LIBRARY OF^GNGRESS. crf'=>'^'opyn# -^0 Shelf .WlE-f- rMTKI> STATES OF AMERICA. ^ATT'Y AT lAIV ^/ M* EDEN DELL, LovE's Wanderings, AND OTHER POEMS. V BY GEO. W. WARDER. "All things beautiful and tender Summer bloom, and sunset skies, Wear alone their Eden splendor In the light of loving eyes." Hathaway. " One divine caress, One blessed moment of forgetf ulness I've found within those arms, and that shall lie Shrined in my souls deep memory till I die." Moore. i{ .;.•., z^^^ /^'^ KANSAS CriA- : PRESS OK RAMSEY, MII.LETT & HUDSON. 1878. PS 31^^ I 7i.Yitii.ini:i> ls78, hy (;f.( h<(;i w. w akdi'.r THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED, BY THE AUTHOR TO HIS SAINTED WIFE. THE CHARM OF WHOSE GRACE AND CHARACTER, THE NOBILITY AND LOVELINESS OF WHOSE LIFE, IS ENSHRINED IN HIS HEART, AND HALLOWED IN HIS MEMORY. WHOSE ANXIOUS SOLICITUDE, AND UNSELFISH DEVOTION FOR THE WELFARE OF OTHERS MADE HER THE IMPERSONATION OF LOVE AND DUTY, AND THE SYNONYM OF TRUTH AND GOOD- NESS. THROUGH HER UNTIMELY LOSS HE FEELS THAT LIFE IS UNSATISFYING, YOUTH A DELUSION, MIDDLE AGE A STRUGGLE, AND OLD AGE A REGRET. TO PRESERVE SOME HAL- LOWED MEMORIES THIS BOOK IS PUBLISHED : FOR THE PAST HATH ITS MEMORIES, THE PRESENT ITS DUTIES, THE FUTURE HATH HOPE, WHICH LOOKS UP TO THE STARS, AS THE GOLDEN STEPPING STONES ALONG THE PATHWAY OF IMMORTALITY, WHERE THE IS- LANDS OF THE BLESSED SMILE IN / PERENNIAL BEAUTY, AND OUR LOVED k SHALL GREET US ON THE BLISSFUL SHORES OF THE DEATHLESS ETERNITIES. In all Cod '.f million stuny spheres, Stand forth no truer, n older peers Than God's image -wrapt in hopes and fears A 7i^ EDEN DELL, OR LOVE'S WANDERINGS. CANTO I — THE PARTING " II — FOREWARNED, A PROPHECY .... " III — FOUL PLAY BENEATH THE STARS . " IV — RETRIBUTION. OR THE VIGILANTES " V RECOVERED A SCENE OF JEALOUSY " VI AMBUSHED A SAD DISCOVERY . . " VII A RIVAL AND A FRAUD .... " \'III^rHE CAP'l'IVES, " IX — HIDDEN VALLEY — AT THE STAKE . " X — THE AGED CHIEF. — A LEGEND . . , " XI — THE RESCUE AND THE RED PALADINS " XII — WHAT SHADOWS WE ARE — A EUROPEAN T " XIII — WHAT SHADOWS WE PURSUE W^RECKEI) " XIV A RETURN A FAREWELI " XV .MISFORTUNES A DIGRESSION " XVI THREE FRIENDS HAVE MET A(;AL\ . . . 47 56 69 75 84 97 104 115 122 130 139 147 165 182 194 205 CONTENTS. CANTO XVII — ITOI'IAN DKKAMS AM) I.OTIS LEAVES .... 214 Will — TRIED ITKIFIEI) A COINCTDENT 226 \IX — TWO SCE.NES A.ND A CHAPTER 239 \X — MOr.NTAI.N MEADOW MASSACRE 259 \XI — THE SI'ANISH MAID — AN EPISODE 27 I WII — THE WEDDINt; — EDEN REBLILT 2<)0 WANWAkI) 1AN( lES. TWO STRANGER (iL'ESTS 305 A I.F.C.END OF THE DEI.r(;E 32O |(K)'l- PRINTS A.\I) SHADOWS. WOMAN TO VIK(;iNIA — REMEMBRANCE TO ET'HE, the ROSEBID OF THE HILLSIDE h I UK, IHE ROSEBID, HAS PERISHED . . I.ASI WiJRDS OF STONEWALL JACKSON . , DEATH OF GENERAL J. C. BRECKINRIDGE CENTENNIAL THANKS HIE DAY COMETH, ALSO HIE NIGHT. . . THE PAST AND FITIRE THE minstrel's FAREW ELI .^29 332 334 33^ 341 344 347 349 353 HEART THROBS, PVf live for love in xvhole or part. The inspiration of all Art Is loi>e. ' Tis labor's best reward: The alchemy of joy ; life's lord : Earth'' s only heaven from abai'e. To those that live a smile oj loz'e Is like the laurel to the brave, Worth countless garlands on their grave. Think not hrve's labor e'er 7vas lost. It built creation -without cost 'To frugal man, and named him lord : T'was hate brought strife and dark discord And God will wipe love's sinless tears : Like truth, she hath eternal rears. MY SAINTED WIFE. Thou angel of my better world, Where joy and peace her flag unfurled Beside my hearth ! Thou love impearled Upon my life ! Deep where the heart throbs rise and swell, i feel the witchery and the spell Of thy fair face I loved so well — My darling wife. The magic of thy lovely smile The very angels would beguile, And thrill their golden harps awhile With sweeter life. So tender, loving, true and kind, So faithful, gentle and refined Each impulse of thy heart and mind — My noble wife. Can I forget the charm and grace Of loveliness that stamped thy face. 10 iiiiAirr rniioiiS. And ( rouned tlicc noblest of thy race, In dcatli or life ? Can I forget thy faith and trust In God and Heaven? And can or must 1 deem this providence wise or just — My angel wife '. All silent as the voiceless night. With folded hands on breast of white, In pallid shroud I O God, the sight '. No pulse of breath. As white as snows on mountain crest, The cross o{ llowers upon thy breast, Thy weary, helpless hands are i)ressed Cold, cold in death. O rise and stay ! Go not away '. God sent thee on thy bridal day To be my angel 'mid earth's fra> — My love, my life. O: one more smile my grief to 'suage, One word of love upon life's i)age, 'i'o ( heer me to decrepid age— From thee, my wife '. I kissed the forehead, cold and fair. I smoothed the glossy braids of hair. I bowed my soul in anguished prayer, Th;U she miuht li\e. HEART THROBS. 11 '' O spare my precious, noble wife, My patient martyr weak from strife ; Restore the angel of my life — Give back ! O give ! " Alas too late ! too late ! too late ! I've felt the dreaded hand of fate, I can but mourn and sigh and wait — My sainted wife. Beside her cherub boy we laid Her form to rest beneath the shade. Where dust is heaped with silent spade — The close of life. As slowly sifts life's ebbing sand, On memory's hights I gaze and stand. And reach to grasp thy vanished hand— My angel wife. Farewell ! I cannot count the cost Of what I've suffered, loved and lost, I drift a barque, lone, tempest-tossed The sea of life. Thy love hath cheered me on thus far As fair and perfect as a star, Which naught on earth could change or mar, The solace of my life. But life is short. Soon on that shore Where Stygian waves are crossed no more 12 HEART r If HOBS. I'll greet the angel I adore — My sainted wife. Beyond where flows the restless tide Of earthly grief, and joy and pride, Thee and thy angel boy beside — 'rhou sleepest well. lUit where life's changeful billows toss Thy balje and I must mourn thy loss ; Must taste what pain, and bear what cross- But (iod can tell. Kre passed thy life another came, A fledgling fair, to bear thy name And wear thy pure, unsullied fame, I j)ray and trust. For her, for thee, with sad refrain, With sighing harp to soothe my j)ain I'd link thy life without a stain, To fame most just. I fear not what may be my lot. My name may rest unknown, Ajrgot, But thine unsullied with a sj)ot Of fault or blame. Should li\c renewed in heart and brain, A consec rated shade and fane Wherever love and duty reiun. ( )r trutli Ikis name. HEART THROBS. 13 KISS OUR DARLING AND COxME AWAY, Dead ! Our darling is dead, dear wife, His angel spirit has heavenward fled ; His little feet will no longer tread The rugged paths of this sorrowing life. Kiss his forehead of marble clay, Kiss our darhng and come away. Fair was his lovely form, dear wife, Bright and sunny his cherub face ; See what a dimple the angels did trace. When they kissed him first on the shores of life. Kiss him again, for only to-day Can you kiss our darling and come away. Sweet was his lovely smile, dear wife. Mild and beaming his eyes of blue ; Fair as the sun, when on diamonds of dew He climbs the morn of a new waking life. Kiss our darling — this form is but clay, The casket is left, but the jewel's away. The casket is left — even it will not stay So perfectly chiseled, so white and so fair ; 14 11 EMIT TJinoP.S. Sure death cannot si)oil so jjerfect a prayer, And beauty'll unnerve the dark hand of decay. O, fair dimpled hands ! how sweetly ye lay ! Folded forever, dear wife come away. , The jewel's departed — tlie mystery of soul. Borne swift through nebulous mists afar, Rejoices an angel ui)on a bright star, Where dark tides of sorrow and death ne\ er roll. ''Come, fairest floweret,'' the Savior did say, "Where frosts wither not and storms never stray." " Dear wife, look up to the isles of tiie blest, Where joyous and happy his spirit hath fled. Though the form it may moulder, the soul is not dead, Hut j)ass'd to its home of bliss and sweet rest. Weep not so bitterly, know that to-day Thy darling's in heaven, so, wife, come away." The jjarents they turned from their Nweet, dead child, And all earth seemed so dreary and cold. It held not a treasure, their arms ( ouhl enfold. So dear as the (harm of his fair angel smile. O, kiss him, anil tear yt)ur sad hearts away, A fair little form seeks its chamber of i lay. HEART THROBS, 15 I TURN ANOTHER LEAF OF TIME. The sun, wrapt in his mantle red, Sinks down behind the crimson West, The moon comes from her orient bed. With silver dripping from her crest ; The stars peep through the vault of night, Like distant hopes that come to cheer The wanderer with new beams of light From some unknown and brighter sphere. The night is fair, the air is chill, A snowy mantle from the skies Enwraps the earth, so white and still, It seems a robe of paradise. The heaven bends down her starry vault. Like memory weeping o'er a grave Where vanished souls, like stars, are set. And dreaming of a voice to save. I, musing, turn a leaf of time Here in the twilight of the year. While listening to the solemn chime Of memories sadder than a tear ; 16 iir.Mrr riinons. I gaze toward the golden heights Of far-off isles, beyond the shore, And kiss again, in fancy's flights. The face that I shall see no more. • The spring brought forth a tender bloom. That summer kissed with fragrant breath, lUit ah ! the autumn drai)ed his tomb. And winter was the (hill of death. As seasons swiftly follow each, So death i)ursues the steps of lite. And nature hath a silent speech — The soul that thinks is full of strife. " Wc live, we die." Is that the end Of our immortal longings here? And can this little senten( e penned Sum u}) life's heart-ache and its cheer ? Oan joy tread on the heels of grief. Can sorrow lift the troubled soul. And bid death turn another leaf When time has folded u]) its scroll? Love's jewels gathered in our arms, Our loved, that have been, shall lhe\- be ? Sure souls have their immortal (harms, .'\nd there's a time when we shall see; 1 span the sjku e from now till llun. .And. in the \ ision of ihe nund. HEART THROBS. 17 I lift the vail of human ken, To find the blind but lead the blind. Yet, in my dreams of grief and love, A hope looms like a mountain grand, Where, from its Pisgah heights above, I view another promised land. I catch a glimpse of sun-lit truth Beyond where constellations shine, Where souls shall taste the fount of youth. Sprung from the breast of love divine. This leaf of time, so sadly turned, Is moist with many a falling tear ; These solemn lessons, deeply learned. Are written on the vanished year ; And, gazing on its checkered page, The scenes that were come not again. Unless fond memory bring them up To stir another sea of pain. A streamlet from the lake divine Burst forth within the vale below ; Fresh from the hand of God it smiled And laughed beneath the sunrise glow. I marked it oft, I loved it well, Its sunny, glowing smile to me Was sweeter than the joyous swell Of music ri])]jling o'er the sea. 18 lIKMiT THROBS. It was a well-spring of bright love That l)iil)l)led through the shadowed vale, And caught the sunlight from above, Where joy could spread her buoyant sail. But on a golden summer eve A shadow fell, — I watched, I feared. And while my soul was bent with grief, The golden streamlet disapj)eared. I wrestled with a hopeless strife — Pain set her mark upon my soul, — F'or death had stole a bud of life That time can never more unfold. Now climbing slow the hills of fiiith I see the golden streamlet run, Heyond the heights that girt the vale. And smile beneath a brighter sun. It sifted through the golden sands, 'Twas |)urged from all the dross of earth ; Heyond the vale where sorrow stands, It dwells a fount of fatleless worth. And yet I know the mists will rise Before the dawn, beyond the night. When I shall know to love is wi>e. .AfTection is all true dcligiu. I've markc-d the bounds of |)leasure's flight. I've ( ounted merit o'er and o'er. HEART THROBS. 