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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 c l\ O" "iir; '» /M- ^^': •^^ ■j.-r.^ i^^ Pontval: PRINTED AND PCBLISHED BY JOHN LOVELL ; y;;; ' (toronto: • . WM. C. K. CAVElUlII.L, BOOKSELLEll AND STAIl()>a:R, YON(iE NKAR KING STRKET; AND FOR SALE AT THE BOOKSTORES THROUGHOUT CANADA. 1858. . ^i3 Ci PRI w: A CANADIAN BALLADS, AND .'■' ) OCCASIONAL VEESES, BY THOMAS D'AKCY McGEE, M.P.P. IHontreal: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY JOHN LOVELL; Toronto : WM. C. F. CAVERIIILL, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, YONGE NEAR KINO STREET; AXC FOR SALE AT THE BOOKSTORES TIIROUGUOUT CANADA. 1858 = : tI OO^ll o Q '1- C 3 ■■■r-" ■ ■^ ■ / V .*>-.. TO CHARLtlS GAVAN DUFFY, Esq., M.P.P MINISTER OF PUBLIC WOEKS XTSJ) LAND VICTOKIA, AUSTEALIA, IN MEMOKY OE ©lU Eimts. -J I m CONTENTS. Page Pkeface, ,„ 7 Canadian Ballads, 9 Sebastian Cabot to his Lady, 9 Jacques Cartier, 12 « " and tlie Child, 15 The Death of Hudson, 17 The Launch of the Griffin, 25 The Arctic Indian's Faith, 29 Our Lady e of the Snow 31 The Sea Captain, 39 Thomas Moore at St. Aimcs, 42 Arm and Rise, 44 Along the Line, 47 Freedom's Journey, 49 An International Song, 51 To a Friend in Australia, 63 Apostrophe to the Boyne, 55 Notes to Canadian Ballads, 59 Occasional Veeses, 65 A Contrast, 116 A Legend of the Isle of Lewis, 89 A Small Catechism, 118 VI CONTKNTM, ■f ■I. I Vaqv. Auturiin and Whitor 6 Carolaii tlio Tilind, 115 Cliristmas Morn 8i Consolation, 71 Donna Violctta, 8G God bo Praisod, 81 llomo-Sick Stanzas, C7 Independence, 70 lona, 92 Kildarc's Bard on Tournaments, 114 King Brian's Answer, 99 Lady Gormley, ; m 105 Lines written on the First of February, 103 Mary's Heart, 73 Origin of the Islo of Man, 108 Sonnet, 124 St. Bees 96 The Love Charm, 120 The Minstrel's Curse, 69 The Penitent Raven, 101 The Three Minstrels, 77 'Twas Something then to be a Bard, 79 Woman's Praise, Ill 1 i '^^ I'AOTi: o ... 115 ... 81 ... 71 ... 80 ... 81 ... 67 ... 76 ... 92 ... 114. ... 90 ... 105 ... 103 ... 73 ... 108 ... 124 ... 96 ... 120 ... 69 ... 101 ... 77 ... 79 .... Ill ■i f PREFACE. The Autlior of tlic Ballads contained in this little volume presents them to the younger generation of Canadians, as an attempt to show, most inadequately as he feels, that by those who are blessed with the divine gift of poesy, many worthy themes may be found, without quitting their own country. That we shall one day bo a great northern nation, and develope within ourselves that best fruit of nation- ality, a new and lasting literature, is the firm belief, at least of those to whom this volume is mainly addressed. And here I would remind them, that, of all the forms of patriotism, a wise, public-spirited patriotism in literature, is not the least admirable. It is, indeed, glorious to die in battle in defence of our homes or altars ; but not less glorious is it to live to celebrate VUl PREFACE. the virtues of our heroic countrymen, to adorn the history, or to preserve the traditions of our country. From Homer's age to that of Scott, Moore, and Beran- ger, Patriotism has been the passion of the noblest succession of sweet singers the world ever saw — and the civic virtue they celebrated has, in turn, immortalized their own names. Simply as an offering of first-fruits, I present this little volume to the young people of Canada. Here- after, if greater leisure is allowed me, I may hope to do somethinnf; better in the same direction. 1'^ Montreal, December^ 1858. Mi dorn the country, d Beran- ) noblest —and the lortalized sent this ,. Here- hope to tfanaiian Ifiallais. SEBASTIAN CABOT TO HIS LADY. (1) I. Dear my Lady, you will understand By these presents coming to your hand, Written in the Hyperborean seas (Where my love for you doth never freeze), Underneath a sky obscured with light, Albeit called of mariner's the night. That my thoughts are not of lands unknown, Nor crypts of gold within the southern zone, But of a treasure dearer far to me, In a fair isle of the ship-shadowed sea. A 2 10 CANADIAN BALLADS. I II. I asked the Sun but lately, as he set, If my dear Lady in his course he met— That she was matronly and passing tall. That her young brow covered deep thought withal- And the sun spoke not; next I asked the Wind Which lately left my native shores behind, If he had seen my Love the groves among. That round our home their guardian shelter flung, If he had heard the voice of song arise From that dear roof beneath the eastern skies. If he had borne a prayer to heaven from thee For a lone ship and thy lone Lord at sea ? And the Wind answered not, but fled amain. As if he feared my questioning again. it y III. i Anon the Moon, the meek-faced minion, rose. But nothing of my Love could she disclose; Then my soul moved by its strong will, trod back The shimmering vestige of our vessel's track, And I beheld you, darling, by our hearth : Gone was your girlish bloom and maiden mirth. And Care's too early print was on the brow. Where I have seen the sunshine sham'd ere now ; And as unto your widowed bed you passed I saw no more— tears blinded me at last. CANADIAN BALLADS. 11 IV. But raonrn not, Mary ; let no dismal dream Darken the current of Hope's flowing stream. Trust Him who sets his stars on high to guide Us, sinful sailors, through the pathless tide : The God who feeds the myriads of the deep. And spreads the oozy couches where they sleep : The God who gave even me a perfect wife. The star, the lamp, the compass of my life ; He will replace me on a tranquil shore, To live with Love and you for evermore. V. The watch is set, the tired sailors sleep. The star-eyed sky o'erhangs the dreamy deep — No more, no more ; I can no farther write ; Vain are my sighs, and weak my words this night ; But kneeling here, amid the seething sea, I pray to God, my best beloved, for thee ; And if that prayer be heard, as well it may, Our parting night shall have a glorious day. 12 CANADIAN nALLAPS. I JACQUES CARTIER. I. In the sea-port of Saint Malo 'twas a smiling morn in May When the Commodore Jacques Cartier to tlie' westward sailed aAvay ; In the crowded old Catlicdral all the town were on their knees For the safe return of kinsmen from the undiscover'd seas; And every autumn blast that swept o'er pinnacle and pier Filled manly hearts with sorrow and gentle hearts with fear. ,> II. A year passed o'er Saint Malo — again came round the day When the Commodore Jacques Cartier to the westward sailed away ; But no tidings from the absent had come the way they went, And tearful were the vigils that many a maiden spent ; And manly hearts were filled with gloom and gentle hearts with fear When no tidings came from Cartier at the closing of the year. \ CANADIAN HALLVDS. 18 III. But the Earth is as the Future, it hath its hidden side, And the Captain of Saint Malo was rejoicing in his pride In the forests of the north — while his townsmen mourned his loss PTe was rearing on Mount-Royal the fleur-de-lis and cross ; And when two months were over and added to the year. Saint Malo hailed him home again, cheer answering to cheer. 1 in May westward ;heir knees ir'd seas ; md pier with fear. IV. He told them of a region, hard, iron-bound and cold, !ior seas ui pearl abounded, nor mines of shining gold. Where the wind from Thuld freezes the word upon the lip. And the ice in spring comes sailing athwart the early ship ; He told them of the frozen scene until they thrill'd with fear. And piled fresh fuel on the hearth to make hira better cheer. the day westward hey went, lent ; tie hearts ' the year. \ ■iim V. But when he chang'd the strain — he told how soon is cast In early Spring the fetters that hold the waters ftist ; How the Winter causeway broken is drifted out to sea. And the rills and rivers sing with pride the anthem of the free ; 5ow the magic wand of Summer clad the landscape to his eyes, Like the dry bones of the just, when tliey wake in Paradise. r 14 CANADIAN BALLADS. I VI. He told them of the Algonquin braves — the hunters of the wild, Of Iiow the Indian mother in the forest rocks her child ; Of how, poor souls, thoy fiincy in every living thing A spirit good or evil, that claims their worshipping ; Of how they brought their sick and maim'd for him to breathe upon, And of the wonders wrought for them thro' the Gospel of St. John. (2) I VII. He told them of the river whose mighty current gave Its freshness for a hundred leagues to ocean's briny wave ; He told them of the glorious scene presented to his sight. What time he reared the cross and crown on Hochelaga's height. And of the fortress cliff that keeps of Canada the key, And they welcomed back Jacques C artier from his perils over sea. 1 , H CANADIAN BALLADS. 15 ntcrs of the r child ; img ing; for him to 3 Gospel of gave ny wave ; lis sight, lochelaga's 5 key, I his perils i JACQUES CARTIER AND THE CHILD. I. When Jacques Carticr returned from his voyage to the westward All was uproar in Saint Malo and shouting of welcome. Dear to his heart were the hail and the grasp of his towus- men, And dear to his pride the favor and thanks of King Francis. But, of all who drew nigh — such was the cast of his nature — A God-child beloved, he most delighted to answer On all the surmises that fill the fancy of children. .M n. "Tell me," she said, "what you found far away in the woodlands, Say how you felt, when you saw the Savages standing Armed on the shore, and heard the first sound of their war-cry ? Were you afraid then ?" Quietly smil'd the brave sailor — n 16 CANADTAN llALLADfi. "Nay, little daughter," he said, "I wa3 not afraid of the red men ; Rut when I saw them, I sigh'd, alas ! for the bondage, The darkness, that hangs over all the lost children of Adam. As I in the depths of their forest might wander and wander Deeper and deeper, and finding no outlet forever— So they in the old desolation of folly and error Are lost to their kindred divine in mansions eternal." III. " And then, daughter dearest, I blest God in truth and in secret. That he had not suffered my lot to be with the heathen, But cast it in France — among a people so Christian ; And then I bethought me, peradventure to me it is given To lead the vanguard of Truth to the inmost recesses Of this lost region of souls who know not the Gospel. And these were the thoughts I had far aAvay in the woodlands, When I saw the savages armed, and heard the roar of their war-cry." CANADIAN BALLADS. 