AndIenvynotthemonarchsWithcitiesundertheirsway;
ForamInot,inmyownright,Amonarchasproudasthey?
Whatmatter,then,iftoothersMycastleaphantommaybe,SinceIfeel,inthedepthsofmyownheart,Thatitisnotsotome?
APPLE—BLOSSOMS。
Isitintheshadowofapple—boughs,Inthefragrantorchardclose,Andaroundmefloatsthescentedair,Withitswave—liketidalflows。
Iclosemyeyesinadreamybliss,Andcallnokingmypeer;
Forisnotthistherare,sweettime,Theblossomingtimeoftheyear?
Ilieonacouchofdownygrass,Withdelicateblossomsstrewn,AndIfeelthethrobofNature’sheartResponsivetomyown。
Oh,theworldisfair,andGodisgood,Thatmakethlifesodear;
Forisnotthistherare,sweettime,Theblossomingtimeoftheyear?
Icansee,throughtheriftsoftheapple—boughs,Thedelicateblueofthesky,AndthechangingcloudswiththeirmarvelloustintsThatdriftsolazilyby。
Andstrange,sweetthoughtssingthroughmybrain,AndHeaven,itseemethnear;
Oh,isitnotarare,sweettime,Theblossomingtimeoftheyear?
SUMMERHOURS。
Itistheyear’shighnoon,Theearthsweetincenseyields,Ando’erthefresh,greenfieldsBendstheclearskyofJune。
Ileavethecrowdedstreets,Thehumofbusylife,Itsclamoranditsstrife,Tobreathethyperfumedsweets。
Orareandgoldenhours!
Thebird’smelodioussong,Wavelike,isbornealongUponastrandofflowers。
Iwanderfaraway,Where,throughtheforesttrees,Sportsthecoolsummerbreeze,Inwildandwantonplay。
ApatriarchalelmItsstatelyformuprears,WhichtwiceahundredyearsHasruledthiswoodlandrealm。
Isitbeneathitsshade,Andwatch,withcarelesseye,Thebrookthatbabblesby,Andcoolstheleafyglade。
IntruthIwondernot,ThatintheancientdaysThetemplesofGod’spraiseWeregroveandleafygrot。
Thenoblesteverplanned,Withquaintdeviceandrare,Byman,canillcompareWiththesefromGod’sownhand。
Pilgrimwithway—wornfeet,Who,treadinglife’sdullround,Notruereposehastfound,Cometothisgreenretreat。
Forbird,andflower,andtree,Greenfields,andwoodlandwild,Shallbear,withvoicesmild,Sweetmessagestothee。
JUNE。
Throwopenwideyourgoldengates,Opoet—landedmonthofJune,Andwaftme,onyourspicybreath,Themelodyofbirdsintune。
Ofairestpalaceofthethree,WhereinQueenSummerholdethsway,IgazeuponyourleafycourtsFromoutthevestibuleofMay。
Ifainwouldtreadyourgardenwalks,Orinyourshadybowersrecline;
Thenopenwideyourgoldengates,Andmakethemmine,andmakethemmine。
LITTLECHARLIE。
AVIOLETgrewbytheriver—side,Andgladdenedallheartswithitsbloom;
Whileoverthefields,onthescentedair,Itbreathedarichperfume。
Butthecloudsgrewdarkintheangrysky,Anditsportalswereopenedwide;
AndtheheavyrainbeatdowntheflowerThatgrewbytheriver—side。
Notfarawayinapleasanthome,Therelivedalittleboy,WhosecheerfulfaceandchildishgraceFilledeveryheartwithjoy。
Hewanderedonedaytotheriver’sverge,Withnooneneartosave;
AndtheheartthatwelovedwithaboundlessloveWasstilledintherestlesswave。
Theskygrewdarktoourtearfuleyes,Andwebadefarewelltojoy;
ForourheartswereboundbyasorrowfultieTothegraveofthelittleboy。
ThebirdsstillsingintheleafytreeThatshadowstheopendoor;
Weheedthemnot,forwethinkofthevoiceThatweshallhearnomore。
Wethinkofhimateventide,AndgazeonhisvacantchairWithalongingheartthatwillscarcebelieveThatCharlieisnotthere。
Weseemtohearhisringinglaugh,Andhisboundingstepatthedoor;
But,alas!therecomesthesorrowfulthought,Weshallneverhearthemmore!
