• ^ ; , ", 1 ■ '/ „ ' '^ ^ ■ ....... • . - . ■ { v%\N\\\\\\\v\v\\\\\\N\\V\^V\\V\\\\V\V\\\VV\\\ L\\V\\\\*\\\%» T^ai***tfJf*}fitiffi 'ft*iff/fi/ffffiii ' t 1 1 i t t i f / t f f i i !" J J f f f f f f f S / / / / f J W //^/////////y/ /////////'//////////*'/ ' f f f i t I t f g 1 1 1 f t i t f t J J / i f i r y// 7fffffffff.*r/^'Jtf 1 "^^^^fPf'ffS'^ssfsunn^s^fiiiiik Class Book. •?S^9 ,AiA5 AMERICA: J^ DIIA.MA.TIC FOEM. NEW-YORK: ^NSON" r>. F. R,^:isrr>oiL.i»ii, • 683 Broadway. 1863. i 3 1 ^ ^. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New-York. PEEFAOE. This little poem was chiefly written in the beginning of the year 1862, and reflects events and feelings more peculiarly belonging to that epoch of the terrible and momentous struggle which still convulses our land. But though its particular form may retain the impress of that moment, yet it is hoped that it will not on that ac- count be found destitute of power to recall the magni- tude of the issue, the awful solemnity of the crisis. Some allusion is made to the unfriendly attitude of Europe. While, however, we dwell sadly on the disap- pointment occasioned by encountering a spirit of hostil- ity, where the most opposite sentiment had been antici- pated, let us still remember that the heart of humanity every where beats with us whether consciously or not. 4 Preface. In this faith let us strengthen ourselves. And let us recall with gratitude the names of some even beyond the ocean, who have not hesitated to speak for us in this our time of trouble ; above all, that of Count Gas- parin, who, with such unwearied patience, such earnest- ness of affection, has studied into the spirit of our his- tory and national life, and following us in every step of this painful struggle, has plead our cause so nobly and so faithfully before the tribunal of public opinion in Europe. May the hope and expectation of such friends meet with no disappointment through our unworthiness of the part we arc called to play in the destinies of mankind. AMERICA. Pottixlams of H^irghxm — ^'igljt — (§tnm of gintericE — '^lont. AMERICA. Weep ! weep ! my clouds, drench the dull night Avith tears, Ye winds of heaven, from every quarter come Shriek foi'th my pain, and with your outcry wild Let thunders mix their voice : let all the hills Ashamed of dumbness, send some echo back Responsive to my grief — But though ye poured Your fountains dry, O heavens ! though ye should rage. Ye thunders, till no sound were left to shake Tlie groaning sphere, yet would ye suit no more Than summer dews, or birds that sing at dawn, 6 AMERICA. To s]3eak the measures of mine agony. Well dost thou sit, O darkness ! on these hills, TTell dost thou clothe about with robe obscure The soil once glorious, now with shame defiled, Disowned of all her heroes, and by doom, Just as the nod of heaven, condemned to drink The poisoned cup that to the mother's lips The daughter's hand upheld. — Lo ! in mine ears The battle sounds afar. I hear the shock Of arms, the deadly clash of meeting foes. The hoofs of war tear up the sacred sod That bore the common sires. The bullet flies By brother aimed at brother. They that- fed As one upon my breast, each to this heart Dear as the inmost currents of its life, Wrestle too-ether in the mad embrace o isot loosed till death for one or both divide The firm-strung sinewy strength, Avith palsying hand Smite down a crown of manhood in the dust. AMERICA. 7 heavens ! O earth ! look on, and see what grief Provokes my bitter outcry ! — unto mine Compare not yours, O mothers that do sit Gazing, with eyes that can not see for tears, On faces of dead offspring, — not with yours 1 count my sorrows, — but if one there be, One miserable mother in the land Against whose life the nursling of her love Hath lifted murderous hand, — against the life That was its source and fount, hath lifted up The thrice accursed parricidal stroke. Then let her come, for she hath known my woe. Then let her sit and mix her tears with mine. — Yet she, mayhap, would be some mother stern. Some cruel stepdame, and no tender care Had taught more reverence, — but a thorny bed Her bosom proved, nor could they learn so late A better lore, who from her lips had heard No word of pity drop, no lesson mild 8 AMERICA. Swaying to temjDers sweet their tender age. But such unto my favorite sons was I ? Who whispered — who — the fierce and dreadful doubt That so it had been better — that less love Had wrought less hate ? — What fiend now shakes my soul Accusing weak indulgence of this fruit Bitter to taste as ashes of the grave ? Ah ! woe is me ! my children, woe is me ! Before whose eyes is set from day to day This piteous sight, than which I think the earth Hath none more piteous, where of those who formed One prosperous household, one fraternal band. Part stand around the mother to defend With sword and blood, part spurred with impious rage Press on to take her life. Woe ! woe ! is me, Who brings me comfort ? O ye winds of night ! Ye that have searched earth's utmost corners out. AMERICA. 9 And spoiled them of their secrets, let some word Fall with sweet healing on my burning wound ! VOICE OF THE SOUTH WIXD. What wilt thou have, O melancholy one ! What wilt thou learn of me ? AMEiaCA. Sweet is thy voice, Sweet in mine ears, O South ! SOUTH WIKD. No happy word Is set unto its music. AMERICA. Say not so. Thou on whose dewy wings is lingering still The scented breath of gardens far away That never cease to bloom, but month by month The rose unfolds her heart, and woos the sun To hide amid her robes more splendid rays lo AMERICA. Of crimson or of gold. Methinks I hear Beneath thy sigh, the rustling sound that creeps Among the tall magnolias, that reflect From burnished leaves, like shields, the moon's pale gleam. I hear the myriad voices that ascend From pathless forests, silent all the day. But when the night his sudden mantle flings, Begins tumultuous revel, — nature's joy Unchecked, exultant, and until the dawn The wild vociferous uproar doth not cease. SOUTH WIND. So, could I heal thee ! AMEEICA. Through the dull lagoons I hear the waters, sobbing as they go, And from the sand -bound coasts whose whitening line AMERICA. , II Wearies from day to day the straining sight Of lookers, out at sea, mine ear there greets An echo, as of thunder, where his rage The vexed Atlantic pours, and seeks to draw Back to his yesty deep the groaning shores, Where yet his restless fury heaps amain The spoil of deep sea-bottoms, and builds out The habitable land with increase got Out of the bosom of his hungry wave. SOUTH WIXD. How like wind-harassed waves, the stormy sighs Chase one another through thy laboring breath ! AMERICA. Methinks I see the broad and whitening fields, Dumb in the starlight, ripe, but not for food. Snowy, but not with cold. Betwixt their rows Shall busy feet be moving, on the morn. And sable hands be thrust in contrast stranore 12 AMERICA. Amid the stainless fruit, to gather in The harvest pure, whereof the world is glad. SOUTH WIND. Alas ! for this the world shall ne'er be glad. . AMERICA. O vexing wind ! the voices of my sons, My well-beloved ! I hear amid thy sighs. My fair and noble sons, on whom have fallen All bounties of my love, the chosen gifts Of earth and heaven — I hear, but not discern The pleasant sounds. Interpret thou for me. SOUTH WIXD. Thou hearest, O thou mother sad ! too well. A^IERICA. My proud and beauteous race, for Avhom I bore A thousand sorrows, whom to sj^are one fear AMERICA. 13 I gave ray strength, ray glory, and ray hope, Yea, but to shield them when their summer blood "Welled up Avithin them as a fount defiled Of tyrannous design, and purpose fixed On Avild and barbarous use of savage right ; Lent them, while all the world looked on and frowned. The bright and stainless honor of my name. To shield them from their shame, nor gave one thought That so on me its blackening guilt must fall. To be washed out in blood — their blood and mine. Tell me not now, thou false, deceitful breath. All are against rae, all ; that not one voice Is raised to plead in presence of the rest The dear and filial claim, to noble souls Sacred forever, last to lose its hold On those most reckless of all law beside. That not one heart beats quicker, when some word Stirs the old memories of those happier days, H AMERICA. When, from our seat, in union and in pride, We scoffed at danger and defied the world. SOUTH WIND. Not one ! Not one ! AMERICA. Thou art too deaf to hear. How canst thou know what thoughts in silence brood Where fear is master, and the uttered word Were like a solemn sentence, bearing death Home to the speaker's heart, e'er yet his li23S Had ceased their motion ? Many now do wait, Faithful in voiceless patience, many more To dull despair have yielded up the truth That yet is mine, though hope be stifled long Beneath the w^eight of grief. Ah ! me, ah ! me, My heart is racked with anguish, and anew My wounds are felt to bleed. — Ill-omened voice AMERICA. 