'C.5^ 5 ^ s^«t •■'T)KR GREEN LEAVES. XIV, " A young man sits lamenting With his children at his knee, And his fond true wife beside him : ' I'm a wretch ! ' quoth he ; ' An evil fate pursues me ; Whate'er I touch I slay ; And this, my last reliance — My chance, my hope, my stay — Has died like the last year's blossoms. Never to bloom again ! ' Oh blind, to grieve at Fortune ! Oh sluggard, to comi)lain ! The thing which thou hast lost Was big with coming sorrow ; Joy dwelt on its lips to-day, Grief grew in its heart for morrow. ONE HALF- HOUR. 15 Look up to Heaven, thou dreamer ! If smitteu, tliou art whole ; And learu that a pang surmounted, Is healing to the soul." XV. Half-past twelve on the turret clock, Thou'rt gone, oh Spirit of Noon ! With the last faint echoes of the chime, That died in the woods of June. Thou'rt gone, in thy robe of amber, And diadem of flame. To make the wide world's circuit — Another, and yet the same ; To bear God's justice with thee, And scatter it through the Earth ; To balance the wonder of our death By the mystery of our birth ; IG UXDER GREEN LEAVES. To bumble tbe exalted, To turn tbe Wrong to Rigbt, And out of tbe gloom of Evil To weave tbe web of Ligbt. Kind and beautiful Spirit, Just and merciful Day, Boariug tby God's commission, To give and to take away ! March, 1855. ■ — -^:3=«€^fe?^^- f?^ LULLINGSWORTH. 17 LULLINGSWORTH. It is an ancient liouse ; Four hundred years ago Men dug its basements deep, And roof 'd it from the wind ; And held within its walls The joyous marriage-feast, The christening and the dance. Four hundred years ago They scoop'd and fill'd the moat, Where now the rank weeds grow, And waterlilies \ie In whiteness with the swans — A solitary pair — That float, and feed, and float, Beneath the crumbling bridge And past the garden-wall. 18 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Four hundred years ago They planted trees around To shield it from the sun ; And stUl these oaks and elms, The patriarchs of the wold, Extend their sturdy boughs To woo the summer breeze. The old house, ivy grown, Red, green, and mossy gray, Stm lifts its gables quaint ; And in the evening sun Its windows, as of yore, Still gleam with ruddy light Reflected from the west. StUl underneath the eaves, Or rafters of the porch. The glancing swallow builds ; Stni through its chimneys tall Up streams the curling smoke LULUNGSWORTH. From solitary fires, — For still the ancient race Live in the ancient home, But of their glory shorn, And hastening to decay. 19 Their last descendant dwells, Childless and very old, Amid its silent halls : He loves the lonely place, Its furniture antique, Its panels of rich oak Worm-eaten and grotesque. Its manuscripts and books, Its pictures on the walls. And carvings on the stair. 'Tis all he hath to love ; Its life hath pass'd away— The beautiful human life — c 2 20 UNDER GREEN LEAVES, And left him frail and sad, A waif on Time's bleak shore. No children in its courts Carol, like happy bii-ds, The livelong summer day. No maidens with blue eyes Dream of the trysting-hour, Or bridal's happier time. No youths with glowing hearts Muse, in its shady walks, Of high heroic deeds, Or glory to be sought In perilous fields of fame. The very dog is mute, And slumbers on the hearth, Too impotent to bark. The cawing rooks alone Maintain the song of life, And prate amid the elms LULLINGSWORTH. 21 With harsh rough colloquy — A music in itself, Or if not music, joy. The Lord of Lullingsworth Is lonely, not austere : A melancholy man. With long locks flowing white, And back unbent by age, Beloved, yet little known. He seeks not intercourse — But takes it if it comes — Except with little babes. Who gather round his path Or cling about his knees — And love, yet know not why, The melancholy man. These, and the village priest, His almoner and friend, Are all his confidants. 22 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. A generous hand be hath, And giveth liberal dole — How liberal no one knows. A something for the school Or for the village church ; A something for old friends Who fall to penury ; Or ancient servitors, Too feeble for their work ; A something for the State, When Patriotism calls, Or high Philanthropy ; A something for the needs Of sickness and distress, Of helpless orphan babes And widows left forlorn ; A something for himself. Perchance the least of all ; — So flows the stream of wealth. That once more affluent LULLINGSWORXn. 23 Han in impetuous flood And spent itself in pomp ; But now, a quiet brook, Trickles through by-ways green And edges them with flowers. The house hath many tales : — Four hundred years of men, Of human birth and death, Of love, and faith, and hope, Of glory and of shame, And all that mortals feel, Might yield large histories. If there were tongues to tell. But no one knows their scope. The incidents are blurred. Or else forgotten quite ; Gone with the song of birds, Or with the leaves that fell In ancient centuries. 2i UNDER GKEEN LEAVES. A few perchance survive In mouldy chronicles, Or hang upon the lips Of parish pensioners. But if you'd hear one tale, Amid the multitude, And gather on the shore One little grain of sand, — That grain a human life, — Listen, and you shall hear This old man's histoiy. 'Twas forty years ago. The Lord of Lullingsworth Led home his ha2)py wife. The joy of all who saw, The glory of his heart. 'Twas twenty years ago, A pale and patient saint. Still young and fair, she died, LULLINGSWORTH. And left liini in the world, A maze witliout a clue, A tree -without a root ; Yet not all desolate, Nor uttei'ly forlorn. Four daughters and three sons, The eldest sweet eighteen. The youngest but a day, Eemain'd around his hearth To cheer his downward j^ath. And much he loved them all ; — Much for their own dear sakes. Much for their mother's, lost, And much for love return'd. p He thought as he caress'd Each infant in his arms, And listen'd with deliirht To every lisping word. 26 UNDER GREEN LEAVES, Sweeter than word full spoke, And heard the sharp clear laugh Of Innocence and Joy- Ring merry through the hall, That Time had not the power Or Circumstance the art To make him cherish more These links from Earth to Heaven, The children of the dead. But each returning day Beheld his love increase, Until he sometimes fear'd Such fond idolatry Of creatures of the earth "Was blasphemy to Heaven. But Love transcends the mind ; And Reason, if it strive Against Love's high decree. Strives but with spears of straw, LULLTNGSWORTH. 27 Against stone battlements ; Or if it fly the strife, It abdicates its throne, And serves as minister The king it might depose. As each ingenuous heart Expanded in his smile, And each voung intellect Unfolded like a flower Beneath the kindly beams Of his paternal face. He look'd around his hearth ; — And though one vacant place Threw o'er Ids happiness The shade of bygone giief, He counted all his flock. And said within himself, — " The world is good and fair, And I am happy yet \ UNDER GREE2v' LEAVES. Lord ! who hath given me these, Preserve them one and all, That I may train them up To glorify Thy name, And meet me, glorified. At the appointed time. Before Thy Throne of Grace." So gi'ew they in his sight, His task, his hope, his joy. His recompense of life ; Till one unhappy mom Insidious Fever crept, A serpent, to liis fold ; And not content with one. Snatched from his jealous arms Three younglings of his flock, — • The sweetest, — best-beloved, — The tendrils of his heart. Not best-beloved in life, LULLINGSTVORTH. 29 But oh, far more than best, When Death transfigured them, And o'er the pallid clay Threw his celestial robes. None saw the father weep. His face was always calm, Serene, and sad as night, Begemm'd with inner worlds Of silent suffering. Years passed ; and from his lips There issued no complaint. Four treasures still remain'd. Brought nearer to his heart By thought of those in Heaven. If to the little world That watch'd his daily life, And knew how good and brave And generous he was, There seem'd to be a change UNDER GREEN LEAVES. In look, or word, or deed, It was that in his eyes Seeni'd pity more benign ; In every word he spake More genial sympathy, And in his liberal hand Beneficence more rich. He had but tasted grief; — The overbrimming cup Was offered to his lips, And he had drunk, and lived. The cup was yet to drain ; And happy he the while, That knew not, nor could dream The misery of the draught. Shorfc were the history. If told by fact, and date, And sequence of event. LULLINGSWORTH, 31 Long were the history, If told by agonies t Endured from day to day And bravely fought against, Until the unequal strife Made havoc in the halls And garden of the soul ; Laid waste the pleasant paths, And rooted up the flowers, — Sweet flowers, — to bloom no more ! But long or short, — 'tis sad, As all life-histories ai-e, Could tongues interpret them. Prop of his house, his son. By high ambition fired, Intolerant of ease, Went forth in honour's ranks To fight his country's foes. He died the hero's death, 32 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Waving a snow-wliite plume To clieer Ws followers, And planting on the breacli, "Won by his bravery, The flag without a peer ; His last woi-tls — " Victory ! My father ! Bear him this ;„ — (A locket of dark hair) " And tell him how I died ! " Two other sons — fair boys — As radiant as the morn, And fresh as blooms of May, Eeturn'd from Eton's halls, Greedy of holidays. And joys of happy home. They bathed themselves at noon. In clear inviting stream. They frolick'd on the shore, They braved remoter depths, LULLINGSWORTII. 