Contents.
MemoirTheDesertedBrideTheMain—Truck;Or,ALeapForLifePoetryTheCrotonOdeFragmentofanIndianPoemLand—Ho!
Woodman,SparethatTreeTheCottager’sWelcomeLandofWashingtonTheFlagofOurUnionLinesAftertheMannerofOldenTimeTheDreamofLoveI’mWithYouOnceAgainOh,WouldThatSheWereHereTheSwordandtheStaffTheChieftain’sDaughterThyWillBeDoneLifeintheWestSongofMarion’sMenJanetMoreaLisetteMyMother’sBibleTheDog—StarRagesLegendoftheMohawkTheBall—RoomBelleWeWereBoysTogetherOh,Boatman,HasteFuneralHymnO’ertheMountainsWomanRosabelThyTyrantSwayAHerooftheRevolutionRhymeandReason:AnApologueStarlightRecollectionsWeariesMyLoveofMyLetters?
FareTheeWell,LoveThouHastWoventheSpellBessieBellTheDayisNowDawning,LoveWhenOtherFriendsareRoundTheeSilentGriefLoveThee,Dearest?
ILovetheNightTheMiniatureTheRetortLinesonaPoetTheBacchanalTwentyYearsAgoNationalAnthemILoveTheeStillLookFromThyLattice,LoveSheLovedHimTheSuitorsSt.Agnes’ShrineWesternRefrainThePrairieonFireTheEvergreenTheMay—QueenVenetianSerenadeTheWhip—Poor—WillTheExiletoHisSisterNeartheLakeWhereDroopedtheWillowThePastor’sDaughterMargarettaTheColonelTheSweep’sCarolTheSeasonsofLoveMyWoodlandBrideOh,ThinkofMeMyBarkisOutUpontheSeaWillNobodyMarryMe?
TheStarofLoveWell—A—DayNotMarriedYetLadyofEnglandOh,ThisLoveMaryTheBeamofDevotionTheWelcomeandFarewell’TisNowthePromisedHourTheSongsofHomeMasonicHymnTheDismissedLordoftheCastleTheFallenBraveSongoftheTroubadourChampionsofLibertyTheHunter’sCarolWashington’sMonumentTheSister’sAppealSongoftheReapersWalterGayGroundsForDivorceTemperanceSongBoat—SongWillieTheRockofthePilgrimsYearsAgoTheSoldier’sWelcomeHomeTheOriginofYankeeDoodleLinesontheBurialofMrs.MaryL.WardNew—Yorkin1826
TheHero’sLegacyWhatCanItMeanWhereHudson’sWaveAuRevoirToMyAbsentDaughterSongoftheSewingMachineMyLadyWaitsForMeMusicTheMillionaireInMemoryofCharlesH.SandfordSeventy—SixAParodyTheStag—HuntDeliverUsFromEvilUnionWePartForEverCometoMeinCherryTimeOntheDeathofMrs.JessieWillisThankGodforPleasantWeatherTheMaster’sSongTheMissingShipJeannieMarshLucyEpitaphInMemoryofJohnW.Francis,JrNature’sNoblemenAWall—StreetLyricKingCottonWordsAdaptedtoaSpanishMelodyLoveinExileTotheEveningStarWelcomeHomeTheSycamoreShadeUptheHudsonOnlyThineEpigramonReadingGrim’sAttackuponClintonOnHearingthatMorseDidNotInventtheTelegraphAddressfortheBenefitofWilliamDunlopAddressfortheBenefitofJ.SheridanKnowlesAddressfortheBenefitofHenryPlacideTheMaidofSaxony:Or,Who’stheTraitor?
Ho!Hans!——Why,Hans!
Rejoice!Rejoice!We’reSafeandSoundTheLifeForMeisaSoldier’sLifeConfusion!AgainRejected!
WhenIbeholdthatLoweringBrow’TisaSoldier’sRigidDutyTheSpring—TimeofLoveisBothHappyandGayFromMyFateThere’sNoRetreatingLadsandLassesTripAwayAllHailtheKing!
HomeSky,Stream,Moorland,andMountainDaredTheseLipsMySadStoryImpartFieryMars,ThyVotaryHearAh!LoveisnotaGarden—FlowerTheKing,ThePrincesoftheCourtVictoria!Victoria!
ThisGloomyCellismyAbodeatLastHark!’TistheDeep—TonedMidnightBellOnce,MildandGentlewasmyHeartTheGentleBirdonYonderSprayThatLaw’sthePerfectionofReasonWithMercyLetJusticeWhatOutrageMore?——AtWhoseCommandTheJavelinFromanUnseenHandRejoice!OurLoyalHeartsWeBringOurHeartsareBoundingwithDelightNotesTheDesertedBrideTheCrotonOdeWoodman,SpareThatTreeTheChieftain’sDaughterSongofMarion’sMenJanetMcReaTheDog—StarRagesThePrairieonFireTheSweep’sCarolTheFallenBraveofMexicoTheChampionsofLibertyTheRockofthePilgrimsTheSoldier’sWelcomeHomeTheOriginofYankeeDoodleNew—Yorkin1826
TheMaidofSaxonyMemoirofGeorgeP.Morris.
ByHoraceBinneyWallace.
Blessthouthylot;thysimplestrainshaveledThehigh—bornmusetobethepoorman’sguest,Andwaftedonthewingsofsong,havespedTheirwaytomanyarude,unletteredbreast.
——Beranger.
Morrishashungthemostbeautifulthoughtsintheworlduponhingesof[illegible];andhissongsaredestinedtorolloverbrightlipsenoughtoforma[sonnet?illegible].Hissentimentsaresimple,honest,truthful,andfamiliar;hislanguageispureandeminentlymusical,andheisprodigallyfullofthepoetryofevery—dayliving.
——Willis.
ThedistinctionwithwhichthenameofGeneralMorrisisnowassociatedinapermanentconnectionwithwhatisleastfactitiousorfugitiveinAmericanArt,isadmittedandknown;buttheclassofyoungmenoflettersinthiscountry,atpresent,canhardlyappreciatetheextenttowhichthey,andtheprofessiontowhichtheybelong,areindebtedtohisanimatedexertions,hisvariedtalents,hisadmirableresourcesoftemper,duringaperiodoftwentyyears,andatatimewhenthecharacterofAmericanliterature,bothathomeandabroadwasyettobeformed.Thefirstgreatservicewhichtheliterarytasteofthiscountryreceived,wasrenderedbyDennie;aremarkableman;qualifiedbynatureandattainmentstobealeaderinnewcircumstances;fittotakepartintheformationofanationalliterature;asavindicatorofindependenceinthought,abletoestablishfreedomwithoutdisturbingtheobligationsoflaw;asaconservativeintaste,skilfultokeepthetoneofthegreatmodelswithwhichhisstudieswerefamiliar,withoutcopyingtheirstyle;bybothcapacitiessuccessfulindevelopingtheone,unchangeablespiritofArt,underanewformandwithneweffects.
Inthisofficeoffield—marshalofournativeforces,GeneralMorrissucceededhimunderincreasedadvantages,insomerespectwithhigherpowers,inadifferent,andcertainlyavastlymoreextendedsphereofinfluence.Themanifoldandlastingbenefitswhich,aseditorof"TheMirror,"GeneralMorrisconferredonartandartistsofeverykind,byhistact,hisliberality,thesuperiorityofhisjudgement,andthevigorofhisabilities;bytheperseveranceandaddresswithwhichhedisciplinedacorpsofyouthfulwriters,inthepresenceofaconstantandheavyfirefromthebatteriesofforeigncriticism;bytherarecombination,sovaluableindealingwiththenumerousaspirantsinauthorshipwithwhomhispositionbroughthimincontact;ofaquick,trueeyetodiscerninthemodestyofsomenamelessmanuscriptthefuturepromisesofapowerhardlyyetconsciousofitself;adiscretiontoguidebysoundadvice,andagenerositytoaidwiththemostimportantkindofassistance;thefirmandopentemperwhichhisexampletendedtoinspireintotherelationsofliterarymenwithoneanotherthroughouttheland;andmorethanall,perhaps,bytheharmonyandunion,ofsuchinappreciablevalue,especiallyinthebeginningofnationaleffort,betweentheseveralsisterartsofwriting,music,painting,anddramaticexhibition,whichthesingularvarietyanddiscursivenessofhisintellectualsympathiesledhimconstantlytomaintainandvindicate;these,inthemultiplicityoftheiroperation,andthefullpoweroftheirjointeffect,canbeperfectlyunderstoodonlybythosewhopossessedacontemporaneousknowledgeofthecircumstances,andwho,rememberingthestateofthingsatthecommencementoftheperiodalludedto,andobservingwhatexistedattheendofit,areabletolookbackoverthewholeinterval,andseetowhatinfluencesandwhatpersonstheextraordinarychangewhichhastakenplace,istobereferred.If,atthismoment,theliterarygeniusofAmerica,renewedinyouth,andquiveringlietheeagle’swingswithexcessofvigor,seemsabouttomakeanewflight,fromahighervantage—ground,intoloftierdepthsofairydistance,thecapacitytotakethatflightmust,toagreatdegree,beascribedtothosetwopersonswhomwehavenamed;withoutwhoseservicesthebrightererawhichappearsnowtobedawning,mightyetbedistantanddoubtful.