19 The wise may reason wrong or right, The fool may hoard his paltry store, But God has set the seal of fate. True wealth is only of the soul, And they who dote on earth's estate Must taste where bitter waters roll. I am not what I will to be, I reach to grasp a higher aim, To climb the sun-lit heights and see The hopes and promises I claim. I gird my soul with strong resolve To bear the griefs that time shall cost, And trust the ages will evolve That love, true love, is never lost. I muse upon that long ago I tore an image from my breast, And now the heart that's sad and sore Must fold another love to rest. And still I dream that yet, that yet, The hopes that are beyond recall. We'll see where suns shall never set And sorrow's shadows never fall. O, little darling ! wast thou sent To lead us to the God above? For where thy angel spirit went There is the heaven of our love. II EMIT T I mo lis. If e'er within the golden gate I wander by the crystal sea, O, shall I meet thee, know thy fate ? Else would it be a heaven to me ? Thy only mark upon earth's breast Sleej)s in the pallid, cold moonlight ; A little grave with snow-robed crest That peers into the void of night. It holds the bright and laughing eyes. The dimpled cheeks that I have kissed. The angel face I loved to prize. The cherub form so long we'\c missed. But not thy stainless spirit ? no. I ask where, whither has it tlown? From star to star, from sun U) sun. Until it reached its Maker's throne? A voice from out the ages spoke From where the burning suns are fed, "(iird u]) lh\ loins, go forth in hope. The li\ing ycl shall see their dead.'' O soul ! () har|) of thousand stringsl (Jft hath a \ani.shed finger swej)l Thy wondrous chords ; and angel wings Have rustled in thy listening sleej). Where silence was unuttered thought, That to the hungry sjjirit given, HEART THROBS. 21 The melodies of earth were caught And blended with the dream of heaven. O yearning memories, sad and grand 1 Prophetic of a time to be. wanderer on a lonely strand That gazes o'er a boundless sea! Know many souls in all the past Have dreamt lo\-e opes all doors and bars Beyond the sun-set shores at last, Where islands glitter like the stars. How many leaves the book of time Shall open to my future view, How many hills of strife to climb I know not, wish not now I knew. 1 gather up new hope and trust As soldiers cloak their martial forms. And face the future that I must, In faith abide the coming storms. 22 HE ART TIIKoJiS. OUR I.()\'i:i) AM) LOST. Is there no hriglu, unfading (lime. Beyond this world of severed ties, To fill the wants that mock in time. And dry the tears from sorrow's eyes? Where blast of winter never blows, And endless s})ring brings deathless flowers Where we may see the face of those We lo\ ed in this sad world of ours ? Is there no pure, immortal si)here Beyond this realm of fleeting time, Where hoi)es and fears that mock us here Will blossom into bliss sublime? Where ceasless joys on angel's wing, With golden harj)S shall chase the hours. And wr shall hear the dear ones sing Who loved us in this world of ours. The summers bloom, the autumns fade. And winters blow along our way, And uiid earth's changing light and shade Are memories of those passed away. They ( ome amid our griefs and j)ain, I -ike songs we'\e heard in days gone b) , HEART THROBS. 23 Whose murmurs, like the distant main, Grow loudest when the storms are nigh. Bright laurels fade and honors rust. And oft our barque is tempest-tossed, And willows wave above the dust Of those whom we have loved and lost. Yet, in our bright and saddest dream, Their silent forms we often see, Like shadows floating o'er time's stream. Cast from the vast eternity. The flowers of springtime in their turn Bloom in fresh beauty o'er the lea, And brightest, stars that set, return, And view their faces in the sea. Beyond the sunset and the night. Where pain and sorrow has no power, Our loved and lost shall greet our sight When we close life's transient hour. There is a fair, perennial world. Where hopes and joys that mock us here Will lift their banners high unfurled To music of that blissful sphere. And there our souls with rapture greet, 'Mid anthems of bright rolling hours, With folded wings in converse sweet, Those we loved in this world ours. 24 IJEAUT TirnOBS. A DISTANT \1K\V. Mcthought iijion lime's farthest verge, \\'ilhin the range of countless worlds, I saw the ceaseless ages surge, And suns like mazy snowflakes whirled And, standing on the farthest star That decks creation's realms so wide, 1 viewed the rolling earth afar In all its pomp of death and pride. I saw it s])in through realms of s\Kue And circle lleetly round the sun. And changing seasons (juickl)- chase Each other o'er the path she run. l)i|)l)ed half in darkness, half in light, .As whirling on her poles she flew, I'ill, lessening, as a bird in flight. She faded from my wistful view. '•It was the vast Eternity,"' 1. musing, said, and thought I knew, That drank her in its shoreless sea. As o( ean drinks a drop of dew. HEART THROBS. 25 Methought is this the soHd earth On which I trod with joyous feet, And was it spoken into birth To fade with worlds my vision greet ? Is man the creature of an hour, An insect of a summer day. Decked with the gaudy show of power, And wrapped with pride that sinks to clay? Is that his home, his life, his all, Where, with the bubbling toys of time. He feebly treads a crusted ball, Nor looks, nor soars to worlds sublime ? O man, with crouching spaniel heart 1 With lust of wealth and bounded brain, Is there no high and noble art To ease the "world's immortal pain?" When viewed from o'er the realms of space. Passion's candle dimmed, and on the shelf. How groveling seems that noble race Smote by the " dark disease of self" Man's soul is like the rolling world, Dipped half in darkness, half in light, And each with maddening sj^eed is whirled To brightest day or darkest night. One view has gladness and the sun. One darkness and the somber dream, 3 lifi II EMIT TirnniiS. And passion marks the course they run. And life is Hke a tiirl)id stream. Strong passions lose their power to please. Joy sickening, drops her sweetest charm. Nor balmy sleejj the bosoms ease Where grief has showed its power to liarm. Oblivion sweei)s not o'er the j)ast, And memory oft times has a sting. Affection's jewels will not last, And hope sometimes forgets to sing. *' What, then, is earth, and what is man?" I ask, in gloomy thought and jjride, As on the viewless star I stand. And view the countless worlds so wide. Sure, it is but a meteor bright 'I'hat shoots awhile through ether clear, And man upon it sinks from sight As earth drinks uj) a falling tear. A lofty scorn 1 dared to cast On human passions, hopes and fears, Because afar the world had past ; 1 stood beyond the rolling \ ears. lUii humbled is my gloomy i)ride : \\ ilh bended head I hide my grief, Nor seek to mock time's rolling tide, Nor scorn life's Heeling years so brief. HEART THROBS. Contentment is the home we need, VVirh will to work and patient wait. And faith will give us wings of speed, And hope will sweeten cruel fate, And love will bring us golden bliss, And heal the bleeding wounds of earth And in a fairer world than this Well bloom in bright and endless birth, A prisoner in earth's wintry waste, I'll find enough of fleeting breath To plume time's wing with gende haste, Nor fear the hungry eyes of death. I'll think and soar on fearless wing While others grovel in the dust. And faith will tune the song I sing — In God and Heaven shall be my trust. ■"^^'^f'jr'- 28 iii:.\irr riinoiis. SLKKP, I)1:A TH AND olU.IXlON. Sleep, that smooths the rugged brow of care, That fans with zephyrs from an angel's wing, That o'er the mind, with softness of the balmy air. Does her dark mantle of deej) silence fling — That (hecks the heated flow of burning thought. And cools it with the waters from a mossy spring. Until it drinks the shadows that are brought, And fades into the twilight that itssoothings bring — Sleep, that wraps the world in darkness dim and deep. Vet, all unseen, and felt alone in that wc feel it not : All else has something of a touch, but balmy sleej) It steals our senses, and wc know it not. W'c walk like si)ectres through its silent shades. Nor feel its spongy soil beneath our tread; lUil the closing daylight and the darkness fades. And by oblivion's fabled waters we are led. \ et oft we journey through its dreamy land, .\s though it were a world of motion and of light, And in its \ isions, jov and sorrow lake our hand, .\s though our mind looked through the doors of sight. It is the soothing balm and solace of a restless world. W iii( h else would roll in madness and despair. HEART THROBS. 29 Men would pray for it, as for the sun if hurled From his bright chariot in the fields of air. This angel sleep, that brings us sweet repose, That blunts the edge of grief, and from heaven unfurled Lets down our loved ones, silent uprose, And led me down into its lower world. When lo I I stood beside a silent creeping stream, That through a land of gloomy twilight stole ; Its sombre cliffs stood deep and dark in dream. The stream slid on, nor did its drowsy waters roll. But ghded smooth, unruffled as the flowing oil. And slipped 'twixt gloomy cliffs, with dismal crest. On which stood pines unvexed by breeze; and on its soil The poppies droop — the winds were folded on its breast. " Is this oblivion's stream? I asked of sleep. Are these the waters of the fabled Lethe ? And o'er whate'er they darkly sweep The past is lost and buried far beneath — Where sweet or sad forgetfulness is found, Where men who've searched in near and distant lands And after treading restless earth around, Have lifted here their pale, beseeching hands. And found forgetfulness? " But sleep silent stood. With eyes still closed, and then I asked again, ''And why should men forget? Is there some blood That cries from earth, like Abel's 'gainst a Cain? .'^0 iniAirr rrrnojis. Is Lethe tlie fabled fiiiicv of a fe\erish l)rain. Invented, when the gory hand of cruel deeds Was shaken in man's face by victims slain — When remorse, like a Milture, on his memory feeds?" I>iit methought sure sleej) gives peace and rest, And for a time forgetful ness. And then I look. And lo I the earth was lying in slee]j's breast, As a sick, moaning child whom peace and rest forsook. '• Have men drank jjoison, and can sleep no more ? Is it the restless longings of the soul, or cares of life, The sting of conscience, or proud thoughts that soar? Must man e'en in his dreams mix in hot strife? Then, wheie's forgetfulness ?" with anxious heart Again I asked, that I may bring it to the ui)i>er earth ; That it may still life's i)angs, and soothe pain's smart ; That men may dwell in peace, with (piiet mirth. W^hen lo I I saw. but just beyond, a stream. Whose dark and (hilly gloom did make me start, ■'rwasdeej) and narrow, and o'er it light nor shadows gleam, .So dark the gloom ; and cold, as if from heart Of more than thousand icebergs. I knew 'twas death. I saw the grim, wan ferryman, with his shadow boat. Like spectres glide, freighted with uiortaTs breath — With silent oars and deathly stillness did it lb)at. Methought, here man is your obli\ion of life. This narrow stream will wa^h out all vour fears, HEABT THROBS. 