LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Shelf .rB&.„. |l UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Homespun Verses, BY Frederick H. Pilch D«:G 5 1882 H NEWARK, N. J. ! MATTHIAS PLUM, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER, TS -"p ^ Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1882. by FREDERICK II. PILCH, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. CONTENTS. Dedication 5 A Sound Reason 6 Autumn 9 ) A Rhyme for Thanksgiving. 10 Winter 13 Nightfall in December 14 The Snowy Gloaming 15 The Early Snow Storm 18 A Winter Serenade 19 Santa. Claus's Ride 20 A Windy Winter Night 24 The Snowstorm in the Grove 26 ( Lines for the Burns' Supper of 1876 28 Will You be My Valentine 30 Mary's Valentine 32 And so was I , *. 34 j Spring 36 Address to a Blade of Grass 38 The Crocus Spell 41 After the Blossom Storm 43 s The Maiden's Argosy 44 To Orange Mountain 45 s CONTENTS. ) The Villa Site 46 A Girl's Reyerie 47 Our Little Star 48 } For Decoration Day 50 ) Lines for Decoration Day 55 ( Summer 57 Margaret 59 A Moonlight Picture 62 Afloat on Newark Bay 64 The Mid-day Dream 66 Katy Moore 7:5 Kitty's Walk 75 The Matd op Madison 77 The Lassie's Ramble ;u The Rustling Cohn 81 The Lost Star A Serenade s5 Some One 80 Daybreak on the Seashore 90 The Fisiiep's Return !»:; The Mountaineer's Home by Moonlight 05 corabelle !»7 The Gleaming Genesee 09 A Lament 101 September Sweets 102 Waiting for Willie 104 A Tribute to Adolphus P. Young 1<>? Kitty King 109 SWEETHEART FAREWELL Ill Soldier's Song—" The Volunteer" 113 The Jersey Blues Ilfl Battle Hymn 117 ) \ CONTENTS. The Veteran's Reunion >. . 118 Anniversary of the Battle of Trenton ^ 120 A Rhyme for the Re-union of the 2d Regiment, N. J. Vols 122 Veteran's Song 126 Just Twenty Years Ago 128 Centennial Lines 130 Lines on the Dedication of the Kearney Statue, 131 A Revolutionary Tale 134 The Hussar's Exploit 137 Van Mouler's Hallow E'en 140 A Legend of Second River 144 Cologne Cathedral 1 46 The Legend of our Lady of Roc Amadour 153 The Legend of the Goodwin Sands 155 The Mouse in the Castle of Normandy 157 Old Song '. 159 All is Vanity 160 Immortality and Love 163 An Old Man's Reverie 164 Be "Not Weary 166 Mankind was made to Sing and Smile 167 The Dignity of Labor 169 Reflection 171 Alas! Alas! 172 In all time of our Tribulation 174 how they sarved the far down in ould galway, 176 Tom Duffy's Match 180 De Sperience ob de Reb'rend Quawko Strong, 184 De Defalcation of Joshuway Bibb 187 Parting Sonc 190 Good Night 192 w HOMESPUN VERSES. ©edidktioit. \A7here faithful friends are many, * ^ 'Tis hard to give a preference, Yet of them all, not any But will admit, with deference, The justice of this reference. To the first woman who ever loved me And the first woman whom I ever loved, My Mother, This book is lovingly dedicated. Frederick H. Pilch Newark, N. J., September, 1882. HOMESPUN VERSES. $ $our|d Sfea^oi). ^j-4 ome I hied me, worn and weary, At the brief day's early close, All the sky looked dark and dreary As the frosty breeze arose. Leafless trees, gaunt, tall and stately. Faded in the gloom, Open fields, perfumed but lately With the clover bloom; Cold and white, lay, deeply hidden Under snow, Grass and Mowers alike forbidden Not our homestead, bright and cosy. Nor its inmates fond and true. Could impart a tincture rosy To my doleful fancies blue; I had been inclined to rhyming, Off and on, for years, In ecstatic moments climbing To celestial spheres. Soaring in imagination Free and far. Seeing God in all creation, Or a star. 4 HOMESPUN VERSES. With a family to cherish — Children dear to start in life — Poetry should straightway perish, As a hindrance in the strife ; — Of the coin the world disburses Poets get small share, j Only mighty minds make verses G-lorious and rare, — So that day I had concluded, — From that time, — Never more to be deluded Into rhyme. : When our evening meal was ended, And the night was somewhat spent, Forth my tired footsteps tended On some household errand bent; Just as I stood in our portal, Scarce the threshold past, Then the North Wind — Fierce Immortal, With most sturdy blast, — On the way a maple felling- Like a flail, Rushed along, a chilling, swelling, Wintry gale. With a rhythmic tone it sounded Through the swaying forest trees, And the evergreens resounded With the music of the breeze, In the West the clouds were rifted, Showing azure sky HOMESPUN VERSES. m