.'■■ ■HI I . I III i t I THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES LAYS OF 1855 LAYS OF 185 5. BT TWO STUDENTS OP BRIGHTON COLLEGE. BRIGHTON : GEORGE BELL, 80, ST. GEORGE'S ROAD. LONDON : BELL AND DALDY, 186, FLEET STREET. C© E&3H& #*©£&!£&* THIS SMALL THOUGH GRATEFUL OFFERING OF THE FIRST-FRUITS OF THAT HARVEST PRODUCED IN THEIR MINDS BY THOSE KINDLY INFLUENCES, IS DEDICATED. AS A SLIGHT YET FOND TOKEN OF T HEIR TRUE AFFECTION AND ESTEEM. 822176 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS The Dowager Lady Abinger, 2 copies. B. Alford, Esq. A. Bateman, Esq. The Lady Beaumont. Mrs. Blakesley. A. H. Blount, Esq. Mrs. Blunt, 4 copies. Miss Blunt, 4 copies. Mrs. H. A. Brett, 2 copies. Colonel Brett. Captain Brown. — Bright, Esq. Mrs. Guy Brian, 2 copies. Mrs. Brown. Rev. F. Brown, 2 copies. Miss Broadwood. Miss Broome. Dr. Burrows. Miss Burr, 2 copies. C. W. Carpenter, Esq. R. A. Cameron, Esq. W. Carver, Esq. , 2 copies. J. Carver, Esq., 2 copies. Miss Carver. Mrs. Carver, 2 copies. Mrs. Chaplin. H. Chaplin, Esq. Bev. Mr. Chattaway, 2 copies. Dr. Chambers, 2 copies. A. K. Cherrill, Esq., 2 copies. A. K. Cherrill, Jun., Esq., 2 copies. N. Corni'ord, Esq. Mrs. Cooper, 2 copies. Miss E. Cooper. Mrs. Constable. F. C. Collison, Esq. H. H. Cowarden, Esq., 2 copies. Mrs. Cowell. G. E. Cotterill, Esq. W. W. Cragg, Esq. Miss Crabtree, 6 copies. Mrs. J. Crabtree. Miss Cripps. Mrs. Currey, 2 copies. Rev. G. Currey. Mrs. G. Currey. T. Duffield, Esq., 2 copies Mrs. Duke. F. Duke, Esq. E. H. Egles, Esq. H. D. Evans, Esq. Miss Evans. E. B. Fawcett, Esq. Mrs. T. Fisher. Miss Fitzroy. Lady Fletcher. Sir H. Fletcher, Bart. J. P. Fletcher, Esq. Mrs. Foreman. Sir J. Fraser, 6 copies. G. E. Gardiner, Esq. W. Gibbons, Esq. Lieut. -Colonel Gibson. Mrs. Glassford. Lord Glenelg, 2 copies. Mrs. Goldsmid. Captain Gordon. .Miss Gordon. Miss Gordon. A. Grimblo, Esq. J. Greene, Esq. Mrs. Grover. Rev. J. Hughes Hallett. Rev. John Hughes Halletfc. Mrs. C. Hughes Hallett, 2 copies. Mrs. Halliday. Sir Courtnay Hollywood, Bart., 6 copies. The Dowager Lady Honywood, W. Hollis, Esq. Mrs. Hopkins. H. Hughes, Esq. "W. Jones, Esq. Mrs. Lancaster. Miss Lancaster. F. W. Lucas, Esq. Mrs. Magan, 2 copies. E. H. Maul, Esq. Mrs. Maul. Miss Maul. Rev. Mr. Medland. Mrs. Medland. Rev. F. Merewether, 2 copies. C. Merewether, Esq., 3 copies. Rev. H. A. Merewether, 3 copies. Mrs. Montgomerie. — Monteith, Esq. H. P. Moneypenny, Esq. Mrs. Morehead. Mrs. Newnham. F. Oldershaw, Esq. Mrs. W. Oliver. — Ogle, Esq. Dr. Oke, 2 copies. Lady Onslow. E. Phillips, Esq. T. Prendergast, Esq. E. Porter, Esq. Miss Price. Mrs. Pringle. C. D. Pringle, Esq., 2 copies. H. G. Raban, Esq. Miss Reade. Miss Rennie, 2 copies. C. H. Rickards, Esq., 4 copies. Mrs. Rickards. W. H. Rickards, Esq., 2 copiti. F. P. Rickards, 2 copies. Miss Rickards. C. A. Roberts, Esq., 4 copies. Mrs. Roberts, 2 copies. W. B. Rogers, Esq. Miss A. Ross. Major Russell. Mrs. Russell. — Sandle, Esq., 4 copies. R. J. Shebbeare, Esq. H. Slade, Esq. Rev. Mr. Sleeman. Rev. Mr. Smith. Rev. F. Stainforth. Lee Steere, Esq. Mrs. Lee Steere. The Baroness de Sternberg, 10 copies. M. Stokes, Esq. — Tarratt, Esq. Mrs. Taylor, 8 copies. J. Tillard, Esq. Mrs. Thomas. F. Thompson, Esq. Mrs. Tytler, 4 copies. A. Vacher, Esq. H. H. Walters, Esq. Mrs. W. Ward. C. B. Ward, Esq. J. Watkins, Esq. Mrs. L. Way, 4 copies. J. Way, Esq. Albert Way, Esq. Hon. Mrs. Albert Way. The Miss Ways, 3 copies. Rev. C. Way, 2 oopies. Captain Way. Mrs. Meadows White, 2 copies. J. Willes, Esq. Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Wood. Miss Wood. G. Woodrooffe, Esq. Mrs. Thomas Younge, 4 copies. PREFACE In these times, when literature is so abundant, and new works are almost daily brought before the notice of the public, it might appear presumptuous to expect that a volume like the present would meet with a favourable reception. Yet the Authors hope some allowance will be made for their engaging in an undertaking, which, from its character, is certainly in accordance with the spirit of the age, when so many are submitting their thoughts to the criticisms of a world already over stocked with literary productions. Care has been taken to publish those poems which may afford the greatest diversity of subjects to the reader, and yet answer to the title of " Lays of 1855." A few have already appeared in the Brighton College Magazine. But not to weary the reader at the outset with a long and tedious preface, we would merely add our warmest thanks to those who have so readily come forward to aid us in this our under- taking with their kind assistance, and, in conclusion, to send it forth in the words of the Latin poet, — Parve, [nee invideo], sine me, liber, ibis in urbein. Brighton, Jan. 1, 1856. CONTENTS. Opening Address -1 The Passage of The Old Year 2 Time 14 The Eroad . - 21 A Summer Evening's Stroll 54 Home 58 Ode to a Rocket 62 A Christmas Carol 65 Cloud-land 67 Sadness and Mirth , . . .80 Warnings from Nature 91 The Delaware's Lament 93 Truth 96 On a Daisy 139 On the 31st of May, 