第2章
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  AndIenvynotthemonarchsWithcitiesundertheirsway;

  ForamInot,inmyownright,Amonarchasproudasthey?

  Whatmatter,then,iftoothersMycastleaphantommaybe,SinceIfeel,inthedepthsofmyownheart,Thatitisnotsotome?

  APPLE—BLOSSOMS。

  Isitintheshadowofapple—boughs,Inthefragrantorchardclose,Andaroundmefloatsthescentedair,Withitswave—liketidalflows。

  Iclosemyeyesinadreamybliss,Andcallnokingmypeer;

  Forisnotthistherare,sweettime,Theblossomingtimeoftheyear?

  Ilieonacouchofdownygrass,Withdelicateblossomsstrewn,AndIfeelthethrobofNature’sheartResponsivetomyown。

  Oh,theworldisfair,andGodisgood,Thatmakethlifesodear;

  Forisnotthistherare,sweettime,Theblossomingtimeoftheyear?

  Icansee,throughtheriftsoftheapple—boughs,Thedelicateblueofthesky,AndthechangingcloudswiththeirmarvelloustintsThatdriftsolazilyby。

  Andstrange,sweetthoughtssingthroughmybrain,AndHeaven,itseemethnear;

  Oh,isitnotarare,sweettime,Theblossomingtimeoftheyear?

  SUMMERHOURS。

  Itistheyear’shighnoon,Theearthsweetincenseyields,Ando’erthefresh,greenfieldsBendstheclearskyofJune。

  Ileavethecrowdedstreets,Thehumofbusylife,Itsclamoranditsstrife,Tobreathethyperfumedsweets。

  Orareandgoldenhours!

  Thebird’smelodioussong,Wavelike,isbornealongUponastrandofflowers。

  Iwanderfaraway,Where,throughtheforesttrees,Sportsthecoolsummerbreeze,Inwildandwantonplay。

  ApatriarchalelmItsstatelyformuprears,WhichtwiceahundredyearsHasruledthiswoodlandrealm。

  Isitbeneathitsshade,Andwatch,withcarelesseye,Thebrookthatbabblesby,Andcoolstheleafyglade。

  IntruthIwondernot,ThatintheancientdaysThetemplesofGod’spraiseWeregroveandleafygrot。

  Thenoblesteverplanned,Withquaintdeviceandrare,Byman,canillcompareWiththesefromGod’sownhand。

  Pilgrimwithway—wornfeet,Who,treadinglife’sdullround,Notruereposehastfound,Cometothisgreenretreat。

  Forbird,andflower,andtree,Greenfields,andwoodlandwild,Shallbear,withvoicesmild,Sweetmessagestothee。

  JUNE。

  Throwopenwideyourgoldengates,Opoet—landedmonthofJune,Andwaftme,onyourspicybreath,Themelodyofbirdsintune。

  Ofairestpalaceofthethree,WhereinQueenSummerholdethsway,IgazeuponyourleafycourtsFromoutthevestibuleofMay。

  Ifainwouldtreadyourgardenwalks,Orinyourshadybowersrecline;

  Thenopenwideyourgoldengates,Andmakethemmine,andmakethemmine。

  LITTLECHARLIE。

  AVIOLETgrewbytheriver—side,Andgladdenedallheartswithitsbloom;

  Whileoverthefields,onthescentedair,Itbreathedarichperfume。

  Butthecloudsgrewdarkintheangrysky,Anditsportalswereopenedwide;

  AndtheheavyrainbeatdowntheflowerThatgrewbytheriver—side。

  Notfarawayinapleasanthome,Therelivedalittleboy,WhosecheerfulfaceandchildishgraceFilledeveryheartwithjoy。

  Hewanderedonedaytotheriver’sverge,Withnooneneartosave;

  AndtheheartthatwelovedwithaboundlessloveWasstilledintherestlesswave。

  Theskygrewdarktoourtearfuleyes,Andwebadefarewelltojoy;

  ForourheartswereboundbyasorrowfultieTothegraveofthelittleboy。

  ThebirdsstillsingintheleafytreeThatshadowstheopendoor;

  Weheedthemnot,forwethinkofthevoiceThatweshallhearnomore。

  Wethinkofhimateventide,AndgazeonhisvacantchairWithalongingheartthatwillscarcebelieveThatCharlieisnotthere。

  Weseemtohearhisringinglaugh,Andhisboundingstepatthedoor;

  But,alas!therecomesthesorrowfulthought,Weshallneverhearthemmore!

