THE LIBRARY OF THE OF LOS UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA ANGELES of the Middlesex Bar. EAGLE, / ARLINGTON, T AND OTHER POEMS. BY ROBERT B.) CAVERJ,Y. THREE VOLUMES IN ONE. VOL. I. BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY B. B. RUSSELL, Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, by ROBERT B. CAVERLY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. PS - C7 ILLUSTRATIONS VOL. I. THE AUTHOR'S HOME. Frontispiece II. MAGGIE PATIENT WAITING. 68 Artist, W. H. TITCOMBE. Engraver, E. A. FOWLE. For me nnd thee, what joys to come ! To meet, for aye to be but one. Good night, my dear, come bomei III. THE LITTLE BIRD, IN AUTUMN, TAKING LEAVE. 82 Ai-t. TITCOMBE. Eng'r. FOWLE. Now tbe icy bleak November Comes to drive tbee far from me : Long will I thy love remember, Far, my blessings follow thee I IV. TRAY, ON THE BATTLE FIELD, AT THE GRAVE OF HIS MASTER. HI Art. TITCOMBE. Eng'r FOWLE. The instinct of bis nature rare, His head was high to the tainted air, As if in expectation ; iii 550397 CONTENTS VOL. I. THE EAGLE, At the tomb of the first Martyrs .... 9 His habits and history . . . . .10 What the Patriarchs said of him . . . . 11 Ilis appearance ....... 15 An account of the Flood ...... 20 An account of Old Job . . . . . .23 Of the Israelites in the wilderness .... 23 Pride [a paraphrase] . . . . . . .28 Valor and of Homer ...... 29 The Vine 80 Parental care . . . . . . . 35 His peroration; and his flight to a mountain homo . 3'J Talk there to the Wood -Nymphs .... 37 " " of war and the rebellion . . . .38 " " of his visit at Wamesit .... 38 " " of trials and of bondage . . . 3U " " of the merchants ..... 41 " " of true kindness [a paraphrase] . . .41 " " of liberty -.4-2 " until, at eve, he falls asleep . . , , .43 His dream, and, at dawn, his disappearance in the heavens 44 CONTENTS. ZAGONYI'S CAVALRY CHAEGE 45 THE LOVE LETTER, "He'll read it when he wakes" . . 50 GREENWOOD ......... 61 LITTLE NED C7 HARK ! 'T is A VOICE 72 THE WOOD -THRUSH, [a dialogue") ..... 77 LITTLE MARY TO THE BIRD ....... 80 NEVER HUNCH ........ 8J NULLIFICATION . ..... t Ax ALLEGORY ........ 03 WASHINGTON, D. C. [a letter] . . . , . .10] BULL RUN 107 DUPONT AT PORT ROYAL . . . . . . .112 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD INSPIRES HOPE . . . 115 THE FIRST MONITOR 118 THE DREAM 122 ARLINGTON . . . .- . . . .125 The Potomac and its landscape . 127 " drive -way and the specters . . . . .120 " 1st field [6,000 dead] 130 " Inscriptions . . . . . . .131 " night-dirge 133 " interview, Scott with Lee . . . . .134 " decision and the result . .... ISO " 2d field, [13,000,] and the night-watch . . .137 " dead, unknown, [2,111] ..... 138 " visitors ........ 140 " widow and her dog ...... 143 " grave of Mary Randolph Washington . . .140 " return, and the day -dawn . .... 119 ILLUSTRATIONS VOL. II. L THE AUTHOR'S LIKENESS, 2 IL CHOCOKUA AT THE GRAVE OF KEOKA, 162 Artist, H. BILLINGS. Engraver, E. A. FOWLE. A white flag fluttered in the air, Sweet stars from heaveu glittered there, And the zephyrs came to love her. m. Artist, VAN RAUCH. VICTORY, Engraver, E. A. FOWLE. Rear high yon statue! proud and just, Make glad the consecrated green, Where doth the soldier's sainted dust, Bespeak the sorrow Earth had seen. IV. THE OLD GARRISON HOUSE, 284 Artist, N. C. SANBORN. Engraver, E. A. FOWLK. How, oft amid the tempest blast, Ye heard the rattling arrows cast, The mid -night gun, the savage yell! CONTENTS VOL. II. PAGE Bride of Burton (Chocorua) 157 The Pet Canary 169 A Memento (Written for a Lady) 172 Onward to the Sea (Sherman) 173 An Acrostic (Advice) 176 On Dixie's Woodland (Sedgwick) 177 Cheerfulness (A Letter) 181 Up the Kennebec (Descriptive and Historic) 185 Barnard Brown (Admonition) 196 The Golden Wedding (A Surprise) 199 An Elegy (Jewett) 207 "That Old Flag Yet "(An Incident) 211 Again 'tis Night (Domestic) 215 Burnside at Roanoke 219 Our Day of Independence, in Peace in War 224 Victory (Peaceful Serene) 233 The Two Brothers 239 Festivity 241 The Martyrs (A Discourse) 243 A Prescript, The Replication 251 The Wag in a Grave Yard 253 i Card, The Answer 256 The Lost Children (A Ghost in a Cloud) 257 Endurance (A Postscript) 272 A Night Thought (Paternal) 275 The Soldier's Mother (At the Grave) 277 3 4 CONTENTS. The Old Garrison House (Historic) 283 Sam the Carpenter 292 Loss of Love (Suggestive) 29 An Autograph (An Address to Patrons) 209 Our Pioneers . ....306 APPENDIX. Note 44, Cbocorua 469 " 45, Lilla 4T1 " 46, A Soldier at the Sea 471 " 47, Sedgwick 471 " 48, On the Kennebec 472 " 49, Of the Surprise .' 473 " 50, Cemetery at L 473 " 51, Our Flag, Its Definition 474 " 52 to 56, Rebellion, Its Cause, &C. 475 " 57, Of the Statue Victory 475 " 58, Book of the Martyrs, A Letter 475 " 59, An Incident 476 " 60 to 62, History of the Lost Children, &c 476 " 63, The Law in such Case 478 " 64, Watchenoet 478 " 65, Miantonimo 478 " 66, The Chime-bells of L. 479 ILLUSTRATIONS VOL. III. PAGE I, Man in the Mountain 324 II. The Whale seeking Deeper Waters 330 III. Samoset 338 IV. Massasoit and Qov. Carver 340 V. The Moose taking Leave 342 VI. The Wild Horse 378 VII Death of King Philip 346 VIII. The Indian Conflict 414 IX. Indians crossing to the Contoocook 364 X. Mrs. Duston killing her Captors 366 XI. The Old Homestead 424 XII. Wheel of the Olden Time 374 XIII. The Contoocook 308 XIV. Tisquantum's Return 388 XV. Sir Francis Drake, from an old English Painting, A White Man, first in New England 338 5 CONTENTS VOL. III. PAGE Our Pioneers (Boston Statue) 306 The Landscape 324 The Creation 325 The Storm . . . 326 The Torrent 327 The Sea 328 The Working of the Waters . 329 Finny Tribes, First Appearance of ' . . 330 Birds, " " " 332 Animals, " " " 333 First Indian, Appearance of 333 The Indian's Habits and History 334 The Pilgrims coming, ttnd Squanto, alias Tisquantum, " wandering here alone" 336 Same-set ! His Personal Appearance, &c 338 The First Treaty, Pilgrims with King Massasoit 339 Tisquantum dies, giving all this Domain to the Pilgrims .... 340 Progress in that Day 342 The Fifty Years' Peace, up to Philip's Time 342 Philip meditates War, and Sassamon divulges it to the Pilgrims . . 343 Sassamon is murdered by Philip's Men 343 The Murderers are tried in an English Court ....... 343 Philip appears in Court denying the Jurisdiction 343 Philip's Argument 344 The Murderers executed is the First Step to Philip't War ... 345 The War, and Philip's Death 345 Peace . . . 346 Xing William's War, and Woman's Heroism in that Day .... 349 The White Man's Mode of Defence to Indian Warfare .... 350 The Story of the Capture of Mrs. Duston and her Two Assistants by the Indians, the Slaughter of the Indians by them, and their Final Es- cape from Captivity 351 Progress as made by the Pilgrims 366 The Revolution , .... 367 8 CONTENTS. The Veterans of the Revolution 367 Industry and Habits of the Generation next succeeding the Revolution, in the Seasons of 368 Haying 369 Threshing the Grain 370 Harvesting and Husking the Corn 371 The Sabbath-Day 373 Habits of the Household in the Olden Time 374 Modern Inventions 375 Progress in this Valley in the Building of Cities 376 Turning the River Power 376 Erecting Manufactories 376 Making Progress in Science as well as Art 377 The Railroad in this Valley, and its Work 378 The Telegraph and its Work 379 Improvements here in Husbandry 380 The Six CITIES, Lowell, Manchester, Concord, Newburyport, Law- rence, and Nashua, with the Villages and Towns on the MERRQIAO, in their various Trades, Art, Science, and Industry 380 Of the many renowned Sons of this Valley, a few are named, to wit : LOWELL and JACKSON, famed for Force of Character, and for Knowledge and Skill in the Arts 376 STARK and PIERCE, known to Revolutionary Fame .... 368 WEBSTER for Eloquence 383 PARSONS for Law and Learning 383 AYER for the extent of his Operations in the Healing Art . . .382 WHTTTIER for Truthful Song 384 The Four Tears' Rebellion ; and the rush from this Valley to resist it . 385 The Force employed in its Overthrow 386 LINCOLN, GRANT, SHERMAN, and SHERIDAN 388 TISQUANTCM'S Return to the MERRIMAC 390 My Morning Ray 395 God over All 398 Daniel and his Dog 401 Jerusalem 407 Years of Pocomtuck 409 Dedication .............. 419 Our Native Home 421 "How Sweet the Hour" . . 426 The Old Elm 428 May-Day 435 An Impromptu 442 A .Month among the Tombs 413 AN EAGLE. HE Eagle that gave occasion to this song came into Low- ell and took his stand within the enclosure, on the lofty shaft erected at the tomb of the first martyrs of the rebellion.(a) His appearance there, in the heart of a populous city, so far distant from the mountains, awakened amazement. The throngs that gathered and ga^ed upon him, were greatly moved by an ad- vent ,o strangely extraordinary; perhaps ominous. (6) Some days afterwards, in a neighboring town, he was decoyed and captured. His strength was herculean. His captor (it is said,) suffered damage through the loss of garments, in the act of taking him. (c) He was then obtained by an association of young men, and for some time was held on exhibition. (d) At length, certain merchants, by contribution, purchased his freedom. scandal, To f strain at a gnat ' is to ' swallow a camel.' XXVII. What can we do better life's mission to fill Than to trust the Great Leader, and work at His will? To Nature and kindred I constant have cluno-, O ' With a care for my home, and a care for my young. PARENTAL CARE. 35 Their beds on the crag- rock with down do I cover And o'er them in storm of the midnight I hover ; To nourish their natures, sweet morsels I bring, And their weak little bodies I bear on my wing; (i) XXVIII. O, ye who have matrons, yet living or dead, Ye '11 lend your attention to what I have said ; For, in the dark hour of fate or of fear, There is always one heart yet hovering near Hail ! hail that dear Mother, our infancy knew, Alike ever precious to me or to you ! Sad, here though forever we think of the past, Down the pathway of ages we hope to the last ; Well blest on the journey with faith to recall, Ever constant in kindness, One Parent of all ; Who doth from His bounty frail nature renew, (j) Yet never exhausted, eternal and true. To live but to love Him, to move at his nod, Dame Nature we cherish, and glorify God. 36 THE EAGLE. XXIX. Farewell ! I '11 away for the day is far fleeting ; Devoutly I thank ye, made glad by your greeting ; I thank ye for kindness in many relations ; Ye've written my name on the bright constella- tions ; ( 20 ) Ye 've borne me in battle above on your banners, ( 21 ) And wild on my pinions have wafted hosannas ! Thanks, now and forever, for these many things ! " Thus spake the wild hero, and took to his wings. ( e ) XXX. Gone now, he has gone to the hills high away, Where the first light of morning breaks down into day; Where the last ray of sunset, straight up from its fountain, Leaves a lingering star on the brow of the moun- tain ; Where to greet his return, in that region unknown, AT HIS MOUNTAIN HOME. 3J Are the hearts of his choice in the bosom of home ; Where sweet the wild vespers make music sublime, And the skies are in motion at the marching of time ; Up there now to dwell, where Nature first found him, In the midst of his kindred fond gathered around him; With the daisy -dressed wood-nymphs, all curious to ken The health of the hero. They greet him and then They listen intently. XXXI. And now he relates The wrath of great kingdoms, and the conflict of states ; How armies had gathered, again and again, How the tramp of the cohorts had shook the vast plain ; Huge navies, wide -sweeping the ocean afar, 38 THE EAGLE. And how they had thundered the terrors of war ; How of late, in the tempest of battle loud roaring, That moved mighty Nations and draped them in mourning, ( w ) The oppressed had found freedom, how treason had quailed, The wrong had been punished, and the right hath prevailed. Then how at Wamesit, of ancient renown, He'd made some acquaintance; In sight of the Town Had pinioned the tombstone of heroes as high As when on the cedar he stood in the sky ; Where of old he had witnessed the red man and tribe, Deep then in the forest, high then on the tide SAW SATAN. 39 Of the Concord's calm confluence. Well fed at this fountain Of shad in the Merrimac, and Moose on the moun- tain, He 'd seen Wonalancet. ( 23 ) Proceeds to portray The contrast of ages, the past with to-day; Where the war-whoop resounded, where the savage then trod, Stood the valiant old Eliot at the altar of God. How different the landscape ! strange wonder it kindles, The wigwam had changed to a city of spindles ! xxxm. He tells them, now tearful, how thrice on his way Old Pluto had met him and led him astray ; And how on that journey he saw one McQuistion, He thought 't was the devil ; [they called him a . Christian.] 