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Through burnished portals in the west (') The alch'mist sun retires to rest ; Close wraps, around his glowing breast, A cloak of sombre cloud ; And, passing slow in smiles away, Retreating waves his magic ray : Straight, from his misty shroud Forth-starting, at that spell of might, Rise pillared shafts of golden light. I ,1, -i 1 I With ruby chapiters crowned : From corbells white, faint drap'ries green,' With purpling fringes, float between ; And mould'ngs, tinct with rosy sheen, The far horizon bound : Sapphire the dome which spans it o'er. Beneath, Ontario's waters lie. Reflecting, in their glassy floor. The shifting blushes of the sky : The glowing structure, fairy-reared, as fleet As fancy's dream, in glory stands complete ; Aerial temple ! Beauty's fate portrayed ! Born, but to die ! — unfolding, but to fade ! Slow dims the pile ; — ^its waning splendors peep. Through showers of pearly dew, that softly fall. In phantom curtains, from Night's noiseless hand ; Whose mystic touch Creation soothes to sleep. And, cradling Life on slumber's velvet pall, Silence enthrones, as monarch of the land. The breezes die ; — ^the lake lies calm ; — The Indian poplars breathe in bahn ;— • 9 Bat mnrmnring low each rebel rill Pursues its winding way ; As childhood, from his wanton will Debarred, will muttering straj. Till happier thoughts his fancy fill. And, from his heart, a joyous shout, In tuneful melody, rings out. As fast he speeds to play— The bat, on sluggish wing, flits by ; The marsh-frog's deep-toned lullaby Falls on my dreaming ear ; And, on the mind, come thronging fast Bright future hopes, — dark memories past,— - Tales of each by-gone year, — And childhood's dreams returned again. When Rev'rie's luring hand would trace Those weird, yet beauteous, scenes, which grace The legends of the Indian race ; Till, led by her, the forest glades I roved, with blushing, dark-eyed, maids, Or trod, with chiefs, the plain. 10 Then home those truant thoughts returning, My mind aroused to restless yearning For Fancy's hand, to rend away " Her muddy vesture of decay,"'* And free the shackled soul, 'lis done ! — she speeds her rapid flight On Fancy's wings, of shifting light, Bedewed with rainbow dyes: — Now cleaves the air, from pole to pole ; — Now floats, 'neath tropic skies ; — In Eden's bowers, Beguile^ the hours. By musk-wind fanned, on couch of flowers ;- Then seeks the west, The white-maned crest Of mountain wave, her steed ;— O'er forests dark, then wings her way, With lightning speed ; — Nor checks her course — nor brooks delay- Until, Niagara's flood beside, From high she stoops, to see. Poured, from the hollow of His hands, {( f Ik* 41^ ■«(-*»■'• m n Who the whole Universe commands, That wondcrous tide. Its seething waves, in tumult tost ;— Its silv'iy mists by rainbows crossed ;- Beauty — or Grandeur — all are lost In vague immensity. (*) *' Hush ! what sad dirge in murm'ring burden deep, Peals, through the wood's dim aisles, As, moan the wild wind's sighs round donjon keep— • Or long low strains of solemn music sweep. Through grey cathedral piles ?" Thus mused I on, — by Fancy wiled. Lingering along the mazy trackless round Of thought, till sense beguiled Saw from the cliff the headlong torrent bound. Then, like a city's distant hum At nightfall heard, those deep strains come, Awing the listening ear J Above, the blue skiffs coldly sleep ; Around, the pines in night-dews weep ; And slowly, o'er the rapt mind, creep m 1 1 :'!■"'■ { il r I ( 12 Heart-sinking thrills of nameless fear — And dread foreshadowings of ill ; — As, stealing round, the darkness drear Shoots to the trembling heart, a chill, That checks the life-blood's flow : How blest 'tis then, in snch an hour ! What happiness ! to know That sound declares, a Father's power To govern all below ! The self-same hand, that paints the flower, Rules too that earthquake-throe. t Ch^ Wl Thj Gr W But, not to savage ears the deep floods raise Hoarse-sounding anthems to Jehovah's praise In ceaseless song ; — to them, that tone Proclaims a gloomy spirit to preside, Rcignilig in peerless majesty ; his throne. The boist'rous billow, the unfathomed tide ; Enrobed in mist, he summons, by that groan. Id turn, each trembling nation, to provide — Doomed to his cold embrace — his bride, 13 Chosen by, vote — the fairoc*. id, Who sports beneath the dari pine shade The child of nature, wild and free. Graceful, pure, beautiful, as she, — Whose budding life has only been A happy thought — a fairy dream— A fleeting glance of sunlight sheen — A bubble bright, down Time's swift stream Fast hastening on, — so soon to be Lost, in that wavcless, tidelcss sea. That tranquil deep. Eternity. Long reaped the summer's golden grain ; Long faded autumn's dye ; Long ceased the youth o'er frozen plain On flashing steel to fly ; And, Earth awaked to life again. Beneath the genial sky ; — From hawthorn spray, When warblers gay. With glee proclaim the spring ; 14 In Fairy bowers, With wreaths of flowers, When Time hath crowned him king ; When buxom Nature's budding smiles Laugh out, in fragrant bloom ; And Zephyr's kiss the sense beguiles ; Then comes that day of gloom, And, launched upon Niagara's tide, Lovely, and young, the Spirit's bride Drifts to her