  Weshallwalksometimestohislittlegrave,Inthepleasantsummerhours;

  Wewillspeakhisnameinasoftenedvoice,Andcoverhisgravewithflowers;

  Wewillthinkofhiminhisheavenlyhome,——

  Inhisheavenlyhomesofair;

  AndwewilltrustwithahopefultrustThatweshallmeethimthere。

  THEWHIPPOORWILLANDI。

  INthehushedhoursofnight,whentheairquitestill,Ihearthestrangecryofthelonewhippoorwill,WhoChants,withoutceasing,thatwonderfultrill,Ofwhichthesoleburdenisstill,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

  AndwhyshouldIwhiphim?Strangevisitant,Hashebeenplayingtruantthislongsummerday?

  Ilistenedamoment;moreclearandmoreshrillRangthevoiceofthebird,ashecried,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

  ButwhathaspoorWilldone?Iaskyouoncemore;

  I’llwhiphim,don’tfear,ifyou’lltellmewhatfor。

  Ipausedforananswer;o’ervalleyandhillRangthevoiceofthebird,ashecried,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

  Hashecometoyourdwelling,bynightorbyday,Andsnatchedtheyoungbirdsfromtheirwarmnestaway?

  Ipausedforananswer;o’ervalleyandhillRangthevoiceofthebird,ashecried,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

  Well,well,Icanhearyou,don’thaveanyfears,Icanhearwhatisconstantlydinnedinmyears。

  Theobstinatebird,withhiswonderfultrill,Stillmadebutoneanswer,andthat,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

  ButwhatHASpoorWilldone?Ipritheeexplain;

  I’moutofallpatience,don’tmockmeagain。

  Theobstinatebird,withhiswonderfultrill,Stillmadethesameanswer,andthat,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

  Well,haveyourownway,then;butifyouwon’ttell,I’llshutdownthewindow,andbidyoufarewell;

  Butofonethingbesure,Iwon’twhiphimuntilYougivemesomereasonforwhippingpoorWill。

  Ilistenedamoment,asifforreply,Butnothingwasheardbutthebird’smockingcry。

  Icaughtthefaintechofromvalleyandhill;

  Itbreathedthesameburden,thatstrange\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

  CARVINGANAME。

  Iwrotemynameuponthesand,Andtrusteditwouldstandforaye;

  But,soon,alas!therefluentseaHadwashedmyfeeblelinesaway。

  Icarvedmynameuponthewood,And,afteryears,returnedagain;

  ImissedtheshadowofthetreeThatstretchedofoldupontheplain。

  Tosolidmarblenext,mynameIgaveasaperpetualtrust;

  Anearthquakerentittoitsbase,Andnowitlies,o’erlaidwithdust。

  Allthesehavefailed。InwisermoodIturnandaskmyself,\"Whatthen?\"

  IfIwouldhavemynameendure,I’llwriteitontheheartsofmen,Incharactersoflivinglight,Ofkindlydeedsandactionswrought。

  Andthese,beyondthetouchoftime,Shallliveimmortalasmythought。

  ——————————————————————————

  INTIMEOFWAR。

  ——————————————————————————

  GONETOTHEWAR。

  MyCharliehasgonetothewar,MyCharliesobraveandtall;

  Helefthisploughinthefurrow,Andflewathiscountry’scall。

  MayGodinsafetykeephim,——

  Mypreciousboy——myall!

