d 
 
LIBRARY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 GIFT OF 
 THE FAMILY OF REV. DR. GEORGE MOOAR 
 
 Class 
 
 773 
 
SADALPHA; 
 
 A VOYAGE OF LIFE. 
 
 BY 
 
 ,J, BRADFORD COX, M. D, 
 
 MERCURY STEAM PRINT 
 SAN JOSE. 
 
Entered according to Act or Congress in the year 1879, by j. B. Cox, 
 in the Office of the- Librarian of Congress at Washington. 
 
t P S 
 
 IfSrO 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 In presenting this little book for publication the 
 author is aware of many of its deficiencies. But 
 with a hope that it may be the means of exciting a 
 desire for a more perfect life than many people now 
 live, and that it may afford pleasure during its 
 perusal, indulgence is craved for its imperfections. 
 
 A recent criticism on the " Poetry of the Familiar, " 
 in a leading literary journal, seems to express the 
 tendency of poetic taste at present in the following 
 words: " In this art movement we see just what has 
 been going on in poetry and fiction. Poets and ro- 
 mancists began by believing that only romantic and 
 picturesque scenes were worthy of their muse. They 
 delighted in the supernatural; in the impossible, re 
 mote and extravagant; in the grand, heroic and ap 
 palling. But we all know how the romantic gradu 
 ally shifted into the merely picturesque, and then the 
 
 123093 
 
4 PREFACE. 
 
 picturesque into the familiar, until at last it has. been 
 discovered that even the most homely scenes and ob 
 jects often possess every attribute of poetry." 
 
 This poem contains nothing supernatural, impossi 
 ble, remote or appalling; and if the scenes and in 
 cidents portrayed fall short of the beautiful, or fail 
 to entertain, it is altogether the fault of an inexperi 
 enced pen. 
 
 That there is-much beauty in scenes of every day 
 life is beyond doubt an established fact. And if we 
 do not see and perceive it the fault lies in the instruc 
 tion of our eyes and minds rather than in the scenes 
 themselves. -J- ^>. C. 
 
 SAN JOSE, Gal., Oct. 11-th, 1875). 
 
"" What though we may not turn again 
 
 To shores of childhood that we leave- 
 Are those old signs we followed vain r 
 Can guides so oft found true deceive < 
 
 "Oh, sail we to the south or north, 
 Oh, sail we to the east or west, 
 
 The port from which we first put forth 
 Is our heart s home is our life s best. 
 
I DEDICATE THESE PAGES 
 
 TO THE MEMORY CF ONE WHOSE MORAL EXCELLENCE 
 LARGELY CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR PRODUCTION ; WHOSE RELIGIOUS 
 
 LIFE WAS ONE OF BEAUTY AND CONSISTENCY; AND WHO OFTEN EXPRESSED A DESIRfc 
 
 TO DO SOMETHING MORE TO BENEFIT MANKIND. THIS BRIEF POEM 
 
 tS OFFERED AS A PART OF THE FRUIT OF HER 
 
 SHORT. THOUGH WELL SPENT LIFE. 
 
PART i. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ;|AR out upon the western point of land, 
 Where calm Pacific throws her loving arms 
 About the neck of Mendocino s Cape, 
 Whose rocky brow seems pleased for this embrace, 
 I Stood youthful Angus with his flowing hair 
 Kissed by the breeze, that played a hymn of praise 
 Among the rolling billows, and the rocks 
 Its constant harp. The soul-inspiring scene 
 Now charms his inexperienced, tender mind, 
 And transports thought beyond the narrow range 
 Of childhood s home, or youthful fancy s dream. 
 
TO SAD ALP PI A; OR, 
 
 He sees, as twere, immensity of space 
 Spread out before him in the rolling deep, 
 And wonders what its depths may now contain. 
 He little knows, so young scarce nineteen years- 
 The mysteries of its deep and hidden bed. 
 
 Much less he knows 
 
 How great the commerce of her might} 7 ships. 
 And now he sees upon the vast expanse, 
 Far out from land as almost lost from view, 
 In midst of boundless deep, a whitened sail. 
 He wonders not of what its mission be : 
 If trade with foreign lands, he knows it not: 
 If plunder, piracy perchance its aim, 
 He thinks not of the dark and bloody deeds 
 Its crew may oft have done. He sees alone 
 The placid beauty of the tranquil scene. 
 ^Tis Nature s voice that now he hears and heeds; 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 
 
 She speaks in- varied tone to his young heart. 
 Beneath his feet the surging billows roar 
 And beat against the everlasting hills 
 And rocks, as they for cycles now have done; 
 Thus making thorough bass for all the songs 
 And melodies which Nature here can sing. 
 Tis deep and loud enough for many tunes 
 That form a beauteous medley, speaking forth 
 The voice of Nature since the morning stars 
 Sang first their glorious hymn of love and praise. 
 The song that now he hears, as pensively 
 He sits him down mid ferns and waving grass, 
 Is one whose melody the sea-birds make, 
 Now high and shrill above the alto tones 
 Of various tribes of anseres floating near; 
 While from the many rocks not far away 
 Comes forth the tenor and the second bass 
 
12 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 From out the throats of hundreds of the race 
 Of lions, seals, as they come forth to warm 
 Their shining backs beneath the noonday sun; 
 While constantly deep organ tones, from rocks 
 And rolling waves, nil up and bear on high 
 The perfect harmony. 
 
 He listens more attentively: 
 The voices vary as he hears each tone 
 Express a something more than music sweet. 
 A feeling, a desire, perchance a thought 
 Leaps forth with each distinct and separate tone 
 Of this grand chorus of the mighty deep. 
 Loud and strong it now bursts forth 
 In animated strains, that seem to say 
 All Nature joins in one glad hymn of praise. 
 And then a cadence seems to come, and short 
 Staccato tones, with their untold surprise, 
 
A VOYAGE OF 
 
 Blend sweetly into other strains that move; 
 Allegro maestoso, which now bring 
 A striving for a great and noble end 
 Within that breast which their grand import feels. 
 And now a modulation seems to come 
 Adagio, in a mournful minor key, 
 And with it sad reflections o er the past. 
 He turns to view the land. 
 Far to the east extends in Kainbow form 
 A Kidge with green and smooth and grassy top; 
 With gently convex surf ace to the north; 
 Its lower border fringed with canons deep, 
 Made dark and wild by dense and sombre growth 
 Of firs and pines, madronas and liveoaks; 
 Amid whose cool inviting shades wild deer 
 And grouse and California lions rind 
 A safe retreat. Far in the distant east 
 
14 SAD ALPHA; OK, 
 
 Mount up great snow-capped peaks which seem to say, 
 
 The farther up from earth we raise our heads 
 
 The purer arid more peaceful we become. 
 
 The hoary-headed parents seem they now 
 
 Of all their varied loving progenj^ 
 
 The smaller peaks uplifting verdant heads. 
 
 What hundreds of these children have they borne 
 
 And scattered here and there, until they seem 
 
 A vast assembled throng of human heads. 
 
 Perchance they cow in awe and reverence stand, 
 
 As youth before a hoary-headed sire, 
 
 To hear what lessons come from wisdom s lips. 
 
 Hark! hear a sage with whitened locks, 
 
 In tones so deep that all the throng may hear, 
 
 Speak forth and say, as father to a child, 
 
 Once on a time, far down in early years, 
 
 Before mankind was known upon the earth, 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 15 
 
 When I was young and in my youthful prime, 
 Then you had first your birth. Centuries your heads. 
 Scarce peeped above the briny, rolling deep, 
 Which dashed its surging breakers ceaselessly 
 About my isolated form. 
 
 Then life came forth 
 And made abode upon my barren sides. 
 Then, too, within the midst of impure deep 
 Began to teem stiU other life, until 
 When you emerged above the water s waste 
 This life in all its forms seemed everywhere 
 Itself to reproduce. 
 
 By slow degrees, through cycles dim and long, 
 By fires that burned within my throbbing breast, 
 I grew to manhood s prime. 
 You, my first born, long I watched 
 Amid the surging billows, which at times 
 
1 6 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 Would near submerge you from my anxious sight. 
 
 How long, how long, I can not tell how long, 
 
 Ere man came forth to dwell upon us here. 
 
 To me the time since first he came to us 
 
 Seems but a moment of my life. 
 
 He comes and goes much like the tender grass 
 
 That decks your verdant brows. 
 
 Young Angus shuddered as he heard this voice 
 
 Concerning that of which he formed a part. 
 
 He wondered if indeed the sage be wise. 
 
 He fain would know what else may be in man 
 
 Besides the vital force that makes him grow 
 
 In stature as the living grass or tree. 
 
 He looks within his inmost soul and finds 
 
 A thirst for wisdom, which is never quenched, 
 
 Except he drink from out the purest fount. 
 
 Oh Wisdom, infinite, he cries aloud, 
 
A VOYAGE OF LI PR. 17 
 
 Hive me to drink that I may thirst no more! 
 
 He turns to mingle with his fellow man, 
 
 And ask of him, if this be all of life? 
 
 He watches man from early dawn of love 
 
 To its fruition, happiness and peace; 
 
 Till death conies on to claim its own mid tears, 
 
 And weeping, bleeding hearts that know no rest. 
 
 And then he turns and asks the hoary sage. 
 
 If life be ended when we cease to live? 
 
PREPARATION. 
 
 sEHOLD two tender loving souls, 
 
 Mid joy and mirth and glee, 
 While showers of blessing love controls 
 Sail forth on life s rough sea. 
 
 Oh, what will be their doubtful fate? 
 
 What storms what calms be theirs? 
 How reach their port? too soon? too late -; 
 
 In answer to what prayers? 
 
 Shall joy attend them on their way? 
 
 Shall grief be theirs? Who knows: 
 Shall peace crown evening every day J . 
 
 \ud sweet be their repose 1 
 
A VO YA GE OF LIFE . 1 9 
 
 O, happy trusting pair, to be 
 
 Thus joined iri heart and hand! 
 How gladly friends give speed to thee, 
 
 While watching from the strand! 
 
 Their boat steers proudly for the main, 
 
 And friends with voices clear 
 Repeat the joyous, glad refrain. 
 Long life to them so dear." 
 
 This sea of life they soon will prove, 
 
 Not one which ever bears 
 All placid scenes and ships that move 
 
 As smoothly on as theirs! 
 
 Each happy in the other s love, 
 
 They feast, they drink deep bliss: 
 They revel as blest souls above 
 
 And all seems joy like this. 
 
20 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Oh, happy, joyous, loving pair! 
 
 No stain of sin now mars 
 Your highest ecstacy; for prayer 
 
 Brought pardon from the stars. 
 
 Each sought the Savior years agone, 
 And pardoned through His blood, 
 
 They strived to live as He alone 
 Has ordered in His Word. 
 
 How oft they failed He surely knew, 
 
 For penitent each came 
 At eventide, and meekly through 
 
 The power, in Jesus name, 
 
 Begged mercy for the sinning soul 
 And wisdom from on high; 
 
 And as the days and years might roll 
 That He would be near by; 
 
A VOYAGE OF LI PR. 21 
 
 That His own presence would be near 
 
 In every act and word, 
 And heart be kept as fountain clear 
 
 That moves but is not heard. 
 
 With hearts thus pure they first had met 
 
 At feast of intellect, 
 Where teachers Joint Convention set, 
 
 To plan how best to act. 
 
 To venture on some new laid plan 
 
 Of how to train the mind; 
 And thus by lifting youthful man 
 
 To benefit mankind. 
 
 To talk of methods and of rules, 
 
 Of aspirations bright, 
 Of how to manage country schools 
 
 And train the youth aright. 
 
SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 They talked these matters o er and o er. 
 
 And ranch that appertained 
 To other things than. those of lore 
 
 And how the youth be trained. 
 
 They talked of nature and of flowers. 
 
 Surrounding lakes and trees, 
 Of valleys fair, and leisure hours. 
 
 Of life its stormy seas. 
 
