JU \ f LIBRARY OF COXGRESS. * * 't -^Oopyi^. Vo.A.'ti^it^nAt^ .=^/Va. |I]NITED STATES OF AMEKICA.^j ,ui NOAH, Otsciei^ IPoiKinvcs By C. T. BATEMAN. V -'% ■^"^^ , ,.J ^<^* ^ords of Noah ; then return, Kelating to the assembled multitude The wonders of his journey; how was built With gopher wood the huge, unwieldly ark. To save a remnant from a threatened flood ; And how the architect is thought insane By all the wise within the land. Yet still The work progressed — the wonder of the world. But man woul4 not repent ; he scorned to yield To heaven's high decree. He listened not. But sneered at mercy's last and kindest call. King Goan, who reigned supreme o'er all the earth. And feared no human hand, however great, Resolved to see the ark. Determined thus. He came from far, and stood hard by and viewed It o'er, and thus with mocking words addressed 30 The architect : "Why do you build it here? Or will you launch upon this babbling brook Your awkward boat ; or will you harness to Your herd of sheep and kine, and draw it down To ocean's shore? 'tis only fifty leagues." Then answered Noah : " God, who rules the earth And sky, before whom angels bow and cast Their glit'ring crowns ; who built the starry sky ; Who uncreated and eternal lives Through all immensity, gave me the plan. And bade me thus to build. The doom of man Is sealed, for God will soon o'erwhelm the earth With deep, resistless flood, and when the sun Shall downward look upon the wat'ry waste, Within this ark, sole remnant of a world, We'll ride secure upon the rolling deep." " Art thou insane," replied the king, " to trust Thy specious dreams? 'Tis for thy certain doom Thy evil genius whispers thus. No flood Is nigh. The earth keeps on her wonted course ; The sun and moon and stars still rise and shine As bright as when creation's morn first beamed. And since our fathers died, still onward moves The world unchanged. Then fear no deluge great, No sudden change expect, and cease thy toil, As useless as a tower of sand high reared Upon the drifting desert plain. The God Who built the Universe beholds us not. Or if He does, cares not how we deport Ourselves on earth. He formed this mighty world And set it all harmonious moving through This vast ethereal space, and ruled by laws 31 As fixed as Grod himself, and now He finds A wider field of work, creating worlds Beyond the outmost verge of heaven's high And shining vault." " 0, king of all the earth ! Advise me not, 'tis God, I know, who bade Me labor thus. The earth is all corrupt. And God hath said the word. The end of flesh Is come. God reigns on earth, as well as rules The boundless universe. Omniscient one That knows the secret thoughts of every heart. His mercy, too, is great. His justice pure ; The day of mercy's past, and vengeance now Draws nigh." •' Well, then," says Goan, " if we must die, You too shall perish here with us. I'll pull Your building down, and hurl it in this brook, And let the fragments seaward glide. With us Shalt thou remain." " Oppose not thou the power Of God," said Noah, " His decrees are fixed. Attempt no rashness 'gainst the cherished work ; 'Twas built by God's command, and now He'll save It from thy threatening hand, and punish sore The impious head that dares resist His will." With angry, flashing eyes, Goan forward strode, And raised his giant hand against the ark. But vain was human power. A flash, a peal, And powerless the giant lay, struck down By swift descending thunderbolt. His limbs Were palsied by the shock, and, helpless now, The prostrate giant slow was borne away By guards, who faithful watched their smitten chief, Till came the flood and washed them all away. 32 PART IV. Sycam's Home in the Althean Hills — Entertains a Traveler from the West — News from Childhood's Home — Sycam Revisits his Native Land — Adventures vi^ith Robbers while Returning to his Home among the Althean Hills, Far eastward, where the fair Aurora leads Her dappled troupe before the rising sun, Amid the wild, romantic rocks, and glens, And wooded vales of Althean Hills, now dwelt Sycam. He long had been a hunter wild And free, that loved to roam abroad and see The wonders of the world. For Hanatha, His long lost sister, carefully he traced The winding stream, the burning desert trod, O'er verdant plains and snow-clad mountains passed, Till Providence had thrown her in his way. In search of wild adventure still he roamed 'Mid friends and foes, and nations far remote, Until he reached the Althean Hills. The view So fair, so pure the air, so rich the fruits, With swelling heart he cried, "My Home ! My Home ! Sweet hills and vales, and silver founts, henceforth Receive me as thy son," He settled there. And chose a faiiy lovely mountain maid To walk with him the chequered path of life. The happy hours swift glided by. At length A pilgrim traveler, worn and weary, came That way, and laid him down beneath the shade To rest his limbs. Unconscious of the sun's m )3eclining path, he slept till shades of eve Began to draw their lengthened shadows round, And stars began to gem the dusky sky, When Sycam passed that way, and saw the man In slumber wrapped. He wakes him from his sleep, And kindly bids him come and rest himself Within his tent, and then a bounteous feast He spreads. The stranger tells his travels o'er, While Sycam, pleased, inquires of the West, His native land. The stranger said he saw The river Ad, and traced it from its source. He oft had wandered through the lovely land 'Mid which it winds, "What news heard 'st thou whil, there?" Asked Sycam. "Strange events are passing now Within that land," said he. "A man has built A monster boat, an ark immense in size. It stands upon a plain, the hills behind, A brook in front. 'Tis built of shape unlike All ever seen by man. Three stories high, Three hundred cubits long and fifty wide. The door is in the side, a window made And finished from above. Within, without, 'Tis pitched. *The rooms are many, great the strength Of all the parts ; and now he gathers food Of every kind that's eaten both by man And beast. 'Tis almost six score years since first The man commenced the mighty work, the fame Of which is gone abroad through all the land From sea to sea, while nations dwelling far Remote, on sea-girt isles, amid the foam Of rock-bound shores, oft meet to hold converse 34 About the ark, and many travelers leave Their course and turn aside to view the sight. The giant, Goan, would fain have plucked it down, But bolts of heaven's swift, avenging fire. Descending, smote him down, and now he lies A helpless invalid. Some warlike men. Inflamed with hate against the architect. Essayed to take his life, but sudden fear Restrained their cruel hands, and brought to naught Their evil plans. His sons, with cheerful hearts, Assist him in his long-continued toil. He hired men to fell the forest trees And fit them for their proper place ; to saw The beams, to forge the bars and bolts, to help Him labor on the ark, until he spent His riches all, and now himself and sons Alone complete the almost finished work. The people dwelling there deride the man For laboring thus, and call him crazy fool. He says that God will soon o'erwhelm the earth "With deep, resistless floods, when all that breathe The breath of life shall die, excepting those Within the ark, and, to escape this flood, I fled far east, until I found myself Among these lovely hills, and now I go Still farther east, until I reach the Vergns That heavenward lift their glacial peaks on high, Above the clouds, the highest mountain known On earth, and there I'll wait, to see if floods Will drown the earth." " 'Tis strange indeed," replied His host. " Who is this man that builds the ark? "His name is Noah." "Noah !" Sycam cried, 35 '*I know the man. I knew liim when a child, A noble boy was he, as firmly fixed In virtue as yon moss-grown rock, o'erhung With ivy wreaths. My sister was his bride Long ere I saw these fearful deeps, or fed My flocks within this sweet, romantic vale, Or climbed those rugged cliff's. Long years have roll'd Away since first I pitched among these hills My tent. I oft have thought of all my friends, Whose dwellings stand hard by the far-off Ad, And wonder if they still remember me, The wanderer, that loved to roam abroad, Far o'er the wide, wide world. No tidings have I ever heard till thou, most welcome guest. Hath brought me word, and now thy speech Brings fond remembrance of the past, and soon I'll haste away to visit there once more. And see my native land again, and hear The words that loved ones still may speak, and look Upon tJie mighty ark, then bid my friends Adieu, and home return, to die with those I love the best; but come, lie down and sleep Till morn. The moon is rising o'er yon hill, The stars invite the prowling beasts of prey To seek their food ; the bat is on the wing ; The owl within that lonely glen begins His nightly song ; the dew has gently touched Each flower bell and quiv'ring leaf, and now 'Tis time to sleep. That couch, there spread, 'tis thine. They laid them down and sweetly slept, till morn, With gray light, swiftly chased the stars away, When up arose the stranger with his host. 36 And, soon prepared, the morning meal was served. Then onward, east, the traveler bent his steps With thankful heart ; for, in those days, kind hearts Were seldom found ; while Sycam soon prepared To travel westward, bade his wife and child Farewell. With trusty bow and quiver full, Hung o'er his manly shoulder, onward pressed : Broad rivers, mountains high, deep swamps, wide plains. And forests dark and wild opposed in vain. The howling wolf, hoarse barked upon his track, The lion in his pathway roared, and oft He heard the hissing serpent near, but safe At last he reached the eastern head of Ad, And now he builds a boat, and quickly glides Along the rapid stream, till gleams in view His native land. Once more upon that shore He stands. A few old friends still linger there, Who gladly grasp his hand, and welcome home The wanderer. Again he visited Those cherished spots where, in the morn of life, He used to spend the happy hours, but now He noted changes great. Beneath the shade Of bending willow trees, were lowly laid Some of his dearest friends, who calmly slept, Regardless of the strife that ruined earth. He dropped a tear in memory of the dead. And left them to their rest. He sought the ark. And gazed with wonder on its magnitude And novel form. He found the friendly home Of Noah, and his sister, Hanatha. The story of the ark was faithful'y told. The ruin of a sinful world, e'en now 87 At hand, predicted o'er. The}^ oft with kind Persuasive words ask Sycam to remain, And in the ark abide until the flood Were past, and earth once more be bright and fair. But Sycam answered, " No ; far, far away, 'Mid Althean hills, my dear and lovely wife With one sweet child, await with anxious hope My quick return. E'en now methinks I see Them as the setting sun withdraws his locks Of fire behind the many-tinted clouds That deck the western cliffs of rugged rock Which gird about her pleasant mountain home. Look out with steady gaze upon the plain Below, to catch a glimpse of my return. Death with the loved at home would be more sweet Than life, if they must die. I'll never leave Them there to die alone. I'll share their fate, Whate'cr it be." He bade them all his last Farewell, and with a saddened heart, he turned Away and left those valleys to return No more. Through perils oft he safely passed. Until at length he came where corpses fresh Lay bleeding from their ghastly wounds. The charred And ashy bones close chained to stakes, the tale Of cruel death and horrid torture told. He scarce had passed the bloody, dismal spot, When sudden burst upon his trembling sight A robber camp. He saw their fires, and heard Their demon revelry. With stealth he crept Away, still hoping to escape their hands. Although unseen by eye of man, a dog. With loud resounding yells pursued, and showed 38 His course. The barking hound soon overtook The flying Sycam, who a moment paused, And quickly from his bended bow he sent A barbed arrow quivering through his heart. Then onward sped him toward some rocky cliffs And wooded hights, that seemed a refuge nigh. The robbers pressed him hard, and gained so fast There seemed no hope, but with his arrows smote The foremost two, plunged headlong down the abyss. Soon Sycam found a dark and narrow chasm, Behind a thicket dense of underwood, And quickly clambered down within the dark And yawning earth. He heard their passing steps, But soon returned, they found his hiding place, And rolled a heavy stone upon its mouth. And left their victim in those dungeon cells To die a ling'ring death. He tried in vain To move the stone, until, exhausted quite. Upon the floor he sank. He lay Awhile in blank despair, but soon the thought Of anxious, waiting friends at home aroused Him from his dark and gloomy couch to seek Some other exit from the fearful den. His tinder box from its accustomed place He drew, and with his arrows made a torch ; And with his flaming brand he waud'ring searched Through limestone arches, paced the sounding halls, With white and glit'ring colonnade adorned. Or gazed on bloodless altars standing there, And listened to the echo of his voice. He sought in vain ; no passage could be found. So backward now his steps retraced, he found 39 At length the entrance, where he placed the brands, Still left, but hark ! he hears a whining noise Within a little cleft, before unseen. With care exploring slow the winding way. At last within a narrow cell he found Two tiger whelps, that mourned their absent dam. Again returned, he waited near the mouth, In hope that soon the dam, returned, would roll Away the stone that sealed his living tomb. Concealed within a narrow cleft he lay Awhile. At length the tigress came. Without Delay she strove to move the pond'rous stone. She tugged and growled, and lashed with furious rage Her heaving sides, but all in vain her strength. With one loud yell of disappointed haste, She sprang away. Her fierce, returning cry The rocks re-echoed soon, and with her heard Resounding, low and deep, her mate's loud roar Advanced. Quick springing on the rock with strength United, soon unbar the cavern's door. No sooner was the entrance free, than both The tigers sprang adown the yawning deep, And disappeared to seek their moaning young. Emerging from his hiding-place in haste, Quick Sycam scrambled through the cavern door, And once again in gushing sunlight stood. 'Twas but a moment ere his practiced eye Had marked his path, then onward swiftly fled Along his way. But soon the tigers' yell Was heard pursuing hard the fugitive. Forewarned thus, Sycam climed a lofty tree ; But ere they reached its foot, a herd of deer 40 Came bounding by. The tigers, tliirsting bloo^^. Beheld the timid herd of antlered prey Swift dashing through the thicket's tangled shade, And gave pursuit, while faint and fainter still The echo died. The shades of evening now Began to dim the forests old and gray, When Sycam lashed his weary body fast To limbs, and safely slept until the morn. When morning fully dawned, down Sycam came^ And on his journey safely passed. Still on And on, fatigued and travel worn, and oft In want of food, his toilsome journey pressed. At length, when many days and weeks were passed. Within the view of Althean hills he drew. With anxious, bounding heart, and eager haste. He hurried on. His waiting wife beheld Him coming from afar, and ran to greet Him with a joyous kiss, and arm in arm The happy pair returned. The strange events Now passing in the West, the dangers passed While on his journey there and back, were told. The approaching flood they deemed it best to meet Upon their own long-cherished hills, and die, If needs they must, where they had sweetly lived. 41 PART IV. Tokens of the Flood — Beasts and Birds Enter the Ark — Noah Enters with his Family, and Shuts the Ark against the Doomed — Fountains of the Great Deep are Broken Up — De- struction of Mankind — Fate of Sycam and his Family — The Waters Assuage — The Ark Rests on Mount Ararat— Noah and Family, Leaving the Ark, Build an Altar, and Sacrifice Thereon — God's Promise to Man. The day of vengeance now drew nigh. The ark, In all its parts, was now complete. Botli fore And aft, above, below, 'twas fully stocked With food of every kind that's eat by man Or beast. The sun, with dead and leaden stare, Down through the gloomy haze, faint looked. The air "Was still, and feeling strange came o'er the world, Like the sensation felt ere earthquakes burst, In awful ruin, o'er the shattered earth. Where once the zephyr, wafted on its wings Melodious strains, in silence hung the harp. The forests echoed not the wood-bird's song. While every wing was furled in dreamy sleep, Or cowered 'i>eatli some dark and gloomy shade. The beasts of prey forgot their midnight prowl. The cattle left uncropped the pastures green. The finny tribes, in deep mysterious depths Concealed, no longer sported on the wave. Mankind, astonished, ceased their busy strife. The earth awhile was dumb, and silence reigned Wide o'er the fearful scene. In anxious fear Or expectation dread, all nature stood. 42 At length, the living world, from stupor roused, The drama op'ed. By sevens or by twos The fowls, on noisy wing and clamor great, Swift came and sought, by help divine, their rooms. And following fast, in long procession, came, With stately march, the beasts that roamed those lands, The clean by sevens, two by two the rest. Still darker grew the atmosphere, and faint The murmers of the pent-up thunder groaned. At length, when Noah saw that all which God Had sent were safely housed within the ark, Pie entered with his fiithful house, and shut The door against the doomed. 'Twas done. The voice Of mercy cried no more, "Spare! Spare!'' Down poured At once the circling water- belts that girt The earth. The fountains of the mighty deep Were broken up. With mighty throes heaved strong The earthquake's shock. The ocean's briny surf Became a wide and shoreless waste, and drove Resistless on, far o'er the sinking plain, Its wild and turbid waves. The lofty hills. Firm-seated on their rock foundations, bowed Their heads and sunk beneath the troubled roar Of foaming, lashing billows. Every boat And water-craft were soon o'erwhelmed and sunk Amid the raging whirlpools, save the ark. Where steadily the waters came and bore It safely up. Amid the lightning's glare, And horrid crash of thunder, pealing loud. The screaming, cawing birds of heaven, the groans Of struggling, strangling beasts, the wrathful shrieks And piercing cries of man for help, were heard; 43 And as the flood increased, wltTi power untold, One universal wail of woe and death Went up to heaven from all the earth. The plains Where once the flocks and herds had fed, the whale Now lashed the boiling deep, and dashed the spray Along his foaming path, and where had roamed The tawny king of beasts, sea-serpents stretched Their slimy folds along, and hungry sharks Pursued their prey, and 'neath the grove where played The childish group, or maidens led the dance, Now sea-born monsters found a home. Both man And beast that 'scaped the first destr action, fled, And sought the cragged steeps and mountain hights, Which yet withstood the elemental war. Pale groups of men and women oft were seen To climb the rugged hights, and fiercely' strive To gain a foothold 'mid the gathered herd Of wild, half-strangled beasts, or fearful cling. With flut'ring fowls of air, to shrubs and trees, And watch, in anxious dread and dark despair, The raging surf beneath, while black above The heavens seemed to bend to earth, borne down With weight of water irresistible. The cold and \yretched beings, drenched in rain, Soon perished 'neath the overwhelming waves. Far off" in mountain home the deluge found Sycam and all his house. At its approach He seized his child, and with his consort fled. And climbed the loftiest peak of Althean hills, And waited there the swift approach of wild And raoino; waters, liftins: hvAi their dark And rolling billows, oft with white foam capped, 44 Or broke by sturdy rocks, tlieir dashing spray Higb flung, then swept around the moveless crags With roaring cataracts and whirlpools vast, Adown th' unmeasured chasms plunged, then up Again the troubled waters seemed to climb. Till all around was one vast, boiling sea. Of human kind, alone they stood, and down They looked upon the awful scene below. They saw the mountain deer, the panther fierce. The howling wolf, hard struggling in the flood, Till 'mid the angry surge their last faint gasp Was hushed in death. The eagle, dove and hawk, And every bird of heaven, sought the peaks, Uncovered yet, to rest their drooping wings. Still upward rose the swelling deep, and one By one the mountain bights were covered o'er. Still as a statue Syeam stood, his world. His all, his wife and child, he held in close Embrace, and calmly gazed below. 