  Myheartispiningtoseehim;

  Imisshimeveryday;

  Myheartiswearywithwaiting,Andsickofthelongdelay,——

  ButIknowhiscountryneedshim,AndIcouldnotbidhimstay。

  Irememberhowhisfaceflushed,Andhowhiscolorcame,WhentheflashfromthegunsofSumterLitthewholelandwithflame,Anddarkenedourcountry’sbannerWiththecrimsonhueofshame。

  \"Mother,\"hesaid,thenfaltered,——

  Ifelthismuteappeal;

  Ipaused——ifyouareamother,Youknowwhatmothersfeel,WhencalledtoyieldtheirdearonesTothecruelbulletandsteel。

  Myheartstoodstillforamoment,Struckwithamightywoe;

  Afaintasofdeathcameo’erme,Iamamother,youknow,ButIsternlycheckedmyweakness,Andfirmlybadehim\"Go。\"

  WhereverthefightisfiercestIknowthatmyboywillbe;

  WherevertheneedissorestOfthestoutarmsofthefree。

  MayheproveastruetohiscountryAshehasbeentruetome。

  Myhomeislonelywithouthim,Myhearthbereftofjoy,ThethoughtofhimwhohasleftmeMyconstantsademploy;

  ButGodhasbeengoodtothemother,——

  Sheshallnotblushforherboy。

  WHEREISMYBOYTO—NIGHT?

  WhenthecloudsintheWesternskyFlushredwiththesettingsun,——

  Whentheveiloftwilightfalls,Andthebusydayisdone,——

  Isitandwatchtheclouds,Withtheircrimsonhuesalight,Andponderwithanxiousheart,Oh,whereismyboyto—night?

  Itisjustayearto—daySincehebademeagaygood—by,Tomarchwherebannersfloat,Andthedeadlymissilesfly。

  AsImarkedhismartialstepIfeltmycolorriseWithallamother’spride,Andmyheartwasinmyeyes。

  There’salittleroomcloseby,WhereIoftenusedtocreepInthehushofthesummernightTowatchmyboyasleep。

  ButhewhousedtorestBeneaththespreadsowhiteIsfarawayfrommenow,——

  Oh,whereismyboyto—night?

  Perchanceinthegatheringnight,Withslowandwearyfeet,BythelightofSouthernstars,Hepaceshislonelybeat。

  Doeshethinkofthemother’sheartThatwillneverceasetoyearn,Asonlyamother’scan,Forherabsentboy’sreturn?

  Oh,whereismyboyto—night?

  Icannotanswerwhere,ButIknow,whereverheis,HeisunderourFather’scare。

  MayHeguard,andguide,andblessMyboy,whereverhebe,AndbringhimbackatlengthToblessandtocomfortme。

  MayGodblessallourboysBythecamp—fire’sruddyglow,OrwheninthedeadlyfightTheyfronttheembattledfoe;

  Andcomforteachmother’sheart,Asshesitsinthefadinglight,Andponderswithanxiousheart——

  Oh,whereismyboyto—night?

  ASOLDIER’SVALENTINE。

  Justfromthesentry’stramp(Imusttakeitagainatten),Ihavelaidmymusketdown,Andseizedinsteadmypen;

  For,pacingmylonelyroundInthechillytwilightgray,Thethought,dearMary,came,ThatthisisSt。Valentine’sDay。

  AndwiththethoughttherecameAglimpseofthehappytimeWhenaschool—boy’sfirstattemptIsentyou,inborrowedrhyme,Onagilt—edgedsheet,embossedWithmanyaquaintdesign,Andsigned,inschool—boyhand,\"YourlovingValentine。\"

  Theyearshavecomeandgone,——

  Haveflown,Iknownotwhere,——

  Andtheschool—boy’smerryfaceIsgravewithmanhood’scare;

  ButtheheartofthemanstillbeatsAtthewell—rememberedname,AndonthisSt。Valentine’sDayHischoiceisstillthesame。

  Therewasatime——ah,well!

