V »* Ml W U '» WM.k TM Shlj^v w -1^37 % SMW'i 1 1 $***/£. %»***'. %n % a*l/lsVL4ilAAJ MINNEWASKA A Legend of Lake Mohonk SEQUEL TO LONGFELLOW'S HIAWATHA AND OTHER LYRICAL POEMS INA E. WOOD VAN NORMAN PUBLISHED BY DONOHUE & HENNEBERRY CHICAGO, ILL. ILLUSTRATED BY J. T. TASKER. ENGRAVINGS BY MINNEAPOLIS ENGRAVING CO. 3^ -J** 9359 Entered according to the Act of Congress in the year [897, By Ina E. Wood Van Norman, i i ie office of tin' Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CONTENTS. Autumn Leaves, A Soliloquy, A Requiem, A Winter Night Vision, After the Night A Soliloquy on Death, Bring Flowers, Birthday Greetings, Bright Eyes, Baby Song, Bethlehem's Star, Charming Calhoun, Calumny, Captivity, Christmas Time, Come Unto Me, Dawn, Drifting, Dying, Day by Day, Despair and Hope, Easter Dawn, Earthly Hopes, Fair Land of Dreams, Farewell, Friendship, Fate Hinckley in Flames, Introductory Notes to Minnewaska, In Realms of Thought, In the Twilight, In the Hush of Night, Is the Spirit Immortal? If 1 Could Change, 104 . 195 169 . 135 176 . 189 115 . 137 209 . 211 2 59 . 91 197 . 198 175 . 184 129 . 133 177 . 183 190 . 170 186 . 127 229 . 230 233 . 161 7 . 117 131 . 181 180 . 187 CONTENTS. Journeying' Home, 182 Leap to Death, . . • . . 164 Listen to the Birdies Sing, 207 Minnewaska — A Legend of Lake Moho ik, . !7 Moonlight 132 One Hundred Years From Now, . . 146 Ode to Liberty, .... 158 Over the River, 167 Our Cross to Bear, 179 Our Heroes . 149 Rain, no Remorse, . 195 Scenes Remembered, 85 Severed, . 236 Songs of May, 112 Spring, ..... . 126 Sleep, 109 Sailor Song . 242 To the Hudson 99 To the Woods Away, . 102 The Navesink River, 101 The Death of Summer, . 106 The Deserted Home, 108 The Afterglow, . 116 The Inner Light, .... 120 The Old Cabin Home, . 123 The Soldiers' Sleep, 160 To-Night When 1 Pray, . 203 The Fairy Dell, 214 The Orphan's Lament, . 237 Whip-poor-will, .... 103 What the Winds Say, . l >8 Waiting, 173 What is Death? . 174 Where the Lilies Bend, 231 Whispering' Winds, . 234 We'll Paddle Our Own Canoe, 241 Youth, ..... , 199 PREFACE. In presenting this collection of poems, songs, etc., to my friends to whom this volume is dedi- cated, it has been my only thought that among them there might be found something that may be pleasing or otherwise entertaining. If so, I shall feel amply recompensed for my endeavors; although I feel assured that there will be found many imperfections, and much occasion for ad- verse criticism, yet I beg a lenient judgment, and in making this, mv humble contribution to the Poetic art, I feel I owe an apology for the seeming encroachment on the grounds which our distinguished poet has so thoroughly covered in his beautiful poem Hiawatha; and would but say, as the only extenuating excuse, that the key to the solution will be found in the following lines, quoted from Minnewaska: For the tent is lone and the wigwam drear When the smiles of youth can give no cheer; And murmuring voices from far off space Echoed the words through silent space. 'Tis even so with poetry and other forms of literature. There seems ever room for new 6 PREFACE. thoughts, new modes of expression, which, like an infant's advent in an already numerous family, there is generally to be found room for just one more. Thus it is to be hoped that art, word paint- ing and literature may never grow old, but ever continue to refine, elevate and ennoble our minds, until we have attained that perfection to which we all aspire. Your friend, Mrs. Lucien P. Van Norman. INTRODUCTORY NOTES TO MINNEWASKA. Facts Gleaned from Indian Myths and Legends. Minnewaska, or the Legend of Lake Mohonk, is partially founded upon the Indian supposition or tradition of the creation of the earth by one of their chief gods, whom they designated Unk- te-hee, the god of earth and water; and also upon their belief of the enmity existing between him- self and Wakin-yan-tanka, the god of thunder, a sardonic spirit, whom they imagine comes in the midst of the storm to do battle with Unk-te-hee, the spirit of earth and water. The Dakotas be- lieve that thunder is produced by the flapping of the wings of a huge bird which they call Wakin- yan, the thunder bird, and it is said near the source of the Minnesota River is a place called Thunder-tracks, where the foot-prints of a thunder bird can be found twenty-five miles apart. Tradi- tions say there are many thunder birds. Wakin- yan-tanka, or Big Thunder, having his dwelling place on a lofty mountain in the far West, and having a bitter hatred toward Unk-te-hee (the god of waters), often shoots his fiery arrows at him, hitting the earth, trees, rocks, and some- times man. Traditions also say that great Unk-te- B INTRODUCTORY hee and the great thunder bird Wakin-yan-tanka, had a terrible battle in the center of the earth to determine which should be the ruler of the world. (See Rigs' Tah-koo, and Mrs. Eastman's Dakota. ) Oonk-tay-he is the pronunciation of the word Unk-te-hee. There are many Unk-te-hees, chil- dren of the great Unk-te-hee, the creator of the earth and man, and who formerly dwelt in a vast cavern, the place around about being called Ka- tha-ga, the cavern itself supposedly being situated beneath the Falls of St. Anthony, Minnesota, 'lis said the great Unk-te-hee sometimes reveals himself, and from him proceed invisible influences. (See Gordon's "Winona"). There are many of the wild tribes who believe in a great creative power and a great destructive power, continually striving together and finding form in the Unk-te-hees, and the thunder birds, or Wakin-yans, who are perpetually at war, one with the other. It is also said that after Unk-te- hee had finished the earth, beasts, birds, and fishes and all that dwelt therein, he bade man spring forth from a huge hollow mountain and from among them he chose him a band, naming them after himself Unk-te-hees, and claiming them as his sons he made them lords over the beasts, birds, and fishes and all that lived on the earth or swam in the waters, and instructed them to obey his commands as follows: Ye shall honor Unk-te-hee and hate Wakin-yan the god of thunder; ye shall laugh at his darts, and, in need ye shall pray to the great god of waters; ye shall dwell together m peace; ye shall dwell as a strong band of brothers, ye are men whom I choose for my own; ye are INTIIODUCTORY. those whom I choose from all others; ye shall wor- ship the earth and the sun, for they are your father and mother, and forget not the Invisible Power, the Invisible great Taku-Wakan, who pervades all the earth and the air, who invisibly dwells in all matter; fear not the darts of a foe, for the war- rior's brave soul is immortal; hold as sacred the innocent babe; slay not the wife or the mother; when a stranger arrives at the tee, be he friend, be he foe, give him succor; let your food and your bounty be free; lend a robe as you would to a brother; hold as sacred thy word, and, in need, ye shall sacrifice self for another; yes, forfeit thy life for a brother. Now, into thy keeping I give the magical pouch of the spirits, the magical art, and the bone, and my voice ye shall harken and heed it. Thus long shall ye live in the land, and the spirit of earth and of water, shall come to your aid at command, with invisible power of magic. And at last, when your journeys are done, and ye reach the fair land of Po-ne-ma, ye shall walk as a bright shining star, in the land of eternal hereafter — Imi- tation H. L. Gordon's beautiful poem Winona. * ■:■ Minnewaska and Lake Mohonk are two lovely little lakes — gems in themselves of all that is beautiful, romantic and picturesque in nature — situated as they are in close proximity to each other, on one of the higher portions of the Shaw angunk Mountains and surrounded on all sides by their wild and rocky scenery, wooded heights, and sloping ravines, they form a picture once seen never to be forgotten. Strange and weird in the 10 INTRODUCTORY. evening shadows, Lake Mohonk lies calm and still with unruffled bosom, placidly reflecting the gigantic cliffs, bowlders and over-hanging growth of luxuriant verdure, mid the clear green of its shining waters; deep, dark and mysterious, its waters gleam like a sparkling jewel 'neath its rug- ged setting of towering walls, massive bowlders and projecting rocks that hem it in, with an almost impenetrable wall of strength and grandeur. Many and strange were the legends told in the past time, of the wonderful formation of so large a body of water, springing apparently from the bowels of the earth to nearly the topmost part of a mountain over seventeen hundred feet above the level of the Hudson. Many years ago this place was known as the Giant's basin, and there is now an almost for- gotten tradition that the great cavern-like walls were hewn out by the giant strength of an Indian god, and the waters, formed by the same miracu- lous power welled up from the deep and hidden recesses of the earth, forming a singular and al- most ideal beauty of what is now known as Lake Mohonk. There is apparently no inlet or outlet to this lake, though many are of the opinion there is a subterranean connection between it and Lake Minnewaska, the clear and beautiful lake adjoin- ing, whose bright and shining waters flow in the most charming and graceful way over the precipi- tous rocks in cascade upon cascade, over the terrace-like walls, till with one mighty leap it plunges down the precipitous sides of the moun- tain to the valley below, where for a distance of several miles, the shining fall of water can be seen, ' A thundering bolt o'er the warrior crashed A crouching form and the warrior leaned, Through swaying shadows his fierce eyes gleamed; A steady aim and his bended bow, 42 MINSEWASKA. Gave forth a clang: like a knell of woe. A whizzing sound and his arrow sped, Swift through the whirling mist it sped; A clash of wings, a heaving sound, A dark form reeled through the mist around, A maddening roar, a sullen groan, Wakin-yan-tanka lay stunned in the valley lone. Enah, enah, e-ho, e-ho, The warrior's shout rang o'er his foe; With leap like a panther protecting its young, O'er Wakin-yan-tanka the warrior sprung. With gliding pace and a magic tread, The warrior strode toward the moss-grown bed, Where the maiden lay in a sudden swoon, 'Neath the gleaming light of the waning moon. Long and silent the warrior leaned O'er the maid, where the lights and shadows gleamed; Then raised her form from her lowly bed, With winged feet through the night he sped. On through the depths of the rocky wilds, On o'er bowlders and steep defiles, On o'er caverns where cataracts roar, MINNEWASKA. 43 The pale, white form of the maid he bore. On o'er the brink, through the midnight gloom, He sped from the vale of fate and doom, And his wild shout echoed his loud enah! As he sped away through the wilds afar. An answering echo, a shuddering moan, O naked through the depths of the valley lone, A shuddering sigh, Wakin-yan-tanka breathed, A cloud of mist o'er the sleeper wreathed, A clap of wings and his prostrate form Reeled from earth, through the mist and storm. A quaking shudder, a reeling bound, His dark form swayed o'er the trembling ground, A mocking laugh, an answering shout, Amid the winds of the night rang out, And Wakin-yan-tanka, with huge wings spread, Whirled o'er the path where the warrior tread: Up and away through the starry night, He followed the warrior's hurried flight, On o'er meadows and through meads afar, He followed the trail through the wilds afar; On o'er the mountain, the river and stream, On through the forest and rocky ravine, 44 MINNEWASKA. On through the shadows and shades of night, He followed the warrior's hurried flight. On mid the rushing and quaking storm, The dark wing form of the fiend was borne; On and mid roar and thundering crash, His lightning darts o'er the warrior flashed; On till the rays of the early morn Streaked the night shades with a golden dawn; On till An-pe-tu-wee came swiftly striding, Swift o'er the storm god his footsteps came gliding. On till An-pe-tu-wee, the sun god of great wonder, Arose o'er the storm god, the great sod of thun- der — Arose in his beauty, his flashing eyes gleaming, O'er Wakin-yantanka sent his fiery darts stream- ing, On till his swift rays rent the storm clouds asunder — Rent the dark clouds, pierced the great god of thunder. Then like a phantom retreating from sight, With low, muttering rumble he vanished from sight; MIXNEWASKA. 