15 I'll no more of thee ; from the East there comes A cooler breath ; unto my burning brow It brings a freshening moisture from the deep ; Unto my heart, some message good and pure, Conferring strength, and bracing up to deed Heroic, urging on the fainting soul To hope, to nobler zeal, to victory. Some message from the shores beyond the sea. From sisters well beloved, and honored well. Who, having known in part what grief I bear. Put forth a hand, or, if not so, a voice To cheer me, that not utterly I fail. Answer ! swift messenger of rising suns. What happy omens of a coming morn Tlieir loving eyes have seen, who watch for me All through this murky night, in watch-towers set Of ancient days in heights beyond the clouds. VOICE OF THE EAST WIND. No happy omen do their eyes discern i6 AMERICA. Whose eager looks another Avay arc bent Than ^vhere the dawn, if such remam for thee, Shall lift the dusky edges of thy night ; Whose glances drink the blackness of thy slianie With more delight than ever fairest rays Of crowned Auroras in the flaming east. AMERICA. What is this word, what is this note of ill? Prithee shrill blast, blow shriller, that mine car May not mistake thine import. EAST WIXD. Dost thou mark How flies the shout of triumph still, as flies Across your billowy waste some fresher tale Of sorrow that hath met thee, some new stroke That bows thy head to earth? AMEKICA. I hear, I hear AMERICA. 17 Strange sounds of exultation, what they mean I know not. EAST WIXD. Flatter ! flatter not thine heart, Helpless art thou, and hopeless, if thy help Or hope from other than thyself must come. Alone thou standest in thy bitter need, Alone and friendless. Scoffed at by the world. By saints unpitied, for thy sin that brought This evil on thee, and by sinners scorned For that thy pride had lifted thee too high For brooking of their own, and now, that fallen, The sweetness of revenge, without the cost. Rewards the long impatience of their wish. AMERICA. Tell me of her, the noble one that sits Alone amid the seas, her from whose breast I drew my heart's best life, whose tongue is mine. Whose glories are my glories, whom to owe i8 AMERICA. All that has lifted me above the rest, — Save that I dared to claim my separate right, And claiming hold it — is my willing boast. Tell me that word which now to all the rest She adds at such an horn*, when peril hangs So deadly, threatening all to both most dear, Tell me the word in that beloved tongue Whose accents yet shall ring, clear, bold, and sweet. The world around, and all its sleepers wake. So her own lark at morn, up springs and leaves The misty ground, and soars and sings so loud. Up ! up ! for now the sun has left his bed, No time for dreams and dewy slumbers more, Up ! up ! with me, to meet the golden morn. EAST WIXD. Alas ! alas ! AMERICA. Hast thou no more reply? AMERICA. 19 England is of her many conquests sure, Who, in the girdle of her rule, includes The habitable earth, and makes the sea Her highT\'ay. England sits with blindfold eyes, Like justice, and the even balance holds Which, who by bold rebellious act dares move Straight downward goes and settles his own doom. Happy ! thrice happy land, of all I know ! Who, in the dear affection of her sons, Makes chiefest boast, nor shall she ever blush To name her noble offspring, stout and brave : ' For her they count no droj) of blood too dear, And she their love with equal love repays. Yet has she tasted sorroAv, so can know Part that I prove, and from her happy lot By contrast guess the rest. EAST WIND. But not to mourn, 20 AMERICA. Rather with hideous mocktJiy to deride Of rude and tuneless laughter. AMERICA. It is well ! But there was yet another, one whose hand Placed firm on mine when there was bitter need. Once nerved me for my conflict. She whose step Once in this race was foremost, — from Avhose lips Went forth that clarion note of ''Liberty, Equality, and Brotherhood," for man. It sounded far, its echoes have not died, Xot even to her own hearing, though she close Reluctant ears, for still it shall return Thrown back in myriad voices from all shores - That men inhabit, till the time shall come. That she hath learnt once more to sing and shout. And join with clearer notes that chorus sweet. Knowing the meaning now, which once unknown And from her thought far absent, when her call AMERICA. 21 Was loudest, was not claimed at such demand. Then in its stead came horror, blood, and death, Reason's unthroning ; then old tyrannies Bound on with bands of iron, forged anew In that fierce fire of horror ; then a seal Set on despair for many wxary days " Wherein the light is hidden, though the sun Lives still amid the heavens. Tell me of her. Though scarce I hope, for those are passed away Whose names are in my heart, wlien with my tongue I utter hers. EAST AVIXD. Why shouldst thou further ask, Since none stand Avith thee ? AMERICA. Yea! for of them all These two, the first and noblest, lead alone The van of nations. Silence, O my heart! 22 AMERICA. Silence ! keep down my tears. I sliall not a\ ee}), Xor fail, but gather up my single might, And dare the hour alone. Once, once I stood In joy upon my solitary shore. Fearless I stood, nor did I seek their love. Strong in the might within me, strong in thesCj These household traitors, then I called aloud The Avorld was silent listening for the voice That signalled joy and hope to all the race, EAST AVIXD. Xow to thyself returns thy boastful shout In drear reverberations. Lo ! the fruit Of all thy sowing, while the seed is known In this rank poisonous crop, that kills the air And with its exhalations foul defiles The very heavens. AMERICA. Mock on ! mock on ! 'tis meet AMERICA. 23 That scorn be joined to sorroAv, and my heart By one more stroke be proved, that men may know What stuff 'tis made of, whether this, or that, Shall force it to its breaking ; yet I think There's something in it yet that shall survive A longer crushing. Though the w^eight of years, Packed full of grief, should hinder every throb. And make it beat in time Avith funeral bells That toll the sleeper's way, when loving friends Bear him to his low chamber in the dust ; Yea! though 'twere buried, buried in a grave As deep as to the mountain's steadfast roots. And with the mountains hurled like monuments To mark its hope as ended; yet I think 'Twould beat beneath them still, and on a day, In one great act upgathering all the force Matured in silence, startle dreamers round With throes of resurrection. In my soul I hear the whisper of a secret voice. 24 AMERICA. The prophecy of life. Xo hand profane Shall quench in ntter night that fire divine. Which for the world's deliverance in me burns. EAST wi:n"d. Strange hope thou utterest, and a bolder scope Hast set unto thy thoughts than suits the bounds And destinies of nations. AMEEICA. I will speak Of former things, and will recall the days Of youth, now far behind me, by a gap As wide as death, cut off from that which is. When thus I stood, and cried with voice as clear As bugles, or as trumpets, that clieer on To victory ; Lo ! I wait, I wait to know, Ye lands, the high decrees of destiny. The glorious offspring I of all your strength And heir of all your greatness, yea than all AMERICA. 25 More nobly portioned, where I stand alone Betwixt these oceans, whose wide rolling waves Are servitors to me, to bring me spoils Of many isles; whereon I well shall feed With inward wealth, unsummed and measureless. Rich in all bomities I, of generous heaven. And earth beneath, and of the flowing deep, But most in hope, that to your wearied age But faintly comes. All hail! ye golden years, All hail ! thou wondrous future that is mine. Since light is yours, and wisdom without end. Prosperity and joy. Through all my veins The bounding pulses play, my heart is set. My eye is fixed on summits yet unclimbed. Blue in the misty distance, shining fair In all soft glories of the morning sun. There, there await my eager, panting steps, The unknown splendors of the great "to be." Farewell ! farewell ! old champions in this race, Your time is passed. O sisters ! ye did well, 26 AMERICA. But now your time is passed. Here where I stand Bounteous and full, I call, I shout aloud, My voice to earth's remotest bound goes forth; Ho ! all ye poor, who have no food nor rest, Ye to whom life is bitter, ye for whom There seems on earth no room. Lo ! here is room. Food, freedom, rest. See how they leave your arms. Your unfed children, with their hunger weak, Your persecuted wanderers — they to me Come flying in their need, and I for all Have ready welcome and a full supply. I who have broken for myself the yoke That once your tyrants forced my neck to bear, Have such a heart as beats in sympathy With all that suffer wrong, and loves the slave, (Save that upon one neck I place my foot And hold it firm, wherein my will or right AMERICA. 27 Let no man question,) therefore, when ye see My starry banner floating to the wind Rejoice ye lands, and shout for liberty. VOICE OF THE NOETH WINl). Lo ! I, the rapid messenger of storms, With face set Southward, whose wide whirling wings Shake down amid their motion flights of rain, Cold dews of night, sharp frosts, and mantling snows. And with a touch, in many a torpid brain Quicken the stagnant life, and set in flow The sluggish blood in many a drooping heart. I bid thee hail, O glorious hope of men! And bring thee loyal greetings, love, and faith. From sons that fly to aid, with weaponed arm. And lavished blood, and treasure without stint, The mother's dessperate need. 28 AMERICA. AMERICA. Sons against sons, My sweetest tidings. NORTH WIKD. Who shall dare to weigh Claims filial and fraternal? who shall see The brother's hand, if in its frenzied grasp Glistens the accursed blade of parricides? These ponder not in unresolved despair The question's awful terms, but seeing clear, Through all dim clouds of horror, fear, and doubt. The one solution, push aside with scorn Revolting thoughts, and make their shuddering wills Leap forward to that fixed and holy work, Sole hope and sole deliverance. AMERICA. Is it so? AMERICA. 