第1章

ByHoratioAlger,Jr。

1875

Contents。

BALLADS。

Grand’therBaldwin’sThanksgivingSt。NicholasBarbara’sCourtshipTheConfessionRoseintheGardenPhoebe’sWooingTheLostHeartJohnMaynardFriarAnselmoMISCELLANEOUSPOEMS。

IntheChurchatStratford—on—AvonMrs。Browning’sGraveatFlorenceMyCastleApple—BlossomsSummerHoursJuneLittleCharlieTheWhippoorwillandI

CarvingaNameINTIMEOFWAR。

GonetotheWarWhereismyBoyTo—night?

ASoldier’sValentineLastWordsSongoftheCroakerKingCottonOutofEgyptThePriceofVictoryHARVARDODES。

I。FairHarvard,DearGuideofOurYouth’sGoldenDaysII。AsWeMeetinThyName,AlmaMater,TonightIII。FairHarvard,TheMonthsHaveAccomplishedTheirRoundIV。there’saFountainofFable,WhoseMagicalPowerOCCASIONALODES。

Bi—CentennialOdeFortheConsecrationofaCemeteryBALLADS。

GRAND’THERBALDWIN’STHANKSGIVING

UNDERNEATHprotectedbranches,fromthehighwayjustaloof;

StandsthehouseofGrand’therBaldwin,withitsgentlyslopingroof。

Squareofshapeandsolid—timbered,itwasstanding,Ihaveheard,InthedaysofWhigandTory,underroyalGeorgetheThird。

Manyatime,Iwellremember,IhavegazedwithChildishaweAtthebullet—holeremaininginthesturdyoakendoor,Turningroundhalf—apprehensive(reckingnothowtimehadfled)

Ofthelurking,savagefoemanfromwhosemusketitwassped……

Notfaroff,thebarn,plethoricwiththeautumn’sharvestspoils,Holdsthefarmer’swell—earnedtrophies——theguerdonofhistoils;

Filledtheloftswithhay,sweet—scented,ravishedfromthemeadowsgreen,Whilebeneatharestalledthecattle,withtheirquiet,drowsymien。

Deepandspaciousarethegrain—bins,brimmingo’erwithnature’sgold;

Herearepilesofyellowpumpkinsonthebarn—floorlooselyrolled。

Justbelowindeeprecesses,safefromwintryfrostchill,Thereareheapsofruddyapplesfromtheorchardthehill。

ManyayearhasGrand’therBaldwinintheoldhousedweltinpeace,Ashishaireachyeargrewwhiter,hehasseenhisherdsincrease。

Sturdysonsandcomelydaughters,growingupfromchildishplays,Onebyonehavemetlife’sduties,andgoneforththeirseveralways。

Hushedthevoiceofchildishlaughter,hushedischildhood’smerrytone,thefiresideGrand’therBaldwinandhisgoodwifesitalone。

Turningroundhalf—apprehensive(reckingnothowtimehadfled)

Ofthelurkingsavagefoemanfromwhosemusketitwassped。

Notfaroff,thebarn,plethoricwiththeautumnharvestspoils,Holdsthefarmer’swell—earnedtrophies——theguerdonofhistoils;

Filledtheloftswithhay,sweet—scented,ravishedfromthemeadowsgreen,Whilebeneatharestalledthecattle,withtheirquietdrowsymien。

Deepandspaciousarethegrain—bins,brimmingo’erwithnature’sgold;

Herearepilesofyellowpumpkinsonthebarn—floorlooselyrolled。

Justbelowindeeprecesses,safefromwintryfrostandchill,Thereareheapsofruddyapplesfromtheorchardonthehill。

ManyayearhasGrand’therBaldwinintheoldhousedweltinpeace,Ashishaireachyeargrewwhiter,hehasseenhisherdsincrease。

Sturdysonsandcomelydaughters,growingupfromchildishplays,Onebyonehavemetlife’sduties,andgoneforththeirseveralways。

Hushedthevoiceofchildishlaughter,hushedischildhood’smerrytone,BythefiresideGrand’therBaldwinandhisgoodwifesitalone。

Yetoncewithinthetwelvemonth,whenthedaysareshortanddrear,Andchillwindschanttherequiemoftheslowlyfadingyear,Whentheautumnworkisover,andtheharvestgatheredin,Onceagaintheoldhouseechoestoalongunwonteddin。

