Songs of life
^$i$mt^$^sy$iiM$im'^v'»M;$i^i^&^$^ ^nI ^^. m s^«?^:ss«?<iss; ^^^^ ;:^ Glass I \) Book±Ai^-3_o6. COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT SONGS OF LIFE BT GEORGE BEGENALD MARGETSON BOSTON SHERMAN, FRENCH & COMPANY 1910 Copyright, 19 10 Sherman, French & Company C.n!.A^f^nnQ4 ' Ah / who call tell how hard it is to climb The steep where Fame's proud temple shines ajar / Ah ! who can tell how many a soul sublime Hath felt the injluence of malignant star. And wag'd with Fortune an eternal war ; Check' d by the scoff of Pride, by Envy's frown. And Poverty's unconquerable bar. In life's low vale remote hath pin'd alone. Then dropt into the grave, unpitied and unlcnowti." Beattie. COXTEKTS Page THE CALL TO DUTY 1 LIFE 4 GOD, MAN AND NATURE .... 8 SWEET IS THE COUNSEL OF THE WISE . 11 THE UNBELIEVER 13 WHAT HAVE I TO SORROW O'ER . . 15 THE THREATENING DAY IN SLUMBER DIES 16 KING WINTER 17 CHRISTMAS CAROL 19 DREAMLAND 21 THE POET'S SOLILOQUY 23 ODE TO SPRING 26 LOVE'S MESSAGE TO NATURE ... 29 TO THE CHILDREN 31 TO OUR DEAD HEROES 33 EDWARD EVERETT HALE .... 36 THE CONQUEST OF THE NORTH POLE . 38 ODE TO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT . . 40 THE JOLLY SONGSTERS 43 TO WOMAN 45 A SONG OF SUFFRAGE 46 FOR DEARIE WAS WITH ME ... 48 DEAREST, WHERE ART THOU TO-NIGHT? 50 WITH DEARIE AT MY SIDE .... 53 A PRAYER 55 EVENING HYMN 56 THE CALL TO DUTY The morning breaks upon the shore, The day from slumber doth awake, Bestir, ye ships of life, and shake The drowsy anchor for the oar. Let Indolence with night retire, Spread out Industry's swelling sail. Let Commerce catch the morning gale, And cheer her hearth and trim her fire. Let Journalism ope the strife, And wield her unembarrassed pen, And paint the daring deeds of men. With all the tints and taints of life. Let Science with her aspect bold Resume her firm, unflinching march, In undiscovered fields to search. The hidden treasures to unfold. Philosophy of mind profound, With doubting step now take the field. And strive to break the mystic shield, The deeper depths of truth to sound. [1] Let Art uprear her stately head, Employ her brush and dye at ease, And fling her colors to the breeze. And round her shaded influence shed. Let Agriculture's lowly train. With willing heart and nimble hand, Sweep onward like a learned band. And spread profusion o'er the plain. Let Justice spread her gilded wing O'er each oppressed race of man, Bid slavery lose her deadly ban, While all the bells of freedom ring. Let Knowledge with her myriad plumes Bespangle all her prosperous land, Let Love and Truth go hand in hand. And lay the tracks with sweet perfumes. Let pompous Pride with tuneful ear. And wanton Wealth with piercing eye, Search o'er the vale of Poverty, Where dwell the creatures of Despair. Let Charity with liberal hand Spread far and wide her ample store, Possess the rich, anoint the poor, And heal the suff^erings of the land. [2] Let sweet Religion lift her voice, Arid bid melodious anthems swell, Jehovah's praises forth to tell, Till all the world His name rejoice. Let Music with bewitching sound Her full-grown symphonies employ, Proclaim the genial burst of joy. And charm the toiling host around. Let Poesy from sleep awake, And touch her strings and rouse her lyre. And roll celestial balls of fire. Till all shall act for Duty's sake. Let dove-eyed Peace with balmy breath Exhale and waft her influence far, And lull the brazen notes of war. And soothe the bitter pangs of death. Let each act well his chosen art. In perfect concord with the whole. Let streams of progress onward roll Back to the Source that gave them start. [3] LIFE What is life? you ask of me; Life is what I'll tell to thee, — This is life, as I can see, Just what man would make it. 'Tis a divers-featured man, Hybrid of each race or clan. Formed with many a pain and plan: Such is life, I take it. Or 'tis but a woman's heart. With an ever-changing chart. Streams of love or hate to start, When man dares to wake it. Life is high and life is low. Life is swift and life is slow; What is life you ought to know : It is what we make it. Life doth cause our tears to flow. Make our hearts with gladness glow ; You have heard it long ago, Life is what we make it. [4] Life is short and life is long, Life is weak and life is strong, Life could be a cheerful song. Thus if we would make it^ Life doth come and life doth go, Whereunto we do not know, Life is but a "fleeting show," So some poet spake it. Life is work and life is play. Moving on from day to day. With misfortune and delay. Till shall death o'ertake it. Life is dull and Hfe is bright, Seen by day or seen by night. Life is wrong and life is right. Just the way we take it. Life doth chill and life doth warm. Life doth jar and life doth charm, Life