 And when the sessions daily closed, 
 
 And lunch and dinner o er, 
 A horseback ride was then proposed 
 
 And taken as before: 
 
 Through vales, o er hills, mid pine woods sweet, 
 
 By gushing springs so clear; 
 Now mauzanita blossoms greet, 
 
 Nor leaf is brown and sear. 
 
A VOYAGE OF LI PR. 23 
 
 For joyous Springtime \vith its flowers, 
 
 Bedecking bush and lawn, 
 Invites to wild and perfumed bowers 
 
 As evening shades come on. 
 
 Thus pleasantly the time was passed: 
 
 The three days session done; 
 A store of knowledge was amassed 
 
 As how the school should run; 
 
 As how this one and that had tried 
 
 The boisterous to restrain; 
 How indolence was rectified 
 
 And duty made quite plain. 
 
 Thus interchanging thoughts the while 
 
 Of work and labor true, 
 They learned to love; the time beguile 
 
 As youthful lovers do-. 
 
24 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 They talked of Springtime, hopes and gains, 
 
 Of usefulness and toil, 
 When coming years should crown their pains. 
 
 With harvest of the soiL 
 
 They sowed good seed, then why not wait 
 
 Till harvest time should come, 
 And gather sheaves both small and great. 
 
 Rewards of work well done? 
 
 The future seemed all bright and fair, 
 
 Nor clouds athwart their sky; 
 Buoyant of soul, a hopeful pair, 
 
 No tear to dim the eye. 
 
 For weeks yea, months this pleasure ran 
 
 Delightful stream of love; 
 God s providence approved the plan 
 
 And sanctioned from above. 
 
A VOYAGE OF LIFE. 25 
 
 Not spoken love at first quite dim ; 
 
 So timid, half afraid; 
 Then " sister would she be to him," 
 
 How sweet first promise made ! 
 
 A sister, but no more P Just here 
 
 A " brother s love" was pledged: 
 " I ll take you as my sister dear 
 
 Till fuller love be fledged." 
 
 But sickness came, the manly form 
 
 Was stricken near to death ; 
 For days and weeks contagion s storm 
 
 Raged o er him with its breath. 
 
 A much loved letter sent away 
 
 To her, from his sick room, 
 In distant home drove friends astray 
 
 For fear infection s doom. 
 
2 6 SAD ALPHA; OK, 
 
 She read it through, how anxiously 
 None else but she could tell; 
 
 A peaceful thought came hopefully 
 That "brother" might get well. 
 
 When convalescence scarce was o er, 
 
 Proud Science for his aim. 
 He leaves the bright Pacific shore 
 
 To seek and delve for fame. 
 
 With fond farewells from all his friends. 
 
 And " sisters" too, save one, 
 He bids adieu to seek amends 
 
 For ravages just done. 
 
 Goes anxiously, with sad regret, 
 
 At leaving thus her face, 
 Whose image hovered round him yet 
 
 And lingered at the place 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 27 
 
 Where fevered fancy oft had gone, 
 Through mountains green and fair, 
 
 By many a gurgling stream sat down, 
 That face was ever there. 
 
 And even when in death s embrace. 
 
 So near that few came by, 
 His deep delirium saw that face 
 
 With pity in its eye. 
 
 He called her oft in loving tone, 
 
 He whispered that sweet name; 
 Attendants heard him heard him moan, 
 
 And wondered if she came. 
 
 She came in spirit, not in form; 
 
 She came and soothed him so; 
 She banished all the loathsome storm 
 
 And cleansed him pure as snow. 
 
28 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 In fancy thus he traversed o er 
 Bright scenes, where months ago, 
 
 In respite from their work of lore 
 They loved so oft to go. 
 
 But recollections such as these, 
 
 From well or fevered brain, 
 Proved recompense, to somewhat ease 
 
 The parting and r its pain. 
 
 To recollect these happier times, 
 
 To travel once again 
 By lake and stream, whose murmuring chimes 
 
 Wrote music without pen ; 
 
 To walk again through pine woods sweet, 
 
 To climb the mountain s brow, 
 To wander where the waters meet, 
 
 Seemed dear to him just now. 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIPE. 29 
 
 For in the busy city s strife, 
 
 The Golden Gate so nigh, 
 He walks alone, though surging life 
 
 Is hurrying, rustling by. 
 
 He visits places then of note, 
 
 He sees and is not seen ; 
 So small a thing, a useless mote, 
 
 A something which has been. 
 
 A person, living, thinking, loved, 
 
 A consciousness, of what? 
 Of having been, of having moved 
 
 Around one little spot ! 
 
 Of having loved one beauteous face, 
 
 Distinct from all seen now. 
 O, could it come from out its place, 
 
 With pure and noble brow, 
 
30 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 And penetrate this jostling crowd, 
 And turn its eyes toward me, 
 
 How sweet twould be with step so proud 
 To walk and converse free ! 
 
 O, could not this one boon be given, 
 I To see her ere he start? 
 
 T would be to him foretaste of Heaven 
 To embrace before they part. 
 
 But no! to-morrow brings the day 
 
 On which his vessel sails 
 For Panama; and he must say 
 
 His farewell through the mails. 
 
 That night he wrote, ah, yes, how w^ll 
 None else but she could know! 
 
 Emotions deep the bosom swell. 
 A heaving to and fro 
 
A VO YA GE Of L1PE . 3 D 
 
 Of love and hope, of doubt and fear, 
 
 Uncertainty and grief. 
 Oh, could e en present be made clear 
 
 Twould bring the soul relief. 
 
 " This life has much in store for me; 
 
 Much more than I now see 
 Can come through my scant lore to me,. 
 I m now unworthy thee. 
 
 " So when I ve climbed the giddy hight^ 
 
 And wrought in science dome, 
 Will my dear sister to me write, 
 And welcome letters home 
 
 ^ From her dear brother far away V 
 
 If so my task will be 
 Made light indeed, and on my way 
 I ll write, oft write to thee." 
 
PART 2, 
 
ON THE PACIFIC. 
 
 ut on the ocean wave sailing along; 
 
 y should I not now change my song? 
 Steady the billows roll, oh, so high ! 
 
 ^Steady the heart sends sigh after sigh. 
 T 
 Chasing each other the waves come on; 
 
 Chasing each other the faces now gone 
 Come in remembrance to sadden the scene; 
 Thus to be leaving them; Oh, how keen 
 
3 - 4 SADALPHA; OR\ 
 
 Breaks out the anguish from the depths of the soul! 
 Break up the crested waves as inward they roll; 
 Break up glad scenes of home now they come near; 
 Break up old friendships so long held dear;- 
 Breaks up the rocky beach? 0! no, no! 
 Firmly it withstands the tides high or low. 
 Breaks up a "sister s love?" Oh! no, no! 
 Breaks up a "brother s love?" No! surely no! 
 Firmly they withshand the rolling of the tide, 
 The busy throng that jostles round on every side. 
 Sailing on the ocean the calm Pacific fair, 
 Now away from breakersscarce a breath of air. 
 Rolling now the rollers, Oh, so slowly on! 
 Coming not from stormy climes ; coming,- coming, gone ! 
 Noiselessly they come and go, ever rolling high! 
 Ship s machinery humming keeps time with hearts 
 lone sigh. 
 
A VOYAGE OF LIFE. 35 
 
 All quietness and grandeur! 
 
 Save sailors here and there, 
 Preparing for the voyage, 
 
 Dead stillness fills the air. 
 
 The breakers far behind us, 
 
 The land grows dim to view, 
 Thus seeming to remind us 
 
 Of friendships fond and true; 
 
 Of faces in the distance 
 
 That seem to say farewell; 
 Of many scenes and incidents 
 
 That now the heart do spell, 
 
 And bind us to the fading shore 
 
 That soon will disappear. 
 The faces loved in days of yore 
 
 Seem now to be more dear. 
 
36 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 As memory turns to view again 
 
 Loved places where we trod, 
 And recollect on hill in glen 
 
 Bright scenes spread out where God 
 
 Would draw the soul toward Him again 
 
 From whom it wanders oft 
 Yes, wanders into hell s dark den 
 
 Until it may be lost. 
 
 Bright recollections of the past 
 Come now the heart to thrill. 
 
 Sweet memories! yes, they come, how fast 
 The soul the thoughts to fill! 
 
 Some come with gentle tread, and steal 
 
 So soft, so quietly, 
 Upon our musings that we feel 
 
 Their impress peacefully. 
 
A VOYAGE OF LIFE. 37 
 
 Some come with longings to return 
 
 And be again with those 
 Whose love now follows every turn 
 
 Our wandering feet may choose. 
 
 Some bring a sigh for misspent time, 
 
 But others bring relief; 
 Some bring a joy, while others chime 
 
 The deep-toned bells of grief. 
 
 Oh! happy, peaceful, pensive hour, 
 
 Thy moments come and go 
 As sunshine bright or April shower, 
 
 Summer s heat or Winter s snow! 
 
 Some moments freeze the tender heart 
 
 Toward all mankind; so cold, 
 So selfishly, each acts his_part 
 
 That many things untold 
 
38 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Are treasured in the inmost soul, 
 And there deep hidden lay ; 
 
 But now our memories o er them roll 
 And bring them bright as day 
 
 To re-enact the scenes gone by 
 With all their joy and pain, 
 
 And vividly they come so nigh 
 The present we disdain. 
 
 Thus musing till e en past grew dim, 
 
 His voyage just begun, 
 A well-known voice now greeted him, 
 
 A hand was grasped by one 
 
 In former days a better heart, 
 Whose vain attempt at wealth, 
 
 In mines as well as healing art, 
 Had only brought poor health 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 19 
 
 Through dissipation long indulged, 
 
 And now he seeks relief 
 Trorn horrors need theyHbe divulged? 
 
 Oh, demons sweet is grief 
 
 ^Compared to terror and suspense, 
 
 Of madness from the bowl ! 
 What pleasure that can recompense 
 
 This torture of the soul? 
 
 "Oh! man, why desecrate the mind? 
 
 Why wallow in the mire, 
 And in damnation surely bind 
 
 Thy foul to eternal lire? 
 
 He sought a reformation when, 
 
 Through changes of the trip, 
 He should be made himself again 
 
 By life on board the ship. 
 
4 o SAD ALPHA; OR\ 
 
 He has a fortune in the East, 
 
 Some land, a rich estate, 
 Is left from father late deceased, 
 
 Far in old Keystone State. 
 
 " But what brings you, so young," he said,. 
 " To leave the Golden State, 
 Where home and friends and much might aid 
 A promise to be great? 
 
 " Sir, this is why you see me go," 
 
 The youth at once replied; 
 * I ve labored hard, as you may know. 
 
 The money to provide 
 
 That I might fit myself to be 
 
 Of use to fellow man, 
 Far more than in the school I see r 
 
 Or working with the hand. 
 
A VOYAGE OF LIFE. 4* 
 
 And so I ve wrought most ardently 
 
 These past three years or more, 
 And all my wages carefully 
 
 Laid by in future store. 
 
 For this my trip to Bellvue Halls, 
 
 Where I in time shall be 
 Prepared, like you, to attend the calls 
 
 Of sick humanity." 
 
 1 Ah! foolish youth!" the sage replied:: 
 " How strange your choice to me! 
 Far better for you had you died 
 In early infancy, 
 
 Than thus to wear your life away 
 
 At call of come who will, 
 And never know by night or day 
 
 What hours repose shall fill. 
 
42 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Par better had you been content 
 
 To teach a country school, 
 "Where every moment is well spent 
 
 And leisure comes by rule. 
 
 But since you go and can t turn back. 
 
 Perhaps tis vain for me 
 To try dissuasion from the track 
 
 Of pain and misery. 
 
 But when you ve followed many years 
 
 Disease and death and woe, 
 With all their ravages and tears, 
 
 Perhaps you ll say tis so." 
 
