EXTRACTS FROM CRITICISMS OF THE PRESS. ••tiife and Landscape, in which peaceful beauty prev.iils, and the sun- shine of the heart is diflused over all objects,"— Kociiester Am. ♦May his poems be thumbed, re-read, and worn out in innumerable editions." — Literary World. * It is a pleasure indeed to peruse such an author." — Phil. Post. * Replete with grace, delicacy, and beauty."— N. Y Cour. & Enq. ♦Splendid music from the very heart strings." — Morning News. ♦These are charming poems, full of chaste beauty."— Evening Post. * These effusions stamp the author as one of Nature's bards." — Tribune. '' We highly commend his works to all lovers of true poetry." — Mirror. ■ They will every year gain a wider celebrity, until they are known and admired wherever our language is spoken."— Phil. Banner. A natural, healthy, life-like glow, which delights while it interests the reader."— Hartford Calendar. • A collection of some very sweet poems.— Hartford Courant. ••The whole poem is a gem of the first water."— Springfield Gaz. ' We commend the poem to all lovers of English poetry.— Boston Papkr. •'Many hearts may be touched by such strains,-all may be made better."— Newark Advertiser. Marked by good sense, correct feeling, and a judicious taste."— Charleston Patriot. NOTICES OF THE PRESS Sketches of Life and LandscaVb.— This is a delightful little book, musical as the monntfiin rill, dreamy as the breath of a summer eve- ning. Mr. HoYT is a poet, and we are sure the author of such sweet poems cannot be a straight-laced sectarian. There is too much bouy- ancy and life, too much naturalness about him for that. He must see God in everything — see him in the clouds and in the manifold life that covers the earth — hear him in the winds and in the babbling brook, and inhale his spirit with the fresh mountain air. He can never be alone, nor tolerate aught but the natural freedom of soul which God breathed into it at its creation. This is what the spirit of this little volume says to us about Mr. Hoyt. Personally we know him not, and although Fame has borne his name to our ears, we know nothing of his peculiar beliefs and tenets. We hope, therefore, be is as good as his book, the profits of ten thousand copies of which the publishers have generously consented to give the author in aid of rebuilding the Good Shepherd Free Church, of which he is Rector, and which was destroyed by the tornado of the 21.st of June last. Surely here is a way presented for giving for a religions purpose, and getting the worth of your money down. " The last Vendue," ths poem that concludes the volume, is a prophetic sermon worth the price of the book. — N. Y. Dispatch. Sketches of Life and Landscape, by Rev. Ralph Hoyt. Mr. Hoyt is the Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, a free Epis- copal Church in the upper part of the city of New York, which was entirely destroyed by a tornado, on the 21st of June la^t. Efforts are making to obtain funfls for rebuilding it. To aid in that purpose Mr. Hoyt has collected this scries of his poetical sketches, and Messrs. Stanford & Del isser publish them — the profits to be devoted to the fund. Some of them are characterized by great beauty of thought and expression. One lyric, " The World for Sale," has •' gone the rounds" of the press, and been cut out and pasted into numberlesa Bcrap-books. Others have appeared in magazines, buj' most of them are new to the public. — Ai3.vny Evening Journai.. NOTICES. From the Church .lournal. A CITY CHURCH AND ITS RECTOR NEGLECTED. Messrs. Editors.— A man's conscience is better stirred up late Oian never. On Saturday last I determined to see what I had often read of— "27ie Church of the Good Shepherd^ You know this church is situated in the same street [54th] as- St. Luke's Hospital, but to the east of this near Second avenue. I am par- ticular about noting its location, as its pastor remarked scarcely any one came there to satisfy himself of the need and character of the v.'ork. Would the Rev. Ralph Hoyt— the known friend of the poor: would that indefatigable laborer, poet, scholar, gentleman have come to this city from the far West, and stated he wanted assis- tance to build a church among the almost destitute to whom he was giving his labors, and not have found all the aid he needed? And would he have come the second time and told New York- ers that just as he saw his building about ready to welcome the poor and outcast, in one short hour the edifice of his toil and prayers had been prostrated by a violent storm, and told this to Churchmen here in vain?