m:. 
 

 
 u1 
 
 TO THE 
 
 Chaste and Beautiful, 
 
 -BY- 
 
 JAMES WALTON JACKSON. 
 
 
 ST. CATHARINES: 
 
 W MEEK, STEAM BOOK ANI> JOB mtlMER. 
 
 1875. 
 
TO THE MUSE. 
 
 TO THE MUSE. 
 
 AN INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 Hail, Heaven-born, soul-enchanting, sacred 
 ^., ;,■;•: ;-.r' Muse! 
 
 But smile anon upon thy loving child ; 
 A.nd lo I chaste poesy his mind bestrews— 
 Blush-roses bloom in beauty o'er the wild. 
 
 I woo thee not as simpering swain doth woo 
 The bashful, ficlde, hesitating maid ; 
 But love thee as the wife so long proved true, 
 Whose heart through trials sore, kept firm and 
 
 ■-■•.■;■.;,:■, staid. ..:^.,;r'i,V,: 
 
 And well thou lov'st thine offspring, mother 
 
 dear I 
 Thy richest prize held this side of the goal — 
 The guerdon sure to all who venture near — 
 E'en now I feel sweet music in my soul. 
 Then wake, choicest, sweetest chord divine, 
 And bid thy rarest magic music tell I 
 The impress beamed when love-lit eyes do 
 
 shine, 
 The quiet eyes of her I love full well. 
 
TO E. W. 
 
 TO E. W. 
 
 I've seen the moon, so pale yet briglU, 
 Shine through the vault cf blue ; 
 
 All Nature hushed, e'en to deliglit, 
 Whilst angel's spread the dew. 
 
 I've seen the sea, like sheet of glass, 
 Eefiect the star-decked sky ; 
 
 In awe expectant, He would pass, 
 Who 's King of hosts on high. 
 
 I've felt ethereal mildness oft, * 
 
 As Spring blush'd o'er the earth 
 
 Her smile serene — a breath so soft — 
 Yet potent giving mirth. 
 
 And I have seen thy pale blue eves, 
 Serene as Queen of night; 
 
 When smiling, out-vie mirrored skies, 
 \efiecting Heaven's own Ught. 
 
 
THE OLD, THE SWEET OLD STORY. 
 
 THE OLD, THE SWEET OLD STORY. 
 
 Carol ! Carol ! Christians ; sing the old, old 
 
 story 
 Of Christ; the babe of Bethlehem,— now Lord 
 
 of Life and G-lory. 
 O'er eighteen hundred years have passed since 
 
 incarnate became 
 Our God, and for us took true flesh, and to 
 
 Him took sweet name 
 Of Jesus, to redeem, and bring man fallen, 
 
 back to Glory. , 
 
 The lapse of time has nothing marred, to-day 
 
 'tis just the same 
 As when the angels sang "good-will," this old, 
 
 this sweet old story. ' ' 
 
 Carol! Christian mother, to babe upon your 
 
 knee. 
 For by singing this old story sweet, your babe 
 
 will sweeter be ; 
 For Jesus, your Kedeemer, — yes, dear Jesus 
 
 meek and mild — 
 Though Lord of Life and Glory now, was once 
 
 / a little child; 
 And well He loves the little ones, for they are 
 
 heirs of Glory ; 
 
6 THE OLD, THE SWEET OLD STORY. 
 
 "Let them come mito me," He said,— your 
 
 babe keep unbeguiled, 
 And often to it be your theme, this old, this 
 
 sweet old story. 
 
 Carol! Carol! Maiden; and Youth take up 
 
 the strain 
 Of Christ, once babe in Bethlehem— now cru- 
 > t cified arid slain, — 
 
 And as ye chant the story sweet, mark well 
 
 how Jesus grew 
 In favor with His fellow-man, and God His 
 
 Father, too : 
 Yes ! learn of Him in life's sweet Spring, and 
 
 when that you've grown hoary. 
 The joys and woes of life nigh past, e'en then 
 
 you'll nothing rue, 
 But bless the day you made your strain, this 
 
 old, this sweet old story. 
 
 Carol ! Man to care a prey,— find a sweet reUef ; 
 For He, once babe in Bethlehem, for you was 
 
 "man of grief;" 
 In patience bote the ills of life— its poverty 
 
 and shame. 
 And Death o'ercame. Would you o'ercome ? 
 
 Then meekly bear the same. 
 
THE OLD, THE 'sweet OLD STORY. 7 
 
 "They came from tribulations great," is said 
 
 of those in Glory ; 
 The cares, the woes, the toils are yours, — bear 
 
 all in Jesus' name, 
 And make to you a constant stay, this old, this 
 
 sweet old story. • 
 
 Carol ! Maid and Youth, Man in full prime, 
 
 the hoary. 
 And trace the Babe of Bethlehem, from manger 
 
 to His Glory, 
 As babe, was sweet; as child, was good; a 
 
 patient man and wise ; 
 The babe was Christ, and Christ is God, Great 
 
 God of earth and skies. 
 For man. He bore the ills of life ; for man, He 
 
 left His Glory ! 
 Great God becomes a little babe, and then as 
 
 man He dies ! 
 Come contemplate with me to-day, this old, 
 
 this sweet old story. ; • ■ 
 
3 WHAT IS'T to be A GENTLEMAN ? 
 
 WHAT IS 'T TO BE A GENTLEMAN ? 
 
 What is't to be a gentleman ? 
 
 "To fence, to dance, write billet-doux;" 
 
 (So says a sage hiptorian,) 
 
 And ftU vulgarities eschew. 
 
 * This may be well, I'll not gainsay— 
 That is, 'twas well for days of yore ; 
 Not suited to the present day : 
 A gentleman must now do more. 
 
 His skin and conscience must keep clear, 
 Nor one good quality should lack — 
 Use daily bath throughout the year, 
 
 And rub well off with huckaback. 
 
 ■■ » 
 
 EPIGRAM. 
 