40 THE EAGLE. Much like a highwayman, had tried to decoy him, Then daring and dashing, as if to destroy him, Pursued him pugnacious, ( b ) o'er hedge and o'er ditches, Most rudely assailed him, but ruined his breeches. Then how to true honor it turned notwithstanding, In mirth they had made it, a misunderstanding. xxxrv. How next by temptation, of Satan invented, He 'fell among thieves,' ( c ) and was sorely tormented ; How tortured in chains, how he struggled for breath, And ' sick and in prison,' was nigh unto death ; What pains there deranged him, what fears, and what fright, What dread of the day-time, what dreams of the night ; Of the dungeon's dark recess, of ghosts lurking there, And how he long lingered in the pangs of despair ! SEEKS FREEDOM. 41 XXXV. He speaks of the Merchants, who 'd known him of old Far back in that city wherein we've been told He planted the vine. How they came to reclaim him, (*) Down there at the prison's dark door to unchain him. List ! list at his story of Christian devotion, 'T is thus he relates it with tender emotion : " When I was an hungered they gave me to eat, They brought me, when thirsty, a beverage sweet ; When I was a stranger they took me within ; When nakei they garnished, and saved me from sin; When sick and in prison death's terrors to sec, Down there in a dungeon they visited me, To chide the oppressor; 'established my goings,' 42 THE EAGLE. And filled the glad heart to unmeasured o'er- flo wings. ( 24 ) In the fullness of favor unsparingly spoken, In the joys of redemption, dread manacles broken, I hail from that dungeon of death and despair, The bright beam of morning, the mild mountain air. O Liberty! liberty! God -given boon, My dream of the night-time, my glory at noon, Above 'mid the stars, I will welcome thee ever ; Thy charms they enchant me, I will love thee forever." xxxvi. He said it devoutly, and there to his friends Still further discourses to some other ends ; He tells them then, how at Wamesit he left Ten thousand there, sad at his presence bereft ; How reluctant he'd tendered his final farewell To the Merchants' that saved him, and labors to tell FALLS ASLEEP. 43 How three times he turned towards the thick gath- ered ranks, While he winged to the mountain, still giving them thanks, And how on that way every mile that he flew, Was fraught with the grief of that final adieu. XXXVII. Now night from the heavens in curtains descended, When the talk of our hero had finally ended ; His last word hath echoed in a cloud floating nigh, And silence pervades the vast realms of the sky ; Attended of spirits angelic, well blessed, The wood-nymphs retire to their bowers of rest. Cool zephyrs, serene to the heart are sweet soothing, While the voice of the Siren, o'er the mountain is moving, Grown weary, the Eaglets, now, peacefully nod, And the Sage falls asleep in the care of his God. 44 THE EAGLE. Calm, calmly at rest ! yet he wanders on high 'Mid the moon -beams of fancy, 'mid stars in the sky ; Beyond the dark tempest, triumphant to soar, And he dreams of the joys he had tasted of yore, Of landscapes unbounded, sweet highlands of love, On the wild heaving ocean looks down from above. The scream of the fish -hawk, the fawn fierce in flight, The sad cooing dove, in the power of his might, Deep wild -woods abounding, tall cedars impart A fantasy faithful to the dream of his heart. Far upward, yet higher, through faith and delight, He seeks the fixed stars, and he follows their light, 'Till, when the fair dawn had beamed on his breast, In sight of high heaven, that land of the blest, Above the pale planets, there quivering to soar, He turned on the wing and we saw him no more. ZAGONYI'S CHARGE. OCTOBER 18, 1861. (*) age Affords a page Of daring deeds full many, But who, for dash Of cut and slash, Is braver than Zagonyi? n. Three hundred scamps Be-drilled in camps Near Springfield in Missouri, Defiant there, In arms they dare Resistance, 'tis their glory. 46 ZAGONYI'S CHARGE. III. Off, fifty miles Are sent in files The "Body Guard of Fremont," To expel the foe, Or lay him low ; A nation doth depend on 't. IV. Out on their course With half the force Of foes to be encountered, On chosen ground Entrenched around, To conquer or be conquered; v. In nineteen hours They met the showers Of whistling buck and bullet ; When down a lane They sweep in train, And leap the fences from it, HEROIC. 47 VI. Onward they dash With spur and lash Strait through the tented borders, And into line In nick of time, Within the rebel quarters, VII. Frantic, they charge With quick discharge And onward still are dashing; From side to side From sabres wide, The lightning sparks are flashing. VIII. The traitor squads As if the gods Were seeking their dissection, Rush to tlte town, There, scampering down, In quest of some protection. 48 ZAGOXYl's CHARGE. IX. And there pursued In blood imbrued The battle ground enlarges, Till none are found In all the round To brook the fatal charges. x. What dire recoil On sacred soil, Which arrant knaves encumbered The rebel dead Left in that bed, Their gallant foes out -numbered. XI. The village throng Escaped had gone, In frightful panic scattered ; On the hills, amazed, They stood and gazed Abashed at traitor's slaughtered. VICTORIOUS. 49 XII. All through that night Of awful fright Were frequent spectral hobblings ; And to this day, That crimson clay Gives heed to ghosts and goblins. XIII. Yet, many a year To pilgrims here In freedom's full communion Our earth shall teem That war-cry Theme Brave "Fremont and the Union." THE LOVE-LETTER. HE XL READ IT WHEN HE WAKES. ! direful scoure of earth ! In hatred hell had given it birth, To make of MAN a Slave, Called forth a force defensive, strong, Whose myriads mighty swelled the throng Of the noble and the brave. The battle rattled long and loud, AT THE BATTLE-FIELD. 51 Like thunders breaking from a cloud That showers o'er the plain Dark, deadly hail - storm ; Earth turned pale, And, quaking, shuddered 'neath the gale That swept the world amain. in But when the sun went down that night, A star let fall a ray of light Amid the dead heroic; It shone upon the face of him, Who, there beneath that battle din, Had thought for Maggie Moric. IV For Maggie, when he saw her last, On him a lingering look had cast, And talked of time to come ; When wicked war must needs be o'er, 52 THE LOVE-LETTER. They'd meet as they had met before, When twain they would be one. v His comrades, 'neath that twinkling ray, Out from that field of death away, Brave, bore him soft and slow ; True sentinel to such a trust, A soldier guards a soldier's dust, Such truth he could but know. VI That damp, dark night slow waned away, And when Sol reached meridian day, The funeral service came ; Twas by the call of muffled drum, And march of "brave ones," ready come To bury Charlie Crane. FROM MAGGIE. 53 VII There in that martial group amid, Beside a rough -board coffin lid, The chaplain knelt in prayer; He soared on high for hearts at home, And fervent prayed for some unknown Loved one lingering there. VIII Ah ! 't was a strange presentiment, That o'er the good man's spirit went, That led him thus to pray ; To cause that rudest funeral bier To be bedewed with many a tear Which naught but love could pay. IX Up from that prayer, near by him stood A post-boy meek, in modest mood, 54 THE LOVE-LETTER. Who in a whisper said, "I have it here, but 'tis in vain, It is a letter for Charlie Crane ; And Charlie now is dead." x Silent, aside, they broke the seal; It was of love, its last appeal From Maggie, far away ; The chaplain glanced it sadly o'er, Then sealed it up, as 'twas before, 'Twas for the judgment day. XI "That awful day," no mortal knows; Yet pardon me, if I disclose What Maggie wrote to Charlie : "My Charles," (for thus the letter run,) " Of swains to me there is but one ; I loved thee ne'er so dearly THE DEE A.M. XII "As now. I had a dream last night; The light of morn seemed beaming bright Above the high -lands hither; Where, in the merry month of May, We hailed at first that gala day To gang in lov.e together ; XIII " And where, as then, far down the lawn, The lily kissed the early dawn, Bright with the azure blending ; While proud that distant mountain rill Again leaped forth, it glittered still, Along the vale descending. XIV "To tell what bloom, \\litit flowerets sweet, What magic music came to greet 56 THE LOVE - LETTER. Me there, I have not words ; The rose with all the flowers besides, Glad anthems true of all the tribes, And carol of the birds. xv "The robin tuned his note on high, And jay and blue -bird seemed to vie In signal ecstasy; Triumphant songs they sweetly sung, In chorus high, both old and young; Sweet Charles, they sung of thee XVI "In truthful love. Next, far away, A war -trump sounded dread dismay, Some fearful ill foreboding, Came o'er me then; and in the vale, There lurking stood a specter pale, My joy, my all exploding I ANGEL VOICES. 57 XVII " Yet high above the mountain range i Appeared angelic voices strange, And grateful, glorious morn; An army then in the distant light Loomed up, and then the clouds of night Drooped down on me forlorn. XVIII " Still there adorned to be thy bride, My Charles, I saw thee by my side, As if ye were not dead ; I raised both arms with dear delight To clasp thee, yet, as quick as sight Ye fled, a Phantom shade ! xix " Awaking, bounding with a scream, Aloud I wept 'Twas such a dream! 58 THE LOVE-LETTER. It drowns me deep in sorrow ; Away from war, my darling dear, The day of thy discharge' is near, Come home, come home to-morrow! xx "My heart shall leap with joy serene To hail thee here, at morn or e'en, In manner most becoming ; I '11 make the gate - way wild with flowers ; I'll know the very midnight hours, Still waiting for thy coming. XXI "Up to that promised bridal day, My soul, transported, wings away To thee, to thee alone; For me and thee what joys to come ! To meet, for aye, to be but one Good night, my dear, come home I " I'll make the gate-way wild with flowers , 111 know tie very mid -night hours Still '.vai ting for thy coming: UNSEALED IN HEAVEN. 59 XXJI Silent that group, with arms reversed, Stood firm. The chaplain turned, immersed In thought; the letter takes, And on that breathless bosom laid it ; "Now bury himi" (in faith he said it,) "He'll read it when he wakes." XXIII And then, they laid him down at rest, With Maggie's message on his breast, (Repose more sweet it makes ;) And every turf that on him fell, In true return it seemed to tell, "He'll read it when he wakes." XXIV Green were the sods they sought; there, then, True faith in God came o'er the men 60 THE LOVE-LETTER. In vision bright and fair; And when they fired their farewell gun, Down from high heaven the echo run, "Oh, yes! he'll read it there." xxv Rebellion dire ! what pangs, what anguish Shall touch the once loved heart to languish, Through far off coming years I What deep endearments brought to naught; What hopeful joys, what darling thought, Are buried deep in tears I XXVI How many hearts are dying yet ! Bereaved, how can the soul forget Her choice companions fair? How many letters grateful given Too late for earth, are sealed for heaven ! " Unsealed" they'll read them there. GREENWOOD. [Delivered to an assembly of 7 churches, on the heights, at Green- wood Grove, Wakefield, Mass., July 14, 1868.] Dame Nature dwells in loveliness ; Her dear delights enchant me now, O, what a world of wonders this ! What mighty power rolled up these hills, And scooped the verdant valleys down ; That gave due course to a thousand rills, That clothed in beauty vill and town; 62 GREENWOOD. * That piled on high yon ocean wave To dash it headlong to the shore; And grand, to Earth's creation gave Sweet life, and hope, and golden store ! 4 Down on the distant past, in vain We look that hazy landscape o'er, To trace a foot -print, on the plain, Of saint and sage who've gone before. 5 Unchanged, the heavens are blue as then, The sun as bright in beauty shines ; But where are now the sons of men, That basked of yore beneath these pines ? Alas ! and where 's the favorite lad A LAY OF LOVE. C3 That swung beneath yon branchy bowers? 27 The day -dawn hailed him now, made sad, The vales are deep in fading flowers. 