©•%'■%'% <%'%'%'^-%.'^'m>'%'%^-«fe,'%.'%.-^%.<%,p) LIB RARY O F CONGR ESS. 2--V ♦UNITEl) STATES OF AMEIUCA,^ % C^^^^r-y-^^ Ul^^^c^^^-ny^ /J ^ /f-f. POEMS. y WILLIAM JAMES MoCLURE. 4 NEW YORK: P. O'SHEA, PUBLISHER, 2 7 BARCLAY STREET. 1869. ^%^^^ ^a^ Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 186P. By WILLIAM JAMES McCLUUE, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for llie Southern District of New York. ALVORD, PKINTEIt. §tAxt^ttA TO THE POETIC G-ENIXJS OF AMERICA. PREFACE, With these Poems as my credentials, 1 knock at the garden-gate of Poesy. Content to enter the dales, but aspiring to the liills of Soxg, I pray ye, tuneful Sisters, favor my lyre, and let me in ! From the Literary World I ask a just and candid criticism ; and if there be found aught in this volume elevating to the mind, or touching to the heart of Humanity, I shall not regret the labor of its production. To the friends who have encouraged and assisted me in my authorship I tender undying thanks. Regardful of approval, and respecting censure, when proceeding from competent judgment, I present my first book to the public. W. J. McO. New York, February 1, 1R69. OOITTENTS FAOE ZiLLORA, A Tale, in Three Cantos 9 GATHERINGS OF SONG. L The Hudson River 52 Moonlight on the Hudson 57 Native Hills 59 The Woodland Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Buds and Blossoms . . . . . . 63 A Waif 66 Summer , . . . 67 Violets and Pansies 69 Morning-Glories "^l Song OF the Mowers ' 73 Autumn '^^ VI CONTENTS. PAGK October . . "77 The Fall of the Leaves . . . . 79 Winter's Victim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 II. Sweet is the Song 83 Beauty . . . . 84 Friendship . . . . . . 85 Meeting and Parting 86 La Sexorita . , . . , . 89 On the Lake 91 Affection for Nature . . . . . . . . . . 93 A Sketch . . . , . . . . 94 The Pure and the Lovely 95 My Beautiful Angel 9*7 Mary 99 ni. War 100 Battle of Lookout Mountain .. 102 Glimpses 106 To the Angel, Peace 109 Exultation Ill Counsel . . 113 Praise 115 The Shamrock and Laurel 116 CONTENTS. VII I'AGK The Rights of Man 118 Thomas Francis Meagher . . . . . . . . . , 120 The ^[emort of the Brave ., .. .. .. .. 122 lY. Nature and Art . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Society's Sea 128 A Vision 131 To Tragedy 133 The Outcast's Grave 134 Wealth no Merit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Changes 138 Morality 140 Remember Dk Mil .. .. .. .. .. .. 141 Lines to a B;;ilhant Star .. .. ,. .. .. 143 An Impression 144 Stanzas 146 The New Year 147 Ambition 148 Z I L L O R A A TALE. CANTO FIRST. Bright Muse, of upward wing ! Wilt thou light me to sing Of mystic spirit-realms — Where cypresses and elms Have not a germ, nor tears The boon of lovely eyes ? — Or of the hopes and fears. The laughter and the sighs Of human hearts ? — Speak, and advise ! And thus the Muse : O sing Of Love's sweet wakening ; Its growth and riper hours. When o'er its life come showers, To chasten and refresh The rankness of its bloom ! 'Twill ne'er decay, as flesh Within the clod-claspt tomb — A child of Heaven, 'twill Pleaven resume. 10 /JLLORA. Earth, fondled by the Sea, Avowed its grief and glee. In sj^rightly tones and deep — As though the genii 'd keep Their moanings heard, 'midst strains Of fairy mirth and smiles — Vibrating to the plains, The crags and dim defiles, That form and guard the Grecian isles. Greece of Old ! Poesy's Sublimest galleries Are rich with scenes of thine ; For thou'rt the poet's shrine : The spirit of Homer's Thought pervades thy valleys, Heights, and waters ; roamers — Like he who, charmed, dallies — On thee gaze rapt, and as rallies Mem'ry her noiseless train. The bosom flames, the brain Lightens, the soul acquires Song from a thousand lyres ! — How kingly was thy Past, Classic land : thy Present — How into thralldom cast. Grand and finely pleasant, Slave thou art 'twixt Cross and Crescent. ZILLORA. ] 1 Survive methinks in thee The heart-throbs of the Free ! Thy regeneration — Oh, that it were but won ! Behold heroic Crete — Her war-flag streams tlie sky,^ Her valor spurns defeat : Oh, may the rude Turk fly Her coasts, or thereon vanquished die ! The sun's last beam with red Tinged the summer-clouds, wed To grandeur-gifted days ; And, as anon its blaze Sank less lurid beneath Mediterranean's wave, There floated on the breath Of zej^hyrs sounds that brave Men wish to hear, and monarch s crave. In the dreamy twilight, Rock-browed stood heig^ht on hei ZTLLORA. There glistened o'er her brow, And on her breast below, Jewels from India's