PS 1929 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 00002^01225 v -; % 3* £ w Wa* .-': * ^■v *^ C a « o W \_sQ ' Co f it's IN TWO VOLUMES, BY JOSEPH. HODSON, East Liverpool, Columbiana County, Ohio. 1 • ■■■> oH_IO_ m p W. G, Foster, Printer 1 , Wells ville, Ohio. 1806. 1? * \ «l XJ\ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by JOSEPH HODSON, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Northern District of Ohio. VOLUME I PREFACE. In offering these productions to the public, it will be proper first to say, (though unnecessary in my own vicin- ity) they are from the Shoe bench. LMy labors hitherto, have all been trodden underfoot ; how these may fare — time and their merits will determine. I cannot refer the reader to any celebrated College, or Institution, or point to a Diploma as a recommendation. Unacquainted with the art of writing Poetry by rule, I have written, or portrayed my feelings as reflection has prompted me — it is at least, Original. Should the reader possess the advantage of a classical education, I hope this little work will be judged according to the circumstances under which it was produced. With heart-felt gratitude to those who have honored me as subscribers, and the favorable opinions of my friends, I offer it to the public. It will be found to treat on such subjects as would naturally present themselves to one in my humble capacity of life, and has been composed as leisure hours have presented an opportunity. Believing every one is- designed to excel in some par- ticular, it is the duty of all to make an aim, whether un- der advantageous circumstances or not ; and, where on the face of the earth shall a working man attempt to dis- tinguish himself — if not in the land we live in ? I could wish this little work was more worthy of pre- senting to the reader. I hope at least it may induce oth- ers to endeavor to excel, How far I have succeeded in my attempt, I leave to the judgment of an enlightened public. INDEX. Page. Introductory , 9 E Pluribus Unum. , 10 Mind 12 Lines on the Past Year. 13 Home Scenes ........ JO Farewell to Spring .................. 19 Lines on the late Dr. Int. Morse, D. D. , 20 The Grave 21 Lines Written at Evening. 22 Lines on the Death of an Infant. 20 Lines on the Stars............. 23 Beauty in Nature. 25 On Choice 26 Morning............... 27 Lines Written at Evening...................................... 30 Night 31 On Friendship — — ......... Lines on the Birth of a Son.... 36 The Man of Integrity. Liberty... , 39 Independence 40 Discretion 43 Ambition. 4 I July 4th.............. , 45 Lines on Thanksgiving Day. , , . . 47 Peace , 50 The Press............. 51 A Contrast. . , , 53 A Contrast, , 55 Stanzas, , 57 Lines on Potters 1 Field.,....,. 6 INDEX. Misery..., 58 Fortune 61 The Kick Man ." 62 "Render Unto Caesar, the Things that are Caesar's." 65 Happiness C)Q Love ,... 67 Love 68 Forget Me Not 98 Marriage ". 69 Woman 69 The Parting ..... 70 On a Tear 71 On a Kiss 72 "If Gifts Were Graces".. 73 To a Friend .., 76 The Rose.. 78 National Anthem. -. 79 Moonlight.. 79 Echo - 81 On Childhood 81 H ome 83 The Infant's Dream 84 On the Death of an Infant...... 85 A Leisure Hour 86 The Wounded Soldier..... 92 Epitaph Oi Lines on the Death of a Young Lady...... 94 Memory of Washington 95 William Penn — Friend of Liberty 96 Lines on the Late Dr. Kane 97 A Dream 99 Henry Clay 101 An Allegory 101 Lines on an Unknown Statue 105 INDEX. T Lines Written after a Walk ...106 To Wisdom 107 On a Book 108 On a Butterfly ......109 On the Clouds.,, .......110 Love Not ...........'...................Ill On Life ..................................112 On Guilt .....114 Beauty .....115 Mercy 110 Dissimulation 1 1 7 Suspense .......................118 Address to the Blues................. ..119 On a Newspaper. .121 Progression ...............122 Labor ...................125 Spring 130 May .....131 "God Speed the Plough.".... 132 On a Mirror. .....................133 October 135 Lines on the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln... 137 To Liverpool .............138 To Steubenville ..138 Lines on the Death of a Young Lady, ........... ....... 1 40 Death 141 Lines Written after Looking at the Daguerreotype of a Departed Friend.. ......142 Thoughts on a Grave without an Inscription...,...,,... 143 Pity..... ......,,,....,,,....145 The Soul..... „ ...146 Speak Kindly,, .147 The Outcast 148 "Let He who is without Sin, cast the first Stone. ......149 IXDEX. 'Though thou exalteth thyself as the Eagle andbuild- est thy nest among the Stars, yet I will fetch thee down, salth the Lord 1 '.,..-., 150 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. INTRODUCTORY. A son of toil unknown to fame, Nor linguist to quote their lore : His native tongue, an humble aim With self tuition, all his store. 