17 ifraid of the ndage, cliildren of THE DEATH OF HUDSON. and wander nal.' ruth and in cathen, an ; is given ^sses pel. ay in the •ar of their The slayer Death is every where, and many a mask hath ho, Many and awful are the shapes in which he sways the sea ; Sometimes within a rocky aisle he lights his candle dim, And sits half-sheeted in the foam, chanting a funeral hymn ; Full often 'mid the roar of winds we hear his awful cry Hounding the lightning on its prey through the beclouded sky ; Sometimes he hides 'neath tropic waves, and as the ship sails o'er He holds her fast to the fiery sun, till the crew can breathe more. There is no land so far away but he meetcth mankind there. He livetli at the icy pole with the Berg and the shaggy Bear, Or smileth from the Southron capes like a May-Queen in her flowers, Or falleth o'er the Indian seas, dis-olved in summer showers ; But of all the sea-shapes he hath worn, may mariners never know Such fate as Henrich Hudson found, in the labyrinths of snow — (3) The cold North Seas' Columbus, whose bones lie far, interred Under those frigid waters where no song was ever heard. 18 CANADIAN TIALLADP. 'Twas when he sail'd from Amsterdam, in the adventurous quest Of an ice-shor'd strait, thro' which to reach the Orient by the West; His dastard crew — their thin blood chilled beneath the Arctic sky — Combined against him in the night, his hands and feet they tie. And bind him in a helmlcss boat on that dre'ad sea to sail — Ah, me! an oarless, shadowy skiff, as schoolboy's vessel frail. Seven sick men and his only son his comrades were to be, But ere they left the Crescent's side the chief spoke daunt- lessly : — " Ye, Mutineers ! I ask no act of mercy at your hands. My fate I feel must steer me to Death's still-silent lands ; But there is one man in the ship who sailed with me of yore By many a bay and headland of the New-World's eastern shore ; Trom India's heats to Greenland's snows he dared to follow me, And is HE turned the traitor too, is he in league with ye ? " Uprose a voice from the mutineers, " Not I, my chief, not I — I'll take my old jdace by your side, tho' it be but to die," ■-■<■ C\XA1)TAN BALLADS. 10 10 adventurous the Orient by I beneath the ; and feet they 3 sea to sail— olboy's vessel were to be, spoke daunt- Before his chief could bid him back, he's standing at his side: — The cable 's cut — a^vay they drift, over tlie twilight tide. No word from any lip came forth, their strain'd eyes steadily glare At the vacant gloom, where late the ship had left them to despair. On tlio dark waters long was seen a line of foamy light — It passed, like the hem of an angel's robe, away from their eager sight. Then each man grasped his fellow's hand, and groan'd, but nothing spake, "While on through pallid gloom their boat drifts moaningly and weak. ir hands, !nt lands ; with mo of rld's eastern ed to follow with ye ? " lief, not I — t to die." Seven sick men, dying, in a skiff five hundred leagues from shore — Oh! never was such a crew afloat on this world's waves before ; Seven stricken forms, seven sinking hearts of seven short- breathing men, Drifting over the Sharks' abode, along by the white Bear's den. Oh! 'twas not there they could be nurs'd in homeliness and ease. One short day saw seven bodies sink, whose souls God rest in peace 1 The one who first expir'd had most to note the splash he made. Yet each one prayed to bo the last, and each tlie blow delay'd. 20 CANADIAN DALLADfl. t t Thrco still remain. ' My son, ray son, hold up your hcntl, my son ; Alas! alas! my faithful mate, I fear his life is gone.' So si)oke the trembling fatlicr — two cold hands in liis breast, Breathing upon his dead boy's face, — too soft to break his rest. The roar of battle could not waike that sleeper from his sleep ; The trusty sailor softly lets him down to the yawning deep ; The fated father hid his face whilst this was being done. Still murmuring mournfully and low, 'My son, my only son.' 4 Another night ; uncheerily beneath that heartless sky, The iceberg sheds its livid light upon them drifting by, And each beholds the other's face all spectre-like and wan, 'Till even in that dread solitude man feared the eye of man 1 Afar they hear the pelting surge sound from the banks of frost, Many a hoar cape round about looms like a giant ghost. And fast or slow as they drift on, they hear the Bears on shore. Trooping down to the icy strand watching them evermore. The morning dawns ; unto their eyes the light hath lost its cheer. Nor distant sail, nor drifting spar, within their ken appear. Embayed in ice the coffin-like boat sleeps on the waveless tide. Where rays of deathly cold cold light converge from every side. 3 CANADIAN HALLADS. 21 1 your liend, fonc' ill Ills breast, to break his 3rahis sleep ; tvning deep ; ng done, ay only son.' 33 sky, ing by, 3 and wan, •ye of man I le banks of ghost, :s on shore, Qvermore. ath lost its Slow crept tlic blood into tlielr hearts, each manly pulso -j^ stood still, Hugo haggard Dears kept watch above on every crystal hill. Anon the doomed men were entranf'pd, by the potent frigid air. And they dream, a^ drowning men have dreamt, of fields far * off and fair. i What phantoms fdled each cheated brain, no mortal ever knew ; What ancient storms they weather'd o'er, what seas explor'd anew ; What vast designs for future days — what home-hope, or what fear — There was no one 'mid the ice-lands to chronicle or hear. So still they sat, the wizard Seals bethought them they were dead. And each raised from the waters up his cautious human head. Then circled round th' arrested boat, like vampires round a grave. Till frighted at their own resolve, they plunged beneath the wave. en appear. i waveless rom every Evening closed round the moveless boat, still sat entranc'd the twain, When lo I the ice unlocks its arms, the tide pours in amain ! Away upon the streaming brine the feeble skiff is borne, Tlie shaggy monsters howl behind their farewells all forlorn. 22 CANADIAN BALLADS. The crashing ice, the current's roar, broke Hudson's fairy spell, But never more shall this Tvorld wake his comrade tried so well! That trusty heart is chill'd for aye, yet shall its truth bo told, When the memories of kings are worn from marble and from gold. Bi Onward, onward, the helpless chief — the dead man for his matcl The Shark far down in ocean's depth snuffs the passing of that freight, And bounding from his dread abyss, he scents the upper air, Tlicn follows on the path it took, like lion from its lair. ! God, it was a fearful voyage and fearful companie. Nor wonder that the stout sea-chief quivered from brow to knee. I who would blame his hero heart, if e'en it quaked for fear, While whirl'd along on such a sea, with such attendant near I The Shark hath found a readier prey, and turned him from the chase ; The boat hath made another bay — a drearier pausing place. O'erarching piles of blue-veined ice admitted to its still, Wliite, iiitliuniless water.'], palsied like the duom'd man's fetter d will 1,1 CANADIAN BALLADS. 23 Hudson's i'airy tirade tried so its truth bo :ble and from man for his e passing of ;s the upper its lair. ipanie, om brow to quaked for idant near I I him from >ing- place. s still, m'd man's Powerless he sat — that chief escaped so oft by sea and land — Death breathing o'er him — all so weak he could not lift a hand. Even his bloodless lips refused a last short prayer to speak, But angels listen at the heart when the voice of man is weak. His heart and eye were suppliant turned to the ocean's Lord on high, The Borealis lustres bright were gathering in the sky , From South and North, from East and West, they clustered o'er the spot Where breathed his last the gallant chief whose grave man sceth not ; They marked him die with steadfast gaze, as tho' in heaven there were A passion to behold how man the direst fate may bear ; They watched him through the livelong night — these cou- riers of the sky, Then fled to tell the listening stars how 'twas they saw him die. He sleepeth where old Winters realm no genial air invades His spirit burneth bright in heaven among the glorious shades Whose God-like doom on earth it was creation to unfold, Spanning this mighty orb of ours as through the spheres it rolled. 'i . i- 24 CANADIAN BALLADS. His name is ■written on the deep,* tlie rivers f as they run Will bear it timeward o'er the world, telling what he hath done ; The story of his voyage to Death, amid the Arctic frosts, Will be told to unborn ages on earth's remotest coasts. * Hudson's Bay. t The Hudson River. r CANADIAN BALLADS. 