^% ,^^. .0 --' ^"^ ^.. 0^ : ,'-" -^i V'-r!^^^ .0 " ' "-^j- v^' v,f > '^^^-- ^v ^i ■;^.^^ ^0^ = ^-•"'> >^ s*'^ v% v. At length we rose — I led the saddened way To where my infant boy in silence lay. I pointed to the little new-made grave ; — He knelt beside the mound in silence, save The sighs which intermingled with his prayer. I could not in devotion take my share, For grief had dried the fountain of my heart — To see him kneel, it made me shrink and start. 34: REUNIDO. I felt the world to be a dreary waste, So utterly had sorrow's clouds o'ercast The sky, which three days since in radiance beamed On my now saddened heart ; to me it seemed That every genial ray of blessed light, Fore'er had set in darkness' dismal night. "Within my breast, there rankled now a feeling, Which like a canker-worm, was gnawing there ; 'T was sorrow's bitter curse — from me 'twas stealing All good and noble thoughts — the spectral stare Of hatred in their stead, seemed all was left To cheer my soul, of every joy bereft. He ceased the solemn prayer ; once more away To where his sleeping girl unburied lay. Her silent form within the grave we laid ; He knelt upon the mound — again he prayed. REUNIDO. 35 With folded arms and misanthropic stare I gazed on him, nor did I even dare To look on high for Heaven's protecting care. One more to bury, and our task was done ; And not until the day's declining sun "Was shining on us, that we placed at rest, Within the grave, that noble, manly breast. Now, as the shades of evening closed, we told Our tales of woe, tried each to each unfold The sorrows of his heart, and to relate Our children's deaths — my Myra's wretched fate — Then, with a kindred feeling in each breast, United in this vow. We ne'er will rest. Until revenge on the marauding bands Which waste our homes, and overrun our lands, Has granted its sweet balm. Our pledge is given, Record our mutual vow, oh righteous Heaven ! CANTO II. Our country bled for wrongs at every vein : The tyrant's bonds had left a crimson stain, Where dropped our life-blood on each Texan plain ; And as we viewed the scene, what could be worse ? Round many a hearthstone was the blighting curse Of vacancy — a parent, child or wife, Some dearer one than e'en our very life, Perchance, no longer shed the welcome smile, To greet our coming and our hours beguile. We heard the call to arms, and to obey Was but the impulse of true men, who sped To meet the foe, and wipe their wrongs away With blood, in vengeance, our own sword migh shed. REUNIDO. 3Y With blades unsheathed, arrived at Gonzales, Her soldiers, flushed with victory, met our gaze ; Oh, such rejoicing o'er that battle won, The tide of revolution had begun — And Heaven had crowned them with a first success. Who lives upon Atlantic's western shore. That freedom's purest air has ceased to bless, Will not rejoice to breathe that air once more ? Who, that will not exult again to see Himself, his home, the land he loves, all free ? Oh, no one worthy of the noble cause Of martyr-hallowed freedom, e'er would pause In exultation o'er the primal blow. Which deals out vengeance on the tyrant foe. Men, women, children rushed along the street ; In every eye was beaming a new fire ; The shouts of victory our ears would greet ; Each heart was beating with awaked desire. 38 REUNIDO. Oh ! 't was the new, new light of liberty, That living principle in every breast — That feeling, planted in each bosom free, Which may be trampled down, but ne'er can rest: As living as the latent fire which burns In Etna's centre, smoulders but returns — Bursts forth again with blaze renewed and bright — Such, such to man is liberty's fair light ! The flame may be extinguished, but the spark Will never cease to burn ; e'en though the dark And dreaded rule of tyranny may try To crush it out, the ember will not die. The heart of man once born to freedom, heirs Its spirit as his birthright, and though chains May fetter down his limbs, his soul ne'er shares The body's thrall — the free-born mind remains ! That liberty — no more a smouldering fire, A feeble spark or undefined desire — REITNIDO. 39 Lived in each heart, and beamed in every eye, It was our watchword and our rallying cry. But is man free when deep oppression reigns Within the land, when tyranny remains In every stronghold, to forge out his chains ? Oh, no ! ours was the freedom which will live When chains would bind, which empires can not give- Such freedom of the heart and soul as dwells Unfettered in the dungeon's lowliest cells. Our work was but begun — a single blow Was struck for Texan rights — a tyrant foe Was still in San Antonio, to o'erawe Our httle band, and blot out Texan law. We marched against them — at Espada found A place to camp our soldiers, while around, To choose position on some vantage ground. They sent us out with Fannin and Bowie — The watchword given was, '' Texas shall be free I" 40 REUNIDO. The evening shadows closing round, we chose Upon the river's bank to seek repose. The morning dawned ,• a Mexican advance Rode on our lines; 't was by the merest chance ; Our sentry fired, and '^ Texas shall be free !" Rung on the air, more musical to me Than e'en the warble of the morning bird. It seemed a gala, welcoming in the day Whose dawn was liberty ; my spirit heard, Unlike the woodland songster's mellow lay, A tone of vengeance : — " Texas shall be free !" Was shouted from our ranks with voices clear. Those talismanic sounds rang loud and shrill. Inspiriting our hearts to nobler aims Than bravery, from the breasts of slaves, e'er claims ; In memory's wanderings often do I hear Those words of promise echoing round me still ! And when was raised the cry of " Victory !" REUNIDO. 41 They left to us their cannon and their slain, Those prophet tones all loudly rang again. A flag of truce came, asking leave to pay The last sad duties to the lifeless clay, Which strewn upon the field of battle lay. If e'er The passing spirit needs an angel's care, To guide it past the regions of despair, Those ruthless soldiers found their sins for- given, To dwell among the blessed of earth in heaven ; For devotees of Faith and Christian love, As ministering angels round the slain, Or pointing hopefully to realms above. To soothe the dying, or to still the pain Of wounded limbs, or breathe the hope again, That life or health might be their blessing still. Or whisper trustful, " Father, 't is Thy will," 43 REFNIDO. ^ Were there, with prayers or smiles or tears, to shed Around the living or above the dead, The light of life or hope or peace or love. Or guide their spirits to those realms above, Where, with a blessed faith and trust, they knew There was a dwelling for the good and true. Our patriot army came in time to see The battle-field, all fresh from victory — In time to join us in the loud acclaim, With which we hailed our new-born freedom's name — In time, with grateful voices, to unite In thanks to Heaven for its protecting might. Our very bosoms burned again to meet The foe ; to call him out from his retreat, Or, such the feeling of each heart, to dare The uncaged lion in his guarded lair. REIJNIDO. 43 The walls of San Antonio stern arose, Fit place for Tyranny to seek repose ; And Tyranny within those walls had fled, Soon as the cause of Freedom and of Right Had drawn their sword, and wide their banner spread, And their lone star had beamed upon the sight. We sought the stronghold, 'i was a little town Guarded by walls which seemed to wear a frown Upon them, and whose darkling strength remained To tell of minds in Reason's night enchained ; And now, protection to our 'leaguered foes. It seemed to me, they e'en more frowning rose. Grown weary of the siege's dull advance, Its slow approach and its inglorious chance, The time seemed all too long, which wore away The tedium of a dull and weary life ; And, oh, how gladly would we hail the day Whose dawn should welcome in the scene of strife. 