LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. $ — — e^ -. i UNITED STATES OP AMERICA, f I. I F E - R E A L A POEM, BY GEORGE A. S TILLMAN "0 /^•> NEW YORK: J. c. DERBY, 119 NASSAU STREET. BOSTON: PHILLIPS, SAMPSON & CO. CINCINNATI : H. W, DERBY, 1855. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1854, by GEORGE A. STILLMAN, In the Clerk's office of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Printed by IIolman, Gray &, Co., New York. TO JOHN E. LOVELL, Esq., MY FRIEND AND TUTOR, STMs Volume fs Kcspectfulb Knscnbelr, tg THE AUTHOR. LIFE-HEAL SCENE I A LAKELET— SUNSET- CARL TON, walking along its umbrageous shore. CARLTON. Oh ! that God, e'en this trembling soul would light With one faint glory — throw one gleam from off His burning shield, that sheeny pilgrims round, Sandal'd in gold, to join the choir of worlds. — Why doubtful now of God ? I will not doubt. (Paushig.) Oh ! soul burning with ire, amid the halls Of festive youth, as sweeps to solemn strain s The mystic harp of life, upon the breast Of thought, pillow thy restless cheek, — e'en thought Is God, — thyself His younger mystery. (A long Pause.) Look out, soul, mantled in robes of dust, Shorn of its ruddy folds, by journeyings Oft 'mong cliffs abrupt, that line the shores Of life — beyond, the seas of imagery Nourished by rills of stars and silver moons— Where Argosies of twilight rest becalmed, See God, in sunset robed, refulgent, now, — * Surges of gold o'erspread the mountain's brow And whelm the forests with their burning curls. See night, awakened from her sunny dreams, Leap with the crescent moon, to waltz awhile Within the starlit chambers of the eve. (Sitting upon the shore of the Lake.) And thou, imprisoned lakelet, thou asleep Beneath the golden eyelids of the day — God's robe of landscapes o'er thy crystal cheek — Awake and drink thy goblet brimmed with stars, Pressed to thy azure lips by moony hands. (Sings.) Oh ! God Thy wondrous infinitude appears, 'Mid thy burning crown, the reverent spheres, Universe Thy heart, eternity Thy throne, — Thy dread rule beyond a thought — the Great Unknown. Oh ! Deity, robed in God, thyself unfold, — Where creation lit her thousand lamps of gold, E'en where spirits waked, like stars as sleeps the sun, Waked into life — a life ne'er yet begun. ( Falling upon the shore.) Would that I were dead, a tearless relic. Chained with forever 'pon the breast of tombs. And, ah ! this soul leaping the golden walls Of dawn into Heaven — (Rising,) But once to die. But one draught of the skully goblet — one — Why would I sleep ? Kound memory's shrine e'en 10 Lingers still the echo of childhood's harp. The past comes up, like twilight o'er my soul, — The dimples on my cheek behold, e'en framed In smiles — and now, a pool of pearls they seem Bounded by a shore of blushes — (Pausing.) Oh ! God, Wert mine to live again in innocence I'd reconstruct my castle 'mong the stars. Oh ! soul, at banquets with the Deity, Beneath the gilded archway of the skies. Lambent with rivers of the galaxies — Orchestras of minstrel streamlets around — Singing winds, whose chorister is God, why Madly strive to burst the deep barr'd future — To solve the unknown real. Canst thou. Oh ! Death, o'erthrow the dismal glooms that shadow Eternal sunshine ? ( WalJcing hastily.) I long for Heaven, To roam its meads perennial, enjoy An Eden, robed in song and Deity, — The music of its rivulets of stars. 11 Heaven embraced in Heaven, God in God ! God ne'er dimmed thy vision, soul, with one gleam Of the immortal — alone the mortal See itself. — (Reclining beneath a willow.) Weary, I'll lull my bosom With a dream. — SCENE IL CARLTON SLEEPING BESIDE A WILLOW. Lady ajrpi-oaching the Lake. Evening of the some day. The moonbeams silver the wave; The stars are kissing the sky. One token of Heav'n I crave, Thou wilt my wishes supply. CARLTON, waking. Methinks in a chariot of a dream My soul was riding up from Hope to Heav'n, 13 O'er seas, with surge of stars and lambent moons, Giddy with rapture, a strain angelic. Leaped a choir of symphonies, where echo With echo, sleeps upon the breast of God — And all a dream ! (Pausing.) Mind climbing sunset spires To Heaven are dreams. (Starting.) Hark, ye restless brain — Those strains, again renewed — the wishful moonbeams Awake, the sylvan harp of woodlands drear. LADY, sitlgS. This sleeping lake is like my love. Its silv'ry waves are flowing. The stars are beaming far above. Stars on its depths are glowing. The moon doth spread her silv'ry sails Within a twilight sea, Her starry crew, the darkness pales, Her haven a galaxy. 14 I would this spirit waking wert embosom'd On the echo of those strains. Some spirit — Ah ! 'tis sure my spirit bride — an angel Now, she hastes 'side the deep blue sea of stars, With ribbon sunset, round her feet entwined, Each footstep, waking up a sphere to song. That blushing seek a rest of melodies Beneath the golden ringlets of the morn. Ah ! she come, she comes, to tell the welcomes I shall greet, when God our bridal vows shal't Seal again, e'en within his marriage Hall, Eternity. LADY, a Mortal, whence comest thou ? I sought the goblet of a quiet hour, crown' d With moony pearls, beside this crystal couch, The path of sunsets, hither took to read The book of tears — this heart, this heart of mine. The woodlands, nodding with their sunset 'plumes. 15 My songs invite, to greet the queenly Eve, — She weeps, — see tears of stars her cheek suffuse. E'en yon cliff, liis lute of echo wakes ; His granite lips her azure cheek doth press. (Approaching the shore of the Lalce.) The woodlands lift their jeweled hands To God in prayer and praise. Yon lakelet bound w^ith silver bands, Murmurs its sweetest lays. The flowerets kneel, their breasts unfold. Beside night's purple throne. The fire-flies strew the meads with gold. None, none can praise alone. CARLTON, Starting ivith rapture. Art thou a sentinel Upon the golden towers of sunset. With moony shield inlaid with stars or love ? Perchance a sinless dream hath buoyed me O'er seas ethereal, past lordly realms Of galaxies to Heav'n, and now becalmed, I gaze till rapture seals my burning thought. 