Logsofhickoryblazeandcrackleinthefireplacehugeantihigh,CurlingwreathsofsmokemountupwardtothegrayNovembersky。

Ruddyladsandsmilinglasses,justletloosefromschooldom’scares,Patter,patter,raceandclatter,upanddownthegreathallstairs。

Alltheboysshallholdhighrevel;allthegirlsshallhavetheirway,—

That’sthelawatGrand’therBaldwin’suponeachThanksgivingDay。

Fromfromtheparlor’ssacredprecincts,hark!amadderuproaryet;

RoguishCharlie’splayingstage—coach,andthestage—coachhasupset!

Joe,black—eyedandlaughter—loving,Grand’ther’sspecshisnoseacross,GravelywinksatbrotherWillie,whoisgaylyplayinghorse。

Grandma’sfaceisfairlyradiant;Grand’therknowsnothowtofrown,thoughthechildren,intheirfrolic,turntheoldhouseupsidedown。

Fortheboysmayholdhighrevel,andthegirlsmusthavetheirway;

That’sthelawatGrand’therBaldwin’suponeachThanksgivingDay。

Butthedinner——ah!thedinner——wordsarefeebletoportrayWhataculinarytriumphisachievedThanksgivingDay!

Fairlygroanstheboardwithdainties,buttheturkeyrulestheroast,Aldermanicattheoutset,atthelastafleshlessghost。

Thentherichnessofthepudding,andtheflavorofthepie,Whenyou’vedinedatGrandmaBaldwin’syouwillknowaswellasI。

When,atlength,thefeastwasended,Grand’therBaldwinbenthishead,And,amidthesolemnsilence,withareverentvoice,hesaid:——

\"NowuntoGod,theGraciousOne,wethanksandhomagepay,Whoguardethus,andguidethus,andlovethusalways!

\"Hescattersblessingsinourpaths,Hegivethusincrease,HecrownsuswithHiskindnesses,andgrantethusHispeace。

\"Untohimself,ourwanderingfeet,wepraythatHemaydraw,Andmaywestrive,withfaithfulhearts,tokeepHisholylaw!\"

Hissimplewordsinsilencedied:amoment’shush。AndthenFromallthelisteningheartsthereroseasolemn—voicedAmen!

ST。NICHOLAS。

Inthefar—offPolarseas,FarbeyondtheHebrides,Wheretheicebergs,toweringhigh,Seemtopiercethewintrysky,Andthefur—cladEsquimauxGlidesinsledgeso’erthesnow,DwellsSt。Nick,themerrywight,PatronsaintofChristmasnight。

Solidwallsofmassiveice,Bearingmanyaquaintdevice,Flankedbygracefulturretstwain,Clearasclearestporcelain,BearingataloftyheightChrist’spurecrossinsimplewhite,CarvenwithsurpassingartFromaniceberg’scrystalheart。

HereSt。Nick,inroyalstate,Dwells,untilDecemberlateClipsthedaysateitherend,Andthenightsateachextend;

Then,withhisattendantsprites,Scourstheearthonwintrynights,Bringinghome,inwell—filledhands,Children’sgiftsfrommanylands。

Herearewhistles,topsandtoys,Meanttogladdenlittleboys;

SkatesandsledsthatsoonwillglideO’ertheiceorsteephill—side。

Herearedollswithflaxencurls,Suretocharmthelittlegirls;

Christmasbooks,withpicturesgay,Forthiswelcomeholiday。

Inthecourtthereindeerwait;

Filledthesledgewithcostlyfreight。

Asthefirstfaintshadowfalls,PromptlyfromhisicyhallsStepsSt。Nick,andgraspstherein:

Andafar,inmeasuredtime,Soundsthesleigh—bells’silverchime。

LikeanarrowfromthebowSpeedthereindeero’erthesnow。

Onward!NowtheloadedsleighSkirtstheshoresofHudson’sBay。

Onward,tillthestuntedtreeGainsaloftiermajesty,Andthecurlingsmoke—wreathsriseUnderlessinclementskies。

Builtuponahill—sidesteepLiesacitywraptinsleep。

UpanddownthelonelystreetSleepywatchmenpacetheirbeat。

LittleheedsthemSantaClaus;