1855 141 Seaside Voices 143 Farewell Address to the Reader . . . .14* LAYS OF 1855. OPENING ADDRESS. Lightly, lightly blow, ye Zephyrs, Eddying o'er the placid deep, Whirling mimic waves of crystal In a sportive circle sweep, Softly calling "Ocean, Ocean, wake from sleep." Fly, O ship, to distant regions, Roll a track of foam behind, Away, away, nor fear the tempest, Spread the canvass to the wind ; Ent'ring in at many a harbour Rest and safety may'st thou find. PASSAGE OF THE OLD YEAR, I. Sing ye a requiem to the parting year, Ye piping winds ; with wither'd leaves and sere Bestrew my tomb ; ye clouds that sailing high In forms fantastic deck the wintry sky, Look for a moment down with pitying eye, And o'er my ashes drop the kindly tear. And all ye gloomy spirits that await, Fast gathering round my form, the close of day, On rapid wings to bear me far away Unto the Past's irrevocable gate — A moment stop, and hearken to my lay. THK PASSAHIi OF THE OLD TEAR. II. I once was young and fresh as yonder boy Who cometh on, replete with life and joy ; I once was young and fresh as he is now, Care had not touched me with his iron plough. Nor Time had left a stain upon my brow, And even life appeared a pleasing toy. Yes, I remember how the leafless trees Were clothed with frost on that eventful night, Which from the boughs like gems of purest white Dropp'd down before the momentary breeze. Woke bv mv swift descending car of li°;bt. III. 'Twas silence deep, when at the lightning's pace I urged my fiery coursers on their race. Each mighty orb approaching nearer grew Larger and larger yet, as I swept through ; Whilst system after system swelled anew, Countless throughout the dark abyss of space, Then passed away to glittering points again Left far behind ; and oft my chariot round, A comet with its tresses all unbound, More awful than the wildest hurricane, Would flame along its course with whirring sound. lllli PASSAGE OF THE OLD VEAR IV 111 number more than mortal tongue could say, Gigantic globes pursued their solemn play, In order and majestic harmony, Farther than mind can grasp, or eye can see, A vast a measureless infinity ; 'Midst whom I darted on my winding way Dreading lest some huge world should overwhelm My fragile bark beneath its plunging force, Hurl'd forward from a great Almighty Source, As when the careful pilot at the helm 'Mongst towering icebergs guides the vessel's course. V. At length Orion glimmered in the rear ; And rose the Earth before me, round and clear. Swelling and swelling as I drew more nigh, Until it burst in grandeur through the sky, Mountains and dales, and oceans rolling by, And isles and continents in full career, And all its bulk immense : whilst many a cloud And eddying vapour foam'd across the scene, With moonlit gaps expanding wide between Where snow-capp'd ranges pierced the wat'ry shroud, Or fertile valleys spread their bosoms green. THE PASSAGE til' r l| b. oi,n YEAR. VI. Then starting forth with noise and clamour shrill I'liat all around diffus'd a noxious chill, Four dusky sprites whose wings incessant strook The frighted ether on my vision broke, Like pillars dim they seemed of lurid smoke On which the glow of fire is ling'ring still ; The moon's calm rays to them no beauty gave, But only more distinctly hideous made Their hideous forms ; a black sepulchral shade Was stretch' d below, and o'er their heads a wave Of dark green flame in sickly lustre play'd. \ 11 Beside a hearse of ebony they sped By spectre horses drawn, whose echoing tread Rattled and rang along the vault of heaven As when the sombre tempest-cloud is riven. \nd headlong down the thunderbolt is driven, Through wind, and hail, and water, blazing red. Each bore a shadowy rider on his back ; From out each mouth with many a twisted fold Of smouldering mist in densest volumes rolled And pouring downwards marked the mournful track Where passed a pallid corpse, the Year grown pas KaraTrv€v6ovs aijpas ' del S'«rt fiaWoLievav Xalratcrti' ivditii) fioSeuii/ tt\6kov avQiwv T5 crcxpia irapeSpovs irtfjLwei.v tpwras -travToias aperas £vi>epyovs. Eur. Med. 835 — 845. APOLOGUE TO THE READER. [In the form of Longfellow's " Gaspar Becerra."] Lonely sat the youth deep musing On the various turns of thought, Each its kindly aid refusing Seem'd his anxious will to thwart. Till by defeat dishearten'd, goaded, Sleep his eyelids gently clasped, And those thoughts that evil boded, Substance in his vision grasped. Then a spirit cried, " Arise, And thine anger first revoke, Form the thought that in thee lies," And the pseudo-poet woke, Woke, and from the metal glowing Struck upon the anvil, Thought, Shaped a poem onward growing, Which he saw was empty, nought I Yet it grew increasing longer, Whilst the mind supplied it food, Till the flames upstarting stronger Burned, yet left no genial good. Then give it, Reader, no refusal, Strange and worthless tho' it seem Deign to grant it some perusal, As the subject of a Dream I THE EROA I). ARGUMENT. Introduction to the Poem — War must change to Peace, Malice