7 Up there upon that self- same tree To the red -breast plaintive, all day long, List ! list that nole so fond and free, That song for loved ones, absent, gone. 8 Is it to me, sweet vocal bird, Kind heaven sends a message down? A lay of love, a kindly word? That song indeed is not thine own ; 9 Not thine my inmost heart to move To memory fond or mental pain ; 64 GREEXWOOD. JSTot thine to sing of life, or love, Or joys we'll never see again. 10 Ah ! whence such power to move a tear To fall forbidden where I stand? From what we see and feel and hear, There is another, better land; 11 I see it in the cloud above, The sun, and moon, and glittering star; In the vast, unnumbered worlds of love, That move in grandeur near and far. 13 I feel it in a heart that beats A god -like purpose day by day; A soul that, while I sleep, repeats A dream of glory far away ; THE RESURRECTION. 05 13 I hear it whispered in the air, From the worm that takes the vernal wing, In the quaking earth, I hear it there, That death shall resurrection bring ; 14 I trace it in the vesper mild, The voice of songsters in the vale, That God who sweeps the forest wild, His rolling thunders tell the tale. 15 Afar, bright breaks a morning ray To tint creation's glorious noon ; Hail ! hail that vast triumphant day, Beyond the terrors of the tomb. 16 For aye as now, let Greenwood lend 06 GREENWOOD. Sweet inspiration, light, and love 1 In beauty, earth and sky to blend Forever, true to the God above. LITTLE NED. [An incident at the grave.] the highlands of Hartland, unheeded, alone, There lived yet in sorrow a widow and child ; Her son, true and valiant, had wandered from home, For his country had called him to the " wilderness " wild. As well as the matron, he'd loved little Ned, Who had seen but five winters of the world and its throng; 68 LITTLE NED. But that son is at rest, his brave spirit hath fled, And home from the field they have borne him 3 And now from the valley, the parish and vill, The peasants have gathered, are gloomy in care ; A prayer hath ascended, and down from the hill, They stand by the grave, waiting tenderly there. 4 There lowly the dead lies lowered to rest, Where the sere leaves of Autumn embellish the ground ; Where the wild - bird shall warble a song of the blest, Where Spring shall weave garlands, and love will abound. 6 Devoutly impressive, the service is said, SEES THE SEXTON. 69 While naught could that mother from weeping restrain ; Still drowned in deep wonder there stood little Ned, Yet heedless, retentless of sorrow or pain. 6 He eyed the old sexton, when gently he laid The dust to its kindred, half -held at control; Then a clod on the coffin fell down from the spade, And it startled the boy to the depths of the soul . 7 " Old man, you must stop it, I '11 kill you, (he cried,) If you bury my brother in such a deep hole." His fist high -uplifted, with looks that defied Then wailing, he fell, and convulsively sighed. s Grief, grief like a night -cloud o'ershndowed the ground, 70 LITTLE NED. Bemoaning and sighing were heard in the air, The men and the maidens were kneeling around, And tears fell like rain -drops but not in de- spair. 9 For the great God in heaven is Father of all, Bereaves but to cherish, assauges the pain ; The valiant may perish, like the sparrow may fall, Yet brother with brother shall meet once again. 10 There gazing I stood, and thought of the end, Of strange unbelievers, of what they pretend; The proof is within us, deny if you can, There is in that infant the soul of a man ! 11 The sexton was dumb, his spade stood at rest ; The priest, glancing upward, broke silence to say SORROW AT SUNSET. 71 A word of condolence, then kindly addressed A brief benediction, and the train turned away. 12 The shades are beclouding the sun -set afar, As the dark - clad procession moves slow up the hill; The breath of bleak autumn and the whirlwind of war, Full felt in their garments, are frosty and chill. 13 There is heart -stricken sorrow in Hartland to night, But the morning will come with sweet promises fair; The earth -clods have covered the hero from sight, Yet there's hope still in God, there is truth iu his care. HARK! 'TIS A VOICE! ARK ! 't is a voice, the voice of spring, brings glad tidings on the wing Of songsters far and nigh ! It wakes to life the highland grove, 2 Entrancing me with tranquil love, And glory from on high ! ii That voice, serenely soft and clear, Proclaiming sunny seasons near And winter now no more, Bespeaks another, better clime, OF THE SONGSTERS. 73 Of flowery fields, of days divine, And treasures there in store. in Why came ye thus, brave little bird? What promised joy, what winning word Of love or curious cunning, Hath called thee forth, both mate and throng, Triumphant with angelic song, In vast convention coining ; IV As if for aye to faith inclined, Forever proud of partner kind, Judicious in selection; As if to teach the lesson, how Ye never violate a vow In conjugal affection? v Near now again, from lea or lawn, 74 HARK ! 'T IS A VOICE ! Ye break mj slumbers at the dawn In kindly visitation; I know ye have a home to seek, Some favored native nook unique, Some scheme in contemplation. VI Still, have ye not a nobler end, To trace a comrade or a friend, Or foot - print hidden hither ? Where slumbers still some kindred tribe, Before the flood that lived and died, That calls ye here together; VII Some queen or king, in sacred song, That sang these " banks and braes " along, In sight of old Tisquantum ; ^ Or hither at a later day, OF THE PILGRIMS. 75 That chanted loveliest life away, With warblings wild and wanton ; VIII Where, then, at morn or eventide, With Pilgrim life in all its pride Of holiness from childhood, Alike in love and admiration, They worshiped God with adoration Here, in their native wild -wood. IX Ah ! what enchantments thus ye bring Of memories dear, to which I cling, Down from the far - gone year ! Of sweet remembrances, my own, Of darling aspirations flown ; And yet ye bring them near. x Sweet little " tenant of the sky," 76 HARK ! 'T IS A VOICE ! In thee our duty we descry, And how, in life's expansion, Out from this world's wild winter day, Made free, like thee, we'll wing away On high to make a mansion. THE WOOD -THRUSH. [REPROOF AND THE REPLY.] Scene at the door, June 9, 1864. MATRON Wood -Thrush built a nest, And then sat down to take her rest ; While sitting there upon her eggs, A snare was tethered to her legs! Ye heartless dogs that did the deed, Shall rue it for your cruel greed, To cheat and rob the feathered tribe Of eggs, and all they have beside ! To them, as favorites from above, To rove the air, to live and love, 78 THE WOOD -THRUSH. To cheer all nature with a song, Both life and liberty belong. This bird by no means injured you ; With her or hers you 'd naught to do ; Cursed be the heart, the hand, the twine, That steals away that right divine ! Such right most dear, your mother knows ; When to her ear this story goes, She'll make ye dance upon ye'r pegs With the " ile of birch " about the legs. In caution kind, a lesson take; Oh, never prove yourself a rake ! But live to learn, and try to make The world more happy for your sake. {Little Herman.) We never touched your birds. We didn't we didn't do it. TALK AT THE DOOR. 79 (Hennie.) We never did it. (Leslie.) No siree; we didn't do it; we were not there. (Little Amy.} Oh, no, sir! It wasn't Hermon, nor Hennie, nor Leslie. They never hurt the dear little birds. I guess it was Sam Slender- grass. They say he used to be up to such tricks ; and /think it is just like him. Brave little boys! 'tis joy to learn, Such crime and cruelty you spurn ; 'T was not by you that deed was done ; I ask your pardon every one. (Little H. with dignity, and crowding both hands into his pockets.) Well we'll pardon ye. * To the praise of the boys, except as above, the birds here have remained undisturbed. The Oriole now inhabits a nest near our window ; and the little sparrow returns in spring, and fearless as ever, feeds upon the crumbs that fall from the hands of its little friend at tlie door. LITTLE MARY TO THE BIRD ! Nov. 10, 1866. OME again, my little sparrow; Autumn whistles drear at last ; You'll be absent on the morrow, Absent then to shun the blast. Who will care for thee to-morrow, Downward lonely to the sea, In the haze of heart -felt sorrow, *Mid the dangers on the lea? WHO WILL FEED THEE? 81 3 When thy wings are wandering weary, What kind hand will point the way Over highlands, bleak and dreary; Who will feed thee, far away? 4 Years returning, thou hast sought me, Glad in summer 's cool retreat ; Best of all the birds, I've loved thee, Friendly, fondly at my feet. 6 Here I 've listened oft, delighted With thy languid, tender lay ; E'er to me so strongly plighted, Dear and dearer every day. 6 First, upon the tree -top shady, 82 LITTLE MARY TO THE BIKD. Perched, I saw thee, truly blest ; Cozily beside thy lady, Happy in a little nest. 7 But the fowler, or some weasel, Wicked, did that union sever; Lone, it left thee on the hazel, Sad, forgetting sorrow never. Now the icy, bleak November Comes to drive thee far from me ; Long will I thy love remember, Far my blessings follow thee. 9 Mother says there's One above us, One that kindly cares for all ; Thus discoursed my little Kary With her pet that cloudy day. When the winds were howling dreary. When the wee-bird v; SPARE THAT SPARROW . 83 From a world unseen, that loves us, Will He, heedless, let thee fall? 10 Thus discoursed my little Mary With her pet, that cloudy day; While the winds were howling dreary, When the wee -bird went away. 11 Heaven protect and spare that sparrow, With paternal tender care, From the cruel sportsman's arrow, From the hawk and hidden snare ! u Ne'er may dire disease annoy him, Nor miasma's poisoned breath ; Let no viper vile decoy him To the yawning jaws of death; 84 LITTLE MARY TO THE BIRD. 1 Save him hence from mental sorrow, Mad misgivings, dread despair; From forebodings of the morrow, While he wanders through the air; 14 While he flits above the billow, Driven by storm beyond the glen; Sad at midnight on the willow, Spare that little sparrow then ! 15 Let some darling daughter bid him Welcome to a shady shore, Give him crumbs, thus Mamie fed him Down beside the kitchen door; 16 Absent only while the daisies LET HIM LIVE. 85 Drooping lifeless, still remain; From that land of many mazes, Let him live to come again. D 17 Older grown, yet we'll be younger, When old winter wanes away, When his icebergs fall asunder, Giving place to a golden day. 18 Bring us back our days of childhood, Happy hence as then to be; Yet the warbler, in the wild -wood, Is, they say, more blest than we. 19 Bear us upward, Great Jehovah, On the pinions of thy wing ! Then shall winter days be over; Give us there an endless Spring ! NEVER HUNCH I WO little boys I call to mind, The one was selfish Harry, The other generous Johnnie Lynde ; At school they had been tutored kind, But Harry would be Harry. One day reproof broke forth aloud, The teacher's brow was stormy ; A word from Johnnie calmed the cloud, "I never hunch if Harry crowd! Have mercy, mercy for me ! " GIVE HEED ! 87 Ye men, that toil 'neath sun and cloud For favor, fame or money ; If of the past ye would be proud, Ye '11 never hunch if Harry crowd, But wisdom learn of Johnnie. 4 Of saint or sage to truth inclined, That tread the pathway thorny, What hero brave of nobler mind, What better Christian can ye find Than darling: little Johnnie? NULLIFICATION. S. C. Act, Nov. 27, 1832. " Do you plunge into Niagara with the expectation of stopping half-way down." Webster. A WORD TO JEFF. Feb. 28, 1865. 1 ES, Jeff, you tried in thirty-two To navigate that mighty deep; But Jackson bluffed the frail canoe, And turned aside your craven crew, Going down. SECESSION. 89 II Prophetic ! yet how true the thought ! That, launched on treason's crimson flood, Which mad ambition sordid sought, Your craft and crew would both be brought To the bottom down. in In spite of patriots, great and good, Secession strange, relentless comes ; * Their warning words misunderstood, Again embarked, you 're on the flood Going down. IV Out from the slave - code's flagrant rules, Which breed the tyrant foul in crime ; From treason tutored in your schools, In mass sprang forth confederate fools, Going down. * The Ord. of Secession was passed in South Carolina Dec. 20, 1800. 90 NULLIFICATION. V But when you neared the cragged rock, Above the dark abyss below ; You sought in vain to shun the shock, And tried, through foreign aid, to stop Half way down ; VI You cried for help, yet quite in vain, From sympathizing traitors here ; And at Chicago 30 tried again To hug the shore and shun the pain Going down. VH Your Hunters, too, 31 came to implore Our "Father Abram" for relief; To lend his platform, plank or oar, Or tug your cursed bark ashore, Half way down. RECESSION. 