'^:m rimiSmi Jl 'OA- ^Z^&TL-. POEMS On Miscellaneous Topics, Produced at Brief Intervals, as is the poets usual method. Mary e. tillotson. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1887, By MARY E. TILLOTSON, [n the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. All rights reserved. DEDICATION. TO MY SON, RAY S. TILLOTSON, I GLADLY DEDICATE THIS VOLUME. Having inherited a taste for Poetic Literature, his thought and feeling come nearer mine in these promiscuous Poems than in my other productions. Hence he will value them, I trust, as a partial mirror of his mother's mind and life labors ; and as a Gift of her sympathy and cease- less affection. M. E. TiLLOTSON. BURK & McFETRIDGE PRINTERS 306 AND 308 CHESTNUT STREET PHILADELPHIA PREFACE. In publishing these Miscellaneous Poems my first care is to preserve them in convenient form for my family. Relatives and special friends may cherish them as Blossoms of my Sentiments, Love, Duty and Solicitude, opening along my lifepath, from youth on- ward, amid earnest Prose Works seeking Integral Im- provement, and various manual labors. Yet, I would not care to so preserve them, did I not believe they inculcate true philosophy, appeal to the best motives in human nature; and, while tending to rectify false usages and ideas, carry incentives to high resolves, as- suaging influences to sorrow, and welcome hopes of continuance of life and progress in which all may at- tain to happiness when ashamed of selfish schemes that darken and depress this sphere. In compiling I have arranged pieces earliest written in the thirst Part, and probably inserted some that will mainly interest the young ; yet, as such, need not dis- please the general reader. 6 PREFACE. Mental activity, taking the line of desire for reliable truth, sought to make the acquisition conducive of worthful advancement for all whom my influence might reach. Believing life need not be so laden with ills — that hu- manity need not be so slow to practicalize what mental evolution had long made evident, I yearned for acceler- ated endeavor. The knowledge that fraud, avarice and vice were preying on the integrity of all institu- tions, and of personal habits down to those of the child, ever stimulated my investigations and moral ef- forts. Eventful experience following my progress aided in vitalizing a benificent zeal, and poising a peace- ful vivacity, life's grateful elixir. These, and life's best usefulness and comforts, could not have been preserved had spite for base inflictions been harbored in my breast. However various the causes uniting to yield the calmness buoying my spirit above trial, through per- secution, and utilizing emotion" in musical rhythm, I have been reconciled to the lessons, and enjoyed sing- ing thoughts into measures, hoping they would allay sadness in others, and inspire courage. Still, an assurance is indulged that the exercise be- stowed on them in occasional relaxation from graver reform labors will be of use in dispensing some truths that may be instructive to serious students in life's complex school. CONTENTS PART ] Earth's Rays, .... [. Pack 15 Sleep, Levity no Antidote to Gloom, . The Scroll That Wrapt a Tress, Anguish and Peace, Met, Loved and Parted, . 16 19 20 21 Plaintive Resignation, Impromptu, .... Miss M. A. B The Tender Heart, . 23 24 25 " Remember my Album," We Met Again, On Receiving a Book, Affliction's Efficient Plea, . • 26 27 34 36 Persistent Love, Mother Moods, The Image of Death— A Contrast, 39 42 43 Past Years, .... 45 Beauty, ..... Invocation, .... The Token Bird, 47 51 52 « CONTENTS Valentine Tradition, Washington, Invocation, Spring's Messengers, Argumentative Consolation, To Juliaette, Similitudes, Why Can't The Heart Repose Materialism and Night, The Broken Spirit, To the Family of Orin Tillotson, Similies Beautiful and Lovely, Anna's Memorial, Answer and Question, Zephyr's Welcome, . Desultory Lucubrations, Triolet, .... Fashion Thoughts in a Thunder Storm, Rhapsody from The Ideal, To an Ideal Being, . Undue Devotion's Protest, Page 53 54 56 58 60 61 62 64 65 69 70 71 72 73 74 78 83 84 86 88 89 90 CONTENTS. 9 PART TI. Tears, .... Soul, ..... Enjoyments and Wants, . For H. C. H Come to the North, . The First Spring Shower, Unwritten Poetry, To a Temperance Advocate, Woman's Costmne Emancipatio Home of My Childhood and Ch; To the Clouds, . Tribute, To a Young Pastor, . Time, The Circassian Bride, On Passing a Cemetery, Installation Hymn, . Reputation, Albums, Light, Love and Truth, Souvenir, . Progressive Lyceums. Tyranny and Fraternity, Brother-in-Law, Sudden Transit, I Want My Mother, Modern Ambition, The Banian Tree, Lines to Laura, . n, iniT! 10 CONTENTS. The Invalid, ..... Anticipated Farewell, Scene in the Sick-room, . The Song The Result, Truth's Triumph and Falsehood's Defeat Love-Light Benighted, Responsive Anticipations, Sabrina, Truth and Falsehood, Parody on "Why Should We Dream," Token Penciled at Camp Meeting, . Responsive to M. L. C, Twilight Hour, . Greeting to Louisa, . Acrostic, .... O, Lovely Moon ! Air-Line Mutuality, . A Tender Pledge, A Reminiscence, Demise by Collision of Cars, Children's Lyceum Exercise, Lyceum Exercise — Our Privileges Lyceum Exercise — To Science, American Bride of a German Pr Love's Eyes, The Whirlwind, Friendship, Plight of the Girl of the Period Woman and Man, Levi's Almost, . The Time to Die, Sunrise, Noon, . Evening, The Moon. ofessor, CONTENTS Life My Family, Adoption Anniversaries, . The Lesson Evolved, Sequel to the Ties, Isadore, I Left Them All for Thee Revelations, The Spell of the Past. Meditations in a Funeral Hour My New-found Brother, My Son on Valentine's Day Time's Teachings, Are They Discrepancies ? Conclusion, Spiritualism, Give Me But Truth, The Poet's Fate, Truth the Price of Health Womanhood Ignored, Mother's Call, . Frolic in Rhyme Reflections, Progress, Realization, Adversity Renounced, Effusions, . Use of Dreams, Burial and Cremation, Romance, . To a Liberal Journal, Proverbs, . Response, . 1 2 CONTENTS Page Contemplations, 278 Responsibility and Strife are Fate, 290 Surrounded, Yet Alone, 295 The Crisis Culminating, . 298 Hereditary Fear, 301 Anno Domini and Era of Science, 304 Monument in Memoriam, 312 Explanatory, .... 313 The Light of Love, . 3U Manners 315 June, 316 Tears 317 Finis, 318 PART FIRST, EARLY RESEARCH INCIPIENT PHILOSOPHY, COMPRISING SEVENTY-FIVE PAGES. EARTH'S RAYS. Dear light of the morning, revealer of rays, 'Tis thou that inspirest with gladness and praise ; Emerging from shade to shed sapphire-domed days, Gems greet us if skyward or earthward we gaze. No marvel that man erst a sun-god devised ; Yet strange that he made a dark demon despised ; For night's rest and sleep were needs savages prized ; Tho' round worlds with shade sides were wonders [disguised. But this is an unwelcome branch of my theme — Still, Ignorance darkens where theocrats dream. Our oracle, Nature, speaks joy in each beam, And Reason responds, rays are truths, as they seem. We dance in delight as dew-stars on the flowers, And sing in our souls with gay birds in the bowers ; Intelligence flowing in eye-rays like showers, [hours, Says happy and good life should grow these bright And, sages evolving, become earth's high powers. 1 8 POEMS. Each laugh was as the knell's loud pealing, And sorely jarred its wild vibrations ; Most radiant eyes bespoke sad feeling, Tho' lips were rife with light relations ; And music's thrilling strains came stealing In sickly sounds, all nothing worth, Upon the wounded sense, revealing How vain th' attempt to soothe by mirth. There could he learn how rich the blessing Of calm contentment void of pride ; Even if but one friend possessing, Whose tireless truth deeds ne'er denied. Then seek not Fashion's false caressing. Time-serving popularity ; But artless goodness aye expressing The bosom's boundless charity. When merry, list the lyre's resounding, 'Mid innocent hilarity : When sad, let sages meek, surrounding, Address in terms of gravity. Grief and Mirth jointly abounding, Make discord and disparity Strange as the tones, alternate sounding, Of pureness and depravity. POEMS. 19 THE SCROLL THAT WRAPT A TRESS. My more than friend ; Untiring, frank and fearless couldst thou brave The slanderer's reproach the wronged to save, Their rights defend. I wish thee cheer ! For thou couldst hush Suspicion's rending tone My peace and honor make dear as thine own : Thou shouldst be dear. Forever rest Upon thy head some chosen, blessed spell ; For merited thou hast, timely and well. The rich behest. And to express Duly the gratitude that never dies, Needs but to tell how tenderly I prize This ebon tress. 20 POEMS. ANGUISH AND PEACE. 'Tis Anguish to confront the eye Of cold pretense — The scathing sneer that " gives the He" To Innocence — To hear the selfish, scorning lip Our truth dispute In terms like, " graceless hypocrite, Thou'd best be mute." 'Tis Peace to know our glance returned No spiteful dart — That rash jeers met the glow that burned On guiltless heart — That the false charge, hypocrisy, Roused no contempt — Our offences never meant to be, Our sins unmeant. To have in others' hopeless woes Our bliss entombed, And by their deep despairing throes Our rest consumed — To feel earth's dearest treasure lost, And when we weep. Know not whose sorrow sinks us most, Is Anguish deep. POEMS. 21 To soon forget the wrongs we bear, Our foes forgive — To lull our sobs in labor's prayer, And while we live Shun sordid aims, and straying friends By love redeem — To know all anguish duly ends, Is Peace supreme. MET, LOVED, AND PARTED. We Met in youth, the sunny world was fair ; No deep regrets annoyed, no weary care : The fragrant buds and blossoms, joy's sweet tissue, Awhile were fresh, but blessings ceased to issue. We Loved, if passions that, uncherished, last ; That load the present with the mystic past, And cloud the future with the trite old theme, Be termed that endless and transforming dream. We Parted, if to dwell in different climes Disjunction be ; but if most changeful times Dissolve not blendings, nor erase unumbered Memories that have not fled nor slumbered — If this be union, then are we not sundered. 22 POEMS. PLAINTIVE RESIGNATION. Sweet June brings songs on wings 'mid bloom and sun rays warm, [form ; But 'mid her flaunting stores is missed one beaming Missed eyes that rival morn's blue deeps and opal And list I vainly for one melody to rise. [skies^ But soul-ears hold some tones they will not let depart ; Soul-retinas some dyes rich as the rosebud's heart ; Soul-tablets keep the portraiture love ever paints. (Wonder if time vouchsafes mature-class duplicates.) Misgivings strange entangle sometimes truest minds ; Who shall be judge if Fate be good or ill that blinds ? I sought my reason's best, the choice not to repent. But when I bade adieu mine was the banishment. Still better thus for aye than doubtful guide to heed ; Perchance lone discipline most buoyant spirits need : Storms ravish half the flowers, trials, 'tis found, are friends ; My plaint is not regret, howe'er the story ends. POEMS. 23 IMPROMPTU. This morn a pleasure ride passed by ; 'Twas joy to view young happy features — Gaze back few years to scenes where I Was merriest of merry creatures. Without a pang of sore regret I took the rapid retrospection ; Smiled on the views Pd fain forget, Whose shadows cloud the recollection. Hearts, social, g-entle, g-enial, kind, From various converse gather pleasure ; When well employed, the fertile mind Alone supplies contentment's treasure. There is a calm experience learned, Which giddy souls mistake for sadness ; There is a quiet patience earned. More precious far than noisy gladness. They say Pm changed — that o'er my brow A different heaven seems to hover — That themes and sports I name not now Which blest me in my seventeenth summer. 24 POEMS. How little heed they that much more I love earth's smiles and songs and beauties; Or that my cup of joy runs o'er While singing thro' life's sober duties. But lighter fall the hours to-day Than when I gave the crowd attendance, And went with bounding heart away On the glad morn of Independence. July 4th, 1844. MISS M. A. B. If half my wishes for thy happiness Be realized, thy lengthened life shall be A drama charmed, for faithful friends shall bless Thy every hour, and tho' Time's fitful sea May heave its billows, threat'ning tempests dark, Safely shall glide thy ever-buoyant bark. Fair Science shall illume thy gladsome way; Discretion light each vista Hope descries ; Truth, hallowed basis, be thy spirit's stay Where'er thy cheery vessel moors or flies. Nought less than this can I for thee implore ; Be granted this, and Life demands no more. POEMS. 25 THE TENDER HEART. The fortress strong that foes surround Must tremble in the cannon's sound; Be scarred, tho' it repel the power Of dauntless Bravery's iron shower. So, like the tower by war upcast, The breast, formed for endurance vast, Is far too fragile to withstand Unmoved the woes on every hand — To firmly meet the sable surge That ills successive 'round it urge. From sorrow's fount the pleading moan Commands its gifts in mighty tone — If scenes of pain the eye assail, Or tongues pathetic tell the tale — If untaught pathos, low in name, Destruction's ravages proclaim ; Or lettered scrolls from distance bear Records of torture or despair; Alike subduing is the wail'. Potent to bid its calmness quail. It joys with all who pleasure know, And grieves with every child of woe : 26 POEMS. To-day basks 'neath resplendent skies, And nymphs of bliss around it rise — To-morrow brings the rumbling cloud, With frienzied Fates in mourning bowed. It gladly gives of all its store, And sighs for means to succor more : And so liv^es on, perchance long years ; Now warmed in smiles, now chilled in tears Till probed too deep, it needs must fall. Full vanquished, like the crumbling wall Which long resists, but yields at length To the besieger's skill and strength. REMEMBER MY ALBUM." Truth above words and creeds Beams, the bright sun of life— When its light glows in deeds, Peace chases sin and strife. Lizzie, my spirit pleads For thine this best of meeds. POEMS. 27 WE MET AGAIN. 'Twas Fate — we met again — Five long years intervening Left links of Love's lax chain On Friendship's pillars gleaming. Yet both hearts then were blest To calmly bear the greeting — Simply our hands caressed, While smiles were welcomes speaking. That o'er thy features strayed The signet sweet of rest, Light above waning shade, By general weal expressed — That absence could divide, And foreign realms and seas Restore thee safely tried. Was more than joy : 'twas ease. The bloom wreath on thy cheek Could faltering doubts dispel ; Health's beaming brow could speak Tranquillity so well — 28 POEMS. So well retained thine eye The full glow )'outh's zeal wore, My soul should pain deny, Though mine were bright no more. That Time's mixed lavish wealth Thy mental tumult stills, Crowns my content by stealth ; And Peace her chalice fills. If from thy sphere have flown The yearning needs of heart, The vacant fields of brain. Regrets from mine depart. If night can hush thy thought In slumber's soothing shades, I'll smile though morning light My sleepless orbs pervades. That one as true and dear My image can supplant, Is richest truce to fear, And greatest wish doth grant. Tis bliss to learn thy spouse Thou lovest tenderly — Most highly her I prize For just adoring thee. POEMS. 29 Thou'lt foster each soul tie Thy blent joys long to save ; And ne'er repeat a sigh That once a heart I gave. Yet gave can scarcely say ; Its tale to tell in brief, It proved a runaway, Or thou its elfin thief As princely Absalom Stole with sweet word and smile, So thou ; but not, like him. With bosom breathing guile. A tremor thrilled my frame, Like shaken branch, to hear Thy daughter bore my name ; I heard with inner ear. Thy kiss on her young cheek Will mean anon for me — Thou'lt knowledge for her seek, Kindly, devotedly. Oft shall I hear her whisper. Feel the sphere of her mother, Whom now I deem a sister. As ever thou a brother. 30 POEMS. The romance of the real Grows intricate with time ; O'ertakes the bold ideal, And both become sublime. To miss a maiden's hand Made drear a native shore ; Then bloom-enchanted land Supplied the loss, and more. O'erpaid in precious love, Enriched in genial clime ; Warm skies, bird songs above: All happy prospects chime. May clustered virtues make Thy life a halcyon dream, Calm as the placid lake, Blithe as the rippling stream. For me, what powers are fain Hope to relume and stay, Give action to sustain, Courage to ope the way? My life its cheer instills Where sorrow seeks its balm ; The void no friend refills, The fount can but be calm. POEMS. 31 No laughter stirs my blood ; Because I will, I smile ; My moods assume the staid ; They're not just lue the while. To chase clouds that beset Smiles are not always lent ; Those given when last we met A world could not prevent. And when thou didst depart Again I smiled adieu ; Beneath that light the heart Suppression's shadow threw. Our times teach to dissemble, As if life's laws were shames — Emotion may not tremble — What eyes tell take no names — Nor words with memory turn To times when joy or pain For blessings ceased to yearn, Or struggled rest to gain. Away, pale Charm, away ! Too long thou'st held the wand ; But Mind cannot obey When Will cannot command. 32 POEMS. Could search obtain, or plea — Mind's balanced rest be given ; Long since had both been free, Self-thrall had been self-riven. Thou'st triumphed well, in sooth, And pledged the golden gem For friendship's hallowed truth, Life's richest diadem. Now bask in peace and health, In usefulness and power ; The potent boon of wealth, Love, beauty, be thy dower. Remembrance, softly stray From bounty's blissful lot To scenes long past away, Becalmed and dreaded not. I see and fully feel. Love is not understood ; Its cure is possible. Its influence should be good. But none instruct the young, Or aid them when bereaved — Bards of the pangs have sung. As fated ills believed. POEMS. They come of ignorance ; Earth should ere now have learned The care of innocence, Its miseries mocked and spurned. If I overcome the throes, And learn to talk or write, ril tell the world these woes Its ablest helps invite. Now, soft, my soul ! ne'er verge Gloom's always noxious vapor; Shun Grief's miasmal surge ; Snatch Truth's clear guiding taper; And in its light serene Thy search begin anew In Wisdom's valleys green. And Reason's mountains true. TWENTY YE.3IRS LATER. Resolves that closed this gush Of thoughts old usage chiding. Made haste with healing rush 'Gainst influence erst presiding. Vigils to studies turned. Mind traced results and causes — Clearer life's histories learned, Their untaught parts and pauses. 3 33 34 POEMS. ON RECEIVING A BOOK. Thanks for thy sign, safe home, dear Hugh; A sacred souvenir hfe through ; No other friend, hovve'er sincere, Could speak o'er seas with voice so clear. Full sails have sped it from thy hand To mine in this thy first loved land ; It came at sunset, and its light Makes this long eve a morning bright. Pleased o'er its leaves I oft will linger ; Not turned, I trust, with tremblincr fins^er : Its lines that paint love's tender joys Will teach, tho' tell not, life's alloys. And if anon some tears may fall, These pages shall escape them all : Their silent flow deep truths to speak, May stain, but must not pale my cheek. Ruins of Tyre, its frontisplate. With crumbling columns — desolate ! I'd more have prized when hope erst failed, When love besought, and truth prevailed. POEMS. ^ 35 Lorn pilgrims sigh o'er Tyrus' dust ; Her gold, her gems, all treasures lost — Her proud renown and beauty sleeps. Which History mourns and Memory weeps. Memory ! a blessing, oft a curse — The fusing flame of youth's crude verse, Can bless with scatt'ring spots of green, And curse with motley wastes between. They change, they pass, dim scenes turn bright, Dark shadows yield to forms of light — So burdened breasts joy scarce beguiles. Shall after know the bliss of smiles. May countless gifts on thee descend, Thy wishes and best labors blend ; Adjust them ever by the right, And peace shall pave thy path. Good- night. 36 POEMS. AFFLICTION'S EFFICIENT PLEA. Supreme Assistance, knowest thou The many wrongs that round me press ; The many griefs that cloud my brow ; The burdened bosom's deep distress ; The throes which long abuse has nursed ; The pains that prompt these many moans ; The overwhelming sighs that burst ; Like gusts that swell the tempest's tones ? Long has the chill and changeless frown Of seeming fate and enmity, From depths come up, from lofts looked down, And from its threat I cannot flee ; Unless, Great Goodness light the way. Point the safe path, and lead me on ; Deign this, or the weak spirit stay Till the dark visages are gone. Beholdest all some sleepless eyes, While tireless powers guard and uphold ? 'Tis writ one glance thro' all worlds flies. And scans each creature's curious mould — One hand feeds all the fowls of air — And tho' they neither toil nor spin, Makes the frail lilies' robes more fair Than wisest, wealthiest kings' have been. * POEMS. 37 Howe'er it be about one power To temper winds to lambkins' need, A higher help than earth's, this hour I feel unto my plaint gives heed. This will I bare my soul before ; Be it good spirit, friend, or saint ; And seek true guidance thro' and o'er My youthful journey, while I'm faint. Teach, then, my mind to trust thy care, Whate'er of wrong and ill betide — To feel when miseries come to share Its joys, an angel walks beside. Why have I ever questioned aught Of blessings blindness could not trace ? Hearts may be probed to chasten thought, And fit them for refining grace. When waves of sorrow round me dash, As surges round the quaking isle ; And thunderbolts of Malice crash On either hand, and heaven the while, Veiled in a gathering, gloomy pall, By cruel hands in rashness spread, Seems not to shed its smiles, and all Who cheered my life the shade has fled- 38 POEMS. When these, and all the piercing pangs They bring, exert their darkling powers ; And countless woes, with adder fangs, Fall thick as drops in autumn showers ; Oh, teach the worn and weary soul Its dread and wan despair to cease ! Make firm the spirit to control. Buoyed by the patient prayer for peace I Inspiring Aid, be gracious still ; Succor and cheer the stricken child. Who fain would learn the wisest will. And do its works with feelings mild. E'en now mine orisons have broke The shadows dim the light that veiled. And made reliant 'neath the stroke The heart that, silent, shrunk and failed. The sombre mists break and recede. Which froze the face of Pleasure's stream ; The prisoned soul is almost freed By strengthened trust and Hope's fresh gleam; The zenith of its scope is bright, And angels there sweet anthems swell ; Clouds drift before the rushing light — Thus may Truth fraud and fear dispel. POEMS. 39 PERSISTENT LOVE. Two met in youth, And round each other fondly wreathed Love's garlands green, and mutual breathed Their vows of truth. A transient calm Along their paths its daisies threw, While halcyon gales as steady blew An air of balm. But soon arose The fatal winds of Malice dire ; And o'er them burst Hate's cloud of ire, Surcharged with woes. All bliss was o'er : The stricken breasts could only grieve ; But burning tears could not relieve, No fate restore. Yet, they could part — He sought for peace in wedlock's band, And to another gave his hand Without his heart. She too, to gain The rest that erst her bosom knew. Its hopes upon another threw ; Alas, how vain ! 40 POEMS. The impress made By first affection held its place ; No after-stamp could that erase, No curtain shade. They met again, But with unmoved and frigid look ; Dissembling nature would not brook A trace of pain. Indignant pride, High mounting to the brow and cheek, Essayed of present joy to speak, The truth to hide. Hath aught decreed That thus hearts strive with inner shock- Cause outer signs their throbs to mock, And secret bleed ? Can issue wrong When lovers part, if friendship still Serenely flows, a tuneful rill. Their lives along ? Philosophy May teach the mind her sapient laws ; But its own rules Affection draws Instinctively. [848. POEMS. 41 Thus far I wrought Some thirty years belike ago — Another strain I now bestow, Another thought. 'i=>' Magnetic law Tells how the subtile ties are bound, Which possibly may be unwound, And leave no flaw. Wisdom calls friends To cheer the soul within the thrall, And break the rapport physical, Which sorrow ends. This, Reason pleads. Teach children Love's modes and intents, Ere Time realities presents — Then wise their deeds. Now Science comes — Sinks Cupid-myth in mythic Styx — Shames Vice, helps Use true altars fix In Love's Sweet Homes. Philosophy Is Law discovered and applied, Which Mind endows all Love to guide Harmoniously. 1876. 42 POEMS. MOTHER MOODS. The mother has a lasting Solace found, When cheerful offspring smile her hearth around ; If filial lov^e by them be duly prized, She has a joy worth all she's sacrificed. The mother has a nameless Woe endured When Time hath reaped the flower her care matured ; Swept its fair petals from her fostering breast. And gathered them to earth's long silent rest. The mother has a precious Hope obtained When Faith sees heaven her treasure dear has gained ; A cheering prospect stills the fruitless sigh, For brighter beams her blossom 'neath some sky. The mother who still folds some Buds below, A double blessedness in life may know ; Those that remain support her quenchless love, While those transplanted bask in homes above. The mother holds a sunny Ringlet dear, And 'mong her darlings fondly cherished here ; Admires its lustre, bids sublime thoughts soar To the pure cherub that the beauty bore. Perchance a well-worn toy, or Fairy shoe, A gleeful Baby clasped the long day thro'. She choicely hoards, tho' smiles have dried her tears, For mother mem'ries languish not with years. POEMS. 43 THE IMAGE OF DEATH— A CONTRAST. It came in childhood, Hke the ruthless form Of raving demon 'mid the rushing storm : It came with visage frowning vengeance dire, And flashing eyes of red, sulphuric fire ; With poison dripping from the reeking blade Its right, relentless arm in triumph swayed. With gesture stern, vindictive deed to fit, The left hand pointed to the lurid pit Where wailing souls were held, despairing hosts. By one fell fiend who made their pains his sports. Its ponderous foot did cloven aspect bear, And quick as lightning cleft the murky air. In more disgust than fear, the sprite I fled. Hoping some rock would shield th' already dead. It was not strange that Fancy thus should draw The herald Death, and shrink from it in awe — Ah, no ! for teachers rose on every hand. Proclaiming endless dangers thro' the land. Most horrid thought ! that man should so pervert The written word and wither the young heart ; Should fabricate a fiend potent to tear From the puissant Good its human share. Death now comes placidly — an angel bright. Soft gliding down to earth on beams of light ; With face of smiles, and tones of soothing care, And eyes as loving as a mother's are — 44 POEMS. With tender arms to fold me to its breast, Where I at last from all life's ills may rest. A friend's assurance comes with such sweet grace, I gladly yield to the endeared embrace ; Not young affection's fair ideal shrine Is pictured half so perfect, so divine. One cherub hand my weary head supports : One points to progress in celestial courts ; Then softly presses on the hushing heart, While soul and mind from painless form depart. This is a victory — and is it strange A score of years should thus the image change ? I've learned that, when on brother-slaying earth. The Son called Jesus had a lowly birth ; He counselled Love is God, and all will save, And in that teaching His life freely gave : And many more reposed in truth so high. Graves had no terrors, spirits could not die — Life-torturing vengeance only burned in man ; 'Twas in no higher law, no honest plan. Confucius was a savior for one clime ; Buddha and Brahm were lights undimmed by time; Plato and Socrates come nearer still ; — All teaching justice, mercy, Heaven's good-will. This is enough ; yet, preaching. Nature brings Proof of the same intent on countless things ; Philosophy inscribes it thro' the whole ; And, loftier still, 'tis speaking in the soul. Tyrannic rule makes concord incomplete ; But Science fights, and will the false defeat. POEMS. 45 PAST YEARS. Past years, ye're gone — your fruits, the sour, the sweety Remain ; their flavors, Hngering, feed us yet : Your harvests with such various products laden, And changes that alternate grieve and gladden. Oblivion cannot wholly veil you now. For Mem'ry wanders freely to and fro ; And if perchance she bring some store away, A single trophy gilded with a ray Of hving light, to show good deeds had blest The poor, the wronged, the weak with pain oppressed ; Then were your seasons rounded not in vain, Then loitering o'er your wastes and gifts again, Tho' some reviews may sorrow thrice express. Scenes that compensate, also thrice may bless. 'Tis bliss to scan the joys our childhood knew. The kind caress our little frolics drew — The merry task, the praise that raised our glee. Enrich again a fruitful memory. We roam the landscape haunts youth blithely strode, The verdant hillside and the sloping wood, Find boughs we wreathed with blossoms sweetly fair. And the young, kindly hands that led us there. The river gleams, still wont to win and charm, And tuneful currents kiss the eddies calm ; The boat swings lightly, tempting from the land. Where border willows, full fringed, bowing stand. 46 POEMS. These spots of green enchain the gaze that's cast Thro' the strange vista of the still dear past. Past years, ye're painting still some early dream That hearts expectant made so real seem — Anticipation in your times was bright ; 'Tis now subdued, and casts a mellowed light: It raised the child on towers and pinions strong ; But even Youth found discord in its song. Manhood sometime was lured by fancied bliss ; But he full soon was taught he'd built amiss. Age may instruct, and we must heed the lore — Accept with grace what all have learned before. Youths' bubbles burst, and leave hopes staid and cool 'Mid fragmentary facts in Nature's school ; With scars on minds, and mostly, too, on hearts Thick as on hands, and with much sorer smarts. Ere grown in stature or in reason strong To wisely choose what to their years belong. The young, untaught to safely knowledge gain. In spite of mirth, a bitter cup oft drain. Past years, we've said adieu, ye're numbered all With friends ye bore from optional recall ; And had we power, nor you, nor them we'd bring Back to remain where joy from grief must spring. With you went pleasures and companions true. But to them clung some torturing troubles too ; Your scales, no doubt, do equipond'rate well, The weight of weal against the woe-weight fell. Some sort of sinners makes the thorny way That grinds the weak, and low the faithful lay ; The rich-in-spirit soar, and witness Love Lived here, and hallowed, where ? we say, above. POEMS. 