Curtian tomb. Es Then came that Eve : — and twilight grey, In dewy mantle wrapped the scene. Slow stealing from the sight away The light, the sun's last quivering ray, Shed o'er the forest green. Then met the chiefs, — then round them slow Gnome-reared a sable rampart grew, Bounding, Avith denser wall, the view, As brighter stiU, each moment, threw The blaze its rud iy glow. ¥ 15 ^w Hovering along the verge of gloom, ; Eager to hear their chieftains' doom, I The humbler warriors roam ; As damned souls, on Fancy's sight Loom, in the pale, blue, fitful light Of Hell's phosphoric foam. But long they wait, — still, round the fires, In solemn conclave met. Those martial chiefs, those ancient sires, In silence give, in silence get The wisdom-shedding calumet. (®) Each on his neighbor turns, with questioning eye " Will none the stillness break ? Will none arise?" As silent all, as though the sacred lake (J) They cleft, with swift canoe. Fearing, by slightest sound, to wake To wrath the Maniton. For legends tell, that, o'er that tide In death'like silence you must glide ; 16 }.'■ '■ '■' l!l< Speak but a word — ^your impious boat, Those hallowed waves refuse to float. At length, an aged chief arose. Feebly and slow ; — for, on his head Depressed, and bowed, had Nature shed The weight of ninety snows ; His gestures weak, — his accents low, No more, his words, impassioned, flow. In glowing strains, along ; No more, a star to youthful braves. His crest of eagle plumage waves Foremost the foes among. Yet, of those younger waniors, none Gould boast such deeds as he had done. The legend told, with faltering tongue ; His trembling voice, in silence, clung To lips that cannot sound The words of doom ; — his heaving chest. Arms clasped tight o'er his throbbing breast, And, looks cast on the ground His inward strife proclaimed ; 17 And, when, at length, he utterance found — At length, his sentence framed — Faint from those pale lips shuddering came One word alone, By stifled groan Half choked the sound, — ^'twas Lena's name. Tearless he spake ; — then sank to earth ; — and they Raised from the ground their chiefs insensate clay, Forth, from his feeble body, the strong soul Had burst its way ; And, sternly battling for its proud control. Had loosed the silver cord, and broke the golden bowl.(') Four chiefs of note Wyandotte bare, To his lone tent, with silent care, — His lonely tent, — for sun on sun Had seen his children fade, Dropped, from the old tree, one by one, Like summer fruit decayed. — (3) Still pondering o'er the doom, then spoken. The crowd the stillness left unbroken ; B 18 Had but another Qame been breathed, A nation's shout had shaken the dim wood, And Passion from suspense unsheathed, Had flashed, till quenched in blood ; liut Lena ! — Lena die ? — that thought could tame E'en those fierce spirits, in their wildest mood ; Apart her sire, Oronto, stood, Well-known to Fame ; In council sage, — and, in the field A single foot of ground to yield. He held it shame ; Nor quailed before the searching eyes On him each anxious gazer turned, His glance of flame, But, seeming pity to despise. Cold as ice-min-ored planet burned. As firm he muttered " Good !" As mimic lightning flashed along ('") The guiding wire, to nitr'ous grain. Mine-stored, beneath some fortress strong, Stern — frowning o'er the neighboring plain, 19 Wakes, in her breast, the slumbering storm ; And, sudden, from her rocky throne She leaps, in wild, fantastic form, To Heaven driven ; — So, Lena's name alone. With Love's strange magic power embued, [Long held those savage minds subdued — For all had loved her — till Oronto's word, Where sire gave place to chieftain proud, Electric flashed along the crowd, And their stem natures stiiTcd,— Then, quick aside each cumbering trapping flung, In dances weird they plied each active limb ; But, when their shouts in discord wild had rung, Waking each echo through the forest dim ; In softer strains, the dark-haired maidens sung, Chou-ing the Manitou in wonted hymn. Then low, the fairest of the train. In mournful tones, began the strain- Plaintive and slow, Her accents flow. — 20 Thus sweetly sad, the mnnnuring, When, sighing to iEolian string. E'er passing on, . ; ^ . . The lingering breeze is whispering, " I must be gone." — .. , ,, ... So faints her voice. — ^Then, rising wild and shrill , Through shrinking hearts the death song's echoes thrill, As moaning for the fickle, wanton gale, , ^ Shrieks to the wind the harp's regi'etful wail. In tears the maidens cease their song ; Echoes awhile the strain prolong, In measure sad and slow ; .. ,, On Zephyr's wing they float awhile, Hovering along each forest aisle, In murmurs faint and low ; That spell had hushed the listening crowd ; Each timid maid, each warrior proud. Now turned to see How still — how firm — Oronto stood In lonely majesty ; — As, some old monarch of the wood, • ;: 21 Grasped by the strug;;ling squall, Still calmly mock his baffled foe, Before whose arm of prowess fall The forest-giants low; - ; But ill his troubled soul could brook The wondering vulgar's pitying look, For, those sad notes — in softly dying, — Like summer winds o'er ice-brook sighing, (") Had slowly waked, to faint emotion, That cold, calm spirit's frost-bound ocean ; . •' And, as in some deep, land-locked bay, O'er the smooth surfaqc lightly play Quick, fitful blasts,*^th^ pass away, And all agai|i is still ; ,,v' So, o'er Oronto's placid brow Tremors slight are straying now. Nor, Or'en his iron will Can, to his wishes, make them bow, So great his load of ill. „*.I/**'..