33 They garnboll'd in the flood, And turning on their backs, Floated, with face to Heaven, In easy luxury, As white and pure as swans ; Then dived in daring sport. And wantonness of strens:th. For pebbles deep adown. Which having gain'd, they threw Up in the sunny air. And caught them as they fell. There was not in the world, In all its wealth of life And innocence and joy, Two happier, brighter things. More beautiful than they. A sudden cry of pain Ranfif through the mead a mile. And startled at the sound, 34 UNDER GHEEN LEAVES. The younger brother turn'd, And saw his elder born Battling the deeps for life, And all his fair young face Alight -vvith agony. Impiilsive at a thought, He swam, and grasp'd the hand Outstretch'd in blind despair. 'Twas Death's convulsive throe ! The dying swimmer caught That weak fi-atemal hand, That fond fraternal neck, And bore into the grave The young and tender life, For whose superior sake He'd thrice have given his owr 'Twas a shoi-t agony That took them both to heaven. LULLTNGSWORTH. 35 Go to the village cliurch, You'll see their cenotaph, A master-piece of art ; Lock'd in each other's arms The marble seraphs lie ; Lovely in form and face, But not so beautiful. Or so divinely fair, No, not by absent soul — As those whose purity They strive to shadow forth. All thought this bitter grief Would break the father's heart. Perchance it did — none knew. He travell'd into France, To Italy and Spain, He and his eldest born. His loveliest and his last. D 2 3G UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Oh, sweet beyond compare, In roseate bloom ot youth, And dazzling womanhood, She glitter'd at his side ; ]\Ien saw her in a crowd And knew no other face ; And when she glided out From church or festival, They knew not how it was. But felt that it was dark. Before her brothers died The maiden was betroth'd To one her sire approved. And would have chos'n himself As helpmate of her life, If she, with finer sense, Had not from all mankind Singled him out — true soul- Her own soul's counterpart. LULLINGSWORTH. Time pass'd, and she was wed ; — And happiness once more Seem'd dawning o'erthe Hall, To lisLt its avenues With human intercourse, And cheer the sad old man. Age dreams as well as youth ; He hoped, he dream'd, he pray'd ; That this beloved tree Would blossom at its time. And bear its tender fruit — The blooms of wedded life — Through all his latest years, To make him blest amends For dearer treasures lost. Fond hope, that never grew To hope's fruition fair ! The Eose so full of sweets, The Rose so fondly prized, 37 38 UNDER GREEK LEAVES. So beautiful and frail, Bore one untimely bud, And perisli'd where she grew. Leaving two hearts forlorn,— One young, Avith strength, mayhap, To live and love anew; One sad and weary old, Too old to hope again. How merciful is Heaven : The oak foredoom'd to brave Five hundred years of storm, Grows hard and rough of kind. And finds in storm itself A sustenance and power. The blind man's universe, Uncheer'd by light of Heaven, Dy man's or Nature's face, Throbs with ecstatic sound And music of the spheres. LULLINGSWORTH. And in our daily life, Tlie arrows aim'd to kill, The accidents, the pit, The perilous fire or flood, Receive not every day The victims they demand. The arrow, warp'd aside, Avoids Achilles' heel. And guardian angels flv On wings of sudden thought. Or come, life messengers In God's electric car, Whose wheels are impulses, To lead us unperceived Beyond the crowded path "Where ambush'd dangers lie ; To heal th'envenom'd wound, Or shield us from the blow. The kind and tender heart 39 40 UNDER GREEN LEAVES, Broke not, but bore its grief; And Patience, like a crown, Slione on Lis wrinkled front, And mark'd bim for a kinsf. But if the beart escajDed, The delicate brain gave way. An atom was displaced From Reason's perfect throne ; Th'intangible chord was snapp'd Wliich binds the soul to sense ; The clear aerial bells That make sweet harmonies In Thought's imperial dome. Were smitten out of tune, And yielded back no more ' Their beautiful accord. The balance of his mind In all his common life, In converse with, the world. LULLINGSWORTH. In duty's ceaseless round, In liome or state affairs, In courtesies complete. Or liigh. pliilosopliy, Preserved its evenness. On one dark point alone The balance was destroy 'd. On one pervading tlioiiglit The bells were out of tune — If out of tune they were — And not by spirit hands Attuned, ineffable. To higher harmonies Than pure cold Reason dreams. The children were not dead. Nor she, the saint who bore ! The losing of the last, Restored them all to life, Young, beautiful, beloved. 41 42 UXDER GREEN LEAVES. As in tlie bygone time When in liis path they grew, Companions of his hours. All other creatures die ; The green earth covers them ; But in his wakinc: thought These live immortally, And know not Death's embrace, Nor cold Corruption's lip. He sees them in his walks ; His wife still comforts Mm ; His little children still Gambol about his feet, And prattle in his ear. Each day at morn and noon, And at his evening meal. His board is spread for nine ; His inner eyes behold LULLINGSWORTH. 43 Eiglit spirits at his side, — Eacli in the usual place, Visible — palpable, lu their high company, A calm pure happiness Dwells in his soul serene, And feeds itself on thoughts Too great for utterance. Life blossoms out of death ; Nothing shall part them more ! Thus Cod's great balances Right every seeming wrong, Atone for every ill, And in the poisou'd cup Infuse the precious balm, That out of transient pain Makes lasting happiness. Wlio knows this old man's joy ? None but himself, perhaps — 44 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Perhaps not even lie. Thou who hast heard the tale Believe that Heaven is just, And bear thy lot resigu'd. THE WINES. 45 THE WINES. Whence com est tbou, Oh lady rare, With soft bk;e eyes And flaxen hair, And showers of ringlets Clustering fair 1 And what hast thou got In that bowl of thine 1 " I come," quoth she, " From the beautiful Ehine, And in my bowl Is the amber wine. Pure as gold Without alloy. 40 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Mild as moonlight, Strong as joy ; Taste, and treasure it — Drink, but measure it — Tliirsty boy ! " II. And who art thou, So ruddy and bright. With round full eyes Of jiassionate light. And clustering tresses Dark as night ? And what hast thou drawn From the teeming tun ? " I come," quoth she, " From the blue Garonne, Where the vines are kiss'd By the bountiful sun. THE WINES. 47 And the regal Claret, Kind, though coy, Flushes the hills With purple joy. Taste, and treasure it — Drink, but measure it — Thirsty boy ! " III. And whence art thou, With boundins: tread. With checks like morniner, Rosy red. And eyes like meteors In thy head? And what dost thou pour Like jewell'd rain 1 " I come," quoth she, " From the sunny plain, 48 UNDER gree:^ leaves. And bear a flagon Of bright Champagnej- Age's cordial, Beauty's toy, — Dancing, glancing. Wine of Joy. Taste, and treasure it — Drink, but measure Tliirsty boy ! " TWO HOUSES. 4^9 TWO HOUSES. a 'Twill overtask a tliousand men, "Witli all tlieir strength and skill, To build my Lord ere New Year's eve His castle on the hill." " Then take two thousand," said my Lord, " And labour with a will." They wrought, these glad two thousand men, But long ere winter gloom, My Lord had found a smaller house. And dwelt in one dark room ; And one man built it in one day, While bells rang ding, dong, boom ! Shut up the door ! shut up the door ! Shut up the door till Doom ! E 50 UNDER GREiaf LEAVES, THE BPJONY WREATH. L I TWIN-ED around my true love's brow, Amid her dark brown hair, A wreath of Briony from the hedge, With rings and berries fair ; And call'd her "Lady Briony," And darling of the air. II. We walk'd like children, hand in hand, Or on the meadow-stile Sat down, not seeking happiness, But finding it the while In Love's unconscious atmosphere, Or sunlight of a smile. THE BRIONY WKEATH, 51 III. " Sweet Lady of my heart," I said, " Thou chid'st me in the mom, For talking of the 'worthless weeds' With unconsider-'d scorn ; But now, for bouuie Brionj-'s sake, The chiding shall be bome. IV. " So pleasant are its tendril-rings, That twist and curl and twine ; So graceful are its leaves and fruit Amid those locks of thine ; Henceforth to me shall Briony Be equal of the Yine." V. " But not for sake of me !" she said ; " I'd have thee just and true, E 2 52 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. And love the wild weeds for themselves, Sweet babes of sun and dew, As virtuous as the Eose herself, Or Violet blushing blue. VI. " Of all the weeds, and bounteous buds, That drink the summer shower, And lift their blossoms through the corn. Or smile in hedge and bower, I plead the cause ; — come hear the tale And love them from this hour. VII. " You've call'd me Lady Briony ; Behold my sisters bright. My fair companions of the wood. Who love the morning light, — Valerian, Saffron, Camomile, And Rue, and Aconite ; — THE BRIONY WREATH. 53 VIIL " The golden Mallow of the Marsh, The Hemlock, broad and rank, The Nightshade, Foxglove, Meadow-sweet, And Tansy on the bank. And Poppy with her sleepful eyes, And Water-Iris dank. IX. " Are we not fair 1 Despise us not ! — We soothe the couch of pain ; We bring divine forgetfuluess To calm the stormy brain ; And through the languid pulse of life Drop healing, like the rain. X. " There's not a weed, however small. That peeps where rivers flow, 54 UNDER GREEN LEAVES Or in the bosom of tlie woods Has privilege to grow, But has some goodness in its breast, Or bounty to bestow, xr. " And if we poison ; — yours the fault ! Behold our green leaves wave, And seem to sigh as men go past Wayfarers to the grave ; — ' Use us unwisely, we may kill, — Use wisely, and we save.* XII. " Our virtues and our loveliness Are none the less our own. Because you fail to seek them out. Or miss them when they're shown ^ And if we're common, so is light. And every blessing known." • THE BRIONY WREATH. 55 XIII. " Well pleaded, Lady Briony ! Thou'rt good as thou art fair ; And were there no one in the copse, I'd kiss thy lips, I swear ! " Her laugh rang merry as a bell — " Well, kiss me, if you dare !" «-~.