''V^ X 'V ^^V's > >■ ,^1.^: s S RIBUT J>ffcBX)tim^'B Tribute, Affection's Tribute. Original Poems, BY V R. S. NAYLOR. l^llH^ OSKALOOSA, IOWA, i CENTRAL BOOK CONGERN 1874. Kiilcrcd according: to :ift of Coiif^ress, in Ihc year 1874, liy A. W. NAYLOK. Ill the office of the Librarian of Congress ai Washington, D. C. PRESS OK CENTRAL BOOK CONCKRN, (hkaloosu, Jmoa. TO MY PARENT! AND AfY FRIENDU I bcbitJife tbis little f ct!tinu AS A TRinUTK OF Affeelion and fi.espect. CONTENTS. PAGK- TO OHIO 17 LI^ES PRESENTED TO MY HUSBAND WITH A BIRTHDAY PRRSENT, ... 21 I THANK THEE, KIND SAVIOUR FOR TEARS, 25 THOUGHTS OF HOME, 28 DREAMS OF HOME, 30 LINES WRITTEN ON THE BLANK LEAF OF A BIBIiE PRESENTED TO MY LITTLE DAUGHTER ONE YEAR OLD, . . 33 EVENING THOUGHTS, 36 TO UY BROTHER, 41 SLANDER, 45 NIGHT THOUGHTS, 46 TO A SNOW BIRD 49 DARE TO DO RIGHT, 52 TO MY OLD PLAYMATE, .... 53 CONTENTS. XV ^ I'AGK. THK STREAM OF TIME, .... 58 BEAUTY OF TIIPJ MORNIN(;, ... 60 EVENINCf, 62 THE SOUL, 63 DEDICATED TO MY FRIEND ON THE DEATH OF HER CHILD, ... 64 TO THE FLOWERS, 67 HOPE, 69 THE CHURCHYARD, 70 TO THE EVENING STAR, . . . ' . 71 THOUGHTS BY THE OCEAN, ... 73 I WATCH FOR TIIEE, 75 MORNING MEDITATIONS, .... 77 TO MY INFANT SON, 79 WE WHICH HAVE BELIEVED DO ENTER INTO REST, 82 INVOCATION, 84 TO THE LOVED AT HOME, • . . . 86 LINES WRITTEN UNDER MY PICTURE, . 88 TO on 10. I IIA VIO \i'\l i\u'i', \vs Oiilv made iwc ll:iee So fondly loved, so drar, I wand(;red honu^ wlwn (he ehunoroux voi(M' Of th(i day was hiislicd and s(ill; No sound l)r(d<(! on my ev<'-iMnii( (he sori};- of (Jie \vlii|>|>onrvvIil. Oh ! thou hlcst land of niy ehildliood ! l*^'esh l,o-da\' my memory l)rint;,s 20 T») OHIO. lu't'olk'i'tioMs oi" thy wild wotuls, Ami thy cK'ar Miid crystal springs; Still my heart ilinii-s to thy lorosts, M'itli tlii'ir hrown, r.iajostic trees. Oh ! belovi'd laiul ol' tuy ehiklhood, I do U)vo tluH' more tor these. rhoui;,h 1 love the western prairies, And the ties are stonj;' that hind My heart to those who have bt'on to me So i'aithi'ul, true, and kind ; Yi't my heart urows tirt'd of noise and stritb, And often in my dreams I go hack to the days of my i-arly life, \\ hen I sat by thy (juiet streams. LINK^ PllESENTED TO MY HUSBAND WITH A BIRTHDA Y PRESENT. n^HK .springtime of youth is liist glidiiii;' away, And the noon of our livos very soon will conic on. 1 look back thron<;h the vista of time to the (lays That have vanished since our patiis in life have been one ; Since the day that we stai-tcd tojijether to share Life's confli(ttH and con(|ucsts, its joys and its tears ; And aithonjih we have tasted our portion of care, Yet, withal, we must say, they have been ha])py years. 22 TO MY HUSBAND. And I praise the kind (river who dwelleth above, That in His great <;oodness He ever bestowed Such a being to cherish, such a warm heart to love, Such a hand to assist me o'er life's rugged road. And the tears trickle down as I think of the time We no longer shall carry life's burdens to- gether. When the grim monster Death shall [)ierce my heart or thine. When the chain that now binds us his sickle shall sever. How lonely the journey will be to the one Left alone to contend with earth's sorrow and grief; TO MY HUSBAND. 23 And naught but the thought llmt it cannot be long C/Ouhl aftbrd the sad heart any babn of reUef. Then, dear one, let us live so that when we shall part, We may feel the assurance of meeting above In that blissful forever where, heart joined to heart, We may dwell evermore with the ones that we lov^e. And oh ! let us strive, while together we stay. To act toward ea(;h other so affectionate and kind That when one from the other is taken away No cloud of remorse can o'ershadow the mind. 24 TO MY iirsnAM). Miiy tho Slid, lonely lu'nrt bt- consoled with the thoiii;ht, When the t'orin it most loved has Ix^eii laid out of si<2;ht, That the vows made in youth it has ui'ver ibriiot, l>ut has done what it could to make life's pathway hrii^ht. / THANK TIThl'J, KIND SAVIOUR, FOR TEA US. VXT^Hl^N my licurl is ()'(!rl)iir.i( right and duty, Though it may not be your choice. And in <'a[ate. Mine lias brouo'lit the ancient niradow, Where we often used to !i;o In winter with onr little sleds To slide uju^n the snow. It has brought the little playhouse That we built upon the rock, With its carpets and its beds of moss, And its roof, the hoary oak. There we spent the hours of summer, When we were young and fair ; J5ut for our future years we built Bright castles in the air. On the rock upon the hillside Our playhouse still doth stand, But the castles that we built for age Were oulv built on sand, TO MV OLD PLAYMATE. 