P"®* 
 
 S^5yi!f5ft^ 
 
 
 i 
 
 ¥>T 
 
 :m
 
 POETIC 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 OF 
 
 1 6arl l^amnaMtr. 
 
 BY DANIEL BRYAN. 
 
 UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF 
 CHARGES SfMEf WtlfllT, Mg., Mef. 
 
 COPYRIGHT. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY MESSRS. PAWSON AND BRAILSFORD, SHEFFIELD. 
 
 Third Edition. 
 
 LONDON : SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & CO.
 
 PR 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Matlock Bath, June, 1884. 
 
 In submitting this Book- to the public, I wish 
 it to be understood that it has been written out 
 of a pure spirit of admiration for the useful and 
 noble life of the Patriot, Statesman, and AutJwr, 
 whose loss our country still mourns. I regret only 
 that my power of expression falls so far short of 
 a character so noble, but trusting that my efforts 
 may occasionally awaken kindly recollections in 
 the hearts of those to whom the memory of LORD 
 BEACONSFIELD is still dear. 
 
 I am, 
 
 Yours obediently, 
 86876.1 DANIEL BRYAN.
 
 INDEX 
 
 Page. 
 
 Death ------- 5 
 
 Boyhood to Manhood - - - - 6 
 
 Writes Vivian Grey - - - - -6 
 
 Home Again. — Life .... 5 
 
 In the East again - - - - 10 
 
 Travels. — Morning - - - - - 12 
 
 Travels. — Evening and Night - - - - 19 
 
 Political Career - - 23 
 
 The Ocean - - - - - - 48 
 
 The Passenger's Tale - - - - 66 
 
 Political Career. — Continued - - 80 
 
 Suez Canal - 81 
 
 Bulgarian Atrocity - - - - - 82 
 
 Berlin Memorandum .... 83 
 
 Russo-TurkisJi War - - - - - 84 
 
 Indian Troops and Malta - - - - 87 
 
 Berlin Congress - - - - -88
 
 Page- 
 
 Lord Mayor's Banquet .... g 
 
 The Rewards of Greatness - - - - 94 
 
 Afghan War - 9 6 
 
 Out of Office - - - - . - 97 
 
 Endymion - - - • - - . g8 
 
 Rest ....... 9 s 
 
 Illness and Death ----- gg 
 
 Review of Life ------ 101 
 
 Memories - - - - - - 108 
 
 Price 2s. 6d.
 
 BEACONSFIELD. 
 
 God's greyish tints of morning illume an eastern sky, 
 
 And glancing swiftly, surely, herald a day is nigh. 
 
 Stray, piercing, warmer tinted beams, thro' space quick shoot their 
 
 way, 
 Into a soft and mellow light, away from light of day, 
 Falling upon a face, where pain, has sown as deep a grey. 
 Beholding morn's first piercing beams, his death-marked sunken eye, 
 God's holy genius brightly shining, heavenwards wafts a sigh, 
 Ere morn again through night's pall speeds, he fears that he shall die. 
 Firm, tried, dear friends, round death's bed watch, wise silence 
 
 holding sway, —
 
 6 
 
 Hearts tremblingly compassionate await a farewell ray 
 
 Of recognition beaming out from eyes that yesterday 
 
 But loving ra)^s of light shed round where'er their beams did play. 
 
 Solemnly, tearfully rolls forth an inspired heartfelt prayer, 
 
 Ah ! darkening shadows set the face, death has him in his snare, 
 
 One last-long lingering, shuddering sigh, and to the long death roll 
 
 Ere many fleeting moments pass, is added one more soul. 
 
 A soul that from its earliest throbbings,grandand natural had grown, 
 
 In His generous plenteous pleasure, God Himself the soul had sown, 
 
 Watched andtended it from childhood,and His watchful care is shewn 
 
 In its to Himself returning, now from earthly shell it's flown. 
 
 BOYHOOD. 
 
 I see him in his boyhood's vigour, when from home to school he'd go, 
 
 With boys his age and birth, to learn the wisdom taught at 
 
 Walthamstow. 
 
 Here dicipline and publicity pall his boyhood's wisdom's flow,
 
 Back he's gone to home and tutor, ere his youthful mind's in blow; 
 
 Retiring, loving privacy, parents wishing 't may be so, 
 
 Tutor, and home teachings rule, till out into the world he'll go. 
 
 E'en now in his gentle bearing and his manly boyish tread, 
 
 Lofty forehead, watchful eye, and speaking, pleasing face are read, 
 
 Grave and thoughtful aspirations, that will stand him in good stead, 
 
 When by worldly influences he into life's battle led, 
 
 For his God and country fighting, ever watchful onward sped. 
 
 Instruction ended, gravely — useful channel for career is sought, 
 And finally to th' laws applied, what tutor — nature helping — taught. 
 Here, in parents guidance trusting, fate to him is too unkind, 
 Lawyers wearying once drudgery, wormwood is to his great mind; 
 Brilliant aspirations stifling, heart and soul's hopes kept behind, 
 Ere parents loving hopes are shunned, ere clerkly articles are signed. 
 Providence its guidance lends ; God's almighty power we find
 
 Ope'ing out his inmost soul ; Eastern climes soon hold the rind, 
 There God's genius fanned to name, quick-born unto the light of day, 
 Are manhood's nobly budding thoughts, embodied inhis Vivian Grey. 
 
 HOME AGAIN. 
 
 Heart young, happy, loving home, thitherwards mind's impulse tends; 
 
 Soul's deep inmost voice low whispering, solitude, fame, life depends, 
 On his young mind's budding efforts, mightier, swifter pinions send, 
 Steed, sail, thought: land, sea o'erbounding; ashore he's sprung on 
 
 native ground, 
 Admiring glances, friendship's grip, bespeak his mounting fame's 
 
 first round. 
 
 Society's lionising's met, calmly, cooley, with respect, 
 
 "Worlds empty vainness known and felt, remembrance checks unkind 
 
 -neglect ; 
 God's teachings, early matured thought, prized honour gleaming all 
 
 unflecked,
 
 Vain, vile, self-truinpet's brazen notes, his shrinking mind no blasts 
 
 can blow, — 
 God guiding, filthy lucres power 'fore manly thought lies humbly 
 
 low; 
 Almighty power ! direct his thoughts, until unto Thyself he'll go. 
 
 Of proud at home, ball, route, regatta, picnic, races, he the key 
 Holds lightly ; noble-minded men and women powerful thoughts ope 
 
 free ; 
 Fashions beauties flashing glances, playful badinage, looks askance, 
 Introductions, selfish claims, littleness feeling, still advance, 
 Life's gay whirling tiring pleasures, his fair presence still enhance ; 
 Kindred natures genius burnished steel, more oft he'd meet — the 
 
 palm holds he, 
 And yielded palm gracefully blooms on God's own cultured know- 
 ledge tree.
 
 10 
 
 Fames first rounds froth flown, vapid, dead, weary of life 's world, 
 
 women, men, 
 
 Heart sick, loving travels change, seeking new ideas for pen, 
 Travels first recollections wake, hesitation brief, and then — 
 Home ties wrenched and snapped, he's gladly off into the East again. 
 
 Damp foggy England sunk to view, pure ocean breeze new life instils, 
 
 Bright scenes arousing thought anew, the city wearied bosom thrills; 
 
 Follies thralls forsaken, health rebounds, revived and strengthened 
 as of yore, 
 
 Life blood healthy veins inbouncling, heart light, dreaming fame in 
 store, 
 
 Oceans wooden wall's forsaken, feet tread Asiatic shore. 
 
 Vacation easing brain's hard toil, wisdom, cramping folly lurks, 
 
 Bright new impressions lifting mind, material at hand he works 
 
 And weaves in language glowing, free, thoughts changing nations 
 destiny
 
 II 
 
 'Mong native race, own kith and kin, revived by ocean's travel, rest, 
 Ever changing scene amusing, in life's Eastern world quick pressed, 
 By masked, voluptuous, lovely women's dreamy, speaking eyes 
 
 carressed, 
 Bronzed, bearded, turbanned, lightning glancing autnors, poets, him 
 
 in quest; 
 Thought, fiery, surging, asiatic, sponsive echoes in his breast. 
 Poetic dreamings welling up, with lightening speed thought flies to 
 
 home, 
 Hearts deepest depths quick back it press, concience whispering here 
 
 still roam, 
 For God and fellow creatures work, till Popanillas first fame's ceased, 
 Seek grander, nobler inspirations 'mid God's wonders in the East. 
 Soul's still small inmost voice obeyed, years roll ere 'gain he'll 
 
 touch the strand, 
 Roll swiftly, ere white Dover's cliffs herald his Hearing native land.
 
 12 
 
 As a Poem tracing Lord Bcaconsfield's Eastern Travels might not he interesting, the Author 
 has here endeavoured to depict a few of the scenes through which Lord Beacomficld would past 
 during his sojourn in the East 
 
 EASTERN TRAVELS. 
 
 MOHHING. 
 
 God's virgin forests mighty silence reigns supreme, when rising sun 
 In raclient beams of dazzling splendour, heralds an eastern day's 
 
 begun. 
 Mellow lights quick bathing, flooding bright hued trees, shrubs, 
 
 flowers anew, 
 Hidden dells weak verdure warmed, to life awakes, to nature true ; 
 Wild profusions strength and wealth lowly bow to God's lov'd morn, 
 Him first inspirations yielding, ere begins His work for dawn. 
 Balmy breezes kissos,meeting shimmering sunbeams glancing sheaves 
 Blend, and sweeter perfume borrow ; 'mong sweet odorous flowers, 
 
 leaves, 
 Feathered songsters rippling, trilling, tuneful melody, strong, free, 
 
 wild, 
 Wake new echoes, pure, sweet, grand, in music-loving forest child.
 
 13 
 
 Brooklets tir^ rippling wavelets, ceaseless flow o'er pebbly sand, 
 In pellucid depths reflecting nature, welding water — land ; 
 Hidden nature's busy hum, soothing falls on stranger's ear, 
 Grand, heavenly, soul inspiring scene, thou must tell us God is here. 
 
 Morn broke, desert bound caravans load merchandise from distant 
 shore, 
 
 And slowly file cool forests verdant, tangled, unmarked boundary o'er; 
 
 Speedily verdured plains are crossed, till sparse and arid verdure's 
 store 
 
 Is lost, and 'spansive desert's dazzling, sun reflecting sand 
 
 Is all that merchant, traveller, doth view of God's all plenteous land. 
 
 Swiftly, surely desert ships their way o'er sandy billows steer, 
 
 And pitilessly molten sun, in lurid glare pours burning sear- 
 
 — ing rays on man and beast, and fills man's quaking heart with fear, 
 
 When sun strokes swiftly coming death leaves friend to rot and 
 bleach in rear.
 