44 REUNIDO. At last it came. Responsive to the call To storm the town, and raze each guarded wall, "VYe marched to battle, with the rallying cry Of '' God and Right," invoking aid on high. Fierce raged the contest, 'twas the only stand, Of Tyranny, within our now loved Freedom's land : Still, as we gained each blood-bought foot of ground, From rank to rank was echoed forth that sound, Cheering us on to valor in the fight — Oh, loudly rang our watchword, ''God and Right,-" And as from wall to wall we drove the foe. Or deadened their artillery's reddening glow. Or made our way through blood and o'er the slain, Those words were loudly echoed forth again. To cheer us on in our prolonged attack, With strengthened arm, against this convict pack. REUNIDO. 45 At length, Freedom ! it was thine to know. Within this land, thou hadst no more a foe ; No tyrant's minions now were lingering near, To awe thy country, with unholy fear ; But, pleading mercy at the conqueror's hand, They'd sought retreat, within their native land. As Nature smiles, when, in the genial spring, The verdant landscape, filled with fragrant flowers, Breathes forth its freshness, to the birds which sing Their songs of thanks for sunshine and for showers, So seemed our country, when there beamed on high A single star, to light our Texan sky. Alas, for me ! the joy around me brought A bitter pang, with each returning thought. The peace to other bosoms shed, arose Within my own, the spectre of my woes; 46 REUNIDO. For though I'd sought Lethe's forgetful shore, My sorrows e'en seemed deeper than before, And whither I would turn, to mock my own, A voice seemed echoing, alone ! alone ! For those who once had, 'mid a border 4ife, Hallowed the respite of its toil and strife, No longer, at affection's calling, came To bless the hour, and she, whose very name Awaked a thrill, seemed calling from the tomb, Or from the noisome dungeon's darkest gloom. Revenge me ! oh, revenge me ! thou whose arm Should gain new strength, to rescue from all harm The sharer of thy toil, thy hope, thy joy ! Revenge thy wife ! revenge thy murdered boy ! Such words seemed calling me by night and day. 'Twas but the murmur of a breaking heart, And whither, I would turn myself away, Reproachful tones, seemed bidding me depart, EEUNIDO. 47 Seemed calling from this peaceful ease and rest, Seemed beck'ning me to seek her in the west. Again did freemen rise and take their stand, To carry war to their oppressor's land, To seek the foe, whose force thej had withstood, And write revenge in characters of blood. We armed ourselves, a brave and daring few, All firm in purpose and with hearts as true As magnet, always pointing towards its pole, One living principle in every soul. Ours was no longer freedom's patriot band, Called to assert the rights of our fair land ; But, with our hearts all bleeding from the past, Who, with regret, had heard the clarion blast Of battle, ring its notes of victory, Proclaiming Texas, peaceful, happy, free, Because an unpaid vengeance yet remained. And we beheld those murd'rous hands, still stained 4:8 KEUNIDO. With blood of innocence ; in scenes of strife We'd seek the boon, or lose each unprized life. It was to me a day of promise, when Our banner waved o'er those heroic men: To my poor heart, it seemed a heavenly smile Would bless the efforts of our troops, the while, Until the cherished object of my life. My being's aim, the rescue of my wife, Had been accomplished, heaven's protecting aid Seemed all my own, as I unsheathed my blade, Preparing, with our trusty little band, To seek the spoiler in his refuge land. At Goliad we rested, while there came News to our ranks, of war's returning flame ; The Mexicans had come from out the west, T' enslave the land, by Freedom's day-star blest ; But in our breasts the fire which ceased to burn When foes had fled, rekindled at return REUNIDO. 49 Of an invading army, and our few, Rememb'ring but our country, nobly drew Our battle blades, determining to fight, To save our homes, and every well prized right. In vain, was valor matched against the horde, That from their western mountains rudely poured. Our little number, vainly strove to stand With Spartan strength, against the ruthless band, That came to pour out war's o'er whelming flood, And open fountains gushing forth with blood. What miracles of valor were performed Against the foe, by whom our walls were stormed ; Ranks closed and fell, the space was filled again ; They marched to battle over heaps of slain, Yet still undaunted was our little band, Firm in the fight, and nobly did we stand Until the crumbling walls, which girt us round. Beneath their charge, were falling to the ground. 50 EEUNIDO. Night closed upon us, ending all the strife, The banqueting on blood, of life with life. Then, as we drew around our council fire, Within our hearts, where erst had been desire, Now lived the hope of safety, we prepared Escape from death, which now around us stared. The tall trees waved their branches overhead, Obscuring half the light the moonbeams shed Around us, and the cloudy, sombre sky Seemed frowning o'er us, and the dismal sigh Of void winds through the branches, and the moan Of creaking tree tops, echoed back the tone Of our sad thoughts, as we pursued our flight. Chilled by the winds of that dull, cheerless night. The morning came, it was a dreary day, Dark clouds o'erspread the sky, the prairies lay Before us, with their crisped and faded flowers. Looking a sadness, which but mocked at ours. REUNIDO. 51 But why rehearse the tale, for oft the few Have fled before the many who pursue. And oft, ere Freedom made her place of rest. Beneath the starry banners of the West, Have toil, and care, and sorrow, led the way. In that dark night, which hailed her brighter day. But ours, alas ! were sorrows which but told Of deeper wrongs, which Time would yet unfold. 'Twas war's stern chance, and freemen's blood now dyed Coletta's waters, with a crimson tide. 'Twas war's stern chance, the walls where once we found Defence, were now our prison's rudest bound. Chained to the ground, Reflection's moments came. And my parched lips breathed forth one hallowed name — 62 REUNIDO. 'Twas Myra, and remembrance brought the vow, For TvhichI'd pledged my life's whole aim, and now In fetters and in darkness, with my breath, I raised a prayer, that she might sleep in death. My sufferings then, were little to endure, Could I but know that she had died as pure, That still her soul was stainless and as free As when she pledged her heart to heaven and me. The night had passed in stillness of despair, The morning's dawn was tranquil and as fair As when she lends her bright and radiant smile, To glad the beauty of some sea-girt isle. Awaking from the reverie, my gaze Was turned upon its calm and genial rays, Then looking with the searching eye of thought. Revenge and bitterness returned unsought, And threw around my spirit's aching sight, The mantle of a dark and dismal night. REUNIDO. 53 I heard the clanking of a prisoner's chain As it was stricken off, and he again Was free of limb. I looked upon his brow; Again, upon his front was written now, Sweet hope and joy. He whispered as he passed The place where I was chained, "I'm free at last !" But as I looked upon the guard, I read In his fierce smile, some hidden cause for dread. Anon there passed me, with a noiseless tread, My now unfettered friends. Their eyes now shone The light of joy, unlike the glance my own Could ere reply ; to mine, the silent grief Which preyed upon my heart, without relief. Had brought a look of sadness, like the bloom Of fairest flowers upon affection's tomb. Companions in my sorrow, they to be. It seemed, as in a few short moments, free, 64: REUNIDO. Brought happiness and joy to them, to me The sundering of my chains would only brmg A hideous visitant, some bitter thing To frown on me, where Liberty might smile On other men, and bless their lives awhile. They passed me by, and I was left again To agony of soul, to grief and pain, To bitter sorrows, which are wont to dwell. Deep, ray less shadows of the dungeon's cell. My listening ear caught up the mingled tone Which rent the air — a shout, a deep'ning groan — A charge with arms, a fast subduing moan — And all again was silent as the grave. I started up, my heart felt that the brave Were ending there the trials they had made To free their land : the words, "We are betrayed," Were borne upon the air. and I would fain Have sundered, in my rage, my clanking chain. RETJNIDO. 