 If to err is human— to forgive divir.e ; 
 Then I would say to lovely woman, 
 And proudly hold the thought sublime, \ 
 'Twas I that erred, for I'm but human ; 
 Do thou forgive,— thou art divine. 
 
TO A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE. 
 
 9 
 
 TO A. BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE. 
 
 ! shimmering iridescence ; 
 ! ruby large as the sun, > * 
 Surrounded by myriad diamonds, • 
 Whilst countless suns shine on. . . 
 
 ! sky of opals and sapphire ., " • 
 Bedrap'd with filigree gold ; 
 All colors of rainbows and dolphins, 
 Thy blendings can never be told. 
 
 0! wondrous mirage of heavep, 
 My soul before thee is bowed ; 
 All beauties compressed in a unit, 
 Thou 'rt God merely veiled by a cloud ! 
 
10 THE SHAMROCK. 
 
 THE SHAMKOCK. 
 
 0, trefoil plant of vernal green, . 
 Earth's emblem of blest Trinity t ■ 
 To me thou wear'st the graces' mien, 
 Of Heaven-approved affinity. 
 
 Thou com'st a witness that the earth 
 Shall bloom afresh in verdure clad ; 
 Sure harbinger of life and mirth 
 To nature, now decayed and sad. 
 
 Thou com'st as meek-eyed charity ; 
 
 Thou flaunt' st no flower of gaudy hue; > 
 
 Dear emblem plant of rarity, 
 
 Thy seeming 's what thou art — all true. 
 
 Thou com'st as hope, man's heart to cheer; 
 As faith, bid'st him fruition see — 
 The plenty that shall crown the year ;— 
 Thou art Faith, Hope and Charity. 
 
TO LOVE IS LIFE. H 
 
 TO LOVE IS LIFE. , 
 
 The blossoms fall from fruitful tree, - 
 The flower's cell is sipped by bee, 
 Each blade of grass, each stalk of corn, 
 Bends each to each from dewy morn. 
 
 If beauteous blossoms did nc". kiss 
 Some blossom, as to earth they fall, 
 Their Author's wise design they'd miss,— 
 The trees would bear no fruit at all. 
 
 If bees ne'er sipped from flower's cell, 
 And sweets to other cells conveyed ; 
 The winds in requiem would tell. 
 Fair Flora aye in death was laid. 
 
 Should blades of grass, or stalks of corn, 
 Keep from their kind as in disdaiji ; 
 The Earth of verdure would be shorn. 
 And man would die through lack of grain. 
 
 The heart must beat response to heart. 
 For love received, its love must give ; 
 Or, die by fell remorse's dart, — 
 The heart must love, else cease to live. 
 
IJ NO TEMPLE THERE. V 
 
 NO TEMPLE THERE. 
 
 REV., CHAP. 21, V. 22. 
 
 Distinct as the waves, though one as the sea, 
 The praises of all in Heaven will be ; 
 No schisms, no sects, and never more prayer, 
 For I see, I see no Temple is there. ^ 
 
 No Temple in I Tell! how dreadful the thought ! 
 Though all was by Jesus' life-blood dearly 
 
 bought ; 
 Not even that blood, and unceasing prayer 
 • .Can avail I see no Temple is there. 
 
 \4ltT Temple on earth, dear Lord, may I love ; 
 And in it prepare for Bula above ; 
 While yet in the flesh, be constant in prayer ; 
 For I see, I see no Temple is there. 
 
 Man's heart is thy Temple : Lord, in mine 
 
 dwell 
 'Till safely I've breasted Jordan's dread swell ; 
 Jerusalem attained— blest city above— 
 I'll aye cease from prayer, to praise th:, great 
 
 love. 
 
THE TWA " UNCO GUDK." 13 
 
 THE TWA " UNCO GUDE." 
 
 There lived twa Scots i' the laii o' ca]<es, 
 
 0' the kind ca'd '* unco gude," , 
 
 An ane, the ither visit makes, 
 
 Being in a walking mood. ► , ' 
 
 When Sandy reach'd his neebor Jock, 
 (A' tho 'twas Sabbath day,) 
 He spied amang his neebor's flock. 
 A bonny cawf at play. ^ 
 
 *' A sonsy cawf, freen Jock, ye hae, ;■ 
 Sae unco sleek an nice, 
 An but it's je'st the Sabbath day, 
 I'd like to speer the price." 
 
 A sonsy cawf ye weel may say, 
 As gude as can be foun' ; 
 An but it's je'st the Sabbath day, 
 I'd ask ye je'st five poun'. 
 
1/ A CHABM IN LIFF FOR ME. 
 
 " A CHARM IN LIFE FOR ME. 
 
 . There's beauty in the rising sun, c. 
 
 As mists oef ore him flee , 
 And nature puts her day dress on ; 
 There's a charm in hfe for me, 
 
 There's vigor in the morning air, 
 
 Awaking every tree, ' 
 
 Their branches higher yet to rear ; 
 
 There's a charm in Ufe for me. 
 
 There's pleasure e'en in daily toil, " , 
 
 From 6/n?Mi keeping free, — 
 All irksome tasks to bravely foil. 
 
 There's a charm in life for me. 
 
 There's sweetness in the evening's calm. 
 When thoughts are flowing free. 
 
 E'er sleep has woo'd with soothing balm ; 
 There's a charm in life for me. 
 
 At morn, at noon, and day's decline, 
 
 In Nature's Galaxy ; 
 When love with duty doth combine ; 
 
 There's a charm in life for me. 
 
OH ! WHITHER FLED THE SUMMER TIME '? 15 
 
 OH! WHITHEK FLED THE SUMMER 
 
 TIME? 
 
 Oh! whither fled tht summer time, 
 
 Soft zephyrs, fairest flowers ; 
 The breaths and beauties, sweet, subUme, 
 
 The happy, sunny hours ? 
 
 And where the flitting, bUthesome birds, 
 
 That cheered us all day long 
 With notes of Wisdom's choicest words, 
 
 Attuned to sweetest song ? 
 