31 Your loves and joys and dark and restless strife. Here you'll forget earth's pains, and toils, and tears. Methinks I've learned this in sleep's shadowy deep, These silent streams are not so far apart, And death may have its dreams like sleep. Sleep stills the mind, death stills the heart — They are twin brothers. One, lasts in time; The other, we know not how long it lasts ; But each locks up our senses in an unknown clime — The one builds up the body that the other blasts. Sleep, death and oblivion, are things that mock; Sleep, in dreams; death and oblivion, in the grave; And yet we are not mocked. We only walk Amid realities that bind us like a slave. Sleep soothes and cheers; death grimly reaps and slays. It makes earth but a tomb — its house of revelry; It stalks amid life's dark and brightest ways And takes its vicdms. All are 'neath its slavery. With chilling frosts it nips life's brightest flowers, And with pale faces and a gasp they go. And vaguely trust to bloom 'neath other bowers, Where death's grim hand will never blast them so. 'A-2 JIKAJrr TIinoBS. MINI). Hail, invi.sil)le spirit I immortal essence of Di\ init\ , Creative breath that breathed upon cold, sluggish clay. And every atom felt the warm and thrilling touch of in- ward Deity — A central, all-per\ading ])resence, a l)right and glowing ray Of heaven-sent light, and hope, and joy, and swelling life, That thrills and trembles through its conscious being, Like the tremulous silver of the sea in gentle strife That waves and sparkles in the sun and breeze. (iod breathed on clay and man became a living s(jid. 'Tis God in man — a sjjark struck from omnis( ient life. That, radiating from its central source, does warm the whole. And give new tou( h and feeling to unconscious dust ; To the dull habiliments that wrap its \iewless form. And down receding time does hold its lite aiul j)()wer. Its essence fadeless, and its being indestructible as the breath Of Deity that gave il birth, and smiled upon its natal hour. HEART THROBS. 33 Incomprehensible, yet comprehending more than aught besides ; Viewless as the shifting air, yet viewing things visible and unseen ; Swayed by volitions that surge through all its depths like tides ; Whispering intuitions, feeling thoughts, and weighing what they mean. Like -Deity, a viewless eternal spirit, yet not like it unborn And uncreated. Thou wast created by the Uncreated, And wrapt in finite dust— mortal in all through which thou manifests thyself. Yet feeling an inborn power, an endless birth, progres- sive and imperishable. That spark once struck from Deity — breathed from His breath — That made one living man, divisible, yet unimpaired. Has thrown off other sparks of vitalizing breath. Until that uncreated creating breath has brought forth millions, Peopled nations, and the realm of spirits beyond the stream of death. God made but two; it was enough to people endless worlds Ne'er trod by living feet, or swept by wing of soaring spirits. Through all the cycles of immeasurable duration as they ceaseless whirl. •U HEART Til ROUS. The casket of decay that w rajjs this fadeless gem, Like soHd siihstance all, does perish with the use, AikI weighs this essence tlown. like monarchs head is bowed by diadem: And shackles it like slave ( ondemned to toil beneath a heavy chain, So that it cannot soar to whence it came — and soon Must go — to viewless realms where spirits rei!j:n. Yet warm and glowing, as the sun at noon. It makes this casket thrill with intense joy or ]jain. And from its living centre wildly sweep Bright burning thoughts, sensations soft or sharp, That tremble on the nerves with feeling deep. Until they ciuiver at its touch, like strings uj)on a harj), And sweet or saddest music swells through all the chambers Of this wondrous mechanism of creative ]jower. And wcar^ it till it can not hoUl its j)anting prisoner. Then takes its flight, and leaves it as a ruined tower — Crumbling and lime-worn to fall and moulder to decay — Lone aiilent with the music of the spheres, A voice to keep the worlds from strife, The i)oetry of joy and life. Love gives our lives a ri( her health, Love adds unto our souls new wealth. It steps into the heart, when lo: New streams of joy begin to flow. We see more wealth in one bright eye Than in the proud and jeweled sky Of golden stars; than in the deej) Ri( h bosom of the sea where sleep The continents of glittering pearl. And the lost riches of a workl. Man may his warmth of nature liide. And (hill it \\\\.\\ a freezing i)ride. HEART THROBS. 39 Erase from life affections port, Be traffics ship, ambitions sport, Yet in his secret soul will smile Affection's sun, love's starry isle ; Where he will wander when the soul Is sad with strife and sorrows roll. There love will ope the doors and bars To isles that ghtter like the stars. Love is the home-land of the soul, Beyond where glowing planets roll ; Beyond the stars and central sun, Beyond where blazing comets run. Where mind is lost in vvhirling space, It doth its golden pathway trace To the throne of the Infinite; where It soars in bliss, and bows in prayer. Its magic touch builds brighter domes Than greatness, or the greed that roams For gold. Ambition's lofty pride, Bold, Ci^sar-like may sternly stride Across the rubicon of love, And spurn its joys. May look above Its trampled bliss, and march ahead On steeds with bridles dripping red. Till on a pyramid of bones A throne is made of all the thrones. But on that dizzy sceptered hight The heart will shrivel with the blight 40 HKART TIIllOBS. Of desolation, drear and dark. Be sorrow's tomb, and envy's mark. Love doth the fairest castles build. Affection's gems doth deck and guild Its ] mortals. There fancy's wing Oft soars for new-found joys to bring Into its temple. The mind is but Its messenger to ope and shut The door of reason. The hands that toil The feet that swiftly tread the soil Obey its bidding. Memory holds Her treasured stores to glad unfold Their fairness, and to fondly bless Its idols with a sweet caress. Intelligence — that electric fire. Is but the lightning 'long the wire Of its embodied hojjes. The heart Is but the battery wIkmk e they start. She is the fair enchantress of the earth. Whose wizard touch gives joy to birth. The sun-light, star-light of the soul. The nionar( h of the tides that roll From beings' center to its pole. The i)ivot turning night to day Heaven smiling on the darkest way. '{'he essence of all warnuh and light ; Wliile // ise, IVho lo7'es not hath 7io starry skies, Xo rainbo7v span/iing stonns that rise, His natures 7uarped to strife and 7orong. A silence broken by the wings Of thought ne7u X'oiced. A touch that brings The charm of feeling when it flings Its cadence on a trembling lyre. A sunbeam straying through a dteam Where thoughts of beauty faintly gleam, Like Shado-u>s of the things that swvi 1 he kindling of immortal fire. A music in the atmosphere ; A sadness in the sun-li^ht dear Like beauty smiling through a tear, Loi'i ^s fnagic and its my stety. A heart that stayed, a fancy strayed, A soft sigh filling from a maid As fair as e'er the gods have mah of wood. Or chiseled marble ever < ouUl. LOVE\S WANDERING. 49 He gazed in her up-lifted face. His soul drank deep its truth and grace. He thought that blest with love alone, And such a darling all his own, He'd have a heaven here begun More dear than aught beyond the sun. She was so young, so fair, so pure — He could not bear the thought endure, That few of noble deeds he'd done. So little fame and fortune won, He blushed to look upon the sun. So undeserved of such a prize. He'd toil for gold 'neath other skies, And earn her by some sacrifice. For since the world sets so much store On houses, lands and glittering ore. He'd have his portion. She should know For her he'd tread the wide world o'er. He pressed her to his heart so true, And gazing in her eyes of blue, Said, ' ' Ethel, dear ! My sweet, my dove ! While days shall shine, and heavens above Smile on us with a look of love ; While suns shall set, and stars shall rise, And earth be wrapt in vaulted skies; And tides shall come, and tides go back. And white moons wheel upon their track, I'll love you ; ami when suns grow old, And earth fades like a blazing scroll, I still will claim that I am thine. And fondly dream and wish thee mine. *' Hut Ethel. I must speed me soon Where early, late and 'neath the noon. By steady work and earnest toil, Where suns tan brown, and red sands soil ; Must get me gold, a name must get — And show through }ears I love thee yet. 'Twere far too tame for me to claim A prize so 'bove my lot and name, A prize so dear that heaven alone For loss of such could scarce atone. I'or (iod found lulen naught to man 'Till woman came, then changed his ])lan. And then old Etlen took away. And left her in its ])lace, they say. When years have tlow ii I'll ( ome again Willi lo\e as true, nor one heart slain, .And bring with me the treasured gold, .And warml) to my bosom fokl. With lo\e that's tried, and betler told. The one more dear than life or gold. ".Ah! >.i\ sou slay ? I would 'twere so, .Nor j)ride of love should bid me go. LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 51 Did not brave Jacob true as truth Serve for fair Rachel in his youth? Served fourteen years and deemed them naught, So fair the prize his service brought. And Paris with a fearless hand, Fled with fair Helen to his land, And ten years 'round the walls of Troy Did challenge fate with steadfast joy. Why then not I, for one more true 13are bravely wait, and nobly do ?" " Stay, stay ! " She said, "you must not go ; " Her voice was sweetly soft and low. And with emotion trembling shook Like murmurs of a rippling brook. And gently did the silence break. Dike moonbeams falling on a lake. She paused as if the thought were pain. And bowed her head, then spoke again : * ' The stars fixed in the crescent blue, That steady shine so mild and true. The bright sun whirling through the day That constant keeps his gold pathway. The ocean surging night and noon That lifts white hands unto the moon. That bathes her pale face in the sea, Are not more true than I to thee. EDKX DFJ.L. OR *' Hut if it l)c tliy firm desire, I will repress love's ardent fire. Yet in my heart as in an urn, Its glowing fires shall constant burn Till God shall speed thy glad return. This only promise will I rlaini, Behold yon star of heavenly flame ! 