' • ♦ s \ ' .V o o * A ..^" .V .*^ .0 V" -%:- ^ V V ;^ 1^1 ^:>. %iJi ^'"^ *<» ^O *?• . "^■• A"-' ^Vv?:%C' 'tp •^*. " " . '^ O^ • o. A^i0> < < C?-. * n ;, ' .S ^^^' ,'^^^ THE mtwiii OK, P 5{ M ^ / u "The heart that has truly loved never forgets, But as truly loves on to the close, As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets, The same look which she did when^be-ro^e.'^—- -MboRHt t7 ■> c "\ ■ ■■■-> r, ^-ii'.^ \ 5 Vo....fe.?..3.J'.. 'hv/ NO, ILLIN(>XS. ' -N y PLA Pkinted at the Herald Steam Book akd Job Office,' 1881. Entered according to Act of Congress, m the year 1881, by J. FLETCHER HOLLISTER, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. f)i{f)idS¥ioK. This work is affectiouately dedicated: — let. To his Dear \Yife, Sharley Emeline, the faithful friend and sharer of both his sorrows and his joys. 2d. To his friends — with the good regards that the gift implies. 3d. To all those who desire to read it — with a wish for their pleasure, and perchance, profit. 4th. To his enemies, if there are such. 5th. And lastly, To those "Who for lack of sense, txirn critics in their own defense.'"— (Pope). As he always will, "His de- fects to know, make use of every friend and every foe.'' BY THE AUTHOE. Pl{5^ j^&d5{ "Paint me as I am.'''' — Cromwell. In publishing a book great or small, it is customary to insert a preface setting forth the scope and design of the work. This work assumes very little of scope, and less of design. As was said by a Prince of Poets, (Burns) : "Some rhyme a ueebor's name to lash; Some rhyme (vain tho't) for needfu'' cash; Some rhyme to catch the country clash, And raise a din; For me, an aim I never fash :. I rhyme for fun.'''' Therefore more need not be said thereon. The following pieces, whatever their mei'it — if any — were written as occasional and mere wayside trifles, as circumstance or incident gave occasion: yet upon reflection they, or some of them, seem to point a moral; some to express a sentiment; some to indulge a whimsey, and some even do "give aid and comfort" to honor and patriotism : ever keeping in view the true dignity and higher welfare of humanity. The work, miscellaneous as~it is, imparts the thought, sentiment and feeling of its author, express- ed in his own language ; and is published to please himself, and also his friends who have often importuned him with : "Why don't you get your poems published?'" THE AUTHOK. mfljeje Page M}' ChiklhoocVs Home — 1 Fame ... .... 10 True Happiness — — 11 Envy .... .... 12 Summer Shower .... 14 Lines on Hearing a Watch, &c. 15 Fleeting Summer — — 18 Supplement to Fleeting Summer — 19 Lines .... 20 Liberty Song — — 22 Life .... .... .... 23 To the Tippler .... .... 25 Temperance Jubilee — — 25 My Wife .... .... 26 Fashionables — 37 Equality .... .... 28 Ethics of Trade .... .... .... 29 Soliloquy .... .... 30 Obedience — 30 X INDEX. The Forsakeu's Lament Faith, Hope, Love The Graves The Ox Happy Fire Side A Lament Spring Morning Freedom's Star A Chapter on Bickerings Varieties The Dandy The Kindly .... Dedication of Album Prairie (Jirl Folly and Fun Elegy on the Death of Charles Madison Carver Youth The Neglected Boy ... Country vs. City; Nature vs. Art To a Brother Ehymer,— O. Fuller Bloomers Our Tobacco Chewing Parson Biped Tobacco Worms Priestly Religion .... Who is the Murdered Wife The Old Wife And the New The Women INDEX. zi The Guardian (Beven) To Ella This Age — The Sleepy Baby The Supreme Be True to Thyself Come to the Concert Welcome to Our Returning Soldiers Epic of Madam Grundy Evening Hymn The Spirit of Man Never Grows Old Our Christmas Dinner A Thought Guardians Couplet My Mountain Home A Riddle Chewing Gum Money .... Rich Dying Body's Adieu to Its Departing Spirit 70 72 73 75 76 78 79 82 84 104 106 108 112 112 114 115 116 117 119 123 ViA MY CHILDHOOD'S HOME. Sweet Home of my Childhood — dear land of my birth! Thy beauties in dream I survey, And revel in pictures that glow round that hearth Where rocked in the cradle I lay; No spot so enchanting upon the green earth, So richly in memory hung, As that where my tongue in its juvenile mirth, Its first prattling melodies sung There stood my native wood-built cot,* And suited to the charming spot, Remate from city strife; Without, were thrift and order spread, AVithin, domestic comforts shed Their rustic beams o'er life. In front and just across the way, A time browned "Stiir'f did antic play Its pranks with old and young: Three drams or more a day, at least, Were modish then; thus even the Priest Inspired his godly tongue. * See Note 1. f See Note 2. THE SUNFLOWER. It stood unblushing on a brink;* Fit place, as mortals crazed with drink Soon found the ditch below. I saw not then the ruin dire, The crispings of its liquid fire, Its sure entail of woe ! My father's patient toil and skill Built the old fashioned cider-mill f With circled trough and wheel; The massive wheel its circuits rolled In ponderous rounds, till Winter's cold The laggard "cheese" congeal. Came there the plodding farmers round, "In turn" to occupy the ground, — For so the order stood — With clumsy carts, some iron stayed. And some more clumsy still, were made Exclusively of wood. These laden deep and oxen drawn, To evening's shade from morning's dawn, Each creaking 'neath its load Of apples, straw, and barrels void, In prior years filled and enjoyed, Came trundling 'long the road. The apples in the "bed" were stored. And piecemeal in the wheeltrack poured; "Old Dobbin" cherup told. Tugged, with his antique "tackling" prest, Against the belt across his breast. And round the engine rolled. * Of a spring-run near the house. f See Note 3. MY CHILDHOOD'S HOME. Freebooter like, I ran the ground, And culled and munched the best I found Ur plied the magic "straw * Tobarrel tub, and riJl, and press: And sipped and swigged till sore distress Would seize mj burdened maw. ^Twas tinder to my childish pride. When seniors lifted me to ride Astride the sweeping shaft; • Ihe scene mj infant bosom fired ^ot more of glory I desired, And deep the goblet quaffed. (.in Autocrat might seize the helm ^t fetate, the Universe his realm A ;r^^ ^"" itself his throne: ' And Empires tremble at his nod Uwn him a Caesar or a god, 'Twas nothing to my own! Yes; I was greater, happier far, Ihan Sultan, President, or Czar- I lived! and life was bliss ' My guileless soul, worth millions more Ihan power, or fame, or golden store Had never gone amiss.) But ah! r sometimes lost mv poise, And from that pinnacle of joys Fell tumbling headlong down, Like sundry children older grown [Some call them^/.^,j fl,i„g .