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This item is filmed at tha reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film* au taux de reduction indiqu* cir prison-walls again environ him. [e gives his glittering George to prelate by : ^e doffs his royal cloak, and kneels to die : -ays his bared neck upon the block of oak : Uplifts his arms, the signal for the stroke : 'he flashing axe descends — lile's spark is sped ! 'rom foes and griefs, the martyr — king is fled ! To use ! to raise his bleeding head on high, .nd tell to them, " they saw a traitor die:" 'he tide of loyal love flows in again : )romwell would check its flow, — but all in vain ! 26 POEiMS. RICHMOND. City encircled by the valient dead, "Who fell assailing, and defending thee ; Whose kindred blood by vale and rill was shed While Liberty deplored the strife to see. City, where Southern prowess highest rose : Where Lee, for years, roU'd back the battles | tide : Where fell brave Hill, where Longstreet hurl'dp -his foes, And Stonewall Jackson 'neath his laurels died. Boast not lye Northern victors — check delight l Be silent ! cities, where no brand has fired— | Think on the waste, the rapine, and the flight- Let Southern valor ever be admired I They heard it not ! that shout triumphant, loud— I They witness'd not ! their sj)ires and homes 1 in flames : By which, at lengthy o'ermatch'd, their spirits | bow'd : But time retains their more than hero names I 1805. POEMS. 27 lee ; as shed: ) see. rose : e battles et hurl'dj s laurels! i delight s fired— 3flight- 1! it, loud— d homes \v spirits I o names I CHRISTMAS. fVe know thou'rt come, old Christmas time \ 'lie bells fling out a merry chime, ^Aloft the gray church tow'r ; larth's canopy is spangled bright, — ["he hyrst and down snow-mantled white, — The clock has told the hour. Miere's welcome for thee, Christmas time^ hut, and hall, of ev'ry clime, How many will rejoice ! [he children waken'd ask for thee, — ind bloom beneath the holly tree. Will court and kiss its choice. ting out, ye bells, and mortals sing, is the birthday of a Kinof, — A King all kings above ! liose stars illume the flittins: nicfht, — liose throne is built bevond their heiofht. From whence he came with love — |ng mortals ! imitate the strains, lat swept of old o'er Beth'Iem's plains. 28 POEMS. When shepherds heard the sound — When angels caroll'd in the sky — When Peace, Good Will was heard on high, And glory shone around ! Oh ! Peace, good will, of Heaven born, Reverberate this Christmas morn, — Pervade enlighten'd man ; Inspire him in his transient stay. To love his fellow while he may, And lift him when ho can. Ring out ! and while the Yule log glows, And day, and year, approaches close, And twilight's shadows fall, — Comes voices, with the fitful blast — Goes faces, in the shades that pass'd, Of some we would recall To mind — for they are not of earth ! And yet, they sing a Saviour's birth. In clearest, sweetest lay, — Where festive seasons never end, Where friend goes out no more from frieud, But Christmas ev'ry day. V ^3 SACRED frieud, JEPHTHA'S VOW. Jephtha's daughter — Jewish maiden,— Brightest of the virgin band ! Fair as flow'r in sinless Eden, Tended by an angel's hand. Stay thee, stay thee, Jephtha's daughter, Do not cross thy father's way — Tho' victorious, in the slaughter, He has vow'd a vow to-day ! Vow'd to offer God oblation, Of the first that he shall meet "When he seeks his habitation — When his foes are crushed complete— 30 rOEMS. All ! she knows not, on bIic goeth, AVliile the red sun sinks to rest, And its crimson .C'l'^ry glowelb, O'er her pure jind loving' breast. Why has Joplitha homeward hurrioJ, After breakiiii^ Amnion's pride? Does he fear his child is Hurried, Lest her warlike father died ? Turn thee, turn thee, Jewish Chieftain, Hast forgot that fearful vow ? Turn tliee, turn thee, valiant Chieftain, Ah, too late to turn him now ! '' Who, ah who, is this advances ? Is mv child the first to come ? With her timbre! tones, and dances ? Woeful, woeful, welcome home !■' Rent, the warrior, his raiment: Told her fate, and heard her say, ^^ Slay me sire, if Heav'n's tiie claimant ! " While upon his breast she lay. I Mil POEMS. 