91 VIII But Abram heeded not the talk, Nor could he make that crime his own ; The God of Nature floods the rock, Against His laws you ne'er can stop Half way down. IX Beware ! 'T is death you now discern Still further on the fearful way ; Doomed there to dash the breaker stern, Where now the rolling billows turn Going down. x What if old England press the shore, Or France embark to intervene With friendly aid ? they 've tried before, Still louder will that torrent roar, Going down. 92 NULLIFICATION. XI Yes, Jeff, too late ! by sad reverse You learn indeed how vain the thought To stop Niagara's mighty force, Or stay God's judgments in their course, - Half way down. AN" ALLEGORY. WASHINGTON, OCT. 4, 1863. SQUIRREL, gray at infant age, On earth began a pilgrimage ; Inspired without pre- admonition, Unlettered in the world's condition, Untaught of Satan, sin or strife, A stranger, on the verge of life, Without a forethought coming here, Or agency in such career. Yet he had vigor well defined, An ardent, patriotic mind ; Had thought and taste for worldly weal, 94 AN ALLEGORY. In grief or joy a heart to feel. His lot had fell in northern climes, 'Mid brave old oaks and peaceful pines, 'Mid gentle zephyrs blowing pure, Where nature kind gave promise sure Of sweet content. To him the light Of sun and moon and stars of night Looked glorious ; and earth and skies Seemed but his own a paradise. Of house and home he had no lack, Had acorns plenty, nuts to crack, Had nectar sweet in the morning dew, And aught of care he never knew. "With what he saw of beast or bird, He had no conflict, not a word; Nor did a snare beset his track, Nor cruel man, nor howling pack. BONDAGE. 95 In sight of beauty, bounty, wealth, His breast beat high in hope and health ; He roamed the woods and knew no end, On every tree -top found a friend ; To live he loved, and felt as free As Squirrel ought of right to be. Replete in boundless comforts here, He journeyed on from year to year ; Till, in temptations evil time, Allured, he left his native pine Through vain desire. High on the rocks, There laid in wait an open box. He ventured in; thought no mishap, Alas ! alas ! a hunter's trap Had caught him fast ! 'T was prudence, then, 96 AN ALLEGORY. To court contentment in a pen No use to gnaw or make a muss ! Most wisely squirrel reasoned thus, Became a pet, and, sold anon, Was borne away to Washington, Where many a philanthropic sage Beheld him cornered in a cage, Admired his feats, deplored his fate, But did not help him from the grate. Still round and round he turned the wheel, And through long years began to feel The pangs that flow from life misspent, A broken heart and discontent. At length, one day from the southern sky, A storm arose ; the gales blew high, And burst the door of the wiry grate, FREEDOM. 97 That hung beside the garden gate. Then from the cage, through shrub and tree, O'er hedge and fences, frantic free, He bounded forth ; yet sought in vain To find his native air again. Next day from church, while passing down Beside the highway of the town, I saw a tree, and noted how A squirrel trembled on the bough ; How men and boys, in motley crowd, With barking dog, and threatenings loud, Hurled brick-bats dire, through branch and bud To thrust him out and shed his blood. While one a leader seemed to be, With club, full half-way up the tree, To strike him down ; and all for naught ; 'Twas thus the fugitive they sought. AN AIuLEGOEY. I turned and said, [they stopped to hear,] "Young men, you know not what 'you do! Why seek that squirrel's life, as dear To him to-day, as yours to you? He is no trespasser in fault On anything of yours to feast ; No culprit vile to make assault On life or limb of man or beast ; But fain in fairness would endeavor Sweet life and freedom here to save. These gifts of nature, dear forever, It is but just for him to crave. He holds a heart in love as true, That beats as high in hope or fear; Can feel a pang as well as you, Or in affliction drop a tear. His eye can scan what you intend, MORAL. 99 A foe in every movement see; Yet would he greet you as a friend, Were man but just and kind as he." "That's so," said Jo; "I plainly see!" And down he lumbered from the tree ; The dog, he saw himself to blame, And dropped his shaggy tail in shame ; / The guilty throng, having naught to say, Clung to their clubs, but went away. Down on the trunk, now feeling free, The squirrel chippered, greeting me With grateful noddings ; as it were, He kindly said, "I thank you, sir!" From thence a park became his home, To wander on through life alone ; Yet oft whene'er I go that way, 100 AN ALLEGOKY. It moves me much to hear him say, Still nodding down from the branchy fir, "I thank you, sir! I thank you, sirl" OF WASHINGTON CITY. A letter to a little Miss, May 17, 1862. DOMESTIC AND DESCRIPTIVE. AVING written to Caddie, I must not forget A message to Mary, my proud little pet, Still waddling and wandering from parlor to kitchen, Then out round about, pursuing a chicken, Or down in the garden for some little notion, Or up in the arbor, forever in motion, To gaze at the shadows now moved by the breeze, And chanting with birds as they sing in the trees, 102 OF WASHINGTON CITr. Oft peeping at beauties that Nature discloses, And bringing to mother some sweet -smelling posies. Just now, little lady, I wish you were here To see many strange things, surprisingly queer, Some grand and majestic, some novel and pretty, All in and about the wide Washington city. Here sits the proud soldier, the first that you meet, On horseback, full armed, at the turn of the street ; JNow near him, behold, oft repeating a song, -A. "grinder," for pay, pulls a monkey along. Then up the broad Avenue, at every street crossing, Some poor little orphan a broomstick is tossing ; With one hand extended, from Johnnie or Jennie, You'll hear the sad call, Please, give me a penny. We reach the rotunda, the pride of the nation, It opens a view to the works of creation ; IN SIGHT OF DIXIE. 103 From its lofty corridors are wonders, you know, The Washington monument westward below ; Artful in beauty, vast buildings abound, Of granite and marble majestic around. Still, far in the distance, as fancy delights, Are Georgetown, Fort Ellsworth, and. Arlington Heights ; A mansion sequestered, the homestead of Lee, Who, at the cost of a fortune, a rebel could be. Down there is "old Dixie," in treason and wrong, With a Wise and a Letcher to help her along. Wide above the Potomac, on the highlands afar, Are the white -tented armies and breastworks of war. We wake to their music; far distant it trills, From war-trump, and bugle, it breaks from the hills 104 OF WASHINGTON CITY. Iii strains strange and varied, above dread alarms. It brings to our bosoms the breath of its charms. Still here are the bodies of Congress in session, For the law of the land, to give it expression ; In duty to rancorous rebels, to rub 'em, And down on the " traitors " in hatred to snub 'em. ^ Next note the "Old Castle," alive as it stands, 'T is the home of a tribe of the late contrabands ; They have fled from the foe, from the land of op- pression, Their chains are all broken, 't is the fruit of secession ; Tis the key-note of peace, the bright dawn of salvation 'T is the great God of heaven who ruleth the nation ! Now down from the dome we wend our way back ; There 's many a strange straggler invading the track, GIDDY THRONGS. 105 Great groups of "street loafers " in loud conversation, The odds and the ends of a live Yankee nation. Here swaggers the sailor, of late come to land, Here, too, is old Sambo with whip in his hand ; Here's Dinah with fruit and with cakes made to sell, lint for what other purpose no mortal could tell. Here 's a rude, noisy newsboy, in haste rushing in ; To sell you the " Storr " and the " Re-pub-li-kin ; " If he talks of a battle or a vote at election, How can ye believe him, so full of deception? Do not wonder, in rambling, if you chance to behold A faithful " old servant," that used to be sold ; A tall, limping negress, with all of her charms, In the ca"re of her baby, borne along in her arms ; Some queer little donkey, or grave looking mule, On his journey down South, as they say, to keep school. 106 OF WASHINGTON CITY. But evening approaches, no more can l>e seen, By reason of night - shades that now intervene ; Good-bye, little Mary, with blessings adieu! Farewell, to the household, as well as to you. BULL RUN. July 19, 1861. HISTORICAL. constant cry of do or die, [On, on to Richmond was the shout,] Evinced the spirit of metal and merit To stamp the rebellion out. The mass, all right, were full of fight Abram the people heeded; But, sad for us, to quell the muss, A marshal chief was needed. 108 BULL RUN. With soldiers drilled, and squadrons filled, A move at length was ordered ; With Scott at the head, McDowell led The loyal army onward. Up at Bull Run, the battle begun, 'T was ours for every reason ; But Johnston came and "blocked the game," They caUed it "Patter's treason." 33 Fresh troops combined against the line, And turned the tide of battle ; Both horse and foot reeled round about, In broken ranks " skeedaddle." Our strong reserve had little nerve To stay the massive numbers ; It lacked the spunk (for Miles was drunk,) To do such ma YE thought of thee when far away, Have dreamed of home ; and light and Thy little feet, as e'er before, Seem patting all about the floor. And here, as there, when cares invade, And seize upon this heart and head, THE DREAM. 123 O who could now my spirit win, But little "Caddie" coming in? 3 If pain or panic filled the frame, Or fever burning on the brain, What then could calm the soul within? 'T was little Caddie coming in. 4 When noisy war or fearful fight Brings darkness sad in a dream at night, What sight pr sign doth then beguile? Tis that bewitching little smile. 5 Or, when 'mid buried joys I roam, In direst thought, bereaved, alone, What can assuage my sorrow keen? O list ! that little voice, serene. 124 THE DREAM. 6 In vision bright; it brings good cheer From home and hearts forever dear, And teaches wisdom, kindness, love, As by an angel from above. 7 Sweet vision ! lost in early day I Life, like a dream, doth wane away ; I wake to scan the journey o'er, Earth's genial joys to join no more, 8 Yet, far away, in a spirit sphere, Still glancing backward, homeward here, O, then, unseen, I'll thee beguile, And greet my "Caddie" with a smile. ARLINGTON. ADVERTISEMENT. Washington, D. C., having been the great central point between two mighty, contending powers of the four years' rebellion, has, within it, and around it, many tragic as well as historical points of interest. But the brief Epic which succeeds this note has special ref- erence to but one of them; and that one becomes significant, mostly as one of its many results. It is now the 4th of March, 1869. The conflicts of past years are beginning to be ignored, and the great American General is inaugu- rated to the Presidency. Late in the afternoon, we take the railway for Georgetown, and thence proceed on foot to visit " Arlingt n Heights." On the high bridge above the Potomac, we make a mo- ment's pause ; the waves are rolling beautifully beneath me ; the sky above is serene, and the sun is beginning to fall below the hills On my left, to the east of the river, at the distance of two miles, 126 ARLINGTON. Washington City, now made alive by a hundred thousand strangers, with its stately edifices, lofty Capitol, and Goddess of Liberty, looms up. On my right, to the westward of this " Modern Jordan," about the same distance from it, standing in plain sight, are " Arlington Heights," crowned by the antique mansion of the late rebel General Lee, suiTounded by spacious groves of Oak, and literally made white by the sepulchral urns, or insignia of upwards of 20,000 soldiers, brought from the neighboring battle fields of the rebellion. As we pass from the bridge at Georgetown up to and over that city of the dead, objects of intense interest present themselves, and leave an im- pression not easy to describe, nor soon to be forgotten. DEDICATION. To the SURVIVING ARMIES of the Republic, this " Walk within the Shades," is respectfully inscribed by the Author. ARLINGTON. A WALK WITHIN ITS SHADES. jj.