^eir throne, I heir kingdom, and their crown. * See Note 4. THE SUNFLOWER. This closed the scf>ne— a tragic close I — With bruises and a bleeding nose, Wrought by the sad mishap; Crest fallen "Johnny" subbing went To give his bursting bosom vent In "mother's" soothing lap. Dear mother! blessings be thy share, For watching, toiling, ceaseless care! And happy rest thy soul ! Thy chidings are as vivid now, Though time has chiseled deep my brow, As when I truant stoh^ To paddle in the gutter stream — Ah I life was then a flowery dream, Turmoil and grief unknown. I knew not then misfortune's smart, Which since has blighted head and heart. And left them sere and lone. The ''gutter" was my darling rill. Sprung from adjacent granite hill In leaping, laughing chase. How oft its current clear I riled With fickle sands and pebbles piled, To head its wonted chase 1 Lone chestnuts, shagbarks, oaks and elms, Grand Sachems of their forest realms. Spared by the axman's arm. For fruit, or ornament, or shade, As fancy or the senses swayed, Stood waving o'er the farm. MY CHILDHOOD'S HOME. Soft maples, natives of the swales, As if to woo the kissing gales, Upturn their silvery leaves; Among their mossy branches gray, The chittering squirrels antics play, The robin her palace weaves. That one across the way, in Spring Crowned with its scarlet blossoming, Gay orchestra for birds, Pavilion charmingly attuned, Where he-jrt with kindred heart communed In love's untutored words. Not barren trees that idly stood, Stern relics of primeval wood, Dotting the manor o'er; But fruits of every taste and hue. Which on the trees and brambles grew, The queen attraction bore. There grew the apple and the pear. The currant, cherry, plum, were there. For more would relish call ? There, native grapes in blue and white. Some climbing to the elm tree's height, Some creeping on the wall. Would more? — there hung the luscious peach. Inviting in the finger's reach, To crown the tempting list. What epicure would ever seek More than devour its blushing cheek, By Beauty's goddess kissed? THE SUNFLOWER. Those fruits, my father planted them, And careful nursed each frajrile stem That bent beneath the storms. He sowed the grass-plot by the door, And set the picket fence before, To ward intrudiriLr forms. »>;K With pbiythiuL's gathered on the ^'stah', I whittled sticks and fingers there, In tune with mother's wheel jt Or marked the glowing stithy fire, Where \'ulcan like, my artful sire New formed the candent steel. Alert, when sisters milking went;J Or o'er their scythes when brothers bent, Or showed the smothering m<>w, I capered, tumbled, shouted meet, Went berryinsy '"Nay. nay," said he in anxious tone, "Here's no True Happiness !" I asked the warrior in the ticld. In gory glory's dress: What does your pomp and carnage yield? "Ah — no True Happiness?" I sought the miser in his cell. Recounting his increase; His woful l-.ok the tale did tell, He'd no True Happiness. I asked the thoughtless, vain and gay — Their idle answer this: "We eat and drink and rise to play." This your True Happiness! 12 THE SUNTLOWER. I sought the peasant in his cot — Sure there no grief cou'd press: "I've peace and plenty, but have not Yet found True Happiness!" I asked the saiot who long had trod In Bible holiness? "Not now, not here — in heaven and God I hope True Happiness." I turned to him who tills the ground Of Wisdom, Truth and Love? "These virtues my delightful bound, And cons-cience to approve, My cup," said he, "a brimming joy Of purity and peace; They all my time and thought employ, And win True Happiness. These Triune Glraces, — hail their sway ! — Undying Savior given To light and smooth life's checkered way, And earth transform to heaven!" ENVY. Oh! horrid Envy! — execrable thing! — A hell-born child, offspring legitimate ! Wrinkled and haggard and grown gray with near Six thousand years of unrelenting greed ! ENVY. 13 Tireless and sateless thus she marches on, Flinging her blight o'er all the social plan, 'Whelming the loveliest tokens of our race In common ruin I Env3^ ! — that hateful name, exceeding vile! The chief of all the diabolic train Of hellish fiends within the range of thought; That harrows nature's indignations up To tempest wild ! Ah — who can look fell Envy in the face, Or taste the venom of her aspen tongue, And not the loser be ! — For when she takes possession of a heart, She quick pursues the victim of her ire, With unrelenting zeal and hate and wrath And rage unmitigated! She stalks abroad a most flagitious hag; Whose eyes of vengeance dire and whose knit brow Bespeak malignity that reigns within; Whose venomed tongue a fatal dagger is; Whose shriveled lips but hide a catacomb Where lie ingulphed her wretched victims low; Whose nostrils fume with vapors from the pit Whence she proceeded, and whence all our woes First emanated ! Her breath is foul, her very atmosphere Is foul — polluted with the Stygian stench! She never smiles but seeing others' woes; When others smile her very eyes weep blood! 1 4 THE S UNFL WEE. SUMMER SHOWER. Hark I — the tumult, splash and spatter On the panes; Sprinkling, dashing — what's the matter ! What? — it rains! There some drops are quiet sleeping; There some others stealthy creeping; There — see others antic leaping — Yes, it rains. Not an urchin out at playing Can be seen; Lambs and cattle heedless straying O'er the green. Now are scudding helter-skelter, From the storm's terrific pelter, To the shed or thicket (shelter. Or ravine. Nor is seen a song bird flying From her nest, Though in garb of nature's buying Is she drest; Nor is heard a vocal strain From creation's plural train ; Music of the hill and plain Hushed to rest. Lightnings glare, and booming thunder Shake the hill; Thirsty leaf and chalice under, Drink their fill; In the driving tempest roaring Now are heaven's torrents pouring, Now in gentle mizzle lowering Soft and still. Ardent nature now is quenching All her thirst, — Warj plowmen dreading drenching, Scampered erst, — Grateful earth the bounty blessing, Teeming fields the boon confessing, In their hues of I^den dressing Fresh as first. For this hour storm curtains dense Veiled the blue, Lo, what richer recompense Greets the view! Sol returns and beaming brighter, — Larks and robins winging lijihter, — Lilies washed and all the whiter, x\ll seem new. LINES On hearing a watch ticking in a lady's bosom. Ah, little prattler, Fashioned by art, Ungallant tattler, Spy of the heart! 