 A dirge is in the chilly blast, 
 
 And moans the sad reply : 
 Joy-giving Summer's of the past ! » 
 
 So all, e'en man will die. 
 
 The blithsoine birds have ceased their song, 
 
 And far away have flown ; 
 Yet man may all the Winter long 
 
 Make music sweet his own. 
 
 As summer days have passed away, 
 
 And life will close ere long ; 
 I say be wise, — let life be gay — 
 - A ceaseless round of song. -_ - 
 
16 BE AS WISE AS A CAT. ; V 
 
 • BE AS WISE AS A CAT. * 
 
 'Tis said of a cat that was kept by a nun, 
 That it knew the bell's ringing was signal for 
 dinnig ; 
 ' Which, when the bell rang, ceased from frolic 
 and fun, 
 ' Took its food lilie a Christian, without even 
 whining. 
 
 But alas ! lackaday ! the cat was locked in, 
 And alone had to fast, while the nuns were 
 
 partaking ; 
 But yet, I'll not say, of the nuns 'twas a sin. 
 For the feline did sleep when it should have 
 
 been waking. . . . , 
 
 That pussy knew something, I'm bound to 
 
 admit, ,' 
 
 For on regaining freedom, it tugged at the 
 
 bell- string ; 
 The nuns came to meal, ay, and so did old Kit ! 
 The nice food was brought in, for didn't the 
 
 bell ring? 
 
 Oh ! here is a lesson that many should learn, 
 That to be moping and sleeping is not always 
 
 well ; 
 For e'en friends may forget, perchance they 
 
 will spurn. 
 Then arouse you to action — ^puU the rope, ring 
 the bell 1 
 
MY HEART IS LIKE THE SEA. 17 
 
 MY HEAKT IS LIKE TKE SEA. 
 
 My heart is like the sea, 
 Now calm, now rag'd by storms; 
 As hearts are false or true to me, 
 ^[y heart but chills or warms. 
 
 Chorus — My heart is like the sea, 
 • ; The ever-changing sea, 
 
 My heart is like the sea, 
 . ; • My heart is like the sea. 
 
 If false thy heart should be.. 
 *• • Nought shall my heart assuage ; ' 
 
 But like an angry, troubled sea, • 
 .- My heart will storm and rage. 
 
 Chorus — My heart is like the sea, 
 
 The winter'L< boist'rous sea , 
 %• . My heart is like the sea, 
 T - / My heart is like the sea. 
 
 Be true thy heart to me. 
 
 So shall my heart be calm ; — 
 
 As halcyon days, when peaceful sea 
 
 Is kissed by breaths of balm. 
 
 Chorus — My heart is like the sea, 
 
 The Summer's tranquil sea. 
 My heart is like the sea. 
 My heart is like the sea. 
 
1^ CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 
 The welkin is ringing ; 
 For angels are singing; > 
 '•Glory to G^d on high ;" 
 On the earth shall be peace, 
 Through all time to increase ; 
 Man's redemption draws nigh. 
 
 The great God becomes flesh, 
 That man He may bless, 
 And restore from the fall ; / 
 Of his wisdom sublime, 
 In the fullness of time, 
 To redeem one and all. 
 
 On a December morn. 
 Our Emmanuel was born ; 
 When the wise from afar, , ' 
 In great haste to adore, ', 
 
 And God's blessing implore ; 
 Were led on by a/ star. 
 
 When they saw the fair child. 
 With his mother so mild, 
 They gave him gifts most rare ; 
 Nor alone did suffice 
 That they made sacrifice ! 
 For they worshipped Him there. 
 
CHRISTMAS CAKOL. 19 
 
 So the wise of to day, . " 
 
 To this Jesus will pray ; • v 
 And in love he'll draw nigh : 
 Grant them peace and good- will, 
 As their hearts to him tarill 
 Glory to God on high. 
 
 
 ) 
 
 V ■ 
 
20 • TO M. A. 
 
 TO M. A. ■^■•..'■"'/ ■."':'■■ ' .'.' 
 
 All ! glorious is the morning sun ; 
 ' Its rising gives both warmth and light, 
 To cheer us as the day wears on ; 
 Inducts to hallowed, quiet night. 
 
 Sweet silvery moon then clasps the earth, 
 And holds to stillness all save thought, 
 Though lesser light, of equal worth, 
 Is by divine instruction taught. 
 
 And twinlding stars, like angel eyes. 
 Peer winsome from bright realms above, 
 <S<•^/^^^/^/^ from pure Paradise, 
 To woo us by their quiet love. 
 
 But there's a light within thine eye. 
 To me as warm as morning sun, . 
 Yet placid as yon moon on high, ' ^:t 
 Or wooing stars that ever shone. 
 
 I love the stars, the moon, the sun ; ; 
 'Tis sweet to contemplate the whole "^ 
 Of heavenly bodies shining on — 
 But through thine eyes a heavenly soul. 
 
ILLUSIONS. • 21 
 
 ILLUSIONS, ' • 
 
 Whoe'er from railway train shall glance, 
 As swiftly onward s^ied by steam, 
 \v^ill see the trees in circles dance, — 
 The trees dance not, but only seein. 
 
 And he who from the deck shall view, 
 As goodly ship moves from the shore ; 
 May well believe earth 's moving too, — 
 The ship is moving — nothing more. 
 
 These are illusions ; all do know 
 Who have attained to reason's age ; 
 Yet Nature hereby seems to show, 
 That truth with error war must wage. 
 
 . For error, in the garb of truth, 
 Oft leads th' unwary far astray, 
 So like to what is real, forsooth, 
 That what is right 'tis hard to say. 
 
 But truth will make itself most clear 
 To those who seek with patient zeal ; 
 As false illusions disappear 
 Like phantoms, when we know the real. 
 