£=<3*ii;#D>£^^ 56 UNDER GREEN LKATE3. THE INTERVIEW. I. Heavily the rain-drops Beat the pane ; On the housetop hoarsely Creak'd the vane ; The wind came battering by, Like fierce artillery Against a town ; Or with a fitful wail Crept through the leafless vale Or moorland brown. THE INTERVIEW. II. In that wintry midnight,^ Thi'ough the gloom, I beheld a vision In, my room ; I shudder'd at the sight, — Its face in ghastly light Familiar shone ; And all its heart lay bare As a landscape in the air, — Mine own ! mine own ! III. 'Twas my face before me, Pallid-hued ; 'Twas mine eyes beheld me Where I stood. Pointing its fingers thin, This thing, with hideous grin, And angry start, 58 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Exclaim'd, " Thou knowest much ;- Knowest thou this, — I touch f — And touch'd its heart. IV. With a flash electric, It became Palpable before me Like a flame ; And I could read and see Its inmost mystery, And breach of law ; Its guilty passion strong. Its -weakness hidden long, And blackest flaw. V. Perfidies unnumber'd ; Secrets du'e, "Written out and burning As with fire ; TUE INTEUVIEW. 59 The motives of a life, Laid bare as with a knife, Through quivering flesh ; Dead things that no man knew. Most wretched, but most true, Kevived afresh. TI. All my lore and madness ; All my guilt ; All my tears of anguish Vainly spilt ; My agonies and fears; The skeletons of years } My hojies entomb'd ; My crimes ; my broken truth ; Up from the deeps of youth Before me loom'd, VII. " Hide it, cruel spirit, Or 1 die ! 60 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. 'Tis too vile to look at Witli life's eye !"— I cover'd up my face ; Between me and its place Came mist and cloud : " And is tliis heart, my heart — So foul in every part?" — I groan'd aloud- VIII. Light broke in upon me From afar ; And faith in God, high-shining Like a star. And when I look'd again, I saw, amid the stain Of that frail clay, A glow of pure desire — A spark of heavenly fire — Burning alway. THE INTERVIEW. Gl IX. " Shall I sit lamenting ? — Ah, not so ! Sympathy and pity For men's woe, A love surpassing death, A calm but humble faith, To me are given ; Accuser ! — in this hour My heart defies thy power, With strength from Heaven 1" -<>oJrHj > CL^ - -o - MIST. 139 MIST. One day I "walk'd through mist and haze of cloud ; I could not see the sunshine in the sky ; I heard a mountain torrent pealing loud, But could not see it, though I knew 'twas nigh; I wander'd on the sullen ocean-shore, But could not see the wrinkles on its face. And only knew 'twas ocean by its roar, So dense the vapour lay on all the place. Heavily on hill and plain Hung moisture, neither dew nor rain ; The birds were silent in the darkling bowers. And not a shadow fell to mark the hours; Ghost-like paced about the men. Through ghostly alleys, speaking low; And every object on my ken Was vague, and colourless, and slow. 140 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. I ask'd a native what tlie land miglit be. " The land," he said, " of heavenly Poesy." " And who are these that wander up and down 1 " " Poets," he said, " of great and high renown." " And art thou of them t " " No— not so," he sigh'd ; « Pm but a critic." " Tell me," I replied, "■ What kind of poesy these poets make. If they be makers, as true poets are, And whether from the clouds their hue they take, And sing without the light of sun or star." " We want no sunshine here," the ci-itic said, " Nor wholesome light, nor shape too well defined ; There needs no radiance for the drowsy head, Nor vulgar common sense for sleepy mind. Our nerves are vety finely strung, And much emotion would destroy them quite ; And if a meaning start to page or tongue Of our great poets, when they speak or write. They swathe and swaddle it in pompous rhyme. And darken counsel with vain words ; MIST. HI And girls, green-sickly, children of the clime, Proclaim it lovely as the chant of birds, And write it in their albums, or rehearse, With lisping chattel', the delightful vei'se. Sickly — sickly are our bards ; — The rose-tree gall is surely fair. Ay, fairer to our faint and dim regards Than healthy roses flaunting in the air. IMost lovely is our daily languishment. Our sweet half-consciousness, our listless ease, Our inchoate discourse magniloquent, Through which we see the surging mysteries Of Time and Life, Eternity and Death ; Or think we see them ; is it not the same 1 Death is a mist, and Life is but a breath, And Love a cloudy, ever-flickering flame." " Then," I rejoin'd, " the poets of this land. Misty and mystic, hard to understand. Do not desii'e, like Shakspeare of old days. To reach the popular heart through open ways ; 142 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. To speak for all men ; to be wise and true, Bright as tlie noon-time, clear as morning dew, And wholesome in the spirit and the form 1 " " Shakspeare ! " he answer'd, " may his name endure ! But what is he to us 1 Our veins are warm With other blood than his, perchance as pure. Each for his time ! — our time is one of mist, And we are misty, — love us those who list." He said, and disappear'd; and I took ship. And left that cloudy land ; and sailing forth, I felt the free breeze sporting at my lip, And saw the Pole-star in the clear blue North, And all the pomp of Heaven. Right glad was I, Bareheaded to the glory of the sky. — »o>e:oo — CRACKLETUORN. 143 CRACKLETHORN. " For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool : this also is vanity." — Ecclesiastes. Through a great and a mighty city I roam'd like one forlorn ; Throiigli the city, amid the people, In the land of Cracklethorn. I heard the sorry jesters, — The dismal songs they sang, The crack of their witless laughter. Their loud, incessant slang. At the holiest and the highest They launch'd the wordy dart ; They sneer'd at manly honour. They scoff'd at woman's heart. 144 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. They gibed and mock'd at Virtue, They ridiculed the truth, Till theii" old men grinn'd like monkeys, And a blight came o'er their youth. To be great, or wise, or lofty, Was to earn their giggling scorn. " Come plague, and famine, or fire from Heaven," I. said, like one forlorn, — " Come plague, and famine, and fire from Heaven, And fall on Cracklethorn ! " _-s^- THE EGLANTINE. 145 THE EGLANTINE. I. Modest Brier ! odour shedding, Down the lanes to cottage- doors ; Morn herself, if failing sweetness, Might replenish from thy stores. Charm of wild woods ! humbly virtuous ; Heedless thou to flaunt or shine ; — Eich men praise thee, poor men bless thee Shy but lovely Eglantine ! II. Clad in garments white as lilies. Newly wash'd by April's tears. Scattering smiles like sunshine round her, Lo ! my love, my queen, appears. L 14.G UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Fragrant Brier ! like the maiden Fair, but prizing virtue best ; Freshly gather'd, love inviting, Go and bloom upon her breast I e— &'eW&*=D'ce^-» THE MEX OF THE NORTH. 147 THE MEN OF THE NORTH. I. Fierce as its sunlight, tlie East may be proud Of its gay gaudy hues and its sky without cloud ; Mild as its breezes, the beautiful West May smile like the valleys that dimple its breast ; The South may rejoice in the vine and the palm, In its groves, where the midnight is sleepy with balm: Fair though they be, Thei'e's an isle in the sea. The home of the brave and the boast of the free I Hear it, ye lands! let the shout echo forth, — The lords of the world are the Men of the Nurtli ! L 2 148 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. n. Cold though our seasons, and dull though our skies, There's a might in our arms and a fire in our eyes ; Dauntless and patient, to dare and to do, — Our watchword is " Duty," our maxim is " Through ! " Winter and storm only nerve us the more, And chill not the heart, if they creep through the door : Strong shall we be In our isle of the sea, The home of the brave and the boast of the free ! Firm as the rock when the storm flashes forth, We'll stand in our courage— the Men of the North ! III. Sunbeams that ripen the olive and vine. In the face of the slave and the coward may shine ; Roses may blossom where Freedom decays, And crime be a gi-owtb of the Sun's brightest rays. TUE MEN OF THE NORTH. 149 Scant tliougli the harvest we reap from the soil, Yet Virtue and Health are the children of Toil : Proud let us be Of our isle of the sea, . The home of the brave and the boast of the fi'ee : Men with ti-ue hearts — let our fame echo forth — Oh, these are the fruit that we grow in the Noi-th ! -'j'eA^5iP^£^^=>> loO UNDER GREEN LEAVES. THE TREES. I. If jou could dance wlien Orplieus piped, Ye oaks, and elms, and beeches, Try, when a man of modern time Your courtesy beseeches. 'Twas but his fancy 1 Well, 'tis mine, — So do your best endeavour : The facts of History pass away. The thoughts may live for ever. II. My friend the merchant of Cornhill,. Awake to nought but scheming. And he who plods in Fig-tree Court, Will call this idle dreaming. THE TREES. 151 But ye shall dance, ye joyous tx-ees, Thougli tliey may scoff or pity ; And measure, in their self-conceit, Arcadia by the City. III. Come, Father Oak, so old and staid, But vigorous and hearty, Shake off the soberness of years. And join the merry party. 'Tis not becoming? Harmless mirth Takes no account of ages, — - So, Monarch of the Woods, unbend, And frolic with your pages ! IV. And thou, superbest matron Beech, In all thy bloom of beauty, Kelax ; and learn that, now and then, Enjoyment is a duty. 152 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. And Lady Lime, the honey sweet, "With music in. thy tresses, Step out, — the wild winds pipe the tune, And every moment presses. Ye damsel Bii'ches, slim and fair, And capersome as misses Who've just come home from boarding-school. And dream of love and kisses, I know you're ready : come away, With silver-braided kyrtles, And taper limbs, and flowing hair, And breath as sweet as myrtles. XI. Ye Firs and Larches, rough as lads Let loose from School or College ; Ye Poplars, stiff as men on 'Change, Forget your cram of knowledge. THE TREES. 