'Twas fancy bade my thoughts to rise, The charms of nature so profuse; The beauties of the lofty skies, Inspir'd my mind to seek the muse. What rank or station but may soar ? Where meditative silence reigns, Revealing wisdom to adore ; And bless the authoe all sustains. The past a warning voice bestows, And speaks to every age and tongue ; Our mercies, wishes, wants and woes, Alike expressive — right and wrong. Life's varied lessons how replete, Oh ! for an eye to quick discern ; The artful wiles, the welcome greet, What nobler maxim ? " Live and learn. Oh ! could my pen delineate, The safest path to mercy's shore ; To bid earth's pilgrim smile at fate, And urge the drooping heart to soar. 10 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Shall I, untutored I, presume To measure or compose a lay ? I paused ! a hope dispelled the gloom Reflection prompting seemed to say. What's grammar but some studied rules? Our crude ideas to dispense; Experience the best of schools. The chief attainment common sense. What matterjwliom a truth has told '. What occupation doth engage ; If quill, or steel, or burnish'd gold, Convey the thought, adorn the page. The dazzling genius of the soul, A life of ease can ne'er portray ; Who would unfold fair wisdom's scroll. But perseverance points the way. Each soul is equal, perfect, free, And bears the stamp of One Divine, Invited by the Deity, In its alotted sphere to shine. With these suggestions let me ask, And for your kind indulgence plead ! Peruse entire my humble task And judge the man by what you read ? E PLURIBTTS UJS T UM. Fair land of Columbia, of hope and of pleasure, May Heaven e'er shield you from tyranny's sway ; And send you contentment, the choicest of treasure, With joys in each bosom that never decay. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 11 May health guard thy shores and may happiness blending, [ts mercies around, may each comfort increase; While, commerce and wealth to each mart is extending, May merit e'er shine in thy mansions with peace. May bigotry never take root in thy stations, Disunion's blemish ne'er mar thy fair name ; The hope of the exile, the model of nations, The heme of the stranger, each patriot's aim. Thy vessels so gallant their banners displaying, Long, long may they traverse in triumph the wave : Their blessing and boons to each nation conveying, To add to the stores of the home of the brave, Atlantic's free waves bound our borders prolific, Awaiting the farmer their stores to unfold ; Our mountains are lav'd by the noble Pacific, The fam'd Eldorado with treasures of gold. Possessed of each clime — still untravered our regions, Supplied with each boon 'neath the olive and vine ; We bow to no despot, his edicts, or legions, Our sons are all freemen. Jehovah our shrine ! Kind Heaven has dealt its propitious treasure, Around us its blessings profusely are strewn ; Our garners are laden, I note it with pleasure. Our language translated 'neath every zone. The sun is our limner, the lightnings await us. With wisdom and progress our path to illume ; A triumph no less may in future elate us, Artesian springs bid the desert to bloom. U E Pluribus Umim," unsullied, unbroken, Defend it ye Powers through the annals of time ; 'Neath every zone may our language be spoken, 12 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. And freedom triumphant preside in each clime. Our soil still untrod, with the vine be it shaded, The flowers brightly blossom and smile for the brave ; Earth yield as its fruits — be it ever invaded, A home for the worthy — the villain, a grave. Thy flag when unfuii'd may it beam in full glory, Posterity pride in the laurels it's won ; Its history ever be famous in story, Thy eagle e'er soar with an eye to the sun, Thy people from God, and from duty ne'er falter, United in heart all as brothers agree ; As one may they worship at liberty's altar, 'Midst plenty and peace in the land of the free. MIND. Hail! sacred guest, immortal joy, Ennobling man with feelings warm ; Commanding each to gaze on high, With hopes beyond this fading form. External fates may crush our bliss, And fortune deal our lot severe ; Drear disappointment and remiss, Are tenants of this fleeting sphere. High Heavenly boon, unfading gem, E'er independent, always free ; The brightest, noblest diadem, Above each earthly rule, decree. The child of circumstance may bend, Where miseries relentless bind ; Till mercy does the message send, And dissolution free the mind. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 13 Man's choicest, richest, loftiest hope, Immortal treasure unconfm'd, Inviting to a boundless scope, A talent unto each consignM. A spark from paradise above, An equal right a gift sublime ; A ruby from the realms of love, A trust to all, alike divine. Beauty shall wither and decay, The noblest structures years destroy ; Ambition's visions pass away, As streams that murmur gently by. The stars shall lose their brilliant light, And all to chaos be consign'd ; Time in its orbit cease its flight, Eternal only is the mind. The mind of independent mould, Whose life, whose aims, lead virtues way ; In Gods own image, free and bold, Shall shrink not at the face of claw To truths eternal lofty throne, To freedoms shrine, let all repair, To Liberty and God alone ; With humble hearts to worship there. LINES ON THE PAST YEAH. The year with all its train of joys, And hopes and scenes is ever flown ; While time still in its orbit Hies, Unheard, unseen to realms unknown. Surpassing wonder, thought sublime, Where is thy end, Oh fleeting time ! 