(JjortteU Itnittecaity Sibtatg 
 
 Jtliara, S^cm fork 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY 
 
 COLLECTED BY 
 
 BENNO LOEWY 
 
 1854-1919 
 
 BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
Cornell University Library 
 PS 991.A1R45 
 
 The rhymers' club; 
 
 3 1924 022 004 257 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tinis 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/cu31924022004257 
 
THE 
 
 h^mtt^' (i)\nh; 
 
 By 
 
 AN HONORARY MEMBER. 
 
 Misce stiiltitiam consiliis brevem ; 
 Dulce est deslpere in loeo.—Boraee. 
 
 ^m iSork ; 
 
 1859. 
 
J\L>SA CL iA 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by 
 
 BAKEE k GODWIN, 
 
 In the CleTk''8 Ofiree of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 
 District of New Tork. 
 
 Bakek & Godwin, Printers, 
 No. 1 Spruce Street. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB 
 
 I. 
 
 Ten thousand gas-lights gleam'd a placid white 
 Athwart the city's sleep-composing face, 
 Speckling the blackness of a moonless night 
 And guiding each belated homeward pace ; 
 Nor tavern, theatre nor public place 
 The loiterer longer tempted to its bowers ; 
 And Sound had yielded for the wonted space 
 To Silence, with its ever shifting powers, 
 Th' alternate sceptre over the revolving hours. 
 
4 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 II. 
 
 Within a cloud-capt garret, seated round 
 A penny-a-liner's hospitable board. 
 Of hungry wits and thirsty midnight found 
 A company whose mirth and wassail roar'd. 
 As oysters were dipp'd and ale was pour'd. 
 Gay spirits glorying in a seedy lot 
 And the scant dainties chance might them afford ; 
 Boasting of lineage short and knowing not 
 Nor known to that we call society, I wot. 
 
 III. 
 
 Their locks wore every curious length, 
 Their beards of studied quaintness each degree. 
 And threadbare coats contrasted with the strength 
 And thoroughness of their hilarity ; 
 'Twas droll the sparkle of their eyne to see, 
 Of past or future keen forgetfulness. 
 And satisfaction running o'er their glee ; 
 Despite the signs which blabb'd the sordid stress 
 Of those mean cares that cling where'er they once 
 possess. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 5 
 
 IV. 
 
 To want of Luxury life-long inured 
 And saddest dearth of dear, donaestic bliss, 
 They such privation carelessly endured. 
 Nor griev'd for what they ne'er had learn'd to miss ; 
 Each deem'd a tolerable state were his. 
 Or peradventure dream'd of a career 
 Wherein his brighten'd destiny should kiss 
 Consenting Fortune, and loud Fame's breath clear 
 Trumpet his name upon the world's astonished ear. 
 
 V. 
 
 Hard was the soil whereon their life was sown, 
 Exposed to airs with evil influence fraught 
 And all by weeds of indigence o'ergrown. 
 Their good if care parental e'er besought 
 Or friendly nurture shap'd their earliest thought, 
 Too soon they lost th' incalculable boon ; 
 No costly schools their growing culture taught ; 
 Driv'n prematurely on the world alone. 
 Their faults their Fates imposed, their merits were their 
 own. 
 
6 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Yet not unlearn'd they manhood's threshold cross'd, 
 Nor held in Ignorance's rule unkind ; 
 Their native strength aside her fetters toss'd 
 That aye the unresisting rabble bind: 
 For irrepressible is the strong mind 
 And will its own emancipation seize ; 
 And they at stall and library did find 
 The subtle food which can forever please 
 The soul's keen appetite, though it may ne'er appease. 
 
 VII. 
 
 And now Imagination's wings they plume, 
 To seek the Muses' high abode aspire. 
 And on the flight the daring thought presume 
 To pluck from Heav'n some portion of that fire 
 Which warms to moving melody the lyre. 
 Not groves nor pastures, meadows, brooks nor all 
 The treasures of the rural earth inspire 
 Their lays, but man and what affairs we call, 
 And scenes and deeds that hap within the city's wall. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The penny-a-liner was of middle age, 
 A Fortune-spurn'd and Fortune-spurning wight; 
 A solemn front he wore and aspect sage 
 And Solomon by his companions hight, 
 Though named not so in the baptismal rite ; 
 Nor needs it that the Muse's history 
 His nomen or cognomen should recite, 
 Or whether any genealogic tree 
 Or regular and lawful christening had he. 
 
 IX. 
 Enough that, howe'er born or howe'er bred. 
 And whether tenderly or roughly cradled. 
 His years full long in penury had sped ; 
 Of needs with a sore burden was he saddled ; 
 O'er seas of debt his life's poor skiff he paddled, 
 More full of perils for their shallowness ; 
 Troubles that had a weaker spirit addled ; 
 More pinching from their very narrowness ; 
 For petty ills than larger sorrows chafe not less. 
 
8 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 X. 
 
 But little did he mind the shafts of care 
 That hover'd alway pointing at his breast. 
 And seem'd man's common weakness not to share ; 
 Nor power of dread condition he confess'd, 
 By chance elated ne'er and ne'er depress'd, 
 But view'd the world with fine serenity 
 Wherein he did high as his attic rest, 
 Sooth'd the complaining hours with Poesy 
 And lofty temper held of high Philosophy. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Yet not because his soul, so fortified, 
 Was proof against the vulgar woes of Time 
 Did he reject what joys his lot supplied ; 
 Nor his was that austerity sublime 
 Which buys exemption from life's sufF'rings prime 
 With sourly disregarding each prime good ; 
 He took what pleasures Fate vouchsafed to him ; 
 And jovial ever was his inner mood. 
 Crusted with gravity his guests well understood. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Soon as the fierceness of the feast was done, 
 A murmur all the circle did pervade. 
 Demanding the new song of Solomon, 
 His muse's latest born ; nor he gainsay'd, 
 Nor any coy and needless lingering made ; 
 Complying as beseem'd so wise a man ; 
 No preface spake, no critic's mercy pray'd ; 
 But straight the pleas'd rehearsal he began 
 And thus the lately ruralizing numbers ran. 
 
 Ne to ¥o trft: 
 
 A SATIRE. 
 
 Though now escap'd, for all the fervid year. 
 From town and tumult to my acres dear 
 Whose shades the Hudson's busy waters view. 
 The restless muse will winter themes pursue. 
 What varied landscape or what fertile field 
 Can e'er such products or such fancies yield 
 As hold the mind and every sense beguile 
 At yonder river-wash'd and flinty isle ? 
 
to THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 Whose central heat attracts all enterprise 
 
 And radiates the globe with merchandise, 
 
 A heart whose pulses throb to either pole. 
 
 Vortex of air the passions of the soul ! 
 
 There crowd life's aspects with obstrep'rous pains 
 
 And lurid Contrast o'er each aspect reigns ; 
 
 There Poverty's thick-peopled sheds arise 
 
 Close where the rooft of Affluence split the skies ; 
 
 There jostle sage and fool in daily round j 
 
 There Truth and Fraud career on mutual ground ; 
 
 There brushes Virtue's hem the hem of Vice ; 
 
 There dunce and genius each his mission plies ; 
 
 There all extremes at once compel the sight 
 
 And each condition there confronts its opposite. 
 
 The busy fleets that oft all oceans stud 
 There rest by squalid wharves of rotting wood. 
 While public millions yearly melt away 
 On useless works, of public thieves the prey. 
 Yet charity hath builded well and wide 
 Her fair foundations there on every side ; 
 Religion's temples thickly point on high 
 With admirable unanimity ; 
 And Justice within stately walls maintains 
 The melancholy hosts her doom restrains. 
 But for herself fantastic worship finds 
 Pcrform'd around dilapidated shrines ; 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 Clear Science unctuous with endowment smiles 
 And pompous Commerce raises costly piles ; 
 While private wealth its careless thousands flings 
 On democratic dwellings fit for kings. 
 
 Metropolis of Liberty's land vast ! 
 
 Haven of fierce republicans and fast ! 
 
 Full oft, what thy peculiar glory blights. 
 
 Thy citizens accept their equal rights 
 
 And common freedom" in, alas ! the sense 
 
 Of vanity and fashion and pretence. 
 
