LAYS AND LYRICS. LAYS AND LYRICS. BY C. RAE BROWN. ' OUR LIFE, EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC HAUNT. FINDS TONGUES IN TREES, BOOKS IN THE RUNNING BROOKS, SERMOXS IN STONES, AND GOOD IN EVERYTHING.' LONDON: ARTHUR HALL, VIRTUE & CO., PATERNOSTER ROW. M D C C C L V. tOAN STACK PRmii CONTENTS. J'AGK. POESY, .. .. .. .. .. .. -V. .. .. i;> THE CAGED LARK, ................ 16 SPRING, ......... . .......... !' CHILDHOOD, .................. 21 KORNER'S OAK, ................ 23 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, ........ .. .. 30 THE OLD HOUSE, ...... .......... 93 THE DUKE AND WATERLOO, .. .. .. .. .. .. 3-5 AN EMIGRATION LAY, .............. 37 BONNIE INVERMAY, .. .. .......... .. 42 BEAUTY, a Memorial Sketch, ........ .. .. 45 THE NECTAR OF LIFE, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 40 . THE CRY OF THE OUTCAST, .............. "1 SONNET THE PLAGUE, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 55 SONNET PURGATION, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 56 THE LIFE TO COME, .............. .'. 57 THE LADY AND THE LOBSTER, .. .. .. .. .. .. 59 K.S8 CONTENTS. HOPE, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. K-f LIKES SUGGESTED BY THE PORTRAIT OF A DECEASED RELATIVE, .. (>4 " OLD TIME," KI; SUNNY MEMORIES, <;s To HELEN FAUCIT, 70 STARRY NIGHT, T2 THE JEW OF SIDON, 74 LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP, 83 IN MEMORY OF ROBEET L. MALONK, Author of "The Sailor's Dream, and other Poems," .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. so THE SOUL-LIT EYE, 87 DOWN IN THE VALLEY. A Ballad for Music, .. ,. .. .. sit THE "Goon OLD TIMES," .. .. .. .. .. .. .. !>-j ON THE DEATH or WILLIAM THOM, of luvoruiy. .. .. .. ^>.3 THE Two BEES. A Familiar Fable Vvrsilied, !>s TRUE LOVE, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 101 DAY, 103 CHILD'S HYMN FOR THE NEW YEAR, .. .. .. .. .. 105 SONNET NIEBUHR, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 107 CHARLIE'S COMIN'. A Jacobite Song. .. .. .. .. .. l(s THE WANDERER'S HOME, IK) I SONNET "To-DAY," 116 HOPE'S WHISPER, .. .. .-. .. .. .. .. .. 117 THE SPIRIT'S FLIGHT. Suggested by the Death of a very bcmitiiiil and very pious Young Lady. .. .. .. .. .. .. 119 THE EXILE OF POLAND, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. r_'l CONTENTS. PAGE. MY OWN DEAR LAND, .. 129 ROSENEATH, ARGYLESHIRE, 131 FRANCE AND NAPOLEON. A British Ode, 133 THE OLD THORN TREE, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 136 REGRETS AND CONSOLATIONS, 138 SONNET HARRIET BEECHER STOWE, 140 ADDRESS TO THE BRITISH FORCES ENGAGED IN THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR, 141 WAR HYMN OF THE BRITISH FORCES ENGAGED IN THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR, 143 CLOUDLETS, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. :. 145 THE HARP OF THE NORTH, 148 SHAMS, 150 GREEN FIELDS. A Fragment, 152 GOOD NIGHT. A Parting Chorus, 154 CONTENTS. pieces PUBLISHED IN 1848. PAGE. SLAVERY. A Voice from the Sea, 157 WOMAN, , 170 ACROSTIC, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 172 FLOWERS, 173 HALLOWE'EN, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17G THE VISIONARY, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 180 THE WATERFALL, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 184 SLEEP, 186 SUMMER, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 191 LOVERS' Vows, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 192 REALITIES L, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 195 REALITIES II., 197 REALITIES III., 200 THE POOR MAN'S DEATH-BED, .. .. .. .. .. .. 2uy FRIENDSHIP, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 207 CONSUMPTION, .. .. .. .. .. " .. .. .. .. 20S THE RF.VKI.1.KI5S WIFE, '-'I.; r CONTENTS. PAGE. LIKES TO A SNOWDROP, 216 THE WRECK. A Voice from the Sea, 218 KNOWLEDGE, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 224 LOCH AN EILAN, 227 NIGHT, 230 STANZAS TO THE MEMOKY OF GRACE DARLING, .. .. .. .. 232 To AN ABSENT FRIEND, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2oS DECEIT, 240 THE SONG OF THE FORSAKEN, .. .. .. .. .. .. 242 PAST AND PRESENT, 245 To A CHILD ASLEEP, 247 To THE LILY, .. 251 THE INDEMNITY. Written at the close of the Indian War, .. .. 253 LINES SUGGESTED BY A SPRIG OF HEATHER PRKSKXTKD BY A FRIEND, 258 SONNET CHALMERS, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 261 SUMMER MORNING. An Invitation, .. .. .. .. .. 262 THE PAINTER'S CHIEF STUDY. Suggested by a Painting of a Female Head, 265 THE MARINERS, 267 REMEMBER ME, 272 WRITE FOR THE PEOPLE, 274 SECRETS, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 279 STARVED TO DEATH, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 281 THE WIDOW'S DAUGHTER, 286 CONSTANCY, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 289 To A FRIEND ON HER MARRIAGE, 292 MY NATIVE HILLS, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 296 CONTENTS. PAGE. WOMAN'S MISSION, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 299 To THE NIGHTINGALE, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 302 GENIUS. Inscribed to the Memory of Thomas Hood, .. .. .. 304 ABSENCE, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 308 ON THE DEATH OF A LADY, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 311 THE THISTLE. Song, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 314 ODE OF WELCOME TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA, ON HEE VISIT TO SCOTLAND is 1847, 316 LOVE AND PEACE, .. .. .. M .. .. .. .. 319 SONG, 321 THE FAITHEKLESS LADDIE, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 323 THE POET, .. .. .. .. .. ~ 326 LAYS AND LYRICS WHEN but a careless, roving boy, Reclining by a woodland stream ; Lulled by the murmurs of its flow, I sank into a sweet day-dream. Methought I wandered far away, Beneath a cloudless, sunny sky ; Gathering flowers of sweetest song, Fair, glorious things, that never die !- 14 LAYS AND LYRICS. But planted early in that soil Whence all the pure affections spring, Entwine their tendrils round the heart, And there for ever fondly cling ! When I awoke I had no flowers, And that same stream still sung to me ; Yet all beside me, and around, Glowed in the light of Poesy ! New life had passed into my soul Our earth become a glorious earth- New thoughts, new joys, obtained control It seemed, indeed, a second birth ! And ever since hath Nature been To me a source of constant joy ; There being nought so poor or mean, But that it may the soul employ. POESY. 15 For even the smallest grain of sand Distinguished by the human eye, May of a mountain have been part, That crumbled now in dust doth lie. The mountain, stretching up away ! Until it seems to cleave the skies, Suggests no more to us than may The pebble at its base that lies. Preserve to me the quiet glen, The old grey rocks, the old brown stream ; There, far from human eye, or ken, To nurse my thoughts or muse or dream ! 16 LAYS AND LYKICS. Cage* iLarlu POOH prisoned Lark ! all thy regrets are vain, Thou ma/st not visit the green fields of May ; Howe'er melodious may be thy strain, Here thou art doomed in bondage close to stay. What ! set thee free, to joy with thine own kind To revel gladly in the summer air To join the throng harmoniously combined To banish from each listener gloomy care ? Ah ! it were vain such freedom to bestow ! They'd deem thee tainted by thy sojourn here ; Would rudely scorn thee so increase thy woe But here, though prisoned, scorn thou need'st not fear. THE CAGED LARK. 17 Dost note my words, and, noting, think them sage, That now thou pour'st thy full heart out in song ? Art thou content to warble in thy cage Means so that note so clear, so rich, so long I Let it be so! I'll cherish thee, sweet bird ! As fondly as a mother doth her child ; Will, daily, from the verdant, dewy sward, Cut thee a turf whereon the sun hath smiled Will bring thee stores of field-food, fresh and green, Will tempt thy palate with a wondrous choice, Will strive to gladden thee from morn till e'en, And all but satiate thee with little joys. . When comes the sun to smile on youth and age, Reviving many a sick and drooping heart, Outside my window, then I'll hang thy cage : There thou shalt sing till his last smiles depart. 18 LAYS AND LYKICS. What! louder! still more joyous than before? Thou art content, sweet bird, to stay with me! Then, so am I, to tend thee more and more, And spend my leisure hours with books and thee. SPRING. 