Notforhimarehumanlaws。

Withaleapheleavestheground,Scalesthechimneyatabound。

Fivesmallstockingshangbelow;

Fivesmallstockingsinarow。

FromhispocketblitheSt。NickFillsthewaitingstockingsquick;

Somewithsweetmeats,somewithtoys,Giftsforgirls,andgiftsforboys,Mountsthechimneylikeabird,Andthebellsareoncemoreheard。

SantaClaus!GoodChristmassaint,InwhoseheartnoselfishtaintFindethplace,somehomestherebeWherenostockingswaitforthee,HomeswheresadyoungfaceswearPainfulmarksofWantandCare,AndtheChristmasmorningbringsNofairhopeofbetterthings。

CanyounotsomecrumbsbestowOntheseChildrensteepedinwoe;

StealasinglelookofcareWhichtheirsadyoungfaceswear;

FromyouroverflowingstoreGivetothemwhoseheartsaresore?

NosadeyesshouldgreetthemornWhentheinfantChristwasborn。

BARBARA’SCOURTSHIP。

’Tisjustthreemonthsandekeaday,Sinceinthemeadows,rakinghay,OnlookingupIchancedtoseeThemanor’slord,youngArnoldLee,Withaloosehandontherein,Ridingslowlydownthelane。

AsIgazedwithearnestlookOnhisfaceasonabook,Asifconsciousofthegaze,SuddenlyheturnedtheraysOfhisbrillianteyesonme。

ThenIlookeddownhastily,Whilemyheart,likecagedbird,Flutteredtillitmightbeheard。

Foolish,foolishBarbara!

Wehadnevermetbefore,Hehadbeensolongaway,Visitingsomeforeignshore,Ihaveheardmyfathersay。

Whatintruthwashetome,RichandhandsomeArnoldLee?

Fatehadplacedusfarapart;

Why,then,didmyrestlessheartFlutterwhenhiscarelessglanceFellonmebymerestchance?

Foolish,foolishBarbara!

Therearefaces——aretherenot?—

Thatcanneverbeforgot。

LooksthatseenbutonceimpressWithpeculiarvividness。

SoitwaswithArnoldLee。

WhyitwasIcannotsayThat,throughallthelivelongdayHeseemedeverneartome。

WhileIraked,asinadream,Nowthesameplaceo’erando’er,Tillmylittlesisterchid,Andwithfulleyesopenedwide,Muchinwonder,gentlycried,\"Why,whatailsthee,Barbara?\"

Iaminthefieldsagain;

’TisapleasantdayinJune,Allthesongstersareintune,Pouringouttheirmatinhymn。

AllatonceaconsciousthrillLedme,halfagainstmywill,Tolookup。AbashedIseeHisdarkeyesfullfixedonme。

WhathesaidIdonotknow,Buthisvoicewassoftandlow,Ashespokeincarelesschat,Nowofthisandnowofthat,WhilethemurmurouswavesofsoundWaftedmeablissprofound。

Foolish,foolishBarbara!

AmIwaking?ScarceIknowIfIwakeorifIdream,Sounrealallthingsseem;

YetIcouldnotwellforegoThissweetdream,ifdreamitbe,Thathasbroughtsuchjoytome。

Hehastoldmethathelovesme,—

Heinranksofaraboveme;

AndwhenI,withcheeksaglow,ToldhimthatitwasnotmeetHeshouldwedwithonesolow,Heshouldwedwithonesolow,Thenhesaid,inaccentssweet,\"Farbethoughtsofrankorpelf;

Dear,Ilovetheeforthyself!\"

Happy,happyBarbara!

THECONFESSION。

Iamgladthatyouhavecome,Arthur,fromthedustytown;

Youmustthrowasideyourcares,Andrelaxyourlegalfrown。

CokeandLittleton,avaunt!

Youhaveruledhimthroughtheday;

Inthisquiet,sylvanhaunt,Becontenttoyieldyoursway。

Itispleasant,isitnot,Sittingherebeneaththetrees,WhiletherestlesswindaboveRipplesoverleafyseas?

