'S 2809 ' .S53 . 553 Dopy 1 Forward Forever i I (a reply to lord Tennyson), j HEAVEN ON EARTH, — AND j/ OTHER POEMS. FORWARD FOREVER! A Response to LORD TENNYSON'S "LocKSLEY Hall Sixty Yeai^s Aftei^," Heaven on Earth, and other Poems. By WILLIAM J. SHAW, The Poet Hermit. New York, FOWLER & WELLS CO. 1888. fSzyU ^ Copyright, 1888. Fowler & AVells Co. ''But life shall on and upward go; Th' eternal step of Progress beats To that great anthem, calm and slow, Which God repeats." J. G. WHITTIER. Forward Forever. Kindly greeting, honored poet, now we send across the wave — Still your hands are strong to labor, still your heart is warm and brave ! All good angels guard and guide thee safely down life's sunset slope. And with faith's divine assurance shape the anchors of thy hope. Over all our vales and mountains, as above fair Briton's ow^n, Wings of peace and love outspreading, all thy welcome songs have flown. 6 FORWARD FOREVER. In a million homes of freemen pictures fair thy hands have hung, And around life's common blessings fanc}'S robes of beauty flung. On our shores the rosy mornings now with greater beauty break — All our hillside flowers and fountains have new meanings for thy sake. Mountain peaks of thought pierce further into Truth's clear skies to-day — Broader streams, through spirit valleys, sweep in conscious strength away, Since thy pen in founts poetic dipped has left its traces bright, All along the pathways leading out of darkness into light ; Till within we kindly feel the fires of recogni- tion glow, All kind wishes warm with blessing to your heart and hearth-stone flow. FORWARD FOREVER. II. But your recent poem leads us under shadoAvs — awful glooms — Where the night winds, sadly sighing, wander over silent tombs. What strange shapes rise up before us— Oh, how ghastly, grim, and tall ! Hark ! our fiendish foes are coming— listen ! frightful voices call ! Ever through the gathering darkness lurid hghtnings gleam and flash- Loudly o'er the distant mountains, threat'ning thunders boom and crash. Kings upon their thrones are trembling, thrones of monarchs bow and fall — Ruin — chaos seems impending — woe — and woe unto us all ? 8 FORWARD FOREVER Rule of^^dynamite and revolver— seas of pas- sion, lust, and crime, Surging underneath the surf ace— bursting from the hills of Time. Earthquake shocks the earth are shaking; all we thought was solid ground Seems upheaving, like the ocean Avhen the winds majestic sound. Hearts of men for fear are failing, looking for the things to come ; Human hands with fear are helpless, many tongues with terror dumb. Let us hush the cry of ''forward!'' till the ages have long fled ; Backward— downward we are tending— ''all our steps are on the dead." FORWARD FOREVER. III. Never ! all the earth is moving sunward as the centuries fly — Morning stars in splendor sparkle, hanging in the eastern sky. ^^ Forward! forward!" ring the voices over every land and sea ; Forward — aye — but never backward — retro- gression cannot be. Still the bells of hope are pealing, struck by strong and stainless hands, Evermore their chimes are stealing, clear and sweet, o'er all the lands. Iron fetters still are breaking, prison doors are opening wide, Justice stern at last is taking love to be his beauteous bride. 10 FORWARD FOREVER. Hark 1 a shout goes up to heaven hke tJie sound- ing of the sea ; Tis the shout of dusky milhons— slaves and bondmen going free ! Fair repubUcs greet each other— through the billov\rs clasping hands- Liberty, her torch uplifting, clad in strength and beauty stands ! Fair as Miriam, Jewish maiden, stood of old upon the shore, Singing ''God hath triumphed gloriously, horse and rider are no more 1 " When old England's reigning Pharaoh sent his vassals to pursue. And to gather grains unjustly from each head of wheat that grew, Washhigton— our mighty Moses— La Fayette — our Aaron brave — Stretched their rods, wi\h shar^pened edges, over war's tunuiltuous wave. FORWARD FOREVER. 