-' 
 
 f 
 
University of California Berkeley 
 
 THE PETER AND ROSELL HARVEY 
 MEMORIAL FUND 
 

THE 
 
 OVERLAND ROUTE 
 
 TO 
 
 CALIFORNIA, 
 
 AND OTHER POEMS, 
 
 BY JOHN WARD. 
 
 NEW YORK. 
 
 1874. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by 
 
 JOHN WARD, NEW YORK, 
 in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 
 
 Press of K. Tompkins. 
 
TO 
 
 MY COMPANIONS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 
 A SOUVENIR 
 
 OF 
 A PLEASANT JOURNEY. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 The Overland Route, ...... 
 
 The Journey, - y 
 
 California, - - _ _ T y 
 
 The Return, - . 33 
 
 The Undine, - _ - 43 
 
 Lady Grace's Bridal, - ^ 
 
 The Storm King, - - 63 
 
 Idyls of Niagara, - - 
 
 The Cave of the Winds, - - -69 
 
 A view from the "Maid of the Mist," - -71 
 
 The Lunar Rainbow, , - 73 
 
 The Clock Tower, Venice, - 75 
 
 After the Wreck, . . . - 79 
 
 A Pastoral, - 81 
 
 Lady Belle, . 86 
 
 The Water Fay, ..... 89 
 
 The Exile, . - 102 
 
 Our Captain's Orders, . . I04 
 
 Buonarotti's Dome, - - . . - 106 
 
 Mirrored Clouds, . I0 y 
 
 The Coronation of the Czar, - - - - 109 
 
 Lookout Mountain, - . II9 
 
 The Taking of New Orleans, - . . -121 
 
 New York, - .... I24 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 
 THE JOURNEY. 
 
 We are gliding swift away to the grand Pacific shore ; 
 
 And the prairies stretch afar their boundless sweep ; 
 Mississippi's mighty tide, and a hundred rivers more, 
 
 Watch our course to yonder Rocky-Mountain steep. 
 
 II. 
 
 Council Bluffs in beauty rise by the dark Missouri's wave ; 
 
 There Omaha springs up on stately hill ; 
 Fair Nebraska stretches wild, where so late the Indian brave 
 
 Shot the bison, quaffed the prairie's sparkling rill. 
 
 7 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 
 III. 
 
 The bluffs are left behind, and the Platte's unbending flow 
 Bounds the verdant plain's expanse of virgin mould ; 
 
 Where alone the cotton tree skirts the river's current free ; 
 And of yore, untamed, the prairie fires rolled. 
 
 The sunset fires the sky with a glow of golden haze, 
 And horsemen drive the wandering cattle home ; 
 
 While Pawnees gather round, wondering still in dull amaze, 
 As the train invades the regions where they roam. 
 
 v. 
 
 When the morning light returns, with the cooling, western breeze. 
 
 The prairie-dogs leap up on many a mound ; 
 The antelope comes swift o'er the plain unknown to trees, 
 
 Where soldiers guard the Indians' hunting-ground. 
 
THE JOURNEY. 
 
 VI. 
 
 That range of rounding hills marks the nearing mountain-gate ; 
 
 But we miss the shaggy herds of grazing kine : 
 Where countless thousands roamed, came the tireless hand of Fate ; 
 
 And Indians for the chase in vain repine ! 
 
 VII. 
 
 Yonder rise the giant peaks of the Colorado chain ! 
 
 Alp on Alp enwrapped in robes of snowy white, 
 With majestic mien and glance, pointing, o'er the rolling plain, 
 
 To the calm that reigns in skies supremely bright ! 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The mountain breezes sweep through the valleys as we rise, 
 And the prairie yields to hills and quiet vales ; 
 
 Where the bison gallops slow, or, in terror, northward flies 
 To the calm retreats of wild, secluded dales. 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 
 IX. 
 
 We scale a towering range of the Kocky-Mountain heights, 
 With a slow, increasing rise from mile to mile ; 
 
 The lingering snows attest how we soar with eagle nights, 
 Till on yonder lofty crest we pause awhile. 
 
 Onward ! down the giddy steep, with a curving, gradual sweep, 
 Through the ruddy granite portals, on we glide ; 
 
 While the Northern, snowy peaks, as we near the Western deep, 
 Tell the grand Sierras whither swift we ride. 
 
 XL 
 
 The cool Nebraska winds to the far Sweet Water land ; 
 
 We watch its current's clear and tranquil flow ; 
 Yon mounds resemble walls built to guard a warrior band ; 
 
 And purple mountains catch the sunset glow. 
 
 10 
 
THE JOURNEY. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Herds of antelopes speed on, as the day draws near its close, 
 And the prairie-wolf surveys the rolling train ; 
 
 Till a shower of golden light glows above the distant snows, 
 And the evening's silvery cressets gleam again. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Rising over many a height, when the early morning light 
 "Wakes thought again from dreaming fancy's chain, 
 
 By the Uintah range we go, crowned with shining crests of snow, 
 And pass the wilds of many a desert plain. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Yon dark Shoshonee braves, on the war-path, seek the Snakes ; 
 
 Their children watch the train with curious eyes : 
 While noble Washakie stands a chieftain, proud and free ; 
 
 And the mounted squaw supports her infant prize. 
 
 11 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Amid the native tribes, gaze the children of the Sun, 
 The almond-eyed Mongolians' patient race : 
 
 They laid the iron rail ; built the bridges one by one ; 
 But long their homeward footsteps to retrace. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Here the Mormon leader stood, on that rocky pulpit's stair, 
 And preached to faithful multitudes below ; 
 
 Where Echo Canon's weird, fantastic cliffs breathe in the air 
 That sweeps from yonder pinnacles of snow. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Down the Weber Canon's bends ; by its river's rapid tide ; 
 
 To the beauteous vale below, we swiftly speed ; 
 Where verdant hills uprise to the rugged mountain's side, 
 
 And many a rill divides the grassy mead. 
 
 12 
 
THE JOURNEY. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 By the long and snowy range ; o'er the Weber's quickening stream ; 
 
 Near the Devil's Slide, a rocky feature grand ; 
 Down to smiling plains beneath, where the Mormon's active dream 
 
 Turns the desert to a lovely, fertile land. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 The sun pours burning down on a thriving, pleasant town, 
 Where Ogden's paths of virgin commerce meet : 
 
 Sentry summits proudly stand, circling round this favored land, 
 And clearest air brings near their rocky feet. 
 
 xx. 
 
 From yon oil spring's bubbling flow, to the inland sea we haste, 
 Where the salt-breeze wafts the duck and curlew's flight : 
 
 Like snow-fields stretch the plains, where the lake has left the waste ; 
 And the mountain chain shades dark the Sabbath night 
 
 13 
 
THE OVEKLAND KOUTE. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 O'er Nevada's arid plain, in a misty, driving rain, 
 
 With the morning light, we swiftly speed our course ; 
 
 While the merry gnomes below veil their treasures with the snow, 
 Where golden veins wind round their mountain source. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Again the radiant sun blazes o'er the waste amain, 
 
 And the breeze, as though impelled by Afrite's power, 
 
 Blows the desert dust in clouds o'er the wild, uncanny plain, 
 Where rugged hills in sullen masses tower. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 The crimson streamers gleam, as the day fades like a dream, 
 And night's dark shadows dim the twilight's peace ; 
 
 Then comes a cooling air from the western regions fair, 
 Where grand Sierras rise, and deserts cease. 
 
 14 
 
THE JOUKNEY. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 With the 'early steps of day, by an endless, covered way, 
 
 O'er high Sierra's forest slope we go ; 
 Through countless rifts, the light gleams like rockets in the night, 
 
 And morning beams illume the shining snow. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Have the Titans reared this ledge ? and have fairies set that hedge, 
 
 Amid the Ice King's realms of endless cold ? 
 Look adown this fearful steep, where the rapid torrents leap, 
 
 Bearing on to distant valleys flakes of gold ! 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 California's wondrous mines lie amid these groves of pines, 
 Where world -famed treasures slept in days of yore ; 
 
 Yonder scaured and crumbling stone may have heard the miner groan, 
 Or roused his shout when gleamed the shining ore I 
 
THE OVERLAND KOUTE. 
 XXVII. 
 
 Sacramento's waving sheaves, where the fig-tree's sombre leaves, 
 
 Amid the oak-trees, catch the passer's eye, 
 With fertile fields and plains, all declare that Freedom reigns 
 
 Beneath yon snowy peaks, that cloud the sky. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 Like the vastness of the deep, the wheatfields' ripening sweep 
 Stretches wide, as rippling breezes bow the grain ; 
 
 While the stately live-oaks rise, as if grouped by artists wise, 
 Where circling sails draw moisture to the plain. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 By foaming rivers wide, where the snows have swelled the tide, 
 
 Across the Coast Sierra's mountain-way ; 
 We scent the ocean breeze from the ever-nearing seas, 
 
 Till San Francisco's lights shine o'er the bay ! 
 
 16 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 
 CALIFORNIA. 
 
 Beneath a mountain's towering steep, 
 
 A mighty ocean rolls ; 
 Awakening, with the boundless sweep 
 And echoing thunders of its deep, 
 
 Bright visions in our souls ! 
 
 II. 
 
 The great sea-lions sportive play, 
 
 Amid the eddying foam ; 
 With bellowing roar they cleave the spray, 
 Or bask in sunshine all the day, 
 
 Around their rocky home. 
 
 17 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 III. 
 
 'T is not the dark Atlantic's wave 
 
 That crests the craggy shore, 
 Where giant breakers foaming rave, 
 And naught yon hapless bark could save, 
 
 Amid their awful roar ! 
 
 IV. 
 
 Is this the sea for calmness famed, 
 
 Pacific's tranquil main ? 
 These glorious waves were never tamed, 
 And falsely is the ocean named, 
 
 That breasts yon sandy plain ! 
 
 V. 
 
 But awful grandeur all is thine, 
 
 Majestic, western sea ! 
 Whose whitening breakers frost the brine 
 In rolling sweep and endless line, 
 
 Of wild sublimity ! 
 
 18 
 
CALIFOKNIA. 
 VI. 
 
 Then view, as sinks the sun to rest, 
 
 A valley, grand and wild ; 
 Where Nature seems to strive her best 
 To crown the fair Pacific west, 
 
 As though her favorite child ! 
 
 VII. 
 