16 THE SUNFLOWER. What are the messages, Breathed in thy ears — Hopings or presages, Trustings or fears? Say, wast thou bidden there Welcome, a guest? Or cosy hidden there, Cuddled to rest? Tell as you reckon on. Does love beguile? — Has she a Corydon Courting her smiles? Comes there no sadness near Where you recline? Ever does gladness cheer? Can she not pine? D.ies ne'er that bosnm heave Grief's silent throes? — Doe? that heart never grieve O'er secret woes? Is virtue reigning there? Di)es truth adorn ? No folly staining there? Ts there no thorn? Are her days sunny all — Is there no gloom ? — Sips she no bitter gall At dear one's tomb? "Ah ! captious visitor, Silence your theme! A WATCH TICKING. 17 Play not inquisitor Into her dream. Foibles of womankind Lenient scan; Fau.ts of the humankind Tarnish thee, man! "I've not intruded here, True is my tonpue, Nor been deluded here, Thoughtless as young j Emily lovingly Gave me the place, Never reprovingly Shuts her embrace. "Virtue and purity Blush not for me. Theirs the security Wanton ones flee; Thus in simplicity, Stranger to strife Rich in felicity Passes my life. "Such of my history Freely I tell; Hers in its mystery Better to dwell; Ne'er shall my vanity Cause her to weep, Friends of humanity Counsels will keep. Hers is variety, This I disclose, 18 THE SUNFLOWER, Pleased to satiety, . Sorrowed with woes, — Sore melancholy Grieving in tears, Gay fun and folly Laughing in tears." FLEETING SUMMER. Summer's realm is passing away, Dims her eye a lingering tearj Hues that shone but yesterday gay. Now are sallow, and brown, and sere. Dashing round his ^saddening shade, Autumn now the scepter assumes; Urging on his plundering trade Spoiling Earih of Eden's perfumes. Flora fresh with amorous balm,' To his feet her offering brings. Yielding up her flowery prilm, AVhile the '^Kafe'''^'' her requiem sings. Corn that reared its tasseled head, Vines that crept in lowly array, Peas that twined and blossomed are dead, So the Summer is passing away. Hoar-frost sports his ruinous sheen. Bleak winds growl their threatening wail, Cowering landscapes barter their green, Don in turn their sorrowing veil. * Katy-did. FLEETING SUMMER. 19 From the trees their livery drops, Rudely to their mouldering cast; Lone and long their quiverins: tops Wave beneath the wintry blast. Birds hie off, deserting our clime, Clime where Winter is king so long, Where May notes perennial chime, Chime in love's t-ymphonii>us song. Thus creation's varying throng, Scenes and seasons iiloomv and bright. Doomed, are trailing tatters along, Marching on to interminate night. Thus Old Time is rushing his team; So our life-hour hurries away, Gone our years like story or dream, Dream of a moment, glimpse of a day. But adieu to them and their pain; When our winter of lite appears, If we but an Eden regain. Clime unmeasured by change of years. SUPPLEMENT. Again returns the story Of Summer's fading glory. In purple, brown, and hoary. And chilly storm and gust: The Old Lady hushes gladness, (Yet to repine is madness,) And dons her weeds of sadness, New-dyed in Autumn rust. 20 THE SUNFLOWER. Spring that was so inviting, And Summer so delighting, Autumn is now affrighting With ruin chill and drear. The vine has lost its cluster, The corn its green and luster — Ah, Nature ! who can trust her Deceitful smile or tear! But time its steps are hasting; As vegetations, wasting By Autumn's prowess, tasting Complete return to earth, So, soon will artful Nature Renew each cunning feature. Replace each dying creature With April's charming birth. LINES. Let crowned and mitred heads abide, Beneath their figment, Royalty, From all their pageantry and pride Deliver me! Let dukes and highborn fools invite To costly banquets proudly given, Whose luxuries without requite From serfs are riven. Let idle nabobs loll at ease, And win the vulgar gaping gaze, LINES. 21 Can mind regale upon a breeze Of heartless praise ! The sordid miser anxious keeps Keen vigil o'er his wasting trust; Let him, — his god is in his heaps Of cankering dust! I deprecate his sordid pains; — I spurn their titled dignities. — I love where equal justice reigns, And Freedom is. I love the man who tills the soil, With no temptations far to roam, Providing with his cheerful toil For his "sweet home." Around his ingle free of strife, His life a peaceful river runs; Where happy are his bonny wife And little ones. He scorns ambition's fickle nod, And bids each showy fantom "hence!" His guide is Nature, Nature's God And common sense. Thus his felicities increase, Though years increasing dim his eyes, Preparing for a home of peace In purer skies. 1845. 22 THE SUNFL WER. LIBERTY SONG. Tune. — Burlington. Awake all ye Freemeri and hear the glad story, And swell with emotion each patriot breast! The vile blot that darkened the disk of our glory, Is biding the Voter's behest. Their heralds are crying on wings of the morning, Nor shall their entreaties be uttered in vain, For thousands on thous;inds are heeding the warning, And plead for the suffering train. Speed on, ye bright heralds of Emancipation ! And spread the glad tidings of Freedom's bright day: That from this exalted,' this sturdy young nation, Oppression is fleeing away. Ye slaves of the South, turn your anguish to laughter, And dry up the fountains that furnish your tears, For Freedom's sweet song shall employ you hereafter, And none shall torment you with fears. The lash of the master shall echo no longer. The wail of the slave-mother ever shall cease; Men's hearts and the Nation's grow stronger and stronger. As the slave walks to freedom and peace. Will minstrels sit longer in sorrow ! — No — never ! The dirge has already eu>ployed them too long, They'll render thanksgiving nnd praises forever In chanting the '-Liberty Song." LIFE. Unite then, each Freeman, in raptures of pleasure, The chorus of Freedom falls sweet on the ear,— ' Unite in thanksgiving to God for the treasure Of freedom to Freemen so dear. LIFE. Lo ! the busy breathing throng. Sporting in the beams of day ! Pleasure's sunshine a'l day lon<^ Steals their cares and pains away. Loves of action and of ease In all right relations tend; Labor, pastime equal please, Equal serve the pleasing end. God did plant it — and it grew — Something high o'er base control Filling every avenue Of the body, spirit, soul : This is LTFK ! a magic dower — Life di if used throughout, above; Bird that in each bosom's bower Sings its rhapsodies of love. So, as myriad sentient things Mingle in the merry strife, Happiness spontaneous sprino-s From each element of life : Sense and sight awak*^ the strain, Passion warms the throbbing breast, 1844. 