— Never. That sad catastrophe seemed hkely to reduce the "Good Shepherd to one of those paper churches— organisms kept up for conventional purposes with a name to hve while twice dead- yet testifying to the difficulty of building and supporting church- es in districts where most needed. The single-handed Mission- ary, however, faltered not when his church was in ruins. Some who heard his appeals advised him to abandon so unpromising an effort, however needed. His reply was, "In the foundation of my church are expended four dollars and twenty cents, re- ceived from some very poor women, all in ten, five, and three cent pieces, and I believe the Lord will not sufler these widow's mite to fail in their object." NOTICES. Immediately out of the ruins of the church he erected an hum- ble cottage in the rear — the most of which is appropriated for a neatly arranged chapel where divine service is steadily celebrated. The parlor of the cottage is the vestry room, and the whole house is so arranged as to be thrown open for the use of the congrega- tion. But what of the church J A neat Gothic brick building, with good thick walls, has taken the place of the wooden structure de- molished. It is roofed — but its doors, windows, altar end, are open to the weather. A few hundred dollars, hewever, would advance it to a condition for use. And how much it is now needed ! A most heterogeneous mass of people are settled about it, and in one or two years it will stand in the midst of a dense population. I saw no other place of worship in the vicinity. The location is well selected to allow the worthy Rector ample scope for the mission of his heart — labor among Christ s poor. Can we not do something to have his church ready for the many accessions that will be there by Mayday ? I hope the Rector of the Good Shepherd will pardon this liberty, for it appeared to me a duty to make this statement. Isaac H. Tuttle, Rector of St. Luke's Church. From an Address hy Bishop Doane he/ore the Diocesan Conven- tion of New Jersey^ 1855 — " In the afternoon in the Chapel at Fort Lee, the Rev. Mr. Dil- ler (of the Diocese of New York) read prayers, and I preached, and confirmed eighteen persons; the Minister the Rev. Ralph Hoyt, (of the diocese of New York,) reading the Preface. The Rev. Mr. Gries was present. This is another illustration of the expansiveness of Christian love. Mr. Hoyt is the Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, in the city of New York, and a most laborious Missionary among the poor. But his home is in the neighborhood of Fort Lee. And finding the people with- out religious influence, the heart of the good Shepherd kindled towards them, aiid he devoted his spare hours to their instruction. He has collectea uliock, and has built a chapel; and the services of the first Visitation attest God's blessing on his faithfulness. It is a wild, romantic region ; quite Swiss, in its appearance. And I felt as if I had fallen on another Oberlin, or Felix Nefif. The Chapel is a perfect curiosity. It is made up of the odds and ends of a dozen churches — begged by him for this use. And yet the result is good. He is a rare man, this Ealph Hoyt, and a real poet into the bargain. If any Churchman of New Jersey has fifty or a hundred dollars to apply to the best uses, I com- mend him to Ralph Hoyt as his trustee for Christ." Let every one who is a lover of the beautiful, as well as every one charitably inclined, buy a copy of Rev. Ralph Hoyt's Sketches of Life and Landscape^ pubhshedby Stanford & Delisser of which the profits go to the Church of the Good Shepherd, lately destroyed in this city. And having been bought, it will be read without doubt, as every thing by the author of "Old' and " Rain," and other delicious poems, is read — Harpers' Weekly. "ECHOES OF MEMORY AND EMOTION." "This is another volume of Rev. R. Hoyt's beautiful poems In this we have the grave and the gay, the philosophic and the humorous, the pathetic and the playful — and all in such a genial good spirit, that one feels, as he reads, that he is acquainted with the gifted and versatile au'-'or. It is just the right kind of a book for the HoHdays. It is serious enough to keep the heart in the right place, and withal joyful enough to awaken mild mirthfulness, and lead the soul into fields of chaste, pure, sweet, and lasting delights. The " Strike" has a brotherly ring for the working-man ; " The White Dragon," echoes a fellow sympathy for the destitute ; " If I were You," has a cheering and guiiling voice for the youth ; " Marriage," contains a touching strain for the newly wedded, and others sustaimng the sacred relation of husband and wife; in the " Elegy" is a sob for the lost little one; "A Mother's Love," is a prayer of filial afl^ection ; "Santaclaus," (illustrated,) contains an exhaustless fund of entertainment for the young ; and — but we must stop : — in short this book seems to contain an echo for every heart in every condition. — N. Y. DiSPACTH. ^.^^ ECHOES OF MEMORY AiYD EMOTION. lY THE AUTHOE OP "LIFE AND LANDSCAPE." NEW YORK: A- D. F. RANDOLPH, 68 3 BROADWAY. LONDON: HALL, VIRTUE Ji CO., 25 PATERNOSTE H- RO W. 1861 •si CONTENTS. iluiNED Fold, 11 Star of the Palisades, i5 LiND, 31 BCEMDS, 41 If I WERE You, 45 The White Dragon, 49 Strike, 53 Smoking-Cap, 55 Santaclaus, 57 New-Year, 9I Leap in the Dark, 96 April, .... 99 Old Rover, 102 Fourth of July, . . • 107 Desertkd, 106 Change, Ill Absent Pastor, 115 Liberty Pole, 11''' The Pen 119 CONTENTS. Meditation, 123 Polish Mowers, 125 The Test, 127 Gone Home, . . . . » 129 Psalm, 131 Tattletown, 133 Glad Tidings, 137 All Gone, 143 Nothings, 14^ Wanderer, 148 Sevastopo*., 151 Bewap.e, ... 153 Filial Loye, . 