 14 
 
 Bronzed, bearded, warlike Arab horsemen, ever watchful guard th 
 
 way, 
 Arms in hand, prepared to guard the caravan from beasts of prey, 
 Or wandering Nomads hovering round, bent to rifle, rob, and sla) 
 Urged by striking spear shaft, silent, swift tread camels feet, 
 Merchants perched on high humped backs, phlegmatically smoke o 
 
 seats 
 Of merchandise, by arab cunning, cushioned, lounging, easy mad( 
 Desert comfort yielding, ere, in lands far east dispersed in trade. 
 Burdens tethers, loosing, paining, camels plaintively give tongue, 
 And quickly burning sun's rays glist on galloping horsemen's gur 
 
 blade, prong, 
 Who, caravan encircling, search out and remedy the wrong. 
 Wild, fantastic looks the train, as streaming o'er the sandy plain 
 In time to camel's tinkling bells, music, or sonorous strain, 
 It rich productions, aye ! life risks, in search of filthy lucre's gaii
 
 Flowing picturesque costumes 'mong moving cavalcade entwined, 
 Blending, brighter colours glow when fluttered by sun laden wind, 
 And monotony relieve, in breastn which heaven's power's destined 
 To roam the trackless desert, seeking 'mid its mysteries to find 
 Thought, but deserts can arouse, bewildering soul, expanding mind. 
 But caravans, birds, beasts of prey, repulsive, rotting, bleaching bones 
 Most arduous research repays, or, to the traveller atones 
 His weary desert wanderings, forsaken friends and happy homes. 
 Few oasis spots meet aching eyes while moving o'er the world's bare 
 
 rind, 
 No breezes cool fan throbbing brows, grown feverish by hot blasts 
 
 of wind, 
 That whirling burning sand in air, each vulnerable place can find, 
 And finding, leaves its tingling, blistering, burning, aching trace 
 
 behind. 
 Roving, wild adventure seeking, many a bold, world weary waif,
 
 i6 
 
 Journeying from distant lands, sand, sun weary, thirsting chafe, 
 
 Inmost souls oft welling up, hopes of ending journey safe. 
 
 Ah ! why on horizon's distant line doth darkening rolling streak 
 
 appear, 
 
 Borne on wind's tempestuous wings, and swiftly, surely drawing 
 near. 
 
 Some awful danger it forbodes, whose dreaded nature's known 'tis 
 clear, 
 
 For suddenly, halted's caravan, camels kneel from van to rear, 
 
 Faces to earth lie bold, brave men, souls panting, trembling, filled 
 
 with fear : 
 
 Sun to vision quick obscured — hurricane blasting, howling, shriek- 
 ing— 
 
 Sand in whirling clouds upheaves, man and beast shrink cowering, 
 
 reeking 
 In awed ghastly fear, 'fore God's death spreading, mighty Simoom's 
 
 speaking.
 
 17 
 
 On,rushing, sweeping hurricane bounds,o'er silent prostrate caravan, 
 Soon abjectfear, wells silent prayer in souls of bold brave callous man; 
 Hovering howling awful death, with lightning speed doth memory 
 
 fan; 
 Wealth, lust, lucre seeking dead, awed trembling hearts but fear 
 
 the ban 
 Of God, whose life,death dealing hand,here striking, finds them sandy 
 
 grave, 
 Or, peace, be still, low whispering, in love leads on more strong, 
 
 more brave, 
 
 The reeking, soul palled, grateful hearts, He's kept from an un- 
 timely grave. 
 
 On ancient hills where busy cities towered majestic, massive, grand, 
 
 Dwell foul uncleanly loathsome things, strewn with debris is the land, 
 
 Birds, beasts of prey, sure refuge find, no living moving thing doth 
 show.
 
 i8 
 
 Or mark the sacred spots where lie the mouldering mighty dead 
 below. 
 
 Here amber purple, lambent flaming sunbeams glance on cities towers; 
 
 Here bought and sold is merchandise, here on house tops spent lazy- 
 hours ; 
 
 Quaint, flowing, brightly harmonising costumes in confusion mingle, 
 
 Offensive refuse streets bespatter, making finer senses tingle ; 
 
 Here, busy humming babel tongues, gesticulation maddening — wild, 
 
 Costumes picturesque, bespeaking province born or mountain child. 
 
 Here steeped to th' lips in drink and crime, assasins thirst in blood still 
 slake, 
 
 While dance and song are echoing 'mong lovely, foliage fringed lakes; 
 
 Here, wild, weird, ghostly ruins rearing, tottering, till to earth they 
 fall, 
 
 Deserts bleaching human bones, reminding of immortal's call j
 
 19 
 
 Here, hand in hand go virtue, vice — of old, here mighty armies trod ; 
 To distant convents sweet bells pealing, weary pilgrims onward plod. 
 Here, since born the wondrous world, here since sinful Adam's fall, 
 Since decay of mighty cities, since proud bloody Romans thrall — 
 Were mysteries of the darkening past, awaking not till judgment's 
 
 call; 
 Aye! since chaotic world bred life, second fled, then minute, hour. 
 On Pharisee and Publican God's blessing's fallen in a shower, 
 Souls devotions trembled 'fore immaculate Almighty power. 
 
 ETCHING AND NXGHT, 
 
 In fiery crimson setting sun to mortal eye is lost to view, 
 
 His parting rays on sky reflecting, dreamy twilight brings anew ; 
 
 Reflection brief, quick fading — gone, God's forest works with fading 
 
 light, 
 Cease, a well-earned rest to take in His restoring silent night.
 
 20 
 
 Weary nature hushed to sleep, lies strangely, solemnly, wierdly still, 
 
 With awe, the mighty trackless forest, hearts of human nature thrill 
 
 Its tangled massive depths within, unharmed, unaided, man mayn't 
 stray, 
 
 Or 'sturb wierd shadowy forms, 'mong which, cold gleaming shim- 
 mering moonbeams play. 
 
 Here, beasts of prey roar, kill, devour; here slimy monsters wallowing 
 plunge ; 
 
 Here, giant animals thundrous roars awake the forest echoes thunge. 
 
 Here, frighted rush of startled game, making strange heart to leap 
 with fear, 
 
 Here fircflys glint 'mid foliage, and night birds song falls sweet on 
 ear; 
 
 Here, nature's breathings, sighings, soughings, mournfully affect 
 > the soul, 
 
 Here, mysterious busy sounds from secret nature constant roll.
 
 21 
 
 Here, everything in harmony, acknowledging but God's control, 
 
 And His pure radient orbs of night, calmly, grandly light the whole. 
 
 Yet e'en while night's orbs radient beam, louder moaning, sobbing 
 breathes 
 
 The wind,and Avildly heaving, tossing, grow huge arms of mighty trees. 
 
 But now in moon-lit space slow floated one poor helpless little cloud, 
 
 Yet, warring elements mustering quick, blustering wind becomes 
 more loud, 
 
 Huge, massive, inky banks of cloud stars brilliancy obscure, and 
 soon 
 
 Gigantic in proportion growing, densest darkness hides the moon. 
 
 God's vivid, blinding, lightnings flash, with startling brilliancy 
 illumes 
 
 The mighty forest, ponderous thunder, earth shakes with its crashing 
 
 booms ; 
 
 Heavens clouds ope, and torrents loosed, in mighty rushing deluge 
 fall,
 
 22 
 
 Swollen brooks 'come mighty rivers, lakes spring at Immortal's 
 
 call. 
 
 Mighty, rushing, howling, roaring, bellowing, shrieking hurricane 
 born, 
 
 Collosal, waving, creaking, crashing, splitting trees from earth are 
 torn 
 
 By root, whirled into space, bereft of beauty, earthward borne, 
 
 Havoc destructive working 'mong cowed beasts of desert courage 
 shorn, 
 
 Who, cowering, crouch in vain to hide in caves, dens, rocks, till 
 coming morn. 
 
 But list! God's warring elements, in awful grandeur have passed by, 
 
 And see ! a ray of light breaks thro' a rift in th' darkness deadened 
 h sky. 
 
 Darkness fleeting, breaking morn, with misty reek doth forest deck, 
 
 And trembling, soul palled, puny man, from hiding creeps to view 
 
 the wreck.
 
 23 
 
 'Mid ancient cities, forests, deserts, wandering whither fancy led, 
 Dim misty past and present knowledge, ever freely on him shed — 
 By nature, tomes, wise eastern men, swiftly, surely onward sped, 
 Revolutionary Epic, Young Duke' s vivid spansive strain, 
 Offspring of his noble mind, ere thought flew England ward again. 
 
 Self-set task ended, thoughts of home, busy surge within his heart, 
 
 Eastern climes thought fanning warmth, clashing whisperings, home 
 depart, 
 
 Home longings, native lands love conquer ; friendly gifts of Eastern 
 art, 
 
 Choice results of careful research, in far East's bazaar and mart, 
 
 Quick collected, farewells uttered, in dim distance Eastern strand 
 
 Fades ; politic, literary honour's sought in native land. 
 
 POLITICAL 
 
 Quiet of mien, yet proud at heart, gladly he's treading native shore
 
 24 
 
 Soon sympathetic friends amid, observant mind sees flown before 
 Has fame, and friends while past deeds lauding, whisper greater 
 
 things in store 
 For him, who mind unburthening, in accents firm, determined, 
 
 grand, 
 Tells future life's unswerving cast in cause of God, Queen, native 
 
 land. 
 As orator, author, full oft sought, pleasant future hopes quick thrill 
 His breast, as politic's turbid stream along he's swiftly borne, until 
 High Wycomb hails him candidate, and aids him thro' election's 
 
 mill. 
 
 When manly, bold, and lion-hearted, he with gentlemanly mien, 
 First High Wycomb's hustings mounted, kindred natures caught a 
 
 gleam 
 That he was born to rise and soar, and not to sit at home and dream.
 
 Well he fought the fight, and nobly yielded, yet his fellow-men, 
 
 Felt that Parliament dissolved, he'd all undaunted try again. 
 
 Ere long, again the tussle came — again he lost, yet firm, sublime, 
 
 Taunton's contest's nobly fought — failure thrice before his prime; 
 
 Yet brave strong heart defeat can't quell, of future victory feeling 
 sure, 
 
 Opportunity's awaited, great mind's bent on literature. 
 
 Alroys Wondrous Tale is told, then Constitutions Vindication ; 
 
 Runnymede Letters in Times issued, sympathies awake in th' nation 
 
 Venetia, Henrietta Temple written, read, ere strikes the chime 
 
 Of Parliament's dissolving knell ; to th' Senate House resolved to 
 
 climb 
 Armour's buckledon at Maidstone — conscience, victory tells this time. 
 
 Since High Wycomb's first defeat, he ne'er has taken hand from 
 plough, 1837 
 
 Manhood's honour brighter shining, victory crowns him conqueror 
 now.
 
 86 
 
 Fierce politic combats then, eclipsed fights of latter days, 
 Blood oft shed and money handed, history of the time portrays ; 
 Politic feuds bred bribery then, 'mid society's very cre?ne, 
 Yet honour all untarnished, gleaming, this man won as in a dream. 
 Won, and winning, from his old life for his country he'll retreat, 
 Working on for honour's greatness, henceforth tread another beat. 
 
 In manhood's prime, he feels that now grave work he has to do, 
 
 A mighty nation's work — and that, in keeping himself true, 
 
 Will to posterity hand down a well-loved memory, great and grand, 
 
 Of him, whose brilliant, magic thought, e'er swayed the Commons 
 of our land. 
 
 On Seventh November, Thirty Seven, history tells his first speech 
 
 planned, 
 Supporting Spottiswoode's good work, noble qualities here shown, 
 
 fanned
 
 27 
 
 Flame antagonistic in O'Conn ell's 'pulsive Irish band, 
 
 Whose howling interruption, laughter, in his first brave speech 
 
 withstood, 
 Bitter irony on him poured, to nip politic life in bud, 
 Till, like brave Afric's lion at bay, in taunting eloquence a flood 
 Of dignity offended thought, offspring of earnestness, not fear, 
 Foretold them that though now unheard, in future times they all 
 
 should hear, 
 Aye ! know and feel, that burnished steel more bright than theirs 
 
 would meet them here. 
 
 Precocious erratic impulse pruned, quelled,flown, left calm reflection ; 
 Flies to mind, if ponent young, to past life leading recollection, 
 By enthusiastic strain, o'ersteps strong bounds of circumspection, 
 Dreaming impulsive thought will tell, voice may charm by its 
 inflexion,
 
 28 
 
 Proving only, thoughts thread lost; mind gone, voice wont bear 
 inspection. 
 
