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The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes ou lee planches trop grandes pour dtre reproduites en un seul clich6 sont filmdes d partir de I'angle supdrieure yauche, de gauche d droite et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Le diagramme suivant iilustre la mdthode : 12 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 B lTRIC VIVIAN: A TALE OF t % HATEAU RICHER. BY JAMES JOSEF»H GAHAN. TOEONTO: lTRICK BOYLE, PRINTER, 16 FRANCIS STREET. VIVIAN: ' A TALE OF HATEAU RICHER. 'Y JAMES JOSEPH GAHAN. TOKO:^fTO: THICK BOYLE, PRINTER, ,« FRANCIS .STREET. 18^0. I'Ali 1 can tlu Queb: DEDICATION. TO 'J11AKLE.S «. Pahnkm., M. p., Ireland; Patkick Buylk, Ksg., 'roroiito: ami John C. Flkminu, Ksg., Moutrertl, A T lU M r V UK IUI6II VATRI0X8, SPRINOINU FROM TH£ K'JAil OK MY MOTHERLAND, TIIK KOLLOWIMi LfNKS AUK DKOICATKI). 1 cannot claim for my work u IiIkI' order of merit. Written to reliovc the tedium of studious liours— ut intervals when I sought to forget Justinian, Blackstone and Potliier, this composition is neces- sarily crude and unfinished. But sucli as it is I now give it to the public witli the sole understanding that all the pro- ceeds resulting from the sale thereof, shall be handed to the FUND FOR IRELAND ! JAMES JOSEPH UAHAN, Stitdent-at-Laiv, Laval University. Quebec, Slst March, 1880. VIVIAN: A TALE OF CHATEAU RICHER. I. Through Cliateau Eicher's fia^^mnt vale The SumiHer breeze was sighing, O'er mountain tall, and bosky dale The Summer sun was dying ; The broad St. Lawrence wended on. In proud, majestic sweeping. The glory of the day was gone — The shades of eve were creeping ! II. It was, in truth, a lovely spot Enrobed in nature's splendor. And there, within a mossy grot The scene was sweetly tender. When Vivian breathed the story old, First whispered soft in Eden, Ere sinful shadows darkly rolled To cloud the face of Heaven I III. Rich gloaming fell Ujjon the stream. And on the bubbling fountain, And thro' the wreathing clouds, the beam Of Luna tipped the mountain, And fell upon the eager youth And on the maid reclining — The reflex fair of spotless truth Forever brightly shining ! 6 VIVIAN : A TALE OP IV. His mit-browu curls wuie graceful twined, His eyoK witli love were gleam inji,', And from the fountain of his mind Love's essences were streaming : He spoke of love which tlieth not In tones of sweet emotion — All ! sacnsd was that mossy grot, And liis yonni onl's devotion. V. " 1 love thee, dearest maid," he cried ; "And hy the stars ahove nie, "I sw(\'U' thou art my spirit's bride — '* 1 love thee — yes, 1 love thee ! " And I wouM give the sweetest gift, " Wcre't mine, to mortals given, " If thou my life from darkness lift '' To thee, to light and heaven ! VI. My destiny hath led me far — " Far from my father's towers — My love, the sole and guiding star '' To these Canadian bowers ; " For often prophet voices told " The seas 1 would cross over, "To win a dearer prize than gold " And near thee e'er to hover. VII. " And while I sought the glowing West "With buoyant hopes unmeasured, " I longed to fold thee to my breast, " And tell thee, thou wert treasured ; <( (< CHATEAU RICHER. " Thai peaceful tliero you luiglit recline " From tempests guarded surely, •' For, all 1 my worship at thy shrine " Was ever offered purely ! VIII. " I saw thee in my waking dreams " When softly sunk the even — " I saw thee in the tinted beams " Which deck the face of lieaven ! " I saw thee in each jasmine-bower, *' And in the star-streak glancing — " I saw thee in each fragrant flower, '• And in the streamlet dancing ! IX. " And now, behold ! 