第2章

AndIenvynotthemonarchsWithcitiesundertheirsway;

ForamInot,inmyownright,Amonarchasproudasthey?

Whatmatter,then,iftoothersMycastleaphantommaybe,SinceIfeel,inthedepthsofmyownheart,Thatitisnotsotome?

APPLE—BLOSSOMS。

Isitintheshadowofapple—boughs,Inthefragrantorchardclose,Andaroundmefloatsthescentedair,Withitswave—liketidalflows。

Iclosemyeyesinadreamybliss,Andcallnokingmypeer;

Forisnotthistherare,sweettime,Theblossomingtimeoftheyear?

Ilieonacouchofdownygrass,Withdelicateblossomsstrewn,AndIfeelthethrobofNature’sheartResponsivetomyown。

Oh,theworldisfair,andGodisgood,Thatmakethlifesodear;

Forisnotthistherare,sweettime,Theblossomingtimeoftheyear?

Icansee,throughtheriftsoftheapple—boughs,Thedelicateblueofthesky,AndthechangingcloudswiththeirmarvelloustintsThatdriftsolazilyby。

Andstrange,sweetthoughtssingthroughmybrain,AndHeaven,itseemethnear;

Oh,isitnotarare,sweettime,Theblossomingtimeoftheyear?

SUMMERHOURS。

Itistheyear’shighnoon,Theearthsweetincenseyields,Ando’erthefresh,greenfieldsBendstheclearskyofJune。

Ileavethecrowdedstreets,Thehumofbusylife,Itsclamoranditsstrife,Tobreathethyperfumedsweets。

Orareandgoldenhours!

Thebird’smelodioussong,Wavelike,isbornealongUponastrandofflowers。

Iwanderfaraway,Where,throughtheforesttrees,Sportsthecoolsummerbreeze,Inwildandwantonplay。

ApatriarchalelmItsstatelyformuprears,WhichtwiceahundredyearsHasruledthiswoodlandrealm。

Isitbeneathitsshade,Andwatch,withcarelesseye,Thebrookthatbabblesby,Andcoolstheleafyglade。

IntruthIwondernot,ThatintheancientdaysThetemplesofGod’spraiseWeregroveandleafygrot。

Thenoblesteverplanned,Withquaintdeviceandrare,Byman,canillcompareWiththesefromGod’sownhand。

Pilgrimwithway—wornfeet,Who,treadinglife’sdullround,Notruereposehastfound,Cometothisgreenretreat。

Forbird,andflower,andtree,Greenfields,andwoodlandwild,Shallbear,withvoicesmild,Sweetmessagestothee。

JUNE。

Throwopenwideyourgoldengates,Opoet—landedmonthofJune,Andwaftme,onyourspicybreath,Themelodyofbirdsintune。

Ofairestpalaceofthethree,WhereinQueenSummerholdethsway,IgazeuponyourleafycourtsFromoutthevestibuleofMay。

Ifainwouldtreadyourgardenwalks,Orinyourshadybowersrecline;

Thenopenwideyourgoldengates,Andmakethemmine,andmakethemmine。

LITTLECHARLIE。

AVIOLETgrewbytheriver—side,Andgladdenedallheartswithitsbloom;

Whileoverthefields,onthescentedair,Itbreathedarichperfume。

Butthecloudsgrewdarkintheangrysky,Anditsportalswereopenedwide;

AndtheheavyrainbeatdowntheflowerThatgrewbytheriver—side。

Notfarawayinapleasanthome,Therelivedalittleboy,WhosecheerfulfaceandchildishgraceFilledeveryheartwithjoy。

Hewanderedonedaytotheriver’sverge,Withnooneneartosave;

AndtheheartthatwelovedwithaboundlessloveWasstilledintherestlesswave。

Theskygrewdarktoourtearfuleyes,Andwebadefarewelltojoy;

ForourheartswereboundbyasorrowfultieTothegraveofthelittleboy。

ThebirdsstillsingintheleafytreeThatshadowstheopendoor;

Weheedthemnot,forwethinkofthevoiceThatweshallhearnomore。

Wethinkofhimateventide,AndgazeonhisvacantchairWithalongingheartthatwillscarcebelieveThatCharlieisnotthere。

Weseemtohearhisringinglaugh,Andhisboundingstepatthedoor;

But,alas!therecomesthesorrowfulthought,Weshallneverhearthemmore!