 Within soul's deep recesses clamped, tempered ambition patient waits 
 Sternly determined time to bide, ere oped to th' world ambition's 
 
 gates, 
 Betray the prize he's fought for — won, disclosing unsuspected traits 
 Of character, bewildering minds, long judging by politic test, 
 Ne'er dreamed thoughts soaring brilliancy, anew throbbed in his 
 
 patriot breast. 
 
 Souls great thought breeding promptings riven, demarked future 
 
 guiding line, 
 Shaped, pruned, blossomed, good fruit bearing, fading not till fade3 
 
 all time, 
 Ever surely, onward, upward, distant goal to reaeh he'll climb,
 
 29 
 
 Ne'er aside from purpose turned,save seeking country's good to chime 
 In friendly policy's efforts, or, lessen foully glaring crime. 
 Convert to own philosophy, God's, worldly teachings holding fast, 
 Panting heart veiled future longing, 'braidings few for life in th' past, 
 Conscience, career's future course has chosen, gravely th' die is cast, 
 
 Mind's fixed, resolved, unalterable ; calmly life's work's rudder 
 
 grasped, 
 God, conscience, Queen and Country claim him — have him —hold 
 
 him to the last. 
 
 Battles on fields politic fought, new laurels down upon him shower, 
 
 To demarked line adhering, thought, oft backward flying, marks the 
 hour 1837 
 
 When brave heart Irish onslaught met, checked, turned, repulsed, 
 
 .and greater power 
 Breeding his throbbing heart within, sustained a mind ne'er known 
 
 to cower.
 
 3<J 
 
 1839 
 Aiding Chartists noble aims, combatting Melbourne's waning troop, 
 
 1841 
 Supporting changeful minded Peel, representing Shrewsbury's group; 
 Frontier extending Russia checking, aiding Turkey should it droop; 
 Cold-blooded massacring Afghans diplomacy does not dupe; 
 
 1844 
 To truckling Irish agitation, his great mind he wont dispose, 
 Or with Peel visit corn law baths, to steal and wear out Whigs old 
 clothes. 
 
 1845 
 Irreconcilable to Peel, he reigning government disowns, 
 And states strong, oldest pillars joining, they, and genius young he 
 
 owns 
 Our country's prestige could uphold, pass wise measures, lower the 
 tone
 
 3* 
 
 Of men who radically wrong, in bitter enmity forsooth, 
 Forgetting isolated trades, would enlarge power at Maynooth. 
 
 Opposing corn laws abolition, bitterly upbraiding Peel, 
 
 Lord Bentinck ' s famed career writing, young genius ambitioned 
 
 steel 
 Sought for, found, in order shaped, for country working time doth 
 
 steal 1848 
 
 Along, and Tory working men are bravely fought for without bounty 
 Disraelie's guiding hand holding reins of many a county. 
 
 High Wycombe, Taunton's contests lost — Maidstone, Shrewsbury 
 
 won — well served ; 
 Again is Parliament dissolved ; by experience strongly nerved, 
 Inmost minds deep searchings telling, demarked line still all un- 
 
 swerved ;
 
 32 
 
 More arduous labours sought for, found, sifting politic truths from 
 sham, 1847 
 
 Life's future Queen and Country's work's done representing Buck- 
 ingham. 
 
 Russell's administration come, Bentmck's of opposition chief; 
 Sugar's new import law's opposed — passed, and bill for Jews' relief 
 Upheld, made law; Bentinck retires ; of speeding time a span but 
 
 brief, 
 And Disraelie's guiding power's proclaimed, acknowledged, while 
 
 he lives 1848 
 
 His soaring master mind's revered, loved, followed by Conservatives. 
 
 Country's troubled burdened wailings, uttermost efforts quickly 
 
 claim, 
 Championing landed interests, keen inquiry lights the flame
 
 33 
 
 Of countervailing duties fire, on ministry is cast strong blame 
 
 For home trade's legislations failing; censured is their vile precocity, 
 
 Disraelie's band the while advocating reciprocity. 
 
 185u 1851 
 
 Land tillers heavy burden's known, heart feeling popular distress, 
 
 Waning ministry's importuned national troubles to repress. 
 
 Defeat's thrice met, still brave heart strives, his goal to reach he'll 
 onward press — 
 
 His country's cause, till happiness, offspring of true prosperity, 
 
 Has honoured efforts nobly crowned, and proved success a verity. 
 
 1851 
 Strenuously opposing Whigs, who county franchise would reduce; 
 
 Locke King's motion's met — defeated, ministry resigns, but truce 
 
 Is called, and Lord John Russell gracefully yielded retrocession, 
 
 Again in hand takes country's helm, of sinking bark keeping 
 possession, 
 
 But gladly to resign when ends the following weary, barren session.
 
 34 
 
 Lord Derby guiding state's good ship, Disraeli aids the steering, 
 Hope deferred regaining power, heart's stronger nerved — but duty 
 
 fearing ; 
 Firmly life's demarked line's pursued, and surely distant goal he's 
 
 nearmg 
 
 Now learned ministers among ; and noble diplomacy's ship 
 
 Hails him Exchequer's Chancellor, and yields him Common' s leader- 
 ship. 
 
 Feeling prosperity's advance, Whigs claim it offspring of free trade; 
 
 Villiers — repeal of Corn Laws lauding — finds his career onward, 
 stayed 
 
 By Disraeli, ere in search of notoriety he's far gone, 
 
 And free trade's beneficial power's acknowledged by Lord Palmer- 
 stone 
 
 1852 
 
 Shipping trade relief requiring, heavily taxed malt, hops, and tea,
 
 35 
 
 Justice-tempered burdens craving, budget's compiled such ills to 
 
 free. 
 Tho' country such reform is needing, opposition strong agree 
 Such welcome measures to annul, while house duty and income tax 
 With augmented burdens threatened, members powers arouse where 
 
 lax 
 To stay first budgets known intent, and in sessions first position 
 Defeat the administration meets ; Derby's Lord yielding submission, 
 Queen accepts, and government, is formed, upheld by coalition. 
 
 1854 
 Discussing troubled French Affa irs, Gladstone's steel full often feeling. 
 
 Wrongs in Agricultural Laws known, some measure's sought for 
 healing 
 
 Wounds rankling in land tillers' breasts. Time and change upon 
 * him stealing, 
 
 Altered views in train quick bring, till left in shade's past 
 opposition,
 
 36 
 
 Inmost conscience feeling, owning Free Trade now a goodly mission, 
 Parliamentary duty's done, effecting Cultural Laws transition. 
 
 Jewish disabilities bill's now introduced — contested — passed ; 
 Government's Crimean disasters censured; patriot's vote is cast 
 
 1857 
 For Chaplain's Thanksgiving Sermon. Franco-Austrian meaning's 
 
 grasped, 
 Discussed, explained, yet leaving fears of trouble sown for future 
 
 years. 
 
 Aberdeen's Lord's budget known, motions made b}^ opposition, 
 Income, outlay, to adjust; division quick compels submission 
 To overwhelming numbers, and Chinese policy's condition, 
 Lengthy, strong debate affords, waking slumbering ebulition 
 Within Cobden's techy mind, weakening ministry's position,
 
 37 
 
 Until government's defeated, and resigned has coalition. 
 
 Country's verdict sought, delivered ; Whigs, powers fickle reins 
 
 resume, 
 Sound majority enjoying, deeming position safe, they plume 
 Themselves quietude within, ne'er dreaming dreadful, awful doom, 
 Disraelie's foresight told Indian horizon would illume — 
 Ignite, till flaring revolution's rifling, bloody, murderous boom 
 Had Britain's bravest hearts engulphed in mutiny's gory, ghastly 
 
 tomb. 
 Old time swiftly, surely fleeting, still finds many a weary soul 
 Longing heavenward to soar, with mourned loved ones to enrol 
 Their names, and reunite for aye those whom mutiny's bell did toll 
 The requieum of, in God's good time, making India's soil their goal. 
 
 1858 
 Refuge seeking, Dr. Bernard Englandward is quickly flying ;
 
 3§ 
 
 France — Napoleon's wrongs in mind — here a way is quick descrying 
 England's criminal laws to change. Palmerstone for prestige sigh- 
 
 111 g, 
 
 Bill, French claims to aid quick frames, but amendment's troubling 
 
 pause 
 Meets, then strong defeat encounters, proving an effort in bad cause 
 That measures true would sacrifice yielding to other country's laws, 
 Palms for riper legislation, good undoing, to catch at straws. 
 
 One short year defeat twice telling ; Palmerstone, his resignation 
 In Her Majesty's hands reposed, retirement seeks to spend probation. 
 Derby's Lord and Disraeli confidence reposed in, th' nation 
 Unaggressive policy claims; future measures dispensation's 
 Relegated to Lord Derby's, Disraelie's ministration. 
 
 India's untamed restless state, steadying, controlling power
 
 39 
 
 First receives, its government's proclaimed embraced in England's 
 tower 
 
 By Disraelie's well-timed measure; wealth, rise, progress marks 
 the hour 
 
 Whence reform strong influence bringing, elevates its guiding star, 
 
 Ne'er to set, till dying time expunges policy, soldier, tar. 
 
 Divorce Act framed, contested, passed; Finance in troublous tangled 
 state, 
 
 Propitious opportunity affords Reformers band to bate 
 
 The Chancellor's compassing power, but undergauging sterling rate 
 
 His noble soaring mind inheld, frustration baffled efforts crown ; 
 
 Budget's lauded contents proving fields financial held renown 
 
 For England's coming Premier, fame on history handed down, 
 
 Tells the plaudits on him showered by many a country, city, town, 
 
 Aye ! old England's thoughtful men and women, minding children's 
 pottage,
 
 4 o 
 
 Plaud him heart and soul in arms, in every hamlet, village, cottage. 
 
 1859 
 Country's clanour louder growing, parliamentary reform's 
 Resolved on, promised, Bill's compiled, delayed; Franco-Austrian 
 
 storm 
 Impeding progress, until Italy's patriotic kingdom's born. 
 
 1860 
 Franco- Austrian troubles o'er, clamour for reform's reviving, 
 Promise unfulfilled regarding, ministers renew great striving 
 Peoples clamouring to allay. Foe politic quick conniving, 
 Measure's challenged, stayed, defeated ; o'erpowered ministry's 
 
 position's 
 Lost, and power's reins unregained till seven years enforced sub- 
 mission, 
 Constituencies minds enlarging, reinstates with deep contrition 
 Faithful-minded ministers, who, t'is felt, can mend condition
 
 4* 
 
 Of our country's failing prestige, once more gain it true position. 
 
 1859 
 Gladstone's finance deprecating ; country's armament opposing ; 
 1860 1859 
 
 Allies powerful in Lords finding ; Income Tax extension 'posing; 
 
 1864 
 For local taxes, burdened lands, wiser measures oft proposing ; 
 Challenged, government's strong powr's quickly showing weaker trait 
 And Prusso-Denmark's fickle Palmerstonian policy's weak state 
 Following augmented biings, rousing factions stern debate, 
 And proving Palmerstone's Lord's power weaker waxing than of late. 
 
 1866 
 Franchise Extension's Measure known, Disraelie's strongly 'posing 
 Gladstone's glowing oratory, and in pithy speech disclosing 
 Facts incontrovertible, which sternly, surely diagnosing 
 Ills it's 'wildering train's embracing, to oblivion it consigns
 
 42 
 
 With waning crumbling ministry: and life's path's yielding pleasant 
 
 lines, 
 When, country's helm again in hand, he into greater prestige climbs; 
 Well-earned applause past deeds upholding, and inspiring future times 
 Spent in God, home, country's cause, lessening trouble, misery, crimes. 
 