Weshallwalksometimestohislittlegrave,Inthepleasantsummerhours;
Wewillspeakhisnameinasoftenedvoice,Andcoverhisgravewithflowers;
Wewillthinkofhiminhisheavenlyhome,——
Inhisheavenlyhomesofair;
AndwewilltrustwithahopefultrustThatweshallmeethimthere。
THEWHIPPOORWILLANDI。
INthehushedhoursofnight,whentheairquitestill,Ihearthestrangecryofthelonewhippoorwill,WhoChants,withoutceasing,thatwonderfultrill,Ofwhichthesoleburdenisstill,"Whip—poor—Will。"
AndwhyshouldIwhiphim?Strangevisitant,Hashebeenplayingtruantthislongsummerday?
Ilistenedamoment;moreclearandmoreshrillRangthevoiceofthebird,ashecried,"Whip—poor—Will。"
ButwhathaspoorWilldone?Iaskyouoncemore;
I’llwhiphim,don’tfear,ifyou’lltellmewhatfor。
Ipausedforananswer;o’ervalleyandhillRangthevoiceofthebird,ashecried,"Whip—poor—Will。"
Hashecometoyourdwelling,bynightorbyday,Andsnatchedtheyoungbirdsfromtheirwarmnestaway?
Ipausedforananswer;o’ervalleyandhillRangthevoiceofthebird,ashecried,"Whip—poor—Will。"
Well,well,Icanhearyou,don’thaveanyfears,Icanhearwhatisconstantlydinnedinmyears。
Theobstinatebird,withhiswonderfultrill,Stillmadebutoneanswer,andthat,"Whip—poor—Will。"
ButwhatHASpoorWilldone?Ipritheeexplain;
I’moutofallpatience,don’tmockmeagain。
Theobstinatebird,withhiswonderfultrill,Stillmadethesameanswer,andthat,"Whip—poor—Will。"
Well,haveyourownway,then;butifyouwon’ttell,I’llshutdownthewindow,andbidyoufarewell;
Butofonethingbesure,Iwon’twhiphimuntilYougivemesomereasonforwhippingpoorWill。
Ilistenedamoment,asifforreply,Butnothingwasheardbutthebird’smockingcry。
Icaughtthefaintechofromvalleyandhill;
Itbreathedthesameburden,thatstrange"Whip—poor—Will。"
CARVINGANAME。
Iwrotemynameuponthesand,Andtrusteditwouldstandforaye;
But,soon,alas!therefluentseaHadwashedmyfeeblelinesaway。
Icarvedmynameuponthewood,And,afteryears,returnedagain;
ImissedtheshadowofthetreeThatstretchedofoldupontheplain。
Tosolidmarblenext,mynameIgaveasaperpetualtrust;
Anearthquakerentittoitsbase,Andnowitlies,o’erlaidwithdust。
Allthesehavefailed。InwisermoodIturnandaskmyself,"Whatthen?"
IfIwouldhavemynameendure,I’llwriteitontheheartsofmen,Incharactersoflivinglight,Ofkindlydeedsandactionswrought。
Andthese,beyondthetouchoftime,Shallliveimmortalasmythought。
——————————————————————————
INTIMEOFWAR。
——————————————————————————
GONETOTHEWAR。
MyCharliehasgonetothewar,MyCharliesobraveandtall;
Helefthisploughinthefurrow,Andflewathiscountry’scall。
MayGodinsafetykeephim,——
Mypreciousboy——myall!
Myheartispiningtoseehim;
Imisshimeveryday;
Myheartiswearywithwaiting,Andsickofthelongdelay,——
ButIknowhiscountryneedshim,AndIcouldnotbidhimstay。
Irememberhowhisfaceflushed,Andhowhiscolorcame,WhentheflashfromthegunsofSumterLitthewholelandwithflame,Anddarkenedourcountry’sbannerWiththecrimsonhueofshame。
"Mother,"hesaid,thenfaltered,——
Ifelthismuteappeal;
Ipaused——ifyouareamother,Youknowwhatmothersfeel,WhencalledtoyieldtheirdearonesTothecruelbulletandsteel。
Myheartstoodstillforamoment,Struckwithamightywoe;
Afaintasofdeathcameo’erme,Iamamother,youknow,ButIsternlycheckedmyweakness,Andfirmlybadehim"Go。"
WhereverthefightisfiercestIknowthatmyboywillbe;
WherevertheneedissorestOfthestoutarmsofthefree。
MayheproveastruetohiscountryAshehasbeentruetome。
Myhomeislonelywithouthim,Myhearthbereftofjoy,ThethoughtofhimwhohasleftmeMyconstantsademploy;
ButGodhasbeengoodtothemother,——
Sheshallnotblushforherboy。
WHEREISMYBOYTO—NIGHT?
