn
And nd thy retribution .

D ost thou hol d

-

D al lianc e w ith oc ean that his mi g hty heart

,

Tosses at thine a pproac h and his mad ti des , ,

Drinking thy favoring glanc e more rudely lash ,

Their rocky bulwark Do thy ch ildren trac e

Through crystal tub e our c oarser fe atured orb -

E ven as we gaze on thee W ith E uclid s art

-
2 16 LYD I A H SI GOU RN EY . .

With wreaths th e bre athing statue bound ,

Th e fal len dom e w ith ivy crown d
,

And bade old Tiber s yellow wave
With fuller ow its marg in lave .

L ow at the b ase of Alps sublime ,

Where th e c olumb a r cypress grows ,

And falling streams with tuneful chime

T o slumber lull the e ar of time ,
His cell a hermit chos e .

Onc e at his pe ac eful door reclined ,

While lonely musings soothe d his mind ,

Soft mists involve d his favorite tr ee ,

In fainter murmurs h umm d the b ee ,

And in bright tints gay fancy drew

A vision o er his cheated vie w

.

A lovely form in robes ofl ight , ,

C a me gli ding o er h is rapture d sig ht

Fresh garl ands mid her tresses g low d ,

A round her steps stran g e b eauty ow d

,

Attendant birds p our d forth their lays

,

And p ran k d their plumag e in her prais e

,

The fawn c ame b ounding o er the e arth ,

The tu fte d violets sprang to birth ,

The olive don n d its vesture pale
,

And fragranc e oate d on the gale '

.

Then bold o er Alpin e cli s s he spe d

,

,

The snow wreath v a n ish d at her tread ,

-

The singing rill s went leaping dow n,

The forest c au g ht its grac efu l crown ,

And warblers c h e er d w ith c arols loud

,

The cotta ge cradle d on the clou d .

Still by the hermit s anxious eye

,

Her form was trac e d asc ending hi gh ,

Wh ere the last tints o f verd ure die .

E ven there amid that dreary bound

, ,

Some h ardy s l umbering o w ers she found ,

,

T ouc h d their chill lids and kis s d the tear ,

That di mm d their eye of azure clear ,

As le aning on their frosted b ed ,

Their petal s to the storm they spread .

With graceful s t ep y et h al f afr aid , ,

T oil d onward t h e c elestial maid

,

And long and vainly strove with fate ,

The im p rison d stre ams t o liberate

 LYD IA H . S I GOURN E Y . 2 17

T he blushing snow s her wand confest,

Yet hel d the vassals to th eir breast ,

And soft e n d by her aspec t swee t,
T he ic e threw diamon ds at her feet .

Yet save the e a le kin g whos e cry -

,

C ame hoarsely m m the blac ken d sky,

Motion nor sound was lingering there ,

Amid that re alm of c hi li despair .

It seem d throughout the dre ar domain

That L ife , too erc ely tried ,

C ontending with th e blast in vain ,
Had like th e taper die d .

She pause d for towering bol d and high ,

A splendid fab ric met her eye .

O f thic k ribb d ic e in arches pure ,

,

With b attlement and embrasure ,

And c lust er d columns tall and white

,

And fr ost work trac ery dazzling bright,

-
,

And turrets frownin g at the cloud ,

Glea m d forth its architecture proud

.

Here age on age with painful thought,

, ,

Th e trouble d elements had wrought,

To stretch the rampart s massy line ,

With wreaths the pillar d h alls to twine ,
And neath the lash of tempests rude

,

Had o ft their bitter task pursued ,

Arranging Winter s glittering spoil

With slo w and aggregated t or] .

The admiring fair with wonder fraught, ,

An entranc e to the structure sought ;

But a grim form h er c ourse withstood ,

Whose frigid eye con g ea l d her blood

.

Aged yet stron g at hear t he s eem d

,

,

His reverend be ard like silver st ream d,

Of p olish d ic e , the sparkling gem

Adorn d his kingly diadem

,

And closer , as h e spoke he pres t ,

His ermine mantle o er his bre ast

.

Say ! who art thou intruder bold ,

,
Who near this lo ft y throne ,
Woul d with its monarch audience hold ,
U nbidden and alone ?
Why com et thou thus with footstep free ,

?
U nnamed unheralded to me
, ,

V OL . u . 19
2 18 LYD I A H . S IG O U RN E Y .

R ecoiling om his brilli a nt c ell ,

'

Wh os e bre ath in freez m g tide ,

C on g eal d to s udden ic e drops fell ,

-

T h e un daunte d m aid r eplied

I c ome on N ature s mission kind
,

,

Oppression s victims t o unb ind ,
T o bid the sc eptred tyr ant b ow ,

And wake a smile on Misery s brow

.

Th e real m of bliss m y c are extends ,

Man b e ast and insect are my friends
, .

Eac h nursling of the nested grove ,

E ach plant and ower and leaf I love
, , , .

With kindlin g eye and front of pride , ,

Th e scornful monarc h stern replie d ;

Nature and thou are wise to give
,

Wild Freedom s b oon to all who live

The maddening ame promisc uous h url d ,

Would wrap in anarchy the w orld .

Go ! haste the hour when none shall view

Th e million meekly s erve the fe w

O ert urn the thrones which x d as fate , ,

By Time s strong oath are c ons ec rate

,

Then lift your w onder w orking rod -

,

And E arth enfranchised w ar W ith God ! ,

Bold and puissant m ust ye b e ,

T o rend this guarde d dome from m e !
His h and h e raise d in gest ures strong ,

And angry blasts shrie k d Wil d and long

.

Vindictive Hail with frozen eye , ,

Pour d forth his k een artillery

,

And Snow unloc k d wit h thre atenin g mien,

, _

A ble ak and bou ndless magazine .

With blanc hing lip and bloodless che ek

The strick en stranger strove to speak .

Though from her brow the garland fell

Scentless and pale yet strange t o tell ,, ,

R eviving c ourage wa rm d her breast,

An d rmer tones the might c onfest

That may with w oman dwell .

If from thy cold unenvied stat e, ,

Thy palac e proud as desolate ,

Where fetters bind the free ,

One glanc e thy kingly e e would deign

T o mark the blessings 0 my reign ,
Disa rm d thy r age might b e

.
 C ONNE C TI C UT RI VE R .

Fu n R IVE R ! not unknown to cl assic s ong

Whic h still in varying b e auty roll st along
,

Where rst thy infant fount is faintly seen ,

A line o f s ilver mid a fringe of green

Or where near to w ering roc ks thy bolder tide ,

, ,

T o win the giant guarded pass d oth glide

-
,

Or wher e in azure mantle pure and fre e

, , ,

Thou giv et thy c ool hand t o the waiting sea
Though broader streams our sister re alms may b o as t,
Herc ul ean c ities and a prouder coast
, ,

Yet, from the b ound Where hoa rse St L awrenc e roar s

T o where L a Plata r oc ks the soundin g sh ores ;
From where th e urns of slimy Nilus shin e ,
T o th e blue waters o f the rushing hine ;
Or where Ilissus glows like diamou spark ,

Or sacre d Ganges whelms its votaries dark ,

No brighter skies the ey e of day may s e e ,

N o soil more verdant n or a r ace more free

, .

-S ee , wh ere am i d their c ul tured v al es they stand ,

, ,

T he generous o ffspring o f a simple lan d ;

T oo rough for attery and all fear ab ove , ,

King priest, and prophet in the h omes t hey love

, , .

On equ al laws their a nc hor d h opes are s t ay d

,

B all interpreted a n d all obey d
Alike the despot and th e slave th ey h ate ,
.
,

And rise rm c olumns of a happy state .

T o them c ontent is bliss ; and labor health ,

And knowle dge power ; and true reli g ion we alth

, , .

The farmer h ere with honest pleasure s ees

, ,

His orch ards blushing to the fervid bre eze ,

His bleating ocks the shearer s c are who need ,
,

H i s w avi ng woods th e winter re that fee d

, ,
H is h ardy ste er s th at break the yielding so d
, ,
His patient sons who ai d th eir father s toil
,

,

T he ripening elds for j oyous h arvest drest,

,

An d the white spi re that points a world of rest .

H is thri fty mate solicitous to b e ar

,

An equ al burden in th e yoke o f c are ,

With vigorous arm the ying shuttl e heaves ,

Or from the press the golden cheese rec eives

H er p a sti m e , when the daily tas k is o er
,

With apron clean , to seek her neighbor s door,

 LYDI A H S IG O U RNE Y . . 22 1

P artak e the friendly feast with social glo w, ,

E xc hange the news and make the stocking grow ; ,

Then hale and cheerful to her home repair ,

, ,

When Sol s slant ray renews her evenin g c ar e

,

Press the full udder for her ch ildren s meal

,

R oc k the tired bab e or wake t h e tuneful wheel , .

Se e toward yon dome where village scienc e dwells ,

, ,

What time th e warnin g cloc k its summons sw ells,

What tiny fe et the well known path explore ,
And gaily gather from e ac h sylvan door .

The n ew wea n d c hild with ni urm ur d tone pr oc ee ds

,

,

Whom her sc arc e taller b aby brother leads , -

T ra ns fe rr d as burdens , that the house W ife s c are

-

May tend the dairy or the eec e prepare , .

L ight hearte d group ! who g a mbol Wild and high,

-

Th e daisy pluck or chase the buttery , ,

Till by some travelle r s Wheels arouse d from play,

Th e sti ff salute with fac e demure , they pay

, ,

Bare the c a rl d brow , or stretch the rea dy h and ,

The unt ut or d homage of an artless land

.

Th e stranger marks am id the joyous line , ,

The litt le ba s kets whenc e th ey h 0pe to dine

And la rg er books as if their dextero us art ,

Dealt most nutrition t o the noblest part .

L ong may it be ere lux ury teac h th e sham e

,

T o sta rve the mind and bloat the unwieldy frame ,

Sc orn not th is lowly rac e ye sons of pride ,

Their j oys disparage nor their hopes deride ; ,

From germs like these h ave mig hty statesmen sprung,

Of pru dent counsel and pers uasive tongue ,

Bol d patriot souls who ruled the Willing throng,

,

T heir powerful nerves by e arly labor strong ;

Inventive min ds a nation s weal th that wr ought,
,

And white b air d s age s skill d in studio us th ought

-

,

Chiefs who the eld of battle nobly trod ,

,

And holy men who fe d the ock of Go d

, .

Here mi d th e graves by time so sacre d made,

,

The poor lost Indian sl umbers in the shade

,

He whose c anoe with arrowy s wi ftness clave,

,

In ancient days , y ou pure cerulean wave ; ,

Son of that spirit, whom in storms b e trac ed ,

Through darkness follow d and in death emb raced ,
,

H e sleeps an outlaw mid his forfeit land , ,

An d grasps the arrow in his m oulder d han d

.

Here too thos e warrior sires with honor res t,

19*
 L YD I A H . S I G O URN E Y .

Who b are d in freedom s c ause t h e val iant bre ast,
Sprang from their half drawn furrow as the c ry ,

Of t h rea t en d liberty c ame thrill i ng by

,
L o ok d to their G od an d rea r d in bul wark round

Bre asts fre e from guile , an d h ands with toil em b rown d,

And b a de a monarch s thousand b anners yiel d

Fir m at th e plou gh and glorious in the eld ; ,

L O ! h ere t hey rest wh o every danger br aved , ,

U n m a rk d untrophie d mid the soil they s ave d

, ,

.

R ound scenes like these doth warm remembranc e gli de

, ,

Where emigration rolls its c easeless tide .

On western W ilds whic h thronging hordes explore ,

,

O r ruder E rie s serpent haunte d shore ,

-

Or far H uron by unshorn fores t s c rown d,

,

Or re d Missouri s unfrequente d bound ,

Th e exil e d m an when midnight shades invade ,

,
C ouc h d in his b ut , or c amping on th e glade

,

Starts from his dream to c atch in echoes cle ar , , ,

Th e boatman s song that ple ased his b oyish e ar ;

While th e s ad moth er m id h er c hildre n s m irth , ,

P aints with fond te ars a parent s distant he arth ,

Or ch arms h er r ustic b ab es with tend er tal es ,

Of th ee blest R iver ! and t hy velvet vales

,

Her n ative c ot, Where ripening b erries swell ,

The Village school and sabbat h s holy bell ; ,

And s mile s to s e e th e infant s oul expan d

With pro ud devotion for tha t fa ther la n d .

F L O R A S P AR T Y
.

L AD Y FL ORA gave c ards for a party at t ea ,

T o owe rs b uds and blossoms of every degre e
, ,

So from town an d fr o m c ountry they t hrong d at the c all,

And strove by th eir c harms to emb ellish th e h all .

First c ame the exotics with orn aments rare , ,

The tall Miss C orcoris and Cyclamen fair , ,

Auricula splendid with j ewels new set, ,

-

And g a y P olyanthus the pretty c oquette , .

Th e Tulips c ame a un t in g in gaudy array ,

With the l ly a c in t hs bright as the eye 0f th e day ;
,
'

Dandy Coxcombs and D a o dils, ric h and polite ,

With their dazz ling n ew vests , and their corsets laced light ;
 LYD IA H S IGOU RNE Y
. .

To that vi rtue whic h s eeks not the praise of t he c row d .

B ut the p rou d Crown I m perial w ho w ept in her he art, ,

That their modesty g a in d of s uc h homage a part,

L ook d hau ghtily do w n on their innoc ent mien

,

An d spre ad out h er g own that they might not be seen .

The bright L ady Slippers and Sweet Bri ers a g ree d

- -

With their slim c o us m Aspens a me as ure t o le a d

And sweet t was to see their bright footsteps advanc e ,

L ike the wing of the breeze through the maze of th e d anc e .

But the Monk s Hood sc owl d dark and in utteranc e low,

-

, ,

D eclare d t was high time for good christians t o go ;
H e d h eard from his pars on a sermon sublime

,

Where he prove d from the Vulgate to danc e was a crime ,

.

S o folding the c owl round his c ynic al h ead

, ,

He took from the sideboard a b umper and ed , .

A song w a s desired b ut eac h m usic al ower ,

Had taken a c old and t was out of her power ;

,

Till su fciently ur e d they broke forth in a str ain

Of quavers and trills that a st o n ish d the train
,

.

Mimos a s at tre mbling and said w ith a sigh , , ,

T was so ne sh e was re ady with rapture t o d ie
, .

And Cactus the grammar school tutor declare d

,
-
,
It might b e with the gamut of Orpheus c omp ared
;
Then move d himself round in a c omic al way ,

To show how th e tr ees onc e h ad fris k d at th e lay

.

Yet N ig ht Shade t he metaphysician c om p la in d

-
, ,

,
That the nerves of his ears w ere exc es sively pain d

T wa s b ut s eldom he c rept from the c ollege h e s aid , ,
And he wish d himself s afe in his study or b ed

.

There were pictures whos e splendor illumine d th e plac e

,

Which Flora had nish d w ith exqu is ite grac e

She h ad dip p d her fre e pencil i n Nature s pure dyes ,

And Aurora ret ouc h d W ith fresh pu rple the skies

.

S o the grave c onnoisse urs ha ted near th em t o draw, s

Their knowledge to show , by dete c ting a aw .

Th e Carnation took her eye glass from her w ais t -

,

And pronounc e d they w ere not in good ke epin or taste

While pr im Fleur d e L is in her rob e of French ilk , ,
An magnicent C al la with mantle like milk , ,

Of h e L ouvre rec ite d a wond er ful ta le ,

And said G uido s ric h tints made dame Nature turn p ale

.

The Snow Ball assented and venture d to add

-
,

His Opinion that a ll N a tu re s co lorin g was bad ;
,

He had thought so e er sinc e a fe w days he had spent
,

T o study the paintings of R ome , a s he went

 LYD IA H . S l GOU R N E Y . 225

T o visit his uncle G entiana , who ch ose

His abode on the Alps mid a palac e of snows ,

.

B ut he took on Mont Blanc such a terrible c hill ,

That ever sinc e that he d been pallid a n d ill
.

Hal f wit her d Miss Hac kmatack bought a new gl ass ,

And thought W ith her niec es the Spr uc es to pass ; , ,

But bachelor Holly who spy d her out late ,
,

D est roy d a ll h er plans by a hint at her date

.

S o she purse d up her mouth and said tartly with scor n, , ,

She cou ld n ot rem em ber be fore she wa s born .

Old J onqu il the cr ooked b ac k d beau had been told

,
-

,

That a tax would be laid upon bachelor s gold ;

S o he bought a new c oat and determine d to try ,

The long disuse d armor of Cupid so sly

S ought for h alf op en d b uds in their infantine years ,
-

And ogled them all till they blush d to their ears

,

.

P hilosopher Sa g e on a sofa was prosing .

With d ull D r Ch a momile quietly dozing ;

T hou g h t h e L aurel descante d w ith eloquent breath , ,

Of heroes and battles of victory and death , ,

O f the conquests of G reec e a n d Bozzaris the brave , ,

He had trod in his steps and h a d S i g h d o er his grav e ,

.

F arme r Sun Flower w a s near and d ecidedly spak e

-
,

O f the poultry h e fed a n d the oil he mi g ht make ; ,

F or th e tru e h earted soul de e m d a w e ather st a in d fac e ,

-

A nd a t 01l h a rden d hand were no marks of disgrac e

-

.

Then he b eckon d his niec es to ris e from their seat,

The plump D an delion and Cowslip so ne at , ,

And bade them to pac k up their du ds a n d away ,

F or the c ocks crow d so loud t was the break 0 the day

.

T wa s indee d very late an d the c oaches wer e brough t ,

,

For t h e grave matron owers of their nurseries thought

The lustre w as dimm d of eac h drapery rare

And the luc i d young brows lo o k d i b ecloude d with c are ;

All save the bright Cereus that b elle so divine , ,

Who joy d throu g h the c urtains of midnight to shine

.

Now they c urts ey d and b o w d as they moved to the door

B ut the P oppy snore d loud ere the parting was o er

,

For Night her last c andle was s n ui n g away ,

And Flora grew tire d though she b eg g d t hem t o stay ;

E x cla im d all the watches and cloc ks were too fast

, ,

And ol d Time ran in spite lest her pleas ures shoul d last ,
.

But w hen the last guest went, with daughter and Wife ,
Sh e v ow d she was never so g lad in her life

C a ll d out t o her m aids , w ho w ith w eariness w ept,

 LYD I A H SI G OURNE Y
. .

To wash all th e glasses and cups ere th ey slept

F or Aurora , she said , With her broad staring ey e,
Woul d b e pleased , in the house some dis order to spy , ,

Then sipp d some pure honey de w fresh from the lawn ,

-
,

And with Z ephyrus h aste d to sleep un til daw n .

M U S ING TH OUGH TS .

I D IDnot dream and yet untirin g thought

,

R ang such w ild changes on the spirit s harp ,

It seem d th at slumber r ule d .

A structure rose
D eep founded and gigantic Strangely blent .

Its orders s eem d The dusky G othic tower

.

E c clesiastical the turret prou d

,

In c astellated pomp t he palac e dome , ,

The grate d dun g eon and the pe asant s cot ,

Were groupe d W ithin its w a l l s .

A throne was th ere ,

A king With al l his gay and c ourtly train
In robes o f splendor and a vassal throng ,

E ager to do h is will a n d please d with c h ains

,

Of ilde d s ervitu de The bac k g roun d s eem d
.
-

Dar en d by Misery s pencil F amine c as t

.

A tinge of paleness o er the brow of toil

,

Wh ile Poverty t o soothe h er nake d b abes ,

,

Shriek d forth a broken song

.

Th en c ame a groan
A rush , as if of thunder ; and the e arth
F rom yawnin g cle fts bre ath ed forth volc anic ames ,
While th e hu ge fabric roc ki ng to its base , ,

A ruin s eem d A miserable mass

.

Of torture d life roll d through the burnin g gates,

And spread terric o er the parc hing 8011

,

Li k e b la c ken d lava Then there was a p ause

. .

As if the dire c onvulsion mourne d its wreck .

To the rent w al ls the s ad s u rvivors clung ,

And eve n mid smouldering res , the art i c ers

,

Wrought t o uprear the pile .

B ut all at onc e
A b ugle blast wa s h eard a c ourser s t ramp

Wh ile a stern warrior waved his sword , and c ried,

 R OB E RT C S AND S . .

R OBE R T c . S A N D S,

Or New York , one of th e present editors of the Commercial

A dvertiser in that city wrote in c onj unction with James Wallis
, ,
'

E astb urn the poem of Ya m oy den , a tal e of th e wars of Kin g

,

P h ilip Mr E astb urn wa s a nati ve of E ngland b ut r ec eive d

.
,
'

his educ ation here He ha d p rep ared himself for the ministry
.
,

an d was o n the point o f assuming the charge of a congrega

tion in Virgini a , when his feeble h ealth c ause d him to under

take a voyage to the West Indies H e die d on the p assage , .

Dec emb er 2 d, 1819 at the age of twentytwo

, .

Yam oy den wa s written while th e authors r eside d in separate

parts of the c ountry , the one in New York and th e other in

-
,

R hode Island the plan of the poe m h avin g b e en previously

,

agre e d upon , an d the p arts assigne d : b ut it was not publishe d

d uring th e lifetime o f Mr E astb urn Aft er his death Mr .
,

Sands revise d the work and gave it some additions and it was
, ,

publish ed in 182 0 This poem al though exec ute d under great

.
,

dis adva ntages c ertainly displays poetical talent of a superior

,

order , and we are incline d to awar d it the pre ference among

all those of its kind whic h h ave been founde d upon our abori

g in al history The .striking pec u l iarities of the Indian char

acter and superstition are introduc e d with great felicity , and
,

th e des criptions are handled with a reach of thought and ex

pression that we do not o ft en s ee s urpassed .

Mr Sands h as n ot sinc e th e publication of th is work occu

, ,

pie d himself with v erse , exc ept, we believe ih the c as e of a ,

s ingle c asual perfo rmanc e Those parts of Ya m oy den which

.

c an b e i dentie d as his leave us n o room to doubt th at his

,

powers are e qual to an undertakin g in the v ery highest w alk

o f poetry . Should he be incline d to devote again to the mus e ,

with any steady and well studie d effort a portion of th at ne ,

talent which he is daily throwing away upon the c ommon con

c erns of life , we feel condent in assuring him a r ank am on g
 R OB E RT c . S AND S . 2 29

th e foremost of those wh o are enriching our native literature ,

and winning for the mselves unfading wre aths of th e sacred

laurel .

YA M OYD E N .

PR OE M .

G o F O RT H sad fragments of a broken strain ,

,

The last that e ither b ard shall e er essay

The hand can ne er attempt the chords again ,

That rst awoke them in a happier day ,

Where s weeps the oce an breeze its desert way ,

His requiem murmurs o er th e moaning w ave

And he who feebly now prolongs the lay ,

Shall ne er th e minstrel s h allowe d honors crave

His harp lies burie d deep in that untimely grave !

Friend of my youth with thee began the love

Of s acre d song the w ont in gol den dreams , ,

Mid classic realms of splen dors past to rove ,

O er hau nted ste ep and by immortal stream s ,

Vh er e the blue w ave With sparkling bosom gleams ,

R ound shores th e mind s eternal herita g e

, ,

For ever lit by memory s t w ilight b e ams

Wh ere the proud dea d th at live in storie d page , ,

Beckon , with awful port to glory s e arlier ag e ,

.

There would w e linger o ft entranc ed t o h ear , , ,

O er battle elds the epic thunders roll ;
,

Or list w here tragic w ail upon the ear

, ,

Through Ar g ive palac es shrill echoing stole ; ,

Th ere woul d we mark u n c urb d by a ll c ontrol , ,
In central heaven the Theban ea g le s ight
,

,

Or hold c ommunion with the m usm g soul

Of sage or ha rd who sought mid P agan night
, ,

,

In love d Athenian groves for truth s eternal light , .

Homeward w e t urn d to that fair land but late ,

R e de em d from the stron g spell that bound it fast

,

Wh ere Mystery brooding o er the waters sate

,

And kept the k ey ti ll three millenniums past ;

,

When as creation s noblest work was last,

,

VO L . I] .
 R O B E RT C S A N DS . .

L atest , t o m a n w a s vouchsafed , to see

it

Nat ure s gre at won der , long by clouds o erc a st ,

A ri d v eil d in sacred a we that it m ig ht b e

,

An empire a n d a home most worthy for the free, .

And here forerunners stra n ge and meet w ere found ,

,

Of that blest freedom only dre a m d before ,

Dark w ere the morning mists that lin g e r d roun d ,

The ir birth and story as the hu e they bore , .

E arth was their mother or they knew n o more

,

Or would not that their secret should b e told

For they we re grave and silent ; and su ch lore ,
To stranger e a i s they love d not to unfold
, ,

Th e lo n g transmitted tales , their sires were taught of old

-
.

Kind nature s c ommoners from her they drew ,

Their needful wants and learnt not h ow to hoard ;

,

And him whom strength a n d wisdom c rown d they kne w,

,

But with no s e rvile reverenc e as their lord ,

.

And on their mountain s ummits they adore d

One gre at goo d Spirit in his h i h abode
, ,
rr
,

And thenc e their inc ens e and orisons p o ur d
To his pervading presenc e that ab roa d ,

They felt through all his works their Father , King and God , ,
.

And in th e mountain mist the torrent s spray , ,

Th e quivering forest or the g lassy ood , ,

So ft fallin g showers or hues of orient da y ,

,

They imaged spirits beautiful and goo d ;

B ut wh en the tempest r o a r d with v orc es rud e , ,

Or erc e re d lightnin g re d th e forest pine

, ,

Or witherin g h e ats u ntimely s ear d th e w ood

,

Th e angry fo rm s they saw of powers malign ;

These they besought to spare those blest for aid divine , .

As the fresh sense of life th ro ugh every vein , ,

With the pure air they drank inspiring came , ,

Comely they grew p atient of mi ] and pain

, ,

And as the eet deer s agile w a s their frame

,

Of mean er vic es sc arc e they knew th e name ;

Thes e simple truths went down from sire to son ,

T o reverenc e age th e sl uggish hunter s sh ame ,

,

g
And c raven warrior s infamy to S h r

,
"

And still ave n ge eac h wrong to frie s or kindred don e , .

 R O B E RT C . S AN DS .

Till all t oo soon as the rude winds may please ,

, ,

They part for distant ports : T he gales benign

Swi ft wa ft ing h ere by Heaven s a ll wis e decrees
, ,

-
,

To its own harbor s ure w here e ach divine ,

And j oyo us vision , se en before in dre ams , is thine .

Muses of Helicon ! m elo dious race

Of J ove and golden b air d Mnemosyne !
-

Whos e art from memory blots e ach s adder trac e,

And drives eac h sc owling form of grief a w ay !
Who , round the violet fount your m easures gay ,

Onc e trod and round the altar of great J ove

,

Whe n c e , wrapt in S ilvery clouds your nightly way ,

Ye he ld a n d ravish ing strains of music wove

, ,

That soothe d the Th underer s soul , and ll d his c ou rts above

.

Bright c hoir ! with lips untempted and w ith zone ,

Sparklin g and un a p p ro a c h d by touc h pro fane ;

,

Ye to w hos e gla dsome b osoms n e er wa s known

,

The bli g ht o f s orro w or the throb of pain

,

R ightly i nvoked i f right the elected Swain

,
-
,

On your o wn mountain s side ye tau ght of yore

,

Whose b enor d h an d took not your gift i n vain ,

Worthy the bu dd ing laurel bou g h it bore ,

F arewell ! a lo n g fare well I w orship you no more !

KN ow ye t he
Indian w arrior rac e
How their light fo rm springs in strength a n d g rac e,
L ik e the pine on their native mountain side ,
That W l ll not ho w in its deathless pride
Whose rugge d limbs of st ubb orn ton e
N o ex uous po w er of art will o wn ,

But bend to He aven s re d bolt alone

H ow their hue is deep as the w estern die

T hat fades in Autumn s evenin g s ky

That lives for ever upon their brow ,

In the s ummer s heat and the Winter s snow ;
,

How their rave n locks of tameless strain

Stream like the desert c ourser s man e
 R O B E RT c . S AND S . 2 33

How their glanc e is far as the eagle s ight,
And erc e and true as the panther s sight :

H OW their s o uls are like the crystal w ave ,

Where the spirit dwells in the northen cave

U nru ffle d in its c a v ern d bed
,

Calm lies its glimmerin g s urfac e spread

Its springs its outlet un c on fess d
,

Th e pebble s wei g ht upon its breast

Shal l wake its echoing thun ders deep ,

And when th eir muttering acc ents s leep ,

Its dark rec esses hear them yet ,

And te ll of deathless love or hate !

S ONG .

THE Y say that afar i n th e l and of th e west,

Where the bright g olden sun sinks in glory t o r est,

Mid fens w here t he hunter ne er venture d to tread ,

A fair lake unrul e d and sparkling is spread ;

Where lost in h is course the rapt Indian discovers ,
, ,

In distanc e s een dimly the green isle of lovers

, .

There ver dure fades never ; immortal in bloom ,

So ft waves the magnolia its groves Of perfume

And lo w bends the branch w ith rich fruitage dep ress d,

All glowing lik e gems in the cro wns of the east ;

There the bright eye of nature in mil d glory hovers ,

T is the land of the sunbeam the green isle Of lovers !

,

Swe et strains wildly oat on the breezes that kiss

Th e c alm d owin g lake round that region of bliss
-

Wh ere wreathing their garlands Of amaranth fair c hoirs

, ,
Glad me asures still w ea ve to th e soun d th at inspires

Th e danc e and th e revel m id forests that c over
,

On high w ith their shade the green isle Of th e lover .

But erc e as the snake w ith his eyeballs of re ,

When his scales are all brill iant and glowing with i re ,
Are the warriors to all save the maids of th eir isle
, ,

Whos e law is their Will and whose life is their smile ;

,

From beauty there valor and stren g th are not rovers ,

And peac e reigns s upreme in the green isle of lovers .

VO L . 11. 2 0 *
 R O B E RT C SAND S . .

And h e who ha s sought t o set foot on its shore ,

In mazes p erplex d has beheld it no more ;

It eets on the vision deluding th e view

, ,

Its b anks still retire as the hunters pursue ;

0! who in this vain world of W O shall discover,
Th e home un dis t urb d, the gree n isle of the lover

ODE T O T H E MANI TT O O F D REAM S .

Sp ra r'
rthou spirit of sub tlest a ir,
Whos e power is upon the brain ,

Wh en wondrous s hapes and dre ad and fair , , ,

As th e lm from the eyes

At thy biddin g ies ,

T o sight and sense are plain !

Thy Whisper creeps where le aves are s t irr d

Thou Sighest in woo dland gale ;

Where waters are g ushing thy voic e is he ard
And when stars are bright,
At still midnight ,

Thy symph onies prevail !

Where t h e forest oc ean , in quick c ommotion,

Is waving to and fro ,

Thy form is s een i n the m asses green ,

,

Dimly to c ome and go .

From thy c overt peeping where thou lay est sle epin g,
,

Beside the brawlin g b rook ,

Thou art seen to w ake and thy ig ht t o tak e

,

Fleet from thy lonely nook .

Wh ere th e moonbe a mhas kiss d

The sparkling tide ,

In thy mantle Of mist

Thou art s een to gl ide .

F ar o er the blue w aters
Melting away ,

On the distant billo w,

As on a p illo w ,

Thy form to l ay .
 R OB E R T C SANDS . .

Along the sheete d plain ,

Whe re the hermit bear in his sullen lair,
,

Keeps his long fast till the winter h ath past,

,

And the boughs have bu dded again .

Spirit of dreams all thy visions are true ,

Who t h e shadow h ath se en , h e th e s ubstanc e sh all vi ew

Thine the riddle strange and dark ,

,

Woven in the dr eamy brain

Thine to yield th e power to mark
Wanderin g by the dusky train ;
,

Warrior ghosts for venge ance c rying ,

S c a lp d on th e lost b attle s plain ,

O r who die d their foes defying ,

Slow by lingering tortures slain .

T hou th e war c hief hovering near ,

-

Breat h est lan g ua e on his e ar ;

When his win g e words depart,
Swift as arrows to the heart ;
When his ey e the lightning leaves
When each valiant bosom he aves
Through the veins when hot and glowing
R age like liquid re is o wm g
R ound and round the war pole whirling,
F urious w hen the danc ers g row
When the mac es s wift are h urling
P romise d vengeanc e on the fo e ;
Thine ass uranc e Spirit true !
,

Glorious victory gives to View !

When of thought and strength desp oil d,

L ies the brave man like a child ;

When discolor d Visions y ,
P ainful o er his gazing eye ,
,

And wishes Wild through his darkness rove,

L ike itting W ings t hrough the tangled grov e,
Thine is the wish the vision thine ,

And t hy Visits , Spirit ! are all divine

Wh en th e dizzy senses spin ,

And the brain is madly reeling ,

L ike the P ow wa h when rst Within

-
,

Th e present spirit feeling

 R OBE RT C SA ND S
. . 2 37

When rays are ashing athwart the gloom ,

L ike the dancing lights of the northern heaven,

When voices strange of tumult come
On the ear like the roar of battle driven
,

The Initiate then sh all thy w onders see

And thy priest, 0Spirit ! is full of thee !
,

Spirit of dreams ! away away !

It is thine hour of solemn sw ay ;
And thou art holy ; a n d our rite
Forbids t hy pres enc e here tonight .

G o light on lids that w ake to pain ;

Triumphant visions yield again
If ne ar th e Christian s cot thou roam

,

Tell him the re has wrapt his h ome

Where th e mother hes in peaceful rest ,

Her infant slumbering on her bre ast ,

Tell her the re d man h ath seize d its feet

And against a tree its b rain s doth beat
Fly to the b ride wh o sleeps alone ,

Her husb and forth for b attle gone ;

Tell her at morn and tell her true
, , ,

His he ad on the bou g h her eye s shall View ;

Whil e his limbs shall be the ra veii s prey

Sp irit of dreams away away !

S ONG OF TH E P OW -
WAH S .

B eyond the hills th e Spirit sleeps ,

His watch t he po w er of evil keeps
The Spirit of re has sought his be d ,
The Sun t h e hate ful Sun is dead
, .

Profound a n d clea r is th e sounding wave ,

In the chambers of the Wakon c ave ; -

D arkness its ancient portal keeps

And there the Spirit Sleeps, he sleeps .

Come round on raven pinions now,

Spirits of ill to you we b o w !
,
'
Whether ye sit on th e topmost cli ,
While t h e storm around is sweeping,

Mid the thunder shoc k , from roc k to rock
2 38 R OB E RT c. SANDS .

To view the lightning le aping ;

As ye guide the b olt w here towers afar
,

The knotted pine t o heaven ,

And wh ere it fall s your serpent sc ar

,

On the blaste d trunk is graven

Whether your awful voices pour
Their tones in gales t hat n i g htly roar
Whether ye dwell b eneath the lak e ,
In whose depths eternal thunders wake ,
G igantic guard the glittering ore ,

T hat lights Maurepas h aunte d shore ,

O u Ma n a t a ulin s lonely isle

,

T h e wanderer of the w av e b eguile ,

Or love the shore where t he s erpent hiss -

And angry rattle never c eas e ,

Come round on r ave n pinion s now !

Spirits of evil ! to y o u we b ow .

Come ye hither wh o o er the th a tc h

,

Of the coward murderer hold your watch ;

Moping and chatterin g round wh o y
Where the putrid me mbers reeking lie,
Piec e meal dropping as they dec ay ,
-
,

O er the shuddering recr eant d ay by da
Till h e loathes th e food that is whelm am i d

Th e relics by foul c orruption hid

,

And the crawling w orms about him bre d

Mis take the h vin g for the dead !

Come ye wh o give po w e r
T o the c urse that is s aid ,

And a ch arm th at shall wither

To the drops th at are she d
On the c h ec k of the maiden,
Who never shall h ear
The kind nam e of Moth er
Sal uting her ear
B ut sad as the turtle
On the b are b ranch reclining ,

She shall sit in the des ert,

Consuming and pining ;
With a grief th at is Silent,
H er beauty shall fade ,

L ike a owe r nipt untimely,

On its stem that is de ad .
 R O B E R T D IN S MO O R ,

W A S Born at L o n donderry , New Hampshire , Octob er 7th,

1757 H is e ducation and e arly life were those of a co mm on
.

farmer s b oy He s erved as a soldier at th e c aptur e of
.

