ml i t LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 4 J UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, j LYRIC POEMS, SONNETS AND MISCELLANIES BY GEORGE LUNT, BOSTON: TICKNOR, REED, AND FIELDS M DCCC LIV. "PS ^5 THURSTON, TORRT, AND EMERSON, PRINTERS. CONTENTS Sonnet ..... 1 The Poet ..... 2 The Nightingale 5 The Mayflower .... 8 Bunker Hill, June 17 . 11 The American Ensign 13 Our Country .... . 15 Requiem for President Taylor 17 Bunker Hill, June 17, 1840 . 19 The Emperor's Funeral 22 The Friends ... . . 28 The Wind ..... 31 The Poor Man .... . 34 Caligula ..... 37 Harvest Ode .... . 41 Ode sung at Cambridge 44 Harvest Ode .... . 46 Harvest Song ..... 49 Lines written in a Common-Place Book . 52 Jenny Lind ..... 55 Bacchus and the Frogs . . 58 She's Fair and False 60 ix contents. I Met Thee .... . 61 Yon Lovely Star .... 62 Stanzas . 63 Song 64 Song . 66 Song . . 68 Song • . 70 Love . 72 Ah, Foolish Heart . 74 Epithalamium .... 76 Sonnet . 79 Sonnet 80 Sonnet . 81 Sonnet 82 Epicedium . . . . . 83 Sonnet 89 Sonnet. A Statesman . 90 Sonnet. Philosophy 91 Sonnet. Christianity . 92 Sonnet. 1 Cor. xx. . . 93 Sonnet. Matt. xxi. 5 . 94 Dedication Hymn 95 Hymn for Re-dedication . . 97 Hymn . 99 The Future . . . 101 Memory and Hope . . . . 107 POEMS. SONNET. Born, not of fickle fancy in the brain, Nor nursed by wild caprice's morbid flame, But with a nobler hope and loftier aim, I speed my venture to the open main ; There let it bide what fortune wills ; to gain Some shining leaf of honor's wreath sublime, Or, shipwrecked on the shallow banks of time, Unhonored sink, — but oh, without a stain. Truth, Love, the patriot's hope, its manly themes, Old voices of the minstrel's noblest art, Who, to the beating of the world's great heart, Chanted, in lofty rhyme, his generous dreams. The world grows old, they say, — but oh, once more Come Faith and burning thought and high emprise of yore. 1 THE POET. The poet sits by his own fire-side, Alone and afar from the worldly din, And choicest guests at his bidding glide To smile on his gentle welcome in ; Heart-friends they are, and with them oft He holds some converse sweet and new, And they reply with accent soft ' To all his questions kind and true. First enters in a palmer-wight, Much scoffed at on the king's highway, And marked with stains of many a slight The outside of his amice gray. Though deeply versed in varied lore, Of all true riches holds the key, Yet few will own a friend so poor As homely, wise Humility. THE POET. The next, one common blush would rise On good society's whole face, If she, whose only drapery is Her own sweet charms, should there take place What, all unveiled! 'twere shame to brook,— Shocking to Age and ill for Youth ! Yet he invites and dares to look The blushless bard on naked Truth ! Modest as Nubia's unclad daughters, Though close beside her, like a shade, A fiery gallant, ripe for slaughters, But best in weeds of peace arrayed ; He, Freedom, lord of crag-built places, And sands, where dusky wanderers roam, On breezy hills the wild-deer chases, But makes the poet's heart his home. And one, more gay than summer fairy, That trips o'er meads, in moonlit dances, A shape, whose infinite vagary, Round heaven and earth each moment glances ; THE POET. And wet with dew from Nature's bowers, Her flowing locks like star-beams glisten, Her robe of azure, — freaked with flowers, — What bard to Fancy would not listen ? From friends like these forever learning, The poet's heart is like a river, Whose generous current, unreturning, Flows onward to life's sea forever ; With golden music, sweet and earnest, It mingles with that sullen ocean, And gives its softest voice or sternest, To ease the world's pent-up emotion. Love owes him thus his soft revealings, And Griefs mute heart by woe were riven, But he finds words to melt her feelings, And wafts the soul of Hope to heaven. And still when Freedom slept or languished, His cheering strains have broke the fetter, Yet he, too oft, pines lone and anguished, While all the world's his thankless debtor. THE NIGHTINGALE. Oft have I read in many a foreign tale, Oh nightingale ! From thy love-laden heart how song's full soul Warbled would roll ; While, through the livelong night, from thy clear throat. The ravishing note, With such entrancing melody would gush, That winds grew hush, As every funeral fall and conquering rise Challenged the skies. Thus often, where the fragrant summer roves Thessalian groves, And wind-swept isles of beauty nightly sigh Sweet elegy ; And lovers' vows grew rapturous, as they heard, Listening the bird ; THE NIGHTINGALE. So could the solemn song enchant the sense To joy intense ; And Grief's sad heart, by that ^Eolian strain, Rapt of its pain, Forgot the memory of its midnight tears And wasting years. There, under bowers and wreathed canopies Of moonlit trees, And starry constellations gleaming through The twilight dew, The poet's heart in that delicious stream Bathed every dream, And thence some hue of heaven his fancy stole, With music's soul ; And the deep measure, loaded with such freight, Floated elate ; Far o'er the worldly way and common haunt Swelled the clear chant, Like the first bird that, ere the day is born, Mounts to the morn, Leaves night below, and catches, as she springs, Heaven on her wings. THE NIGHTINGALE. Oh for a vintage draught, full-fraught like this, To meet my kiss, Filled to the blushing brim with dreams of old And bubbling gold ! Some breath of voice divine, or chorded shell, Of golden spell, That to the longing soul responds and clings, And gives it wings ; Or such deep minstrelsies, oh nightingale, As thy lorn wail ; That fill the minstrel-heart, till raptures make The heart-strings break, Breathing life out in the long melody Of one sweet sigh. THE MAYFLOWER. Sweet as the honored name Their storm-tossed shallop bore, The memory of our fathers' fame, And green forevermore. Peace to their hallowed graves, That consecrate the ground, Where first a refuge from the waves Their pilgrim footsteps found. What mortal sighs and tears Swelled on that wintry sod ! How cast they all their cares and fears And every hope on God ! And wild as winds, that sweep Along the savage shore, Rose thoughts of homes beyond the deep, Their pleasant homes no more. THE MAYFLOWER. But grander visions greet Their prophet-lighted eyes, — They trod the world beneath their feet, And marched to join the skies. Triumphant over earth, Faith, that their spirits fed, Beamed, like a gem of priceless worth, On each uplifted head. No naming sign they sought To light their venturous road, They owned the unseen Hand that wrought, And in His strength abode. But to their souls' desire, — Though dark to mortal view, — The daily cloud and nightly fire Shone, clear as Jacob knew. Vain doubt, and fear, and care, The desert and the flood, — They knew the God they served was there, And in His name they stood. 10 THE MAYFLOWER. Thoughts, more than human great. Came to their spirits' call ; And thus they built the stable State, In Him, their hope, their all. And far as rolls the swell Of Time's returnless sea, Where empires rise and nations dwell, Their Pilgrim fame shall be ! BUNKER HILL, JUNE 17. Hill, on whose green, eternal crest, The lifted granite stands sublime, Memorial of their honored rest, The heroes of an elder time ; Our rustic sires, — who from the plough Came thronging to thy mossy brow, And met the foeman's sheeted flame, In arms for Freedom's holy name ! What though no more the breeze of June Bears freighted, on its summer breath, The whistling bullet's fiery tune, — The war-voice, with its note of death, — Yet be, to-day, thy myriad cheers Like echoes of thy prouder years, And through a nation stirring roll The spirit of thine ancient soul ! 