„^.^>*.^A** *^-*%, 22 l! I- ■ i He turned to go ; before his stride, (•') Like waving grain the crowd divide ; He passed them silent by. Firm was his step ; — his bearing high ; Like lightning flashed his eagle eye, As, scorning sympathy, He wandered forth alone. But, when he reached the shady dell. Embowered the home he loved so well. As, phosphor, kissed by wanton air, Bursts forth in flame ; With melting spell, o'er cold despair, Sweet home-thoughts came, Wringing from his stem heart a groan. As pealed, in misery's piercing tone, — In sorrows accents wild — With deep-drawn sob, — ^with stifled moan,- His cry, " My child ! my child !" * >$ ^ —^.^ ^_«^-« .» .^ . ,^.* ,_ # *K rf "* -^ ^^**«»,„/^.^ .* . -•. .._.-'*V^»,„^ Twas a deep, dark, sequestered glen ; A brooklet wandered through ; Here, far removed from haunts of men, Abode these fated two ; Around the lowly wild-flowers bloom In dyes of every hue. While cedars dark, and maples, wove A leafy canopy above ; And, floating down through ether blue, The straggling gleams the moonbeams threw, ninmed t(\e dark alcove ; And lit, with glances pale, the gloom, Guiding Oronto's footsteps true. •-"i With quickened step he onward trode, Until he neared his rude abode, Then checked his sounding stride. And noiselessly his footsteps fell. As, stealing to the side Of her, the child he loved so well, ^ •V'^'-'N ■■■ " 24 He stood in silence there, With frowning brow — ^with lip compressed — And hand tight clenched, and heaving chest ; And viewed the sleeper fair, Till, one by one, came trickling slow The large, round tears — as winter snow Dissolves before the spring sun's glow. ^Still Lena slept — but she had twined. In strange, ill-omened glee, A wreath, had she her fate divined, A fitter could not be. — That garland pale, of death -flowers, round (*') Her ebon locks her fingers wound Prophetic of her destiny ; And, to her seer-sire's eye she seemed, As, on her form, the pale moon beamed, A vision bright — A shadow fair — Some fleeting phantom of the night — Or creature of the air. »«T»A , 25 "I And back to memory rushed the day When his loved Calma, bleeding, lay ; A foeman's shaft had pierced her side, And life was ebbing fast away ; Now fainter flows the crimson tide ;— Now fades her eye's bright ray ; — Now death has claimed Oronto's bride- The grave her senseless clay. And shall he also be bereft Of her, his only stay — His only tie to earth that's left, "Why he should there delay ? *•'* ,8 ■ Sweet smiles round Lena's soft lips played ; She wakes to life once more ; A lovely flower, — doomed soon to fade,— A green bough, — from the old oak cleft. Where fresh it bloomed before. Then slumber's seal her eye-lids left ; Each silken lash uplifted slow ; As if unwillingly displayed The deep, dark orbs below, 'fi 1. 'V' i • 26 I 1 i Then languishingly fell ; But ope'd anew, Unveiling glances bright to tell Her sire's tall form she knew. Quick to his loved embrace she flew ; Her arms around him twined. And he his child as fondly clasped, To his stern heart more firmly grasped. As, on his breast reclined, Fast, to that listening warrior bold, In accents low her dream she told. " To-day, I roved our woodland bowers, With fearless step and free ; O'er me they wept, in dewy showers. Till, diamond-gemmed, my crown of flowers. Sparkled through the noon-tide hours, A melting galaxy. fv«^.*.-: x%^i:\':z :^'.'y^v:^i 27 " Weary, at length, and tired with play, I sought my wigwam home ; On couch of sassifras I lay, (}*) Till slumber lured my thoughts away. Far, in dream's wild maze, astray. Through fairy lands to roam. 1 " Father ! I wandered, far away , To spirit-realms bright ; — There deer, in countless numbers, stray Through forests dark, — ^*mid blossoms gay, — Time is there one glorious day, — No clouds obscure the light. J ** There beauteous birds, on Iris wing, Float 'neath the pine-grove's shade, Whilst the gay, warbling strains they sing. Through leafy alcoves joyous ring. Carolling eternal spring In autumn ne'er to fade. ,", .^'^^•"V.^^.i ii 28 'I " For slumber-sent, there came to me A fair form, in my dream — A fair form, such as oft I see, When, crowned with flowers in maiden glee, Bending, by the bank, my knee, I gaze into the stream. il J t uV { if "Father! she laid her hand on mine ; Her touch was cold and chill ; Airy her form, as beams that shine Through the dark foliage of the pine. Where o'erhead the boughs entwine ; Her voice like murmuring rill. . " • Follow !' she said, distinct but low ; I could not but obey : Her form more misty seemed to grow, As, hand in hand, we silent go Through the wood, with footsteps slow, Until we reach the bay. - . k .. ,• .f »--. m^<^. 4. , ► ,» /T iv v. » ii ..« 29 ** But there, within the little bay, — Where, o'er the pebbly strand, The circling eddies heedless play — A white canoe, unfastened, lay, Reckless of the current's sway, Unsteered by mortal hand. " Yet, when we gained the pebbly strand, Beckon'd my spectral guide ; And, swiftly came, at her command. The fairy birchen bark to land ; Then within we took our stand, And launched upon the tide. " First, motionless we seemed to lie, E'er yet we felt the tide ; Then, fast and faster swept we by Isle after isle, more rapidly. Lightning-winged we seem to fly. As down the stream we glide. 