wm^m m^'-f^^ \m 3tlfata, Jfftn fork FROM THE BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY COLLECTED BY BENNO LOEWY 1854-1919 BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY 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/details/cu31924022002335 PS 2433.M5 ^ISsT""' """^ .Poems: ///^(HMna/ny A^a^i^ /da. / //.v-^ fui-c iz/'^i V '^D ^'i a Ho '«V '(^ ir' vlij i^d a^ Ik; ^IF . Bi ^y ill feJ, ^ T'/ 1 ; ) i ■^,- ,:22J^f^P On fjncLal day, lier lips did- say SETT -yoRK C TTAKLE S S CB.IBNZB. . 1853, P K M S BY GEORGE P. 'morris. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY WEIR AND DARLEY. ENGRAVED BY AMERICAN ARTISTS. srijico naition. NEW YORK: CHARLES SOEIBNEE, 145 NASSAU ST. MDCCCLIV. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, By CHARLES SCRIBNER, In the Clerk's Otfice of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Southern District of New York STEREOTYPED BY C. C. SAVflGK, u. CRAlGirEAD, PRINTER AND STEREOTYPEE, 13 Chatnberi Street, N. Y. 53 Vesey Street, fi.Y. PREFACE. At the time the following poems were written, there was'no intention of ever collecting them in the present form. Although, as anonymous productions, they have attracted much attention, the author deemed them of too fleeting a nature to be published with his name. Various reasons, however, which it is unnecessary to mention, have overruled his original objections ; and this work is submitted to the reader in the hope that, as the fi-agments have been well received, they wiU not be entirely unacceptable now that they are gathered into a volume. New- York, 1853. TO GEORGE ABERNETHT, EX-GOVBKNOE OF OKEGON, Cjirst ^5iigf3 ARE AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED, BY ;il3 FIUIC.M), The Attthoe. CONTENTS. THE DESERTED BRIDE page 17 THE MAIN-TRUCK; OR, A LEAP FOR LIFE 21 POETRY 24 THE CROTON ODE 25 FRAGMENT OF AN INDIAN POEM 29 LAND-HOI S3 WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE 85 THE COTTAGER'S WELCOME 37 LAND OF WASHINGTON 39 THE FLAG OF OUR UNION 41 LINES AFTER THE MANNER OF THE OLDEN TIME 43 THE DREAM OF LOVE 46 I'M WITH TOU ONCE AGAIN 49 OH, WOULD THAT SHE WERE HERE 61 THE SWORD AND THE STAFF 63 THE CHIEFTAIN'S DAUGHTER 66 THY WILL BE DONE 67 LIFE IN THE WEST 59 SONG OF MARION'S MEN 61 JANET McREA 63 LISETTE 65 MY MOTHER'S BIBLE page fi7 THE DOG-STAE. EAGES 69 LEGEND OF THE MOHAWK VI THE BALL-ROOM BELLE VS WE WERE BOYS TOGETHER 11 -OH, BOATMAN, HASTE 19 FUNERAL HYMN 81 O'ER THE MOUNTAINS 83 WOMAN 85 ROSABEL 81 THY TYRANT SWAY 90 A HERO OF THE REVOLUTION 91 RHYME AND REASON: AN APOLOGUE 93 STARLIGHT RECOLLECTIONS 95 WEARIES MY LOVE OF MY LETTERS? 9l FARE THEE WELL, LOVE 99 THOU HAST WOVEN THE SPELL 100 BESSIE BELL 101 THE DAY IS NOW DAWNING, LOVE 103 WHEN OTHER FRIENDS ARE ROUND THEE 105 SILENT GRIEF 106 LOVE THEE, DEAREST J '. 107 A SCENE AT SEA .108 I LOVE THE NIGHT 109 THE MINIATURE 110 THE RETORT '. Ill LINES ON A POET 113 THE BACCHANAL lis T-iVENTY YEARS AGO 118 NATIONAL ANTHEM 119 I LOVE THEE STILL 121 LOOK FROM THY LATTICE, LOVE page 123 SHE LOVED HIM 125 THE SUITORS 12'7 ST. AGNES' SHRINE 129 "WESTERN REFRAIN 131 THE PRAIRIE ON FIRE 133 THE EVERGREEN 136 THE MAT-QUEEN 1 37 VENETIAN SERENADE 1S9 THE WHIP-POOR-WILL 141 THE EXILE TO HIS SISTER 146 NEAR THE LAKE WHERE DROOPED THE WILLOW Ul THE PASTOR'S DAUGHTER 149 MARGARETTA 151 THE COLONEL 153 THE SWEEP'S CAROL 165 THE SEASONS OF LOVE 151 MY WOODLAND BRIDE 169 OH, THINK OF ME 160 MY BARK IS