12 BUNKER HILL, JUNE 17. And oh, 'mid thoughts of selfish fame, If freemen's hearts no more are bold, And, sinking to his country's shame, The patriot's fire burns low and cold, — What thought like thine, — a world's renown. To bid him snatch a generous crown, And wake to life the freeman's will 'Mid the old fires of Bunker-hill ! THE AMERICAN ENSIGN. One mom, when orient beams were bright, Just rising on the wakened world, I saw our flag of glorious light Its roll of beauty wave unfurled. High blazed in air the flaming fold And starry azure to the breeze, Triumphant as o'er fields of old And victor on the conquered seas. Refulgent thus in morning's ray, Methought that standard still should sweep. Pour on old lands a new-born day, And freight with freedom all the deep. But soon, descending on the morn, Some lurid cloud embattled flew, Rent the wild skies, by thunders torn, And all its gathered deluge threw ; 14 THE AMERICAN ENSIGN. Still, as in battle's fiery front, I saw my country's flag unrolled Meet the dread storm's impetuous brunt. And fling the tempest from its fold. And thus, methought, though factions rage, That glorious standard still shall wave, Hope of the world, through age on age, And only sink in Freedom's grave ! OUR COUNTRY.* ' Our country ! right or wrong,' — What manly heart can doubt That thus should swell the patriot song, Thus ring the patriot shout ? Be but the foe arrayed, And war's wild trumpet blown, — Cold were his heart, who has not made His country's cause his own ! Though faction rule the halls, Where nobler thoughts have swayed, One sacred voice forever calls The patriot's heart and blade ; 1 Our country, always to be defended, though our country- men may be often in the wrong. 16 OUR COUNTRY. He, at his country'* s name, Feels every pulse beat high, Wreathes round her glory all his fame And loves for her to die ! Where'er her flag unrolled Wooes the saluting breeze, Flings o'er the plain its starry fold, Or floats on stormy seas, — All dearest things are there, All that makes life divine, Home, faith, the brave, the true, the fair, Cling to the flaming sign. Oh, is this thought a dream ? No, — by the gallant dead, Who sleep by hill and plain and stream, Or deep on ocean's bed ! By every sacred name, By every glorious song, By all we know and love of fame, — Our Country, — right or wrong ! REQUIEM FOR PRESIDENT TAYLOR, BOSTON, 1850. Enshrined in glory, as the golden West Receives the sinking day-star to its bed, So sinks the patriot-hero to his rest, And countless blessings crown his honored head. 'Mid hostile armies and exulting strains, He led our eagles through the bristling line, And came, victorious, from his battle-plains, To lay his trophies on his country's shrine. His country's wishes hailed the patriot-chief, And met him glorious with a people's trust, He dies ! And mourning with a people's grief, They weep around their father's sacred dust. 2 18 REQUIEM FOR PRESIDENT TAYLOR. Peace be with him ; no nobler spirit trod The paths of greatness to a hallowed tomb, And o'er the laurel-wreath, that decks his sod, In fresher green eternal olives bloom. And oh, through long-descending years to come, > Immortal honors shall attend his name, His country's annals be his memory's home, And unborn nations love to speak his fame. BUNKER HILL, JUNE 17, 1840, We've been up the brave old hill, brother, Where our fathers went before, And their gallant spirit still was there, Unbroken as of yore ; As fresh and bright the good green sward, And summer's golden flood Swept, as of old, the hallowed ground, That drank our fathers' blood. We've been up the brave old hill, brother, Where many a year ago, Fresh from love's parting kiss they came, To meet the gathering foe ; The sheeted flame was all around, The embattled host beneath, And ringing; on the summer air The trumpet-voice of death. 20 BUNKER HILL. We knew, within those manly breasts, Their hearts beat strong and high, For home and country's dearer name They stood, to save or die ; And, true to every burning hope The undying spirit craves, We marked their path through toil and blood, And blessed our fathers' graves. And myriads thronged the steep to-day, — The bold, — the true, — the fair, — The soft breeze played with youth's bright locks, And age's reverend hair ; There was many a form in manhood's prime, With heart as staunch and tried, As the hearts that slept beneath their feet, On the green hill's pleasant side. From the broad land's utmost verge they came, With a shout like the forest's roar, From the lonely vale in the mountain's breast, And homes by the sea-beat shore ; BUNKER HILL. 21 Iron men from the frozen North, And sons of the ocean-isle, — From the Western wild-wood's primal gloom, And the sweet South's sunny smile. We stood on the brave old hill, brother, In the strength of a holy name, And burning thoughts upon our hearts Broke out in words of flame ; ' Free be the blood-bought field,' we cried, < Free as the broad blue sky ! ' And spirit-voices seemed to say, 1 Still keep it free, or die ! ' THE EMPEROR'S FUNERAL. And rolled in light the silver Seine Through festal banks its flowery way, — Shall not an Empire's choral strain Hail the triumphal day ? He comes, — and drooped on ocean's foam His lilied banner waves unfurled, Comes, from his sea-beat island, home, The victor of a world ; Falls, far away, the chanting surge, Like echoes of a muttered dirge. 'Tis He, who gave the nations law, While subject kings around him bowed, — Nor hushed, as now, in breathless awe, Stood the gay city's crowd ; Not then was heard this minute-swell From sullen throats of iron tone, THE EMPEROR'S FUNERAL. 23 Nor then Notre-Dame's funereal bell Gave voice to such a moan ; Nor rose between, these notes that flow, Like airy waitings, full of woe. He comes, the minion child of Fame, Who made a hundred fields his own, And sprang, on conquest's wings of flame, To his delirious throne ! Oh, if reluctant Fate had given His youthful eye some prophet-view, 'Mid the wild Sections' crashing levin,— Of fatal Waterloo, — Silent, perchance, these spirit tones Of stifled shrieks and muffled groans ! Tis Fie, the Man of Destiny ! Whose cohorts princes proudly led, Where'er he bade his eagles fly, Above the slaughtered dead ; To the same heartless purpose true, That claimed earth's empires for his own, 24 the emperor's funeral. In the bright halls of sweet St. Cloud, On Elba's mimic throne ; What greetings these, whose sound of fear Breaks the dread silence of his bier ! From sands, where marble music sings A song to morning's orient lids, And lines of long-forgotten kings Built nameless pyramids ; From cliffs, where but the Tyrol horn Had roused the freeman's hunter-band, To meads, whose flowery breath is borne Along the Cesar's land, — Come shadowy voices on the gale, Of mountain-shout and sobbing wail. Oh, once he came, on triumph's breath, From soft Italia's myrtle bowers, And once, from fields of icy death, By Moscow's blazing towers ; And once again, from Belgium's plain, That groaned with its uncounted dead, the emperor's fuweral. 25 And left his eagles, with its slain, Trampled and slaughter-red ; Now, Beresina's shrieking waves Hail Waterloo's re-opening graves ! « He comes once more, — the sullen main Restores him from his lonely cell, To sleep, where laves the silver Seine That France he loved so well ; He comes, — and all his stormy life, Whose sun was quenched in clouds and gloom, No triumph bought, through fiery strife, Like that which gilds his tomb ! This mockery of a fickle breath Chanting unmeaning hymns to Death ! Yet where his pageant's ancient soul ? Sons of St. Louis ! wherefore here ? Far other tones of woe should roll Above 'the Emperor's' bier! Oh where Massena, Lannes, Dessaix, Through battle's cloud each flaming star ? 