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Mapa, piataa, charta, ate., may ba filmad at diffarant raduction ratioa. Thoaa too larga to ba antiraly includad In ona axpoaura ara fllmad baglnning in tha uppar laft hand cornar, laf i to right and top to botton:, aa many framaa aa raquirad. Tha following diagrama llluatrata tha mathod: Laa cartaa, planchaa, tablaaux, ate, pauvant Atra fllmia i daa taux da TMuctlon diff Aranta. Loraqua la documant aat trop grand pour Atra raproduit an un aaui cllchA, II aat filmA A partir da I'angla aupArlaur gaucha, da gaucha A droita, at da haut •n baa, ar pranant la iiombra d'imagaa nAcaaaaira. Laa diagramm Kjo^^yt^ Cs^ ') '^3 V!) t ^^ii» O E M S ■f, WILLIAM T. URQUHART, Montreal : PRINTED BY JOHN LOVELL, ST. NICHOLAS STREET 1868. ? ^Qo:^.iG^cjg'0r-) '- j M j^i/J^c/j~^Q;O^jg^:-^Q^3g^ag^^^t^^-Q^'^-^-^'> ( < (5 n 'A d) BIBLIOTHBQUE — DK — M. i/abbk n. A. VERREAU A'o. .?J' . -\ OEMS BY WILLIATvi T. URQUHART. M \^ ' 1 y Montreal : PRINTED BY JOHN LOVELL, ST. NICHOLAS STREET. 1868. ' ¥ I CONTENTS. -•o»- ti;k song or the sea kincs, 5 THE CHAMPIUNS OT OLD, 7 KCTROSPECTIUN, 9 THE LOVED AND LOST, ,. 10 VVANDERINCS OF THE NIGHT, II MAUI) STANLEY I 3 ELEANOR BRAND, I J MARGERY KEENE, l6 A REVERIE, , l8 THE LURLEYS, I9 boyhood's DAYS, ao SPRING, 21 BROADWAY, aa AUTUMN, ,.., 25 ALL THE WORLD TO ME, ...r 26 THE RED CROSS BANNER, 27 AUTUMN , 18 ABSENT, ,.,,, 29 IN THE WOODS, 30 WASTED FLOWERS, ,.., . 31 THOMAS d'aRCY m'gEE, 3I THE CHIVALRY OF THE NORTH, 52 OLD NEIGHBOURS, J'j A SONG FOR AUTUMN, ,r....... ..,,.,, 35 Over t Borne Down When To ut There Each ^ And a As to Stern ' And I- And! Uphel h POEMS. >«sC5©*>«. THE SONG OF THE SEA KINGS. May 24th 1867. Over the waters sounding right lustily, Borne on a breeze from the Northern Sea, Down from the vocs and the wicks of Norlantl Where the Storm King reigns, mighty monarch is he , Where ships are stranding, And tempests are b""'dinj^ Together, to w. 'd behest j From the Stor' Comes tho f> \ To us sons of Old Norland out hi f There is revelry and feasting in Valhalla s n-.. to-night, Each Viking bold, with crown of gold, hath donned his armour bright, And a thousand ai.ns arc lifted, and a thousand beakers shine. As to Ocean's Queen, Victohia, they qualT the good mead wine. Stern " Beowulf of the Iron Hand," in mailed hauberk is there. And Hengist, stalwart warrior, with the tawny tangled hair j And Torquil and Halco who (as legends sayl of old Upheld the fight off Stormborough Height like Rovers staunch and hold. ^ FOIMI. " Hurrah," they ^ry while yet mure high thf wild carouial grows Ar>d the waves above them roar and .hout at a itrong Nor' Eaiter blowi " Thoug:. we are dead yet un Nia head the NoriemanU gloriei .hint ' "And ai her »l4vci .he rule* the wave., thi. Princeu of our linr," * " Far o'er the Northern Ocean a thou.and year, ago, " We .ailed in our • Sea Dragon.' nor feared a mortal foe, "Bui our .on. to-day .urpa.. u,, for their meteor flag unfurled **Ukc a ray of light, it fla.hc. bright, in triumph round the world.- Then from the l>a.t and Preient the Viking, turn their eye*. And gate into the Future with triumph and .urpri.c j Once more their joyou. laughter .haket the Valhalla". hail- Once t: re the wave, arc roaring, re.ponsivc to their call. " Hurrah," they cry, and round the board cluster the weird band { ••Hurrah," oner uore, and high aloft i. raised each shadowy hand : Down through long future ages, Britannia's sons we see, " Still hold against all comers the Empire of the Sea !" "Worthy are they to b«:ar the flag that once their fathers bore- Worthy are th^r the Ocean realm they won in days of yore, When o'er the crested waters the praise of Odin rang, And pwans wild of Victory the Scandinavians sang !" A sweeter and a purer song sing the Sea Kings of to-day Which speaks of Peace and Fellowship to the nations far away • And Britain's Queen, the " Peacemaker." from her fair Island 'throne, B.ds lawleos Might succumb to Right, and the world her power own ! But while one drop of old Norse blood still courses through our veins- Long as the Norseman's proud <' Hurrah," our battle cry rrmains- On and or sea, where'er it be, shall Britain's sons he seen. Ready