 But say when did you leave the once fair mountain 
 
 town, 
 
 "With its adjacent hills and its valleys now brown? 
 And say, how are old friends and acquaintances there-? 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 43 
 
 And pray how your young " schoolnia am," so gay 
 and so fair? 
 
 And how was your preceptor, the good Doctor D , 
 
 Whose only great fault was a jolly good spree? 
 Thus oft they conversed as now onward they sailed. 
 When eating and sleeping and reading had failed; 
 Now pacing the deck that the time might go by, 
 Or watching alone for the wonders that lie 
 Far down in the depths of the fathomless sea, 
 So wonderful now for its transparency; 
 Often looking for laud that was seldom now seen, 
 Or viewing the star depths, so calm and serene; 
 Now wondering how, from the expanse of Heaven, 
 The Ruler beholds our green earth as it s driven 
 Around our own sun, which to us seems so bright, 
 And yet from His Home is a mere speck of light. 
 How small is the earth when compared to these suns, 
 
44 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Which soften the darkness as night o er earth runs! 
 
 Ah! vainly would we with our finite eyesight, 
 
 Were we placed at the centre of infinite light, 
 
 Endeavor to find such a planet as earth, 
 
 With it3 show and splendor, its seeming great worth. 
 
 Yet Infinite Wisdom views all He hath made, 
 
 The suns and the planets and satellites staid 
 
 Revolving so grandly, while each in its place 
 
 Permits every other its journey to trace 
 
 Without molestation, still influence is shed 
 
 By each on its neighbor, while surely they re led 
 
 In perfect accord with the Ruler s great plan, 
 
 Thus pointing a moral to weak, sinful man. 
 
 But onward for days, through the sunshine and rain, 
 
 The ship plows along o er the blue, rolling main; 
 
 Now Lower California has come and has gone, 
 
 With its bold Cape St. Lucas, so clear in the dawn. 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIPE. 45 
 
 Manzanillo, its tempting and tropical sight, 
 
 Has left in the memory bright pictures of night. 
 
 With its bald though green hills as so snugly they lay 
 
 With light-house and canons around the smooth bay. 
 
 But beautiful aye, what a joy to behold it! 
 
 A sunset in Autumn with Him to unfold it, 
 
 Who is beauty itself, and who paints, oh, so bright, 
 
 That artists ne er equal in visions of light! 
 
 A sunset on ocean, with tropical air 
 
 To bring forth each outline and make it more fair. 
 
 A scene to enjoy which the heart we must raise 
 
 To the source of all beauty and tune to His praise. 
 
 Such a scene was presented ere Panama gained. 
 
 The day had been showery; so oft had it rained 
 
 That sailors work scrubbing the deck was not needed, 
 
 Nor furling the sails, for this had preceded 
 
 Approach of the evening, which now coming on 
 
46 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Seemed hallowed, for Sabbath day now nearly gone 
 Brings its eve on so gently to mind ere it sleep, 
 Favoring silence and reverie and memories deep 
 Of childhood, of Springtime, of friends that are gone, 
 Of other scenes far away how they conae on! 
 Now flooding the soul as if dreamland were here 
 To carry us back over many a glad year. 
 
REFLECTIONS, 
 
 AINS quickly vanishing, 
 Joys e er replenishing, 
 7 : * Ever surviving the brightest and best 
 ^ For man r s true happiness, 
 Pleasure and blessedness, 
 Resting in wisdom how sweet is that rest! 
 
 Past scenes come peacefully, 
 
 Come they so quietly, 
 Thus are they filling the heart full of love. 
 
 Coming now joyfully, 
 
 Coming then tearfully , 
 Coming from whence are they? Ah! from above! 
 
.48 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 They from the soul seem welling 
 
 Seem to the heart now telling 
 ^Sweetly and calmly of past times so dear. 
 
 Oh! how they thrill the heart! 
 
 May they not soon depart. 
 Stay, pleasant memories, ever stay near. 
 
 Stay to enrich the soul, 
 While round us billows roll 
 
 Billows of turmoil from great human strife- 
 Hallowed thy influence be 
 O er all life s stormy sea, 
 
 Never forsaking me through endless life. 
 
A SUNSET. 
 
 \f^Kjp UT now behold - ! 
 
 |>|A.J|; In yonder western sky paints God a scene 
 
 7 More beautiful than man has e er beheld. 
 Or memories of artist e er can paint. 
 No speech of earth can equal its portrayal. 
 Archways of cloud now rise in glorious light, 
 Resplendence all athwart the glowing sky. 
 Here northward mounts a mighty cumulus 
 On mountain range of other rolling clouds, 
 As bright as with the heat of incandescence. 
 
50 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 They rise in range, beyond and over range, 
 And peaks still yet beyond, until away 
 In obscure distance, darkening shades of night,. 
 There form befitting background to the scene; 
 While here and there are growing shadows as 
 Of valleys fair between the beauteous hills; 
 And then again of canons deep that delve 
 And split the mountain sides. 
 
 Wild with deep conf asicn. 
 And terrible with dark abysses that 
 Seem now to pierce the wondrous ocean s depths 
 And yet so constantly a change coines o er 
 That each new look brings forth new beauties. 
 Ah! ne er was mountain scene like this! 
 
 There southward lay more tranquil forms. 
 A stratus spreads far o er the water s waste 
 And brings to view a second ocean calm, 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 51 
 
 With coasts and bays and wide expanse it seems 
 Twere hung in air. Its ships wax great then change 
 As if to mountains, quiet and serene. 
 Now rivers form and flow to distant shores, 
 Thus cheating fancy, which now sees instead 
 One vast and beauteous, changeful landscape fair, 
 With here and there small hills of doubtful green. 
 Ah! see again! beyond in distance dim 
 This phantom ocean spreads itself once more, 
 And soon again transforms to landscape bright, 
 With town and village interspersed; and broad 
 Highway still girt between, on which bright forms 
 Now move and pass, and slowly wax in size 
 Until great monsters to the sight they seem. 
 
 And now behold the sinking sun 
 Half hidden in the deep the centre piece 
 Of all this glorious scene mid gorgeous gates 
 
52 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 And bright archways of cloud that multiply 
 To almost an infinitude of numbers. 
 
 One grand triumphal archway 
 Spreads o er him as he slowly disappears. 
 The bright blue sky beyond is only seen 
 Through his inviting open palace door. 
 While he in grandeur gently sinks from view 
 Amid this gorgeous beauty all around 
 He sheds new glory on still other scenes, 
 On other archways, architraves, and now 
 On golden stairs that lead to visions bright 
 And most profound. That lead in fancy bold 
 Beyond the darkness of the tomb into 
 The glorious mystery of the Home of God. 
 
A SEQUEL TO THE SUNSET. 
 
 now these stairways, 
 ^ Pass through these doorways, 
 
 Walk through the palaces so beautifully 
 
 bright, 
 
 View the many mansions, 
 So grand in dimensions, 
 Fountainebleau and Windsor equal not the sight. 
 
 Only this an emblem, 
 Only slight the semblance 
 To the grandeur of the real heavenly scene, 
 
 Where God in His glory 
 With Christ O, blessed story! 
 Now reigns in love and mercy so serene. 
 
54 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Here stands a gate ajar. 
 
 Come, oh, man, from afar 
 With holy awe and reverence enter thou in! 
 
 Remove first thy sandal, 
 
 Now again thy mantle, 
 For the place where thou standest knows no sin. 
 
 Thy faint heart that trembles 
 
 But slightly resembles 
 Those we shall meet with as onward we pass. 
 
 No shadows round us fall, 
 
 Light shines in all, through all, 
 Transparent every form as clear crystal glass. 
 
 Yet how distinct they seem! 
 Beauty yes, the holy theme! 
 And mystery of mysteries how this can be. 
 Naught with the finite sight, 
 
A VOYAGE OF LI fE. 55 
 
 Naught though such radiant light 
 Could man distinguish where these forms we see. 
 
 Greater now the mystery, 
 
 Earth bears no history 
 Of like things and like scenes that now come on : 
 
 Inside the pearly gate 
 
 Come voices oh, so sweet! 
 Musical, angelic, in converse and in song. 
 
 A happy throng has gathered. 
 
 And by no sin now tethered, 
 They wander and enjoy whatsoe er they will; 
 
 Their music sweet and perfect, 
 
 Their voices speak seraphic, 
 While joy and bliss ecstatic their souls now thrill. 
 
 Here come happy faces 
 From out celestial places. 
 
5 6 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 \ 
 
 More beautiful than ever known to earth. 
 
 The faces, how resplendent ! 
 
 Their joy beams out transcendent, 
 So happy now since death brought their new birth-. 
 
 Well-known voices greet us, 
 
 Loving eyes now meet us 
 With joy to know, so glad to see us come. 
 
 Outstretched arms enfold us, 
 
 Long they love to hold us. 
 O ! the rapture of our own future home ! 
 
 You ve come to stay forever. 
 
 For here no partings sever 
 Us who reach this blissful place so bright. 
 
 Our home is so delightful, 
 
 There s nothing here despiteful, 
 All is love and purity for God is the light. 
 
A VOYAGE OF L1PE. 57 
 
 So glad you ve come, my darling; 
 
 How sad it was our parting, 
 When death came to our circle down below! 
 
 But did you know then, dearest, 
 
 Your trial seemed severest, 
 That I would come to meet you when you d go? 
 
PANAMA, 
 
 ***< 
 
 contemplations such as these 
 The night drew slowly on, 
 With not a rppie, not a breeze, 
 To roll the waves along. 
 
 Old Panama now nearly gained, 
 From which some news to send, 
 
 Of journey prospered, distance gained, 
 And how the time to spend, 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIPE. 59 
 
 Found utterance in the ink and pens 
 Laid by for times of need; 
 
 And now he writes to many friends, 
 He writes his time to speed. 
 
 He writes again and still ths same, 
 The first lines seem not meet 
 
 For one whose memory ever came 
 As " sister s love" more sweet. 
 
 Blue sky reflected in the deep 
 
 Seems constantly to say, 
 Your image I as surely keep 
 
 When you are far away 
 
 As ocean holds to wondering man 
 
 A mirror of the skies, 
 Reflecting also God s own plan 
 
 Before astonished eyes. 
 
6o SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 If constantly the sky be blue 
 
 Then ocean so appears; 
 If clouds obscure, the mirror true 
 
 Brings darkness, stormy fears. 
 
 So love from deep within the heart 
 
 Reflects most constantly 
 What it may feel to form a part 
 
 Of loved one s purity. 
 
 Yet Panama so near to view 
 Still must be many an hour, 
 
 For slow the smoke and steam now flew, 
 The engine lost its power. 
 
 So slowly moves the mighty craft 
 That something seems amiss, 
 
 A floating, lifeless, aimless raft, 
 Anxiety like this, 
 
A VO YA GE OP LIPE . 6 1 
 
 As when a journey nearly done 
 
 Some unforeseen event, 
 Some accident has counter run, 
 
 Fruition to prevent. 
 
 But fears are banished when we hear 
 
 That we re ahead of time. 
 Insurance money is the spear 
 
 That keeps us back " on time." 
 
 But in " due time" the landing gained, 
 
 The narrow streets all filth, 
 The ancient tiles by time so stained, 
 
 With here and there much wealth; 
 
 The sudden endings of the streets, 
 
 Scarce room to turn aside 
 From donkey cart which one meets, 
 
 Or hurrying man beside, 
 
62 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Give variations to the trip, 
 
 Lend vigor to the feet. 
 Marked changes these from life on ship, 
 
 Or what at home we meet. 
 
 The hotel gained, refreshments had 
 
 Out onward to depot. 
 See soldiers come so poorly clad! 
 
 But then nor cold nor snow. 
 
 But hurry on, the train soon starts, 
 And should you miss it then 
 
 These loathsome, filthy, sickly parts 
 Must prove two weeks your den. 
 
 Now safe on board the rickety cars, 
 
 The whistle screams aloud, 
 And off we go! My back! what jars! 
 What jostlings! what n crowd! 
 