156 BRi'iiiT Side, 159 Faithful Jake, 161 Out to Battle, • 169 The Gate, 165 ECHOES OP MEMORY AND EMOTION THE EUINED FOLD. I. "Wo EPS of Love and hope to bear, Where an outcast snfferer lay, Was the Missionary's care, As he pressed his earnest way. Through the crowded thoroughfare. On a darksome, wintry day. II. All absorbed by sin and woe — How to grapple — ^how to cheer — Sudden seemed the earth to glow, With an heavenly atmosphere, And sweet flowers to bud and blow. As an angel's step were near. 11 THE RUINED FOLD. m. Onward still lie wondering sped ; Was it real, was it a dream ? Seemed all sin and sorrow fled, And all life a peaceful stream, So the lovely vision spread, As beneath a wand supreme. IV. Came a stranger to liis side, Gently spake witli kindly smile, Sir, thou art a Christian guide, Tell me where thy flock the while, The dear Fold where they abide. That the wolf may not beguile. V. Melted then the Pastor's heart, Gushed emotion from his eye ; Now his grief he must impart, In a sad and true reply : — Mine to share my Master's part, Home nor folded flock have I. 12 TB.JO. KUINED FOLD. VI. Witli my liiimble, lionseless sheep, Mine as roll the seasons o'er, Still to wander, watcli, and weep : Poor wrecked mariners ashore, Ceaseless vigil still to keep, But all homeless evermore. VII. Soft again the stranger spake, Kay, thy toil shall not be vain. For the great Good Shephekd's sake, Thou hast borne such care and pain ; Let thy heart with hope awake, Thou shalt not despair again. VIII. With thee still thy Lord shall be, All his promises are sure ; These abounding tokens see, By his spirit all made pure: Be thou faithful whispereth He, Great thy joy if thou endure. 13 THE EUINED FOLD. IX. Ask, and lo, tliou shalt receive, And tlie temple soon shall rise, 'T is liis work, his word believe, Faith hath power o'er earth and sMes. Go in peace, no more to grieve. Courage I thou shalt win the prize I X. Passed the sweet illusion bv, Came again the wo and shame. War, oppression, tear and sigh ; Earth, through all her ruined frame, Sending up a mighty cry — Haste the Gospel to proclaim I XI. Christians hear the humble call ; Give a beam, a stone, a nail ; Plant a rafter on the wall ; Say the feeble shall not fail I ye earnest-hearted, all. Bid the Ark of God prevail I 14 STAK OF THE PALISADES. The following poem was written on the heights of the Palisades, among the ruins at Fort Lee. The remains of the regimental quarters are very numerous, affording an Impressive and pic- turesque study for the tourist and antiquarian. The location is on the western shore of the Hudson, some ten miles above Hoboken. I. Where Hudson wakes Ms tunefal sliell To bid tlie Palisades farewell, As, o'er the western wave, on high, Their rocky turrets meet the sky, A frowning summit seems to say. Ye people, ponder well the day When heroes climbed these crags so drear, And planted Freedom's standard here. 15 THE STAR OF II. To recreative hour inclined, A patriot yontli of musing mind, The devious rugged pathway found, And stood upon that hallowed ground. There pensive by a ruined wall, That oft had turned the deadly ball, And sheltered many a weary head, Not pillowed yet on battle's bed, An ancient pilgrim sat at rest, Whom thus the venturous youth addressed. III. Good father, mournful yet sublime These records of the olden time ; Each mossy stone more dear to thee Than any ghttering gem could be. IV. Serenely spoke the reverend sage. Fair youth might I thine ear engage, This storied scene I could exceed. And show a gem of worth indeed I The youth drew near the ancient man. And thus his wondrous story ran. — 16 THE PALISADES. V. Tliere is afar a land most fair, And happj all tlie dwellers tliere, Yet once a youtlifal son would roam To other climes from tliat sweet liome, Long years percliance to sigli apart. From all that cheered his eje and heart. High born he was, and wealth untold As 'twere in waves around him rolled ; Parental love so bounteous gave Whate'er of joy the soul can crave, And he, all artless and unstained. Gave back in worth the love he gained. V. Ah, sad to leave such blest abode, To travel life's uncertain road ; In far unfriendly lands to learn. What sore reward his toils would earn. Yet haply pain might prove a prize ; For perils oft instruct the wise : As some brave bark when skies are clear Forth launching on her gay career, 17 THE STAR OF Drinks tlie sweet breeze witli eager sail, Still glorying in the freshening gale ; When night and tempests o'er the wave, With terrors try the strong and brave, On the wild surges rudely tost, Till anchor, spar, and pinnace lost. The proudest and the basest there, Are fain to bend the knee of prayer ; To find what Heaven designed to prove, That man must bow, — that God is love I VI. How beauteous that delightsome day, The wanderer, as he passed away, Eobed as beseemed his regal mien ; But chief upon his bosom seen, Pouring its splendors pear and far. As 'twere a radiant Morning star, A purer and a brighter gem. Than ever graced a diadem. THE PALISADES. VII. matchless jewel, wondrous liglit, Bestowed to guide Ms steps ariglit, With more and more refulgent ray, Along his journey's rugged way ; Would he but shun with jealous care, Whate'er its lustre might impair, This task fulfilled with faithful heed, No evil should his steps impede. But safely, all his perils past. He should regain his home at last. Its beam obscured, no more his view Were clear between the false and true ; Ko guard nor guide, while hour by hour Might foes beset or tempests lour ; Or to his home would he