OLIM 
 
 PS 
 
 1549 
 
 ■ D96 
 
 W33 
 
 1895a 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/cletails/cu31924074367651 
 
CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
 3 1924 074 367 651 
 
 In c o m Cj 1 i a n c: e with current 
 copyright 1 a i.' j . Cor n ell (J n i v e r s i t • 
 Library p i" o d u c e d . t h i 5 
 r ep 1 acenien b v'olume on paper 
 that meets the ANSI Standard 
 Z39. ^8-198^ to replace the 
 irreparably deteriorated original, 
 
 1993 
 
WATKINS GkKX . 
 
 S E 5^_ EJX 4_ ^A^ E , 
 
 MRS. JAS. A. DRAKE,. 
 
 WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 iii 
 
 WATKINS, N. Y. 
 DEMOCKAT PRINTING HOUSE. 
 
 A • 
 
 /.' ■' 
 

^uun i 
 
 Where light the flashing waters lave, 
 And lift their silver-crested wave ; 
 Unfolding on the pebbled beach, 
 As if to answering tokens reach ; 
 With grandl)' range of sloping hills. 
 And legacy of sparkling rills ; 
 And where the laughing, light cascade 
 Of silver beaded spray is made ; 
 Though oft concealed by gorges deep, 
 And lost in wild and frenzied leap ; 
 While sweeping down the cavernous glide, 
 To find a home in deeper tide. 
 
 A spot once near the red man's heart. 
 Where speed lent wing to quivering dart ; 
 Though those once owners of the vale, 
 Left no proud mark to tell their tale. 
 Yet will their strange and wild romances, 
 
WATKIXS ClAiK AND SKN'KCA LAKK 
 
 And (j\er\ spot that could euliaiice, 
 Tlie bliss the\" hoped at Icng-th to share, 
 In future homes, as Eden fair. 
 
 Thus had they met, their j^rave, their .t^a; 
 To pass the evening hoiirs awa)-. 
 Applauding- deeds of men athletic, 
 Or listening to the voice prophetic ; 
 As their good Sachem prayed and wept. 
 And sought to raise the veil that kept 
 That future in uncertain maze. 
 On which his longing eyes would gaze. 
 
 Their council fires burned dim and low, 
 And casting but a feeble glow. 
 Upon their faces, stained and grim. 
 Like fading phantoms, ghostly dim, 
 While whispers from the tall pine tops. 
 Are stealing down the shadowy rocks ; 
 And heard by' them the sad'ning sound 
 Of civilization on their bound ! 
 As voices sent in spirit tone, 
 To bid them from their haunts begone. 
 
 How quick their flight, for morning dew 
 Shows printed pathway to the view, 
 Where their light feet at early hour. 
 Brushed pearly dew from leaf and flower. 
 
 They haste away from vale and stream. 
 Ere lighted up by sunny gleam ; 
 Beneath the stately walnut pass. 
 Where trodden more the fading grass, 
 But pause to pick from branches low 
 The wild plum, ripe with ruddy glow ; 
 Then hasten to the pebbly glade, 
 Beyond the tall elm's sombre shade. 
 And forth their little fleet to guide 
 
WATKINS GLEN AND SKNECA LAKE 
 
 O'er Ga-uu-dy-uh's* silver tide. 
 
 With low-bowed heads and qui\-ering lip, 
 Their paddles ply with silver drip ; 
 And as the trees soft semblance take, 
 While to the dawn the hills awake, 
 With " Painted Rock's" attractive face, 
 Historic of their fated race. 
 Their shadows from the deep reflect, 
 And sad'ning memories affect 
 Their superstitious minds with dread, 
 While passing by their kindred dead. 
 
 The white gull, which in summer time 
 E'er seeks a home in northern clime. 
 When maple shows its scarlet leaf, 
 And golden corn is bound in sheaf, 
 Forsakes the realms of the frost king 
 Returns to rest her weary wing. 
 Where rippling waters e'er withstand 
 The iron grip of winter's hand, 
 Had just arrived with low, glad trill. 
 In " Seneca " to bathe her bill. 
 When startled from her quiet rest, 
 With wings outstretched she rears her crest, 
 And on her pinions circling high 
 She hears the " Wa-ha-no-nin " cry ; 
 A cadence wild, with touching wail, 
 Where echo adds the solemn knell. 
 
 These birds by them are sacred held, 
 (So handed down from clouds of eld — ) 
 Are looked upon with awe and fear. 
 As they behold them hovering near ; 
 And deem them kindred spirits sent. 
 On mission now of sad portent, 
 
 * Seneca Lake. 
 
lO WATKIXS CI.lvN AND SFiNKCA I.AKK 
 
 To tell them that the fiat's passed, — 
 This u-oiiii; forth will be their last. 
 
 Onward throui^h the sorrowing day 
 They hasten on their water\- way ; 
 While dimming distance inter\'enes, 
 And hides from tlieni familiar scenes, 
 And shadows stealthy creeping o'er, 
 Have spread their pall from western cover ; 
 And ripples bearing tints of gray, 
 Remind them of departed day. 
 
 Their little craft on western shore 
 The\' lea\x' to enter never more. 
 And sadh" passing, one b\' one, 
 Their trail lies toward the setting sun. 
 
 With time progressive in its raid. 
 And martyrdom of native shade. 
 Dawns now, the while, a kindlier ray, 
 Predictive of a brighter day, 
 As from refined and city home, 
 'Neath church's spire and science's dome, 
 Of ancient lineage, one came 
 The wild inheritance to claim. 
 
 With healing skill, and winning way. 
 Exalted stood, in that rude day 
 A vested monarch of the realm. 
 With princeh' power to guide the helm; 
 With wakened pulse to scan the chart, 
 And feel the throb of Nature's heart ; 
 B)' lapse of woodland, hill, and dale, 
 And mirrored charms, that hem the vale — 
 Outlining of the distant view. 
 With flooding tide of rosy hue ; 
 A sylvan scene, as o'er it lay 
 The earl}- smile of summer day. 
 
WATKIXS GLEK AND SENKCA LAKE II 
 
 Enchautinents Inthertu unknown, 
 Awake in him, a kindred tone ; 
 As sunlight on imprisoned flowers 
 That spring to life with April showers 
 And with prophetic instinct true 
 The open future held in view, 
 As through the vista of the }-ears. 
 At budding charm, and fame he peers. 
 
 When in obedience to his will, 
 Assisted by inferior skill. 
 Here all the higher aims should thrive, 
 And craft for noblest ends should strive ; 
 Where art and commerce should combine — 
 And science and religion shine ; 
 And education — precious boon, 
 The people's birthright should be soon. 
 
 Revered and honored, lived to hail 
 The advent of the iron rail , 
 And in the riper }'ears ere long, 
 Was borne from 'midst the busy throng, 
 Beneath the waving plumes was laid 
 Of "Glenwood's" soft perpetual shade ; 
 
 Arises now, in pristine fame, 
 A lovely spot, with honored name ; — 
 A constellation on its way 
 Progressing toward a brighter day. 
 Already rich in theme for story, 
 With presage bright for future glory. 
 
 While time, unchallenged, slow to ken 
 The ways and wiles of mountain glen, 
 Solves now the charm that held the key 
 To carnival of maddest glee ! 
 With license granted to unfold 
 The mysteries of the sheltered wold. 
 
WATKIXS C.Ll'.X AND SKXI-XA l.AKK 
 
 Prox'incial, in its trick-iit birtli 
 Prccedin;^' tliat of peopled earth, 
 And shares with this fair spot its tame, 
 Its hiurels and its lioiiored name. 
 
 Thougl) not of "Oriental " tone, 
 Of gorgeous hall, or gilded tlirone, 
 Of 3'ello\v-robed or chanting priest, 
 Or penance at a fi\-e-honr feast ; 
 Of Siani's glories cannot boast, 
 Thotigh in itself no less a host, 
 With diamond cnr\'e and foam cascade, 
 With beaming sk}' and frowning shade, 
 With wizard realm and dulcet sonnd, 
 In nature's harmonies profound. 
 
 High lifts the woody, crested ridge, 
 Where hemlocks sombre seem to bridge 
 With arms deep-fringed, extending o'er, 
 Enfold the track of wave-pressed shore, 
 Where tuneful in resistless sweep, 
 The floods their matin chimes repeat ; 
 That plough the mighty cavernous seam, 
 Where nature rules in right supreme. 
 Entrancing in its opening view, 
 Undimmed the spells when seen anew ; 
 Awed by outpourings beaming o'er, 
 With hidden wonders still in store. 
 