OUT UPON THE SEA 161 WILL NOBODY MARRY ME? 163 THE STAR OF LOVE 165 WELL-A-D A Y 166 NOT MARRIED YET 161 LADY OF ENGLAND 169 OH, THIS LOVE 171 MART 173 THE BEAM OF DEVOTION , 175 THE WELCOME AND FAREWELL 176 'TIS NOW THE PROMISED HOUR 177 THE SONGS OF HOME 179 10 CONTENTS. MASONIC HYMN ^^qe 181 THE DISMISSED ^^^ LORD OF THE CASTLE 186 THE FALLEN BRAVE ISt SONG OF THE TROUBADOUR 189 CHAMPIONS OF LIBERTY 191 THE HUNTER'S CAROL 194 WASHINGTON'S MONUMENT 195 THE SISTER'S APPEAL 197 SONG OF THE REAPERS 198 WALTER GAY ' ••• 199 GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE 201 TEMPERANCE SONG 203 BOAT-SONG 205 WILLIE 207 THE ROCK OF THE PILGRIMS 210 YEARS AGO 211 THE SOLDIER'S WELCOME HOME 213 THE ORIGIN OF YANKEE DOODLE 215 LINES ON THE BURIAL OF MRS. MARY L. WARD 219 NEW-YORK IN 1826 221 THE HERO'S LEGACY 228 WHAT CAN IT MEAN? 229 THE STORY OF A SONG 231 WHERE HUDSON'S WAVE 233 AU REVOIR 235 EPIGRAJMS 236 EPITAPH 236 ADDRESS FOR THE BENEFIT OF AYILLIAM DUNLAP 237 ADDRESS FOR THE BENEFIT OF J. SHERIDAN KNOWLES ... 240 ADDRESS FOR THE BENEFIT OF HENRY PLACIDE 243 CONTENTS. 11 THE MAID OF SAXONY: OR, WHO'S THE TRAITOR? ... page 247 HOI HANS! — WHY, HANS! 251 REJOICE! REJOICE! WE'RE SAFE AND SOUND 252 THE LIFE FOR ME IS A SOLDIER'S LIFE 258 CONFUSION! AGAIN REJECTED! 262 WHEN I BEHOLD THAT LOWERING BROW 264 TIS A SOLDIER'S RIGID DUTY 267 THE SPRING-TIlfflE OP /LOVE IS BOTH HAPPY AND GAY 269 FROM MY FATE THERE 'S NO RETREATING 2'75 LADS AND LASSES TRIP AWAY 276 ALL HAIL THE KING! 285 HOME 287 SKY, STREAM, MOORLAND AND MOUNTAIN 297 DARED THESE LIPS MY SAD STORY IMPART 300 FIERY MARS, THY VOTARY HEAR 806 AH! LOVE IS NOT A GARDEN-FLOWER 307 THE KING, THE PRINCES OF THE COURT 308 VICTORIAl VICTORIA! 311 THIS GLOOMY CELL IS MY ABODE AT LAST 317 HARK! 'TIS THE DEEP-TONED MIDNIGHT BELL S19 ONCE, MILD AND GENTLE WAS MY HEART 323 THE GENTLE BIRD ON YONDER SPRAY 326 THAT LAW'S THE PERFECTION OF REASON 334 WITH MERCY LET JUSTICE 336 WHAT OUTRAGE MORE! — AT WHOSE COMMAND 338 THE JAVELIN FROM AN UNSEEN HAND 345 REJOICE! OUR LOYAL HEARTS WE BRING 346 OUR HEARTS ARE BOUNDING WITH DELIGHT 350 NOTES 358 THE DESERTFJ) BRIDE 853 THE CROTON ODE 363 12 CO>f TENTS. NOTES (Continued) page 353 WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE 353 THE CHIEFTAIN'S DAUGHTER 365 SONG OF MARION'S MEN 357 JANET McREA S5l THE DOG-STAR RAGES 360 THE PRAIRIE ON FIRE 361 THE SWEEP'S CAROL 361 THE FALLEN BRAVE OF MEXICO 361 THE CHAMPIONS OF LIBERTY 362 THE SOLDIER'S WELCOME HOME 362 THE ORIGIN OF YANKEE DOODLE 362 NEW-YORE IN 1826 362 THE MAID OF SAXONY 365 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, DESIGNED BY "WEIR. WOODMAN, SPAEE THAT TEEE! ENGRAVED BY ALFRED JONES. (To fa.ce Title., ""Woodman, spare that tree ! Touch not a single boiighl In youth it sheltered me, And I 'II protect it now. T was my forefather's hand That placed it near his cot; There, woodman, let it stand. Thy axe shall harm it not 1" Woodman, spare that Tree, p. 35. LISETTE. ENGRAVED BY CHARLES BURT. (Tklepage.) "On bridal day, her lips did say, 'Love, honour and obeyl'" Lisette, p. 66. PORTRAIT OP THE AUTHOR. .ENGRAVED BY CHARLES BURT, FROM A PAINTING BY HENRY INMAN. 