26 the emperor's funeral. He, braver than the bravest, Ney, — Thy snow-white plume, Murat ? I see, I see, on either hand They come, they weep, a shadowy band ! > Ah yes, Notre-Dame ! thy pomp were dull And strange, if such were wanting there. Thy peopled courts are not so full As is the peopled air ! From sands and crags and rolling streams, From gory plains and seas of storms, Hise, like the thronging shapes of dreams, Their gashed and grisly forms ! And He ! 'tis He, whose icy eye Glares on the painted pageantry ! Oh, could he call one moment back The flush of his adventurous youth, — Snatch, from the stain of glory's track, His heart's first idol, Truth ! Clasp closer still the Passion-flower He spurned from his unmanly breast, — THE EMPEROR'S FUNERAL. 27 Away, false dreams of fruitless power ! And earth bad been at rest ; — Nor hollow lies, nor pomp's cold tear, Nor man, nor fiend had mocked his bier ! THE FRIENDS. My neighbor John died yesternight, His happy spirit took its flight, With every omen good and bright Its transit hailing ; No summer leaf more softly shed, No murmur o'er a flowery bed More gently breathed, than when he fled, And left us wailing. As boys, we oft together played, Where flowers were brightest, there we strayed, Or stretched beneath the elm-tree shade At noonday lying ; The life behind us was a dream, Before, a stern and ruffled stream, — Our souls in fancy there would seem With struggles plying. THE FRIENDS. 29 And I, indeed, a stormy life, With more than youth could fancy rife, In toil and sorrow, fear and strife, Have aye been ranging ; But neighbor John, no floweret wild For danger's steep, but soft and mild, Forever has remained a child, In heart unchanging. Too good to feel life's fiercer pant, No wild desires such heart could haunt, Nor thwarted hope his purpose daunt, A simple liver; But just enough, his constant prayer, For his and for his neighbor's share, — The poor man felt his cheerful care, And blest the giver. His life, a calm and quiet sway, Old age's welcome urged his stay, And childhood gladly left its play For his caressing ; 30 THE FRIENDS. Where'er he took his fireside place, A smile illumined every face, And thus he ran his daily race, A daily blessing. He saw the world, a phantom-show, In mad pursuit of nothings go, Shifting and changing, high and low, A hurly-burly ; And sought betimes that better part, To raise his mind and school his heart, Heaven's way to win his only art, He foun(J it early. And I, that o'er the dreary main, My childhood's home have sought in vain 5 My ancient friend's old grasp again I welcomed gladly ; But gone so soon, alone I trace, And vacant, each familiar place, I mark, alas, each stranger face, And miss him sadly. THE WIND; The Wind has voices, that defy The spirit's utmost scrutiny ; We shudder at its sobbing wail, And shrink, when howls the rolling gale, And even its softest breath is heard, Like some half-muttered saddening word ; Of all its tones, there is no voice That bids the thrilling heart rejoice. The sailor, on the silent seas, May long to hail the freshening breeze ; The blast, that hurls the spattered foam, Will waft him to his distant home ; Yet while the. loosening sail he flings, That gives his floating bird its wings, His manly breast will often feel Some strange, dread fancy o'er it steal. -32 THE WIND. When crouched beside the wintry blaze, And midnight sings its wonted lays, The music of the mingling tune, Now rising high and falling soon, — The wailing and complaining tone Might be a laugh, though more a moan, — But wild, or sad, or high, or low, It ever takes a note of woe. I've seen it stir the nested rills Amid the topmost Crystal Hills, Have watched it drive the clashing clouds, And shriek along the shaken shrouds, — Dread ! strange ! the same, in every hour, •Resistless, formless, unseen power ! A voice, that gives us no reply, A sound that shakes, we know not why. I never hear it on the shore, Concerted with the watery roar, Or sweeping, where the sullen breeze, Glides, like a spirit, through the trees, THE WIND. 30 Nor listen to its mustering wail, When wintry tempests swell the gale, But haunting fancies, dark and wild, Brood like the dreams, that daunt a child. Yet not the less, my battling soul Springs, like a racer, to its goal ; Can wring a joy, that else were pain, When singing blasts cry o'er the main, Hear music, in the mournful tune, That softens on the gales of June, And gather, from the fire-side tone, A sad, sweet language, all its own. THE POOR MAN. "PLATE sin with gold," etc. The world without is cold, dearest, Nor heeds what we endure, The hearts that dance in lighted halls Care little for the poor ; Some transient thought, some passing sigh, Their well-bred pity knows, But tears, that dim the sparkling eye, Are shed for unfelt woes. The proud one wraps his fur, dearest, Around his muffled form, And scarce the poor man's scanty garb Can shield him from the storm ; They meet upon God's common earth, Beneath the same blue sky, As ice to ice in Polar seas, Each brother's kindred eye. THE POOR MAN. 35 By Cairo's lordly towers, dearest, Or on the desert waste, The Arab spreads his food and asks The passer-by to taste ; But what are spires that point to heaven, And every formal prayer, If hearts are dead to human love, Nor own a brother's care ? Oh, many a chariot rolls, dearest, Along the rattling stones, Whose wheels with every echo tell Some wretched creature's groans ; The poor man must be honest, Who loses or who wins, — No gilded veil, to cheat the crowd, Conceals the poor man's sins. But erivy haunts me not, dearest, To tread the halls of pride, The poor man's heart has many a thought Worth all the world beside ; 36 THE POOR MAN. And oft he shares his little all, Or shields the houseless one, While lords of useless thousands sleep, No daily mercy done. We walk in shadows here, dearest, Nor pierce through all the show, But heaven still flings its blue above, And spreads its green below ; And demon forms may scowling stand, For gilded vice to wait, While angel hosts encamp around The beggar in the gate. And though my life is toil, dearest, For thine and baby's fare, There 's One, who hears the ravens cry, To make us still His care ; Of this be sure, he most is poor, Were boundless wealth his own, And unforgiven of earth or heaven, Who lives for self alone. CALIGULA. 1 The Pagan from his gorgeous bed, Of wroughten ivory chased with gold, Bewildered, raised his restless head, When heart and life were growing old ; The cruel dream, that fired his youth, And led the Man, — a faded thing, — And through the wreck the spectre, Truth, Naked by life's exhausted spring. At midnight through his echoing halls The purple mockery well might grope, And hear his footsteps languid falls Announce despair, but never hope ! 1 Incitabatur insomnia maxime ; neque enim plusquam tribus nocturnis horis quiescebat ; ac non his quideru placida quiete, sed pavida miris rerum imaginibus ; ut qui, inter cetera s, Pelagi quandam speciem colloquentem secum videre visus sit. Suetonius, in vit. Calig. 38 CALIGULA. Oh, could he find, what never came, Some boundless Lethe's generous flood, To slake his heart's infuriate flame, And wash his ocean-stain of blood ! And vassal guards, that shrank and cowered, To meet their master's haggard eye, And shook, as if a demon lowered, When 't was the Cesar tottered by ! His golden state, — his circled head, — The pangs, that wrung the stifling groan, - What slave would press his guilty bed, To call the Roman's world his own ? Oblivion ! 