1 named it in Ijright dreams in youth The orb of love, the world of truth. The heaven where with the one 1 love I'd tread the shores of bliss above. Vow, whether near or whether far, When e'er thou gazest on that star, Thou'lt strive to make thy love as fair, And keep it ])ure as childhood's ])rayer. When ea( h from each are Hir away. We'll hold communion through its ray. When gazing there think thou of me. My soul shall answer back to thee. And if we li\e or die ajiart No fate can keep us heart from heart." Each lifted to the star the hand. Love sealed the vow as thus they ^land ; lmi)rinting with a ros)- thrill, A joy nor lime, nor years could still. Beneath the stars that softl\ shine Where tangled moonbeams dance and iwine LOVE'S WAA^DERINGS. 53 In garden wreathed with crescent vine; They tarry where dark shadows meet And learn of love its bitter sweet. Arm twined in arm, lip touched to lip, At love's pure fount they sweetly sip. Nor know they naught but love's deep bliss Sealed by love's signet-seal — a kiss. And dark eyes gaze in orbs of blue Reflecting back a darker hue. Within whose azure depths the deeps Of love's bright sea reflected sleeps. Where, with love's sweet beguilings lit, Love's fairest dreams like shadows flit. While pass the hours swift and fleet, And time glides by with noiseless feet. Ah, me ! What matter how they flee When love sips honey like the bee? For life has many hours, you see. But none so fair, and none so sweet As those that pass where love-lips meet. For love that is the sweetest sweet. Strews fairest flowers beneath the feet; And leads, with soft bewitching grace. Of parted lips and smiling face. The rosy hours in joyous chase. But then, ah then !' the parting's nigh. And fondest hearts must breath a sigh. .54 K1>K,\ DKLL, OR And darker shades the evening cast, As swiftest hours are speetHng fast. While love must bow to sorrow's spell, And bitter si)eak the sad farewell. Most bitter sweet indeed to some Does love with its beguilings come. When hearts their fondest hopes must crush, And love her brightest dreams must hush. And hand that should be pressed in hand, Meet onl\' in the bright dream-land. They parted there beside the gate, Nor doubted time nor (questioned fate. Their parting words they whisper low, While gentle breezes softly l)low As if to cat( h the whis])ered llow. The niocjn looked down serene and j)roud, 'I'hen glided through a fleecy cloud. Within the moon and star light dear. Her cheeks bejeweled with a tear, .•\s angel of another sjjhere, As Peri on the golden strand. He saw her in iur beauty stand. Departing now. through shadows far He saw her ga/e u|)on a star. Tnto that star he kissed his hand. And on the morrow left the land. LOVE'^S WANDERINGS. ■^ ■^i ^ ^ -^.^ i{i -^ Thus vowed upon their parting day, Fair Ethel Vane, and Truman Gray, In Eden Dell. Thus parted fondly, but in pain. To meet, ah ! when to meet again ? Farewell I farewell ! For the sea will sink and swell. And the earth turn like a wheel, But no wizard eye can tell, What the future will reveal. For the heart is like the sea. Never w^aveless, never still, Changing in its grief or glee, To the breezes of the will. As the moon v/alks o'er the night As the sun dispels the shade. May thy love grow strong and bright, As the stars that never fade. o(> EDKX DELI.. OR CANTO SECOND. KokKWARNKD, A I'KuI'HKCV l'"ar Westward wlicrc broad prairies lie Fringed onl}' 1)\- a ( ircling sky; Beneath a tent in l)reezes fine Three travelers at their ease recline. Near by, within the sun's bright rays, 'I'heir steeds u])()n the green i)lain graze. The golden day most lo\ing blent The blue of ])lain and firmament While in the circling sheen of light 'i'hc lent 'rose like a speck of while, 'Mid rolling waves of \erdant hue Sj»read far as eagle's eye could \ iew. The tra\elers mused. The meal was jjast. The day a dreamy languor < ast That seemed to fill the soul with ease And bring again the dreams that i)lease. Thev mused in silen< e, long, jirofound. Unbroken by a breath of sound. And wandered o'er the llowery ways Of hope and love in other tlays. LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 57 They still were young, and loved to feel The thrill of youth like flash of steel Ere use and rust hath dimmed its shine, And marred the flame upon its shrine. To feel the glow, the flash, the gleam Of passion's fire, and love's bright dream. Was but their nature ; and they felt Those fires that ardent natures melt. Yet oft leave harder than before, Like lava cooled on ocean's shore. These were Earl Barring, Hugh McVeigh, And our young hero, Truman Gray. At length Earl Barring silence broke And stroked his beard, as thus he spoke : * ' How strange is fate I A wanderer grown, No land or home I call my own. In youth, I loved a maiden fair Who smiled with such a winning air, 1 worshiped like a saint in prayer. Her sunny tresses waving hung, Like threads of gold to breezes swung, — Like gleams of light the stars among ; And l)andld "round with argent sheen The brow of snow that rose between — And crowned her as with gold — a queen. A Hebe in form, a nymjjh in grace. With hazel eyes and faultless face. KDES DELL, nL' " W'c jjletlgetl our love in carl\ yoiitli. And thought nor time nor nothing ruth, Could ever change or blast its truth. But partings come. They came to me. We i)arted 'neath our trysting tree. I placed a white rose in her hair And thought she never looked so fair. *''rhe shades of learning then 1 sought — In college walls sought lore, and thought, 1 often burned the midnight oil, — Her love was my reward for toil. Oft gazed ujjon her image fair. Oft thought of white rose in her hair, And drew fresh insj^iration there. ''When years had flown, like birds on wing, And hope sang like the birds in Spring, I sought her. Hojjed she still sought me, And found her 'neath our trysting tree — Another with her — who was he? I sa7i/ him bending o'er her, stand With peerless white rose in his hand. « '* 1 heard him whisper words of love, I heard her answer like a dove. He i)lao he placed there. It was so strange it seemed unfair. "Oh! sad is the heart where there is not jjrayer I Oh ! sad is the heart where there's dark desi)air ! Oh I sad is the heart when no angel fair Rolls away the stone from the gra\e that's there "Some think it strange and foolish (piite That I ( annot banish three roses white. P)Ut I j)inned m\- heart to a maiden bright And she brought me noon. and she brought me night. Then silence brooded for a while, 'Till Hugh McVeigh, with bitter smile. Rose grandly up. and towering stood Vehement in each changeful mootl. .And scanning first the distaiK c dim. Where grass-blue met the sky-blue rim, Sj)oke thus with warmth each varying word. With chxpienie they felt, who heard: LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 61 '' I too have loved, I know not why, It is the strangest mystery. S/ie was so grand, so fair to see, And yet she never smiled on me. I often smiled, it did me good To look upon her proudest mood. Disdain and pride. Ah! that was her — She was as proud as Lucifer. "She was a dark-eyed, tall brunette. With queenly form and hair of jet, Dark, rolling eyes, with flash of fire, — A voice enchanting as the lyre. With head erect, and scornful mien. And glowing face of olive sheen, She stood a haughty Tarquin queen. Why did I love her? I could not bear The pride of her disdainful air. " And yet I loved. Beneath the sky I scarce can find the reason why. But more, for her I'd dare to die; I'd dare all things known on earth's sod, I'd dare all but the throne of God. Dare stand upon the brink of hell Where Lucifer and angels fell. And fill it full of orphan's tears, And all the lives of coming years. KDKS UELL, OR Snat( li (le\il from liis hell of fire And lift him to the tallest spire Upon the blazing dome of heaven, Jehovah's will denied or given. -'Seize evening star when thus l)egiin And burn it in the setting sun ; Grasp sickly moon with face so pale And melt her in the comet's tail ; Tie bl(Jod-red stars, one by one. With strings of fire unto the sun, And toss them in that shoreless sea. The dread, unknown eternity. Vet from the wre( k would save one star ()ii which to dwell with her afar, Nor for the rest would sigh or groan, If 1 but knew she was my own." •''Tis sad to see," young Truman said. " \'()ur i>assion blaze to hottest red." "I know it well," McVeigh replied, *' liui love dial deep when scorned, denied, Is bitter in its sullen j)ride. " 1 would not harm the human race, Nor mar with blood kuid nature's face; i)Ui w luMi my thoughts are in this mood Thev're bitter as the Dead Sea's tlood. LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 63 I would not shed one orphan's tear, If every tear was a diamond clear, As bright as the sun in its proud career. As rich as the isles where the diamonds lay, As pure as the stars on the brow of day — Nor drag an angel from its sphere, Though through, beyond time's rolling year I might claim all that sphere my own. And dwell upon a sapphire throne. " But I'd brush from grief its briny tear, And I'd rather lift a meek soul here From its shivering tenement of clay. To the brightest dome in the realms of day. I'd wipe the tears from orphan's eyes, I'd calm the breast that deepest sighs, I'd cheer the weary fainting soul, Lift merit to its highest goal. Would bless the world the all I could. Enshrine my life in noblest good, And were the power to me given Would make this earth another heaven — An Eden far more pure and fair Than when the Serpent snared The Pair, And cursed the earth with strife and care. " Why did I love? I'm not so wise, Because she had such glorious eyes (34 KDliy DULL, OR That glowed like twin stars in the skies. Because her face was fresh and fair, Because she wore a (|ueenly air ; Because her beauty was so rare, I never mused or knelt in prayer. But that I saw an angel there That did her sweetest image wear. Because the deer will snuff the air ; Because the birds and beasts will |)air: Because the dove will seek a mate; Because, because, such things are fate : And heaven decrees them from above, And this is why 1 can but love. " My love I breathed not. She well knew My heart was warm, my love was true. She saw it in my bashful eyes. My love-lit look and glad surprise ; 15ut, wounded by disdain and i)ri(le. I tried to hate, and left her side. And I will lra( k the round worKl o'er, Nor look on her jjroud presence more. While waves rise uj), and skies bend o'er, — While worlds have suns and seas have shore. And yet her |)r()ud face haunts me still, I hear her voice in the bubbling rill, — I see her form in the shadows still. Is love the urowth of human will? LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 65 I know not, yet too well I know, I laid it where the willows grow. xA.nd yet its ghost will come unbid To raise again Hope's coffin lid. I cursed all love beneath the skies, I scorned it as a thing despised; I trod my heart beneath my feet, Yet, like the trampled flowers, more sweet Its essence rose and softly stole In honeyed fragrance to my soul. Stand off, thou wizard of unrest ! My soul's my own, wouldst thou contest. And manacle its free born will ? I hate ! I hate 1 — lout love her still. I know not if her proud heart cares — I know that mine a dead hope bears." [He sing^s.] "Then Til sing a song of a maiden bold, As fair as the sun with his shield of gold ; As proud as the stars on the throne of night ; As cold as the snows on the mountain hight. For she buried the hopes that once did abide 'Neath Alpine glaciers of lofty pride. "Then I'll build her a throne of coldest stone, And I'll crown her brow with a frozen zone. A scepter of ice her hand shall wield, And a world of snow shall be her shield ; 66 EDEN DELL, OR And I'll send her forth to the hell of fire, To freeze its plains for her own empire." " How very bitter," Young Truman said, ' ' You should warm your heart, and cool your head. In your earnest soul you should aspire To noblest thoughts, and a pure desire. Your love, like crooked mountain stream, Runs from extreme swift to extreme. But truest love glides smooth and strong, Like streams that journey far and long; Like rivers full, with tall banks steep — Flow silent, strong, flow clear and deep. You each, I fear, misunderstood Your loves, you are so hot of blood. One coldly tarried much too long. The other loved too wild and strong. The fair haired maid, long left alone. Thought you had cold and careless grown. "The proud brunette, with queenly form, I'hought you should all your cohorts form, And take her as a fort — by storm. The frigid crust was but a shield, To urge advance, and charge the field. No fault of heart, it was her pride. While you stood off, that bold denied What was unsought. You should advance With bolder step and lifted lance. LOVE'S WAXDEEIXGS. 