55 It was not long — my guard came in to free, From fetters and from darkness, even me. He led me forth within the light of day ; I saw the ground with but one quick survey — ■ To think, to act, their prisoner was away. As on my course, I quickly passed them by, Their mingled voices, and anon the sigh Some dying wretch would utter, was the cheer Which gave my flight the swiftening wings of fear. Once 'neath the covert of the wild wood shade, I set me down within the tangled glade. Despair for Texas, that the tyrant's hand Would bind the chains, which fettered now our land, Had made me quit this life, but that one form Seemed beck'ning me to rise above the storm. 66 EEUNIDO. When man looks round on life's engulfing sea, As 't were from some deserted island's shore. With dreading heart, that he himself may be Borne downward by its waves, alas ! no more To be an actor in the scenes, the strife Which make the sum of his existence, life, Perchance some mem'ry may return to give A kind of charm, for which 't were well to live. Thus, when above the forests rudely frowned, And fear saw foes all stealthily lurking round ; When dread and sorrow blended round my way, My heart looked forth upon a brighter day ; Still hope suppressed lent one sweet charm to life. And fancy's picture of my idol wife Returned to me to shed its influence bright, And make the earth all joyous to my sight. That gleam of light was o'er my vision shed ; It 'lumed my pathway as from danger sped REUNIDO. 57 My weary feet, as through the dreary wild The shade seemed sun, and e'en the forest smiled. Lone wanderer, there seemed as yet one joy Reserved for me, nnmingled with alloy ; 'T was bright'ning hope, to paint a genial sky, A charm for life, a boon for which to die. Bright realms of gladness opened to my sight ; My future life seemed fraught with new delight ; A cottage home rose once more to my view. And circling joys inspiring fancy drew. 'T was such a dream as sometimes will impart A ray of gladness to the breaking heart ; — A sunny gleam athwart the angry sky. Whose flashing lightnings glance in fierce reply. Thus, when the chilling night winds round me blew, Returning thought the blissful curtain drew, And dreary life appeared once more to me As all my own, or ever yet to be. 58 R E U N I D O . The hours seemed long, before a bright'ning ray Proclaimed the coming of another day. E'en then, around, a chill and dizzy waste Seemed all before, and 'neath my vision placed. Ah ! whither shall I bend my weary feet To find the place where friends my coming greet ! Surrounding wilds their frown of hatred give, Where lurk the foe, where tyrant's minions live. Sweet Texan home ! oh, what were it to me, This ebbing life, if thou wert only free I Thus through my mind transporting raptures brought Now joy, now grief, now yearning hope unsought. One moment, every birdling's cheerful lay Seemed fraught with promise of a happier day — Another, in the fading, tinted leaf I saw an emblem of my preying grief. REUNIDO. 59 Thus roamed my fancy, when my fevered breath Grew fainter, fainter — oh ! could this be death ? Could this lone waste with mystic people teem, Or was my own a wild chaotic dream — A dream, which brings uncalled earth's fairest flowers. To shed their fragrance round our dying hours ? CANTO III. When I awoke, 't was with a sense of dread, That I removed my now empillowed head. All round was gloomy, and the light of day Scarce struggled in, to chase the shades away. Dark shadows flitted through the cheerless room, As though grim spectres from an opening tomb Had come to curse my waking hours with dread, Raise terrors, where but thick' ning gloom o'er- spread Surrounding space. I heard, oh, could it be A word in tone of infant melody ? Could childhood's voice in lisping music come, To bring remembrance of my early home? K E U N I D . 61 I thought 'twere so, with tones of waking joy, I called aloud : *' Come hither, thou, my boy !" A frightened cry, as of some tiny bird. Whose parents' anguished note is faintly heard. Was all my answer, it was not reply, A deep drawn breath, half shriek, half smothered sigh. I knew my boy would not have shrunk in fear From me, within whose breast his form so dear Was ever treasured, and that low breathed sigh Called mem'ry back, for I had seen him die. I hid my head in anguish, and a moan Of woman's sorrow, mingled with my own. Commingling griefs had made us each impart, Commingling tales of sadness to each heart. Our stories told, my waking senses found My body prisoned, 'neath the blood-stained ground. 62 REUNIDO. Where friends of Texas, striving to be free, Had shown the world a new Thermopylae. Had I been left alone, I would have thought My sorrows great, but now they seemed as nought : Tor I, a withered branch, a leafless vine, No blooming flowers, no autumn fruit were mine ; But she, within whose breast a nestling young, Whose words of terror, scarce its infant tongue Could yet repeat, whose baby mind still sought To share the anguish of its mother's thought. Her life was as a leaflet of a tree, Which shades a germ of immortality. 'Twere well, if as the passing summer shower Bends on the stem, refreshing the sweet flower. Her sorrows could have passed, but no, the storm Had crushed to earth its slender, graceful form. And that lone flower which God had placed to bloom In life's fair garden, sending forth perfume, E.EUNIDO. 63 Though bent to earth, still shed its fragrant breath Upon a desert, in the vale of death. Man's sorrow, when he walks this earth alone. When all for which to grieve, is but his own. Is easy stilled within his beating breast — A sigh, a tear, his grief- wrung heart's at rest. But there's an anguish in a woman's woe, So all absorbing, yet so sweet, so low The tones which tell the breaking heart's despair; 'Tis soft breathed music, yet we know that there From her life's fount, the bitter waters flow. The door turned on its hinges, with a sound Which grated on our senses, till the ground Seemed opening 'neath our feet. A glimmering ray Of taper's light, seemed struggling with the shade Which filled the long and vaulted passage way , An odor from that deeper dungeon, made The light seem shadow, and that struggling spark Came faintly in, to show us e'en how dark 64 REUNIDO. Was the cold cavern, and the stony floor, How all with jeweled moisture sparkling o'er, And the arched roof, glowing with quaint device, Tjpic of shining virtue, and of vice Which dwell within the heart, the features gleaned From Nature's works, marked angel, man or fiend. And he who came to loose my clanking chain, Seemed as if risen from some realm of shade, A demon form, to haunt my aching brain With thoughts of evil, which should ne'er again Return to me. Oh, blessed did mem'ry Me. He bade me follow, and a mute farewell I sighed for those, who still were left to dwell Within their caverned home. The little child Clung to my garments, and with wild, Heart-piercing anguish, rent the air with cries, To which alas, were nought but heaven's replies. EEUNIDO. 