55 And the waves o{' time eame swititly, And ivom off the sandy shore They washed youth's bright airy eastles From our view forever morv. We have learned that life is real And of sterner stuff is nitide Than our youthful visions pictured From the future's brilliant shade. Tliou hast li^ivcn to another friend Tiiy hand, thy love, thy life ; Thou hast tried life's stern realities, — Thou hast become a wife. And I would not have thee falter In thy love for that true one Who has linked his fate for life's short day With that which is thine own. 56 TO MY OIA) I'LAY.MATK. i have bowed at that same altar, And have vowed to ever love ( )iie dearer than all other friends Except the Friend above. And may that Friend in Heaven Send misery, want, and sliame, ii" I ])r()ve inconstant to my vow Or e'er disgrace his name. But why should ties be seveied That were formed in childhood's breast, Though thy home is in an eastern lantl. Mine in the prairied west. liCt the silver cord that bound us In those ha])py days of yore Grow stronger with the growing years, And bind us evermore. TO MY Ol.D PLAYMATK. Yes, evermore remember me As thy firm and faithful friend, And M'hile apart let our tongues be The evor-faitliful pen. THE STREAM OF TIME. ^A 7 E are gliding down the stream of Time, Like ships upon the sea; We're striving for that blissl'ul elime In the bk'St eternity. We're sometimes tossed by adverse seas Which drive us from the way That h'ads to life and perfect peace And everlasting day. liut if our eaptain is the Lord We need not fear its power ; He ealms it at a single word And quells its awful roar. THE STREAM OP TIME. 59 Then let us choose Him for our guide Down the rough stream of Time, That our frail barks may smoothly glide To Heaven's celestial clime. BEAUTY OF THE MORNING. "TIT HEN the shades of night are ilying From the dazzling orb of day, And the lark its wing is hieing Upward on its heavenly way, Then I rise with joy and gladness From my couch of sweet repose, And I banish grief and sadness With life's many cares and woes. I look around with admiration • On the meadow, hill, and wood, And see the beauties of creation Made by Him so wise and good ; r.EAUTY OF THE MORNING. 61 Ami then I think how thankful ever 1 should strive to live and be To the great and bounteous (xiver ^Vho has been so kind to nie. EVENING. ^piIE harvest moon is shining- bright O'er nature's sweet repose ; No cloud obscures the mellow ligrht That gilds the summer nxse. But hushed aud still all nature seems; Each ])assion sinks to rest From daylight's toils and various schemes That agitate the breast. THE SOUL. ''pHE mountain tall must waste away The forest oak must bend ; The flower is subject to decay Who marks it for its friend. The man of high ancestral birth, The man of pride and lust, Must yield his body to the earth : Dust must return to dust. But the soul. Immortal, in its prime Shall never, never die, But live throughout the boundless time Of all eternitv. DEDICATED TO MY FEJESD OA TDE DEATH OF HER CHILD. QUE hath luissod away from all earthly mad- ness, From sin and sutferinii-, from jiain and woe, To that blissful region where joy and tiladness Like mighty rivers forever flow-. Her spirit has gone where the soul's elysian Never crumbles with sickness or sad decay ; From terrestrial woes to the joys of Heaven Her tender spirit hath passed away. TO MY FRIEND. 65 She has passed away, and your hearts are lonely ; You'll miss her voice in the quiet eve ; The morn will come, but its coming only Brings dreary memories to make you grieve. The noonday sun, with its beauteous beaming Will gild our earth with a radiance bright, But your hearts are sad, and its splendor gleam- ing Cannot enter in with its cheerful light. She has passed away, and the dews of autumn To-night are falling around her bed ; She has heard the voice of her Saviour calling. She has joined with the blessed, the early dead. Grieve not for the loved so early taken By the frosts of death to her final home ; For years will pass like a fleeting phantom. And you may join in the world to come. 9 66 TO MY FKIKKD. She hath passed away with the mild September, Like a tender flower beginning to bloom. But breath not a .sigh : lone mother, remember