« « « ' > V •• -^.J" ' V • 1 • »* ft ■> «>» «"0'- '' ^Mli^^ • <. .•- -^^ 5^^ - iV^O • ^^' * < o # % *"^ .♦^ <^ r '^ -^^^ '5* " \ . -K, .^--^k^ /^'M^'^X /^<^^ /^ ■^^ >; -^^6^ r ^vV'v v- ,\> ••- ^-^ '^^ "'^j^S 4S V aO- WILLIAM FIRTH COWDEN. poe:ms: Patriotic, Descriptive and Miscellaneous. 13V / William Firth Cowden. Youths, ill coming centuries, shall love to emulate The deeds of those, whose deeds Clio perpetuates. Columbians skies, and Maryland'' s Iwwers, Enraptures the mind in midsummer hours. J5 BALTIMORE: I'RINTED BY WiLLIAM K. BOYLE & SON, 110 KAST BALTIMORE STREKT. i88S. c ^-h Eiilcred according lo Act of Congress, in the year iSSS. By WILLIAM FIRTH COVVUEX, In the Olfice of the Lihrarian of Congress, at Washinsilon. TO ISABELLA 1 II 1 S V O L r M F. IS 1 X S C R 1 F. E D A 1- r E C r I O N A T E L Y , By thk Author. ' ' /// tlie loi liter yoti. may reade them ad ignem by the fireside, and in summer ad umbras, under some shadie tree, and thereivith passe away the tedious Iwurs. ' ' Saltonstall- INTRODUCTION. SO far as my own inclination leads, I have very little to say for or about myself: but as it is the general desire of all readers to know something of the author, possibly a slight account of his origin and early life, may not be amiss, and would evidently lend interest to the work. And without any further apology, very little genealogy, some chronology, and no astrology, I will proceed to note a few incidents that no doubt will be both entertaining and instruc- tive to the reader. Noting only the most prominent events, impressing the mind with the reasons why many of the scenes described on the pages of this volume by the writer, were fixed in his organ of thought, to be narrated in verse, one-quarter of a century after his eyes witnessed the event- ful scenes. Although, at the time the author little thought of enter- taining the public wi^th any portion of the vast cyclorama, which destiny seemed to have pre-ordained him to view, in the theatre of war. Both my parents were of Scotch des(-ent, my grandfather's family having emigrated from Scotland to Canada, in the spring of 1815. The vessel they took passage in left the British Isles in a convoy, numbering two and tw^enty vessels in all; four of which were armed frigates, for better protec- tion of the merchantmen from the piratical American priva- teers, which then infested the broad Atlantic. The vessel in which our family had taken passage was named the Alexander, and originally built for a privateer, her shapely and well curved lines indicating speed. The commander of the squadron, finding the Alexander to be a swift winged craft, ordered her master to take a very slow tub Hishioned ship in tow, which he done somewhat reluc- VIU lA'rKODUCTION. tantly, and continued towing her until the first stormy night arrived, when he picked up an ax, cut the hawser, and ordered all the canvas to be spread and the vessel put before the wind, determined never to see the convoy again until his ship had crossed the ocean. When morning appeared, not a vessel was to be seen, so far as the eye could range the furrowed billows; many of the passengers could not understand why they were so far lost from the rest of the fleet, while their eyes wandered hither- ward and thitherward, expecting to be gobbled up any moment by some Yankee pirate. But the master of the vessel soon allayed the passengers' fears, by telling them that his ship, the Alexander, was the swiftest craft that sailed the briny billows. After a pleasant passage the Alexander arrived in port of Saint Johns, N. B. , two weeks earlier than the convoy, where information had already been received, that peace had been declared between the Mother Country and the United States. My grandfather, William Cowden, having preceded his family the year before, had already acquired a title to a tract of land, bordering on the Miramichi River; there the family settled and engaged in tarming and lumbering. When his eldest son, John Cowden, attained the years of manhood, he married Mary Ann Firth in the year 1835, and the writer, their first child, was born on the 25th of February, 1837, and christened William Firth Cowden. Early in the spring of 1844, my fother and family moved to the States, landing in the port of New York, with the intention of settling in the State of Ohio; whither many of our Clan had preceded us direct from the Caledonian Isle. But finding actjuaintances in Johnstown, Penna., our flimily resided thereuntil the year 1859, removing from there to the City of Cumberland, Md., ere the civil strife arrayed one .section of the country against the other. It fell to my lot, to pass through Harper's Ferry, on the ever memorable night of October i6th, 1S59, while the force led by John Brown was in the act of raiding the town. Beint,' on the IlXTRODUCTION. ix Maryland side of the river, our boat passed on down the canal umolested; when nearing Point of Rocks, 1 saw a special train east boimd, bearing Genl. Robert E. Lee, and a large number of United States marines, to the scene of the con- flict, which was soon ended by the capture of John Ikown of Ossawatomie. And still, as if fate had predetermined my ])ath, I hap- pened to be in the City of Alexandria, Virginia, the day the first Confederate flag was hoisted, waving its folds over the Jackson House. This was the same banner that Col. Elmer Ellsworth lost his life in taking down May, i86i- Leaving the City of Alexandria on my return to Harper's Ferry, I found it in the possession of the Virginia militia. After being detained three days, as nothing was i)ermitted to pass or repass, excepting* passengers and- United States Mails, via line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. During my stay at the Ferry, I was always at the railway station on the arrival of the express trains, to gain all information pos- sible; and while listening to all that passed, I found the engineers, conductors, and train hands, were all rabid seces- sionists as any of the southern soldiers, at least one Avould have been led to believe so, from the way they conversed on the subject as they changed the baggage and mails. After leaving the Ferry, I soon found out that those train men changed politics as often as they changed stations, and that those fellows could champion northern sentiments or southern enthusiasm, in fact anything to suit the times. No doubt policy demanded them to change opinions in a double quick; and every body knows that railway men are apt scholars, with them business is business while they are on the road. After spending three days among the southern chevaliers, I was permitted to return to Cumberland, where myself and a number of others were called u])on by Genl. Lewis Wallace, who was then the Commander of the nth Indiana regiment, then stationed at Cumberland, who needed transportation for his commissary and camp goods. After making several trips X J\Th'ODrC770X. to Hoix'wcll, or I\h)unt Dallas as it is now called, always returniiii? well laden with pork, beans, and hard tack, we were ordered to join (ieneral Patterson's corps. Leaving Cumberland byway of the National Pike, we passed through Hancock and arrived at Clearspring the third evening, where it was raining very hard. The citizens immediately oldened their church doors, and every available room, to give all shelter, and furnished the entire regiment with breakfiist ere we left; that next morning, many of the soldiers declared they had never sat down to so elegant a repast in all their days. Thence we journeyed on to Williamsport, crossing the Potomac; thence to Martinsburg, Va., where the railway was a scene o'\ desolation; lifty-six locomotives were backed in line on the tracks, and covered with wood and oil. and then fired, enveloping all in destruction. From there we marchetl to Charlestown, seven miles south of Harper's Ferry, where Cienl. Patterson's Division, num- bering full forty thousand were encamjied, on July 21st, 1861, the day the second battle of Bull Run was fought. In the camp of the nth Indiana, near by where I happened to be standing, two soldiers were reclining on the grass, when suddenly they jumped to their feet, saying that a battle was raging somewhere on the line of the Potomac. They had heard the boom of the cannon underground. It was soon made known throughout the entire command, and in about two hours after, two telegrams receivetl at headijuarters verifieil their statement. In a few days, all the hired teams were i>aid off and ordered home. Three months afterwards it was my lot to view the scene of the battle of Ball's Bluff, October 21st, 1861. Then again in the si>ring of 1862, myself, and a number of others, were called upon by Col. d. K. Porter, to assist in manning a fleet of thirty-three canal boats; the entire crews of which consisted of one hundred anil one men. The teams consisted of one hundred and one mules. Wc left the port of Cumberland on the 13th day of Feb- INriWDl'CTION. ■ xi ruary, at nine o'clock in the evening, with orders to report at the commissary heach|uarters, on the Maryland side of the river at Harjjer's Ferry. The bridges on the line of the river having previously been destroyed by the contend- ing armies. On arriving at the Ferry, we were ordered to Point of Rocks, where the boats were laden with cargoes of commissary stores, to be delivered on the Virginia shore, two miles west of Harper's Ferry. During my stay at the Ferry, I assisted in fastening the first pontoon boat to the Maryland side of the Potomac; after the pontoon bridge was constructed to the Virginia shore, Genl. McClellan and Genl. Panks crossed over and carefully examining the work, after which the entire army, in command of Genl. Banks, numbering four and forty thousand men, and as many as ten thousand horses and n'rtiles, used in train wagons and as cavalry, crossed in jjcrfect safety. No accident occurred during my stay at the Ferry, save one, a team belonging to one of the canal boats fell from the towpath into the canal, and Genl. McClellan i)assing at the moment waded into the water, cutting the lines, saved the team in a most dexterous manner. The division of the army of the Potomac, commanded by Genl. Banks, were as fine looking, and as well equipped body of troops as any portion of the army as I saw during the entire war. But long ere the summer's sun had reached its full strength, what I had supposed to be the flowed" of the army of the Potomac, was scattered in remnants