14 LISTOFILLUSTRATIOK^S. THE CROTON ODE. ENGRAVED BY ALFRED JONES. "Safety dwells in her dominions, Health and Beauty with her move, And entwine their circling pinions In a sisterhood of love." The Croton Ode, p. 27 THE CHIEFTAIN'S DAUGHTER. ENGRAVED BY ALFRED JONES. "'Tis ever thus, when, in life's storm, Hope's star to man grows dim, An angel kneels in woman's form, And breathes a prayer for him." The Chieftain's Daughter, p. 56. THE DOG-STAR RAGES. ENGRAVED BY ALFRED JONES. "Had I a yacht, like Miller, That skimmer of the seas — A wheel rigged on a tiller. And a fresh gunwale breeze, A crew of friends well chosen, And all a-taunto, I "Would sail for regions frozen — I'd rather freeze than fry I" J'he Dog-Star Rages, p. 72. WHEN OTHER FRIENDS. ENGRAVED BY ALFRED JONES. "When other friends are round thee, And other hearts are thine — When other Friends, p. 106. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 15 THE PKAIEIE ON FIEE. ENGRAVED BY CHARLES BURT. "Thick darkness shrouded earth and sky — When on. the whispering winds there came The Teton's shrill and thrilling cry, And heaven was pierced with shafts of flame 1 The sun seemed rising through the haze, But with an aspect dread and dire : The very air appeared to blaze I — God I the Prairie was on fire I" Tlie Prairie on Fire, p. 183. 'TIS NOW THE PEOMISED HOUE. ENGRAVED BY ALFRED JONES. "Then, lady, wake — in beauty rise I 'Tis now the promised hour, When torches kindle in the skies To light thee to thy bower." 'Tis now the Promised Hour, p. 111. ROCK OF THE PILGEIMS. ENGRAVED BY ALFRED JONES. " The Pilgrims of old an example have given Of mild resignation, devotion and love. Which beams like the star in the blue vault of heaven, A beacon-light swung in their mansion above." The Rock of the Pilgrims, p. 210. " The Mayflower having arrived in the harhour from Cape Cod, Mary Chilton entered the first landing-boat, and looking forward, exclaimed, ' I will be the first to step on that rock.' Accordingly, when the boat approached, Mary Chilton was permitted to be the first from that boat who appeared on the rock, and thus her claim was established." ThacJier's *' History of Plymoutk," p. 30. 16 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. THE MAID OF SAXONY. DESIGNS BY DAELET. FREDERICK THE GREAT. ENGRAVED BY CHARLES BURT. "What have we here !" Act I.— Scene IV., p. 281. SOPHIA MANSFIELD. ENGRAVED BY CHARLES BURT. Act II. — Scene I., p. 286. WEDGEWOOD. ENGRAVED BY CHARLES BURT. "Silence in the court!" Act III — Scene IV., p. SST. ^^ ^'-^'^--^J'^ POEMS. THE DESERTED BEIDE. SUGGESTED BY A SCENE IN THE PLAY OF THE HUNCHBACK. INSCEIBED TO -JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWI.E3. I, " Love me ! — ]N"o. — He never loved me !" Else lie 'd sooner die than stain One so fond as he has proved me "With the hollow worid's disdain. False one, go — my doom is spoken, And the spell that bound me broken ! n. Wed him ! — Never. — He has lost me ! — Tears ! —Well, let them flow ! — His bride ? No. — The struggle life may cost me ! But he '11 find that I have pride ! Love is not an idle flower, Blooms and dies the self-same hour. 18 THE DESERTED BKIDE. III. Title, land and broad dominion, "Witli himself to me he gave ; Stooped to earth his spirit's pinion, And became my willing slave ! Knelt and prayed until he won me — ■ Looks he coldly now upon me ? IV. Ingrate ! — l^ever sure was maiden Deeply wronged as I. With grief My trne breast is overladen — Tears afford me no relief — Every nerve is strained and aching, And my very heart is breaking ! v. Love I him? — Thus scorned and slighted - Thrown, like worthless weed, apart — Hopes and feelings seared and blighted — Love him? — Yes, with all my heart! With a passion superhuman — Constancy, " thy name is woman." VI. Love, nor time, nor mood, can fashion — • Love? — Idolatry's the word THE DESERTED BRIDE. 