Often,whenthetwilightfalls,Intheshadow,quitealone,Ihavesattillstarlightcame,Listeningtoitsmonotone。

Yetnotalwaysquitealone,——

Brother,letmetaketheplaceJustbehindyounowthemoonShinesnolongerinmyface。

ItisneartwomonthsagoSinceImethim,asIthink,ByGod’smercy,whenmyhorseTrembledontheriver’sbrink。

Ihadfallen,buthisarmFirmlyseizedthebridle—rein,And,withonedecidedgrasp,Drewmebacktolifeagain。

IwasgratefulandessayedFittingwordsmythankstospeak。

Arthur,whentheheartfeelsmost,Words,Ithink,areoftenestweak。

SoIstammeredandIfear,WhatIsaidhadlittlegraceButIknewheunderstood,Bythesmileuponhisface。

Therearefaces——hiswassuch——

Thataresealedwheninrepose;

Onlywhenasmilefloodsout,Allthesoulinbeautyglows。

WiththatsmileIgrewcontent,Andmyheartgrewstrangelycalm,AswithtrustfulstepIwalked,Myarmrestingonhisarm。

Brother,turnyourfaceaway,So,dear,IcantellyoubestAllthatfollowed;butbesureYouarelookingtothewest。

Arthur,Ihaveseenhimsince,Nearlyeveryday,untilIfIlosehim,allmylifeWouldgrowwan,anddark,andchill。

Brother,thismyloveimputeNottomeformaiden—shame;

Hehassoughtmeforhiswife,Hewouldcrownmewithhisname。

OnlyyesterdayhesaidThatmylovehislifewouldbless:

WouldIgrantit?Arthur,dear,WasIwronginsaying\"Yes\"?

ROSEINTHEGARDEN。

THIRTYyearshavecomeandgone,MeltingawaylikeSouthernSnows,Since,inthelightofasummer’snight,IwenttothegardentoseekmyRose。

Mine!Doyouhearit,silvermoon,Floodingmyheartwithyourmellowshine?

Mine!Bewitness,yedistantstars,Lookingonmewitheyesdivine!

Tellme,tellme,wanderingwinds,Whisperit,ifyoumaynotspeak——

Didyouever,inallyourround,Fanalovelierbroworcheek?

LongInursedinmyheartthelove,Lovewhichfelt,butdarednottell,Till,Iscarcelyknowhoworwhen——

Itfoundwildwords,—andallwaswell!

Icanhearhersweetvoiceevennow——

Itmakesmypulsesleapandthrill——

\"IoweyoumorethanIwellcanpay;

Youmaytakeme,Robert,ifyouwill!\"

Onepleasantsummernight,thegardenwalksalone,Lookingaboutwithrestlesseyes,WonderingwhithermyRosehadflown,Till,fromaleafyarbornear,Therecametomyearsthesoundofspeech。

WhocanbewithRosetonight?

Letmehidemeunderthebeach。

Itmustbeoneofherfemalefriends,Talkingwithherinthegloaminggray;

Perchance——Ithought——theymayspeakofme;

Letmelistentowhattheysay。

ThisIsaidwithacarelesssmile,Andajoyousheartthatwasfreefromfears;

LittleIdreamedthatthewordsIheardWouldweighonmyheavyheartforyears。

\"Rose,myRose!foryourheartismine,\"

Iheardinalowvoice,passion—fraught,\"InthesightofHeavenwearetrulyone;

Whywillyoucastmeawayfornaught?

\"WillyougiveyourhandwhereyourheartgoesnotToamanwhoisgraveandsternandold;

Andwhoselovecomparedwithmypassion—heat,AsthesnowofthefrozenNorth,iscold?\"

AndRose——Icouldfeelhercheekgrowpale——

Hervoicewastremulous,thengrewstrong——

\"Richard,\"shesaid,\"yourwordsarewild,Andyoudomyguardianbitterwrong。

\"Didyouneverhearhow,yearsgoneby,\"——

Shespokeinatremulousundertone——

\"Bereftoffriends,o’ertheworld’shighways,Iwanderedforthasachildalone?