 The maid v,ho dreams of happy hfe 
 By weddiuj/ wealth for what it brings ; 
 But misses joys vouchsafed the wife, 
 To prove that lonehness bears stings. 
 
22 * ILLUSIONS. 
 
 The dancing trees, the moving earth, 
 lUusions : yet to her seem real ; 
 'Till crows' feet print the brow of mirth ; 
 Life-lasting maidenhood's fell seal. 
 
 So he who takes his faith from man, 
 But follows phantom that deceives ; 
 He travels on in error's van ; 
 But veers as doth the ship that leaves. 
 
 He's ever moving from the shore, 
 Still charmed by what illusion paints ; 
 But faith, like truth, will firm endure, 
 "Faith once delivered to the saints." 
 
REBOUND. 23 
 
 REBOUND. 
 
 'Tis tritely said of Nature's laws, 
 That what's impelled should in its course 
 Eesistance meet, it back withdraws — 
 The rebound will be great, perforce. 
 
 The tide we know is ebb and flow, 
 A recess, and a coming back, — 
 And, but for motion to and fro, 
 The earth would compensation lack. 
 
 We throw a bauble at the wall ; 
 
 The ball springs back towards the hand ; — 
 
 And much that in the ebb may fall, 
 
 The flow will heave upon the sand. 
 
 Now, as of Nature's laws, all wise, 
 E'en so it is with life, with hearts ; 
 Love's sweet emotions oft but rise 
 To fall by disappointment's darts. 
 
 And as with greater force we throw 
 The bauble ball, 'i fart ler bounds ; 
 So chastenings sore — the keenest woe. 
 To unattained pure bliss rebounds. 
 
24 REBOUND. 
 
 Our very life's an ebb and flow, 
 • A swaying from sweet joys to grief, 
 ' An oscillation to and fro, 
 
 As joy to sorrow gives relief. 
 
 We're in the ebb — a ball, I trow, — 
 To joy and pain alternate given ! 
 And Death 's but compensation's flow, 
 . To strand us on the shores of Heaven. 
 
ON THE RECEPTION OF A RING. 26 
 
 ON THE RECEPTION OF A RING. 
 
 TO H. W., ESQ. 
 
 Accept my thanks for the beautiful Ring, 
 (Received on St. Valentine's day,) 
 
 For the Amethyst bright as Seraph's wing, 
 For the diamond- wrought letter J. 
 
 You say that **for me it was made." My dear sir, 
 
 It will not fit finger of mine ; 
 So it shall adorn the right hand of her 
 
 Who's to be my life Valentine. 
 
 0, happy mistake, it was made rather small ! 
 
 I've really no reason to chide ; 
 For it fits to a charm — no miss at all — 
 
 The Ring's on the hand of my bride ! 
 
26 BY THE LIGHT OF THINE EYE. 
 
 BY THE LIGHT OF THINE EYE. 
 
 Though summer has fled, and the air be a-chill; 
 Though roses are dead, and barren the hill ; 
 Though winds whistle hoarse, and murky the 
 
 sky, 
 My heart shall be cheer'd by the light of thine 
 
 eye, 
 By the light, by the light of thine eye. 
 
 Should fortune be fickle, and friendships be few, 
 
 And all should i)rove false, that's cherished as 
 true, 
 
 Should I be deprived of all money can buy. 
 My heart shall be cheer'd by the light of thine 
 
 eye, 
 By the light, by the light of thine eye. 
 
 Oh ! the light of thine eye possesses a power 
 To baiush all gloom in sorrow's dark hour, 
 A halo of joy — a bright cloudless sky 
 
 My heart is, when cheered by the light of thine 
 
 eye. 
 
 By the light, by the light of thine eye. 
 
 &t. 
 By the light of thine eye, I ask thej^to live ; 
 
 It's warmth to my life fresh vigor shall give ; 
 
 Ope founts of aftection that ne'er shall run dry, 
 
 Then let me be cheer'd by the light of thine eye, 
 
 By the light, by the light of thine eye. 
 
ABSOLUTION. 27 
 
 ABSOLUTION. 
 
 A son of sweet Erin, jusc newly arrived, 
 Bethought him, he'd go to confession; 
 And to get to the priest, this way he contrived — 
 'Went forward right through the back kitchen. 
 
 In passing, a fine Httle ham he espied. 
 From the ceiling so gracefully hanging ; 
 "Now hanging is bad" — (and more syloquised,) 
 "Sure 'tis harder to bear than a banging. 
 
 You're a moighty foin bacon, whose ever ye be ! 
 And it's meself that would like to be eating. 
 My Jewell ! my own! hurrah ! Gramachree !" 
 And possession concluded the greeting. 
 
 With ham in his hand, Pat went straight to 
 
 the priest, 
 And bowing low, craved absolution. 
 '•Here's a bacon I've sthole that your Kivrance 
 
 may feast — 
 Absolve me from sin's foul pollution." 
 
 "Take it back to the owner," the priest did 
 
 enjoin, 
 "Or it's penance you'll do, now believe it." 
 "Sure I did," answered Pat, "but it's troublin' 
 
 me moin 
 To think that he wouldn't recayve it.' 
 
28 ABSOLUTION. 
 
 "Then keep it yourself," answered father Ma- 
 lone, 
 "Perhaps the owner perceived yon did need it; 
 But in future, what 's others be sure let alone. 
 My advice — I beg that you heed it ; 
 
 And since you're repentant, you're fully ab- 
 
 • solved. 
 In peace now depart with my blessing." 
 For Father Malone had then quite resolved 
 'Twas time to have ham with egg-dressing. 
 
 The ruse was successful — Pat's wit won the 
 
 day, 
 And a "mighty foine bacon, his own," 
 "A gift from the priest," and nothing to pay, — 
 "A gift from good Father Malone." 
 
 Now Father Malone was fond of a joke, 
 (And, if living, is so to this day,) 
 And often a good brother's ribs he did poke, 
 As the joke from himself turned away. 
 
