ByHoratioAlger,Jr。
1875
Contents。
BALLADS。
Grand’therBaldwin’sThanksgivingSt。NicholasBarbara’sCourtshipTheConfessionRoseintheGardenPhoebe’sWooingTheLostHeartJohnMaynardFriarAnselmoMISCELLANEOUSPOEMS。
IntheChurchatStratford—on—AvonMrs。Browning’sGraveatFlorenceMyCastleApple—BlossomsSummerHoursJuneLittleCharlieTheWhippoorwillandI
CarvingaNameINTIMEOFWAR。
GonetotheWarWhereismyBoyTo—night?
ASoldier’sValentineLastWordsSongoftheCroakerKingCottonOutofEgyptThePriceofVictoryHARVARDODES。
I。FairHarvard,DearGuideofOurYouth’sGoldenDaysII。AsWeMeetinThyName,AlmaMater,TonightIII。FairHarvard,TheMonthsHaveAccomplishedTheirRoundIV。there’saFountainofFable,WhoseMagicalPowerOCCASIONALODES。
Bi—CentennialOdeFortheConsecrationofaCemeteryBALLADS。
GRAND’THERBALDWIN’STHANKSGIVING
UNDERNEATHprotectedbranches,fromthehighwayjustaloof;
StandsthehouseofGrand’therBaldwin,withitsgentlyslopingroof。
Squareofshapeandsolid—timbered,itwasstanding,Ihaveheard,InthedaysofWhigandTory,underroyalGeorgetheThird。
Manyatime,Iwellremember,IhavegazedwithChildishaweAtthebullet—holeremaininginthesturdyoakendoor,Turningroundhalf—apprehensive(reckingnothowtimehadfled)
Ofthelurking,savagefoemanfromwhosemusketitwassped……
Notfaroff,thebarn,plethoricwiththeautumn’sharvestspoils,Holdsthefarmer’swell—earnedtrophies——theguerdonofhistoils;
Filledtheloftswithhay,sweet—scented,ravishedfromthemeadowsgreen,Whilebeneatharestalledthecattle,withtheirquiet,drowsymien。
Deepandspaciousarethegrain—bins,brimmingo’erwithnature’sgold;
Herearepilesofyellowpumpkinsonthebarn—floorlooselyrolled。
Justbelowindeeprecesses,safefromwintryfrostchill,Thereareheapsofruddyapplesfromtheorchardthehill。
ManyayearhasGrand’therBaldwinintheoldhousedweltinpeace,Ashishaireachyeargrewwhiter,hehasseenhisherdsincrease。
Sturdysonsandcomelydaughters,growingupfromchildishplays,Onebyonehavemetlife’sduties,andgoneforththeirseveralways。
Hushedthevoiceofchildishlaughter,hushedischildhood’smerrytone,thefiresideGrand’therBaldwinandhisgoodwifesitalone。
Turningroundhalf—apprehensive(reckingnothowtimehadfled)
Ofthelurkingsavagefoemanfromwhosemusketitwassped。
Notfaroff,thebarn,plethoricwiththeautumnharvestspoils,Holdsthefarmer’swell—earnedtrophies——theguerdonofhistoils;
Filledtheloftswithhay,sweet—scented,ravishedfromthemeadowsgreen,Whilebeneatharestalledthecattle,withtheirquietdrowsymien。
Deepandspaciousarethegrain—bins,brimmingo’erwithnature’sgold;
Herearepilesofyellowpumpkinsonthebarn—floorlooselyrolled。
Justbelowindeeprecesses,safefromwintryfrostandchill,Thereareheapsofruddyapplesfromtheorchardonthehill。
ManyayearhasGrand’therBaldwinintheoldhousedweltinpeace,Ashishaireachyeargrewwhiter,hehasseenhisherdsincrease。
Sturdysonsandcomelydaughters,growingupfromchildishplays,Onebyonehavemetlife’sduties,andgoneforththeirseveralways。
Hushedthevoiceofchildishlaughter,hushedischildhood’smerrytone,BythefiresideGrand’therBaldwinandhisgoodwifesitalone。
Yetoncewithinthetwelvemonth,whenthedaysareshortanddrear,Andchillwindschanttherequiemoftheslowlyfadingyear,Whentheautumnworkisover,andtheharvestgatheredin,Onceagaintheoldhouseechoestoalongunwonteddin。
Logsofhickoryblazeandcrackleinthefireplacehugeantihigh,CurlingwreathsofsmokemountupwardtothegrayNovembersky。
Ruddyladsandsmilinglasses,justletloosefromschooldom’scares,Patter,patter,raceandclatter,upanddownthegreathallstairs。
Alltheboysshallholdhighrevel;allthegirlsshallhavetheirway,—
That’sthelawatGrand’therBaldwin’suponeachThanksgivingDay。
Fromfromtheparlor’ssacredprecincts,hark!amadderuproaryet;
RoguishCharlie’splayingstage—coach,andthestage—coachhasupset!