16 And to its throne, miblest, one image clings. (Pausing,) Tliou seeniest not a pilgrim of the tomb, Beneath thy swaying locks of raven hue The moonbeams weary, close their silv'ry eyes. The love-sick starlight, on thy dimpled cheek Doth rest, as smiles the hall of blushes ope To greet a kiss, the errand-boy of love. Thine eyes, coined in the hollow of God's hand, Beaming amid an universe of thought, Lighting the Eden twilight of a soul — Crystal mirrors of the angels. Hath cups Of wo forlorn, frenzied thy young heart, press'd Those lips, where song her choral band convenes, With draughts of thisw^orld's care, sorrow with her Demon eye, direful clinging to its flow, Perverting e'en the coyful witchery Of their love? I with summers young, cradled With Hope, 'pon a hill of blue, where sunsets Ling'ring, waved to Evening's Host her ban- ner, Dyed in the tears of day, the heart ne'er saw But woke a tear, its gloom to light away. 17 The Soul, a Heaven e'en worth, the Feast of Wo, A rich repast, atoms of Deity. Come, we'll sit beside Viola kneeling, Beside the altars of the Eve for prayer, Her petaled lips unfolding, e'en to drink The cup of dews, at banquets with the Stars. (Carlton and Lady sitting.) See, fire-flies gild the flowerets pillow. And meadows lighted with their lamps of gold.— Lady, thy lips, in song embalmed, can weave This Eve of tears into a golden love. LADY. Ah ! how oft this lakelet pearl I've sought, set In the dimple of the mountain cheek, as Purple clouds, like a pall, hung o'er the couch Of dying sunbeams, kissed with golden lips, Then wept themselves away. — This night, my heart Burst the sick'ning chain of festivity, 18 From fancy, Queen of love-sick chance, to lull A beating breast with balms of solitude. Solitude is Nature, thoughtful — rev'rent, — God's summer-house, — where cascades su- blimely Sermonize, with rainbows on their heads, where Cliffs gigantic frown, with grandeur sculp- tured On their craggy breasts, with a thought of God,— Where kingly oaks, in living vestments clad, Hold forests in their arms. With solitude I'd rather sleep, when death, my bosom binds With glacier chains, and w^ear a shroud of leaves Embroidered by the queenly May, to robe The summer in, that Autumn, hoary, strews Around her sepulchre, and moony tears The dusky cheek of night, to trickle down Upon my lowly rest, unknown, — unsung. (Rising.) I'll freight a Zephyr with a prayer, and kiss, 19 With song and praise, the woodland's dewy cheek. Mortal, thine heart hath coined a lay of words A joy, around a withered hope to twine. Words — words are worthless gifts, as bleeding lies The heart. (PhwTcing a violet.) A violet, I'd be, pillowed Upon the clover's breast, e'en fed by dews As rivulets of stars, run down the blue 'Pon the bosom of the night. Dost thou love? CARLTON. Why speak of love '? the trinity of Heaven — The royal limner at the Court of Hearts. His easel, morn, — his skill perfected, see Your cheek, that roses bloom to imitate. His altars, with a vow, love kindles e'en. And hastes his chariot-kiss along, where Smiles are toying with a blush — ah ! unworth This sphere, a twilight robe, a sheeny rest 20 Were song, unwritten on its varied page With love. LADY. Mines of thought — gems in thine heart. Girlhood is Eve within her paradise. When on yon blue the stars like lilies seem, And ev'ry bud, that lifts its cheek of balms Beside its mossy tomb, pale sisters called. Girlhood, a holy day of jubilees. But oh! when childhood gives its prattling lips To youth, the nectar of life's cup is drained. A page, my heart, I dare not, could not, read Its title e'en for Earth's cold heart to feel. Can'st thou pity ? CARLTON. Pity, bride of moonbeams. Ye loved one ? E'en her whisper soft I crave. As Earth, forgetful of her Eden prime. Lay, in earthquakes robed, 'pon the fi'ry breast 21 Of" Hell, God wept, and IVoni His tears spran-g forth Angelic greatness. Pensively, with Him, She stood before a crystal fount embower' d With suns. Upon her bosom beamed a star. And in glory mantled her. God called her. Pity, and Praise her lyre awoke, each string A world, and Heav'n replete with song, — to Earth With Mercy came, yea reared the cross accurst. That Death, no more, should vaunt his cruel sting. She gave, to die, her Father Deity. Write thy thoughts, thou Empress of Solitude, Upon my heart, and who can read them ? LADY. God. CAELTON. And what of God ? LADY. Thought perfected, holy, 22 That peopled cliaos with young worlds,— nourished Till time grew hoary in His arms, ere man Was sculptured from the breathless sands of Earth. The years, with praise and glory to attune, Or gather thoughts for an hereafter crown. God smiled, and Heav'n unloosed the gates of morn ; He spake, and sunset draped the eve in gold, And Night, o'erjoyed, was hoary with her stars : He thought, and manhood leaped from dust complete : He loved, and Angels ushered in an Eve ; Her eyes a dawn, her cheek a paradise. My heart, her lute of lips, hath waked again. {S'mgs.) God made Eden out of sunset ; Strewed its w^alks with fadeless flowers ; Called the gleaming sands together ; Made a temple e'en like ours. 23 When the temple was completed God's own image rested there ; And He crowned it with immortal, Asking only song and prayer. As the first born lay in slumber, E'en the starry hosts above Strung their golden harps with glory, Crowning Eden with their love. Grod hath set the winds to music ; Kissed a fragrance 'pon the flowers ; Loaned an anthem to the river ; Strung with praise these hearts of ours. And shall we sit, broken-hearted, 'Mid the music of the spheres? Rouse the soul to God-like action, — God asks praise and not our tears. CARLTON. Oh ! lute of lutes, thy h^art, thou bride of song. The angels ne'er will sing again. [Approaching the Lady.) 24 Unfold Thy heart, and on tablets of forever I'll pen thy words. LADY. (Rismg.) See, the golden rivers Of the dawn o'erflow the strands of night. See, Morn her wings of gold hath spread, and joyful Hastes to kiss away the stars. (A imuse.) Hence I flee, Nor wait the gold transforming sun to drape The meads in pearls. Back, — back to noisy strife I'll haste, where clamor broods her wing. I'll dwell Among my books and tears, they faithful serve To guide the hours aright. We'll meet again Beside the tomb of garnered hopes and joys {Exit.) CARLTON — [Walking hastily alovg the shore.) Upon the twilight's blushing walk she's fled. 25 The flowers awakened at her sinless tread, Robed in their gems, unstring their odor harps, — The Morn enraptured, doffs his golden plume. And steals her blush wherewith to gild his shield. {Pausing.) Love's harp with human hearts is strung. Ah ! mine ! {A long pause.) 'Tis all a jubilee. This solitude I ne'er can bid adieu, till God forgive. Oh ! my soul, thou a prayer should' st wing to God.