 The newly rich whom vulgar arts of trade 
 
 Have robb'd of one, nor giv'n another grade. 
 
 Poor wanderers along the social scale. 
 
 Rest for whose feet to find all efforts fail ; 
 
 Endow'd with narrow gifts in gain t'employ ; 
 
 Denied the grace or sense that gain t'enjoy ; 
 
 Unsatisfied, unquiet, vacant, drear. 
 
 To foUies strange devote the livelong year. 
 
 Their wealth a boast, their homes a vain parade 
 
 Of tawdry splendors anxiously display'd. 
 
 In heartless waste they entertainment hold. 
 
 And hospitality in riot cold ; 
 
 Trifles their care ; laborious their ease ; 
 
 Saddens their mirth, their pleasures fail to please ; 
 
 Their souls' best worship do they give alone 
 
 To Etiquette as to a god unknown ; 
 
12 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 In friendship and in love they sink the heart ; 
 
 Exist in artifice devoid'of art ; 
 
 Contrive all gifts and senses to abuse 
 
 And life's each good ingeniously misuse. 
 
 They storm the gazing wonder of the throng. 
 
 As borne in tinsell'd equipage along. 
 
 While perch'd aloft in melancholy pairs. 
 
 Wearing stiff liveries and monstrous airs, 
 
 Bedizen'd, new-fledg'd flunkies tortur'd ride ; 
 
 Some born the prancing steeds' career to guide. 
 
 Some doom'd to dance their service out before 
 
 The glistening chariot's ever-swinging door. 
 
 Whose panels fiercely glow, as limn'd in fire. 
 
 With rampant lions or with griffons dire. 
 
 Heraldic blazon of some warrior's name 
 
 That, with th' invading Norman, conq'ring came. 
 
 Their hneage but a generation trace. 
 
 Some sainted tailor heads the haughty race. 
 
 Or haply from a cooper's loins they spring 
 
 In lately budded pride now blossoming. 
 
 Or once a cobbler's still preserv'd by fate 
 
 Their patriarch, mindless of his former state. 
 
 Thus, all unsphered, through life they conscious go. 
 
 Aiming at what they ne'er exactly know. 
 
 The town in keen derision holds its sides. 
 
 Envies and imitates and still derides. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 13 
 
 Alas ! that emulation such should lure 
 From Honor's peaceful walk th'ambitious poor 
 To paths where Crime decoys their footsteps blind 
 And lurking Ruin grimly steals behind. 
 
 How few of all that gather on th' exchange. 
 And give to traffic energy's chief range. 
 Keep nature sound nor sacrifice what part 
 Best fills the head or occupies the heart ! 
 One scheme's two paltry halves divide their care. 
 To buy cheap one, the other to sell dear ; 
 Till growing greed creeps o'er the yielding soul. 
 Subdues each portion and absorbs the whole. 
 See where the pet of Fortune takes his way ! 
 Adown at morn, at evening up Broadway ; 
 Aspiring men his salutations claim. 
 Proud enterprises crave his potent name. 
 His brows financial joy or woe diffuse. 
 And ev'n the needy state his favor sues. 
 By what exclusive thoughts is he possess'd } 
 What high resolves expand the great man's breast ? 
 To him Philosophy no light hath shown. 
 Science vouchsafed arithmetic alone. 
 And life-long strangers to his brain and heart 
 ' The charm of letters, the delights of art. 
 His youth's fair aims untimely mammon-bent. 
 His manhood's purpose is net ten per cent. ; 
 
14 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 His waning life no loftier joys shall know 
 ' Than from accumulating dollars flow ; 
 No visions his dissolving moments cheer 
 Save dreams of buying cheap and selling dear ; 
 And death will quench his occupation, when 
 May peace be with his peddling soul ! Amen ! 
 
 A lot more drear and harsher fate attend 
 The wretch who seeks in vain the self-same end ; 
 Him the capricious goddess seems to sue. 
 Spreading her baubles in his constant view ; 
 Eager he runs and thinks the whole to clasp. 
 She pulls the playthings just beyond his grasp ; 
 Impetuous he the foil'd attempt renews 
 And gains unnatural fire as he pursues ; 
 Pleas'd at his torture, the divine coquette 
 Recedes and nicely balks his labor yet ; 
 Both persevere till impotence and age 
 His ardor kill, subdue his trembling rage. 
 Defeat and vain pursuit at once cut short 
 And end the disappointment and the sport. 
 Behind he looks and lo ! a dismal waste 
 Of crime and folly not to be retraced ; 
 Long cover'd but concealable not long ; 
 He groans and qtiivers in a weakness strong 
 And quits the world by a self-murd'ring hand. 
 Or skulks, like Schuyler, on some foreign strand 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 15 
 
 Shunning each known and every honest gaze, 
 Companionless to drag the remnant of his days. 
 
 For gold or power, for pleasure or repute. 
 Fierce multitudes each pubhc place dispute 
 And turn life's labors to confusion bad, 
 A scramble multifarious and mad. 
 As when a caldron, over flames dispos'd. 
 Boils, filled with liquids variously compos'd. 
 While dregs descend, the scum is mounting seen. 
 Leaving all purity conceal'd between ; 
 So from low alleys and from dirty lanes 
 Office a swarming host of statesmen gains. 
 And Conscript Fathers who on council floors 
 Appear like rats rang'd round a granary's stores : 
 Sometime a scoundrel, with demurest air. 
 May sit in the chief magistrate's high chair, 
 A man who, to secure his meanest end. 
 The city's latest drop of blood would spend ; 
 The boldest quack the highest favor gains 
 And o'er the populace sheer humbug reigns ; 
 While ev'n some selfish priests will reach renown 
 Among the worldly wonders of the town. 
 If with their fame the public ear be cramm'd, 
 IndifF'rent whether flocks be sav'd or damn'd. 
 
i6 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 That citizen is blest' who bears his soul. 
 With wakeful, easy, and serene control. 
 Above the motives which the vulgar guide. 
 False pleasure, false ambition and false pride ; 
 Who, having honest cares, confronts their pow'r 
 And, seeking competence, sighs for no more ; 
 Who passing things with human int'rest minds 
 And every homely happiness refines ; 
 Who can a play enjoy with vision clean 
 And scent no needless sin behind the scene ; 
 Who with taught judgment, and with relish pure. 
 Ranges the realms of art and literature ; 
 Who walks alike apart, in conscience brac'd. 
 From levity or cant, meanness or waste ; 
 Unspotted by that complaisance which draws 
 The rabble's noisy censure or applause. 
 
 I wish to mingle in the city's throng 
 Enough to know its right side and its wrong j 
 To see its works, its spirit to discern. 
 Look its disguises through, its follies learn : 
 So that I may not, like th' untravel'd boor. 
 Gap foolish wonder at its splendors poor. 
 Nor, like the crooked cynic, falsely wise. 
 Its fashions, pleasures, comforts all despise j 
 Not to its sordid schemes addict my life. 
 Nor yet completely shun its active strife ; 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 But of its good enough industrious gain. 
 Heedful avoid its ill, and best maintain. 
 While moving with the motion of mankind. 
 The true and steadfast balance of the mind. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 So died the strain away whose stately flow 
 No whisper rude nor sound impertinent 
 Presum'd disturb, or seem in aught to show 
 A sufF'ring audience's discontent ; 
 But revelry was hush'd and converse pent, 
 As if they did on admiration sup. 
 Till, when the last note gave their voices vent, 
 The ale's impatient foam crown'd every cup. 
 And all the rhymers round the festal board stood up. 
 
i8 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 No silly phrase of lying flattery 
 Was now the silent poet's flat reward, 
 No poignant sting of envious irony, 
 From hostile critic or from rival bard. 
 The pride with which he wore his laurels marr'd. 
 Their partial view pass'd all but merit o'er ; 
 Unstudied praise was their sincere award, 
 And three times three loud cheers and one cheer more 
 That peradventure sleeping neighbors startled sore. 
 