25 THE LAUNCH OF THE GRIFFIN. I. Within Cayuga's forest shade The stoclcs were set— the keel was laid — Wet with the nightly forest dew, The frame of that first vessel grew. (4) Strange was the sight upon the brim Of the swift river, even to him The builder of the barque ; To see its artificial lines Festooned with summer's sudden vines, Another New- World's ark. II. As rounds to ripeness manhood's schemes Out of youth's fond, disjointed dreams, So ripened in her kindred wood That traveller of the untried flood. And often as the evening sun Gleamed on the group, their labor done — The Indian prowling out of sight Of corded Friar and belted Knight — smiled upon thorn as they smiled, The builders on the barque — their child ! l^;i| -i *«; 20 CANADIAN BALLADS, III. The hour has come : upon the stocks Tlic mast'd hull already rocks — The mallet in the master's hand Is pois'd to launch her from the land. Beside him, partner of his quest For the great river of the West, Stands th' adventurous Recollect Whose page records that anxious day. (5) To him the master would defer The final act — he will not hear That any else than him who plann'd, Should launch "the Griffin" from the land. In courteous conflict they contend The Knight and Priest, as friend with friend- In that strange savage scone The swift blue river glides before, And still Niagara's awful roar Booms through the vistas green. IV. And now the mallet falls, stroke — stroke- On prop of pine and wedge of oak The vessel feels her way; The quick mechanics leap aside As, rushing downward to the tide, She dashes them with spray. CANADIAN BALLADS. The ready warp arrests her course, And holds her for a while perforce, While on her deck the merry crew Man every rope, loose every clew. And spread her canvas free. Away 1 'tis done ! the Griffin floats. First of Lake Erie's winged boats— Her flag the Fleur-de-lis. V. Gun after gun proclaims the hour, As nature yields to human power ; And now upon the deeper calm The Indian hears the holy psalm — Laudamus to the Lord of Hosts ! Whose name unknown on all their coasts. The inmost wilderness shall know, Wafted upon yon wings of snow That, sinking in the waters blue, Seem but some lake-bird lost to view. VI. In old romance and fairy lays Its wondrous part the Griffin plays — Grimly it guards the gloomy gate Sealed by the strong behest of Fate — Or, spreading its portentous wings. Wafts Virgil to the Court of Kings ; 21 I i< m i M )E. 28 CANADIAN BALLADS. if if I 1^ t: 1 j ■f ■ And unto scenes as wondrous shall Thy Griffin bear thee, brave La Salle. Thy wing'd steed shall stall where grows On Michigan the sweet wild rose ; Lost in the mazes of St. Clair, Shall give thee hope araid despair. And bear thee past those Isles of dread The Huron peoples with the dead, Where foot of savage never trod Within the precinct of his god ; (6) And it may be thy lot to trace The footprints of the unknown race 'Graved on Superior's iron shore. Which knows their very name no more, (t) Through scenes so vast and wondrous shall Thy Griffin bear thee, brave La Salle — True Wizard of the Wild ! whose art, An eye of power, a knightly heart, A patient purpose silence-nurst, A high, enduring, saintly trust — Are mighty spells — we honor these, Columbus of the inland seas! i V CANADIAN BALLADS. 29 THE ARCTIC INDIAN'S FAITH. I. We worship the spirit that walks unseen Through our land of ice and snow : We know not His face, we know not His place, But His presence and power we know. J \m II. 1 1 Does the Buffalo need the Pale-face word To find his pathway far ? What guide has he to the hidden ford, Or where tlie green pastures are ? Who teacheth the Moose that the hunter's gun Is peering out of the shade — Who teacheth the doe and the fawn to run In the track the Moose has made ? (8) 80 CANADIAN BALLADS. 111. Him do we follow, Him do wc fear — Tlic spirit of earth aud sky ; — Who hears with the Wapiti's* eager ear His poor red children's cry. "Whose whisper we note in every breeze That stirs the birch canoe — Who hangs the reindeer moss on the trees For the food of the Caribou, (d) IV. a. i That Spirit we worship who walks unseen Through our land of ice and snow : We know not His face, we know not His place, But His presence and power we know. WapUi~t\\o Elk. CANADIAN BALLADS. 31 *'OUR LADYE OF THE SNOW!" If, Pilgrim, chance tliy steps should lead Where, emblem of our holy creed, Canadian crosses glow — Tlierc you may hear what here you read. And seek in witness of the deed Our Ladye of the Snow ! (10) I. In the old times when France held sway From the Balizc to Hudson's Bay O'er all the forest free, A noble Breton cavalier Had made his home for many a year Beside the Rivers three. i 82 CANADIAN HALLADS. n. To tempest and to trouble proof Rose in the wild his glitt'ring roof To every trav'lcr dear ; The Breton song, the Breton dance, The very atmosphere of France, Diffused a generous cheer. % IH i '■ ft in. Strange sight that on those fields of snow The genial vine of Gaul should grow Despite the frigid sky ! Strange power of Man's all-conqu'ring will, That here the hearty Frank can still A Frenchman live and die ! IV. The Seigneur's hair was ashen grey, But his good heart held holiday, As when in youthful pride He bared his shining blade before De Tracey'a regiment on the shore Which France has glori^lod. CANADIAN HALLADS. ad ▼. Gny in the field, glad in the hall, The first at dangrer's frontier call, The humblest devotee— Of God and of St. Catherine dear Was the stout Breton cavalier Beside the Rivers three. VI. "When bleak December's chilly blast Fettered the flowing waters fast. And swept the frozen plain — When with a frightened cry, half heard, Far southward fled the arctic bird, Proclaiming winter's reign — VIT. His custom was, come foul, come ftiir, For Christmas duties to repair, Unto the Ville Marie, The city of the mount, which north Of the great River looketh forth, Across its sylvan sea. n 2 I i. 34 CANADIAN IIAJ.LADS. vm. Fast, fell the snow, and soft as sleep, The hillocks looked like frozen sheep, Like giants grey the hills — The sailing pine seemed canvas-spread, With its white burden overhead, And marble hard the rills. IX. V 1 A thick dull light where ray was none Of moon or star, or cheerful sun. Obscurely showed the way — While merrily upon the blast The jingling horse-bells, pattering fast, 'Tim'd the glad roundelay. X. c^jT^. Swift eve came on, and faster fell The winnowed storm on ridge and dell, Eflfacing shape and sign — Until the scene grew blank at last. As when some seamen from the mast Looks o'er th' shoreless brine. CANADIAN HALLADH. XI. Nor marvel aught to find ere long In such a scene the death of song Upon the bravest lips — The empty only could be loud When Nature fronts us in her shroud Beneath the sky's eclipse. XII. Nor marvel more to find the steed Though fam'd for spirit and for speed, Drag on a painful pace — With drooping crest and faltering foot, And painful whine, the weary brute Seems conscious of disgrace. XIII. Until he paused with mortal fear. Then plaintive sank upon the mere Stiff as a steed of stone — In vain the master winds his horn. None save the howling wolves forlorn Attend the dying roan. 35 1 ;, i ? 30 (!ANADTAN BALLAD?. If f XIV. i 1^ Sad was the heart n,n(l sore the plight Of the benumb'd, bewildered knight Now scrambling thro' the storm. At every step he sank apace — The death dew freezing on his face — In vain each loud alarm ! I. XV. The torpid echoes of the Rock Answered with one unearthly mock Of danger round about 1 Then muffled in their snowy robes, Retiring sought their bleak abodes, And gave no second shout. XVI. m Down on his knees himself he cast, Deeming that hour to be his last, Yet mindful of his faith- He prayed St. Catherine and St. John And our dear Ladye called upon For grace of happy death I I 1 CANAniAN HALLADR. 37 XVII. When lo ! a light beneath the trees, Which clank their brilliants in the breeze, And lo ! a phantom fair, As God's in heaven ! by that blest light, Our Lady's self rose to his sight, In robes that spirits wear ! XVJII. Oh ! lovelier, lovelier far than pen. Or tongue, or art, or fancy's ken Can picture, Avas her face- Gone was the sorrow of the sword. And the last passion of our Lord Had left no living trace ! XIX. As when the moon across the moor Points the lost peasant to his door, And glistens on his pane- Or when along her trail of light Belated boatmen steer at night, A harbor to regain — i ^ ;n 38 Cx\NADlAN BALLADS. XX. So the warm radiance from her hands Unbind for him Death's icy bands, And nerve the sinking lieart- Her presences make a perfect path. Ah ! he who such a helper hath May anywhere depart. XXI. il I ! , J li |i All trembling, as she onward smil'd. Followed that Knight our mother mild, Vowing a grateful vow — Until far down the mountain gorge, She led him to the antique forge, Where her own shrine stands now. XXII. If, Pilgrim, chance thy steps should lead Where, emblem of our holy creed, Canadian crosses glow — There you may hear what here you read, And seek in witness of the deed. Our Ladye of the Snow ! CANADIAN HALLADS. 39 THE SEA CAPTAIN. (11) 5 :: i M I. The anchor is up and the broad sails are spread, The good ship is adrift from the land, And the sportive .spray sprinkles the fair figure-head, As if flung from some sea-spirits hand. II. The wind pipes aloud thro' cordage and spars The se"-boy sings back to the wind. The day is all sunshine, the night is all stars- Was never old Neptune more kind. III. But the master he paceth the deck to and fro, (Impatient of fortune I ween 1) Now his footstep is hurried, now leaden and slow, As he mutters his shut lips between. f 40 CANADIAN BALLADS. ■.^i I 'U *n IV. And his eye fiercely glares at the blue blessed sky, As if all his tormenting lay there : Now he smiteth his breast as to stifle a sigh, A sigh that resounds of despair. V. 'Tis the midwatch of night — still unwearied ho stalks To and fro in the moonlight so dim ; And unto himself or some phantom he talks. While the phantom seems talking to him. VI. H n Afar o'er the waters, an index of light. Points the eye to the darkness intense ; Say, whence comes the skiff that entrances his sight- What destiny carries it hence ? VJI. f ■: There standeth a form where the mast might have stood, As a sail her scarf catches the breeze — And the 'kerchief she waves has the color of blood, While her girdle hangs loose to licr knees. li-1 ft Pi ;■ 1^ i CANADIAN BALLADB. VITI. 41 There is sin, there is shame, there is shipwreck of fame, In the eye, on the brow of the maid — No need unto him that she should name her name, At a glance the whole story is said. i IX To the ship's side she drew in her ghostly canoe, For a moment has waited her prey : In vain shout the crew, to the phantom he flew — In the darkness they vanish away. When the Priest heard the tale by the gossips told o'er, " Of a truth," — so he said, — " it may be : For the sins men imagine they leave upon shore Do follow them often to sea." i ;. I- 42 CANADIAN BALLADS. ill i ( if 1 'I I iH THOMAS MOORE AT ST. ANNES. (12) On these swift waters borne along, A Poet from the farther shore Framed as he went his solemn song, And set it by the boatman's oar. II. It was his being law to sing From morning dawn to evening lighc— Like nature's choristers, his wing And voice were only still'd at night. III. Nor did all nights bring him repose : For, by the moon's auspicious ray, Like Philomela on her rose, His song eclipsed the songs of day. IV' He came a stranger summer bird, And quickly passed ; but as he flew Our rivers glorious song ho heard. His tongue was loos'd— he warbled too. III CANADIAN BALLADS. 