— To God, — him whom I have mocked, — derided e'en ! No Deity save self I've known — still lash'd With a skeptic's scourge — a burning envy Kankling in my breast — envied of despair — An immortality for death I've spread. And asked the tomb a tearless rest to loan. Beside the pulseless sleep of bridal hopes I've stood, and mocked the living. Ah ! the world, 26 Without a tear. Well done, my soul, well done. Tliou cursed' st nought but what e'en curses thee. Oh ! Solitude, thy prayer, thy praise, but teach Me now ? I'll pray, and make a friend of God. Ah ! trembling still twdxt doubt and dut}^^ Fears, — Pale fears, away. You'll starve my God, to feast Gehenna well — away. Oh ! prayer — prayer, what Art thou ? — A mere soliloquy, life's fears To fright away. [Kneeling.) Oh ! infinite, eternal God ! Robed in omnipotence — supremely great ! Unfathomed by a thought — beyond the sea Of worlds, and yet w^ithin the list'ning groves. Eternity itself but a moment Of thy horologe. God of Deities — Magnetic center of soul destiny ! The Architect of suns— of soul — of thought — Seen in twilight, man and God ! Existent In a self-existent God ! King of kings ! 27 The first — the last. In robes of gold, Thy smile Attires the day. Thy angels kneel for prayer Beside Thy throne. Thy throne is everywhere. The harps of spheres are ever tuned for thee ! And oh ! Thy soul's unrest — ^the fallen Gods, Wearing Sin's iron crown in courts of clay. Oh ! God of Gods ! and King of Kings ! for- give. And glory, such as sw^eeps her lyre in praise, Is Thine, till worlds are gathered — Stars forget To shine, and Earth in winding sheet of fire Is laid. SCENE in, A CEMETERY, EVENING. HELEN, seated upon a grave^ si?igs, I wish I was with childhood's hours, Once more — once more, I'd there dwell among the flowers And rear me jessamine bowers. I'd pave the floor With buds of violet, Whose velvet petals set With rainbow gems — and there, I'd sport alone. I'd call it, world of mine, The buds, my stars, to shine 29 In skies of eglantine. I'd build a throne Of pink and myrtle leaves, And fragrant clover sheaves, And call and own Nature's minstrels, the birds, And breathe their softest words. Ah ! I'd call from his chilling rest. My sleeping Willie Lee, And 'round his curly locks would bind Buds of the locust-tree. I wish I was with childhood's hours Once more, once more, — I'd deck my love with spring's first flowers, Once more, once more. The flowrets bloom Beside the hill. And singing yet The silv'ry rill, Once more, once more, (Pausitig.) The birds may sing. My heart is lone, 30 Sweet girlhood's group Have loved and gone, No more, no more. (Enter Carlton.) HELEN. Sir Pilgrim, the first smile, enrobed in tears, Awakes, as welcome greets thee, 'side the tombs Of gathered gems, and hearts that pulsed with love. CARLTON. The welcomes of our weary day, preface The drear farewell. The hoary chorister Amid the tombs — the last, the last farewell. HELEN. Alone, upon the battlements of tombs. We've met — the prison-house of wearied dust : So holy, seems the dwellings of the dead. 31 Yon moon, her cheek hath veiled in silv'ry fleece. Spirits, invisible, doth gather 'round Tlieir sleeping dust, ne'er craving e'en again Their robes of clay. Of all the captives bound In bands, e'en wove by Winter in his loom Of ice, no lip to munnur moves — no voice. These flinty gates, touched w^ith the sculptor's pen. The captives' hour rehearse. Ah ! God alone, The prison-house unbars — the key hangs on His burning throne — Who's not an idol chained With earthy manicle, w^ithin its walls Of chill and gloom "? CARLTON. Not one — the Deity, His Son, Redeemer, Lord, e'en loaned to wear Awhile, in halls of gloom, the icy chain — Why should'st thou fear, oh ! dust, the chain to wear That bound a God — the spirit, then, beyond A thought of ill, 'neath bowers of angel's wings. 32 Oh ! thought of thoughts supreme — a God^ — our God Entomb'd within the hall of sepulchres. As low, they laid the regal Prince of worlds, Earth's flinty sinews shook- — the sun wept tears Of blood, upon her cheek of fire, and one By one did gather, stars and moons around His guarded rest, and wept themselves away. HELEN. Think ye, whose sinews knit for rougher toiU While Earth, her inmost bosom heaved, yea, deep. Lit her craggy breast with lurid flame, as Thunders knelled a dying God, and lightnings Gnashed their teeth of fire, she, pale woman, since An angel called. His Cross embraced, 'mid taunts And gleaming spears — and she, when midnight lone, Wept tears of stars adown her puqDle cheek, Culled soul-gems from the tearful fount, the tomb . 33 Of Deity to gild. (Pausing.) Each heart-throb speeds The cliariot of that grim chieftain, Death. I thoughtless tread, methinks, the dust once fed By pui-ple rivulets, and clasped in years Of sunny Hope, by undying Spirit. Methinks, I can discern, in each sand, that Gleams in its livery of moonbeams, some Ruined trellis work of a soul. Ages Are hoary with their crowns of death. No nook In the wide beautiful but wears a tomb. No Sylvan bride, but weeps her lover, Spring. At courts of worms, we'll wear the skully crown, Save, by the flowers that nourish on my heart, Forgot. A song of tears my lips awake. (Siiigs.J Soothing angels of our life, Tears, priceless tears. Beside the heart-fountains, rife Tears, priceless tears. 2- 34 Sleeping, Crystal argosies In a sea of eyes, Leaping, Down the rosy mead. The cheek ; E'en to intercede And speak. When the heart is broken, And harsh words are spoken ; Creeping, Sweeping, O'er the furrowed way. Where smiles were wont to play, E'en to their rest. Upon the breast. Tears, priceless tears. CARLTON. Ah ! Helen, tell, hast thon forgetful been Of promise made with starlit lips, beside The moony lake, that promise here, you threw 'Mid shipwrecked barques, whose freight of pearls gleam bright 35 Upon the brow of God — thine heart unlock, Ah ! give its bars of fear to idle winds, And to it, mine shall cling like love to God — Heed my behest. (Pausing.) Enough of Death, I've heard — His power I feel — 'neath each star a grave — Each shining sand, a monument of his. And 'neath his burning ire, will crush me soon. Oh ! minstrelsy of tombs, away, begone — Oh ! skully lute, away. 