第1章
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  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。

  —————————————————————

  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。

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