for full one hmidred miles along the line of the river, recrossing it at every ford. On the return of the northern troops across the Potomac, it fell to my lot to view the skirmish at Falling Waters, when they undertook to repossess themselves of the Valley of Vir- ginia. I was again at Harper's Ferry, September 15th, 1862, and left there one hour previous to the surrender of Genl. Miles to the Confederates, only to be placed in a position near by, while the battle of Antietam was fought. xii INTRODUCTION. The next year I was engaged in transporting commissary stores to the south-west wing of the army during the battle of Gettysburg, July 2nd, 1S63. I was in the City of Cumber- land the night Genl. McNeil's cavalry captured Genls. Crooks and Kelly, and finally, was in the City of Washing- ton on the night of the assassination of President Lincoln, and received a pass the second day after, permitting me to leave the city. I was again in Washington about one w^eek afterward, while the President's remains lay in State in the White House, where I viewed the medley host that wended their way into its portals, to take a last look on their Chief Magistrate; from which scene I formed the poem, called the Dirge on Lincoln. I ani quite well acquainted wMth one of the engineers that took part in wrecking, and sinking the IT. S. Vessel Mer- rimac at the Norfolk Navy Yard; and have had many a pleasant conversation with the engineer who refitted the Merrimac, and who held the throttle of her engine the day [March 8th, 1862,] when she sank the Congress and Cum- berland in Hampton Roads. I was captured once by a part of Colonel Mosby's guer- rillas, and would possibly have made my exit out of the world had not Lieutenant William Walker who was in command, courteously interfered and saved my life. The first place I heard the celebrated tune, "Dixie," played gin a piano in exquisite perfection, was in a mansion which stood facing the LT. S. Ca])itol. The first sound of "My Maryland" broke upon my cars as I rambled the streets of ye ancient City of Frederick one fine summer evening, whose melodious numbers seemed to dance exult- ingly in the twilight, played by artistic fingers, whose soul inspired, little thought listening ears stood s]iell-bound, while fascinating numbers floated around them. What a panorama to view in a lifetime, the realities few tan properly contemplate. Even while I write, I have sharp- ened my pencil with a razor presented to me, at the age of fifteen, bv a native of La Belle France, who was at the time INTRODUCTION. XIU following the occupation of vine-dressing and landscape gar- dening near the City of Pittsburg, Penna.; and whtle in con- versation, his thoughts ran back to his earlier years, then he told me, that he had been a soldier in Napoleon Bonaparte's army, and was on the field of Waterloo the day of the defeat of the Hero of an Hundred Battles; at the time he was but two and twenty years of age. I asked how he came to escape destruction in so terrible an engagement? He said, the officers, seeing the day was lost, refused to sacrifice the regiment he belonged to, as they were all youths. But before he was done telling me the story of that memorable day, he became so excited that leaping to his feet, he shouted three times ''Vive la Napoleon! Vive la Napoleon! Vive la Napoleon !" There and then, on the banks of the Alleghany River, I heard the same voice that had articulated "Vive la Napoleon," on the field of Waterloo re-echo it again on the continent of America. Truth is stranger than fiction. /LLC'S TRA TLONS. SUBJKCT. ARTIST. MOSS liNGRAVKR. PACK. l''roiitispiccc. S. C. CJioate. " facing Tit It. ^ Site of Fort Cii7til>frliuid. II. Lane y. " 77 ^ iXarroti's and Wills Creek. IV. II. Brooks. ^ Dallas Kock. Maria E. Sprigg. " >i Harper's Ferry. W. C. Russell. " 187 150 177 INDEX. On'i^in and Use of Poetry xxii OnwivJ I The River of Sivans 4 Latighter 7 The Little Bird Sifioif/x' S The Child's Prayer 9 An Allei^ory lo Charity n The First Sabbath 12 Schools in Olden Time 13 Conemaugh 14 Valentine Morning 15 IVIien Morning is Breaking 16 The Birdling's Courtship 17 The May Queen i S The Boy Fishing 19 Launch thy Barque 20 The Nxnipli s Defiance 22 The Bachelor s Warning 24 Tlie Queer, of Slicba' s L^and 26 Emblems Masonic ■ 29 To Ohr Lodge, Cumberland, Md 30 Mv Canoe 3 ^ IVatching Venus Z2> Onlx a Tramp , 35 Patient Toil brings Success 36 Learning Enriches the Mind. 36 Nursery P/tymes 37 Morning 3*^ E'oening 3^ Noonday 3^ xvi nvyu:.v. IVcsticnrJ 39 Gaii/c'ti PiH'try 40 To Isabella \\ Vt-ntis 43 A Letter 44 S/eii^/i///!^ Bells 46 7rihiite to the Memory of J . G. L 47 - Epitaph 49 Dirge on Lineoln 50 In Perpetttaiii, Rie Memo/ ia in 52 Skirmish of lallini;- 11 'aters 53 Memorial Day 56 i'ears Roll Away 59 The Tncer <>/ J>al>el 60 Mav Moriiiiii:; 61 /ttne 61 The Ark 62 The Seof s Defiance 63 Columbia 64 The Fourth of July 65 Aurora (> 7 A^ature' s Symphonies 6S An Ode 69 Amoroso 72 Zana' of My Birth 73 Summer Dav 76 Queen City 77 Youth 80 Memories Si Sailing- on the Lake 85 Through the Forest\^ Way 87 ShenanJoah 89 Kiskiminetas 93 The Waiting Bride 94 The Southern Girl's Lament 96 Seraphine 99 On Reeeii'ing a Juibv's Piettire — 101 INDEX. xvii The SotitJuTii Youfh's Di'clainatioii 102 Rciiit'Dihcr our Sires 104 The Ark and The l^ove 106 Miramielii i oS Dreams 115 Daxineak 116 J lie Seven til Day — Afor/iitiii- .• 117 Noon 117 E^wnin^^ 117 The J'oef s Sono- 1 1 S The Poef s Opinion of I.ove 121 The Poet s Paititiiii;; 123 Afysterious Sonnets 124 Adam' s Apple 125 Adam an. I live , 126 The Irishman' s f, anient 126 J'irst and Past ])iseoveries 127 The Comet vs. Garfield. 128 The Battle of Antietain 129 Taeiliirn 131 The Sonx' of Erin' s Son 132 The I'ale of Ig;noranee and the Wile of Under- standi 11}^ 135 JVise A/en's Sayings i>n A'issi/ii;; 138 T(? Mother 141 Petit In lie 142 Written for a Yoi/tii^' Man on Reeeiinng a Letter from his Mother 143 Written on a Postal Card : . 144 The Storied Kiss 145 Voiee of Guitar , 146 Culinary Jhpartme lit 147 Cupid in the Tivilii^ht 1 4(S The Golden J I ''eddin^' 149 Wills Creek 150 The /Permit Joan 152 Spring 154 r. win lA'DIiX. To the Mocking Bird. 155 Morniu}<; is Br e akin ^^ 156 Close of Day 157 The To-morro7v 15H Oral Legends 159 T/ie Foresf s luuititx 160 Mornini^ Ram hie 161 The Fairies 162 Twilii^^ht lu-lls i6;> Childhood' s Dreams 164 Night Shades 164 Madrigal 1(15 Heard ye the Billoios 1 (j() Canadian Correspondenre 167 Poetieal Art 17:: / Hear a Song 173 The Months of the ) ear 174 What Sailors tell i 75 '/he J-lanks of i\eiise 176 Dan's Fork 177 'The Site of Fort Ciimherland hy Moonlight 17S Spring 'lime Mn sings 179 The Tonrnament 180 The Lark to the Alotintain Box i luwiur Ivivii i<)7 Lovr M)S The Orclutiii i <)<) rctrifh-J Musi, i<;9 Srii.-x I is /'riir -200 Oil/ of tlir Mist .201 ( 'oliiinl'ia 201 Dcstiiix .. 202 /''i>r(-r /ir /•)<•(■ 203 Cunilu-iiiUii/ 204 I'lf^itaph 205 i 'ti/^furt' of Gi'us. Cmoks and Kelly 206 'Tltc riuinhcrs 20.S /uilflr 0/ /i, ill's Hliiff 209 Loss of thr f'iiiictlr 210 // \> III (111 212 Nittii// s / / 'oiii/cis 2 r^ J/o/,1 .iciJnif z\.\ 'lilt' J>iri/s (■lit>(>sr o AV//,v 215 7lir S/i/i 217 // /^'v, >/ii-iii(i 2 I (; '/lir /.ixriii/ of J'fii Mar 222 Nrvrr inatw an I'liiciny 223 ///,■ Citx of /holinrlv f.oiw . ^ :\ Prraiiirrs and 7 liinkris 225 irinfrr 226 ( 'III is f /litis /^nr//i//x, 253 Autumn Leoi'cs '....• 255 Sunset 257 Reveries 259 The Artist Girl 261 Fsalm for Bachelors 263 By Request 265 Robert Burns' Birth Jo v 267 Erin, Sioeet Erin 269 Never Again 271 The i / lllic'oocl 272 Ohio 273 Oc-co-(juan 275 1 7i.ii II Remember Thee 277 Review 278 The OU Year 2S0 The N'ew Year 2 S i The Old and N'exo 3 'ears' Cr>rctings 282 Invention 284 Fictitious Names of States 285 An Evening Camp Scene 287 Progress 289 Learning, the Parent of Industty 290 Aihtendum 2 «)o False Friendship 291 Conclusion 2() 2 ORIGIN AND USE OH POETRY. THE most comprehensive definition of poetry is, that it is the language of passion, or of an enlivened imagina- tion, generally formed into regular numbers. The Historian and Philosopher address themselves for most part to the understanding, their object is to inform, persuade and instruct. The Orator's purpose is to agitate, excite and to delight ; by making an impression on the minds of the listeners, and thus command the sympathies of the heart. The Poet's aim is to please, and to move by figures of speech, by highly colored expressions, and transalpme flights of fimcy. 'ihe true Poet knows well, that even the un- tutored mind understands events ])ortrayed in jjoetry much more readily, and remember it better, than if described in prose ; thus showing that our finer natures are born within us, rather than derived from education. Oral legends delineated, in poetry, in its crude and origi- nal form, have been handed down from time immemorial, passing from one generation to another; until finally they have been transcribed from verbal sayings to manuscripts, thence into book form, as in the case of Ossian and others. Poetry cannot be called nor classed as fiction, for the ground- work of our greatest and most wonderful poems are founded upon facts, as many of the ancient lyrics have transmitted to us ; much of which is acknowledged marvels in literature by the learned men of our day. Modern travelers are astonished to see the different scenes, as described by the pen of Homer three thousand years ago, still existing in the same unvaried form ; and the sailor, who guides his vessel along the .f^^gean, sees all the promontories and rocks which appeared to Nestor and Menelaus, when they returned victorious from the Trojan war. Scenes, described xxii ORIGIN AND USES OF POETRY. by many of the ancient Poets, present themselves in such picturesque and varying forms, as to fascinate the intelligent reader, as no works written in prose have done, or ever can do. The Poet's mind is 9»ipposed to be inspired, or animated by some interesting object, which communicates to his style a peculiar elevation, suited to the ideas he desires to express; very different from that mode of expression which is natural to the mind, in its calm and tranquil moments, although the truth is, verse and prose on some occasions run into one another, glimmering with sunbeams and shadows. It is hardly possible to define, or to determine, where eloquence ends and poetry begins ; nor is there any need for being very precise as to the boundary line. The most