19 To speak the broadest, deepest passion, Ever woman's heart hath stirred ! Vain to still the mind's desires, "Which consume like hidden fires ! VII. "Wrecked and wretched, lost and lonely, Crushed by grief's oppressive weight, "With a prayer for Clifford only, I resign me to my fate. Chains that bind the soul I've proven Strong as they were iron-woven. vin. Deep the wo that fast is sending From my cheek its healthful bloom ; Sad my thoughts as willows bending O'er the borders of the tomb ! "Without Clifford, not a blessing In the world is worth possessing. IX. "Wealth! — A straw within the balance. Opposed to love, 'twill strike the beam : Kindred — friendship — beauty — talents ? — All to love as nothing seem ; "Weigh love against all else together, As solid gold against a feather. 20 TIIEDESERTEDBRIDE. Hope is flown! — Away disguises — Naught but death relief can give- For the love he little prizes Cannot cease, and Julia live ! Soon my thread of life will sever — ■ Clifford, fare thee well — for ever! TU E MAI .\-TRUCK. 21 THE MAm-TEUCK; OR, A LEAP FOE LIFE* A NAUTICAi BALLAD. Old Ironsides at anchor lay, In the harbour of Mahon ; A dead calm rested on the hay — The waves to sleep had gone ; When little Jack, the captain's son, With gallant hardiliood, Climbed shroud and spar — and then upon The main-truck rose and stood ! A shudder ran through, every vein — All eyes were turned on high ! There stood the boy, with dizzy brain, Between the sea and sky ! * Founded upon a well-known tale from the pen of the late Wiluam Leogett, Esq. 22 THE MAIN-TR U C K. No hold had he above — below, Alone he stood in air ! At that fiir height none dared to go- No aid could reach him there. in. "We gazed — but not a man could speak ! - Witli horror all aghast In groups, with pallid brow and cheek, "We watched the quivering mast. The atmosphere grew thick and hot. And of a lurid hue, As, riveted unto the spot, Stood officers and crew. IV. The father came on deck! — He gasped, " O God, Thy will be done !" Then suddenly a rifle grasped, And aimed it at his son ! " Jump, far out, boy ! into the wave ! Jump, or I fire !" he said : " That only chance your life can save ! Jump — jump, boy!" — He obeyed. THE MAIN-TRUCK. 23 V. He sunk — lie rose — lie lived — he moved — He for the ship struck out ! On board we hailed the lad beloved With many a manly shout. His father drew, in silent joy, Those wet arms round his neck, Then folded to his heart the boy, And fainted on the deck ! 24 POETRY. POETllY. I. To me the world 's an open book Of sweet and pleasant poetry ; I read it in the running brook That sings its was- toward the sea. It wlii.-|iL'rs in the leaves of trees, The swelling gi'uin, the waving grass, And in the cool, frosli evening breeze Tli;i: crisps tlie wa\elet6 as they pass. ji. The flowers below, the stars above, In mII their bli>(nii and brightness given, Are, like the atti-ibutes of love. The poetry of earth and heaven. Thus .Nature's volume, read aright, Attunes the soul (o minstrels^', Tinging life's clouds with rosy light. And all the wurM with poetry. ,<^/ THECROTONODE. 