47 BEAUTY. PART I. *' Oh, not with fabled nymph and woodland fawn Fled the bright soul of Beauty from the world ! In every spire of grass upon the lawn, And violet cup, I see its light impearled." — S. C. E. No. Beauty's light ne'er flees nor fades From world's evolving power pervades ; Scenes, genius, toil, or time, bequeathed, Are doubly dear in beauty wreathed. If polar cliffs of glittering white And ice-bound bays arrest the sight ; Or tropic plains of fadeless green, And isles like emeralds be seen ; Or equatorial climes invite To matchless marvels of delight ; The Soul ascends on Rapture's wings, And Admiration's praises sings ; Yet scarcely mounts th' aerial track, Ere earth's rich precincts lure it back. It turns ; and Ecstacy shouts forth, Oh, wondrous beauty ! Is this earth ? And if the wakeful, wandering mind Be to a narrow bound confined, Abundant beauty there doth reign, Adoring senses to enchain. POEMS. Behold the landscape's wavy green, With line of elms a partial screen, And brook meandering between, Enchanter of the charming scene. The clover sweet the gale that scents, And daisy that the vale indents, Have beauty like the favored flower Caressed and crushed in garden bower. All vegetation, bloom, and fruit Unite our full desires to suit ; For this, as well, small plants combine, As towering groves of oak and pine — As well the breeze from hill or heath. As India's odoriferous breath. PART II. Oh, not with Greece, art-crowned, and Athens strong. Fled all rude traits and hatitetir from the world : Crude ages sent much pomp and vice along ; But Virtue lives in many souls impearled. — Slight Parody on S. C. E. An humble flower the haughty spurn, And to the gayest cluster turn — Poor mortals share the fate of those. Of these the favor bombast knows. Enjoy, fair youth, the greenest bower. And pleasure cull from sweetest flower Whose roscid petals bathe thy lip When morning freshness bids thee sip. 'Tis rich as Orient nectar from The golden chalice's gem-set brim : POEMS. 49 Inhale its fragrance, none should chide, Didst thou not frown and cast aside The drooping bud, that too is bright And beautiful in Mercy's sight. Its odor fills the balmy air That cools thy brow and waves thy hair, Regardless of the careless tones That sadly mock its rustling moans. An insect's fang infused the bane ; Thou too mayest feel corroding pain ; Or ruthless tread of truant feet Lopped on its stem the embryon sweet ; And cold contempt thy heart may pall. The bloom-light from thy features fall. And then that friend how couldst thou love Who brushed the cloud thy head above ; From thy lone spirit chased the gloom, And breathed upon thy cheek new bloom ; In peace subdued thy vengeful foes ? O, in such friend what beauty glows ! The force that fired the flaming sun. And hurled the orbs that round him run, That Luna's spiral orbit drew, And set with stars the ether blue, Surveys, 'tis said, the drops and grains, The smallest vine and tendril trains. And decks in gossamer and gilt The lily's cup and violet. Shall we, enstamped in mould divine. With reason further to refine. While we adore the good supreme Imbibe a scorn for things terrene — In sport or spite dash buds away 50 POEMS. That image forth our quick decay ? Or shght one whose conceptions high, Like ours, are blent with earth and sky; Whose deeds perchance have often blest The wronged, the wearied, the distressed ; Who still, an emblem of the rose Which its perfume 'round vileness throws, Disdaining wisely to resort. To sinful weapons of retort, An earthly angel, heaps instead Live coals of love upon the head ? Pride is ignoble, Scorn is fell — Among earth's garlands graces well, And human nymphs might thirst to dwelL Bloom is kind Nature's kiss of love. And gift of beauty ; while they prove Her setting fruits, wealth all may share; And as the treasures sweet we spare. We'll give of peace and pleasant aid Where faults and foes have blemish laid ; Rejoice that in the once sad face A smile of gladness all may trace ; That Sorrow's slaves life's graces learn. Their plaints to thanks and music turn. Thus may the mystery-haunted heart Unfold as by supernal art — Serene become through loving care, And, like all bloom, supremely fair. POEMS. 5 I INVOCATION. Resign me, Soul, where'er may run The pathway I may journey on ; And tho' it wind 'mong thorn and hedge, And asps beset from yawning ledge, Let me rely on goodness still, And cull its gems where gathers ill. If true beneficence shall lead Where worldly fortunes crown my head ; Where Pleasure's walks my feet invite, And peaceful friends my days delight, A spirit firm and meek insure, Against Pride's retinues secure. If hovering Health, with florid wing, Upon my cheek her rubies fling ; Or if Disease, in callow flight. With piercing talons on me light ; Let me be grateful for the first, Or, well resisting, bear the worst. 52 POEMS. THE TOKEN BIRD. How shall I thank thee, Birdie, for the lay Thou givest, gaze to gaze, so gladly here — Thy pinions folded, tamely wouldst thou stay To tell thy carol woos alone my ear. Well, trip thy tiny feet and tarry long ; Thou'st consecrated now this russet bower; Thy lustrous breast and its half-pensive song Stamps on this dell and me thy autumn dower. An angel-typing voice all music made ; [tongues ; What lesson shouldst thou teach rough human W^ith matins cheery, vespers sweetly laid On airs that reach our graceless blusterings ? Must chant and tinselled neck desert my grove? Dost hear thy mate's note, dearest ? Then depart ; Thine eye and gentle visit leave thy love ; Thy rich discourse and plumage take my heart. POEMS. 53 VALENTINE. Oh, come from the city away ! There fashion and vanity mock With evils discordant the day, And peace and good principles shock. Come out to the fresh breezy world. And feel its pure glow on thy cheek : Here Love's roving sails are all furled, Awaiting sweet message to speak. To-day, when each bird of the skies, And fowl of the seas and the zones, Tells its love in its eloquent eyes, And wins a mate's conjugal tones ; How dear for lone mortals endowed With passions divinely supreme, To sit well ensphered, and aloud Expound hearts, like any good theme. Then, come from the city away To regions where maids are sincere, Where Valentine, holding blest sway, Reigns haply for life — not a year. 54 POEMS. TRADITION— WASHINGTON— INVOCATION. The shadows of twilight were mantUng the wild Where roamed Nature's fearless, 'tis said, tameless, child ; The light, blushing clouds disappeared, one by one. And paled as they smiled their adieus to the sun; The soft, stilly air scarcely murmured a sound Thro' the foliate halls of that forest profound, Where, alone and unarmed, but with soul undismayed. Tradition says Washington knelt down and Prayed. Naught knew he of fear as he lifted above The clear eyes of confidence, gratitude, love ; The guidance of Wisdom was th' grace he implored In the earnest appeal to the Good he adored. An infantile nation he held in his hand, Yet statesmen its destiny dreamed not nor scan'd; But held it, a guerdon of Justice, till Time And Valor could pledge it to Freedom sublime. With the faith of a martyr serenely he bowed In that temple whose dome was the sky and the cloud ; Whose floor and whose altar, the leaf-cushioned ground ; Whose columns, the cedar with living green crowned; Whose orchestra, boughs 'neath the cliff and the peak Where the vulture and eagle their lone eyries seek ; Whose aisles were the paths of the ravenous beast. Yet carnage of brute-kings awed not in the least. POEMS. 55 And, tho' the dark woodsman was known as his foe, In ambush awaiting to deal a death-blow, And leagued with an enemy's vengeance-fired host, Whose war-waging legions infested the coast ; Undaunted was Washington, whom had been given A heart to commune with all earth knew of heaven ; To the goodness of both he committed his trust, His life and loved country: no fear hath the just. The red man beheld thro' a vista of trees The **pale face" commander-in-chief on his knees. An arrow he aimed with a conqueror's skill, But promptings unwont his brave bosom to fill Arose, and his bow fell unbent by his side — Intently he gazed, while his conscience replied, "'He sees the Great Spirit who smiles on his way. No Indian's weapon shall Washington slay." The great spirits listened ; the warm plea was heard ; His calm features glowed as new hopes in him stirred; A flood of approval he felt on him roll. And strengthen anew his invincible soul. The flame of devotion to Truth was his liorht ; Reliance on Justice his helmet and might; The fulness of peace hushed his orisons, when All holy things echoed the placid Amen. 56 POEMS. SPRING'S MESSENGERS. The South Wind comes with warmth upon its wing, The first fair messenger of smiHng Spring; Heaves its full breath along the hills of snow, And down the vales dissolving crystals flow. Light, golden banners brings the red sun forth. Proclaiming truce to regions of the North ; The wild and stormy host retreats at last. And music soft succeeds the martial blast. Warm skies appear in robes of brilliant hue, Yellow and purple, every shade of blue ; Dull, dismal hangings are withdrawn from sight, And smiles of promise paint each cloud of light. Morning and Evening scatter gilding rays, And potent Noon, from fast increasing blaze. Sends thirsty beams to drink from gorge and plain The gliding rills, and give green life again. Fresh blades shoot forth, exhaling odors sweet, And violet cups ope 'neath our flashing feet ; The willow flings its tassels to the breeze, And buds, like emeralds, stud the swaying trees. POEMS. 57 Gay birds return with gladness in their song, And lays of pleasure float the fields along; Their gratefi.il tributes teach us gladsome strains And anthems grand to swell thro' halls and fanes. With melody resounds the vocal grove ; New signs have waking vales of life and love ; Countless thy ushering angels, welcome Spring ! In joy we hail them all, and all they bring. 58 ' POEMS. ARGUMENTATIVE CONSOLATION. Dear Sarah, I whisper of sorrows I feel For lonely bereavement that shadows thy weal ; And scarce will confess how sincerely I mourn: For thy sake all calmly would I be upborne ; My sympathy fain would great solace impart, In these saddest days, to thy desolate heart. Human nature is strong; grief ever is weak; Condolence deflects the rich trust I would speak. The pure, faithful friendship, affection, and truth That bound us in childhood, and blest us in \'outh, And never a moment's estrangement have known, Thy grief make, as made they thy pleasure, my own. Not long since thou wert wreathed and encircled, the Of one who esteemed thee his treasure and pride, [bride Both rosy with health ; both worthy the love Relied on to bless when away friends might rove. Content I consigned thee, and hope 'mid my peace Saw a long life, with happiness taught to increase ; Not deeming the prospects so fair, time would flow Thus soon with the tide of the reft widow's woe. But Providence wisely the future conceals. And bids us rejoice in the good she reveals ; If we doubt, and not trust, just the same she'll control, And clouds of affliction press low as they roll. Repining but proves we're astray from the right; Law teaches 'tis blindness that shuts out the light ; POEMS. 59 A good ever buoys the firm spirit and true, And darkness and danger will carry it thro'. Full confidence, then, in sweet truth we'll repose — 'Tis a fountain of blessings that ceaselessly flows ; Its waters are healing ; its source, if above, Is that fathomless deep, inexhaustible Love. Naught more can I say than entreat thee to rest Thy burden so grevious upon the dear breast Of that ocean — its waves are of all ills the balm ; Great trials in their lucid flow find a calm. Thy husband's blest spirit baptized in that flood. Now basks in the light of fruition, for good Was Jiis nature here where the clay could confine ; Consorting with saints more advanced and divine, His progress in bliss, as in knowledge, is sure ; Which us will console while we lonely endure This life, which we ought to enjoy, I believ^e, Lab'ring Sin to dispel, and its victims relieve. Thou art not left homeless and all desolate, Like thousands who bow to a bitterer fate. Thy dear prattling boy to thee clings v/ith his smile, Much pain to assuage, and the long hours beguile ; Kind sisters and brothers and true friends are near, With goodly attentions to succor and cheer. Thou hast not a foe who can offer thee harm ; The world teems with bounties thy senses to charm. Believe, then, that Justice at length is supreme, And Love without limit all loss will redeem. 60 POEMS. TO JULIAETTE. Yes, if my little Muse a gift will bring When feeble numbers flag as on they sing, A strain sincere I will awake for thee — Yet brief and broken-toned mayhap 'twill be. Tho' from my once full cheek some baleful blast The bloom has swept ere blithesome youth is passed, I can rejoice that richly upon thine The rosy hues of health and peace combine. Be joyous thou, that Strength's mute language lies Upon thy ruby lips and brilliant eyes. And, were my wish a fate, thou ne'er shouldst know The throes that banish Beauty's winsome glow. When thou art happy 'mid the merry hours ; When heaven all music seems, the earth all flowers ; When, as the budding Spring, thy prospects ope. And promise of fair future brightens hope. Make sympathy and friendship — blended prize — The treasured talisman to make thee wise ; Let its pure influence in thy buoyant youth, Attract the hearts thou'lt hold as pearls of truth. POEMS. 6 1 SIMILITUDES. In lavish profusion the Sun pours his beams On earth's fruitful forests, fields, hills, valleys, streams; In their warmth and their light seeds expand, tho' self- Till foliage and flower fill with fruitage each zone, [sown, So Love, from exhaustless abundance, imparts Its life-giving rays to mankind's fertile hearts ; Which, feeling the influence congenial increase, Bud, blossom, and bear the pure products of peace. All calmly and gently the Moon sheds her light, Dispelling the darkness of ebon-palled Night, And shining a beacon o'er dangers that stray 'Round the crime-haunted dell and lost wanderer's way. So Charity silently, secretly rolls The shadow and cloud from distress-darkened souls ; Restores consolatien to desolate minds, And in succ'ring the needy her own solace finds. When Phoebus and Luna their flaming lamps turn, The soft vestal Stars more inspiring oil burn ; And peer from the depths of empyrean high To dissipate damps that on lowly orbs lie. So when Life's dear blessings seem almost withdrawn. And faded the halo that ushered their dawn, [out Comes Friendship with stores, hanging rainbow hues And Sympathy scatt'ring the vapors of Doubt. 62 POEMS. WHY CANT THE HEART REPOSE? Why are young hearts with sorrow wrung, Their many murmurings daily sung ? When every bough in nature heaves To merry airs its dancing leaves, Why can't the heart repose ? Why thus prolongs its moans the breast, Sighing thro' toils in tones suppressed ? When home and bounteous board, prepared For comfort and delight, are shared. Why can't the heart repose? Why does the eye indifferent gaze, Its apathy excite amaze ? When friends and kindred seek to bless, And kindly hands the sufferer's press. Why can't the heart repose ? Why must the mind's long vigils dwell On cares and fears unmeet to tell ? When light and truth o'er earth are cast. And works can win joys to the last, Why can't the heart repose ? POEMS. 63 While placed beside a pensive youth, Whose reft affection kept its truth, In sympathy these queries broke, And the same fount for answer spoke, The heart must find repose. When youthful zeal is quenched in love, And hopes but luring visions prove ; W'hen pleasure ends, with life at stake, Till in some science phase we wake, The heart cannot repose. The loneness vast we young folks bear Consumes our smiles, takes in despair ; At length some trust supplants the gloom Grov'ling this side the friendly tomb : Beyond hearts may repose. Tho' ills abound that prey on joy, And grief must oft great minds employ ; Enough life's many gifts supply To cheer when its frail idols die, And give the heart repose. While learning this, the agonies Of soul-suspense and sleepless eyes Pay price extreme ; and some ne'er learn. Old heads should better tutors turn, For all hearts' sure repose. 64 POEMS. MATERIALISM AND NIGHT. Go forth, sad mortal, in the solemn night. And give thy pinioned powers unfettered flight ; Bid them thro' Ether's dazzling regions soar, And read the records of celestial lore ; Then sweep terrene domains on lowly wing, And back the marvels of creation bring. What seest thou in the earnest, pleading stars That from extended life thy spirit bars ? What in the boundless and serene expanse That says, naught lives, rolls, operates, but Chance ? What on the fertile, faintly-shining earth That cries there's no design in any birth ? How speaks the leaf bowed by its bath of dew, And blossom glowing its full chalice through ? What hear'st thou in the forest's breezy sound, And rolling waters' ceaseless din profound. In the low music of the Zephyr's note, And insect's wing on the soft air afloat? What in the song of wakeful Philomel, The tireless minstrel of the moonlit dell ? In these is Wisdom seen and felt and heard, Inhaled its breath in every gale that's stirred ; POEMS. 65 A hallowed presence every cloud pervades, Shines on the landscape thro' the evening shades ; In every twinkling orb that gems the skies, And grateful flower's up-gazing liquid eyes. If thus the Night proclaims a ceaseless sway, What language hath the ever-glorious Day ? THE BROKEN SPIRIT. " I will not live degraded." We gaze on the bowed form and pallid face, And each a sign of sure decay reveals ; But marvel fails the secret source to trace ; A modest pride the poisoned fount conceals. Beholder hath not known, nor dreamed nor guessed The tears that vainly flow those languid eyes ; Th' o'erwhelming thoughts, half-checked, all uncon- fessed ; And heart-wrung sorrows, unrelieved by sighs. That spirit high could not endure the name Of needy Poverty, nor the pained look Of Pity soft ; it Suff'ring could not tame To that dependence which the lowly brook. 5 66 POEMS. On Justice it could cheerfully depend, And humbly kneel to Right for its true grace ; But from earth's scanty bounties that descend All grudgingly, it turned a timorous face. It pines to lay its cumbrous body down 'Neath myrtle vines which clustering locusts cloud ; Where on its wants dire Avarice may not frown, Nor monument attract the careless crowd. Not, as the pliant willow of the dell, Sublimely bent to every boist'rous storm, That spirit swayed and bowed when sorrows fell As tempests dark, then rose erect in form ; But, as the lofty, summit-crowning oak, Quick trembling, braved the loudest blast for years. Then, in the swift tornado writhing, broke ; E'en so it perished, drenched in freezing tears. How few whom Fortune crowns with competence Have nerves of sympathy for homeless souls ! How few have in their merit confidence, Tho' known their tale of trial-harassed toils ! How few, not having felt the palsying folds Of Penury's cold mantle, can conceiv^e The withering grief which as an algid rolls O'er heads that dare not their own truths believe! POEMS. 6^ How few who scan the high- and throbbing brow Divine the woes that swell its purple streams, Or reck the floods that quench the eye's bright glow, Or sighs that steal the cheek's soft, rosy gleams ! The nerveless hand, its ivory fulness fled. Unfolds to few the depths of secret pains — Long-hidden mysteries not seen or read Along the w^indings of its azure veins. That hand, too weak a sustenance to gain, May sweep the lyre that sounds but dulcet airs ; To blighted joys and hopes it gives no strain ; Pride of them breathes not, save in speechless [prayers. The mind that visits earth's remotest shores. And with a Poet's fervent bosom showers Deep admiration on them, and adores Their gorgeous scenery gemmed with queenly flowers, Can hardly deign to ask of those supplied. Granting to grosser sense superior power, A pittance or protection, when denied E'en a sole spot to rear itself a bower. The soul that ranges heaven's most distant sphere, And worships glories wondrous and divine. Can scarcely crave of man a temple here. Hence close recoils to its mute, lonely shrine. 68 POEMS. But, soft ! reduced and sorrow-stricken one, Whose wasted comforts on the world are flung, A thousand tongues proclaim in unison, No more in pity need thy fate be sung. 'Tis said Philanthropy has circles formed Of faithful brothers whose expansive hearts By the pure glow of Charity are warmed, And blest when Love its boon to pain imparts. They firmly join their generous, helping hands To clasp the suffering in endeared embrace ; 'Round Need and Weakness throw sustaining bands, And marks of misery from the soul erase : True solacers to wanting virtue prove ; To the reft widow and the orphaned youth ; Where'er is Woe its darksome weight remove By all that Friendly is in Love and Truth. That is, if faith and fair work well begun Shall grace the Fellowship with long success ; And not, as compacts usually have done, To selfish aims pervert what they profess. POEMS. 69 TO THE FAMILY OF ORIN TILLOTSON. This changeful Hfe is of uncertain length ; None know how soon or sudden it may end : Manhood is stricken down in pride and strength, And youth when most of bliss and beauty blend. Thus Orin fell in his meridian prime ; The first pale-emblembed signs of wisdom strayed Among his ebon locks, and Toil and Time On his high brow few furrowed lines had laid. A ring of hair from quick decay exempt, Alone of mortal elements shall live, And for his worth a talisman be kept By friends who for his love their best love give. In it the mother views her faithful son, And sighs that he so soon should leave her sight ; Here the fond wife beholds the only one [bright. Who could have kept her pathway smooth and And here his children, arm in arm, will gaze. To tell the goodly guardianship he showed. And deem how blest would have been all their days Could his kind care have always been bestowed. Brothers and sisters here will oft repeat His virtues which their memories enshrine, And all shall be consoled with hopes to meet His spirit higher endowed and more divine. yO POEMS. We part with Orin but a little while — Death is the door to life with less alloy, And opes for all. Approach it with. calm smile; Beyond is progress, peace, and purer joy. Ye fearful souls who shudder at the sound, And shrink as from a dungeon with its chains, Seek truth by reason, learn the lost are found Where earthly limits cease, and Justice reigns. S I M I L I E S . The fragrant Flower its petals fair unfolds To glad us with its odor and its bloom ; And, if a tender hand the blossom holds. Full long will linger its desired perfume. So Friendship — blossom of supernal birth — Imparts delight where'er its pure buds ope ; If gently nurtured brings such gladness forth As far surpass the zealot's highest hope. And so Affection, Friendship's offspring sweet. Diffuses Pleasure's name and price above ; If genial hearts in chosen concord meet, It time survives, and lives still holier love. POEMS. 71 BEAUTIFUL AND LOVELY. Oh, he is beautiful when joy And pleasure on his brow are wreathed ! When through his laughing coral lips The flowing strains of mirth are breathed When Wisdom and Simplicity In his frank words together dwell, And Age with sportive Youth admires. Nor scorns to own the pleasing spell ; When swim his always perfect eyes In liquid beams of artless love; And the rapt gazer but compares Them to the dazzling orbs above : And when the festive circle lends Another halo to the light His spirit is evolving : then He's beautiful where all are bright. But when the glow of bliss has passed, And marble-like each feature lies ; When deep, absorbing thought has sealed The lips and fixed the calm, clear eyes ; When his serenity it seems No earthly agent can control ; J 2 POEMS. But rather that all powers must yield To his full, firm, but feeling soul — Then is he lovely — then the heart » Resistless bows to him alone — Then feels that mines of purest wealth Attract the treasures all their own — Then knows that any faith or trust In him reposed may rest secure, And that each lovely charm shall live Long as his being shall endure. ANNA'S MEMORIAL. But yesterday, as 'twere, w^e met ; To-day we pen a souvenir; To-morrow haply we'll regret Our parting, but will here confer A mutual good for all time set, While Anna's name can charming prove, And Mary's speak of faithful love. POEMS. 73 ANSWER AND QUESTION. Yes, thou wilt love me when my eye Is rich with Joy's unclouded light; When Pleasure's tones to thine reply, And Health paints every feature bright. Then thou wilt love to lay my head Upon thy fondly-heaving breast, And deem the darling thou hast wed Can ev^er hold thee highly blest. But when my orbs with pain are dim, And Sorrow's signs are on my brow ; When Care and Toil relax each limb And chase my lip's inviting glow — Will then thy bosom swell as true. As softly pillow my pale cheek — Thy confidence its pledge renew. And tenderness its solace speak ? If all thy being answers Yea, True love perchance thy flame inspires; If aught responds a fearful Nay, Then treacherous are its transient fires. 74 POEMS. ZEPHYRS' WELCOME. Bland, cooling Zephyrs, with your ceaseless hum, Perfumes, lays, laughs, laments, and legends, come: Your offerings fresh I gratefully receive. And gladly list the mingled tales ye weave. Ye lift the odors from the lovely flowers. From fragrant shrubs and all delicious bowers. From fields of mint and balm, all fresh with dew. And waft their blending sweets the lattice thro^ Your music-laden moods in joy I hail — Joining the chorus of the valley gale, Deep bass comes rolling down hill, wood, and rock ; From tuneful boughs alto and treble break. Your moans I'll heed when storms confusing float; And in the calm your pensive murmurs note: Be mindful if on roof ye careless dash, Or, soon to lure me, twitter on the sash. ^ Come from broad meads and pastures green and warm, Where herds and flocks, lowing and bleating, swarm ; From groves where glancing warblers chant their glee, And forests dank where roams the panther free. POEMS. 75 From rills and rocks, the chains and gems impressed In beauty on the fairy-bosomed West, Come and relate the unrecorded tales The Indian's spirit sighs along their vales. Portray some spacious prairie plot, replete With, more than romance told of fair and sweet, Before fell Avarice native tribes estranged ; When but the dusky maids and warriors ranged. Did ye for red man's chase lay smooth the ground, Or was't the scene of gods in Lethe drowned ; Soil with ApoUos, Joves, and Dians rife. Such as the Orient fabled into life ? Glide o'er the lord of lakes, Superior great. And all the lesser sons that 'round him wait ; But ruffle not their cold, deep, crystal beds, Lest Neptune's hosts, enraged, up-toss their heads. They are his palaces and summer thrones. Where, with his train, he lists your lyric tones ; And dwells, secure from noxious sea and tide, In limpid pools where Naiads pure abide. Is't so, sweet breeze, and is Niagara steep The gate that opens to the briny deep — The portal that his foaming chariots gain When vexed he rushes from the fervid main ? j(y POEMS. « O, of the king of cataracts quaintly tell, Acme of grandeur, Nature's citadel! Display the splendors trembling in his din. Veiling the mystic temple's glories in. With fairy finger draw on these white walls The bow that daily spans the argent Falls ; Then, to unite stupendous and sublime, Throw 'round the sheeny mist of spray and rime. Of your great rivers tell — Missouri loud. And Mississippi rapid, rich and proud ; Monarchs above old Ganges, Nile, or Don, And scarce below the mighty Amazon. What feats of bravery, still unwrit, untold. Witnessed their blooming banks and billows bold, Ere pale face marked the dark chief's final home, In fatal prowess, 'yond their turgid foam ? Do chiefs composed now make the wigwam there. And cheerly hunt the Bison to his lair ? Does vengeance slumber in their generous breasts, While 'neath the sod the hostile hatchet rests ? Are they content, the matron and the sire, To join their offspring 'round the revel fire; To laud the Calumet in dance and song ; Or do they vaunt their ire, and grieve their wrong? POEMS. ~ 77 Come whispering of yon mountains, long and high — Old Rocky's ridge on ridge, piled to the sky ; His dismal summits crowned with constant snow. Austerely frowning o'er warm plains below. Do his rude cliffs your magic source conceal, Or his ravines and caverns ? Please reveal The arcanum of -your birth ; or, if ye will. That secret keep : ye're ever welcome still. Warm thanks, kind Zephyrs, for all favors given. And all reserved to give, as't please your heaven — Twofold delights, for while the brow ye cool, Spirit and fancy your rich scenes console. As tender nurse, who, while she fans her charge, Transforms its cradle to a fairy barge ; And soothing lay or witching ditty sings, Till Slumber lights with soft, impurpled wings ; So, when yeVe scanned woods, waters, mounts, and Culled all the marvels in your vast domains, [plains. By nameless powers the wonders ye unroll. And lull, as waiting Seraphim, the soul. y^ POEMS. DESULTORY LUCUBRATIONS. Oh, draw back the curtain, the shutters unclose ! I've lost all the moonlight since early she rose ; But sleep was refreshing, and lightly now flies. As larks at the day dawn, its weight from my eyes ; And wakeful and gladsome, and grateful as those, I'll rise and contemplate the .world in repose. In heavens unclouded the moon still is high, And bright are the stars glinting o'er the clear sky ; Beneath the soft light in her still slumber glows The earth, o'er which gently the still Zephyr blows. Caressing all stealthily each hushed retreat, Like Fairies embracing young Innocence sweet. Each place weaves a charm like the rural abode Of nymphs, (but these, grown to myths, needs must explode) ; yEolean music, so mellow and low That Night's sacred silence scarce breaks in its flow, Seems lingering echoes of some pensive lyre In bowers where the Muses at midnight retire. POEMS. 79 The wood, in its June robe of light, Hving green, Reclines on the verge of white skies and serene : Hushed is the gay warbler that carolled all day To the squirrel that gamboling chirped on the spray ; Securely they rest 'neath a soft leafen roof. More sweetly than monarchs, from danger aloof The slope-land and terrace, the half-shaded plain, The vale with its river, the orchard and lane. In beauty unconscious as youthful appear, Outspread in fresh dews in this noon of the year, As if Time's russet seasons ne'er scathed the rich robe Creation's best spring time profusely bestowed. And why not ? Each year — a creation alone — Brings Nature the newness from stores all her own, Like the heart flushed with bloom, which it joyously throws O'er cells once deserted and sere in their woes. Restoring their freshness, their youth, warmth, and power. As sunlight the north isle, and dew the faint flower. My plot of young blossoms was never so fair — Ne'er so redolent rose thence the soft, soothing air ; The sweet pea's full odor, like incense for praise, Cull from the coy pinks, blushing 'neath the star's gaze. From the rose on the lattice, the pride of the plot, The clovers, the pansies, the rich bergamot. 