is rough and life is calm. As we often make it. [5] Life is naught but vanity, Life is gross profanity, Life is half insanity, As we choose to make it. Life is full of misery, Void of love and charity. Life is but barbarity. So today we make it. Life's a dark and cheerless stream Where no hopeful visions gleam, Life is but a blasting dream, Vicious mortals make it. When we meet a brother man. Writhing in privation's ban, We should help him all we can. Cheerful life to make it. Life is woes and life is cares. Life is jeers and life is cheers, Life is prayers and life is tears. So at times we make it. [6] Life doth all our time employ, To create and to destroy, Life is everlasting joy, Such if we would make it. Life is light and life is love. Life descended from above, Life would all our fears remove. Were we wise to take it. Life is rich and life is poor, Pilgrim on this fading shore! Life shall live forevermore, Since 'tis Love that spake it. Life is life and life is death, Life is but Jehovah's breath, Life is, so the preacher saith, " Heaven and Hell to make it." [7] GOD, MAN AND NATURE We are drifting, drifting, drifting. Far from Nature and from God, And with guilty face unlifting. Turn not at Jehovah's nod. Still our thoughtless steps quick wending Stray from where our Leader trod, But there comes the bitter ending When shall fall the pruning rod. In the footprints of our fathers Lies the path that we should go. Where each saintly relic gathers We should our traditions know. We despise God's sacred teachings, Nature's laws we disobey, And we bow to Man's false preachings. Trusting him from day to day. We with pains and sorrows rending Lay our burdens at his feet ; He with feeble aid pretending Yields his helpless hand to greet. There we at his threshold bending. While our hearts with anguish bleed, He with freaks and quacks attending Fails to satisfy our need. [8] When the waves in furious motion Tried the heights of Gahlee, God but spake unto the ocean, And His words congealed the sea. Let us cease with Earth's frail creature, Take our problems and our cares And return to God and Nature, Who alone can calm our fears. Nature unto earth did vent us. And she here our need sustains. She doth all her claims present us. Far around she decks the plains. Air and light and food and water, Life's essentials, she doth give; None do suffer that have sought her, All have learned aright to live. She nor black nor white doth favor. Each from her as natural came. Nor of creed nor sect doth savor, Man to man she treats the same. High and lowly, proud and wealthy. Sad and lonely, wretched and poor. Weak and sickly, strong and healthy, Unto all she spreads her store. [9] God from yonder cloud now beckons, Where his signal-torch appears, Flashing forth Love's greatest tokens, Mortal, lend Him heart and ears ! Let us bow to Him our Maker, Who our pains on Calvary bore, He the Soul's Great Undertaker, He doth all diseases cure. We are drifting, drifting, drifting. Far from Nature and from God, And with guilty face unlifting. Turn not at Jehovah's nod. Still our thoughtless steps quick wending Stray from where our Leader trod. But there comes the bitter ending When shall fall the pruning rod. [10] SWEET IS THE COUNSEL OF THE WISE Sweet is the counsel of the wise Whose ways to virtue lean, Who doth with sober thought despise Each habit vile and mean ; Who toils not in the fields of good With hopes for man's reward, But who with loftier aim doth brood In converse with his God. If such there be let him draw nigh, And at my side repair, And breathe with sympathetic sigh A welcome word of cheer. Let him disperse with hallowed breath The shadows hovering near, Embrace me with the arms of faith, And melt each doubt and fear. I seek amidst serener springs A tie secure to bind, For in the ways of earthly things No comfort do I find. I tried each low-devised plan. No good its aims sustain, For man seeks recompense in man. And barters life for gain. [11] O Man, wherefore dost thou refuse Fair Virtue's ways to know? Why thus thy precious years abuse With practice mean and low? And why not seek in fields of light A future claim to mold, And quit the blasted shades of night, And cease thy graft for gold? Close at the threshold of thy door, God's bounty doth dispense, He yields alike to rich and poor, And asks no recompense. Then wherefore dost thou not receive The counsel He doth give, And cease a brother to deceive. And learn aright to live? Sweet is the counsel of the wise, Whose ways to virtue lean, Who doth with sober thought despise Each habit vile and mean ; Who toils not in the fields of good With hopes for man's reward, But who with loftier aim doth brood In converse with his God. [12] THE UNBELIEVER Oh pity him with dimmed sight, Who says there is no