25 TI-IE CEOTON ODE. WKITTEN AT THE BEQUEST OF THE COEPOEATION OF THE , CITY OF NEW TOEK. Gushing from this living fountain, Music pours a falling strain, As the goddess of the mountain Comes with all her sparkling train. From her grotto-springs advancing, Glittering in her feathery spray, "Woodland fays beside her dancing, She pursues her winding way. II. Gently o'er the rippling water, In her coral-shallop bright, Glides the rock-king's dove-eyed daughter, Decked in robes of virgin white. 20 T II E C U T N D E. Xymplis and naiads, sweetly smiling, Urge lier bark with pearly Land, Merrily the sylph beguiling From the nooks of fairy -land. III. Swimming on the snow-curled billow, See the river-spirits fair Lay their clieeks, as on a pillow. With the foam-beads in their hair Thus attended, hither wending. Floats the lovely oread now, Eden's arch of promise bending Over her translucent brow. IV. Hail the wanderer from a far land ! Bind her flowing tresses up ! Crown lier with a fadeless garland, And with crystal brim the cup ; From her haunts of deep seclusion. Let Intemperance greet her too, And the heat of liis delusion Sprinkle with this mountain-dew. THE CROTO N ODE. 27 V. "Water leaps as if delighted, While her conquered foes retire ! Palo Contagion flies affrighted With the baffled demon Fire ! Safety dwells in her dominions, Health and Beauty with her move, And entwine their circling pinions In a sisterhood of love. VI. Water shouts a glad hosanna ! Bubbles up the earth to bless ! Cheers it like the precious manna In the barren wilderness. Here we wondering gaze, assembled Like the grateful Hebrew band, When the hidden fountain trembled, And obeyed the prophet's wand. vn. Eound the aqueducts of story, As the mists of Lethe throng, Croton's waves in all their glory Troop in melody along. 28 THECROTONODE. Ever sparkling, bright, and single, "Will this rock-ribbed stream appear, When posterity shall mingle Like the gathered waters here. FRAGMENT OF AN INDIAN POEM. 29 FEAGMENT OF AN" INDIAIT POEM. w w W W Vr Vf w Thet come ! — Be firm — in silence rally ! The long-knives onr retreat have found ! Hark ! — their tramp is in the vallej, And they hem the forest round ! The burdened boughs with pale scouts quiver, The echoing hills tumultuous ring, "While across the eddying river Their barks, like foaming war -steeds, spring ! The bloodhounds darken land and water ; They come — like buffaloes for slaughter! n. See their glittering files advancing, See upon the free winds dancing Pennon proud and gaudy plume: FRAGMENT OF AN INDIAN POEM. Tlie strangers come in evil hour, In pomj), and panoply, and power, To plant a -weed where bloomed a flower, "Where sunshine broke to spread a shower ; And, while upon our tribes they lower, Think they our manly hearts will cower To meet a warrior's doom ? III. Eight they forget while strength they feel ; Our blood they drain, our land they steal; And should the vanquished Indian kneel. They spurn him from their sight ! Be set for ever in disgrace The glory of the red-man's race, If from the foe we turn our face, Or safety seek in flight ! rv. They come ! — TJp, and upon them, braves ! Fight for your altars and your graves ! Drive back the stern, invading slaves. In fight till now victorious ! Like lightning from storm-clouds on high. The linrtling, death-winged arrows fly. And wind-rows of pale warriors die ! — FRAGMENT OF AS INDIAN POEM. 31 Oil ! never has the siin's bright eye Looked from his hill-tops in the sky Upon a field so glorious ! ******** V. Tliey 're gone — again the red-men rallj' ; With dance and song tlie woods