PS 3369 1880 V u ,^^ ^\^ )^ ^o v.^^ ^°-^*. «o. ♦ I, - ' ^^^ "^oV '^0' A V 4 o _ ° ■a? %<» ^^0^ ^ ' 4 O w \y- I'V' O ^V^^^ V ^ .^ » / 1 .0- .0^ o"/."''. O o V ^ - ^J> ^ = . o ^ ^^ C •? ^ 9^^ ^ic'^^FpE MI??IN6 MNK"3te^ oFins OF YOUNGSTOWN & WARREN, Now lesiding in Cleveland. PRICE, FIFTY CENTS. POETA NASCITUR, NON FIT. PROF, CASSIUS MARCELLUS CLAY ZEDAKER'S »t 17 D H THE WORLD'RENOWNED Shaksperian Elocutionist. Poet, Sv/eet Singer Composer of Music and Writer of Plays, of Youngstown and Warren, Ohio, Now Residing in Cleveland. siA..r # CLEVELAND : LEADER PRINTING COMPANY, I46 SUPERIOR STREET 1880. (iT 1/ ' THIS BOOK OF POEMS IS RESPECTFULLY DKDICATKD TO Pil 4nimt ^xUu PROF. CASSIUS MARCELLUS CLAY ZEDAKER. CLEVELAVn, OHIO, 1S80. PREFACE. This volume, at. the solicitation of numerous friends, is pre- sented to the public as an evidence of the result of a trained and inspired brain. Two years ago I was engaged doing menial labor in a saw- mill, owning a half interest in a steam saw-mill, shingle mill, planing mill and chopping mill, all combined and run by one engine, at New Bedford, Pa., and was also the owner of a half interest in the New Bedford Bending Works, manufactu- rers of rims, shafts, sleighs, etc., and also owned the hotel there called the "Fountain Inn," and also owned an interest in a threshing machine while there. Prior to that I had been engaged in selling fruit trees, and renting property which I owned, consisting of three houses, eleven lots and one barn located in Youngstown, near which place I was born. But my talents and abilities demanded a higher sphere of life. I felt that I was inspired and destined to walk in the higher circles of elocution and poetry. I l)id adieu to the saw-mill and the menial walks of life and went into a thorough course of training, preparatory to my destinj^ at "Dana's Musical Institute," Warren; and therefore Warren receives the credit, (with the assistance of the press of the city and country gener- ally, and of my native place, Youngstown, particularly,) of bringing me before the World as The Missing Link, the Great Poet, the Shakesperian Elocutionist, the Sweet Singer and Composer of Music, and the Writer of Plays. In this short time, by the aid of my marvelous natural abili- ties and inspiration, I have far outsti-ippcd all the schools and colleges, the poets and painters of ancient and modern times, and the celebrated actors and orators bow at my feet and recognize me as their superior and teacher. Notwithstanding the high standard of literary attainments exhibited in this volume, and the consequent genius and merit of its author, it is hoped that no young gentlemen or lady im- bued with the desire to immortalize themselves and their pos- terity in song, will be so discouraged as to give up their chosen ambition without an effort. Had I been content with medioc- 4 PREFACE. rity, the world would never have been dazzled with the efful- gence of the rays of light emitted and darted from my treasure house of intelligence and inspiration. That you will be able to equal me, is not to be expected, Natural genius, aided bJ inspiration, is rarely met with. Your place being lower than mine, the critic will only judge you upon that standing. If you are but able to reach the plane of oratory held by Cicero and " Little Buttercup Cox," and the poetry of Solomon, Milton, Burns and "The Sweet Singer of Michigan," it is better than absolute failure, or that which is worse than failure, viz: no effort. Again, I say, look to my example and be guided and dazzled by my brilliancy. Walk as closely as you can in my footsteps, for the nearer you approach me the more nearer j'^ou exemplify the command, "Be ye perfect, even as I am perfect." True, I am modest in speaking of my own abilities and acquirements, but it is the fault of my nature and I cannot overcome it. But, fortunately, it is not necessary that I should speak of my own achievements and abilities, for they are sung and spoken of in all the languages of the civilized world. You, gentle reader, are no doubt aware of them, and know full well that I am tha world renowned Shaksperian orator and elocutionist, the famed poet and sweet singer, the silver-tongued declaimer and critic. (By the way I am a dis- tant relative of the Sweet Singer of Michigan, though I greatly excel her. ) You are full well assured that to the remotest edge of time and to the last of our race the household name will be Prof. Cassius Mabcellus Clay Zedaker. THE POEMS CLEVELAND VIADUCT. Dedicated to the Cleveland City Fathers. I must say this is one of the greatest things in our nation; To see there thousands of people passing makes a big sensation ; And its piers and stone work it is built so very strong, And then its length, you know, is indeed so very long. And you see on one pier is cut the figures of 1879, And the builder of the masonry is E. W. Ensign, His work is good and strong and will forever stand. And better structure you will not find in this land. 6 ZEDAKER'S POEMS. One of the piers will be seen is built there eight square, "When the bridge revolves thousands are waiting there; You will hear the noise of street cars there a ringing A coming for miles, and passengers they are bringing. And to see the many tracks tluit is run through below And there see tiie many trains a running to and fro; And below you will see the boatman with his skiff, By his strong arm and oars he is gliding very swift. And you will see upon one pier the warning bell. It warns the one that thei'e in the bridge does dwell To turn this bridge, for there is seen the coming boats, That is coming in this channel, how nicely it floats. I am composing on a boat, and if you want its name, It is to the Viaduct close and it is called the Main; For it is yet too soon for the vessels to set sailing; Many people are watching from top and leaning on the railing. And all along the wharf yuu will see the standing boats. With their high mast poles fastened there with ropes; And you will hear all around many huftiming mills, For pushing business in Cleveland is the people's will. And the piers are all built from iron, stone and metal, They are built here so firm that they will never settle; Thousands of people and buggies and wagons are passing all the time, And the travel that is seen makes there an endless line. And underneath is run through many telegraph wires. That sends the news so quickly of murders and of fires; ZEDAKER'S POEMS. 7 And suiTounding the piers are seen two winding stairs, People are seen going np and down, and often n pairs. They are made of iron and are fastened very strong. And people are not afraid to go up there n