 And when e'er a brotjier a hint did but throw, 
 
 A smile set his lips all a twiching — 
 
 "Since theni've been Pope ! ali revere my big 
 
 toe. 
 Who entered the fold by my Kitchen." 
 
THE TIME WHEN LILACS BLOW. 20 
 
 THE TIME WHEN LILACS BLOW. 
 
 Some love to sing of Winter's king, 
 Boreal blasts and drifting snow ; 
 And some will praise the op'ning Spring, 
 But I, the time when Lilacs blow. 
 
 'Tis when the sim's actinic ray 
 Sheds o'er all Nature life's warm glow, 
 And 'jephyr winds in concert play, 
 That odoriferous Lilacs blow. 
 
 Though brief the season — but a spell — 
 Yet for its sweets I'd much forego ; 
 It hallows e'en a by-gone knell, 
 Blest time when scented Lilacs blow. 
 
 How oft I've blest the natal day 
 
 Of her I buried years ago ; 
 
 Whose life o'er mine held sacred sway ; 
 
 I bless it yet when Lilacs blow. 
 
 Her chaste companionship I mourn. 
 While life shall last e'en 'twill be so ; 
 Yet happy memories ^^ return 
 Whene'er I see sweet Lilacs blow\ 
 
so RE LENT RE GOLD. 
 
 RE LENT— /2E GOLD. 
 
 If I were a preacher, what would I preach ? 
 Ah ! what would I preach in these Lenten days, 
 When Christians for mercies their Maker be- 
 seech, 
 And professors awhile doff foolish displays ? 
 
 0, I would proclaim that man's God is gold ; 
 The false God, leading the many astray ; 
 For who that observes men, can fail to behold 
 The one thought prevaiHng with all, "will it 
 pay?" 
 
 Yes, gold is man's God, e'en during the fast ; 
 The clinging to gold is man's greatest sin ; 
 Nor will he relinquish his hold to the last, 
 Though relinquishing should for him heaven 
 win. 
 
 The saying is hard ; the saying is true, 
 That they who have gold must give it away ; 
 Kemember, *'the poor ye have always with 
 
 you;" 
 You must give up the gold if Christ you'd obey ! 
 
 'Tis written for all ; 'tis written for you ; — 
 "A certain young man departed in grief; 
 
RE LENT RE GOLD. 81 
 
 E'en Christ and his teachings was fain to es- 
 chew, 
 To keep his possessions" — surpassing belief. 
 
 Ye cannot be Christ's if ye have much gold ; 
 If ye gather wealth intending to keep ; 
 It's hoarding excludes from the pale of his fold — 
 Then if ye possess it, ye are but lost sheep. 
 
32 AN INCIDENT AFTER THE BATTLE. 
 
 AN INCIDENT AFTER THE BATTLE. 
 
 The jolly tars of England the victory had won, 
 The French they had defeated, ay, silenced 
 
 every gun ; 
 But ere from Trafalgar they sailed for Albion 
 
 to steer, v 
 
 They gloried o'er the conquest, with toast, with 
 
 song and cheer. : • ** 
 
 Each gallant son of Neptune his duty did dis- 
 charge. 
 
 By drinking to "Old Hingland," or else to 
 "Good King Jarge ;" 
 
 A chaplain to the Navy must needs to bear his 
 part ; 
 
 So gave for toast "A health to Napoleon Bona- 
 
 The dauntless ocean war'iors, though loyal to 
 
 black- strap. 
 Were quite becalmed at such a toast, — they 
 
 wouldn't drink to Nap.; 
 Till the chaplain had explained ''that they all 
 
 would idle be, 
 If 'twasn't for brave Bony," — when they all 
 
 drank cheerily. 
 
AN INCIDENT AFTER THE BATTLE. 83 
 
 A Scottish "saltie" owrejoyed, and feeling unco 
 weel, 
 
 Declared *"twas richt they noo should drink a 
 health to the auld deil ;" 
 
 The chaplain said " 'twas sinful — 'twas carry- 
 ing it too far, — 
 
 Such toasts were not of heaven, or becoming 
 Trafalgar." 
 
 Now Scottie waxen ta'ky, Jamaica did eschew ; 
 He "kenn'd 'twas no sae gude a quech as pure 
 
 mountain dew ; 
 An a' might drink the to'st wi'out doing ony 
 
 evil, 
 For min'sters wad be idle if there was nae 
 
 deevil." 
 
34 INDIAN SUMMER. 
 
 INDIAN SUMMER. 
 
 See yonder red spot on the wall, 
 As day peeps in the room ! 
 A fire rolled up into a ball, 
 As seen through hazy gloom. 
 Ope wide the lattice, lest I choke, 
 Nor now can breathe, for all is smoke 
 Far as the eye can reach or roam, 
 Behold, mild Indian Summer's come. 
 
 Complacently the sun looks do"wn 
 With soft and mellow light, 
 Upon the work that he has done ; 
 Half veiled from Nature's sight, 
 As nearer he would come and view 
 The glories he o'er Nature threw, 
 His quiet gaze to satisfy, 
 And kiss all beauties ere they die. 
 
 And now shines out as if in sport. 
 Bright rays throws o'er the scene, — 
 The mist his influence seems to've caught. 
 Has changed to silv'ry sheen ; 
 Bedraping trees with '^eecy whiteness, 
 Aud toning soft the rays of brightness, 
 The sun's great work of painting's o'er — 
 All earth's a gorgeous, checkered ;floor. 
 
INDIAN SUMMER. 36 
 
 The trees all decked in colors gay, 
 Seem teeming with delight 
 At having snatched the rays of day, 
 And blended them with night ; 
 Has made of twain befitting dress, 
 (A nonpareil of loveliness,) 
 And ere the summer fairly close, 
 Are wrapped i:i glory and repose. 
 
 A calm pervades the vast expanse. 
 
 Yet bodeth nought of fear, 
 
 But 's rather as the winsome glance 
 
 Of modest eyes that peer 
 
 Into eyes of lover plighted, 
 
 Nor could language have delighted : 
 
 As e'er did lover's quiet smile, — 
 
 E'en so now Nature does beguile. 
 