1 see thee, fair, " My fancies ripe excelling ! " With thousand graces richly rare "Within thy bosom dwelling ; " And as T gaze upon the charms " Which fling their spells above me, " I clasp thee in my raptured arms, *' And whisper that I love thee !" X. The maiden listened with delight. While in her bosom swaying Was planted by Love's airy sprite A feeling undecaying : And trysting in that mossy bower, They pledged love's holy token, And blessed the sacred, solemn hour Which linked their souls unbroken ! ^ i 6 VIVIAN : A TALE OF XI. f), magic, beauteous power of Love, To fear and guilt a stranger ! Thou comest from the spheres above, Unknowing strife or danger ! Thou art the casket of the soul In which Life's gems are shining, "Wherein is read the mystic scroll Within each spirit twining ! XIL When in the mighty, wondrous Past, Sun, moon and stars were bidden, To fling upon Creation vast. The radiance so long hidden, It seemed as if each planet bent Beneath the blaze of glory Which o'er the rushing waters blent. And o'er each mountain hoary — XIIL It seemed as if the Awful Hand Which carved the vales and mountains, Which fashioned out the ocean's strand, And gave to life the fountains ! Whose messages in lightnings flashed Upon each rolling river — Whose Voice in deep'ning thunders crashed Through endless spaces ever — XIV. Had filled the purpose of the Plan, Eternally begotten — That all was o'er, and creature, Man, Had been by Him forgotten — CHATEAU RICHER. But, no ! that purpose firmly kept To its completion, human. And while earth's new-made master slept, Received its queen in Woman ! XV. 0, lucent Hame of wojihiu's love. By angel-hands ignited, Full oft a beacon dost thou prove To lonely man benighted ! As mother, maid, or cherished wife, As sister, dear and tender, They shed fresh beauty on our life. And light our burthens render I XVI. Beside the fevereil bed they move. And e'en where cannon rattle. The deathless power of love they prove Amid the glare of battle 1 And whether near the couch of pain, Or by the cradle lowly. Or on the bloody battle- plain, Their love is pure and holy I XVII. Through Chateau Uicher's wooded vah?. The matin hymns were ringing, And spirit-voices on the gale, Their mystic chants were singing : The streauilets leaped in summer glee, Between the scented meadows, And on St. Lawrence, rolling free. The hilis flung length'ning shadows ! 9 10 VIVIAN: A fALE OF XVIII. 'Tis sweet to linger on the lawn, Or roam mid sylvan splendor, To watcli the freshness of the dawn, With poet-fancies tender ; 'Tis swe(i:t to breathe the balmy air, Wliilo musing 'neath the wiUow, ( )r gaze upon the spangles fair, Which float upon the billow ! XIX. And Vivian lingered iu that vale. His thoughts like music flowing, His fancies telling e'er the tale, Of gladness in him glowing ; His soul was all unworldly still, His heart was true, unswerving, He shuddered at the merest ill. His h'fe from sin preserving ! XX. Again they met — his tinted words Were clothed in rhythmic measure — He struck the vivid, breathing chords Which thrilled her soul with pleasure ; And while the streamlet's silver beam. Shone brightly in the morning. He told once more the 'passioned dream Of love, his life's adorning ! XXI. " 0, conie, and be my bunny bride, " Thou wilt be cherished ever — " 0, come, let not the fates divide " lis, or our future sever ; CHATEAU EIOHER. II " Tis true, I am not rich in lands, '' And have not wealth of treasure, " But better, I have willing hands " Whose aim will be thy pleasure I XXII. " The limpid love-light in thine eye " Shall guide my path in duty, " Nor sorrowed tear, nor anguished sigh '* Shall dim thy lustrous beauty; '* A golden shadow in the day — " A silvery beam at even — " Thy smiling presence is the ray To lead my steps to heaven." li XXIII. He said, and eager turned him then To gaze upon the maiden — The brilliance of that fragrant glen, With girlish graces laden — The breezes fanned her golden hair, And in that maple alley. She seemed the Spirit of the Fair — The fairy of the valley ! XXIV. " And dost thou love V she murmured low, *' Or is it but illusion, " Which, as the marsh-lights, quickly go " To lead thee to confusion ; "Or art thou like the careless bee, " In every bower ranging, *' Or is the troth you give to me " Like Heaven's faith, unchanging 1" ' 12 VIVIAN : A taTjE of XXV. Her dulcet tones rang in his ears, And o'er his pulses stealing, The liquid whisper of her fears Awoke each tender feeling ; And drinking in her beauty bright. He pledged his faith forever. And in a tremor of delight, Swore Fate should part them never ! XXVI. And thus the summer glided on, Their hearts in hopes united, Nor dreamt they that a summer's sun V^^ould yet behold them blighted ; Nor dreamt they that a day should come To separate them ever, When he afar from her would roam, And she from him would sever ! XXVII. But let them dream, beside the stream, Their hearts in rapture blending, And let them dream, the holy beam, Of love shall have no ending : The future swiftly chills the hope Which was life's primal blessing, And ere its darksome portals ope. Love is the soul's caressing ! XXVIII. Full often gloomy shadows fall Upon the trusting bosom, And in their funereal pall Enwrap life's promised blossom ; CHATEAU RICHER. 