65 Is there a God above ? I wonder oft, If childhood's plaintive cry can reach aloft. And find compassion in a pitying heaven, Godj forgive ! Is thy protection given ? What depth of sorrow, when it makes us doubt God's great design, and deems the lamp gone out, Which beams on man, in rays of ceaseless love, Makes heaven of earth, a heaven of heaven above. Those who ne'er drain the bitter cup of life, Secure in peaceful ease from all its strife, Well may they chide the one who sees his sun Of joy go down, his course but half way run. The door closed on the dungeon, and the cry Of infant grief, now hushing to a sigh. Was heard no more. I followed all in gloom Through that dark passage, silent as the tomb, 66 EEUNIDO. Save, as the wild wind's sadly echoed moan Sought out each crevice, where their hollow tone Could sing a requiem ; — their whispered song Seemed crying up to heaven for every wrong Endured by Texas. On that moistened ground Our footsteps pressed, yet gave they back no sound. Our taper, glimmering, flickering, shed a light Which made the darkness dismal in our sight. Still on we groped, until a grated door, With iron fastenings, slowly swung before, And oped upon a dark and winding stair, Which gave us ingress to the upper air. It was a little room, with stony floor, High latticed windows, and an iron door ; With ceilings arched, and walls all covered o'er With frescoed images of saints, whose care O'erlooked the convent, and to whom in prayer EEUNIDO. 67 Each knee was bowed when vesper bells were rung — Each heart was raised, when " Aves " sweet were sung. He motioned to the window. ' ' There, " said he, ' ' Behold thy comrades. We have made them free. Now gaze upon them, and go tell thy State, They fought for freedom, and have met their fate !" I looked out on the high- walled court, and there Beheld a sight^ which sent the curdled blood All cold and chilling to my heart. If e'er I wished to die, 't was then my offered prayer, That God would take me from the place I stood. Revenge was dead, and freedom now no more Claimed the devotion I had felt before. Heart-sick, I gazed. There, on a blackened pile, Lay the companions, who in arms the while 68 REUNIDO. Had fought for Texas. But a few charred bones, With flesh all seared, remained. No requiem's tones In mellow notes were heard ; but o'er the dead, The vultures fearless came, and greedy fed. With hopeful heart, we gaze upon the face. When, in the shroud's white folds, a heavenly grace Seems beaming forth, which robs of half its gloom The vault's dim shadow, or the silent tomb. And when the brow wears vict'ry's choicest wreath. We seem to gaze on something more than death — A soul transported to some higher sphere, To bless the cause his heart has cherished here ; But when we know that valor strove in vain The patriot's meed, the victor's crown to gain, No heaven-born smile proclaims a brighter day ; No victor's incense wafts the soul away. Death's frightful visage lingers round the clod. Denied the covering of a friendly sod. EEUNIDO. 69 I turned away, to meet the leer of hate Which on my guide's dark, frowning features sate. '' Thou well didst look, and now may'st freely go To bear this news, that when the sun is low, Alamo's shadows rest on the remains Of those who fought to free their country's plains. Go, bear the news ; 't were well thy land should hear The fate of those who held her cause so dear." 'T was thus he said, and, opening wide the door, I passed out into the blood-stained court, once more To seek that freedom which the bitter curse Of unobtained desire had rendered worse Than e'en the dungeon's darkness, and the clank Of those rude chains, from which my spirit shrank With undefined, yet lingering sense of dread. Which had the rayless atmosphere o'erspread, TO KEUNIDO. And peopled, -with ten thousand forms, the space My chain forbade my grasping hand to trace. Such was my freedom ; 't was a blessing fraught With deepest sorrow, and the bitter thought Of joys departed, and a life whose light ^ Seemed dimmed forever to the spirit's sight. Whither I bent my way I scarcely knew, So that Alamo's walls no longer threw Their darkness round my way. The leafy wood Seemed welcoming me to seek its shady bowers, All full of promise from a life renewed By Nature's hand — all beauteously bestrewed With budding sweets, and fair and fragrant flowers. But why, thought I, had I been left to find Companionship in freedom, why resigned REUNIDO. 71 From chains and darkness, in the cause of right To raise my voice, or mingle in the fight ? My heart gave answer from its boding core. My bleeding country, now, perhaps, no more Could need my arm ; e'en cruelty disdains Sometimes, to dye its hands in crimson stains, And thus perchance, I had been left to seek A freedom, 'mid the bondage of the weak. There is in solitude, when nought is seen But Nature, clothed in dress of living green, A joy which brings uncalled into the mind The spirit of content, to which resigned, We see in life, the beautiful to love, We see in hope, the beautiful above. But in the solitude whence man has fled. No happy thought around your dream is shed. There is an utter loneliness, which clings Around your heart, and all uncalled for brings Dark, visionary images to dwell, 72 KEUNIDO. And people those deserted rooms with forms, Whose tales of wonder, to the senses tell Of deep'ning sorrow, and of raging storms Which wring the heart. A shutter's moaning creak Seems like a groan of pain, a bitter shriek Of anguish, while, a shade athwart the floor, Recalls the senses, and we see the more Those fancied images, which leave their trace On the lone mansion, the deserted place. Oh, there's a dreariness within the spot Which man has left — his form may be forgot, Yet still his image lingers round the door, Recalling to your senses evermore Some thought of bitterness, unknown before. In my sad way, at every step, the sight Of desolation came, as if a blight Was resting on our land ; all lone and still Each woodman's cottaore stood ; no more a thrill K E U K I D O . 73 Went coursing through each vein, no more the sword Was raised on high, when martial notes were heard. The doors were open, and the wild birds came. And built their nests, and flew around, as tame As if to give desertion e'en the cheer. Their songs could warble for a place so drear. Those were our darkest days, e'en hope had fled From every bosom, and abroad was shed The curse of tyranny upon our land. E'en valor, yet unable to withstand The invader's army, left our homes a prey To every feeling, which could lead away True hearts from freedom, for in bitter tears, Or in reproachful murm'rings, or in fears, The wives and daughters of those men, who fought To save their country, now a refuge sought ^4 KEUNIDO. Beneath the flag, whose constellation's light, Gives peace and freedom from oppression's night. I hasted on to join the little band. Whose ranks were marshalling to make a stand, Determined, that if blood could yet atone To save our country, I would shed my own. But 'twas not mine, again to pledge my life For her loved cause, upon the field of strife. When I arrived, the San Jacinto's flood, Poured to the sea, a crimson stream of blood. I saw the lone starred banner proudly wave Above the field, where fought the true and brave. And heard the shout for '' Texas, God and Right," Which hailed again fair freedom's glorious light. Oh, was there e'er one moment, when each thought, All pure and holy, to kind heaven unsought RE UN ID O. 75 Arose, 'twas then, for the invader's power, All proudly great, had fallen in that hour, And the commander who had written laws In freemen's blood, was now a captive brought, Asking that Vengeance' upraised hand should pause. And Mercy linger but to guide each thought. Our shouts of joy were echoed through the ranks. Then gave our hearts a prayerful meed of thanks To Heaven on high, whose all-protecting care Had saved our country, when, in deep despair, Her little army made their latest stand, To fight for freedom, and their own loved land. That country! oh, what joy was ours, again To kneel in worship at the blood-dyed fane Of liberty ! what happiness, to dwell Beneath the star whose light we loved so well ! 