'Twas done. The rising wave now wets their feet, the next Still higher rises, but the rock begins To shake ; the lightnings o'er them fiercely glare ; The earthquake groans beneath ; with one great heave The rock quick sank within the wat'ry deeps. One agonizing shriek rang through the air. Then all was still ; again a cry was heard. Upon a crested billow rose the child. Fast clinging to a floatiog fragment, won From forests conquered by the aqueous hosts, And as the current bore it on the wave, Far o'er the boundless waste went mournfully Its dying wail, and 'mid the howling blast 46 Its echoes died. No hand was there to save. On heavenly wings the angels bore away Its pure and ransomed spirit, freed from earth, To happier realms on high. A flower plucked From 'midst the choking weeds of sinful earth, And planted 'midst celestial flowers, reared In God's resplendent paradise, to bloom In peerless glory through eternity. Excepting those within the ark, the race Of man was now extinct, but still the rain In torrents fell, and upward, high, still rose The angry surge. The bird of airy flight, With heavy, drooping wings, no [)lace could find To rest its weary pinion, 'neath the dome Of Heaven. One by one, upon the wave, They fell to rise no more. So likewise died, At length, and last of all, the water-fowl. Exhausted by the cold and chilling storm. For forty days the rain abated not. Till fifteen cubits high, above the peaks Of loftiest hight, the waters ceased to rise. Then broke and rolled away the cloudy pall That long had wrapped the earth in dreary gloom. Again the sun, with full efi'ulgence, shone Upon the floating ark, to cheer the hearts Of those within its wooden walls. The winds. With strong and steady breeze, passed o'er the waves ; The heavens ceased to pour their watery floods ; The fountains of the mighty deep were sealed. Again the watery hosts, retreating, sought Their ancient beds. When seven months were past, The ark safe rested on the rocky clififs 46 Of Ararat. The waters still decreased Until ten months were j^ast, when mountain peaks Were seen to lift, above the watery waste, Their rugged sides. When forty days yet more Were past, a raven Noah sent abroad, To see if earth were dry, which to and fro Eeturned until the waters ceased to rage On earth. He also sent a dove, which found. Beneath the concave vault of heaven, no place Of rest, no groves of forests green, nor glens With shady bowers, rich in golden fruits, As she was wont to find, whereon to stoop From flight and rest her weary wings, so back, Far o'er the craggy peaks of Ararat, On airy pinion borne, again she sought The ark, and hovered round till Noah heard Her gentle coo, and in the ark received The bird. Again, when seven days were passed, He sent her forth, and lo ! when she returned, Plucked off, an olive leaf she brought, to tell The joyful news that earth was dry. The sole Survivors of the ancient world prepared To leave, 'mid mountain wilds, the ark which long Had sheltered them from chilling blasts and storms, And safely borne them o'er the brin}^ surge. Of all the nations known in days of old, But eight alone, of human race, remained To beautify the dreary plains of earth, Renew the race of man, and rear again The prostrate cities of their ancestors. In morning's ruddy glow, while golden beams 47 Of sunlight streamed o'er every spot, or liigt, Or low, the vale, the rock, the cliff, the glen, With tints of sweet and varied hue, they leave The ark, and down the mountain side descend With joyful songs of praise, and when they reach The plain an altar build, and 'mid the wreaths Of curling smoke and flame, the incense sweet Of sacrifice accepted rises up. God smelled the savor as it rose, and thus To Noah spake : "I'll curse the earth no more Because man's thoughts are evil still, but give Him power oer all the earth, and all that live In sea, or land, or sky. Be fruitful, then. And multiply, and when thou see'st on high Yon beauteous rainbow shine amid the clouds, It is the token made that earth no more I'll drown, but while the steadfast mountains stand The blooming spring, the summer's golden grain, The autumn, rich with ripened fruits, and snows Of winter's piercing blast, shall never fail." PART IV. The Earth Re-peopled — Noah's Home — His Gardens and Fields- Noah's Vision of the Future. In after years, when earth began to smile, With all her lovely plains fair-clad in robes Of brighter green, with vineyards rich, and groves 48 Of vision fair, with pastures covered o'er "With flocks and herds of various hue and kind, When men began to multiply, and spread Abroad, and beautify the earth anew; When, sounding loud far o er the lee, was heard The hunter's horn; or by the flowing rill, Where slept the sated flock beneath the shade, The shepherd's lute prolonged its sweetest notes, And artists rang their busy blows, where rose The cities, gay and splendid palaces ; Then Noah lived in rural quietude. Surrounded by his broad and fertile fields. He reared his cottage home amid the palms That proudly raised on high their tow'ring crests. He planted vineyards on the mountain slopes. And by the riv'let's lucid wave he spread His garden out, with beauty unsurpassed. There sylvan walks meandered through the bower With many a circling way, that often led Where flowers bloomed in bright array, and oft Among the scented groves, where sang the birds In joyous glee, and eft where thicket dense Obscured the distant view of silver pools, That gleamed amid the forest trees, or oft By sudden turn revealed some new delight, To charm the 'wildered mind ; the rugged rock, The sculptured urn, the fair arborian seat. The limpid stream, where played the bright-ey'd fish, The cavern's yawning mouth, with ivy wreathed. The cascade, with its white and frothy foam : Amid these charming scenes, with friends he loved. 49 He spent the quiet evening of his days. His sun, undim'd, went down with cheerful glow, But, ere the twilight faded, visions broke Upon his soul. The wondrous future passed Before his eyes. He glanced along the course Of time, and saw the stream of life descend Until it mingled with and lost itself Within the. dread and mighty deeps of Grod's Own infinite, unknown eternity. The day was fair ; a few bright, fleecy clouds, O'er heaven's deep bosom, floated calmly on. With gentle beam the sun was sinking down The concave blue. Within his garden bound. As, lured by varying scenes, the patriarch walked, Until he came where brook and cascade played In silver sheen, and on the mossy brim Reclined, and, soothed by murmuring sounds, he slept. In vision fair he saw the nations rise In mighty strength, and quickly pass away. He saw where Egypt built her fanes along The wond'rous Nile, where glorious Thebes arose With lofty pride, and sent her conquering sons To ravage earth.* He looked again. He saw But smold'ring ruins left to mark her grave. He saw where Babel reared her solid walls. The ruined gates, where Ninus reigned of old ; Where Judah's host safe passed the Red sea's flood, Were Grecian phalanx o'er the Eastern world Resistless swept. He looked again. Proud Rome Essayed to rule the world. Her legions fierce Went forth and smote the earth from sea to sea, 50 And o'er the yeasty waves tliey passed, to seek Beyond the deep, new realms unconquered yet. . He saw celestial light from heaven shine On Judah's sleeping plains, when angels sung Seraphic strains, and all the heavenly host Adored God, who sent His only son^ To save a world condemned. He saw the sun Refuse to shine on Calvary's crimson brow, When darkness spread her raven wing on high. And conscious nature quaked till solid rocks Were rent, and ghastly corpses walked the streets. He saw where Pagans knelt at bloody shrines ; Where tyrants forged their galling chains, and sought To quench the last dim spark of liberty. AVhere freeborn souls in manhood's lofty pride. Aroused by wrongs repeated oft, arose And spurned the yoke prepared for slaves, and bought With noble blood the boon of equal rights. On every sea, and o'er the stormy main, Where'er the sun's refulgent beams he saw, The gleaming sail, the plunging wheel, and where The land in beauty lay, embosomed round With shining floods ; he saw the fiery train That swiftly swept along the iron way; The forked lightning's touch, the magic nerves That bind the world in close embrace. Still on, As ages rolled away, the picture changed. Until before the bright array that fought Beneath Emmanuel's flag, he saw the hosts Of error yield, and fly in wild dismay: Apolyon with his demon aids ; lewd lust 51 That spread a blighting mildew o'er the earth, Oft leaving wrecks of happy homes once bright With flames of love, as pure as pearly drops Of dew within the flower-bell, and oft It crushed the bleeding heart and left it dead, As dead to good or ill as ashes trod Beneath the feet. Hypocrisy, concealed In garments fair, with double face, and lips That utter lies — a secret foe that strikes Uuseen ; unfeeling bigotry, blood-stained And cruel ; avarice, urging man to grind To earth, for fading wealth, the poor and weak ; Malicious envy, with its hateful form. And superstition, dark and terrible, That binds to earth th' aspiring soul of man, And fills his empty brain with boding fear, With omens dire, with ignorance deep and gross. And from the heart the light of truth shuts out. Satan, bound in chains, within the realms Of blank despair was thrust. Then Bethlehem's Bright star th' ascendant proved, and from the sky Transcendent beamed, while millions gladly hailed Its rise. Then "Peace, sweet nymph, with all her maids, A fair and happy throng, resumed her home On earth, while fled abashed, with all his hosts Of blighting, blasting ills, relentless War. The mighty counsellor, the Prince of Peace, Then ruled the earth with mild, benignant sway. The grim and ghastly idols, long adored By Pagan nations, shrined in marble domes And temples glittering bright, in golden hues, 52 Or lifted up upon some gentle higlit, Beneath the tow'ring grove, were tumbled down From their polluted seats, and left to waste Away and mingle with the smoldering dust Of those who vainly worshipped at their feet. The Carthagenian no longer hurled His child in cruel Moloch's scorching flame ; The Hindoo mother fed the crocodile No more in Ganges' sacred stream. The car Of Juggernaut, beneath its pondrous wheels, No more the prostrate victim crushed. Beyond The ocean's broad expanse, where coral isles Arise, the heathen fanes were ashes made, And where the halls of Lenochtitlon once, With column arch, and architrave bright, glanced Far o'er Teycucoe's silver flood, and sat Entranced amid the water's glossy smiles. Which mirrored back the teocollis walls Of burnished white, the sacrificial drum With mournful notes of death's deep rumbling sounds No more within the happy vale. No more The bloody Aztec carves the quivering heart From bleeding human victims. Mecca's tomb. Once sacred held by Ishmael's wandering race, Where moslems fain would turn the prayerful face. When from the mosque's high gilded towers rang, Muezzin's cry has long forgotten been. Across the arid plains and desert sands. Where poisonous winds and wild tornadoes whirl Aloft in fatal clouds the whisking sands, No long black lines of pilgrims now are seen 53 Slow winding toward Coaba's holy stone. The mojian's sacred fire is cold and dead In Persia's broken shrines, and infidels, No more blaspheming, fought against the light, But all the universe the God of love Adored. All nature seemed to chant aloud His notes of praise — the quivering leaf, the reed, Slow waving in the wind, the flower's bloom, The meadows green, the mountain's cloud-capped peak, The water's dimpling smiles, the rolling wave. White crested on the ocean's blue, the tints That paint the gorgeous clouds, the sun and moon And all the mystic host on high, that dance, With flaming torches 'long the milky way, With song and shout, proclaimed millennial day. 54 POCAHONTAS INTRODUCTION. The time was once, in tlie days of the past, When tall trees waved in the wild sweeping blast. Untouched, uninjured, all over our land. From pine-clad Maine to Pacific's far strand. The streams undammed, were rebounding along With foam and spray, and sweet murmuring song, Through lawn and meadow, through forest and dale, With fish emblazoned in bright silver mail. Unmoved, unruffled by wheel or by sail. The lakes were swelling with only the gale, Or trembled under the birchen canoe That lightly bounded the billows of blue. Bright ores were sleeping far down in the earth, Untouched,^ unknown from creation's first birth ; The swamp, the plain' and the high rocky steep, Were resting quiet in nature's deep sleep. The antlered stag and the light-skipping fawn Were fed and pastured on meadow and lawn; On Western prairies wild buffalo fed, Or slept unharmed by the life-seeking lead. The bird of song, through forest and plain, Ke-echoed loudly his musical strain ; While geese and cranes were pursuing the streams, Bald eagles were dancing in golden sunbeams. 55 The blue smoke curled from the forest and field, Where camp-fires gleamed, and the red maiden kneeled; The light canoe was then skimming the wave, And hills resounded with shouts of the brave. The warrior, crowned with the feathery plume. Lay ambushed low, in the darkness and gloom. Or sped him on where the tomahawk gleams. And blood is gushing in crimson red streams. Well armed with arrows, the hunter then strayed O'er hill and dale, where the spotted fawn played. Where thick and high the wild grapevines were hung, And clustering fruits from the treetops were flung. Those days are past, and the red man is gone; The bear, the elk and the dear are withdrawn; Retiring back to their primitive clay. The grand old forests have crumbled away. Where wigwams dotted the forest-clad plain, The winds now wave the rich harvests of grain, And cities rise with high steeple and dome, Where bright and glowing the council-fires shone. The herds are lowing where bubbles the rill. The streams are turning the grain-burdened mill. The lakes and rivers are gleaming with sails, And cars are whirling on strong iron rails. The white men claim the fair land of the West, While red men, striving in vain for rest. Have said farewell to their dear native land. And sought the sunset's far, wave-beaten strand. 56 PART I. The sun was sinking down the Western steeps, And throwing far amid the opening trees Its glancing beams, or lighting up the streams And lakes with many a glowing tint. Harsh winds were howling 'mid the leafless boughs, And creaking trees were swaying to and fro. Or rattling 'gainst each other's shaggy trunks Their icy twigs, that shone in sunset light Like myriad points of bright and flashing steel. The moldering flowers of summer, cold and dead, Beneath a thin and snowy shrouding lay Unseen ; in fierce and startling chorus rang The far-resounding howls of shrill-toned wolves. And echoed o'er the stern and wint'ry scene. Yet on and on, unmindful of the prey That leaped athwart his winding trail, An Indian hunter sped. His bow, unbent. Hung o'er his shoulder, near his quiver, filled With many a feathery shaft. In girdle swung His tomahawk of stone, while waving helm Of many a nodding plume hung o'er his brow. Still on he pressed, beneath the lofty trees Now lightly bounds the rivulet's icy flood, Now circles round the rugged, moss-grown rock, Or quickly mounts the intervening bights, Till Jamestown's wooden walls were seen to glow In setting sun's resplendent beams of gold. The Indian stood before the wondering whites, And made a sign of peace with waving hand. 57 At once wide open swung the massy gate, And men of England gathered near to hear Whate'er his word might be. The Indian passed The threshold bound, while in his hand he held A written note. With wondering eyes they read That Captain Smith now dwells a captive bound Amid the tribes of warlike Indian braves Who dwell at Orapakes and Younghtanunds; At Mattaponies and Piankatanks, Nantaughtaounds, on Rappahannock's stream, And ruled by Opecancanough, a chief Of power great — a warrior cunning, bold, And in Powhattan's councils second deemed. By Smith's request, rare gifts are soon prepared To please the savage chief and sooth his wrath. They take the glittering bead, the shining blade, The painted scarf, the black and nitrous grain, The blanket wove with many a gorgeous hue, To purchase Smith's return. The messenger Received their gifts, and homeward bent his steps. By moonbeam's pale aad doubtful light he passed, With careful step, along the winding trail, Until he reached the Indian's distant camp. That camp was bright with many a blazing fire, While warriors, elad in wild, fantastic garb. Danced round their chieftain, Opecancanough. The messenger approached his warrior chief, And at his feet the package laid, and said : ^'0, father, see ! to thee the pale faee sends These gifts, a rich reward, and well deserved, For many noble deeds that thou hast done, And now they ask that mercy may be shown 6 58 To yon pale prisoner bound, within your camp." "Enough, enough," the chieftain cried, "I take The gifts. Arouse ye warriors, brave and true, Pile on the wood, nor spare the faggot heaps. On, on ! with shout and song and joyful dance. Bid sleep good-by, and let him haste to lands Less blest than ours, until to-morrow's sun Has kissed the western clouds one more adieu, And then sweet sleep shall be our welcome guest." Now higher bursts the red and forked flame, With glaring light and circling wreaths of smoke, And spangles high the heav'n with glowing sparks. The dusky forest sons, with paint begrimed, And gaily decked, with high and waving plumes, And armed with bows and clubs, again renew The warlike dance, until the welkin seemed To rock beneath their wild and fearful shouts. Thus danced the Indian throng to music wild, To rattles fierce and stern, heroic song. With quick and hurried tramp, with warwhoop ring. With clanging blqws they paint the battle fray; With steps retraced, with laugh and taunting word, With fire-brands hurled, and torches swung on high, They show how captives died in tortures fierce. Now slow and mournful steps in turn succeed. With doleful chants, which tell of noble death, And burial scenes, when bloody strife was o'er. Again the scene was changed. Beneath their spoil, With bending forms and struggling, halting steps. They seem with toil to wind their homeward way, Until the gladsome shout announced at home The battle's won, and war has ceased its rage. 59 Thus each one urging youth to glorious war And noble death, that opens wide the gates Of Western Paradise, where brave men live In all the exciting joys that Indians love, Sang loud his daring deeds of might, or praised His father's wondrous feats of olden time. The moon had sunk behind the giant oaks That loomed against the western sky; the stars Grew pale and faded dim in morning's gray, Ere Indian crowds had ceased their joyful dance. With rising sun they lead the captive bound To great Powhattan, mighty king of kings, Who dwelt at Werowocomoco town. PAKT II. Despair, and gloom, and death, now reigned supreme In Jamestown's dreary homes and empty streets, While hostile Indians watched, with eager eye, To stain their critel hands with English blood. Sore famine pressed, with harsh, unsparing hand, The thinned and weakened band, and sickness, too, With ghastly forms, still added deeper woes. As if to make destruction yet more sure, And blot from human ken their names and deeds. Dissension hot and discord fierce were rife. In groups, collected here and there, they stood, And talked of merry England's sea-girt isle. Her lofty, rock-crowned shores and emerald fields, 60 Her busy streets and splendid palace halls. Her deeds of glorious mi<>;ht in days of yore, Her power, that sways the thrones of nations great, And rules the dark and stormy ocean wave. With sighs they spake of social ties destroyed, Of happy homes, of household bands, of hearts That throbbed with deep and changeless love, all left For wild and savage shores, for cruel want And unremembered graves. They watched the sky, That seemed to darker grow with gathered storms. And talked of Captain Smith, their gallant chief. Whose fate was yet unknown. While thus they spoke A sunbeam broke through rifted clouds, and threw A golden flood of sunshine o'er the scene, As if to cheer the sad and gloomy soul ; And ere its glow had died on land and stream. Emerging from the grand old forest depths. They saw an Indian band come forth, and mount The gentle bights along the river bank. Among that savage horde of painted braves, With bounding heart and joyful step, came Smith. A hearty welcome met the daring man. Who seemed as one returned from moldering grave To bless on earth once more his living friends. To keep his word to King Powhattan giv'n, A heavy millstone, with two culverins, Was laid before the tall and painted braves, To bear their king, but when they felt their weight, And saw what wild effect their fires made. They, trembling, stood aghast, and feared to touch Such dangerons gifts. With presents rich and rare The Indians sought once more their forest home, 61 While Smith, to wond'ring friends his story told. "Far up the river's narrow, winding stream, Where dark and awful forest shade shuts out The blaze of day; where dusky shadows flit Along the dim-lit aisles and woodland halls; Where Indians love to chase the panting stag ; Where rocky gorges roar with bubbling founts And tumbling cataracts, where marshes spread Their damp and tangled thickets far around, And op'ning glades revealed the azure sky, We went. The antlered deer beheld us pass. Then plunged, with leap and bound, mid forest wilds, And disappeared ; the bear and panther gazed In silent awe, or fled our near approach ; The red man cast, from ambush wild and deep, His furtive glance, preparing snares and wiles For our devoted lives. At length the stream Became so choked with fallen trees, the boat I left, and with me went an Indian guide. At once a flight of arrows hurtled by, Loud whoops and yells burst through the forest wilds; From every bush, and tree, and moss-grown rock, A warlike birth of Indian foes leapt forth. They quailed before my quick and fatal fire, Until, by cold and treacherous bogs o'ercome, I yielded up my arms. Then, having drawn Me forth and washed my chilled and mired limbs. They bound me fast against a rugged oak, And drew their bows and stuck their arrows close Around my quiv'ring limbs, until their chief, Fierce Opecancanough, held up to view My compass, source of strange surprise. At once 62 They ceased tlieir cruel sport, and homeward led Their pris'ner bound. Through forests old and gray, O'er deep and winding streams, and rocky hights. Where Indian wigwams rise and blue smoke curls, We passed, until we came where Orapakes Were wont to build their council fires, and hold Their dances round the bloody scalps of war. From place to place, in savage triumph led, They brought me where Opitchapam resides. With feast, and dance, and song, the days flew by. Around me, placed within a circle drawn Of meal, with many strange, mysterious rites, A band of powwows, dressed in hairy hides. Bedecked and trimmed with skins of weasels, snakes And birds, with horrid incantations danced. When thus disarmed of all demoniac power, By potent arts and wizzard spells, they led Me where Powhattan dwells, the mighty king, Who rules supreme, with wide-extended sway, O'er nations wild and fierce. His palace hall At Werowocomoco town we found. Where rules in grandeur wild this native king. In raccoon furs enrobed, he calmly sat Upon a lofty throne. On either hand A fair young maiden sat ; behind, in rows, Stood painted girls, with beads and feathers decked. Two hundred tall dark guards, in warlike mien, With faces painted red, and nodding plumes. Were ranged around the wide and spacious halls. At my approach a shout re-echoed loud Along the palace walls, and sent a thrill Of terror through my heart. Apamatuck, 63 The queen, became my waiting maid. She brought Me water from the pure and sparkling fount, And gave me rich repasts. Matoax, too, Powhattan's fair and lovely daughter, called Sweet Pocahontas; strove, with childish love, To soothe my lot. Around Powhattan's throne At length a council sat of noble chiefs. To smoke the calmet pipe of peace, and seal The pale-faced prisoner's fate of life or death. Pamunkey's tall and warlike king arose, The cruel Opeeancanough, and said ; " 0, Brothers ! we have heard our king's command To make our council fires burn bright again ; To smoke the calmet pipe of peace, and seal The white man's fate ; then, brothers, let me speak What I have seen, and counsel bearing words Repeat. I saw the white man's gleaming sail From o'er the big sea-waters come, and reach The red man's native strand. They came on shore; They took our land, without the red man's leave ; They drove our game with frightful arms afar Within the miry swamp or forest dense. Here, bound, you see the white man's bravest chief. We found him where the Chickahominy flows, With none to save him from our vengeful grasp. As warrior brave beats off his deadly foe, He made the red man bleed. Three youthful braves Hath felt his daring power. Three fathers mourn Their sons, who press their bloody beds and sleep The sleep that knows on earth no waking morn. Methinks I hear their blood cry out, revenge ! The breeze blew softly by and sighed, revenge ! 