As their opaque curtain lifted Where the mountains lie, All along the ridge was gleaming Starry bright, While the hither vale lay dreaming Out of sight. Then the crescent moon emerging From behind her sombre vail Sent a stream of light diverging O'er the icy, glist'ning dale; 'Twas a picture as entrancing — In pure colors drest — As the rippling moonlight glancing O'er the ocean's crest; — And the woods, with tempests ringing, Seemed to be, Like the surf forever singing By the sea. Ah! That view my course decided, I would never give up rhyme; All our work in life's decided By the rigid gauge of time ; Yet the planets all together Run a rhythmic race, With a sunbeam for a tether Holding caeh in place; Let prosaic folk remember Every one, That their world hangs from an ember Called the sun. 4*' HOMESPUN YERSES. Sutun\i|. SEPTEMBEB. M^he Autumn is the gayest time *~ Of all the joyous year, When fruit and grain are in their prime, And lovely moonlight seems sublime, When balmy days are clear And pleasant winds appear. OCTOBEB. The Autumn is the finest far Of all the seasons four, When trees and thickets tinted are, And sunset's glory gleams afar, Along the wooded shore And leafy valleys o'er. NOVEMBEB. Delicious is the Autumn air, From Summer's heat to snow, Mountains and maidens are more fair When falling leaves leave forests bare. And frosty breezes blow, And wild birds southward go. 10 HOMESPUN VERSES. ® ffoynie fof ¥t\knk£giviitg. 'T^he frequent falling of a lonely leaf, — -*- The chilly stillness of the fading day, — The banded blackbirds following their chief In countless flocks to Southern scenes away, — The brown nuts dropping to their leafy bed 'Neath vivid quilts by fallen foliage made, — The dreary marsh with flags and flowers dead, — The mantling mist that marks the wat'ry glade, — The brilliant beauty of the mottled wood That, blushing, owns the Frost King's stripping rule, — The ice rimmed margin of the mimic flood Where meeting runlets form a reedy pool, — The brimful storehouse of the careful bees, — The biting coldness of the sunset blast, — All these the farmer's urchin feels and sees. And shouts— "Thank Goodness! Winter's coming fast." The thankful farmer folds his arms and scans The stubbled surface of his well-gleaned farm. Prosperity has loved his labored plans, And bounteous Plenty waited on his arm ; His harvest home, e'en from the farthest fields, — A foreign flush his sunburnt face beguiles, Proud of the power that willing labor wields ± HOMESPUN VERSES. 11 He turns him to his bursting barn and smiles, * The grisly thicket of his bristling beard Moves like the matted grass by ploughshare rent, With growing glee he saj^s : ' The time's appeared At last, when I can almost be content, — Secure from frost and storm, from drouth and tide, Of every crop I've housed a wondrous store, My stock has thriven, the fowls have multiplied. Thank Providence! The season's safely o'er." The happy housewife briskly flits about Like sunshine on a changeful Summer day, And as she sets the laden table out She hums the burden of a homely lay, And presently her murmur blooms in chords That cling and cluster 'round that dear word, "Home." The feast prepared, she straightway speaks in words Of sweet authority, for all to " come": AVith tender pride she sees them hasten in, Till all her blooming household heed the sound, And ere the grandsira's grateful thanks begin She glances buoyantly the board around, — ''Where will you find a happier home? " says she, "And where, more hearty, comfortable cheer? The present holds the highest joy for me. Thank Heaven! all our flock's assembled here." 12 HOMESPUN VERSES. The old man holds his grandchild on his knee, Bathed in the beauty of the setting sun, — Just budding into lovely youth is she, For him eternal youth's almost begun, As gracefully he bows his gracious head A solemn hush pervades the merry crowd, He asks God's blessing on their daily bread And on the circling group around him bowed, And then he says — " Thank God above! For all the mercies of the pleasant past. Thank Him for this dear moment's life and love And for the future, — soon to be the past; — Beyond the gleam of yonder sunset glow Eternal glory gathers like a flood, There, endless joys forever onward flow, Thank God! "The gracious Giver of all good." -1 II __ _ m HOMESPUN VERSES. 13 Wiqtef. DECEMBER. 