gifted Orators, frequently styled silver-tongued, know the effect of mellifluent numbers on the ear, whose exhilarating resonance inspires the listeners with joyous emotion. Or the solemn, grave and sympathetic tones, that touch the inner- most chords that ofttimes starteth the tear-drop, while the bosom heaves a sigh. It is a very great error to imagine, that poetry or music are arts, which only belong to the more refined and highly polished nations. The little child, long ere it lisps a word, expresses its pleasure when mirth and merry-making amuse- ments surround it, and becomes discouraged and depressed when cheerless words are spoken. Poetry and music have their foundations in nature, the far-stretched landscape appears to the observant eye a petri- fied poem, beyond the reach of words to express ; language fails when it attempts to describe the prehistoric scales by which we are surrounded. Man being an imitative creature, mimicked nature from the beginning. Adam and Eve seen the forest trees adorned with scolloped leaves; it was (piite natural that they con- cealed their nakedness, by making themselves aprons, or placing broad palms over their persons, to lessen the scorch- ing rays of the sun in an oriental clime. ORIGIN AND USES OF POETRY. XXlll Do not our youths of both sexes love to display bouquets, when promenading at the present day. No doubt Mother Eve wreathed rose-buds in her flowing curls. If our first parents did those things, did they not mimic the song of the^lark, and the nightingale, or form Eolian harps, whose strings were fanned by roving zephyrs, in fair Eden's bowers. Poetry as an art, stands first and foremost of all, so far as science can trace art ; though like other arts founded by nature, it has been improved and cultured, and under favor- able circumstances carried to a greater degree of perfection in some climates than in others. In order to explore the rise of poetry, we must betake our- selves to the deserts and wilds ; back to the age of the hunters and shepherds ; to the highest antiquity, and to the simplest forms of speech, and articulation known to mankind. Anticjuity itself affirms that poetry is much older than prose ; not that we are ever to suppose that man conversed in poetical numbers, but no doubt the first sounds impressed on the babe's mind by its mother, or nurse, in ages bygone, was in the similitude of hush-a-by-baby in the tree top of the present day. No doubt some of our remote ancestors were cradled in the branching boughs, and the idea still remains impressed on the mind of the human family ; imbedded firmly in the cranium, even when surrounded by all the comforts, luxuries and enjoyments of civilized life. Why should not the untutored mind imitate nature, and much more so than the highly cultivated intellect of to-day? Why, because it had less to trouble over, and more time for enjoyment ; more leisure and more time to meditate. Man's instincts are much more fine and vivid in the savage state, than in refined and highly cultured society. Civilization's surroundings destroy the instincts in animals to a very great extent ; the same elements tend to depress many of the original impulses in man. We learn from the particular and concurring accounts of the early travelers on the continent of America, that among X.WI ORIGIN AND USES OF POETRY. which treasures of thought will flow, and like waters bursting the levees, find other outlets. Description will always be the test of imagination, and will always be clescri])tive of the writer. The true poet will always make us imagine that we see the picture he is describ- ing, giving distinguishing features, portraying life, and realities, in glowing colors ; placing it in such a light that a painter might copy readily after him. All readers, familiar with poetry, know that English heroic, or five Iambic feet to the measure, is much more laborious to read, than ballad or Anapestic measure ; the reason is, that five Iambics continuous, is really unmusical. The tongue and the ear act in harmony with each other ; smoothness is necessary in all writing, thus obviating discord in reading or in recitation. The true poet depends on the action of those two members, for the proper construction of his sentences. This shows that there is something in the return of familiar sounds, i)roperly spaced, that carry both elegance and har- monious sweetness, which is grateful to the ears of mankind. This, to a certain extent, is the reason why rhyming words are used by Poets, in the construction and finishing of verse, although all languages do not permit of it. The poetry of a nation records its history in a form which frequently defies the march of time, much more surely than any literature ever penned in prose; and he, who reads the poems of antiquity, intelligently apprehends the spirit of the times in which they were composed, much more readily, and to a greater extent, than in any parallel passages in prose, written by contemporary authors, which only give the reader results. True poetry abounds with expressions of national spirit, which faithfully delineates events, picturing scenes, and places before the reader's mind, panoramas or cycloramas, which seems to inspire, while it aims to inform. As it chronicles 'truthfully the many stages, and actors, that mark each succeedmg era, disclosing their ever changing features, ORIGIN AXD USES OF POETRY. xxvii on and on through succeeding centuries, that are eternally rolling back into the unfathomed abyss of time. Poetry is the chosen repository of thought, that depicts the aspirations of mighty intellects, as they move on the terres- trial stage. Bards have caught and fixed the images on their magic lyres, whose resonance rings throughout the world long after the fingers that touched the harp- strings have crumbled into dust. So long as the inspired writings exist, just so long poetry must continue to fill a place in the world's literature. It alone is the true polisher of language, expressing ideas in flowering words and mellifluous measures ; beautifying and ennobling oratory, giving more copious vocabulaire, deft and ready, epigrammatic, humorous and pathetic, suiting the occasion, animating the audience. Poetry when properly read, cultivates the voice, refining the ear, and adding volumes of treasured jewels and gems, that well adorn the republic of letters ; imbuing the readers, or the listeners, with feelings never prompted by the most eloquent ])rose. W. F. C. P O EC VI S . ONWARD. The dawn unfuiied its trappings red: As up the hill of Science sped, A boy who wore from cot unnamed, A gem inscribed with motto famed. The hieroglyphic — Onward. His brow was clear, his eagle eye Saw fame's minarets piercing sky. His step was firm, his heart was young; One word lay silent on his tongue, Which well concealed — Onward. Around him s])read the level land, With cheerful homes on every hand; Good people gazed in queer dismay; To see an humble youtn display. The charm inspiring — Onward. A maiden looking heavenward. Saw nothing could his pace retard — Cried onward in a witching voice, The echo did his heart rejoice, Reverberating — Onward. OXIVAKD. He crossed the landscaj^es, high and low; He drank of learning's purest flow; He compassed Science, cloud-veiled mount; He saw Minerva guard the fount. Whose stream rolls ever — Onward. He launched his bark on sea of life, Whose billows bring to all men strife; Upon its waves new hopes were born; He scanned the swelling surge with scorn, As he sped surely — Onward. Tho' troubled oft and weary Avorn; When tempest hurled, about him storm, He saw that beacons on life's sea, Should brighter burn where headlands be, To guide the youthful — Onward. When age towards life's noon did march; Yon sun, keystone of heaven's arch. Saw him o'erturn the savants' ranks; Back, back receded far their flanks. Naught stayed the checkless — Onward. When years rolled u]) a flood of time. Fame's turrets showed a jeweled line, i'hat radiance shed from topmost height; There written was his symbol bright. Like loadstar beamed — Onward. Sui)porting emblem were new arts, Which flashed forth transjnirent darts. Lo ! there on vellum circling thrice, A girlish name entwined device. Where laurels wreathed — Onward. When three and thirty years ])asse{l by, , Beside him youth and age espy, The nymph who gaily cheered at morn; Evening rays did each adorn. 'Twas typical of — Onward. Ah ! glory rapt their silver hair, Life's sunset gathered lustre there. Such forms would grace an artist scene; The sight would crown a ]joet's dream, The twain were looking — Onward. As rotmd them fell the twilight grey; In facia shining halos play; In that refulgence all could read. Their brightest hope was still ahead, Where dawns another — Onward. THE RIVER OE SWANS. With fond recollection, In times of dejection, Methinks with affection On thee; Oh! river of Swans. Whose waters so mild would. In days of my childhood. Course through the green wildwood. Where, browsed light footed fawns. Often when pondering, Wherever wandering, My thoughts go sauntering, Back to the river of Swans. Then witching phantasies, Transport me ecstacies, Laden with euphonies, Gladdening thy wintlings and lawns. Where sunbeams victorious. Glittering glorious, Gild waters before us, From mountain rivulets drawn. Nature's magnificence. Vast in munificence. Speaks with grandiloi)uence; Thy waves move listlessly on. Forests luxuriant. Sloping so elegant, All their inhabitants Bathe in the river of Swans. . TffE lUVER OF SWANS. Chariots, iron wheeled, Carry hot caldrons, steeled; • Crossing the chasm and field; Drink, and drive furiously on. On west winds weirdly borne, From vales of ribboned corn. Comes sound of boatmen's horn; The barge moves leisurely on. Highlands articulate. Echoes reverberate. Enchantments captivate Tourists when Aurora dawns. Sails, snow white expanding, Rudder, leeward standing. Waves roll up the landing. The ship glides speedly on. Cygnets robed in white, Cerulean flow bedight. They pinions si)read for flight, When spring time decks thy lawn. Thy columns, minarets, Bastions and ]jarapets. Arches and bridges beget .Vonders where abysses yawn. Battle fields intervene. Knights tilt on level's green, Victor crowns beauty (piecn With flowers that blf)om on thy lawn. I have list to bells chime o'er. Many a lovable shore. But not one of them bore Landscapes so exquisitely drawn. THE KTVER OF SWAA'S. All is symmetrical; All