  ThinknotthatIrepineWhenIdreamedthishappydayWouldsmileonyouasmine;

  ButIheardmycountry’scall;

  Iknewherneedwassore。

  ThankGod,noselfishthoughtWithheldmefromthewar。

  ButwhenthedearoldflagShallfloatinitsancientpride,Whenthetwainshallbemadeone,Andfeudsnomoredivide,——

  Iwilllaymymusketdown,Mymartialgarbresign,AndturnmyjoyousfeetTowardhomeandValentine。

  LASTWORDS。

  \"DEARCharlie,\"breathedasoldier,\"Ocomradetrueandtried,WhointheheatofbattlePressedcloselytomyside;

  IfeelthatIamstricken,Mylifeisebbingfast;

  Ifainwouldhaveyouwithme,DearCharlie,tillthelast。

  \"Itseemssosudden,Charlie,Tothinkto—morrow’ssunWilllookuponmelifeless,AndInottwenty—one!

  Ilittledreamedthismorning,Twouldbringmylastcampaign;

  God’swaysarenotasourways,AndIwillnotcomplain。

  \"There’soneathome,dearCharlie,Willmournformewhendead,Whoseheart——itisamother’s——

  Canscarcebecomforted。

  You’llwriteandtellher,Charlie,Withmydearlove,thatI

  Foughtbravelyasasoldiershould,Anddiedasheshoulddie。

  \"Andyouwilltellher,Charlie,Shemustnotgrievetoomuch,Ourcountryclaimsouryounglives,Forshehasneedofsuch。

  Andwhereishewouldfalter,Orturnignoblyback,WhenDuty’svoicecries’Forward,’

  AndHonorlightsthetrack?

  \"Andthere’sanother,Charlie(Hisvoicebecamemorelow),WhenthoughtsofHERcomeo’erme,Itmakesithardtogo。

  Thislocketinmybosom,ShegavemejustbeforeIleftmynativevillageForthefearfulscenesofwar。

  \"Giveherthismessage,Charlie,Sentwithmydyingbreath,ToherandtomybannerI’m’faithfuluntodeath。’

  Andif,inthatfarcountryWhichIamgoingto,Ourearthlytiesmayenter,I’lltheremyloverenew。

  \"Comenearer,closer,Charlie,MyheadIfainwouldrest,Itmustbeforthelasttime,Uponyourfaithfulbreast。

  Dearfriend,IcannottellyouHowinmyheartIfeelThedepthofyourdevotion,Yourfriendshipstrongassteel。

  \"We’vewatchedandcampedtogetherInsunshineandinrain;

  We’vesharedthetoilsandperilsOfmorethanonecampaign;

  Andwhenmytiredfeetfaltered,Beneaththenoontideheat,Yourwordssustainedmycourage,Gavenewstrengthtomyfeet。

  \"Andonce,——’twasatAntietam,——

  Pressedhardbythrongingfoes,IalmostsankexhaustedBeneaththeircruelblows,——

  Whenyou,dearfriend,undaunted,WithheadlongcouragethrewYourheartintothecontest,Andsafelybroughtmethrough。

  \"Mywordsareweak,dearCharlie,Mybreathisgrowingscant;

  Yourhanduponmyheartthere,Canyounothearmepant?