76 KEUNIDO. Oh, ne'er was there, within the beauteous "West, A soul enchained, whose yearning hopes could rest, Until kind Heaven, in answer to his prayer, Had made his land as free as it was fair. CANTO IV. There always dwells within the prison's bound A something half enchanting, when we 've found The heart grow faint e'en at the loud applause, "Which marked the triumph of our cherished cause« When treachery placed me once again to dwell Within the dungeon's deepest, darkest cell, My mind was tranquil, and I e'en forgot To curse the hardness of my fated lot ; — Fated, for when upon a mission bound To Montezuma's capital, I found A dreary home within a frowning tower — My cell at noonday as the twilight hour. E'en though I had no place to rest my head, Nor straw, nor pallet, but a stony bed — '7* Y8 REUNIDO. Though light and air but faintly struggled through The little window, and the dank air grew Half suffocating, as my thoughts would dwell On the drear picture of my lonely cell — I scarcely cared what was to be my fate. 'Twere all the same, though lowly or though great — Though bound in prison, or though slave, though free — The die was cast ; 't were all the same to me ! I looked out of the window — 't was a sight To wake my mind to an entranced delight. The fairest flowers breathed forth their sweet perfume, As though to gladden with their fragrant bloom The outer scene, and make the prison's gloom E'en doubly dark. A little lake was there, Embowered in roses, which o'erhung its bound. It was so bright, so silvery, and so fair, I looked and listened as it caught the sound REUNIDO. T9 Of wild birds' note, and to the warbled strain, Which sang of freedom, it returned again. And, oh ! there was a wild, wild melody. Which told of gladness, and which seemed to float Upon the tranquil air in strains so free, I almost caught the rapture of each note. But, oh ! the waters as they seemed to sleep Among those flowers, so quiet and so deep, Bore me a lesson — with a gladsome sound. They sought their freedom, and o'erleapt their bound ! They seemed to mock me with their joyous call. That laughing music of the waterfall. It seemed as if, in unison, they sang With Nature's other warblers, as they sprang From out the thralldom of their prison bound— A flowery dell, which shed its fragrance round Into the wild, uncertain, dark abyss, 80 REUNIDO. Whose circling eddies and whose forest shade Scarce seemed inviting, when compared to this Abode of flowers. And still they sought the glade, With music's voice, and, with a bound, to me It seemed to say, '' I 'm happj, now I 'm free !" Above, around, dark frowning cliffs arose, And spread their shadows o'er the vale below — These looking joyless down, and those All bright and hopeful in their eddying flow. The day passed by, and when at last the night Obscured my vision, and my aching sight Looked out upon the cheerless moonbeams' play. As on the trees they cast each feeble ray. And, turning to the dreary dungeon, sought The shadowy forms, with which exploring thought Had peopled all its space — but, ah, alone ! — No form was there, companion for my own. JREUNIDO. 81 Oh ! then there came a loneliness, which crept Into my meditations, till I wept. It was the o'ercharged spirit's overflow. When memory paints, with all the varied glow Of youthful fancy, every scene the past Can bring as priceless treasures, when at last No joy within this ray less living tomb, Comes to your heart, to cheer its deepening gloom. But why proc(5ed ? — •The days all went and came, To-morrow and to-day were as the same ; For they were bounded in that little cell By a dim twilight. I could hardly tell When morning dawned upon another day, Except I heard some birdling's mellow lay, Or, from the window, saw the azure sky, Which brought me gladness, scarcely thought I why. 82 REUNIDO. My jailor daily brought my plate of food — 'T was not that it was plenteous, even good — I hailed his coming — but within his face, 'T was joy some human sympathy to trace. I found a lizard. "Wanting air and light, The reptile had become a spotless white. We soon were friends. 'T was all I had to love — No living thing, not e'en the light above. Thus day by day, my little favorite grew. To greet my waking, and he even knew The name I called him ; how I watched intense Each new intelligence, each ray of sense. Thus passed my days ; at last I waking heard A song unlike the warbling of a bird. But still as sweet : my listening ear awoke, To catch the melody, which gladly broke On the calm air of morning, and which fell Upon my senses with enrapturing spell. REUNIDO. 83 I sought the window, still that warbled song Was borne upon the morning air along, And there, among the fair and fragrant flowers, A lovely girl had come to while the hours. In wavy ringlets fell her raven hair, And her dark eyes seemed turned, as half in care, On the clear waters of the placid lake, Which seemed some fancied images to wake. Like a sweet dream of beauty, which had sought To claim the homage of each raptured thought. I watched her long, there was a magic power In her soft eye to chain me for the hour. 'Twas girlhood's bloom, 'twas woman's beauty met In that one form ; I looked and loved and yet. My heart scarce answered, when I questioned why. There was a magic lustre in her eye. Unlike the one so clear, so mild and blue, I saw in memory^ when the heart so true, 84 R E U N I D O . So calm and trusting, seemed to come and dwell Beside me, in the dismal dungeon's cell ; But still I loved, and when her upturned eye Beheld my gaze, I thought I heard a sigh. Her look was earnest, and the rising tear Which dewed her lashes, made her e'en more dear, Than e'en that soft, that sweetly warbled strain, Which I had heard, but ne'er might hear again, For now she turned and with a mute adieu, Was lost to sight, and yet I scarcely knew That she had gone, for she remained so bright, In pictured image, on my mental sight. Oh, how that day, her beauteous form arose Before my mind, and when I even chose To banish it, still did she softly glide To that fair spot upon the water's side. And seated there, among the fragrant flowers, Beguile the tedium of the weary hours ; RE U N IDO. 85 Thus thought was busy, scarcely did I dare To hope again to breathe the fragrant air, Which fanned her brow, and played amid her hair. My poor companion, senseless but to love Which I had taught it, came and vainly strove To wake me from my mood of thoughtfulness, And gain once more th' accustomed soft caress, With which I'd welcomed it, my hours to bless. But that fair vision of the morn had sought My raptured fancy, and enchained each thought. How oft that day, while gazing out, I drew Fair fancy pictures, in the Heaven's own blue ; And when, at last, the darkness had o'erspread The flower clad earth, and on my stony bed I sought forgetfulness, I thought or dreamed That she was there, and as an angel seemed To guard my slumbers ; but the morning came. And brought a day, as yesterday, the same. 86 REUNIDO. Half tranced in hope, half trembling in despair, I watched the place, that I had seen the fair, The beautiful, but yesterday, when lo ! With a soft tread, so gliding and so slow. That scarce I heard her, scarcely saw her, when Her presence decked the fairy scene again. Her soft black eyes with dimming moisture turned, To where, but yesterday her gaze had learned To seek my presence, and her tear and smile Uniting, told of sympathy the while. She came up to the window and her tone Of kind compassion, all before unknown, Whispered so softly, sweetly seemed to give The thought. An object breathed for which to live. Soon came an interchange of heart with heart, A mingling soul with soul, when we impart REUNIDO. 