Weshallwalksometimestohislittlegrave,Inthepleasantsummerhours;

Wewillspeakhisnameinasoftenedvoice,Andcoverhisgravewithflowers;

Wewillthinkofhiminhisheavenlyhome,——

Inhisheavenlyhomesofair;

AndwewilltrustwithahopefultrustThatweshallmeethimthere。

THEWHIPPOORWILLANDI。

INthehushedhoursofnight,whentheairquitestill,Ihearthestrangecryofthelonewhippoorwill,WhoChants,withoutceasing,thatwonderfultrill,Ofwhichthesoleburdenisstill,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

AndwhyshouldIwhiphim?Strangevisitant,Hashebeenplayingtruantthislongsummerday?

Ilistenedamoment;moreclearandmoreshrillRangthevoiceofthebird,ashecried,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

ButwhathaspoorWilldone?Iaskyouoncemore;

I’llwhiphim,don’tfear,ifyou’lltellmewhatfor。

Ipausedforananswer;o’ervalleyandhillRangthevoiceofthebird,ashecried,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

Hashecometoyourdwelling,bynightorbyday,Andsnatchedtheyoungbirdsfromtheirwarmnestaway?

Ipausedforananswer;o’ervalleyandhillRangthevoiceofthebird,ashecried,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

Well,well,Icanhearyou,don’thaveanyfears,Icanhearwhatisconstantlydinnedinmyears。

Theobstinatebird,withhiswonderfultrill,Stillmadebutoneanswer,andthat,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

ButwhatHASpoorWilldone?Ipritheeexplain;

I’moutofallpatience,don’tmockmeagain。

Theobstinatebird,withhiswonderfultrill,Stillmadethesameanswer,andthat,\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

Well,haveyourownway,then;butifyouwon’ttell,I’llshutdownthewindow,andbidyoufarewell;

Butofonethingbesure,Iwon’twhiphimuntilYougivemesomereasonforwhippingpoorWill。

Ilistenedamoment,asifforreply,Butnothingwasheardbutthebird’smockingcry。

Icaughtthefaintechofromvalleyandhill;

Itbreathedthesameburden,thatstrange\"Whip—poor—Will。\"

CARVINGANAME。

Iwrotemynameuponthesand,Andtrusteditwouldstandforaye;

But,soon,alas!therefluentseaHadwashedmyfeeblelinesaway。

Icarvedmynameuponthewood,And,afteryears,returnedagain;

ImissedtheshadowofthetreeThatstretchedofoldupontheplain。

Tosolidmarblenext,mynameIgaveasaperpetualtrust;

Anearthquakerentittoitsbase,Andnowitlies,o’erlaidwithdust。

Allthesehavefailed。InwisermoodIturnandaskmyself,\"Whatthen?\"

IfIwouldhavemynameendure,I’llwriteitontheheartsofmen,Incharactersoflivinglight,Ofkindlydeedsandactionswrought。

Andthese,beyondthetouchoftime,Shallliveimmortalasmythought。

——————————————————————————

INTIMEOFWAR。

——————————————————————————

GONETOTHEWAR。

MyCharliehasgonetothewar,MyCharliesobraveandtall;

Helefthisploughinthefurrow,Andflewathiscountry’scall。

MayGodinsafetykeephim,——

Mypreciousboy——myall!

Myheartispiningtoseehim;

Imisshimeveryday;

Myheartiswearywithwaiting,Andsickofthelongdelay,——

ButIknowhiscountryneedshim,AndIcouldnotbidhimstay。

Irememberhowhisfaceflushed,Andhowhiscolorcame,WhentheflashfromthegunsofSumterLitthewholelandwithflame,Anddarkenedourcountry’sbannerWiththecrimsonhueofshame。

\"Mother,\"hesaid,thenfaltered,——

Ifelthismuteappeal;

Ipaused——ifyouareamother,Youknowwhatmothersfeel,WhencalledtoyieldtheirdearonesTothecruelbulletandsteel。

Myheartstoodstillforamoment,Struckwithamightywoe;

Afaintasofdeathcameo’erme,Iamamother,youknow,ButIsternlycheckedmyweakness,Andfirmlybadehim\"Go。\"

WhereverthefightisfiercestIknowthatmyboywillbe;

WherevertheneedissorestOfthestoutarmsofthefree。

MayheproveastruetohiscountryAshehasbeentruetome。

Myhomeislonelywithouthim,Myhearthbereftofjoy,ThethoughtofhimwhohasleftmeMyconstantsademploy;

ButGodhasbeengoodtothemother,——

Sheshallnotblushforherboy。

WHEREISMYBOYTO—NIGHT?

