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 nitmum 
 
 Mrs. a. M. BURGESS. 
 
 BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
 1887. 
 

 
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 To THE Memory 
 
 of my 
 
 DEAR MOTHER, 
 
 This little Poem 
 
 is affectionately dedicated. 
 
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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 188T, by 
 
 Mrs. A. M. BURGESS, 
 
 with the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 306S9 
 
 6 
 
THE TALISMAN. 
 
 'Twas a beautiful morn, the month of May, 
 That a ship lay moored in St. Lawrence bay ; 
 She was gayly decked, and lay at ease, 
 Her banner afloat on the summer breeze, 
 
 Valiant hearts were there, no thought of fear, 
 Though eyes were o'ercast by the parting tear; 
 For of those who stood upon that bright shore. 
 Were many who felt they would meet no more. 
 
 Loving husbands from wives, and children part. 
 Young men from the maid, most dear to his heart; 
 From the broken voice, with its sob of pain. 
 Comes, "When, oh ! when shall we meet again." 
 
But one stood aloof, from the little band, 
 Fondly holding his mother's trembling hand; 
 And as the dear form he tenderly pressed, 
 The old head sank on the youthful breast. 
 
 "I go" he said, to lands beyond the sea, 
 To win there a name that shall honored be. 
 Then mother, dear mother, oh, cease to mourn ; 
 But his tears were mingling with her own. 
 
 As she placed in his hands that book of books, 
 It seemed as though heaven were in her looks. 
 She answered "I would not your hopes destroy/' 
 Go, and may Angels guard thee, my boy. 
 

 
 The captain who stood not far apart, 
 A man of iron, without a heart, 
 Witnessed the parting with frowning face, 
 Hated the boy for his youthful grace. 
 
 And soon, as though he would span the hours, 
 As the bee sips the sweets from flowers, 
 "Enough of this !" he loudly roared, 
 Let go the plank, all hands on board! 
 
 Parting is o'er: down the silvery bay. 
 The noble craft glides swiftly away. 
 And beneath the golden noon-day sun, 
 Is heard the boom of a farewell gun. 
 
4 
 
6 
 
 How changed the scene, all leave the spot. 
 All but the mother; who heeds them not. 
 Ah, such is life! in a few short hours. 
 We gather tears or summer flowers. 
 
 And as the strangers pass her by. 
 They look with an enquiring eye. 
 Some kindly say, "how pale and sad," 
 And others, "has she not gone mad?" 
 
 But evening shadows find her there, 
 Upon her knees, in earnest prayer. 
 That gentle voice, so calm so mild. 
 Praying heaven to bless her child. 
 
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 The ship sailed on, soon lost to sight, 
 Wrapt in the shadows of the night; 
 Hope in the breast of every man, 
 'Til the captain's tyranny began. 
 
 ''Now men! he cried," we're out of port; 
 Come, do your duty, as you ought." 
 But to the youth he sternly said, 
 "No lagging here, go earn your bread." 
 
 No answer came, but defiant hate, 
 In the dark eye, which sealed his fate. 
 Some 'neath the yoke would sadly bend, 
 Hoping still, yet fearing the end. 
 
8 
 
 So time went on, while every day, 
 
 Each man some penance had to pay. 
 
 Of all, the captain's cruel part, 
 
 To crush and scourge that proud young heart. 
 
 He came on deck one stormy night; 
 ''Aloft," he said, look for the beacon light! 
 Nor come from that lone watch away, 
 Til morning's light has told the day. 
 
 With horror every man stood still, 
 The youth prepared to do his will, 
 They gazed on him with bated breath, 
 As he went calmly to his death. 
 
9 
 
 The boy clung to the quivering mast, 
 While thunders roared and lightning flashed. 
 As the captain, his door drew near, 
 Smothered curses assailed his ear. 
 
 Darker and darker grew the night. 
 No star shed its soft welcome light, 
 Faster and faster rain did fall. 
 And that brave youth was under all. 
 
 As midnight was tolling on the bell, 
 The only sound that on silence fell. 
 A heavy fall, a cry of pain, 
 And a pallid form on deck was lain. 
 
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10 
 
 One grey haired seaman smote his breast, 
 Said ''Comrades seek the captain's nest. 
 Some heaUng balm the youth to save, 
 Or I find him a watery grave. 
 
 The captain from his sleep awoke, 
 Came at their call and thus he spoke. 
 "What ! is it here I see you stand? 
 Again aloft ! tis my command." 
 
 The menace that told in every look, 
 Awed the coward, his cruel heart shook. 
 And as the youth to his berth they bore. 
 The captain turns to his couch once more. 
 
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11 
 
 And while they bathe that aching head, 
 They form a council round his bed. 
 There, with united voice, agree; 
 ''The tyrant dies" they would be free. 
 
 When morning came, though all was still, 
 Dark, sullen faces forboded 111. 
 When the youth, from his bed of pain. 
 Was ordered to his post again. 
 
 Soon evening shadows wrapped In gloom, 
 The gallant ship, In a misty tomb. 
 And then the youth they softly call, 
 To aid them In the tyrants fall. 
 
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12 
 
 ''Aye!" said the boy, with flashing eye, 
 Tis time that tyranny should die; 
 And for the wrong that he has done. 
 No more shall see the rising sun. 
 
 Bring cords, they said, to bind him fast, 
 Ere in the sea he shall be cast. 
 Watch for the signal, mark it well; 
 Twelve o'clock on the midnight bell. 
 
 The boy came back with empty hand, 
 "Comrades," he said I'll take command; 
 And now implore you, cease the strife, 
 Nor dare to take the captain's life. 
 
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 Or, If a life must forfeit be, 
 Then take the one I offer thee 
 From thy dread purpose pray depart; 
 You only reach him through my heart. 
 
 Oh! hear me brothers, while I tell, 
 What saved me from the jaws of hell; 
 My soul from sorrow, pain and rack, 
 And brought my wandering senses back. 
 
 I reached the coil beneath my bed. 
 When this book fell upon my head. 
 And from its leaves, she placed it there. 
 Dropped this grey lock, my mother's hair. 
 
14 
 
 And then I knelt me down, to pray, 
 That God would guide me day by day ; 
 And as I hoped her face to see 
 This my Talisman should be. 
 
 And now I'll wear it near my heart, 
 Never more will I from it part. 
 What I suffer will be but gain. 
 So that I cause her heart no pain. 
 
 They heard the boy they loved so dear. 
 From many an eye dropped a tear. 
 Bringing memories sweet and good. 
 When in their midst, the captain stood. 
 
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15 
 
 Then all drew back, as in affright, 
 Darker and darker grew the night. 
 No word, no sound, the silence broke. 
 When at last, the captain spoke. 
 
 ''Come men," he said, this scene must end, 
 Iv'e wronged you, but I'll be your friend. 
 And for the youth, nay do not start. 
 He'll be near, and dear to my heart. 
 
 "Boy," he said, in faltering tone, 
 "I'd a mother, dear as thine own. 
 Years in heaven, lost to my sight; 
 But thou hast brought her back to night. 
 
16 
 
 For this I'll strive all mortal can, 
 To be a better, a truer man. 
 That I reach heaven her smile to see, 
 Like thine my Talisman shall be. 
 
 "The book thou love'st I will explore, 
 And hearken to its teaching more. 
 While sweetest memories will dwell. 
 With the lock that from its pages fell." 
 
 And morning dawned all clear and bright, 
 Chasing the shadows of the night. 
 As one was toll'd upon the bell. 
 Glad voices answered, "all is well." 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 015 775 364 2 S