80 POEMS. The brisk little fountain in numbers is telling Of caves at its source whence its cool drops are welling Tales of the deep rocks poured on Night's drippin^. wings, With legends of yore it so cheerfully sings; And, capturing mind by their magic control, In minstrelsy move the fine chords of the soul. The mythical lay summons musings profound ; The scenery night-veiled is a vision star-crowned : Mild objects seem hovering, tho' viewless as mind, The sentries of safety upborne on the wind — 'Tis an hour to adore what we deem most sublime, And marvel at passions that govern in time. 'Tis a night meet to rev'rence the Genius that rose To Liberty's banner and vanquished her foes ; That gave to Columbia, where sorrow still roams, These fieldscapes admired, this wide land for free homes That said to our sires, Guard ye well every fane. What shame that usurpers arise here, and reign ! 'Tis a time to deplore the enslaved and their pains ; To detest in firm zeal every binder of chains. Yet, no. There's one king sealing links upon all, On whom the cold ban of contempt may not fall — We bow, with the mildness and mien of the dove, To that strongest of tyrants, victorious Love. POEMS. 8 1 "Oh, fie!" says the prude, with stern visage and staid, "To prattle of love is not nice for a maid." Of the essence of heaven is't uncomely to tell When its value doth empire, gold, glory excel ? But she may refuse to acknowledge its sway. And a nature depraved, or a falsehood display. May we utter the yearnings (we can't, tis confessed) Which, 'tis told, are of being the solace and zest, And incur not some epithet sickly or sad. As love-sick, or love-lorn, or moon-struck, or mad ? Please her grace, 'neath these orbs I will proudly deny The charge, and her spleen with its missiles defy. But, with the denial, my candor to prove, Will frankly avow I was ever in love. The image ideal, pure, precious, divine. By young Fancy formed in the heart's hidden shrine, Must reign there, a model of goodness alway, Rend'ring all it receives of the homage I pay — Unless (which as yet is a problem, forsooth) An object as loyal, as stable in truth, Its throne shall usurp, and its temple illume By the life-cheering glow that survives the dim tomb : Yet, the image remaining, this solace is sure — Oblations are poured to a being that's pure. 6 82 POEMS. Ah ! here for those sympathies perfect, wherein Bright spirits are blent unbeclouded by sin.; f For the answering notes of the soul's tun^lyre, The kindred response of its hallowed desire, All vainly hath Hope her free oracles given. If they lull not to strivings for self-furnished heaven. And if the head bow in deep, complicate dream. Thought-drinking from vast founts, as from the blue stream The meek, arching willow sips glad waters up, As stoop thirsty lilies, and honey-dews sup, Then railing Distrust will of maladies prate. And Rumor false homilies laugh to relate. Soft ! whither has wandered my musings so soon ? I meant but to dwell on the charms of the moon ; And recked riot the thread, howe'er heedlessly spun, Would grow motley and mingled as onward it run ; But Thought, unrestrained in the starshine and haze. Took an unwonted course to an unending maze. Who knoweth, if free and unstayed in its strength. But 'twould soar in rapt concord on fleet wing at length. And catch from Promethean heights the pure fire, Till favoring angels the strain would inspire ? Hist again ! th' vague phantasm will dwindle away When scanned by the piercing effulgence of day. POEMS. 83 I'll relinquish these themes of prx)miscuous thought In such dull, drowsy verse as they chance to be wrought ; Tho' bright burn the lamps that transfigure the skies, My taper glows dimly, more dimly my eyes ; A nap must replenish their vigor and light, Ere Phoebus flings off the gemmed curtain of night. TRIOLET. Pure are the Souls in Peace with Nature's peerless Rose, An emblem of their Love, a pledge of its repose, Eversion of all strife, a charm 'gainst foes. Pure are the Souls all Joy, as thrills pervade the breast, When gazing in deep mood on the rich Rose they've prest. Reflecting on the simile, heart-rest. Pure are the Souls all Free, in wrong-ruled lands, like ours. That dwell, while garnering bliss in all the passing hours, On Peace, Love, Liberty, Dear Friends, and P'lowers. 84 POEMS. FASHION. This tyranny holds woman as by a spell, Submissive to mandates that virtues deflect ; That torture the body by tightness and swell, In clothes that right use and wise counsel reject. The greed of a thousand skill'd despots of trade, With conscience and care for their kindred supprest. Is gath'ring the products Toil else would have laid In family shrines, its dependence and rest. If charged with a plan for depriving the poor, Degrading the rich, and diseasing the w^iole, The mischief is laid at a far-distant door, In a trait to be honored, a factor of soul. At first-hand beheld. Fashion daily endured Is falseness destructive to all human powers ; In view of entailments, a curse never cured, Which Character dwarfs when it Vigor devours ; For Principle falters with physical poise, x\nd vicious designs act amid failing force ; The business a large simulation emplo}'s, And countless intrigues are transmitted perforce. POEMS. 85 Thus, dropping the art that should Nature adorn, And Beauty and Health in their sweetness preserve ; Styles mockingly tantalize Grace, and deform [swerve. Lithe figures that thence must from free motion And all that's returned for dear strength,time,and means Is praise for displaying the ton's last supply — For showing weak minds, and for fav'ring false schemes That serve heartless vampires, whoever may die. I drifted, beguiled with the reason-dazed throng. Till hope of life perished in weakness and gloom ; Then saw carried cloth-cages kill, but prolong The process, and Birthright's best blessings entomb. To shun the conviction of known suicide, The transit so solemn seemed drawing so near, I asked my good sisters a suit to provide. Loose, light, and conflicting with no organ's sphere. The change revived power, bestowed joy, a new earth : I knew never more Fashion's wiles could me sway. The truth to which that test of conscience gave birth Grateful Reason will honor by following alway. Seven years since restored ; it was in 'forty-two ; In garments of ease I am happy a.nd hale : When singular deemed, can afford to be true ; When fancied alone, worthy friends do not fail. 86 POEMS. THOUGHTS IN A THUNDERSTORM. Sweep on, loud winds, and dash, thou rapid rain ! Sound forth loud peals, and flash, thou lightning chain ! Ye have no terrors for the woe-wrought breast ; Such sympathy may soothe its deep unrest. Nor can ye move with fear the placid mind That is to Destiny's wrenched growth resigned ; Ye only show it Nature's changing face. And render more sublime the charms we trace. What tho' ye veil the welkin's azure arch; And, like the din of warriors in their march, Your martial numbers sound from pole to pole ? Their echoes purge the air whereon they roll. What tho' the land, when wildest tempests beat, Has wrecks like tread of hostile legions' feet ? Her genial breezes soon efface the track, And bring increased perfume and freshness back. Perchance the power ye elements display Pictures the conflict of that triumph-day, When Death demands what dust-formed Nature gave. And struggles with his trophy to the grave. POEMS. 87 Hail, glorious, crimson Bow, raising thy crest Before the breaking clouds float from the West ! And, precious Sunbeams, gilding earth anew, Thick-strown with starry diamonds, hail to you ! Ye emblem now of life, the side divine. That on the cultured soul shall sweetly shine When life's last storm subsides, and sleeps its clay, And soars the Spirit from its toils away. Yes, welcome. Tempest, tho' thy headlong force May shake the solid mountains in its course, Tho' franticly red lightnings leap on high, And booming thunders thrill the sable sky — ■ Only let Phoebus follow in thy train, Chasing with golden gleams the lingering rain ; Lifting in beauty all that's bowed below. And arching bright above his matchless bow. And welcome. Life, with all thy tumults crowned ; With wars, feuds, famines, plagues, and perils bound ; With all thy pangs and passions, doubts and fears, Thy sighs and sorrows, blights and bitter tears — Only let Knowledge lead us in thy laws. And Reason in her progress never pause ; Science resigning to incarnate tombs, And pointing to the spirits' lasting homes. POEMS. RHAPSODY FROM THE IDEAL. O, there are times, when free as h'ght, With wish its other self to find, The Spirit flutters, all bedight With wings elate to cleave the wind ; And soar away o'er hill and vale, O'er city, town, and stream, and lake, And settle in some bowery dale, Where Love anon fresh strolls may take, That it may thence his form behold. Catch the full joy-beam of his glance, And in a tender clasp enfold A heart-responsive wish perchance. But still it falters, asking where, O Love, with all thy stores ! and when Shall mount its pinions purest air To meet a worshiped one again ; And, with no chains on either soul. No fear of false world thrust between. Read in each other's eyes the whole That is by highest seraph seen. Has Spirit goodly growth inspires, No counterparting in the real ? It rises, roams, then glad retires To roseate realms of its ideal. POEMS. 89 TO AN IDEAL BEING. Oh, should I tell thee that this halcyon heart Pours out its pulsings on an unknown shrine ; That oft it yearns for an unbounded part In the warm, gushing tenderness of thine ! Wouldst thou not chide, as man so oft has done. The trusting weakness woman's love betrays, And calmly turn from worth so easy won To loftier heights, or some forbidden maze ? Oh, should I tell thee that these cordial hands In pleasure }'ield to thy full fervent grasp, While waking dreams me hold in spirit bands. Which seem not all a viewless angel's clasp ! Wouldst thou not chide the confidence unsought That seems unwarily evoked and placed ; And fear that not unblemished is the thought Ventured so far on fancied goodness based ? Oh, should I tell thee that my songful hour — Sweet Twilight — ever thy rapt image brings ; That o'er my soul thy smile and glance have power, And fearlessly my Muse the mystery sings ! Wouldst thou not chide the all-ethereal charm. Feeling no deep, divine responsiveness ? Unfavoring facts may daring zeal disarm ; Subliming Truth must settle consciousness. (See protest on next page.) go POEMS. UNDUE DEVOTION'S PROTEST. The two preceding Rhapsodies, with a similar class common in the world, obtain no mutuality, as they should not. They seem to me more from the soul than the senses; yet, being over-impulsive, and imply- ing a worship not attempered by wisdom, are not for actualization. Although these are effusions of youth, the sentiment at the close of each shows that I then recognized that the promptings were to be subjected to a rational umpire. To cite them as samples of excessive affectional inheritance from ages that sought no scientific plan of culture for the amoral functions, is the apology for presenting them. The study of sociology having commenced, we may hope able scien- tists will make research enabling them to endow the understanding of age and youth with wise discrimina- tion between true and false sentiments and passions — between good and bad application. Ignorance on the topic so widely prevails among all classes, that respon- sibility can scarcely be said to exist. Welfare and safety demand that knowledge be universal, and com- mence with the child of five years. I think hygienic habits, rectifying evil customs, must enter largely into measures efficient in ethical advance, as physical sound- ness is the basis for purity of principle, fancy, appetites, and reason's control. Sensual policy and fastidious taste should not be heeded when they interpose in reformations. M. E. T. PART SECDNn The matter of this, the main department, is, as is the first, arranged somewhat in the order, as to time, that it was written ; and will be found marked with more assurance and scientific strength as it goes onward to the close. 92 POEMS. TEARS. Oh, let them flow ! eyes take the fire From tortured brains — floods they require ; A cooHng tide the orbs may ease, Thought's full, volcanic depths appease. Renewing showers for fading hues. That richly once did cheeks suffuse ; Their flow the fount of grief may cool, And gently still each troubled pool. Let them descend, like plenteous dew, On hands with bloated veins and blue — With pulsing palms and fingers thin, Pale pearls where coral bloom hath been. Let them in willingness be wept O'er Feeling's chords too harshly swept ; Their softening influence may restore Harmonic calm to fail no more. The lucid drops with rapid gush. Tense nerves to tranquil rest may hush ; Assuage tumultuous doubts and fears — Flow^ on. then, ancfuish-bidden Tears ! POEMS. 95 SOUL. Soul ! What is this sleepless and wandering power That seeks to know all things — knows all truth its Is't personal force ; universal, all one, [dower ? As rays filling space for all worlds from a sun ? Like warm beams, it wakes the germ-action of thought; Flows branching in uses with energy fraught ; The mine of great motive that labors and wills, Rejoicing in good gifts, and grappling with ills. To Conscience and Reason a friend it appears ; A light to research and ingenious ideas — The spirit of love, making all peoples kin, Tho' adverse in color, clime, fortune they've been. Has Soul form and substance, sometime to be shown In ages immortal where chemics are known — Where spirit identities knowledge acquire Beyond that to wlfich minds incarnate aspire ? No more queries now, lest the ray guiding me, Bewildered, diverts to the fathomless sea Of infinite space Reason traverses never, And only compares to first ccmse and forever. 94 POEMS. ENJOYMENTS AND WANTS. " But one thing w^nt these banks of Rhine — Thy gentle hand to clasp in mine." The twilight dews are settHng sweet On blossom, bud, and tree, Whose perfumes on the zephyrs meet, And float away to me. But one thing want the dews and flowers- Thy fragrant breath among the bowers. The night bird's clear and plaintive song Enchants the gentle gale That flies on viewless wing along From od'rous wood and vale. But one thing want these strains that fly— Thy voice of music nearer by. Each cloudlet looming in the west With smiling wreaths is crowned ; And Nature, in her silent rest, With bloom-wrought bays is bound. But one thing wants each roseate smile — Peals from thy fluent lips the while. POEMS. 95 The moon and stars peer, one by one, From out their sapphire deep ; Nor more in rev'rence to the sun Their bright eyes covered keep. But one thing want their winning beams — Thy hmpid eyes' still lovelier gleams. The hands of friends extended are, And blessings free bestow ; While messages are borne from far Of Friendship's gladdening glow. Yet one thing wants each kindly grasp — Thy tender hands my own to clasp. I love the flower, and list the lay, I drink the smiles and beams ; Yet turns my thirsty soul away For richer, dearer streams. Still one thing want these things divine — Thy heart's responses true to mine. CjG POEMS. FOR H. C. H. Yes, faithful Henry, I will leave An artless little lay, To tell in coming seasons of Thy cousin far away — How she approved thy even course, And loved thy studious mind — How more than lovc%i thy filial heart, Obedient, truthful, kind. Aye, keep this child-like confidence In parents who have striven On thee to lavish Wisdom's wealth ; To thee their trust is given — Their earthly all — neglect it not ; But lead with gentle hand Them o'er Life's dim decline which ends In Love's transcendent land. If e'er the wayward seek to lure Thee from the flowery fields Where Temperance holds her cheerful courts, And Virtue gladness yields, Turn from their phantom torch; thy face Toward Truth and Reason set ; And life a blessed gift shall prove, Death know not a regret. Perchance in after years we'll meet, And I will ask again, "Are these frank words all heeded still" — Wilt say, " I'm pure as then?" And, in return, will I respond Thy query with delight, " Maintainest thou a worthiness To teach the young aright?" POEMS. 97 COME TO THE NORTH. PARODY ON " COME TO THE SOUTH," BY A. B. M. With this Chorus : " Oh, come to the South, the shrine of the sun. And dwell in its bowers, sweet, beautiful one !" Oh, come to the North, if sublime thou wouldst be ; 'Tis the clime of the mind, 'tis the shrine of the free ! Here the sun ever shines with a generous glow, And flowers bloom as fragrant as tropics can show ; The breeze o'er bright waters wafts incense along, And sweet birds are soarincr in beauty and sono; : Yet Summer's monotony gladly we break For cool, wholesome zephyrs from prairie and lake. Oh, come to the North, where four climates allow Pure freshness the head and the heart to endow ! Oh, come to the North, and seek thee a home Where long social evenings, and sleigh-ridings come ! We've sweet-flowing maple, the spruce-shade and pine, And health-giving fountains ; forsake the red wine ! For Reason's calm flow is debased by its sting. While music seems discord, tho' Eden birds sing : By the gush of glad waters we'll rest us at eve, No insects to vex us, no bibbers to grieve. Oh, come to the North, the shrine of the free ; Dwell 'mid its best principles, noble to be ! 7 98 POEMS. Oh, come to the North, it has homes for the heart ; No sky hke its own can pure passion impart : The strength of its changes is felt in the soul, And Love keepeth constant, if Honor control. Here would thy gay intellect brilliantly beam ; Thy life pass as Duty's affectionate dream ; Thy wishes, if holy, no hazard shall run : Then come, and be worthy a beautiful one. Oh, come to the North, where the loveliest plead For Liberty's fullness — each soul's natal meed ! We love the rich South and its sweet, sunny isles, It's gen'rous and brave, and their true-hearted smiles. Does Temp'rance reign under their tresses of jet, And Virtue ennoble the soft-eyed brunette ? Then the gifts of the South and the North should Their mutual graces both natures refine. " [combine ; Does this method like you ? Please, when you invite us, Sing not so voluptuously gay as to fright us. Then come to the North, in thy bosom no guile, And dwell where TJwuglit tones Love, and tempers its smile. POEMS. 99 EMOTIONAL EXPRESSIONS IN THE FIRST SPRING SHOWER. Oh, for a skilled and sapient power to tell The nameless feelings of the thrilling breast ; The rapt emotions that to throbbings swell, And thoughts, though half chaotic, duly blest, When, as a curtain drawn around the West, The first warm shower-cloud of sweet Spring appears ; The glow of sunset glinting on its crest. The lightnings flashing as our hills it nears, And thunder-boomings jar anon the listening ears. I ask not for expression to portray Some awful gloom depicted on the cloud. Adieu, the wild and melancholy lay. E'en dark-winged storms tell not of pall and shroud : Tho' aspects richly solemn on them crowd, They're shadings of kind powers, around, above ; The earnests of a largess, life-endowed. Strength of the universe to give and prove, And seal our blessings with the grandeur of great love. lOO POEMS. Oh, for a pen with inspiration fraught, To trace the forms reflected on the soul ; The shining pictures admiration-wrought, Now drawn on Memory's consecrated scroll- Can I forget the dazzling drifts that roll In white-ringed convolutions o'er the sky, Like foam-wreathed billows rushing to the goal Where ocean surges break, and backward fly ? On mind's expanse these heavens must aye in portrait lie. Hence crave I genius, form and voice to give The treasured images that bless my heart; To gratify the thoughts fated to live, And yearn their best conceptions to impart ; Yet oft, as now, they vainly woo the art Of robing mental buds in meet attire ; The seemly germs in pleasing promise start, But, ah ! for words, the embryon flowers expire ; And I must not evoke, but gaze, feel, think, admire. Now, faithful usher of the welcome shower. More strongly blows the joy-inspiring gale, Demanding language with more vivid power To paint the full, free bliss with which I hail The music of its laugh — it has no wail. Yet can I only, as in childhood, go To meet its currents, while my tresses sail The viewless stream, and bid my soaring know It is enough to breathe waves that new life bestow. POEMS. lOI The glittering drops aslant the swaying trees Now bathe the spires that from the brown turf spring ; The gleeful birds caress the gentle breeze, Warbling, like me, their nameless joy to sing. What bosom would not a thank-offering fling To this dear angel wakening leaf and flower? All must accept the gift, and grateful bring Their richest renderings, mute tho' be the dower, In this delicious rain, this first sweet April shower. " UNWRITTEN POETRY." " My mind is filled with beautiful thoughts, my heart with lovely images ; but I cannot express or paint them. My poetry is all unwritten." — Letter. Prized, pressing Thoughts that move the heart, And seek translating sound ; That throng their bounds, but ne'er impart To asking minds around The glow and light of breathings warm From inborn melody. Are rich ; tho' void of rhythmic form, Are purest poetry. I02 POEMS. Let them but speak enough to show What mines he buried there ; Let eyes reflect the hving glow Their gem-fires ever wear ; Let Fervor's coy reserve control The curled, the voiceless lips, And I'll believe a loving soul Inspiring nectar sips. What poet e'er had power to tell A tithe the mind conceived. Or felt not in him yearnings swell Expression ne'er relieved ? He who most passion, power, and pride Threw on his thrilling lute, Declared he lived and sung and died With thoughts all sheathed and mute. What tho' the fickle crowd ne'er know . Great thoughts are lent us here ? The Spirit owns a latent flow, And clasps a boon so dear. A few will sense the hidden depth, Respond the silent call. Fan the pure flames with kindred breath. And bless, as yet must all. POEMS. lo; Full many a one has lived and lives Sublimely, yet unknown, Whose merely outer voicing gives No high-born feelings tone ; Who lists with joy intense the strains Of eloquence and song ; Yet whose pent words the tongue retains Where they would flow along. And I have felt that if the thoughts My brain and prompting breast Send out for truths with goodness fraught, And find seraphic rest, Had voices for the precious sweets They gather in the flight. They'd say their mansion glows and beats — A poet's shrine of light. The world may wink at all we say, And scowl at all we sing, May ne'er appreciate a lay From soul-harps' lithest string ; But teach it this, the feeblest streams And flames soul-depths contain Alone find vent in uttered themes. While floods and fires remain. 104 POEMS. TO A TEMPERANCE ADVOCATE. Herald, faint not ; redeeming altars light ; Strong, votive subjects 'round their fires unite ; And with them draw, by thy prevailing art, The poison-drinker, and illume his heart. Thou best canst save him who hast known his fall, And felt the torture of his maddening thrall ; Thyself a sample of redemption show — Of honors self-reform can but bestow. Point to the mother who sustained his youth, Whose lov^e still pleads, to save him by her truth ; Tell him of thine, who, broken-hearted, sank Beneath the cups her son in sorrow drank ; Tell of the rapture of thy aged sire, Whose arm had lost its strength, whose eye its fire, When his lost prodigal, his only son, By temperance was restored, by kindness won. Thou who art freed from Bacchus' frenzied dream, Which preys like vampyres on the vital stream, Canst best the palzying incubus expose — Best bid the weak beware of lurkins: foes. POEMS. 105 Go, if Philanthropy thy course direct; The world shall succor thee, the good protect ; The voice that thine from wail to song shall raise, Will link thy name with Howard's in its praise. Clad in the panoply of Truth, advance ; The tyrant, Wine, subdue, justice thy lance; The spoiler vanquish ; and, as homage due. We'll wreathe thy youthful brow with laurels true. Speak, and the echo of thy warning voice Shall chime afar, and bid the land rejoice ; Sing, and thy minstrelsy's entrancing trills Shall charm the vales, and vibrate on the hills. Go, in the glory of thy rescued powers, To Yale's illustrious pile 'mid sylvan bowers, Whose halls their vaunted lore thee once denied, And there thy fame thy former stain shall hide. If e'er the luring glass thine eye shall gain, Or siren warble on thine ear a strain, Think of thy mother's bier, thy Mary's love. And soar triumphant every snare above. But chief thy trust in Truth's firm guidance place, 'Twill render ample strength, with peace and grace ; Then 2^0, relieve, g-ive to the wretched rest. And tenfold will return, because self-blest. I06 POEMS. WOMAN'S COSTUME EMANCIPATION. All Hail ! a good Movement is rising — . This year fifty-one doth perceive it. Tired woman at length is devising, (The trade-kings are loth to believe itj For health and all powers 'tis comprising, Robes that free her form and relieve it. This Change former aids is improving By larger degrees and good uses ; It claims sage attention and choosing Between ease and torturing abuses. Glad should the sick world be in losing The style that most ailments produces. Well pleased I accept farther mending, And teach the beneficent measures That to highest welfare are tending. And yielding life's long withheld treasures. Great sordidness sure should be ending, And general become wholesome pleasures. When av'rice is sound systems blighting With flowery but fatal pretenses, Stern Science with safe modes uniting Must call beguiled dupes to their senses — Prove arts that deform are benighting, And only Health beauty dispenses. POEMS. 107 HOME OF MY CHILDHOOD AND CHANGE. Again in the home of my childhood I sit, And fast o'er the leaflets of memory flit The numberless forms once familiarly known As the face of my sire or my mother's fond tone; But now, just emerged from half slumbering, seem As the shadowy images drawn in a dream. The family group is again all restored ; The juvenile circle by hearth and by board ; My brothers disporting with top, ball and kite, Bounding almost as swift as their toys in full flight ; Ah ! must I recall them, the half in the urn ; The rest wont from childish amusements to turn ? The forms of my sunny-haired sisters arise. With the violet's glow in their joy-beaming eyes ; Myself too among them, the blithest I ween — But Time here, the sculptor and liner, has been : His chisel and pencil impartially plied, And the youngest of all we salute as a bride. Here come the companions of play-house and green. Of frolic and ramble by grove, glade and stream ; Not such as they now are, full grown and sedate, Going different ways, each a different fate ; But such as they were, little gamboling girls. All laughter and pleasure, all glances and curls. I08 POEMS. A bevy of schoolmates come bustling along, With shout and hurrah blent with snatches of song; There are Maries, as many as Queen Mary had ; And oh ! there is Philo, that ill-looking lad ; The naughty large scholars all frantic with fun, At the ruse on him played, and the cute mischief done. Fate ! he is running again to repeat His kiss for an apple, rewarding the feat; 1 struggling for shelter 'neath sister's plaid cloak. Till, worried, she leaves it on me, its tie broke — Kiss, shouts and tossed apple come, with my great grief, Made sorer when at it my father could laugh. These now are dispersed, and the idle and base. To an infamous manhood I readily trace ; The studious and innocent, scorned tho' they were, Now honor and peace on their stations confer; The former of falsehood, the latter of truth, As monuments stand for the guidance of youth. I turn from the phantoms that float in the past, Realities, questions the present has cast ; And prove the transformer has greatest change wrought On human ephemerals of care, hope and thought ; Naught else of his passage the footprints retains. On passionless things scarce a breath mark remains. POEMS. 1 09 The orchard is budding as when the sweet chinic Of robin and lark in the chanting sprinf; time, 'Neath its odorous bloom first allured me to rove, And the music and scenery of Nature to love — As when there I sang with each warbler that came. And knew not of posey even the name. The brooklet goes bubbling along by the door With the same lullaby that it babbled of yore ; Its murmurs so mixed with my drowsings last night, It seemed I ne'er strayed from its sound or its sight; Its fair, dimpled margins thro' meadow and glen Wear the same smiling aspect of newness as then. The old-fashioned farm-house, full spacious and cool^ Still echoes the wind thro' its wide, airy hall ; And guarded by hills, and half hid in the trees, Has so bravely resisted the storm and the breeze. That Time's alternations of frown, tear and smile, Have slightly imbrowned the old red-painted pile. Since the fiat of Change is most palpably cast On the marvelous objects developed the last ; As stature increases, let mind too improve. And the heart aye expand with creations of love : Since Time never tarries, this Life a mere span, Let us chancre for the better as fast as we can. POEMS. TO THE CLOUDS. Fair, Southern Clouds of pearly white, Floating upon the azure sky, Ye seem like happy saints of light. Wandering in sapphire domes on high. Lightly ye move in steady flight Mingling your milky plumes anon. Like sister angels who unite Their snowy robes and journey on. Now ye your fleecy lines unfold, And hasten singly to the East, Like seraphs hieing to the goal Where reigns unbroken love and peace. Ye seem like souls, their bodies shed All joyousness, all free from care, Who having earth's enthralments fled, Arise enraptured on the air. Enshrined in human forms awhile. With us they shared terrestrial joys ; Cheered by their sympathies and smiles Life's chalice glowed with less alloy. POEMS. I I But, as Spring blossoms of the vale, Their lovely forms soon felt decay ; As dews which morning suns exhale, Soared silently their souls away. And ye, of them the emblems pure, Do glad our eyes while floating near ; Our thoughts to those dear ones allure. Then in the distance disappear. They were the soft endearing bands Which bound our willing hearts to earth ; And when they reached celestial lands Our wish to dwell there too had birth. And oft, sweet Clouds of silvery hue. Resting or rolling on the wind, Ye've been the kindred links which drew Us thither, leaving earth behind — With scarce a wish thrown back upon Its fragrance, beauties, harmonies — Its stars, its moon, its mighty sun, Its blooming landscapes, glassy seas. And then we deemed 'twould sometimes prove Pleasure untold, delicious, rare, From that ecstatic realm to rove Thro' beaming skies and purest air. I I 2 POEMS. And while with vision clear sustained Above this sphere, like cloudlet soft. Gaze leisurely on land and main, And beckon weary souls aloft. TRIBUTE. Already, dear Mary, thy warm friends have freighted Thy Album with sentiments, wishes and prayers ; Naught more can I say, if the feelings be stated, Than here for thee truly reiterate theirs. If all the pure joys they design thee are tasted. And all their high hopes reenkindle are thine — If never a prayer of their bosoms is wasted, Most fully are answered the askings of minj. If aye thou canst smile o'er this Book's dedication — Aye bless the mild theme of the meek J. S. P. — If each sigh is hushed in the realization Of these profound words of the sage A. B. G., Then hast thou what's craved by thy friend M. E. T. POEMS. I I 3 TO A YOUNG PASTOR. (solicited.) With pleasure, my brother, a tribute I render — A pledge of esteem and of friendship a tie ; For peace and prosperity in it I tender My wishes full warm, and my hopes fully high. These lines may seem flatt'ring, and lose on thy senses The kindly sincerity whence they arise ; But far from my heart are mere formal pretences, As I'd have from friend's the false tones I despise. The soft words of friendship are uttered as lightly And freely as sounds of the gale or the stream. Till scarce their pure import is recked of when rightly They flow from a fountain where hallowed they're deemed. Too often of tenderness tongues have protested. When every feeling their accents belied ; Of language has sympathy oft been divested, And secretly bowed, while it homage denied. 