WhenthecloudsintheWesternskyFlushredwiththesettingsun,——

Whentheveiloftwilightfalls,Andthebusydayisdone,——

Isitandwatchtheclouds,Withtheircrimsonhuesalight,Andponderwithanxiousheart,Oh,whereismyboyto—night?

Itisjustayearto—daySincehebademeagaygood—by,Tomarchwherebannersfloat,Andthedeadlymissilesfly。

AsImarkedhismartialstepIfeltmycolorriseWithallamother’spride,Andmyheartwasinmyeyes。

There’salittleroomcloseby,WhereIoftenusedtocreepInthehushofthesummernightTowatchmyboyasleep。

ButhewhousedtorestBeneaththespreadsowhiteIsfarawayfrommenow,——

Oh,whereismyboyto—night?

Perchanceinthegatheringnight,Withslowandwearyfeet,BythelightofSouthernstars,Hepaceshislonelybeat。

Doeshethinkofthemother’sheartThatwillneverceasetoyearn,Asonlyamother’scan,Forherabsentboy’sreturn?

Oh,whereismyboyto—night?

Icannotanswerwhere,ButIknow,whereverheis,HeisunderourFather’scare。

MayHeguard,andguide,andblessMyboy,whereverhebe,AndbringhimbackatlengthToblessandtocomfortme。

MayGodblessallourboysBythecamp—fire’sruddyglow,OrwheninthedeadlyfightTheyfronttheembattledfoe;

Andcomforteachmother’sheart,Asshesitsinthefadinglight,Andponderswithanxiousheart——

Oh,whereismyboyto—night?

ASOLDIER’SVALENTINE。

Justfromthesentry’stramp(Imusttakeitagainatten),Ihavelaidmymusketdown,Andseizedinsteadmypen;

For,pacingmylonelyroundInthechillytwilightgray,Thethought,dearMary,came,ThatthisisSt。Valentine’sDay。

AndwiththethoughttherecameAglimpseofthehappytimeWhenaschool—boy’sfirstattemptIsentyou,inborrowedrhyme,Onagilt—edgedsheet,embossedWithmanyaquaintdesign,Andsigned,inschool—boyhand,\"YourlovingValentine。\"

Theyearshavecomeandgone,——

Haveflown,Iknownotwhere,——

Andtheschool—boy’smerryfaceIsgravewithmanhood’scare;

ButtheheartofthemanstillbeatsAtthewell—rememberedname,AndonthisSt。Valentine’sDayHischoiceisstillthesame。

Therewasatime——ah,well!

ThinknotthatIrepineWhenIdreamedthishappydayWouldsmileonyouasmine;

ButIheardmycountry’scall;

Iknewherneedwassore。

ThankGod,noselfishthoughtWithheldmefromthewar。

ButwhenthedearoldflagShallfloatinitsancientpride,Whenthetwainshallbemadeone,Andfeudsnomoredivide,——

Iwilllaymymusketdown,Mymartialgarbresign,AndturnmyjoyousfeetTowardhomeandValentine。

LASTWORDS。

\"DEARCharlie,\"breathedasoldier,\"Ocomradetrueandtried,WhointheheatofbattlePressedcloselytomyside;

IfeelthatIamstricken,Mylifeisebbingfast;

Ifainwouldhaveyouwithme,DearCharlie,tillthelast。

\"Itseemssosudden,Charlie,Tothinkto—morrow’ssunWilllookuponmelifeless,AndInottwenty—one!

Ilittledreamedthismorning,Twouldbringmylastcampaign;

God’swaysarenotasourways,AndIwillnotcomplain。

\"There’soneathome,dearCharlie,Willmournformewhendead,Whoseheart——itisamother’s——

Canscarcebecomforted。

You’llwriteandtellher,Charlie,Withmydearlove,thatI

Foughtbravelyasasoldiershould,Anddiedasheshoulddie。

\"Andyouwilltellher,Charlie,Shemustnotgrievetoomuch,Ourcountryclaimsouryounglives,Forshehasneedofsuch。

Andwhereishewouldfalter,Orturnignoblyback,WhenDuty’svoicecries’Forward,’

AndHonorlightsthetrack?