1^ u \ 30 " The laughing rapids kissed our prow, In glee " Why paused she then ? W hat gems Night's bosom now ? 'Tis not the roving firefly's light!— Gleam not the eyes of wolves so bright ! — Such beams the pine-wood torches throw ! It is ! it is ! their ruddy glow ! — And, hark ! the tread of men Now comes the glen along, Measured and slow ! While faint, — at times in distance dying, — From far the winds of night are sighing The echoes of a song. T II Sprang to his feet Oronto then, Intently gazed he down the glen, While Lena, trembling at his side, To lure his look a moment tried, By gentle wiles, in vain ; 31 Then whispered, " 'Tis my bridal train ? My brave Wenonga's there ?" Oronto turned, and sternly smiled, — A smile of cold despair, — He knew the band of doom. — " Death will thy bridegroom be ! my child ! Thy bridal couch the tomb !" He said, and clasped her to his heart, One fond embrace before they part, And vanished in the gloom. ii| Fixed Lena stood — into the night's obscure Bending her eager gaze, as though She hoped, with serpent eye, to lure (•*) Some fluttering omen of her coming woe From out its shade ; And, by that aid, From Fate's yet hidden scroll to read. In the dark Future's dim, mysterious page, The yet-to-come, unalterably decreed. Then Pride and Fear engage h I 82 ' i, i| 'i ll In contest, for the empire of her mind, The victor, pride ; — and, when arrive the train Of warriors stern, and maids ; they find Lena, composed and cahn ; resolved, no stain Of craven fear shall dim the dazzling fame, The glory-halo of Oronto's name. With smiles she greets the crowd, — they pause A moment, wondering at her courage high, — Then racks the ear of night their hoarse applause, And, starting at the sound, Flushed Lena's cheek, — ^bright flashed her eye — Proudly she glanced around — And firm her step, as, sweeping graceful on. She led the way Along the path, until before them shone, In wanton play, Breaking the flood of golden light, With sparkling plumes of silver bright. Those crests of spray ; The kelpies white, of fairy theme, Sporting adown Niagara's stream. Beneath the moon's pale ray. 33 1 uei e stopped the band ; with silent care they drew From close concealment, where the cedars grew Kissing the stream, the sacred, white canoe, And launched it on the tide ; AVhile, dreading lest the bark away should float, Two chiefs of note Knelt by its side. With measured steps and slow the maids began The sei-pent windings of the mazy dance ; But swifter, swifter still their circles ran. Till but one orb of flashing white you scan, As by they glance. Sudden they stopped, as if had met their view That fabled head, 0^) each gazer turned to stone, So still they stood ; Forth from the wood Advanced a queenly maid, alone ; Dazzled the eye her robe of rainboAv hue, And thus she sang, in gay and warbling tone — c 84 I.-' " Blossoms gay to thee we bring, Brightest flowers of early spring, Lend, lend thine ear ! To thee our Pcean softly sing, Manitou! hear!" I<1 i The while she sang, into the white canoe. In fragrant showers, with lavish hand, she threw The rifled treasures of the floral plain. Gemming the stream the maidens strew Blossoms bright, of every hue, Bediamonded with midnight dew. And thus take up the strain — " Mighty spirit ! hear our prayer, Thee we give these flowerets fair ; Guard our tribe with parent care, Manitou! hear!" They ceased ; a matron then her part began, And thus in mellow tones her accents ran — 85 " Brought from out our ganiered store, Fruit the childing autumn (>7) bore, We give thee here. Oh ! hold thy shield our braves before ! Manitou! hear!" Whilst yet her lingering notes around remain, Borne buoyant on the billows of the air, Till, breaking on some hill, sweeps back again On echo's reflux tide, the lessening strain. In fainter, softer sighs. E'er yet the sound's last npple sinks and dies. The matron chorus' deep, rich tones arise In tuneful prayer — " Mighty Spirit ! hear our cry, Watch us with a favoring eye ; Harvest rich in time supply, Manitou! hear!" U 'Tis silence now ; forth from a cedar bower, In robe of spectral white glides Lena on ; So still — so calm — ^you well might deem the power Of music's spell had, in that mystic hour i i \ 'I 86 h ! i| 5 I Lured from the stars some phantom child uf niglit, Or moulded from tiie mellow besims that shone Down from the palo, chaste moon, that form of light, So noiseless steals she on, as scarce could one Of mortal frame ; nor gives of life a sign, Save where her passing foot has dashed the dew From those bright cups, the Hebe of the Sun, Swart Night has filled ; humbly to earth incline The fragi'ant flowers their crowns of varied hue, And worship as she passes, awe-oppressed. Whilst plaintive sighing to the ear of night, Matron and maid in symphony nnite To sing the gift of beauty, brightest, best — " Brilliant though these flowers may be, Bright these fruits as eye can see. Yet lend thine ear ; A fairer fjir we gi'ant to thee, Manitou ! hear !" Whilst echoes yet the lingering strains prolong. Matrons and maids alike take up the song. And join in cadence deep the listening throng. ST "Mighty spirit! to thy side Lights this luiduight moon tliy bride, Wafted on Niagara's tide ! Munitou hear !" • Soft fell the dirge, as Lena slowly drew Nigh to the bank, and in the Avhite canoe Stepped light and gay, Fast o'er the Avaves her swift bark fleAV ; And, smiling back her last ndien, She gleamed away. Away she glides — why dies upon the tongue The whoop, half-breathed to the ear of night ? What can around those soaring sounds have Hung The chains of fright ?