 A mighty groove, in cone-like shape. 
 More bold than architectural make ; 
 CoUossal walls of granite gray. 
 Majestic in their vast array. 
 And face an open page, whereon 
 A transcript reads of things now gone. 
 Fit portals to interior hall. 
 The morning sun illumes the wall. 
 
WATKINS GLEN AND SENlvCA LAKE I3 
 
 But soon tlie sombre shadows chase 
 His radiance fioni the rocky base, 
 And as we gaze on changing scene, 
 Displayed upon enduring sheen. 
 The evanescent works of man, 
 E'er since his brief career began, 
 P}-gmean stand, to master hand 
 Embodied in this tablet grand ! 
 
 Within the battlements embayed. 
 As if begotten of the shade, 
 Of concentrated hues were born, 
 With look imploring and forlorn, 
 A wooden structure dots the way, 
 Fit domicile for elf or fay, 
 Where half disclosed, a broken wheel 
 The water's pulse has ceased to feel, 
 Or lure from out the broader ways. 
 To dance within its giddy maze ; 
 And days are with the byegones long 
 Since rocks took up the rumbling song, 
 Repeated in the sunny gleam, 
 Borne outward on the rippling stream. 
 And only hues befitting well 
 Seem now to claim it with their spell. 
 Though crumbling slowly to decay, 
 But in a sacrilegious day ; 
 Could direful power a fate ordain 
 That breaks a link in scenery's chain. 
 And leaves us but the artist's view. 
 Or to the power of memory true. 
 To call it up to sight, as when 
 An inspiration of the Glen ! 
 
 With charming lift of wild domain. 
 An entrance to its portal gain ; 
 
14 WATKINS GIJ-;X AND SKNl-X'A LAKIC 
 
 By track that dents the pebbled glide, 
 'Neath snatch of fragrant mountain side, 
 And "Old Methuselah's" furzv face, 
 With shadows sleeping at its base ; 
 And " Rock of Ages," stern, sulilinie. 
 An impress of all coming time ; 
 With cap and crown no art hath made. 
 Huge monuments that ne'er shall fade ! 
 No waning charms, shall cease to know, 
 While seasons come and ages go ; 
 And summer wea\-es her perfumed wreath, 
 Her ever varying hues bequeath ; 
 As time keeps tally, one b)- one, , 
 E'er glorious with the autumn sun. 
 While winter's wand, of magic power, 
 Invokes enchantments for the hour ; 
 And furzy heads, with age grow hoar, 
 With faces seamed, and wrinkled more ; 
 While furrows deepen with the glow. 
 And longer bent, of shadow bow, 
 And frown, with chill, and quivered dart, 
 The Rip Van Winkle charm impart. 
 Conferring with his gifts forsooth 
 A silver beard of magic growth ! 
 In aspect castellated, grand, 
 And more pretentious in their stand. 
 Huge columns seem to bar the way, 
 While daylight gathers tints of gray, 
 With water circling at their feet, 
 A prelude to the bedded steep. 
 In close embrace of outward wall, ' . 
 
 (Portending an interior hall,) 
 O'ershadowed by a turret wing, 
 A staircase rude is found to cling ; 
 
WATKINS GLEN AXD SENI-XA LAKE 1 7 
 
 And hence the entrance porch is gained, 
 
 A \-estibule more grand attained, 
 
 Than that of "Norman Castle" old ;— 
 
 relight savor of as strong a hold, 
 
 With deep wrought walls of blended gra\', 
 
 (And silken tapestry of spra^- ;) 
 
 Adorned with plumy tufts of fern. 
 
 As trophies hung on grim walls stern. 
 
 While overhanging columns rise, 
 
 That might in fancy kiss the skies ! 
 
 With jut o'er jut, and peak o'er peak 
 
 Of tower and minaret bespeak ; 
 
 With but a slender thread of blue. 
 
 Relief to tint of deeper hue. 
 
 Where, if the far famed " Blarney stone," 
 
 Enchanted from its ancient throne. 
 
 And of aspiring, skyward lift, 
 
 Had found its niche within the rift, — 
 
 Embedded high above the gloam, 
 
 Eess easy might the task become, 
 
 To venturous knights, who crave the bliss 
 
 Or vaunted virtues of the kiss, 
 
 Than that of Erin's sons of old. 
 
 Who scaled the walls of feudal hold. 
 
 With outward look from " Portal gate," 
 A huge embodiment of fate, 
 O'erhung by adamantine prow, 
 And Sentry Cliff's projective brow. 
 Weird, dwarfed, and bent, distorted quite, 
 With efforts vain to grow upright, 
 " Old Tempest"* bows his body low, 
 To mock "Glen Alpha's parting flow. 
 Uncouth as e'en the cloven pine, 
 
 since uprooted and swept away. 
 
iS WATKIXS ClJiK ANli SKNIiCA LAKK 
 
 Imprisoned Ariel's threads confine, 
 Too pnre a spirit to work harm, 
 Held hv the hag Sycorax's charm, 
 Till good Prospero should forcfend, 
 The niNstic ser\-ice he might rend, 
 To be his servant, skies to leap, 
 Or tread the vortex of the deep, 
 ' With word of freedom as his meed, 
 Subjected him to nobler deed. 
 
 Though deep within conflictive ridge, 
 Full air^• hangs the " Sentrv Bridge," 
 Where wakened from the dreamy bed, 
 Alive to migratory tread, 
 The waters from the shadow flume 
 At once their wa3'ward moods assume. 
 And o'er " Glen Alpha's" spiral sweep 
 With gleam of polished curving steep. 
 Gain reckless speed of winding way, 
 To join the cascade's final play. 
 And mingle with the glow, and swell 
 And din of " Castellated Well." 
 
 Within the depth of sunken room, 
 A place infernal, lit with gloom, 
 Held for a time in durance bound. 
 The waves explore the ramparts 'round ; 
 In deep embayment doomed to wait. 
 Their war-like councils to debate, 
 And with new outbreak, bold, decide 
 The fickle fate they thus betide ; 
 Contesting rights ere parting thence, 
 With last adieu to give, and hence 
 A broader sweep of freedom gain, — 
 No longer wed to wild domain. 
 
 Amid the hues of spectral shade, 
 
WATKIXS GLEX AND SHXECA I.AKK ig 
 
 An nightfall deep'iiing on the glade, 
 A pi Hard passage marks the steep 
 Coronal corner of the leap, 
 And treads fnll close the clondy side 
 With trown, bequeathed to leaden tide. 
 Beneath the low-bent walls of grav, 
 Enshronding as the close of da\'. 
 A ca\-ern pass, a riven pile 
 Of rugged cliff, in stern defile, 
 With record of inscriptive tide 
 Imprinted on each lowering side, 
 Of tell-tale walls, the paths begirt. 
 As step b)' step its powers assert. 
 
 In quiet, dreamy, trance-like rest. 
 Though cradled on the cataract's crest, 
 Where cliff's o'erhanging vigils keep. 
 The river, voiceless, seems to sleep, 
 No song, no ripple, lost to strife, 
 Reflecting varied scenes of life 
 Impotent thus to linger long. 
 Ere doomed to give its farewell song. 
 And with unmeasured notes infuse. 
 Its orgies in the wild adieus, 
 
 The Council Chamber's liberal door ; 
 Inviting leads to audience floor. 
 With memoirs of tribunal hall, 
 engraved upon inscription wall. 
 Where still enthroned the veteran pine 
 Maintains its dignity benign, 
 And mid-day light is mellowed more, 
 While fainter comes the wild uproar. 
 With dip of sunlight peering down 
 To melt the sage Morvaldon's* frown ; 
 
 * The first name of Mr. Ells, who opened Watkins Glen in 1S63. 
 
20 WATKIXS C,LEX ANH SENECA LAKE: 
 
 Willi scarce a scene of nature's own 
 More ro\-al in her annals shown. 
 
 P>\- tread of curve, or angle steep. 
 The maze of doubtful wa)' to keep, 
 With mined arch, or broken stair. 
 Intricate windings, mount with care, 
 To jutting crag, the " Trover's Seat," 
 Or tiyst tree of the charmed retreat ; 
 Uplifted where the wild vine swings, 
 And laughing echo lightly rings. 
 And longest rests the roseate glow 
 Ere twilight gives its deepening flow. 
 
 And caught from here the flash and glance 
 Of laughing water's fair}- dance. 
 Of " Minnehaha's " pearly leap, 
 While giving tune to double sweep, 
 With deep refrain from distant lay. 
 Or re\"ellings in the sombre gray. 
 