Joe,black—eyedandlaughter—loving,Grand’ther’sspecshisnoseacross,GravelywinksatbrotherWillie,whoisgaylyplayinghorse。
Grandma’sfaceisfairlyradiant;Grand’therknowsnothowtofrown,thoughthechildren,intheirfrolic,turntheoldhouseupsidedown。
Fortheboysmayholdhighrevel,andthegirlsmusthavetheirway;
That’sthelawatGrand’therBaldwin’suponeachThanksgivingDay。
Butthedinner——ah!thedinner——wordsarefeebletoportrayWhataculinarytriumphisachievedThanksgivingDay!
Fairlygroanstheboardwithdainties,buttheturkeyrulestheroast,Aldermanicattheoutset,atthelastafleshlessghost。
Thentherichnessofthepudding,andtheflavorofthepie,Whenyou’vedinedatGrandmaBaldwin’syouwillknowaswellasI。
When,atlength,thefeastwasended,Grand’therBaldwinbenthishead,And,amidthesolemnsilence,withareverentvoice,hesaid:——
\"NowuntoGod,theGraciousOne,wethanksandhomagepay,Whoguardethus,andguidethus,andlovethusalways!
\"Hescattersblessingsinourpaths,Hegivethusincrease,HecrownsuswithHiskindnesses,andgrantethusHispeace。
\"Untohimself,ourwanderingfeet,wepraythatHemaydraw,Andmaywestrive,withfaithfulhearts,tokeepHisholylaw!\"
Hissimplewordsinsilencedied:amoment’shush。AndthenFromallthelisteningheartsthereroseasolemn—voicedAmen!
ST。NICHOLAS。
Inthefar—offPolarseas,FarbeyondtheHebrides,Wheretheicebergs,toweringhigh,Seemtopiercethewintrysky,Andthefur—cladEsquimauxGlidesinsledgeso’erthesnow,DwellsSt。Nick,themerrywight,PatronsaintofChristmasnight。
Solidwallsofmassiveice,Bearingmanyaquaintdevice,Flankedbygracefulturretstwain,Clearasclearestporcelain,BearingataloftyheightChrist’spurecrossinsimplewhite,CarvenwithsurpassingartFromaniceberg’scrystalheart。
HereSt。Nick,inroyalstate,Dwells,untilDecemberlateClipsthedaysateitherend,Andthenightsateachextend;
Then,withhisattendantsprites,Scourstheearthonwintrynights,Bringinghome,inwell—filledhands,Children’sgiftsfrommanylands。
Herearewhistles,topsandtoys,Meanttogladdenlittleboys;
SkatesandsledsthatsoonwillglideO’ertheiceorsteephill—side。
Herearedollswithflaxencurls,Suretocharmthelittlegirls;
Christmasbooks,withpicturesgay,Forthiswelcomeholiday。
Inthecourtthereindeerwait;
Filledthesledgewithcostlyfreight。
Asthefirstfaintshadowfalls,PromptlyfromhisicyhallsStepsSt。Nick,andgraspstherein:
Andafar,inmeasuredtime,Soundsthesleigh—bells’silverchime。
LikeanarrowfromthebowSpeedthereindeero’erthesnow。
Onward!NowtheloadedsleighSkirtstheshoresofHudson’sBay。
Onward,tillthestuntedtreeGainsaloftiermajesty,Andthecurlingsmoke—wreathsriseUnderlessinclementskies。
Builtuponahill—sidesteepLiesacitywraptinsleep。
UpanddownthelonelystreetSleepywatchmenpacetheirbeat。
LittleheedsthemSantaClaus;
Notforhimarehumanlaws。
Withaleapheleavestheground,Scalesthechimneyatabound。
Fivesmallstockingshangbelow;
Fivesmallstockingsinarow。
FromhispocketblitheSt。NickFillsthewaitingstockingsquick;
Somewithsweetmeats,somewithtoys,Giftsforgirls,andgiftsforboys,Mountsthechimneylikeabird,Andthebellsareoncemoreheard。
SantaClaus!GoodChristmassaint,InwhoseheartnoselfishtaintFindethplace,somehomestherebeWherenostockingswaitforthee,HomeswheresadyoungfaceswearPainfulmarksofWantandCare,AndtheChristmasmorningbringsNofairhopeofbetterthings。
CanyounotsomecrumbsbestowOntheseChildrensteepedinwoe;
StealasinglelookofcareWhichtheirsadyoungfaceswear;
FromyouroverflowingstoreGivetothemwhoseheartsaresore?