43 V. And, mark the moral, yo who dream To be the Poets of the land : He nowhere found a nobler theme Than you, yo favor'd, have at hand. VI. Not in the storied summer Isles, Not 'mid the classic Cyclades, Not where the Persian Sun-God smiles, Found he more fittin«: theme than these. VII. So, while our boat glides swift along, Behold ! from shore there looketh forth The tree that bears the fruit of song — The Laurel tree that loves the North. M fri. 44 CANADIAN BALLADS. ARM AND RISE II if: u • J il I. Arm and Rise ! no more repining, See, the glorious sun is shining — What a world that sun beholds ! White ships glancing o'er the ocean, All Earth's tides, too, in swift motion, Pouring onward to their goals. 11. 'Tis no life for sighing, dreaming. Read the riddle— full of meaning- Written on your own broad palm ; For this needs no gipscy guesses. Here the line that curses, blesses — Say, I shall be— say I am ! in. You have borne the parting trial, Dare the rest ; let no denial Daunt your hope at Fortune's door ; See, a new world waits your wooing, Courage is the soul of sueing — All things yield the brave before. CANADIAN DALLADS. 45 IV. One tear to the recollections Of our happy young affections, One prayer for the ancestral dead, Then right on ; the sun is siiiniug. No more doubting or repining. Firms the path on which we tread. V. In the forest stands the Casilc, Silent, gloomy, bell nor wassail Echoes through its sable halls ; Night and chaos guard its portals, They shall bow even to us, mortals. Strike 1 and down their standard falls. ■Ill m VI. On the round Canadian cedars Legends high await but readers. From the oaks charm'd shields depen ; Strike ! thou true and only champion. Lord of the first land you camp on ! Strike ! and win your crown, my Friend ! 40 CANADIAN JIALLADK. 11 if I !'S VA |; ^li ri II Tll. Crowns — aye, golden, jewelled, glorious- ITang, iu reach, before and o'er us : Sovereign manhood's lawful prize- He, who bears a Founder's sijirit To the forest shall inherit All its rights and royalties. « I CANADIAN P. ALL ADS. 47 ALONG THE LINE ! A. D. 1812. Steady be your beacon's blaze Along the line ! along the line ! Freely sing dear Freedom's praise Along the line ! along the line 1 Let the only sword you draw Bear the legend of the law, Wield it less to strike than awe, Along the line ! along the line I II. Let them rail against the North, Beyond the line ! beyond the line ! When it sends its heroes forth, Along the line ! along the line ! On the field or in the camp They shall tremble at your tnimp, Men of the old Norman stamp, Along the line ! along the line I 48 CANADIAN UALLADH. I? ,i ^ >' u r III. Wealth and pride may rear their crests, Beyond the lino ! beyond the line ! They bring no terror to our breasts, Along the line ! along the line 1 We have never bouglit or sold Afric'S sons with Mexic's gold, Conscience arms the free and bold. Along the line I along the Hue ! ^i ■ ■ s IV. Steadfast stand, and sleepless ward. Along the line I along the line ! Great the treasures that you guard Along the line ! along the line ! By the babes whose sons shall be Crowned in far futurity, With the laurels of the free, Stand your guard along the line! CANAUiAV IJALLAb^. 40 FREEDOM'S JOURNEY. I. Freedom ! a nursling of the North, Rock'd in tho arms of stormy pines, Dn fond adventure wander'd forth Where south the sun superbly shines ; The prospect shone so bright and fair, She dream't her home was there, was there. II. She lodged 'neath many a gilded roof, They gave her praise in many a luill, Their kindness check'd the free reproof, Her heart dictated to let fall ; She heard tho Negro's helpless prayer, And felt her home could not be there. III. She sought thro' rich Savannah's green And in the proud Palmetto grove, But %vhere her Altar should have been She found nor liberty nor love ; A cloud came o'er her forehead fair, She found no shrhie to freedom tliorc ry'i CANADIAN UALLADS. IP 1 < 4^ IV. llack to her native scenes she turn'd, Back to the hardy, kindly North, Where bright aloft the Pole-star burned, Where stood her shrine by every hearth ; " Back to the North I Avill repair," The Goddess cried, " my home is there." it H; ) 1 i- CANADIAN BALLADS. 51 AX INTERNATIONAL SONG. [CHORUS.] Comrades ! awhile suspend your glee, And fill your glasses^ solemnly, — I give the Brave Man's Memory. I. There is oho Brotherhood on Earth, Whereto brave men belong by birth, And he who will not honor one, Wherever found — himself is none — Comrades! awhile, &c. II. Where'er they fought, howe'er they fell, The question is — was't ill or well : Victors or vanquished — did they stand True lo the flag they had in hand ? Comrades! awhile, Sic. 52 CANADIAN BALLADS. III. What 1 shall we then at Waterloo Deny to either, honor due ? Belie the hero of the day, Or grudge the fame of gallant Ney ? Comrades! awhile, &c. Il -j? ^1 ir. Who looks on Abram's storied plain May honor most one hero's name ; But we conjoin to-night the three — Here's Wolfe, Montcalm, Montgomery. Comrades 1 awhile, &c CANADIAN IJALLADS. 53 TO A FRIEND IN AUSTEALIA. Old Friend 1 though distant far, Your image nightly shines upon my soul ; I yearn towards it as towards the star That points through darkness to the ancient pole. Out of my heart the longing wishes fly, As to some rapt Elias, Enoch, Seth; Yours is another earth, another sky. And I, I feel that distance is like death. Oh ! for one week amid the emerald fields, Where the Avoca sings the song of Moore ; Oh 1 for the odour the brown heather yields, To glad the Pilgrim's heart on Glenmalur. ' Yet is there still what meeting could not give, A joy most suited of all joys to last ; For ever in fair memory there must live The bright, unclouded picture of the Past. m ,!| ii ,■ i > lis- i4 54 CANADIAN UALLADS. 01(1 Friond ! tlio years wear on, anfl many cares And many sorrows both of us have known ; Time for us both a quiet couch prepares — A couch like Jacob's, pillowed with a stone. And oh ! when thus we sleep may we behold Th' angelic ladder of the Patriarch's dream ; And may my feet upon its rungs of gold Your's follow, as of old, by hill and stream. i I. (WNAUTAN nALl.AD^s. nf) APOSTROPHE TO TfTE 150 YXR. (13) P>ri(lo of Tiocli Pt.imor, gently seaward stealing, In thy placid depths hast thou no feeling Of the stormy gusts of other days ? Docs thy heart, gentle, nun-fixccd river, Passing Schomherg's obelisk, not quiver, While the shadow on thy bosom weighs ? Thou hast heard the sounds of martial clangor, Seen fraternal forces clash in anger, In thy Sabbath valley, lliver Eoyne ! Here have ancient Ulster's hardy forces. Dressed their ranks, and fed their travelled horses Tara"s hosting as they rode to join. I '. i i 3 Forgettest thou that silent summer morning, When William's bugles sounded sudden warning, And James's answered, chivalrously clear! When rank to rank gave the death-signal duly. And volley answered volley quick and truly, And shouted mandates met the startled ear ? 50 C AN A 1)1 A N nALL ADS. The tlinisli and linnet fled beyond the mountains*, The fish in Inver Col{ia sought their fountains, The unchas'd deer ran through Tredagh's * gates ; St. Mary's bells in their high places trembled, And made a mournful music ■which resembled A hopeless prayer to the unpitying Fates. ■■ Ah ! well for Ireland had the battle ended When James forsook what William well defended, Crown, friends, and kingly cause ; Well, if the peace thy bosom did recover Had breathed its benediction broadly over Our race, and rites, and laws. ;i \i 1 .1 Not in thy depths, not in thy fount. Loch Ramor! Were brewed the bitter strife and cruel clamor Our wisest long have mourned ; Foul Faction falsely made thy gentle current To Christian ears a stream and name abhorrent, And all its sweetness into poison turned. But, as of old God's Prophet sv/eetened Mara, Even so, blue bound of Ulster and of Tara, Thy waters to our Exodus give life ; Thrice holy hands thy lineal foes have wedded, And healing olives in thy breast embedded. And banished far the bitterness of strife. f * Trodau-li, now Droghcda. t An allusion to the Irish Tenant Loapue, Ill ■■ CANADIAN BALLADS. Before thee we have made a solemn Foedus, Aad for Chief Witness called on Him who made us, Quenching before His eyes the brands of hate ; Our pact is made, for brotherhood and union, For equal laws to class and communion — Our wounds to stanch — our land to liberate. Our trust is not in musket or in sabre — Our faith is in the fruitfulness of labor, The soul-stirred willing soil ; In homes and granaries by justice guarded, In fields from blighting winds and agents warded, In franchis'd skill and manumitted toil. Grant us, God, the soil, and sun, and seasons I Avert Despair, the worst of moral treasons, Make vaunting words be vile. Grant us, we pray, but wisdom, peace and patience, And we will yet re-lift among the nations Our fair and fallen, but unfo'-saken Isle ! 67 i 2 1 : ; I: I* ■I NOTES TO CANADIAN BALLADS. Page 9. (1) Sebastian Cabot to his Ladjj —To tlio reader wliosc idea of Sebas- tian Cabot is iissociated with the usual jjictures of him, taken when ho was nearly four score, it n;ay be neeessnry to remark, that h(> received his first commission from KiuK Henry VII,,. jointly with his father, John Cabot, and discovered tho Labrador coast, in his twenty-first year, (A.D. 14!)7). The ardent passion attributed to him, in the ballad, would not be inconsistent with his ago, in either liis first or second expeditions. ■ F I Pago 14. (2) " Of how they broutrht tbeir sick and maim'd for him to breathe upon, And of the wonders wrou.^^ht for them by the Gospel of St. John." "So great was the veneration for the white mm, that the chief of the town ( IIo(;heln.a:a), and many of the maimed, sick, and infirm, camo to Jacques Cartier, entreating him, by expressive signs, to cure their ills. The pious Freuchuian disclaimed any supernatural power, but he read aloud part of th(i Gospel of Saint John, made the sign of the cross over the sufferers, and presented theui with chaplets and holy symbols; he then prayed earnestly that the poor savages miglit bo freed from the night of ignorance and infidelity. The Indians regarded these acts and words with deep gratitude and respeetfu admiration."