repair, Alas ! no re-admission there I VIII. First hither the adventurer came ; Here, first, on earth, the heavenly flame, The mystic glances of his eye. Marked him a truant from the sky f 10 THE STAR OF IX. Full well tliese rocks Ms footsteps knew, Ere war the blast of battle blew ; Or patriots piled yon ancient mound, And tliese rude ruins tbus around. But Ms was then no warrior's part, Love ruled alone Ms guileless heart ; And childhood's innocence made sure, His jewel still all bright and pure. X. How strange to his untutored ear. As oft the camp he wandered near. The whistling ball, the groan, the shout, The roar from yonder old redoubt, The stem command, the tramping feet. Swift hastening the foe to meet, When hilt to hilt, and gun to gun, Dread deeds of blood and death were done. How heaved his breast with many sighs, How gushed the anguish from his eyes, When thus in tMs lone nook of earth He learned what liberty is worth I 20 THE PALISADES. XI. So passed liis days of sojourn here, Till lured to pleasure's gay career, Where the voluptuous city calls The youthful to her festive halls. XII. Alas the day, when craves the soul, To quaff delight from folly's bowl ! What sorrows lurk in joys so brief, Kemorse, and unavaiHng grief ! Alas that youthful Eupert found His foot upon enchanted ground. Bright shone his jewel when he came, But soon decreased its glowing flame. Still lessening, each luxurious hour. As still the revel and the bower With rapturous and oblivious spell Entranced his senses, till — he fell! THE STAR OF XIII. As slioots a star across tlie sky, A charm and wonder to tlie eye. Then, sudden, 'mid its radiant iliglit, Sinks in tlie gloom of utter night — Or, like the beaming love and truth, "When woman plights her heart and youtli^ By falsehood's cruel arts betrayed, Quenched in the depths of sorrow's shade, Upon her cheek, and worshipped name, The darksome blot of sin and shame — So on his gem a cloud, a stain, Its ray might never pierce again I XIV. Innocence, the fairest rose That still in childhood's Eden blows — How sweet its bloom, but ah, its stay Diminished to how brief a day ! xv. His paradise all withered now ; A serpent twined on every bough ; On every drooping leaf a tear. Sad voices whispering doubt and fear, 22 THE PALISADES. ffis way all intricate and dark, Kor friend, nor guide, nor jewel-spark, To sliow ariglit the doubtful way, Fortli ruslied lone Eupeii;, far astray. Came tlien fair phantoms calling near — Come hither, youth, thy hope is — here 1 Here shall the lustre, so deplored, Be to thy longing sight restored. XVI. Then open many a portal flew Where glorious vistas sprang to vi'ew, So brilliant all, the wavering eye, "Were fain each tempting path to try.— XVII. Grave Erudition, beckoning near, Persuaded first his eager ear ; Showed the delights of all her lore, Would he her mysteries explore. Then called Ambition, : — Traveler, lo. This the true way where thou shouldst go I From these wide avenues thy name Shall fill the mighty trump fame. 23 THE STAR OF Then AfBaence, at her gates of gold — Impoverished wanderer, behold The happy path from care and fear. Forget thy jewel — enter here I Then Power, and Friendship, Love, and Ease, Assiduons, strove to win and please. XVIII. Each voice he heard, each path pursued, His toil still fruitless, still renewed, As sped the weary seasons o'er. Till Folly could beguile no more i 'Twas all deceit ! Nor show, nor change, Nor travel through a world-wide range, His heart from anguish could release, And give a troubled spirit peace ! All learning, art and wealth were vain, They could not cleanse that fatal stain. Oft to his gaze the gem he drew, — But ah, 'twas still of inky hue ! XIX. It was the holy day of rest, The wanderer's footsteps hither pressed ; 24 THE PALISADES. Despair o'er-clouding all his sky, He sought these rocks again — to die ; And came, where, from a House of prayer, Soft notes of worship climbed the air, — Then to the portal drawing near, Fell this sweet psalm upon his ear : — I. "O Thou to whose all-searching sight " The darkness shineth as the light, " Search, prove my heart, it looks to Thee ; " burst its bonds, and set it free. II. " While rising floods my soul o'erflow, " While sinks my heart in waves of woe, " As in this darksome wild I stray, " Be Thou my light, be Thou my way I" He knelt, with deep contrition^s sigh ; And from the fountain of his eye. Repentant pearls came brimming o*er. As ne'er had ghttered there before ; 25 THE STAR OF And trembled on Ms lip a prayer — Thy Prodigal, Father spare ! Redeemer ! Day-Star I Hope Divine I Thy glorious beam once more be mine Some pitying Angel, as he cried. Stood, instant at the weeper's side, Upon the jewel dropped a tear. And lo, its ray again was clear I Swift sped his midnight gloom away, And all was joy, and life, and day. XXI. Dear yonth, that Wanderer behold » Infirm and weary now, and old ; Yet thus with peace and hope renewed, Dwelling in this wild sohtude, Serene to wait his Father's time. To call him to that better clime, Among the radiant hills above, Where truth is life, and life is love. THE PALISADES. XXII. Oft, now, the forms of yore to greet, I seek this solitary seat, Where visions true as sense can prove, Move round me as they nsed to move. Oh