13 And still, the dreams of early prime Can never wholly perish, But, clinging to the slopes of time, The loves of youth we cherish ! XXIX. We march upon the track of years With solemn steps descending, And in life's chalice, smiles and tears A mingled draught are blending ; And while the mundane cup we drain. We seek to grasp the vision Which through the misty shades of pain. Flings shafts of light, elysian ! XXX. O'er Chateau Bicher's scented vale The harvest moon is beaming, And sparkling through the wooded dale The fire-fly's lamp is gleaming ! The peasants gather at the hearth With simple song and story, Within, the scene is Gallic mirth — Without, 'tis Lunar glory ! XXXI. But far from that beloved vale Young Vivian now is hieing, And intermingling with the gale, Is heard his spirit's sighing ; For cruel hands have smote his name. And cruel tongues have spoken, And of the Past, he can but claim Sad Recollection's token ! 14 VIVIAN : A TALE OF xxxn. No more within those fragrant l)Owers His cadent fancies wingeth ; No more upon the happy hours A gladsome light lie liingcth, For, Falsehood's cloud is on the scene, And all his liopes have faded, And where his spirit's trust had been Ts now hy Treason shaded ! VI VI AN \S FIDELITY. [Scene: In camp, outside Quebec— Vivian muses of the past.] XXXITI, Tn the Winter gloaming, musing, star-streaks mingling in his hair, Stands the lion-hearted Vivian, dreaming of his lovo so fair ! XXXIV. Every shadow is a picture, quivering in the ruddy ray Where the camp-fires fitful flicker in the dying Wintry day ! XXXV. Hosts of earnest men are with him, men who hang| upon his breach — Strong to do and dare in honor — brave to follow him to death ! XXXVI. But he dreams of naught save Anna : Anna false, but richly fair — Anna of the love-lit glances : Anna of the golden hair! : ^*i CHATEAU RICHER. 15 XXXVI r. \' Once she loved me," low ho munniirs ; (), how happy was I then, [' AVheu my peerle-^.s ono was lu^ar me, \ wa« proudest amongst men I XXXVIII. I' And when driven from my fairest" — 'darling, must we, must we part,' [' Said she as I closer held her to my wounded, aching heart ! XXXIX. And you won't forget your .Vnna, and you'll truly faithful be, P^'or I love you, (learest Vivian, and your love is life to me !' XL. Then I kissed her lips of coral, then caressed her marble brow, And before the heavens I pledged her, all my truth with knightly vow ! XLI. Fateful moments since have speeded — fateful times of weary strife, And they tell me. she has left me, she, I loved more than mv life I XLI I. Ah! 'tis bitter to one faithful, thus to see each bright hope die ; All the future one great sorrow — all my trust a liv- ing lie I XLIil. How I loved her, slie can never know until that wondrous time, I When we'll stand before the Judgment, in the mystic, Scriptured Clime I !^ I ] ,il 16 VIVIAN : A TALE OF XLTV. " She will sec the name T cherished, though it were no longer true, " Gleaming on the heart I gave her — carved in forms of crimson hue — XLV. I '* Graven in my very live-blood — frosted o'er with ^ manly tears, i ''And will see her trust, *be faithful,' well was kept throughout the years 1" XLVI. Thus he muses, knightly Vivian, while the stars shine] radiant down On his nut-brown curls clustering, crowning love with truth's own crown ! XLVII. In that Winter gloanung, musing, dreaming of his love] so fair. Decking e'er his soul's Ideal, with love's ]^earlets, rich] and rare ! XLVIII. False she may be — still ho loves her, with affection's] wealth untold. Ah ! the angels love the beauties of such spirits to uii-j fold! XLIX. In the brightness of life's morning, all his truth he| nobly vowed, In the shadow of desertion, still his knightly truth h\ proved ! L. In that Wintry gloaming, weeping, stood the Angelj sad and lone. He, who changed for fleeting human love, the glorie of his throne ! CHATEAU RICHER. 