87 Our joys and griefs, as in communion rest For sympathy within each other's breast. She was a creature in whose smile the light Of gayety was sparkling, all so bright : 'Twas tenderness, 'twas joy, 'twas sorrow ming- ling there ; With every pang, with every deep'ning care Which filled my heart, her nature had its share. Oh, such is woman ! It is hers to feel The pangs of sympathy ! When man would steel His breast against compassion for our woe, Her heart is melted with an overflow Of those sweet waters, which, like gentle showers. Bestrew our path with fragrance and with flowers. Such was the sweet Rosalia. Not a sigh Escaped my lips, but hers breathed their reply. 88 REUNIDO. As constantly her lonely watch she kept Beneath my window, oh, how oft she wept When but a deepening shade would cross my brow 1 Such was her faith and sympathy ; for now Love's voice was mute, nor breathed our lips a vow. Weeks deepened into months, and we had learned A language Love could speak ; for we had yearned From first we met, to give in words each thought The eye expressed, or intuition taught ; And now we spoke, but I was firmly bound By those deep walls, which girt my prison round. And e'en that opening in the dungeon's wall, So closely grated, and with bounds so small. The little window, through which air and light Entered my prison, and the blessed sight EEUNIDO. 89 Was mine of her I loved, I ne'er could clasp The hand she reached for Love's endearing grasp. We passed our time in that strange sympathy Of heart with heart, the pris'ner and the free — Misfortune's own, and she who placed by birth, To look with joy upon this beauteous earth. At length a day, and all abroad in vain I watched her coming ; listed for the strain Of her sweet music, till 't was e'en a pain To hope once more that warbled strain to hear, Which never more might charm my listening ear. The day seemed long — another came and went. On my low couch in thoughtfulness I bent. My poor companion sought again to rest Within the folds which hid my aching breast. When all is joyless, still some living thing Will often come and in affection cling 8* 90 REUNIDO. For sympathy within your heart, and blend Some spark of gladness with the love you lend. My jailor came, I saw within his eye A tear of sorrow, which he did not try To hide, but beckoning me, he led the way Through a low passage, which no sunbeam's ray Had ever entered, to a little cell, In which, he said, 't was mine henceforth to dwell. He closed the door, and not a struggling spark — No ray of light, but all around so dark. That, but a moment since I 'd seen the light, I almost thought that I could feel it night. My time passed on, and yet I could not tell If it were day or night, for in that cell A day, an hour, all seemed to be the same. The morn, the night, I knew not when they came, REUNIDO. 91 Nor noted I their passing ; they to me — A day, a life ; a life, eternity. At length, exhausted, on the stony floor I sank, to dream my days of sorrow o'er. In those wild visions I beheld one face Which smiled on me — a form of matchless grace, An eye of beauty, in whose liquid light A calm, sweet heaven was beaming to my sight. Thus seemed the sweet Rosalia, o'er my sleep — My vision saw her kneeling down to weep ; And, oh, as if to seal her heavenly vow, Her burning kiss I felt upon my brow. Pressed her fair hand, and on my heaving breast Pillowed her head — her wavy locks caressed ; Looked in her eyes, and read whatever there, Might waken joy, or soothe me in despair ; Heard her sweet voice, and listening whence it came. My waking senses heard her call my name. 92 EEUNIDO. 'T was real • and clasping in a fond embrace Her angel form, and gazing in her face, Beheld the love which yet could bind to me The fair, the beautiful, the glad, the free. Oh, did there e'er one pure affection dwell In girlhood's breast, so truly, freely given, To shed a joy around the dungeon's cell ? — The offered prize, a gift well worthy heaven, If for life's woe one moment's joy can give A sweet atonement, for which we would live. The moment this, the joy was surely mine. To press her lips with love's own kiss divine. Now she had come to ope my prison door. To lead me out into the evening air. To offer me sweet freedom's joy once more, A blessing which her girlhood's heart might share. She led me to the shadow of a tower, Whence I could see the fair and rose-clad bower, REUNIDO. 93 Where she had sung that sweet and warbled lay, Which I had heard, to charm my cares away ; Nor long we waited, entering a defile. We crept along all silently awhile. Down in a dark and lonely gorge there stood, Three noble steeds of Andalusian blood. In low obeisance, when she gave command, Her servant stooping, gently touched her hand. He was a menial, who had watched her play. And now with bended form, and locks grown gray, To guard her steps, it was his chiefest pride, To follow, where his lovely charge should guide. No word was said ; he to the saddle swung Her agile form, then to his own he sprung. Silent I followed down the narrow way. Scarce to be ventured, when the light of day 94: KEUNIDO. Was shining full upon us; one mistread We might be plunged in that abyss so dread. Upon whose edge our rockj pathway lay ; But fear lent wings, we could not now delay. We hasted on, and when we reached the vale, The morn was shedding forth a light so pale. We scarce could see the wood, the stream, the mead, But looking up, almost as overhead The castle turrets, rising into view, Painted by sunbeams with a roseate hue. Still on we sped ; at length a winding horn, Awaked the echoes of the silent morn. We shuddered, and Rosalia's dimming eye Sought mine in fond assurance, but a sigh Escaped my lips, and unrestrained a tear Bedewed my lashes, telling of the fear Which filled my heart ; 'twas not for me alone. For her sweet life was dearer than my own. KEUNIDO. 95 Through that deep vale, our hastening footsteps rang, But now pursuit with its fast echoing clang, Was close upon us ; in our wild, wild flight, The gliding river gladdened now the sight. The din increased, and looking far behind, Rode chief and peon in pursuit so blind, That every moment nearer, nearer came The rude, fierce band ; and now Rosalia's name Above the clattering din was loudly heard : We spurred our steeds yet uttered not a word. Behind we heard, 'twas death, and death by blood ; Before, there rushed the angry foaming flood ; 'Twas but a moment's choice, to live or die, We cared not now, nor breathed our lips reply : But in the waters, now her form I pressed. All helpless, clinging to my aching breast. 96 REUNIDO. The rolling waves all closed around, above ; We struggled on, 'twas not for life, but love Had joined our hearts, and Heaven had heard the vow, E'er live apart, we'd die together now. 'Twas but a moment more of struggling life. For that dear angel, now my almost wife. We heard the song of every passing wave, It seemed the requiem o'er a watery grave, The passing spirit's last and sad adieu, And Heaven's reward for hearts too fond and true. CANT V. I WOKE in darkness, and a hallowed name, Unconscious to my lips in accents came. Sweet Mjra, oh, return to me, 'tis thine, To shed on me a light almost divine. Now many voices with discordant sound, Awaked the echoes, and I felt around The little darkened room, 'twas my first care, To know if I could find Rosalia there. Alone, alone, I sought within my breast, To see whose image was the most impressed ; I pictured Myra, with her eyes so blue, Which spoke of all the constancy, I knew There dwelt within her heart, and she was fair, An angel's form, an angel's features there, , 98 REUNIDO. So calm and pure, my manhood's love still clung Around the heart I'd shared while life was young. As mem'ry pictured her, so true and mild, I loved her more, the mother of my child. I loved Rosalia, still she seemed to be, A sister, child, a kind of myth to me, Not wife, oh, no ! my heart once dead to passion's flame, A sister's love was all that I could name. My poor Rosalia ! Had she braved for this A father's vengeance, seeking rather death Or infamy ? What mockery of bliss — A brother's care, nor loving husband's kiss ! Oh ! could I e'er, as brother, half repay That woman's nobleness of soul, which rose Above surroundings, and which changed the day REUNIDO. 