153 You're no such beauties of yourselves, But every tree an aid is, — And you'll improve in elegance, By contact with the ladies. VII. Ye steadfast Elms, our English trees, The charm of rural alleys, The grace of parks and village-greens, And darlings of our valleys : Come forth, with robes of flowing green, The ivy for your flounces, — The dance will languish in the dale, If one of you renounces. VIII. And you, like melancholy maids Who sigh on lonely pillows. Or widows, ere they've cast their weeds, — Ye fond, romantic Willows, 154 UKDEK GREEX LEAVES. Come from your looking-glass, the stream, And cease to play at Soitow, And taste a little Joy to-day, To think about to-morrow. IX. And thou, dear Hawthorn, — sweetest sweet, The beautiful, the tender, Bright with the fondlinc: of the sun, And prankt in bridal splendour, — Come with thy sisters, full of bloom, And all thy bridemaids merry, — Acacia, Chestnut, Lilac fair. The Apple, and the Cherry. Strike up the music ! Lo ! it sounds ! The expectant woodlands listen ; They wave their branches to the sky, And all their dew-drops glisten. THE TREES. 155 Thei'e comes a rustling from the heiglits, A buzzing from the hollow, They move, the ancient Oaks and Elms, And all the juniors follow. XI. They move, they start, they tbrill, they dance, They shake their boughs with pleasure. And flutter all theii* gay green leaves. Obedient to the measui-e. They choose their partners ; Oak and Beech Pair ofl', a stately couple ; And Larch to AVillow makes his bow, Th' unbending to the supple. xir. The Hawthorn, charm of every eye. In Beauty's ranks a leader, Has choice of many for her hand. But gives it to the Cedar. 156 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. She loves the wisdom of bis looks, And name renown'd in stoiy ; And he, th.' effulgence of her eyes, And fragrance of her glory. XIIL The Poplar, very gaunt and tall, Says to the Ash : " May I press Thy fairy figure in the waltz 1 If not, ni ask the Cypress." And Ash consents, — but thinks her beau Has nothing that entices ; He looks so like a serving-man, To hand about the ices. XIV. The Elms and Lindens choose their mates. And e'en the sturdy Holly; And all the Brambles and the Ferns Think standing still is folly, THE TREES. 157 And foot it briskly on the sward, As wild as lads and lasses, — But make sad havoc, as they twirl, With all the flowers and grasses. XV. Come here, thou man of Lloyd's and 'Change, Come here, thou grave decider, Who splittest straws in Fig-tree Court, — Come here, thou mouey'd spider, Who lendest cash at cent, per cent., And see our woodland pastime ! — If once you see it, I'll be sworn , It will not be the last time. XVI. You cannot see it? Never will, 'Twas waste of breath to ask you : To look an inch before your nose. Would soi-ely be to task you. J5S UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Come thou, sweet Lady of my heart ! My other self, and dearest : If there he music in the woods, Come, tell me if thou hearest. XVII. If there be spirits in the trees, Thine eyes, with inward lustre Caught from the fountains of thy soul, Will see them as they cluster. Thou hearest— seest ! Oh ! my love, Thy sympathy enhances All joys I feel, and turns to truths My shadows of romances. XVIII. Take root again, ye docile Trees, No longer leap and jostle ; There's other music in the boughs, — The Cuckoo and the Throstle. THE TREES. 159 The breeze has dropped, the air is still, The long grass sleeps in quiet ; And dancing, in an hour so calm. Seems weariness and riot. XIX. Besides, the fitful mood has changed. Gone back to times Elysian, When those who sat beneath the trees Could see a brighter vision. We'll see it too. Come, potent witch, And do as thou art bidden ! Come, Fancy ! touch those wi-inkled barks, And show what they have hidden ! XX. The west wind roaming through the woods, With briery odours laden. Breathes gently, as from every tree Out steps a spirit maiden, — IGO UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Th' immortal Dryads, — old as Greece But youthful as this minute, And lovely as the loveliest thing That moves and sparkles in it ! XXI. Barefooted, in their robes of green, Blue- eyed, with tresses golden, By none but those whom Fancy loves, In all their pomp beholden ; We see them on the sunny slope, And, credulous as childhood. Love, for their sakes, each teeming tree That blossoms in the wUd wood. XXII. Oh ! richer far, than he who owns This forest, root and branches. And calculates how much 'twill yield For houses and ship-launches, — THE TREES. 161 Whose trees are timber, nothing more, — We own, if we enjoy it ; • And this great property of ours, We dare him to destroy it. XXIII. Ours is the forest — ours the land — And ours the great sky-ocean, Through which their ships can never sail, Whose pelf is their devotion. Leave us our dreams, ye men of facts. Who shake your heads profoundly. And tell us if ye're half as glad, Or if ye sleep as soundly ! ■--£.'e*!i.«T>a.'-a u 1G2 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. THE SONG OF THALIESSIK I HAVE a people of my own. And great or sinall, whate'er they be, 'Tis Harp and Harper, touch and tone — There's music between them and me. And let none say, when low in death The soul-inspiring minstrel lies. That I misused my hand or bi'eath, For favour in my people's eyes. THE SONG OF TIIALIESSIN. IGS Whate'er my faults as mortal man, Let foes revive tliem if tliey must ! And yet a gi-ave is ample span To hide tlieir memory with my dust. But give, oil ! give me what I claim. The Harper's meed, the Minstrel's crown ; I never sang for sake of Fame, Or clutch'd at baubles of renown. I spoke my thought, I sang my song, Because I pitied, felt, and knew: I never glorified a wrong, Or sang approval of th' untrue. And if I touch'd the people's heart. Is that a crime in true men's eyes. Or desecration of an art That speaks to human sympathies ? ii 2 164 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. As man, let men my worth deny ; As Harper, by my harp I stand, And dare the Future to deny The might that quiver'd from my haud. A King of Bards, though scorn'd and poor, I feel the crown upon my head, And Time shall but the more secure. My right to wear it. — I have said. -'^■CiSJii^-'^^^i^Bk^:^^- ANGLING. 165 ANGLIira Flow, river, flow ! Where the alders grow, — Where the mosses rest On the bank's high breast : Flow on, and make sweet music ever, Thou joyous and beloved river. Such peace ujion the landscape broods, There is such beauty in the woods ; Such notes of joy come from the copse, And from the swinging oak-tree tojDS ; 166 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. There are such sounds of life, and health, and pleasure Abroad upon the breeze, And on the river rippling at sweet leisure, Beneath its banks of fringing trees, — That to nay mind a thought of death or pain Seems a discordant note in heavenly strain. Death is the rule of life : the hawk in air Pursues the swallow for his daily fare ; The blackbird and the linnet rove On a death-errand through the grove ; The happy slug and glow-worm pale, Must die to feed the nightingale ; The mighty lion hunts his destined prey ; And the small insect, fluttering on our way, Devours the tinier tribes that live unseen In shady nooks and populous forests green j The hungry fish, in seas and rivers. Are death-receivers and death-givers ; AJJGLING. 1G( And animalculse conceal'd from sicriit. In littleness sublime and infinite, That whirl in drops of water from the fen, — Creatures as quarrelsome as men, — Or float in air upon invisible wings, Devour the countless hosts of smaller things. But simple is the law which they obey — They never torture when they slay, Unconquerable need, the law of life. Impels the fiercest to the fatal strife : They feel no joy in stopping meaner breath, 'Tis man alone that makes a sport of death. So, gentle river, flow, Whei'e the green aldei's grow. Where the pine-tree rears its crest, And the stock-dove builds her nest. Where the wild-flow'r odours float. And the lark with gushing throat 168 UNDER GREEIf LEAVES. Pours out lier rapturous strains To all the hills and plains; And if, amid the stream, The lurkinfj angler dream Of hooking fishes with his treacherous flies, Reflect, oh river, the unclouded skies. And bear no windy ripple on thy breast, — The cloud and ripple he loves best, — So that the innocent fish may see, And shun their biped enemy. Flow, river, flow, Where the violets grow. Where the bank is steep, And the mosses sleep, And the green trees nod to thy waves below : Flow on and make sweet music ever, Thou joyous and beloved river ! CARELESS. 169 CARELESS. Spring gave me a friend, and a true, true love ; — The summer went caroling by. And the autumn brown' d, and tlie winter frown'd, And I sat me down to sigL. : My friend was false for the sake of gold, Ere the farmer stack'd bis rye ; And my true love changed with the fickle west wind, Ere winter dull'd the sky : But the bees are humming — a new spring's coming, And none the worse am I. 170 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. JOAN OF ARC. Th' old Norman city, with its towers and spires And gorgeous architecture, was to me The shrine of one great name ; where'er I went That memory followed me. From church to church, From the cathedral where King Eichard sleeps, To St. Ouen and beautiful Maclou — From bridge to market-place, and justice-hall, A mighty spirit kept me company. Through quaint old streets, whose every window seem'd Old as the days when haughty Bedford held His martial court in Rouen, wander'd I ; And still thy memory, hapless Joan of Arc, Wander'd beside me. " Here," I said, " poor maid, Thou wert led captive, after saving France ! JOAN OF ARC. 171 Here thou wert gibed and scorn'd by brutal men. Here, from their windows, peep'd the gaping crowd, To see thee made a shameful spectacle. Here Superstition, pandering to Revenge, Accused thee of all vile and senseless crimes. Here, at their harsh tribunal, thy good deeds Were each interpreted in evil sense ; Thy love of country in their eyes became Treason most foul ; thy courage, lunacy ; Thy fortune, witchcraft ; thy young purity. An outward mask to hide the shame within. And here, unhappy saviour of a realm, Th' ungenerous foemen, smitten by the steel Of warriors roused to battle by thy voice, Sated unmanly vengeance on thy head. And slew, by cruel fii'e and torturing pangs. The helpless woman they could not subdue. Rouen is sacred to thy memory ; The ancient city is thy monument ; There's not a spire or tower within its bound. 