'twere the dearest word, That ever blessed prophetic strain ; Be once those cooling waters poured, The Cesar were himself again ! But no ! Dark lord of dreaded power ! Whom long his prophet-heart has warned, Oblivion were too sweet a dower, From angry gods he feared and scorned. CALIGULA. The Thracian, on that marbled floor, In weary slumbers sweet and deep, Roams o'er his wastes, a slave no more, — What dreams disturb an Emperor's sleep ? Resistless sway is all his own, His own the globe's supreme command, And thrills through earth's remotest zone The menace of his lifted hand. Some deep impending woe must shake The heart beneath that purple pall ! Do hosts the Roman slumberers wake, Goth, Vandal, Hun, or grisly Gaul ? No, Rome still sleeps, and all the world Yet pulsates with her mighty heart, — Round Mm alone the shadow furled, The Cesar's own peculiar part ! And there he glides, a livid thing, Pale, glaring, feeble, fearing, feared, — Oh say, what Furies round him cling, This new Orestes, phantom-scared ! 39 40 CALIGULA. "The Sea, — the Sea!' wild, deep and drear Dim, dread, mysterious, undefined, The Image of a formless fear, A waste, void Horror — shakes his mind ! Ah conscience ! though the voiceless doom No Roman seer might dare to tell, The boding of that unknown gloom, The fountain of thy living hell ! 'Twas Blood! thou guilty creature, Blood! The coming of an endless dread, The swell of that relentless flood, The purple Sea thy hands had shed ! HARVEST ODE. In elder days and softer climes, Beneath the reign of Jove, When Oreads peopled every hill, And Dryads filled the grove, Oft as the fields, in ripened charms, The Autumn suns imbrowned, To rustic Pan the simple swains Their votive altars crowned. And old and young alike, before The verdant shrines appear, With blushing flowers and golden fruits, That blessed the closing year ; With wreaths and chaplets girt around, The long procession came, And swelling pipes and vocal joy The harvest-hour proclaim. 42 HARVEST ODE. Yet vainly rose the flowery turf, And vainly pipe and song Led gayly on the moonlit dance, The festal hours alono- • For kindly summer's ripening beam And showers of gentle rain, To false and fabled gods they raised Their hearts and hands in vain. But we with Truth's enlightened eyes Behold the ample store, While every whispered hope has swelled To perfect joy once more ; With nobler homage bless the Power, Whose bounty fills the board, And praise with every grateful song The Universal Lord ! Not theirs, alas, the glorious thoughts, That range above the sky, 1 Come, let us eat and drink,' they said, 1 To-morrow shall we die ; ' HARVEST ODE. 43 For us, in eveiy golden sheaf And glittering flower, is given The symbol of immortal hopes, Beyond the bending Heaven. Then oh, as each returning year With clustering fruits is crowned, And flushed with joy the smiling land In beauty brightens round, With grateful hearts and honors loud, His praises let us own, Whose endless goodness lives for us, Eternal as His throne. ODE, SUNG AT CAMBRIDGE, 1852 1. Beneath these shades, whose hallowed fame All generous thoughts revere ! Within these Halls, of many a name To hope and memory dear ; Be thus, by meeting hearts and hands, One fresher garland twined Round sacred Learning's gathered bands, To mingle mind with mind. 2. The sage's lonely lamp might shine, And in its light expire ; And burning word or thought divine Might perish in their fire ; ode. 45 Bat caught from kindling soul to soul, The flames effulgent spread, And clasp in one immortal whole The living and the dead. 3. These brooding cares that round us rise, And Life, foredoomed to toils, Catch half a grace from social ties, And live in genial smiles ; And still when Wisdom lifts her brow, Encrowned with flowery wreaths, Then gleams her spirit's purest glow, — Her noblest purpose breathes. 4. Within the bosom's secret shrine Immortal visions sleep, Like gems that light the sullen mine, Or pearls that strew the deep ; But touched to life by kindred art, The burning accents roll, — Senate and Forum feel a heart, And nations own a soul ! HARVEST ODE. When erst, by Eden's guarded gate, The parents of our race Reviewed the darkening prospect spread O'er Nature's unknown face ; Though all was lost, that crowned before The Garden's glowing soil, Earth blessed our mother's fostering care, Our father's manly toil. But simple thoughts and frugal wants Their pastoral days revealed, Who drove the plough, by Tubal wrought, Across the primal field ; Content, if seed-time's vernal hope And harvest's jocund soil Repaid our mother's fostering care, Our father's manly toil. HARVEST ODE. 47 The Ages roll, — the nations fade, — Till Earth's primeval plain, Ungrateful, clasps the golden sun, And drinks the silvery rain ; But distant wilds have learned to bloom, Like Nature's virgin soil, That cheered our mother's fostering care, Our father's manly toil. Yes, barren fields, that once but owned Some desert-rover's tread, Glow, blushing with the summer rose, Or bear the bounteous bread ; And there we bless the fruits and flowers, Such as Earth's natal soil First gave our mother's fostering care, Our father's manly toil. For kindling Art, from distant lands, And isles that gem the main, Luxuriant blends their mingling stores, To gladden all the plain ; 48 HARVEST ODE. Till fields grow bright like Eden's bowers, Before the untried soil Had claimed our mother's fostering care, Our father's manly toil. And thus let Art and Labor's train Their glorious course pursue, And blade, and ear, and perfect corn The rolling year renew ; And all the curse a blessing prove, That made Earth's primal soil Require our mother's fostering care, Our father's manly toil. HARVEST SONG. Once more amidst the harvest fields By Autumn's sun imbrowned, With flowers and fruits and golden grain, In rich luxuriance crowned ; Behind our steps the Summer fades, Before our eyes appear The ripened hues, whose deeper glow Bedecks the closing year. Once more we 've seen the genial Earth Fling Winter from her arms, For us unfold her mighty heart, And give us all her charms : And where we met the summer sun Amidst the blaze of June, We gather Nature's treasured stores, Beneath the harvest moon. 4 50 HARVEST SONG. Soon will the forest-leaves lie strown And withered all around, And voices of the coming storm Sweep o'er the naked ground ; The birds, that cheered the living air, On wonted wing will fly Where softer suns the fields renew, To seek another sky. r Yet, while the circling seasons change, And each resumes its reign, Not ours with saddened thought to mark The year's departing train ; When hope that flushed the vernal hour Completed joy becomes, And plenty spreads her ample board In glad and grateful homes. Like men, we met our honest toils, Beneath the glowing morn, Like men, we bore the fervid noon, Amidst the bending corn ; HARVEST SONG. 51 And now our hearts, with thankful songs, Would own the bounteous Power, Whose goodness warmed the ripening sun, And blessed the kindly shower. And still, beneath thy fostering hand, To seek thy gracious care, May we and ours, to endless years, Within thy courts repair ; Thine are our fields and flocks and herds, And all that crowns our days, And still to Thee, Almighty Lord, Eternal be the praise. LINES WRITTEN IN A COMMONPLACE BOOK. Oh, sweet and gentle maiden, At life's enchanting age, I glance along thy gathered stores, Upon the thoughtful page ; Fair records of immortal minds, Whose burning words unfold Our struggling souls' emotions, Which else were all untold. And I ' an old diviner,' As I read the written line, See upon it and beneath it, — Shall I tell what I divine ? Listen then, oh fairest maiden, How from