\)]^-OTOMAC rolls her fountains down, Deep gliding 'neath the shades that crown My theme of contemplation ; While night begins to chase away The living throngs and proud display Of the great inauguration. High now above her waters mild, I stand, and list the lingerings wild Of a Nation in commotion ; 128 ARLINGTON. Yet heedful how the hand of God Moves all the kingdoms, as a flood, To a deep, unbounded ocean. Here I survey the hight of lands, Where, thronged with towers, bright beaming stands The stately dome of Washington ; While westward, on the other side, Beyond a tearful Jordan tide, Stand high the shades of Arlington. To Arlington my foot -steps tend; Now, turning hence, I meet a friend, Inquire the distance to it; He answers, lifting high his staff, "To Arlington? a mile and a half, Near night, ye can not do it. "The road is down the river shore, Then, further on a mile or more, THE SPECTER. 129 Ye '11 take the gateway on it ; Then far above, 'mid light and shade, Ye '11 find the fields of valiant dead, i Eternal there upon it. w Go back," he said, " and take the day ; " Untimely specters haunt the way, When night lets fall her curtain ; There, where rebellion rose at first, Where slavery, doomed of God, was cursed, They strangely stroll, uncertain. ' 'T is said, they hold sepulchral care, Seraphic in attendance there, Above the stars high standing ; Then, silent in the murky night Descending, oft emitting light, Their golden wings expanding. " 1 30 ARLINGTON. "Why care," said I, "for ghost or elf? Plow soon ye '11 turn to one yourself, More worthy of your minding." The sun beyond the hills had gone; The stranger turned, and I trudged on, Along the right bank winding. Then, on the right hand, I behold A hill that glitters white, like gold, The day -dawn dwells upon it; Up thither, winding, bent with care, Instinctively, my brow is bare To rise sainted soldiers on it. Here, side by side, kind, nobly laid, The rebel and the loyal dead Rest equally together ; ** No vain distinction gilds the gloom, THE INSCRIPTION. 131 Nor pomp, nor pride invades the tomb That holds the hero hither. Half halting, 'mid the sainted throng, In the pebbled path I pass along At the foot of the soldier sleeping ; Life's noblest history, brief and brave, I trace it, lettered on the grave In careful, kindest keeping. Grand, grateful record ! true to tell, Both where he fought and where he fell In battle for the nation ; As well the daring he had done, As well where once he had a home, His name, his rank and station. And this is all. Vain wealth may try To rear her monuments on high, 132 ARLINGTON. In gorgeous grandeur clever; But where the balmy woodlands sigh, And the dead are equal far and nigh, Rest rest is sweeter, never! We pass them by, six thousand here, Still further on to persevere, To the gateway thither going ; 38 Then up a winding way to wend, 'Mid aged oaks, whose branches bend To the breeze of heaven blowing. Spacious, majestic, leafless now, "Dame Nature," true, had taught them how To stand a wintry trial ; Yet, faithful, still to tell us how Each honored leaf, each brave old bough Is fraught with self-denial. THE DIRGE. 133 Cool now the zephyrs, pure and light, Begin to play the dirge of night In strange, enchanting chorus ; And every step that leads us on Awakes to thought, "companions gone,** They glide in groups before us. While oft that distant day -dawn hill, Back through the tree -tops gleaming still, Looms up in prospect thither ; There, earth and sky in sorrow meet, Yet do they hold communion sweet In tranquil love together. Up, now we've reached a giant oak; My guide beginning, briefly spoke, An incident expounded ; 37 How Scott came up to talk to Lee, 134 ARLINGTON. How neighed his steeds beneath this tree, As if a war -trump sounded, They listened wild ! How long he staid By reason, prayerful, to dissuade From purpose vain, infernal, That rebel chief; and how, anon, He left him, deep in thought, alone, With a sad good -night, eternal. Then coy, adown the woods away, Lest treason, lurking, might betray Him, homeward from the mansion. How then the Rebel sat all night, Pale, pondering till his candle light Died out in day's expansion. And how, at length, ambition's sway Preponderating, paved the way THE SLAVE -PEN. 135 'Gainst reason to demur, Misled him thus ; and then his home, Vast, proud in wealth, to fame far known, Became a sepulcher. Thus talked the guide. Still higher, then We'd passed the cook-house, and the pen Where once the slave in sorrow Had tugged and toiled his journey through ; Unfettered freedom never knew, Yet, hopeful of the morrow, Had prayerful lived a languid life ; Weaned of the world and worn of strife, Earth's toils unpaid had slain him. * Dread then the wrath of God, for sin In fearful judgments fell on him Who had the heart to chain him. 136 ARLINGTON. Eternal frosts, with deadly blight, i From the heavens above, fell down that night, When Lee took marching orders ; Sweet fields no more could bloom to bear, Nor tender vine, with vintage rare, Had growth within these borders. Then a crimson cloud, like fire and hail, Swept o'er the world ! Dread storm and gale, Brought conflicts unexpected ; And ere the skies had ceased to frown, These garden walls came crumbling down, No more to be erected. From thence decay, in broad expansion, Like rancorous rust, invades the mansion, Its proud, plantation glory ; And nought is left of former days, THE NIGHT-WATCH. 137 Save the boding owl that hoots her lays In grief, to tell the story. We 've reached the highlands, passed the brow, Amid the shade -trees, opening now To another field impressive ; ^ In sight of thirteen thousand more, Alike in order as before, There gallant graves, successive, Loom up, in boundless whiteness shone, And far and near, erect, alone, The night-watch stands on duty; While, on the way to vill and town, Sweet stars came up, when the sun went down, They twinkle bright in beauty. Still near me, on the left, behold, Two thousand more, their names untold, 138 ARLINGTON. Together hither slumber ; No native hamlet, house nor home, Nor loved one kind to earth is known, Of all their sainted number. Strangers, indeed ! but no less brave In brunt of battle, there they gave Sweet life to treason's havoc ; From bleakest bloody fields they've come, Out from the shades of old Bull Run, And down the Rappahannock. Immortal ! yet at peace for aye, Earth has a treasure 'neath this clay, Alike, she hath no other; For here her bravest sons are laid, And here a nation's tears are paid, Each heart hath here a brother. THE MEMORIAL. 139 And here 's a meek memorial stone, Bedecked with cannons high, alone, On guard, in grandeur common ; They Ve thundered loud the vales along, Have blazed in battle brave and strong, But now keep silence solemn. Brisk blow, ye bleak winds, 'bove the brow, Enchant the oaks for aye, as now, Breathe mild and balmy whispers ; The prowess of Earth's noblest braves, From the nether skies in plaintive praise, Bring harps and holy vespers I And higher let creation's cares Inspire the spheres to vocal airs, For deeds of noble daring ; That a giddy world may learn and know, 140 ARLINGTON. While countless ages come and go True valor, thus declaring. * But who are these, meandering slow, In sable garments, bending low, Of spirit burdened, blighted, Deep in the fields at shaded urn, Or down the way, as if to learn A lesson, here benighted? In truth, 'tis but the ties of love, The hapless, hopeless heart doth move, Allures it while it wanders ; Far from a cabin, prairie home, An aged father here hath come, Beneath a tree he ponders. And further still in the branchy glade, THE PRAYER. 141 Where many a valiant son is laid, A mother finds an altar Is kneeling low I heard her prayer; '.Neath northern skies, she came from there, Yet had no heart to falter. Down from that care that cradled him, A vital spark doth burn within, The God of nature gave it ; Come life or death, 'tis true, the same, At the grave it kindles to a flame, Our dear old mothers have it. Still deeper, 'neath the shades between, A daughter pale is wandering seen, A lad alone attends her ; And there, above a mossy mound, A household name at length is found ; Sad thought begins to rend her. 142 ARLINGTON. Much more, the boy inclines to talk, For he with the father used to walk We list, the little lisper, Imploring the maid with mien sincere, " My papa ! does he know I'm here ? I thought I heard him whisper ! " Ah ! is it true the dead at rest, With tenderest thought and knowledge blest, Still heed our wayward walking? Though strange to earth, God knows it well, How many truths a child may tell, Whene'er you hear him talking. T is late ! The groups have left the ground, As they were wont at daylight down, Who'd firmer steps, yet faster; btill lingering long, inclined to abide, THE WIDOW'S DOG. 140 A lady and her dog beside, The widow of his master. And now I turn to look at Tray, A tale we'd heard of him one day, [T was no unfounded tattle ;] How firm he'd followed, prompt and warm, Close to his master, 'mid the storm That shook the field of battle ; How the master fell at one of the rounds, Then how he licked his dying wounds, And then laid down beside him ; And when, next day, they buried him low, Old Tray refused away to go ; In truthful trust abiding. 'T was long 'twas many a trial day, Ere the lone widow found her way 144 ARLINGTON. To the field of dread disaster ; Dark, humid nights of storm and hail Had intervened- And she grew pale, Yet came to find the master. Long, long she wandered, none could tell Where the hero laid nor where he fell, And daylight was departing ; While tearful, thence to turn away, She heard a voice, 'twas the same old Tray, He hailed her howling, barking ; The instinct of his nature rare, His head was high to the tainted air, As if in expectation ; His eye, his ear, his faith expressed, He ran, he flew to greet the guest To hail her visitation. THE SALUTATION. 145 Three times he crouched upon the ground, And three times more he made a bound, Then whining, told the story; And then he turned, and led the way, Where did her hidden treasures lay, The end of earthly glory. Cold were the curtains overhead, And cold the clods that bent his bed, Above the master's ashes ; Yet there, when Tray laid down again, A ray of hope, from the heavens it came, Beneath a cloud it flashes ! Great God of grace, of love profound, Could we to Thee as true be found, Thy frown we'd never fear it; Dread war hath waned, the years go by, 1 16 ARLINGTON. That treasure still is hidden nigh, And the widow's dog stands near it. 41 Then next we come to a crumbling stone, Brave names are here, historic known, Of ancient men and mothers ! 42 Deep in the wild -wood, there is one, Oood "Mary Kandolph Washington," Afar from all the others. 'Twas but the choice that love provokes, To dwell in the midst of crowded oaks, Whose branches, exemplary, Strive but to weave, as the years go round, A hedge in the heavens, a wreath profound, In honor true to Mary. Within huge walls, at Heaven's will, While ages roll, 't is Mary still, THE ANGELS. 147 No trespassers offend her ; An awful spell pervades the woods ; In spite of war, or storm, or floods, The wood-nymphs proud, attend her. I list to hear them in the trees With angels talking, true to please, Down from that world above her; From there are spirits whispering nigh, I hear them as the gales go by, In the failh of friend and lover. How beauteous is the gateway here, That leads from earth to heaven, so near, It meets my finite vision ; It spans the whirling spheres afar, The midnight moon, the shooting star, That lingers in transition. 148 ARLINGTON. I see it above the distant day, The northern lights, the milky way, Grand, glorious in reflection ! Pervading the shades that night hath found, Through the vaulted sky, bespangled round, Sweet dawn in God's perfection ! Oh, Father Jove ! in whom we live, We hail thy presence ! and we strive To bring Thee true oblation; For this indeed is hallowed ground, Indeed, our pilgrim feet have found Thine earthly habitation ! Spare us ! To Thee, O lead us near, No more to wander in a sphere Of warfare, or of weeping ; Earth's fearful, fatal fetters break, AT THE GATE. 149 Abundant in Thy grace, O take Us to Thy kindly keeping ! 