 ]More labyrinthian in their ways, 
 The walls assume a wilder phase, 
 Where ferns and lichens only dare. 
 From seam or crevice here and there, 
 Maintain their most tenacious hold. 
 On arrogating faces bold. 
 Where winds ne'er deign in idle play 
 To sing or chant their fiercer lay ; 
 Or save in shimmerings passing pale. 
 To penetrate the depth must fail. 
 The lightning's gleam or zigzag flash, 
 Ere comes the thunder's deeptoned crash, 
 With muffled growl neath dusky prow, 
 Or cloud-like roof of canon brow. 
 
 Regardful of the pearly drop 
 That gem's the face of shadow rock, 
 
AVATKINS GLEN AND SEKECA LAKE 21 
 
 And meekly treads tlie cold gray light 
 
 Tvike phantom nuns, in silver white, 
 
 With warmth and sunshine doomed to part, 
 
 That strikes a coldness to the heart ! 
 
 As in the sepnlcher of gloom, 
 
 Each slowly seeks its troubled tomb. 
 
 Within gnomes' grotto, wierd and gray, 
 \'eiled by the " Cavern Cascade's" spray, 
 Where voices intermingling come, 
 Like notes from c\-mbal, harp and drum ; 
 As if the sprites were hidden there, 
 To swell the mad, chaotic choir •, 
 Where heav}' walls of molten glow 
 Like lowering clouds fall deep and low, 
 And sombre shadows like a pal! 
 Drape gloomily the '' Dantine " hall ; 
 Where jutting floor or base protrudes. 
 Wrought by the Genii's ms'stic moods. 
 With tube-like pool, nefarious made, 
 In depths of gloom and endless shade, 
 With passport to each willful wave, 
 To all explore of spirit cave. 
 Allured to meet the St)'gian gloom, 
 Or silence of the dead waves' tomb. 
 
 Through vaporv" clouds of mist and spray. 
 Enchanters of the wierd-like way, 
 A staircase huge, and grim to face, 
 Suggestive of a giant race, 
 Of vast proportions, massive strength. 
 Fearful, wondrous in its length, 
 Where half expectant, pause to meet, 
 In contact with more daring feet. 
 Or sooth encounter, face to face, 
 Some mighty son of earth-born race, 
 
22 WATKINS OLEN AXI) SKNECA LAKK 
 
 That might in keeping more comjiare, 
 Witli skyward lift of " (^iant Stair." 
 The steep ascent more wary make, 
 Where footsteps low voiced echoes wake, 
 In meagre keeping with the crash 
 Or answers to the cataracts dash. 
 Here thundering down in dense cascade 
 To pool beneath, one plunge is made ! 
 And phantom-like, with flash and glance 
 Around the shadowy basin dance. 
 Till forth propelled, by wave more strong. 
 Resume the burden of their song. 
 
 From cavern dash, half way between 
 The margin of the wild ravine, 
 And once the giddy heighth attained, 
 A " friendh' seat " is not disdained. 
 Where from above, around, below. 
 Tumultuous voices come and go ;* 
 In grand continuance swerve along, — 
 A medley of unbroken song ; 
 And charmed, bewildered, rests the gaze 
 On nature, in her wildest phase. 
 
 From labyrinthian, misty way. 
 Diversely reach of carvings gray 
 By'pathway leading up the ledge. 
 Toilsome wrought by pick and sledge. 
 Ascent of rirgged, flaky side : — f 
 Withdrawing from the cataract's tide, 
 Where jutting cliff and wall project. 
 Diversifying in effect. 
 
 '^ Turmoil of the "Old Dam" commingling with that of Cavern Cascade, 1863. 
 t The passage leading up the cliff has since been changed, and terminates nearer the 
 "Mountain House." 
 
WATKIXS CLKN A X D SICXIXA l.AKK 
 
 Alul hrukcu now, the spell of i^'ra\- 
 
 < Enhauciiii;- in its powerful s\va\-,) 
 
 Where- crowned hills lift tlieir heads fnll lii,i;h, 
 
 Enwreathin.i^- with tlie azure skv. 
 
 And flood with \i\'if\ini4' green 
 
 A benediction on tlie scene. 
 
 With outward view sublimely grand ! 
 
 From "Resting Rock's" projecti\'e stand, 
 
 P'rom open portals now maN' catch 
 
 < )t distant hills and \-ales a snatch, 
 And throirgli. the vista of the gloom 
 Review the grand "Arenic Room", 
 Where echo back to echo calls 
 F"rom Laughing- Waters' gleeful falls. 
 ■' But there came no other answer: " 
 Than the echo of his cr\ing, 
 
 Than the echo of the woodlands 
 " ^linnehaha ! Minnehaha ! " 
 
 From tablet of the walled expanse 
 Take in the carnival, at a glance, 
 (Jr for a moment longer rest. 
 On frowning cliff, or gotliic crest; 
 Or blur upon a massive face, 
 With indig-nation just, to trace, 
 Where ne'er a rankling wish should steal, 
 Or mantling brow be made to feel 
 The axe or pick remorseless lent 
 On devastating power, so bent. 
 May all the stones thus wrenched away 
 Remain as spectres grim and gray — 
 As goblin shadows on the wall 
 Of lowly hut, or lordly hall. 
 
 Would that some fairy, good and true, 
 The spot thus desecrated view, 
 
UAl'KTXS CLKX AXI> SKXKCA LAKl-; 
 
 liiuliower it as a lU'inpliian .i^rot. 
 With cliiii^-ing vines to hide the spot. 
 
 With liberal scope of sylvan shade 
 And tread of broad "Sierrean" i^lade ; 
 Where \oices faint, from tidal play, 
 Restrained within the narrow wa\-, 
 Thronc^h broken channels in the floor. 
 Impart their nnu-muring, o'er and o'er ; 
 Now gleeful with projective stand, 
 With illtinied notes of unskilled hand, 
 New invocations break the strain, 
 Engaging in the wild retrain, 
 The j(j\ ons chords to pass along, 
 'Till revels fill the hall of song ! 
 
 Now strange, bewildering grows the scene 
 That shadows forth the dark ravine. 
 And broken thus the spell might seem^ 
 The chance awakening of a dream ; 
 For lo! upon the pathway laid, 
 Ungotten of the wind, or shade, 
 A structure rude, in seeming quaint 
 Abode, might be for elf, or saint. 
 Whence did it come ? Wherefore invade 
 The sacred precints of the shade 
 Where nature faultless in her way — 
 Her grand monoply of sway, — 
 With crown inviolate, long worn 
 .And sceptre undisturbed had borne ! 
 Was it from some meteoric source, 
 Erratic on its way perforce ? 
 Or from the bolder bow, when lent 
 By Jupiter, on mischief bent ? 
 Or errant, incongruous bound, 
 .\ verse to nature's rulings found? 
 
AVATKIXS (^,I.KX AXD SENKCA LAKH 27 
 
 * >pL-iied the wilderness, too intense. 
 The mad invasion made, and lience, 
 "Where reigned tire grand, eternal shade. 
 "With crag, and cliff and moss facade. 
 Intrusive, verging on the wav, 
 I'nbidden ghosts of tanieness plav. 
 
 Where chance the day had settled down. 
 And light had fled the oaken crown. 
 The winds laughed low to see a band 
 C)t elves come tripping hand in hand; 
 While silver}- notes rang loud and clear 
 From airy circles, sweeping near. 
 And now, perchance, might pause to see 
 An anchorite, or such as he 
 Enfranchised, thus the rights bestowed : 
 A dweller of the crude abode, 
 W'ho refuge seeks from hopes deca^'ed, 
 In umbrage deep, of mountain shade. 
 W^ith solitude, no other eye, 
 Could better teach him how to die. 
 No flatterers hollow aid to give, 
 And only with his God to live. 
 Not "Solitaire" the "mountain cot,"* 
 Though elf or hermit here are not ; 
 But now, forthsooth, the thatch of gray 
 Beams with a thank's inspiring ray, 
 To one quite near to fame allied. 
 With wand of reason for his guide, 
 Byronic-like, within whose heart, 
 The mountain wilderness claims a part ; 
 To share the spirit of each spot. 
 Commingled with his mortal lot, 
 
 The Old Mountain House, or Evergrreen Cabin — since removed, for more extensive accommoda- 
 tions. 
 
WATKixs (;!.i-:x AM) si-;xi-:cA laki: 
 
 And wlioni tlic i^ods had fuiuul endowed. 
 To fill the blank and ]iiei-ce the cloud ! 
 To read the charm Ironi index Ijrief 
 iji chaptered pa^e and eliin leat ; 
 With fairer porti<.)n.s, held concealed, 
 \i\' kc\ invincible revealed. 
 The scenes, sublime ! and wondrous books, 
 I)e\'eloped h\ the running- brooks, 
 With sermons grand, in silent tone ; 
 Proclaimed from riven walls of stone ! 
 And hence disclosed the wondrous way 
 Of s)'lvan shade and cavern gray. 
 