1 love the early winter days When transient snow flakes fly, When healthy frost paves walks and ways And bracing gusts blow high ; When starry lights through long cold nights In myriad throngs appear, Field, lake and stream with crystals gleam O'er mountain, mead and mere. JANUARY. I love the middle winter days, Still bright with Christmas cheer, When men amend their former ways To start another year, When whirlwinds roam around our home And all within is gay, Or sleigh bells ring, and maiden's sing Along the moonlit way. FEBRUARY. I love the later winter days, The coldest of them all, When sunshine has no warming rays And frost bears strongest thrall ; The tempest's roar resounds no more Upon the startled ear, The cold moon looks down on my books And Nellie sitting near. 14 HOMESPUN VERSES. VvH tne s ^y looks bleak and dreary, -^ Thick with clouds that cluster low ; Fitful blasts, shrill, sharp and eerie, Through the leafless forests blow ; Fickle sunlight seldom glances Through the curtains of the West, Like the reticent advances Of a shy, retiring guest. Harvest fields erstwhile so mellow, Now are solid as a stone; Pasture lands are sere and yellow, Marsh and mire to rock have grown ;— As the whistling winds sweep over Reedy fells and orchard trees, E'en the clumps of thrifty clover Droop before the frosty breeze. All the silent pools are hiding 'Neath a coat that coldly gleams; Little floeo in fleets go riding Down the ice-embordered streams; — Suddenly a corn stack tumbles- Blown to fragments at my feet, And a mouse whose homestead crumbles Shivers in a gust of sleet . Gloomy shadows meet together. In mysterious forms they float ; Soon 'tis hard to answer whether Earth or Heaven's the more remote; As I walk I scarce remember Where to step or what to shun, — Truly this is dark December And the winter is begun. HOMESPUN VERSES. 15 T^e $i|o\vy Gflo&n\ii\^. /|ur three elms stand brown and bare ^ 'Mid the chilly, stilly air Of the day; Grassy fields are dry and old, Trodden ground is hard and cold, Birds and beasts of wood and wold — Gone are they, And yon mountain outlines bold Fade away. Twilight darkness comes with speed Over moorland, marsh and mead, Dim and drear; All the thickets by the rill — All the orchards on the hill — All the groves that seem so still — Disappear; And the clouds all ether fill Denselv near. Soon the fences file away \ In a noiseless, ghostly way ) From the light ; { Then the homestead windows throw ) Kadiant gleams that flit and glow — Glancing brightly to and fro Through the night ; And the air is full of snow Thickly white. 16 HOMESPUN VERSES. Wide it covers hill and plain Like an ermine counterpane Deftly spread; O'er the frozen river where Growling waters hidden tear At the bond that binds them there In their bed, And the pine with list'ning air Bends its head. O'er the dusty, dismal town Softly, swiftly sinking down From on high; Over every wicked haunt- Sinks and slums where vices flaunt — Nests of sin that taunt and daunt Passers by. Spots where hunger, grim and guant Sitteth nish. O'er the level vacant moor Where the hapless vagrant poor Lowl} T lie; And the undulating dale Where the shafts serene and pale Ever tell the same old tale Pointing high; Earthly life is brief and frail, Man must die. HOMESPUN VERSES. 17 But the sun will shine again, By and by the deepest glen Will be warm ; Frost and snow will melt away, Birds will sing and zephyrs play, Flowers bloom and tendrils sway, Bees will swarm ; Blossoms, too, will strew the way In a storm. • 18 HOMESPUN VERSES. ¥}\e ^krly grjow ^torni. fi- luctant darkness slowly goes Before approaching dawn, And all day long one scarcely knows That night has surely gone. The mountains reach the leaden sky. While clouds adown the valley hie And kiss the iron ground; Our cottage seems a lonely thing, The bleak horizon's narrow ring So closely gathers 'round. And blasts that make the casements > Come rushing o'er the vale. While all the bursting cloudlets break In snow and sleet and hail. hake The cnildren hasten from their beds With many a merry shout. Because the whistling tempest spreads The drifting snow about, In pleasant programmes they indulge And schemes of strategy divulge Anent snow huts and forts. And ere they patter down the stair They've settled plans to pass a year In joyous winter sports; But mother keeps them safe and fast. Though she gets little peace, With wishings that the storm would last, And wishings it would cease. HOMESPUX VERSES. 