19 Spring. How fresh, how gay, how beautiful is Spring ! How pleasant to the eye its budding charms ! How welcome its exhilarating air ! How sweet the joyous carol of its birds ! All Nature lives again to gladden earth, Breathing to heaven an incense-laden hymn ! Oh, that man's heart, new-birthed, could so rejoice, And so resuscitated, glad his inner world ! Nor cloud nor cloudlet on thy lovely sky ; As at Creation's dawn the earth appeared, Thou art all bright and beautiful, sweet Spring ! Thy silvery streamlets, dancing down the hills, Leap joyously into the glens' dark pools ; And thence emerge in silent, shining streams, That wend their way to fill pellucid lakes, Whence flow the rivers on their seaward way. 20 LAYS AND LYRICS. The young year's Sun is prodigal of light ! Arrayed at early morn in brilliant state, He travels in sublime magnificence, And with transcendent glory floods the world ! New life and being calling into play, The mountain and the valley he makes glad, Benignantly revivifying all ! Nought perishes in Nature all survives No atom lost since first the world began ; Each still existing, changed and recombined. Season of Hope ! be gracious unto us ! Revive our bodies, and our souls relume ; And speed the joyous Summer that shall be, When Error fails t' enslave God's noblest Work ; When disenthralled Mind shall rule the Man, Sunned into new existence by the Truth ! Then, then indeed, when man himself doth know,- " The resurrection of sweet things " shall be ! CHILDHOOD. 21 PKETTY little fairy creature ! Guileless glee in every feature : Free from art's deceits and wiles. Full of joyous hopes and smiles. Those sweet eyes, so brightly shining, Tell thou know'st not of repining ; They only speak of joy below That forehead pure and white as snow. Thy cheeks must love the fond caresses Of those playful golden tresses : Mimic sunbeams kissing roses, Ere their too brief summer closes ! 22 LAYS AND LYRICS. O the happy round of childhood ! Sunny mead and shady wildwood ; Flowery glens and faery streams ; Songs of birds and summer dreams ! 23 Ifcorner'g aft. YOUNG, and brave, and noble-hearted, Korner died for Fatherland ; With life, and love, and fame he parted Boldest of the Jager band. Who shall tell the deep devotion That inspired his daring soul ; Who, the rapturous emotion, Swaying him with full control ! His pen with laurel wreaths had crowned him, Now his sword the foe withstood ; And danger ever foremost found him, Fighting for his country's good. 24 LAYS AND LYRICS. Of that career whose sun in glory Set so soon, to rise no more, Save in song and deathless story Who shall read and not deplore ? Methinks, as o'er his fate I ponder, Wrapt in Sorrow's starless gloom, Some spirit bids my fancy wander To the youthful hero's tomb : Bright groups of seraph-angels hover O'er the venerable oak, Beneath whose shade, life's conflict over, Korner feels no foreign yoke. Hark ! the glorious Paean sounding "FREEDOM is THY BIRTHRIGHT, MAN!" The chorus^ hark ! with joy abounding, " IF MEN WOULD BE FREE, THEY CAN!" KORNER'S OAK. 25 Methinks I see the poet-soldier Standing o'er his honoured grave ; Hear that dear voice, grown sternly bolder :- See on high his falchion wave " Glorious Paean ! sound thy numbers In rny sleeping country's ears ; Germany, alas! still slumbers, She no song of Freedom hears : " How I mourn her worse than slavery ! Kings and priests do lord it still ! But, tyrants, know, she'll prove her bravery When awakes UNITED WILL ! " DAS VOLKSTEHT yet shall rise together, Shaking off each galling yoke, Nor rest till every bond they sever, Till they every chain have broke ! 26 LAYS AND LYRICS. " UNITED WILL ! with voice like thunder, Million-tongued, shall strike you dumb, And pale with fear and wildering wonder, Fleeing as the NATIONS come ! " As I then went shall thousands, gladly ; Bidding life and love farewell : Fond ones 'round them grieving sadly, Looking fears they dare not tell. " Yes, Germany, Misrule unseating, Purest Freedom shall attain : Even now her ' Eagle's wings are beating,' And that Paean sounds again ! " Then forward ! youths, to death or glory ! Dear though home and friends may be : For, dying, ye shall live in story; Living, see your country free! KORNER'S OAK. 27 " Though Fortune's star be brightly shining ; Though its cheering influence bind The soul to life, let no repining Quell the ardour of the mind : " By Heaven, it is a sacred feeling ! I have felt its holy fire Through every vein, o'er each nerve stealing- Freedom's God did me inspire ! " Though many are too base for living, None too good for Freedom die : Pure Hearts, while your life-offerings giving, Know, they'll ever bloom on high! " No soul can be too great, remember, For a great and holy cause ; Fan then to flames each smouldering ember- Forward! turn ye not, nor pause! 28 LAYS AND LYKICS. " Brave youths! be rocks on which the nations May their hopes of Freedom raise ; Deserve, and gain their acclamations, And be crowned with deathless bays ! " Forth ! then, each daring breast exposing, Forth ! a noble band to form, That shall Oppression's waves opposing Both control and lead the storm ! " What ! tune the lyre to songs of gladness Whilst your brethren bravely fight ? Dance arid toy! delicious madness! Whilst they battle for the right? " It may not be ! your God befriending All the loved ones left behind His gracious aid for ever lending, Will support each fervent mind. KORNER'S OAK. 29 " 'Tis hard I've known life to surrender, Life and Friendship Love and Bliss ! But all, again ! I'd gladly tender To attain an end like this!" He ceases ; sheathes his sword, still gory, And rejoins the seraph throng ; Floating with them back to glory, Borne upon their wings of song. Hark! as they rise, the Paean sounding " FREEDOM is THY BIRTHRIGHT, MAN !" The chorus, hark! with joy abounding, "IF MEN WOULD BE FREE, THEY CAN!" 30 LAYS AND LYRICS. , Present, anfc jFuture. TIME, like the torrent of a mighty flood, Impetuous ever, surgeth ever on ; And round about our globe, unheedingly, The foam-bell hours rush ever to the Past, Commingling with its sea of memories ! Oh, vast ! oh, awful sea ! oh, dread abyss ! Whose ever-yawning depths have swallowed up The countless generations of our race, With all their joys and sorrows, hopes and fears ! Yet, ever as the torrent surgeth on, And thus commingles, coming waves we see, That may, joy-laden, gaily on us smile, Or, with misfortune freighted, darkly frown. Mysterious Future ! the sustainer, Hope, For ever points to thee, with outstretched arm ; PAST, PKESENT, AND FUTUKE. 31 And, with exulting voice, still, " Onward!" cries; While her prophetic eye, piercing the gloom, Reflects its scannings to each eager soul ! Unfathomable Future ! endless End ! What fate when old-world Time hath ceased to be Hid in thy far recesses, doth await Our human race ? Man doth for something live, That earth-life ne'er hath yielded, nor can yield For which the soul yearns even until death And findeth not ! Oh ! these dread Mysteries ! Life and Time ! Death and Eternity ! The Past and Future ! what, and where, are they ? Who shall make palpable to soul or sense These strange, mysterious existences, That co-existent seem, and yet are not ? The Present, ever intervening, ever is between ! 32 LAYS AND LTKICS. Through memory, the Soul regains the Past ; Through faith, the Future doth anticipate ; Yet still is with the Present occupied : And thus the Soul and Time, even now, possess A Past, a Present, and a Future state ! THE OLD HOUSE. 33 FAKEWELL, old house, although I leave thee, It is hard to turn away ; And yet, however much it grieve me, Here, alas ! I cannot stay ! No ! other walls must soon enclose me, Less familiar to my sight, But this fond heart will never lose thee - Thou shalt be a chief delight. For I can ne'er forget the pleasures That, erewhile, were mine in thee ; And numbered amongst memory's treasures, Thou, old house, shalt ever be. 34 LAYS AND LYRICS. Can I forget the happy faces Happy friends in thee I've met ? When of the past hath fled all traces, Then, then only, I'll forget. In thee, a father's dying blessing Fell upon my saddened ear ; In thee, a mother's kind caressing Oft hath checked my childhood's tear. I may remember, but to sorrow, And may ponder, but to sigh That never shall there dawn a morrow When on thee may rest mine eye. But, oh ! there is a joy in sadness, Such as cannot well be sung : A soothing, soft'ning, voiceless gladness To the heart for ever young ! THE DUKE AND WATERLOO. 35 JiuJu antr Waterloo. THE hero of a hundred fights ! All honour to his name ! The champion of our dearest rights Enshrine in deathless fame ! And most of all his victories So signal and so true- Let us remember with delight, The one at Waterloo ! Embroiled perhaps we yet had been With Gallia as a foe ; Had Wellington with iron arm Not laid the spoiler low. From Elba, flushed with hope, he came And threatened us anew ; But crushed at last, his prowess died On famous Waterloo ! 