Her spirit hatli })assed beyond the tomb To that happy land, to that blessed Saviour Who called his lamb to the other shore; And when you lament your absent daughter, Remember the skies have one aup-el more. TO THE FLOWERS. r OVEIjY flowers of sunny summer, Can it be that ye have gone Like a transient, fleeting shadow. From the hillside and the lawn ? Can it be that ye have vanished Like a vision of the mind, Like a passing gale of autumn, Like a cloud before the wind ? In vain I seek you in the valleys. In vain I search the leafless grove, In vain I wander o'er the prairies ; I cannot find the flowers I love. 68 TO THE FLOWERS. Ye missing treasures of the summer That bloomed to beautify the earth, Why have you left the breeze that loved you, The dust that gave your soft germs birth ? In vain I call you, gentle flowers ; Ye fear old tyrant winter's reign ; But when he leaves the lawn and hillside Will you not lift your heads again ? Adieu, fair flowers! The hope that lingers To cheer my heart since you have fled Proclaims in loud and thrilling accents That spring will resurrect the dead. HOPE. TUT OPE silently stole to the bed of disease, And the sufferer's frown changed to calmness and peace. She went to the dwelling of sorrow and sadness, And soon from that dwelling came sweet songs of gladness. She led the young tyro up the steep path of fame, And would not desert him in sickness or pain. But stayed by his couch till life's last link was riven, And when he left earth she went with him to Heaven. THE CHURCHYARD. TDAUSE by yon churchyard, thoughtless youth ! Pass not thus careless by. Here is the place, says solemn truth, Where all must shortly lie. Pause and reflect, gray, sober age ! The tide of time ebbs fast ; ^Twill wash thee from life's busy stage, And launch thee here at last. TO THE EVENING STAR. "DALE evening star, with gentle spark, O come and bid our labors fly ; Guide home the wanderer through the dark When evening closes daylight's eye. Conduct my thoughts, sweet star, above The many cares of human life, Where angels light each face with love, And ever banish mortal strife. And while we're journeying to the tomb In this thick wilderness of tears. Amidst the world's perplexing gloom, O light our darkened clouds and fears. 72 TO THE EVENING STAR. Guide us, sweet star, while liere we stay, In paths of righteousness and love ; And when our spirits leave their clay. Pale evening star, light theui above. THOUGHTS BY THE OCEAN. ''PHERE'S beauty in thy curling stream That charras like fancy's morning dream ; It lulls the senses, charms the ear, And stills the nerve from torturing fear. -There's sadness in thy solemn tone That echoes to the widow's moan Of sorrow for the lost and brave Who have found in thee a watery grave. There's terror in thy threatening wave That quells the heart, though stout and brave; When tempests beat against thy breast Thou art in awful terror dressed. 10 \ 74 THOUOHTS BY THE OCEAN, There's nmsi;' in thy murmuring roar When storms have left thy shelly shore ; It comes from where thy sea nymphs dwell, Like music from some coral shell. / WATCH FOB THEE. ''^["^IS evening, and the shades of night Are stealing- o'er the lea ; The fire upon the hearth glows bright: I wait and watch for thee. The sun's last ray shines dimly on The distant forest tree, Tlie canary now has hushed his song: I list and watch for thee. I hear thy footsteps on the street, My heart throbs joyfully ; I watch no more but bound to meet The smile thou hast for me. 7€ I WATCH FOR THEE. I knew when daylight's task was done, And thon from labor free, That thou wouldst quickly hasten home To her \vho watched for thee. MORNING MEDITATIONS. A WAKE, my soul, to labor, for the day is dawning ; The silent wheels of time are rolling fast, And soon will bring the shadows of the evening, When the time to labor will be over past. And shall the evening find my task neglected. The deeds of love I might have done un- wrought. And naught but idleness to my mind reflected. For deep investigation, bitter thought ? /8 MORNING MEDITATIONS. Ah, no ; I would not live a life so aimless That none would ever miss me when I'm gone, I would not leave this busy stage of action With life's great purposes undone. But I so faithfully would do my every duty, Performing all the work to me assigned. That all would say, when my life work Avas finished. She did the best she could to bless mankind. And when I cross death's cold and chilling river, O may I rest, when life's hard race is run. At home in Heaven, where I can hear my Saviour Saying, my child, well done, well done. TO MY INFANT SON._ A S I hold thy chubby hand in mine And gaze upon thy face, >S() hmocejit, 8o pure, where time Hath left no furrowed trace, I press thee fondly to my heart And breathe the earnest prayer That sin, with its vile, pois(>nous dart, May leave no traces there. 