Burgoyne We b elieve h e is still living at the plac e of his

.

nativity He has attracte d much notic e in his neighborhood ,

.

by his newspaper rhymes , and during the last year , the works

of th e R ustic Bard , which title h e h as assume d , made the ir
appearanc e in a volume Mr Dinsmoor is of Sc otch descent,
.

an d nearly all his vers es are in th e dialect of th at country .

T H E B RAES OF G L E N N IF F E R .

KEE N b l aws the wind o er the b ras s o Glen n i er

The auld castle turrets are c o ver d w i snaw

H o w change d sin the time that I met wi my lover

,

Am ang the gre en b ush es by Stantley green Shaw !

The w ild owers 0 simmer were sprin g ing sae bonny ,

The mavis s ang sweet frae the green b irke n tree !

B ut fo r to the camp they hae m a rc h d my dear Jonnie ,

Ari now it is winter wi nature an me

.

The n il k thing around u s w as b lit li som e an c he erie,

The n ilk thing around us was b onnie an braw

Now naething is h eard b ut the wind whistling dreary ,

Now naething is se en b ut the wide spreading snaw .

The trees are a b are an t he birds mute an dowie ,
,

They shake the c auld dri ft frae th e i r wings as the ee ;

They chirp o ut the ir plaints seeming w a e for my Jh n n ie ,

T is winter wi them , an its winter wi me

.

You cauld sleety cloud it ski ffs th e bleak mountain ,

as

An shakes the dar k rs on its stey rocky brae ,
While down the de ep glen bawls the S h aw oo ded fountain , -

That m urm ur d sae swe et t o m y laddie an me
.
 SAM UE L w o o n won r ir '
. 2 41

T
is na th e loud roar o the wintry wind swal lowin

,

T is na the cauld blast brings the tear i my s e

For 0g in I saw b ut my bonnie S e ot s c allan

,

Th e dark days 0 W inter w ere simmer to me

S A MU R L W O OD W O R T H ,

Is
a native of Scituate , in Massachusetts and wa s born ,
'

January 13t h 1785 He wa s the son of a fa rm er who was

,
.

not furnishe d with t h e means of giving his children anything

more than a very sc anty tuition At the age of fourteen he .
,

attracte d the attention of the minister of the parish by some ,

poetic al attempts and w as take n by him under his own roo f

, .

The minister bestowe d much pains upon his e ducation and ,

m ade endeavors to c ollec t a subscription to s end him to c ol

lege b ut failing in this th e connexions of young Woodworth
, ,

put him in mind of the nec essity of betakin g himself to some

oc cupation for his maintenanc e He chose that of a printer , .

and tr avelling to Boston put himself as an apprentic e in the

,

o ic e of th e Col umbian Centinel He remaine d h ere till h is .

indentures w ere out in 180 6 and set off for N c w York b ut his
, ,

c ash fa i ling h e w a s c ompelle d to stop at N e w Haven wher e

, ,

h e proc ured employment in t he o fc e of a w eekly public ation

c alle d The Herald for whic h he exercised both his c ompo
,

sin g stick and h is pen In less than a year h e resolve d upon

.
,

e stablishing a w eekly miscellany of his own and partly ,

with the avails of his industry for that sh ort period and partly ,

by obtaining cre dit , furnishe d himself with a printing appara

tus and issued a paper to w hic h he gave th e name of T h e
, ,

Bell es L ettres R epository Of this paper h e was the editor pub

.
,

lisher printer and very O ft e n th e c a rrier

, , His thri ft and in .

d ust ry however were not c rowned with succ ess

, A ft er a .

trial of two months , the paper was dropped , and h e retur n ed

VOL . 2 1
 S AM U E L W O OD W OR T II .

to Boston , and thenc e to Scituate L eaving his n ati ve plac e .

a ft er a sho rt stay he went t o Baltimore and from th at city t o

, ,

N ew York , where h e married settled an d still r esides , , .

Mr Woodworth has b ee n a Writer in several o f t he public

j ou rnals , b esides serving as e ditor to a numb er of literary
miscellanies , suc h as The War , Th e C ask et, and Th e Halcyon
L uminary In all these h e has written numerous poetic al
.
,

articles He is th e author of Th e Cham pions of Fre edom, a

.

novel which appeare d ab out the ye ar 1816, an d of several

,

dramatic piec es namely The Dee d of Gift L afayette , or th e

, , ,

C astle o f Olmutz, The L ocket The Widow s Son an d T he ,

,

R ose of th e Forest A collection of his poems was p ubl ish e d

.

i n a volume in 1818, and another in 182 7 .

Th e Short piec e entitle d The Buc k et, is the most esteeme d

o f Mr Woodworth s writings

It is a very happy perform .

an c e natural in thou ght and expression and distinguish e d for

, ,

the music al swe etness of its numbers The engaging live .

lin ess and simplicity of this little strain h ave made it very
pop ular .

T H E B U CKE T .

H ow de ar to this h eart ar e th e sc enes of my childh oo d

When fond rec ollection pr es ents them to vie w
T h e orchard the me adow the de ep tangled wild wood ,
, ,

And every love d spot w hich my infancy knew ;

Th e wide spr eadin g pond and the mill w h ic h stood by ,

The bridge , and the roc k w h ere the c ataract fell

Th e c ot of my fath er the dairy h ous e nigh it , ,

And e en the r ude buc ket which hung in th e well

.

The old oaken bucket the iron b oun d b ucket, ,

-

Th e moss c over d b uc k et which hung in the well

-

.

That moss cov er d vessel I h ail as a treasure

-

,

For ofte n at noon whe n re t urn d from th e eld ,
,

I found it the sourc e of an exquisite pleasure ,

The p urest and sweetest that nature c an yield .

H ow ard ent I seize d it with h ands that were glowing ,

And quick to the white pebble d b ottom it fell ,
Th en soon with the emblem of truth overowing ,
2 44 S AMU E L woon w o n r n .

And nd wh en at last th ey re s ubsiding
, ,

On the la n dsen d of life there s a beacon of hope ,
T o the harbor of happiness g uiding .

L o vE s E YE S .

L ov E eyes are s o ench anting

s ,

Bri g ht smiling so ft and granting

, , ,

P uls es play at every ray ,

And h earts at every glanc e ar e pantin g .

Before the beamy eye of morn

We vie w the clouds of night rec ed ing ;
So tender glances banish sc orn ,

For w ho c an frown while L ove is pleading ?

L ove s eyes are so ench anting & c

.
,

No bandage c an thos e eyes c onc eal ,

Thou g h bards in fable d tales rehearse it ;

For if w e w ore a m as k of steel ,

A ec t io n s ardent gaze would pierc e it

'

.

L ove s eyes are s o enchanting & 0

.
,

Be ware th en lest some artful elf

, ,

The infant s smiles and armor borro w,

To W in a throb of j oy for self ,

And give his vic tims years of sorrow .

L ove s eyes are so ench a ntin g , & c

.

T HE P RI D E OF TH E VA L L E Y .

T HE prid e of the valley is l ovely y oung Ellen ,

Who dwells in a c otta g e enshr ine d by a thicket ,

Swe et peac e and c ontent are the w e alth of he r d wellin g ,

An d Truth is the porter that w aits at the wic ket .

T h e zephyr that lingers on violet d o w n pinion -

,

With Spring s blushing honors delighte d to dall y

,

N e er b re athe d on a blossom in Flora s dominion ,

So lov ely as E llen , the pride of the v all ey .

 S AMU E L woon woa r n . 2 45

She s true to h er Willie and kind to h er mother ,

,
Nor riches nor honors c an tempt h er from duty
Content with her station she sighs for no othe r,
,

Tho u gh fortunes and titles have knelt t o her b eauty .

To me her affec ti ons and promise a re plighted ,

Our ages are equal our tempers wil l tally ;
,

O m oment of rapt ure that sees me unite d

,

To lovely young E llen , the pride of th e valley .

W RE ATH OF L OVE .

LE T Fame her wre a th for others twine ,

Th e fragrant Wreath of L ove b e mine ,

With balm distilling blossoms w ove ;
-

L et the shrill tru mpet s hoars e alarms

Bid laurels grac e the Victor s a rms

,

Where h avoc s bloo d st a in d banners move

-

.

B e mine to w ake the so ft er notes

Wh ere Ac idal ia s banner oats
,

And wear the gentler Wreath o f Love .

The b al my rose let stoics scorn ,

L e t squeamish mortals drea d the thorn ,

An d fear the pleas m g pain to prove ;

I ll fearless bin d it to my heart,

Wh ile every pan g its thorns impart,

The o we ret s balsam S hall remove

For s we e t e n d by the n ec t a r d kiss
,

,

T is pain that gives a zest to bliss

,

And freshens still the Wre ath of L ove .

G ive me c onten t ment peac e and health , , ,

A moderate S hare of worldly wealth ,

A nd friends s uc h blessings to improve
A heart to give w h en misery ple a ds ,

To h eal eac h rankling woun d th at ble eds ,

An d every mental pain re move ;
But w ith thes e give else all deny
Th e fair for who m I bre ath e th e sigh ,
And we dlock b e a Wreath of L ove .

VOL . ii. 2 1*
2 46 J OH N PI E RP ON T .

Connubial bliss , unkn own t o strife ,

A faith ful frie nd a virtuous Wife ,
Be mine for many years t o prove
Our wishes on e, W ithin e ach breast
The dove of peac e shall make her nest ,
Nor eve r from the ar k remove ;
Till c all d to heaven through ages ther e

Be ours the bl i ssful lot to w e ar

A never fading Wreath of L ove .

J O H N P IE KP O N T .

Mn P IE R P ONT is a native of L it c hel d

in Connectic ut, and
was b orn on th e 6t h of April 1785 He wa s ed uc ate d at
,
.

Yale Colle ge , and rec eive d his degree i n 180 4 He studie d .

law and practise d for a while at N ewburyport He then re .

move d to Baltimore , where he was one of the c ontrib utors t o

th e P ortic o during th e most s ucc essful period of that work .

About ten ye ars sinc e h e b ec ame pastor of Hollis Street

ch urch in Boston and c ontinues in th at station at the present
,

time , enj oying in addition to his rep utation as a poet , a de

gre e of popularity as a pre ac her whic h ve ry few among our
native cle rgymen h ave gained .

'
T he earliest occ a sion on whic h Mr P ie rpont appeare d t o
the public in his poetic al capacity wa s as th e author of The
,

Portrait a poe m delivere d i n public at Newb uryport in 1812 ,

,

and a ft erwards published In 1816 appeare d at Baltimore ,

.

The Airs of P alestine a performanc e not at rst designe d for

,

public ation , b ut w ritten in th e c aus e of charity It was in .

tende d to u s e the author s own w ords that th e recitation of

, ,

it s hould form a part of the performanc es of an evening c on

c ert Of Sacre d Music for t he b enet of the poor It was ih .

deed a volunte er in the c ause b ut its aid was c oldly received ,

or rather was c oldly decline d wherever it made its trembling
advanc es ; and it was thus stung into the resolution of ap
2 48 JOH N P I ERPO N T .

ju d ges th em with a more delicate and philosophical perception

o f their nic eties .

The main scope of th e poem is t o illustrate th e inuenc e of

music u pon th e p assions of mankind an d c ons equently its
, ,

moral nature and tendency by themes taken from sacre d his

,

tory Th e instanc es selecte d for this purpose evinc e a r ene d

.

and h appy taste which singles out with unerring j udgment

,

from amo n g th e great m ass of materials at h and that which is ,

b est adapted to the obj ec t in view Th e transitions wher e

.
,

it bec omes nec essary to vary the theme in some d e gree for , ,

the introduction of minor topics , are manage d with c on

summate skill .

Mr Pierpont h as not attempte d t o distinguish h im self by

thos e bold and daring ights whic h so many of our modern
poets are ac customed to essay in putting their powers t o
the proo f . His mus e wings her w a y W ith a c alm and
grac eful ight luxuriating in the s unb eam and breasting th e
,

mountain bre eze b ut she does not plunge among the thun
,

der clouds or sh ake h er pinions in the strife of the h urric an e

, .

The poetry o f the pres ent day is rife W ith those tu multuous
elements which have th eir s e at in the deep rec esses o f h u
m an tho ught an d emotion , with storms of sweeping and
destructive p a ssion and ac ute mental feeling s ubj ects with
, ,

which our stripling bards fe arlessly venture to grapple ig no ,

rant o f the nature of what th ey h ave seize d upon and this ,

powers whic h the c ontrol of s uch things demand Henc e .

the sm all proportion among the great amount of vers e that

is yearly given to th e world , which is blesse d with more
than a temporary reputation By attempting ac hievements
.

to w hich its pow ers are not adapted genius its elf must ex p e
,

ric uc e a failure .L et it not b e thought a disparagement in

th e c ase O f the present writer t o s ay that h e has not aimed
at so muc h as many others He h as undertaken a work
.

which in its s ucc essful exec ution sh ows the h an d of a master

, ,

an d le av es us to b elieve t hat he is c apable of yet greater

things .
 JO H N P i E R P ON T . 2 49

Mr Pierpont has b een spoken of as a faithful scholar of t h e

s chool of Pope in re g ar d we suppose to the mech anic al
,

structure of his vers e ; for in the essentials of poetry we ,

npp rehen d the qualities of these write rs h ave too little in

"

c ommon t o w arrant us in c oupling the m together In th e .

p olish an d ow of his nu mbers he m ay b e classe d if it

, , ,

b e nec essary to point out a master w ith that author ; but ,

his lines are fre e from the monotony of c adenc e which prevails
t o such a degre e in the v e rs ic a t io n of P ope w hile in vivi d
and be autiful imagery an d richness of language h e claims
, ,

t o b e ranke d in an orde r Widely distinct from the h a rd o f

Twickenham .

The u se of double rhymes in this poe m h as been c ensured .

That they ever disagre e with the solemnity of th e subj ect as ,

h as b een obj ected we nd it difcult to perc eive while t he

, ,

re ason assigne d for their introduction under the circ umstance s

i n whic h th e work was c omposed se ems to a s satis factory
, .

The poem as the author remarks was begun and ende d

, ,

with the ide a th at it w oul d be publicly rehe a rse d and I was

aware how di fc ult even a good speaker n ds it to recite the ,

b est heroic poetry for any length of time without perc eiving in
h is he ar ers th e somniferous e ffects of a regular c adenc e Th e .

doubl e rhyme wa s therefore occasionally thro w n in like a ledge

of rocks in a smoothly gliding rive r to bre ak th e current ,

which without it might appe ar slug g ish and to vary th e

, ,

melo dy , which otherwis e might b ec ome monotonous .

Mr Pierpont s poetry is small in amount b ut is destine d t o ,

outlive the v oluminous productions of many of his contempo

r aries His patriotic and devotional songs writte n for public
.

occ as ions , sho w a talent for lyric al c omposition which w ould

r aise him to eminent distinction without the aid of his de
s criptive poetry .
 JOHN PI E RPO N T .

A I RS OF P A LESTINE .

AT th e dun cloud that, slowly rising , holds

T he Summer tempest in its gloomy fol ds ,

Tho ugh o er the ridges of its th underin g breast

,

,

Th e King of Terrors rides and shakes his lightning ,

F e arless w e gaze whe n those dark folds w e n d

,

F ringe d with the golden light that g lows b ehind ,

.

S O when one language b ound the human rac e

, ,

O n S hi n a r s plain round Babel s mi g hty bas e ,

,

G loomily rose the minister of w rath ;

Dark w a s his frown d estructive w a s his path ; ,

That tower was blasted by the touch of h eaven

That bond was b urst th at race asunder driven
Yet, r ound t he Avenger s bro w that fro wn d above
,

,

Pla y d Mercy s b eams the la in b en t li g ht of L ove

.

All wa s not lost though busy D isc ord un g

,

R epulsive acc ents from each j arrin g to n g u e

All w a s not lost ; for L ove one tie h ad t w ined ,
An d Mercy dro p p d it to c onnect mankind
,

One tie w hos e ai ry l a ments invest

, ,

L ike Be auty s zone th e c al m or stormy bre ast ;

,

Wake that to action , rule of this th e strife ,

And throu g h t h e mazy labyrinths of life
, ,

S upply a faithful cl ue to lead the lone ,

And we ary w an derer to his Fathe r s throne

.

That tie is Music How supre me h er sw ay ! .

How lovely is the P ower th at all obey !

D umb matter trembles at her thril ling shock ;

H er voice is ec h o d by th e desert roc k ;
For h er the asp w ithh olds th e sting of d e ath ,
,

And b ares his fangs but to inhale h er breath ; ,

The royal lion leaves his desert lair ,

And , c rouching listens when she treads the air ;

,

An d man by w ilder impuls e driven to ill

, ,

Is tame d and le d by this enchantress sti ll

, .

Who ne er has felt her h and assuasive steal

Alo n g his h eart That heart will never feel .

T is hers to chain the passions s ooth e the s oul , ,

To snatc h the dagger and to d ash the bowl ,

From Murder s hand ; to smooth th e c ouc h o f Car e,
E xtract the thorns and sc atter roses there
,

Of pain s hot brow , t o still the boun ding throb ,

 J O H N PI E RPON T .

There b e thy path for there the muses dwell .

No no a lonelier , lovelier path be mine :

,

G reece and h er charms I le ave for Palestine

, , ,
.

Th ere purer stre ams through h appier valleys ow,

,

And sweete r owers on holier mountai ns blow .

I love to breathe where Gilead sheds her b al m ;

I love to w alk on J ord an s banks of palm ;

I love to wet my foot in H erm on s dews

I love th e promptings of Isaiah s muse :

In C armel s holy grots I ll court repose ,

And dec k my mossy c ouch W ith Sharon s deathless ros e

.

Here arching vines their leafy banner spre ad ,

Shake their g reen shields and purple odors sh ed ; ,

At onc e repell ing Syria s b urning ray

And bre athing freshness on the sultry day ,

Here the W il d be e s uspends her murm uring wing ,

P ants on the roc k or sips the silve r s pring ;

,

And h ere as musin g on my theme divine ,

I gath er owers to bloom along my l i ne ,

An d hang my g arland in festoons around ,

E n wre a t h d W it h clusters an d with tendrils bound

,

And fondly warmly h umbly h ope th e P ower

, , , ,

That gave perfume s and b eauty to the ower ,

Drew living water fro m this rocky shrine ,

P urple d the clustering honors of the vine ,

A nd led me lost in devious mazes hith er

, , ,

To w eave a garland w ill n o t let it w ith er

,

W on d rin g I listen t o th e strain s ublime

, ,

Th at ows all freshly do w n the stream of time ,

,

VVa ft e d in grand S implicity alo n g ,

The undying bre ath the very soul of song

, .

Down that long v ale of years are sweetly roll d

Th e mingled voic es of the b ar ds of old ;

Melodious voic es ! b ards of bri g htest re !
Where e ac h is w arm how melting is the qu ire 2
,

Yet thou g h so blended is th e c onc ert blest

, ,

Some master tones are h e ard a bo v e the rest .

O er the cleft s ea the storm in fury rides

,

Israel is safe and E g ypt tempts the tides

,

Her host desc endin g meets a wat ry grave

, ,

,

And o e r her monarch rolls the re uen t w ave

.

T he storm is hus h d : t h e billo ws foam no more

,

But Sink in smiles t h ere s Music on t h e shore .

On t he wide waste of w aters , dies t hat air

 5 3
JO H N PI E RPO NT .

U nh e ard for all is death and c oldness th ere .

B ut see ! th e rob e that brooding Silenc e throws

O er Shur reclining in profound repose

,

Is rent, and sc a t t er d by the bursts of praise

, ,

That swells the song t h as t o n ish d Hebrews r aise }

The desert wake d at that prou d anthem ung ,

From Miriam s timbrel and from Moses tongue

Th e rst to L iberty th at e er was sung .

But if w hen joy and gratitude inspire

, ,

S uch high tone d triumph w alks along the lyre ,

-

What are its bre athin g s w h en pale sorro w in g s ,

Her te a rful touches o er its trembling strings 9

At N eb o s b as e that mighty b ard resigns

,
'
H is life and empire in prophetic lines .

Heaven all attention round the poet bends

, , ,

And c on s c wus earth as when the dew desc ends , ,

Or showers as gentle , fe els her youn g buds swell ,

Her herbs shoot greener at that fond farewell ,

.

R ich is the song though mournfully it ows ,

And as that harp w hic h Go d alone besto w s , ,

Is swept in concert with that sinking breath ,

Its c old chords shrink as from the touc h of death ,

.

It was the touch of de ath Sweet b e thy slumb ers ,

Harp of the prophet ! but thos e holy numbers ,

That death denoting monitory moan -

,
.

Shall live ti ll Nature h e aves her dying groan

, ,

From Pis g a h s top his eye the prophet thre w

'

O er J ordan s w ave where C anaan met his vie w

,
.

H is sunny mantle and his hoary loc ks

Shone like the rob e of W inter on the rocks
, ,
.

Where is th at mantle Melte d into a ir .

Where is the prophet P Go d c an tell thee where .

So on th e brow of some romantic height

, ,

A eecy cl o ud hangs hovering in the lig h t ,

Fit couc h for angels ; wh ic h w hil e yet we view,

T is lost to e arth and all around is blue , .

W h o is that Chief already tau ght to urge ,

Th e battle stream and roll its darkest s urge , ,

Whose army marches through retiring seas ,

Whose gory banner spreading on the breeze ,

U nfolds o er Jericho s devote d tow ers

And like th e storm o er Sodom redly lowers ?

,

The moon c a n answe r ; for she heard his tongue ,

And cold and pale o er Aj alon she h ung

.

VOL . l l. 22
 J OH N PI E R PON T .

The sun c an tell O er Gib eon s vale of blood ,

z

C urving their b eamy necks his c oursers sto od , ,

Held by that hero s arm to light his w rath

, ,

And roll their glorious eyes u pon his crimson path .

What mine exploding rends th at s moking groun d ?

, ,

What e arthquake spreads thos e smoulderin g r uins roun d ?

The sons of L evi round that city h e ar
, ,

Th e ark of Go d their c onsecrated care

, ,

And in r ude c oncert eac h returning morn

, , ,

Blow the long trump and wind the curling horn ,

No blac kening thunder smoked al ong th e wall

N o earthquak e shook it z Mus m w rou ght its fall .

Th e reverend hermit w ho from earth retires , ,

Free zes to love s to melt in holie r res

, ,

And bu dds on L ib a n us his h u mble sh ed ,

Beneath th e a ing c edars of his h e ad

Year after ye ar wit h brighter Vie w s revolvin g
, ,

Doubt a fter doubt in stronger h opes dissolving

,

Th ough neither pipe nor vo rc e nor organ s swell

, ,

,

Disturb th e S ilenc e of his lonely c e ll ;

Yet h ears enough h ad nou g ht been heard b efore ,
,

To wake a h oly a we and te ac h him to adore , .

For ere the day W ith orisons h e closes

, ,
E re o n his in t y c ouch his he ad reposes ,

A c ouch mor e downy in the hermit s sight,

Than b eds of ros es to the Sybarite

As lone h e muses on thos e naked roc ks ,

He aven s last light blushing on his S ilver locks

,

Amid the d eepeni n g sh ades of that wild mountain ,

He he ars the b urst of many a mossy fou n t ain ,

Whos e crystal rills in pure e mbrac es mingle ,

And dash and sparkle down the leafy dingle
, ,

There lose th eir liquid notes with grateful glow ,

Th e hermit listens as the w aters ow
, ,

And says there s Music in that mountain stream ,

The storm bene ath him and the e agle s scre am ,

.

Th ere lives around that solitary man ,

The tameless music that with time b egan ;

,

Airs of the Power that bids the tempest roar,

,

The c e dar h o w the royal eagl e soar ;

,

The mighty P ower by whom those rocks were piled ,

,

Who moves uns een and murmurs through the w ild

, .

What c ountless chords does th at dre ad Being strike

Various th eir tone , b ut all divine alike
 J OH N P I E RPON T .

For oft where yond er grassy hills rec ede

, ,

I ve h eard that shepherd tune his rustic reed
And t hen such s w eetness fro m his ngers stole ,
I kne w that Music h a d p o ss es s d his soul
.

Oft, in her temple sh all the votary bow ,

O ft at her altar breath e his ar dent vow ,

,

And o ft suspen d along her c oral w alls

, ,

Th e proudest trophies th a t adorn her h alls .

E ven n ow the h eralds of his monarc h tear

,

Th e son of J ess e from his eec y c are ,

A nd to the h all the ruddy m instrel bring ,

Wh ere sits a being that wa s onc e a k ing , .

Still on his brow the c rown of Israel gle a ms ,

, ,

And c rin g ein g c ourtiers still adore its b e ams ,

Though th e bright circle throws n o li g ht divine ,

But r ays of h ell that m elt it w hile t hey shine
,
.

As the young harper tries each quivering wire ,

It leaps a n d sparkle s w ith prophetic re ,

And with th e kindling song the kin dling r ays

, ,

Around his ngers tremulously blaze ,

T ill th e wh ole hall like thos e b les s d elds ab ove ,

,

G lo ws W ith the light of melody and love .

Soon as th e foaming demon h ears that psalm ,

H eaven on his memory bursts and E den s bal m ; ,

He sees the dawning of too bri g ht a sky ;

D etects the angel in th e poet s ey e

Wi th grasp c onvulsive ren ds his matted hair ,

Through his st ra in d eye balls shoots a en d like glare ;

- -

A nd ies with shrieks of a g ony that hall

, , ,

The thron e of Israel a n d t he breast of Saul ;,

E xi le d to roam or in infernal pains

, , ,

T o s eek a refuge from that sheph erd s strains .

The ni ght w a s m o on less z J ud ah s shepherds k ept

Their starlight w atch : their ocks around the m slept .

To h e ave n s blue elds their w akeful eyes w ere t urn d,

A nd to the res that th ere etern al b urn d

.

Th ose azure regions ha d been peopled lon g ,

With Fancy s c hildren by th e sons of song

,

And there the sim p le sh epherd conning o er
, ,

His h umble pittanc e o f Ch aldean lore ,

Saw in the stillness of a starry night

, ,

The Swan and E a g le Wing their Silent ight ;

A nd from their spangl ed pinions as they e w
, , ,

On Israel s vales of verdure sh ower th e dew

S aw th ere th e brilliant gems that n ightly are ,

, ,

In the th i n mist of Berenic es h air ;

 J OH N PI E RPON T .
2 57

And there Bootes roll his luc id wain

, ,
Ou sparkling wheels along th e etherial plain ;
, ,

j A n d th ere the Pleiades in tuneful gyre

, , ,

I
P ursue for ever the star studde d L yre -

And there W ith bickering lash he aven s Charioteer

, ,

i
U rg e roun d th e Cynosure his bri ht c areer
g .

W hile thus the shepherds wa t c h d the host of m ght ,

O er he aven s blue c onc ave a sh d a sudde n light
.

Th e unrolling glory spread its folds divine ,

O er the gre en hills and vales of P alestine
And 10 desc end i ng angels hoveri n g there , ,
S t ret c h d their loose wings and in the purple air,

,

Hung o er the sleepless guardians of the fold

When that high anthem clear and strong , and bold , ,

On wavy paths of trembling ether ra n

Glory to Go d Benevolenc e to man
P eac e to the world and in full c onc ert c a me ,

From s ilver tubes and harps of g olden frame

, ,

The loud an d sweet respons e whos e c horal strains ,

L ing er d and la n g uis h d on Judea s plains

.

Yon living lamps c ha rm d from their chambers blue ,

,

By airs so he avenly from the skies Withdre w ,

All al l b ut one that hung an d b urn d alone

, ,

And with mild lustre over Bethleh em shone .

C halde a s sages sa w t h at orb afar

,

G low un ex t in g ui sh d t was Salvation s St a r

.

Hear st thou that s olemn symphony that swells

,

And echoes throu g h Philippi s g loomy c ells ?

From vault to vault the he avy notes rebound ,

And granite rocks reverberate the sound .

Th e wretch who lon g in d un g eons c old and dank

, , ,

Had shook his fetters t hat their iron clan k ,

Might break the g rave like S ilenc e of th at prison , -

On which the Star of H epe had never rise n

Then sunk in slumb ers by despair o pp re s s d ,

And drea m d of freedom in h is broken rest ;

Wakes at the music of those me llo w strains ,

Thinks it some spirit and forgets his chains ,

.

T is Paul and Silas ; who at midnight, pay ,

To him of Nazareth a grateful lay .

Soon is that anthem wa fte d to the skies

An angel be ars it and a Go d replies ,
.

1 At that reply a p a le portentous ligh t

, ,

I
Plays throu g h the air then leaves a gloomier night
, .

Th e darkly totte ring towers the trembling arch , ,

V OL . 11 .
 JOH N P I ERP O NT .

Th e rocking w alls c onfess an earthquak e s march
The stars look dimly through th e roof z behold ,
'

From s a ron d ews and melting clouds of gold ,

Brightly unc urling on the dungeon s air

Free dom w alks forth serene from her loose hair ,

A nd every glistening feather of her wings ,

P erfu mes that breat h e of more than earth sh e in g s,

And W ith a touc h dissolves t he prisoner s c hains
,

Whose s ong h ad c ha rm d h er from c elestial plains .

T is ni ght ag ai n : for Music loves to steal
Abroad at night ; w hen all her subj ec ts kneel ,
In more profound devotion at her throne ,

And at that sober hour sh e 11 sit alone ,

, ,

U pon a b ank by her s eques t er d c ell

,

,

An d breathe her sorrows through h er wre athe d shell

gAgain t is night the diamond lights on high
.

,
B urn bright and danc e harmonious through the sky
,

And Silence le ads h er downy footed ho urs , -

R ound Sion s hill , and Salem s h oly towers

.

Th e L ord o f L ife W ith his few faithful friends

, ,

D ro wri d in mute sorrow down that h ill desc ends

, .

They cross the stream th at bathes its foot and dashes ,

Around the tomb where sleep a monarc h s ash es

,

And climb the steep wh ere oft the mi dnight air

'
,

R ec e ive d th e S u er e r s solitary prayer .

There in dark bowers in i b os o m d J esus in g s

,

,

H is h and c elestial o er prophetic strings

D isplays his purpl e robe his b osom gory , ,

His cr own of thorns his c ross his i nt ui e glory

, ,

And while the group eac h h a llo w d a c c en t gleamin g
, , ,

On pilgrim s s t aff in pensive posture le aning

,

Their reverend beards that s weep their bosoms wet , ,

With the chill dews o f shady Olivet

VV o n der and w eep they pour th e song of sorro w
, ,

With their love d L ord whose death shall shroud the morr ow, .

He avens I what a strain was that ! those matc hless tones ,

T hat ravish Princ edoms Domin ations Thrones , ,

That heard on high had h us h d those pea ls of pr aise,

, ,

That seraphs s well and harp ing angels raise

, ,

So ft as the w ave from S iloa s fount that ows ,
,
Thr ough th e drear Silenc e of the mountain ros e .

H o w s ad the Saviour s s ong ! how s weet ! how holy

T he last he sung on e arth how melancholy

Along the valley sweep the expiring notes
On Ke dro n s wave the melting m uSi c oats

 J OH N P I E RPO NT .

There through the clouds , stupe nd ous mountains ris e,

,

An d h it th eir icy foreheads to the skies

T here b lo o m in g valleys and s ecure retreats
,

Bath e all thy sens es in voluptuous sweets :

R eclining there b ene ath a ben ding tr ee
, ,
F raught with the fragrant labors of the b e e ,
A dmire with me the birds of varie d h ue
, , ,

That hang like owers of orange and of blue ,

,

Among the broad magnolia s c ups of snow

Qua l n g th e perfumes from those c ups that ow , .

B ut is all pe ac e b eneath th e moun tain shade ?

, ,

D o L ove and Mercy h aunt that sunny glade ,

And sweetly rest upon that lovely shore ,

When li g ht retires and nature smiles no more ?,

N o there at midnight the hoars e tiger growls

, ,

There the gaunt w olf sits on his roc k and howls

,

An d there i n painte d pomp the yelling Indian prowls

, , .

'

R ound the bold front of y o u proj ecting c li ,

'

Shoots on white W ings the missionary s s ki,

, ,

A nd walking steadily along the tide

, ,

S e ems like a phantom o er the wave to glide ,
, ,

Her light cymar unfolde d to t he bre eze ,

That breaks not, though it moves the mirror of th e se as , .

L o at the stern the priest of Jesus re ars

, ,

His reverend front p loug h d by the share of years
, .

He takes his h arp th e spiri t s of the air

Breathe on his bro w and m t er wea v e his hair , ,

In silky ex ure with the s ounding strings

,

And hark the holy missionary sings .

T is the G regorian chant wi t h him unites ,

On either hand his quire of n eo pli y t es

, ,

While the boat cle aves its liquid path along,

And w aters woods and winds protract the s ong
, , .

Those unknown strains the forest w a r whoop hush -

Hunts men and warriors from their c abins rush ,

Hee d n ot the foe that yells deanc e nigh ,
,

Se e not the de er that dash es wildly by ,

D rop from their hand the bow and rattling quiver ,

Crowd to th e sh o re and plunge into t h e river , ,

Breast the green waves the enchanted b ark that toss , ,

L eap o er her sides and kneel b efore the c ross

, .

Hear yon poetic pilgrim of the west,

Chant Music s prai se and to h er po w er attest

, .

Who now , in Flori da s untrodden woods ,

Bedecks , w ith vines of jessam ine, her oods ,

 J OH N PI E RPO N T . 2 61

An d owery bridges o er them loosely throws

Who hangs the c anvas where Atala g lows ,

On th e live oak in oating drapery shroude d,

,

That lik e a mountain rises li g h tly cloude d ,

Who for the son of O ut a li ss a t wines

, , ,

Bene ath the sha de of ever w hispering pines ,

A funer a l W reath to bloom upon the moss, ,

That t ime alre a dy sprinkles on the cross ,

R aise d o er the grave w here h is young Virgin sleeps ,

And Superstition o er her Victim weeps

Whom n o w the silenc e of the dead s urrounds ,

,

Among Scioto s monumental mounds ;

Save that at times th e musing pil g ri m hears

, ,

A cr umbling oak fall wit h the w ei g ht o f ye ars ,

T o swell the m a ss that Time and R uin throw ,

O er c halky b ones that mouldering lie belo w, ,

By virtues un e m b a l m d un s t a in d by crimes
,

L ost in those to wering tombs of ot her times

For w here no b ar d has c he rish d Virtue s ame ,

N o ashes sleep in the w arm sun of Fame .

With sacre d lore this traveller beguiles

His weary w a y while o er h i m Fancy smiles
,

Whether he kneels in venerable groves ,

Or throu g h the Wid e and green s avanna roves ,

His he art leaps li g htly on each breeze that bears ,

Th e faintest c a denc e of Idume a s ai rs

.

N o w he recalls the lamentable w ail

, ,

That pierc e d the sha des of R ama s palmy val e

Wh en Murder struc k throne d on an infant s bier , ,

A n ote for Satan s and for Herod s e ar

,

,

.

N o w o n a bank o erhun g w ith wa v m g wood

, ,

,
Whose falling leaves it o er Ohio s ood
,

T he pilgrim stands and o er his memory rushe s

Th e min g le d tid e of te a rs and bloo d that gushes , ,

Alon g the valleys Where his childhoo d s t ra y d

,

,

And round the temples w here his father p ra y d

.

How fondly then from all but Hope exiled ,

,

T o Z ion s wo rec urs R eligion s child

He sees the tear of J u dah s capti ve dau g hters

Mingle in silent ow W ith Babel s waters

, ,

Wh i le Salem s harp by patriot pride unstrung

, ,
W ra p p d in the mist that o er the river hung

,

,

F elt b ut the breeze that wa nt on d o er the bill o w,

,

And the lo n g s weeping n g ers of the Wi llo w

, .

And c ould not Music soothe t he c aptive s wo ?

But should that harp be strung for J uda h s foe ?
 JOH N PI E RP ON T .

Wh ile th us the enth usiast roams along the stre am,

Balanc e d b etwe en a revery a n d a dream ,

B ac kw ard h e springs and through his b ounding heart, ,

The c old and c urdling poison s eems to d art .

F or , in th e leaves b eneath a quivering brak e ,

,

Spinnin g his de ath note lies a co d ing snake ,

-
,

Just in the act with gree n ly v en om d fangs

,

,

T o strik e the foot th at heedless o er him h angs

,

.

