# LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I WX^ t UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, f <;! ^ o POEMS CHARLES ALANSON MUNGER. f%>S NEW YORK: G. r. rUTNAM'S SONS. 1874. 75 2,4-tl Entered according to Act of Congress, in the j-oar 1S74. by MISS E. J. MUNGER, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. In accordance with the wishes of his many friends and admirers, a few of the published and unpublished Poems of the late CHARLES ALANSON HUNGER are here collected by his Sisters. OWEGO, April 8, 1874. rr^ ^ PAGE The Pioneers, Childhood's Dream— Manhood's Faith, . . 24 To A Friend, Christmas, In Memoriam — Helen Z. M, 38 Seven Years in Heaven, 41 Poesy, .^ 47 Requiem, -2 The Guest of God 6j Psalm of Thanksgiving, 5c Lincoln, 58 Father ! my God, I See, 72 Hymn of Praise, ^y Helen's Gone, 80 Epitaph of Ninus, 84 To 87 VI CONTENT S. PAGE A Fragment, gi The Old and the New, 92 Old John's a-Weary, 107 The Old Country Wife, no Jennie, 115 Love, 117 The Baby, 118 Bluebird, 120 Sunset, 126 At Rest, 128 The Three Poets, 130 Zisca's Drum, . 133 After the War, 139 To , 143 THE PIONEERS. Delivered at the Pioneer Festival, in BiNGHAMTON, FEBRUARY 22d, 1856. We are gathered here together in the Hght of happy years, To relume* our lives with memories of the hardy pioneers : We, the children they have nurtured ; we, the children they have blessed, In the valley, by the river, where their holy ashes rest ; In the valley their afflictions and their blood have sanctified ; By the river, golden-storied with their worth and virtues tried.. lO THE PIONEERS. We are gathered on the natal morning of our country's sire — Morning of earth's exultation — morning whose immortal fire Rising, whelmed the baffled vulture, feeding with insatiate ire On the heart of bleeding nations, with confusion swift and dire ; On the morn when childless Freedom, in the wide world all undone. Rose in gore, and hailed the NEW- BORN — her Avenger— Washington ! Here are gathered, to commingle cheerful smiles and friendly tears, While we pay our grateful tribute to the hardy pioneers! As the autumn sun, descending in the gorgeous western gloom, THE PIONEERS. II Broadens, and new-flaming splendors on the purple mountains loom, While the shadows fall the deeper on the verdure and the bloom — So, as o'er Death's silent summit we have seen their light depart, Brighter gleamed their clustering honors, glories new did 'round them start And their love, their memory, reverence — all, sank deeper in the heart. 'Tis fitting we should cherish their re- membrance ever just. Their heroic toil, and stoic, their high hopes and holy trust ! They, the sons of pilgrim fathers, who had dared the wintry wave. Triumphed o'er the foe and famine, with stern souls and spirits brave : 12 THE PIONEERS. They, who wrought so well the story of the green old days of yore, When a people rose in glory, and hurl'd thraldom from their shore ; They, who won these sounding forests and these floods and fields, so free. That their sons might worship Heaven in a home of liberty ! Pious fathers, pious mothers, who saw God in every gloom, Caught the flashing of his chariot through the darkness of the tomb. Heard the still small voice of promise o'er the crash of falling doom. Sundered all the fond affections which to kith and kindred bind ; All that love had linked with heaven in their native plains resigned — THE PIONEERS. 13 Happy homes, and haunts famihar, and the temples of the Lord, And sought the wilds and fastnesses of barbarous tribes abhorred. Silence then was on the mountain ; dark- ness then was in the dale ; And the savage beast howled hoarsely on the savage warrior's trail, While the wailing, woful war-whoop shrieked along with every gale ! But firm faith was in their bosoms ; their Deliverance was o'erhead ; And they fearlessly confronted and o'er- came each rising dread, Till into our homes of loveliness their weary footsteps led. Here they came, clothed on with freedom, in the shadowy dawn of years ! 14 THE PIONEERS. Here they came, clothed on with justice — the hardy pioneers ! Here they came, and here they strug- gled, tilling an ungrateful soil ; Here they wept, and here they worshipped, through long days of dark turmoil ; Here they lived, clothed on with freedom, through the horrors of wild wars ; Here they died, clothed on with radiance, steadfast as th' eternal stars ! What though midnight closed around them — what tho' conflicts' wrath assailed ? Never fainted they, nor faltered — never their bold bosoms quailed. God was with them, God was o'er them ! He should still the strife direct, . Should gird them with the harness of destruction, and protect ; — THE P I(J N E E R S. 1 5 For they heard, through war's hoarse thun- ders, Triumph's trumpet blaring fast ; Knew that, in dun clouds of glory, free- dom's flag should flap the blast ; And that, through the smoke of battle, Victory's star should stream at last. So upon the cloud-capped mountain, on the black cliff's solitude, 'Mid the darkness lightning-rifted-, and the terrors tempest-wooed, In the crash and boom, the eagle watches o'er her callow brood. Gathers them beneath her plumage while the snows around are driven. Feeds them with her sky-won quarry while the rocks around are riven, Till with thunder-baffling pinions, they soar upward into heaven I l6 THE PIONEERS. Fair WYOMING ! now the " wild flower " scents no more thy '' ruined wall ; " No more thy plains lie wasted under Desolation's pall ; No more doth crimson havoc on thy hapless people fall ; But the city smiles in beauty where the deed of hell was done ; And the river rolls in splendor that with fathers' blood hath run ; And the vale reposes tranquilly — the fairest 'neath the sun. They are resting from their labors — thy defenders true and bold — And their scattered bones, re-gathered, mingle underneath the mould, As their hearts in life united met the foe in days of old, THE PIONEERS. 17 Till in freedom's stern encounter they waxed bloodless, faint and cold. Peaceful ! honored ! be their slumber, while the tide of being rolls — Their glory to the nations — and their memory in our souls ! Wysox, too', hath drained the cup of Tory wrath, and savage hate- Hath bowed her head in agony beneath a ruthless fate — Hath given into Indian thrall her feeble ones and fair, Robbed of every consolation, save one only, in despair. 