172 UNDER GREEN LEAVES, But pleads for justice to thy slander'd name. Thou hast it, Spirit ! Compensating Time Has done thee justice, as it does to all, However hated, injured, or malign'd. The truly great and good have constant friends; The rolling centuries, in their behalf, Sue for reversal of tli' unjust decree That doom'd their names to infamy and scorn. They never sue in vain ; and thine, sad maid ! Shines like a gem upon the brow of France — A pearl of beauty on her queenly crown ! EocEK, 1847. STORII APPROACHING. 173 STORM APPEOACHING. I. "VVe live in a time of soitow, A time of doubt and storm, When the thunder-clouds hang heavy, And the air is thick and warm ; When the far-off lightnings gather On the verge of the darkening sky, And the birds of the aii", fear-stricken, To nest and cover fly : Look up ! ye drowsy people. There's desolation ni^h. II. Look up ! ye drowsy people, And shield yourselves in time, 174 UNDER GKEEN LEAVES. From the wrath and retribution That track the heels of crime ; That lie in wait for the folly Of the lordly and the strong ; That spare nor high nor lowly From vengeance threaten'd long, — But strike at the heart of nations, And kings who govern wrong. III. Kneel down in the dust and ashes ! Kneel down, ye high and great, Who call yourselves the bulwarks Or fathers of the State, And clear your sleepy vision From selfishness and scorn, And mingle with the people, To learn what they have borne, — Their suffering and their sadness, Toiling forlorn, forlorn ! STORM APPROACHING. 175 IV. Kneel down in the dust and sackclotb, And own, with contrite tears, Your arrogant self-worship, And wrongs of many years ; Your luxuries hard-hearted ; Your pride so barren-cold, Eemote from the warmth of pity For men of the self-same mould, As good as yourselves, or better, In all but the shiny gold. Kneel down, ye priests and preachers, Ye men of lawn and stole, Who call youi'selves physicians And guardians of the soul, — And own if ye have not iiated Your brethren, night and day, 176 U^^DER GREEN LEAVES. Because at God's high altars They bent another way, And sought not your assistance To worship and to pray. VI. Kneel down in the dust, confessing Ye've preach'd the truth of God, When your feet were s^vift for malice, And in evil pathways trod ; That ye've loved the flesh, and flesh-pots. Above the creed you taught; And, at wealth and pomp aspiring. Have clutch'd them, passion-fraught : Ye hypocrites unholy, "Who hold religion nought ! VII. Kneel down — ^low down — ye traders. Ye men of mines and mills, — STOKM APPROACHING. 1 i t With your ships on every ocean, And beeves on a thousand liills ; With factories and workshops, And stalls in every mart ; Who serve the great god Mammon With singleness of heart, And give hira soul and body, Till soul and body part ; VIII. Who talk of your faith and credit, And honour clear of stain ; — And own if ye have not cheated And lied for the sake of gain ; If ye have not done, in secret. Worse things than the wretch who steals Your 'kerchief from your pocket, — But which no tongue reveals, To shame you in the market Where barefaced Commerce deals. N 178 UNDER GKEEN LEAVES. IX. Kneel down, and own, soul -humbled, Ye traders of the street, If ye have not drugg'd the potion, Or the bread that poor men eat ; If ye have not dealt false measure, Or ground your workmen dovrn, Or crush'd their wives and dauiditers Into the liidecms town : Then gone to Church or Chapel, 111 your drab and brown. And you, ye toiling millions. Meek hertl and flock of men ! Th.it swink, and sweat, and suffer, For three-score years and ten, — Kneel down, in «elf-abasement. And ask yourselves, each one, STOUM ArPHOACIIIXG. 170 If ye gi'ow no evil passions, To sliade you from the sun, — Or sit in chains, lamenting, AYlien ye might rise and run. XI. Ask if ye do not grovel To things yourselves have made, — To the Lords of Tilany-Acrcs, To the Money-Grubs of Trade; Ask if ye do not wallow Unseemly in the mire, With brawls and feuds unmanly. In the filth of low desire : Gin-sodden'd and degraded. Drinking avenging fire. , 511. And ask yourselves, ye lowly And reverential poor, N 2 ISO UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Who go to Church on Sundays, With downcast looks demm-e, — If never at God's altars, With baseless prayers and sighs, Ye have not gazed at riches With fierce, exulting eyes. And said, "This world's rejected Shall grasp you in the skies." XIII. Ask if when lordly fortune Went whirling past your door. Ye felt not bitter envy Burn at your heart's deep core, Or whisper you to patience With promises of Heaven, Where the poor, in regal garments As white as snow new-driven. Should look from their thrones at Dives lu hell-fii-c unforgiven. STOKil APPRO ACniJS^G. 181 XIV, Ask if sincere obedience To God's Almighty will Have taught you how to suffer The burthen of your ill ; And if no sordid barter Of this world for the next, Or thouEcht of tlie ricli man groanin,T, At the needle's eye perplex'd, Inspired your resignation When ye heax'd the holy text. XV. And you, ye lords and rulers, And magnates of the realm. Who scent impending danger That looms to overwhelm, — Have ye not, basely sleeping lii apathy and rust, 182 U^'DER GREEN LEAVES. Been cowards to your duty, Betray'd your solemn trust, And given to-morrow's birthright For the morning's crust 1 XVI. Sunk in the Sloughs of Faction, Obtuse, and blind, and dumb, Have ye not sold the safety Of ages yet to come. For triumphs over rivals Who sought to cast you out , For paltry ease and quiet, Or the crowd's ignoble shout ; — • Or lau^jh'd at de^jradation Though it hemm'd you round about? XVII. Awake ! awake ! ye sleepers, There's dauger over all, STORM APPROACIIIXG. 183 When the strong shall be sorely shaken, And the weak shall go to the wall ; When towers on the hill-top standing Shall topple at a word, And the principles of ages Shall be question'd with the sword, And the heart's blood of the nations Like fountains shall be pour'd. XVIII. When a fierce and a searching Spirit Shall stalk o'er the startled earth, And make great Thrones the playthings Of his madness or his mirth ; When ancient creeds and systems, In the fury of his breath. Shall whirl like the leaves of Autumn, When the north wind belloweth, — And drift away unheeded. To the deep, deep seas of death. 184 UJi'DER GREEX LEAVES. XIX. The first large rain-drops patter, The low wind moans and sings, — Awake, ere the tempest gather, Eulers, and priests, and kings ! Ere the thunder-clouds are open'd, That wall and flank the sky ; Ere the whirlwind leaves its cavern.^^. And the shafts of vengeance &}'■.— Look uj) ! ye drowsy people, There's desolation nicch ! September , 1856. — — <>oja=;o^ THE RAriT) STREAM. 185 THE ExVPID STREAM. On streamlet swiftly flowing, Down through the corn-fields going, Stay thy course with me ; For us the skylarks sing, For us awakes the Spring ; There's time to spare, the earth is fair ; Why hurry to the sea ? II. The sky is bright above thee, Silvery branches love thee. Bending to the reeds ; No mill with busy wheel, Or ship with ploughing keel, With sad unrest disturbs thy breast, Amid thy flowery meads. 186 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. III. « Ambition's voice may ■woo thee, Glory and gold may sue thee ; All ai-e empty breath ; The end is still the same, And Power and Wealth and Fame But run at last, through deserts vast, To swell the sea of Death. IV. Then why, without enjopug Pleasures around us toying, Pass our rapid day ? Our cares will come full soon, Beneath the icy moon. And we'll behold the ocean cold ; — Let's linger while we may. THE sailor's wife. 187 THE SAILOR'S WIFE— Part. I. I. I've a letter from thy sire, Baby mine, Baby mine ! I can read and never tire, Baby mine ! He is sailing o'er tlie sea — He is coming back to thee, He is coming home to me, Baby mine ! II. He's been parted from us long Baby mine. Baby mine ! But if hearts be true and strong. Baby mine ! 188 UNDER GP.EEN LEAVES. They shall brave ]\Iisfortuue's blast, And be overpaid at last For all pain and sorrow pass'd, Baby mine ! III. Oh, I long to see his face, Baby mine, Baby mine ! In his old accustom'd place, Baby mine ! Like the rose of Llay in bloom, Like a star amid the gloom. Like the sunshine in the room, Baby mine ! IV, Thou v.-ilfc see him and rejoice, Baby mine, Baby mine ! Thou wilt Imow him by his voice, Baby mine ! THE SAILORS WIPE. 189 By his love-looks that endear, By his laughter ringing clear, By his eyes that know not fear. Baby mine ! V. I'm so glad — I cannot sleep. Baby mine, Baby mine ! I'm so happy — I could weep, Baby mine ! He is sailing o'er the sea, He is coming home to me, He is coming back to thee, Baby mine ! 190 UNDER GKEEN • LEAVES. THE SAILOE'3 WIFE.