'Neath yon willow, Eloquent, with flinty lips, the marble Speaks of prowess and renown — marble's dust. Why mock the fallen play-house of the soul With titles on the sand ? HELEN. Our mother Earth, The younger of the spheric family. For ev'ry heart, away she bears, a flower Doth give, chilled with her breath, she tearless, hides It 'neath her breast. (Fointing to grave.) Lovingly, love's hand hath 36 Trained the myrtles soft embrace 'romid yan mound, The sleepmg bosom presseth out to mark Its lowly pillow— come, walk with me, Sir Pilgrim, the lonely tomb shalt see, where sleeps My girlhood's idol — he, of raven locks. Whose eye, the diamond's glow did'st shame — of whom The angels sung — wdiose lips the morn out- vied. Oh ! sweeter than the eve by far his smile, That summer gathers in the rosy West, To drape around the altars of the stars. His words were rounded with a seraph's tongue. No lute could breathe so sweet, and. Oh ! when God E'en took him to His breast, a play-fellow For the angels, with stars to sport and wear His glory-robes — with music wings to haste From song to prayer, the terror King, I asked, Around my heart, his Arctic chain to bind, 37 Life's harp unstring, and low its fragments rest. {Both beside WiJlie''s tomb.) Oft at this little chamber, in the dust Gemmed with dews, I've knocked with tears, till midnight E'en glanced his eye upon his tomb of gold. Beside the gleaming minarets of morn. {Kneels ii2)tm his grave and iveeps.) He sleeps — he sleeps — no word of by-gone days- No happy memories — no tales of love In childhood's numbers told, 'neath evening's wing Can break the trance, the trance of fettered clay. {Rising.) I know that God, beneficent, divine. Ne'er will forbid the Spirit's eye to gaze Upon its earthly loves, and love again Memories brighten in that better land ; Ne'er treads forget, the walks of Deity. A love in heav'n, will seek its kindred here, — Without an angel near, the heart ne'er loves. The Spirits of the dead come with our tears — 38 Gladden with our songs — wing our prayers to Grod, And whisper to our dreams, realities. Oh ! thou whose brow is heavy with a thought Hath said, each grave its star, my Willies' where, 0, tell ! hath its twinkling blush paled and gone ■? It beams upon the breast of Deity. (Gazing at the stars, sings.) There's his spirit. Godly bright, Gleaming, Beaming Brighter than the star-lit night. See, his harp of golden strings ; See the sunset on his wings. Hear him as he sweetly sings " Praise to God the King of Kings." That I wert there — I'd seize a lute of stars. And teach new anthems to the angel choirs. 39 (Sings.) See his walks of fadeless flowers, Where the angels build their bowers Of rainbows, and of starry gleams. Yea, interwove with sunset beams. O ! God of Gods, this longing soul receive, And feed its lips immortal, with thy love ; Yea, crown it with a bliss. {Si?igs,) See the ambrosial goblet, sparkling At his lips of ruddy pearls ; See, through the starlit concave, darkling. Angels sporting with his curls. CARLTON. Thou art inspired ! HELEN. A thought is inspiration, robed of God. 40 We're all inspired according to our wills ; No thought or purpose, but from God proceeds CARLTON. Think ye, songstress of the beautiful, that The dust of sleeping loves will ever wear Again its lost jewelry, the soul ? HELEN. Yes, When God the stain and rust of sin removes, He'll restore again the gem, perfected. To its dust, with angel guardians near. And visible, with joys to crown its life. The dust within these tombs, in flinty chains. Will dance with glory sandals on their feet, To melodies of worlds, as God's cheek lights The millennial morn. Be penitent ; The skeptic in thy words I read — I'll love Thee with thy sinner's heart — repentant be, I'll pray thy weal, as loves their bridal hour. 41 CARLTOX, Pray for me, ye, on whose heart the Graces Hold their festivals? Prayers of thine, me- thinks, "Would fatal stab the demon of my soul. Pray, and keep the angels hurried, writing Out thy prayers in stars. HELEN. Ah ! list, I hear, Methinks, amid the gloom, the voice of song. Some weeper comes to bury tears and chant Their requiem. STRANGER, in file distonce sinscs. Weeping, weeping, ever weeping, O'er my loves, so sweetly sleeping. Lonely, lonely, Feeling only, Tread of angel Walking lightly. 42 Where the moonbeams Eest so brightly. Wings unfolding, Holding, holding Torch of stars above the dead Throwing, throwing, Glowing, glow^ing, Halos round the sleeper's head. Winging, Singing To their harp of sunset strings, Of the soft and golden wings, Of the streamlets Ever leaping, Harp of cascades Ever sw^eeping, Halls of sunset ; Starry bowers. Seas of twilight, Fadeless flow^ers ; Moony rivers. The meads untrod. The throne of Suns, The rest of God. 43 HELEN. How oft, with tears, the heart is strung, alas ! A dirge to music forth. A tear is all The grave can feel ; a tearless soul is mad. The midnight, wearied, pillows on a couch Of moony down. Sir Pilgrim, Hope and Heaven. SCENE IV. CARLTON ALONE IN HIS STUDY— MIDNIGHT. CARLTON, walJiing. My lamp faint flickers in its socket ; pale Its shadows fall. ( Opens the casement.) Gloomily the Night King High sits upon his ebon throne, and quaffs The brimming goblets of the stars, the more His cheek to blush, ere day deep thrusts her spears Of gold into his breast. The glow-worm sits Upon the twinkling shadow of a star. And rev'rent turns its sheeny breast to God. (Closes tJie casement.) 45 Alone with God and self, 'mid volumes Won by Fame's alluring voice; pioneers That upward clomb the craggy steeps of life, God's crown of thought to win and merit well — Yea, right and left, the rock of dogmas cleft, Embraced by hell, that sin might have a creed. How few thy stars, oh ! book- world, revolving Kound the Bible-sun — God's biography. Upon whose sacred page each life is penned, Wont gorge enough the worldling's safe — elder In Thought's sisterhood, subterfuge when storms Arise. Oh ! Thoughts, the key within thy grasp. The millennial morn to ope ; thy might Beyond the grasp of dying dust ; thy power, To solve the soul beyond its robe of tears — And yet incomprehensible. (Sitting.) Chain Thought, Chain Deity — incarcerate the day. Or rear a soul of atoms infinite. No sooner born to look and smile on God, The critic comes professedly, in guise Of learned philosopher — e'en self-supreme, 46 A child of Mammon, gold, can only bless ; The pilgrim thought to face his awe demands. Yea, points his finger grim at skeletons Of genius, bold and incorruptible, That he but damn'd, while Heav'n cried, emu- late. Heav'n loves the thought that most the critics damn. Fight on, ye cloistered knights, fight on ; thrust deep Your swords of ire, e'en on your permission Clings the worldling's ho^DC ; yourselves, a starveling Quarantine. (Pausing.) Ah ! Heaven I ne'er can see. Nor feel the presence blest of wand'ring loves. That leaped the tomb, life's tale to tell to God. Oft in the past they've soothed my weary hours With lute of hearts from spheres of golden strains ; No nearer God, methinks, than with the months Long since entomb'd with mother year. Shad- ows 47 Are mine. (Risi?ig hastily.) Ah ! shall I linger on the shore Of life till surging death o'erwhelm ? — forgot — I want a heart, akin, these tearless hours To balm, these