at n 1 to flght and bleed, or die for Britain'r (iueen. <*OIMS. i)vrr the water* lounding right lustily, It c(.h()ciJ tho climor of cannon and cheeri, Greeting nbr M>udly, loyally and proudly, Our QifBtN, whu growl dearer ai pan the yeart { Sing tn her, wlndi of May, On thii, her natal day ; Sing her the longi of the Kingt of the Sea ^ Hope and joy bring to her| Shout for her, ting for her, Hail her VicToniA, ()uekn or the Fkee * THE CHAMPIONS OF OLD. In my little parlor sitting By the fireside warm and bright. While the clock'i incesrant ricking Maries the watches of the night } Legendary tales and fancies Talcs of knightly deeds of yore, Learned in early childhood's hour In wild mingled vision pour. Ho I Sir Lanceolct the fearless. Tarry with me for a space. Royal and golden haired Guinevere, Show awhile your peerless face. Ho ! Sir Galahad « the stainless" Sound your proud old battle cry, Which onrc in Avilion's valley Like a trumpet rose on high. POEMS. Knights heroic, champions regal Of Britannia's matchless line, Through the shadow of the centuries Let your glittering hauberks shine.. Oh ! ye Bards whose plaintive harpings Echoed once through Mona's glade, * Let me hear the murmured music Of the patriot airs ye played. Stern old Vikings, sons of Beowulf Ye who ruled the northern sea, Ye who Empire Oceanic Gave to your posterity. Leave awhile your grim carousing In the dim Valhalla's hall, O'er the wild Atlantic surges. Let me hear the " Raven's Call." Royal Arthur the true hearted. Wake from thy enchanted rest, Now that England needs thee sorely Rear aloft ihe dragon's crest. Red Cross Knight, St. George of England, Raise your glorious battle cry. Teach your sons to live as freemen Teach them how brave men should dio ; Breathe your free and generous spirit, 'Mong your progeny again. Let the Legend of the Empire Be " For Honour" not " For Gaia." POEMS Let not all your deeds of valour By your children be forgot, Let a ray of light chivalric Shine from grand old Caraelot ! Though ye rise not at my bidding, Sounding like a trumpet call Lives the story of your valour, Kings and knights true heroes all j Echoed down through all the ages ; Long as Britain's name is heard, We will fight for " Merrie England' We will shout your banner word ! RETROSPECTION. Toward the road that's so far travelled through the valley of the years, I turn with ling'ring glances though half blinded by my tears ; Turn from the darkened shadows that o'er cloud my future way To the swift-fading sunshine ©f a brighter happier day. Turn from the Present's toil and strife to catch a glimpse of dawn, From the quickly passing flowers of noon to the opening buds of morn j From the burning Pride and Passion which blight all that's good and fair, To breathe, for one short fleeting moment, the early April air. From the falsehood and deceit, from the empty dreams of good. From vain strivings after better things, unknown, misunderstood ; From the graves of broken promises that line each side the way — I turn in bitter anguish to childhood's calm and peaceful day. 10 POEMS. i And gazing backward tenderly where Hope's sunshine brightest fell, Upon the still and dreamy air, rings Memory's silver bell, And like a «« Benedictus" sounding through the clouds of woe Comes the sweet and nnuffled music of the happy " long ago." Bright promises of youth, all in sadness passed away. Oh, sunlight of the morning now fading to decay, Upon my heart sprung tears once more in rainbow glory fall. And with the Howers of Love and Hope deck Disappointment's pall. Love, Friendship, all are fleeting, but one thing sure remains. One ray of sunshine gleaming through the Future's cares and pains. One changeless aureola lighting up the twilight grey With purer, softer glory than shone on my earlier way. And by that light which beams afar from the hills oflight and truth, From the realm of everlasting spring, and never-ending youth, 1 11 strive to pierce the shadows which round my pathway fall. And wait in tranquil peace until I hear Death's Angel call. THE LOVED AND LOST. Lit by the fairy torches which Memory lends to guide us. Through all the various turnings of life's dark and devious ways, Cheered by the draughts