Bloate d with r age on spiral folds he rides ;

,

His rough sc ales shiver on his spreading sides

D usky and dim his glossy nec k becomes ,

And freezing poisons thicken on h is gums ;

His p a rc h d and hissing throa t bre athes hot and d ry

A spark of h e ll lies b urning on his eye

While like a vapor o er his w rithing rings ,
, ,

W li irls his light tail th at threatens w hile it s ings

,
.

Soon a s dumb F ear r emoves h er icy ngers

From off hi s he art wh ere gazing w onder lingers ,
,

T h e pilgrim shrinking from a doubtful ght,

,

Aware of d an g e r too in s u dden ight, , ,

F rom his s oft ute throws M usic s air around ,

An d meets his foe upon e nch ante d gro und ,

.

S ee as the pl aintive m elody is ung ,

The lightning ash fades on the serpent s tongue ;
The uncoilin g reptile o er eac h shining fold

Thro ws changeful clou ds of azure gre en and gold ,

A s ofter lustre twinkles in his eye ;

His nec k is b urn is h d with a gloss 1er dye

His slippery sc ales grow smoother to the sight,

And his r el axing circles roll in light .

Slowly the ch ar m r etires with w aving sides ,

Along its tract the grac eful listener gli des
While Music thro ws her s ilver clou d around ,
And b ears her votary o ff in magic fol ds of sound , .

On Arno s bosom as h e cal mly o w s

, ,

And his c ool arms ro und Vallombrosa throws ,

R olling his c rys tal tide through classic vales ,

Alone a t night the Italian boatm an sails

, ,
-
.

High o er Mont Alto walks in maiden prid e

, ,

Night s que en h e se es her image on that tide ,
-

N o w ride the wave that c urls its infant crest,

,

Around his bro w then rippling sinks to rest ;

,

N o w glittering d anc e around his eddying o a r,

,

Whose every s we ep is ec hoe d from the shore

 JOH N PI E RPON T .

B u rns th e h ill an d down the val ley blushes ;

on ,

T h e m o un ta in bard in livelier numbers sings

x
,

While s unbe ams warm and g ild the c o n s c w us strings ,

An d his young b osom feels the enchantment strong ,
Of h g ht and j oy and minstrelsy and song
, , ,
.

From rising w orn the tuneful stripling roves , ,

Through smilin g valleys and religious groves ;

Hears there the ick ering blackbird strain h is throat,
,

H ere the lon e turtle pour her mournful note

, ,

Till night desc ends and round the w ande rer in gs ,

Th e de w drops dripping from her dusky w ings .

Far from his native val e and humble sh e d , ,

By nature s smiles and nature s music le d

,

,

This child of melody has thoughtles s s t ra y d,

Till darkness wraps him in her deepening shade .

The sc ene h e s mile d on when a rra y d in light , ,

Now lowers aroun d him W ith the frown of night .

With we ary foot the ne arest height he clim b s ,

C ro wn d with huge oaks giants of other times ;

,

W ho feel b ut fe ar not autumn s breath and c ast

,

,

T heir s ummer robes upon the roaring blast,

And glorying in their maj esty of form ,

Toss their old arms a n d challenge every sto rm ,

.

Belo w him oce an rolls de ep in a w ood

, ,

B uilt o n a rock a n d fro wning o er the o od ,

,

L ike the dark Cyclops of T rinac ria s isle

,

R i se s an old and venerable pile

G othic its structure onc e a c ross it bore ,

A nd pilgrims t h ro n g d to had it and a dore

.

Mitres and c rosiers a we d the trembling friar ,

The sole mn organ le d the ch anting quire ,

When in those vaults the mi dnight dirge wa s sung,

An d o e r the de ad a r equiesca t rung , .

Now a ll is still the midnight anthem hushd

,

The cross is c rumbled and the c rosier c r us h d ,

.

An d is all stil l P No : round those r a in d altars

,

With feeble foot as our musician falte rs ,

F aint w eary lost benighted and alon e
, , , , ,

He sinks all trembling on t h e threshold stone

, , .

H ere nameless fear s the youn g enthusiast c hi ll

Th ey re s up ers t i t ious b ut religious still

, ,

H e hears the sullen m urmur of the s eas ,

That tumble round the stormy Oreades ,

O r deep b eneath him he ave w ith boundless roar

, , ,

Their sparkling s urges to th at s avage shore

 J OH N PI E RP ON T .

And thinks a spirit rolls the weltering wave s

Through ri ft ed rocks and hollo w rumblin g c aves,
.

R ound the d ark windows clasping ivy clings ,

Twines round the porc h and in the sea breeze swm g s ;,
-

Its gr een leaves rustle z he avy win ds arise

The low c ells echo and the dark h all si g hs, .

Now Fancy sees t h ideal c anvas st ret c h d,

And o er the lines that Truth has dimly sk et ch d,

D ashes w ith hurrie d han d the shapes that y

Hurt led along b efore her frenzie d eye .

The scudding cloud t hat drives along the c oas t,

Becomes t he drapery of a warrior s g host ,

Who s ails serenely in his gloomy pall ,

O er Morven s woods and Tura s mouldering w all ,

T o join the feast of shells in O din s misty hall

.
,

Is that some demon s shriek so loud and shrill , ,

Whose apping rob es s w e ep o er the stormy hill

N o t is the mountain bl as t that nightly rages

, ,

Around those w alls g ray w ith the moss of ages

,
.

Is that a lamp sepulc hral whose pale li g ht ,

Shines in yon vault b efore a spectre w hite ,

No t is a glow worm burning g reenly there ,

-
,

Or meteor s wimming slowly on the air

, .

What mi g hty organ swell s its deepest tone ,

And Sighing he aves a low funereal moan , ,

That murmurs through the c e metery s glooms ,

And throws a de adlier horror roun d its tombs ?

Sure , some dread spirit o er the keys resides !

The same th at lift s these darkly t h un d hrin g tides

Or , homeless shivers o er an unclose d grave ;
,

Or shrieking off at sea b estrides the white mane d wave

, ,
-
.

Yes t is some Spirit that those skies deforms ,

And wraps in billowy clou ds th a t hill of storms .

Yes t is a Spirit in those vaults th at d w ells ,

Illumes that hall and murmurs in those c ells

, .

Yes t is s om e Spirit on the blast that rides

,

And wakes the eternal tumults of the ti des .

T ha t Spirit broke th e poet s m orni n g dream

,

L ed him o er woody hill and babblin g stream ,

L ured h is young foot to every vale that rung ,

And c h a r m d his ear in every bird that sun

With v arious concerts c h e er d his hours 0 light,

B ut kept t h e mi g htiest in reserve till night

Th en throne d in darkness p ea l d that Wildest air ,
, ,

F roze his whole soul and c ha in d the li s tener th ere

,

.

V OL . ii. 23
 JOH N PI E RPO NT .

Th at mighty spirit onc e from Teman came

Clouds w ere h is ch ariot and his c oursers ame ,
.

Bo w d the perpetual hills the rivers e d

G reen ocean tremble d to his d eepest bed

E arth shrunk aghast eternal mountains b urn d,
\

,

And his re d axl e t hun de r d as it turu d

.

O th o u dre ad Spirit ! Being s En d and Sourc e

0! chec k thy chariot in its fervi d course .

Bend from thy t hrone of d arkness a n d of re ,

And with o ne smile immortalize our lyre .

Amid the clou dy lustre of thy throne ,

Th oug h wreathy tub es unh eard on earth are blown,

, ,

Swelling one c easeless song of praise to the e ,

E tern al Auth or of E ternity !
Still ha st tho u st oop d to h ear a sheph erd play

To prompt his measures and approve his lay , .

Hast tho u gro wn old T hou who for ever livest !

, ,

Hast thou forgotten Thou who memory g ivest

, ,

How on the da y thine ark w ith lou d ac cl a im

, , ,

From Z ion s h ill to mount Moriah c ame ,

Beneath the wings of cherubim to rest ,

In a rich vail of Tyrian purple drest ;

Wh en h arps and cymbals jom d in e choing clan g ,

Wh en psalteries tinkled and wh en trumpets rang , ,

And white rob e d L evites round thine altar s a ng !

-

Thou didst d esc end a n d rolling through the crowd

, , ,

Inshrine thine ark and altar in thy shroud ,

And ll the temple with thy mantling clou d .

And now Almighty Fathe r well we know

, , ,

Wh en humble strains from grateful bosoms ow ,

Thos e humble strains gro w richer as they rise ,

And she d a balmier freshness on the s kies .

What thou g h no c herubim are here di spla y d,

N o gilde d w alls no c edar c olonnade

, ,

No crimson c urtains h ang around our quire ,

Wrought by the ingenious artisan of Tyre

No d oors of r on g olden hinges turn ;
No spicy gums in g olden censers burn
No frankincense in ri sn i g volumes shroud s
, ,

The frette d roof in aromatic clou ds ;

N o royal min strel from h is ivory throne
, ,

G ives t h ee his father s numbers or his own

If humble love if gratitude inspire

, ,

O ur strain shall sile nc e even the temple s quire

And rival Mic hael s tr ump nor yield to G abriel s lyr e

,

2 68 JOH N PI E R P O N T .

T HE P IL GRIM FATHE RS .

THE pilgrim fath ers where are they

The w aves that brought them o er

Still roll in the b ay an d throw their spray

,

As they break along the shore

Still roll i n the bay as they roll d that day
,

When the May Flower moor d below-

,

Wh en th e se a aro und w a s blac k wit h storms ,

An d W hite the sh ore with sn o w .

The mists that wra pp d the pilgrim s sleep ,
,

Still brood upon the tide

And his rocks yet keep their w atch by the deep ,
To sta y its w aves of pride .

But th e snow white s ail th at h e gave to the g ale

-
,
When the he avens lo o k d dark is g one
,

As an angel s win g throu g h an openin g cloud ,

,

Is se en , an d then with drawn .

The pilgrim exile sainte d nam e !

T h e h ill wh ose icy brow
,

R ej oic ed when h e c ame in the morn ing s ame ,

, ,

In the mornin g s ame burns now

.

And the moon s c old li g ht as it lay th at night

On th e hill side and the sea

-
,

Still lies wh er e h e laid his houseless he ad

But th e p ilg rim w here is he ?
~

Th e pilgrim fathers are at rest

When Summer s throned on high ,

And the world s warm breast is in verdure dress d,

Go, stand on th e hill Where they lie .

The e arliest ray of the golden day

O n that h allowe d spot is c as t ;
And the evening s un as h e l ea ves th e worl d,
,

L ook s kindly on th at spot las t .

The pilgrim sp irit h as not e d

It wal ks in noon s broad light ;

And it w atc hes the be d of the gloriou s dead ,

With th e holy stars by n ight , .

It w atches the be d of the br ave who h ave bled ,

 J O H N PI E RP ONT .

And sh all guard this ice b oun d shore , -

T ill the w aves of the bay where the May -F lower lay ,
,

Shall fo a m and fre eze no more .

wa n a n n
s ADD RE S S T O T H E AME RI C AN S O LDIE RS BEFORE ,

T H E B ATTL E o r B UNKE R H I L L . .

STAND the ground s your own , my b raves !

Will ye give it up to slaves ?

Will ye look for gre ener graves ?
H ope ye mercy still ?

Wh at s the mercy despots feel !
Hear it in that battle peal !
R ead it on yon bristl ing s t eel !
Ask it y e wh o w ill .

F ear ye foes who k ill for hire

W i ll ye to your hom es retire
L ook behind you ! they r e a re !

And b efore you se e

, ,

W h o h ave done it From the vale

On they c ome and Will ye qu ail
L eaden rain a n d iron h ail
L et th eir welc ome be

In th e Go d of battles trust !
Die w e may and die we must
But 0 wher e c an dast to dust
, ,

Be con s ig n d so w e ll

,

As Where heaven its dews shall she d

On t he m a rt y r d patriot s b ed

An d the rocks shall rais e the i r h ead ,

Of his deeds t o tell !

ON L AYIN G TH E C O RNE R ST ONE OF THE B UNKE R H IL L

M ONUMENT .

O , rs not this a h oly spot ?

T is the high plac e of freedom s birt h !

VOL I I
. .
0
7 JOH N PI E RPON T .

God of our fathers is it not

The holiest spot of all the earth ?

Q uenc h d is thy ame on Horeb

side
e
Th e robb er roams o er Sinai now ;

And thos e old men thy s eers abide , ,

N 0more on Z ion s mournful bro w

.

But on ib ia h ill thou L ord h ast dwel t,

'

, ,

Sinc e round its h e ad the war cloud c url d, -

And wra p p d our fathe rs wher e they knelt

,

In prayer and battle for a world .

Here sle eps th ei r dust : t is h oly ground

And we the children of t h e brave

, ,

From th e four W inds are g a t her d roun d

'

To lay our oerin g on their gr ave .

Free as th e Winds arou nd u s blow ,

Free as the w aves b elow us s pread ,

We rear a pil e that long sh all throw
,

Its shado w on t heir s acre d b ed .

But on their deeds no sh ade sh al l fall ,

While o er their c ouch thy sun sh al l ame

Thine ear was how d to hear their c all ,

And thy right h and sh all g uard their fame .

INDE P ENDENC E .

D AY of glory ! welcome d ay !
Fre edom s b anners greet thy ray

See ! h o w c he erfully they play

With thy morning breeze ,

On th e rocks Where i lg ri m s kn eel d ,

On the heights w squa drons wheel d,

When a tyrant s thunder p eal d

,

O er the trembling seas

.

G od of armies ! did thy stars

In their c ourses smite his c ars ,
Blast his arm , and wrest his b ars
 H E NRY PI C K ER I NG .

B ut e arth s green m antle , pra nk d with owe rs,

Is the c ouch where life with joy reposes ;

And heaven gives down with its light and showe rs ,,

T o regal e them fruits ; t o dec k the m, roses

,
.

And while openin g owers in such b e auty spread ,

And ripening fruits so gr ac efully swing,
Say n ot 0king as you j ust now said ,
, ,

That beauty or grac e is a wo rthl ess thin g .

This W illow s limbs as they b end in th e breeze ,

,

The dim ple d fac e of the pool to kiss ;

W ho that has eyes and a h e art, b ut s ees
,

Th at there is beauty and grac e in th is !

And do not th ese b oughs all whis pe r of Him ,

Whose smile is the li g ht that in gre en arr a ys th em ;
Who Sitteth in peac e o n the w ave they skim
, , ,

And wh ose breath is th e gentle w ind that sways th em ?

And ar e not the be auty an d grac e of youth ,

L ike those of this willow the w ork of love ,

D O they not c ome like the voic e of truth

, ,

That is he ard a ll around us here from above

Then say not wis est of all the kin g s

,

That have risen on Israel s throne to reign !
Say not as on e of your wisest things
, ,

That grac e is fals e , and beauty vain .

H E N R Y P IC K E R IN G,

Is a resident of Salem M achus

g ,

T imothy P ickering We h ave met with th e n am e of this

.

gentle man b ut rec ently H is poetry is perhaps t oo much of

.

th e ol d school t o s uit the taste of the d ay He is , ho weve r,

, .

a poet , and his works will doub tless surviv e much th at is

re ad and admired more , at t he present moment .
 H E NRY PI C K E RING . 2 73

One of th e charac ter istics of a poet, we apprehend to b e ,

an imagination which perc eives the beauties of nature , but

never perceives them alone as the moon has its h alo and th e ,

rainbow its imitation so to him has eve ry leaf and ower and
, , ,

wood and waterfall some ass oc iate d c ounterp art Such an

, , .

imagination is a mirror which c atches the forms of nature and

, ,

reects th eir m or al resemblances as the lak e gives to th e eye

a duplicate o f the landscape , more beautiful th an that which
blooms along its border .

We think the s pecimens which follo w, will show their a u

thor to b e possesse d of this master talent of a poet in a high
degre e of perfection If the re ader is dispose d to b e crit i
.

c al he may perhaps observe a n occasional w ant of music i n

,

the v ersica t io n The writer also is t oq partial to blank

.
, ,

verse ; 8 vehicle not generally suite d t o oth er than great

.

subj ects If Mr P ick ering were to write under any very

stro ng sense of responsibility t o public opinion , he woul d
e asily re move the defects we h ave notic ed .

T O A B EA UTIFU L L AKE .

BM in a vision of th e b arbarous past,

W
I s aw upo n thy mar g e a wil d eye d rac e -
,

And startle d heard the yell

, ,

That echoed round thy shores !

And n ow enchanted with the picture fair

, ,

Which F ancy h olds to Vie w I fain woul d blend

,

The murmur of thy w aves ,

And w arblings of my l ute .

Transluc ent ood within thy ever pure

And stainless breast the heavens with wonder vie w
,

As beautiful a h eaven ,

As tranquil and serene

2 74 H E NRY PI C K E RI NG .

The while a new creation spre ads around

,

Hills pile d on hi lls see m laugh ing in thy wave ,

,

And groves inverted nod , ,

To lik e maj estic groves .

'

And w hat if o er thy brink no frowning cli s

Impend no cloud tipt mountains as with w al l
-
,

Ins uperable fenc e ,

The e from the northern blas t,

Yet dost thou scornful moc k its utmost forc e ,

And rui a n winter s r udest breath defy
F iercely he sweeps along ,
*
But may not ch ain thy w ave .

And still exulting with the danc ing spring ,

Thou seest new b e auties deck thy so ft domai n ;

A nd whe n from summer s g aze

The earth dej ected shrinks ,

Th o u sprea d st thy dazzling bosom to th e s un

While pleased anon with A utumn s rainbo w hue s

, ,

And mournful shell thou b idd st ,

Thy waves wild music make .

In that glad moment when the star of m orn ,

L e ads up the e ulg en t day and liqui d pe arls

Are on the owers and tho u ,

In snowy mist art wra pp d,

How have I stood delighted to b ehold , ,

The sun , like a young deity look forth ,

And with a glanc e thy fac e
, ,

At onc e again u nvei l !

And wh e n the golde n c urtains of th e west

Are gath ering round his c ouch and his l ast , my
D esc ending see ms to melt ,

In thy u n ruf ed o o d,
How h ave I rivetted my eye on thee ,

And wish d that on my breast a he avenly gle am

Seneca L a k e is not k n own t o free e. z

 H E NRY PI CK E RI N G .

Th e rustling noise should inte rrupt th e deep

And fearful stillness round T is thus amid

.

The forest wilds when Autumn crowns as now , , ,

Th e plenteous ye ar and the gay a ntl er d herds ,

L ook sleek t h e unwearie d h unter threads his way ,

,

And W ith a step , cautious as Guilt purs ues ,

T he timid chase But wh at shall I al arm .

In thes e des erte d haunts where none of choic e ,

R epair save those whom wretchedness h a s taught,

,

After long to il to see k for refuge here ,

The mole has b urro w d deep and heeds me n ot ;

,

The bat has ta en his headlong ight in S earch

Of gentler skies , or nestles in some lone

And c o ver d n ook ; while at my feet sleep those ,

Whom not t he crash of worlds shall w ake again !

H ah ! is it so ? and wilt not thou awak e ,

My dear lamente d Daphne ? Shall that form

, ,

That form s o he avenly fair ne er bloom again ,

Thy dust al as ! is not commingle d h ere

,

With kindre d dust ; but doth it au ght avail

L o ! where r epose the long forgotten r ac e
Th e len g t h en d line of thy pro g enitors

Whilst thou o erc a n o pied by b almier h e avens ,

,

Bene ath th e tamarind and the orange tree

Fit resting plac e h ast found N 0 w inter ther e
Shivers the g lories of the circling year ,

Nor tarnishes the l ustre of the groves

Thy favorite myrtle there c an never die
Th ere every gale wa fts perfumes o er thy grave !

Ah W hy mid scenes thus fair shoul d man dec ay ?

,

,

With lavish b ounty nature there adorns

Th e Wild and bids the owers perpetual bloom ,
,

A nd yet to him a longer d ate denies ,

Nay warns him thenc e be fore his c ust om d tim e

,

.

An d s uch , m y Daphne wa s thy hapless lot ! ,

And wors e for thou w ast fated twic e to die

And t wic e in th e full vernal bloom of youth
T h e c up at o rtin g bitte rer than D eath s

H o w wast t o n torn all lovely as thou wast , ,

A nd be a uteous too as Maia s self w hen ush d

By genial b e ams of th e young s un from a rms ,

U n w illing to b e loosed from thine ! l l o w o w d

Thy t ears whe n every tenderer tie h ich boun d
w

Th e e here w a s s u nder d ! And how t hrob b d thy he a rt

,

Whe n in a l as t embrac e , t was p ress d to mine

,

 H ENRY PI C K E R IN G . 2 77

But years sinc e th at sad parting have go n e by ,

And years have own sinc e thou w ast rapt to heaven

Yet how c an I for g et or thou forgive ?
True thou didst oft invite me to thy home ,

Didst b ec kon me amid thy fr agran t groves

To taste Of golden fruits and blissful breathe ,

Thy inc en ed air and dearer far enjoy

s
, , ,
Thy converse sweet but, such my wayward mood ,

I sp ur n d the c all (though so ft er not than thine

An an gel s voic e ) or thou g ht, as worldlings do

,

At tting h our to come Th us w isdo m s fool d .

,

And th us was I infatuated too .

My Daphne ! art thou t hen for ever ed ?

0onc e again appear as thou wast wont !
Thou sm i lest in my dreams and when I w ake ,

I pay thee wit h my late repentant tears :

Tears are t hy due ah doubly due from one ,

On whom thy infant eyes be em d only love
Whom thou rem em b er ds t to t hy latest b reath
'

F L O W E RS .

La v ue du ne eu r ca resse m o n im a g i na t on i ct a t t e m os se ns a n u p o i n t in
ex p rim a b le : ll
e e re v ei ll e a v ec v l up t
o e le s en t im e nt do m on e x i s t en ce .

i
J l ad . R ol a n d .

impatient morn
THE ,

With gladness o n hi s w in g s c al ls forth Arise ! ,

To trace th e hill s the v al es Where thousand dyes

, ,

The ground a dorn ,

W hile the dew sparkles yet Within the Violet s eyes

And when th e day

In golde n slumber S inks with accent swe et ,

Mild evening comes to lure th e W illing feet

With her to stray ,

Where er the b ashful owers th e observant ey e

m ay greet .

Near t he moist brink

Of music loving streams they e ver keep
-
,
And oft en in the luci d founta in s peep ;
VOL . i i . 24
 H E NRY PI C K E RI N G .

Oft ,
laughing drink ,

Of th e mad torrent s spray , p erc h d near the thun derm g steep

And everywhere
Alo n g th e plashy marge and Shallow b e d ,

Of the still waters they innumerous spread ;

,

R oc k d gently there

The b eautiful N y m p hie a* p illows its bright head .

Within the dell ,

Within the rocky cle ft s they love to hid e ;

And han g adventurous on the steep hill Side -

Or rugge d fell ,

Wh ere th e young e agle waves his wings in youth ful pride .

In the gre en se a
Of forest l eaves wh ere nature wanton plays
, ,

They modest bloom thou g h throu g h the verdant maze

Th e t ulip tre e -

Its golden chalic e oft triumphantly displ ays

And of pure white

, ,

E mbedde d mid its g lossy leaves on high ,

There the superb Ma g nolia lures th e eye ;

While w a v m g li g ht
, ,

Th e loc ust s myriad tassels sc ent the ambient sky .

But O ye bowers , ,

Ye valleys Wh ere the spring perpetual reigns ,

And owers un n umb er d o er the purple plain s

E xuberant showe rs ,

How fancy revels in your lovelier domains !

All love the li g ht ;

A nd yet Wh at n umbers spring W ithin the Sh ade ,

And blossom where no foot m a y e er invad e ;
Till comes a blight ,

Comes unaware and then inc ontinent th ey fade !

,
-

And thus they bloom ,

And thus their lives ambrosial bre athe away

Thus ourish too th e lovely and the gay

*T he w h it e p on d
-
l ly
i .
 H E NRY P I C KE R I N G .

*
T O T HE F RINGIL L A ME L on rA .

J or lls th e val e ,
W ith joy ecsta t ic quivers every wing ,

As oats thy note upon the genial gale ,

Sweet bird of spring !

The violet
Awakens at thy song and peers from out ,

Its fragrant nook as if the season yet

,

R emain d in doubt

While fro m the r oc k

Th e c olumbine its crimson b ell suspends ,

That c areless vibrates as its slender s talk

,

The zephyr bends .

Say ! when the blas t

Of Winte r swept our whit en d plains what clime ,
,

Wh at sunnier re alm thou cha rm dst and how was past

,

Thy j oyous time ?

Did th e green isles

Detain th ee long ? or mid th e palmy groves
,

Of the bright South where liberty n ow smiles ,

,

Did st sing thy loves ?

0well [ know
,

Why thou art here thus soon and why the bowers ,

So near th e s un h ave lesser c harms than now

Our land o f ower s

Thou a rt ret urn d
On a glad errand to rebuild thy nest,
,

And fan anew the gentle re that b urn d

Within thy breast .

And thy w ild strain ,

Bour d on the gale is love s transporting voic e

,

That c alling on the plumy c hoir again

, ,

Bids them rejoic e

I
f T he son g-sp a rro w .
 H E NRY PI C K E RIN G . 2 81

Nor calls alone

T enj oy but bids improve the eeting hour

,

Bids a ll that ever heard love s Witching tone

,

Or felt his power .

The poet t oo
It so ft invokes to touc h the tremblin g wire ;
Yet ah how fe w its soun ds shall list, ho w few
,

His song admire

But t hy sweet lay ,

Thou darlin g of the spring ! no ear disdains

Thy sage instruc tress nature says Be gay
, ,

And prompts t h y strains .

0if I knew
,

L ike
thee to S ing like thee th e h eart to re
, ,

Youth should enchante d throng an d beauty sue ,

To hear my lyre .

Oft as year t he
In gloom is wra p p d thy exile I shall mourn

,

O ft as th e sprin g returns shall hai l sin c ere

,

Thy glad return .

T HE WATE RFAL L .

IM P E TU OU S Torrent ! Nature p iled

Thy rocks amid the sylvan Wil d
With o wer an d shrub their c rags she grac ed ,

An d throu g h them thy d ark path w ay traced

Then bade thee with resistless forc e
Pu rs ue thy mad tumultuous course
, ,

P lungin g from slippery steep to steep

Till lost in the profounder de ep ,

Wh ile mid the rush of w aters roun d

,

E t ern al thunders shake the ground !

Impetuous Torrent ! Time perhaps , ,

For c enturies hath m a rk d thy lapse

VOL . ii . 2 4*
 H E NRY PI C K E RI N G .

Yet has th at r uthl ess spoiler fear d

To mar the work whic h nature rea r d
.

Still in r u de grandeur to w er thy rock s,

Still all restraint thy c urrent mocks ,
In verdant pride still w ave thy trees ,
S wa y d ever by the varying bre eze ;

And the dark cli ffs where wild owers c ling, ,

And Where the b e e ies murmur ing ,

In matchless bea uty rob ed still

Aye sets at nought the painter S skill .

And here upon t hy margent green ,

Th e Indian hunter onc e w as seen ,
G azing on thee in thou g ht ful mo od,
O r bounding s wi ft as he pursued ,

Panth er or deer across th e glade ,

Nor rec k d the 001! thy waters made

.

Child of the Forest ! thou art ed ,

Thy joys thy pastimes all are spe d ;

, ,

The a n t ler d h erd ar e far away

,

The panther is no more t hy prey ,

Nor more th e timorous E c h o wakes ,

Startled a s w hen thy war whoop bre aks -

And yet in Fancy s Vie w still near

Tho u brightly art depicte d here .

The roc k that spurns the rush of w aves,

Is t li y stern soul th at dan g er braves ;
,

Amid the o o d s inc essant roar

Thy dre aded voic e I h ear onc e more ;

And as I m ark its mad dening s
I think o er all thy stormy life

While through the sp ray that falls in Showe rs

U pon the trees th e shrubs the owers
, , ,

That Wil d bright he aven s o d ear t o thee ,

, ,

In y o u ethe real brede I see .

Impetuous Torrent ! other times

A nd othe r men from distant climes ,

Have now arrive d a n d th ou des p oil d

Of all t hy charms thy proud waves soil d,

By b usy a rt shalt be a theme

,

Fit only for a poet s dream

.

Yet should the forest sh ade n o more

The banks o er which it w ave d b efore ,

And all thy lovelier features t o o

Vanish for ages from the vie w,
 H E N RY P I C K E R I NG .

Wheels heavily throu gh air the gloriou s hu e

Of the bright mantle summer lately t hrew

O er earth is gone and the sere leaves now choke
,

The turbid fountains and c omplainin g brooks ;

The o e rsh a do win g pines alone through w hic h I rove ,
, ,

Their verdure keep although it darker looks

,

And h ark as it c omes sighing through the grove ,

The exhauste d gale a Spirit there awakes ,

That wild and melancholy music wak es .

THE RAINB O W AF TE R A S UMME R TE M P E ST .

S Y MB O L of peace ! 10 there th e ethereal b ow !

,

And see on agging wing the storm retreats

, ,

Far mid the depths of spac e ; a n d with him eets

His lurid train the while in beauty glo w

V al e hill a n d sky onc e more How lustrous n ow
, .

E arth s verdant mantle ! and the woods h o w bright !

Where g rass leaf ower are sparkling in the ligh t

, , ,

P rompt ever with the slightest breeze to thro w

The rain drops to the ground Within the grove .

Music a w akes ; and fro m e ach little throat ,

Silent so long bursts the Wild note of love

,

The hurried babblings of the rill denote

Its infant j oy ; and r ushing swi ft along ,

Th e torrent gives to air its hoarse a n d louder song

, .

E VENING S U N L I GHT .

How beautifully soft it seems to sleep

U pon the lap of the unbreathing vale ,

And wh ere un rul e d by the gentlest gale

, ,

The lake its bosom spre ads an d in its deep ,

Clear w ave another w orld appears to k eep

, ,

T o steal the heart from this 3 for throu g h the veil

Transparent we may see tree rock h i ll dale , , , , ,

And sapphire sky and golden mountain steep ,

,

That real seem though faire r than our own

,

Still picture faint of that pure region dr awn

,
 H E NRY C K NI GH T . .

By prophet s pe n b ut not to mortal shown
, ,

Where ow rivers of bliss a n d vale , and lawn

Are strewn with o wers immortal where alone , ,

Night never c omes and day is without dawn

,
.

H E NR Y C . K N IG H T ,

Is a native w e believe of R owley in Massachusetts He

, ,
.

wrote th e C y pria d and other poems publishe d in 180 9, and a ,

furth er c ollection in two v olumes pub lishe d in 182 1 ,

.

T HE COUNTR Y OVEN .

I e e the oven glowing fruitful them e ,

.

Happy for me that m ad Achilles foun d

, ,

And weak U lysses erst, a servile b ard ,

That de ig n d their puny feats else lost, to s in g

,
.

And happy that JE n ea s feeble man ,

Fell in t o hands of less emprise than mine
Too mean th e subj ect for a h a rd s o high .

Not D ante Ariosto Tas so dared

, , ,

Sport their gross minds in such grand element .

Nor he dame nature s master j ourneyman ,

,

-

Who nimbly wrought a c omic trag edy ,

As poet woos a muse one S ha ks p e a re c alled !

,

Nor Milton who emb attled Devi ls sung ;

,

Nor bold Sir Blackmore who an Epic bu ilt, ,

Quick as can mason rear a chimney stac k ;

N or later these Klopstoc k and Wieland famed
, ,

Who s ung this King of E lves that Kin g of kings

, ,

D a t ed the proli fic Oven blaze in song .

E xpect not n o w of Furnac es to hear,

Where [ E olus dilates the liqui d glass ;
Nor w here the Hollanders in nests of tow , ,

With mimic nature inc ubate their eggs ,

For the Domestic Oven claims my powers .

Come then from kilns of ame and tropic suns,

, ,

E ach sal amander Muse , an d warm my brain .

$2 86 H E NRY C K N I GH T
. .

Need I describe P Who b ath a kitch en seen ,

And not an arched c oncavity c all d O ven ?

G rand farinac eous nourisher of life !

S ee h ungry gape its broad mouth for its food,
And hear the faggots crackling in its j aws ,

Its palate glowing red with b urning breath .

Do not approac h too near ; the ingulphing draught

Will drink your respiration ere you list .

G lance n o w the re j ambs round and there obse rve -

,

U tensils forme d for culinary use .

Shov el and tongs like ancient man and wife, ,

He with his ar ms a kii nb o she in hoops

, , ,

Th ere dangling sausages in chains h a ng dow n ;

,

As S cienc es and Arts distinct allie d ; , ,

Or as in U nion bound our S ister State s

,
.

H ere ayed eels strung pendant by th e w aist ;

, ,

So s wm g aloof victim s in h eathen c h i nes

O Al g ier hearts ! to mock at writh in g pain .

And high in smok e wreaths ponderous ham to cure ;

,
-
,

So may eac h traitor to his c ountry han g

And thic k on nails the hous e w ife s herbs to dry ;
, ,

C olts foot for pipe and spearmint for a tea

,
.

U pon the hearth t h e shril l lunge d cri cket c hirps

,
-

Her serenade not waiting to b e p ress d
, .

And Sue pokin g the cin ders smiles to point,

, ,

A s fond associations cross the min d ,

A g allant ring or ticket fa s hio n d there

, , ,

.

And purring puss her pied coat lick e d sleek ,

,
-

Sits mousing for the crumbs beside blac k J ack , .

He c urious drone with eyes and teeth of white ,

, ,

And natural curl who twenty falls hath seen

, ,

And c annot yet c ount four l nor ever c an ,

Though tas ked to learn u ntil his nose be sharp , .

T is marvel if h e thinks b ut when he spe aks
, ,

E ls e to himsel f why m utter loud and stran g e ,

, , ,

And scold and laugh as h al f a sc ore w ere by ?

, ,

In shape a n d p arts a see d of C al iban ! ,

He now is ro as ting e arth nuts by the c oals -

,

An d his s m g clams like martyrs moc king pain ;

,

And sizzing apples air lanc ed with a pin ; ,

-

While in the embers h ops the parching c orn ,

Crac k ! c r a ck ! disploding with the he at, lik e bo mbs .

Craunching he squats and grins and gulps his mu g,

, , ,

And shows his pompion shell , with eyes an d mouth , -

 F . 8 . KEY .

Yet seldom he a r we Industry complai n ;

And no one should complain who hath t wo eyes , ,

T wo hands and mind a n d b ody soun d and free

, , .

An d such their p owers to w orthy ends applied

, ,

Be pleased , indulgent P atroness to feed , .

F. s . KE Y,

OF Baltimore is the auth or of the short lyrical piec e enti

,

tie d The Star Spangle d Banner which has enj oye d a high
-
,

popularity Of the occ asion whic h le d to the c omposition of

.

these lines the following account is given A gentleman h ad

, .

le ft Baltimore with a ag of t ra c e for the purpose of getting

, ,

released from the British eet a friend of his who ha d been ,

c apture d at Marlboro He went as far as the mouth of the
.

P atuxent, and was not permitte d to re turn lest th e intende d ,

attac k on Baltimore should b e disclosed He was therefore , .

,

brought up the Bay to th e mouth of the P atapsco where th e ,

ag vessel was kept under the guns of a frigate a n d h e was ,

c ompelled to witness the bombardment of Fort M H en ry which

,

the admiral had boaste d that he would c arry in a few hours .

He watched the ag at th e Fort, through the whole day Wi th ,

an anxiety that c an b e more e asily conceived than described ,

until the night prevented him from seeing it In the night, .

h e watche d th e bomb shells , and at ea rly dawn his eye was ,

a gain gre eted by the proudly w aving ag of his c ountry .

S TA R S P ANGLE D B ANNE R
. .

O ! S AY c an you see by the dawn s early light,

, ,

What s o proudly we h ail d at the t wilight s last g lea m in

Whos e b o a l stripes and bright sta rs through the p erims

gg lit
, ,

,

O er th e ramparts we wat ch d were s o gallantly str eamin g ?

 F . 5L KEY .

And th e rockets re d glare t h e b ombs burstin g i n air

, ,

G ave proof through the night that o ur ag w as still there ;

0! s ay do es th at S t ar spangle d Banner yet w ave
,
-
,

O er the land of th e free and the home of the b rave

,

On the shore di mly seen through th e m ists of the deep ,

W h ere the foe s h aughty host in dread silenc e reposes ,

W h at is th at which the bre eze o e r the to w er i ng steep ,

As it t fully blo ws h alf c onc eals half discloses ?