('*) Why bend they not their gaze where, wanton tost, On heaving waves, floats Lena, loved nd lost ? Why strain they thus the eager listening ear, If not her paddle's fainter stroke ' ( » hear ? No crest of sparkling foam, that line of w hite, That down the flashing cun-nt speeds its flight ; >i J !^ / / f ■ in I wm -i^m 38 hi i • I a ii' f A birchen bark is shooting fleetly past, One longing look the wondering crowd have cast ; Oronto's hand the paddle plies, They hear each deep-drawn breath Before each stroke as faster flies His bounding bark to death. On ! on ! brave sire ! one moment more ! Check not thy fleet career ! Thy darling child is close before ! But death — death, too, is near ! Put forth thy strength, strain every nerve, Be every sinew tried ! Strive, strive ! her bark is on that curve Where stops the shuddering tide, As if from that dread leap 'twould swerve ! Strive, strive ! thou'st gained her side I Quick from those mutual eyes have shone Deep looks of love ; and ye are gone ! Whilst from the forest arches swell The warriors' shouts — a stern farewell. 39 Tig o'er— kind night upon her tranquil breast My fevered Fancy gently soothes to rest, My thoughts no longer roam ; Dian sinks slowly in the West, While from the star-gemmed sky That calming spell falls silently, Whose magic potency confest, I rise, and seek my home. L»-*-»"-,».^».- / ^^..■* -* *— •■« '^ '^~'- *-*^ 40 WESTWARD, HO! WRITTEN ON BOARD THE "INDIAN," JULY, 1859. Why will ye, breezes, thus imkind, Our homeward course delay ! Oh ! haste afar ! thou Westeni wind. To Western wilds away. But hither, from thy Orient bowers. Fly fast thou favoring breeze ! Spring from thy couch of fragrant flowers, And seek these Western seas ! For other breezes fail, Or else are adverse found ; Oh ! haste thee, fill our sail, For we are homeAvard-bound ! Depart the Baltic's frozen strand ! Forsake Italia's plain ! From dread Sahara's burning sand Hie to this "Western main ! '-'^■■••'^•■""\W 41 Leave off to toy with Persian girls, To woo Circassian beauties ; Allow to rest their raven curia, Thou'rt called to sterner duties ! For other breezes fail, Or else are adverse found ; Then haste thee fill our sail. For we are homeward-bound ! ft Oh ! homeward-bound, for home, sweet home ; Oh ! hearts and homes for ever Loved spot ! from thee, where'er I roam. No j)ower my heart shall sever ! Our bark fast-fleeting moments bring • Nearer the >vished-for shore, And fancied tones are echoing Oh ! welcome home once more ! Then let no breezes fail. Let none be wanting found ; Haste all to fill our sail, For Mc arc homeward-bound ! i^y 42 THE MEETING. It is the hour — it is the spot, The shady walk— sequestered grot ! As gaily woos the wanton breeze The trembling leaves of aspen trees, As fast the sparkling fountains flow As when we parted years ago. ..# And is that scene by me forgot ? Think'st thou that I remember not Thy burning blush, thy stifled sigh, The tear-drops glistening in thine eye ? Telling, what they'd no need to tell, Thou'dst loved me long, and loved me well. My form thy curious glances scan : The boy has ripened to the man ; ^fe. ■i- 43 Yet still as strong, as fierce, the flame Of that boy's love burns on the same ; Time has but heightened all the charms I then clasped budding in my arms. Again thine hand I fondly press, Again receive thy shy caress ; Again my vows I whisper low, Again thine eyes thy transport show ; Once more mine anns around thee twine, And clasp thy throbbing heart to mine. Thus, loved and loving, we'll grow old. Nor in the grave shall love grow cold But if love can outlive the tomb — If when has passed the day of doom— Our earthly loves again we see, Our love shall last eternally. 44 EASTWARD, HO ! •^ r I ; O'er crested billows, gliding free, Our gay bark dances gallantly, Fast speeding on her watery way; ^V mimic avalanche of spray Falls ceaseless from her rajjid prow ; In fairy domes of crystal bright Imprisoned zephyrs meet my sight, Fast floating far away. I dreamed, within those bubbles pent, To many an absent one was sent Sighs, that many a fair breast rent, And flushed the brow. Leaning her head upon her hands. Far in the stern, a fair girl stands ; .»•■*»,•. ><>ik.«.,.-^ »^i 45 O'er her pale check, in fitful play, Aurora-like faint blushes stray, And come and go incessantly ; Strangers may gaze, she heeds them not, Place, space, and time, alike forgot, Her thoughts are far away, And, homeward, towards the setting sun, By love inspired, like light, have run, Back to her loved — her absent one, Across the sea. And one is leaning by her side, Who long, but all in vain, hath tried. By merry tale, or jesting gay, , To lure from gloomy thougivts away, His darling cousin's anxious mind ; And strives, and strives, but strives in vain To ease her grief — assuage her pain. Her frequent sighs betray That far, f\ir o'er the ocean's foam, Love-winged, her wandering fancies roam, To him, whom in her western home She left behind. 