81 When she wail'd upon the mountain, And two nnoons luid wax'd and waned, Jephtha cleft the purple fountain, And her lovely life was drained. Spring-time saw the virgins gather, By the mount, to mourn her doom ; But her rash, and lonely father, Had no child to strew his tomb I r BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON WE SAT DOWN AND WEPT." rSALM CXXXVII. Hebrew captives l)y the deep. For Jerusalem they weep. Dark the river rolleth by : Dark above the sullen skv Dark the towers risking near : Dark the eye tha+ sheds tlie tear. String is silent — strain unsung : Harps are on the willows hung, :iii I»OEMS. Sway'd lu;ri(.';ith the; l)(3ii(linL( boii/^h — M()V(^(I, l)ui not wil.li iimsic. nnw ! But liko licr wliosci suimy hair, liiftiMl is witli pMssiii^ air, '^i'lio' ol* j)l(jasur(5, not a [)art! Stii'H the sorrow biirdonM h(3Jirt. Do not a^^ravatu their wrongs ! — Do not ask for Zion's son^^w! How can ihcy ]h) ut look we now, the day's last gleam is gone, lAnd moonless night, and blackest, cometh on : 42 RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. As sable executioner draws nigh, When friend, the fondest, gives the last good- bye ; Astern the ship, the darker shadows creep ; || Lonely we float, upon the dismal deep. Sultry the night, and clouds the stars o'er-flood, | Our pores are pent, and laggard is the blood,— I But when tlie reel commenced, and whistler play'd. High merriment o'er man and maiden sway\l, The captain took advantage of the calm And mark'd the log-book, smoking his meer- chaum. The shipmen mingle, and the groups are rray The dance gives place to vocalistic lay — To song, full sweet, that loudest plaudits won— To strain that left relief when it was done ; The florid taf with curling chesnut hair, Caroll'd this ditty, to a plaintive air — Jessie loved a handsome sailor- Jessie dwelt in cottage home, — But her thoughts with him would wander, RECOLLECTIONS"^F OCEAN. 43 Far upon the ocean foam — Yes, she hived her darhng AVillie — And lie loved her, fond and true ! Dark his eyes — and dark his curls, Falling on his jacket blue. Jessie wore a golden token, On her taper'd finger white : Often did she gaze upon it, AVith her eyes so blue and bright ; AVillie had a locket golden : In it was her flaxen hair : Ever as he look'd upon it, Thought of her that put it there. Sad, was Jessie, when they parted : Willie press'd her to his heart — By the gate — before the Slow, and sorrowful, to gar len. par Jessie watch'd him, with his bundle, 'Till he turn'd the little lane : And her heart within her whisper'd- " Will he ever come again ?" 44 RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. Jessie's home o'erlook'd the water: Often did she feel aflfright, When she heard the ocean storm, In the midst of dismal night ; Ne'er did she forget the prayer, Ere committing her to sleep, For her sailor, young and during, Yet in danger on the deep. Once, she thought she heard him tapping. At her chamber window pane : Heard him say, in cheerful whisper, " Jessie, I am home again !" Long, she watch'd his vessel's coming : Pray'd she long, and hoped alone ; 'Till her heart became despondent ; And her rosy cheeks were gone. But he never, never, never ! Came to claim her for his bride ; Willie perish'd with his vessel ; Jessie heard it, pined, and died. # # * * # * RECOLLECTIONS OP OCEAN. 45 central spook are we in leagues of space, With azure sky and water face to face : — [or isle — nor sail, to break the circle's sweep, Fligh heaven above, beneath the ocean deep ; LJmighty wonders in the depth and height — jul pigmy man's astounded at the sight ! )h vast uncertain ocean ! peaceful now lS sleeping giant with unwrinkled brow: — iBut all ! what tyrant turns that visage takes [When all the anger of thy nature wakes ; What mandate stills thee ? can entreaty save [When thou art whelming to thy deepest grave ? Man vaunts he ruleth thee — tho' broken o'er, Thy bottom, are his armaments of yore : AVithin thy caves, and on thy mountains steep His scatter'd treasures : — there his loved one's sleep : While dense above them, and with ceaseless roll, Thy volume rises, hides, and mocks control. And on thy placid surface, what am I ? As on the sleeper's face the