 Ambition's soaring, dizzy height, one last greater effort claiming, 
 Ere life's battle, nobly fought, prize his throbbing, great heart's 
 
 aiming 
 At has won; field news sought— found, and dismissed ministry 
 
 he's shaming, 
 When, new franchise scheme explained, opposition quickly taming 
 
 1867 
 Promised reform bill's safely passed. Country yielding loud 
 
 acclaiming 
 For success-crowned noble efforts, climax brings to life'slong dream
 
 43 
 
 In soul-stirred, thundering applause, and yielding him creme-de-la- 
 
 creme ; 
 Ambition's highest dizzy height, that brightest hope of brightest 
 
 dream here 1868 
 
 E'er attains, fulfilled the hope to Melbourne made thathe'dbe Premier. 
 
 Ambition's aims attained, requited, efforts purer greater spring 
 In his self-sacrificing mind; hands, country's prestige holding, fling 
 Heart, soul, life, in honour's cause ; Manchestrian Outrages' King 
 Vile durance in detention finding, Fenians still more outrage bring, 
 Till, England's prison walls' attacked, traitors meet their doom — they 
 swing. 
 
 Centuries of legislation Ireland's wrongs still unasuaging, 
 England's urgent business aside is cast, 'ere bloody, raging — 
 Revolution's flaming, fanned by Fenian orators rampaging.
 
 44 
 
 Disraeli ill o'ertaking, Gladstone's touching tribute paying 
 
 Th' premier, who heartfelt thanks to God returned for pain allaying 
 
 Nation's reins again firm grips, till Lowe, and Cranbourne's Lor< 
 
 betraying 
 Feelings biassed, 'tagonistic, manly stern rebuke encounter. 
 Then dissolved is parliament, and members new-found wisdom airing 
 Re-election's favours seek, victory crowning th' liberal daring. 
 
 1870 
 Fate uncertain, ever fickle, country's church affairs disturbing, 
 Disraeli's nobly fighting God's religion for, and urging 
 Crude, bad, legislation's staying, 'posing manfully, till surging 
 Comes Celts' churche's stirring question, Gladstone's graceful tribut 
 
 sent 
 For Church Bill's compilation, then — achieves Church Disestablish 
 
 ment. 
 
 Ireland's la lest land bill tested, passed, but weakly opposition
 
 45 
 
 feigning ministry encounters, till, Lot hair produced, transition 
 
 ]ornes o'er th' spirit o' the scene, then, Russia's ever 'gressive mission 
 
 Strong assailing Paris Treaty, meets his penetrating power. 
 
 Gladstone truckling Russia's failing, Black Sea's freedom marks the 
 hour, 
 
 iiVhen, Russo-German secret told, our orator's surpassing power 
 
 1872 
 
 [n Manchester's great city soared, vivid truths in mighty shower 
 
 On politic foemen pouring, till bewildered ministry 
 
 Country's deepest railing felt, and refuge sought in sinistry. 
 
 1871 
 &rarj Purchase Bill defeated, Gladstone politics abhorrent, 
 
 Advocates — by Lords' evading — in obtaining royal warrant 
 
 Army Purchase to make law. Disraeli pouring torrent 
 
 Of stern dignified reproach, is clearly proving national flaw 
 
 Exists,' when, House of Lords ignored, one selfish autocrat makes 
 
 law.
 
 46 
 
 1873 
 Ballot Bill contested, passed. Irish Education Measure 
 Sapping policy encountering's waking Premier's wild displeasure 
 At his party's cavilling, splitting. Division lost, his Irish treasure's 
 To oblivion consigned, and sunders rent in Whiggisin's power. 
 Torys, government declining, weak Whigs, failure fearing, cower 
 From country's troublous guidance; session, natural ending, dour 
 
 1874 
 Disaffection's ministry bringing; country's verdict sought, 'tis found 
 Gladstone's feeble hopes are shattered, Disraeli's life dream's 
 crowned. 
 
 Ambition's highest height o'erreached, his towering patriotic soul 
 A fleeting respite's proudly breathing, ere new parliament in shoal; 
 Measures welcome, wise is bringing, country's legislation scroll 
 On to inscribe, till old times fleeting, brings him to his final goal.
 
 47 
 
 Uountry's domestic, social ills, watchfully busy brain much grieving, 
 Needed measures freely aided, in such crying ills relieving, 
 And our nation's sanitary, social character retrieving. 
 
 Ritualism's crafty snares troubling, first attention claiming, 
 Public Worship Act's framed, passed, and Ritualism's flaunted aiming 
 In God's own true church is stayed, holy places kept from shaming. 
 
 Law, old endowed schools oppressing, modifying measures easing 
 
 Earlier useless whiggish thralls, legislation bad retrieving, 
 
 Then prorogued is Parliament, member's, rest, find duty pleasing. 
 
 1875 
 Seventy Five's great session come, quick sound legislation's teeming 
 Senate's wisest measures from; lightened hearts and faces beaming, 
 Tell of happiness anew pervading minds, progression scheming, 
 Till fruition high hopes crowning, certainly has ousted dreaming
 
 1-8 
 
 In Society s Friendly Act, Workmen — Employers strain relieved; 
 Public Health 's sound &upeYV\sioTi,Artisans J Dwellings ills retrieved; 
 Merchant Sh ipping' s humane measure; other laws e'en now concieved 
 In prorogation respite find, new session wait to be achieved. 
 
 THE OCEAN. 
 
 God's mighty ocean's solemn surging, reigns supreme, when zephyr 
 
 breeze 
 Tiny rippling, leaping wavelets, landward hurries from His seas. 
 Radiant mellow light is flooding, 'wildering ocean's bosom, main, 
 Briny's troublous billows cleaving; mighty ships in goodly train 
 On in stately grandeur steer, and phosphorescent glinting light 
 On ocean's troubled breast awake, as ever speeding thro' the nio-ht 
 They world's most rich productions bear, or nation's guarding, 'fend 
 
 the right.
 
 49 
 
 Sun's coruscating lurid disc sunk horizon's vast line below, 
 Twilight's deepening dreamy lights again o'er ocean's bosom glow, 
 Till Luna's shimmering mellow gleams 'mong gloomy darkening 
 
 night, scud, flow, 
 And evanescent dying day, dead, God's glorious night light's woo 
 His own well-fashioned elements, and night's startling mystery show. 
 
 Then mighty, vast, e'er surging deep's refulgent radiant grandeur 
 
 born, 
 Soothing soul-inspired dreamings, brings tired minds from toiling 
 
 torn, 
 It's vigour-breeding powers to woo, that health renewed may on 
 
 them dawn. 
 
 Here soul-rousing wondrous musings, restless minds from earth are 
 leading
 
 50 
 
 Ocean's expanse on to ponder, till, rest harrassed souls are needing, 
 On seas azone breezes borne, strength in shattered system's breeding, 
 And life's well-spring's ebbing tide staying in its fast receding. 
 
 Solemnly, wierdly, old times chiming, th' witching hour of night is 
 
 pealing 
 Out o'er ocean's troubled breast, when amid the darkness gleaming? 
 Looms a strange, wierd, ghostly craft, which, to haven's rest quick 
 
 steaming, 
 Wildering, wild commotion brings weary travel-stained, half dreaming 
 Journeyers, who waking, mingle helplessly 'mid harbour's streaming 
 Lights, and dazed, bedraggled, wan, conveyance seek to rest and 
 
 dreaming. 
 
 Burden ashore, commotion brief, then mariners quick gangway 
 clearing,
 
 5i 
 
 Joying, fearing freight anew, guide th' vessel on, while swaying, 
 
 rearing, 
 
 On th' pier side she throbbing grates, waiting but last kiss, clasp, 
 cheering. 
 
 Ere she again her course persues to her trusty helmsman's steering. 
 
 List ! hoarsly ringing o'er the bay, resounds the skipper's " haul 
 
 away ! " 
 And swiftly, fleeting dusky forms, on duty bent, loose or belay 
 Strand bound, tightened, creaking tethers, till, all clear, the word 
 
 " away " 
 
 Resonant sounds, then swaying, rumbling ; gently, swiftly o'er the 
 main 
 
 Out into the night she's speeding, perhaps ne'er to return again. 
 
 Briefly her glinting, fleeting lights o'er th' darkened, surging waters 
 loom,
 
 52 
 
 Then th' fainting, glimmering halo's lost, as on thro' night's dim, 
 
 wierdly gloom 
 
 Her way o'er trackless wastes she wends, to far-off lands, or watery 
 tomb. 
 
 Tingling eyes and weary brain, warning bring for bed to steer, 
 
 And last few whiffs of fragrant weed in space are floating, when dire 
 fear 
 
 Strong hearts with great throbbing's thrill, as hoarsly sounding thro' 
 the night 
 
 Comes a deep stentorian voice, which says : " Well Dick, she's strong 
 and tight ! " 
 
 " And my word, she'd need be, lad ; I'm darned if she won't have 
 
 queer weather 
 
 'Fore she'll near the land again, or round pier's bits her cables tether." 
 
 Hearts stand still, till lounging slowly, looms an old tar from the 
 night,
 
 53 
 
 Then crowding quickly, eager forms — faces ghastly with afright, 
 Questions plying — round him gather, the harsh, gruff voice in 
 
 answer tells : 
 " Dirty weather, haply a gale," and many a loving bosom swells 
 With trembling, anxious hopings for those whom coming storm 
 
 foretells 
 
 Danger on the mighty deep, that may sound some loved one's knell. 
 
 His frighting tale all told, the old tar, fills, then lights and puffs his 
 pipe, 
 
 Hands in fobs slow drops, and grunts, " God help those on the sea 
 
 to-night." 
 
 Ah ! e'en before the offing's cleared, a moaning, soughing, gusty 
 breeze 
 
 O'er ocean's surging bosom flows, freshening quick, till tumbling seas 
 
 Huge heaving foam-tipped billows 'come; still wind increasing, soon 
 a gale
 
 54 
 
 Into a raging furious storm has sprung, and swiftly in its trail 
 
 A roaring howling tempest speeds ; yet more wroth waxing, God 
 again 
 
 His almighty winds is loosing, bringing terrific hurricane. 
 
 Soon vivid lightnings flashing glare with startling brilliancy illumes 
 
 The turbid ocean; ponderous thunder, earth, sea shakes with crashing 
 booms, 
 
 And mighty rocks echoes resound, till ocean vibrates to her tombs. 
 
 Mighty rushing, howling, roaring, shrieking, bellowing hurricane 
 born, 
 
 Ocean's vast e'er whirling depths ope wierdly, till huge chasms yawn 
 
 In fearful turbid fury, engulphing mighty craft, till shorn 
 
 Of beauty; in the whirling blackness, like lost castaways forlorn, 
 
 They're wildly tossing, heaving, pitching, praying God to still the 
 storm,
 
 DO 
 
 And from ooean's grave to keep His race and ships till coming morn. 
 
 Nowturbid billows, mountains high, foaming, hissing sweep the main, 
 And seething, rushing, roaring masses mingled with great clouts 
 
 of rain 
 Ocean's expanse fiercely rend, till by wildest fury fanned, 
 In rolling, whirling, lashing torrents, th' cliffs o'erleapt, until the 
 
 land 
 With bounding, foaming billows reeks, while hurling wreckage strews 
 
 the strand 
 With many a corse and well-found ship, that but yestere'en proud, 
 
 grand, 
 God's elements calm peaceful rode, ne'er dreaming His almighty hand 
 Would such deadly havoc work, or such terrific power expand. 
 
 Ah list ! a faint dull thudding boom wierdly echoes 'mong the cliffs,
 
 56 
 
 And see ! a glowing streaming light thro' raging darkness shooting, 
 
 rifts 
 Night's gloomy darkening pall asunder, and in space ascending swift, 
 Exploding, sparkling brilliants showers, ere lost instantly 'mid th' 
 
 drift. 
 
 Soon streaming lights, and boom on boom, thro' darkness echo, and 
 
 illume 
 Night' fearful, howling, driving wrack, while lightning pierces to 
 
 its tomb 
 The reeking blackness, aiding eyes in piercing th' deep tumultous 
 
 gloom, 
 A fleeting sight o' th' craft to catch, that's swiftly speeding to it's 
 
 doom. 
 