tears to gather one by one In caskets gemmed with love. I'd haste for such, O'erjoyed to learn the love songs of the spheres, Sung in the paradise of Galaxies To their Eve ; a trellis-work of rainbows For her I'd rear, clusters of luscious stars Among. I'd borrow the robes of twilight To wed her in ; and ah ! my bridal hour, When sunset kissed away the wearied moon, Save the pale crescent on her brow ; I'd ask The violets in velvet tapestry To come and string their lutes of balm. How clad My bride, in robes of innocence and love. Jeweled with tears, the raiment of a vow. Oh ! bridal hour, too sinless save for God And song. Love's bridal hour by God is crowned ; 48 I love, i know not what, 'tis not the flirts Cosmetic cheek, whose heav'n is hell in bud, Who see of God, the more in gew-gaws, than In stars and heav'n, her gate of suns, wide Ope'd in amorous blush, adown the cheek Of lover stealing. Yea, I'd rather dwell A serf, in Ghostdom's Hall of ice, confined, Than rev' rent bow a knee to coquetry — An errand-boy of hell, than rule the court Of whims, a king ; but love is destiny, Hast'ning from heart to heart with echo wings> Loading his courtier-angel train with vows. (Sings.) Love the coyful, love the joyful ; Onward through the world he speeds, With his golden bow and arrows, Hast'ning on his starry steeds. And his pastures are the sunset. Where his steeds enjoy their rest, As he journeys down a rainbow To the heaven in woman's breast» 49 Sees the kisses-goblet, sparkling Ton the ruby of her lips, Hastes the bosom's gentle swaying. And its God-like nectar sips. Sees a smile within a dimple, Beaming brightly as a sphere ; Culls it for a lover hopeful. Robes it in a welcome tear. Olimbs upon a raven ringlet. As a blush feasts on a smile ; Makes his couch beneath an eyelid. Broods his wings and rests awhile. (Rising.) Hark ! methinks I hear a weary footstep In the hall. Who's there — -a saint — a demon ? Speak. ( Voice, without.) One of God's poor, to crave charity I come. (Enters.) &(y CARLTO^^ Well, Sir Mendicant, what sad tale To free thine heart. MENDICANT, Sitting. Give — give and God will bless. CARLTON. How know^est thou that?, MENDICANT. Charity is God, He works through means — the beggar's tear moveth His heart of w^orlds, and lavishly doth throw^ Support upon the haggard lap of w^ant. Beggar'd by the ills of life, upon God's arm I rest, nor dream of death from w^ant. Love To His name, will ever feed. Songs of praise That I give God, 'mid chill and storm, at feasts Of gathered crumbs, are offerings divine. 51 Humble my praise, but Heav'n doth deign to hear. Ton the quiet of your thoughts, I'd not intrude. Pale night o'er took me ere I found a couch, So hasteful I, my native hills to gain, And once again to slumber 'neath the stars That watched my boyhood well. (Pausing.) I go to die Amid the wrecks of my nativity. The world's cold heart will not deny a grave. Pardon, I crave — some cottage I supposed. CARLTON. Thou talk'st like one nourished 'mid better years. God gives, ofttimes the beggar's crumb to worth, To test the varied passions of the soul. The heart of earth, how chill ! No home hast thou, — No hearth distilleth its generous flame, Nor welcomes greet thee from love's lip — No hand 52 Of tenderness outstretch' d to press thy brow, Or soothe in bahns of love the fainting heart. No tender eye thy absence long to guard, Or tear to shed, when the pale tomb hath won The ruined temple of the soul. Wear rags. Thy pilgrim fate — in Heav'n the richest robes. My couch to make this night content I'll give. MENDICANT. I'm proud to be a jest for God, a piince Of silver hairs in courts of Want and 111. I sat with plenty, side a sunny hill. In days long since forgotten by a world. The streamlets sang within my daisy meads, And zephyrs rocked my wheaten plains with song. The prattling loves of heart and home rejoic'd A wearied sire with draughts of innocence. They stole the scattered silver from my locks, And prest their little cares upon my breast. But cruel Death hath culled them one by one To beautify God's coronal of love. ( Weej)s.) 53 I'll murmur not, none doeth right but Gocl. Blessings in swift succession follow tears. To poverty and wealth alike, God gives A tomb. Wilt thou but hear the tale of years ? Remember, though thy way be strew' d with ease, And promise lead thy soul to shrines of fame. The hour will come to drain life's goblet, crowmed With hopes and joy. I'll sing my song to thee. CARLTON. Ah ! sing my sire, a song portrays the heart. Music near sinned — 'tis sinless as our God, — 'Tis swifter wing'd than prayer — a sooner balm. MENDICANT, s'lngS. My locks are silver' d now, Deep furrows line my brow — Hollowed my cheek with tears,. Feeble the walk of years. 54 I soon shall reach my goal, Lay down this Harp of soul Upon the tear wash'd shore, And live my youth once more. (Exit.) CARLTON, following. Why hast'nest thou ? Oh ! linger yet awhile. Tell that tale again. (Returni7ig.) He's gone, his footsteps Linger still, his words they ne'er can die. Years His locks have wove to silver threads, and deep Their foot-prints on his cheek , his harp of life Beats tremulous — its unheard melodies Are sung to lone and melancholy hours — His peaceful conscience sits within his breast. Lord of the beating heart. (Pausing) Alas ! my soul Denied a soothing draught of Heav'n. Alone, With thought, I see the sunset domes — turrets Of stars — fountains of galaxies — gateways Of suns, inlaid with priceless pearl in Heav'n. When 'mid the bustle, beating heart of trade, 55 Whose blood is gold, whose sinews paltry gain The dying multitude, I crave, unbar An oath, that Hell may worship, or madly Crucify all that's God's within my heart. Evil and good are warring in my breast, The present monitors of my being, E'en for the boundless empire of my soul. Where'er a shrine I rear, some pale fac'd sin The ofF'ring steals, and e'en when I attempt To pray, some seer of Pandemonium Hastens amen, or rounds each period With a sin. {Opens the casement.) Oh ! wert mine, I'd give the stars Those sheeny landscapes on yon fields of blue ; Yea, all the sunsets of the spheres array'd To clothe the bliss that seal'd my heart with God. I'll hope. What gift hath Hope ere gave. The Dawn Floats in a sea of gold, her argosies, — Her burning billows, whelm the starry isles. The moon, unwearied, with her twinkling train E'en veils her pallid cheek with fleecy mists. 