8 114 POEMS. 'Tis not to admonish that these thoughts awaken ; For Truth I opine in thy spirit holds sway. The pen has this vein all unwittingly taken, From which let me turn it abruptly away. Thy calling should make thee the kindest and calmest, And wisest of beings that Fancy can paint; With lore of the sage and the song of the psalmist. The meekness of servant, the pureness of saint. But be not dismayed that so much is demanded. The mission rewards, and thy progress insures; Infinity teaches, to all times 'tis handed, That grace equals goodness, and with it endures. Thy path is made smooth, many martyrs have blest it With feet that ne'er swerved, and, tho' pierced, would not turn. Proclaim but pure gospel — a few have confessed it — The world waits the tidings of gladness to learn. The dupes of church despots haunt city and nation, And dogmas that drive to despair still are heard ; The former disperse with the wand of Salvation ; The latter allay with the truth-proven Word. Thy toils to humanity wisely devoted, Attemper affections all baseness above ; Unfaltering the aim that on earth be promoted — The genial religion of Mercy and Love. POEMS. 115 If woman's kind voice may encouragement offer, And if her approval is ever held dear; If aught to thy heart are the prayers she may proffer, And gracious thy choice 'twixt her smile and her tear; Then fain would she cheer thee, whose labors enlighten Mentality's nighted and myth-clouded sky ; Her orisons blend with the teachings that brighten The wreath on her lip and the ray from her eye. O blissful is Life! tho' some sorrow it bringeth, When Hope each dusk view a bright halo has given; And joyous is Time, as his cycles he wingeth. When Truth fills the soul with the richness called heaven. TIME? Problem Unsolvable Ever — Beginning and Ending none See. Time, Mother of All— All own Master Time ! Propound the riddle? no, Never: Bright Reason's Sole Answer must Be Time! 1 6 POEMS. THE CIRCASSIAN BRIDE. Circassia's fairest daughter stood beside Her father, tho' a hardened foe he seemed : Her snowy face, at once her price and pride — Her soft, dark eyes that thro' their grief-dews beamed. Unveiled before the eager gaze and bold Of Pacha proud and restless turbaned throng, Pressing to purchase — with dear love ? nay, gold ! O, human heart I how hast thou borne the wrong. Seems she a bride — the shrinking, trembling thing. By stranger's hands torn from the natal hearth ? As such can Truth her register and bring The blessed peace of confidence on earth ? Or rather, do not pitying angels frown, And from the sweet-voiced Ktc wring notes of woe ? While skies of mercy bend in mourning down, That Nature's anguish-tears unseen may flow? The deed most sordid and re\'olting is. Consigning all the rights implied in life, To him who feels no high-born sympathies For the weak slave, the vassal in the wife. Dire, barb'rous custom, tho' some chords it sears Which tender feelings suffer not to wake. Cannot annul in life's allotted years The outraged yearnings that the reft heart break. POEMS. 117 What tho' she be the favorite of her lord ? She 's but a menial shut from freedom's hght — Her country's verdant hills no joy afford, And valleys warm no pleasure yield her sight. Dark mystery wraps her undeveloped mind Whose noblest functions all chaotic sleep ; Yet, its pent powers hold fruitless strife to find Some unknown bliss their innate ken must keep. Tho' she become the gorgeous harem's queen. Acknowledged goddess of her master's breast ; And robed in gems the ocean depths have seen — Supplied with luxuries from East and West ; Still, 'neath her bosom's tinselled folds she feels A void, a tyrant's curse, his prison bars ; A thirst for free blown air, earth's freshest fields, [stars. The wild bird's song, sweet dews 'neath moon and Perchance she knows not that in other climes Beyond the swelling main she may not see, W'oman may wander, and with the full chimes Of birds and brooklets blend her voice as free : Yet Nature's promptings, true to the design Of the great Universe, their claims assert ; Affection weeps for a congenial shrine — Mind moans for all tyrannic powers avert. POEMS. REFLECTIONS ON PASSING A CEMETERY AFTER VISITING A POOR-HOUSE. Happy the souls with forms beneath The lowly sward and silent stone ; No more the sorrowing sigh to breathe, Nor swell the crowd when sadly lone. Here rest the hands raised vainly oft In supplicating attitude ; The long reft hearts whose feelings soft With many miseries were imbued. Blest the departed ! none should call Freed spirits long to tenant earth, Where on each beauteous bud must fall The drops that to decay give birth — Where every beaming bliss is dimmed By cloud that darkly near it lies ; And every anthem note is hymned While under tones of wailing rise. I will not deprecate life's lot ; Some lovely streams bright borders lave ; Yet, who can view its wastes and not In fervent breathings bless the grave ? POEMS. 119 INSTALLATION HYMN. Loud swell the notes of joy to-day — Ecstatic souls resound the lay — A Shepherd to our fold is given, A guardian to our Sabbath heaven. We praise no king or conqueror proud With oak-wreathed arch and bannered crowd But bless an humble helper's name, His service greet with glad acclaim. High Ethics, lived, charms as when first From Plato's lips in love it burst ; Still sweet the precious precepts are Our chosen messengers declare. We hail the pastor here installed By hands impowered, by heralds called ; Him to our altar blest we bear, And lay our spirit offerings there. His temporal trust our truth provides — His higher stay, kind angel guides — His peace, which as the dews shall fall, The truths he lives and holds to all. 1 20 POEMS. REPUTATION. Sects offer honor, and presume the fame Their prestige yields an ample price must be. Conditions weighed, declare a purchased name By service gauged, unmeet for you and me. Sectarian purpose need not seek my aid — Thought must be free convictions high to bear — Firm character, not lax repute, is laid, As action's chart; no false lines should be there. Our little freedom lessens in the strife To win the boon of popular applause : Good motives are the gainers through all life, Proven by peace that keeps the purest laws. What unsought honor these may not bestow, Clear conscience seeming counter needs to hoard, The soul rich in itself may well forego — Truth, reputation risked, is treasure stored. But answered aspirations of the vain Open to fields florid with quick decay. Ephemeral joys that leave no lasting gain, Fate of ambition's fickle year's display. POEMS. 12 ALBUMS. Messengers seeking testimonial friends For coy restraint make ladies some amends. Albums are intercessors sure — They come to those not tried or proved, Searching for Hnks that can secure The friendly and perchance the loved. And oft a willing mind invokes The blessings innocence and peace ; Oft these are earned — mid Fate's dire strokes The calm soul's solace may increase. Believe not, Maidens, those who teach That all terrestrial joys are v^ain; For there is happiness in reach Worthy a sinless seraph's strain. The pure in thought, the love inspired, Obtain e'en here delights divine ; Such bliss has kindly hearts acquired ; And such true spirits crave for thine. 122 POEMS. LIGHT, LOVE AND TRUTH. A Beam broke from the leaden skies, One cold December day, And gloomy bodings were dispelled, Repinings fled away ; The soul an upward glance bestowed, And waning Gratitude Beheld some gently chiding signs, And felt its flame renewed. A Ray stole from the sunken eye Of the pale invalid. And the tired watcher's heart no more Its dearest hope forbid ; Its anxious prayer was half obtained. Faith saw the loved one healed — Again Life's way looked warm and fair, With angel guides revealed. A glad Gleam lit the sombre face That calumny had dimmed. And songs of sweet rejoicing rose, By long mute lips well hymned — ' That glow was Truth's, it chased the mist Of Falsehood's night away. The wronged one rose with justice crowned, And blest the triumph day. POEMS. 123 Dark clouds obscure the sun anon, And leave earth drear and chill — The good oft sink, e'en to the grave, And woes some fond breast fill — The pure awhile may bide the touch Of Slander's freezing breath : But, Blessed Truth, for thee and Love And Light there is no death. SOUVENIR. Glad am I to meet thee, Fair Aggie Zolutie; And while thousands greet thee As goddess of beauty Accept my soul's blessing, My wish that while youthful, Much praise and caressing May still leave the truthful; For friends, loves and treasures, Tho' all so desirous. But lend lasting pleasures When goodness inspires us. 24 POEMS. PROGRESSIVE LYCEUMS. Some goodly scenes we now behold Which mind at last invents ; They're Children's Lyceums to mould The wisdom elements. They're rife with blessings for the lands, With incense for the skies ; With genial gifts for youth's demands, And good which never dies. The guardians banish childish fears, Encourage guileless charms, — Build characters for coming years, With childhood now in arms. To see young eyes with gladness beam, While willing tongues employ Truth's high and most consoling theme, Old age may well have joy. In tender minds the chosen seed, Tho' small the germ shall be, May, when from webs of weakness freed, Send forth the fruitful tree: The sun of love unfold its buds. And garlands round it weaves ; And who shall tell what future crowds May health find in its leaves ? POEMS. 125 With mythic rites and bigotry School lore should ne'er be fraught, Attune young souls to Reason's key; Instill the wealth of thought : In devious walks of sin and woe Incline them ne'er to stray ; But pleasures pure and sweet to know — The Lyceum is the way. TYRANNY AND FRATERNITY. The earth so perfect, fair and fruitful grown, As home of happy people should be known. Knowledge has thrived and waned now spreads apace Love speaks from land to land, from race to race ; Yet, thirst for power and gold, pride, customs vile Hold coward victims tame by fiendish guile; Disease, vice, grief and want, mock life the while. To civilize the State, the down-held raise From Misery's palsied night to strength of days, The brave refute the false, zealously plead That liberty is Life's divinest need. While forceful darkness clouds the dawning light, A valorous few are laboring with the might 'J What Truth and Justice wield to win the Right, And crown freed Humanhood with Honor briorht. 126 POEMS. BROTHER-IN-LAW. JARED PIERPONT, NEPHEW OF JOHN PIERPONT, THE POET. A sudden and sorrowful message we hear — A dart from Death's ever-full quiver is sped; Cheeks change that give audience, tear answers tear; A brother we've ta'en to our bosom is fled! We mourn the departure, and none can reprove Who virtue can prize, or true greatness confess; Thro' a profligate world he unswerving could move, Unscathed by its vices, unstained by excess. From our dear kindred circle a pure one is gone, From Sympathy's chain a bright link disappears ; Meek Truth has the badge of breavement put on ; A blank seems to lie in the prospect of years. Confiding in cultured affection and worth, Our sister her love and her welfare reposed ; Inviolate he held them in his love while earth And perishing vestments his spirit enclosed. Now lonely she moves 'mid each token and sign Of tenderness, trust, of munificence, care ; The sunbeam and flower seem to mourn as they shine : More shadows are falling on all that is fair. POEMS. 127 A dimness pervades every path she may trace, Tho' Friendship and Love still their ardor attest ; Again we'll receive her with welcome embrace, And seek to revive the lost joy of her breast. One shining oasis life's drear desert hath — Her son, whom his father's true image is given ; One pole star illumes the thick vapors of death : Only flesh fails ; the Spirit earth-limits has riven. Our brother a few fleeting years with us dwelt, Firm confidence won, well his worthiness proved ; Then, smiling in health, for a brief space us left To greet his fond parents, revered and beloved. He reached them,* by absence and distance unchanged ; Was blest with their blessing, and gladdened his sire ; When the Pale King appeared in their midst, and exclaimed, '' Thou'rt come to thine own native halls to expire!" We whisper adieu, but 'tis a)'e with a sigh ; We woo resignation to solace restore ; Yet, only in view of the next spheres so nigh, Repeat we, not our wills, but change evermore ! 128 POEMS. SUDDEN TRANSIT. Oh, brother gone ! not e'en farewell Could from sad lips our anguish tell — Gone as thy spring's declining morn Was painting signs of summer born. But yesternight thy song of mirth Pealed joyfully around our hearth ; The sun set on thy buoyant head, But rose on eyes whose light had fled. No aid a father's hand could give — Each trial vain that bade thee live ; A mother's effort-spoken prayer, As unavailing pleaded there. True brothers now in loneness weep : Unspeakable their sorrows deep— Thy sister's pen gives small relief To her all nameless love and grief Yet no despair beclouds thy tomb — Death only for the clay has room ; Angels have borne thee to their home — There in good time we all will come — There greet thee with a kindred choir Which oft returns to us inspire ; But thy young joys and sprightly che^r, We'll miss in earth-homes, Charlie dear ! POEMS. 129 "I WANT MY MOTHER!" I want my mother! was the mournful cry That all day long a cottage precincts filled ; The wail arrested many a passer by, But none to hush it could adopt the child. I want my mother ! was the only plaint, Deigned by that tender darling's depth of grief ; Her heart was reft, her every power was faint ; Only a mother held a known relief. I want my mother ! was the answer sole To every query, curious, kindly, good ; That want comprised of childhood's needs the whole ; No care was felt for shelter, raiment, food. I want my mother ! ceaselessly she sighed ; A sire to soothe her woe no time possessed ; For scarce his constant weary toil supplied The simple claims consuming Nature pressed. I want my mother ! came in stifled tones From that young breast, pure font of feeling deep; The soul of dear affection filled its moans For the loved parent laid in her last sleep. 9 1 30 POEMS. I want my mother ! what emphatic words From infancy's unpractised hps to fall ! But few bright springs with blossoms, bees and birds Had left their time prints on this being small. Without her hat, the fuel pile beside ; Reckless of former playmate, sister, brother ; The sobbing girl spent on the zephyr wide, These sounds of solemn woe, I want my mother! MODERN AMBITION. In the van of the fast moving multitude rushed A stalwart-framed youth, his fair countenance flushed With the fire of excitement, and in his strong eye, Where bright, deep-hued violets had chosen to lie, There twinkled the rays of a spirit that burned On the shrine of Ambition ; that restlessly yearned For a world's adulations, the homage of all — The praise of the great and the love of the small. He dreamed of dominion and conquest — but ah ! The palm branch had broken war's blood-deluged car: The high days of chivalrous honors were gone, [shone ; And wreathed crowns no more on the knight's forehead So he turned from those phantoms of glory and sighed, As minions the Caesars and Cromwells have died — Im.mortal Crusaders in grief won their meeds, And lancers' names sank with their helmets and steeds. POEMS. 131 He pined to adorn his smooth brow and soft hair With laurels the statesmen and orators wear — To rivet all minds, and make loyal the land With a word and a wave of his soft jeweled hand ; But exclaimed he " Alas, ere their bays I can win, [been ! My locks will have bleached, my brow furrowed have 'Mid national conflicts can I learn to dwell, Or suffer the tasks of Demosthenes' cell ? " Still panted his breast to emblazon a name High on the gilt dome of the temple of ^me ; No medium niche could its soarings content, Tho' garlands Parnassian rich colors there lent. He cries, " Let me shine in Renown's circle bright, Of the first constellation the leader and light; As dazzles afar in December's blue skies Aldebaran, the gaze of great Orion's eyes." But turning from empire's all hazardous fate. The field's triumph honors, the plaudits of state, He searched the rich archives of ages to store His mind with old records, quaint legends and lore ; And with pen which the finger of patience should guide. And taper to chase midnight shades from his side, Pressed fearlessly on, up the many-pathed slope. Unlimited both perseverance and scope. 132 POEMS. Years passed — he had traveled where beauty and art Their magical foldings fling round the rapt heart — Where pencils had bidden the canvas to live And chisels a spirit to marble could give ; Had threaded the mazes of Romance full long. And spurred his Pegassus thro' volumes of song — Had shown the dull world what his toils had achieved, By the touch of a high-glowing fancy relieved. Time's care-clouded seasons consumed as they flew His eye's laughing lustre, and cheek's rosy hue — Thought's deep-graven traces his troubled brow crossed His voice its rich cadence and melody lost ; The warm blood that erst evolved joy in its flow Round his heavy, worn heart ceased to revel and glow Intense aspirattons withheld their quick fires ; And died emulation's vehement desires. The premature pressure of age his form bowed ; And on listless ears fell Fame's clarion loud, Which, tho' it resounded from mountain to main. And valley and isle rung its echoes again, Awoke not a thrill of delight in his breast ; Too long there had rankled the throes of unrest; And he wept as a child in bereavement, to find 'Mong ingredients of Name no nepenthe of Mind. POEMS. 133 On weak, shriveled hands he supported his head With unwelcome emblems of wisdom o'erspread ; And murmured, "Ah, me! when will misery cease? When shall find I of being the bliss and the peace ? Where Fashion and Opulence favors bestow, And fountains of learning and art freely flow ; All vainly I've sought for the bosom's blest goal, And the drops that allay the deep thirst of the soul. " And now, while I poise on the verge of the tomb, Remorsefully pond'ring on life's wasted bloom ; Enduring the anguish my course has incurred ; Too late craving blessings by virtue conferred ; This truth I bequeath, O false world, unto thee! The innocent only are happy and free — Avoid my example, accept my bequest, Change pride for humility, turmoil for rest." On the hist'ry of man, in his youth he looked back. And witnessed the brambles in Folly's broad track ; Yet, elate with vainglorious promptings, opined Himself chosen favorite of fortune to find ; Hence, fell disappointment with power to unman ; The mockery of hope on repose laid its ban — Menaces of evil his fond wishes met. And swelled his last breath to a sigh of regret. 134 POEMS. Too late he perceived all true pleasures were brought From the mine of pure motives, by deeds humane wrought ; That laws which in man's moral nature inhere Bless but the obeying who, knowing, revere — That streams of felicity inwardly glide. And anguish flames up when their source sin has dried; That Goodness alone gives the charm to a name, And Vanity sullies Solicited Fame. THE BANIAN TREE. Where India's sun its torrid rays bestow Till sky, air, earth, and heated ocean glow. The sacred Banian spreads upon the field A spacious arbor — the tired native's shield. The dusky Hindoo thither may retire, When noontide beams descend as filtered fire ; And, in the umbrage of its million leaves, Enjoy the lightest lingering of the breeze. 'Tis Grandeur's tree — the guardian of the ground ; Its ancient centre thousand trunks surround, Whose myriad limbs are each a root begun. More limbs to spread, distinct in root, yet one. POEMS. 135 That colonnade cool pleasure-walks supplies, Its soft pavilion screening sultry skies ; And half-veiled vistas, verdant hangings through, Attracting wand'rers by prospective view. There in the loveliest shade by Nature hung, A perfect grove from one small cion sprung. The weary vagrant may at noon repose, And in his comforts half forget his woes. That complex tree a fixed asylum stands. Reared by all-varying powers for wise demands ; Its fair arcades, in soft green arras drest, Invite to worship, to refreshment, rest. Its living columns rise beyond compare. From firm pedestals, earth's rich glades and rare. Whose varied blooms and choice perfumes complete The portals vast and ornate arches sweet. No art in structures, castles, fanes, or towers, Where Skill and Genius spent their master powers, Have from the soul such admiration brought, As this pure palace simple Nature wrought. Before it proudest dome and princely hall To the dimensions of the cottage fall ; And monuments with Orient splendor crowned All dwindle to the frugal emmet's mound. 136 POEMS. There gleeful Childhood finds its fi'ohc bowers ; Youth a retreat that woos its sportive hours ; Manhood a court (woman has no behoof!); Age and Disease a hospitable roof There may the Brahmin devotee repair, And tell his faith thro' superstitious prayer ; There do his penance on the shadowed sod, Beneath the emblem of his fabled god. I love the thought, all mythic tho' it be, That likens Brama to the matchless tree, Whose far-extending and protecting arms Are stayed where else might hover fearful harms. The Christian, too, may in the Banian find Fit symbol of a Savior of mankind ; Its parent pillar, head and centre. He; Its branches, all the saints on bended knee. Also, it types to Reasoners, noble, free, Their tender care for all humanity ; Rebuking monarch oaks, tall, sheltering none, As Justice shames vain despot and vile throne. P0EM3. 137 LINES TO LAURA. To show the wilhngness with which I grant Thy late request, thus soon these hnes are penned ; My friendship would not of its office vaunt ; Nor could it ask return, if slow to serv^e a friend. Idle it were to tell thee that my heart Oft hath its thrills of love and grief for thine : I have evinced its tenderness ; thou art Too gen'rous to presume dissimulation mine. Thou wouldst that I " remember" thee, and not In vain the wish, tho' 'twere to me unknown : Ungrateful were T for a haler lot, Did I forget a friend Disease had marked its own. Imagination at thy couch presides, With healing cordials, music, myrrh, and balm ; An anodyne for every pang provides. Soothing the tortured nerves to rest and slumber calm. Fancy and Sympathy lull — the last deplores, Yet all anxieties in joy abound ; Thy buoyant mind o'er transient suff'ring soars, Having a panacea precious and priceless found. 138 POEMS. Earth's many trials have not power to cloud The mind that sees some good in each event ; Such being thine, it shall remain unbowed Till Life's decaying sands and flickering fires are spent. It loves the world, can well its charms enjoy; Mount, dell, and plain in harmony it blends ; Bright orbs and skies its functions high employ ; But, dearer far than these, the converse sweet of friends. And dearer still, the hope that lights the heaven Which CTood immortals here and hence shall share, It holds in view — sees Death an angel, given The soul to realms of rich beatitude to bear. Let us rejoice that this full faith is ours. And make of earth a blest Elysium : Green vales and lawns are more than Eden bowers, And kindred spirits are our earthly seraphim. The native melodies of birds and streams Are cherub harps that Toil and Care beguile ; The fountain sun, and all the stellar beams A\'Q present, fore, and rt/?^;- tastes of endless smiles. Thus life's enjoyments, heighented into bliss, Shall light each darksome lurking-place of Woe : Then, if the after-life is unto this, As rapture is to pain, what transport shall we know ! POEMS. I 39 Here, we'll essay to tune our fragile lyres In unison with lyric Nature's song ; There, stirred by breath a higher praise inspires, Their notes may swell the strains high angel bards [prolong. Sister, reciprocating thine, receive These lines, tho' they be hurried, vague, and weak; Thou answerest well — and I rejoin, believe That all of truth is felt which they may fail to speak. Laura, THE Invalid. Consumption is wasting the form fair and fragile, To free the strong mind fain to study the skies ; The heart heaves in throes, as the tides low and facile. And patiently tranquil the poet-girl lies. Unmoved who could witness the tremulous fingers, Clasped o'er the wan brow, or on pained temples prest ; The cheeks' hectic bloom that delusively lingers. And fitful commotions that swell the faint breast ? O'er fortunes adverse, persecutions, bereavements. Her spirit upborne and reliant arose ; Felt guides, tho' unseen, have undying endearments. To woo the worn nature to arms of repose. 140 POEMS. Sustained in the valley of perishing pleasures, Where wrongs banish joy-beams, and flowers fall away, Hope mounts the high throne of due rights and dear treasures, And reigns in a realm keeping tyrants at bay. Her song's fav'rite themes are the chaplets unfading Adorning the spheres' ever-beckoning shores, The light of whose glory, her vision pervading, Elicits the anthems her lyre freely pours. Yet not from the earth and her beauties are taken The fond admiration that still is delight ; A view of rich landscapes a strain can awaken, And beam of mild Luna make morn of the night. And if, while reclining on wearisome pillow, A glimpse is obtained of bright cloud or blue sky, She snatches her harp from the cypress or willow. And sings till the numbers on fainting lips die. The lay of the wild bird, the murmur of waters. Bring childhood's companions, its gardens and streams ; Faith now numbers those among Virtue's bright daughters. And Love visits these in its fay-fashioned dreams. POEMS. 141 A breeze from fresh meadows, or lilies and roses, The radiance of gladness can light in her eye ; Of the old, hallowed grove that her altar incloses, Low musical zephyrs most sacredly sigh. From the fulness of feeling the lachrymal torrent Overfloweth anon the soft orb's azure glow ; To stay the sad tide, and calm life's ruffled current, Imparts the best solace my being doth know. Meek, invalid guest, much endeared by long presence^ Tho' loved ere beheld, and in fancy embraced ; Proximity favors the full coalescence Of sentiment, sympathy, friendship, and taste. My bosom to soothe on my last bed and lowly. Oh, grant me a friend, gracious givers above, Who may love me as I, thro' a Providence holy, This fated young flower of Parnassus do love. Anticipated Farewell to Laura. Must a Farewell, dear one, at last be taken — Break our long intercourse, my trusted friend ? The fortitude so long sustained be shaken — And shade to shadow double darkness lend ? 142 POEMS. Fondly I hoped Disease her hold might stay, Yielding the palm to Health, the ruby queen : But unrelenting law consumes her prey. And day by day the wasting power is seen. Long weeks and months I've bent above thy bed Thy gathering pangs and sorrows to assuage — Tho' vain the hope, the watch relief has shed. While ivies hid the blooms with sad presage. Not to bewail do I allude to fate — The dark -plumed sepulchre but takes the dust ; Light from the portals of a proven state Bids us fear nothing, but sublimely trust. For thy long weariness beset with pains, Mem'ry too long will tell how I have grieved ; When thy rapt soul its higher mansion gains, I'll only mourn for those still unrelieved ; Those in whose tender bosoms thoughts may dwell Of what thou wast, and art, and might have been ; On whose lone hours thy lingering song shall swell, Till yearnings warm may back thy spirit win. With quiet resignation I'll advance, Tho' throbbing veins still of compassion tell — Tho' dews of feeling dim the final glance. All silently will fall the last farewell. POEMS. 143 Scene in Laura's Sick-room. *' Sing, Sister Mary, sing again of flowers." THE APOLOGY. Thou wak'st, dear Laura, — yes, again I'll sing, I paused for numbers that might soothe and please; Each floral sonnet I could cull and bring, A wasted offering sadly sought the breeze. Hemans' rich pages turned I o'er and o'er. Chanting each thought that might thy fancy meet ; But, from her fertile soul's full-garnered store, No gem to thee was bright, no blossom sweet. Then Memory's maze I roamed for songs of flowers. Yet failed to fill thy vacant, yearning cell : The wreath-wrought verse of bard's long-lauded powers, A withered chaplet on thy feelings fell. I sang impromptus for thy 'wildered thought, And tales of youth and bloom won mind and smile: The theme electric found — long; fruitless sought — This lay thy wandering senses could beguile : THE SONG. Drive far away the cloud and storm To climes beyond the sea — Give earth green robes, od'rous and warm. With hummine-bird and bee ! 144 POEMS. Oh, bring fresh flowers — bring branch and vine From wildwood, glen, and dale — A verdant chaplet Spring shall twine O'er Winter's forehead pale. Bring perfume on the Summer air, With balmy rains and dews — Let orbs that cleave skies brightly fair Their influence sweet diffuse. Bring garlands from rich sunny lawns To bind upon her brow Whose step, once graceful as the fawn's, The valleys know not now ! With florets from the diamond rill That dances through the glade. Thy darkly lustrous locks we'll fill, Lonely and lovely maid. Bring violets from the maple grove, Where gamboled gleesome youth, Ye partners of sweet childhood's love, Of tried and trusting truth. Teresa, with the glowing cheek, And wavy, silken hair, • Come, as of yore, blithe, bland, and meek, With naught of grief or care. POEMS. 