 Yosernite in splendor sleeps, 
 
 With leafy groves and bowers ; 
 While, from the lofty, rocky steeps, 
 The cataracts, in mighty leaps, 
 Sweep down to vales of flowers. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 'T is Eden, given back to earth, 
 
 In beauty all its own ! 
 Too. fair for aught of mortal birth; 
 Too solemn for a mortal's mirth ; 
 
 The gem of - our fair zone 1 
 
 19 
 
THE OVEKLAND KOUTE. 
 IX. 
 
 Its towering cliffs and verdant meads 
 
 Are domed by azure skies, 
 That smile as though Arcadian reeds 
 Were piped around, and warlike deeds 
 
 Had ne'er sought valor's prize. 
 
 The rocky shaft El Capitan 
 
 Shoots up beside the vale, 
 In startling grandeur ; daring man 
 To climb where never mortal can, 
 
 And braving every gale ! 
 
 XI. 
 
 The waving spray, from falls too high 
 
 For aught but eagles' flight, 
 Sends misty showers, as from the sky, 
 While rainbow-tints in radiance vie, 
 Beneath yon lofty height. 
 
 20 
 
CALIFORNIA. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Sublimity of rock and fall, 
 With towering, granite peaks, 
 
 Enchased in bowers and forests tall ; 
 
 Fair valley, 't is enchantment all 
 That from thy beauty speaks ! 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Colossal columns mount supreme, 
 
 As though the Genii's might 
 Had reared a temple ; that would seem 
 A wonderful, immortal dream 
 Of brilliant realms of light ! 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Here, Titan brothers three arise, 
 In crests of diamond form ; 
 
 There, swift as meteor from the skies, 
 
 A cataract, in silvery guise, 
 Eesounds like coming storm ! 
 
 21 
 
THE OVEKLAND KOUTE. 
 XV. 
 
 These massive crags were rent, perchance, 
 
 By fierce, volcanic fires, 
 In early years of Time's advance ; 
 Till Heaven's frosts and sunbeam-glance 
 
 Have shaped cathedral spires. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Yon domes of granite, parted now, 
 
 A solemn, stately pair, 
 May once have touched, with lordly brow ; 
 Where glades extend with verdant bough, 
 
 Kissed by the summer air ! 
 
 XVII. 
 
 The mountains watch the clear Merced, 
 
 That mirrors glories rare, 
 As, lifting high each sovereign head, 
 These rocky marvels rise to wed 
 
 The tempest in its lair! 
 
CALIFORNIA. 
 XVIII. 
 
 But climb, by yonder sister falls, 
 
 To dizzy crests of "snow ; 
 Where all that tranquil souls appals 
 Sublimely reigns, in Terror's halls, 
 
 While danger lurks below ! 
 
 XIX. 
 
 In mighty curves, the snowy peaks 
 Sweep round our vantage-place ; 
 Where clouds may rest, in summer weeks, 
 On craggy heights ; and thunder speaks, 
 When Nature veils her face ! 
 
 XX. 
 
 From heights like these, defying time, 
 
 And crowned with frosty wreath, 
 That valley grand, of genial clime, 
 A chasm seems in crags sublime, 
 Whose domes rise far beneath. 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 XXI. 
 
 grand Sierra ! Alpine crests, 
 
 And wondrous vales below, 
 Are what fair Nature's pilgrim guests, 
 With beating hearts and heaving breasts, 
 
 Behold amid thy snow ! 
 
 XXII. 
 
 That deep, precipitous abyss, 
 
 With waving forests clad, 
 Leads down to fairy bowers of bliss, 
 More beauteous, far, than scenes like this, 
 
 Where Nature scarce seems glad 1 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 The Merced leaps with thundering roar, 
 And clouds of dazzling spray, 
 
 By Broderick's summit, bleak and hoar ; 
 
 Then dashes o'er yon rocky floor, 
 To blooming vales away ; 
 
 24 
 
CALIFOKNIA. 
 XXIV. 
 
 Till, rainbow-wreathed, the river falls, 
 
 A sheet of sparkling foam, 
 In glorious plunge from rocky walls ; 
 While every mighty cliff recalls 
 
 s 
 
 Her rapids' mountain home. 
 
 xxv. 
 
 But with a gentler flow she pours 
 
 Amid the oak-trees green ; 
 Where many a pine majestic soars, 
 As if 't would rise to Heavenly doors, 
 
 The stately groves between. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 Then turn we to thy lovely glades, 
 
 Yosemite, the fair ! 
 Whose glossy foliage never fades, 
 Though storms may sweep from mountain shades, 
 
 And floods may cloud the air. 
 
 25 
 
THE OVEKLAND KOUTE. 
 XXVII. 
 
 awful summits, rising high 
 From out this charming scene, 
 
 In giant grandeur toward the sky I 
 
 Your massive, Alpine majesty 
 Is of celestial mien ! 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 Like seraph guards, your glittering walls 
 
 Surround this wondrous vale, 
 In stately towers and caverned halls, 
 And rocks that, 'mid the water-falls, 
 Seem crests and coats of mail ! 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 Majestic guardians, vast and grand ! 
 
 Your panoplied array 
 Protects a wild, mysterious land, 
 Where verdure decks the glistening sand, 
 
 And rushing rivers play. 
 
 26 
 
CALIFORNIA. 
 XXX. 
 
 Sublimity and beauty fair 
 
 Were never so combined, 
 Since first the ambient, summer air, 
 In Eden, fanned the primal pair, 
 
 For Paradise designed ! 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 Through stately groves of towering pines ; 
 
 By canons, deep and green ; 
 O'er dreary plains, at length the signs 
 Of delving deep for golden mines, 
 
 'Mid rugged rocks, are seen. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 What powers have rent the earth in twain ? 
 
 What fissures scar the ground ! 
 Misshapen rocks deform the plain, 
 As though the enchantress Circe's reign 
 
 Had modern victims found ! 
 
 27 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 XXXIII. 
 
 But yonder towers a mighty grove 
 
 Of forest columns high, 
 Where giants might delight to rove, 
 Or find, if with great Jove they strove, 
 
 Brave arms to dare the sky ! 
 
 xxxiv. 
 
 Along a purling streamlet's course, 
 
 Between encircling hills, 
 These wondrous trees have braved the force 
 Of Time, whose stroke, without remorse, 
 
 Their stateliest rival kills. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Majestic monarchs of the soil, 
 
 Of matchless height and girth ! 
 Aspiring man's unceasing toil 
 The centuries have learned to foil, 
 While still ye grace the earth ! 
 
CALIFOKNIA. 
 XXXVI. 
 
 In stalwart hundreds grouped, ye stand, 
 
 With lordly bouglj and limb ; 
 As yet preserved from ruffian hand, 
 Like Lebanon's fair cedars grand, 
 Ye breathe a silent hymn ! 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 While, loftier than the carven spire, 
 Your shafts mount up in power, 
 
 With densest bark, scarce touched by fire ; 
 
 Ye stand the oldest living choir, 
 That greets this gracious hour ! 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Again we view the busy scene, 
 
 So near the Golden Gate, 
 Where California's Ocean Queen 
 Superbly reigns, with haughty mien, 
 
 And knows no fear of Fate. 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 XXXIX. 
 
 The treasures of the East and West 
 
 Adorn the princely town ; 
 Where generous feeling shows its best, 
 And cooling breezes soothe to rest 
 
 The sharpest cynic's frown. 
 
 XL. 
 
 The mighty bay, where fleets may ride, 
 
 With countless masts, secure, 
 Admits the vast Pacific's tide 
 Through mountain portals, deep and wide, 
 
 By frowning guns made sure. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Beyond the wondrous Grolden Gate 
 
 Are vales of softer skies ; 
 There Tamalpais rears in state 
 Its rocky crest, while gales abate 
 
 Their sweep, and zephyrs rise. 
 
 30 
 
CALIFOKNIA. 
 XLII. 
 
 San Eafael's clustering villas lie 
 
 Amid the circling hills, 
 Where ranches reach the mountains high, 
 While over all, in majesty, 
 
 Yon cone the fancy fills. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 A watch-tower of the skies it seems, 
 
 A royal signal height, 
 To catch the morning's earliest beams, 
 And send them to the dancing streams, 
 
 That hail the dawning light ! 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 The groves on its volcanic side, 
 
 Like velvet's softest pile, 
 In emerald verdure serve to hide 
 Where once has flowed the fiery tide, 
 
 Perchance, for many a mile. 
 
 31 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 XLV. 
 
 Again, across the noble bay, 
 
 To San Francisco's heights ; 
 Where Chinese costumes, quaint and gay, 
 As though in Prince Aladdin's day, 
 
 Eecall Arabian Nights. 
 
 XLVL 
 
 Or view them on the mimic stage, 
 
 Fantastic as a dream, 
 While courts are held, and battles rage, 
 And emperors, of a by -gone age, 
 
 By rebels vanquished seem. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Imperial Pacific shore, 
 
 What glorious future thine ! 
 Atlantic empires' priceless lore, 
 With Chinese learning's ancient store, 
 
 All crown thy work divine ! 
 
 32 
 
THE OVEKLAND KOUTE. 
 
 THE EETUEN. 
 
 To Sacramento's strong levees, 
 
 The bulwark of her pride, 
 We swiftly speed, where foaming seas 
 Have madly dashed among the trees, 
 * From yonder river's tide. 
 
 II. 
 
 Again the grand Sierras rise, 
 
 As o'er the heights we glide, 
 While soon, behind us, rending skies 
 Will whelm the road in torrent's guise, , 
 Till havoc rages wide. 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 III. 
 
 Across the endless desert plain, 
 
 We near the inland sea, 
 Whose islands sweep in mountain-chain, 
 Along the salt waves of its main, 
 
 A stately company. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The Mormon city stretches fail- 
 On plains beyond the lake, 
 That, rising slow, may bid it share 
 The fate Lot's city seemed to dare, ^ 
 If vengeance should awake. 
 
 v. 
 
 From Utah lake, the Jordan clear, 
 
 In fresh, delightful stream, 
 Pours down to swell yon bitter mere, 
 e lifeless waves are never drear, 
 
 So brightly blue they seem. 
 
 34 
 
THE RETURN. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The Wasatch Kange and Oquirrh Hills 
 
 Surround the fertile fields, 
 Where sparkle countless, merry rills, 
 Whose current yonder city fills 
 
 With trees its soil ne'er yields. 
 
 VII. 
 
 That range of snowy mountains grand, 
 
 Magnificent in sweep, 
 Is rich with mines, where Nature's hand 
 Has hidden, in the rock and sand, 
 
 Her silvery treasures deep. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 On frowning heights, the Federal guns 
 
 Command the sullen town ; 
 The white tents gleam, as setting suns, 
 Like molten gold that glittering runs, 
 
 'Mid gorgeous clouds sink down. 
 