mines — Brighter than brightest wines. Or sunlit waterfalls, Emitting crystal sprays ! — Befitting Fashion's halls, Where envious beauties gaze. And long for follies till they craze ! Her robes of showy worth Accorded with the mirth Of all her laughing guests, Not with her heart's behests ; For 'twas on such an eve. But not from such a scene, Young Love lured her to leave Her cottage, tricked in green. Round which she roved, a crownless queen. As thus Zillora mused. Her tresses dark refused Art-pinioning, and lay In Nature's untaught way Upon her neck, and down Unto her bodice rolled, In waves of glossy brown ; Unheeding frill and fold Of her attire, inweaved with gold. ZILLORA. 17 Vivanco hovered near, His healthful visage clear Turned from the guests away. Ere long a sudden ray Vivacious 'thwart his face Would gleam; and while its glare His spirit held, the place, And those assembled there, Of joy partook a double share. He loved his beauteous wife : Zillora's gentle life Was dearer to his soul Than richest earth-control. And he had wide domains Of meadow-land and shore — Compounded were his gains — Trim ships him treasure bote — He was an island governor. Light-tonnaged trading-Heets Were his resource ; their feats The Levant knew ; the Nile They entered oft, and while This merchant-grandee slept. His cargoes from their decks In lieu of coin were swept. What marvel, then, that wrecks Vivanco's dreams should often vex. 18 ZILLORA. His was a tropic blood, And flushed his veins for good — As rivulets the land Traverse, and bloom expaud ; For withering evil, Wlien fell revenge impelled Diversion to the devil — Like stormy waves, unheld By human art, by Nature quelled. But to the theme. — The dance Survived, and Music's lance, Rapture-tipt, pierced each heart, Striking the kindliest part, Chasing the heaviness That often drags lives down To brooding and distress — The product of a frown, Or consciousness of friendships flown. Stilled at last was the beat Of instruments and feet : The sea's incessant call Told not of festival ; Yet its waves from the stars Obtained a brilliancy, Till their crests seemed like cars That in fairy-land be — Silverly-adorned, vapory. 19 The turret-headed towers, Buttressed to stony powers, Were spectral in the gleam Of the moon's modest beam : That wandered with the light Of festive lamps and brief, Far, far into the night — ■ As roams a kingly chief With one wlio holds a lesser fief! Excitement waned, grew cohl; Some rested, others strolled. And fanned their throbbing brows : Belike betrothment vows Were given, and promise Of a future meeting : Surely there shone a bliss In each eye competing — Seen through glances, love-entreating. Voice-vivified, arose Zillora's song ; as flows A spring-brook down a dell, In murm'rous music, fell Its cadences purely : Through the hushed castle chimed — Not sadly, demurely, But trustful, — its tones, tinu'd To yearning heart-thoughts, love-sublimed. 20 ZILLORA. 1. There flew a little bird to me, It nestled in my virgin breast ; I could not tell it to be free, 'Twas in its gentle thrall so blest — 'Twas in its gentle thrall so blest, So joyous with supernal glee, That it would seek no other nest. In grove, or vale, or summer lea. 2. It came unseen, 'twas all my own ; It sang so heavenly day by day, That ev'ry thought took up its tone. And mused no more the roundelay — And mused no more the roundelay Of wilds and waters, bloom-o'ergrown ; Borne by a mystic power away To dreams of light and joy unknown. 3. Methinks my little minstrel flew, A cherub, from the highest sky ; So imlamenting and so true, If 'twere to die I too would die — If 'twere to die I too would die. And soar the heavens beyond the blue: My heart should then have lost the tie. That binds me, husband, unto you ! ZILI.OKA. Amoug the arches strong, Zillora's tender song Faint echoed, and then died. Hilarity replied, Upswelling from the strand, Where blithesome forms had met To rove the moonlit land, Or foot the minuet To gypsy-liite and flageolet. List to the merry din Of strollers coming in ; List to the banquet-sound. As coteries surround. And Hospitality Its bounteousness outpours. Behold the livery — The gilding on the doors — The shadows on the walls and floors ! Glasses clinked ; 'twas in truth A scene of Mirth and Youth. Meats and fruits the sideboards Filled, and jellied hoards Enticed the luscious taste Of swain and sweet-mouthed maid. Nor was there aught of haste: Long, long the feast delayed. And wine and wit in wassail played. 