29 O fate ! not yet, not yet my heart accepts Thy hard decree, but like a stormy deep, Lashing its rocky barriers, so my soul Spends its own strength in wild and fierce dissent. Not breaks nor alters thine. NOETH WEST). What further word Of mine can bring thee comfort? AMERICA. Yet speak on. For what if all were traitors? Though in part The house be fallen, yet that some pillars stand To hold the whole from ruin — it is well. NORTH WIND. Faint is thy voice, and joyless, yet not faint Their hearts who love thee. All thy mighty North 30 AMERICA. Moves as a single man, swayed by one thought, Led by one counsel, to retrieve thy doom, Even though at cost of all. "Who treasured once Their hard-earned gold, now cast it down, with scorn Uncounted, in thy service; who loved life. Love it the more, that they may sell it dear, Offering the price to thee. Here lovers miss The eyes that were their morning, brothers press A last dear kiss on sisters' cheeks, and sons Turn not again at hearing that God-speed From mothers' lips, that falter not though pale; No doubt nor murmur's heard, only each one Asks his own heart the question, "What have I?" How shall my little strength be made to serve The moment's solemn uses ? So thy thought Controls all motions, sways with force supreme Each warm heart's leaping impulse, guides and thrills Fingers, that over slender to uplift AMERICA. 31 The heavy sword that must undo thy wrong, Are all the fitter for a meeker toil, That helps thy helpers, comforts those who give Their manhood and their all, to comfort thee. And be not hopeless, for where faith is found Strength also dwells, and fullness. Turn and look; Know thy true-hearted North, her step is firm Though light and buoyant, through the tide of youth That swells her veins, the measure of glad hope That in her heart she bears. Her brow is clear, Open as heaven, with majesty there writ Of purpose measured still with love and truth. And in her gentle eyes the steady fire Burns tender, deep, and true. Oh! trust her well. While wdth slow aim, deliberate, one by one Her giant blows descend to cut thy way Straight on to victory, while that loyal faith, Like leaven, shall work from hers to hearts less firm, 32 AMERICA. Her courage high inspire the feebler breasts. Till. with the subtle force that ever lives In noble deeds, she win the recreants back. And former days return, to crown thy brows With more than former glories. AMEEICA. Can it be ? Yet less than this were nothing.— For their hearts That hate me, for these only do I j)ine ; No other victory, other were defeat. How can I make my children to my slaves ? NORTH WIXD. Yet force must be first winner, strike the sword, Whose sight still maddens, from the mad one's grasp. Release some true hearts from the spell of fear; Some that of truth or treachery make a badge According to the fashion, giving leave AMERICA. 33 That to unpin and this to fasten on A sleeve that matches either. AMERICA. Heaven speed My champions, for their own cause, and for mine, And for my lost ones, NORTH WIKD. Hear the tramp of feet That breaks the night. Her gathering thousands march. Their horses' hoofs make music on the ground That shakes beneath them. In the midst is heard The rumbling of her dread artillery. Whose flaming mouths e'er long shall hold dis- course Than reason's self more potent, while on high Above the whole, its sign and argument, That banner floats, out of whose starry heaven 34 AMERICA. No missing orb is dropped, but perfect still Its constellations shine, and with the past Link on a glorious future. AMERICA. Yet, on these I did not pour my favors. They it seems Are prosperous, — feel within their honest hearts The swelling, grateful tide, whose wealth must pour About my feet, as author of their good. And yet methinks, 'twas but a meagre choice I left these brave ones, when my best was set At service of my darlings. Rough the w^ays I taught their feet to walk in from the first. And on a hard, scarce cultivable soil. Bade them with sweat of brow, and calloused hands. Exact therefrom their portion. Rude the storms That vexed their coasts, or through their valleys bleak AMERICA. 35 Swept chill and void of pity, while the snows Covered for many months their scanty fields. And summer's proper measure ever lacked When longest. If they found upon my thorn Some flowers, I knew it not, and if the flower Into such fruit has ripened as I see, Let them their own good hearts and steadfast wills. Their days and nights of cheerful labor thank, And leave to me my wisdom and my choice. To smell my rose, — my rose, that dropping now Its petals one by one, leaves me to feel On torn and bleeding lips, Avhat stays behind. That sweet show perished, and that fragrance fled, NORTH WIND. They will not hear thee, but with shouts and joy. And loyal love, and numbering one by one The blessings got through thee, repeat thy name, Calling on all to know, and to confess 36 AMERICA. No bands of duty and of faith so strong As those which unto thee thy children bind. Nor will they hear dispraised that sterner lot, Whose helpful hardness braced their sinews up To manlier vigor — braced their minds within To choose from day to day the nobler part. And by the needful discij)line of pain Taught to discern 'twixt pleasures false and true, 'Twixt boasts of present power, and that whose base Eternal, shall not shake ; 'twixt license wild. Or willful mastery, and the glorious use Of freedom, whereunto the soul is bora. AHEKICA. Yet have I robbed them, with unwilling eyes Beheld their growing wealth, and saw them claim The larger place in counsel. Soon, I said. These will stand foremost to uphold my name In sight of men ; their choice too much prevail, i AMERICA. 37 Changing a thousand customs, dear through use, Whether for worse or better. Fool ! to see So far, and not what now I see too well Too late, what black and infamous abyss Already yawned to swallow all my pride, Unless these loving hands prove strong enough To hold me up from ruin. So I mocked, Reproved, and checked them, ever more pushed back Their forward steps, but still within the code Of that most perfect, just, and balanced law That over me and them I set at first Our safeguard, and our warranty of good. That bound I never passed, nor these approached Its sacred limits, but with holy awe Inviolate held what they the bulwark deemed Of human liberties and natural right. But those have laughed at love alike, and fear, Me, and my highest gift at once they spurn, And by one bold, high-handed act of crime, 38 AMERICA. With treachery for its warrant, will undo The whole world's history, turn the ages back On their sIqw march, to find again that night, Whence in slow pain, at price of toil and blood, Earth's heroes had released them, scorning life, For happier men to purchase better days. VOICE OF THE WEST WIXD. I bear thee from thy children of the West Victorious greetings, and outrun with news Their loyal feet, who haste to crown thy brows With earliest laurels of this fateful strife. -AMERICA. What word hast thou? WEST WIND. Forth from their prairies rushed The gallant bands, soon as the tidings came Of laws reviled, and fealty despised, AMERICA. 39 And danger threatening through a treacherous blow All that uplifts with thee thy faithful sons Above the common lot. With valiant hands, Armed or unarmed they came, with hearts on fire. And brave intent to rescue or to die. So furnished, swept they down upon thy foes, And from Virginia's western quarter first Banished the fell invader, drove him well Within his rebel bounds. On flying feet Of consternation, strewing as he went Arms, baggage, tents, and furniture of war. He shunned the furious onset, and defeat Still marked from field to field his way in blood. Now from his lair beyond the ridgy hills With greedy disappointment still he eyes The rescued booty, and but waits the hour. To spring again, and seize on all he's lost. While faithful still the saviours of the soil Stand watching to defend, and from his rear He yet may hear a shout more terrible 40 AMERICA. ^Than first dismayed him, then with vain attempt Strive to ehide his captors, but their bands Shall hold him fast, and lead him to thy feet. AMERICA. Glad news of sorrow ! joy whose welcoming Is bitter with my tears, — but not with mine For many, counting life itself too cheap To buy such tidings, hearing, with no smile Reward the bringer, but, as David, cry. My son ! my son ! my brother ! would to God That I had died for thee. WEST WIKD. Art so displeased ? AMERICA. But black should be my triumph's livery, And solemn funeral marches usher in My pageant, when with spoils of victory AMERICA. 41 I enter at the gates, this contest done. Strange contest where the conqueror gains in loss, The conquered lose to gain, and I their woes Must weep, while they, by chastisement made wise. Receive the forfeit love once more, and care And privilege of sons. WEST WIND. No welcome hast For happy tidings? AMEEICA. Yet through all its pain Doth not my heart leap up to hear these deeds Of my last born, my warrior of the West? WEST WIND. Expect more glorious things, for now their foot Stands planted where the giant waters meet, That bear the commerce of their golden soil 42 AMERICA. Down to the Southern sea. Thence shall they hold That mighty border, on whose shiftmg line Rebellion's stormy waves now surge and lash, Bidding the firm hills tremble. These shall make Their hearts the barrier, and wdth strong advance Drive the proud billows backward, till they meet The nether sea, and in its depths be lost. AMERICA. Yet who assures me ? Who discerns the end ? What sign rebukes my fear, or promised grace Gives me an anchor through this night of storm, A hold upon the heavens, which now no voice Permit to hear, but such as smites my soul With wrathful accents, and imports despair? How shall I, gallant sons, cry, "Lift your hearts, Courage!" "God speed ye w^ell," while still re- turns, As if my voices echo from all lands. AMERICA. 