,%.^o.. \^> \^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 ^^^ <•< tut «" ► 4 ■ w '/^ v: o- ■V' /A °w Photographic Sciences Coiporadon 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTM.N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 ^^ ^X^^ *■ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques r-i •■; '^ ©1984 Technical and Bibliographic Notas/Notas tachniquaa at bibliooraphiquaa Tha Inatituta haa ottamptad to obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically unlqua. which may altar any of tha imagas in tha raproduction, or which may aignificantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chaclcad balow. Colourad covara/ ^i Couvartura da coulaur I I Covara damagad/ D D D n Couvartura andommagte Covara raatorad and/or lamlnatad/ Couvartura raataurte at/ou palliculte I I Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua Colourad mapa/ Caitaa gAographiquaa an coulaur Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or blacic)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) Colourad plataa and/or illuatrationa/ Planchaa at/ou illuatrationa an coulaur Bound with othar matarlal/ RaliA avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauaa ahadowa or diatortion along intarior margin/ La re liura aarr^a paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la diatortion la long da la marga IntAriaura Blank laavaa addad during raatorstion may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar poaaibia, thaaa hava baan omittad from filming/ li aa paut qua cartainaa pagaa blanchaa aJoutAaa lora d'una raatauration apparaiaaant dana la taxta, mala, loraqua cala Atait poaaibia, caa pagaa n'ont paa At* filmAaa. Additional cominanta:/ Commantairaa aupplAmantairaa: L'Inatltut a microfilm* la maillaur axamplaira qu'il iui a At* poaaibia da aa procurar. Laa dAtaila da cat axamplaira qui aont paut-Atra uniquaa du point da vua bibliographiqua. qui peuvant modlfiar una imaga raproduita, ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana la mAthoda normala da filmaga aont indiqute ci-daasoua. r~| Colourad pagaa/ n Thia itam la fllmad at tha raduction ratio chackad balow/ Ca documant aat film* au taux da r6duc^>on IndiquA ci-daaaoua. Pagaa da coulaur Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa andommagcftaa Pagaa raatorad and/oi Pagaa raataurAaa at/ou pallicultea Pagaa diacolourad, atainad or foxm Pagaa dAcolor^aa, tachattea ou piquAaa Pagaa datachad/ Pagaa dAtach^aa Showthrough/ Tranaparanca Quality of prir QualitA in^ala da I'lmpraaaion Includaa aupplamantary matarii Comprand du matirial aupplAmantaira Th( to r~7\ Pagaa damagad/ r~l Pagaa raatorad and/or laminatad/ r~y\ Pagaa diacolourad, atainad or foxad/ I I Pagaa datachad/ r~^ Showthrough/ I I Quality of print variaa/ I j Includaa aupplamantary matarlal/ Th poi of filr on bai th« aio oti fin aio or Th ahi Til wl Ma dif aiit b« rig r~n Only aditlon availabia/ Saula Mition diaponibia Pagaa wholly or partially obacurad by arrata alipa, tisauaa, ate, hava baan rafilmad to anaura tha baat poaaibia imaga/ Laa pagaa totalamant ou partiallamant obacurciaa par un fauillat d'arrata, una palura, ate, ont At* filmAaa A nouvaau da fapon A obtanir la maillaura imaga poaaibia. 10X 14X 18X 22X 2SX aox 1 ^ 12X lex aox 24X 28X 32X I ails du difiar un« laga Th« eopy filmad h«r« haa baan raproduead thanks to tha ganarosity of: Broek Univtraity ; 8t Catf-iirints Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality posaibia eonaidaring tha condition ard lagibility of tha original eopy and in kaaping with tha filming contract spaeificationa. Original eopiaa in printad papar covars ara filmad baginning with tha front eovar and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa- sion, or tha back eovar whan appropriata. All othar original eopiaa ara filmad baginning on tha first paga with a printad or illuatratad impraa- sion. amJ anding on tha laat paga with a printad or illuatratad impraaaion. Tha laat racordad frama on aach micrcficha shaH contain tha symbol «4^ (moaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol ▼ (moaning "END"), whiehavar appiiaa. L'axampiaira film4 fut raproduit grAca A la g4n4roaiti da: Brock Univeraity St. Catharintt Las images suivantas ont ttt raproduitas avac la plus grand soin. compta tanu dm la condition at da la nattatA da I'axanplaira film ■;. . " *R O "S :■--'.! £ W i - ' ', 1^^' ■ ' ' - ' • ■ • } ■ -^^fcv 1 2 3 4 5 6 t»-»4 »■ J t ^ y > » »«•#•• ^»*«fc<«i ♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦►♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦ AN EPIC POEM, c ^ A tTHEi T T T / ^, u v,_y ^ -B\ J. W. Kt:ATING, N. P.H/t L airualu ct thr Nr)i-U;n HoiiSr. Sb. Gabbarlnes, fAorch 3rd, 1556. St. CATHARiNES : C. Sherwood, Book and Job Printer, 1886. »♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦■♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦•♦♦♦•♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦**^*~^^^^^*? m' ■ 'w ."J" I AN EPIC POEM, :fc,. '!) — •o-<^TH E-^'«>»' — NORTON HOUSE, -Cf' ifi — BY- <^^ <^ J. W. KEATING, ■^^^■ Poet Laureate of ti^e Nortoq House. .