\"Andthere’sanother,Charlie(Hisvoicebecamemorelow),WhenthoughtsofHERcomeo’erme,Itmakesithardtogo。

Thislocketinmybosom,ShegavemejustbeforeIleftmynativevillageForthefearfulscenesofwar。

\"Giveherthismessage,Charlie,Sentwithmydyingbreath,ToherandtomybannerI’m’faithfuluntodeath。’

Andif,inthatfarcountryWhichIamgoingto,Ourearthlytiesmayenter,I’lltheremyloverenew。

\"Comenearer,closer,Charlie,MyheadIfainwouldrest,Itmustbeforthelasttime,Uponyourfaithfulbreast。

Dearfriend,IcannottellyouHowinmyheartIfeelThedepthofyourdevotion,Yourfriendshipstrongassteel。

\"We’vewatchedandcampedtogetherInsunshineandinrain;

We’vesharedthetoilsandperilsOfmorethanonecampaign;

Andwhenmytiredfeetfaltered,Beneaththenoontideheat,Yourwordssustainedmycourage,Gavenewstrengthtomyfeet。

\"Andonce,——’twasatAntietam,——

Pressedhardbythrongingfoes,IalmostsankexhaustedBeneaththeircruelblows,——

Whenyou,dearfriend,undaunted,WithheadlongcouragethrewYourheartintothecontest,Andsafelybroughtmethrough。

\"Mywordsareweak,dearCharlie,Mybreathisgrowingscant;

Yourhanduponmyheartthere,Canyounothearmepant?

YourthoughtsIknowwillwanderSometimestowhereIlie——

Howdarkitgrows!TruecomradeAndfaithfulfriend,good—by!\"

Amoment,andhelaythereAstatue,paleandcalm。

HisyouthfulheadrecliningUponhiscomrade’sarm。

HislimbsuponthegreenswardWerestretchedincarelessgrace,AndbythefitfulmoonwasseenAsmileuponhisface。

SONGOFTHECROAKER。*

*WrittenbyrequestforthePhiladelphiaSanitaryFair。

Anoldfroglivedinadismalswamp,Inadismalkindofway;

Andallthathedid,whateverbefell,Wastocroakthelivelongday。

Croak,croak,croak,Whendarknessfilledtheair,Andcroak,croak,croak,Whentheskieswerebrightandfair。

\"GoodMasterFrog,abattleisfought,Andthefoeman’spowerisbroke。\"

Butheonlyturnedagreenerhue,Andansweredwithacroak。

Croak,croak,croak,Whenthecloudsaredarkanddun,Andcroak,croak,croak,Intheblazeofthenoontidesun。

\"GoodMasterFrog,theforcesofrightAredrivingthehostsofwrong。\"

Buthegavehisheadanominousshake,Andcroakedout,\"Nousverrons!\"

Croak,croak,croak,Tilltheheartisfullofgloom,Andcroak,croak,croak,Tilltheworldseemsbutatomb。

Topoisonthecupoflife,Byalwaysdreadingtheworst。

Istomakeoftheearthadungeondamp,Andthehappiestlifeaccursed。

Croak,croak,croak,Whenthenoontidesunrideshigh,Andcroak,croak,croak,Lestthenightcomebyandby。

Farewelltothedismalfrog;

Lethimcroakasloudashemay,Hecannotblotthesunfromheaven,Norhinderthemarchofday,Thoughhecroak,croak,croak,Tilltheheartisfullofgloom,Andcroak,croak,croak,Tilltheworldseemsbutatomb。

KINGCOTTON。

KINGCOTTONlooksfromhiswindowTowardsthewesteringsun,Andhemarks,withananguishedhorror,Thathisraceisalmostrun。

Hisformisthinandshrunken;

Hischeekispaleandwan;

AndthelinesofcareonhisfurrowedbrowAredreadtolookupon。

Butyesterdayamonarch,Intheflushofhispompandpride,And,notcontentwithhisownbroadlands,Hewouldruletheworldbeside。

Hebuilthimastatelypalace,Withgoldfrombeyondthesea;

Andhelaidwithcarethecorner—stone,AndhecalleditSlavery:

Hesummonedanarmywithbanners,Tokeephisfoesatbay;