56 The distant North, with golden arms outspread, To greet the bridegroom day. How great is God, To gild with Heav'en, this home of tombs and deatho SCENE V. A DRAWING ROOM— EYENING. ADA, sings to her guitar. I'd be a fairy, clad in pearls. Love's beaming eye and raven cnrls ; The stars my lovers, and the sea Unfold ber Naiad loves to me. (Enter Carlton.) ADA, rising. Welcome, her greeting heart, unfolds to thee ; No joy hath Eve without a social lay. To Hall of Moons, the lover Night doth haste— His cheek now prest among her woody curls ; 58 Love, whose wings a kiss, e'en sandal' d with smiles. Hath journeyed in the rolling chariot Of my heart. Ah ! a smile leaps on thy cheek. I'll weave it for love's morning robe. Smile on ; A smile is girlhood's lamp, the light to heav'n. Dost thou love ? CARLTON. Both sitting. The charmer, ofttimes, a thought Hath stole from my jeweled casket, when I've Met his angels. ADA. This day, o'erjoyed, I lit The page romantic with a smile, to read The bold chivalric Knight, that fearless woo'd The brawny hand of danger, and e'en kissed His keen Damascus blade, wdth oaths, his love To win, or die a hero of the heart. Hero's unknown, till woman gave the field Her heart, first twin'd the brow with glory's wreath, And strung the liarp of Troubadours of old. A patriot he, the crimson goblet Drains, and crowns with life, life's holiest vows. Love's martyrs roam empyreal meads — Their angels' song — their life, the loves of God. Love gives each a star, methinks, that valiant Crowns his conquest with a heart. CARLTON. Beauty Her story tells, and who, ah ! who denies. My ear in love — your lips the hai*p of hearts. The ear is e'en the bridegroom of the lips. Beautiful ! would ye call back again That age of Knights, steel-clad, to offer life 'Pon the altar of a vow ? 'Tis but now And then your idol loves are worth a kick, Mucli less a bleeding heart. Our age, re- nown' d. Waltzes to the music of a guinea. Our Knights are clad in the richest vestments Of the mountain mine — e'en wove in fire looms,^ 60 Their breasts of fire — their brazen arms out- spread. Troubadours of an age whose songs are thought. ADA, scornfulhj. I never dream' d that thou could'st coldly scorn A hero's crown of hearts. No poet, thou, To crush the lyre of Knighthood 'neath your ire. Forget your prudish thoughts. Within the hall Of hoary years the lamp of love burns dim. Your smiles seem thread-bare now^skeletons Of thought! Oh! book-worm, gnawing out a grave Earlier than the eternal records Show in Heaven — had' st thou only laugh'd and lov'd. ( Siiigs,) The lov'd and the beautiful stray O'er the meads where the streamlets play. 61 Their ringlets e'en swaying, Like cataracts playing, As they stray where the streamlets play. The loved and the beautiful sing With woodland harps, with flowers of spring. The red of the morning Their soft cheeks adorning, As they sing with flowers of the spring. CARLTON. Those strains renew — the Eve is giving ear — (Looking out icpon the eve.) The mistress Earth is calling up the moon; See, Ada, the waves from moony seas break Upon the strands of night. ADA. Let's trim a star With love, and o'er her billows sail for heav'n. Or twilight realms, Aurora's paradise ; Thou lovest song, but lovest not my loves. Poetic realms beyond thy wishless gaze. 62 CARLTON. Poetry herself is a biographer of God. With starry sandals^ o'er the dome of spheres She treads, her footprints Thought, e'en leap- ing With sunset lyre to music forth a song To God. When Earth upon her sheeny couch Reposed, ere Eden greeted Eve with flowers. She came and taught her anthems to the stars. The ocean's harp, with strings of calm and storm. She gave — 'pon the clouds, the gilded temples Of the storm, her rainbow lute, divinely Gemm'd, she press'd, to wak'e her lay of welcomes To the queenly calm — enraptured, she, who Penn'd a page of Heaven 'pon woman's cheek, And sealed it with a blush — for love's to sport Beneath, a ringlet bower, she rear'd. ADA. The poets, what? 0, tell. 63 CARLTON. Frail barques laden'd With pearls, chased to and fro, 'mid whelming surge, By cursed privateers, the critics — a hope Of Heav'n divine, whose burning brain ne'er sleeps, Whose heart, ne'er absent of a tear, that shake The vine of stars, trailing along yon blue. To brim the goblet at a worldling's feast, At last a tearless rest. ADA. I'd not live A poet, thus to serve the beautiful At the unfeeling banquets of a world. (Sings.) I'd be a Fairy, clad in pearls, Love's beaming eye and raven curls. The stars my lovers, and the sea. Her Naiad loves, bestows on me. 64 I'd seek the sun, aclowii the West, And pillow on her twilight breast ; I'd bid my lovers hie away, And crown Aurora, queen of day. (Enter Per sis.) PERSIS, dismayed. Ah! Carlton, art thou here? I feel regrets Pressing my heart with tears, that I've o'erstep'd The bounds of etiquette — I heard the voice Of Song, nor dream'd this night, loves banquet near — Forgive, and innocence my cause shall plead. CARLTON. Seek not excuse — your lips were never made To sip apologies, like nectared draughts. Excuse is falsehood's errand-boy. ADA. Persis, Oh ! happy me. O'erjoy'd I am to greet 65 Thy smile. A sleeping song, I just awoke, To fright a demon, lairing in his breast. His words are gracious with their consequence. PEKSIS. What thought, fire-wing'd, hath wak'd within your breast, Say, Carlton, tell. GAELTOX. No demon dare intrude Within my breast, my thoughts to shape with ill. Ada, forsooth, would serve, at Cupid's feast My heart — the Queen of Romance, e'en her guest ; Ada, as full of love, as Ocean e'en With his briny tears, as the heart of day Ceases to pulse, into her cheek of sky. Her blood of gold. (Pausing.) My thoughts are absolute. 66 PERSIS. What thoughts ? CARLTON. Life, Destiny, and God. PERSIS. Ah ! what Of destiny. CARLTON. A volume only read Of God. PERSIS. You love Ada. CARLTON. What is love ? 67 PERSIS. I've Found it, thus far, in beings sun and chill, A swift wing'd uncertainty. What hast tliou ? CARLTON. A goblet brimm'd with wine, the lips once press'd Upon its bauble crown, light the soul-lamps In the breast, to flicker, pale and dim 'round A feverish brain. ADA, gazing from the casement. Swiftly the stars are Wending round the shield of God. I'd be a star, The queen of Galaxies, enrobed in dawn — A wreath of Eden sunsets 'round my brow. And seated on my throne of Eve, I'd press The Pleiads to my breast, and kiss their lips With song. The moon, I'd woo, e'en where sunset Spreads her burning tresses o'er the sky, And learn my lovers' alphabets of stars. With Borealis chandeliers, I'd deck The North, and o'er my bridal couch, display The pm'ple clouds, e'en blossoming into gold. Stairways of hearts, I'd rear to Heav'n for Love, To climb and plume anew his wings of bliss. Song and flowers, poets of the Deity, O crown me, Queen of Stars. (Sitting.) PERSIS. Oh ! your heart seems Toss'd by madly raving love, o'er seas, that Stretch their billowy breasts of blue beyond The outmost star. Too frail an argosy Is love, to freight with varied hopes of life ; Once 'mid the shoals, the surges crave a feast. Shadows are we, climbing our fancies up, To garner joys — nought real save our God. A key I'd rather hold the gate of hearts To ope, and thus might read life's blotted page. Words that leap the lips, are not the preacher Heart. Ah ! the lips prove false, the heart ne'er can. {Fausing.) 