— IVarburton's Canada, vol. i., p. 66. I 60 NOTES TO CANADIAK BALLADS. Pago 17. (3) " Such fate as Ilcnridi Hudson found in tho labyrinths of suon." The incident on whicli this ballad is I'ouni <'(l is related in liancroft's "History of the Colonization of America,' vol. ii. The name of the faithful sailor, who preferred certain deatli vo abaudoninj; liis captain in the last extremity, was Phillip Staafe— a lltjllaudcr, no doubt. Page 25. (4) 1 1 ^ " Within Cayuga's forest shade The stocks were set— the keel was laid — AVet with the nightly forest dew, The frame of that first vessel grew." The launch of the first sailed vessel that ever navigated the great lakes, an event in itself so well worthy of commemoration, is made ■till move note-worthy by the cireiuTibitan(.'es wliich surrounded it. and of which wc have fortunately more than one account from the pens of eye-witnesses. The accuracy of Hennepin's Journal (/>(?se/vjj^/o« de la Louislane,) has been disjjuted in detail, and its pretensions and egotisms severely censured by several recent writers on those times ; but I believe the very full details he supplies of the beginning of the Sieur de La Salle's expedition, and the building of the " Grillin," (at Cayuga Creek, a few miles above Niagara Falls, on what is now " the American side,") have not been questioned. Father Louis IMcmbrc also a Recollect, an eye-witness, has left us a briefer accovmt, which is embodied by Lo Clerq in his " First Establishment of the Faith in New France," pubUshed at Paris in 1G91, and extracted in Mr, J. G. Shea's "Discovery and Exploration of the lAHssissippi Valley," New York, 1S5-2. Father Membre relates that the building of the barque above the Falls was decided on by La Salle in the winter of 1G7S, and commenced in the following spring ; that she was launched on the 7th NOTES TO CANADIAN RALLADS. Gl of August, and was " named th(! ' GrifRn ' in honour of tho arms of Monsieur de Frontonac"— th(> Captain-Gonoral of Canada, or Now France Tlic same day, Fatlicrs Hennepin, Mombrc, and de la Re- bourdo— anotlier Recollect— cnil)arlted with the exi)edition, and they quickly passed, " contrary to all expectations, the current," and entered on the broad expanse of Lake Eric. The"GriHin" was rigged as a brigantine, carried two or three brass puns, was of 40 or 50 tons bur- then, and as she entered Lake Erie the magnillcent Te Deum Laiulamus arose from her deck, and was wafted for the first time across its blue waste of waters. She bore her gallant crew through many perils, as far as Green Bay, in Lake Michigan, but on the return voyage to Niagara, after landing La Salle and the Recollects, to continue their journey overland to the Mississippi, foundered and was lost. Page 26. (5) " Stands th' adventurous Recollect Whose page records that anxious day." Father Hennepin. Pago 28. (6) those isles of dread Tho Huron peoi)les with the dead." The Manitoulin Isles, in Lake Huron, were supposed by the aborig- ines to be the special abode of the great Manitou, and were feared and reverenced accordingly. Page 2S. (7) " And it may be thy lot to trace The footprints of the xmknown race 'Graved on Superior's iron shore. Which knows their very name no more." "That this region was resorted to by a barbaric race for the purpose 02 NOTKH TO CANADIAN IIALLADS. n il of prncurinf? copper, lonp before it became known to tho wliit(> man, is evident from nuniorous memorials scattered throujijhont its entire extent. AV'hetlior those ancient miners l)elonjred to the race wlio built the mounds found so abundantly ou tho Upper Jlississippi and its allliients, or were the pro:^euitors of the Indians now inliabitin^ tho country, is a matter of conjecture. *••♦♦• The hij^li anticpiity of this rude mining is inferred from tho fact, that tho existing race of Indians have no tradition, by what people or at what period it was done. The; places, even, were unknown to the oldest of the band, until pointed out V)y the white man."~WfiU}icu & Foster's Itcport on the ?Hiiin(j Ucyionof Lake Superior, published by tho U. S. Congress. Il' Page 29. (8) " Who tcachcth tho doc and tho fawn to run In the track the moose has made." The habit of these sagacious animals, running in what may be called Indian file, balfles tho hunter of th(! Nortii-west in judging of tlie extent of a herd by their tracks through the snow. The fact is r(>peat- cdly stated by writers on the Xorth-west territory. Pago 30. (9) ""Who hangeth the reindeer moss on the tnies Tor the food of the Caribou." In the region known as tho Barrens, in tho extreme North-east of the Hudson's Bay Company's possessions, where "the soil" is one interminable stn^tch of arid pummicc-stone. Nature has still provided for the existence of the gentle and valuable Caribou, by clotliing th(! stunted shrubbery, wherever it appears, with what is called "Ivoindecr moss," a substitute for the dearth of herba{?e. NOTRS TO CA\AI>IA\ MA 1.1. ADS. o;{ PaRO .31. (10) "Thoro you may hoar wliat hero you road, And sook in witness of th(! dood Our Ladyc of the Snow." Tho original cluu'oh of A'fj/rc JJa;»c dca Nciqes stood ui)on what is now "the Priests' Farm," on the southern slope of the Mountain of Montreal. It was orifrinally surrounded 'oy tiie liabitations of tlic con- verted Indians and their instructdrs, of "the Jlountain ^lission." The wall of defence ;uid two towers still remain, in jrood i)rcscrvation, front- ing on Slierbrooke Street, .Montreal. The present clia|)oI of the same nanio stands in the Village of Cote dcs Ncirjcs, behind the Mountain. of no ed he jer Page 39. (U) TIw Sea Captain.— The lofrend under this title is a favorite amcmg sailors. T heard it rel;it(!d, many years azo, with the jrroatest trr.avity, by an "Old Salt," who laid the sc(}ne of the ghostly abduction in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. J'age 42. (12) Thomas Iifoore at St.Anncs.—\t St. Anues, near the junction of the uppi^r branch of the Ottawa with the St. Lawrence, they show a particular spot as the i)lace where Moore composed his well-known "Canadian Bo.at-sonjr." As the po'-t himself is silent on the subject in the note with which he aeconipani(;d the song, in his "Poems relating to America," we may give St. Amies tlic bcnclit of the doubt. It may not be amiss to remark, that, to this Hying i visit of Moore's, which occupi(>d him only from the 22(1 of July, 180 1, when he reached Chippewa, till the 10th of October, when he sailed from Halifax for England, we are indebted not only for the Boat-song, but "the Wood- pecker," and the ballad " Written on passing Dead-man's Island,"— poems which must certainly be included in any future Canadian Anthology. 64 NOTES TO CANADIAN BALLADS. 1 Ui ft Page 55 (13) ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ .^^^^ ^^^^^^^ Apostrophe to the Boyne. ,... The Ballads of Ire- W b, native. Of lve,»„a, »hetU. .t h^ne or ».^^^^^^^ he would fata tope theyma^rbe acceptable to the geue Canada. I OCCASIONAL VEESES ,! 1 i f; I; i ©cciirional Dcrs fS. [TOME-SICK STANZAS. I. Twice bad I sailed the Atlantic o'er, Twice dwelt nn exile in the west ; Twice did kind nature's skill restore The quiet of my troubled breast — As moss npon a rifted tree, So time its gentle cloaking did, But though the wound no eye could see, Deep in nn' heart the barb was hid. I'V 68 OrOASTONAL VKItSKS. II. I felt a weight where'er I went — I felt a void within my brain ; My day hopes and my dreams were blent With sable threads of mental pain ; My eye delighted not to look On forest old or rapids grand ; The stranger's pride I scarce could brook, My heart was in my own dear land. III. Where'er I turned, some emblem still Roused consciousness upon my track ; Some hill was like an Irish hill, Some wild bird's whistle called me ^ack ; A sea-bound ship bore off my peace, Between its white, cold wings of woe ; Oh, if I had but wings like these, Where my peace went I, too, would go. OCCASIONAL VERSES. 60 THE MINSTREL'S CURSE. X. *' My malison," the Minstrel said, I give to man or youtb, Who slights a loyal lady's love, Or trusts a wanton's truth." II. " And on his traitor head shall fall Not only curse of mine, But cited down, at Nature's call, God's malison divine !" ni. ''We've borne our Lady to the grave This weary, weary day, While our young Earl, a wanton's slave, Is false, and far away." IV. " He riots in his Leman's bower, He quaffs her philter'd wine. False Knight! false Love ! this very hour, Where is that wife of thiue?" 70 OCCASIONAL VEHSKS. V. " He wed her on mid-summer eve With taper and with ring, His passion withered with tlie leaf But came not with the spring." ) I. -1 1 ' VI. " She marked the change, poor heart! poor heart She missed him from her side, She strove to play the stoic's part. She sickened and she diedl" ^11 /at VII. " She lies outsretched in churchyard clay She drinks the deadly dew, He leads the revels, far away The noisiest of his crew." VIII. " But on his traitor head shall fall Not only curse of mine But cited down at Nature's call God's malison divine!" OCCAeiON U. V HUSKS. VI CONSOLATION. I. Men seek for treasure in the earth, Wher I have buried mine, There never mortal eye shall pierce, Nor star nor lamp shall shine ! We know, my love, oh ! well wo know. The secret treasure spot. Yet must our tears forever fall, Because that they are not. 11. How gladly would we give to light The ivory forehead fair — The eye of heavenly beaming blue, The clust'ring chesnut hair — Yet look around this mournful scene Of daily eartlily life. And could you wish them back to share Us sorrow and its strife? 72 OCCASIONAL VERSES. I I • I. ; III. If blessed Angels stray to Earth, And seek in vain a shrine, They needs must back return again Unto their source divine : All life obeys the unchanging law Of Him who took and gave, We count a glorious saint in heaven For each child in the grave. IV. Look up, my love, look up, afar, And dry each bitter tear, Behold three white-robed Innocents At Heaven's high gate appear ! For you and me and those we love, They smilingly await, God grant we may be fit to join Those Angels of the Gate. OCCASIONAL VEKSEH. 