WhenthecloudsintheWesternskyFlushredwiththesettingsun,——
Whentheveiloftwilightfalls,Andthebusydayisdone,——
Isitandwatchtheclouds,Withtheircrimsonhuesalight,Andponderwithanxiousheart,Oh,whereismyboyto—night?
Itisjustayearto—daySincehebademeagaygood—by,Tomarchwherebannersfloat,Andthedeadlymissilesfly。
AsImarkedhismartialstepIfeltmycolorriseWithallamother’spride,Andmyheartwasinmyeyes。
There’salittleroomcloseby,WhereIoftenusedtocreepInthehushofthesummernightTowatchmyboyasleep。
ButhewhousedtorestBeneaththespreadsowhiteIsfarawayfrommenow,——
Oh,whereismyboyto—night?
Perchanceinthegatheringnight,Withslowandwearyfeet,BythelightofSouthernstars,Hepaceshislonelybeat。
Doeshethinkofthemother’sheartThatwillneverceasetoyearn,Asonlyamother’scan,Forherabsentboy’sreturn?
Oh,whereismyboyto—night?
Icannotanswerwhere,ButIknow,whereverheis,HeisunderourFather’scare。
MayHeguard,andguide,andblessMyboy,whereverhebe,AndbringhimbackatlengthToblessandtocomfortme。
MayGodblessallourboysBythecamp—fire’sruddyglow,OrwheninthedeadlyfightTheyfronttheembattledfoe;
Andcomforteachmother’sheart,Asshesitsinthefadinglight,Andponderswithanxiousheart——
Oh,whereismyboyto—night?
ASOLDIER’SVALENTINE。
Justfromthesentry’stramp(Imusttakeitagainatten),Ihavelaidmymusketdown,Andseizedinsteadmypen;
For,pacingmylonelyroundInthechillytwilightgray,Thethought,dearMary,came,ThatthisisSt。Valentine’sDay。
AndwiththethoughttherecameAglimpseofthehappytimeWhenaschool—boy’sfirstattemptIsentyou,inborrowedrhyme,Onagilt—edgedsheet,embossedWithmanyaquaintdesign,Andsigned,inschool—boyhand,"YourlovingValentine。"
Theyearshavecomeandgone,——
Haveflown,Iknownotwhere,——
Andtheschool—boy’smerryfaceIsgravewithmanhood’scare;
ButtheheartofthemanstillbeatsAtthewell—rememberedname,AndonthisSt。Valentine’sDayHischoiceisstillthesame。
Therewasatime——ah,well!
ThinknotthatIrepineWhenIdreamedthishappydayWouldsmileonyouasmine;
ButIheardmycountry’scall;
Iknewherneedwassore。
ThankGod,noselfishthoughtWithheldmefromthewar。
ButwhenthedearoldflagShallfloatinitsancientpride,Whenthetwainshallbemadeone,Andfeudsnomoredivide,——
Iwilllaymymusketdown,Mymartialgarbresign,AndturnmyjoyousfeetTowardhomeandValentine。
LASTWORDS。
"DEARCharlie,"breathedasoldier,"Ocomradetrueandtried,WhointheheatofbattlePressedcloselytomyside;
IfeelthatIamstricken,Mylifeisebbingfast;
Ifainwouldhaveyouwithme,DearCharlie,tillthelast。
"Itseemssosudden,Charlie,Tothinkto—morrow’ssunWilllookuponmelifeless,AndInottwenty—one!
Ilittledreamedthismorning,Twouldbringmylastcampaign;
God’swaysarenotasourways,AndIwillnotcomplain。
"There’soneathome,dearCharlie,Willmournformewhendead,Whoseheart——itisamother’s——
Canscarcebecomforted。
You’llwriteandtellher,Charlie,Withmydearlove,thatI
Foughtbravelyasasoldiershould,Anddiedasheshoulddie。
"Andyouwilltellher,Charlie,Shemustnotgrievetoomuch,Ourcountryclaimsouryounglives,Forshehasneedofsuch。
Andwhereishewouldfalter,Orturnignoblyback,WhenDuty’svoicecries’Forward,’
AndHonorlightsthetrack?