69 I had a lover once, manly as heart Could make, perfected in soft breathing words. Wlio mann'd my love in calms of sweetest youth, And o'er a dimple sea of rosy smiles, E'en fed by gladsome rivulets of tears That ran 'side the Sinai of thought — he Came to rest within the haven of hearts ; Told me tales of promise, of cottage home Peering from its nest of clustered woodbine ; The future, with its garland loves, the joys That w^ould arise along our bridal walks, Of evening rambles side the laughing rills. Our hearts seemed linked in one. Oh ! I loved him As a mother doth her immortal gem. That God loan'd to her heart, to nestle 'neath Her smiles in robes of innocence, sleeping With a kiss of His, a prayer upon its Sinless cheek. First love, never can expire — • The holiest worshiper at the shrine Of memories, — it clwelleth with our tears. Ah ! none the bitter cup can taste alike. When ev'ry altar in my breast was crown'd 70 With vows, envious Fate my tend'rest shrine O'ertnrnecl. (Weeps.) Ah ! my lover sad, forgetful Of his virtue shield, a feast of Bacchus Join'd, yea, quafF'd his hellish draught, till madness Brimm'd the goblet of his thought. His spirit Leap'd from its burning prison-house of clay* Thus fell another citadel of God. (Sings.) When our joys are dearest, Cometh the chills. When the storms are nearest, We hear the rills, And a thousand streams From the hills and plains, Awaking. Morn, that opes the clearest Her sunny halls, 71 E'en may find them drearest With misty palls, E'er with golden hands, Closed by angel bands. Forsaking. ADA. Forget, forget your tears. Your tale I've heard As oft as twilight plumes her burning wing. Such dreams, away, from mem'ry's hallowed shrine. Nor give a tear, wert Heav'n within its walls Of crystal. Love again, to find a cure. CARLTON. No ear the w^orld, to hear a tale of ills — - We live, we die, and memory forgets. Time can't weep, alas ! 'tis ever dying, Else we'd have a tear. (Pausi?ig.) Hours are hast'ning on To knell a requiem, at their sister's Burial — who, a weeper at my tomb. SCENE VI. Carlton, walking among the Mountains, Morning. CARLTON. The golden sea of trade I've fled, where stocks And merchandize are Grods, and sinful Gain Canonicled ; the Mammon creed proclaims — Give Mammon gold, and God divine, the pence. My God coins love, in the celestial mint. Yea, stamps his brow upon its priceless cheek. Ah ! gold, not God, that makes a man — the man. Yon spires, oh ! Soul, their brazen arms uplift, To ward the anger of a Diety. (Sitting ^neath an oak.) 73 I'll drain the goblet of my mountain loves, As Zephyrs tune their leafy lyres with song. The whispering w^oocllancls my praise awake. Ah ! calm hath led the Zephyr to her shrine, Robed in the balmy breath of Violets. The oaks e'en seem at prayer — their acorn lips Are oped, to kiss God's cheek, the morn. (Pausing,) Ye hills, Dame Nature's throne, around ye bow sublime. The statel}^ grandeur of the forest court, Robed in the vestments of the queenly Spring, Where herds and flocks their burning breasts, supply With draughts of cool refreshing shade, or quaff Thy pebbl'd goblets, crown' d with honeyed sweets. Where lambkins hold their gaily dance, or taste The milky verdure of thy breast. The chant Of rivulets, my ear doth greet. I would A rivulet I wert, attired in drops Of crystal's pure, and each with rainbow heart, 74 Leaping some craggy breast, mj bauble train Attendant near. -I'd gild with sunny gems My pathway on. Wearied, I'd bind my veil Of mists around my crystal curls, and sleep Awhile. (A stranger approaches leoAing a child,) Some one approaches. {Rising.) Who's there? say, Stranger wdiy thy rapid tread. STKAXGER. CARLTON. Who are you A something, I know not what — a mortal Called — and wdiat of 3^ou, sir '? STRAKGER. A son of toil, Since boyhood's dawn, my humble meal I've shar'd At Labor's board — great sweat-drops on my brow — Industry's gladd'ning tears, I call them, sir, 75 Or labor's jewelry — furrow my fields, That Nature's ample breast may yield her stores Of wheaten pearls. My sheafy crown I ne'er Would give to rule o'er earth's domain, a king. Nature's Peers and Dukes hold their court in fields. With roving herds and bleating flocks, or haste Their courtier plow-train on. CARLTON. The peasant gives To thought her wings to soar beyond a spire, Or read the price of stocks on 'change, filling The soul with guinea-gods. STRANGER. The plough o'erturns A page of God at every furrow. And his thoughts therefrom, come up and blossom, Unletter'd in the ease of life ; but oh ! I've learn'd the way of sinless quietude. 76 I pray, and since my boyhood's hour I've pray'd, Nor lost have I a v^heaten sheaf thereby. Amid my toils I sing, my weaving fields Eespond, and quicker leaps my heart for God ; And when the down on smiling Summer's cheek, Complete with balms, with fading blush o'erspread The lords of toil, their sun-kiss'd breasts unbare. And haste their trophies on to the harvest Citadel. CARLTON. Nature' by Art was woo'd, when This lone sphere was full of loves, nor found he E'en a lovlier breast, whereon his cheek To press. God linked their hearts in one, beside His throne of suns, and sealed their plighted vows With His own reverent heart. The sunset Wove their bridal robes in her golden loom, And the night looiiM her jewehy. Joyful, A bridal gift the bridegroom gave his L,ve — An anvil, loom, and printing press. She took The gifts, and, smiling, press'd them to her breast, And, in return, a crystal curl bestow'd That sported on her cheek, a waterfall. Their giant sons o'erleap the briny chain That Neptune madly stretch'd from pole to pole O'er iron threads they haste along, that bind The wearied ocean's surge with western calms. STRAXGER. Ambitious, then, to learn of God ? CARLTON. I once Ambitious was to win a name with song, And rear an homage in the hearts of men ; But in my flight, a starry lyre to gain, Beside the throne of God I rush'd, without A reverent heart. Ambition mocketh 78 God, so hastefiil its wings to brood o'er Fame's