Sim mm I^fcai lip mm- THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES *~ LAULINE, A TALE IN VERSE, AND OTHER POEMS, BY THE REV. GEORGE BEDDOW, CURATE OF 3T. MARY'S, BIRMINGHAM. LONDON: LONGMAN, BROWN, AND CO., PATERNOSTER ROW ; T. RAGG, HIGH STREET, BIRMINGHAM. 1851. •10 CHK REVEREND I. CASEBOW BARRETT, M.A., Incumbent of the District Parish of St. Mary, Birmingham ; AND TO THE CONGREGATION OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH, This Little Volume, Though scarcely worthy their notice, Is respectfully inscribed, In grateful acknowledgment of their unmerited and continued kindness, By their faithful friend and obedient servant, THE AUTHOR. Birmingham, March, I 85283 PREFACE. Some years ago I published a small volume of verse — I am told it was not poetry — and perhaps it was not, as the whole Edition was speedily sold. It has now long been out of print, and many have been the applications to me personally for copies. Many of »/y public urged me to issue a Second Edition, but this I thought unadvisable. Solicited then to prepare something else, I once more returned to a pursuit which I thought I had for ever laid aside, and the result is a tale and some fragments — put together so as to form a book, which my good friends will probably value rather as a personal memorial of one who is deeply indebted to them, than for any merit there may possibly be in the volume itself. One word I must say on some of the pieces. " Lauline" is a tale of I know not what origin,— it is in part a memory that has been with me from my school-boy days. I think I read something like it in French — and I dare say I have sadly mangled this part of it by fettering it with English rhyme — certainly for any inconsistencies in the story I am alone to blame. Among the Miscellanies is a Piece called " Cabal." This was originally written at Cambridge, in competition for the Chancellor's medal. I was forewarned that even were its poetry good, its politics were so had that it could not stand the slightest chance of success, and I grant that, in the usual sense this is <)iiite true. Many copies of it having been obtained by viii PREFACE. various friends, and it therefore being no longer exactly in my own keeping, (though not a member of the Peace Congress), I print it as my protest against any and all war that is not absolutely forced upon us. I may view the individual case in a false light, and I do not defend my view of that one case — but I hold that, as a Christian nation, our duty is, as that of Christian individuals, rather to suffer wrong than to inflict injury. The other piece I refer to is only two verses, "The Sabbath Bell;" this was set to music by our late esteemed townsman, George Hollins, the words being attributed to Wm. Ball, Esq., from whom I received due apologies for the, I presume> inadvertent appropriation. I know that my entire production needs much apology — let it be enough to say that it was in great part written during a period of much physical and mental depression — and so conscious was I of its defects, that I often wished I had not promised its appearance. I knew, however, that so many would rather have it, with all its imperfections, than not posses it at all, that I could not dare to disappoint them. I only have now to cast myself and my volume upon the kindness of friendship. ^* 1851. G. B. CONTENTS, Lacli.ne — Cauto I. 13 ,, Canto II. 26 ,, Canto III. 41 „ Canto IV. 57 „ Canto V. . 71 Miscellaneous Poems— Ezekiel's Vision 95 The Indian'ti Death Song 97 I love to roam when Zephyrs sweep 99 Where is the fleeting thought . 102 Deceptive Pleasures 103 Cabul .... . 104 Spring .... 112 Song .... . 114 Pity ^ *. ib. The Wanderer .... . 115 There are feelings we may not reveal US Oh '. there is a region where sadness and gloom . 119 Daphne . . • 121 Horace, Book 1, Ode 5. . 123 11 -nice, Book 2, Ode2o. 124 Sunday School Children's Hymn . 125 God Everywhere 126 The Home Prayer . 127 Mitinrnou . . 129 Angels .... . ISO The Sabbath Bell 131 Children's Hymn id. Freedom 132 Regrett .... . 133 The Bereaved 135 CONTENTS. Psalm 127 Psalm 137 Psalm 97 Oh ! this is not our rest To a Mourner . Sonnet 1. Sonnet 2. Sonnet 3. Stanza Recollection Third Sunday in Advent The Epiphany The Present A Summer Noon-day Sketch The Circumcision of Christ . The Lonely Death-bed The Dying Child to its Mother The Reply The Nativity of our Lord The Unpitied Ode to Albion . How sadly lone afar to dwell The Spell Suspicion The Prayer of the Infidel Welcome to the Penitent Restored . For St. Andrew's Day For St. Thomas' Day . Job viii. 8—22 . Childhood's Scenes. — 1. My Brother ., „ 2. My Sister Affection St. John the Evangelist's Day The Innocents' Day , Is it Hypocrisy? Trifles Stanzas Farewell, thou dream of bliss The Voyage Youth and Maturity . Song Sonnet . Now is the Day of Salvation . CONTENTS. XI Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity 202 The Stormy Sea . 203 Where is the place for Sonc ? 205 Before Rain . 207 Appearances 208 Altered from " Thorn" . 209 Autumn 210 The Butterfly . . 212 Pastoral Serenade 213 Pride and Modesty . 215 On a Fragment of Tesselated Pavement 217 The Snow-flake . 222 Hallowed Love . 224 True Glory . 231 St. Stephen's Day 233 Sea View from the Cliffi 234 L A U LINE. CANTO I. CANTO I "Where is the home of Love?" — Where dwells she not? Is she not present in the scented glade, Spreads not her rule through all the varied lot Of titled lady or of rustic maid ? — Does she not live alike in tower and grot, In pleasure's sunshine, and in sorrow's shade ? — Wherever hearts are found, in hall or cot, There Love will be, and there her home is made. Hut 'tis not always bliss she brings ; Ber buds of promise, it is true, are sweet, And Siren-like the song she sings, \nd round her brow may meel A thousand bright imaginings, Which only serve to mask the guilt rii.it mingles in hei sweetest smile. 15 1 1 LAULINE. Too oft she wins, and then betravs ! — The loved and loving ones forget too oft, While they can bask beneath her rays, That long- ere Beauty's self decays, Or quite withdraws her perfumed breathings soft, That blighting - want, and heart-corroding care, May wither what was hope to anguish of despair Tt is a tale not seldom told, How Love herself has led to woe, And yet the lesson, though so old, Is what but few appear to know ; At least they do not pause to think, When standing on the dangerous brink, Which overlooks the faithless sea, Of Love's own wild immensity. 'Twas thus with Lauline. She had led A happy life 'mid Alpine hills, Though she had wept a mother dead. Youth may recover from those ills Which grave upon the aged brow The furrows of more lasting woe. She was the eldest ; — and her Sire Regarded with an eye of pride Her lofty glance and eye of fire, Too noble for the mountain's side; LAULIK \~> And dreams of future grandeur nursed, Fanned by Ambition's breath accursed. Tis evening, and the wind is high, Where does that mountain maiden hie ? The stream is full, the melting snow Rolls down the steep with rapid flow, No leaf is on the winter bough, — Why will the maiden wander now ? She goes to seek in yonder glade, Amid the snow her pet lamb strayed ; The daughter of a rugged clime, She does not fear the winter time. Over the swelling brook she leaps, Through lichened vales her pathway keeps, Till safe in all his lambkin charms, She folds her truant in her arms. But there is one, for Lauline's sake, Whose anxious eye has marked the track, Which those two wayward ones must take, To bring their wandering footsteps back, lie knows the danger, for the stream With sudden flood is rising high, And boding is the fitful gleam i'Lit peeps from out the Lowering sky ; With beating heart, bul manly stride. He hastens Lauline's steps to guide, 1G LAULINE. And safe the dangerous ford o'erpast, She gains her father's home at last. They meet again. She knows not why A tear at parting dims her eye. — Sometimes a softly-whispered tone Of hope's enchanted music, thrown Over her pillowed slumher, seems To add new brightness to her dreams, And darker grows the mountain air, Unless the goodly youth be there. They often meet. He breathes his vow, Can she refuse to listen now ? She may not, does not, quite confess, But in her silence blushes " Yes." Her Father hears a whispered tale Of stolen meetings in the vale. — Are all his cherished dreams in vain ? Could she, so formed to grace a court, Cling to a youth unknown and poor ? — — Whilst listening to the vague report He treats it with a cold disdain, Yet has the tattler scarcely left his door Ere harshly chiding words are spoken, — No pause for calm paternal thought, No pity for a heart half broken, But angry rage to sudden fury wrought. Oh, were she erring, how would she deplore That gentlest whispers of Affection's tone Seemed from a Father's lip to breathe no more ! Still fear was most in passion's tempest roar, Terror enough to scare that lonely one, Whom loving looks to filial love had won. Oh ! Father, half thy wrath suppress, Remember she is motherless. Oh, Parent, pause ! that angry frown, Those hasty words of thine, Will bring malignant influence down On thy domestic shrine. Thou, Pastor of an Alpine flock, Should'st gently fold the Lambs that stray : Teacher of others ! thou should'st seek, Even 'mid earthquake's heaving- shock, To stand unmoved with courage meek, And pray thyself, as thou hast taught to pray ! Oh ! why those bitter words ? they will not win, — Nay, thine own temper in thine own fair child Will stir her heart to disobedient sin, For purpose strong may live in spirits mild. The placid lake will ruffle into storm When the fierce gales sweep by, and so the form All calm in youth and beauty, may be driven To wild resolve; and then with fearful power The stirred soul acts ; it feels its home-ties riven, Ami look- to vengeance as its rightful dower. ii 2 18 LAULINE. Oh, daughter pause ! upon a stormy sea Why venture from the sheltering shore, Though an unwonted storm has set you free — Has snapped the cahles that retained you there ?— Go hack ! go back again ! for never more Shall sunshine beam so happily on thee, As in the home you leave, to go you know not where ! Vain words of warning ! Those in wrath Hear nothing. — See the Father's cheek Grows deadly pale, and his contracted brow, And quivering lip, and vain attempts to speak, Tell of consuming fire just bursting forth In all its fierceness ; — and the angry glow, That flashes, 'mid her tears, from Lauline's eyes Proclaims reflected anger, kindling now To that wild grief, too strong to waken sighs. They part in anger — Lauline flees — Her lover takes her willing hand — And soon amid the billowy seas, At midnight on the deck they stand. Oh ! there was dread in that lonely hour, The storm-wind was passing with wand of power ; There was creeking and noise as they ploughed the deep, That hindered the innocent even from sleep. Rut one fair form, in the pitiless storm, Heard voices of wrath and of warning uttered, They spoke to her heart — we beheld her start, As the rolling thunder muttered. LAULINE. 1!) She clung to her husband — her face turned pale. And silent were they in that noisy gale : She looked the picture of wild despair, As we viewed her cheek by the lightning's glare ; His hand she clenched with an anxious grasp, But he answered not with a kindred clasp ; Like marble he stood and surveyed the flood, With a wordless lip and a glazing eye, As he gazed on the meteors flashing by. What, had he ceased to love her, now That she was made his own ? And must she view an altered brow, And hear an altered tone ? No ! Each has sinned ; — they feel it now. Unsanctioned was their nuptial vow, No parent's blessing on her head, Its memoried words of soothing spread ; They stood together unforgiven, Beneath the frowning eye of heaven. Who, amid peril, draws his breath Calm in his bosom ? — undismayed Awaits the clutch of gathering death ? — Will not the boldest be afraid? 