 35 
 
THE OVERLAND EOUTE. 
 IX. 
 
 A meteor flashes through the air, 
 With emerald light and glow ; 
 Now fading, now with dazzling glare, 
 It gleams across the twilight fair, 
 By yonder peaks of snow. 
 
 x. 
 
 From smiling fields, and salt morass, 
 
 We thread the canons steep ; 
 While soon, o'er many a mountain pass, 
 And plains of sage, we reach the grass, 
 Where deer may browse and leap. 
 
 XL 
 
 At wild Cheyenne, a swarthy band 
 
 Of warriors mount the train, 
 To view their great White Father's land, 
 And tread the far Atlantic strand 
 
 In painted pomp, again. 
 
THE RETURN. 
 XII. 
 
 Missouri's current, dark and swift, 
 Where down the mighty stream, 
 By verdant bluffs, with busy thrift, 
 The boats are swept in arrowy drift, 
 
 V 
 
 Is soon a treasured dream. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 O'er Iowa's attractive meads, 
 
 We reach a river wide ; 
 Proud Mississippi grandly speeds 
 'Mid pleasant isles, nor, foaming, heeds 
 
 The piers that stem her tide. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Through endless prairie corn-fields green, 
 
 A city looms afar, 
 Up-springing with undaunted mien, 
 Her miles of ruin all between, 
 
 A radiant, Western star ! 
 
 37 
 
THE OVERLAND EOUTE. 
 XV. 
 
 What groans of anguish, echoed late, 
 
 When strong men, in despair, 
 Beheld the pride of earthly state, 
 With all that made their city great, 
 Flame in the fiery air ! 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Then, domes and towers, rocking slow, 
 Were wrapped in seas of fire ; 
 
 Then, echoed many a wail of woe, 
 
 As hurricanes of torrid glow 
 O'erwhelmed the blazing spire. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 While ran a sympathetic thrill 
 
 Of pity through the land, 
 For homeless thousands, mourning still 
 The Fire King's imperious will, 
 
 The world ne'er seemed so grand. 
 
 38 
 
THE RETURN. 
 XVIII. 
 
 How nobly other lands averred 
 Their brotherhood the while, 
 Till, winged again, the city stirred, 
 Arising like the wondrous bird, 
 From out its funeral pile ! 
 
 XIX. 
 
 From brave. Chicago, by the lake 
 
 A pure and glorious sea 
 We soon behold, while stars awake, 
 The silver moon her pathway take 
 In cloudless majesty. 
 
 xx. 
 
 The "Albemarle," luxurious car, 
 That bore us countless miles, 
 On Genii's wings, to seas afar, 
 Is left for aye ; no time can mar 
 Its place in memory's smiles. 
 
THE OVERLAND EOUTE. 
 XXL 
 
 The morning light invites our stay 
 
 At Cleveland, forest town, 
 Where stretch the brilliant villas gay, 
 Through many a lovely, elm -grown way. 
 Lake Erie's verdant crown. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 While soon the crowded course is gained, 
 
 Where pant the rapid steeds, 
 By skilful training, deftly reined 
 Beyond Apollo's horses feigned 
 
 To tread celestial meads. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 The lake, that Perry's valor gave 
 
 A fame beyond its own, 
 All tranquil sleeps, though yonder wave, 
 Of silvery peace, ere long may brave 
 
 Niagara's proud throne. 
 
THE RETURN. 
 XXIV. 
 
 Though loth to part from friendly hearts, 
 
 And Cleveland's welcome true, 
 That plead delay with winning arts, 
 Ere long the train all swiftly darts 
 By placid waters blue. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 At Painesville spires, our princely host, 
 
 Whose kindness cheered the way, 
 Eejoins us, near the beauteous coast, 
 Where sparkling ripples seem the most 
 To charm, this pleasing day. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 From Buffalo's imperial state, 
 
 We near a sister town, 
 Where Genesee, by cruel fate, 
 No longer floods her rocky gate, 
 
 Nor, foaming, plunges down. 
 
 41 
 
THE OVERLAND ROUTE. 
 XXVII. 
 
 While evening shadows watcli our course 
 
 To Hudson's lordly flow, 
 From Syracuse, the iron horse, 
 With speed as of enchanted force, 
 
 O'er fertile plains will go. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 Till early day will bring our train 
 To where we'll meet the breeze, 
 That, sweeping from the Atlantic's main, 
 Will whisper : Home is near again, 
 Manhattan, by the seas ! 
 
THE UNDINE. 
 
 An Undine sighed in her grot of shell, 
 And tear-drops from her bright eyes fell 
 "Alas!" she cried, "no sympathy 
 Endears the creatures of the sea ; 
 
 Too cold our chilly blood 
 Pours its pallid stream along ; 
 Loving friends to earth belong, 
 Unknown beneath our flood ! 
 
 43 
 
THE UNDINE. 
 II. 
 
 "I weary of gems and jewels rare, 
 And ceaseless pastime brings but care ; 
 Slowly beats an Undine's heart, 
 Dead to love's bewitching art : 
 
 Yet why glows my cheek ? 
 Why this pleasing, strange distress? 
 Love may not an Undine bless, 
 
 Born in caverns bleak ! " 
 
 III. 
 
 Sang the Undine 'neath the tide : 
 " Would I were a mortal's bride ! 
 Dwelling near some lovely lake ; 
 Sporting in the tangled brake ; 
 
 Free to cherish love : 
 Crowns of pearls I'd cast away ; 
 Happy, leave the rainbow's play, 
 
 Meek as mating dove ! " 
 
 44 
 
THE UNDINE. 
 IV. 
 
 All innocent of mortal guile 
 She sang, and struck her harp the while. 
 Widely echoed words like these, 
 Borne abroad by listening seas, 
 Heard with proud disdain, 
 Roused her sisters' haughty pride : 
 "Leave," they cried, "our tranquil tide? 
 Leave thy native main ? 
 
 V. 
 
 " Sister, rove with us the deep ; 
 Bouse the dolphin from its sleep ! 
 What is love ? and what is man ? 
 Haste, forget thy foolish plan ! 
 
 What to us is earth ? 
 Dwelt the Undines here ere land 
 Raised its head, or yet the strand 
 
 Bound the ocean's girth ! " 
 
 45 
 
THE UNDINE. 
 VI. 
 
 The Undine floated o'er the sea, 
 Harping sweetest minstrelsy ; 
 Sailors listened to her song, 
 As she drew their bark along, 
 
 Playing merrily 
 
 Bound the prow and bulwarks brave, 
 Foaming in the swelling wave, 
 
 On the vessel's lee. 
 
 vn. 
 
 Her golden locks were wreathed with spray, 
 And, won by her enchanting lay, 
 A crowd of finny creatures came ; 
 The shark, whom only she could tame, 
 
 Swam gently by her side : 
 The fishes love the fair Undine, 
 And will obey no other queen, 
 
 For music rules the tide. 
 
 46 
 
THE UNDINE. 
 VIII. 
 
 A fisher-bark came sweeping by ; 
 The Undine heaved a piteous sigh ; 
 And when she saw the crew prepare 
 Their fatal nets, with cruel care, 
 
 She struck her harp again ; 
 Oh ! wildly swelled the warning song 
 " Ye fishers, do the fish no wrong, 
 
 Or bid adieu to men ! " 
 
 IX. 
 
 The greedy nets are spreading free, 
 
 And drink the briny, rolling sea ; 
 
 But, charging fierce in loyal ranks, 
 
 The swordfish thrust through oaken planks ; 
 
 The whale, with furious sweep, 
 Attacks the vessel's laboring keel : 
 The timbers crack ; the top-masts reel ; 
 
 It founders in the deep ! 
 
 47 
 
THE UNDINE. 
 X. 
 
 A wail is borne from yonder shore, 
 Where widowed wives, a saddened score, 
 Lament yon fisher bark in vain ; 
 Their sorrow gave the Undine pain : 
 
 " Too cold am 1 1 " she cried, 
 " I thought of my poor fish, alone ; 
 And heeded not the swimmer's groan, 
 Who perished in the tide ! 
 
 XI. 
 
 "Amid the breakers will I dwell, 
 And warn the sailor, by the swell 
 Of music rare, and echoes sweet, 
 That every note shall soft repeat, 
 
 To fly from dangers hid ; 
 Then sweet shall be my balmy rest, 
 Pillowed upon the Ocean's breast, 
 
 While sea-birds heed my bid ! " 
 
 48 
 
THE UNDINE. 
 XII. 
 
 When breakers roar, and raves the blast, 
 The sailor, on the giddy mast, 
 Has often heard a cadence wild, 
 With words of warning, soft and mild, 
 
 To steer a safer course : 
 The Undine, singing, becks away, 
 And leads, by dolphins' winning play, 
 
 From tempests howling hoarse. 
 
 49 
 
LADY GRACE'S BRIDAL. 
 
 A castle beams in the ruddy light 
 Of a thousand torches' blaze ; 
 
 The moon looks calmly on the night, 
 
 Though warriors soon will rush to fight, 
 
 In festive mantles gaily dight, 
 
 And filled with strange amaze. 
 
 II. 
 
 A lady's bower is yonder tower, 
 
 Where knotted rope is seen 
 To wave in the kiss of the evening breeze, 
 That shakes the vines on a sculptured frieze ; 
 It hangs from a window hid by trees, 
 
 But gleams in Dian's sheen. 
 
 50 
 
LADY GRACES BKIDAL. 
 III. 
 
 In raftered hall, where feasted all, 
 There gathered many a dame 
 
 In gay attire. A bridal scene ! 
 
 See Lady Grace, in beauty, lean 
 
 On a husband's arm, of princely mien 
 And proud, ancestral name ! 
 
 IV. 
 
 At maiden's call, she left the hall ; 
 
 A dizziness, 't was said, 
 Had seized her as the priest said grace : 
 She whispered, with a blushing face, 
 'T would soon be past ; with modest pace 
 
 Then left the table's head. 
 
LADY GRACES BRIDAL. 
 
 V. 
 
 The baron smiled, yet blamed his child, 
 While guests in glistening mail 
 
 Laughed at the lady's whim. The maid 
 
 Had only felt o'ercome, he said ; 
 
 Perhaps, in bridal robes arrayed, 
 She felt her courage fail. 
 
 VI. 
 
