IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 ■in . 50 - IIIIM 2.2 m 40 12.0 III™ ill 1.4 111.6 v: m ,^\ ■■ ^s A %^ /i 7 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 '%1>^ iV ^^ ^ \ \ ^. '-'^ % 0. <«.- 6"^ ■■%^ #<=: ////. i/i ■fir CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point d vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une imdge reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage sont indiqu^s ci-dessous. n □ n Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pelliculde Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may causa shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serree peut causer de rombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certeines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 film6es. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur D D D D n Pages damaged/ Pages endommag6es Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul^es Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d^colordes, tachetdes ou piqu^es Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Quality in^gale de I'impression' Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seuie Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc.. ont 6x6 film^es 6 nouveau de fapon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. □ Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mentaires: J 10X This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. 14X 18X 22X 2fiX 30X 7\ 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X ire details es du modifier er une filmage The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: National Library of Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grdce d la g^ndrositd de: Bibliothdque nationale du Canada Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de rexemplaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. 6es Les exemplaires originaux dont la couvertute en papier est imprimde sont film^s en commen^ant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration at en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol -^ (meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning 'END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ♦> signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour gtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est filmd d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. errata d to It le pelure, ;on d 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 HE "HE LION AND THE LILIES: A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 'HE CI lONTRBAL : ^/// THE LION Am THE LILIES A TALE OF THE CONQUEST an6 ®tber poeme BY CHARLES EDWIN JAKEWAY TORONTO: WILLIAM BRIGGS Wesley Buildings Iontreal: C. W. COAXES 1897 Halifax : S. F. HUESTIS Enterrd according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand eight hundrei and ninety-seven, by William Biuaas, at the Department of Agriculture. more Jul. i lee" a ciillect Dr. Jakt vers<', tli( jghter- but her sixtie Ji'ious r We be] fn.sive c jin — ar lev clin jieteor 1 i<"iiy mo of tlii.s adu LORONTO, PUBLISHER'S NOTE, No more opportune time than this year of the "Diamond Jul )i lee" could have been chosen for the appearance of a ciillection of poems so full of patriotic fire as these of Dr. .lakeway's. Long urged to publish a volume of his ISO, the Author has yielded happily at a time when the ii^^hter-nations of our British Motherland are gathering the year om about her to celebrate with becoming splendor and dignity nxtieth year of Her Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria's )ri()us reign. A\'t' believe these fine patriotic poems will strike a re- sponsive chord in the hearts of all Canadians, of whatever ori;^iu — and not of them ordy, but of our fellow-subjects in otbfi' climes whose pride it is to own allegiance to the "mi'icor fiag of England." With more than mere mer- cenary motives, the Publisher hopes for a wide circulation of this admirable volume. l^iRONTO, May !^4th, 1897. CONTENTS. \ ^^^Ww* The Lion and the Lilies : A Tale of tiie CoiKiuest ^^""^ Canto the First o Canto the Second • • . 46 j; Canto the Third . 76 Canto the Fourth . 101 Canto the Fifth . 127 Canto the Sixth . 157 All [ aifinished Prophecy . . 187 Father Daniel's Last Mass . 195 The Death of Garnier . 198 Pout lac at Home . 201 ^e United Empire Loyalists . . 203 ■pture of Fort Detroit . . 206 Bath of Brock . 210 Bb.'ith of Tecumseh . . 214 fcrial of Tecumseh . . 216 ■lura Secord . . , , . 218 viii CONTENTS. f -' Paiib A Story of the Forest . 221 1 The Rivals . 225 1 The Star of Fame . 232 ..> The Seraph's Task . 2:u A Toucli of Nature . 2;}7 mAiT The Lost Baby . 240 A Forest Singer . . . . . . 245 1 Rest , 24!) ,1 The Dinner is Ready, Tom . 251 1 Now Year's Greeting — Canada to her Children . 254 1 A Canadian Veteran . 258 1 In Warm July . 2G7 ■«** t A Knight of the Forest . 275 Tl .ik1 1( ■the lion and the lilies A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. CANTO THE FIRST I. j.\KU George for liquid miles lay stretched away, Bcd-litten by the gleams of rising day. Till' fog- veil on its misty brim afar r^ ith crimscm curtained the horizon's bar, ind fluttered o'er the lake's fair cincture green n fleecy cloudlets soft and opaline, Ijove which soared in majesty benign Phe lofty-plumaged, skyward-pointing pine, ind piercing through in quaint, fantastic shapes 'ere rocky headlanfls and broad bushy capes. !'lie clouds on high with fond maternal glow peld out their arms unto the mists below, Liid beck'd unto their bosoms children born I^pon the cold, drear couch of dawning morn, Lud longed with mother-love to lave their wings '^ithin the glory, that the great sun swings 10 THE LION AND THE LILIES, From Heaven's censer o'er the waking worM. The softly-smiling water sweetly curled Its pouting lips to kiss the bold-browed beach, As maiden-modesty with coy upreach Salutes in love the soldier's martial cheek. Tower after tower, and peak o'er-looming peak. The boundleb.i forest-greenery soared past The eye's scant vision, past the brain's far-cast, Into unknown immensity beyond The ken of man, and subject to the bond Of fabled monsters, fier'ce and ogre-fed. That lived between the living and the dead. A roll of bird-song, ocean-vast in sound, In music-billows swelled and pealed around The bosky hills, and from the spiry trees Rang out cathedral-bells upon the breeze, That skyward climbed into the boundless dome, The purest earth-born echo from the home Of God, of seraph, star-strung, music sweet. That throbs and thrills around the Mercy-seat. II. Beneath a drooping hemlock, that o'er-hung The dimpling waters, stood an Indian, young. Erect and handsome, proud, and full of grace, A worthy scion of a warlike race. His flashing oyc-s betokened by their gleams The fervor of his wakeful morning dreams. As here and there he pierced with rapid gaze The faint rifts cradled on the mystic haze. A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. on, he swayed his swart right arm on high, ie soul-fire snapped in either haughty eye, d irom his full lips burst the pent-up flow thought, word-moulded, and in molten glow. *f^ swear before the God of earth and sky 1^ win that white-faced maiden, yea, or die ! "^fhat's life to man without the thing he craves 1 'Ifhat's life to cowards, fools and moping slaves, tf ho hesitate to grasp the gifts of life, d, laggards, loiter in the rear of strife ? rather die ac once, than mope and drone istence out, unsatisfied und lone ! ,n lives but once, and lives as live the leaves, plaything light for every blast that heaves wayward sigh across the face of earth. n lives, at best, e'en from his very birth, Jl period of pain, and grief, and sin ; £|d aught that can be won I'm bound to win. t' power of woman's love I've laughed to scorn, d brushed aside, like dew-chains of the morn, e toils it would entwine around my soul. 3put 10 ! I saw her, and the firm control 1|held upon my heart-reins burst in twain. "^ ith uncurbed breast-throbs passionate with pain longing, almost hopeless love, I spurned he simple maidens of my race ar \ burned (ir fierce emprise and daring deeds of arms, 5^ here I might triumph over death's alarms To win a warrior's glorious trophy meet. And lowly lay it at m^ loved one's feet. 11 12 THE LION AND THE LILIES: 1 I sought and found a stricken, bloody ground Where death-shrieks mingled with the booming sound Of white man's weapons, winged with hissing fire, Gained all that ardent hope could e'er desire And thence, my body girdled with a belt Of scalps, I proudly went to her and knelt As one might to a goddess or a queen, A glance she gave, and then with startled mien And air of deep disgust disdained my proof Of bravery and love, while T aloof Was thrust with threats and stabs of stinging scorn. 1 11 be avenged ! I'll plant a venomed thorn, Full well befanged with many a fiery dart. Deep in her father's domineering heart, That will entwine its fibres firmly round And barb with nettled — Ah I an echoed sound On muffled mist-wings wafted o'er the lake ! What can it be ? — My warriors awake ! The foeraen come ! Like stealthy serpents glide Ad own the swale to where the Frenchmen bide Their coming, and alarm the sleeping camp ! — They go, my faithful braves, from couches damp At my behest with breasts athirst for })loo(l ! May it be poured in many a spouting fiood From bleached-out bosoms ere the day is done ! I see them now. The just awakened sun Peers round the morning's gray-lined, foggy cowl. And blood-gleams tint the ])razen horns that howl Discordant music from their blatant throats. ' Line after line the bayonet-bristling boats III poll -day lide, iven, sn; kls ta J ^ md A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. Ijj pompous, boastful pride appear and push Anear tlie seeming-solitary l)ush. To-day, instead of fighting, T will sneak j|*ide, and when the strife is hot will wreak jvenge on her, and on her haughty sire, snatching eagle-like my heart's desire id speeding far toward the sunset west, talons folded round the dove's soft breast." 13 III. cymbal's clash, the drum-beat's rhythmic swell, bugle's martial clangor rose and fell strains })roclaiming Britain's matchless might, id challenging all-comers to the fight, on the sandy beach the soldiers sprang, id Biitish cheers throughout the wildwood rang, out hearts were there as ever faced a foe, braved a breach to lay a standard low; it little skilled in forest-fight were they, skirmish, scout, or scent a secret way, guard against surprise or ambuscade narrow glen or gloomy forest glade, '^ith laugh and jest they pushed their noisy way, |s more on pleasure bent than warlike fray, i|nd little thought that creeping by their ranks, 4^11(1 swarming silently along their flanks, ^^ere couchant braves, like waiting beasts of prey, inxious to rush upon the gay array, k.nd quench their heathen thirst with draughts of gore. Through ferny, queachy labyrinths, and o'er 14 THE LION AND THE LILIES. Rock-ledges plodded on the straggling ranks, While teasing loops of vagrant leaves from banks Of purple-clustered vines clung closely to Their stalwart limbs ; and ever denser grew The boscage darksome. Soon the laugh died on Each soldier's face, and from his lips was gone The noisome jest, and something whispered low In every heart a wordless dread, that nc Instinctive impulse could disclose at all — A mental writing on a mental wall Without a Daniel to expound the doubt. A moment more — the mystery was out ! A flash like unleashed lightning loosed to play, A roar like thunders meeting in affray, A whoop compounded of a thousand screams. The life-tide, gushing out in crimson streams From British bosoms, read the riddle red Unto the living, tangled with the dead. It seemed as if the very bush belched fire, As if the hand of Nature raised in ire Had summoned rock and river, power on power, And each had armed for the eventful hour To drive the invaders from her own domain. On every side the soldiers sought in vain To find a foe. The dreaded foeman. Death, Was manifest alone, and by his breath Swept carnage through the leafy colonnades. And spread in writhing swaths throughout the glades The fated ranks. The meteor flag was torn. In shreds, and trailing in the dust was borne 1 A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 15 i-& 'lades A vanquislied, tattered tiling, that erst had spread Its haughty folds victorious o'er the dead. '%■ \ IV. Close-sheltered 'neath a sumach-thicket lay AHoldier wounded in the fatal fray. friendly fern leaves folded o'er his form, — lainty armor 'gainst so dire a storm, — Had warded off the spear-like glances fierce That the death-darkened thickets strove to pierce, ^^^h more effective skill than coat of mail. TTife dying moans from lips' cold portals pale like dirges chanted o'er his living tomb, Or omen-voices, ominous of doom, »m every side beat on each anguished ear, ffid munnnified his courage into fear. 'Tfe easy to be brave when bugles blare umphant martial music on the air, ile long-drawn columns curve, and wheel, and swing chine-like motions to their rhythmic ring, IPd multitudes in holiday attire ^plaud the fervor of their mimic fire ; But when upon a stricken field alone, "w^iere Torture from its serpent-hissing throne Sways with its fleshless right arm, crimson-garbed, A poly-pointed sceptre, poison-barbed, (1 drains with cup-like suction life and soul, is slave, the were-wolf. Terror, wields control (^er every impulse of the weakened brain, And heroes into puny cravens wane. 16 THE LION AND THE LILIES: r With haggard, blood-shot eyes he gazed between The leaf-clumps tender of his bracken screen. Before him crept a narrow, bristling glen Down to a water-saturated fen. That like a giant lay beneath the trees, From sun and wind protected, at its ease Upon a clannny bed of mire and reeds. Luxuriant couch befitting to its meeds. Within its bower of bliss it seemed to rest With undisturbed contentment in its breast. Not so the glen, which, like a thief dismayed. Crouched down from sight, its rugged belt arrayed With weapons threat'ning, and its coward face Begirt with rocky frowns, in fierce grimace Begot of puny heart. Bight well it might, For underneath its cloak the woeful sight Of dead and dying showed its cause for fright. Yet after all the glen was not to blame, But creatures fashioned after God's own frame, Who rob the lives of mortals like themselves, Proclaim it war, and heap the musty shelves Of history with urns inscribed to fame, Which opened show incinerated shame. *' Ah, hark ! The tramp of feet in steady tread Shakes like a breeze each fragile, ferny head. Across the ridge on winding trail they move With careful footsteps 'long a beaten groove. Where Indian limbs and treading feet have worn Their passage through unto the battle's bourn." A well-f Fine-fca O'er con That tori From ri« "A Chi He said, The whil A vocal Unheodt He saw 1 An^ blai The thro As down Altihoug] A f|[ulki Oflestoo: Like that By hung€ Ani;! hear Hi last 1 A grim si A smile t And glidi He swun^ With fien *4 A TALE OF THE C0N(2UEST. 17 A well-accoutred troop of Frenchmen proud. Fine-feathered game-cocks, crowing very loud O'er conflicts won, small heed they paid to cries That tongued V)y wounded English might arise From ridge or glen, or undergrowth's recess. " A Christian foe will heed a foe's distress," He said, and struggled to his feet hut fell. Tl» while with feeble voice he tried to swell A vocal signal for relief, 'Twas vain. Ui^eded or unheard by all the train. He saw the cavalcade sweep on its course, And blank despair benumbed with blighting force Th0 throbbing of his giddy, aching brain At^own he sank upon the ground again. AlwQough unnoted ])y the passing troop, A skulking Indian, peering through a loop Of ;|Estooned creepers with a greedy glare, Lili^ that of famished catamount from lair By hunger haunted, saw him rise and fall. And heard the pathos of his plaintive call, His last hope's last expiring struggle weak, A grim smile wrinkled up each painted cheek, A jinile that seemed a bitter frown misplaced, Aiffl gliding up in stealthy, eager haste. He swung his tomahawk above the prey th fiendish fervor in his fiendish play. rn I!! 18 THE LION AND THE LILIES: V. " They're gone," the prostrate soldier murmurVl hnv, " And from my stifF'ning wound I feel tlie flow Renewed, that soon will end this troubled pain. My father — mother — would that I again Could see your faces loved, your voices hear ! 