God, And spurneth the Immortal Light To reverence Man's reward. Who hath not felt the magic throb, That would Earth's fears remove, And leaned responsive toward the Orb Whence springs Immortal Love. Vile wretch ! He knows not what is life. The life that saints enjoy; With his own hand he plies the knife That doth real life destroy. He lives, he moves as doth a brute That hath no soul to save. And must remain forever mute. As in a silent grave. He hath no hope, he hath no thought That breathes a pure desire ; His precious years no plan have wrought To urge men to aspire. [13] No Faith has he, no lofty aim Beyond his dismal tomb; He drifts unclaimed, nor seeks a claim Where deathless blossoms bloom. O senseless being, with doubting heart, Who nothing doth believe, Thou play'st the true deceiver's part And dost thyself deceive! [14] WHAT HAVE I TO SORROW O'ER? A SONG What have I to sorrow o'er? Death no terrors has for me, Life is but a troubled sea, Leaning on a happier shore. All the agonies I feel, All the sufferings that I bear, — Shadows ! — ye shall disappear. Sweetest sunshine to reveal. All this earthly show must cease. Vanity shall meet decay, When like ships we sail away. Making for the goal of Peace. There within one social sphere Rich and poor alike shall move, Fed by one Paternal Love, All one common blessing share. Naught have I to worry o'er. Death no perils has for me. Life is but a rolling sea. Moving to the Heavenly Shore. [15] THE THREATENING DAY IN SLUMBER DIES. The threatening day in slumber dies, And night now dons her sombre pall; She drapes in mourning all the skies And bids the fainting shadows fall; King Winter with his ice-clad band Proclaims the dirge o'er sea and land. The blinding snow piles thick and fast, The cars grind slowly o'er the street, While here I brave the biting blast Nor mind the sting of snow or sleet ; Angelee dwells on yonder site, And I must see her there to-night. What though the heavens dissolve and shower, And wind and waves outrageous roar, I tremble not amid their power, I firmly face my lover's door; No howling storm on land or sea Can scare me from my Angelee. [16] KING WINTER King Winter shoots his deadly sting, And sets mankind on nettled feet ; He rides upon each flaky wing. And pegs the icy street. O'er frosted sea and frozen land. He arms and sends his daring crew; They grip the ears with needle hand And strive to close the view. They rove about the plains at will. And place his seal on every door ; Descend the valley, mount the hill, And haunt the helpless poor. They fleet along with lightning speed, And cramp the coast from end to end; Destruction is their happy creed Wherever they attend. They enter each unguarded sphere, And therein loose the plagues of hell; Set misery in mad career With agonizing yell. [17] Around the icy beds of gloom, They breathe their terror-dealing breath, That wakes the horrors of the tomb And spreads the pall of death. O thou, cold-blooded murderer! Who feedest on the life of man. Dost thou, holding the world in awe, Obey Jehovah's plan? [18] CHRISTMAS CAROL The good clock strikes the natal hour, And shakes the vast supernal tower, Glad angels rising leave their bower To greet the morn; The fount of love to earth doth shower — The Christ is born. And Heaven and Earth with joy combine As speaks the Omnipotent Divine ; The accents from that hallowed shrine On Bethlehem fall. And wise men mark the happy sign And seek the stall. Creation's cup o'erflows with mirth As pours the precious incense forth, And myriad tongues throughout the earth The tidings tell ; Angels proclaim the immortal birth, " Immanuel ! " [19] And life and light now start to gain, And hope's dim meteors cease to wane ; The thoughtful youth and aged swain Their fears erase, While sinners swell the glad refrain, " Amazing Grace." Ye mortals ! hail the glorious star That shoots from Heaven's gates ajar, And lights oblivion's lonely car With cheerful rays. Now bend the knee, the heart unbar, Give God the praise. Praise Him who sends the hopeful hour. And quickens heaven's serener bower, Makes bloom on earth the unfading Flower That decks the morn. All hail, all hail the Almighty Power With cheerful horn! [20] DREAMLAND Last evening I voyaged the slumbering sea, Swift-bome on the pinions of dreams, I reached a fair land that was foreign to me, Where life a glad rivulet streams. And many the hearts that did welcome me there, The faces of some well I knew. Who had passed these dull regions of sorrow and care. And to that blest refuge they flew. They chanted sweet anthems of joy and delight. Their cups were o'er-brimming with glee. They wore saintly garments all stainless and white. They carolled love's lyrics to me. They fed them with manna prepared by their God, Supplied by that