\"Heopenedtomehishomeandheart——

Hewhomyoucallsosternandcold——

AndmygratefulheartImaywellbestowOnhimforhiskindnessmanifold。\"

\"Rose,\"hesaid,inasaddenedtone,\"Ithankhimforallhehasdoneforthee;

Hehasactednobly——Ididhimwrong——

Butistherenovoiceinyourheartforme?\"

AndRose——shetrembled——Ifeltitall;

Iheardherquickbreathcomeandgo;

Hervoicewasbroken;sheonlysaid,\"Havepity,Richard,andletmego!\"

Andthen——Heavengavemestrength,Ithink——

Istoodbeforethemcalmandstill;

YoumighthavethoughtmytranquilbreastHadneverknownonepassion—thrill。

Andtheyalternateflushedandpaled;

Rosetottered,andIfearedwouldfall;

Icaughtherinsupportingarms,Andwhispered,\"Rose,Ihearditall。

\"Ihadadream,butitispassed,Thatwemightjourney,handinhandAlongtheruggedsteepsoflife,UntilwereachedGod’spromisedland。

\"Thiswasmydream;——’tisovernow;——

ThankHeaven,itisnotyettoolate!

IpraynoselfishactofmineMaykeeptwoyoungheartsseparate。\"

Iplacedherpassivehandinhis—

WithhowmuchpainGodonlyknows——

Andblessinghimforhersweetsake,IlefthimstandingwithmyRose!

PHOEBE’SWOOING。

\"PHOEBE!Phoebe!Whereisthechit?

WhenIwanthermostshe’soutoftheway。

Child,you’rerunningalongaccountUp,tobesquaredonJudgment—day。

\"Wherehaveyoubeen?andwhathaveyouthere?\"

\"Tothepastureforbuttercupswetwithdew。\"

\"Mypatience!Ithinkyouareoutofyourwits;

Iwonderwhatgoodwillbuttercupsdo?

\"There’spennyroyalyoumighthavegot,—

Itmighthavebeenusefultoyouorme,ButIneverheard,inallmylife,Ofbuttercupcordialorbuttercuptea。

\"Iwantyoutostayandmindthebread,I’vejustputtwoloavesintheoventobake;

Whentheyareclonetakethemcarefullyout,Andputintheirplacethisloafofcake,\"WhileIrunovertoWidowBrown’s;

Herson,fromthemines,hasjustgotback。

Idon’tbelievehe’sacentinhispurse,Youngmenaresoshiftlessnow,alack!

\"ItwasverydifferentwhenIwasyoung;

Youngmenwereprudent,andgirlswerewise;

Youwouldn’tcatchthemgaddingaboutLikesomanyidlebutterflies。\"

Sobustledandscoldedtheworthydame,Untilshehadpassedtheoutersill,Todoherjustice,itseldomchancedThatherhandswereidle,ortonguewasstill。

SoPhoebegatheredherknittingup,Andsatherdowninthechimneyniche;

Buthermindwasonotherthoughtsintent,Andhereandthereshedroppedastitch。

Theyellowkittenpurredonthehearth,Whilethekitchenclock,withitsframeofoak,Inthecornerstood,likeasentinel,Andchallengedtimewithitsmeasuredstroke。

ButPhoebe’smindwasonnoneofthese:

Thebreadintheoven,hergoodaunt’sfrown,Andthescenebeforeherfadedaway,AndblendedwiththoughtsofReubenBrown:

Howtheywalkedtogetheronsummerdays,Orbravelyfacedthewinter’schill,AndchattedmerrilyallthewayTothelittleschool—houseonSligoHill。

Howbothgrewolder,andschool—dayspassed,Whenhewasayouth,andamaidenshe;

HowoftenshewentwithReubenBrownTotherusticdanceorthesocialbee。

ThewarmflushdeepenedonPhoebe’scheek,Andshebreathedalow,half—conscioussigh;

Ah,well—a—day!theywerehappytimes,Buthehasforgotten,andsomustI。\"

SoPhoebegatheredherknittingup,Which,whileshewasthinking,hadfallendown,Whenherquickearcaughtastrangefootfall,AndthereinthedoorwaystoodReubenBrown,Withthesamefrank,handsomefacesheknew,Asmileasbright,andaneyeasblack——

\"Phoebe,\"hesaid,\"Ihavewanderedfar;

Areyougladtoseeyourplaymateback?\"

Thekittenstillpurredonthekitchenhearth,Andtheancientclock,withitsframeofoak,Inthecornerstood,likeasentinel,Andchallengedtimewithitsmeasuredstroke。

Apleasedlightshoneinthemaiden’seyes;

Ah,love,younglove,itisverysweet!

Reubenhadgone,butshesatquitestill,Andtheknittinglayuntouchedatherfeet。

Justthenthedamecamebustlingin,Andwenttotheovenwithoutado。

\"Why,Phoebe,child,whathaveyoudone?