4G TO A CANADIAN FRIEND. 11^ OK HER RETURN HOME, OCTOBER, 1857. A gleam of joy your presence brought, A glimpse of home it gave ; A spot my eager fancy sought, 'Xeath dark pines stretched in wild array, Beyond the ocean, far away, Beside Ontario's wave. The bay's encircling arms enfold, Unmoved by aephyr's sigh. The throbbing lake, bedecked in gold, And, with the varied shifting hues. The sun's soft touches round diffuse, Gay tints of autumn vie. 47 Doomed to no dreary exile here, Yet, still each well-known name, Like sweetest music, greets mine ear, Alas ! the strain in distance dies Vainly I long the notes I prize From silence to reclaim. 1 f i 48 1 IMPROMPTU. ON PRESENTING A BOUQUET OF WILD FLOWEB& Whekk the wild rose a bower of the thicket made With wreaths of Avhite and red ; Where the bhie-bell drooped in the hazel shade, • Like a mourner o'er the dead ; Where Avith oak, and beach, and rowan crowned The rocks o'er " Ess na Lara" (•^) frowned ; Where fenis their plumes Avere waving round, These flowers my wandering footsteps found. Where the primrose gleams through the long rank grass, like a star behind a cloud, A moment I pause, as I swiftly pass, To snatch it from its shroud. These flowers may fade, their bloom decay, ', Time mj^ tlieir fragrance waft away ; To-morrow may wither the rose of to-day ; But a leal heart's love will last for aye. •• 49 TO LOVE YOU FOR EVEII. [\> love you for ever, my doom is decreed, AMiethcr kindness or hate you display ; A slave to your wishes, a friend to your need, With a zeal that must never decay. / Bright dawning on me you awakened my love, Fancy painting you stolen away, / A spirit of light from the realms above, / To be loved here for ever and aye. /' / rass. Each kind glance you gave then to me was as cheering As to darkness the da^vn of the day, Or the queen of the night in splendor appearing. Through the clouds that long shaded her ray. But there lieth no life in the cold moonbeam Each fair blossom to save from decay : Without hope from your love, still smiling must sewi) The chilled heart, loving ever and aye. I 50 The (lark pjill of doiiht has my heaven o'ercloudod <^uite ocliiisin;;' the splendor of day; Despair's gh)oniy mist from my hanging eye shrouded, y\y bright poh^ star's hist (piivering ray, (fone (hirkling a(h-ift on life's troubV<)iis ocean, Hndely rent from Hope's anchor away, The wrecked lieart, now rocked l»y each transient emotion. Soon shall perish for ever and aye. Hope whispers, " Tlirough clouds brooding gloomily o'er von Some faint beams from some planet still stray ; Am))ition'8 proud course lies inviting before you. May Fame's laurel await you ! Away ! Your soul from life's battle may march out vic- torious. And, striking her time-worn tent's decay, Shall be Avafted afar to those mansions glorious Where the blest love for ever and aye !" I 51 >(3, ent lily vic- TIIE MAPLE \YREATII. Long, long may bask i.ld England's shore In golden fortune's smile ! Long, long the hardy sons she bore Still love the dear old isle ! Uaj links of love from England's plain, From Scotland's blooming heather. And Erin, form the living chain That binds our lands together ! Love-welded 'cross the ocean wide, Strong may it stretch for ever ! That Gordiau knot, so closely tied, No bright sword e'er should sever ! We need no friends, we fear no foes ! Fling terror to the wind ! While maple, thistle, shamrock, rose, In friendship's wreath are twined. But seek not ye those ties to break That bind our land to you ; 52 Dare not your guardian post forsake, Drop not your sword so true. Yet laurel-crowned Fame points out What deeds our sires have wrought ; Rebellion's death, {^^) invasion's rout, The lesson well have taught, That, prompt each loyal thought to feel. Each foreign foe to quell, Our hearts aie fire, our swords are steel, Our hands can wield them well ! And but ye dared our aid to slight, ('•*') To pass our proffers by, Ye'd found the maple in the fight A wreath of victory. We boast that good old Saxon blood Runs redly in our veins ; The blood that tyranny withstood, And England freed from chahis. We claim as sires the victor few Of Cressy and Poictiers ; .1 58 Our arms as strong, our steels as true, Our hearts as void of fears. And boast we, too, those stern old sires, ('^^) The faithful and the free, Who kindled up the slumbering fi: 3S Of England's liberty. And still at times we hear a tone ( )f thunder from their graves, Should Freedom's guards have drOAVsy groAvn- " Rouse, Britons ! be not slaves!" If danger threaten in the broil, That's menaced by the Gaul — If foreign foot pollute your soil We're with yon one and all. Then through our laud the patriot cnll Shall fast as lightning spread. And echo from the hearts of all In tones might rouse the dead. *' Each plough be in the furrow stayed. Our crops unrcaped may stand, 54 Fling down the axe, and grasp the blade, And strike fur latherland !" Oh, then, until Ave meet your foes, Too slow the fastest wind, Till maple, thistle, shamrock, rose, In victory's wreath are twined. 