'Tis vain the wish. I know that death is near. The dreaded phantom's pallid, mystic pall Will soon enwrap my spirit in its thrall, And nevermore — O God — protect — amen ! " A painted face, a weapon's flash, and then On flapping wings of fire he seemed to sink With lightning-swiftness to the inky brink Of a weird lake of blackness, from which rose Long, livid goblin fingers to enclose He fought Him in their grasp. " Can I be dead ?" he thought The fingers caught him, pulled him down. With frenzy to evade their clammy huld. When all at once a blood-red curtain rolled Before his mental vision, fold on fold : Alternate dark and light with dazzling speed Illumed with letters, which he could not read. And thus it seemed to him that ages died, That eons floated down the river wide To vague eternity's unliounded brim. Till time's proud ship was wrecked among the dim, Cloud islands of futurity, that blent With nature's dying twilight color-spent. h^(\ liv And lyi AVhcre From si That tl Which \ That mo Of life, \ By fricti It passes In fit tin; Or provf Unfit th " What, On 8eein< A valuec " Speak ] I sa^\ hii And cau! A8S(iuin Intent u] With ste I reached weap Ul war( IS aim( le mom A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 19 A t^un-burst flaslied rath wart his Inizzing brain, And living, lo ! ho found himself again, And lying too upon the self-same sward, AVhere he had swiftly closed his eyes to ward From sight the flashing weapon's downward stroke. That threatened to divide the earthly yoke Which Nveds the soul iir.mortal to the clay, That mortal drags it through the stony way Of life, until its rugged Haws are ground By friction out, and, polished smooth and round, It passes through the ]Mastei''s hand a gem, In fitting contour for His diadem. Or proves at heart a flawed, imperfect thing Unfit the service of the Heavenly King. ** What, Vane, this you?" he asked in nmch surprise On seeing o'er liim bend with anxious eyes A valued conu'ade. s> " Hist ! " the other said, "Speak low, there's danger near. I thought you dead. I aaw him glide with serpent-motion sly, And caught the glitter of his savage eye, Assijuirming through the woods he wormed his way, Intent upon the deep desire to slay With stealthy blow the foeman of his race. t ached him, but with barely time to place ^ weapon 'twixt his tomahaw^c and you, And warded off the blow, that, strong and true, Was aimed with vengeance at your fated head, One moment later and your soul had sped, ■ 20 THE LION AND THE LILIES: Divorced from life, unto the spirit world. The red and yellow [)jiiiited imp 1 hurled Aside and soon — but why describe the scene? He'll never fish or liunt a^ain, T ween ; His scjuaw will wait in vain her brave's ••eturii ; No more his nimble feet the sod will spuitj, While on the chase behind the a^ile deer ; No more his whoop will scMid a thrill of fear Throud u}) in time to see the twirl Of weapon o'er your scalp — hut, hush, they come Awhile we must he motionless and dumb." In most pr(»carious pli The wounded man, before whose eyes the sprat's Of weed and tlower still fluttered in a haze Of floating motes, that flocked befory his ga/.e Like pigeon-swarms upon a cloudless sky. " 'Tis said that man has only once to die," He mused, " that brave men welcome death's api)roach. Alas, that cowardice must needs encroach Upon my hour of trial, for fearing death A man cannot be brave. I fear the breath That freezes heart and soul asunder more While lying here than when the battle's roar Was tingling rampant nmsic through my veins. Perhaps with loss of blood the spirit drains Away — Oh, fear, avaunt, I'll shut my eyes While fate, or good or ill, seeks out its prize." Il!l A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 23 VII. itii iiiovomcnts mouldrd in true woodinan'.s way nc took advanta^'c of each liush and spray til lie knelt Uchind a fallen tree, i|id throu<,'h its fork a wide expanse could see Of Heaven's l)lue tides melt into pur})le peaks 'mm mountain majesty, distrained by streaks Of inill(>d if to seize their plumes. Great architraves (^ forest-^^reen shoiu' on the nearer hills, TRiat lirnily ground was yellow-sodden, stone-beflecked. And sprawling shrubs and ugly weeds bedecked its surface, till, like noble face o'ergrown S^itli unkempt beard, its struggling beauty shone 5\'itli dithculty through its rugged mask. pon the scanty sward, as lean dogs bask 111 sunshine, lay the forms of braves ablaze With divers uncouth colors, while the haze, # I ^T |il ij I' 24 T//E LION AND THE LILIES, 'IliHl Of smoke-rift o'er them, from the tiny flues Of many pipes combined, trird to infuse The balmy air with its aroma strange ; So well succeeding that it reached the range Of Vane's olfactory nerves in transient waves. He saw the squaws, the lordly redmen's slaves, Glide to and fro on menial errands bound, While naked children, diving from a mound, Bobbed back and forth within the bubbling tides. Or scrambling out shook from their shining hides The dripping water like young water-dogs. Then chased each other over stones and logs With peals of high-voiced mirth. He moved again And then beheld, within an angle of the plain That edged between the forest and the stream, A long white town of tents with bayonet-gleam And sword-flash darting from a thousand spires Of burnished steel, rare flints to strike the fires Of war. A breaking twig, a tramping sound Bade him in haste gaze hurriedly around. Upon a piebald horse, bone-angled, lean. And lame, an Indian with a haughty mien llode slowly up to near and perfect view. A fiery youth, bedaubed with red and blue, Almost arrayed in nature's garb was he. But from his belt there hung below his knee A string of scalps yet dripping fresh with gore. His head-dress, feather-bristling, fluttered o'er His brawny shoulders, and his eyes betrayed The thirst for blood, that blood had not allayed. He l)<»u While t "G.., lb Thou-li The f.)r( Ere now In l(»vt> I conjui The lioli Aloii.i;- t The sui. The gra; "I'll ne' Had I Ik The Vvv And I u But as i Ah, well The priz If Britis With ru "I hate In every lie l)ouu Unto th( Vane's V And bar "lil bac Us here By i)rin_£ A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 25 He l)ounded from the sorry steed and said, Wliile tossing back the reins above its head, "Go, useless iirnte, I have no need for you. Though poor I thought you'd do to carry through The ft)rest one I vowed to make my prize — Ere now I hoped to kiss her lips and eyes In love's fond ecstasy, but every scheme I conjure up is empty as a dream." The hob])ling animal browsed slowly back Along the winding woodland-tangled track. The supple savage tossed his frame upon The grass, lithe as a serpent, and spake on : "Kl ne'er forgive those useless British knaves ! Had they but fought like men, and not like slaves. The Frenchman's hands and ears would have been won, And I my goodly work could well have done ; But as it was no chance was given me. Ah, well, no game that's lightly won wins glee. The prize will be the better when it's snared ! If British bombast only could have dared — " With rubber-like agility he rose : " I hate with concentrated hate such foes ! In every way I can I'll do them ill." He bounded lightly down the slanting hill Unto the lounging groups upon the shore. Vaiui's vision hunted for the boats once more. And barely found them on its outer bound. '*^^'il back to Lee. There's nothing hovers round Ub here but death or torture. P'raps the night By bringing darkness may dispense us light." i,.il i|! 26 THE LION AND THE LILIES: VIII. The sombre curtains of the eventide Closed o'er the legion-haunted forest wide, And liid beneath their garb of murky hue The vari-colored battlefield from view. The cloisters of the bush gave to the breeze The songs of wildwood sirens 'mong the trees, Which bore them off until they softly V)lent With wave-chords from the lake's intoned lament, That landward floated when the stars' bright eyes Peeped through the twilight of the sunset skies. Their mingled music with a dirge-like strain — An old-time song with sorrowful refrain Into the solitude abysmal sent, The joy-notes from its spectre-bosom rent, — A plaintive cadence dying, ne'er to die. That floated up on cloud-wings to the sky, And touched the harp-strings of the endless years — The quota a'^lded to the chorused tears That roun( the crumbling ages wail the ban, Doom-centr ^d on the sinful soul of man. In pain and anguish Lee, our hero, lay As blackness brooded o'er the death of day. His friend had bound his wound with careful skill, But pain-throbs keen sent piercing, thrill on thrill, A lancinating torture through his nerves, And often too in queer, eccentric curves A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 2? His fancies roamed from reason's beaten road, ignd fiery lashes from the stinging goad CJi thirst at times despite his will drew sighs I^m lips by fever parched, and tears from eyes Tlutt iiad not Hinched in danger's direst hour, windows of a brain that did not cower l|^ore the perils of the ambuscade, len guiding manfully a soldier's blade. IX. Ilpfco the gloom intense Vane tried to spy "^i^th ear alert and eager, searching eye. Aloft the crooning of the cloud-like pines; Around the murmur, that the ear defines Mi myriad-throated, world-throbs, large and small, Fiom busy worldlets on each leaf and ball Of tufted verdure, were the only sounds T{iat night gave out. Not yet the sentry-rounds Of watchful wolf and wild-cat had begun. "J think,'' said he, " the savage feast is done. Has hunger sated, back within his tent !B|iich doughty brave, in ecstasy content, [Ifeams o'er a drowsy pipe a dream baptized lith blood, and strokes the precious trophies prized him as marks of favor and renown, ito the darkness I will hasten down u'ough yon defile, thence o'er that sedgy brake fntil I reach the margin of the lake. 1 soon return and clear, cold water bring jPntm that delightful limpid, sparkling spring !l 28 THE LION AND TItE LILIES, li^i Where we this morning quenched our fervid thirst Before began that fatal fight accursed. I cannot say, perchance .a rambling br\,ve, Like jackal round an oriental grave, May bark a ringing summons to his mate. Proclaiming some poor wounded soldier's fate. Should such an echo greet your waiting ear Pray heed it not. I think no cause for fear For me need trou])l(> you when I am gone. Keep still. Good-bye. I'll straightway hurry cm." A tall, lithe youth, ambitious, honest, true, A soldier fitted, he, to carry through The vale of danger up to glory's mount, All drenched and dripping fresh from battle's fount. The Hag of Britain, emblem of the free. The meteor talisman of liberty. In savage frontier strife with crafty foe Each woodland stratagem he well did know. And lurcher-like could trace a trail with ease Through the dim forest's fragrant mysteries. Though born and bred in Boston, skilled was he To shoot a deer or fell a mighty tree With equal art to those who'd always been Within the precincts of the bosky green ; And in the pompous, stiff, and stately ways Of formal-fashioned old colonial days Could with a lofty, ultra-gracious air Act well the beau to haughty lady fair. |lo;ik-\vn [iU'li facii [e slow!; |l;it'k my; Fitli foot [ovcd slo nmnel, loiii rock ri'iiii the ilwhile he [is faiicie [lit soon t \i water i lew to hi Ind crouc lent eagei ho c'Dolin; tight hap] to filled t Ind softly fo bear th [is friend, 'as prayi Chen read hat made A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 29 X. liroujfli l)riered dells by trail- weeds clogged he crept, lloak-wrapped by night's obscurest garb, and kept |aoli faculty agog, each nerve-chord tense, [e slowly cleft the gruesome, chilling, dense [lack mystery, and down tenebrious ways 'itli footsteps stealthy and with anxious gaze [oved slowly on anear his bubbling goal, rumiel, leaf-clogged, save its sparkling roll ironi rock-ribbed mouth into the pulsing lake. I])())i the border of a tangled brake Lwliile he paused, peered cautiously about, [is fancies twirling in a whirl of doubt ; |ut soon the gently-gurgling, drowsy sound \i water rippling o'er the rocky ground flew to his aid, a very welcome guide, Lnd crouching o'er tlie tiny brooklet's side |eiit eagerly with heated lips to drink lie oooling current from its mossy brink. light happily indeed, I well may ween, [e filled to very brim his small canteen, \\\& softly turned away with anxious care [o bear the precious water bushward, where [is friend, whose throat with fiery thirst did burn, ^as prajang fervently for his return. then reached his ears a distant splashing sound [hat made him swerve in quick alarm around, 30 THE LION AND THE LILIES. And snuff the lake-breeze like a startled deer. '* Again the sound — again — 'tis coming near ! An Indian shallop, doubtless, paddle-sped. It shoots its course around yon beachy head. This dwarf spruce-belt will shelter o'er me cast Until the nearing danger shall have passed." He heard the keel scrape on the pebbly sand, And rather felt than saw dim shadows land. And hejird them drag the boat upon the beach Beyond the restless water's rippling reach. His first impulse was foolish headlong tiight ; But shaking off the ague-thrill of fright — The chill presaging courage-fever hot — He stood as rooted to the risky spot, With every nerve to highest tension keyed For crafty caution or for daring deed. Low-voiced and deep, in hasty gutt'ral tt)nes, — Attuned to prisoned wind-chords' plaintive moans From castled-keep of distant pine-dark glen,— The leader gave his ordei's to his men. Commanding them to follow after him In silence 'neath the maple-arches dim. The}'' passed — so close indeed they passed him by. That had he rashly raised his hand on high He might have touched each tattoo-painted limb Of those ferocious man-hounds, gaunt and grim. liki' wail Their foo As sriiddi The (hviiii And siipei Smiite on Aiid sougl With wca The hcllov Thinu,i;h()i The sullen The frogs' The klKJwl Sleipiiig tl AH li(>lped Wliirli, s])i As falls a i A t hough t- As l)u.sy ze And clear " -Hi'' faint p ^Vni I a c <) let a s i^ith flimsy leh thoutr e grisly i A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 31 XI. Sc wand'ring wraiths with phajitom-softness shorl Sen' footfalls waked no echoes from the sod. scudding wind-clouds sweep the midnight sky le (Iroani-like shadows flitted swiftly ))y, bd superstition's wand with potent thrill itc on the bulwarks of the soldier's will, kid sought to quake the ramparts mortal-j)roof fitli weapon woven with immortal woof. b<' hollow moaning of the tristful breeze Iroughout the vast expanse of night-craped trees — le sullen sobbing of the unseen lake — |e frogs' low croaking in the swampy brake — le kiKJwledge of the stricken ones around feepiug the endless sleep of death profound, All liclpod to conjure up a ghastly spell liit.li, sj)ite his efforts, on his senses fell falls a fog athwart a sunny bay : i^tliought-wind's rush and it was swept away, busy zephyrs brush the curtain dun, 1(1 clear betwixt the water and the sun le faint penumbra of the brief eclipse, uii T a child," came quickly to his lips, Co let a string of shadows slave my sense [ith flimsy cob-web bonds \ Bah ! Hasten hence Icli thoughts ! Better for us indeed were they be grisly phantoms of a, former day, 32 THE LION AND THE LILIES, m uprisen from somo ancient charnel -mound To prowl about the recent battle-ground, Recalling victories won while in the flesh, And fighting all their coiKjuests o'er afresh. Than brawn, and bone, and blood of living ni<»uld — Naught need I fear from fleeting phantoms cold I The living only need I watch in dread — All harmless are the armies t)f the dead. I'll pluck the fruit from fate's inviting bough, Steal yon canoe and point its slender prow Around the bushy headland t(j the hill That points its inky apex, black and still. Toward the stars, a monument of gloom, Like fate draped in the murky robe of doom. Aside the looming column's storm-swept feet. Where lake and land-breeze blend their pinions fleet, A clump of bushes bends its verdant crown With pendent plumes in sweeping beauty down Unto the wimpling wavelet's kissing touch. In safety there from prowling savage clutch I'll hide my pilfered prize, and fleetly speed To where my comrade lies in urgent need Of help my awkward fingers cannot give. Left there he dies — I vow that he shall live If aid of mine will guarantee his life." The branches clogged his way in silent strife. As slowly from their clinging arms he merged, And on the water's plashing margin verged. Not one but three canoes upon the sand Felt on their barken sides his searching hand, ;(M'I' li/i stcc T!