A VOYAGE OF L1PE. 65 
 
 The Isthmus now is halfway crossed, 
 
 When suddenly a crack, 
 A jumping, tearing noise now tossed 
 
 Our tender off the track. 
 
 The train is stopped, no damage done 
 
 To life or limb of man; 
 But we must wait the setting sun 
 
 To bring relief what plan? 
 
 A telegram is straightway sent 
 
 To Panama for aid, 
 And restless passengers consent, 
 
 And broken tender s laid 
 
 Beside the track, and on we go 
 
 A few short miles I ween, 
 Where switch accommodates, you know r 
 
 And rarest plants are seen. 
 
64 SADALPUA; OR, 
 
 Again we stop ; a hamlet near 
 
 Of quaint and strange abodes, 
 Set high on posts, with thatched roof sear, 
 
 In files along the roads. 
 
 From these the natives now pour out, 
 
 Surprised to see us stop; 
 Eun here and there, begin to shout: 
 " Good cakes!" "coffee" (mere slop)! 
 
 " Sweet oranges" and " chocolate!" 
 " Bananas" and "cigars!" 
 With "mango apples" yes, " so sweet! " 
 " Pine apples!" 0, my stars! 
 
 What won t they bring! Let s leave the train, 
 
 One hour is far too long- 
 To view this scene nor see them gain 
 
 Small pittance for their song. 
 
A VOYAGEOF L2PE. 65 
 
 Then passengers to rest the back 
 
 And time to while away, 
 13ome follow down the curving track, 
 
 Some in deep woods now stray. 
 
 How dense the forest round about! 
 
 How hot the sweltering air! 
 Now nimbus shades; then sun beams out, 
 
 With crystal raindrops there 
 
 On brush and fern and palm leaf wide. 
 
 A strange wild scene is this; 
 Bright plumaged birds on every side, 
 
 Insects swarm and serpents hiss. 
 
 Above the scream of wild baboon. 
 
 Or bright-winged paraquet, 
 Steam whistle sounds, by far too soon, 
 
 This scene not half done yet. 
 
66 SADALPHA; OK, 
 
 A fortnight though might prove too long r 
 
 So all on board again; 
 The native s quaint, persuasive song 
 
 Is hushed by moving train. 
 
 Now Aspinwall heaves into sight, 
 With bluff, and fort, and trees; 
 
 But slowly now the shades of night 
 Close round to obscure these. 
 
 But yonder see our ship ! she steams.. 
 
 All ready to depart, 
 Awaiting us. Far out she seems! 
 
 Perhaps she s made a start! 
 
 But no ; here comes a smaller boat 
 
 To take us from the train 
 To where the great ships easy float 
 
 That plow this raging main. 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 67 
 
 Leaves Aspinwall in shades of night 
 
 Dim outlines in the mind. 
 Its record too, not clear nor bright, 
 
 On history s page we find. 
 
LEAVING THE ISTHMUS. 
 
 OW again we leave the shore, 
 
 Rolling, tumbling on! 
 Not so placid as before. 
 
 Nausea comes anon. 
 
 Fading now the distant land, 
 
 Passing from the sight; 
 Soon tis gone, the thundering strand 
 
 Clothed in darkest night. 
 
 What shall be our future fate 
 
 Plunging in the dark? 
 Cross the sea? Too soon? Too late? 
 
 Ah, man! why thus embark? 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 69 
 
 Fitness is in everything; 
 
 Emblems, could we see. 
 Thus the voyage that we sing 
 
 Has its mystery. 
 
 Birth was in a mountain home, 
 
 Love came with that birth; 
 Childhood s feet then fain would roam 
 
 Near parental hearth. 
 
 Youth came; then desire to go 
 
 Roving further round; 
 Smooth Pacific seemed to show 
 
 All youth s pleasure found. 
 
 All then tranquil as youth s dream, 
 
 Not a care nor storm; 
 No anxiety twould seem 
 
 Stirs the youthful form. 
 
70 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Calmly o er this sea we sailed 
 
 Pleased with every sight. 
 Landing gained strange scenes availed 
 
 Manhood s dawn to light. 
 
 Isthmus crossed to manhood s prime, 
 Brief though it may seem; 
 
 Surely comes a working time, 
 Life s not all a dream. 
 
 Enter it with doubt and fear, 
 
 Darkness supervenes, 
 Ups and downs through many years 
 
 Stormy billows scenes 
 
 Trying oft the soul of man, 
 
 As these billows test 
 Through each ship the workman s plan 
 
 If it be the best. 
 
A VOYAGE OF L1PE, 
 
 All through life wealth, fame, pursued 
 
 Anxious labor brings, 
 Work and toil to be renewed 
 
 Hoping better things. 
 
WEST INDIES. 
 
 came on with a bright rising sun r 
 Soon to be hidden by gray clouds of dawn. 
 
 -.. t 
 
 All seemed so different, so changed, not serene 
 * Like voyage before the bright Isthmus so green. 
 / The billows seem working, the clouds labor so, 
 
 To bring about something; what is it? do you know? 
 
 Even ocean runs counter with current quite strong. 
 
 Instead of assisting our smooth course along, 
 
 As did blue Pacific some few days before, 
 
 When all seemed so quiet e en far distant shore. 
 
 This surging, this heaving, this motion, this strife ; 
 
 This action among elements, thus teeming with life. 
 
A VOYAGE OF LIPE. 73 
 
 Fair emblem of manhood, its aims and desires, 
 
 Its striving, its hoping, to wealth it aspires. 
 
 The passengers also more active now seem, 
 
 Their staterooms are not half so pleasant they deem, 
 
 Their room-mates now strange, the captain is sought 
 
 To change them and rearrange all for naught, 
 
 He thinks, but listens to each in his turn : 
 
 Says everyone now by traveling must learn 
 
 That all is not comfort, annoyance must come 
 
 And slight inconvenience for leaving a home. 
 
 Thus sailing on o er the sea islands appear, 
 
 Fresh and luxuriant, no leaf is now sear. 
 
 Slowly they come to us, come they so nigh 
 
 That trees and green bushes, with springs close by, 
 
 Invite us to come to them, share in their joy, 
 
 Peacefully wander, no strife to annoy. 
 
 " Come to us come," they say; " lonely we be; 
 
74 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Long have we waited far out in the sea, 
 Something to offer to man s happiness; 
 Something to give him relief in distress; 
 Something, though small we be. Yes, we give all, 
 All to that wisdom which raises the pall 
 Of man s degradation, his ignorance and sin, 
 And bids heavenly sunlight his soul to shine in," 
 Slowly we pass them, and then to the sight 
 Dimly they vanish in gray, misty light. 
 Now comes proud Cuba, with forest of green. 
 Kising to Heaven, the dark clouds between. 
 Here is unrest, the clouds roll about, 
 The breakers run high, rough rocks pointing out 
 Obstruct them while striving the land to submerge; 
 The booming of waves thus sounding a dirge, 
 Deep-toned and soul-thrilling; its depths, oh, how 
 deep! 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 75 
 
 It penetrates ocean and mountains so steep! 
 
 The rain is now falling far off on the land, 
 
 While here brightest sunshine encircles the strand. 
 
 High up in this mountain, which now seems so near, 
 
 In fancy the Mambi s voice signals we hear, 
 
 In tones ringing out to comrades far away, 
 
 Who catch them and listen, they seem now to say : 
 
 Valmasada !" Valmasada !" What terror that name 
 
 To soldiers, and mothers and infants the same. 
 
 See parasites hanging from every tall tree, 
 
 Vines and thick undergrowth to shore of the sea. 
 
 No dwelling of man now fills the wild scene, 
 
 One mass of solid and beautiful green. 
 
 Man lives here, however, obscured from the world, 
 
 Not only by forests, but war clouds that hurled 
 
 Destruction and death on insurgents that roaiu 
 
 Through these mighty forests. No comforts of home, 
 
7 6 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 No hallowing influence of civilized life, 
 
 Sheds peace and contentment on Mambi Land strife. 
 
 Independence they fight for, nor give o er the task 
 
 Till liberty gained, in its sunshine to bask. 
 
 Without this they say exterminate foe 
 
 Or die in these woods that shelter us so. 
 
 But onward our gallant ship plows the deep main, 
 
 Nor stops at this little world looking to Spain 
 
 For care and protection, from foes without, 
 
 While foes from within now drive them about. 
 
 Slowly the land is now fading from view, 
 
 Yet still will our thoughts the Mambis pursue. 
 
 What shall we do for them? What can be done? 
 
 Who will take up the task? Who, when begun, 
 
 Will not assistance give downtrodden man? 
 
 Though dark his deeds may be, help him who can: 
 
 For redemption from oppression and wrong 
 
A VOYAGE OP LIFE. 77 
 
 Can be accomplished though the time be long. 
 
 Would man be brought from darkness to light ? 
 
 Must he look upward, there all is bright. 
 
 Up to the source of all wisdom and love: 
 
 Up to the Savior, who came from above 
 
 To give a sample of what life should be, 
 
 To teach love and mercy and sweet charity, 
 
 Wisdom and mercy as boundless in extent 
 
 As stars throughout space in bright firmament. 
 
A STRANGE PHENOMENON, 
 
 ANY days have come and gone, 
 Many nights been dark, 
 
 Still we re sailing, sailing on, 
 In our mighty bark. 
 
 Florida is far inland, 
 
 Beaming forth the sun, 
 Stratus clouds on every hand, 
 
 Noonday s heat begun. 
 
 Gray and filmy atmosphere, 
 Thick and dense and warm; 
 
 Overhead the sun in sphere, 
 Token of a storm. 
 
A VOYAGE OF LJfE. 79 
 
 Stillness death was ne er more still, 
 
 Not a voice is heard, 
 Nor ship s engine seems to thrill. 
 
 Ominous the bird 
 
 Lights him high on blackened arm, 
 
 One shrill scream he gives; 
 Thus portentous of great harm 
 
 To all on board that lives. 
 
 Surely now some scourge awaits, 
 
 Say the sailors old; 
 Superstition thus relates 
 
 Many legends bold. 
 
 Hark ! again what sounds we hear 
 
 Ringing through the air; 
 Bells and chimes ring out quite clear, 
 Calling us to prayer 
 
So SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 As in days of childhood gone, 
 Heard we them before. 
 
 Mystery! they still ring on! 
 Come they from the shore? 
 
 Is some phantom ship at hand 
 
 Floating o er the sea, 
 - With the bells of childhood land 
 Chiming harmony? 
 
 Or, the well-known village church 
 Floating through the air? 
 
 Far o erhead the haze we search 
 Finding nothing there. 
 
 All delusion in the ear, 
 
 Now tis still again! 
 Hark the echo far and near 
 
 Kinging o er the main! 
 
AVOYAGEOF L1PE. 
 
 Now dead stillness everywhere. 
 
 See yon lonely bird! 
 Black as night, sits high in air, 
 
 No voice from him is heard! 
 
 Could it be these sounds that float, 
 These strange bells that ring, 
 
 Through the air came from his throat. 
 Mystic song to sing? 
 
 Answer me, ye sailors, then, 
 
 Living on the sea, 
 Is this strange phenomenon 
 
 Still deep mystery V 
 
QUAKATsTTINE, 
 
 N quarantine at last, 
 
 WEI 
 
 Old ocean s dangers past, 
 
 We are waiting for our ship s scourge to cease, 
 But great is our distress 
 For sickness and duress 
 Have robbed us now full many days our peace. 
 
 With bird and bells and chimes, 
 
 With heat and tropic climes, 
 Came smallpox to our vessel on her way. 
 
 The stricken soon we place 
 
 In life-boats swung in space, 
 Nor passengers could see them night or day. 
 
A VOYAGE OF LIFE. 83 
 
 And now we re so near land 
 
 We see the pebbly strand, 
 Yet many days must linger ere our feet 
 
 Can kiss the welcome shore 
 
 As in the days of yore, 
 Or we our anxious friends again may meet. 
 