64 The waters' gurgling broke a hoarse revenge f The storm-winds rushed in furious rage, and roared^ Amid the bounding, crashing trees, and screamed A fierce revenge. Sweet sleep embraced nay limbs ; Their spirits came and looked with mournful gaze Within my eyes, and then with silent lip They point the cold and shadowy finger down Where yet unstained the towahawk was placed. In viewless air the vision faded dim, Yet left its impress deep upon roiy heart. My counsel is for death and bloody war. Is not this land our father's land ? Are not Their honored graves within these sacred groves ? Have they not left these happy shores for us, And shall we let the white man seize our homes ? Nay, nay ! but grasp the tomahawk, and hurl To earth, with bursting crash, the tree of peace, And drive the white man o'er the swelling sea." He ceased, and others spoke. Some counseled peace^ With friendly intercourse, and others war. With look majestic, rose Powhattan then. And thus addressed the Indian chiefs i "• O, Brothers ! more than seven hundred Dioons Have waxed and waned since first I saw the. sun, I've seen our fathers die, and leave this land, Enriched with sacred tombs of honored sires. We, too, have traced the warrior's distant path ; Have met the foe in many a bloody fray. And homeward bent our steps with glory crowned ; And shall we recreant prove, and let these men From England's distant shore possess our land? I tell you, no. I'm growing old and weak; 65 Ere many summers more shall come, my voice Will cease to cheer my fearless warriors on ; My form is bending toward my fathers' graves ; My locks, once blacker than the raven's wing, Are growing white. I'm like a lofty tree, Beneath whose spreading boughs and ample shade My people long have sat in deep repose ; But wint'ry storms, and bursting thunderbolts From dark and riven clouds, hath killed its boughs, And stripped its verdure off. Soon death Will hurl it down to earth, in ruin vast. Beneath another tree shall red men sit. Powhattan soon shall be no more on earth. 0, Brothers I hear my counsel. Never trust The white man's crafty word ; his lips are sweet, His words like honey flow ; but bitter thoughts Are in his heart ; his eye is hungry now For Indian soil and Indian prey. This man ,Hath shown himself a dread and dangerous foe : Then let him die, ere power he gains once more To do us harm. Then let the Indian braves Prepare for war again, and free our land. Thus may we Jeave, when we are gone from earth To spirit realms, beyond the sunset clouds. To worthy sons our happy fatherland." He ceased, and all the council, crying death, Arose, while Pocahontas begged her sire. With tearful eyes, to spare the captive's life. 'Twas all in vain. They led me trembling forth, And laid my head upon a rounded stone, While in a circle round me stood, well armed W^ith clubSj a numerous throng of stalwart chiefs. 66 Within the circling crowd, with heavy club, Pawhattan stood, to deal the fatal blow. My hurried thoughts glanced o'er the vista past, When dangers hovered thick around my path In foreign lands, and death's bright falchion flashed Above my head, yet fell on other brows. Sure God hath saved me oft in perils dread, On land and deep, but then no ray of hope Across my dark and gloomy vision glanced. I breathed a prayer to Him who rules from high The boundless universe. The brawny arm Was raised ; high o'er my head the death stroke hung Yet ere it fell, sweet Pocahontas sprang Within the throng, and threw around my neck Her twining arms, and gazed, with silent lip And tearful eye, upon her father's face. His stern look quailed ; the firm lip quivered then ; That high uplifted arm sank slowly down. Powhattan strove to hide his weakness shown ; He gazed upon the dusky crowd round ; He saw that pity , marked each glist'ning eye ; Then melted down his cold and icy heart. From earth he raised his weeping child, and cut In twain the thongs that bound my captive limbs. The fatal word Powhattan then recalled That sealed my doom ; at once became My friend, yet still retained me where he ruled The Indian tribes, and taught me how to form The barbed shaft, the light, elastic bow. The glit'ring bead that maidens love to wear, The calmet pipe of peace, or wampum belt. They promised Indian name and Indian wealth, 67 An Indian maid and sachem's lofty fame, And home in Werowocomoco's halls, If I would deign to join the warlike throngs. And aid to crush their English foes, and seize Their wond'rous arms. In vain were all their hopes. I could not traitor prove to Albion's sons. Though by their hands I oft had suffered wrongs, Sad wrongs, still unredressed and oft renewed. I longed to end my dreary captive hours. And once again the air of freedom breathe. In friendly intercourse the days flew by. Powhattan spoke with glowing tongue of tribes And nations dwelling far remote, and said: " Not far north-west, on many a deep, broad stream, The Rappahannocks live, a num'rous tribe Of warrior's strong. The Massawomekes Pursue, on many a wild and fertile plain, Their bounteous game, or skim the sparkling streams With light canoe. Powhattan 's warriors know How sharp their arrows are, how strong their arms That wield the tomahawk, how swift their feet That seem to spurn the humble grassy plain. Still further north, where rocky wood-crowned hights And gorges deep, and shady dells are found. And fountains bright of bubbling waters gush. The Andirondacks live. Still further north And west, o'er hunting grounds of vast extent. Of valleys deep, of mountains high and steep. With purling rills and rivers rolling floods. Where lakes embosomed gleam among the hills, The Onondagas, Senecas, Mohawks, Oneidas and Cayugas roam unharmed. 68 In closest union joined, by ns called The fearless Aganuschioni tribes. Far westward, toward the setting sun's decline, Are mountain peaks that upward rear to heaven Their snow-plumed cliffs. The eagle, glorious bird, That floats amid the thunder-riven clouds, Here builds his nest on high and beating crags, And plays amid the fires that glowing stream Along the sky. Around their bases broad Are rocky dells, with dark, tremendous chasms. Where sunlight never beams, and yawning caves Where mountain panthers den. The waterfall Here roars, and downward leaps with misty smoke And fearful crash upon the rocks below. Here stood, in olden time, a burning mount, Whose forked flames went up like fiery tongues To lick the stars, while in its rolling smoke The moon in ambush lay. By night its flames Shed horrid glare far o'er this wond'rous land, While dreadful thunders roared with deaf'ning sound. At length the' mountain burst, and heaved afar Its fragments o'er the burned and blackened waste. Then caverns, dark and deep, were open thrown. And from their awful depths at once came forth The fearless Aganuschioni men, A glorious eagle stood upon a rock ; Within his talons arrows tipped with flints Were firmly held. His glit'ring wings unfurled, He whirled aloft, on swooping pinion borne. Then sank, with many a circle, down where stood The wond'ring Aganuschioni tribes. Around a sachem chief he circled oft. 69 And on his noble crest an arrow placed, Whose point was toward the bright and rising sun ; Then slowly mounting high, he eastward plunged To greet the morning light, until his form Was lost within the glowing eastern sky. They hailed with joy the heavenly omen given, And over plain and stream, far eastward took Their tiresome course. In vain the hostile tribes Opposed their onward march ; they fell or fled In wild dismay before their dauntless braves. Still on and on they passed, until they saw Where shone in setting sun's refulgent beams, As fair as sleeping maiden crowned with flowers, A lovely lake. They marched along its shores ; They saw the bounding stag, the climbing bear. The waters thronged with waterfowl and fish. And heard the turkey's distant voice resound, Sweet mingling with the busy hum of bees, And songs of birds amid the verdant groves. In rapt delight they gazed around ; a speck. Like some bright star from heaven's sapphire dome, Upon a sunlight cloud, was seen on high. And as they watched the gleaming speck, they saw It sinking swiftly down with circling flight ; And whilst it hovered o'er their heads, they knew That eagle form, that strange, mysterious bird With arrows armed, whose omens led them far, And hailed the sight with loud resounding shouts That echoed wide along the rippling shores. The eagle stooped and thrust an arrow deep Within the earth, and northward sped his flight And disappeared. Upon this chosen spot, 70 Where lake Oneida ever rolls its waves, They pitched their camps, and fixed their changeless home. Their names are feared by nations far away. And all are glad to smoke with them the pipe Of peace, and seek their distant homes afar. Still further north and west, vast lakes are seen. Whose mighty billows roll their foamed-capped waves, When storm-clad spirits leap from heaven's towers, And roaring, plunge within their wat'ry depths, Resistless 'gainst their far-extended shores. The Eries, Hurons, Wyandots here shoot Their bounding barks along their wave-rocked shores. Far westward. Sacs and Foxes chase their game Through varying scenes of prairies wide and rich, Of shady forest grove and winding stream. Both south and west, the red men throng the wilds That stretch in vast extent along the sea, Or under mountain shade, 'neath western skies. The Tuscaroras and the warlike Creeks, The Shawnees, Chickasaws and Cherokees, And other tribes, the happy plains possess. Still further west, beyond these nations' bounds, A mighty river rolls its whelming tide From northern lakes and far off" western plains, To join the ocean's deep and boundless main. 'Tis said that long-haired nations roam afar O'er treeless plains that wave with bending grass, To hunt the buffalo that often feed In herds so vast the eye can see no spot Where ends the living mass that surges on Like swelling waves on ocean's briny deep. 'Tis said that rugged rocky mountains rear Above the dark and misty clouds, tlieir peaks That ffleamino; shine with snow's eternal frost. While further still, with loud and endless roar, A vast and mighty ocean ever rolls." This wond'rous story told, Powhattan ceased, And called his lovely child, and bade her sing The Indian's spirit song of paradise. With strange, sweet voice, then Pocahontas sang Where the sun is now descending. Where the purple clouds are blending. Far beyond the ocean's swelling, There is found the red man's dwelling. There his spirit home is gleaming. Where the lakes are brightly beaming, And the waters ever flowing. With the breezes sweetly blowing. Spring and summer, cheering ever, Wint'ry storms are chilling never In that land of vernal flowers. In that clime of summer showers. There the leaves are seen revealing All the tints of heaven's ceiling, All the tints of rainbow's weaving All the tints of sunset's leaving. There the trees are ever stooping, With their branches ever drooping, Bending down with fruitful treasures, Source of sweet and pangless pleasures. 72 There the cascades bright are foaming, Where the spotted fawns are roaming, Where the herds are lightly bounding, And the turkey's whistle sounding. Game abundant, never failing. Through the sky the birds are sailing ; In the waters fish are dancing, Where that fairy land is glancing. Bravest hunters now are straying, Sweetest maidens now are playing, Dearest friends for us are longing, In that land with spirits thronging. Lovely region ! blest forever ; Death and sorrow fright thee never ; Happy spirits climb thy mountains ; Joyous spirits quaff thy fountains. O, ye breezes ! gently blowing. Bear me where the day is going. Where the sunset clouds are shining, Where the good are now reclining. When Pocahontas ceased her thrilling strains, I thus addressed the aged Indian king : Far east, beyond the dark blue ocean brine. The white man's home is found. There, sea-girt, stands Fair Albion's isle, that rules the wat'ry realms. A lovely land, with fair and fruitful vales, With rugged hights and lofty mountain cliffs, 73 With shining lakes and clear, meand'ring streams. Around its stern and rocky shores resound The loud and ceaseless din of tumbling waves, The roar of foaming surge and dashing spray. As num'rous as the falling snow-flakes are That darken all the azure sky above, And dims the light of day, so num'rous are The countless multitudes that busy throng Far England's happy isle. As silv'ry stars In number shine, when western waves have quenched The blazing fires of day, and wint'ry clouds Have fled to other skies, in numbers such Her cities rise, with splendid battlements, With rounded domes, and heaven-seeking spires. With stone-carved palace halls and bastioned towers, And ancient abbeys, grim with hoary age, Whose solid rock-built walls and turret cones Are clothed with moss a thousand years have grown. On every valley, plain and hillside slope, And even 'mid the rocky steeps and crags, Where storm-winds round the eagle's eyry howl, The herdman's cot and farmer's roof arise. The shop, the mill, the church, the deep -dug mine, Are seen on ev'ry side. Strong stone-built forts, With thunder-speaking cannon armed, defend From foreign foes. On all her streams and lakes The gentle breezes waft her whitened sails ; Her stately ships are tempting ev'ry sea ; Her fleets have swept the ocean's foaming deep ; Her glorious flag has waved in ev'ry breeze. What tongue can tell the daring deeds of might, The wondrous feats her fearless sons have wrought. 7 74 Her power is feared in many a clime remote, And distant nations court her friendly smile. From England's sea-born isle far north and east, The wave-washed strands of famous Europe stretch Along the blue Atlantic's nether sky, From snow-clad realms and ice-bound shores, Where, undisturbed, fierce Winter holds his court, And sends his sweeping blasts of cloud and storm To darken all the azure dome, and clothe The naked earth with robes boreal wrought, To where, in sunny climes, the vine-clad hills In beauty shine, and gleaming lakes are bright Within the Switzer's wild romantic vales. In Europe's wide-spread realms the nations pale, The white man's race from ages far remote, Have lived and loved, have marshaled bannered hosts, And waged their bloody wars ; have bowed at shrines In humble prayer, or mocked their fathers' God ; Have spent their lives in toil, or deluged land And deep with human gore, to gain renown ; Have delved down deep in earth, or compassed round The sea's remotest bound for glittering wealth ; Have reared aloft their cities' sculptured fanes. And found their graves among their fathers' tombs. From Europe's fertile valleys, sundered wide By foaming billows, Afric's torrid plains Far Southward stretch, beneath the burning sun ; A world to nation's pale almost unknown, Where men with fleecy locks and visage black Have found a home — a land where deserts spread In boundless barren plains of scorching sand. Without a tree, a shrub, a flower or leaf, 75 To rest or cheer the weary, aching eye ; Where thousands perish oft with raging thirst, Where Death comes riding on the whirling storm. With poisonous blasts, and whelming clouds of sands ; A land where mighty rivers flood and swell To shoreless seas ; where forests dark and damp. And jungles tangled thick and overgrown, Breed pestilence and death among mankind. Still further toward the sun-god's glorious land, From whence the morning's sunbeams seem to flood With light, all golden, earth and sea and sky. The Asian world is found — a mighty land, Of hills and dales, of broad and fertile plains, Of arid desert wastes, of storm-tossed lakes. And rivers rolling onward, deep and broad ; Of gorges dark and wild, where echoes loud, With ceaseless din, the mist-clad cataract. And lofty mountains, tow'ring crag o'er crag. Until their frozen peaks, in sky serene, Look down upon a cloud-wrapped world below. As pigeons flock within these forests dense, As honey-bees are swarming through the wilds, When flow'ry spring has clothed the earth in bloom. So throng her teemiog millions o'er her plains, Or swarm within her cities' crowded streets. This wondrous land was man's primeval home. Here Adam, sire of all the human race. First saw the beaming light of day; here sinned. And evil brought upon our changing world. Here Christ, the Saviour, came from heaven's throne. And clothed with mortal mold of human form, Here sinless lived, and died a cruel death, 76 To save a fallen world from sin and woe ; But now the world is hushed in quiet sleep. The moon has climed above yon ragged cloud, The cold winds whistle through the leafless boughs; Upon the crusty snow is heard afar The wild deer's tramp ; and now, 0, mighty chief, If thou wilt favor me, when morning breaks, Let brave men lead me where the white men are ; Let Indian chieftains bear my gifts to thee, And let the tomahawk be buried deep. Where grows the tree of peace. Thy prayer is heard. To-morrow's light shall see thee greet once more Thy friends in peace. Now wrap thy weary limbs In robes of fur, and sleep till morning dawns. Thus spake the Indian King, then sank in sleep Each drowsy eye. How well his faith was kept Your eyes have seen. Through scenes of danger oft, By land and sea, in Europe's bloodstained fields. Or western wilds, where savage red men rove. The God of love hath kept my periled life. The storms of life adverse have quickly fled. As darkness fades before the dawning light. And now I'm with you once again in peace." PART III. The summer came and went. Autumnal frosts Had painted bright the forest, hill and plain With gray and brown, with gold and crimson tints. The hurrying breeze had torn with eager hands. 77 From each parental bough, the dying leaves, Far filling all the hazy atmosphere, And strewing them wide o'er the fading scene. The golden corn, the Indian's sacred wealth, Was hoarded deep within their cavern barns, Scooped out beneath the liillside's sloping brow. Again the buried tomahawk, unearthed, Was raised against the blooming tree of peace. The white men's camp was near the river's bank, Beneath the lofty trees. The evening shades Fell slowly, filling all the forest depths With gloomy night. The white man's leader sat In thoughtful silence, listening close, to catch Each sound that broke the quiet evening air. Powhattan's words that day had friendly seemed, Yet Smith had omens seen of hidden mien, Which roused within his mind suspicious fears That plots were thick'ning round the white man's path. Around the red man's glowing fires, that gleamed Where cave-like wigwams resting 'neath the trees, Revealed a strange, wild scene. The dusky throngs Of Indian warriors, gathering round their chiefs. Were plotting death for all the pale-faced men Who dared to sleep within their forest bowers. The secret plot was laid. With eager haste Each warrior seized his arms and stood prepared To join the feast of blood. Slow dragged the night. With noiseless wheel, its sombre car along. To those who anxious wait the midnight hour, Ere rushing on their pale-faced, sleeping foe. Sweet Pocahontas saw the gathering storm, And then, forgetting all her father's love — 78 The kindred ties that bind to home and friends,, Regardless all of dangers hovering thick, By secret path she left the council fires, Which threw its candent beams of reddish light Far o'er the welkin's crowded bound, and gained The forest, dark and dense, then onward pressed Her toilsome course. Sometimes the moon broke forth From 'neath the angry clouds that hurtled by. And looking downward through the leafless boughs, Smiled gently on the maiden's lovely brow. As once she smiled, in fabled days of yore. Upon the sleeping youth, Endymion, Who fed on Latmos' rich and vernal meads His tender flocks ; and then she veiled her face In misty shrouds. Upon her path the stars From lofty silver thrones by turns gleamed forth With soft and lambent light ; then left the world In thicker gloom. Thus on and on she pressed, Now tripping blithely on the rustling leaves. And lightly bounding o'r the chiming rill ; Now slowly groping through the thicket's maze, And bending down to loose from gnarly boughs Her dark and flowing hair ; now threads her way Along the dark and lonesome glen, and climbs The woody hight that intercepts her course. The owl hoots wildly from the miry swamp — She heeds it not ; the wild deer snorts and bounds Along her path ; his flight disturbs her not. Upon a distant hill she plainly hears The howling wolf, yet still her heart is brave. And onward speeds her toward the white man's camp. Dreaming of Merry England's distant hills 79 And cottage homes, a youthful sentinel AVas standing at his post and gazing out On the deep darkness closing round the scene. He heard the gentle footsteps near, and strained His glaring eyes to pierce the murky night. Still on and nearer came the rustling sounds, Till on a sudden burst from heaven's gloom The moonlight silver flood, and by its aid He saw an Indian girl of lovely form. At once his musket poised, then rang afar His challenge, " Who goes there?" "A friond, afriend In haste ; I wish to see your chieftain, Smith," Re-echoed back a sweet, melodious voice ; And as the moonbeam played, with mellow tinge, Upon her brow, the youthful warrior stood Transfixed with wonder, gazing on her face That seemed so heavenly fair, some wand'ring nymph From fountain's foam, or angel spirit come From fair Hesperian isles beyond the deep. Again she spoke. Young Rolf, recalling then His wandering thoughts, at once a signal gave, And soon the sleepless Smith was by his side. He knew that givlish face and beaming eye, And then with grateful arms embraced the girl. "Sweet child," said he, "what business brings you here At this untimely hour, when all thy mates Are sleeping round their father's smoldering fires? " " To save your life, and those who dwell with you. E'en now our chieftains marshal all their tribes To strike a treach'rous blow, and ere the dawn Shall gild the orient sky, to slay you all. And bear to Werowocomoco's town 80 The trophies of your spoiled and plundered camp. Give heed to all my words, and let them know Their secret plots are known ; that white men have No dread of Indian wiles ; but tell them not, Nay, whisper not to sighing winds, or breath It where the purling waters go, the part I play to-night ; but let it e'er remain With you and he and I ; for blood alone Can e'er atone for bloody plans all foiled By me. Yet one thing more, before I leave ; Let not revenge be stirred within thy heart, But friendship seek with all our native tribes. I've warned thee thus, and now I say farewell." The maiden's footsteps quickly died away Within the forest's dark and tanoled maze. Then 8mith aroused each sleeping comrade there, And bade prepare to meet the war's grim rage. Beyond the picket's furthest post soon blazed Th' encircling fires that shed a lurid light Far out among the huge old forest oaks; While from the dark and fireless camp a host Of watchful eyes was scanning each approach. The hours passed on. 