47 With low, mocking laughter and rumbling sound, He reeled through space with a whirling bound; Back through the shades and shadows afar, His form grew dim as a fad in a- star. And the warrior's shout rang a loud enah! As he sped away through the wilds afar; On t'ward the east, t'ward the rising sun, With every stride a league he sprung. Far up a valley, the Mohawk vale, The maid he bore through a sunny dale; Far up the Shawangunk's steep mountain height He bore the maid t'ward the open light. Far up the mount, where his castle dome, 'Neath the golden rays of the sunlight shone, And its shining- walls glistened and gleamed, Where the golden rays of the sunlight streamed, And the waving vine swayed to and fro, From the rocky dome to the base below. Wild and weird, with hurried tread, T'ward the rocky base the warrior spec Aside he flung the gliding door, Stepped lightly o'er the moss-grown floor, Trod lightly on 'neath the crystal walls, 48 MIKNEIVASKA. Far down the winding, echoing' halls, Past sparkling founts whose endless flow, Fell 'neath the light of a mystic glow; Stept lightly on through high arched walls, Through white and shining- marble halls; Stept lightly down 'neath the castle dome, Through the deep rotunda the sunlight shone O'er glittering walls, where stalactites hung Like gleaming jewels in the golden sun; And the flowing founts, with splashing sound, Filled the great depths of the cavern 'round. Swift o'er the floor with noiseless sound, The warrior leaped with hurried bound, Spread with a light and gentle hand, A fleecy couch on the shining sand; Placed the sleeping form of the maiden fair, 'Mid the clinging folds of the ermine rare; Where soft lights fell from the castle dome, She lay like a queen on a royal throne, Long he gazed on the sleeper fair, On the waving flow of her trailing hair On the pale young form as in a dream, O'er the maiden's form the warrior leaned. MINNEWASKA. 51 Then murmured in accents soft and low, Like the sounding waters' rippling flow, And his far off tones like sweet music fell, O'er the sleeper's soul like a magic spell. Beauteous maid! from thy magical scenes, Float back thy bark from the distant streams. From thy wild-wood haunts and thy forest home, From thy leafy vales I bid thee come. Long and steadily, with eyes intent, O'er the sleeper's form the warrior bent, With swaying arm and clap of hand, He waved o'er her form his magic wand; Then spoke, and his voice gave a thrilling sound As it echoed long through the cavern 'round. By all the powers of Unk-te-hee the great, By all the powers opposed to fate, Beauteous maid, from thy death-like sleep, I bid thee wake, arise and speak! Child of the midnight's stormy skies, I bid thee speak, awake, arise! Slowly and softly the maiden breathed, A cloud of mist o'er the sleeper wreathed, A sudden crv, a low, wild shriek, 52 MINSEW iSKA. And the maid half rose to her trembling- feet. With quivering - sob and shuddering moan, She reeled from her couch like a bird in storm; With trembling hands and eyes upraised, At the warrior chief the maiden gazed. Then spoke, and the warrior's heart rejoiced, At the dulcet tones the maiden voiced; With far off look, as in a dream, Her words fell soft as a murmuring stream. Oh, Gitchee-man-ito! of earth and air, Where am I, oh, Ogema, where am I, where? Art spirit or mortal? do I behold Man of my race, a warrior bold? Or is it a fancy, a fleeting dream, That thou art a friend? not a foe doth seem; Thy face, like a god's, from a regal height, Seems to wake my soul from the depth of night, Wohon-o-win! wohon-o-win! woe is me, woe! Speak, oh, Ogema, art thou friend or foe? And the warrior smiled his kind intent, As o'er her form he lowly bent; Then murmured in tones like the sounding wave, Like the singing wind through the winding cave: M1NNEWASKA. 53 Fear not, fair maid, from thy fevered dream Awake, to the flow of the silvery stream, To the birds' soft notes and the tinkling- play Of the rippling founts 'neath the mist}- spray; Awake to the soundings of earth and air, To the world's sweet music and sunshine fair. And his words fell soft as the whispering breeze That sighed aloft through the clinorina leaves. With quivering shudder and forward bound, The maiden leaped o'er the shining ground, Gazed far up through the castle dome, Where the golden rays of the sunlight shone; Then cried aloud in wondering- awe. As she reeled, half dazed, o'er the cavern floor — Oh, the sun shines bright, the sky's serene, My soul, were it all a strange, wild dream? 'Mid a herce, dark cloud and the thunder's roar, I dreamed I was borne from my native shore; From the flowing' streams by my wild-wood tent, O'er fields and forests my course was bent, On fierce, dark wings like a bird in flight, I dreamed I was borne through the storms of night; 54 MINNE WA SKA . The wild winds roared, the lightnings played, I dreamed, oh, Enah! I was afraid. Yet still — be still, my trembling heart — The paling shadows seemed to part, And gleaming through the mist of night, I dreamed I saw a strange, pale light; Like a beacon star through the storm and gloom, It shone through the depths of a vale called doom. And a form — oh, a form of noble height — Leaned o'er my couch in the hush of night And whispered words my soul could hear, Till my throbbing heart had ceased to fear. A form, a form, oh, a form like thine, Like an angel's soul it seemed to shine; My heart was thrilled with the touch he gave, Like a warrior chief he was bold and brave, And his voice, like the sound of a music strain, Sang to my soul a sweet refrain. His voice, his voice, On-away, my heart! And the maiden sprang with a sudden start, Gazed at the warrior with bated breath, As her face grew white as the face of death; Her faltering lips breathed forth a sigh MINNtiWASKA. r>5 The warrior heard, as it fluttered niofh. His voice, his voice, oh, his voice seemed thine, Yes thine, she murmured, the voice was thine; And the crimson sprang to her ashy cheek, As the fair young maid essayed to speak. Long the warrior gazed at the maiden fair, At her drooping eyes and trailing hair, Then strode a space with measured tread, In murmuring voice he softly said: Thou art fair as a lily, fair as a dream, Like the stars in their beauty thy bright eyes seem, Thy innermost soul, like a jewel rare, Shines through the casket pure and fair. Beauteous maid, fair goddess, fair queen, 'Twas a vision thou saw, think not 'twas a dream From which thou doth wake like a bird in the morn, Like a fluttering bird from the wind and the storm. Thou wert borne from thy home at midnight's lone hour, When a dark evil demon held thee in his power; 56 M1NNEWASKA. Great Wakin-yan-tanka bore thee in the night, On his great evil wings, at a far distant height; Bore thee, fair maid, from thy loved mother's sight, Bore thee to his vale, to the valley of gloom, To the valley of evil, the valley of doom. In the dark of the night when evil reigned round thee, 'Twas there in the gloom, in the shadows, I found thee. A fair, sacred spirit, a daughter of night, Led my wandering steps by a strange beacon light, Deep in the vale 'neath spells that had bound thee, Fair maid in thy beauty, enah, there I found thee, Like a lily asleep, with the dew on its breast, Like a fair drooping lily I found thee at rest. Long in great wonder I gazed at thy form, And asked of my soul from whence wert thou borne? Till the fair sacred spirit of knowledge and light, MINNEWASKA'. 57 Answered my soul through the depths of the night; Answered my soul like the singing of water, Thou wert Wakin-wo-halpa, a sacred gift daugh- ter. Borne through the rays of a swift meteor light, Mid the swift Wakan-denda from far distant height; Thou wert born a fair goddess, a sacred gift star, A sacred born daughter to Minne-ha-ha: Named by the spirits Bright Minnewaska, To the fair Queen of Beauty thou wert born her fair daughter. Like soundings of music the spirit voice fled, And my soul in strange vision saw thee instead; Saw thy fair form 'mid the storm of the night, Borne from thy home in swift hurried flight; 'Mid Wakin-yan-tanka's dark wings outspread, With thee, 'mid the darkness he floated o'er head. Floated with thee to the deep depths of doom, Down to the depths of the valley of gloom; Long in the silence and hush of the night, I gazed on thy form 'neath a strange mystic light; At thy form as it la)- 'neath the glimmer and shine, r- 58 MWNEWASKA. I vowed I would woo thee, would wed thee as mine; And uttered fond words thy deep soul could hear, Till thy answering" heart had ceased from thy fear; Till thou yearned for the love my fond heart could give, And I knew by thy smile my own soul could live. Scarce had I uttered this vow to my heart When a loud, mocking laugh arose through the dark, And Wakin-yan-tanka, with great wings out- spread, Leaned o'er thy form with his dark looks of dread; Breathed o'er thee his fierce blasting breath, And vowed he would wed thee in life and in death. Ho! like a panther enraged to the fight, I fought with my foe through the depth of the night; Fought for thee ! for thee ! Ne-ne-moo-sha my love, Fought with the strength of the spirits above; Fought with the foe the ^reat god of thunder, MINNEWASKA. 59 Fought with the strength, with the magic of wonder; The great chieftain Mohonk, the son of my father Fought with the strength of the great God of Water; Fought till great Unk-te-hee leaned through the night, Guided my aim, gave aid to the fight; Gave magical aim till my arrow went speeding, Till prone on the ground Wakin-yan-tanka lay bleeding; Till pierced by my arrows the great God of Thunder Lay stunned like the dead by the magic of wonder; Till swift through the night with thee I went fleeing, The great God of Thunder recovering, pursuing; Till great An-pe-tu-wee the sun god, of yon height, Pierced through his wings, his great wings of night; Till reeling and rumbling like the mist of the morn He vanished from sight through the shadows of dawn; 60 MINNEWASKA. Till far up the Shawangunk my footsteps went leaping, Till here 'neath my castle walls peacefully sleep- ing; I woke thee, my love, Ne-ne-moo-sha, my queen, I awoke thee! awoke thee! yet not from a dream; I awoke thee, fair love, from enchantment's dread power, From evil that bound thee, at midnight's lone hour; From evil enchantment 'neath which thou wert bound, I awoke thy calmed soul to the musical sound; To the music of sonef-birds, the sweet sounds of the air, To the world in its beauty and all that is fair. I bid thy soul listen, hark! 'tis not a dream, The melodious flow of the murmuring stream, The brooklet's low murmur, the song birds in tune. And the sound of the singing winds fanning the bloom. Fair maid, lift thine eyes, 'neath the clap of my hand, MINNEWASKA. 61 Let all sorrows disperse, 'neath the spell of my wand, Let thy musical laughter resound in its mirth, Let us roam far together, thou fairest of earth. Fear not, oh, Me-tah-win, with magic of wonder, I vanquished thy foe, the great god of thunder; Unk-te-hee, the warrior, chief Mohonk, of the vale, Bids thee follow him far, o'er his high mountain trail; Fair maid, quick, thy hand, thou shalt roam like the wind, Thou shalt dance through the forest, leap like a hind; Quick from my castle walls see we are gliding, Far up the mountain steep see we are striding, Swift like the great eaglet soaring in flight, We've reached the point of the steep mountain height; Here 'neath the shade of the o'er-hanging trees, We'll rest 'neath the cool of the soft summer breeze; Rest from the dark, from the storms of the night, 62 MIXNEWASKA. 