And,gazingwithprideonhispalacewalls,Hesaid,\"Theywillstandforaye!\"

Butthepalacewallsareshrunken,Andpartlyoverthrown,Andthestormsofwar,intheirviolence,Haveloosenedthecorner—stone。

NowFaminestalksthroughthepalacehalls,Withhergauntandpallidtrain;

Youcanhearthecriesoffamishedmen,Astheycryforbreadinvain。

Thekingcansee,fromhispalacewalls。

Alandbyhispridebetrayed;

Thousandsofmothersandwivesbereft。

Thousandsofgravesnew—made。

Andheseemstosee,intheloweringsky,Theshapeofaflamingsword;

Whereonhereads,withasinkingheart,TheangeroftheLord。

GodspeedthetimewhentheguiltykingShallbehurledfromhisblood—stainedthrone;

AndthepalaceofWrongshallcrumbletodust,Withitsboastedcorner—stone。

AtempleofFreedomshallriseinstead,Onthedesecratedsite:

AndwithinitsshelteralikeshallstandTheblackmanandthewhite。

OUTOFEGYPT。

ToEgypt’sking,whoruledbesideThereedyriver’sflow,CameGod’scommand,\"Release,Oking,Andletmypeoplego。\"

Theking’sproudheartgrewhardapace;

Hemarkedthesuppliantthrong,Andsaid,\"Nay,theymusthereabide;

Theweakmustservethestrong。\"

StraightwaytheLordstretchedforthhishand,Andeverystreamranblood;

Theriverswepttowardsthesea——

Afullensanguinedflood。

Thehaughtykingbeheldtheland,Byplaguesafflictedsore,But,asGod’swondersmultiplied,Hardenedhisheartthemore;

UntiltheangeloftheLordCameonthewingsofNight,Andsmotefirst—bornofmanandbeast,Inhisdestructiveflight。

ThroughoutallEgypt,notahouseWassparedthiscrowningwoe。

Thenbrokethetyrant’sstubbornwill;

Hebadethepeoplego。

Theygathereduptheirflocksandherds,Rejoicingtobefree;

And,goingforth,amightyhost,Encampedbesidethesea。

ThenPharaoh’sheartrepentedhim;

Hecalledamightyforce,Andswiftlyfollowedontheirtrack,Withchariotandwithhorse。

ThenIsrael’shostweresoreafraid;

ButGodwasontheirside,And,lo!forthemawayiscleft,TheRed—seawavesdivide。

AtGod’scommandtherestlesswavesObeytheprophet’srod;

And,throughthemiddleofthesea,Thepeoplemarcheddry—shod。

But,whenthespoilers,followingclose,WouldhinderIsrael’sflight,Thewaterstotheircoursereturn,Thepartedwavesunite,AndPharaoh’shostissweptaway,Thechariotsandthehorse;

AndnotamanisleftaliveOfallthatmightyforce。

SointhesedaysGodlooksfromheaven,Andmarkshisservants’woe;

Hearyehisvoice:\"Breakeveryyoke,Andletmypeoplego!\"

ForthemtheRed—seawavesdivide,Thestreamswithcrimsonflow;

Thereforewemournforourfirst—born;——

Thenletthepeoplego。

TheyarenotweakwhomGodbefriends,HemakestheircauseHisown;

AndtheywhofightagainstGod’smightShallsurelybeo’erthrown。

THEPRICEOFVICTORY。

\"AVICTORY!——avictory!\"

Isflashedacrossthewires;

Speed,speedthenewsfromStatetoState,Lightupthesignalfires!

LetallthebellsfromallthetowersAjoyouspealringout;

We’vegainedagloriousvictory,Andputthefoetorout!

Amotherheardthechimingbells;

Herjoywasmixedwithpain。

\"PrayGod,\"shesaid,\"mygallantboyBenotamongtheslain!\"

Alasforher!thatveryhourOutstretchedindeathhelay,Thecolorfromhisfair,youngfaceHadscarcelypassedaway。

Hisnervelesshandstillgraspedthesword。

Henevermoremightwield,HiseyesweresealedindreamlesssleepUponthatbloodyfield。

ThechestnutcurlshismotheroftHadstrokedinfondestpride,Neglectedhungiaclottedlocks,Withdeepestcrimsondyed。

Ah!manyamother’sheartshallache,Andbleedwithanguishsore,WhentidingscomeofhimwhomarchedSoblithelyforthtowar。

Oh!sadforthem,thestrickendownInmanhood’searlydawn,Andsadderyetforlovinghearts。

Godcomfortthemthatmourn!