20 LAULINE. There are some spirits who have trod The pathway leading on to God, Souls who have drank of heavenly love, Whose hope and portion is above, And these amid the wildest storm May know the peace of holy calm — For them to die is gain. And who is he of feeble form Who comes to whisper words of balm Nor whisper them in vain ? There is upon that heaving deck A man of fervent prayer, On God he casts his every care, And waits the expected wreck. He might be seen the truly brave, As yawned around the opening wave. There came a moment's hush, so still That every tone was heard, And that good man had simple skill To preach God's holy word. He spoke of Jesus — and they listened, In Him he bade them live, He cried, whilst many a rough eye glistened, " Father forgive ! as we forgive, Oh, let us die forgiven ! So that the parted ones of earth May meet again in heaven." LADLINE. 21 And Lauliue and her husband knelt — The soothing power of prayer was felt ; The bitter memory of offence Gives way to peaceful penitence, — " Father forgive I" they both exclaim, And Lauline breathes her father's name, One last embrace was given and taken, Such as a Spirit's love might waken. Now curls the breaker with its crest of white, Gleaming beneath the lurid sky, \~ though it tokened, in its warning light, Some undiscovered danger nigh — And the storm comes on with resistless force, And it sweeps o'er the ship in its fated course, And it snaps the mast, and it rends the sail, Ynd it drives the vessel before the gale ; — She strikes the rock, with a fearful shock, And the parting joints give way, And the savage waters seem to mock The crew that is cast away. Twas a fearful sight, by the dawning light, To look on the sea-strown land, For along the naked beech were spread The mangled forms of the dying and dead, On the lonely wave-girt strand. 22 LAULINE. There was one that lived, and her fevered eye Glanced wildly around — around, To her wailing cry there was no reply, But the voice of the deeps profound. Then, one by one, on the desert shore Were gathered a few, who by plank or oar, Through the boiling surf had kept afloat — And there came the crew of the smallest boat, — They land together at break of day, Together they meekly kneel — Oh, those who have shared such a perilous way Can tell how such voyagers feel. She looked among those rescued men For the form she longed to see, And her hope-strung vision was strengthened then. She scanned each one — but it might not be — Hers was a bitter destiny. She joins that group of sailors ; rude Yet kindly hearts were theirs ; They fain would cheer, yet not intrude On the sacred grief of her solitude, On a woe which no one shares. They bore each cold and lifeless form To a sheltered spot on the shore, Where the voice of tempest and sound of storm Might never reach them more : LAULINE. 23 And Lauline gazed on each ghastly face Grim with the marks of death's emhrace — She was cold in the calm of still despair, Though the husband she loved was not slumbering there. It was strange to see how firm she grew, How firmly now she trod : Though not a tear of hers might dew The sailors' burial sod ; Deep was her feeling — such as fears To quench its fire in useless tears. She aids the mariners, and seeks What may be found between the creeks. And one was found whom the varying deep Had swept ashore on the smoothest sand, And he lay as calm as in peaceful sleep, While a volume was held in his stiffening hand Death had not power to destroy the smile That clung to those lips so free from guile. It was not the mark that the death-fear leaves, Over which the friend of the parted grieves ; But a beam of heaven o'er that cold face Had softly passed and had left its trace. 'Tvvas the good old man who amid the strifi Of the angry tempest stood, And hade them seek for a better life In th( l.md beyond the flood. 24 LAULINE. Though dead he speaketh yet, and Lauline hears A spirit-voice that whispers to her still, And now at length a freshening gush of tears Pours from each glazing eye — as when a rill Long hound by frost, breaks from its icy chain, And flowing on, wakes spring-tides green again. I need not tell how carefully they laid That corpse apart in yon secluded nook, Or with what fervid thanks the widow prayed, As to her heart she clasped the blessed book. Oh ! it had been to him a constant guide, Its power was felt by seeing how he died, And she may gather blessing, and may share The holy comfort that is treasured there. She opened it and read, for she alone Could read, in broken sentences, aloud Amid her sobs — and thrilling was her tone, Whilst reverentially the seamen bowed. She read of immortality, and light, Of hope through Jesus ; of a world afar, — Till there seemed kiudling on the brow of night The gentle radiance of some distant star That beckoned them to follow ; and it grew Larger and brighter, and its lustre threw Something like joy amid the gathering gloom, That else had brooded o'er that new-made 1< END OF CANTO I. L A ULINE CANTO TI. CANTO II. The sun beneath the evening cloud May sink in darkness from our view, And long beneath the misty shroud May lurk the heaven's own blue ; — The tree by winter's frost bereft Of every pleasant leaf of green, When spring her early couch has left May be again as it has been, And morning suns may gem the dew, And heaven regain its wonted hue. There are no evenings all of gloom, There are no storms without a smile, And winter is not all a tomb — But yet she is. The dead erewhile 28 LAULINE. Shall start from every opening mound, And live again in mightier life Than e'er they knew in this world's strife ; And so the dull and frosted ground Is like enough to human graves — Death seems the victor — they but stay Till Death's own Conqueror comes to say " Wake to the voice of Him who saves ! Wake to the sunlight of that day, When the prepared shall greet His ray, Who rising o'er the darkened earth, Shall call the new-born life to birth." But not of themes so high as these At present is it ours to speak — And yet they came upon the breeze, Which passed across the whitened cheek Of one who stood so sadly lone — — We fancied that we heard her tone — ■ Sad, but resigned ; and sorrowing, though Faith sparkled o'er her placid brow. Her brow was placid ; too serene For long enduring fair to be : 'Twas like the calm so often seen To hover o'er the glassy sea Before the storm-wind comes to call The billows from their secret caves, LAULINE. 29 When the tornado and wild squall Wake into wrath the angry waves. That calm is pleasant while it lasts, Like the glad lighting up ere death, Yet its lone gleam prophetic shadow casts, And with its beauty mingles baleful breath. Lauline was calm — and calmer grew, Whilst fretful were the shipwrecked crew, And many a day of hardship came, And little hope of near escape ; Whilst she continued still the same, Like kindly genius of the cape ; And though while waiting, day by day, No nearing vessel sought the bay. Yet the abundance of the sea Helped out the land's sterility. We turn where gentler prospects smile, Than those around the lonely isle, Back to those cherished scenes of home, Where now the wanderers' thoughts will roam. Those scenes for which affection yearns, When they are lost and gone for ever, For though each seeming tie we sever, \ spirit-link remains, which spirit-sight discerns. <■ 2 30 LAULINE. There, a soft breeze was o'er the water straying, When the first wreath of Evening's mist was seen, And pleasant zephyrs, as in dalliance playing, Stirred the light foliage on the banks of green ; The sun departing chastened all the scene, While its last mellowed tints with quivering ray, Just glimmered fitfully the boughs between, Giving - that loveliness to parting- day, Which woos by mead or mount to wend our evening way. Meet time for meditation ! and well suited Yon spot beneath the branching tree, which spread Its arms above the waves that oft saluted Its rootlets with their kisses as they sped. Long had that aged tree upraised its head, When winter swept in snow-storms o'er the plain, And in its nakedness had seemed as dead, Yet when the spring assumed her gentler reign, It donned its leafy robe, and sweetly smiled again. Tradition coupled with that aged tree Strange stories of the dead of other days, And many an urchin as he passed would be Frighted by fancy, and avert his gaze, Or peer moie closely through the tangled sprays, Either intent to shun or know the worst, Whilst wild imagination oft would raise The shadowy form of murderous wight accursed, Till on the startled sight it seemed in truth to burst. LAULINE. 31 And just as vaguely does the human heart Give out its secrets ; — now the prying glance May catch the ghost-like vision — then a start Of horror thrills the spirit — Death's wild dance Is seen within, — and Death's pale trains advance From out the depths of being. We should flee Back from each other, were it our -sad chance Even at intervals the guilt to see, Which rankles in the breast and stirs its enmity. Yet beautiful that lonely spot, Where now the Pastor Arnaud sat alone — Deep brooding", till his moody soul forgot How time passed on by hours. — He marked them not, And darkness came ; and then the hollow moan Of threatening wind, and then the thunder's tone Spoke distantly. The nimble storm advancing Swept through the branches with exulting groan, And luridly the lightning's flash was glancing On the small stream so late in summer sunshine dancin« , Oh ! lightning can waken the slumbering thought From the depth's of that stern one's soul ! And he rises as though the storm had brought Memories beyond control. There is a wildness in the eve, Thai gazing scans the war on high, 32 LAULINE. As though 'twere glad the while, And something in the laugh that plays Around the lip with doubtful blaze, Too bitter for a smile. Too bitter for the smile that glows, To mark the spirit's deep repose, When tempests shout amain ; It lacks those hope-enkindled fires Which only innocence inspires, And guilt must seek in vain. And was he guilty ? — Could there be A guiltless heart where vengeance bore Almost unbroken sway ? Where gentler feelings chased awav, Would from that darkened bosom flee, Though there they dwelt before ? It is not good for man to be alone, Unless alone communing with his God. Mind must commune with mind to keep its tone Up to the pitch of its high destiny — He who has never or but seldom trod In penitence thy path humility, Will find the Tempter try his deadliest power In solitude's unguarded, helpless hour. LAI' T.I NT. 33 Man cannot bring 1 himself to feel alone ; For fancy animates each lifeless thing, Peoples the solitudes with forms unknown, Gives to the elfin-race each fairy ring, To some strange water-sprite the haunted stream, To mountain spirits solitary peaks, And 'mid the shadowing forest it will deem In every passing breeze the wild wood-demon speaks. But there are subtler things than these, Not creatures of our phantasies ; Spirits of vast malignant power, That steal on man's unguarded hour, — Who whisper thoughts with guileful skill To win us onward to our ill. Their language, though it wordless be, kinds a prepared response within, Some hidden chain of mystery Linked with the cherished love of sin — Something that will an answer waken To those suggestions from below, That throng upon the God-forsaken — Which even purest souls must know — The reflex of the Evil One, The image of his form imparted, Dwelling in those whom he has won, But firmest in the stubborn-hearted ! LAULINE. Those who will lend a listening ear To these dread messages of fear, Will soon the fiend's behests obey, And yield to sin's resistless sway. And Arnaud listened, till his thought Was captive to the deadly spell, As though his very heart had caught The deep malignity of hell. " I would," he cried, " that I could seize That lightning's stroke of withering might, And turn it wheresoe'er I please With fateful and unerring blight. I would not care to have the blaze, That gleaming shows the purpose won, I care not for astonished gaze, So that the thing I wish be done ; I ask not for the echoing thunder From out the depths of heaven's profound, To tell to those who throng around That mighty instruments of wonder, Like dread artillery play their part : No ! silent let the shock arrive, The victim give one fearful start — One shriek, and not survive. Oh, cursed one ! no longer mine, I would this storm should reach to thee LAU1.1M . 