'Neath great An-pe-tu-wee's fair, beauteous light. See in the distance his golden rays gleam, O'er deep running waters, o'er bright running stream, O'er high hills and valleys, o'er forest and dale, His great lights and shadows sweep over the vale, Sweep over the forest tops, light winds are blowing, Sweep o'er the forest tops far 'neath us flowing, Deep in the shadows there leaps the young roe, The ta-hinca-ska, the mountain deer, the fawn, and the doe, The ta-hin-ca, the ta-to-ka, the tam-do-ka, the roe, Swift as the shadows glide onward they go. Lo, in the meadows there, 'neath the sun's gleam, Flit the gay song-birds, 'neath the bright sheen, The ape-chee, the so-so-kah, the chit-o-walk on the wing, The owais-sa, the blue-birds, like jeebis they sing. Fair maid, lift thine eyes, let their bright beauty gleam, O'er the hills, the valleys, the swift running stream. MINNEWASKA. ti3 Far to the four winds, o'er the far-reaching plain, The threat chieftain Mohonk, holds magical rei°m. The son of great Unk-te-hee holds at command The rocks and the rivers, holds sway o'er the land, Reigns the great chieftain, great Mohonk of the vale, Leads his bold warriors, the Mohawks, on the trail; Chief of the battle he leads to the fight, Till all his great foemen fall neath his might. Far as thine eyes can reach, far o'er the plains, O'er the tribes of the Mohawk the great chieftain reigns. Ho, the great Mohonk, with clap of the hand, Will summon in strength all his brave warrior band; I will send forth my signals till the echoes resound, Till my warriors and allies rush forth to the sound. See, in the distance like shadows they come, List the faint sounds, 'tis the beat of the drum, The beat of the tomtom, as swift from the dance, They bring forth the quiver, the spear and the lance; 64 MINNEWASKA. And the shouts of my warriors sound from the tepee, As swift to my call they haste from the tee. See, in the distance, my brave bands are trooping, List their glad cries, their loud shouts, and their whooping. Fair ma'd, ere my warriors and troops here assemble — Withdraw not thy hand, why doth thou so trem- ble? Ere my warriors have gazed on thy beauty so fair, Let me twine this wreath in the shine of thy hair, The drooping white lilies I plucked from the stream, And crown thee, Me-tah-win, my bride and my queen. Ne-ne-moo-sha, fair love, like the stars of the night, Thou hast shed o'er my soul a sweet, witching light; Like the stars in their beauty, oh, my love, oh, my queen, Doth thine eyes in their beauty sparkle and gleam; MINNEWASKA. ,;.-, Let me sing at thy feet, oh, Mee-tahwin, my queen, Let our hearts be united, like the swift runnino- stream; Let us roam hand in hand, like the flow of the river, Let us join heart to heart forever and ever. Long the warrior gazed with eyes intent, O'er the maiden's form the warrior bent, Then murmured in accents low and sweet, Fair love, let thy soul to mine own soul speak. Slowly and steadily, with eyes upraised, At the warrior chief the maiden gazed, Then spoke, and her voice like sweet music fell, On the warrior's soul like a magic spell. Oh, Ogema, oh, chieftain, of wonder and might, To thee was I borne through the depth of the night; Oh, Ogema, Ogema, of wonder and power, To thee was I borne at midnight's lone hour. To thee was I borne through the storms of the night, "i Miunewaska 66 MINNEWASKA. By the great Gitchee-man-ito, the great spirit of light; To thee, oh, mee-heen-yah, to thee was I borne, Through deep depths of evil, through darkness and storm; The great Gitchee-man-ito, the great o-iver of life, Led me, oh, enah, through deep depths of strife. Oh, Ogema, oh, Ogema, of wonder and might, Thou'st sang to my soul like a spirit of light; Thou'st sang to my soul till my heart in its singing, Sounds to thine own in its musical ringing, Till it leaps like a fountain, sings like a bird, Echoes the music the breezes have stirred; Echoes the love thy spirit hath brought me, Echoes the love thy spirit hath taught me; Soul of my soul, like the weak clinging vine, My heart must ever around the entwine: Soul of my soul, though the wild winds blow ever, I am thine, oh, Ogema, oh, Mee-heen-yah, forever ******* * Long the warrior gazed at the maiden fair, At her shining eyes and streaming hair, At her royal robes, that shone like dew, MINN EW ASK A. 67 Where the gleaming rays of the light shone through, At a fair young form, lithe as a fawn, At a face that shone like the light of dawn; Long and silent, with look intent, O'er the maiden's form the warrior bent, Then raised her hand with a gentle grasp, To his heart the willing maid he clasped. Long and silent, as in a dream, They stood like statues, like king and queen, Like god and goddess, by magic bound, 'Neath the spell of love that reigned around. Fast bound 'neath the spell of magical dreams, They heeded naught of the fierce, wild scenes, The sinking rays of the setting sun, Or the gathering clouds that o'er them hung, Fierce and wild through the fading light, As they gathered force with the coming night. Wrapped in the silence of deep love profound, Thev heeded naught of the muttering sound — A fierce, low rumble, of wings outspread, As Wakin-yan-tanka wheeled high o'er head: Whirled and circled, his huge form borne 68 MINNEWASKA. High 'mid the winds of the on-rushing storm. Whirling and circling, with great wings spread, He leaned through the night with dark looks of dread — Leaned o'er the lovers with fierce looks of ire, As downward he aimed his swift darts of fire. Swift from his talons, o'er his dark wings and under, Swept the bright darts of the great God of Thunder, Swept the red Wakindee, till great tongues of flame Leaped through the forest, o'er valley and plain, Sped the swift lightning, the great Wakindee light, Till the dense forest blaze gleamed through the night; Swift the red fire-light leaped from the ground, Far up the mountain steep, circling them 'round, Glowed the red forest flames round them and over, O'er the fair, dreaming maid, o'er her fond lover, As silent and motionless, not heeding a sound, k'A ! Silent and still, like statues of stone, Stood the warrior and maiden, silent and lone, Hand clasped in hand, heads bowed .-is if doomed To the on-rushing Haines that over iliem loomed. M1NNEWASKA. 71 They bowed to the spell 'neath which they were bound; Lost to the night and the great danger 'round them, Lost 'neath enchantment, 'neath the deep spell that bound them, They heeded naught of the loud, mocking laugh- ter, The loud mocking sounds that echoed long after, As Wakin-yan-tanka, with flashings of light, Flapped his huge wings and fled through the night; Flapped his huge wings as he circled around, And fled through the night with a rumbling sound. Silent and still, like statues of stone, Stood the warrior and maiden, silent and lone, Hand clasped in hand, heads bowed as if doomed To the on rushing flames that over them loomed. Ho, like the Wakindee's swift flashing light, The great God, Unk-tee-hee, leaned through the night, Leaned through the misty clouds over him sway- ing, 72 M I \ \ i:\\ASK.[ Leaned thro' the dewy shrouds mistily straying, Leaned o'er the glowing flames swiftly blowing, Breathed forth the vapory clouds under him flowing; Lo, to his breathing, his swift, mighty breathing, Flowed forth the vapory clouds, whirling and wreathing. Swift as the eaglet soaring homeward in flight, The great God of Waters swept down through the ni^ht, Swept o'er the mountain top, drifting thro' mist; Swift the great Unk-te-hee leaned o'er the crest, Leaned o'er the lovers, his great pinions of light Enwrapped them like shields from the flames of the night. Downward he leaned, then spoke soft and low, Like the murmuring waves in their rippling flow, Spoke to their souls, to the spirit that bound them, As he spread his great mantle of magic around them. Hark to my voice, oh, my son, oh, my daughter, To the voice of great Unk-te-hee, God of earth and of water, MINNEWASKA. 73 Afar from Ka-tha-ga, from my lodge in the west, Afar o'er the pathway of ether and mist, Afar o'er the pathway of the spirits of light, Have I sought thee, my own, through the shades of the nio-ht. Lo, in my soul have I heard thy sweet singing, Thy voices' low chant, a rhythmical ringing, As sounds forth the lute, as vibrates the harp, So the spirit of love sings forth in thy heart: Sings in thy heart, lo! thy two souls are plighted, Lo! my children as one in love are united. Fierce were the fates and evils that bound thee, Long reigned the spirits of darkness around thee, Brave is my warrior, who with magic of wonder, Fought with mv foe, the great God of Thunder. Lo, from the rapine flames suro-ina- around thee, From the evils of fate, the evils that bound thee, Lo, from fierce battle, from woe and from strife, I will free thee forever, will give thee new life; Will change thy two forms, thou shalt flow like a river, Thou shalt be like the water, united forever; Lo, thou art mine, my son and my daughter, 74 MINNEWASKA. Thou shalt flow like the stream, like deep run- ning water. Deep as thy love will I delve thro' the mountain, With my magical wand will I delve a deep foun- tain; Down through the deep depths of unfathomable space; Thou shalt glide like a river, thou son of my race; Thou son of great Unk-te-hee, thou son and thou daughter, Hand in hand thou shalt glide, like a river of water- Thou shalt flow like a river, spring forth like a fount, As one thou shalt leap the steep sides of the mount; On neath thy shining robes downward shall glide,. The great chieftain Mohonk, Minnewaska his bride — As a musical fount, as a bright shining river, United as one, thou shalt flow on forever Swift as the Wah-kahn-dee's flashings of light, Great Unk-te-hee leaaed through the mist of the night, >0 xi o g j> ° - r- c E - - MINNEWASKA. 77 Reached forth his shining wand, glittering and gleaming, Reached forth his magic hand, silently leaning; High through the mountain top delved a deep fountain, Reached forth his magic hand, delved through the mountain; Deep through the mountain, through fathomless space, A deep rocky cavern formed down thro' the base; Reached forth his shining wand, leaning far over, Touched with his magic hand the maid and her lover. Lo, with a sounding shout, music and laughter, The maid and her lover's form, changed into Vapor, Changed to a shining cloud, mistily gleaming, Swayed o'er the deep abyss, whirling and wreath- ing. Swift the great Unk-te-hee breathed through the night, And their cloud forms were changed to a river of light; 7s MINNEWASKA. Sparkling and pure from the far distant height, Flowed the bright emerald stream down through the night; Down through the deep abyss, down through the mountain, Leaped through the winding ways, sprang like a fountain, Up o'er the mountain top, laughing with mirth, Leaped o'er the rocky steep, downward to earth. With music and laughter, o'er the steep mountain side, Downward their spirit forms swayingly glide; Dance through the misty foam, swaying in mirth, They glide with a silvery stream far o'er the earth; Far through the woodland, through forest and dale, Like spirits of mist they glide through the vale; Far o'er the valley, the river and tide, O'er the great sea of water their spirit forms glide; To and fro with gay laughter, with music and mirth, They roam through the misty waves, gcds of the earth: «i 1-3 -ij ; -' — 3 ' •-- , z - /. ' -.'-'■ ~~- si i '. :■ v. off * -' : _ u / i "*" 4 B.3 — -. / y ^ a : : X ^ ^ ~ p — 55 - ? s S = pi M I N NE WA SKA . 