  YourthoughtsIknowwillwanderSometimestowhereIlie——

  Howdarkitgrows!TruecomradeAndfaithfulfriend,good—by!\"

  Amoment,andhelaythereAstatue,paleandcalm。

  HisyouthfulheadrecliningUponhiscomrade’sarm。

  HislimbsuponthegreenswardWerestretchedincarelessgrace,AndbythefitfulmoonwasseenAsmileuponhisface。

  SONGOFTHECROAKER。*

  *WrittenbyrequestforthePhiladelphiaSanitaryFair。

  Anoldfroglivedinadismalswamp,Inadismalkindofway;

  Andallthathedid,whateverbefell,Wastocroakthelivelongday。

  Croak,croak,croak,Whendarknessfilledtheair,Andcroak,croak,croak,Whentheskieswerebrightandfair。

  \"GoodMasterFrog,abattleisfought,Andthefoeman’spowerisbroke。\"

  Butheonlyturnedagreenerhue,Andansweredwithacroak。

  Croak,croak,croak,Whenthecloudsaredarkanddun,Andcroak,croak,croak,Intheblazeofthenoontidesun。

  \"GoodMasterFrog,theforcesofrightAredrivingthehostsofwrong。\"

  Buthegavehisheadanominousshake,Andcroakedout,\"Nousverrons!\"

  Croak,croak,croak,Tilltheheartisfullofgloom,Andcroak,croak,croak,Tilltheworldseemsbutatomb。

  Topoisonthecupoflife,Byalwaysdreadingtheworst。

  Istomakeoftheearthadungeondamp,Andthehappiestlifeaccursed。

  Croak,croak,croak,Whenthenoontidesunrideshigh,Andcroak,croak,croak,Lestthenightcomebyandby。

  Farewelltothedismalfrog;

  Lethimcroakasloudashemay,Hecannotblotthesunfromheaven,Norhinderthemarchofday,Thoughhecroak,croak,croak,Tilltheheartisfullofgloom,Andcroak,croak,croak,Tilltheworldseemsbutatomb。

  KINGCOTTON。

  KINGCOTTONlooksfromhiswindowTowardsthewesteringsun,Andhemarks,withananguishedhorror,Thathisraceisalmostrun。

  Hisformisthinandshrunken;

  Hischeekispaleandwan;

  AndthelinesofcareonhisfurrowedbrowAredreadtolookupon。

  Butyesterdayamonarch,Intheflushofhispompandpride,And,notcontentwithhisownbroadlands,Hewouldruletheworldbeside。

  Hebuilthimastatelypalace,Withgoldfrombeyondthesea;

  Andhelaidwithcarethecorner—stone,AndhecalleditSlavery:

  Hesummonedanarmywithbanners,Tokeephisfoesatbay;

  And,gazingwithprideonhispalacewalls,Hesaid,\"Theywillstandforaye!\"

  Butthepalacewallsareshrunken,Andpartlyoverthrown,Andthestormsofwar,intheirviolence,Haveloosenedthecorner—stone。

  NowFaminestalksthroughthepalacehalls,Withhergauntandpallidtrain;

  Youcanhearthecriesoffamishedmen,Astheycryforbreadinvain。

  Thekingcansee,fromhispalacewalls。

  Alandbyhispridebetrayed;

  Thousandsofmothersandwivesbereft。

  Thousandsofgravesnew—made。

  Andheseemstosee,intheloweringsky,Theshapeofaflamingsword;

  Whereonhereads,withasinkingheart,TheangeroftheLord。

  GodspeedthetimewhentheguiltykingShallbehurledfromhisblood—stainedthrone;

  AndthepalaceofWrongshallcrumbletodust,Withitsboastedcorner—stone。

  AtempleofFreedomshallriseinstead,Onthedesecratedsite:

  AndwithinitsshelteralikeshallstandTheblackmanandthewhite。

  OUTOFEGYPT。

  ToEgypt’sking,whoruledbesideThereedyriver’sflow,CameGod’scommand,\"Release,Oking,Andletmypeoplego。\"

  Theking’sproudheartgrewhardapace;

  Hemarkedthesuppliantthrong,Andsaid,\"Nay,theymusthereabide;

  Theweakmustservethestrong。\"

  StraightwaytheLordstretchedforthhishand,Andeverystreamranblood;

  Theriverswepttowardsthesea——

  Afullensanguinedflood。

  Thehaughtykingbeheldtheland,Byplaguesafflictedsore,But,asGod’swondersmultiplied,Hardenedhisheartthemore;