^ pad \\\ gll bom hoi ThI wat That }.;il In nit'asi W|h hu Heihaste His mate Had circ Where d, Waved tl As oil he Of pi'owli Nor to hi By which True, oft And bow( But e\('r J That wha Was only Bylight-c Insiifety W|ere, cl 3 tlliji A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 83 Aa oVr their guininy seams it swiftly sped. The lightest launching, toward the bosky head He steered, and drew with long and noiseless sweep The paddle till he reached its wooded steep. Then gliding gently 'mid the rushes rank He hounded lightly to the spongy bank, And housed within a leaf-enwoven nest The water wild-bird with its birchen breast, That palpitated softly with a sob In measure with the lake-heart's muffled throb. With hunter-instinct true to guide his way • He hastened back to where in anguish lay Hit mate, whose fevered fancies quick to wing Haid circltd swiftly round the lakeside spring, Where darkness-hooded deeds in huddled thronj Waved their wild arms in pantomimic song. »?,' XII. JFou he softly went he heard no sound Of prowling red men in the wilds around ; Not to his eyes came sight of any sign By which he could their silent course divine. True, oft he started back in sudden dread. And bowed with instant haste his active head, But ever ascertained, on looking near, That what had made him hesitate in fear W|k only bank, or bush, or deeper shade, By light-contrasting, open leafage made. In safety soon he reached the ferny spot, ere, chafing grimly o'er his hapless lot, 34 THE LION AND THE LILIES: W^ The wouTidod Cc'iptaiii frurcd his daring friend Had oroHsod tho bourn to which all mortals trendy A victim to tho fancied orgies wild The fount's unblemished bosom had defiled. Right gladly, therefore, did he greet him when He crept down closely by his side again. "I feared," he said, "you'd met a skulking foe, And fallen 'neath a coward's sneaking blow." " I really met a file of foes indeed. But took good care and crafty, cautious heed That I should keep myself by them unseen ; And providential 'tis for us, I ween, That I by chance was standing close at hand When the marauding villains came to land. For I from them stole off a light canoe, All heedless of their vested rights, and drew It through a labyrinth of reeds until I hid it at the base of yonder hill. The green leaf-curtains, midnight-tinted now, Fold o'er its slender length from stern to prow. And in its secret nook 'twill nestle safe. Though long-limbed redmen hunt the missing w-aif Till day-dawn bathes the dusky face of night. But we must move ere comes the morning light With sharp-eyed glances peering 'neath the eaves Of temples moulded out of maple leaves, I fear me much 'twill hurt your wound to go, But 'tis indeed our only hope, I know. This canteen's contents will, I trust, refresh Your drooping strength. We must evade the mesh •\veav gent En- T!^ met Inltriuir The iiigl The gloo The daw Oui" patl ThK curl The sails Wl won' A hn-ing Adown c We'll soa With eye We'll pu: With (lit Offi.'.y 1 Without That par Did for ll But fain Had veil! •"TisaJl Another Ot^tortur Thftt n-(>a( G&! Le; In noble, W I A TALE OF THE CONQUEST Of \\ (>aving rl.'in^ors netting us around. Up ,u<'ntly, now ! I'll aid you from tho ground : Old I'iUgland ill can spare your nerve and skill. The meteor tlag shall lla]) above you still In ti iuinph to atone to-day's mistake. The night will pass, the day of victory break ! The gloom is dowered with doubtful safety but The dawn with death. The sharp canoe may cut Our pathway now athwart the dimpling deep. The curling mists that veil the morn will sweep The sails of death's pale craft across our trail ; We won't give up ! Life's jewel-sparkling grail A hiring lustre^ throws of liquid light Adown our path. With wings of hope bedight We'll soar o'er puny things. Lean on my arm. With eyes and ears alert for each alarm We'll push along our safety-s'eeking road." With ditHculty struggling 'neath a load Of fiery pain-darts, soon he could not stand Without his stalwart partner's aiding hand. That partner then, most tenderly and true, Did for him all a soldier's will could do ; But fain were lioth to rest a space ere they Had \(Mitured far upon their dusky way. "'Tis all in vain ! " gasped Lee. " I cannot go Another rod. Each movement sends a throe Of torture through my miserable frame, That goads my spirit to subjection tame. Qq ! Leave me ! Here you risk your useful life In noble, earnest, unavailing strife 35 36 THE LION AND THE LILIES. To boar my war-wrecked figure from the field. Ere day the forest's secrets have revealed You can no doubt without me safely go Across the hidden waves " — " Hist, there's the foe I I'll help you back beyond this spruce-set hill, Where we will ambuscade awhile until We learn what yonder noisy knaves are at. Owl-eyed, or visual-featured like a bat, One needs must be to read the inky i)age Which bears the impress of their noisy rage." XIII. As Hashes up an ember's fiuttering fire, That erst had seemed just ready to expire, When fanning breeze upon it sharply blows. So then Lee's drooping spirits quickly rose, As on a sudden with a ruddy glow A smoking pine-torch in the swale below Swung rapidly before his startled sight. Transforming sombre shades of lonely night To human shapes of ghastly warrior-guise. A moment, stimulated by surprise. His wonted strength returned and he could stand, Unaided, staring at the savage band, And hardly needed any help to creep The path to covert, thorny, rough, and steep. "That wriggling dance no doubt is o'er their dead. The more they dance the better,'' Harold said. " May nature's heart, infuriated by Their revels, spur them on until they vie A TALE OF THE CO NO VEST. 37 Each otlier in gore-jjfluttiii;^ canii\al, And like to wolves, He.sli-nifulchMicd, burst the thrall That prisons uj) their own fierce heathen souls, Which, when their blood dyes red the brown pine boles, Will Ht)at upon the wind in ebbin<^ sobs, Kcsponsiv(; to their bosoms' dyinji^ throbs. Let's through this clump of trees. Come, <>r(» you feel Those faint sensations o'er your body steal. Our way we'll take again toward the lake ; Wo must embark before the morn's awake." In vain the attempt to try to urge him on : Again unnerved, his transient strength was gone, "Leave, I connnand you," feebly faltered he, " You shall not sacrifice your life for me. Full well I know I cannot 'scape the foe, So I beseech you instantly to go. There's one, I ween, in yonder seaport town, With bonny flaxen hair and eyes of brown, AVhose gentle head will droop with blighting woe If you ai'e killed, so Harold, comrade, go ! " " I'm not in danger's fingers — do not fret — I'll tow you off in triumph's shallop yet ; But as for going, trust me I will not Dt»sert you in your present luckless lot. No friends of mine, however they might grieve O'er my decease, would ever bid me leave A wounded friend in solitude to die. I will not go without you. Do not try To coax me on so cowardly a course — " Then interrupted loudly their discourse 3d THE LION AND THE LILIES. A sudden tumult, many voiced and strong, That soared and swelled and sank in funeral song Until the trumpets of the distant hills Cauglit up the music, and, with minor trills, Repeated far across the lake's lone breast A wail of woe for warriors at rest. XIV. The high, frenetic chorus waned anon, And presently one voice alone went on In chanting strain sonorous .to describe The virtues of the sachem of his tribe, Around whose frigid clay inanimate The snaky cii-cie swerved with signs of hate Against the fatal hand that laid him (ow. As Harold did their uncouth language know, He listened with most efficacious care To catch each sentiment as uttered there. ^be 5nMan'5 IRequtcm. Cold and still our chieftain's lying 'Mid the mingled dead and dying. While his soldiers o'er him siohini; Mourn the brave one gone forever. Nevermore o'er held or rivri Will he lead us into battle, Where the firearms flash and rattle. Nevermore his clear voice ringing. Martial music proudly singing. A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 39 Will re-echo far before us, Or his strong right arm wave o'er us, As he charges on the foe. See afar the vivid lightning All the dim horizon bright'ning, 'Tis the mighty Manito, Who is guiding o'er morasses, And through gloomy mountain passes Up beyond the cloudy masses. Now his spirit brave on high To the hunting-grounds of glory. Told of in traditions hoary. Sung in song and famed in story, To the land beyond the sky. He has gained, but we have lost him — Curse the day the foemen crossed him ! — Sage in council, fierce in fighting, He is dead, the vict'ry blighting, Who in earnest strived for righting Wrongs, that, e'en our bravest frighting. Weigh us down on every hand. By the snining stars above us, Let us rouse for those who love us. Grasp with firmer clutch the brand ! Wave it high until the glarixig Of the flaming housetops, flaring, Casts a ghastly glitter far, And unto the heavens sending Gleams that with the lightning blending. Play around the evening star. Showing him his memory's living, Strength and courage to us giving To continue in our working. Ever striving, planning, lurking Round the hated faces pale 40 THE LION AND THE LILIES To exterminate the scourges. Everything around us urges On, as thus we chant our dirges, That for vengeance we assail. Without mercy, without warning, Every cry for pity scorning, Till there's none to tell the tale ; Till the white face will have vanished, By the redman's weapon banished From each mountain, plain, and vale. Now in anguish and in grieving Take we our last mournful leaving. Bid to thee a sad farewell. O'er thy body, calmly sleeping. May the tears of night-dews, weeping, Turn to flowers sweetly creeping. Till in gorgeous radiance heaping Fill they all this mournful dell. XV. Then died the chant in soft and plaintive way, As dies the echoes o'er the marshes gray. And on the last, low, hesitating tone, Sad as a lone pine's solitary moan. Rose with a shout the chorus once again. A roll of thunder took up the refrain. And pealed it through the pathways of the sky Unto the threshold of the cloud-throne high, Where robed in misty garments intertwined The potent watchers of the mighty wind Held at the Master's best the circling strings, Th ,t stayed the pulsing of its ponderous wings. A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 41 Ajrain tiie chorus waned into a wail By silence slain, and from the solemn vale, Low-bent V)eneath the burden of their woe, And breathing vows of vengeance on their foe, They vanished as the day into the night. Afraid to move, though safety lay in flight, The anxious white men, eyes and ears alert For roving dangers, which they might avert, As beasts at bay crouch down in savage mood To shun the forest-tyrants searching food, Low grovelled 'mong the leaves and scaly cones. Lee's teeth were clinched to cage the struggling groans That pain-betortured dashed against the bars And scintillated into fiery stars. That meteoric o'er his vision shot. At last he said, *' Oh, leave me ! 'Tis my lot To perish here. I can no longer quell My voice — " " Ah, what *? Another funeral yell ! " His comrade interrupted. " So they've found Fresh cause for howling. Would the miry ground Would drag them down into its boggy bed. And huge reeds fatten, on their corses fed ! They're far enough away. The coast is clear. The chance has come to move away from here." 'Twere painful to describe Lee's luckless plight, \\ hen once again they struggled in their flight Thrt)ugh sedgy slough, and slimy, weed-grown pool. Unto the rugged capes, rock-ribbed, and cool 42 THE LION AND THE LILIES: With oozing springlets, that like sentries stood, The warders of the scallop-hiding wood. '' The boat is almost at our feet, but now A danger threatens, that might quickly cow The bravest heart. List to the booming sound That rolls across the forest's mighty bound, And ebbs and flows in tides of surging surf — Tlie sky-waves beating on the coast of earth ; And note the lightning's scythe cut swaths of light Across the meadows of the moonless night. Beneath the rocks 'twere better we should wait Than trust our fortune to the pilot Fate, A luckless guide upon a stormy lake, With death to fore and danger in his wake. A cave nests in the clifl:' across the cove — The path there's guarded by a willow grove. An effort more and then in havened rest We'll wait the coming of the threatened guest, Which knocks upon the portals of the night With emphasis suggestive of its might." Thus Harold spake, and Lee again essayed To struggle onward with his comrade's aid, ' But words descriptive cannot paint the pain. That, spasm-shotted, wracked his frame again. The blotted landscape, steeped in deepest dye, Glowed out at times, as if the gates on high With outward swing gave glimpses of the Throne, And in the startling outbursts, fleetly shown Athwart their way, unearthly radiance shed That smote their bosoms with the creeping dread ■HP A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 43 Of ghostly spirits, and of yawning graves, That oft the most intrepid soul enslaves. Fancy them groping onward in the night Mid (lead and dying, stricken in the fight. And instantly the gloom displaced by bright And furnace-glowing flashes, showing white Tp-staring faces, mixed of friends and foes. In clustered heaps or long, inwoven rows. Ivich glimpse that glowed was fleeter far than thought, I Jut slow enough to show that it was fraught With shades of horror far beyond the scope Of pen's or pencil's utmost power to cope. Then hushed the breathing of the panting trees, As ceased the gasping of the fitful breeze, I calm presaging settled over lake A And land. Nor leaf did stir, nor wave did break, As if awed nature's bosom ceased its swell When pealed the chiming of the storm-king's bell From Heaven's high arch to earth's mosaic floor. And echoed back and forth in wild encore. "Ah, here's the spot we're looking for," at length Said Harold. "Glad am I your ebbing strength Held out. Rest now upon this stony bed. With rocky pillow 'neath your aching head, ^\'hile I speed back with all the haste I may To lift our bark beyond the billows' play, I And hide it from the buffets of the gale. That soon will harp-like sweep o'er lake and vale Its airy fingers in a wild refrain, iThe prelude of the coming of the rain." f I!'' ' '"'iii ';■' 44 THE LION AND THE LILIES. The squally skirmishers, which led the van, Smote him with vigor as he blindly ran Back to the cavern when his task was o'er. Then burst the tempest with a deaf ning roar O'er mount and moor, o'er forest, lake and stream. While glowed the lightning in incessant gleam. And thunder fought with thunder in the din. As trees dashed down and frightened waves rushed in. Great trees, that soared with lofty heads on high The while the storms of ages passed them by. And nodded gleefully unto each blast. Uprooted lay when the tornado passed. The waters turbulent had ne'er before Lashed out so fiercely 'gainst the raging shore ; For, boiling madly in that awful hour. They rivalled e'en the ocean's mighty power. When, winter- rode, it shakes its angry mane. And heaps in mountains its aforetime plain. Each long wave seemed veneered with liquid fire, Whence blue tongues lapped the lone coast's lurid pyre. A scene too glaring 'twas for mortal sight. And so they hooded from the dazzling light Their aching eyes, and crouched behind the rocks That harbored them against the gusty shocks Of warring winds, right well content that they 'Neath stony bulwarks could defy the sway Of powers invincible on open field, Before which land and water had to yield. Then poured the rain in evanescent shower. The wind-bursts lost their tyranny of power, The ligiitni Came low i And just a! And tinted AV'itii faint Pale, filmy The storm-c The wind h; li A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 45 The lij,'litning dimmed, and soon the thunder's sound Came low across the lake's remotest bound, And just as dawninrj heralded the day, And tinted up the hill-tops far away With faint reminders of the coming sun, Pale, filmy letters on a standard dun, The storm-cloud's sombre vestu:*e disappeared. The wind had settled and the weather cleared. i 46 THE LION AND THE LILIES, CANTO THE SECOND. I. The cold, gray morning struggled through the mist That, curling slowly upward, coyly kissed The low clouds, bending down to its embrace. The white-maned waves, in merry, giddy race, Sped to their fog-lined goal, the sombre strand, And died in silvery circlets on the sand, Or broke in futile wrath upon the rocks. And dashed in spray upon the snaky locks Of unshorn grasses, round whose marshy feet The stagnant lilies dozed with stolid beat. Fatigued and hungry, comfortless and cold. Though yet undaunted, vigorous and bold. When ceased the mammoth storm-burst, Harold rose And warily gazed out for sign of foes. Then 'raong the clammy lichened rocks he crept, Whence countless tiny streamlets oozing, wept By myriad stony eyes as if in woe, Made tortuous his watchful motions slow. He gave round rugged coigne a landward gaze. That giddy grew with deep draughts of amaze. A TALE OF THE CONQUEST 47 Destruction reigned in grandeur all around ; With broken trees was paved the wind-swept ground. Quick craning out his neck for better sight, His caution