 Thus, nestled 'tween the mountain peaks. 
 This charming spot, predicti\'e speaks ! 
 Arcadian, in its magic claim ; 
 Prophetic, of unrivaled fame ! 
 A spot, perchance, where fairy lore ; 
 The circles green, enchases more, 
 And for a space, it well might seem, 
 While of the woodland beauties dream ; 
 That luxuries awaitiirg here. 
 To grace the hamlet, with their cheer, 
 (While loiteriirg 'neath the restful shade) 
 Might kinship claim to subtle aid! 
 Awakened from elysian haunts, 
 To lower plane of mundane wants; — 
 For latent craft, or charm, inclined; 
 Fit food for gods, or mortals, find ! 
 
 Remote beneath the pathway's grade, 
 As if by hand with chisel made. 
 With haughty stamp of lineament. 
 To each stern brow a spirit lent, 
 A marked, artistic skill eives trace 
 
wATKixs ci.Kx a:^I) sexkca I.AK1-: 29 
 
 To outlines of "Ouceii EstlierV face; 
 
 And o]iposite in bold relief, 
 
 The profile of her brave, the "Chief"! 
 
 These sombre faces, cold and i^ray, 
 
 Conflictinjj with tlie rising- spra\', 
 
 "W'liere time gives scope to bus\' finger. 
 
 And dreary brow is fonnd to linger. 
 
 Full augury of obliterate trace. 
 
 Typical of their fading race; 
 
 Though swept from ''Profile Gorge," archives, ■ 
 
 Recorded bra\"er\' sur\-ives. 
 
 " \\'hen Indian Summer flings lier cloak" 
 Of brooding azure on the woods, 
 The pathos of a vanished folk 
 Shall tinge th\' solitudes. 
 The blue smoke of their fires once more 
 Far o'er the hills shall seem to rise, 
 And sunset's golden clouds restore 
 The red man's paradise. 
 
 Strange sounds of a forgotten tongue 
 Shall cling to man}- a crack and cave. 
 In wash of falling waters sung, 
 Or murmur of the wave. 
 And oft ill minmost hush of night, 
 Shrill o'er the deep-mouthed cataract's roar, 
 Shall ring the war-cry from the height 
 " That woke the wilds of 3'ore." 
 
 Here, cool moss lines the dusky flume 
 And graceful droops the hemlocks' plume. 
 While turbulent in tangled flow, 
 By wilful juttings deep below. 
 Come notes of brave defiance hurled, 
 
WATKIXS CI.KX AXI> SKXKCA I.AKK 
 
 As discord of a inaddentd world, 
 
 In sliouts vociferous, blent with ra!u;e, 
 
 P\oni broken dam, bedininicd with aoc. - 
 
 A foreii^n link, of anchorage, strong 
 
 Entvenched within the realm of song ; 
 
 Attnned to \ears of needful strife, 
 
 In cadence with the past full rife : 
 
 With clamoring tongue, long may it last ; 
 
 Defyer of vindictive blast ! 
 
 With suffrage granted to fulfill. 
 
 And hold imperious wa\'es at will. 
 
 Conferring thus a bolder space, 
 
 And liberal depth of placid face ; — 
 
 Light sheltered b)' the upland break! 
 
 Rejoicing in a fair}- lake. 
 
 Where seemingly dropped from the skies 
 
 While smiles gave answer in surprise, 
 
 A daint^" craft, of quaintly make, 
 
 Soft nestles where the ripples break. 
 
 While echoes spring from bark afloat, 
 
 Commingling with the wilder note; 
 
 And chorused swells the medley song 
 
 B}' joyoirs crew thus borne along, 
 
 Allured to skim the secret tide 
 
 And through the mystic realm to glide. 
 
 Where flinging quivers to the light, 
 
 The track is sinking out of sight, 
 
 'Till lost within the sacred shade, 
 
 Of Glen Obscura's sunless g"lade, 
 
 * 1S63. since removed, causing a marked change within the Gorg-e. While 
 the natural wildness at this portion of the Glen has been invaded in a 
 measure, the present effect is no less magical and charming. 
 
 t The Skiff. 
 
\VATKIXS (-rl.KN AXl) SKXI-XA LAMI-: 
 
 \\ here tulted tern and sedgei^rass la\'e 
 Their fino-ers in the clieerless \va\-e ! 
 Where smiles ne'er greet tlie leaden flow 
 Or evening's crimson liglits the glow ; 
 Or silver cloud or lingering ra^•, 
 With mockery glints the shrouded wav, 
 \\ liile wierd enchantment rules supreme ! 
 And waves its witchery o'er the stream. 
 And from the ca\-ern's duskv sheen, 
 The midnight elves steal forth unseen ; 
 Inveigled from their slumb'i-ous trance 
 To revel in the moonbeam dance ! 
 Or in the s\'lvan shadows glini 
 Chase penciled ra>", from limb to limb, 
 (3r pallid creep, when downward prone, 
 To lichened trunk, to rock and stone. 
 Or emerald in a dewdrop spy 
 That glints the verge of northern sky. 
 Or dow'u the glen, perchance, are bound 
 Where goblin crew, in rout are found 
 With bark afloat, to meet the call. 
 To " Council Chamber," one and all. 
 The con\'ocation met with cheers, 
 They sally forth, from hidden spheres ; — 
 From crann\', nook and covert sly ; 
 With eager haste full quickly fly ;• — 
 In mystic conclave, thus convene. 
 All brownies of the charmed ravine ! 
 With gnome and elfin from their lair, 
 And wood-nymph called to take the chair. 
 The times discussed, the laws franchised 
 Advanced ideas and creeds revised, 
 
:^2 U'A'rKINS CA.HX AXIi SKXKCA LAKK 
 
 Aii'I rciiiiiiiiie riglUs, perchance inflict, 
 
 I'olitic less, to interdict 
 
 Witli theories brief, or hMij^'er spun ; 
 
 Xo snphical attempt to shmi. 
 
 All wrono-s redressed and ire suppressed 
 
 With valedictions, homeward pressed. 
 
 Full nimblv now, and of one mind, — 
 
 Tliou,i;-h snailish drone may lag behind 
 
 E'er break of day, and duly clanish ; 
 
 Naiads, eh'es and dryads, \-anish. 
 
 Inspired, as for a new campaign, 
 " Sierrean Path," in route regain. 
 With thouglits expectant, resting more 
 On promised wonders still in store: 
 Of elfin cave, and hanging woods 
 Of nature's more bewildering nroods. 
 
 The pathway marks the wooded slope, 
 Where shadows witli each other cope. 
 And oaken-wreathed, each spur, and prow 
 Of Eagle Mountain's furrowed brow ! 
 While silence of the elfin track, 
 Brings dream-land and its memories back ; 
 'Till wakened by the deep'ning sheen, 
 And spectral wildness of the scene. 
 With sparcely flecks of sun imbued, 
 In dusky tints and double-hued, 
 That thi'ead their way through w'oven bough 
 The charm of wild "Obscura's" brow. 
 
 Full spectral ! 'mid the gray light, dim, 
 ^ The chiseled path o'ershadowing grim, 
 Solemn and grave like " Banquo's" ghost. 
 With frown incumbent at his post. 
 
WATKIXS Cl.KN AND SENECA LAKE 33 
 
 An ancient Ixirrier, huge and gruN-, 
 Stands portal to the narrow waw 
 l-lnsconsed, and lield b\- wizard time, 
 As footprints of liis niarcli suljlime, 
 It s|_ieaks of ancient-time crusade, 
 And broader sweep of ca\'alcade, 
 With armies of invading force, 
 And deeper tread than heavy horse. 
 
 With every year of sun and cloud, 
 That weaves itself a snowy shroud, 
 By its successor, clothed in green, 
 The old man's finger-marks are seen ; — 
 New pages dipt, asterisks drawn, 
 Sublime with each perennial morn. 
 
 Long since dismantled of its green, 
 A mast-like pine of polished sheen. 
 Looms from the huge, projective crest. 
 As risen ghost of haunted rest. 
 The sad and moaning voice that swept 
 The tuneful fibres, long has slept, 
 And music drawn from winds that brushed 
 The fur-like robe, have, too, been hushed. 
 Though gone the soulful, sighing moan, 
 The winds still lend a pitying tone — 
 Still comes the whispered, ghost-like sigh. 
 Like distant wailing, shrill and dry. 
 