55 THE STEEL-SHOD HOOF OF THE ROVlN(i STEED. The stccl-shod hoof of the roving steed Of the Nvaiulerhig Siou The tire from its bonds of Hint has freed, O'er the prairie as he flew ; And high the wild flame rears its liead, Throws to the breeze its banner red, And bhists the earth with (23) Spahi tread. T^efore its marcli bloom blossoms briglit, >.)v.' flames have grasped each stem, A moment more it greets the sight, A coal bright blazing gem ; Then melt the flowers, and ashes white Are left of them. W'hen the glances bright of beauty cold To love have awaked the heart. -n.-. 56 h, f. Through oach vein the fervid fire is rolled And the maddened pnlses start ; And giant Love, who long hath slept, To new-born life hath joyous leapt. And donbt's cold bars to earth hath swept, Like morning dews, hopes sparkling beam With false delusive ray ; Then gloAv awhile with brighter gleam 'Neath Passion's fierv swav. Then, evanescent as a dream. They fade for aye. 57 YOUTH AND xVGE. Young minds will still l)e straying Throuf-li Fancy's fertile plain ; Through gi'oves of thought a flaying They trip it to the strain The frolic god is playing, With Pleasure's wreath essaying Time's current to restrain, His rapid stream delaying With young Love's floral rein. V.nt sngcr minds are crying That Pleasure's flowers will fade. In calm contempt, while eyeing Each love-struck youth and maid, Who, tender passion sighing, On beds of flowers are lying Embowered in Fancy's shade ; Nor deem cold eyes arc spying The bliss their love has made. .-......■■^"' , .■t«.»,.^-.V.H~ 58 THE BUD JUST BUliSTlXr,. The biul just bursting into flower In bright and blooming May, Tlie rich anil radiant morning hour, That herahls coming day ; The youthful (juecn of beauty's bower, Fit theme for minstrel's lay, Are types of hopes, beneath whose power Is laughed gay youth awa}'. The frost, that nips the blossom gay ^^'ith breath of wintry wind. The clouds, that keep the radiant r;iy In gloomy mists contined ; The plague, that beauty steals away, Nor leaves a trace behind, Are types of doubts, tliat Hope decay When loved ones prove unkind. '--it-**.-**-'' '.'*•*• *-"•■■ ../^- 59 The withered blossoms, shrunk and dry, Both scent and color fled— The dark and lowering wintry sky, When summer gleams have sped— The faded cheek and sunken eye, When beauty's bloom is shed, Arc types of early joys that die When guiding hopes are dead. 60 ADIEU. i Adieu ! we must part, e'er again we may meet Months, years, may have passed away, And I from thy thoughts have flown, as fleet As forms that o'er mirrors stray ; And have left an impression, as transient, as slight, Imprinted at morning, forgotten at night. ( ^ Adieu! but believe me, though now we must sever — Though far from thee now I must stray — J'o lands beyond the wild wave, yet never 'J'hou'lt fade from my mind away ! Still of thee shall my fancy fond memories prize, As the scent lingers on though the violet dies. « ■».:— ..^*.. ^»..r* .»- «< "'^fc*-.- 61 WOMAN'S SMILE. Fau o'er the ocean's .slmnVu'ving wave, Sans sail, sans helm, sans cumitass, v;i> ! Step from the cliff that fierce tides lave Firm on the floating mists below ! Let falsehood's self thy faith beguile, But put no trust in woman's smile ! Pursue! like (2') the rainbow's bright glory, Stealing from hill to hill ; 'Twill lure thee, then vanish before thee, Yet smile on thee distantly still : Thou seekest gold, thou findest air. While smiles still mock thy soul's despair! '^fc^ai-" A C2 II i: I b t n ^ .7 THE CLAYMORE. The sword my fathers bore Hangs in my castle's hall ; .Speaks of the pa^t that old claymoro. From the old trophied wall. When earth is swathed in snow, And midnight fires burn low. Then steal its whispers slow The awe -struck fancy o'er ; As tells of frays, Of other days, My father's old claymore. 'i I The hilt is dim with dust, The studded belt is gone ! The trusty steel is red with rust That once so brightly shone ! Notched is the blade, I ween, That, flashing once so keen, In battle's front was seen, I'^A C3 Our martial clan bcforo, AMiilc backward hrauk Each liostilo rank Where s\voi)t that l)ri-ht dayniori These phantoms of the past Still back to memory stray ; And martial clans are gathering fast In tartan's wild array : Prompt at each chiefs command Ready is every band To aid, with heart and hand, The king their sonls adore. For Charley's right They come to fight, With Scotland's broad claymore. Now front to front they stand, Marshalled is every clan, To try the qncstion hand to hand- To test it man to man. Il jfl i I 'I I ■ 64 Hark ! to the pibroch's sound, I'ljon the foes they bound, Their chosen friends around ; The hostile ranks before, While each one draws, In Charley's cause. His father's bright claymore. And on, and on, they sweep To mingle in the fray, Ueneath those clouds of war that keep Concealed the orb of day ; Brave hands there wield the steel, Brave lips the slogan peal, \Miose tones brave hearts shall feel, Mindful of days before, Wlien with that might. That born of right, Far flashed the bright davmorc Their ranks are wildly tossing Like waves of meeting tides, [JH 65 While bayonet bright with broadsword cro»«iig The wavering fight decides ; These do not fear to die ! Those hold it scorn to fly ! " On !" is each chieftain's cry, " On ! on! advance once m 're ! On to the charge ! Cast off each targe, And wield each red claymore !" Now comes the twilight grey. Sunk has the weary sun ; The pall of smoke has rolled away, The work of death is done. But he who fell that day, The gallant and the gay. Lifeless, yet lovely, lay Where proud he trod before ; And in his hand Still grasps his brand, His ruddy dyed claymore. £ 1] m •j 1 lit. u if "rwill gleam in tight no more ! Peaceful 'tis vesting now ! Yet, still, when tempests hoarsely roar, And forest giants bow — AVhen thmulcr loud is crashing, When (25) levin-bolts are flashing, And ocean waves are dashing In foam npon the shore, Then tells of frays Of other days, My father's old claymore. 