17 LI. And he wliispered to the dreamer — " Is your trust up- springing yet, " Go, go bathe in Lethe's waters : go, go, victim and forget !" LII. *' Never ! Never, while the stars shine— never while the planets roll " Sliall I dim the lustrous hoauty of the mistress of my soul !" LIII. "Away tempter, to the changeling: know my love is firmly pure, " E'en in cataracts of sorrow, know 'tis fated to endiu'c !" LIV. Ir. that Wintry gloaming, smiling, stood the Angel of his youth, And he whispered — " Knightly Vivian I keep thus bright your spotless truth 1" LV. Then a glory fell around him, like the fringes of the West, When the blushing eve reposes on bright Phoebus' faithful T)reast 1" AT CARILLON. pycENE: Battle between the Britisli and Pranco-Trisb troops — victory of the latter. J LVI. Six moons have shown upon the scene, The winter suns have vanished, The fields are clad in cloth of green, The winter blasts are banished; 18 VIVIAN : A TALE OF The pui'plcj violets have died, The streamlets, free, are singing, And through the maples, hranching wide, The summer hirds are winging ! LVII. The skies are blue — Canadian skies — - Flushed in their sunnner splendor, And in the vales the anthems rise Which summer's voices render ; And "where the hillsides went in si)rinf' The verdure fresh is growing, And while the swollen I'ivei-s sing The summer sun is glowing ! LVlir. ^leet scene for peace — but foreign hands Athirst for conquest's glory. Have come in eager, serried hands To plant their hanner gory — To plant the lied-Cross standard wliere The Lily-llag is streaming, And through Canadian valleys, fair, Their spears are hrightly gleaming! LVIX. 'Tis June, as Abercrombie's gaze Falls on the Gallic hosting — With patriot-fires their hearts ablaze, They know nor fear nor boasting — And mid the liegemen brave who stand jieside the mighty river, Is seen the crest of him whose hand In battle failed him never! CHATEAU RICIIKR. LX. ^0 loii<^'«i' musing darkly sjid, Nor dreainin^' love-dreams tender, But with the light of ])attle glad, He hails the hattle's splendor ! The lines are drest in front and flaidc, And strong in self-reliance. The hero, Vivian, leads the rank, Whieh hids the foe, defiance! LXI. On Carillon, with Hashing brand, He lightly laughs at danger ; For Canada, his chosen land. He fights the English stranger I He rides upon the battle-cloud, His brow with valor bright'ning, And where the cannon rages loud. He sweeps, like sweep of lightning! LXII. The contest wanes ! The Hag of France In triumph still is streaming ; Exultant is De ( laspe's glai e. And Montcalm's eye is beaming ; But in that victor-moment falls The bravest in the battle. Yet — " On for Canada," he calls, • High o'er the cannon's rattle ! LXHI. They bore him from the gory field — And gentle was their tending — Their tears upon his knightly shield With his life's current blending ; 19 20 VIVIAN : A TALE OF Tlicy st)un[ht tlic; vale wliorein ylie liv(icl, Who prized him as none other, I)(M^]» was their grief- hut, all, she grieved- His loved, adopted mother I LXTV. To her he came in early youth, Far from his father's towers, And in her heart, iiis ](nightly truth Had l)uilt allection's bowers ! And now his knightly truth he proved Upon tlie Held of glory, And in the land he earnest loved His name shall live in story. VIVIAN S DKATII. fScUNK : Vivian dying — speakR his last wirIics and farcwpU to hi« adopted mother.] LXV. " And it is coming — Mother tiear ! good night ! " The hand of fate doth speed — a solemn hush " Steals o'er my parting moments, while the light " Of endless morning in life's «ky doth blush ! LXVI. " You have been very good and kind to me — " My purest pleasure was to give you joy — "Your praise to win — your matron sinile to see — "My ehiefest pride to know you loved your boy. LXVII. " I have been wayward, and mayhap been wild, " But wanton sin was ever strange to me — *' So, Mother, weep not o'er a guilty child — " Beyond the azure skies I shall be free I CHATEAU RIOHER. 