 But here conies a siirgeon, 
 
 With vaccine he is urging 
 And compelling everyone to submit. 
 
 Like sheep they flee away, 
 
 Nor in his presence stay, 
 Yet every arm tirst bare is quickly hit. 
 
 The task is done he goes. 
 Relief from dreaded woes, 
 Of poisoned arms and tainted blood will come 
 With time, which brings release 
 
84 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 From all that mars our peace, 
 Save death and separation in our home. 
 
 Behold the beauteous shore, 
 
 Far brighter than before, 
 For now beyond our reach it calmly lay, 
 
 Basking in the sunlight, 
 
 Forest, lawn and mansions white, 
 Forts, towns and cities scattered round the bay. 
 
 Here is life and action, 
 
 All in one direction 
 That of gaining wealth, pleasure and renown. 
 
 All the world seems centered 
 
 In the port we ve entered; 
 Busy throngs of vessels hurrying up and down. 
 
 The flags of all nations, 
 From way ports and stations, 
 
A VOYAGE Of L1PE. 85 
 
 Pass us as we lay in durance so long. 
 
 Commerce coming, going, 
 
 Small boats passing, ro wing; 
 Grand excursions, lively music and song. 
 
 Off for Staten Island, 
 
 Grove and lawn and highland! 
 Merry people now free from toil and care 
 
 Joyous relaxation! 
 
 Out from every station 
 Conie the throngs to wander free in open air. 
 
 Multitudes are coming, 
 
 Business ever humming, 
 Drives them for a day to ramble o er the hills; 
 
 Some to seek enjoyment, 
 
 Others base employment; 
 Others hear God s voice in music of the rills. 
 
86 SADALPHA; OK, 
 
 If language is to thought 
 
 What nature is to God, 
 And only can express one-half the real, 
 
 Then meadows, lakes and wood, 
 
 When fully understood, 
 Disclose much hidden wisdom His ideal. 
 
 Strive upward to the source, 
 
 Let thought arise perforce 
 And pierce the very fountain of true light, 
 
 Then joy within is shed, 
 
 Nor conscience now is dead 
 The soul is brought from darkness into light. 
 
MOTIVES, 
 
 IS world is all beauty 
 And action and life, 
 Its pleasures, though fleeting 
 
 And coupled with strife, 
 Are sweet to engage in 
 
 Delightful the while, 
 Ah! who would not taste them 
 
 The time to beguile? 
 But through them we re looking 
 
 To something beyond, 
 Either soon to accomplish 
 
 Or farther along, 
 
SADALPHA; OR\ 
 
 To reap then tire sowing; 
 
 Now planting the seeds 
 That bring then the harvest 
 
 Of all our good deeds. 
 In order in this life 
 
 That reaping may come 
 Many sow, toil and strife, 
 
 Deserting a home. 
 Many sow, others reap, 
 
 Thus gaining for naught 
 What they have not planted. 
 
 Their labor not bought; 
 Thus changing enjoyment 
 
 From where it belongs, 
 Nor reaping just merit 
 
 Of many base wrongs. 
 We see them here reaping. 
 
A VOYAGE OF L1PE. 
 
 The pleasures of wealth, 
 In luxury, grandeur, 
 
 Forgetting the stealth 
 By which they have gained it, 
 
 Not deeming the while 
 That conscience awakened 
 
 Might pleasures defile. 
 Behold us surrounding 
 
 A world of mankind, 
 Each seeking an object; 
 
 Some daring to find 
 By means dark and hellish 
 
 The aids to his end, 
 Not sparing the trust 
 
 Of intimate friend. 
 Exertion like madness 
 
 The motive that moves 
 
90 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 All pleasures and business 
 
 Along in their grooves. 
 With travel retarded 
 
 By wave of the hand, 
 That bids us stay back, 
 Nor deluge the land 
 With scourge or pestilence; 
 
 For science says no! 
 Thus far shalt thou come, 
 
 No farther shalt go. 
 But every thing earthly 
 To end surely comes, 
 So quarantine ended 
 
 Makes glad many homes. 
 
PART 3. 
 
STUDENT LIFE. 
 
 I 
 
 .I who shall describe the student s gay life, 
 For here will we find all manner of strife ! 
 Strife to be foremost in clinic and " quiz;" 
 Strife to be always "way up" in all "biz;" 
 Strife to delve deepest in medical lore; 
 Strife to be first at dissecting room s door; 
 Striving to see all that ever is seen; 
 Striving to "go for" the new students green. 
 Excelling each other in daring deeds 
 Of darkness not found in any the creeds. 
 Hazing in secret with plots that are dark ; 
 Roving the city by night " on a lark;" 
 
94 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Visiting hospitals day after day ; 
 
 Seeing the form divine nude as it lay 
 
 Dying or dead, as the case might be; 
 
 Mangled and bleeding or longing to flee 
 
 From suffering and sickness that can t be cured 
 
 But which old adage says must be endured. 
 
 Beguiling the soon to be benedict 
 
 From virtue, honor and constancy strict; 
 
 Leading him through many dens on Green street, 
 
 Till various potations make doubtful feet; 
 
 Taking him then to the home of his love. 
 
 Ah! could a Providence ruling above 
 
 Have so arranged it that she should be out, 
 
 Nor meet with him thus as he reels about! 
 
 But no ! she answers the call of the bell, 
 
 And horror of horrors! dreadful the spell! 
 
 Five students, all strangers, save one dear face, 
 
A VOYAGE OF LJfE. 95 
 
 And this so changed! See her eyes quickly trace 
 His dear manly form not deeming the while 
 That comrades could thus her dear one defile. 
 How ended this episode no one of us knows, 
 For bidding adieu to them parlor doors close. 
 Four jolly students hie off in great glee; 
 Next morning a headache rewards their spree. 
 Darker deeds come anon, in jest begun, 
 Ending in tragedy, darkening the sun 
 With crime and balckness. A demon seems bright 
 Compared to some intrigues that never see light. 
 In jest, apparently, two wills were made, 
 One by a student whose property laid 
 Far out in the West securely to stay, 
 In land and much stock, as he would oft say. 
 The other owned property here in New York 
 Worth many thousands architectural work. 
 
9 6 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 The will of the student ran thus in brief : 
 " At death, to my friend, my lands I bequeath 
 In view of his kindness, also a will 
 Made by him to me, this contract to till." 
 
 The will of Mr. , on the other hand, 
 
 " In view of friendship, and will about land, 
 Alike here bequeaths to this, my dear chum, 
 My estate on Third Avenue, now my home." 
 The student took his degree at Bellevue, 
 And then to his noble profession pursue 
 An office was rented in his friend s block, 
 With drug store beneath, and goods in full stock. 
 Soon the good landlord with some strange disease 
 Grew sick and then died his tenant to please. 
 In Sing Sing the jester languished till death 
 Freed him from murder by taking his breath. 
 And now, dearest reader, if nerves are quite strong 
 
A VOVAGEOF L1PE. 97 
 
 And equal the task we ll hurry along 
 
 And visit dissecting room. Stop, do you say? 
 
 You can not endure it? Well, turn away! 
 
 Turn over these pages nor read them until 
 
 Some change in the measure the lines shall fill. 
 
 If with me you go lay by the dread awe 
 
 Which filled your deep soul when dear one you saw 
 
 In death s cold embrace, for kindlier thought 
 
 Must now turn aside till science has wrought 
 
 A great preparation, which then will bring 
 
 Kindness and succor, relieving death s sting. 
 
 Despite my warning I see in your face 
 
 Indescribable thoughts, as onward we trace 
 
 Our steps a few blocks to East River s side, 
 
 To grand massive buildings, architects pride, 
 
 Looming up silently, cold and still, 
 
 -Emblems of secrets their sombre walls fill. 
 
98 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Your feelings more burdensome come as we climb 
 
 The wide and bright stairway. Dread you the time 
 
 When door shall be opened? Here, in we go! 
 
 Trembling? Apprehensive? Stop! you say? OhL 
 
 This strange smelling odor, what can it be? 
 
 Softly you close then turn to see,* 
 
 To follow so quietly, reverently on, 
 
 Through spacious apartment other things gone. 
 
 Narrow long tables in rows through the hall, 
 
 With here and there charts that deck the white wall. 
 
 Brilliantly lighted by gas everywhere; 
 
 Groups of jets burning o er each table there, 
 
 So nicely adjusted that motion is made 
 
 In each as tis needed no part to shade. 
 
 Hundreds are burning, students are working, 
 
 Each quite intently, seldom seen shirking 
 
 This, unto others, so loathsome a thing 
 
A VOYAGE Of L1PE. 99 
 
 That thoughts of it shuddering disgust will bring. 
 
 Far down the centre four white walls are seen, 
 
 Forming, as it were, a dark room between. 
 
 But this room contains nor darkness, nor sprite, 
 
 But sheds to the lecture room floods of light. 
 
 Some tables are empty, many are used 
 
 By students in groups; some seem much amused, 
 
 Some chatting, some working, referring to books 
 
 With anxious, inquiring, perplexing looks. 
 
 Portions of bodies on tables around, 
 
 The work near completed much wisdom is found, 
 
 Of muscle, and tendon, and nerve, and brain: 
 
 Of bone and ligament, artery and vein; 
 
 Lymphatic and lacteal, pancreas and gall, 
 
 Ganglion and sinus, both great and small: 
 
 Of stomach and liver, kidney and lung, 
 
 And many strange things that can not be sung. 
 
 Here and there " new subjects," so pale and white, 
 
 With now and then one as black as the night. 
 
ioo SADALPHA; OK, 
 
 See far in the northeast corner the place 
 
 Where cables and pulleys and black iron brace 
 
 Suspended from ceiling point out the source 
 
 Of some " material," you know, as of course, 
 
 The "morgue" is below. Ah! who would bequeath 
 
 His body to rise from the place beneath? 
 
 Smother these painful thoughts, if you can, 
 
 That rise iir your mind for decaying man, 
 
 We ll turn and retrace our steps to the door, 
 
 Past tables and students, corpses and gore. 
 
 Students all smoking, working and reading, 
 
 Our coming and going scarcely heeding. 
 
 Some in dissecting gowns, others without, 
 
 But long linen dusters their legs about, 
 
 Reversed from the style of Grimes coat 
 
 Buttoned on the back, clear up to the throat. 
 
 
 
 Here a Professor " demonstrates" a brain, 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 101 
 
 There garrulous student makes tendon plain; 
 Others are joking over " too much fat," 
 Talking of " hair grease," their girls" and all that. 
 Condemn not too sternly the student s gay strife 
 Delving for principles thus to save life. 
 These jolly light spirits will soon become sage, 
 Give counsel in sickness to youth and old age; 
 Endanger their lives that of others to save. 
 Perhaps be laid low in premature grave; 
 Guard human life from pestilence and death, 
 Then heed lightly now what frivolity sayeth. 
 
LETTERS FROM HOME. 
 
 iLEAK and cold with drifting snow 
 
 Flying through the streets, 
 Quick the steps come to and fro 
 
 Hurrying to their seats. 
 Students come from near and far, 
 
 Now they hover o er 
 Quaint steam heater, iron bar 
 
 Coiled above the floor. 
 Eagerly they first inquire, 
 Letters may have come, 
 Loving words their work to inspire 
 From dear ones at home^ 
 
A VOYAGE OF L2PE-. 103 
 
 Fair winged messengers of love. 
 
 Dainty, white and neat, 
 Small inscriptions thus to prove 
 
 Messages so sweet, 
 .From " friend" and "lover," "sister" dear; 
 
 Others also come 
 From father, mother larger sear 
 
 Yet good news from home. 
 Welcome, aye, from Golden State! 
 
 First to find its place 
 Came from " sister s" hand to greet 
 
 A homesick, lonely face. 
 Feast his eyes on that dear sight! 
 