19 8 Wiqtef ^efenade. T ove, the moon shines bright -*-AWith a mellow light Far away over hill and dale, And the crispy snow Sets the scene aglow Like a sheeny bridal veil; But night is night, though light it be, Unless your bright eyes beam on me. No presumptuous breeze Stirs the grave old trees With a whistle or caress, From ravine to height All the world's in white Like an ample bridal dress ; But noisy throbbings fill my ear Unless your gentle voice I hear. All the road is still To yon distant hill Through the pine-grove's fragrant arch. All's serene without Yet my heart beats out ■ Like a thrilling wedding march; For me no solitude is fine Unless your hand is clasped in mine. Love : my sleigh awaits Twixt your open gates, Will you nestle at my side ? And our steeds will fly While the bells ring high Like the journey of a bride; But by your father's hearth abide Unless this be a wedding ride. 20 HOMESPUN VERSES. "« gkqtk Clkti^V fjide. O tout Santa Claus cheerily cracks his whip ) ^As he skims away o'er the hidden heather. ) Fur-clad to his furthest finger tip, He gleefully laughfl at the Winter weather, Though the wind comes cold From the mountains hold Like a pittance doled with a misers pity. And the crusted snow Spreads an icy glow O'er the valley low and the sleeping city; Yet he sings a song as he spins along While his jingling hells gaily tinkle together, And this is the strain of his rude refrain Which he shouts amain in the teeth of the weather, "Away and away, ere the dawn of day We have visits to make many miles away, And calls where we've never sent warning. Tis a long year and drear since a frolic we've had, So the poor and the sad shall be merry and glad In the light of the Christmas morning.'" He rushes along over field and fen While the snow-dust rises in shining sparkles. And Hits like a flash through glade and glen And adown the pass where the forest darkles. Though the country rings With the songs he sings, Yet Old Echo's wings ever lag behind him, — Like the sun's lost star All his lost words are Ever following far, yet they never find him, £ HOMESPUN VERSES. 21 For he cleaves the night with the speed of light With his tinkling bells and mellifluous laughter; And he slaps his knee in a gush of glee As these phrases free hasten briskly after, ' ' Then away like a wink, ere the moon shall sink, We must lighten our load where the little ones think They will watch to catch Santa Claus napping ; But my messengers' pinions will pause as they fly, And close up every eye, be it sleepy or spry, Then I'll rustle in without rapping." With a shout he rapidly hurries past Where the mill-wheel rests 'neath its icy mounting, And the mill- wife dreams of times long past When howling wolves were past killing or counting; Then the silent charm Of the quiet farm Breaks with strange alarm at the apparition, And the watch-dogs bay Many miles away As along the way sweeps the vocal vision, And the lonely cot in the woodland lot Seems to rattle and ring with the ghostly greeting, While the woodman who hears to himself mutters fears That the noises are cheers from the witches' wild meeting, Shouting — "Up and away, never pause to play, We've so many to see ere the coming of day With our burdens of pleasure and treasure, — For the many we've goods, and for some we have gold, And for young and for old we've ' the story of old ' How He loved us all beyond measure." (fW 23 HOMESPUN VERSES. As the old chap whirls, like a wizard weird, Over frozen fells and through leafless thickets, The icy spears on his bushy beard Project, when he laughs, like a row of pickets; Soon he rumbles down From the hill-tops crown To the sleepy town, and comes up all standing By a cosy cot in a shady spot 'Mid a meadow lot near the river landing, Then he slings a pack on his bulky back And springs to the roof like a frost-spangled fairy, And descends from view down the chimney tine With a footing true and a vision wary. And he fills the hose till they tear at the toes, And kisses the baby farewell ere he goes With a bound like a ball to the shingles, Then he quickly returns to his journey again While he rattles amain his own song and refrain, And he grius with delight till he tingles. His gallant team speedily rushes about, — And they need but a word to fly fast, or walk slowly Many mansions he scales on his serpentine route. But he oftenest enters the rooms of the lowly. For he loves to go Where the embers glow On a numerous row of stockings in sizes, And his bosom swells — As his fancy tells All the joy that dwells in his pack of prizes: — £ HOMESPUN VERSES. 