is reciprocal; All is poetical; When summer, beautify lawns. Nothing to mutiny, All things in unity. Each beyond scrutiny. Dwell by the river of Swans. Whose waters advancing, By margins romancing. Where beauty entrancing, Down to the ocean roll on. Thy heaven born crystals, Seem ever to jingle. With a musical tingle. Over thy beautiful lawns. Euphrates, Rubicon, Ganges, nor Amazon, Hath such legends upon, As thee; famed river of Swans. LAUGHTER. Laughter is the best physician. Earth has for long ages known, Nev'er use it in derision, It may place in hearts of stone, "lis the world's most gay companion, Drives away gloom and sadness. Bringeth joy to cot and mansion, Spreads around the balm of gladness. Health accompanies treatment simple, Applicable to all ages. To youth's visage gives the dimple, Brightens brow of sire and sage. Invalids go and consult him. He will all thy burdens lighten; Lay smiles on brow, on cheek and chin, And will Old Time's father frighten. Come and brighten face with laughter, 'Twill rival drugs, mixed in wine; Let mirth ring amid the rafters, Joys renew at evening time. Defy approach of Time, my boy. Open air and ringing cheers, Gives good health a wealth of joy. Lengthens life out many years. THE LITTLE BIRD SINGING. Now in arbor a little bird singing, Never knowing I listening can be; Sweet his caroling measure a ringing, Which comes tenderly iloating to me. Oh! his winsomest chirrups a slinging, Over meadows hies rajiture's thrill; Where the roses and daisies are flinging, Fragrant perfumes the ether to fill. From the warblings about me that's swinging, Rises magical echoes of love; For the musical twitters are springing. Into depths of azure above: Thoughts of youth and its joyous hours bringing. When rare symphonies rang in the blue; Then the morning of life was a winging. To me cadences, pleasing and new. Time its minutes is ever a stringing. While the birdlings sing gaily at morn; To the sunset is ever a clinging. Purple and gold its path to adorn. THE CHILD'S PRAYER. When sunbeams fade around me, So beautiful to see, And twilight shadows bound me. That darkens all the lea. In vaulted skies above, I watched the glittering star; I pray then God may love me, He bides in heavens far. A prayer my mother taught me, I oft repeat at night; Where mellow moonbeams sought me. With smiling gleams of light. I ask that God may guide me, As stars thro' space are led; I ask him to provide me, From day to day with bread. I pray that he may bless me. His bidding for to keep; With love to all impress me, And guard me while I sleep. I pray that God may wake me When morning breaks again; And when I die may take me. And then I say. Amen. lO AN ALLEGORY. This allegory was delivered by Crittenden, o( Kentucky, before a Jury in Court in the language of prose. The Creator called his couneil, When He conceived the creation of man ; Justice, Truth, and Mercy, ministers three. Which His cabinet tills; And thus the discussion began. That in a twinkling settled must be. He, stern Justice, thus addressed — Shall we make in our image man? Justice said. Oh God! make him not; Thy laws he will ever depress And trample them down without fear. Truth also said — Never make man, He will pollute every sanctified spot. And all over the world go seeking redress. But Mercy down on her knees dropping low. Her upturned eyes dimmed with tears, Said, Oh ! Creator o{ all. create man ! I will watch over him, you know; Along the dark paths in my care, Though on the yawning abyss he treads; . Over him I will watch everywhere. Then the Creator formed man, A mortal with a breathing heart. Antl thus He spake unto him — The Child of Mercy thou art; She is thy guardian and mother. Go forth and in traversing the world, Deal justly with thy brother. 1 1 CIJAja TV. Charity; charity; trisyllable rare, Ever burning with beauty celestial; Guarding the humble and lowly: thy care On the hemispheres terrestrial. Charity etymon, wondrous and fair, Spiritual thoughts ever inspiring. Lighting the darkness and driving despair, Sadness and sickness before thee, retiring. Strength thou instil lest in sorrowful hearts, Cheering bosoms of the lonely and weary. Gladness surpassing sunshine, thou imparts; Illumining soul despondent and dreary. Angelic dispenser, traversing plains. Blessing earth and its suffering billions; Within and without forever proclaims, Woiilfl on ^luicrnMl '^f■.•l^l->< fAcrinrn millions. Placed in a balance, it outweighs pure gold; Placed in a bushel, overruns measure; Charity's emoluments ever must hold, For heaven retaineth its treasure. 12 THE FIRST SABBATH. When the Creator first made, With his infinite hand, Phmets above and below; On the seventh He stayed, For Sabbath the universe spanned. Far spread celestial glow. Hallowed hours, repose everywhere; How resplendent that morn; Heaven, waters, trees and sod. F^ven ether's vast realm of air. Gladly welcomed rest, newly born; The work of a wonderful God. And the confines of space smiled. Showing his consummate power. On the morning of its birth. Like an exulting child. Forests, thickets, and wild flowers, All rejoiced on the earth. First of days ennobling time: Everything seemed its guest. Omnipotence reigned in the skies; Halos touched the mountain line. Underneath all things were blest; Every plain a paradise. Thus ever since, in seventh one. God says mysteries are mine. Mankind in six, comprehends And feels when Sabbath comes. Creative power, an arm divine. Blends with nature as a friend. 13 SCHOOLS IN OLDEN-TIME. "Fwas in the days of olden times, Some six and twenty years ago, When husking bees and spelling glees Were loved by all the girls, you know. The village school by Stony Creek, Was known to all in Johnnystown; 'Twas wisely taught and youths here sought For wisdom true that l)rings renown. One morning when this school had met, A lad who loved the lassies well. Had stopped to talk, adown the walk; His whereabouts no boy would tell. The master smiled when he came in, But not so gently as he might; His thought within was very grim, A ruler holding very tight. The scholar looked somewhat queer When tutor asked, Where have you been ? (That question's old) and you are sold, He said, if you think that I'm green. The tutor's patience seemed to wane, He looked confused and wild; A youthful bear, with standing hair. Before him stood and simply smiled. His resentment, suppressed before, Seemed quickly, quickly to give out, As legs of chairs move through the air. That scholar fled amid the rout. 14 CONEMAUGH. \c niai-L;ins ot" the ConcuKni.:;h; That's linked to the mountains; Wlicrc forests wild and verdant glades. ■ Hew leathers fur thy fountains. Where early red wakes little birds. That sing in summer mornings; ^^'here lightning's glare and tluuuler's ] cil. Wake lowlands wilh their warnings. When first 1 knew thee. Conemaugh. hi vine thy myrtle findings; I'or nature then bore not a tlaw, Wlien brambles graeed thy windings. 1,0! wondrous aits have wrecked thy glens. That once were deiked with (lowers; Where warbled blackbirds, and the wrens \\'ho built their lu'sts in thv bowers. 'I1iy busy mills, Oh 1 C'onemaugh ! Fling i>'er thee black defiance; Thy winding rills. tVom out the hills. Now passing views the science. Thy nning boys still play ow banks. And joyous shoot white alleys; Thy laughing girls, with mirthful pranks. 1 .oW(' lilies of thv vallevs. ^5 VA L ENTINE MORNING. The doctor slcyjt in his peaceful bed, When his ear caught the telephone's ring; "Mother," he said, as he popped his head. And forth to the floor did spring. The bells resounding, weirdly chime. Midnight opens, day of Valentine. ''That wicked girl," he said, " disturbs my dreams. In the middle of the midnight hour. By the tug she gives that bell, it seems Her arm has a wonderful ])ower." Then sjiake a sweet voice, whose cheerful note, Across tht ceiling seemed to float : She cried, "Awake, awake, good Doctor Pill; Order a dose for one old toper." The doctor said, "Give three opium jtills, And settle for night the old joker. 'Twill make him rove the ends of time, , That knows not day of Valentine." i6 WHEN MORNING IS BREAKING. Bring me a harp, when morning is breaking, Tinging the skies with hues, tintings untold, The hemisphere and the ocean all waking, Under one stream of glittering gold. Rise me a song when the sunrise is bringing Balm of sweet flowers from the sylvan grove; When every songster on branches are singing, Telling to mates some sweet story of love. Nature enhancing, with workings sublime. Harmonies mysterious, gladdening sky; Music entrancing, rare melodies chime; Mountains and valleys and forests reply. High in the vaults of blue heaven the numbers Rejoice ever, each morning, through time. Memnon now wrapt in ages of slumber, Still is surrounded by trios divine. Think not alone, we in ether are sailing; Far-away planets have birds and sweet flowers. Orbs that can never allow us a hailing, Hath musical notes that's rivaling ours. 17 THE BIRD LINGS COURTSHIP. Blithe was a iMrdling, one morning, who sang In the forest, where others were flitting; Joyous and sweet were the carols he rang Out thro' the branches, where songsters were sitting. Merrily, merrily, twitters the beautiful bird; Such an enchanting minne-singer never was heard. Every note, loving and tender; Weirdly crossed wild wood in splendor; Doubly ringing, echoed together. Then reverberating clever. When I love, I, love forever. There was a pretty bird, perched near by, That was listening to proffers discreetly. Far, far above her the symphonies fly. And the ecstacies enchanted her completely. Startling euphonies, measured so clear. Never before had encircled her ear. Every chirrup seemed to sever, Quaintly telling true love breaketh never. Repeating trebles sing all together, Tenors number soft and clever. Where I love, I love forever. Oh ! how demurely she smiled on that lover's suit; And he winged the air in that direction. Bright were her eyes but her tongue was mute. Mated exquisite; hymeneal perfection. They now together go building a nest; Ever singing their duets in unison blest. Harmonies loving and tender; Weirdly cross wild wood in splendor. Altos, and sopranos mingle together. Every note vibrating clever. Sing we love, we love forever. i8 THE MAY QUEEN. Dew-tip-ted flowers, the sunbeam's tinsel; Birds are winging skies of May. Beauties fit for artist's pencil; Kissed by zephyrs soft to-day. Youthful lips rehearse the story, Blithely singing sonnets gay, Naught exelleth Maytime's glory. Rings in every roundelay. All the muses convene; Hearken Alexandrine. Nature's cabinet assembling. Myrtles, myrrh and basil, trembling, Join in beautifying May. Waterfalls are music lending. On their margins lambkins stray; Cross the streamlets, branches bending. Shadows cast on silver spray. Hearken Alexandrine, Chosen you are May Queen. Hark, in belfries, bells are pealing. Silver bells, ring joyous lay. High the swells in ether stealing, Welcome, welcome, welcome, May. Yes ! in noon's effulgent splendor, Join we all, garlands green array. Placing forget-me-nots tender. Side the daisy sweet of May. With lilies tall between, Crowns fair Alexandrine. 