'Twas midnight's darkest gloom. The gathering clouds of heaven had blotted out The last dim star that fain would kiss with light The mist-clad world below. A hooting owl Broke the deep silence resting o'er the scene ; Then still another, from a distant hill Resounding, echoed back the dismal howl. Now, brave men, firm as rock-ribbed mountains stand Until our foes are scattered far in flight. It is no hooting owl, with feath'ry plumes 81 . That wastes his voice upon the midnight air. With painted warriors comes Powhattan now, On murd'rous errand bent. The whippowil, With plaintive voice, next sang his lonely song. Then all again was quiet, save the waves That broke with murmuring sounds along the shore, Until before Apollo's glowing car The darkness fled, and sought its cavern home Beyond the ocean's ever-flowing stream. PART IV. The cold and winf ry sky, with snow and storm, Had fled Virginia's bright and happy clime, While gentle spring had flung her mantle green Far o'er each mountain hight and humble vale. Again the brook went murm'ring through the glens, The cascade's chiming music rang afar Amid the wilds. Released from icy thrall, The lake revealed its clear and glowing depths ; The sycamore, with snowy bark, shone forth. And told where rivers chased their hurrying waves Far onward toward old ocean's wave-rocked strand. Again from blooming whitewood, linden, plum, And maple, hummed the busy honey-bee. Again the oriole and robin sang Their cheerful songs. The turkey's pipings shrill Re-echoed through the fortst's shaded aisles. While ducklings glided o'er their watery haunts. 8 82 On many a sloping hillside bounded free The spotted fawn, with light and nimble feet, And drank the deep inspiring draught of joy That nature metes to all her forms of life. Arrayed in light, fantastic vesture, daneod And played the Indian youth, or gaily launched Upon the limpid wave their light canoes, And sang responsive to the silvery ring Of pebbly streams, their wild and touching strains. They sang the praises of Chemanito, The mighty builder of the universe, Creator of the living, thinking world. They sang of great and dread Maohinito, A demon feared by all the Indian tribes; The horrid one, whom Great Chemanito Had formed in ancient time, 'mid ocean waves, Upon a sea-born isle, that quiet sleeps In em'rald tinge, set fair in foamy spray. They sang of floods and torrents rnging wild, That swallowed up green fields and pine-clad hills, And swept from earth all living, breathing forms, Save Manahozho, mighty spirit, called The god of valley, plain and wood-crowned steep, Who, climbing high a lofty mountain peak. And scaling higher still, 'twixt heaven and earth, Upon the haughtiest pine-tree, sat and gazed In safety from his eyry's misty throne. Upon a world of waters far below. The Indian matrons, too, were busy now, Turning the loamy earth and soft'ning well. With flinty hoes and skillful hands, the clods Around the Wagemena's silken shoots, 83 And planning how. to save the growing grain From Paimasaid, the cornfiekl's dreaded thief. The Indian warriors now had plumed anew Their waving helms, had stained their clubs again ; Had laid the w^ar paint on their cheeks, had proved The strong, elastic bow ; had trimmed the flint That armed the feathery shaft; had eaten herbs Of bitter taste, to make each warrior brave, And dread no more the painful gash, or fear The gaping wound, and left their wigwam fires To follow where the glorious war-path leads. 'Twas then, while morning light was beaming wide, Far over land and stream, that Paspahey, An Indian brave of giant form, well armed, With bow and quiver o'er his shoulders flung, Went forth with wiles, to slay the white man's chief. The strange and wond'rous Captain Smith, who seemed A powwow blessed with more than mortal power ; A man who knew the Indian's cunning thoughts ; A man who had no fear of barbed shaft. Nor trembled when the bloody spear was raised ; A man who had jio dread of cold or storm, Who talked with thunders in their misty homes. And read the mysteries of sun, and moon, And stars, and all the shining host of heaven. The warlike Paspahey beheld his foe Alone upon the river's sandy beach. And came with friendly mien, and sought to lure Him on within some wild and secret grove, Where antlered herds were wont to congregate, CO J Or lead him where the waving corn was green, Or still beyond, where gleams a quiet cove, 84 So dark with overhanging shade of vines, The haunts of waterfowl and darting fish; But Smith perceived the Indian's true intent, And strove to shun his strong and crafty foe. Then Paspahey, ere Smith could draw his sword, Quick seized him in his iron arms, and bore Him down where flowing waters swept along, And plunging in the crystal wave, strove hard, With giant strength, to drown his pale-faced foe. As when the Greenland whale and swordfish meet, And striving in the deadly struggle, dash On high the beaten spray with flukes immense, And stain the boiling sea with crimson streams, So strove they thus, within the rushing tide. By turns each sank beneath the troubled waves, Yet he, who oft beyond the Atlantic's main Had met grim death upon the gory plain. Where thousands found a soldier's bloody grave. Had often braved old ocean's heaving swell. Where distant shores beat back the shining floods Of Eastern climes, proved then a fearful foe, And soon the Indian sank beneath his hand. Then blazed aloft his falchion's gleaming blade ; Then begged the mighty Paspahey for life — For life he begged, with sad, pathetic prayer. The angry heart relented then. The sword Befused to drink the crimson streams of life. Smith spared his giant foe, yet left him bound. Till cool reflection swayed the tender heart. And bade unbind, and let the pris'ner go. " 0, Paspahey! although you sought, by wiles And strength, to take my life, and though I have 85 The power to crusli thee down with vengeance dire, Yet mercy bids me sheathe my wrathful sword, And send thee to thy wild-wood home unhurt. I ask but this : be thou my faithful friend, To give a helping hand in time of need; And tell the red men of your forest realms, That peace and friendly trade is what we seek, Not bloody war, nor midnight's battle cry. We would not seize with greedy hand, your lands. And drive you homeless from your fathers' graves ; Despoil your hunting grounds, and desecrate Your sacred tombs; yet on this river's shore. Where now we stand, we fain would buy a home Where we may build a city vast and great. With glit'ring domes, and churches' lofty spires — A happy seat for scholars and divines — A fount from which the red man's race may draw Unfailing streams of knowledge, both of heaven And earth; a mart of wealth and wide renown. Where sea-washed prows, from o'er the azure deep, May rest secure within a shelt'ring port, Where friendly races, thinking nought of war. Exchanging merchandise, enriching all. May meet, as brothers, in one common home." » PART V. The sun's last rays of gold and crimson tints Were slowly fading from the western sky, When Pocahontas brought her youthful friends 86 Around her mother, Queen Apamatuck, To hear her tell. of strange, wild deeds, performed In days of yore ; to speak of heaven and earth, With mysteries of sun, and moon, and stars, Of comet trains and trailing meteors, Of thunder, wind, and clouds with lightnings armed, The curving bow Chemanito displays Before he darts his slaying arrows high. She told the eager throng of Kwasind's might. His strength was more than mortal man had known Since Manabozho re-created earth. Ere Kwasind came to earth the land was clothed With forest growth so thick, no space was left To raise the Magemena's golden ears, The rivers choked so thick with fallen trees, Canoes were scarcely known in all the land. Then mammoth monsters ranged the tangled woods And wallowed in the deepest lakes and streams. Till men would fain conceal their feeble forms In mountain dens, and caverns dark and deep. The tall trees fell beneath his mighty hand. And disappeared among the glowing fires. He plunged within the river's tide, and cleared The drifting flood-wood from its wat'ry bed. He bent his bow, his vengeful arrows flashed As lightnings through the storm-cloud's murky gloom, And all the monsters died. E'en now their bones Are oft unearthed by delving rains, and floods That rush from mountain bights, uprooting trees. And sweeping fiercely through the gorges wild. He taught to cultivate the silken ear. The juicy melon and tobacco plant; 87 To bend the strong, elastic bow, and shape The stony knife and flinty arrow head. Long time ago there lived an orphan boy, Nazhickawasun, who, mourning, prayed To Kabeun, the god of western winds, to save Him from his cruel friends. Great Kabeun Heard his request, and bore him high, on wings Sublime, and placed him 'mid the golden skies That curtain round the sunset's glowing couch. Then Kabeun with magic arrows armed The youth, and sent him northward, far, to slay The demon spirits of the icy world. In vain he bent his bow and sped his shafts. With ever-changing forms the demons shunned His magic bolts. They changed the hapless youth To the lone lightning's blaze that often streams At eve along the frosty northern sky. She spoke of Weeng, god of cheerful sleep. Whose balmy breath infused a calm repose Throughout the varied realms of sentient life. The Puckwudjininees, or fairy elves. In strange, fantastic garments draped, attend The sleepy god, to lead, on airy flight, Through dreamland's strangest realms, the drowsy mind. On dusky pinions borne, the god of death, Weeng's fierce brother, Pauguk, wings his flight, And lays his heavy hand on young and old. At once the sparkling eye grows faint and dim ; Within the pulseless breast the throbbing heart Lies cold and still. The soul then flies away, Led on through sun-gilt realms of upper air By shining spirits, toward the sunset sky. 88 Where flows a crystal stream, that laves afar The shores of heaven. Descending down to eartli^ It stands upoi^ the silvery strand, and waits, With longing eyes, to pass the waveless tide. And gain that happy shore that gleams in sight. That pangless land where dwell the good and brave. The stone canoe that skims the glassy flood Keceives the anxious soul, and bears it on,. And as it hears the ripples break around, It bends to gaze within the wat'ry depths, And sees upon the glowing sands below, With hands uplifted, beck'ning forms of souls^ Sin-wrecked in passing o'er the glassy flood. The guilty soul then plunges deep and sinks. And ever strives in vain to gain the shore. But safely pass the souls of good and brave, And reach that happy realm, where, free from pain. They roam the sunny plains of paradise, Or rest in fair elysian bowers, famed For luscious fruits, that ever cluster rich Within that sweet and fadeless autumn clime. Then Pocahontas, speaking, said, " I fain Would hear Mis-ha-za's famous story told." 'Mis-ha-za was a great magician," said The Queen, " who lived in very ancient time. Ere all these mighty oaks were sprouting germs;. He wandered far, through all the Indian world. Where'r his duty called him was his home. By one short word, of magic power, he sped His swift canoe far o'er the wat'ry gleam, Or sailed on wind-spread wings through airy fields, More swift than pigeons dart along the sky. 89 Or eagles swoop from dizzy bights of heav'n, To snatch the patient fish-hawk's hard-earned prey. He taught mankind to build the birch canoe That sweeps so lightly o'er the glowing wave, To form the wigwam 'gainst the winter's cold, To bend the hook and catch the darting fish, To heal the sick and cure the bleeding brave, To read the signs of sea, and earth, and sky, To ev'ry man foreboding good or ill. To worship well, with song, and dance, and prayer, And living sacrifice, the Manitos. He glanced far down in future days, and saw The changing spirits lay resistless hands Upon the earth, destroying ever works Themselves were building ever, sparing nought That earth could call her own. Prophetic words He spake. The time would surely come, he said, When men, forgetting good, shall evil do, Shall worship demon spirits more than good. Shall turn their weapons from the hunter's chase, And desolate the land with bloody wars. Then stormy winds from o'er the sea shall waft White-winged canoes of strange and wondrous size, Filled with the children of the rising sun. Their coming sounds the knell of Indian power. As fades the forests green before the frost. So shall the Indian power pass away Before the steady march of nations pale. Thus doing good, he lived till hoary age Had whitened all his raven locks, snd dimm'd The flashing eye, when Pauguk whispered, "Come." With joy he heard the call ; his work was done ; 90 He had no friends to make, no foes to harm, For he was loved by all the Indian world. Beneath his fost'ring care and cheerful smile, An evil world had bloomed in beauteous growth, A feeble race made happy, strong and wise. Just as the sun was sinking down to rest, Within the purple couches of the west. That glowed with more than earthly beauty then, That glowed as if the forest, plain and stream. Had given all their treasured beauties, leaves And flowers, flitting birds and butterflies, Bright foam and silver fountains, golden sands And pearly sea-shells, rainbow archings fair, And autumn fruits, to deck the azure sky. He called the people round, and told them all His fated time to leave the earth had come, That he should come no more in mortal form, That they should call to mind his teachings oft, That he should look upon them from the sky, And see how well they kept his earthly laws ; Then, bidding all a long farewell, he spake The magic word. The wing'd canoe arose And gently sailed along the gorgeous sky, Far toward the setting sun. The people watched Until it seemed, within the distance dim, A shining speck, while round it gaily danced Strange, snow-white spirits, 'mid the gleaming clouds Then Pauguk made a bright and glowing star From out the shining speck. E'en now, at eve, Mis-ha-za shines above the sunset couch, The people's bright and beaming evening star.*^ "E'en now the time fulfills that prophecy," 91 Said Pocahontas. " Yesterday I saw, Just as the white-plumed swan majestic sits Upon the sparkling flood, or swiftly rides With graceful mein the swelling waves, canoes, White-winged and huge, and full of bearded men, Arrive at Jamestown. Smith, the white man's chief. I saw, and told him all the peaceful words My father bade me speak, and, ere I left, I saw a pale-faced youth, whom once before I saw, toward whom my heart began to yearn With strange, yet earnest love, and, stranger still. He seemed to look at me with eyes that spake With ev'ry tender glance of heartfelt love, While ev'ry accent of his sweet-toned voice. Aroused deep slumb'ring echoes in ray heart, Slumbering echoes there unknown before. He led. 1 followed on with joyful steps, Until we gained a seat upon the shore. He said his name was Eolf ; that he was born On England's distant strand ; that he had left Within his childhood home his dearest friends, And wandered here to cure a wounded heart, Bv strange adventures in a forest land. He showed to me the winged canoes, or ships, And told me how they built them, huge and great, On England's shore, and how they steered them on, By night and day, far o'er the ocean's blue. This ship had brought more men and merchandise. More ships were on the foamy path that leads The white man here. He hoped for peace and trade, And friendly intercourse between our tribes And men of Endand's isle. He told me much 92 Of all the olden world, beyond tlie sea, That lies beneath the bright, eifiilgent glow Of morning sun light, with its varied scenes ; The shining sea-shore, where the blue wave curls; The broad and fertile plain, where lowing herds Roam o'er the verdant fields ; the winding stream That bears upon its bosom's heaving swell The bending sail and dipping oar ; the lake With crystal depths that mirror cottage wall And castle tower, o'er the quiet gleam ; The wildwood grot, and cascade-sounding gorge That sleep beneath the mountain's snow-clad peak. He spoke of mighty nations, cities grand, Of armies strong and navies vast. He said The white men now were planting colonies Along the Indian's coast, from northern snows To where the sun, from highest heaven beams. At length we parted. Sadness clothed my brow ; Yet when I learned that Rolf was coming here. That I might gaze once more upon his face, So dear to me, all sorrow passed away, And cheery sunbeams seemed to shed once more Within my heart, its long accustomed joys. I long to see him here, among our tribes, Powhattan's honored guest, his daughter's friend: Aye, more, I fain would be his heart's best love. No Indian youth, however f\iir and brave, Can rouse such burning flames of chani^eless love As Rolf has kindled in my heaving breast. I long to see true friendship flourish here Between our hunter braves and England's sons. I love the white man's race ; have loved it since 08 I saw the captive Smith led here to die, And more acquaintance but confirms my love. 0, mother! would that you and I could teach Our chiefs to rule by arts of happy peace, To seek the war-path's bloody trail no more, To raise no more against the white man's race The cruel tomahawk and ruthless spear. I hate the war dance round the blazing fire, The warrior's mingled paints and nodding plumes, The battle's fearful cry and bloody fray, The ghastly scalp and horrid captive's stake. A war for self-defense is right and just; Our duty bids us guard our sacred rights. Our freedom, homes, and lives; but all our wars Are wars of bloody feuds, that nothing bring Save sorrow, death and war. Our chiefs have sought To drive the white men from our spacious shores; But why should this be done ? the land is wide ; There's room enough for all, and room to spare. They pay us for our land, our corn, our fur, And when they fight us with their dreadful arms. They only fight and strive in self-defense. They hold to us the blooming branch of peace, Which, if replanted, soon would give us rest Beneath its stately boughs and verdant leaves. In peace they're worthy friends, who'll do us good ; In war, a foe invincible and dread." " My daughter," said the queen, Apamatuck, " 'Tis passing strange that you should love so much The youthful Rolf; yet love him, if you will ; Perhaps 'twill be the bond of friendly peace ; For war and strife I hate as much as thou. 94 My voice shall ever be with thine for peace. Now, children, seek your rest; the moon is high In yonder sky, the fire is smoldering low, And Weeng scatters sleepy odors wide Upon the calm and dusky evening air." Sweet Pocahontas slept. The fairy elves Danced gaily round her brow, so pure and calm, And led her fancy through the silvan bowers, And rainbow-tinted fields of dreamland's birth. They led her where the cascade poured its foam Upon the broken rocks and crystal sands. And murmured soft its silver-fluted tones That soothed the crane upon his 'customed rock. Within the quiet, glassy stream below. The bees were humming through the Indian pinks And eglantines, while thrushes chirped and sang Amid the rich festoons the elms flung forth To catch the zephyr's waning breath. The rocks That walled around the rural court were green With tufted moss, and twined with woodbine wreaths. Far o'er the overhanging cliff was seen The narrowed blue of heaven's arching dome, And traced by one bald eagle mounting high. Her pale-faced lover by her side breathed words More sweet by far than all the melting tones That bubbling waters ring — the words of love. Then changed the happy scene. The laden ship Lay close along the sandy shore ; a throng Of mingled friends, of red and white, stood by To bid a long adieu ; the sails were spread, The prow was turned ; the ship, with swelling sail, Was sweeping o'er the dark blue ocean wave. 96 The fairies fled. The dream soon passed away, But fair Aurora, chasing Night afar, Looked down upon the sleeping maid, and saw A happy smile imprinted on her cheek. PART VI. 'Twas night, and darkness deep had shrouded then The dim-lit cots in Jamestown's new-built walls. The day had brought the long-expected ship From England's well-remembered shore; the eve Had brought to many a yearning heart good news From o'er th' Atlantic's wave — sweet words of love, Of radiant hope and cheering sympathy, Of home prosperity and plenteous store. To some, perchance, sad news had to blanch The ruddy cheek, and heave the swelling breast. Yet such is life, no day so bright but clouds May dim the azure sky, and hide the sun ; The tears of sadness soil the cheek just wreathed With happy smiles ; the heart that bounds with joy Soon droops with sorrow's dull and heavy weight. Young Rolf sat musing in his silent room ; Two open letters lay before his eyes ; The one had brought kind words from each dear heart That gathered round the old paternal hearth ; The other, from a trusted friend, recalled The past, and quenched the last fiint gleam of hope Still ling'ring deep within his heart, that May, 9'6 The loved of days gone by, the idol throned Within his faithful heart, should e'er relent. He now was living o'er the past again. Alike some vivid dream of mingled joy And sorrow glancing through the sleeping brain. The spirits of the past, in faded robes. With faint and drooping eyes, before him passed ; A dream, alas ! too true, and full of pain. He saw again that fair and lovely form. That sparkling eye and cheek, all gay with smiles That won his youthful love, and led spell-bound His captive heart, through bright, enchanted worlds, He saw her just as when they first had met, And felt anew the heart's deep thrill ; he glanced Along the course of fleeting years, and saw Her smile gleam forth, as in the days of old, And heard her silver voice in tones of love, With murm'ring music ling'ring soft and sweet Re-echo through the chambers of the soul. He wooed her o'er again, yet often met A cold return for loving words and deeds ; Then, ere love's labor seemed entirely lost. Kind words recalled him back to woo again, Until the maiden won, returned each glance Affection gave, and answered words of love With words of love, and then with gushing hearts, Too full for speech, with burning kisses pledge True love and faith of hearts in union blent ; 'Twas but the morning sunbeam glowing bright Athwart the van of dark, tempestuous clouds — The army's bright array of nodding plumes Before the field is strewn with ruined wrecks. 