80 TO MY INFANT SON. Thou canst not know, my little one,- Joy of my heart and life, — My feelings when I think thou soon Must join earth's scenes of strife And battle with its many cares, Its thousand foes to meet, And be exposed to all the snares That are laid for little feet. When I see thy face beam with that smile I scarce can think that thou Can e'er be led in paths of guile. Or be less pure than now. And yet I know thou art not divine, Thou art mortal, prone to stray, And, like the rest of human kind, To miss truth's narrow way. TO MY INFANT SON. - But O may He whose mighty power Contracts the raghig seas I.ead thee, dear boy, forever more In paths of right and peace. ( ) Saviour, guide those little feet In the way thyself hath trod Until they walk the golden street In the Paradise of God. 81 11 WE WHICH HAVE BELIEVED DO ENTER INTO REST. ^VTYi talk of our rest in the sky, Of the joys of that region so fair, And ofttinies grow weary and sigli For the rest that awaiteth us there. We speak of the river of life, That makes glad the whole city of God, We rejoice that the world's busy strife Never enters that quiet abode. But how often, I fear, we o'erlook The sweet Heaven we may have in our breast, For the Saviour has said in his book. That they who believe do have rest. WE WHICH HAVE BELIEVED, ETC. 80 Thit th ' stron; iron shitckles of sin Xo l<)ni;or shall fi ttcr the soul, That those U'lholy pa^^s'ons within No longer the heart .-hall eontrol. For the Saviour has made it his home, He bids its wild conflicts all cease ; Its affections no longer shall roam, But, centered on him, shall have jieace. I would not have us love Heaven less, But I would that the whole world might know That God's kingdom may be in our breast, And that Heaven may begin here below. For I ever shall praise our dear Lord, As long as life thr(jbs in my breast, That he ever has said in his word That they who believe do have rest INVOCATION. / ^OME, muse, 'tis midnight's quiet hour The mists of night are thick and deep, And Morpheus, with her awful power, Has wrapt a drowsy world in sleep. O bring me visions bright and fair, — Visions of peace, of joy, and rest, — To drive away the anxious care That agitates my throbbing breast. INVOCATION. 85 Come, muse, and to this troubled heart That sinks beneath its weight of woes Bring thoughts that bid all gloom depart, And hushes into sweet repose. Dispel the (douds that overcast My tired mind, and bring, oh ! bring- Some bright remembrance of the past To lift my spirit's drooping wing. Oh ! help me, in the time to come, Bravely to meet earth's pain and strife, To look midst scenes of deepest gloom Upon the sunny side of life. TO THE LOVED AT HOME. T^ATHER, mother, sister, bi^(ithcr, Far from you to- night I roam In a distant land of strangers, Far from childhood's early home. Far from scenes beloved in childhood, Far from kindred tics of love, Far from sunny haunts of pleasure, Where in youth I loved to rove. Autumn winds to-night are blowing, (From Pacific's shore they come), Wafting breezes of aifection To the ones I loved at home. no THE LOVED AT FIOME.* 87 O iiiny lieavo:i'8 gentlest breezes Wait you peace upon their wings, And aff.'ction's bright dew moisten Flowery seenes where memory clings. Flowery scc>nes which fliithful memory Brings me from my native hind, An.l she help^ me cull the treasures With her slender, magic hand. Hasten, breezes ! bear the message That mv heart sends forth to-night To the fondly cherished loved ones, When dull Morpheus takes her flight. Tell them, though I oft have wandered In forbidden paths and wild, God has ever dealt in mercy With their absent, erring child. ?<^ LINES WRITTEN UNDER 31 Y PICTURE. nV/TY soul, let not earth's scenes entwine Around thee with their transient joys ; Its glittering treasures all combine To draw thee from thy native skies. But O, my soul, forever pray That all the powers God has given May be engrossed each passing day In laying treasures up in Heaven. THE END.