, ,

Now it catc hes the gleam o f the morning s rst b e am
In full glory re ecte d now shines on th e str e am
T is the Star span g le d Banner 0! long may it wave
.
,
-
,

O er th e lan d of the fre e and th e home of the brave

,
.

An d w here is that b and who so vauntingly swore

Tha t the h avoc of w a r a n d the battle s confusion,
,

A home and a country should le ave us no more ,

Their blood h as w as h d out their foul footsteps p ollution

.

N O refuge c ould s ave the hireling and slave ,

From th e terror of i g ht or the g loom of th e grave

, ,

And th e Star span g l e d Bann er in triumph doth w ave

-
,

O er th e lan d of the fre e , and the home of th e brave

.

0! th u b e it ever when fre emen shall stand

s ,

B etwe en their love d h ome and the war s desolation ,

,

Blest W ith v ic t ry an d peac e may the Heaven resc ue d lan d

,
-

P ra ise th e Power that h ath m ade and preserv ed us a nation .

Then c onquer we must, when our c ause it is j ust ,

An d this b e our m otto In God is ou r t rus t

And t he S t ar spangle d Banner in triumph s hall w ave
-

O er th e land of the free , and th e home of th e brave .

V OL I L
.
 K ATH A RIN E A W A R E . .

K A T H A R IN E A W AR E :
.

Ma s WA R E is the daughte r o f th e late Dr Joseph W .

R hodes of R hode Island Sh e w a s born at Quincy Massa

.
,

c husett s . Her rst attempts at vers e attrac te d the notic e of

her kinsman R obert Treat P aine and the prais es which she ,

receive d from h im inc ite d he r to follow her incli n ation for

poetry Th e e arliest production of h er s that attrac ted pub
.

lic notic e was a poem entitle d Columbia s Bard w ritten at

,

,

the age of fteen and publishe d on the d eath of Mr P aine

, .

Thes e lines were include d in th e volume of his w orks whic h

appe are d after his de ath From this period to th e time of her
.
,

marriage with Mr Charles A Ware of th e U nite d State s .

,

Navy we h ear little of her poetry exc ept some triing c on

, ,

t rib ut ion s to the c orners of a n e w spaper Shortly a fter this .

event, she wa s c alle d upon by a c ommittee for a n ational ode

for the anniversary o f the s evente enth of J un e Th e favor s .

ble rec eption which this ode rec eived c ause d her to b e c en ,

s t an t l
y s olicite d for oth ers on public occ asions a n d in several
, ,

instances she c omplied Bostonians well re memb er the cir

.

c um s t a n ce of a little girl of ve years old wh o presented a , .

wreath and a copy of vers es to L afayette at his arrival on ,

Boston Common ; this w a s Mrs Ware s eldest ch ild .

D uring a year s residenc e in New York Mrs Ware b ec am e ,

favor ably known as a w riter for th e Americ an Atheneu m , and

rec eive d many liberal tokens of approbation from the editor
of that paper and others ,
She was complimented also with
.

a gold chain from the manager of the Chatham Th eatre for

, ,

an ode whic h was rec ite d in honor of G overnor Clinton at t he

c anal c elebr ation .

In Janu ary 182 8 sh e c ommenc e d a periodic al publication

, ,

in B oston c alled The Bower of Taste In this an d other .

,

similar works, h er verses have been given to th e public .

 K AT HA RIN E A W AR E .

Wh ere time is ranging with remo rs el ess tread ,

Ami d the trophies of the m ighty de ad ,

There Greci a s genius h overs o er th e sc ene

,

O f ruin d grande ur g lories that ha ve been

Views the vast wrec k of power With k indling ey e,

An d kneels b eside the tomb of Poesy .

Where fame s pro ud relics strew her classic ground ,

In gloomy maj esty sh e glides around ,

P ausing W ith rapt devotion to s urvey

, ,

The prostrate splendors of her early day .

Thos e ancient c ourts where erst with wisdom fraught,

,

Her s enate listen d and her s ages tau g ht ;

,

W here that hol d patriot rm in virtue s c aus e ,

,

Th e immortal Solon t hun der d forth his laws

,

Th e te mple raise d to Th eseus mighty name

Th e stori ed arc h of Hadrian s de athless fame !

R aises h er eye to where with beam divine , ,

Apollo bl ush d upon the Delphic shrine

As how d that chief to le arn a nation s fate ,

,

W ho gave his royal life to s ave th e state ,

.

With prid e sh e s eeks D o do n a s sacre d grove ,
,

Wh ere to w ers the temple of imperial Jove

,

Frowning in ruin d maj esty sublime

,

,

The proudest wreck that braves the blast of time

S hows the broad Stadium where th e gymnic art, ,

N erved th e young arm and ener g ize d the he art ,

G ave a bold rac e of w arriors to h er el d ,

Whose godlike c ourage was their only shield !

S urveys that grot, wh ere still her olives twine
I n W i ld luxurianc e o er its falle n shrine

Where Dian s vestal daughters c ame to lave
Their snowy b osoms in Ionia s w ave
.

All dark and tuneless are those laurel shades ,

Whic h onc e enshrine d C a st alia s classic maids

For barbarous h ands h ave raise d their fun eral py r e

And hush d the bre athings o f th eir seraph lyre
Save when the li g ht of heaven aroun d it plays ,
And wakes the h allow d chant of other days !

O h 1 then mid storie d moun ds and mouldering urns

,

, ,
O nc e more t h e ame of inspiration b urn s !
,

Here pilgri m Genius c omes to muse around

, ,

T o w ake one strain o er c onsec rated ground !

From prostrate fanes and altars of decay , ,

He learns th e glory of their former day

And , in the tender blush of twilight gloom,
 K ATH ARI N E A WA RE . . 2 93

He writes the story of some r a in d t omb
Fr om dark oblivion snatc hes m any a gem ,

To glisten in his own fair diadem .

I m morta l Byron ! t hou whos e courage pla n n d ,

T h e rescue o f that subj ugate d land

Oh h adst thou live d t o rear thy giant glaive ,

Thou ds t bid the C hristian cross triu mphant wave
Ma rk d the pale cresc ent wave mid s eas of blood

,

And st a m p d proud Gre cia s freedom in the ood

.

But, Oh ! t wa s fate s dec ree thou shoul d st e x pire

,

Swan like amid the breathings of thy lyre

-
,

Ev en in t he s ac re d light of thine o w n song

As sinks the glorious s un amid the thron
Of bright robe d clouds the page antry 0 He aven ,

Thy last retiring beam t o e arth was given .

Wh ere Sc ro s isle blushes w ith Christian gore ,

And recreant ends still yell around her shore
Where Missolonghi s bloo dy plain extends
,

Mid war s red blots Athena s Queen desc ends

,

.

Mark where sh e comes in all the pomp o f wo

,

D arkli n g around her sable vestments o w

With throbbin g bosom in the tempest bare
Wild on the breeze oats her un wreathe d hair
, , ,

Th ough le arnin g s classic diade m is there

.

Where fate s dark clou ds the face of h e aven defor m

With ste ad fast brow she meets the bursting storm ,

Turns to Olympus with imploring eye ,

And claims the aegis of her native sky .

H ark ! round its b as e t h eternal thunders roll

And Jove s o w n li g htnings ash from pole to pole

H is voice is t her e he bids cre ation s ave

Mi n erva s rst b orn from a barbarous wave

, .

THE P AR T I N G .

SE E love d him e en in ch ildhood with that pure ,

Devoti on whic h the bosom feels s ecure

,

In youthful innoc enc e w hen rst the heart

E lects its idol sacre d and apart
,

From other b eings z oh there is a truth ,

A b eam that w akes n ot wh en the glow of you t h

,

Is pas t t is like the ray th at morning throws, r
,

U pon the bosom of t h e bl us hing rose .

VO L . 11. 2 5*
2 94 K A THARI NE A WAR E . .

She was a creature such as p ai nters love

To draw h ke h er who to imperial Jo ve
,

Th e nec t ar d goblet b ore j ust s uch an eye ,
An d s uc h a ch ee k was h ers its rose ate dy e
S ee m d b orro w d from the morning her bright hair

L ike braide d gold w rea t h d roun d a brow as fair

As P arian m arble all thos e curv in g lines

Th at mark perfection and which taste d enes
As b eautiful gave to h er youthful for m
,

A loveliness a grace s o thrilling warm

, ,

Th at every motion se e m d to speak a soul

Whose inborn radianc e illume d the whole .

H e too w a s in life s j oyous spring the glo w

,

Of s unny h ealth wa s on his c he ek his brow -

Was bold and fearless his k ee n ea g le eye ,

Was looking forth to sc enes of Victory

For Wa r h ad plume d his c rest and n erved his arm
And there was breat hing r ound him all the c harm ,

Of high devotion to his c ountry s w e al

VVli i ie th e bright panoply of g old and ste el , ,

That m a il d h is breast and a s h d upon his brow

G ave proud ass uranc e of t he soldier s v o w

.

9t 96 it

H e dre a m d not that he love d her for in truth

He knew the child e en from her earliest youth

.

O ft had he lo o k d upon the youn g E l o ise

As a s w e et being w hom h e wish d to ple as e

To g ather roses for and braid her hair , ,

To guard h er w ith a brother s ten der c are

But never dr ea m d of love for h aply h e ,

H ad x d hi s hopes on h igher des tiny

.

With prid e h e heard h is summon to th e eld

Yet h a d Ji is heart its s ec ret thou g hts re v e a l d,
,

Some shades of s adness had been lingering the re ,

On le aving home and friends a n d sc enes so fair
, ,

H e c ame to bid a die u t wa s a mil d n ight

Of s oftest m oonshine a n d its de wy li g ht

Was on th e shrubs a n d o wers that b lo o m d around ,

And ther e was music in the soothing sound

Of the bri g ht rill th at m urm ur d th rou g h the gl ade

,
And sparkled neath th e Willow s pensile shade

,

Th e s ummer breeze was si g hing th rough its bo ug h s

In whispers so ft as youthful lovers vo ws
,

.

She was reclining in the lattic e d bower

M us ing a s t were upon the stilly ho ur
,

.
 S AR A H J . H AL E .

MR S HA LE b orn at Newport, N ew Hampshire Octo

w as ,

b er 2 4t h , 1790 Her h usb and David Hale , E sq die d in 182 2

.
,
. .

Her rst w ork wa s p ublishe d i n 182 3 It was a volume of .

po ems s elec ted mostly from articles written for amus ement in
ye ars previous The nec essities of a fath erless fam ily mad e
.

h er an auth or Th e prots o f her volume howe ver w ere n ot

.
, ,

suc h as to encourage her to p urs ue the voc ation an d she c on ,

t em pl a t e d no further e nterprise of a litera ry character , b ut th e

failure of all her other attempts to s upport her family c om
p elled her onc e more to appear b efore the public In 182 7, she

p ubli she d N ort hwoo d a novel in t wo volumes , whic h was
,

v ery favorably received Sinc e that period , sh e has c ont .

ha t ed t o many of the periodical s of the day souveni rs & c , ,

.

b oth prose an d vers e the latter under the signature o f C or

,

nelia In Janu ary 182 8, she undertook the editorship of the

.

L adies Ma g a z in e p ublished in Boston where she n ow resides

.
, ,

It gives u s pleasure to state , th at her talents hav e be en so well

appreciated that her e fforts to provide for her children h av e
,

thus far b een crowne d with s ucc ess .

F AT HE R
S *
T HE e n o rC E .

Now y as ies the rushin g w ind

,

U rge urge thy l agging stee d !

,

Th e sava g e yell is erc e behin d ,

And l ife is on thy spee d .

In t he y ea r 1697, a ody of ndi a ns a t t a c ed t he t own of a erhi , Ma ssac h u

b I k H v ll
set t s , k ll i i v
i ed a n d ca rr ed n t o c a p t i it y fo r t y i n h a i t a n t s b
p a rt y of t he n di a ns . A I
i v l
a p p roa ch ed t he h o us e o f a n n di id ua , wh o wa s a ro a d a t h is b
a bor , b ut w h o , l
on i
t he r a p p roa c h , h a st e n ed t o t he ho use , se n t h i s c h il d en
r o ut , a n d o rdered t hem

t o y in a c o u rs e o p po s it e t o t ha t i n w h i c h da ng er w as a p p roac hin g . He t hen

m oun t ed h is h orse, a nd det erm i ed t
n o s n a t c h u p t he c h i l d wit h whic h he was un
'

lli ng t o p a rt , w hen he s ho ul d ov ert a k e t he l t t l oc k W he he

i e . n ca m e up to
 S ARAH J H AL E . .

And fr om those dear ones make thy choic e

Th e group h e wil dly eyed ,

When father ! b urst from eve ry v eice,
And child his heart r ep h ed .

There one th at now c an share his toil ,
s
An d one he me ant for fame ,

And one th at w e ars her mother s smile ,
And one that be ars her n ame .

And on e w ill prattle on his kne e ,

Or slumber on his breast ;
An d one whose j oys of in fancy ,
Are still by smi les e x p ress d
.

They feel no fear while h e is w ar

He ll shield them from th e foe
B ut oh h is e ar must thrill t o h e ar
Th eir shrie kings , should he go .

In vain his quivering lips would speak ,

No w ords his thou g hts allow

There s b urning t e a rs upo n h is chee k ,

De ath s m arble on h is brow .

And twic e h e sm ote his clenc he d hand

Then b ade his children y
And turu d a n d even that savage band

,

C o wer d at his wrathful eye

.

S wi ft as th e lightning win g d with death,
F la sh d forth the quivering ame

Their erc est w arrior bows b ene ath

Th e father s dea dly ai m .

t hem , a bo u t tw
h undred y a rds fro m h is h o use, he w a s un a e t o m a e a c h oice ,
o bl k
l v
Or t o ea e a n y on e o f t h e n um e r b
H e t here fo re det e rm i ned t o ta e h is lot w i t h
. k
t hem , a n d defen d t he m fro m t heir m u rdere rs , o r di e b y t he ir s ide. ody o f Ab
I
t he n d ian s p urs ued , a n d ca m e up W it h him a nd w he n a t a s ho rt d i s t a n ce , ed
r

on h im a nd his l ttl
i e co m p a n y . He ret u rn ed t he re , a n d ret rea t ed a t ern a l t e ly
st i ll , h owev er, k ee p in g a reso ut el fa ce t o t he en e m y , a n d so e ffec t ua lly she l t ered
hi s cha rge, t ha t he na lly l od
ged t hem a ll sa fe i n a dis t a n t ho use .
2 98 S ARA H J . HAL E .

N ot th e wild cri es th at rend th e skies ,

,

His heart or purpose move

H e saves his children or h e dies ,

Th e sacric e of love .

Ambition goads the conqueror on ,

Hate p om t s the murderer s brand

But love and duty thes e alone

,

C an nerve the good man s hand

.

Th e here may resign th e eld ,

The c oward murderer e e
He c annot fear he will not yield
, ,

Th at strikes , swe et love for the e , .

They c om e they c ome h e h eeds n o cry ,

,

Save the s oft childlike wail ,

O fat h e r s ave !
,
My chil dren y ,
Were mingle d on th e gale .

And firmer still he drew his breath ,

And sterner a sh d his eye
,

AS fast h e hurls the leaden d eath ,

S till shouting , c hildren y

NO shadow on his brow a pp ea r d,

Nor tremor shook his frame ,

S ave wh en at in t erv al s he h ear d

S ome trembler lisp his name .

In vain th e foe those ends un ch ain d,

,

L ike fa m is h d ti ers chafe

The sh eltering roogis n ea r d, is g a in d,

,

All all the de ar ones safe !

,

T HE
'
v rc r O R s

C ROWN .

A C ROWN for th e victor a crown of light

F rom a land w here the owers ne er feel a blight ,
 T H E L IGH T OF H OME .

MY boy thou wilt

,
dr ea m t h e
world is fair , .

An d thy spirit will sigh to roam ,

And t he n m ust go but never when there ,

Forget the light of home .

Thou gh ple asure may smile with a ray mor e bright,

It d azzle s to le ad astr a y
L ik e the meteor s a sh t Will de epen th e night,

When tho u t rea de st the lonely way .

But th e h earth of home h as a c onstant ame ,

And pure as vestal fire :
3
T will burn a w ill burn for ever th e same
, , ,

For nature fe e ds th e pyre .

Th e se a of ambition is tempest tost ,

And thy hopes may vanish like foam ;

But w hen sails are shi ve r d an d rudder lost,

Then look to th e light of home .

An d there , like a star through the midnight cloud ,

Tho u sh alt s ee the b eacon bright ,

For never till shining on thy shroud ,

,

Can b e quen c h d its holy light .

The sun of fame t will gild the name ,

But the h eart ne er felt its ray ;
An d fashion s smiles th at rich ones claim ,

Are but be ams of a wintry d ay .

And ho w c old and dim those b e ams must b e ,

Should life s wretched wanderer c ome !

But my boy when th e world is dark to the e ,

,

Then turn to the light of home .

T HE GIF TS .

L AD Y , I v e c limb

d
th e mountain side ,

And roa m d the owery le a,
 S ARAH J . H ALE . 0
3 1

And th e garden s glowing pride ,

g ath er d

An d the rose and 1i in so ft bands tied ,

A garland meet for thee .

O the wre ath is fair but fairest owers

They fa de too e asily !
And they fol d their le aves at evening hours ,

And they droop and die w hen the tempest lowers ,

Then o ffer not owers to me .

L ady ,earth s richest mines I v e sought,

And s ea rc h d the de ep blue sea

,

Where coral caves are w ith g ems in wrought ,

An d these diamonds pure a n d pe arls I ve brought, ,

As tting gi ft s for thee .

0those are g i ft s th e gre at demand

, ,
They are o er d on bended knee


,

With a grud g ing heart by the servile b and ,

A tribute or bribe to the tyrant s hand ,

Then o ffer not pe arls to me .

L ady ,this glitte ring star to gain ,

The pric e of vic tory ,

I rush d upon the battle plain

,

And trac ed my path by the heaps of slain

This star I ll pledge to thee
.

O titled fame an airy word

, ,

A puff of v anity !
Ah think what crimson streams are po ur d
,

,

That man w eak man may be h a il d a L ord !

, ,

The n o ffer not r ank to m e .

L ady,I have a heart as pur e

As the birthright of the free
And the faith I v o w w ill for aye endure ,

And m y love as o w ers to the spring is sure

This heart I ll give to thee .

O ,is now thy w ords have power to move
t
My warm tears speak for me
For on earth b elo w or in heaven ab ove , ,

The richest g i ft is the h eart of love

And here s a he art for thee !

VOL . II .
 0
3 2 SARA H J H ALE . .

THE M OTHE R T O HEB . C H ILD .

ON E kiss my boy upon t hy cheek

, ,

Th at ch eek so young and bright,

And onc e again I d hear thee spe ak

Thy so ftly li sp d good ni g ht .

Th en rest and not a shade of earth

,

C an cloud thy slumbers fair ;

Dark dreams from worl dly c ares have birth ,
An d thou h as t nought of care
0why might not life s silver tide
.

With thee thus ever smoothly gli d e !

Who gazes on the bloom of May ,

Nor sighs that all will w ither ?

And yet t he blossoms must de cay
E re w e the fruit may g a ther ;
An d life s sweet mornin g bu ds of j oy

L ike sprin g o wers s oo n depart ;

-

An d thou must ch a nge yet wear my boy , , ,

L ife s freshness in thy heart .

P ure feelings like the o w er s perfume

, ,

E m b alm the memory of its bloom .

Man s lot dominion o er the earth

,

Maketh his sine ws strong ,

An d that proud lot W ill lea d thee forth

All ardent mid the throng .

L ife s on ward path is wra p p d in night,

'

And dangers are its fame

Ambition holds an eagle i g ht,
And spurns at quiet s name
,

And pleasure s siren songs entice ,
And owers c onc eal the precipic e .

O wilt thou wander then my boy ,

Away ! ye idle fe ars ,

W hy shroud our sun of present j oy

l n clou ds of future years

There s One will watch thee though I sleep
Where morn ing never shone ;
Th ere s O ne thy falterin g steps c an keep

,
W ouldst t hou His voic e w ere known ?
T li e n l i st amid the w orld s wide din

The still , sm all voic e thy heart within .

 E N O C H L I N COLN .

In early spring when showers increase its tides

, ,

And melte d snows pour down the mountains sid es ,

I v e seen it raging boisterous and deep , , ,

O er o w its b anks and through the upland sweep

.

Th e farmer s hopes the lumberer s hard ea rri d th ri ft,

,

L ogs bridges booms and boats were all adri ft ;

, , ,

Trees fenc es el ds whate er opposed its cours e

, , ,

,

Were torn and sc a t t er d by the o erwhelm in g force

.

L oose d from the fold to crop the tender feed ,

The hungry ock w ere grazing on the m ead .

Th eir s avin g Ararat a triing mound , ,

Sec ure d them from the deluge spre adin g round ,

Till taught n o more to let the stragglers roam

, ,

Th e c areless shepherd bore them to their h ome .

An d then from spouting clouds no longer fed

, ,

Our littl e Nile ret urn d Within its bed

.

Along its borders spreading far and wide , ,

The tall straight pines appear on every si de

,
.

To thes e thic k woods the har dy laborer goes ,

And re ars his sheltering tent amid the s no ws ,

His c ouch the hemloc k s t wigs his household ware

, ,

A j ug and b asket ll d with simplest fare

.

Ye who indulge in indolence and ease

, ,

Whom spleen invades and moody vapors seize ,

To whom e ach day an age of trouble seems ,

Whose nights are w akeful or dist urb d by dreams,
Observe the happy quiet of his rest ,

And learn like him by labor to b e blest

, ,
.

Ye bloate d epic ures dise as e s prey ,

Who waste in vile exc ess your lives away ,

Observe his frugal board be wise at length , ,

And gain like him from temperanc e health and stren g th

, , .

Th e frosty boreal blast th e pelting storm , ,

Solstitial s uns or seasons mildly w arm

, ,

The western bree zes or th e southern air , ,

Alike to him wake not one passing c are

, .

W th nervous arm h e w ields the keen edged axe ,

i -

And plies ane w eac h day untired attacks ,

Till by his strokes th e forest le v eli d round

,

With prostrate trunks and branches heaps the ground .

Th e oxen faithful sharers of his t orl

, ,

Drag to the river s brink the he avy s p orl ,
Thenc e o a ted downward to th e d istant mart ,

And change d from Nature s form to w orks of Art

.

But not alone the lofty pine trees fall ,

The ax e unsparing strikes alike on all .
 E N O C H LI NC OL N .
0
3 5

N ow a rich treasury of golden grain ,

F e w moons h ave wa x d and waned S inc e yonde r plain ,

A sh ady solitude a drear retre at , ,

Had scarc ely known the print of h uman feet .

When j oining hand in han d w hat charms imparts

, ,

The potent touch of L abor and the Arts .

Plan ted by them the sweetly sc ente d rose , ,

On dreary W ilds in blooming be auty grows ; ,

The el ds w here famine rei g n d or W il d be asts ranged ,

,

By th em to people d village s are change d .

Their a id invoked With no retar ding fears , ,

His c um b er d land the sturdy y eo ni a n clears

.

F ell d by his strok es the forest prostrate h es

,

Its Vital sap t he g lowing s ummer dries ,

An d last t he bonres burn the boughs c onsume , ,

And sprea ding ames the hemisphere illume .

The fres h n i n g bree ze s fan the gro w ing bl a ze

Be ar the light sparks and cloudy c olumns rais e , ,

And Whirl t h e storm of rushing re along

O er li g hte d hills and crac klin g vales amon

,

Swi ft y the birds as spre ads the ruin roun ,

Th e fri g hted reptiles h ide within the ground ,

And a ll the forest tribes g r ow wi lder at th e sound .

But see y ou simple hut of structure rude , ,

Of unplane d boards c ontrived a n d logs un hew d

Th e t h re a t n in g res pursue their blasting way ,

And the lo w fabric falls their certain prey .

Alas t was P overty s last hope the place

,

Wh ere d welt Contentment W ith her sister, P eac e .

A h ! Charity thou comfor t er of W 0

, ,

Wipe now the tears from Misery s eye that ow '

Thou Angel Almoner of pitying heaven ,

N ow let t hy treas ures of relief b e given ,

T ake to thy bosom the poor ch ild of need ,

The houseless shelter and the hungry fee d ,

By blessings w in g d their prayer shall make its way

To h eaven s high Chanc ery ; there w rll Go d r epay

.

More sacre d than the Th underer s chosen oa k

,

L et n o t the maple feel the woodman s stroke

.

F air maple honors purer far are thine

Th an Venus myrtle yields or Bacchus Vine ,

M inerva s olive c onsecrate d tree

, ,

Deserves n ot half the homage due to the e .

The q ue en of trees thou proudly t o w er st on high , ,

Yet wa ve thy l unb s in grac eful pliancy

'

V OL II. .
 E N O C H LI N C OL N .

On yonder river s bank , aroun d thy ro ot,
The closely in t erwea v m g bres shoot,
And numerous branches spreading far a n d wide ,
Swiftly the Wind , strongly must r ush the tid e
T o overthrow thy deep and stately stre n gth ,

And on the strand to meas ur e out thy length .

F rom every t wig of thee as blows the br ee ze , ,

Fly the ri p e g erni es the little embryo tre es ,

,

And fo rm d W ith e ac h a win g by Nature s c are ,

'

Float lightly quivering i n the p a s s m g air

, ,

Or d ropping fall upon the s t re am and o w

, ,

W ith rich alluvion and to forests grow

,
.

F air maple let thy le aves my brows su rround ,

And laurel wreaths I trample on th e ground .

Th e su ffering N egro in West Indian Isles ,

Soothe d at thy name amid his sorrow smiles

, ,

Hope s c he ering rays disp el his g loomy c are

,

And tinge W ith d a wning light his deep despair .

Do not our 8011a n d frosty clime insure

Sweets as salubrious exquisite a n d pure
, ,

As those which b urning suns or humid ai r ,

With swarming insects ll d and slaves prepar e

?
,

They do ! our blest N ew E ngland s fruitful s orl

R equires n o c ulture by a servile t o ri ;

No master s torturin g lash o ffends th e e ar

N o slave is n o w nor ever shall be here .

Whene er h e steps upon our sac re d elds

Th eir guardian G enius an asylum yields ,

H is c hains drop from him and on R eason s plan , ,

H e claims the gi ft o f G o d, the rights of man .

9! it 96

E nou gh of
m ountains rocks and woods an d , , ,

We turn our Vie w to more instructive themes :

Th e v a ried landsc ape let us c eas e to scan ,

An d strive to sketc h the qualities of man ,

Whilst from th e c amera of the faith ful brain,
We paint th e littl e Village of the plain .

L et others trac e a more extensive vie w ,

And di fferent sc enes w ith h igher aim pursue

L et the m b ec ome famili ar With the gre at ,

An d ope t he hidden mysteries of state ,

O r m arc h W ith conquering armies a n d r ehe arse
Th e de eds of heroes in the epic verse :
My lo wly subj ects humble r strains invite ,

And chec k the Fancy s more aspiring ight

 E N O C H LI NC O L N .

Who sang th e lovely Dido s h apless fate

,

An d let the strains of s atire all be sung O ,

From bitter J uv en al down to p un g en t Youn g ;

Thos e female worthies s t ill s hall live in fame ,
And honor s h aloes c ircle every name ;

Still sh all the virtues of a c ountless crowd

P roclaim the bards malicious false and proud , .

The foul inj ustice of their pens to show ,

P roofs l iving proofs full many h ere I know

, ,
.

And no w forgive ye fair if bold and r u de ,

, , ,

The muse unbid den on your homes intru de ;

T is not to dra you to the c ommo n gaze ,

g
F or modest merit s hin ks from public prais e

T is not with a t t ery s syc ophantic g uile

, ,

To s mooth a frowning brow or win a s mile ;

But t is to pay the hom age whic h is due ,

T o Truth to Be auty Innoc enc e and you

, ,
.

Some c oul d I name wh o never fail t o please

,

By manners j oining dignity an d ease ;

Strictly c orrect in everything they s ay ,

In Virtue s b alanc e every act they weigh

,

And while to all the m a d d uties tru e ,

G ood their deligh t and h eaven their ho p e ful vie w .

E ven watching envy not a fault c an nd ,

B ut o wns th em pure of h eart and ric h in mind
C ensure is d umb while families and friends
,

R evere those virtues whic h the world c ommends

, .

Thric e happy b e by F o rt u ne h ig hly b less d

,

,

By such as husband loved or chil d c a ress d,

, ,

And whom th e ties of marriage or of blood , ,

H ave made th e guardian angels of his good .

Ye men of p leas ure roving W i ld and gay ,

, , ,

Can la wless riot th es e pure j oys repay

Say which through life s great voya g e will rather
, ,

L ove s furious w hirlwind or its gentle breeze ?
Say W he n enj oyments h ave the s enses p ali d ,
,

And un im p a ss wn d R eason is rec all d

To h old again her abdic ated throne ,

Do you not fe el a b a n don d and alone ?

When on your spirits moody s orrow w eighs ,

Wh en on your heal th destructive sic kness preys ,

When on your rights invade malignant foes ,
Assail your fame and stab at your repose ,
,

Surely n o gre ater good by pitying heaven

C an , in its vast b enecen c e, b e given ,
 E N OC H L IN C OLN . 0
3 9

Than one t he friend in all the scenes of life ,

,

The kind c ompanion and the lovin g wife , .

Yet truth must o w n suc h para g ons are rare ,

And few so good so lovely a n d so fair , ,
.

Though frequent quarries may the earth u nfold ,

Yet ra re are diamonds or the mines of gold
So we perc eive the mas s of human kind ,

Though fair in spots is rough and unrened , .

Those b less d W ith b eauty and by Virtue loved ,
Of manners p olis h d and of taste improve d
,

Are precious g ems midst barren mountains foun d,

,

Where dre ary wastes and fro wn i ng cl iffs abound .

T is happily c ontrived th at man is made

With tastes an d po wers of every varying shade .

Henc e every one the other s wants subserves

,
And each her own peculi ar prai s e deserves ,

As well the house wife neath the humble roof

,

Fly in g the wheel and labo ring warp a n d woof ,

As the g a y charmer mistress of the heart, ,

Who plays in hi g her li fe a bri g hter part .

But she above all competition to wers

W ho adds to other g i ft s high mental powers .

96
X X
'

But man wild active versatile and bol d

, , , , ,
What pen his various nature c an unfol d ,
Depict his actions c harac ter and mien , , ,

An d dramatize the v ast a n d changeful sc ene !

Behold him here the Villa g e for h is stag e
, ,

Th e scenery Nature an d t h e plot the Age , ,

L ife s tra g i comic subj ect for the Play

-
,

And Actors of all stamps from g rave to gay, ,

From b ustling struttin g pompous loud and v ain

, , , , ,
To simple merit s large a n d lo wly train

.

Think n ot the moment lost as these w e sc an , ,

For the b est study of mankin d is man .

First c omes the lawyer ; t is an h on or d n ame

,
A title g lorious on the roll of Fame ,

Too dear for w ealth w hich birth c annot best o w , ,

Or attery w reathe around a lordlin g s brow ;

A title from the fane of Scienc e b orne ,

By weary vi g ils e a rn d by wisdom worn

, ,

Of import vast in w hich the honors blend

,

Of honor s champion and of free dom s fr iend ;

Yet J ustice fails the sacred name to s ave

From profanation of the fool a n d knave ,

Who j ack da ws still the peacock s po mp ass um e,
, ,

And strut in pride with half a p il fer d plume

.
 E NO CH LI NC OLN .

4
G

P rompt with demurrers , skilful in abatements ,

To circ umvention t ra in d and h old in statements ,
,

E ac h v illain s hireling use d by every knave ,

Of meanest wretches even a meaner slave ,

To rob too co w ardly too proud to steal , ,

The pettifogger preys on public weal ,

And m akes some J ustic e a c o m m issm n d fool , ,

F or pal try a ims a secret legal too ] ,

Or deeper c heats to gain hi m larger fees, ,

P erforms by quibbles sophistry and pleas ,

.

As princ es h ee dless whether wrong or right,

,

Their forc es sell in foreign wars to ght ;

So he for fees or popul a r applause
, ,

Fits out his arguments for any c ause ,

L ike hirelin g Hessians still enlists for pay,

Nor c ares wh o falls or conquers in the fray .

Does L aw s plai n letter stare him in the fac e

Its spirit then must take the letter s place
B ut if the spirit shall oppose his aim ,

Th e letter then must perfect reverenc e claim .

His declaration do clear proofs deny ,

Does R eason give his sophistry the lie

'

The n R eason s false a n d not to be b elieved ,

And every witness perj ure d or dec eived .

If not withstanding h is absurd haran g ues

, ,

N eglect attends him or d ark want o erh a n g s

,

Fictitious in dorsees his c osts may s w ell ,

Or clients under par their n otes may sell

Or if by clients wh om his fi a uds have w aru d
, ,

Avoided fe a r d despised a b horr d a n d s corn d,

,

, ,

,

Yet may his m alic e rob some w ealth y foe ,

Whilst perj ury aids to lay the Victim low .

If ven g eanc e urge or avaric e allure ,

No virtue s s afe and n o estate s ec ure

.

O er your whole life the never sleeping spy

-
,

Whilst memory notes directs his p ie rc m g eye , ,

A nd if perchanc e With c areless fe e t y o u stray

, ,

From la w s o ft doubtful a n d much W in din g way,

At once the Villain dead to honest shame , ,

U rges his bloo dhounds on your wealth and fame ,

T urns pimp to c atchpolls and w ould take with j oy ,

From off a b a n man s han ds his Vile employ

When bless with soul a n d gi ft ed With a mind ,
And s uch there are we honest la wyers nd , ,
Those whose high o f c e i s to guard t he laws ,

And vindicate from wrong the righteous c ause ,

 E NOCH LIN C OL N .

In other c our t s to vi ndic ate h is right ,

Th e aggrieved defendant, n o w on fortune s wheel ,

Still by reviews new trial and appeal

, , ,

Through every change of law is wh i rl d around

,

And whirls and chan g es still b ut gains n o groun d ,

.

At last his wealth by fritters worn a way

, ,

By lawyers fees a n d witnesses in pay

,

Through long delays although he Wins hi s c aus e ,

He falls beneath the b ulwark of the la w s

Yet blame not them themselve s most Wise and pure ,
,

But those who use them to oppress t he poor

They r e speculators usurers a n d knaves
, , ,

And thos e wh o condescend to be their slaves ,

O n who m should rest t h accumulate d weight

,

Of private an g er and of public hate .

ee ie

Yet O ! beware of P a rty Spi rit s rage ,

The course of direst ills to every a g e ,

The lowering cloud o er free dom s brilliant star ,

Heavy With ruin black w ith c iVi l wa r

,
.

As where in deserts of Arabian lands p

Some gushin g spring spouts up amidst the s ands ,

It s d ewy fres h ness fee ds the towering palms ,

And clothes the spot With all of Nature s charms
B ut when the hot Sirocc o rushes by ,

The withering beauties c atch th e blast and die

So ni ids t a w orld of tyranny and dread
,

,

Where bloomin g Free dom droops its owery head ,

In this blest l and its blushing honors blow

, ,

And ripening fruits in rich luxurianc e grow

But Party Spirit s pestilential power

Wilts t he fair growth and blig hts the charming ower,

While factious fe u ds and unfor g iving h ate
Waste half the Civil honors of our state .

The Ins and Outs a constant w arfare wage ,

With all the malice of vindictive rage ,

With all the ardor avaric e i nspii es ,

And all amb ition s stimulatin g res

.

To either s 1de u n n um b e i d follo wers throng

,

Some right in motive most in action wrong

, ,

Assailants erc e accoutred c ap a pie

, ,
In pri de s and prej udice s panoply
'

With loud declaiming demagogues at head ,

Or n o w and then perchanc e by statesmen led
, , ,
R esolved thoug h c o n quer d still to scorn to yield ,
,

,

They take W ith clash of ar g uments the eld

 E N O C H L INC OL N . 3 13

Truth tilts with Error and she hurls amain

Her forc eful w e a pons b ut sh e hurls in vain ,

On Folly s ma i l they fall with th un dering sound

,

An d bl unte d fall un hon o r d by a wound

.