signs I gather truth. How I read the page before me, And construe of thy youth. LINES WRITTEN IN A COMMONPLACE BOOK. 53 Something of a restless spirit, Quickly moved to smiles and tears, But beneath are brooding fancies, All too sad for brightening years ; Thought, beyond thy girlhood's seeming, Heart, like morning's purest dew, And a soul, that seeks communion With the generous, bold, and true. Brimming full life's morning chalice, Yet, within the gilded round, Bubbling up immortal longings For what earth has never found ! Yet, though no cloud has gathered Its shadows on thy heart, Nor mortal sorrow made itself Of all thy life a part ; Though hopes and joys surround thee, And on thy summer hours The smiles of home and friendship fall, Like sunlight shed on flowers : 54 LINES WRITTEN IN A COMMONPLACE BOOK. Yet better thus, believe me, Before the shadows come, This softer, sadder, inward light Around thy spirit's home ; For this, when smiles are fading, And earthly hopes decay, Glows brighter, through the darkest night, And cheers the roughest day ; Spreads through the soul a sober joy, As earthborn pleasure flies, A gleam of kindred heaven, An earnest of the skies ! JENNY LIND. Whence com'st thou, Jenny Lind, Looking thus unkiuYd, unkinn'd With the crowd of common natures, — But away, with higher creatures, Claiming, somewhere, loftier birth, 'Twixt the heaven and the earth ? Spirit, — soul , — voice, — breath, — oh say Art thou made of common clay ? Soul, of Music's holiest tone, Voice, from realms to earth unknown, Spirit, gushing through all bound, Breath, that faints in mellow sound, — By what mortal nomenclature Shall we call thee, glorious creature ! Like far-off notes, scarce heard, Of midnight's sad sweet bird ; 56 JENNY LIND. Like sighs, that fall on flowers, In summer's moonlight bowers ; Like the wild-enchantment, born Of the echo- wafting horn ; Like the lark's song, as she springs, On her day-saluting wings; — Sweet, oh sweet these melodies, Fit to link us with the skies ; But which, like thine, can give Soul-thoughts to souls that live ? Till each feels, within his breast, 'T is the tone he loves the best ; Like a joy, that would be sad, Like a pain, oh, almost glad, So, through the breast and brain, Thrills the heart-o'erladen strain, And the vanquished soul hath known Triumph, — rapture, — in a tone ; And the spirit, all subdued By the chan tress to her mood, Wakes at length, with wild surprise, From a vision of the skies : JENNY LIND. 57 And the soul comes lingering back From some long- forgotten track ; And plaudits long and loud Burst from out the busy crowd ; And the common beam, once more, Flits along the chequered floor ; — But that pale, pale face, so bright, And those eyes' unearthly light, And the deep, enchanting tone, All have been, — and all are gone ! Then sing, sweet Jenny Lind ! Like the w r ooing evening wind, When it meets the chorded strings, And the changeful music rings ; Oh, be still, as now thou art, Sovereign mistress of the heart; To this world of sin and pain Thou wert never sent in vain, — And thy mission, pure and high, Is on record in the sky ! BACCHUS AND THE FROGS. FROM ARISTOPHANES. " BQty.sxexs^, y.l>ai, xua'i-\ Chorus of Frogs. Croak — croak — croak ! Bacchus. Well, well, — you may choke, — I care not at all How loudly you bawl, This croaking, d' ye see, It's nothing to me. Leader of Frogs. We care not a jot, If you like or not, But as long as our throats Can compass the notes, We '11 sing, if we choke, With our — Chorus. Croak — croak — croak ! BACCHUS AND THE FROGS. 59 Bacchus. Base son of the pool ! Do you think I 'm a fool To be overcome thus ? — Leader of Frogs. And shall you conquer us ? No, no, let us try, — I'll sing till I die. Bacchus. Well, well, my good fellow, I'll yell and I'll bellow, 'T is a shame and a sin To give way to this din, — So come on, hearts of oak,- Chorus. Croak — croak — croak — Croak — Croak — Croak ! SHE'S FAIR AND FALSE. She's fair and false ! that such a heart, Should sully dwelling so divine ! Heaven's temple all the outward part, But shame denies the inner shrine. Methought, bewildered by the grace, That flowed on every tone and look, My foolish heart might dare to trace The fountain of so sweet a brook. Of some clear lake he loves to think, Who tracks the river's pleasant course, And sighs at length to see it sink In weeds and caverns, at its source. Thus I, beguiled by many a dream, That led through scenes of dazzling bloom, Heart-sick beheld my fairy stream Fade icy-cold in depths and gloom. I MET THEE. I met thee when thy youthful charms Were like the floweret's sweetest bell, That secret hangs, remote from harms, In nature's most secluded dell ; Unconscious of life's noon-day glare, Thine early hours had glided on, In sweetness with its gentler air, In brightness with its morning sun. Scarce like a thing of mortal mould I saw the lovely image rise, So clear the spirit through its fold, So kindred to its native skies. Its graceful stem, earth's ruder blast Might seem to break, that o'er it swept, Yet anguish could not paint the past Like hope the future, while I wept. YON LOVELY STAR. Yon lovely star, that greets our eyes, Oft as prevails descending night, And lives divinely in the skies, Forever pure, forever bright ; Though clouds may often veil its face, Or midnight tempests roll between, They pass, and leave no single trace On all its perfect beauty seen. And thus, though clouds, with drooping wing, May sometimes hover o'er thy way, And human care and sorrow fling Life's passing sadness on the day ; Still, as these transient shadows roll, May all thy spirit's lustre rise, Undimmed the pathway of thy soul, Bright and eternal in the skies. STANZAS. Oh lady, take these wilding flowers, Earliest of Spring's reviving birth, And emblems, in her freshening bowers, Of all that 's bright and best of earth. In hue so sweet, so pure, so fair, These symbols of divinest things, Like maidens, court the summer air, And shrink from Winter's icy wings. But born from day's irradiant beam, They caught these hues, so softly bright, Live in the blaze, and only seem More glorious for the dazzling light. Far different law must she obey, Their sister flower, the lovely maid, And, shrinking from the glare away, Owe all her beauties to the shade. SONG. Oh, 'tis merry and free, by the wild, wild sea, Where the tumbling breakers dash and howl, But we, who are boys of the greenwood tree, Love the tossing bough and the forest-growl. And over the prairie, away, away, What wave so swift as our forest-steeds ! We sling our rifles, ere peep of day, And ho ! for the glades, where the wild-deer feeds. At the wintry morn, when with circling flow The dancing blood to the keen air springs, We're on and away, o'er the tinkling snow, That under our tread with a music rings ; And the silvery sparkles flash and fly From the iron hoofs, that are fleet and strong, And the gray quail starts, with her whistling cry, And the partridge whirrs, as we dash along. SONG 65 And over our saddles, while day is bright, We fling the dun-deer and the prairie bird, And hey, for the eyes, that will dance in light, When the homeward tramp of our steeds is heard ! Oh, this is the life of the woodsman free, In his hut by the clearing, wild and rude, Though 'tis merry and free, by the glad, glad sea, Yet ours be the joy of the green wild wood ! SONG. Oh, 'tis said, far away, o'er the blue-rolling wave, There are islands of verdure, unchanging and bright, Where the wind has a voice, like a shell's from its cave, That can lull the whole soul in a dream of delight. There the murmur of ocean, that falls on the shore, Faints in distance away with a music-like tone, And the sweet-singing