14 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Anticipations, doubts, and fears, Dissolve, disperse, and pass away ; We leave the stage a few brief years, Our ages number ere decay. Invisible, mysterious clime. Unravell'd problem, passing time. Glad hearts the year has lured along, Where trusting childhood' s sunny reign Has lulled or charmed with syren song, Nor tasted anguish, grief, or pain, To chill their glowing youthful prime, The golden era, spring of time. It dealt the lover hours of bliss, And sped with wings of swiftness on ; Dispensing pleasures ere remiss, Proclaim'cl its days were past and gone. Love's flow'i'/ paths found hymen's shrine. Life's blooming summer, cherish'd time. It stalwart manhood granted strength, Diffusing vigor, health and joy; Its days arose to noonday length. As in its course it vanish'd by, ! ni bought, unheeded, all resign, And own the silent hand of time. It cleck'cl some brows with tresses gray, And furrows on the visage plac'd: ' : 'o show its regal stedfast sway, ! ■ ne'er evaded or effae'd. Myriads of souls, it did consign.. To worlds unknown, relentless tune. MISCELLANEOUS l'OEJ*. To gaze beyond the grave's dark brink, Philosophy must ever fail: Perplex'd, distracted, pause and think, On future scenes but here the veil Is drawn ! 'tis for a wise design, Forbid to pierce the vista time. It brought us peace it yielded fruit, Abundance earth's fair bosom bore: While wars and discord, sapp'd its root, In distant lands and sear'd its store ; 'Tis heaven bestows such joys divine, Shall man ungrateful wink at time. It spring array'd with tiny buds, O'er earth a mantle green did throw; While songsters carrol'd through the wood, 1 '. It bade the streams again to iiow. Bright hopes and promises benign. It strew'd along the path of time. It summer deck'd with lavish hand. In beauty and luxuriant bloom : The hills seem'd as a fairy land, The vales were fragrant with perfume. It wreaths of roses did entwine, Around the sunny "stream of time. ' : It autumn loaded with supplies, Although its breath Ihc leaves did sear : Storms equinoxal swept the skies, The winter's advent drawing near, Winds whistling through the mountain pine. Pronounced the dirge of passing time. \ 16 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Next winter's gloomy aspect brought, The year unto a final close ; The fleeting monarch leaving sought, The goal his predecessors chose, While elfin sprites unseen did chime, The final knell of parting time. E'er trust the hand time's sceptre wields, That blest our stores with fostering care ; Long may his tender mercies shield, Columbia's shores from all despair, And each in rapture e'er incline, To praise the source of truth and time. HOME SCENES. Here in the cool and quiet shade, Within the pleasant rural glade ; T'is sweet to muse and roam, While memory with remembrance flies, To dwell again with purest joys ; The early scenes of home. To think of those we early lov'd, And who through time have constant prov'd ; A parent's tender care, Who did our helpless forms caress, And to the bosom gently press ; With fond emotion there. Of early playmates, simplest glee, Where all were innocent and free ; From all deceit, or guile. While truth around us shed its rays, And pleasures met us at each gaze ; With blandest, fairest smile. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 17 Plow swift the time it glided by, The world seem'd all delight and joy ; Each face was then more fair, In life's young advent, early morn, When allfwas bloom without a thorn , Or shadow of 'despair. Years since have roll'd, these scenes arc tied, And all seems mix'cl woe with and dread ; Since childhood's days have flown. Are seasons changed ? is God less true ? Or has each selfish aim and view, Thus~with our nature grown ? The world's as fair, God never fails ! His dews and blessings as the gales ; Are free alike for all. If man with cruel subtle art, Has claim'd his weaker brother's part ; And us'd him as a thral, His pride shall oft his bosom sting, And terror round his path shall cling ; Sad dreams shall haunt his rest. While humble virtue shall enjoy. True peace on earth without alloy ; And be forever blest. An honest heart has riches more, Than all the miser's golden store, His coffers can contain. The light of knowledge fair shall shine, When all the rubies of the mine ; Shall prove a lasting bane. 18 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Through death's dark valley truth shall cheer. And light our way dispersing tea*' ; While around is gloom. The soul shall on its pinions rise. And soar to dwellings in the skies : Where joys immortal bloom. Oh ! may the Power who rules o'er all, Whose eye beholds the sparrow fall ; E'er guide us with his grace. Shed in our hearts fair childhood's trust. Renew our spirits as the just ; Its virtues to retrace. Then shall each heart again adore, Those happy scenes, those days of yore ; Each orphan find a friend. The aged shall again rejoice, While from the widow's grateful voice ; Thanksgiving shall ascend. And all shall own this world of ours. A land of beauty fruit and flow'rs : A paradise below. When man to man with mercy deals, "With soothing words the fallen heals ; True happiness shall liow. Then shall the language of the heart. And from its inmost, dearest part : Flow freely from the tongue. And all who wear their maker's form. Enjoy a bosom pure and warm : That shrinks at fraud or wron