43 The inauspicious cry, " 'Tis done, and fallen The glory of thy greatness ; know it well : Being fallen, aspire no more, nor think to mend With rivets new the broken chain that held Thy destinies from shipwreck, or cement A violated league, that was no more, With vain expense of blood." VOICE OF THE EIVERS. Ah ! me. Ah ! me. I wonder and cry out with thee, New and unthought agony Seizes on me suddenly, For of old my shining bands He laid upon the lands. The net with skillful hands he wove, Beneath the sun its meshes shone, And in the pale-rayed moon ; And every knot was set to prove Some mystery of love. 44 AMERICA. Ah ! me. Ah ! me. What hand hath rent, hath torn in twain, Our cunning net, our shining chain ? Is the love of heaven in vain? That hath written its intent Over this fair continent; Written plain in lines of light, To be read by day or night? Shall my waves then backward flow? Seek the sources whence they came. In the mountains capped with snow, Or forgotten of their fame Slip into the gulf below? VOICE OF THE MOUNTArN-S. Of an ancient race are we, Barriers older than the soil, Older than the sea. Who shall break the strong decree, AMERICA. 45 By which He, the mighty One, Lifted us to taste the sun? Shall His word of power once more Put an end to light and bliss, Open up the drear abyss. Where we dwelt with night before ? Shall we sleep with death again? Since His signals speak in vain, And the mortal nations know Wall nor limit to their power, Nor whither in their hour Their rash usurping waves may flow ? VOICE OF THE SEAS. I, Ocean, from the North, the East, the West, With forced retreat that day Fled, at His stern behest. Who shaped her shores, And broadly laid her bounds, with port and bay, 46 AMERICA. And harbors good, like mighty entrance doors Set wide for commerce. One the line That from the northward swept Down to the stormy gulf, Whose warmer waters leapt With impulse strange, henceforth to meet, With new embrace, by contrast sweet, And by the voice divine. My chilling tides, that roll Ice laden from the pole ; And on her western shore. With mighty surge and roar, My billows broke in vain. For He that said, "O land! be one." Made firmer his decree. Than that strength-shattering waves of mine Could foil the great design. One, therefore, let it be, From North to South, From rising unto setting sun. AMERICA. 47 VOICE OF THE LAKES. Midway the continent, behold! Our emerald waters dance, And, tipped with sunny gold. Out of their lucid fountains glance To kiss the gladsome light. So clear are we and bright, E'er since His mighty hand Pressed deep the fertile land. And touched the living springs below. In one unbroken chain Half M'-ay from main to main. Through basins wide. He bade them flow, And said, "Bear up upon your breast, O waves ! the commerce of the West, And lead it to the sea. Te, on the North, for such a land As now my wisest grace hath planned, And closed about from strand to strand, A boundary shall be." 4^ AMERICA. AMERICA. Ah! me. Ah! me. Still with his God at war, with nature still, Is man, and ever thwarts with random spite The will of sovereign love. Should I be vile Even as he, and dare reproach that grace Which, able to control, leaves free to choose This creature frail, who still so awful power Turns to his own destruction? I have heard This always to be true, that God hath planned. And man with scorn rejected, every good That to his lot is suited. Eden first — That lost, still some new garden, planted fair With pleasant shoots thence rescued, all alike His foot hath trampled, and the curse of thorns Hath come upon it, through his wanton pride. So, shall this last and fairest run to waste? O destiny ! O power of endless grace ! Forbid! forbid, the sacrilege, the shame. The loss unsummed, that time shall not repair. AMERICA. 49 Give mercy, — now is time for grace, and proof Of all-sufficient might — some way devise, O T\dsdom ! — sure a way is hid with thee, A cure for all this madness of the heart. And thou wilt heal. — But woe is me, I fear, My spirit trembles in me, lest this time God interpose not, since I know his plan Gives little room for wonders ; unto man, Man's way he leaves, if he himself will slay, No hand omnipotent shall strike aside The dagger from its aim. [Shades of Bevolutionary heroes pass in solemn prO' cession. Ha! what new sight Affrights the stars, and startles from their sleep The shadow-cradling hills? — Sure to my thoughts An answer, to mine unbelief a sign! Or rather from my wild and teeming brain A monstrous product, that to fancy's eyes Appears than sense more real. . . . so AMERICA. O Shapes obscure ! That round the moonlit margin of the vale Wind slow your ominous way, declare, speak out, And with intelligible words make known If such ye be, as unto me ye seem. All's silence, — yet if ever from their graves The dead upstarting, walk this world once more, 'Tis in such guise they come, and lo ! the forms And lineaments of heroes long asleep. Known unto me each one — each one beloved. With heads bowed low as if through weight of grief 'Twixt where I stand and yonder massive gloom At solemn pace they glide, as if their ears Heeded some spectral music, and anon Each bends on me his melancholy gaze, Then with a slow obeisance jDasses on. O souls of patriots ! could not death make strong His fetters, but that ye must also come To break my heart with memories ? — Nay ! put on AMERICA. 51 The very robe of flesh ye wore of old, Stand once more in your places, let men hear Each voice severed, to those grand accents tuned. That once compelled assent, though long withheld. Even from the unwilling. It may be that then The traitors will grow true, the faithless sons Unto the fathers' creed return, the spoiled And wasted heritage be fair once more With pains of prosperous toil. Yet nay! yet nay! Even so their blind eyes would refuse to see. Their ears be deaf as ever. Since your graves, Once hallowing all the soil, can not rebuke, Nor former words remembered, all in vain Your living lips would speak. "Nay I who art thou ? O chief of heroes, and of patriots first ! Great father of thy country ! proved thy tomb Too narrow also, when its walls received This tumult of our strife ? Can trumpets break. And shouts of war, and cannons with their roar, 52 AMERICA. So sacred peace ? — Nay ! turn not thou on rae The mild reproach that sits within thine eyes. That can I not endure, for what in me Of blame discernest? Clean I know my skirts, But thy great work of life, undone ! undone ! Except with mightier hand than ever yet, God smite the evil, turn the torrent back Of whelming wrath, as my avenger stand, And take the victory. See ! they pass, they pass, The blackness of the night in yonder glen Receives them — so they leave me to my woe. CHORUS OF APOSTATE SPIRITS. See ! as if with sudden pain. Vanquished, to the earth she falls. Who the doubtful life recalls ? Let her lie there, ours the gain! Who to me, of ancient time. Whispered warnings of a date, AMERICA. S3 By the ordinance of fate Set to misery and crime ? Not to-night, and not to-morrow, Comes an end of human sorrow ; Mischief without us is brewing, Man is still his own undoing. Every gift that Heaven sends him Loses virtue as he takes it. With his sin a curse he makes it ; Nothing helps him, nothing mends him. Therefore, I rejoice securely. Holding now my throne more surely, Knowing that no coming day Holds for him a treasure, greater Than his hand now flings away. ANGEL OP COMFORT. Hist ! hist ! she sleeps, — or is it rather death, 54 AMERICA. Or but a swoon of grief ? Her languid lids Betray no motion, on my hand no breath Makes known she lives. O fair and noble head! Art thou laid low forever ? — is this end Put to thy thoughts sublime, and the rude earth So soon thy pillow? — yet it shall not be. Rest, sleeper, on my heart, and if one spark Of vital power yet linger, let this touch Disturb its slumber, — let this kiss of mine, Pressing thy two pale lips, send through thy veins A kindling tide of warm and ruddy life. And reenforce at once with full supplies Its failing fount, to former health restored. AMERICA. Methought an evil presence hovered near And bound my brows with iron. ANGEL OF COMFORT. None is here, I only. AMERICA. 55 AMERICA. ' What hast thou to do with me? ANGEL OF COMFOET. To bring thee comfort. AMERICA. Comfort ? — even so They mock the desperate ! — yet I think thy look Hath something in it that might cheer, though death Leered close behind thee. Prithee tell thy name. ANGEL. Even as mine oflSce, is, for thee, my name. AMERICA. How wilt thou comfort such an one as I ? 56 AMERICA. ANGEL. Making thee turn thine eyes away, from ill. AMERICA, Shall they then rest on naught ? ANGEL. On good alone, UntU a little strengthened. AMERICA. Dost thou see Good then? — that can not I. ANGEL. I bid thee look. AMERICA. I look on thee, and through so beauteous sight My soul is fed with strength. AMERICA. 57 I bid thee see Cause of more hopeful courage. AMERICA. Wilt thou name Such cause more clearly? ANGEL. Yet thou mayst prevail. AMERICA. Knowest thou that? — O sweet and tranquil voice! Speak on. ANGEL. What nation yet hath touched Its pinnacle of greatness, but an hour Hath intervened, of strange and fearful test? Shouldst thou expect exemption? Then thy part 58 AMERICA. Were but a mean one; none should ever know If gold thou wert, or only sparkling clay. But trodden and defiled by feet of men, Soon wouldst thou be forgotten. Yet thy place Is on the very forehead of the world. AMEEICA. This also would I know, for scorn hath met Such weakness in me, that I live in doubt Of any virtue — since my children hate In part — I see not cause for any love. And guilt in some discovered makes me fear Lest such corruption, springing from the heart, Have tainted all the members. ANGEL. Yet not so, For truth lifts high her sceptre in the land, And loyalty is waxed to such a pitch As earth hath never witnessed. Also prayers AMERICA. 