19 THE BOY FISHING. Tke robins are chirping, the sunlight is beaming, On waters which murmuring, wind through the vale. The brightest of dewdrops on myrtles are gleaming; Balm from the wild flowers is scenting the vale. The thrush and the linnet, now warbles their measure, The nimble red squirrel runs far up the tree. The rabbit is hiding and listens at pleasure; . To little dog barking in wildest of glee. The boy is a fishing blue bass from the river. Across yonder cliff, he has chiseled his name. Beside him his bow, and the well filled quiver — The mark, may he reach on the temple of fame. This youth that's now often found robing white alleys, May marshal proud armies, his country to save. Or meet with the savants from mountains and valleys, In council be Nestor among chieftains brave. He searches old volumes which many neglect; And gathers from vellums the quaintest of lore; His knowledge ever wins him esteem and respect; ']~o its happy possessor opes every door. 20 LA UNCH THY BAR Q UE. Launch thy barc^ue ui)on the waters, Whistle loud and sound it shrill, Beauties music loving daughters. Stand in waiting on the hill. When they know my wherry sailing, They are watching for the hour; And my Avhistle is the hailing. Calling each from rustic bowers. Fumed with odor of the flowers. Sing me grassy margined waters. Flowing from the silver spring, Where the steps of roving daughters, Mark the banks where lilies cling. Rosy cheeks and eyes so merry. Glances bearing starry gleam. And lips tinted like a berry. Floating in a snowy cream. Bringing us enchanting dream. Sing me of the laughing waters, Gushing through the reeds in May, Floating world's rejoicing daughters, Carols ringing all the way. Sweetly rising, joyous measures, ' Forth it peals in winsome swells, O'er the fountain's crystal treasure. Bearing light canoes so well, High the witching cadence swell. LAUNCH 7Y/Y BARQUE. 21 Sing me pearly syiarkling waters, Dancing round the light canoe, Onward bearing warbling daughters, Trebles gladdens far the l)lue. Ripples passing round us glisten; Chorals chant in ether rhyme, On the margins lovers listen, To guitars and cymbals chime. Oars with music keeping time. Sing me parting limpid waters, Playing on the birchen prow, Gliding on with graceful daughters. Curls adorn eachtcharming brow. Love and beauty ever sailing, On the level glassy crest, When the sunset's fire is hailing, Gold and purple on the west. Fascination there is blest. Sing me dew distilled waters. Hiding well the track and trail, And of shores where singing daughters, Are all waiting for a sail. My canoe is always ready. At the margin of the lake, And she rides the billows steady, When she fairy burdens take; When the moonbeams licfht the lake. THE NYMPH'S DEFIANCE. There is many a thing, to the bachelors I wish to tell, I'm a lassie; that never can love a wild romancing swell, I'm not killed with beauty, nor flaunting the banners of pride; I'm fussy and plain, amiable, and prudent beside. I can smile at old bachelors' conceit and witchery. And I blink when young upstarts, and striplings are wink- ing at me. All their fanciful ammunition shall be wasted in vain, I am proof against sunbeams, and will never melt in the rain. I can work in the laundry, the kitchen, and pump handle bend, I can sew on the buttons, and finest of hosiery mend, I can knit my own costumes, braidings and traveling wraps. Embroider the slippers, the tunics, the comforts, and caps. I can milk the red cow, and rich cream in ices I freeze, I can churn out the butter and make the most excellent cheese, I have often times read, that man's heart near his stomach doth lay. Just provide him rich i)uddings and ])ies, he will bless you all day. There is a number of single men now considering my fate, And full thirty and three young flunkeys all wishing to mace. THE NYMPH'S DEFIANCE. 23 And a full dozen widowers all laden with gold, Are watching and waiting, aunt Euphemia's told. That wicked phalanx, I will have it disbanded, I would prefer to wed an emigrant, one just landed; All their courteous attentions to me will all be thrown away. For their gossip shall tell of an elderly damsel some day. Now gents, let your urbane civilities cease, ever cease, One favor I ask that is peace, let me exit in peace, I am sure, oh as sure, as I certainly, certainly be, I will marry no man, and no man shall ever marry me. Without blushing, this truth, oh, this truth, I will truthfully say. No one believes a word that a girl that's just sixteen will say; So gents take off your beavers, bewilder me if you can, I'm the girl that has promised never to marry a man. 24 THE BACHELORS WARNING. . Morning woke, witli chaiins belonging, Scarlet lustres flaunting glory; Then I heard a voice whose longings, Told a weird and rueful story. 'Twas a bachelor, a warning, All men with his sonnets doleful; Thus He sang, upon each morning, Never live a life so woeful. Once my heart vras soft and mellow. Then my hands were ever toiling; Reaping fields with harvest yellow, Building barns where grain is spoiling. Herds are roving meadows over, "AVhere the gushing streamlets sobbing; Fleecy flocks are ])laying rover, Lone I watch with bosom throbbing. Once so youthful, strong, and ruddy, Seeking for the mighty dollar; Waiting let escape my study. One whose love can help the scholar. Years are speaking, and advancing, Wisdom dearly bought now descends. Wedded bliss, I see enhancing. Showing need of a confiding friend. THE BACHELOR'S WARNING. Sad, dejected, tired waiting. Wildest themes forever rambles, Through my brain, always relating. Memories, sharp as hawthorn brambles. Spring to me is dull and weary, Summer ever onward wending; Autumn gales blow wild and dreary, Hoary locks, with winter's blending. Round me now, no glees are spoken, Making nature's mirthful cheering. Waiting long the chords have broken, Waiting for a call endearing. Sighs are sighing, sure returning, Hopes, forever hid in sorrow, While the rays of July's burning, Wait T for some kind to-morrow. Darkly falls the leafless shadows, From yon aged oak that's withering; Softest winds, across the meadows, Chill my sallow veins that's shivering. Tell me not of golden summers, When my evening sun is setting. Melancholy's mournful hummers Truly weaves me, fond regrettings. May recalls June, which I remember. Wherein laughed, love's lighted ember; Grieving in the cold December, Cupid's darts I still remember. TIFE QCERX OF SHEBA'S LAND.* The ICnglish legions march the plains. Of Queen of Sheba's land. They stalk within the sacred tanes. On Cleopatra's sand. Ishmael awakes in might and main, Wakes Islam; to avenge their slain. Thrives Celt and Saxons, armed trains From great Mahomet's strand. Hark ! the Saracens, arms atliust. On Queen of Sheba's land, Their gleaming lances never rust. On Oriental sand. They call to mind Mahomet's trust; Tarik Ben Zaid, and Omar's thrust, And Haroun Kl Rischid. the Just. That lived in Soudan land. Hear Hager's fearless sons they vow. On Queen of Sheba's land. As they before Great Allah, bow. Low on the burning saml: They rise, for freedom, death, or woe. To tling the lance, or draw the bow: Daring Sheiks, steeds white as snow. Lead the intrepid band. Ah see. their chestnut chargers wheel On (Oriental sand; Ah see, them charge the J^ritons' steel That bristle on their land. The Aln ssiiiintis claim thru the Cjiiccn of Shcba was an .Arabian. THE QUEEN OE SHEBA\S LAND. 2y See jute, and angles, columns kneel To meet the onset, ere they reel; Or the hot breath of war-horse feel. That bears heroic band. 'Tis freedom's dawn, effulgence bright, Wakes Sheba's Queenly land; See ! Victoria's panoplied Knights Cannot the gleams withstand. The dread simoon her armies smite; See ! sands with Britons, all bedight, Gewgaws, and tinsel: mark the flight Of Woolsey's vain command. Gordon called, he called in vain, For help in Soudan land; El Machi burst the tyrant's chain: Dispersing England's band. Drove Stewart's minions back again; Osman Digma swept far the i)lain: Arabia's daughters, known to fame. Glory won for their land. They came with spears, whose glimmer shine On Soudan's level land; Their bay steeds' necks were arched sublime. Pride of Arabian sand. And many a black horse flanked the line; Bearing Amazonian heroine; The name of Allah was their sign; Winds their waving crescent fanned. Dark as the Shulamites, their cheek Brown as the Soudan sand; Shapely figures, demeanor meek, An Oriental band. ' THE Ql'EEN OF SHEBA'S LAA'D. Silvery voices, whose utterances greet Arabian hills; the echoes speak, Awakening Nile's topmost creek, Where rivulets expand. They all defy Queen Vic's control In Sheba's Queenly land; They will not tribute yield, nor toil, To young upstart England; Believing in Mahomet's scroll, His manuscripts they well unroll, There read, to heaven goes warlike soul. Battling for Islam's land. They silenced Scotia's bagpipes' hum On Sheba's Queenly land; While Erin fought 'mid clouds of dun, Which rose on every hand. The wild Arabs took Albion's guns. Capturing battle flags and drums; Valiant Ishmael, not deaf nor dumb. When freedom's blaze is fanned. To him the East did once succumb; The falchi'on, plume, and crescent won; He vows to drive all tyrants from The Queen of Sheba's land. 29 EMBLEMS MASONIC. We meet on the level, We part upon the square; We every angle bevel, We plummet every care. We swing our mallets truly. We place the levers true; We oil the rolling pulley We tighten every screw. We use the shining trowel, To place the mortar sure; We circumscribe the vowel; To wisdom well secure. We guide the plow, and chisel, The rudder and the pen; Our paintings grace the easel. Our music wakes the glen. We lower lofty mountains, We make