to Love — Invocation of the Goddess' approval — The Maiden's dream — The curtain — The wood — The melody of birds and insects invite entrance — The fair one's bliss — Rencontre with Eros — Description of Eros and train — The Maiden's address — Love's answer and dismissal of her train — She relates her history — The first man — Eve— The first conquest — Love and Innocence — Their two-fold efforts in man — Refusal of ancient nations to court Eros — Her treatment in Rome, in Greece —First appearance among the Saxon race — The age of Chivalry— Growth of nations — England the chief abode of Eros in preference to other lands — Conclusion of her history — The Maiden's thanks — Repetition of her previous reijuest — That request granted — Description of the powers of Love in man — Love's promised protection to the real lover — Abnegation of the existence, or assistance of the Roman Cupid — The false and true lover — -The perjury of the former condemned, the good faith of the latter justified— Fulfilment of Eros' last compromise— Her song — The Maiden's emotion — The phantasmagoria — Recall of the attendants — Eros' last words and departure — -Appearance of Innocence — Fulfilment of Vision. CANTO I. I sing of Love. I who have ofttimes sung Of martial deeds, of War, War's iron tongue, When from its hrazen cavities uprise The blasts of Discord's clarion to the skies, 24 THE EROAD, Which deep vibrating, Heaven and earth now rend With fearful crash ; while with their thunders blend Battles with slaughter rife, fields steep'd in gore, The stern results, the'accompaniments of War ! — Such scenes ensanguin'd I would glad pass by, Tho' robed in all their dear-bought majesty, Bought with the lives of fallen heroes dead, Gone to their last long-home, their spirits fled, Still lingering to catch the martial shout Of squadrons charging on the closed phalanx, Or in their turn to see the flaming rout, The waving columns of both friends and foes That hand to hand discharging murd'rous olows Advance, recoil ; while 'midst their serried ranks.. Each to the others death inciting, close, With daggers drawn stalk Hatred and Revenge. ****** Tis past, and gladly would I seek to change War strains for Peace, and sing in turn of Love ; Yet I but dare what men have dared before In ditties short, uncompromising small, Above such misnomers I fain would soar, And forth the powers of my muse to call ; Then may the Goddess list'ning me approve ! A maiden fair, may be of Dian's train, Or may be Vesta's, yet no matter here, [It happened lately in the closing year,] OR A DAY-DREAM. Lov'd In' a youth, and he no rustic swain, Nor scented offshoot of high pedigree, Still doubted this his passion, if sincere. The leaves of Autumn were then falling fast, When on a lucky day ; — the time was cvc, And Phoebus long the zenith mid had past Of Heaven's expansive vault; wearied with life. Its busy hum, its world -engrossing strife, The fair one for a time some short reprieve Desired to gain, and to the sofa's ease Withdrew according, in soft sleep to please Each faculty ; soon from the shackle free Of envious thought, and from dull cares exempt, She fell asleep, and launch'd upon the sea Of Dreamy-land ; 'twas thus entranced she dreamt : " A curtain many-folded fell on earth, The scene behind eclipsing from her sight, England dividing ; for in native worth, In Albion's blissful realm she stood ; and light Fantastic circled her with many a hue Of colours valued ; still to her wond'ring ken The herbage in the course of nature grew Uninjur'd by this novel light; till then Upward some force divine the curtain drew : — Upstarting 'fore her vision were display'd Mountains and vallies, hills and many a glen. Blended harmonious ; in the leafy glade The streamlet wound its silvery course, anon 26 THE EROAD, Reflecting back the rays of mid-day sun In sheet of gold ; but brighter far was seen Bespangled still all o'er with dewy sheen A wood in verdant tissue gilded, wide It stretched, covering a vast expanse of ground, And placid lay a crystal lake beside. The lily blossom with its petals white Of Innocence an emblem, based on Might Peer'd from the waves ; and from its tiny cell The violet peep'd ; and wild flow'rs thickly strew'd The grass bespeckled ; from his prickly shell The tall Acanthus rear'd his helmet rude ; Droop'd the Anemone in the lowly dell, Upon the fern the moss-rose shed her blood. From many a golden tree the joyous sound Of birds gay plumaged filled the list'ning air, The bullfinch warbled from the neighb'ring peak, And casting furtive glances seem'd to eye The tinselled lizard, bright with many a dye, Darting his fork'd tongue as she glided by. And shrill the cuckoo's notes and nightingale's Re-echoed far and nigh thro' distant vales ; Here the proud pheasant tower'd his gilded crest, The peacock here display'd his painted vest, Whilst all around the busy, tremulous hum Of insects gorgeous seem'd to whisper, " Come !" Nor did the maid refuse, but eager pass'd The barrier ; first slowly, then in haste, OR A DAY-DREAM. '27 