11 ^'Forward ! " was their cry, and forward did our fathers fearless press Through the waters, gladly parting in the cause of righteousness ; And where'er our flag is floating, in the sun- beam or the night, Still their viewless hands are reaching to uphold its stars of light ! Up the mount of glory climbing, God of nations ! guide our feet. Till they press the shining summit, till they walk the golden street. Every wheel that steam is turning, every mes- sage lightnings fling. Paths of peace and power are paving for the coming of the King. Coming not to bring destruction, save to that which lives by wrong, Coming dungeons dark to open, silent lips to touch with song. 12 FORWARD FOREVER. Coming not with conflagration, evolution's march to end. On the foes of human progress judgment fires alone descend. Pluck the monarchs from their seats— set sons of freedom in their stead ! With the freeman's snowy ballot, strike the crown from every head ! Bring no " age of darkness back, without the faith, without the hope ; " But break the rule of tyrant thrones, and ''roll their ruins down the slope ! " Equal born with equal ballot, "forward!'' sons of freedom cry ! Let it ring till all the mountain peaks of earth and heaven reply I All who rule the Lord's free people, must hence- forth their servants be ; Hearing, in the voice of miUions, voices of the Deity. FORWARD FOREVER. 13 But with dynamite and pistol do not try to force your way ; Wrong with wrong you cannot conquer, preach or practice it who may. Ever, ever, and forever, as the ages roll along. Right, on every field of battle, grandly triumphs over wrong. Clouds may veil the sun in heaven, never turns its chariot back ; Storms of self and sin are raging, still we keep the shining track. If his wing met no resistance, never could the eagle rise ; By resistance overcoming only can he mount the skies. All the things we know as evil, come not in our way by chance ; Love, unchanging love, hath placed them, requisites to our advance. 14: FORWARD FOREVER. Trampling upon the powers of darkness — tread- ing wrong and error down — Slowly, surely, through the csons we are climb- ' ing t'ward the crown. Backward ? downward ? never, never ! over prostrate forms of ill Roll the wheels of human progress, onward, up the heavenly hill. Breaking of existing orders, shaking of estab- lished powers. Are to me but spring-time voices — prophecies of summer flowers. Rivers crashing with their ices, breaking up their chains of frost — South winds calling through the forests for the flowers the autumn lost. It is spring — these times unsettled, crash and change in every clime — Will be followed by the perfect, golden days of summer-time. FORWARD FOREVER. 15 It is morning — day is breaking, shadows of the night take wing — Watchmen ! sound your silver trumpets — let the bells of heaven ring ! ^'Forward ! " still ten thousand voices sound the stirring battle-cry ; ''Forward ! " still the echoes answer from the arches in the sky ! Love shall yet be law and gospel, Christ shall yet be king of kings ; ''Forward! Forward!" be our watchword, long as earth her cycle swings ! Hebron, N. Y. Feb. 1st, 1887. Heaven on Earth. They sung that hymn in meetin' I've heard 'em sing of old — About ''the heavenly mansions an' the streets of shinin' gold." I can't now just remember the way the verses run^ But this, I'm very sartin', come in before 'twas done : ''My Father's house is built on higii, fur, fur above the starry sky; When from this earthly prison free, that heav'nly mansion mine shall be." An' when I heard 'em sing it, an' some o' the brelliren shout, HEAVEN ON EARTH. 17 The meaning of it all I'm sure I couldn't quite make out ; An' joggin' home from meetin' that blessed summer day, It sot me hard a thinkin' in a most uncommon way. The air was sweet with roses, 'tw^as in the month o' June — The fields were full of posies, and all the earth in tune, An' the birds, they were a singin' as if to split their throats — (I'm dretful fond of music, but never sing the notes — ) Down thru' the maple branches the giit'rin' sunshine fell. And God's great hand across the sky seemed writin'— '' All is well." An' sez 1 1' myself, I wonder if the feller who writ that song 18 HEAVEN ON EARTH. Wa'n't jest a leetle dyspeptic^, an' didn't feel quite strong — Or mebbe his wife lied scolded, as wimmen sometimes du, An' thro wed so many ivords in the way that he couldn't quite git thru' — Or mebbe he'd lost his fortin. an' was drinkin' that bitter cup^ Or sumthin' else was upon him, that well nigh broke him up. For I can't see why to save me — an' I look with both my eyes — The poets an' such should hoist their heaven way up above the skies, An' make it so unnat'ral, so kind o' misty an' thin, That a feller from earth would want to get out, if ever he once got in ; An' then, 'taint very likely the Lord'll keep a soul A singin' an' praisin' before His throne, while years an' years shall roll, HEAVEN ON EARTH. 