34 THE SUNFLOWER. Thouj^lit directs the teeming train, Ruled by reason's high behest. That is Life where every power Its organic plan fulfills ; In the sweet and tinted flower, Cup where nectar dew distils; In the daisy on the mountain; In the verdure on the trees; In the pearly gushing fountain ; In the fragrance of the breeze; In the acorn that's buried Beneath the wood s »il ; In the seeds that are planted By husbandman's toil; In the herbage that carpets The prairie and lawn, Where sport in wihi freedom The rabbit and fawn; In the bear in the forest; — The wolf in the ledge ; In the lamb on the meadow, — The mouse in the hedge; In the frog in the puddle — The rail in the brake; The trout by the ripple. The duck on the lake; In the dove's mellow cooing, The lark's merry theme, In the robin's sweet wooing, In the eagle's wild scream, Through earth, air and ocean of permeant life. All Nature with pleasure of being is rife. TEMPERANCE J UBILEE. 25 TO THE TIPPLER. Though the goblet so witchingly lure, Spurn it, for infamy lurks in the bowl? There a Syren while proffering: cure, Plunges her dart in the stultified soul. Filled is her bt^aker with complicate sorrow Though flaunting around with enticing display Her sweets of to-day become woes of to-morrow, Her venom like viper's so poisons your clay. TEMPERA.NCE JUBILEE. Lo, the Temperance Jublilee comes ! Bright is the banner she over us flings: Slaves of Bacchus in desolate homes, Freely may share in the pleasure she brings. See — huw she's laden ! her basket is teeming With comfort and health to the needy and wan, Sweetly her eyes w.th divinity beanjing, And darkness and sorrow before her are gone. Hail Thou, Teu)perance, goddess of peace, Hallowed genius that scatters our fears! — Brings the desolate kindly release. Chasing their sorrows and wiping their tears! Hail to thy conquests with loud acclamation. That vanquishes Bacchus and frees the forlorn. The cause that of thousands has been the salvation, The solace of millions, let triumph adorn! 26 THE SUNFLOWER. MY WIFE. My Wife, dear partner of my youth, Couipanion of my aw, Are oft in sweet affection laid To i-ooth my aoxious brow. Let. others the wild mazes roam To sate their lawless love, But let me aye abide at h-nie With my own charminir dove. Would I exchange her pure embrace For all the wanton train? — O'erpall with grief that angel face, And pierce that heart with pain ! I ask no monarch's crown to lay Its weight upon my head: Let me the unambitious way Of upright manhood tread. THE FASHIONABLES. 27 While Heaven warrants to extend Mj residue of life, Grant uie this true and bosom friend, My dear confiding wife. 1848. THE FASHIONABLES. How Fashion, vain, capricious jade, Gee-haws lier silly victims round! In Folly's flaunting garb arrayed, They list her every plausive sound.— Content to pi .y doll-baby part, These semblances of human kind. Deform their bodies by their art, And starve th' invaluable mind. Better design of dough or dirt, An iniage of the human form, And dress it as they would a flirt, — No matter whether cool or warm — Deck ir, with tawdry, gems and curls, Au^ pdiitt the blushes on its face, — (Fair sample of our modish girls, Fantoms for simpletons to chase !) But let the human form divine Retain its native beauty still; Thwart not its Maker's wise design. Mar not its Maker's wondrous skill! l^\iht form if prized like other things. And valued for the icorth it shrines, 'Tis casket keepins; richer gem " Than ever lit Golconda's mines. 28 THE SUNFLOWER. EQUALITY. God never made an Autocrat, In all His broad creation, — A monster bandit whose fiat Should rule a man or nation. God never made a chattel slave; Such pitiless infliction Would mar the plan His wisdom gave, With glaring contradiction. But made mankind for liberty, And bade them live as brothers; Gave each liU own in equity, One reckoned with anothers. In this let each their homage pay To Hiui their own Creator, And thus of J.ove and Truth each day Be rich participator. Let none despise a wholesome toil : It makes the pwr man wealthy; To dig subsistence from the soil Makes leeble mortals healthy. Whatever I myself can do I will not ask of others; To "live and let live," heJp Hoe! too, Becomes all human brothers. When pitted in the cause of riirht. And none to staod beside me. ETHICS OF TRADE. 29 I will contend with main and might, Though justice be denied me. 1845. ETHICS OF TRADE. A fig for him whose silly heart Confides in wily proflerings, — A victim sheer of sharpers' smart, Their wiles and crafty offerings; For honesty in intercourse Was long ago forgotten ; The moral sense has lost its force, The social heart is rotten. Sa(hUrb(fi/s, now "warrants health,'' To get his bread well buttered; Brief, his pockets stuffs with wealth, For honied phrases uttered; Shem-s, declares the neatest fits; Yorihtick, pledges cheapest; Jwji^hr^ prospers by his wits. Skilled in tricks the deepest. Thus chicanery and fraud, Lying, cheating, scheming, Spread their network all abroad, To snare the unschooled or dreaming; To lure the simple in their toils, And filch their health and earnings; And make of innocence their spoils. Reckless of dear heart-yearnings. 1845. 30 THE SUNFLOWER. SOLILOQUY. Just give me skill my ends to plan, And nerve and muscle equal, I'll be an independent man, Uncaring fur the sequel; I would not ask of huuian kind A favor or a blessing. But gain fur body and for mind All that is worth pussessmg. And when I sail Avernus o'er I'll take my own conveyance, — I'll seize Old Charon's helm and oar, My motto, '-No delayance!" Let dash Avernus' breakers high, And tempests shake my coffin. And wild tornadoes wreck the sky — Fit scene my clay to duff in ! 1345 OBEDIENCE. Nature of blessings vouches bounteous share, — Nature begotten of some Great First Cause;— The ''Curse of Providence" is but to bear The fatal sequence of infracted laws. Sorrow and pain are fruits from off that tree Which ne'er was planted by obeying hands,— Grown by permission, urging leave to be. Apostate harvest of perverted lands. THE FORSAKEN'S LA.MENT, A DREAM. A musino; through a shady grove, By purling stream, I laid me 'neath a shady bower, To sleep — to dream. Sweet blossoms drowsy shed perfumes O'er heart and head, And softly through the quivering leaves. The sunbeams played. The merry birds that thronged the air Around, above, Their chimes so sweetly struck my ear, 1 dreamed of love: Anon I heard a plaintive moan Of person nigh, I looked, and lo! a damsel fair Appeared close by. Around her chastened charming face Played auburn tresses, While light and blush and mystic grace, That aye impresses, Beamed out o'er cheek and eye and lip, So redolent; ^Twas truth and love and innocence In beauty blent. With a form that a fairy would prize,' And accents out-vying the birds. And dashing the tears Irom her eyes, She uttered her anguish in words. 