'Twas the promise of redemption, in 3 land and home afar. Where "captive leads captivity," beyond the farthest star ! l8 TPiE PIONEERS. Through the night of desolation, mar- tyred, every hour they trod, Weary, worn, and broken-hearted, they bore on the word of God Over mountains, over deserts — a poor, stricken female band, Prayerful, trusting, faithful Christians — till they felt of God's right hand. Heaven bless them ! for our sunshine 'twas that they traversed the gloom : In the holy cause of liberty they dared defy their doom — Sacred be their names forever! glories shine around their tomb ! Let his name decay unhonored, on his memory gather mould, Who shall sully the bright story of our mother, strong of old ! THE no NEE RS. I9 Who shall dare to stain the 'scutcheon of the sanctified and brave, Or pluck fair freedom's chaplet from the patriot in his grave ! Many a vale of quiet beauty, many a haunt of dreamful ease. Linked with names of dulcet music, -sweet as olden melodies ; — Many a stream in gladness bounding through the forest wide and dim ; Many a wild wood grand resounding with the storm's deep organ hymn ; Many a mountain looming awful up athwart the starry dome ; Have they left to us, their children, our inheritance and home. Wyalusing !— where th' Evangel pitched the snow-white tents of peace, 20 T H E P I O N E E R S. Bidding fierce, war-nurtured Indians from their wrath and blood to cease ! Fair She-SHE-QUIN ! throned serenely, like a queen, among her hills, Gathering loveliness in sunrise from her tributary rills ! Bright TOWANDA ! like an eaglet perched upon the azure height. Pluming his unscathed pinions for a bolder, broader flight ! Ta-HI-HO-GAH ! where the waters, meet- ing, clasp each other's hands. And go singing on together, carrying joy to many lands ! Old Ah-WA-GA's widening valley ! where the Susquehanna laves The consecrated burial-grounds of hon- ored chiefs and braves ! THE PIONEERS. 21 OtseningO ! name melodious, where the sister-rivers meet In a vale of quiet rapture with com- munion low and sweet ; Where we novv, in emulation of those waves commingling near, Are together joined to memorize the hardy pioneer ! Blessed ever be our fathers ; hallowed be the ground they trod — They for us in war have travailed ; they for us endured the rod ; And serenely now repose them on the bosom of their God ! Let their memory ever flourish, blooming in our heart of heart — Let their virtues ever guide us as we strive with earnest art — 22 T II E r I O N E E R S. And their piety sustain us, when from earth our souls depart ! Yet are we not all forsaken by those old majestic forms ; Their brave remnant towers grandly through the wrath of wintry storms, And their brows are bound with honors plucked from duties nobly done : And old age illumes their story like a calmly setting sun. Let us cherish them, and reverence, while their lamps of life shall burn, And renew our failing virtues at their overflowing urn ; For a few more days shall gladden them, a few more moons shall wane When, gathering thus together, we shall look for them in vain ! THE PIONEERS. 23 Honor, then, our noble fathers for this land, which love endears ; Blessings on our pious mothers for faith's triumph o'er our fears ; Honors, blessings, rest forever on the hardy- pioneers ! So may we go on rejoicing, " with a firm, unfaltering trust," In the paths of truth and duty, that when earth reclaims her dust, We may leave, like them, to flourish — the remembrance of the just ! CHILDHOOD'S DREAM — MANHOOD'S FAITH. Ah ! blessed morning, whither art thou fled— With thy divinest, dulcet dream, Drawn from pure childhood's fountains ? Come back to me ! come from thy sun- set red, Round o'er the orient ocean-stream And hosts of ice-helmed mountains! For in that happy hour, I deemed — A simple child With fancy undefiled — ■ childhood's dream — 25 All the wide world with truth and beauty teemed ; And should rejoicing, hand in hand with me, Walk down the fruitful vale of mystery, Unto the future's fair, serenest sea ; And be forever beautiful, With me forever dutiful; And be forever truthful. With me forever youthful, A never-failing source of joy Unto an ever fond and faithful boy. Then, too, I dreamed the tongue A harp-string rich of gold. Whereon the soul breathed, Eden old ; And round me songs of innocency flung. Yea, to such simple faith I clung. And stood to heaven so near. That on the spirit's tiptoe, I could hear 26 childhood's dream — The angels, with seraphic sentinel, Cheer one another's watch with — ''All is well ! " Then wailed the wasting years, A chilling dissonance of doubts and fears ! And I beheld the rainbow fly With its spent splendors, from the frowning sky ; The West, with all its fleecy flock Of purple, silvery sea and ruddy rock, In one tumultuous toil of sundown shock, And fond affection's doom Sealed with a treacherous kiss: Beneath the roses' bloom I heard the serpent hiss. And from the false- toned tongue. Cacophony, such as fell From relict-angels' harps unstrung, In their red realm of hell. MANHOOD S FAITH. 27 All these I heard and saw, Threading life's thorny shaw ; But harbored still, with constant mind, The faith that all was fair and true ; Assured 'twas mine 'ere long to find My world robed in a real hue, With purer beauty glorified, And nearer still to heaven allied, With something of a grandeur and a power, I knew not, felt not in my sensuous hour. And now that this my life Furrows the foam of strife, And yet still must stem the stress and storms Of passion's ever-eager gale — I feel that music and those forms Which were my joy on hill and dale, Are but the types and echoes, sensible 28 childhood's dream — Of that divine Incomprehensible Whereof I glimpses caught, but see not clearly Through these dim veils of sense and flesh, .Dawning upon me fair and fresh, Rising upon me hourly, still more dearly. Daily my sight unsealing. And glories new revealing, Shining more brightly year by year, And growing ever still more near and dear ; And though the rainbow's hue Dissolve in blankest blue, And sundowns marshal their array To glitter, gild, and grope in gloom away ; And though the rose The serpent 'neath her bloom disclose ; And though the kiss MANHOODS FAITH. 29 Drug with deceit love's golden bowl of bliss ; And though the tongue of man Through all the round of hellish rhythm hath ran ; Yet hold I not a faith the less, That all this world w^as made to bless, And that beneath each cold and outward form, The truth lies deep and warm, Immaculate of earth, Immutable in a heavenly birth ; And that the sensible sound and sign Which childhood deemed divine, Are voice and lamp to guide us to that deep, Where in a sacred mine Beauty and Truth their jealous jewels keep ; 30 CHILDHOODS DREAM — And ever as my homeward path is trod, The Ocean, Earth, and Air Around me grow more fair, All radiant with the signet of our God; And as Creation's plan Is to my clearer sense unsealed. And to a purer intellect revealed, Youth's joys become the rapture of the man ; My childhood's dream, the faith by which I climb, Through silvering mists, the crags of toil- some time : Yea, brighter, surer ever grows my way, And I draw nearer heaven eveiy day. Nov. 3, 1872. TO A FRIEND. Trust me, my meditative friend, We are not men but as we do, But as we rise, gird, and battle through The world, unto some worthy end. These twilight moods ambition cramp; These rapt and theoretic flights, Through dreamful days and studious nights, A higher, nobler ardor damp. Though Study is the regal car Wherein we journey up to fame. Yet Action is the steed of flame That whirls us on from star to star ! 