— Part. II. I, O'er the blue ccean gleaming She sees a distant ship, As small to view As the white sea-mew, Whose wings in the billov/s clip. " Blow favouring gales, in her answering sails ! Blow steadily and free ! Rejoicing, strong, Singing a song, Her rigging and her spars among. And waft the vessel in pride along. That bears my love to me." THE sailor's wife. 191 II. Nearer — still nearer driving, The white sails grow and swell ; Clear to her eyes The pennant flies, And the flag she knows so well. Blow favouring gales, in her answering sails ! Waft him, oh gentle sea ! And still, oh heart ! Thy fluttering start ! Why throb and beat as thou wouldst part, When all so happy and bless'd thou art 1 He comes again to thee !" in. The swift ship drops her anchor — A boat puts off for shore — Against its prow The ripples flow, To the music of the oar. 192 UXDER GREEN LEAVES. "And art thou liere, mine own, my dear, Safe from the perilous sea 1 — Safe, safe at home, No more to roam ! Blow, tempests blow — my love has come ; And sprinkle the clouds with your dashing foam ! He shall part no more from me !" —— "==2VS^a<42:5::^-— EACH BLOCK OF MAUBLE IN THE MINE. 193 EACH BLOCK OF MAEBLE IN THE MINE. I. Each block of marble in the miue Conceals the Paphian queen, Apollo robed iu light divine, And Pallas the serene : It only needs the lofty thought To give the glories birth ; And, lo ! by skilful fingers wrought, They captivate the earth. II. So in the hardest human heart One little well appears, A fountain in some hidden part, That brims with gentle tears . o 194 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. It only needs the master-toucli Of Love's or Pity's hand, And, lo ! the rock with water bursts And gushes o'er the land. THE SILENT HILLS. 195 THE SILENT HILLS. Wandering 'mid the silent hills, Sitting by the lonely rills, And meditating as I go On human happiness and woe. Fancies strange unbidden rise And flit before my placid eyes : Dreaminesses, sometimes dim As is the moon's o'erclouded rim ; And sometimes clear as visions are "When the sleeping soul sees deep and far, Yet cannot, when it wakes, recall, For the senses' and the reason's thrall. I love, in idle moods like these, To sit beneath the shade of trees In idle and luxurious ease ; o 2 19G UXDER GREEN LEAVES. Or lie amid the fern and grass, And talk witli shepherds as they pass : To learn their humble hopes and fears, And the small changes of their years. And if no shepherd saunters by, I can talk with the clouds of the sky. And watch them from my couch of fern, As, Proteus-like, they change and turn, — Now castles grey, with golden doors. Gem roofs, and amethystine floors; Now melting into billowy flakes, Sky islands, or aerial lakes ; Or mimicking the form and show Of the huge mountains far below. o And sometimes — vagrant, -wild, and frce- I look upon the grass and tree, "With an all-pervading sympathy, THE SILENT niLLS. 197 And bid tliem tell if life like theirs Is void of feeling, joys, and cares. And ever an answer seems to breathe From the branches above, and the sward beneath, And the tree says, "Many a joy is mine, — In the winter clond, and the summer shine ; With the daily heat, and the nightly dew. My strength and pleasure I renew. I sleep at eve when the skies grow dark, And wake at the singing of the lark. And when the winter is crisp and cold, My life retreats beneath the mould, And waits in the warmth for the spring-time rain, To summon the sap to my boughs again. I feel like you the balmy air. And am grateful for a life so fair." And the grass, and the fern, and the waving reeds, And the wild flowers, and the nameless weeds, Keply in a low, soft tone of song That creeps like an infant breeze along : 198 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. " AVe live ; — aud eveiy life that's given Iieceives a joy from bounteous Heaven, In the reproduction of its kind, In the warmth, and the light, and the dew, and the wind." Deem me not idle if I stray. Oh ! sons of care, for awhile away From the crowded marts of busy men, To the wild woods and the lonely glen, And give my thoughts a holiday. You cannot tell the work I do. When I lie dreaming beneath the blue ; Or how these fancies dim and strange, May amalgamate and change. Or grow like seeds in aftertime. To something better than my rhyme. A WELCOME TO PEACE. 199 A WELCOME TO PEA.CK (Music by F. Moki.) I. Join, nations, join your hands, Through all your happy lands, — And let the church-bells ring, And youths and maidens sing : The seraph Peace from Heaven descends To bid mankind be friends, — Lo ! she comes ! Beat the drums. And let the banners wave o'er land and sea ! And harmless cannon roar From furthest shore to shore, — That Strife and aU its brood have ceased to be ! Join your hands, All ye lands, And welcome Peace ! the beautiful ! the free ! 200 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. II. No longer may the car Of blind, infuriate War, Drive o'er the bleeding Earth, To quench its children's mirth, And scatter Yengeance and Dismay, — But Peace, like flowery May, Spread around, O'er the ground. The seeds of Joy, to blossom like a tree : The fruits of Plenty's horn, — The oil, the wine, the corn ; And nobler blessings destined yet to be ; — Join your hands, AU yc lands, And welcome Peace ! the beautiful ! the free ! PENDRAGON THE KING. 201 PENDRAGON THE KING. I. Of all the bold Britons Pendragon was lord, His joy was in battles, bis trust was the sword ; Witb bis spears on tbe land, and bis sbips on tbe main, He drove out tbe Saxon, be routed tbe Dane, Great Pendragon tbe King ! Said tbe Britons, "We'll ne'er see a monarcb again, Like Pendragon tbe King ! " II. Tbe plague, but tbe pride of bis people was be; Tbey fawn'd at bis footstool, and tbougbt tbey were free ; 202 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. If any gainsay'd him, he hung them on high ; He tax'd them, and robb'd them, — but who could deny Great Pendragon the King ? His word was the law, — thei'e were none to reply To Pendragon the King ! III. He died, — yet the sun shone as bright as before, And kiss'd the rose-tree at the cottager's door : Neither smith at the anvil, nor child at its play, Xor churl at the plough, was sad-hearted that day. For Pendragon the King ! He is gone ; let him rest, — why should pleasure delay For Pendragon the King? IV. So runs the big world with the biggest of men : "We are mighty, no doubt, with the sword or the pen, PENDRAGON THE KING. 203 But we fall like tlie leaves when the autumn is cold, And sleep in our place in the sheltering mould, Like Pendragon the King ! And the day follows night just the same as of old, And the summer, the spring. 204 UNDER GREEX LEAVES. THE RETURN HOME. The favouring wiucl pipes aloft in the shrouds, And our keel flies as fast as the shadow of clouds; The land is in sight, on the verge of the sky. And the ripple of waters flows pleasantly by, — And faintly stealing, Booming, pealing. Chime from the city the echoing bells; And louder, clearer, Softer, nearer, Ringing sweet welcome the melody swells ; And it's home ! and it's home ! all our sorrows are pass'd, — We are home in the land of our fathers at last. THE RETURN HOME. 205 II. How oft with a pleasure akiu to a pain, In fancy we roam'd througli tliy pathways again, TLrough the mead, through the lane, through the grove, through the corn, And heard the lark singing its hymn to the morn ; And 'mid the wild wood, Dear to childhood, Gather'd the berries that grew by the way ; But all our gladness Died in sadness, Fading like dreams in the dawning of day ; — But we're home ! we are home ! all our sorrows are pass'd, — We are home in the land of our fathers at last. III. We loved thee before, but we'll cherish thee now With a deeper emotion than words can avow ; 206 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Wherever in absence our feet miglit delay, We liad never a joy like the joy of to-day; And home returning, Fondly yearning, Faces of welcome seem crowding the shore, — England ! England ! Beautiful England ! Peace be around thee, and joy evermore ! And it's home ! and it's home ! all our sorrows are pass'd, — We are home in the land of our fathers at last. - — t>CA5J.'(T>30- - TIME AND THE SPRING. 207 TIME AND THE SPEING. " Oh ! spare my tender flowers : My lilies born of liglit, My snowy apple-blooms, My roses, red and white, — Oh ! spare them every one ! " Said Spring the young and fair, To Time, whose hand had strewn, Her blossoms in the air ; "Why should they perish That fill the world with joy? Be kind, oh Time, and spare them,- 'Tis cruel to destroy ! " 208 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. IL " Oh ! foolish maid ! " said Time, " Renounce the idle suit j — To grant it would deprive The Autumn of its fruit. Be thankful for the gifts That bounteous Heaven bestows ; Enjoy them while they last, Nor mourn the fading rose. The world would weary Did night not follow day ; And Spiing herself would perish If every month were May." MANNA. £09 MANNA. To nourish wandering Israel In peril, hardship, and distress, For forty years the manna fell, A wonder in the wilderness j Each morn, from fruitful skies above, The bounty on the earth was pour'd ; And daily proofs of Heavenly love Proclaim'd the goodness of the Lord. II. And in our years of later time. Shall we believe that nevermore Is open'd up the fount sublime. Which flow'd with miracles of yore 1 P 310 UXDEK GREEK LEAA'ES. Bliiui are the eyes that cannot see — Dead is the heart that knows not well — In every boon a mystery, In every gift a miracle. III. For ns the plenteous clouds distil The nursing dew, the fruitful rain, That swells the vintage of the hill, Or feeds the corn-fields of the plain ; For us the skies pour fatness down ; For us, beyond our power of thought, Unutter'd unperceived, unknown, A daily miracle is wrought. IV. For us a woi'ld with blessings rife Supplies the constant boons of Heaven ; Health, Reason, Love, Hope, Joy, and Life, Are wonders wrought — are Manna given. MANXA. 