winging off in sudden flight, He saw throughout the woods the clear-cut path The cyclone carved with preternatural wrath, For winding far, unto his vision plain, The prone trees grovelled in an open lane, Where he'd beheld them but on yestere'en Proud forest monarchs waving sceptres green. Tliough ruffled yet, the lake's full heaving breast Was riutt'ring waywardly adown to rest. With now and then a palpitating roll As if the heart beneath could not control As yet its movements, startled by the storm. But, like to frightened babe, with sob-wracked form Was slowly verging on the shores of sleep. Pine, spruce, and cedar boughs, in many a heap Together lashed by interlinking limbs. Formed drifting rafts with water-dripping rims, I Which clogged the water's blue with sodden green. Long, bobbing logs swung here and there between, [And Harold's fancies presently descried, jAnear a little rock-mailed islet's side. An Iroquois canoe, upturned and torn, *Ko\v here, now there, by aimless billows borne. "It may be but a half-drowned snag," mused he, ^'Or gray -barked trunk of broken, wind-launched tree, But still methinks tbey must have found a grave Within the bosom of the bounding wave 48 THE LION AND THE LILIES. If they embarked upon the wind-lashed lake About the time the tempest 'gan to break. It seems to me above the booming swell Of deaf 'ning sound I heard a high-pitched yell Of anguish, keen as though a tortured soul Was scourged with torments till it lost control Of life's slim reins the while the courser sped Along the giddy marge anear the dead. It must have been the frantic, dying scream Of one who perished in the seething stream. Alas, poor wretch ! — But why, indeed, should I For him or them so much as waste a sigh % If they are lost our water-course is clear ; We may embark with scant concern or fear. Poor Lee is hardly able now to stir, And will not move, I'm sure, without demur. His clothes are wet. Alternate heat and chill Possess his frame. I greatly fear he will Succumb ere I can get him proper care ; But I'll aot sit down meekly in despair. Come, Harry, come ! It's time for action ! Wake ! Let's up and off to refuge 'cross the lake ! You can recline full length in the canoe The while I pull the friendly waters through." ** Oh, Harold, leave me — leave me ! Well I know I cannot stir. Indeed, I cannot go ! But yet it grieves me more to think that you Are staying here in mutual danger too. I will not — cannot move — here will I die ! Ab> surely, Harold, you will not deny // TALE OF THE CO NO VEST. 49 Fulfilment to my dying wish and leave For those you love, for those whose hearts will grieve With dolor deep as human breast can know, [f you are murdered by the dusky foe. ifero as I lie I'll watch your fleet-winged boat Across the undulating shadows float, And when you vanish from my earnest gaze I'll feebly raise my voice in thankful praise To God for having thus protected you, A soldier staunch and brave, a hero true." " A soldier T, alas, not very brave — No hero I, yet not, I trust, a slave To fears disgraceful or to craven greed — I'll not desert you in your urgent need. No, though our lives hang by a brittle thread, We'll shoulder each the other till we're dead." With gentle touch and tender, watchful care Down the embankment did he slowlv bear Tiie heavy, helpless, pallid, wounded man, And by ingenious, firmly-handed plan Placed him within the reeling, frail canoe. And skimmed out o'er the settling billows blue. \l II. I The sun's ascending disk, half-hid, half-seen, |j Threw wide and far a glory-tinted sheen, ^ That burnished vividly with fiery crest tjl The purple hill-tops vrapped in cloudland rest, When that canoe sped on its outward way, And bounded lightly q'er the playful, spray. 60 THE LION AND THE LILIES: Each dainty littlo islet, dotted round With gauzy fihn of mystic mist o'er-crowned, Seemed bhisliing 'neath the passion-flooded lij^dit Of fervent Sol's bewild'rin^ glances bright, As beauteous maid upon her bridal day With modest blushes coyly turns away, And seeks behind pellucid veil to liid(i The charms her ardent lover lias dcscricnl ; But vainly seeks, for e'en de.s})ite her will Those charms grow brighter yet and lovelier still. Each willow- withe and shrub, with rain-drops wet, Seemed penoant rich with nature's opals set, And all the rocky coast-line glittered bright With brilliants bedded in its brown and white. Twe "Holy Lake," too, shone like molten ore, A mighty jewel rimmed with rugged shore By ancient artists — heat, and storm, and frost — • In prehistoric ages carved and bossed. With each and all the forest keenly vied To greet the day-king as the night-queen died. III. With searching eyes Harold had keenly scanned The waterv vista from the highest land Ere he had paddled from the shelt'ring brake, And left the friendly haven in his wake. But naught suspicious could his glance descry, Excepting what before he did espy. And which he deemed was an upturned canoe. And shortly proved he bis surmises true. "Tisas J "' e men AJiiong til X(> fear fi Wliou'er \\ TIk! lake, ] H'as frant: A Miad tliii Or who'd Ij This iiK»i-n Was yester \^ jilting WkJ tJiate'i '"', gliast - •-' fruitairt Uv I'lidc; rii depth ( jTlie bass and 1^ P, down, ar Of weedy vin ^-nthroned on }i peaceful sp p on he spec A TALK OF Tim CONOUEST. 51 "Tis as I tlnmj^ht. A wreck diifts to an«l fro. "' e nicri that manned it must be lying low Aiuong the sunken rocks in Death's white arms — Xo fear from them in ambuscade's alarms. Whoe'er would think tiiat only yestere'en The lake, now placid, peaceful, and serene, Was frantic with a boisterous, frothing rage — A mad thing foaming in its locky cage 1 Or who'd believe that yonder mist-veiled hill. This morn so calm, so lovely, and so still. Was yesterday afire with nmrderous flame As fighting hordes together clashing came, Viid that e'en now its leafy hollows hold '111, ghastly semblances of mortal mould, . ■ tVuitage shaken from the tree of life I'.y I'ude gust born of internecine strife ?" While thus he spake, his paddle's steady stroke The mirrored surface of the water broke Into a thousand fragments, whence the rays, Hoth^cting gloom and gloss, displayed a maze jof fiactured shadows, tints of reeds and rocks, jhivcrLed images of startled Hocks Of (lucks and snipes above, and far below iFrom depth that seemed abysmal, tleet and slow, The bass and pike and trout in merry sports I'p, down, around, and through the tangled courts Of weedy vines, which water-lilies hold, .Enthroned on emerald, robed in white and gold. |A peaceful spirit seemed to rule the scene »\s un he sped the ssedgy isles between, 52 THE LION AND THE LILIES. But suddenly, while passing round a curve, He noticed that which made him sharply swerve With hasty, quick-born impulse from his course, And wrench the paddle through with doubled force. A glimpse of bo«t well-manned had caught his eye, And confident was he its crew could '^py His head erect, ere round the reeds that grew About the bend he could evade their viev*. His comrade felt the buoyant impulse given As faster on the nimble bark was driven, And knew that instant danger threatened nigh From the fer ?ious flash of Harold's eye. A sharp glance side v/ ays told the unwelcome truth. *' We're chaseu by Frenchmen ! " hissed in ruffled ruth The fleet words from the paddler's tight-drawn lips. " But by the way our vessel lightly skips I judge they'll find no easy task ahead." A long Ic vv isle between them, onward sped The hunted and the hunters in hot chase. It was indeed a spirit-stirring race ! Harold was supple, strong, and long of limb — The exercise was but as play to him. And manfully he dashed along the way. While, losing nothing by the least delay, The larger boat was likewise urged along By arms impulsive, willing, skilled, and strong. ■'I 'iii ■III A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 53 IV. Alternately the racers seemed to gain As each flid every nerve and muscle strain, And forced the pace with all a sprinter's speed. At last his haste made him forget to heed The rocks and shallows planted in his waj'-, And Harold noted with intense dismay A chafing rent, by rocky dagger made, A tiny opening by a dangerous blade. Through which the bubbling water 'gan to oo/e, " Alas, we've sprung a leak ! We're bound to lose The race. Surrender is the wiser way. They'll surely treat us well, those Frenchmen gay." Then with a look resigned of calm despair He waved aloft his paddle in the air, A token signaled that he'd ceased to tr}'' From stronger foemen longer then to fly. Lee saw the paddle drop, its holder fall, Heard from behind the murd'rous Indian-call, Conminglod with a musket's rattling voice, A combination of malignant choice ; Knew in a flash his friend had met his death, Told by his staring eyes and gapoing breath, Turned and beheld a very swarm of braves — Red-painted figures crouched in reedy caves — Red mouths agape in ghoul-beseeming gloat — Red eyes aflame upon the white-crewed l)0.'it B 54 THE LION AND THE LILIES t That fell within their toils, as in a nest Of famished wolves a hunger- welcome guest. His blood burst through the slender bond that held A shattered vessel, and the heart-impelled, Hot, crimson tide welled from the life-spring up, And drained unto its very dregs life's cup. Then instantly he sank in swoon so deep As well to simulate Death's dreaded sleep, And thus remained with upturned face as white As cloud the full moon shimmers through at night. From out his frigid lips arose no sound That could be caught by Frenchmen crowding round, But just as each one thought that death was nigh, His feeble breath came back with flutt'rinjj; siijh. The corpse-like pallor left his lip and cheek The while he mumbled low in accents weak, And fancied he was back at home again Beyond the foaming, billow-tossing main. Within the precincts of his l)oyhood days, Ere forth he launched upon the world's rough ways. Anon he charged with fancied valor high. And heard the cannon's voice roll to the sky. The tempest's sweep, the lightning-lighted lake Again made his awe-stricken spirit quake ; Once more he saw poor Harold gasp for breath. Clasped in tlie clutches of the angel Death ; And thus for days he threaded through a ma/e, Created by a tireless, mastering craze. A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 55 At length one night refreshing slumber came, And sweetly soothed his fevered, nervous frame With nature's grand elixir, potent rest. Of mundane medicines the first and best. So when he woke upon the break of day Delirious clouds had vanished quite away. And reason's sun began its march again Just when the morning's sun began to reign ; And like it dazzled first the looker-on. Accustomed to the shades then happ'ly gone As migrant birds into another clime, Before the entry of the morning's prime, Triumphant o'er the tyrant powers of gloom, Symbolic of the vict'ry o'er the tomb. He scarce could move. His voice was very weak ; Gaunt furrows lined his wan and sunken cheek ; Yet still he gazed about with curious eye On all his scanty vision could descry. The room was strange, and quite unknown to him. The past was 'wildered, indistinct, and dim. He feebly wondered how he chanced, and why, III log- walled, lofty tenement to lie, And, wondering vaguely, slowly did recall Back to his blotted memory one and all The desp'rate deeds ere daring' Harold's blood Poured at his feet in crimson-painted flood. M 56 THE LION AND THE LILIES: Then came a trance dim-showing, as if seen Through folds of blackness stretching up between The mind and deeds, which might be fancies strange Ho far they roamed beyond the beaten range Of reason's bound, with gaps of darker shade Between vhence thoughts swam up in garb arrayed Of motlt^ tint, and danced to mazy strains Strung on the gamut of his troubled brains. The dawning followed, indistinct and gray, But slowly moulding into mental day. " It seems as if I'd waked from v^er}' death," He thought. "I know I felt as if the breath Of winds eternal sent a clammy chill From awesome crypt-caves, mouldy tomb-vaults still, Upon my heart, and fancied that I died. The burning Indian eyes, in seeming, vied In branding torture-marks upon my brain, That ice-like hissed its anguish back again Beneath the searing-hot, metallic sting. Then slowly floating, as if borne awing By some protecting power, I rose above Both sight and sound, and, as a mounting dove Escapes the toiler's almost circling snare, I mounted up into the regions, where Insensibility rules o'er a realm Of mercy, and controls with despot helm A ship of state, encargoed with relief For mortals burdened down with pain or grief. The Frenchmen must have interfered to save Me on the toppling margin of the grave, And I, a h( Like to a b Alan cannoi " What ma On level wi Of my surrf Obtain a us^ Can [ hpfjin Of freedom, He grappled ' 'aught one Tlien dizzy s lipcurabent ; Awhile to w, • 't' >iky, a ma The open cas Of islaiid-lim Xeath cloud The tints roll The azure col And in its pi; I'll tin earth t( 1 "'Starred wit Tiie mighty f( , Illumed with The heacons o 8'',vond the 0( The winds of ' A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. w And I, a helpless captive, mumble here, Like to a babe in strength, a child in fear. Man cannot tell until he tries," he said, " What man can do. If I can lift my head ( )ii level with this rustic window-sill. Of my surroundings then I trust I will ()l)taiii a useful view, for none too soon Can I begin to angle for the boon Of freedom, valuable as life itself." lie grappled at the rough-hewn window-shelf, ' 'aught one lirief glimpse of water, wood, and sky, Then dizzy sank with sharp, impatient cry llecumbent as before, and fain content Awhile to watch the circumscribed extent Of sky, a map of azure, hung before (The open casement, over which the score [Of ishind-limit, ocean, hill, and plain, i'Xeith cloudy fingers changed and changed again. if' VI. |The tints rolled round into the even-tide. The azure color of the sky-map died, l\nd in its place night's dusky curtain hung From eai'th to sky, on cords celestial swung, Bestarred with points of palpitating sheen. The mighty foldings of a sombre screen. Illumed with jets of ultra-mundane birth, Ihe heacons of a land beyond the earth. Beyond the ocean and the reefs of time, [I'lie winds of sorrow, and the isles of grime. !| 68 THE LION AND TME LILIES: Attendant hands closed out the skyey night, Dreams danced about him in their fairy light, And pilfering slumbers stole the hours away, Until tl. ^y scampered off scared by the day That, wide-eyed, met his widely-opening eyes. Half held in slumber, half held by surprise. Again he tried to break his vision's bound. And though at first his head seemed circling round In dizzy sweep, it quickly settled down. The river dimple, and the mountain frown, The tufted crag, the pine-glades wet with dew. Clouds golden-tleeced and clouds of sober hue. Clouds misty-soft and mists of cloudy blue. The meadow-masquerade of foggy marsh. The granite pillars of the hillside harsh. The shafts cf sunshine chasing truant shades Through leafy archways into flowery glades, The dreamy splendor of the ivied towers Of verdure melting into boundless bowers Of everglade and forest-mantled plain, — All these with love-lit eyes tried to retain His glances for their own as forth he peered. Afar the lofty hill-tops proudly reared Their royal-purple robes in kingly poise. While green-clad pages, pertly smiling boys, The lesser hillocks, swarmed attendant round To bear their missives to the water's bound. The lake's warm bosom seemed with love aglow As lip to mouth it caught the river's flow. A TALE OF THE C0N(2UESt. 59 The brooklet's gurgle, and the tiny stream That toddled childlike to its mother-gleam. Anear was a plateau, whence marching men [Strode down a slope around a uoggy fen, I And up a rise a half a mile away. There soon along the ridge a great array j Of axemen swung their glinting blades in haste, [And slashed the forest till the spot lay waste As cyclone-signet sets its searing mark. [The long day through from early dawn till dark He watched with languid interest the swarm [Of workers, barrier-building 'gainst the storm lot' war that thundered near the horizon's verge. [Anon polite attendants tried to urge, ?)V tempting food, his appetite to come. Awliile he'd doze, and then the throbbing drum [Would call to life the bugle's blaring notes, And high-pitched whoops from copper-tinted throats [Would answer back their rousing martial strain, [And strike with grating jargon on his brain. U sunset's flame sank into embered night moving picture flitted 'fore his sight, weird kaleidoscopic interchange )f colors flashing, picturesque, and strange. iWith clash and clang unceasing rang the din From axes like revolving lights, that in bid out from glint to gloom incessant swung, I hile tottering, towering forest-giants wrung Their anguished limbs, then grovelled in the dust, Imperial things consigned to moth and rust. do THE LION AND THE LILIES: The garish beams of eventide's cloud-cliffs — Reflected back by white-winged, rippling skiffs, Canoe-surrounded, wreathed in river mist — Affrighted by the sundown shadows whist, Grew pale and faint and fled on pinions fleet To trail the pathway of the day-god's feet. The axe-ring ceased, and darkness, silence-clad. Swung o'er the lake and wood its censer sad, And Henry felt its incense-fuming air Crowd on his soul the dark pall of despair. "A useless burden, like a worn-out boat, My fate, I fear me now, 'twill be to float Within the shadows when the fleet goes by. 