Besidestheseparticularsofpasteffort,whichoughttomakehiscountrymenlovethereputationofthesubjectofthisnotice,weregretthatourlimitsforbidustospeakatlargeofthosemoreintimatequalitiesofpersonalvalue,which,inourjudgment,formthegenuinelustreofonewho,admirableforotherattainments,istobeimitatedinthese.
Tousitisaninstinctivefeelingthatawrongisdonetothepropergrandeurofourcomplexnature——thataviolenceisofferedtothehigherconsciousnessofourimmortalbeing——wheneveranintellectualqualityisextolledtotheneglectofamoralone.
Moralexcellenceisthemostrealgenius;andatempertocopeandcalmlybafflethemultitudinousassaultsofthespiritualenmityofactivelife,isatalentwhichoutshinesallpraiseofmentalendowments.Unhappily,thebiographerofliterarycreatorsaffordsfewoccasionsinwhichafeelingofthiskindcanbeindulgedandgratified:thatsensibilityofmentalapprehensionswhichisthefameoftheauthor,isusuallyattendedbyasusceptibilityofpassionateimpressionwhichisthefateoftheman;andearthandsensedelighttowreaktheirdestructivevengencesuponthespiritualnatureofhim,ofwhoseintellectualbeingtheyaretheslavesandthesport.Inthepresentinstance,weareconcernedwiththecharacter——’totus,teres,atquerotundus;’whichmaybelookedupon,fromeveryside,withanequalsatisfaction.Searchthewideworldover,andyoushallnotfindamongtheliterarymenofanynation,oneonwhomthedignityofafreeandmanlyspiritsitswithagracemorenativeandfamiliar——whosespontaneoussentimentshaveatruertoneofnobleness——thecourseofwhoseusualfeelingsismoreexpandedandhonorable——whoseacts,whethercommonanddaily,ordeliberateandmuch—considered,arewontatalltimestobemorebeautifullyimpressedwiththosemarksofsincerity,ofmodesty,andofjustice,whichformtheverysealofworthinconduct.Thosejealousies,andlittlenesses,andenvyings,whichpreyuponthespiritsofmanymen,asthevultureontheheartthatchainedPrometheus——andwhosefiercebesetmenttheywhoWILLbemagnanimous,havetofightoff,asonedrivesawaytheeaglesfromtheirprey,withvoiceandgestures——seemnevertoassailhim.ItisthehappinessofhisnaturetohaveTHATonlyabsolutedeliverancefromevilwhichisimpliedinbeingrenderedinsensibletotemptation.
Whilethedutywhichislaiduponus,inthispaper,mainlyistoopenandsetforthhispoeticpraisesandclaimthelaurelforhisliterarymerits;whenthecrownofsongistobeconferreduponhim,weshallinterposetobegthatthechapletmaybeaccompaniedbysomemark,orsomeinscriptionwhichshalldeclare,"Thisistherewardofmoralexcellence."
Forthesuccessofourspecialpurpose,inthisnotice,whichistoconsiderandmakeapparentthespecificcharacterwhichbelongstoGeneralMorrisasaliteraryartistandapoeticcreator,toexplainhisclaimstothattitlewhichthecommonvoiceofthecountryhasgiventohim——ofTheSong—WriterofAmerica——itwouldhaveprobablybeenmorejudicioushadwekeptoutofviewthemattersofwhichwehavejustspoken.ItisrecordedofaGrecianpainter,thathavingcompletedthepictureofasleepingnymph,headdedontheforegroundthefigureofasatyrgazinginamazementuponherbeauty;butfindingthatthesecondaryformattracteduniversalpraise,heeraseditasdivertingapplausefromthatwhichhedesiredtohaveregardedastheprincipalmonumentofhisskill.Thereisinthisanecdoteadoublewisdom;theworldisaslittlewillingtoyieldtoatwofoldsuperiorityasitisabletoappreciatetwodistinctobjectsatonce.
Inareviewofliteraryreputations,perhapsnothingisfittedtoraisemoresurprisethantheobviousinequalityintheextendandgreatnessofthelaborstowhichanequalrewardoffamehasbeenallotted.TheaboundingenergyandpicturesquevarietyofHomerareillustratedineight—and—fortybooks:theremainsofSapphomightbewrittenonthesurfaceofaleafofthelaurusnobilis.
Yetiftheoneexpandsbeforeuswiththemagnificentextent,thediversifiedsurface,theendlessdecorationsoftheearthitself,theotherhangsonhigh,likealone,clearstar——smallbutintense——flashinguponusthroughthenightofages,investedwithcircumstancesofdivinitynotlessunquestionablethanthosewhichattendthevenerablemajestyoftheAncientofSong.TherichandroseatelightthatshinesaroundthenameofMimnermus,isshedfromsomedozenortwentylines:theimmortalityofTyrtaeusrestsuponastanzaortwo,whichhavefloatedtouswiththeirpreciousfreight,overtheseaofcenturies,andwillfloatonunsubmergiblebyallthewavesofTime.ThesoulofSimonideslivestousinasinglecouplet;butthatistheverystuffofEternity,whichneitherfirewillassoil,nortempestperil,northewrathofyearsimpair.TheInfinitehasnodegrees;wherevertheworldseesinanyhumanbeingthefireoftheEverlasting,itbowswithequalawe,whetherthatfireisdisplayedbyonlyanoccasionalflash,orbyaprolongedanddiffusiveblaze.Thereisacertaintonewhich,hearitwhenwemay,andwherewemay,weknowtobetheaccentsofthegods;andwhetheritsqualitybeshowninasingleutterance,oritsvolumedisplayedinathousandburstsofmusic,wesurroundthebandofspiritswhomwetheredetectintheirmortaldisguise,withequalceremoniesofrespectandworship,hailingthemalikeasseraphsofabrightersphere——sonsofthemorning.
Thisisnatural,anditisreasonable.Geniusisnotadegreeofotherqualities,norisitaparticularwayorextentofdisplayingsuchqualities;itisafacultybyitself;itisamanner,ofwhichwemayjudgewiththesamecertaintyfromoneexhibition,asfrommany.Thepraiseofapoet,therefore,istobedeterminednotbythenatureoftheworkwhichheundertakes,butbythekindofmasterywhichheshows;notbythebreadthofsurfaceoverwhichhetoils,butbytheperfectnessoftheresultwhichheattains.
Mr.Wordsworthhasvindicatedthecapacityofthesonnettobeacasketoftherichestgemsoffame.Wehavenodoubtthatthesongmaygiveevidenceofageniuswhichshalldeservetoberankedwiththeconstructorofanepic."ScornnottheSONG."Wewouldgosofar,indeed,astosaythatsuccessinthesongimports,necessarily,amoreinbornandgenuinegiftofpoeticconception,thanthesameproportionofsuccessinotherlesssimplemodesofart.Therearesomesortsofcompositionwhichmaybewroughtoutofeagerfeelingandthefoamofexcitedpassions;andwhicharethereforetoalargeextentwithinthereachofearnestsensibilitiesandanambitiouswill;othersarethespontaneousoutflowoftheheart,towhoseperfection,turbulenceandeffortarefatal.Ofthelatterkindisthesong.Whiletheodeallowsofexertionandstrain,whatisdoneinitmustbeaccomplishedbynativeandinherentstrength.
Speakingwiththatconfidencewhichmaynotimproperlybeassumedbyonewho,havinglookedwithsomecareatthefoundationsoftheopinionwhichheexpresses,supposeshimselfable,ifcalleduponbydenial,tofurnishsuchdemonstrationofitstruthasthenatureofthematterallowsof,wesaythat,inourjudgment,thereisnoprofessedwriterofsongs,inthisday,whohasconceivedthetruecharacterofthisdelicateandpeculiarcreationofart,withgreaterprecisionandjustnessthanMr.Morris,orbeenmorefelicitousthanheindealingwiththesubtleandmultiformdifficultiesthatbesetitsexecution.Itiswellunderstoodbythosewhosethoughtsareusedtobeconversantwiththesuggestionsofadeeperanalysisthanbelongstopopularcriticism,thattheformsofliteraryartarenotindefiniteinnumber,variableintheircharacteristics,ordeterminedbythecasualtasteorarbitrarywillofauthors:
theyexistinnature;theyaredependentuponthosefixedlawsofintellectualbeing,ofspiritualaffection,andmoralchoice,whichconstitutetherationalityofman.Andtheactual,positivemeritofapoeticalproduction——thatrealmerit,whichconsistsinnativevitality,ininherentcapacitytolive——doesnotlieintheglitterorcostlinessofthedecorationswithwhichitisinvested——norintheforcewithwhichitismadetospringfromthemindofitscreatorintothemindsofothers——noryetinthescaleofmagnitudeuponwhichtheideasbelongingtothesubjectareillustratedinthework;butrather,aswesuppose,obviously,andinallcases,upontheintegrityandtruthwithwhichtheparticularformthathasbeencontemplatedbytheartist,isbroughtout,andthedistinctnesswithwhichthatonespecificimpressionwhichisappropriatetoit,isattained.ThisisthekindofexcellencewhichweascribetoMr.Morris;anexcellenceofaloftyorder;genuine,sincere,andincapableofquestion;morevaluableinthisclassofcompositionthaninanyother,becausebothmoreimportantandmoredifficult.