stranger, these rude ruins seem The records of my first sweet dream ; For here, still at my side, I see My gentle, dark-eyed Lucy Lee ; Sweet wild-rose of my youthful June ; Fair lily, drooping, ah, so soon I — How seemed the Pahsades to thrill, With her light footstep on the hill ; And as we sat on this rude stone. How have the blissful moments flown I Love gushing from her lustrous eye. Pure as yon stream still rolling by. How holy were the joys we knew, As here our hearts together grew. And on this rock we breathed the vow Which makes it my soul's altar now. 27 THE STAR OF XXIII. Let these memorials, gentle youth, Inspire thy soul with strength and truth. Thy heart may well these cliffs revere. For those stem patriots, once here. Who braved, where'er their lot was cast, The storm of war, or wintry blast With weary feet, but mighty hand. For Freedom, and a bleeding land I XXIV. On yon dark headland stood a form That towered in many a sanguine storm ; Where'er the bloodiest strife was done, Fell like a thunder-bolt, and won I Great sire of heroes ! Mighty shade I Star of the gloomy Pahsade I Fame dips her pencil in the sun, And writes a rainbow — Washington ! XXV. Again might lingering memory tell Of noble chiefs by yonder well, 28 THE PALISADES. Quaffing its cool, delicious tide, In tlie hot battle long denied. Their deeds, unsung in minstrel lays, Yet claim, youth, thy grateful praise, With those brave bands of Trenton's field, Who made thy country's foemen yield, And won the chaplet for her brow. That marks thee for a freeman now. But wouldst thou find life's best defence, Guard well the Jewel Innocence. ELEGY. I. There fell a bud from an angel's hand, • As lie wandered down from the spirit land ; To a throbbing bosom it gently blew, And lo, it put forth a deep root, and grew ! II. It flourished there, in its glowing hues, Like a flowret nursed by Elysian dews, Till the little bud was a thing to vie With the radiant tints of the morning sky. III. 'T was pleasant to see the bud unfold. As the summer days of its life were told ; For it seemed as fair to the ravished eye As though it were still in its bower on high. IV. The angel passed on his homeward way. And saw where his roseate beauty lay ; He paused on his wing, and reached down his hand. And bore the sweet flower to its native land. 80 LIND. The name of Jenny Lind is associated with the financial statistlce of nearly every benevolent institution in this country. By com- mon consent, therefore, she is poetically spoken of as a mortal sister of the angel of Mercy. I. 'Tis said, sweet Mercy from above Came down to teach us how to love, And long she strove, with mystic skill, Her holy mission to folfil ; Her angel-pinions knew no rest. For wafting her to every breast : No cottage home, nor palace fair, Nor crowded mart, but she was there. Yet street and lane, and park and green, She haunted still, though all unseen, Still whispering low to every ear — help to wipe away a tear. 31 LIND. Some mourner's blessing to secure, Go soothe the sad, supply the poor I Nor vain her prayer ; for tear and sigh She drew from many a passer-by : Made each reluctant purse to feel The magic of her sweet appeal, Till every child of sorrow there Could tell her wing was in the air. II. Yet could not still her gentle sway, Compel the sordid to obey; The streams of love to amply pour. Till duty could demand no more. How strove she with her heavenly art To touch the spring of every heart, And open every portal wide For sympathy's outflowing tide. But ah I the generous hearts were few, That helped her hallowed task to do. Her piteous tale the more she told, Kemoter seemed the hoards of gold ; 32 LIND. Nor prayer nor tear, nor Christian name, Constrained to cancel Mercy's claim. In grief, as saith tlie further tale, That love on earth conld not prevail, Her radiant wings she heavenward spread, Breathed a despairing sigh, and sped. III. Long, the celestial hills among. In pensive melodies had sung The sister angels, many a lay Of her, the fairest, far away ; Yet mingling oft a joyous strain For earth, by her made glad again : Man only coveting to know Where he a blessing might bestow ; Each rivalling other but to prove Heroic most in deeds of love. Kone now to grasp with selfish might The widow's and the orphan's right ; None to withhold the hireling's meed, And stint him in his hour of need ; 33 LIND. IV. Kone, for the toil of woman fair, By day's long sun, and taper's glare, WitK breaking heart and weary eye, To grant lier only — ^leave to die ; Imploring penury no more Unkindly spumed from every door ; But all fraternal, as above. Since Mercy taught the law of love. So mused the angel bands, when lo I Came soaring mournfully and slow, Bright in the awful depths afar, As 'twere a lonely, wandering star I V. Was silent each seraphic lyre ; Seemed not a bosom to respire ; Intent to mark that wonder's flight. Up-speeding to the world of light. But rapture filled all hearts anew, As nearer still the vision drew, And each discerning, eager eye. Could Mercy's matchless form descry ; 34 LIND. VI. A mightj shout shook heaven's dome:— Hail, wear J sister ! — welcome home 1 Alas, that mortal wrong should rise, To sadden e'en the sinless skies : Safe came the voyager at last, Yet instant shadows