 XV. 
 Enthusiasm and drink subsiding slow, 
 Vocif 'rous honors caught another name, 
 Ezekiel, second of the rhyming row. 
 The son of love and of a Thespian dame 
 From whom he took naught but a borrow'd name ; 
 For, though she once with art and mimic fire 
 The comic stage triumphant trod to fame. 
 Yet, when she did in penury expire. 
 Left him to guess of all mankind who was his sire. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 19 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Thus was he cast with those behind the scenes, 
 From all the earnest of his race apart, 
 Cut off from action's every other means 
 And held, though all unfitted for the part, 
 Unwilling devotee to irksome art. 
 Of mediocrity the sense and dread 
 His spirit rode and wore his rugged heart ; 
 While years came o'er him with a creeping tread 
 And sprinkled silver o'er his melancholy head. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 His form was mighty and his sturdy brow 
 Majestical o'erhung a visage vast, 
 That sluggish now would seem and lively now, 
 Changing as o'er his ponderous features pass'd 
 Gleams from his active soul electric cast ; 
 Heavy his eye but of a vision keen 
 For fact though hid in thick disguises fast ; 
 Perhaps by peering in its deep serene 
 Might slumb'ring fires of sensibility be seen. 
 
zo THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 A strong, square-trotting Pegasus he strode, 
 That caper'd solemnly on solid ground. 
 Not form'd for prancing an ethereal road, 
 Nor train'd to tread the soft cerulean round 
 Or, fancy-spurr'd, among the stars to bound : 
 On whose broad back secure he sat upright 
 And sang plain truth though homely it might sound : 
 Nor let the timid morahst take fright 
 While the rough melody I faithfully recite. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Ah ! little deem the gentle, high-behaved, 
 Proud priest and pharisee self-satisfied 
 What stalwart souls well worthy to be saved, 
 The fearful pale of sympathy outside. 
 Stand peering through in sadness or in pride ; 
 Or, stung by sense of cold exclusion long. 
 And slinking in abash'd resentment hide, 
 Who, if once beckon'd from the verge of wrong, 
 Of righteousness would be glad champions and strong. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 A SUNDAY LYRIC. 
 I. 
 
 Upon a holy Sabbath morn I sat. 
 Amongst a multifarious congregation. 
 
 Beneath the vault of a high temple that 
 
 Was Worship's by most solemn consecration. 
 
 Whither were wont poor souls in numbers great 
 Betake themselves for weekly consolation. 
 
 Such as is either gain'd from real devotion 
 
 Or springs from some quite different emotion. 
 
 II. 
 
 The chimes roll'd out their latest, loit'ring sound ; 
 
 Its first and faintest up the organ took ; 
 This slowly grew into a swell profound 
 
 Which all the air and solid fabric shook 
 And spread Solemnity's grave mantle round ; 
 
 All knees were bent, devout was every look ; 
 The litany and service then were read. 
 The prayers utter'd and responses said. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 III. 
 
 The minister and people seein'd to be 
 
 For once unmindful of all worldly wishes. 
 
 In heavenly contemplation wrapt, and free 
 From cares of earth or of its loaves or fishes. 
 
 Its pow'r or pomp, its fame or vanity. 
 Or any joy that sinful souls ravishes ; 
 
 When, lo ! there shock'd the ear what sound d'ye think ? 
 
 A sharp, metallic, oft-repeated clink. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Obtrusive sound ! that suddenly did bring 
 
 The heaven-lifted spirit back to earth. 
 As with hard censure of her wandering 
 
 From things of solid, measurable worth ; 
 And hint severe where thought might safely cling ; 
 
 Apart from dreams of unsubstantial birth ; 
 And the assembly ready seem'd to drink 
 That hint and lesson from the noisy clink. 
 
 V. 
 
 The priest read loudly, " Let your light so shine 
 Before men that — " the rest of the hortation 
 
 Was lost upon a dame in raiment fine. 
 
 Gay priestess of the flaunting rites of Fashion, 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 23 
 
 Who rustled ostentatiously benign. 
 
 And drew the eyes of all the congregation. 
 Before she parted with the piece of gold 
 Which of her piety and riches told. 
 
 VI. 
 
 " Lay not up treasures for yourselves on earth," 
 
 Was by a needy clerk interpreted. 
 Stirring alike thereby contempt and mirth. 
 
 As if the lesson solemnly had read 
 " Give the sole dollar from thy purse's dearth ; 
 
 Ev'n though thou ow'st it for thy coat or bread." 
 And the poor creature, yielding, freely gave 
 That which his creditors of right should have. 
 
 vn. 
 
 Again ; " He that hath pity on the poor 
 Lendeth unto the Lord." An ancient man. 
 
 Of tottering form infirm and locks all hoar. 
 Who had outlived life's ordinary span, 
 
 Harden'd in making much, or little, more ; 
 Till wealth did end what poverty began, 
 
 Considcr'd well what us'ry he might win ; 
 
 Then dropp'd a pinch'd, reluctant shilling in. 
 
24 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 VIII. 
 " Whate'er ye would that men should do to you, 
 Ev'n so do unto them/' said with grave stress. 
 Was message vain to one whose visage blue 
 
 Was pueker'd with pretended holiness. 
 With feigned goodness penetrated through. 
 As if he blandly all the world would bless : 
 '** It was the wily, formal hypocrite. 
 
 And the bank note he gave was counterfeit. 
 
 IX. 
 
 A woman sober as the weeds she wore, 
 Oppress'd by Poverty, by Labor worn 
 
 And mark'd with wrinkling Grief's dread ravage sore, 
 A faded remnant of a life forlorn. 
 
 Provoking thus in her observers or 
 Reflecting pity or unthinking scorn. 
 
 Cast in the plate its best-deserving prize. 
 
 Severely hoarded for the sacrifice. 
 
 X. 
 
 A little, lisping, cufl'd and laughing cliild. 
 Too young the meaning of its act to know, 
 
 A fresh and tender soul not yet defiled. 
 As soon it must be, if it stay below. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 25 
 
 With fair, unconscious eagerness, beguiled 
 
 Its parent of a penny to bestow. 
 Heav'n must have smiled, disarm'd of all offence. 
 To see the offering of Innocence. 
 
 XI. 
 
 So all the worshipers, with one accord, — 
 
 Mov'd by a thousand undetermin'd shades 
 Of vanity or fear, hope of reward. 
 
 Love, duty, all that hinders sin or aids. 
 Motives approv'd of heav'n or heav'n-abhorr'd. 
 
 What elevates the soul and what degrades, — 
 Together pour'd their motley contribution. 
 All for the Church's use or distribution. 
 
 XII. 
 
 The last deposit's final, clinking sound 
 
 Was with a cadence of the organ blended ; 
 The deacons, who had borne the basin round. 
 
 Unto the chancel reverently wended ; 
 The priest reliev'd them with an air profound 
 
 And the most interesting rite was ended. 
 When ail the offerings rattlingly were mingled. 
 And even on the very altar jingled. 
 
z6 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Perhaps some weariness began to fill 
 The rhymers ere the second lay was done ; 
 For aye of solid things a surfeit will 
 Come when we scarcely deem the feast begun ; 
 And pleasure veereth as the moments run. 
 But sign of flagging heed you might not see. 
 And high decorum held their eyes upon 
 The heavy bard, though wish'd' they inwardly 
 The lighter harp of David, poet number three. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 A peasant's birth and peasant's childhood his. 
 Obscure, he long'd to shun a peasant's fate. 
 Far find the height where Learning's glory is 
 And gain the entrance at Art's temple's gate. 
 No purpose had his toil, his soul no mate. 
 While listlessly he turn'd his native sod, 
 And palely brooded on his low estate. 
 Till finally he fled the "loathed clod. 
 And, weary, scared and lone, the city's pavement trod. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 27 
 
 XXII. 
 
 His pencil, — rude, original, untaught, — 
 To catch the landscape's momentary phase. 
 And hold the clouds on canvas, oft had sought. 
 But ne'er till then, in rapture and amaze, 
 Did he on Art's acknowledg'd glories gaze. 
 Year after year he dream'd and strove till he 
 Beheld fulfill'd a dream of early days, 
 His pictures in the annual gallery. 
 Though hung so high that venal critics could not see. 
 