22 ZILLOEA. "Adieu" was said, until " Adieu '• said all, and still The zephyrs breathed " adieu," And ujD their currents flew, As gallant vessels plied Toward their havens near; Bearing with white wings wide Concordant spirits dear — True elements of social cheer. Vivanco's castle stark, High in the deep'ning dark, Reared rayless as the stone Whereon its base was thrown. No sylphic dance, no feast, No music to invite : The moon had quit the East, The moon had quit the Night, And Peace grew solemn — weary quite. ZILLORA. 23 CANTO SECOND. Beautiffl Morn ! the hills Resumed thy luster ; rills, Like myriad-blended eyes, Drew radiance from thy skies ; And manse and forest flowers, Of many hues and forms, Looked coyish from their bowers, To bright blue heaven that warms. Full innocent of hidden storms. The Sea, the Land, and Man, — Proud works that show the plan Of High Omnipotence — Evinced their thankful sense For rays that earthward coursed : Now meager as faint beams. Through dungeon-crannies forced ; Then mantling hills and streams, In matin-robes of merry gleams. Oh, why should Grief survive The Night, or if alive When Joy o'er Nature comes, Why lurks it in fair homes, A torment-shade ? — till Life Implores in spirit- woe : " Blest Heaven ! undo this strife — 24 ZILLORA. Sweet Saviour, let thy glow Descend and soothe me, sad and low !" However change the skies, Emotions rest, and rise To paroxysms the same — As startling smoke and flame From capitals outburst : They flicker on the hearth, Till roused by hand accurst ; Then blaze along the earth, And Lamentation make of Mirth. The peasant joined his toil. The potentate of spoil And Pleasure's mock'ries shared, As brave Vivanco dared The fretful, surging sea. Zillora's close caress, And prayer, ere parted he The shore, raised Happiness And Hope, nor made fond Love the less. And oh ! the picture given, Of waters, ships, and Heaven ; Of mountains, distant, dull, Yet misty-beautiful ; Of high, historic lands. ZILLOEA. 26 Honored by crumbling shrines, And laved by streams, whose sands — Revealing tide-declines — Besprinkled seemed with diamond signs ! Mayhap on some green height A maiden stood ; her light Garb flowing, and her hand O'er her heart, as she scanned Vivanco's vessels speed The tossing tide along : Her thoughts such thoughts that plead When true Love feareth wrong — Entranced in this plain passion-song : 1. God guide those noble ships. Departing o'er the sea ; And keep from taint the manly lips, That told their love to me. 2. Oh, youthful mariner, When distant beauty lures, Be ever faithful unto her. Whose love for thee endures. My heart would sorrowed die. And I, a stricken thing, 26 ZILLORA. Should hurry to Eternity, If thine prove varying ! 4. Adieu, O noble ships ! May kind gales waft ye on, That I again may kiss the lips Of him — my gallant one ! Dear Power of Love — that binds Hearts to hearts, minds to minds, In fond attachments all ; That cheers, though crimes appall- Though earthquakes shake the soil, And Mis'ry's wretches groan 'Midst Luxury and Toil ; That builds its rosy throne On Nature's altitude alone ! Dear Power of Love ! to thee Succumbs Philosophy ; And men and angels are Thy lamps, as sun and star Are servant-orbs of God. Within thy happy sway, The presences that sod And flow'ring wild display Exalt the universal clay ! ZILLORA. On a couch of texture And caparison pure, And elegant withal, Zillora lay ; a shawl Her beauty's screen unvain. Shy day-beams glittered through The casement, and amain Her closed eyes lit : swift flew The shades, — the false before the true I She 'woke, and the visions Of her sleep derisions Proved of existing life. She was Vivanco's wife. And mistress of his home — No more a lonely sprite, The shore and wood to roam, And watch intently white Sea-froths heave upward to the llglit. Thus she called : " Constanza !" Who, with kind undelay Came : a maid whose calm sense Zillora's confidence Regaled ; a servitor. Yet worthily a friend. Sympathy's greetings o'er, Zillora to its end Her story spoke — all hearts attend : 29 28 ZILLORA. " Born on an ocean-isle, My soul ne'er nurtured guile ; A queen I was, and free. For man ne'er knelt to me ; From time-torn clift's I gazed O'er my beauteous domain : The God of all I praised ; And when Affliction's pain Aggrieved, I mourned, but laughed again ! " Oh, trance of mortal-morn, When purest flowers adorn The chalice of the soul ! — Methinks I see the roll Of ocean, grand and high ; My father's cot, the rills That murmur constantly ; The mountains and the hills — My charms erst, whose charm instills ! ** Blessing my maiden bloom. Love sang through Nature's room The tend'rest melody That e'er enraptured me. I little knew of man. Save kindness paternal ; And never wished to scan Brighter lands, more vernal. Nor learnt that Life had phase infernal. ZILLOBA. 