 "Albert," he cried, "go, seek thy bride ! " 
 
 And urged the noble youth, 
 Who quickly left the stately room 
 For lady's bower, although a gloom, 
 The mystic work of fancy's loom, 
 
 O'erspread his thoughts in sooth. 
 
 52 
 
LADY GRACES BRIDAL. 
 VII. 
 
 7 T was strange to grieve on bridal eve, 
 
 When not a shade should rise 
 To dim his joyous dreams, but still 
 He felt a strange and piercing chill 
 Kun through his gallant breast, until 
 He paused in mute surprise. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Beyond the stair, an alcove fair 
 Was lighted from a sconce ; 
 And, near the window, Lady Grace, 
 With blushes on her lovely face, 
 Addressed a youth of noble race, 
 Who knelt there for the nonce. 
 
LADY GRACES BRIDAL. 
 
 IX. 
 
 With nodding crest, in leathern vest 
 
 And chain-mail armor clad, 
 The handsome knight besought the bride 
 To leave her home, with all beside, 
 And venture o'er the distant tide. 
 She whispered chidings sad : 
 
 x. 
 
 " For weal or woe, an hour ago, 
 My troth I gave another ; 
 Hadst thou but come yestreen, I might 
 Have happy been, but now, this night, 
 It is too late : haste, take to flight ! 
 I dare not grieve my mother ; 
 
 54 
 
LADY GEACE S BKIDAL. 
 
 XI. 
 
 " I should not pause, she'll learn the cause 
 
 Of my strange absence ; fly ! 
 E'en while I live, I'll ne'er forget 
 Our youthful love ; ah, stay ! but yet 
 I should forget that we have met : 
 Farewell, till worlds on high ! " 
 
 XII. 
 
 At Albert's tread, her visions fled ; 
 
 " Stay, villain ! " fierce he breathed. 
 The lady shrieks, a strife begins ; 
 Alas for her ! whoever wins ! 
 The cry, the clash of arms, soon thins 
 The hall so gaily wreathed. 
 
 55 
 
LADY GRACE'S BKIDAL. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 From festive din the guests rush in ; 
 
 The stranger knight is seized ; 
 But, ere that moment, on the floor 
 Young Albert lies in purple gore, 
 That proves the sword has pierced him sore, 
 
 His wrath all unappeased. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 The baron orders faithful thralls 
 To bear the caitiff knight 
 
 To some low dungeon, fettered well ; 
 
 But, ere they lead him to the cell, 
 
 The daring stranger shouts to tell 
 His men-at-arms to fight. 
 
 .56 
 
LADY GKACE S BKIDAL. 
 XV. 
 
 The moonbeams gleam on many a pine, 
 
 That shades the terrace high ; 
 They glitter now on shining mail 
 Of comrade warriors: "Haste, assail," 
 They answering cry, " the outer pale ! 
 The castle's weakness try ! " 
 
 XVI. 
 
 With war's alarms, the men-at-arms 
 
 Attack the barbacan ; 
 The baron heads the garrison ; 
 With shout and groan the fight rolls on ; 
 The half-defended wall is won, 
 
 By many a gallant man. 
 
 57 
 
LADY GRACE S BRIDAL. 
 XVII. 
 
 But, each that dares the massive stairs, 
 
 A certain death awaits : 
 The grim old baron loves a fray ; 
 Like sweep of avalanche his way, 
 When yonder foemen first essay 
 
 To seize the inner gates. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Through combats fierce they onward pierce, 
 
 Outnumbered, then retire ; 
 When darksome mists the archway shroud, 
 They pause ; and soon a murky cloud 
 Of vapor warns the baron proud 
 
 His castle is on fire ! 
 
 58 
 
LADY GKACE S BKIDAL. 
 XIX. 
 
 For haughtiest. mien an awful scene! 
 
 The fire spreads the .while : 
 Its dangers calm the baron's pride ; 
 For Lady Grace, the lovely bride, 
 Still prays in grief by Albert's side, 
 
 Within the ancient pile. 
 
 xx. 
 
 A prize untold of treasured gold 
 He'll give to save her now ; 
 
 A score, at least, the venture try ; 
 
 'T is useless. -Must that fair one die 
 
 'Mid flames and smoke? A sudden cry 
 Of "Rescue!" smooths his brow. 
 
 59 
 
LADY GKACE S BRIDAL. 
 XXI. 
 
 The knotted rope now proffers hope, 
 For, slowly down its strands, 
 
 The hardy knight with ease descends ; 
 
 While all his utmost care he lends 
 
 To guard the lovely bride, he tends, 
 From danger, ere she lands. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 The tower's base reach friends apace, 
 And soon the pallid bride, 
 
 In terror, seeks her father's arms ; 
 
 But, while he soothes her wild alarms, 
 
 He asks for Albert, while she charms 
 With tears his haughty pride. 
 
LADY GRACE S BRIDAL. 
 XXIII. 
 
 " Close to rny side young Albert died ! r 
 
 She sobbed in accents low : 
 "I would not leave him, but he's dead; 
 His blood is on my guilty head ; 
 A cloistered life must now be led 
 By her who caused this woe ! " 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Soft peal the bells o'er lonely cells 
 
 In yonder abbey gray : 
 This morn a maid, of beauty rare, 
 Has left the world with all its care, 
 If matin chimes and cloister air 
 May soothe her griefs away. 
 
 61 
 
LADY GRACES BRIDAL. 
 XXV. 
 
 A saintly face had Lady Grace ; 
 
 And when she died, 't is said, 
 A wreath of roses was each day, 
 By stranger hands, placed o'er her clay 
 The nuns at vespers ever pray 
 
 Their lives like hers be sped. 
 
THE.STOKM KING. 
 
 The Storm King rose from his northern lair, 
 Shaking the rime from his frosty hair; 
 In wrath he cried: "To the South I'll go, 
 And shroud the world in a robe of snow ! " 
 
 II. 
 
 His misty form, like an iceberg's shaft, 
 Gleams o'er the drifting, glacial raft, 
 While Northern Lights flame round his eyes, 
 And whirlwinds at his tread arise ! 
 
 63 
 
THE STOKM KING. 
 
 III. 
 
 The North Wind roared in his Arctic home 
 "I'll follow thee, monarch, across the foam, 
 Where many a laden argosy 
 Will rue the hour it met with me ! " 
 
 IV. 
 
 The Storm King spread his pinions wide, 
 And bore the North Wind at his side ; 
 The forests groaned as the gale flew by, 
 Sweeping the branches toward the sky ! 
 
 v. 
 
 The rivers foamed with a maddening glee, 
 And shoreward dashed a stormy sea, 
 Lashing the beach and the rocky strand, 
 Surging to whelm the hated land ! 
 
 64 
 
THE STORM KING. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Billow on billow mounts on high, 
 Till foaming crests to bubbles fly ; 
 Wildly they struggle, with angry roar : 
 'T is useless strife with the rugged shore ! 
 
 VII. 
 
 The Storm King cried : u I'll onward sweep 
 O'er yonder wide and sullen deep ; 
 My lordly sway has taught the wave, 
 In stormy winds, to foam and rave ! " 
 
 VITI. 
 
 The North Wind blew o'er a noble fleet, 
 As it lay at rest, on the glassy sheet 
 Of a sheltered haven : " Come," he cried, 
 " I'll prove yon ships against the tide ! " 
 
 65 
 
THE STOKM KING. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Sudden and sharp was his icy breath ; 
 The mariners sleep the sleep of death ; 
 The gallant fleet, that morn so gay, 
 Has foundered in the treacherous bay ! 
 
 x. 
 
 Onward the terrible pair proceed ; 
 They deem yon wreck a glorious deed ; 
 And now, with a storm of heaviest rain, 
 They dash o'er the dark and troubled main 
 
 XL 
 
 The thunder peals o'er the vasty deep, 
 Aroused from its transient, quiet sleep ; 
 And lightning's flash shows many a bark 
 Laboring hard in the tempest dark ! 
 
THE STORM KING. 
 XII. 
 
 The ocean roars in the mighty blast, 
 As the mariner clings to his tottering mast ; 
 But morning's sun will show the sea 
 Alone in its immensity ! 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Across the foam the Storm King blows 
 A blast that tells of the northern snows ; 
 And, driving the tide with a mighty roar, 
 They sweep in wrath to the distant shore 1 
 
 XIV. 
 
 The North Wind breathed o'er the banks of cloud, 
 And chilled the drops that his pinions ploughed ; 
 The sparkling flakes and rattling hail 
 Increase the awe of the rising gale 1 
 
 67 
 
THE STOKM KING. 
 
 XV. 
 
 With roar and crash the North Wind flies ; 
 The Storm King looks with wrathful eyes ; 
 And, when his slave has wreaked his worst, 
 He joins the turmoil as at first ! 
 
 XVI. 
 
 The storm will leave poor wives to weep 
 The loss of their all an the briny deep ; 
 While young and old, of every age, 
 Will mourn, in vain, the tempest's rage ! 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Howe'er proud man may spread his sway, 
 The Storm King rules the winds to-day, 
 As when, at Creation's dawn, he rose 
 To war with the sea and land, his foes I 
 
 68 
 
IDYLS OF NIAGARA. 
 
 THE CAVE OF THE WINDS. 
 
 As my footstep gains yon portal, swells within me the immortal ! 
 
 Earth's glories pale, Niagara ! when we would thread thy foam : 
 Surging down with roar and quiver, comes the awful, thundering river, 
 
 As through the veil of spray we glide, and tread the Wind King's dome. 
 
 II. 
 
 With a hush of expectation, in a glow of contemplation, 
 
 Enwrapped in foaming, stormy mists, we reach the cliff beyond ; 
 
 While caverned rocks behind us would, with solemn groan, remind us 
 We covenant with Danger, would we burst her iron bond. 
 
IDYLS OF NIAGARA. 
 
 III. 
 
 See a land of wonder open ! as the charm of storm is broken, 
 
 Where rainbows gleam in beauty, deep in Nature's mystic shrine ; 
 
 While the circling tints, uniting, paint Apocalyptic writing, 
 Till bright-winged seraphs greet us in a presence so divine ! 
 
 IV. 
 
 For rapt, entranced, with gazing at the sunlight brightly blazing 
 On the awful, shadowy whiteness of the grand, majestic fall ; 
 
 On radiant wings victorious, float the visions ever glorious, 
 
 Till shines the great, white throne of Him who reigns in starry hall 
 
 V. 
 
 While the emerald rainbow gleaming, as it quivers in its beaming, 
 Circles round yon snowy emblem of the throne in Patmos seen, 
 
 Till the elders' voices reach us, and their holy accents teach us 
 To cast our crowns before the throne, with faith's adoring mien ! 
 