"Andthere’sanother,Charlie(Hisvoicebecamemorelow),WhenthoughtsofHERcomeo’erme,Itmakesithardtogo。
Thislocketinmybosom,ShegavemejustbeforeIleftmynativevillageForthefearfulscenesofwar。
"Giveherthismessage,Charlie,Sentwithmydyingbreath,ToherandtomybannerI’m’faithfuluntodeath。’
Andif,inthatfarcountryWhichIamgoingto,Ourearthlytiesmayenter,I’lltheremyloverenew。
"Comenearer,closer,Charlie,MyheadIfainwouldrest,Itmustbeforthelasttime,Uponyourfaithfulbreast。
Dearfriend,IcannottellyouHowinmyheartIfeelThedepthofyourdevotion,Yourfriendshipstrongassteel。
"We’vewatchedandcampedtogetherInsunshineandinrain;
We’vesharedthetoilsandperilsOfmorethanonecampaign;
Andwhenmytiredfeetfaltered,Beneaththenoontideheat,Yourwordssustainedmycourage,Gavenewstrengthtomyfeet。
"Andonce,——’twasatAntietam,——
Pressedhardbythrongingfoes,IalmostsankexhaustedBeneaththeircruelblows,——
Whenyou,dearfriend,undaunted,WithheadlongcouragethrewYourheartintothecontest,Andsafelybroughtmethrough。
"Mywordsareweak,dearCharlie,Mybreathisgrowingscant;
Yourhanduponmyheartthere,Canyounothearmepant?
YourthoughtsIknowwillwanderSometimestowhereIlie——
Howdarkitgrows!TruecomradeAndfaithfulfriend,good—by!"
Amoment,andhelaythereAstatue,paleandcalm。
HisyouthfulheadrecliningUponhiscomrade’sarm。
HislimbsuponthegreenswardWerestretchedincarelessgrace,AndbythefitfulmoonwasseenAsmileuponhisface。
SONGOFTHECROAKER。*
*WrittenbyrequestforthePhiladelphiaSanitaryFair。
Anoldfroglivedinadismalswamp,Inadismalkindofway;
Andallthathedid,whateverbefell,Wastocroakthelivelongday。
Croak,croak,croak,Whendarknessfilledtheair,Andcroak,croak,croak,Whentheskieswerebrightandfair。
"GoodMasterFrog,abattleisfought,Andthefoeman’spowerisbroke。"
Butheonlyturnedagreenerhue,Andansweredwithacroak。
Croak,croak,croak,Whenthecloudsaredarkanddun,Andcroak,croak,croak,Intheblazeofthenoontidesun。
"GoodMasterFrog,theforcesofrightAredrivingthehostsofwrong。"
Buthegavehisheadanominousshake,Andcroakedout,"Nousverrons!"
Croak,croak,croak,Tilltheheartisfullofgloom,Andcroak,croak,croak,Tilltheworldseemsbutatomb。
Topoisonthecupoflife,Byalwaysdreadingtheworst。
Istomakeoftheearthadungeondamp,Andthehappiestlifeaccursed。
Croak,croak,croak,Whenthenoontidesunrideshigh,Andcroak,croak,croak,Lestthenightcomebyandby。
Farewelltothedismalfrog;
Lethimcroakasloudashemay,Hecannotblotthesunfromheaven,Norhinderthemarchofday,Thoughhecroak,croak,croak,Tilltheheartisfullofgloom,Andcroak,croak,croak,Tilltheworldseemsbutatomb。
KINGCOTTON。
KINGCOTTONlooksfromhiswindowTowardsthewesteringsun,Andhemarks,withananguishedhorror,Thathisraceisalmostrun。
Hisformisthinandshrunken;
Hischeekispaleandwan;
AndthelinesofcareonhisfurrowedbrowAredreadtolookupon。
Butyesterdayamonarch,Intheflushofhispompandpride,And,notcontentwithhisownbroadlands,Hewouldruletheworldbeside。
Hebuilthimastatelypalace,Withgoldfrombeyondthesea;
Andhelaidwithcarethecorner—stone,AndhecalleditSlavery:
Hesummonedanarmywithbanners,Tokeephisfoesatbay;
And,gazingwithprideonhispalacewalls,Hesaid,"Theywillstandforaye!"