29 " One cloud-deserted day, The deep impassive lay ; And out upon its breast A ship appeared, at rest. Anon, a boat the strand Approached ; a form unknown, In raiment of command, Stept on a wave-lashed stone, And stood adventurous, alone. " Elate, from bower of green, I viewed the kindling scene, And him who on the shore Distinctive manhood wore ; And then exultant sped To greet the household few; And feeling-fluttered, said : * Such sight I never knew — A ship's anear, a stranger too !* " A power unfelt before My being claimed ; 'twas more Than hospitality ; 'Twas tenderer than be Passing courtesies, or Fleet-changing emotion ; 'Twas fostered in the core Of my heart's devotion — • An islet fountain 'midst the ocean ! 30 ZILLORA. "We met, — the stranger-cliief And I — and Love's belief, And mutual troth was ours. In summer-vale of flowers We vowed the happy pledge To each the other bless : Upon a lakelet's edge We sat, and Life's distress Was lost in Love's forgetfulness. •' No haunts by Vanity Adorned can rival ye : O elfin bowers of Love ! Expectancy did move Me, when Yivanco told Of other regions rare — Far simnier and less cold Than that lone island, where My innocence ne'er coped with care. "My heart was not my own Thenceforth a time ; 'twas flown To dear Vivanco's breast, And soft by his caressed, And given me anon Metamorphosed, as 'twere, By apt magician done ! Oh, Romance, debonair And glowing, what a warmth was there ! ZlLLORxV. 31 " Away, away we came, Within a twofold flame Of Ecstasy and Hope. Ah ! then did I elope From kindred ever fond — Fonder as went the years — To this abode, beyond Their terror and their tears, Their dreamy doubts and loving fears." She finished ; and her mien, Saddened by Fancy's scene, Wore Melancholy's token. Beautiful, though broken, Phoebus' flood was streaming Through Zillora's boudoir ; And she, as from dreaming Waked, up-gazed, and before Her came a gentle visitor — A rustic child, a girl. With golden hair a-curl. And tiny feet, and eyes. That were for rhapsodies Fit themes. To Zillora She as a morning bliss Was wont to come ; and gay, Yet sweetly unamiss. She brous^ht bloom-beauties and a kiss ! 32 ZILLORA. She brought full daintily, Though not in filigree, The fairest sisters of The gardened vale and grove ; Intertwined with mosses From the brook-shore, and shells, Shaped like Christian crosses, For chaste minds — wherein dwells Affection for w^hat Vice repels. From basket of shore-reeds Those treasures peeped — from weeds' Embraces newly culled — To smile, and then be dulled ! And Zillora placed them, Dripping dews, in a vase. Glossed with many a gem And emblem of the race From which Vivanco sprang, to grace. The harmony of birds. Attuned to cherubs' words. Quavering down the air, Spread gladness ev'rywhere ; And to Zillora gave Fresh impetus of soul — As winds the lolling wave Bestir, till surges roll, And flashing sprays enwreathe the whole I ZILLORA. 33 Birds and flowers holy things Oft memorize ; the wings Of Thought irradiant shine, Upbearing themes divine, Blest by their communion. Oh, see ! a vision now Reveals a reunion — Where rests the homely plow. Where warblers chant and blossoms blow. Humanity ! in these Creations, formed to please The passion-fretted soul. There is, though dirges toll In slow, sad succession, A happiness innate — Nature's warm expression — That bids bright Virtue wait Erect, and Vice crouch to its fate. Hark ! — from the willow-dell Chimes out the chapel bell. Clear, solemn music, to The many and the few. How such sounds admonish Mad revelers in guilt ! — But they none astonish, In broad Christian lands, built With altars, 'fore which fals'ties wilt. 2* 34 ZILJ.OllA. Down an arched aisle of trees And trellises, where bees And orioles hummed and sung, And floral drap'ries hung, Zillora humbly sped — Like an angel, earth-bound ; With her, faithful Hamed, Her boy-companion, crowned With favors, as with flowers the ground. Her page he was, and mild. Whom, when a tearful child, Vivanco plucked from doom Of ocean, and its gloom. Wooing sublimity. Nobleness he gained of Manner and symmetry : His thoughts for utt'rance strove In melodies that sound above. A bard forsooth ! his lays Zillora's saddened days Diverted, and his sweet Rhyme-numbers were discreet, And flowed from Holiness — True inspiration's fount. Nature was his mistress — - Inspirer paramount ! — Whose charms he tired not to recount. ZILLORA. 