23 And the rosy flush of the morning's blush Just appears o'er the hills as his last visit's over, Then he whisks away with his empty sleigh While a watchman astray gazes after the rover ; As his lashes crack on his homeward track, He leaves many behind who will welcome him back, For he numbers his lovers by legions. And he'll hasten here with his cargo of cheer When he wakens once more, after sleeping a year, In his home in the Polar Regions. 24 HOMESPUN VERSES. « 8 Windy Wiitfe* jfigl|t. 'Pis truly very cold without, — -*- Fierce blasts go booming by, — And scattered clouds in rapid rout Scud swiftly o'er the sky. The ground is thinly clad with snow, In many spots blown bare Where hoary grass that slept below Now trembles in the air. The scene seems like a work of art By some great Master made, Whose sky is but earth's counterpart Composed of light and shade. The ridge that bounds the Western \\v\\ Far as the eye can rove, Stands grandly forth more darkly blue Than anything above. The moon sweeps on through ether gray Above the tempest's roar, Like a cold maid who turns away From love forevermore. The forest trees whose bare arms clasp The winds that whistle by, Stoop as though starting from earth's grasp To warmer climes to fly, 'Mid the bleak storm the cedars sing A loud prophetic tune, — The resurrection days of Spring Are surely coming soon. 'Tis Christmas season — on the land Good will is full and free, But only God can lend a hand This night to those at sea. >r 9.R Trn\rB , .ST>Tnsr twrsws 26 HOMESPUN VERSES ^e $i]ow£toif)er of l8f6. cDVae Lowland mead, frae Highland moor, Frae lonely craig, frae loch's still shore, Frae bristling rocks where billows roar An' salt spray blaws aboot ; Frae peacefu' stream, frae stormy firth, Frae busy toon, frae shieling hearth, — Ay,-Aiblins were ye're place o'birth The wicked warld withoot, Ye'll find no rude distinctions here, But ilka mon's "a trusty fier" An' welcome to our canty cheer Like lads o' "Auld Lang Syne," If but his soul wi' ardor burns As to the land o' Cakes he turns An' greets a bit o'er Hobby Burns, Auld Scotia's Bard Divine. Frae Scottish ports, on ilka side, Braw lads gang forth on ilka tide To destinations far an' wide Scattered aboon the earth; Some spread the Gospel tidings far, J» Some lead the lave in bluidy war Some deal wi heathen folk afar An' get their money's worth, An' be their bags wi' siller stored \ Or hae they gowd in mony a hoard Or be their saftest bed a board \ Their coverlet the sky, v This nicht true Scots, where'er they roam, On solid land or fleeting foam, All fondly rue the childhood's home They've lang since left for aye. The bonny burn they paidlit through The starry sky, nane else sae blue, The purple heather bright wi' dew, The gowans on the brae, The auld folk by the ingle neuk, The warkfu' mither's loving luik, The merry bairn's, the Sacred Bulk, The prayers at gloaming gray — Wi sic like scenes their bosoms swell As Burns's varse they sing and tell While Fancy answers Music's spell, An' each auld neebor yearns. An' *'• mon wi mon the wide warld o'er " Though born on mony a distant shore " Shall brithers be " till this nicht's o'er For love of Robert Burns. 30 HOMESPUN VERSES. Will You <8e My Vklentine ? Sweetheart, when young tendrils twine, Will you be my valentine? When the fragrant breezes speed O'er the orchard and the mead. And the honey-suckles nod To the blooming clover sod? Tell me, darling, sweet and low, Ere the winter moon sinks low. When the luscious cherries shine. Will you be my valentine? When the yellow grain-fields bend To the kiss the woodlands send, And censorious comments warn All the prim and upright corn? Answer, dearest, soft and low. As we skim across the snow. When rich clusters grace the vine. Will you be my valentine? When the jealous hazes hide Mountain top and dingle side, And Earth's ripened products pass Gladly to the sheltering grass? Whisper tenderly 'tis so, Ere from out the grove we go. HOMESPUN VERSES. When the frosty days decline, Will you be my valentine? When the stars drop tears of snow On the naked earth below, And the glassy lake replies To the glances of the skies? Breathe into my ear, just so, While the sleigh-bells jingling go. See, I hold your hand in mine, Will you be my valentine? When the