 Where hemlocks sombre, looming stand, 
 With tortuous cliflFs, on either hand — 
 To them a grand protective power, 
 To shield them in an evil hour ; 
 While envy only can behold, 
 And sigh to see them strong and bold. 
 
WA'i'Kixs (;ij:x A.\f) ,si-;.\"i-:cA r.AicK 
 
 Willi iiiaiU'liii.L; folds, in phalanx tii^ht — 
 A staiuliiii; ^uard, obscures the siglit, 
 ■ Viul \eil the silent, mystic flow, 
 U .s\lvan waters, deep beknv, 
 Where <jnly sound, if cauglit at all. — 
 Repeats from distant waterfall. 
 
 'Trs onl)' liere and there a snatch, 
 C)r glimpse of rugged wall we catch, 
 As crumbling ruins, staid and old, 
 Encrusted deep with rust and mold. 
 For gambols of the elf or fay, 
 A safe reti'eat at noon of day. 
 
 Whence does it come, the light thnim, thrum. 
 As slackened note of fairy drum ? 
 A touch, most delicate of sound. 
 Vet lighth fills the space around. 
 And soothing falls in melting tone. 
 As mirsic mingled with its own ; 
 Of elfin ring, or welkin beat, 
 With mocking m}steries replete ; 
 Where ti'ills and quavers ne'er abate. 
 And answering echoes lingering wait 
 In light response, from hidden dells, 
 As voices strayed from silver bells, 
 Repeated from the dim-lit aisle 
 '' Obscura's" sheltered tide the while. 
 
 The narrow rile of rocky stair. 
 Brings claim to slight regard of care, 
 liehooves the well poised step to keep. 
 Lest doomed to take the lover's leap. 
 With alpine cut and downward slant. 
 No boding power to disenchant, 
 
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"WATKINS CtI.KN and SKNECA tXKV: 
 
 Though now tlie path, more stem and stce]). 
 Trends toward the level of the deep ; 
 A\'it]i cliffs receding farther, save, 
 W'liere cliannel passage speeds the wave. 
 And rests a span of bridge as light, 
 As that of elfin, fa\' or sprite, 
 And conies a light, capricious tread 
 <_>'er floor of more expansive spread, 
 As restless spirits, onward bound, 
 'Till narrow door, or vent have found. 
 With "Sj-lvan Rapids" flash and dance, 
 Rewards that meet the downward glance- 
 Within earth's more expanded jaws. 
 On Chancel steps in awe now pause, 
 Where densely near the vaulted dome 
 Of sky looks down amid the gloam, 
 And wierd sublimity appalls, 
 Enchants the spirit and enthralls ! 
 Where plateaus, circling in their form, 
 Incentive of "Athenian" charm, 
 Or by the water Genies made, 
 Here to enact their grand charade. 
 While joining hands in mazy dance, 
 Where star-reflecting pools enhance, 
 Make merrj- round the nymphian bowl — 
 The charm of grand " Cathedral Hall." 
 
 Well kept, and redolent of dust, 
 With vestige slight, of mold or must, 
 Forsooth, as if by fairy clan, 
 Or edict, or proscription ban, 
 Allured from nook, or rift of wall, 
 To tread of foot, at mystic call, 
 
o 
 
 S wATKixs (;i.i-:x an'd shxhca i.aki-; 
 
 From chantjliiig note or spirit sigh, 
 Drawn from the canop\ ol sk\ , 
 And terraced floor, from nook to seam, 
 Are silvery with tlie morning gleam. 
 
 Coliseum ! imnienseh' grand ! 
 Where on heights declivic stand ; 
 Attendant trees, of huge dimensions, 
 Forming in their wild declensions 
 A mingled concourse of spectators, 
 When wa\-es contest as gladiators. 
 A pageantry that rules the hour, 
 Like trampling armies' ruthless power, 
 With rise and swell from glittering throng, 
 Swept with one 'wildering voice along, 
 Till all the sleeping echoes wake. 
 And trumpet notes the ramparts shake ! 
 While billows lave the banquet floor, 
 Until the carnival is o'er. 
 Then shouts tumultuous, all are stilled 
 That crevice, nook and cavern filled ; 
 While sunset's light has fled the place, 
 And wings of night o'ershadow space. 
 
 In years now gone, though brief and few, 
 'Twas e'er these walls an entrance knew, 
 Or praise had gone with trumpet tongue, 
 Proclaiming wonders still unsung, 
 Within their precints chanced to stray, 
 Beguilement of a sunrmer da)', 
 Two citizens inertl}- learned, 
 Their faces to the forest turned. 
 Congenial in their rambling mood, 
 Their steps led toward the upland wood. 
 
AYATKINS GLEN AND SENECA l.ARK 39 
 
 Wliere nature reveled undisturbed, 
 Maintained her fickle ways uncurbed, 
 Unscathed, as when in stealth)- frav 
 The fatal anow sped its wa\', 
 And rifts of circling smoke arose. 
 From vale and wigwam in repose. 
 
 Where verdant hills of 'wildering length 
 Hugh environs of folding strength, 
 Trne guardians of the chasm bed, 
 And to its charms devontly wed. 
 Where staunch and strong, the oak and pine 
 In friendly conference intertwine. 
 And light the fountain's gliding foot 
 Steals softl)- o'er the mossy root, 
 In welcome draught of beverage cool, 
 From jagged trnnk a tempting pool ; 
 Where wary fox and wily hare 
 Receiv'e their undiminished share ; 
 Or rights contest, as each are first. 
 And needs require to quench their thirst. 
 
 From whortle bush, but rarely seen — 
 Entrenched amid the stately green; 
 They pause to pluck the tempting mass 
 Of ripe, blue clusters as they pass. 
 Till startled by the bounding tread 
 Of antlered deer from mossy bed, 
 That linger not with step so near — 
 Impulsive yield to pangs of fear. 
 
 The sheltered brake and brier pass through, 
 Where stinted falls the morning dew, 
 The}- pause upon projective crest — 
 Intuitive, their steps arrest; 
 
40 WATKIXS CI.KX AM) SKNKCA I.AKI-". 
 
 To pierce the m\st\" veil ol shade, 
 
 And catch a strain from lost cascade; 
 
 And b\- the solemn depths below, 
 
 The hidden ni\steries vain would know, 
 
 Where objects gather imdefined, 
 
 Though scenes so grand were ne'er divined. 
 
 Xo sapling tall, of willow bend, 
 No roots entwined, a ladder lend; 
 Nor earth's imbedded, jutting stone 
 As sta\' for foot to rest upon . 
 B\" force of will, and cultured brain ; 
 A \-ictory daring, the)' attain; 
 Undaunted in attempt to brave, 
 Athenian wall, or goblin cave! 
 By means adroitly brought to aid, 
 Clainr entrance to the barricade, 
 B}" ladder made of hempen cords. 
 To root projective, firm secured, 
 With boldh, rapid, giddv slide. 
 And due, make-shift, of rugged side, — 
 Beheld themselves upon the floor 
 Of walled expanse, without a door. 
 
 Awakened from their first surprise, 
 To which the weird-like scene gave rise, 
 With awe inspired, akin to fear. 
 By girding barriers, stern, severe ! 
 Where save the friendly dome of blue. 
 The upper world is lost to view. 
 No sound to break the solemn still. 
 Unless from distant plaintive trill ; 
 And startled voices mounting high, 
 Claim echoes only in reply; 
 
WATKTXS (U.EN AND SKNKCA LAKE 4I 
 
 \\ hilf mystery weighs with awe supreme 
 Like haunting sliadows in a dream ! 
 So cannv nciw, the space around, 
 It chance might be forbidden ground, 
 Or place wliere spectral shadows dwell. 
 And claim dominion bv their spell ! 
 
 Ot lite instinct, tliere seemed no trace — 
 Though here a \-ictim of the chase; 
 A crushed and lifeless fawn was found 
 Hence driven by the huntsman's hound. 
 To pause, was not without a thrill ! 
 Where seemed the tears to linger still — 
 The tears that in the pitious chase. 
 Had coursed each other down its face, 
 And spoke of human foes so fell. 
 To slay them in tlieir forest dell. 
 The shrunken stream, the walls ignore. 
 Allured to seek some hidden door : 
 Where erst the water Genii clan 
 Had dared the broadened floor to span. 
 Unbridged, unstaired, then as of yore 
 Thus limited, their brief explore. 
 
 The fount enchanting — " Nymphian Pool," 
 A central basin dimpling cool. 
 Sends forth its wave of golden gleam — 
 In thanks to Sol's descending beam. 
 Ungrudging, lent, thougli brief of stay 
 Within the battlements of gray. 
 