Fearing to lose a pageant so sublime, The ground enchanted, 'midst the fragrant thyme And flow'ring shrubs, the verdant path she trod. Then turned she, quitting the soft velvet sod The mazes of the wood to thread, when lo ! A vision wond'rous as the first did shew Itself, — full in her path she sudden saw A nympth, the Dryad of the place, before Her stand, erect within a crystal car Of stalactite, inwrought with purple spar, And drawn by leopards twain, with garlands deck'd Whose speed no reins, but mandates gentle check'd The wheels of beryl were, swift shooting forth In whirling circles flames, and fiery froth : Around her path a bright effulgence shone, Her train encycling with a radiant zone, The ground empurpling deep ; attir'd she was In flowing drapery of transparent gauze, Fine woven from the webs of Merlin's loom By fairy art, in texture how divine ! Of roseate tint ; a wreathen chaplet bound With gold, entwin'd with eglantine Her flowing hair adorn'd, and marble brow : In hand a lyre she held, which notes did throw Of harmony enraptur'd, wondrous sound ! And on her shoulders azure wings slow fann'd In undulating motion the 'air trepann'd. An elfish train form'd guard, to each of whom 28 THE EROAD, Assign'd were robes of like ethereal hue, Wings too they own'd, were arm'd the merry crew With harps, and some with golden nets and darts, By which they strike or capture human hearts. Thus then they sudden met, [the hour was noon] The Goddess and the maid ; 'twixt them eftsoon Acquaintance ripened, words began to take The place of silence ; by an hawthorn brake With blossoms crown'd, girt by the budding wood, While at their feet a silvery streamlet took Its eddying course swift to the larger brook, And thickly clust'ring on its silver beach The woods depended in a silent reach, — As 'neath a willow's shelter then they stood, The dialogue succeeding here ensued ; — The maiden who on love had pondered erst, Foreswore stern silence, and according first Her blithe companion in these words addrest : — " Impassion'd Goddess ! fabled Queen of youth, Of sober'd and old age the pleasant guide, Tho' jocund now, e'en in the sphere of truth, Stern Goddess ! dare we not thy powers deride ! Who art thou then ? by what mysterious pow'r Dost thou the heart of man for ever sway ? What magic influence, that in one short hour, It prone succumbs, and learns thy will to'obey ? What potent art ? that man in roughest form OR A DAY-DREAM. 29 Is moulded to a figure not his own, That suddenly subdues the raging storm Of anger, oft hurls reason from her throne ? What silent force the channels doth subvert Of ev'ry passion into mercy's streams, By softness and persuasion self begirt ? Till from his fiery eye there gently beams An halo bright, that shone not there before, And lips can scarce the needful utt'rance give Of his heart's dictates, 'till he learn to'adore Her whom he loves, to die, if not to live. Again, what fairy charm encircles thee ? That youthful still with brow as radiant, With step as light, and heart as pure and free, As when before thy shrine a suppliant The first man knelt ; and tho' with care-worn Time Thou hast for ages kept an even pace, He aged is with storms of many a clime, Whilst thou art fresh and comely in thy dress, Like fair Aurora shedding beams at morn, Or Phoebus reddening ere the second dawn. But Goddess, come, relate at my behest, Thy first appearance, and thy last conquest." £'& £. " Fair mortal ! thou dost wish in vain to 'explore Regions unknown to man's secluded view, To penetrate our mysteries, and more, 30 THE EROAD, To probe their depth, and scan their vastness too. Tis not permitted ! nor mayest thou indulge In airy flights and self- wrought fantasies ; These solemn mysteries may I not divulge, By far too infinite for mortal eyes, For links they form in the great chain of life To shelter man from its invidious strife. Yet will I tell, without surpassing bounds, My life as traced on History's clear page, Omitting nought that to the praise redounds Of The Creator, His most just adage ! No parents own I, but from earth I sprang Full robed Minerva-like, and silent stood With all the virtues, that Creation sans-, Or man could count, before the seat of God. Pure is mine origin, pure too mine aim, Virtue herself mine herald is on earth, Beauty my halo soft, Eros my name, My panoply is Truth in sterling worth. Now sisters twain have I, both gently sprung Yet owning systems diverse ; from her seat The younger wanders with her prattling tongue, Instilling into youth her doctrines sweet. The love of child to parent, and the sense That it is loved in turn from her begot Hold not, tho' first, the chief preeminence, A higher and a nobler knowing not : OR A DAY DREAM. 