seasons come and go Swift for weal and slow for wo, And the years like steps ascend To the love that knows no end? What you said, I do not know, But I'm sure it was not "No! " HOMESPUN VERSES. >lkfyV Valentir\e£. \A/ hen the short wintry day was o'er, * * A comely maiden sat before A table, where lay spread Three valentines, of style and hue Quite dainty, — forth the first she drew, And laughingly she read : "Oh! Lady, I would be a flower, To die in fragrance on your breast ; Or a chaste star, at midnight hour To kiss your eyelids while }'ou rest; Or a soft breeze, at mid-day fair To lift the ringlets of your hair And whisper tender wishes there." Twas signed with a romantic name; She knew who sent it just the same, And llxed it in her mirror's frame, In future to amuse; Then smiling sweetly, took apart A second "herald of the heart," And found amid that work of art These verses to peruse : "Fair Damsel, would that you might need A champion bold, or warrior true, By brave emprize to win the meed Of laurel wreaths, and smiles from you; Against all comers I would stand, Your doughty knight with sword in hand, To do, or die, at your command." -^->^^-<— ^-v^wLPQi .o^^ HOMESPUN VERSES. 33 This was subscribed by "Roderick Dhu," Full well the clerkly hand she knew, And that " a cloth-yard shaft" he drew That ne'er was dipped in gore ; — She put this one away with care, Then with an interested air Took up the last epistle there, And these lines pondered o'er : " Dear Mary, X have loved you long, And I will love you evermore, My heart is stout, my arm is strong, I am not versed in lover's lore. Nor flowing phrases can I bring, But if my suit is no vain thing I pray you wear this little ring." She kissed the name below, — twas "John, And hid it where her brooch went on, — Or somewhere thereabout, — The circlet fitted very well, And in a reverie she fell, Until the light went out. HOMESPUN VERSES. ®itd £° ^ I. Human life's a changeful tale, More strange than any book I know ; We live two lives, — one like the gale, And one, the deep sea down below. Now here am I, and there's my wife, We've seen romance in days gone by, And love each other more than life, Though she is old and so am I. The evening of Saint Valentine, Two score and more of years ago, I asked my sweetheart to be mine, While moonlight shone on crusted snow. I kissed her by her father's gate, Suit nor salute did she deny; But sagely said we'd have to wait; For she was young and so was 1. I waited — I thought — long enough, Perhaps about a year or so ; But then her father was so gruff, And told me I must let her go. He had hard struggling from the start, That plan his daughter should not try; Better for both of us to part, For she was poor and so was I. 4k HOMESPUN VERSES. I sought my fortune in the West, Where fortunes as in fables grow ; But though I strove with manly zest, My growth in riches was but slow : When once again I sought the East, My whilom sweetheart seemed quite shy. We met and passed like nun and priest, For she was wed, — and so was I. We met again in after years ; She wore the sable garb of woe, And looked so lovely in her tears I thought I never loved her so ; I gently sought to soothe her grief, She pressed my hand and heaved All earthly happiness is brief, She was bereft, and so was I. We bolh had loved our consorts well While they were with us here below, Nor ever troubled them to tell Of scenes as vague as last year's snow; — Now they were happy, — we were free, And thought it well once more to try, So my old sweetheart married me, Then she was glad, — and so was I. 36 HOMESPUN VERSES. ^ V #pril^. AAThen the mighty gales come sweeping, ^ ^ And the fitful blasts go leaping, While the sullen clouds seem keeping Snow and sleet and rain from falling; Then the river ice is breaking, And the frozen ponds are quaking As the waterfalls are waking, E'en the little brooks are brawling: — Bright and green the moss appears Through the melting snow-drift's tears, And the bluebird's song is heard; — Through the soul these things are borne; — So the heart, by troubles torn, Feels a kindly deed or word. APRIL. When the fields but now so yellow Turn to pastures green and mellow, And the robin seeks his fellow In the willows by the river; In the west the storm-cloud lowers. And the early springing flowers Glisten, wet with passing showers; — Countless dripping leaflets quiver, As the sunshine, bright and warm Follows