 And this season so beguiling, 
 (That lasts about a moon,) 
 Wins, as does the lover's smiling. 
 The bridal will be soon ; 
 For brown Autumn's won white Winter, 
 Heaven pure snowy robes has sent her. 
 Swift north winds the union tells — 
 Boreas rings the marriage bells. 
 
86 THE DROP THAT CANNOT BE GATHERED. 
 
 THE DROP THAT CANNOT BE 
 GATHERED. 
 
 (written for new year's day.) 
 
 A drop of water spilt upon the ground, 
 'Tis said "cannot be gathered up again," 
 So, every word or act in Hfe's brief round. 
 As ornament or blemish will remain 
 On the eternal future of us all. 
 F^y word, a "yes," a "no." we rise or fall, 
 Man writes his destiny beyond a doubt. 
 Which written once, can ne'er be blotted out. 
 Analogy as true as 'tis profound., 
 The "drop" cannot be gathered from the 
 ground. 
 
 The law that's made by Persian potentate. 
 Once law, e'en Persian law lack^power to 'nul, 
 
 Though it condemns to death the good and 
 
 great ; 
 A lesson from the Sacred page we cull, 
 A lesson of instruction meant for all. 
 And there's a truth the stoutest might appal! 
 Then to this truth to-day bestow a thought ; 
 "For every word to judgment shall be brought;" 
 Each word, to good or evil must redousid ; 
 The "drop" cannot be gathered from the 
 
 ground. 
 
JHE DROP THAT CANNOT BE GATHERED. 87 
 
 Full many a maiden in the spring of life, 
 By word, has lost the opportunity 
 Of e'er becoming loved or loving wife ; 
 Though urged by lover's importunity. 
 Has said the "no," and thus forever lost 
 What now she craves — would gain at any cost: 
 An arm on which to lean — companion meet ; 
 The word but haunts e'en to her winding-sheet; 
 That fatal '*no" to latest life a sound ; 
 The "drop" cannot be gathered from the 
 ground. 
 
 And many a man in plenitude of health 
 Has lived regardless of the evil day ; 
 Made for himself a god of this world's wealth, 
 Reluctantly » ^on an honest debt did pay. 
 Ne'er thought that wealth's compared to living 
 
 things . 
 That soon are gone — has fled as upon wings ! 
 And gone his wealth — hfi god, how great the 
 
 loss ! 
 Since followed health — nought left but fierce 
 
 remorse. 
 His life, like water spilt — too late he found, 
 The "drop" cannot be gathered from the 
 
 ground. 
 
38 THE DROP THAT CANNOT BE GATHERED. 
 
 Ah I what is true of word, or deed, or law. 
 Is aptly true of cycles, we call time : 
 A round completed, bids each view with awe 
 The clnking sands of life— then higher climb ; 
 And ask what am I now ? What shall I be 
 Through boundless cycle— vast Eternity ? 
 Nor linger over-long— up ! higher rise ! 
 Press on to gain eternal life— Great Prize ! 
 By faith step sure, let there be no rebound. 
 The ''drop" cannot be gathered from the 
 ground. 
 
 "Stand still," my soul : on this, a New Year's 
 
 - day; 
 And humbly standing, view from highest 
 
 ground — 
 Perchance, the ♦ 'great salvation" the display— 
 A Jordan cleft -a Saviour's love profound. 
 To lead me dry-shod o'er the dreaded stream, 
 To lasting joys— when ended this life's dream. 
 Let me but hear thee speak again, to say 
 "Give me thine heart"— and give it up to-day 
 Let not the fatal "no," with me be found. 
 Or, be as "drop" that's spilt upon the ground. 
 
SNOW. 
 
 m 
 
 SNOW. 
 
 » TO H. M. H. 
 
 The snow that falls when all is calm, 
 Will earth's unevennesses hide ; 
 So, sweet forgiveness, like a balm, 
 Will heal the heart sore rent by pride. 
 
 Yes, newly-fallen snow is pure, 
 (Ere stains of earth it's beauty's marred,) 
 And pure's the Word that makes it sure 
 The unforgiven's from Heaven barred. 
 
 Then look you on the beauteous snow, 
 And if forgiveness you've deferred, — 
 By all you love, may Heaven show 
 That you are mortal, — you have erred. 
 
40 CORONET TIDES. 
 
 COKONET^^IDES. 
 
 There once lived a Bishop in neighboring See, 
 Who much was importuned by many clergy ; 
 Importuned by letter, and by word of mouth. 
 To make spacial prayer, for great was .the 
 drought. 
 
 His Lordship was stolid, and would not permit 
 Special prayer to ascend and bring down the 
 
 wet ; 
 But shook his wise head, leering up to the sky, 
 " We a' must endure yet, a' tho it is dry !" 
 
 The clergy impatient, formed a Committee 
 To wait on his Lordship, for 'twas a pity 
 That all should be parched, both the grass and 
 
 the grain, 
 When prayer might bring down brimming 
 
 buckets of rain. 
 
 His Lordship looked grave when each one 
 had pleaded, 
 
 And out the back door in silence receded ; 
 
 Than looking up, thought of his dry parched 
 up flock ? 
 
 Ah, no ! he was viewing the high weather- 
 cock ! 
 
CORONET TIDES. 41 
 
 His Lordship reti^rned— the brethren he 
 greeted — 
 
 And soon made it clear,, f wet they'd be 
 cheated ; 
 
 ** The clouds would retain yet all the soft- 
 water !" 
 
 The "wind," he averred, *'was i' the wrang 
 quarter." 
 
42 MUSIC HAS CHARMS. 
 
 MUSIC HAS CHAEMS. 
 
 O, what was the queer thing that Pat was 
 describmg ? 
 
 Was it bird, was it beast, or of' man's con- 
 triving ? 
 0, what was the marvel he saw at the fair ? 
 I use his own words, the description's so rare. 
 