Yes,victoryhasafearfulpriceOurheartsmayshrinktopay,AndtearswillminglewiththejoyThatgreetsagloriousday。

Buthewhodiesinfreedom’scause,Wecannotcounthimlost;

AbattlewonfortruthandrightIsworththeblooditcost!

Omothers!countitsomethinggainedThatthey,forwhomyoumourn,BequeathfairFreedom’sheritageTomillionsyetunborn;——

AndbetterthanathousandyearsOfbase,ignoblebreath,Apatriot’sfragrantmemory,Ahero’searlydeath!

HARVARDODES。

(SUNGATANNUALDINNERSOFTHEHARVARDCLUB

OFNewYork。NEWYORK。)

HARVARDODES。

I。

(Feb。23,1869。)

FairHarvard,dearguideofouryouth’sgoldendays;

Atthynameallourheartsownathrill,Weturnfromlife’s。highways,itsbusiness,itscares,Weareboysinthytutelagestill。

Andthewarmbloodofyouthtoourveins,asofyore,Returnswithimpetuousflow,RevivingthescenesandthehopesthatwereoursInthevanished,butsweetLongAgo。

Oncemorethroughthywalks,AlmaMater,wetread,Andwedreamyouth’sfairdreamsonceagain,WeareheroesinfightfortheJustandtheRight,Weareknightswithoutfear,withoutstain;

Itsdoorsinfairprospecttheworldopenswide,Itsprizesseemeasytowin,——

Wearestronginourfaith,weareboldinourmight,Andwelongfortheracetobegin。

Thoughdimmedareourhopes,andourvisionsarefled,Ourdreamswerebutdreams,itistrue;

Dust—stainedfromthecontestwegatherto—night,Thesweetdreamsofyouthtorenew。

Enoughforto—morrowthecaresitshallbring,Weareboys,wearebrothers,to—night;

Andourhearts,warmwithlove,AlmaMater,tothee,Shallinloyaldevotionunite。

II。

(Feb。11,1870。)

Aswemeetinthyname,AlmaMater,to—night,Allourheartsandourhopesareasone,AndloveforthemotherthatnurturedhisyouthBeatshighinthebreastofeachson。

ThesweetchordsofMemorybridgeo’erthePast,Theyearsfadeawaylikeadream,BythebanksofCephissus,beneaththegreentrees,Wetreadthyfairwalks,Academe。

TheheightsofHymettusthatboundthenearviewFilltheairwithanodorassweetAsthebeautifulclustersofsun—tintedgrapesFromthevineyardsthatlieatourfeet。

Orealmofenchantment,OWonderfulland,Wherethegodsholdhighconversewithmen,Comeoutfromtheduskofpastagesoncemore,Andliveinourfancyagain。

LetusdrinktothePastasourglasseswelift,Leteyespeaktoeye,hearttoheart,Letthebondsofsweetfellowshipbindeachtoeach,Inthehoursthatremainerewepart。

Andthou,AlmaMater,grownfairerwithage,LetusechotheblessingthatfellFromthymotherlylips,aswestoodatthyside,Andthoubad’stusGod—speedandFarewell。

III。

(Feb。21,1872。)

FairHarvard,themonthshaveaccomplishedtheirroundAndayearstandsfull—orbedandcomplete,Sincelastatthysummons,withdutifulhearts,Thychildrensathereatthyfeet。

Sincelastinthypresence,grownyouthfuloncemore,Wedranktothepastanditsjoys,Shakingoffeverycarethatencumberedouryears,Anddreamedthatagainwewereboys。

To—nightonceagaininthypresencewemeetInthefreshnessandflushoflife’sspring;

Wewaitbutthyblessing,weaskbutthysmile,Asoursailstothefreeairwefling。

Thewindsbreatheauspiciousthatwaftusalong,Thesky,undisturbed,smilesserene,Hopestandsattheprow,andthewatersgleambrightWithsparklesofsilverysheen。

Andthyvoice,AlmaMater,sopotentandsweet,Stillsoundsinourearsasofyore,Andthymotherlycounselwehear,wisdom—fraught,Aswepushourfrailbarksfromtheshore。