bird tunes his love-laden lore, Under bowers whose bright roses forever are blown. And the glory of summer, so freshly and green, Flings its loveliness over them all the year long, And the days melt away, like a fairy-built scene, 'Mid the rapture of beauty and fragrance and song. SONG. 67 Oh, there could we fly, till the world and its schemes, Like some cloud-gathered pageant, grew distant and dim, There the light of our life should be paradise-dreams, And its music all nature's perpetual hymn ! Let the delver for gold, with his wearisome care, Grope for heart-chilling treasures, that freeze as we clasp, And the minion of fame for that phantom of air, Chase the fanciful bubbles, that break in the grasp ; But dearer than all, of which poets have told, Were our life and our love in those magical isles, Where the heart's daily sunshine could never grow cold, And our hopes and our joys fed forever on smiles. SONG. Yes, they say that the beautiful flowers Are types, in their sweet degree, Of the dear ones we love so fondly, But where can be type of thee, dearest, Oh, where can be type of thee ? And the echo of far-away music, Over waters still and lone, Is like woman's dear voice when sweetest, But thine has its own sweet tone, dearest, But thine has its own sweet tone. If, like stars in the blue that's above us, There be gentle eyes that glow, Yet there 's none to compare in heaven With one love-lit beam below, dearest, With one love-lit beam below. SONG. 69 And though beauty and softness and brightness Are all of them things divine, Yet music and flowers and starlight Have none of them charms like thine, dearest, Have none of them charms like thine. Oh, the heart, oh, the heart's the enchanter, And bright all its dream shall be, Since thou art my own and my darling, And I am thine all to thee, dearest, And I am thine all to thee. SONG. Darling eyes, where smiles are waking, Through the mist of dewy tears,. Like the morning grayly breaking, Ere the golden day appears ; Half-way sad, like shaded moonlight, Through the covert's chequered leaves, Half-way sweet, as stars that midnight On the broidered azure weaves. Darling eyes, forever changing With some feeling dear and new, Every soft emotion ranging, But the soul still gushing through ; Now with falcon glances gleaming, Underneath the lifted lid, Now with love's enchantments beaming, Half behind their fringes hid. SONG. 71 Darling eyes, where ever hovering, In the sunshine or the shower, Looks the spirit through its covering, As beneath a gem a flower ; Oh, for every sweet confession, Each a world's delights above, All we know is one expression, And the word we say is, Love. LOVE. Men tell us love is only vain, A fleeting shade, an empty cheat, Though down from Eden's bowers, 'tis plain, The world has chased that fond deceit. Some nobler hope, these graybeards name, As worthiest of the manly heart, The ruddy gold, — the sounded fame, — The glow of thought, and wreath of Art. Methinks, the sage may con his theme, Till nature's flickering flame expire, — Life were, indeed, a worthless dream, If only these could wake its fire ! love. 73 But Love, still sovereign as of old, Makes them his slaves obedient move, And Fame and Art and sullen Gold, And conquering Genius bend to Love. AH, FOOLISH HEART. Ah, foolish heart, through all whose pulses rushes This tumult of emotions, wild and deep, Ah, what hast thou to do with sighs and blushes, Love's fatal hopes and fears, that fain would sleep ! Were it not better, through life's sullen journey, Safe from deluding snares to walk unmoved, And mingling, manful, in the knightly tourney, Ask never for thy guerdon, — to be loved ! Toss, if thou wilt, upon the battling ocean, — 'Mid the rude cannonade look calmly on, — Nor fear their power, to stir in wild commotion One half the thoughts this traitor Love has done. AH, FOOLISH HEART. 75 Yet who can steel his heart ? oh sweet deceiver ! That cheats the surest him who guards it most, Lulls into dreams secure the fond believer, Nor wakes the spirit's doubt, till all is lost. Yet, yet, false heart, farewell, farewell forever ! It were but death thus, thus to live and ache, And though the struggle every life-string sever, I trample on my heart, and bid it break. EPITHALAMIUM. Sound, — sound the notes of joy, Sweet pipe, and tabret, ring ! And every trembling string Let the high harp employ ; Give the heart's voice to words, — Bid them responsive roll, While song's enraptured soul Leaps glowing from the golden chords. Exulting be the strains, When, fresh from mingling hearts, Life's dearest impulse starts, And Love immortal reigns. Beauty, with manhood's pride ! Now, the full concert bring, — Now, hymeneals sing, — Welcome, the bridegroom and the bride. EPITHALAMIUM. 77 He comes, the bridegroom comes ! Behold what generous grace, And how his manly face The kindled soul illumes ! Fill high, — let wine-cups flow, — Wish all his life's bright stream Glad as their sparkling beam, And years and honors wreathe his brow. And she, the blushing bride ! Of all the lovely band, Lead her, with gentle hand, The loveliest to his side. Ah, from earth's fairest bower r What, that most rich is there, Can grace her mazy hair ! Joy, joy to her, — Love's sweetest flower ! Now she, his own, — his own, — And he, her heart, — her life, — By the dear name of ' wife,' And ' husband r s ' household tone !! 78 EPITHALAMIUM. Home's old unfading blaze Grant them, oh Power divine, True as their truth to shine, And endless blessings crown their days ! SONNET. Two maidens, precious as the morning dew, No shafted marble half so lily-fair, Save the peach-tinge upon the cheek, and hair Glossy with brightness in its midnight hue ; Two gallant lovers, gentle, fond and true, Manly and bold, in life's emblossomed spring, Love, sovereign in the midst, with folded wing, One eye, one thought, one heart for either two ; A wedding garland and a bridal bed, — A funeral chant, a flowret's broken stem, — This, fresh on manhood's breast, a living gem, That, on its flowery stalk, withered and dead ; — Oh Life ! to end with earth's unequal doom, — Oh moment's sun and shade ! oh Heaven's eternal bloom ! SONNET. He, from her lip and cheek and matchless brow, And orient heaven of her unrivalled eyes, Drew kisses sweeter than the dew that lies Where banks of flowery bloom their odors throw ; She, like the Night, whose softest summer glow With starry lustre bathes the earth and sky, — He, as the Morn, that lingering, loth to go, In her embracing beauty fain would die. And Love, no shadow of that bright estate, Known but by shadows to the cold and vain r But infinite in joy, or in its pain Beyond all antidote of mortal date, — Such love from eye, lip, cheek, brow, soul, he drew, Stamped with its living seal, till love immortal grew. SONNET. Say not, 'we part;' — Sweet love, we part no more, Souls linked like ours nor chance nor change disjoin ; Just like a prodigal, whose latest coin He flings in fortune's face, — its lavish store, My spendthrift heart's last treasure do I pour At thy dear feet. Alas, how far away, In the dark city pent, and every day Conning my long-learnt lesson o'er and o'er, So taught of thee ! Thou, by the sea-beat shore, Listenest a thousand voices ; but one tone Dwells on thy heart, and will be heard alone, Whispering forever, through the breakers' roar, That sad sweet language soul reveals to soul, Though oceans swell between, from icy pole to pole. SONNET. Methinks it sweeter were to love thee so, — So young, so pure, so dear, so sacred grown, Far, far from thee, and nevermore to know Or look, or touch, or love's delirious tone ; Like some pale pilgrim to an altar lone, Who finds but ruins, when he seeks the spot, — To