resound : The hatchet's buried in the valley ; No foe profanes onr hunting-ground ! The green leaves on the blithe boughs quiver, The verdant hills with song-birds ring, While our bark-canoes the river Skim like swallows on the wing. Mirth pervades the land and water, Free from famine, sword and slaughter ! ******** VI. Let ns, by this gentle river, Blunt the axe and break the quiver, While, as leaves upon the spray. Peaceful flow our cares away ! * * * ***** TII. Yet, alas ! the hour is brief Left for either joy or grief I FRAGMENT OF A:N^ INDIAN POEM. All on earth that we inherit From the hands of tlie Great Spirit — "Wigwam, hill, plain, lake and field — To the white-man must we yield ; For, like snn-down on the waves, "We are sinking to onr graves ! VIII. From this wilderness of wo Like a caravan we go, Leaving all our groves and streams For the far-off land of dreams. ■ There are prairies waving high, Boundless as the sheeted sky, "Where our fathers' spirits roam, And the red-man has a home. IX. Let tradition tell our story As we fade in cloudless glory, As we seek the land of rest Beyond the borders of the west, No eye but ours may look upon — "We ake the ciiildeen of the sun! * * ****** LAND-IIOI 33 LAND-HOI I. Up, up with the signal ! — The land is in sight ! We '11 be happy, if never again, boys, to-night ! The cold cheerless ocean in safety "we 've passed, And the warm genial earth glads our vision at last. In the land of the stranger true hearts we shall find, To soothe us in absence of those left behind. Land ! — land-ho ! — All hearts glow with joy at the sight ! We 'U be happy, if never again, boys, to-night I n. The signal is wa/ving ! — Till morn we'll remain, Then part in the hope to meet one day again Round the hearth-stone of home in the land of our birth, The holiest spot on the face of the earth ! Dear country ! our thoughts are as constant to thee As the steel to the star, or the stream to the sea. Ho ! — land-ho ! — We near it ! — We bound at the sight I Then be happy, if never again, boys, to-night ! 34 L A X D - II ! III. Th,6 signal is answered! — Tlie foam-sparkles rise Like tears from tlie fountain of joy to the eyes! May rain-drops that fall from the storm-clouds of care, Melt away in the sun-beaming smiles of the fair ! One health, as chime gayly the nautical bells : To woman — God bless her! — wherever she dwells! The pilot's on boaed! — and, thank Heaven, all's right! So be happy, if never again, boys, to-night ! WOODMAN, SPAUE THAT TREE! 35 WOODMAN, SPAEE THAT TREE! I. "Woodman, spare that treel Touch not a single bough I In 3'outh it sheltered me, And I'll protect it now. 'Twas my forefather's hand That placed it near his cot ; There, woodman, let it stand, Thy axe shall harm it noti IL That old familiar tr«e. Whose glory and renown Are spread o'er land and sea — And wouldst thou hew it down ? Woodman, forbear thy stroke ! Cut not its earth-bound ties ; Oh, spare that aged oak, Now towering to the skies 1 36 WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE! 111. When but an idle boy, I sought its grateful shade ; In all their gushing joy Here, too, my sisters played. My mother kissed me here ; My father pressed my hand — Forgive this foolish tear, Eut let that old oak stand ! rv. My heart-strings round thee cling, Close as thy bark, old friend ! Here shall the wild-bird sins. And still thy branches bend. Old tree ! the storm still brave ! And, woodman, leave the spot ; "While I 've a hand to save. Thy axe shall harm it not ! THE COTTAGER'S WELCOME. 