 " 'Twasas big as a turkey ; — the shape of a 
 
 goose ; 
 A man held by the neck lest the baste should 
 
 get loose ; 
 An sure thin wid his showlder its back thried 
 
 to fael — 
 Wid a shtiok rubb'd its belly — Och! how it did 
 
 squale !" 
 
 Now as Patrick says something whenever he 
 
 speaks. 
 What need to guess what he saw, p'rhaps for 
 
 long weeks, 
 As if 'twere conundrum, charade or a riddle ? 
 When 'tis plain Pat had seen a man play the 
 
 fiddle. 
 
UNCOMPLETED MAN. 43 
 
 UNCOMPLETED MAN. 
 
 I sing this strain, That one's of twain 
 
 Ere Nature's work began ; 
 Or word went forth from Wisdom's moudi 
 
 That perfected was man. 
 
 For all through swiftly fleeting years, 
 
 From first e'en to the end, 
 It was ordained of human race ; 
 
 That two in one should blend. 
 
 And though 'twas seen that all was good, 
 
 As onward went the plan ; 
 Yet God his work first deigned to bless 
 
 When perfected was man. 
 
 Oh ! wond'rous thought, that Mighty God 
 His crowning work t' improve 
 
 From man took rib — it back did give, 
 Now soul — now living love. 
 
 Ah ! here 'tis clear that woman dear, 
 (In whom all graces meet,) 
 
 Co-operates with Nature wise, 
 To make the man complete. 
 
 But what of him. Creation's lord — 
 The capstone of the plan — 
 
 Without the graces, love, the soul ? 
 He's uncompleted man. 
 
44 DIAMONDS AND ROSES. 
 
 DIAMONDS AND ROSES. 
 
 Ah ! Diamonds and roses are beautiful things, 
 But which I most prize, would you know ? 
 
 0, give me the roses — let gems be for kings ; 
 And why I prefer them; I'll show. 
 
 When Summer 's most charming, the rose, 
 modest liow'r, 
 
 Unfolds like the blush of fair maids ; 
 And whether adorning the boudoir or bow'r, 
 
 The air with sweet odor it lades. 
 
 Blush-rose solitaire, when adorning the hair, 
 
 Is emblem of beauty and youth ; 
 Divest it of name, still its pei'fume 's as rare — 
 
 It's type of unchangeabletruth. 
 
 The gem, not possessing sweet fragrance or 
 
 liglit, 
 Hides deep in the heart of the earth : 
 Ere fashioned and faceted, yea, polished bright, 
 At best is but carbon — small worth. 
 
 When polished, 'tis true it reflects borrowed 
 light - 
 
 Emits not a ray of its own ; 
 In darkness it's dark as the blackness of night — 
 
 Of lowest creation — mere stone. 
 
DIA.Bi.ONDS AND ROSES. 45 
 
 The "War of the Roses" was wrong from the 
 first ; 
 But wicked display of men's pow'r, 
 Who, fiend-hke, for blood of their fellows did 
 thirst, — 
 A slander upon the fair fiow'r. 
 
 That diamond cuts diamond, 's a truth some- 
 what quaint, 
 
 As true it must borrow to shine ; — 
 A hypocrite, wearing the garb of a saint, 
 
 But only in seeming divine . 
 
 The rose is aye giving, therefore is more blest, 
 (It's better to give than receive ;) 
 
 Gives beauty to faces we love, sweet behest 
 Of God's finished work. Mother Eve. 
 
46 A REMINISCENCE OF ROBINSON CRUSOE. 
 
 A REMINISCENCE OF ROBINSON 
 CRUSOE. 
 
 A ship-wrecked mariner on a lone Isle, 
 A nugget of gold picked up on the shore ; 
 And viewing it long, without e'en a smile. 
 Soliloquised thus : " what can'st thou procure ? 
 
 What might 'st thou procure, if in the brisk 
 
 mart 
 Where men toil for gold till all but life fail. 
 I now cast thee from me, swift as a dart. 
 As often of yore I've flung an old nail. 
 
 I now could use nails in building a raft. 
 With which I might reach inhabited land : 
 Here, gold is to me dishonored, base draft — 
 As worthless as sea- weed, or the beach sand." 
 
 Thus shall it be with the miser at last : 
 His god-yellow gold, shall be as the s^nd 
 When nearing the sea— Eternity vast - 
 His gold will not help him to the good land. 
 
THE BEST. 47 
 
 THE BEST. 
 
 A traveller met an age(^'^iK^ 
 
 And thus he spoke in terms of sorrow . 
 
 " I prithee, tell me if you can, 
 
 \Yhat weather shall we have to-morrow ?' 
 
 The aged man, in smiling mood, 
 Gave answer, ** It will be the best." 
 Nor thought the traveller, he is rude ; 
 But thought, perhaps he does but jest. 
 
 "But what is best, my aged friend ?" 
 The traveller did again request. 
 ** Whate'er it shall please God to send ; 
 For what God sends is always best." 
 
48 THE FLOWERS OF EARLY SPRING. 
 
 THE FLOWERS OF EARLY SPRING. 
 
 I love the flowers of early spring, 
 They tell drear winter's on the wane ; 
 They seem to say, *• soon birds will sing;" 
 They cheer the heart to hope again. 
 
 They come to heart that's sorely crushed, 
 And speak with plaintive notes of dove ; 
 (A heavenly voice, so sweetly hushed,) 
 " I chasten whomsoe'er I love." 
 
 Ah, listen to that voice I must ! 
 Despairing thoughts far from me flee 1 
 The heart is moved to child-like trust — 
 I bless the Love that chastened me. 
 
TO THE MUSHROOM. 49 
 
 TO THE MUSHROOM. 
 