 70 
 
IDYLS OF NIAGARA. 
 
 A VIEW FROM THE "MAID OF THE MIST." 
 
 Beneath an arcli of gleaming tints that spans a rushing tide, 
 Our struggling bark draws near a scene of whirlpools eddying wide ; 
 Where roaring waters foaming meet, that late, an emerald surge, 
 Swept grandly in a storm-girt flood, o'er yonder time-worn verge. 
 
 II. 
 
 The sunbeams glow, where, 'mid the spray, the hastening rapids dash ; 
 While winds in torment raving sweep, with more than Furies' lash ; 
 The fatal Maelstrom never raged with such stupendous might, 
 As where the gale-swept, whirling foam brings Chaos back, and Night 
 
 71 
 
IDYLS OF NIAGARA. 
 
 III. 
 
 The fall, where circling rainbows meet, sends up a mighty sound ; 
 While yonder glorious Horseshoe curve of waters shakes the ground 
 But, floating on a stormy wave between their thunder-peals, 
 The cresting, deep, eternal surge its grandest power reveals. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Commingling seas hurl cataracts, that claim a blended name, 
 Transcending all the falls on earth, in grandeur as in fame : 
 The ocean seems to crest a verge, supreme in curving sweep, 
 Whose thunders share the majesty that crowns the conquering deep 
 
 V. 
 
 From altar-cliffs, the mist, like smoke of sacrifice and prayer, 
 Wafts up, as Nature's paean wakes the floods and ambient air ; 
 The tinted bow of promise floats on wings of cloudy spray, 
 And wondrous anthems seem to bring the Heavens near to-day 
 
 72 
 
IDYLS OF NIAGAKA. 
 
 THE LUNAR KAINBOW. 
 
 The moonlight fondly lingers on Niagara's pale sheen ; 
 While strange, fantastic shadows troop, the flood-worn cliffs between, 
 Where, weirdly rising through the spray, a fairy arch of light, 
 With ghostly gleams of color, springs, a vision wondrous bright ! 
 
 II. 
 
 A bow of purest silver, tinged with iridescent dyes, 
 
 Or like the magic scimitar a paladin would prize, 
 
 It gleams as though 't were brandished, by the startled Queen of Night, 
 
 To dare the rushing cataract, while foaming in its might ! 
 
 73 
 
IDYLS OF NIAGARA. 
 
 III. 
 
 The spray mounts up to waft it in a leap from sliore to shore, 
 While, through the shadowy portal, comes a diapason roar, 
 Majestical in cadence, too sublime for mortal speech, 
 That breathes the mighty mystery these awful surges teach! 
 
 IV. 
 
 It thrills in mournful music to the soul that listens well : 
 u For ever, and for ever ! " seems from out the surge to swell, 
 As yon abyss of tempest-mist receives the thundering wave, 
 While, o'er the river, stormy gusts amid the foam-clouds rave ! 
 
 V. 
 
 The phantoms' hour of might draws near; the Storm King mounts on high ; 
 And slowly fades the moonlight from the dark, tempestuous sky : 
 The mystic arch is gone, and hark ! the river's thunder tone 
 Invokes the lightnings, till they vie in grandeurs of their own ! 
 
 74 
 
THE CLOCK TOWER, VENICE, 
 
 IK 1856. 
 
 Ye giants, ever thundering forth the hour with measured clang ! 
 
 How proudly once your answering strokes through yon piazza rang, 
 
 When dark, mysterious Venice hushed her citizens to sleep, 
 
 And bade them rest, for chosen ones the Doge's watch would keep ! 
 
 The moonlight played o'er broad canals, reflecting lofty towers, 
 
 Where nobles revelled joyously through midnight's darkest hours : 
 
 What recked they if a comrade's face were blotted out from men ? 
 
 The dark canal received the fool that braved the noble Ten. 
 
 Yet strike, ye brazen giants ! though the Doge's sway be past, 
 
 And Austrian standards wave, alas ! from each imperial mast, 
 
 Ye call up dreams of olden times, while figures, strange and quaint, 
 
 Move by, as yonder puppets bow before their carven saint. 
 
 I see the ancient city when she ruled the open seas ! 
 
 But though her flag brought wealth where'er it met the genial breeze, 
 
 75 
 
THE CLOCK TOWER, VENICE. 
 
 And Venice glowed in splendor, yet her empire o'er the sea 
 
 Was not enjoyed by citizens that loved true liberty. 
 
 Ye shades of ancient heroes who adorned this mighty town ! 
 
 Come back to earth, and tell us, though your lives ye oft laid down 
 
 When Venice bade ye battle, did not Carthaginian pride 
 
 Reign fiercely in the bosom of the Adriatic's bride ? 
 
 It is a jealous sway when men refrain from honest speech ; 
 
 It was not freedom when the sword hung o'er the head of each ; 
 
 The proud Venetians kissed the rod, and deemed such rule the best, 
 
 But liberty they scarcely knew, or never deigned to test. 
 
 Ring out, thou clanging bell, aye, peal ! but ring for better days, 
 
 When Venice, taught by tyranny, may sound true freedom's praise ! 
 
 St. Mark's is glowing in the calm and pallid, silvery light, 
 Thrown wide in sparkling torrents from the radiant orb of night : 
 An Eastern tale in marble is that hoary, ancient pile, 
 Where Barbarossa bowed his neck, o'ercorne by papal wile. 
 A shadowy, gay procession sweeps along the open square, 
 The Emperor comes to Venice, with a penitential air ; 
 That mighty Barbarossa fears yon priest's bejewelled cope, 
 
 76 
 
THE CLOCK TO WEE, VENICE. 
 
 And must atone for injuries to Home's imperious Pope ; 
 
 The Empire kneels before the Church, and Alexander dares 
 
 To place his foot upon the neck of one of Caesar's heirs ! 
 
 The shadows fade, while o'er the bay come morning's" earliest beams, 
 
 But daylight, here in Venice, cannot break the spell of dreams ; 
 
 A long day-dream it is to roam through mouldering marble piles, 
 
 And hear the gondolier's slow plash awake the silent isles : 
 
 The dark canals, the lofty towers and temples, thickly strewn, 
 
 The dreams of wildest fantasy, slow mouldering in stone, 
 
 The stillness of the watery streets, scarce broken by a sound, 
 
 Impress the laden fancy so, its wings would touch the ground. 
 
 The Doge's Palace frowns beside St. Mark's majestic throne, 
 Yet doges were oft shadows, while as phantoms they have flown : 
 The Giants' Staircase, and the spot where Faliero's head 
 Eolled down the marble steps, to join the armies of the dead, 
 May draw a tear or passing sigh, at least the solemn thought, 
 That vengeance, such as that he sought, were far too dearly bought. 
 St. Mark's winged lion still looks down from yonder column's height, 
 A token of the proud Eepublic's ancient strength and might ; 
 
 77 
 
THE CLOCK TOWER, VENICE. 
 
 The Gaul restored his trophy, conquered Paris missed it not, 
 While Venice feels that lion's sway can never be forgot. 1 * 
 
 O golden, dreamy Venice ! who would roam the world alone, 
 
 When old, historic friends seem beckoning from each sculptured stone ? 
 
 The world drifts madly by thee, yet it cannot mar thy peace ; 
 
 While centuries roll back their gates, all cares and troubles cease. 
 
 Mysterious city ! when we gaze on pinnacle and dome, 
 
 And see thee rise, like Venus fair, from out the sparkling foam, 
 
 A dreamy wonder fills the soul, and, floating o'er the waves, 
 
 Thy distant chimes seem fairies' song, upborne from ocean caves. 
 
 78 
 
AFTER THE WRECK. 
 
 Awake bright day ! A lonely watch of agony I keep : 
 Wildly rave the billows ; sadly moans the deep : 
 She, who slumbers by me on the dark and desert shore, 
 Sleeps too soundly, breakers, to be wakened by your roar ! 
 
 II. 
 
 Bright her golden ringlets glance in yonder dawning light, 
 But the pallid moon, that shone so weirdly in the night, 
 Kissed her cheeks so coldly, that their rosy color fled : 
 Alice, wake ! Ah, nothing wakes the slumbers of the dead ! 
 
 ill. 
 
 Seaweed garlands deck her curls, the work of ocean nymphs, 
 Wrought when, swept from floating masts, she vanished at a glimpse 
 Coldly closed the waters round her fair, ethereal form, 
 Far too fragile e'er too live through such a raging storm ! 
 
 79 
 
AFTER THE WRECK. 
 IV. 
 
 All are gone, and I, alas ! survive the awful wreck : 
 Alice, little thought we, when we paced the quiet deck, 
 I should only, of our crew, in safety reach the land, 
 And hold my darling in these arms, alone upon the strand ! 
 
 V. 
 
 Break, proud day ! I care not for thy brightest, golden beams ; 
 She is gone who ever reigned sole idol of my dreams : 
 Ocean, come ! I hail thy waves ; the tide, now rising high, 
 Will sweep me from the narrow strand ; near Alice I shall die ! 
 
A PASTORAL. 
 
 Pleasant groves and laughing brooks ! 
 Aye, ye cool and shady nooks, 
 Where the trout, in countless numbers, 
 Wake the waters from their slumbers ; 
 Ye, I hail, when' summer's sun 
 Hath its burning heat begun ; 
 When the branches, drooping, quiver 
 O'er the cool, refreshing river ; 
 And the songster's merry trill 
 Echoes from the silent mill, 
 Where, upon the moss-grown wheel, 
 Many happy pairs conceal 
 Glossy eggs from curious eyes, 
 Lest some boy may make a prize 
 Of the nest so neatly twined, 
 Which their careful beaks have lined 
 
 81 
 
A PASTOKAL. 
 
 With the softest hair and down : 
 Shame, that any country clown 
 Should be found to spoil the labor 
 Of his pretty, feathered neighbor ! 
 
 See ! the stream, that once of old 
 Turned the mill that brought the gold 
 To the rich, old miller's purse, 
 Where it proved a speedy curse, 
 Now, released from wooden gloom, 
 Foams above the moss-grown flume ; 
 Blithely leaps adown the vale, 
 Pausing here to fill a pail, 
 Left by careful lass to cool 
 In the deepest of the pool ; 
 Hurrying now adown a steep, 
 With a playful, merry leap ; 
 Here, entangled in the willows, 
 Foaming apes the ocean's billows. 
 
 82 
 
A PASTOKAL. 
 