 XXIII. 
 So still in sad neglect he play'd his part. 
 And cheerful worship'd where his soul adored ; 
 Still wrought some useful drudgeries of art, 
 To pay for frugal shelter, bed and board ; 
 And still on wings of hope and fancy soar'd. 
 His lot was single, and no mistress his 
 To charm the leisure that his strength restored. 
 Except a muse of lively quahties, 
 And gaily she produced, for our occasion, this. 
 
z8 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 A romance; 
 
 On the broad staircase of the great hotel. 
 By the first grave daylight there that fell. 
 The early traveler, scarce awake. 
 Bustling his hurried leave to take, 
 A figure did pass, whose image fair 
 Thence journeyed with him everywhere. 
 
 An ample pitcher in her hand she bare. 
 As lightly she tripp'd along the broad stair,. 
 And she meekly glanc'd at the going guest,. 
 Which carried a trouble unto his breast ; 
 For he was doom'd thenceforth to bear 
 The haunting remembrance everywhere. 
 
 It is the form of Isabel, 
 
 The fairest maid of the great hotel. 
 
 Oh ! she is soft ! oh ! she is fair ! 
 
 Her eyes are blue, — brown is her hair ; 
 
 Slender is she, and debonair ; 
 
 And her image goes with him everywhere. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 29 
 
 The young and haughty lord is he 
 
 Of acres broad in the west countree ; 
 
 But what are acres now to him 
 
 Who hath a sleeping and waking dream, 
 
 A teasing vision of ^ pleasing care. 
 
 By night and by day and everywhere ! 
 
 Why sticks the burden to his soul 
 And from his being will not roll. 
 Filling him with disquietude 
 Of passion wild and woful mood ? 
 Ah ! to rid himself he doth not care. 
 But cherisheth it everywhere. 
 
 Lost are the joys he knew before. 
 
 Nor willeth he old pleasures more ; 
 
 His lands and treasures spurned are 
 
 And give place in his heart to the new-found care ; 
 
 Upon land and sea he journeyeth far. 
 
 And that image is with him everywhere. 
 
 At last he returneth, fain to rest. 
 
 To the great hotel a wearied guest. 
 
 Whence he took the burden that him opprest ; 
 
 And he meeteth again, on the same broad stair. 
 
 At midnight, by the gas's glare. 
 
 Her whose image was with him everywhere. 
 
3° 
 
 THE RHYMERS' CLUB, 
 
 " Maiden, thy name and story tell." 
 " Oh, yes : my name is Isabel ; 
 My sire he was a Celtic knight. 
 And Sir Shillelah was he hight ; 
 Gentle and rich and great was he. 
 In the greenest land beyond the sea. 
 With a castle high and a manor wide. 
 And I was his darling and his pride. 
 A noble lady was my mother ; 
 I had no sister and no brother ; 
 Our Hfe was the highest bliss below ; 
 'T was well my parents should not know 
 What dreary fortunes since befel 
 Their orphan child, their Isabel ! 
 I had a shaggy pony, he 
 Would draw or carry none but me ; 
 And many a furr'd or feather'd pet, 
 I fondle them in mem'ry — yet — 
 
 " My tale is long ; I'll make it brief: 
 And now I come to my great grief. 
 One day my father and mother died. 
 And I saw tl^em buried side by side ; 
 And I was left their only heir. 
 Without a soul to help me bear 
 The fearful load of my despair. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 31 
 
 " They thought to leave me, when they died. 
 
 The castle high and manor wide ; 
 
 But it chanc'd that I inherited 
 
 A tedious suit at law instead ; 
 
 And another, alas ! in chancery ; 
 
 So I was driven bye and bye 
 
 From the manor wide and the castle high. 
 
 Then I wander'd forth on the king's highway. 
 
 And felt like a foolish sheep astray : 
 
 I carried my clothes and jewels tied 
 
 In a weighty parcel at my side ; 
 
 But it soon grew light, for every day 
 
 I gave some jewel or thing to pay 
 
 My entertainers on the way. 
 
 " 'T was a fearful road I journey'd o'er. 
 
 For me who had journey'd ne'er before. 
 
 But in a stately coach and four. 
 
 For days and weeks I wander'd on. 
 
 E'er growing weary, worn and wan. 
 
 Till I did move like one infirm. 
 
 But every labor hath its term ; 
 
 And I, at last, came where the sea 
 
 Spreads out in its immensity 
 
 And soothes with murmurs mild the shore, 
 
 Or frights with a tumultuous roar. 
 
32 
 
 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 A ship with all sails set was there. 
 And she was named The Bridgetine, 
 And eager look'd to skim the brine ; 
 And loud the burly master sware, — 
 From both eyes brushing sudden tears. 
 When I had told my woes, my fears, — 
 If I would take a passage free 
 And his ship's hospitality. 
 He'd place me on a kinder shore 
 Where Fortune had perchance in store. 
 Among the equal and the free. 
 Some happier moments ev'n for me. 
 
 " I thank'd him from a swelling heart ; 
 For I had nought from which to part. 
 But my native land, which I bade adieu ! 
 And we glided forth on the waters blue. 
 For forty days and nights we sped. 
 Without a threat'ning cloud o'erhead 
 Or angry wave beneath our feet ; 
 Another sail we did not meet. 
 Nor once see land in peering round 
 The blue horizon's circling bound ; 
 But a fair breeze and pathway clear 
 Slow brought us to this hemisphere ; 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 And one bright morn we landed by 
 
 A place they call the battery. 
 
 From the ship I came to the great hotel ; 
 
 I try to serve its master well. 
 
 And to do my new-learnt duty try. 
 
 Maid of the chambers, Isabel." 
 
 The pretty tale he doubteth not ; 
 
 He ofFereth her his home, his lot ; 
 
 And the haughty lady now is she 
 
 Of those acres broad in the west countree : 
 
 All that lord's riches she doth share. 
 
 And goeth with him everywhere. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Till David's harp its closing note did sound. 
 The Rhymers heard in silence and delight ; 
 But then their last reserve was all unbound, 
 And they express'd their rapture with their might. 
 In clamors meet to plague the soul of night. 
 By this, was every sluice of social glee 
 Set open wide, and fiU'd and flooded quite ; 
 The noisy toast, was Isabel, and she 
 The heroine of half an hour's celebrity. 
 
 33 
 
34 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Now was the turn of careless Jeremiah, 
 
 Born to no hous'ehold ; to no caUing bred ; 
 
 Who ate, drank, joked, laugh'd, sung, and strumm'd 
 
 the lyre, 
 But knew no useful art to gain his bread. 
 Or rightful hold a place to lay his head. 
 A busy brain and high, convivial zeal 
 The patrimony he inherited ; 
 He could the social glow inspire and feel. 
 And genial Humor set on him her broadest seal. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 Had Fate with friendly grace allow'd, he might 
 Have sat, with wits of high degree and name. 
 At tables of the rich, great parasite, 
 And stood with Brummel on the hill of fame. 
 Then had he touch'd his just ambition's aim. 
 With quaint conceits amused the world polite, 
 The toast of polish'd lord and lovely dame. 
 Nor toil'd nor spun, but shone in raiment bright. 
 And freely fed on costly dainties, unrequite. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 3; 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 But envious stars that grudg'd the gifts they gave 
 Those lib'ral gifts a meaner sphere assign' d, 
 Doom'd him to serve coarse churl and low-born knave. 
 And earn the potluck of the unrefined ; 
 And Fortune, as illibVal and unkind, 
 Her cold, capricious succor still denied. 
 Yet his strong spirit chafed not nor repined. 
 But Fate and stars and Fortune all defied 
 With indolent disdain and philosophic pride. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 He'd mock the sober airs of Sentiment, 
 Fantastic paint the serious face of Care, 
 And turn to unremorseful merriment 
 Such griefs as feeling hearts forever share. 
 Perhaps to tickle Sorrow he would dare. 
 Till she might giggle through her falling tears, 
 And prim, sedate Propriety ensnare 
 In toils of laughter. Now his voice he clears, 
 And thus beguiles the royst'ring rhymers' ready ears. 
 
36 THE RHYMERS' CLUB, 
 
 € I) c CO) ut c a s t. 
 
 A BALLAD. 
 
 Tell me, thou youth so pale and wan. 
 And, prithee, tell me true, 
 
 What sorrow triumphs in thy soul ? 
 What woful chance dost rue ? 
 