 Ah! the joy it brings 
 Fills his soul with pure delight -- 
 
 Hopes of better things! 
 How he treasures pleasant thought. 
 
ro4 SADALPHA; OR\ 
 
 How the bosom thrills! 
 All his labor goes for naught; 
 
 Bliss the future fills! 
 Solitude steals him away; 
 
 Anxiously he reads. 
 Hope seems almost led astray! 
 
 Heart with aoguish bleeds. 
 Deemed he now that she would give 
 
 Some slight token sweet 
 Of her love; bid his love live 
 
 Hope again to meet. 
 Friendship only through the lines. 
 
 Gay and cheerfully, 
 Conversed as in olden times, 
 
 Happy, joyously. 
 Teaching school in forest wild, 
 
 Redwood trees among; 
 
A VO YA GE OF LIFE . 1 05 
 
 Happy now as any child 
 
 In parental home. 
 Soon vacation days would come 
 
 Then to Clear Lake fair 
 She would gladly gaily roam 
 
 Through the pine wood air. 
 Then perchance familiar spot. 
 
 Seeing once again, 
 She would not let be forgot 
 " Brother s" scourge and pain. 
 Answered Sabbath afternoon; 
 
 Household all were gone; 
 Stillness reigned in every room, 
 
 Heart felt sad and lone. 
 No sound was heard save steady stroke- 
 Ticking loud and clear; 
 The clock alone the silence broke, 
 
to6 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 Musing to make dear, 
 By sweet associations past, 
 
 Of home and hallowed scene, 
 Of acts and looks too sweet to last, 
 
 Of love and joy serene. 
 Far away from home and friends 
 
 Her kind letters bring 
 Bays of hope ample amends 
 
 For separation s sting. 
 Thus he wrote " My sister dear, 
 
 None may truly know 
 Of the joy your letter gave 
 
 To me some days ago. 
 First it was of all the throng 
 
 Sent from Golden State, 
 Joyously it rushed along 
 
 Anxious eyes to sate. 
 
A VOYAGE OP Lib E. 107 
 
 Gladly I your well-known hand 
 
 Recognized before 
 I had oped to read began 
 
 As in days of yore. 
 Pleasant voyage I have had, 
 
 Strange grand scenes have viewed, 
 Now through work nay spirits glad 
 
 With bright hopes renewed, 
 Of eminence and much renown, 
 
 Honor, fame and wealth, 
 Opportunities to crown 
 
 Sickness and ill health 
 With vigor, strength and health restored. 
 
 Happiness and joy 
 Bring from suffering much deplored 
 
 Peace without alloy." 
 Thus the correspondence ran, 
 
io8 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Happy, joyously, 
 Scarce alluding to a plan, 
 
 Not e en cautiously, 
 Of what their future life might prove; 
 
 Yet quite steadily 
 Grew a "sister s" "brother s" love, 
 
 Sweetly, tenderly. 
 Fonder, dearer thoughts came now, 
 
 Pure and holy love 
 Filled each soul though spoken vow 
 
 Heard not God above. 
 How it charmed his soul to read 
 
 Each thrice welcome line! 
 Every message brought the need 
 
 Of others in due time. 
 Soon this happy intercourse 
 
 Of thought and soul a part 
 
A VO YA GE Of LIFE . 109 
 
 Pierced a fountain at its source 
 
 That flowed from heart to heart. 
 Ah, ever flow, holy stream, 
 
 Bring peace and joy and bliss, 
 Fill up the soul beauteous dream 
 
 Nor fruition miss! 
 Love that springs from God of Light, 
 
 Pure, undying love, 
 Let no darkening shades of night 
 
 O er thy current move. 
 From thy source no shade will come, 
 
 Naught can check thy flow 
 Nothing but hell s fiends that roam 
 
 Darkens thee below. 
 When we reach thy source, Oh, love! 
 
 In that home of light 
 Beauteous stream, the throne above, 
 
IIO SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 Flowing ever bright 
 We will know thy ecstasy, 
 
 All thy bliss so sweet, 
 All thy perfect constancy, 
 
 Loved ones there we ll meet. 
 
ACROSS THE CONTINENT. 
 
 GRADUATION near at hand; 
 
 Ah, bright, honored day! 
 Proudest day among life s sand 
 
 Ne er to fade away! 
 Now there came a promise sweet, 
 
 Spoken timidly. 
 Ah! the joy when they should meett 
 
 Hope rose buoyantly. 
 Now he knew that far away 
 
 One fond heart with joy 
 Waited the eventful day 
 Soon its love to cloy. 
 
a 12 SAD ALPHA; OR^ 
 
 Honor from the college given, 
 
 Though so sweet to bear, 
 Sank before the sunlight driven 
 
 From a scene more fair. 
 Day when love s work should be crowned, 
 
 Happy hearts should meet; 
 Ever after love abound, 
 
 Pure, serene and sweet. 
 Now farewell to college halls, 
 
 Take its honors due, 
 For the world for workers calls, 
 
 Workers tried and true. 
 Go ye forth in various ways, 
 
 Where the world has need, 
 Go, and by your actions praise 
 
 Them, that sowed good seed. 
 Go and work for fellow man, 
 
A VO YAGE OF L1PE. \ \ 3 
 
 For yourself the while; 
 Raise him up where e er you can. 
 
 Nor yourself defile. 
 Now prepared for faithful work 
 
 By the training had, 
 Go, nor ever duty shirk 
 
 Though through misery led. 
 Duty done to man and self 
 
 Leisure comes with ease, 
 Many volumes from the shelf 
 
 Serve the mind to please. 
 Ever deem it wise to delve 
 
 Still for hidden truth, 
 Ever elevating self 
 
 Like ambitious youth. 
 Then shall come success in life, 
 
 Home and friends and fame, 
 
, I4 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 Happiness, though tears and strife- 
 Mingle with the same. 
 Tears will purify the heart, 
 
 Strife will make you bold, 
 Well in life to act your part, 
 
 Not, indifferent, cold. 
 Come, then, contest with the world I 
 
 Come what will or may 
 With your banner, truth, unfurled 
 
 You will gain the day. 
 Truth, Ah! holy bright ensign! 
 
 Wave thou ever o er 
 Every motive of mankind, 
 
 Every eye before. 
 Hurriedly some volumes bought,. 
 
 Instruments also, 
 Then a ticket office sought, 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 115 
 
 Now prepared to go. 
 Ci oss the Continent by rail, 
 
 Less than seven days 
 Ere a loved one he should hail. 
 
 How the fancy plays! 
 Up the Hudson River fair, 
 
 Ah! how grand the sight! 
 Soft delightful evening air. 
 
 Shading into night. 
 Sing Sing first, then Albany, 
 
 Rochester is here, 
 Crossing now Niagara, 
 
 Swinging in the air. 
 On he speeds, nor stops to view 
 
 This most wondrous scene, 
 Brighter thoughts and ever new 
 
 Fill the mind s^ 
 
116 SAD ALPHA; OK, 
 
 Now Detroit with floating road 
 
 Bursts to view anon; 
 Wondrous ferry such a load- 
 It bears the train along! 
 Rain in torrents has submerged 
 
 All the country round; 
 Swollen streams with terror urged 
 
 Fence and drift along. 
 Cautiously we slowly move, 
 
 Fearing accident; 
 Flooded bridges lest should prove 
 
 Our great detriment. 
 Finally we cross the track 
 
 Of wind storm and rain ; 
 Swiftly now with " clickity clack" 
 
 On we speed again. 
 Reached Chicago, time behind. 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 117 
 
 Just one hour too late; 
 Two through trains a day on time 
 
 To Nebraska State. 
 Over prairies vast and green; 
 
 Passing forest now; 
 Skirting clear meandering stream. 
 
 Under green hill s brow. 
 Towns and cities come and go; 
 
 Cornfields like the sea, 
 Waving in the winds that blow, 
 
 Pass us rapidly. 
 Houses scattered here and there 
 
 On the farms display 
 Scenes of home life everywhere. 
 
 Here a school at play! 
 Seems the teacher anxiously 
 
 Waiting here this train ? 
 
118 SADALPHA; Ok, 
 
 Possibly! Quite certainly 
 
 One beyond the plain 
 Waits, afar in mountain horn 3, 
 
 Soon with joy to greet 
 One no more from her to roam. 
 
 Come, Oh, day so sweet! 
 Council Bluffs and Omaha 
 
 Come and disappear. 
 Wilder scenes with strange dread awe 
 
 Fi."l the mind with fear. 
 Antelope and buffalo , 
 
 Try with us their speed, 
 Wolves and Indians come and go, 
 
 Scarce our presence heed. 
 Railroad track and telegraph 
 
 All we have left here, 
 Marks of civilizations path 
 
A VOYAGE OF USE. "9 
 
 XD er the plains so drear. 
 Now the Rocky Mountains climb, 
 
 Higher yet ascend; 
 Slower now, and yet on time 
 
 Will our journey end. 
 No! " down breaks" the whistle screams! 
 
 Ah! how, short we stop! 
 Too much rain and swollen streams, 
 
 A land slide from the top 
 Of yon high mountain covered o er 
 
 And destroyed our track; 
 Eight long hours suspense we bore 
 
 Torture of the rack! 
 Grand the scenery round about, 
 
 Yet no eyes had we 
 To enjoy; though cliffs jut out 
 
 High and threateningly. 
 
SADALPHA; OA\. 
 
 On we move when road repaired,. 
 
 Carious tunnels through, 
 Scarce for meals or sleep we cared,. 
 
 Everything so new. 
 On, and on, and on, we speed! 
 
 Salt Lake hurries by. 
 On we go! but now give heed- 
 It conies so soon tis nigh! 
 Now we stop! white tents all round 
 
 Through the sage brush green. 
 Here a few days since was found 
 
 A. bright, triumphant scene; 
 East shook hands with youthful West, 
 
 Gladly both displayed 
 Much good will; with "spike" the best 
 
 Here was " last tie" laid, 
 Binding us with iron bands 
 
A VOYAGE OF LIFE. 121 
 
 Stronger than the thread 
 That swings in air o er our lands 
 
 Bearing thought o erhead. 
 On again, and ever on, 
 
 Sleepy now and tired; 
 Rest awhile and wake anon 
 
 Snow-sheds have been fired; 
 Burning brightly through the pines. 
 
 Tunnels dark again; 
 Then beyond the wood s confines 
 
 To Sacramento s plain. 
 Now the city heaves in sight,. 
 
 Welcome place so gay; 
 Holiday begins to-night 
 
 Independence day. 
 Happy faces fill the streets, 
 
 Joy fills many hearts; 
 
22 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Each the other gladly greets. 
 
 Soon a horse race starts; 
 Some to-day to try their speed 
 
 Came into the town, 
 Since the Sabbath brought the need 
 
 Two days sport to crown. 
 Some now celebrate the third, 
 
 Others will the fifth, 
 Thus to reverence the word 
 
 Given in Holy Writ. 
 
PART 4. 
 
R A R 7 
 
 or THL 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 HOME. 
 
 jiKIGHTLY the sun shone in fair mountain 
 
 town ; 
 Joyously came he his love s work to crown; 
 
 Gladly she welcomed him home from afar. 
 
 f 
 
 I Oh ! holy dawn of hope, bright morning star ! 
 
 Shine ever clearly while guiding their bark 
 Over life s rough sea, through the storms that are dark ! 
 O! come now, sweet muses, inspire thou my song! 
 Fill every measure as time floats along! 
 Friends have now gathered to witness a scene 
 Which God has ordained sublime and serene; 
 Has given His sanction in words from above, 
 Ever uniting such hearts as may love. 
 
126 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 Homestead is brightened, relations all here; 
 Dear friends have gathered from far and from near. 
 Bridesmaids selected from old friends and true 
 Fondly prepare her for scene ever new. 
 Gladly the time passes by on fair wings; 
 Sweetly they converse as each moment brings 
 Some added beauty to toilet and room, 
 Flower and ornament and sweetest perfume. 
 Sweeter than perfume each heart full of love 
 Sends a glad stream forth its source from above; 
 A stream whose clear ripple, so pure and so bright, 
 Uniting, o erwhelms these two hearts with delight. 
 Fondly yet sadly the mother is seen 
 Coming and going bright faces between. 
 Ah! who can know of a fond mother s thought, 
 Seeing her child from the cradle thus brought 
 Through many long years of toil and of care 
 
A VOYAGE OF LJfE. 127 
 
 To hallow such scene so bright and so fair? 
 