32 TOAFRIEND. Though lore and fervid brain combine To purple with rich juice our life, 'Tis action in the world of strife, Which doth express the generous wine. Thou should'st not thus thy spirit tame, If thou would'st men should taste and bless The wine of thy immortalness^ Till they be drunken with thy name. Nay, rather, while thy waiting morn Looks wistful on the eastern hill, Step forth, thy circle to fulfil, And life with lofty deeds adorn ! Thy circle — broad and high above, I see its perfect arc expand. Traced out by Truth's unerring hand, And beautified by Hope and Love. TO A FRIEND. 33 Then up, thy morning bids thee forth ! The night, by thy cahn sunshine kist, Shall blossom into day, the mist Of wrong and error lift from earth. Arise, and from a zenith pure Diffuse o'er earth the serene light,- Of heaven-appointed Truth and Right And Love, which time nor death obscure ! So act, that from thy zenith won, When thou shalt seek the deep'ning west. Thou mayest go down with honors blest. Which broaden like the setting^ sun. CHRISTMAS. The winter-night is bending, husht and holy, O'er old Judea's plains, As, in the stable, yearns a Virgin lowly, With sweet, maternal pains. Not far away, the Inn gleams warm and cheery, 'Gainst her is shut the door; Beside her, Joseph wan and weary : Humble are they and poor. CHRISTMAS. 35 And now is come the hour of long desire ; The doom of sin to swell ; On that pure bosom lies th' avenging Fire, The Babe Emmanuel. In swaddling-clothes they wrap him, in a manger They smooth his lowly bed, And lull to sleep the helpless, heavenly Stranger 'Mongst cattle 'neath the shed. Over the roof, a pausing star is blazing With strange celestial light, Flooding the earth with radiance amazing, A Stm at dead midnight. 36 CHRISTMAS. O'er all the land, upon that midnight oklcn, Are voices heard on high, As open swing the gates of heaven golden Upon the trembling sky. And through the shining portals, angels gleaming, Come sweeping on white wing. And the dear natal hour of Christ redeeming With joyous anthems ring. And shepherds list with fear, the gladsome story. And Wise Men come from far, The Earth, in robes of welcome and of glory. Sings like "a morning star. CHRISTMAS. 37 Me, pomp and power shall whelm with awe and wonder- He, with love's aspect dread, Bursting the gates of Death and Hell asunder, Shall bruise the serpent's head. Nor Him, from His Elect, shall Time dissever ; Nor Him shall change attend ; But He shall rule forever and forever A kingdom without end. IN MEMORIAM HELEN Z. M., ObIIT MDCCCLXVI. .^T. XXI. As when the herald-star of day, Becomes the Evening's gentle queen, Sets in the purple skies serene, Ere clouding night obscures her ray ; So she, coheriting the light Of springing morn, of Evening's star The loveliness, hath trailed afar Her beauty from this vale of night. INMEMORIAM. 39 She is not dead ! The Good die never ! No ! steadfast mid the shock of doom, The shafts of death, the grave's dread gloom. They stand serenely and forever! But as the Sabbath waned, adown The battlements of endless day Splendored the white-robed choir's array Upon her, from God's golden Town. She saw ; and on her ears arose The song of the Apocalypse, Which so vvith rapture did eclipse All sense of worldly weal and woe, That she was fain to sing that song. Which none in fleshly robes may sing ; 40 HELEN Z. M. And borne on Faith's unbaffled wing, God gave her to that Angel-throng. Her mem'ry fragrance still imparts ; And her calm light of love and duty, With all the balm of sacred beauty, Streams o'er the ruins of our hearts. Then let us quaff this wine of tears, (For o'er His friend the Guileless wept,) Not for her sake, who loved and kept That path which Christ's dear promise cheers ; Not for her sake whom Faith endears In the many-mansioned home of souls — But that with rude division rolls Between us Earth's dark flood of years. SEVEN YEARS IN HEAVEN. Seven springs u:ider the flowers, sister, Seven springs under the flowers, Under the beauty of seven sweet springs ! How hast thou passed all these long absent hours ? Wand'ring at will where the amaranth flings Blessings and balm on the saints' purple bowers ? Hovering in rapture on angelic wing O'er meads of asphodel kissed by fair showers ? 42 SEVEN YEARS IN HEAVEN. Plucking the bloom, blight or frost never stings, Listening to birds singing sweeter than ours? Seven springs under the flowers, sister. Seven springs under the flowers. Seven summers under the green, sister, Seven summers under the green, Under the splendor of seven rare Junes! What hast thou heard, darling, what hast thou seen ? What of your songs yonder ? Sing you the old tunes Sung by the .sons of God ere the Earth's sheen ? Sound they as sweet as our songs of delight SEVEN YEARS IN HEAVEN. 43 Sung in the summer nights, starry, serene ? llow look the fields in celestial bloom dight ? How look the saintly ones ? — like thee, I ween — Seven summers under the green, sister, Seven summers under the green. Seven autumns under the gold, sister. Seven autumns under the gold, Under the glory of seven glad Falls ! How have the heavenly harvest- moons rolled ? Faith's blood-red fruits on the jaspidean walls 44 SEVEN YEARS IN HEAVEN. Priceless and prodigal, dost thou behold ? What have the reapers of God's harvest reaped ? Garners of souls, ripe with raptures untold Are the Lord's wine-presses in purple '* steeped ? Are his lambs gathered in joy to his fold ? Seven autumns under the gold, sister, Seven autumns under the gold. Seven winters under the snow, sister, Seven winters under the snow ! Under Earth's surplice, blanched seven times white. Bright with the Cherubim's might dost thou glow ? SEVEN YEARS IN HEAVEN. 45 Oft does the Seraphim stoop through our night, Keeping fond sentry "o'er us here below ? Then, in thy sainthness, on whitest plume Dost thou stoop with them, though we may not know ? Lingering — thy loved ones to lead and illume Up to the Throne whence life's crystal floods flow ? Seven winters under the snow, sister, Seven winters under the snow. Seven years in Paradise, sister. Seven years in Paradise! 