36 LAYS AND LYRICS. Of glory full, and full of years, The hero passed away : The nation wept a sea of tears The world bewailed the day ! And though we trust that ne'er again We'll have such work to do, Yet Britons never can forget The Duke and Waterloo ! AN EMIGRATION LAY. 37 Emigration i. AND must we fly our country, For earth's remotest shores 1 Must we, like outcast children, Be driven from her doors ? What have we done to merit All but the foul disgrace Of yon convicted felon Crime written on his face ? ii. Have we not toiled from childhood From early morn till e'en ? Have we not racked our bodies, While crushed our souls have been 38 LAYS AND LYKICS. We've neither begged nor idled Are honest, hand and heart Count every man a brother, And with the weak take part. in. In working we* take pleasure ; Each of his art is proud, And would exert the talents With which he is endowed. We wish but for employment We wish, and ask, in vain Our marts are overflowing The answer is too plain. IV. We are not discontented ; The spirit of our laws Though they need reformation Calls forth our hearts' applause. AN EMIGRATION LAY. 39 We're freemen, all, and know it ; Nor do we disagree With those who say, few people Are privileged as we ; v. But privileges never Will feed or clothe a man ; We must have food and wages, Find them where best we can. Thousands have gone before us, Where we are going now, And millions yet will follow To sow, and "Speed the plough ;"- VI. Unless they till their home-wastes Enrich their native soil Thousands there are of acres That wait the sons of toil : 40 LAYS AND LYRICS. Hill-sides, and moors, and valleys, Need but the human hand To render them as fertile As our adopted land. VII. No need of Emigration ; Here's " Room enough for all !" Were but the land delivered From that vile feudal thrall. Time will emancipate it, The many, not the few, Are destined to possess it, And reap thence labour's due. VIII. Strong in this hope we leave thee, Our own dear native land ; Warm hearts for us are weeping Upon thy rocky strand ; AN EMIGRATION LAY. 41 And thou and they, for ever, Shall in our memories dwell, We can but leave our blessing Farewell ! dear land, farewell ! 42 LAYS AND LYKICS. -Bonnie Ittbermag. I'VE roamed afar, where'er the star Of Fortune guided me ; But till this day, sweet Invermay, I've ne'er forgotten thee. Time rolls along, while sigh and song In swift succession flow ; For smiles and tears, and hopes and fears, Are all of life we know. Yet dear to me shall ever be The joy of life's young day ; And still shall I, till mem'ry die, Love Bonnie Invermay ! BONNIE INVERMAY. 43 I love the glens, the rocky glens, Of our romantic land ; I love her hills, her heathery hills, And mountains sternly grand ! Oh, for the days, the happy days, When Hope's bright cup ran o'er! But all in vain I sigh, again They'll gladden me no more ; Yet dear to me shall ever be The joy of life's young day ; And still shall I, till mem'ry die, Love Bonnie Invermay ! I love the streams, the bounding streams, That echo loves to greet ; That dance and play, and fall in spray, Like diamonds at our feet. And though Fate's star lead me afar, And strew my path with care, 44 LAYS AND LYRICS. Till sorrows grow, and age's snow Hath whitened every hair ; Yet dear to me shall ever be The joy of life's young day ; And still shall I, till mem'ry die, Love Bonnie Invermay. BEAUTY. 45 A MEMORIAL SKETCH. So fair ! so beautifully bright ! She seemed of vision-land, Till I felt the gentle pressure Of her softly-clasping hand. A bud full blossomed in an hour ! Methought it could not be, Yet with her girlhood's sunny smile, The maiden welcomed me ! Wondrous the change three years had wrought !- I could not fancy how ! There, in the dawn of womanhood, She stood before me now. B2 46 LAYS AND LYRICS. Her forehead seemed almost as pure As loftiest mountains' snow : Such as for ages doth endure, Nor spot nor stain doth know. Her cheek could boast a richer bloom Than blushing rose e'er wore ; Her eyes a purer holier light Than diamond ever bore. Her lips, Oh, how shall I describe ? To gaze on them was bliss ! Meseemed that 'twould be sacrilege, Such beauteous lips to kiss. The witching smile that round them played A stoic might have fired ; And with an ardent, quenchless flame His icy breast inspired. BEAUTY. 47 When, through the haunts of early years, She, smiling, strayed with me ; Methought the very air we breathed She gladdened made more free ! Each look, each word the simplest act Was marked by graceful ease : Grace seemed her birthright born her slave As she seemed born to please. . Her voice was fall of melody, Her heart as full of love ; But though it scorned no earthly thing, Its haven was above ! If e'er perfection dwelt in one Of fallen Adam's race, Mine eyes in that angelic maid, Its God-like signs did trace. 48 LAYS AND LYRICS. But all too soon the beauteous bud Burst into blossom'd pride ; Another year, and she I loved, Of death became the bride. Oh, envious grave ! why take to thee Creation's loveliest flower ? O'er charms like hers, why couldst thou give Decay and worms the power I Well, let them feast on what is theirs ! For she hath gained her home She lives for aye, where nor decay, Nor death can ever come ! THE NECTAR OF LIFE. 49 ^ectar of ILtfe. OH, Love is the Nectar of Life ! And drink of it freely we may ; Why harbour we envy or strife ? Let us drink, and so drive it away. Love gladdens the heart of the man ; It gladdened his heart when a boy ! Let woman deny, if she can, That Love hath through life been her joy. i Love must not to one be confined, Yet equal to all cannot be ; Degrees we in everything find, And Love differs much in degree. 50 LAYS AND LYRICS. 'Tis Love Universal I sing, So do not mistake what I mean ; The world to Love's feet I would bring, Where always the world should have been ! THE CRY OF THE OUTCAST. 51 Ctrg of tlje utcagt OH, save us ere we perish ! There is no human heart So foul but it doth cherish Some one redeeming part. Our souls and bodies hunger Will no one give them food 1 Each day we're growing younger, And weaker in aught good ; But stronger we, and older, In evil every day : Experience making bolder, And pointing out the way. 52 LAYS AND LYRICS. We're idle, very idle, While others work and win : The daylight, like a bridle, Doth hold us tightly in. The Summer shines too brightly, Its days are long and clear : In the dreary Winter, nightly, We plunder without fear. But we do not like the star, Nor yet the quiet moon ; For our stealthy work they mar, And always rise too soon : Rise soon, and never weary, But shine through all the night ; And aye seem coming near ye, With their eyes so sharp and bright. THE CRY OF THE OUTCAST. 53 What lone wastes are your long streets, With windows brightly gay ! No fond, familiar home greets The outcasts as they stray, Save the prison ; so what wonder If for shelter we, and bread, Oft risk an open plunder 1 Even caught, we're hous'd and fed ! Like rats -just human vermin We, skulking, steal for food : Oh ye of wigs and ermine ! Can ye not do us good ? Oh ! is there nothing for us But law's strong, vengeful grip I Is there really nothing for us, But hulk, or cage, or whip I 54 LAYS AND LYKICS. Oh, save us ere we perish ! There is no human heart So foul but it doth cherish Some one redeeming part ! THE PLAGUE. 55 Sonnet fje plague. IT comes ! it comes ! with all too rapid strides, The fearful pestilence comes grimly on. What havoc 'twill have wrought what laurels won Ere, gorged with victims, its fierce wrath subsides ! But that a vail, impenetrable, hides The forming Future, eyes would turn to stone, And stricken crowds their coming doom bemoan! An inward dread is common o'er the land; For whom the plague shall smite, or whom pass by, Nor human eye foresees, nor wisdom knows. What breasts shall heave with wild, convulsive throes; Or whom escape, and, Mercy's angels, stand Beside their loved ones, prostrate, and to die, Man knoweth not nor may he question why ! 56 LAYS AND LYKICS. Sonnet purgation. AWAKE ! nor slumber longer at your posts, Ye who are charged with others' weal awake ! Lose not an hour ; but wisest counsel take, As if a foe advanced, with mailed hosts, To sack, to burn, to ravage and destroy ! Command purgation ! cleanse out crannied filth ! Water is now the country's greatest wealth, And ye its virtues may with speed employ. With stealthy step, the Plague is drawing near; Another day, and his malignant breath May fill the air, and sow the seeds of death. Then play no game of chance ; for life so dear ! Though, in the abstract, u but a passing show," Is far too precious for a gambler's throw. THE LIFE TO COME. 57 iLtfe to MAN for the future lives ; His life, a fleeting hour Of mingled sun and shade : Behold him in the flower. At morn, it blooms, and sheds Its perfume all around ; Ere evening withers, fades, And sinks upon the ground. Man for the future lives, But seems it not to know ; His folly squanders time As sunbeams melt the snow. 58 LAYS AND LYRICS. Yet time is but a state Of trial to us given : The life that shall endure Beginneth but in Heaven, THE LADY AND THE LOBSTER. 