35 On smiles, by woman given, Is reared the poet's heaven ; And though his passions rage Infuriate, and wage Their lustful war: o'er all, E'en in the direst hour. Beams a song-coronal, Of intellectual dower, That aye bespeaks the godlike power. Th' empyrean o'er him. The glories before him. Around him, melting afar — Where the linked mountains bar The eye from the vast beyond, And hem the Beautiful In an azure-tint bond Of dreams : from these to cull Delight, he'd earth's base scenes annul I Hastened to devotion Zillora; commotion Was in her breast, and calm She would be ; in the balm Of worship sought she meek Consolation. — But, lo ! Why quits her youthful cheek Excitement's fervid glow ? Why shrinks she, as from 'venomed foe ? 30 ZILLORA. A form deformed, and clad In monkish garb, that had Wrapt worthier anchorite, Aroused her full affright. Though outwardly a monk, A monk he was not ; and His soul, in passion sunk, Was monstrous ; for it planned Deeds such as vilify a land. When Innocence and Guilt Are met, 'tis tilt and tilt. If equal armed they are. Perchance Guilt's scimitar O'er Innocence's foil Prevails awhile: oh, then, Arise and dare turmoil. Knight Honor — proud in men — And maim and baffle Guilt again I With gentleness, he strove To lure the ear of Love ; And spoke thus gallantly : " Sweet lady, I'd not thee Detain ; presumptuous 'twere To wish the audience Of humankind so fair ; Yet, ere thou goest hence. Hear prophecy of consequence !" ZILLOKA. 37 Oh, prophecy as vile As he whose soul of guile Launched forth such grim decree ! 'Twas told infernally. Aghast Zillora stood, As o'er Afiection's urn ; For to her dearest blood These deathly words did burn: " Vivanco never will return I" 38 ZILLOEA. CANTO THIRD. Noon, queen-hour of the light, Put on her crown, and bright Became the Eastern world. Clouds lachrymose had whirled Athwart the zenith, like Mixed plumes, melting amain From rays that gild and strike. Noon — splendid be her reign — Gloried the vales and hills of Spain. And where tow'rd Italy Spain looks across the sea. Her gardens, groves, and vines Resplendent sj^read : nor shines More lustrous Nature's prime. Of flower, and tree, and sky. In lands of lesser crime — Than shone afar and nigh Castilia's fields and canopy. ZILLORA. 39 Crows caw from pine and oak, The oxen bear the yoke, Elysium is unfound Throughout terrestrial round ; But there is minted gold, Earth's pageants to emboss : So yellow, false, and cold — Too oft the spirit's loss — It gleams all human ways across. Where hath Vivanco sped — By Hope's swift phantoms led ? Where hath his fleet explored — Intent on hidden hoard? Love lit the chieftain's track : Apart from all the rest, Adieu he waved them back, The sun upon his crest — His ship's course veered to meet the West. On, on, o'er Atlant's realm ! — Stanch the prow, true the helm, Down the billows diving. Up the billows striving. Went the brave " Endeavor ;" And while vespers chanted Praise of Life Forever, 'Mong far hills, saint-haunted. Quick through twilight airs she panted ! 40 ZILLORA. Hail, hesperian Stars ! Venus is regnant, Mars In Orient burns ; and dies The light along the skies — The light sublimely beaming — That lived from morn till eve. Celestial atoms gleaming During Phoebus' reprieve, Ye twinkle hope to all that grieve ! The outcast lifts her face From sin awhile, to trace In your sodality Iler immortality. Alas ! that she should find In but one hour of night Themes fittest for the mind ! Alas ! the mortal blight That withers souls in Heaven's sight ! Upon a hill-side lone, Whose less'ning shades were thrown Like black robes on the lawn, An old man sat at dawn — A relic of the Day That grappled Change, and died Before the new away ! — A stafi* was at his side. And down the wold his fleecy pride. ZILr.ORA. 41 Calm as the scene, his eye — Glancing anon on high, And then earthward sinking — Wandered ; as though drinking Soul-draughts from the fountains Of ethereal Hope, Fortitude from mountains. Patience from plain and slope ; And through the vales his mind would grope In thoughts of many themes, That deepened into dreams And phantasms of the tomb : Till, 'midst the lily-bloom And rose emblazonry. That bowered plain and wood, Where streamlets poured to sea. Roused Recollection stood — A sorrowed angel, there to brood ! A shout upon the coast ; A trumpet sound that's lost In echoes 'mong the hills ; A ship, whose broad sail fills