59 Ascend for thee, from lips that God regards, Making the morning vocal, and the night, And through the noisy noon they find a way To heaven's gates ; nor shall they plead in vain. AMERICA. Into a prayer, my heart that promise turns. AlfGEL. Millions of hearts still brood and think on thee, Of thee is all their counsel. Fear not thou. Though some do temper still their faithful love With meek submission, waiting for His will, Who rules the nations, since therefrom no loss Unto thy cause shall come. Hear even now How one discourses with her secret soul. VOICE OF A WOMAN VERY FAR AWAY. Out of the South the battle-fiend up-soars ; He shakes a banner, red with brother's blood, 6o AMERICA. And from the utmost borders comes a cry AnsAvering the baleful signal. Wildly leaps The nation's heart of fire. To arms they throng, And o'er the advancing myriads, lightning-robed, Hovers the avenger. O my land, my land! Thine horn* is on thee. God has lifted high His sword, long sheathed — now shall be known through thee Justice exalted over all vain schemes Of little souls, mad with self-worshipping ; Now truth shall speak in accents to be heard By those who can not hear the inward voice Or words prophetic, out of lips of love. Be not thou deaf upon this chosen day, So shall its hours be shortened, and no stroke Too deeply smite ; — thy vigor shall return. Thy course proceed with joy, thou yet shalt taste Jehovah's bounties without measure poured O'er the obedient land that seeks his name. Yet know I not what destinies o'erhang AMERICA. 61 The coming years, — with mournful heart . I wait And watch the gathering omens. These no joy, No promise bring; no hour is this for pride, Light boasts, and careless triumph. Now behoves On sin to think, and with abased mien Implore compassion, lest our load of guilt Amid these waves should sink us utterly. Yet unto one who still with earnest eyes Follows and marks the goings forth of Him Who rules amid the thunders, Hope is bom Daughter of Faith, Avith meek Experience joined. Nor will he fear, knowing that thus of old Evil is made the minister of good, And that the headlong w^ill of selfish man Still works the purpose of a calmer choice, Serene in wisdom. So I look on thee. My country, and the love I bear thy soil Grows the fair sequel of a higher far. Wherewith in patriot links my heart is joined Unto my truer birthland; her in thee 6z AMERICA. I ever see, and for her sake thy peace Is dear, and though when gayly on the breeze Thy colors float, the blood within my veins Dances for exultation and for joy. Yet with a deeper thrill I see in thought Above the heights of that celestial home, A blood red banner float in air serene, Our tumults reach not, nor shall any hand Of foe or rebel shake it where it stands, Guarded with power eternal. Round it throng The hosts of God's redeemed, name after name Answering the roll-call. Gladly go they forth To spread the peaceful triumphs of their King. This is my land beloved, whose fairer shore I see afar in visions of the night; And when I wake, her thought is with me still. AMERICA. This is a sacred mood, and yet methinks It waked a chord within me. We are dull, AMERICA. 63 We spirits of the nations — slow to read The great decrees of God. ANGEL. Yet if thou hear, There comes a strain on ruder voices borne, Of more terrestrial import. Hear what songs O' nights thy warriors sing, who lift their hearts, Counting thy praises oer in measures wild. That yet through harmony of loving truth Claim in thine ear a welcome. List! they come. VOICES OF SOLDIERS SINGING. Mr St C hones. Who will thy glory sing. Land fair and wide? Who make thy name to ring Loud, in his pride? 64 AMERICA. Sure never land like thee Meriteth song, Sweet soil of liberty, God bless thee long. How the sad age of men Painfully crept! Thee, in his mighty arms, Ocean still kept. Still, save of soulless things, Cattle, or bird Through the wild wood that sings, Voice was not heard. Save the wild hunter tribe. Feeble and few. Thee, and thy gifts in store, Ko man yet knew. AMERICA. 65 Then, in his faithfulness, God, o'er the sea, Guided the stately ships Even to thee. Second Chorus. Wide was the portal thrown, Swiftly they came. Left the close prison-house, Bondage and shame. Sick of old tyrannies, Forms that were dead, Life that in fetters lay. Hither they fled. Then, from the people's heart Went a new cry, "Liberty! Liberty!" Win her, or die. 66 AMERICA. Out of thy coast, my land, Went forth the voice, How did the fettered ones Shout and rejoice! Here on thy soil, my land, Stood, face to face. Slavery, Liberty, Each for the race. Here on thy soil, so dear, Once and for all Was the great battle set: How shall it fall? Mrst Chants. Made ye not answer loud, Fathers renowned ? Answer — that tyrant-hearts Quailed at the sound? AMERICA. 67 Answer — when lifting In liberty's name, Our star-lighted banner Ye fought for the same ? Always in glory bright Nobly maintained ? Unto your true-born sons Handed unstained! All. Lo ! for the battle-rage Still waxes high, Liberty ! Slavery ! One is the cry. Still the one battle-field Where it began. Still the same banner bright Floats in the van. 68 AMERICA. Still the wide world looks on, Knowing before. Freedom, here falling, Falls evermore. Shout, O America ! Shout, unto these. Shout, O great mountains ! Lakes that are seas. Shout, O ye mighty shores By either flood ! Shout! ye brave hearts of men Rich with true blood. Shout ! that not utterly Freedom shall fail, God hath uplifted her, Bids her prevail. AMERICA. 69 Who stands to live for her, Who stands to die, Hark! from thy valleys deep Millions reply- There bleed the noble sons Where the sires bled. Land, thy true-hearted ones All are not dead. Still art thou glorious. Land fair and wide. Worthy our joyous hope. Worthy our pride. Still we shall shout from thee. Loud o'er the sea. Hither, ye captive ones, Haste, and be free. 70 AMERICA. AMERICA : {after a jmuse.) They pass and leave night silent, but their song A happier thought hath wakened. That new mood. Born of my trouble, seems awhile to yield. ANGEL. Forget thy sorrow. Think as thou wast wont, Take up thy courage. Think with these brave souls On what thou wast, and art, and yet mayst be. AMERICA. In no mean place the Lord of heaven and earth Hath set me, and I know that deed of his Assures me safety, if I hold his word. ANGEL. Not for thyself thou art, but he through thee Poured favors out on man. So if thou fall. On man, and not on thee, shall rest the loss. AMERICA. 71 AMERICA. Angel, I know that man is dear to God, And that since earth began, his love outruns The nimble-footed sin with swifter stride. ANGEL. Though evil seem to conquer, yet that show Shall vanish, and the conquered rise to snatch A laurel from the bosom of defeat. Stay up, stay up thy heart ! The Spmrr of Rebellion appears. AMERICA. Ha ! ha ! what shape Lowers at me from yon glen — ^my blood grows thick With curdling horror. — Back ! — avaunt, thou foe ! Still it advances, — and with threatening glare Its looks assails me — all my spirit fails. 72 AMERICA. The storms that shook return with wilder rage; I faint, — I perish. ANGEL. Still I hold thy hand. SPIRIT OF REBELLION. Now is my work accomplished, I can choose Some summit of these hills, and without need Of further motion, watch the play proceed To consummation ; as in prosperous years When rain, dews, winds, sun, and heat-shrouding clouds Are in the farmer's counsel. He but waits, His seed once planted, till the germs mature, And the rich autumn bring, without his toil, The spoil forecounted. — Nay, I even take First fruits of triumph, as in many ways. So also now, proud tyrant, seeing thee Stand there with threatening looks, so impotent. AMERICA. 73 Haughty thou wast, and boastful from tlie first, And as I note thee, still. I like it well. No less contempt shall wait upon thy fall. Or scorn surround the mention of thy name Forever after; when I've proved to men Of what vain wind, and worse than empty breath Thy promises were made. I like to think How soon my foot, that once could not be bold To cross thy threshold, scarce the ]3ains will take To push thee from the path by which I walk To perfect empire. — Is the lightning left That scorched me once or twice some time ago, Leaping from eyes so vengeful ? I am healed And stronger for the seasoning, and have proved The quality of those tires. Lo ! here I stand Prevalent, of their fury unafraid. Already master of a subtler force. Deadlier to those I hate, as well thou knoAvest, Writhing even now beneath it, though so still . In awe-affectinc: calmness thou canst stand 74 AMERICA. As words disdaining. Yet I know thy tongue Hath not lost j^ower of speech, that hath betrayed Thy weakness to these winds, now muttering out Through every cave and hollow of the hills Defeat and fear and grinding agony, Proving thy soul more abject than the slave, Blindfold beneath the thick descending lash. Still proud, still silent ? But a step or two I take, and smite that circlet from thy brow That marks thee still as sovereign. Spikit of Union appears^ and speaks. Back, accursed ! Stand back, till first thy fell and impious hand Accomplish my destruction: then, with mine That sacred life shall own a tie so close There needs no blow directer. Both thine aims End thus in one. BEBELLION. Whence then hast thou appeared ? AMERICA. 