59 Hatfg antr tlje A BUXOM lady once to market went, On something dainty for the dinner bent : A Catholic of Kome, it chanced was she, And being Friday, fish the fry must be. Her husband was a man uncommon fond Of something nice the vulgar taste beyond And as she had in view a special favour, She thought a lobster, with rich sauce to flavour, Would be so nice, in fact, the very thing, That she determined one she home would bring. A full-grown, tempting fellow caught her eye, Which she, if fresh, made up her mind to buy. She put the question, and was told, of course, In words as plentiful as full of force, That fresh the fish was as a fish could be In fact, just that same morning fresh from sea. 60 LAYS AND LYRICS. But she, somehow or other, was suspicious The seller seemed less honest than officious ; So strong the commendations, oft repeated ; And she became convinced a smell most foetid Did greet the olfactory nerve, as pretty close, She held the fellow up to her 'cute nose. " It smells," said she, u the horrid, nasty thing." (( Smells!" cried the vender, and her voice did ring With fury, while her eyes shot fire; " To spoil my trade, it seems, is your desire : Try it again, too quickly you decide, I can't afford to have my fish decried." Again the lady than before more close Held up the lobster to her sapient nose : Now whether 'twas by chance, or by direction, Or from some strange, inherent predilection, No one can tell but scarcely had she smelt him, Till she most keenly, ay, and freshly, felt him. He fastened, with a loving, close embrace, THE LADY AND THE LOBSTER. 61 Upon her nose, so rich in nasal grace A beau-ideal of a nose, in short, A full-grown organ of the Roman sort ! Loudly the lady shrieked, so hugged against her will, Louder the fishwives laughed, and laughed their fill. " It serves her right," one just got time to say, " She'll recollect its freshness many a day ;" And then she with her comrades, as before, Joined in the noisy laughter's jolly roar. At length, in pity, but with some ado, The nose was rescued, looking rather blue ; And off the dame in consternation hurried, Silent convinced and not a little flurried. 62 LAYS AND LYRICS. HOPE, sweet Hope ! so sweetly sung By bards of other days, May yet be sung by modern tongue, In less ambitious lays. 'Tis Hope that cheers us on our way, Makes light the load of years, And sheds the bright and golden ray That banisheth our fears. When Hope is dead, then all is dead ; 'Twere better far to die, Than live when every hope hath fled That cheered the spirit's eye. HOPE. 63 Then ne'er despair, but ever hope ; 'Twill soften life's hard way, Be of declining years the prop The solace and the stay ! 64 LAYS AND LYRICS. SUGGESTED BY THE PORTRAIT OF A DECEASED RELATIVE. How faithfully pencilled these lineaments are t Each feature, with life how replete ! Not a harsh or rude line the expression to mar ; And that smile, O how touchingly sweet ! Methinks we can never overvalue the art That preserves thus our loved ones in view ; Refreshing the eye, and re-gladdening the heart, With a portraiture vividly true. Ten years now have passed since these eloquent eyes Shed their last loving smile upon me ; Lit up with a glory that seemed of the skies, Where the spirit was longing to be. LINES. 65 I have travelled since then o'er the land and the sea, I have bustled and battled through life ; While that smile, like a talisman, journeyed with me, A solace in quietude or strife ! 66 LAYS AND LYRICS. ID MEN call me feeble, old, and grey My strength and vigour passed away But strong and stalwart still am I, Nor frail my step, nor dim mine eye. What are a thousand years to me ? But as a drop to yonder sea ! I've not yet reach' d my manhood's prime, And laugh to hear men say, " Old Time." Let centuries pass, and ages roll I The year that my last knell shall toll So far away in the future lies, That ne'er a tear hath wet mine eyes. " OLD TIME." 67 No ! I am joyous, gay, and free ! Leading a life of mirth and glee : But, Man ! note well each passing chime Short is thy stay in the realms of Time ! 68 LAYS AND LTKICS. Sutttig How sweet those Sunny Memories That cheer the loving heart ! Companions dear in weal or woe, That ne'er from us depart. Like spirits they, unseen, unknown, For ever with us dwell : How oft they banish care away, And clouds of gloom dispel ! Our earth is better than we think, 'Tis filled with lovely things ; And we may drink deep draughts of bliss From unpolluted springs. SUNNY MEMORIES. 69 Such memories are flowers of love, That grace Life's sunny side ; That blossom bright and flourish there, In beauty and in pride. The kindly look, and kindly word, That speak the honest heart, More precious are than gold or gems, Or treasures born of art. Then cherish Sunny Memories, Whose odour, and whose hue, Shall aye refresh the heart that loves The Beautiful and True ! c2 70 LAYS AND LYRICS. Jattcit PRIESTESS of Nature ! thy much-honoured name Is deeply graven on the rock of Fame ! Many shall be by Time's rude waves effaced While lasts that rock, there "Faucit" shall be traced ! Which of thy bright embodiments shall we The most esteem, as best recalling thee ? The wayward Julia wronging, and yet wrong' d ? The faithful Imogen her grief prolong'd ? The playful Rosalind, with "fancy freef Macbeth's dread lady ? Brave Antigone" 1 The doting Juliet hopeful unto death ? Poor Desdemona, of suspected faith ? Fond Isabella I Belvidera lost ! Beatrice gay ? Or Juliana cross'd ? Why swell the list ? Or why essay to choose ? Where all are perfect, which can we refuse ? TO HELEN FAUCIT. 71 And yet methinks, I, in my fancy's dream, The wayward Julia shall the most esteem ! Few other names shall in our annals shine So brightly, gifted lady, as shall thine ! O'er it posterity, with reverent eye, Shall bend, and yield the tribute of a sigh ; Grieving that thou canst ne'er to earth return, To feed the fond desires that in them barn ; E'en such desires as we have often known, To see the gifted, who, erewhile, have shone : . Lights of the world ! Stars of a former time ! Now blissful dwellers in the spirit-clime ! Daughter of Genius ! yet shall grace thy brow, Even brighter laurels than adorn it now ! Then still as nobly tread life's actual way As hitherto thou hast, that all may say, While with her genius she enthrall'd the heart, She with her virtues dignified her art ! 72 LAYS AND LYRICS. Starrg $itgfjt I LOVE the starry night, When hushed the world doth seem ; When beauty, bathed in light, Keigns mildly, yet supreme. In vision sweet I see The past, in pictures, rise ; Sweet childhood's face of glee, And youth's glad, sunny eyes. Those scenes of other years Before me swiftly pass ; And all their hopes and fears I see as in a glass. STARRY NIGHT. 73 Some sing the noon-day bright The sun with radiant beams ; Give me the noon of night, Its pensive, waking dreams. 74 LAYS AND LYRICS. 3efo of Sttrott, IN Sidon, in the olden time, There dwelt one Abel Maiht; A man just in his manhood's prime, Of honourable state. Ten years had Abel wedded been To Jessica Nursyee, But child of his he ne'er had seen, And sorely grieved he. One day sat Abel, all alone, In's favourite alcove ; O'er his broad lands the bright sun shone, And warmed them with its love. THE JEW OF SIDON. 75 " And must these fair domains descend To one, no son .of mine Lands, gold, and all, to but a friend Not ev'n of mine own line ? " So mourned aloud sad Abel Maiht, His head upon his breast ; Much he bewailed his childless state, And much was he depressed ; When, suddenly, his downcast eye Flashed with the fire of thought ; He snapped his fingers, leapt on high, With frantic joy o'erwrought. "I have it now ! I have it now I" The Israelite exclaimed, " Dissolved shall be my marriage vow ; I'll to some Eabbi famed." 76 LAYS AND LYKICS. Straightway, then, Abel sought his wife, And gently to her broke His wish to cast off, without strife, His present wedded yoke. She wept, she sobb'd hot tears fell fast ; She wept and sobbed in vain ; " Nay, wife," said he, " this need not last ; We must, and shall be twain !" That day to Rabbi Simon he His downcast partner led, And skilfully, and earnestly, For a divorce he pled. Stood Jessica, as statue pale, Woe-stricken crushed at heart ; Yet wept no tear, let forth no wail, But felt that they must part. THE JEW OF SIDON. 