life-yielding Tree, He served it each day from His blessed abode, Far, far beyond Earth's stormy sea. [21] In those peaceful regions no tears ever flow, The fires of care never burn, The smarts of privations you never can know, I cared not to hither return. But when day swung round, dealt his quick- ening stroke. Which made Earth with tumult to roar, I found me, alas ! when from sleep I awoke Still pinned to this woe-beaten shore. [22] THE POET'S SOLILOQUY Within my dreams The silvery beams Of winter flash their glory; The heaven rends, The snow descends, The field is sad and hoary. The rude winds blow Across the snow. The night is cold and dreary ; The stars decline To dance and shine And all the world is weary. Bestir, dull heart And upward start, Thou long hast lain reclining ; Awake from sleep And cease to weep, Thy senses all combining. Within the room The dismal gloom Hangs thick around thy pillow; Call forth thy light And put to flight The tall and ghostly shadow. [23] While man and brute Lie still and mute, And all creation slumbers, Apply thy wit, Renew thy grit. And swell the joyful numbers. Awake the song Harmonious, strong. And spread a charm around thee; And hush the tones Of dreamless ones. Who bellow to confound thee. Resume thy flight Which yesternight Thy labors left unfinished; And toil away While thou art gay, For soon thy life is vanished. Employ thy time, Thy youthful prime, A worthy plan to further; And sow the seed Whose fruits we need To nurse each way-worn brother. [24] Imbue thj soul, As onward roll The never ending ages, With healthy dreams Of peaceful streams Which lave the saints and sages. The clock strikes four, The night is o'er, The morning beams are breaking ; The cock fast crows, The daylight grows. The neighbors are awaking. And when it ticks The hour of six, And day returns with labor. Then get thee forth And show thy worth. And cheer thy irksome neighbor. So when life's end Shall thee attend And lay thee down forever; No guilty cares Shall wake thy fears, Thy years were wasted never. [25] ODE TO SPRING With rosy cheeks and emerald locks, Come sweet and blushing bride of Spring, Apply the ointment of thy wing, And heal the wounds of Winter's shocks. Let hills and dales thy praise of verdure sing. Inspire thou my simple song That wakes a pleading note to thee, Let strains of perfect harmony Embrace the feeling wild and strong And tune my trembling harp to ecstasy. Come, pat me with thy counselling hand, And press the pallid lips of care, And teach me life's sad load to bear; Make me her ways to understand. And from my eyelids melt each frozen tear. Behold, where groans yon leafless tree. That wreaths in death's infernal jaws, Lo! how the monster's ice-tipt claws Turn spikes and prick her naked knee. The while with keenly zest her flesh he gnaws. [26] There where once bloomed the giant oak, Upon whose boughs, beneath whose shade The warblers sang, the urchins played, There now beneath the demon's cloak Within the maw of ruin all is laid. The children, weary with the sleigh, Are yearning for the spicy bower Where they may pluck the hawthorn flower. And scatter blossoms on their way. While float the sweet chimes of the belfry tower. The birds within their winter roost No more can wander forth at will. To cheer my lonely window sill ; Bespeak them forth, the warbling host, With tuneful breath the balmy air to fill. The sordid herds up-pent with grief, Within their dark and narrow stall. Have waited long the shepherd's call In grassy fields to find relief, And lave them as the melting showers fall. The fretful farmer views his fields. Complaining from his window seat Cold-fingered frost has stole his wheat, And at thy court he now appeals, He makes repairs fair Venus' train to meet. [27] Then come with power to disarm, With hostile host and arms complete, And mass them through the snow-blocked street, And break the lock of Winter's arm. And on her hoary banners write defeat. Put far to rout the murderous band. And chase them on with flying feet ; As toward the vale of death they fleet Recharge them when they'd make a stand, To cold obUvion force them to retreat! Invade the slums where dwell the poor. Give ear unto their woeful prayer. And soothe the beds of gaunt despair ; There Winter sits and guards the door And shuts the tenants from the open air. O'er sullen meads and frowning rills Thy verdant flowery mantle spread. Restore to hfe the flowerets dead. And deck their skirts with dappled frills, And bar destruction from their bloomy head. Move wanton o'er the naked plain. And touch and rouse each slumbering lake. Bid springs and streams their stillness break, And march triumphant to thy strain. While laughing fields their leafy symbols shake. [28] LOVE'S MESSAGE TO NATURE Thou virgin lily of the vale, That