new rivers flow; We built beside the fountain, Six thousand years ago. We cherish ancient emblems, We love to polish each, Their lustre falls before men. And purest morals teach. When Light refulgent opened We came on earth to stay. Our genius still shall hope send, To brighten coming day. 30 TO- OHR LODGE, CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND. Adieu, my dear friends of the comj^ass and rule; Adieu to my Brothers in mystical tie; Ye enlightened sons of the ancient high school, Let ever your guard be the All-Seeing Eye. May liberty, harmony, twining with love, Ever mantle your Order in worthy design. Let your Lodge, be the emblem of one, that's above, Which is hidden from view by a heavenly line. Build your Temple of granite, of cedar, and fir. On ceilings carve lilies and wide open flowers; Let the myrtle adorning, be dweller with myrrh; They will wanderer welcome, in fraternal hours. Sheathe the turrets, with gilding, reflecting the sun, Which transplendent light from the azure imparts; Let the device on the dome, be a typical one Of Science, revealing to tyros, the arts. Portray on inner walls, vessels ploughing the main; And the beacons and headlands, where wild billows roll; Show the brine, greeting waters from valleys and ])lains, On whose margins, stand Peace, Truth, and Virtue with scrolls; With harps, trumpets, and timl)rels, the borders enchain. ]\Like the arches expanding, show architect's skill, Place their circles on foundations firm and secure. Have each column form beauty and blazon good will. Sparkle chalcedonys and hyacinths pure. TO OHR LODGK, CUMBEKLAXD, MD. 3 I Set their cha])iters level, with plummet's lines law; (3n each chisel the Olives, full Ears, and the Vine. Let the scjuare of the craftsmen bear never a flaw; For the Master shall test with a symbol divine. Adieu to the Ohr Lodge of fair Cumberland, May your pyramid towering long ages review, And its hieroglyphics to Masons expand, A remembrance of all that is noble and true. 32 THE CANOE. Come and ride in my birch canoe On the waters still and deep, When star-light twinkles on the blue, Watching far the billows sleep. While from celestial realms above Silver rays are darting low, Lighting the crystals while we rove, Ripples i^arting as we go. Onward! onward! lakes we're crossing. Wavelets dance around the prow; Gently gliding pearls are tossing. In the wake arolling now. Ring a cadence weird, resembling Raptures of some fairy clime, rather fdl with trios trembling. Pealing forth a glorious chime. Slow the i)addles graceful bending Turn the light canoe for land; All together onward tending. Soon we touch the pel)bly strand. 33 WATCHING VENUS. December 6th, 1S82. Majestic fell the morning's ray On valleys, hills, and towering spires; The children have a gala day. They talk of Venus to their sires. Fair Venus gazed on worthy dames, And smiling maidens,. .truly sweet; Saw little cherubs, aged three. That lisped her name in every street. Some witching eyes are scanning depths. Surveying far cerulean sky. While many leer at other sons. In avenues that's nearer by. Thro' telescopes, and smoked glass, The school boys see blind Homer's star; And Savants old, with mighty lens. Watch love and beauty soaring far. They read the works of Sages gone. Written when Clio's quill was young, Which tells, refulgent gleams were cast On earth when light, through chaos sprung. Then morning stars and satellites. Their music rang throughout the skies. Echoes returned in raptures flight. The verge of space gave back replies. 3 34 WATCHING VENTS. From centre of universe limits; Within, above, below, around; Where distance hides, unknown sjjheres. Revolving, uttermost bound. Immortal sages taught: balanced laws Each planet's centre well restrain; Celestial space admits no flaw; Each orbit guides her shining train. Now, jiretty maids, and blithesome boys, While twinkling stars above you shine. Let heaven's rule thy guardian be, 'Twill guide thy steps in merit's line. 35 ONLY A TRAMP. Only a tramj), only a tram]); Courtesy fails to describe it as human; Without a home, rambling alone, Robed in dust, l)egging a crust, While nconday's brightness his pathway illumines. Some with amaze, wondering gaze; Some in disgust, look with distrust; Some tender hearts kind words impart, Whose euphonies clear starteth a tear. Only a tramp, only a tramj); • Pitiful sight, pallid and white; Woeful the ])light, 'tis an affright; Robed in dust, begging a crust. Where rays of lamps, falling aslant, On avenues, where retinues Splendors review, none interview: Wandering tramp, in midnight dam]). So spiritless, lowly and thriftless. Has he a parent, or kinfolk at all; Did he hear ever, a motherly call; Open his history, seek out the mystery; Had he ability, had he agility; Had he civility, or is it treachery, Cursed with knavery, that's drove him from home, Over the wide hemisphere to roam An outcast, in a world bright and new. Where cities stand, beneath heaven s blue. 36 ONLY A TRAMP. Open the mystery, seek out his histDjy; Is he the offspring of nobility; Or a h)ne waif, liorn in obscurity, Or bears he embryo incongruity. Unveil the impulses guiding him; Lacks he strength of mind, or strength of lind) Seek why he let life go unimi)ro\ed by, How came he a thriftless castaway, Come critic, come now and have your say, Round the forlorn, and fragile form, Let thy criticisms play. Patient toil will bring success. In any branch of science; Know this and studiously caress. The hours that brighten self-reliance. Let hand and heart with genius bending, The trio working with might and zeal. Open arts, whose inventions attending. Into line new wonders wheel. Learning enriches the mind, In solitude. cultivate genius; The work of an artist, like a pearl lifted From obscurity, shiiieth the brightest When brought forth to light, From the innermost Recesses of seclusion. 37 NURSER V RHYMES. Daylight came riding from under the billow, Driving the stars all away to their homes; Children rejoicing, were leaping from ])illow, Brightest of rays on curling locks shone. Smiling so sweetly, the cherubs sought kisses; Laughter was lighting each sweet sunny face, Blissfully blending with mother's caresses, Wreathing all pleasure with* angelic grace. Picturing children, in sylvany bowers. Circled by happiness seeming divine; Within and without, were opening flowers, Wafting their balm in the golden sunshine. Innocence pure, as the newness of morning, Gladdens the hours, that move gloriously on; Serenest joy, every transport adorning, Shedding affection and beauty anon. Who would not welcome such moments returning. When gleams of love firsi enchanted the soul; Winning for taper in bosom a burning. Thoughts that will live, while our mornings shall roll. Days ever recall us youthful emotion, Childhood renewing sweet stories of cheer, Often returns with our evening's devotion, Singing us sonnets of earliest years. 38 AlORNING. Orient portals, with aureates glisten, Night's robe vanish before the day; Shades retreating seem to listen, To the skylarks' early morning lay. Down the myrtle pearly dews are wheeling, Wildwood denizens, spring from their lair; Over valleys zephyrs soft are stealing, Waftmsf balm of sweet flowrets in air. NOONDAY. Noon's high sun, in heaven's centre burning. Brightens forests, glades, and meadow; Mists, from mountains, to the seas returning. Gladden fertile valleys with their flow. Meridian splendors now descending, Reigns on the terra firma supreme, 'Twixt the hills, the gushing rills arc lending. Musical enchantments to the scene. E VENING. Twilight's veil, a hemisphere is shading. Deepening, deepening, into gloom of night; Stars the deep blue vaulted skies invading. Shed upon the earth, a mellow light; Over mortals, Morpheus is spreading, Soothing sleep, alleviating care. Children to their cots are treading. Angels hearken to ascending prayer. 39 WESTWARD. Eastward tower the terraced hii^dits, Where once my footsteps roved; Ah ! childhood's scenes are hid from sight, And many things I loved. I ne'er forget the voices sweet, That playful winsome throng; I ne'er forget the pattering feet. That rambled paths along. And oft recall the fairy spell, When glad and speaking eyes; Whose glances soft around me fell; Their memory in me lies. Those days, I cannot call them back. Lost in the wave of time; They hidden are, in boundless track Of time's mysterious line. Though time's borne off my earliest years, Their memories have not flown; And yet I tread, where flowrets spring, That hands unseen have strown. I cannot hear the angel wings, That spread those beauties there; E'en where the buds unopened cling. No mark of footprints there. 40 GARDEN FOE TR Y. A cucumber sat on a garden fence, Where sunlieanis glow, and soft winds l)low; And thus it sang, sweet innocence, Keep out of yon kitchen, potato. It softly sang to an alder tree, Watch, watch, watch, for dame C'atherine; (lather the berries is her decree, And press out of them all the wine. It sang to a bean, upon the corn, That smiled in the ribboned shade; It ([uickly hid, and looked forlorn, And crept beneath the widest blade. It sang to a lambkin, ])layful and shy, Run, run away, or you may be caught; Get within range of that maiden's eye; And she will have you dished up hot. But Dame Catherine watched that eve, When all around was wra])t in slumber; And (piickly did that fence relieve; Of that sweet singing Cucumber. 41 TO ISAJU'lLLA. "I'is Autumn and the leaves are fading, The wavelets murmur music thrill, Orange, and crimson tints, are shading Sylvany groves and slojMng hill. Sweet Isal)ella, — you can never Exultant be when summer's gone, Side by side, no more trace we margins, (Jf the romantic river of Swans. No more, through forest shades we wander. Inhaling incense of wild flowers: Or wrapt in silence ofttimes ])onder. Where soft winds whisper love in bowers. Or resting on wild ferns and grasses, That's cari)eting far the lawns; Or loitermg on the terraces. That's overlooking river (jf Swans. When yovmg May flowers, in glory blooming. Beautified the gardens wide, Oft fiincy paints me, hours of wooing, In realms of bliss, where true love bide. Rememberest thou, when smiling summer, Blushed with rosy red at dawn; Oh ! then we heard the warbling hummer. That's enchanting the river of Swans. Then Cupid, sighted arrows level. That pierced thy true and loving heart; You never, never thought to rel)el. No, no, you never felt the dart. 42 I'O ISAIiKLLA. Did you ever, ever, fair Isabella, When wandering cajjtivating lawns, Feel enchantment's fascinating spell, By the beautiful river of Swans. Or did you e\'er in dreams travel 'Through infatuation's blissful land; Where the secret voice of Cupid revels, In the realms where affection fanned. Saw ye rivers (lowing nectar, llordcred with emerald lawns, While the shimmering light of the stars 15espangled far the river of Swans. Did ye hear songsters, on boughs singing, To thy soul some winsome refrq.in; Where e('hoes mimics, weirdly flinging. Notes reverberating again. Hush, winter's winds are now approaching: The warmth withdrawn from vernal lawns; Smile on this i)age never reproaching; Him who sang, by the river of Swans. 