be where thou hast been, and see thee not, And Hope's fresh statue but an idol gone, — Dearer were this, (if Fate will work such woe) Than other earthly love, however blest, — Still thy sweet image to my beating breast, Through the long day, monotonous and slow, I clasp, — 'tis mine, — and o'er me, every night, Looks down thy fair young face and makes my mid- night bright. EPICEDIUM. Nevermore ! ah, nevermore ! Soul's deep voice of true heart-aching, Nevermore ! With a struggle and a waking, Life and hope have done leave-taking, And the spirit learns the tone Nevermore to be unknown, Nevermore ! Nevermore ! ah, nevermore ! Be no words of grief let fall, This one word says sorrow's all, Nevermore ! Let thy palms enclasp thy face, Drowning tears shall ne'er erase This stern word, nevermore ! Fold thine arms upon thy breast, Where the world of woe is prest, 84 EPICEDIUM. In thy bosom, dark and deep, Shall thy busy fancies rest Nevermore ! Now thou canst not shake apart The mists around thy heart, Where the stifling shadows creep, Like dreams that trouble sleep, When we wake with strange surprise, And the tears are in our eyes. And a voice is ever heard, Dread as ocean's unknown word, Where their chiming even-song Sadly chant the waves along, Over wrecks down deep below, Singing ever as they flow, And, in murmurs far away, Seem the mingling tones to say, Nevermore ! Nevermore ! ah, nevermore ! All thy strength, alas, is sold, And thy life is high and bold Nevermore ! EPICEDIUM. 85 Now the silver chord is loosed, And the fountain all unused, And hope is dead and cold In the goblet's charmed gold ; Nor the flashing bubbles swim, Gushing o'er the beaded brim ; And the almond flings its shade Where the sunny waters played. The daylight comes and goes, The lily and the rose, And the voice, that haunts the gale, Sings a low and mournful wail, Like the shadow of a tone, Loved so well ! but dead and gone ; And for thee nor sight nor voice Bids thy soul again rejoice, Nevermore ! Summer seems an idle thing, And thou know'st not it is Spring, Since the storm and frozen shower Passed upon the faded flower, Nevermore ! Ah, wild word, Nevermore ! 86 EPICEDIUM. Nevermore ! ah, nevermore ! On the lea the golden flowers Tell of memory's gentle hours, And the fields contented lie Underneath the purple sky ; And the springing grass is sweet, In its vesture at thy feet ; The fringed lake lies still, In the shadow of the hill ; Through his halls, in glory drest, Walked the brided sun to rest, And the pleasant stars look through The calm and holy blue ; Liquid whispers, faint and soft, Stir the budding leaves aloft; Now and then, some sweet-tongued bird, From the copse, hard-by, is heard ; Far away, a mellow tone, And the voice is Ocean's own, — Nevermore ! weep nevermore ! Leaves, that Autumn scattered, lying, Dearest things, forever dying, EPICEDIUM. 87 Say, thy language gives but tone To thy brother's stifled moan. Nevermore ! weep nevermore ! Lovely things, that round us rise, Are but shadows of the skies, Each an imaged beauty furled Round the inner spirit-world. Nevermore ! oh, never weep, That she seemed to fall asleep ! Calmed to peace, within thy breast, Let thy troubled fancies rest ; Wringing heart-aches come no more, Nevermore ! Bid the fretting tempest roar, — She hath found the quiet shore, And the golden flowers are sweet Round about her silvery feet, And the sunshine of her youth Floats on seas of perfect truth ; No bewildering dreams arise On her soft and tranquil eyes, Nor brooding troubles throng, Nor deceit can do her wrong. 88 EPICEDIUM. And the sorrow and the pain Shall be nevermore again ! Nevermore ! Ah, sweet word, nevermore ! Now dull despairs are dead, And a star is on thy head, Where thy locks are waving bright In the new celestial light ; Hope forever shakes her wings, And a voice within thee sings ; With an upward aspect now Looks thy meek and holy brow, And a glory and a joy Is thy solemn, sweet employ ; Life immortal all before, x\nd a shadow falls no more ! Nevermore ! Ah, sweet word, never more ! SONNET. Oh friend, whose genial spirit, by the gift Of a most bounteous nature, flings a shower Of magic light along life's shadowed hour ; As when day's sovereign lord, behind the rift Of summer's brooding cloud, but looks, to lift Incumbent heaviness from earth and sky, With the bright beam of his exulting eye ; Think not the spirit's course, whose silent drift Flows on more calmly than the sparkling stream, Is sad though thoughtful, or must, therefore, seem From secret care to need some healing shrift ; Thine be, forever fresh and never coy, The soul's bright mood ; yet not less cheerful deem The steadfast lustre of a sober joy. SONNET. A STATESMAN. Staunch at thy post, to meet life's common doom, It scarce seems death, to die as thou hast died ; Thy duty done, thy truth, strength, courage, tried, And all things ripe for the fulfilling tomb ! A crown would mock thy hearse's sable gloom, Whose virtues raised thee higher than a throne, Whose faults were erring Nature's, not his own, — Such be thy sentence, writ with Fame's bright plume, Amongst the good and great ; for thou wast great, In thought, word, deed, — like mightiest ones of old,— Full of the honest truth, which makes men bold, Wise, pure, firm, just ; the noblest Roman's state Became not more a Ruler of the free, Than thy plain life, high thoughts and matchless con- stancy. SONNET. PHILOSOPHY. ' to za?.bi Throughout the world in vain, in vain they sought Some solid good to fill the restless mind ; The long desired, but still unfound, to find, The heart's last refuge and the goal of thought ; What, in its depths, the burning soul has wrought Of visions moulded with consuming fire, And all that sprang spontaneous to the lyre, In harmonies of golden words, they caught ; Upon the mountain-top, where silence broods, They questioned of the stars ; and by the shore Asked of its waves, and pondered all the lore Of peopled plain, or taught in solemn woods ; Without, — within, — alas, how vain the quest! Nor mind, nor nature breathed Heaven's holiest whis- per, Rest. SONNET. CHRISTIANITY. Lo, in the East a star ! the orient shade, Unfolding, utters Heaven's unwonted gleam ; And now the holy light its gracious beam Rests o'er the place where the young Child is laid. Behold, the wise men come, — with gifts arrayed, Gold, myrrh, frankincense, — while on Bethlehem's plain The shepherds catch, enraptured though afraid, Of heaven's bright host the life-assuring strain. Death, in the shadow of his valley's gloom, Apparent king, hears the glad sound, — and dies ; — 4 Immortal life ! ' shouts the re-opening tomb, — ' Immortal life ! ' the exulting host replies ! Nature's long doubt is solved ; that light from far Still brightening kindles faith, lo, in the East a star ! SONNET. I. CORINTHIANS, XV. O fool ! To judge that He, who from the earth Created man, cannot his frame restore, The scattered elements from every shore Call back, and clothe with a celestial birth ! See from its sheath the buried seed break forth, Blade, stalk, leaf, bud, and now the perfect flower, Changing and yet the same ; and of His power A token each ! And art thou counted worth Less than the meanest herb ? Changed from the dust, And little lower than the angels made, More changed by sin, to death itself betrayed, Yet heir of heaven by an immortal trust ! Doubter unwise, in reason's narrow school, Well might the great Apostle say, 4 Thou fool ! ' SONNET. MATTHEW XXI., 5. He comes, a King! what splendors gird him round, Jewel and sceptre and the circled gold ! What hosts, what princes of the realms of old,— The chafing squadron and the clanging sound ! A King ! Not such his advent ! To the ground