ambrosial, Hope gives whate'er betide us, To soothe our nights of sadness, and illume our lonely days, I muse } and s«mbre twilight all the pleasant scene surrounding, Floats on its misty chariot through the still and perfumed air. And mingled with the waterfall, and the birds' soft vespers sounding, I almost fancy that I hear, the fairy bugles blare : 5t fell, POEMS. II Half sleep, half waking, phantom like, past joys and present sorrows. The varying lights and shadows, on life's everchanging stream, The smiles of buried yesterdays, the gloom of coming morrows. Before my spirit's vision mingle, like a shadowy dream. s pall. Oh spirits of the loved and lost, on all the pasfattending, Ye who were too pure and holy, for this world of sin and tears, Still let your unseen presence, with my joys and sorrows blending, Surround me and support me, 'neath the burthen of the years. )ains. truth, And as the chastened sunlight, through a painted window streaming, Upon the sculptured sepulchre, of saint or martyr old, Among the grave's dull garniture with rainbow glcry gleaming, Decks out the cold grey marble, in purple and in gold. So shall your love and goodness, like Heav'n born rays descending, Through the funereal darkness of Time's o'erclouding pall, With many a sweet remembrance, half sad, half joyous blending, Upon the tomb of buried hopes, in golden sunshine fall. WANDERINGS OF THE NIGHT. IS, nding. 'Mid the blue mountains, where the sunshine lingers, Far in the West, though lowering shades decline In the wild forest, fresh from Nature's fingers. Sweet with the perfume of a breath divine ; Or on the lake, whose waters, all unruffled, Shine like a mirror 'neath ;he setting sun. The low soft winds have cea'-ed their sweet complaining. And whisper gently that the Day is done. 12 POEMS. O'er all the scene Night comes with dusky shadows, And wraps all nature in its sombre pall, While o'er us too its magic influence stealing, We sink to silence and to slumber all j Then our freed spirits leave their earthly dwelling, Soaring alof*^ thro' the dark vault of night. And mingling with the scenes and friends of childhood. With well-loved spirits once again unite. And thus it chanced from home and dear ones parted, I stood one night upon a foreign strand, And ere I slept, as taught me in my childhood, I knelt to Him who holds us in His hand ; Then guardian angels spread their wings around me, (Sweet is the sleep His peace alone can give). And turning back a space upon life's pathway. Amid the scenes of vanished years I live. • # # * « How well I know the oid remembered garden, Where in my childhood I was wont to plav, The sparkling river and the weeping willows. Where oft I've gambolled on a summer day. I hear the ripple of the tiny cascade. The merry clicking of the distant mill, I see the cherry bloom drift in the moonlight. And the old beech wood on the neighb'ring hill, I stand beneath the green verandah's shadow, Mid the moss roses and the jasmine's bloom. And the cool midnight air around seems fragrant And bathed in sweetness with their rich perfume j Slowly I see the well known house-door open, And my lost mother's dear loved form appears, — Thus through the portals of the days departed. Rise the blest memories of distant years. POEMS. Sweet as the ray of evening's •tarlight tender, Is the kind smile my mother bends on me, And the glad words oflove and cheer she utters, Like music echo'd o'er a tranquil sea. Happy the moments, blest beyond comparing. When with loved ones departed we unite- Blissful the hours, fadeless and pure the flow'rs Which deck the chaplet of the magic Night. # # * * • 'Mid the far mountains, where the sun is rising, See the red roses of the coming day, And hear the birds the grand old woods surprising. Singing their matin songs so blithe and gay : See the wide forest stands forth bright and shining, In its regalia of dew-drop pearls, While a fresh breete the early mists dispelling. The purple banner of the morn unfurls. •3 MAUD STANLEY. Maud Stanley was belle of our village, Maud Stanley was queen of the May ; Born men's bosoms to rifle and pillage, Many a heart she had stolen away ! Oh ! how I loved her ! young then and simple, Easily