77 "'Tis true, indeed," the Rabbi said, " Thou a divorce can'st claim, But think how long thou hast been wed To this good worthy dame." Vain were his words, and vain her woe, The Jew would have his way ; Which seeing, Simon said, " Be't so, But list to me, I pray, " When you were wedded, to your friends You gave a sumptuous feast ; So do you now ; such small amends You can't refuse, at least. " Your parting, as your union, thus Shall duly honoured be ; And surely one so virtuous Deserves this much of thee. 78 LAYS AND LYKICS. " That done ; return to me, and I Will grant what you desire : I'd have ye part all pleasantly, And not in hate and ire." They both agreed ; and homeward hied, The banquet to prepare, And to invite next eventide Their friends the feast to share. The cheer was plentiful as good ; Of guests there were not few ; And all had donned their happiest mood, All sadness to eschew. Thus all was well ; what must be, must, Each wisely had bethought ; So held their faces from the dust, And set old Care at nought. THE JEW OF SIDON. 79 When as the wine began to flow, Rich Abel's heart grew warm, And soon 'gan tenderly to glow Beneath its potent charm. " Dear wife dear Jessica," said he, " To show we kindly part, I pray thou wilt take hence with thee What most delights thy heart. " My house's richest treasure take Whate'er it be, 'tis thine ; Preserve it for thy Abel's sake, Whose heart shall aye be thine." The sparkling cup went merrily round, Both host and guests drank free ; And soon lay stretched upon the ground, Asleep, right heavilie. 80 LAYS AND LYRICS. Long ere the wine's strong fumes began To muddle Abel's brain, Had Jessica conceived a plan Her husband to retain. Thought she, I'll keep him to his word, Soon as he sleeping lies ; The house no treasure can afford Like that which fills mine eyes. Abel was on a litter laid, And to her father's borne ; There placed upon the daintiest bed, Nor woke he till the morn. But such a waking ! how he stared, And started with surprise ! Like tiger trapped, around he glared, With wild and wondering eyes. THE JEW OF SIDON. 81 " Where where am I?" he cried at last, " How wherefore am I here? What place is this ? Are my dreams past ? No! still I dream, I fear." " No dream," cried Jessica, " no dream (She'd watched him all the night), Be calm, nor so bewildered seem, This house is Zadoc's hight." "And wherefore I in Zadoc's? say!" " My lord, be not surprised, Last night thou bad'st me take away Aught from thy house I prized. " Now, earth holds nothing that to me Is dearer than thyself, Thy gold and jewels, without thee, Are filthy dross and pelf. 82 LAYS AND LYRICS. " Thou art the wealth which I would hoard, Without thee, life were death, Cast me not from thee, my good lord, Think on my love ! my faith !" She ceased ; he clasped her to his heart, " My wife ! my wife ! " he cried, " How could I think from thee to part ? Live ever by my side !" Home they returned, nor e'er again Was parting spoke of there ; And when had passed years, other ten She bless'd him with an heir ! LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. 83 an* IF Love be our pilot, And Friendship our guide, The sky will grow brighter, The storm will subside ; And smooth o'er the current Of life we will glide, And love, and be friendly, for ever ! Though Fortune deny us Her subtle caress ; Still our pleasures may not, Though her treasures be less ; For joys still are left us Each true heart to bless, Then love, and be friendly, for ever ! 84 LAYS AND LYRICS. Without our creating, We'll find troubles rife ; So heart's ease let us cull, While passing through life. As weeds, aye rejecting Hate, anger, and strife, We'll love, and be friendly, for ever ! IN MEMORY OF ROBERT L, MALONE. 85 In JHemorg of iEo&ert 3L j&alotte, Author of "The Sailor's Dream, and other Poems.* 1 THOU'RT gone, but thou hast left sweet memories behind A pleasing, beautified remembrance in each mind That e'er with thine held converse ; or that, day by dav, Beheld the quiet, even tenor of thy way. And this indeed is fame ! fame lasting and secure ] Fame heart-enshrined, to live, to flourish, and endure. In speech and manners always gentle and refined ; At all times blandly courteous uniformly kind ; Warm and sincere of heart, the advocate and friend Of Misery's hapless children, thou wert till the end : He best can feel for others who himself hath known The griefs, and borne the ills, with which their spirits groan , A faithful worshipper at Freedom's holy shrine, Mobocracy could ne'er gain sympathies of thine ; 86 LAYS AND LYKICS. Deep read in Nature's book, thou plainly could'st foresee, Of Ignorance and Power, the worse than tyranny ! Sworn foe of Bigotry, thou saw'st some little good In almost every creed, if rightly understood ; And, teaching charity, " The greatest good below," Denounced the sectarist as its deadliest foe. Thou had'st nor ear nor voice for flattery's hollow speech, To truth alone thou'dst listen; thou truth alone did'st teach: No bribe could gain thee over to deception's side ; Straightforward aye thy course, whatever might betide. Thus much I've humbly said in memory of a friend; Much more could say, nor weary for the task to end ; But all I've said, and more, his lays, still present, show I So, unto them go ye who would him better know. Make sweet his resting-place with lovely, pleasant flowers, By friendly hands transferred from friendly garden bowers ; And so enrich the oasis where his ashes lie, That none, unknowing, may the Poet's Grave pass by ! THE SOUL-LIT EYE. 87 SCfje Soul=l/it THE diamond may sparkle, The ruby may shine, With light that may seem , To their owners divine ; But never can diamond, Or ruby, outvie, In brilliance of lustre, The soul-lit eye. The eye hath a language, Though voiceless it be, That all may interpret To all it is free ; 88 LAYS AND LYRICS. Convincing its eloquence, Warm its appeals, And swifter than thought To the heart it steals. How awful in hatred ! How winning in love ! Now fierce as the tiger, Now mild as the dove ; All potent its glance is, Where love hath the sway In a moment we look What an hour could not say ! DOWN IN THE VALLEY. 89 j JSoton in tfje Falleg. i A BALLAD FOR MUSIC. I. DOWN in the valley, when the bright sun had set, In silence and sorrow, two fond lovers met ; For Henry that morning had promised to go Afar o'er the ocean, to fight England's foe. ii. Poor Mary ! her heart was o'erwhelm'd with despair ; Woe-worn were her features, dishevelled her hair ; She wept not she could not but heav'd a deep sigh, As she falter'd, " Oh, Henry ! I fear I shall die! in. " Nay ! speak not of dying, my Mary," said he ; " With wealth, and with honours, I'll come back to thee ; And here, in this valley, will build thee a home, While I never again from my Mary shall roam." LAYS AND LYKICS. IV. She heard, but replied not ; she ceased e'en to sigh ; All silent her tongue, and all tearless her eye ; He kiss'd the fair statue, then took him to flight ; For he dared not look more on that soul-melting sight. SECOND PART. v. Down in that valley, when seven years had gone, One evening, strayed Mary, still grieving, alone ; She gazed on the spot where that parting took place, While the tear-drops of mem'ry suffused her sweet face. VI. She heard coming footsteps was hastening away, When a voice cried, " Oh, stay, Mary ! stay, my love ! stay!" She knew it she turned in a moment was pressed To the heart of her Henry her sorrows at rest. DOWN IN THE VALLEY. 91 VII. " Said I not, my dear Mary, I'd come back from sea, With honours and wealth, and a heart true to thee ? Now I've gold on my shoulder, and gold in my purse, And my heart, you will find, 's not a farthing the worse. vm. u Now, look up, dearest Mary, the wars are all o'er ; Our foes are subdued, and we'll never part more ; For here I will anchor the rest of my life, And leave the big world to its noise and its strife." 92 LAYS AND LYKICS. ffioofc tti A FIG for the " Good old times," Of which some love to sing ; A fig for the doggerel rhymes From grumblers* brains that spring ! "In these * Good old times/" say they, " Men were as men should be ; They fared on the best each day,' And lived right jollily ! " Starvation was then unknown ; Taxation but a name." 'Neath the Taxes now men groan From which Starvation came. THE " GOOD OLD TIMES." 