75 I struck thee, left thee prostrate, thought thee dead : For not my steel I trusted, nor my strength. Knowing thee vigorous, — but with careful skill And slow invention, such a poison mixed As, entering thy fair body with the wound, Fouled all the taintless blood. I smile to see The marks of such disturbance, in black lines Written so thick all over that soft skin, Once spotless in its brightness, — in quick breaths, Twitchings of restless features, as if pain Pulled at the strings of life, and in thy limbs Some strange distortions, such as were not wont To mar their godlike grace. I gather hope, Seeing at least, if not the very self, The ante-signs of death. UNI01S-. True is thy word, Yet not all true, O boaster! Even thou — ^e AMERICA. N^ay ! none so Avell — hast knoAvn that art nor spell, Could mix a drug so potent, but this frame, If strong in native health, should cast it out As fountains what defiles them, or else change And make subservient. So thy purposed vrork Was longer and more secret. Ere I knew. Strange languor unexplained, importing ill. Had taken half the vigor from these limbs, And dull and creeping symptoms of disease, More fatal, as less noticed, paved the way For death to enter, when thy bolder hand Should thrust him on me, at some chosen hour. Such was thy plan ; but if the end shall prove The crafty venom, and the open sword, Both impotent alike, and greater strength Born of the greater contest, and the proof Of native force unguessed, imtil the act Of agony that tested, then to me Pure gain accrues, and this not last nor least. AMERICA. 77 I know my foe, I know him and his might, And all his ways of cunning, and shall meet Henceforth as one so armed. — N^ay, I believe Already thou hast felt thy blows recoil. Which, if it should imply, though felt at first But slightly, some such vast and hideous ill As that fell stroke intended, aimed at me, If failure meant defeat, and not to slay. Thyself to lie at last among the slain, Perchance thou now canst guess. What ! dost thou start ? Some eloquence within, that met my words. Filled out my meaning there, and caused thee make That gesture of despair. REBELLION". Such speech is cheap ; I skirmish not with breath. A twinge that came And passed before 'twas felt, means something else 78 AMERICA. I fancy, than thy sounding threats portend. Failure? — Ha! Ha! —Defeat? — I take thy sense To be some other than old custom sets To such articulations. But, for thee, What madness holds thee? What hast thou to do To save this crazy state ? I with main strength Have snapjDcd thy weakened cords, felt long ago As fetters, lately proved more dissoluble Than once thy boastings gave us leave to see. What's left to thee, selfstripjDed — by flattering talk Of freedom, loyalty enforced by love. Willing submission to an equal yoke. Felt so as none — of power that might have dwelt In bonds coercive? That vile cant o'erthrown, I scarce have need to measure words with thee. ■ insT:oN. Fiend ! whose foul plots, and now more open war, Have marred so far the fair tranquillity That like an atmosphere had wrapped about AMERICA. 79 This country of my choice, — know that not vain The slow advance of ages, not in vain That noble state now stands, whose living sap Is imion. This, both power and law, shall prove; Obeyed in joyous freedom, while men know Their highest glory, but, this wisdom lost, Still are they used, not using. Still goes on The mighty deed of life. They cannot choke The ample channels, but the genial tide Finds soon a way, sweeps them along its course. Flows on triumphant. Still my glorious tree Uprears its giant branches to the sun. Brother of clouds and dew, and gathering strength From storms alike and sunshine, — from soft airs Sighing among its summer-painted boughs. And frosts, whose slender needles prick among Its tender roots in winter. Still returns The season of its fruitage, food and joy Remain, and shelter good for all who come. 8o . AMERICA. KEBELLIOX. Deal tliou in breath. For me, I'll cut thy tree, Ay ! hew it at the roots, and turn it up To whiten in the sun. What ! canst not see (I know not why I wait and talk with thee) In what a hell of ruin thou art j^lunged, Thou, and thy favorites Avith thee ? Look about, Come up to yonder height. We can from thence Behold our arguments, all spread about In forms of ready logic. Lo ! what sight Confutes thee ere thou speak. The world can see What love thy nurslings, dandled on thy knees, Bear thee — grown old enough to understand What fools thy flatteries made them. And for those Who stand as in thy name, to trample down The natural rights and lawful liberties Of their so cherished brethren, why, 'tis plain Against thy vrill they do't, and o'er thy neck Rush on that foul injustice. I am glad AMERICA. 81 Tlioy did not tamely yield. Their act refutes Tlieir reason for it, and thee and them involves In such a paradox as endless time Shall never reconcile. I'll leave thee then To deal with that. My part to glory now In full success, that long ago o'erpassed The boundaries of my hope, and swells each day Into a very ocean, flooding wide Thy old dominion, soon by strictest search To be discerned no more. Spirit of Slavery appears. What ho ! good friend. Welcome, old comrade, yet what storms of wrath Brew in thine eyes, and seem on me to fall? SPIRIT OF SLAVERY. O boaster ! without me, what hope hadst thou To stir this mighty fabric, now o'erthrown, Because I, I was in it from the first ^2 AMERICA, Laid in among the mortar and the stones That seemed its firm foundation, — deeper yet A fatal quicksand, underneath it hid, And as its solid walls securely rose, Pinned in, among the rest, a timber fair To outward sight, but inwardly corrupt And crumbling to the hammer. This being so. How could it else but fall? I grudge thee much Thy self-exalting — but am thus content. When the last crash shall come, that scarce had come So soon, but for thy meddling, as I own. But little shall be left for thee, or me. Or any, nay, I know not who shall gain. I lose my great security, but thou Mayst go to sleep forever, since thy deed Shall safely thrive, nor any end be found Of that rank harvest; as an evil seed Will spread, and spread, till none can root it out, But all the land is poisoned. AMERICA. 83 REBELLION. What care I? My end is gained. — And boast not thou so loud, As sole efficient of my finished deed, Though thou alone wert ruin. Other beams Wormed through, I know, and rotten to the heart, Built into this fair house, thougli painted o'er So well that none save I, whose eyes have searched Each undiscovered flaw, had found it out. Nay, I could make confession larger still, Sweep all in one, and say, that sin itself. All weakening, all corrupting, both in thee "Working, and elsewhere, — under social forms, Uses of commerce, policies of states, Castes, customs, private lusts, and public Avrong, Sin is my guaranty, excites my hope, Finds me a foothold, puts his hand with mine And crowns me when I triumph ! O'er this land I look, and see it drowned and choked with sin; Toward God I look, remembering that his throne 84 AMERICA. Eudured not sin of old, and this old scar Of his once headlong vengeance stirs me up. I call on him to help me, — rather nse My arm, to bring his ready thunders down On these oifenders. Sucli a prayer I tliink, E'en from my lips well suits him, whom I know A God of justice. AMERICA. Is there none to help, Am I then given np an niigrudged prey For hell to feed on, while the heavens look down From their high place approving ? Was it this. This so near bourne, and limit set to all. That from fate's niggard hand, w^ithout my prayer, Tempted so lavish bounties ? Summers short Are plenteous, but my fruits are yet to taste. My vines ungathered, nay ! the cruel snows Cut off the very flow^ers that from their stalks Nodded in sweet assurance of the time, So far from winter's threshold. Ah ! too soon AMERICA. 85 Mine hour has found me, and tlie hounds of deatli Smell out my hidden crimes, to tear them down, Me with them also, me and all whose life Had centred at my heart. Shall it be thus ? O God ! shall sin prevail ? — shall former grace Count nothing ? Is there nothing in me left To claim thy pity even ? — no faith, no trutli ? No loyalty, no wide beneficence, Without the hope of guerdon exercised ? ISTo spark of any virtue, that should shield A little from these storms ? — yet should I plead The things my soul remembers ? doubtless all Stand imeffaced forever in his book. He knows, and yet his judgments fall like hail, And I lie bruised beneath, and can not rise. Voice of Earth is heard from lelow. EAETH. Cease noAV, my daughter, cease this vain lament, For Avhat to thee hath happened, save the lot 86 AMERICA. Conimon to nations ? From mine ancient seat, Since God appointed man to tread my face, Mine eye hath marked his goings, and discerned Of all his plans and hopes, his marvelous schemes And high achievement, one sole end assured. When for himself and them he seeks at last Some chamber of my always open grave. All over my broad surface, East and West, Lie strewed the wrecks of empires, that his hand Once raised to glory, — but no base so strong His hand contrived for any, that some wind Of adverse fortune brought not down at last Its towering pride, and made it lie as low As each that w^ent before it. All alike Proclaim in long succession how his work Is error, all, and failure. If he hits Some hidden wisdom in his random j)ath, Still he o'erlooks, or, seeing, underrates. Or, rightly understanding, yet prefers The present pleasure to the greater good, AMERICA. 