 Far more who can know the feelings that swell 
 
 The soul of the child in this anxious spell? 
 
 Sad joy brings the thought that to-day she must leave 
 
 The home of her childhood, others receive 
 
 As friends and acquaintances; thus new life 
 
 Is brought to her now with that strange word wife. 
 
 " What shall my future be?" says she the while. 
 
 Musingly, silently ever a fmile 
 
 Hiding the turbulent depths of the soul, 
 
 Where gladness and joy with regrets now roll. 
 
 Great is the sacrifice which she has brought; 
 
 Home and dear schoolmates all go for naught. 
 
 Brothers and sisters society gone 
 
 All she surrenders for love s dearest boon. 
 
 Trusting in love she now ventures to stray 
 
 Over life s sea to sail gladly away. 
 
128 SAD ALPHA; OK, 
 
 Longer or shorter the voyage may be 
 Terminate safely or disastrously. 
 Love be thy compass, oh, pilot, to guide 
 Safely past deep hidden rocks that betide 
 These voyagers dangers or suffering sore; 
 Land them, oh, pilot, on the evergreen shore! 
 Their voyage shall end not till death comes on 
 Bringing the passengers into their home, 
 Off from life s ocean whose waves ever roll 
 Bearing to eternity each living soul. 
 What shall eternity be when they land? 
 Bright home of beauty with welcoming strand? 
 Or shall it be darkness encircling the shore 
 With torture and torment for evermore? 
 Cheerfully, gaily the hour arrives 
 For blending in one these two loviog lives. 
 Pastor and friends and relatives here, 
 
A VOYAGE OF LIFE. 
 
 Soon in the distance three others appear; 
 One seems quite pensive, yet joy tills his heart 
 Knowing from loved one no more he shall part. 
 His soul fills with bliss as he thus draws near. 
 "Never can man know these feelings so dear 
 Until they have moved his soul with delight. 
 They come like the rainbow of promise bright, 
 Shedding new glory on future and past. 
 Ah! may not this glory forever still last? 
 Olad is their meeting no more to sever; 
 Happy in love s fond presence forever. 
 Slowly the words came from depths of the hear t> 
 "" What God has united let man never part." 
 Gladly and happily hie they away 
 From childhood s roof, nor ever heard say 
 Regret at the going, for life seemed so new 
 Since love and happiness filled each day through 
 
r5CT SADALIHA; OK, 
 
 Joyfully, cheerfully life is begun; 
 
 Hopefully, brilliantly rises the sun 
 
 Of promise and love to brighten their day y 
 
 Shed joy and happiness over their way. 
 
 Love rules supreme every act and each word, 
 
 With passions controlled no discord is heard. 
 
 Soon the new home seems dearer than the old, 
 
 For every day brings a new joy untold. 
 
 Working and toil bring sweet rest and repose, 
 
 Hallowed the scene when each day s labors close. 
 
 Influence of lotus conies an till the morn 
 
 Brings again labor their lives to adorn. 
 
 As oft through the day their loving eyes meet 
 
 Work is now rendered by each look more sweet, 
 
HAPPINESS. 
 
 4?w^F happiness, perchance, may be desire 
 j ^e; And its fulfillment, then what joy bursts forth 
 
 $f& To view again those scenes made dear by love, 
 $ 
 Where hope and fancy bright in former years 
 
 Made glad the heart to think of what might be. 
 Ah! now rejoice with love s fond dream matured 
 And all that fancy painted realized ! 
 What else could add to earthly bliss? What else 
 But ever new desire for something more 
 To share with those we love, and in its glad 
 Fruition see new joy in loved one s face? 
 With every added joy that comes and goes 
 With happy memory of its pleasing flight 
 
152 SAD ALPHA; Ok, 
 
 There comes anon capacity for more; 
 Be they the joys and sweets of home, or be 
 They other forms of so-called happiness. 
 Then hearken now, give ear recaptive mind, 
 And of the joys that come drink deep and long 
 From such as seemeth pure, and just, and true, 
 And lovely, honest and of good report. 
 New home, how sweet thy quiet pleasures are 
 When first with loved and loving hoarts we come 
 To taste thy joys so new and strangely sweet! 
 When loving hands, in sweet accord with all 
 Our happy thoughts and voices, deftly place 
 Each ornament and picture on the wall ; 
 Glad with approval and the sweet response 
 Of love from out the only soul we love. 
 Oh! new made, dearest, sweetest, lovely home, 
 Where two hearts join in all they say and do 
 
A VOYAGE OF LIFE. 133 
 
 To render all thy scenes more beautiful 
 
 And add new joys to each succeeding day! 
 
 Come days, and weeks, and months, and years, and all 
 
 Thy joys thus multiply. But cares of those 
 
 In deep distress and sickness came, and yet 
 
 With their relief from darker woes of death 
 
 Came ever to the hearts in this new home 
 
 Glad thoughts of duty done. 
 
 Thus many years of love and pleasure ran, 
 
 Each in a sphere where duty called most loud, 
 
 Where act of love and kindness could be done, 
 
 Or skill to save from death could be bestowed. 
 
 She glad to benefit mankind, or raise 
 
 The darkness from a faltering, sinning soiil 
 
 And poir.t it to an everlasting home. 
 
 While he to p;ive tlio mortal part from death 
 
 Gave time .and toil smcl sleepless, stormy nights. 
 
34 SAD ALPHA; Oh, 
 
 She watches anxiously with wakeful eyes 
 "Within the lonely cottage window there. 
 Aroused at every noise to see him come 
 From out the dismal, dark and rainy night 
 Where he had gone to succor dying man. 
 No sleep she knows till coming break of clay 
 Has brought return of him she loved and watched. 
 Such separations and such dread suspense, 
 Though short in time to others they may seem, 
 Yet seem they now to her as endless pangs 
 That pierce the soul with strange anxiety. 
 With depth of love comes corresponding woe 
 At separation from the soul we love. 
 
SADNESS. 
 
 came a day 
 
 > J-. When deeper anguish rolled across her soul. 
 C * When all alone in midst of books she loved, 
 # With husband on his errands of relief, 
 ! A crimson, vital and yet deathly fount 
 Leaped forth from out that throbbing, loving breast. 
 Too well she knew its import. And though small 
 The stream that seemed so bright, she realized 
 That what she oft had dreaded now must come. 
 The husband soon returned; his well-known step 
 She heard, but dare not move his face to greet 
 
rs6- SAD ALPHA;- OK, 
 
 At welcome door, as was her gladsome wont, 
 For fear her life-blood forth again should spring.. 
 The fond embrace then tears, ah, bitter tears! 
 Filled loving eyes, while thus she gently spoke : 
 " My darling, I must leave you soon for see 
 See this consumption s never failing mark 
 Has come to tell us we must surely part. 
 How soon we know not, yet you know twill come- 
 That I must go and be with you no more. 
 Oh, darling 1 can I go and leave you thus 
 Alone in life?" 
 
 With words he knew were false he thus replied :. 
 " My dear, think not too sadly of our lot, 
 This hemorrhage is small and doubtless will 
 Relieve the slight congestion of the lung 
 Produced by taking cold some weeks ago." 
 But deep within his anguished soul he knew 
 
A VOYAGE OF LIFE. 137 
 
 Far better than his words which scarce deceived. 
 
 Some months were passed and with them came return 
 
 Of that dread symptom, many others too 
 
 That told too plainly f disease within. 
 
 Then May time came with plans for mountain trip 
 
 To early scenes mid lakes and well-known woods. 
 
 Where love was born. Thus seeking to restore 
 
 The waste begun, and if perchance to check 
 
 The onward march of that which yet to skill 
 
 Bids stern defiance.. 
 
 Amid these old familiar mountain scenes 
 
 She moves again with troubled, sorrowing souL 
 
 Some dear, familiar faces she now meets, 
 
 But many gone leave aching voids within 
 
 For friends of early days. 
 
 How sad she feels to see 
 At door of death the honored, manly brov 
 
1 3 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 Of one she knew in former years her pride 
 As pupil bright-eyed boy. But sadder still 
 To know the self same hand, that dread disease 
 Of which he dies, is even now at work 
 In her pale form, and soon too soon must she 
 In like condition pass from earth away. 
 
 The pure and fragrant mountain air 
 Brought scarce a change. And with the Autumn came 
 Return to home and husband dear. With sad 
 Farewells ah, last farewells to friends of youth 
 And relatives so dear, she turns her face 
 Towards one bright spot of all the earth to her 
 Most dear; that new made home where love 
 And tenderness abides; where anxious heart 
 To her so dear awaits to welcome her. 
 She s coming home to die! O, God of love, 
 And power, and might, is there indeed no help? 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIPE. 139 
 
 0, God! my God, canst Thou not save 
 
 All them who to Thee cry? 
 Hear me, my Father, as I crave 
 
 Smcor from Thee on high, 
 
 To check what man with all his skill, 
 
 And all he knows of Thee, 
 Can not arrest or change at will 
 
 From wasting tendency. 
 
 My God, I ve sought Thee in Thy laws, 
 Through Nature traced Thy power, 
 
 The defects of my race its flaws, 
 My watchword many an hour. 
 
 Yet still I come, when all else fails, 
 
 To Thee my source of light, 
 And ask and pray with many wails 
 
 That morn shall not be night 
 
SADALPHA; OR. 
 
 Canst Thou not hear my feeble cry? 
 
 O, God, I scream to Thee 
 For help! Oh, help me or I die! 
 
 Oh, save my own to me! 
 
 She has sought health in. other climes, 
 
 Now, guided by Thy laws, 
 She s coming home I hear sad chimes. 
 
 Oh, save from death s dark jaws! 
 
 Thou canst arrest this slow decay, 
 Thy word and laws proclaim. 
 
 Wilt Thou not in her case display 
 Some token of thy aim? 
 
 Oh, show by this Thy power supreme 
 O er man, though science guide! 
 
 Show love to triumph, love sweet theme 
 Through Christ, the crucified. 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIFE. 141 
 
 How glad I am to be at home again ! 
 What pleasant and refreshing rest I ll have! 
 So tired I ve been these many weary months, 
 And longed so much to be with you once more. 
 I ll never leave you, darling one, again, 
 Until I go where you must one day come. 
 I ll stay with you a few short weeks or months 
 And then I ll go away again; no more 
 To be with you in this our pleasant home. 
 Do not weep, for if it be God s will 
 Then must it be for our own good." 
 
 What torture to the living, loving soul 
 Can equal that which comes to those who see 
 A loved one ah, one s better self for days, 
 And weeks, and months, to suffer and draw near 
 The verge of that mysterious, bournless land 
 Beyond the tomb? When as each day brings forth 
 
142 SAD ALPHA; OR, 
 
 Its busy cares and duties to be done, 
 Tie mind is almost lost in earnest toil. 
 And so engaged in its absorbing work 
 That future cares scarce penetrate the thoughts; 
 Then as the homeward footsteps gladly traced, 
 How like an avalanche breaks o er the mind 
 The thought that death is lingering in our home ! 
 Nor will his waiting e er give o er until 
 He takes a dearly loved one from our sight. 
 Ah! thou dread terror of the human mind, 
 Unwelcome monster, wilt thou e er remain? 
 Oh ! that I could but summon heaven and hell, 
 And all the mighty po ,vers that in them be, 
 And all of earth and men that show forth might, 
 How far would I not banish thee from sight, 
 And thus restore my home to what it was 
 Before thou earnest, with sneaking, stealthy tread 
 
A VOYAGE OF L1PE. 143 
 
 To mock my skill and scorn my aid of men! 
 He further, mocking, says: " Be not enraged, 
 Thou canst not drive me hence. I came for her 
 And she must surely go. I care not aught for thee 
 With all thy sis ill; nor all of man combined; 
 His boasted science; or the aid of thy 
 Most skillful brethren of the healing art. 
 Yes, bring them on, use every means now known. 
 And yet thou soon shalt see I ll gain the day, 
 And bear her hence into my doorless house." 
 Ah ! thou grim monster, wilt thou ever mock 
 And thus deride my grief? Thou shalt be gone: 
 She loves not thee but me. She fain would stay, 
 And she must stay. Begone, thou fiendish king 
 Of terrors, from my former happy home! 
 Then through the skill of various minds, and by 
 The power of love, and strong desire to live, 
 
144 SADALPHA; OK, 
 
 The pale, fair form would seem new strength to gain 
 
 And thus new hopes arouse within the breast 
 
 That possibly the monster now had flown. 
 