7;^ t; I MARY'S HEART. I. I know one spot where springs a tide Of feeling pure as ever ran, Man's path of destiny beside, To bless and soothe the heart of man. By night and noon, be't dark or bright, That fountain plays its blessed part ; And heaven looks happy at the sight Of Mary's heart ! of Mary's heart ! u. There's wealth they say in foreign climes, And fame for those who dare aspire. And who that does not sigh betimes, For something better, nobler, higher! But here is all— a golden mine, A sea unsailed, a tempting chart ; These, all these may be, nay, are mine— The wide, warm world of Mary's heart! D i i I !: ri i' 1 I 74 OCCASIONAL VERSES. ( ! m. IJlow as ye will, yc -vviuds of futc, And let Life's trials bl.ackly lower ; I know the Giirdeii and the Gate, Ye cannot strip my roseate bower. That safe retreat I still can keep, Despite of envy's venom'd dart ; Despite of all life's storm, can sleep Securely lod<,a'd in Mary's heart ! Of'CAHlONAl. VERSUS. ( .) AUTUMN AND WINTER. AN ANTIQL'B. I. Aiitinnii, tlic squire of Winter is iibroad, Jinking miicli dust upon the breezy road : His Joseph coat Mitli every hue is gay, But seems ns if 't had kuuu ii a sunnier day ; His master from ihe Xorih is drawing nigh, Fur-clad, and little favor'd to mine eye. II. And yet this pie-bald courier doth him wrong — He loves a friend, a bottle, and a song ; His memory 's a mine, whereof the ore Is ever-wrought and never-ending lore. His white locks hide a head full of rare dreams, Which by a friendly fire with gladness streams, While Christmas shrives the perishing Old year He leads the New out from behind the bier. III. Oh! motley Autumn, prithee mend thy pace, I do not like thy costume nor tliy face ; Thy hollow laugh and stage proprieties Tell of a bungling actor ill at ease. To live such life as thiiu" is shame, is sin — Prithee fall back— let honest Winter in. . ■ mwn w^ t ny > > -iiiwiiiii p jw »*g 1(\ ()('(• \si()N \i, vI':ksi;s. IXDRPEXDENCE. 1. *i .f I i'l Let Fortune frown and foes increase, And Life's long battle know no peace ; Give me to wear n[)on my breast Tlie object of my early (nicst — Undimni'd, unbrulvcn, and nncliang'd, The tali:jman I souglit and gain'd — The jewel, Independence ! II. It feeds with fire my flagging heart To act by all a fearless part ; It irrigates like summer rain The thirsty farrows of my brain; Throngh years and cares my sun and star, A present help — a hope afar — The jewel, Independence! III. Rob me of all the joys of sense, Curse me with all but impotence; Fling me upon an ocean oar. Cast me upon a savage shore ; Slay me ! but own above my bier : " The man now gone, still held while here, The jewel. Independence 1'" ^ ^i Of'CAfilONAI, VKUHKS. 77 THE THREE :\IINSTRELS. I. Three M'lnslrols play ^vitlun tlic Tower of Time, A weird and wondroii3 edifice it irf ; One sings of war, the martial strain suhlimc, And strikes his lyre, as 'twere a foe of his ; The sword npon his thigh is dripiiing red From a foe's heart in the mid battle slain ; His pluni'd casque is dolVd from his proud liead, His Hashing eye preludes the thundrous strain. II. Apart, sequestcr'd in an alcove deep, Through which the pale moon looks propitious in, Accompanied by sighs that seem to weep, Tiio second minstrel sadly doth begin T' indite his mistress fair but cruel, who Had trampled on the heart that was her own ; Or prays his harp to help him how to woo, And thrills with joy at each responsive tone. ■«), is OCCA^TOXAI- VERSE> III. Right in the porch, before Avliich, fair and far Plain, lake and hamlet fill tlie musing eye, Gazing toward the thoughtful evening star That seems transfixed upon the mountain high, The third of Country and of Duty sings ; Slow and triumphal is the solemn strain ; Like Dcatli, he takes no heed of Chiefs or Kings, But over all he raaketli country reign. IV. Sad Dante ! he, love-led from life, who found His way to Eden, and unhap]>y stood Amid the angels — he, the cypress-crown'd, Knew not the utmost gift of public good. Thoughts deeper and more solemn it insi>irc3 Than even his lofty spirit (''arc essr.y ; How then shall we, poor Emberers of old hres, Kindle the beacons of our country's way ? We all are audience in the Tower of Time ; Fo. 'S alone at this hcdr play the three. Choose which ye will — the martial song sublime, Or lover foud ; but thou my Jlaster be, Oh ! Bard of duty and of country's cause : Thee will I choose and follow for my lord ! Thy tlicrae my study and tliy words my laAVS — Muse of the patriot lyre and guardian sword. 4 ': OCCASION. \ I. VKUSK?^. T'l 'TWAS SOMETTIIXG THEN TO BE A BARD. I. Fn lono^ gone days wlion he wlio Lore The potent harp from liall U) hall, ITi.s courier running on Ix-forc, His castle where lie chose to call ; When youthful nohles watched for him, And ladies fair, with ft)nd regard, Fill'd the bright wine-cup to the hrini, 'Twas something then to be a Bard. 11. When seated by the chieftain's chair, The Minstrel told his pictured tale, Of whence they came and who they were, The ancient stock of Innisfail — When the grey steward of the house Laid at his feet tlic rich reward, Gay monarch of the lv)ug carouse, 'Twas somctliing then to bo a Bard. 80 ()C('\"'IO\.\L \KRSES. ,t ill. Twas glorious then when banners waved, And chargers neighed, and hinces gleamed, When all was to be borne or braved That patriot zeal desired or dreamed — 'Twas glorious in mid-host to ride A king's gift graceful as the 'pard, With famous captains by his side Proud of the presence of the Bard. ,1. IV. 'Twas glorious, too, ore age had power To dim the eye or chill the blood, To fly to beauty's evening bower, And lift from beauty's brow the hood To feel that Heaven's own sacred flame Can raclt a heart however hard. To gather love by right of fame — 'Twas glorious then to be a Bard. OCCAHIOXAL YEUSES. 81 GOD BE PRAISED. I am young- and I love labour, God be praised ! I have many a kindly neighbour, God be praised ! I've a wife— my whole love bought her, And a little prattling daugliter, With eyes blue as ocean water, God be praised ! I II. Care or guilt have not deformed me, God be praised ! Tasks and trials but informed me, God be praised ! T have been no ba o self-seeker ; AViih the mildest I am meeker; I have made no brother weaker, (iod be prais'M! ! I) 2 82 OCCASTONAL VEURFS. III. I liavc dreamt youth's dreams elysian, God bo praised! And for many an unreal vision, God be praised! But of manhood's lesson's sterner Long I've been a patient learner, And now wear Avith case life's armour, God be praised ! H i f IV. The world is not all evil, God be praised ! It must amend if we will, God be praised ! Healing vervain oft we find With fell hemloclv intertwined ; Ilatc, not Love, Aras born blind, God be praised! V. Calm nijht to day is neighbour, God be praised ! So rest succeeds to labour, God be praised! By deeds not days lives number, Time's conquerors still slumber, Their own master-pieces under, ■i God be prni. .,! I I'll |i.i'^ i •H OCCASIONAL VERSES. 83 VI. I Time to the skeptic calleth, God ha praised ! Swift as the star that falleth, God be praised ! On Time's ever onward river Let us launch some high endeavour, That may sail the seas for ever, To God's praise! > S4 0C(;ASI()N.\K vehses. CHRISTMAS MORX. iii lli I. Up, Christian I hark, the crowing cock Proclaims the break of day ! Up ! light the lam,), undo the lock, And take the well-knoAvn way — Already through the painted glass Streams forth the light of early mass. n. Our Altar ! oh, how fair it shows, Unto the night-dimm'd eyes — Oh, surely yonder wreath that glows Was plucked in paradise ! Without — it snows, the wind is loud. Earth sleeps wrapped in her yearly shroud. III. Within —the organ's soaring peal, The choir's sweet chant, the bells. The surging crowd who stand or kneel, The glorious errand tells ; Rejoice 1 rejoice ! ye sons of men. For man may hope for heaven again. OCCASIOXAL VKHHK.S. 85 IV, 'Tis but a step, a threshold cros'd, Yet such the change we find — AVithout the wandering worldling tost By every gust of wind — Within there reigns a holy calm, For here abides the dread I am. I p) ; s(; OCCASION M, VERSES. DONNA VIOLETTA. A SPANISH BALLAD (NOT IX LOCKHART's COLLECTION.) I :! i lA , I. Lythe and listen, ladies gay, and gentle gallants, listen : In Donna Violetta's eyes the pearly tear-drops glisten, The hour lias come — the Priest has come — have come the bridemaids three, Tlic groomsman's there, but ah the groom, alas! and where is he ? r nil sadly sighed that mother sage, " It is provoking, really — What can the good knight moan or plead to justify his delay ?" And red and pale alternate turned the bride, as wore the morning. And there she stood amid a crowd, half sorrowing, half scorninci:. k: II. At last outspoke the best bridesmaid, as on the time-piece glancing, Ilcr black eye fir'd, and her small foot beneath her robe kept dancing : "If! were you, sweet coz," she said, " I'd die before I'd let a JFan put ring, who first put slight, upon me, Violctta!" *j *• ' i " !' ' J I' V ■.- ligW gN Mjj«j^ > gl l B»tf« OCCArtTONAh VERftKs. 87 And nut Ijcspoke the groomsman gi^y, a (l!ii)por littlo felloAv, Who, llioiigh 'twas early in the day, was slightly touched or mellow : '= :\ry lauds are full as broad as his, ray name is full as noble, And, as true knii^ht, I cannot see a lady fair in trouble — So, lovely m.)urner, list to me, and cease those sad tears shedding, Accept the baud I olFer thee, and let's not mar the wedding.'' III. 1 The lady sighed, the lady smiled, then placed her fingers taper ITl)on the gallant groorasman's arm, who forthwith cut a caper — The vows were said, the prayers were read — the wedded pair departed About the time the former swain had from his lodgings started — Don Sluggard entered by one gate as they drove out the other. And where ho . hould have found the bvide lie only found her motlicr. "His Costumier was slow," he said, "his horses wanted baiting. And therefore he — unhappily — had kept the ladies waiting." I ) ! If 88 OCC'A^'IOXAK \ KK.SKS. IV. ■ : i , 'I Yc ladies fair, and gallant3 gay — true lovers prone to quarrel — I pray you heed tlie rhyme you read, and meditate the moral : Full many a hopaful suitor's doom beside this has been dated From that dark hour wlicn first h.; left his lady fair belated — All other sins may be forgiven to the repentant lover. But this alone in vain he may endeavor to recover. So should you have a youthful friend — a friend that you regard, oh ! Ohl teacli him, teach him to b.ware, the doom of Don Sluggardo ! 