With inward breezes soft, To her moorings speeding : Casting the spray aloft — Waves aplay impeding — Oh, 'twas dignity exceeding ! ZILLORA. All these the watcher heard And saw, nor uttered word ; But grasped his staff, and rose Benignant in his woes. Adown the copse-screened glen, And o'er the clovered green. He journeyed : then, oh, then, His visage, pale of sheen. Revealed delight — long, long unseen. Oh, mightily rejoice — United heart and voice Of city, hamlet, home — When tidings gladsome come Of famous wanderer ! Those of the wayward child Inspire a holier Joy ; that beams like the mild Young day, through nightly storm-clouds wild ! And such Vivanco told Of sweet Zillora ; bold He was forsooth before Her kindred — on the floor Where danced her girlhood-feet. Brave and proud, yet tender. He walked the village-street, Ziilora's defender — Till e'en gossips would commend her ! ZILLORA. 43 And the maidens they laughed, While the peasant swains quaffed Their draughts of jovial wine. The sea's ecstatic bi'ine, In phosphorescent waves. Vied with the landscape's smile. There oped anear no graves That morn, and the dread wile Of Death seemed banished from the isle. What whim of yearning age Impelled the hill-side sage — Zillora's antique sire ? — His spirit flamed with fire Of resurrected dreams. That verified old Love Undying. Ah ! there beams Unchanged, below, above. But N'ature's truth her truth to prove. He prayed beside a mound, Hedged and violet-crowned : A wreath of rosemary Was held in his chary Embrace — Zillora's gift. His eyes were tear-bedimmed. As under the blue lift He knelt, and his locks rimmed The sod, by bounteous beauty limned. 44 ZILLORA. A tear, a smile, a kiss Brief change from grief to bliss, From bliss to grief; and yet 'Tis hopeless to forget Grief in joy, joy in grief. There died not king or slave, There lives not serf or chief. That felt not, feels not grave And glad emotions raise, deprave ! It was the rest of one — Than whom this world has none More pure in loving, true In trials, blisses too ! — Like whom there's no other On earth, in Heaven, so dear— A kind, pious mother. And that spot revered sear And green had grown many a year, Zillora's mother there Slept beneath that mound, fair With cultured grass and flowers. How oft the duty's ours. Oh, fellow-men, in deep. Yet conscious reverie. To wander and to weep, 'Midst hills and by the sea. O'er ashes of mortality ! ZILLORA. 45 Speak ! eyes that flash and burn — Speak ! eyes that melt and mourn : What are ye, if not stars Diverse — suggesting wars, And stimulating Peace ? Forever as the years Successively increase. Will human eyes glance fears, Hopes, hates, and melt in love and tears ! Vivanco's mission o'er. He left the island shore. And sailed away — away Eastward, bosoming a Primrose cross, pansy-dyed ; And when the darkness palled. He looked over the wide Ocean, firmament-walled. And listened as a night-voice called : " Love's triumph is thine own : Arise ! face Virtue's throne ; Renounce thy lust of gold ; In Charity behold Thy labors, broadly blest. Zillora will be nigh : The cross upon her breast ; Her smiles will glorify Thy worth throughout Futurity !" 46 ZILLORA. In search of treasure-trove, What i^erils, rudely wove, Beset the buccaneer. — Warily doth he steer Tow'rd land : when out at sea, How boldly wings his ship, From hull to topmast free ! Ah ! outlaw, thou shalt sip Of av'rice, though it burn thy lip ! Revert thee, mindful strain. To noonday o'er old Spain ; To noonday 'mong the hills, Musical with the trills Of woodland choristry : Where, ancient as the Moors, An abbey, ruined, wry And moldering, allures Most picturesquely, and assures The skeptic : As decay Blurs Nature's grandest day So in the soul's full glow Live memories of woe. And shrinking dread of Death. Since all that's human errs, Preserving Virtue's breath, No miracle occurs When skeptics turn philosophers ZILLOKA. 47 Among the abbey -tombs, Indicative of dooms, Sat fierce Dendari, Vivanco's deputy. In meditation grim He pondered ; and the shades Of death-marks threatened him ! And records, some of maids, Moralized from the rent arcades. Why paused he there in the Golden light, musingly? He waited bounty rich. Filched from treasure-trove, which, Vaulted deep, his day-dream Was, and nightly vision. He lingered, and the stream Of mem'ry whelmed decision — Stygian 'twas, not, not elysian ! Ay ! treasure-trove was sought By slaves half-score, and taught Of Mammon, 'mong the dead. The flowers beneath their tread Were crushed upon the turf ; And still Dendari lurked Apart, waiting the surf Of Fortune : though it irked His temper, wherein tumults worked. 