lured by the smiles of the girls, Spell-bcund I gazed on her cheek's pretty dimple. And raved with delight o'er her sunny brown curls. Well I remember, in the copse by the river, As twilight was fading we stood side by side. Wildly I swore to adore her forever ; Lightly she promised to be my bride. H P0FM3. Maud to be mine ! the belle of our village, She who had set ail our beaux by the ears : She who was born men's bosoms to pillage, To scorn their entreaties, and laugh at their tears j All save mine } me she loved truly, She said so at least more than once that night, As I pressed her soft cheek close up unto me. And saw her hair gleam in the golden light. Golden light that shone like a glory. On the sweet head of my promised bride j Golden light that illumed love's story, Told 'mong the trees by the river side. r Still in these days of life's September, Comes back like a dream, our spring day prime, Still 'mong the shadows we sadly remember. The cloudless light of youth's golden time. Maud ! e'en now my pale lips quiver. As I breathe the name that was once so dear. Over the waves of Time's swift flowing river. Love's echo is sounding sweet and clear. Echo that floats on for ever and ever, Tho' the love is dead and its songs are done. Through the mists of years still it ceaseth never Tho' the music that woke it is past and gone. Maud is n matron with children around her, Her daughter was queen on last May day, The beauty has fled with which love had crowned her, in the days when she stole my young heart away. POEMS. •5 ELEANOR BRAND. Oh ' the fisherman's cottage was down by the sea, 'Neath the shade of the cliff so rugged and brown, And the waves sang their anthems wild and free, And tossed their white locks as the sun went down. Day's lingering light fell on the crisp sands And deck'd each wave with a golden crest. And it shone on the cliffs and the bleak moorlands, 'Till it dreamily faded out in the vvest. Then I watched the fisherman hoist his sail And steer out to sea with his nets by his side, 'Till 'mong the mists of the evening pale He noated from sight on the ebbing tide. Then slowly across the damp white sand Which lovingly clung to her tiny feet. Came the fisherman's daughter, fair Eleanor Brand, And (as often before) we chanced to meet. Her eyes were as blue and as clear as the skies Of a softly fading September day ; And thev shone with the chastened light that lies On the sea, as it smiles 'neath the sunny ray. And her hair fell in waves like ruddy gold. Rippling about her shoulders fair. And brightly glanced each s-lken fold As it rose and fell 'neath the soft night air. And though she was poor, and lowly her birth, And though all unknown was her pedigree. Yet dearer than all high born maidens on earth Was 4?lue-eyed Eleanor Brand to me. i6 POEMS. Oh, windi may blow, tide* may ebb and flow, The ikiei may be clear or with doudi o'ercait, But thii one thing I know, that come weal or come woe., My love for her long as life shall last. MARGERY KEENE. I passed by the door of the smithy, And, heard the hollow clang. As on the glowing bars of iron, The mighty hammers rang } And as I paused for a moment. To listen to the roar, Hal Keene, the master blacksmith, Stood by the open door. A stalwart man was the blacksmith, With a sinewy arm and hand, At wrestling or at quarter-staff, You*d scarce match him in the land. His shoulders were broad and massive. His eyes were bright and blue. His hair was crisp and curly Of the light brown Saxon hue. " Good morrow, Mastei* Blacksmith, And how is your daughter fair ?" And, as I spoke, I blushed crimson, T« the very rests of my hair. % POIMSt And the brow of the smith grew cluudy, " And what is nny daughter to thee ! " What seekest thou, her dUhonor f " And ihime and ruin for me." '• Nay, mock not, I've leen your taperi, " Your treacherous looks and sm.les, " Ana this day I've removed my daughter " From the reach of your dangerous wiles." «7 i Then the glow of the golden sunshine Grew dim before my iight, And the pleasant English valley Grew dark as the darkest night. For the blacksmith's blue-eyed daughter, (Her name was Margery) Of all the girls in our coimtry. Was dearest far to me. Love had welded our hearts together. And 'neath its glowing fire. While fanned by the breath of beauty. The flame leaped higher and higher, She had linked a chain around me, 'Twas stronger than steel bands. Though soft as the breath of evening. And light as the maid's white hands. Oh, a mighty man is the blacksmith, But stalwart though he be. His blue-eyed, cherry-lipped daughter Makes stronger chains than he ! B iS POEMS. 