1< 0{M ASIONM VKKSKS 80 ; to the atcd 3.1— you Don A LEGEND OF THE fSLE OF LEWIS.* FlUST ISLANDER. " Look out, look out, on the wnvos so dark, And toll me dost thou see a harque Riding tiic tempest through? It bears a cross on its slender spar, And u lamp that glances like a star, And three men make the crew !'' SECOND ISLANDER. " T .-ee a barque far off at sea \Yith cross and lamp and crew of three, But sooth it labors sore— I see it rise, T see it fall. Now the angry ocean swallows all, And I see the barque no more." * One of the first ovaiiu'elizors of the Western Islands is Imiowu in f.'aelic story as "SaiutCovn.ac the Xavisutor." He uas animm the lirst iiii^.!:^! )nario.^ scat out fioiu Ion •• IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. 90 O f ' A S 1 N A T. V" K RS E fl . FIIiST ISLANDKH, 'Tis he ! " 'tis he ! I know his sail, 'Tis the holy man of the hooded Gael, True to his plighted word — ' Be't storm or calm, or foul or fair,' lie said, ' I will be surely here On the birth-day of our Lord !' " if ^ ! ! . I '' ITe is the saint whose hymn soars loud O'er shifting sail and crackling shroud ; Men resting on the oar In the summer midnights' silent hour Ma}^ haply hear that voice of power, O'er Coryvrckan's roar." ! 't " He knoweth how to steer aright By the yard and plough and northern light, Through the battling Slictland sea^? ; Knoweth of every port the sign. From Wcstra to Saint Colurab's shrine In the southern Hebrides." " A host will throng to cape and bay To meet him each appointed day, Be it festival or fast ; And if his bark comes not in sight They deem they have not reckoned right, Or, that the day is past." OCCASION. \!- VKRSEfi. " ITis pFsalm hatli waken'd Osmunwfill, And from the cavern of Fingall Hath shaken down the spar ; The fishers on the midnight Avavcs And the otter hunters from their caves Salute his cross and star." SECOND ISLANDER. ill "I see, T sec through the niglit-fall dark, Saint Cormac sitting in his barque, And now ho draweth near ! Dear Father of the Ishmd men, Welcome to Lewis Isle again, And to our Christmas clioor!" :i ■' it:' Ml I I 92 OCCASION \I, VKKrtrF. lONA. * AVould yon visit the home St. Columbcillc chose Z You must sail to the North when the AYcst wind blows, To the airl where grow nor flowers nor trees, On the soil of the sea-spent Hebrides. There, over against the steep Ross shore, In hearing of Coryvrekan's roar, You will find the dwarfish holly growing, And see the brave sea-buglos blowing Around the roots of the Belladonna, On the shore of the Island — holy lona ! * "We were now troadhis? that illustrious island, whicli was once the luminary of thn Calodoulau n^sjions, wh once .savaw clans and roving barbarians derived the bouelit of knowlod^^c and the blcssini^s of reli,i?ion. To abstract the mind from all local emotion would be impossible if it were endeavoured, and would be foolish if it were possible. Whatever withdraws us from the power of our sen-os, — whatever raaki n 'l^i I ' 08 OCCASIONAL VERSES. f ■S'i I!' i \< 94. VI. i'i ; I could have borne the callous cloAvn, The squire's chagrin amused — Uut the dullard m the caj) and gown I from my heart abused. I wished that I had been his Pope, To put him on his knees, And make his fine pedantic gown An offering to Saint Bees. OCCASIONAL VKHSE.S. 90 KIXG liRIAX'S ANSWER. I I. ti Go not forth to the battle," tlioy saicl, " But abide with your councillors suji'e, " A helmet would weigh doAvu the head " That already is weighed down with age. '' There are Avarriors many a one, " In their prime, all impatient to go— " Let the host be led on by your son, " He will fetch you the spoils of the foe.'' 11. But the aged king rose in his place. And hi? eye had the fire of past years, And his hand grasp'd the keen-point'd mace, And silence came over his peers : " 'Tis true, I am old," and he smiled-— " And the grave lies not far on my road, " But in arms I was nursed as a child, "And in arms I will go to my God. I 100 OCCASIONAL VEI18KS. III. " For this is no battle for spoil, " No strufjglc with rivals for power : " Tlia Gentile is camped on our soil, "Where he must not exult for an hour. " 'Tis true, I am old," and he smiled — " And the grave lies not far on my road, " lUit in arms I was nursed as a child, " And in arms I will go to my God." > 1 ; r N n 1 •4 — * OOOAeiONAI, VFRSKS. i:) lUl'. THE PENITEXT RAVEX. road, A NUnSERY RHYME. I. The Raven's house is built \yith roods, Sing alas and woe is mo I And the Raven's conch is spread with wcods High on the liollow tree. And the Raven himself telling his beads In penance for his past misdeeds, Upon the top I see. II. Telling his beads from night till morn, Sing alas and woe is me fu penance for stealing the Abbot's corn, High on the hollow tree. Sin is a load upon the breast. And it nightly breaks the Raven's rest, High on the hollow tree. H 102 OCCASIONAL VERSUS. III. Tho Raven pray'tl tlio winter thro', Sin<^ alas and woo is me The bail it fell, the winds they blew, High on tlie hollow tree. Until the sprinj^ came forth again, And the Abbot's men to sow their grain Around the hollow tree. IV. Alas, alas, for earthly vows. Sing alas and woe is me Whether they're made by men or crows. High on the hollow tree. The Raven swoop'd upon the seed, And met his death in the very deed — Beneath his hollow tree. So beat we our breasts in shame of sin, Alas and woe is me I While all is hollowness within, Alas and woe is me ! And when the ancient Tempter smiles So yield we cur souls up to his wiles, Alas and woe is me \ OCCASIONAL VRRSRS. 1 (»;? LINES WRITTEN OX THE FIRST OF FEBRrAUV.* I. IIow few on this once famous festival day Remembcr the Virgin of Erin, whose flimo Oft bowed down the Nations devoutly to pray. Of Klldare's holy Abbess invoking the name. •I 4 I II. On the Alps of the Swiss, on tlie fritlis of tlic Dane, Wlien tiie Cross had supplanted Idolatrj-'s sign, Eow the sons of the Gentiles surrounded tliy fane, What homage, oh Virgin! what conquests were tliine ! III. To reign in one heart through the clianges of time Is the fond expectation of maiden most fair, But what myriads liave felt an affection sublime For tliy beauty of goodness, sweet Bride of Kildare. • February 1st— St. Bridget's day. '< I I i il H I li ! ■ 1 ' ! 1 pi i 104 OCCASIONAL VERSES. IV. Even now may be found in the bosoms of men Some hearts like the lamp at thy altar of old, Whose faith burns as bright and as steadfast as then, As warm as its flame and as pure as its gold. V. Let them roam where they may they can never forget, And never forego let what fate may betide, To remember the day and to render the debt They owe to Kildare's holy Abbess — Saint Bride. OOOASIONAL VERRFS. 105 LADY GORMLEY. A GAELIC BALLAD I. She wanders wildly thro' the night, Unhappy Lady Gormlcy I And hides her head at morning light, Unhappy Lady Gormley ! No home has she, no kindly kin. But darkness reigneth all within, For sorrow is the child of sin With hapless Lady Gormley II. What time she sate on Tara's throne, Unhappy Lady Gormley, Bright jewels sparkled on her z;one. Unhappy Lady Gormley. But her fair seeming could not hide The wayward will, the heart of pride. The wit still ready to deride, Of scornful Lady Gormley 1 2 P. I" I ■ .11' 1 !, 1^ k i; Si n^ ti I I 100 onCAHIONAL VERSES. III. The (lauglitcr of a kingly race, Was lovely Lady Gormley ; A monarch's bride — the first in place, Was noble Lady Gormley. The fairest hand she had, the skill The lute to touch, the harp to thrill, Melting and moving men at will, The peerless Lady Gormley. IV. Nor was it courtly art to call The splendid Lady Gormley, Tlie first of Minstrels in the hall. All-gifted Lady Gormley. Song flowed from out her snowy throat As from the thrush, and every note Taught men to sigli, and bards to dote On lovely Lady Gormley. V. But armed as is the honey bee Was fickle Lady Gormley ; And hollow as the alder tree Was smiling Lady Gormley. And cold and haughty as the swan, That glancing sideward saileth on. That loves the moon and hates tlie dawn. Was heartless Lady Gormley. . ii OCCASIONAL VEFISES. 107 VI. God's poor had never known her care, The lofty Lady Gorralcy ; She had no alms for Nun or Frere, The wordly Lady Gormley . She fed her heart on human praise, Forgot her soul in prosp'rous days, Was studious but how to amaze — The haughty Lady Gormley. VII. At last she fell from her great height, Unhappy Lady Gormley. Her Lord had perish'd in the fight. Unhappy Lady Gormley. And now she has nor house nor home. Destined from rath to rath to roam, Too proud to make amend or moan. Unhappy Lady Gormley. VIII. Behold her on her lonely way. The wretched Lady Gormley. And mark the moral of my lay, The lay of Lady Gormley : When fortune smiles make God your friend, On His love more than man's depend, So may you 'scape until the end The grief of Lady Gormley. h e 108 OC'C ASTON AL VKHST^IS. ORIGIN OF THE ISLE OF MAX. Of all the Celtic Gods, I envy most That son of Lir, Who drove his harness'd Dolphins round our coaf?t The live-long year ; Followed by an uproarious, spouting host, Deafening to hear. There "was no Cove so land-shut or so cozy But Manan knew ; No Island e'er so meadowy or rosy Escap'd his view ; No river's mouth or bed but his bold nose ho Would poke into. Of the Atlantic realm sole lord and master, He yet controll'd Biscayan shores, where, charged deep with disaster, Ilis thunders rolled— The Baltic paid him amber tribute faster Than Jews take gold. OCCASIONAL VERSES. 109 Yet not content to bo tlie solo sea-warden Beneath the sun, His heart, like ancient Pliaroah, he did harden, (Or Hutchinson,) Seizing on Mona for his "kitclien garden."