8 1 Fair 'neath their shining robes, flow like a foun- tain, To and fro o'er the rocky side, down the steep mountain, Leaping, dancing, laughing in mirth, They glide with a silvery stream far o'er the earth. ******** Afar to the eastward, o'er the hill and the vale, Hath the spirit U-a-no-ma roamed far o'er the trail, Till here in thy valley, at thy feet, Minne-ha-ha, These tidings I bring of thy fair Minnewaska. Then singf, oh, sing-! Oh, glad Minne-ha-ha! Thou queen in thy beauty, oh, fair laughing water; Sing, oh, sing, till thy music and laughter Go sounding through space and echoes long after. Sing when the night winds over thee sigh, Sing when the storm clouds rages on high, Sing when the night clouds over thee loom, Then let thy pining heart cease from its gloom, For lo, thy fair daughter, thy fair Minnewaska, 6 Minnewaska 82 MINNEWASKA. Leaps to the sounds of the fair Laughing Water; Leaps to the sounds of thy musical singing, Leaps to thy echoes, to thy laughter and ringing, Voicing thy laughter, thy music and mirth, As she roams in her spirit form far o'er the earth. Sine, oh, sing! oh, fair Minne-ha-ha! Echo thy spirit voice far o'er the water, Till with the sounding waves rhythmically ringing, Minnewaska unites with thee, in her singing; Leaping like thee, where the sunbeams stray, Dancing in mirth neath the moonbeam's ray; Flowing, swaying, plunging far downward, Leaping, dancing, gliding far onward, Till her sweet sounding voice, echoes to thee, Afar o'er the winding ways, o'er earth and sea. Lo, in the distance the night Sun of Light, Han-ye-tu-wee, the waning moon, floats through the night, Shrouding thy misty form, enwrapping thee 'round; 'Mid deep shades and shadows, of mystery pro- found, Far through the silent space, far thro' the night, MINNEWASKA. 83 The moon's shade and shadows gleam far from yon height, Afar through the silent space, leaning far o'er, Her pale rays are beckoning me upward to soar; Afar through the shadows the pale moon of night, Beckons U-a-no-ma, her lone Daughter of Light; Up through Wangee-ta-chan-ku, the spirit's path- way, Will I glide through the misty path ere dawns the day. Farewell, Minne-ha-ha, the moon's pinions of light, Will bear me away through the shades of the night, Bear me away to her bright realms afar, Farewell Queen of Beauty, farewell Minne-ha-ha. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. SCENES REMEMBERED. Remembrance, sweet remembrance, Of life, when young and fair, When my heart was ever sincnno-. And my soul was free from care. I remember a bright childhood, And a mother's sweet caress, And a kind and lovine father, Now numbered with the blest. And, ah, yes, I remember A home down by the sea, Where the waves were ever whisnerino" Strange secrets to me, As I listened to the dashino- o And to the thund'rous roar, And the washing and the rippling Of the waves alono- the shore. o 85 86 SCENES REMEMBERED. I remember, I remember, When youth's glad hours had come, How I roamed among the mountains Of a far and distant home, Climbing with song and laughter, Up the rugged heights and steeps, Trying the while with might and main For Shawangunk's topmost peaks. There upon their lofty summits, To watch the waters flow Through the lovely Wallkill valley, In the distance far below, And view the misty storm clouds, As they gathered 'neath our feet, And to see the rain drops falling To the valley far beneath. There to watch the placid streamlet, Just before its mighty leap Down the steep sides of the mountains, In one long and shining sheet, To the valley in the distance, Through the valley far below — SCEXES REMEMBERED. 87 There onward, calmly onward, Doth the Minnewaska flow. And we pause quite oft to listen To the beating of the oar, As it echoes and re-echoes Around Lake Mohonk's shore. We reach to o-ather lichens, Along the rocky base Of the steep, high walls that shut us in This strange, mysterious place. Where the deep, dark waters sinking To a fathomless depth below, Through the deep depths of the mountain,. Do the hidden waters flow. We could hear the dripping, dripping, And the plashing of the oar, As it echoed and re-echoed, Around Lake Mohonk's shore. I remember, I remember, Bold Hudson's lofty heights, As we glided 'lono- the river, 88 SCENES REMEMBERED. Full many a starry night; Whilst the moon shone bright above us, And gleamed o'er the waves below, We watched the mystic shadows O'er the woodlands come and go. Gliding, gliding onward, Far up the noble stream, Where many bright and sparkling lights Along the shores gleam; And the Highlands in their beauty, Deep, darksome shadows throw, Of their great and massive grandeur, 'Neath the waters far below. I remember how we clambered, Ere the early dawn of light, To view the glorious sunrise On Catskill's mountain height; How in awe we stood there gazing On God's wondrous works divine, And our hearts went out in praises, For nature's gifts sublime. CHARMING CALHOUN. 91 CHARMING CALHOUN. Beauteous lake! how merrily do thy waters dance Along- the glistening surface of thy wide expanse, As though in rocking motions, rhythmic play, Thou'd join the happy throngs that round thee stray, As from dawn to dark along thy shores- doth clatter, The fleeting hoof, and merry children's patter. Beauteous lake! how gaily doth thou thus em- brace, The ever onward motion of the civilizing race, And join in action, with joyous leap and bound, The busy world that hails thy magic sound. Doth wave kind welcome to the throngs that come and go, As the winds are gently tossing thy waters to and fro, Or do we in thy calmer motions trace Thy non-forgetfulness of a long departed race? Doth hear among the boughs that o'er thee sigh, The whispered words and sounds of days gone by. CHARM I Ml CALHOUN. When by thy shores the red man made his dwell- ing place, And grandly reigned a wild, romantic race? There steals a a^iiet hush o'er the landscape round ; There's scarce a murmuring voice or disturbing sound, To mar the peaceful beauty of the declining day, As the soft zephyrs and sunbeams o'er thee stray. And thy languid waves doth sink to rest, 'Neath the fierce heat of the sun's caress; Calmly, serenely doth thy placid waters lay 'Neath the gleaming rays of the summer day. The gay birds pipe their sweet, wild notes, As o'er thy surface they skim and float, Their light wings glance to the woods away, To thy shores, bright Calhoun, where thy waters play. Slowly, slowly the sun doth o'er thee glide, Sinking in dazzling beauty beyond thy green hill- side, Beyond thy western banks where still the tall trees grow, CHARMING CALHOUN. 93 Where time hath not yet laid their grandeur low; Where still the woodbine's massive foliage clings, And the gay plumed bird, 'mid shadows, sits and sings. The sun hath set, how calmly doth thy placid waters lay, As though the gentle breeze had won thee from thy play, And had lulled thee to sweet repose and happy dreams Of other days and well remembered scenes; And thou mayest now behold, as evening's dusk descends, The shades of countless forms that with the shadows blend. They come in their grandeur, tall and strong, There are warriors bold and brave, They pass thy woodland shores around, In their warrior costumes 'rayed, They march with slow, majestic steps alono-, And vanish in the evening's mystic shade. 94 CHARMING CALHOUN. There are snow-white tents by thy wooded shores, 'Neath the verdant trees and bowers, The curling smoke from their peak ascends, Far up where the storm cloud lowers, And round their birch bark tent there grows Sweet scented buds and flowers. There are dark eyed maids with loose bound hair, And braves with their bow and spear, They gallop away, o'er the hill tops far, In chase of the fleeting deer, And the maidens laugh, and wave and shout, As their dark forms disappear. There are mirthful sounds on the stilly air, When in broidered mantles 'rayed, The dusky maids come tripping down, For a plunge 'neath thy cool blue wave, And deck their hair by thy mirrored light, For the dance with their warriors brave. When at night they hear the tomtom's beat, By the camp-fire's ruddy blaze, And the deep red glow of the gleaming light, CHARMING CALHOUN. 95 Reflects o'er the silvery waves, There the maids and warriors gather round, And dance 'neath the moonbeams rays. They trip with light, fantastic grace, With shouts and laughter gay, And step to wild and weird sounds, Whilst the tomtoms beat and pla)f, Till the moon shines high in the star lit sky, And fond lovers steal away. They glide o'er the calm, still waters, Whilst the moon goes floating by, The lover wooes the dark-eyed maid, 'Neath the shine of the starry sky, And leans upon his glistening oar, As he bends for her low reply. They are gliding, gliding onward, Like birds they seem to soar, And thy bosom beats to the measured stroke, To the dip of the silvery oar, As slowly, slowly, they float and fade, Mid the shades of the distant shore. 96 CHARMING CALHOUN. The moon shines high in the starry sky, And gleams o'er thy waters deep, There's not a wave or ripple stirs Thy bosom's restful sleep; Dream on, dream on, whilst yet thou may, Whilst silence reigns complete. List, the whispering winds have changed To a dull and sullen roar; The whirling leaves are flying fast, On the sands along the shore, And mid the heavens, high o'erhead. The storm clouds gather o'er. The wind comes whistling, shrieking on, The tall trees rock and sway, The thunder's deafening crash is heard, Where the lightnings flash and play. Still on, and on, the storm hath burst, Where thy placid waters lay. And thy calm bosom heaves, rolls and wakes, Dashing in surging waves and foaming flakes CHARMING CALHOUN. 97 Against thy storm-tossed shores, cloth heave and moan, The tear sprays dashing 'mid the misty foam; Thy happy visions fade of the departed past, Sighing wakes, e'en thy dreams, too beautiful to last. There are mutterings in the distance, where the storm hath past, There are rays of light ascending o'er the heavens vast, And many sounds are heralding the near ap- proach of day, As the darkness o'er the hill-tops slowly fades away, The light advances onward and o'er thv waters glide, Whilst anon thy heavings, in restfulness, subside. The sun rides up in glory and o'er thee sheds his beams, His warmth and radiance o'er thy glistening sur- face streams, CHARMING CALHOUN. All thy moist and misty tear-sprays are being' kissed away, As the great and mighty monarch rings up the coming day, And gazing on his glory thou'st quite forgot thy dream, Of thy old, departed grandeur, where nature reigned supreme. The day rolls on in beauty, soft zephyrs round thee stray, The sun and winds hath won thee to mingle with their play, And thou art gayly leaping and dancing on the shore, As gleefully and merrily as in the days of yore, Till the leafy boughs at evening wave o'er thee to and fro, And thy rippling waters, with their shadows, come and go, Till the sun rolls down, and o'er thee, in bough, and bush, and tree ; The birds are sweetly singing their vesper songs to thee. TO THE HUDSON. 99 Till the evening zephyrs murmur, till the evening breezes blow, Rocking, gently rocking, thy waters to and fro. Beauteous lake, how calmly doth thou sink to rest, With the splendors of the setting sun reflecting o'er thv breast. TO THE HUDSON. Flow on noble Hudson, flow on in thy pride, Matchless in beauty, flow on thou swift tide, Flow on through thy valleys, thy uplands and heights, Flow on whilst thy bosom reflects the bright lights Of the gay, dancing sunbeams, as o'er thee they glide, Flow on, noble river, flow on in thy pride. Flow on, noble river, flow on in thy power, Whilst thy great hills above thee in grandeur doth tower, Like a great, mighty army, to shield all thy length, 7 Minnewaska. 100 TO THE HUDSON. They stand in their boldness, their beauty and strength; Flow on whilst o'er thee thy noble hills tower, Flow on, noble river, flow on in thy power. Flow on, noble Hudson, in thy splendor sublime, Flow on forever, flow on for all time, Whilst each and all nations unite in thy praise, Exalting thy grandeur, thy beauty, thy waves; Flow on, noble Hudson, in thy splendor sublime, Flow on noble river, flow on for all time. THE NA 17>/. \ K RIVER. 101 THE NAVESINK RIVER. Down by the Navesink River, Down by the silvery stream, Was nestled our little cottage, Mid banks of the rarest green. Can I e'er forget my childhood, And that dear old home of mine, Where the flowers bloomed the rarest, And the dear old ivy twined. 