Forthesongappearstoustopossessadefinitenesspeculiarlyjealousandexclusive;tobelessflexibleincharacterandtopermitlessvarietyoftonethanmostotherclassesofcomposition.
Ifamanshallsay,"Iwillputmoreforceintomysongthanyourmodelallows,Iwillchargeitwithagreatervarietyofimpressions,"
itiswell;ifheisskilful,hemaymakesomethingthatisveryvaluable.Butinsofarashisworkismorethanasong,itisnotasong.InallworksofArt——whereverformisconcerned——excessiserror.
Thejustnotionandofficeofthemodernsong,aswethinkofit,istobetheembodimentandexpression,inbeauty,ofsomeoneofthosesentimentsorthoughts,gay,moral,pensive,joyous,ormelancholy,whichareasnaturalandappropriate,inparticularcircumstances,ortocertainoccasions,astheodortotheflower;
risingatsuchseasons,intothemindsofallclassesofpersons,instinctiveandunbidden,yetinobediencetosomelawofassociationwhichitisthegiftofthepoettoapprehend.Itsgracefulpurposeistoexhibitanincidentinthesubstanceofanemotion,tocommunicatewisdomintheformofsentiment;itistherefractedgleamofsomewanderingrayfromthefairorbofmoraltruth,whichglancingagainstsomeoccurrenceincommonlife,issurprisedintoasmileofquick—darting,manycoloredbeauty;itistheairyripplethatisthrownupwhenthecurrentoffeelinginhumanheartsaccidentallyencountersthecurrentofthoughtandbubblesforthwithagentlefretofsparklingfoam.Self—evolved,almost,andobedientinitsdevelopmentandshapingtosomeinwardsparkofbeautywhichappearstopossessandcontrolitscourse,itmightalmostseemthat,intheout—goinglovelinessofsuchproductions,sentimentmadesubstantialinlanguage,floatedabroadinnaturalself—delivery;asthatheatwhichisnotyetflame,givesforthinbluewreathsofvaporousgrace,whichunfoldtheirdelicatenessforamomentuponthetranquilair,andthenvanishaway.Itisnotanartificialstructurebuiltupbyintellectafteramodelforeshapedbyfancy,orforeshadowedbytheinstinctsofthepassions;itisasimpleemotion,crystalledintobeautybypassingforamomentthroughthecoolerairofthemind;itismerelyaneffluenceofcreativevigor;agracefulfeelingthickenedintowords.Itsproperdwellingisintheatmosphereofthesentiments,nothepassions;itwillnot,indeed,repelthesympathyofdeeperfeelings,butknowsthemratherundertheformoftheflowerthatfloatsuponthesurfaceofmeditation,thanofthedeeperrootthatliesbeneathitsstream.AndthisisthegrievousfaultofnearlyallLordByron’smelodies;thathepiercesthemtooprofoundly,andpassesbelowtheregionofgrace,charginghislyrewithfarmorevehemenceofpassionthanitsslightstringsaremeanttobear.Thebeautywhichbelongstothisproduction,shouldbeintheformofthethoughtratherthanthefashionofthesetting:thatgenuinenessandsimplicityofcharacterwhichconstitutealmostitsessence,aredestroyedbyanyappearanceofthecoldartificesofconstruction,palpablespringssetforouradmiration,wherebythebeginningisobviouslyarrangedinreferencetoaparticularending.Thisistheshort—reachingpowerofMoore——guilty,bydesign,ofthatdeparturefromsimplicity,bywhichhefascinatedonegenerationattheexpenseofbeingforgottenbyanother.Thesong,whileitisgeneralinitsimpression,shouldbeparticularinitsoccasion;
notanabstractionofthemind,butadefinitefeeling,specialtosomecertainsetofcircumstances.Risingfromoutthesurfaceofdailyexperience,likethewateryissuingsofafountain,itthrowsitselfupwardforamoment,thendescendsinasoft,glitteringshowertothelevelwhenceitrose.HereinresidesthechiefdefectofBayly’ssongs;thattheyaretoogeneralandvague——aspeciesofpatternsongs——beingembodimentsofsomegeneralfeeling,orreflection,butlackingthatsufficientreferencetosomeseasonoroccurrencewhichwouldjustifytheirappearing,andtakeawayfromthemtheaspectofpretensionanddisplay.
Theonlysatisfactorymethodofcriticismisbymeansofclinicallectures;andwefeelregretthatourlimitsdonotsufferus——toanygreatdegree——toillustratewhatwedeemthevigoroussimplicity,andgenuinegraceofMr.Morris,bythatmodeofexposition.Wemustrefertoafewcases,however,toshowwhatwehavebeenmeaningintheremarkswhichwemadeabove,uponthepropercharacterofthesong.Theballadof"Woodman,sparethattree"——oneofthoseaccidentsofgeniuswhich,however,neverhappenbuttoconsummateartists——issofamiliartoeverymindandheart,astoresentcitation.Take,then,"MyMother’sBible."Weknowofnosimilarproductioninatruertaste,inapurerstyle,ormoredistinctlymarkedwiththecharacterofagoodschoolofcomposition.Ortake"Wewereboystogether."Inmanlypathos,intendernessandtruth,whereshallitbeexcelled?"TheMiniature"possesthecaptivatingeleganceofVoiture."WhereHudson’sWave"isagloriousburstofpoetry,modulatedintorefinementbythehandofamaster.
Wherewillyoufindanauticalsong,seeminglymorespontaneousinitsgenialoutbreak,reallymorecarefulinitsconstruction,than"Land—ho!"Howfullofthejoyousmadnessofabsoluteindependence,yetmadeharmoniousbyinstinctivegrace,is"LifeintheWest!"
Thatthesameheartwhosewildpulseisthrilledbytheadventurousinterestsofthehuntsmanandthewanderer,canbeatinunisonwiththegentlesttruthofdeepdevotion,isshownin"WhenotherFriendsareroundThee.""IlovetheNight"hasthevoluptuouseleganceoftheSpanishmodels.Werewetomeetthelines"Oh,thinkofme!"inananthology,weshouldsupposetheywereSuckling’s——soadmirablyisthetoneoffeelingkeptdowntothelimitofprobablesincerity——whichisacharacteristicthatthecavalierstyleofcourtingneverloses."TheStarofLove"mightstandasaselectedspecimenofallthatismostexquisiteinthesongsofthe"Trouveurs.""TheSeasonsofLove"isacharmingeffusionofgay,yetthoughtfulsentiment.Thesong,"Ineverhavebeenfalsetothee,"is,ofitself,sufficienttoestablishGeneralMorris’sfameasagreatpoet——asa"potensmagisteraffectuum"——andasaliterarycreatorofahighorder.Itisathoroughlyfreshandeffectivepoemonasubjectashackneyedasthehighway;itisasdeepastruthitself,yetlightasthemovementofadance.Wehadalmostforgotten,whattheworldwillneverforget,thematchlesssoftnessandtransparentdelicacyof"NeartheLake."Thoselines,ofthemselves,unconsciously,court"thesoftpromoterofthepoet’sstrain,"andalmostseemabouttobreakintomusic.Itisagreeabletofindthat,insteadofbeingseducedintoafalsestylebytheexcessivepopularitywhichmanyofhissongshaveacquired,GeneralMorris’slatereffortsareinaveinevenmoretrulyclassicthanhisearlierones,andshowadecidedadvance,bothinpowerandease."TheRockofthePilgrims,"andthe"IndianSongs,"areaveryclearevidenceofthis.Wewouldwillinglygoonwithourreferences,asthereareseveralwhichhaveequalclaimswiththeseuponournotice,but——"clauditejamrivos."
Sucharesomeofthecompositions,originalinstyle,naturalinspirit,beautifulwiththecharmofalmostfaultlessexecution,whichmaychallengefortheirauthorthetitleofthelauraeteofAmerica
Awriterin"Howitt’sandthePeople’sJournal"furnishesthefollowingsketchofGeneralMorrisandhisSongs,whichwascopiedandendorsedbythelateDr.RufusW.Griswold,inhisInternationalMagazine:——
"Beforeusliesaheapofsongsandballads,theproductionoftherichfancyandwarmheartofGeorgeP.Morris.Notmanyweekssince,atapublicmeetinginLondon,agentlemanclaimedtobeheardspeakonthegroundofhisconnectionwiththepublicpressfromthetimewhenhewassevenyearsofage.WewillnotundertaketosaythatGeneralMorrisranhisjuvenilefingersoverthechordsofthelyreatsoveryearlyaperiod;butitiscertainhetriedhishandatwritingforthenewspaperswhenhewasyetbutamereboy.Whileinhisteens,hewasaconstantcontributortovariousperiodicals.Manyofhisarticlesattractednotice.Hebegantoacquirealiteraryreputation;andatlength,in1823,beingtheninhistwentiethyear,hebecameeditorofthe’NewYorkMirror.’
Thisresponsibleposthecontinuedtoholduntiltheterminationofthepaper’sexistencein1834.