21 'arcwpll to hi« I-XVIII. riie sun is sottiii*,' now, aud with the huh I'* My tides of earthly life whall ebh away — [fis growing dark ! good night 1 my work is done — '* Soon, soon, my soid will mirror lieaven's ray 1 LXIX. ^'ut friends, dear friends, assure me all is well, '^' I>ut anxious looks belie each kindly word ; .notlier tale their meaning glances toll — I" They know my heart doth sheathe Death's pierc- ing sword 1 LXX. The Mowers are sleeping now — the stilly night •'Is eloquent with voices from the Throne IVhich sweetly call me to the realms of light — I'' What harmony doth linger in their tone 1 LXXl. Sow on my bosom place this tress of hair, I" And these few relics of my cherished girl — i'ou knew, dear Mother, that my Anna fair, I" Was prized beyond the emerald or pearl ! LXXIl. ih, yes it comes I Perhaps 'tis for the best I" That I should hasten to those /ondrous spheres, ^Vhere broken hearts are healed, and given rest, \'' And kindly angels kiss away one's tears. LXXIIl. Lud 1 will tell her — she, whom nature's grace '"Designed should be to me a mother sweet, 'ith what a wealth of love you fillod her place — " When in the shining halls of God we meet ! 22 VIVIAN : A TALE OF I LXXIV. " 1 have Ix't'ii wiiywanl, Itut forgive me now, ''Death's ])ieseiice [)lea(ls, and surely not in vain, " Soon will the grasses liido tliis fevered brow, ''But oil, tlic rapture, when we mt^et again! LXXV. '• I know iiiv work is done I I've elimheil the hei,L;lit| "Whereon Anihition plants tlie Hag of Fannj, "And tliere, among tlie victors in the iight, "Tliough least and humblest, 1 have earv'd my naiiic.| LXXV J. '' iS'ot in the lordly halls, where senseless elods, " In stupid riot, dull, unthinking, sway — " Whose Luciferian madness hails them — gods — "These things of purse-proud, lesser, leaser clay ! LXXV II. " But in the homes where live the patriot pure, " My memory, I know will ever dwell — " A beacon-light — it shall for aye endure, " The patriot-path of lienor bright to tell ! LXXVIII. " On exiled hearts, by sorrows furrowed deep, " I ever sought to pour a magic balm I " And they will linger near me in my sleep, " And o'er my corse entone the pleading psalm ! LXXIX. "And tell her, when you see her — you know Who, " I blessed her name with love in latest breath, " With love immortal, firm, and pure and true — «•' TJnconquered love, e'en by the conqueror — Deatlil CHATEAU RICHER. 23 LXXX. "i'is coiiiin.L,' fiist I 'Tis coming fast I (jlood Night ! I' The lujiir I long for so — tho liour of light I \ E'en now my soul is eager for the flight 1 Kiss mo, dear Mother I Now ! Good Night ! Good Night :" LXXXL hi Chateau liicher's icy val(i A nquieni they're singing, And louder than the winter gale, The solemn hells are ringing ; " From I'Ange Gardien, and Bonne ISte. Anne, From IJeauport, famed in story, They gather, as of old, each clan, Around the bier of glory ! LXXXII. And from the pinple hills he loved, And from the glens he cherished, From forest-glades wherein he roved Before his beauty perished, The mourners come with dewy eyes Upon his fate to ponder — To weep for him who lowly lies, And of him grow the fonder ! LXXXIII. Tu weep beside the early grave Of him so strangely gifted, Who, breasting Fortune's rudest wave. High o'er its billows drifted — Whose lips were touched by prophet-tire To preach at Freedom's altar — To rouse the fainting, and inspire Them, ne'er to pause or falter ! rii 24 VIVIAN : A TALE OF CHATEAU KICHER. LXXXIV. To every noble purpose true, His was the vision, splendid — Which Heaven o'er his dreaming threw, And in his spirit blended — To gaze upon imagined bliss, When man to man, a brother, IShould clasp the hand, and give the kiss Of Peace to one another ! LXXXV. When feud and faction far should tlee, i\nd strifes of races vanish, And Truth, triumphant, prond and free, The ghouls of Hate should banish ! When grand, the glorious light should shine — A new Transfiguration — Of Him, whose glances are divine On our Canadian iiation ! LXXXYl. iiest ! Vivian, rest, at length is thine — ^ Thy fate to me be given. To muse beneath Canadian pine, Within the smiles of Heaven ! To walk the stainless path of God, And gather Virtue's flowers. Then, sleep beneath Canadian sod, In Chateau Kicher's bowers ! James Joseph Gahan. Quebec, -ilst Marc/i, 1880, Gahan.