Butthepalacewallsareshrunken,Andpartlyoverthrown,Andthestormsofwar,intheirviolence,Haveloosenedthecorner—stone。
NowFaminestalksthroughthepalacehalls,Withhergauntandpallidtrain;
Youcanhearthecriesoffamishedmen,Astheycryforbreadinvain。
Thekingcansee,fromhispalacewalls。
Alandbyhispridebetrayed;
Thousandsofmothersandwivesbereft。
Thousandsofgravesnew—made。
Andheseemstosee,intheloweringsky,Theshapeofaflamingsword;
Whereonhereads,withasinkingheart,TheangeroftheLord。
GodspeedthetimewhentheguiltykingShallbehurledfromhisblood—stainedthrone;
AndthepalaceofWrongshallcrumbletodust,Withitsboastedcorner—stone。
AtempleofFreedomshallriseinstead,Onthedesecratedsite:
AndwithinitsshelteralikeshallstandTheblackmanandthewhite。
OUTOFEGYPT。
ToEgypt’sking,whoruledbesideThereedyriver’sflow,CameGod’scommand,"Release,Oking,Andletmypeoplego。"
Theking’sproudheartgrewhardapace;
Hemarkedthesuppliantthrong,Andsaid,"Nay,theymusthereabide;
Theweakmustservethestrong。"
StraightwaytheLordstretchedforthhishand,Andeverystreamranblood;
Theriverswepttowardsthesea——
Afullensanguinedflood。
Thehaughtykingbeheldtheland,Byplaguesafflictedsore,But,asGod’swondersmultiplied,Hardenedhisheartthemore;
UntiltheangeloftheLordCameonthewingsofNight,Andsmotefirst—bornofmanandbeast,Inhisdestructiveflight。
ThroughoutallEgypt,notahouseWassparedthiscrowningwoe。
Thenbrokethetyrant’sstubbornwill;
Hebadethepeoplego。
Theygathereduptheirflocksandherds,Rejoicingtobefree;
And,goingforth,amightyhost,Encampedbesidethesea。
ThenPharaoh’sheartrepentedhim;
Hecalledamightyforce,Andswiftlyfollowedontheirtrack,Withchariotandwithhorse。
ThenIsrael’shostweresoreafraid;
ButGodwasontheirside,And,lo!forthemawayiscleft,TheRed—seawavesdivide。
AtGod’scommandtherestlesswavesObeytheprophet’srod;
And,throughthemiddleofthesea,Thepeoplemarcheddry—shod。
But,whenthespoilers,followingclose,WouldhinderIsrael’sflight,Thewaterstotheircoursereturn,Thepartedwavesunite,AndPharaoh’shostissweptaway,Thechariotsandthehorse;
AndnotamanisleftaliveOfallthatmightyforce。
SointhesedaysGodlooksfromheaven,Andmarkshisservants’woe;
Hearyehisvoice:"Breakeveryyoke,Andletmypeoplego!"
ForthemtheRed—seawavesdivide,Thestreamswithcrimsonflow;
Thereforewemournforourfirst—born;——
Thenletthepeoplego。
TheyarenotweakwhomGodbefriends,HemakestheircauseHisown;
AndtheywhofightagainstGod’smightShallsurelybeo’erthrown。
THEPRICEOFVICTORY。
"AVICTORY!——avictory!"
Isflashedacrossthewires;
Speed,speedthenewsfromStatetoState,Lightupthesignalfires!
LetallthebellsfromallthetowersAjoyouspealringout;
We’vegainedagloriousvictory,Andputthefoetorout!
Amotherheardthechimingbells;
Herjoywasmixedwithpain。
"PrayGod,"shesaid,"mygallantboyBenotamongtheslain!"
Alasforher!thatveryhourOutstretchedindeathhelay,Thecolorfromhisfair,youngfaceHadscarcelypassedaway。
Hisnervelesshandstillgraspedthesword。
Henevermoremightwield,HiseyesweresealedindreamlesssleepUponthatbloodyfield。
ThechestnutcurlshismotheroftHadstrokedinfondestpride,Neglectedhungiaclottedlocks,Withdeepestcrimsondyed。
Ah!manyamother’sheartshallache,Andbleedwithanguishsore,WhentidingscomeofhimwhomarchedSoblithelyforthtowar。
Oh!sadforthem,thestrickendownInmanhood’searlydawn,Andsadderyetforlovinghearts。
Godcomfortthemthatmourn!