111 I- I K I S VH. m: j,:t-« A'x«..«.*-t«vr'',". ' ~ ''•■«w*»RfS N O T E S . Note 1. ' ' In days of old, long before the deep solitudes of the West were disturbed by white men, it was the custom of the Indian warriors to assemble at the cataract, and offer a human sacrilice to the Spirit of the Falls. The offoring consisted of a white canoe, full of ripe fruits and blooming Howers, "svhich was paddled over tlie terrible clilT l>y the fairest girl of the tribe who had jubt arrived at womanhood. The only daughter of a chief of the Senacas was chosen as an offering to the Spirit of Niagara. Her mother had been slain by a hostile tribe. Her father was the biavest among the warriors, and his stern brow seldom relaxt^d save to his blooming child. At length the day arrived ; it faded into night as the festivity proceeded ; then the moon arose and silvered the cloud of mist that rose from out the turmoil of Niagara ; and now the white canoe, laden with its precious freight, glided frt)m the bank, and swept out into the rapid. The young girl cahnly steered her tiny bark towards the centre of the stream, ^\■hi]e frantic yells and shouts arose from the fiu'est. Suddeidy anijtlier white canoe shot forth ujton the stream, and, under the powerful imi)ulse of the Seneca chief, flew like an arrow to destruction. It over- took the first ; the eyes "f father and child met in one last p I'! 'i: 68 gaze of love, and then they phmged together into eternity." — The Falls ofNiayara, a Complete Guide, ring (in the old Gothic). So in the " Lay of the Last Minstrel," "The corbells were carved grotesque and grim." Note 4. "But whilst this muddy vesture of decay Thus grossly close it in," &c. — Merchant of Venice. Note 5. "I could see an immense torrent of water tearing headlong down from some great height, but had no idea of shape or situation, or anything but vague immensity." — Amencan Notes, by Vharlen Dichens. Nolo 0. The calumet, or j)ipe of peace, was, and still is, an insepa- rable concoiaitaut of all Indian councils. The bowl is made of stone, generally of a dull red color ; the stem is about three feet long, and fantastically decorated. i 69 liable laUed Note 7. The lake of Saratoga. "There is au Iiuliaa auperstition attached to this lake, which i)rol)al)ly had its source in its remarkable loneliness and tranquillity. The Mohawks believed that its stillness was sacred to the Great Si)irit, and that if a human voice uttered a sound upon its waters the canoe of the offender woiUd instantly sink." — Our Summer Retreats, a Hand-book, tCc. i> Note 8. "Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or golden bowl be broken." — Ecclesiastes, xii., 6. Note 9. "But as the summer fruit decays, iSo died he in those naked days." — Lonyfelloio. Note 10. " Sulphurous and nitrous foam They found, they mingled, and with subtle art Concocted and adusted, they reduced To blackest grain." — Paradise Lost, Book VT., 512. Note 11. "A sword of Spain, the ice-brooks temper."— 0. The rattlesnake is said to [)ossus3 the basilisk power of luring its victim to destruction by the fixity of its gaze. Note IG. For the benefit of such of my readers as may not be versed in mythology, T may state that the snake-trossed Gorgons were fabled to turn to stciue who ever looked uii thorn. The one here alluded to is the head of Medusa, cut oil' by Per-seus, and used by him for the confusion of his enemies, and the pro- duction of many wonderful petrii'actions. Xo!e 17. "The childiag Autuimi."— Midnamner NiuMn Dream, Xotr IS. Alluding to tlie josses by which udoons weie secured. M ill the com- witJi I death Note 11). "Ess na Lara." Fall of the mare. A small waterfall in County Antrim. Note 20. When General Hull's invading force was driven over our frontier, «hut up in Detroit, and compelled to surrender, the bidk of the victors were Canadian militia ; and when Brook fell on the heights of (Jueenston, it was in the act of leading the York Vohnitcei's to the charge. And the rebellion of ISiJS showed that our loyal energy had not died out ; the rising in the upper province was crushed l)y the militia, with- out the aid of a British aoliiier ; and they aided materially in. the lower. Note 21, Colonel Prince offered to raise 2,000 men for service in the Crimea, an.^l—'"'"^l»f ' \ I> ■it 72 Note 24. The old stcry of the cup of gold, to be found where the rain- bow touched the ground, is too well known to need repetition. Note 25. Levin-bolt- thunder-bolt. So Scott, in "Lay of the Last Minstrel," " Levin-brand " " Levin-dartiug guns." t jf|'