102 TO THE WOODS AWAY. How oft I've sat on the hill-side, And watched the waves at play, As they chased and chased each other, And floated far away. Oft times at the close of evening, I've wandered by the shore, And I've heard the whip-poor-wills singing, Far up in our old sycamore. But now I know I've been dreaming Of the home I'll ne'er see more, Of the home I loved in my childhood, Down on the Navesink shore. TO THE WOODS AWAY. Come, oh, come, to the woods away, Come, oh, come, to the hills to-day, Come, for my heart is light and free, Come, for my heart is dreaming Of the golden sunlight, streaming O'er hill and lea. WHIP-POOR-WILL. 103 Come, in the spring's early dawn, Come, ere the dew from the rose is gone, And roam o'er the fields away; Come, where the brooklet, murmuring flows, Come, where the wild-wood violet blows, And sweet zephyrs play. Come, list to the song-birds singing Mid tall tree branches swaying O'er some clear stream ; Come, for my heart is dreaming Of the golden sunlight streaming O'er meadows crreen. WHIP-POOR-WILL. As I wander afar through the evening shade, Afar o'er the hilltops and down through the glade, 1 hear from the hedge, with a strange, wild thrill, The sad, plaintive call of the whip-poor-will. Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will. And my mind swiftly turns to a time long ago, When in childhood I wandered at eve to and fro, 104 AUTUMN LEAVES. With a father's strong hand tightly grasping my own, I hear his voice echo, in soft under-tone, As I wander to-night in the shades here alone. Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will. And I think when I hear that low, plaintive sound, My father, in spirit, is hovering around, And I hear the low echo his mellow tones made, As they sound o'er the hilltops and down through the glade. Whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will. AUTUMN LEAVES. Listen to the leaflets falling, Downward they are borne, And the winds are softly sighing, Autumn days have come. We shall miss them, miss them, miss them, And their verdure form, When the naked boughs are bending 'Neath the winter's storm. AUTUMN LEA VES. They are murmuring, softly murmuring, 1 n their downward flight, As their tender leaves are falling, 'Neath the sun's warm lio-ht. Thus it is with youth and beauty, Born like the rose at dawn, Ere the harsher winds have chilled them, Earthward they are borne. Listen to their sighing, sighing, Rustling in their flight, Withered leaves are falling, falling, Neath the frost and blight. "Thus it is ere man hath distanced Half his span of life, He sinks beneath life's care and burden, Downward in the strife." But our hearts are list'ning, list'ning, To a happier tale, Where the bright hued leaves are glist'ning In the sun-lit dale, Where the leaves fall in their beauty, Youth and age alike, 10(3 THE DEATH OF SUMMER. Tinted with the wands of heaven, 'Neath its mellow light. Falling, falling, gently falling, Bright hued leaves aglow, Downward in their flight of beauty, Murmur as they go, "Death is but the earthly ending Of life's fleeting show, Richer far are colors blending, In the afterelow." THE DEATH OF SUMMER. Fair summer lies in the valley, Lies peacefully asleep, And song-birds sweetly warbling, Chant requiems at her feet. All perished now and withered, Are the garlands that she strew, All the lilies and the roses, The brigfht flowers wet with dew. THE DEATH OF SUMMER. 107 The rills and gliding- rivulets, Lie bound 'neath icy chains, The dazzling King- of Winter O'er beauteous Summer reigns. Placed are his robes around her, White shrouds of fleecy snow; O'er the form of gentle Summer, The wild winds fiercely blow. Beneath cold Winter's covering, Fair Summer calmly dreams Of opening flowers and olossoms, And purling brooks and streams. Of Spring's footsteps, softly gliding O'er her frozen shrouds of snow, And the spirit of fair Summer, Wafts where soft breezes blow. 106 THE DEStiliiKD HOME. THE DESERTED HOME. Yes, here is the home where in childhood we've played, And here the green elms still throw their dense shade, And here on these banks, where the moss grows so green, I've played with my brothers beside this clear stream. Yes, here we've wandered in childhood's bright hours, And here we've gathered the sweetest of flowers, No rose ever bloomed on its green, nodding; stem, That e'er could compare in fragrance to them. No bird ever warbled a song or a trill, That could cause our young hearts with such pleasure to thrill, No vine ever twined up a rocky, steep face. That could fall with more airy or negligent grace. >l /•;/•:/' 109 Where now are those brothers that roamed by my side, Who in youth were our joy, our dear mother's pride? One buried from home, afar out at sea, And one lies with sweet mother, neath our green elm tree. I'll never again hear their glad, ringing shout, Never a • C D l: C — X - '■ Z - - - 'i c - B2 - £33 ! THE OLD CABIN HOME. Fair were the waving- fields and forests, Sang the gay birds on the bough, Cheerfully whistling in the meadows, Trod the farmer at his plow. Like a shadow in the distance, Nestling mid the wood and vine, Stood the farmer's old log cabin, Browned with age, defying time. O'er the hill-tops to the westward, Slowly sank the setting sun, And the farmer turned his plow-share, Glad his toilsome work was done; Turned him t'ward the old log cabin, Where his children romp and roam, Slowly wending through the pathway, Led his lowing oxen home. Many were the sounds of greeting, As he passed the gateway through, Loud and merry cries of children, And the cattle's welcome low. Dusky seemed the old log cabin, 124 THE OLD CAB[N HOME. Standing mid the shadows round, But within the fire-light gleaming, Showed where love and rest were found. Gathered in the old log cabin, At the waning of the day, Gleaming through the dusk of evening. Beamed the candle's fitful ray, Bright and shining o'er the faces, Smiling- out amid the gloom, Father, mother, sons and daughters Happy in their humble home. Lithe and blooming were the maidens, Treading o'er the puncheon floor, And their bright and sturdy brothers, Gleefully wrestling at the door. There were merry jests and laughter. Frolicsome little ones at play, Dancing 'mid the song and music, As they whiled the hours away. Smiling and kind the mother, Seated at the frugal meal. THE OLD CABIN HUME. 125 Beckoning all the group about her, Showing reverence they feel, As with solemn voice the father Bends his head above the board, Offering up his glad thanksgiving, For the bounty of the Lord. Hard and rugged are the sinews Of the toiler's brawny arm, Long and rough has been his labor, Pioneer of home and farm; But his glance beams proud contentment, And his laugh resounds with mirth, Though his home be e'er so humble, There is peace about the hearth. From such homes have sprung our heroes, Cultivating soul and brain, Round by round they struggled upward, To the pinnacles of fame. Toiled and fought for home and country, Pressing forward in the fray, Strong of heart they toiled and labored, For sweet home and liberty. 120 SPRING. From such homes came martyred Lincoln, Emancipator, good and true, And many of our noblest leaders, Who led our fearful battles through. All honor to the old log cabin, And the honest laborer at his toil, Faithful and true to home and country, Honest, faithful, true and loyal. SPRING. Awake in the morn's early dawning, And gaze from the lattice pane, The roses and flowers are blooming, Fresh after the early spring rain. Awake to the birds' early tuning, As they sing and sway on the bough; Awake, dream not of dull sadness, Chase care from thy wearisome brow. Come join with the birds in their tuning, As they merrily warble in glee. FAIR LAND OF DREAMS. 127 The roses and flowers are blooming, Fair nature smiles welcome for thee. Awake in the morn's early dawning, Let songs ring joyous and free, There's a joy and balm in kind nature, She waves her glad greetings to thee. FAIR LAND OF DREAMS. How oft in waking visions In thy fair sweet land of dreams, Have we wandered through thy flowery vales, By thy gently winding streams. Oh, regal are thy pillared halls, And fair thy domes of light, And shining are the steps that lead, All gleaming marble white, That lead our fancy up and on To realms of pure delight. Away with earthly care and pain, Away with toil and strife, We'll mount the ladder fair heights to gain, 128 FAIR LAND OF DREAMS. We'll mount where pleasure holds high reign; We'll stem the billows, ford the tide, In Elysian's harbor safe we'll glide, And view thy beauteous plane: We'll rise o'er mounts that roll between, And sweetly, idly, rest and dream. What visions rise, what dreams replete, What hopes, ambitions, joys complete, What mighty works, and goals well won, What noble deeds, and kind acts done, What future efforts, and goals to win, What fair, sweet hopes, come gliding in. Ill fate is vanquished, we have no fears, We're done with sorrows, done with tears, Just drifting on, with kind fate to guide, With faith and love close by our side. Just drifting past the might have been, Past old mistakes, folly and sin, Past vanished hopes and dead days gone, T'ward the roseate glow of a future dawn, To the summer slopes, 'mid effulgent beams, We'll find respite in the land of dreams. DAWN. A spirit came out of the misty dawn, Came up o'er the shadowy way, And whispered the curtain would soon be drawn On the birth of another day. Swiftly the mystic shades rolled on, Rolled on through realms of space, And the king of morn was swiftly borne Up over the darkened waste. Up, up, he rides, 'mid aerial heights He shines through realms of blue, Shedding his glorious rays of light, His lances crlancino- through. o £> tr> King of the morn, king of the noon, King of the brilliant day All earth is thrilled beneath thy touch, And hails thee on thy way. The woodbird sitting 'neath the boughs, Unfolds its wings and sings; The gladdening cry of nature lifts, And upward, upward rings. 9 Mimiew;i-ku. 129 130 DAWN. King of the morn, king of the noon, King of the living day, Slowly, slowly thou art gliding on, Till thy beams are merged with gray. Gliding in royal splendor down, Down, down 'mid shades of night; Again the banners o'er thee stream In gold and crimson light. Thus sinks the king of morn and noon, Thus sinks the king of day, The darkening shades of night are thrown Around him where he lay. Glide on, glide on, thou monarch king, Glide on, glide on thy way, Again at dawn shall thou be born, To chase the night away. IN THE TWILIGHT. In the twilight, evening twilight. When the stars come gleaming through, When the moon shines in her beauty, 'Tis then, my love, I dream of you. CHORUS. In the twilight, evening twilio-ht, My heart forever sings of thee; When the evening shadows linger, I dream, fair love, I dream of thee, I dream, fair love, I dream of thee. When the evening shadows ling'ring, Bathe the blooming ilowers with dew, And the bird songs, sweetly blending, Speaks, fair love, fair love of you. When the pure white lilies bending, Floating on the silvery stream, All their fairy fragrance lending, 'Tis then of thee, of thee I dream. MOONLIGHT. 'Twas midnight's lone hour, Dreaming there in my bower, Alone in my bower elysian; The moon, shining down, Seemed to smile where she hung-, Seemed to smile at my strange, wild delusion. At my fancy so fraught With the spell of the night, With the spell of her beauty ethereal; I felt I could live 'neath the spell of her light, Live for aye, 'neath a spell so aerial. At midnight's lone hour, Neath my vine-covered bower, Like the fragrance of incense ascending-, Arose the perfume of the lily and rose, 'Mid the night air, so charmingly blending. 'Mid the night winds' low tone, As I dreamed there alone, Alone with the stars o'er me shining, I thought I were blest, DRIFTING. 