37 THE COTTAGEE'S WELCOME. I. Haed by I've a cottage that stands near tlie wood- A stream glides in peace at the door — Where all who will tarry, 'tis well understood, Receive hospitality's store. To cheer that the brook and the thicket afford, The stranger we ever invite : You're welcome to freely partake at the board, And afterward rest for the night. 11. The birds in the morning will sing from the trees, And herald the young god of day ; Then, with him uprising, depart if you please — We'll set you refreshed on the way : Your coin for our service we sternly reject; No traffic for gain we pursue, And all the reward that we wish or exjpect, We take in the good that we do. 38 THE COTTAGER'S WELCOME. III. Mankind arc all pilgrims on life's weary road, And many would wander astray In seeking Eternity's silent abode, Did Mercy not point out the way ! If all would their duty discharge as they should To those who are friendless and poor. The world would resemble my cot near the wood, And life tlie sweet stream at my door. THE LAND OF W A S 11 I N G T N. 39 THE LAIfD OF WASHINGTON. I GLOEY in the sages AVlio, in tlie daj's of yore, In combat met tile foemen, And drove them from our sliore ; Wlio flung our banner's starry field In triumph to the breeze, And spread broad maps of cities where Once waved the forest-trees. ■ — Hurrah! — n. I glorj' in the spirit "Which goaded them to rise And found a mighty nation Beneath the western skies. 40 THE LAND OF WASHINGTON. No clime so bright and beautiful As that where sets the sun ; No land so fertile, fair, and free, As that of "Washington. — Hurrah ! — T II E F L A G F U R U N I N. 41 THE FLAG OF OUR UNION. "A SONG for our banner?" — Tlie watchword recall Which gave the Republic her station : "United we stand — divided we fall!" — It made and preserves ns a nation ! The union of lakes — the union of lands — The union of states none can sever — Tlie union of hearts — the union of hands — And tlie Flag of the Union for ever And ever ! The Flan; of our Union for ever I Wliat God in His mercy and wisdom designed, And armed with His weapons of thunder, Not all the earth's despots and factions combined Ilave the power to conquer or sunder ! 42 T II E F L A G F U R U N I N. The union of lakes — the union of lands — The union of states none can sever — The union of hearts — the union of hands— And the Flag of the Union for ever And ever ! The Flag of our Union for ever I LINES. 43 LINES AFTER THE MANNEE OF THE OLDEN TIMB. I. O LoTE ! the miscliief thou hast done I Thou god of pleasure and of pain ! — None can escape thee — yes, there's one — All others find the efi'ort vain : Tliou cause of all my smiles and tears ! Thou blight and bloom of all my years ! II. Love bathes him in the morning dews Eeclines him in the lily-bells, Keposes in the rainbow hues. And sparkles in the crystal wells, Or hies him to the coral-caves. Where sea-nymphs sport beneath the waves. III. Love vibrates in the wind-harp's tune — With fays and oreads lingers he — 4i LINES. Gleams in tli' ring of the watery moon, Or treads the pebbles of the sea. Love rules "the court, the camp, the grove"- Oh, everywhere we meet thee. Love 1 rv. And everywhere he welcome finds, From cottage-door to palace-porch — Lo%'e enters free as spicy winds, "With purple wings and lighted torch, "With tripping feet and silvery tongue. And bow and darts behind him slung. V. He tinkles in the shepherd's bell The village maiden leans to hear — • By lattice high he weaves his spell, For lady fair and cavalier : Like sun-bursts on the mountain snow, Love's genial warmth melts high and low. VI. Then why, ye nymphs Arcadian, why— Since Love is general as the air — • "Wliy does he not to Lelia fly, And soften that obdurate fair ? LINES. 