97 Ere one short year had ceased to weave the woof Of life with rainbow tints of blissful love, The brightest dream of life had fled ; a cloud Was on his pathway, looming dark and drear, And he was now a thousand leagues away From scenes of hapless love and blasted hope. Rolf rose, and from a little casket took Some letters, long preserved with care, that May Had written when her heart was warm with love, And read again those sweet and precious words That once had thrilled his heart with blissful joy. He read once more the fjital note that broke The magic spell, and made the world so dark ; Then crushing angrily the letter, said : " 0, May ! how cruel hast thou grown to me ! How could'st thou tear *away the vision fair ; Break up the sweet, illusive dream that charmed My life? 0, say ! hast thou forgotten scenes Deep graven on the heart, where two fond youths. In cottage hall, or sylvan bowers, breathed Sweet words of love, and vowed undying faith? Was thy affection for me only feigned, Or did'st thou truly love, as oft thou said'st? How can I give thee up, for thou hast been The light that gleamed so bright upon my path. ! would that thou had'st known me better — known Me as I was — for then thou would'st have wronged Me never as thou hast. But why recall The dreams of early love and radiant hope ? I'll tear her image from my heart, and throne Another there. But why this wrathful boast? I've crossed the ocean's rolling deep in vain. 98 And here within this lonely gloom I sit And muse, as on fair Albion's sea-girt isle. Perhaps the flames can lend me useful aid. There go those oft-read lines; yet aches my heart To see them crisp in red and glaring flames, And melt it readless heaps of ashy dust. Alas, they're gone, but fallen on the hearth, Behold a folded paper lie. Those lines I'll read ; my hands have traced them long ago. 0, haste and rise, my thoughts, and leave the earth, With all its gloom and shadows, dark and drear, And seek for lasting joys of heavenly birth, Where sorrow never brings the rising tear. I once was gay, and hope, with radiant beams, Sat cheerily upon my youthful brow, And love's sweet music, with its fairy dreams, Had filled i4iy heart; 'tis gone — I'm lonely now. O ! is it right to break the loving heart — To crush each hope so fondly cherished there ? Ought you, who taught me love, to thrust the dart That wounds so deep, nor heed the rising prayer ? 'Tis past and gone, with all the happy hours We spent, e'er since the well-remembered time. When, leaning on my breast, the heavenly powers Beheld you pledge yourself forever mine. Pale melancholy sits upon my brow. And spread's her gloomy pall before my sight; 99 With clouds both dark and drear, obscuring now ; She binds my restless soul in darkest night. Farewell ; farewell forever, dearest one ; I dare not look upon thy lovely eye : The fatal word is said — the deed is done Which bids me from thy presence ever fly. Arise, ye bounding winds, that leap and swell Along old ocean's dark and foamy wave, And bear me where the Indian nation's dwell. Beneath the glowing sunset's bright concave. Let scenes of wild and strange adventure, sought Within a land beyond the misty main, Chase far away each sad and gloomy thought, And crown my heart with rosy hope again. Adieu, ye fertile vales and shady bowers — Ye woodland glens, where silver waters foam — Ye cottage walls, entwined with blushing flowers; A distant land shall be my lethian home. There blaze, ye flames, with brighter glow, and burn The last memento of my hapless love. But why repine ? Did I not once behold, In wildwood bower, by moonbeam's gentle light, A maiden, fairer far than nymph or naiad, Whose tender heart impelled through the gloom That starry night had brought, to save our lives. In happy dreams I oft have seen her face. And now 'tis scarce three hours since here she came 100 And smiled on me, and with me wandered far Along the river's strand, and deigned to hear Me tell of England and her worthy sons, And told me, in return, of leafy groves And flowing vales, of sparkling brooks and lakes, Where glide the birch canoe ; of gushing founts, Where speckled trout leap through the snowy foam ; Of forest, plain and mountain glen, where range The hunters of her father's wide-spread realm. I'll 'throne her image in my heart, and seek Her love, her hand. There is no brighter eye, No fairer brow than her's; and though her birth Was where the flowers deck the trees, entwined, And scent the plain, unfurrowed by the plow, Afar from all the glit'ring world of show. Afar from haughty pride and foolish strife, Her native grace is more than culture gives Or fashion forms ; but, best of Heaven's gifts, Her loving heart, is like the plenteous well That gushes ever, with its cooling streams, To bless mankind ; or like the fruitful vine. That screens the wearied form from summer suns, And strengthens with its fruit the famished soul. Sweet Pocahontas ! would that I might win Thy love, deserve thy faith, and gain thy hand. The die is cast — the Rubicon is crossed — Henceforth a page unread within the book Of love, shall be my new and hopeful task." 101 PART YII. Another day's bright sun was gleaming bright Far o'er the sturdy trees and vine-clad hills, That kept their quiet watch, by night and day, Above Powhattan's calm and placid stream. Keekaughtan, clad in garments, em'rald tinged. Sat gayly wreathed, with sun-gilt smiles ; the bloom Of Acomac grew bright and brighter still ; The berries, crimson, blue, and purple, gleamed In woody Acohanuock's fruitful groves : Mondamin's locks, within Pamunkey's fields, Were bright and red, beneath its cheerful glow. With step as lithe as bounding fawn, and heart As gleeful as the lark, that mounts aloft. While dewdrops glitter in their crystal cups. To greet in tuneful song the morning sun, Young Kolf was on the winding trail that led Where King Powhattan held his sylvan court. Perhaps a thought of last night's musings sad, O'er love-dreams sweet, yet faded long ago. Glanced through his mind, and dimmed his flashing eye Yet it was but the white and downy cloud. The rainless fleck, that for a moment dims. Still on, through fairy woodland scenes he passed, Heeding not bower's tempting sweet repose — The flower's bloom but gained his hurried glance ; Scarce heard he music's sweet, entrancing swell, llesounding midst the cheerful groves and glens. His thoughts were of the lovely Indian girl, Whose presence cast a charm around his heart. 102 And changed the tenor of his storm-tossed life — AVhose words renewed the withered buds of hope, And stirred within his soul the slumbering flame That once so bright upon love's altar glowed. Beneath a verdant arch, of grand old elms. Yelling the pebbly stream, that murmured by, From heaven's glowing fount of light he saw A fairy form descending 'long the forest aisle. With airy steps, to meet him on the way. With hand extended, Pocahontas said : " With heartfelt joy I hail this happy -hour ; I knew the road was long, and thought perhaps You might be lonesome on this wildwood trail, And might receive, perchance with pleasant mien, My aid to guide you through these tangled wilds, Until we gain my father's distant home. I feared that danger, too, from lurking foe, Or some mistaken friend, might hover nigh." " Sweet maid ! I thank thee for thy kind regard," Said Kolf " Thou art an angel, ever bent On deeds of mercy. Yes, the past recalls Those scenes that prove the goodness of thy heart. Heaven reward thee. W ould that I could show, By some return, the gratitude and love I feel for thee, dear one, within my heart.'' " Thy heart's affection,", said the Indian girl, "Is more than I dare hope ; yet, true! 'tis sweet To think of such return, though undeserved." Conversing e'en as lovers fain converse ; With hand in hand, they passed along their route. Forgetful, in the present blissful hour, Of past and future, till, at length, they reached 103 Powhattan's Werrowocomoco home. With royal grace the Indian king receives His daughter's guest, and listens while the youth Eepeats the message Captain Smith had sent, To strengthen bonds of peace and amity : Then gives him leave to go and come, and dwell, Where'er he pleased, among the Indian tribes Who live beneath his wide-extended sway. Sweet Pocahontas, artless in her love, With winning looks, draws Rolf among her friends, Where banquet, sons; and dance his coming wait. Her mother, Queen Apamatuck, herself With bounteous hand prepared the rich repast. And smiles approving on the merry throng. With song and dance and rambling walks thay pass The happy hours, till sunset throws afar His parting rays, and with a lingering kiss Upon each mountain crest and purple cloud Bids land and stream and azure sky good night. By Luna's gentle beam the lovers stray Along the glassy stream, and seat themselves Within the light canoe, that waits to bear Its precious burden o'er the limpid wave. The night wafe calm ; from out of heaven's depths The twinkling stars were looking down to earth. As if to note the varied deeds of men ; The nighthawks' buzz had ceased ; the whippowil's Lone song had died away ; the solemn owl, Forgetful of his vocal powers, bent Himself in sleep, and all was silent save The chirping notes of busy katydids. And silv'ry chime of ebbing waves, that broke 104 Far down below, along the sandy shore. The paddle dipped within the mirrored wave ; The light canoe bore Siifely o'er the flood The happy pair. They sped the swift canoe Far up the stream ; then, with the current's ebb, Adown the gliding waters floated on. Then, pressing to his lips the maiden's hand, Rolf gazed within her dark and lustrous eyes. Saying : " 0, would that you and I might thus Adown life's stream so calmly, sweetly float!" " It may be so," the Indian maiden said. "With thee the course of life to me would seem A sweet and happy dream — too sweet, I fear, To ever thrill my poor, uncultured heart." "Fear not," said Rolf, " 'Tis in thy power to dream This dream. My heart is thine, forever thine ; Then wilt thou love me in return — be mine. Through all the changing years of life, and make My God thy God?" The answer, soft and sweet, Yet earnest, mingled with the chiming sounds Of wavelets breaking on the shore — "I will." PART yiii. Young Rolf and Captain Smith had crossed the deep. To greet once more old England's distant strand. Virginia's shore again had felt the wrath Of war, brought on by bad and foolish men. The young and gentle Pocahontas, sent Far from the rage of war, delivered up By Jappazaws, was now a hostage held 111 Jamestown. Rolf, with anxious haste, returned. Fair Albion's isle, with all its lovely scenes, And childhood's unforgotten ties, had lost their power To bind his youthful feet. Virginia's hills And forest bowers, her bright and shining shores, Her silver lakes, and proudly rolling streams. Her clear, blue skies, and pure, refreshing air. Had charms for him no other land could boast; Yet, neither land, nor stream, nor air, or sky, Had been so sweet, but 'twas the wild-wood home Where dwelt the fairy form his heart held dear. With strange surprise and joyful hearts they met. Rolf heard the captive's tale, and, answering, breathed Soft words of hope, and love, and future joy. The lazy hours, that ere his coming seemed To drag so slowly by, with cheerful words He whiled away. With gentle mood and mien He taught the maid to con the printed page — To cull the richest gems of modern thought, And taste th' inspiring sweets of ancient lore. He told her how the blessed Saviour came From heav'n to earth, to bless mankind, and save From death and fearful doom a fallen world ; That when the world was young, a bright array Of prophets, bards and holy men, foretold Emmanuel's humble birth and lowly life, His shameful death, his triumph o'er the grave, And glorious ascent to the heav'nly sphere. E'en as the prophets spake, on earth he came. And lived a spotless life. He blessed the poor; 10 106 He healed the sick, he wept with those who wept, Rejoiced with those rejoicing — raised the dead. And spent his earthly life in doing good. Where'er he was — upon the mountain's brow, Or village-dotted plain, by wave-washed strand, Or gently-winding stream, amidst the spray, Storm-lashed, or wild and surging throngs of men. In quiet grove, or gorgeous temple courts — He taught, by word and deed, the law of love. The world received him not, because it loved The sinful ways of death. On Calvary's mount, With thieves, it crucified the sinless one. He conquered death, and rose in mighty power; His work was done — the Paschal Lamb had bled. The world stood forth, redeemed and disenthralled. Before a wandering throng of Judah's sons He mounted through the air and disappeared Among the sun -gilt clouds that spanned the sky ; And now he sits on heaven's lofty throne. On the right hand of majesty and power, To intercede with God for all mankind. The captive girl with joy received the truth, And learned to love and trust the Christian's God. Powhattan, for his daughter's sake, recalled His warlike bands, and bade his dusky tribes Lay down the bloody spear and battle-ax. And seek no more the warrior's bloody trail. Thus swiftly passed the years, revolving round. Bright Summer, with her verdant woods and plains; Rich Autumn, with his many-tinted groves And golden fruits; stern Winter, with his train 10' Of blustering winds unci snowy-trooping clouds, Had passed, and gentle Spring, with birds and flov/ers, Had com3 again, to cheer the waking earth. A bridal pair was standing on the shore; Around them Indian chiefs, with waving plumes Down nodding o'er their lordly brows, and men Of England's isle, were thronged to press the hand And give the parting word. A gallant ship, Pi;epared to brave the Atlantic's restless deeps, Lay proudly swinging on the heaving tide. Young Rolf, with Pocahontas, now his bride, Amid the farewell blessings of the throng, Stepped on the floating deck. The sails were spread, The anchor weighed, and with the springing breeze The gliding ship passed o'er the sunlit main. THE FAREWELL SONG OF POCAHONTAS. Farewell my sweet, my native land ! I seek, beyond the deep, a strand, Where dwell the nations pale; A land I love, though yet unseen, A land where red men hath not been, A land of hill and dale. Ye dusky tribes, ye red men brave, My father's home, my mother's grave, My youthful playmates, too; Ye painted chiefs and aged sires. Ye warlike songs and council fires, I bid you all adieu. 108 Farewell ye forest trees, that bencl Where limpid streams in music blend Their notes with hum of bees ; Ye flowers bright, and vines that cling, Beneath the cheering sky of spring, Amid the verdant trees. Farewell ye birds of warbling song, And ye that on the waters throng — Ye spotted fawns that play In thicket dense, or groves of green; Ye fish that glow in silver sheen, Where chimes the foamy spray ; Ye purling streams and lakelets bright, Ye soaring founts of cascades white. Where waters plunge and swell ; Ye mountain hights and rocky shores, Where oft the swelling ocean roars, I bid you all farewell. Then bear me on, thou restless deep. By wafting winds, propitious, sweep To far-famed England's isle, Where cities vast, and towers tall, With fortress firm, and cottage hall, In pleasing beauty shine. 109 DEATH. 'Twas night. The sapphire stars and silver moon Withdrew their beams of soft and g-ushino; lio-ht, While dark and fearful clouds the sky o'ercast, And added gloom and storm to darker night. The lightnings burst with wild and glaring flame, While in the thicker night, that swallowed quick The transient glare, the roaring thunders shook The trembling air, till down the shattered heaven Threatened to fall, with ruin vast, and crush The helpless earth, and back to chaos change The world rotund, with all its busy throngs. A troubled, dreamy sleep oppressed my soul, And oft the howling storm without aroused My feeble sense ; then back I quickly sank Within the arms of deep, oppressive sleep. A vision strange came o'er my 'wildered mind : The lightning's vivid glare stood bright in heaven, And faded not; the clouds were brightly tinged AVith gold and purple hues, surpassing far The setting sun's resplendent beams, while down From heaven's portals, bright with gushing floods Of crystal light, a cherub, white as snow. With wings of form divine, and eyes that shone As diamond stars that deck the vaulted sky, Swift came to earth, with rushing chariot wheels, By flaming horses drawn, and near me stood. With voice benign, and face of kindly mien. That beamed all heavenly bright, addressed me thus (), mortal man ! ascend this shining seat. 110 And ride with me, on car angelic formed, Througli realms of ether bright, above the earth, That wheels its circling course in vast ellipse, Around the blazing orb of day, and share With me the sight of vision strange, unseen As yet by man. Xipon this chariot, wrought in heaven, And drawn by fiery steeds, celestial born. Both Enoch, famed for righteousness in days Of old, and seer, Elijah named, who smote Deep Jordan's rapid flood, and backward rolled Its rushing waves, until he safely passed Across its rocky deeps, to Heaven went. Encouraged by his speech, I quickly sprang Upon the glittering seat ; then w^hirled aloft, We rode on high. Still on and on we passed. The vision changed. With morning's ruddy glow The sun was beaming bright. Before me lay,. In brightest green, a fair and lovely vale, With fertile fields and sloping lawns, while groves. Luxuriant, grew along the winding streams. Upon our right the dark blue ocean rolled Its heaving surge far o'er the boundless deep, And whitened far with many a gleaming sail, Or beaten white with many a plunging wheel. Upon our left the lofty mountain peaks. Thick interspersed with gorges wild and deep. With roaring waterfalls and forest dark. Stretched far, and lost themselves in distance dim. Upon a lofty hight which overlooked The plain, the shining chariot stayed its course. With more than human power, I saw the earth Spread far and wide, around my station high, Ill Instinct and gay with teeming life ; the stream That swept along, with man}^ a gleaming curve, Beneath the shade of overhanging trees ; The gushing fount, the lake, embosomed round "With sylvan hights, or meadows green and fair ; The ocean's swelling tide, where storm-winds dwell, And drive their raging steeds along the deep. Unnumbered forms of life were swarming thick — A multitude untold, of large or small. From zoophyte to whale, that lashes wide The foaming sea beneath his flukes immense : Bright wings innum'rous beat the atmosphere That sweeps from pole to pole. Within its deeps The shining insects danced in myriad swarms, And birds of thousand hues, of thousand kinds. From hum.ming bird, that sips the honey'd sweets From every vernal flower that op'ning smiles To greet the rising sun, to condors huge. That bathe their wings within that cloudless realm Of ether rare, above the thunder's home. Spread wide their pinions on the rustling breeze, Or in mid heaven whirled their fearless flight. The firm and solid earth, in wood or cave, On mountain crag, or verdant plain, was thronged With joyous life; the prowling beast of prey, The serpent hissing through the jungles wild ; The antlered herd, the flying hoofs that spurn The grassy plain, and lab'ring man, that rears Aloft the glit'ring dome, the painted spire, The solid wall and bastioned tower, and spanned The rolling tide, with arches grand, and drives His fi'ry car along its iron way. 112 I looked upon the happy scene spread out Before my raptured sight, and wondered much, So blest a realm it seemed : but, lo ! i'ar off In mountain gorge, from yawning caverns deep, I saw forth issuing beings, made in form Most dread; a horrid, ghastly legion fierce, Of loathsome fiends, of numbers yet untold, Of ev'ry shape conceived, or unconceived. In fancy's wildest dreams or loftiest flight, Deep awe-inspiring shapes, prepared alike To fly, or walk, or swim, to scale the towers Of highest build, to pierce the darkest shrine, To gain the farthest shore, to mount the sky On swift and tireless pinion, and explore The inmost deep of sea's unfathomed depths, Before whose breath the quaking earth recoiled, And nature sighed through all her vast domain. " 0, Cherub !" spake I then, " immortal form ! What means this dread array, this mighty host, Of every terror known, and onward led By yonder pale and dreadful form, fierce armed With flaming two-edged sword, and shaking oft His cruel dart, where'er he deigns to turn His pale yet fi'ry steed? 0, Cherub ! tell From whence he came, and whither now he tends, And what his hist'ry yet may be?" Then spake My angel guide : "That ghastly form that rides The pale, yet fi'ry steed, is Temp'ral Death. Those following near, his ministers, a throng Increasing with increasing time. The chief Is Death, of years unnumbered and immense. In ancient time, when life first feebly dawned. 