insect fly — But I am more ! my soul those heights would scale — 46 RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. Explore this depth — uiul study its detail ;— 'Would still with wonder and infjuiry go, Until the great Original I know. # # * # # # The mirtliful tars tire squatted ut my feet:— Repairing sail and splicing cordage neat ; Between the hind-most hatch and cahin-donr, On deck as briglit as cleanly house-wile's lloor;^ Lowly associates these tars and sail, Dangled o'er death whilome in midnight gale: Absent is one companion of the group — The Portugee that iuigers in a swoop : The burly tar with dark-red tassel'd cap, Who maketh mirth at others worst mishap : Who kill'd, one day, the sprightly cabin cat Oidy for sleeping in his cast-oti* hat ! He said ''poor puss !" andcoax'd the kitten near, And clutch'd its loins, and donn'd a horrid leer ; And bulged the life athro'lhe creatures eyes : — And bent his ear to hear its latest cries ; — Made haste, the mate, but was too hite to check, Dead was the cat, and flung upon the deck. rn ''P RECOLLKCTIONS OF OCEAN. 47 'hon day was breaking Mrs. Harvey died : Imn Hod the mists she cross'd deatli's dreaded tide : "hen davvn'd the day had she that day begun, rndiinm'd by night, ungovern'd by sun ; Toon-tide, and female hands, with needles bright, [ad work'd her shroud and laid her out in white. fo yea-board usage, yet a case was made, which, full gently, William Harvey laid is lifeless motlier — whom he'^^ 'oped to make [appy abroad for all her kii ...oSs sake, •at who was then where better things had place, — ind Heaven's re11e(*tion linger'd on her face. lS by the dead he sits — dejected — dumb, ^he fondest recollections crowding come, — iOoms to his mind, the happy school-boy day, \l\(in she would- cheer him on his early way, — ►id him not fear the rival should he meet — hisper to hasten home for something sweet ! [or tender care, in later life again, ^hen fever's-fires upmounted to his brain : • 48 RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. And nature strufTLrlod as a flow'r, for life, Trampled on Held of sanguinary strife ; Then siie like guardian-angel, by his bed, At midnight watch'd, when all around seeiiu dead — So eonieth love at se])aration's gate : Fills up the heart and dispossesses hate ; We ean forgive, and let their faults repose, AVhen we outgo from late-re^ Miting foes : But when death blights ti ^nes whose lovj could bless, Relief it were, if we of love had less ! In garb the best, and e'er was sank the sun, AVhile supervised their eaptain, shipmen doii- The preparation meet, aloft the steep, To give the dead conunittal to the deep : Was there the book in hands of one that real The ceremony solenm o'er the dead. And now they rai.-e the body thro' the hatcir And now the sinkers and the strands attach : The passengers surround — uncover'dtoo: The sailor's hats rest on their collars blue : HKCOLLKCTIONS OF OCEAN. 49 And llarvoy'8 voice tlio (loop responses gave To wluit was road of life beyond the grave. The cf'lliu's raisod,and o'er the decpsuspcndod- Siiiootli ])riinful deep ! the hitost rite is ended: Slowly they low'r as sleeping child to rest, Cli It are the guys — tho deep disparts its breast, Sank was the sun, as down tho casket sped. To tiiid a phico among the ocean dead. SoufKlly I sle])t — (as was my wont to do) Calm was the night — and cahn my conscience too — But lull and storm will close connection keep. And storm ruled madly on the midnight deep, Beat down our vessel on her wale of oak — Then, from a vision of green fields, I woke ! To hear the sailors hurried tread on deck : The clanking gearing as they strain and check : riie ea [)tain's voice commanding fast and hoarse: The hissitig surges thro' the hatches course : The good ship struggling in the ocean's strife, — And groaninij^, deeply, as a thing of life. 4 '■j^ '■p n^ 50 RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. 