"Morrisaccomplishedaninfinityofgoodinthetwentyyearsduringwhichhewieldedtheeditorialpen.PerhapsnoothermanintheUnitedStateswassowellqualifiedforthenobletaskhesethimselfattheoutsetofhiscareeraseditor.Americanliteraturewasinitsinfancy,andsubjecttoalltheweaknessesofthatperiod.
Morrisresolvedtodohisutmosttowardformingacharacterforit,andlookedabroadanxiouslyforsuchascouldaidhiminhisendeavor.The’Mirror"willeverbefondlyrememberedbytheAmericanliteraryman,forithasbeenthecradleofAmericangenius.
"Tohimawriterin’Graham’sMagazine’attributesthepresentflourishingconditionandbrightprospectsoftransatlanticliterature.
HeevidentlypossessesapersonalknowledgeofGeneralMorris,anddiscoursesrighteloquentlyinhispraise.Nordowethinkthatheoverrateshismeritsintheleast.FromothersourceswehaveourselveslearnedmuchofthegenialnatureofGeorgeP.Morris,andhisgiganticlaborsasaliterarypioneer.Consideringitsjuvenilityasanation,republicanAmerica,indeed,hasbeenamazinglyprolificofgoodwriters.ThelargeshareMorrishashadinawakeningthelatenttalentofhiscountrymen,musteverbetohimahighsourceofgratulation.Andthen,asanoriginalwriter,hehaswonforhimselfahighplaceamongliteraryAmericans;heis,infact,knownthroughouttheStatesas’TheSongwriterofAmerica;’
andwehavetheauthorityofWillisforstatingthat’ninety—ninepeopleoutofahundred——takethemastheycomeinthecensus——wouldfindmoretoadmireinMorris’sSongsthaninthewritingsofanyotherAmericanpoet.’Willisalsotellsus,asproofoftheGeneral’spopularitywiththoseshrewddollar—lovingmen,thepublishers,that’hecan,atanytime,obtainfiftydollarsforasongunread,whenthewholeremainderoftheAmericanParnassuscouldnotsellonetothesamebuyerforasingleshilling!’Heisthebest—knownpoetofthecountrybyacclamation——notbycriticism.
"Morrisseemstohavehadjusternotionsofwhatwasrequiredinasongthanmanywhohaveachievedcelebrityassong—writersinEngland.’Thejustofficeandnotionofthemodernsong’hasbeendefinedtobe,theembodimentandexpressioninbeautyofsomethoughtorsentiment——gay,pensive,moral,orsentimental——whichisasnaturalandappropriateincertaincircumstancesastheodortotheflower.Itsgracefulpurposeistoexhibitanincidentinthesubstanceofanemotion,tocommunicatewisdomintheformofsentiment.Asongshouldbetheembodimentofsomegeneralfeeling,andhavereferencetosomeseasonoroccurrence.
"Itisnotadifficultthingtomakewordsrhyme;someofthemostunimaginativeintellectsweeverknewcoulddosowithsurprisingfacility.ItisraretofindasentimentalmissoralackadaisicalmasterwhocannotaccomplishthisINTELLECTUALfeat,withthehelpofWalker’sRhymingDictionary.Asforlove,why,everyonewritesaboutitnow—a—days.ThereissuchanabhorrenceofthesimpleSaxon——suchanoutrageousrunningafteroutlandishphraseology——thatwewonderfolksaresatisfiedwiththisplainterm.
"WewondertheydonotseekforanequivalentinhighDutchorinlowDutch,inHungarian,orinHindostanee.Wewishtheywould,withallourheartandsoul.Wehavenoobjection,providedtheheartbetouched,thataheadshouldproducealittleofthestuffcalled’nonsenseverses’——thatthisarticleshouldbecommittedtoscentednote—paper,andcarefullysealedupwithskeweredheartsofamazingcorpulence.Godforbidthatweshouldbethoughtguiltyofasneeratrealaffection!——farfromit;suchevercommandsourreverence.Butwedonotfinditinthenoisytribeofgoslingsgreenwhowouldfainbethoughtofthenightingalespecies.Didthereaderevercontemplateachildengagedintheinterestingoperationofsuckingalollipop?——weassurehimthatthatactwasdictatedbyquiteasmuchoftruesentimentasputsinactionthefingersandwitsofthegeneralityofouryoungamatorypoetasters.
"WeknowofnonewhohavewrittenmorecharminglyoflovethanGeorgeP.Morris.WouldtoApollothatourrhymsterswouldcondescendtoreadcarefullyhispoeticaleffusions!Buttheycontainnostrainingaftereffect——noextravagantmetaphors——nodrivelingconceits;andsothereislittlefearoftheirbeingtakenasmodelsbythosegentlemen.Letthereadermarkthesurprisingexcellenceofthelovesongs;theirperfectnaturalness;thequietbeautyofthesimiles;thefineblendingofgracefulthoughtandtenderfeelingwhichcharacterizethem.Morrisis,indeed,thepoetofhomejoys.
Nonehavedescribedmoreeloquentlythebeautyanddignityoftrueaffection——ofpassionbaseduponesteem;andhisfameiscertaintoendurewhiletheAnglo—Saxonwomanhasahearthstoneoverwhichtorepeathermostcherishedhouseholdwords.
"Seldomhavethebenigneffectsofthepassionbeenmorefelicitouslypaintedthaninthe’SeasonsofLove’;andwhatsimpletendernessiscontainedintheballadof’Wewereboystogether.’Everywordinthatbeautifulmelodycomeshometotheheartofhimwhoseearlydayshavebeenhappy.Godhelpthoseinwhomthispoemawakensnofondremembrances!——thosewhosememoriesitdoesnotgetwanderingupthestreamoflife,towarditssource;beholdingateverystepthesunsmilingmorebrightly,theheavensassumingadeeperhue,thegrassafreshergreen,andtheflowersasweeterperfume.Howwondrousarenotitseffectsuponourselves!Thewrinkleshavedisappearedfromourbrow,andtheyearsfromourshoulder,andthemarksofthebranding—ironofexperiencefromourheart;andagainweareacarelesschild,gatheringprimroses,andchasingbutterflies,anddrinkingspring—waterfromoutthehollowofourhands.Aroundusarethehedges’withgoldengorsebrightblossoming,asnoneblossomnow—a—day.’Wehaveheardofdeath,butweknownotwhatitis;andthewordCHANGEhasnomeaningforus;andsummerandwinter,andseed—timeandharvest,haseachitsunutterablejoys.Alas!wecanneverremainlonginthishappydream—land.Nevertheless,wehaveprofitedgreatlybythejourney.
Thecowslipsandvioletsgatheredbyusinchildhood,shallbepotentinthehouroftemptation;andthecapofrusheswovenforusbykindhandsindaysgoneby,shallbeasurerdefencethanahelmetofsteelinthehourofbattle.No,no;wewillneverdisgraceourantecedents.
"Thereisonequalityinhissongstowhichwecannotbutdirectattention——andthisistheiralmostfemininepurity.Thepropensitieshavehadtheirlaureates;andgenius,alas!hasoftendefileditsangelwingsbycontactwiththesensualandtheimpure;butMorrishasneverattemptedtorobeviceinbeauty;andashasbeenwellremarked,hislayscanbringtothecheekofpuritynoblushsavethatofpleasure."
Thefollowingletter,fromthepenofGraceGreenwood,isalady’stributetothegeniusofthepoet:——
"Ihavereadoflate,withrenewedpleasureandhigherappreciation,thesongsandballadsofourgenial—heartedcountryman,Morris.I
hadpreviouslyworriedmyselfbyacourseofratherdryreading,andhispoetry,tender,musical,fresh,andnatural,cametomelikespring’sfirstsunshine,thesongofherfirstbirds,thebreathofherfirstviolets.
"Whatacontrastisthispleasantvolumetothesoul—racking"Festus,"
whichhasbeenoneofmyrecentpassions.Thatremarkableworkhaspassagesofgreatbeautyandpower,linkedinunnaturalmarriagewithmuchthatispoorandweak.Itislikeastatelyruinedpalace,’MinglingitsmarblewiththedustofRome;’
oritislikeitsownfabledfirsttemplebuilttoGod,inthenewearth——amultitudeofgems,swallowedbyanearthquake,andscatteredthroughaworldofbasermatter.Thesoulofthereadernowfaintswithexcessofbeauty,nowshuddersattheterribleandtherevolting.theyoungpoet’smuseattimesgoeslikeProserpinetogatherflowers,butstraightwayisseizedbythelordoftheinfernalregions,anddisappearsinflameanddarkness.TheentirevolumeisapoeticalArchipelago——islesoflovelinesssprinklingadeadseaofunprofitablematter.
"ItwereabsurdtocomparethelightandgracefulpoemsofMorriswiththework"Festus"——asimpleGrecianarchwithastupendousTurkishmosque——anEtruscanvasewithaGothictower.Yettherearedoubtlessmanywhowillprefertheperfectrealizationofmodestaspirations,togrand,butineffectualgraspingsafterglory’shighestandmostdivineguerdons——aquietwalkwithtruthandnature,toanIcarusflightofmagnificentabsurdities.