113 And earth was youDg, he came. He smote the fern, It withered 'neath his touch ; the seaweed felt His crushing hand, and soon returned to dust. Still Life restored, with unremitting toil, The living forms of earth. Still onward passed Unheeded time. With living green the hills Were crowned, and sentient life began to move On earth ; then Death increased his power. He seized The tinted flower, the quiv'ring leaf, the reed That bends it to the gale, the waving tree : They sank to rise no more ; his biting breath The insects felt, and furled their wings in death. The zoophytes, that bloom as living flowers On coral strands beneath the briny wave. The strong moUusks deep in ocean's slime. The ammonite and terebratula, The scaly monsters, sporting on the deep. The savage shark and huge leviathan, The mosasaurus and iguanodon, With all the reptile tribes of saurian form, Succumbed beneath his dart's resistless stroke. The mastodon and megatherium. The glyptodon and dinotherium, That roamed the verdant fields, or forest? dark, AVith pterodactyl, strangely formed to glide The swelling wave, to thread the swampy maze. Or climb the rocky cliff, or mount aloft On wings sublime, no refuge found on earth ; But, groaning, sank beneath his ruthlsss sword. Throu2;h all the chanoes written in the book Of time, untiring, ceaseless Death has warred With Life, and threw wide o'er this mundane sphere 114 His gloomy shade, and when omnific God, In fearful ruin east the olden world, And by his potent arm restored the earth. With brilliant glory crowned, prepared for man — A being mortal, and immortal formed — Immortal essence breathed in mortal mold, To crown the topmost scale of sentient life, Then Death resumed his willing task on earth. Behold him now, how wild his fury bursts ; How numerous is his train, what fearful forms Around him cling, to catch his every word, And then perform the deadly deed he wills. I looked and saw the hosts of Death, and marked Their varied forms and deeds. Intemperance first I marked, who seemed the mightiest fiend that marched Beneath the sable flag of Death. His form Was like a serpent huge, whose ample folds Extended many a flithom on the plain ; Then upward high he raised his glit'ring crest, And gazed with fiery eyes upon his pray. His pois'nous breath was like Sirocco's blast. That fiercely sweeps from Afric's burning sands, And desolates the distant shore with death ; His filthy slime, polluted far and wide The flow'ry vale while hissing serpents shot, 7^ younger throng, athwart their parent's path. His form he changed whene'er he pleased, and, robed In beauty's garb, deceived with cunning wiles. The victim once within his power placed, His snaky form returned, and then he crushed, In fury wild, his weak and helpless prey. Upon a blood-stained horse came cruel War, 115 Of kniglitly form and mien, with nodding plume. That waved above his high and glancing helm — With burnished shield, that gleamed with fiery glare, With bloody blade, that flashed in horrid curves Above his frightful head ; and with him came A squadron deep, of many a fierce recruit. Then came Consumption's pale and ghastly form, A meatless skeleton, with sunken eyes And bony fingers, lean and lank, that moved With noiseless tread, and laid its fatal hand Upon the victim unaware. Then Fevers came — A motley throng of wolfish shapes, with hot And parching breath, and burning throats, with thirst Unquenched, though washed by never-failing streams Of life. Then Ague came, with trembling steps, With chill and icy breath. Like aged man. His form was bent, and dim his downcast eye. Then came, with roaring sweep of dragon wing. And casting wide its blighting shadows dark, Dread Cholera. Then troops of other plagues Spread forth their raven wings along the sky, And interposed, between the living world And beaming source of life, their baneful shade. Then came Dyspepsia, Grout, and Coughs and Colds, With Cancers, Scrofula and Leprosy, With mighty legions of diseases named, Or yet unnamed, so great their number seemed. I ceased to mark their numerous forms, and gazed Upon a form of diff"erent mold — beast Of lion shape, with iron teeth and feet, To tear, and crush, and stamp, and bruise and kill Whatever lived on earth, or sea, or sky. 116 His name was Violence. Next came the Winds And Storms, down stooping from tlieir dizzy higlits, With roaring sound, and rushed along the sky With cloud and gloom, and rain and thunder's crash. The Hoary Frost, his chilling power revealed, And Poison dragged his lizard length along. Next Fire came, in hungry tiger's shape ; Then Famine showed a lean, repulsive face, Of human form, and Crime, in garments vile, Swift searched through many a devious, winding way. And culled his victims oft, from fairest fold ; And, last of all, behind a numerous crowd Unnamed, came Age, slow, tottering 'long, with staff In hand, and murmuring oft, his victims scarce, Though power immense to slay, was in his hand. I saw the hosts of Death's destructive rage. The storm fiend, clad in dark and sweeping clouds, With whirlwind's rage, rushed o'er the boist'rous deep : Then rolled the swelling waves on high, and burst With troubled roar against the hollowed rocks That curb the restless deep, and seamen cried To God for aid, when Death was on the sea. And when the storm had ceased its furious wrath, Full many a drowned corpse along the shore Its mighty power proclaimed. With poisonous breath Plagues traveled o'er the earth. Where'er they came, In fearful torture groaning victims lay; Nor deep enough was grave or tomb to hold The dead. The living wildly fled their homes. And shunned the sight of man, as scipcnfc vile. Dead bodies lay in splendid palace hall. In cottage damp, along the stony street. 117 And flow'ry garden walks. The sexton sank In grave himself had dug ; the mitered priest xlnd humble penitent together fell By altar's shrines, the slave and master slept The sleep of death within the same deep pit, Prepared for high or low, for bond or free. The bonds of life were sunder burst, and friends Of dearest ties were thrust apart to meet No more. The grass grew rank where once the walks Were thronged with busy feet. The fox was heard Amid the shocks, unclaimed; the raven perched, Unharmed, upon the steeple's gilded cross. Or fed his young with human flesh ; the do^-s. In howling troops, their masters sought in vain. All commerce ceased, and gold became as trash, And silence reigned through all the dreary waste. Oft Famine wrought vast ruin on earth, and War Encumbered oft the bloody plain with dead; Where'er he reined his bloody steed, were seen Embattled legions bent on bloody prey. The rolling drums and banners gay unfurled, To catch the springing breeze, the waving plumes, The helmets bright, the flashing arms, the steeds In richest trappings dressed, and prancing proud, In haste to snuff the battle from afar. Were seen to promise glory, fame, renown Or station grand, to brave and gallant souls. To lure the nations on to deeds of blood, Upon the gory plains of cruel strife, And steel the heart to widows' lonely sigh, Or helpless orphans' tear. Intemperance, The direst foe of man, and chosen friend 118 Of Death, spread ruin sad and dark despair Along his fatal path. He crushed the soul As well as mortal frame. His victims fell Not down with sudden pang ; but, poisoned By his envenomed fang, and deep defiled, Died first in soul to good, then downward sank In dark, dishonored grave. Where'er he went Came sighs, and tears, and groans, and cursings foul, With shame, and want, and crime, and horrid death. Death's minions went through ail the world of life. I saw the strong man fall and rise no more. The blooming maiden droop, the infant close Its laughing eyes in wakeless sleep, the fierce And mighty beast, the insect weak, the whale. Of hugest bulk that swims the ocean brine, And bird, that wings his chosen way aloft Through heaven's blue, soon perished 'neath the stroke Of Death. The bending grass, the tinted flower, The quiv'ring leaf, the firm and branching oak And waving pine, to moldering dust returned. Amazement seized my soul, and shudders shook My body when I saw the works of Death ; And then I spake: "0, Cherub, heavenly form. Celestial guide, sent down from happy realms Where Death comes not, why reigns this cruel foe Among the earthly works of God?" Then spake The ano;el brisrht, and said : " 'Tis not for man To know the mighty plans of ({od, or read The laws that bind the universe, or grasp The theory of mind and matter, life And death, yet may he know somewhat of earth. 'Tis well that Death should reio-n ; 'tis but a ehano-e — 119 Yet change intended for the good of man. Creation came with change, and change must rule Or naught had been. The earth and all therein Was made for man. The varied seasons came, And bring sweet interchange of heat and cold — Of blooming spring and summer's grain, and fruit Of autumn's yield, and winter's piercing blast — While living beings live and die for man. This world is but the starting place — the goal Is found beyond this mortal sphere. Death comes — Though dread his form — a friend, to loose the band That binds to earth. For who would love to stay Forever here, upon this sinful earth, When heaven waits, with gate§ wide open thrown, To take you in where souls immortal bask In joys no human heart on earth can know. The sting of death is sin. The evil deeds Of man have much increased the hosts of Death — Have added pangs to ev'ry form he takes. He lives scarce half his days, and those in pain. For, had he kept his happy primal state, Then death, for man, had been a pleasing change. To bid farewell to earth, and mount aloft To heaven, on wings of swift, angelic flight, As Enoch or Elijah joined the host That throng the golden streets of paradise. Then fear not Death, although his dart may pierce Thee soon, but strive to make thy peace with God. I'll tell thee whom 'tis meet that you should fear — Whose power is vain to harm the righteous man : Fear Death eternal, born of hateful sin. Who strives to drag the aspiring soul of man 120 Down deep perdition's yawning gulf of woe. He grasps with cruel hand the sinful heart, And seals its sad and mournful doom in night That knows no morn. That fearful home of death, Those realms of blank despair — the Stygian shade- Inclose the wretched victims slain by Death, Eternal Death. No joy, or light, or love. Or peace, or hope, can ever reach the doomed That linger there ; but ever 'during hate. And gloom, and howling rage, and forked flames. And tortures fierce, and all the fearful wrath Of angry Deity. Then fear not Death That can but slay your mortal part, but fear That death that slays in hell the living soul. The part immortal made, and formed to live In heaven, and circle 'round Jehovah's throne. In bliss that human words can never tell." He ceased, and then the vision faded dim ; The angel passed like viewless air away. And mists obscured all the busy scenes That lay before my wondering sight; then sleep, On airy pinion fled, and daylight chased The flitting shadows dark that haunt the night, And love of God dispelled the fears of Death. THE MILLER'S GRAVE. The miller sleeps beneath the ground Where silent stands yon grassy mound. He nobly played his part in life, 121 Throughout the world's unceasing strife. When sorrow marked him for her own, Or joy's bright beams around him shone, When slander hurled his darts in wrath, Or honors strewed his checkered path. Unchanged, he bravely stemmed the tide, And scorned the world's bewitching pride. Above his low and humble grave The drooping willows gently wave. The leaflets dance in summer's breeze. The loud wind rocks the bounding trees, That stand around the sylvan spot In deep repose — he knows it not. Sweet murmurs by the gliding rill That long has turned his moss-grown mill; Bright shines the cascade's foaming round — He hears no morejts joyous sound. He calmly sleeps in peaceful rest ; No troubles now assail his breast; His little bark has gained that shore Where storms and tempests come no more. So may I sleep when life is fled. And all my earthly hopes are dead. ! give me, then, a quiet tomb Where trees may grow and flowers bloom, And may I gain that heavenly home Beyond the sky's cerulean dome. 11 122 THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH AND ITS FATE. Down within the waters living, Way down deep, beneath the waters Of the ocean's briny surges, On the hills, and in the valleys, 'Mid the mighty coral forests, 'Neath the rocks, and on the sand bars, Covered by the restless billows, Dwelt a host of living beings, Undisturbed by genus homo, Braiding all their lovely tresses, Decked with corals, bright and shining, Lived a host of pretty mermaids — Lived a host of scaly fishes — Crawled the green and lazy turtle — Meditated, calm and slowly, All the bivalves of the ocean, And the univalves beside them. Loligos, or cuttle-fishes, Wond'rous creatures, dyed their mantles. Dyed their mantles in their dwellings, In the shade of lofty corals. Lobsters, with their cloven pincers, Reeled along, like lager drinkers, Caring little for collisions With their fellow seamen. Or the winding paths they traveled. Shrimps were darting on the sand banks, Thinking little of the crab-pots Burly fishermen were dragging — 128 Thiukino' little of the kettles, Boiling kettles, heated for them. Slippery, sliding, gliding, squirming Eels were dodging hungry codfish. Or retreating 'mid the sea-weed, Built their little sea-weed wigwams, Built of sea-weed wigwams plenty. To protect their orphan children, Should a gaping gudgeon swallow Mister eel, the careful parent. Sea snakes kept their locomotives Bright and running, on their railroads Under ground, or under water. Like pappooses, in their birches On the western lakes and rivers, Nautilus, canoes were paddling. Needing log or compass never. Thus it was among the nations Dwelling in the briny ocean, Fol'wing each his avocation. Free, was made their constitution. Each one lived where'er he wished to, Eating that that pleased his palate, Trav'ling far, to distant regions. Meditating on each custom With a philosophic thinking ; Learning how they wore their clothing Learning how they ate their dinners, How they built their cozy parlors. How they won their bridal partners, How they drank their mingled todys ; ' Then, returning, told his stories 124 To liis uncles, aunts, and cousins. For his health, each sick one wandered To the healing springs or sea-shore. Each one had a jolly living, Living as his fathers taught him. But a change came o'er their dreaming. O'er the spirit of their dreaming, For a wond'rous thing had happened, Wond'rous to the nether nations. Busy, meddling human beings, Circumscribing all the freedom, All the freedom of the ocean. Given to the finny nations As their own peculiar dwelling. Stretched a magic rope or cable, From the distant eastern shores. Stretching far across the ocean. Stretching to the furthest shores. Such a magic cable was it, Downward sinking, deeper, deeper. To the very bottom sinking. Sadly scaring every gudgeon ; Interfering with the bivalves Meditating on the future, Troubling, by its awful sparkling. By its shocks, so quick and sudden, Ev'ry squirming eel that touched it. Tangling with the mermaid's tresses. Much obstructing all the railroads Snakes or serpents there had builded. Clinging to the lobster's rudder, Breakiu^Tf out the dental molars 125 For the shark and sword fishes. Knocking out the ejes, and blinding Scaiy monsters without pity. Great commotion then resulted ; Some seceding, fled to regions Far remote ; while others, swearing, Vowed they'd never yield their freedom, Never suffer such an insult, Such a hurtful, talking cable Spying out the ocean's secrets, Long to live within their waters. From the clam, so peaceful, snoozing On his soft and slimy pillow, To the mighty whale and walrus. Each one vowed to pocket never, Pocket- never, such an insult While the fishes lived by eating. Then the lobster took a coral, Whittled on it, till it tapered, Tapered to a pen, te write with. Cuttles gave him ink to write with ; Then he wrote a call for meetine:. Writing plainly on a clam shell. Asking all to come and labor, Labor for their country's welfare — Have an indignation meeting. Rousing all to do their duty. Next he signed his 'nomen to it. Gave it to the shark, who marked it With his seal and signet biting. Then they placed it on a coral, On a lofty coral mansion, 126 At the crossing of their turnpike?. Far among the sea-born nations Went the famous proclamation, Proclamation of the meeting To devise the surest method Of retaining all their freedom. Freedom of the mighty ocean. When the bright and glowing Phoebus Looked athwart the eastern surges, Smiling on the day appointed, Hurried then with great commotion, All the wondrous tribes of ocean, Anxious each to serve his nation ; Do some famous deed of power, Winning much applause and honor. Mister Shark, the mighty monster, And the Lobster, cunning creature, . Laying heads in close communion, Authors of this famous meeting, Pre-determined all arrangements, Choosing out a thousand fishes — Strong and active sword fishes — For committees of reception To receive each coming stranger. Make them swear by every eye-tooth, Swear by every precious eye-tooth, To abstain from eating, drinking. Chewing, swearing »and carousals ; Keeping rules and regulations Till the meeting gave permission To resume their delegated, Precious delegated powers. 127 When the meeting had assembled, Mister Lobster called to order, Called to order all the nations. Bade them sit in thoughtful silence Whilst he spake his words of wisdom. ! ye gudgeons of the waters, Whales and dolphins, sharks and serpents, Walrus, and ye lovely mermaids, Oysters, clams and warlike turtles, Eels, and all ye other dwellers. Dwellers in our big sea waters, Deign to hear me speak my feelings, Speak at this momentous crisis. Though fierce thunderbolts from heaven. Though the dark and raging storm-winds, Oft have shaken all the ocean. We have never lost our freedom. Nay ! when firy flames were bursting, Bursting from the deepest bottoms. Bursting through the boiling waters ; When the earthquake, upward heaving, Piled on high the rockbuilt island, Or submerging rocky regions Changed our changing world of waters, We have still maintained our freedom, Freedom of the boundless ocean. Yet, unless we rouse us quickly. Rise with all our mighty powers, Man will seize our native waters, Blasting all our hopes of empire. See ! yon cursed cable, stretching, Stretching far beyond our vision. 128 Spying out the ocean's secrets, Interfering sadly, sadly AVith our daily avocations. Should we leave this cable working Man would shortly bind each ocean With a grievous net of cables. We have suffered many sorrows From these hungry human monsters, Who have feasted on our nations From the day of his creation ; Sad creation for our races, Races of the stormy waters. Then let each one vow to labor To avenge this grievous insult. For this purpose we have gathered To devise the means of acting, Acting in this glorious meeting. Then the Lobster nominated Mister Shark as fitting chairman ; Then the meeting duly chose him, Chose him for their honored chairman. Then they chose a secretary ; Chose a young and lovely mermaid — Then committees were appointed — One for drafting resolutions, One for planning means of warfare 'Gainst the hostile, hateful cable. Soon the first committee, rising. Offered then these resolutions : " Whereas man, beside his cruel, Cruel war upon our races, Now hath stretched a rope or cable, 129 Causing fear and trepidation 'Mongst tlie nations of tlie ocean ; Be it then Resolved, in conclave, Solemn conclave here assembled, That we swear eternal warfare 'Gainst the works of human beings ; Ever guarding all our freedom, Freedom which our fathers left us — That committee number second. Be instructed by this meeting To prepare a plan for breaking, Breaking up this wondrous cable." Then the resolution offered "Was debated in the meetina*. Orators, with silvery voices, Spake with glowing tongue and accent — Mister Whale, the mighty spouter. Spouted streams of patriotism When he told his wrongs and miseries ; How his hunted race had suffered. Driven from the warm sea-waters, Driven 'monoj the frozen iceberg-s. In the dark and polar regions ; How their oil was burning, wasting In a million glowing fires, O'er a thousand fertile valleys. On a thousand hills and mountains. We no more can shed the filial, Filial tear of grief and sorrow, O'er the tombs our fathers sleep in ; For their sacred bones are wearinc;, O' "Worn and borne as human clothing. 12 130 When his feeling speech was ended, Cheering, loud and oft repeated. Told how many hearts were beating Sympathizing with the speaker. Then the resolution offered Passed, no single voice dissenting. Next, committee number second Offered resolutions, stating, Stating their opinions fully; Saying that their honored chairman Should appoint a worthy member. One renowned for fearless courage, Honest motives and intentions. Known to be of boundless wisdom, Very vigilant and cunning. Persevering in his labors. Give him power to summon members, Members of this glorious meeting ; Making j50sse comitatus To assist him in his labors To destroy yon hateful cable. Let him call a host around him, Armed with all our fearful weapons, Who may act beneath his orders ; Mighty sharks and sword fishes. Lengthened snakes and fearless turtles. Slippery eels and darting dolphins. Bright-eyed seals, or cunning lobsters, Or whatever other creatures Of the waters he hath need of. We believe, with proper efforts, Proper systematic efforts, 131 That the cable can be sundered By the mighty jaws and eye-teeth Of our fearless sea-born warriors. Soon this happy resolution Was adopted, none dissenting ; When the honored chairman, rising, Spake with graceful mien and manner, Eulogizing Mister Lobster ; Naming o'er his famous actions. Praising all his deeds of wisdom ; Then he chose him for a leader. Gave him power of choosing members, Such as he should deem were needed. Mr. Lobster, meekly bowing. Undertook the arduous labor. Called around a host of spirits. Genial spirits of the ocean, Full of glowing love for freedom, Ready for the fearful contest. Mister Lobster marshaled round him, Marshaled round him all his forces ; Then, with military order, Marching close wi-th cautious footsteps, Neared the object of their trouble. Mr. Lobster gave the order, Halt ! until he reconnoitered — Fearless then, alas ! he neared it, Gazed with fierce contempt upon it, Seized it with his pincers fiercely ; But, in vain was all his valor, Down it dashed him, kicking, scrabbling, Stirring up the mud around him. 132 Then liis valiant soldiers flickered, Flickered to a safer distance ; But their leader, Mister Lobster, Soon recovered all his ardor. Calling back his scattered forces. Next he sent the hugest turtle Found in all that wat'ry region, Bade him bite the cable sunder. Mister Turtle, for the welfare. Welfare of his native country, Hastened where his duty called him, (Snapped the cable rudely, rudely; But he found himself inverted, Quick inverted, ere he knew it, With his feet above his backbone. Looking greener than he wished to. Greener than his 'customed greenness. Next the swordfish was summoned. Who had boasted of his falchion. Falchion feared by all the fishes. Then the warriors, back retiring, Gave the monster room for battle ; Who a moment poising, poising On a high and lofty billow, Like a thunderbolt from heaven. Downward through the limpid waters. Shot upon the dreaded cable. Harmless glanced aside his weapon, Deep within the mud he floundered. Sinking down beneath the surface, Surface of the ocean's bottom. When the muddy waters settled 133 Nothing, save the fish's rudder, Could be seen above the mortar. To rescue their brave companion From his strange, yet sad condition, Mister Lobster called the serpents — Long and lengthy snakes and serpents — Bade them wind around the runder — Eudder of the buried hero — Snake him forth among the fishes. This, though quickly done, was useless, For they could not even budge him — Budge him from his slimy pillow. Next, a lengthy serpent winding. Took a turn around the swordfish, Then a second round a finback — Bound a mighty Greenland finback — Then they quickly drew him upward ; Drew him out amid the waters. Drew him out among the fishes. When the Lobster saw these failures. Cunning plans he thought of quickly, Planning strange and better methods. Then he called the dolphins round him Told them of his cunning purpose ; Told them where the bursting tempest. Sweeping o'er the rolling billows. Lately dashed upon the breakers — Dashed a vessel on the breakers. Strewing far its broken fragments. Speed ye where its hulk is lying, Bring its ropes and cables hither. Kopes were brought and mermaids tied them. 134 Tied them with their pretty fingers — Tied them on th' electric cable — Then a band of sharks and dolphins Seized them with their dental grinders, Seized the ropes prepared for dragging, Dragged the cable from its moorings ; Dragged wher'er the Lobster pointed, Dragged it o'er the rocks of granite, Placed it on a sharp-edged bowlder. Sawed it backward, sawed forward, Till they won the glorious battle, Till the ruined cable quivered. Quivered in its helpless ruins. Pealing, ringing, far resounding, Through their fair and wat'ry regions, Filling all the sea-born nations. Filling all with joy and gladness ; Shouts of vict'ry, loud and cheering, Rent the ocean's stormy billows. Thus the finny nations conquered — Conquered by their skill and cunning — Triumphed o'er the mighty cable, Highest work of human beings, Conquered ere the cannon's rattle. Sounding o'er the hills and valleys. Rocking all the airy heaven, Celebrating grand achievements — Grand achievements of the cable — Died upon the distant mountains. 