  UntiltheangeloftheLordCameonthewingsofNight,Andsmotefirst—bornofmanandbeast,Inhisdestructiveflight。

  ThroughoutallEgypt,notahouseWassparedthiscrowningwoe。

  Thenbrokethetyrant’sstubbornwill;

  Hebadethepeoplego。

  Theygathereduptheirflocksandherds,Rejoicingtobefree;

  And,goingforth,amightyhost,Encampedbesidethesea。

  ThenPharaoh’sheartrepentedhim;

  Hecalledamightyforce,Andswiftlyfollowedontheirtrack,Withchariotandwithhorse。

  ThenIsrael’shostweresoreafraid;

  ButGodwasontheirside,And,lo!forthemawayiscleft,TheRed—seawavesdivide。

  AtGod’scommandtherestlesswavesObeytheprophet’srod;

  And,throughthemiddleofthesea,Thepeoplemarcheddry—shod。

  But,whenthespoilers,followingclose,WouldhinderIsrael’sflight,Thewaterstotheircoursereturn,Thepartedwavesunite,AndPharaoh’shostissweptaway,Thechariotsandthehorse;

  AndnotamanisleftaliveOfallthatmightyforce。

  SointhesedaysGodlooksfromheaven,Andmarkshisservants’woe;

  Hearyehisvoice:\"Breakeveryyoke,Andletmypeoplego!\"

  ForthemtheRed—seawavesdivide,Thestreamswithcrimsonflow;

  Thereforewemournforourfirst—born;——

  Thenletthepeoplego。

  TheyarenotweakwhomGodbefriends,HemakestheircauseHisown;

  AndtheywhofightagainstGod’smightShallsurelybeo’erthrown。

  THEPRICEOFVICTORY。

  \"AVICTORY!——avictory!\"

  Isflashedacrossthewires;

  Speed,speedthenewsfromStatetoState,Lightupthesignalfires!

  LetallthebellsfromallthetowersAjoyouspealringout;

  We’vegainedagloriousvictory,Andputthefoetorout!

  Amotherheardthechimingbells;

  Herjoywasmixedwithpain。

  \"PrayGod,\"shesaid,\"mygallantboyBenotamongtheslain!\"

  Alasforher!thatveryhourOutstretchedindeathhelay,Thecolorfromhisfair,youngfaceHadscarcelypassedaway。

  Hisnervelesshandstillgraspedthesword。

  Henevermoremightwield,HiseyesweresealedindreamlesssleepUponthatbloodyfield。

  ThechestnutcurlshismotheroftHadstrokedinfondestpride,Neglectedhungiaclottedlocks,Withdeepestcrimsondyed。

  Ah!manyamother’sheartshallache,Andbleedwithanguishsore,WhentidingscomeofhimwhomarchedSoblithelyforthtowar。

  Oh!sadforthem,thestrickendownInmanhood’searlydawn,Andsadderyetforlovinghearts。

  Godcomfortthemthatmourn!

  Yes,victoryhasafearfulpriceOurheartsmayshrinktopay,AndtearswillminglewiththejoyThatgreetsagloriousday。

  Buthewhodiesinfreedom’scause,Wecannotcounthimlost;

  AbattlewonfortruthandrightIsworththeblooditcost!

  Omothers!countitsomethinggainedThatthey,forwhomyoumourn,BequeathfairFreedom’sheritageTomillionsyetunborn;——

  AndbetterthanathousandyearsOfbase,ignoblebreath,Apatriot’sfragrantmemory,Ahero’searlydeath!