211 Lord ! ope our hearts tliat we may feel, Unbind our eyes that we may see, The wondrous love Thy works reveal — And that we perish but for Thee. o-^^Koo- P '2 212 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. THE LAST QUARREL. The last time that we quarrell'd, love, It was an April day, And through the gushing of the rain. That beat against the window-pane. We saw the sunbeams play. The linnet never ceased its song, Merry it seem'd, and free ; — " Your eyes have long since made it up, And why not li2)S 1 " quoth he — You thought ; — I tliought ; — and so 'twas done- Under the greenwood tree. THE LAST QUARREL. 213 The next time that we quarrel, love, Far distant be the day. Of chiding look or angry word ! We'll not forget the little bird That sang upon the spray. Amid your tears, as bright as rain When Heaven's fair bow extends. Your eyes shall mark where love begins. And cold estrangement ends ; — You'll think ; — I'll think ; — and as of old. You'll kiss me, and be friends. 214 UNDER GREEN LEAVES, FLOWEES IN THE STREAM. What flowerets, oh river ! Fast flowing for ever, I threw on thy bosom In youth's early day, Oh river ! sad river Fast flowing away ! Hope blooming brightly, Joy springing lightly, Love, fair as sunshine. And born in its ray. Oh river ! sad river, I mourn their decay ! FLOWERS IK THE STRKAM. 21. 11. Serenely thou flowest — Rejoicing tliou goest, While / stand lamenting The summers of yoi-e — Oh river ! sad river ! Alone on thy shore ! Love unrequited, Hopes tliat are blighted, Joys long departed Thou canst not I'estore ! — Oh river ! dark x-iver ! They blossom no more ! 216 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. THE MOCK JEWELS. The Pedlar stood in the morning: li^irht. Fluent of speech and smooth was he, And spread his wares in the public sight ; — Maranatlia ! and v:oe is me ! And he call'd to the people, surging along, Like rolling billows when seas are strong, — There caine a dark cloud over the sky. " Here are gauds for all to wear, For men, for youths, for maidens fair, — The time is passing, come and buy!" Oh ! the Pedlar ! The knavish Pedlar ! THE MOCK JEWELS. 217 The Fiend in Pedlar's guise was be! Selling and buying, Cheating and lying : Maranatha ! and woe is me ! II. " Here's a Trinket ! here's a gem ! The Queen hath nothing more fair to see, 'Mid the sparkle and glow of her diadem !" Maranatha ! and woe is me ! "Buy it, and wear it, maiden fine, Cheap love — bright love — love divine !" There came a dark cloud over the shy ! The maiden bouglit it, and thought no sin ; But she found a broken heart within, And the Pedlar ci'ied, " Come buy ! come buy ! ' Oh ! the Pedlar ! The knavish Pedlar 1 218 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. The Fiend in human guise was he ! Selling and buying, Cheating and lying : Maranatha ! and woe is me ! III. " Here's a gaud foi' the young and bold — Made for the generous and the free, Redder than ruby, richer than gold !" Maranatha ! and woe is rrte ! " Its name is Glory !" — A youth drew near. And bought the jewel, nor thought it dear ; There came a dark cloud over the shy ! For ere he'd placed it on his breast, He foxmd he'd lost his Joy and Eest, And barter'd life for a glittering lie ! Oh ! the Pedlar ! The knavish Pedlar ! THE MOCK JEWELS. 219 The fiend in a Pedlar's guise was he, Selling and buying^ Cheating and lying : Maranatlia ! and woe is me ! IV. " Here's a jewel without a flaw ! Brighter and better none can be ; Win it and wear it, and give the law," — Maranatha ! and woe is me ! " And its name is Eiches ! " Witli roar and shout The people jostled and swarm'd about ; There came a dark cloud over (lie sky ; They bought the gem of worldly wealth, And paid their Conscience and their Health — While the Pedlar cried " Come buy ! come buy !" Oh ! the Pedlar ! The knavish Pedlar ! 220 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. The Fiend in a Pedlar's guise was he ! Selling and buying, Cheating and lying : Maranatlia ! and woe is nie ! V. In churchyards lone, in the wintry night, The ghastly Pedlar — dim to see, Takes his stand on the gravestones white : Maranatlia ! and woe is me ! And summons the ghosts from sod and tomb, And chuckles and grins in the midnight gloom ; Dark a/re the clouds upon tlie sky ; And sells them again his shadowy wares, Loves, Fames, Riches, and Despairs, — " Jewels — jewels — come and buy ! " Oh ! the Pedlar ! The mocking Pedlar ! THE MOCK JEWELS. 221 The Devil in Pedlar's guise is lie ; Selling and bujang, Cheating and lying : Maranatha ! and woe is me ! o>*;oo- 222 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. GOOD NIGHT. Good night ! good night ! The chimes ring loud and clear ; Good night ! good night ! A new-bora day is near. Our mirth has rung, we've danced and sung, Our eyes have gleam'd delight ; The day has pass'd, we part at last ; To each and all, Good night ! II. Sleep ! gentle sleep ! Thy robe o'er nature lies ; Sleep I gentle sleep ! Steal softly on our eyes. GOOD NIGHT. And not alone to us be known Thy blessings calm and deep ; To pain and caie be free as air, And soothe them, gentle sleep I III. Dreams ! happy dreams ! That risfht Life's balance wrong 223 o o } Dreams ! happy dreams ! Your kind deceits prolong. Give poor men gold, make young the old. Show slaves where freedom beams j And shed a light on sorrow's night, Ye recompensing dreams 1 ly. Good night [ good night I The chimes give waniing clear ; Good night ! good night ! A new-born dav is near. 224 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Our mirtli has rung, we've danced and sung, Our eyes have gleam'd delight ; The day has pass'd, we part at last ; To each and all, Good night ! HATE IN THE PULPIT. 225 HATE IN THE PULPIT. A THUNDERER ill the pulpit ? — let us hear ! He cries with voice of stentor, loud and clear, That God desires no music in His pi-aise But human voices upon Sabbath-days ; That art in churches is a thing abhon-'d, And architecture odious to the Lord ; That none, who pray with other forms than he, Shall share the blessings of Eternity. Down, bigot, down ! too proud and blind to know, That God, who fashion'd all things here below. Made music and the arts ; that organ-tones Are His creation ; that the starry zones And pomp of the cathedral, both alike "Were form'd by Him. Men's hands can delve or strike, Q 22 G UNDER GREEN LEAVES. And build or overthrow ; but all their power Is God's alone. Poor creature of an hour, Be humble and confess how small art thou ! "W'ouldst carry all God's wisdom on thy brow? And in the limits of thy sect confine, Tlie infinite mercy of His Love divine ? Hate in the pulpit ! — Down, intruder, down ! The place is holy, and thine angry frown Sheds visible darkness on the listening throng. Down, bigot, down ! thy heart is in the wrong ! Thou art not pure ; — within this place should dwell Humility, and Love ineffable. Self-abnegation and the tranquil mind ; And heavenly Charity, endui-ing, kind ; Patience and Hope, and words of gentleness ! Down to thy closet — not to curse, but bless ; And learn the law — the sum of all the ten — That love of God includes the love of men. "love will find out the way." 227 'LOVE WILL FIND OUT THE WAY." Over the mountains If Love cannot leap, Down through the valleys Unheeded he'll creep. Whatever his purpose, He'll do it or die ; And hardships and dangers Confess it and fly. II. Poor as a beggar, Yet rich as a king ; Stormy as winter, And radiant as spring ; Q 2 228 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. He's constant, lie's changeful, He's night, and he's day ; A guide who misleads us, Yet shows us the way. III. Drown him in billows Deep, deep in the main, Lif^ht as the sea-bird He'll float up again. You think he has perish'd In sleet and in showers, He rises in sunlight. And treads over flowers. f IV. Lock him in darkness, In grief, and in thralls, Laughing to scorn you, He'll glide through the walls. LOVE WILL FIND OUT THE WAY." 229 Go chain up a sunbeana, Or cage the wild wave; — Then biud him with fetters, And make him a slave ! V. Call him not haughty — He dwells with the poor ; Call him not feeble — He's strong to endure ; And call him not foolish — He governs the wise ; Kor little — he's greater Than earth and the skies. -<>CA,SX(J/Jr>- 230 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. THE GREAT CRITICS. Whom shall we praise 1 Let's praise the dead ! — In no men's ways Their heads they raise, Nor strive for bread "With you or me, — So, do you see 1 We'll praise the dead ! Let living men Dare but to claim From tongue or pen Their meed of fame, THE GREAT CRITICS. "We'll cry tliem down, Spoil their renown, Deny their sense, Wit, eloquence, Poetic fire. All they desire. Our say is said, Lons live the dead ! 231 — '-x^Kiii 232 UNDER GREEX LEAVES. THE SHIP T. A King, a Pope, and a Kaiser, And a Queen — most fair was she- Went sailing, sailing, sailing, Over a sunny sea. And amid them sat a becfirar, — A churl of low desfree ; And they all went sailing, sailing. Over the sunny sea, II. And the King said to the Kaiser, And bis comrades fair and free " Let us turn adrift this beffcrar. This churl of low degree ; THE SHIP, 233 For he taints the balmy odours That blow to you and me, As we travel, — sailing, sailing. Over the sunny sea." III. " The ship is mine," said the beggar, — That churl of low degree ; — " And we're all of us sailing, sailing, To the grave, o'er the sunny sea. And you may not, and you cannot, Get rid of mine, or me ; No ! not for your crowns and sceptres — And my name is Death ! " quoth he. 234 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. THOR'S HAMMER. [The dramatis persona of the following fable are well-known personages in the Scandinavian mythology. Thor is the son of Odin ; his Hammer has the same virtues, and the same faculties, as the Sword of .Justice in other mythologies ; Loki is the spirit of evil, and contemner of the gods ; and Friga, mother of Thor, is the goddess of Peace.] I. Once on a time, — three thousand years ago, — Thor left the mountains where the rivers grow, And took a journey to the world below. Clad as a blacksmith, in his hand he bore The avenging Hammer, forged in Heaven of yore. And sought, far off, a city on the shore. thok's hammer. 