43 How (jft thy glinting ray (ireets the silvery moon, And sails above the hidden day, In celestial room. Thou peerest within the fairy bowers, That's wrapt in evening shade. Where rustic swains, in twilight hours, C.iressmid wfu)' the maids. Thou scannest the far outstretched shore, Oft gemmed with lilies white, Where dews distill forevermore, lieneath the veil of night. Thou wast the star, when Homer sung, Eclipsing jewels gay. Thy brightest rays, from heaven flung. To gladden love's pathway. Thy beauteous gleams our memories wake, Recalling days of yore; The vision follows, and elate Our minfls on distant shore. 44 y} LETTER. For you l^on Ami. — 'J'his message 1 ([uaintly have written; — To my last I no answer received, that's forgiven. — \\\\\ 1 Itope you slill read, if yon ne\er indite An epistle, with fair blue ink, on vellum white; Or thoughts wreathe in rich garlands, which bring us delight. Could I drive through the skies, or deep oceans explore, I wouUl gather their jewels, and sing evermore. And from Nature I'd boirow. green, juirple aners each tomb, in the bowers. Seraphs shall list, when we slumber in ours. 53 SKIKMISH OF FALLING WATERS. June, 1862. The sun rose o'er Virginia far, Burnished steel reflects its ray; Glittering arms prepared for war, Were borne by men in blue and grey, On to Falling Waters. With banners, symbols of each State, Upheld by standard bearers true, While neighing steeds im])atient wait, Opposing chieftains ranks review. Where flows Falling Waters. When the star spangled banners peal, Vied with noise of fife and drum. Lo I far above it wildly steals, Dixie's bold defiant hum Rang o'er Falling Waters. The southern chief, like a statute stood, His charger prancing, and his blade Uplifted points toward the wood; Then each Confederate bugle said; We meet by Falling Waters. The leader of the northern band, Formed quick his right and left wing, On either side brave soldiers stand, And daring men to front they bring, Bright glows Falling Waters. 54 sa'/KjV/sh of fallixg waters. From valley rose circles of light; Artillery pouring its blaze; Musket volleys fell left and right, From battalions blue and grey, Stayed not Falling Waters. Bold spirits met the valiant knights, And launched at other sabre blows; Terror from all had taken flight, Platoons cross-firing on their foes. Stayed not Falling Waters. Amidst the blazing shot and shell, Troopers swung their flashing blades; Warlike echoings on hill and dell, Betokens charge of bold brigades. As on sweei)s Falling Waters. Steeds seemed to mingle in the fight. While their riders in blue and grey Dashed through the bright flashes of light. All bent on winning the day. Beside the Falling Waters. Far overhead bright rockets play; The hills resound with cannon shock Like ocean waves, when lashing spray Whirls sea on sea against the rock. Fell over Falling Waters. On margins of that streamlet lay Valiant men, noble and brave. Wrapt in mantles of blue and grey. Who fought to free or hold the slave. By the Falling Waters. SKIRMISH OF FALLING WATERS. 55 Many oft look upon that hill, ^ When stars peep down from heaven's shield, And think they see that chieftain still Mounted in that silent field; Beneath ilows Falling Waters. Even when the pale moonbeams fall Ujion that plain and forest tree, It seems we hear the battle call In the zephyr's gentle breeze, That sways over Falling Waters. 56 MEMORIAL DA\.. Rest, warriors rest. Hushed is the trumpet sound; North, South, East and West, Triumphs jjortend; The laurel wreathed in circles round. With peerless lilies blend; Age and youth, from e\erywhere, Laden with garlands fair Towards the necropolis wend. Yon glorious sun Once looked down. When clouds of dun Wrapt mountain crown; While cannon shook the valley. Where the horse and his rider lay. As rolling drums. Inspiring rally. Mingled notes with bursting bombs, Re-echoing far away. To-day it views another scene. Hillocks dot many a field of green. Peace reign supreme; From where the blue Niagara laves To Mexico's deep, warm sea, The plain is strewn with soldier graves; E'en broken columns there you see. Surrounded by the tasseled paves. Earth entombed McClellan, Grant and Lee, MEMORIAL DAY. And oft upon the marble stone There's chiseled the word; "Unknown," A record small indeed — Unknown to what ; Unknown to fame ! Ah ! doth not Columbia proclaim Their valiant deeds. To-day we know Not friend nor foe Beneath the green sward bound; For side by side Shall ever lay Our country's pride, The blue and the grey. Come, deck each tomb, With blooming spray; Dispel the gloom With flowers of May, Until each venerated urn is crowned; Honors to the brave belong; Glory guards their hidden clay, Their valor grace our nation's song. Say not republics are ungrateful, The best of lands have we; From shore to shore 'tis beautiful. The strife was fate's decree. For them that sleep, We weave the wreath and story. Our country keeps The record of their glory. Long as yon moon Shall climb and wane, And legends loom; Our might and fame. 57 58 MEMORIAL DAY. These grateful lands, In flowing May, Shall send forth bands, A vast array, From hills and plain To plume with bays. Those mounds again, On Memorial Days. Let their watchword then be peace; Let worth in men increase; Let strife forever cease — Peace, warriors, rest in peace 1 59 YEARS ROLL AWAY. When long years have rolled away, And we are young no more; When other children, in their play. Sing songs we sung before. When all that's young and youthful fade. As we cruise river time. Thoughts oft return, from memory's shade. That like a phoenix shine. In age, the slumbering soul awakes. Alive to joy or pain, As dreams of by-gone years, weirdly break. Across the mind again. The eldest heart, when touched by care Recalleth pleasant hours; When sunshine hallowed everywhere. And sweet birds sang in bowers. The flood of time sweeps down its track. And sunset lights the shore; On which we stand, and looking back, See days that are no more. 6o THE TO IVER OF BABEL. Why the fate of Babel; chronicled at last, Famed in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, for centuries past; Conspicuous work; time may develope yet thy size, Oh ! mystery; hidden ages long from mortal eyes. Wondering toilers, confused tongues, grieved exclaim: Down! down! down! with the tower; 'twas taken down again. Even then great Babylon's walls, of it werecreated; No scribe dared write, how it was exterminated. APRIL SHOWER. The fields were bright with golden light Upon an April morning; When the far west, was quickly dressed. With sombre mantle's scorning, Which dashed on plains the pelting rain; It lasted but one half hour. On vapors spread, far overhead. The rainbow, each end in a bower; Thus ended the April shower. 6i MA V MORNING. One morning, in the month of May, I rambled down the vale, Where blue bells fair and daisies gay, Awoke sunbeams to hail. Whose lustre spread upon the skies; When sang melodious lark, The wren and mocking bird replies. Ranging the woodland park. The red birds and the linnets call. Sings joyously and clear; In rocky walls and forest tall. The robin sang their cheer. Nimble squirrels, and rabbits roved, A hidden nut to find; The bramble thickets, in the grove With partridges were lined. JUNE. Month of roses, the regina Of the circling year; Fair thou art in Carolina, Where birdlings sing their cheer; Month of blushing flowers and berries, Roving lovers in thee dream; Blithe thy mornings, gay and merry, Laughing in thy rosy sheen. THE ARK. Great vessel, greatest of the past, Thy tame historical will last, The measurement for which were given, 'By Maker of earth, sea, and heaven. Ships may be built, of greater magnitude. But none for purposes so well understood; Nor none in time shall long retain. Such world renowned honor and fame. Nor will any vessel sail a sea. So great a one as lloated thee; While time, ages and traditions last. Known thou art; greatest of the past. The landmark first, that after flood, On Ararat's tall mountain stood; The remnant, last of a race undone, Were saved in thee; thou greatest one. 63 THE SCOTS DEFIANCE. Strike not for me chords of sorrow, Let wild numbers sing on high, Suited for a Scot's to-morrow, When the hour of battle's nigh. Let no sound of wailing hover In the air on mountain side; Should I fall, let thistles cover Me, where mists of morning bide. Let sojjranos, waters greeting, Send their music sweetly o'er; Tell of parting and of meeting On a bright supernal shore. I^et the pipes and timljrels blending, Tell I falter not, nor fear; Let each cadence beauty lending, Tell of those I love most dear. Make each note sing one undaunted. Faithful, keeping every vow, Even when by fiends supj)lanted, Ceasing not till demons bow. Close with trump's triumphant trios, Even though the heavens fall; Or should the sun, in zenith glow, Let each note defiance call. 64 COLUMBIA. Columbia, thou fairest of beautiful lands; Yon glittering sun, with its luminous sheen, Awakens rare flowrets, from out of thy sands, That's blooming, and blushing, in carpeting green. Superbly dressed songsters, in sylvany groves, Each joyously sing, thro' the midsummer hours, Their carols unwritten, are soaring above, And echoes rejoice, in the nectar of flowers. Soft zephyrs are ruffling the ripening wheat. In valleys where dew, and sweet odors, distills; And shepherds are watching, in rural retreat, Their numberless flocks feed by pastoral rills. Columbia, the home for the pilgrim forlorn, That wanders from many a far distant realm; Oh yes, she's the home for the stranger that's borne O'er briny seas, guided by compass and helm. The school boy shall read of her patriots brave; The farmer shall sing of her orchards and corn; While warriors repeat, let the tri -colors wave On uplands and prairies, which sunlight adorn. The mariner tells of her glory afar, Describing her havens that rival old Tyre; He places aloft, in his rapture, the star Of freedom which lighteth her valleys with fire. 65 THE FOURTH OF JULY. 