 Merry brook ! I love its glee, 
 As it sparkles merrily 
 In the sunbeam's scattered light, 
 Where it threads the leafy night, 
 Hailing here the golden day, 
 As through meadows ripe for hay, 
 Bursting from the shady grove, 
 Where it loved so long to rove ; 
 Laughing at the waving grass, 
 That will hardly let it pass 
 Ere it slyly steals a kiss, 
 On it hastes to yon abyss ; 
 Boldly plunging down the height, 
 With a wanton, gay delight ; 
 Hiding with a silvery veil, 
 Shaken by the passing gale, 
 Every rugged, rocky feature, 
 Like a merry, laughing creature ! 
 
A PASTORAL. 
 
 Lovely vales ! that far below 
 Sparkle in the sunlight's glow, 
 Greet this merry brook for me, 
 As it hastens to the sea ; 
 Fold your tender arms around it ; 
 Keep it spotless as ye found it ! 
 In yon dark and rapid river, 
 All that sparkle, all that quiver, 
 Will be lost amid the tide, 
 As it chafes the vessel's side. 
 Restless brook ! thy playful stream 
 Tells the whole of life's long dream, 
 As thou prattlest to the herds 
 All the love-songs of the birds ; 
 How they sang about the Spring, 
 Or swept round on rapid wing, 
 Skimming o'er thy brimming fount, 
 On the distant, verdant mount. 
 Now, a deep and crystal wave, 
 Thou canst roll along the nave 
 
 84 
 
. A PASTORAL. 
 
 Formed by arching trees above, 
 Where the birds still whisper love ; 
 But thy ripples, as they foam, 
 Sigh for that sweet, mountain home. 
 
 85 
 
LADY BELLE. 
 
 Loud yelled the castle-hounds at morn, in early, warm September ; 
 
 The drawbridge fell, and Lady Belle right gallantly rode out. 
 That morning, all the hamlet folk, who pitied her, remember, 
 
 Recalling well her winning smile and pretty, dimpling pout, 
 That stern Lord William's temper could not change, although he vainly 
 
 Essayed to bend the wilful girl, who mocked his angry mien : 
 Lord William she ne'er loved, nay, called him ugly and ungainly, 
 
 And all declared he suited not her beauty, that a queen 
 Might envy. She was lovely ! fair as early, blushing summer, 
 
 When roses shed a fragrant gale of perfume on the air : 
 Lord William, if at Christmas-tide he figured as a mummer, 
 
 Would make the saddest mourner laugh, the sleepiest baron stare. 
 Forth rode the lovely lady, in the dew of early morning, 
 
 To hunt the stag ; she turned her steed towards a distant glade : 
 The branches stooped to greet her, as the pallid light, then dawning, 
 
 Shone weirdly on her beauty, till each early village maid, 
 
 86 
 
LADY BELLE. 
 
 Who met her, almost shuddered as she courtesied to the lady, 
 
 Whose alms outvied her beauty, for she was a bounteous dame ; 
 Aye, many an eye looked after, as the forest deep and shady 
 
 Received the lovely woman, fully worthy of her name. 
 Lady Belle, return ! Lord William, though you thought he slumbered soundly, 
 
 Heard every voice this morning, as in yonder tower he lay ; 
 O, venture not too rashly ! for he storms and curses roundly, 
 
 An4 calls thee, gentle lady, all too wild, and far too gay. 
 From yonder lofty turret he has watched thy groom's devotion, 
 
 While by a secret postern -gate he leaves the castle now ; 
 A courser there awaits him, he will mount without commotion, 
 
 And follow every foot-print, with a shadow on his brow. 
 Beware, thou gentle lady ! Rumor says and some believe it 
 
 Yon handsome groom is gentle, and no stable-youth by birth : 
 Lord William dreams he's Edgar, thy old love ; then wherefore leave it 
 
 To Scandal's tongue, fair lady, to proclaim it o'er the earth ? 
 Why must that groom be ever at thy bridle-rein when riding ? 
 
 Dismiss him, gentle lady ! 't is a trial to be borne ; 
 Though he tells sweet, forest legends, yet allow no room for chiding ; 
 
 'T were well he left thy palfrey's side, if only on this morn. 
 
 87 
 
LADY BELLE. 
 
 Nay, Lady Belle is wilful, and she loves to hear traditions 
 
 Related by the handsome groom, that holds her bridle-rein ; 
 But, while she stoops intently, all Lord William's dull suspicions 
 
 Are fanned to flame ; he rides in jealous fury o'er the plain. 
 Low howled the hounds at midnight, as a single cry of terror 
 
 Disturbed the placid stillness of the calm September night ; 
 A spotless lady, falsely charged by jealousy with error, 
 
 Lies bleeding on the chapel floor, a woful, piteous sight ! 
 The cross she clasps is reddened with her life-blood's crimson blushes, 
 
 And deep her ermine robe is stained with that untimely dye : 
 Her maidens found the corse, at early morn, among the rushes, 
 
 Where painted windows rain soft rays the secret to descry. 
 
 88 
 
THE WATEK FAY. 
 
 Far in a cool and darksome pool, 
 
 Of a quiet, mountain glen, 
 A water fay contented lay, 
 
 In a cataract's spray : but when 
 The rainbow gleamed on the waterfall, 
 
 With its tinted arch of light, 
 And beamed on the heavy, mossy pall 
 
 That hid the spring from sight, 
 The fay grew weary of the gloom, 
 
 And longed to see the day, 
 To view the sun, whose radiant loom 
 
 Could weave such colors gay. 
 She asked the breeze and the sparkling spray, 
 
 What was there 'yond the vale, 
 To which the gladsome orb of day 
 
 Followed the eastern gale. 
 
 89 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 The merry breeze, with a playful shake, 
 
 Kemoved the mossy pall, 
 And showed, beside a distant lake, 
 
 A castle vast and tall : 
 " I often blow by the western tower, 
 
 And see a youthful knight 
 Loot out and greet the sunset hour, 
 
 Or morning's golden light 
 For years I've watched his slender form 
 
 Expand to manhood's mien ; 
 I fan his brow, and in the storm 
 
 Oft kiss his cheek, unseen." 
 
 The fay, enraptured, lists too well, 
 For, when the breeze is gone, 
 
 She fain would break the slender spell, 
 That binds her, every morn, 
 
 To sink beneath the bubbling spring, 
 And bring a jewel up, 
 
 90 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 To grace her queen, as a beauteous ring, 
 
 Or deck her golden cup. 
 She longs to view the distant tower 
 
 Where dwells the youthful knight, 
 And wearies of her mossy bower, 
 
 To which the golden light 
 Of early day can hardly reach, 
 
 To tinge the quiet pool. 
 The breeze has told of a pebbly beach, 
 
 With grottoes deep and cool, 
 Where many a sister fay is seen 
 
 Amid the laughing waves ; 
 Where Undines, clothed in seaweed green, 
 
 Command obedient slaves 
 To bring them pearls from the briny sea 
 
 To deck their waving hair ; 
 And play in merry, sportive glee, 
 
 Without a thought of care : 
 ' Oh would I were a fair Undine, 
 
 And free to leave my spring, 
 
 91 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 To deck my hair with the jewels rare 
 From the watery depths I would bring ! 
 
 The cataract breathed in her listening ear : 
 " Sweet fay, but follow me, 
 I'll bear thee away, in my torrent's play, 
 
 To the distant, deep, blue sea ; 
 We'll plunge o'er the dark and frowning rock 
 
 To the lovely vale below ; 
 A fay can bear the sudden shock, 
 
 Enwrapped in my silvery flow." 
 " Farewell for aye, my native grot ! " 
 
 The fairy whispered low : 
 "Farewell! in future I shall not 
 
 Know fear of ice or snow. 
 My bubbling spring, for aye adieu ! 
 
 Thy cool and pleasant well 
 Must fade, forever, from my view ; 
 
 Fair, jewelled depths, farewell ! " 
 
 92 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 The torrent twined its misty arms 
 
 Around the timid fay ; 
 She feels her grot has many charms, 
 
 As now she glides away ; 
 Yet liow endure her haughty queen, 
 
 "Whose brilliant diadem 
 Claims, for its now unrivalled sheen, 
 
 Each new-discovered gem ! 
 She fancies, then, the ocean sprites, 
 
 And that fair, sparkling lake, 
 Where she will rest for many nights, 
 
 And see the water-snake 
 Erect its glossy head on high 
 
 Above the waters blue : 
 She views the open, sunny sky, 
 
 And feels the breeze said true. 
 
 Enwrapped in a misty veil of spray, 
 They leap the lofty height, 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 And float away with the torrent's play 
 
 In the rainbow's varied light. 
 Through many a green and flowery mead, 
 
 The river pours along ; 
 The frightened fay can hardly heed 
 
 The bird's melodious song ; 
 Her sister sprites come flocking near 
 
 To see the stranger fay, 
 And wonder from what distant mere 
 
 She can have swum away ; 
 They offer water-lilies bright, 
 
 And gems of varied hue, 
 But, till the fall be lost to sight, 
 
 The fay must speed anew ; 
 She dreads her queen's imperious wrath, 
 
 And fears the tattling breeze 
 May point her wild and dangerous path, 
 
 Ere she has reached the seas. 
 Amid the fairies of the lake 
 
 She hopes for safety soon ; 
 
 94 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 Already she can see them shake 
 Their locks, as the rising moon 
 
 With mellow radiance softly shines 
 On the castle, grim and old, 
 
 Enwrapped in countless, wanton vines, 
 That veil its outlines bold. 
 
 'T were a merry sight to watch the fays, 
 
 As lovingly they play ; 
 No mortal eye can ever gaze 
 
 On revels half so gay ; 
 They chase the pretty, sportive fish, 
 
 Who know no thought of fright, 
 For fairies in their pastimes wish 
 
 The finny tribe no spite. 
 They gather merrily to hail 
 
 Their new companion now, 
 Recall the rose to features pale, 
 
 And kiss her weary brow. 
 
 95 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 Anon they lead her to a bower, 
 
 Beneath the waters blue, 
 Adorned with many a water-flower, 
 
 And radiant to the view. 
 With water-lilies crowned, their queen 
 
 Keceives the timid sprite, 
 Arrayed in robes of deep sea-green, 
 
 All sparkling in the light 
 That filters through the watery dome 
 
 In bright, yet softened, rays ; 
 She bids the fairy welcome home, 
 
 And kindly then displays 
 The thousand treasures of the waves, 
 
 The heaps of gems untold, 
 And pearls, for which a fairy braves 
 
 The ocean deep and cold. 
 