43 Weary, the guide inclines to go, Meandering through the woods below, Stands at the gate, is beckoning now, Expostulates, me pondering; Turning, advancing at command, With more, than thanks I fill his hand, While silence reigns o'er all the land, To me, home wandering, Sedate, impressed ; while now and then, A siren voice invades the glen, A peaceful prayer, a trite amen, Goes up to the gracious Giver ; And though the Owl is moping still, And Death is dreadful on the hill, 1 50 ARLINGTON. God's candle lights the heaven's fill; They burn upon the river. Back, o'er its winding waters deep, Where lives a Nation, left to weep, With giddy throngs, I fell asleep From care ; at rest, reclining, Yet dreamed of what the heart may know, What makes for weal, what makes for woe, Of Earth's uncounted ills, that flow From Satan, and from sinning; Wandering, and yet to faith inclined, Drowned deep, o'erwhelmed in darkness, blind ; Awake at morn 'tis sweet to find What grace alone can give us ! The clouds of night away had whirled, The king of day stands o'er the world, IN PEACE. Ten thousand banners float unfurled, And the God of heaven is with us I 151 THE BRIDE OF BURTON, VICTORY, OTHER POEMS. BT ROBERT B. CAVERLY. THREE VOLUMES IN ONE. VOL. U. ft MY NEIGHBOR AND FRIEND, ELIAS NASON, ELOQUENT AND PROFOUND ; VALIANT IN FAITH, TRUTH, AND CHARITY; THIS VOLUME 18 BESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. R B. C. THE BRIDE OF BURTON. "Chocorua* goes to the Great Spirit; his curse stays with the white man! The prophet sank upon the ground still uttering inaudible curses. And there they left his bones to whiten in the sun." ['Pronounced, Chec-cor-ruah.] HE tired hounds at length are sleeping, - over our tent, wild night is weeping Dark dews in the Burton wood ; While from her distant radiant fountain, The queenly Moon lights up the mountain, Where brave Chocorua 44 stood. 157 THE BRIDE OF BURTON. XL To this the ills of earth had brought him, Twas here the white man sought and fought him, In daring, dashing numbers; From whence despair had deigned to dwell, Chocorua wounded, faltering fell, And, here in death he slumbers. m. Entranced beneath thy cragged peak, Creation vast ! thy summit bleak, Thy varied vales I ponder; I reverence Him who shaped the hills, These silvery lakes, those glittering rills, Wild, in a world of wonder ! rv. Up 'neath the stars, yon glimmering slope, Piled range on range, they fill the scope 158 CHOCOEUA AND HIS TRIBE. Of man's enchanted vision 5 Bold there above a heaving sea, For aye to vie in majesty, Earth's grandest, proud position I v. Life and its joys Chocorua sought, His tribe he trained, as Nature taught, Mild in these magic mountains; With bow and arrow known of yore, Vast wood -lands wild, he hunted o'er, Dame fed him at her fountain. VI. Of what wild waters yield, in view, Chocorua launched his light canoe On many a rapid river; Fierce falcons faltered in the air, And the wild deer bounded from his lair At the rattle of his quiver. 159 THE BRIDE OF BURTON. vn. From boyhood brave, a priest he roved; Faithful at heart he fervent loved Keoka, ne'er to sever; No happier pair could earth produce, Keoka true and a proud pappoose Inspired that wigwam ever. VUL "With truth, and trust, and patient pride, At morn at noon or eventide, She calmed the cloudy hour; Her heart was full of love and song, She cheered Chocorua's life along, She brought him many a flpwer. DC. Such was the life Chocorua sought, Such were the charms Keoka brought, 160 HER CASKET AND TOMB. Unselfish, unpretending ; Kings of the earth, I'd envy not, Give me to know Chocorua's lot, Such faith, such favor blending 1 x. Soon then, alas ! sad, fatal years, That moved heroic hearts to .tears, Fell heavy on Pequawket; Dread death, that brought Keoka blind, Had mazed Chocorua in his mind, The tribes began to talk it. XI. Of rushes rude they made her shroud, In crooked form a casket proud, And laid her in the wild-wood, Beside a rippling river shore, Where many a song and dance of yore, Had cheered her happy childhood. 161 THE BEIDE OF BURTON. Six logs laid high on either side, Embraced they hold that sainted bride, With a rail-made roof around her; Deep, calm at rest, devoid of fears, Of loves of hopes or tender tears, Where first Chocorua found her. xin. A white flag fluttered in the air, Sweet stars from heaven glittered there, And the zephyrs came to love her; Deep wood -lands whispered sighs unknown, The plaintive pines their loss bemoan, And the wild rose creeps above her. xrv. Ten times a day Chocorua wept; Ten times a day his shadow swept 162 Ten times a Jav Chcooma sropt. Ten times a day Ins shadow swep', In pUxmy form around i.e.r. CHOCOKUA AT HER GRAVE. In plumy form around her; The partridge fluttered from his trail, And the she-wolf nightly heard his wail, To a troubled trance it bound her. xv. Where'er he turned, where'er he roamed, Or when around the grave he mourned, There, prompt and true to mind him, His little lad with lifted eye, As if to hail that mother nigh, Tripped on, and stood behind him. XVI. 'Twas thus Chocorua's heart was pressed, Long months moved on, but gave no rest, Sad thus, dread fate had made it! Still there is grief as yet unknown, "One trouble never comes alone," Our dear old mothers said it. 163 THE BRIDE OF BTJKTON. xvn. Next, then indeed, how true it proved! Another fate as fortune moved Came cruel quite as t'other; By hidden drugs, in malice made, Alas ! that darling boy is dead, To moulder with his mother. XVlll. Then wailed Chocorua wilder still, Without a heart, without a will, A ghost-like, lurking wonder; Yet in his flesh there's native fire, Though earth and hell in crime conspire To drive that soul asunder. XIX. As now the story oft is told, Chocorua cursed the English old, For deeds unholy, certain; 164 CHOCOBUA IS SLAIN. And ever since, from then to this, Not a breath of hope, nor breeze of bliss, Hath moved the woods of Burton. Dark shadows came to chase the sun, The Indian hunter's day was done, And the wood-lands wild were sighing ; 'Twas then a shaft his heart had broken, Vengeance! the eternal fates betoken; Chocorua is dying. XXI. On that dread night and hitherto, The heavens let fall malarious dew, Far down these murky mountains; Not a flower in all the waste is known, The maple leaf is dry, half-grown, And death is in the fountains. 165 THE BRIDE OF BDRTOif. XXII. The moping owl hath ceased to hoot, The scmb oak falters at the root, And the snail is lank and weary; The fated fawn hath found his bed, Huge hawks, high flying, drop down dead Above that apex dreary. Faded, the vales no fruits adorn, The hills are pale with poisoned corn, The flocks are lean, repining ; No growth the panting pastures yield, And the staggering cattle roam the field, Forlorn, in death declining. xxiv. 'Tis thus we're made the slaves of earth, Mope in miasmas, deep in dearth, Sad, from some bad beginning; 166 THEY COME IN THE CLOUDS. From cruelty to friend or foes, Our morbid pains and mental woes, Prove but the pangs of sinning. XXV. High now a voice is in the air, As if Chocorua still were there, With wood-nymphs wild attending; 'Tis heard far up the mountain side, That plaint of Earth's down-trodden tribe, Bleak, with the zephyrs blending. xxvi. O, God, forgive our Saxon race ! Blot from thy book, no more to trace, Fraternal wrath infernal; That taints the atmosphere we breathe, The sky above, and earth beneath, With dearth and death eternal! 167 THE BEIDE OF BUBTON. XXV 11. Come, boys, we'll take our tents away To better vales: 'tis break of day, And the hounds are awake for duty; Blow, blow the horn, a gracious sun Hath brought a brotherhood, begun, In life, in love and beauty. 168 THE PET CANARY. little Lilla 45 fed the bird, Her lovely pet canary, And many a song and tender word Inspired the busy dairy; And daily oft, to see the pet, The school-mate wanders hither, To learn how hearts congenial met, Have "lived and loved together." 169 THE PET CANABY. 3 For whom sweet June had spread her flowers, Had furnished fruitful treasures; And wanton wild -birds from their bowers, Brought lovely magic measures. 4 Ah ! what a change a day hath done ! There's trouble on the morrow, Our Lilla dies her pet is dumb; That home is full of sorrow. 5 Then when the funeral prayer is made, In sainted sanctuary, Down from a cage upon the dead, Mute gazed that little canary 6 Till when at length the choir begun Soft notes of sorrow even; 170 LILLA IN HEAVEN. That little heart, it swelled and sung A song of Hope and Heaven. And then alone, he sung a part, A plaintive voluntary; Ah ! how it fell upon my heart, That dirge from little canary I We could but see sweet Lilla nigh, In robes of light to love us, And for her pet to breathe a sigh, From heaven high above us. 171 A MEMENTO. In THE ALBUM OF MRS. J. E. B., SINCE DECEASED. IND Lady: What though the gift be meagre quite, Here in thy book I'll bear a part; Fail as we may in what we write, Accept a neighbor's friendly mite, A truthful tribute of the heart. At noon or night, at morn or evening, Whene'er ye read this fading line, For aye the same, whate'er the seeming, Fond memory, from mine altar beaming, Shall faithful turn to thee and thine. 172 ONWARD TO THE SEA. 48 T dawn while damp the dews are falling On men of might, deep sleep enthralling, The bugle -note vast cohorts calling, Is breaking o'er the lea; 'Tis now from vale and mountain wall, Our gallant horse and footmen, all, Are on the march at Sherman's call, Far downward for the sea. 2 I hear the train, I hear the tread, Of brave battalions onward led 173 ONWARD TO THE SEA. [Yet not unmindful of the dead, So sadly doomed to be,] O'er hill and dale, through vill and town, Moving in mighty columns down, They chant the praise of " old John Brown," Far downward for the sea. 3 In spite of saint or southern sages, That took from toil her honest wages, And blotted freedom from our pages, Went forth the dread decree ; And the mortars roar the roads along, In skirmish and in battle strong; 'Twas Sherman bold avenging wrong, Far downward to the sea! 4 Out from Shenandoah's crimson cloud, From thunders breaking long and loud, 174 SHERMAN ON THE SEA -SHORE. Our brave old Flag waves wild and proud, Brings signal ecstacy; For the trump of war hath ceased to roar, Rebellion lingering, lives no more, And Sherman's hosts stand on the shore, Of a beauteous, balmy sea. 175 AN ACROSTIC. Exert thyself; on self alone depend; Let reason guide thee to a hopeful end; Let Truth divine, and Love and Charity, In fervent faith thy measured motto be; Excuse no wrong, in Heaven's pure light be free. 176 ON DIXIE'S WOOD -LAND. SEDGWICK.* 7 N Dixie's wood -land hill and plain, Where treason stalks in ghost-like form, The deadly mortars belch again, Earth, troubled, quakes beneath the storm. Down on the foe to battle led, Brave gallant legions fired of hope, Out through the heaps of mangled dead, They bear a nation's banner up. 177 ON DIXIES WOOD -LAND. Firm yet again, though comrades fall, And undismayed at Fate's decree, Onward they heed their country's call, Their noble hearts shall make her free. n. Lo ! there, amidst the valiant slain, Is he who bore that banner high O'er many a gory battle plain, Where "Greek met Greek" met there to die. Clouds clad in crimson intervene, Our dear old flag is bending low Where Sedgwick fell the willow green Trails weeping o'er him on the Po. Ah! 'tis of earth, man can but know How truth eternal, right divine, Must from the blood of martyrs flow, 'Tis wond'rous wisdom's vast design! 178 SEDGWICK, A NATION 8 CAEE. Yet far from fields of valor blest, Though Freedom's flag may rend in twain, Though race and nation be oppressed, Shall not the hero live again? Brave, noble spirit! higher hence, A leader in that land of light; What though no traveller comes from thence, We'll hail thee there in armor bright. ra. Go, ye that linger where he fell, With guards of honor, bear him thence, Yet pageant praise shall fail to tell The general care, the gloom intense. In vain the solemn organ trills, While true to trust ye homeward come, In vain the echo from the hills Of plaintive airs and muffled drum. 179 ON DIXIE'S WOOD -LAND. And vain, indeed, the soldier's shot, Or thunders breaking o'er the tomb; A nation weeping heeds it not, She hath an impulse of her own. IV. Rest! let him rest in the high land fair, Where golden sunsets glow and gleam, Where wild birds warbling fill the air, And the pine-tree whispers love serene. Oft here the patriot's heart shall burn In mournful lays, in generous tears, And pilgrim feet shall hither turn, As come and go the rolling years. Bring lilies sweet, in hands -full bring The rose in beauty, full in bloom; Bring garland flowers of grateful spring, And crown for aye the hero's tomb. 180 CHEERFULNESS. WASHINGTON, FEB. 13, 1864. A POSTSCRIPT TO A LETTEK, FOB A LITTLE Miss. NOTHER day Is far away, And night again advances; That law divine, The march of time, Is never changed by chances. 