1* V 1 A REVERIE. It wai In the galJcn Autumn, anJ among the ruddy branchc. The night wind* lung a requiem for the fa« departing day, And in a tea of glory, like the ihicid of warrior hoary Behind the we.tern hill-top. the lun had hidden away. Then a gentle brceic came .weeping, like the breath of maiden .Iceping With her head upon your .houlder a. you bend down for a ki*. j I heard the .hccn bclU tinkle, and I .aw the bright .tar. twinkle, And 'mong the woods the turtle .ang the ballad of her bli.i. •Twa. a fair and pleasant icene ; ju.t below me swept the river Laughing and shouting wildly a. it Icap'd to kiss the breeze. O'er the granite boulder, brawling, on the echoe. loudly calling Little recking of its home afar within the deep blue .ea.. Then I thought how like the rivtr in its reckless onward strivint? Is the wayward course of man, iWm the cradle to the grave, In childhood gay and sparkling, in manhood rough and darkling, •Till life's vain strife i. ended in Eternity's vast wave. We strive to catch Earth's praises, they are empty as the breezes And all our fond ambitions as bubbles pass away. But Faith, Hjpa, and earnest Duty like sister stars of beauty Shine upon Life's troubled waters and gild them with their ray. Thus as I sat and pondered, my thoughts afar had wandered To those days of early happiness, alas ! for ever flown, I saw the purple heather and the mild September weather, And I heard a low voice whisper softly " I am all thine own." Ah, dear one, tears cannot recall tho8« hours of joy and blessing. Sweet flowers chat once have faded cannot bloom or bourgeon more, But hrough the darkness gleaming, Memory's softened starlight streamintr For a few short fleeting moments brings back the days of yore. POEMS. •9 THE LURLEYS. Tho olil (liTman le^ond of tho Larloyi In pnsttjr generally known. Ihwy wt»r« iuppo**! to froquont tint watarii of th« Uhliu», »nr» oiitoftliu««rtiOour«ti Into tUu iiUoaU auU vddio* whioh kurroaait(«- Lurli'y'n home 'Neath the crimjon gbw of twilight A strange and wcirdltke air, The Lurley «ingi 'mong the shadowi Ai »he combs her golden hair. And at the boatmen hear it, Sailing upon the Rhine, When half-veiled ai if in sadncsi, The young itari dimly thine, A love all strange and resistless, Throughout their being springs, And they ply their oars faster and faster Toward the rock where the Lurley sings ; And she stretches her white arms towards them, And sl.c smiles with unearthly grace. While the flow of the coming triumph Lights up her peerless face ; Till heedless, and gazing only On her soul entrancing charm*. They strike on the r< cks, and the Lurley > Enfolds them in her arms ! Not only where twilight shadows Fall softly on the Rhine, Do the Lurleys sing and their wltch'ries Around men's spirits twine ; ao POPMi. But wherevff Wife't iwlft Aowinf r' Through the valley of agei roili, While human pride and pauion Hold iway o'er human touli, The Lurleyi tit and they lure ui By thr magic of form and face^ While hccdirsily we drift onward To ruin and diiprace. I had written thus far a* a warning, Bur within my soul arise Fond visions of golden tre«sei, And dreams of violet eyes. And mcthinks perchance 'twere better, Ere Love's romances (ly. To yield to the chirms of the Lurleys, And 'ncath their spells to die. BOYHOOD'S DAYS. Departed days, that through long years of sadness, Like moonlight shining through the mist of night, Have, by the menr»ory of your joy and gladness, Wolce in my soul a manifold delighf ' — Days that 3^1 linked with all that's pure and holy !