NosadeyesshouldgreetthemornWhentheinfantChristwasborn。
BARBARA’SCOURTSHIP。
’Tisjustthreemonthsandekeaday,Sinceinthemeadows,rakinghay,OnlookingupIchancedtoseeThemanor’slord,youngArnoldLee,Withaloosehandontherein,Ridingslowlydownthelane。
AsIgazedwithearnestlookOnhisfaceasonabook,Asifconsciousofthegaze,SuddenlyheturnedtheraysOfhisbrillianteyesonme。
ThenIlookeddownhastily,Whilemyheart,likecagedbird,Flutteredtillitmightbeheard。
Foolish,foolishBarbara!
Wehadnevermetbefore,Hehadbeensolongaway,Visitingsomeforeignshore,Ihaveheardmyfathersay。
Whatintruthwashetome,RichandhandsomeArnoldLee?
Fatehadplacedusfarapart;
Why,then,didmyrestlessheartFlutterwhenhiscarelessglanceFellonmebymerestchance?
Foolish,foolishBarbara!
Therearefaces——aretherenot?—
Thatcanneverbeforgot。
LooksthatseenbutonceimpressWithpeculiarvividness。
SoitwaswithArnoldLee。
WhyitwasIcannotsayThat,throughallthelivelongdayHeseemedeverneartome。
WhileIraked,asinadream,Nowthesameplaceo’erando’er,Tillmylittlesisterchid,Andwithfulleyesopenedwide,Muchinwonder,gentlycried,\"Why,whatailsthee,Barbara?\"
Iaminthefieldsagain;
’TisapleasantdayinJune,Allthesongstersareintune,Pouringouttheirmatinhymn。
AllatonceaconsciousthrillLedme,halfagainstmywill,Tolookup。AbashedIseeHisdarkeyesfullfixedonme。
WhathesaidIdonotknow,Buthisvoicewassoftandlow,Ashespokeincarelesschat,Nowofthisandnowofthat,WhilethemurmurouswavesofsoundWaftedmeablissprofound。
Foolish,foolishBarbara!
AmIwaking?ScarceIknowIfIwakeorifIdream,Sounrealallthingsseem;
YetIcouldnotwellforegoThissweetdream,ifdreamitbe,Thathasbroughtsuchjoytome。
Hehastoldmethathelovesme,—
Heinranksofaraboveme;
AndwhenI,withcheeksaglow,ToldhimthatitwasnotmeetHeshouldwedwithonesolow,Heshouldwedwithonesolow,Thenhesaid,inaccentssweet,\"Farbethoughtsofrankorpelf;
Dear,Ilovetheeforthyself!\"
Happy,happyBarbara!
THECONFESSION。
Iamgladthatyouhavecome,Arthur,fromthedustytown;
Youmustthrowasideyourcares,Andrelaxyourlegalfrown。
CokeandLittleton,avaunt!
Youhaveruledhimthroughtheday;
Inthisquiet,sylvanhaunt,Becontenttoyieldyoursway。
Itispleasant,isitnot,Sittingherebeneaththetrees,WhiletherestlesswindaboveRipplesoverleafyseas?