87 Or choosing well, yet through unsteadfast will Lets slip erelong the treasure half secured, And with the crowd goes headlong. This last proof Should not for aye be lacking, and thy name Must to thy mighty list of perished states Add yet its fading lustre. Why shouldst mourn If as thy fame was greater, so thy fall Comes sooner ? Not to heaven impute the cause, Nor on thyself too heavy burden lay Of rash remorseful censure. Since with man's Thy destiny is one, thy wisdom still Swayed by the rule of his, and as he is Thou art in all things, while of him I know No virtue constant, but his every deed. Like that same dust of which his God him made, Owns fealty to winds, and changing tides. Rather than any law by truth prescribed. Or reason in him planted. So my soul Yearns o'er him still, seeing him always own 88 AMERICA. His ancient kinsliip, and so well betray What unto me belongs of all he is, Though lifted high among the meaner tribes Of my less gifted offspring. Well I know The source of his decay, nor greatly chide That frailty, by whose sure effect at last He lays his head down, whence he reared it first. And mingles with my clods his glorious frame. Thou also be content,. I counsel thee, Take now thy portion as it fills, and share The fortunes of tliy lord. For thou shalt lose With life, no good that should not cost thee dear Beyond its i^roper worth, through cares and toils, Anxieties and fears. But shorter fate Implies thy sorrows shorter, and thy doom Less terrible, than if through longer course Of years, prepared, and fruit of many crimes. AMEEICA. Are tliese tlic voices that pronounce my doom? AMERICA. Sg Earth! thou hast spoken. Now let Heaven unfold Her portents, then will I believe. REBELLTOX. Look up, Behold tlie siu'n ! — O thou aecursed lisiht ! Mine eyes are blinded. A:n^gel of Veis^geaxce descends tcitJi a flam- ing scroll^ open in his hand, jSpeaks. Over this foul land I hang the doom that God's just wrath awards Unto its many crimes. A little while The cloud of indignation shall uphold Its black tempestuous burden — e'er it rend The covering of the heavens, and be i^oured out In one wide wasting ruin. Let men read Tlie condemnation, manifest to all. The doom of such a land as lifthig high The cry of justice, liberty for all, 90 AMERICA. Hath still apprbvecl, and cradled at her side The worst of wrong, the tyranny whose shame Gives every other leave to lift again Its head, once bowed before her arrant boasts. And at her text's brave comment sneer and laugh, A land that makes of freedom and of right Excuse for every sin, whereby man mocks His God, and harms his brother, and pollutes The very founts of blessing, turning all To j^oison and a curse. For such a land Behold God's sentence. From the sin shall come The ruin more direct than arrow flies From bended bow, or from the widening breach The wall's destruction. So that all shall know What caused this utter fall, and see therehi And praise the perfect justice of our God. AMERICA. Pity ! O Lord ! Thus groveling on my face, Thus without plea, excuse, or any hope. AMERICA. 91 Save in the one Name though hast taught to man, I still remember, though the pains of death Take hold upon my soul, that thou art Love. The Angel of Meecy descends. SLAVERY. I fall! I fall! blasted with utter light. ANGEL OF MERCY. Swift messenger of vengeance, I at last O'ertake the meteor course that fell so swift, Since first the word went forth, down the steep chasms Of yawning night, to bear the signs of wrath ; But in my mouth another speech was put. Another scroll than thine my hand enfolds. Thine open is, mine sealed. — Thy message, clear, Thy proclamation in all ears resounds, But mine is secret still. Yet be it known, 92 AMERICA. Seeing that God hath sent me, there is hope — Mercy still lives, and heaven forgets not man. AXGEL OF COMFOFvT. Lift up thy head, O stricken one ! and drink The balm that Heaven vouchsafes thee. A3IERICA. I thank God! And yet my heart is dull, my brain confused, I understand not any thing. I seem A field once fliir and fruitful, which the storms Have beaten, and the water-Hoods made waste. Which, though the rain hath ceased, lies prostrate still, Mingling its riches with the muddy soil. AXGEL. Take comfort. AMEKICA. Is there j^ardon then, in truth ? AMERICA. 93 Shall I yet flourish as in days of old ? Oh ! that I heard the voice of destiny, My soul should listen, while the great decree Fell from his lips that can not speak but right. The AxGEL OF Desti:n'y descends. AlS'GEL OF DESTINY. O Spirit of a nation ! whose high state And happy lot hangs now to view of men Balanced upon the edge and turning-point Of some most fearful change, which, once com- plete. Implies to man great loss, hut to his foes New and most signal triumph. I am come At hearing of thy voice, and to thy prayer Such answer bring as leaves inviolate still The things ordained as secret, till their time Brings their unfolding. Unto Him that rules Leave also perfect knowledge. But take thou, 94 AMERICA. Freely vouchsafed, such light whose honest use Shall make thee wise enough for all thy need. Xo new disclosure from the pitying skies I bring, but things thine ears have often heard Unheeding, things once known, but, in this strait, Xot present as they should be to thy thought. Though nearest to thy need. For much men err, Straining their eyes towards heaven, as hoping thence Some special gift to tumble from the blue, While all they lack lies waiting at their feet, And trips them ere they heed it. Ready lies, Provided long ago, the utmost good Unto man's want proportioned : but his looks Turn not that way, and thou, allied to him, By equal error blinded, now must learn Thy youth's fii'st lessons o'er, w^hich, though they sound Simple, are worthy yet an angel's tongue. Know first, or first remember, to what end AMERICA. 95 Nations arise or perish. Hast thou heard Of these each several record, what began Their upward courses, what to each belonged Of greatness, how they served, and how betrayed Each cause sublime committed to their trust ? How of their worth, continuance, of their crime Decay ensued and fall? One work for all, Varied in each by nature's several bent, Eternal love intended — but alike All turned aside, and to some private lust Debauched their glory. Love, not turned so soon From that fair plan, made even wills averse Serve unaware and minister some good To bless the ages, though themselves w^ere left To take their ow^n poor choice, and lose at last Even that part of good, whose scanty charms Enticed them from the whole, and so their fall Came close upon their grandeur's utmost height. Their service done, some new estate of powder Swallowing the past, — itself foredoomed to know 96 AMERICA. Like limits in the future —- these in most Adjusted by some happy natural gift, Tact, genius, power to rule, or warlike might, Or skill in commerce, yet in all alike Proportioned to one plan — whose exigence Shortened their time of empire, or drew out To length, by no internal worth explained. A^IERICA. Too well I knew, too well, the common doom, And how comes back the thriftless prodigal A beggar to the gates. I counted not, But lavished out my portion. It is just. A]SrGEL OF DESTINY. Yet think more deeply if thou Avouldst be wise. And know that fruitful root whence trouble springs. AMERICxV. Speak — that I may be wise, in hearing thee. AMERICA. 97 A]S'GEL OF DESTIXY. States are ordained for man, — he in himself Being that proper state, whose government Employs the eternal counsels. There behold The first disorder, anarchy and schism. Which from the one the many doth infect, And breeds the public ills. He, since he fell, No longer stands in archetypal grace The perfect pattern after which should rise. Fair in proportion, strong in unity, The social fabric. Rather in him reigns Confusion, all his faculties at war. The noblest put the last, the mean ones first. These trampling those, and those through slavish fear. Or cramped and dulled with suffering, yielding still Compliance undue, implying all alike Debased and miserable. Seest thou well What evils vex the nations? Should the sea 98 AMERICA. Be sweeter than its waves, or wilt thou make Out of much dust, one pearl ? AMEEICA. Though I aspired, I aimed beneath perfection. ANGEL OF DESTINY. Yet below That mark, what safety? AMERICA. Angel! I am bold As one who pleads for life. States are as man, So hast thou taught me, — vexed and overthrown, Because, through disobedience, he hath lost The harmony within. Yet unto man Hath God vouchsafed no hope ? Why then goes on This agony ? Wliy rather doth not heaven AMERICA. 99 Shut down at once the awful night of doom And make an end forever? ANGEL OF DESTINY. Yet if God More gloriously had wrought, — some brighter thing Had caused to spring amid this wreck of time? AMERICA. 