 Hark ! swift piercing th' raging storm comes the Tocsin's ringing peal,
 
 57 
 
 And hurrying 'mid the gloomy night, dusky looming forms quick 
 steal 
 
 The street's dim flickering shadows 'mong, till out on th' blustering 
 beach they reel — 
 
 Gasping wrack-laden blasts amid, sternly determined woe or weal 
 
 God's raging elements to dare, and utmost strength put forth to save 
 
 The good ship's living, dreading freight, from a ghastly ocean grave. 
 
 Struggling, bending 'fore the blast, safely the life-boat house is won, 
 
 And quick, 'mid light of glimmering lamps, brave hearts her to the 
 beach have run ; 
 
 Here, grim rugged-featured forms, strength ply again, and yet again , 
 
 Till th' buoyant, providence kept craft, is urged on th' heaving 
 foaming main. 
 
 Tossed, hurled wild ocean's throes amid, briefly she's seen, then down 
 from sight,
 
 58 
 
 Deep in ocean's boiling vortex; swift she speeds thro' tempest's night, 
 On mercy's noble errand bent, while landsmen trembling in afright 
 Peer in the seething roaring gloom, and fearing, pray for morning 
 light. 
 
 As if in answer to the prayer, morn's softly spreading dull grey gloom 
 Flows thro' the reeking hurricane, until it's piercing rays illume 
 Ocean in it's wildest fury, portraying dreaded, direful doom 
 Of many a bold brave craft and form, whose corse or wreckage hath 
 
 bestrewn 
 Britain's iron-bound, wave-worn coast, or's tossing in an ocean tomb. 
 
 Morn's light swiftly spreading's seen; the illfated craft that yestere'en 
 From harbour into darkness sped, ne'er dreaming hurricaneher steam 
 And tough great strength would soon o'ercome, drifting her back, 
 until her beam
 
 59 
 
 'Mong jagged treacherous rocks was flung, and ended was her oceau 
 dream. 
 
 In buoyant beauty yestere'en, gaily she rode the boundless main ; 
 In helpless, dire distress, she now is vainly striving to regain 
 Shelter from the tempest's fury, yet amid its tremulous shocks, 
 Swiftly, surely cliffs she's nearing, soon she's crashing 'mong the rocks 
 England's iron-bound coast bestrew, and mighty sweeping ocean 
 
 mocks 
 Each puny struggle, in vain wrought, to free herself from cliff-bound 
 
 stocks. 
 
 On rock-bound fatal strand aground, helpless, in dire distress she 
 
 lies, 
 And bellowing, thundering, mountains high, swift havoc-laden wave 
 
 o'erflies
 
 6o 
 
 Her hull, till reed-like masts bend, snap, hurl ocean's boiling vortex 
 
 in, 
 
 And bulwark's tinder-like wrenched, torn, offswept, as tho' it ne'er 
 had been. 
 
 Soon, furious rushing mighty waves, stem to stern her deck has 
 
 cleared, 
 And the illfated craft rent, ripped, till jagged fissures gape, and 't's 
 
 feared 
 Into fragments she'll be dashed, ere mercy-bringing life-boat's steered 
 Her perilous position to, and drooping heart's to heaven reared. 
 
 But see I a fiery dull light's streaking thro' the murky reeking morn, 
 And swiftly o'er the doomed craft gliding, help bears to the courage 
 
 shorn 
 Few, who still in frenzy cling, to hurling timbers, hopes forlorn.
 
 6i 
 
 The welcome rocket signal's known, for toiling clingingly is seen 
 
 Writhing, reeling, half-dressed forms, who faltering creep the waves 
 
 between, 
 Then 'mid wrack and rushing sea are lost, and 'mong th' craft's 
 
 timbers dashed, 
 Till trembling shuddering horror creeps each watcher's soul about, 
 
 as splashed 
 The lee hurled driving wrack amid, they pitying wait her final smash. 
 
 One brave, broad-shouldered, cat-like form, with heroism grand, 
 
 sublime, 
 Pits life 'gainst raging elements, again and yet again, till line 
 By rocket apparatus borne, is held within his grasp a time. 
 Swift rifting deck his vision sweeps, then grey, stern, set in bitter 
 
 woe 
 His rugged seaworn face o'erclouds, for well his manly heart doth 
 
 know
 
 (n 
 
 That ghastly awful death rides rife, now naught's left th' line around 
 to throw. 
 
 Briefly he life's last hope doth grasp, then fiercely rushing water's 
 torn 
 
 Asunder frail planks where he clung, and hurling, crushed his 
 mangled form 
 
 In th' yawning, treacherous abyss, till, from vision's hurrying borne 
 
 As bold and brave a heart as e'er calmly strove to ride a storm ; 
 
 Again the elements he'll ne'er ride, until God's trump sounds judge- 
 ment morn. 
 
 See ! tossing, heaving mountains high, then pitching, sinking swift 
 
 from sight, 
 Scudding comes the trusty boat, that — ere dawned the morning 
 
 light- 
 Into the howling hurricane sped, daring it's fiercely raging might,
 
 63 
 
 From it's furious grasp to wrest the storm tossed souls whom tempest's 
 
 night 
 Of last despairing hopes has 'reft, till trembling, shuddering with 
 
 afright, 
 Frantic to any straw they cling, and bitter scalding tears start 
 From weeping soul-seared lost ones, who, in anguish wait God's 
 
 word, "depart." 
 
 Tho' whirled upon as mad a sea as e'er flew o'er the briny main, 
 Buoyant, bird-like, on she scuds, while oft the wind from out her train, 
 Foam-lashed wave in huge dense masses o'er her hurls, till down 
 
 she's ta'en, 
 But yet more buoyantly to rise, ready, eager for't again. 
 
 Steadily, surely, brawny arms the buoyant craft thro' th' tempest 
 urge,
 
 6 4 
 
 Till cliff's jagg'd, death-dealing edge she's nearing, soon she's tossed 
 
 'mid surge 
 Of mighty breakers, which in fury th' battered bulging ship doth 
 
 lash, 
 And — e'en while life-saving lines are thrown, bursts, shatters with 
 
 a crash 
 That — up the cliffs is thundering borne, and hurling wreckage strews 
 
 the main, 
 While many a wailing death shriek tells the sad dire havoc brought 
 
 in train. 
 
 Oh God ! now Thine hand stretch forth to writhing forms Thy seas 
 
 bestrew, 
 And from death Thine own ones snatch, that in future they may do 
 Thy will, and ill-spent, sinful lives forsaking, heartfelt thanks give 
 
 Thee
 
 6--, 
 
 For Thy saving heavenly love, in setting soul-bound sinners free. 
 
 Hurricane's whirling throes amid, wildly heaving, pitching, rides 
 
 The life boat, while keen visions search the foaming wreckage-laden 
 tide 
 
 A sight to catch o' th' ocean waifs, that, 'scaping treacherous rock- 
 strewn strand, 
 
 From tempest's grasp may still be snatched, once more restored to 
 sheltering land. 
 
 Few bleeding, mangled, gasping forms aboard from waters wild are 
 
 drawn, 
 Then briefly hugging th' fatal cliffs, till th' last poor lifeless waif is 
 
 torn 
 From out the hurricane's mighty jaws, she's shoreward speeding thro' 
 
 the morn.
 
 66 
 
 Slowly, willing hands and hearts o'er heavily plunging wave her 
 bound, 
 
 Till borne strand-lashing breakers thro', she plunging, grating, runs 
 aground ; 
 
 Quick, drenched, belted burly forms, heedless among the surges 
 splash, 
 
 And tenderly, yet firmly, bear ashore amid the breakers dash 
 
 The shuddering, frighted, senseless forms, saved 'mid the doomed 
 craft's final crash. 
 
 But yestere'en in darkness sped as fair a ship as e'er wind blew, 
 
 Yet now, from ocean's breast she's swept, and the appalling tale's 
 too true, 
 
 But few e'er pace the strand again of all her passengers and crew. 
 THE PASSENGER'S TALE, 
 
 u Well sir! we'd just the offing cleared, when passengers, inclined 
 for fun,
 
 6 7 
 
 A jovial song or two had sung, while some to play at cards begun. 
 The singing didn't last so long, ere small beads of perspiration 
 Pale dejected faces decked, and sent to berth robbed of elation. 
 A few lounged reading in th' saloon ; some paced the deck to catch 
 
 the breeze ; 
 And these were first to raise alarm by telling of the tumbling seas 
 That every minute stronger grew, till o'er the decktheyboundingflow, 
 And th' captain's deep gruff order came, ' all passengers must get 
 
 below.' 
 And below we sat and listened to the waves dull thudding slap, 
 Till, e'en sea-inured rovers ceased in fear their game of Nap. 
 Louder' came the tumultuous roar, and wilder heaving, tossing, 
 
 grew 
 The vessel, as amid the gale with such velocity she flew, 
 That bold brave men afrighted 'came, when — a mighty tremulous 
 
 shock —
 
 68 
 
 The vessel struck, and lurched her o'er, till trembling, half-dressed 
 
 forms quick flock 
 From out their berths into th' saloon; and e'en then grinning laughter 
 
 mocked 
 The huddling terror-stricken women, who, in dire distress, deep 
 
 shocked 
 The cool calm few, who, pitying the agony their faces locked, 
 Gentle tending, soothing gave, to allay the fears o' th' ocean rocked 
 Startled, bewildered, fearful hearts, who from sleep the storm had 
 
 knocked. 
 Ere long a tempest fiercely raged, and howling, shrieking onward 
 
 sped, 
 Till rushing waters thundering dashed, and ceaseless swept the deck 
 
 o'erhead, 
 While hurling wreckage rumbling crashed o'er th' plunging pitching 
 
 craft, till dread
 
 6 9 
 
 Made praying, shrieking, cursing rife, mingled the dying and the 
 dead. 
 
 Louder the raging elements warred, and wilder the dire abandon 
 
 grew, 
 Till horrible, ghastly 'came the scene among the up-pent frantic crew, 
 Who, hurling, flung about th' saloon, wildly clutched each other to, 
 Till some straining, maddening shock, sundering prostrates with its 
 
 blows 
 The wild despairing shrieking mass, and frenzy into madness grows.'' 
 
 t' Ah ! see that drivelling idiot, who, with gleeful sickening shout, 
 A bleeding, mangled corse close hugs, and grinning, twines his arms 
 
 about 
 His neck, till foaming, raging leaps, a maddened superhuman form, 
 That swiftly to the deck him dashing, is* by swift impetus borne
 
 70 
 
 With awful force among th' debris, then is mangled, writhing dashed 
 
 Where'er the labouring vessel wills, until shuddering he's smashed, 
 
 And gasping, quivering, twitching lies, his dying form with gore 
 o'ersplashed. " 
 
 " Oh God help the bitter woe, the stricken faces dewed with tears, 
 
 The nerveless, aimless wandering hands, telling of minds o'ercome 
 by fears ; 
 
 The frantic madman's shrieking yell ; the grinning, idiotic laugh ; 
 
 The mother's silent agony ; the bloodshot eyes, that drunk, still quaff; 
 
 The bleeding, mangled, shuddering forms, who — abandoned — lost 
 to hope, 
 
 Hither, thither, constant roll, too feeble 'gainst the storm to cope ; 
 
 The thoughts that lightning speeding surge in breasts of heart-wrung, 
 bold brave men ; 
 
 The anguished grief, that no tears knowing, sears the souls that 
 tears up-pen;
 
 7* 
 
 l'iie reeking pandemonium of Thy creatures in the storm-tossed den, 
 Before Thou oft such souls has saved, oh God! in mercy, save again." 
 