wide o'ercast The sunny landscapes where the blest "Were wont to find serenest rest. A tear in heaven ! oh, precious gem, World, for thy fallen diadem, Couldst thou the regal emblem wear^ And let the jewel ghtter there — The pearl from Mercy's eye that fell, And told the grief she could not tell VII. Electric love I One stroke of wo, And furthest heaven felt the blow I AH heedless or of rank or birth, Archangel, and the babe of earth, 85 LIND. Forth, from their haunts by hill and dell, Swift to a countless throng they swell, Each some immortal balm to pour, To bid one bosom sigh, no more. VIII. August in conclave. The high quest, Shall Mercy more be mortal's guest ; Or, doth it seem to heavenly ken How she may move the hearts of men ? Then beautiful, from her repose. The missionary angel rose, Soft accents, too divinely sweet For bard of earth e'er to repeat, Eaining around in fragrant showers. As budding trees their ripened flowers. IX. Ah, leave not yon apostate race. To mourn the forfeit of your grace ; But me with one new power inspire ; Then pausing, touched her golden lyre, And far the listening ranks along, Poured a full tide of rapturous song, 36 LIND. Till heaven^s remotest valleys rang With the sweet song that Mercy sang ; That power which thus but angels know, Grant me on mortals to bestow, And down again to cleave my way To win them by the mighty sway, Of love and melody combined, The heaven of brotherhood to find. X. She ceased. And swift approval ran, Let Mercy strive again with man, And lend the strains she warbles here. To melt the heart and start the tear, Till rivers of relief shall flow. For every child of want and wo. Then joyful sprang the glorious maid Aloft, in robes of hght arrayed ; Her starry banner wide unfurled. And sped again to bless the world. XI. As icy winter yields to spring, When southern winds are on the wing; Or, as in summer's fond embrace Warm blushes tint fair nature's face ; 37 LIND. So nations felt the glow of love, And pure emotions from above, As from tlie happy realms on high Descending Mercj hovered nigh, Inclining potently the sonl To fervent charity's control ; And shed her holy influence o'er The myriad hearts so hard before. XII. She trode again the terrene sphere, Dispensing solace far and near ; Imparting oft the gifts of song, In meet degrees, her course along ; Till softly on an humble child. She laid her gentle hand and smiled, And said — Eeceive, fair sister mine, The might of Melody divine 1 Be thine, with peerless seraph-voice, To make the sorrowing earth rejoice ; Thy chiefest mission still to be, A glorious Almoner for me I LIND. XIII. Then hand in hand thsy twain advanced And earth, and air, and sea entranced ! A mortal, and immortal, pair ; All viewless one, and one all fair ; And this the greeting as they ghde On their blest errand side by side, — Sweet LiND, thy angel life be long. To bless the earth with Mercy's song ! MARRIAGE. Sailing o'er tlie rippling tide, Of a miglitj, mystic sea, Two bright spraj-drops, side by side, Sprang from out the foam to me. Forth my ready hand I threw. Linked in One the joyous Two. Dear to me that blended pair, As they lingered in my palm; And I prayed for them a prayer — Skies be clear and seas be calm ; If they sink, or if they soar, Be united evermore I Spake a spirit from above, Life I if heavenward they flee! Spake the sea, (the Sea of Love,) Bhss, if they abide in me! Sang the sky, the sea, the shore, Be united evermore ! 40 B E M U S. Tlie action of Brooklyn Heights, Long Island, occurred August 26th, 1776. The Americans being entrenched on Boemus Hill, were sur- prised at midnight by an overwhelming force of the enemy; and lost three thousand men. I. Boemus I of moumM famel How calm tliy summit now, Where battle stamped thy name In havoc, gore, and flame I How sad and lonely thou, Dread steep of bloody brow ! II. In midnight's deep repose Loud rang the sentry's call, "Up, freemen I front your foes I" The startled ranks arose. One oath the pledge of all, " "We conquer, or we fall l" 41 BOEMUS. III. O'er all the silent sky A dark and scowling frown ; But darker scowled each eye Wlien all resolved to die I When, night of dread renown, Three thousand stars went down I IV. Up from your sleep ye, dead I Who in the conflict fell. And blood in torrents shed. Till this old hill ran red, If chronicle saith well. Up from your sleep, and tell! V. Around this hoary height, Your legions I evoke ! Shades of that bloody fight, Come in your ancient might. In thunder, flash, and smoke, Heroic Hearts of Oak I VI. Beyond this old redoubt, Some desecrating hand 42 BOEMUS. Hath plouglied your footsteps out ; But yet I hear your shout — " Stand, comrades I firmly stand Die for our native landl" VII. There Steeling to the fray, And SuLLiVAK rush by ! On to the charge I away I 'T is now Death's harvest day I The Briton presses nigh ; On to the charge I — and die I VIII. Ah I vain the valor there I — Sweeps down the broad hill-side A ibe that doth not spare Kor youth, nor hoary hair ; Wild ruin spreading wide, Down pours the living tide ! IX. Now hilt to hilt the strife I Burns high the deadly ire I How reeks the thirsty knife, Where spouts the ruddy life I 43 BOEMUS. While brother son and sire, In fell embrace expire I X. O