Yes,victoryhasafearfulpriceOurheartsmayshrinktopay,AndtearswillminglewiththejoyThatgreetsagloriousday。
Buthewhodiesinfreedom’scause,Wecannotcounthimlost;
AbattlewonfortruthandrightIsworththeblooditcost!
Omothers!countitsomethinggainedThatthey,forwhomyoumourn,BequeathfairFreedom’sheritageTomillionsyetunborn;——
AndbetterthanathousandyearsOfbase,ignoblebreath,Apatriot’sfragrantmemory,Ahero’searlydeath!
HARVARDODES。
(SUNGATANNUALDINNERSOFTHEHARVARDCLUB
OFNewYork。NEWYORK。)
HARVARDODES。
I。
(Feb。23,1869。)
FairHarvard,dearguideofouryouth’sgoldendays;
Atthynameallourheartsownathrill,Weturnfromlife’s。highways,itsbusiness,itscares,Weareboysinthytutelagestill。
Andthewarmbloodofyouthtoourveins,asofyore,Returnswithimpetuousflow,RevivingthescenesandthehopesthatwereoursInthevanished,butsweetLongAgo。
Oncemorethroughthywalks,AlmaMater,wetread,Andwedreamyouth’sfairdreamsonceagain,WeareheroesinfightfortheJustandtheRight,Weareknightswithoutfear,withoutstain;
Itsdoorsinfairprospecttheworldopenswide,Itsprizesseemeasytowin,——
Wearestronginourfaith,weareboldinourmight,Andwelongfortheracetobegin。
Thoughdimmedareourhopes,andourvisionsarefled,Ourdreamswerebutdreams,itistrue;
Dust—stainedfromthecontestwegatherto—night,Thesweetdreamsofyouthtorenew。
Enoughforto—morrowthecaresitshallbring,Weareboys,wearebrothers,to—night;
Andourhearts,warmwithlove,AlmaMater,tothee,Shallinloyaldevotionunite。
II。
(Feb。11,1870。)
Aswemeetinthyname,AlmaMater,to—night,Allourheartsandourhopesareasone,AndloveforthemotherthatnurturedhisyouthBeatshighinthebreastofeachson。
ThesweetchordsofMemorybridgeo’erthePast,Theyearsfadeawaylikeadream,BythebanksofCephissus,beneaththegreentrees,Wetreadthyfairwalks,Academe。
TheheightsofHymettusthatboundthenearviewFilltheairwithanodorassweetAsthebeautifulclustersofsun—tintedgrapesFromthevineyardsthatlieatourfeet。
Orealmofenchantment,OWonderfulland,Wherethegodsholdhighconversewithmen,Comeoutfromtheduskofpastagesoncemore,Andliveinourfancyagain。
LetusdrinktothePastasourglasseswelift,Leteyespeaktoeye,hearttoheart,Letthebondsofsweetfellowshipbindeachtoeach,Inthehoursthatremainerewepart。
Andthou,AlmaMater,grownfairerwithage,LetusechotheblessingthatfellFromthymotherlylips,aswestoodatthyside,Andthoubad’stusGod—speedandFarewell。
III。
(Feb。21,1872。)
FairHarvard,themonthshaveaccomplishedtheirroundAndayearstandsfull—orbedandcomplete,Sincelastatthysummons,withdutifulhearts,Thychildrensathereatthyfeet。
Sincelastinthypresence,grownyouthfuloncemore,Wedranktothepastanditsjoys,Shakingoffeverycarethatencumberedouryears,Anddreamedthatagainwewereboys。
To—nightonceagaininthypresencewemeetInthefreshnessandflushoflife’sspring;
Wewaitbutthyblessing,weaskbutthysmile,Asoursailstothefreeairwefling。
Thewindsbreatheauspiciousthatwaftusalong,Thesky,undisturbed,smilesserene,Hopestandsattheprow,andthewatersgleambrightWithsparklesofsilverysheen。
Andthyvoice,AlmaMater,sopotentandsweet,Stillsoundsinourearsasofyore,Andthymotherlycounselwehear,wisdom—fraught,Aswepushourfrailbarksfromtheshore。
Fromthefoam—crestedwavesofthemountainousseaAsbackwardourglanceswestrain,Weseethedearfaceofourmotherbenign,Andblessheragainandagain。
IV。
(Feb。21,1873。)
There’safountainofFablewhosemagicalpowerTime’sravagesallcouldrepair,Andreplacethebowedformandthetotteringstep,Thewrinklesandsilveryhair,Bythebrownflowinglocksandthegracesofyouth,Itsfootstepelasticandlight,Couldmantlethecheekwithitslong—vanishedbloomAndmakethedulleyekeenandbright。
’Tisonlyafable——abeautifuldream,Butthefable,thedream,shallcometrue,Asthysons,AlmaMater,assembleto—nightThejoysofpastyearstorenew。
Oureyesshallgrowbrightwiththeiroldwontedlight,Ourspiritsuntrammelledbycare,AndtheGoddessofHope,withherfreshrainbowtints,Shallpainteveryprospectmorefair。
Howsweetwerethefriendshipsweformedinthyhalls!