Ephemeral breast. Aaibition hath no Shield the tempted heart to guard — no God But anxious Hope — its Heav'n a name, a name. Ambition, e'en her lyre of imagery Awakes, and sings in syren strains, her land — Her land, where sunset surges break and sweep A shore of lutes ; where evening's purple cheek Pillows on the bosom of a song — where Poetic vines upon a starry trellis Creep and twine, luscious with their clust'ring gems ; Where heroes goblets quaff, of human liearts. And thus allured, I strive my thoughts to deck In blossoms, such as rosy morning strews Upon the tomb of night. Alas ! I toil — A tearless grave I'll crave — at last to win. Beside the drear unknown, (Smgs.) We are mortals, ever hoping, 'Mid earth's bustle and its strife, To imprint one thought-gem, beaming On the wasting page of life. 79 "When my broken harp lies lowly, 'Side the rest, I joyful crave, Some lov'd one may hear its echo, Living still, above my grave. I'd give my harp, My hope, to wear the ease thy bosom bears. STRANGER. Bright stars nor gold, can't purchase what is God's— AVithout my God, no comfort hath the soul. CARLTOX. God, that I were like thee, free to roam The craggy steep, whose mossy locks, inwove With ivy, shield the blast from granite age. Or bow with flowers beside the shrine of morn. With gems of night upon their rev'rent lips. And plead with God. (Fausing.) "What am I '? Discordant Strino- ill the sfreat universe of soul. 80 {Adclressing the Child,} Say, Little Clierab, what is God? CHILD. Stars and flowers, — This world and the next. CARLTON. Can we see God? CHILD. I See His rohes in life ; but when I die, I'll See His lordly brow, and slumber on His Breast. CARLTON. Innocence hath an angel's tongue. Another gem art thou, my beautiful ^ 81 'Pon the life-tliread of soul pearls — thy cheek just Moulded into rosy symmetry, 'neatli The soft pressure of God's hand — the azure - Of an Heavenly dawn 'round tlnne eyelids clino". Childhood is Heaven in miniature — ■ The fleeting paradise of a moment — Sinless twilight of immortality. God's beautiful. {Embraces the child.) The dimples on thy cheeks, My love, those tiny vales of smiles, where loves. To mirror in thine eye, convene, or cull Their pearls. I would that I again were young, A sinless being on my mother's breast, Enrobed in the divinity of tears, That prayer unbosoms for the faithful soul. Alas ! I feel the pressure of the years, — My cheeks are falling in ; mine eyes hast'ning 'Neath the arching walls of thought, and my brow 82 With scars is lin'cl; amid my locks tlie sm'ge Of Time scatters his silver sands. ( Turniug to the stranger.) Once we're Gold in castles 'mong the stars ; then silver, 'Mid the thorns and tears ; next iron, heavy With our ills, a drudgery of care ; last Dross — the banquet of a grave. STRANGER. Ah ! Pilgrim, Thy heart a mine of Godly gems unfolds : Give each to God as trophies of the soul. Eevv^ards, sir, are the crov^ns of diligence. God's treasury is full of them. No gifts Of God are lost. Within my breast I feel A ceaseless beaming pearl — a ray divine — Lighting conscience on to Deity. Blest Be the soul that w^orketh his thoughts for God. Thoughts are the minstrelsy of our being. Give God their melody. A song, my child. 83 CHILD sings. Winds are dancing, -. Winds are prancing, With their steeds of sunny beams, Flying hither, Flying thither, Rippling garments of the streams Hither straying, Thither playing. With sweet Flora's sisterhood, 'Side the altars of the wood : Singing dirges With the pines. Swaying gently Curls of vines. SCENE VII. CARLTON alone hi his Chamher EVENING. CAE.LTON. Another day hatli fled — the fall of night Rests o'er its golden tomb. Eternity Ne'er can bind its pale cheek with gold again. Eternity — thou illimitable — Unread by sage, by poet's lyre unsung, Where God's soul-barques ride forever — ever, On, {Pausing.) Forever, the horoloo;e of God. 85 Oil! my coul, a wortliless liope, set iiiid spheres Of life ; a goblet brimming with a curse ; Still known of God, thy natal day rehearse, — O, tell the prelude of thy destiny ! Wert thou O, Soul ! unrest — a wanderer. For countless ages, erst thou a dwelling Made of sands, to ramble amid the ills And pains ? The Infinite, methinks, at His Own coronation, crowned with worlds on worlds. The King of Gods ordained that Souls should brood Awhile their swift electric wings, and walk In clayey robes this gleaming spheric gem. Thought-pearls to gather for immortal crowns, And, wearied, cast their tatter' d robes aside To journey onw^ard — on, to brighter worlds. And nearer Deity. ( WalMng hastily.) Ah ! my footsteps "With graves are wall'd — spectres of Death my thoughts Embrace — a curse with ire would arm my soul, 86 And pave with wrecks of Hope existence e'en. My life, a biography on the sands, An echo, dying on the hoary breast Of Time. Hark ! some one approaches. {Enter Horace.) HORACE. Carlton, How moves the world with thee? {Sitting.) CARLTON. I'm far away From thoughts of Earth : a world, within my breast. On varied hopes is pois'd — without a star. One beam from some bright orb I strive to win, Alas ! to wake a reverent verdure In my heart. I'm striving to solve my soul, From whence it leap'd immortal into dust, And rear'd a temple for the preacher, Thought. But Reason, at my eftbrts, lost, enraged — 87 My brain with evil-ey'd conjectures crown' d. A creed I crave, to bind my soul to God. His scourge, my tears hath drain'd. HORACE. Soul is unread, A God incarcerated in the heart, A God in God, a God revering God. Thou fool, to crucify your youthful prime. The goblet of to-day is at our lips, Wreath'd with a joy — to-morrow is a tomb. A waltz is love, wifch Music's sandals on. Tripping o'er the weariness of hours. 'T would Bear your soul above the puny stretch Of creeds. (Sings.) Oh ! the kiss by Beauty given. Blending of this world and Heaven — The errand-boy of affection, God in feature and complexion, Tripping, tripping, 88 Silent as a sleeping spliene ; Vv^liere Lives' sipping Goblets of a welcome tear. Love caressing, Pressing, pressing Honey into ruby vases, Kosy climjDles, coucli of Graces. CARLTON. Horace, you're mad, you're mad, or else Your talk belies — a kiss, forsooth! — Oh ! fool, Is Heav'n alone for love-cracked brains ? {Paus'uig.) Ah ! thought, A stranger to your heart of gossamer ; Gods ! of what wretched stuff are some souls made ! A bauble tinsel'd with a rainbow's cheek. [Fassionatehj turns to Horace.) Ah ! comest thou to slay me with your scorn ? Demons imaginary, less cruel Than the real. Give comfort if thou cans't. If one — make silence your chiefest virtue. 89 HORACE, {.'