Often,whenthetwilightfalls,Intheshadow,quitealone,Ihavesattillstarlightcame,Listeningtoitsmonotone。
Yetnotalwaysquitealone,——
Brother,letmetaketheplaceJustbehindyounowthemoonShinesnolongerinmyface。
ItisneartwomonthsagoSinceImethim,asIthink,ByGod’smercy,whenmyhorseTrembledontheriver’sbrink。
Ihadfallen,buthisarmFirmlyseizedthebridle—rein,And,withonedecidedgrasp,Drewmebacktolifeagain。
IwasgratefulandessayedFittingwordsmythankstospeak。
Arthur,whentheheartfeelsmost,Words,Ithink,areoftenestweak。
SoIstammeredandIfear,WhatIsaidhadlittlegraceButIknewheunderstood,Bythesmileuponhisface。
Therearefaces——hiswassuch——
Thataresealedwheninrepose;
Onlywhenasmilefloodsout,Allthesoulinbeautyglows。
WiththatsmileIgrewcontent,Andmyheartgrewstrangelycalm,AswithtrustfulstepIwalked,Myarmrestingonhisarm。
Brother,turnyourfaceaway,So,dear,IcantellyoubestAllthatfollowed;butbesureYouarelookingtothewest。
Arthur,Ihaveseenhimsince,Nearlyeveryday,untilIfIlosehim,allmylifeWouldgrowwan,anddark,andchill。
Brother,thismyloveimputeNottomeformaiden—shame;
Hehassoughtmeforhiswife,Hewouldcrownmewithhisname。
OnlyyesterdayhesaidThatmylovehislifewouldbless:
WouldIgrantit?Arthur,dear,WasIwronginsaying\"Yes\"?
ROSEINTHEGARDEN。
THIRTYyearshavecomeandgone,MeltingawaylikeSouthernSnows,Since,inthelightofasummer’snight,IwenttothegardentoseekmyRose。
Mine!Doyouhearit,silvermoon,Floodingmyheartwithyourmellowshine?
Mine!Bewitness,yedistantstars,Lookingonmewitheyesdivine!
Tellme,tellme,wanderingwinds,Whisperit,ifyoumaynotspeak——
Didyouever,inallyourround,Fanalovelierbroworcheek?
LongInursedinmyheartthelove,Lovewhichfelt,butdarednottell,Till,Iscarcelyknowhoworwhen——
Itfoundwildwords,—andallwaswell!
Icanhearhersweetvoiceevennow——
Itmakesmypulsesleapandthrill——
\"IoweyoumorethanIwellcanpay;
Youmaytakeme,Robert,ifyouwill!\"
Onepleasantsummernight,thegardenwalksalone,Lookingaboutwithrestlesseyes,WonderingwhithermyRosehadflown,Till,fromaleafyarbornear,Therecametomyearsthesoundofspeech。
WhocanbewithRosetonight?
Letmehidemeunderthebeach。
Itmustbeoneofherfemalefriends,Talkingwithherinthegloaminggray;
Perchance——Ithought——theymayspeakofme;
Letmelistentowhattheysay。
ThisIsaidwithacarelesssmile,Andajoyousheartthatwasfreefromfears;
LittleIdreamedthatthewordsIheardWouldweighonmyheavyheartforyears。
\"Rose,myRose!foryourheartismine,\"
Iheardinalowvoice,passion—fraught,\"InthesightofHeavenwearetrulyone;
Whywillyoucastmeawayfornaught?
\"WillyougiveyourhandwhereyourheartgoesnotToamanwhoisgraveandsternandold;
Andwhoselovecomparedwithmypassion—heat,AsthesnowofthefrozenNorth,iscold?\"
AndRose——Icouldfeelhercheekgrowpale——
Hervoicewastremulous,thengrewstrong——
\"Richard,\"shesaid,\"yourwordsarewild,Andyoudomyguardianbitterwrong。
\"Didyouneverhearhow,yearsgoneby,\"——
Shespokeinatremulousundertone——
\"Bereftoffriends,o’ertheworld’shighways,Iwanderedforthasachildalone?