 " Ah list ! a grating bumping thud, and then a rumbling crunching 
 smash, 
 
 A trembling, staggering, twitching shock, and then a mighty ripping 
 crash, 
 
 Too well the deadly tale doth tell, that th' craft 'mong fatal rocks 
 doth dash. 
 
 " 'Twas then inn" owed the dull grey dawn, thro' th' hatch, that last 
 
 hope fled's unbarred, 
 
 And quick, mad, frantic rushing come dishevelled forms, blood- 
 spattered, tarred, 
 
 Who, for spirits wildly clamouring, panels smash, and undebarred, 
 
 In huge draughts raw spirits gulp, till drunken, senseless forms 
 bestrew
 
 72 
 
 And mingle 'mongthe ghastly scene, too horrible, 'ere came the crew.'' 
 
 " Briefly she bumping grinding grates, then heaving high, terrific 
 
 shocks 
 
 Her timbers ripping crashing rend, till firm she's wedged on jagged 
 rocks, 
 
 And seething, furious rushing waves are tearing, smashing her like 
 
 crocks. 
 One man — the coolest, calmest there — asked one o'th' drunken crew 
 
 to tell 
 
 Upon what rocks the ship was cast? And quickly, in blaspheming 
 
 yell 
 The answer came : ' On rocks that bound the port of ! hark, 
 
 there's the bell 
 
 For turning out the life-boat crew,' then reeling, shouted as he fell, 
 
 ' She'll have to come like lightning, or, by we'll all be goneto 
 
 hell." "
 
 73 
 
 " No hope? no, none; 'Oh God, we're lost! like electricity flew round, 
 Till haggard shuddering horror rife, deep heartrending cries resound 
 The reeking, charnel cabin thro', while curses bitter, loud, and deep, 
 With solemn tearful prayer mingling, makes the blood to curdle, 
 
 creep, 
 Till icy fetters clutch the soul, and strong men in abandon weep." 
 
 ''Swiftly the mighty thundering waves o'er her quivering timbers 
 
 rush, 
 Till ponderous, terrific comes the final crash, and waters gush 
 Her riven, gaping planking thro', then wild despair our murmurs 
 
 hush, 
 As wildly clutching, out we're hurled on th' seething, mighty rushing 
 
 ") main, 
 And many a wailing death shriek tells of those who'll ne'er see land 
 
 again.
 
 74 
 
 ' Whirling madly 'neaththe wave, something buoyant met my grasp, 
 To which I wild, despairing clung, until a giant-like clutching clasp 
 Wrestling, wrenched the plank I held, and fiercely seeming, from 
 
 me tore 
 The last frail hope to which I clung, then almost senseless, heaving 
 
 bore 
 Me from the raging element, oblivion came — I knew no more." 
 
 "In Morpheus' arms full restless tossed, surging come visions, till 
 
 the scene, 
 Wildly harrowing moves the soul ; again upon the cliffs I lean, 
 And ocean's furious expanse view, till, in horror clutched I seem, 
 And wake to find the heartrending sight is but repeated in a dream." 
 
 " Oh God ! what wondrous power is Thine, e'en ere to noon has run 
 the day,
 
 75 
 
 Thy hands the furious winds hath stilled, Thy sun hath rolled the 
 
 mist away; 
 And calmly the murmuring ocean lies, no fret o' foam-flecked wave 
 
 is seen, 
 While the wreck-strewn strand alone doth tell of the mighty strife 
 
 of yestere'en." 
 
 "Softly the glittering sunlight's splendour radiant beams o'er the 
 
 sparkling wave, 
 And sweetly pure wafts the noontide breeze, while the rippling 
 
 wavelets purling lave 
 The strand, and playfully toss 'mong the sea-weed, where in the 
 
 storm the lost ship drave. 
 Now in the noonday sunlight glisting, gauntly her splintered ribs 
 
 uprear, 
 And, as her fatal rest I'm nearing, many a sob and pitying tear
 
 76 
 
 Tell of the sad dire ghastly havoc worked 'mong the wreckage 'neath 
 her lee, 
 
 While the mournfully passing biers too sadly speak of the triumph 
 of God's sea. 
 
 Twined 'mong her jumbled spars and canvas, locked in their death 
 sleep mangled lie 
 
 Many a corse, gore-flecked, distorted, blanched haggard faces turned 
 to the sky, 
 
 Tell of the dire heart-rending horror that o'erswept the soul when 
 death came nigh. 
 
 Ah ! see that fair form, drenched, crushed and dishevelled, 
 In death e'en a smile calm and soft lingers there ; 
 
 See the babe that e'en now is close clasped to her bosom, 
 The seaweed entwined in her gold gleaming hair. 
 
 And look at the still brawny form lying near her, 
 So easy he lies that in sleep he's but seeming,
 
 77 
 
 f et, but one touch of the warm pulsing fingers 
 Tells the ope'd eyes are in death coldly gleaming. 
 
 ?oo sad is the sight, yet in pity I linger, 
 Fast crowding thought trusting God has in store 
 
 loom for them all in His heavenly kingdom, 
 Now earthly troubles and trials are o'er. 
 
 jift up the poor mangled corses gently, tenderly bear them away 
 from the wave, 
 
 movingly, close to the eyes dully staring, find them their friends, 
 then find them their grave; 
 
 ^eepingly place them in th' rest for the weary, let your hot tear s 
 their last resting place lave ; 
 
 C'en while the tears flow, pray for them lowly, kneel for them, pray 
 for them, trust God has saved 
 
 ^he souls in His wrath to Himself He has taken, the souls who to 
 death have His elements braved."
 
 78 
 
 " 'Then she was not well found, you say? ' 'That's it — she wert 
 
 a dashed old tub, 
 That if you'd scraped her sides a bit, and tar from rotten bottom 
 
 rubbed, 
 You'd quick have found how she were fixed — seen somethin' thai 
 
 you'd ne'er forget ; 
 Come guv'nor, these is dryish times, aint yer goin' ter stand a wet ! 
 Clink ! ' Then I suppose you thought her quite unfit to go to sea ? 
 Well guv'nor, now you just look here : she were loaded we loost 
 
 grain, d'ye see, 
 And when the hurricane struck her hard and tore her sails out 
 
 cargo shifted, 
 If her cargo had been kept straight, ashore yon craft would ne'er i 
 
 drifted.' 
 ' I suppose then when the cargo shifts the crew consider work ir 
 
 vain i '
 
 79 
 
 'Well guv'nor, no; but cargo shifted, vessels lurch, and oft they're lain 
 
 In th' trough o' th' sea till cargo's trimmed, more often, never seen 
 again.' 
 
 1 Then, do you think more keen inspection still required ? ' ' I do ; 
 in fact — 
 
 I think 'ted be a mercy if they'd pass another Shippin' Act ; 
 
 It 'ed save us many a sailor's life, and stop some well found craft 
 from sinkin', 
 
 Protect the under- writers too, they get swindled oft I'm thinkin', 
 
 By chaps 'et 'ed take yer eye teeth out, and show 'em to yer wi'out 
 winkin'. 
 
 A. darned rum thing them wessels is sir.' 'Yes, I think so ; ah — 
 
 good morning ; ' 
 
 ' 'Morning sir — I'll drink yer health — and better ships to th' land 
 we're born in.' 
 
 'Ted! yon' chap means knowin' somethin" 'don't yer know him?' 
 
 ' No.' ' What a spree j
 
 So 
 
 Whv that chap you've been talkin to is Plinisoll, t'sailor chap's 
 ' M.R; 
 
 And perhaps you'll not think it, Bob, but what I'm tellin' yer's a fact, 
 
 He's huntin' information up to put in's Merchant Shippin' Act! 
 
 1876. {Politic Continued) 
 
 Sparsely populated distriots want of education seeing, 
 
 Elementary Act is passed such evil to abate, and freeing 
 
 Rural boys from scarecrow's work, teach them why they have their 
 being. 
 
 Feeling India's weak controlling, genius ambitioned steel 
 Thither's sent, and Lytton' s Lord's pacific policy quick heals 
 Wounds brave Indian breasts in rankling, till, for ever, woe or weal, 
 
 England's Sovereign's Empress owned — or Emperor as time doth 
 
 steal 
 Along — and grim death's deadly scythe crowned head's requiem 
 
 doth peal.
 
 St 
 
 France's vaunted claim's annoying, touching Suez Canal affairs ; 
 England's purse strings wide are ope'd, ere ta-iff, grasping, hard 
 
 impairs 
 World's most mighty nations trade ; Frenchmen, baited in their lairs, 
 Disraeli's foresight own, when, four millions spent in shares, 
 England's prestige strong upholds, yields us claims as strong as 
 
 theirs. 
 Strong came the mouthing deprecation, loud blew the radical doubts 
 
 and fears ; 
 To scorn the master stroke was laughed: and yet, e'en those whose 
 
 noisy jeers 
 Were in their wild disclaiming loudest, praise it oft in future years. 
 
 Bulgaria's turbulent affiairs assuming aspects of ferocity ; 
 
 iEsop's frog-like, petty crime, into horrible monstrosity 
 
 Comes inflated, till rampant becomes the cry : oh dire atrocity !
 
 82 
 
 Power and prestige longing, Gladstone, here a way is quick descrying 
 The Premier's soaring power to 'bait, but the fame for which he's 
 
 sighing 
 In its tender bud's quick nipped, when in truthful strain replying, 
 Disraeli boldly tells : the Turk Bulgarian law upholds, 
 And mitigates to th' uttermost, the deeds a war of race unfolds. 
 
 Since manhood's nobly budding thoughts mVivian Grey knew life, 
 
 'twould seem, 
 Within his striving heart had dwelt a buoyant hope that held a 
 
 dream 
 Of honour latter years to crown ; his labours nearly o'er, a gleam 
 Of light o'er's chequered pathway's thrown, dreams flown, futurity's 
 
 unsealed, 
 Till prize his manhood's hope had longed, is grasped, he's " Earl of 
 
 Beaconsfield."
 
 «3 
 
 Frontier extending 'gressive Russia 'gainst the Turk old feud still 
 
 holding, 
 Longing her rich possessions for, propitious time is now beholding 
 Servia's dastard claims to aid, until her own schemes bear unfolding. 
 A truce to call, and peace maintain, quick Berlin's Memorandum's 
 
 signed 
 By mighty Continental Powers., yet England's Premier declined 
 Our honoured name on't + o inscribe; distrusting th' north's colossal 
 
 star, 
 Too well his fell intent forseeing, and it firmly to debar, 
 Strongly espoused is Turkey's cause, and thrown's our gauntlet to 
 
 the Czar. 
 
 Briefly raged the unequal strife; then loud for Russian aid did call 
 The nation, who — but Cossack helped — would never dare to fight 
 at all.
 
 S4 
 
 Soon o'er the frontier streaming haste Russian warriors, who've paced 
 Servia's boundary, but awaiting until messengers have raced 
 The Russian hordes to onward press, ere Servia's capital's menaced. 
 Swiftly the Cossack stream flows on, till fell invading Russian bands 
 Into a mighty army swell ; at last the Czar's exposed his hand, 
 And Russian diplomacy tells : the Bear, poor Servia's friend doth 
 
 stand, 
 Eager the Turk to th' death to fight, more eager to annex his land. 
 Fiercely the mighty struggle raged, till o'er a fallen foe did gloat 
 The wily Russian hypocrites, who, wrapped within religion's cloak 
 War's ghastly horrors had aroused, and almost tight grasped by the 
 
 throat 
 A nation who to death would fight, but whose exchequer conld not 
 
 float. 
 On came the crew of blood and iron, till th' cordon knot so tight 
 
 they drew,
 
 85 
 
 That grim death darkly lowering soared, t' engulph the last brave 
 
 handfull, who 
 Back on the menaced capital fell, to die for th' land they loved so 
 
 true. 
 