'Tis hard athwart the t^lipp'iy deck to go ! I The starboard side so high ! the other low : This line deep-sunken in the wet abyss ~ 'Twixt life,and death — what steepest precipice I Shrill cries of children blend with parents groans. And words of home coMuningle with their niuans. The trembling inmates of the upmost tier Tenacious grasp the frame-work in their fear ; Along the line the stanchions loosen hold : The ballast rumbles in the vessel's hold : Stout-hearted men to calm the timid tried, While trunks and runlets choked the larboard side. And half-clad mortals hurried to and fro, Lights flared, unsteady, on their looks of woe : Embraced, in tears, the sister and the brother : The wife and husband lock'd to sink together ; And the fierce swearer, of a sunny day, Kneeling ^ipartythe loudest — first — to pray ! The sailor's foot-fall ceases mid the roar : — To save their vessel — they can do no more ! Full-taut each brace — close-gather'd ev'ry sail,- RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. 51 All tiiiibeivs luiked to the wave iind gale. Higher the billows mount, and dashing o'er, Dreuch(3S tin- daring crew unto the pore. Fiercer the hurricane its fury hurl'd As tlio' tw ere baffled at the canvass furl'd And with vex'd fury on the warping spars Would wliehu the hopes of the enduring tars — And thro' the toppling rigging, and the din. Scream a wild d'^j^e, as ocean took 'em in. Betbie they bring' him forth — methinks 'tis he ! J>iit as they come I quickly turn to seo : — Ah vos ! — the same ! — his head and chest are bare — And both are cover'd with dark-wiry hair : That tatter'd shirt, upon the swarthy wight. Denotes the struggle of the previous night ; His l)earded chin rests on his brawny breast : His hands hound back with rope that girts his wjiist : lie scowls each side — far out upon the wave. As tho' some fiend, in league, would come to save ; 52 RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. Between the sailors, doggedly, and slow. He reach'd the hatch and stepp'd to pass below: * Not there !' the captain loudly cried * not there! By here I want him, here, and not elsewhere I' Started the murd'rer then to break him loose : Grasp'd him, the seamen, and exclaim'd — ' no use !' Hurried him then — for he would not be led — To where the vessel's-deck with blood is red — Why force me here ? he cried — while flash'd his eye- Again he questioned — but got no reply! And passengers 'tween decks, more curious grown, Tho' not enquiring fain they would have known; And the ship's-cook (unalter'd in attire) Listen'd intent, while gazing at the fire. Slowly the ocean is resuming rest, As rage subsiding in a human breast — The wild-swoop past, the desolation done — The anguish left, tho' provocation's gone ; A spar and cross-tree in that beryl-cave. Tells that the deep last night has giv'n a grave. RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. 53 From cabin comes another — but he's dead ! Borne by tlio seamen — and with measured tread : Their chief-mate brave (on land so lately wed To her that dreamt last night that she was led Unto the altar :) — lo ! his curls so fair — And the death-wound — upon his breast — see there ! The sun, that struggled, burst a misty screen, And for an instant shone upon the scene :- Gilded the hollow's of the yawning main — Enbay'd the dead-man while there fell a rain: Anu 'hen, as deepest-mourner shunning gaze, It met a cloud, that wrapp'd its ambient rays. " Confront the victim and tlie Portugee ! Bind them, with breast to breast, immediately!'' Commands the Captain : — while the second- mate, AV'ith stout companions, by the main-mast wait: Who bring the living and the dead together : And 'gin to leash the one unto the other. As dead they lay (the livjpg and the dead): 54 RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. A bmce of coil uniting feet and head : Then waved a hand unto the vessel's lee : Then sway'd the body's to the fiirrow'd sea:— Then,stern,the captain gave the word — ' away !' And out they flung them on the ocean spray ; Down sank the twain: uprose a something then— 'Twas not the buoyant bodies of the men ! It cleft the wave — and horrified we saw The monster-head, the bristling teeth and jaw! Down plunged the shark, in hurry to be fed, And soon the ocean, green, was crimson red. Newfoundland banks I and many voices say, TJphasten we to see — but where are they ? In seaman's hand a saim-wrapp'd globe of lead, Late drawn from water,trace their shingled bed, Hidden are they 'neath fathoms of the sea — The divers — and the fishes eyes may see ! Orion shines o'er the extent of tide : Loungers and anglers crowd the vessel's side : Glass-like the deep and look we left or right Dark hulls aremany'neath their wings of white; RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. 