 Despair broods o'er thy countenance 
 And sits within thine eyes. 
 
 And languidly thy gait and mien 
 Echo thy melting sighs. 
 
 Has Death, with unrelenting step. 
 Across thy threshold trod. 
 
 And carried ruthlessly away 
 Some precious household god ? 
 
 Or did more cruel Love invade 
 
 Thy jocund, peaceful life. 
 And prick thee, for hi; wanton sport. 
 
 To hopeless, inward strife .' 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 37 
 
 Perhaps 't was Fortune builded frail 
 
 A structure fair and tall. 
 And placed thee on the giddy height 
 
 To crush thee with the fall. 
 
 Keep not thy grief all pent within. 
 
 But pour it in my ear ; 
 And I to bear the dismal load 
 
 Will help thee- while I hear. 
 
 Now, was it flame, or was it flood. 
 
 Or was it fell disease ; 
 Or sword, or accident, or wrong 
 
 Consum'd thy spirit's ease ? 
 
 Thou look'st so sad and woe-begone. 
 
 My pity yearns to thee ; 
 May be the telling of thy talc 
 
 Can soothe thy misery. 
 
 Tell me, thou youth so pale and wan. 
 And, prithee, tell me true. 
 
 What sorrow triumphs in thy soul f 
 What woful chance dost rue ? 
 4 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 Then listen, while I sadly do 
 
 Pour out my doleful tale : 
 My father's village mansion stood 
 
 Within a verdant vale. 
 
 My father's village mansion, where 
 My childhood was caress'd ; 
 
 Oh ! were its shelter o'er me still, 
 I even now were blest. 
 
 But swiftly fiash'd the bUssful years. 
 
 Chasing each other by. 
 And took me from my mother to 
 
 The university. 
 
 I studied long, I studied deep. 
 
 And many books I read 
 In many tongues, till I at last 
 
 Return'd a wight learned. 
 
 By this, it was full time, they said. 
 That I the world should see : 
 
 So, gay with expectation, I 
 Came to the great citie. 
 
 Here Fashion's daughters soon began 
 My company to woo. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB 
 
 And pleas'd I roved in Splendor Stre'et 
 And Tinsel Avenue. 
 
 A dame did charm above the rest ; 
 
 She was of noble form ; 
 Of beauteous features, comely grace. 
 
 And manners kind and warm. 
 
 And she did charm me not the less. 
 
 But rather more instead. 
 That she so gracefully half mourn'd 
 
 A husband buried. 
 
 So sweetly she my love besought, 
 
 I could not say her nay. 
 But bade her take all I could give : 
 
 That was my happiest day. 
 
 But its dear raptures quickly went 
 
 And left a cureless smart ; 
 For artful was the widow's love. 
 
 And guileful was her art. 
 
 She told me, with much fond caress, 
 I should her bridegroom be ; 
 
 She overcame my foolish heart 
 And my innocencie. 
 
 39 
 
40 THE RHYMERS' CLUB.. 
 
 A time she revel'd in the wealth 
 
 Of all she so had won. 
 But soon forgot the vow to wed. 
 
 And left me all undone. 
 
 And now I wander, in despair, 
 
 Adown and up Broadway, 
 Where all the pure and happy throng 
 ~" The Fallen ! " seem to say. 
 
 There is in all the earth no peace 
 
 Nor hiding-place for me : 
 Why should the shame that with me bides: 
 
 Leave my despoiler free? 
 
 She laughs in cruel triumph now, • 
 
 And all the while, they say. 
 She is the gladdest of the glad. 
 
 The gayest of the gay. 
 
 And, ah ! the world on her will smile. 
 In praise of her high charms ; 
 
 While I, in bitterness forlorn. 
 Bewail my hapless harms ! 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 41 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 A radiant smile on every list'ner's face, 
 Grown with the progress of the plaintive lay, 
 Wax'd audible, and, at the close, gave place 
 To many a boisterous and sincere huzza ! 
 A storm the author's blushes failed to stay. 
 Each line each man would sep'rately admife. 
 And Laughter kept o'er all obstrep'rous sway, 
 Till Time at last impatient did require 
 The bow of the next bard in order, Obadiah. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 He was a scrivener, that all day long 
 With skiltful pen o'er dreary parchment bent, 
 A grim attorney's ghastly group among. 
 Who to their daily toil like oxen went, 
 Nor stopp'd to think what their performance meant. 
 Unlike his fellows, he caught curious views 
 Of things behind each opaque document. 
 At night coquetted once with a coy muse 
 And writ what now the tender critic may peruse. 
 
4z THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 gtl)e mortgage. 
 
 A SONNET. 
 
 The house is high, and decorated round 
 With Architecture's cunningcst inventions'; 
 Within, Arts hold harmonious contentions. 
 
 And Luxury a temple there has found. 
 
 But o'er the roof and all the ample ground. 
 Noiseless, yet of the most malign intentions, 
 A viewless thing the master never mentions. 
 
 Though unto his sole vision it is bound. 
 
 Whether he wakes or sleeps, has settled firm. 
 Henceforth to hang unbidden ever nigh. 
 
 Haunt all his hours close as th' undying worm. 
 And, when he feeds his guests, unceasingly 
 
 Before him stalk, unseen of others' eyes, 
 
 Threat'ning to drive him from his paradise. 
 
THERHYMERS'-CLUB. 43 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 The list'ning rhymers chimed a vacant cough ; 
 The strain was well they all politely swore ; 
 Twere better still if cut less briefly off 
 And lengthen'd to a hundred verses more : 
 The theme were worthy to be essay'd o'er. 
 But quick forgot they, in a bumper long, 
 The brevity of Obed to deplore ; 
 And then, with call unanimous and strong. 
 Loud hail'd the youngest minstrel and his latest song . 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 A youth he was of one and twenty years, 
 A beard of silken down, and slender frame, 
 But lusty spirit, ignorant of tears. 
 And natural as the mountains whence he came. 
 Where lived his parents known to rural fame. 
 The one for honest wisdom, and the other 
 For virtues womanly of every name, 
 A pious and incomparable mother, 
 Whose influence in his breast the world could never 
 smother. 
 
44 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Their prayers pursued their only child from home. 
 First while he linger'd yet at Learning's shrine, 
 Next cross'd the sea, adventurous to roam 
 Where every sight was strange to his young eyne. 
 Then sought the town, with law to store his mind. 
 Here fav'rite grew among, yet oft would leave 
 The fops of Fashion and her virgins fine. 
 For such society as to conceive 
 Had haply made those parents' pious souls to grieve. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Still not perverse nor wicked was his heart, 
 Nor felt he scorn of virtue's decent ways; 
 Though sooth he seem'd to shun their sober part 
 Who give their youth to pray'r and godly praise, 
 And trudge the path of wisdom all their days. 
 But glow of youthful curiosity 
 Prick'd him to search what varying phase 
 He might behold of our humanity, 
 And every shape and shade of life he long'd to see. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 With open eye and ear inquisitive. 
 Amused he saunter'd, sometimes long by night, 
 To find how they might think or act or Uve, 
 The hypocrites of Pleasure, who despite 
 And mock her name in many a hollow rite ; 
 Feign mirth their wither'd souls can never share ; 
 Still play, with painful toil, unfelt delight ; 
 And holy Shame with brass defiance dare ; 
 Poor, ghastly, chained prisoners of grim Despair. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 Nor to their temples that in splendor shine, 
 And bow'rs luxurious, alone would he 
 His perilous, Circean walk confine : 
 But roved in gay, unscar'd security. 
 With vulgar sinners and of low degree. 
 Amongst their meaner haunts and cheaper caves. 
 Where Vice, made uglier far by poverty. 
 In hideous, nightly orgies coarsely raves ; 
 And Virtue dead, unconscious. Christian pity craves. 
 