135 MY BIRTHDAY. It came and went ; it was a day of gloom ; The silver frost had nipped the valley's bloom; The storm-king, like a raven dark and grim, Had swept along the heaven's concave rim, And on its airy path had scattered wide Dark, dreary clouds plucked from his sullen side. It was a sere and dull October's day, And sad my heart within my bosom lay; My soul went forth to scan each crowding thought That gathered in my brain, by fancy brought, Or thoughts that paced the aisles of mem'ry's fane, To gaze on pictures there of joy and pain. Far Northward I had left my happy home, And then my heart and I were all alone Far from that other heart, that love had giv'n — The sweetest, dearest heart this side of heav'n — Yea, sweeter far to me than heaven's best. Was that fond heart within my darling's breast. It was my birthday ; saddest day of all. Because it tells how lengthened shadows fall ; How fast the fleeting years of life have fled ; How short the distance yet to realms of dead, And brings before my inward sight the ghost Of many a golden hour forever lost. In long array the plans and hopes of childhood cam' Like airy phantoms seen by feeble flame. While brighter still the faded dreams of youth 136 Came on like elves, fantastic, strange, uncouth ; And with them gliding forms I once had known, As friend or foe along my pathway thrown. Again, adown life's ebbing stream, I traced And watched the eager wavelets as they raced ; I viewed each rock that turned its course aside, And marked where many a gleaming bubble died ; I listened to the songs the cascades sung. And saw the shade where weeping willows hung. Thus mem'ry drew the wild ideal train To pass the open portals of the brain, While white and tented fields and armed bands, While trundling cannon and war-stricken lands On every side, gave future days and years A tint of gloom, an atmosphere of tears. DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM. The sun had kissed with golden light The temple's gilded spires bright, Then sank with farewell gaze to rest, Behind the clouds that deck the west, While many a glowing fire shone Around the bleeding victims strewn. That cumbered walk, and court, and hall, Around the temple's shining wall, Impending fate and mournful gloom: Hung o'er the Jewish nation's tomb. 137 Jerusalem was torn and rent By num'rous foes in judgment, To cleanse lier fearful guilt away, And 'close her long and sinful day. Seditious wrath and famine dread Filled street and house with ghastly dead. Unhuried heaps of corpses lay In every nook and winding way, While Eomans stretched the crucified Where once the God-like Saviour died. Since first the sun began his march Along the sky's cerulean arch, His o'ushing light had never shone On misery such as here was known, Nor never more shall beam again. On heaps so great of famished slain. The roar of battle now had died, And Jews behind the breaches wide. Were ranged with fierce and glaring mein. With gloomy faces, gaunt and lean. With scowling wrath and vengeance dire, They silent watched the smold'ring fire. And by its glare beheld their foes, And cursed their day of fearful woes. The wretched Jews now mourn their fate, And called to mind, yet now too late. How Jesus came from heaven to earth. In humble guise and lowly birth, And spent his life to bless their race. And yet he sufi'ered deep disgrace. When loud they cried. His blood remain On all who dwell in Judah's plain ; 138 And how a comet threat'ning hung, Like flaming sword in heaven swung, And soldiers bright, in silver sheen, Along the sky at e'en were seen, To march amid the dusky clouds, Above the city's wond'ring crowds, And of that pentecostal night. When Luna's lamp was shining bright, And quakings shook the solid ground, And voices strange were heard around, "Let us remove from hence afar;" As warning sent of future war. And of that cry, so sad and shrill, That Jesus made on Zion's hill, In temple, court, in spacious street, On city wall, at tower's feet. "A voice," he cried, "from east and west. And from the winds that never rest, A voice against this holy fane, A voice against the city's name, A voice against bridegroom and bride, A voice against the people's pride." This was his cry, by night and day. Till seven years had passed away. To those who fed or beat him sore. With strength renew'd he cried the more His doleful speech, and answered them. Woe, woe, to sad Jerusalem. But now he sleeps in calm repose, Bereft of life by Roman foes. Thus sighed the throng with famine pressed. Until aroused from troubled rest 139 By strife renewed with horrid roar, They view the storm of battle pour Its fearful wrath in ruin vast. Like whirlwind's wild and raging blast The Romans drove the Jews along, And entered, with the flying throng, The temple's court, the sacred dome. Where all with gold and silver shone. A soldier thrust, with careless hand, Through window gilt his burning brand. At once burst forth the glaring flame, While maddened Jews, like men insane. With furious rage and wrathful jeers. Rush madly on the Roman spears. With eager haste the legions rushed O'er groaning heaps of victims crushed, Mor heeded they the blinding smoke, The dying wail or vengeful stroke. In vain did Titus give commands To quench the hot and blazing brands. The roaring flames high upward rolled. With many a red and fiery fold, Wide casting 'round a lurid glare. Through all the dark, surrounding air. While weeping crowds, with doleful cries. Beheld it blazing to the skies. Unheeding now their wretched state. They sadly mourned the temple's fate, 'Till distant hills gave back the wail. Far o'er the dim and dreary vale. Now clamor wild, with falling crash, With dying shrieks and saber's clash. 140 With hissing flame and trumpet's blast, Burst wide around with slaughter vast. In vain the Jews for mercy call, In vain they climb the cloistered wall, In vain they hurl the spikes of lead, Or struggle o'er the bleeding dead, In vain they shun the scorching flame, And call on God's all-powerful name. Nor man, nor God, was there to save From wretched fate and bloody grave. WHAT I LOVE. I love the flowers, sweet and rare. Bright sparkling in the summer air. The zephyr's soft and gentle breeze That floats amid the waving trees. I love sweet music's cheering trill. The gushing fount, the dancing rill, The cascade's bright and sparkling foam. That gleams amid its mountain home. I love the lucid stars on high, That, glit'ring, deck the vaulted sky. The silver moon, with gentle haze, The fiery sun's resplendent blaze. 141 I love to see the lightnings play, When showers cool the summer day, Or the bright bow of heaven behold, That spans the clouded sky with gold. I love to hear the billows roar Against the craggy, rock-bound shore, And dash its surge against the rock, Till shakes the earth beneath the shock. DEATH OF DE KALB. 'Twas midnight dark, o'er land and stream, And Luna's torch, with fitful gleam, Was struggling through the ragged clouds That wrapped the starry hosts in shrouds Of somber hue. Deep silence spread His pinion o'er each wearied head. But hark ! that silence breaks around ; With hurried tramp the vales resound. By Rugely's mill and winding stream. Where bright a hundred watch-fires gleam, Battalions form, and squadrons pour Like swelling waves with steady roar. With heavy roll, the cannon wheels Went trundling o'er the tented fields. Columbia's sons, by Gates' command. Were on the march to save the land From Britain's strong and warlike arms. And tories' wild and fierce alarms, 142 Whose red right hands were ever near The midnight flame and ghastly bier. The British, too, had marshaled then Their num'rous hosts of eager men, And now were marching bravely on To rouse their foes ere morning's dawn. Thus onward moved, through shades of night, Each bannered host, and ere the light Of sun could sweep the gloom away, The vanguards met in fierce array. The shock, so unforeseen, astounds Both sides, who back, to seek new grounds, Becoil, and wait the morning gray, Ere closing in the deadly fray. Scarce dawned on Camden's fatal field The golden sun's refulgent shield, Ere far and wide the British spread, With dancing plumes and garments red, Their glit'ring legions o'er the vale, And onward rushed, like sweeping gale. The Continentals firmly stand. While brave De Kalb leads on the van. The raw militia, seized with fright. Inglorious fled in shameful flight, And left the gallant few to die Where bursts along the frightened sky The cannon's roar, the saber's ring, The battle's clang, with hurried din ; Yet brave and firm that gallant band Before the charging squadrons stand. Fierce rolls the battle's raging storm, Where towers high De Kalb's proud form 148 Though foes outnumbered two to one, Amid the war-clouds' sulphurous din He urges on his wasting corps. In vain their noble blood they pour — The bravest of the brave is down — De Kalb lies, pierced, upon the ground. In purple streams his gushing blood Deep stains the earth with crimson flood, While o'er the hero's prostrate head The bayonets strew the earth with dead. With outstretched arm, De Buyson cries, Save ! save ! or quick the Baron dies. The baron, marred with many a thrust, Is lifted from the blood-stained dust. The evening fell, with darksome ray, And closed the carnage of the day ; Yet while the earth it darkly shades, As glim'ring taper calmly fades. As sunset dies in distant west. The hero slowly sinks to rest. Within that consecrated soil. Made sacred by his blood and toil. Where once loud clashed the battle's blows, De Kalb now sleeps in calm repose. Tread softly round his lowly tomb ; Let flowers spring and gently bloom ; Let trees and vines in clusters cling, And breathe the fresh'ning air of spring ; And dewdrop shed its shining tear Above the noble stranger's bier, Who left the land that gave him birth, His native cot and fireside hearth. 144 His titled wealtli and station grand, To figlit for freedom's chosen land, And water with his blood the^ tree That spreads its branches o'er the free. ODE TO FREEDOM. O, Liberty ! I've heard thy name, Thy worthy deeds, thy wond'rous fame, Where freedom's fires glow, Where^freemen hang their banners high. To stream along the azure sky, The tyrant's dreaded foe. 0, Groddess ! friend of Grod and man. Arouse thy hosts, lead on the van, And free the world from chains. Let tyrant thrones in thunder fall ; Let cruel lords for mercy call Upon a thousand plains. Leave not the world to slavery's doom, Though tyrants oft haveVorn thy plume, And fought for selfish ends. And sons have recreant traitors proved. Where freedom's hosts victorious moved Against oppression's friends. Some noble names the world has known. Who lived and died for thee alone. 145 Nor lived and died in vain ; Their names are sculptured on the walls That close around thj pillared halls, True freedom's sacred fane. In olden time, in days of yore, When freedom's ranks, all crimsoned o'er, In bloody heaps lay strewn, Epaminondas wrote his name High on the scrolls of freedom's fane. And Brutus died for Rome. In modern times, the glowing sun Hath seen the deeds of Washington, Of Kosciusco brave; Hath seen the tomb Bozzaris made, The spot where Lafayette^^was laid In soldier's honored grave. A Wilberforce hath roused the world His noble banner high unfurled — " Let negro slavery die." Kossuth hath made the tocsin peal, Where Magyar's fought for freedom's weal Beneath an Austrian sky. Beyond the blue Atlantic's wave, Where Tiber's sparkling waters lave The fair Italian strand. Loud voices Garibaldi cry, And trembling princes swiftly fly To seek a distant land. 1 o io 146 O, Goddess ! speed tliy conqu'ring flight, O'erturn at once Oppression's might, And burst each galling chain ; For why should man his tyrants fear, Whom God hath made for higher sphere Than live for sordid gain ? God speed that bright and glorious day When all shall yield to Freedom's sway, And true Religion's shrine On firm foundations ever stand, And flags of peace, in ev'ry land. In matchless glory shine ! OUR COUNTRY'S FLAG. Float on, float on, thou glorious flag. O'er land and sea and mountain crag, O'er gleaming lake and bastioned tower. Where'er the world hath known thy power. I love the glowing stars that blaze Athwart thy blue, with silver rays, Thy gorgeous folds, that waving stream And vie with rainbow's sungilt beam. 0, traitors ! will ye rend its blue. Beneath whose folds our freedom grew, Or dash its shining stars to earth And crush those orbs of heavenly birth? Shall sons of those who dared to die 147 For Freedom's weal, in days gone by, In days that tried our father's souls, Desert our noble banner's folds? Ah, no ! this banner oft hath waved Where wild the fates of battle raved, Where cannons burst with awful roar And stained the earth with reeking gore ; And sabers flashed, with blazing steel. Along the smoke-enveloped field. Upon its stripes and starry sky The dying soldier's fading eye Hath^often gazed, and kindled bright, Till death's deep darkness quenched its light. Beneath this flag our Washington Hath many a famous vict'ry won. A fearless Wayne, with vengeance dire. Hath dared to brave the foeman's ire ; A Greene hath swept the battle-plain ; A Morgan strewn the earth with slain, And Marion's sword with terror gleamed While fighting where this banner streamed. When sad defeat and gloomy clouds Had wrapped our sky in somber shrouds, On Trenton's icy plains, flung high. It blazed along the wint'ry sky, Till darkness broke and rolled away, And brought once more the dawning day. When Valley Forge's snowy glen Received Columbia's dauntless men, And howling blast and chilling storm Assailed the soldier's haggard form, This ensign shone, with radiant light, 148 Through all that long despairing night. Near Saratoga's bloody field It saw a British army yield ; At York town heard the joyful cry, The battle's won and peace draws nigh. Far o'er the dark and stormy main The fearless Jones increased its fiime ; It faltered not at Lundy's Lane, Nor waved at New Orleans in vain. It streamed along the ocean tide, Our country's hope, our nation's pride. From Montezuma's lofty dome Its glit'ring stars has proudly shone, Far o'er the Aztec's sunny land. And 'long Tezencoe's wave-washed strand. Arouse ye sons of patriot sires ! Rekindling freedom's smold'ring fires, And swear by those who fought and bled, Where'er this spangled standard led, By those who press the soldier's grave. Or sleep beneath the tidal wave. That it shall ever stream unfurled, A flag revered by all the world. SIEGEL. Beyond the blue Atlantic's brine, Where proudly sweeps the silver Bhine, By frowning crag or flowery strand, Is found the German's father-land. 149 It is a land of hill and plain, Of verdant meads and waving grain, And long renowned for deeds of fame That honor still the German name. Though lovely is that Grerman home, Her sons have crossed the ocean's foam And sought the land of freemen's pride, And for its weal hath nobly died. De Kalb, of glorious mem'ry, fell While for our country batt'ling well; A brave Steuben with trusty blade And helping hand hath lent his aid. And now, our country's darkest hour, Our foes have felt a Siegel's power, Hath fled in haste, his cannon's fire. Like leaves before the whirlwind's ire. His name is like the clarion blast That rouses men to labors vast. And fires the heart to deeds sublime Where'er his starry banners shine. Great God ! may not his sun set red On gory fields of mangled de'^.d ; Protect him in the deadly strife, And bless him with an honored life. Preserve the banner he unrolls. The host that fights beneath its folds ; Give Peace and Union to our land, And guard us with thine own right hand. 150 THE SOLDIER'S LAST DREAM. 'Twas night ; deep darkness spread afar Around the fearful scenes of war, And all was silent, save the tramp Of weary guards around their camp. Among the gently waving trees Went sighing by the rustling breeze. And bright on ev'ry grassy spear Was found the heaven's dewdrop tear. The Tennessee's wide-swelling stream, Reflecting far the starlight's gleam, With wavelets murm'ring low and sweet, But soothed the soldier's drowsy sleep. Within his tent a soldier lay, Dreaming of loved ones far away, The wooded hills and fertile plains Around his cot where true love reigns. In fancy now he climbs the hight That o'erhangs his cottage white. Beholds the walk with lilies lined, And sees the door with vines entwined. The latch is raised, the door swings wide, The tender wife, his young heart's pride, Embraces now his war-warn form. And soothes his brow with kisses warm. 151 Climbs on Lis knee the little boy, And laughs in glee and childish joy; Kind words and loveliest smiles are there To cheer the heart and banish care. 'Tis gone ; the crimson flame leaps bright From gleaming steel that bursts in sight, And wild the grim old forests rock Beneath the battle's direful shock. As sleeping steed on pampas' plain, When thunders growl at lightning's flame, Bounds high in air with glaring eye. So sprang the youth to fight and die. One pearly tear he dashes down, One prayer to those in dreamland found, One volley for his country's weal. And then his life blood stains the field. In vain, alas ! the loving eye Turns longing toward the southern sky ; It must at last the lesson learn, The dear one gone shall ne'er return. The gentle winds from sunny skies Have kissed the hillside where he lies. And on their wings brought sweet perfume From flowers blooming o'er his tomb. 0, God ! how long shall vengeance wait ? How long shall hearts with venomed hate Heap victims on the wasting fire, That smoke around our country's pyre ? 152 "I HOPE WE'LL WIN." The dying words of young Jackson, who was killed on board the Wabash, in the attack on Hilton Head. It was a day of battle wild, When brave and eager seamen smiled To bear the deep-moutlied cannon roar, Far booming o'er the hostile shore. And sulph'rous clouds, from belching gun, Had darkly veiled the morning sun, And half concealed each gallant sail That dared the storm of iron hail. The rage of battle fiercer grew, 'Till red was all the heavens blue, With bombshells blazing curves of fire, Till shook the air with hissings dire. Till ship and shore were rent and torn By bursting fragments onward borne, Till stained was all the sandy shore With rebels' dark and clotted gore. Like hot volcanoes wrapped in flame, The battle ships, the fight maintain, And move along their fi'ry path. Like demons charged with fiendish wrath, While, shrouded thick in curling smoke, The rebel forts returned the stroke, Till shore and sea and solid ground He-echoed 'neath the horrid sound. 153 Among these seamen brave and true That fought beneath our banners blue, Was one, a youth of noble form. Who wavered not, though dread the storm That burst athwart the frigate's way, And dashed aloft the beaten spray, Till at his post he nobly fell. Beside the gun he served so well. While comrades slowly bore away His bleeding form — his pallid clay — From battle's smoke and battle's din. His voice was heard, " I hope we'll win ; " And ere he closed his eyes in death, With parting sigh and latest breath. Rejoiced that he had something done To guard the flag of Washington. The battle 's o'er, the vict'ry won, In silence rests each blackened gun; The vail of smoke has lifted high. And left a bright and brilliant sky ; O'er conquered wall and battlement, O'er sandy shore and snowy tent, Our starlit banner proudly rolls Upon the breeze its silken folds. Far distant from his native land, His tomb is on a distant strand. Where sea-born surges leap and swell, To chant afar the soldiers knell, 14 154 Where storin-wiuds howl and zephyrs sigh Beneath a southern sun -gilt sky ; He calmly sleeps on Hilton Head, Among the brave and honored dead. VALHALLA I speak of olden time, of days of yore, Of gods and men who trod a distant shore, Far off where Normen dwelt in ancient time, And wrote their Druid rites in Runic rhyme, And formed with tireless limbs and skillful hands, Their swift and daring prows and warlike brands ; Far off, where raging storm-winds wildly sweep Along the Baltic's dark, unfathomed deep. Where forests spread their awful shade around, And dim-lit hollows roar with cascade's sound. Where silver lakes are gleaming in sunshine, Beneath the craggy mountain's stern outline, With gorgeous dome, with spire and architrave, With arches spanning high the blue concave, With towers grand, and battlement and wall, The warlike Odin reared his palace hall. It was a noble palace, and heaven-like, Upreared by hands of more than mortal might. And richly built from deep foundation-stone. To highest roof, that capped each swelling dome With sapphire, emerald, and the chrysolite. With crystal, amethyst and porphyrite. In summer's time, when blushing flowers bloom. 