33 THE SUNFL WEB. And who could forget those sweet tones, So chastened in sadness and wrong, When, weary of weeping and moans, She uttered her sorrow in song;: '& "Ye birds that flit from spray to spray, And gaily chant your twittering theme; Ye squirrels chattering in the trees, Ye minnows sporting in the stream; "Ye grouse that hie on fleetest wing. And ducks that plod along the fen; Ye herons poised in ether high, Far o'er the ^launts of faithless men; "Ye Iambs that frolic on the green; Ye conies skulking on the lea; Ye dappled, timid, forest fawns, Cast one kind look on hapless me? "Ye sullen clouds that heedles-s fly. Regard me as ye pass along! Ye whirling winds that rend the sky, Be still and hear my tale of wrong ! "Through childhood I sported In freedom like you; Regaled on life's nectars. And laved in its dew. Till sought by the charmer Who won my esteem, Then quickly evanished The sweet of my dream. "I lived in the cottage By yonder wood-side; THE FORSAKEN'S LAMENT. 33 Fond sire and mother All wishes supplied: No brother or sister A truant would roam, For love and contentment Pervaded that home. "Anon, o'er the prairie A neighboring swain, To taste of that Eden Came again and again ; With ejes softly beaming And tenderest tone, He wooed me and promised To make me his own. "In tones of such sweetness He called me his love. How could I refuse him To mate with the dove? — Alas! the sad lesson I learn it too late, For the dove that I cherished Has flown from its mate. "I loved him sincerely, I thought he loved me; I prized him most dearly, And thought he prized me. With gushing aifection My holy love burned, And in his caresses I thought it returned. "I'd nothing to give him Of trappings or pelf. 34 THE SUNFLOWER. But the treasure far richer My innocent seU'; As pure as the dew drop This bosom of mine, What mure could he covet His heart to insshrine? "How could he thus leave me In anguish to pine — How could he so trifle With such love as mine! • Why am I forsaken? 0, what have I done That I am deserted By that faithless one? "Let prairies don perpetual gloom, And fields their golden harvests fleej Let Sprmg depart no more to bloom. Since my false swain's deserted me. And let me fly beyond these scenes To climes where suffering spirits rest, To realms where unrequited love Shall never more disturb the breast." FAITH— HOPE— LOVE. But for the Faith that points a better goal, And Hope that promises fruition there, And Love that sweetens earth's embittered bowl With nectar grateful to the longing soul, Man better were the senseless clam or bear. THE GRAVES. 35 THE GRA.VES. The spade gives the dead both a bed and a cover And levels distinctions in plebeian earth, There round the dark cavern do weeping friends hover, And hush in deep silence all accents of mirth. In the grave there the brave and the timid lie sleeping, The high and the low in the same kindred dust, .-: While reptiles so loathsome are carnivals keeping O'er all that remains of ambition or lust. In the gloom of the tomb lies the wretch from his hovel, At his side from his pride lies the king from his throne, The wretch none abashed by position so novel, The king well content that his size is his own. Will the grave of the slave be a whit the less quiet. Because his late owner lies close at his side? His carcass no better delectable diet For worms: but what of his splendor and pride? There's a grave 'neath the wave where the millions lie hidden. Who roamed o'er the oceans their fortunes to tell, By war and tornado and pestilence bidden. And are rocked in their slumbers by proud ocean's swell. 36 THE SUNFLOWER. THE OX. The ox, the patient ox, is doomed to toil. To wear through heat and cold and drouth and rain, The heavy yoke, to draw the rooting; plow. And lead the neap that weighs the teeming loads Of fresh produce from hill and dale and mead, Home to the thrifty farmers barn and crib, A rich reward of toiling man and beast. How fares he then? The blasts of Winter chill, and burning Sol Darts on him scorching beams, vile tongues blaspheme, And cruel hands deal blows unmerciful: He bears them all For scanty pittance of Ids dally food. HAPPY FIRE SIDE. Round the pleasant "Ingle" side AH endearments center, Realm that nothing may divide, Nothing rude m ly enter: Likeness of tlie home above. Every heart will shrine it, Truth and purity and love Clustering will twine it. O'er each feature, sense and form, Life its 'chantments throwing, Love through every bosom warm in sweet currents glowing. No unkindly passions spring Scenes like these to sadden; Words will only pleasure bring, Smiles will cheer and gladden. A LAMENT. The polar winds of bleak November blew. Dismantled trees their naked summits shook, O'er fields the snow in whirling eddies flew, And icy floors bridged the running brook; I moaning lay upon my couch of pain, Despondent, musing on the wasted past, Keen fancy's specters flitting through the brain; Their gloomy shadows o'er my spirit cast. The golden moments of impressive youth In folly wasted, — the illuring cheat Had gu'phed the soul, — Religion, Reason, Truth, All strewn in ruin at her dazzli' g feet. (Thus sport the young in dissipation's way, In wild tornadoes of their you*^hful fire; Thus pleasure frenzied, passion bears the sway. And each indulgence heaves the tempest higher.) Dejected wretch ! nor hope the spirit finds — Death-robbed forever of those hopeful ones 38 THE S UNFL WER. Whose stately forms and whose unfolding minds Could cheer the parents' lonely setting suns. The future — what? — 'tis but unsightly dream, A vague conjecture of an unknown wild! — Ye Powers above, vouchsafe one glinting beam To light the evening of thy luckless child? Oh horrid thought! and who could but repine, Thus cruel flung on Fate's remorseless wave — \ictim devote of premature decline, And soon to die and strangers turf his grave? Forbid it, Heaven ! — but hopeless the refrain. Since life is ebbing to its last degree; Disease is wasting, soon its grief and pain Will close the mission of the dire decree. And neighbors kind with melancholy pace, And drooping head, will near the gloomy spot, Consign me to the quiet resting place, To sleep unwaking and my memory rot. Depart my kin I let Gorgons dress my tomb, And on its face "Annihilation" write; Let thought be hushed in everlastinir gloom. As lite is smothered in eternal night. SPRING MORNING. Day is springing — Birds are singings Music flinging O'er the lea; SPRING 3I0RNING. 