67 As if you sought to win the prize, And be the chiefest in her eyes. For coldest hearts if touched aright, With streams of joy oft bless the sight. Like rock in desert smote by rod Of Moses at command of God." '' How oft the heart that seems so cold Has in its core and inner fold, A wealth of tenderness untold ; And knows that tenderness so well. It strives nor word, nor deed may tell; But wraps itself with outer pride. The richness of its wealth to hide. For richest nuts have hardest shell, And deepest seas have softest swell ; The deepest griefs none ever tell, And truest loves breath low 'farewell.' " I, too, love one most sweetly dear, Whose smile a desert heart would cheer ; With mind all goodness, gentle, wise ; With soft brown hair and lovely eyes. Such eyes ! The soul's unfathomed sea Lights up their depths of constancy. O! Who can tell the depths that roll Within the ocean of the soul. The hights that rise, the thoughts that burn, Within the heart as in an urn ? 08 El)i:\ DELL, oil Tliis makes the soul-lit features gKnv, And their immortal grandeur show. This subtle power of thought and mind, I prize above all gems I find. Vet she is dowered with every grace Of lovely form, and charming face. From her — from love, with courage bold, I've turned awhile to seek for gold. And I'll l)elie\e her warm and true, As the light that jjaints yon azure blue, 'Till the sky shall shrink to a droj) of dew The others 'rose and prompt replied, " P>e earth her circuit thrice shall ride, That vaunting boast shall be denied ; .And thou, with hand uplifted high, Sivear life s a eheat, and lore s a lie. So give the hand, we then may meet, And time will prove love bitter-sweet. We've laid this unction on our soul. To love no more while a^es roll. I'or like Sir Knight of ancient lore. We ( annol lo\e, but we adore.'' 'i'he sun from his zenith of gold. Looked down in his pride as he rolled ; These words to the breezes were told. And the \v\\\ on the prairie they fold. LOVE'S WANDERTXGS. (59 CANTO THIRD. FOUL PLAY BENEATH THE STARS. Beyond Sierra's hights of snow, Where mountains slope to plains below, And valleys rich in precious ore, Stretch onward to Pacific's shore ; Where crested waves reach far and wide, And ocean rolls her briny tide. And in her surge of foamy crown. The moons rise up, and suns go down. Where walled about with mountains high, And arched above with bluest sky, A world of fairest edens lie. Within a gorge, or valley deep, A mining town lay still in sleep. The scattered houses rambling seem, And crooked streets befringe the stream. One lonely wanderer watched the gleam Of moonlight on the silvery stream, And saw it glow and ripple there, Like glossy gleams of soft, brown hair ; 70 i:i>i:s I)J:ll, or Like glowing smile of maiden fair. Abo\e, the iiKJon r(Kle pale and j^roiid. And oft a vail of tleet^y cloud Her modest face would strive to hide, As one would vail a blushing bride. Perhajjs it was an angel fair, That sought to vail pale Luna there, And hide from her j)ure modest sight, Dark deeds of men neath shades of night. Voung Truman, long for gold had wrcjught Had hoarded much, for more he sought. And yet he knew earth's greatest pain — A strong man's toil for wealth and gain. His mind that night was troubled deep ; So restless that he could not sleej). He wandered forth to calm his thought, To cool his brow, the stream he sought. He said, " I was too jjroud of soul, 'i"oo jiroud to taste the nectared bowl. Until I showed by deeds of worth, I merit fairest of the earth. The noblest aim may be misconstrued. The noi)lest eyes with tears bedewed ; 'I'he noblest heart be jiroudly s|mrned ; The warmest love be cold returned ; And noblest soul in this life here. Be soiled with dust and tlimmed b\ tear." L0\ E \^ WA XI) J^J JUNO'S. Then o'er the stream he bended low, Then lifted eyes to hights of snow, Then i)eering through the heavens afar, Gazed on the setting evening star. This scarce had done, when like a lance Two robbers from the night advance. They strike him there — when unaware — A gash is in his parted hair — A gash is on his noble brow— And Luna's beams kiss softly now The red wound on his pallid brow. O ! love of gold ! O I love of gain 1 The heavens bend down with a look of pain To see you slay — to see your slain ! The Moon bent o'er with a sickly smile, As a mother bends o'er a dying child. The Stars shrank in their vault of blue, And said, " We will not look at you. You look too i)ale and ghastly white, To lie on the earth in the cold moonlight. Have you no one to bathe your brow, To shield and warm and cheer you now? No willing friend in that far land, To close that wound with gentle hand ; To wipe the gore from your dark hair. And from your forehead ghastly fair ? " And the sighing Wind that whisjjered bv, KDES DELL, 'JR Relurned the stars this kind reply : " I've kissed him for his mother dear, Brushed from his eye the starting tear, And caught the accents of liis prayer. And borne them on the listening air; And from the cabin standing near, I caught upon my willing ear, The ring and clink of sounding gold, Where roljbers entered fierce and bold, ill tr\- the conscious cowards sore, ril shriek and moan about the door, And whisper to all })assers by, 'Foul pliiy y And stars you must rej^ly, ' Ft>u/ pliiy ■ Irom out your cr\stal sk)/" The Mountains nodded their assent. And said, " This spangled blue hath bent For ages o'er our snowy crest. And all these ages have been blest For man. (iod raised our towering land From ocean chaos, and night's str.md. To cool the bree/.es with our snow. 'I'o water \erdant i>lains below; To give our \eins of golden ore To grasi)ing man. But scarce before Beheld we such a dastard d^cd. Such fiendish (rime, and hellish greed. \s ^oiJ i\ ( urse on land and main. LOVE'S WAXDERINGS. 78 More dark than curse on jealous Cain ? And earth must bleed at every pore, And man bleed at his own heart core ? We'll whisper to the silent night, Go hide man from Creation's sight ; Nor let the gazing worlds sublime View record of such damning crime." The silent Night, unvoiced before, Moaned like the waves on ocean's shore. And dropped her sable curtains down, To hide the moon and starry crown, And sobbing for the sinless years, Wept o'er the earth with dewy tears ; And brooding o'er the voiceless gloom, Like sorrow o'er the silent tomb, She watched the lingering hours pass, While every Hour sighed, "Alas! Alas I alas ! that we should pass And crime mark every hour glass Since time began. Since man had birth Such gory land-marks scar the earth. Since Cain, the first born, madly slew His brother, blood wets earth like dew. And seen upon God's youngest star, The world of man, by worlds afar, A blow — a gash — a half closed eye, A pale face staring at the sky ; 74 KDKX DKLL. OR Some spot^ like dr()]j^ of selling sun, A crimson, curdling as it run, A mouldering clod that smiled no more While Silence wrapt it o'er and o'er." LOVE'S WAXDERINGS. 75 CANTO FOURTH. RETRIKUTION, OR THE VIGILANTES. In the early dawn of the breaking day Some horsemen gathered and rode away. They urge with steel each bounding steed, And skim the vale with whirlwind speed. Armed and equipped they sternly rode, And scour and guard each mountain road, For a friend up early had passed that way And roused the vigilantes' sway. The honest miners banded strong For common good, to punish wrong. For dire necessity they saw For self-preservation — nature's law. And this the bond of union made, An iron hand that power swayed. As the sun arose, they rode again. From out the mountains to the plain. Two others with them led along, Hands tied, and neck in lasso thong. These struggled oft and oft held back, 'Till tightning ujj the lasso's sla(^k, KDEX DKLL. Oil Thev felt its gnj) around the neck. The gasping life-breath slowly (heck. Then leaning back they slowly walk With sullen scowl, and grumbling talk. Till at the foot of mountain, where It sloi)ing fringed the valley fair. They paused beneath a clumj) of trees That nodded gently to the breeze. And stood ujjon a grassy knoll That ended where two streamlets roll- In full view of the town are seen To wave above the valley green. The cajjtain orders, " Hah. Alight. Now, "Siiuire, swear your jury right: Vou six ujjon the grass there sit; Try if they hang, or you ac(iuu."' The hardy miners (|ui( kly then In front of jurors bring the men. Then, ranged around \\\)o\\ the grass, .All sit as slow tlie i)ri^()ners jjass. The Squire, there .Mcalde called. With shoulders broad, and caput bald, A man of nerve, a man of head. With look of learning 'rose and said : '• Hold uj. vour hands. Vou solemn swear The right to shield, the wrong to dare And crime pur>ue; nor ( riminals spare." LO YE 'S WANDERINGS. One prisoner then with dogged mien, Said " Hold on, 'Sijuire ! You think Tm green, But I've been tried before, and know That's not the oath ; so Judge, go slow. When I killed Tim at Devil's Run, The lawyer said the oath begun, According to evidence and law, And justice balanced on a straw." " Now hold your lip I " the Squire said, " I am a lawyer born, and bred ; But you will wag your careless tongue Like one I've read of, till you're hung." The stubborn prisoner then replied, With taunting lip, and look of pride, " I heard a lawyer once declare His loud opponent's pride to spare, ' Your vocal powers you should increase ; Rome once was saved by gabbling geese. So let your vocal powers ring. Know this for history proves the thing, A horse's neigh once made a king.' " The jolly miners laugh around. And say the 'Squire a " brick '" has found. The 'Squire, versed in legal lore. Thought he was ne'er so stumped before ; And that the sham of legal form He could with pompous ]:)ride perform, EDES DELE. /;.v />/•;/./.. or (\\N'1() Ml TH. RKCOVEKEI) A S(ENK Ol jKAI.OUSV. Beyond Sierra's heights of snow- Where mountains slope to jjlains below ; Within the mining town there stood A modest cabin, jjlain and rude, W'liere, tossed with fever, racked with i)ain Severely wounded, but not slain. Where sunset, through the oi)en door. Shone softly on the cabin floor, Upon his rude but tidy bed, With ])allid face, and bandaged head. Lay Truman (iray. For days had lain Unconscious half of thought or jjain. The e\ening bree/es fanned iiis brow . Mis thoughts came stronger, clearer now. He knew he stood beside the stream. Yet since knew naught but as a dream ; Piut lurmng on his j)ilIow now I ic felt a soft hand on his l)row . lie looked and saw two glorious eyes (ia/.e on him with a glad surprise. LOVE'S WAyDLJRIXGS. So A dark-eyed beauty, fair of face, ( )f Spanish or Castilian race, A truer type, he ne'er had seen, Of full, round form and graceful mien. A mouth like pearls in rubies set, Dark, dreamy eyes, with fringe of jet. That drooped above their half-veiled light. As dark clouds fringe the sunset hight. Rejoiced to see the danger past. And signs of life returning fast, She bathed his brow, with tender mien. And smiled upon him like a tpieen. How pleased he was to see her near. How sweet her voice seemed to his ear, As thus she said : '^ Now, Senor, rest, Thy fevers past, thy wounds are dressed. I heard thy need of nursing rare And thought a woman's tender care Might save thee. So I came alone, And watched beside thee all unknown. So rest thee well, and thou shalt see The one so loved, yet far from thee. For whom thou in thy fever raved And prayed to see — for thou art saved." These words came, like a potent charm, His hopes to cheer, his fears disarm. 