'Tis better far for man that he should die Where foe to foe with bull -dog fervor hold Than drag a dying life to pity's fold And claim a shelter — Ah, what hear I now % A plaintive ripple as of gentle prow Of music's shell athwart the crest of song." The mournful prelude ceased, and then a strong Sweet voice trilled on the balsam-laden breeze. And woke far-mocking sprites among the trees. Its rich, melodious swell, a flowing tide. At times would ebb until the echoes died. Then back upon the listener's heart would roll. And almost hypnotize his very soul. 'Tis different far to list to music's strains Where business lords it o'er her cold domains. And narrow, dusty, care-worn haunts of toil The finer instinct-jewels blunt and moil, A TALE OF r/IE CON(2UEST. (il To what it is to lie at nature's feet, Where field and forest, lake and sky-land greet, With low primeval voices undefihMl The old-world echoes in their precincts wild. Lee's spell-bound heart seemed floating with the air- lEach stanza's impress finnly settled there — lAnd from his well-skilled brain evolved the sonir. Translated as the nmsic purled along. "■&■> Intertwined with the trill of the trees Sings the soft sweet sound of the sea, As borne in the arms of the breeze It sang of old to me, When the gloom of the sununer gloam Crept into the heart of home. Intertwined with the breath of the bloom Sways the soft sweet scent of uhe flowers, That grew in my mother's room In the childhood-gleaming hours. When the gloom of the summer gloam Crept into the heart of home. Intertwined with the wash of the wave Sobs the slow sad sound of the bell, That over my mother's grave Intoned its solemn knell. When the gloom of the summer gloam Crept into the heart of home, 62 THE LION AND THE LILIES: VII. The sin;Lut, list, a sound ! I must retire with care ; A waiy brave should of surprise beware. It well behooves me now to scan my ground, For it" discovered in forbidden bound A dagger's thrust or whistling bullet will Cool the hot blood or bid the heart be still." A guarded movement made by Lee to look Jnto the night, a darkness-covered book. Had caused the speaker like a startled deer Tills way and that throughout the gloom to peer, And then with lithesome action, soft and tieet, plide down the hill unto the lonely beat 64 THE LION AND THE LILIES: A Upon the sward, that clothed the river's brink, Where he was wont to walk at night and drink With (juenchless thirst the fitful bursts of sony From her melodious voice, that swept along The chords of even with the tuneful breeze To melt in mystic silence 'mong the trees. VIII. Lee gazed intently in the gloom awhile. The lake's face, upturned with a ghostly smile. Was decked with shudd'ring shadows manifold, A steel-gray nocturn from the temple old, Where nature prays throughout the depths of night In suppliant, lowly tones to God for liglit. The black sky blended with the black woods round. He saw no living thing, and heard no sound Save such as seemed of magic birth and growth. Far murmurs over lake, or sky, or both. Vague, undefined, and distant in their play — INlayhap the echoes of the buried day. Or strains preluding morning yet unborn. He turned him to his restless couch forlorn, And tried to sleep ; but sleep, that perverse thing, Comes oft unsought, and often sought takes win.L' For hours, or what seemed liour^, he tried in vji And lived in thought his whole life o'er again But when at last he gave up in despair The fickle goddess smoothed his tumbled hair, And sealed his eyelids with her soothing kiss. Not long in tranquu slumber's bower of bliss^ His spirit Witli [lyin To lands d The clitne i Its hopes, i Its hints ol He (h'wiine( Mid green-( Past pebbly [Through br( [And from c( j Moss-pa vcn, Tho peopled "t" untold m -V crackliriL' 'Vhen wind- A woofj nym ''npped up 1 'im-]iicture( '"'11 ''irtlio >rwavd > V ■fo •'I' at tl *ien darted M on its pre\ ' painted sav V^ lioedless o A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 66 I His spiiit lay, but up and off it sped With Hying feet adown the path tliat led To lands debatal)le 'tween death and life, The clime of Dreamland with its terrors rife, Its hopes, its fears, its grandeur, and its gloom. Its hints of glory and foretastes of doom. IX. He dreamed he walked beside the river's rim 'Mid f^reen-eyed grass, o'er rcjky ledges grim, Past pebbly strands, past tawny .^and-dunes soft, Through brooding shades, until he climbed aloft, And from commanding knoll looked down long aisles, Moss-paven, into drowsy glen's defiles, ■ The peopled shadows, whence the lilting song J Of untold myriads chorused loud and long A crackling clamor all the close noon-heat, 'A' hen wind-tides ebbed in soft siesta sweet. A wood nymph — nay, a maiden, dressed in white, — Tripped up through blots of shadow into sight. Iiim-pictured first as saint on cloistered wall, Ki'tt f.M LJif'^t entrance of a hemlock hall ir\v!ird cam*^. -• _craceful, winsome girl, y oil ' jcks in crispy curl, ' foreground, sunlight fretted o'er, !■ it the threshold of the forest door. ihen darted sv iftly from a darkened copse, A^ on its prey a glitt'ring serpent drops, ^A [lainted savage, 'howith agile arms, heedless of th< rightened girl's alarms, 5 66 THE LION AND THE LILIES Grasped her in powerful clasp and fled away, A demon laughing o'er his wild foray. She screamed and aid-imploring arms outheld Toward Lee, who sprang in haste by rage impelled To headlong eiTort. On and on they sped. Swiftly through clinging bur-clumps leaped the red With scant concern for what stood in his path, While, fuming hotly with chivalric wrath, The English errant-knight with fury mute, Dashed after him in desperate pursuit. Down deep-sunk glens, through coverts vast and dank, O'er mountain-haunts, round muddy corn-brakes rank, Through welt'ring maize-plots, o'er the broiling brows Of sandy hillocks, with convulsive vows Of vengeance panting from his gasping tongue He tracked the brave, who, supple -sinewed, sprung Through bush and brake v. ith ever-growing speed, His burden bearing without cark or heed. The shapes of unknown creatures, foul and fair. Crept, flew, or ran about him everywhere. Thrust forth their clammy limbs athwart his way, And tried to clog and trip his footsteps' play. Great wart-maile: oads-. as large as rabbits, rolled With motions sluggish and with limbs ice cold Through weed-encumbered sloughs of green-scummed m>\ \ And tried with mire-born instinct to refuse Him passage through their reeded citadels, While badgers, bobbing up from grave-like cells, Snapped at his flying feet. Then wilder yec The forest grew, and haze-clouds, blood-red, met "A dream It .seemed -^fe round ft was as i: fiito some ; Hie acme-p That \enon \\'ere doom Duration b( ^\''is pain t( Prom (juivei 1 '^00 vile for A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. before his stnaining vision, and in blind Distress he lagged at hopeless length behind, Then falling, sank down, down until he woke In time to note the morning-cannon's smoke Curl lakeward round the dawning's coy gray hood, As raaiden-like it peered al)ove the wood. 67 X. "A dream, I vow," he thought aloud, " and yet It seemed as real as if there had beset Me round those hideous things in very truth. It was as if I'd strayed away, in sooth. Into some goblin-zone where thoughts of guile. The acme-pointing tips of wicked wile That venom-sting the hearts of men to crime. Were doomed to pass a penitential time. Duration boundless, while their punishment Was pain to sight by darts of loathing sent From quivers full of undone deeds and schemes, Too vile for doing save in demon-dreams. How glad I am to look on melting greens That tint with tender radiance the scenes Enthroned on hill, embowered in ample vale. And know <^hat though I'm weary, weak, and pale, tl'm in the living arms of mother earth, [A nurse whose nourishment is mingled mirth [And sorrow, blended into wholesome fare iFor mortals tended by her watchful care. Tlure go the axemen to their post again. Hn'y plant their colors on the verging plain. 68 THE LION AND THE LILIES And bare-armed, coatless, officers and men, Along the ridge from lakeside unto fen, A tow'ring breast-work pile in zig-zag line With bristling points like quills of porcupine, A vast abattis, musket-proof, I fear." Afar was busy work, and busy near Were solemn savages in stately way Their war-paint donning for the welcome fray, With airs of gravity their eyes betrayed. When furtive glances over field and glade Gave flash" ng signals of each fiery soul Eager to burst in flames beyond control. XL The soldiers toiled for hours before the fort. Their patriotic fervor making sport Of what had otherwise been slavish task. The wounded alien, 'neath a languid mask Of chaining weakness, chafed with fiery zeal To wing a message-bird, and quick reveal Unto his countrymen the tree-heaped snare, And bid them of its dangers to beware. Then stole the first throb of a pensive strain O'er rustic barricades in sweet refrain Into the inner chambers cf his soul, There through the mystic aisles to swell, and roll. And faint, and when almost for;;,otten flow Up from the fountains of the long ago. Tho' short the song, th ^ords of little worth. The tones warmed love-elves into blushing birth. Lov Wai M Tile luusi More fit i ^weet ail And sooi] f 'pon tJi And lo ! ^^'itii pro "Wluit: Tl.c first "'ill that l^^ndeavor Would T J Tis she, tl Wlio to ni I A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 60 Love strays lonely out by the willows, Wanders lone by the alders gray, Sits and sighs by the blue lake's billows Hermit-like the live-long day. Love afar by the dun rocks roaming Watches wearily over the way, Wind-swept, dreary, low in the gloaming, Chiding gently her mate's delay. Love alone is waiting, waiting, Over the brink of the grave of the day — Waiting her mate and the time for mating, Mist-enfolded and far away. The music's soft vibrations, minor-keyed — More fit for bower than warlike fort, indeed — Sweet air-waves, settled into calmness dumb. And soon Lee saw a wliite-robed lady come Upon the scene adown a root-ribbed walk. And k) ! behind her did an Indian stalk With proud 1^'^k on his young and handsome face. " Wluit I " wonaered Lee. " My dream and bootless chase 1 The first part of my dream personified I V.ill tliat lithe figure, full of fiery pride, Kndeavor to fulfil the rest to-day ? Would T had strength to step athwart his way! Tis she, the maid, and he, in truth, the brave Who to my dreaming hours such torments gave. ro THli LION AND THE LILIES: She wandcii's on all heedless of the hound Whose foot-falls make no sound upon the ground, And who, no doubt, would haste to grasp the chance To carry off this lily-bud of France, A flower fairer than a morn in June, A fragrant poem swathed in love's own tune. I'm helpless as my dream foretold, or time Would tell few moments on his circling chime Ere round that smoke-stained throat I'd leave a brand, Deep-pitted by remorseless Britisli hand." W'ith growl of discontent the wound-bound man In rugged Anglo-Saxon heaped a ban Upon the plumed and painted wild-wood beau, Who marched with supercilious motion slow- Behind the maid, as if both sea and land Stretched out obedient to his command. XII. Surrounded by a bowing group, the girl — The coy breeze toying with each queenly curl That gem-like edged her snowy-tinted neck, — Gazed eager on the rough-edged forest-wreck, Alive with energy in full display. A brief space passed, and then in war's arra}' A column from the rear paraded by. And as the stalwart compaii.os drew nigh They cheered and halted on a knoll-marked slope. " A boon I ask, a boon I fondly hope Your loyal heart will bend with joy to grant. I know your love is staunch as adamant For Fran You sang A patriot We bade To-tlay be Hight soo: The umsk Will blen( And from May hurl The boon By singing The speak( The fair-fa "Marquis "It thrills To think t' Of service To noble d( I'll do my 1 For home a God save o "Thanks, r A glorious To live and At her proi And every ■ Fans up the hi stirring ! And rang \\ A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 71 For France and home, and for our standard fair. You sang with fervor, rousing, grand, and rare, A patriotic song the solemn night We bade farewell unto Quebec's gi'im height. To-day beyond yon hills an army comes. Right soon will swell the beat of hostile drums ! The muskets' rattle and the bugle's blare Will blend discordant on the balmy air, And from fate's scales foul destiny or doom May hurl us, dying, on our country's tomb. The boon I crave is that you'll cheer the men By singing now for them that song again." The speaker ceased, and Lee gave earnest ear The fair-faced damsel's answering words to hear. "]\Iarquis Montcalm," her bell-toned voice replied, " It thrills my soul with patriotic pride To think that you should deem my feeble song Of service to arouse the war-trained throng To noble deeds and feats of daring high. I'll do my best. A child of France, I'll try For home and land to do whate'er I may. God save our soldiers in the coming fray." " Thanks, maiden, thanks a thousand times I give ! A glorious thing it is for France to live — To live and love — mayhap to die for her ! At her proud shrine each man's a worshipper, And every theme that wakes their warlike ire Fans up the flames of patriotic fire." In stirring strains the song-notes rose and fell And rang with girlhood's sweet bewitching spell, n THR lion and the LILIES: Their changes deep in many a manly heart That leaped responsive to perform its part* Song. The lilies will bloom when the lion is dead, The lilies of France in their glory, And their tendrils crown the mound o'er his head. The lilies will bloom when ages have fled, The lilies of France in their glory. The lion will droop 'neath the breath of the flowers, The lilies of France in their glory, But the sun will warm through the summer hours, And the rain will cherish with balmy showers The lilies of France in their glory. Oh, wide and far through the wild wood lone, The lilies of P'rance in their glory Will grow to the verge of the lake- mist's zone — Yea, will climb to the crest of the mountain's throne, The lilies of France in their glory ! Up ! soldiers, up ! and bear on to fame The lilies of France in their glory ! On the lion's tomb carve your country's name. And round it enwreathe in circles of flame The lilies of France in their gloiy ! With three hot cheers for France and three times three For her whose tongue with fiery ecstasy Had brimmed each soul, they marched with lofty pride To man the breastwork on the rough hill-side, A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. And many a one throughout the fatal day, When fainting 'neath the perils of the fray, Was cheered by mental echoes of that song, Till arms exhausted o'er again grew strong. 