 In deeper shade an eddying pool. 
 Inscribed might be " Demonian bowl !" 
 With brow of sullen, dark despair, 
 It demon-like seems bent to snare, 
 
WATKINS C,LKN A.XI) ,SI-:XI-:CA F.A K K 
 
 ( )r i;rapi)lc as a deadly foe, 
 
 Eacli siiikiii!^', slruoulinj^ wa\-e l)clo\v. 
 
 A lmL;e reserve of conca\-e room, 
 Surcharged witli never ending gloom, 
 Where ghosth' shadows have their reign. 
 And awe pervades the dark domain! 
 A spot in keeping with the frown 
 That hovers 'neath his worshi])'s crown. 
 And fitting place to cool his ire, 
 Whilst ileeing from tempestuous fire, 
 Should Satan or his demons fell, 
 Ere seek beneath rebellious swell. 
 That peace, so lost forever, save, 
 Amid the tangle of the wave. 
 To direful terrors held concealed 
 The haunted thoughts, impulsive yield. 
 With ghostly fear or phantom dread, 
 Of clanking- chain, or armored tread, 
 Or cumbrous, nrassive door, so near, 
 Could grate of rusty hinges hear; 
 And victim by his worship led, 
 Beneath the river's inmost bed ; 
 To tread with him the downward road. 
 To " Hades" depths of dark abode. 
 
 The way retrace from angle right, 
 By air\' steps, a triple flight ; 
 Twixt toppling walls of threat' ning lower. 
 Ascend the grand Cathedral Tower, 
 And meet with awe, the swelling strain. 
 Unceasing in its wild refrain; 
 In praises ever swelling higher 
 From answering cliff" and chanting choir! 
 
WATKIXS r,]J.:x AND SKXKCA ).AKI-: 
 
 Tile tlieinc rehearsed by stateh' pine, 
 In measured notes from lofty shrine ; 
 When with new force and snbtle drift, 
 The storm kino- adds his timelv gift, 
 Inspiring as he passes o'er, — 
 Infusing strength to wild encore, 
 Where element finds ready tongue, 
 To fill the soul with praise unsung; 
 And floods of inspiration raise. 
 To mingle with the deathless lays ! 
 
 'Neath pointed spear and peak of wall, 
 That garrison the " Naiad's Hall," 
 With Eagle Cliff, a loft}' crest, 
 Whereon she lo\'es to build her nest, 
 While utmost jnttings to decry, 
 "Would seem to claim an eag-le's eve. 
 
 With entrance to an oblong room. 
 In radiance half, and half in gloom? 
 ( )r mellowed b)' the noon-da\- beam, 
 While trembling in the solemn gleam. 
 Embodied in the m\stic glide, 
 Of woven shadow, sheeted tide, 
 And softer sinks the wilder la}' 
 In tuneful thanks for breadth of wa}'. 
 
 In structure light, from side to side, 
 A thread-like bridge o'er laps the tide, 
 And through the angular juttings rude, 
 The charming " Matchless Scene" is viewed 
 Where low-voiced murmur, hum and thrill 
 And fingers light, with bent of will 
 Have carved and wrought with mystic tools. 
 And fashioned thus, the " Glen of Pools," 
 
44 UA'I'kTXS (;i.I':\" AXI) SI'.XICCA r.AKF. 
 
 Wlierc iiiai \''l<)us watcr-in'mphs iiia\' sport, 
 Ui (leiL^ii ti) liold their ,s\'lvan court. 
 
 More difficult the \va}- to ^rojx-, 
 Where shadows with each otlier cope, 
 Aud liair dislosed, uew l)eauties lie, 
 'Xeatli peep »jf foliage, paiuted sky ; 
 Aud like the vista of the uiind, 
 Au ante-rooui or passai^e find, 
 With door or wiudow leadiuL; thither, 
 V>\ wa\" that seeius to ha\e no wither. 
 Aud uow frout waried cliarui of walls, 
 Euraptured (^reet the " Rainbow Falls.'" 
 
 Li^ht-hearted as a bo'.iu}' Vjride, 
 A streaudet leaps the moss-clad side, 
 Witli suiile aud ripple dancing there, 
 Coquelish as the mountain air; — 
 Fair as " ( jcnevra" in lier bloom, 
 As bodeless of a destined doom. 
 Where .soft beams weave the fitful tread. 
 And silver jets each tangled thread. 
 While tiuy shrubs that meet the view, — ■ 
 Bespangled seem like drops of dew. 
 As through the lichen spreads tlieir gleam, 
 Like chauges in a fitful dream ; 
 Beguiled into a diamond shower, 
 With diadem of leaf and fiower, 
 From uio.ssy shelf, in light cascade, 
 A veil of sih'er spra)- is made. 
 
 The way, though rugged, war\- keej), 
 With jutting cliff and stair full steep. 
 To ])ause tipon a spray-wet floor. 
 Look forth as from a cottage door, 
 
<^'^Fe?l**>^'^^' 
 
WATKIXS CI.KN AND SKXHCA 1.AKI-. 
 
 Or deep-browed roof of !_;abled wall; 
 Low and " Helveie" in its fall ! 
 By cro^vdino faces, ])eniiiied within, 
 Where hlending eclioes weave their din, 
 And niunnra's, like a snnuner rain, 
 Commingle with a deejj refrain; 
 Or tinkling cadence, soft and mild, 
 As r.nder-tones to measures wild 1 
 And \'oices gentler in their chime 
 Blend with the " Triple Cascade's" time. 
 A retnge seeming thns to wait 
 For fickle snn-tears to abate; 
 Hence, catcli the new, invading ra\-, 
 Enchanting kiss the trembling spra}' ; 
 Or gossamer-like vail, as light, — 
 Enriching with its new born light, 
 And as atoning, gifts infuse, 
 Its wondrous wealth of tinted hues, 
 Till e\-er)- beam has fotind its wa}-, 
 And seems contented thus to stav, 
 A gilded arch above the gleam, 
 That veils the face of rippling foam ! 
 A magic bridge, or naiad stair 
 From cliff to cliff exceeding fair; 
 Where fairies pearls and diamonds nrould. 
 Their regal courts and levees hold, 
 And sparkling spray and bubbles chase 
 Full many a gay and laughing face. 
 Or with the dip of silver moon, 
 (If not disport with sunny noon,) 
 And comes the pallid, m3'stic light, 
 Amid the gloaming of the night; 
 
 4/ 
 
4''~' W'A'l'KIXS CI.HN AND SKNKCA I.AKI-; 
 
 Awakened tvoni iheir biDodin.t; <lrcaiii>, 
 III Udoks half hidden by the streams, 
 Heneath the low hung walls of gva\-, — 
 Imisihle \)y light of da)', 
 Eacli \-agraul elf, or drowsy sprite, 
 May skip as bird from briar light. 
 Across the shadow bridge to stra\-. 
 With song and glee till bixak of day. 
 
 'Xeath " Buttress Cliff's" o'ershadowing Irown, 
 The three-fold cascade courses down ; 
 And as the wayward sisters three 
 Give sweep of wild, wierd uielod)', 
 With mingled song and tireless leap, 
 A cadence rich, harmonious keep. 
 
 By dint of foothold now and then, 
 Defiant walls are scaled again. 
 Where long the foot of man ne'er trod. 
 And onl)' nature worshipped God! 
 And barriers to the solitude 
 Remained unscarred by chiselings rude. 
 
 Hence, to the little " Bridge of Sighs," 
 S> mphonious witli the broken cries. 
 Where gra}' liglit rests in toning sheen, 
 And lightly drapes the walls between. 
 As softened hues of moonbeans straN', 
 Or copings, with the break of day. 
 
 Full statue-Hke and light of mould, 
 Confronted b}" a brow more bold, 
 With outward step, from sombre sheen, 
 " ClifT Mary"* lifts her head serene, 
 With fadeless plume, of aerial birth, — 
 
 "^Mrs. Ann S. Stephen's novel, " Mary Derwent." 
 
WATKINS CI.KN AXIi SKNKCA l.AKi; 
 
 Portcndini; mow of lieaven than earth; 
 
 ^lore channiug witli the crude deforni, 
 
 Kntjendered by an insane storm: 
 
 Fair enildeni of a fated life, 
 
 Knnred to scenes of tragic strife, 
 
 Encliantino- 'niid the fitful glow, 
 
 And sinuotts writhings deep below; 
 
 While vivifying with its life. 
 
 Amid the scenes with grandeur rife! 
 
 While "Shadow Pool" returns askance, 
 
 Each ra\-lit smile or brooding glance, 
 
 (Prone to its purpose to reflect. 
 
 In promptitude does not reject,) 
 
 Portraying grandeur without stint, 
 
 While faithful to the rock-moss tint. 
 