19 Jest singin', an' praisin', an' walkin' about the streets o' gold, When all the time He has sheep that are lost, an' sick, an fur from the fold. I know if my little Mary got lost some winter night, /wouldn't allow my boys to set by the fire all vv arm an' bright, An' tell how much they loved me, an praise me to my face — I'd start them after Mary at a right good rapid pace. I'd say, " now bo5'^s, if ye mean it — yourlovin' talk to me — Jest snatch that lantern from its peg, an' come — come quick — all three, An' help me search for Mary — she's lost some- where in town — An' it aint no time fur pretty talk, nor idle settin' down." 20 HEAVEN ON EAKTH. Then out in the storm an' darkness, an' over the drif tin' snow We'd search fur the httle darhn', an' never homeward go 'Till I'd found an' felt her nestled close up to my beatin' hearty Fur I tell ye little Mary an' me couldn't live very long apart. Is the heart of God less tender than mme^ I'd like to know ? Can eyes in heaven keep clear o' tears an' look on endless woe ? An' tho' I'm prayin', strivin ' to reach the shinin' goal^ An' b'l'eve in God, an' Christ, an' Heaven, with all m}^ heart an' soul, Yet still I can't help thinkin' — unless from grace I fell — That such a heaven 's they sing about would be almost a hell ! HEAVEN ON EARTH. 21 Just then I turned the corner, into the Icmg home lane, An' there stood wife a waitin' — (I gen'ly call her Jane) An' she climbed into the waggin' with kisses true an' sweet, While the sunshine streamin' between the trees made our lane a golden street; Up which we rode a singin', our joy about com- plete, — When all at once the horses stopped, an' did our singin' too ; An' Jane, my leetle gem of a wife, why what did she up an' do But' put her two arms about me, an' her head upon my breast, An' sure as yer born she was cryin' — a cryin' for joy, I'll be blest ! She says, says she, '^my heart is so full of joy, an' praise, an' thanks. That just like the river there in Spring, it over- flows its banks; 22 HEAVEN ON EARTH. An' I'm so glad an' happy in this dear home of ours, The blessin's of heaven they seem to fall right dov^n like summer showers. Our house is good, as houses go (of course, it wa'n't put up for show), We've enough to eat and enough to wear, with a trifle laid by if the weather aint fair; But such like things are the settin' found the precious jewel of home around; The home is within ^wheve by power from above, all hearts are bound together by love. " Oh, John! I love you so much," says she, " an' I know right well that you love me. While the darlin' children, like bands of gold, our souls in closest union hold. That long as we live, an' where'er we roam, we'll have on the earth a heavenly home." Says I, as I kissed her up-turned brow, ''you've spoken my mind right out, I vow ! HEAVEN ON EARTH. 23 All' if the fellers who write the songs an' preach the sermons, an' draw the throngs, Would paint their heaven as you do, Jane, more folks that grand estate would gain ; But they make it so unearthly like, an' opposed to all we know, An' up so high above the sky folks don't jest want to go; If they wouldn't fill it quite so full of bein's with snoivy wings, But would jest throw in more honest folks along with their fancy things, Some good, true women an' noble men, an' children som'at like ours, I'd shout when they sung of a heaven hkethat, ' amen ! ' with all my powers. " An' after all, my brethren, it sartin' seems to me. That on one pint of scriptur' we may as well agree — • 24 HEAVEN ON EARTH. That John, the Revelator, don't say '' beyond the sky, To find the New Jerusalem, we're goin' to soar on high/' But sure as I have eyes to read, he says ''it shall descend From God, an' come down to the earth, when time shall have an end." So let us labor bravely an' spend our strength aright ; So let us go straight on by faith where we can't jest walk by sight\ An' let us make home sweeter — more kind o' heavenly like — AtC in these wondrous strikin' times, let every- body strike — For God, an' truth, an' virtue, an' everything of worth, But 0, my friends, don't strike too high — hit hard agin' the earth ! Stand Fast. stand fast when the showers are falhng, When soft winds gently blow, And the streamlets sound As they gladly bound To the emerald vales below ; When their eyes of blue in the meadows The violets open wide, And swinging at ease In the tops of the trees Each bird is calhng his bride. Oh then in the gushing gladness, Of life and youthful joy, As your bounding feet So free and fleet Toward manhood climb, my boy ! 