 " joyous life," the fay exclaimed, 
 " To live beneath the sea, 
 
 96 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 And view the secrets, all unnamed, 
 
 Of ocean's majesty ; 
 To sport arnid the gay Undines, 
 
 And through the coral caves ; 
 To gaze on new and varied scenes 
 
 Beneath the stormy waves ! " 
 fay, beware ! " the monarch cries, 
 " We fairies of the lake, 
 Who scent the salt breeze as it flies, 
 
 Can hardly undertake 
 The journey to the deep sea grots, 
 
 Where dwell the ocean fays ; 
 The demons weave their wicked plots 
 
 To tempt the unwary gaze ; 
 They pile up lofty coral reefs 
 
 To check our toilsome course, 
 And, led by bold and daring chiefs, 
 
 Use every known resource 
 To check our progress ; yes, they dare 
 
 To bring the cuttle-fish, 
 
 97 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 And darken every wave, nor spare 
 
 The Undines, if they wish 
 To guide us through the watery night. 
 
 Then fay, beware the sea ! 
 But wherefore roam ? Kay, stay thy flight ! 
 
 And live in peace with me ; 
 I'll guard thee from thy haughty queen, 
 
 She dares not venture here ; 
 I care not for her angry mien, 
 
 For she has learned to fear 
 The gentle fairies of the lake, 
 
 When roused by proud disdain : 
 Then here thy home in future make, 
 
 Nor seek the angry main." 
 
 The fay is but too happy, now, 
 To bend the humble knee, 
 
 And vow allegiance, with a brow 
 From every trouble free. 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 Now, o'er the sparkling silver sheet, 
 
 She sports in frolic wild ; 
 The breeze comes laughing her to greet, 
 
 Yet breathes, in accents mild : 
 " Alas, thy lone, deserted well ! 
 
 The water sighs for thee ; 
 I hardly blow o'er the leafy dell, 
 
 Its charms are gone for me. 
 Yet here the castle frowns above ; 
 
 And see ! the youthful knight 
 Looks out, and dreams of aught but love 
 
 His pleasure is the fight ! 
 O, win him to the quiet lake, 
 
 By many a ripple's play ! 
 He often will a ramble take 
 
 To watch the fading day." 
 
 A silvery shower of rippling pearls 
 The fairy throws on high, 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 Anon, a misty wave she hurls 
 
 Towards the evening sky ; 
 The moonbeams softly play around 
 
 The gently scattering spray, 
 While, hear that wild melodious sound ! 
 
 The love-song of the fay : 
 " 0, wander to the pebbly beach, 
 
 Thou gentle cavalier ! 
 And let my loving accents reach 
 
 Thy kind, attentive ear ; 
 I'll bring thee pearls and perfumed flowers, 
 
 The water-lilies rare 
 I'll gather in our island bowers, 
 
 To deck thy raven hair." 
 " I hear the whispering of the breeze," 
 
 The warrior, wondering, says, 
 " How sweet it murmurs through the trees, 
 
 Like some forgotten lays. 
 The moon is bright, my skiff I'll take, 
 
 And row a pleasant mile ; 
 
 100 
 
THE WATER FAY. 
 
 I have not crossed yon silvery lake 
 
 This many a weary while." 
 He leaves the shore, and guides his bark 
 
 Towards a distant beach : 
 Farewell, thou wanderer of the dark, 
 
 That shore thou'lt never reach ! 
 By elfin arms, his slender skiff 
 
 Is dragged beneath the wave ; 
 A stone upon a neighboring cliff 
 
 Kecords his watery grave. 
 From earth he's gone, but, 'neath the lake, 
 
 In long, enchanted sleep, 
 The fairies all their play forsake, 
 
 A guard o'er him to keep ; 
 The fay entwines her glistening arms 
 
 Around his slumbering form, 
 And keeps him, by her magic charms, 
 
 From tempest and from storm. 
 
 101 
 
THE EXILE. 
 
 O mournful, sighing, stormy wind, blow far my grief from me ! 
 
 And let me gentle solace find, beside the moaning sea : 
 
 In mighty chords, the ocean swells a harmony sublime, 
 
 That thrills like chirne of Sabbath bells, in our fair, distant clime ; 
 
 In plaintive cadence come the sounds, as though the village spire 
 
 Soared heavenward beyond these mounds, that gleam in sunset's fire ! 
 
 The sea, that thunders on the shore it lashes with its spray, 
 Still bears our country's navies, o'er the waves they proudly sway! 
 When heroes struck for Freedom's right, a gallant warrior band, 
 Then tyranny revealed its might, and drove us from the land ! 
 The flag we honored with our blood salutes the breeze to-day, 
 As when we bore it o'er this flood, a tyrant's power to stay ! 
 
 102 
 
THE EXILE. 
 
 'Mid roar of battle's answering guns, we waved that flag on high 
 Where valor bade earth's noblest sons, in glory's ranks, to die ! 
 
 Freedom! spread thy wings, again, across the glorious land 
 
 1 hail, from o'er the sounding main that sweeps its rocky strand ! 
 
 I walk o'erwhelmed with patriot woe ! and what can comfort bring ? 
 In vain, through joyous throngs I go, that float on Pleasure's wing : 
 The noble land I proudly claim has brighter charms divine 
 Than youth's enchanting dreams of fame with fairest hopes entwine. 
 The whisper of the murmuring brook once filled my soul with joy, 
 When, stretched in some familiar nook, I dreamed, a happy boy ! 
 But now, I seek a grander scene, and hail the rolling sea ; 
 Although, alas ! it sighs between my native land and me ! 
 
 103 
 
OUE CAPTAIN'S ORDERS. 
 
 Soldiers ! The trumpet sounds your orders : 
 To skirmish, prompt, each man prepare ! 
 
 Right shoulder shift ! See those marauders, 
 That reconnoitre everywhere ! 
 
 II. 
 
 In groups of four, brave comrades, keep united ; 
 
 Watch well, for horsemen hover round ! 
 Pick off each man, till foes retreat affrighted ; 
 
 If on they charge, stand, stand your ground ! 
 
 104 
 
OUR CAPTAIN'S ORDERS. 
 
 in. 
 
 Now, double quick ; apart by twenty paces, 
 March on and gain yon vantage height ! 
 
 Then halt and fire ! They come with eager faces 
 But, vanquished, soon will take to flight. 
 
 IV. 
 
 They gather fast, like clouds before the shower ; 
 
 Assemble, quick, on strong reserve ! 
 The trumpet sounds, for dangers round us lower ; 
 
 They charge ! Retreat ! Strain every nerve ! 
 
 v. 
 
 The ranks part wide ; rush in and take your stations ! 
 
 On, on they come ; now fire again ! 
 Huzza, brave boys ! Aye, give them powder rations ! 
 
 They break ! They fly ! We've cleared the plain ! 
 
 105 
 
BUONAROTTI'S DOME. 
 
 How light the imperious arches spring along the mighty nave, 
 
 To where the lamps their lustre fling above St. Peter's grave ! 
 
 Encrusted marbles lead the gaze from point to point to roam, 
 
 Till mute we stand, in new amaze, beneath the awful dome : 
 
 The soul that dreamed this arching grand, to rear that dome on high, 
 
 Should ne'er have sought its native land, but soared to yonder sky ! 
 
 Now pace the aisles, while sunset flings its fading, mellow light, 
 
 In scattering gold-dust, on the wings of doves and cherubs bright ; 
 
 Then view the ceiling, fretted o'er with massy weight of gold ; 
 
 Or trace upon the marble floor the record there enrolled, 
 
 That tells the stretch of kindred piles, all dwindling into naught 
 
 Compared with these majestic aisles, grand avenues of thought ! 
 
 Buonarotti ! such as thou were born to show the world 
 
 The stamp of God upon our brow ; and breathe the might, that hurled 
 
 Yon sun and planets to their place, and reared the cloudy dome, 
 
 By which thou Titan of our race ! didst shape thy work at Rome. 
 
 106 
 
MIRRORED CLOUDS. 
 
 Far down in crystal caverns dwell the sprites that rule the river, 
 But, on a summer day, when all is peaceful, calm and still, 
 
 I trace their fairy structures, strange and weird, misshapen ever, 
 Lying far beneath the shadows of the trees on yonder hill. 
 
 II. 
 
 Like stalactites drooping downward from some cavern roof, they glimmer 
 In the scarcely noticed ripple of the calm, transparent stream ; 
 
 Ever changing with the clouds, the elfin edifices shimmer 
 Like strange, fantastic castles seen in some mysterious dream. 
 
MIRRORED CLOUDS. 
 
 III. 
 
 Calmly floats the crystal river o'er the phantom, fairy towers, 
 They vanish if we venture with too curious eyes to gaze ; 
 
 Looming up anon they glitter, as the sun plays o'er the flowers, 
 And elfs come forth to frolic in the golden, misty haze. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Dreamy turrets, could we fathom to your magic caves of wonder, 
 What treasures would we not espy within their crystal halls ! 
 
 But elfs allow the world to see but clouds reflected under, 
 And watery depths allow us not to venture to your walls. 
 
 108 
 
THE CORONATION OF THE CZAR. 
 
 MOSCOW, SEPT. 7, 1856. 
 
 The Kremlin towers, like Eastern Kings, arise, 
 Where holy chapels greet the pilgrim's gaze ; 
 
 As, from the sacred gate, with raptured eyes, 
 He views the lofty domes in wondrous maze: 
 
 Ivan's proud tower rules the imperial halls ; 
 
 While Michael's shrine the ancient czars recalls ; 
 
 For many an early emperor lies there ; 
 
 Though Peter's City guards his dust with care. 
 
 109 
 
THE CORONATION OF THE CZAR. 
 II. 
 
 The noble court-yard, where the staircase ends, 
 
 By which processions rise to grand saloons, 
 Is filled with troops ; for war its tribute lends 
 
 To grace the Czar, the source of glory's boons ;- 
 A gay assemblage meets in colonnades, 
 All recent reared for guests of honored grades : 
 To-day the Czar assumes his father's crown ; 
 And brightest skies of peace look smiling down. 
 
 III. 
 
 Colossus of the Eastern world of dreams, 
 Majestic Kussia ! hail thy Czar to-day ! 
 While countless millions praise the golden beams 
 
 Of joyous peace, that bless this proud array : 
 Like Memnon, seated by Egyptian Nile, 
 And waked to music by the sun-god's smile, 
 The glowing rays from happier lands than thine 
 Attune thy might to harmony divine ! 
 