"Ithasbeensaidthattheauthorof’Longtimeago’hasrungtoomanychangesonthesentimentandpassionofLOVE.Love,theinspirationofthegloriousbardsofold,’Whoplayupontheheartasonaharp,Andmakeoureyesbrightaswespeakofthem;’
’loveever—new,everlasting,fresh,andbeautiful,nowaswhenthesilenceofyoungEdenwasthrilled,butscarcebroken,bythevoiceofthefirstlover——ajoyandasourceofjoyforever.’
"Iknowitismuchthefashionnow—a—days,toholdinlordlycontemptmanyofthosesweetandholyinfluenceswhichare——
’Asangelhands,enclosingours,LeadingusbacktoParadiseanbowers.’
"Loveandlibertyarefastbecomingmereabstractionstotheenlightenedapprehensionofsomemodernwisemen.Itissadtoseehowsoonthosewhite—wingedvisitorssoiltheirplumageandchangetheirverynaturebyameredescentintothephilosophicatmosphereofsuchmind.OneisremindedofthewordsofSwedenborg——’Isawagreattruthletdownfromheavenintohell,anditTHEREBECAME
ALIE.’
"Thiscynicalobjectiontothelaysofourminstrel,surelynevercouldhaveemanatedfromtheheartofWOMAN.SHEiseverloyaltolove——thattenderandyearningprincipleinthebosomoftheFather,fromwhichandbywhichthefemininenaturewascreated.
"ThepoemsofMorrisareindeedlikethoseflowersofold,bornoftheblood—dropswhichoozedfromthewoundedfootofthequeenoflove——blushingcrimsontotheveryheart;yetthereisnot,tomyknowledge,inthewholerangeofEnglishliterature,solargeacollectionofamatorysongsinwhichsensualismandvoluptuousnessfindnovoice.Theselayscanbringtothecheekofpuritynoblush,savethatofpleasure——themothermaysingthemtoherchild,thebridetoheryounghusband.
"’Festus’hasaneloquentreplytosuchasholdloveathemeunworthythetruebard:——
’Poetsareallwholove——whofeelgreattruths,Andtellthem;andthetruthoftruthsisLOVE.’
"ThemuseofMorriswasPoesy’sown’summerchild.’Hope,love,andhappiness,sunny—wingedfanciesandgolden—huedimaginings,havenestedinhisheartlikebirds.
"Hisversedoesnotcauseonetotrembleandturnpale——itcharmsandrefreshes.Itdoesnot’possesuslikeapassion’——itstealsuponuslikeaspell.Itdoesnotstormtheheartlikeanarmedhost——itislikethevisitationofgentlespirits,’Comingandgoingwithamusicallightness.’
Itisnotaturbulentmountain—torrent,hurlingitselfdownrockyplaces——itisasilverstream,glidingthroughquietvalleys,inwhosewavesthesweetstarsaremirrored,onwhosebosomthewater—liliessleep.
"Nowandthentherestealsinastrainofsadness,liketheplaintofabereavedbirdinagardenofroses;butitisatender,notanOPPRESIVEsadness,andweknowthattherainbowbeautyoftheversecouldonlybeborninthewedlockofsmilesandtears.Inaword,hislaysarenot’nightandstormanddarkness’——theyaremorningandmusicandsunshine.
"ItwereidleatthistimetoquoteorcommentuponallthosesongsofMorrisbestknownandoftenestsung.Itwouldbeintroducingtomyreadersoldfriendswhotooklodgingsintheirmemories’longtimeago.’Inreferencetothem,Iwouldonlyremarktheirpeculiaradaptednesstopopulartaste,thekeendiscrimination,thenicetact,or,touseoneofSirJamesMackintosh’shappyexpressions,the’FEELosophy’withwhichthepoethasinterlacedthemwiththeheart—stringsofanation.
"’ARockintheWilderness’isanodethatanypoetmightbeproudtoown.ItismuchinthestyleofCampbell——chaste,devotional,’beautifulexceedingly.’Iknownothingofthekindmoremusicallysweetthantheserenade’’Tisnowthepromisedhour’——thefirstlineinespecial——
’Thefountainsserenadetheflowers,Upontheirsilverlute——
Andnestledintheirleafybowers,Theforestbirdsaremute.’
"Manyanabsentlovermusthaveblessedourlyristforgivingvoicetohisownyearningaffection,halfsadwiththatdelicatejealousywhichisnowrongtothelovedone,inthesong’Whenotherfriendsareroundthee.’
"’TheBacchanal’——ifourlanguageboastsalovelierballadthanthis,ithasnevermetmyeye.Thestoryofthewinning,thebetrayingandthebreakingofawoman’sheart,wasnevertoldmoretouchingly.
’TheDismissed’isinapeculiarveinofrichandquiethumor.I
wouldcommendittotheentireclassofrejectedloversascontainingthetruestphilosophy.’Linesafterthemanneroftheoldentime’remindoneofSirJohnSuckling.Theyare’sunnedo’erwithlove’——theirsubject,bytheway.’Ineverhavebeenfalsetothee’wasanemanationfromtheFEMININEnatureoftheminstrelalone.Whodoesnotbelievethepoetgiftedwithdualityofsoul?
’Thinkofme,myownbeloved,’and’Rosabel,’arethethrobbingsofalover’sbreast,settomusic;and’Onebalmysummernight,Mary,’’Theheartthatownsthytyrantsway,’and’WhenIwasinmyteens,’thedistillationofthesubtlestsweetslodgedintheinnermostcellsofallflowersdedicatedtolove.
"Icomenowtomyfavorite,’WhereHudson’swave;’apoemwhichIneverreadbutthatitglowsuponmylipandheart,andleavestheairofmythoughtstremulouswithmusicalvibrations.Whatadeliciousgushofparentalfeeling!Howdaintilyanddelicatelymovethe’fitlychosewords,’trippingalonglikesilversandaledfairies.
"’Land—Ho!’andthe’WesternRefrain’thrillonegloriously.’TheCottager’sWelcome’wouldofitselfcarrythepoet’snametothenextage,andthe’CrotonOde’keephisbaysgreenwithaperpetualbaptism.Thelast—mentionedisfreshandsparklingasitssubject,anddisplaysmuchoftheimaginativefaculty.
"’Oh,amerrylifedoesthehunterlead,’rolledupthetenthwaveofMorris—ianpopularityattheWest.Itstirsthehunter’sheartlikeabugleblast——itringsoutclearasarifle—crackonahuntingmorning.
"GeneralMorrishasrecentlypublishedsomesongs,whichhaveallthegrace,melody,andtouchingsweetnessofhisearlierlays.Butasthesehavebeenartisticallysettomusic,andareyetinthefirstseasonofpopularity——arelyingonthepianosand’rollingoverthebrightlip’ofallsong—dom,theycallfornofurthermentionhere.
"IthinkIcannotbetterclosethissomewhatbrokenandimperfectnotice,thanbyreferringtooneoftheearliersongsofMorris,which,morethanallothers,perhaps,hasendearedhimtohisnativeland.’Homefromtravel’isasimple,hearty,manlyembodimentofthetruespiritofpatriotism,asentimentwhichthrobslikeastrongpulsebeneathourpoet’slightandgracefulverse,andneedsbuttheinspirationof’stirringtimes’toprompttodeedsofheroicvalor,likethelaysoftheancientbards,orthe’Chansons’ofBeranger."
ThebiographyofMorriswouldnotbecompletewithoutawordfromWillis.Wehaveadashofhispencilinthefollowinglettertotheeditorof"Graham’sMagazine":——
"MyDearSir:ToaskmeformyideaofGeneralMorris,islikeaskingthelefthand’sopinionofthedexterityoftheright.Ihavelivedsolongwiththe’Brigadier’——knowhimsointimately——workedsoconstantlyatthesamerope,andthoughtsolittleofeverseparatingfromhim(exceptbyprecedenceofferriageovertheStyx),thatitishardtoshovehimfrommetotheperspectivedistance——hardtoshutmyownpartialeyes,andlookathimthroughotherpeople’s.Iwilltry,however;and,asitisdonewithbutonefootofffromthetreadmillofmyceaselessvocation,youwillexcusebothabruptnessandbrevity.
"Morrisisthebest—knownpoetofthecountry,byacclamation,notbycriticism.Heisjustwhatpoetswouldbeiftheysang,likebirds,withoutcriticism;anditisapeculiarityofhisfame,thatitseemsasregardlessofcriticism,asabirdintheair.Nothingcanstopasongofhis.Itisveryeasytosaythattheyareeasytodo.Theyhaveamomentum,somehow,thatitisdifficultforotherstogive,andthatspeedsthemtothefargoalofpopularity——thebestproofconsistinginthefactthathecan,atanymoment,getfiftydollarsforasongunread,whenthewholeremainderoftheAmericanParnassuscouldnotsellonetothesamebuyerforashilling.