145 Strew wild blue-bells and starry cups O'er the long-weary breast And clasp the hands and press the lips That vainly Call for rest ! Pull clusters from thy play-ground bowers, Alfonso, gentle friend. And in thy gift of chosen flowers The rose and myrtle blend ! Come, softly lay thy offering sweet Beside the pillowed head, And tenderest words of solace speak Above the silent bed Whereon the pinks, buds, bells, and leaves, With kindly hands we'll fling. For they inspired in vernal years The weak one's soul to sing. Now lightly strike the lute she loved In Joy's unclouded spring. Full numbers flow, from hearts then proved, Along its lithest string. Let only Pleasure's accents dwell Amid the glittering chords. And only peaceful breathings swell The soft, mellifluous words, 10 46 . POEMS. THE RESULT. Thou smil'st, sweet Laura, doth my simple strain Awaken memories ever secret kept ? Dear, worshiped memories, prized, albeit vain, No breath of which thy wary lyre hath swept ? Thy beaming eyes new light and language found When names I scarce dared utter faintly fell — Names in thy lucid hours ne'er given a sound, Have o'er thee thrown a quiet mystic spell. Thy weak hands dally with my tresses black ; Thou call'st them elfin locks from naiad streams : To childhood's rosy bowers I've borne thee back ; Sleep, fairy wights shall weave thy flowery dreams. Hush, Sibyl, hush, thy wakeful visions close ; Be lulled again, with thee, thy sorrow sleepeth. Oh, slumber on, while Pity's fountain flows, And know not that for thee thy sister weepeth. [This scene is literally true — Apology and Result, as well as Song. The after pruning was slight. Many similar scenes occurred. Laura recovered.] POEMS. 147 TRUTH'S TRIUMPH AND FALSEHOOD'S DEFEAT. The golden mine may lie unknown, perhaps For centuries, 'neath waters, soils and rocks; But time, progression, circumstance and art, Evolving ever hidden things and new, Lays bare the precious vein, the glittering ore. And truth, the dearest treasure in the grasp Of craving human minds, oft waiting lies Concealed amid the deep envelopings Of error, prej'dice, ignorance and craft ; Yet it hath power which the united strength Of all opposing agents cannot crush, Which shall beam forth in might, pierce and pursue Dark powers, and make itself known, felt and seen. It is a fearful thing to bar the truth, Even for a time, from souls whose purest joy Depends on knowledge — by action growing. Not for vile use, but grand identities. On many high conceits and towering heads Fall deep remorse, and justly rendered too, For baleful measures met to innocence. 148 POEMS. And treacherous tongues, peace poisoners, oft are found 'Mong lowly ones whose misery-moans are loud When the unfailing ministry of right Its retributions ample doth dispense. Oh, ye who would in colors false array Another's motives, words or deeds, beware ! And ye too, who deceive, holding yourselves In lights unreal, making dupes at will. Know that a just discriminating hand Holds your own weapons over your bare heads. And ye who have deceived confiding friends — Drawn out as water from the brimming founts Their love, solicitude and sympathies, Making them willing vassals, even fain To waste dear life, so it subserv^e your weal ; Ye who do this, and more, and then in hour Of awful bitterness, proclaim these dupes Your faithless, vain, your dire and heartless foes. Shall find a compensating something that surveys The secret motive of the subtlest soul. Will in due time, from injured names remove The webs of calumny, and set thereon Truth's radiant seal ; while to you shall return With double darkness, and with double weight. The clouds and bolts of falsehood. But wherefore More points enumerate ? enough to know False shows, in whichsoe'er of all their forms. POEMS. 149 Evasive, shy or bold, are sins 'gainst right ; Howe'er disguised, are seen by watchful law ; However mute, have voices thunder-loud Which reach but can't beguile the coming time. Enough to know that there is naught concealed Which shall not be discovered ; naught bestowed Which shall not rendered be — I'm not at all Particular to say — with usury. LOVE-LIGHT BENIGHTED. " Love indeed is light from heaven, A spark of that immortal fire, With angels shared, by Alia given To lilt from earth our low desire." — Byron. Defined — the mystic night-side unexplained. Love-Light, life's day should be, its lore well taught. For detail and discriminating lines Vainly young minds inquire, and blindly grope. Like Byron, all bards, and the sightless mass. In simple factors cannot love be shown ? Must youth divine the wondrous mystery Enshrouded. in the veil which part conceals. But shows enough thro' interstices oft To prove its life, while hows, whys, what's to do, Remain to mental ken sealed testaments ? 150 POEMS. Poets have weeping sung of the strong spell — Sculptors adored, and with the chisel striven Thro' emblem natural it to present, And make its soul to ours translatable. But glowing pen and spoken eloquence — Unrivaled skill on marble's 'trancing forms, And canvased Beauty's perfect elegance, Tho' Raphael's master fingers burnished it, Have mystic fractions given without a key. The whole may be so endless and so vast This planet small, and peoples crude may ne'er The measure fathom, or its factors solve ; But if it will diffuse its power, as light ; If it creator is, and infinite. Infusing us, its children, with itself. We ought to know the sage intent, to see The uses clear, both large and small and mixed. Some may reply, " Open thine eyes, poor child. Read all the world by that true book, thy soul, 'And understanding wilt thou gain thereby." But am I wiser than my simple peers, Or old and late time students, authors, seers ? Let's see — song tells the bards repose and pain- Treatise tells what the scholar sees in things — History, how kings war and slaughter men — Statistics, how, in dread religion's name, Millions are sacrificed to pampered pets ! But here's a record of Philanthropy ; POEMS. 151 In truth, it seems a heavenly principle, An arm held out to poor humanity — Not by the makers of sad sects and creeds. But those they smite for doubting bishop's claims. This is a star whose light is readable — Kind care and aid are truly righteous gifts. But earnest multitudes must givers turn To drive Oppression's hordes from tear-stained lands. A Howard's voice, tho' he laid off the clay, Thro' many a clime and grateful age to come Will speak of goodly deeds in Mercy's cause, While many following do a mightier work. Here are beheld the operations mild Of blest benignity — 'tis seen that man Does exercise a better element Than, without love, endows his nature stern. And Sympathy, which we can comprehend. Is lovely sister, twin, or very same. With smiles for smiling, tears for weeping ones, It consolations lasting can impart, Soothing the weary, long-afflicted heart. Are these divine bestowments merely Love ? These strong desires to grant relief and rest, The mutual ties which anguish give at thought Of suffering deep, and rich rejoicings prompt. Even at the artless tale of happiness ? I'll call them its true heralds on the earth. Speaking in noble acts from o'er-full source. 152 POEMS. And it is much, perchance the main, bestowed As saving power, among contagious hate. But here's the puzzle not at all cleared up — This factor, branch, side issue, centre ; or Is it power distinct, a function sole — This impulse, so ill ordered, so profuse. That unaware, and all unsought controls Not mere adults alone, but ripest years. Binding in links inexplicably dear ; And sure retreat know neither youth nor age; Nor if advance be safe, discreet or wise ? This is a " Light from heaven " unfathomed yet, Glawing like suns in summer tropic glads, Or Nature has chimeras baffling search, Rose-wreathed, and tinseled with exquisite art. Knowledge of this great Power that floods the world, Sways, rocks, and wrecks, seeming anon to bless, I crave devoutly as the millions' rights. The young survey the old — see peril, strife, But find not woman, man, nor book to guide. Another Howard for this ignorance. Almost as dense as in the ages dark, Needs to appear, and herald high behests. 'Mid fruitage rich and wide voluptuousness, Lily and jasmine trailing tuneful streams, And clustering roses flooding bower and sill, The budding heart know\s its bloom richer still — Feels its deserts are counterparting shields, POEMS. 153 Showering warm petals, blending pure perfumes, Yielding in foretaste, sweeter heavens to come. But promise fails ; Sex Love oft cheats and chains, While opening gem-lined vistas for vain hopes. Fraternal Love, impartial, blessing all. Must needs on earth evolve great souls inspired With knowledge of these intricacies fine, And daring adequate, and zeal humane. To near and far promulge this law required. Beside some winning walks the asp reclines, And deftly moss-robed lies the Upas germ. Science should enter the bright labyrinth. With rule and diagram for use of all — Close the vile pits of withering decay, The gilded tombs of slavish agonies — Safety and order make in amoral bowers. With Wisdom-filtered Lii^ht for common showers. RESPONSIVE ANTICIPATIONS. " Visit me with your brother in June, when Nature's walks are richest in beauty." — Letter. Hand in hand, with friend to wander Over flowery field and dell, Th' while on lovely Nature ponder, Blooming fair as planets yonder — Who the pleasure sweet can tell ? 154 POEMS. Yes, I'll ramble with thee, dearest, In thy own rejoicing June, When each wild-bird note thou hearest From the bower and coppice nearest With thy warbling soul keeps tune. We'll pause beside some wave-rocked fountain, Where bright nymphs their wreath-work brin< There we'll point some mist-robed mountain, Too remote to fall our route in, Where blithe Muses, beckoning, sing. Every bursting bud that springeth In our verdant path we'll see — Every pleading leaf that flingeth Music on the breeze that wingeth Softly by shall answered be. I'll respond thy exclamation With a transport deep as thine — Pour my reverent admiration. Made to beauty a libation. On the same expansive shrine. . Fancy now has, all delighted. Ranged thy haunts in joy untold ; Wilt thou turn, by me invited, To some slope Aurora slighted, And the sunset skies behold ? POEMS. 155 To gaze with friend on heavens blushing In their tinseled twilight dress, While the mellow heart is gushing With emotions mutely rushing, Angels must the bliss express. On the crimson cloudlets glownng Is inscribed Devotion's Hour ; Gracious smiles adown are flowing, Vespers, prayers are upward going ; Who but feels the thrilling power ? Lines of gold and amber gleaming As the fabled courts above, Lend us so sublime a seeming Of the spirit's final beaming. Thought immersed is peer with Love. Monuments of jasper raising Many-tinted domes aloft, With pedestals purely blazing. Awe inspire, yet hope amazing, Blends the gorgeous, dyes the soft. W^ell I love the jeweled morning, Every matin strain enjoy — Eastern splendor's rich adorning. Earth to paradise transforming, All adoring minds employ. 56 POEMS. But when glorious day's declining, Varied charms have air, earth, sea ; Then our trust we're high enshrining, Then is soul with soul entwining, Then, my friend, come muse with me. SABRINA. 'Tis spring-time, and Nature her garlands is throwing O'er valley and vineyard, o'er mountain and tree ; The warm Southern gales are deliciously blowing ; The brooklets are dancing away in their glee ; While tender young florets are budding and growing, And tiniest germs burst their bonds and are free. Dear girl, 'tis thy spring-time, and Beauty's fair beaming Is cast on thy cheek and thy dark, speaking eye ; The sweet buds of Friendship rise round thee ; the dream- Of Love's rosy chaplets thy pillow is nigh ; [ing While Intellect's gardens before thee are teeming With Wisdom's rich blossoms bedewed from on high. Wouldst keep the fresh hue of thy lip from decaying. And hold the hushed zephyrs of rest on thy brow ? Wouldst gather of Science the pearls she's displaying, And aye from regret keep thy spirit as now ? — Then list the great lesson the World is assaying To stamp on the hearts of the young such as thou. POEMS. 157 For the dew and the breeze that her face are adorning Rich, odorous incense she lavishly showers ; The rill for its night-song she pays in the morning . By hanging its willow-fringed borders with flowers ; And unto the sun, his least ray never scorning, Attributes her beauties, perfections and powers. Thus let thy full gratitude, ever ascending, Express thy repose in the blessings enjoyed; Give kindness and truth in thy converse free blending. That kindred communion may ne'er be alloyed ; Partake of the knowledge each leaf is extending, And the bliss of thy bosom shall ne'er be destroyed. TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD. Truth open-eyed and fearless acts, Progress in goodness steady seeks; Falsehood, close squinting, sly detracts, And mainly selfish aims bespeaks. Truth, much maligned, Time hurries higher, Feeds by a flow from ebbless source ; Spite and its treach'rous tales expire 'Neath their owji ignominious force. 158 POEMS. PARODY ON " WHY SHOULD WE DREAM. Oh, let us dream of bliss supreme In realms some radiant star above ; Yet, grant the while the joy-lit smile Of hope in this world's faithful love. Oh, let us paint elysiums quaint, Till scenes soul-worshiped greet us here — Till beings real chase the ideal, Peopling with life our love-built sphere. Let Fancy's eye seek to descry A place which rapture may impart, Till sweet home where love lightens care Be found within a loving heart. Oh, then shall love like that above With every thought be freely given ; And earthly home in truth become The very counterpart of heaven. The lonely heart hath only part In vague and broken dreams of love ; Therefore, we dream of bliss supreme In realm some radiant star above. POEMS. 159 Till pleasures make the gloom mists break That hover round one halcyon gleam — Till gladness flow from mutual glow, Let the lone spirit fondly dream. And, then if love to mortals prove But half as blissful as it seems. From bosoms true, like tropic dew, Shall vanish every need of dreams. TOKEN— PENCILED AT CAMP MEETING. We meet to blend the light of spirit powers, Exchange the nectar from the flowers of thought, Unite soul ties in these harmonic hours. And part with blessings lasting friendship fraught. Here verdant pines o'erspread our simple tents, And virgin soil gives walks by waters sweet. While speech inspired the higher law presents, Where truth, love, liberty and wisdom meet. l6o POEMS. RESPONSE TO M. L. C. Lady of the pensive eye, I prize thy token, and securely fold it With dear mementoes, and as such will hold it As years are rollin^^ by : Be it a spirit bond, and when I read it, Be my heart moved afresh to truly heed it, And learn e'en words don't die. Surely I'll muse on thee, Thy thoughtful brow, the dark, bright ringlets 'round it ; Thy gaze serene, the artless air that crowned it When first thou camst to me ; Thy quick idea, the shrewd reply that spoke it ; Thy meaning smile, the wary wit that woke it ; All gleam on Memory's sea. Nor float thy charms alone — Thy husband's happy face, the glow that wreathed it ; His breast of brimming mirth, the voice that breathed it In merry trusting tone, With thine are mirrored — and thy child, Love bless it ! Howe'er beheld invites me to caress it, So fairy-like it shone. POEMS. l6l Oft of thy gift I'll think For blessed Friendship's sake ; her beamings liglit it ; Her rays illume this, for, dear, I write it To form a lasting link In her sweet chain ; may Time's touch firm unite it. Nor care, nor calumny, nor coldness blight it, Till life's last sand shall sink. TWILIGHT HOUR. How sweet this thoughtful hour to gaze Upon the Western skies, While Admiration's myriad scenes In quick succession rise — To see the painted clouds spread wide. Or tower in pillared piles ; And feel the bosom warmer glow Reflecting all their smiles. Eve after eve, this nook I seek With casement open thrown ; Come join me, friends, the sight's too fair To be enjoyed alone : Oft have I wished some dear ones near, To feel and tell the power These bowing, golden heavens exert In this most charming hour. 62 POEMS. More brightly beams the gorgeous scene Beheld by kindred eyes ; As pleasures more than doubled are When heart to heart replies : Th' adoring mind, when it partakes No genial, answering tone, An offering is without a shrine, A crown without a throne. Come point the ever varying forms And dyes the cloudlets take ; Disclose the lofty thoughts which yon First glimmering stars awake — And let me hear you free exclaim When first the gaze shall rest Upon that stone-like, rolling mount Before the blue North-west. What characters are penciled on Those curtains of the sky That draw from humbler scenes the soul In nameless bliss on high ? What speak their bright and massive folds, Their long resplendent lines That hang their rainbow hues so low Earth's boundless green combines ? POEMS. 163 Methinks you say, sublimity In softest signs is read, Great grandeur with great goodness blent, On Air's pure banner spread — With richest beauty, surest care Which knows not wane or death ; And boundless love for every soul Infinitude gives breath. A lavish, splendor-strewing fate Adorns the aerial vault. And loads the blooming earth with gifts That satiate every want — On all this richness glows the pledge That onward life shall flow To lovelier realms, where wiser friends May happier lives bestow. Then for the beauteous prospects given, And bounteous blessings shared, Let cheerful gratitude be ours, By kindly deeds declared ; For promises of ample power, And hopes of future joy. Let others' needs our grace inspire, Their help our hands employ. :64 POEMS. GREETING TO '' LOUISA." When the glance leads the mind and the feelings along Thro' th' smooth and harmonious course of thy song, Where sentiments pure from a spirit at rest Call ready responses of joy from the breast, I fly to thy dwelling on Fancy's fleet wing, And list the soft notes from their fount as they spring. When mute admiration of full, gushing thought, Of fertile ideas in garlands well wrought, Of artlessness making most pleasing the spell When simplest expression subliming truths tell, Is drawn in the wake of thy warblings, I send Thee proffers of love, gentle sister and friend. Say not that I'd flatter, for far from my soul Be that sin as this orb's central line from its pole : Spontaneous springs friendship ; guile taketh no part In its unpurchased promptings, heart answereth to heart ; So spring and so answer our sympathies when moved Into musical echoes by lyres that are loved. But one year has past, with its shine-dappled shade. Since first my pleased eyes on thy sweet verse were Yet, brief as has been the acquaintance, 'tis dear, [laid ; And far as we're distant, our spirits seem near ; For Time's rapid circles and space are as naught To the converse of soul and the travel of thought POEMS. 165 And tho' I may ne'er in this mutable land, Save in fancy, behold thee, and press thy warm hand; Tho' Fortune may different ways our feet turn, And kindle new loves in our bosoms to burn, Let me hold thee in memory as one much esteemed For the graces and virtues that thro' her pen beamed. ACROSTIC— SOLICITED. Could I favor of Graces or Muses obtain, On gaily-tuned warblings I'd waft a rich strain, Rolling full as the breeze ; but Apollo's cool look Now couples with Calliope's colder rebuke; Erato offers a soft, careless smile ; Long-worshiped Euterpe's indiff'rent the while ; In sacred reserve sits Urania so bland ; Unmoved, even Thalia waves not her wand : So, my verse uninspiring, no rapture evolves — But enough if it please him whose title it solves. Calm as a still sunset 'neath purple-robed skies, Or a scene that reposing in Luna's sheen lies, May his sweetness of soul be whose affable mien Perpetuates friendship, elicits esteem ; Through life be it placid as features declare ; O'er death as triumphant as seraph in air. No vapors beclouding Elysium fair. 1 66 POEMS. O, LOVELY MOON! O, lovely Moon ! would I might waft Some suiting song to thee, As kindly, even fondly thou Look'st down in smiles on me ; But every thought thy rays inspire In bard or lass or swain, So oft has to thy throne been sent In mellow, moving strain, That if I touch my little lyre Some tone, word, or idea Which thou hast often heard will 'scape Its fragile chords I fear ; Then how could I before the world, Still less before thy face, Abide the worst of destinies. The plagiarist's disgrace. Poets are ever fain to breathe Their fervor in thine ear; And know by thy approving gaze That thou inclin'st to hear ; They tell their sorrows, joys and loves» Amid thy mildest beams ; There twine rich, never-fading wreaths,. And draw most rapturous dreams ; POEMS. 167 There praise the muses, bless the powers That bHss and being gave ; There woo their Maries, plight their truth, All minstrels lovers have ; Then, lest some scene thy ken has missed, In sweetly lavish lay They chant the drama o'er again ; What now is left to say ? Yet, lovely Moon, when all alone I wander in thy light, Beholding how surpassing fair Thou mak'st the slumbering night ; My heart with music gales is stirred. My eyes devoutly turn Unto thy patronizing mien Thy mystic lore to learn ; I cannot view the tinseled clouds, The skies in brooklet's bed, The field's and forest's mantling green. The blossom's dew-crowned head, And be entirely mute, for though Emotions speechless are. They cannot passive be when waked By thy still gliding car. 1 68 POEMS. Then, if a strain I may not trill Of beauteous things that glow In shining emanations which Thy golden ringlets throw; Of hopes that brighter colorings take, From thy enchanting spell, And faith so full that fright ne'er calls From her cold, covert cell, Permit the notes that hint the joys Thy night-shed radiance brings, As truly on thy circling course Thou track'st thy airy rings, And when thy magic influence draws The silent soul aboon, Let it believe its homage owned, O, lofty, lovely Moon ! AIR-LINE MUTUALITY. " Mary, my thought is evermore of thee ; Is it embraced by a return as free? " Full oft I think of thee, at morn and dewy even ; When mind is soaring free, and when to task 'tis given. As science news transmits by air's electric fires, Souls telegraphic kiss on viewless spirit wires. POEMS. 169 A TENDER PLEDGE. Dear girl, I leave this pledge to tell How truly Friendship's ties we'd twine, Did hills not rise and rivers swell Between thy cherished home and mine. If ne'er again in time we meet, These lines will form a souvenir Of one whose warm heart loves to greet The kindly hands extended her. And when to distant scenes I'm borne. Where other smiling faces beam, Mem'ry will turn to this sweet morn, And of thy prized expressions deem. When on Life's way lone hours appear, Let this the Album's office be. On Love's celestial lines to bear Thee to thy friends and them to thee. I/O POEMS. A REMINISCENCE. The Sun's golden disc had just sunk from my gaze, But grandly diverging ascended his rays ; And soft purple clouds lay so low in the West Their gilt-fretted margins the far hilltops pressed. Higher up in the dome by the univ-erse hung Long lines of carnation and amber were flung; And above them a stripe of each beauteous hue, From the faintest of azure to deepest of blue. Still higher were spread like the wings of the world ; Or a ponderous fleet's massy canvas unfurled, A tissue so delicate, dapple and bright, A glance prompted wonder, a prospect, delight. Thence off to the northward and southward remote, Light, fleecy detachments lay firmly afloat ; But the varying tinsel, tho' hovering round, Veiled not the serene of the zenith profound. The Eastern horizon, less crimson and light, Seemed an ocean of glass, calm and silvery white ; Gray cloudlets, slow moving, made ships for the seas, And chancred them to armies, to chariots and trees. - POEMS. 171 Thus canopied on loved Chenango's green shore, I stood and saw all things conspire to adore ; And scarce could believe my steps frail flowers bent. While regions sublime held my joy so intent. Then I turned to survey the warm landscape, and lo ! It had caught from the skies an ineffable glow ; Each visible object its gratitude smiled, E'en the huge quarry-cliff, and the pale blossom wild. The forest-crowned hill hushed its deep, hollow tone, And in borrowed effulgence laughed proudly, and shone ; The rich, bordered valley was lit by a power More charming than moonlight on It'ly's best bower. The hum of the village was dying away ; That hour was the climax that hallowed the day ; Spires and turrets were gilded anew for the scene ; The time-tarnished fortress was mantled in sheen. And brighter than all the gay earth could display, Was the river that rolled on its clear circling way, With the gorgeous pavilion of sky-views impressed, Like homes for the soul, on its crystalline breast. (Reflection, thou emblem of Infinite Love ! Illuming the waters from splendors above ; Thou cheerest our midnights wnth Luna's bright noons, Our hearts with the light of life's multiform boons.) 172 POEMS. Small pebbles and shells to that stream were as dear As rich corals and pearls 'neath its waves might appear; And bloom bending vines that its fair brim o'erhung The nymphs might be grateful to gambol among. A fresh southern breeze gently swung each light bough Which its softest inflections were murmuring thro' ; And its tones on the ear in sweet symphony fell, As from chords well attuned in their cadence and swell. 'Twas school-time in bliss, on that green bank to rest ; The resonant music was that I loved best ; A scene more sublime I need ne'er seek to share ; Nor lov^e more devout than creation voiced there. As rivals, yet aids, all united to raise An Anthem benignant in Fellowship's praise : One blemish recalled was the human domain, Man's grasping, not rend'ring, his bondage, its pain. At such time, in such temple, who would not incline, In the gladness of Nature's communion to join ; And grieved that one source of alloy should remain, Resolve to erase from her features that stain ? POEMS. 173 DEMISE BY COLLISION OF CARS. From lip to lip a sigh runs free — A wail, a long, low wail, is sped O'er the rich plains of Genesee — The young, the gentle Martha's fled. Few weeks ago her radiant cheek And eye were Health's and Beauty's own ; Her voice of laugh and song could speak Of pleasure in each silver tone. But e'en amid the sounds of mirth And gleeful joy a message came, Which sent o'er life's glad dreams a dearth, And quenched its lovely mortal flame. Her mates now mourn a gem withdrawn. Viewing the corse — the only dead — And seeking its rare virtues, gone, Find but the pall and urn instead. She would have lived, for life was sweet. And its high hopes had airy wings, Which set her bloom-encircled feet On heights where Love of rapture sings. She would have lived to bless the few Congenial friends who knew her best. Who joy-beams in her pathway threw, And gave her trusting spirit rest. 1/4 POEMS. But when the agonizing pain From fractured bones and surgeon's probe Had tried too long the patient brain, She looked above for an abode. And found it there — a glorious home, Where suff'ring may not find a place ; Where every soul at last shall roam, And every hour new bliss embrace. My unknown friends, deem it not strange That thus a stranger chants a dirge ; For she has seen bright features change, As change the soft waves to the surge. While telling how the fair one fell. How quick the stroke, how deep the woe ; How yearned the stricken one to dwell In earthly love's spontaneous flow — And Sympathy, the psychic fire That warms the Muse and bids it dare Inscribe the notes that thrill its lyre. Will to the world the Scripture bear. Song lights a glow divine, humane, And vistas opes from heart to heart — Illumes rich Nature's soul-linked chain ; Death is new birth — dear ties ne'er part. POEMS. 175 CHILDREN'S LYCEUM EXERCISE. PHRENOLOGICAL EXORDIUM. FOR BOYS' ROSTRUM. The bump which bears the shining scales of right* Brings me before you this auspicious night — My peers declaim, and why not I they ask ; I will, if equals Self Esteem,* the task — Yet, while I promise, Love of Praise* looks down With cooling influence on the aspiring crown. Still, Firmness* cries proceed, Hope,* void of fears, Her anchor sinks, and high her beacon rears : A glowing speech I'll give, with patience wait, For Ideality* now sits in state ; And, Reason,* ready to weigh and compare, Shall make it logical as it is fair. Benevolence* directs to mercy's themes. And of the poor, the sick and sorrowing deems. But this command comes up from either ear,* Resist with zeal the wrongs abounding here. And now Adhesiveness* my hands extends. Whispering, how sweet to make you all my friends. Says Caution,* lest we fail, we must defer Until these functions in design concur ; Language* insists that half the thoughts that press Can ne'er find utterance in fit address ; And Continuity,* to serve unused. Would of the waiting concourse be excused. * Puts his finger to the organ specified through the piece. 76 POEMS. LYCEUM EXERCISE. OUR PRIVILEGES. FOR BOYS. Short time ago on this same spot Waved to the winds the unbroken wild — Here stood the rude, o'ershadowed cot, And gamboled here the savage child. Now meadows wave and gardens bloom Round many a sweet and gorgeous home ; Here knowledge sheds her shimmering gleams, And Science pours her priceless beams. The dusky boy of barbarous lands. Reared as his uninstructed sire, May learn 'mid palms and burning sands Some transient joys, but nothing higher : While we, mid walks of life refined. May e'en in childhood store the mind With truths sublime that wake each power To loftier pleasures, hour by hour. Erewhile the people's means of gain, And of defense were spear and lance — And mythic shrine, and bigot's fane Still bound and dim the churchman's glance : But reasoning thought is our resource. Union and culture banish force — Progress gives hope for freedom's cause — Justice must sway in creeds and laws. POEMS. 