- Youf echoes ring down Life's fast dark'ning wiyj And, like old church bells, solemnly and slowly. Chime bentdictus from the far a iy,— Oh, pleasant echoes of my Boyh*. jd's day ! POIMI. S«mc itralni there art of wild untutored meaiure. And lome lounJ janKled, and alt out of tunc { But othcri, filled with love and linleM picaiure, Sweet ai the muiic of our woodi in J inc I Some muffled notei whisper of fnendi departed— Dear friend^ and loved onet^ who have patted away,— Yet e'en theie lay ** Oil, be not broken hearted, "Thoi toon thitlt meetj where )uy knowi no decay, "The dearly loved onet of thy Boyhood'* day '" And ttill your mutic, sounding iweetly ever, Ringi through the ihadowi and th€ ttorrei oi lifr, And, though the way it rough, itiU ceatea acvcr To nerve my tpirit for the toil jnd tfrife ! Through the d^rk night it wh'^j en of the dawning ; It tellt of tunihine 'mid the twilight gray, And breathes the perfume of Life't May-day morning, Though griefs siroccos cross my desert way, Oh, pleasant music of my Boyhood's day I 11 SPRING. Mountains and valleys with the chorus ringing, — Fountain and river echo the refrain, — All nature's minstrels in the forest singin? Welcome the gentle bright-eyed Spring again. Loving, pure, and kind, and tender, All fairest things attend her. The hushed winds sleep, and storms depart as soon as she has smiled ; The flowers bloom before her, The opening woods adore her. And old Time smoothes his furrowed brow to greet hii favourite child- 22 POEMS. And thus to thee, oh radiant m(;rry maiden, Our joyous welcome like the flowerb we tend, And hail thee as thou comest with love beladen Our angel visitant, our cherished fnend. And as we greet thee duly, We'll use thee well and truly. And garner up the treasures rare that from thy white hands fill, And sing our Spring songs merrily. And bid thee welcome cheerily. The first born of the Seasons and the sweetest of them all. Oh wh':e-browed Spring, among thy golden tresses Lingers the perfume of the Angel Land, Where He who all things beautifies and blesses Formed thee, the fairest of the Season's band. Dear memories round thee twining, Within our hearts enshrining, Hopes, lovesf and pleasant fancies from the tomb of buried years, At thy coming upward springing, Set the chords of Life a-ringing, And fill our souls with gladness that is all akin to tears. « BROADWAY. Some months have past since on thy pavement,. I stood t? watch the changing tide Of human forms and human faces. That flows on the " two shilling side." Yet still at times I seem to wander, (Led on by Memory's magic ray,) Once more among the lights and shadows. That fall upon thy stream, Broadway L POEMS. Ye damsels fair whose perfumed tresses Are flirting with the enamoured wind, Ve in the rich and rustling dresses With trains that sweep for yards behind ; Oh, golden and dark, chignoned beauties, The tall, petite, the grave, the gay, The sparkling crest on Life's dark billow That ebbs and flows along Broadway, How oft I've seen as daylight faded The silken wave of Fashion gleam. As homeward toward your brown stone mansions Ye hastened, belles of New York's " cream." How oft among your beauteous billows I have myself been sadly toss'd, Among the whirlpools and the eddies Where hopes arc wrecked and hearts are lost. (Ah, one there is whose form still haunts me, Whose face through all the dullness beams. Who o'er Life's ocean cast a radiance That comes no more except in dreams. Where art thou now, oh cara mm f As falls the twilight silvery grey, Still dost thou float li'^ie a white lily Upon the stream in fair Broadway ?) Rich merchants hurrying to their dinners. Poor girls with not a meal to eat, And saints in rags, and well clad sinners, Elbow each other in the street ; Maidens with grace and virtue beaming, Fresh as the morn and fair as May, Trip on, and with their ringing laughter Make merry music on Broadway. 