8(i KDES DELL. oR \\U weary e\ es then softly close In nature's calm and sweet repose. For on his spirit, soothing fell, The tender touch of woman's spell. The symj^athy, the care and thought Of woman's tenderness, had i)r()ught Unto his spirit peace and rest — As heavenly visions cheer the breast. O ! woman ! with thy gentle care, O! earthly angel, pure and fair! O ! heavenly guide to faith and ])ra\er! What were the earth, did not th\ liand Strew flowers in a desert land? \Vhat were the sick bed, did'si not thou Lay thy soft hand upon the brow. And (aim ihe j)ain and anguish tlu-re \\\ tlioughtful sympath)- and (are? And what were man without thee here. Unblessed with sym])athetic tear, Unpolished by th\- gentle gra< e, Uncheered by thy bewitc hing face? A savage rude, of culture void. With soul debased and Ionc de^troNcd. A day without a ray ot light, A night without a star in sight. 'I'he storms that doth the tall oak rentl Hut makes the supple willow bend. LOVE'S WAXDERIXG. 87 So man, prostrate in pain or grief. Finds in frail woman sweet relief. Who feels the grief to others known, More keenly than she does her own. O bless the hand that tends the sick 1 O l)less the love that's warm and quick ! O Ijless the heart that's kind and true! And sheds its l)lessings like the dew. Then, woman you will fondly bless, And vow to never love her less. These thoughts came with the shadows deep. Ere closed his eyes in balmy sleep. As days passed by, she often came. With smile of sympathy the same. She bathed his wound and dressed it oft, And spoke with voice so kind and soft. It cheered him in his pain and grief, And made his sickness seem so brief, He almost wished the constant care Of maid so lovely, kind and dm. When months had rolled into a year, And mountains bathed in sunlight clear, In lofty grandeur did appear ; He bade adieu to land of gold. And turned him to his love of old. Among the few he bade adieu, 88 KDEX ni:iJ.. OR Juanita came, his nurse so true. Her (lark-eyed splendor was a sight That none could see without delight. And Truman saw, with sweet surprise, A sadness nestle in her eyes. And from her lips he heard a moan, — He stooped to press them to his own ; Thought then of loved ones far away, And said, "We bid adieu to-day. As wanderers on a rugged shore. We've met, Hen( eforth will meet no more. *' As ships that jjass ujjon the sea And hold sweet converse as they flee Across the main, then i)art with jjain. We've met, and ne'er may meet again. We all are shijjs upon life's sea, }U)und for one i)ort, Eternity. Then let us part and gladly sail. Like boatmen o'er the Shall()i)s trail. Not like those shijjs we meet at sea, That dancing on, 'mid foam and glee, Ajj|)roach with ( an\as s|)reading white, And glistening in the bright sunlight, \U\{ turn to shadow when tlu-y're past, — Nt) sunlight on their hull or mast. Like false friends, fair before our fa( e, Advanc ing with a smiling grai e LOVE'S WAXDERIXGS. 89 And cordial mien, but turning black As shadows when we turn our l)ack. I give thee as I now depart, The homage of a grateful heart. Where e'er it swells on land or tide, 'Twill turn to thee with grateful pride.'' Juanita said, " This world to me Seems brighter since I looked on thee. Now, that I'll see thy face no more 'Twill seem more dark than e'er before. The things we've nursed and watched with care. Grow on our thought, and in our prayer. I never nursed a pet or flower, But what 'twas dearer from that hour." They press the hand, and there they part, She turned to still her aching heart. She turned, and as she turned she met Two jealous eyes of glossy jet. Her Spanish lover drawing nigh With dangerous glitter in his eye, A scornful curve upon his lip, A headlong torrent in his step. " Fi ! Senorita, lost your heart ? You keep a trist that's hard to part. \Vhat, tears within those lovely eyes ? 9<) EDKX ni:rL. on That fLiir-faccd stranger shun, (icsj>ise. " '" Ah ! Came you here to wat( h and sjty ?"* '' Nay, to ui)l)rai(l. perhaps to che." '* What mean you ? Tis a strange re|)l\ ? ' " Vou soon shall know, for life to me, Is worthless without love and thee/' " What, are you mad ? '' Yes," and he laid His hand upon her arm and stayed Her step, a lurking de\ il in his look, While i)assion all his being shook. " Juanita Amiga, mad and wild ! For I have loved you since a child. Since we as children gleeful played, At keeping house, beneath the shade Of those old maples, grand and hoar That stood before your father's door. My love's grown strong and wild. But thine has vanished with a strange dec line. This must not be, my all, ni\ life Hangs on the answer, be m\- wife ?'' '* Pedro Desoto: (io thy wa\, Or else beware, thou'lt rue this tla\. " "Thou knowest th\ |)arents urge my cause, 'j'iiou sjiould'st i)e mine i)\ heaven's laws. Mine, on!) mine, else love will be Through life a curse, a hell to me. Thou wilt sa\ \ es ?" "I answer no. L O \ 'E ' ,S I VA XI) BRINGS. 91 "Tis worse than rude to urge me so.'' "'Tis love or life. Is this your will. And this your stubborn answer still ?" His hand then clutched his dagger hilt. '• If you persist, blood must be spilt." " You've had my friendship till this hour, \ow, I defy, though in your power." '• Your doom is sealed by that reply, You mu.st be mine, or both must die. Say that you will now where you stand, Nor other man shall claim your hand. Or blood shall flow where joy should beam, And mingle in one common stream. Our ghosts shall shriek to worlds below Ere others press that breast of snow. Id rather tread the world of gloom, A murderer's soul — without a tomb, Than bear the torture I've endured. Or lose the love my soul hath lured. There's danger in my Spanish blood. Who e'er before its anger stood ?" He threw one arm around her waist As if he sought but love's embrace. She struggled, and could scarcely speak, "Release me," with a sudden shriek. When cpiick his dagger rose on high. Its gleam flaslied on the evening sky. 92 i:ni:\ i> 1:1,1., or One moment more lie'd sheathed tlie blade In the warm hosc^m ot" the maid. A hand behind, the weapon caught. And turned it from the heart it sought. Quick wrenclied it from his grasp away — Far on the lieath the wea|)on hiy. He turned Hke bearded hon then. " You seek to stay my vengean( e, wlien Was \engeance stayed from hand Hke mine? Her doom is sealed. I might add thine." Then from his breast a pistol drew. And (juick as thought he aimed it too. A loud rei)ort, the welkins swell. As staggering back, Juanita fell. While sharpl) sjjoke Noung 'i'ruman (ira\. "Desist! 'I'll}' murderous wea])on stay." Quick, Pedro, tiien to his own breast The pistol placed — the trigger i)ressed. Ancjther loud sound smote the air: Then with a pang of mad des|)air 'I'liere. falling at her t'eet, he hi)'. Soon food for earth and death's dec ay. (jui( k, Iruman raised the fallen maid Who silent as in death, was laid. The trickling blood oo/ed from her side. He gently ()|)e'd her bosom wide. LOVF'S WANBERIXGS. ^^ And })ressing back the robes of white Beheld a sad and lovely sight. Upon that swelling sheen was wed The marble white with gory red. He searched the wound w^th anxious grief, Until he found, with glad relief, The ball had glanced from its true course, In distant air had spent its force. Had grazed her throbbing breast of snow And stained it with the crimson flow, Of li([uid life, but sparsely shed — Kind fate thus snatched her from the dead. He staunched the wound, and fanned her brow, And bound her breast with 'kerchief now; And sought with thoughtful words and kind. To calm the current of her mind. Her face was pale, her lustrous eye Glanced at the scene, then to the sky, While thoughts upon her spirit fell That few can read and none can tell. Now turn they where Don Pedro lay, And saw life's ebbing tide decay. He pressed his heart — he tried to rise, r Then looking up, he met their eyes, And startled, with a wild surprise. And 'mid his dying groans, he said, As fast the ebbing life-tide fled. I'AJKS DELL, on " Forgi\e, Juanita ! dear, farewell I • I thought not in this frenzied spell That love would work the deeds of hell. I could I live t(j wipe this shame, From out my life, from off my name, I'd bear all I'angs of grief or j)ain, Nor at the darkest fate comjjlain. Could hea\en reverse decree's of fate, It ne'er had been too late 1 to(j late ! '{'he hot blood (jf m)" treacherous race Hath often wrought such dark tlisgrace." His head then fell upon the jjlain. And he was past all earth 1\' i)ain. Juanita bends al)o\e him now And wijjes the death dew from his brow; And said. •• 1 might ha\e lo\ed, not blamed, Hadst thou been mild, thy heart more tamed. P)Ut who would li\e upon a brink Where j)assion's earth(piake soon might sink Their little world, its peace, its bliss. In such a fearful wreck as this. 1 might have hned him when a t hild. His jiassion seemed romanti<-, wild, i'.ui older years taught me to blame His jealous heart, too fierce to tame. " Another dream of lile is o'er And 1 ha\i- learned one lesson more. LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 95 My childhood friend, with whom I played In childhood "neath my home-tree shade, Hath sought my life with vengeful steel, And felt the blow he meant to deal. Ah! Who can tell, what prophet know Who, Brutus like, may strike the blow. A well loved friend turned secret foe? Who knows but fate may make its thrust By hands we've loved to bless and trust, And we in some assassin trace, The lines of a familiar face? My childhood lover, can it be, Thus ends the chapter, jealously ? " Beware of jealous, mad'ning love, 'Tis not long-suffering, slow to reprove. But like a hawk that rends a dove. "TwoLild curse an angel in love's name And burn it in hell's hottest flame. Did it not yield to its desire And quell the green-eyed monster's ire." Truman, Juanita, now again Part sadly with a deeper pain. She thanked him for the blow he staid. He answered he was more than paid. By slight return fate thus decreed. For her great kindness in his need. !H> EDi:S DKLL. oil Now evening cast her shadows i)ale, And night drew down her sable veil. But when the day dispersed the shade, And came in robes of light arrayed, Her ])arents rising, missed the maid. LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 97 CANTO SIXTH. AMBUSHED A SAD DISCOVERY. Four times the sun from his bright hearth Had warmed the cirding face of earth. Four times his dazzHng course had rolled Upon his wheels of burnished gold ; And day and night, and gloom and light, Wheeled in their groves of endless flight. Through winding vales where streamlets stray. O'er hillsides, rocky, rough and gray A stage coach slowly wound its way ; Amid Sierras Mountains far, Ere they had known the palace car. Ere locomotives' stirring tone, Had waked those solitudes unknown, And gliding o'er its path of steel Caused vales to quake, and hills to reel. With ribs of brass, and heart of fire. And hmbs that neither feel nor tire, P>om throat of gloom and voice of steam Shrieked its mad shrill unearthly scream. Ere this fierce civilizer's tread. Had waked the bison from his bed. 98 i:i>i:s HELL, (n: To rear his shagg\- head and see A monster wild and fleet as he. C'aused elk or antelojje to skim Less fleet, though of the swiftest limb. The wooded vale or trackless plain, And start to hear its voice again. Hre savage waking from his dream 15) trembling earth and fearful scream. Had thought the spirits presence near, And shuddered with a nameless fear ; As its proud tread, and echo fills Unpeopled vales and silent hills ; And writes upon the earth that whirls Mind'\^ the umpire of the worlds; 'I'hat tames the elements of wrath And guides them o'er an iron path. 