35 And him thou callest thine ! — In vain from vengeance ye may flee ! The elements shall all conspire To gird your path with scathing fire, — God will such lawless ones condemn, Nor will I dare to pity them." 1 know not if the Prince of Air May be permitted to fulfil The godless, vengeance-breathing prayer Of those that cherish ill ; But so it was that storm was felt Ere many hours were past, By the fated ship where Lauline knelt Beside the tottering mast ; And the wrath of that tempest with terrible roar, Was caught by the echoes on many a shore, And when young Morning essayed to smile On the desolate rocks of the lonely isle, Her eye was wet with a tear of rain, That fell upon those whom the pitiless main, Had almost forbidden to smile again. Yet haply these were stricken less than he Who lingered sadly 'mid familiar scones- They must exert each power and energy, — Tor him no pressing duty intervenes 36 LAULIN] To chase corroding thought awav : But, brooding o'er the fearful past, Week after week — aye, day by day — His view is more and more o'ercast, Whilst better feelings each decay, And evil wins unhindered sway. No kindly rainbow on the cloud Tells of refreshing sunshine near ; Unmitigated shadows shroud The almost night-like day of fear : The stern reprover sterner grows, And not a sign of pity shows ; No word of mercy breathes for those Whom in his impious rage he calls his Master's foes. Though stern, he had been wont erewhile To meet the young with greeting smile, And would some soothing word bestow On tiny childhood's helpless woe, But now he only saw the trace Of guilt in every glowing face, And Beauty's blaze, however bright, Was but sepulchural lustre now, And scenes of innocent delight Were as the breach of solemn vow. — Each g'ush of human feeling stirred That Pastor's voice to chiding word ; But, for the loving and the young, Fiercest denunciations breathed, LAULINE. 37 As though some deadlier poison clung Amid those flowers most sweetly wreathed, — As though it were a deadly crime To strive in this lone world of sin So much of Eden's joy to win As yet outlives the blight of time. And days and nights in silent solitude He kept apart from all. They noticed this, — And busy questioners would now conclude That there was something grievously amiss. And men did shun him : love gave place to fear. That smitten shepherd's flock was scattered wide, Content was banished from the mountain side, The young would sigh ; the old let fall the tear, For even God's own house seemed desolate and drear. Lauline had been a bright and joyous thing, Whose presence cheered the weary labourer's toil They missed her pleasant voice ; for she would sing The sacred hymns of childhood ; and the while Some simple peasant praised her infant song, An answering chord was stirred within his breast That realized a hope of endless rest, For which that minstrelsy had bade him long. And, as she grew in years, her kindly look Was ever prompt to greet the mountain maid — I) 38 LAULINE. And words of cheering from God's holy book, To those bowed down in spirit, she essayed To bring - with sweet appliance. She partook A spirit's nature ; and amid the hills Her soft voice echoing- over many a brook, Seemed joyous in its tone as their bright sparkling rills. That voice was heard no more ; the song Was silent now the hills among, — Perchance herself that cheering needed Which she on others had bestowed, Perchance in sorrow, all unheeded, 'Twas her's to bear the bitter load Of poverty, and vain regret For home and comforts memoried yet. END OF CANTO II. L A U L I N E CANTO III. TAN TO III. Those cots that nestle in the snow- Are lighted by the pine-logs' glow, — 'Tis Christmas, and the Mountaineer Welcomes that centre of the year With brighter hearths and fuller cheer, ■-' Yet not the sole memorial this Of true and heartfelt thankfulness ; They meet and join in vocal praise, Their glad Hosanna-anthems raise, And each to each repeats the strain That Angels sung o'er Bethlehem's plain, Till echoes catch the sound and sing the song again. Then, gathered round the social hearth, They join in innocence of mirth, — 2 42 LAULINE. But ere the welcome feast is spread, Before the cup of joy is taken, The memory of the parted dead One soft, bright passing tear must waken. They sorrow not all hopelessly For those who are but gone before, Though here they may not meet them more, Yet time is speeding silently, And in a never-ending rest The lost may be again possessed. In every cot one memoried name Unspoken of, unbidden came ; Thought would revert to one away The jewel of last Christmas Day, — For Lauline's smile a year ago Had shone unsullied as the snow, When all with Love's own cheerful voicing Had hailed her in their choral strain, The centre of a wide rejoicing- — Oh ! had they wished her joy in vain ? There was one dwelling standing alone, Deep in the shadow of the mountain, Crumbled by years, and overgrown By mosses, which befit the fountain ; A lowly and unnoticed place, Which foot of pride would pass unheeded, LAULINE. 43 Yet would the wauderer embrace Its refuge, were a refuge needed. There was the blazing pine-log fire, But not a joyous circle round, — For death had smitten child and Sire, And one form alone was kneeling on the ground. Thither there came an unexpected stranger, Toil-worn, and sad. She did not stay to ask If there were entrance for the distant ranger, For she in sunnier years was wont to bask On the green turf around, and now She knows a welcome will be hers within, Although her sunken cheek, and altered brow, Might render her unknown to nearest kin. She entered : and, though changed her form, She still was unforgotten there, — For 'mid the tempest and the storm, Thence had arisen many a prayer Invoking God's protecting care On Lauline's distant way ; — There now her faithful nurse was kneeline\ Assured by deep and hopeful feeling For Lauline's sake to pray, 'Tis true she started when her vision met, At her first entrance, Lauline's glazing eye,- 44 LAULINE. 'Tis true her cheek with many a tear was wet, When to her questioning came no reply, But one deep sobbing and half-stifled sigh : She had been given back again Yet haply given back in vain. It was not easy to provide Much help amid those circling snows — The cots were scattered far and wide, And rudely now the night-wind blows ; Yet when upon her homely bed The fainting girl was laid, Quickly the eager widow sped Adown the mountain glade. She sought for succour, and it came, Lured by the spell of Lauline's name. Beside her bed the matrons crowd, To show their real good-will — Although perhaps a little proud Of their officious want of skill. The grey-haired Sire, the vigorous youth, Each willing left the festal board, Each emulous to prove his truth Of love, to her they hoped restored : As ready messengers they wait Around the lowly cottage gate. LAULINE. 45 One cot that towers above the rest Is with no joyous presence blest — The Pastor's home. He leaves its hearth, Which echoes not with Christmas mirth ; He turns aside to seek the gloom Of Lauline's long deserted room : It is as when she went away, Unchanged, as though 'twere yesterday, Save that some withered wreaths of flowers, Gathered in Spring's bright sunny hours, Confess the absence of the hand That day by day would fondly twine The floral treasures of the land, To deck her simple shrine. The dying embers send a beam Which makes the darkness darker seem, And sombre thoughts are sadly shrined In Aruaud's half-illumined mind ; — Some thought of Lauline still remains, Some pitying germ its life retains ; For though he never breathes her name He cannot quite forget her claim ; And yet his pride must needs repress Each memory of her gentleness. What startles on the Pastor's ear Is it, a cry of joy or fear ? 46 LACJLINE. And why that shout of gathering throng Instead of wonted carol-song ? Hears he her name ? or does he dream Of what he almost hopes, yet fears ? — They near the bridge — they cross the stream — That gallant band of mountaineers. They stand beneath the Pastor's roof, They tell their quick and broken tale : — He meets them with a stern reproof, Though with emotion deadly pale. Then, gathering force, he fiercely cried " Have I not said that one accursed Is by a Father's soul denied ? — His purpose may not be reversed ! This vow is registered on high, And Duty's claims must be revered — I cannot see her ! — Though I die Shunned, hated, scorned — I must be feared." Eager, expecting hearts were there, Each anxious to be first to bear Some welcome tidings back : They had not thought a Father's heart Could from all parent feelings part, And sad was their returning track : Weeping they went ; and one by one They whispered of that awful vow — I. \i i.ixe. 47 What must be said ? and what be done ?- Lauline is home-forbidden now. They reach her nurse's dwelling, And LauKne seems to sleep as yet, Though still her breast is swelling With thoughts which Sleep may not forget. The whispered tones of those returning Speak of her Father's angry spurning, And though those accents may but seem Like the faint visions of a dream, She startles from her slumber now, With fear's cold sweat upon her brow ; — She dreamed of friendly greetings heard, But now she feels 'tis all in vain, Those kind ones utter not a word .ill is, alas ! too plain : She sees those friends to tears are stirred, She knows the worst, though nought is said, And with a sigh that might have moved The Sire that now no longer loved, Like a drooped lily sank her head Down on the nurse's humble bed As though the breath of life had fled. 'Twas long before the broken-hearted Could raise her trembling eyes to heaven — At every passing sound she started, — 48 LAULINE. She thought how wildly she had parted With every earthly blessing given : And yet she lived, and Hope sometimes Would gently breathe in softened strain ; Guilt of premeditated crimes On her had left no deepening stain. By slow degrees she smiled again ; Although her filial error lent A pang destructive of content, Yet quiet trust, submissive feeling, Brought with them dews of heaven's own healing ; And now she sought to be alone, For kind as those around her were, She longed to kneel, and weep, and groan, Without one earthly witness there. And those whose genuine love had spread A shelter over Lauline's head, Would leave her now from time to time Alone to weep, alone to pray — And once, when pealed the Sabbath-chime, Each friendly neighbour now away, She deemed that she had power to climb Up from the vale the churchyard way. Though fainting oft, she reached at length The spot wherein her Mother slept. She stood with scarcely natural strength, Nor idly sighed, nor fondly wept. l.AULINE. i9 It was the hour of evening prayer But she mingles not with the worshippers there, Alone in the ancient porch she stands, With downcast eye and with folded hands, And she hears a voice, a voice well known, Though bitter and harsh have its accents grown. She listens with dread, and would turn away, For her darkened soul is afraid to pray ; But there she is bound by a spell, that weaves Its meshes around her every thought, She could hear the sound of the prayer-book leaves, By the breeze in the evening's silence brought, And the tremulous words of her once-loved Sire Are the words of other days, And the shadow of that ancient spire Its memoried tale conveys, Where vows were breathed when she was given At the holy font as a child of heaven. Now prayer was over, and they raise The Anthem of united praise ; Then listen for instruction, flowing From lips which once they loved to hear, Though now they listen half with fear : His eloquence with fire is glowing — But fire of wrath, and not of love — Oh ! is it kindled from above ? Poor Lauline hears : — he speaks of ber, Calls her her Father's murderer ! — K 50 LAULINE. — One wild, unearthly shriek Startles all