>oO^^OoaO^D^c St. Catharines : ■ ^ C. Sl^erwood, Book and Job Printer, 1886. rS%'jA..:: i < i ±)'2_ TO ^!s8 IHiby l^orbon. Wl^ose nqany arrjiable qualities have inspired thjese few lines, the followiqg Poenq, is witi] permission, respectfully in- scribed. 3'^ »»♦«*♦«»♦»♦♦♦♦« s-'v ■«>; ;' :(. .» I k APOLOGIA. \ The author of the following poem having been dubbed **Poet Laureate of the Norton House" some tv/o years ago by W. K. Pattison, Esq., and having held that title undisputed ever since, was challenged by Capt. Edwin B. Andros, late of Her Majesty's Service, to write a poem descriptive of the inmates of the Norton House. It was arranged by Capt. Andros and the writer, that on a certain evening the poems should be read before a select committee composed of the inmates of that delightful resort. Wednesday, the third of March, 1886, having been selected, the poems were read by their respective authors, and the time-honored laurel wreath was awarded to the writer by the committee appointed. The chairman, with his usual grace, announced the decision. Miss Annie Conolly placed, with due ceremony, the wreath on the poet's brow. TH|f AUTHOR. The author Reserves all Right* of Publloatlon. I. -1 • * //- .V' 1} .^Jl>. ^f ^T\)2 Norbon |Hou8ei>^ '} 'Twas night ! Ulysses, a weary traveller, passed Through St. Catharines, and his eyes about him cast For a hostelry in which to seek repose, And then espied, just at his very nose, a' mansion near, with many a gleaming light, Which swiftly fell upon his wary sight. And as he stood he gazed, and then beheld His friend, Orestes, as the gate he held. Then Ulysses Orestes thus addressed : Tm o'ercome with travel and sore oppressed. Where can I seek a lodging for the night ? Give me counsel in my sorest plight. See that mansion, with an hundred gleaming lights, That shed a lustre, dazzling our feeble sights. And which do now light up that beauteous park. As the shade of eve advances into dark. Whilst on the other side a church I see. Whose lofty towers surpass the tallest tree, ' And with many turrets quite unique in form, That brave the lightning and the coming storm. 8 The Norton House. Canst thou tell me what may this mansion be, Which stands out boldly, I so plainly see ? Then to Ulysses Orebtes thus replied : It is the Norton House you have espied — A hostelry, o'er which Lares do preside. And where travellers from distant lands reside. . 'Tis kept by three fair damsels, who adorn This cosey mansion, and are to the manor born. Here dainty viands are placed before the guest — The guest himself can always do the rest — And quaff the oblivious drink from. Lethe's bowl. To then recline and rest his wearv soul. Then thus Ulysses to Orestes spoke : You have immensely my curiosity 'woke. Tell me of those beauteous damsels more ; Their wondrous beauty I would fain adore. Then did Orestes to Ulysses speak : Regarding the information ycu thus seek, I'm m*ore than pleased to grant your fair request. Although you might have made it your behest. There's Emma, the beautiful, lovely and divine. Who in any role would immensely shine. And grace a throne with majesty of a queen. Or fill the station of an empress e'en. With rare skill can play the piano forte. And to numerous accomplishments resort. And, like the nightingale, is sweet of voice; m- The Norton House. ,'t. The selection ot her songs is rare and choice, With complaisancy her guests she entertains, As queen of many accomplishments she reigns. Then there's Hity, of whom how shall I speak ? - The most beauteous damsel you could wish to seek ; Her hair 'tis dark, her eyes most heavenly blue. As you'd perceive, she ild she e'er gaze on you ; Her face, 'tis like a goddess, and inspires The highest admiration, and requires . Slight observation to detect her charms, An act, however, which greatly her alarms. There is, indeed, for you the rarest treat This fair maiden some future day to meet. Then there's Eleanor, another sister yet, 'Ith whom Harry Hunt, in impassioned love did get. And, after months of courtship, met his fate. And with her enteied the connubial state. There's another maiden, who can well preside Within those walls: Miss Eleanor McBride, , ^ Whose charms of womanhood can ne'er be surpassed, And her friendships will fQfever last. And then, besides, there is a brother Fred, Who, for some years, a merchant's life hath led ; And who now sojourns in New Orleans, Amidst fair damsels and 'neath tropic scenes. There's Nellie Hunt, a girl of wondrous fame, Who some years since to St. Catharines came, V - 10 The Norton HonsE. Now in Loretto Abbey she resides, A pupil, where she her future life decides. And Charles Norton, sire of the maids Who keep this hostelry, and from all raids Of insolence his daughters ne protects. And from all travellers their guests he well selects. Then thus Ulysses, who deep interest felt. Whilst in recital, his friend Orestes dwelt - Pray tell me, also, something of the guests, * Who've in yon mansion built their cosey nests, Canst thou tell me who and what they are ? , ' Are they local, or came they from afar ? • ' And then Orestes, upon his being pressed F^or further knowledge, Ulysses thus addressed : ' ^ There's Lizzie McKeown, who therein dwells, The wife of John McKeown, and far excels ' All other women in her wifely cares, V h And in her husband's trials gently shares, : And at all times, and in all hours. Her love and devotion on her husband showers, And thus, gliding down the hill of life. Gently with her husband, free from strife. And then there's Mary, the beloved wife Of Mortimer Neelon, who throughout her life Devotes herself, in all ways she can. To accede to her husband's every plan. And to her children, Arnold and Kathleen, 'XL- %• ri-: ^ The Norton House. It < i : O; t'' •" ''Vy. Tht truest mothtr she hath ever been. Then Annie Conolly, of more than beauteous fame, Who some years since to Ontario came. Near wild Niagara, with assiduous thought, She her knowledge in Loretto sought. An J now resides within those stately walls. And from her friends with grace receives their calls. Divinely gifted, with exceeding grace, Whilst great beauty beams from form and face, And whist her form and features I extol, ,. They unsurpass the beauty of her soul; Then to htr tender mercies I commend. With sincere pleasuie, thee, my warmest friend. v Then Annie Wallace, who here did once sojourn, With Nanna and Leslie, and may yet return. And Vv'itli her graceful presence again adorn This house : her absence the guests do greatly mourn. Fair Beatrice Fairbairn, a most beauteous maid. From Bcwmanville, hath several visits paid. And brought her sister, Katie, to restore Her health to her, as 'twas in days of yore; - . These two fair girls repeated visits made, Each time they came for several weeks Lad staid, They at length, to their peaceful home return, When Cupid's arrow in many hearts did burn. Fair Edith, too, from Woodstock's balmy air, Cft the hospita!it:'^3 cf this house doth share. -jM m ¥ 12 The Norton House. There is at her departure deep regret, Her grace and loveliness none will e'er forget. Then Pattison, a barrister of great fame, Hath honors won and gained a noble name, At length aspired to become a public man, His friends elected him an Alderman, And will not forever in profession drudge, ^ But will don the ermine, and preside as judge. There is another hero, Frederick King, Who, with wondrous skill, can sweetly sing ; And is an athlete, and master cf lacrosse, To him a ball is a trifling thing to toss. Then there's Kilner> and strange 'tis to relate, That he hath never ta'en to himself a mate. But Cupid spied him^ and with unerring dai^t, Did sorely woond him in his tender heart, So now an angel in every girl he sees, In the married state to go he now agrees. There's Neelon, too, who with grace presides O'er his household, and his time divides Between his family and commercial ties. And in all matters acts wttremely wi^. Then there's Pocock, who doth also dwell In yonder mansion, and doth by far excel All other horticulturists, in his line, For every plant he grows is rare and fine. Then there's Walker, and Macgregor, too, I' . The Norton House. 13 ir Acres, and A. T, Hubbard, just a few Of the many bankers who ha;ve dwelt In yon mansion, and who oft have knelt At the feet of many a maiden fair, And each received of pushing love his share. There is Murphy, Esten and Van Nostrand, too, Who through theodolite and compass view. By planted stakes, their many complex lines. And take field notes, with professional signs. Then Ralph Andros, who can tame with skill, A goal that would any other person kill. Then great John McKeown, of wondrous fame, Who as a lawyer hath hewn out a name. And who for the House of Commons ran. Was sadly beaten by another man. The Government, which he well supported, Soon as his political friends reported, Declared that they would give to John McKeown The highest office in their gift, as soon v; t' . As the Tories from the treasury bench were thrown, And this event soon happened, as *tis known, ^ ; ' Then John as County Attorney was installed, ": ' And into the sweets of office gently crawled, Since then he has performed his duties well. And into prison sent many men to dwell ; '■:■:- Besides the legal knowledge he has in store. As a scholar stands high ifi classic lore. ■•^ 14 The Norton House. Some future day th( he will ermine ne win wear, And with dignity the honor he will bear. Then great Andros, the last, though not the least. Could take a seat at ^ny monarch's feast. A warrior bold, and, with a marshal's skill, In many fights did great numbers kill. And as his cohorts to the battle led. His gleaming sword filled every one with dread. "' As he advanced, he fell upon the foe, And, with his sword, ten thousands down did mow. And hecatombs of corses strewed the ground On every side, and for miles around Deluged the land with carnage and with gore. And thus he swept the country o'er and o'er. The ascending ghosts, the mantled tree tops lashed, As through the leafy branches they were dashed, From battle-field he marched to battle-field. And caused the Sepoys at every point to yield. Thus, after many conquests gained with skill. Retired on his laurels, and wears them still. - f^ And when Orestes his recital finished, :-:'-'''^-.'r''i'':'^:-^- Found Ulysses' interest undiminished. And then led him into that mansion fair. Where he receivec^ attention and great care. >: t l.i»''