181 CUEEBFULNESS. But little we know How fast we go, Or what the aim or ending Of the motley throng, That plod along, In word and deed offending. Yet there's good cheer, My Mary dear, A charm in the life of childhood j I bless the toys , That give thee joys, Long lost to me in manhood. Let reason guide- No ills betide 182 ITS INSPIRATIONS. Gay juvenile devotions; Sad, dull and drear, Would life appear, But for our childish notions. 5 A cheerful mind, With truth combined, And faith, without misgiving, Shall fill the page Of riper age, In useful life worth living. 6 From thence shall showers Bedeck with flowers, Thy path with fragrant beauty; And health shall glow, And comforts flow From cheerfulness in duty. 183 CHEERFULNESS. 7 O, then we'll dare To banish care, Nor faith nor truth shall vary; And heaven at last, For all the past, Shall bless my little Mary. 184 UP THE KENNEBEC. FBOM LITTLE MARY A SOLILOQUY. AURORA beauteous, breaking bright, Adorns the moving deck; From the heavens afar, with golden light, She paints the Kennebec. Sweet birds of song, the shores along, Their carols true are calling; And the duck and dove are full of love, Infinity extolling. 185 TIP THE KEXNEBEC. Made glad at morn, the hunter's horn, "Wild, mellow windings take ; And the hopeful hound is on his round, Far up the Kennebec. I seek the field, where lilies yield Their fragrance and their beauty; Where the rustic swain, for honest gain, Is true to daily duty. Farewell, old Ocean ! pale yet proud Thy billows foam and break; Rolling on high, and roaring loud, Ye greet the Kennebec! Thine are the depths of spacious dales, Of highlands lowly buried, The fallen leaf of autumn gales, Or waves from winter hurried. 186 FKOM OLD OCEAN. Thy fountains deep are bright divine, Thy heavings have no check; Thy tides eternal, keeping time, Far up the Kennebec. Merry and sweet, the rills ye meet, From misty mountains falling, They glide and gambol at thy feet; They follow at thy calling. Farewell! we've launched our gondola, Fair founts above to fleck, With cheer and chat and song away On the lovely Kennebec. Up there is Sprague; he leads the way, To many a towering block ; And Art is bending to obey Her ancient Sagadahock. 187 UP THE KENNEBEC. Huge ships to spare, in crafty care, Bold verdant banks bedeck; For the ocean fair to wander there, From the busy Kennebec; To seek the ports of spacious Earth, Her traffic and her treasures ; To share her gems of wealth and worth, Her products and her pleasures. Bright is the scope of love and hope, Creation deigns to deck! They fill our cup as we go up, The balmy Kennebec. There's beauty in the mountain range, In meadow and in mansion In many a freak unfolded strange, Deep in the vast expansion ! 188 OUB DEAR OLD MOTHER. 8 Dame Nature casts her garlands down All round us on the deck ; While on the hills she stands to crown Her kindly Kennebec ; Yet she hath care for countless throngs, In earth, in air, and ocean ; And to her constancy belongs The faith of deep devotion. Sweet, dear old Mother! true to tell, [We hail thy luring beck!] Our ancient Fathers knew thee well, Along the Kennebec. They had a heart to love thee then, Thy fragrant, shady bowers; That beat as true to God and men, As firm in faith as ours. 189 UP THE KENNEBEC. 10 Translated they! thou art the same Without a spot or speck To mar thy face, thy faith, or fame, Far up the Kennebec ! "We Thee adore," and love thy lore. Thy bounty and thy beauty; As did the Red -man years of yore, Here on a hunter's duty; 11 When naked at Thine altar, true, He bent his beardless neck, And proudly launched his birch canoe High up the Kennebec; Where, in the wild -wood 'neath a cloud, Or down sweet sunny waters, He held dominion, spacious, proud, O'er Nature's sons and daughters. 190 THE TRIBES OF YOKE. 12 Sad, now to tell, how the Chieftain fell, And the boat became a wreck! How the tribes, of yore, were dashed ashore On the troubled Kennebec ! Bright stars shall burn, and seasons turn Their sunny sides forever; But ne'er to change, yon mountain range, Again shall know them, never! 13 No squaw her tranquil love -song trills, Life's languid cares to check; No Indian war-whoop haunts the hills That shade the Kennebec ; Yet doth she sing unseen of Earth In native numbers yonder "The world that gave the Red -man birth Can never know him longer. 191 UP THE KENNEBEC. 14 " Mine was the tribe by the mountain side, To nature true, I reck, That wandered wide the wood -land tide, High on the Kennebec. I try to trace them in the sand, My father and my mother; Vain, vain, I seek that little band, My sister and my brother! 15 "Dear! dear to me! each field or flood, Or sight, or sound, or speck, Where roamed the sons of Robinhood On the kindly Kennebec! Forgive, oh God! (we've felt the rod), Each seeming, sad complaining! Yet there's no place, to the Red -man's race, On the shores of Earth remaining!" 192 HOME OF THE WHITE -MAST. 16 The Eternal chime, that song sublime, Its latent lessons break, Out from the crimson clouds of time, That touch the Kennebec True, soft and mild, in the forest wild, And down the rolling river; High on the hills, deep in the rills, It lives to languish, never! 17 Yet Mother Dame hath other sons, And daughters too to deck; We've seen them oft at Uncle John's, Far up the Kennebec. 48 His wigwam brave is wide and warm, His woodlands cool and shady ; Bright fields of grain and golden corn, Abundant for the needy. 193 UP THE KENNEBEC. 18 Wide waving groves, green pastures too, And lofty rills we reck; While onward puffs our proud canoe, Far up the Kennebec. Lo, this is life! with kindness rife! Though the day be dark and dreary; One purpose true, and God in view, We never need be weary ! 19 From the wily snare, to guide us there, He pilots every step ; And swells the sail with a grateful gale, Far up the Kennebec. Bless me, ye Powers! this world of ours, In peaky, proudest beauty, But points to Thee, inspiring me To diligence in duty. 194 THERE S A BETTER DAY. 20 And though the storm and the hail may come, And the surge may dash the deck ; Enough it is, that we are His, Far up the Kennebec ! True, true they say, there's a better day, And faith, we ought to find it! For the lights of love that burn above, Are lit for man to mind it. 195 BARNARD BROWN. WASHINGTON, D. C., MAY 14, 1862. FBOM THE COPY OF A LETTEB OF THAT DATE. THE ceiling in the great Library at the Capitol is some forty feet up, extend- ing to the roof of the building. To-day we were in there, and as it happeued, a workman who was upon the roof, jumped off from a higher to a lower part of it; at which an entire panel of the roofing gave way and in its fall brought the man with it, all in a mass down upon the floor before us, the man expiring instantly. An event, thus unforeseen and unexpected, was a startling ADMONITION. |)LAS! what frightful spectre deigns To chill my life-blood in the veins! ;_ ;-. What sudden freak or panic dash Brings headlong downward with a crash, Like thunder -bolt from awful storm, To mother Earth, thy lifeless form, Poor Barnard Brown! 190 I SEE THEE IN VISIONS. Away at dawn, from hearth and home, To try and trust an iron dome, Thy feet secure from all mishap, Approached, alas, that fatal trap To earthly hopel it palsies me! And wife and children weep for thee, Poor Barnard Brown! Beyond this earth thy lot is cast, Unknown, unknowing, while time shall last ; Yet shuddering oft, I'll see again Thy quivering form and feel the pain ; In visions of thy spirit flown, And dreams of night, I'll thee bemoan, Poor Barnard Brown ! Great Power above! it is but Thee, Rebuking man's security; 197 BAKXAED BBOWN. Like the wayless wanderer, taught to fear, Beneath each foot -step, danger near, We learn of Thee ; but oft too late, And share in grief the hapless fate Of Barnard Brown. 198 THE GOLDEN WEDDING. AN IMPROMPTU, ; E Gods hymenial known in song, Come down and bring y'r rhymes along To feed a frail, benighted throng, With matrimonial measures ; And let your sentimental lore Inflate the faltering wing to soar, O, teach us as ye taught of yore From life's abundant treasures 1 199 THE GOLDEN WEDDING. Tell us of what we ought to sing, To what in faith we ought to cling; What harp and voice we ought to bring, While upward, onward spedding! Let us look back the journey through, Of generations take a view, And seek expedients old and new, To celebrate a wedding. 49 'Tis but to turn a better leaf, To banish hateful, sordid grief, And cherish life in full belief Of progress and expansion ; Each hour to labor, yet to love, As if 'twere given from above, As if the soul were like a dove To make on high a mansion. 200 SWEET DATS OF YOKE. 'Tis not true life to foster self, Nor treasure ignominious wealth, Nor lay your notions on the shelf, Or hide them in a napkin ; Nor is it wise to strut in pride, Or frown at folly, or deride At sins that come from 'tother side, While o'er your own you're napping. 'Twill better be, if now and then, To guide the foot -step or the pen, Ye take the retrospective when Y*r Fathers here were living; When ladies never loved their ease, When mother made her butter and cheese; When children crept beneath her knees At Christmas or Thanksgiving; 201 THT3 GOLDEN WEDDING. When then ye never heard of balls, NOT dire divorce nor family squalls, Nor Grecian-bend nor water-falls, Nor gossip, nor division. 'Twas then, our sister Mary spun, 'Twas then, how blithe the spindle run, And ah ! how sweet the song she sung, To childhood's happy vision ! Strong, then the fathers held the plows, And maids and mothers milked the cows, And lovers always paid their vows At eve and early morning; While Rachel weaved her limber rushes, Kind Katie swept the house with brushes, And Nathan brought bright, verdant bushes The fireplace old adorning. Soft, then the zephyrs moved the trees, Sweet nectar came from busy bees, 202 KIND VOICES. Bright, better days no mortal sees, To cheer the hearts of men ; True love and song, sweet life enriching, With voices kind, in field and kitchen, O God! how rich and how bewitching, To giddy boyhood then ! 4 We've now a story, brief to tell, Of wedded life we know it well, Historic of our honored Belle, From a happy day she came ; Out from a group of sisters fine. iMcretia, Ann, and Catherine, Elizabeth, and Caroline, Of faithful race and fame; All at a time on memory's page, When children paid respect to age, When the man was always saint or sage, 203 THE GOLDEN WEDDING. And women made the matches; Vain wealth, a beau could never catch, 'Twas love alone that lit the match, Then Hudson changed her name to Hatch,- A train of little Hatches. Since then how blithe the days have been ! What golden treasures gathered in ; What loves, what hopes have dwelt within ! What faith to banish fears! How many thanks and sweet good wishes, How many gems and gracious dishes, How many heartfelt, kindly kisses Have crowned these happy years! 5 Up hither have we come to-night, In prompt surprisings to delight, Here each in turn to cast our mite Down at the bridal altar; WE GREET THEE. We greet you with the best of tin, A ladle and a bosom -pin, Full many a trinket brought you in, With never a heart to falter. We've brought you knives and napkin rings, Fine fancy fans, from glittering wings, And many mighty handy things To women quite bewitching; A wedding ring, from Aunt Kesiah ; A fancy mug from little Mariah, And a fish-fork strong from brave Josiah To adorn the bridal kitchen; And here sweet Katie brings you baskets, Here's Huldah, too, with nice elastics, And Uncle Josh has filled his flaskets, Each promptly as you've seen ; Beaus, many are here, and aged rulers, And maidens meek and "spinning mulers," 205 THE GOLDEN" WEDDING. With plate and spoon, and "butter coolers," All hail ! the bridal Queen ! God bless the bridegroom! bless the bride! Each Hatch and Hudson far and wide, And let no hapless ill betide These holy, happy years! And when the summons comes, to go, From golden weddings here below, We'll meet again, and better know The folly of our fears. 206 AN ELEGY. [JEWETT.] OWN where sweet waters gently glide, And the earth inspires her tender blade; Where beckoning wood -lands, opening wide, Receive the advancing, sainted dead, I rove at morn; 50 Phoebus, afar, Hath driven the pale moon from the sea, And dazzling out each fading star, Brings light and love to all, but me. 207 AN ELEGY. Still yet in faith, I've come to cast Fair flowerets down, low bending do it; For here in death is laid at last, My neighbor kind my generous Jewett. Friend of my youth! How cruel cold, The blight that holds a heart divine! Yet life would quit her cares untold To share immortal treasures, thine. Brisk, blow ye bleak winds, bring a song, Celestial vespers sweet and clear ; Wave wide, ye bending woods along, In love to lay sweet garlands here! And you, ye wild -birds, often sad, In little songs, if not in tears; Forget ye not my honored dead, As wane away the eternal years! 