assembled there, — No one dares to stir or speak — Is it a spirit of Despair Speaking its unavailing prayer In agony of pain ? All is hushed and still again : Lauline the little porch has left Almost of consciousness bereft, And sinks beneath a sacred shade By yew and walnut branches made, — That sacred spot, where she would lay Her broken heart with kindred clav. And 'twas her death-bed. She no more Pity and pardon may implore, — She sank in death — but dying gave Birth to an infant on her Mother's grave. Strange whisperings and surmisings keen Were rife throughout the peopled glade ; Each one was startled and afraid — What could the fearful omen mean ? Was Arnaud's death-knell clearly rung In that strange, supernatural sound ? Else why did it seem to bind his tongue? And why follows silence so deeply profound LAULINE. Some impending danger broods Over the mountain solitudes ; Either avalanche will sweep Furious down the Alpine steep, Or the wolves will venture hold 'Mid the shepherd's richest fold, Or the hunter on the hill Vain shall ply his wonted skill, Or an Enemy shall come With the roll of threatening drum, Or, more deadly than the lance, Death shall hither turn his glance. Idle dreams ! ye say — yet oft Such in simple hearts will rise When in Summer's evening soft Sudden storm invades the skies. Blame them not ! — a power they felt, 'Twere hetter perhaps if we would feel: At God's own altar while they knelt r J ney did not kneel as oft we kneel, Professing to believe His power, To do what seemeth good to Him, Yet calling, in the following hour Such truth a superstitious whim. It may be, and perhaps it is Fi illy to see the coming doom, 52 latum:. Yet who could hear a voice like this Breaking the still of Evening's gloom And nothing feel ? — It spake to one. With withering power the message came, And Arnaud writhed. Though marked by none His very soul was scathed by flame. The people parted. He alone Within that silent Church remained. Where every voiceless form of stone A kind of Spirit-utterance gained. It was a goodly fane that told Of the wealth bestowed in the days of old, And Fancy still would seek the smile Of Beauty, to gladden the lonely aisle. There was here and there a trace of decay, Where the walls were marked by the lichen grey, And often amid the cloisters dim Would the flickering bat at evening skim, And the busy spider wove her veil In the rich carved work of the altar rail : It appeared as though Ruin had peeped within, But might not as yet an entrance win, Though the cold, deserted, and desolate air, Too plainly breathed that neglect was there. And what were Arnaud's thoughts the while He paced along the solemn aisle ? — LAULINE. 53 And when the chimes of the Evening hour "Were pealing forth from the lofty tower, What was the truth which the Pastor felt As, self-accused, in the Church he knelt ? " Aha ! 'twas a strange, wild thought of old, That when the bell from the Church-tower tolled, The Spirits of Hell affrighted fled From the hearts of the living and graves of the dead ; That then the Evil One would not dare To haunt the Saint in the house of prayer. But, alas ! it was fancy ! The holiest chime Will smooth not the furrows of earlier crime, And the seed of Storm, which the Fiends of Air Have planted in by-gone seasons there, Will its terrible harvest of whirlwind bear." Presage of dread ! — 'Twas quickly found Lauline had left her lonely room : Some hasting to the burial ground, Instinctive sought her Mother's tomb — And there indeed the victim lay A cold and silent form of clay. With matron-care the babe they tend. Whose feeble wail is faintly heard, \nd while the needful aid thc\ lend, l'.\ gentlesl sympathizing^ stirred : E 2 54 LAULINE. They bear the lifeless corpse away, And place it iu the porch apart, — Thither the Father's footsteps stray — Oh ! had vou seen his fearful start ! No speech his opening lips would yield, No tear might cool his burning eye, No groan be heard, — he breathed no sigh,- Expression's fountains all were sealed ; Like an embodiment in stone, He seemed to every passer by, To tell how much was undergone Of heart-corroding agony. They buried Lauline in her Mother's grave, And lilies with their earliest bloom, And scented blossoms, sweetly wave Around the quiet tomb. Arnaud was there what time they laid His daughter in the yew-tree shade ; But reason, feeling, all were fled ; He seemed less living now than dead, A helpless Idiot, pitied now Even by those who knew his vow. r.KD OF CANTO III. L AULINE. CANTO IV. CAN TO IV. WHAT mighty changes may we trace Within a few revolving years ! — The beauteous form forgets its grace, The smile of youth is lost in tears ; The child of yesterday has now The weight of age upon his brow ; Whilst we forget the varied scenes Through which our own wild path has led,- For memory almost always leans Most upon days the longest fled, — We fancy we are still unchanged, Whilst friendly ones have grown estranged. When Lauline in the day of storm Sought, on the weather-beaten shore, To find her husband's lifeless form She deemed his course was o'er : 58 LAULINE. Each was supposed by each to sleep Calm in the bosom of the deep ; Yet each survived to feel again The misery of life — To reach once more the haunts of men, And share in human strife. Ronan, for such her husband's name, Was drifted on the mast away Far from the place where Lauline came Upon that fated day, And on another islet lone Was Ronan all unconscious thrown. Rescued he was, but days passed by Before the soul illumed bis eye, And then again upon the ocean He felt that he was speeding on — 'Twas but a dream that she was gone — Some phantom 'mid the mind's commotion- How could it be that they had been Partakers in such deadly scene, Yet he alive, and still must be Safe in the ship and out at sea ? How sweetly does the breeze of spring Its blossom-opening freshness bring, How sweetly does the sunshine smile, And pleasant flowers expand the while, — LAULINE. 59 But if the frozen breeze shall blow, And blooms retire, and leaves retreat Beneath the covering of snow. As waiting- for some genial heat, Tis kindly nature gives them here A hiding place from blasts severe, To keep the promise of the year. Something there is akin to this, \\ ben o'er the overburdened soul, That lately took its fill of bliss, The winds of torturing trouble roll. There is a shield of moral snow, By God's own loving-kindness given, Which stays the hardest frosts of woe, And saves the heart by sorrow riven. The torpor of the time removes The earlier feeling which betrays To murmuring-. — Surely this reproves Impatience ; for our God delays The threatened vengeance, and lie stays Till those lie punishes may bear Their grievous lot, unbroken by despair. They have their future tasks in future years. — Reproved and not destroyed, 'tis theirs to b< The messengers of mercy. This appears The holiest part of their high destiny, 60 LAULINE. To go to those who weep and wipe their tears, To soothe the mourner in the house of sorrow, To speak of peace to those who sigh for rest, To show the rising sun of heaven's to-morrow, And pour the oil of comfort in the wounded breast. But Ronan, when he first became alive To all he was — to all he had been — felt In spite of all resolve, there would revive Some feelings deemed suppressed, what time he knelt Upon the sinking vessel — and he blamed His Lauline's father for the fearful fate Of her he loved. Oh ! was it now too late For him to be repentant ? Had he named The name of Christ, and named it all in vain ? — His path to peace must be along the way of pain. Around he looked on faces strange, He heard a tongue till now unknown, 'Twas his that ocean-path to range With many, yet alone. Some secret sighs, some bitter tears Were heaved and shed for former years, But manly courage came again — A man among his fellow-men. He nerved himself for toil, Prepared to brave the hardest fate, — He could not be more desolate, — And though he might not smile, Gl He could be ca I in and self-possessi When groundless fear unmanned the rest. He takes his post. As yet the gales Are favouring to the wide-spread sails, And on they wend with meteor haste Towards regions of the northern waste.— As yet no danger seems to rise From out the depth of Arctic skies; Successful enterprise has gained Almost the guerdon of her boast, And every sinew now is strained To reach the frost-bound coast. Though dark the prospect, yet the beams Of Hope arise, and shed their gleams Of lovely radiance o'er the seem'. That else had desolation been. Much like the clime, where crisps the Beneath the ice-breeze silently, Where Evening from her ebon wings The long enduring night-time flings, And winter holds a lengthened reign In glacier- palace o'er the main. Yel 'mid the gloom a glorious race Flashed from the concave lend a errace. And every frost-made crystal gleams Bright as a gem when morning beams, And when the Spring return . her hours lJo bo' appear to wake the flow< i 62 LAULINE. For, starting from her magic hand, At once their clusters paint the strand. So from the night of Ronan's woe Shall rise a morn of brightest glow. Through want and peril, toil and pain, 'Tis his to win his home again ; And Hope, like borealis light, Now beams across his darkest night. With hunter skill, and fearless heart. He wields the spear, or flings the dart, — Or, from behind some bank of snow, His rifle, with unerring aim, Sends amid herds of arctic game The desolating blow. Meanwhile the frost-blocked channels stay The wanderers from their long-lost homes,- Oh, they may sigh for those away — Yet such the fate of him who roams ! — The vessel, in that frozen sea, Sleeps by an iceberg helplessly. Long years roll by, ere Ronan gains Once more his native hills and plains ; Through many a clime, o'er many a sea, He struggled on undauntedly. 1. AT LINK. o\'3 At length he conies with golden store, Exhaustless, as would deem the poor ; — Too soou he learns his Lauline's doom, He weeps upon her lowly tomb. But hitter thoughts come thronging there, Almost the presage of despair. " Twas his own hated arm that grasped So anxiously the drifting mast. Which fatally conveyed His own still vigorous being past The isle where Lauline prayed. — ■Why had he saved his worthless life ? He might have swam and gained the shore ; Or, if amid the waters' strife, He'd sunk to rise no more, He had not known those bitterest tears Belonging to his later years." Then lie bethinks him — " Slit- is now at rest, Nbl waiting to be blest; But already enjoying the heavenly smile Which beams in the presence of God,— While he must continue with effort and toil To tread the same path which his Lauline had trod, — Her warfare was over, with him was the strife, The change and the sorrow, the battle of life." There gathered -on,'- around whom he had known I low changed thc\ were! — alas! tiny knew him not, He had forgotten liow the years hud flown Since he forsook in youth his Alpine cot, — Yet who than he more likely to he found At that lone grave in yonder burial ground ? — ■ He had forgotten they supposed him dead, That no one dreamed of such a strange return — Yet speculation, like some tiny burn, Grew in its depth and strength, as on and on it sped. At last some glimmering flashes of the truth Beamed upon one or other. Some in youth Had shared with him the chamois chase, And these now fancied they could trace Lines of an unforgotten face. There was a spot called Lauline's bower, Close bordering on a mountain lake, — And thither in the Evening hour Ronan his frequent way would take ; — And now he sought this spot again, And knelt beside the silent flood — Oh ! little was lie thinking then How near his side his daughter stood ! L'liat little lake was still and hushed, Save where one whispering runlet gushed ; There, never plash of hasting oar Sent ruder ripples to the shore ; But fanned by breezes softly passing, That kissed so lightly as they played, — Its bosom might be formed for glassing The beauties that o'erhung the glade. LAULINE. (35 It mirrored one whose form so fair, An image of such perfect grace, The