48 ZILLOKA. They found gilt treasure-trove — They found the miser's love, The spendthrift's plaything — gold : Of quaint, religious mold. And dark Dendari smiled ; But the heavens frowned, And clouds in legions wild Shut sunshine from the ground — Where Desecration's sight and sound Held sacrilegious feast. The tempest-signs increased ; And as the buccaneers, Down borne by pelf and fears, Swept from the land their prize, Loud thunders noised aloft. Sharp lightnings cleft the skies, And airs, erst perfumed, soft, Waxed vengeful, and their sweetness doffed. The elements that blew Dendari and his crew. Conspired to crush and blast Those lives ; and shook each mast Of the doomed ship, and hurled Abroad, with angry sweep, A wreck to warn the world ! All, all, a woeful heap. Sank to the valleys of the deep ! ZILLORA. 49 1. Oh, guardian spirits of the Good — Alert in light of holy ray — Watch o'er his hours of solitude ; And when temptations crowd the way, Breathe on his soul, and keep him true To country, friends, and native loam — His heart to blest endeavors woo. And urge the wanderer home. 2. A trusty welcome waits him there : Though 'tis alone a wife's embrace That wreathes with Love his breast of care, How dear becomes the lowliest place ! Winds, waves, and sails propitious be — While sunshine sparkles on the foam, That crests the billows of the sea — And bear the wanderer home ! On, on, o'er the shining Waters, truth-divining, Dashed dauntless Vivanco — Whilom the proud bravo. And eager merchantman. These no more ; for his soul All attributes would ban, That covet worldly dole ; And thus unerring seek its goal. 50 ZILLOKA. Uprose the headland heights Of home- — aye gladsome sights ! And from the harbor clear, Stretched meadow, brake, and mere, To the peace-throned mountains. Within the castle, from Shore-land groA^es and fountains. On earth, in air, the hum Of Joy announced the chief had come. Grief shrunk, a demon-thing, When Joy, re-wakening, Immersed in shadeless beams Zillora's life ; whose dreams Of bliss had come only Faint orlimmerino; throug-h woe— Singly, ghostly, lonely.— She cried, her form aglow : " 'Tis he, 'tis my lord Yivanco !" He heard, he saw, he knew Her greeting, joyful, true ; He looked into her eyes. Illumed by ecstasies. And viewed Heaven's radiance there ; He clasped her to his heart. And smoothed her waving hair. Though Destiny should thwart Resolve, tlicy ne'er agaiu would part 1 ZILLOPvA. 51 Designing gentle deeds, They searclied the peasants' needs Together ; ev'ry morn New charities were born, And the chapel-bell Rang poeans of happy-day ! Hamed sublimely sang : Zillora, meekly gay, Vivanco cherished, loved alway. GATHERINGS OF SONG. THE HUDSON RIVER. I. O, River of resplendent life, Thee buoyantly I sing ; And to thy native glories rife Fond recognition bring. II. 'Mong rocks and bowers, past grove and grange The Hudson rolls in pride ; Majestic is the bloomy range That binds its mighty tide. GATnEinx(;s op song. 63 III. Beliold its bosom, sail-bedecked ; Its borders, woodland-crowned ; — How placidly its depths reflect The arching sky and ground ! rv. Walls, chiseled by fair Xature's hand, Defy the shocks of Time ; They rise above the brilliant strand. As barricades sublime. Y. The Palisades^ unbending tower ; The Highlands,^ gvaj or green. Complacent stand, as things of power — The nestling vales between. VI. The vision drinks the landscaped view. With ecstasy enthralled ; The mountain-tops melt 'mid the blue. By wide horizon walled. VII. No dark and tott'ring ruins grace Each promontory's brow ; Dear Beauty beams in Nature's lace, •rivaled in its glow! 54 GATHERINGS OF SONG. vm. Rich domes surmount the monarch hills, The cottage lies below ; From far-off fountains many rills Down to the river flow. IX. Upon its wild, romantic banks, Art swiftly hews its way ; And boldly thins the forest ranks. Where songsters greet the day. X. The produce of the fertile West Finds passage to the coast ; The ocean billows smoothly rest And in its calm are lost. XI. The woodman's song full joyous swells Along the peaceful shore ; Neat villages usurp the dells. The heights are peopled o'er ! XII. The cattle stray along the brink. That Hudson's waters lave ; They stoop in quietude, and drink From brooks that swell its wave. GATHERINGS OF SONG. 55 XIII. The red man nevermore shall hold This river of his sires ; No, no, his birthright now is sold, And quenched the council-fires ! xrv. Brave Science walks the varied land, And hopeful Honor strives ; Civilization lifts its wand. Yet Nature's charm survives ! XV. Sweet Flora plants her children on The slopes that meet the wave ; The flow'rets blush, and fade anon Into the earth that gave. XVI. Amid those scenes by Romance lit. The ardent brain is fired : The painter's touch grows exquisite, The poet wakes inspired. XVII. When Night shades mountains, dales, and meres. And flames her lanterns far. In bord'ring homes each lamp-light cheers — Tlie rival of each star ! 