45 Scorn nerves her proud, disdainful heart ! She scoffs at Love and all his art ! Tn. Oh, boy-god. Love! — An archer thou?^ Thy utmost skill I fain would test ; One arrow aim at Lelia now, And let thy target be her breast ! Her heart bind in thy captive train, Or give me back my own again I 4:0 THEDREAMOFLOVE. THE DREAM OF LOYE. I. I 'vE had the heart-aclie many times, At the mere mention of a name ' I've never woven in my rhymes, Though from it inspiration came. It is in truth a holy thing, Life-cherished from the world apart — A dove that never tries its wing, But broods and nestles in the heart. n. That name of melody recalls Her gentle look and winning ways Whose portrait hangs on Memory's walls, In the fond light of other days. In the dream-land of Poetry, Keclining in its leafy bowers, Her bright eyes in the stars I see, And her sweet semblance in the flowers. T II E D R E A M F L V E. 47 in. Her aitless dalliance and grace — The joy that lighted up her hrovr — The sweet expression of her face — Her form — it stands before me now! And I can fancy that I liear Tlie woodland songs she used to sing, Whicli stole to my attending ear, Like the first harbingers of spring. The beauty of the earth was hers. And hers the purity of heaven ; AJone, of all lier worshippers, To me her maiden vows were given. Tliey little know the human heart, "Wlio think such love with time expires ; Once kindled, it will ne'er depart. But burn through life with all its fires. We parted — doomed no more to meet — Tlie blow fell with a stunning power — ■ And yet my pulse will strangely beat At the remembrance of tliat hour ! 48 TITK DREAM OF LOVE. Cut time and cliange tlicir healing brought, And years have passed in seeming glee, But still alone of her I've thought Who's now a memory to mc. There may be many who will deem Tliis strain a wayward, youthful folly, To be derided as a dream Born of the poet's melancholy. The wealth of worlds, if it wore mine. With all that follows in its train, I would with gratitude resign, To dream that dream of love again ! I'M WITH YOU ONCE AGAIW. 49 I'M WITH YOU ONCE AGAIN. I 'm with you once again, my friends, No more my footsteps roam ; Where it began my journey ends. Amid the scenes of home. No other clime has skies so blue. Or streams so broad and clear. And where are hearts so warm and true As those that meet me here ? n. Since last, with spirits wild and free, I pressed my native strand, I've wandered many miles at sea, And many miles on land. I 've seen fair realms of the earth By rude commotion torn, Which taught me how to prize the worth Of that where I was bom. 50 I'M WITH YOU ONCE AGAIN. in. In other countries, when I heard The language of my own, How fondly each familiar word Awoke an answering tone ! But when our woodland songs were sung Upon a foreign mart, The vows that faltered on the tongue With rapture thrilled the heart ! IV. My native land, I turn to you. With blessing and with prayer, Where man is brave and woman true, And free as mountain air. Long may our