HowstrongwerethetendrilsthatboundOurheartstothemotherwhoseprovidentcareEncompassedherchildrenaround!
Nowstronginourmanhoodwecherishherstill;
Andifbymisfortunebroughtlow,Ourstrengthshallsupporther,ourarmsbearherup,Andsustainherthroughwealandthroughwoe。
OCCASIONALODES。
BI—CENTENNIALODE。*
(June13,1860。)
*Sungatthebi—centennialcelebrationoftheincorporationofMarlboro,Mass。
Fromthedoorofthehomesteadthemotherlooksforth,Withaglancehalfofhope,halfoffear,FortheclockinthecornernowpointstothehourWhenthechildrenshelovesshouldappear。
Forhavetheynotpromised,whateverbetide,Onthistheirdearmother’sbirthday,Togatheroncemoreroundthefamilyboard,Theirdutifulservicetopay?
FromtheEastandtheWest,fromtheNorthandtheSouth,Incommunionandintercoursesweet,Herchildrenhavecome,onthisfestivalday,Tosit,asofold,atherfeet。
Andourmother,——Godblessherbenevolentface!——
Howherheartthrillswithmotherlyjoys,Asshestandsattheportal,witharmsopenedwide,Towelcomehergirlsandherboys。
Andyet,whenthefirstjoyfulgreetingsareo’er,Whenthewordsofherwelcomearesaid:
Ashadowcreepsoverhermotherlyface,Asshesilentlythinksofthedead,Ofthechildrenwhosevoicesoncerangthroughherfields,Whosharedallherhopesandalarms,Till,tiredwiththeburdenandheatoftheday,Theyhavefallenasleepinherarms。
Theyhavegonefromourmidst,buttheirlaborsabideOnthefieldswheretheyprayerfullywrought;
Theyscatteredtheseed,buttheharvestisours,Bytheirtoilandself—sacrificebought。
Aswescanthefairscenethatoncegreetedtheireyes,Aswetreadthesamepathswhichtheytrod,Letustenderlythinkofoureldersbybirth,Whohavegonetotheirrest,andtheirGod。
Godblesstheoldhomestead!somelingertherestill,Inthehauntswhichtheirchildhoodhasknown,Whileothershavewanderedtoplacesremote,Andplantednewhomesoftheirown;
ButTimecannotweakenthetiesLovecreates,Norabsence,nordistance,impedeThefilialdevotionwhichthrillsallourhearts,AswebidouroldmotherGod—speed。
FORTHECONSECRATIONOFACEMETERY。
ThisverdantfieldthatsmilestoHeavenInNature’sbrightarray,Fromcommonusessetapart,Weconsecrateto—day。
"God’sAcre"beitfitlycalled,Forwhen,beneaththesod,Welaythedeadwithreverenthands,WeyieldthembacktoGod。
AndHisgreatlove,sofreelygiven,Shallspeakinclearertones,When,pacingthroughthesehallowedwalks,Wereadmemorialstones。
Hereletthesunshinesoftlyfall,Andgentlydroptherain,AndNature’scountlessharmoniesBlendoneaccordantstrain;
Thattheywhoseekthissacredplace,Inmourningsolitude,InallthisgraciouscompanyMayhavetheirfaithrenewed。
So,liftedtoserenerheights,Andpurifiedfromdross,TheirtrustfulheartsshallrestonGod,Andprofitbytheirloss。