235 None knew the god : he walk'd 'mid human kind Manlike, and stalwart as a labouring hind, Broad-brow'd and thoughtful, and of quiet mind. He look'd about him, pondering as he went Through mart and haven, what the people meant, With their pale faces, and their shoulders bent : And what possess'd them. Lo ! from every sea Came in the hurrying ships, with white sails free, Spread to the breeze, that fill'd them joyously. He saw the bursting sacks of plenteous corn. The silk and wool, and all the tribute borne Northward, from climes beyond the fruitful morn : Damasks and velvets, trimm'd with sable hems. The gold, the silver, and the starlike gems. For fair maids' bosoms, and kings' diadems. 236 UXDER GREEN LEAVES. The glowing art, the sulj)ture lialf-divine, The oils, the spice, the fruits incarnadine, The reeling hogsheads, lumbersome with wine. And all the people pray'd and wrought for gold ; The few lived sumptuously, and free, and bold. The many toil'd in hunger and iu cold : But all sought riches ; man, and maid, and wife ; Labour's reward, the victory after strife ; Riches, dear riches, aim and end of life. Great Thor was dazzled ; and he sat him down Amid the teeming people of the town, And doflf'd his sheepskin coat and jerkin brown, And robed himself in purjjle like the rest, Hiding his mighty Hammer in his breast, And look'd a king, in all his form and gest. thor's hammer. 237 II. Him Loki follow'd, stealthily and slow, Loki the jesting, and incredulous foe. That knew all evil, or aspired to know. And when the god had prankt himself in state, Loki did likewise, and with step elate, IMoved to his side and made obeisance great. " Lord ! " he exclaim'd, •' if in this happy land Thou art a stranger, as I understand, Let me be near thee at thy bold right hand ; " And I will show thee what the country yields, Better than clang of swords, and dint of shields ; — The wealth of Industry, and smiling fields. " Is it not good that hungry War should cease, The household virtues bloom and wealth increase. And the world prosper in the light of peace ? 238 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. " Come ! let me show thee how this people thrive, And how they live and toil, and feast and wive — These busy workers in the human hive. " Come to the palace I have built and stored ; Thou shalt be welcome to a kingly board, And for thy pleasure shall the wine be pour'd. "To give thee joy shall Beauty deck her bowers, And twine her flowing locks with summer flowers. And dart live sunshine through thy heart in showers. " Thou shalt behold more wonder and delight Than great Walhalla holds, on festal night. When heroes drink and gods renew the fight." And Thor went with him. On his path were strewn Roses and lilies. Loud, in joyous tune. Sounded the fife, the shalm, and the bassoon. '- — 239 THORS HAMMER. On Beauty's bosom, as it heaved in siglis, Sparkled the jewels ; sparkled loving eyes ; Sparkled the wine-cup ; sm-ged the revelries. The god rejoiced ; he quaff'd the amber wine, And mortal beauty, to his raptured eyne, Glow'd with a splendour equal to divine. He laugh'd and sang ; and roystering revel kept, — Through his hot veins a drowsy pleasure crept, And in the lap of luxury he slept. Prone on the couch his brawny limbs he threw, — Loki beheld — the scoffer — the untrue, — And from his slumbering breast the Hammer drew. He stole and vanish'd. Senseless as a stone Slept mighty Thor, until the morning shone. And when he waken'd — lo ! he was alone. 240 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. III. From Heaven's blue A^ault there dropp'd a murmur low, From Hecla's summit crown'd with Polar snow, Came the shrill echoes of a voice of woe. The big rains patter'd it in bubbling drops. The wild wind breathed it through the trembling copse The thunder spake it to the mountain-tops ; The deep sea moan'd it to the startled shore, — "Eternal Justice rules the world no more. Lost is the Hammer of avenfjinjc Thor." Good men received the tidings, and were sad ; The wicked heard, and reel'd about as mad. " Ours is the world ! " they said, " Rejoice — be glad ! " Ours is the wox'ld, to use it as we will ; 'Tis ours, to bind or loose — to spare or kill ; Let us enjoy it : let us take our fill. thor's hammer. 241 " Thor liath no Hammer ; nerveless is liis hand To deal red vengeance o'er the joyous land, And scatter nations, as the storms the sand. " Rejoice, ye peoples ! let the song go round, — Kings are we all ; bring wreaths that we be crown'd. And where we tread, bestrew with flowers the ground." Freed from the fear of Heaven's avenafincf wi'ath. Men planted vices in the open path ; The harvest, vice ; and crime the aftermath. Fast grew, fast spread, the poisonous lust of gold ; Youth's love — as in the happy clays of old — Was given no longer,— but was bought and sold. The young were gi'eedy, calculating, base ; The greedier old thought nothing a disgrace But want of money, or the loss of place. B 242 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. To sin aud prosper made the world a friend ; To lie was venial, — if it served an end ; 'Twas wise to cringe ; 'twas politic to bend. To steal for pence was dastardly and mean ; To rob for millions, with a soul serene, Soil'd not the fiugei's, — all success was clean. Each needy villain haggled for his price ; The base Self-worship spawn'd with every vice, — Its love was lust, its prudence avarice ; Its courage cruelty ; its anger hate ; Its caution lies ; — the little and the great Denied the gods, and dared the blows of Fate. The Heavens grew dark with anger : — " Thor, awake ! "Where is thy Hammer? Shall the gods not take Vengeance for evil 'i Shall their thirst not slake ? TIIORS HAMMER. 243 " Where is tliy Hammer, forged in Heaven of yore — The earth is foul and rotten to the core — Where is thy Hammer, — thou avenging Thor ? " IV. Through the deep midnight pierced the awful word — " Bring back thy Hammer." Earth and Heaven were stirr'd. And Hell's remotest depths the echoes heard. And miserable Thor, distraught, forlorn, Roam'd o'er the world, and held himself in scorn, To be so foil'd by Loki, evil-born. His quivering lips with proud impatience cmTd, On Loki's head his bitterest curse he hurl'd. Plague of the gods, and tyrant of the world. " Hast thou my Hammer, Earth, or thou, oh Heaven ? " Earth spake not, nor the spheres, 'mid all their seven ; But fi'om the wild sea- waves was answer given : — R 2 244 USDEE GREEN LEAVES. " Thine awful Hammer slumbers in my breast ; Seek it, oh Thor ! and happy be thy quest, And free the world from rapine and unrest ! " And Thor took ship, and sail'd the stormy sea : — " Courage and Hope, my comrades twain shall be, Where'er ye waft me, oh ye wild winds free ! " Farewell, farewell ! to all delights of yore, To gods and heroes, and the Asgard shore, — Without my Hammer I return no more ! " In storm, or calm, or in the treacherous mist, The waves shall bear, and float me as they list, And pitying Heaven shall watch me and assist !" Northward, three days, 'mid sleet and driving rain, The vessel sped ; and north three days again It sail'd in starlight, o'er a trackless main. thor's hammer. 245 Northward, still north, three days and nights it flew, And the shrill winds that o'er its topsails blew, Froze into sheets of ice the heavy dew. North — ever north ! The breeze forgot to blow. And hush'd its music in the whispering snow ; But still the vessel cleft the waves below. North — ever north ! Flapp'd out the bellying sail, 'Mid rolling icebergs and a fitful gale, And storms of cutting sleet and rattling hail. O'er Heaven's dark vault the darting meteors pour'd. Like hosts in conflict — hurrying horde on horde j — And the ice crack' d, and sudden thunders roar'd. But Thor held on, undaunted as of old, Through storm, and fog, and sleet, and pitiless cold, As the ship bore him, by the gods controll'd. 246 UNDER GREEN LEAVES. Northward no more! With sudden swirl and spin, And clash like booming of artillery's din, The icebergs fell and broke, and hemm'd him in. He heard a sound of laughter and of shrieks, And saw a shadow on the frozen peaks. That brought the warm blood to his angry cheeks. " I know thee, Loki ; but the hour draws near When thou shalt look upon my face ; and fear ; — After thy night, my morning heavenly clear." And as he spake, there flash'd a crimson glow, Amid the pinnacles, through berg and floe, And cover'd all the ship from poop to jjrow. • And o'er the ice came tripping like a fawn. In the clear sunlight of a rosy dawn. When the dews glisten on the grassy lawn, thor's hammer. 247 Tlie fair-hair'd Friga, peaceful and benign, — Her soft blue eyes streara'd forth a joy divine, And rainbows clad her in celestial shine. " Beneath thy keel," she said, " thy Hammer sleeps ; Plunge thouj and seize it, in the deepest deeps, Where Loki cast it ; Heaven expects and weeps." Quick as a thought, \ipon the floe he sprang ; The ice divided with an iron clang. And down he plunged, while Loki's laugliter rang. Up from the wild wave, radiant as the day, Issued the god, and shook the icy spray From his broad shoulders, glancing iu the ray. And held aloft the Hammer in both hands : — " Rejoice, ye nations, and be glad, ye lands, The throne of Justice on the hill-top stands ; 248 U10)ER GREEN LEAVES. "And Thor's great Hammer vindicates the Eight !'^ Loki fled howling, while in roseate light The ship sail'd homeward through the gloomy night. And Heavenly voices flew from shore to shore ; " Tremble ye wicked ! Earth is yours no more ; — Found is the Hammer of avenging Thor ! " PRINTED BY COX (BROS.) AND WVMAN, GREAT QUEEN STREET. 4 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 1 KCD iD-Dwr 51985 4 in^-^- 1 ( 1 \ • lOM-11-50 2K5;470 REMINGTON PANO INC. 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