very spirit of the place, If 'twere embodied, well might wear. She stood — and one bright tear-drop stealing Down from that eye where beauty sleeps, Softened the lustrous gleam that peeps Forth from beneath the long dark lash, Incapable of quite concealing Its wonted lightning flash.. She had grown up, amid the wild, A lovely, but neglected child, The plaything of the old and young, Where, parentless, her lot was flung. It was her Mother's glance that now The startled eve of Iionan met, Reflected from the wave below On one who well remembered yet How he and Lauline loved to gaze On those blue depths in earlier days. " Oh ! phantom of the vanished dead, And dost thou beckon me away? — Wearest thou still a form so fair? And have not weariness and care Yet turned thy raven-tresses grey, Nor BtOOped thy buoyant head '.' — Oh! I forgot that thou had'st left the world, That now no earthL weight thou bearest, I' -J 66 LAULINE. That now a Spirit-form thou wearest — All harmless cares upon thy path were hurled.''" Yet what he saw was scarcely a creation Of fevered fancy, from old memoried scene?, It cannot be that mere imagination Paints the light moving bough which intervenes At intervals, and hides the face Reflected there. Can he not clearly trace The moving outline ? Lauline must be there, Lending that mountain tarn her face so fair. " Lauline ! my lost one ! art thou there ?" he cried, And Lauline's image bounded to his side — " Father ! they told me so — it must be true — They said I had a Father, and 'tis you ; They told me, too, that you would know my name — Lauline, you said — my Mother's was the same." The words were simple, yet they had the power Once more to call to life a fainting soul, — To lloiian this had been a trying hour, Thronged with wild feelings almost past control. He struggled with them, yet that favourite bower Had nearly witnessed how his life of care Would seek in death itself a refuge from despair. Now he was saved ! That angel whisper came In time to breathe the magic of her name, And fearful thoughts, and guilty purpose fled, Chased by the memory of the sainted dead : LAULINE. Ii7 A father's feeling, and a parent's love, Now o'er his withered spirit move, While wordless tears alone express The strength and depth of tenderness. They lingered till the Evening Hymn Came pealing from the vale below, And shadows Hung their vestments dim Over the sunset's glow. Peace once again might cast her smile O'er Ronan's weather-beaten brow, For filial tones will oft beguile The wretched from their woe. Ave, peace, and more than peace, shall grow For him who mourned and suffered long, And joy its radiant beams shall throw On those forgiving wrong. KM) OF CANTO IV. ! Q 74 LAULINE. How sweet the sleep, how bright the happy dreams Of those who share that dwelling's calm repose ! Although not richer than, when morning beams, Is that soft calm each loving bosom knows, Lit by the lustrous light which from forgiveness flows. It was not long ere Arnaud's weary lot Was seen and pitied. To a cheerful cot They moved the helpless man. He felt the change ; He looked on those he saw, but knew them not — Yet ever and anon in accents strange He spake to one or other. At the first Ronan would stay alone, — he saw the worst And did not wish his Lauline to despise One who might yet give joy instead of care, And so he waited. Still the sufferer's eyes Were quite indifferent, nor seemed to share Aught that was felt by those so kindly gathered there. One day, alone beside that poor old man Ronan had sat in silence very long. — He was departing, — Arnaud then began, Something between a narrative and song, " Oh, listen to me, Sir ! you do not know The mystery that hangs about my woe, Hear ! hear, from my own lips, the fearful tale, Hear horror, if you can, and not turn pale !" Now Ronan's heart was really, truly kind, And so he turned again, and paused to hear LAULINE. <0 Those words of misery and fear, — They were the first which that old man had spoken, Which seemed to promise a return of mind, And they were hailed as a propitious token. Yet soon he wandered ; — no continuous thought As yet was his. Now was the time of dreams, With something more than common feeling fraught, Though fed by water from distempered streams. " I see them glare in the lightning's blaze, And redly frown in the morning's haze, And they point at me as they wanton by, In the shriek of the storm, and the soft wind's sigh ; When I try to whisper a holy prayer, And turn me to heaven, I see them there ; They mock me in dreams, and they steal my rest, Though they wear the forms that I love the best; For they dance along in a ghastly crowd ; And the garment they wear is the grave-yard shroud, Their eye-balls are shrunk, and their cheeks turned pale, And their green teeth chatter as howls the gale ; But they wildly laugh to hear me groan To be for a moment alone — alone ! Then theyshout to their fellows. Theycome, they come! Unearthly forms from their shadowy home, Till there is not a leaf that moves on the tree But carries its demon for torturing me." " I heard them whisper I should dwell Alone in some secluded cell, — 76 LAULINE. Oh, then, methought there is a spell To keep these hideous things away, And how I longed to win the calm That once more promised to be mine ! That whisper was a healing balm, For what they whispered seemed to say. That yet for me some cheering ray Amid the gathering dark might shine ! " But they were demons. Down ! down ! down ! They dragged me to a cold damp room, With angry tone, and threatening frown, That gleamed like lightning mid the gloom. They left me there ! they shut me in Amid embodiments of sin, They chuckled when they heard me groan, They knew I was not left alone. And days, and nights, and weeks went by, My daily bread and water came, But not one sympathizing eye — 'Twas ever, ever still the same." " I cannot tell you how I came To lie on this soft, quiet bed, I think that I am still the same — And yet I dreamed that I was dead : I did not think my body now Had aught at all to do with earth, LAUUNE. 77 But things come back again to show The meanness of our present birth — ' Of the earth earthy !' — yet we know Right little of the solemn past, And all the future's radiant glow Is by the cloud of flesh o'ercast. Though shadowy all, 1 yet must love The sweetness of that solemn scene Where spirits of the parted rove The woodland openings between." A gentle girl was by his side, Like one his happier years had known, And, ere he drank the cup of pride, He called that lovely one his own. And now his scanty hair was grey, But hers was still the raven curl ; If envious years had passed away They had not scathed that trusting girl, Fearing, perchance, her glances meek, They had not paled with poisonous woe The rose that bloomed upon her cheek, Nor traced with care her polished brow. He listened, and he seemed to hear The soothing words that fell, As, gushing from his eye, a tear Promised to break the spell g2 78 LAULINE. That long had banned that aged one From every lovely thing — And, now his life was nearly run, To end his sorrowing. At length there came a child-like smile- Such smile was his in other days — It seemed so free from earthly guile, It might have been a heavenly blaze, And, oh ! it was a holy vision Surely, that called him back to life, Painting for him a scene Elysian Even amid the shades of strife. Yet think not all at once he grew To be himself again — Even the morning's brightest hue Has shadows to precede its train, And Memory's first return from slumber Is all confused and full of dreams ; It weighs not time, it counts not number, And scarcely is the thing it seems. " Aye, 'tis an Angel ! — when they laid The loved and loving in the grave, I heard the mattock and the spade Clang yonder, where the Yew-trees wave — LAULINE. 79 I saw the vault — they should have hid The name upon the coffin lid ! — There were the letters, marked in flame, I was the murderer, hers the name. It was the image of my heart, In which her name was deeply shrined — Nay, friendly one, thou need'st not start, But from that coffin lid there shined A name I know — I dare not tell, Marked on my heart with fire from Hell, And o'er it in a softer blaze The light of Heaven's own glory shone, As though to mock my eager gaze, By telling where the loved was gone — Ah ! it was mockery to me, For there my home might never be. " I was the creature of despair — Companion to the fiends of air. I gazed upon the sacred page, But only saw the words of wrath Flashing in burning glances forth : Like those, who in an earlier age Round Sinai's cloud-girt summit ranged, Saw their great Prophet's visage changed, No more the meek and gentle friend, But one whose brow was clothed in fire, The token of Celestial ire ; So would old blessed memories blend With thoughts that now were always mine, 80 LAULINE. Which would their fearful aspect lend To scare the smile of peace and love ; Once joy would beam from every line, Now Heaven's own gold and silver dove, Had dwelt 'mid Earth's polluting things, And there was poison on her wings. I knew that she was still the same, The same bright bird to others yet, — To me she was a withering flame — Oh, how I struggled to forget ! " One morn they took me to a spring That bubbled up the rocks between, And sparkling gems amid the spray, Like glow-worms on a bank of green,' Seemed to enjoy their amorous play ; Or insects on their gold-bright wing All glittering in the sunshine ray. Oh, they were beautiful! They grew To larger form and fairer hue. Were they not messengers of heaven, To soothe the world-rent bosom given ? I think they were. They came at first Like dew on one o'er-parched with thirst, A pledge of better blessings sent To win the murmurer to content. " I srrew more calm — I did not see One face among them mocking me. LADLINE. 81 I thought, — and yet I know not whether They whispered to me " Come up hither!" But so it was, I seemed to rise, Borne on a spray-wreath toward the skies, And Earth's harsh scenes, and Sorrow's sighs Were left behind, far, far below In their own home of sin and woe. " They bore me on — I know not where — ■ Those brilliant beings moved the cloud — On, on we went through realms of air, From fairer scenes to scenes more fair, So bright, that Evening's gathering shroud Shrunk back again at our appearing, — Night was afraid ! — her shadows fled, And glory circled round my head, And gems of an unearthly shine Plucked from the radiant stars were mine In all that glad careering. " I said that angels bore me on — Oh, Angels surely those must be ! A moment present, and anon Glancing through all immensity. I saw them, felt them, heard them sing, I watched them rest on outspread wing, And then, within a point of space, They left me resting where I lay, Amid a light more calm than day, 82 LAULINE. The while my gifted eye could truce Those spirits on their upward way. " Oh, I was sad to see them go — I could not guess their embassy — I thought of scenes of former woe, If that is thought, when, wild as dreams, The present is not what it seems, — They had been blessed hours to me, Or moments haply that had power Each to be equal to an hour — But — had they gone to ask their God His purpose towards a child of sin ? It might be theirs to bear the rod For one who oftentimes had trod The paths of guilty crime, And he who had not cared to win The approval of his heavenly sire. At length might find the fated time, When, hurled from happiness sublime, His lot should be unquenched fire. " They left me, and it grew quite dark, And yet it did not seem like night — Music far sweeter than the lark Pours at the dawning of the light, Came gushing on my soul, and made Almost a sunshine of the shade. Sweet strains were these — those plaintive sighs, Rich as yEolian melodies — lauline. 