Fromthefoam—crestedwavesofthemountainousseaAsbackwardourglanceswestrain,Weseethedearfaceofourmotherbenign,Andblessheragainandagain。

IV。

(Feb。21,1873。)

There’safountainofFablewhosemagicalpowerTime’sravagesallcouldrepair,Andreplacethebowedformandthetotteringstep,Thewrinklesandsilveryhair,Bythebrownflowinglocksandthegracesofyouth,Itsfootstepelasticandlight,Couldmantlethecheekwithitslong—vanishedbloomAndmakethedulleyekeenandbright。

’Tisonlyafable——abeautifuldream,Butthefable,thedream,shallcometrue,Asthysons,AlmaMater,assembleto—nightThejoysofpastyearstorenew。

Oureyesshallgrowbrightwiththeiroldwontedlight,Ourspiritsuntrammelledbycare,AndtheGoddessofHope,withherfreshrainbowtints,Shallpainteveryprospectmorefair。

Howsweetwerethefriendshipsweformedinthyhalls!

HowstrongwerethetendrilsthatboundOurheartstothemotherwhoseprovidentcareEncompassedherchildrenaround!

Nowstronginourmanhoodwecherishherstill;

Andifbymisfortunebroughtlow,Ourstrengthshallsupporther,ourarmsbearherup,Andsustainherthroughwealandthroughwoe。

OCCASIONALODES。

BI—CENTENNIALODE。*

(June13,1860。)

*Sungatthebi—centennialcelebrationoftheincorporationofMarlboro,Mass。

Fromthedoorofthehomesteadthemotherlooksforth,Withaglancehalfofhope,halfoffear,FortheclockinthecornernowpointstothehourWhenthechildrenshelovesshouldappear。

Forhavetheynotpromised,whateverbetide,Onthistheirdearmother’sbirthday,Togatheroncemoreroundthefamilyboard,Theirdutifulservicetopay?

FromtheEastandtheWest,fromtheNorthandtheSouth,Incommunionandintercoursesweet,Herchildrenhavecome,onthisfestivalday,Tosit,asofold,atherfeet。

Andourmother,——Godblessherbenevolentface!——

Howherheartthrillswithmotherlyjoys,Asshestandsattheportal,witharmsopenedwide,Towelcomehergirlsandherboys。

Andyet,whenthefirstjoyfulgreetingsareo’er,Whenthewordsofherwelcomearesaid:

Ashadowcreepsoverhermotherlyface,Asshesilentlythinksofthedead,Ofthechildrenwhosevoicesoncerangthroughherfields,Whosharedallherhopesandalarms,Till,tiredwiththeburdenandheatoftheday,Theyhavefallenasleepinherarms。

Theyhavegonefromourmidst,buttheirlaborsabideOnthefieldswheretheyprayerfullywrought;

Theyscatteredtheseed,buttheharvestisours,Bytheirtoilandself—sacrificebought。

Aswescanthefairscenethatoncegreetedtheireyes,Aswetreadthesamepathswhichtheytrod,Letustenderlythinkofoureldersbybirth,Whohavegonetotheirrest,andtheirGod。

Godblesstheoldhomestead!somelingertherestill,Inthehauntswhichtheirchildhoodhasknown,Whileothershavewanderedtoplacesremote,Andplantednewhomesoftheirown;

ButTimecannotweakenthetiesLovecreates,Norabsence,nordistance,impedeThefilialdevotionwhichthrillsallourhearts,AswebidouroldmotherGod—speed。

FORTHECONSECRATIONOFACEMETERY。

ThisverdantfieldthatsmilestoHeavenInNature’sbrightarray,Fromcommonusessetapart,Weconsecrateto—day。

\"God’sAcre\"beitfitlycalled,Forwhen,beneaththesod,Welaythedeadwithreverenthands,WeyieldthembacktoGod。

AndHisgreatlove,sofreelygiven,Shallspeakinclearertones,When,pacingthroughthesehallowedwalks,Wereadmemorialstones。

Hereletthesunshinesoftlyfall,Andgentlydroptherain,AndNature’scountlessharmoniesBlendoneaccordantstrain;

Thattheywhoseekthissacredplace,Inmourningsolitude,InallthisgraciouscompanyMayhavetheirfaithrenewed。

So,liftedtoserenerheights,Andpurifiedfromdross,TheirtrustfulheartsshallrestonGod,Andprofitbytheirloss。