 Then home was joyous once again, for now 
 
 Bright hope lent buoyancy to every act 
 
 And o er each scene of home shed rays of gladness, 
 
 Could this continue what a joy twould bring! 
 
 Ah! sweet it is indeed to conquer foe, 
 
 But sweeter far when mighty is that foe 
 
 And ever seeks our homes to desecrate! 
 
 But then that daily, hollow, wearing cough 
 
 Told but too plainly of the secret foe 
 
 That lurked and e en abode within the room, 
 
 And only hid himself away from sight 
 
 When love and hope would fain not see his form. 
 
 Ah! come thou forth from out thy hiding place. 
 
 Destroyer of my earthly happiness, 
 
A VOYAGE Of L1PE. 145 
 
 And meet me face to face, that I may hurl 
 
 Thee hence so far that thou canst ne er return! 
 
 All vain attempts to dispossess him of 
 
 His lovely, fading prize he only scoffs, 
 
 And still remains. 
 
 At length when days, and weeks, and months have 
 
 passed 
 
 His form familiar grows. He hovers round 
 The sleeping couch, and totters by the side 
 Of his pale victim, as she comes and goes 
 With feeble step from room to room. 
 
 When oft returned 
 
 From busy toil and care, the husband sees 
 The wasting form, to shun death s presence dire, 
 Has left the dreaded sick room bed, and now 
 Reposes where new life perchance may come 
 In gentle sleep; nor now disturbed by him 
 
4 r > SADALUJA; OK\ 
 
 Whose quiet footstep hurries to her side; 
 
 He ever finds the reaper hovering o er; 
 
 His fingers playing with her shining hair, 
 
 And fondly pressing the unconscious cheeks 
 
 That ne er return to wonted fullness more. 
 
 While every impress of unwelcome touch 
 
 Marks that fair face death s own. Unconscious still 
 
 She sleeps. The bony reaper with a hand 
 
 "Uplift, as if to warn him cautiously 
 
 Away, says: "Stop! do not come near; disturb 
 
 Not this her sweet repose, nor me in this 
 
 My tender care for her. I love to be 
 
 Thus near to her, and to behold these cheeks 
 
 And rosy lips which you so oft have kissed 
 
 Grow pale and lean. I love to think the while 
 
 That soon yes, very soon she ll go away 
 
 With me and never more return to you. 
 
A VOYAGE OF LIfE. 14? 
 
 This face, though pale, will look so sweet within 
 Its beauteous casket all bestrewn with flowers; 
 These hands so white then folded o er this breast 
 Then cold will never more grasp yours in love; 
 This mind now in such sweet and calm repose 
 Will then respond to none of your sad grief; 
 These eyes then closed as now will never more 
 Beam forth the joyous love that fills her soul. 
 Ah! contemplate with tears my lovely prize! 
 For see e en now how much like me she looks, 
 Save this too rapid breathing, heaving breast. 
 But see! she startles; I will disappear 
 Lest she should see me watching o er her now. 
 Remember this in all your converse sweet 
 With her, that she is mine, no longer thine." 
 "Ah! darling, is it you? I ve been asleep. 
 Such peaceful and refreshing sleep ! Perhaps 
 
48 SAD ALPHA, 6>A : 
 
 It was not sleep I hardly know for see, 
 I m rested now and feel quite strong again. 
 If this were sleep then could I always be 
 In such condition. Shall I say I dreamed, 
 Or was it something more? Ah! surely more; 
 For such a rest I ne er before have known. 
 The Savior took me in His loving arms 
 And bore me as a child throughout His Home. 
 At first I thought the arms were yours, and then 
 Such beauty ever filled my wondering eyes 
 That well I knew and felt no earthly scene 
 Could thus my soul with bliss and rapture fill. 
 
 There in His Father s House a mansion fair 
 
 And beautiful I saw prepared for us. 
 
 Its holy grandeur tongue can ne er express, 
 
 Nor its perfection for our happiness. 
 
 Oh! darling, this our earthly, happy home, 
 
A VO YAGE OF L1PE. 149 
 
 Though dear and pleasant as a home can be, 
 
 Seems nothing when compared to what I saw. 
 
 I now can go content to leave you here, 
 
 For well I know that you will one day come 
 
 To this our second new made, glorious Home, 
 
 And be again with me forever there." 
 
 The weeks rolled on and brought the merry May; 
 
 But sadness teemed in every leaf and flower 
 
 To him who realized that now had come 
 
 The time when all these bright and fragrant flowers 
 
 No more could charm the wasting form, save as 
 
 They came from loving hands and tender hearts 
 
 Of friends to decorate the sick one s room. 
 
 Ah, loving hands! what joy these flowers bring 
 
 To soften sadness with their fragrance sweet! 
 
 They speak of weeping hearts that fain would bring 
 
 Relief from suffering, and restore to life 
 
150 SADALPHA; OR. 
 
 The object of their kind solicitude. 
 
 How sad to know that as these fragrant flowers 
 
 Are offered, each with sympathy and love, 
 
 From hearts that feel what they can not express, 
 
 The soul that lingers for a few short days 
 
 Responds with love as deep and pure, and sweet, 
 
 As that of angels; for she now seems one, 
 
 Waiting only for the time to come 
 
 When life s rough sea, now calm as after storm r 
 
 Shall bear her gently to the heavenly shore, 
 
 Which she now sees and anxiously awaits. 
 
 Oh ! happy landing after voyage done, 
 
 That has been oft beset with danger and 
 
 With torturing doubts ! Yes, joyous it may be 
 
 To worn and weary voyagers. But Oh, 
 
 The bitter anguish of the loving hearts 
 
 That see them go ! It seems as if pale death 
 
A VOYAGE OP L2PE. 151 
 
 Were ever passing through earth s garden, full 
 Of living and immortal, precious souls, 
 And gathering of the brightest, fairest flowers, 
 And ever making fragrant, lovely wreaths, 
 And bright bouquets, with which to decorate 
 The heavenly throne. 
 
 O, restless, suffering, anxious, torturing hours, 
 Before the spirit bids a last farewell 
 To earth, and friends, and home, and loved ones dear! 
 What language can the depth of anguish tell 
 That fills each soul, as round the dying couch 
 They gather from afar to bid a last 
 Farewell? O, weeping hearts, will ye not burst, 
 So full of tearless, suppressed grief ye seem? 
 Could tears but flow perchance t would give relief. 
 But no, they must not come as yet. 
 The night grew slowly on, 
 
152 SAD ALPHA; OR. 
 
 And with it came that last, sad awful scene. 
 The restless, sleepless yet angelic eyes 
 Gave token of approaching death; of that 
 Last sleep which never more a waking knows. 
 All present felt it coming o er her now. 
 And she, whose wakeful eyes for days no sleep 
 Had known, felt too that now sweet sleep would come. 
 She knew ah, yes, too well she sadly knew 
 That she must now a long and sad farewell 
 To friends and sister, brother, husband give. 
 O, can it be that she must go away? 
 Will not my God give rescue from the scene? 
 Will not my brethren of the healing art 
 Save her a few days more to be with me? 
 " My darling, do you think I m dying now, 
 Or is it only sleep that makes me feel 
 More comfort now than I for days have felt? 
 
A VOYAGE OF LJfE. 153 
 
 No pains, no restlessness, nor dread I feel. 
 
 I must be dyinj, surely am I not? 
 
 Dear sister, do not cry. Bring baby here; 
 
 His auntie loves him so . He little knows 
 
 How sad I am to leave him thus before 
 
 His memory can in after years retain 
 
 Fond thoughts of me. How happy you will be 
 
 With him when he is grown. Will you not then 
 
 Recall how much I love him now? And how 
 
 I hope and pray, with this my dying breath, 
 
 That he may be a great and useful man 
 
 And learn to know how much I loved him ? 
 
 My only sister, well I know too well 
 
 How lonely you will be when I am gone, 
 
 For Ma has left us all alone! But then 
 
 You know she was so good and kind to us 
 
 That we will one day find her where she s gone 
 
54 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 And I will very, very soon be there. 
 
 My brother, I shall soon be gone from you; 
 
 Oh, will not you so live that you may come 
 
 Where Ma and I will wait for you? 
 
 My darling husband, you will come I know. 
 
 If you will only true and faithful be. 
 
 You love me, do you not? My love for you 
 
 Has been so great that I could never give 
 
 You up to go away and leave you here 
 
 Alone. I often hoped that we might go 
 
 Together to the other happy home 
 
 Which Jesus has so well prepared for us. 
 
 What will you do, my darling, when I m gone? 
 
 These rooms will be so sad and lonely then. 
 
 Will you stay here or will you go away? 
 
 Kiss me good-by, for I am dying now. 
 
 Do not cry so! It is not hard to die." 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIPE. 155 
 
 Then came that perfect rest. It was not sleep 
 
 But death, which once before had been so near. 
 
 The lips moved gently as in trusting tone 
 
 Of whispered words she spoke to One, whose voice 
 
 None heard save she who rested in His arms, 
 
 And as His words fell gently on her ear 
 
 She seemed to listen so attentively 
 
 That husband hovering o er her dying face 
 
 Heard her in earnest whispers to converse, 
 
 Make this request of Him with whom she spoke : 
 
 "You will take care of husband, will you not?" 
 
 Then waiting briefly as if for reply 
 
 With anxious look until she heard it come ; 
 
 Then pleased as though a doubt had been removed, 
 
 As if a promise had to her been given. 
 
 She spoke aloud to those who wept around, 
 
 In tone betokening confidence and love, 
 
1 S 6 SADALPHA; OR, 
 
 Assuring him from whom she now must part 
 That " Jesus will take care of you." 
 Then all was still; the gentle spirit borne 
 Away within the arms of tenderness 
 And boundless love, left sobbing, bleeding hearts 
 To drink at deep affliction s bitter fount, 
 Its waters ever adding to the thirst, 
 Until they drink, and weep, and drink again. 
 Now overcome with weeping fall to sleep, 
 Then wake to weep again, and stiU again 
 To moan through shades of sorrow s darkest night; 
 To dream and then awake to know the worst, 
 And wonder if it can be truly so 
 That all indeed of life and hope is gone. 
 Now darkest blackness falls around o er earth; 
 And morn seems night, though brightly now the sun 
 Beams forth, as if to make the darkness of 
 
A VOYAGE Of LIPE. 157 
 
 These weeping souls yet still the more intense. 
 Above these bitter waters stands the throne 
 Of mercy, ever beaming brightest rays 
 For every weeping, bleeding, stricken heart. 
 And though such hearts but seldom see its gleam, 
 Yet now a little ray, with kindly light, 
 Beams through the darkness to one stricken soul 
 And bids it hope. And now he truly sees 
 That fair and lovely face, so cold in death, 
 Is not the recent sufferer of her ills 
 But his fair bride, as fresh and beautiful 
 As when they first were wed. 
 
 He further knows 
 
 That in her Father s House a mansion fair 
 Is now her happy home. That there with love 
 Which never dies she waits and watches still 
 His coming, as in days forever gone. 
 

YA 01683 
 
 U.C.BERKELEY LIBRARIES