Thebreadisbakedasblackasmyshoe!\"

AndPhoebestarted,andblushedforshame,Tookupherknittinganddroppeditdown;

Andwhenherauntsaid,\"Whatailsyou,child?\"

Shehastilyanswered,\"ReubenBrown。\"

Ah,love!younglove!itisverysweet,Infield,orhamlet,orcrowdedmart;

Butitburnswiththebrightest,purestflameInthehiddendepthsofayoungmaid’sheart。

THELOSTHEART。

Onegoldensummerday,Alongtheforest—way,YoungColinpassedwithblithesomestepsalert。

HislockswithcarelessgraceRimmedroundhishandsomefaceAnddriftedoutwardontheairysurge。

Soblitheofheartwashe,Hehummedamelody,Andallthebirdswerehushedtohearhimsing。

AcrosshisshouldersflungHisbowandbaldrichung:

So,intruehuntsman’sguise,hethreadsthewood。

Thesunmountsupthesky,Theairmovessluggishly,Andreekswithsummerheatineverypore。

Hislimbsbegintotire,Slumbershisyouthfulfire;

Hesinksuponaviolet—bedtorest。

ThesoftwindsgoandcomeWithlowanddrowsyhum,Andopeforhimtheivorygateofdreams。

Beneaththeforest—shadeTheretripsawoodlandmaid,Andmarkswithstartledeyethesleepingyouth。

Atfirstshethoughttofly,Then,timid,drawingnigh,Shegazedinwonderonhisfairyoungface。

WhenswiftlystoopingdownUponhislockssobrownShelightlypressedherlips,andblushingfled。

WhenColinwokefromsleep,Fromslumberscalmanddeep,Hefelt—heknewnothow—hishearthadflown。

Andso,withanxiouscare,Hewanderedhereandthere,Butcouldnotfindhislostheartanywhere。

Thenhe,withairdistraught,Andbrowofanxiousthought,Wentoutintotheworldbeyondthewood。

Ofeachthatpassedhimby,Hequeriedanxiously,\"Iprithee,hastthouseenaheartastray?\"

Somestaredandhurriedon,Whileotherssaidinscorn。

Yourhearthasgoneinsearchofyourlostwits\"

Thedayiswearingfast,YoungColincomesatlastTowhereacottagestoodemboweredintrees。

Helookswithin,andthereHeseesamaidenfair,Whosingslowsongsthewhileshepliesherwheel。

\"Iprithee,maidenbright,\"——

Sheturnsasquickaslight,Andstraightawarmflushcrimsonsallherface。

She,muchabashed,looksdown,ForonhislockssobrownSheseemstoseethemarksherlipshavemade。

Wherebyshestandsconfest;

Whatneedtotelltherest?

Hesaid,\"Ithink,fairmaid,youhavemyheart。

\"Nay,donotgiveitback,Ishallnotfeelthelack,Ifthouwiltgivetomethineowntherefor。\"

JOHNMAYNARD。

’TwasonLakeErie’sbroadexpanseOnebrightmidsummerday,ThegallantsteamerOceanQueenSweptproudlyonherway。

Brightfacesclusteredonthedeck,Or,leaningo’ertheside,WatchedcarelesslythefeatheryfoamThatfleckedtheripplingtide。

Ah,whobeneaththatcloudlesssky,Thatsmilingbendsserene,Coulddreamthatdangerawful,vast,Impendedo’erthescene,—

CoulddreamthatereanhourhadspedThatframeofsturdyoakWouldsinkbeneaththelake’sbluewaves,Blackenedwithfireandsmoke?

Aseamansoughtthecaptain’sside,Amomentwhisperedlow;

Thecaptain’sswarthyfacegrewpale;

Hehurrieddownbelow。

Alas,toolate!Thoughquick,andsharp,Andclearhisorderscame,NohumaneffortscouldavailToquenchtheinsidiousflame。

Thebadnewsquicklyreachedthedeck,Itspedfromliptolip,AndghastlyFaceseverywhereLookedfromthedoomedship。

\"Istherenohope——nochanceoflife?\"

Ahundredlipsimplore,\"Butone,\"thecaptainmadereply,\"Toruntheshiponshore。\"

Asailor,whoseheroicsoulThathourshouldyetreveal,BynameJohnMaynard,eastern—born,Stoodcalmlyatthewheel。

\"Headhersouth—east!\"thecaptainshouts,Abovethesmotheredroar,——

\"Headhersouth—eastwithoutdelay!