155 And breezes on their wings bear sweet perfume, And pine trees doff their russet gown and cape For garb of deeper green and richer make, And fertile fields, in golden harvests wave, And eddying streams on blooming margins lave, And fish-hawks plunge beneath the swelling tide, Where trout and pike in limpid currents glide, The slanting sun that lights the northern zone. Is then the light of Odin's palace home. When from his throne, the dark and icy pole, Old Winter comes, and with him onward roll, In cloud-wrapped cars, and wildly whirling storms, His legion hosts, of stern and dreadful forms, To bridge the streams and seal the quiet lakes. And dress the frost-bit earth w'ith snowy flakes. Then streams afar, from ev'ry turret's hight, And upward mounts to greet the stars of night. And bless the feasting throngs who there convene. With song and dance, the borealis beam. Here mighty Odin rules with boundless sway. And when the shades of evening blot the day. Receives his messengers of raven wing. And listens to the world-wide news they bring. The fates of Yalkryor he sends afar. Where'er are found the bloody scenes of war. Resplendent with auroral light they leap Adown the sky to skim the foaming deep. And range, on tireless wing, the reeking plain. Selecting out the brave and noble slain. To fill Valhalla's bright and happy courts. And share with deathless gods their blessed sports. Then back to Odin's gates, like rising day, 156 Thej mount the sky and lead the shining way. "Within the court-yard, paved with lustrous gold, With armor burnished bright and phalanx bold, The gods and heroes stand, with ready arms, And anxious wait for battle's stirring charms. Great Odin speaks, and then their swords are crossed, And high in air their blazing shields are tossed, And all the heavens rock with bursting storms, And all the court is strewn with mangled forms. Great Odin's voice, at length, is heard afar ; At once is hushed the raging storm of war, Each mangled form springs up, restored to life, Unmarred by all the wounds of heavenly strife. Now happy in their high and glorious fate, They throng Valhalla's royal halls of state, And spend, in banquet joys, the eventide, AVhile heaven's poet, Bragi, sings with pride, EaiJh hero's warlike might and deeds of fame, And sounds, with tuneful voice, his worthy name. Transcendent in his glowing vesture, Frey, The god of sunlight and the azure day. Amid the hosts that throng Valhalla's aisles, Scatters his golden fruits with gracious smiles; And Freya, too, fair goddess crowned with flowers, With all her gentle train, delights the hours. And fills Great Odin's bright and spacious home, With music's grandest swell and sweetest tone. 'Tis gone. Valhalla now no more is seen. When lights boreal, wrought in heaven, gleam. Sad Niffleheim, so cold and bleak, has fled, With all its regions filled with coward dead, And Odin's star, high Asgard's glorious throne, Has waned within a heaven brighter grown. 157 EVENING. How I love to see sunset in beauty unfold Its bright curtains, all gleaming with crimson and gold, Sweetly painting the fairy Hesperian isles, Where winter comes never and spring ever smiles. In the sunset's fair region, where ocean e'er flows, Are the isles of the blessed, where the pious repose, Where the temple of Phoebus is decked by the hand Of the sun-god, who sleeps in this glorious land. From the gray-dappled regions that usher the dawn Over mountain and river, green valley and lawn, Swift Apollo re-mounts his bright chariot wheels, And drives flaming through heaven's high star-spangled fields. Yet he ever returns to his couch in the west. At the close of the day, to his slumbering rest, Where the tones of sweet music are swelling in strains, And soft breezes are blowing o'er rose-tinted plains. Then come sparkling the stars in the heaven's high dome, Calmly wondering where sunlight had suddenly flown. And the moon, in her majesty, climbs the steep sky, Slowly walking 'mid clouds that are floating on high. Then the feathery pinions are folded in sleep. And the beasts are all resting in silence most deep, And the workman is seeking the light of his home. While the blessings of slumber by Somnus are strewn. 158 CIRCLES. We live and move in circles great and small, Within a world on circling motions planned. The wood-crowned hight and dizzy mountain crest, The vale, rose-tinted, and the verdant plain. The mirrored lake and ever murmuring stream, The ocean's storm-rocked main, the vapory clouds, The sun and moon and all the heavenly host. In glowing numbers tell that God hath built, In circling lines of beauty and of grace. The universe, and all harmonious made Its motions glide in graceful circles round. The blooming Spring, with gentle step, comes on ; Her breath is in the fragrant breeze that sighs, Within her tracks the primrose glances bright, And purple lilacs scent the morning air ; The cowslip glows where babbling waters gleam, And gray old forests don their brightest green. Then Summer, with her golden locks, succeeds The passing Spring — along her pathway waves The yellow grain. The tasseled corn looks up To greet the warm, refreshing shower, and gaze Upon the sunlight's gilded bow that spans, In circles high, the clouded arch of heaven. Next Autumn, laden down with luscious fruits On ev'ry leafy bough and emerald spear. His bright and many-tinted mantle spreads. And scatters blessings on a waiting world. Now hoary Winter comes, with blustering step. To close the varied year's revolving round ; 159 His frosty breath, congealed on land and stream And mountain's brow, reflects the slantinir lisirht Wide o'er the snowy scene. He fills the air With howling storms, and binds the silver lake And winding stream with cold and icy chain. Against the stern and somber sky the trees All leafless stand, while nature rests in sleep. In circling rounds the water ever goes ; Now rushing on, in sea-born current's might, Through caverns deep in earth's foundation rocks ; Now sunward rising from old ocean's brine ; Now sweeping on, in dark and misty clouds, Upon the circuit of the fleeting winds Refreshing all the earth, from pole to pole, With bounteous draughts ; now plunging, mad and wild Adown each mountain crag and snowy hight, Outgushing 'neath the overhanging cliff. Unwinding through the vale its glit'ring chain, And swelling with each glowing rill and fount. Until once more, with mighty torrents' flood, It greets its ocean home. The tender grass That paints the sloping lawn; the flower's bloom That tints the plain ; the oak, gigantic formed To test the tempest's rage, all pass away ; Yet soon they live again in other forms As fair as they when in their glory's prime. When clouds, rain-burdened, hide the blazing sun, And swift the storm -god sweeps on raven wing Along the damp and somber brow of heaven — The vivid lightning, with its fi'ry bolts. Bursting along the darkened sky, is but Electric freaks on world-wide circuits played. 160 The dusky niglit, on tireless pinion borne Before the flaming car of day, flies on In circles swift around our spheric gJobe — In vast ellipse around our glowing sun Revolves its retinue of shining w^orlds ; While far away within the deep abyss Of space unmeasured, whirl in grand array Each twinkling star and comet train. Around some vast sun-central orb of li^ht, The pivot throne of all the Universe. The tiny insect on his glit'ring wing ; The heaven-daring eagle, plunging on Amid the thunder's dark and misty realms, And mounting higher still, as if to pierce The azure dome and bathe his earth-born wing^s Within the sun's unmellowed blaze of liaht ; The beast that roams each flower-painted field, Or shivers 'mid the regions bound and choked With everlasting snows ; the whale, sea-born, That loves the wild and boist'rous main, and leaps In playful gambols 'mid the tumbling foam And dashing spray of ocean's fearful wrath; With ever varying round of pleasure, pain And death, pass through th' allotted space of life- While others come to trace the beaten track, And gain at last the goal their fathers found. In circles high or low move all mankind ; The dusky Indian in his forest home. Contented with the hunter's wildwood chase, The warrior's trail and camp-fire's festive dance ; The toil-worn peasant in his lowly cot ; The sailor tossed upon the darkened deeps ; 161 The soldier upon the blackened field of death ; The haughty king upon his regal chair, Encircled with the splendors of his realm, All move along upon the wheel of time Until swept off by Death's unsparing hand, They fall within the dark and narrow grave, And leave their crumbling tombs and tot'ring towers To tell, in after days, how weak and vain Are all the monuments of human might. As now, so in the days of ancient time, Within the cycles of the mighty past. With all its strange and dim-wrapped mysteries. From dismal realms of blank chaotic forms. The all-prevailing hand of God flung forth This vast spheroid, with misty zone engirt, Made gloomy darkness yield to heaven's light, And wrote progression on each solid rock Encircling all the vasty depths of earth. With each untiring round of ages came. To clothe the rugged rocks and swampy plains, The fern, the moss, the reed, and lofty palm, To break the silence of the forest depths, The darkly shaded glen, the boggy cave. And rivers veiled within the tangled gloom ; The fish, the bird, and labyrinthodont. The dinotherium, and the zenglodon, Until, at last, with bright and gorgeous skies, With pure and buoyant air and fertile plains. With treasures hoarded deep in rocky safes. And onward wheeling, with a nobler curve, The earth received her new created lord. Thus looms the future on our searchino' gaze. 1(32 A vast, unbounded something, opening wide, And wider still, with ev'ry glowing beam Of added light, until the infinite And the eternal roll upon the soul. The spirit world is not a quiet sphere, Where hapless misery mourns, and joyous bliss A changeless song of praise forever sings. It is a world where misery deeper sinks, And heaven brighter grows as onward roll Unnumbered years around Jehovah's throne. Then what a glorious thought that we who creep With feeble pace around this earthly ball. Shall launch away, when back to mother earth Crumbles this mortal part, and shoot as swift As thought from sphere to sphere, from star to star, And read the record of each flying orb. And grasp the laws that bind the universe ; And in the scale of being circling high. And higher still, through time's unending round, Witn angel hosts from each created world, xVpproach the very throne of God himself. CAVERN BY THE SEA. Far to the westward, where sunset reposes, And the day, sleeping, his palace discloses. Scattered like stars in heaven, bright beaming, Islands enchanting in beauty are gleaming. Curtained with sweet-tinted clouds and blue skylights, Gorgeous to gaze on, and charming the eyesight, 163 Smiling 'mid white-crested sea-waves, and fading In the dim distance, as night flings her shading Over a slumbering world, is reclining, 'Midst the bright waters that ever are shining, Fairest of islands, the Tonga, the jewel Worn on the bosom of ocean, the cruel. Bursting around its stern rocks, with wild clangor. Billows for ages have lashed it in anger ; Bains from the heaven have flooded its hillsides, Swolen its torrents with plunging wild foam-tides. Earthquakes have throbbed in its heart deeply hidden, Whirlwinds in frenzy have come though unbidden ; Still it is standing, encircled with waters, Lovely and fair as her gay, laughing daughters. Pearly sea-shells, with the tints of the rainbow, Gleam on its strands where the waves of the tide flow. In the green meadow and moorland the flowers Are ever blooming in sunshiny hours, Peeping from nooks, all embowered in arbors, FloatiDg in ponds, where timid trout harbors. Fringing the rocky-mouthed cavern with drapings, Hiding the rocks with its verdant re-shapings. Whitening the valleys with harvests upspringing, And bright unfolding where woodvines are clinging. Golden and sweet are the fruits that impending Hang where the laden-down branches are bending ; Pure the bright waters that rush from its mountains, Spring from its hillsides, or gush from its fountains ; Gay is the plumage that gleams in its woodlands, Sweet are the songs that resound thro' its good lands ; Bright are the fish that,are thronging its waters ; Brave are its chieftains, and lovely its daughters; 164 Pure are its breezes 'mid orange trees sighing; Happy the clime where the Tongas are lying. Love has her votaries in every nation, Monarchs and heroes, and men of low station, Queens on rich thrones, with their courtiers surrounding, Eustic-clad maidens, 'midst wild scenes abounding. So in the Tongas, the ocean's rare treasure. Love held her courts and her bowers of pleasure. Wawa, the chieftain, was noble and gallant. Handsome and brave, and not wanting in talent. Swift in the chase, and in battle undaunted, E'er to be found where a strong arm was wanted. Swan-like and graceful, his bark bounded proudly, Mounting the waves where the billows dash loudly. Wawa loved deeply and truly a maiden ; Long had he loved her, the lovely xilraden, While with her heart's pure afi'ection she blessed him, And with sweet tenderness ever caressed him. Sweet were the hours when the lovers were glancing, Each into eyes where the love-light was dancing, Plighting their vows, recalling each pleasure That sweetest mem'ry had stored in its treasure. But their bright sunshine with shadows was darkened ; Vaho, Alraden's stern father, had barkened, Heeding the promises Oha was making. Dreaming but little of hearts he was breaking; Vowed that young Wawa away sbould be driven, And the fair daughter to Oha be given. Sad were the hearts of the lovers when sighing. Plighting new faith and ajffection undying, Beady to part, but still dreading to sever Ev'ry bright hope that had bound them together. 165 Bounding o'er waves that were sparkling and flashing, In the bright sunlight that silvered their dashing, Wawa was steering his bark to a haven, Called by the hunters, the Rook of the Raven. High were the rocks and the bluffs that surrounded. Bright were the corals that in it abounded. Sea-turtles sporting, and heedless of danger, Saw not the swift-gliding boat of the stranger. Wawa's spear flashed in the blue dimpling water, Filling the Rook of the Raven with slaughter ; Chasing the wounded, he plunged in the fountains, Diving deep under the wave-eaten mountains. Strange was the sight that astonished his vision, When from the waters the youth had arisen. Gazing with wonder on scenes so enchanted, Out from the waves, on the threshold undaunted. Leapt the young chief, and exploring the grottoes, Threaded the archways, and glanced at its frescoes. Praised the high dome, with its white, snowy ceiling. And by its stalagmite altars down kneeling. Blessed the kind Grod that had shown him the portals Leading to mansions undreamed of by mortals. Wawa, returning, was silent and prayerful, Watching each movement with caution most careful. Changes were passing in Tonga's sweet island ; Soldiers were marshaled from valley and highland. Causeless rebellion, with scornful derision. Broke, in its madness, the glorious vision, Peace, with her maidens, had lovingly flaunted Over its valleys, all sweet and enchanted. Vava, the ruler, triumphant in battle. 166 Ordered his foes to be slain like the cattle. Fathers and sons, and their wives and their daughters, Must with their life-blood bright crimson the waters. Vaho and family were marked for the scaffold ; But the young Wawa was not to be baffled. Life, if Alraden should perish, were sorrow Ne'er to be bright with the light of to-morrow. Down in the valley and over the mountain, Anxious he sought for her, hard by the fountain Where, in the days of the past, was their bower, Secretly chosen for love's quiet hour. Mino-lino; her tears with the waves onward fleeting, Wawa discovered the maid he was seeking. " Darling Alraden, with joy beyond measure, Wawa has come to reclaim his sweet treasure !" " Ah, my dear Wawa ! the fates are so cruel ! Will not thy coming to torment add fuel ? Yava, e'en now, is preparing to slay us. Soldiers are watching the paths to waylay us." " Fear not," said Wawa, " for fortune has blessed me, Shown me a palace, where none can molest thee, Fairer than temples of human construction. Built, as it were, to preserve from destruction, All that I love from the danger impending ; Hasten, then, haste ! while the night is descending." Cautiously down through the dark gorges flying. Fled they where Wawa's light vessel was lying. Out on the waters, now fearless of dangers. Wawa was seeking the sea-hidden chambers Nature had carved in the Rook of the Raven, Screening its portals with waves gently laving. " Here," said the chieftain, " our chambers are waiting 167 Gladly to save us from foes that are hating. Follow me ; tho' the blue waters shall cover, Trust, ever trust, in your only true lover." Downward they plunged, and the waters, re -closing. Told not the place of the lovers' reposing. In this strange rock-covered mansion, dim-lighted. Wooing and winning, ail vows were re-plighted. Thus passed the summer, with sunshine and flowers. Autumn was tinging the fields and the bowers, Staining the lemon and red'ning the myrtle. Gilding the hillsides with yellow and purple. When the chieftain, his people collecting. Sailed from the island, kind heaven protecting. Seeking a home, undisturbed by the sorrows Springing from war, with his death-dealing arrows. " Wawa, our chieftain," his people were speaking. While his light barks o'er the billows were leaping, "Wilt thou not take from the Tongas, to bless thee, Some fa;iry maiden whose hands may caress thee, Whose gentle loving may cheer thee and brighten, Life's darkest pathway, and each burden lighten." " Wawa has chosen the Ocean's fair daughter ; Soon shall she leap from the blue, dimpling water, Brightest of gems in the sea-hidden chamber ; Mine shall she be in the land of the stranger." Thus spake the chieftain, and suddenly leaping Down 'neath the billows that round them were sweeping. Great was the wonder, when Wawa, emerging, Held in his arms, 'mid the water's white surging, Fair as the palm-tree with leaves all in motion. Lovely Alraden, the daughter of Ocean. 168 GRIEVING HESPERUS. Upon a rugged cliff, high heavenward flung, Bold o'er a thousand wide-spread valleys hung, I sat and gazed with tearful eyes around. Far dashed old Ocean's waves with sullen sound. Like silver chains on sleeping Beauty's form, Many a streamlet gleamed in calm or storm. And hills there were, with verdant summits crowned, And fertile plains where limpid lakes abound. The sunlight beamed from heaven's azure steep, And cast a golden mantle o'er the deep. Beyond a distant hill, high tow'ring rolled, The storm -king's robe, with many a pitchy fold. From 'neatli its darkness leapt the lightning's tongue, As if some horrid serpent, hissing, flung Defiance toward some strange, mysterious foe, Seen 'midst the blackness rolling far below. Upon my aching brow sat Grief enthroned, And silent, save when sorrow faintly moaned. Like lead my heavy heart seemed burdened down, While hot and blinding tears my eyelids found. A vision passed ; 'twas like the misty cope The sunshine lifts from Lookout's rocky slope. And from its humid vail a voice came thus : " Why art thou sad, 0, son of Hesperus ? Then like a torrent fierce, with melting snows. My grief found words to plain its burdened woes. 0, that my eyes were fountains deep of tears, That I might weep away my life's long years, 169 That grief might be my meat for evermore, That life might pass in sighs to heaven's door. [ view my people bleed on every strand, And see the ruin of my native land. "Hope! Hope!" I can not hope ! Look! Look! Read all that's painted in that open book ! See how yon ship burns wildly on the deep, How sulphurous fires from that Armada leap, The bleeding victims on that gory plain, The widows weeping o'er the trampled slain, That blazing city, tot'ring to its fall, The silent desert vale, the broken wall ! Grim Death and Ruin, hand in hand, go there, And rage like tigers froKi their jungle lair. The pall of mourning darkens all the sky. No zephyr blows but bears the weeper's sigh. Within each heart's deep cells some phantom reigns, Some specter dim of loved ones Death now claims. And all this ruin comes from traitorous hands, The children of our own, not foreig-n lands. '&• " Hope ! Hope !" again the vision said. " 'Tis right !. 'Twas sin that made these sorrows pall thy light, And wrapped thy glorious land in fearful gloom. As fabled Phoenix from its deathly tomb Arose, so shall thy nation rise again, When war shall cease, renewed on every plain^ With cities fair, and many a fertile field. And slav'ry struck from ofi" thy coTintry's shield. ERRATA. Tage 13, line 17, a period should be placed after " God." Page 15, lins 20, read over, instead of "o'er." Page 21, line 9, read armipotent, instead of " omnipotent." Page 21, line 13, read thy, instead of " thine." Pago 23, lines 23 and 24, read tempest's deep, And, instead of " tempest •deep. An." Page 23, line 5, read o'er earth, instead of " o'er the earth." Page 28, line 6, read secure and save with, instead of " secure and safe with," Page 28, line 12, read rural, instead of " usual." Page 30, line 13, read _^oods, instead of " flood." Page 31, line 11, read sure, instead of " pure." Page 52, line 14, read Tenochtitlan, instead of " Lenoehtitlon," Page 52, line IG, read Tezcuco's, instead of " Teyencoe's." Page 53, line 1, read Caaba's, instead of " Coaba's." Page 53, line 2, read Majian's, instead of " mojans." Page 77, line 20, read cone-like, instead of " cave-like." Page 8(), line 14, read Wagemena's, instead of " Magemenas," Page 95, line 9, read had come to, instead of " had to." Page 99, line 24, read impelled her, instead of " impelled." Page 113, line 15, read the stony, instead of " the strong." Page 115, line 29, read a beast, instead of " beast." Page 142, line 28, read horrid, instead of '• hurried." Page 143, line 2, read dun, instead of "din." Page 148, line 15, read Tezenco's, instead of " Teyenco's," iiiiiiii ^ Uio 211 492 A