177 PROGRESSIVE LYCEUM EXERCISE. TO SCIENCE. FOR BOYS. Inviting science, now my youthful eyes Just faintly see thy morning splendors rise : A few bright rays have warmed my vague ideas ; Hence I address thee with no faltering fears. Wilt thou bestow thy genial beams and light What yet in me is chaos, dim as night ? I long to hail thy honor-laden boon, And view the grandeur of thy golden noon. Show me the treasures high and truths refined Which best shall bear aloft my boyish mind ; Give me the keys to Wisdom's boundless stores. And bolts for Sin's defiles and massive doors. Grant, Reason's guide to genius, what I ask, Tho' but a youth and this an early task ; Thy grace will help me merit, if aught can, When grown in stature, the proud title, Man. /S POEMS. TO THE AMERICAN BRIDE OF A GERMAN PROFESSOR. While viewing thy casket of gems, I inquire, Can I add to the beauty or worth of the treasure? This answer arises : thy friend may desire To know if thou hast in her weal any pleasure. Believe me, 'tis pleasing beyond what I tell. To witness enjoyments possessed by another; And for thy best happiness in me doth swell As fervent a wish as breathes sister or brother. Be thy life as blest as these fair emblems speak ; Beneath thy glad feet ever spring the gay flowers ; Around may the accents of Melody break, As cheery and free as from birds in wild bowers. Thy bliss to augment, may the man of thy choice. Who country, home,friends left across the wide waters. Hold dear thy delights, as sweet Liberty's voice That called to her land and the love of her daughters. POEMS. 179 LOVE'S EYES. Love's Eyes, how far soe'er they roam, Their glowing Hght aside ne'er turn ; But constant shine, as in the dome Of ether clear the planets burn. They are the Sun that gleams at morn, And paints the orient, amber heaven — That flames at noon cheering and warm, And guilds the world at coming even. They are the soft enchanting Moon That charms away the gloom of night ; And hides anon to prove how soon We'll languish for her magic light. They are the Stars that beam more pure Than golden India's richest gem — That look from their high thrones and lure The soul from all beside to them. They are the Fountains deep and full, Pellucid and of nameless hue, Whose dimpling waters softly roll Their mystic w^avelets to the view — Whose cloud reflectors half conceal The glittering pearls their beds supply ; But ever beauties new reveal. Perceived the moment that they fly. 1 80 POEMS. They are the Drops of sparkling dew That tremble on the blushing flower ; The velvet Petals, purple, blue, Glossed by the glad'ning vernal shower Love's Eyes ! they are each lustrous ball. Each limpid pool and floral bell ; And should the fates obscure them all, Our fancies would relume them well. THE WHIRLWIND. Serene as the silvery waters which la}' In the Sun's rosy smile, 'neath the still Zephyr's play, Was the sky when the morning with golden gleams On the beautiful vale of the flourishing Oak, [broke In whose leaves the soft breeze with gay birds sweeth' sang, At whose root fragrant flowers from the \'erdant sod sprang. But dark and tumultuous as armies of yore, Whose chariots, chargers and clarions tore The air with their din, was the welkin ere night. Lit but by the lightning's red lines of quick light ; And perished that Tree in its grandeur so bold, Bowed, broken, and bared by the Whirlwind — behold I POEMS. lOI Thy sky, blooming maiden, is bright as that dawn ; Thy pathway as fair as that violet lawn ; Thy music from forest and streamlet is sweet; Thy pleasures increasing; thy cares few and fleet; Thy virtues adorn thee ; make wisdom thy pride ; And rise like the Tree by the clear water's side. But deem not the pure amber heavens will last, With no clouds of distress o'er their radiance cast ; For life hath its Whirlwinds which search — yes, and shake Its high-founded hopes, its weak fabrics break. Be strong, then, in Goodness, 'twill shield in the shock ; Bend like the low reed, yet resist like the rock. FRIENDSHIP. Friendship, thy balmy atmosphere The dews of peace distill ; And clearest light 'neath calmest skies Thy flowery regions fill. In softened halos shed around Thy votaries would I live — Share and enhance communions true, The loving only give. 1 82 POEMS. Thy genial powers the soul expand, And sordid motives chase, Fining their void with wealth that works The kindly to embrace. Each waste that might the heart have chilled, With garden bloom is crowned ; Aroma rich is free exhaled. And sunny fruits abound. If on thy grounds a reptile steals. Or spring the wind-sown tares ; A watchful eye the trespass sees, A tender hand repairs. If clouds to thy horizon come, And darkling shawows cast, They're driven by radiant beams away, As webs before the blast. Friendship, I'd never, wandering, break Thy soft, pearl-woven chain ; Content to list the dulcet tones That fill thy fair domain — Bestow my best from depths of soul. With glad, harmonious mind. And in the hands and lips I press Unfeigned responses find. POEMS. 183 PLIGHT OF THE GIRL OF THE PERIOD. Shorten my skirts, mother, shorten your own. Shorten my skirts, mother, shorten my skirts ; I am fainting with weariness, dressing Hke flirts : Never a step at my toils can I take, But my strength trails away, and I gather an ache ; Never at dance, leisure stroll, or croquet, Can I move but these flounces fall right in the way I can't hold them up and half work, play, or try. Oh, shorten them, mother, or soon I must die ! Oh, sever these tie-backs ! they put me to shame, For they mock every joint Nature fixed in my frame They exhibit each muscle, and tell that I know it. And that snobbish notice impels me to show it. 'Tis a great deal too bald, tho' about like the rest Of frauds cunning misers on soft heads have prest. I'm beginning to see how men too bear sad witness That mothers entail both the falsehood and sickness. 184 POEMS. Away with my corsets, dear mother, I pray — Let my lungs swell with life, my ribs healthfully sway : Sick of pallor, paint, torture, remorse, and their train, I resolve from their causes to wholly refrain. I've floundered in trammels and sunk 'neath their I've panted in grips that my spirit doth hate; [weight; The fashions in sordid intrigue change and live. All niotJicrs, pray cease their example to give ! For all human weal, mothers, rise in your might ; Your own bodies thriving in robes loose and light ; Your whole systems honored, no organs neglected — Be sure that your long-abused legs are respected. The wise will sustain you, the weak shortly learn to ; And we, falt'ring girls, having old guides to turn to. Can rise from the sinks of vain show and vile caste, And have mothers to follow in wisdom at last. Release your souls, mothers, from every passion Enslaving in vice and disease-fostering fashion. Appeals to your vanity always have taught you The reckless excess that most miseries brought you ; Now shun painted shams, and turning, teach others. Not daughters alone, but kind fathers and brothers, That true, temperate living reveals the solutions Of all vexing problems, ends all prostitutions. POEMS. 185 So, shorten your skirts, mothers, banish the bodice, Have feet free as Dian's, and forms hke the goddess ; Stand by, go before us, all earth craves this duty. And we'll prove to prudes Nature understands beauty. Cosmetics, go hence — real bloom seeks your place ! Even fops shall concede that both grandeur and grace Can dwell with the woman who lives divine law. Apparent in trousers, despite the old saw. Be world's saviors, mothers, deserving no more The stigma weak-minded, and jests by the score : Let use and rich character crown your appearance. Saying clearer than words, we give no more adherence To Trade's tricky flatt'ries and sensuous simpers, But leave them behind with scarecrow-frightened limpers. Cry us goodspeed, dear fathers, be faithful, brave brothers ; We'll save threatened ages ; but help, help us, mothers ! What boots it that av'rice and false pride approve you ? To mend women's customs it mostly behooves you. What sacrifice seems, sends reward and long blessing. Rich life, peaceful transit ; beyond, sweet possessing. Payment and penalty now and forever. From body, mind, spirit, no power can sever — Great agonies thro' wicked ways fill creation. Oh, mothers and matrons, bequeath a salvation ! 1 86 POEMS. WOMAN AND MAN. The sun and dew unfold the rose and Hly — The sun and dew develop the oak and cedar. The gentleness of her charms excuse not weakness. The strength of his will and arms excuse not grossness. Virtue is Woman's strength, her beauty's brightness- Industry her defense, her spirit's Hghtness — Kindness her passport to the good and gentle — Love her charmed wand the graces to assemble — Love her soft weapon sin and sorrow slaying — Peace her reward for countless ills allaying — Truth is the torch by which life's pearls she's seeing- Truth to herself, the honor of her being. And what is Man's strong hold, his shining tower ?- What his enduring fame, his ;rT= >i; H= * ^ Revelations, After twenty years of all the rights attainable amid complex tyrannies and their usages. Whence came the sense of loneliness and loss, The seeming of a vacant spirit shrine. When early-loved ones moved the mind across. And faithful souls embraced, still whisp'ring, mine? Not from ten little leagues our homes between, Nor absence of incarnate hands to clasp, But love o'erdrawn, evolving bane and spleen. Mere immolation in the marriage grasp. Long centuries controlling woman's strength. Dwarfing her character to stated lines ; Her love for man made life's estate, at length Main aspiration to that goal inclines. Inheritance so gen'ral fell on me ; Bright dreams of romance 'round my high hopes lay; When tame Thought sang, I left them all for thee, I w^as but his, throwing myself aw^ay. POEMS. 237 Such course was laid by crude traits rife in man, Sordid and vile, he wretched made himself — His greed for power warped e'en his social plan ; Its vassals made contributors to pelf So, cruel caste abides ; the Science age Honors inventions, letters, art and skill — But tyrants born of slaves, sad contest wage; When social science calls, statutes stand still. To prove how false are customs, creeds, styles, laws. Needs but to note the nature of advance; While Reason threads thick mazes for true cause, 'Tis forced through dens of squalid woe to glance.. Results past policies have left are plain In wide disease, demency, vice and crime — Knaves, cowards, outcasts, thieves, an endless chain, And great grief's plea for justice here in time. For revolution in these common wrongs That rob our rights, deprive our promised days, Duty makes ethics staid the themes of songs : O for an age inviting joyous lays ! But ere it comes the mothers of mankind Must liberated be from every thrall ; Their vain desires and weakness left behind, Become dispensers of pure aims to all. 238 POEMS. THE SPELL OF THE PAST. Alone as I sit in the spell of past pleasures My musings run warbling, as prairie winds free ; While round me float relics, scrolls, pictures and treas- Kept flowing and flashing on memory's sea, [ures, A sea almost ebbless, and ever must be, If souls in the spheres maintain identity. My life path appears with its brambles and roses ; Its toils that but pause some sweet rapture to sing ; Its trust that o'er all a fixed archway reposes ; And hopes that ne'er fade, tho' some glow-works take wing ; For heavens ever opening new radiance bring ; And splendors like rainbows o'er faith's visions fling. By this path is a chain of bright jewel-linked pages, Growing plainer as nearer the present they incline ; Filled not with the lore of old prophets and sages ; Of progress and friendship each page is a shrine ; A friendship that's love, a love all divine ; Attractions fraternal no false garlands twine. POEMS. 239 The servants of Sense and of Mammon may marvel ; But such love 'mid vassals so venal was mine ; And, 'spite of King Custom so sordid and carnal, Such his, if professions profaned not a line Which feelings and sentiments sought to refine By word-links of kindness it pleased him to sign. Path and chain tho' meanderinor caught views till the present ; A call or response told when each could ascend ; Hence is the communion more useful and pleasant; More cheering the hopes of a peace-inspired friend. As our spirit arms round the wide world we extend, And the truths that elate us to all minds commend. As records they're rich in revealings and changes — Show when dawned the science of life in the spheres : When myriads fled from the mystical ranges [fear ; Of church aisles and chancels where sects sway by And found valued knowledge they well might re- W^ith tolerance allied, and to liberty dear. [vere. They tell when old bonds and oppressions were shaken; When slaves out of darkness saw Freedom's pure light, [waken When sleepers in doubts, creeds, and vices could To welcome great guests from the world without And anointed anew, and instructed aright, [night; Rejoice in the gifts of new hearing and sight. 240 POEMS. Our dear old church brethren may deem us fanatics, All lost to their care, to the gospel astray ; And call our good angels mere ghosts cutting antics To lure silly people prone with them to play : But cherished in sympathies tender are they ; As erst in warm wishes embraced when we pray. We left not the members, but broke the environ Which barred from humanity Fellowship's way ; The love universal they also rely on We'll teach ever more in the Spirit's free sway, [day, Pointing love-lighted lands in the realms of bright The Spell of the Past on pale Orb's pearly ray. MEDITATIONS IN A FUNERAL HOUR. Again they are gathering, this solemn hour, My kindred, my earthly band — Together they bow to the perfect Power That can life's spheres command — Together they sorrow, and gaze their last On the form whence a mother's soul has passed. POEMS. 241 My spirit now hies to that silent crowd, An intent beholder too ; But our family group with 7iew forms endowed, Receiving our mother true, In a joyous welcome to life divine, Calls to rites void of sadness, to scenes benign. And here in my distant dwelling embowered. My feelings embrace them all — With the mourners linked, by the blest love-showered, Gladness glides on the tears that fall : Blessings beam rich and full in the hope that more Than those lack of solace, these find in store. To me a dear mother is born anew — To her will a child be given. When, with vision cleared, she reads all thro' This breast that enshrines a heaven : The affection it bears her has been, shall be. In trust as sublime as in essence free. Two years ago we met the graves to wreathe Afresh with May's sweet flowers. And lay a cherished father's relic 'neath Bird-song enchanted bowers — A father kind, a friend, however tried. Peace crowned his days, while Justice stood as 'guide. 16 242 POEMS. Death is advance — to those who know the law Change is translated Love — Not in the universe is break or flaw, Beneath worlds nor above — Thus taught, our parents filled allotted years, Assured of higher life in fi"iendly spheres. Our Edwin, too, has reached the realms of day, Where souls see eye to eye ; Doubly my brother was he here alway, For none him knew as I — Mind, heart so pure, aims, acts, so high inclined, Left groveling natures to his goodness blind. Fast are we following to the science home. Counting it happy change. Since seen how weak and wanting here we roam, How there in wisdom range — Of flesh discumbered, journey to and fro, Learning and teaching wheresoe'er we go. The knowledge bridging the dim valley o'er, With passage either way, Is to the mundane state most precious lore ; Naught shall its progress stay — To teach it ages argued, worked and willed ; At last it spreads, its mission must be filled. POEMS. 243 MY NEW-FOUND BROTHER. My new-found brother, need I tell How dear thou'rt held, how much I prize The trusting Friendship that can dwell Where sordid interest never lies ? O ! sweeter far than youth's bright dreams Of bliss too full for time, 'tis said, Are hours when age may bask in beams By mingled spirit offerings shed. What tho' with years fair forms must fade ? Mind flowers and fruits, truth freshness stores; And rainbow arches, foliage laid. Unite clear Lethe's loving shores. Thy faith that angel guides abound ; Thy gifts the prone to raise and cheer ; To teach higher law with powers profound ; Thee to the worthy must endear. At morn I miss thy well-told thought ; But soon thy presence seemeth known ; At eve thy hands with healing fraught, Are felt fraternized in mine own. 244 POEMS. Friendship's calm joys some value less, As loves rapt thrills enchant them more ; But those may often doubly bless, When these but anxious yearning store. Still, both are orbs that life illume — Their roseate rays with each are blent ; And kindred souls above resume The converse pure their light here lent. Such light at length so floods the earth That halcyon hearts may help each other — Right soon must reign, rewarding worth. And boons be thine, my new-found brother. POEMS. 245 MY SON ON VALENTINE'S DAY. This day so warm that robins sing, My son, I chant a cheering lay; And flying cars the strain shall wing O'er States and speed its rapid way; For Love in every line doth ring, And prayer in every note doth play. May true friends thee so kindly greet, My boy, afar from kin and home, That, like to-day's wild warblers sweet, Thy happy mind may cease to roam, And, seeking Wisdom's bright retreat, Be blest till to my arms thou'lt come. Youth's lessons hard thou'lt easy learn. My darling, if the wrong thou'lt shun Right will away temptation turn, And tell life's fortunes well begun : Truth's Peace-fires for thee ever burn. My precious child, my only one. 246 POEMS. TIME'S TEACHINGS. The view seems clear, the present glance ; I've noted dangers, balanced chance, The outs and ins of circumstance — Seen errors turn to arrows keen When mental progress made them seen — And over heads that knew their sin, Yet hugged it selfish spoils to win, By weakest web a sword impend And on their heinous hopes descend — Seen truths which blessings were, disguised, By knowledge change to treasures prized : — Seen that by highest light who lives A guiding power receives and gives, Draws truth from doubt, that passing night And self accounts set square and right. Lo, singing in my soul, I go; By the plain past the future know — Give every gathered truth my trust, \ That its abuse leave no vile rust, And every garnered dime a task Where sin runs naked or fn mask. In doing reap enough reward, Asking no more of man or lord. POEMS. 247 And if the universe restores On these mixed fields, or fairer shores, A recompense for faithful deeds, As sheaves from few well-scattered seeds. The spirit, free from want and pain, Will richer grow to give again. ARE THEY DISCREPANCIES? ''Can you keep the bee from ranging, Or the ring-dove's neck from changing ? No, nor fettered love from dying In the knot there's no untying." — Campbell. Poet, the minds thy words dismayed Saw not the whole idea conveyed. Didst thou see love so strong a tie That others were as mockery ? — That public vows irrevocable Proved fetters that could love disable — But love itself as self sustaining Long as good use blest its remaining ? — That only truth pays for receiving ; And sins that earn a disbelieving Tell there is treachery and pretending — Fetters must gall, or knots be rending? 248 POEMS. Thy lofty lyre erst moved the heart With wonder at thy minstrel art ; 'Twere pity that one note should chill The homage it would pay thee still. Great poets' lives should never prove Them wayward, even in their love ; Less than best men, more but by turns — As oft seemed Byron, sometimes Burns. Long tyranny has wrenched the soul Thro' ignorance of Love's control. Each age and race failed to perceive A law to guide it or relieve. But late unfoldment giving scope To thought and search that vistas ope, Where Science reads the tortured nerves, And tells what human life deserves, Shows thy frank muse not weak and wild ; And no false words her fame defiled. She could not thus descend and stain The glory of her early strain. Thy Gertrude's faithful spouse still shines- Theodric, Constance, crown their lines — O'Conner's Child stands ineffaced^ — No pictured virtues are erased. POEMS. 249 Reason brings Love a dawning light, Shows it but gropes in stealth and night ; And we may learn its needs and duties, If not the ring-dove's changing beauties. When love shall feel its beaming day; Thrust Tyranny's dark schemes away; 'Twill act more truly, live far longer; Ties without tension growing stronger. CONCLUSION. Can love we less the wild bird's sone For having loved it well and long ? fc> Hath on the heart the faintest trace Scenes having longest there a place ? Value we less friends kind and good For having long as guardians stood ? Or prize we less the angels' heaven For having ever blessings given ? Does Amazon less rapid flow For having rolled ages ago ? Or Erie's waves less life present For finding in Niagara vent? Then may Love's tide ebb from its course. And freeze upon its living source. For having found a channel true To pour its welling volumes through. 250 POEMS. SPIRITUALISM — ELICITED BY CRITICISM. 'Tis more than rich, 'tis doubly dear, to turn From merely cool and staid philosophies To things the soul evolved can but discern When through the spirit dome of sense it sees. These truths shed gladness on each moment's toils, And make our breathings a perpetual hymn ; To art and science add their sweetest smiles, And lend them lustres that no fates can dim. If only 'round us we are prone to look. And lift no piercing, asking gaze above, We but behold the caskets soon forsook. And miss the interfusing light of love. 'Tis not enough that human hearts and heads Have side-lights to admit the lower spheres ; A dome and sky-glass free from doubt's thick webs Draws radiance that dispels earth's futile fears. A glance at Swedenborg reveals the tower Thro' which high forms and voices ingress found ; His works display the supermundane power His earthly lore with loftier science crowned. POEMS. 251 But our bright souls must needs look up, I ween, And catch some rays akin to those he caught, To make his high illumination seen, And bask in ecstasies not born of thought. Th' expansive brain of Comte took ample view Of things material, causes traced therein, But lacked the loft-light balance ; hence he drew Not from the laws where high-grade schools begin. Perchance surcharged his cerebrum became ; Its massive lateral lobes, extreme, acute. Were biased ; hence an overarched counter-flame Must some deductions alter, some refute. We who, 'mid weal and woe, have known the joy The visitants from other spheres impart, Cannot be mocked nor menaced from th' employ Of powers that bring great blessings to the heart. When soothing spirits to our souls declare Sweet truths of which we long have felt the flow, Shall half-learned science bid research beware. Lest rules are null conceit assumes to know ? Nay, friends, we'll list the faintest heaven-sent voice. And to gain clearer ken give earnest trial ; And when plain language is by far our choice, We'll turn to trance or marvels of the "dial." 252 POEMS. What tho' there be who in its circling sweep See but a rocking stand, a reason crazed, We will not let our finest functions sleep. Nor at their wondrous scope become amazed. If some are pledged to the inglorious task Of pinning mind to common proof's old planes, Their life-work is laid out — we'd for them ask A labor likelier to reward their pains. Yet, not less will we love them — they're our own By many dear, indissoluble ties ; If this thro' carnal forms be feebly shown. We'll full unveil it when from them we rise. POEMS. 253 GIVE ME BUT TRUTH. Truth — let the false world frown, or what it will ; Let friends who fawned in other times forsake ; And kindred e'en, forgetful to fulfil The duties which their natal unions make, Turn cold away in silence, or betake To censure which no mingling has of ruth ; And, if it must be so, affection shake The choicest treasure lent to age or youth ; [truth. But alway grant this meed, my own heart's perfect With this I'll float upon the waves of time, And feel my lone existence yet has charms ; Altho' dread falsehood, ignorance and crime The dear ones sever from my eager arms Whom I'd have shielded with my life from harms. Tho' throngs around me in false modes unite. And, blind to fate, have but for me alarms ; To learn and live the truth be my delight, Tho' every vile voice hiss, and every vain hand smite. 254 POEMS. And if my words shall fall as a form in sand, And my love flow as winds that ne'er return ; If no congenial renderings reach my hand, No faithful heart respond when mine shall yearn ; Still, sordid policy and place I'll spurn. And social wrong, and world-defiled renown : Serenely then life's less'ning lamp may burn — Calmly I'll lay a well-used body down. And know I wear from earth Truth's everlasting crown. The multitude a little longer yet Must grope in twilight, faltering and unblest — Pursue the pageants, fashion, pride, and get Their certain thorn-wreaths knit into the breast ; But, sure as love is sweet, and heaven is rest, The time must come when their fell ways shall cease; When Folly's struggling votaries oppressed With meet confusion shall in shame release [peace. Their scorn of honest lives, and plead for truth and Oh, what a paradise will earth become When all her children good alone pursue ! All vag-rants will find virtue, health and home — All homes contentment, thrift and pleasures true — All tyranny and rule their levels due ; Slaveries shall end, reft spirits be made whole, Pervading kindness rush all bosoms thro'; Bliss, Love's full edict, o'er the nations roll, And Truth's all-glorious sway enrapture every soul. POEMS. 255 THE POET'S FATE. 'Tis often said the Poet's lot is cast Where cloud and storm obscure his radiant sky ; Where tempests scath him, wildly rushing past, And cold waves lash him as the surge sweeps by — Where thorn and bramble, ever springing nigh. Beset the path he vainly strives to trace — Where fortune's fleeting gold his coffers fly. While friends and flatterers with it flight keep pace ; And poverty and loneness stare him in the face. But, wherefore teach that Nature's rudest forms Around him rise, while dirge winds wail and toll — That want's weird sprites lead on the haunting swarms ; And false ones steal of social joys the whole, Wringing the poesy form his suffering soul ? Methinks 'tis other elements that call The charmed stream forth, harmonious to roll ; And ere it flow the light of pleasures all Bright, beauteous, gladsome, sweet, on the warm fount must fall. 256 POEMS. Tho' clouds anon o'erspread the welkin blue, 'Tis not alone their black folds meet his gaze ; Their silver linings, lovelier in their hue, As they approach the sun's receding rays, Arrest his eye, and while their fringes blaze. Naught recks he of the darker dyes they wear ; . And when the last faint line of amber strays, And echoing thunders ride the rayless air, He at their concord sings, order is music there. The' raging waters toss him to and fro, A glad gleam on the billow's crest he spies ; He knows that o'er him orbs of love still glow ; And that beneath fair coral cities rise : His inner light all outward lack supplies ; In dread adversity beholds a providence; And if vicissitudes avert some prize, The pharos, hope, displays a recompense — E'en on the deep his lyre is 'gainst alarm defence. Altho' his way, like all men's ways, must wind Where may not bloom perpetual, balmy spring ; Tho' frost may nip the fragrant flowers entwined Round roseate arbors where he loves to sing ; He may avail him of the Muse's wing. And soar to climes w^here autumn is unknown ; Or, wiser still, admire each fading thing. And bud minute in lavish bounty strown [wide throne. On Nature's blooming breast, the bard's own world- POEMS. 257 If wealth escape, like phantoms which we clasp, Dearer becomes the treasure in his heart; If fawners fly from the warm willing grasp That gives but good, he's blest when they depart : The true remain whose kindly sympathies start Afresh the flow of blissful gratitude — New light descends upon his darling art Which proves the power his spirit erst imbued, And shows in others facts for which he vainly sued. Call not him poor who feels no power can take The great creation from his eye, his thought — When force nor sophistry his faith can shake, Nor his reliance change or lessen aught — Call him not lone who by each leaf is taught That tastes the dew or trembles in the light — Who sees star-worlds with friendly lustre fraught, And turns to day the wonder-telling night : 'Mid scenes enchanting fair he walks with beings bright. Some have been false to selves, to earth's best heaven; And thus of pain a triple weight endured ; Hence have their harps the saddest numbers given, Sounding wild woes to which they were inured. But many more have happy lives insured ; And sweetly glad were the warm strains the}^ drew ; Congenial goodness peace and trust procured ; Pure love, well limited, returned its due — [were true. Themselves, all heavens were kind, for they to them 17 258 POEMS. TRUTH THE PRICE OF HEALTH. None can Uvq well till more are true To knowledge drawn from Nature's laws- Till women drape their forms in view Of sure effects from every cause. Till robes, like human figures, leave Their vitals free to swell and beat; And no impeding draperies cleave To organs struggling to be fleet. Limbs should be light as skipping birds. That hearts, like theirs, may sweetly sing And gladness, thro' their common words, From all life's labors blessings bring. Health is the pearl of power that holds The chain of joys defined soul-wealth ; And dress, true to the form it folds, Becomes the facile source of health. Fashion's the avarice fiend's behest — Loss and disease its trammels send — Action and ease true styles suggest, And Use is Nature's guiding friend. POEMS. 259 WOMANHOOD IGNORED.