 Descriptive flatteries tame must seem 
 In praises of the "Artist's Dream!" 
 
 No fairer spot in Elfin Land, 
 Or boudoir of a fairy band. 
 
 In deeper shades of gray, yet clear. 
 Each object, tint and hue appear, 
 With tin}' bridge, detracting naught 
 From Nature's works more grandly wrought. 
 With Narrow Pass, conflictive lent, 
 The walls give shape to sullen bent; 
 Where tides inspired ma\- dig and delve, 
 Or lend their latent powers to shelve, 
 Refashion oft, by tempest's might, 
 Or borrowed pick, from lofty height; 
 With skillfid touches here and there. 
 Regard to beauty still a care, 
 Bv chiseled groove, or polished sweep. 
 
 49 
 
WATKIXS CIJCX AXl) SKNI-X'A I.AKr; 
 
 Sul)ser\-ieiit to their troth to keep. 
 
 Where now a bolder spur niui)' seem 
 An insane freak to bar the stream, 
 hnpoi timed b\' \'nuHcti\'e tide, 
 Implaealile to threat or cliide. 
 Whence snrges forth, with hollow sound, 
 P'roni clond-like ca\erns closing 'i-onnd. 
 Of awe inspiriti\e, a> when, 
 Hoarse anger sweeps the lion's den, 
 While frowns give place to ninrky gloom, 
 Predicti\"e of a vengeful doom! 
 And sunbeams fresh'ning powers ne'er fall 
 To break the spell of " Demon's Hall!" 
 Where awe pervades the stunning swell! 
 As \oice from huge Neptunian shell: 
 And " Pluto" gives arenaic roar. 
 With frenzied leap and mad encore! 
 While thundering down in baleful beat. 
 With gulf infuriate at its leet, 
 Where "Macbeth's witches" fain might dwel 
 With incantation, charm and spell! 
 Around the cauldron dance and sing, 
 " Like elves and fairies in a ring." 
 
 No purpose otirs to stem or curb, 
 Or secrets of this realm disturb; 
 Where madness fills each elfin strain 
 Of din and discord's endless reig-n. 
 Or e'en dispute their laws or code. 
 Should demons make it their abode; 
 Or hidden chamber to explore, ' 
 The weird enchantments fain ignore; 
 Nor \'ainly tarr}' for replies, 
 
UATKIXS C.I.KX ,\X1> SKXKCA l.AKI- 
 
 To whence the coast of darkness lies, 
 * >r panse to qncstion now the wav, 
 
 'riiat opens to the break of da^■. 
 
 H>- read)- aid 'and firm snpport, 
 
 1 lie spiral stair\\'a\- eager court; 
 Whilst daring- scarce a backward glance. 
 Upon the pandemonium dance, 
 Wl-iere fanc) paints amid the din, 
 The demon howl and satyr grin, 
 With grimace, charm and mingled hate 
 As if in parlance mad, await 
 With subtle spell to stay the sense, 
 And thus, unknowing how, or whence, 
 While verging on the dire abyss 
 Tlie fated step be lured to miss. 
 
 Absoh-ed from mad Plutonian way. 
 With welcome peep of outward day. 
 Where sifted rays of gilded light, 
 Dri\'e lortli conflictive hues of night; 
 While quivers full of golden gleam. 
 Find entrance to each nook and seam; 
 And stem and leaflet smile with g-lee, 
 Whilst looking down trom stem and tree — 
 Eron-i broken arch, from crown and stone 
 From walls, like ruins, overgrown; 
 Inspiring as they thread their way 
 From tasselled plume to basin gray. 
 
 Where " Casket Pool's" rewarding glint. 
 In quaintly tones of Orient tint, 
 Compensate to the friendly rill 
 For offerings from the bended hill; 
 Or rivulet, with skirling tread. 
 
wATKixs ci.i-.x AM) si;xi-:cA f.AKI-: 
 
 I'.\- sudden iiisjiiratioii It-d ; 
 
 In lii;ht tlisdain uf >^"ra\' moss frin<;-es, 
 
 ( )t waxen cups and rubied tint^cs ; 
 
 Willi liend)lin,t;- woodland's prompt alarm. 
 
 Triumphant \ield the N\inpliian charm. 
 
 In trust consitrn the trojihied boon, 
 
 To grasp the kindling smiles of noon. 
 
 A treasiire-cnp of ample mould. 
 
 To re\el in antnmnal gold, 
 
 Usurp b\- stealth and russet gleam. 
 
 When arrows shoot athwart the stream. 
 
 And Xaiads, for their gifts bestow. 
 
 The daj^ple sheens that gleam and glow; 
 
 While Dr\ads, of conducive tliought, 
 
 .An emerald setting each hath wrought. 
 
 .A. warding sentinel at his post, 
 Undaunted meets the clamoring host ; 
 When willful sweep and vengeful wave. 
 Find utterance in combative lave ; 
 And bows his stern Herculean head, 
 O'er " Xeptune's Grotto" basin bed. 
 Where terrace-winged, the pearly leap 
 (xix'es monotone to lighter sweep, 
 (F'rom whence the dim old forest smiles, 
 And gloams in turn through leafy isles,) 
 Through mazy woodland carves its way. 
 To rest beneath the altar's gray, 
 (Jr lured to pause within the curve 
 (Jf " Fairy Pool" a charmed reserve. 
 With face upturned to meet the glance, 
 (Jr catch the netted sunbeams dance, 
 While cannoned hall and templed floor. 
 
WATKIXS C.I.EX ANli SKNKCA LAKK 
 
 While cannoned liall and templed floor, 
 And sk>\vard cliff, cease to explore; 
 Or tair\- nook, or rift to scan — 
 Born mysteries of the mythic clan, 
 -Must rest embraced with every hue, 
 As scenes that sanction no adieu: 
 Still potent with their spell bevond. 
 As stroke from the enchanter's wand I 
 To flood with 'himinating ray, 
 While homage to their courts we pav. 
 
 With rift of sky, and glint of sprav. 
 Enchanting in reverse of way; 
 Still grand, in retrospective view, 
 And ever wondrous, seen anew! 
 Witli lowering rock, and water's bed. 
 Disturbed not by the fragile tread, 
 Regain " Obscura's" mantling crest, 
 And " Mountain House," the tourist's rest. 
 
 By alpine cut, inspired anew. 
 And " Indian Trail" is ope'd to view 
 (Thotigh treasured up, in chapters brief, 
 Unfolding still a charming leaf;) 
 Where spicy floats the air around. 
 From banks with twisted laurels crowned ; 
 And beaded fern, with fluted finger, 
 Pointing skyward bids us linger ; 
 Where sheltered by the silver birch, 
 The clambering tea shrub finds its perch; 
 With wayward zephyrs to beguile. 
 And win its odorous breath and smile. 
 Accepting, as we muse along. 
 The light adieu from cataract's song; 
 
 .ij 
 
w'ATKixs (;lkn and sexkca r.Ak'p: 
 
 (Jr faint attiuie from distant lay, 
 filntiancino' in its S(jfter play. 
 
 i\'o\v verg'ino; on the mountain's ledi^e, 
 ( )'erlook the precipice's yawning edj^e! 
 Full "Alpine" in its airy flight, 
 And swing of rock -projective height; 
 Protected b}' a light hand-rail, 
 Where once was naught but Indian trail. 
 .\nd up the wooded, wild ascent, 
 With quickened pulse to footsteps lent, 
 The chieftain from his sports returned, 
 To wliere the sheltered camp-fire burned, 
 'A'lid vapored breeze his princess seeks 
 Where rests its cool wing on her cheeks. 
 Who proudly holds his early love, 
 With faith as pure as faith above, 
 Whose heart beats with the quick rebound 
 Of ringing shouts, from rocks around. 
 Reverberating, rich and deep, 
 From murky cave and wooded steep. 
 The waters now have ceased their song, 
 And move more peacefully along, 
 To wend the valley with their roll. 
 In qtiietude that soothes the soul. 
 .\nd "Glenwood" gives its sorrowing shade. 
 With lightly lift of upland glade; 
 Where softer falls the wayworn tread. 
 Should step less light disturb the dead, 
 Or quiet of the home of those 
 NovV resting in their deep repose. 
 And hushed the words that fall to-day. 
 As fell the)' when, just passed away. 
 
r rm "t\ 
 
WATKINS CtLEN AND SKNI-X'A LARK 57 
 
 AMierc cherished flowerets spread their bloom, 
 
 "Witli petals resting on the tomb, 
 
 While o''er the lightly swarded green 
 
 The rock-pink weaves its gladdening sheen. 
 