8:j But these were nothing - — there were nigh, Like those from blessed Araby, Perfumes and scents from odorous flowers For many pleasant pleasant hours, So sweet ! it seemed a phantasy. * "And there I lay — I did not dream ! • Oh, no ! it was too true for sleep — Yes, I must startle — I must scream, Should aught awaken me to weep. Awaken me ! They well might try Who wished to hurt me, and to break The pleasant slumber which can lie On one so now subdued and meek — My pride was gone — for me no more Ambition's tempest woke its roar, I would not now be proud again, My pride has all been pride in vain !" " What did I say ? Did reason come And tell of long past seasons still ? I thought I heard the distant hum From out my native hamlet straying And caught the rippling of the rill Beside the village roadway playing. What is it now ? I know that face, Oh, surely now I live again ! And yet the fever of my brain Hacks me with something worse than pain, 84 LAULINE. I cannot measure time or space — I know not how or when it chanced— But still, o'er me, electric flame Or baleful comet's influence glanced, To make me now no more the same. " The same ! It were in vain to dream Of all those long, long vanished days ; 'Twere tracing to its fount a stream Around whose fount no beauty plays — The things of loveliness are gone, Even the few that lured us on. " 'Twas sweet to me. You see it all, Bright angels stand beside me now, The lost, the long-lost, loved are here — They come to heal my broken vow, They hush the sigh ; they mark the tear, Aye, all the tears that silent fall, They watch them, and they wait the call Of one who did not mean them wrong, One who was led away by guile, Whose thoughts were still on holy song Though evil tempted him the while." Though rambling thoughts, in words as wild, Were breathed, as to his long-lost child, LAULINE. 85 Though shadowy visions only met The sense of his distempered eye, There were some gleams of memory yet Which might grow stronger by and bye. Sometimes a mindless laughter rang When sunshine lit the pleasant room, Or cries that told of inward pang, When Evening shadowed it with gloom. But now and then that silent tear, Which only Reason knows to shed, Would give them hope in place of fear, The while they watched beside his bed, For they were glad to see him show The calm consistency of woe. At length once more the Christmas blaze Was bright in every mountain home, As Arnaud, with enquiring gaze, Looked from the window of his room. Twas plain some mighty spell was working Deeply within his troubled heart, There might be clearer memory lurking, Although as yet enshrined apart. Did he look back to other days ? Did he remember one sad night, When o'er the waste such cheerful blaze Guided the wanderer by its light? — Rest now his thoughts upon the gloom, Which shadowed then lost Lauline's room ? When He, himself uncheered and sad, His daughter's home-return forbad ? II 86 LAULINE. Such are his thoughts. The past comes back — Each after each, its shadowy scenes Sweep by along a sinuous track, Whilst scarce a shadow intervenes. Outlined as clearly as they were When they were real, not memoried, things, They almost wake again Despair, With all the agony it brings. The Fiend of Madness now asserts again His fearful power to torture Arnaud's brain. The furious passion of his early life Grows into curbless fury — and the strife Of his tossed spirit scarcely knows a bound. Ronan's fond hopes are prostrate on the ground — The soul-less man can never breathe Her name, Or speak that pardon which he longs to claim. Oh, deem not thus ! Young Lauline's youthful spirit Thinks of the Spring, when flowers shall rise anew, She whispers " shall these fading things inherit The freshening influence of celestial dew, And man be left uncared for ? — Father, no ! God has his purposes, you say, to serve — Since he afflicts us we must bear the blow, And feel that it is less than we deserve. But, say you not that he will answer prayer ? Then why, my Father, why should we despair I" Sweet youthful prophetess, thy strain Can scarcely sound and sound in vain : LAULINE. 87 Faith hath grown up in thee, and cheers Away by smiles thy Father's fears, No hopelessness may dwell with thee Thou child of pure sincerity. Again, although by slow degrees, The storm of passion felt a lull, And, ere the spring had clothed the trees, And made the meadows beautiful, Almost a child-like quiet came — Indeed he did not seem the same. Where wild consuming fire has sped On to the prarie's utmost bound, Where'er the scathing flame has spread, Is leafless yet productive g-round : It may be waste and barren now, Yet the attentive swain shall rear, Wherever he shall drive his plough, The golden harvest of the year. Awhile is left a sterile seeming, But by degrees the rain from heaven Will show, by fields with plenty teeming, The fruitful seasons God has given : So violent emotions often, When their first wrathful fire shall cease, May serve, perchance, to soothe and soften, And fit the soul for scenes of peace. When spring-tide brought the scented flowers Young Lauline would arrange those gems 88 LAULINE. In wild but natural diadems. Reminding Arnaud of departed hours, In which another Lauline decked With the same fleeting things her brow — How altered now ! — She lieth low — The flowers are faded — life is wrecked. Then sweetly clustered in the cheerful room Blue violet groups were everywhere displayed, They brought back memories of the scented glade Where they were wont, unplucked, to shed perfume : And Arnaud's strength was now so much renewed, His fevered frenzy now so much subdued, That in the garden's laurel-sheltered way, Leaning on Lauline, he would calmly stray, And by degrees the mossy lanes were sought, Stirring up holier thoughts, with happier feeling fraught. Each memoried walk had lessons of the past, [veyed, Each murmuring stream some whispering voice con- Each ancient tree, each shadow that was cast By rock or hill, its own impression made. And then at last alone would Arnaud wander, Ronan and Lauline watching him unseen — Often they saw him pause, and seem to ponder The story of some well remembered scene — And once, when evening shadows gathered o'er, They marked him seeking out the yew-tree gloom, That silent churchyard where some time before Ronan was found beside his Lauline's tomb ; LAULINE. 89 And there the old man knelt. His lifted eye Was raised to heaven, and calmly now he prayed. Faith was re-kindled. In that distant sky Dwelt two fair spirits freed from earthly shade, Spirits of those who, whilome, mourned below, — For Lauline's mother had her cup of woe, — And he might soon rejoin them. There he wept, But wept not hopelessly. The tears, he shed Brought down a blessing on his aged head ; His prayer was answered, and he knew the peace Which pardoned sinners only know, When their fierce self-accusings cease, And love- won hearts with comfort glow. Heaven's pardon had removed the ban, And Arnaud rose an altered man, Clothed with a meek and quiet mind, With heart subdued, and soul refined. He sought the cheerful hill-side cot, Which seemed more cheerful than before, For waiting at its open door Were those who shared the blessed lot That broken spirit to restore ; And now he looked as when of yore No sullying passion stained his brow, And when from gentle lips would flow The words of blessing or of prayer, Or in the Church-assembled throng Would join in tones of holy song, As though untouched by care. 99 r.AurjNH. They silently embraced — words were too weak The thoughts of those full hearts to speak — Till Ronan, on his bended knee, The Pastor's parent-blessing sought, And Lauline knelt instinctively. — Straight in his arms the old man caught The girl, and kissed her tenderly, And taking Ronan by the hand, Gently, yet firmly, bade him stand. " You are the injured — mine the task From you forgivenesses to ask, Yet I believe you have forgiven, For if you had not loved me well, I had not lived to break the spell Which kept me back from peace with heaven. I feel that God has cancelled crimes Committed in my erring times, Still for my few short days below 'Twill be some solace that I know You can a like forgiveness show." ***** The morrow comes, and the Sabbath chime Is sounding over the fragrant thyme, And the scented breezes, as they float, Bear onward the voice of the holy note, And it reaches the Pastor's raptured ear. — Though the sound to him was ever dear, On many a Sabbath although it tolled, And along the valleys its echoes rolled, Yet not till this glorious spring-tide morn Was its sound to the aged Arnaud borne. LAUI.1NE. 91 Before his name is numbered with the dead He longs again those holy courts to tread, J lis heart with sacred gratitude o'erflows, His kindling eye with heavenly feeling glows ; Though his transgression may have led astray Some of the flock whom once he taught to pray, Yet now, repentant, he may win them back By " words of love, from misery's thorny track," Himself a warning beacon, he would tell The happiness he knew before he fell, Would paint the bitter anguish of the soul That yields itself to passion's wild control, Then would extol the all-sufficient grace Which led him from his wanderings, to retrace His erring steps, and to regain the way Which leads to regions of eternal day. With gentle Lauline at his side He entered now the ancient aisle, And, with a venerable smile, Which seemed reflected far and wide, He looked a blessing on the throng Assembled there for matin-song. He who had filled the Pastor's place During his long, long absent hours, Sees in his calm, expressive face The token of returning powers. He leads him to the vestment room, And robes him with the Pastor's dress, And o'er that brow, once dark with gloom, Beams the rich light of thankfulness. 92 LAULINE, Then, as they enter the holy fane, Feelings are stirred which we cannot restrain — Every one rises the Pastor to greet, They feel it a comfort that thus they may meet, Then silent they wait for the words he shall tell, For of old he had loved and instructed them well. They listened with attention mute, And he, as though inspired, Spake freely of the bitter fruit Which sprang to him from poison-root, When pride his spirit fired — He asked forgiveness of his God, Forgiveness of his fellow men ; — How oft for pity he had trod Each pathway of the mountain glen, Before the evil shadow came Which made a mockery of his name. — He asked their pity, and their tears Told they remembered other years — He spake of mercy freely given To one who every tie had riven That bound his heart to earth or heaven, And, like a soul already free, He pointed to eternity, And his last benediction gave Even in sight of Lauline's grave. Poor human nature cannot bear The full extremes of joy or woe, LAULINE. itt And when the soul is free from care The strength is often waxing low ; And so it was in Arnaud's case, His spirit-life was strengthened now, Yet must his feeble body bow, For well-nigh finished is his race. He feebly uttered " Home ! my home !" And soon in his lost Lauline's room He woke to consciousness again, — I know not if 'twere joy or pain — But, as he glanced around, He saw that it was still the same — We heard not from his lips a sound But yet his colour went and came, As though within him bliss and woe Were pulse-like throbbing to and fro. Ronan and Lauline knelt beside his bed — He grew more calm, he marked their suppliant look. He laid his quivering hand on either head, And then, in trembling accents feebly said, " Oh never cease to heed that blessed book, Walk by its maxims, it shall teach the way From sin and death, to where the heavenly ray Beams from the throne of God, and every eye Is free from tears, and hushed is every sigh. On you, my children ! may a blessing rest, Those who have solaced others shall be blest" 94 LAULINE. Now quickly came his panting breath He tried to speak — we could not hear — It was the solemn hour of death, Which he could meet without a fear, For, calm as if in slumber lying - , The Pastor, full of peace, was dying. When he had run his mortal race We laid him on a lowly bier, But not the keenest eye could trace Even the shadow of a tear To dim the quiet of his face. Sweetly he sleeps where yew-trees wave Beside his daughter's humble grave, And oft, beneath the walnut's gloom, The peasant points to that lone tomb, Where stands a monumental stone To those who on before are gone, And it is graven thereupon — " jF3£p|l£& fovgibe ! as toe fovgibe, ©J), let us trie forgiben! *o tf)at tijc parteti ones of eavti) ifKlap meet again in f^eaben." END OF LAULINE. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. EZEKIEL'S VISION. Listen, son of Buzi's line, Tones are heard by Chebar's stream, Lightning starts from hands divine — Oh ! it cannot be a dream ! Lo ! the northern whirlwind sweeps — ■ Clouds majestic meet the gaze, Where an amber radiance sleeps, Like a robe of folded blaze. See the living creatures now Bursting from their misty shroud — Forms of light with dazzling brow On the astonished vision crowd ! Gaze, and every feature know ; Look ! for now the spirit flings, Veiling its excessive glow, Shadow from its seraph wings. 96 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Gaze ! — for through the mighty frame, Moving onward to and fro, Flashes of Celestial flame Gleam where'er the Spirits go : Listen ! — from their moving wings Echoes far a mighty sound, Such the deep-toned tempest flings, Billowing the deep profound. As the lightning hastes away, Glancing quick from pole to pole, Prophet ! mark their onward way, Mark the subject wheels that roll, Speeding on their dreadful rings, Lit with myriad eyes around, Till the Spirit heavenward springs, Bearing them above the ground. While the mighty Spirit stays All the awful structure feels, How the slumber of its blaze Checks the progress of the wheels ; How the amber light grows dim, Till a voice in thunder breaks, Mightier than the Seraphim — Hark ! — it is the Godhead speaks ! MISCT.I LANEOUS POEMS. 07 THE INDIAN'S DEATH SONU. I GO to the Hills of the Setting Sun, For the sands of life are well nigh run ; I go to ascend the lonely peak, Whence the founts of blessing and cursing break, Where the changing light of the rainbow rolls, And the eye can look down on the land of souls. The eye of the dying is gifted to see The joyous homes of the brave and free ; But the gaze of life may never behold The homes of the happy by streams of gold, And I to that glorious land shall hie, When bade by the Master of life to die. I shall haste to the glorious hunting grounds, Where the Antelope leaps and the wild Elk bounds, Where my tent is pitched in the meadow of green, \ml the generous spirits are brightly seen, The guest of Wacondah my soul shall be, In tin- beautiful homes of the brave and fi 98 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. But he who has crushed the old man's heart, When he climbs that peak shall backward start ; He shall look upon bliss and then be hurled Back to the rocks of a hateful world, By his evil eye for ever banned From the blessed homes of the happy land. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 99 I LOVE TO ROAM WHEN ZEPHYRS SWEEP. I love to roam when zephyrs sweep In summer softness o'er the deep, And when the sea-birds seek the laud I love to pace the lonely strand, Where Ocean far as eye can reach Rolls its broad waters to the beach, Reflecting, as its billows flow, The saffron tints of Evening's glow. I love to mark the parting day In varying colours fleet away, When the horizon seems to rest Still nearer on the Ocean's breast, While mist and mellowed light combine To picture walls for Nature's shrine, Ere darkness leaves the silent sea, Clad in its own infinity. I love from many a beetling cliff To view afar the white-sailed skill', Which Fancy, as it steins the wave, Deems but a dwelling for the brave 100 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Dancing too proudly on to bear A freight of moody sorrow there, As if its deck might never know The sigh of fear or plaint of woe. I love to roam where Memory strays Unbidden back to other days, And paints upon her tablet true Departed scenes with vivid hue — Scenes that have ceased to mock the eye, Or waken in the breast a sigh, Save such as recollection brings, Fraught with a blessing on her wings. This is a sigh that always wreathes A zone of sweetness while it breathes, Born of remembrance, lent to cast More chastened beauty o'er the past, Whose bright companion tear-drops stay Only to catch the parting ray, Like Evening's drops of summer dew Bearing the lovely rainbow's hue. Or such a sigh as softly tells How feelingly the bosom swells, A plaintive breathing, lent to show A sympathy with other's woe, MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 101 As echo's softest wailings gush In answer to the widower thrush, Or well like notes from angel lyres Responsive to iEolian wires. And holy feelings such as these Are wakened oft by Evening's breeze, As with half melancholy tone It whispers to the heart alone ; Though often scathing thoughts intrude, Even in solemn solitude, Yet to the soul that turns to heaven There — there are rich revealings given. i 1' 102 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. WHERE IS THE FLEETING THOUGHT? Where is the fleeting thought ? O'er the waters glancing, Where moonbeams are dancing, Where pearls are sought In the depths of the sea, Or where wander free Zephyrs with perfumes fraught. There — there is she. For a moment she bends O'er the home of sadness, Then leaping with gladness, To laughter tends ; And joyous in her glee, Unfettered and free, On her light wing she wends All merrily. Thought we must fetter thee ! Inconstant thy motion, As spray on the Ocean, Yet art thou free ? Or art thou not a slave, Tossed by every wave, Foam-like borne dreamily On to the grave. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 1015 DECEPTIVE PLEASURES. Though death may lurk in every spray That bears young Passion's flowers, Madly we seek the downward way To make those blossoms ours. And pleasant for a time they seem To youth's unpractised view, And full of promise is the beam Which paints their tempting hue. But bitter produce do they bear, And those who pluck the shoot, Designing but its flowers to wear, At last will eat the fruit. Would you escape the deadly snares Which pleasure spreads around, Refuse the garland she prepares — Shun her enchanted ground. 104 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. C A B U L. Whence comes that rider on the breathless steed, Urged to the utmost, faultering in his need ? Backward he turns an almost frenzied glance, His gaunt hand trembles but retains the lance ; Wild meaning flashes from his lustrous eye, The fitful blaze of wordless agony ; And Terror's sweat-drops damp his bloodless brow, And dark his face, that messenger of woe. And why alone ? What foemen in the rear Join in the chase, and mock his wild career? He comes, the lonely bearer of a tale, To scare the weak, to turn the fearless pale ; He, the sole relic of the band that hied From sheltering India, full of warrior's pride ; Whose nodding crests, and glittering banners gay. Seemed almost tokens of a festal day. Dauntless they went, and England's soldiers there Bore themselves nobly, as they ever bear. Though ghastly Death with desolating' eye Frowned in the darkness of the wintry sky, Through drear ravines and desert heights they sped, W T hile foes assailing, only gazed and fled ; Or, vanquished, yielded to the King that came Strong in their arms his long lost throne to claim — MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 105 Lost by his tyranny, and seized by those His own ingratitude had made his foes. Yet exile had not taught the cruel Chief To pardon crime, or sympathize with grief. 'Twas not enough his conquered serfs should yield, Leaving to him the undisputed field ; 'Twas not enough amid the storm-wind's roar To hear Guznee proclaimed his own once more ; 'Twas not enough that he, the exiled one, Now trod the threshhold of his former throne : But war-won first-fruits of the reckless fray Must taste the fierceness of a Coward's sway ; And dastard murder fling a deadlier stain O'er the red cruelty of that campaign. Those mountain tribes, as rugged as their clime, Seem to submit, but only bide their time. 'Mid sheltering crags, which yield secure retreat, The angry leaders and their warriors meet : They saw the banded army as it passed, Their own low wail had echoed to the blast, And though forebodings rise, yet no despair Can touch the patriot hearts assembling there. That army comes, professing but to bring Back to the Affghan throne an exiled King — Oh ! specious pretext ! Deeply do they know The grasping spirit of their Christian foe; J 06 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. They view the fanes, the altars of their Sires, Their infant prattlers round the household fires, And silently the deep resolve is made To teach betrayers they may be betrayed. " What mean those offerings at a Moslem's tomb. By Christians offered, save to hide the doom They fain would bring us ?" And while thus there ran Such dark suspicious on from man to man, From many an eye one burning tear-drop gushed, Full many a cheek a daring purpose flushed, And mingled feelings crowded on the whole Revenge — the ruling passion of the soul. " Revenge ! aye, full revenge ! the fierce, the long, The wild revenge, the feeble owe the strong ! The slaughtering ambush in the silent shade, Thus be the perfidy they taught repaid !" It was repaid. Cabul may boast a name Dark in the annals of Britannia's fame. Their perils past, each danger undergone, Their task accomplished, and the victory won. Britannia's sons securely for a while There seemed to bask in Fortune's sunnier smile ; — But such the sunshine as is often spread In beauteous mockery over Etna's head, While happiness and love together rove In shady vineyard or in trellised grove, MISCELLANEOUS l'Ol - 1()7 Unheeding- of the fire that burns beneath, Mighty, but hushed, the hiding-place of death. Their sunshine leaves them — on their fruitless toils No more Britannia's martial Genius smiles, — They seek to flee, by even him betrayed Who owed his throne, his being, to their aid ; — Forced to retreat — nay, rather forced tu fight 'Mid the confusion of a helpless flight. Fierce Retribution comes. The Victors they Who bled and yielded in the earlier fray : Deceived before, to Christians now sincere Listens the Affghan with distrustful ear — " Had they not heard of stolen Scindia's wrong- Chanted at eve in many a native song ? Had not the war-cry from the Ghilzies height Rent the hushed silence of the quiet night ? Boomed not the sound of echoing guns from far ? Held not the foe the post of Candahar ? Can they be trusted ? Will not these combine Around Cabul the self-same chains to twine ? Shall they then yield their country and their right To those intruders now compelled to flight, Or woo their bonds, and bend again the knee To that besotted Chief of Dourannee ?" Far other dreams, more daring purpose theirs ! As tangled deeply in his self-laid snares 108 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Their victim writhes and struggles to he free, This their dire purpose, this their stern decree — " One only shall escape, that one shall tell The vengeance we exact for those that fell." No more the stainless banners proudly float, No warlike music wakes its stirring note ; No longer discipline asserts her sway Over the thousands of the vast array : Confusion reigns ; the Demon of Despair Laughs at the efforts of unhoping care : Vainly the leader cheers his broken troop, Their strength is wasted, and their spirits droop : The icy fierceness of the mountain air Claims as its victims those the sword might spare,- And vainly red one scanty watch-fire glows Over those regions of perpetual snows ; All shelterless and starving, throng on throng, Scarcely they drag their wearied limbs along, While glittering o'er the beetling cliffs appear The swords of foes relentless in the rear, Who chase them, wolf-like, with untiring cry, — Resistance serves not — 'tis as vain to fly — Yet every fugitive, to reach the van, Unthinking presses on his fellow man, And many a fainting form beneath their tread Slumbers unheeded with the countless dead. There is the Hindu from his genial clime, And England's youth in manhood's earliest