93 A plague on your " Good old times !" Ye drivelling dotards, cease ! Say, what but their splendid crimes Now rob us of our fleece ? We're shorn to the very skin, While still the Debt remains ; And, like a National sin, The nation's life it drains. Though many fared well each day, The millions were oppress'd : 'Tis a crowning lie to say, " The People then were bless'd." And never again, let's pray, May might alone be right : The sun of a better day Now sheds its glorious light ! D2 94 LAYS AND LYRICS. So a fig for the " Good old times," Of which some love to sing ; And a fig for the doggerel rhymes From grumblers' brains that spring I ON THE DEATH OF WILLIAM THOM. 95 n tfje eatjj of aEtlliam JEfjom, OF INVERURY. I. OH, Penury ! still is the victory thine ; The gifted, methinks, swell thy graves ; Lay the shattered shell there, 'twill rot and decay Ere the long grass over it waves. ii, Son of Song ! is thy voice become mute, and for aye The last of thy strains, is it sung ? No answer the silence unbroken remains The silence of death seals thy tongue. in. What hardships were thine in this cold world of ours ! What strugglings to " live by the way !" Still, 'mid all thy griefs, oft companioned by tears, There welled forth from thee the sweet lay. 96 LAYS AND LYKICS. IV. Cold is his heart who can learn thy sad story Unmoved by its burden of woe ; For save when the Muse shed her influence o r er thee, Life's sweets thou wert doomed to forego. v. Why did they tempt thee away o'er the border, Why promise thee Honour and Fame ? Why did they lure thee away from old Scotland, If not to perpetuate their shame ? VI. Why did they prate of the fate of "The Ploughman" Why say that our prophets we killed Then leave thee to starve, when a lion no longer Unless they in torture were skilled t VII. Hadst thou but stayed in the land of thy fathers ! Thy friends there were firm, if but few Neglect's bitter pangs would at least have been saved thee, For even till death they were true. ON THE DEATH OF WILLIAM THOM. 97 VIII. But 'tis o'er ; thou hast ended thy pilgrimage now ; The earth is no longer thy home ; Through death thou hast past become deathless and free Through the far spirit- worlds to roam. IX. Now the riddle is read, and the problem is solved ; To thee the great mystery made plain : Thou hast gain'd thy reward, and the world may roll on, But thou'lt dwell in it never again. 98 LAYS AND LYRICS. A FAMILIAR FABLE VEKSIFIED. IN search of honey, one fine morn in May, Two Bees set out, resolved to spend the day. Soon they a garden reached, whose dainty bowers Teemed with delicious herbs, and fruits, and flowers ; And there rejoiced they o'er the choicest fare That bees could wish for, with no need to spare. The wiser, and more temperate, of the twain Had sense to know " Enough," and did refrain From full satiety : loading, instead, His thighs with plenteous stores of " winter bread." The other, foolish, and on feasting bent, Crammed his dear stomach to his heart's content : Having no end in view but present pleasure, He thought he might indulge it without measure. THE TWO BEES. 99 Roaming about, a vial they espied, Whose rounded, open mouth, so smooth and wide, Disclosed of honey such a plenteous store, That they were tempted to a tasting more. The wiser of the two with caution sipped, Nor ever once beneath the surface dipped ; And lest his palate might be thus o'ertried, With prudent speed to fruits and flowers he hied: Improving thus the relish of his meal, And sagely studying his stomach's weal. The epicure, upon the other hand, By greed o'ermastered, a descent had planned; And plunging headlong 'midst the golden store, Resolved to eat till he could eat no more ! As evening fell, " I must no longer roam," The prudent bee bethought, " I'll steer for home ;" But calling for the other on the way, His hapless plight compelled a longer stay. 100 LAYS AND LYKICS. He found him surfeited, sore sick at heart, And conscience-stung, as with a deadly dart. Clogged were his wings, enfeebled was his frame, Retaining nought of life except the name. He had but strength to bid his friend adieu, Lamenting that his moments were so few, And this sage moral left, " To live too fast Is folly ; blind indulgence cannot last, However sweet the taste of pleasure be, Its end being death in pain and misery !" TRUE LOVE. 101 TRUE LOVE, they say, will never die, Despite the world's decrying ; But flourish 'neath a brighter sky, Death and the grave defying. O I would search the world around To gain such Love's devotion ! And prouder feel than monarch crowned, Amid earth's wild commotion. For life, however bright it seem Presaging glad to-morrows Is but at best a troubled dream, And deeply tinged with sorrows. 102 LAYS AND LYRICS. Then let us cherish hearts sincere, Love that can ne'er be blighted ; Surrend'ring life without a fear Eternally united ! DAY. 103 Bag. KESTLESS, and tired of wooing sleep, I rose, And climbing to the summit of a neighbouring hill, Beheld the Morn put forth her lovely arms, And draw apart the gauze-like draperies Of her eastern bed ; she smiling thence As joy-expectant as a fair young bride Whose love's blest consummation is at hand. O 'twas a glorious sight ! and, joyously, Mine eyes I feasted on the charms of Morn. Beneath me lay the sea, waveless and still ; Stretching far out ! away ! and yet away ! Laving, as it meseemed, the pale blue sky, That looked its boundary wall. 104 LAYS AND LYRICS. A western breeze A soft and whispering breeze pass'd o'er me, And adown the hill ; saluting on its way The sweet wild flowers, and shaking thence the dew; Then, floating o'er the sea, formed mimic waves- Far out, for many a mile ! Gaily then rose The SUN, from the blue water's farthest verge, And wedded with the MOKN. From them, anon, Came forth the Day a lovely summer Day ! That, till the evening, lived in golden smiles, Then died away in rich and mellow light ! HYMN FOR THE NEW YEAR. 105 fggmn FOR THE NEW YEAR. ANOTHER year ! another year ! Yet still are we sojourners here Still pilgrims travelling on the way To lasting night, or lasting day. It is a narrow, narrow road, Our Bibles say, which leads to God, And all who wish to walk therein Must cleanse their inward sight from sin ; Else, blindfold in the beaten path Where sinners go, condemned to wrath, We'll wander on, bereaved of sight, Not knowing when may come the night. But night will come the night of death - And all who want the light of faith, 106 LAYS AND LYRICS. To cheer them at the dying hour, Must yield them slaves to Satan's power. I wonder on which road I am : Is it to glory and the Lamb 1 Or to that place where those who fell From heaven above as devils dwell ? May I this night, this hour, begin The Christian race, and strive to win ; Place all my trust in God the Lord, " Who only can me help afford." This night last of the dying year May I approach my God with fear ; Before his throne my sins confess, And ask forgiveness through his grace. Oh ! teach me, Lord, this night to pray To Thee, that in the narrow way Thou would' st my stumbling footsteps guide, And bring me safe o'er Jordan's tide ! NIEBUHR. 107 Sonnet Ntefcuijr. HISTORIAN of Rome ! great master mind ! Whose mental victories o'erawe the souls Of common men ! thy name upon the rolls Of lasting fame a glorious place shall find ! What mighty excavations of the Truth Of riches deep embowelled in the Past Invaluable, multiform, and vast Now freshly glowing in renewed youth ! Heroic Will ! what may'st thou not overcome ? What mighty triumphs may'st thou not achieve In silence working, what proud trophies leave, To strike the world with admiration dumb ? Such as thou, Niebuhr, potent as sublime, Hath left to flourish in the Coming Time ! 108 LAYS AND LYRICS. 'g ffiomtn'. A JACOBITE SONG. (Set to Music by CROWSHAW JOHNSON.) CHARLIE'S comin' o'er the sea, Soon he'll set the country free From those that bear the rule and gree In bonnie Caledonia ! Gentle breezes, softly blow, We burn until we meet the foe, And strike the bold, decisive blow For King and Caledonia ! Noble hearts are beating high, All will fight, none basely fly ; For if they conquer not, they'll die For ancient Caledonia ! CHARLIE'S COMIN'. 109 Oil that Charlie were but here ! The base usurper then might fear As loud the din fell on his ear Of joy in Caledonia ! Heard ye not that distant hum t And now the pipe, and now the drum, Proclaim the news that Charlie's come To gladden Caledonia! Tyrants, tremble, Charlie's here! Now, indeed, ye've cause to fear ; Hielan' hearts ! be of good cheer, And on for Caledonia] 110 LAYS AND LYKICS. TOattlimr's THOSE hills are just the hills of yore That river shineth as before 5 These are the rocks on which we played This the bright beach o y er which we strayed. I see the old house on the hill, The old oak trees surround it still ; The blue smoke curling from the roofj, Of habitation still gives proof; And still, within, warm hearts may beat, That blend and mingle as they meet ; But they are gone that once dwelt there, And gone, alas ! I know not where. Ah ! many a Summer rich and green, And many a Winter bare and keen, THE WANDERER'S HOME. Ill Both of the earth, and of the soul, I've known, since last I left this goal This goal, towards which, where'er sojourned, Hope's longing eye, unwearied, turned. In vain I sought a foreign shore, To gain increase of worldly store ; In vain I toiled from morn till e'en, With a desire still growing keen : 'Twas all for them, the loved, the true, The only joys my spirit knew ! One draweth near ; perchance he'll know Something of them be 't joy or woe. " KnoVst thou, old man, what fate