55 On deck the silv'ry fishes, freshest caught, Uneasy are as fish from water brought ; The freckled sky, in white and jazel blends : The ambry air, to warmth oppressive tends : The scant-clad emigrant may bask him now — God's sun-light comes — can any disallow ? Distinction none with king and beggar here — Same sun — moon — star-beam, and expanse, and spliere ! # * * # * # From out the deep tlie waning moon arose. Before the springing breeze the good ship goes. At midnight hour contracted Cynthia's rays, From throne more lofty, o'er the water strays :- But what is that, in dazzling brightness drest. Like Neptune's throne before us in the west ? An iceberg fronting full the lunar light, From base to crest irradiate to sight : *' Hard to the helm !" awhile we are alarm'd — Chill'd, — and astounded-yet we pass unharm'd ! The pale beams dappling o'er its meltingsides, As on resplendant thro' the deep it rides — Bright to the moon as cuirass to the sun : 56 RECOLLECTIONS OP OCEAN. Sombre behind where glimmer it had none : As spirit bursting from its prison'd state Becometh radiant nearing heaven's gate ; A taper'd shadow follow'd in its wake, — As tho' the darksome tomb thro' which it brake. First of its kind we saw — it pass'd away ! To meet the sun and shine beneath its ray : To float in blackest night and then, perchance, When tars unwatchful lie in slumbrous trance, To rend their vessel on the chilly wave, And hurry them into a boundless grave. Saint Lawrence gulph ! the pilot is our guide : Behold the land — how eagerly descried ! Aided by telescope, distinct, we see The isle of Anticosti on the lee : Its scatter'd trees like sentinels in green : But man, nor beast, nor dwelling could be seen. " Come bear a hand, and tell," (the seamen said) " That tale unto us after which to bed." "Yes" said the shipman, (with the locks of gray) " Since song I gave none, I may not say nay I" RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. 67 when he shrugg'd, and laid his hands in fold, |is tale began : and this was what he told : le night in June, now twenty years agone, /as a sailor on the bark King John : [s on that ancient sea, becalm'd we lay, 'e heard the British tattoo sweetly play — rented the lingering odours borne o'er from bending branches, on the BarbVy shore ; [he midnight watch-but it was witching bright- neverlook'd upon so bright a night ! he round moon rode in sky without a cloud : [he stars were vieing in the azure shroud : \he water smooth as molten silver shone : ["he dolphin's back was golden and was gone. kit suddenly, tis black as velvet pall ! ls tho' the hand that made had darkened all ith 'vengeful haste :~and left a world in gloom 'o grope and tumble to eternal doom ; e chafe our eyes, interrogate our mind — [s it a fantasy ? — or are we blind ? 'e tread, like burglars, on the blacken'd deck : betimes we stumble, yet complaint we check : 58 RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. With aspen hands have we the bulwarks caugkj Trying to look beyond the murky vault ; No breath of air to cool the throbbing brain| All sultry stillness in that dark domain ! Until suspense is startled by a cry — (Blent in an instant with a lullaby) As of an infant child that instant born — As of a youthful mother left forlorn — Hushing her offspring to a quiet rest, While sorrow woke her own distracted breastl "We gazed — and listen'd — ah ! what do we see] So like a boat, and floating silently ? Nor distant forty fathoms on the tide, — Sans sail, sans oars, sans occupant to guide : But light within it shining, as it glides, Thro' eye-like holes inserted in its sides — Tis vanished ! — no ! for look we see it now— | (Jlose floating by us, at the starboard bow- Down glance we on it, horror ! what a sight-] I seem to see it as I tell to night — That coflin ! and upon its lid, in light, The age-and death-and name of Mary Blyte-| RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. 