peeps above the dewy lawn, Thou happy bird that cheers the dale With greetings for the dappled dawn. Thou tiny flower that opes thine eyes. To drink the sunny health of day, And shed sweet incense to the skies From off the garland brow of May — Ye blithe inhabitants of spring, That must with winter disappear, To you a word of hope I bring. Glad tidings from my lover dear. She wishes you to come with me To where your safety she prepares, Where she will tend you constantly. And free your life from drought and cares. Secure within her garden plot. From Summer's heat and Winter's cold, Ye shall enjoy a happy lot Within some due provided fold. I know she will be kind and true. For time has proved her so to be ; Her friendship ye shall never rue Nor need to want her constancy. [29] Then come with me and have no fear To where she calmly waits for you, To bloom and sing through all the year, Where shall no tears your cheeks bedew. There nothing shall your peace molest, Nor soil your hues nor mar your song, There with my lover ye shall rest, And live and love the seasons long. [30] TO THE CHILDREN Away, happy children, away to the woods, Away to the pastures, away to the floods, Away to the valleys, away to the hills. To feast where the wild-waking rapture enthrills. For Winter is gone with its want and its care. And Spring with the hours of plenty is here. Then on to the bowers, away to the fields. Give ear to the echoes, take wings to your heels ! The carolling woodlark shall welcome you there. The notes of the robin shall banish your fear. Wild flowers with oneness shall gladden your sight. The cricket shall warn you the coming of night. The gourd and the pumpkin are planning a race. The melon in season will join in the chase. The conscious wild berries are crowding the lea, All anxiously hastening the contest to see. [31] Go forth to the banquet Dame Nature affords, And share of the blessing for mankind she hoards, Your right to partake it no one can deny. The health which it offers no money can buy. The rich and the poor there may equally gain Due fredom from sorrow and solace from pain; No barrier doth bar you no bound'ry divides, And all share in common where Nature presides. Then tarry no longer your claims to enjoy. Provide every moment with healthful employ. Nor suffer the pleasures of childhood to waste. For they are the purest and sweetest of taste! The light of the morning bums lovely and clear, The warbling woodlands your coming prepare, With cap and with bonnet now hurry away, And smother your tears in the frolic of May. [32] TO OUR DEAD HEROES WRITTEN ON MEMORIAL DAY Awake, ye tributary notes, awake, And swell the praises of the glorious dead! Awake, awake, ye slumb'ring souls, and shake Ten thousand mem'rys round their dreamless head! Arouse your senses to a conscious state. And let each heart with reverence throb to please. Inspire, encourage, feed and cultivate A love for those who taught our people ease. They faced the battle, stemmed the tides of war. And for our liberty they grimly fought ; They quelled the enemy, broke slavery's bar. For Freedom's cause a lasting good they wrought. And though no more they tread this mortal shore. Our cause to fight, our victories to gain. Let not their noble annals rest obscure. But tell them forth — the moral of our strain. Let every nook their notes of praise resound. As heavenward mounts our tributary lay, [33] Nor let ignoble mortals hush the sound, Till each and all a timely homage pay. But can mere hollow sounds convey reward For such pure trophies which to us they gave? Yet only thus can we express regard For those who died our Virgin Grace to save. Let not their works decay, their fame decline. Nor let posterity their image wreck ; But let each glorious deed forever shine, A golden crown our foreheads to bedeck. O Time! about their graves thy vigil keep. Nor let the evil hand their dust molest ! Let Peace, Heaven's sweet attendant, soothe their sleep. And heal the wound-prints of our heroes blest. All hail! ye favorites of the living hour; Your sounding name still cheers the battle- field. When on our shores war-clouds would burst and shower. And float the warrior with his sword and shield. [34] Chivalrous hearts ! your greSitness ne'er shall wane, Though tyrants seek your Temple to destroy ; And lest the enemy the spoils regain, Your loyal sons the watchful hours employ. O valiant souls ! words fail in praise of you. Whose glory must with Time f ore'er abide ; A people's pride, — the brave, the tried and true, Who for their country fought and bled and died. [35] EDWARD EVERETT HALE A GREAT calamity befalls the age, And sullen sorrow swells throughout the land, A weeping nation wrings her painful hand, Lamenting o'er her late departed sage. She dons her sable shroud and