sad, soul-sickening hour I Weep, Island I for the wo That purchased Freedom's dower I O bloodj hand of Power I A nation's tears still flow For that relentless blow 1 XI. The victory is won ; No guards their vigils hold ; The chivalry is done ; Lies hushed the rusting gun, Where bellowing it rolled, That fearful day of old. XII. BoEMUS I of mournful fame I How calm thy summit now, Where battle stamped thy name In havoc, gore and flame ! How sad and lonely thou. Dread Steep, of bloody brow I 44 IF I WERE YOU. I. As you and I are going Along tHs quiet page, Man, matron, boy, and maiden, Care, hope, or love y' laden, Take counsel from a sage. No star so dimly glowing, But mariners sliould view; Ah I heed the star of reason. And take the helm in season, 0, life's unskilful crew — I would if I were you. 45 IF I WERE YOU. n. My dear desponding brother, O'erwearied with the cares The fleeting years have left thee, While they of hope bereft thee, And led thee into snares, — Take counsel from another. Who thus was weary too. Yet found the paths of pleasure, Eest, truth, and real treasure ; 0, brother, these pursue — I would if I were you I III. 0, Woman I ray of morning, Man's midnight to dispel, Katrina, Xelly, ISTora, Still be his heart's Aurora, In courtly hall or cell. Still let 3^our chief adorning Be those sweet smiles he knew When in love's pure devotion, With youth's first fond emotion. All heavenl}^ graces grew — I would if I were you I 46 IF I WEUE YOU. IV. Sweet Girlliood I mom of being ; Eair pearl on life's lone sliore ; Briglit gem on beauty's pillow, But, 0, with time's next billow, To sparkle there no more — O, maiden, morn is fleeing ; High noon will soon ensue Make now thy youth enduring : Immortal life securing, Decay and death subdue ; I would if I were you. V. 0, Son 1 whose youthful feeling Delights in nature's bloom ; Whose heart secure reposes, Where valleys decked with roses, Send up their sweet perfame, To heaven still appealing, With noble aims in view. Flee all alluring bowers, Defy opposing powers, And press your purpose through- I would if I were you. 47 IF I WERE YOU. VI. There cometh, son, a trial ; There cometh, son, a night ; A storm will romid thee rattle- Ay, life is all a battle, And bravely thou must fight. Begin thy self-denial ; Begin to dare and do : Up, boy, to write thy storv In lines of Christian glory, Bold, beautiful and true ; I would, if I were you. ¥f THE WniTE DRAGON. A WINTER SKETCH. 1. Way for a dragon! a dragon bright, All snowy wliite ; Far in tlie North lie is just in sight! Fierce is his cry, Icicle teeth, and a hail-stone eye : How the White Dragon will make all fly I II. Flower and verdure he comes to kill ; And ah, he will! Orchard and garden and field and liill. The lawn, the glade. Forest and bower and bush must fade. All at his terrible frown afraid I III. Over the ocean he sweeps his tail, Death in the gale ! Splintered the spar, and in rags the sail I THE WHITE DRAGON, Sailor, no more Hope for thy home, with thy perils o'er : Eageth the dragon by sea and shore I IV. Way for a dragon with stealthy tread, A dragon dread I Beantiful back, bnt his jaws are red, And sharp and sure I Who can his ravenous rage endure ? How the White Dragon will smite the poor V. Over the mountain and through the glen Hunting for men; Driving them down to his dreadful den ! Despair, despair I Mothers and babes in the frosty air : How he will feast when he gets them there! VI. Village and city, his strength will feel, Hopeless appeal. Half of a town for a single meal I Over the ground Center and circle he coils around, All in his horrid embraces bound ! 50 THE WHITE DKAGON. VII. Every dwelling of low degree Certain to see, Where'er the wretched are, there is he I Horror I behold I Quivering, shivering, young and old, Perishing all in his clutches cold 1 VIII. Widow, your needle he will disdain : All is in vain, Working or weeping, you must be slain ! Listen his roar ; Soon he'll break down your defenceless door, Slay all your orphans and howl for morel IX. Laborer, high on the scaffold frail, Cannot avail I Down with the mortar, the hod, the pail, Haste to your cell. Face the dread dragon you would repel, Die with the group you have loved so well I 51 THE WHITE DPwAGON. X. Feeble old man, with tlie wood to saw, Eainy and raw ; Peril at every sigb. you draw I Yain is tbe strife, Take tlie last loaf to your poor old wife, Strike tlie last stroke, and away for life 1 XL Beggar, begone from tbe palace gate ; Wo if you wait I Certain to meet witb a dreadful fate I Kever ask there — Have you a bone or a crust to spare ? "What does the lord of a castle care ! XII. Garret or cellar, or dmgy street, None may retreat I Want and the dragon are sure to meet : Alas, too sure ! Who can his ravenous rage endure ? How the White Dragon will smite the poor! 52 STRIKE. Written during a general demand or ''Strike" for higher wages in New York. I'VE a liking for tliis " striking," If we only do it well ; Firm, defiant, like a giant, Strike !