208 BRING LILIES. Let lilies, fragrant, fill the ground, Lovely for aye shall live the sod; For here, indeed, a friend is found, " A man the noblest work of God 1 " 209 "THAT OLD FLAG YET.' [An address at a flag raising, in October, 18C8, having reference to the Presidential Election.] S! let it wave on every hill every land, triumphant still, In freedom fair as ever! And "let the conquering hero come," A Nation's glory he hath won, Yes! let it wave forever! It floated long the foe defied, Proud o'er our brave ones when they died, Its destiny completing; On wide old Ocean's dread domain, Or down on Richmond's bloody plain, In victory or retreating. 211 THAT OLD FLAG YET. 2 On that sad field, beneath a tree A soldier falls; fighting for Lee, A shaft his heart had met; Yet while our troops retreating flee, He hails them shouting, (faintly free,) "Hurrah! for that old flag yet!" He'd lived beneath a southern sun, Had been conscribed when the war begun, But against the wrong had set; Still leaning on a rebel gun, High now that dying voice, it run, "Hurrah! for that old flag yet" 3 All day all night our cohorts fly, While oft they turn a tearful eye, Back where that soldier sat ; Although they'd known him there to die, 212 A VOICE IN THE SKY. At every step they heard the cry, "Hurrah! for that old flag yet." The din of danger far and nigh, A sultry sun ; that crimson sky At night, they heeded not; Above that clamorous battle cry, They knew that voice ( 't was from on high ; ) They waved "that old flag yet." And when next day at dawn of light, Our squadrons wheeling, left and right, The foe aback beset; They rallied nobly, full of fight, And headlong drove him out of sight; Hurrah! 'twas "that old flag yet." That voice will never wane away, 'Tis in the air, the cloud, the clay, 213 THAT OLD FLAG YET. Deep in the soul, 'tis set; In every form, in everj way, They'll hear it till their dying day, "Hurrah! for that old flag yet!" Yes! let it wave on every hill In every land, triumphant still, In freedom fair as ever; And "let the conquering hero come," A Nation's glory he hath won, Yes, let it float forever! 41 214 AGAIN 'TIS NIGHT. D. C., MAY 4, 1863. WRITTEN TO LITTLE C. AT EVE AFTER THE BATTLE OF CHAUCELLORSVILLE. 5 -GAIN 'tis night; yet the moon, afar, Brings radiant light to the tents of war; While the tramp of steed, and tap of drum, Have waned away at Washington. Yet many a soldier, brave and bright, Are sad within their tents to night; For the battle hath raged, and comrades, true, Are pale beneath yon hills of blue. 215 AGAIN 'TIS XIGHT. Wild now in dreams, the country maid Awakes to memories of her dead; And hearts afar in grief must yield, To the cry of a crimson battle-field. From death and cloud, from sad dismay, In thought of home, I'll turn away, Where over her book stands Caddie plodding, With weary mother near-by nodding, My little Maggie, gone to rest, With angels, happy to be blest, Where Nature drinks her sweet supplies, For the waste of age, and weary lives. Forgetful night is brief; and when, A balmy day shall dawn again, Each cheerful task, each deed of duty, Shall cherish Nature in her beauty; 216 THE LITTLE HEABTS AT HOME. Prompt then my Phebe, faithful found, To out -do Peggie trudging 'round; The needful do composure keep, The parlor brush the kitchen sweep ; And next for chick, and pig and duckie, Prepare a dish a lunch for puppy ; All neat, complete; then comes the way, To get permit to go and play, With friendly favorites; Ben and Bub, With Emma, Jane, or Bertha Rugg; With Georgie, Marion, or Farie, Good Alice Brown, or sister Mary; Blithe, there to spend in social chat, In sport of childhood, this or that, An hour of time, (if you obtain it,) 'Tis always worth the work to gain it. 217 AGAIN 'TIS NIGHT. Still bear in mind, the axiom ever, " A moment lost is lost forever." Prompt, prudent there stay not too long, Your work and book and little song, You'll try again, on due return, And many a useful lesson learn ; Excuse Papa he'll blow the light, And dream of thee all through the night. O, happy childhood, once my own, Sweet, dear delights, forever flown! Forgetting ne'er that halcyon home, I'll seek it in a world unknown 1 218 BURNSIDE AT ROANOKE. FEBEUABY 7, 1862. ANOTHER fleet Is armed complete, And manned for southern waters; To "crack a joke" On Roanoke, And conquer the marauders. 219 BUENSIDE AT BOANOKE. 2 Three columns strong, Full two miles long, Move on with power majestic ; No naval host E'er ploughed the coast More gallant, more terrific. 3 Waved far and wide, High on the tide, With mighty mail and mortars; They storm the sound, And the heavens resound Along the inland borders. 4 Fast on the foe, The weapons of woe They hurl 'mid blazing thunder 220 ON SEA AND LAND. And screaming squibs; They break the ribs Of war -ships driven asunder; And crippled the craft, Before and aft, Submerging in the distance To hades goes; Such heavy blows Have baffled all resistance. Then to the shore; A ceaseless roar, Strange slaughter there foreboding, Sweeps o'er the land, Along the strand With musketry exploding. 221 BUBNSIBE AT ROANOKE. 7 Down there a Wise Dishonored dies, And men of might are falling; On every hand, On sea aud land, The belching fires are galling. 8 Out from their forts, And hidden works, Brave Burnside shortly shows 'em The way to h'll By shot and shell, As down the devil stows 'em. Some fly in squads, Some seek the Gods, In prayer for safe protection, 222 VICTORIOUS. Some start for home; Some skulk alone, In dread of dire dissection. 10 Three thousand rebs, With feeble legs, (Their consciences grow tender,) For "quarters" cry, And signify Their pleasure to surrender. 11 Then, in the sky, Our banners high Ascend, triumphant shouting ! Firm on the wall, Where traitors fall, The dear old Flag is floating. 223 OUR DAY OF INDEPENDENCE. WASHINGTON, D. C., 186L THE RKAT. AND AVOWED CAUSE OF THE REBELLION. CHBONOLOGICAL. 1 |U||HE fourth of July, Advancing is nigh, i It brings not its wonted elation ; What a contrast in years, A nation in tears O'erwhelraed 'tis a sad celebration! 224 ITS JOYS ONCE. Of yore, it was honored Of hearts high onward, United in national glory, The old rusty gun, The fife and the drum, And ringing of bells told the story, How victories were won, And England out -done, In the war of the great Revolution; How tyrants and knaves Were sent to their graves, For opposing a free constitution ! Prompt then at command, Throughout all the land, Grand fire -works and crackers were snapping; And crowds in the Town, From afar swarmed down, All hither and thither were tramping; 225 OUR DAY OF INDEPENDENCE. With music and noise, Both old men and boys, And matrons and maidens elated, All welcomed the day's Fantastic displays, As the tri- colored banner they greeted. But vainly, alas ! While onward we pass, The day is beclouded in sadness; For slavery's chain, Hath addled the brain, And driven the master to madness. To act the fool's part, Unholy at heart; With all of the rights they needed, The Union to smash, 226 ITS SORROWS NOW. They stole all our cash, And piously then, they seceded! 3 They'd tried long in vain The Senate to gain, In search of a slave -state majority; Intent on the whole, The North to control By force of a meagre minority. To a desperate end Their invasions extend, The compromise measures unheeded, To gain by knavery, Still more States for slavery, 52 But two to be added they needed. Tenacious as yet In Kansas they met) 227 OUR DAY OP INDEPENDENCE. Brave patriots in Freedom's devotion, Disdaining to yield That broad battlefield To treason's tyrannical notion. Bold aggressions, assailed, The invaders failed; But took to another intention, Polluted in schemes, Their damnable dreams Were turned to a traitor's convention. Three reasons they had; The tariff was bad, By majorities they had been cheated; Their crafty invention Of slave -state extension Had the dare-devil yankees defeated. 63 228 , SLAVERY SEEKS POWER. There stood in the way On that trial day Old Buck, as they called him, (Buchanan),** A troublesome tool As taught in that school Of confederates, a constant companion. Against such a crime He dared not decline A yielding assent to the faction ; A leader, he stood Most liberal in blood, Made to flow by fatal inaction. His day soon expired, As many desired, And Abram to power ascended, Down a by-way track, 229 OUR DAY OF INDEPENDENCE. In a midnight hack, From fear of a mob -force offended.* 6 6 The South then in arms Created alarms ; No navy commanded the ocean; 56 An army but small, Mere nothing at all, To abate the impending commotion. Fort Sumter they stormed, For combat they armed, The traitors in treason for battle, To rule at command The whole yankee land, As they governed an African chattel. 7 The North now awake, Resistance to make ; 230 THB ONSET. Brave cohorts, to count by the million, Prepared for the field, Sworn never to yield, Advance to crush the rebellion. Loud the battle doth roar As never before, Afar on the billows of ocean, And over the hills Loud thundering fills The heavens with dread commotion! Such, such is the strife, A trial for life ; The mothers afar are weeping! And angels above, Kind, constant in love, Their vigils in sorrow are keeping! 231 OUR DAY OF INDEPENDENCE. Yet, free from mistake, Proud History shall make A record of the true and the brave ; Of virtues to cherish, Of heroes that perish, The life of a nation to save. 232 VICTORY. WRITTEN for the Fourth of July, 1867, having reference to the statue, Victory, erected on that day at the tomb of the first martyrs of the great Rebellion. Thanks to the God of armies just! To him all adoration give, Who cast fell fetters down to dust, Forgave to let a nation live! His hand upholds the stripe and star, Through tragic yet triumphant years; 233 VICTORY. I Wide wave that dear old flag afar, Beat up your sabre, dry your tears! Break forth in song, in anthems proud, The noisy drum and bugle bring; With cannon's roar, and trumpet loud, Let the vast hills and valleys ring; Sing let the nations loud rejoice, For deeds heroic hearts have done ; And chant with high, harmonious voice Proclaiming praise for Freedom won! 2 Rear high yon STATUE, W proud and just; Make glad the consecrated green, Where doth the soldier's sainted dust, Bespeak the sorrow Earth hath seen; Where Lowell's sons, at danger's post, First in the field and first to fall, 234 ITS HEROES. Repose, 'tis here a pilgrim host Shall come for aye true patriots all. As well the way-worn maiden true, Her wreath in tender care shall bring; And infant Hearts shall come and strew Fair flowerets, sweetest of the spring. Ages, for aye, shall know and feel A sacrifice so nobly made; And the brave made braver, here shall kneel To the dust of these, their sainted dead. 3 'Neath darkness drear, the din of war, Hath waned away along the plain; Light glimmering down is seen afar, The Turtle Dove is heard again. Victory triumphant, ever dear! Thy form, thy promptings, true divine ! 235 VICTORY. Revolving suns, resplendent here, Shall glow with homage at thy shrine. To thee, in turn, fresh garlands fair, Shall grateful generations give ! Eternal, ever treasured there, The hero in our hearts shall live ! Hail, hail the Day! bright, now at hand! (As did our fathers cheer it, thus,) For Peace in fair COLUMBIA'S land, Hath come a harbinger to us ; Her temples rise still higher now, Vast, spreading wide her borders are, Her streams in fuller fountains flow, Her highlands fair are greener far. Brute beasts abounding crowd the stall ; Gay lilies prouder, spread the lawn; 236 COLUMBIA AT PEACE. Blithe birds more prompt their carols call; The dew-drop sweeter on the thorn; The plowman jogs with livelier tread ; Meek merchants roam the ocean o'er ; Glad science lifts her clearer head, And Art more cunning than of yore. More merry chimes the bell at morn ; The sparkling anvil sharper trills; More spiky springs the waving corn ; Her flocks more frisky on the hills. Stars twinkle brighter in the sky; The moon unclouded, sheds her light; That king of day, from heaven high, Looks down with kindlier visage bright. Thanks to the God of armies just! To Him all adoration give, 237 VICTORY. Who cast fell fetters down to dust, Forgave to let a Nation live! His hand upholds the stripe and star, Through tragic, yet triumphant, years; Wide waves that dear old Flag, afar; Beat up your sabres, dry your tears! 238 THE TWO BROTHERS. A BEREAVEMENT.