fast the recent storm, And the vagrant zephyrs blow; — Then this world seems full of bliss As a maiden's tender kiss; — Notwithstanding want and wo. HOMESPUN VERSES. ,37 MAY. When the dusky dawn is ringing, With the birds' tumultuous singing, And the coming morn is flinging Bright fore-runners of its glory All the wide horizon over ; While the fragrant blossoms cover Orchard trees and fields of clover; \ Then we learn the ancient story, Earthly bloom needs heavenly light, Ere its perfectness delight, Or its flowers fruitage bring; Brief and precious is the scope Of the joyful time of Hope,— Time of promise, — gentle Spring. HOMESPUN VERSES. &ddfe$ to k Slkde of 0i$#. I doubt not if you only knew How hard this world would be with you, Poor inoffensive stranger ; How you'd be trodden under foot, And cut with steel clear to your root, And all your life in danger From bird and insect, beast and man, — The changes of a season's span, — And every kind of weather; — You'd seek some subterranean cell, And gladly bid a long farewell To light and life together. Bright, tender, early, peeping thing. First swordsman of advancing spring, Cleaving your snowy cover, Your valiant blade thrust not too fast— A smell of "Winter's on the blast— And frost is not j r et over; The white snow fleeing from the light Becomes black ice in early night. Already 'tis congealing; So breathing blades oft find, like you, Before their Summer day is through, A coldness 'round them stealing. HOMESPUN VERSES. 39 Indeed, green sprig, I think I see A parity 'twixt you and me Which brings us close together, And for my own sake then, I'll try To make your hillock warm and dry, And hide you from bad weather; And then mayhap some being rare, — To me unseen — that roves through air "While I to earth am holden, May cover me from storm and blast, And bring me safely through at last To Light serene and golden. Ah, yes, young friend, your shoot foretells The tinkle of the cattle bells, Green pastures and fresh flowers ; The rustling fields, the whispering rills, The leafy forests on the hills, The birdlings in their bowers ; So one more look before I go, The clouds of night hang dense and low, Like ships that sail deep-laden , ( I see in you with loving eyes < The sweetest thing beneath the skies — A fair and modest maiden. 40 HOMESPUN VERSES. And thus the truth comes home to me, i In you a type of love I see, True, earnest, everlasting; An emblem too, of life, you seem, — Without your family I deem The world would soon be fasting: And when the autumn days come on, The neutral hues of age you don Your seed about you sending; — Like us, to earth your body goes, In silent slumber to repose Till God shall give it ending. Life, Love and Immortality Thus seen, become reality, My lowly fellow being; And as the hurrying night conies fast I rise to leave your side at last, Your leaf no longer seeing; My thoughts then take a wider range, Your origin and structure strange Suggest a revelation ; To this conclusion then I pass I see in just one blade of grass God and his whole creation. ■» __ 4» v|) I own where the mountain rill -^ Splashes the plain Bright sparkling fountains spill Showers of rain. Ragged rocks, hurling foam, Mar the pool's face, White bubbles whirling roam After their race ; There rippling billows end Lost in dry sedge, Bare, leafless willows bend O'er the pool's edge, Sportive fish travel where 'Neath the clear stream Pebbles and gravel rare Glisten and gleam. Snow-wreaths in thickets deep Weeping abide, Cedars like pickets creep Up the hill side, Ramparts of bristling stone Bar the North blast, March's rude whistling tone Seldom flies past, 42 HOMESPUN VERSES. Meadow lands serely bare, Yellow and dry, All most austerely stare At the gray sky, Sturdy trees, raising arms Naked and drear, Dot all the grazing farms Distant and near. ('lose to that purling stream, Under a tree, Crocus blooms curling gleam Pleasant to see: — " Maiden so dutiful, Pitcher in hand, Head from this beautiful Leaf in my hand." "White is for Purity, Blue is for Truth, Green for futurity, Also for youth." Then say I — "Crocus Blue, This much is sure, Love shall aye yoke us two, Young, True and Pure." m HOMESPUN TERSES. 43 Sftef tl\e Sloj^om ^torn-\. Y^"on orchard blossomed yesterday ■^ Like some magnificent bouquet In fragrant glory blooming ; The springing grass shone darkly green With shifting spaces trees between A sunnier shade assuming.