73 XIII. " I thought her fair," growled Lee, " and passing fair No doubt she is, but little cause to care Have I for dangers that beset her way. A prowling brave or foppish Frenchman may Take her to wife, and welcome be his choice. A beauteous face, a music-laden voice Of foreign race can have no charm for me, I'd rather wed a girl of low degree. With features plain and dearth of female grace, With grand old Britain for her native place, Thau win the loveliest maid that France can boast. The peerless one of all a nation's host. And you, Montcalm, will need more potent arms To hurl aside the brunt of war's alarms Than songs from maiden's lips, however sweet. A ditterent song your soldiers soon will greet, The chorused cheers from throats that well can cheer, The volleved fire from ranks that know not fear. Ah, oft* you go, a fair, a lovely thing, iiare type of beauty in its blooming spring, \\ ith every movement witching in its grace — Ah, wert thou but a scion of my race I P<»h I Nonsense — List the drum-beat's distant roll ! Oh, may the British lion smite the jowl 74 TITE rJON AND THE /JFJES j Of hostile foemen into fell defeat, And tramp the lilies 'neath his vengeful feet ! XIV. A harmless prelude from a leaf-screened glen, Unheeded by the busy hive of men. Struck light strains on grim l)attle's harp-strings tense Till high noon stared upon the forest dense, When ringing volleys, sharply pitched and long, Awoke the echoes with their touches strong. Then dropped the axes, and in triple row The men white-coated watched the coming foe. In columns red the attacking force advanced. Like will-o'-wisps the death-lights gleamed and danced Around and o'er them, waves that doomward rolled, Urged by the madness of unreason bold. Brave souls were there from sunny Devon's plains. Proud lion-hearts from London's wide domains, Hot sons of Ireland's emerald-tinted isle, Hale kilted Scots, and native scouts in file Extended far through copse and grim ravine — A warlike setting to a peaceful scene. On, on, and on through showers of shot they sped ; O'er tangling obstacles they pushed ahead Until the bristling breastworks' mighty mass Towered up, an obstacle they could not pass. What man could do they did with manhood's might, And fought as well as Britain's sons could fight, But vain the attempt. Fierce Highland clansmen died, Sacked up by heroes born on Shannon's side. A TALK OF THE CONQUEST. 78 And tliroats from Thames and Tyiie cliuoiod until ni in splendor now ! — Mayhap may fade. I register a vow To hurl their blossoms to the Lion's feet, To grace his royal couch with garlands meet, In tribute of the triumph soon to come, The rally round the rousing British drum, The conquering charge, that wave-like will erase From history's beach the record of disgrace. What now?" He dropped behind the burnished leaves Of vines, enwoven as a matron weaves The lace-mesh, but by touch more skilful blent, And watching through a tiny fabric-rent. Beheld an Indian maiden gently glide A barken shallop to the rocklet's side With graceful paddle softly water-dipt, Whence glint-eyed, liquid diamonds brightly dript. A red flower flamed upon her rich black hair ; Another nestled on her bosom bare, Pinned to the beaded robe that rose and fell Responsive to the throbbing underswell. A color warm shone through her clear brown skin In Ijlushing wavelets 'neath the mantle thin. And budded, beauty-laden, from her lips. Her deep, wide eyes, on fancy-distant trips, Seemed searching into times and scenes remote. When bubbling from her swelling, rounded throat A crooning song with flute-like rise and fall — A human tuning to a bird's love-call — A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. •0 Told to the trees and stones, the bees ami HowtTs, The sorrows of the threshold-touching hours, When Love's domain is nigh and Love becks on His prey into tlic web when freedom's gone. 3n0ian /IftaiDcn'0 Soufl. When the airy peaks (;f the early dawn Spring up from their slumbers deep, When the flitting shadows, pale and wan, Steal ort' to their daytime sleep, The lover wooes 'neath the trysting tree, JJut mine — ah, mine ! — has forgotten me. When the stars shine down on the twilight land As the purple hills grow dim, And the zephyr tones from the distant strand Faint far by the river's rim, The lover wooes 'neath the trysting tree, liut mine — ah, mine ! — has forgotten me. When the breeze-skein tangles the tasseled ears Of the golden-tinted maize, And the light-winged smoke from the wigwam rears A throne for the shining haze, Tiie lov(!r wooes 'neath the trysting tree. But mine — ah, mine ! — has forgotten nie. When the shy gray rabbit seeks his mate In the feathery blooms on the hill. When the wind-swept, mystical night grows late, And the locust's fife is shrill, The lover wooes 'neath the trysting tree. But mine — ah, mine ! — has forgotten me ! 80 THE LION AND THE LILIES: When t)ie coyoles cry in the hemlock glade At the mocking whip-poor-wiPj When the cloud-built bars hold the moon in shado, And the screech-owl plumes his bill, The lover wooe? 'neath the irysting tree, But mine — ah, mine ! — has forgotten me. When the ruddy gleam of the sunset shines Afar in the golden west, When the stars of night peep down tlirougli the pines At th", stars on the river's breast. The lover wooes 'neath the trysting tree. But mine— ah, mine ! — has forgotten me. And woj Tn turn "Go,gir II. T!ie last note, silver-throttted, bird-wise rose And in its tiny beak bore off the woes Of this wild maiden to the altai'-fire, Fed by the fagots of the soul's desire. That somewhere in the vast unknown burns e'er Above a cindered mass of woe and care. With red lips silent and with eyes lashed down, The flower-flame glowing on her neck's flush brown, ^he sat in statuesque repose awhile ; Then o'er her features played a fleeting smile, Ttiat fled ^ -fore a mental lava-streau). Which wtae.. volcano- like "-'th molten gleam ^i.nd bared the chaos of her wild wood soul. The torrent-rush of words, with "well and roll Of passion-tinctured fe^'vor, thrilled the ear Of him who Ljard, while adm^ratioi., fear, A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 81 And wonder, shoulder- joistling for first place, 111 turn possessed his wan and pallid face. "Go, girlhood's tender dream, once sun-bathed bright A:; God's own bow, strung tense with corded light. And arched across the blue, cloud-sailing sea, Star-tjelting time unto eternity i Go, torture-robed, death-fraught and ghastly curse Down to a dismal grave ! Ah, s'lould a worse Yato fall upon the white-bark tinted face Of her, who did my lover's love erase With foul aoceit or incantation vile, My lips perchance again might wear a sijilc ! What happiness 'twould be to bend above The dream-couch of the foreign, hawk-loved dove, And swiftly drive the gleaming dagger deep Wit'iin her snowdrift breast, and change to sleep Eternal with a blow her visions bright. And hurl her soul to realms >f endless night ! " She ceased, and then her spirit shone upon Another feature of her 'orain, and gone At onc3 was all the murder-craving thirst, And song again with pathos-muffled burst Communed with what we feel but cannot see, The \ iewless warders of each flower and tree. 82 THE LION AND THE LILIES. I went to the dell in the dead of the night, When the horns of the moon were thin, To gather the buds of the love-plant bright, And the seeds that nestled within. I stole with a step like the silent mist, As it trails o'er the hills afar From the wigwam's folds through the pine-clumps trist, AVill-o'-wisp for my guiding star. My heart throbbed high in my throat the while, As I wended my way alone To the marshy core of the dank defile Near the frog-chief's reedy throne. Where low in the shade of a ferny fell There bloomed, by the night air fed, A plant that treasured a mystic spell In the leaves that shrouded its head. The spii it of love from his throne above On a time dropt a nosegay sweet, With a curling swirl like the wings of a dove At an Indian-maiden's feet. And there at the very day and h(^ur, Just once in the season's round, The sleeping heart of the magic llower Awakes with thrilling bound. So W TI,„ The As And W At the last low blush of the settin'i^ sun It peeps from its nest of leaves, When the stars bloom out on the twiliiiht dun. It blooms on the drowsy breeze. i,^ A TALE OF THE COXQUEST. 83 When the blackness thickens the seed-bud fills, But the midnight demon dread The delicate spray and its fruitage kills By the crush of his cruel tread. If the fruit can be plucked by an Indian maid At the noontide hour of night, Who steals alone through the coal-black shade Unfettered by aught of fright. To her will be given the power to draw Her lover back to her feet. To make her wish his imperative law. And bind him in serfdom sweet. The watch imr ]>irds had whispered to me That Piy lover, once fond and true. Had broken the vow by the plighting tree, And had olFered his love anew ; That he saw on the river, the sky, the lake. But a pale-face image fair ; That his heart like a hunter toiled in the wake Of a luring alien's snare. So I went to the dell in the dead of the night. When the horns of the moon v.ere thin ; Though my heart beat fast 'twas not with affright But with high desire to win. The drooping evergreens lashed my face, As if startled from slumber deep, And the iiight-owl hopped to his hiding-place When I groped down the gully steep. From the l>row of the hill I heard the baik Of a lone wolf down in the glade. While a phantom, panther-like in the dark. Moved with noiseless step in the shade, 84 THE LION AND THE LILIES: And it followed me down with its eyes aglare, Ah pitch-pine torches glow, Till its fiery breath entangled my hair With its panting ebb and flow. I reached out once, 1 reached out twice, But my limbs refused my will ; I tried again, but io ! in a trice Came an ice-cold gust from the hill. And nothing was clasped in my trembling hand My hand that had failed its part — But leaf-dust l)rittle and clannny sand. Thus I lost the key to his heart. III. " The old world's play upon the new world's stage ! " Exclaimed our hero, while again love's rage The lake's fair mirror lashed with waking oar, As sped the maiden to the farther shore. " A tragic drama with its puppet toys, Each cargo-burdened with more care than joys. Act after act uncoils, while actors rant, And vent their spleen in passion-tattered cint. 'Tis well I led her sire behind the screen, And held the curtain till his eyes had seen The heavy villain red reheai'se his part. With wound of spirit and with body smart The aspiring brute was quickly ostracised, And as reward — one, too, right highly prized — The father introduced me to his child. Who on my pain- worn features sweetly smiled, And i Liglit( Yon s A coi'i And p For sal And b] Which And bl( To aid J They'll : fie'il St. And sni( hi endle And swa H'ill bro< % Jiear My \^%'iyv ^f on iny ^^o EngJi ^^'"^ count A foreign H'ith bea ^^'In'cJi fcw J willinfr '% ^•oice ^•^s to a bf '^''le .sunli.r A TAL£ OF THE CONQUEST. 85 And by her jjracious presence, sunshine wise, Lightened the bhiekness of my mental skies. Y(»ii squaw, so ruby lipped and dagger-eyed, A cornucopia of crimson-dyed And passion-fuming love, will have to go For safety's sake where whole plantations grow. And blossom rank with love-begetting flowers. Which yield their virtues to the daytime hours, And bloom the summer through with laudsome zest To aid lone maidens on tiieir husband-cjuest. They'll mate, no doubt, their wayward fancies o'er ; He'll strut in war-paint, feast on human gore, And smoke in lordly silence, while she ber.rs In endless drudgery her life-long cares. And swart pappooses, clad in robes of dirt. Will brood o'er, henlike, to protect from hurt. My heart? Nay I Consrience, ask you such a thing? My wayward fancies ? Soon may such take wing If on my heart they flutter for a perch ! X(» Englishman would ever dare to smirch His country's love by nestling in his breast A foreign birdling, howsoever blest With beauty, virtue, or the thousand charms WJiich twine around her their endearing arms ! 1 wiUingly admit those charms, and raise My \ oice to render tribute in their praise As to a beauteous cloud, a rainbow's beam, Tlu! sunlight's dawning blush or dying gleam. 86 THE LION AND THE LILIES, IV. The hills, mist-hooded, seemed to lean in state Against the sky-line's distant blue, in wait For homage from the purple, columned clouds, That moved in majesty, and swept the crowds Of straggling fog-wreaths from their high-poised p: Mi Athwart the heaven's dome with naught of wrath. But touch as gentle as an angel's sigh. Across the water came the day-born cry Of nature's carol, many-voiced and sweet, From rock and streamlet, field and lone retreat, The swell of bird-song, leaf-harp, insect-hum. Combined — of everything, for naught is dumb In nature's ample lap except to those Too deaf for aught save thunder's booming throes. " Intruders, ah ! " The leaves pricked up their ears ; The pine boles whistled out their boding fears ; The sly wolf slipped beneath a hollow tree ; The timid rabbit scampered ' urriedly Unto his warren's mouth, and with his mate Peeped through the undergrowth with eyes dilate. "What noise was that?" a sleek-skinned lynx inijuireil, Wiiile softly loping to a spot retired, A snorting stag sprang past him at full bound. Spurred on to headlong fleetness by the sound. A bear cuffed off her cubs with awkward paws. And rolled toward her lair witli gnashing jaws And s Hani; While Splashi As rou: Tliey Je And pa AV'iio.se And me Ai're.ste( A fuller And o'ei A band ^ Told of t That hal< The \'erv asl TJie luintJ In tan path is easy. Dare we wander down To yonder hillock with the rock-ledge brown, A i'ug<,'ed forehead 'neath a tender mass Of leiif-locks % " " Yes, we may with safety pass Al(tn<^ the stream toward the fort, that peeps Its rustic stockade o'er the tangled heaps Of hari'icade, that block the course of sight From that round-hooded hill with fi'ills of white Engrained with purple, yellow, red, and blue, Detiaut of Dame Fashion's creeds of hue. A sentry-line encircles us around, A proof, I trust, we stand on safety's ground." They sauntered o'er the velvet moss and tli rough Low aisles of shrubbery, whence startled flew Sliite-colored winged and fiery crested birds. While scolding chipmunks, tail-beruddered herds, Half-flew, half-jumped from bush to bush away, hi terror part, and part in mocking play. The heaver architecture, bravely planned And master- fashioned by the l)usy band, A theme for conversation gave awhile As sluggishly they roamed through a defile, Tlie river at their feet and rocks around. Whose l)attlemented sides formed vision's bound. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^ / / / O ^ V. 1.0 I.I 1.25 :•■ 13.2 !1M 40 iilM 2.0 111= "•4 III 1.6 <^ y & /} /a ^m e: (TA ' o 7 Photographic Sciences Corporation m. '^% s \ \ 23 WEST MAiM STREET WEBSTER, NY 14580 (716) 872-4503 % V ft n? '<^ A ' ^"^ ^ /\%-<-" ^ %. %^~ rVj)ril sun, will veer from friend to foe. Mere weather-cocks unto the winds, that blow Adverse or fair according to their sight. To-day they'd fight for us, but now to-night They'd drain our life- sap to the very core. The threats have ceased ; the danger's not yet o'er. When noisy boasts have ceased, look out for deeds. Ere dawn has dofled the midnight's murky weeds lieware, or English shouts and Indian cries, May mount together to the startled skies. I'd rather far the Englishman was dead Tlian harin should hover round your daughter's head." " My daughter's safety's dear to me indeed. But how 'twould make a Frenchman's honor bleed To l)end it down before a savage claim ! riie man is food for praise and not for blame. My daughter says he saved her from the foe, ^0 I'll protect him far as life can go." "I thank you for that word," then Lee spake out, " But if within your heart there lurks a doubt Of danger unto her from shelt'ring me, I'd rather suffer death than think that she 116 THE LION AND THE ULIES : Was placed in auglit of peril for my sake ! " ** The savage on thy blood shall never slake His heathen thirst with my consent, although Thou art of France hereditary foe. If thou didst h(!ar my comrade's words, forget ! Sad way for me 'twould be to pay the debt I owe to thee if I were willing to Surrender thee unto that howling crew ! ]letire to rest and lose in sleep tin; night. Thy slumber heavy and thy dreams be light ! " VIII. The night moved on. The bale-fire's dismal glow With melancholy weakness flickered low, And, save the water-swell against the shore, The namele.ss echoes rising evermore From mystic bush-chords tuned to peaceful strain, The hush of death caressed the viewless plain. Our hero leaned against the window-sill, And let his thoughts run riot at their will ; Built airy palaces, then wrenched then down, Frowned at his fervor, then smiled at his frown. " A very fool am I, indeed," he said, " To dream that I a Frenchman's child might wed. 'Twas but a dream. I now am wide awake. Again she sings. My heart bounds like to break ! ' A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 117 Song. Home of the heuutiful, Franco the fuir, Far away from thy lovin<^ care, Motherless, sisterless, brotherless, I Long for thee as the days go by — Days of sorrow and mental throe. Mournfully draped in weeds of woe, Days of dolor and days of dread. Drawing me nearer unto my dead. Mother, indeed, it was well yod died ?