23 24- POEMS. Young beaux and antiquated dandies Are seen there simpering side by side. And Charles Augustus Avenoodle Jostles olJ Skinflint in the tide j And there is Smith, the " speculator," Not worth a single dime, they say, And yet he puffs his " milH Havanah," And " cuts a swell" upon Broadway. Here cross olds maids and crossing sweepers Minerle together in the press, And newsboys yelling like young demons *'The third edition of the Expresj." Pickpockets, gamblers, politicians, Brokers and bankers, " bulls and bears," And thoughtless Youth, and Old Age bendin Beneath a weight of years and cares. Some wrecks there aire floating incessant Upon the changeful human tide, Which once in calm domestic havens Were anchored safe, a household's pride — Wrecks which still hoisting gaudy colors. Seeking in vain to hide decay. With silken streamers flaunting gaily, Drift up and down upon Broadway. Be careful, stern, phlegmatic " Christian," With upturned nose and scornful eye, Lest such as these, your garment's ht m Should haply touch as they pass by .' Though waifs like these, on Life's dark seas. Sink down to ruin every day, 'Twould never do for man like you. Pilot to be upon Broadway I P MS. I see It all, the lights and shadows, The gloss, the glitter, and the glare j The sea of human form and faces. From Fulton street to Union Square. There ev'ry phase of life is present — All shapes of joy and grief are seen j Some dreaming of a golden future — Some mourning o'er the " might have been." But, on them all God's sun is shining, Whate'er their state, whate'er their dress, There's not a wretch that farms the gutter But has some cause for thankfulness. And many a flower of Love and Beauty, And many a Hope inspiring ray. Sparkle among the sombre shadows That lie upon thy stream, Broadway ! 25 AUTUMN. Pleasant autumn, g'^'den autumn, With thy leaves all ruby red. Flashing in the mellow sunshine. Like a crown above thy head ^ Pleasant autumn, golden autumn, Though thy winds are ofttimes chill. Though thy shadows grimly, darkly, Fall alike o'er vale and hill j As I tread the forest valleys. And the leaves fall thickly round, Like a host of crimson banners Sadly furling on the ground ; 26 POEMS. (( Linger pleasant recollections, Of the autumn days of old, Magic drops in memory's crystal, Sweet as nectar, pure as gold. Then with eyes turned toward the heavens, Quivering lips and upstretched hand. As beneath the mighty shadow Of these giant woods I stand." Grant, oh pure and ruling spirit," Thus I make my fervent call. Now the autumn days are fleeting. While the red leaves fade and fall," ' On each weak yet loving spirit. By the world's dark clouds opprcst. Smile, and with .thy quenchless sunshine, Give, oh give them, peace and rest," Breathe a lasting blessing o'er us, Guide us with a Father's hand, And scatter fadeless blossoms round us. From out the Spirit's summer land." ALL THE WORLD TO ME. The Autumn leaves have fallen All withered to the ground. The summer's golden light has past And all seems dark around ; Yet though the sunshine's faded And seasons swiftly flee, I'll not forget the smile of her Who is all the world to me. \ POEMS. And like a lovely poem That we long to hear once more, Like the sound of moonlit waters Rippling upon the shore ; Though past and gone those happy hours I never more shall see, Fond memory still her voice recalls Who is all the world to me. Though worldly forms divide us. Though time and distance part, I'll hold her well loved image Deep treasured in my heart j And wheresoe'er I wa'nder, Still thought and fancy free, I'll pray that Heaven may guide her steps Who is all the world to me. 27 THE RED CROSS BANNER. \ AN IMPROMPTU. Written on first seeing the British Flag at Niagara, after some years absence in a foreign land. Heaven bless thee, Red Cross Banner, Waving welcome as of old ! Let this Northern breeze caress thee. Let it kiss each crimson fold. Oh ! what memories round thee gather. Linking British hearts together. Banner that through stormy weather. Led our fathers' steps of old. 28 POEMS. Wave for ever, Red Cross Banner ! Banner of the Truth and Right, Type of Britain's Faith and Honour, Symbol of her power and might. Glories of the Past shall guide thee, Britain's sons shall stand beside thee, Constant still, whate'er betide thee. They will keep thee pure and bright. 