\"Heopenedtomehishomeandheart——
Hewhomyoucallsosternandcold——
AndmygratefulheartImaywellbestowOnhimforhiskindnessmanifold。\"
\"Rose,\"hesaid,inasaddenedtone,\"Ithankhimforallhehasdoneforthee;
Hehasactednobly——Ididhimwrong——
Butistherenovoiceinyourheartforme?\"
AndRose——shetrembled——Ifeltitall;
Iheardherquickbreathcomeandgo;
Hervoicewasbroken;sheonlysaid,\"Havepity,Richard,andletmego!\"
Andthen——Heavengavemestrength,Ithink——
Istoodbeforethemcalmandstill;
YoumighthavethoughtmytranquilbreastHadneverknownonepassion—thrill。
Andtheyalternateflushedandpaled;
Rosetottered,andIfearedwouldfall;
Icaughtherinsupportingarms,Andwhispered,\"Rose,Ihearditall。
\"Ihadadream,butitispassed,Thatwemightjourney,handinhandAlongtheruggedsteepsoflife,UntilwereachedGod’spromisedland。
\"Thiswasmydream;——’tisovernow;——
ThankHeaven,itisnotyettoolate!
IpraynoselfishactofmineMaykeeptwoyoungheartsseparate。\"
Iplacedherpassivehandinhis—
WithhowmuchpainGodonlyknows——
Andblessinghimforhersweetsake,IlefthimstandingwithmyRose!
PHOEBE’SWOOING。
\"PHOEBE!Phoebe!Whereisthechit?
WhenIwanthermostshe’soutoftheway。
Child,you’rerunningalongaccountUp,tobesquaredonJudgment—day。
\"Wherehaveyoubeen?andwhathaveyouthere?\"
\"Tothepastureforbuttercupswetwithdew。\"
\"Mypatience!Ithinkyouareoutofyourwits;
Iwonderwhatgoodwillbuttercupsdo?
\"There’spennyroyalyoumighthavegot,—
Itmighthavebeenusefultoyouorme,ButIneverheard,inallmylife,Ofbuttercupcordialorbuttercuptea。
\"Iwantyoutostayandmindthebread,I’vejustputtwoloavesintheoventobake;
Whentheyareclonetakethemcarefullyout,Andputintheirplacethisloafofcake,\"WhileIrunovertoWidowBrown’s;
Herson,fromthemines,hasjustgotback。
Idon’tbelievehe’sacentinhispurse,Youngmenaresoshiftlessnow,alack!
\"ItwasverydifferentwhenIwasyoung;
Youngmenwereprudent,andgirlswerewise;
Youwouldn’tcatchthemgaddingaboutLikesomanyidlebutterflies。\"
Sobustledandscoldedtheworthydame,Untilshehadpassedtheoutersill,Todoherjustice,itseldomchancedThatherhandswereidle,ortonguewasstill。
SoPhoebegatheredherknittingup,Andsatherdowninthechimneyniche;
Buthermindwasonotherthoughtsintent,Andhereandthereshedroppedastitch。
Theyellowkittenpurredonthehearth,Whilethekitchenclock,withitsframeofoak,Inthecornerstood,likeasentinel,Andchallengedtimewithitsmeasuredstroke。
ButPhoebe’smindwasonnoneofthese:
Thebreadintheoven,hergoodaunt’sfrown,Andthescenebeforeherfadedaway,AndblendedwiththoughtsofReubenBrown:
Howtheywalkedtogetheronsummerdays,Orbravelyfacedthewinter’schill,AndchattedmerrilyallthewayTothelittleschool—houseonSligoHill。
Howbothgrewolder,andschool—dayspassed,Whenhewasayouth,andamaidenshe;
HowoftenshewentwithReubenBrownTotherusticdanceorthesocialbee。
ThewarmflushdeepenedonPhoebe’scheek,Andshebreathedalow,half—conscioussigh;
Ah,well—a—day!theywerehappytimes,Buthehasforgotten,andsomustI。\"
SoPhoebegatheredherknittingup,Which,whileshewasthinking,hadfallendown,Whenherquickearcaughtastrangefootfall,AndthereinthedoorwaystoodReubenBrown,Withthesamefrank,handsomefacesheknew,Asmileasbright,andaneyeasblack——
\"Phoebe,\"hesaid,\"Ihavewanderedfar;
Areyougladtoseeyourplaymateback?\"
Thekittenstillpurredonthekitchenhearth,Andtheancientclock,withitsframeofoak,Inthecornerstood,likeasentinel,Andchallengedtimewithitsmeasuredstroke。
Apleasedlightshoneinthemaiden’seyes;
Ah,love,younglove,itisverysweet!
Reubenhadgone,butshesatquitestill,Andtheknittinglayuntouchedatherfeet。
Justthenthedamecamebustlingin,Andwenttotheovenwithoutado。
\"Why,Phoebe,child,whathaveyoudone?