 Ah ! why delay attacking, why, desist when prize for which you sigh 
 Within your grasp is almost clutched, and conquering fire gleams 
 
 in your eye ? 
 Is't thinking prize so safe, so nigh ; is't gloating o'er them ere they 
 
 die; 
 Is't 'eause the murderous heart's grown shy, or carnage sick you will 
 
 not try ; 
 Is't 'cause you're tired and wanting rest, and strength reserve for 
 
 bye and bye ? 
 No ! comes the deep blasphemous cry, it's 'cause the Dardanelles ai*e 
 
 nigh,
 
 86 
 
 And British gun boats thither wait, eager the Russian strength to try. 
 E'en now — tho' dazzling prize so near — the British Lion's foaming 
 
 roar 
 Has into fury th' nation lashed, enough they shout, hold hard, no 
 
 more. 
 Tho' baffled rage the Bear inbounds, that warlike cry they've heard 
 
 before, 
 And know, should British Bulldogs loose, the bloody ground they've 
 
 marched, fought o'er 
 Our conquering army will bestrew, send th' remnant home worse 
 
 than before. 
 
 Towering passion's awful throes move e'en Russian hearts of rock, 
 As calmly, firmly, British power, the gates to th' final victory lock. 
 
 Grimly calm works one great mind, colossal Russia's power to stay,
 
 8 7 
 
 Till loyal patriotic hearts, in sympathy uphold his sway, 
 
 Bearing him on, war's strife to check, until triumphant comes the 
 
 day 
 When England's bravest hearts in-join, the Turk's last death throes 
 
 to allay. 
 
 'Gainst Russia's domain Britain's small ; but title Empress here 
 
 'twould seem, 
 Did for defence the nation weld, and Empress merges from a dream; 
 When India's warlike tribes, but sought, hordes of willing subjects 
 
 teem — 
 Their country's prestige to uphold, and freely o'er the ocean steam 
 Their sovereign's wafted will to work, and empire ' s honour to redeem. 
 Wily Russian diplomates little dreamed the power they fanned, 
 Till, our nation's courage stirred ; calm, six millions held in hand 
 Our ironclads Dardanelles commanding, Indian warriors near to land.
 
 
 Then — 'fore mightier power yielding — came the tidings, hand we'll 
 stay 
 
 Until Berlin's Congress tells the spoil our arms shall bear away. 
 
 Socm met the grave and learned few, and wisdom noble, grand, 
 sublime, 
 
 Calmly, coolly, like pearls fell from Senators, to whom old time 
 
 Had diplomacy's wisdom lent, and strewn their heads with winter's 
 rime. 
 
 Sternly each nerve and brain were strained, keenly each wily move 
 
 observed, 
 
 Nations honour, interest holding, judgment is yielded or reserved, 
 
 Uutil triumphant climax tells : our empire's honour all unswerved 
 
 Stayed is the grasping Russian swoop, and Europe's peace again's 
 preserved. 
 
 Who is't the daring bold hath shown, to challenge despot's mighty 
 will ?
 
 Sy 
 
 Who is't that tyranny hath mown, till rage the north colossus fills? 
 
 Who is't whose mighty intellect the brunt o' wisdom's fight has 
 borne ? 
 
 Who is't whose matured statesmanship the Turk from Russian jaws 
 hath torn? 
 
 Who is't whose name triumphant rings in every nation, every clime? 
 
 Who is this towering diplomate, whose soaring wisdom, grand ? 
 sublime, 
 
 Victoria's prestige has upheld, made Russian Despot's will to yield? 
 
 List ! loud a country's voice acclaims, Disraeli — Beaconsfield. 
 
 Back he came in honour's greatness, and in honour Tore him bow, 
 
 Hearts of an admiring nation ; naught can swell his prestige now, 
 
 Honour's pinnacle firm holds him, honour's laurels crown his brow. 
 
 'Twas he Berlin's great Congress swayed; 'twas A^the captive gave 
 release ; 
 
 'Twas he — tho' world against liim 'rayed — stayed Russia's frontier 
 line's increase:
 
 M 
 
 'Twas A<? whose magic wisdom's power, brought home prestige, 
 honour, peace. 
 
 LORD MAYOR'S BANQVET. 
 
 Glean from th' world's fatness the richest of fare, 
 
 Search sunny France for her wines the most rare, 
 
 Let the festive board groan till e'en monarchs would spare 3 
 
 A nation invites thro' her senior mayor 
 
 Her wisdom and greatness a banquet to share, 
 
 And he of the great the most great will be there. 
 
 Let wisdom and melody happiness bring, 
 
 Till echoes re-echo, and th' mansion doth ring 
 
 With welcomes and plaudits enough for a king. 
 
 In friendship and honour let ruby wine flow, 
 
 Till merriment care to the breezes doth blow, 
 
 And bright sparkling wit doth the soul overflow. 
 
 Let the toasts be our Empress, our Honour, our Homes,
 
 9 r 
 
 Our Princes, our Nobles, our Statesmen, our Tomes, 
 
 Our Army and Navy, wherever they roam 
 
 May success crown their arms o'er the land and the foam. 
 
 Ah ! the busy hum ceases, from whence comes the hush ; 
 
 Whence comes the heart's throbbings, the face's quick flush, 
 
 The thoughts that in anticipation quick rush ; 
 
 Whence comes the silence, whence comes the hush? 
 
 Listen ! a voice flows in calm even tones, 
 His good deeds recounting, till silence hath flown, 
 And huzzahs on huzzahs ring the roof to its dome. 
 It tells of his strife in humanity's cause, 
 Of a life nobly spent in compiling our laws ; 
 Of his firmness in causing the Russian to pause. 
 It tells of great nations who honour his name ; 
 Of his wisdom and strength in diplomacy's game;
 
 • )-• 
 
 Of his prestige as author, his Indian fame ; 
 
 Of his life-long good deeds, until voices acclaim, 
 
 And swelling in triumph, loud waxeth the din 
 
 When a nation applauds his great deeds at Berlin, 
 
 And proudly is telling of honour's increase 
 
 To our idolised statesman for honour and peace. 
 
 Calmly his proud honoured head is upreared, 
 Sparkling thought's magic stream smoothly doth flow , 
 Coolly he tells of the course that he steered, 
 Lightly he touches the route of the foe. 
 Manly he speaks of the fight that he fought, 
 Briefly relates England's honour unstained ; 
 Then came the sting for a foe laughed to scorn, 
 And scathing the barbed bitter sarcasm rained, 
 Rained from a soul that derisively held
 
 93 
 
 V foeinan politic, whose fuming wrath fanned, 
 
 flTould in his heart his life's viaster have felled 
 
 ?ron* his proud honoured place, and himself ta'en in hand 
 
 lis honour, his welcome, his seat at the feast, 
 
 lis guidance, his premiership of our land 
 
 :>riefly, in tones of biting scorn 
 
 Spake our honoured politician :-— 
 
 ' William Ewart Gladstone is 
 
 ^. sophistical rhetorician, 
 
 xiven full oft orally 
 
 ?o airing empty, vain pomposity, 
 
 A 7 hen inebriated mid 
 
 lis own exuberant verbosity. 
 
 fielding to him financial power, 
 
 fielding to him some good for th' nation,
 
 94 
 
 In its fulness too we yield him 
 
 His own self-glorification; 
 
 And if 'twill his conscience ease, 
 
 Yield thanks for th' name, 'Mephistopheles'. 
 
 > »> 
 
 Swiftly honoured favours shower, till gifts — ambitious youth ha 
 
 deemed 
 The pale of mortal grasp beyond — in quick succession on him teeme 
 Crowning in swift declining years the glowing visions youth h£ 
 
 dreamed. 
 Yet passive throbbed the sated soul, where in early manhood seeme 
 A golden halo would illume, and round him play while soul's ra^ 
 
 beamed. 
 Our Empress, ever willing to reward the Wise, the Noble, Brave, 
 Knighthood's highest honour, in the Ribbon of the Garter gave. 
 The greatest City worlds e'er knew, freely on him shed its power,
 
 95 
 
 At his feet its freedom laying ; yet still greater honours shower, 
 When England's Queen, in friendship, claims him honoured guest 
 
 within Her bower, 
 And Her Royal Self doth deign Her presence in his homely tower. 
 
 Courted, feted, honoured, loved, e'en enemies just tribute paying ; 
 Deputations, lauding parchments on him crowding, till displaying 
 Regal in its freedom soars, at last the world upholds his swaying 
 Genius, and its deeds extolling, life's ambition's zenith's 'tained, 
 Life's aspirations all achieved, its toil o'ercome, his acme's gained. 
 Now should the toil-worn world-tossed soul, in's last few fleeting 
 
 years dispose 
 At will life's swiftly ebbing tide, it's well-springs to revive, ere flows 
 Too quick time's surely speeding steps, bringing him to his last 
 
 repose. 
 But no ; borne on politic breeze come the tidings from afar :
 
 9 6 
 
 The Cossack cloth at Cabul dwell, and emissaries of the Czar 
 
 The rifling Afghans welcome hold, while Britain's commerce the) 
 debar ; 
 
 Thither an envoy quick despatch, or set in Afghan is our star. 
 
 Ah ! e'en before the frontier's crossed the plundering Afghans' guns 
 doth tell, 
 
 Wily Russian diplomacy's secret work is done too well ; 
 
 Our brave lads must to Cabul fight, or British power here's tollec 
 it's knell. 
 
 Nobly the thin red streak fought — died; freely the blood and treasure 
 flowed, 
 
 Like chaff the treacherous horde were swept to Cabul's gates, oi 
 
 down were mowed, 
 Till at our mercy stood the foe, and Britons, conquered grounc 
 
 bestrode 
 
 In triumph. Why the gleaming fire of hatred ? Why the batec 
 breath ;
 
 97 
 
 The longing for an Afghan foe to clutch, and crush to bitter death? 
 
 List ! a heart-rending tale of woe doth hither speed, and thus it saith : 
 
 Bloodthirstyfanatic Afghan troops — by Russian instigation stirred — ■ 
 
 Have Louis Cavagnari slain, his retinue are massacred. 
 
 Our enemy before us fallen, British colours proudly reared, 
 
 Scientific frontier line in hand, but Eastern trouble's feared. 
 
 Again our country's verdict's sought, and Ireland's voice — in evil 
 hour — 
 
 England's voting power swaying, Gladstone 'gain tastes sweets of 
 power. 
 
 Surely now life's labour's o'er ! Not yet ; the bright keen massive 
 mind 
 
 In harness to the end will run, still subtle, soaring thought's in- 
 clined 
 
 It's language glowing, free, to weave, yet still more good to do man 
 kind.
 
 93 
 
 Tho' past the span of life, again he'll literary pinions don, 
 
 His 'spansive magic thought to wield, till an admiring world dwell 
 
 on 
 His matured wisdom's farewell strains, embodied in Endymion. 
 Now calmly, peaceful, fleeting flow his few remaining sands of life, 
 And oft a leaden weariness, in warning tells the world's keen strife 
 Soon from his ebbing strength will fade, and he will join his God, 
 
 his wife. 
 Still politic combat's fire his frame can thrill, his mind can clash ; 
 Still his trusty colleagues at Bridgewater House feel's wit can flash, 
 And still his foes politic own his tongue can bite keen as a lash. 
 Yet manhood's sturdy vigour's flown, and swiftly fades life's pulsing 
 
 rill, 
 Till, diplomacy's bright star but flickers on the Ground Game Bill; 
 But tells, that Land and Ireland's Laws will future times in th' Com- 
 mons fill,
 
 99 
 
 Then came the sorrow-breeding news, our honoured Beaconsiield is 
 ill. 
 