 45 
 
46 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 From syrens such as these, with wise control. 
 He went unscathed ; for their polluted air 
 Had no contagion for his healthy soul, 
 No spell their arts to bind his head's least hair. 
 What other scenes and characters would share 
 His busy leisure when his task was done, 
 I need not say, but legions strange they were, 
 And when the polished world for them he'd shun. 
 His honest brow and manners brave good welcome won. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 He was the darling of this coterie ; 
 And him their common voice dubb'd Princely Paul ; 
 His every jest provoked their easy glee, 
 Their swift assent his grave opinions all ; 
 But chief his muse their praises forth did call, 
 So full and fast, so frolicksome and free. 
 Yet, lest his name at bar might harm befall, 
 She was his secret, doom'd unknown to be, 
 Save to one group that oft her pranks (like this) would see. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 47 
 
 A TALE. 
 
 I IN THREE CANTOS. 
 
 M7 verse you may condemn, my theme you must admire. — Cbabbf. 
 
 CANTO THE FIRST. 
 
 L 
 
 Of love's unbridled chase the woes. 
 Of griefs that rage revengeful knows. 
 
 From each the direful ills that spring, 
 And lack of favor Heaven shows 
 
 Offending man and maid, I sing. 
 
 II. 
 
 In Cross street's mellow, placid shade. 
 But few the years of grace agone, 
 A nymph there dwelt, apast the dawn 
 
 Of charms that, when not marr'd, must fade. 
 
48 THE RHYMERS' CLUB, 
 
 The nymph was fair and froward too. 
 
 And many pleasing arts she knew. 
 
 But ah ! a fearful sight to see 
 
 In any rage or jealousie ; 
 
 For she was shapely not alone, 
 
 Nor grace was all her motion's aim. 
 But strength in every limb it shone 
 
 And vigor sat upon her frame ; 
 While fury slumber'd in her eye 
 Or came forth in a tempest high. 
 Though Nature thus the nymph had blest. 
 The nymph did not in Nature rest. 
 But courted Science for a skill 
 Which humbled many at her will. 
 So panoplied, she sent 'forth Fear 
 To tease her foes both far and near ; 
 And bore right merry sway and rough 
 O'er weaker, gentler human stuff; 
 Her very name inspired dread 
 As wide as e'er her fame had spread, 
 And many a nymph and many a swain. 
 In gore and sorrow, low had lain. 
 Sore trophies of the ruthless spleen 
 Or direful wrath of Eveline. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 49 
 
 III. 
 Bill Pauling was an ocean knight^ 
 A jolly, brawny, lusty wight ; 
 And he was careless, bold, and free 
 As human craft right well could be ; 
 And he had seen all far countrees, 
 A-coursing o'er storm-shaken seas ; 
 On coasts of polar ice had run. 
 And stroU'd o'er isles beneath the sun ; 
 But never yet, in either zone, 
 'Mong all Eve's daughters he had known, 
 Had Love's barb found his being's core, 
 Till, landed on Manhattan's shore. 
 While o'er the pave his footsteps stray'd. 
 By twilight's gently growing shade. 
 From worship fresh at Bacchus' shrine ; 
 He overhaul'd the nymph divine. 
 Chaste Eveline, rigg'd daintily. 
 Whom to adore was but to see. 
 
 IV. 
 
 She said, " My dear, my only love. 
 Sweet darling, precious turtle dove ! 
 O'er earth and sea where roamedst thou. 
 And hidst thyself from me till now ? 
 
50 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 Ah ! wretched me ! I've wander'd here 
 
 This dismal, long, unhappy year. 
 
 Still seeking whom I could adore. 
 
 But ne'er his image saw before. 
 
 Hope led me daily forth, to show 
 
 The depth of disappointment's woe ; 
 
 While something told my heart 'twas vain. 
 
 For he, my fond, ideal swain. 
 
 And soul's sweet idol, roam'd the main. 
 
 But God be prais'd, in whose best time. 
 
 From his great goodness, — fount sublime, — 
 
 Each blessing and all mercies flow 
 
 To mortal creatures frail, below. 
 
 For He at last thy errant form 
 
 Hath brought, through peril and through storm, 
 
 I pray not soon again to roam. 
 
 But long to rest in this heart's home. 
 
 Oh turn, sweet youth of gentle mien 
 
 Unto the bower of Eveline ; 
 
 And, as we both do thither hie. 
 
 Some tropic fruits thy gold shall buy." 
 
 V. 
 She paus'd and, downward gazing, sigh'd. 
 While thus the melting swain replied : 
 " Fair Eveline, no rapture true 
 This torpid breast before e'er knew ; 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 51 
 
 For, though each coast and clime hath shown 
 
 Me what of beauty was its own. 
 
 My soul, still trench'd in stubborn might. 
 
 Defied Love's weakness and delight. 
 
 And ne'er, until this blessed hour, 
 
 I felt his soft, dissolving pow'r 
 
 Steal o'er each unresisting sense. 
 
 Resistless as omnipotence. 
 
 But here and now confess I must. 
 
 How vain hath been this heart's proud trust ; 
 
 This heart, once bold and stout, I ween. 
 
 Is at thy feet, oh ! Eveline. 
 
 That matchless mould, that peerless grace. 
 
 The spirit radiant from those eyes. 
 
 And something still that underlies 
 The whole, their soft, effaceless trace. 
 Have sunk where nought could sink before. 
 To dwell thereon forevermore. 
 A void was in the soul of Bill 
 Which nought could e'er, but thou dost, fill. 
 What remnant drear of life were left 
 If 't were henceforth of thee bereft ! 
 A gloom were all the future then. 
 More dark than ev'n the past has been. 
 Ah ! Memory holds no joys for me. 
 And, Hope, my refuge is to thee. 
 The present is the hour of bliss ; 
 
52 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 Could all the future be like this, 
 
 Fore'er the gentle Eveline 
 
 I'd constant woo and constant win. 
 
 My heart's each thought were then supplied,. 
 
 Nor its most vaulting wish denied ; 
 
 The hours should teem with joys divine, 
 
 Heav'n's own beatitude were mine. 
 
 Each transport should the last pursue 
 
 And dying raptures bring forth new." 
 
 VI. 
 
 Swift she with honied speech replied. 
 
 And tones whose sweetness music made ;, 
 And speaking eyes well told beside 
 
 Whate'er her words might leave unsaid. 
 The easy knight of the blue wave. 
 
 While converse and the moments sped,. 
 Heard but the lady of the pave 
 
 And follow'd where that syren led. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Erebus thick his shadows flung 
 
 O'er Gotham's every mart and place ; 
 
 Anon the watchman's chib-note rung 
 Where darkness hid his silent pace. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 53 
 
 Soft Dalliance then held Neptune's child 
 
 In unaccustom'd arms beguiled. 
 
 And fill'd with luring tales his ear. 
 
 Till orient, bright Aurora clear, 
 
 ' Dawn's rosy-finger'd daughter's ' beams 
 
 Dissolv'd the darkness and his dreams. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 What firm enchantment love doth weave. 
 
 To wrap each faculty and sense 
 
 In one brief ecstacy intense. 
 And then the cheated mortal leave ! 
 Seductive power ! yet fierce and fell. 
 That promis'st heav'n but givest hell. 
 They that have found, or yet shall find. 
 
 But passing bhss and coming woe 
 
 Gifts thine peculiar to bestow. 
 Have been, and still must be, mankind. 
 Who ever on thy transports drew. 
 Nor did the soft transaction rue ? 
 Not youthful nymphs and swains alone 
 Thy sore experience have known ; 
 But sages, statesmen, rakes and boys. 
 
 With trulls and widows, maids and wives. 
 Have tasted thy grief-bringing joys 
 
 To prove a poison of their lives. 
 
54 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 IX. 
 
 And Fate had said that Bill that night 
 
 Should pass the ardept frenzy's height j 
 
 Should clutch at glories false as sand. 
 
 And find repentance in his hand. 
 
 Nature had piled the fuel high. 
 
 And wet wine wrought combustion dry. 
 
 When now at length Occasion came 
 
 And torch'd the easy-kindled flame. 
 
 At first, a gentle blaze it glow'd. 
 
 As through his veins it smoothly rode ; 
 
 But soon, alas'! impetuous grown. 
 
 The new-born ardor flash'd and shone. 
 
 And lick'd the air with demon tongue. 
 
 And fierce a song of fury sung. 
 
 Then Prudence fled her long-kept home. 
 
 And Passion revel'd through the dome ; 
 
 Then Wisdom left a wonted throne. 
 
 And Folly ruled supreme alone. 
 