46 SEVEN YEARS IN HEAVEN. Over the flowers^ fields of green, gold and snows, Art thou still gazing on us in love's guise, Hopefully waiting till we find repose. In the deep, infinite heart of th' All-wise ? When clasping thee, freed from Earth's dust and woes, God shall wipe fondly all tears from our eyes— [rose, Tell us at morn from thy bed 'neath the Answer in whispers at night from the skies ! Seven years in Paradise, sister, Seven years in Paradise. Atril 8, 1873 POESY. What time adown the purple west Phoebus doth urge his flaming car, And o'er the dusky mountain's crest Comes forth the soHtary star, And hght and -darkness, hand in hand. Shed peace and glory on the land ; Beneath the shadow of the wall The city's strength 'gainst foreign foe Are gathered, as the night dews fall On temple, tower, and cot below ; 48 POESY. The warriors of the Grecian host, Their country's pride, and hist'ry's boast. They rest them there, on bench and stone, And tell old stories of the fray ; Of heroes, Earth was proud to own. Of chieftains, passed renowned away In arrowy storm, and conflict's rage. The splendor of their fleeting age. Then guided by a little hand, There came a blind man with a lute, And sat him down near by the band, Alone, and in rapt silence mute ; While gathered 'round those warriors rude — To wait his music-waking mood. POESY. 49 Then gently on the strings he played A murmuring music soft and low : " How dear is melody!" they said, " And how its accents come and go ; Calming the transports of the soul, And mastering it with sweet control." He ceased — and o'er them hung a spell, A spell tliey would not, could not break ; For that low strain, they knew full well, Prelusive should in splendor wake ; And then the Poet, first revealed, A mighty battle-anthem pealed. He sang Achilles, like the storm Fierce and o'erwhelming as he warred ; 50 POESY. He sang of Helen, fond and warm, But false, inconstant to her lord ; Of Paris and the stolen spouse. The love and strife of Menelaus. He sang Scamander's crimson flood, The battle where the gods engaged. Where Death did sit, and deep in blood The fearful fight unequal raged, Till mighty Hector, 'neath the wall Of Ilium proud, did, vanquished, fall. He sang ! — The night trailed through the arch ; New life was in those warriors born. They listened, till with failing march The fading stars led on the morn ; Still did he sing, still did they stay Till flooded Earth another day. POESY. 5T Then— there— had Poesy its birth ! Then — there — men owned its primal sway ; And now it circles all the earth Like stars, with pure celestial ray ; And crowned o'er all, the bard sublime, Superior sits above all time. REQUIEM. ** Reqtdem aternani dona iis, Do/nine ! ** Give them eternal rest, Father, with Thee, On thy paternal breast, God of the Free! Dumb is the cannon's throat, Broken the brand, Feebly the pennons float, O'er the red land ; Where on the battle-field, By the pale moon revealed, Slumber the Brave, Pillowed on foes overthrown, REQUIEM. 53 While 'round them shriek and groan, Blent with the night-wind's moan, Ceaselessly . rave. Them shall the thunder's roar Nevermore, nevermore Rouse up amain ! Theirs is that olden sleep, Sacred and golden sleep ; Sleep of the dutiful, Dreamless and beautiful. Free from all pain ! So sleep Earth's royal sons, God's loved and loyal ones, Their duty done — Sinking in tranquil rest, As in the purple West Sinketh the sun ! 54 REQUIEM. Fast closed the fight 'round them, Vast rose the fight 'round them, Night at noonday — Night of the sulph'rous gloom, Glad with the lightning's bloom, Hoarse with the thunder's boom, Grim with dismay and doom, Dreadfullest fray ! While round them evermore Wild waves of human gore, Washing the battle-shore, Burst in red spray ! Oh, they fought fearfully. Bleeding, but cheerfully,,^ Prayerfully, tearfully. On for the Free ! Dealing their dying blows, As o'er their flying foes REQUIEM. 55 Shouts loud replying rose : Joy ! Victory ! Close up each ghastly wound Gaping so wide ; Lift them up from the ground. Liberty's pride ; Wrap 'round each gory form, Torn though it be, The joy of the battle-storm — Flag of the Free ! Bear them on gently, now, Blessed and saintly now, To the proud North, Where sleep their sires low. Where Freedom's ires glow, Where Triumph's fires show Gloriously forth : Where stricken household bands 56 R E Q U I E M. Weep by the ocean sands, Weep on the prairie lands, Lake-shores and river-strands, Weep in their woe, For the bold loved ones who. When war's wild trumpet blew, Pressing in armor true Where Treason's dread bolts flew, Lie cold and low ! Bear them on glorious. O'er death victorious — They do not die, Who for their Country's laws, God and old Freedom's cause. Close the wan eye ! Theirs is eternal youth — Life in eternal truth — REQUIEM. 57 Time, in his flight, O'er their bright record's bloom Never can shed a gloom. Mildew, or blight ! Yes, bear them on glorious O'er death victorious Each to his home. There let them find a rest On the sweet summer's breast. Near vales they loved the best, By their blood kept and blest. No more to roam ; No more to rouse in might To the fierce fray's delight. No more to close in fight. For the Truth, for the Right, Ne'er to dash back in flight War's wave and foam ! 58 REQUIEM. With love most reverent, O'er each last, low, green tent Be all our tributes sprent Tender and true. Flowers of all gentle hue Spring hath of rare and new, Wind-rocked, or washed with dew, Freaking the vernal view Red, White, and Blue! There be fond off'rings laid, There our heart's thanks be paid. Hymns sung and prayers be said. Year after year; For this broad land of ours. Glad with its sun and showers. Bright with its birds and flowers, Fair with its hills and bowers. Strong with its wealth and powers. Their deaths endear ! REQUIEM. 59 Calm is their slumber now, Fame on each pallid brow- Sits like a star, Gleaming through doom and night- With a celestial light Streaming afar ! Drop no vain tears on them — There is no stain on them ! Earth shall now tell How, glad with life to seal Freedom and Country-weal, Nobly they fell! Leaving a story Of valor and doom, Wreathing with glory Their brows for the tomb ! 6o REQUIEM. Give them eternal rest, Father, with Thee, On Thy paternal breast, God of the Free ! Gather those ever Thine, In Thy fond arms divine. Who for their Country's laws, Thee, and old Freedom's cause, Battle and fall ! Give them supernal youth, Life in eternal truth — Flash wide o'er all Their far-splend'ring story, Dear, pure, and sublime, A sunshine of glory, To gladden all Time ! May 30, 1S72. THE GUEST OF GOD. IN MEMORIAM. Mrs. FREDERICK E. PLATT. Obiit, Owego, N. Y., Jan. 14, A. D. 1873. The Saviour called ! she heard his accent i tender, And waiting angels sing ; And putting on white robes of heavenly splendor, She went on willing wing. Willing to go— the gentle wife and mother Passed to the golden shore — Sadly, yet gladly, hence to mansions other — Ah, Earth will miss her sore ! 