— MILD SATIRE. Vile fashions make women wan vassals of pain, Weak men to entice, and yield misers much gain ; Fool-locks on their brows, and jute braids on their napes. Match their hats pinned to pads in fantastic shapes. Death-cages 'round ribs to suppress ruddy life. Reverse Reason's aim in the fell strain and strife ; Long skirts graceful motions and lithe labors balk ; The farce mocks design — all leg-language is walk. Lest clinging grips fail to make crippling complete Q ueer shoes are stretched over their close-crimpled feet ; Shoe-heels 'neath the insteps, foot-heels over toes, Joints, spines, hearts displacing, thus dupes sport their woes. The world should be vocal with Health's joyous might, And wealth-diffused gifts break its drear social night. Now Science concedes evil styles miseries cause. And those living rightly teach true modes and laws. But slowly moves Knowledge to practical deeds. While tyrants rear cowards 'neath codes, customs, The flat'ring \^ ox di popular cheating the vain, [creeds: Proves forceful as guileful to spread want and pain ; Weak subjects yield all good, and countless ills gain. 26o POEMS. MOTHER'S CALL. I'm waiting and watching at morn, noon and even, For thee, darhng son, ever nearest my heart : Thy coming hope's angels have promise of given, Tho' mountains and deserts and oceans us part. With spirit elate I oft glide to the door. Bell-summoned, some human immortal to meet; Perchance 'tis my traveler, love sings evermore. And sighs in glad welcomes that other friends greet. Thy absence becomes the one source of unrest; For somehow a myst'ry, that mocker of mind, Has followed events, as in romance unblest By a clue to its close that a genius may find. When alone I exclaim, as if distance were naught, My dearest, how long shall void air-lines remain ? Weird words of fell fate, if they wafted thy thought, Would voice soul response in this silence inane. Scrip signs with their wealth of remembrance from thee, Tho' they cheer with {q\^ smiles and elicit more fears. Can treasure and token be, sacred to me. And chase the cold cloud from the sky of my years. Come now, please, or indicate wherefore and when — Thou'rt Ray of my life in more senses than one ; Let presence assure of needs, wishes, and then Sweet justice can solace our loves, precious son. POEMS, 261 FROLIC IN RHYME. Ah ! Sister Fannie, had you been Cute as some ancient, homespun queen. Dancing baretoed on starlit green. You'd not have feared I'd wilt or die, If one good '* hobby," treated shy. Should slip its saddle and run by. You need an elf's witch hazel pry To hurl the mote wood from your eye. And show you full a dozen hobs, Career equipped, reins, spurs and knobs ; Each whinnying to this busy brain For mind to move, as steam the train. And vassals free from mount to main. And every one's a glorious steed, The pink of noble blood indeed ; With ardor's strength in veins aflow, And zeal in eager eyes aglow, To pour its truth, and flash the light Of joyous rest through torture's night. Old error festering everywhere — Frauds, falsehoods, crimes, masked, robed and bare. Call through the moaning million's wants. Through curs'd oppression that them taunts, And snobbish pride that folly vaunts — For these staunch hobbies daring speed That scorns the rabble gibes to heed — Alike the offered famous meed, But stamps all sin as bramble weed. 262 POEMS. Great goodness will befriend perchance, And give them all a healthful prance In free-used air, on fairy feet, Their snowy banners flying fleet, Emblems of tolerance, peaceful, sweet. Dark plots and foul acts to defeat. Wails, threats, cry loud for dauntless breast To quell the wrongs that earth infest. Robbing dear hearts like yours of rest, Making their throes sheer mock and jest. A reasoner never does presume One hobby will the world illume — Systems more organs have than one ; Engines more wheels ere works are run ; Brains more ideas ere shams they shun. A mending scope must spacious be — Reforms wrought universally. Or, in the parlance, made so free, A hundred hobbies press their plea. I've reined already near a score — Cantered a few o'er field and floor, And will, belike, as many more. But can to ton no victim be. Nor martyr bowed to the decree Of vile god-Grundy, though their wake O'erflow work done for freedom's sake. Now, dearest Fan, you should have guessed I'd dare for truth my extra best. And fail not 'cause some can't be blest. Your loving May, not half expressed. POEMS. 263 REFLFXTIONS. The toil-filled tours that ceasless run, Told by quick circuits round the sun, Have stretched my years to sixty-one. Prophetic count to ninety grew— This third, if lived here, ought to view Its labors crowned with progress true. Humanity should shams forsake — The justice sense in ail awake ; And caste from every compact break. Then equal laws with science cool Could end vile wrongs in reason's school, And Love in peaceful order rule. Dread tyranny, dire selfishness, Thro' avarice, pride, and passion's stress, Wrap earth in evil's dark excess. They make reform of customs all. Codes, ethics, creeds, trades, habits small, The gen'ral need, the humane call. And goodness, deprecating strife, Pain, want, and cruelties so rife, For their surcease spends time and life. i6j\. poems. PROGRESS. We're climbing grades of life and law ; And human loads are growing lighter — Her thraldom woman dares to hate, And smite with facts the wrongs that blight her ; Purge craft from codes with logic clear, And make man's moral sense glow brighter. Greed given the rein mocks every good — Takes woman's trust wherewith to slight her ; For power and place best motives twist, To make her highest aims indict her. The knowledge of these frauds, at last, To true proceedings must unite her. Dishonor brands him who dissents — Who will not due assistance plight her. While fell disease, excess and vice. To purest, noblest deeds invite her. Reft worth for equal chance appeals ; A gift she has not to delight her. Robbed age and youth, through want and moan From weighty griefs, to soothe incite her ; And dungeoned-victims doomed from birth, With mother memories seething, spite her. Sweet Hope ! how Love will Progress speed, When Justice-softened rulings Right her. POEMS. 265 REALIZATION. Hope, wand of the soul, cheers the way Of childhood, of youth, and of age — E'en stoics, compiling the day. Award it the noon's glowing page. Vistas promise fair regions before Solution folds back the first door. Aspiring to raise the world up To heights of the loving and true, O'erfills with rich nectar Life's cup. And fruits from high spheres holds to view The helpful reap present delights, While future work, waiting, invites. The realms of pure spirits are near, And linked with true teachers of this, Dispel superstition's last fear, And warm into bloom the heart's bliss. We welcome with thanks each bright band, Bearing science and songs to this land. Their sun is the smiles of the good. With healing and solace replete ; Their moon, the ineffable mood Diffused when the holy ghosts meet ; Their stars, faithful watchers, the eyes Of saviors in all times, the wise. 266 POEMS, The love and the might flowing free, Giving law, making progress alway, Are evolving, controlling, and we Will be ruling soon as we obey. O angels, who meditate well. Truth's sin-cure in floods on us swell ! The presence, the message revealed Proves more than the sordid discern ; Much lore from proud mortals concealed, The humble and noble can learn. Sage students see allies in mind — Poor is thought to its own factors blind. Th' profound search the high and can show Dome windows above doubt's dim glass ; Their light moulds the passions below^ While reason directs, and aids pass. Seeking knowledge by rays and by gleams, Finds fields of facts lit by full beams. Expectance is reality here — Crude faculties blend with sublime ; A higher-arched galaxy clear Gilds the world-gemmed concave of time : And all souls at length live and bask In the realizations they ask. POEMS. 26y ADVERSITY RENOUNCED. When fortune's vain allurements fade away, And friends endeared by many ties forsake — When the desires that nurse sweet hope decay, And tears of sore regret strong ardor slake — When wrongs successive honest spirits shake, And low ambition heaves its dying sigh, [awake, Then loves world-wide and thoughts heaven-high Nor longer latent in the bosom lie, [nearer by. But change bright dross, far sought, for diamonds When follies have their bitter products reared, And baubles youth admired, pursued, and caught, Have 'neath a thorny hedge-work disappeared, And left the heart, by hope deserted, naught ; Then turns the loathing soul from lurements sought, Content and blest the phantom chase to cease — Then grasps the joys with fadeless wisdom fraught. And daily sees the richer bliss increase — [peace. In gladness hails dear life, and waits higher life in 26S POEMS. EFFUSIONS. ON RECEIVING THE MEMOIR AND LIKENESS OF SARAH C. EDGARTON MAYO. At last, at last, I view the dear one's face — Not hers, but art's dim semblance of the same : On its charmed lineaments I've yearned to trace The wakening glow that in her pure verse came. But it was ne'er my pleasure to behold The rapt expression of her soul-filled eyes — In ready arms her constant breast to fold ; Yet memory verily's a valued prize. And haply it may ne'er be mine to kiss The precious " love-flower" she has left to earth ; Favored are they who realize the bliss, In view of all its minstrel mother's worth. Her angel spirit now perceives how long I've loved the artless lore her lines display ; Now hears the answering eloquence of song. My full soul feels, my weak words can't convey. POEMS. 269. And will she deign from her empyrean home To note a worshiper unknown as I — In soul all free, with ministries to roam Far as her Muse-made followers 'neath the sky? Yes, while her picture holds my tearful gaze, And the imbosomed book I fondly press, A seraph cites the deep-stirred mind to raise. And greet a patron still impowered to bless. Admonish not this humble strain and weak, Ye who enjoyed her richest converse here — Who yet in gifted phrase her goodness speak, And own her still-pervading presence dear. Blent love and thought emotion's currents pour; She was my favorite while she sang below ; And is, albeit vain so high to soar, The ideal saint to whom my feelings flow. 270 POEMS. USE OF DREAMS. Bright Dream, thy illusions are welcome altho' Thy raptures exquisite with waking depart ; [flow Tho' thy forms are but phantoms, thy friends but the Of fancy's full multitudes peopling the heart. Sweet Vision of beauty, so potent to bring Each bosom delight from the mist-mantled past, Thy fairy-filled pleasures inspire us to sing Ere away from the spirit thy veilings are cast. Soft Trance of the senses, since more than is ta'en Is bestowed in the bliss of the banqueting mind; Give thy care-soothing scenery, for not all in vain Are the weary within thy enchantment enshrined. Free Flight of the spirit, conduct us away To the love-lit retreats on some sanctified shore, Where the soul may its joyful communings repay Amid landscapes or skyscapes where th' risen adore. Green Garden Ideal, thy fruitage and bloom Bring cheering refreshment that never can cloy ; In thy star-lighted nooks lurks no shadowy gloom ; And thy violet walks hide no moss-strown decoy. POEMS. 271 Sure Proof of a soul that is deathless and sleepless, Light the pathway unknown that desire shall direct : Go to Palestine such as she was when the peerless Apollonias labored in scorn and neglect. To Greece as she was when her famed groves and valleys, With eloquence charmed, told progression's glad story ; When high hopes of freedom fired rulers and allies ; And scholars and bards wreathed their brows with her glory : To Britain as she shall be when her last despot Shall humbly have learned of old ancestors long ; • Oppression and want having fled in just exploit, Leaving Liberty's boast for the toiler's sweet song. Still other scenes are there. Sleep Watcliing Magician, To view in the hush of some midnight's repose ; There's Petrarch's retirement and Tasso's lorn prison, Where Laura and Leonor hallowed their woes. Many scenes 'mong the Alps would enrich the beholder; Many where the Rhine chanting or murmuring glides — [her ; Where art-beaming Rome reels 'mid feuds that enfold And Egypt, the old, at your leisure, fair Guides. 272 POEMS. Jerusalem once I supposed worth a vision ; But relics, fraud-marked, are the wealth of the site : Blind Christians, thro' mockery, deserve the derision They cast on the Moslem intent on his rite. Pause not where brave zeal to spread science proved greater [teach ; Than fear when church fiends could by racks silence Without dreams we find that three centuries later Truth has to contend for the freedom of speech. Dream, Vision, Trance, Angel, or Travel Electric, Whatever thy names, themes, directions or times ; All seasons, all climes own thy influence magnetic ; Our bliss takes thy colorings, our music thy chimes. Are any so blest as to seek not thy guerdon — So weak as with bodings thy objects to bind ? Those only are free from night's dreariest burden — These follow a shadow and catch at the wind. POEMS. 273 BURIAL AND CREMATION. The body whence a soul has fled, Human no more, to man is dead ; Is poisonous gas, infected clay, And quickly, safely, must away. But burial grounds are insecure — Have water action, fumes impure, To find the pools, to issue thence, Unseen, unchecked ; there's no defence. Cremation leaves no hidden blight, No stream defiled, no gloomy sight — But with the earthly, duty clears. And wins applause from spirit spheres. The process is more truly kind ; It mold resolves to dust refined — Few moments' sure, transmuting fire Leaves naught to mar, much to admire. Memorials better are preserved In scrip or print, urn if preferred; Should teach, no human being dies ; When flesh seeks change, freed spirits rise. 2/4 POEMS. ROMANCE. It needs not fancy-flights to paint Life's fates in colors strange or quaint ; All fiction pales beside the view Of simple truth's unheightened hue. If romance ever finds a place The mystic maze to deftly trace, Where seemingly it serves good use, Results are regnant with abuse ; For only as it steals the glow Of Nature's real fire and flow, It pleasure gives, and then its harm Is felt ere time dispels the charm. The world has proved true greatness goes, When usage too fastidious grows. Ornate excess is monstrous art — Minds it invades with soundness part. Oppression thrives when customs, schools, Sects, commerce, clans, styles, fancies, rules, Make falseness fair and worthful seem — Justice must rise and Truth redeem. POEMS. 275 TO A LIBERAL JOURNAL. Speed, speed on thy mission, mild herald of gladness ; The tidings of mercy and justice proclaim ; Shed light, love and peace on the children of sadness, And kindle in darkness free thought's living flame. Go scatter the gloom superstition entaileth On vassals who fain would in freedom rejoice; Where rancor and proud persecution prevaileth Lift boldly, yet kindly, a powerful voice. Go travel where ignorance deeply hath shrouded That mightiest marvel of nature, the mind; Illumine lone spirits long crushed and beclouded; Be strength to the falt'ring and sight to the blind. Descend the dim vale, climb the cliff-traversed mountain, Wherever a sorrowing soul may abide ; And point the deceived and debased to the fountain Of truth, where redemption to deeds is allied. Search out every nook that hath aught to make tearful, And soothe by the hope of a peace-hallowed day, When naught shall remain to molest or make fearful ; Haste, haste on thy mission ; speed, speed on tin- way. 276 POEMS. PROVERBS. Science supplies the cabalistic keys That ope earth's hidden doors ; Ignorance dies with doubts and mysteries, When light gilds nature's stores. Investigation of high topics wins Lasting and large rewards ; And aspiration to surmount all sins With growth and grace accords. Dim superstition leaves the haunted mind When truth's rich lore is taught ; Thro' justice, heaven in hearts hallows mankind, When works abound, love fraught. True living is the turning of vile goals To virtue's flower-strewn ways ; Where customs pure redeem bodies and souls, Wisdom's firm sceptre sways. When knowledge of the trut'h shall woman draw To scientific life, Man w^ill obey and love the higher law, And peace supplant their strife. Their children, born of health and gracious cheer, To all the virtues tend — Whence strong adults will all that's just revere. And beauty's treasures blend. POEMS. 277 What hast thou, sister, worthy this bright sphere, While folhes mock thy toils ? What seest thou, brother, to thy best aims dear 'Mid sense and sordid spoils? Unite thy labors, thy grand motives wed, The world's weak ones to bless, And goodness will provide, by reason led. Life's long-sought happiness. . RESPONSE. " Is love relief to the sad and lone?" — Letter. There is a hand may lead thee 'mid dear flowers, A voice may call bright visions 'round thy head, A heart may build for thine sweet sunny bowers. And on their fruits the dews of healing shed. But there are others with the siren's power Whose torch-lit charms the sorest ills diffuse ; Blind love alone full oft mistakes its dower, Because it hastens and will reckless choose. Reason is every function's friendly guide ; Her counsel seek — love's cheating dreams and goals More need direction in their flowing tide Than all the passions painting fancy scrolls. 2/8 POEMS. CONTEMPLATIONS. DELIVERED AT A NEW YEAR CELEBRATION IN 1 872. The eras of time may be shorter or longer, Depending on progress, in school and in state ; The age now retiring brings one truer, stronger, And richer and freer for coming so late ; [ster But years, even length'ed, sweep along like wild song- Astir in mid-winter to seek a new mate. [loiter, A new year comes whispering, slaves, tyrants, who Flee away with the old year, I'm a mender of fate ; And th' people of the period never will falter, Till they ope council doors, and swing wide each barred gate. But too pressing life's labors, these times, on this altar, To be borrowed for rhyming, these measures can't wait. The hand ne'er tires that tells the fleeting hours ; Swift fingers turn the nicked and blotted leaves In the huge calendar of mortal acts ; The fountain pen ne'er fails that scrawls the lines ; And each of us, in motive and in deed. Is furnishing the copy for our niche Upon the mystic scroll of centuries. We're sure to read it all again, somewhere ; To our own story drawn, true to the life. Good, mixed, or stranger than romancer's tale. POEMS. 279 If one has aided censured innocence, Or stayed oppression in its cruel course, A gilding ray will linger where 'tis writ. At setting sun I watched the last year's fall Into oblivion's unyielding arms. Reluctantly the silv^er light withdrew From the hushed, hazy air which gathered low Around the sphere its pall of tinted folds, To shut th' expiring patriarch from the shouts With which a sportive world all eager stood To welcome the ice-cradled infant year. The midnight passed — adieu thou traveled link In the interminable chain, eternity. I've traced the motley round with buoyant feet, Inhaled its balmy breath from field and grove With thoughtful joy, pressed its inviting bloom To thankful lips, felt its soft music stir Responsive chords in the heart's thrilling depths. I've walked its broken paths and cold ascents With spirit firm to ward the stubborn might Of circumstance, or rather, so have deemed ; For how know I but coming time will tell That confidence has still again mista'en A Upas for an Olive ? Fair effects Of scenes that blandly passed and harmless seemed May be pernicious yet. Friendships secured, And fostered with no sentiment withheld, May prove not such to those my hands have clasped ; And they may throw false garbs and hues around The motives held humane and innocent, And teach the vile to taunt me with my trust. Yet all perverseness can't annul this faith In human growth, goodness and grace innate. 28o POEMS. Hence, shall not dwell this retrospection on The shadowed side of yet unfinished things. Wherefore should any grieve these plenteous years ? Because so many souls must famish still, When uses high demand bright energies. Sadness enfeebles, and aspiring minds Betimes must banish melancholy moods, Prophetic tho' they prove. Health cheers, inspires. So, aiming at the best, I welcome mirth, And join my gleeful wish for happiness To that the nations echo in their feasts On this, the blessed morning of a year. Among the powers that mention claim to-day, For once let's honor the sustaining Sun. His constant heart holds Earth all safe, and gives Delight to millions nurtured on her breast. All her coquettish airs avail for good In his directing and well-timing power: Her fickle inclinations he converts To rounded seasons, balancing all needs. Like the good father with a precious flock Of orphans motherless, he takes command, Disdaining not to dabble in the cares Of mother's sphere, but orders all the house To a minutiae. Daughter Earth, you see. Duty ne'er shuns; her shining you see not. Venus, tho' his pet, keeps pace both morn and eve, And sparkles out her pride to be so near. The larger sons far off field-work perform — Bright Jupiter, and Saturn doubly zoned, Obey their rules, and scarcely nearer come To greet their sisters once a century ; And all is harmony around the Sun. POEMS. 281 What marvel that when Earth was young and fond, Her races worshiped him as god of all ? Despite her age and dignity assumed, A little rev'rence festal days is due. When all days, all years round, so lovingly He gazes from his blazing amber throne. Salutes the dwellers on the fertile orbs He lights and warms with fructifying power, Bidding them bless with stores all they bring forth. Let us the pigmies 'mong the planet's trees, His condescending gallantry return Once in four hundred days, and boasters chide Who, merely out of grass, have climbed a weed, Because they have not moral spine to stand. Yet think they're up — let them see us avow Just what we are, what feel, guess and believe. May all take note of dazzling gems bestrown On crystal robe, or broidered mantle green With which he wrapt his charge so tenderly. And wherefore note them, glowing but in him? To see all goodness loves to ornament, And in a way that never, burdens aught, But lights and lifts with innate energies ; The outer transports its reflection true, Revealing it by beauty natural. A standing monitor this truth should be To weaklings striving to adorn their heels W^ith cumbrous screens, protuberance nondescript. Again, a simile slides justly in — High angels' ken and care are like the sun, Weak mortals, like the snowflake, chill and pale, Or dank bloom mouldering in miasmal shades. When they reflect not the pure light and love 252 POEMS. Forever on them showered, Hke permeant rays, But brighter than the finest Orient pearl, Or diamond flashing in the noonday beams, When they evolve the gleam of gratitude. Or shed a halo of beneficence. Unswervingly developed natures toil For great results, in conscious purity, Scorning the fear of craven Scandal's breath, Which, brief as base, blows but a fortnight's fog, Then settles back on the cold, swampy source, A mildewed waste, a millstone w^eight, as well. Where the rich noon-blaze of philanthropy Lifts high and scatters wide love's mellow rays. Not fear, but pity mild and patience long, Flows in good-will by kindly service told. Slowly indeed, thro' strife and anguish dire, Has come the view that doing well's the point The gospels rest on — not belief or faith ; And gospels (good-spells) are not books, creeds, texts, But truths which free from these the op'ning mind. The cheering word and wand that cravens smite Science is answering with veracity; And glimpse of laws that human life control May lead to fountains fit to make us whole. When understood, that essence so sublime. Electric and magnetic, proving all Repulsion and attraction, causes have Knowledge may reach — the age will make new schools. Psychology and fine psychometry Acting on inner force, may be to life As are great suns to matter orbed and lit. This ciiiinic point where will and vigor hinge. POEMS. 2\ And fusing motive meets to form the pledge Of pers'nal uses to the just and true, Portends great deeds. But goodness must evolve Greatness to join — the zvhm is folded up In rolling years. The dawn of nobler works Is visible to minds that mellow grow Contemplating great duties daily wrought ; And they have rev'rence due for light and aid That them enable grandly to perform Good deeds that folly calls but menial tasks. To-day's an epoch in the march of time, And why not in these searching, wandering minds, These emanations high that live alway, That act, love and enjoy their own deserts ? A hallowed work for human welfare planned Draws Love's strong helps from far infinity ; And we, if true enough, might wash the stains Of want and woe from myriads of hearts, And set ennobling records to the date Of this thought-glowing year and century, To stand as courage-pictures to all time. List! 'mid the multitude of women round Rises no voice ? all weak and stupefied, Unmoved, unnerved — crushed beneath shams, alas ! Crowds should arise, unitedly resolve That henceforth for redeeming power they'd strive, And bid me state, as clustering angels would — Write, ye recording guardians above, And ye sage annalists, the future's friends — Write that new radiance illumines thought, Which, like the jewel glittering in the sun, Shall give back lovely beamings, rosy hued, 284 roEM-s. And constant as tlie flooding- rays received. I'll write that nations labor for new birth — That Columbia quakes with travail throes Of outraged freedom, and her star-told States At length can hear woman's protesting voice — Concede, in words, her equal claim to rights. And grant that laws impartial should become ; But not in deeds are proven true intents. Might never justified man's mastery; Equality alone can bring dear harmony. Can you bear to be despots, brothers vain, And longer hang excuse on her weak will ? The place you've given her makes her what she is. What will you do to make her stronger now — Wiser and truer, better in any thing? Render her own unto the uttermost; And while she's growing useful, still assist. Your duty all perform, her bravery e'en Encourage long, atone for past misuse ; Then, if instead of freedom, health and power, She chooses manacles, pallor and pain. Let her stitch, wash, and drag her self- wrought bonds, Price of the fulsome praise the false bestow. Expect no growth from such ; the ballot-staff And perfect laws can't give them happiness ; But they'll be made no worse; you, better far. And thousands of good women will take heart, Seek health, and worthy citizens become. Nature commands, be true to every gift ; Limbs, bodies first, then heads and hearts be free. Fit opportunity for every power Is need legitimate, and liberty Gives the surroundings health can flourish in. POEMS. 285 The physical well poised, purely supplied, Makes a true home, a servant qualified For a bright intellect's divinest use. And the unfolding spirit's fullest growth. These primary conditions firmly laid. Harmonic reciprocity prevails In all departments of all faculties. Till evolution orbs the nature grand. The spirit's glow is fanned by all the powers, And renders genial culture while it takes. No passion's darkling clouds obscure its light, No enmity's sirocco blast sweeps round The guarded whole. Justice and love rule there. I think some persons can accomplish this — How soon society, or circles small Attain as much, depends on efforts true. The better public institutions are, More readily the members will progress ; The better individuals become, More readily good institutions grow. Where both lack best, and better's largely worse, Neither may wait, but mend for mutual aid, And build for each a character in truth And right so strong, that tower and fortress firm They'll stand, and throw on all earth's lands. And thro' long future eras, Righteous Power. This is the secret of the spotless life, To dispossess our inner enemies ; This is the problem sought of public weal, Justice, by measures nicely gauged, to deal. This is the day to scan each lurking-place Whence evils sometimes cheat us unawares ; 286 POEMS. To fortify with principle the mind ; To crown with purity Affection's throne ; And say to Darkness and its wasting ills, Roll back apace. All-hallowed be this year ! Shall we not work for Truth, and fill this round So full of goodly deeds that it may form A central light that shall forever shine, A quick'ning flame to guide humanity Out of delusions class and caste create — Out of the snares by fraud and avarice laid — All cruelties which selfishness enacts — Out of the hardening influence of pride. And rule that grasps the scrip poor children glean- Out of the fear that makes all types of slaves Who get but what they purchase thrice in toil. Again in yielding life's stores, all summed up? Henceforth to all our suffering sisterhood, Sighing for aid, and struggling brotherhood, Tho' self-beguiled, and stern with power abused. Let us impart inspiring thought and hope. Till they, renewed, gladly embrace true hfe. And Love's blest labors let us not forego Till all our kind in sweet accord hold firm All rights, and realize pure Liberty. We will not count our efforts hard or vain, Tho' given as offerings free to future years Thro' the suspense and twilight dawn of this. While sin and grief abound, let faithful hands Winnow the social atmosphere, and wreathe Love domes and bowers, from tyrant force exempt ; Where equal choice and counsel mutual Evolve esteem, and frankness fear supplants. POEMS. 287 Our country's beacon-guides that once flashed high As despot's altar-fires, whose ashes fall Like nitrous dust fi*om foul volcanic pit On millions now who feel the scathing spell As universal palsy thro' the land, Require relighting in the people's halls — Searching, exchanging, renovating well In chambers where they've trusted far too long Their laws in sordid hands, by bigots swayed. Democracy is at the heart humane : Our duty is to regulate this heart. Bring the rich, wholesome throbs, more normal e'en Than the sage fathers' Constitution knew. Its fires should burn so calmly and so clear That every citizen should feel its warmth. And know a little tributary burns On each home hearth, holding in turn the right Of justice, all impartially secured. While truth is known, all should a share partake, Till, as their hero bards, whole nations sing. Our land so fair, a mingled fate has had — Has sunk and soared by turns, and hangs at last, On mid-clouds rent by her fierce eagle's beak. The strong, lone bird of prey symbols past rule : When justice tempers law, that emblem dread Its mission will have finished, and must fall ; And with it let war's sanguine stripes go down. In the cold halls, and grievous courts of men There's need of woman's blending heart and mind. She is advancing with extended hands, And courage strong as any martyr's faith. Her soul has solved the question of life's use — 288 POEMS. Has conquered wrongs both abstract and concrete — Perceives the right, and will secure it yet. Man slowly learns her value as a peer ; But will discern his need of just control, And form a friendship never known before. United, a new standard will be borne, White as earth's snows, blue bordered as the skies, Saying Reason, the conciliating power. At home, and with the nations takes its place. Beneath its folds, by equal blessings nerved, Woman and man a prosperous peace will earn. Then may the New Years shine the old ones out, And joyous offspring smile rich thanks on us. Oh, grand will be Time, as his cycles he wingeth, When to each blest being its birthright is given ! — Bright garlands will fall from the scythe that he swingeth To partners who follow by eights, not by sevens — And blissful be life when full freedom it bringeth To build o'er the earth the sweet homes that are heaven's. Can't the weak comprehend what the strong-minded singeth ? We'll walk even paired when we govern by evens. If this rhyme jars the tympanum bells that it ringeth, Accept the trite figure of tens, not elevens, [bringeth, Till Right makes earth rhythmic with songs justice And concord prevails from the mates to lone Evans. The good time foreseen by all sages is coming — n mon; kinder Stern monarchs relenting, make Christians seem POEMS. 