Makeforthenearestshore!\"

Noterrorpalesthehelmsman’scheek,Orcloudshisdauntlesseye,As,inasailor’smeasuredtone,Hisvoiceresponds,\"Ay!ay!\"

Threehundredsouls,thesteamer’sfreight,Crowdforwardwildwithfear,WhileatthesternthedreadedflamesAbovethedeckappear。

JohnMaynardwatchedthenearingflames,ButstillwithsteadyhandHegraspedthewheel,andsteadfastlyHesteeredtheshiptoland。

\"JohnMaynard,canyoustillholdout?\"

Heheardthecaptaincry;

AvoicefromoutthestiflingsmokeFaintlyresponds,\"Ay!ay!\"

Buthalfamile!ahundredhandsStretcheagerlytoshore。

Buthalfamile!ThatdistancespedPerilshallallbeo’er。

Buthalfamile!Yetstay,theflamesNolongerslowlycreep,Butgatherroundthathelmsmanbold,Withfierce,impetuoussweep。

\"JohnMaynard!\"withananxiousvoiceThecaptaincriesoncemore,\"Standbythewheelfiveminutesyet,Andweshallreachtheshore。\"

ThroughflameandsmokethatdauntlessheartRespondedfirmlystill,Unawed,thoughfacetofacewithdeath,—

\"WithGod’sgoodhelpIwill!\"

Theflamesapproachwithgiantstrides,Theyscorchhishandandbrow;

Onearm,disabled,seekshisside,Ah!heisconquerednow!

Butno,histeetharefirmlyset,Hecrushesdownhispain,Hiskneeuponthestanchionpressed,Heguidestheshipagain。

Onemomentyet!onemomentyet!

Braveheart,thytaskiso’er,Thepebblesgratebeneaththekeel。

Thesteamertouchesshore。

ThreehundredgratefulvoiceriseInpraisetoGodthatheHathsavedthemfromthefearfulfire,Andfromtheengulphingsea。

Butwhereishe,thathelmsmanbold?

Thecaptainsawhimreel,—

Hisnervelesshandsreleasedtheirtask,Hesankbesidethewheel。

Thewavereceivedhislifelesscorpse,Blackenedwithsmokeandfire。

Godresthim!NeverherohadAnoblerfuneralpyre!

FRIARANSELM0。

FriarAnselmo(God’sgracemayhewin!)

Committedonesaddayadeadlysin;

Whichbeingdonehedrewback,self—abhorred,FromtherebukingpresenceoftheLord,And,kneelingdown,besought,withbittercry,Sincelifewasworthlessgrown,thathemightdie。

Allnightheknelt,and,whenthemorningbroke,Inpatiencestillhewaitsdeath’sfatalstroke。

WhenallatonceacryofsharpdistressArousedAnselmofromhiswretchedness;

And,lookingfromtheconventwindowhigh,HesawawoundedtravellergaspinglieJustunderneath,who,bruisedandstrickensore,Hadcrawledforaiduntotheconventdoor。

Thefriar’sheartwithdeepcompassionstirred,Whenthepoorwretch’sgroansforhelpwereheardWithgentlehands,andtouchedwithlovedivine,Hebathedhiswounds,andpouredinoilandwine。

Withtenderforesightcaredforallhisneeds,——

Ablessedministryofnobledeeds。

Insuchdevotionpassedsevendays。AtlengthThepoorwayfarergainedhiswontedstrength。

Withgratefulthankshelefttheconventwalls,AndonceagainondeathAnselmocalls。

When,lo!hiscellwasfilledwithsuddenlight,Andonthewallhesawanangelwrite,(Anangelinwhoselikenesshecouldtrace,Morenoblegrown,thetraveller’sformandface),\"Courage,Anselmo,thoughthysinbegreat,Godgrantstheelifethatthoumay’stexpiate。

\"Thyguiltystainsshallbewashedwhiteagain,Bynobleservicedonethyfellow—men。

\"HissouldrawsnearestuntoGodabove,Whotohisbrotherministersinlove。\"