31 For sweet it is to weave the silvery dreams Of childhood's love into my garland fair, A fragrance stronger than it ofttimes seems, From anger free, unmock'd too by despair, Sith harsh and angry tones are sorry gleams Of language, that a mother's heart should wear. But sweeter 'tis to watch the plant matur'd Ripen beneath the genial rays of love, Assume a stronger form, to fate inur'd, No mere sophistry which the fancy wove. Of this anon. — My elder sister lives, Retir'd a-wearied with her labour lost, Or crown'd, as with a restless world she strives Affection's bark from wind or tempest tost On waves of Fate to save, and views of Hope The anchor firmly fix'd on Time's deep sands, Till slack'ning inch by inch Life's measur'd rope Slips cable length, and bursts its carnal bands. The man of years can boast a temper'd mind And to the circle can that love dispense, Thus the philanthropist with vain mankind Imparts his love unselfish, heaven -born sense ! But such narration space of time prevents Thou understandest these ; but can'st not cun* Mine own mysterious pow'r, that thro' its bars Glows luminous with radiance as the sun Reflecting lustre on the feebler stars. * Gun — to know, or learn perfectly, to understan.l 32 THE EROAD, Yet 'ere I now proceed, I would dismiss These my attendants, who may mar our bliss ; For 'tis not right that they my words should hear, To echo back in some unhallow'd ear. [Turning to her attendants she sings. Elfins nimble, dwarfish sprites, Ye who are Love's satellites, Fleshless denizens of air, Quick, avaunt ! for none may dare To intrude my presence here, Fly, then ! and approach not near, I would fain be left alone, With this mortal, till I've done : Go, beware my mandates stern, Only think ye to return, When ye hear this triple note On the wafting breezes float ; Quickly fly to other scenes, Since no danger intervenes : Seek to gain some victim fresh By the arrow, or the mesh, Yet in manner by me taught With germ of innocence unwrought : Then away, in pastimes gay Flit across the sky, Ever free and merrily, Hie, away, Hie ! [Exeunt attendants. " But do thou fair one on this mossy bank Compose thyself; for here no herbage rank Poisons the spot, but all is cheerful, fair, Flow'rets innoxious scent the balmy air, OR A DAY-DREAM. 33 With fragrance undiminish'd ; Nature smiles To think how woman frail with Love beguiles In childish innocence the waning hour ; Then 'neath the shelter of this peaceful bow'r, As for a time my sweet lyre I refuse, List to my hist'ry, and attend, O Muse ! With voice how beautous, and in different strain, The Goddess thus commenced her talc again : — " When man first trod this earth on Eden's soil, A lonely monarch in his Avide domain, No sorrow knew he, and of basest toil Unconscious, used he far and wide to reign ; Fearless he wandered thro' the forest "doom ; From guilt exempt he knew not what was Fear, Nor shrank he from the blast of the Simoom, One thought was uppermost, — that God was near ; Till by the wisdom of that potent God, An helpmate meet from man's own element Created was, with talents rare endow'd, And arts alluring, yet full competent To cope with man's superior intellect, Whilst ev'ry grace and beauty rare combin'd Her outward form adorned ; still was she subject To him and to the dictates of his mind. Such then is woman, man's fair guerdon here, Than aught more precious, and to him more dear. 34 ^THE EROAD, 'Twas then with Innocence our hlithesome way We wended to that spot of Faery-land, 'Mid perfumed fiow'rs and shrubs the road it lay, Gifts thickly shower'd hy a Gen'rous Hand. At length we reach'd that home of dear delights, Would we had spent there our remaining days ! But sin hurled man from off the dizzied heights, That vaunting pride had set up 'fore his gaze. Ah! little thought they, when they saw that tree, How crush'd their hopes, and what their end would be ! 'Twas then, with breath intact, I wandered o'er That scene of bliss and pleasure unrestrain'd, With them unseen I cull'd the flow'rets, for The face of Nature had no curses stain'd. Soon in their hearts a deeper chord I struck, Than that which hitherto had fill'd their breasts, A deeper form their keen emotions took, A form as holy from its hallow'd tests, As that is false which has in latter years So oft defiled the track of Time with tears, The false emotion of an hidden fire, Deceptive to the sense, a thorny briar. Thus then they loved, and might have lov'd in ruth,* The happy bridegroom, and the happier bride, Had they not w 7 ander'd from the path of Truth, And Virtue first rejected for their guide. Then came the Fall ; — and from that moment fled * Ruth — tenderness. OR A DAY-DREAM. 35 I, slighted Love, and bashful Innocence, No longer one, our friendship being dead Singly we work, and tho' I take the lead In waking new affections, she cements Their future union, tends their present growth. I follow first, howe'er attendant near My sister comes ; tho' single we, yet both Together issued on this world's wide sphere, Man's galled spirit and his sick'ning heart To mollify, his sorrowing mind to cheer, Or to suffuse some glow of magic art On blasted hopes ; 'twas vain ! for he repelled My simple comrade, and too me he spurned, Tampered with Love, but ah ! the spirit quell 'd The fault of insincerity he learned. For ages then I chiefly kept aloof From base mankind, and from barbarian hosts, They termed me Asterin, a frivolous ouphe,* A being gossamer, who reviewed their coasts ; Till in the stately courts of Ancient Rome, A glad asylum with a nation brave, In ev'ry manly heart a welcome home I ever found, such there this day I have. By many a bard my praises echoed were, And votaries were offered at my shrine Most costly, and upon mine altars fair * Ouphe — an elfin, fairy-sprite. 