Thebreadisbakedasblackasmyshoe!\"
AndPhoebestarted,andblushedforshame,Tookupherknittinganddroppeditdown;
Andwhenherauntsaid,\"Whatailsyou,child?\"
Shehastilyanswered,\"ReubenBrown。\"
Ah,love!younglove!itisverysweet,Infield,orhamlet,orcrowdedmart;
Butitburnswiththebrightest,purestflameInthehiddendepthsofayoungmaid’sheart。
THELOSTHEART。
Onegoldensummerday,Alongtheforest—way,YoungColinpassedwithblithesomestepsalert。
HislockswithcarelessgraceRimmedroundhishandsomefaceAnddriftedoutwardontheairysurge。
Soblitheofheartwashe,Hehummedamelody,Andallthebirdswerehushedtohearhimsing。
AcrosshisshouldersflungHisbowandbaldrichung:
So,intruehuntsman’sguise,hethreadsthewood。
Thesunmountsupthesky,Theairmovessluggishly,Andreekswithsummerheatineverypore。
Hislimbsbegintotire,Slumbershisyouthfulfire;
Hesinksuponaviolet—bedtorest。
ThesoftwindsgoandcomeWithlowanddrowsyhum,Andopeforhimtheivorygateofdreams。
Beneaththeforest—shadeTheretripsawoodlandmaid,Andmarkswithstartledeyethesleepingyouth。
Atfirstshethoughttofly,Then,timid,drawingnigh,Shegazedinwonderonhisfairyoungface。
WhenswiftlystoopingdownUponhislockssobrownShelightlypressedherlips,andblushingfled。
WhenColinwokefromsleep,Fromslumberscalmanddeep,Hefelt—heknewnothow—hishearthadflown。
Andso,withanxiouscare,Hewanderedhereandthere,Butcouldnotfindhislostheartanywhere。
Thenhe,withairdistraught,Andbrowofanxiousthought,Wentoutintotheworldbeyondthewood。
Ofeachthatpassedhimby,Hequeriedanxiously,\"Iprithee,hastthouseenaheartastray?\"
Somestaredandhurriedon,Whileotherssaidinscorn。
Yourhearthasgoneinsearchofyourlostwits\"
Thedayiswearingfast,YoungColincomesatlastTowhereacottagestoodemboweredintrees。
Helookswithin,andthereHeseesamaidenfair,Whosingslowsongsthewhileshepliesherwheel。
\"Iprithee,maidenbright,\"——
Sheturnsasquickaslight,Andstraightawarmflushcrimsonsallherface。
She,muchabashed,looksdown,ForonhislockssobrownSheseemstoseethemarksherlipshavemade。
Wherebyshestandsconfest;
Whatneedtotelltherest?
Hesaid,\"Ithink,fairmaid,youhavemyheart。
\"Nay,donotgiveitback,Ishallnotfeelthelack,Ifthouwiltgivetomethineowntherefor。\"
JOHNMAYNARD。
’TwasonLakeErie’sbroadexpanseOnebrightmidsummerday,ThegallantsteamerOceanQueenSweptproudlyonherway。
Brightfacesclusteredonthedeck,Or,leaningo’ertheside,WatchedcarelesslythefeatheryfoamThatfleckedtheripplingtide。
Ah,whobeneaththatcloudlesssky,Thatsmilingbendsserene,Coulddreamthatdangerawful,vast,Impendedo’erthescene,—
CoulddreamthatereanhourhadspedThatframeofsturdyoakWouldsinkbeneaththelake’sbluewaves,Blackenedwithfireandsmoke?
Aseamansoughtthecaptain’sside,Amomentwhisperedlow;
Thecaptain’sswarthyfacegrewpale;
Hehurrieddownbelow。
Alas,toolate!Thoughquick,andsharp,Andclearhisorderscame,NohumaneffortscouldavailToquenchtheinsidiousflame。
Thebadnewsquicklyreachedthedeck,Itspedfromliptolip,AndghastlyFaceseverywhereLookedfromthedoomedship。
\"Istherenohope——nochanceoflife?\"
Ahundredlipsimplore,\"Butone,\"thecaptainmadereply,\"Toruntheshiponshore。\"
Asailor,whoseheroicsoulThathourshouldyetreveal,BynameJohnMaynard,eastern—born,Stoodcalmlyatthewheel。
\"Headhersouth—east!\"thecaptainshouts,Abovethesmotheredroar,——
\"Headhersouth—eastwithoutdelay!