prime, MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 109 And there in clustering crowds the Sipaliees Bend to the coldness of the midnight breeze : Nor are they sons of war alone that brave Those mountain passes, and that mountain grave ; But woman, trusting woman, dares to climb Heights she had shuddered at in happier time, And urges on her rude Yahoo to tread His dangerous path o'er precipices dread. And childhood's helpless and expiring- cry Preludes the anguish of its Mother's sigh. From every peak the deadly juzail flashed, Down each ravine Beloochee warriors dashed ; Thousands on thousands unresisting fell, — The wily Affghan kept his promise well, And England's boldest ones astounded saw The bitter fruitage of aggressive war. No time to pause — no hour to snatch repose, The slain are only sepulchred by snows; There, stiff with frost, some dead arm points on high, There moonbeams glimmer on a frozen eye, And naked forms, by passing comrades known, Glare amid death like monuments of stone. Soon these shall join them ! soon their bones be spread To mark the murderous pathway that they tread ! Who may I>l- Baved? The foeman scorns to spare — I oless some few — the honoured or the fair. K 110 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. This tiny band with fearful bosoms sent, Doubting, yet hoping, to the Chieftain's tent, Received as hostages, allowed to share The meagre comforts of its desert fare, Found that a savage Chief would deign to show That scarce expected mercy to his foe. And they were spared. For many a cheerless day From fort to fort their dreary journey lay, Yet even in their wretchedness is given A high and holy confidence in Heaven, As the soft, feeling voice of woman's prayer Breaks on the silence of the desert air. That prayer was heard — a rescuing army came To win them back, and vindicate its name. Blame we our foes who stood in equal fight, Unconquered guardians of each free-born right ? Or blame we him whose subtle courage planned To chase the stranger from his native land, Met courtier perfidy with equal fraud, And warrior prowess with the patriot sword ? Nay ! blame ourselves. Ambition's siren breath Allured our armies onward to the death, And though avenged and conquering at the last, For this our thousands whiten in the blast, And widows' sighs, and orphans' bitter tears Must blight the trophy that Ambition rears. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Ill Yield not, oh ! England ! to the lust of power, Let Mercy smile in thy successful hour, Teach to the myriad tribes that own thy fame That thou art Christian, not alone in name, Let Truth and Justice reign ; nor ever draw The sword of Albion in forbidden war ; But if agg-ression grasps some peaceful land Go, wrest the weapon from the spoiler'.s hand ! Or if Ambition, coveting our own, Strikes at our altars, and assails the throne, When Justice bids thee, when the cause is right, Then fly to arms, be valiant in the fight ! So shall the grateful tears that Patriots shed Bedew the laurel that shall deck thy head, And smiling Peace her choicest wreaths bestow In clustering olive for Britannia's brow. 112 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. SPRING. Spring with her sunny sheen no more Lingers still on the distant shore, But comes with her flowers and leafy cheer To waken the smiles of the youthful year, Long she tarried, hut now she flings Clustering flowers from her sunny wings, And youth comes back to the eye of age, As it turns away from the learned page. Hasten ! and leave the well-worn book, Seek her blossoms beside the brook, And forsake the student's dim fireside, To roam in the meadows in green spring-tide. Nature's smile will tell you a tale Scarcely known to the student pale : Oh ! there is something in flower or stream More lofty and pure than mere book- worm's dream, Worn with toil in the hours of night, Why do you shun the noonday light ? MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 113 Oh ! there is more in the tangled nook Than the pedant wins from his musty book Hasten away with dawning- da\ . Or in the hour of evening grey ; Go to the wild wood and breathe its calm, For cibroad i^ the wearied student's balm. k 2 114 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. SONG. Sometimes amid the festal throng Soft whispers greet my ear, A gush of half seraphic song Which glads the heart to hear, But never tones to equal thine, Thou unforgotten one of mine. Of mine ? — alas! how memory dwells On shadows long gone by, And dreams of unexhausted wells That long ago were dry ! Mine ! mine ! ah, no ! it might not be, Thou meteor of my destiny. PITY. If grief hath glazed the tearless eye, And be who mourns would mourn apart, Not the vain words of pity try — They seem to soothe, but burn the heart. But when the starting tear of woe Tells that the fountain is not dry, The scathed and riven heart may know A solace from your sympathy. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 115 THE WANDERER. " Say, Stranger, why those tear-drops flow, And whence that scarcely stifled sigh ? Is it some thought of long* ago That heaves thy bosom pensively ?" " Lady," the wanderer replies, " If thou like me wast doomed to roam, Could'st thou suppress the longing sighs That whisper of a distant home ? " Then blame me not, though Memory strays To other scenes and other times, Reverting to those happier days That once were mine in sunnier climes : " Climes where in boyhood's spring we roved, In tasted yet the cup of woe, — < >h ! that was joy — we had not proved Aught that 'tis better not to know. " I sigh for childhood's palm-tree shade, For climes where soft Acacias grow, 116 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. Lands where my brothers often played Beneath the green Banana's bough. " Oh dreams like these will make one feel- Then, gentle Lady, will you say 'Tis weak for gushing tears to steal In memory of the far away ? " I cannot, riven from my home, The smile of seeming pleasure wear ; Nor can I, as I onward roam, Suppress the sigh that tells of care. " Must not the heart beat pensively, That scarce a pitying voice may hear, Save that which wounds by asking why The stranger sheds the bitter tear ?" " Stranger ! I would not give thee pain ; I would not lightly ask to hear Thy tale of sorrow o'er again, If that would wake a bitterer tear. " But I remember to have heard, Beneath the branches of the palm, The voices of the tropic bird Amid the hush of Evening's calm. MISCELI Wl'.ors POEMS. 1 17 ■ : And tones like thine have met my ear, Where the Banana's shadow plays ; And still 'tis sweet such tones to hear Like echoes of those vanished days. ■'• And when the stranger seeks my door I long to hush his sigh of care, To cheer the guest from thy bright shore, For I was once a stranger there." 118 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. THERE ARE FEELINGS WE MAY NOT REVEAL. There are feelings we may not reveal, That deep in the bosom must dwell, Emotions that over us steal, Which the soul must confess, but the tougue may not tell. There are feelings that breathe of regret, And call from the bosom a sigh, The cheek with the tear-drop is wet, Whilst the spirit is sad, though we cannot tell why. There are feelings that whisper of joy, And round us a halo they fling, Unsaddened by any alloy — We have pleasure we scarcely may trace to its spring. They are feelings too tender for earth ; They speak to the spirit within, And awaken a sense of the worth That the soul would possess if unsullied by sin. ELLANEOUS 1H) Oil! THERE IS A REGION V\'HERE SADNESS AND GLOOM. Oh ! there is a region where sadness and gloom Never venture to darken the breast of the rose, Where myrtles entwine, and where amaranths bloom, And nectar from fountains of loveliness flows ; There spring' always rests on the evergreen tree, There the dew of the morning its freshness bestows, There bright is the sun over mountain and lea, And clouds never shadow the day at its close. Sweet music may breathe to the listening air, And soft may be echoed the summer wind's sigh, But moan of the tempest may never be there, Nor ever the gale of the winter be nigh ; A happier land than the wanderer knows, Where tears shall be wiped from the sorrowing eye, Where the weary shall rest in delightful repose, And sip of the streams that shall never be dry. We dream and we sing of a laud such as this, We have heard of a climate so lovely and fair ; We may tell, but we cannot impart of its bliss, For the flower of its joy only flourishes there. 120 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. A gleam of its sunlight oft rests on our bowers, And gems with the sheen of its colouring rare, But such a reflection alone can be ours, We wait for the future its blessings to share. MISCEIXANEO! s POEMS. 121 DAPHNK. FROM GESNER'S IDYLS. No hero's deeds on field of fight, No stories of the battle plain, No tales of treachery or might Shall taint Affection's heart-breathed strain. With timid step she quits the scene Of tumult, with its tempest roar, To greet with shepherd pipe the sheen Of waters trembling to the shore. Charmed by the whisper of the stream, She wends along the path of flowers, Or rests tu woo a pleasant dream. Where verdant foliage weaves her bowers. There shall slit trill her sweetest song — For Daphne are the notes combined Spring, as she leads the hours along, [a less serene than Daphne's mind. 122 MISCELLANEOUS POEMS Flashed from her sparkling eye the glance Of chastened pleasure flings its ray ; While frolic smiles for ever dance On dimpled cheeks, and lips as gay. Aye, lovely Daphne ! since the hour I knew thou wouldst not scorn my lays : Gladness has gemmed my lowly bower. With promised bliss for future days, >,!M ELLANEOUS POEMS. 123 i I CRACK. BOOK I., ODE 5, AD PYRRHAM. PyrbhAj in thy pleasant bower, Where the clustering roses flower, Say, what youth with rich perfumes Seeks thy grot amid the blooms. Say, for whom, with simple air, Bind you thus your golden hair, — Oh ! how often shall the tear Fall for changing- fortune here ? He who too confiding lies In the sunshine of thine eyes, Soon must wail, when o'er the wave Dark the angry stormwiuds rave. ! [apless if he dreams thou'lt be Still so lovely, still as free, — Inexperience deems thee fair, deceptive gales are there. I iiiv dripping vestments place Where the votive tablets grace fane, — as glad to be From Pyrrha as from shipwreck free. 1 ■_: ; MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. HORACE, BOOK II., ODE 20. Neither on hackneyed nor on feeble wing, Doubly a bard, will 1 be borne Through liquid air: — nor will I longer stay On earth. Greater than Envy's scorn, From cities I will speed away. — My dear Maecenas I who sing. I, I, of pauper parents sprung they say, I shall not die ; no Stygian dew Shall hinder me. Now, now my feet around Rough scales arise ; with plumage new, Bird-like above my arms are crowned, And feathers on my fingers stay. Safer than Icarus, a songbird I, The shores of murmuring Bosphorus Will view, and shifting sands of Gaetula, And Northern plains. Gelonians thus Distant shall know me ; he of Dacia, Hiding his fear of Marsians nigh, And Colchian too :— me too, the skilled of Spain, And he who drinks from Rhone shall learn. — Be dirges absent then, and shameful woe And wailings round my empty urn ; — Suppress loud mourning, and forego Every sepulchral honour vain ! ELLANEOUS POEMS. 125 SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN'S HYMN. When early morning gilds the sky, To Thee, O God ! our prayers we raise ; When slumber leaves the opening eye We breathe the whisper of Thy praise. When evening comes, with dewy close, Our thoughts and hopes to Heaven arise, And calmly sinking to repose, On Thee the trusting heart relies. Father ! we yield our thanks to Thee, That thou hast brought us to Thv throne ; To bend the glad and willing knee i »!>edient to our God alone. We bless Thee for our Teachers, given To point us to the living way, To lead us up from earth to Heaven, From sin and ignorance away. ( »li ! maj we learn to prize them more, ii'