'Tis no hireling bard that singeth. But one w.o with filial love, Prizeth Britain's fame and honour. Every earthly thing above. Who o'er foreign land and ocean, 'Mid each strife or wild commotion, Faithful to the heart's devotion. Could not from his fealty rove. AUTUMN. Cold the autumn winds blow round us. Thick and fast the red leaves fall ; Sombre mists and cold grey shadows Wrap us like a funeral pall j While the night winds peal forth requiems For the season's swift decay, And, like bands of shadowy mourners, Slowly pass the days away. Thus the hopes of Life are fading ; All its bright dreams proved untrue, And its skies once all unclouded. Changed to Autumn's sombre hue. POEMS. Loving eyes, whose tender glances Made the sunshine of life's Spring j Pleasant tones, whose plaintive echoes Through the aisles of Memory ring, All are gone ; — the withered relics or those days alone are left j Faded visions of past gladness, Of their light and life bereft. God of Autumn's dying shadows. As of Summer's golden day, — While the darkness gathers round us. While the seasons pass away, Guide us all as life is fading, Cheer us as our joys depart, And fold within Thy wings of mercy Each fainting soul, each stricken heart. «9 ABSENT. Mournfully, wearily, sadly and drearily Over me bend the wintry skies, Hope, joy and mirth are dead, Summer, with thee, is fled — Fled with the light of thy starry eyes. Sunshine to me is darkness without thee; Summer is winter if thou'rt not near- Come like a bud of May, On this December day. Light of my life and flower of the year. 3° POEMS. Fortune may frown and dayi grow more dreary ; Hope's sunshine fade 'mong the clouds in the west, Friends mjy grow strange and cold, All life's joys dull and old, As wearied I journey towards Silence and Rest } Still I will think cf thee, mia carinima^ Pure as the starlight thy mcm'ry shall be j Heav'n grant whate'er betide, Angels thy way may guide Safe o'er the billows of Life's troubled sea. IN THE WOODS. Away with care and sadness, Let us fill our hearts with gladness, Let us go into the woodlands where thr ruddy leaves do fall } And 'mid the golden glory Of the m-iples old and hoary, Lulled by the pleasant murmurs of the distant waterfall. We will linger till the gloaming, And amid our forest roaming We will muse upon the memories of the autumns gone before j Of the well-beloved faces And the well-remembered places To which our hearts are loyal in their love for evermore. Thus pleasant memories blending. While twilight's soft descending Like the shadow of a seraph's wing upon a world of care ; ^■^'ith a joy all calm and holy Sriall fill us as we slowly Wander homeward from the woodlands 'neath the calm October air. POEMS. WASTED FLOWERS. I ca»t the roses into the river, Ai the twilight glimmers cold and grey, And the stream flows on as swiftly as ever, And bears on its breast the roses away, They float along beneath the shadow, Of the chestnut branches bending low, Shedding their perfume over the river, And decking its ripples with smiles as they go. Thus floating on o'er Life's daric river. Fade the loves of many an earlier day, Though in my soul their fragrance lingers, Mong the mists of Time their forms decay. Memory's starlight kind and tender, Shine, oh shine, on the stream once more. Show me a glimpse of Life's blossoms wasted. Bring back for a moment the days of vore ! .11 In Iflemoriam. THOMAS D'ARCY McGEE, Born April 13, 1825. Murdered April 7, 1868. How shall we mourn thee, patriot, poet, statesman j How shall we yield fit homage to thy name, Which 'mong the foremost in the " New Dominion," Was blended closely with its rising fame? Not with lowered banners, nor with death-bells only. Not with Woe's outward panof' - ^'one Shall Canada mourn thee — her priv, • ana glory The stay alike of people and of Throne ; 3» POEMS. But with a love, that in our hcarti deep centred, Thy memory ihall embalm for coming yean f And with a torrow, that e'en Pride can quench not, Though lilce a sunbeam falling on our teari j Thut win we grieve. And every patriot father Will teach the children cU^tcring round hi» knee, Ai they count o'er the nation*! Roll of Honour, To liip thy name, oh, loved and loit McGee ! Britannia, bending from her liland itronghold, Shall add the tribute of her tears to od Winter draweth nigh. 36 POEMS. For Winter is the season When within her kindly breast, The germs of future spring time The Earth enfolds to rest } And we'll look with trusting confidence, As Life's fond visions fly, Toward the lasting Spring which cometh, When Winter has passed by. f < ft \ ■N / 1 I