"Itmay,ormaynot,beonesecretofhispopularity,butitisthetruth——thatMorris’sheartisatthelevelofmostotherpeople’s,andhispoetryflowsoutbythatdoor.Hestandsbreast—highinthecommonstreamofsympathy,andthefineoilofhispoeticfeelinggoesfromhimuponanelementitisitsnaturetofloatupon,andwhichcarriesitsafetootherbosoms,withlittleneedofdeepdivingorhighflying.Hissentimentsaresimple,honest,truthful,andfamiliar;hislanguageispureandeminentlymusical,andheisprodigallyfullofthepoetryofevery—dayfeeling.Thesearedayswhenpoetstryexperiments;andwhileotherssucceedbytakingtheworld’sbreathawaywithflightsandplunges,Morrisuseshisfeettowalkquietlywithnature.Ninety—ninepeopleinahundred,takenastheycomeinthecensus,wouldfindmoretoadmireinMorris’ssongs,thaninthewritingsofanyotherAmericanpoet;
andthatisaparishinthepoeticalepiscopate,wellworthyawiseman’snurtureandprizing.
"Asfortheman——Morris,myfriend——Icanhardlyventureto’burnincenseonhismoustache,’astheFrenchsay——writehispraisesunderhisverynose——butasfaroffasPhiladelphia,youmaypaythepropertributetohisloyalnatureandmanlyexcellencies.
Hispersonalqualitieshavemadehimuniversallypopular;butthisoverflowupontheworlddoesnotimpoverishhimforhisfriends.I
haveoutlinedatruepoet,andafinefellow——fillupthepicturetoyourliking.Yours,verytruly,"N.P.Willis."
In1825,GeneralMorriswrotethedramaof"Briercliff,"aplay,infiveacts,foundeduponeventsoftheAmericanRevolution.Itwasperformedfortynightsinsuccession;andthemanagerpaidhimforit$3,500——asolidproofofitsattractivepopularity.Ithasneverbeenpublished.Prior,andsubsequenttothisperiod,hispenwasactivelyengageduponvariousliteraryanddramaticworks.
Hewroteanumberofthe"WelcomestoLafayette,"andsongsandballads,whichwereuniversallypopular,besidesmanyprologuesandaddresses.
In1842,hewroteanoperaforMr.C.E.Horn,calledthe"MaidofSaxony,"whichwasperformedfourteennights,withgreatsuccess,attheParkTheatre.Thepressofthecity,generally,awardedtothisoperathehighestcommendation.
FromtheperiodwhenGeneralMorriscommencedhiscareerasawriter,hispenhasbeenconstantlyemployedinwritingpoems,songs,ballads,andprosesketches.
In1840,theAppletonspublishedaneditionofhispoems,beautifullyillustratedbyWeir&Chapman;in1842,Paine&Burgesspublishedhissongsandballads;andin1853,Scribner’sedition,illustratedbyWeirandDarley,appeared.Thislastbeautifulworkhashadanimmensesale.
Theywerehighlycommendedbythepressthroughoutthecountry,andtheseandothereditionshavehadlargesales.Aportionofhisprosewritings,underthetitleof"TheLittleFrenchmanandhisWater—Lots,"werepublishedbyLea&Blanchard,whicheditionhasbeenfollowedbyothers,enlargedbytheauthor.
GeneralMorrishaseditedanumberofworks;amongthemarethe"AtlanticClubBook,"publishedbytheHarpers;"TheSong—WritersofAmerica,"byLinen&Ferin;"NationalMelodies,"byHorn&Davis;
and,inconnectionwithMr.Willis,"TheProseandPoetryofEuropeandAmerica,"astandardworkofgreatvalue.
In1844,inconnectionwithMr.Willis,heestablishedabeautifulweeklypaper,calledthe"NewMirror,"which,inconsequenceofthecoverandengravings,wastaxedbythepost—officedepartmentapostageequaltothesubscriptionprice;andnotbeingabletoobtainajustreductionfromMr.Wickliffe,thenpost—master—general,theproprietorsdiscontinueditspublication,afterayearandahalf,notwithstandingithadattainedacirculationoftenthousandcopies.
Thedaily"EveningMirror"wasnextcommenced,andcontinuedforoneyearbyMorris&Willis.
Afewmonthsafterwithdrawingfromthe"EveningMirror,"GeneralMorrisbeganthepublicationofthe"NationalPressandHomeJournal;"butasmanymistookitsobjectfromitsname,thefirstpartofitstitlewasdiscontinued;andinNovember,1846(Mr.
Willishavingagainjoinedhisoldfriendandassociate),appearedthefirstnumberofthe"HomeJournal,"aweeklypaper,publishedinNewYorkeverySaturday,whichiseditedwithtaste,spirit,andability,andwhichhasacirculationofmanythousandcopies.
GeneralMorrisisstillintheprimeandvigoroflife,anditisnotunlikelythatthepublicwillyethavemuchtoadmirefromhispen,andwhichwill,withoutdoubt,placehimstillhigherinthenicheoffame.HisresidenceischieflyatUndercliff,hiscountryseat,onthebanksoftheHudson,nearColdSpring,surroundedbythemostlovelyandbeautifulsceneryinnature,whichcannotfailtokeepthemusealivewithinhim,andtunetheminstreltofurtherandstillhigherefforts.
Althoughhepossessesabilitieswhicheminentlyqualifyhimforpublicstation,hisliterarytasteandhabitshave,inspiteofthestrenuoussolicitationsofhisfriends,ledhimtoprefertheretirementofprivatelife.This,however,doesnotpreventhistakinganactiveinterestinallquestionsofpublicgood;andthecityofNewYorkisgreatlyindebtedtohisvigorousaidformanyofhermostbeautifulandpermanentimprovements.
Wecannotclosethissketchwithoutadvertingtothefollowingincident,whichoccurredintheBritishHouseofCommons:——
"Mr.Cagley,amemberfromYorkshire,"saysthe"LondonTimes,"
"Concludedalongspeechinfavorofprotection,byquotingtheballadof’Woodman,sparethattree’(whichwasreceivedwithapplauseofthewholehouse),the’tree’accordingtoMr.Cagley,beingthe’Constitution,’andSirRobertPeelthe’woodman,’abouttocutitdown."
Whatpoetcoulddesireamoregratifyingcomplimenttohisgenius?
PoemsandBallads.
Poems.
TheDesertedBride.[SeeNotes]
Suggestedbyasceneintheplayofthehunchback.
InscribedtoJamesSheridanKnowles.
"Loveme!——No.——Heneverlovedme!"
Elsehe’dsoonerdiethanstainOnesofondashehasprovedmeWiththehollowworld’sdisdain.
Falseone,go——mydoomisspoken,Andthespellthatboundmebroken.
Wedhim!——Never.——Hehaslostme!——
Tears!——Well,letthemflow!——Hisbride?
No.——Thestrugglelifemaycostme!
Buthe’llfindthatIhavepride!
Loveisnotanidleflower,Bloomsanddiestheself—samehour.
Title,land,andbroaddominion,Withhimselftomehegave;
Stoopedtoearthhisspirit’spinion,Andbecamemywillingslave!
Kneltandprayeduntilhewonme——
Lookshecoldlyuponme?
Ingrate!——NeversurewasmaidenDeeplywrongedasI.WithgriefMytruebreastisoverladen——
Tearsaffordmenorelief——
Everynerveisstrainedandaching,Andmyveryheartisbreaking!
LoveIhim?——Thusscornedandslighted——
Thrown,likeworthlessweed,apart——
Hopesandfeelingssearedandblighted——
Lovehim?——Yes,withallmyheart!
Withapassionsuperhuman——
Constancy,"thynameiswoman."
Love,nortime,normood,canfashion——
Love?——Idolatry’sthewordTospeakthebroadest,deepestpassion,Everwoman’shearthathstirred!
Vaintostillthemind’sdesires,Whichconsumelikehiddenfires!
Wreckedandwretched,lostandlonely,Crushedbygrief’soppressiveweightWithaprayerforCliffordonly,Iresignmetomyfate.
ChainsthatbindthesoulI’veprovenStrongastheywereironwoven.
DeepthewothatfastissendingFrommycheekitshealthfulbloom;
SadmythoughtsaswillowsbendingO’erthebordersofthetomb!
WithoutClifford,notablessingIntheworldisworthpossessing.
Wealth!——astrawwithinthebalanceOpposedtolove,’twillstrikethebeam:
Kindred,friendship,beauty,talents?——
Alltoloveasnothingseem;
Weighloveagainstallelsetogether,Andsolidgoldagainstafeather.
Hopeisflown——awaydisguisesNaughtbutdeathreliefcangive——
ForthelovehelittleprizesCannotcease,andJulialive!
Soonmythreadoflifewillsever——
Clifford,faretheewell——forever!
TheMain—Truck;Or,ALeapforLifeANauticalBallad.
[Foundeduponawell—knowntalefromthepenofthelateWilliamLeggett,Esq.]
OldIronsidesatanchorlay,IntheharborofMahon;
Adeadcalmrestedonthebay——
Thewavestosleephadgone;
WhenlittleJack,thecaptain’sson,Withgallanthardihood,Climbedshroudandspar——andthenuponThemain—truckroseandstood!
Ashudderranthrougheveryvein——
Alleyeswereturnedonhigh!
Therestoodtheboy,withdizzybrain,Betweentheseaandsky!
Noholdhadheabove——below,Alonehestoodinair!
Atthatfarheightnonedaredtogo——
Noaidcouldreachhimthere.
Wegazed——butnotamancouldspeak!——
WithhorrorallaghastIngroups,withpallidbrowandcheek,Wewatchedthequiveringmast.