 Good morning to your night-cap, pale up- 
 start of the night ! 
 I'm glad to see your white top, it gives my 
 
 eyes delight ; 
 But lest that red cow yonder, you under foot 
 
 should tread, 
 I'll amputate your tail — off ! ;;.a, I have saved 
 
 your head ! 
 I'll put you in my basket and t ike you to the 
 
 town ; 
 What though you came head foremost ? you 
 
 now shall go head down. 
 Nor shall you go all lonely,— your brothers I 
 
 will take; 
 With many of your kindred, too, and all for 
 
 your sweet sake. 
 I now will homeward wend, for I'm fearful it 
 
 will storm — 
 Ah, with what care I'll place you upon the 
 
 griddle warm ! 
 I'll butter and I'll salt you, and ere you are 
 
 " done brown," 
 I'll say for grace ''Ilove you," then gobble 
 
 you right down. 
 Let others with their steaks and chops, fry, 
 
 stew with smoke and fumes ; 
 With zest, for breakfast I'll enjoy delicious^ 
 
 sweet mushrooms. 
 
60 TO AN INVALID. 
 
 TO AN INVALID. 
 
 I love thee well — you know I love thee 
 Better far than tongue can tell ; 
 
 And your lover I must aye be, 
 Long as we on earth shall dwell. 
 
 " Ah, would that I had never known thee !' 
 Oft is said by lover spurned — 
 
 And I know when fate says *' must be," 
 Nought can from its cours3 be turned. 
 
 It is a truth that hopeful future 
 
 Is a casket tightly sealed ; — 
 A sweet susi)ense all must endure ; 
 
 Happy joys yet unrevealed. 
 
 0, would that I to-day were near thee, 
 Nigh the couch that's borne you long, 
 
 I would tell thee much that's cheery. 
 Banish care by joyous song. 
 
 But ah, vain wish — I am not with thee ! 
 
 What though I am far away ? 
 I will pray the Lord of Mercy, 
 
 Bless you on this New- Year's day. 
 
 To-day I am your intercessor. 
 And should'SjieveKbe more ; — 
 
 0, may the ever blessed Blesser, I 
 You to perfect health restore. 
 
NEVER DO EVIL THAT GOOD MAY ABOUND. 61 
 
 NEVER DO EVIL THAT GOOD MAY 
 
 ABOUND. 
 
 A tramping tinker came into a town, 
 
 And though he was weary, yet did wend ; 
 
 Its high-ways and by-ways trudged up and 
 
 down, 
 To the tune of 'Tots or Kettles to mend ?" 
 
 He tramped and cried till the sun had gone 
 
 down, 
 " Any old pots or kettles to mend !" 
 Albeit his cry caused many to frown. 
 It got him no job or pennies to spend. 
 
 His grievance sore, to a glazier he told, 
 
 Who cared for his temporal wants that night ; 
 
 Thus bidding his courage take fresh hold, 
 
 " To-morrow, to-morrow all will come fight." 
 
 The glazier went forth to his work next morn. 
 Did more than glaze, for bent on a freak. 
 Full many a dame he caused to mourn. 
 By making their pots and kettles to leak. 
 
 He told the tinker to go earn his bread, 
 An^. as he whispered what he had done. 
 He flourished his I3utty knife as he said, 
 " Go stop the pots that I have made to run." 
 
52 NEVER DO EVIL THAT GOOD MAY ABOUND. 
 
 The tinker got plenty of work that day; 
 And pennies to buy hnn beer and bread, 
 So he feasted, drank, and then down lay 
 Behind the town church — made the grass 
 his bed^ 
 
 Awaking as |«^ mil on the church shone, 
 As if with gold its windows would stain, 
 Each glass was made a mark for a stone. 
 At least thought the tinker, and smashed each 
 pane. 
 
 He now to his glazier friend did repair. 
 And chuckling told of his morning's fun ; 
 The glazier's eyes with frenzy did glare 
 As ** tinker," he groaned, "you have me 
 undone ! 
 
 I'm paid in advance, and paid for a year, 
 I've signed written bonds — signed them last 
 
 night — 
 That church to keep glazed ! why came you 
 
 here " 
 And uttered an oath I'll not speak or write. 
 
 The story is versed — I read it in pro& i — 
 For what was it rhymed, do you suppose ? 
 List you, it teaches this maxim sound. 
 Never do evil that good may abound. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Absolution, 
 
 A Charm in Life for Me 
 
 An Incident after the Battle 
 
 A Reminiscence of Robinson Crusoe 
 
 Be as Wise as a Cat . . 
 
 By the Light of Thine Eye 
 
 Christmas Carol . . 
 
 Coronet Tides . . ,. .. 
 
 Diamonds and Roses 
 
 Illusions 
 
 Indian Summer 
 
 Music has Charms . . *'. 
 
 My Heart is Like the Sea , . 
 
 Never do Evil that Good may abound 
 
 No Temple There 
 
 Oh ! Whither Fled the Summer Time ? 
 
 On the Reception of a Ring 
 
 Re Lent — Re Gold . . 
 
 Rebound 
 
 Snow . . . • • • • • 
 
 The Drop that cannot be Gathered 
 
 The Shamrock 
 
 The Time when Lilacs Blow 
 
 The Twa " Unco Gude " . . 
 
 The old, The Sweet old Story . . 
 
 To a Beautiful Sunrise 
 
 To E. W. 
 
 To Love is Life . . ... 
 
 To M. A. 
 
 To the Nurse 
 
 The Best 
 
 The Flowers of early Spring 
 
 To the Mushroom 
 
 To an Invalid 
 
 Uncompleted Man . . 
 
 What Is't to be a Gentleman ? 
 
 27 
 
 14 
 
 82 
 
 46 
 
 16 
 
 26 
 
 18 
 
 40 
 
 44 
 
 21 
 
 34 
 
 42 
 17 
 47 
 12 
 16 
 25 
 30 
 23 
 89 
 36 
 
 10 
 
 29 
 
 13 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 20 
 
 3 
 
 49 
 
 60 
 
 61 
 
 52 
 
 43 
 
 8