X
'

Some m eanly selsh a more ve nal cre w , ,

With nought but po we r or riches in their View ,

While frownin g Virtue inter dicts in vain ,

U s e basest means the favorite e n d to gain .

At patriot merit slander s sha fts they aim

With vac ant h ea ds and noisy ton g ues declaim ,

Decry the states man pu ff the stupid knave , ,

Support the traitor stigmatize the brave, ,

C all w is dom folly honor s self defame
, ,

Discolor truth and everythin g misna m e .

And why ? Forsooth a rival to disgrac e ,

To win a salary or to steal a plac e .

9t 9? 9t

Aloof th e P atriot eyes t he sc ene belo w

, ,

With c alm contempt or with in dignant g low .

His wide philanthropy s preads unc on ned ,

Beyon d a P a r ty s b ounds to all mankind

His liberal mind a general syste m frames ,

And in that syste m knows no private aims ,

No Views to s elf no patrona g e of friends

, ,

N o mean c ontrivanc es for paltry ends .

No factious tumults move his stea dfast soul ,

No lures entic e h im a n d no threats c ontrol ;

,

Through changing times midst a ll the sc enes of

,

As stern as J ustic e a n d as x d as Fate

,

,

H e stands s ublime and nobly stems t he storm

Of Folly s rage a n d popular alarm

,
T ill a ll his greatness by the world c o n fess d
,

,
F ea r d by the vicious by the good c a ress d

, ,

He meets at l ast the meed h e s p urn d to claim

,
The unsought prize of o fce and of fame ;
Yet ofc e adds to him no higher grac e ,

T is h e reects his brightness on his plac e .

Diffusive blessings wi dely swel l a roun d ,

And public we al with party spoils is c ro wn d

.

Ye virtuous yeomen guardians of the land , ,

Be yours the he art the ever re ady han d
, ,
S uch worth to aid such wisdom to select
, ,
Such truth to shiel d s uch honor to protect, .

What tho ugh no gay a rni orial s declare

VOL .

J OH N c . M CALL .

O f title d knaves th at h e s t h e legal he ir ?

His r ank is rst by Heraldry of heaven ,

T o whom the powers of intellect are given .

Wh at thou g h no pomp his humble state allows ?

He s truly ric h Wh om virtue s w ealth endo ws

Plac e d on th e level w here your fortunes rest,

H e knows your wants he fe els w hen you re opp ress d,
,

E nj oys your good participates your pains

, ,

Sinks as you fall and as you pr osper gains

, .

S uch your wise choic e in happy union ble nd

, ,

The servant s tatesman patriot and friend

, , , .

Your forms of government by Wisdom given , ,

H ave met t he approving smile of favoring he aven .

Your rightful h eir posterity dem a nds

,

Your s ainte d sires e nt a ilin e nt at your hands

0guar d it w ith the Vestal s sleepless c are

.

And leave it eve n more perfect and more fair .

J OH N c. MC A L L ,

Is a native of Ph iladelphia an d rec eived an educ ation for

,

the b ar b ut we understan d is n ot at present engage d i n

,

practic e . He is k nown as the author of Th e Troub adour ,

The C on dot t ier Fleurette and other s mall poems

, , Th e .

rst name d of these is th e only one w e have h ad an opp ort u

n it y of seeing It h as many passages of ric h and gra ceful
.

d escription which dispose us t o think highly of the author s

,

poetic al talent We mus t add that this poe m is marked by

.
,

some of the strangest metric al anomal ies that h ave ever

c ome in our way Mr M C a ll we are informed writes onl y
.

,

for amusement and does n ot seem to bes t ow the nec essary a t

,

tention upon the more m echanical department of poetry We .

sh ould b e gratie d to see him put forth his strength u po n a

work of highe r ch aracter , with a studie d and perseverin g
e ffort
.

J OH N c . M CALL .

W hich , intertwined in light and meshy ring s ,

L ike feathers on the bir d of E den s Win g s
.

Onwar d h e c ame and o er his bac k w a s slung
,

A h ar p and fro m his gr a c eful shoulde rs hun g

The gar b that poets of the ti me then wore ,

While nature s ric hest noblest stamp he bore ,

Of light etherous on h is open bro w ,

Though something sad w a s on h is features now .

H is port was suc h as ladies love to Vie w ,

H aught a n d chivalric yet besides there gre w

A poet s s adness o er h is speaking fac e ,

That pale d his front, b ut stole no Single grac e .

9t it is

In Bryan s hall t he revels were b egun

,

Many a heart had n o w be en lost and won .

Blazing with light the ric h and festive room ,

With scorn shut out the c oming night s dull gloom

.

Th e pride of F ranc e and c hivalry h a d met ,

And Wins ome ple asure w a n t o n d Without l et

T he j oyous lau g h fro m lip to li p w ent round ,

And sens e ench ante d drank th e thrilling sound .

it ia it

Th e moon h eld pal e dominion o er th e scen e ,

While light and e e c y clouds we re oft betwe en

Her and the e arth in all th eir beauty s een ,

Alt ring th eir vaporous forms and s ailing on

,

Th eir magic ch anges h ardly s e e n ere gone ,

V eil ing th e silve r g rac es of that orb ,

Whos e modest c harms all other charms absorb .

A b ugle s c all then soun ded from the gate

.

Th e warder en t er d a n d With fe udal state

, ,

W hisp er d his lord wh o c ri es thro w ope the door ,

And let us w elc ome g re et the Troubadour ,

He c omes with skilful h arp and s o ft n i n g lay ,

Ne er to suc h guests c an c ou rtly kni g hts say nay

.

Th e doors ew open and W ith grac e ful mien , ,

Th e Minstrel en t e r d in his g arb of green

In wild luxurianc e o er h is front t h ere p la y d

Th ic k clustering l ocks that even black er made

,
Th e sw arthy hu e that da rke n d i n his fac e
,

An d lent his ashing eye a gloomier grac e

While in the lowly ho w h e ma de aroun d ,

More of the knight than peasant there wa s found .

N o w c ease d the lively danc e a n d dames drew near ,

The h arp s full tone and m elody to h ear

.

Then lowly be nding o er the strings he run g

A wild a nd mournful p rel ude ere b e s un g .


J OH N c . M CALL .

X

With wilder d eye the lady Ella stood ,

Wa t c h ing the Troubadour as thou gh she w oul d

R ecall some w ell kno w n air or former tone-
, ,

Sha do w or light t hat o er his fac e h ad own

.

It is and yet it c annot b e that air !

And yet his bro w was wont to b e s o fair .

That voice and I should s ure b e well acqua int .

it -
ia -
x~

The Minstrel wa t c h d th e ch an g es of h er thou ght ,

And when the w arm and w ell known g lanc e h e c aught, -

L ike E g y pt s statue kis s d by golden beams

f mantlin g morn n e w w ak in g from her dreams , -

A full harmonious pe al of music thre w

,

From chor ds melodious so ft as summer de w .

H e c eased and bo wing lo wly onc e again ,

Th e melting ec hoes of his wondrous str ain ,

Bo rne on the bosom of the eve ni n g breeze

Died m i d the sha do ws of the dis t ant tre es .

Then came a burst of rich and noble prais e ,

The poet s choic est mee d for all his lays

From pleasure beaming eyes and lips wh ere smiles

-
,

With w ildest sporting un g a roun d their Wiles , .

O er one fair fac e the hue of j oy w a s thrown ;

With lustrous g l adness e very feature shone .

She lo o k d he r thanks b ut truste d not her voic e

, ,

Content in bliss ful silenc e to rejoic e .

With c ourteous grac e his thanks the Baron mad e ,

And turning to h is gl ittering menials b a de ,

Them bear th e g ol d embosse d beak er near -

,

Then ple dged his guest and every high b orn peer -

But as he qua ff d the sparkling li qo ur down

,
His searching eye was lo we r d w it h a frown ;

A sudden thought s e em d crossin g o er his mind,

And with his falc on g lanc e h e s ee m d t o n d

-

As every lineament he sternly s c a nn d

With look so long a cc ust om d to command

Some w ell known feature in the Minstrel s fac e ,

-

Whose dusky forehead gave of c hange n o trac e .

96 i

Whil e through the h all loud peals of rapture rung

And pleas u re s acc ents dwelt on every tongue ,

A h appy moment then the Mi nstrel c au g ht ,

Whispering to tell th e tidings that he brought
, .

Oft my loved E lla sinc e that hate d morn

, ,

V OL I I. .

J OH N c. M C ALL .

Wh en erc e and more Wh en u n requite d sc orn ,

F ell w ithering from thy father s lip to blast
,

My fair and knightly fame b ut that is past ,

I W ill not str i ke upon a chord that rings

N o mello w music b ut th at Wildly flin g s
Its p i e rc m g discord on the shuddering air .

O ft w ith various guis e and subtle ca re

I watch e d thy c asement under which I sun g
Some air of k in der days past by a n d hung ,

On quivering lights and g li din g foi ms that past

,

With breathless hope still pra yin g that at last,

,

Thy form w ould glad my S ight and onc e again ,

Thy meltin g ac c ents chase ac utest pain .

Alas ! you c ame not then with desperate hand ,

I c aught t he h arp of Minstr els of our land
Thre w o er my fa c e the nut bro wn olive hue

-
,

A nd from the kn i ght a w an de rin g poet g rew ,

Hoping amid th e r evels of the tim e ,

An entranc e for the Trouvere a n d h is rhym e ;

Then wo n w it h melo dy like him of old , ,

A prize denied to c onquerin g love of g old .

Here glancing on a ste m and martial form

Wh ose features bore the impress of the storm ;
L ike s ome erc e gure by Salvator dra wn ,

D arkling and to werin g in his stre n gth of brawn ;

Mi d rocks a n d g loomy w oo ds and sava g e men

Waiting at t h entranc e of s ome b a n di t t s de n ;

Th e re s dull emb ers pouring their re d lig ht

On stern Wil d fe atures and on armor bright

, ,

T he b row of G uisc ard da rke n d and his eye

Thre w out a light as thou g h h e would defy ,

,

In t h hour of gaspin g death the warrior dark

, ,

Who took of song and danc e but slender mark .

a se ai

While old age lives on m e m ry of t he p a st,

Youth feeds on hope delusive to the last ;

A cheatin g ph antom follo w s as it ies ,

D ec k d wit h g a y promise t hou g h e m b a lm d in lies

.

In r apt and burnin g syllables h e tol d

His lover s tale wh ile smooth and s w i ftly roll d

In c ourse untired and s am e the he e dless hour .

The m orning moon h alf h id a mi d the bower

-
, ,

In stre ams of S ilver lig h t descending she d ,

Her rays soft melting on the o w rin g b ed

Th at s e e m d W it h de w y fra granc e to repay

The wa n d rin g kisses of eac h s mi ling ray

.

JOH N c . ri c AL L .

Young b e auties sough t and won t h admiring g az e

.

From rich g em ni d ringle ts spicy odors ew ,

-

From streaming c urls of eve ry sunny h ue .

In G recian folds the sno wy draperies hung ,

While wreaths of velvet owers were o e r the m strung

.

L ove darting eyes in melting softness shone

-
,

An d vermeil lips dropt w ords of n i ello west tone .

Their white impearled arms thro wn light in air ,

, ,

S t re w d rose an d hyac inths and bloss oms r a re

, ,
.

The de wy freshness of the leafy sho w ers

R ain d essenc e o er t h e h all n o w stre w n with owe rs

.
,

Soft voic es s ang W ith air and tone as sw eet

As those of s e a maids whe n they h a ply me et
-

Some blooming boy who ri des t he foamy w ave , ,

Drinks the ric h music and forgets the grave ,

That yawns and gazes on t he syren s h airs

That stream u nearthly beautiful a n d d ares , ,

Of billo ws wrath unmindful still to feed

E nrapt upon their smiles a n d seems indeed , ,

To deem it bliss t obey t h entic in g sign

And plung e in a w ful depths for love di Vin e .

His billo wy tomb then quic kly rears

Its foam t opp d pyramid and disappear s
-

.

96 96 R'

With fr a gra n t bre a th the morning now aros e ,

On j oy g a y smilin g and on keenest w oes ,

T h e st a rs sown o er t h e j etty h ead of night,

In brillianc e pale d be fore the orb of li g ht ;

Dark seas of mist roll d bac k the ir murky w av e
'

Before the bright young beams that richly lave ,

,

In tints prismatic a ll h is vaporous throne ,

In g littering splendor awful and alone , .

The c ool bre eze rambling woke t h e sleepin g le aves

, , ,

With that s o ft bre athing th at alternate heaves

The yello w h arvest and th e quiet lake ,

And balmy freshness showers o er the brake

.

Ell a arose and from the c as ement h un g

,

E nchante d o n t he quiet sc ene that un g

,

Its still a n d fr a grant spell on all aroun d .

Far u p t he sloping hills t h e merry sound

W as h ear d of early shepherd s pipe and bell

O f gr a zing ocks , re echoed from the dell -

.

96 96 99

The hours e w onw ard and in crowds th e d a me s ,

And lo w born serfs and knights of haughty names

-
,
 JOH N c.

M C ALL . 32 1

G ayin the ric h array of gaudy dress ,

In expectation to the lists now press
,
.

A lovely me ad ro mantic ally wild, , 0

S t ret c h d at the fee t of r oc ks a n d cli ffs uppile d

In forms grotesque incline d its verdant bre ast,

J ust swellin g from the hills in quiet r est ,
.

Th e hoary forest c ast its sombre shade ,

In darkling masses thrown athwart the glad e ;

While here and there an aged branching oak
, , ,

The len g t hen d s ameness of the g re en pl ain broke

.

De Valanc e lo fty towers o n the le ft ,

Of be auty n o w a n d c hivalry b ere ft ,

With splendor glowing of the m o rning b eam ,

Wit h rich est tints of bri g htest purple gleam .

T was h ere the lists enclos e d with palisade

R a n far across the smooth and g rassy g lade .

At eac h extremity wa s plac e d a g ate ,

Where h eralds purs uivants and tru mpets wait,

And me n at arms to g uar d the portal s w a y ,

Watch o e r th e order of the gay to u rnay

D ecide the qu ality of kni g ht a n d fam e ,

Of those w ho p eri l d in t he w arlike game

.

P avilions rich w ith gold and every dy e

, ,

At me asu re d distanc e r e g ul arly lie ;

Squires besi de them in grotesque arr a y , ,

G uard the bri g ht war worn shields that near them lay,
-

C aress the foaming steed that rears fro m j oy ,

H is gold bit c hamps or bites some martial toy .

To ric h a n d lo fty seats w it h velvet s prea d ,

Th e lady guests with E l la n o w w ere le d

, , ,

So ft eyes s hone bri g htly and some hear t s beat hi g h ,

.

From one there c a me a deep thou g h s m o t her d Sigh ,

.

As que en of love and beauty on that da y ,

P eerless in rank young E lla led the way .

She passe d lik e L una on her az ure se a,

In beauty sailing yet reluctantly
L ike visions seen by C a s t a ly s pure stre am ,

In the rapt poet s airy radiant dream

,
.

For her t he acclaim of rapture he re no c harm

To one s o gentle it echoe d ala rm ;
And on her sno wy lid and lon g eye las h -

Blac k c a re w ith laughing ple as ure s e e m d to clash

.

U p to h er sparklin g throne s he t re mbling p a s s d

,
G azin g on knights and plunging steeds aghas t .

P allid she s at and on the entranc e g ate

,
-

Her deep gaze plante d as if x d by fate

.

J OH N c . M CALL .

A s yet, through all t h e w aving plumes in sight,

H er anxious eye still sought the nodding white .

It c ame and trumpets soun ding Wil dly thre w ,

Their warlike clamors all the barriers throu gh .

Clarions and cymbals c ast their echoes round ,

F air women smiled and chargers p a w d the ground

,

.

T h e He ralds
L argess cried w hile gol den showers ,

F ell plenteous o er their hea ds li ke falling ow ers ,

From h ands of gallant peers and lovely dames ,

O f martial line and far famed anc ient names

-
,
.

The Marsh a ls too arm d cap a pie n o w stand ,

,

- -

P repare d at onc e to j udge and to comman d .

With shouts and wild h uzzas th e lists res ound ,

To this knight rst and then to that r edound .

F ull twenty k nights now rang ed on either S ide ,

Sternly impatient for the si g n a l bide

,
.

Firm in the stirrup a n d th e spear in rest ,

E ach pants to put his a rmor to the test ,

O er one erc e party d ark bro w d J ulian sways,

-

His p ol is h d armor g listenin g in th e rays

.

W hile throu g h the ste el cla d ranks he quickly glides ,

-

An d ke enly eyes e ach w arrior as h e rides ;

W ith c are ful g lanc e he Vie w s ea c h b arbe d ste ed ,
An d kni g ht impatient for the wa rlike dee d .

In fi rm array th e a dverse squadron stands ,

W ith rich dyed stre amers a n d With a ell trie d brands

-
,
-
.

An d from t he martial C olumn G uiscar d brooks

With burnin g ar dor all his rival s l o oks
.

U nkno wn he a sks a kni g htly rank a n d post,

,

Cl a ims a front station in the a r med host .

96 96 96

N ow ble w th e lou d sh rill trump its warrior cry

The bre athl ess au dienc e w aite d S ilently ;
'
V n i le c ircled in a cloud O f bl e c h en d d us t
V

, ,
E ach party c la s h d and mingled i n t he jus t

.

Th e soun ds of Clarions and O f c lan g in g arms

F alling W ith horri d j ar the w il d a larms
O f m artial outcries and t he tramplin g steed ,
Fled h o wlin g to t he mountain from t he me ad .

A mist of d a r kling dust en w r a p the el d

.

The lanc e n o w s ha t t e r d fell be fore the shield ;

Horses a n d men n o w roll d a long the plain

Blee din g struc k do wn a n d w rithin g in their pain

-
.

C ries of erc e a g ony with shouts w e re hear d ,

Dreadful c ommin g ling as the c ourse rs s p u rr d,

With hoofs ensanguined tore the fallen knight,


J OH N c . M CAL L .

The stubborn fool whose obstinacy led

Where meet reward should sh ower on his he a d .

96 9t

Full o ft th e s un h ad b ath ed his glorious ray ,

Crims oning the w aters of th e distant bay ;

Dye d golde n masses of th e evening s clou d
With streak s of blushes and with purple proud ; ,

D ropt on the leanin g bark s white s welling s ail

Those tints th a t brighten e en the c anvas pale

And lapt the glowing landscape in rich hu es ,

Whose dazzling s m ello w d by the falling dews

.

L ong months h ad p a ss d sinc e Gm s c a rd hapless lay ,

Shut from th e genial smil ing of the d ay

B ut now ew on the happy h our w hen ,

Young Hope and L ove might she d their joys again .

With passion s eloquenc e an d c onquering gold

R ic h in the latter With the former bol d ;

With te ars and melting w ords the la dy bro u ght ,

That tearful meeting she so fon dly sought ,

E ntranc e d she s unk upon her lover s breast,

Content t enj oy that happy brea t hless res t,

Till by th e trembling j ailor roused in fear ,

T h esc ape she plans a n d dries the fruitful tear

.

L ong tol d adieus an d frequent the n w ere past,

-
,

M ore mournful eac h and tenderer than th e last ,

Till pale With dre a d t he trembling sol dier bore
,

H is lingering mistress from the dungeon s door

.

N o is eless as one of Autumn s stilly days

,

W hen slug g ish winds ne er rouse th e v eil ing haz e

hich wr a ps in de ep n in g mist th e distant height ,

S o ft n in g t he radiance of too brilliant light

,

With stealthy pac e they trod the vaulted way ,

(Ne er se en nor b rig ht e n d by th e c he ering da y )

,

Nor d ream t s uspicion s gl anc e with s ubtle a rt,

,

Divine d the secret o f the maiden s heart .

Turn w e to th at erce father onc e again ,

The storm of p a ssm n ragin g in h is brain .

With hurried pace he trea ds t he princ ely hall ,

While t wo dar k menials s um m on d at his c all

Th eir stern lord s mandate in the distanc e w ait

.

S ud den h e turns and chec ks his rapid gait ,

Bec kons the ruia n s to a nearer stand ,

With haughty air delivers his c ommand .

Ye kno w t h e prisoner in the western tower ?

 J OH N c.

M CALL . 32 5

is well then ere the coming m orn in s hour ,
T

See that h e dies and when t h e deed is one ,

Pluck out his h eart I ve use for such a one

.

Turning he marshals them their murder o us wa y

Wildly impatient chides the tardy day .

The breezy morn sped o er its orient path ,

Nor fro wn d indign a nt on t h ass assin s wr ath

Too well and s wift ly done the bloody dee d ,

Nor darks its rising n or controls its speed ,

Heaven s pure rays with equal bounty she d

Th eir b almy kiss on Crime an d Vi rtue s head

.

With smile malignant a n d with endish sneers,

The villains full rec ital Brian h ears ;

L ists the whol e history of his victim s de ath

,

Th e last deep sighing of his eetin g bre ath

His wild hate gl uts with long and gloomy gaze
On the dread relic that b efore him lays
N o w bids a serva nt with feroci ous air , ,

A deep gold go blet to his presenc e be ar .

Throws in the bleeding obj ect of his ire

Then as a gift from fond and doting sire ,

C ommands they b ear it to his darling child,

Fair as ob edient a s sincere as m i ld
.

O er that sad daughter s bro w the night breeze ew ,
-

Her fever s heat unbate d by the de w

.

The fres h n in g moisture of the mornin g air

T hrew no so ft c oolness on that foreh ead fair

E ac h snowy eye lid swoln and droopi n g hung
-
,
Told of a he art With speechless misery wrung .

Her tearless mournful glanc e towards he aven n ow led ,

, ,
S poke th e dead c alm of soul w he n hope is dead
That c old undyin g agony of mind
, ,

T oo keenly p Oi g n an t e er to be dened

That sinks b ut rarely to its short live d rest, -

And waking b urns still erc er in the breast .

A young and w eeping p a ge now slowly bor e

Th at g or e ons bea ker chased W ith clotte d gore , ,

L a id t h e re ad o ffering at the lady s feet,

Trembling es say d his message to repeat

.

With sobs and faltering then he told his t ale ,

Deeply intent upon his mistress pale
My noble lord h as s ent t wa s thus it ran
.

, ,
Th at whic h h e says Will pleas ure ye to scan ,
T w a s kind he s ays such precious g i ft to send

, , ,
T wa s what ye prize d e en more than si re or friend
0
o o

I c annot tell , dear lady wh at is me ant, ,

VO L . 11. 28

JOH N c . ni c AL L .

B ut his eye burnt erc ely and his brow w as be nt ,

An d roun d his mouth th ere l urk d a laughin g sc orn ,

Th at se e m d of erc est Hatre d to be born .

With mien unc hanging and with ste adfast look ,

Th e blood st a in d goblet hapless Ella took
-

The page s words n o w made its meaning plain,
All prayer or piteous plaint w ere n o w b ut vain
Despair too lent a c almness to h er tone
, ,
Nor fell on e tear nor solitary groan .

My father hath done wisely t hen she s aid , ,

In s uch rich sepulchre should e er b e laid

A h e art whos e feeblest p ulse to h onor beat,

Th e home of C ourage sacre d Virtue s seat !

The richest tribute of my thanks then be ar

That doting parent for h is fostering c are
This precious gift is all I ever s ought ,

T is far too c ostly e er to h ave bee n b ou ght

The he avy s c alding tear o e r o win g then

,

,

Her slum b ri n g mai den so ftness woke again

-
.

With deep u n sa t e d lo o k O f love intense

, ,

That x d un w andering gazing of the s ense

,

Her glanc e n o w fasten d on th e blood s t a in d urn

-

While he r pale ch e ek still paler gan to turn

.

From the Wild gipsy s c a s ket then she took

,

With mild and pensive b ut dete rmine d look ,

A dark thic k liquid and W it h up t urn d eye

,

,

Sh e faintly smiled a n d drank it instantly .

The deadly poison c oursed its li g htning wa y

Death s hu e n o w w andered o e r her as she lay

, .

The young and faith ful pag e had gazed w ith air

Of love respectful ten der brother s c are
But w hen h e saw that g hastly shadow c reep
O er his fai r m istress fac e h e c eased to we ep

,

Swift ew to s ummon to he r c o uch s side
Her w eeping maidens ere t h e lady died .

And wh e n they c ame they fou n d th at goblet prest,

Clos ely an d tightly on her panting bre a st .

96 9G 96

Now all gre w silent and pale Ell a s eye ,

L anguid and g lassy sou g ht the azure sky :,

A gentle motion o er h er lips then ran

,

As if she p ra y d for th at d ark he a rt e d m a n ;

-

An d then they closed and With c onvulsive throe ,

T h e spirit e d this sc ene of e arthly wo .

On h er fair fac e a holy c alm w a s spre ad ,

As i f she slept but not among the dead

32 8 EDW IN c . H O L LA ND .

Of their sad p as sion m any a tale went round ,

Told with the low and fearful s m ot her d sound ,

.

Some said lord Brian w h en his daughter died ,

,

Wept madly even in h is h our Of pride

,

R ave d o er the lovely relics Of that ch ild

,

In all t he tempest of his passions Wild .

T w as even lightly whisp er d he had s wo rn ,

Th at th e bright h elm and glaive shoul d ne er b e born

But that the pil grim s sta ff or monkish beads
Best tte d on e of such foul , bloody d eeds .

Onward the lon g proc ession s adly p a ss d,
Till to a lonely dell it c ame at last ,
Where moody c ypress an d the clamb ering v ine ,

In close and loving meshes intertwine .

There i n one grave lie maid and c avalier ,

Th eir c old tomb b athe d with many a sad tear

And on its sculpture v illage d amsels hu ng
Fresh owers and frequent in th e evening s ung
, .

Amon g the r ustics too a lay w ent round ,

Th at notes aerial w a n der d o er that ground

,

On moonless nights and when the wind w as high

, ,
A nd blac k clouds saile d h eavily in th e s ky .

In that lon e spot b esid e a quiet stream

An d mouldering ruin , thos e t wo lovers dre a m .

E D W IN C . H OL L A ND

W A S a lawyer Of Charleston , S C , and die d a few y ears

. .

sinc e He publishe d a volume Of poetry which we h ave not

.

s een Th e t wo following nav al Odes appeare d in the P ort

.

Folio in 1813.

TH E P IL L AB OF GL OR Y .

HA I L t o th e heroes whose tri umphs h ave b rig ht en d

Th e darkness whic h shroude d America s n am e ;

L ong shall the ir v al or in b attle th at lig ht en d,
L iv e in t h e b rill ian t esc utc h eons of fame :
 E DW I N C H OLLAND
. .

Dark wh ere the torrents ow,

And the r ud e tempests blow ,

Th e storm clad spirit Of Albion raves

L ong shall she mourn the day ,
Wh en in the vengeful fray ,
,

L iberty w al k d like a god on th e w aves

.

The ocean ye chiefs (the re gion of glory

, , ,

W here fortune h as destined Columbia t o reign ,)

G leams with the halo and lustre Of sto ry ,
Th at c url round the w ave as the sc ene of her fame
There on its raging tide
, ,

Shal l her prou d navy ride ,

The b ulwark Of fr eedom protecte d by he aven ;

,

There sh all h er haughty foe,

BOW to her pro wess low ,

There shall renown t o her her o es b e give n .

Th e Pill ar of G lory , t he se a that enlighte n s ,

Sh all last till eternity rocks on its b ase ,

The splendor Of fame its waters that brightens ,

Shall li g ht the footsteps of time in his rac e :

Wide o er the stormy de ep ,
Wh ere the rud e surges sw eep,
Its lustr e shall circle the brows Of th e brave
Honor sh a l l give it li g ht,
Triumph sh all keep it bright,
L ong as in battle we m eet on the wave .

Already the storm of c ontention has hurl d
From the grasp of Old E ngland the trident of war ,
The beams Of our stars h ave ill umined the world,
Un furl d our standard b eats proud in the air

Wild glares the eagle s eye ,
Swift as h e c uts the sky ,

Marking the wak e where our heroe s advanc e

C o m p a ss d with rays Of ligh t,

Hovers he o er the ght ;
Al bi on is heartless and stoops t o his glanc e .
 0
33 E DWI N C H OL LAND
. .

RI S E C O L UMBIA .

WH EN Freedom rst th e triumph sung

That c rush d th e pomp of Free dom s

The h arps Of heaven responsive rung ,

As thus the c horal numb ers rose ,

R ise C olumbia 1 brave and fre e
Thy thunder when in batt le hurl d,

Shall rule th e billows Of t he s ea ,

An d bid deanc e to th e world .

Supre mely bles t by fate s decre e ,
Thy hardy tars in b attle brave ,
Sh all plume thy win gs an d keep the e free
As is th e motion Of thy wave .

R is e Columbia, & c .

T he stars that in t hy b anner shine ,

Sh all rain destruction on thy foes ,
Yet li ht the brave Of every clime ,
T o in dre d fr iends hip and repos e .

R is e Columbia , & c .

The storms th at on thy surges rock ,

Around t hy ag sh all i dly sweep :

Proof to the t o upe st e erc est sh ock ,
Its stripes shall awe the vas sal d eep .

R is e C olumbi a, & c .

E ncircle d with a ood Of light,

Thy e agle shall s upremely ris e ,
L e ad the e t o victory in ght,
And b e ar thy lory t o t he skie s .

R ise Colum ia, & c .

332 AL O N Z O L E W I S .

Desc ending through e th er on pinions of sno w ,

The angel of peac e to ou r c ountry returns ,

Stripes the c onc ave of blu e with the dyes of h er how,

And enshrines h ere in s eparate and b eautiful urns ,
Th e dust of th e w arriors who fell on our plains

E ac h nation s apart yet in nearness arranged
And her Olive tre e planting to shade the remains
Bids it ourish and bloom there through ages unch an ged .

Sh e waves her w hite ag and t wo gures adv anc e

,

Th e elder s a matron c omman din g and proud i n h er po rt

But sh e meets with c onfusion the maiden s sweet glanc e ,
And h er c heek seems Of varie d passions the sport
Her he ad w ears a crown but its splendor is dim
F or its ric hest and loveliest j ewel is one 2
On her arm hangs a banner whos e emb em so grim , ,

And s o c ouchant, wa s lately the pride Of a throne

B ut now her b old lion is humble d and 10m

And wh ere laurel and s ea wee d onc e form d his p roud
-

H e is st ret ch d on a be d th at s d isman tle d an d torn ,

And his eye is desp oil d of its conquering glar e .

T he younger though stately is modest o f mie n,

And we kno w by her c ostume and aspect benign,
Th at in her love d presenc e before w e have b een ,

An d th at she is liberty s g u ar dian divine 3

A L O N Z O L E W IS .

Mn a sa n ativ e Of L ynn , Mass achuse tts , wh ere he is

is
n ow employe d as an instr ucter A volume of his po ems was
.

p ublishe d in 182 3, and h e h as s in c e Con trib ute d oth e rs for th e

newspapers .

DE A T H 8 ONG .

G RE AT S as sacus e d fro m t he e astern sh o res ,

Wher e t h e sun rst shines , and t he gre at s ea roa rs,
F or t he white men c ame from the world afar,
A nd thei r fury bu rnt lik e the bison s tar .
 AL O N Z O L E W IS . 333

H is

were slain by their th under s power
sa n n a p s ,

And h is c hildren fell lik e t he star eyed o w er ;

z -

His Wigwams are b urnt by t he white man s ame

,

And the home of his yout h h as a stranger s name

His anc estor onc e was our c ountryman s foe ,

An d the arro w wa s plac ed in th e new stru n g how -

,

T h e wild deer range d throu g h th e forest fre e ,

While we fought w ith his tribe by the distant sea .

But th e foe n ever c ame to the Moh aw k s tent ,

With his h air untied and h is b o w unb ent

, ,

And found not the blood of th e wil d de er sh ed ,

And the c al umet lit and the b ear skin b ed

,
-
.

But sing ye th e Death Song and kindle th e pine, ,

And bid its broad light lik e his valor to shine

Then rais e high his pile by our warriors heaps ,
And tell t o his tribe that his murderer sleeps .

T HE M i n sT n L L s L OVE .

MY love is a lady slender and fair ,

Wh ose mantl e is light as the thin blue air ,
And falls from h er neck as oa t in gly ,

As the vapor that rolls o er a moonl ight s ea
Th e clustering wreaths Of her lon g thick ha i r ,
Curl over h er forehead as dark and fair ,
,

As th e nightl y clouds that h eavily o w

Over star l ovm g Sunapee s mount of snow
-
.

L ike t h e
moon which looks out from a cl oudy sky ,
Is the soul whic h be ams from her la rge blue e ye ,
Where utterless thoughts appe ar and e e ,

L ik e shadows of clouds o er a sunny s ea .

In the sleepless night, and th e c e aseless stir

Of the b usy day my thought is with her ,
,

And memory an d love are with sighing repaid ,

Bec ause of the form of that slender maid .
 AL ON Z O L E W IS .

T H E W AN D E RE R OF A FRI CA .

H E l a un ch d h is

boat where th e d ark waves ow ,
Through th e d esert that never was w hite with snow
When the Wind was still an d th e s un shone bright,
,

And th e stream glow d re d with the morning light .

He ha d s at in the c ool of th e palm s broad sh ade
And drank of the fountain of Ka fn a h s glade ,

Wh en t he herb was sc orc h d by the s un s hot ray ,

And the c amel faile d on his thirsty way

And th e d ark maids Of Se go th eir mats h ad spre ad ,

And s ung all night by the stranger s be d ;

And his sle ep was sweet on that desert s and ,

For his visions w ere far in his own l ove d land .

H e was weary and faint in a stranger clime ,

B ut h is soul was at home as in youth s sweet time ,

And h e lay in th e sh ade by his c ot s cle ar pool ,
,

And the bree ze w hich c ame by w as refreshing and cool .

And the look of his mother w as gentle and sweet,

An d h e heard th e love d steps of his s ister s light fee t,

And their voices w ere so ft and expressive and low ,

L ike th e distant rain , or the brook s c alm ow

.

A nd this w as the s ong which t he dark maids sung ,

In the b e aut iful s tr a ins of th eir o wn wil d tong ue ;
Th e stranger c ame far , and s at u nder our tre e
,

We will bring him swe et food , for no s ister has b e .

And the stranger went forth when the night bre eze h ad di ed -
,
And l aunc h d his light b ark On th e J Olib a s ti de

And he w ave d his white kerchief t o th os e dark m aids ,

As he s ilently en te r d th e p al my shades

.

And th e maidens of Sego were sad a n d lone ,

And s ung t heir r u de song like the de ath spirit s m oan
,

The stranger h as gone wh ere the simoom will b urn

,

Al as ! for the whi t e man will n ever return !
386 N A T HA N I E L APPL ET ON HAV EN .

Oh n o ! far nobler hopes my life c ontrol ,

P resenting s cenes of splendor y et t o b e ,

I

G reat G o d thy word direc ts the lo ft y soul

,

T o live for glory , n ot fro m man , b ut thee .

TH E P UR S E O F C HARI TY .

THI S littl e purse Of silver thre ad

,

And silke n c ords entwined ,

Was given to ease the painful b e d

, ,

And soothe the anxious mind .

T he m a ker
secret bounty ows
s ,

To bid the poor rej oice ,

And many a child of s orrow knows

The music of her voic e .

Th e littl e purs e her hands h ave wrought,

Should hea r her i m age still ;
A nd wit h h er generous feeli ngs fraught,
Her liberal plans full .

Its glittering thread should never daunt

T h e h umble child of wo ;
B ut well the asking eye of w ant
Its Silver spring should kno w .

While age or youth with misery dwell ,

To c ol d neglect c o n s ig n d

N O useless tre as ures e er shoul d s well

Th e p urse with Silver twined .

A U TUMN .

I L OVE th e dews of night ,

I love the h owling w ind

I love to h e ar the tempest swe ep
O er the b illo ws Of the d eep !

For nature s saddest sc enes delight
The melanch oly mind .

Autumn I love thy bower

With fade d garlands drest
 J AM E S N . BA RK E R .
337

How swee t, alon e to linger there ,

n tempests ride the midnight air !

To snatc h fro m mirth a eeting hour,
The s a bbath of th e breast ! .