36 THE EROAD, Were pour'd libations of the richest wine : Thus cherish' d me Italia ; yet she seemed Dull when compar'd with soft but fiery Greece, There while I lived I ever was esteemed, Yet learnt I there my habits of caprice ; Still did he worship me th' impassion'd Greek, And gorgeous fanes erected to my name ; Each bard in glowing ardour sprang to seek Glory in praising my unbounded fame Upon the harp ; the walls of mansions rung With songs they dedicated to my praise, In many a midnight revel were they sung, Till Hellas fell ; — my fate was forthwith flung Upon the world ; was open'd a new phase In my existence ; o'er the wide wide world, With 'scutcheon pure, and banneret unfurl'd, I sought to win due patrons to my cause, Wander'd thro' countries diverse, near, remote, 'Midst nations govern'd by barbarian laws, Who heeded not my clarion's silvery note : Thro' Persia, Babylon, and Afric's land, Where Ismael's sun-burnt sons cross sandy seas, Where glow the painted looms of Samarcand, And teems the main with laden argosies Oft by Algerian pirates robb'd, their trade : And rich Potosi, where the silver ore The natives dig, I traversed ; where his shade OR A DAY-DREAM. 37 Huge Andes casts : from Delhi to Mysore : 'Midst fabled bands who watch Atlanta's wave ; E'en 'neath the climate of the Frigid Zone I dwelt, where fur-clad tribes in glaciers lave, Whose hearts were like their countries, — cold as From Egypt's Nile-bedewed soil and wards [stone ! Where rlamen priests to pray their votaries call, And, roving eastward, where the Tartar hordes From Obi's bank roam south to the Great Wall. The Pole, the olive Spaniard knew me once, And he who sips thy waves, O golden Khine, And he the live-long years who daily hunts The grisly bear in groves of crested pine ; And Greenlanders who, in their skin-form'd punts, Behold the sun Heaven's pane incarnadine ; 'Midst Oriental nations, in whose halls Of luxury the minions proudly sate, Gazing on painted tiles and sculptured walls Flung Virtue to the winds and storms of Fate : By Arno's stream that by rich Florence rolls ; In silken Asia for a time I dwelt, And where the Moslem his bright Crescent holds, And westward wander'd with the unshorn Celt. 'Midst these I lived ; of all I vainly tried To curb their savage spirit and their pride ; But they repulsed me. On the Saxon soil Unheeded, disregarded, then I stood, Barbarians were they, rife for selfish broil, 38 THE EROAD, Who only cared to deal in fields of blood, My arts disdain'd, while injur'd Innocence Scarce kept her snow-white garments undented ; And Virtue with her silent eloquence Gave solemn warning of this nation wild. Ah ! little thought I in this crisis dread, With patience and with fortitude tho' nerv'd, In Albion's land, in British bosoms bred, What blissful happiness was me reserved. But as Time fled, and nations polish'd grew, Their minds did from the darkling sphere emerge Of gross and blinded ignorance, 'till they knew Affection's force to which my charms converge. Follow'd an age of knightly dalliance, Manhood in iron panoply full arm'd Rode listless with his gage of stern defiance, In quest of dangers that his mind but charmed. The baron e'en forsook his proud demesne And feudal fief exchang'd for deeds of might, Issued, attended by a courtly train, And fair one's benison who had him bedight ; Full many a league he wandered, many a land, Her beauty and his prowess to uphold, Glorious he deem'd it, if with conquering hand In tourney on the course his foe was rolled. Each gallant youth a stalwart knight became, And urged to deeds of gallantry and love, Victor in fields of blood, 'till golden fame OR A DAY-DREAM. 39 Awarded gorgeous scarf, or lady's glove. It was an age of Chivalry, — and school'd To deeds of danger the proud Norman burned With ardour irresistlcss, tho' oft fool'd By whims capricious of his mistress spurn'd ! I loved those days ; an epoch form'd they swcH In Alhion's existence, whilst they lived ; Again, alas ! no more the knightly feat Of arms and Glory will he now revived ; All, all are gone ! — not now the knight exists, Hush'd is the clash of brands and Warder's horn : Where are the canopied and royal lists, The pageant splendid on the tented lawn ? Where are the tales of Beauty and Romance, The streaming pennons and the broken lance ? Where are the tourney, jousts, and gallantries, The glitt'ring armour and the nodding plume ? And where the gorgeous scarflets, fierce emprise ? Will Chivalry no more her lamp relume ? Ah, no ! I saw the painted vision pass In all its splendor, o'er the world away, As dew