befell Those in yon cottage wont to dwell f " Ah, sir ! too much, too well I know, And from mine eyes tears often flow For their said fate. Want sent them forth, With all their kindness and their worth, 112 LAYS AND LYRICS. From this sweet spot to them so dear - Their happy home for many a year. The story's long, but I'll be brief, Misfortune, crawling like a thief, Unseen, stole every prop away ; Then grew they poorer day by day. First, with ambition fired, their son An only, much beloved one Forsook their hearth, and o'er the sea Afar, in search of gold, went he. Years passed away long, weary years No tidings came to dry their tears : The while Misfortune's chilling shower, Fell heavier on them every hour. Their cattle died ; their crops grew bare ; Health failed ; hope fled ; and came despair ! " Their friends were true, but poor as true. Our feeble aid could not renew THE WANDERER'S HOME. 113 Their substance gone, their failing health The last beyond the help of wealth. Some kindly whispered, ' It may be. That him you mourn, you yet may see ; Full many a time do tidings stray, Sent from such distant lands away. He may fee living prosperous great Though you have heard not of his fate. The clime is genial ; can relume Cheeks that have lost their wonted bloom ; For peace of mind, renewed health, Mayhap for plenteous stores of wealth, We'd then advise though grieved to part- You'd thus adventure with good heart.' " They gave consent ; we, a small store Made up, with wishes that 'twere more ; Then sold they all, and o'er the sea Sailed hence, to seek health, home and thee 114 LAYS AND LYRICS. Methinks I err not, thou'rt their son, That only, much beloved one !" Eight, right, old man, I am that same Who went in search of wealth and fame. Both mine became ; yet still my heart Lacked happiness the better part. All my fond hopes were centred here All that I held most sacred dear : Yet have I but returned to know How my ambition proved their woe ! But here I must no longer stay, My heart's with those now far away. Like bird from a forsaken nest, I fly to seek another rest. Farewell ! thou river shining clear ; Farewell ! old hills, to me so dear ! Bright, pebbly beach, grey rocks, farewell ! I may no longer with ye dwell. THE WANDERER'S HOME, 115 Adieu ! old house, dear land, adieu ! My fervent blessings rest on you I now must re-traverse the sea, Fqr where they are, is Home to me ! 116 - LAYS AND LYRICS. Sonnet OH what shall cheer the faithless man in death ; When, prostrate and o'ercome with hopeless strife Yain wrestling to retain a godless life He feels he must at last resign his breath ; Feels that the world must vanish from his eye, And he forth on his trackless way depart, Groaning beneath the burden of his heart ? Shall mercy to him come from God on high, 'Gainst whom, through life, defiance he did vow 1 Shall blessed angels leave their home above, And proffer him the aids of heavenly Love ? Beware, Oh Man ! accept the offer NOW ; Time, swifter than thy thoughts, doth fleet away Find peace with God, while it is called To-DAY !" 117 Dope's BSfjisper, SORE tried with suffering, yet upheld by faith, she died ; Her near ones wept my shrunk heart only sighed. The time for parting came, then, weeping, forth I went ; But far I had not gone ere all my strength was spent. The night was chilly, yet the lamps of heaven shone bright ; And the round, full moon poured earthward floods of light. No sound heard I save the low murmur of a stream, That only made my loneliness more lonely seem. I felt as oft I'd done, watching at night, alone, By that sick couch, listening the sufferer's moan. A sense of dreariness came o'er me ; and methought My very soul grew sick as if with fear o'erwrought. Oh man 1 why is it that when death doth thee bereave Of those round whom thy soul's affections thou did'st weave 118 LAYS AND LYKICS. Grieving, thou standest, statue-like, and weepest o'er The lost and loved ones who will gladden thee no more ? Weep thou a sea of tears they will not come again ! Breathe thou a world of sighs the dead the dead remain ! j While thus I reasoned, lo ! adown the clear blue sky, A bright star shooting, for a moment caught mine eye. Then, swift as passed that star, fled dreariness away : Hope whispering to my soul, "Come shall a glorious day, When sphere-divided spirits yet shall re-unite, And, linked in sweet communion, pass through worlds of light! Eternal bliss rewarding faith and trust in Him Round whom they shine with seraphim and cheru&im." Mighty the influence of that low, sweet spirit-voice I felt my heart expand again my soul rejoice ! And lightly journeyed homeward, sagely pondering o'er The life we pass through now, and that which lies before. THE SPIRIT'S FLIGHT. 119 Spirit's SUGGESTED BY THE DEATH OF A VERY BEAUTIFUL AND VBBY PIOUS YOUNG LADY. WE may not mourn the spirit's flight From darkness to unclouded light ! We cannot wish that it had stayed, Of earth-blights earth-damps sore afraid. And yet, we're human life-love, how human ! Earthy, how earthy ! strong man, frail woman : Clinging for ever to this narrow sphere, Mocking all higher hopes, we grovel here. have a hope a blessed hope I With sin and death 'twere fit to cope, If linked to faith. Oh, fearless faith ! That, in the unfathomed sea of death, Leaps boldly from the giant rock of Time, Which it took long and weary years to climb : 120 LAYS AND LYKICS. Floating away away to eternity Breathing the blissful air of infinity I Her's was that hope, and her's that faith That lulls the stormy waves of death. Oh ! how she wished to be away Away from night to lasting day ! From its love and hate its joy and sorrow; Now she knows no night fears no to-morrow. Glory eternal ! changeless for ever Is the joy of believers " fading never 1" Cease to repine. She is happier far Than ye e T er could have made her than ye are. Wherefore be downcast 1 strive to be with her, When ye leave this pilgrim-world for ever. Grace is abounding ! Heaven without limit I Struggle on ! still on ! till ye are in it. And that hope never flees from the faith-girt soul, But illumines the path to the spirit-goal ! THE EXILE OF POLAND. 121 STfje CExile of I WAS born in ancient Poland, Amongst the great and brave ; When her noble hearts were sinking Beneath Oppression's wave. I was nursed amid the thunder Of the cannon's loud roar And I quailed not did but wonder, And love it more and more ! There were mighty ones around me, In childhood's pleasing dream ; When I feared not, knew not danger Was but dazzled by the gleam. 124 LAYS AND LYRICS. My heart swelled nigh to bursting then, Oh ! how it swelleth now, As memory, unhid, recalls The time the place the vow ! The cold grey sky thy covering ; The cold green turf thy bed ; Where faithful Zerski made his thigh A pillow for thy head ! On me thy gaze was fixed ; thou laidst Thy wounded hand in mine ; And as death nearer came, methought Thine eyes did brighter shine : But Oh ! the last soul-piercing look Which thou on me didst cast Ere from its shattered prison-house The deathless spirit passed ! THE EXILE OF POLAND. 125 'Twas agony ! I sank I swooned, Almost of life bereft ; I lived for Poland I but as well Might then the world have left. For idle all has proved the boast Made o'er my father's grave : That, gloriously, our banners yet From Warsaw's heights should wave I That, though they robbed me of his halls, They could not of his fame ; That, if I lived, I'd prove his son Was worthy of his name ! Nor rest tiE Poland had been freed From the accursed Powers ; Or I had died a glorious death, As died her fairest flowers ! 126 LAYS AND LYRICS. Oh, Poland ! is thy glory gone ? Thy sun for ever set ? Is there no hope that years may bring Deliverance to thee yet ? " Nay, nay, old man, do not despair ; I have a word for thee ; I do believe the time decreed When Poland shall be free ! " Her glory is not gone for aye Her sun for ever set There is a hope that years shall bring Deliverance to her yet ; " The Austrian at this may smile, The wily Eussian sneer : The Prussian may laugh may scorn,- And say Afflictions sanctified are light To them a blessed morrow Dawns in Hope ; peace, joy, is smiling On each face ; tears swift depart They feed the hungry, tend the sick Binding up the bleeding heart. TO A FRIEND ON HER MARRIAGE. 295 Seek ye their love the little band In joy, alike in sorrow; Your hope will then be steadfast, sure, Uncaring for to-morrow. Forget not them thou leav'st behind, Thy loving father mother Forget not thou, what'er their faults, Each kind and doting brother. Thou goest among other friends, And they may love thee too ; Yet, O forget not those who sang Youth's merry songs with you. All these, their kindest wishes breathe, - Thy parents add their blessing : Adieu ! adieu ! may no dear friend, When next we meet, be missing ! 