A utumn ! I love th e e w ell

Thou g h ble ak thy bree z es blow ,

I love to se e t h e vapors rise ,

An d clouds roll W il dly round th e skies ,

Where from t he plain the mountains swell , ,

An d foaming torrents o w .

Autumn ! thy fading owers

D roop but to bloom again
S O man thou g h do o m d to g rief awhile ,

,

To h ang on fortune s ckle smile ,

Sh all g low in heaven with nobler powers ,

Nor sigh for peac e in vain .

J A ME S N . B AR K E R

W AS born at P hil adelphia ; h e was a c aptain in the artille ry ,

and serve d on the frontiers durin g th e late war with Great

Britain When the wa r w as over h e returne d to his native
.
,

c ity where h e continues t o live at present He h as be en an

,
.

Alderm an and wa s for one year Mayor of th e city o f Phila del

,

phia Mr Barker is b etter known by his dramatic than by h is

.

other produc tions As e arly as 180

. 7, he produc e d a come dy
at the Philadelphia Theatre entitle d Te ars and Smiles and
, ,

a melo drama founded on the story Of P oc ahonta s whic h ,

h e c alle d The Indian P rincess , or L a Belle Sauvage .

These were r epresente d with succ ess He d ramatise d .

'

Scott s Marmion which w as a very popular play and

, ,

stil l keeps possession Of the stage In 18 I7 he p ublishe d a .

,

remarkably ne at and sprightly comedy entitle d H o w t o try a ,

L over whic h w a s never performed , and i n 182 3, he produc e d
,

a tragedy entitle d Superstition th e scene Of whic h is laid
, ,

i n N ew E ngland and one Of t he principal characters is

,

Go, the regicide

'

This is th e last Of Mr Barker s dr amatic

.

e fforts and poss ess es c ons iderable merit It w as performe d

, .

but twic e at the Chesnut Street Theatre , Philadelphia Mr .

VOL . i i. 29
 JA M E S N BAR K E R . .

Barker is also the author of several occ asional pamphlets t he ,

most interesting of which is entitled Sketches Of the Primi

tive Settlements on th e R iv er Delaware
He has writt e n .

also in th e Atlantic Souvenir His writings a re ch aracter .

ise d by good taste simplicity of language and adherenc e t o

, ,

nature His fancy is playful and h is images are such as are

.
,

c alc ulate d r ather to delight than startle .

L I TT L E RED RID ING H O O D .

S H E w a s indeed a pretty little c re ature

, , ,

So meek S O modest : wh at a pity madam

, , ,

That one s o y oun g and innoc ent should fall ,

A prey to the ravenous wolf .

T h e wolf indeed ! ,

You ve le ft th e nurs ery to but little p urpos e ,

If you b elieve a w olf c ould ever spe ak ,

Th ough in the tim e O f Al sop or b efore

, ,
.

Was t not a wolf then

I have re ad the story
,

A h undr e d times and h eard it told : n a y told it ,

Mys elf to my younger sisters when w e ve shrank

, ,

Together in the she ets from very terror , ,

And , with protecting arms eac h round the oth er , ,

E en s obb d ourselves to sleep

But I remember ,

.

I saw the story acte d on the stage ,

L ast winter in th e city I and my school m ates ,

,
-

With ou r m ost kind prec eptress Mrs Ba zely ,

And s o it w a s a robbe r not a wolf ,

That met poor little R i ding Hood i th e w ood ?

Nor wolf n o r robber child : th is nursery tale

,

Contains a hidden moral .

H idden nay ,

I m not so young b ut I c an spell it out

, ,

And thus it is c hil dren when s ent on errands

, ,

Must never stop by the way to talk with w olves .

Tut ! wolves a gain : wrlt listen to me c hild

,
Say o n d ear
g ran d ma
,
.

Thus then dear my daughter ,

In this young person c ulling idle o w ers

, ,

You s ee th e peril that atten ds t he maide n

Who in her walk throu gh life yields to temptation
, , ,
A nd quits the onward path to stray asid e ,
Allured by gaudy we eds .

N ay , none b ut ch il dren ,
 JAM E S N B AR K E R . .

L eapt j oyful
their fairy m ound of roc k ,
o er
An d fell in music th en p as s d prattling on
,

Between the owery b anks that bent to kis s them .

I drea m d not Of thes e sights or so unds

.

Th en j ust
Beyond th e brook there lay a narrow strip ,
L ik e a rich rib and O f en a m el d me adow,

G irt by a pretty precipice w hose t o p ,

Was c ro wn d W it h ros e ha y Half way down the re stood

-
.
-

Sylph like the light fanta stic c ol umbine

-
,

As ready to leap down unto her lover

Harlequin Bartsia in his painted vest ,

Of green a n d c rimson .

Tut ! enou gh , enou gh ,

Your m a dc ap fancy r uns too riot girl , .

W e must S h ut up your books of Botany ,

And give you graver studies .

Will you shut

Th e book of n ature t oo for it is that ,
-

I love an d study Do not take m e b ac k

.

To the cold heartless city w ith its forms

, ,

And dull routine ; its articial manners

And arbitrary rules ; its c heerless pleas ure s
An d mirthless m a s quing Yet a little longer
0let me hol d c ommunion here with nature
.

We ll well we 1
, 1s e e
,
But we n eglec t o ur l ectu re

.

U pon this picture

Poor R e d R iding Hood
We had forgotten he r ; yet mark dear madam , ,

How patiently the poor thing waits our leisure .

An d now the hidde n moral

Th us it is
Mere c hildren re ad s uch storie s li t erally ,

B ut th e more elderly and Wi s e ded uc e ,

A moral from the fiction In a w ord .

,

The wolf that you must guard a g ainst is L OVE .

-
I thou ght love w a s an infant ; touj ours enfant .

The worl d and lov e w ere young to ether chil d

g , ,

An d innocent alas ! ti me chan g es all things .

- Tru e I remember love is n o w a man

, , .

And the song s ays , a very s aucy one

,

B ut how a w olf ?
In ravenous appetite ,

U npitying and unsparing passion is o ft ,

A b e ast of prey As the w olf to the lamb

. .

Is he to innoc enc e .

I shall rememb e r ,
 G E ORG E w D OANE . . 341

For n ow I see th e moral Trust me , madam .

,

Should I e er meet this wolf love in my wa y ,

-

Be he a boy or man I ll take g oo d heed , ,

And hold n o c onverse W ith him .

You 11d o w is ely

.

Nor e er in eld or fores t plai n or path w ay
, ,

Shall b e from me kno w w hith e r I am going ,

Or whisper th at he 11meet me
.

That s my child
.

Nor in my rand am s c ottage nor els ewhere

g, , ,
Wil l I e er lift the latc h for him myself,

Or bid h im pull the bobbin .

Well my de ar , ,
You ve le a rn d your lesson

.

Yet one thing my mother , ,

Somewhat perplexes m e .

Say what my love , ,

I will explain .

This w olf t h e story goes , ,

Dec eived poor g randa m rst and ate her up ,

What is the moral here Have all our grandmas

Been rst devo ur d by love

L e t us g o i n
The air grows cool y o u are a forward c hit .

G EOR GE W ASH IN G T O N D O A N E

W AS b orn in 1799 In 1818 h e rec eive d th e d egree of

.
,

Bachelor of Arts at U nion C ollege Schenectady ; and in 182 1

'

was admitte d Master of Arts at the s ame c ollege On th e .

19t h Of April 182 1 he rec eive d de acon s orders from the R t

, ,

,
.

R ev Joh n Henry Hobart , Bishop Of the P rotestant Epis

.

c opal C hurc h in the D ioc es e of Ne w York ; an d wa s or

,

daine d Priest in 182 3 by the s ame Prelate For three ye ars

, .

and a half he oi eia t ed as a temporary ass istan t minister in

, ,

Trinity Ch urch New York In 182 4 h e wa s electe d to th e

, .

Professorship of Belles L ettres and Oratory m W ash in g t on ,

College , Hartford Connec tic ut, whic h plac e he lled in c on

, ,

j unction wi th the rectorship of a n eighb oring parish till the ,

l as t ye a r (182 8 ) when he w a s settle d as c olle giate minister

in Trin ity Church , Boston , in whic h s ituation h e now r emains .

VOL . ii. 2 9*
42 G E ORG E w D OAN E . .

s an au thor , P rofessor Doane h as b ut once appe ared in his ,

wn name b efore th e public

, In 182 4 h e publish ed princ ipally
.
, ,

or circulation among his friends S ONGS BY T H E W AY ,

.

h ie y devotion al with translations and imitations
,
He h as .

15 0occ as ionally c ontribute d to t he Atlantic Magazine the ,

New York R evie w and othe r literary j ournals

,
His poetry .

is spirite d and nished and is evidently the O ffspring of a

,

vigorous mind , enriche d by study , and elevate d by religiou s

sentiments .

T H AT S I LE N T MOON .

TH AT silent moon that silent moo n , ,

Care ering n o w throu g h cloudless sky ,

Oh w ho sh all tell Wh a t v a ried sc enes

Have p a ss d b eneath her placid eye

,

Sinc e r s t to li g ht this wayward earth

, ,

She w alk d in tranqui l b eauty forth

.

H ow o ft
has guilt s un hallo w d h and
,

And s uperstition s sensel ess rite

,

And loud lic entious revelry

, ,

Profaned h er p u re and h oly light

Small sympathy is hers I w een , ,

With sights like th ese , th at virgin quee n .

But de ar to her in s ummer eve , ,

By rippling w ave or tu fte d grove , ,

When hand in hand is purely c l a s p d

,

And heart meets h e art in holy love ,

To s mile in quiet loneliness

, ,

And h ear e ach whi s p er d vow and bless

.

Di spersed along th e w orl d s wide way

,

When friends are far a n d fond ones rove , ,

How powerful she to w ak e the thought ,

An d start th e tear for t h os e w e lov e

Who w atch w ith us at night s pale noo n
, , ,

And gaze upon that S ilent moon .

How pow erful too to h earts th at mourn

, , ,

The m a g ic of that moonlight sky ,

To bring again the v a n i s h d sc enes ,

The happy eves of days gone by ;

Ag ain to bring ni id bursting tears
,

,

T he love d , the lost of other years .

 GE ORG E W . D OAN E .

Has n ot desired lik e yonder dove , ,

T o see k some lonely nest ,

And far from e art h s vain fellowship ,
,

To dw e ll a n d he at r est
Till t he summons b e heard that Sh all bid him depart ,

And for ever rej oin the b e love d Of his heart .

f
And it shall b e th at s um mons of joy sh all b e given ,

To the c onverse of saints to th e m ansions of heaven , ,

Where the cross of the su fferer Shall no more b e borne ,

But the crown of the c onqu eror for ever be w orn .

Thou w ho se ek s t this glorious prize ,
,

As k no more for wi n gs of dove ;

An g el p in io n d thou sh alt rise
-

, ,

To the re alms of peac e and love .

R e alms ,
wh ere C H R i S T has gone b efore ,

Blissful mansions to prepare

R ealms w here they w ho serve Him here
, ,

Shall his power and g lory share .

Ther e no b attle fray is heard ;

,
-

There n o tempest need be fear d ;

,

Dis a ppointment c an n ot sti n g ,

Ba n ish d thenc e each hurtful thing

,

Sickness c omes n ot there nor pain , ,

D eath h ath there n o dark domain ;

G a t h er d there no foot shall rove

Of the happy fri ends w e love

G a t h er d there no soul shall roam

,

T is our o wn our FATH E R S H OME

.

L INE S , S UGGE S TED B Y A VE R Y B RI L L IANT S UN S E TTING -

.

OH s e e y ou glowing occident ,

With crimson gol d and purple blent , ,

H o w hi g h a n d w i d e the pa g eant s spread ,

H o w far its g or g eous g lories She d ;

Not a ll th a t the earth h a s of brightest and b est ,
C an we with the splendors of yonder west .

Oh ! c ould w e but mount to that golden clime,

And traverse those path w ays O f p urple light,
To the perishing things of earth and time ,

We d bid a long and a gl ad good night

,

There mid th e g low of parting day
, ,

Through am a ran t hine elds we d stray,
 G EORGE w . D O AN E .
345

Drinking in w ith ra vis h d ears

,

The music of the circling spheres ;

G azing on glories of bri g hter shine ,

Th an the richest gems of Golconda s mine ;

R esting in bo w ers of s weeter perfume ,

Th an the gardens Of Gul in th eir fairest bloom ,
.

F ond e n t hus ia St ! s ee it fades -

,
E ven upon thy charmed sight ;
L ost mid evening s g a t he r d shades

,
D ying W ith the dying li g ht
Thus ever fades e art h s lovelies t
,

Thus dies the bri ghtest a n d the best .

I ve s e en in blooming loveliness
, ,

Th e youthful maiden s an g el form ;

I ve seen in to w erin g stateliness

, ,

The hero breasti n g b attle s storm

,

The c anker wor m O f hopelessness

-

Has bli g hte d all h er bloom ;

War s iron b olt in ruthlessness

, ,

Has spe d him to th e tomb

Thus ever fades earth s lovel iest,

Thus dies t he b rig hes t and the best .

Then c o unt not maiden s loveliness

,

Nor hero s to w ering s tateliness

,

Mortal dare be Wis e

,

L et not thy soul s aspirin g rest

On g ilde d east or glo win g w est ,

L ook beyon d the skies !

There far above th at line o f light
, ,

Whic h bounds thy di m and s h ort en d sight ,

In never d y in g glories shine

-
,

The splen dors of the w o rbd divine .

The n e w J erus alem the holy , ,

IVh os e foun dations are of gold ;

Ga rn i s h d w ith the r adiant g lory

,

Of thousand precious stones untold ;

And the rainbo w circled throne -
,
On its ery axles w heelin g
And J ehovah s o w n Z ion the holy mount ;

,

And the w ater Of life in its c rystal fount ; ,

And the tree w ith its leaves for th e nations h ealing :

,

Such as these but numberless , ,

The glories of th at he avenly plac e ,
Where sorrow is never kno wn nor night , ,

F or G O D and the L AMB are it s joy a n d light .

346 G EORG E w D OANE . .

S P I R I T OF S P RING .

S P rR i T , th at from the breathing south ,

Art wa ft e d hither on d ewy Wing ,
By th e so ften d li g ht O f that sunny

eye ,
A nd that voic e of W ild wood melody ,

And those golden tresses w anto n ing ,

And t he perfumed breath of that balmy mouth .

We k now thee Spirit of Spring ,

Spirit of b ea ut y , t hes e thy c harms Sp irit of Spring ! ,

Spirit of Spring thou com st to wake

'

Th e slu mbering energies of e arth ;

The ze phyr s breat h to thee we owe

, ,

Thine is the streamlet s silver ow

,

And thine the gentle o weret s birth

,

,

And their Silenc e hark ! the W ild birds br eak

, ,

For thy w elc ome Spirit of Spring ! ,

Spirit of life thy triumphs these Spirit O f Spring !

, ,

Spirit of Spring ! wh en the ch eek is pal e ,

There is h ealth in thy b almy air ,

A nd peac e in that b ro w of beaming bright,

A nd j oy in th at ey e of sunny light ,
And golden hope in that o vvi n g h a ir :
Oh that s uc h inuence e er S h o u ld fail

For a moment Spirit of Spring ,

Spirit of h e alth pe ac e j oy and hope Spirit of Spring !

, , ,

Yet fail it m ust for it c omes of earth ,

And it m ay n o t shame its plac e of birth ,

Where the best can bloom b ut a single day ,

And the fairest is rst to fade a w ay .

B ut Oh there s a ch angeless world above ,

A w orld Of peac e a n d j oy and love, , ,

Where g a t he r d from the tomb

,

,

The holy hopes that earth has c ros s d

And the pious frien ds that we love d and lost

Immortally S h all bloom .

Who will not watch and strive and pray ,

Th at h is longing S o l ll may soar away
, ,

On faith 3 untiring wing

To j Oin the throng of t he s aints in light,

a

In that world for ever fair and bright ,

,

Of endless , cloudless S P R rN G !
348 G E O RG E w D OAN E . .

Thine and thine only and for ever ;

, ,

Thine till the springs of life shall fail

,

Thine till the chords of life shall s ever

,

R emnant of d ays departe d long ,

E mblem of pl ighted troth unbroken ,

Pledge of devote d faithfulness ,

Of heartfelt holy love the token , ,

Wh at varie d feelings round it clin g

For these , I like that ancient ring .

TH E C L OUD B RIDGE : A RE MEMBE RE D VI S I ON .

S AW ye that clou d whic h arose in th e west , ,

As the burning s un sank down to his rest ,

H o w it spread so wide a n d t o we r d so high

, ,

O er the molte n gol d of that g lowing sky

That it seem d Oh it s ee m d like some arc hed way ,

As it b ea m d and g le a m d in th at glorious ray

, ,

Where the spirit free d ,

F rom its earthly weed ,

And robe d in the white
Of the saints in light ,

Might pass from the w aves of sin an d wo ,

To that world wh ere c easeless pleasures ow

Ye saw th at cloud how it t o we r d alone ,
'

,

L ike an arche d path o er the billows thrown ,

H o w its pillars o f azure a n d purple stood ,

And m o c k d at the dash o f the angry ood

,

While it b e a m d c h ! it b ea m d from its b attlements

As it glea m d and st rea m d i n th at we stern sky

, , ,
Such a ood o f mellow a n d golden light,

As c ha in d an d x d the ra vrs h d sight, '

And p o ur d along our da r k n in g way,

The peac e and j oy of c elestial day .

Such as we h aste t o our he avenly h ome ,

,

SAVI O U R suc h he the sights that co m e

Thus w hile the visions of time it by
, ,

And the fashion of e arth gro ws dim to our eye ,

Thus let the li g ht oh th e l i ght of thy love ,
,

Bea m bright on o ur sig ht f rom the mansions above

R ending the gloom
Which enwraps the tomb ,
And guidin g our eye
To that w orld on high ,

Where the people w ho love thee for ever sh all share ,

The rest thou h ast p urchased and gone t o prep are , .

 N AT H A NI E L H . W R I GH T .

N AT H AN IE L H . W R IG H T

W a s born at Concord , Massach usetts , in 1787 He was .

brought up to the oc c upation of a printer , in Bos t on In 180 9 or .

1810 , h e establishe d a n ewspaper in Newb uryport, c alle d The

Independent Whig He a ft erwards remov ed t o Bos ton , and was

.

th e editor of anoth er p aper , entitle d The Kaleidosc ope He .

die d in Boston , Ma y 13, 182 4, age d 37 He wrote Th e F all of .

P almyra, a poem , an d Bos t on , or a Touc h at the Ti m es Besides .

th ese public ations , h e was th e author of a multit ude of fugitive

pieces in the newspapers He was a poet of considerable tal
.

ent, and , w ith proper study and applic ation , might have mad e
a distinguishe d gure among th e writers of th e day Th e Fal l .

o f P almyra , we have not been able t o pr oc ure We ar e .

told that th e author designe d a sec ond edition o f it, a ye ar

or t wo aft er it appeared , b ut c oul d not nd a c opy B oston , .

or a Touc h at the Times , is a small pamphlet, and c onta ins the

t wo following piec es , which b e selecte d as spec imens of h is
style and ability .

THE I SL E O F F L O VE R S .

INHuron s w ave a lovely isle

G ems the blue water s vast expanse .

There nature we ars h er swe etest smile

,

And sunbeams o er her b eauties d anc e

In vain th e angry billo ws b e at

Against its roc k encircle d snore -

Th e spray but makes its blossoms s weet

;
E xpandin g mid the tempest s roar

.

But wh en the winds and waves are hush d

,

And evening s shade is ste al ing on ,

When th e l as t b e ams of day have b lush d ,

And Hesper mounts his cloudless throne

V OL .
85 0 NAT HA N I E L H . W R I GH T .

How gently w eep th e d ews of night,

Which ho w the tender harebell s h e ad

And falling noisel ess sweetly light

, ,

U pon the spotless lily s b ed

.

Oh w ere b ut man like th at fair isle ,

In vain should trouble s tempests gloom

Hope s fairest ow ers around should smile ,

And faith and resignation bloom .

When life s last lingering beam shoul d fade ,
Th e r adiant star of peac e w ould rise ,

And dews of grac e at evening s sh ade ,

,

H is spirit nurture for th e skies .

T HE S TA R OF BE TH LE HE M .

WH EN night h er lonely sh ade h as spread

Around the wayworn wanderer s h ead ,

How w elcome is th e distant g le am

Of c ottage taper s twinkl ing be am

,

To g uide and che er h is devro us tre ad ,

By marshy fen or mountain stre am .

Thus in the wilderne ss of life ,

When o er us gloom the shade s o f stri fe ,

Wh en advers e fortune s tempests roll ,

And be at upon the trouble d soul ,

There be ams at hwart a l i ct io n s night ,

Wit h rays of peac e a holy light

,

Oh ! t is that bright and lov e ly s tar ,

Which guides the wanderer from afar ;

Wh ic h s miles upon the brow of even ,

An d h olds its c ourse in mid w ay h eaven .

Ma rk s t thou th e rainbow s b eauteous hue

In yonder e astern s ky of blue

A moment and t h e tints sh all fade
, ,

And all it s glories sink in shad e .

Or dost tho u m ark yon opening ower ?

T is b ut t h e blossom of an hour ;
Its le aves sh all by th e winds be strow n ,

And where it b loo m d n o more b e known

.

Th e solid glob e sh a ll pass away ,

The e e t ing a tom of a d ay .
35 S OLY MAN BR O W N .

But m y arms do sc arc e rec eive the e

E re t h y oaths u nhe ed ed , die
, .

Fro m patern al a rms y ou took me ,

Stole me from a mother s c ar e ;
Th en i n wantonness forsoo k me
F or a l ess ad miring fair .

P ra ers and tea rs w ere unavail in g ,

ought t hy pur p os e c ould beg uil e ,

N ot a wi fe h e r woes bewailing
, ,

N or a l ovely i n fant s smile

.

H eaven h ad form d th ee for unkindne ss,

Steel d thy soul to al l th at s mild ,

Dim m d thy m oral sight with b lind nes s,
L e ft th ee Nature s waywar d child .

Stay ! I must not c annot chide the e

What th ou hast n ot, wh o c an bla me
V irtue is what he aven d enied the e ,

A nd th e world ha s done th e s am e .

Think n ot I c an e er forget th e e ;

No t hy griefs will all be mine

,

I sh all w eep when foes b eset the e ,

Smile whe n fort une s sun sh all shine .

Must I c an I shall a mother

H ate th e father of her child ?
G racious Heaven ! my angu ish smothe r,
At that name , my in fant s mil ed !

Smile d to t hink sh e h ad a father

To protec t h er growing y ears
U nsuspecting orphan r ather ,

Drown thine eye in oo ds of tea rs !

Father n ow sweet babe th ou h ast not ;

, , ,

All his c ar e y ou m ust forego ;

Ot her woes t hy peac e m ay blast n ot,
Yet th ou hast this k e enest wo !

or h an bab e ! my c ar e sh all eve r

g wuard th ee from the ills of life
 S OLYMA N B ROW N . 35 3

Death alone h ath power to s ever

Byron s b ab e and c onstant wife

T HE E m i G R AN T s FARE W E L L .

FA RE WE L L to the land that my fathers defende d ;

Farewell to the eld whic h their ashes inurn ;
The holiest ame on th eir altars descended ,

Which fe d by their sons sh al l eternally b urn

, ,

Ah soft be the b ed where th e h ero reposes

And li g ht be the green tur f that over him closes
G ay Flora shall dec k w ith h er earliest roses
, ,

The graves of my sires and the land of my birth , .

A die u to the sc enes whic h my h eart s young e motio n s

Have drest in attire so alluringly gay ;

A h never no never c an bill owing oc eans
, , ,

Nor time drive the fond recollections away

,

From days that are past present c omfort I borrow ;

,

T h e sc en es of to day shall be brighter to morr o w

- -

In age I ll rec all as a balm for my sorro w,

The graves of my sires , and the land of my b irth .

[ go to th e West where the forest rec eding

, , ,

Invites the adve nturous axe man along -

I go to the groves where th e wild dee r are fe e ding,

An d mountain birds carol their loveliest song
-

Adie u to the land that my fathers de fended ,

Adie u to the 5 011on w hich free men c ontended ,

A die u to the sons who from heroes desc ended ,

Th e g raves of my sires and th e land of my birth .

When far from my home and surrounde d by strangers ,

My thoughts sh all rec all the gay ple a sures of youth

T hough life s stormy oc e an shall threaten with dangers

,
My soul shall repose in the s unshine of truth
While s treams to their own native oc ean are tending,
And forest oaks swept by the tempest are b ending
, , ,

Mywso ul shall exult as she s proudly defending

ihe graves of my sires, and the land of my birth

,

V OL . 11.
85 4 J O S EPH R . D RA K E .

J O S E P H R O D MA N D R AKE .

O r N ew York known as an associate of Hallec k in writing

,

the Cr o akers He died in September 182 0 He l eft behin d

. .

him a poe m in manuscript e ntitle d the C ulprit F ay whic h

, ,

has b een spoken o f in favor able terms The spirite d N a .

t io n al Ode whic h follows , sho ws him t o have b ee n a poet o f

,

promising talent .

THE AME RI CAN F LAG .

WH E N Freedom from her mountain h eigh t ,

Un furl d her stan dard to the air

,

She tor e the azure rob e of night,

A nd s et th e star s o f glory th ere
She min g led with its gorgeous dye s
Th e milky b aldric of the skies ,

And stripe d its pure , c elestial white

With streakings of the morning light ;
Then from his mansion in the s un ,

She c a ll d he r e agle b earer down

,

And gave into his m ighty hand

The symbol of her chos en land .

Maj estic monarch of the cloud !

Who rea r s t aloft thy re gal form ,

To hear th e tempest trumping loud ,

And s e e t he lightning l anc es driven

-
,

When stride th e warriors of t h e storm ,

And rolls the thunde r drum of h e aven !

-

Ch ild of th e sun ! to the e t is give n
To g uard the b anner of th e free ,

To hover in th e sulphur smoke ,

To ward aw ay the battle stroke -

,

A nd bid its blendings shine afar ,

L ike rainb ows on the cloud of war,

The h arbingers of v ictory .

Flag o f th e brave ! Thy folds sh all y ,

The sign of hope and triumph high

 JAM E S A . H ILLH OU S E .

J A ME S A BR A H A M H IL L H O U SE ,

Is th e son of the Hon James Hillhouse of N e w Haven He

. .

r ec eive d a degre e at Yale Colleg e in 180 8 A ft er th is he eu .

gage d in b us iness as a m erchant in Ne w York b ut latterly,

w e b elieve , h as attend e d to no occupation but th at of lette rs .

His rst public ation w as P ercy s Masque a dramatic p o em , ,

w hich c ame out rst in L ondon and was reprinte d h ere in 182 0 ,
.

I n 182 1 appeare d at N ew York , Judgment, a Vision a de ,

scriptive p oe m in blank verse , an d in 182 5 , Hadad , a dramatic

poem .

M r Hillhouse as a poet, has rare qual ities and s uch as

, ,

w ould gain him hi gh commendation at the h ands of the m ost

rigi d c riticism He has a rene d and m ature ta ste , and his
.

writin gs are remarkable for c orrect s entime nt and a clearness

and masc uline vigor oflanguage th at form a striking c ontrast t o
th e vapid w ordiness whic h i n fec t so much of th e poetry of his s

c otemporaries He makes n o lavish and uns eas onable display

.

of orn ament E veryth ing is natural appropriate , and h appily

.
,

adj uste d With a fe w triin g exc eptions h e may b e quote d

.
,

as a model of ch aste and finished v ers ic a t ion His writing s .

are not d isgure d by any of thos e crudities of language whic h

result from a hasty exec ution in th e mechanic al department of
composition His d iction is polished , and r eg ulate d with the
.

nic est c are H e h as an animation o f style and a fulness an d

.
,

c ond ens ation of thought that never s u ffer his pages to gro w
,

languid Hadad h is last pe rformanc e is th e chief in merit

.
, , .

It is a master piec e of its kind and for j ust and skilful

-
,

arran gement of parts , dignity of sentiment and propriety of ,

c haracter is , we think exc eeded by n o poem founded on a sc rip

, ,

tural theme We are not c ertain th at any one among the great
.

masters of E nglis h verse of the pres ent day w o uld have c ome ,

06 with equal s ucc ess from the bold attempt upon whic h h e
h as ventured in this work Sc riptural poe ms are undertaking s
.

peculiarly ha zardous They do not in general appe ar t o have

.

b een tr eate d very happily Th ey venture into a region whic h .

 JAM E S A
. H ILLH O U S E . 35 7

a bou nds with every requis ite material for the most exalte d
poetic al c onte mplation ; b ut a study an d wari ness more than
c ommo n are to be exerc is ed in de aling with them We are .

sc rupulous t o the last degre e in exac ting all the proprieties of

c haracter and niceties of circumstanc e , in matte rs whic h c on
c ern th e obj ects of our religious reverenc e We ar e struc k .

h ere with failings which pass unregarde d whe n they stand

c onn ec te d with other topics ; for they oc c ur to us in a doubl e .

disadvantage , as o ffenc es against the common standar d of taste ,

and as deb asing the dignity of sacred writ Hence th e greater
.

portion of scriptural poems have b een unfortunate They hav e .

eith er b e en manage d with suc h a degree o f diiden ce an d

c aution , inspired by the fear of committing trespass upon holy
round as t o cramp the po wers o f the write r and deb ar h im
g , ,

t h e pr o p er use of his s ubj ect, or they h ave b een m arre d by

so me anomaly o f c haracter or s entiment o r the comm ission of
,

some violenc e upo n the notions w e ar e acc ustomed t o entertain

upo n th e matters i n questio n, which is su f cient, in a subj ect
'

of s uch pec uliar delic acy to produc e an u nfavorable e ec t

, .

But the work of Mr Hillh ous e is an evidenc e of his ab ility

t o s trive against all th es e disadvan tages with s ucc ess He h as .

esc ape d the faults whic h are attendant upon most performanc e s

of the s ame species and seize d with a bold hand u on the

, p
ric h materials w hich th e nature of his th e me lai d Ope n before

We have enumerate d w hat we c onc eive to b e the distin

g uis hin g qualities of Mr Hillhous e s poetry and given an opin

,

ion as t o the j ust ra nk t o b e assigned him Should th e ques

.

tion be a sked why , poss essing so m a ny excellenc es , he is n ot

,

more read among us (for h e has muc h less popularity th an

,

m any others ) w e ans w er that th e form an d s ubstanc e of his

, ,

productions are s u f cie ntly dissonant from the general taste of

th e moment, to ac count for this ; nay his very freedom from
,

th e reig n ing fa ults of our modern poetry has not b een without
its inuenc e to this e ffect W e are grow n fond Of light re ad
.

ing Fugitive verses have more ch arm for us than long pro
.

duc t ions elaboratel y planned a nd nishe d with study and toil .

 JAM E S A . H ILLH O US E .

Th en the topic most in vogu e with t h e great majority of our

'

poet s, a n d most acc eptable it w ould appe ar , to the readers Of

,

poetry n ow is not one to whic h the present author h as mainly

,

t ruste d for the interest of his c ompositions Amatory and sen .

t im en t a l str ai ns are now pre dominant Th e favorite poetry of .

'

th e d ay is of this character It has in gener al a c ast of e em i

.

'

nacy , as b efore re marke d Mr Hillhouse s vers e is of a di e

.

rent order It is n ot designe d for immediate popularity by

.

ac cor ding with t he m o m en t a ry whim and fashion in literatur e ,
but for an enduranc e m ore lasting than th e qualities which
r ec omme n d the gre ater part of our most popular c ompositions
woul d sec ur e to it .

H is two chief productions though cast in t he dramatic form , ,

w ere not designe d for representation on the stage Though .

,

in acc ordance with our plan in the outset, w e have not e ntere d
s o far into the provinc e of the drama as to give any passages
from w orks of that description , we shall not, for the re aso n
j ust state d , h e c onsidere d as depart ing fro m o ur limits by p re
s enting the r eade r with a sc ene fro m Hadad It would b e .

unj ust to resort to any oth er pages for an extract designe d t o

represent th is a uthor fairly .

H ADAD . S C ENE I I I .

T he g a rden o f AB S AL O M

S h o u s e onMoun t Z ion n ea r t he p a la ce , ,

ov er lookin
g t h e city . T A M AR sit t in g by a f o u n t a in .

Ta m . H ow
aromatic evening grows ! The ow ers ,
And spicy shrubs exhale like onycha ;
Spikenard and h enna emulate in sweets .

Blest hour ! whic h He w h o fashione d it so fair ,

,

S o softly glowing s o c ontemplative

, ,

Hath s et and sanctie d to lo o k on man

, .

And lo ! th e smok e of evening s ac ric e

Asc ends from out the tabernacle Heave n .

Ac c ept the expiation and forgive ,

This day s o ffenc es H a ! the wonte d strain ,

Prec ursor of his c oming Whenc e c an th is

It seems to o w fro m some une arthly hand
 JAM E S A . H IL L H OUS E .

H ad Delicious t o b eh old t h e world at rest

. .

Mee k labor wipes his brow , and inter mi t s

The c u rse , t o clasp th e youn lings o f his c ot ;
Herds men , and shepherds foI d their oc ks an d h ark ! ,

Wh a t merry str a ins th ey s end from Olivet !

Th e jar of life is still ; the city speaks
In gentle murmurs ; voic es chime with l utes
W ake d in the streets an d gardens loving p a irs
E y e the re d west in on e another s ar m s

A nd nature , breathing de w and fragranc e yields ,

A glimps e o f happiness which He , who form d ,

E arth and the stars h ad power t o make eternal

,
.

Ta m Ah ! Hadad m ea n s t thou t o reproac h the F r i end

.
,

Wh o ave s o much b ec ause he gave not all ?,

H P erfect b enevolenc e meth inks , h ad w ill d ,

U nc e asing h app iness , and peac e , and joy ;

F i ll d the whole univers e o f h uman hearts

With ple as ure lik e a o wing spring of life

, .

Ta m O ur Prophet teach es so ti ll man reb ell d

.
,

.

H ad Mighty rebellion ! Had h e lea g uer d Heave n

.

With b eings powerful nu mberless and dre adful , , ,

Strong as the enginery th at roc ks the world

Whe n all its p illars tremble ; m ix d the re s
O f onset with annihilating bolts
D efensive volleye d from th e throne ; this th is ,

Had been rebellion worthy of the name ,

Worthy of punishment But wh at did man ? .

Taste d an apple and th e fragile sc en e ,

E den and innoc enc e and human bliss ,
, ,

Th e nectar o w in g stre ams li fe giving fruits ,

-
,
-

C elesti al shades and amaranthine owe rs, ,

Vanish and sorrow t o rl and pain an d death ,, , ,

Cleave to him by an everlast ing c urse .

Ta m Ah ! talk not thus

. .

Had Is this b enevolenc e

.

Nay lo veliest thes e things s ometimes trouble me ;

, ,

F or I w a s t ut or d in a brighter faith .

O ur Syrians dee m e ach luci d fount and stre am , ,

Forest and m ountain glade a n d bosky dell ,

, , ,

P eopled with k ind divinities the frie nds ,

Of man a spiritual rac e alli e d

,

To him by many sympathies who see k ,

His happiness inspire him with gay thoughts

, ,

Cool wit h th eir w aves and fan him w ith t he ir airs

,

O er th e m th e Spirit of the U nive rs e ,

,

Or Soul of Nature , circ umfuses all

 JAM E S A H ILLH O U S E . .
36 1

With m ild , b enevolent, and sun like radianc e ; -

P erva ding warming v ivifying earth ,

, ,

As Spirit does the body , till g reen herbs ,

A nd b eaute ous owers and branchy c edars rise ,

An d sh ooting stellar inuenc e through h er c aves ,

Wh ence minerals and gems imbib e their lustr e .

Tam D reams Hadad empty dre ams

.
, ,
.

H ad These Deities
.

They invoc ate w ith cheerful gentl e rite s ,

H ang garlands on their altars heap their shrines ,

With Nature s bounties fruits a n d fragrant owers , ,
.

Not like y ou gory mount that ever reek s

Ta m C as t not reproach upon the h oly altar
. .