MeeklyAnselmorose,and,afterprayer,Hissoulwaslightenedofitspastdespair。

Henceforthhestrove,obeyingGod’shighwill,Hisheaven—appointedmissiontofulfil。

Andmanyasoul,oppressedwithpainandgrief,Owedtothefriarsolaceandrelief。

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MISCELLANEOUSPOEMS。

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THECHURCHATSTRATFORD—ON—AVON。

Oneautumnday,whenhedgesyetweregreen,Andthick—branchedtreesdiffusedaleafygloom,HardbywhereAvonrollsitssilverytide,IstoodinsilentthoughtbyShakspeare’stomb。

Ohappychurch,beneathwhosemarblefloorHisashesliewhosoenrichedmankind;

Themany—sidedShakespeare,rareofsoul,Anddoweredwithanall—embracingmind。

ThroughthestainedwindowsraysofsunshinefallInsoftenedgloryonthechancelfloor;

WhileI,apilgrimfromacrossthesea,standwithbareheadinreverentialawe。

ChurchestherearewithinwhosegloomyvaultsReposethebonesofthosethatoncewerekings;

Theirpowerhaspassed,andwhatremainsbutclay?

WhileinhisgraveourShakspearelivesandsings。

Kingswerehispuppets,kingdomsbuthisstage,——

Faintshadowstheywithouthisplasticart,——

Hewaveshiswand,andlo!theyliveagain,Andinhisworldperformtheirmimicpart。

Borninthepurple,hisimperialsoulSitscrownedandsceptredintherealmsofmind。

Kingdomsmayfall,andcrumbletodecay,Timebutconfirmshisempireo’ermankind。

MRS。BROWNING’SGRAVEATFLORENCE。

FLORENCEwearsanaddedgrace,Allherearlierhonorscrowning;

Dante’sbirthplace,Art’sfairhome,HoldsthedustofBarrettBrowning。

GuardianofthenobledeadThatbeneaththysoilliesleeping,England,withfullheart,commendsThisnewtreasuretothykeeping。

Takeher,sheishalfthineown;

Inherverses’richoutpouring,BreathesthewarmItalianheart,Yearningfortheland’srestoring。

Fromthyskiesherpoet—heartCaughtafresherinspiration,Andhersoulobtainednewstrength,Withherbodilytranslation。

Freelytakewhatthouhastgiven,Lessherverses’rhythmicbeauty,ThanthestirringnotesthatcalledTrumpet—likethysonstoduty。

RarestofexoticflowersInthynativechaplettwining,TothetempleofthygreatAddher——sheisworthenshrining。

MYCASTLE。

Ihaveabeautifulcastle,Withtowersandbattlementsfair;

Andmanyabanner,withgaydevice,Floatsintheouterair。

Thewallsareofsolidsilver;

Thetowersareofmassivegold;

AndthelightsthatstreamfromthewindowsAroyalsceneunfold。

Ah!couldyoubutentermycastleWithitspompofregalsheen,YouwouldsaythatitfarsurpassesThepalaceofAladeen。

CouldyoubutenterasIdo,Andpacethroughthevaultedhall,Andmarkthestatelycolumns,Andthepicturesonthewall;

Withthecostlygemsaboutthem,Thatsendtheirlightafar,WithachasteandsoftenedsplendorLikethelightofadistantstar!

Andwhereisthiswonderfulcastle,Withitsrichemblazonings,WhosepompsofarsurpassesThehomesofthegreatestkings?

ComeoutwithmeatmorningAndlieinthemeadow—grass,Andliftyoureyestotheetherblue,Andyouwillseeitpass。

There!canyounotseethebattlements;

Andtheturretsstatelyandhigh,Whoseloftysummitsaretippedwithclouds,Andlostinthearchingsky?

Dearfriend,youareonlydreaming,YourcastlesostatelyandfairIsonlyafancifulstructure,——

Acastleintheair。

Perchanceyouareright。IknownotIfaphantomitmaybe;

Butyet,inmyinmostheart,IfeelThatitlives,andlivesforme。

Forwhencloudsanddarknessareroundme,Andmyheartisheavywithcare,Istealmeawayfromthenoisycrowd,Todwellinmycastlefair。

Thereareservantstodomybidding;

Thereareservantstoheedmycall;

AndI,withamaster’sairofpride,Maypacethroughthevaultedhall。