>e they fell afar from your side — Sunny-hearted, loving boys. Hongs of blessings and harps of joys — Ere they fell by the foeman's hand Dead in the wilds of a distant land. Fighting as Frenchmen ever fight, Strong for country and staunch for right. Leo, the first of the boys to go, Fell like a hero, charging the foe. Merry, happy, whistling lad, Playing, romping, never sad, He's at rest in a lonely grave Out in the west, where the willows wave Over the Nottawasaga's flood, Crimson-tinged with Huron blood. Then most promising one of all. Broad and powerful, straight and tall. Somewhere out in the Iroquois land Sleeps beneath the desert sand. m 118 T//2£ LION AND THE LI LIES;. Last, my favorite playmate won Fame and death when the deed was done Tliat secured to the fleur-de-lis All the land to the sundo\\ n sea. Father, I trust you'll long be spared, You, who have many a danger dared ; But you'll die, as you live, upright, England's foe jind a true French knight. Home of the beautiful, France the fair. Far away from thy loving care. Motherless, sisterless, brotherless, I Long for thee as the days go by. The shadow-voices of the mist-wrapped vale Dreamed drowsy echoes, which stole from their pule Wan curtains — ro^-e Mke water-birds on low Swift-guiding wings, then dropped again below The vap'rous folds and sndly ceased to be. Long, long into the soml ce mystery Of nature's night the En^'Iishman gazed down, And gazing on with deeply graven frown Athwart his brow, he fancied that he peered Into his own soul's midright, which upreared Before his eyes a symboled parchment, chained And barred against his ken. There he remained Until the cold lash of a fleeting shower Wiped from his brow the spell-web of the hour. And he retired to rest if not to sleep. Determined evermore his love to keep For Britain, while for France the seeds of hate He'd sow with eager hands both long and late. Tiie Loon Wit Tiio Roui The No () Thuu Trillf Inter The Allot A TALE OF THE CONQUEST 119 IX. No sooner had he dropped upon his couch Than every instinct in him seemed to vouch That dangers swar»ned like bees about his head. He hesitated, rose again in dread That some surprise might fiercely pounce upon Him sleeping, as the crafty fox steals on Its slumb'ring prey, and from the darkened room Peered out into the night's scarce fainter gloom. The measured cadence of the water playefl Its mazy, waltz-like music in the shade, As serenading some immortal maid That, bowered in vapor, vision-raptured lay Within the palace of a leaf- walled bay. The solemn solitude with trance like stai-e Loomed up before his vision everywhere. With vague, chaotic depths within its glance. The clustered constellations seemed to dance Round black-palled cloud-biers slowly passing by The bright-roofed archway of the midnight sky. No other sound — Yes, other sound was heard Thau water-pulses. List ! A tlute-tongued bird Trilled sadly out a soft pathetic lay Intensified with longing for the day, The time of golden phantasies and joy. Another sound, like sailor's far ahoy l20 THE IJON AND THE ULlES: O'er trau'iuil seas, hung trembling on the air. A distant whoop, and something like the blare Of warlike bugle, then came wing to wing Across the marshes with a startling ring. Short, sharp commands of caution, passing round The stockade's and the rampart's sentry-bound. Told Lee the garrison was on the guard, Alert their lives and liberty to ward Against the forest-fiends for blood gone mad. Noise after noise, wild, melancholy, sad. Came up from river, down from rocky hill. And 'cross the meadow with a ghostly thrill That made the hearer's flesh creep round his bones. By times the vales would echo hollow moans, The heights were voiced with shrill discordant tones, And every hill and dell seemed peopled by Unnumbered beasts and birds in full outcry. Song. "To the gods of the air And the gods of the stream, To the gods that declare Where the sunlight shall stream, To the gods of the thunder, Th«^ gods of the rain. And the gods that rule under The infinite main, We pray for assistance, And pray for it now, Overcome all resistance — Our homage we vow ! The s. In dif Upi'Oi From J TALE OF THE CONQUEST. \^A Ye gods of the air, Brush our foes from the land! And ye water gods, spare Neither tempest nor brand ! Ye gods of the light, Dash them down into gloom ! And ye gods of the night, Hurl them down to their doom ! Ye gods of the thunder, That shake the great earth, From the cataract under Come out to full birth. Help the gods of the rain, Sweep them out on their breath, So the gods of the main May endow them with death." es, The savage invocation ceased, and then III dismal accents from the darkest glen Cprose, in chorused voices, the reply I'^roiii tricky wizards, that the gods were nigh. CHORUS. ' The gods of the air are we. And we are the gods of the stream ; The gods of the thunder, we. That ride on the lightning gleam. The gods of the lake and sea. We answer to your prayer : We come from the ends of the world To cater to your care.' PI iir 122 THE LION AND THE LILIES: " Unless you stop this nonsense and retire, I'll give the order for the guns to fire Into your howling ranks," a Frenchman cried, "And then your gods will topple from their pride. Men, to the guns ! Now fire one shot to quell The magic of their incantation's spell." Boom went the gun, and booming rolls resounded The while the distant hills cried out astounded. But when the echoes died the night grew still, Nor man nor spirit spake from vale or hill. And till the dawn poured down its welcome light No further sound disturbed the sleeping night. X. The noon's blue splendor, fathomless and fair. Smiled warmly on the objects of its care — The forest lawn — the fiower-dell glory-hued — The scarlet tanager's, the robin's brood — The antlered deer in copse-clad dingle deep — The bodeful shadows where the beavers sleep — The glossy birches and the gloomy pines — The gorgeous orchids and the clinging vines — ■ Full-fruited boughs with silvery, shivering leaves — The starry flower-fiush from the dappled eaves Of tawny-tinted rocks, the altar-flame Of blue and purple dashes, which upcame From altars dedicated by the flowers, Which sipped their beauty from the noontide hours- All these and many more with myriad eyes Reflected back the gladness of the skies, Beyo To w You I com With Hepc, A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 123 As Lee strolled down his wonted walk alone Unto the three-treed group and wave-dashed stone. A dusky otter by a leaf-paved pool Sunned his brown head the while the waters cool With fondling touch smoothed down his silky fur, A picture pure of comfort, free from blur. A gi'oup of squaws, dirt well personified, A rude sketcli furnished from a contrast's side, Showed misery in full abasement drawn, A stain of evil on the sculptured lawn, An ink-blot on an else unblemished page. "Oh," called a voice, "your sorrows I'll assuage. You look as if your day had set in night. The nii^ht is past. I bring the tidings bright That will disperse the gloom, dissolve the cloud. This very afternoon you'll be allowed To tiit like bird of passage past the lines, L5eyond that azure-tinted tuft of pines, To where the red-coats camp in war array. Ydu tremble — start — the truth is as I say, 1 come to tell you to prepare to go." Witli light-winged laugh his joyous-tempered foe liepeated o'er his tidings. " Thanks to you For news the best that man can open to His fellowman ! Like uncaged bird I'll wing My eager flight to where the bugles ring Britannia's stirring strains, and standards }>ear The proud red cross of Britain on the air." 1^24: THE LION AND THE LILIES He turned him from the water-gleaming plain, Walked slowly up a track 'tween rock lets twain, And stood before a mound, sod-paved, and sere As yet from the transplanting touch. A tear Welled out from either eye as he drew near His comrade's grave, and plucked with tender care A. little faded flower that blossomed there ; Then with a mute and sorrowful adieu Back from the solitary spot withdrew. XI. 'Mid whisp'ring reeds and branches weeping bowed Of bathing trees, a boat its passage plowed With shallow furrow out upon the lake. The furrow-ripples trailing in its wake Seemed pointing out to Lee a white-robed girl Upon the shore, just where the eddies curl And bubble out into a silver crown To hide the rudeness of the rocks' rough frown. "Cold-hearted girl," his bitter thoughts communed, " She watches me away with eyes scorn-tuned To tension's strain." She stood in attitude Unchanging till the furrow's amplitude Was lost in breadth and vision overgrown At length. *' Ah, maiden with the heart of stone, I'll waste on thee no parting sigh. Farewell ! " Then creeping out with softly-rounded swell A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 125 A woody headland hid the fort from view. Two long and lank-limbed hunters fleetly drew The i)ainted bow across the lake's fair throat, And faltered not until the fragile boat Kan moose-like 'mong the leaves and lily-pads That fringed a reeded shore. Red-coated lads With joyous shouts ran down the sliding sands And grasped with fervor both his Avaiting hands, AVhile to his eyes the hot tears flooded fast As once again he saw his loved flag cast Its haughty folds unto the landward breeze, The colors flaming o'er the sombre trees. XII. The eventide with rapid burr etched in Broad lines of shadow, far across the thin Frail ghosts of sunset smiles that wandered lost Between the long, low clouds with gold embossed. And new-born vapors, rising, dun and cool. From weedy marsh-bed and from bul)bling pool. Lee watched the mossy hillocks joining hands, Their green waists girding with long, lapping bands Of ribbon-shadows, coiling from their skeins. The mountains seemed to bend unto the plains ; The plains to swell responsive answer back ; Then somewhere down a balsam-girded track A sweet voice sang of love, requited love. The nmsic-undulations played above His head, and circled round his heart until 126 THE LION AND THE LILIES: Its impulse fluttered with a pain-edged thrill, And rushing oft' he ran into his tent To 'scape the rankling charm. He vaguely bent His head upon his chest, his hand fell at His side and felt a folded paper, that Peeped from his pocket, eager to be read. He held it up and this was what it said : " I heaid this morn that you exchanged would be Before the sunset had bloomed on the loa, And, to my sad surprise, T found that T, Despite each impulse and each purpose high, Could not restrain a foolish tear. Therefore I write — (for now I know that nevermore We'll meet again ; that circumstances wide And deep as any grave will so betide That death itself could not be greater bar) — To beg your kindly thoughts when I'm afar, And ask your pardon for each cruel word, Each thoughtless deed, that may perchance have stirred With venomed sting your brain. Had you been Freiioh- The Mother knows 'twill tear my heart to wrench Your image thence. ! Mayhap I'll let it stay. God bless you ! Through my life I'll nightly pray For happiness to shower upon your life Her choicest fruits. I trust a loving wife — Nay, why need any further word be said % We two are to each other henceforth dead." He read, turned pale, then reddened like a rose. And whispered breathlessly, "God knows — He knows." A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 12: CANTO THE FIFTH. I. The dawn's sky-tinted cheeks waved blushes down Upon the shore's gray kirtle and the brown Colossal mass of forest-tufted stone, — A castellated rampart, with a zone Of liquid pearl inlaid in blue and gold, — Transforming gray to silver, and the bold Bronze-brown to auburn rich as maiden's hair Borne buoyant on the breeze, through which the glare Of loving sunbeams shone as through a net. That filt'ring held its flecks of glory set Upon its meshes. Down among the deep And drowsy shadows, waking from their sleep, Odd lines of gloom in snake-like curvings twined, And, guided by the mischief-haunted wind, Black-letter rhymes wrote on an azure scroll. Which wound and wound in never-ending roll The river- clasping haze, that tried the skill And knit the beetling brows of a bluff hill Upon the distant shore to catch the flow Of rhythmic fervor, gurgling soft and low 128 THE LION AND THE LILIES i m From rills of summer song. The bushy locks Of bosky isles, that swarmed in wayward flocks Along the water-road, seemed capping heads Of giant vsleepers couched in liquid beds, Or sturdy bathers floating in the surf Where dashing waters met the steadfast turf. The sombre wilderness o'erbent the stream, And lapped with many-pointed tongue the gleam That varnished o'er the glass-clear pavement blue With love's caress. Anon the shadows flew In frightened flocks to hidden haunts away, As high and higher soared the god of day. Then end to end the blt-ck-writ scroll he rent In twain, afar its fra^^ile fragments sent With tossing wand, and spread to open gaze The wide St. Lawrence, i'a.shing with the blaze Of countless sun fires dancing on its waves, And scaring off to echo-haunted caves Beneath the hydra-headed rocks the birds Of night. Belated wolves in blinking herds Gazed at the iris-dyed and flaming gleam, The colored phantasy of sky and stream. The boundless imag'ry of plumy mist, The crystal crestings of the erstwhile trist And gloomy hills, then slunk to coverts gray To taste dream-echoes of their night-tide play. A drowsy sentinel, that paced his beat With sullen heart and heavy, listless feet On through the dreary void before the day, Greeted with joy the first Uncertain ray, A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 120 Prophetic of the dawn. And when the glow Of morning's op'ning flower in perfect blow Bui'st on his sight, his grim mood mellowed down To cheerful thought, and on his face the frown Became transfigured to a smile. " Thank God For light ! " he said. '* The night's a chast'ning rod Unto the weary guard. Through irksome hours I've felt the presence of uncanny powers On every hand. The midnight forest, vague. Impenetrable, fathomless, a plague That threatened to unchain its deadly curse ; The water-ripple's ever-sobbing verse, That beat its melody in dreary moans Upon the gamut of the storm-hewn stones ; The loon's lone cry ; the wolf's ear-stabbing V)ark ; The shooting star that hissed past through the dark, Like fiery serpent darting venomed sting Against its victim ; e'en the lazy swing Of thong-tied boat against the shelving shore, — All seemed to throw fear's foolish fetters o'er My struggling brain, till fully chained I stood A trembling coward. Yea, if proved I would Have heaped disgrace upon my father's fame. And smirched the brave old soldier's stainless name. What, ho ! A sail ! Another, white and far, Sits like a bird upon the dawning's bar ! Still more ! As dead hands beck'ning o'er the waste Of years, their presence seems more due to taste Of thought impalpable, than eye-sight strained To leap the water-maze. Now some have gained 9 130 THE LION AND THE LILIES: A firmer foothold on the wrinkling sea, And seem with confidence to spread moi'e free Their growing wings. What nationality Is stamped upon their prows ? Dark rumors say A powerful British fleet its hostile way Is tacking up the river-blending tide — May foul misfortune o'er its decks preside ! Soldiers, awake ! A flock of wild birds wing Their nearward ilight. Mayhap the song they'll sing Will palpitate the hearts of throbbing hills With key-notes piped from iron-moulded bills ! " II. Fleet-limbed and garbed with nature's richest wealth, The crown of youth, the royal robe of health. Responsive to the call a Frenchman came, His eyes aglow with patriotic flame. One sweeping glance he cast o'er flood and fell From vantage point upon a rocky swell. And sketched with fevered haste upon his brain The brilliant pageantry of sky and plain, — The smould'ring sun upon his couch of gold, — The scarlet canopy that upward rolled In tent-like folds its filmy mist warp fine Above the molten-orb, the border-line 'Twixt earth and sky in purple splendor veiled, Through which the broad- winged warships swiftly sailed Into the fullgemmed day. " Ah, Frenchmen, comes The song of glory to the roll of drums ! Int(. And Hofe Of hie And Dance A TALE OF THE CO NO VEST. 131 bly sailed The lifuid of fttte will pour down honor's meeds l'{)on the heroes of the mighty deeds The iulvent of this alien fleet foreshades. It must be English ! Storm-winds' fierce tirades, And hidden perils of an unknown stream, It scorns. 