5 62 T PI E GUEST O F G O D. The Flowers will miss her, when the breezes vernal With kisses wake their bloom I But they with beauty and with balm eternal Shall gather 'round her tomb. Music will miss her ! for the love she bore her Was dear as Ruth's of old ; But Song shall linger in hushed hymnings o'er her, With her rich harp of gold. And Poesy will miss her ! with sad weeping, Chanting her requiem, Ever in fondest, holiest mem'ry keeping " The Star of Bethlehem ! " - " * The title of a beautiful Hvmn bv Mrs, Tlatt. THE GUEST OF GOD. 63 Friendship will miss her ! sick ones and forsaken Will miss her kindly aid, Her cheering smile, the hand they oft have taken, Her heart in love arrayed. The Church on Earth will miss her fond endeavor, Her sweet, her saintly zeal, Her prayer, her praise which failed or faltered never Till death her lips did seal ! And Home will miss her ! on its hearth are ashes, And vacant is her chair ; But in that circle where heaven's fireside flashes She sits — immortal there I 64 THE GUEST OF GOD. We miss her! but through tears of love terrestrial Over her hallowed sod, We thankful smile, that in the House celestial She is the Guest of God ! PSALM OF THANKSGIVING. Sit latis plena, sit sotiora, Sit jucunda, sit decora ^ Men tis jtibila tio . For all Thy bounteous blessings here Which diadem the rounding year ; For Spring's sweet sisterhood of showers That kiss and wake the slumbering flowers ; For Summer's joy, and generous yield On many a broad and brightsome field ; For Autumn's wealth of flock and fold, Of flagoned purple, garnered gold. We thank Thee, O our Father I 5 66 PSALM OF THANKSGIVING. For our loved land, bound round by bands Of interlinking hearts and hands ; For peace without, and peace within, And all the wide world kith and kin : For liberty vouchsafed to all. In fane and forum, hut and hall ; For favored sails and prospered marts — For these — for all — with grateful hearts. We thank Thee, O our Father! For Thy dear Bible — gift benign ! Sealed with thy Firstling's blood divine ; For all Thy mercies day by day Illuming our dim, devious way ; For all Thy loving-kindness sprent. As manna, 'round our earthly tent ; For our Redeemer's fond caress, Our birthright of immortalness. We thank Thee, O our Father! PSALM OF THANKSGIVING. 6/ For those who are not, and yet are — Who sleep anear, yet dwell afar ; For those who wake with tuneful feet The echoes of Thy golden street ; For those who still for us remain To soothe, to succor and sustain ; For those who o'er us wait and weep, And Love's celestial sentry keep, We thank Thee, O our Father ! And for another gladsome year To lead us toward Thy rest more near ; For blessings from Thy lavish palm Shed o'er a land devout and calm ; For homes and firesides warm and bright With Faith and Charity's delight ; May we who greet again this day Say, 'round Thine altar as we pray. We tJiank Thee, O our Father/ LINCOLN. Upon the bosom of Celestial-Joy At last reposes grand old Illinois ! Amid the best of every age and clime, Acclaimed the compeer of that host sublime — There, in the approving smile of God's dear face He rests, the Emancipator of a race ! His work is done ; and freedom on her hills With a great joy and mighty sorrow thrills. He stooped — so stooped the eagle in Ivis flight LINCOLN. 69 Down through the rolling clouds and gloom of night, Who soared on noonday pinions to the sun, His work achieved, his heavenly quarry won ! He bowed — so bows the river to the sea. Which keeps right onward, calm, majestic, free. Diffusing hope and joy o'er hill and plain, Its mission wrought, then plunges in the main. He fell, so falls the brave old sheltering oak, 'Gainst which the storms with baffled wrath have broke. When the keen axe gnaws rudely to the core, And all the forest echoes with its roar. 70 LINCOLN. Yes, grand old man — he stooped! he bowed ! he fell ! And on the field of triumph he sleeps well. He sleeps — who Freedom's great revenge did fill For those to drink who sought her shame and ill, Hurling down treason to a bloody grave. And lifting up to liberty the Slave ! He sleeps ! but still a people live to wet His hallowed earth with tears of fond regret, To guard the freedom, once his sacred trust, And cherish his remembrance in the dust ; To teach their future tribes his truth and worth, And bear his virtues down to latest earth. LINCOLN. ;r I The master sleeps! Death has o'er him no power : He hves, he works, in each revolving hour, He lives while Truth shall feed her vestal fire, While Right shall strive, while Virtue shall inspire, While the opprest to God shall bend the knee, While men shall dare, and nations shall be free ; And Time shall write upon the scroll of fame No purer record than our Lincoln's name ! July, 1865. FATHER, MY GOD, I SEE. Llnes suggested by the Baptism of a Blind Boy. FatJicr — my God, I see ! Tho' deep unmoving clouds hang o'er my way, And the long night that brings no day ; Tho' heavy hands have quenched the noon, The smiling stars and mild-eyed moon — Through the thick shrouds that 'round me close. Through all the weary weight of earthly woes, Father — ;;// God, I see. FATHER, MY GOD, I SEE. 73 Sealed tho' my vision be, And Nature, like a harper crowned and stoled. Lingering upon a harp of gold, Flatters the violets from their fold Of laughing lea or whispering wold. And sweet Spring from the Southern skies — Which I may only feel, for these vain eyes — Father— my God, I see. Sweet is the sound to me Of voices of my kin, so sooth and kind, I oft forget that I am blind. And seem, at times, in dreams to see ; And sweet 'tis with Thy fold to be- To mingle in their prayer and praise ; 74 FATHER, MY GOD, I SEE. And though I may not on my loved ones gaze, Father — my God, I see. The waters cover me — Hallelujah ! Contented with thy Son in night, With Him I rise into Thy light; The clouds, the darkness fly afar, Jesus shines forth my morning-star ; By faith. His waiting feet of grace. His outstretched arms, His fond and loving face. Father — iny God, I see. Saviour, I look to Thee ! Illumine Thou the blindness of my heart. That I may see Thee as Thou art ; 10 FATHER, MY GOD, I SEE. / 5 Pluck off its scales, that I may know The path of duty here below ; Shed on me inwardly Thy ray Of love divine, till in Thy courts I say, Father — my God, I see. Dearer than sight to me Are the loved ones of home who guide my feet And tune my lips with kisses sweet ; And