Cast palms and garments, and hosannas sing ; This is the Lord of Heaven ! Creation's King ! Yet pomp nor state his earthly throne surround ; His throng the poor and humble, sons of shame, Who crowd his steps and on his message wait ; A beggar's beast His seat to Zion's gate, And these His triumphs and His might proclaim ; No worldly kingdom thine, or homage vain, Throned in the heart alone, O Lord, thy sovereign reign ! DEDICATION HYMN. How glorious, Lord, thine earthly temples rise ! And every solemn spire, that meets the sky, Draws Heaven, descending, nearer to our eyes, And lifts the rising soul to worlds on high. In dens and mountain caves, thy saints of old, Through clouds and darkness, sought the promise given, Our brighter vision bids us view unrolled Thy glories beaming in the blaze of Heaven. Up to thy holy name, our fathers' God ! How oft our lips the cheerful song have raised ! In doubt and fear thy sacred courts they trod, And praised thy love, but trembled while they praised. Even here, where nature breathes so calm and still, And all is peaceful as thy holy word, In arms they prayed, and stood to hear thy will, And grasped their warlike weapons, as they heard. 96 DEDICATION HYMN. Their quiet graves are lying all around, And long have slept their trials, doubts and fears, And mossy stones, that lowly press the ground, Record their tale of twice a hundred years. Oh, for their fervent, simple hearts of yore ! The zeal they felt, — the conquering faith they knew ! For this we 'd welcome all the toils they bore, And joyful seize their final victory too. Yet, while an evil age thy truth perverts, The plain and sacred truth our ears have heard, And light but darkens, in their wandering hearts, The gospel glories brightening round thy word ; Yet, Lord ! on us bestow thine ancient grace, As dews descending bless this holy sod, That children's children here, an unborn race, May know and prove thee still their fathers' God ! HYMN, FOR THE RE-DEDICATION OP A MEETING-HOUSE REPAIRED' Thy temple stands, oh God of grace ! Above our thought, beneath our tread, Its ample floor unmeasured space, Its arch with worlds unnumbered spread. Yet, though not all creation's bound Thy power contains, thy glory tells, Within thine earthly courts are found The places where thy Spirit dwells. Thus, on our sires, an honored race, Thy love descended like the rain, While here they met to seek thy face, Nor sent a prayer to Heaven in vain. 7 98 HYMN. These sacred walls thy truth have heard From fervent heart and burning tongue, And long the message of thy word Has cheered the old and led the young. This earthly temple of thy praise, How glorious, and how dear its name ! Thy blessing crowned its ancient days, Thy promised blessing stands the same. Still, on that Rock in Zion laid, May here thy church triumphant rise, Thy truth its deep foundations made, Its hope eternal in the skies ! Nor gorgeous rites, nor shrines of gold Within these sacred precincts be, — But grant the fervent faith of old, To bind us closer, Lord, to Thee ! And still, while ages roll away, May each successive race appear, Here learn to love and praise and pray, And find their God, their Saviour here ! HYMN. Great God ! how vain our lives can be, Forgetful of their true estate ! Our wandering spirits fly from thee, Relinquish heaven and tempt their fate. Yet what a dream, if this were all, — To gain the world and win but loss ! To feel its chiefest pleasures pall, To grasp its gold, and find it dross. Oh, could we taste those living springs, That flow through all the heavenly road, And feel the soul's expanded wings, Reviving, mount to thine abode ! 100 HYAIN. But doubts and fears, like cloud on cloud, Around us fling their gloomy screen, And sin grows up, a frightful shroud, Our hearts, and oh, our heaven between. Strange, thus to slight immortal birth, To chase each transient shade that flies, And for the baseless things of earth Forego our title to the skies ! Yet thus we cling to time's control, And wasted hopes to earth are given, Till God recalls the wandering soul, And to the weary opens heaven. THE FUTURE. Oh Future, deep and vast ! What echoes of the Past Shall give thy language some familiar tone ? Dark sweeps the shadowy train Of thine abysmal reign, The Unfathomable rolls, but voice has none ! Once, there were opening skies, And seraph-like replies To man's high spirit, strong in truthful love, Heaven had celestial songs, And Earth a thousand tongues, By shadowy steep and every whispering grove. 102 THE FUTURE. But now the heavens are dim, And nature's forest-hymn Is but the breathing wind's mysterious wail ; And silent look on earth Stars, that in song broke forth, Choired with God's sons, creation's dawn to hail. Seer and priest are dumb, Nor guests angelic come, With sweet familiar converse, as of old ; No prophet- visions roll, To touch man's longing soul With fire from out thine adamantine fold. Nor now, in nightly dreams, Come Heaven's communing gleams, Nor awful counsel guides the doubtful day ; Nor jewelled ephods rest Upon the priestly breast, As erst when Aaron's sons inquired the way. THE FUTURE. 103 Vocal, in nature's prime, Some legend of the time Made hill and vale and bright responsive stream ; But dark and fabled gods, Who held those old abodes, Fled with the morn, dissolved, a spectral dream. No more, with garlands led, The victim's crowned head Bows down before the altar's flowery mound, Nor all the shouting crowd, With hymns and pgeans loud, Take up the Flamen's chant, with solemn sound. Nor now, on festal days, Above their songs of praise, The mystic oracle's responses rise, Nor yet, by fane and shrine, 'Mid rites they deemed divine, The Unknown God they darkly sought replies. 104 THE FUTURE. No more, by elfin grot, Or sweet enchanted spot, The moonlight people dance their fairy round ; Nor shadowy forms, half-seen, Trip o'er the rustic green, Or steal, with flitting step, through haunted ground. But though our wiser years Deride their mystic fears, And fond illusions of the days of old, We love a darker night, While morn's refulgent light Pours all its orient streams of flooded gold. And broke is many a chain, Enwreathed, oh, not in vain, That linked us, spirits, to the spirit-shore ; And thus we plod by day, And grope our nightly way, To Heaven's far bourne, a neighbor-strand no more. THE FUTURE. 105 At Sinai's awful base, The Prophet hid his face, Lest God's reflected glory should appear, But round our hearts the veil Folds its enclouding trail, Else were we close to Him, to us so near ! And though forever stand, In the eternal land, The living pastures spread with deathless flowers, Dull hangs the mortal screen Heaven and our hearts between, And shrouds the gates of pearl and sapphire towers. Thus is the spirit-world In clouds and darkness furled, Our souls shut out the simple truths of yore ; Our spirits' flickering gleams Illume but faded dreams, Whose light is dark, — the vision comes no more. 8 106 THE FUTURE And though the things we clasp Are bubbles in our grasp, We count it wisdom still to chase the cheat ; And Faith has grown too cold To pierce the sullen mould, Wrapt round the life within, Heaven's wonted seat. Oh Future, deep and vast ! The spirit of the Past Had gleams of glory from the homeward sky ; But mute thine ocean rolls To our reluctant souls, And shadows fall thy waves, without reply ! MEMORY AND HOPE. Memory has a sister fair, Blue-eyed, laughing, wild and glad, Oft she comes, with jocund air, When her twin-born would be sad ; Hand-in-hand I love them best, And to neither traitor prove, Both can charm the aching breast, Scarce I know which most to love. 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