1 praise him ! — for he dealeth wondrously. ANGEL OF DESTINY. For he hath bought redemption, at what price Archangels dared not utter, till his deed Taught their rapt ears another name for love, By whose effect the man, a higher strength Receiving, set in tune with perfect law In all the powers he owns, need never fear A second time to lose his happy lot. LofC. loo AMERICA. Assured by mighty tokens, both from God And manifest within. Seest thou that state, Through all whose members perfectly had wrought Such marvelous healing ? Seest thou what life Were hers, what fearlessness, what sure defense Against all foes without ? Of foes within What confidence, and how her wealth's increase. Her wisdom, power, and gladness had no bound ? Though such an one on earth hath never been, IsTor yet one perfect man (save He that joined To man's the strength divine) hath walked un- stained Her paths j^olluted, yet the grace of heaven Makes earth a place to work in, here prepares Parts of a pure and precious harmony. Whose full accord shall all at once swell out Uj^on His chosen day — and thrill afar The angels in their music-bearing spheres. Out of these ruins, scattered far and wide. Betokening only loss, shall God upbuild AMERICA loi A city of his own, a state composed, Not after dead and outward rules of law, But by the vital energy of love : A growth, complete as any fairest flower That brightens in the sun, or vine that tempts With plenty sweet the thirsty passers by. But thou, O scarce believing ! scarce aAvare What words like these portend, lift up thine eyes. And tell me what report they bring thee home. AMEEICA. Angel ! the vision is of other days, New things I see and men, a realm of peace Transfigured with pure light, whose sacred touch Makes beauty where it rests. How my dull thoughts Slink back ashamed, while I behold indeed My fairest dream's fulfillment, but set high Above its utmost daring. See what grace, What dignity, what glory decks the form 102 AMERICA. I know as man's ! Angel ! deceive me not, Are these my cliilclren, mine that walk the streets, The golden pavement of that city fair? Familiar are their faces as the sun. And now as glorious. Whither are they come ? And by what path? and how shall men aspire. As rightly hoping such estate of bliss May at the end receive them ? And to me What signifies this sight, which thou hast shown, Intending me some comfort, and to lift My soul above the loss this hour portends? ANGEL OF DESTINY. This is the kingdom, and the reign of God, Whose deep foundations, long in secret laid, Shall stand unshaken, when the shows of things Called real have vanished. Then shall come to view What underneath this gross external shell Matured unseen its strength, and drmik in life AMERICA. 103 Where all in death seemed silent. Then shall shout All creatures that are ministers to man, Seeing at last their homage and their faith Approved, apd sealed as just, while he appears All glorious, of the many works of God Fairest and , most divine. So also thou Canst not be else than glad, knowing before, That surely as the truth of heaven prevails, Out of thy thorniest cares, thy woes and pains, This flower shall blossom, and its odorous heart Be opened to the skies. Hence, first of all Take comfort, and as this can give suj)23ort, Measure the hope that yet some wished for task Awaits thy willing hand, — not yet expired — For One whose love can estimate aright Her office and its end — the proper term Of happy service. By this law is sealed The destinies of nations, first, as each Bears on its earthly face some likeness fair 104 AMERICA. Of that celestial pattern, shows to men Some shadow of that grace, and by sucli laws Is governed, as in that pure liberty Work out the life of lov^e, — to gifts so fair Continuance shall not fail, He that bestows Such wisdom, shall not lightly make it vain. Yet on a safer hope thy heart may rest, Since 'tis the perfect state that God regards, Making all histories and acts of time That way to w^ork, that meaning to Avrite out Letter by letter, till he finish all. Thou, working with him too, with willing heart Lending thine aid, not blindly, but that light Well used — so freely poured, that many err Slighting the common gift, — so shalt insure Triumph in every conflict — unashamed Meet all the fierce assaults of earth and time. Xay ! could this be, could any state on earth, So armed with constant wisdom, turn her eyes From shows of power, to truth's enduring crown. AMERICA. 105 Then might she hope one day, without much loss Even of that she seemed, to drop aside With her loved pupil, man, this dress of clay, And mount, complete in robes of victory. The welcome-giving skies. AMERICA. Well do I know This can not be for me, yet through thy word My heart revives. I see a hope, at last Strong confidence upholds me, that my cause Wars not with truth, and that her foes are mine. Therefore, O angel ! while my many sins Oppress me, and the follies of my sons. So that, with these weighed down, I scarce can lift My forehead from the dust, I yet recall Teachings not wliolly slighted, light vouchsafed In some peculiar measure, not unused, And mercies shown in timely chastisements, io6 AMERICA. Whereof I thiuk my thoughts, in after days Taking account, shall reckon as not least Measured by previous sin, or present pain, Or after fruit of good, this that now turns My sweets to bitter. — Of these things I take Some balm of glad assurance, well can trust That pitying guidance still, that led my feet Into this wilderness, apart from men, And showed me things that others had not known, And new and separate mercies, — knowing well How I should use them, knowing too, I trust, How by his faithful providence, my ways Should ever . be amended, till their course "Went clear and straight to right and happy ends. Xot in this flush and promise of my morn Doth he intend such ruin, not so soon That I, with all the fresh and untried gifts He, for the sake of man, bestowed on me, Should o'er the brink of such destruction foil. So never more, I fear, to human wish AMERICA. 107 Such promise would return, but all in vain His heart go mourning through the coming days The irretrievable and perfect loss. ANGEL OF DESTi:NTr. Well dost thou argue from man's threatening loss Some token that the love which folloAVS man Will for his sake deliver, — well dost trace The future's promise, written in the past, Since of one piece is all that work divine Done on the face of earth, and if thy heart Tell thee, and conscience whisper in her seat That, howsoever thou hast gone astray, Yet, thou hast prized God's favors, canst recall Some nse he must approve, some acts of love, And liberal deeds of world-wide charity. Some help accorded from thy happy seat To those who strove with famine, or the hand Of ready welcome reaching out to meet The fugitive and wanderer in their need ; io8 AMERICA. If with sucli memories thou canst prop thy lieart. Glad be thy courage then, though not to rest Even here too surely — since thy best of deeds Paid not thy debt, and if that heavenly love Has some great good thy blind eyes could not see Wrapped in this present ruin, not for thee The plea of well desert, and blessings used In full and glad obedience. Rather this Should be thy stay, whatever thee befall. The vision shall not fail, — thy youth's pure dream Shall yet prove real — thou hast not been in vain. AMERICA. Strange comforts, angel, dost to me propose ; But thou, I think, to some sublimer sphere Dost lift my thoughts, companioned with thine own. Well ! — if the mood might last. Yet who that once AMERICA. 109 Unto the power of truth hath yielded up His soul within him, ever quite shall lose The memory of that sweetness ? So to mine This moment's revelation shall be gain Whatever come behind, and for all war My spirit with new strength be fortified. AKGEL OF DESTINY. Yet farther counsel. If the Avill of Heaven Intend thee now deliverance, and once more Thou at the head of nations stand, in hope And joyful promise; thus lienceforth be wise By aims that follow God's, — by justice shown In public deeds, by liberal works of love, By virtue cherished, and the fear of God In hearts of all thy children, — by good laws Matured in thoughtful wisdom, thrusting out With sharp or gentle force the evil code, Oppression's hateful renmant, — by all acts That lift the state, and give it surer hold no AMERICA. On God's great mercy manifest to man, Unto thyself secure a longer course Of prosperous wealth, and to thy happy sons A heritage secure, which, used aright. Shall be the pledge of nobler good to come, Beyond the region and the reach of storms That rage amid the shows and forms of time. AMERICA. Angel ! I listen, and thy words are good. ANGEL OF DESTINY. See ! earliest rays of morn begin to light Faint signals in the East. For thee begins A day of doubtful conflict. Yet be strong, Be valiant, lend thy soul no more to fears. But use thy hopeful courage, all shall be As God disposes, and shall so be well. FINIS. NOV SI 1904 .n^.'.^'^^RY OF CONGRESS ■liiiiiiiii 015 861 868 Q f tifiHii p h f f ^ ^ ^ * ^ ^ u ( ( ( ( ( 1^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ( K ^ 'J iv ^ o ' y --, -- ^. ♦. ., V « V *.- * V ^ \ V t s '; V < .. V ^ * 1^ V V >., \ V \ \ > V \ \ \ \ X \ \ N s x \ > s < V . V V y \ r. '^ \ > \ i r .- > * ^ \ X \ V ^ V \ \ > V \ » -, \ v \ \ \ \s\\\\\\\\\\\ w ^ i0f0ifi¥ft^ifffff0t0fff9»»fifftfffffftti*lf.ilfttf 'f»0f0^ft[f!r!fili/iitififrffff0fSiiifi^fitiitfi/fffi •% \ % t. \ % S. «, T -v -. V. r V \. \ \ \ \ V \ N \ \ -i X -. t X \ « 1 \ V i V "V \ X. \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ i * r f f » fH it 9 i f i 4 i t t ' f ii i » f f s f ^^ * * ^ 4 li ! H t / I t } i i } f / I i ff f t i » t i i f f g f 9 s !n F u f f f f f f f * t it n ^ i n f n t i f f f t ii { •tii»4/*»ffff0*ff0f00if*^ff/.ffffff0'feiffiittfiff^ "itttiferi'fi'f.'ffftftfetiiit^fPfftft/fffiftffffitii . ^s ^ 4 f i ^ ^ r i d i i f f f i^ i t i f * * > i f ^ s f J f f / * f i f f } ; } } s n f / , ;v\v^^.'*\*t\\\vvv\\\\\'v\\\\\\\\\\v\v\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ !.^ \\ \\ \.\.S\^ \\\ w\\ \\ WW >■ \\ WW 's ">> \\ \\ \ S\\ \\ WW \ W ^ S !► * \ ^ \ \ y r t i. * * 4. i\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\W\\\\'K\X\.\\\\\\\S\\\\K\\\\%\ *»*,»***, »tt>fititifft»rrt»tf>rti}t»tt}fi} t f } i } } f : / / ^ / / ' » ,« .» ' f • r ? S ^ :t f t * S f I f i t i * } t * t t f • } ' y / . — '/////,