'Tis the Fourth of July morning; standing in'light Of the radiance from the orient streams, Looking eastward from the Appalachian hight, That is burnished with refulgent gleams; Embellishing States, so youthful in dreams, Where the third generation of liberty's crew Looks back on a century out of sunbeams; Scanning evenings and mornfng when clouds hid the blue Darkening the realms where freedom her famed wand threw. Happy Fourth of July, with thee no days compare; The wonder of nations, this united continent. Where liberty floats the tri-colors in air, Illumined with satellites truly resplendent, To the mountain and prairies a century's lent. Joy and freedom of feelings rivaling the old, Let this day in the future in ecstasy be spent; Surrounding each cottage with bliss manifold. While the azure above them is all tinged with gold. Happy Fourth of July, let thy aim ever be, To guard parental vows and each patriot's speech; Let no dark contingent ever trouble the free; Let no tyranny thy fealty impeach; Let the fire of independence mountain top reach, On thy altars grow brighter and brighter in time; E pluribus imum, the motto for each, Love and security established sublime. From the centre to bound one true fraternal line„ 5 66 THE FOURTH OF JULY. Hap])y Fourth of July, may thy gleams ever prove All that's beautiful, hopeful, resyjlendent and bright; Bright, oh brighter, than flashes of star-light above, Whose soft lustre dispels gloom and banishes night, From thy mountaiins and valleys, with glory bedight, While fiK>simile on banners shall blaze in the day From the vessel's tall mast, or the pinnacles hight; Onward, onwaixi, while centuries eternal survey. Children unborn shall spread flowers in liberty's pathway. Happy Fourth of July, how romancing thy charm. That (juickens the feelings, gives rapturous glow, To the cities, the village, the homestead, or farm. Boldly stands forth the rival of all days that we know, Marks a beginning no other nation can show; All the glory of commonwealths placed in a scale. The franchise of our country could not overthrow; 'Tis restrengthening mankind, and defining his fate. While ])eace and prosperity bless the United States. 67 AURORA. I saw Aurora fling her red Above the ocean's furrowed bed; In haste the moon before it fled, Then hidden was each twinkbng star In spacious ether's depths afar. Brilliant upon the vapors' dun, Lay rainbow colors wove as one; Through flame and scarlet drove the sun, The chariot dazzling to behold, The steeds in trappings fringed with gold, The gates of morning bursting wide Across the heaven's glory glide. And day appears in costume of a bride; The forest, fields and waters sang, From opening flowers sweet odors sprang. On hill and vale the feathered throng Harmonious notes with joy prolong. Filling the air with mirth and song; Tender as hymen's soft refrain The cadence trembles o'er again. Above the mountain turrets high Is heard the musical reply. On zephyrs far the raptures fly; Scattering in skies the cheer, The heaven lists to hemisphere. The chords unseen, with planet roll, Euphonies cross from pole to pole. Celestial space the tuneful scroll. In every age forever chime, Inaudibly, All is Divine. ns 'I'lu'ic is music in llir /fph) is TImI is (larl iiii; tliio' tlir luiwiTs. I ,i^l\l 1\ lill ini; ri-.ii;r.ml incciisc StoliMi liom llu' oprn llowiTs; Out (iliMi'th's imciiltuu'il pardons, Niirsrrics ol rosy Moom. WluMX' llu' WDoil nymphs It.illu' in nectar Wliisiiciinn' iMicliani ini^ tunc. 'I'hci'c is music in t lie ronnlains ('oiirsiui; onwani lo llic mm, (lailv thrillini-' sloiiinL; mountains' ( 'haul in;; nature's s\ni|ihony; In the s\va\inj; oaken hram hes, (h in reeds wMuue Naiads bidt""; And in thirst allavin.n' waters I'hat l>v mossy mari^ins <;lido. 'I'hiMC is musii' li\ the ocean In the man hint; ol'tlie swells, As rapidly the luinv hillows Roll al>o\i' the sea side shells; lU-i'p toiu-d, the i'oamin,!; breakers, Koar Irom sml esiiltini;' throats. When- the I'lilons' trumpets soundin_i Wend and lamentinu notes. 69 AN ODIi. In the splendor of noon-day on mountains I rove, Where the branches and mists are uniting above; Where the forests in lofty liixiirianore from o\\{ t)i)iM'essed rej^ions the pioneer braves; Here they l)uilded new homes, new hearths, and new fires^ \\'here to-day lloat their ensigns, and towers their spires. I look baek dt)wn the century, scanning the years, In that vision see ijjleaminij; their hebnets and s])ears; And the matchless steeds foaminp;. that patriots ride; On fields standards are streaming in battle's reil tide. 1 hear boom of their guns, as their ram])arts they line, With the robes snow-white from their gardens sublime; When the vessels of foemen llee pierced through the hold, (>ver victors the heavens in grandeur untold. From the glens and woodlantls rise loftiest cheer. And the echoes are soaring the vales far and near; l''\en mothers ami maidens exult in their hearts. And the starlight in banners a halo imparts. l''or their count r\- and chihlren they warred on the plain. Around them indcjiendence united with fame; In each triumph rang louder the echo of hope. Which reverberates still on that far reaching slope. Where from strand to the strand, lightning Hashed on the sea , Now is lloating the tlag of the brave and the free; Where the thunder of cannon once roared on the plain, Now the clviriot reaiicrs uKnc harxestinu urain. AJV ODE. 71 Oh, superb was tlie morning, when peals of the bell, Rang the rai)tur()us warning, the glorious swell; When the valleys went sounding the lofty refrain, And the chorus went bounding o'er mountain and main. (luard, O scions, freemen your ])rairies and hills, In each home let your voices ring musical thrills. Swelling nimnbers rejoicing that's telling on high Waft ye winds over Union the choral reply. Fling to the breezes our banner, wide blazon its field, 'Tis the type of all glory, our cmldem and shield. When this trio with stars to the sun is unfurled "Fis the dread of the tory, and pride of the world. 72 AMOROSO. In spring time hours I often muse Where winds unseen are fanning lea; That moistened with the early dews, Much farther than the eye can see; Then methinks where'er I go, 1 hear in numbers soft and low, I love thee well— I love thee well ! In summer morns, when rosy light The curtains opens of the night, And light and darkness disunite. And nature laughs with pure delight, In every path where'er I go, I hear the music soft and low, I love thee well — I love thee well 1 In autumn, when the mid'lay's sun Marketh high twelve the dials on, While weary hours descending run, Until each toiler's work is done; In every way, where'er I go, The music follows soft and low, I love thee well — I love thee well ! In wintry eves, methinks the bells Concave roof hold the lyric si)ell. The well sung swells of silver bells Ring symphonies that sweetly tell, That voices sing where'er I go. Repeating in a minor low, I love thee well — I lo\e thee well ! 73 LAND OF MY BIRTH. Land of my birth, land of my love, Where winds are waft from heaven above; Could breezes speak, in notes sublime They'd tell thou wcrt the fairest clime. Beneath the deep blue arching sky Where brilliant stars shall ever hie, Around the golden i)rbit bright 'I'hat gives to sailing moon her light. KcHecting through the milky ways, 'J'he mellow beams which nightly plays Upon our hills and mountain towers, That robed with vines nnd sylvan bowers. Al)Ove rich vales, where golden grain And orchards wave upon the plain; On sloping knolls the fleecy flocks. At silver rills drink out the rocks. Their waters roll through spreading sllade^, Where stately deer are roaming glades; And unbacked steeds with charger's ]jride, Are coursing pin ins where bisons glide. Across the verdant i)rairies wide (Irand rivers roll on to the tide; Where steaming crafts are tracing streams • And smoking curls above them gleam. 74 LAM) OF MY lUR'J-Jf. M heir (lri\cn wheels the ( ryslal whirls, Shatterin,L,f spray in diamond pearls; As proudly on ihcy swiftly rush And even seek where fountains Ljush. The fiery ear with eharioL train Rends air u])on the hill and ])lain, And (lyiuL!;, leap the water's (low, — The tallest mountains bending low. Drives tminel (le])ths in wild career, At sundered rock rings ec ho (dear; . In dreary nights where sentry true 1 display the torch, red, white or blue. Tlie tourist gras]) enchanting dreams, In ( lind)ing mounts and crossing streams; l<;ach i)roud refrain shall long ])ro(daini Upon our plains the lightning tame. Oh glorious States; Oh mighty land; Ignited great by freemen manned; Whose bulwarks are the ocean wave, Whose strength abides m sinews brave. Where nature spreads her lavish wealth. With ])urest air for people's health; Where science follows e'en the ])low. And arts stand on nioimtain's brow. Where labor well rewards the toil, No privdeged class can own her soil; Kor e(|ual each upon it stands The ruling power in voters' hands. LANd OF MY BIRTH. 75 May bright her stars in banners bhize, Abroad in splendor gb'nting rays, Let golden links thy plains entwine, Unfading glory on them shine. O proud Columbia, let thy hills Re-echo high a magic thrill; Above tall summits crowned with fir, Let freedom's God long defend her. 7^> .s7m/.i//;a' />-■/ )■. I \v.u\iKiril in llu' MiiunuM t imr Wlu-ic /rpliyis umiiuI mr |>l;iyM; \ wjil'lmj; ch.irm which still I'lUwinc llu- l>,inks nil \\ hu h 1 si r,i\ ni. Ihr birds wcir siiii^iul; Kuul ami sluill W'hiMO nosts on luMuciu's swini^; Amid iho lon'sls on the hill Thr Uiilr-. Ill' I'liilnrss I'in.i;'. About mo stood tlu" i;oldrn day riu" suiishii\c loll iVoiu bliK"; And ( loiids wru" lost in sunnv spiay, W luMc siais om r iHH-|u-d throui^h. Thi- waliM's swcpl rm hantod slroam. That's windinu on to si-a ; And sU'iulcr ihhmIs wnc In-ndinj; scrn, W'hilr on thr lippU" \U\\ And o\rr meadows, broad and swh-iM. The" bri'ivcs j^entlv |>lay; ^\■hi^h boio tlu' iVa,L;ranre to rompU-to I'hr hapi'V. rhi'ortul da\ . 1 l"ani\ \ rl 1 sor the skios \i\d hills adown ihr W(-st ; As when 1 roamed that paradise. And sun ret iied to rest . Alike th.it ^\.\\ om i.iee we run. Nii;ht sei