39 Rills are flowing^, Herds are lowing, Cocks are crowing Forth their glee. Buddinpr bowers, Bursting flowers — Genial showers Lave the green j Earth confessing Sols caressing, New is dressing Like a Queen. Flowers long slumbered Wake unnumbered Bee and huuibird To invite ; On their pistils, Pearly crystals Sport like vestals Kobed in light. Frogs are peeping, Reptiles creeping. From their sleeping Insects rise; All before us, 'Neath and o'er us, Join in chorus To the skies. 40 THE SUNFL WER. FREEDOM'S STAR. Though proud Columbia wide maintains Her ''Sfars and Stripes" o'er seas and plains, Not half the luster now pertains, That graced them when they first arose ! When Freedom first upon her uleamed, And Independence smiling beamed, Her soaring Eagle dauntless screamed Defiance on her tyrant foes. But now the wail of Slaver}^ rings; A cancer at her vitals stings — A blight and mildew o'er her flings, And mourning drapes her ensign brave. Alas, for her degenerate sons! Their sires ne'er blanched for tyrant's guns, But they in dread of proud Southrons, Dare scarcely whisper for the Slave! So long has man a Slave been trod! As long have Maatcru swayed the rod! Insulting thus their Maker, God, And bathed humanity in tears. This sordid nation yet shall wake, Shall all its Slavery fetters break, And for its wrongs atonement make And cheer the Slaves' declining years. Columbia then may rule afar, And millions hail her morning star, Bc-ecbo round the long huzza: "Of none destroying, none oppressed !" BICKERINGS. 41 Her ''Stars and Stripes" then bright will shine, Lit with a hall uio-t divine; United all her sons combine In Freedom's bonds supremely blest. 1844, A CHAPTER ON BICKERINGS. TO WHOM IT CONCERNS. Don't harry your neighbor, Dick Grum! He's not made fitr a tabor. Nor to stick with a saber; Besides for your labor 'T wont pay, Dick Grum. These neighborhood quarrels, Dick Grum, Don't spring of good morals; Have butter from corals, Or sugar from sorrels As soon, Dick Grum. Don't tease Mamma Deaver, Dick Grum, — Alone I pray leave her ! If she is a deceiver You'll not gain by your fever Against her, Dick Grum. 'Tis an unequal battle, Dick Grum, — For a boy wth a rattle Can blatter and prattle And gossip and tattle 'Bout woman, Dick Grum. 42 THE SUNFLOWER. Away with your slander, Dick Grum, — A gabbling old gander Appears a "heap" grander Than you as you pander To your spleen, Dick Grum. Be admonished in season, Dick Grum, — 'Tis wasting your weasand — 'Tis social high treason; Religion and reason Forbid it, Dick Grum. Incessant fault-finding, Dick Grum, And worniinir and winding: And grabbing and gri riding, (Ones better part blinding), Is ruin, Dick Grum. Be something or nothing, Dick Grum, — On self does your lothing, Your vaporing, wrothing, Y(»ur fretting and frothing Recoil, Dick Grum. 1850. VARIETIES. As difi'er men in stature, forms and faces. So they, in minds and morals, tastes and graces, Show parents, nations, species, stocks and races. THE DANDY. 43 THE DANDY. The Dandy — pshaw! the funky mess — Conceited, powdered noodle, With nauuht of value but his dress, — A noddy, a fopdoodle. This rard avis strutting goes On end like human creatures; That vacant shell behind the nose Is shaped like human features. [Tis bootless task to hunt for soul, No matter what our craving, Nought nni we do but save the hole, And that's not worth the saving.] His locks done up with curling rods, His bosom gemmed with broaches, Whate'er of him would please the gods Is shamed by the cockroaches. Trinkets adorn his paws and ears In fashion most ex(juisite; ''Poll"* sees! — abashed and most in tears, At first cried out: 'What is it?" — Then, "Hell of cheat! carcass and curls And every merit counted. Fit walking-stick for silly girls. Brass-headed and gold — mounted!" * Parrot. 44 THE SUNFL WER. Sooner than that waste thing, a fop, I'd be a clum or donkey, Or hootin«r owl on yon tree top. Or weathercock or monkey. THE KINDLY. Every kindly act we do Memory loves to treasure, Prompting to the good and true — Lights our way to pleasure. Every kind impulse of soul Towards a human creature, Adds a drop to bliss' bowl, Marks angelic feature. Every pure and gentle thought, Every hallowed feeling. Mingles nectar with each draught, Fount of heaven revealing. Sweet response of heart to heart Swells beyond expressing; Who'd not happiness impart Thus repaid with blessing? DEDICATION OF ALBUM. 45 DEDICATION OF ALBUM, For my dear Niece, Mary E. Steward. The little bee departs his cell As morning shadows vanish, To sip the honey dews that fell, His storehouse to replenish. The huuibird hies from her modest tree Where swings her downy palace, Kissing the blooms along the lea, Tasting each nectar chalice. So speed this book through mental bowers, And social landscapes tripping, Free as the bird that kisses the flowers, Or bee that the nectar is sipping. These virgin leaves without a stain To Virtue and Truth are given. And never be their silver chain By fraud or flattery riven ! Let Purity glow on every page, And Innocence play in each line; Blend fancy of youth with firmness of age. In feeling and thought divine. Here compliments may be expressed, And gratulitions offered; Even sweet affinities confessed, And gentle praises proff'ered. Friendships may here ambrosials bring Fresh from the Spirit gale; Aff'ection twine her off'ering, And love breathe the tender tale. 46 THE S UNFL WER. The wealth of regal diadems On brow of Empress twined, Is nought compared with these richer gems Culled from the garden of mind. Here genius and skill may paint a book; Here wisdom or wit may speak, But never indulge in word or look That would tinge the young maid's cheek! For these, all these is this Album sent To greet each generous donor, To richer return, but pure as it went, To Mary its thankful owner. April, 1850. PRAIRIE GIRL. A maiden rose from her rural bed, In early morn in May, And o'er the fragrant prairie sped To gather a fresh boquet. With airy gait and fleet as the fawn. She flings to the breeze her tresses, Repainting her cheeks with the glow of dawn, The art that cupid confesses. Tasty as nature her form is dressed, Sincerity speaks in her face; Every line is beauty expressed, And every action, grace; FOLLY AND FUN. 47 Soul unsullied with moral stain, And spirit as light as the bee, Her critic vision scans the plain For flowers as sweet as she. Her dextrous fingers snap the stems, Supporting the blossoms rare, And on her fair bosom lays the gems To lavish their fragrance there. FOLLY AND FUN. Folly vain and antic Rambling through the mazes, O'er the hills and meadows, Snatching oft" the daises. — Fun is growing frantic, As excitement crazes, In the lights and shadows Of jack-o-lantern blazes; Hieing after pleasure — Dancing onward ever, While the coquette treasure Mi)cks the vain endeavor, Till the murky river Swallows him from sight, And they sink forever, In forgotten night. ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF CHARLES MADISON CARVER, "Who died (as was reported by liis friend, William Plumas, who buried liim "beneath the shade of a pine tree,") on tlie bank of the Middle Yuba River, Calirornia, July 28th, 1850. His age, twenty-five years and one month. On the bleak western mount where the dark Yuba flows, And the Savage wild empire is keeping, Beneath a lone pine in their lasting repose, The remains of a loved one are sleeping. He left his "sweet home" 'mid remonstrance and tears, (His "adieu" was a farewell firever), To meet in the sequel his friends' darkest fears, To return again never — no never ! But to lie down and die on the "gold-digger's" claim, Nor a "way side acquaint" even near him; No love of a brother to whisper his name, Nor sister's affection to cheer him : The forest his shelter, the cold earth his bed, A stone lying there was his pillow; But who will inhume when the spirit is fled? — Who plant o'er his resting the willow? Poor boy! — 'tis sad on his exit to think — The pangs as each life drop is wasting — Prostrated and helpless and poised on the brink, And life to its terminus hasting;! DEATH OF C. M. CARVER. 49 Oh — could his dim eye ere it darkens in death, Catch one glimpse of a sister or brother! — Or could he be suffered his vanishing breath To breathe in the "sweet ear of mother!" 0, how 't would console him! his laboring heart Would laugh in the midst of its anguish; 'T would ease to his suffering senses impart, And e'en reconcile him to languish. But these are forbid him, and Charlie, unblest, Alone on a "placer" reclining, There sighs to the darkness and sinks to his rest, And worms gather in for their dining. EPISODE. To die in "sweet home," on a love-circled bed, A fond sister's hand to caress him; A dear mother's bosom to pillow his head, And sweet tones to comfort and bless him ; Her angelic ear to record his last breath. Breathed out like the zephyr's soft sighing — Is this the dark moment they're wont to call deaths No — surely, this can not be dying! — And friendship to heap him a neat rural grave, And lay the green turf for a cover, Where ivy will twine and the amaranth wave, And angelic spirits o'er hover. No: call it not cJcafh — it never can be, But a transit from sighing and sorrow: The spirit escapes from its prison house free, And wakes to a happier morrow. 50 THE SUNFLOWER. But to lie down and die on a 2;uld-dired uiuuntain, Too sick to return by ihe pathway he came, Or crawl to the thirst-cooling fountain: No music to hear but the vulture and crow And buzzard in villainous clamor, As hoverini^ o'er him expiiinugh 'ts a cheat] Obscure all nature ever did, [What can't be banished can be hid] Then dress in keeping with the rest — [Though 'dressed ' means only .sr«i/ dressed] And o'er the whole tack frills and foolery Till grave baboons convulse with drollery. And you ve a /'/'(// to your liking, With form and uait and features striking: A creature worthy of your care. Soulless as its makers are!" Talk of sunbeams stars and showers, Of nectars from Kdenean b 'Wers, Of corals from the brackish d^ep Whei'e mermaids and their merheayx sleep With trash like these I never name her, The likening would but defame her. As Sol presides without a peer, So she, the winsome, winning (If, To love and all the virtues dear Is like — like nothing but herself! TO A BROTHER RHYMER. 59 No sun e'er beamed so pure a ray; No fragrant bloom so sweet and gay As Euima's soul of love and truth, Perennial in blooming youth; Shrinking fnim unholy hands, In its spdtless b auty stands; Shuns the path the sordid pl<»d, And grows the image of her God. Her glowing bosom bliss inspiring, Kindred hearts with rapture firing, Thrills the ardor of her spouse, Wakes anew his youthful vows, Tames the tiger to the dove, With her atmosphere of love, Euima true to life and nature, Loved and 1 iving every creature, From all wayward iui pulse free, Ne'er forgets propriety; Smooths my pillow, lulls to rest, Sooths my arjgui«h when oppressed, Calms my passions when they rise. Points me to our native skies; Meekly Heaven's Mid imploring. First eur God. then me, adoring. Is she not a treasure — say? If not, where is one I pray? What more, you ask, could Heaven bestow To gladden our estate below. And make our pathway smoother run. Towards our goal — life's setting sun? We own our blessings, own our bliss, Excharige the unforbidden kiss; Our conjugal communion sweet 60 THE SUNFL WER. Wants one thin": more to be complete. Strangers look in and call us blessed, Declare us happier than the rest. But where's the "chit" to lisp our name, And Ian the phil'profjenic flame? Yes, where the "roddlin wee things" — where, To while away domestic care; To dandle on the parent knee. And win them with their guileless glee? Those plants that bud in life's briV omen dipping. Dribble dripping Maccaboy; Nasty uring, Past enduring — Only luring to destroy! Lnpping, dusting — How disgusting Is this lusting from the South! Fusty blisses Are the kisses Of the Miss' dirty mouth? Oh, the snuffinjr. Snuffing, snuffing THE SUNFLOWER. "Rappee" stuffing in the head: Nose a dust hole, And the worst hole But that curs'd hole, Pluto's shade! So they snuff it, Chaw and puff it, Spit and blurb it here and there, Till we fear us, Lest they near us And besmear us with a share. Priesth/ 'Religion 's but a brilliant toy — Mere Fashion's plaything, witlings to decoy, And idle maudlin folly to enjoy. WHO IS THE MURDERED WIFE? Not she who meets the assassin's stroke Of pistol, bludgeon or knife; Nor who on the racking wheel is broke — .^ Not she is the murdered wife. Not she who flung on the Bramin's pyre, Or sinks in the battle's strife. Or hangs to appease the law's dread ire — Not she is the murdered wife. Not she who, mad with the Lethean draught Or perfidy — stung out of life; WHO IS THE MURDERED WIFE. 67 Or slain by the red-man's venomed shaft — Not she is the murdered wife. But she who, ruled by him who sways The law, the purse and the sword, In murderous dread the beck obeys Of him the law made her lord: She who endures the angry tono-ue. And pales in the raging grip, — Her tender soul more keenly stung By the scorn of the curling lip. Who meets the assault of the fiery eye, And suffers the weight of blows; Hears words that human soul deny And fiendish soul disclose. 