99 Of parents' smile for life whose close Might be, alas, alas ! who dreams or knows ? Oh ! could I meet the gaze of those dark eyes, Which sought my own, for love's own mute replies. And call her sister ? — her who 'd strove to save My worthless life, and that of wife now gave ! Or should I pillow on my senseless breast The head I once in ecstacy caressed ? — My love but as a spectre come to tell Of her my youth had loved so fond and well. The breast which finds another heart to beat In unison with every cherished thought ; The eye which looks, the lip which smiles to meet Another glance, another smile unsought^ — An after love ne'er makes its dwelling there, Though smiles may semble, nor the heart can share. All had been darkness ; now an opening door Disclosed a thousand forms unseen before. 100 E E U N I D O . They were the dusky warriors of the wood, Whoj all in awe, before their Priestess stood. Her brow was circled with a wampum band, From which a veil of zephyr loosely hung ; An unstrung bow was in her neither hand, While painted arrows from her shoulder swung. Her moccasins by busy fingers wrought ; Her robe of furs by careful trappers brought ; Her features hidden, but her locks were fair — A crown of feathers decked her wavy hair. I could but think, though closely veiled her face, The hand so white, the form of matchless grace, Proclaimed its owner of another race. They reveled on, with sembling cry of fear. With voice of gladness, and with mimic tear. Which gives the Indian's prison-dance its cheer. The Priestess led me to a cabin door, Where lay Rosalia on the leaf-strewn floor. RE TIN I DO. 101 Poor girl ! I gazed upon her pallid brow. And saw there death — nor wife nor sister now ! Kneeling me down, I placed her head to rest, Half consciously, upon my aching breast. My o'er charged heart at length gained words to say: Why, sweet Kosalia, wing thyself away ? Why go from me, to break this aching heart ? Thy brother loves thee, why wilt thou depart ? She moved her lips, as if she would reply- Clung closer to me — breathing but a sigh — Gazed in my face with looks so full of love — Then pointing up, as if to realms above, She smiled on me, as if 't were sweet to die. So long I held her — how could I resign The being I now pictured as divine ? But clasping, e'en in death, her form once more, I kissed her lips as ne'er, oh ! ne'er, before. 102 RE UN I DO. The Priestess came, and, with a woman's care, Unclasped my hands, and smoothed her wavy hair — Placed her dear corse upon the leaf-strewn floor, And sought to calm my aching heart once more. O'ercomo with grief, I kneeled me down in prayer. That God would take me from this world of care, Of sorrow, and of grief Rosalia's name, In that sad prayer, a blessed sister came ; But there was one, for whom my sorrowing life Was offered up, to share it with my wife, In joy, in sorrow, or in life, in death, Thy will he done — but take my wretched breath ; Or if 't is thine, kind heaven, to let me live. Restore my Myra, and, oh God, forgive ! My hand was grasped. The Priestess drawing near — "Oh, dost thou still thy Myra' s name hold dear? EEUNIDO. 103 And wouldst thou then thy Myra's love recall To thy lone heart, thy wife, thy love, thine all ? Then look upon her, if thou wouldst restore Thy long lost wife, behold her face once more." She raised her veil, I gazed into her face, Then clasped her form, in one long fond embrace. She told her story, how uncurbed by reins, Her mustang flew towards his native plains. Until the Indians saw her, lonely ride With fettered limbs, and hands securely tied. They caught the horse ; its rider they begun To worship now, the daughter of the sun. A lonely captive 'twas her choice to be Too high, too grand, too pure a thing to see. She veiled her face, and with a magic sway Stretched forth her wand, to make the chiefs obey. What grief was there, when known so far and wide. The starlight's chief had come to claim his bride. 104 R E U N I D O . But in the tribe, the daughter of the sun, Their awe, their rev'rence, and their love had won. Though bowed in sorrow, they appeared all gay, To welcome in our coming nuptial day. We planted flowers upon Rosalia's grave ; A drooping willow, marked her humble tomb ; This, sadly, with the sighing winds to wave, And those, to gladden with their sweet perfume. Now, once again, within my cottage home, Upon the Colorado's peaceful side. My Myra waits, when evening shadows come, In hopeful fear, lest evil may betide. Once more does playful infancy beguile, My weary evenings, with its tear and smile. Once more awakes the parent's greatest joy, To see the image of his first-born boy, REUNIDO. 105 The same in feature;, and with wavy hair, "With eye so blue, with face so bright and fair, All tell me of the one, whose grave I made, Long years ago, beneath the tree's cool shade. And I am happy now. God, to Thee, My wife returned, my bleeding country free — Oh, may I meekly bow to thy behest, Man takes his course, Heaven wills his fate, 'tis best. FUGITIVE PIECES. INSPIRATION. 'Tis the soul and life of all our being, When -we lose ourselves, within the noble thoughts Which make us, in ourselves, more than ourselves. When the words of angels, and of men, In ages past and ages yet to come, Speak through our lips, with voice as 't were their own. And fill our souls with all the fire Which waked their muse, and tuned their lyre, And kindle there, the latent flame, Which in their very bosoms burned, As in the trackless way to fame. They, on the world's cold scorn have turned. And dared to be themselves, as free, free as air. 'Tis then, within the magic of that hour. The warrior's accents, thrill along each vein, 10 110 Inspiration. With him we see the carnage, hear the cannon's roar, And live the battle's fiercest fury o'er again. Oh ! oh ! my heart, why thus still thy beatings ? "Why thus repress the very feelings Which strive but to be free ? Give me but words, and I'll express All that now lives within my very soul, That burns within my heart for freedom. Let me not measure them by formal mete. But let them flow, as free and pure As waters from Ambrosia's ceaseless fount. Then will my voice speak forth The poetry, which was expressionless without, And love, and hate, revenge, and trust, and scorn, And all life's sweet and bitter things, Will then have tongues to speak. The inmost depth of thought will then receive expression. INSPIRATION. Ill There's poetry in Nature, in the past and in the future, And in the acts of every man, who lives a noble life, There's poetry in man ! Who that has not felt, within the heart. An inspiration, burning, and striving to awaken words. Forgetting self, and living in the life that others lived, When happiness, and sorrow, and all the joy and gloom of life Had merged into those nobler, better thoughts. Which fill and bless the mind, within the enrap- tured hour ? Who then that has not wished for words Untrammelled as the spirits free? For in the pent up feelings of the heart, That spirit lives with wondrous power ; 112 INSPIRATION. The hopes and joys of other days Are there ; we live them o'er again ; Nature is placed beneath our gaze. And every form is pure, as when Earth and its beauties, all had passed From out the Maker's bounteous hand, And all that's noble in the mind, Is doubly pure and doubly free. And love, and hope, and joy, may find A dwelling in each deathless thought ; That spirit, with a voice unheard, Give it but words, and, like an uncaged bird, 'Twill soar to freedom ; that language will express The feelings of the soul : 'Tis Inspiration. OH GOD, TO THEE! Oh God, to Thee We raise the heart and bend the knee — Protect our glorious liberty ! Thy children stand, a noble band. To save their own, their native land. Let not the traitors' banner wave ; Our hearts and homes from Treason save ; Protect the true, protect the brave, In glorious liberty. Oh God, of Thee We ask once more, do thou restore Our land to peace, as 't was before. Oh ! in Thy might, o'errule the fight. For Freedom and the cause of right ! 