133 Could I lie there and rest For aye, 'neath my dream bower reclining. But morn broke the spell, And I heard the sad knell, Knew my beautiful dream lights were fading, Saw the moon's waning light Fade away with the night, Saw her smile a farewell at my waking. DRIFTING. My ships are drifting o'er the sea, As the light of hope drifts far from me, One by one they are sailing out Into the shadows of mist and doubt. The ships of childhood swift wave tossed Amid the reefs of the past are lost; Each white winged barque wrecked far at sea, Will ne'er again return to me. Youth's fair ship, with its precious store, Drifts, drifts away from the sunlit shore, 134 DRIFTING. Lightly they bound o'er the crested tide, Those fleeting ships of our joy and pride. Through the bright sea waves and raging storm, In the distance far my ships are borne, Past many a shoal each floating barque Drifts, drifts away in the storm and dark. Oh, the winds blow high, and the sea waves roar, My drifting ships return no more; 'Mid the surging waves they're lost from view, Farewell, my barque, adieu, adieu! Mayhap they'll reach some far off clime. As they drift adown the isles of time; Far, far away o'er the sunlit sea, Mayhap my barque may beckon me. A WINTER NIGHT VISION. I leaned at the pane one wintry night, And watched the clouds as they sailed in sight, My soul was filled with rapturous awe, At the strange and wonderous sight I saw; Out from the misty clouds of night, Came throngs on throngs of angels bright. It seemed like a vision of All-Saints' Day, As they knelt at a great white throne to pray, Then seemed to rise with majestic mien, And string their harps to some hallowed strain, Then onward took their heavenward flight, Away, away, through the realms of night. Like majestic spirits robed in white, Slowly, slowly gliding from sight, A beautiful, radiant, happy band, Seeking a better, fairer land; Like beautiful souls redeemed for aye, Gladly, joyously they float away. On, on they go, where, who can tell? But list, I hear no parting knell, Yet they seem to wave a last farewell 136 A WINTER NIGHT VISION. To the snow-bound earth, where they used to dwell, And seem to shout, in triad delight, We're done with earth, good night, good night. Whilst 'neath them in the earth below, Glistens and gleams the pure white snow, The pure white snow, like a bridal veil. Robing woodland, hill and dale, Covering cottage, roof and peak, Where the inmates lie, all wrapped in sleep. Shrouding city, roof and dome, Where lights and shadows oo and come; Where rifts on rifts of clouds sweep by, All bathed in the light of the star-lit sky; Still slowly, silently, they fade from sight, Fade away in the shades of night. But the beautiful clouds all melt away, I wake from my dream, 'tis break of day, And the beauteous forms of seraphs bright, Have returned to mist, vanished from sight, The moon shines on in the calm, blue sky, She hath bidden her radiant guests good-bye. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS. TO L. P. V. Oh, our fond hearts doth Greet thee, With wishes warm and true, That each returning year may bring All happiness to you. Oh, that the dove of peace may reign Within thy walls for aye, And that the light of love may stream Forever o'er thy way. And may thy cares like shadows fade, And vanish 'neath the tide, And may kind fortune's laden barque Within safe harbor glide. Oh, may return of many years, Bring rest from care and sorrow, And may thy thankful heart give praise, For the coming of the morrow. 137 WHAT THE WINDS SAY. Hark, hear the wild winds sweeping, Up through the murky sky, And down through vales and lowlands, Hear them sweeping by. Listen, hear the beating And plashing of the rain Against the close shut casement, And o'er the dripping pane. Hear the wild winds shrieking And sighing at the door, It's some wild tale they're uttering, And whispering o'er and o'er. What are the wild winds saying, As they sob and moan and sigh? What are the wild winds saying? List to their plaintive cry. A mighty power hath cast us out From a mysterious realm, We have no will to guide our course, No anchor, rudder, helm. WHAT THE WINDS SAY. 139 Though winged through space we onward fly, Steered by an unseen hand, We're sent to roam o'er many seas, And o'er the world's fair land. We stir the deepest, darkest seas, With our awful might and power; We toss the heaving billows up To where the storm-clouds lower. The great waves rolling onward, Dash o'er the reef-bound shore, We bear the sounds upon our wings Of the ocean's mighty roar. Of the ocean's heaving, bounding, With sullen, roaring moan, Of vessels leaping, tossing on, Amid the seething foam. Of men's voices hoarsely calling, As in vain their helm they veer, Help, help! we're drifting, drifting, And their cheeks grow pale with fear. 140 WHAT THE WINDS SAY. Drifting, drifting, drifting, On toward the rock-bound shore, Their wildly ringing- shouts for aid, Are resounding o'er and o'er. The raging billows rolling up, From out the surging deep, Plunge o'er the rocking vessels, With a mighty roar and leap. A thousand voices rend us With piercing cries and shrieks, As their struggling forms are swept away, Shrouded 'neath the deep. And the tolling:, tolling, tolling" Of wild bells still you'll hear, 'Mid the soundings of our storm winds, As we are sweeping near. We caught their echoing dirges, As they wafted to and fro, Where the sinking vessels drifted With the water's ebb and flow. WHAT THE WINDS SAY. 141 We've swept o'er hills and mountains, And where the storm-clouds meet, And o'er the lands of earth afar, And through the rolling deep. And 'mid the lights and shadows, And 'mid the hill and vale, And o'er the ocean's bounding tide, There comes a mighty wail Of human souls bowed down in grief, With sorrows burdened o'er, With soul's bowed 'neath oppression's yoke, To rise again no more. We are bearing o'er sea and land, Their bitter, moaning cry, And on our wings there lingers yet Sad nature's plaintive sigh. Wild winds, wild winds, rush onward, Rush on with moaning cry, The human heart grows faint with dread, As thou art passing by. 142 WHAT THE WINDS SAY. Oh, subtle are the ruling powers, That guide thy onward course, That guide thee on and on through space, Long wandering, yet not lost. Go then, whirling on thy way, Bearing weal and woe alike, The powers that guide thy onward flight, Will lead thy course aright. ******* List, there comes a lulling pause, The sobbing winds have changed, They whisper of their wanderings O'er sunny hills and plains. Light winds are passing onward, Softly as whispering dreams, They are murmuring of rippling brooks, Of smoothly gliding streams. They are passing, passing onward, List what the light winds say, List what the light winds whisper, As they gently round us play. WHAT THE WINDS SAY. 143 We've roamed o'er snow-capped mountains, Where gleams the northern star, And where the palmy branches wave O'er eastern lands afar. And through the woodland forests, And o'er the western plain, We've bowed tall, waving; grasses Before us as we came. We've roamed o'er sunny southland, Where spicy blossoms blow, Where the citron and the orange waft Their fragrance to and fro. We've swept beneath the shadows Of the evening's drooping shade, And dipped the rippling waters, As we lingering with them played. Then on, and on, and onward, O'er hills and valleys through, We've sprayed the blooming flowers With the ever cooling dew. 144 WHAT THE WINDS SAY. And on our wings there lingers yet The perfume of sweet flowers, The warbling of the merry birds Amid their leafy bowers. The murmuring of the gushing brook, The rustling of bush and tree, As gently through the forest floats, Our light winds, gay and free. # * * * * * * Light winds, light winds, thrice welcome, To thy cool breeze wafting by, Thou'st fanned to rest the pulsing breast, That throbs 'neath the burning sky. Oh, gentle winds thou'st whispered where Burdens of sorrow roll; Thou'st borne the breath of hope and life To the weary, fainting soul. All living things rejoice to feel Thy light wings floating nigh, And hail thee with a welcome voice, As thou art passing by. WHAT TUB WINDS SAY. 145 All nature wakes to life and song-, Beneath thy light wings fanned, Ye bear delight where'er ye roam, O'er all the world's fair land. Light winds, light winds, pass onward, Light winds, pass gently by, With thy cooling breeze and balmy breath, On, on through the boundless sky Light winds, light winds, we praise the power, That gave thy fair winds birth, That wafts thy balmy breath of life, O'er all the fainting earth. ONE HUNDRED YEARS FROM NOW. One hundred years from now the world may roll Round on its orbit, steadily, from pole to pole; The sun's bright orb still shine from realms afar, And night bring forth the rays of glittering star; But we'll have fled, the soul of man hath fled; All mortal life, now living, lieth dead; Silent and motionless beneath the withering sod, Awaiting resurrection and the summons of our God. One hundred years from now, ah, then How little will be reck'ed of us by men In the busy world, still moving on apace, E'en the faintest shadows of ourselves can trace; Then 'mong the many living who shall care, Whether we come, or go, or whence, or where, Our passing sorrows, griefs and joy, or pain, Our longings, strivings, strugglings for gain. All are forgotten in these newer walks of life, Our vain ambitions, aspirations, strife, Our seeking for the plaudings of friends, and fame, ONE HUNDRED )'EARS FROM NOW. 147 Our praise, our condemnation, worthiness or blame, All vanished with the rue, or laurel, on our brow; Fading to oblivion one hundred years from now, All, save our good or evil influence, ever rife, Shaping each human destiny, each future life. PRELUDE. Peering down lono- aay by day he soothes and strengthens, When we to his footstool flee, Though we suffer pain and anguish, Hark, He whispers, "Come to Me." - COME UNTO ME. Precious promise God hath given, To the weary and oppressed, Come unto Me, and coming, I will give thee rest. Rest from the weary cares of life, Rest from misery, pain and strife, Rest for our souls by waters sweet, Rest for the weary pilgrim's feet. Precious promise God hath given, To the weary, sin-sick soul, Come unto Me, and coming, I will make thee whole. Will cleanse thy sinful, guilty heart, Will cause repentant tears to start, Will shield thee with a mighty love, Will guide thee to thy home above. And when that awful hour hath come, And we lay us down to die, This precious promise still is given, Fear not, for 1 am nigh. 184 COME UNTO ME. 185. Yes, near, to soothe our souls to rest, Yes, near to fold us to His breast, Yes, near, oh, happiness untold, Yes, near, to guide us to His fold. Oh, Savior, now we render thanks For this precious promise given, For Thy love and guidance here on earth, And eternal rest in heaven. EARTHLY HOPES. Earthly hopes we know are fading, Earthly pleasures soon are past, In heavenly joy forever vernal, We shall find sweet rest at last. Earthly hopes, oh, how we struggle, How we reach and grasp, But they, like a phantom, Soon elude us and are passed. Earthly hopes are but the shadows Of our heavenly joys divine, Of our hopes of life eternal, Where there's love and peace sublime. Oh, there is a better clime, Where the Savior's lio-ht cloth shine, Where no wintry, chilling blast Can wreck our earthly hopes at last. 186 IF I COULD CHANGE. If I could change, or could be born again, I would be strong", I would be free from pain; Take up my life, begin anew again. I would be endowed with virtue, pure, refined; I would show the inborn beauty of the mind; I would be gifted with intellect sublime, I would be master of both prose and rhyme. I would be endowed with language to thrill The human heart with noblest sentiments at will. I would be gifted with power to inspire, And grant to every heart its purest desire; Would guide a struggling- brother to a higher aim: Would have the power to shield from wrong, the weak from blame. I would have a soul, though inclosed in rudest clay, I would, like the modeling artist, mould defects away ; I would chisel every blemish from the statue 1 should rear; I would be my own ideal, like marble white and clear. 