Theatmospheregrewthickandhot,Andofaluridhue,As,riveteduntothespot,Stoodofficersandcrew.
Thefathercameondeck——Hegasped,"O,God,Thywillbedone!"
Thensuddenlyariflegrasped,Andaimeditathisson!
"Jumpfarout,boy!intothewave!
Jump,orIfire!"hesaid:
"Thatonlychanceyourlifecansave!
Jump——jump,boy!"——Heobeyed.
Hesank——herose——helived——hemoved——
Hefortheshipstruckout!
OnboardwehailedtheladbelovedWithmanyamanlyshout.
Hisfatherdrew,insilentjoy,Thosewetarmsroundhisneck,ThenfoldedtohishearttheboyAndfaintedonthedeck!
Poetry.
Tometheworld’sanopenbookOfsweetandpleasantpoetry;
IreaditintherunningbrookThatsingsitswaytowardthesea.
Itwhispersintheleavesoftrees,Theswellinggrain,thewavinggrass,Andinthecool,fresheveningbreezeThatcrispsthewaveletsastheypass.
Theflowersbelow,thestarsabove,Inalltheirbloomandbrightnessgiven,Are,liketheattributesoflove,Thepoetryofearthandheaven.
ThusNature’svolume,readaright,Attunesthesoultominstrelsy,Tinginglife’scloudswithrosylight,Andalltheworldwithpoetry.
TheCrotonOde.[SeeNotes]
WrittenattherequestofthecorporationofthecityofNewYork.
Gushingfromthislivingfountain,Musicpoursafallingstrain,AsthegoddessofthemountainComeswithallhersparklingtrain.
Fromhergrotto—springsadvancing,Glitteringinherfeatheryspray,Woodlandfaysbesideherdancing,Shepursuesherwindingway.
Gentlyo’ertheripplingwater,Inhercoral—shallopbright,Glidestherock—king’sdove—eyeddaughter,Deckedinrobesofvirginwhite.
Nymphsandnaiads,sweetlysmiling,Urgeherbarkwithpearlyhand,MerrilythesylphbeguilingFromthenooksoffairy—land.
Swimmingonthesnow—curledbillow,Seetheriver—spiritsfairLaytheircheeks,asonapillow,Withthefoam—beadsintheirhair.
Thusattended,hitherwending,Floatsthelovelyoreadnow,Eden’sarchofpromisebendingOverhertranslucentbrow.
Hailthewandererfromafarland!
Bindherflowingtressesup!
Crownherwithafadelessgarland,Andwithcrystalbrimthecup.
Fromherhauntsofdeepseclusion,Letintemperancegreethertoo,AndtheheatofhisdelusionSprinklewiththismountain—dew.
Waterleapsasifdelighted,Whileherconqueredfoesretire!
PaleContagionfliesaffrightedWiththebaffleddemonFire!
Safetydwellsinherdominions,HealthandBeautywithhermove,AndentwinetheircirclingpinionsInasisterhoodoflove.
Watershoutsagladhosanna!
Bubblesuptheearthtobless!
CheersitlikethepreciousmannaInthebarrenwilderness.
Herewewonderinggaze,assembledLikethegratefulHebrewband,Whenthehiddenfountaintrembled,Andobeyedtheprophet’swand.
Roundtheaqueductsofstory,AsthemistsofLethethrong,Croton’swavesinalltheirgloryTroopinmelodyalong.
Eversparkling,bright,andsingle,Willthisrock—ribbedstreamappear,WhenposterityshallmingleLikethegatheredwatershere.
FragmentofanIndianPoem.
******
Theycome!——Befirm——insilencerally!
Thelong—knivesourretreathavefound!
Hark!——theirtrampisinthevalley,Andtheyhemtheforestround!
Theburdenedboughswithpalescoutsquiver,Theechoinghillstumultuousring,WhileacrosstheeddyingriverTheirbarks,likefoamingwar—steeds,spring!
Theblood—houndsdarkenlandandwater;
Theycome——likebuffaloesforslaughter!
Seetheirglitteringranksadvancing,SeeuponthefreewindsdancingPennonproudandgaudyplume.
Thestrangerscomeinevilhour,Inpomp,andpanoply,andpower!
But,whileuponourtribestheylower,ThinktheyourmanlyheartswillcowerTomeetawarrior’sdoom?
Righttheyforgetwhilestrengththeyfeel;
Ourveinstheydrain,ourlandtheysteal;
AndshouldthevanquishedIndiankneel,Theyspurnhimfromtheirsight!
BesetforeverindisgraceThegloryofthered—man’srace,Iffromthefoeweturnourface,Orsafetyseekinflight!
Theycome——Up,anduponthembraves!
Fightforyouraltersandyourgraves!
Drivebackthestern,invadingslaves,Infighttillnowvictorious!
Likelightningfromstorm—cloudsonhigh,Thehurtling,death—wingedarrowsfly,Andwind—rowsofpalewarriorsdie!——
Oh!neverwasthesun’sbrighteyeLookedfromhishill—topsintheskyUponafieldsoglorious!
******
They’regone——againthered—menrally;
Withdanceandsongthewoodsresound:
Thehatchet’sburiedinthevalley;
Nofoeprofanesourhunting—ground!
Thegreenleavesontheblitheboughsquiver,Theverdanthillswithsong—birdsring,Whileourbark—canoestheriverSkimlikeswallowsonthewing.
Mirthpervadesthelandandwater,Freefromfamine,sword,andslaughter.
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Letus,bythisgentleriver,Blunttheaxeandbreakthequiver,While,asleavesuponthespray,Peacefulflowourcaresaway.
******
Yet,alas!thehourisbriefLeftforeitherjoyorgrief!
AllonearththatweinheritFromthehandsoftheGreatSpirit——
Wigwam,hill,plain,lake,andfield——
Tothewhite—manmustweyield;
For,likesun—downonthewaves,Wearesinkingtoourgraves!
FromthiswildernessofwoLikethecaravanwego,LeavingallourgrovesandstreamsForthefar—offlandofdreams.
Thereareprairieswavinghigh,Boundlessasthesheetedsky,Whereourfathers’spiritsroam,Andthered—manhasahome.
Lettraditiontellourstory.
Aswefadeincloudlessglory,AsweseekthelandofrestBeyondthebordersofthewest,Noeyebutoursmaylookupon——
WEARETHECHILDRENOFTHESUN.
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Land—Ho!
UP,UPWITHTHESIGNAL!——Thelandisinsight!
We’llbehappy,ifneveragain,boys,to—night!
Thecoldcheerlessoceaninsafetywe’vepassed,Andthewarmgenialearthgladsourvisionatlast.
Inthelandofthestrangertrueheartsweshallfind,Tosootheusinabsenceofthoseleftbehind.
Land!——land—ho!——Allheartsglowwithjoyatthesight!
We’llbehappy,ifneveragain,boys,to—night!
THESIGNALISWAVING!——Tillmornwe’llremain,Thenpartinthehopetomeetonedayagain!
Roundthehearth—stoneofhomeinthelandofourbirth,Theholiestspotonthefaceoftheearth!
Dearcountry!ourthoughtsareasconstanttotheeAsthesteeltothestar,orthestreamtothesea.
Ho!——land—ho!——Wenearit!——Weboundatthesight!
Thenbehappy,ifneveragain,boys,to—night!
THESIGNALISANSWERED!——Thefoam—sparklesriseLiketearsfromthefountainofjoytotheeyes!
Mayrain—dropsthatfallfromthestorm—cloudsofcare,Meltawayinthesun—beamingsmilesofthefair!
Onehealth,aschimegailythenauticalbells:
Towoman——Godblessher!——wherevershedwells!
THEPILOT’SONBOARD!——thankheaven,all’sright!
Sobehappy,ifneveragain,boys,to—night!
Woodman,SparethatTree![SeeNotes]
Woodman,sparethattree!
Touchnotasinglebough!
Inyouthitshelteredme,AndI’llprotectitnow.
’Twasmyforefather’shandThatplaceditnearhiscot;
There,woodman,letitstand,Thyaxeshallharmitnot.
Thatoldfamiliartree,WhosegloryandrenownArespreado’erlandandsea——
Andwouldstthouhewitdown?
Woodman,forebearthystroke!
Cutnotitsearth—boundties;
Oh,sparethatagedoak,Nowtoweringtotheskies!
Whenbutanidleboy,Isoughtitsgratefulshade;
InalltheirgushingjoyHere,too,mysistersplayed.
Mymotherkissedmehere;
Myfatherpressedmyhand——
Forgivethisfoolishtear,Butletthatoldoakstand.
Myheart—stringsroundtheecling,Closeasthybark,oldfriend!
Hereshallthewild—birdsing,Andstillthybranchesbend.
Oldtree!thestormstillbrave!
And,woodman,leavethespot;
WhileI’veahandtosave,thyaxeshallharmitnot.
TheCottager’sWelcome.
HardbyI’veacottagethatstandsnearthewood——
Astreamglidesinpeaceatthedoor——
Whereallwhowilltarry,’tiswellunderstood,Receivehospitality’sstore.
Tocheerthatthebrookandthethicketafford,Thestrangerweeverinvite:
You’rewelcometofreelypartakeattheboard,Andafterwardsrestforthenight.