 110 
 
THE CORONATION OF THE CZAR. 
 IV. 
 
 Between the serried ranks, a crimson sweep 
 
 Of avenues, prepared for stately show, 
 Glistens with copes and uniforms, as deep 
 
 As when parterres' gay blossoms waving blow ; 
 The clergy gather round yon chapel's gate, 
 With incense, banners bright, and robes of state : 
 From Ivan's reign, the Czars are ever crowned 
 Within this shrine, that gilded saints surround. 
 
 V. 
 
 A pontiff soon descends the palace-stair, 
 
 While long-haired priests a glittering vessel raise ; 
 The holy water, see ! he scatters, where, 
 
 To bless the Czar's advance, he humbly prays : 
 His vestments' glow attests his priestly might ; 
 While soon he joins that group, in mitres bright, 
 Where Persian carpets veil the crimson floor, 
 And prelates, robed in gold, surround the door. 
 
 Ill 
 
THE CORONATION OF THE CZAR. 
 
 VI. 
 
 There Philarete, the aged bishop, stands, 
 
 To meet the Czar, and tender him the crown ; 
 
 The populace would rush to kiss his hands, 
 
 Could they but reach where guards on entrance frown 
 
 Fair Moscow owns his gentle sway with pride ; 
 
 The Russian church reveres in him a guide ; 
 
 He now awaits the widowed Empress, here, 
 
 Who mourned so late beside a monarch's bier. 
 
 VII. 
 
 'Mid pealing chimes, a bright procession comes, 
 
 The Empress Mother, canopied in state, 
 With diamonds ablaze, of royal sums, 
 
 In cloth of gold and crown of costly weight : 
 A long array of nobles throngs the way, 
 And princesses with trains of colors gay ; 
 The Czar's young heir beside the Empress goes, 
 Where tissue, borne on rods of silver, glows. 
 
 112 
 
THE CORONATION OF THE CZAR. 
 VIII. 
 
 The jewelled cross, that Philarete extends, 
 
 Is kissed in peace, and then the mitred throng 
 Escort the Empress, who her throne ascends 
 Within the stately chapel's shrine of song : 
 Anon, the lordly prelates, at the gate, 
 In silent pause the Czar's advance await ; 
 While officers remain a brilliant frame 
 Around the arms the sunlight tips with flame. 
 
 IX. 
 
 What scenes of horror once deformed this place, 
 
 When haughty Bonaparte his legions led 
 To seize the royal shrine of Kussia's race, 
 
 These towers, that seemed as silent as the dead ! 
 Then, patriot fires illumed each palace lone, 
 And flames rolled round the Kremlin's sacred zone ; 
 Till mighty France, in terror, fled a land 
 That hurled new woes with such relentless hand. 
 
 113 
 
THE CORONATION OF THE CZAR. 
 
 A roar of cannon, with the clang of bells, 
 
 Inform the world the Autocrat draws nigh, 
 While, louder yet, the joyful paean swells 
 
 As though to reach the smiling, distant sky : 
 Another pageant sweeps adown the stair, 
 Displaying gems that Russians only wear ; 
 The courtiers pass in pairs, an endless train, 
 To grace, in state, their master's opening reign. 
 
 XL 
 
 The ladies, robed in emerald velvet, come, 
 Embroidered gay, adorned with golden moon 
 
 And floating veil ; while, near their joyous hum, 
 Pass princesses, like clouds before the noon : 
 
 A lordly train, with canopy of gold 
 
 Upheld by generals, comes, its wealth untold ; 
 
 The Czar, in uniform of state, uncrowned ; 
 
 The Empress, robed in white that sweeps the ground. 
 
 114 
 
THE CORONATION OF THE CZAR 
 XII. 
 
 Such pageantry, as gleams before our eyes, 
 
 Shines with, a splendor scarcely known to man, 
 As when the Northern Lights illume the skies, 
 
 And, streaming to the zenith, crown their span : 
 The Czar moves on, with princes at his side, 
 While nobles throng in undistinguished tide, 
 Like comet, trailing through the brilliant night 
 A wondrous train, surpassing starry light. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 The cross is kissed, and then the proud array 
 Of prelate, Czar and prince, deserts the morn ; 
 
 While bells peal forth to tell the listening day, 
 The Czar in state the gorgeous crown has worn : 
 
 At length, the Empress Mother, with her train, 
 
 Resplendent seeks the palace-stair again ; 
 
 The new-crowned pair the farther gates have passed, 
 
 To march, beyond the walls, where throngs are massed. 
 
 115 
 
THE CORONATION OF THE CZAR. 
 XIV. 
 
 Like some mirage, the traveller, on the plain 
 
 Or sandy desert, sees majestic rise, 
 These towers and domes seem works of Fancy's reign ; 
 
 The bright assemblage waits with eager eyes, 
 As when, in tropic lands of balmy clime, 
 Where waves of silver roll their crests sublime, 
 And royal-palms droop fronds of dreamy grace, 
 The birds salute the sun's returning face. 
 
 XV. 
 
 The Czar, in grand procession, by the gate 
 
 Near yonder church, appears upon the scene ; 
 The diamond crown he wears, of massy weight, 
 
 An azure blaze of flame, exalts his mien : 
 He looks a monarch firm, of gentle sway, 
 Whose crown of gems eclipses sunlight's ray, 
 Till, orb and sceptre, jewelled robes of gold 
 With ermine decked, the gaze can hardly hold ! 
 
 116 
 
THE CORONATION" OF THE CZAR.. 
 . XVI. 
 
 The Empress fair, adorned with lesser crown, 
 
 Like rainbows gleaming, moves in stately guise, 
 A golden mantle o'er her silken gown, 
 
 While kindness beams within her lovely eyes : 
 The Czar uncrowns his head, then goes to pray, 
 Within St. Michael's church, for grace to-day ; 
 Returning, soon the diamond dome he wears, 
 Which has no power to soothe a monarch's cares. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Like Fortunatus, endless wealth is thine, 
 Imperial Czar ! Like river on its way, 
 That pours its stream 'mid hills that yield the vine, 
 
 Refreshing thirsty fields through sunny day, 
 So flows thy kindness toward the suffering slave, 
 Till serfs, made free, shall all adore its wave. 
 Nations of every garb and tongue appear, 
 To hail their king, and bless the favored year ! 
 
 117 
 
THE CORONATION OF THE CZAR. 
 XVIII. 
 
 The royal pageant wends its golden way, 
 
 By yonder stair, all open to the skies, 
 To wondrous halls ; magnificent display ! 
 
 There diamonds stud the doors, a matchless prize, 
 While malachite, in rich pilasters reared, 
 Delights as though some fairy -land appeared ! 
 The Czar attends a feast with nobles proud, 
 Where custom's sway is reverently allowed. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 At night, all Moscow flames with joyous lights, 
 The Kremlin towers are dazzling seas of fire, 
 While garden-trees, as in "Arabian Nights," 
 
 Seem decked with colored gems, in radiant pyre ; 
 St. Basil's shrine, like fountain-jets of flame, 
 Beams fairer than when Ivan praised its fame, 
 And palaces, along the river, seem 
 To make this eve too bright for poet's dream. 
 
 118 
 
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TENNESSEE. 
 
 Look out o'er yonder valley fair where flows the Tennessee, 
 
 In bends unnumbered sweeping round to waters ever free ; 
 
 There Chattanooga nestles by the turbid, rushing stream, 
 
 And Missionary Eidge up-springs, a scene for patriot's dream ! 
 
 The mist oft drifts where charmed we stand, and view a cloudless sky ; 
 
 But war has raged amid the clouds in years now scarce flown by. 
 
 Then noble Grant his armies led from Chattanooga town, 
 
 And sent brave Hooker here to drive the fierce insurgents down ; 
 
 For rebels held these very heights, those few, short years ago, 
 
 When Bragg essayed to keep our arms beyond that river's flow. 
 
 While Sherman stormed yon lofty ridge, bold Hooker led his men 
 
 Among the clouds, to fight the foe beside his mountain den : 
 
 Then, glory fired their dauntless hearts for Union's sake to die, 
 
 Or wrest from out the jaws of death the prize of victory ! 
 
 119 
 
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TENNESSEE. 
 
 Kebellion fled before our arms ; the heights were nobly won ; 
 And from the clouds the stars and stripes were greeted by the sun. 
 The gateway to the South then ours by Grant and Sherman's arms, 
 Yon valley smiled on freedom soon, with all its peerless charms. 
 Then gaze on Lookout Mountain well, where shot and shell have played, 
 And bless the noble hearts that won the heights, all undismayed ! 
 
 120 
 
THE TAKING OF NEW OKLEANS. 
 
 Yon stately live-oaks' verdant guise, 
 With orange groves, where southern skies 
 O'er Mississippi's floods arise, 
 
 Have witnessed war's sublimity. 
 
 II. 
 
 Fort Jackson swept the river wide, 
 And Fort St. Philip ruled the tide, 
 Forbidding stars and stripes to ride 
 The glorious Mississippi. 
 
 121 
 
THE TAKING OF NEW ORLEANS. 
 
 III. 
 
 The Federal fleet essayed its might, 
 And swift the sunbeams turned to night 
 With smoke, illumed by rockets bright 
 And flash of many a battery. 
 
 rv. 
 
 While fire-ships came flaming down, 
 Brave Farragut, with dauntless frown, 
 Eesolved to seize the distant town, 
 Despite the cannon's threatening ! 
 
 V. 
 
 With hearts as staunch as knights of old, 
 The sailor warriors, true and bold, 
 Where battle's heaviest thunders rolled, 
 
 Swept through the shells' wild hurricane ! 
 
 122 
 
THE TAKING OF NEW ORLEANS. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The forts were silenced one by one ; 
 The Crescent City soon was won ; 
 At length, the crash of booming gun 
 No longer thrilled in majesty. 
 
 VII. 
 
 But now, when quiet reigns supreme, 
 We tell the story like a dream, 
 How Farragut, by fort and stream, 
 His heroes led to victory ! 
 
 123 
 
NEW YORK. 
 
 sovereign city ! Commerce reigns, 
 
 With sumptuous array, 
 Where stately splendor oft detains 
 The stranger, near the Gothic fanes 
 
 Around thy noble bay ! 
 
 II. 
 
 Illustrious sons will write thy name 
 
 On starry flag unfurled ; 
 Till, foremost on the rolls of fame, 
 America shall proudly claim 
 
 Her triumph o'er the world ! i 
 
 124