187 188 IF I COULD CHANGE I would seek the weak and helpless, bid each fallen soul to mount, Would bid each thirsty soul to seek pure waters at God's fount; I would have the Christ-like power, divinely from above, To weld the earthly universe in a brotherhood of love. A SOLILOQUY ON DEATH. Soon, soon I'll hear the solemn stroke Of death's dread hour, When from my nerveless hands will fall Life's magic power; And gazing- out and o'er the lovely earth, There comes to me the sound of joy and mirth, The glad, gay laughter of the happy child, Who looks into my sad, dim eyes and smiles. Oh, earth, and home, and friends, And all of this earth so fair and bright, Farewell, farewell, to thee, and all, Good night, good night. The silvery moon shines brightly from afar, And through the realms of space There gleams the shining star. Oh, earth, sweet earth, bathed in liquid light, Thou art drifting, drifting from my sight. Now comes the solemn stroke Of death's signal bell, Oh, earth, and home, and friends and all Farewell, farewell. DESPAIR AND HOPE. See, the clouds of despair are settling, Lowering fiercely, darkly o'er; List the sullen roar of the winds, And the breakers on the shore. Onward, onward, fiercer grows the storm, Hear the winds shriek and wail; Onward, onward, the soul is borne; Away, away, on the maddening gale. On come the billows, higher, higher, Drowning each hope and each desire, See him quiver and shake in the blast. Despair has reached his soul at last. Despair, despair, so deep and dark, Despair, what more is in his heart? Death and self-murder o'ershadow him now; Ah, yes, 'tis stamped upon his brow. Hear the winds shrieking, sobbing, moaning, Hear the poor soul in bitterness groaning, Hear the winds shriek, hear them rave, He is on the brink of a murderer's irrave. 190 Whilst ne An angel r ii mi sti iod a form of light, lad in robes of white. DESPAIR AND HOPE. 193 Despair has reached his soul at last, The conflict o'er, the storm is past; Despair, despair, he moaning cries, Despair, despair, the wind replies. And raising aloft his blood-shot eyes, Almighty God, the poor soul cries — Another shudder, another sigh, Almighty God, forgive, I die. As he raised his arm for the fearful stroke, A sudden vision o'er him broke, Staying his arm with its magic spell — Saved, saved, he murmured, and fell. Fell on his knees, with streaming eyes, And with awe and rapture gazed; Out of the darkness a star of hope Steadily and brightly blazed. Whilst near him stood a form of light, An angel clad in robes of white, Pointing to the glittering star, That shone in the distance still afar. 194 DESPAIR AND HOPE. See, the clouds of despair are breaking, Vanishing far in the night; See, a silvery veil unfolding, Betokening dawn of light. Brighter, brighter, grows the veil, With a rosy tinted hue; Brighter, brighter, the star appears, And sheds its radiance through. Thus the beautiful vision fades, Fades away in the night, But the star of hope still lingers To guide his steps aright. REMORSE. Ah, yes, these memories, with what subtle power Can'st bow the sinner's head, in a stilly hour, Causing his heart to start and shrink with dread, As at approach of shrouded ghost, or phantom's tread. Memories of some foul deed, at dead of night, Crowd in upon him, till pale with fright He shrinks appalled, as memory's cruel grasp Calls up the fearful recollections of the past Memories of some foul deed or deadly crime: Spring up afresh, to haunt his guilty mind, Whilst shadowy spectres seem to rise, And transfix him with their gleaming eyes. Again he sees the weapon's cruel gleam, Hears his victim's piercing scream, Or sees a dead, white, upturned face, Locked in death's cold, still embrace. Away, away, he moans, he shrieks, As ashy grows his ghastly cheeks, 196 A SOLILOQUY. Still memory holds him in bondage fast, Till his craven heart grows mad at last. Mad, mad, mad, shrieking for aid, He sinks at last in a murderer's grave. All unforgiven his soul takes flight, Out in the darkness of the night. A SOLILOQUY. The world, the world, we scorn Its deceit and vanity; Humanity, humanity, Had we more faith in thee. The world, the world, what cares The world If one more heart is wounded, Has bled? What cares the world if one more heart Lies, like ashes, cold And dead? CALUMNY. How like a poisonous serpent, Doth thou rear thy loathsome head. Oh, Calumny, and with thy forked Tongue of rankest venom, seek With foulsome blow and well Directed aim to fell thy victim. Innocent although he be, thou'st Smirch, with foul pollution, a fair Good name, Oh, slanderous soul, Beset about by thine own rank And hideous nature, fain would The innocent, in pity rife for thee, Forget their wounds, in wondering Contemplation of so base, so vile A thing, ensconced within the Baleful soul that man calls human. 197 CAPTIVITY. As the captive bird strikes its helpless wing 'Gainst the prison bar that shut it in, Gazing the while with watchful, eager eye, As his gay plumed comrades flutter by, Unmindful of his pleading, plaintive cry, Whirl on and upward through the sunlit sky, Nor backward turn, ne'er stop or wait, But leave their doomed companion to unhappy fate. Thus many captive souls gaze wistfully, in vain, For the breaking of their bonds, their captive chain; Peering longingly through dungeon's prison bar For one ray of hope, e'en one faint gleaming star, To burst their bonds and set their gates ajar. Thus struggling for freedom, their wanton fate Glides calmly on: though eagerly the captives wait, Fate turns not again to ope their prison gate. YOUTH. In youth, in thy life's early morning, In the bloom of life's early spring, Keep thy heart pure, white unsullied, Let no serpent of evil creep in. Press onward, and ever press upward, Let no false lights lead thee astray; And God, in his love and mercy, Will lead thee and show thee the way. Let thy thoughts be ever pursuing The highest and noblest aim, So that purpose and action combining, Will win thee a crown of fame. Will win thee a crown everlasting, No earthly renown can gain; Will win thee a crown eternal, Where joy and happiness reign. 199 JUVENILE POEMS. JUVENILE POEMS. TO-NIGHT WHEN I PRAY. I love you, I love you, please bend down your head, I want to kiss ma-ma, my little one said, I saved you that kiss, but I've been naughty to- day, I'll ask God to forgive me, to-night when I pray. Whisperingly, pleadingly, with small arms up- raised, Into my bending face two tearful eyes gazed, Good -night, good night, still the faltering lips say, I'll ask God to forgive me, to-night when I pray. 204 TO-NIGHT WHEN I PRAY. Comforting words to a sad mother's heart, When her dear ones seem drifting away in the dark, Whisperingly, pleadingly, hear the sinful one say, I'll ask God to forgive me, to-night when I pray. x GLEE SONG FOR CHILDREN. Chorus— Bird Whistles. LISTEN TO THE BIRDIES SING. GLEE SONG FOR CHILDREN. Listen to the birdies sing, Listen to their echoes ring, Down, down the valley, Through, through the glen, Merrily, cheerily, Spring has come again. Listen to their warbling notes, As on the air they softly float, Down, down the valley, Through, through the vale, Merrily, cheerily, Through the flowery dale. chorus. Troll-la-la-troll-la-la, Their gay songs echo near and far, Down, down the valley, Through through the glen, Merrily, cheerily, Spring has come again. 208 LISTEN TO THE BIRDIES SING> Flitting skyward on the wing, Listen to the birdies sing, Down, down the valley; Up, up they soar, Merrily, cheerily, Spring has come once more. BRIGHT EYES. Two little bright eyes, sparkling with fun, Two little feet, tripping off on a run, Two mirthful lips, smiling with glee, We love you, we love you, our darling Louie. Mamma, dear mamma, hear the sweet call, Now up near the roof-top, now down in the hall, Like the will-o-the-wisp, now here, and now there, Flits our dear fairv, so sweet and so fair. 200 210 BRIGHT EYES. So like the song-birds, that sing in the spring, And flutter and flit away on the wing, Hear the sweet voice of our frolicsome fay, Laughing and singing all the long day. Gathering sweet flowers, the brightest that blow, Hunting sweet clovers, the whitest that grow, Oh, she's dear to our hearts, as dear as can be, Our loving, our winsome, our darling Louie BABY SONG. Rockinof, rocking", to and fro, Away, away, away we'll go, Where moonbeams shed their silvery light, We'll glide away in the starry night; Far, far away, o'er the waves we'll ride, In a fairy boat away we'll glide, Rocking, rocking, to and fro, Away, away, away we'll go. We'll sail away o'er the silvery stream, Where the waters shine like a fairy's dream, We'll float away on the foaming tide, With our little darling by our side, Rocking, rocking, to and fro, Away, away, away, we'll go. Far beneath the shadowy stream, We'll watch the shadows shine and gleam, Where the moonbeams shed their silvery light, We'll glide away in the starry night, Rocking, rocking, to and fro, Away, away, away we'll go. 211 THE FAIRY DELL AND OTHER POEMS. WRITTEN IN EARLY YOUTH AND CHILDHOOD. THE FAIRY DELL. They wandered slowly through the dell, The artist and the village belle, He gathered flowers here and there, And gave them to his love so fair. At length they paused and looked around, They stood transfixed, as if spell-bound, For nature's murmuring voice they hear, Whispering, whispering, far and near. The artist gazed in awe profound, Gazed long on the beauty reigning 'round, Then spoke, and his tones fell soft and clear, On the listening heart of the maiden near. List, doth thou not hear the mighty sound? It makes my heart within me bound. Doth it not make thy soul rejoice, When list'ninor to sweet nature's voice? Beyond, the sky, serenely blue, Below, the earth, so green in hue, Behold the mossy covered rocks, Still wet with heaven's descending dew; 'lii y s\ andered slowly through the dell, Tl e artist and the village belle. THE FAIRY DELL. 217 The daisy's blossom, gold and white, The pinks, the lilies, the violets bright, The bees go humming round and round, They know that sweets in them are found. Oh, see the merry, sparkling brook, As it gurgles and ripples on its way, As it bubbles and laughs in its mirth and glee, And seems to say, I'm free, I'm free. The merry birds in bush and tree, Flutter and flit from bough to lea, All singing a joyous, tuneful lay, And the dell seems to echo the gay melody. And standing by the dancing brook, The elk, the fawn, the antelope partook, Then with shy, mischievous look, Leaped up the steep and rocky nook, And on the brink turned, looked 'round, Then off to the forest with a bound, Away, away up the rocky steep, See their shadowy forms retreat. '.'is THE FAIRY DELL. The sun in the west is sinking- low, The lovers still wander to and fro, The birds now seek their sheltering nests, A.nd fold their wings for a long night's rest. But heeding naught Q f the flight of time, They're listening to their young hearts' rhyme, That sings of naught but joy supreme, They plight their love as in a dream. Plight their love 'mid hanging bowers Of vines abloom with fragrant flowers, Vowing eternal constancy, Until no longer time shall be. Thus wrapped in hymen's witching dream, They float adown love's magic stream, Whilst o'er their souls a calm is stealing — A calmness as though sleeping, dreaming. Or is it the charm of the enchanted dell, That o'er them throws a strange, sweet spell? They know not whether they wake or dream, So heavenly sweet doth all things seem. A\vny, away up the rocky steep, See their suadowy forms retreat. THE FAIRY DELL. 221 Thus bound in strange and sweet repose, A fragrant ether around them flows, On the night winds are borne sweet sounds Of soft, sweet music floating 'round. The leafy shadows around them blow, Waving, dancing to and fro, And shimmering through the mystic dell, Strange, pale lights o'er the green turf fell; And glancing through they caught the gleam Of a thousand fairies' shine and sheen, All floating below, around, above, Singing and chanting songs of love. Sineine in cadence soft and low, Of love and passion of long ago, Of love that was happily charmed and blessed, Of love that was faithfully true till death, Of love that was severed and broken in twain, Of love that was bound and united again, Of love that was old, of love that was new, Of love that was e'en to eternity true. Sweet notes all atremble, they fall, they rise, The dell re-echoes in strange replies, 222 THE FA 111)' DELL. Then slowly they fade in the mystic air, Leaving the lovers wondering; there. Half roused from their strange, enchanting dream,. They awoke at length beside