289 The wheels of the laborers' chariots are humminor • Some bishops confess the old creed an eye-blinder; Sect schools to progressive lyceums are running ; ■And churches to circles with ghosts for reminder; We'll waken some New Year relieved of sect-stoningr. And seeking the Grundy myth, less vicious find her. A grave query enters this hasty up-summing — Who named scandal " Mrs." and screened man be- hind her? God Grundy's vile service is tyranny's cunning ; Sin-harnessed, sex-masked, to transmute, we'll un- bind her. 19 290 POEMS. RESPONSIBILITY AND STRIFE ARE FATE. Truth only drives dread from the knowledge that law Makes reason of action responsible guide — Bids conscience with motives the balance-line draw, As auditing counsel expunge crook and flaw : — Effects are deserts, Fates to causes allied, Deeds are germs that develop, their fruits we abide. Conception commences an endless account On the annals of time, on the records of life — Compels an existence no power can surmount, No changes subvert ; it creates a new fount Of perpetual flow, mingling factors of strife, Mid identities rushing with selfhood as rife. The struggle for physical comfort begins The conflict that clean takes us o'er hedge and mire ; Or trails us, scarred, smeared, thro' old, dull, sordid sins ; A course that dead praise, but no living fame wins ; For freedom that soars dwells in traits that aspire. And bondage that gropes follows downward desire. POEMS. 291 As sustenance ignorance gathers some bane ; But guile supplies much, and gloom heavily lours — Health blighted, strength wasted, ease ravished by pain ; Sick sufferers sigh, life is loss, never gain — Still hope, and seek healing for paralyzed powers, Yet few ask of earth's balmy fountains and bowers. Young minds query closely, false answers are taught ; Snares mock trusting candor, o'ershadow with dread ; Profession's assent is by flattery bought ; Nursed cowardice blooms in hypocrisy wrought : So long have sham customs and masked vices led, Men are weaklings with hands, knavish tyrants are * head. Shall long last this torpor that honor defiles — This languor of thought, def 'rence paid petty lords, For a place in the circle, a walk in the aisles Of a church that reciprocates sycophant smiles — '. With patronage selfish and venal rewards The count, aid and influence a member accords ? Hypocrisy all ! from the doctrine to start, The wealth that is prompter, the power it wields, To the silent dissent in the dupe's wretched heart, Thrice bartered, in conscience, the chancel, the mart; The innocence there only ignorance yields ; Research, Reason's umpire, is fenced from the fields. 292 POEMS. 'Tis asked, " What's the matter, that thin^^s go askew?" Greed of sway and of gain, phed by arts that poUute, Infecting codes, commerce, faith, morals all thro' ; Transmissive, contagious, grows chronic, and too, Some cases, as erst, are so keenly acute. They pillage, imprison, and statutes refute. It has made, thro' the Church, what's respectable termed, Tho' the honest and pure should its sanction deny ; Want and discord diffused, women's high province spurned, [learned ; Till flattered, deformed, the slave's role they have Hence, their sons unfold cowards, or rogues who Sweet justice that Liberty prostrate may lie. [defy Stupid men, know you not it is happier far. And easier battling with wrongs as they rise ; Firm monarchs of manhood. Truth's ray your fixed star, Leading where tranquil virtues no treachery can mar ; Than warring with selves in an odious disguise. Knowing crime-tinged and trait'rous are all grades [of lies ? It is joyous and grand to move on with an aim At goodness that cheers and ennobles our kind ; Swerving not from high principle, scorning the name Caste and pride seek in crushing the many; 'tis shame! Life more than compensates, crowns, sceptres the mind That loves all, and labors their chains to unbind. POEMS. 293 Souls seeing the wrong, in clear view of the right, Knowing each is prolific, and contests abound, Are stars of bright dawns shedding peace, love and Or counterfeits fighting for booty and blight ; [light, The fruits of their choice furnish blessings profound, Or woes that thro' nations and centuries resound. Dear women, who should be glad mothers of joy. Rearing daughters and sons who delight to be true. Will you longer drag lives thro' pursuits that alloy — Lend talent, time, gold, to designs that destroy ? Your follies stand bare in the world's open view, As frauds that evolve and environ them do, Condemned by the knowledge this age has achieved, Its science that cause in result comprehends — Its tests teaching burdens may all be relieved By the light that's abroad, tho' the half's unperceived: On heeding kind Nature redemption depends — Strength thro' her lived laws myth and malady ends. Weak, vain and submissiv^e, your vast needs beget More ill than worse fathers less laden in thrall. You passions attemper, teeth edge, limits set — Fell fashions tell misers you're their vassals yet. But you plead your are old, and your influence small ; With beauty, the wand of your youth, had its fall. 294 POEMS. This hackneyed excuse with your pride disagrees, The low line of influence loved it betrays : Let it pass. The incentives high purpose to seize. To grapple with all that promotes reckless ease, Should stir every breast with a zeal that displays A patriot's spirit these perilous days. As women, your influence owns special sway ; As mother's, 'tis sacred, and world-wide extends : All despots subsist by your slavery to-day ; So your duped and enticed their behest to obey — To give care and service, and ciave no amends ; Your thraldom makes darkness where fraud with might blends. The old are exemplars, their notions and ways Are typed on young brains to enact o'er and o'er ; 'Tis theirs to change errors thro' which childhood strays. Leave wisdom to warm the next age with its rays : [lore Grandmatrons guide mothers who hand dow^n the By practice improved, progress-stamped evermore. Evils ventured till weighty are hard to displace ; Crafty schemes spread and thrive by them, league with the State : Can you still help them flourish, and sink in disgrace The worth of these bodies, these minds, the whole race; This country so rich, once so free and elate ; With it others, war-scathed, and fix serfdom a Fate ? POEMS. 295 Dreaming women, awake ! spurn the modes that reduce Your sphere to life-poisoning, while gold kings re- joicp. Your soundness brings right-ruling, hallows best use, As blemish bears taint, and lays ethics obtuse. Some Warfare you foster with action and voice ; Cleanse your kind, free the globe by it — this be your choice. SURROUNDED YET ALONE. Alone ! and crowds in action map the world With towns too large and full, by many times ; With roads o'er which vast multitudes are hurled, Commingling peoples from earth's varied climes. Countries with hamlets bloom from coast to lake, And thence to mountains, plains and valleys o'er; Language and usage differing, serve to make Fair cause for friendly deeds from door to door. Yet, 'mid the city's hum, the country's toil ; On voyage or train, in hall or jostling mart, Lone mortals wandering, vainly seek to foil Moods, memories, wants, that haunt the heavy heart. 296 POEMS. The ignorant are lone ; with warped eyes gaze ; Discern not truth ; misused hope hangs a cloud On life's best course, and dreams of fancied ways, Unwitting that 'tis weaving wisdom's shroud. Observant reason might transfer the strife That wastes soul-wealth ; by science nobly teach To childhood the rich lore of happy life Which early knowledge of its worth may reach. Truth must be taught the young on all their powers ; Their rightful uses and resultant joys — Abuses that with sorrows sting the hours From youth to age, and hope's sweet charm destroys. When curious queries grasp the social theme, Strength has evolved its ethics to imbibe, And basis fix for minds to grow supreme Ere fancies false foul 'facts to truth ascribe. Adults, the customs vile they imitate, Are quite responsible for earth's sore ills ; The curse to cure, they needs must consecrate Their lives to right ; example thus instills The saving bent impressed by loving voice, And leads along the usages they mend, To humanhood endowed with wisest choice In ways that goodness makes to virtues tend. POEMS. 297 But the mature, the present cultured ones, Women and men, must grapple now with sin, Excess, intrigue, enticing daughters, sons. If they the saving work for them begin. If not for them begun, through life they'll moan, As does this age, only in deeper woe ; For broken bodies bring more vice to groan, ■ More crime to o-rieve, as sick souls downward g;o. Betimes truth-cultured, girls and boys at ten Would wiser be in self-ennobling lore ; In bravery to accept, refuse, than men Schooled in these craven sects for years three score. Tho' hedged by fraud, labor could grow sublime ; Dread disappointments fade with effort's might ; Ideas great with grand growth gild the time, And Spirit strength see pleasures infinite. Not so, vain fawners for poor popular praise ; By craft and fashion martyred, true use foiled ; They grope 'neath faults and fears, dishonored slaves ; Of conscience, rest, love, liberty despoiled. With guides reformed, life's laws obeyed from youth, None could feel lone ; poise bears bright company ; Sad thoughts ignored, bliss sceptres peace, and truth Is health, high aims, progressive harmony. 298 POEMS. THE CRISIS CULMINATING. Penned Nov. 15th, 286, Era of Science. Seven honest men sentenced to hang until dead — They plead the lorn toilers' and poverty's cause ; Felt the bond that robs millions of respite and bread, And urged that clear justice prevail in the laws. Seven murders poor, abject complainers to scare ; To silence the voice that appeals for redress ; To display hempen ropes and cold dungeon's foul fare Which hush words that question the powers that oppress. Alas ! that with tyranny wealth should unite ; Hoard labor's reward, due the masses sore needs : Command over brethren is earth's baleful blight ; The hard'ner of hearts that descend to dire deeds. Alas ! that such sway o'er itself toil sustains ; Delving early and late its old pittance to claim : While wealth feasts in mansions, elate in its gains. Poor-pay has scant huts and the menial's mocked name. POEMS. 299 False motives have stealthily followed the State ; The bane of dark ages infused till the soul Of genial Democracy, cherished of late, To av'rice, guile, flattery and tithes yields control. Vain pride and excess the sweet virtues deflect ; Shrine-service, cross-worship and god-fear enslave : This base allows craft, creed and myth to project Rules that hold masses servile and martyr the brave. False customs, fell weakness, caste-grievance ensue ; Conceit brands dissent, cowards, treachery increase ; Corrupted transmissions infect life all through : Results now exclaim, where is freedom and peace ! Who answers by purging the vice-sodden cause. Cleansing bodies that motive, minds, morals be pure? Hygienists the few who live Nature's thrift laws [cure. Which priest's style's and stimulant's victims would When numbers dare scorn evils popular now ; [light ; Live the worth of dear truth, trusting Reason's clear By voice, pen and act teach the way to endow [right, Human life with sound functions self-guiding in The crowd will list gladly, more ready to heed Than thinkers to help those vile leaders abuse : Wide lack of staunch character makes the first need Ignoring repute judged by general views. 300 POEMS. To-day's common standard, church-born, fashion- badged, Grundy-watched, scandal-forced to conform and up- hold, Is sceptre and rack-pit, its wars ever waged. [mold. True standards, health-poised, only just measures These sought, would commence at the root of the case, Rear strength that all persons, all nations require ; Means wisely employed would the gold-kings displace ; A people self-owned would let pope-kings retire. All t3^ranny, founded on fraud, leans atilt— By ignorance nursed, is itself a huge slave ; Yet its passion for conquest, its daring in guilt, Are but quell'd by the vigilant skill of the brave. Right, radical Justice, her scale to hold sure. Must see that no greed goes on clean plate or pan ; Must culture to integral strength, firm, secure. Her country impartially, woman and man. The price of blest Liberty's never too great — Pay it, scientists, liberals, 'tis late for the work : Jesuits capture the courts and o'eride the frail state ; Serve the whole, or be torture-served, both ye can't shirk. POEMS. ^01 HEREDITARY FEAR. The shadow of a spectre bars the Hght Freedom would flow on curious searching thought ; The chambers darken where the pictures bright Of happy Hves and loves sweet hope has wrought. Mysterious pressure on each household falls ; Unsolved the whys of usage, rights and laws ; No equal status genial service calls, [and flaws. And hearts, minds, deeds, are stamped with fears A fresh, spontaneous exercise of soul, Cherished and rendered gladly, frankly, free. Is wealth unknown amid the slavish whole Where fear is fate, and cowardice the key. The scandal of a fool's lip wields a power ; Sarcastic smile and frown as arrows fall ; And fearful natures, falt'ring 'neath the shower, Seek the sham umbrage called respectable. Tho' thin of character, of virtue weak, The Church its basis, vanity its plume. The shelter answers what these times bespeak,. When spurious laws a kindred cast assume. 302 POEMS. Where fraud and bribe the scroll of State deface, Councils their trust with sordid treachery smear, Wrongs plead that Justice public cheats displace. And Courage chase the masses' servile fear. Whence the great bent in man to quick obey The beck of those who wealth and place secure, Thus making systems popular that sway By partial rules that make the millions poor ? What tempers to such flexion woman's mind That trade-winds of the showcase drift about, That guise-taught Fancy renders reason-blind. And pride, priest, fop to suit, shuts selfhood out? Ask of our customs, answer by their facts ; Heredity flows forward all their ills ; The Church rules man, he, woman ; hence both lack Volition's rights, and State the role fulfills, Examples taking. Avarice joins the craft ; Misers increase, and miscreants ten to one ; Excess and poverty their victims blast ; Extremes conflict, but can't each other shun. More gains to hoard, more peoples to command ; A fashion-bondage, torturing and severe, For woman's body viciously is planned ; And she accepts, being bred and trained in fear. . POEMS. 303 .This, sick'ning- vital functions, stiflino; brains, Must blight heredity, pollute, degrade Alike the sexes ; man partakes the pains His tyranny on maids and mothers laid. Men, sensing these effects, seeing their cause, Will you not claim yourselves, true sovereigns be. Make wholesome customs, just and gracious laws, Give woman to herself; thus all heads free ? And women, suff'ring from the ages' sin, Will you not courage seize, refuse to bear What law and duty ask not — once begin Self-truth, and find how rich the trait, to dare f Waiting is wasting treasure birthright earns, And aiding powers your daughters to ensnare : Patience abused, reversed, to perjury turns : Complaint becomes a farce for jest to share. Wrongs need not thrive, dispensing gen'ral woe ; Life's use is pleasant toil — its boon truth's light. Wise teaching, living out the best we know^, Fear, force, greed stays ; heredity starts right. 304 POEMS. ANNO DOMINI AND ERA OF SCIENCE. Centuries of faith in gods a trinity, Called Christian Era, Anno Domini, Dimly commenced, and doctrines piecemeal laid, Till conquest nations strong believers made. A savior as a head and heart for creed. Framed of choice attributes, supplied the need. A Church most militant was formed, survives ; Tho' nearly nineteen centuries old, still strives. Its sordid sway made misers, bigots, knaves, Tyrants and cowards tame, all w^omen slaves ; Hence grew disparites in power and wealth. Till toil's lost meed is massed by artful stealth. Popular fame counts fortune schemers good ; So, avarice sunders trust, sinks rectitude; The burdened poor, overreached, discouraged, sad, In reckless ruling, powerless, pass for bad. Religious zeal, a mania greed inspires. Much ignorance, with faith and fear requires; Hence other creeds were fought with sword and fire, And science stayed by cruelties most dire. POEMS. 305 Some rays from olden aeons glimmered still ; The Seasons spoke — the fruits of vale and hill; Insulted Reason 'mid the tortures read Rich Nature's will, and knowledge had to spread. A mine of truth and moral purpose filled One noble brain that slander never stilled ; Its arguments in laughing light assailed The bigot's hold, and stake and dungeon failed. Then burning malice named that smile a sneer, And darkest falsehood forced the world to hear ; But loving Justice has exposed the shame, And graced with honors high Voltaire's great name. Another hero rose with dauntless mind And gen'rous soul to save from thrall his kind : Levelled clear Reason 'gainst despotic State As well as Church, and earned a double hate. He, too, was prisoned, spied from land to land ; But good souls saw his worth, and grasped his hand : Slander intense was Craft's resort again, Yet Paine's prized works glow bright above Spite's pen. Oppressions base and woman's bonds rebound ; The culmic crisis jars the world around ; Conspirers dare their proven frauds to use ; Labor and letters claim the people's dues. 20 306 POEMS. Strange time 'twill be if Jesuits gain their quest, Rule reasoners with old rods, refuted texts, Which all constructions serve they're yea or nay, As suits the pious case to spare or slay. This when freeminded thousands glad unite To lift law, literature, to freedom's height ; When sciences with ethics pure combine, And schools aesthetic culture art divine — When Jew and Moslem, Bramin, Buddhist bright, Skilled orators and scholars erudite. Our free halls seek with frankly kind intent, To note the secular and social bent Of promised liberty, the progress made — This century's fruits, 'mid guile's unceasing raid ; Our spiritual growth observe, and well discern The mutual cheer we cherish by return. When sages of the nations thus exchange [strange Thought, knowledge, friendship dear, 'tis more than That lust for sway means power o'er earth to hold In the name of idols proven myths of old. Since ages dark of worse than savage force Broke in the fires that charred brave Bruno's corse, Progress has moved in more than marching pace, Till kindly intercourse connects each race. POEMS. 307 Those ages in full power consumed the worth Of sound and civil culture found on earth — Dispell'd enlightenment, and bound the mind In withes of dogmas thought's best gifts to blind. Wisdom of Greece and Ind. was mockery made ; Egypt's vast records old, in ashes laid; And every line that taught of free-born man And mental light, consumed or hushed in ban. But evolution wrought as evermore ; Mind read the stars, found paths from shore to shore ; Rocks served as books, deep pools sent up a sign ; Mounts rolled truths down, winds bore them on the [brine. The sixteenth century's mental beamings burst. In spite of Jesuits who the radiance cursed, So clear and strong, the Church its inquest closed, And scourged wdth scandal all who it opposed. The Science Era dawned, and beacons lit — Leaves from the press could telling rays emit ; Inventions whiled the months, and marked the years ; All things revived through man's abated fears. Far orbs were measured, mapped in size and place ; Laws learned that could compute aerial space — Machinery wrought where strength of muscle failed; Art rose akin to skill that erst prevailed. 308 POEMS. We're winged by simple steam o'er sea and land ; We turn electric currents at command, To fleet through air, beneath the rolling main, And to and fro report our message plain. The fire that flashes on the clouds in storms Our streets and halls illumes, our mansions warms ; From galleries speaks through tortuous passages ; And will erelong propel our carriages. Science bids sunlight copy chosen things ; Light makes things types, and quick the copy brings, Which art to life can paint, enlarge, retrace. And give the future this day's perfect face. The growth of commerce has been manifold ; Extent of luxuries may ne'er be told — Of dress that wrecks health, beauty, warps fine taste ; Of pageants mocking want with lavish waste. The masses, creed and fashion-bound, must needs Gush as blind worship untaught passion leads ; Nursed ignorance the body's care foregoes, And prejudice counts freedom worst of foes. Plain or ambiguous statutes guile makes null — Freethinkers still are vassals with the whole : Acceptance of false usage renders naught Practical influence of the noblest thought. POEMS. 309 Men are but free to grade and gather gold ; The Church absorbs the power in its wide fold That is by its fixed ways and measures sought — Holds styles, monopolies, trades, tricks outwrought Conformed to usage of the hierarchy, At best, our nation's but an oligarchy : The people, trained in ostracism's care. Catch at vainglory, the divisible share. Almost three hundred years great minds have plied Research to learn the truth and let it guide — Have taught philosophers a double scorn ; Scann'd human physics, fields occult conn'd o'er — And with the logic of all times to meet Grave wrongs, and garnished treachery defeat. Defenders of the right have firmly stood, Models of justice and true brotherhood. With them are women of expansive mind, And soul attuned to sympathies refined ; Tho' ne'er endowed with common leverage, They know the worth of equal privilege. For pure heredity, right rules, hygiene. Their voices plead, their pens have urgent been ; Yet few make wholesome laws of good avail ; Crowds bow to ton, and countless ills entail. 310 POEMS. So, customs, characters, the outcome clear Of Church, trade, king-craft blent, their offspring mere, Now stand as backers of each despot's cause, To wrench dear liberty from lives and laws. Aggressions cruel mark the struggle's course ; Constructions false procure illegal force ; And England's humane heroes sorely feel, Like ours, hard cells, for seeking common weal. These serious phenomena to solve In Science's light, by love, good-wills evolve, 'Mid hopes so fair of free life near and sure. Few have essayed the cause and seen the cure. Should the sore price, modern idolatry. Mocking our higher spirituality By base compulsion, be a penal fate For lack of vigilance in care of State — Of uses practical in habits true Our knowledge warned us widely to pursue, And cleanse to bodies firm and motives brave. The weaklings churched and charmed to snob and [slave, Such lack will lay as cause, omission great, Of earth's best chance its hosts to elevate. Hygiene neglected yields excess a place; Hence superstitions mutually embrace. POEMS. 3 I I Strength bears republics — in sound bodies based, Blooms in staunch minds by moral grandeur graced : Thus, sanitation is the first behest, And culture integral secures the rest. Obedience to trade-craft follies starts That draw the vigor from the nations' hearts ; But knowledge lived shuns hoardings that oppress, And wealth retains where all themselves may bless. Gladly I read the signs that truths are gained By which pure compacts rise and are sustained ; That men express good practical ideas ; And some e'en work, as well, void of vain fears. . Brave Adler's truth by deeds sustains its word ; Clear Oswald shows how was and is the world ; Calm Conway sees the need of ethics schools ; And many comprehend redeeming rules. Our press is mostly craven, caste-controlled. Or pledged to Mammon with persistence bold ; Some samples " Seek Truth," progress well support, And one frank honor claims by " Open Court." Science dispels the vanities and fears, As by true lives it healthy structures rears ; Its calendar can tone Conceit's^^rfe^e leav^en : The date now stands, two hundred eighty-seven. POEMS. MONUMENT IN MEMORIAM. A Lily Snowy White Its cup o'erflowed with Hght, And petals tippt with stars Brighter than blushing Mars, Is doubly due, as Emblem true, To crown a Monument, word-made, So pure no critic can invade. Profound esteem these mem'ries raise, By worth well earned. Truth has to praise Whate'er Edwin A. Tillotson wrought; Hence, must this page of pillared thought. Unselfish motives shown in deeds, Ripe reason used for highest needs. Refined in youth his nature all, As dews exhaled and flakes that fall. Early was he convinced that nothing less Than Justice, law ennobling, all could bless; And consecrating self to Equity, Sustained the hallowed cause of Liberty When persecution best reforms assailed. And weaker minds before its weapons quailed. His grave he wished devoid of sign, save smiling flowers, Whisp'ring of hope, peace, love, in summer's rosy hours. Chased marble wins for tombs no good regards desired. But dauntless virtues shrined in hearts are gems admired. Vainglory finds its meed in Lethean repose: Good deathless is, which Truth shall this Pedestal close. POEMS. 3 I 3 EXPLANATORY. The subject of the foregoing Monument was, and is, my faithful brother, a true friend of Progress and laborer for Justice. Having left no mental work in a form to preserve, I have chosen the three following effusions from his scrips, to make as lasting as my own. I also subjoin my ever-faithful Sister Fannie's much- admired and feeling Tribute to Tears, as worthy the notice of advancing thought. M. E. T. 314 POEMS. THE LIGHT OF LOVE. The sun may pour resplendent beams Around our pathway warm and wide ; Our being were a dreary theme, A frigid, ice-bound, winter stream, Without the Light of Love beside. Sweet Inspiration's Light Divine Might reverence claim or awe require : Without reflection from the shrine Of human Love, 'twould coldly shine. And fail to fan Devotion's fire. Pure Mental flame might grandly burn, And Star-eyed Science reign supreme ; Without the Light of Love in turn To stir his Thoughts on themes that yearn, Man's joys were speculation's dream. On Reason Woman's Love can shed A power more truths and laws to see ; And when earth's glowing rays are fled. And Soul-filled Love Light beams instead, All Science will exalted be. Edwin. POEMS. 315 MANNERS. 'Tis said that Manners makes the man ; Yet that's a proposition For szvclls to demonstrate— I can But hold it in derision. 'Tis clear, there are a sort of men, Made mostly by the fashion, Who, if none others lived— why then, Supreme their craven passion — For, brush away what is put on For this and that occasion, And all the man in view is gone. With such a slight abrasion. Nine-tenths of those we meet, who make What's termed the best appearance. Have studied that for but its sake— Of soundness they've full clearance. Manners in fops outgrow the man By their o'ershadowing vapor, Like cellar-sprouts that lay a plan To reach a crevice taper. 3l6 POEMS. Demeanor's something, but who takes Its show for test of being, Falls out with Nature's plan, and makes Vain gloss the helps in seeing. The power of Thought, the Vis Mentis, Is a consistent standard; Who cannot see it, thereby is Weak, Shallow, justly branded. Edwin. JUNE. Their hearts are old, or icy cold, Who in this leafy, laughing June, Smile not to see each plant and tree In verdure, blossom and perfume: When singing bird, and springing green With rapture heard, with joy are seen. Life hath its June — the heart in tune With Nature in her summer tim.e. Feels budding pure, and growing sure. The Hopes and Aims of blissful prime : Germ, leaf and blossom of the mind, Yield fruitage for its years refined. Edwin. POEMS. .317 TEARS. What is the lucid gem that flows From feeling's troubled ocean deep ? A soul-bequest unknown to those Who feel but just enough to weep. When Hope's despair the fountains seal Where surging tides for vent would flow^ Their waves around the heart congeal, And freeze from eye and lip the glow. Then Tears are as rich dews from heaven Upon the thirsty, withering flower — As manna to the wanderer given — To desert pilgrim, straying shower. When on the cheek where roses rest, For others' woes the pearls appear, They're heralds of a genial breast Sublimed by sympathy. Welcome Tears ! Fannie. 1 8 POEMS. FINIS. In closing this volume I say not farewell To pleasures of music and song that should swell Into restful accord, now disordered and small, Tho' souls feel abundance the due meed of all, And Reason says right rules can answer the call. My verse unpretentious a tribute assays To claims for brave action, demand of these days. Thought paintings are here, tho' faint pictures of mind, And glimpses of treasures all hearts yearn to find ; With clues to sore agonies forced into nerves. And burned into flesh that kind comfort deserves, [o'er, Keys to lessons are here, doubtless learned o'er and And lost in the struggles for conquest of yore, Ere strife that's recorded taught men to be knaves, And women knave's valets, and both craven slaves. The heinous oppression of epochs agone Survived, brother torture has preyed life upon Thro' centuries counted, known truth to suppress. And still right is powerless the wrongs to redress. Courage slowly evolves from submission to might; But nations are grappling with long brooding blight ; And progress is seen — special efforts avail — The strength of great motives some strongholds assail. POEMS. 319 The fear-palsied mass must be cultured to see That great change is wrought by each Httle degree ; First false habits mend which will good customs mold, Sound bodies supplying firm minds truth to hold Till vigilance gathers the power to be pure, And goodness, supplanting fraud, justice makes sure. So 'tis Education in Life's simple ways — In Nature ; and Science is scattering her rays. 'Tis Physique endowing, and character too. That basis provides for the noble and true : And it will be laid when the lovers of right, For human purgation in earnest unite, And steadfastly labor for Liberty's day Thro' brotherhood, sisterhood, equal alway ; Sanitation the measure insuring the sway. My earth-eyes would see sordid sceptres laid down — Sweet Mercy sustained 'stead of mitre and crown — See Temperance hale 'stead of loathsome excess. And harmonic Competence all peoples bless. Achievement so vast for this world may be won By unselfish kinship, a work just begun. For this do I labor, 'mid warped mortal sight, All cheerfully off'ring a hope-inspired mite; And since now expecting to aid when unseen, Say simply Good-by times and changes between. NOTICE OF MY PUBLISHED WORKS. POEMS, MISCELLANEOUS. Well bound; 320 pages, $1.00 LOVE AND TRANSITION. (Poetic.) An Epic and an Argument, pleading for proper changes through the exercise of Known Truth. On best paper, well bound in fine cloth and gilt ; 191 pages, .75 HISTORY OF WOMAN'S SCIENCE COSTUME MOVEMENT. The Events and Persecutions, Supplemented by Modern Mar- tyrdom. Fine paper, calendered binding; 132 pages, . . .25 PROGRESS vs. FASHION. Original Essay — Relation of dress to health. Fine paper; 32 pages, WOMAN'S WAY OUT. Opinions of many eminent authors on the great evils of fash- ionable dress, and vital necessity for rational clothing. Fine paper; 32 pages, .lo Reform has never touched a theme more demanded by all that is good in Humanity than that for removing the life-degrading and virlue- blightmg fashions that torture, deform and absorb woman. *i;pi r' r. ■r-t %. -< ^