tear-wrought veil And deeply mourns for Edward Everett Hale, A man of God was he in every sense. Who taught mankind with reason to aspire, He lit the torch of patriotic fire Nor stooped to pluck the fruit of recompense. He labored for his country and mankind. And, like the meteor, shoots a ray behind. Though from the higher walk of life he came. He gave his purse to soothe the suffering poor. He gave his counsel — which they valued more — And thus to greatness won a lasting claim. The seeds of kindness which were his to sow Gave him reward — to see the harvest grow. [36] A true disciple of the church of faith, Who sought the varied creeds to harmonize, He fashioned well his lofty enterprise ; His language flowed in sweet and hallowed breath. An humble clergyman, a great divine. Whose stirring sermon woke the weary Nine. The last survivor of a glorious age, On whose illustrious life we look with pride, He in the foremost ranks of peace did ride, And nobly fought to check oppression's rage. A moralist he was of sterling worth. Who strove to lift the low laid sons of earth. Then weep, bereaved nation, weep thy woe, And vent thy sorrows o'er his honored bier ; Weep one and all in low or lofty sphere. And let your love a worthy tribute flow. Let memory o'er his dust kind vigil keep. Where low he lies in everlasting sleep. [37] THE CONQUEST OF THE NORTH POLE The icy barriers of the frozen North Have yielded to the daring will of Man, Which many a century checked his ventures forth In his attempts to solve Jehovah's Plan. The northernmost spot of earth at last is found, A barren waste, a solitary round! There nothing breathes adventurous hopes to cheer, No creature moves about the snowy fields, King Winter reigns supreme through all the year, And holds all lifeless 'neath his ice-shod heels. There neither man nor beast at ease may tread, Nor vegetation e'er may lift its head. And yet the deed is worthy of the man Who tortured life to gain the glacial goal. Achieving thus the glory of his clan, By wondrous will and strong adventurous soul. Within his breast there burned ambition's fire Which bade his hopes to that far goal aspire. [38] America, thou dost the glory share Which long the vauntful nations worked to claim ! Thy ensign, fluttering, cheers the polar air, While on thy brow we place the wreath of fame! Thou art the first to pierce with starry eye The Boreal centre of the Northern sky ! [39] ODE TO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT Though some may love thee and though some may hate, With all thj faults still thou are good and great ; Thou well hast steered the doubtful ship of state, And saved thy country from disastrous fate. Thy wisdom has dispersed the clouds of war Which threatened long to burst upon the shore ; The gates of hell no longer stand ajar, For all the hostile throats have ceased to roar. Eternal blessings crown thy two-fold term. Prosperity obtains throughout the land, Creating many a strong and healthful germ, Where'er thy influence wields her magic wand. And peace and plenty flourish o'er the plain. The country all pays tribute to thy power. Her great Armada rides the rolling main. And lends much prestige to thy passing hour. Thy faults are human — these we have forgiven, Nor would I sin to dwell upon them here, [40] For in thy goodly acts with prudence driven Thou art yet worthy of regard sincere. Why should I here remind thee of a wrong, Or urge thy failings from their lurking place, Why should I build to thee a cheerless song Thy bright and better record to efface. No perfect man e'er pressed this sinful sod. None may arise for many a sad decade. None wise in all the sympathies of God Did e'er these solemn solitudes invade. And none more human in the soul's attire Than thou did ever kiss the sod of earth, A being more pregnant with celestial fire Is yet to come, nor Heaven breathed him birth. Due praise to thee for duties well performed. All reverence to thy strong and moral cast. The people's rising fears thou hast becalmed. For whom thou long didst face life's treacherous blast. A fearless and defiant soul thou art, Who ne'er with wrong would stoop to compro- mise ; Thou pliest strong the noble patriot's part, Before thy wrath corruption fails and dies. [41] Thy dearest thought has been thy country's cause, Thy constant aim to purify the home, Thy efforts yield her pure and saner laws. To make more clean each star bespangled dome. For these and such as these we yield applause To thee, brave leader of all tribes of men. To thy blest name this pealing anthem flows And vents the feelings of my feeble pen. Let sage and song fair Virtue's deeds proclaim. Let History's page thy Christian toils record. Let future years re-echo with thy name. And tell thy pruning influence abroad. The goodliest