66 GATHERINGS OF SONG. XVIII. Oh, oft have lovers vowed their lovo Beside this cherished stream ; And o'er its banks together rove, When youth seems as a dream. XIX. Live, live, ye bursting woodland springs, That Hudson's tide supply ; Fly, fly, ye crafts, on breeze-swept wings, Smile bright above, O sky ! XX. Thou River, grand and mountain-born, That Genius loves to scan. Roll on, till angel- trumpets warn, A proud delight to man ! GATHERINGS OF SONG. 57 MOONLIGHT ON THE HUDSON I. There's moonlight on the river-wavo, It glitters down the tide ; Our hearts are gladsome, young, and brave, And merrily Ave glide. The shimm'ring beams illume the shore, And brightly touch each dripping oar — A soul-blent melody we pour Over the waters wide. II. The ripples, tinged with mildest light, Enchant us as we row ; And maiden eyes, bewitching, bright. Seem dearer in their glow. Sweet music comes, of heavenly tone. Across the Hudson, calm and lone, And echoes from the hills are thrown, And fainter, fainter grow. 58 GATHERINGS OF SONG. III. Black shadows slumber 'mid the vales, And rest within the grove ; Behind the Highlands play the gales, Serenity's above. Row gently, brothers ! may yon beam, That flashes on the glorious stream. Wake in our hearts a conscious gleam Of purity and love. IV. Oh ! joyously we onward float O'er Hudson's depths of blue ; And kindly urge our little boat With loving hearts and true. High in the heavens dear Luna shines, More lustrous far than gem-strewn mines ; At morn she all her light resigns — Ah, then, adieu, adieu ! GATHERINGS OF SONG. 59 NATIVE HILLS. I. Native Hills, how I love ye, High over the river ; With your green crowns above ye, As brilliant as ever. 'Mong your woodlands and waters Sweet beauties recline ; And the smiles of your daughters Seem always divine. II. On your brows of fresh glory I gaze long admiring ; For ye tell me the story My heart was desiring : A mute story of sweetness, Of love and true joy, And of bright years of fleetness, When I was a boy. 60 GATHERINGS OF SONG. III. Cold Boreas may sear ye, Yet summer will gladden ; Ob, 'tis bliss to be near ye, Though all the world sadden ! For an innocence blesses Your flower-scented wild, In the zephyr-caresses Of breezes unguiled ! IV. Native Hills, how I love ye, So noble and blooming ; With your green crowns above ye, Wide grandeur assuming. Full of love is my greeting : From my heart lifts the pall — As of yore, it is beating, Proud Hills, for ye all ! GATHERINGS OF SONG. 61 THE WOODLAND BRIDGE. I. Apakt from the village, in the woodland, Spanning a wide ravine, Above the brook's volume, rurally planned, An olden bridge is seen. There oftentimes I rest. When sunshine fills the West, To list to songs attuned 'mid haunts of green. II. From brink to brink, it arclies o'er the glen, Of rustic form, more dear ; The squirrel skips in timid awe of men, And quick, instinctive fear There lovers sweetly meet, To earnest love repeat. While Peace reigns mistress of the woody sphere. 62 GATHERINGS OF SOXG. III. The forest trees in multitudes arise, And at their feet smile flowers ; Paths wind among, unseen by summer-skies, From the bridge to the bowers ; The brook-tide murmurs songs. Each bedded rock prolongs The cadence soft, thrilling the peaceful hours. rv. Fair rears the woodland round that lone bridge rude Blest spot where joys agree ! There's loveliness amid the solitude Of grassy vale and tree ; There shines a tender sheen Above that deep ravine, That lifts the soul to sentiment and glee. GA.THERINGS OF SONG. 63 BUDS AND BLOSSOMS. L Btjds and blossoms, buds and blossoms- First bright off'rings of the year — Bathed in raindrops, all your bosoms Burst within the sunlight clear. Joyously my heart-voice greets ye— Buds and blossoms, as I gaze On your unenduring beauty, Harbingers of sunny days ! 11. Nature's sweet and ripening treasure Shyly to the world appears ; Soon 'twill be of fullest measure, Laughingly, oft dripping tears ! Beauteous tints in blushing glory Grace the woodland and the mea