26 STAND FAST. From virtue never turning. Stand fast as the hills of earth, By the counsel kind, Howe'er it bind, Of those who gave you birth. Oh then in your bloora and beauty, As life unfolds, my girl I Through those years of bhss Let the sunbeams kiss A brow as pure as pearl ; To woman's crown of glory. As over golden stairs, Advancing still Chmb up the hill, By way of mother's prayers. Stand fast when the glow of summer Is over all the land — When the bending grain, On the fertile plain Awaits the reaper's hand; STAND FAST. 27 In womanhood's completeness, And manhood's perfect prime. In every fight For truth and right, Stand fast in the summer time. And calm as the dewy evenings, That fall star-crowned and still. To yourself be true, And your work pursue With a hearty right good will ; For every seed that's scattered By honest hearts and brave, Outlives the night, And fair in light, Its harvests yet shall wave. Stand fast when the forests bending Are swept by the chilhng blast, When the dead leaves fall By the garden wall, And the flowers are fading fast ; 28 STAND FAST. When age and care together Have furrowed cheek and brow, If ever you stood For the pure and good, Stand firm and fearless now ! Pause not for a single moment, To backward look nor sigh For the flowers dead And the joys now fled. Or the strength of years gone by ; The stars of heaven still sparkle With undiminished flame — The God of love Still rules above — Stand fast in His holy name. Pass gladly on to others The flag from your stainless hand, And say — ''God speed Whatever your creed. So Christ as captain stand ! " STAND FAST. 29 Then away to the coming ages, In spirit vision go, Where never a tear Will fall, and hear The matin trumpets blow. And all the harps of heaven. In harmonies ring out, O'er the earth new born, In the rosy morn, And hear the victor shout Of overcoming millions So long by error bound, As with never a flaw Love's perfect law Shall clasp the earth around. Stand fast when the winter cometh, White-robed with icy breath — And your feet must go Through its drifting snow To the silent realm of death ; 30 STAND FAST. With faith in God unshaken Stand fast— no doubts or fears- Your soul in strength Shall walk the lengtli Of God's eternal years. The Evening Hour. Beside my cottage door I stand, With verdant hills on either hand, Above the star-lit skies expand. The twilight shadows gently fall Across the vale and mountains tall — A holy hush is over all. Comes through the evening calm and still The distant song of Whippoorwill, The moon looks o'er the eastern hill. I see the planets, burning bright, Look through the pulsing peace of night, And all my soul is filled with light. 32 THE EVENING HOUR. And all along my pilgrim way. Until it meets the perfect day. There falls a pure and pearly ray. To all life's questions come replies, From mountain peaks that round me rise, And down from yonder throbbing skies. Oh, never yet did man-made creed Bind up the hearts that break and bleed, Or L^ouls that hunger fullj^ feed. 'Tis when I leave them all behind, And come to Christ with willing mind, My soul doth satisfaction find. With tear- wet eyes I bless the day I heard the Christ within me say — " Cast all conflicting creeds away ! " So at this evening hour of rest I turn from all the weary quest To lay my head upon his breast. THE EVENING HOUR. 33 I think of those who once were here — Of friends who shared our household cheer — Of missing kindred doubly dear. Oh, shall we all, when life is done, And those eternal years begun, Regain our jewels every one ? Oh, lips of love my own have kissed. But now for years so sadly missed — Upon an answer I insist ! And yet my ear has never heard The solemn twilight stillness stirred By angel wing or whispered word, But from its jeweled arches high The eternal calm of yonder sky Sends to my soul its sure reply : '' The cords of love can never break ! The dead of earth shall all awake — And God full recompense must make ! 34 THE EVENING HOUR. " His stars of hope must ever shine ; Around his Justice, all divine The flowers of love and mercy twine. " While human eyes with tears are wet. And erring feet in darkness set, ' Our Father ' never can forget ! " If one poor soul were left below To suffer everlasting woe, What peace could love in heaven know ? " Whate'er He does is always right. And morn will scatter every night ! " So say the planets burning bright. -*DKHKY OF CONGRESS