'I'he stage rolled ()\\ the mountain road. Rolled on for days with liuman load, ( )'er valley, hill and rambling brook, I hrough mountain gorge and shady nook, W'lien 'mid the woods in mountain glen, A war cry broke the silence. Then 1 )cep volleyed thunder rolled so high It made the startled eagle fly i'rom lofty jierch on mountain high. 'I'he echoes rolled the valleys through And pealed unto tiie \aull of blue. LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 99 In dark ambush the Indians hiy And shot into the stage that day. Some dying fell within the stage, Some in their sudden fear or rage Sprang out amid the savage band To find a bloody fate at hand. Some strove with boldest courage then And daring fought like desperate men. What courage could avail them there, Caught in a bloody savage snare? Two struggling fell amid the rest, One's head lay on the other's breast ; And tresses fair, concealed before, On IVuman's breast lay red with gore. And with fair face and palid brow Looked on him almost dying now. Strange accident ! And are they dead ? Hark ! List ! And hear what now is .said, While savages for booty led Neglect to scalp the scattered dead. " How sweet in death ujjon this breast To lay the dying head to rest. And when our sjiirits leave the clay, Together mount to realms of day. Our souls shall journey on in love To perfect, endless bliss above." KM I 7;/>/;.v DEJj,. o/i '' I could not l)car, the jKirting there, And so res(jl\ed all things to dare. For love disguised his fate to share. Unknown to track him everywhere. I little thought so soon would close Our journey to death's dread rei)Ose. So soon would end love's hitter sj)ell. So soon we'd sjjeak life's last farewell. " l)Ut tyrant death we are thy slaves, And mother earth must gi\ e us graves. Dear mother eirth that grim death mars With little mounds — her battle scars. Hut they who sleej) like us unknown. Rol) tleath of monumental stone; For shafts that bear the dead one's name Are but d(';it]is monumental fame. •' r.ui love is all. and life is less. And time's a jcjurney through distress, \\ hile death's the gate to blessedness. ril ^einl\ kiss his forehead fair. And |>ari the ringlets o(" his hair, A wound more ghastly now is there. Perha|)S in death my lo\e he'll own. And bless mr with his (l\ing groan." ihese words smoie on \oung Truman's ear And on his ( Ju-ek he fell a tear. LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 101 Returning sense now caught each word And marveled much at what it heard. He ope'd his eyes with vacant stare, As one would gaze on viewless air ; And though disguised, he knew her there. '•Juanita, here! Great God!" he cried. But when he ope'd his eyes to chide, Her pleading eyes so well replied, He only said, " Ah, me! Ah me! Your life's to good to lose for me. But love like oak and clinging vine Tosrether clino- "mid shade and shine. Such is my love for one afar, "Tis drawn like needle to the star. And with such love as thine and mine, I'd offer prayer at heaven's shrine. There launch our souls that look above On ocean bosom of His love Whose name is Love. By this best known — By this adored before His throne." While thus he spoke an Indian passed Who heard, and angry glances cast. Who came with features fierce and bold, And robbed them of their gems and gold. He seized Juanita's flowing hair, A scalp so rare he could not spare. 102 KDES DKLL. (fli He picrc cd its folds with keenest knife. In her desi)air — receded life. Quick, Truman, summoned all his might And frenzied by the horrid sight. Snatched from the Indian, where he knelt, The hatchet dangling at his belt. With sudden stroke he cleaved his brain And stretched him with the others slain. This effort caused fresh blood to flow. His vision failed, his pulse grew low. And conscious sense jiassed with the l)low, There, silent in that mountain vale Lay lovers ])allid, still and i)ale. And spirits wandered in a (lime Unknown, and recking not of time. One's head lay on the others breast. (Jne smiled a.>. if in jieaceful rest. And fan( ies wandered in the shade Where spirits meet, and dreams are made. Down in the glen the shadows grew And twined in puri)le and rosy hue. The sun sl()oi)e(l down, and did unfold His banners bright of red and gold. 'I'he dying day did slowly fade, .And nature assumed a sadder shade. I'he woods bent o'er like an ar( hing sk\ . The evening bree/e. \\kv moiirni'rs sigh LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 103 Wailed through the lonely forest nigh. And 'mid the twilight shadows gray The roaming panther stalked for prey. The whip-poor-will poured forth his strain, The night-owl hooted his refrain, And dismal in the distance dark The prowling wolf sent forth his bark. The lonely pines on mountain's brow. And weird groves in the valley bow Unto night's ghost of drowsy air, Like patriarchs in silent prayer. On nature's face shown devvy beads Like tears just wept o'er cruel deeds. While through the vale and woodland there An Indian camp fire threw its glare, And crimsoned with its tinge of red The distant sky that hung o'er head. And where the dismal embers glow Grim dusky forms move to and fro. And night with jjlumage of silence fell O'er the lives of some in that mountain dell, And draping the hills with her pall of gloom She bent like a mourner over their tomb. 104 j:i)i:\ jfi:LL, <>k CANTO SKVENTH. A KI\A1. AM> A FKAID. The day declined, and splendor fell From golden higlits o'er F.den Dell, (dad nature robed in emerald gay Smiled "mid the early flowers of May. The birds were warbling in their mirth And gladsome was the verdant earth. The beauteous day was almost i)ast The Sun his slanting arrows cast And shot his golden lances bright From out the gorgeous sunset hight. As it" he sought to drive away Night's cohorts dark in black array, That hovered o'er his glowing realm An it" with chaos to oerwhehn. As da\ de( lined, and shadows fell ()\r wood and woltl, o'er hill and dell. And si)rea(l and grew in the evening lat( Fair I'.thel stood at the mansion gate; LOVE'S WAXDEBINGS. 105 And gazed to see the evening star Rise in the crimson west afar. " O star!'' she said " with ray serene That proudly looks, and smiles a (jiieen The queen of love, bright Venus, thou, That glows upon night's sable brow. Like love a star that rules the night And heralds forth the coming light. That guides us throug'h life's setting day And guilds it with a gold pathway. Well named, well fed with sunbright rays So near the sun in sunbright blaze, r.ike love a star of brightest sod. One near the sun, one near to God." She sighed ' ' A year has slowly passed Since on his form I looked my last, Since standing here "mid shadows gray I said farewell to Truman Gr,)y. Sweet were the loving hopes he told Ere parting for the land of gold. O evening star, perhaps even now He turns to thee uplifted brow With sun-brown face and care-worn air Looks on thee with a wistful prayer. " But Beaumont comes with studied part As if I dare withhold mv heart. 106 /•;/>/•; v ni:ij,. <>n Complacent hour, he seeks my love As hawk would seek to mate a dove Their lawful i^re) . he'd steal my wealth For love of gold and love of self. And burn me at a martyr's fire When e'er his i)assion lost desire. He cannot love, love is unknown To him who loves himself alone. "Ah wealth's too small a recompense. For lack of honor, heart or sense. To him that's absent V\\ be true While stars shall de( k yon crescent blue Or moons shed silvery light afar O'er waves that leap to grasp a star.'' A tear then dimmed her eye of blue .And s|)arklc(l like a droj) of dew. " Ciood eve Moiselle : \ o\\ muse and wait A^ if a lo\er lingered late. Itoui m\- abode across the \ale. While silling in thetwilighl pale I, ike Abram in the evening (ool When rare excei)lion nol ihe rule Two angels did btfore him pass ; 1 s|)ir(l \()u with m\ ()|)era glass. .And as no angel passeil my wa\ I thouL'lit I'd vi-ck one, listen pra\ . LOVE' is WAXDERINGS. 107 The gracious proffer that I made, A richer jewel ne'er was laid, At feet of woman. Is it true. Another answer is my due? With weal or woe that answer's fraught, A jewel for your wisest thought." " Kind sir, you come from very far. To see a maid gaze at yon star, When you can pluck it from its sphere, And lay it at m\- feet just here. You may receixe the wish you name, 'Till then my answer is the same,'' '' Relentless one you do not mean?" " I mean it all, the golden sheen Of yon bright star, shall be the guide, To fix my hopes where they abide. For there were many ages when Stars fixed the destiny of men," "And there were times," he (piick re|)lied, "When woman's fickleness or pride Caused wars and slaughter, tears and blood. Disrupting States that long had stood. A Helen's fiiithless, truant mood Caused Troy's fall, and for ten years Broke round its walls a thousand sjjears." urn i:in:s dih.i.. oh 'I'hcn she: "But wonian's truth ahjiu- Once hurled a ']"ar(|uiii from his thr<;ne. A Charlotte Corday in her wrath. Deposed a tyrant at his bath." " Ves, but a false Delilah made A Sampson's strength to wane and fade; And (Mytemnestras' murderous hand Slew, by dark fraud, that kingl\ man. Pierced, at the joyous festal board, The heart where she had reigned adored. Nor ( iiies unbesieged should boast 'Till they've repelled the assailing host. Beauty 'gainst wisdom, that is thee; Wisdom 'gainst beaut}-, that is me." ''You're wondrous wise, and fain would teach, None can withstand your ])olishe(l s|)eech. 