 Round him loving hearts are hovering, gentle hands his frail life 
 tend, 
 
 Tried dear friends, while spirits cheering, silent tearful prayers ascend, 
 And anguished welling sobs oft speak of souls that in loving pity- 
 blend — 
 
 As the pulses flickering, fading warns, ere long must surely come 
 the end. 
 
 Longing, hoping, joying, fearing, swift ebbs, flows a nation's soul, 
 
 As tidings, sorrowing, cheering, drooping, ceaseless to its limits roll, 
 
 And whispered fears compassioned tell of life's stream murmuring 
 to its goal. 
 
 Swiftly, surely ebbs the life rill, yet no breath of craven fear 
 
 Ere his mighty soul is quailing now the angel death draws near ; 
 
 No ! calmly the swaying will still reigns, the soaring, master-minds' 
 still clear.
 
 100 
 
 Yet gently touched by God's dear hand, the soul oft heavenward 
 wafts a sigh, 
 
 The smile more patient, heavenly grows, the thoughts to God more 
 clinging fly, 
 
 And trembling utterance lowly tells, to work, I'd live ; God wills, I 
 die. 
 
 My chequered storm-tossed courseis run, my worldly trouble's nearly 
 oer, 
 
 Had I the course again to run, I'd run it true as run before ; 
 
 I am but waiting, longing now, to know my God still holds in store 
 
 In heaven's bright realms a place for me, and then I seek the un- 
 known shore. 
 
 Farewell my earthly friends, adieu ; one feeble grip each e'er I go, 
 
 Freely, with my parting breath, I thank my friend, forgive my foe; 
 
 I'm whispering childhood's prayers again ; how sweet they mingle 
 soft and low
 
 101 
 
 With strains from great Jehovah's host ; ah ! blessed God Thou'rt 
 there I know ; 
 
 Surely the angels won't be long, e'er with my soul thro' space they 
 flow. 
 
 Softly the glancing beams of morning radiant flow thro' the lattice 
 bars, 
 
 Flow on a face locked in death's embraces, not on the soul that's 
 beyond the stars 
 
 Feasting in God's own blissful mansions, welding his soul with the 
 
 hosts of the blest ; 
 
 Bear the cold clay away lovingly, gently, tearfully lay it too — home 
 in its rest. 
 
 Since childhood, he wisdom's weak tendrils had fended, 
 
 Tended and succoured its first tender shoots, 
 Till the wee knowledge-buds gently bursting ascended 
 
 From nature's mysterious wisdom-fed roots.
 
 102 
 
 In beauty and promise oped soul's brightest musings, 
 
 In loveliness sweet as the rose did they plume, 
 Till petals of knowledge his pathway were strewing, 
 
 And mind quick expanding bore loveliest bloom. 
 Yet e'en while the bright youthful visions were glowing, 
 
 Ah ! e'en while the strains of life's soft luring lute 
 His young throbbing heart with first sips were entrancing, 
 
 Sure set the bloom in its promise of fruit. 
 On times fleeting wings borne, full quick came the harvest, 
 
 And wondrous the greatness of fruit garnered in ; 
 Wondrous the soul's mighty scope in its gleanings, 
 
 Wondrous its fight 'mid the world's clanging din. 
 Wondrous the mind's dizzy fights in its soarings, 
 
 Too wondrous what man in a lifetime can win 
 In his firmness of purpose, his sure moral courage, 
 
 His strivings for greatness, his freedom from sin.
 
 103 
 
 Full oft in defence of the right were his aimings, 
 
 Full oft for his country his chequered career 
 The good fight had fought, until nation's acclaiming, 
 
 Had yielded the praises his soul held so dear. 
 Aye, oft had the master-mind, calm, cool, dispassioned, 
 
 In wise flowing language his enemies stilled, 
 Till the grand magic thought his wise brain weaved, had fashioned 
 
 The mind of his friend, or his foe as he willed; 
 And soared in its might, till a free rushing torrent 
 
 In magical soul's adoration had filled 
 The foemen, whose hearts wielded tactics abhorrent, 
 
 And who, when his light gleaming touches had trilled, 
 Would quail 'neath the darts of his soul scathing satire, 
 
 And mad 'mid their stripes, could their taunter have killed. 
 Too oft had his eloquent genius swayed them, 
 
 His 'spansive mind sneeringly dealt them a blow ;
 
 i<>4 
 
 Too oft his contempt, aye! and ridicule stung them, 
 
 His bantering railery hurt in its flow ; 
 Too oft had his sinister moods in their searching 
 
 His timely and exquisite judgment held sway ; 
 More oft had his scorn soared triumphant, till lurking 
 
 To th' marrow it sunk, aye ! and chilled every ray 
 Of combativeness, till 'neath his sarcasm writhing, 
 
 Dark hues in secret foes' mouths oft betray, 
 And torn by his torturing, bitter invective, 
 
 Soul's inmost workings are tempted to slay ; 
 While frigid, contemptuous smiling, stands he 
 
 Indifferent, awaiting attacks any day. 
 In false, safety's fetters full oft had he lulled them, 
 
 Then swooping, had startled, bewildered them all 
 By grasping the time, his rare ready wit told him 
 
 Intent should unmask, and dismay crown the fall.
 
 io5 
 
 Did the keen searching mind e'er see genius awaking, 
 
 Alike would he aid it in friend or in foe, 
 Till aspiring young hearts 'neath his flag were oft flocking 
 
 In sympathies, none but the genius know. 
 If e'er spent in weariness, energies flagging, 
 
 In colleagues tired hearts disaffection should rise, 
 In dignity rising, he'd chide their mind's lagging 
 
 With impassioned eloquent language, till flies 
 Contention, and genius-fired wisdom inspiring, 
 
 Hearts again welding new courage sustain, 
 Till from foemen politic oft victory's wrested 
 
 By eloquence bright as e'er eased or gave pain. 
 Eloquence roused at the call of their leader, 
 
 Whos'e brilliant orations again and again 
 New thought had inspired, and to victory led them, 
 
 Till 'ponents despairing were swelling his train,
 
 io6 
 
 And longing to feel but a tithe of the power 
 
 That torrent-like gushing, expanded his frame, 
 Till in thought o'er them all like a giant he'd tower, 
 
 While kindling enthusiasm bursting to flame, 
 Hearts and souls thrilled unto bold admiration 
 
 At wisdom, pure, god-like, as't welled from his brain. 
 Ne'er again will the sweet modulated voice grandly 
 
 Roll thro' the halls where in life he held sway ; 
 Ne'er will the truth-grasping mind he used manly, 
 
 O'ercome his foes till they fall in the fray 
 Like corn golden waving 'fore scythe of the reaper, 
 
 Or darkness, when pierced by the bright beams of day. 
 Again ne'er his burning words, searing, will anger, 
 
 Or glance of scorn gleam out his erebus like eye ; 
 Again ne'er his form move 'mid world's mighty clangour, 
 
 Again his keen wit ne'er triumphant will vie ;
 
 307 
 
 Ah no ! ne'er again the brave heart stern requital 
 Will tauntingly pour on his foes till they shrivo; 
 
 'Mid world's strife he's grasped every honour that mortal 
 Could crave for, till o'ercome by times sweeping scythe 
 
 Ripe, mellowed in years, the good fruit's to earth fallen 
 In wisdom and honour, as those fall who strive ; 
 
 His spirit has flown to the realms of its maker, 
 His name and his deeds to the end will survive. 
 
 Memory oft in its pleasant awakings 
 
 Tells of his patriotism, his aims 
 Noble and brave in the cause of his sovereign, 
 
 Till loyalty boasted, Queen, Empress acclaimed. 
 Tells of his strife in the cause of industry, 
 
 Till city and hamlet oft rung with his praise ;
 
 io8 
 
 Of his ne'er tiring will to spread civilisation, 
 
 And channels new ope to our o'erflowing tr£<jfo. 
 Tells of his purely wise delicate judgment 
 
 In peacefully steering our foreign affairs, 
 And calming long bellicose turbulent nations, 
 
 Who owning his wisdom, our interest made thoiTSr 
 Tells of his lofty and genuine strivings 
 
 To tyranny break, ease the yoke of the slave, 
 Till thousands on thousands of bondage-bound toilers 
 
 In freedom rejoicing, grew manly and brave. 
 How he defended the poor, weak, and lowly, 
 
 How he their cause through a lifetime had led, 
 And oft from his heart and his hand poured lowly 
 
 Heaven's own charity, giving them bread, 
 How^should his mind wake to treason or traitor, 
 
 The firm iron soul would quick dark lowering loom,
 
 109 
 
 And blending in heart's aspirations for country, 
 
 Traitor and treason consign to their doom. 
 How, of great nations, who prizing his honour, 
 
 With bribe ne'er attempted him foully to stain, 
 Too well inversed the pure heart abhorred truckling, 
 
 Aye ! knowing such insult swift hurled back again. 
 How, if the offspring of mind's deepest stirrings 
 
 Conviction reigned paramount, naught could him swerve ; 
 His great searching heart ne'er knew weak vacillation, 
 
 Conscience stern whisperings e'er guidance could serve. 
 How in His love for His nation's progression, 
 
 Ever he sought greater scope for reform, 
 And the good Ship of State steered through weak retrocession, 
 
 Till buoyant she rode throughout many a storm. 
 How, if an enemy strove to o'ercome him, 
 
 Nation upholding, he'd firm steer his course
 
 no 
 
 Thro' kindness, thro' overtures, foe still demurring, 
 
 Rout quick encountered ; for 'pealing to force 
 Britain's brave hearts quick their foenien would vanquish, 
 
 And right firmly fending, stay wrong in its course. 
 Firm 'fend the right till tranquillity reigning, 
 
 Home came triumphant victorious arms ; 
 In honour and bravely earned laurels rejoicing, 
 
 While welcoming plaudits e'en war gave its charms. 
 But now, blood and treasure in cause of the nation 
 
 May flow, aye ! and massacre's cold-blooded deeds 
 From mother earth sweep our brave lads, till elation 
 
 In Cossack heart throbs, while our panting souls bleed j- 
 Bleed for brave men, who their country defending, 
 
 Ever the fray's fiercest raging had sought, 
 Conquered and won, and triumphant returning? 
 
 No ! blood and treasure's shed freely for naught ;—
 
 Ill 
 
 Naught is the gain to the Nation or Statesman 
 
 Who Afghan and Northern Colossus defied, 
 Undone's their last work by a foeman politic, 
 
 And Cossack can England triumphant deride ; — - 
 While puny states, Britons like rabbits may slaughter, 
 
 Trampling, trail our proud colours in dust ; 
 England's brave bulwarks defeat thrice encounter, 
 
 And coward say "now come away! " and we must; 
 Must, while our true British blood's madly boiling 
 
 At Ministers' cowardly aims ; to avenge 
 The handful o'erwhelmed, who hard toiling and fighting 
 
 'Neath Boer rifles fell, and now cry for reveng3. 
 Revenge! would that Beaconsfield held reins of power, 
 
 Tho' alien in blood soon the nation would ring 
 With applause at our Triumphs, our Victorys, our Honour 
 
 Renewed, in our foes again feeling his sting ; —
 
 112 
 
 But no, he his resting, his labours are o'er, 
 
 Earth's monarch's forsaken for heavenly King. 
 As he lived, so he died, filthy lucre ne'er grasping, 
 
 No pompous honours for burial he craved ; 
 To his resting place no motley crowd were to tend him, 
 
 But tried ones he knew'd ponder oft by his grave, 
 And weep for the loss of a friend ever noble, 
 
 Weep, and thro' life bear in memory green, 
 A soul that from mind's early wakings had ever 
 
 Wrought for his God, Church, Country and Queen.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 ;59 
 
 MAR 419B4 
 
 Form L9-50m-7,'54 (5990)444 
 
 THE LIBRAKtf 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORSBa 
 LOS ANGELES {
 
 AA 000 366 645