art thou since Lincoln's day, Who rightful gained the presidential chair. And gave to government triumphant sway. Serving the people with a love sincere. And though from office thou must soon retire To serve mankind in some less strenuous way. Oblivion ne'er shall clasp thee, honored Sire, But human hearts enshrine thee and for aye. [42] THE JOLLY SONGSTERS Let us sing a merry song, Jolly boys are we, Move the echoes swift and strong, Jolly boys are we ; All together rise and shout, Streams of accents upward spout, Showering music round about. Jolly boys are we. Let us cheer the passing throng. Jolly boys are we, Soothe the jarring world along. Jolly boys are we; Shout the chorus once again. Thunder forth the joyous strain. Waft it over mount and main. Jolly boys are we. Let us roam from mom till night. Jolly boys are we. And through darkness back to light, Jolly boys are we; Swing to left and swing to right, Eyes like torches blazing bright, Blowing trumpets of delight. Jolly boys are we. [43] Tramping on from town to town, Jolly boys are we, With a smile for those who frown. Jolly boys are we; Summers come and summers go. Still no change our song doth know, Ever thus the accents flow. Jolly boys are we. Just we catch a breathing spell, Jolly boys are we. Bid the living anthem swell. Jolly boys are we ; Let the gale with rapture sigh, Woodlands echoing back the cry. While we roar until we die. Jolly boys are we. And when Time shall bid us cease Jolly boys to be, Others she shall then release, Jolly boys to be; When like failing stars we fall, And Death wraps us in his pall. And no more we sing or bawl, Jolly boys there'll be. [44] TO WOMAN O WOMAN, lovely woman, Dame Nature's choicest gift, For man's blest Eden given, From her most hallowed rift ; For thine endearing presence His forlorn passions wail; Without thee, oh, without thee. What would this life avail! Thou fairest flower of Eden, Thee man with reverence hail; Without thee, oh, without thee. Naught could his life avail! [45] A SONG OF SUFFRAGE Whilst man with free, unbridled step Each caUing doth pursue, And chase ambition's noble goal Where knowledge meets the view, See woman with her mighty dower In narrow spheres confined, As if by Nature thus designed A subject to her kind. And yet, they both were hither sent To pave hfe's rugged way, And share together with content In study, work or play; As pilgrims from the mystic orb. They entered at one door; In civic counsel both should join Life's labyrinth to explore. Man moves with all-controlling sway O'er wide-extended grounds ; Woman his mandates must obey In circumscribed bounds ; Should woman thus be made to serve The selfish sense of Man, To be a weak, dependent slave, Subservient to his plan.? [46] Chorus If they as equals must abide, Together they must stem the tide ; By Nature they are both alhed, Ordained to struggle side by side; Let loose the long enslaved power, And speed the progress of the hour! Welcome the day, For work and play. With man and woman side by side! [47] FOR DEARIE WAS WITH ME I WANDERED through the park last night, My step was gay, my heart was light. My fancy climbed the azure height, For dearie was with me; I was no mean inspired wight. For dearie was with me. My mood was calm, my voice was clear. My thoughts were pure, my words sincere, I moved along with polished air, For dearie was with me ; My manners were above compare. For dearie was with me. There was a soothing in the wind That sweetly pressed me from behind. Upon its bosom I reclined. While dearie was with me; It brought a healing to the mind. For dearie was with me. The stars did lend their cheering light. And danced about at Heaven's height. Entreating kindly to unite, For dearie was with me ; My lays of love did they requite. While dearie was with me. [48] Melodious anthems tuned my ear, And placed me in an holy sphere, Where matchless visions did appear. While dearie was with me; 'Twas music breathing everywhere. For dearie was with me. And while the strains in air did swim, Soft waking like the Bridal Hymn, It did the eyes of hope undim. For dearie was with me; 'Twas all my cup of joy to brim. For dearie was with me. The solemn prayer of night arose, While modest flowers their eyes did close, And softly stole to their repose. For dearie was with me ; It gave me courage to propose. For dearie was with me. [49] DEAREST, WHERE ART THOU TO-NIGHT? Dearest, where art thou tonight? Art thou from me ever gone, Shall I find thee not at morn, When returns the ball^of light? Shall I hear no more thy voice, Sweetly sighing "Normad dear," While thy footsteps drawing near, Make thy Normad's heart rejoice? Shall I clasp no more thy hand, And be quickened at the touch Of her whom I love so much. Starting up at her command? Oft did we together