the stream, Where their wandering feet had let them stray, Ere the sun had set, and it yet was day. Oh, murmured the beautiful village belle, This surely must be the enchanted dell, Where the lovely fairies dance all night, In the shimmer and sheen of the bright moonlight. And, oh, 'tis said, in the mystic hours, When lovers have strayed to their mystic bowers, They'll bless their love with a happy spell, If they plight their troth in their fairy dell. Yes, this must be enchanted land, They murmured, standing hand in hand; List, doth thou not hear that sweet, low sound? It is, it is, enchanted ground. * * ****** But as they spoke, their heads sank low The moon shone soft and bright, THE FAIRY DELL. 223 And o'er them floated mist on mist, Of greenish, dazzling light, And out of the mist there slowly came A beautiful fairy queen; And fold on fold, her golden robe Swept the turft of green. Slowly she waved her wand on high, And summoned the youthful lovers nigh, Then sang in accents low and sweet, As they bowed themselves low at her feet FAIRY SONG. Noble youth and maiden fair, Hear my warning and beware. Cheeks have paled and tears have started, Lovers have quarreled and lovers have parted. What art thy wishes, oh, happy pair? To-night, to-night I'll heed thy prayer. Wouldst thou forever happy be? Then kneel, oh, kneel, oh, kneel to me. Slowly they sank on the turf ted ground, Whilst sweet, low music floated round; 224 THE FAIRV DELL. The moon shone bright thro' the dazzling mist — But the youth is speaking, listen, list. Beautiful, beautiful Fairy Bright, There's but one wish we crave to-night; Oh, surely, surely, love is thy spell; We've plighted our troth in thy beautiful dell, And in earth below, or heaven above, Is there aught more pure, more sweet than love? Oh, happy forever we shall be, If forever thou'lt bind our ecstacy. Noble youth and maiden fair, To-night, to-night, I'll heed thy prayer; Happy forever thou shalt be, The charms of love shall dwell with thee, Where e'er thou be. Summoning a train of fairy sprites, All 'rayed in robes of shining white, She bade them pluck from their bosoms fair, The (lowers that were blooming there; *p Summoning a train of fairj sprites, All 'rayed in rob s of shining white. THE FAIRY DELL. 227 Slowly they twined them in the hair Of the silent lovers kneeling there, Then weaved them in a bridal chain, And wound them round the happy twain. Whilst o'er the turf they come and go, Swaying and dancing to and fro, Singing so soft 'twere like a sigh. These flowers will live, they cannot die, Emblems of all the virtues rare, Wear them and keep them where e'er thou are. Sweet flowers charmed by our magic spell — Shield them, wear them, guard them well. Sweet, sang the queen of the fairies bright, Are the charms I endow thee with to-night; The charms of patience, hope and faith, The charms of truth and virtue's grace, And pure hearts, with fidelity, Will render strong thy constancy, Unto Eternity. Again the fairy waved her wand, And summoned her beautiful fairy band. 228 THE FAIRY DELL. Alone the dell there burst a sight, Fairies, all gdeamingf, oold and white, Shimmering, floating, dancing along, The dell re-echoed their music and song; The fairy queen danced on the velvety turf, And joined in their song, and joined in their mirth. Good night, they sing as they fade away, Two more lives we've blessed for aye, Happy forever they shall be, Happy for eternity. FAREWELL. Farewell, farewell, though another's thou be, Farewell, though thy smiles can ne'er be for me, Though others may welcome, and others caress thee, Though others may claim, and others may bless thee, Still, when thy mind from every care free, Still gfive but these moments in kind thousfhts of me. Or, when fortune's barque o'er calm seas may waft thee, Or, when gliding by moonlight o'er calm sum- mer's sea, Or, when bright glittering stars in radiance shine o'er thee, Oh, then, 'tis then, oh, then, think of me. Farewell, farewell, forever we part, Yet may my image still dwell in your heart, Still, in the oloamina-, remember the time, We roamed 'neath the elms and alleys of lime ; When the night birdswarbled their happiest strain, Or sailed by the shores of some bright wooded stream. 229 230 FRIENDSHIP. Then here is my hand, my fair one, good-bye, But, oh, that with me thou too might fly, But since fate has severed the sweet, tender tie, Then farewell forever, and a gentle good-bye. FRIENDSHIP. Out from her stately home She came to my cottage door, Kind were her looks and words, And they'll linger forever more. I would have been her friend, With a clasp of hand for my lifelong fee; Though I were nothing to her, Still she was the world to me. Say, how will it be with our souls When we meet in that better land? What the mortal could never know, Will the spirit yet understand? And in some celestial form Will our friendship repeated be, And I be something to her, While she brightens heaven for me? WHERE THE LILIES BEND. ! In earth below or heaven above, Is there aught more pare, more sweet than love? Or in magic friendship's tender tie? Ask of the lilies drooping nigh. Close clasped hands, eyes meeting, Low, kind words, hearts beating; 232 WHERE THE LILIES BEND. I ii signs like these a deep meaning lies, Friendship born of the very skies. Must aught so perfect have an end? Ask where the slender lilies bend. Ask where the tall trees whisper low, Ask of the rose the winds doth blow; Ask where the lilies droop and bend, Must aught so perfect have an end? Farewell, the leaves doth murmur as they blow. Farewell, the lilies si^h it, bending to and fro, Farewell, farewell, e'en the winds reply, There's naught more painful than good bye; Yes, aught so perfect must surely end, Alone the rose and lilies bend. FATE. Two souls were born, each in foreign land, While sullen Fate stood by, Marked each with unrelenting hand; Both were endowed with longings, aspirations high, Ne'er to be attained on earth, Nor yet, until they die. Both endowed with beauty, youth and grace, Both endowed with pure souls, and chaste, And one with honored, noble name, And one with something akin to fame; Still Fate stood mocking, gloating, nigh, There's still some things she would these souls deny. Tis knowing the anguish of the heart, When at last they meet and love and part, 'Tis when eye meets eye, hand meets hand, soul meets soul; 'Tis then Fate holds them in fierce control, And mocks them, as stru^lino to the last, She binds them in cruel fetters. 233 2:H WHISPERING WINDS. And fettered thus they grieve their lives away, Longing, ever longing, for some other day, Some other clime, where their two souls Shall be united for an eternity of time, And glide, like some calm stream, Where life will ne'er prove to them a myth, a dream. The following' verses were written on reading a story, where the lover is drowned at sea and the heroine goes insane and spends her life w; id ing on the beach in search for him. WHISPERING WINDS. The winds are whispering to me, dear love, Whispering and whispering to me, It has wandered o'er summer sea, dear love, And o'er hill and lea. And now the winds are moanino-, dear love 'Tis thy spirit sighing for me, 1 see thou art beckoning to me, dear love, As thy form -dides over the sea. WHISPERING WINDS. As it glides o'er the sunlit isles, dear love, And o'er the moonlit tide, And soon, and soon I'll go, dear love, And. soon I'll be thy bride. Thou art watching and waiting for me, dear love, And I'll watch and wait for thee. And soon, and soon, I'll come, dear love, And soon I'll come to thee. Side by side we'll wander, dear love, And we'll glide o'er the glad sea foam, But the winds are dying away, dear love, \ et forever and ever we'll roam. SEVERED. Oh, I know that we are severed By a gulf we ne'er can span, Until we meet in the golden streets Of a better, better land. And, oh, my heart is heavy, Heavy with unshed tears, Watching, waiting, longing, Till thy sweet soul reappears. Till I see thy seraph form advance, Just without the golden portal, Surrounded by sweet angel forms, All radiant and immortal. Till I hear thy sweet voice calling To my struggling soul without; Till the heavenly bars are opened wide, And we meet no more to part. Oh, I know that we are severed By a gulf we ne'er can span, But soon we'll meet in the golden streets Of a. better, better land. f36 THE ORPHAN'S LAMENT. Mother, mother, hear the whisper Of my soul to thine, Telling of the secret sadness, Dwelling within my breast; Telling of the pain and sadness, And my soul's unrest. Oh, for thy gentle hand's caress, Oh, for thy gentle voice to bless, Oh, for the magic of thy love, To soothe my soul's unrest. Mother, mother, can'st thou not hear My anguished call to thee? Only the echo of my calling Answers back to me. Gone, gone, thy spirit forever fled; They laid thy saintly form from sight, And said that thou wast dead. Dead, dead, thy spirit fled, Tell not this tale to me; Oh, tell me not that love like thine, Can perish eternally. 238 THE ORPHAN'S LAMENT. Mother, mother, I'll not believe Thou art forever fled, Yet, oh, the void within my heart, And, oh, the weary pain. And, oh, the weary, watching, longing, Ere we shall meet again. Yet, I have felt a strange delight, I've felt thy spirit near to-night, And thou hast whispered peace to me, Until our souls united be. Written when a child, after reading a book entitled Bethlehem's star, sent by a Sabbath school teacher, when upon her death bed, as a token of love and lasl remembrance. BETHLEHEM'S STAR. Beloved friend in heaven, What a token of thy love, Hast left a youthful pilgrim, Seeking her home above. As I look upon these pages, Oh, the pleasure that is mine, Oh, the calmness that steals o'er me, As I read each beauteous line, Telling of the great Messiah, And his wondrous love, Beckoning us onward, onward, To our home above. Ah, yes, 'tis a greater treasure, Than the gift of rarest Jdnd, To have impressed upon the mind, God's great love divine. A few words of God's holy love 239 •240 BETHLEHEM'S ST^R. Oft' times bring relief To a soul that's wandering In darkness, sin or grief. Telling us that from afar Still shines o'er us Bethlehem's Star. Look to heaven, oh, youthful pilgrim, Ere thou'st crossed life's desert plain, Thou canst see the Star of Bethlehem Brightly o'er thy pathway stream. SONG. WE'LL PADDLE OUR OWN CANOE. Oli, here is a hand for our fellow man, A hand for a friend or foe, What e'er betide, the world is wide, And smoothly onward we will glide, Or if roughly tossed by the heaving tide, We'll paddle our own canoe, Paddle our own canoe. Bounding along o'er the billowy foam, We'll sing like boatmen true, What e'er betide, the world is wide, O'er calm blue seas or roughest tide, \\ Vll bend to the oar and onward ride; We'll paddle our own canoe, Paddle our own canoe. Then here's a hand for our fellow man, A hand for friend or foe, Though foes be strong, or friends be few, Of each and all we ne'er would sue; We'll paddle our own canoe, Paddle our own canoe. ■.Ml SAILOR SONG. We're sailors bold, of the wide, blue sea, We're sailors wild and free, We sail our ships o'er the wide, wide sea; Oh, a sailor's life for me, A sailor's life for me. Oh, ho, my boys, come sing with me, As our barque rides o'er the sea, Come, let your voices rino- loud, ring" long, Hurrah, hurrah, we're free, We're sailors wild and free. CHORUS. Come, come, my boys, let's quaff the breeze, That makes us strong and free, Oh, let the dear, old wild winds blow, As we sail away o'er the sea. As we sail away o'er the sea. Up, up, my boys, there's a storm in view, Let our barque rush o'er the sea, She'll stem the waves, she'll ride the tide, We're sailors bold and free, Sailors bold and free. 242 SAILOR SONO. 243 Oh, see the moon shines in the sky so high, And gleams o'er the waters deep, And our staunch ship rides o'er the heaving tide, Where the foaming billows leap, Foaming billows leap. We're sailors bold, of the wide, blue sea, My gallant crew and me, Then hail to every one we meet, That sail their ships o'er the deep, That sail their ships o'er the deep. tSiii' 018 6041975 ■■1