'Tis she who cares and suffers and toils In a home of endless strife, A pittance scant her only spoils, She, she is the murdered lolfe! Thus all the tendrils that would twine, And senses to chime in tune. All blighted as the tender vine Is bitten by frost in June. So -custom and law have fixed her sphere. And doomed her to abject life! And where is endured lot half so drear As this, the slow-murdered wife? 68 THE SUNFLOWER. THE OLD WIFE AND THE NEW. The old wife toiled in the kitchen, A slave to her family care: The new wife is served by domestics, And rocks in her parlor chair. The old wife brou,<2:ht all the water, Even cut her own wood at the door: The new one reclines on her Sffa, Scarce setting her foot to the floor. The old wife was cook, to be chided And faulted for every dish: The new one is petted and feasted And cherished in every wish. The old wife so patiently struirgled, Thoui>h wants and desires were denied; The new is ren Of the woman's life-dream! At the nod of opinion She falls A pitiful minion, And crawls, — A mind so enslaven' — Contented to be — A spirit so craven How can it be free! 0, Sol ! Hide thy glories In weeds, And night will envelop Her deeds. 70 THE SUNFL WER. 0, Luna, fair Luna, Deep f-hadow thy face, For the lapse of thy sisters, Thy sex's disgrace! 0, ye stars droop your eyelids And weep, Till embosomed in Lethe Ye sleep, For the weakness of woman Who folly thus craves, One sex of the human Fit ouly for slaves ! THE GUARDIAN. THE UNITED SEVEN. "Take me to thy hefirt!" said a timid young maid, A deep mantled hlush on her cheek, In manner so modest, so sweetly afraid, That she startled to hear herself speak. Proportions so peerless no creature could show, To heighten would more than complete; Her countenance lit with such angelic glow, Enravished, I fell at her feet: So enchantingly pure this spirituous flower. So timidly shrinking fr(mi touch, I called her Divine! — 0, Omnipotent Power! Was T faulty for deeming her such! I paused: and annn a presence appeared; I listened to what it would say : THE GUARDIAN. 71 It bid me "embrace the enchantress T heard, And walk in her lite-cheering way!" "This nymph is Youns^ Innocence blending With Modesty, Purity, Truth And Virtue and Love, and are lendins: To Beauty its undying Youth. "Take her to thy bnsom and cherish, Nor suffer her more to dt-part ; She comes to enliuhten and nourish, To soothe and to gladden the heart; Embrace her, her sweets are supernal And wake not a blush or a tear. Embrace, for her charms are eternal And bloom through an undying year. "She may drink of the bubbling fountain; Or lave in the bright purling rill, Or sniff the wild breeze of the mountain, Or laugh with sunshine on the hill; She may ramble in woodland or meadow, Or regale in the shade at her ease; She may cull fresh flowers of the prairie. Or the bloom that o'erspangles the trees. "The beasts of the field shall befriend her, And the birds warble enrols of bliss. The eagle his pinions shall Irnd her, And the dove give her welcoming kiss. The pole shall provide her with ermine. And Afric present her a plume, Pearls shall be the gift of old Ocean, And the Indies will waft their perfume. 72 THE SUNFLOWER. "And when this earth ceases revolving And swinjis from its balancing pole, Creation in dotage dissolving, And the heavens rolled up as a scroll, Then the stars shall be gathered as jewels To circle her glorious neck, And the sun as a gem will be chosen Her hallowed bosom to deck." TO ELLA. As thirsty noon-beams panting peer Through blooming foliage to the pool, To slake their drouth in waters clear That soft repose in bower so cool. So pants my thirsting soul to grasp Thee, matchless Ella. — empress charms ! — And to my aching bosom clai^p Thy spotless image in my arms. No marring pencil ever traced One line upon thy form so fair; Nor was one beauty e'er efFdCed, But all are fresh and blooming there. Just so, the beauties of thy mind Shine out in all their native love Truth, Virtue, Purity, cojnbined, Begotten in the realm above. THIS AGE. 73 Wilt not thou, Sweet One, deign one smile To soothe this burning heart of mine — To snatch me from this drear exile, Where all within can only pine? One beck from thee would cheat the grave, And save me from its dread embrace; Nought but thy magic power can save The hopeless wretch that seeks thy grace. THIS AGE. This Age is an age of progression, The people go crazed on injprovement; Staid ones are leaving time-honored professions To grab for some newly-burn movement. All things beyond yesterday, stupid and stale; No speed short of '60 per hour on the rail !" Time was when they practiced good will toward others, And argued that all men should mingle as brothers, And treat with affection wives, sisters and mothers. But these shallow graces are banished the schools. In chant, or in anthem, — Who'd tune it or time it! — In song, or in sonnet, — Who'd rhythm or rhyme it! — The sweet melophene, — Who'd tone it or chime it! — These items are trifles, the small work of fools. In the rules of the age, what contrivers or planners Would think of instilling good morals or manners; Or wish for sweet Peace to o'erhover their banners. Since a prayer is valued far less than an oath ! 74 THE SUNFL WER. For the feelings and pleasures of others uncaring, — Their common palaver is ^wa^'ger'ni', swearing; Haipstrings of the social thus wantonly tearing, Begins with the bantling and grows with his growth. "So clamor these ranters, that woman is equal Of man ! — In soothing their ardor determine to speak well Of nothing that is, — but we'll show in the sequel That woman now fills her appropriate place: Just cast back the glance to remote misty ages. And trace her relation down history's pages, Acknowledged by doctors, priests, poets and sages. She's but an append to the masculine race." Who'd be so insane as to set obligation. Except the acknowledged one, "consideration !" — Every man is a sovereign — a masterly nation! — With manifest destiny wide as the earth. Enlightened Benevolence now is a bubble And Justice and Mercy not worth half their trouble: The Money Machine is the only thing noble — The only creation deserving a birth. The Democrat boor turns jobber and banker — Nabob of the age; his better though lanker, Adown at his heels, and minus a spanker. The Slave digs his Masters per cent from the soil. 'Tis Democrat justice : rich power may revel In wealth, while the serf finds his plebeian level, Forked over at last to the dogs or the devil, Or the dirt where his hands were so ured to toil. February, 1855. THE SLEEPY BABY. 75 THE SLEEPY BABY.* Sat a doating mother, mild, In her lap a little child ; Never sweeter cherub smiled In the land of bliss: Eyes of finer li