dear to me are all who be Dear, O Infinite Love, to Thee ; Keep them, still keep. Lord, tenderly thine own, Till all redeemed and radiant 'round Thy Throne, Father — my God, I see. ']^ FATHER, MY GOD, I SEE. Thanks, thanks, I give to Thee, Who, through this wilderness of wail and woe, Hast made the path where I should go In blindness, yet to me so bright With Thy dear Word's celestial light, What though thick clouds and darkness cover me? Thine arms enfold. Thy loving face bends over me ; Father — my God, I see. HYMN OF PRAISE. Praise forever, praise forever! To the righteous God of heaven, God Creator, God Preserver, Glory ever thine be given ! Suns and stars in radiance rolling, Clap their hands, according praise To the Lord our God controlling And sustaining all their ways. Shout ! he reigns forever glorious, Shout ! he reigns o'er all victorious, God of everlasting days. Praise forever, praise forever ! To who dwell beneath his sight, 78 HYMNOFPRAISE. God, the Father of our being, God, the Lord of power and might! Comets o'er his vast dominions Cliariots are to him for speed ; Flashes borne on hghtning's pinions Glances from his eyeballs freed ; Dreadful thunders, space astounding, Echoes of his voice resounding ; Storm his mantle, wind his steed. Praise forever, praise forever ! Be unto the eternal King, All around him, all beneath him, Hallelujahs endless sing ! Fount of every pure emotion, Source of immortality. HYMN OFF RAISE. 79 Here accept our hearts' devotion, Serving thee is hberty, Father, King, O great Jehovah, Great Creator, grand Prime-mover, Hallelujahs, praise to Thee ! Praise forever, praise forever! God of all things fair and free, Glory, honor, thine be given, God from all eternity ! Father, owning all our weakness, Bending low the feeble knee, In the robes of faith and meekness, Now we lift our hearts to thee. Bless, oh, bless our faint endeavor, Smile upon us, and forever Let thy smile our portion be.. HELEN'S GONE. Turn me wherever I will, There's a gentle voice that is still, A merry laugh that is hushed ! And I miss the flash of a joyous eye, And a cheek with the summer flushed. A form that came like a beam from the sky. On a wing of light, Hath taken its flight ; And the sunshine of a golden head, Down a dim and envious west hath fled, And my heart, my heart lies dead — For Helen's gone ! The Lily may bloom. And the sweet Tuberose Her petals unclose, And faint in her own perfume; HELEN'S GONE. 8l The Earth, in the rosy dyes Of the lustrous, eastern skies, Or robed in the sumptuous gloom Of the sunset's purple loom, May flash voluptuous, through the spheres afar. And each sister star, Linked in the golden round may glide Through the dim sapphire, wild and wide • But nothing to me is bright or rare In all the deep, broad, balmy air, And little I care Whether the world be weird, or fair. The Winter's widow, or Summer's bride — For Helen's gone ! The bluebird and robin may bring With their warble and carol, the Spring ; 6 82 helen'sgone. The swallow may sing With the summer on his wing ; The bob-o-link and oriole jangle together All the slow, sweet hours of the bright, blue weather ; And tl'fe breezes may breathe *and blow Through their wild wood organs, dim and free Smothered and vast and sweet and low, The morning stars old jubilee ; And music's golden tongue With its utterances divine, Uttered through voice or instrument, From soul to soul ecstatic caught and flung, Shall flatter my lone heart in vain ; All pleasant art in vain Shall plead with my lone pain — For Helen's gone ! So close the shutter. And shade the lamp, H E L E N ' S G O N E. 83 My hopes sink chill and damp ; Earth's beauty and all her joy Gladden nor sadden, but annoy. Round your shining brows, merry girls. You may lightly lift your laughing curls ; And your songs all this bland and blessed eve Your spell of rapture and love may weave ; And the mornings may come and go, And the roses bloom and glow, And the night-winds sweetly blow, And the birds anear and afar Lift their hymns to the evening star ; But equal to me is rosy change Or bleak mischance of fortune strange ; Let the world roll on as it will — Sad or merry, well or ill : No joy, nor greater grief can come To my bosom's chill and desolate home — For Helen's jjone ! EPITAPH QF NINUS. Paraphrase on a P'ragment in Athen/eus. NiNUS, th' Assyrian, had a sea of gold, And treasures more than all the Caspian's sand ; In all his reign no star did he behold, Nor yearn for sitting with uiisceptred hand, The maudlin monarch of a mighty land ; None in his stead, among the Magi stoled, Trimmed the Holy Fire, as bade the canons old, Touching the shining God with consecrated wand. EPITAPH OF N I N U S. 85 No sacrifice he offered, nay, nor prayer Uplifted to the ever-burning Seven; Nor justice wrought, nor spake brave words and fair Unto his folk — whom, as the stars of heaven, He numbered not, and hid from with heart craven ; But in the revel his was valor rare, And, couched obscene, none more than he might dare. Him, wassailing, Death smote: Upon his tomb is graven — ** I that was Ninus, now am only clay • Naught now is mine save meat and drink and lust ; My riches, foes have rent and borne away — 86 EPITAPH OF N I N U S. As Bacchae, warring o'er their spoils unjust, Bear off raw kids, rent in their greed's distrust. I am housed in hell ! naught is left me to-day Of houses, gold or silver chariots — nay, I, that did wear a crown, am but a heap of dust ! " To Oh, she was fair as the first opening rose That sets the diadem upon the brow Of Spring, and angels led her gentle feet In morning walks of purity, the hem Of her white garments softened with the dew Of innocence. The light of her dear eyes Was sweet as star-beams in the summer skies, And shed an influence of heaven where'er She moved in loveliness of form and feature. Her heart was like the poet's cherished page, Whereon was writ a wealth of love and song, 88 TO . Filled with rich gushes of impassioned beauty, When his rapt soul was in spring-tide of youth. Her mind — a bower filled with singing birds, Fraught with delirious music of pure joy, Melodious in the sunshine of delight. Melodious in the starlight of content, Nor silent in the dark night of distress ; And from her mind to us, her thoughts came forth Like little children bearing stores of flowers ! Oh, she was dear to me — the dearest next To God ! She made my life as joyous as A twilight of deep heaven upon a shore Washed with an ocean of sweet song. She filled My soul with the religion of deep love. TO . 