H ad Nay swe e t H avin g enj oy e d all ple as ures

.
,

That Natur e prompts b ut chiey blissful love , ,

At death the happy Syrian m ai den deems

,

Her immaterial ies into the elds ,

Or circum ambient clouds or crystal brooks , ,

And dwells , a D eity w ith thos e she wors hi pp d ; ,

Till tim e or fate return h er in its c ours e

, ,

T o qu a onc e more the c up of h uman j oy

.
, ,

Ta m But thou b elie v s t not this
. .

H ad I almost wish
.

Thou didst ; for I have foar d m y gentl e T amar , ,

Thy spirit is too te n der for a L a w

Announc ed in terrors couple d with the thr eats ,

Of an inexible a n d dreadful Being ,

Whose word ann ihilates w hos e awful voic e ,

Thunders the doom of nations who c an chec k ,

The sun in h eaven and shak e the loo s e n d stars ,

,

L ike wind t o ss d fruit to earth whose fiery step

-
, ,

Th e earthquak e follo w s whos e tempestuous breath ,

D ivides the se a whose anger never dies ,

,

Never remits b ut everlasting b urns

, ,

Burns un ex ti n g uis h d in the deeps of Hell

.

Je alous impl acable

,

Ta m P eac e 1 impious 3 pe ac e !
.

H ad Ha ! s ays not Moses so ?

.

The L ord is j ealous .

Ta m Jealous of our faith

.
,

Our love our true obe dienc e j ustly his ;

, ,

And a poor recompense for a ll his favors .

Implac able he is n ot ; contrite man

N e er foun d h im s o

.

Had But others have ,

.

If oracles be tr ue .

VOL . 11 .
 J AM E S .
AI H I LLH OU SE .

Ta m . know L ittl e we
'

Of the m and nothin g o f their dire o en ce

,
.

Had .I me ant not to disple ase love ; b ut my soul ,

Someti m es revolts bec aus e I think thy nature

,

Shudders at him and yonder bloody rites .

H ow dreadful ! w he n the w orld awakes to light,

And li fe and gladness and the j oc und ti de
, ,

Bounds in the veins o f every h appy c reature ,

Morning 13 u sh er d by a murder d victim ,

Whose wasting members reek upon the air ,

P oll uting the pur e rm a m en t ; the sh ades
Of evening sce nt of de at h ; almost t he shrine ,

O ersh a do we d by th e holy Cherub im

And where the cl otted current from th e altar

Mixes w ith Kedron all its waves are gore ,
.

Nay , nay I grieve thee t is n ot for mysel f

,

,

B ut that I fe ar the s e gloomy things oppress

Thy soul , and clou d its native s unshine .

Ta m (in t ea rs cla s in g her ha n ds )

.
, .

W it n ess y e Heavens ! ternal F ather witnes s !

, ,

Blest G o dyof Jacob ! Maker ! Friend P reserver !

That with my h eart m y undivide d soul , ,

I love adore and praise thy glorious n am e ,

, ,

C on fess the e L ord of all b elieve thy L aws ,

Wis e j ust a n d merciful as they are true

0Hadad Hadad ! y ou misc onstrue muc h
.
, , ,

,

Th e sadness that us urps m e t is for the e
I grieve for h opes that fade for your lost soul ,

And my lost h appiness

H a d 0say not so
.

.
,

Bel ove d Princ e s s Why distrust my faith ?

.

Ta m Thou k h ow st, alas my we ak ness ; b ut re member
.
, ,

I neve r never will b e thin e although

, ,

Th e feast th e blessing and th e s ong wer e past

, , ,

Though Abs alom an d Da vid c ali d me bride

,

Till s ure thou o wn st , with truth , and love s in c e re ,

The L or d Jehovah .

Ha d L e ave m e not Hear h ea r

.
,

I do believe J know that Being lives

Whom you a dore Ah ! stay by proo fs I kno w.

Which Moses h ad not .

Ta m P rinc e unclasp my h and

.
, (E xit . .

H a d U ntwine thy fette rs if thou c anst Ho w swe et

.

T o w atch the strug g ling so ft ness ! It allays

Th e b eating tempest of my thoughts and ows ,

L ike the nepenth e of ely s m m through me .

364 JAM E S A H I LLH O US E . .

Oth ers have wish d, and wish d in vai n,

Wh at I more h appy, may attain

, .

Impatient o er life s s e a to roam ,

I lightly b ad e adie u to home .

Please d with my b ark and snowy sad,

I freely gave th em to th e gale ,

A nd s aw , with triumph how I e w ,

P ast man s a ti m i d loitering crew

7
, .

L ess b rig ht in dee d the ocean s eem d
, , ,

Th an v ie w d at distanc e I had deem d

,

,

A nd lovelier still and lo velier gre w ,

The so ftening landsc ape that withdre w .

Wh en s eaward far , I rst perc eive

Th e c reste d billows rough er h eave ,
And while a cloud obsc ures th e s un ,
,

F eel the ke en gust prec ursive run

Along the main Ala rm d to nd .

S uc h trackless distanc e l eft b ehind ,

I turu d i n terror towar d th e sh ore
"
My venturous p ro w b ut m idst th e roar , ,

Of volleying thunder h ail and rain , , ,

That b urst tempestuous strove in vain ,

.

While by t he winds my slender b ark

Was h urrie d o er the waters dark ,

A h then ho w loo k d m y native dell !

,

,

How sweet to fancy w h o c an tell ! ,

D a sh d on a lonely isle at last,

,

I h aply by t h e shoc k w a s c ast

, , ,

B eyon d th e furious s urges r e ach ,
Wounde d and s enseless on th e b e ac h , .

Who to relieve me now appears ?

Some Nymph un rui ed oc ean h ea rs ,
O n sunny days and silver nights ,

Warble alon g his rocky heights ?

Did thos e fair d aughters of th e w ave
Transport m e to th e ir sparry c ave ,

An d Singi n g sweetly in m y e ar
R ec all the spirit to h er sph ere
Ah no thos e sirens never ris e
,

B ut wh e n so ft azure clothes the skies ,

And all th eir c r a g g y islets sleep
R eected in t h e gl assy deep ,

And gaudy barks with stre amers gay

Are lingering to applaud their lay :
When s eas are rough and tempests blo w ,

They keep their c oral bowers below .

 TH O MAS W ELLS . 365

A hospitabl e matron bor e

My drenc h d c old members from the shore ,

VVh
,

os e hu mble d welling ever stood

Open to su fferers from the ood .

E ach art reviving there she tries ,

Till life again relume d my eyes .

When from the death like swoon I wok e

-
,

She gently thus th e silenc e broke .

I nee d not stranger ask t h tale

, , y
I saw thee c o urt the fav rin g gal e ;

I know the pict ure fancy dre w,

Cheating thy inexperience d vie w .

When n ext on Hope s fair hill y ou stand

, ,

,

Tak e Wis dom s volume in your h and ;
Compar e the scene , at distanc e gay ,
With what those sacre d pages say :
They w ill reveal the hidden snare ,

L ife s sh oals and quicks ands all declare ;

They tell of roc ks and storms , in se a s

That sc arcely s ee m to know a breeze
O f clouds that fatal tempests hold
Beneath their gorgeous skirts of gold
Wh e n s un , nor star displays its light,
,

They c an direc t your feet aright ;

They w ill exalt your quicke n ing eyes

From earth s poor pa g eant to th e skies .

R eligion thus her thoughts ex p ress d

I loc k d th e c ounsel in my breast .

T H O MA S W E L LS

Is a native of Boston , and is at present an oi cer of the

Unite d States R evenue He h as been for some time k nown
.

t o the public as the author of several prize c ompositions In .

these and most of his fu gitive piec es , h e appears to h ave

,

selecte d the po ets of the last c entury for his models In the .

V ision, how ever , h e h as struc k into a new path with perfec t

success .

VO L . II.
366 T H OMA S W E LL S .

AT m i s use n o rm .

Ar musin g hour of twilight gray,

'

When Sil enc e reigns around ,

I love to walk th e c hurchyar d w ay ,

T o me t is holy ground .

To me , c ongeni al is t h e plac e
Where ye w a n d cypress grow
I love the moss grown stone t o trac e,
-

That tells who lies b elow .

And as the lonely spot I pass

,

Where weary ones repos e ,

I think like th em h o w soon alas

, ,

My pil grimage will clos e .

L ik e t hem , I think ,
wh en I a m gone ,
And soundly sleep as they ,

Alike unnotic ed an d unkn own , ,

Shall p ass my nam e away .

Yet a b ! and let m e lightly tread !

Sh e sle eps b eneath this ston e
That would h ave soothe d my dy ing b ed,
An d w ept for me when gone

H er image t is t o m em ory d ear

That clings around my heart,

And makes me fondly linger here ,
U nwilling to depa rt .

S O L I TUD E .

E M BOS OM in t hy sh ades , O Solitude !

D
Thy leafy canopies and forests rud e
Where Silence reigns save when the moping bird
, ,
Tuneless from yonder ivied nook is h eard
,

T o greet th e c oming ni g ht ; remote from sc enes of care,

I s t me down your quietu de t o sh ar e
.
 T H OMAS W E LL S .

And hold c ommunion with the illustrio us dead ;

Imaginati on then with eye of light, ,

Imps her bold Wing and meditates her ight ;

To worlds unknown from mortal bounds she hies , , ,

Spurns the dull e arth and claims her kindre d s kies ,

.

There breathes a language in th e trac kless w oods ,

In voic eless glens and mountain solitudes ;

,

Amidst unpeople d rocks there lives for me

A someth ing more than m an s s ociety

I h ear some c al l i n every pas sing wind ;

In every tre e a moni tor I n d ;
On every stone I trac e a moral l aw ,
And from e ac h brook an admonition draw

Whate er I note or wheresoe er I turn , ,

From s uc h mysterious P rovidenc e I learn ;

Ab ove around beneath im press d I se e
, , ,

Th e apparent nger of the D eity

On every leaf in e ac h unfolding o wer
,

I read th e ima g ed evidenc e o f power .

Of power vv hos e vital princ iple from nought , ,

This fair cre ation into b eing brought ;

Whic h will d and fro m oblivion ros e the e arth ,

From c haos form ; from lifeless m atter birth

, ,

O f po wer the b alanc e d worlds on high that hung, , ,

At wh ose om n ic word the dayb eam sprung ,

An d all the morning stars together sung ;

O er all created things supreme that reigns ,

Whose wisdom fas hion d and whose mi g ht sustains

,
.

9t 96 it

Th e noon of midnight reigns the solemn hour

O er subj ect things the sovereignty of po wer
E xclusive h olds above around beneath , , ,

The all perva ding spirit s eems to breathe

-

Of m us m g loneliness the cloudless s ky

E arth s azure roof a glorious c anopy

Stretch es fro m verge to verge serenely fair

The stars look o ut through crystal elds of air ,

An d as in c oncert there they shine dispens e

, ,

To rapt devotion s eye harmonious in uenc e

,
.

Welcome ye thickets hail propitious shade

Sacred to son g for c ontemplation made
Yo ur quietude I c ourt henc e b e from me
The c ro w de d mart the idle pageantry
Of fool d ambition s pride the c ares the strife

, ,

O f ch eate d pleas ure s s upercial life

B ut mine , b e mine , your hospitable wild

 TH OMAS W E LL S . 369

Where h alcyon peac e of h e aven th e fa vor d child ,

,

Delights to dwell b e mine y o ur d welling rude ,

Bland nurse of thought c ongenial Solitu de .

A V ISI ON .

A DE E P sleep c ame and on my senses fell ,

In solitude , u pon a rock whose bro w ,

R ecumb ent fro wn d upon a mirror ood

,

Methought I stood z In emerald array ,

A still im in ea s urea b le glassy tide
In gentle be auty slep t while day light s t a in d ~ -

,

With parting hu e its boso m s quietude
,
.

The worn out winds had long ago expired

-
,

And with their lullaby the weary waves ,

Had cradle d to their rest Th e weeping h eavens

R efreshin g distillations shed and hung ,

Th eir j ewelry upon th e rosy skirts

Of branch and bank and many an airy peak
, ,
.

Po wder d with gems the distant valley se em d

,

With living c onstellations paved an d burnt ,

L ik e m olten diamonds S uc h l a n ds c a p e onc e ,
.
,

The enraptured eye of Moses held en t hr all d

'

When near th e b orders of the promise d land ,

From Pis g a h s to wering steep the blissful shore

,

Of Canaan h e behel d Before my dream .

,

A dis mal strange and sh adowy chan g e now p ass d

, ,

In blood r ed garments v ei l d solemn and slow

-

, ,

Climbing her height upros e the dim c old Moon, ,

As up sh e b ent h er never sounding march -

,

She s eem d to bode of skulls and s ep ulchres ,

O f sights unholy and forbidde n things

,

O f death a n d j udgment and the latte r doom

, ,
.

As on her course she kept sh e s eem d to she d ,

A milde w in the stagnant breeze A fog .

Now from the unwholesome earth arose and ll d

'
,

With s u oc a t in g steams the b urden d air

.

A s udden spirit s e em d the winds to move

The t ide , wh ic h erst in waveless slumber lay ,

In strange c ommotion roa n d and hiss d and shook

,

From the foundation 0 its boiling d eep .

The de ws in heavy drops fell fast and turu d
C 0
,

T o clotted gore , l n with blood , th e marl

 T H OMAS W E LL S .

Th e sobbing winds unearthly voic es b ore ,

Of lamentations deep a nd speechless w ail ,

While , ever anon b etween aros e ,

C om m in l e d sounds as from unquiet s ouls
o
, ,

Or unlai d spirits issuing stran g e an d wild ,

The noise s grew and s ee m d like fun eral dirge,

Of maniac h arpers on the midnight wave

Then c ease d e ac h sound a n d all awhile wa s hush d ,

,

Save the deep chiming of th e distant k nell

That heavily along th e w aters roll d

And from her den th e hungry she wolf wok e -

,

W h o with a fa mish d howl re echoe d b ac k

-

Th e solemn v esper bell z N o w suddenly -

From trumpet s thr oat unseen a stirri n g peal ,

Th e alarming summons rung whic h on the e ar ,

O f x d astonishment a wok e a pa n g
'

In s u e rab ly ke en z Th e forests bent

Their giant limbs a n d sh ook th eir tena n ts forth
,

W hilst dove and vulture in promisc u ous fri g ht , ,

With staggering wing c onfuse dly o ut p o ur d
,

And da sh d the m in the ood erc e from he r s te ep
On sinewy pinions b orn e t he E a gle rush d ,

,

In noble wrath she s t ret c h d h er mete or ig ht

,

T o untrie d regions thenc e to gaze u pon , ,

T he i dol of h er scorching ey e still up

,
With glanc e electric an d with iron be a k , ,

She b ent h er b osom gainst th e th under cl oud ;

F earless th e tempest in h is fury m et ,

And scre a m d h er requiem to d e p a rted day .

Th e ancient c olumn and the battlement , ,

From their rm b ases re eling to th e grou nd ,

In th undering ruin fell z Convulsed me t h ou g ht ,

I he ar d the world s expiring groan old e arth ,

From her re motest r ec ess bac k ret urn d ,

The nal c ry and ren der d up hersel f

,

.

And now eme rging from their dreams profo un d

,

Awoke th e relics which for ages had , ,

In their dark c hambers slept z W ith hurrie d pac e ,

The sheete d g ures w it h inquietu de ,

H ov er d about t he c onnes of the i r h ome

L ong long in darkness a n d oblivion qu e n c h d,

, ,

Th eir eyes W it h marble stupefaction roll d

,
And glare d in monumental mock ery .

A blighting d ew c a daverous a n d c h ill , ,

Crept o er my moulderin g limbs I felt Dec ay
With rotte n ngers touc h my very heart
 T H OMA S W E LL S .

An d so on , that dread repose th e peal awoke ,

Of loud artillery , and the dire alarms

Of mingling c onict, and the clash of arms .

F ate gave th e w ord and now by veterans le d , ,

I n pride of chivalry to c onquest bred , ,

The foe advanc ed e ntrench ed the champion b and ,

Of Freemen s tood th e b ul w ark of the land

,

Fe arless their stars un furl d and , as the roc k ,

,

Storm proof th ey stood impervious to th e s hock

-
, ,

Their patriot Chief wit h patriot ardor re d ,

Ne rved every h and an d every h eart inspire d ;

,

Himself in peril s trying hour a host

,

, ,

A nation s resc ue and a nation s b oast

,

E mp o wer d alike to govern , or to s ave

To guide a people or t heir s word to w ave

,
.

As near th e b a st ion d wall t h Invader drew ,

A storm of iron h a d to greet h im ew

On havoc s wing the m i s s ion d venge anc e rode
,

An d wh ole platoons th e scythe of rui n mow d

Through paths of blood o er un dist in g uis h d slain ,

,

U nyok ed th e hungry w a r dogs s c o ui d th e plain

-
,

Borne on the blast th e sc attering besom k ept

,

Its c ours e and ranks on r a nks promisc uous swept

,

The trophie d L io n fell while o er his foes ,

U nsc athe d in arms s upreme , the tow ering E a g le rose

, .

S ublime in maj esty matchless in might ,

C olumbia stoo d unshaken in th e ght :

,

From lips of adamant midst volume d s mok e ,

And c ataracts of re her thun ders spok e ,

In triumph to the skies ; from sh ore to shore '

,

Old Mi ssissippi sh ook an d ec ho ed t o the roar , .

High on his sceptred perc h our mo untain bird , ,

Amidst the din the shout of Victory h eard

E xulting he ard and from his eyry came
,

Through rollin g w a r clou ds a n d through she ets of ame ;

-
,

R enown s immortal meed h e bore and spre ad ,

His ample pinions o er the c onqueror s he ad

Th e Hero of the W est to hi m a s s ig n d

The glorious palm and round his brows the guerdon twined
, .
 W I LLI A M B . TAPPA N . 373

S ONNE T .

Yr clouds th at in your breasts th e tempe st b e ar ,

.
,

From whose dark folds th e nimble lightnings leap ;

Tell us , as through the vault of bl ue y e sw e ep ,
Whenc e c ame ye , rolling in yo ur strength and where ,

Sh adowin g the h eavens , do y o u now bend your c ourse

Shipwrec k attends dread messengers your path
, ,

Th e giant forests stoop b efore your wr ath

And Oc ean b ends h is trid ent to your forc e
Alre ady now your winge d bolts of re
Th e skies in a m e your pe aling thunders roll ,
And s ee m the earth to shake from pole to pole ,
.
,

Whilst h ail and whirlwind mingle with your ir e

Morta l s eek n ot t he E tern al t o lore,
We co m e his err a n ds to f ull be en t a nd a dor e .

W IL L IA M B T A P P A N ,
.

A NAT I VE o f P orts mouth N H and now a resident of Phi

,
. .

la delp hia He has publi s he d two or thre e vol u m es of poetry

. .

R E T R O SP E C T I ON .

T isswe et in seclusion to look o n th e past ,

, ,

In life s sober twilight r ec all the da y dream -

T o mark the smooth s unshine and skies overc ast, ,

That c h equer d our c ourse as w e move d down th e stream

.

For 0there s a ch ar m in retracing t h e morn ,

Wh en the star o f our ple asure b e em d b ri ghtly awhil e

,
And the tear th at in infancy wa t er d th e thorn
,

By the magic of memory is changed t o a smile .

H o w faint is the touch , n o perspective bestowin g,

N or sc enery in nature s tr ue colors a rr ay d ;

How ch aste is the landsc ape , how vividly glowin g ,

Where th e warm tint of fancy is me llowe d by sh a d e !
v 0L . ii. 32
374 W ILLI AM B . TAPPA N .

With c he erfulness then , R etrospection I ll gre et the e , ,

Though the nightsh ad e be twine d in thy b ou quet of sweets ,

In the eve of reection this bosom W ill meet th ee ,

While to th e dear vision of childhood it b eats .

And the h eart th at in c ondenc e s eeks its re vie w ,

A nd nds the c alm impress o f in n oc en c e there ,

With rapture anticipates h appiness new ,

In hope yet to c ome it possesses a share

, .

If in worlds b ea t i c a ffectio n s unite

, ,

And thos e onc e di ss ev er d are blende d in lov e ;

If dre ams of the past qurcke n pre sent delight,

R etrospection adds b h ss t o the spotless above .

WHY SH OULD WE s rs n ?

W H Y should we si gh whe n F ancy s dream ,

Th e ray that shon e mid youthful tears ,
Departing , le aves n o kindly gleam ,
T o c heer the lonely waste of y e ars ?
W hy should we s i g h Th e fairy c har m -

Th at b ound each sense in folly s chain
Is brok e an d R e ason cle ar and c alm
, , ,

R es umes her holy rights again .

Why sh ould w e sigh that earth no more

Claims t he devotion onc e a pproved ?

That j oys en de a r d with us are o er

, ,

And gone are thos e these hearts h ave loved ?

Why should we sigh U nfading bliss
Survives the n arro w grasp of time
And thos e that ask ed our tears in this
Shall rende r smiles in yonder clime .

W HE N DEAT H S H AL L L AY .

WHEN death shall l ay this b osom low ,

And every murmur h ush to sleep ,

Wh en those that give affection n ow ,

Shall o er a ec t i on s memory w e ep ,
376 W ILLI AM B
. T APPA N .

0c om e from a world w here th ey that b eguil e

,

Will le ad the e to peril and fe ars ;

F or the h eart th at con di n g hath welcome d its smile ,
, ,

Hath found it th e prelude to te ars

C ome then there s a path by th e reckless untrod ;
0c ome, we ary w anderer, it le ads to thy GO D
,

T O T H E N ORT H S TAR .

BRI GH T Star while tho u thy lonely way

,

P urs u st in y o u expanse of blue ,

Thy gem like form and steady ray

-

Attract the h eedless peas ant s View

,

And his whose thoughts to unknown r egions stray

,
.

F ull o ft t he w an derer fortune s child , ,

Benighted s ad and doom d to roam
, , ,

Beh olds with j oy thy aspect mild ,

That tells of h a ppiness and h om e ,

And g uides him onward rn id the trackle s s wild .

Oft , t oo,th e se a b oy m arks thy be am

-
,

When oc e an sle eps in pe ac eful c alm ;

Wh i le o er its b reast thy ge ntle gleam

Plays w anton a n d with sacre d char m

,

L ulls th e wrapt soul in fancy s pleasing dream .

And oft , s we et Star , at even tide , -

When all around is h ush d to rest

,

My thoughts asc end and pensive glide ,

T o distant climes an d regions blest,

Where wo worn c are and grief w ould gladly hide
-
.

An d fancy whispers in mine e ar ,

Th at th ose who onc e were here belov ed ,

T o friendship an d a ffection de ar ,

N o w from this e eting sc ene removed ,

R epose , bright Star , in thy ethere al sphere
 o
S AMU E L n . J E NKS . 377

S A MU E L H . J E N KS

W a s b orn in Boston in 1789 H e wa s eng age d in the mer .

c a n t il e profe ss ion for some ye ars b ut in 182 1 he b ec ame e ditor

,

and proprietor of the Nantucket Inquirer D uring part of th e .

year 182 4, he c onducte d a paper i n New York , calle d The

National U nion , and supporting the claims of Mr Crawford for
th e Presidency He relinquishe d the Nantucket Inquirer in
.

182 7, an d has sinc e b een the e ditor of the Boston E vening

B ulletin He is known as a c orrect an d intelligent writer
. .

His lighter prose c ompositions h ave obtaine d him a well de

s erve d reputatio n as a humor ist .

0! M AY W E N OT WEEP ?

W eep not for t h ose w ho m t he v l ei of t he t o m b

.
- Moo n E .

0! MAY w e not weep for th e love d wh h ave ed o

From our presenc e on earth though their home b e in heaven
,

And may not our tears at th e grave of the dead ,

When owing in silenc e and hope b e forgiven ? ,

Shall de ath s eize unhe e de d the friends of our b osom ,

The fairest and mildest in life s lovely bloom
And throw them un m o urn d lik e the funeral blossom
,

, ,

To fade and c orrod e in the dam ps of the tomb

O may w e not s orrow for those w ho have e d
From our pres enc e on e arth though th eir home b e in h eaven ;
,

And m ay not o ur te ars at th e grave of the dead ,

When owing in silenc e and hop e , b e forgiven ?

U nmove d sh all w e w ak e from th e dreams w e enjoy d

,

And nd a ll our visions by death rudely torn ?

Our peac e by the swe eping blast rent an d dest roy d

L ike brutes shall we brook or like m an sh all we mourn ,

?

For thou gh quietly s eal d in the sepulchre s slumb er ,
,

Th e forms of our valued companions repos e

E en though with t he spirits of bliss TH E Y may number ,
Yet may we not weep for o u r wasteness and woes .

VOL II . .
378 S AM U EL H . J E NK S .

Then say not , ye piously stern that our grief ,

Should be quenc li d i n oblivion or frigidly borne

,

Wh en the mildews o f fate blight the young tender leaf ,

T is NATURE S C OMMAND , and M AN S D UT Y , t o mourn

.

THE PATRI O T S GRA VE .

ONthe spot where my wa r c ouch stood -

,

Wh ere my spring time of fame wa s p a s s d
-
,

Where the patriot s prayer and th e h ero s blood

,

Pour d fervently and fast

Wh ere th e spirit of glory stole

O er my earliest and brightest dream ,

With the trumpet s blast and the dru m s r ude roll ,
And t he falchion s da zzh n g gle am

L a y medown on th at h allow d spot
L on g
in peac e I may there remain ;
foeman s standard n ow wa veth
F o r the

n ot
On yonder b attle pla in -
.

When this we ary and strugglin g soul

From its bondage of clay h ath ed ,

Mak e my hu mble grave on on grassy knoll ,

T is a meet and q uiet b e

On it s b row there S a blas t e d o ak ,
L ike its withering branch am I
Yet thou gh r avens there may b e hear d to croak,
He aven s so ft est bre eze s hall sigh

And my children a stre am glides there

, , ,

G ently laving its verd ant b as e

Of perennial bliss t is an emblem fair
It sh all mark my restin g place !

Onc e th e proud and th e gallant tre ad

Of th e warrior p ress d that mound ;
But h is c omrad es s oon o er the prostr ate de ad

May pour the farewell round .

 0
38 S AMU E L H J E N K S . .

Toby h ad never see n great towns an d c ities ,

Where houses grow together by th e acre
i
To die then and se e only what h Make
s r

,

H ad done in lands and w oods and c attle

, ,

Thought Toby t were a thousan d pities

,

So dow n to Boston , in my c art I ll r attle
,
.

So down h e w ent ,

And t urn d up at the In dia n Qu

Amazement and astonishment

At wh at he s aw ,

And wh at wa s t o be seen ,

Hun g he avily upon his under ja w -

.

This m ade him hung ry and h e b ought ,

A y a rd of gingerbread to stay his y earnings ,

A nd after various crooks and turnings
He got into the p a rlor as h e thought ; ,

But reader t wa s th e kit chen
, ,

S o dro ll was everything an d so bewitchin g .

Th e c ook , of his p oetic p o wers wa s boasting

Betwixt wh om and th e sc ullion there arose
A disputation whether rhyme or prose
,

Most cle ar ideas c onv ey d

Be e f was th ere r oastin g

-

By dint of a huge ja ck c ustom a n tiqu e

Now quoth the c ook I 11speak
.

, ,

In v erse to this fat lout and asc ertai n ,

Wheth er my rh y mes b e n ot , to a ll m en, p la in .

Says h e t o Toby , May I b e s o b old

As to inquire how many hours have rolld
Sinc e you into these regions stroll d

Quoth Toby c asting up his ea er looks

,

T o where the giddy j ack whe e whirl d -

O dsbludikins and s h aggers ! r at it and adzooks !

, ,

Your clo ck goes faster than aunt Katy s ;

A nd I ll b e s k in n d an d da rn d for a ll th e w orld ,
,

If I a s ll wh tim e 0 da y t i s

c n ee to t e a t .
 A NT H O NY BL E E C K E R . 38 1

AN T H ON Y B LE E C K E R .

ANT H ONY BL E E CKE R was desc ende d from an old New York
family and was born in that state not long aft er th e Declara
,

tion of Independenc e H e wa s e d uc ate d after the peac e in

.

th e city of Ne w York and c ompleted his studies at Columbi a

,

College , Wher e h e studie d about th e same time with the late

G overnor De Witt Clinton , Vic e President Tompkins th e ,

R ev Dr Mason and other distinguishe d m en , whos e friend

.
,

ship h e preserve d through out li fe His tastes and h abits w ere

.

purely literary b ut the state of soc iety in th e c ountry at that

,
'

time a orded n o enc ouragement for authorship and the cir

, ,

c um st a nc es o f his family c ompelle d him to embrac e some

profession He th erefore devote d himself though r eluctan tly

.
, ,

to the study and practic e o f the L a w H e never s ucc ee de d .

as an advocate for he wa s decient in th e talent of popular

,

spe aking and an unconquerable diiden ce hindere d him from

,

overcoming o r overlooking this defect He , however b ec ame .

,

highly respecte d in h is profession for practical good sense , ,

acc urate and useful l earning and stainl ess honor an d integrity
,
.

He settle d in t h e City of New York where his life owe d on ,

equably in th e quiet chamb er b usiness of th e law and par ,

t ic ul arly th e equity practic e intersperse d with various literary

,

p ursuits until his ftieth ye ar wh en a fter a short illness he

, , , ,

died in th e spring of 182 7 Few men have le d a more blame

.

less and honorable life Though a private citizen , without

.

fortune , or politic al distinction his death w as widely felt as a

,

public loss His literary career c orresponde d t o the gener al

.

characte r of his mind He never formally appeared before

.

the pub lic as an author yet for thirty ye ars , the newspapers
,

and periodic al literature of New York an d Philadelphia w ere ,

c onstantly indebte d to his lively fan cy an d good taste Some .

of the most esteemed p ublications of th e day ow ed muc h of

their attraction to his aid , suggestion or correction the ex ,

tent of whic h w as known only t o his immedi ate c ircle of

382 ANT H O N Y BL E E C K E R .

friends . His poetry is all occ asional an d may b e found ,

sc attered through v arious literary journals from 180

0t o 182 5 ,
.

ON RE V I S I T ING TH E C OTT AGE O F R OSA IN E ARL Y S P RING ,

A F TE R A L ONG A B S E NC E .

SE VE N summers have own and onc e more do I s ee

,

Th e elds and the groves I deserte d s o long

Sc arc e a b ud yet appears on the w inter he at tre e -
,

Nor a bird y et e nlivens the sky W ith a s ong .

F orthough spring has returned yet the chilly wind blo ws

, ,

And th e violets and daisies still hide in th e ground

B ut one dear little ower one beautiful R ose
, ,

Here blooms and here blushes the seasons all round .

Thou pride of the plain little que en Of th e grove

, ,

Still fresh is thy foliage and s weet thy perfume ,

And still the bright obj ect of Pa ridel s love ,

As when thy rst b uds w ere b eginning to bl oom .

And though fate has decree d that h e must n ot aspire

This blos s om divin e on hi s bosom to w e ar ,

Yet still must h e c herish the tender desire ,

And make the e forever the theme o f h is prayer .

Blo w gently ye zephyrs b e genial ye showers

, , , ,

Bright and w arm b e the sky o er thy dear native val e ,
An d may no bitter blast ever ravage the bowers
Th at guard thy fair frame from th e m erciless g al e .

An d wh en th e sh ort season of blooming shall end ,

Which fate to th e children of nature hath given ,

May some c herub of be auty to sn a tc h the e desc end
, , ,

And be ar thee t o bloom i n the gard ens of heaven .

T RENT ON F A L L S , NE AR U TI C A .

Ye h ills who have for ages stood

,

S ubli m ely in y our solitude ,

 ANT H O NY BL E E C K E R .

J UNGF RA U S P A IG E R S A P O S TR O P H E TO HER C AT .

Al ate L o n don p a p er m en t i o n s t ha t t he ce e ra t ed Ma hhe im l b

e esco pe , t he T l
m a st er-p iece o f t he fa m o us p e igat , a S H
un g a r ia n o p t iC i a n , w a s recent
y dest roy ed l
in a s ing u a r l m a nner A b v
se rv a n t o f t h e O se r a t o ry h a v m g t a en out t h e g a sses
. k l
l
t o c ea n t hem , p ut t he m in a g a in , w it h o ut b i o serv n g t ha t a ca t had c rep t int o t h e
t ube . At n ig ht , t he a n im a l bei n
g l
a a rm ed at t he s t ron g p ow ers of t he Lu na r

ra y s , en dea v o red t o es c a p e b ut t he effo rt t hrew do w n t h e n st rum en t , i whi ch ,

ll
fa ing t o t h e g roun d fro m t he t o p of a t o wer, was ro en t o p ieces T he writ er, b k .

i
p res um ng t h a t t he c a t wa s k ll
i ed b y t he fa , im a g i nes t he da ugh t er of t h e ll
a st ron o m er a s b k
rea in g fort h i n t he fo o wi n
g a m en t ll L .

W hat whis k er d ghost at this mild moonlight hour ,

,

Invites my steps and points to yonder tower ? ,

Tis P uss my darling P uss ; all bleeding pale
,

Ga s h d are her e ars and s c o t c h d h er lengthy

Oh tell thy tale a n d I W ill lend an e ar

, ,

Th e n s weep to my reven g e G rimalkin dear , , .

Oh say did boys or othe r c ruel hounds

, , ,

C onspire thy de ath a n d give thos e gh as tly wounds ? ,

Or tell me P uss t iS W hat I dre ad th e mos t,
, ,

Did some Kilkenny c at m ake th ee a ghost ?

C anst thou not speak ? Ah then I ll s e e k the c ause
Wh at s e e I here the bloody prints of paw s
And o h c haste stars ! what broken limbs appear ,
,

Here h e thy legs ; the T el esc ope s lie here

.

Th e Telesc ope o e rt urn d too plain I se e

The c ause th e c aus e of thy c at a st r0p h e

,
-
.

Was it for this m y s ire on topmost tower , ,

G azed at the stars till midni ght s d e w y h our

,

O ut w a t c h d the B ear and s a w Orion ris e

, ,

While Hesper lent her light to other skies

Was it for this h e gave s uch stric t c omm and
, ,

To clean th e glasses w ith a c areful h and ,

An d the n to s earc h the tub e with nic est c are ,

To se e nor c at nor kit wer e nestling th ere
, ,

L est lik e old S i drop h el star gazing wight,

, ,
-

Wh o wisely made a c omet of a kite ,

My c at perhaps t wixt Mercury and Mars ,
, ,

H ad h elp d to s well th e c at alogue of stars

-
.

0 say wh at le d the e to that giddy h eight ,

Thou Quee n of c ats ! that Witching ti me of night ;

 A NT H O NY BL E E C K E R . 385

W a s it c at op t rics re d thy feline heart,

-

And didst thou dare to act the sage s p art ,

An d p eeping at the moon while st ret ch d at e ase , ,

Discover with delight tw as all green cheese 9

Or didst thou wish to tak e a near survey ,

Of th at delicious stream th e milky way , ,
-

And wh ile th e dog s tar in the welkin r aves ,

-

T o tak e a l eap an d lap its cre am clad w aves ?

,
-

Ah me ! w h at te rrors through thy frame were spread ,

When L una s rays refracted on thy head ,

And ll d thy gooseb erry eyes wit h beams so thic k ,

N o wonder tho u b ec a m st a lunatic ;

L ost all reection sc arc e ret a in d a hop e

,

Immured in a reecting telescope .

The conc ave mirror rst thy fury bore ,

The c onvex lens b ut vexe d thee th e more
Then all thy rage was to a focus brought ;
T o tilt the tub e w a s now thy o nl y thought ;

F lounc e bounc e it tumbles from the turret w all ,

Bre aki n itself b ut breaking not thy fall !
,

Oh dire ul fall B ut why indulge this wo

C an c at a ra c ts of tears avail thee no w ?
-

N o ; tho u art bound to Hec ate s wizzard shore ,
Where W hit t in g t on s fame d c at has gone b efore

And to appease thy ghost my task shall b e ,

To c onsecrate a cat acomb to thee -
.

Emb alm d, dear shade , with true E gyptian car e ,
Across the Atlantic wave thy c orpse I ll bear,

And where old C atskill props the western sky,

The fur clad relics of my c at shall lie
-
.

There shall thy favorite herbs and plants b e found ,

The c at mint there sh al l she d its swe ets around
-

The savory mushroom from the sod shall start,

And to the bre eze its c ats up s weets impart .

While the tall cat tail , on the reedy shore

-

,
Shall h ang his he ad , and thy s ad fate deplore .