59 ind waitingj-as tho' we would lift it in — tut who would dare, tho' he a world might win? legan my hair t6 mount — my knees to smite — .nd one, beside, prostrated with affright : Liid in an inky sea we sink as wreek, r !itil the coffin Hoats unto the deck ; lS cattle for the slaughter, we in fear, lo closely huddled, can our throbbings hear : between the hatchway and the capstan where 'lie coffin rests, its lid upraised in air : ^he case disclosing, by its spectral light, female figure laid in purest white : — [er eye-hd's seel'd, as tho' in sweetest sleep >ream-led, she wander'd o'er u flow'ry steep ^0 where,from cottage, voices bade her * come!' ^o where were kindred-and to what was home : Lnd while the welcome's and caresses guile, [er placid face is stealing on a smile : — [Her hair correctly parted, waved and brown As ling'ring leaf, ere autumn sun is down : prawn, curtain-like, each side a forehead fair As parian tablet, pure beyond compare : 60 RECOLLECTION? OF OCEAN, Her cheeks, rotund, indimpled with a print, As tho' each shaft from envy left a dint ; No signet of the tomb upon the mouth, Full-red the lips as bulbul of the south, And scornful to the cold embrace of death In curl disclose the brilliant — even teeth. Bevond the rounded chin and mouth arose The graceful outlines of a grecian nose. Nor is she solitary laid to rest, A cherub child is nestled to her breast — As tho' that angel that beheld her weep Was there, and shared the long sepulchral sleep And her round arms close-clasps it to her heari As tho' twere comfort to the troubled part. Amazement tempers terror for a spell. Much more of Heav'n about her than of hell! But why appeareth she unto us here ? Who knows of her ? who can the myst'ry clear!] Tarry's it long as rest between the lash Again we're startled, there's a heavy splash ! " Some one leap'd overboard !" they rush'd and] cried — RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. 61 'hich way ? the larboard — or the starboard side ?" )rose the coffin as if wing'd it flew — len plunging in the deep was lost to view — (ftcd a spray that mounted high alone it moon and stars — and all the gloom was gone ! fast as the darkness rush'd arose a gale [hat ridged the deep, and scroam'd thro' evVy sail : All hands to furl !" so loud the captain spoke- heard : — and springing unto duty — woke ! lut while I slept, and dreamt, that moon-lit tide leceived the body of a suicide. rrosso Island, lo ! and bark and brigantino ire anchor'd by, detained in Quarantine : purgatory, wet, where vessels stay ^ntil their pestilence is purged aw^ay : [And there are those that bear the sickly token- They lack pure air — their timber ports are open. Comments, and sad, immediately were made, As we those floating hosjntals survey'd, 02 KKCOLLKLTION8 OF OCEAN. * Ofsurt'riiig tliou.siind.s who a year ocfore Contagion stricken lani^uishVl on this shuiv They died uiuounted, were interred in heap And nought to tell ur^ wliere a kinsman siee|.^| A few 'lays more — only a few days morel And we debark upon the destined shore : As thoughts of separation eame to miml Til feeling fled, and left but feeling kind : Even the ship, we first could not abide, Feit like a home to which atfectiun tied — How well f(»r man that he can thus arrange ImJ In aP thr changes that in time o'ertakes hiin:| You may dethrone, imprison, and exile hiin- Yet even then, what simple thing beguiles him' The conc|ueror of kings, the giant mind In dungeon with a mouse may solace find! The corant ended- -the musician tired Too sud(i{Mily for lissome ones that gyred ! Y'^et few made wonder, for the whistler's lip 1841 UilCOLLKCTlaN^ OF OCEAX. 