89 That with its light gave token of a full And perfect day of bliss beyond the skies! But in one autumn dawning, when the moon Bent o'er the golden brow of a western hill, Mourning, and pale, and childless of her stars — An angel entered at her door and clad Her in celestial white, and led her through The gateway of the morning to a day Eternal in the bloom of paradise. A flood of sorrow whelmed my sinking heart ; But I wept not — for when the tears would start. An unseen hand did wipe them from my eyes, And unseen spirits whispered, *' All is well ! " We know she is an angel now, and folds Her wings upon the bosom of our God. 90 TO . Her memory is worn in gentle hearts On earth, as holy as the relics of A saint ; and though the starlight of her eyes Is palled in darkness of the grave, the calm, Sweet moonlight of her virtues yet beams forth. Streaming a sacred beauty o'er the wastes And deserts of our hearts. There is a mound In yonder church-yard, blue with violets : 'Tis good to sit thereby at eventide Alone! Alone with her, the stars, and God! A FRAGMENT. She saw — and from her eyelids leapt Such tears as angels may have wept Bending in beauty from the skies Over the triple sacrifice ; In truth, among her worshippers, The best of heaven and earth were hers. Whatever beauty earth could spare Shone in the glories of her hair, Spake in the splendors of her eye. Breathed in her form, with kindlings high. And all that heaven could impart Was garnered in her guileless heart : Goodness and virtue, truth and trust Locked in one casket of the dust. THE OLD AND THE NEW. Delivered on the occasion of Laying the Corner- stone OF the New Court House, Owego, August i, iSyi. It is done ! — and the Ashler the Crafts- man prepared, Duly shaped, duly plumbed, duly levelled and squared, Is laid ! — and the corn and the oil and the wine Are poured ! and the grace of the Master Divine Is invoked on the work ! All is done, and well done ; And a brave goodly toil is in gladness begun, THE OLD AND THE NEW. 93 Which may the Supreme, Heavenly Archi- tect guide To a glorious conclusion of beauty and pride To a splendor consummate, where justice shall guard Her sword and her balance with strict watch and ward, In her Temple — a joy and a stronghold forever, Where Right over Wrong, in its ceaseless endeavor, New victories shall win — as ever of yore It has battled and triumphed, and shall evermore ! It is done, and the Old must give place to the New, The old Forum, so old, yet so honest and true, 94 THE OLD AND THE NEW. With its fond, pleasant memories, bright as the day, Must give place to the new — yes, must soon pass away. But those old recollections shall flourish in hearts Green for aye with all beauty, that rev- erence imparts ; For how shall we learn to forget those who made Its old walls resound as they wielded the blade Of eloquence, logic, or wit, in the cause Of justice and right, and our State's sacred laws. There stood Dana, when tJiat, our old forum was new, Thecounsellor calm, and the gentleman true. THE OLD AND T H KNEW. 95 Who passed from brave life, full of hon- orable years, Beloved of all men, and deplored by their tears ! And beside him stood Platt, with his cautious reserve. But with heart fond and warm, and who knew not to swerve From rectitude's path^nor to fawn, noi to bend — The Lawyer, the Christian, the neighbor, the friend ! There AvERY, the elder, too, towered erect In the brilliance and splendor of proud intellect, With a word of kind welcome for high and for low. And whose friends rose by thousands, where one cowered a foe ! 96 THE OLD AND THE NEW. And how often those walls have reechoed the zeal, The bold declamation, the ring of the steel Of th' old Champion,, Strong, as he rose for the fray, And drawing his sword, threw his scab- bard away, — From the spur to the plume a just, val- orous knight. Whose joy was the battle, the law his delight ! There, also, still lingers of Sweet's silver tongue The musical echoes — a man ever young In the quick, tender heart, in oppression's deep scorn ; And who touched on no topic he failed to adorn ! THE OLD AND THE NEW. 97 And there, too, was LOVEJOY, who clad on with truth, Passed away in fair promise, and glorious youth I But these are all gone — -yes, they sleep on the shore Where the rude waves of earth and of time break no more ; They have passed from our vision, and left us to strew On their memories' shrine flowers of all tender hue. Of love, emulation, and reverence due — Yes, th' Old passes away, and gives place to the New! And forth from the doors of that time- honored place How many, set out in Ambition's stern race, 98 THE OLD AND THE NEW. Have touched the proud goal of repute and success ! Genial Avery, the Judge, who achieved goodly fame, And in youth wore the ermine without stain or blame — Walker — now in life's noontide hour filling the chair, Whence Jefferson swayed Old Dominion's realm fair — Tracy — standing up shoulder to shoulder with all Who are brilliant in Courts and sagacious in hall — Young Madill — in the light of his fair morning star On the Bench, and the joy and the pride of the Bar— THE OLD AND THE NEW. 99 Catlin — Babcock— brave soldiers, who gave limb and life In the cause of the Union in War's deadly strife ! Yes ! all these come before us in bright, glad review — But the Old passes away, and gives place to the New. Then give place to the New ! Fairer structures must rise, And lift up their beauty and strength in the skies. Onward speedeth the world in Progres- sion's swift car, And who heeds not its flight, Time, the spoiler, will mar. I(X) THE OLD AND THE NEW. The old Court-house, with all its fond mem- ories of yore, With its low, dingy wall, narrow bar, creaking floor, Its doves in the belfry, its rats in the vault. Must sink 'neath the surgings of ruin's assault ! Let the new Temple rise ; and within the proud fane May those elders we reverence, revered still remain, ■ Yea, long, long remain, full of honor and years. To cheer with their counsels our hopes and our fears ! Here still may the dignified Farrington's voice In words of considerate wisdom rejoice. THE OLD AND THE NEW. lOI May Hunger, with white hairs and old age serene, In honesty's mantle, and vigor be seen. May Davis the faithful, the earnest, the true. His years and his strength like the eagle renew. May Nichols in straightforward manliness stand. With his generous heart, and his strong, helping hand. May Taylor, with clear and with scholarly mind. As apure chiselled column of marble refined, Still lend to the forum his chaste, firm support. And honor confer on cause, counsel, and Court. I02 THE OLD AND THE NEW. And Camp, like a star, shed the cahn, steady h"ght Of an intellect — one, perfect, pure chry- solite — With a beam that shall know neither dim- ness nor wane Till he sets o'er the heights next eternity's plain ! But the hours of their loftiest endeavors are