One warbler of th e grove will ne er forget

T o pay t o thee his grateful tuneful debt ; ,

The c at bird p c rch d on the c atalpa tre e ,
-
,

Sh all squall that note he learnt, poor p uss , from thee ,

VOL ii 33

. .
 386 e . A . GAMAG E .

W hile from th e mount, the valley , and the plain ,

T he w e epin g pole c at s hal l repeat th e strain
-
.

E P I TAPH OF M ORNAI D U PLE S S IS,

IM ITATE D F R OM TH E LATI N OF GROTI U S .

Nobil ity of soul by nature given

, ,

ohler th an blood o f pr ou d anc estral line

Skill in t he l a ws o f m en and truths of He aven ,

Maturest c ounsel ; eloquenc e divine ,

W ith Mornai her e repos e his tomb their h allow d sh rine

.

G . A . G A MAG E ,

A NAT I VE of Massachusetts He h as b een th e e ditor of

.

s eve ral papers in this state and N ew York

,
H is poetry has .

a ppear ed under th e signature of Mont arn ier

g .

M Y E ARL Y DA Y .

MY early day what joys were th ine !

,

And yet thou h adst some sorrows t oo ;

A varied wreath they join d to twine

And midst it h Op e h er blossoms thre w

Borne on the b re eze h er rosy kiss ,

B ad e pleas ur e soj ou rn there ,

L ove c ame t o tune he r lute of bliss ,

And requie ms s ung to c ar e .

Dear d ays of pe ac e a h, whither ed

O er my young bower ye d id but hover ,

Then lik e the dove your pinions spre ad

, , ,

An d sought your home the sk ies forev er ,

Your morning gales my path b eguiled ,

Nor whisp e r d they s hould die so s oon

N or eac h bri g ht bud that round it s miled ,

Dream of d eparting ere t wa s noon
.
3% ALB E R T I G. GR E E N E .

N 0mor e sh all fb lly s yello w wing

O er pl eas ure s path she d sic kly dews ?

Nor youth s deligh t ful day of spring

Mid grief s dim cloud its lustre los e ?
Say ne er Shall w ealth s gay spangle d plume

-

Dec eive as when it erst was mine

,

N or love turn shuddering from the tomb ;

N or joy at her short reign r a pine ?

And when the grave its grassy veil

Between these ey es and life sh all spread ,
Sh al l memory blight the primros e pale ,
That kind ] striv es to shad e my b e d ?
Or shall t he orm that slumbe rs ther e,
N O more of pa in nor d ea t h en dure ? i

Oh pour thine answe r on my e a r

,

I ve told the e tol d th ee , child N o M O RE
-

A L BE R T G. GR E E NE ,

Provi denc e , the editor of t he R hode Islan d Americ an

Or .

.

He ha s lately publishe d a poem delivere d b efore th e Philer

m a nian Society , at Providenc e , fro m which we e x tract th e
following .

L INE S .

My o bj ec t be i m e l gh t d gree t heoffset s f t ha t p pens t y of

wa s t o de sc ri n so s i e , o ro i
t h m i d t be di
e n t o t W th th l ll t m t f t s it ua t
s con en i wh ch is con t ne rea a o en o i s i on , i i
u a l ly p m pt g t t d
ro m f a d t o ee k f
in i m e p e f t f uit io
o rea o , f t h e ea l
n s o r, or r ec r n o r
j y flf
o s o o f t he i m a g i
i e, o r y f it w k g d ms ; d to h w th t
na r o nes o s a in rea an S o , a
th isf li g h
ee b n th fm
as y p ee n d d b l hi vem ts ; t h p r g
e ca u se o an ro u an no e ac e en e s in
o f m y f t h high t
an o d m t d r g eff t
e f t h m gi t i n
es an os nd wh t a in or s o e i a na o a a is
of f r m a im p t o re th u c f l g u h pe d f i t h
o r a n ce, e so f t h ese
r e o re i io s o an a , so ar as
ar e n t f u d do
o oR l t it l f
n e n P ef
e ve a i o n e at t h e ut h
se . r ac
"
or .

Ho w many wearie d spirits h ave forgot

Th e pain and sorrow of their earthly lot,

Through Fancy s b right c reati ons tracin g o er ,

Some path o f light , by Genius trod b efore

While o er the lyre some gi ft e d minstrel in g s

,

A master s hand to wak e its living strings ,

,

Whos e notes a bright and cheerin g spell c a n t h row

Aroun d the spi rit in its hour of wo ;
C an bid long v anish d hop e t o li fe retu rn ,
 ALB E RT G G R E E N E . .

And teach e en rankling h ate less deep t o b urn ;

U ntil th e latent virtue wakes withi n ,

The heart long b urden d with acc using sin ;

O e r its crush d pride a heal ing inuenc e po ur ,

And call up feelings never known before ;

And c ome w ith power assuasive of its pain ;
,

L ik e J ub a l s music o er the s oul of C ain

.

Though maze d in error and dele d by Sin, ,

The human soul still b ears a light w ithin ,

U n quench d unquenchable of heavenly birth

, , ,

Which when rene d from all the dross of e arth

, ,

Will not less brightly shine than that which n ow , ,

Sheds glory round the b urn in g s era ph s brow

.

And was this spark from heaven s own altar c aught

,

Shrine d in th e human spirit th en for nou ght ? ,

It is not so fa r be th e thou ght profane

G o d never gave so ric h a gi ft in vai n .

T is this whic h yields a ll true poetic re

Which gives its soul of music to the lyre
And when from rapture d t hought its number s swell,
, ,

Makes its deep tones a mystery and a spell .

The gi fte d ha rd to faith s extatic gaze
, ,

Her shadowy worlds with brighter forms arrays ;

Prompts each fond hope for happier scenes t o r ise , ,

Beyond this e arth and all its transient ties ,

I n scenes of more e ndurin g j oy to live ,

Than all its transient w e alt h and pomp c an give .

For this , how ric h the b right r eturns whic h pour ,

On the rapt b ar d fro m faith s u nbounde d stor e ;

She throws a de eper spell around h is dreams ,

A nd gives his thrilling song its noblest themes .

Thou h o ft the B ard s high gi ft may b e misused ;

And aith dec eive d insulted and ab us ed ,

That light Within th e soul though m isem pl oy d, ,

May lon g b e dimm d b ut c annot b e des t roy d

,

F or higher good it still Will prompt desire ;

,

F ix d in its laws a s e arth s material re ;

,

Which though on every side extends its rays

, ,

Still up wa rd ever points the u nchanging blaz e

Proud are the treasures of enduring worth
The sons of Genius h ave b equeathe d to e arth ;
R ic h are the themes whic h many a teeming mind ,
Fre e d from its earthly c ares h at h le ft b ehind , .

B ut still of deeper power and brighter far ,

Than all these trophies g lorious as they are , ,

Than all the proudest offerings ever plac ed ,

By art and g enius on th e sh i me of taste ;

*
V OL . n . 3 3
 0
39 ALB E R T G. GRE E N E .

H ave b e en those hig h c onc eptions , de ep and v ast ,

Which , unemb odie d, from the soul have past ;
H ave left below no m emory and n o trac e ,

And foun d on e arth n o x d abiding plac e
,

U ntold u nwritte n, u nim p ress d on a u ht

,

Which c an trans mit or hold emb o die thought ,

Have li ghte d up some gi ft e d Spirit s way
,
And with that sp irit s h our h ave p a ss d aw ay ;

,

Th e e eting glories of whos e v a n ish d dream

H ave gone like sunli ght o er a sha dow d stre am

,

Th us w ill th e so ul for ever se ek relief ,

In fancy s visions from the pangs of grief ;

When worn with p ain , with wastin g sorro w tri ed,

An d w ounde d hop e and lac erate d pride .

This x d, u n con quer d impuls e sti ll is found

In every spot to e arth s remotest bo und .

N o earthly good its de ep desires c an ll ,

N o e arthly powe r its h igh a sp irin g s sti ll .

It see ks communion with s om e higher pow er ,

On whic h to c all in sorrow s boding h ou r .

For this t he fame d , th e noble and th e br ave

,

H ave tre mbling , s ought the Hermit s lonely c ave

,

F or this , h ath gu ilt unholy aid implore d ;

H er ch ar ms awoke , her inc antations p ourd
Th e strong have qua il d the m ighty t hrill d with fear

,

At the dim visions of the a e d Seer

F or thi s the blood o f s acri ce h ath o w d
,

,

The inc e ns e buru d th e v otive altar glow d

From this arose the spirit stir ring de eds ,

,
-

Th e de ep tone d s ong the strange une arthly c re e ds

-
, , ,
The wild , the dark t he fearful and s ublim e ,
,

That ll the ann als of the olde n time .

When mild r ene ment rst b egins t o pour

Her faintest rays o er some b enighte d shore ,

E en then within the rude un t ut or d breast
,

,

Will thou ghts aris e which c annot b e rep ress d

.

Impatient then , it strives t o rend away

,

Th e shadowy veil which shrouds its future way ;

And at e ach step its aspirati ons r is e
,

F or brighter scenes and hig her destinies ;

And hopes are felt, unwe aried and intense ,
For sc enes of j oy beyond th e bounds of sense ;
Ti ll le d by thes e the long excite d mind
,

Is wrapt in visions , dim and undened

Till from th e sc en es of many a c herish d dr ea m
'

,
It re ars some wil d and vision ary sc heme ;
 ALB E RT G . GR E EN E .

Till nature sinks exhauste d with h er strife ,

Bene ath th e glowing re the torturing kn ife ,

.

E en wh en th e throe of mo rtal agony
Thrills through his heart and ashes from his eye ,
One w ord of pri de upon his foes is c ast ,

One glanc e of sc orn th e erc est and the last .

Have n ot his fathers tau g ht that de ath li ke this ,

Is but the herald to a world of bliss

Th at t is b ut pain s last trial whence th e soul

,

Shall pass no more to feel its stern c ontrol

,

A dreamless sleep from whic h it soon w ill w ak e

, ,

By the blue waters of t h e sunny l ake ;

To range for ever round its pe ac eful shore ,
Where pain an d torture c an b e felt no more .

T is faith thus wrought wh os e fe a rful mysteries ,

Yield e en weak woman strength for dee ds like th ese
And bid by G a n ges sacre d stream aris e
,

,

Th e res of self devoting s acric e -

While c omes for death a rra y d w ithout a tear ,

,

,

The Indian widow, with her h usb and s bier .

Whate er the gifts rank be auty wealth c onfer

, , , , ,

She feels this world h ath nothing more for h er

,
.

Through life through de ath indissolubly wed

, , ,

They must not part her plac e is by the d ead .

And by that bie r w ith music and with s ong

, ,

Behind the bright robe d priests she moves along,

-
,

Amid the sc enes of this terric hour ,

T o seal the pledges of h e r bridal bower .

And there is sh rin ed with in that trouble d br east,

By all its b oding terrors u nrep res s d,
P ower to defy t h e re s c ons uming pain ;

And feel th at it doth not defy in vain .

W hy stands sh e n o w amid the c ircling d anc e , ,

Nor gives to aught around one heeding glanc e ? ,

Why doth sh e gaze upon the viewless air ,

As if some guardian spirit h m 3 r d there P

T is not the priest s slo w de ath c haunt that she hea rs

-

A h olier music strikes her listenin g e ars .

T is not h is thrillin g exhorta tion n o w

Th at gives it s life to her upli ft e d brow .

Hands voic es u rge h e r to th e fatal spot ;

, ,

And c hide h er lingering : but s he h e eds th em not .

N 0; there are strains o f more etheri al tone ,

U nearthly music heard by h er alone , .

He r c ountry s deitie s are c ircling nigh ;
She hears t en thousand voic es in th e sky .
 A LB ERT G . GREENE . 393

We have prepared for her th e bridal wreath ,

Who kee ps her faith triumph ant over death .

Oh haste to meet, onc e more the approving smile

, ,

Of him thou m ourn est, lost to thee awhile .

There are fair isles beyond th e dark blu e se a ,

F or those w h o ke ep their plight ed faith like thee

Where th e blest spirits of the faithful rove

In one unchanging r ound of j oy an d love ;
By s unny waters and unfading bowers ,

And golden fruits and ever blooming owers

,
.

Oh wh at is there that worl d of wo within

, , ,

L ike those high j oys w hich th ou so s oon may st win

With ste p elate sh e gains her destine d seat ;

,

And s ees th e re d torc h w aving at h er feet .

B him t h e loved one hand in hand th e whil e

, ,

S e pr oudly sits amid the blazing pil e

A nd as the ames enwrap each quive ring limb ,

R aises aloft her wil d funereal hymn

Swan like pours forth he r last d e art in g bre ath ,

A midst th e an guish of th e res 0 death .

S ON of
the Morning : wh ere art thou ?

Where is thy h eaven born glory now - 9

Born e down by the E te rnal Will ,

O erp o wer d b ut retaining still

,

Som e trac es of thy noble part ,

Subl ime in ruin st ill thou art .

S on of
th e Morning ; onc e t hy form ,

Was with c elestial beauty warm .

The matchless grac e whic h then it show d ,

In th e third heave n s refulgenc e glow d

.

Wh at peerless notes were on thy tongue ,

Whe n loud the blest Hosanna rung .

Thou wert th e brightest in th e zone

Of s eraphs round the eternal throne
That sight was open unto thee ,

Which mortal eye c an never s ee

Thy feet with He aven s own radianc e bright,
,

Onc e trod th e path s of l iving li g ht :

394 W I LLI AM H. B R AD L E Y .

Non e b ut th e arm of Might divin e

Could hurl thee from a seat like thine

S on ofthe Morning : where art thou

Where is thy he ave n b orn glory no w -

T hy form : ther e is a gran de ur there ,

B ut t is the grand eur o f despair :
There is a ra dianc e in thine eyes ,
But t is the re that never dies

.

Still in thy de gradation gre at , ,

Despisin g time , and scorning fate .

R ed eeming love is not for the e

Immutable is Heaven s decre e :
Ages shall pass to ages gone ;
E ternity will c ircle on
All mortal j oy and w o will c ease ;
All nature s motion b e at peac e ;

B ut thou must stand from all apart, ,

And b e for eve r what tho u art

, , .

I mmutable thy fate must b e ;

R edee ming love is not for th e e .

W IL L IAM H . B R AD L E Y

W a s b orn w e b elieve in Providenc e , R hode Isl an d, wh er e

h e was e duc ate d as a phy sician He die d i n the island of
.

C ub a in 182 5 He wrote Giuseppi no , an Occidental Story ,

.

p ublishe d in 182 2 , besides many fugitive pieces .

GI U S E PP INO .

T o tell good stories is extremely pleasant ;

T o hear or re ad them too is quite agree able
, ,

And from the c ourtier d own ward t o the pe asant

, ,

Tales are ret a il d by a ll You 11even s ee a b ell e

.

Or dandy thus e m ploy d : so I at present,

,

If Dan Apollo W ill b ut render m e able ,

A m muc h inclined to give y o u a short spec im en

Of what occ urr d to one of the most d ressy men

.
 W ILLIAM H BRADLE Y . .

I next discover d that th e folk of qu ality

,

Had not, o f y ore , s uch numerous expedients

t ime an d themselves a s t h e plurality ,

Of modern genteel peopl e The ingr edients .

With which they s weet en d up the c ol d r eality

Were tourn eys and s uc h savage k ind of page ants,

Wherein le 3 arms an d necks oft g ot a fracture ,
Although ofthe most gian t manufacture
, ,

Sad was the situation of the fair,

L ong whil e a Bolingbroke or a Plantagenet
, ,

W a s king in L ondon , (a g rea t lord elsewhere )

When on e short w e ek h ad stupor for an a g e in
To
ladies gay who spent the livelong ye ar,
,

R e mote from town and truly would imagine it ,

E xtravagant to give in their o wn h alls , ,

D uring that livelong ye ar one doze n b alls , .

Then w as the ton inde e d a weig hty matter , ,

Whic h fancy move d b ut every hundre d years

T o a new press ure ! Then a lady at her ,

First co m ing out wore th e s ame w oman s e ars

Whic h she w ore on (unless sh e gre w muc h i nter )

,

Till she was g oing ou t ; when 10, appears

Her daughter deck d i n the same antique milline ry
,

,

With muc h manslaughter an d intent to ki ll in her eye .

Twas b etter with th em as historians tell us , ,

'

In b lu King Hal s reign and some time be fo re him , ,

Thou gh wives dare d seldom irt with c ivil fellows ,

In presenc e of their h usbands j ust to b ore e m ,

.

Th ey fea r d to mak e the horrid cre atures j e alous ,

And females w ere taught notions of decorum

'
,

S t i as their stomach er s tight elongation

Or nec k cloths of this sti ff n ec k d ge neration -

.

Oh could they h ave m ade b ooks like lady M

, B ,

What patchwork h a d we s ee n of feud al foole ry !

E ac h lady s head l ike that of lady Gorgon ,

,

Had l eft us hard examples of t h eir drollery ,

And we h ad kno w n the c enturies afore gone -
,

From b anquet hal l quite d own ward to th e sc ullery l

-

Would that o u r dear ancestresses h ad be en c razy ,

With some diverting kin d of idio sy n crasy .
 W J L L IAM H . B RADLE Y .
397

I hit
my nails and pens and th en b esprent all ,

My paper o er With ink in thought o ppress d

Next I resolved to write an Orie ntal

,

Tale and set out in Travels to the E a s t,
,

Driving away all notions Occ idental .

I form d a plot and l a id the sc ene at last,

, ,

Somewh ere betwe en Calc utta and Aleppo ,

When I b ethought me of my old friend Beppo .

Then as I opene d wide th e window sh utter

,
- -
,

A light broke in on me as bright as s udden ,

.

Invention s w ings began at onc e to utter

, , ,

(Th ey had b een onc e a goose s ) so b y Woden ,

, ,

I sate down to soar far from d ust or gutter

, ,

While my good Genius said : Pray Where s the

Your knac k at rhyming if its versatility

,

C an t a ord m atter for our i is i b il i t y

Th e Beppo has outdone t h e E pic style .

Most modern E pic s really are provokin g

T o sleep and therefore in a little w hile , ,

The pac k hight servu m p ecus shall h ave broken

Into full c ry leave your heroic toil ,

And start before them till you h ave your book in ,

T he gripe of printer s demon s on this hint,

I wrote and h a vm g written c ame to print

, , .

But how t o make a story There s the puzzle !

F o reg a d we have s uch multitudes to tell us

,

Stories o n stories both of those that guzzle ,

At Helic on and pl ain prosaic fellows , ,

That no one soon shall nd a nook to nuzzle

In c tion s storehous e Fate W ill yet c ompel us

T o be mere readers 0ye gees e a n d ganders .

,
Your W ings shall ce as e to soar Wh ere F ancy w ande rs .

And h ere I h umbly hint to Dr Brewster,

That if he d make us a k aleidosc ope
T o s trike new subj ects out at every ne w stir,
T would give poor authors a cons oling h ope
F or th ough the muses w hen we c all the m do stir,
They rc monstrous indolent and apt to mope
,
, ,
, .

T he three times thre e of late are growin g slatt erns, , ,

As I suppose , for want of good ne w patterns .

v OL . ii . 34
 S AM U E L D E AN E .

I 11try t o
c o ax one of th e m now a little

For s omething queer , good people to r eviv e y ou .

Some tale of luckless love will not b et ill

Your present taste , an d th is which now I give y ou
Will without question s uit y ou to a tittle ,
, ,

If ye are young me n an d intend to wive y ou .

Hear then the h istory both sad and funny ,

,

Of on e wh o fell to m uc h in love With money .

This is th e love w hic h rst in a m es the bosom ,

When for a penny s ome dear infant scre eches .

This is the love whic h c onstantly pursues e m

,

When fellows h ave got into c oat and bre eches ,

And sigh for guineas then sig h for a n ew s um

, .

This lasting passio n to all bosoms reaches ,

S t ren g t hen d by age s w e akness all love sham is ,
C ompare d with this s ame auri sacra fames .

But hold I feel myself t oo s erious no w ,

And must b etak e m e onc e more to my b antering ,

T elling a tale ac cordin g to m y v o w

, ,

In brisk ott wv a ri m a fre ely s auntering

,

A ft er swe et speculations high and low ; ,

Or , if I may in a ne frenzy c antering

,

O n reinless P egas us athwart whose saddle

, ,
So many Gilpins h ave n o w g ot a strad dle .

S A MU E L D E A N E .

T H E R ev .Samuel D eane of Sc itu ate , Massach usetts , grad

u a t ed at Brown U niv ersity H is poem of t he P opulous Vil
.

l age was publishe d in 182 6 .

T HE POPUL O U S VI L L AGE .

TH E RE w as a time , and th at within the span

Of th e brief m em ory of short live d man -
,
 S AMU EL D E AN E .

T he y eomen still survive Whos e eye c an trac e ,

Succ essive c hanges on our c o untry s fac e

Where forests fro wn d are shining c ities seen , ,

And elds with E d en s b ounty smile serene :

And many a s ol dier lives to tell th e tales

Of deadly strife mid yonder h ills and vales ;
,

C an point th e spot wh ere raging b attle stood ,

The very turf that drank his father s blood

C an sho w th e l ake or stre am w he re brothers bled ,

Whos e b ones sc arc e w hi t en d pave their lowly b ed

,

,
.

P erh aps some h ero lives who le d the brave , ,

T o fre e dom s boon or honor s hallo w d grave

,

His locks sc arc e ch ange d scarc e lost th eir r aven h ue

Still rm in strength ih thought and memory true ;
C ome fancy ! c om e th e i mage fair portray
Of some rm vet r en bending b ac k his way

,

To yonder elds th e arena of his strife ,

,
F or hom e and c ount ry liberty and life ,
.

Bright in his memory is th e open glad e ,

R emotest trac e that in d ustry had m ade

A nd fresh th e image of the forest erc e ,
De ep tangl ed n o t meri dian suns c ould pierc e ,
,

Wh ere th e grim savage turnin g from his prey ,

Slunk , lik e th e wolf and s h un n d th e fac e of day

,

.
,

Onw a rd th e veteran m oves ; b ut where s that lawn ,
?
Onc e h e last line that c ivil man had ra w n
t d
And where that w ild wood ris m g da r k and high ,

L ik e strong e mbattled fortress to th e sky P

L o other elds in endless prospect ris e ,
And like the h orizon still the forest ies ,
.

Y et s ure t wa s here opposing armies stood ;

Th at is the stre am th at re dden d W ith his blood ;

It wa s from thenc e th e wild man s warwhoop ros e ,

And h ere he st e mm d the onse t of the foes ;

But lo ! th e plain h ill valley all around ,

, , ,

With the bright P opulous Vill a ge n ow are c rown d

There wh er e th e Ind ian often e a rt h d th e w ol f,

,

Along th e b rink of y ond er tumbling g ulph ,

The rocks h ave yielde d to th e workman s hand ,

And there in spl endid palaces they stand .

Wh ere th e bris k w aterfall w hos e music found ,

N o e ar b ut echo onc e to c atch the sound , ,

N o w all its aid to human arts applied

, ,

Prepares our food and dress a n d w e al th b eside

, ,

Se e w heels on w heels in mystic motion there ! ,

T he rattl ing engines of Minerva s c a re

.
 S A M UE L D E ANE 0
4 1

On yond er w ell rem em b er d rising ground ,

-

Where tallest rs with deepest sha d ows OW p d, '

Th ere n o w the noble C hurc h sends up her spire ,

T o c atc h day s latest and his earliest re

,
.

Th ere w h ere t h e solitary W igwam stood

, ,

U nc outhly form d of stak es and leaves and mud ,

Wh os e door stood Wide b ec aus e it could n o t close , ,

T O welcome weary wild men to repose

Or mid the clou ds of smoke and lth to shar e ,

The half s eet h d members Of the s avage bear ;

-

There now the stately Inn a spacious s eat , ,

Invites the w e ary to r ened re treat .

Around where ignorance h ad taken her stand ,

With reign primeval o er the da rken d land , ,

Se e learn ing s nurs eries at eve ry turn ,

Wh ere e very u rc hin nds t he means to learn ;

And onw ard s ee th e high school s spac ious halls ,
,

And onward still the prouder c olle ge w alls

,
.

Here b ustling trade is lade n with h i s b ales

There c ommerc e spreads h er wings unfolds her sails ; ,

Here on c anals deep freighted ba rges toil

,

T here groaning w ains with prod ucts of the soil

The thro n ging streets what busy numbers ll !
What tides Of passengers roll onward still
Not e d from want but drawn by interest s bond , ,

To visit people d re g ions far b e y ond .

There w h ere th e gu ard house frown d upon y on height,

,
-

A nd w e ary s entinels wore out th e night

With painful vigils on their loade d arms , ,

To s ave the sle eping h amlet from al arms ;

There now th e green house shade d with th e vin e, -
,

And su mmer owers with ever g reens entwin e ,

.

Th e terrors of th e w ilde rness are ed ,

And Niag a ra s thunder s los e th eir dread
Down its de ep chasm n o h azard of his life , ,

G oes the so ft cit and e en his s o ft er W ife

,

.

An d Hu ron s sh ado w y shore lights up its brow ,
A n d wild Osw ego does but tin kle riow ,
W ho s e very n am e b ut sounded onc e woul d da rt ,

A nervous terror throu gh a foreign h eart

.

All th es e a re e d and peac e and plenty reign

,

O er rising tow n and cultivate d plain .

96

Now to th e decent church our th ough ts retu rn,

W h ith er our w illin g feet h av e o ft en borne ,
*
V OL . 34
 S A M U EL D E A N E .

Wh en solemn th emes move d our v ibrating strings,

And hope w as pregnant with immortal things .

Tis not alone that v illage prospects ro und

, ,

Are ll d and n ish d by that spire and c rown d

T is not alone th e evidenc e that prayer ,

And me e k devotion , do not languish there ;

A thousand prouder monuments may stand

O f wreste d tithe s from patient labor s hand
'

Yet wit h ab ate d pleasure free men s e e

, ,

Th e lo ftiest piles where not the he art is free ;

,

T is this that clothes thy fabric with its c harms

The fre e W ill o ffering she d from b ounty s ar ms
- .

In gild ed domes proud prelates may b e found ,

T o c he at the h ungry soul with u nknow n sound ,

B ut nou ght c an W in us or delights impart , ,

Save truth s fre e breast, and langu a ge of th e he art
In n ative dignity thy pre acher stands , ,

More than th e dignity of rob es and b ands

Nor ne eds a s urplic e to c onvinc e your mind
His h ead c an te ach , his life c an le ad mankind
Nor seeks a s acre d oi c e h e , to hide

An indel s fals e heart or worldling s pride ; ,

Nor shows the crackling ames of ery zeal ,

T h e bigot s s els h feelings to c onc e al

.

On superstition s aid h e rests no claim ,

T o wak e devotion or in cre as e its ame ; ,

One word of wisdom awes with truer grac e

T han E ndor s dame with a ll h er sic kly rac e ,
.

No pr ude to rail at fashions of th e times

, ,

And pic k at pecc adilloes while the c rimes

Th at strike W ithin and deepest stains impart , ,

And damn th e soul sc arc e shoc k his tender h eart ;

,

N o tyrant he to r ule the c hurch w ith fe ar

, ,

N or le an upon her strength to d omineer : ,

When mee k persuasion s forc e is fruitless se e n ,

H is duty is d isc harged , his h ands are clean .

H is form an d mie n no sensu alist betray ,

Whos e b ody o er his soul us urps th e sway ;

Whos e fair smooth brow and ori d c h ee k declare

, , ,

N O c ure of souls n o love of learning th ere ;

,

B ut c omely paleness dec ent leanness sh ew , ,

T he heh ol a r s patienc e and th e pastor s t oo

,

T o him philosophy s b est li g ht h as shined ,
Not to b ewilder and mislead his mind ,

N ot his warm love t o chill , or to rec all

From that High King who ruleth ov er all ,
 S AM U E L GILM AN .

S A MU E L G IL MA N .

MR G I LMAN is a n ative G louc ester Ma ssachus etts , and

of ,

w as grad uated at Harvar d U niversity in 1811 He h as b ee n .

for several ye ars settled as a clergyman in Charle ston , S C

,
. .

He is und erstood to b e th e a uthor of Memoirs of a New En g -

land Village C hoir , a prose w ork Of gre at me rit .

H I S T O RY O F A BAY OF L I GH T .

LE T th ere b e light ! c reation s Author spoke ,
And quic k fro m c haos oods of splendor broke
O n that magnic ent primeval morn , ,

Myself an h umble ray o f light was b orn

,
.

Vain were t h e task to guess my native plac e ;

R ushing c aree ring furiously through spac e ,
, ,

Plunge d amid kin dre d r ays and mingling beams ,

T h es e are my rst of rec ollectio n s gle ams .

Oh W ith w ha t joy we riote d along

Darting afar in youn g existenc e s t ron g
, ,

On w ard we poure d the unacc ustome d da y

Through trac ts the len g th Of ma ny a milky way
,
.

For kno w we rays of light are living things,

,

ac h with te n thous and pair of brilliant W ings ;

N 0wonder then w he n a ll those w ings are st irr d,
,

W e it it so m uch faster than a bird ) .

At last, when youthful years and sports w ere done ,

Ch oic e c hanc e or d uty brou ght me to your sun ;
, ,

And wh ile my broth er pencils e d afar ,

,

T o s w ell the glories of some vie wless star ,

T was mine to y about th is w ork of h eav n,
Wh ere one h u ge orb gave light and he at t o sev en,
Although short visits n ow and then I make ,
T o distant spheres for recreation s s ak e
,

.

A h ne er s hall I forget t h eventful d ay

Whe n to this planet rst I spe d my w ay

T o many a t win kli n throb my h eart gave b irth ,
As near and nearer a p proac h d the earth

Wh at wa s to b e my fate for ever lost

In s ome d ark bog P or was I to b e tost
In W ild reection round some n arro w spot,
,

Th en sink a b sorb d, inglorious and forgot ?

N O, re ader , n o far di ffe rent the c are er

 S AM UE L GILMA N .
45 0
Which fate designed me to ac complish h ere

M illions of splendid scenes t was mine to grac e ,
Though my rst act b rought ruin to your rac e .

Trembling , I rea c h d the serpent s gl istenin g eye ,
Then glanc ed and struc k the apple hanging by
, , ,

Th en to your mother E v e reected e w

, , ,

And thus at one exploit a worl d o ert hrew !

, ,

Oh scene of wo l the misc hief I had wrought, -

Those quic k s uc c essive shocks that st unn d my thought ,

,

Th e poisonous ma g ic from that sire of lies ,

The worse c ontagion in th at w oman s eyes ,

All were too muc h for one poor ray of light ,

New to his task and meaning only right

.
,

Distrest in heart , at onc e myself I hurl d

Far to th e o utside of this inj ure d world ,

Wishing to wear my wretched life away ,

Mid sc enes where solitu de and ch a os lay

, .

At length while wan d ering o er these re alms of wo

,

,

I heard a small s w eet voic e that whisp er d low

,

In tones of soothing t w a s a brother ray
Sent from th e hand th at rst cre ated day

N O lo nger mourn the d arting angel said , ,

Th e hopes of man are not for ever e d

From his own rac e a Saviour shall arise ,
To lead him b ack to his forbidde n skies
And hark w he n Be t hl e m s b eaute ous star shall shin e
,

Its rst an d freshest radianc e shall b e thine

C h eer d by these wor ds I l o n g d to g ain onc e mor e

,

This lovely world and try my fortune o er ,

.

Just the n a glob e n e w struc k from chaos out

, ,

Met me and t urn d my headlong path ab out ;
,

Bac k to the sun with breathless spee d I ew ,

And thenc e rush d down wh ere bright to Noah s v ie w ,

The glorious rainbow shone a lingering stop

I made Within a small pellucid drop ,

T ouc h d its internal surfac e and outright

,

Darte d through air to glad the patriarch s sight

.

Glancing from thenc e away I sporte d on ,

Where er by pleasure or by duty dra wn
N o w tippin g some bright drop of pearly dew ,
N OW plung ing into he aven th rough tracks of blu e ,
Now aiding to light up the glorious morn ,

Or twilight s softer mantle to adorn ,

N ow darting through the depths of oc ean clear,

To paint a pearl then to the atmosphere
Agai n reected shooting to the skies ,

Aw ay , away , W here thought c an never rise ;

 S AM U E L GILMA N .

Then t rav lin g down t o tinge some valley ow er,
Or point some b e auty s ey e with mightier pow er ,

Or to some monarch s ge m ne w lustre bring ,

Or light with re some prouder insect s W ing ,
Or lend to h ealth s re d c heek a brighter dye ,

Or ash delusive fr o m c onsumption s eye ,
Or sparkle round a vessel s form by night ,

Or give the glo w worm its phosphoric light,

-

Or clothe with terror threatening anger s glanc e ,

Or from b ene ath the lids of love to danc e ,

Or plac e those little silver points on tears ,
Or light devotion s ey e , While mercy h ears ;

In short, to aid with my poor transient in gs,

All scenes , all passions all create d things ,
.

Fe w rays of light have b e en where I have b een ,

H onor d like me or seen w hat I h ave se en :

,

I glow d amid the bush which Mos es saw , ,

I lit th e mount, wh en h e p rocla im d his law
I to th at blazing pillar brought my mite ,
Which glare d al o n g old Israel s path by m g ht
.

I lent a glory to E lij ah s c ar,
And took my promise d ight from Bet hl em s star
.

B ut not to holy ground was I c onned ,

I n classic h aunts my duties were a ss ig n d

.

I prime d the b olts Olympian J ove would throw ,

And Pluto sought m e for his res b elow
Over and over gallant t hus s wore ,
I was t h e nest dart his quiver bore
O ft wa s I s ent a pe eping anx iou s ray ,

From Dian h astening wh ere E ndymion lay

,

Wh en Iris shot from he aven , all swi ft and bright,

T hither I rush d , c ompanion of h er i g ht

F rom Vulc an s a n vrl I was m ade to glare ,
I lent a horror t o th e Gorgon s stare ,

I too have b ea m d upon Achilles shield ,

A nd drOpp d from Hele n s eye when P aris k neel d

F aith ful Ach ates e very school b oy knows ,

,
-

Struc k from a int my wh ole long ye ar s repose
Ten wretche d days I p a ss d in sobs and sighs
,

Bec ause I c ould not danc e on Homer s eyes :
I onc e wa s decompose d from that pure 011 ,

Whic h c heer d the Ath enian s age s midnight toil

I from th e brazen foc us le d the v a n ,

When Archimedes tried his fri ht ful plan ;

T was I fro m Cleopatra s orb fi a t hurl d

,

T he fatal glanc e, which lo st her slav e th e wo rld

 S AM U E L GILMA N .

F wa s I th at moved , while b ursting on th ei r sigh
The ush of wonder triumph and delight
, , .

Nor sc arc e does history boast one splendi d sc en e

Or deep m ark d era , where I have not b een
-

.

Th e sky h ung cr oss of C onstantine whic h tur u d

-
,

All R ome to truth by my assistanc e b uru d

,

When the gre at c harter E ngland s rights resto re d ,

I scare d her monarc h fro m a baron s sword ;
When pious E urope le d the far cr usade ,

Di d I not ash fro m G odfrey s wielde d blade

Did chivalry one tournament display

Of d azzling pomp fro m whic h I k ept aw ay ?
,

W as I not pres ent at that gorgeous sc ene ,

Wh ere L eic ester entertaine d old E ngland s qu een
Did I not sparkle on the iron c ro wn
Whic h the triumphant Corsic an took down ?
D id I not revel wh ere thos e splendors shone ,

When th e fo urth George assume d Britannia s throne 9

And last not le ast c ould I refuse to he ar,

, ,

The summons of t h Atlantic Souvenir ?

N O gentlest re ader trust your h umbl e r ay

, , ,

T is here at length I would for ever stay

If to and fro I c ould desc end an d ris e

T wixt these bri ght pa g es and your brighter eyes

Ab sorh d reected radiate d b ent

, , , ,

With forc e e mitted or for ages pent

, ,

Throu gh the wide world so long and often t oss d ;

Th exc ursive passion of my youth I v e lost .

I wish no more in my six t hous andth ye ar ,

Than j ust to tak e my peaceful mansio n he r e,

T o dec k thes e lim n in g s wit h my happiest art ,

And mid these leaves to play my brightest part .

5 44 .