* Some legends run. I sometimes doubt (tliough in some .^lanx-man's letters 'Tis somewhere said,) That Manan, once embarrass'd, like his betters, By over-trade, A sanctuary for all future debtors This Island made. It suits not with the hereditary story Of him or his, To skulk the Sheriff, or tlie deathless glory A scrimmage gives ; Of the Manx story at I think the more, I Think less it is. Tlie gay god's better purpose is to be seen Beneath the soil, Where wind the corridors from caves marine For many a mile : From earliest day 'twas ordained— we must ween A smuggling Isle. * John Holy Hutcliiuson (Lord DououghiTiore), of wliom I'ilt siiid, if lie had f?ob " the thrco kiiii^'doms for an estate^ he would still ask.t:io Isle of Man for a IdtcUon garden." 1 \ I no OCCASIOXAL VKRSER. And certes this Usqucbagh is not at all bad, Excised or not— Here's to thee, ^lauanan I most genial old lad ; Nor Pict nor Scot Around this board, but would have sorrow'd sore had You been forgot ! !'■'■ .. 1 1- 1 1' h I ' M I vr,t ■ I Ml OOOASTONAF. 3. Ill WOArANS PRAISE. 1. The myriad harps of Erin oft, In other days, Were by enthusiast minstrels strung In Woman's praise ; And though they sometimes stooped to sing The praise of wine, Still, nightly, did each trembling string Resound with thine. ir. '■' Oh, who," (these ancient Rhymers asked,) " Would dwell alone, That could win woman to his side. For aye, his own ? Oh, cold would be the household cheer," ('Twas so, they said,) "But for the light tlie mistress dear O'er all things shed. i I 11 ! ; I ■iii 112 R 'i'/ i';i« 1 j OCCASIONAL VEWSEfl. ITI. " And barren many a harp would bi;, And many a brain, If woman, Queen of MinstreLsic, Lent not the strain ; And many a heavy tear would chill On misery's cheek, If woman were not present still Tier word to speak. IV. " Ye who have seen her gentle hand Do timely deeds, In haunts where misery made a stand, And men were reeds — Ye who have seen the fetter chain Undone by them, Find, find for that a fitting name, Ye vaunting men! V. " Oh ! blessed be the God that dower'd The earth with these — Our truest, firmest, noblest friends In woe or ease. Blessed for the grace that makes the earth Beneath their feet A garden, and that fills the air With music meet. i !i 1 OOCABTONAI. VET{5-T;R. nn VI. " And still, wliatc'cr our fate may bo,'" (Your minstrel saitli,) " Lot woman but be near, and we Will smile in death — Whatc'er the scene, where woman's grief And woman's sij^h Can mingle round, there Bard and Chief May fitly die." 'I .' f; ■ri l^ ^1 . I 1 1 tj!i i i \ 1 ■ 1 ! i ; ■ III 114 OOOARTOXAL VKIIPK'^. KILDARF/S BARD OX TOURNAMENTS. I. Sing not to mo of Normandic, Its armor'd knights and bloodless sports Its sawdust battle fields, to me, Arc odious as its canting Courts ; Hut sing to mo of hunting far The antler'd elk in Erris' vales, Of flying 'neath the crackling spar, Off Arran, through Atlantic gales. II. Raymond was brave, DeCourcy bold, And Hugo Lacy bred to rule — But I am of the race of old, And cannot learn in Norman school. Sing not to me of Guisnes field. Or how Earl Gerald match'd with kings* — I'd rather see him on his shield • Than tilting in their wrestler rings. * r.erakl, 8th Eai'l of Kildiirc, whoso splendour almost rivalled that of the King, his master, at the famous " Field of the Cloth of Gold." OCf!ARrON.\L VRIlJ^KS. I in "CAROL AN THE BLIND." ME NTS. 3 sports To the cross of Glenftid the Blind Bard came, And at the four roads ho drew hl^ rein, And stopped liis steed, and raised lils hand, To learn from the currents the lie of the land ; And spoke he aloud, unconscious that near His words were caught up hy a listening ear. II. " The sun's in the south, the noon must be past, And cold on my riglit comes the north-east blast ; What, ho ! old friend, we'll face to the west, For Oonnaught's the quarter the Bard loves best ; Tis the heart of the land, and the stronghold of song, So, noAv, for our Conuaught friends, march we on I d. kings* — it rivalled that othofGold." III. ' In Connaught !" he hummed, as on he rode, " The heart and the house and the cup o'erflowcd- in Connaught alone does music find The answering foot and the echoing mind ; 'Tis the soul of the soil and the fortress of sono-. So, now, for our Connaught friends, march we on !" lif li H ,i. I I 1^1 •I 'I i J ,1 i I ! rr I 1 'I I'i' I' iVi!! llil UG OOCASIOVAL VERSES. A CONTRAST. I. Bebinn is straight as a poplar, Queenly and comely to see ! But her hand seems so fit for a sceptre, She never could give it to me ; Aine is litlie as a willow, And her eye, whether tearful or gay, So true to her thought, that in Aine, I find a new charm every day. II. Bebinn calml}' and silently sails Down life's stream lilce a snow-breasted swan- She's so lonesoraely grand that she seems To shrink from the presence of man. Aine basks in the glad silver sun, Like a young dove let loose in the air — Sings, dances, and laughs ; but for me Her joy does not make her less fair. OCCASIONAL VERSES. 117 III. Oh ! give me the nature that shows Its emotions of mirth or of pain, As the water that glides, and the corn that grows, Show shadow and sunlight again. Oh ! give me the brow that can bend, Oh ! give me the eyes that can weep. And give me a heart like Lough Neagh. As full of emotions and deep. ( I " it J If ' \ l- \^ 'I P I'll .■II Si ! l!l|ti !'■ ' i.i ,1?! I.C 118 OCCASIONAL VERSES. A SMALL CATECHISM. " Why are children's eyes so bright? Tell me why ? " 'Tis because the infinite, Which they've left is still in sight. And they know no worldly blight — Therefore 'tis their eyes are bright, II. " Why do children laugh so gay ? Tell me why ? " 'Tig because their hearts have play In their bosoms, every day, Free from sin and sorrow's sway — Therefore, 'tis they laugh so gay. III. " Why do children speak so free ? Tell me why ? " 'Tis because from fallacy, Cant, and seeming, they are free, Hearts, not lips their organs be — Therefore, 'tis they speak so free. OCCASICTNAL VERSES. 119 e bright. gay. ) free. IV. " Why do children love so true ? Tell me why ? " 'Tis because they cleave unto, A familiar fav'rite few, Without art or self in view — Therefore children love so true." i w m I ,f 11 :[ ! !; i !i i! h If [Hi !|it':i ,!•■ •''• 120 OCCASIONAL VERSES. THE LOVE CHARM. I. " Ancient crones that shun the highways, In dark woods to weave your spells — Holy dwellers in the byeways, Erenachs of blessed wells ; House and Lands to whoso finds me Where the euro for Connor dwells I" II. .' ,1. I; i ir '.!! ,y|.. ' lin i ^i a ! ' '' ! i 1 ta'i 11 ■ \ i ' \ i l| 1 lis 1 i '■ ;l One went out by night to gather Vervain by the summer star ;* Hosts of Leeches sought the father In his hall of Oastlebar ; Blessed water came in vials From the Avells of ancient Saints ; Vain their knowledge — vain their trials — Science wots not youth's complaints : Vervain, a healing plant in groat repute fimoug tho Irish ; it shonl be gathered under the di)s-atar, by night, barefoot and wit t c left hand. OCCASIONAL VERSES. 121 III. " Nearer, nearer, sister Margaret — (Lest the baffled Leeches hear) — Listen to me, sister dearest, 'Tis of Love that I lie here In Athenree there is a blossom More than all their charms could do ; There is healing in her bosom, All my vigor to renew : IV. " But our father hates her father — Deadly feud between them reigns — Peace may come when I am sleeping Where the lank laburnum's weeping And the cold green ivy creeping O'er the grave where nothing pains ! V. " Tell her then /" " Nay, brother, brother. Live and hope and trust to me ; In a guise none can discover, I will be your Lady's lover. Woo her here to thee, my brother, Ere the new moon faded be 1" '1 ' ! 1 1;!:: } i! i .' I ill i n |!| '^ '': pi! I I m m 122 OCCASIONAL VERSES. VI. Clad in boyish guiso sits Margaret, With n liarp upon her knee, Harping to the lovely mistress Of the castlc'd Athenree — Chaunting how, in days departed, All the world was truer-hearted — How death only could have parted Love and fond Fidelity. VII. Sighed the Lady — " Gentle minstrel. If such lovers een lived now, Ladies might be found as faithful, But few such there arc, I trow ." Quoth the singer, also sighing, " Nay, I know where one is lying For thy sake — know where he's dying — Tell me, shall he live or no ?" VIII. Through the green woods, blossom laden, Ride the minstrel and the maiden O'er the Robe's bright waters gushing — He exhorting and she blushing — Athenree behind them far. Riding till the sun of even'. Lingering late upon Ben Nephiu, Saw them enter Castlebar. OCCASIONAL VERSES. 123 IX. Sat the sick heir in his chamber, Sore besieged by early deatli, Life and death's alternate banners Waver'd in his feeble breath ; All the Leeches had departed, While the sad Sire, broken-hearted. Gazes from his turret lonely, Thinking of his sick heir only — O'er his heirless lands beneath. X. " Connor I Connor ! here's your blossom, Take her — take her to your bosom ; Said I?iot to trust to me ? And this reverend man will wive you. Albeit he comes here to shrive you. And the Bridesmaid I shall be !" XI. On the turret wept the Father, (While the Son beneath was wed) — Came the Priest reluctant to him — " Ah ! I know," he cried, «' he's dead r *' Nay, not so, my noble master, Young Lord Connor's come to life !" — "Say't again, again — speali faster—" "Yea, my Lord— and here'3 his wife !" 1 .i I,V' iJlK 124 OCTASIONAL VRFSES. SONNET. I have a sea-going spirit haunts my sleep, Not a sad spirit wearisome to follow ; Less like a tenant of the mystic deep Than the good fairy of the hazel hollow ; A.nd often at the midwatch of the night I see departing in his silver barque This spirit, steering toward an eastern light, Calling me to him from the western dark. " Spirit !" I ask, " say whither bound away ?" "Unto the old Hesperides 1" he cries ; " Oh, Spirit, take me in thy barque, I pray ;" "For thee I came," he joyfully replies — Exile ! no longer shalt thou absent mourn, For I the Spirit am, men call — Return." I i : \ ' 1 , 1 i , : 1 L J t < i'' 1 [i ■ ■: i ii t i 1, 1! V eep, ow; lollow ; It le light, rn dark, way ?" les : .» pray, )lies — Qourn, TURN." '^: "%w.