flown, Their laurels are gathered, their crowns are their own ; The almond-tree's blossom is wreathed with their bays. And their juniors must war where they won in their days. And so when our Temple's proud cap-stone is laid. THE OLD AND THE NEW. 103 And its beautiful walls are in splendor displayed, • Here may we our Hancock, the genial soul, meet With his force of a Strong, and the music of Szveet, With his eloquent tongue, and his kindly, glad smile, To flatter, convince, to confute and beguile ; To gather fresh laurels, and wreath round his name The applause of the good, and the chaplet of fame ! And Parker, young Parker, here too may he stand In the pride of his lore, and his logic's command. Bidding Courts to the power of his keen genius bend, I04 THE OLD AND THE NEW. And crown with success a bright, honor- able end. Here, too, in high argument, oft may we hear The valorous RouSE and the chivalric Gere ; And list, as in logical conflict they join. Prudent NixON dissect, cautious Warner refine ; Behold as in contest they rise to their mettle The versatile Allan, the keen, eager Settle': The pure, generous Clark, the high- minded Scott, PUMPELLY and Easton, be they not for- got— Nor LOCKWOOD, nor Eaton, nor Dexter, nor Floyd, Nor TozER, nor tJiat one whose name / avoid. THE OLD AND THE NEW. 105 May the ermine which rests on their shoul- ders who stand At the altar of Justice with ministering hand, Still rest where it rests, as unspotted and pure. While the high, holy office of Judge shall endure ! And here still may Parker's calm judg- ment refine — May Balcom's quick reason and rare genius shine — May BOARDMAN with dignified bearing preside, And Murray with all, the high honors divide. And long may this Temple in majesty stand, A rock and a fortress of rigl\t o'er the land Io6 THE OLD AND THE NEW. May it grow up in beauty — column, wall- vail, and tower, The asylum of Justice, the emblem of power ; And our People, who rear it, hold their love and their awe Of their free constitution, tribunals and law ! And, when ive who have gathered on this festal day The chief corner-stone of our temple to lay, Shall have heard the last call of the Master of Love From labor, to rest and refreshment above. With our lambskins as pure as the snows white and driven. May we meet in His Temple, eternal in Heaven ! OLD JOHN'S A-WEARY. Honest John's a-weary, His winter's bleak winds blow, But dreads he not the dreary Drifting of life's snow; Calmly he is waiting, Now his work is o'er, God's footstep and greeting At his lowly door. Silver locks are streaming Across his placid brow, A feeble twilight's beaming In his dim eye now; There's a prayer expiring On his lips so cold, IC8 OLD JOHN'S A - W E A R Y God's dear word desiring On his home-sweet fold. Honest John's a-weary, He's passing to his rest, But weep not, dear old Mary, On his fond old breast ; Death cannot dissever Loving hearts and true, One by one, the river Jordan ye go through. Sally, cease thy sighing And close thy father's eyes, His spirit now is flying Dove-like through the skies ; Homeward he is going Up the silent way, Where life's stream is flowing In unending day. OLD JOHN' S A- WEA R Y. 109 Tom, his heart's stopped beating! Now fold his arms in rest, As was his wont in meeting. Calmly on his breast ; He has gone to glory, He has sped from earth ; Sacred keep his story, Emulate his worth ! He's no longer weary. He slumbers sweetly now ; The sun falls warm and cheery On his placid brow : Tranquilly he lieth, All his work is done, Death abashed, denieth The poor victory won. THE OLD COUNTRY WIFE. Wrapt in the golden woof Of her contented life, Under the olden roof Sits the old Country Wife, Turning the pages of memory o'er, Bright with affection and love-songs of yore Thus from the morning-balm Till evening's purple calm. Conning old memories o'er and o'er, She cheerily sitteth. And merrily knitteth. In the calm light of the farm-house door ! THE OLD COUNTRY WIFE. Ill She.sings a defiance, With glad songs of yore, To the sorrows of science, The sad things of lore ; Her hopes, her reliance, Are not in their store, In the search of neologies She is not bent — Her wisdom, her knowledge, is Simple Content ! With her station content, When content she hath trod— With her Bible content, And content with her God ! And conning old memories o'er and o'er, Contentedly sitting, And merrily knitting, She basks in the light of the farm-house door ! 112 THE OLD COUNTRY WIFE Ah ! little she knows Of the world and its woes ; Of its follies of fashion, Or the bleak storms of passion. The phantom of Gain, As he stalked through the land, With his pomp and his pain, She sought not to clasp ; So she felt not the grasp Of rude Ruin's skeleton hand. But the quiet within, Undisturbed by the din Of madness and sin, Makes glad the dim light of the farm-house door ; Where she cheerily sitteth, And merrily knitteth. Conning old memories o'er and o'er ! THE OLD COUNTRY WIFE. II3 Thus calmly her life, Free from sorrow and strife, Hath spun out its quiet thread ; And thus hath she knit, In her simple wit, Fond loves of the living and dead. And though old age hath silvered Her head, and bewildered Her thoughts of the dim days of yore ; Yet, conning old memories o'er and o'er, She cheerily sitteth. And merrily knitteth, In the calm light of the farm-house door ! Her loved ones of youth. With their fondness and truth, Have passed through that farm-house door On death's drooping plume ; But their mem'ries perfume 8 114 THE OLD COUNTRY WIFE. The tranquil content of the farm-house door; And their musical feet On the golden street, By faith, she can hear from the farm-house door ! And soon through that portal, In raiment immortal, Shall go the good wife of the farm-house door. In pride — not in meekness, In strength — not in weakness. To join in God's love With her dear ones above ; And we shall behold never more, as of yore, The old Country Wife sitting, And merrily knitting. In the calm light of the farm-house door! JENNIE. Jennie, with the hght-brown tresses, Dewy Hps and eye of blue. Round whose form with fond caresses, CHng the Beautiful and True ! Dear is morn, and purple twilight, Dear the stars' far-flashing glee ; But far dearer, thy sweet eyelight, Fair-haired Jennie, is to me ! Jennie, when the brook is flowing Tuneful, through the vernal lea — Jennie, when the breeze is blowing O'er the spice-isled summer-sea — When the mellow fruit is glowing, Golden in the autumn tree, Il6 JENNIE. Ever still my heart is owing Love's sweet loyalty unto thee ! Jennie ! ah, if thou'lt but love me, Cheer me with thy gentle charms, I'll not reck what sky's above me, So I have thee in these. arms! For the day will spring in beauty, And th