Makeforthenearestshore!\"
Noterrorpalesthehelmsman’scheek,Orcloudshisdauntlesseye,As,inasailor’smeasuredtone,Hisvoiceresponds,\"Ay!ay!\"
Threehundredsouls,thesteamer’sfreight,Crowdforwardwildwithfear,WhileatthesternthedreadedflamesAbovethedeckappear。
JohnMaynardwatchedthenearingflames,ButstillwithsteadyhandHegraspedthewheel,andsteadfastlyHesteeredtheshiptoland。
\"JohnMaynard,canyoustillholdout?\"
Heheardthecaptaincry;
AvoicefromoutthestiflingsmokeFaintlyresponds,\"Ay!ay!\"
Buthalfamile!ahundredhandsStretcheagerlytoshore。
Buthalfamile!ThatdistancespedPerilshallallbeo’er。
Buthalfamile!Yetstay,theflamesNolongerslowlycreep,Butgatherroundthathelmsmanbold,Withfierce,impetuoussweep。
\"JohnMaynard!\"withananxiousvoiceThecaptaincriesoncemore,\"Standbythewheelfiveminutesyet,Andweshallreachtheshore。\"
ThroughflameandsmokethatdauntlessheartRespondedfirmlystill,Unawed,thoughfacetofacewithdeath,—
\"WithGod’sgoodhelpIwill!\"
Theflamesapproachwithgiantstrides,Theyscorchhishandandbrow;
Onearm,disabled,seekshisside,Ah!heisconquerednow!
Butno,histeetharefirmlyset,Hecrushesdownhispain,Hiskneeuponthestanchionpressed,Heguidestheshipagain。
Onemomentyet!onemomentyet!
Braveheart,thytaskiso’er,Thepebblesgratebeneaththekeel。
Thesteamertouchesshore。
ThreehundredgratefulvoiceriseInpraisetoGodthatheHathsavedthemfromthefearfulfire,Andfromtheengulphingsea。
Butwhereishe,thathelmsmanbold?
Thecaptainsawhimreel,—
Hisnervelesshandsreleasedtheirtask,Hesankbesidethewheel。
Thewavereceivedhislifelesscorpse,Blackenedwithsmokeandfire。
Godresthim!NeverherohadAnoblerfuneralpyre!
FRIARANSELM0。
FriarAnselmo(God’sgracemayhewin!)
Committedonesaddayadeadlysin;
Whichbeingdonehedrewback,self—abhorred,FromtherebukingpresenceoftheLord,And,kneelingdown,besought,withbittercry,Sincelifewasworthlessgrown,thathemightdie。
Allnightheknelt,and,whenthemorningbroke,Inpatiencestillhewaitsdeath’sfatalstroke。
WhenallatonceacryofsharpdistressArousedAnselmofromhiswretchedness;
And,lookingfromtheconventwindowhigh,HesawawoundedtravellergaspinglieJustunderneath,who,bruisedandstrickensore,Hadcrawledforaiduntotheconventdoor。
Thefriar’sheartwithdeepcompassionstirred,Whenthepoorwretch’sgroansforhelpwereheardWithgentlehands,andtouchedwithlovedivine,Hebathedhiswounds,andpouredinoilandwine。
Withtenderforesightcaredforallhisneeds,——
Ablessedministryofnobledeeds。
Insuchdevotionpassedsevendays。AtlengthThepoorwayfarergainedhiswontedstrength。
Withgratefulthankshelefttheconventwalls,AndonceagainondeathAnselmocalls。
When,lo!hiscellwasfilledwithsuddenlight,Andonthewallhesawanangelwrite,(Anangelinwhoselikenesshecouldtrace,Morenoblegrown,thetraveller’sformandface),\"Courage,Anselmo,thoughthysinbegreat,Godgrantstheelifethatthoumay’stexpiate。
\"Thyguiltystainsshallbewashedwhiteagain,Bynobleservicedonethyfellow—men。
\"HissouldrawsnearestuntoGodabove,Whotohisbrotherministersinlove。\"
MeeklyAnselmorose,and,afterprayer,Hissoulwaslightenedofitspastdespair。
Henceforthhestrove,obeyingGod’shighwill,Hisheaven—appointedmissiontofulfil。
Andmanyasoul,oppressedwithpainandgrief,Owedtothefriarsolaceandrelief。
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MISCELLANEOUSPOEMS。
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THECHURCHATSTRATFORD—ON—AVON。
Oneautumnday,whenhedgesyetweregreen,Andthick—branchedtreesdiffusedaleafygloom,HardbywhereAvonrollsitssilverytide,IstoodinsilentthoughtbyShakspeare’stomb。
Ohappychurch,beneathwhosemarblefloorHisashesliewhosoenrichedmankind;
Themany—sidedShakespeare,rareofsoul,Anddoweredwithanall—embracingmind。
ThroughthestainedwindowsraysofsunshinefallInsoftenedgloryonthechancelfloor;
WhileI,apilgrimfromacrossthesea,standwithbareheadinreverentialawe。
ChurchestherearewithinwhosegloomyvaultsReposethebonesofthosethatoncewerekings;
Theirpowerhaspassed,andwhatremainsbutclay?