  HARVARDODES。

  (SUNGATANNUALDINNERSOFTHEHARVARDCLUB

  OFNewYork。NEWYORK。)

  HARVARDODES。

  I。

  (Feb。23,1869。)

  FairHarvard,dearguideofouryouth’sgoldendays;

  Atthynameallourheartsownathrill,Weturnfromlife’s。highways,itsbusiness,itscares,Weareboysinthytutelagestill。

  Andthewarmbloodofyouthtoourveins,asofyore,Returnswithimpetuousflow,RevivingthescenesandthehopesthatwereoursInthevanished,butsweetLongAgo。

  Oncemorethroughthywalks,AlmaMater,wetread,Andwedreamyouth’sfairdreamsonceagain,WeareheroesinfightfortheJustandtheRight,Weareknightswithoutfear,withoutstain;

  Itsdoorsinfairprospecttheworldopenswide,Itsprizesseemeasytowin,——

  Wearestronginourfaith,weareboldinourmight,Andwelongfortheracetobegin。

  Thoughdimmedareourhopes,andourvisionsarefled,Ourdreamswerebutdreams,itistrue;

  Dust—stainedfromthecontestwegatherto—night,Thesweetdreamsofyouthtorenew。

  Enoughforto—morrowthecaresitshallbring,Weareboys,wearebrothers,to—night;

  Andourhearts,warmwithlove,AlmaMater,tothee,Shallinloyaldevotionunite。

  II。

  (Feb。11,1870。)

  Aswemeetinthyname,AlmaMater,to—night,Allourheartsandourhopesareasone,AndloveforthemotherthatnurturedhisyouthBeatshighinthebreastofeachson。

  ThesweetchordsofMemorybridgeo’erthePast,Theyearsfadeawaylikeadream,BythebanksofCephissus,beneaththegreentrees,Wetreadthyfairwalks,Academe。

  TheheightsofHymettusthatboundthenearviewFilltheairwithanodorassweetAsthebeautifulclustersofsun—tintedgrapesFromthevineyardsthatlieatourfeet。

  Orealmofenchantment,OWonderfulland,Wherethegodsholdhighconversewithmen,Comeoutfromtheduskofpastagesoncemore,Andliveinourfancyagain。

  LetusdrinktothePastasourglasseswelift,Leteyespeaktoeye,hearttoheart,Letthebondsofsweetfellowshipbindeachtoeach,Inthehoursthatremainerewepart。

  Andthou,AlmaMater,grownfairerwithage,LetusechotheblessingthatfellFromthymotherlylips,aswestoodatthyside,Andthoubad’stusGod—speedandFarewell。

  III。

  (Feb。21,1872。)

  FairHarvard,themonthshaveaccomplishedtheirroundAndayearstandsfull—orbedandcomplete,Sincelastatthysummons,withdutifulhearts,Thychildrensathereatthyfeet。

  Sincelastinthypresence,grownyouthfuloncemore,Wedranktothepastanditsjoys,Shakingoffeverycarethatencumberedouryears,Anddreamedthatagainwewereboys。

  To—nightonceagaininthypresencewemeetInthefreshnessandflushoflife’sspring;

  Wewaitbutthyblessing,weaskbutthysmile,Asoursailstothefreeairwefling。

  Thewindsbreatheauspiciousthatwaftusalong,Thesky,undisturbed,smilesserene,Hopestandsattheprow,andthewatersgleambrightWithsparklesofsilverysheen。

  Andthyvoice,AlmaMater,sopotentandsweet,Stillsoundsinourearsasofyore,Andthymotherlycounselwehear,wisdom—fraught,Aswepushourfrailbarksfromtheshore。

  Fromthefoam—crestedwavesofthemountainousseaAsbackwardourglanceswestrain,Weseethedearfaceofourmotherbenign,Andblessheragainandagain。

  IV。

  (Feb。21,1873。)

  There’safountainofFablewhosemagicalpowerTime’sravagesallcouldrepair,Andreplacethebowedformandthetotteringstep,Thewrinklesandsilveryhair,Bythebrownflowinglocksandthegracesofyouth,Itsfootstepelasticandlight,Couldmantlethecheekwithitslong—vanishedbloomAndmakethedulleyekeenandbright。

  ’Tisonlyafable——abeautifuldream,Butthefable,thedream,shallcometrue,Asthysons,AlmaMater,assembleto—nightThejoysofpastyearstorenew。

  Oureyesshallgrowbrightwiththeiroldwontedlight,Ourspiritsuntrammelledbycare,AndtheGoddessofHope,withherfreshrainbowtints,Shallpainteveryprospectmorefair。

  Howsweetwerethefriendshipsweformedinthyhalls!