'ind-driud became, for luck of liijuor sip. hereat tlie l*ilot, rank'd a 8inger rare, laroird therto verses to a stirriiiji^ air : ij'd There is a shore (we soon will near), A free Canadian shore; — ]3o dry the tear — be<^one the fear, There's better davs before ! There's better days, for open'd wide, Is there a woleome door, To you, from lands beyond tlie tide, Oppress'd, depress'd and poor. A healthful land by vale and hill. And rich in fruitful store : - Go ! fell its forest, toil jmd till, Ajid surter want no more ! There cedars rise, and ])ine trees wave It is the Maple Clime ! With evergreen for wreath and grave, If we with honor climb ; 64 RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. A land we never will despise, Though snows and frosts are there. For happy hearths, and elearest skies. AVill never nurse despair! And long, thereon, may peace abide :— Oh ! be the day afar. When bv its lake? and woodlands wide Kcsounds the din of war ! Ou^' foster home, we'll love thee on, Thou hast our dearest ties ! And when thy pioneers are gone, May noble sons arise — To spread thy fields, to guide — defend, And keep thy name as bright. As Heav'n would have it to the end, " The Home of Truth and Eight ! " Hopeful we ride with wind and tide to-day Homes of the French Canadians frinofc the \v:iv Small in the main, yet they vvq trim and cloi LimnerVl ill red, and white, and blue, and grec: RECOLLECTIONS OP OCEAN. 65 Their gables shadows to the westward flung. For like the child at play the day is young. Cascade by where the gallant Montcalm won, Argent thy pendants to the June-day sun ; Clear, cool companion of green earth and trees, Scatter'd in diamonds with the passing breeze, Confused and tossing in thy beaten bed, As struggling mortals ere they glide ahead ; Descending, and descending, ever bright ! And fresh as blessing from the throne of light- Waking with melody the midnight hour — Defying winter and its icy power — Niagara so great, and thou so small — But thou art lovely, Montmorenci Fall ! Beside Quebec we ride at eventide : Beside its heights, which lifts a Briton's pride ! Beside Quebec, where Frenchmen wear a share Of martial glory from the struggle there : And unity outroots that ancient feud, 5 66 RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. For which the bravest dyed its wold with blood — Sleep, sleep, Montcalm — soldier of peaceful name ! Tho'train'd to triumph for thy nation's fame— Tho' Mars upturn'd thy urn with bursting bomb, How still thy slumber now in convent tomb ! And French and British stand to guard thy grave. And equal tribute pay unto the brave ! Britannia's banner flutters o'er the height. Unfurled by Wolfe on that September night, When he had scaled the crest with silent breath. And forward press'd to victory and death On Abram's plains: where from his hero's blood Beside old England's rose upsprung a Bud ! We cast the anchor 'neath an angry sky, Red-laced with lightning that appals the eye : While fitfully the sultry wind sweeps by, RECOLLECTIONS OF OCEAN. 67 And hurriedly the bargemen shore-ward ply: The cross of George beneath the heavens black, Like wing of angel gored from demon's hack ; Js battle by those heights again begun ? I No, no ! the Highland soldier would not run To screen his bonnet, bayonet, scarlet coat, llf charge was telling on the bugle's note : iHe flees to cover from the pelting show'r, But seeks not shelter where the pellet's pour. [From point to point athwart the lightning's gleam : [From cloven clouds the rain in torrents stream : 'he deluged rigging to the deck is dripping, iike weeping ones that cannot pent their weeping : V^hile o'er the river rolls the thunder car, [ts wheels on flames, its echoes sounding far. [ow lonely did the ship and sailors look ! When I my latest glance unto them took — ook'd down her ligure-head, and seemed to say 68 RECOLLECTIONS OP OCEAN. " Forsaken are we since ye ceased to stay 1" Glance grew to gaze, I scann'd her fore and | aft, And loved her more than all that river's craft! I She never brought an emigrant again ! — Traversed no more that vast Atlantic main : She founder'd homeward bound with timber I laden, j But site and time from human ken is hidden: The wave she braved from year to year before,| Gulph'd her at last — hides her for evermore ! Down in her hold the monsters of the deep Will hatch their young, and thro' her hatchesj peep ; Over her rotting ropes the sea-weeds creep, And droop like willows where the seamen] sleep ; And Nereids with their streaming tresses come| To gaze on sons of ocean gather'd home. THE END. ) stay !" • fore and I 'er's craft! I n!— ic main : ith timber s hidden: jar before,! ermore ! 9 deep 5r hatches! creep, e seamen I ises cornel line. \