10* 114 OH GOD, TO thee! And may our land be ever blessed. To woo the exile, the oppressed, To happy homes, in East or West, In glorious liberty. Oh God, to Thee, With upraised heart and bended knee. Bless Thou our land, so great and free ; Keep thou our country and our laws, One heart, one home, one common cause, To be the land where Freedom claims The patriot's best and noblest aims, All hallowed by the noblest names That Freedom ever gave. This prayer we raise, oh God, to Thee. Keep Thou our glorious country free. A PANORAMA. The other day, as by my door I sat a thinking o'er and o'er, The changes that have come of late Upon our people, church and state ; And as with a prophetic gaze, I sought the future's distant maze, A visitant, unbidden, caught Me in her firm embrace, and Thought, Which, ere this, I in Reason's chain Had bound; now ofi" in Fancy's train Went hither, thither, nor m keeping, For Reason's power was with me sleeping. As Somnus round her mantle threw, I saw, in panoramic view, 116 A PANORAMA. The world pa'sa by me. First the past, And then the present came ; at last The future slowly glided by. I looked with eager, watchful eye, When came the dark and dismal night, Which ushered in our Freedom's light ; For to the view an upraised hand Seemed pointing : " 'T is thy native land," Was uttered in a voice, to me, Prophetic of the time when free, Those clouds of darkness should have set, And stars in constellation met. It was indeed a glorious sight, To see her battle for the right, To see her nobly do and dare. When viewed by Famine's eager stare. When want and bitter cares oppressed Her soldiery, and food and rest And raiment's comforts were denied, They bravely did, and dared and died. A PANORAMA. 117 And woman there, with heart as true. Around the hearth-stone eager drew Her offspring, and with toiling hand Taught them to serve their native land ; Taught them, but taught them less in word, Than in a voice their spirits heard. It was the teaching which will live In noble acts, which words ne'er give. Such were the men and women who, With free-born spirit, firm and true. Lived in those times when heart and hand Both joined to save their native land. The arts and joys of social life. Succeeded danger, want and strife ; Now man was found with hands of toil, To cultivate the yielding soil, To fell the mighty forest's pride. And when the council chambers wide Were opened in affairs of state. The acts which made our nation great 118 A PANORAMA. Were his, and his the mind which planned Supremacy of sea and land. And woman, at the social board, With ready smile and kindly word, Dispensed the comforts of the meal ; The music of her spinning-wheel Was heard the live-long day ; no more Sat Want beside the cottage door. The church was simple, but its truth A guide for manhood, age and youth, Went forth into the world, and came To noble men with noble aim. The aim, all human weal, the fount Which flowed to man on Sinai's mount. Our country prospered, and her name Was written on the lists of fame ; Wealth in her lap its bounties poured, With plenty were her garners stored ; A PANORAMA. 119 Peace o'er each cottage sweetly smiled, With labor were the hours beguiled ; And to the mind was oped a store Of ancient and of modern lore. My country ! those thy halcyon days. Which poets sing with feeble lays, When o'er thy broad, extended lands, The majesty of working hands Was known and felt, when heart and soul With single aim sought but the goal, Their nation's honor and their own. In panoramic view alone, Did wealth and station, and the store Which blessed our land in days before Remain, and now the heart so true, And laboring hands, less distingue, Are voted. Honor now remains A votary in Slavery's chains. 120 A PANORAMA. Honor, no longer in the heart, Retains its choicest, noblest part, But 't is a thing of gentlest guise, Dressed up by fashion in the wise Of courts and kings, a thing of station, Not born to man, but of creation ; Unknown within our glorious state, Ere cents or dollars made men great. In vain more noble feelings than True manhood, as 't is found in man, Are sought, and from that height sublime, Of manhood in its choicest prime They fall. Eternity ne'er planned A nobler race for Freedom's land. Than those who, at her birth, unfurled Her starry banners to the world. All now is empty show and ease, A cultivated power to please ; A PANORAMA. 121 Now labor^ which might soil the hands. Is given o'er to menial bands, While ease and indolence and leisure. And hours misspent pursuing pleasure, Are life's enjoyment, end, and aim, And toil is now allied to shame. No more the mother's cheerful care Spreads on the board their frugal fate ; But all her firm resolves now broken. And sympathies so sweetly spoken. And hours of ennui all bespeak *' The spirit's strong, the flesh is weak." The church, alas ! no more it stands As pure, as when from distant lands, Within our wild- woods it began. And published forth its truth to man ; Truth, such as from a ceaseless fountain, Christ preached to man upon the mountain. 122 A PANORAMA. I trembled as the future drew Toward me in panoramic view ; I 'd seen the past and present day Borne slowly from the gaze away, Had seen our people in their might, Rise boldly to assert their right. Those high in station in our growth, In pride of indolence and sloth. Despise the labor of the hand Which made our's Freedom's noblest land And now before my dreading gaze Were placed our country's future days ; I saw these evils as they grew, Till bounteous fate the curtain drew. Again, before my waking eyes. Were summer's sun and balmy skies ; As to my gaze a scene so fair Was oped, I breathed this prayer : A PANORAMA. 123 Oh ! heaven, return our native land The strength of mind, which thought and planned Her greatness^ and return the truth Of church and state, as in her youth ; Return to her those noble men, With strength of arm and will, as when, In early days, with hearts so true. Their blades 'gainst Tyranny they drew ; Return those women who could dare In toil and strife to take their share ; Make thou once more our infant state As good and glorious as she's great. 10 K (!Ui:7\M. WlIENOK (11(1 it, conu', or wIiom' iiivoiltioil, Is BCaiTO a Hiibjoct lor content ion. No (loul)l, tli(^ nation in :ulvaiU'o In culiniiry arts, is P'l-aiicc. To cook a, jelly ov a. jam, Or e'en an oyster or a ham, Thoy boat tho Avorld, but no'crtholcss Tlie Ivind oi' food lew e'er ciin gucsrt. To toll you wliy, 't is plain tlu^ reason, 'Tia alwuytt iso tirossuil up with season ; But to roturn, 1 'vo missod my thonio, My rhyming 'b all about ico-croani. liL the waters of Whit(^ Lakc^ ('ontontmont blessed this happy [xjoplo, E'en though thoir church had not a stooplo. But Avhy disturb those rural scenes ? What people call " A man of moans," Meant horses, oxen, and a cow, And health and strength to guide tlie plow. These, with a houso and little farm, Bestowed their comforts like a charm. But not permitted to enjoy Their rural scenes without alloy, SoHK^ health aji