 Ah ! hour of evil fate to Bill ! 
 
 For, in its evanescent thrill. 
 
 He gave the charmer of his will 
 
 A pledge that he might not fulfill. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 55 
 
 X. 
 
 As some gay meteor's treach'rous ray. 
 Athwart the evening traveler's way. 
 Decoys his sober feet astray 
 
 Where mire and blackness dread surround : 
 So passion holds to human sight 
 Of flitting joys a lurid light. 
 That tempts a moment's basking bright. 
 
 Then flashes out in night profound. 
 
 CANTO THE SECOND. 
 
 I. 
 
 Most classic shade of Orange street. 
 Where reigns the mind of Ebon Pete, 
 And motley pilgrims nightly greet 
 Her of the ' many-twinkling feet ' ! 
 To thy most sanctified recess 
 At midnight came the votive press 
 Of worshipers from every race 
 That oft thy dusky precincts grace, 
 Europa's, Ethiop's, India's sons ; 
 Pale faces, sables, drabs and duns ; 
 And Frailty's daughters thickly came ; 
 Nobody's children, wild and tame ; 
 The reckless brood of easy Mirth, 
 
56 THE RHYMERS' CLUB, 
 
 And they whom Chance or Sin gave bifth ; 
 
 A heterogeneous company. 
 
 To honor great Terpsichore ; 
 
 All blithe of limb and gay of mood ; 
 
 And in the midst Bill Fading stood. 
 
 II. 
 
 The viohn, shrill shrieking, spoke 
 What first the temple's stillness broke ; 
 The clattering castanet chimed in. 
 And join'd the thumping tambourine. 
 The prelude's echo domeward rung 
 To silence, when all wildly sung, — 
 
 ihc ^ons of ih ^Wftlcss. 
 
 Life is foaming I take it now. 
 Nor insipid let it grow ; 
 While it rises, tip it fast ; 
 For its sparkling cannot last. 
 
 2. 
 
 Life's not substance, but is shade ; 
 All its brightness glares to fade ; 
 'Tis not tragic, but burlesque ; 
 'Tis not earnest, but a jest. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 57 
 
 3- 
 
 Melancholy is a fool ; 
 Thought is Folly's solemn tool ; 
 Duty-heeders are a race 
 Thralled under weakness base. 
 
 4- 
 Sober action is unblest ; 
 So is holy sabbath rest ; 
 Honor is of fiction wrought. 
 And condition is but nought. 
 
 s- 
 
 Round's the face of mother Earth, 
 Therefore should we honor Mirth ; 
 Wisdom weeps not o'er life's jest. 
 But enjoys it with a zest. 
 
 6. 
 
 Life is foaming ! take it now. 
 Nor insipid let it grow ; 
 While it rises, tip it fast ; 
 For its sparkling cannot last. 
 
 The scented breezes deftly bore 
 The careless, quick-forgotten strain 
 To staid Obhvion's darken'd door ; 
 Who eager stands to entertain 
 Unnumber'd such with endless, free. 
 Devouring hospitality. 
 
58 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 III. 
 
 Then rose the music's quicken'd swell. 
 And wrought a Terpsichorean spell ; 
 From porch to shrine the temple's ground 
 The stirring, light enchantment bound ; 
 And all the votaries, to and fro, 
 Tripp'd ' on the light fantastic toe ;' 
 In measur'd grace and courtly ways 
 They form'd and then dissolv'd each maze j 
 They pass'd and whirl'd in motion free, 
 
 Approach'd, receded, balanc'd, swung. 
 And on the heel of Harmony 
 
 Each will and every spirit hung. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The portal hing'd to Eveline ; 
 
 Her eyes shot indignation keen ; 
 
 Straight on the sea-bred swain she bore, 
 (Unconscious if earth had a woe 
 He mov'd, but doom'd full soon to know 
 
 And taste the sorrows of the shore) 
 
 And thus, its fury ill supprest. 
 
 The anger in her soul confess'd : 
 
 " Presumptuous youth ! to deem so light 
 
 What nature made our sex's right. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 59 
 
 Ordain'd forever yours to bind. 
 And still confess'd by all mankind, — 
 The gallant duty none gainsay. 
 And most are ever proud to pay ! 
 I here protest this debt to me 
 Long due, is still unpaid by thee. 
 Strange vanity thy soul possess'd. 
 
 And insolence grown mad was thine. 
 To trust my rising ire should rest 
 Till unto me thou render mine. 
 Thy soul some gay delusion fed 
 
 With dreams that Mercy's care benign. 
 And mild Impunity, thy head " 
 
 Would shield through monstrous sin as thine. 
 The vow that unredeem'd I mourn 
 
 Seem'd made by love that knows not death. 
 And to my ears was softly borne 
 On Eloquence's ardent breath. 
 But ah ! those gentle words beneath. 
 Behind that language of the eyes. 
 Hid false tongue and malignant teeth ; 
 Deceit had stole such fair disguise. 
 In that blest hour, oh, falsely blest ! 
 My fancy's vision saw me drest 
 In dazzling tint and texture fine. 
 The robe thou swore which should be mine. 
 
6o THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 Think not, vain type of man ! thy oath 
 Its deep force nimbly thus undone ; 
 Nor deem thy power or skill can shun 
 
 Its penalty and duty both. 
 
 Thy perjur'd heart let fear advise 
 
 What danger menaces thine eyes. 
 
 Till Eveline's shall fondly view 
 
 That plighted gown of dazzling hue." 
 
 V. 
 
 She paus'd while speech he meek essay'd : 
 
 " Thy sex's paragon, sweet maid. 
 
 That Power whose voice, though still and small. 
 
 Responds, whene'er we rightly call,' 
 
 With counsels man must own divine, — 
 
 Whose heeded words and hints benign 
 
 Avert the complicated woes 
 
 That otherwise we self-impose, — 
 
 With charity whose spirit dwells 
 
 Forever, and whose maxim tells 
 
 That wit is out while wine is in. 
 
 Teach thee to palliate my sin. 
 
 Or yet, if reason's candid strain 
 
 Thy stern, relentless wrath ignore. 
 Let gentle pity not in vain 
 
 The ear of sympathy implore. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 6i 
 
 That luckless pledge I gave insane ; 
 
 Gin's subtle charm was on my brain. 
 
 With silent force, subduing, deep. 
 
 That wisdom lull'd in fatal sleep. 
 
 And all my will and action lent 
 
 To folly'5 loose, impetuous bent. 
 
 To own such debt, and reckless spurn 
 
 The rede man should from prudence learn, 
 
 Wfere mad to rush against those laws 
 
 Whose breach consigns to ruin's jaws. 
 
 For, know that Fortune hath to me 
 
 Slight favor shown and grudgingly ; 
 
 And should I, in a moment tame. 
 
 Discharge thy importuning claim. 
 
 Then Plutus, grimly led by Fate, 
 
 With fiercest frown, in direst hate. 
 
 Would hurl my timbers high ashore 
 
 And shun me thence forevermore. 
 
 Dismiss the dream that doth cajole 
 
 Thy unsophisticated soul. 
 
 Nor hope in canvas gay to shine 
 
 At such dread sacrifice of mine." 
 6 
 
62 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Volcanic fires, within her breast 
 Sore-pent, th' offended nymph possess'd ; 
 And smother'd vengeance, bursting nigh, 
 Deep murmur'd through her low reply. 
 " Bold words ! ah ! little ween'st how bold. 
 For youth of such a slender mould. 
 But evanescent be the spell 
 
 Which soothes thy wits, and lends the while 
 Its brazen smirk thy front of guile. 
 That soon shall rather mirror hell. 
 In vain seeks falsehood's softest breath 
 To melt the hardness of my wrath ; 
 And worse than vain, thy labor'd scorn, — 
 By wrong begot, of folly born ; 
 This breast to fierce resentment burns. 
 And gentle rage to fury turns. 
 To-morrow mend thy broken vow ! 
 Or dream this night of griefs enow. 
 And wake o'erwhelm'd by sufF'ring dread 
 Of sorrows gathering o'er thy head. 
 Heed friendly words or soon shalt rue 
 A foe's unpitying deeds. Adieu ! " 
 She strode out loftily, this said. 
 And on the street evanished. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 63 
 
 CANTO THE THIRD. 
 