stroll, O'er these woodlands wild at eve. Where our hearts were wont to cleave, Pressed in love's serenest scroll. Where beneath the twilight sheen, We like wandering zephyrs strayed, While our tenderest vows were made. Slowly wending o'er the green. [50] Here I've wandered all the night, Since the weary sun went down, Raving like a frantic clown, Weeping for the guiding light. Long I've lain beneath the tree. Where we watched t^e grazing herds. While the music of the birds Rolled in fullest minstrelsy. I have searched with keenest eye Over all the meadow land, Where we journeyed hand in hand. Yet I fail thee to espy. Now thy favorite haunts I try. Where we nestled yesternight. Yet thou dost not meet my sight, Dost not bless my tearful eye. Now I clamber o'er the wall. Halting at the open gate. Where for thee I oft did wait. But thou dost not come at all. Thou didst promise to be here, At the usual hour of seven, [51] But the bells long tolled eleven, Still thou art not anywhere. And the moon in silver bright Sends kind influence from above, Bids the dappled phantoms move. Loving convei'se to invite. But these have no charms for me, Since Angelee is not here, And my bosom swells with fear, For my darling Angelee. Has some scoundrel intervened. Snatched my lover from my breast ; Must the bosom of the blest Nurse the feelings of a fiend? Oh, the thought I cannot bear. That I never more may see My beloved Angelee, Ever faithful, ever dear! Love's wild torch is flaming bright In the dungeon of my life ; Thou didst vow to be my wife, Where, oh where art thou tonight ! [52] WITH DEARIE AT MY SIDE There's naught in life can worry me, And tune my heart to misery, For I am all a lump of glee With dearie at my side ; I'd brave the god of poverty, With dearie at my side. How fine to board Love's magic car. And haunt the rural shades afar, And carol to the Evening Star, With dearie at my side. I peep through Heaven's gates ajar, With dearie at my side. I like to chase the glowing ball Within some grand illumined hall, While fast the evening shadows fall. With dearie at my side. I like to pay a social call, With dearie at my side. 'Tis sweet to toil by day or night. Engaged with well directed might. To feel the flushes of delight. With dearie at my side; O blissful darkness ! heavenly light ! With dearie close my side. [53] I like to gather at the church, And hear my parson pray and preach, And strive by faith my God to reach, With dearie at my side ; Or stretch me at the summer beach, With dearie at my side. How fine to stroll beside the sea, When twilight spreads her jewelry, To view earth's gilded canopy. With dearie at my side; No love-struck bard can vie with me, With dearie at my side. I love to row the waters blue, Slow paddling in a close canoe. Upon the rolling waves to woo, With dearie at my side. To all the world I'd wave adieu. With dearie at my side. Chorus No joys from me would hide, Wherever I reside; On land or sea, All's well with me. With dearie at my side. [54] A PRAYER God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, all one, Unto thee I lift my voice, Let me in Thy faith rejoice. All my doubtful thoughts displace With the counsel of Thy Grace ; Day by day, oh make me strong To endure the bustling throng. And when this frail life is o'er To Thy bosom let me soar And retain me clasped to Thee, Ever through Eternity. [55] EVENING HYMN The day aweary sinks to rest, Her shadow shades the face of Heaven, All nature in gray garb is drest, Beneath the folds of even. Yon lovers strolling by the sea, Remark the twilight grandeurs wane, The herds are grazing on the lea. Their lowings haunt the plain. Each feathered being seeks its nest, And faintly pipes its evening song. Towards the portals of the West Bright phantoms fleet along. The toil-worn farmer drops his spade. On Nature's quieting call attends. And with the night's approaching shade, His homeward way he wends. The fisher brings his boat to moor, And darkness swims along the bay, The ocean-billows softly roar. Fast lull the chimes of day. [56] Across the windows of the East Night's sable curtain now is drawn, And darkness reigns o'er man and beast Until the morrow's dawn. While Heaven with sympathetic eye Looks down upon the sons of toil, She hears and heeds their dolorous cry, And bids them leave the soil. And soon my drowsy system yields Unto the spell of Nature's might, Repairs awhile life's weary wheels Beneath the roof of night. I chant a prayer while Angels hark. Then lay me on my bed of dreams, I seal mine eyes and launch life's bark Within the slumbering streams. And if I chance no more to wake, If thus my cares and Avoes be done. This plastic lump of earth I shake, To meet a brighter sun. [57] One copy del. to Cat. Div. iun 10 Hi^M^^' LIBBARY OF, CONGRESS. 