'I'hat (juestion's tested, if you j^lease. Beauty out-jjlead wise Socrates." '* How so? ah! 1 remember, too, The story's old and countetl true : Fair Fryne and Socrates were brought. Both for mi])iety the\- taught. Before the ( irecian judges, there To plead for life — one wise, one fair. The sage, he plead witji wisdom rare : Fair Fryne arose \\\\\\ modest air. lineiled her snowv bosom fair. LOVE'S WANDERINGS. loO And answered naught. From hence Beauty was wisdom's eloquence. The sage the deadly hemlock drank — Fair Pryne the grateful judges thank. ' Thy gracious act and breast so fair, White-bosomed Pryne, thy life doth spare.' "But fie! had one, not wise but bold, Held in his hand some shining gold, Each judge's itching palm would say, ' Not guilty, go thy honest way !' Then, where is beauty — wisdom ? See The gold is strongest of the three. '' " Is that your. fortress? Know this, then, I choose a man from noblest men. And gold is oft the crust, to hide The rubbish 'neath its polished pride. For oft true " gold o'er dusted's" passed, For " dust o'er gilded," till at last. The fraud's discovered and you scan, 'Tis principle that makes the man." "You are sagacious at a hit, Who edged the diamond of your wit ?" " Not thine, but Beaumont in my mood, I seek not angry converse rude. Fd rather dwell on memories past, Than rainbow hopes the future cast. no EDEy DELL, OR They fade like buljhles on the main, But joys once tasted still remain, Like buried friends their image cheer. With face as bright and eye as clear, Within our souls, though their fair grace. The busy worms long since did taste. Naught can endure like joys of soul. All else fade like a bhi/ing scroll. " The mind, the soul immortal wings, Its flight above material things. What men call matter firm we find. Endures not like the viewless mind." Then Beaumont spoke, " Ive news that's strange. Vet o'er my hopes it brings a < hange ; It is a letter from a friend, That says ih\ loser met his end Bv robber hands upon the brink, ( )f stream where he had sKJoped to drink. "A stream that glided near his door. They found him weltering in his gore." .\ shriek then rent the e\ening air. Two hands were lifted as in |)rayer, \\m\ luhel reeling, fainted there. .She would have fidln. but in alarm, (^uick Beaumont clayed her with his arm. LOVE'S WANDERINGS. Ill " O God I" she said with sobbing moan, '' It cannot be, to thee is known. If in the far wilds of the west, The clods lie o'er his pulseless breast. O death thou art a shadow here, A spectre ever following near ; Where ere we turn with sudden glare. Thy hollow eyes upon us stare. Thou sits a guest at every board, Grins with the miser o'er his hoard ; Entwines thy arm around the strong. Nor youth nor strength availeth long. '^O! life would be a sweeter dream, Did it not end in death's cold stream. Did we not hear the dismal roar. Of death's cold waters at our door ; And know no light nor cheering gleam, Shines o'er this dark Plutonian stream. That those who've crossed this Stygian shore. In all the ages gone before ; In all the many crossings o"er, Returning, cross it fir7'rr more. O death in life I O life in death ! The slow pulsations of the breath. Are but life's slowly dying death. For we consume the things which seem. To give us life, and thus we dream, 112 KDKS I)J:LL. on That uc arc lixiiig. Ijrcatli sur\ive.s, l>iit \vc arc dying all our lives. But Oh I that human blood should pour, And human hands be dyed with gore." Then Beaumont, filled with anxious fears, J. est his rude message brought more tears, Bethought him he would be discreet. Lay his condolence at her feet. And tender what to her would be Or seem, the truest symi)athy. And thus he spoke, " O dearest dear. My heart's best idol and its ( hccr. Pardon m\ words that broke your jjcace, Pardon my selfish joys increase. That death should thus your vows release. It wounds my heart to see tiiy grief. Thy form shake like an aspen leaf. Thy velvet cheek and soft eye clear. Now crystaled by griefs briny tear. "True, i)Ut for death, life would seem bright, Antl earth scar< e have a starless night. We necr would stand bcsitlc the bier. And seldom see a falling tear. .\() ( ities of the silent dead. W ith sculptured shaft above ea( h head. No kiss to bloodless \'\\)s compressed. No |)alc brow that death hath pressed. LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 118 Then life would he a glorious dream. And earthly joys more what they seem. Then men would learn each foot of soil. For what, and how, and when to toil. Science and learning then would rule, Earth be one fam'ly, not an orphan school. While from the marts and vales of earth. Would rise the joyous notes of mirth. But such it is not; and the why? 'Tis vrritten, ' man shall surely die.' " Yes, man must fade like Autumn leaf, Be garnered like the Autumn sheaf, Until the great and final day. When earth and sky shall pass away. Even rock-ribbed earth shall crumbling melt, The firmament be cracked and rent. The moon shall cease to shed her light. The stars to deck the vault of night. The sun plunge from his golden sphere, And darkling close his bright career. Then grieve not, Earth with all its joy Hath not one bliss without alloy ; Hath not one hope it may not blast. Hath not a joy that's doomed to last. And though we grieve from morn till eve, And constant sighs our l)Osoms heave 114 KDES DEI.L. <>Jl From eve till morn, from day to day, Until we grieve our lives away; What boots it but a mind distressed, A feverish brow, and sad unrest? Then cheer up, fair and cherished friend, ( )n (iod and truth and heaven dei)end." She weeping s])oke, " \'our words are kind. While mine were rude and unrefined. Such words of sympathy are rare, 1 should have judged your cause more tair." Then gently leaning on his arm, With sense of sympathetic charm, They strolled up to the mansion door Where spoken farewells soon were o'er. The closed door shut her from his sight. Then Beaumont strode into the night, .\nd walking swiftly, shook his head, .\s darkly to himself he said : •• 1 trust he's dead, how false was 1, My friend wrote he would likely die. I'.ut this 1 \-ow with sullen brow, .And strength of will that naught shall bow. That I will maki- her think him dead — .\le, and no other, shall she wed." LOVE'S WANDERIXGS. 115 CANTO ek;hth, THE CAPTIVES. Amid Sierra's Mountain wilds. Where earth lifts up her hugest piles, In snow-capped grandeur hoar and proud, Up through the ether to the cloud, Upon whose breast of snowy crown The angels stop in coming down. And spirits heavenward pause to rest Upon its tranquil snow-white breast — At least it seems it must be so — A stepping stone to worlds below, A place to plume the wing of flight. Up through the vast em])yrean hight, Toward the golden mansions bright, From which to leap and vault afar On to some bright and glowing star. And having journey thus begun Sweep onward to the central sun ; Sweep upward till the wings are bent O'er heaven's eternal battlement. 1H; EDllS I>1:LL. oil I'"ar westward through these mountain wilds. Far northward tlirough their dark defdes. Now upward on the mountain side. Now downward through the \alley wide, A warrior waved his l)attle brand And led a fierce and savage l)and. Whose sable plumes in knotted hair Waved to the breezes and the air. Like crimson clouds at sunset low, The war i)aint on their faces glow. They had within their dismal train Two < ijjtives wounded, almost slain. .\nd one was fair, with raven hair, And one was sad with dark desjjair. One sought to ease the other's care. Oft smiled on him with h()j)eful air. Oft lifted eyes as if in ])rayer. The earl\ morn was ( risj) and ( nld. The sun now rose with shield of gold \\\i\ kindl) warmed with genial ray, The ether fields of g'owing day. Thev'd journey'd long, and joiirne\ M fir, And now seemed demons from a war. Who led in fierce and dismal gloom. Two (aptives to a horrid doom — jo burn them in a fiery tomb, ( )r hurl tluMU down a uulf ol ^loom. LOVE'S WANDERINGS. 117 Through forest path and woodland wild. Where forests greet her forest child : They journey forward, journey on, While suns rise up, and suns go down. At length, toward a day's decline They pause in grim and serried line Upon a rough and rocky ledge That jutted o'er a mountain's edge, And saw the blood-red sun descend, Where sky and ocean seemed to blend— A monarch wrapt in scarlet gown That parting doffed his dazzling crown. The chieftain then his falchion waves. And turning, thus addressed his braves: " Warriors, our journey soon will close From toil and march we'll take repose. Far yonder on the mountain hight. That's dimly outlined to the sight. Upon the morrow, face to face. Meet sachems of our ancient race, 'i'o counsel how our wrongs to ease. And the (ireat Spirit to api)ease. "The mighty spirit high in air. To whom the red-man lifts his i)rayer, Who sends the bison and the bear- 118 FAJES DKLL. OR Wliosc voire is in the thunders roar. His foot-jjrints on the pathless shore : His eyes shine from the ghttering stars, Earth 'neath his footsteps tremljhng jars. His smile glows in the silent moon And lights the dazzling sun at no(jn. '* Von sun thai now "neath oceans ilood. Seems wra[)t and veiled and bathed with i)l()(jd, Tis omen red that blood be shed. To turn his vengeance from our head. A human victim then must bleed. To-morrow we'll sup|)ly the need. The jiale-faced captives, now our |)rize, Shall be the proffered sacrifice. Their smoking blood i)roijitious rise Uj) through the ether to the skies. Their ashes from the aU;ir i)la( e Be blown into the suns bright face."' A moment stood they silent there, A yell then rent the startled air. That seemed the \ ery earth to fill. And make the trembling sky to thrill. 'Twa^ answered from a distant hill. And there ihey (•ami)ed. While twilight gray Stalked o'er the fields of parting day. Tlie night < ame down in mists of gloom. The distant mountain^ darkb loom. LOVE'S WAXDEBIXG. U9 The captives weary, pale and weak, Dejected sigh, but do not speak. They hear the roaming panthers cry, The wandering night-owl passing by ; The distant coyotes dismal bark, And night seemed drear, and hope seemed dark. The yellow stars came one by one, From out the sky so dark and dun ; Like beams of light from angels' eyes. Or new-born hopes dropped from the skies. - At length the moon rose slow and pale, And pierced the gloom on hill and vale; And then rode on serene and grand, As guiding to the " better land ; "' As pointing with a look of love. To fairer worlds that smile above ; To distant stars and central suns. Where God hath housed his better ones. The mountains leaned against the clouds, And wrapped in snow, seemed in their shrouds. That band of pearls and silver s])ray. Heaven's jeweled arch, the milky way, Seemed as a wreath upon night's crown, Where angels stand in looking down ; There view earth\s troubled scenes of Time, With sad compassion, love sublime. J) 120 i:i>i:\ i>j:ll. <>ii Iroivi oul ihc night a spcf iral shade. Shown oer the yontli and cajjtivc maid; And vast and shapeless gloomy stands, Obscuring heaven with bony hands; While through its ribs like dungeon bars. They dimly saw the ghastly stars. It stood a grimly, giant form, fji wrapt in mists of gloom and storm ; And towered through the vast expanse, With scowling brow, and ( yni( glance. While o'er them bowed its gastly face. That seemed to come and go through s])ace And beckoning with its bony hand, 1 1 ])()inted down night's sable strand. While thus they gaze they dimly saw, Upon the hights the angels draw. Their noiseless bows. The arnAvs Hew And i)ier(ed tiie horrid monster through; liut still he rose more tall and grand. And here er wa\ed his bony hand. '1 he