— and make tlie effort teU 1 One another, working brother, Let ns freely now advise ; For reflection and correction Help to make ns great and wise. Work and wages, say the sages, Go forever hand in hand; As the motion of an ocean. The supply and the demand. My advice is strike for prices Nobler far than sordid coin ; Strike with terror, sin and error, And let man and master join. 53 STRIKE. Every failing now prevailing In the heart or in the head — Make no clamor — take the hammer — • Drive it down, and strike it dead I Much the chopping, lopping, propping, Carpenter, we have to do, Ere the plummet, from the summit, Mark our moral fabric true. Take the measure of false pleasure ; Try each action by the square ; Strike a chalk-line, for your walk line ; Strike to keep your footsteps there ! The foundation of creation Lies in truth's unerring laws: Man of mortar, there's no shorter Way to base a righteous cause. Every builder, painter, gilder, Man of leather, man of clothes, Each mechanic in a panic "With the way his labor goes. — Let him reason thus in season ; Strike the root of all his wrong, Cease his quarrels, mend his morals, ^ l^appy, rich, and strong. 51 THE SMOKIKG CAP. Dear T., herewith to you I send A smoking-cap, yet recommend, With all the powers I can evoke, You'll wear the cap — without the smoke. For what excuse can any plead, To take a vile unwholesome weed, From pestilential regions South, And plant it in the human mouth I To be, oh, burning shame and sin, A firebrand 'twixt the nose and chin I How sad the harvest he must reap. If, for the fruits of wisdom deep, From fields of knowledge rare and ripe, He glean a mere — tobacco-pipe I Such cultivation, cost and care, To find at last but ashes there I 55 THE SMOKING CAP. At learning's keartli, demented elf, Making a chimney of himself I Let ChimborazOj age on age, Yesuvins and Etna rage, And roll their awful clouds on high, Obscuring all the radiant sky ; But m.an — -oh say not that he seeks To imitate those smouldering peaks ; To make like theirs, bleak, barren, brown, A sooty crater of his crown. To show its hot and hollow state. Make — a volcano of his pate ! No, ever let him strive to be From all such fume and fury free : Rise, like Olympian Jove, above The things that mortals fear or love, - Disdaining the low joys of earth, Mere idle smoke, and nothing worth, Serene, august, among the stars. Spurn the vile meerschaum and segars, And be, as each one should, and car., A self-denying Christian man. 56 A MOTHER'S LOYE. I. Can flowers tliat round its margin grow, Or winds that o'er its surface sweep, vSay to a pool imprisoned — flow! The dead heart of the waters— leap? So neither hath all earth a voice, Can bid an unloved heart rejoice! II. Yet comes the sun with quickening ray. And whispers, tenderlj^, awake! And lo, on rainbow wings, away, Sends up its vapor-soul the lake; Beyond the frowning mountains, free, Again to mingle with 'the sea. 57 A mother's love, m. O heart, tliat like the dancing rill, Along the vale of life hast mn, The phantom Hope pursuing still, But now all desolate — ^undone I Look up I Though earth its love deny, There comes a sunbeam from the sky. VI. Awake, heart, thy pinions spread; Soar, soar, and soon thy fondest aim, To sweet fulfilment shall be led. In love's intensest, purest flame; Alone and sick, yet cannot die, — Poor heart, one effort more and fly! V. Fly to that far-off home for rest, Thy mother's home, yon radiant sphere; Fly, heart, to that dear faithful breast. That soothed thy infant sorrows here: A mother's love, a mother's prayer. Celestial wings, waft me there! 68 SANTACLAUS. PABT L CANTO I. Concerning Santaclaus — His astonishing Castle — His beautifiil Gifts for all good Children — And his real Name. 60 SANTACLxiUS. Beyond tlie ocean many a mile, And many a year ago, There lived a wonderful queer old man In a wonderful house of snow ; And every little boy and girl, As Christmas times arrive, Ko doubt will be very glad to hear, The old man is still alive. Gl SANTACLAUS. In his house upon the top of a hill, And almost out of sight, He keeps a great many elves at work, All working with all their might, To make a million of pretty things, Cakes, sugar-plums, and toys, To fill the stockings, hung up, you know. By the little girls and boys. It Yf ould be a capital treat besure, A glimpse of his wondrous shop ; But the queer old man when a stranger comes, Orders every elf to stop ; And the house, and work, and workmen all Instantly take a twist, G2 SANTACLAUS. And just as you may tliink you are tliere, Tliey are off in a frosty mist. But upon a time a cunning boy Saw this sign upon tlic gate, Kobody can ever enter liere Who lies a-bed too late : 63 SANTACLAUS. Let all wlio expect a good stocking full, Not spend too mucli time in play ; Keep book and work all tlie wliile in mind, And be np by the peep of day. A holiday morning would scarce suffice To tell wbat was making tliere ; Wagons and dolls, whistles and birds, And elephants most rare : Wild monkeys drest like little men, And dogs that could almost bark. Watches, that, if they only had wheels. Might beat the old clock in the Park 61 SAKTACLAUS. Wliolc armies of little soldier follv, Marching in grand review, And turning up their eyes at the girls, As the City soldiers do. Engines, fast hurrying to a fire. And many a little fool A-trudging after them through the streets, Instead of going to school. II. Tin fiddles, and trumpets made of wood, That will play as good a tune As a S-y&'-iyy'v^£i^ 'T niiililiii 016 112 899