296 LAYS AND LYRICS. Natt&e I LOVE the heathery hills Of my dear native land : Though wild, they are majestic Thou rugged, they are grand ! Their beauty is their freedom, Storms o'er them sweep in vain : Stupendous, towering masses, Unshaken, they remain. When summer, smiling summer, Hath robed the earth anew : When day sheds forth its sun-beams, The morn and eve their dew; MY NATIVE HILLS. 297 When the heather bells are seen In their rich purple bloom : When the air is full of sweets, And laden with perfume ; When the tassels deck the broom, And the yellow flower the whin ; When the bright sparkling streamlets Are dashing o'er the linn ; When the blaeberries blossom, And the wild nuts are seen ; When the gowans clad the knowes Stud their mantles of green ; Then, then I love to wander O'er my own native hills, To gaze on their loveliness, And hear their tinkling rills. 298 LAYS AND LYRICS. And when the snows of winter Are o'er them spread awhile, How brightly 'neath the glory Of the moon-beams they smile :- Shining like some happy land Where grief hath never reigned Silvery plains of purest white, Untrodden and unstained ! O ! earth hath many beauties Diffused with liberal hand But few like thine, old Scotland ! By own, my native land ! WOMAN'S MISSION. 299 THOU'RT all the world to me, The rest but chaos gloom : Existence without thee Were sunless, home, a tomb. Earth cannot unite us More closely ; while we're here, All the world may slight us, But we have nought to fear. Love is ours ! and dearly We do each other prize : Stars shine not more clearly Than do our meeting eyes. 300 LAYS AND LYRICS. Earth ! O earth is lovely ! Its cloudless, sunny skies Shine how bright above me ! Yet all their glory flies, If seen, love, without thee : Thou art my better sun, Enriching earth air sea My own belov'd one ! May our path lie upward ! And, while abiding here, May we still pass onward To a happier sphere. That, when feeble nature The deathless soul resigns, to joys still greater May go where glory shines ! 301 Where nor pain, nor sorrow, Nor grief, nor cares annoy : One unclouded morrow Of bright, unceasing joy ! Seraph-songs while singing Around Jehovah's throne, We'll hear echo ringing, " A thousand hearts are one !" That the blessed future I thus may proudly win, Be thou, love, my tutor Teach me to flee from sin ! That is " Woman's mission," And 'tis a noble one ! Earth is but a prison Woman its cheering sun ! 302 LAYS AND LYRICS. SCo tije SING on ! sing on ! sweet Bird of Eve ! The gladdened moments swiftly fly They will not stay, yet thou, with song, May'st gild them as they're fleeting by ! Sing on ! sing on ! my heart is thine The cares of life thou dost beguile A willing captive I'll remain Of thy sweet seraph notes the while. Sing on ! sing on ! O cease not yet ! With ev'ry note a charm is borne : Now softer than the evening wind, Now rivalling the Bird of Morn ! TO THE NIGHTINGALE. 303 Sing on ! sing on ! thou Prince of Song ! Thy strains enrapture ev'ry ear : May every joy thy life prolong, And happiness its journey cheer ! Sing on ! sing on ! heed not the time, My heart is light, the night is young Sing on ! sing on ! strains more sublime, In mortal ears were never sung ! Sing on ! sing on ! O sing away ! Thy notes are sweet as those of spring- Sing on ! sing on ! we'll ever stay, If thou, sweet bird, wilt ever sing! 304 LAYS AND LYEICS. (INSCRIBED TO THE MEMORY or THOMAS HOOD.) A SPIRIT guides a hand of flesh, Whose fingers hold a pen, That traceth words of high import To feed the minds of men. A moment rests the busy hand Bright glows the spirit-eye A spasm shakes the fleshy frame Wildly its pulses fly. The fire is kindled ! Inspiration Dwells within it from this hour How the soul joys o'er its treasure Glorying in its power ! GENIUS. 305 Brighter still 1 glows that spirit-eye See, each succeeding ray But outvies its predecessor-- Mind bursting through the clay ! The beauteous coruscations Are to his page transferred, In characters that " breathe and burn " A halo round each word. The "Lady's Dream," the "Song of the Shirt," The doleful Bridge of Sighs," Storms every heart triumphantly; We read with weeping eyes. A moral never was forgot Not in his merriest hour In eacjj. fresh sally of his wit, Some moral told with power. 306 LAYS AND LYRICS. He wrote of fearful, secret things ! How Eugene Aram's dream Caused blood to freeze, and flesh to creep, And all the senses swim ! What varied themes ! his tender strains Through every bosom thrilled : The humorous brought the smile the laugh The sad, with pity filled. Yet all the while, the body, weak, Grew feebler every hour Toiling for its daily food Gold 's not the poet's dower. " My sojourn here shall be but brief," The prophet-spirit said ; " I feel that soon of us they'll say, ^ He's numbered with the dead. GENIUS. 307 " Fain would I stay fain would I go Still hoping trusting ever That I with kindred souls at last Shall meet no more to sever !" He turned his back upon the world The world's unfeeling, rude : Heaven received a martyr-soul, And England mourned her HOOD ! 308 LAYS AND LYRICS. Absence. I NEVEK knew how deep I loved Till parted from thy smile ; Then every moment seemed an hour, And every step a mile. In vain, each night, upon my bed I courted balmy sleep ; The pangs of absence pained my heart, And caused it tears to weep. Yet gazing on the lovely moon, That through my lattice shone, I've thought that o'er thy dwelling place Its beams might then be thrown ; ABSENCE. 309 And that oh, blessed, blessed thought ! While thou didst hail their light, Fond Memory might again recall That hope-restoring night, When we, released from all save love, Alone did wander forth At silent eve, to view its charms Adorning this fair earth ; When we our thoughts, in accents low, Free to each other gave ; Nor cold reserve their current checked, Nor fear of critics grave. No envious wind upon its wings Those breathings bore away, No tell-tale echo caught their sound ; Safe in our hearts they lay. 310 LAYS AND LYRICS. And time may rob our cheeks of bloom, Our eyes of youthful light, But never from our hearts, I trust, Erase that happy night. To love, to see that love returned, Is bliss beyond compare ; To know, though all the world should frown, Change cannot enter there. To feel there is, at least, one breast Where we can lay our head, As safe, as though a mother still Watched by our cradle bed ! ON THE DEATH OF A LADY. 311 n tfje Beatijof a How strangely varied is the life of man ! To-day, Joy reigns ; but Grief to-morrow may The sceptre wield. To-day, Hope spreads her sails, And forth adventures on a blissful sea ; To-morrow, the dark clouds of doubt may lower, And, ere its evening close, the bark of Hope, Engulphed, sink in an ocean of Despair ! How cheering to man's soul those sunny hours That calm domestic pleasures ever yield ! How dear the social circle ! and the smile Of recognition which our presence calls, From the heart's core, to radiate on the face Of some ingenuous, and expectant friend ! 312 LAYS AND LYRICS. The sun of man's existence never sheds A brighter ray than that which o'er him falls Iri his first wedded state ! If earth may e'er To Heav'n be likened, truly 'tis in this ! But Life, alas ! is not all sunny gleams, Nor one unchecked, unbroken ray of joy. Clouds lower destroying storms and tempests rise To wean the soul from earth and earthly things ! Man is unfit to cope with ills o'er which He feels none mortal hath the least control He bows his head, and aid from Heav'n implores ! i But what are all those ills accumulated Ay ! even though concentered all in one ! When we compare it with that grief of griefs, The early death of the fond, doting wife, Who nightly nestled in her husband's arms ! Whom, but a few short weeks or months before, ON THE DEATH OP A LADY. 313 He'd clasped his cherished jewel to his breast And called her by that name she was so proud To bear his wife, his own beloved wife ! Here Genius might the veil of flesh withdraw. And show the secret workings of the soul, No other than the hand of Genius may ! 314 LAYS AND LYRICS. SONG. WHO shall dare to meddle with thee Lay presumptuous hand on thee ? Who shall dare to harm the thistle Scotland's badge of bravery t Friends alone may dare caress thee Friends to Truth to Freedom's cause ;- Enmity to false professors, Forms the basis of thy laws. Still repel the rash invader ; Still proclaim that thou art free ; Still, untainted, flourish fairer Emblem of our liberty ! THE THISTLE. 315 Entwine with England's blooming rose; Twine with Erin's shamrock green; Twine your stems, and show together Woe to foe, and peace to frien'. Roses clad in glowing beauty Shamrocks waving in their green Crested thistles Scotland's glory ! Homage pay to our young Queen ! 316 LAYS AXD LYRICS. ODE OF WELCOME TO JHajestg