drops glist'ning on the morning grass, Dissolve in beams of sun-enlightcn'd Day. The rolling years still quickly came and hied, And with them Wisdom, Culture, and anon The arts of War and Peace ; kings reigned and died, Great dynasties were crush'd, conflicts were won ; Then fill'd with slaughter, shudder'd the whole earth 40 THE EROAD, At man's most impious deeds, and chang'd his mind To War's antipodes, that soon gave birth To pleasures vicious, luxury refin'd. This in its turn wore off : — sober'd at length By stern decay before his sight reveal'd, The Briton rested for a time in peace, Till War reclaiming his long rented lease, Inquiet then essay'd his rusted strength On Alma's heights and Inkermann's red field. For tho' the Gallic race those shores anent* Inhabiting, to me due homage pay ; Yet trivial, fickle, and inconstant they, Now fav'ring me, and now on others bent. But here a lasting rest I do enjoy ; In England Old I find a welcome home, No more do troublous scenes my peace annoy, Abroad for ever have I ceased to roam : — " Here then brave Albion ! will I dwell for once Honour'd by thee, respected by thy sons !" Eros thus far, when quick the maiden spoke, And thus the silence of the moment broke ; — " Oh ! let this nation's gratitude accrue To thy fond name in tears of thankful dew, Protect from sarcasms, and base calumnies That do infringe this earth's moralities, * Anent, a Scotticism — over against ; lying opposite to. OR A DAY-DREAM, 41 Blasting an honest fame, and yet me think? My noblest thanks must form but petty links In gratitude's dear chain : ill they repay The pleasant hour spent i' this spot to-day. Still would I fain that pow'r mysterious learn By which men's bosoms kindle first, then burn With magic glow unknown to them before, As not initiate in thy deep-based lore ; This tell me, and thy conquest ultimate, "Which thou did'st promise kindly to relate, So shall earth's highest blessings thee attend, And Heaven my thoughts else obsolete befriend !" 42 THF, RROAD, CANTO II. War and Love are strange compeers, War sheds blood, and Love sheds tears, War has swords, and Love has darts, War breaks heads, and Love breaks hearts. Thus she, and quick the Goddess nymph replied, With acquiescent look, yet conscious pride, — " When youth is fresh, deceitful thoughts that lurk Within, I put to flight, in lieu, Faith, Hope, And Charity engraft, which three do work Most ably, in their destin'd horoscope. 'Tis then my strength is needed to support The half-form'd fabric with a giant force, With language soft, with soul expansive fraught, Streams welling from affection's truest source : Next must this plant be nurtur'd, not in vain, So from the stem there forthwith germinate The varied blossoms, steps to our great fane, Ascending each he climbs with hope elate. OR A DAY-DREAM. 4.5 To wild Emotion's thrill, term'd " Love at sight," Untemper'd and unprov'd, the primary sense, Succeeds a hashfulness, from which aright Springs Courage, thence engend'ring confidence, [For falt'ring accents do but ill express The heart's best language, or its happiness.] Words, motions of the lips, th' impatient glance, The feelings of the heart too well bespeak ; Soon whirling in the mazes of the dance, He feels her warm breath fan his heated cheek, Or while conversing i' the open air, Or 'neath the shelter of some peaceful grove. A mutual understanding rises clear, Free, unrestrain'd, heart does to heart respond, Affection to itself; the mask I donn'd Of careless apathy is cast aside, And in the moment of triumphant pride I view him reach the last stage, — perfect Love ! But nations have ascribed to me beyond, A vain assistant, to my arts unknown ; Thus did the Romans boast a Cupid strange, A beardless boy, and whom they called my son, A god fictitious, who not e'en held range Upon his own, much less on human hearts ! Him mock'd the Greeks, but me they Cypris hight,* On him bestow 'd they bows and flaming darts, His prey to strike, faint emblems of a Might, * Higld, — called, termed. 44 THE EROAD, O'er which I ever hold a sway supreme, While like the shadow of some passing dream Departs his glory in oblivion's gleam. Now lovers twain there are, the true, the false, The one steps into th' atmosphere serene Of Purity ; the other shameless halts Within the barrier and delusive sheen Of Hollow-heartedness ; the latter see ! In glowing colours of his guilt pourtray'd, [The formers progress I have erst display'd,] Then tremble maiden ! as ye list, and flee Such scenes, that cannot but the heart degrade. Like as the eagle views his prey below Perch'd on the rocky apex, fires his eye, And leaps his heart, fill'd with a fiendish glow Insatiate, until his victims die Beneath his grasp ; and as in reddening flow Trickles the blood, they gasp their parting sigh. Still as the glitt'ring snake of India's shores He fascinates his victim, soon decoyed By fair appearances, till she ignores The thought — his passion is of truth devoid. United they perchance a time in peace Unconscious live each of the other's thoughts, But in a quarrel their affections cease, At variance they dwell in Discord's courts. Call you this Love ? 