  HowstrongwerethetendrilsthatboundOurheartstothemotherwhoseprovidentcareEncompassedherchildrenaround!

  Nowstronginourmanhoodwecherishherstill;

  Andifbymisfortunebroughtlow,Ourstrengthshallsupporther,ourarmsbearherup,Andsustainherthroughwealandthroughwoe。

  OCCASIONALODES。

  BI—CENTENNIALODE。*

  (June13,1860。)

  *Sungatthebi—centennialcelebrationoftheincorporationofMarlboro,Mass。

  Fromthedoorofthehomesteadthemotherlooksforth,Withaglancehalfofhope,halfoffear,FortheclockinthecornernowpointstothehourWhenthechildrenshelovesshouldappear。

  Forhavetheynotpromised,whateverbetide,Onthistheirdearmother’sbirthday,Togatheroncemoreroundthefamilyboard,Theirdutifulservicetopay?

  FromtheEastandtheWest,fromtheNorthandtheSouth,Incommunionandintercoursesweet,Herchildrenhavecome,onthisfestivalday,Tosit,asofold,atherfeet。

  Andourmother,——Godblessherbenevolentface!——

  Howherheartthrillswithmotherlyjoys,Asshestandsattheportal,witharmsopenedwide,Towelcomehergirlsandherboys。

  Andyet,whenthefirstjoyfulgreetingsareo’er,Whenthewordsofherwelcomearesaid:

  Ashadowcreepsoverhermotherlyface,Asshesilentlythinksofthedead,Ofthechildrenwhosevoicesoncerangthroughherfields,Whosharedallherhopesandalarms,Till,tiredwiththeburdenandheatoftheday,Theyhavefallenasleepinherarms。

  Theyhavegonefromourmidst,buttheirlaborsabideOnthefieldswheretheyprayerfullywrought;

  Theyscatteredtheseed,buttheharvestisours,Bytheirtoilandself—sacrificebought。

  Aswescanthefairscenethatoncegreetedtheireyes,Aswetreadthesamepathswhichtheytrod,Letustenderlythinkofoureldersbybirth,Whohavegonetotheirrest,andtheirGod。

  Godblesstheoldhomestead!somelingertherestill,Inthehauntswhichtheirchildhoodhasknown,Whileothershavewanderedtoplacesremote,Andplantednewhomesoftheirown;

  ButTimecannotweakenthetiesLovecreates,Norabsence,nordistance,impedeThefilialdevotionwhichthrillsallourhearts,AswebidouroldmotherGod—speed。

  FORTHECONSECRATIONOFACEMETERY。

  ThisverdantfieldthatsmilestoHeavenInNature’sbrightarray,Fromcommonusessetapart,Weconsecrateto—day。

  \"God’sAcre\"beitfitlycalled,Forwhen,beneaththesod,Welaythedeadwithreverenthands,WeyieldthembacktoGod。

  AndHisgreatlove,sofreelygiven,Shallspeakinclearertones,When,pacingthroughthesehallowedwalks,Wereadmemorialstones。

  Hereletthesunshinesoftlyfall,Andgentlydroptherain,AndNature’scountlessharmoniesBlendoneaccordantstrain;

  Thattheywhoseekthissacredplace,Inmourningsolitude,InallthisgraciouscompanyMayhavetheirfaithrenewed。

  So,liftedtoserenerheights,Andpurifiedfromdross,TheirtrustfulheartsshallrestonGod,Andprofitbytheirloss。

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