 I. 
 
 Departing day was hast'ning past. 
 And night's grim front came following fast; 
 Unnumber'd noisy wheels were dumb. 
 And hush'd was traffic's loudest hum ; 
 While o'er the town cold rainclouds hung 
 And, as by pluvial Genii wrung, 
 
 Their dismal currents pour'd : 
 Intent each dryest nook to lave. 
 The flood fast patter'd on the pave ; 
 Uphfted skirts then sigh'd for home. 
 
 And soaking wand'rers homeward hied. 
 
 With rueful faces, whilst the tide. 
 From reeking roof and dripping dome. 
 
 Through eaves and gutters roar'd. 
 Frail awnings, drench'd, frail shelter spread 
 Where pausing groups, e'er-changing, sped ; 
 And hapless swains, and nymphs forlorn. 
 That late had mov'd in slipper'd pride, — 
 Alas ! how fallen since the morn ! — 
 
 In wilted sadness, envious, eyed 
 Th' umbrellaed, booted throng : 
 
64 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 While Comfort, snug at home intrench'd. 
 Complacent through front windows peer'd,. 
 And covertly and dryly jeer'd 
 
 The passing crowd, that dripping, drench'd. 
 And shiv'ring, rush'd along. 
 
 II. 
 
 Where Anthony with Little Water blends,. 
 And Cow Bay worldivard reeking sends 
 Her many-color'd denizens. 
 
 An ancient mart affords. 
 What long the vicinage there found. 
 Its best supplies, by peck or pound, 
 Of fruits, and all provisions sound. 
 
 That graced its sumptuous boards.. 
 
 III. 
 Here came the hero of the deep. 
 
 His trim exteriors to save. 
 As • scuds the barque in storm to keep 
 
 Some shelt'ring haven's friendly wave. 
 And pleasing refuge found he here 
 From pelting damps, thick, chill and drear ;- 
 But refuge none, perversely wills 
 Unpitying Fate, from direr ills. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 65 
 
 For on his wake a freighted craft. 
 
 Of wrath and retribution full. 
 
 With threat'ning prow and stalwart hull. 
 Malignly hurried near abaft. 
 
 IV. 
 Soon face to face they stood once more ; 
 And, fiercer now than e'en before. 
 Her frown, terrific glooming, sore 
 
 Smote sudden on his fears ; 
 While tones that bore envenom'd weight. 
 Breathing of vengeance and of hate. 
 Dread prelude as of tragic fate. 
 
 Met stunningly his ears : 
 " Thy doom delay, now, most false man. 
 My patient wrongs no longer can ; 
 Fierce burns the passion smother'd here. 
 And expiation's time is near. 
 Speak not for mercy nor for truce ; 
 Thy words have parted with their use. 
 The lip once mark'd by falsehood's stain. 
 Can never its lost power regain ; 
 The heart once hurt by treachery's blow. 
 Can ne'er its former trust bestow. 
 No act may soften now my hate ; 
 Thy penitence were ev'n too late." 
 
66 THE RHYMERS' CLUB, 
 
 Thus she, when through the fragrant air. 
 
 First being pois'd with sicillful care, 
 
 A quick-seiz'd, fierce-hurl'd pomme de terre 
 
 Purpled his dexter eye ; 
 And his unguarded visage caught 
 What swift succession after brought, — 
 A ruta haga wildly flung. 
 Whose force both flesh and spirit stung. 
 A crimson flood each nostril spill'd. 
 And, most unwonted and unwiU'd, 
 With sudden drops his orbs were fill'd,. 
 
 And burst his lips a sigh. 
 
 V. 
 
 Then rush'd they, each to other's arms. 
 With fell intents for direst harms ; 
 In conflict wild they madly closed. 
 With skill and strength and will opposed ; 
 When soon he found his furious hold 
 No fragile, soft frame did enfold ; 
 And well she felt her arms of might 
 Encircled then no carpet knight. 
 An instant makes the conflict fierce ; 
 Her tigress teeth his check's flesh pierce ; 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 67 
 
 When, by the sudden anguish stung. 
 
 He quick his burden tripp'd and flung. 
 
 Supinely on the floor she fell. 
 
 Yet brought her foe the crash to swell ; 
 
 Nor kept he long the topmost place. 
 
 For by a mighty coup de grace, 
 
 She show'd the rafters to his face. 
 
 His desperate will and furious main 
 
 The shifting vantage turn'd again ; 
 
 And then athwart the stained floor 
 
 They to and fro went o'er and o'er. 
 
 The gathering crowd, from all the Five 
 
 Points, where the unwash'd swarm and hive. 
 
 Gave anxious and respectful way. 
 
 With most commoding surge and sway. 
 
 And loudest shouts for fairest play. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The gaping ring gap'd open now. 
 
 As, arm'd and bent to quell a row. 
 
 Four sturdy knaves of valiant mien. 
 
 All star-bedizen'd, strode between. 
 
 Two seiz'd the nymph, two tfce seiz'd the swain. 
 
68 THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 
 
 And, sund'ring rude the clinging twain. 
 Thence grimly forth, sore-panting, led 
 Their sullen and reluctant tread. 
 Devoted pair ! By Fate's decree 
 Devoted each to misery ! 
 Ah ! woe was in th' expression sore 
 His bruis'd and bleeding visage wore. 
 As, brooding on the ill-starr'd day. 
 With fancies of a donjon keep. 
 Where soon should be his troubled sleep. 
 He silent took his guarded way. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Nor less was she unblest, for though 
 
 On one of her soft sex a blow 
 
 His gallant spirit scorn'd to bring, 
 
 He could inflict a sharper sting, — 
 
 Of sorrow an intenser shade ; 
 
 And much of that harsh pow'r he made. 
 
 For while, alas! she trusted well 
 
 Her wardrobe gay his might should swell. 
 
 Most dread reverse ! his rude hands tore 
 
 And pluck'd away ev'n what she wore. 
 
 Ah, nymph distress'd ! for, as she went. 
 
 Of robes despoil'd, of passion spent. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 69 
 
 The curious gaze of followers coarse. 
 And gibes unkind from brawlers hoarse. 
 Smote on her vanquish'd spirit's pride. 
 
 And crush'd its flow'r, — oh ! ruthless glee ! — 
 
 To feel that all expos'd should be 
 The charms and tears she could not hide. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 But wounds of flesh and hurts of soul. 
 Benignant time oft maketh whole ; 
 And wisdom's soothing, calm relief 
 Darts from the ashes of our grief. 
 So time and wisdom heal'd the pain 
 Of wayward nymph and careless swain ; 
 They thence two chasten'd spirits bloom'd : 
 Their bodies were that night entomb'd. 
 
^o THE RHYMERS' CLUB, 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Paul ceas'd. The tankards clink'd another chime. 
 The cheerful liquor swiftly flow'd again 
 From whose inverted mouths, the hundredth time. 
 To other mouths that upturn'd met it fain, 
 Like mouths of ducks that catch the falling rain. 
 Then out upon the sleepy air there rung. 
 Of jovial criticism, fresh peals amain ; 
 Mirth, like a ball, from each to each was flung, 
 And Wit danc'd genially on every wagging tongue. 
 
 XL. 
 
 By this, a rumble of the earliest cart ' 
 Abroad, the reign of silence to invade. 
 And lumb'ring loudly tow'rd the slumb'ring mart, 
 Their ears unready, unawares, dismay'd, 
 Proclaiming dawn's advent not long delay'd, — 
 Unwelcome signal for the scene to close. 
 Then all around their hurried farewells said. 
 When every rhyming guest reluctant rose 
 And, flitting ghost-like homeward, slunk to his repose. 
 
THE RHYMERS' CLUB. 71 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Oft-times they met. Should any wish to know 
 What further varied numbers thence befel. 
 What fancies gleam'd from their discourse's flow. 
 What fine enjoyment crown'd their cheap revel ; 
 The flatter'd Muse, loquacious, pleas'd would tell. 
 But never may she tune these notes again ; 
 For household duty tasks her care too well, 
 Thrift bids her from the useless song refrain 
 And stern affairs dissever here the jolly strain. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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