Thebirdsinthemorningwillsingfromthetrees,Andheraldtheyounggodofday;
Then,withhimuprising,departifyouplease——
We’llsetyourefreshedontheway:
You’recoinforourservicewesternlyreject;
Notrafficforgainwepursue,AndalltherewardthatwewishorexpectWetakeinthegoodthatwedo.
Mankindareallpilgrimsonlife’swearyroad,AndmanywouldwanderastrayInseekingEternity’ssilentabode,DidMercynotpointouttheway!
IfallwouldtheirdutydischargeastheyshouldTothosewhoarefriendlessandpoor,Theworldwouldresemblemycotnearthewood,Andlifethesweetstreamatmydoor.
TheLandofWashington.
IgloryinthesagesWho,inthedaysofyore,Incombatmetthefoemen,Anddrovethemfromourshore.
Whoflungourbanner’sstarryfieldIntriumphtothebreeze,AndspreadbroadmapsofcitieswhereOncewavedtheforest—trees.
——Hurrah!——
IgloryinthespiritWhichgoadedthemtoriseAndfoundamightnationBeneaththewesternskies.
NoclimesobrightandbeautifulAsthatwheresetsthesun;
Nolandsofertile,fair,andfree,AsthatofWashington——Hurrah!——
TheFlagofourUnion.
"Asongforourbanner?"——ThewatchwordrecallWhichgavetheRepublicherstation:
"Unitedwestand——dividedwefall!"——
Itmadeandpreservesusanation!
Theunionoflakes——theunionoflands——
TheunionofStatesnonecansever——
Theunionofhearts——theunionofhands——
AndtheFlagoftheUnionforeverAndever!
TheFlagofourUnionforever!
WhatGodinhismercyandwisdomdesigned,Andarmedwithhisweaponsofthunder,Notalltheearth’sdespotsandfactionscombinedHavethepowertoconquerorsunder!
Theunionoflakes——theunionoflands——
Theunionofstatesnonecansever——
Theunionofhearts——theunionofhands——
AndtheFlagoftheUnionforeverAndever!
TheFlagofourUnionforever!
Oh,keepthatflagflying!——Theprideofthevan!
Toallothernationsdisplayit!
Theladiesforunionarealltoa——MAN!
Butnottothemanwho’dbetrayit.
Thentheunionoflakes——theunionoflands——
Theunionofstatesnonecansever——
Theunionofhearts——theunionofhands——
AndtheFlagoftheUnionforeverAndever!
TheFlagofourUnionforever!
LinesAftertheManneroftheOldenTime.
OLove!themischiefthouhastdone!
Thougodofpleasureandofpain!——
Nonecanescapethee——yesthere’sone——
Allothersfindtheeffortvain:
Thoucauseofallmysmilesandtears!
Thoublightandbloomofallmyyears!
Lovebatheshiminthemorningdews,Reclineshiminthelilybells,Reposesintherainbowhues,Andsparklesinthecrystalwells,Orhieshimtothecoral—caves,Wheresea—nymphssportbeneaththewaves.
Lovevibratesinthewind—harp’stune——
Withfaysandoreadslingershe——
Gleamsinth’ringofthewaterymoon,Ortreadsthepebblesofthesea.
Loverules"thecourt,thecamp,thegrove"——
Oh,everywherewemeetthee,Love!
Andeverywherehewelcomefinds,Fromcottage—doortopalace—porch——
Loveentersfreeasspicywinds,Withpurplewingsandlightedtorch,Withtrippingfeetandsilverytongue,Andbowanddartsbehindhimslung.
Hetinklesintheshepherd’sbellThevillagemaidenleanstohear——
Bylatticehighheweaveshisspell,Forladyfairandcavalier:
Likesun—burstsonthemountainsnow,Love’sgenialwarmthmeltshighandlow.
Thenwhy,yenymphsArcadian,why——
SinceLoveisgeneralastheair——
WhydoeshenottoLeliafly,Andsoftentheobduratefair?
Scornnervesherproud,disdainfulheart!
ShescoffsatLoveandallhisart!
Oh,boy—god,Love!——Anarcherthou!——
ThyutmostskillIfainwouldtest;
OnearrowaimatLelianow,Andletthytargetbeherbreast!
Herheartbindinthycaptivetrain,Orgivemebackmyownagain!
TheDreamofLove.
I’vehadtheheart—achemanytimes,AtthemerementionofanameI’veneverwoveninmyrhymes,Thoughfromitinspirationcame.
Itisintruthaholything,Life—cherishedfromtheworldapart——
Adovethatnevertriesitswing,Butbroodsandnestlesintheheart.
ThatnameofmelodyrecallsHergentlelookandwinningwaysWhoseportraithangsonmemory’swalls,Inthefondlightofotherdays.
Inthedream—landofPoetry,Reclininginitsleafybowers,HerbrighteyesinthestarsIsee,Andhersweetsemblanceintheflowers.
Herartlessdallianceandgrace——
Thejoythatlightedupherbrow——
Thesweetexpressionofherface——
Herform——itstandsbeforemenow!
AndIcanfancythatIhearThewoodlandsongssheusedtosing,Whichstoletomyattendingear,Likethefirstharbingersofspring.
Thebeautyoftheearthwashers,Andhersthepurityofheaven;
Alone,ofallherworshippers,Tomehermaidenvowsweregiven.
Theylittleknowthehumanheart,Whothinksuchlovewithtimeexpires;
Oncekindled,itwillne’erdepart,Butburnthroughlifewithallitsfires.
Weparted——doomednomoretomeet——
Theblowfellwithastunningpower——
AndyetmypulsewillstrangelybeatAttheremembranceofthathour!
Buttimeandchangetheirhealingbrought,Andyearshavepassedinseemingglee,ButstillaloneofherI’vethoughtWho’snowamemorytome.
TheremaybemanywhowilldeemThisstrainawayward,youthfulfolly,TobederidedasadreamBornofthepoet’smelancholy.
Thewealthofworlds,ifitweremine,Withallthatfollowsinitstrain,Iwouldwithgratituderesign,Todreamthatdreamofloveagain.
I’mWithYouOnceAgain.
I’mwithyouonceagain,myfriends,Nomoremyfootstepsroam;
Whereitbeganmyjourneyends,Amidthescenesofhome.
Nootherclimehasskiessoblue,Orstreamssobroadandclear,AndwhereareheartssowarmandtrueAsthosethatmeetmehere?
Sincelastwithspirits,wildandfree,Ipressedmynativestrand,I’vewanderedmanymilesatsea,Andmanymilesonland.
I’veseenfairrealmsoftheearthByrudecommotiontorn,WhichtaughtmehowtoprizetheworthOfthatwhereIwasborn.
Inothercountries,whenIheardThelanguageofmyown,HowfondlyeachfamiliarwordAwokeanansweringtone!
ButwhenourwoodlandsongsweresungUponaforeignmart,ThevowsthatfalteredonthetongueWithrapturethrilledtheheart!
Mynativeland,Iturntoyou,Withblessingandwithprayer,Wheremanisbraveandwomantrue,Andfreeasmountainair.
LongmayourflagintriumphwaveAgainsttheworldcombined,Andfriendsawelcome——foesagrave,Withinourbordersfind.
Oh,WouldthatShewereHere!
Oh,wouldthatshewerehere,Thesehillsanddalesamong,WherevocalgrovesaregaylymockedByEcho’sairytongue:
WherejocundnaturesmilesInallherboonattire,Androamsthedeeply—tangledwildsOfhawthornandsweet—brier.
Oh,wouldthatshewerehere——
ThegentlemaidIsing,WhosevoiceischeerfulasthesongsOfforest—birdsinspring!
Oh,wouldthatshewerehere,Wherethefreewatersleap,ShoutinginsportivejoyousnessAdowntherockysteep:
WherezephyrscrispandcoolThefountainsastheyplay,Withhealthupontheirwingsoflight,Andgladnessontheirway.
Oh,wouldthatshewerehere,Withthesebalm—breathingtrees,Thesylvandaughtersofthesun,Therain—cloud,andthebreeze!
Oh,wouldthatshewerehere,Whereglidetherosyhours,Murm’ringthedrowsyhumofbees,Andfragrantwiththeflowers:
WhereHeaven’sredeemingloveSpansearthinMercy’sbow——
ThepromiseoftheworldaboveUntotheworldbelow.
Oh,wouldthatshewerehere,Amidtheseshadesserene——
Oh,forthespellofwoman’slove,Toconsecratethescene!
TheSwordandtheStaffTheswordofthehero!
Thestaffofthesage!
WhosevalorandwisdomArestampedontheage!
Time—hallowedmementosOfthosewhohaverivenThesceptrefromtyrants,"Thelightningfromheaven!"
Thisweapon,OFreedom!
Wasdrawnbytheson,AnditneverwassheathedTillthebattlewaswon!
NostainofdishonorUponitwesee!
’Twasneversurrendered——
Excepttothefree!
WhileFameclaimstheheroAndpatriotsage,TheirnamestoemblazonOnHistory’spage,NoholierrelicsWilllibertyhoardThanFRANKLIN’sstaff,guardedByWASHINGTON’ssword.