 And pine and fir sweet promise bring. 
 
 As here their evening requiems sing. 
 
 And drops of dew, and odors shed, 
 
 From ontstretched branches overhead. 
 
 The wa}'side asters, purple, blue., 
 
 And golden-rod, of richest hue, 
 
 With mountain daisies"' slender stem, 
 
 The wilder walks and borders hem,, 
 
 And paths beneath the spreading bough 
 
 To " View Inspire'" at summit brow. 
 
 Unfolding like a painted scroll. 
 That hues more deep with half unroll; 
 Supernal, with the grand define, 
 Of bended dome and margin line; 
 More realistic while it seems, 
 A rival to "Arcadia''s Dreams.'" 
 
 From western range to eastern break. 
 The far-spread scene, now pause to take; 
 Where wake the first glad beams of day. 
 Where last the dying sunset lay; 
 As lovely as " Elysian" vales, 
 Nor wanting in historic tales ; 
 Where, underneath the summer sky, 
 Soft beams like threads of silver lie ; 
 And "Seneca" sheens the valley wide, 
 And paints it with reflective tide; 
 Where silver ripples have their reach, 
 And waves break harmless on the beach. 
 
5'S WATK'IXS t;LKX AND SK.NKCA l.AKK 
 
 F'roiu dreamy depths of inistx" sk)-, 
 Awake the pebbles with tlieir si,t;h; 
 Or fickle ze])h}rs spread their wings, 
 And ruder breath its conquest brings; 
 And with the high winds in their rest, 
 The swan rests there her snowy breast. 
 Transcendent, 'neath the open day, 
 Wlien fleecy clouds are wont to stray. 
 Or thread their way through limpid light, 
 Like white-robed spirits in their flight; 
 Seraphic winged, and azure shrined. 
 No lurking of a frown behind: 
 Or wandering spectres, hither fled. 
 With wayward glance, and faltering tread. 
 Or hapless waif who seeks afar, ■ 
 For guiding gleam of northern star, — 
 As riven banks of shifting snow, 
 Cleft by the wind, no compass know, 
 Repeative 'neath the mantling blue. 
 In pictured faces over true; 
 While purpling dome draws still more near. 
 And silver wings shrink back with fear 
 In limitless and lost define. 
 As thoughts that know no border line. 
 And waning day, with lenient smile, 
 Brings tokens of approach the while; 
 A rosier sense of life instills, 
 In tenderer tone, its mission fills. 
 While rifts of crimson, grow less shie, 
 To meet the glow of evening sky. 
 Bright children of ethereal blue. 
 More beautiful, arrayed anew. 
 
WATKINS GLEN AKD SKNKCA l.AKK 59 
 
 As aiiLjels gorgeous, gavh- drest, 
 For wings to Heaven, soreh' prest: 
 A\'itli wistful glance tlirongh mazy sheen. 
 Till fades away the phantom scene, 
 And hence, the sunn's alluring beat 
 Gives pictured hill-tops in retreat. 
 
 With Tock-boimd shore, and woven shade, 
 And bounding line of moiirrtain glade, 
 With flecks of field and wooded land. 
 Reflected back or; either hand; 
 Enlivened b^' the rural scene. 
 Of farm-house, hidden half in green. 
 While neath the brighfuing orb of day. 
 Points heavenward a spire or ray. 
 And now a dip of sombre hollow, 
 With sunlight scenery, knolls that follow; 
 And ever-tumbling, g-ushing rills 
 The melody of tinted hills; — 
 Their hidden haunt full well may know. 
 Where gxeen the copsy woodlands grow. 
 Till lower dips the azure bow, 
 To mingle with the leaden glow, 
 And in the hazy distance sink 
 The cliff-walls to the waters brink. 
 
 And with the fascinated gaze, 
 Still lingering with the misty haze, 
 Recall to mind the fated travel, 
 The mj'stic chain would fain unravel ; 
 Why solemn, silent, trackless, save 
 In soft-spun threads of silver wave, 
 In aspect sad, and more forlorn. 
 Than that by Hebrew trav'ler borne, 
 
WATKINS C.I.HX AND SKXPX'A I.AKI-: 
 
 The ■' Wandering Jew'"'' is doomed t<i make 
 
 The trackless path\va>- of the lake ! 
 
 What magic binds him to the deep? 
 
 Is it some charm-bound spell to keep? 
 
 Na\ , pedestalled o'er dark ravine, 
 
 Looked he abroad upon the scene ; 
 
 The tragic, foul and sad event. 
 
 That to the darkened water lent. 
 
 The echo, mournful, sounding far, 
 
 O'er deep reflect of midnight star; 
 
 The time prolonged, and solemn knell. 
 
 Reiterate from rock and dell, 
 
 A funeral requiem of years. 
 
 Recorded in the shadowy spheres. 
 
 From legendary charm and spell, 
 From where the ghostly shadows dwell. 
 The deeper depths of hues passed o'er, 
 Enroute to meet the headland shore; 
 Where, like a white-winged thing of life, 
 Or messenger with purpose rife. 
 Full potent with her inward sweep. 
 Predestinated trust to keep, 
 A steamer parts the ligbt rifts through. 
 While flecks of foam the sunbeams sue. 
 With banners to the breeze unfurled, 
 The yielding waves her conquered world. 
 To wild and strange enchantments bound. 
 Full oft her happy freight are found ; 
 With discard of the dust and heat, 
 
 *A large piue, dislodged by wash of waves, from an overhanging cliff, with 
 weight of rock, locked within its sprangled roots, sufficient to give it an up- 
 right position in the water, and being carried by the ebb and flow of the lake's 
 surface, was termed by fishers and boatmen " The Wandering Jew." It was 
 seen most often on the eastern shore and from 30 to 40 yards out. It was re- 
 garded as uncanny, by many. 
 
^vAT^:I^■s clen and sexkca lakh 6i 
 
 For .syl\-an shades and cool retreat ; 
 To tread imperial halls sublime, 
 Wliere nature langhs in scorn of time. 
 
 At anchor, peaceful, lightly moored, 
 P'rom gambols of the waves secured, 
 Hemmed b}- a slender thread of pier, 
 \nother idles still more near: 
 Dainty, light, of dazzling sheen. 
 Contrasting with the sombre green 
 Of stately elms that friendly reach 
 Their chain of shadows on the beach. 
 Huge oracles of towering strength, 
 (Where Seneca's basin finds her length.) 
 In watchful grandeur, standing guard. 
 With outstretched arms, as if to ward 
 Presumptuous wav^es too eager found, 
 That speak their scorn, with light rebound; 
 While north winds murmur in restraint, 
 And leaves give voice to sad complaint, 
 And frowns grow darker with the flow. 
 And the " thus far, no farther go," 
 Within your pebbled bed be stayed, 
 Content with sylvan barricade. 
 
 With rural reach of fertile plain. 
 Where rival villas have their reign, 
 Half hidden in the mantling green, 
 Aspiring lift their bright'ning sheen, 
 With glittering spire and dome ablaze. 
 And gleams of light from templed rays. 
 
 Enshrined, as loath to quit the spot — 
 Their stately presence be forgot — 
 The elm and walnut last to leave. 
 
WATKIXS C.LKX AXD SKXKCA r.AKK 
 
 Tlicir liraficlies in coinmmiion weave, 
 
 With reverential heads, sublime, 
 
 I)ef\ the cruel shocks of time. 
 
 Assert !)}■ right their native realm, 
 
 Uufdrtified maiutaiu their helm. 
 
 The past rehearse, in reverent tone, 
 
 When sobbing winds around them moan. 
 
 Though thinned in ranks, their numbers briet. 
 
 Where winds once stirred the forest leaf. 
 
 Held sacred in their places now. 
 
 Each tasseled plume and nodding bough. 
 
 With generous flood of welcome shade, 
 
 Far o'er the grateful wa^'side laid. 
 
 With charmed reflex of sunset slope. 
 And light uplift of scenic scope. 
 Where art accepts a fitting shrine, 
 And blends its beauty with the pine, 
 Where palace, tower and turret rise, 
 As 'neath " Italy's" lighted skies, 
 And clustered evergreens are still 
 The glory of the bended hill, 
 Enlivening with their lustrous glow. 
 Through chilling frosts and winter's snow, 
 Their odorous plumes of towering height, 
 Prerogative of worth and right, 
 Their healing breath a mine of wealth. 
 When conies the worn and fading health 
 To drink new life beneath their shade. 
 With strength renewed 'mid forest glade. 
 
 The varying charms of woven wreath 
 " Fair Seneca's" sacred waves beqtieath. 
 And o'er its face their luster shed; 
 Superb, the crowning of its head !