WhileinhisgraveourShakspearelivesandsings。
Kingswerehispuppets,kingdomsbuthisstage,——
Faintshadowstheywithouthisplasticart,——
Hewaveshiswand,andlo!theyliveagain,Andinhisworldperformtheirmimicpart。
Borninthepurple,hisimperialsoulSitscrownedandsceptredintherealmsofmind。
Kingdomsmayfall,andcrumbletodecay,Timebutconfirmshisempireo’ermankind。
MRS。BROWNING’SGRAVEATFLORENCE。
FLORENCEwearsanaddedgrace,Allherearlierhonorscrowning;
Dante’sbirthplace,Art’sfairhome,HoldsthedustofBarrettBrowning。
GuardianofthenobledeadThatbeneaththysoilliesleeping,England,withfullheart,commendsThisnewtreasuretothykeeping。
Takeher,sheishalfthineown;
Inherverses’richoutpouring,BreathesthewarmItalianheart,Yearningfortheland’srestoring。
Fromthyskiesherpoet—heartCaughtafresherinspiration,Andhersoulobtainednewstrength,Withherbodilytranslation。
Freelytakewhatthouhastgiven,Lessherverses’rhythmicbeauty,ThanthestirringnotesthatcalledTrumpet—likethysonstoduty。
RarestofexoticflowersInthynativechaplettwining,TothetempleofthygreatAddher——sheisworthenshrining。
MYCASTLE。
Ihaveabeautifulcastle,Withtowersandbattlementsfair;
Andmanyabanner,withgaydevice,Floatsintheouterair。
Thewallsareofsolidsilver;
Thetowersareofmassivegold;
AndthelightsthatstreamfromthewindowsAroyalsceneunfold。
Ah!couldyoubutentermycastleWithitspompofregalsheen,YouwouldsaythatitfarsurpassesThepalaceofAladeen。
CouldyoubutenterasIdo,Andpacethroughthevaultedhall,Andmarkthestatelycolumns,Andthepicturesonthewall;
Withthecostlygemsaboutthem,Thatsendtheirlightafar,WithachasteandsoftenedsplendorLikethelightofadistantstar!
Andwhereisthiswonderfulcastle,Withitsrichemblazonings,WhosepompsofarsurpassesThehomesofthegreatestkings?
ComeoutwithmeatmorningAndlieinthemeadow—grass,Andliftyoureyestotheetherblue,Andyouwillseeitpass。
There!canyounotseethebattlements;
Andtheturretsstatelyandhigh,Whoseloftysummitsaretippedwithclouds,Andlostinthearchingsky?
Dearfriend,youareonlydreaming,YourcastlesostatelyandfairIsonlyafancifulstructure,——
Acastleintheair。
Perchanceyouareright。IknownotIfaphantomitmaybe;
Butyet,inmyinmostheart,IfeelThatitlives,andlivesforme。
Forwhencloudsanddarknessareroundme,Andmyheartisheavywithcare,Istealmeawayfromthenoisycrowd,Todwellinmycastlefair。
Thereareservantstodomybidding;
Thereareservantstoheedmycall;
AndI,withamaster’sairofpride,Maypacethroughthevaultedhall。