'tis folly this, 'tis sin, A mockery of myself, and I abhor OR A DAY-DREAM. 45 Such perjur'd baseness, which the heart within Wages a constant, undecaying war. But I would have the real lover soar Above this cramp'd ideal, unfetter'd o'er This realm of dread delusion. I would have Him live in love, as it began, most pure ; Thus my assistance firm shall he ensure, And shall hereafter carry to the grave The mark of true esteem, the best reward My lasting blessings can to man afford ! But mark the shades of eve are gathering fast, Part of my tale remaining still untold ; This hearing shall by thee be after class'd As sampler of the mysteries I unfold ; For from a vict'ry I had just hied back, Encount'ring thee, if now thou dost desire To gather somewhat from my latest track, List to this ditty from my am'rous lyre." — Changing her strain the Goddess then arose, And swept the strings, that with the gentle blow- Sharp stricken echoed back in silvery twang A cadence soft ; in ether floating rang Her blended voice, as she responsive sang : — l. Lives there a maiden fair ami gay, No rustic offspring, by my fay, A comelier lass she dwells not nigh, Wlm dances e'er so merrily, 4G THE EROAD, Or joins in feats of pleasant mirth, Tho' gifted with superior birth, Or from the harp strings sweeps a note, So rich, so mellow, and so mote, Or strikes so sweetly the guitar, I will be judge, — sole arbiter ! As she whose beauty now I praise, Vying with the sun's bright rays, "When in meridian splendor he Unveils his glorious majesty ; Then bear with me, in song divine, " The fairest maid of Albion's line." 2. "With love for her, I do aver, A youth's emotions now I Btir, As calm within his conquer'd breast I reign to give his passion zest, Which free unbounded as the wind Is less capricious, more refined ; No offspring of a sudden thought, Of fire bereft, with fancy fraught, But love deep rooted, studied, tried, Dashing vain, impious thoughts aside, In vain essaying its pow'rs of flight, Still to results repulsive dight,* Knowing full well he loves indign " The fairest maid of Albion's line." "With equal rank and modesty Endow'd, a silent amnesty "With his affections holds the youth, As tho' he doubting were forsooth * Dight— decked out, adorned, hence due. OB A DAY-DREAM. 47 The prospect dubious to his ken ; Short-sighted oft 'tis thus with men, "When loving they retire abash'd, As from their lips the cup were dash'd : Courteous, and affable, and kind, These graces, tho' but few, combin'd Might safe his other faults outweigh, Possessing many a nobler trait That from thy mind reflected shine, " The fairest maid of Albion's line." 4. Lone gaziug on the distant ocean, Full of love and deep devotion, On thoughts intent he silent stands Far on the shelving, sea-girt strands ; Or wand'ring, solitary roaming, At morn, at noon, and darksome gloaming, And tho' th' aetherial vault he scans, Its aid invoking for his plans, Nought meets his sad, expectant eye, But dim, delusive vacancy ; Still in his breast doth hope revive, It bids him triumph, bids him live, Live, to learn the joys of love, Live, a joyous life to prove, Say ! can'st thou not my thoughts divine ? "The fairest maid of Albion's line." The sequel learn ; that maid attthou, lielov'd of one, of whom, I trow, It might be said he never swerved From Love's sweet path, but has re;- 48 THE EROAD, That guileless love for thee aloiie, That hath in purity outshone Man's usual selfish element, Still in relief has fouud no vent ; For thou hast seen him once, nay twice, "With him conversed, who scorns ca]n-ice ; Reject not, maiden, then, his suit, Him spurn not, fair one, art thou mute To my appeal ? O think again ! And let me waken some fresh strain In feelings dormant thine, avaunt ! Ye adverse thoughts ! that vainly haunt Her yielding breast ; in sweet refrain Hark ! in response the Muses nine Strike their lyres, and tresses twine, — " The fairest maid of Albion's line." 6. This item lastly learn ; its truth record, Deep in the tablets of thy mem'ry stor'd ; A moral 'tis, and one of high import, With whose intensity man dares not sport ; — " A sense there is in every human heart, Reflection radiant of a world above, Earth's sweetest boon, — the sparkling ripples smooth, The silvery foam dash'd from Life's rivulet pure, The holy oil that feeds the flame of youth, The incense precious glowing in the ewer, The human soul, — and more, the potent cord That binds Creation to its Sovereign Lord, Centre to which the passions all incline, "Whence perfumes rich, with blessings rare, entwine The orange leaves that shade with gentle press The flowing cup of human happiness, OB A DAY-DREAM \ feeling lusting, yet unask'd, unsought, A. language of itself, but free, unbought, By heathen ancients term'd, "Fair Cupid's Ait,' But modern Christians rightly call it,—" LOVE. " Fair Eros ceas'd, and echo plaintive rang In sweet accordance to the words she san