'Tis certain now ! The hated gleam Of Kngland's flag, a blood-shot thing, I see ! No time to lose. The herald I will be To brave Montcalm of Britain's haughty fleet, r(!rcliance the time has come when T shall meet The wave of fortune on its upward flow. Ho I Bring my hor.se. I'his instant I must go To spread the tidings of the coming foe." He liurried o'er the rough storm-chiselled stones That paved his pathway, while the vibrant tones Of wind-song chased him through the rocky gate That oped upon the woodland garden great. A moment more and on his eager steed He dashed adown a trail with reckless speed Into the forest's dim cathedral aisles, Wliere gloom abysmal with its gruesome smiles And mystic arms becked onward to its heart. He felt within his breast the spurring dart Of high ambition, fiery-tipped and keen, And love's alluring star with dazzling sheen Danced on before. " Oh, life's a tuneful string. And war's the hand to make its music ring ! " He shouted as he M'ent, his long black locks Like streaming plumes outspread. O'er flinty rocks 132 THE LION AND THE LILIES That sparkled 'neath the steed's fast spurning strides, O'er soft leaf carpets on the mossy sides Of marshy sloughs, with rhythm dull and dead As muffled drum-beats from each iron tread, Right fast and far he rode. Anon the great And glory-tinted blue in boundless state, The nest of starry night-birds, arched above And hid the warblers, chanting lays of love As pure as prayers washed by the angels' tears, As old as earth, as endless as the years. Anon the low bough-bending, leafy screen Twined o'er him with its wealth of emerald sheen, That fondled 'neath its branch-embracing powers The puny songsters of the summer hours. Thus on through shade and shine, through bush and brake, His coal-black steed, with foamy tlake on flake, Like giant snow-balls, streaming from its lips. Dashed up the grades and through the flowery dips Between, until it came upon a row Of tents, outstretching like a bended bow, Upon the lawn-lined footstool of a hill That reared its granite forehead grim and chill Above the forest bosom, sweet and warm, With zephyrs mantling round its spicy form. iiiiji A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 133 3S, III. ad brake, ips The trailing purple of a heart-cleft vine Hung from a chestnut in a tangled line, Coquetting with the dark-tlowered silk-weed soft, Luxuriously reclining on a croft Of snake-roots, hare-bells, Indian-pipe, and flags, Anear a hoary forest house with rags Of sere leaves hanging from its rafters, brown. Gnarled, knotty, rough, and rudely bending down, With moss-grown elbows jolting from its walls The peeping chipmunks with their jarring calls. That sprang from purslane shades or hone-wort halls. A sylvan nest or home it was indeed, Surrounded plenteously with flower and weed — The ilower a weed, the weed a noble flower ! A black -eyed maiden tripped within this bower, The cranesbill tramping 'neath her buoyant tread. A red-winged starling flitted past her head, A startled marmot stealthily withdrew Into a hollow log secure from view. " I come," she said in softly plaintive tone, "To bid this spot farewell. Here oft alone Have I breathed out my longings and regrets, My life's grim sorrows and my grudging debts To joy's rare store. Upon a smoking steed A messenger arrived at reckless speed IKW ^i ■- 134 THE LION AND THE LILIES. ■ ii 9 ■ Within the hour with most unwelcome news, The coming of the EngUsh. Hope infuse Some fervor into my down-drooping heart ! There was a time when gladness soothed the smart Of every sting, when all things round me sang A song of joy, and nature's raptures rang In perfect unison unto my soul. What wayward fancies sway with firm control One's rooted life ! A tiny bird lights on The outmost sprig, and instantly has gone The swift sensation through the stalwart tree ; A foreign stranger passes hurriedly Athwart one's path and leaves a fadeless shade, That dances onward up its rugged grade Before the sight. Lee came and went as comes The light — the dark — and yet in absence thrums Upon the harp-strings of my love so deep And strong I cannot lull away to sleep The chords unwelcome. Love % Ah, yes, 1 love Him. As the torrent 'neath the ice above Sweeps on, so sweeps my love below a mask That trembles from the fell tide's flow. The task Which warped the fibres of my brain to say Back to his love-lit eyes the cruel ' Na}'^,' Was naught to what 'twill be if e'er again I'm forced to wound him with the curse of pain. We nevermore will meet upon this earth — Why mourn for him % Of lovers there's no dearth ! He that to-day brought tidings of the foe Admires me — Ah, who comes % The step I know." Hilml' i !V,(iii.'i ., ;, ; ,"iii! A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 135 <'So, truant maid," a merry voice rang out, "I've e'en succeeded in my search. In doubt Awhile I groped about this wilderness With fear and tremor, I may well confess, Lest fairy sprites had spirited away Your bonny face to join them in their play In leaf-land palaces. You know I bring News of a naw that will fiercely ring Wild war-bells in a storm-resounding chime. 'Tis not the first, 'tis not the second time, On eve of danger I've confessed to you The ardent love that helped to bear me through The din of battle—" " Nay, you wrong your heart. Sure unto death, you would not fail your part From honor's love alone. You'ie brave, I know,- Men say you're reckless when you face the foe. Pray guard yourself from impulse. Do and dare, As Frenchmen always try to do, whate'er Is best for France, for dear old France and Lome. Your patriotic zeal should be the dome Of your affections and the buttress too, The superstructure and foundation true. My heart I cannot give — " " Stay, lady, please ! Let autumn tint with gold the forest trees Before your lips proclaim the final word. Then will the patriotic fires be stirred. And love will brighten in the burnished gleam Of victory. Wait till the glowing dream 136 THE LION AND THE LILIES. M|H||B|i; flffii Comes true, and triumpli's laurel-wreath I lay In homage at your feet. To guide your way From this fair paradise, that well doth seem A dream of beauty in a summer's dream, I come. The ladies wait like frightened birds To wing their flight. No reassuring words Can stay their hpste. The bosky camping ground, The pic-nic gambols, and the joyous sound Of music o'er the waves from ruby lips. Where barken shallops glide on fairy trips Through sheeny calm, and placid lily-bed, Will be replaced by war's enchanting game, As crowned with smoke and belted round with flame The warder grim, Quebec, will rain his blows, Fierce and invincible upon uu; foes. Come on ! Come on ! The waiting bugle calls. Good-bye, dame Nature, to your green-clad halls ! " They pushed aside the bushes and were gone. Then instantly the gleeful sport went on Again, that always circles round and round, To mazy music of enchanting sound, — The heart of nature when mankind's away, And bird, and beast, and insect join in play. A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. vst IV. For miles o'er roads of turf embowered in green, O'er roads of corduroy, that bridged between The distant swamp-bounds, cedar-hedged and dark. And winding paths led by the axe-blazed bark. The silent party moved toward Quebec. On outward way they'd made the woods bedeck Iheir wagons and their steeds with branching plumes Of balmy odor, and with fragrant blooms Of blue and purple, yellow, red, and white. The underlying swamps heard their delight, Mirth-voiced, on merry air-waves overhead. Float into jungles where the beavers fed In fastnesses unsoiled by mortal tread. Now on return anxiety and dread Benumbed the mirth, and made the laughter dumb. They knew the rousing bugle and the drum, Though playing strains of vict'ry or defeat. Played funeral marches o'er the dying beat Of friendly hearts as well as hearts of foes. That vict'ry's circlet hid unnumbered woes. Through nodding reeds and fern-brakes dusky green Appeared at last the welcome limpid sheen Of crystal-footed waves with orange crests. And cloud-racks mirrored on their heaving breasts. Upon the sloping sand-fall of the beach. Above the span-bound of the billows' reach. 138 THE LION AND THE LILIES. iii '■ ''1 1 . i A .struggling fire puffed clouds of smoke around A wigwam tinted like the tawny ground, A rock between the bark hut and the breeze Was more protection to it than the trees, Whose weather-beaten limbs, like locks of old, Were scanty guard against the storms and cold. A young squaw stood beside the fire engaged In household duties, while pappooses waged Fierce battle o'er some fish anear the stream. Upon a bear-skin, basking in the gleam Of sun and fire, an ancient Indian lay. And passed in senile dreams the hours away. The squaw gave smiles of welcome, and the boys In haste drew off from war's alluring joys To watch the strangers, who perceived in turn That blindness did the old man's vision urn. And touched with pity for his woeful state Spake kindly words while for a boat in wait. " I'm very old," his feeble voice began In answer, " I'm indeed the oldest man Upon the earth, and can remember things That otherwise unto the past on wings Of death had long since gone unto their graves. I once was strong and at my shout the braves Rushed into battle and destroyed the foe. Now like a useless log I've fallen low. Oh, could my sight come back to me again. That I might see the sky, the wood, the plain ! Yet, why repine, the soul is never blind ! I still can see my lifetime stretch behind Tlie Bewa "Em "Ise The Dreail The p lUlt S] The Thre\\ With Aroui ^uniu And a A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 130 Me like a landscape, rich in gorgeous dyes ; And lately comes before my mental eyes, What first I viewed with trembling and with dr'ead, A vision of the life that looms ahead, — Not my poor life, for that will soon be o'er, But what will happen unto stream and shore, To nations white and red in days to be. The Indian named the country, proud and free. The native monarch of a gi-eat domain. His triumphs o'er, he'll never rule again. The Frenchman white is chieftain o'er ^he land — The sceptre seems secure within his hauCi — But even now I see another race Dash him aside and take the foremost place. Beware, you're doomed ! Across the waters come. To sound of music and to beat of drum. The white-winged ships of your destroyers strong. Beware ! Beware ! The time will not be long — " " Enough, enough ! " the officer broke in. " I see a sail. We're off and oif to win. The boat is here. Come on. You're wrong, my friend. Dream o'er your dream again and change its trend ! " The party hurried to the water's side, But spite their patriotic fire and pride The old man's ominous forecast a spell Threw o'er them, which they could not soon dispel. With favoring breezes on the vessel sped Around an island, when the lofty head Surmounted by the fortress came in view, And as they bounded o'er the billows blue, m II 140 T//Jt LION AND THE LILIES: Anear tlie hind our heroine behehl Her father, who, with waving hand upheld, Gave welcome to them, while Montcalm with grace Doffed the plumed hat which hid his smiling face. V. September's vivid colors fringed the green Of summer, and the rare transparent sheen Of early autumn fluttered over hill And plain. The huge red sun was hanging still Upon the margin of the day's domain. The portal columns of the sky-domed fane. Wherein the lord of day retires to rest, Were opened wide and waited his behest To clang their panels in the face of night. And veil his slumbers from the star-eyes bright. Weird shadows lurked beneath the red-browed rocks That stood, grim warders, wearing emerald locks Upon the lofty crests above their helms Of storm-carved stone. The guardians, they, of realms As boundless as the land, as free as air, In earth-dowered beauty rich beyond compare. The ear-benumbing thunders of the fleet Had fought with wild reverberating beat, In echo conflict, thunders from the fort, And wide and far through many a leafy court The ebbing sound-waves seemed to tremble yet Around the Indian lodges deeply set For safety in the pathless mazes dim. Tree-locked within the forest-fastness grim, And "D; A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 141 Althougli the seal of silence rested now Upon the cannon-mouths. With deep-set prow Slow-moving through the green-blue heaving roll Of river-tide, a warship Avith a soul Of British courage in its heart of oak Loomed phantom-like o'er mingled haze and smoke Mid-stream. On deck a group of men surveyed The gleaming river and the rocks arrayed In robes oi battle, and with eager eyes Sought for the armor-flaw, through which the prize So higlily coveted might soon be won. The molten glories folded o'er the sun, Then faded out from golden tint to gray, And ashen, death-hued, soon dissolved away. The shadows, bolder grown, flung out their wings. And circled bat-like in wide sweeping rings. From cloud to mountain and from mount to stream. The mimic stars reflected back the gleam Of heaven's jewels from the ebon breast Of broad St. Lawrence, erst in sun-garb dressed, And night began her e'er-recurring reign. " Day's useless light has died away again," A gruff' voice said, " with harvest as of yore. Week in and out we've raised a deaf'ning roar And battered hard our brains against the rock That, rock-like, heeded not the puny shock. We've poured out blood like water for the sake Of home and England, till my fancies quake In horror at our loss. Can naught be done 1 " "Yes," came the answer, " vict'ry can be won ! " 142 THE LION AND THE LILIES. I The speaker's accents startled those around, Whose group he'd neared unknown to sight or sound. " I know it can be won. Hark to my phin. That frowning height's accessible to man I This night we'll scale the cra^s, and meet the foe. To-morrow's weal, mayhap to-morrow's woe, Will bless or ban our cause. Keep silent all About my scheme. Be ready at my call ! " He moved away, and leaned against a mast, Absorbed in thought, and soon the booming blast Of cannonade swelled '^ ut with tenfold power Afar adown the stream. The pensive hour Shrieked out in dread, but to the soldiers' hearts The vial, that soothes humiliation's smarts, Poured out abundant hope of choicest meeds, The fruits of valor for the next day's deeds. What high-born hopes Wolfe's ardent bosom burned ! For he it was who spake, and speaking turned Aside communing with himself again. Did naught but dreams of triumph thrill his brain ? Or did a subtle something, undefined And dim, prognosticate unto his mind That night for him was very near at hand, A gorgeous sunset o'er a mourning land % The A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 143 VI. The cannon-storm wore out its rage. The stars In silent music throbbed upon the bars Of blue infinitude, which spanned the domes Of cloud-cathedrals. From the valley homes Of clustered cedars swelled and sank the tense Had niurnmr of their voices, lost to sense Of huiiian ears, but heard and answered back, Well understood, by zephyr sigh, or wrack Of tempest, ear of bird, or beast, or flower. The gipsy-splendor of the midnight hour Shone with the majesty of beauty's night. The beauty born of black-browed hills, alight With stars and tongued with silence manifold. Aware that time was ripe for action bold, Alert expectancy flashed thrills throughout Lee's wakeful brain. He knew without a doubt A crisis was at hand. Wolfe's words had rung Tpon his ears like martial music sung By choirs triumphant. Hour by hour he stood Beside the dusky bulwark, watching wood And hill glide past like clouds, the star-flecked stream Their sky. " The past comes to me like a dream To-night," he whispered to the waves below, That lapped the vessel in their restless flow ; 144 THE LION AND THE LILIES, i' " A vision IjreathiiijL^ incense from the flowers Of woody dells and ferny-mantled bowers, With living colors blosso' 'ed and fair Such as rare maidens twii ,;nrough raven hair ; The thrilling pathos of a vanished voice In haunting echoes, excjuisite and choice, A lialo-charm, gives warmth of life to each. Like to another world, whose boundaries reach Within the range of telescopic ken, We see them wafted near to us again With the enlarging lens of mental glass. But know the endless chain of ho'irs, that pass Unceasingly, have borne them back along The road mankind canno' retrace. Among My day-dreams — night ms — times alive with life, Agloom with gloom — tlie . -iging din of strife — The calm of dawn — the very hush of death — The storm-wrack swirling with its thund'rous breath — Among them all I feel, I hear, the far Vibrating tones, that naught can hush or mar, Though low as bird-trill o'er a land-locked bay Or forest breath upon a windless day — ■ Her peerless songs. I love — I love her yet ! And loving once can mortal e'er forget % Love is not joy ! Joy % Love is cark and pain — A canker-worm I'd tear from out my brain. If I had power as I have aching will ! To-night we scale yon over arching hill, Foot up to hand, with British might and main. The morrow's sun shall greet us on the plain Dre;i Clim Up And Into Vao Like Mesra And Theli Of mo Begirt III A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. That crowns the crest, and then I'll strive to drown Tn cups of glor}-, emptied beaker down, Tho craven love that would unnerve me quite, A love unworthy Englishman to-night." 145 VII. The /ig-7-ag terraces of solemn gloom, yhade overlaid on shade, si-ill as the tomb, On star-lit water-cradles, marble-sheened. Rocked hack and forth and vaguely intervened 'Tweeii sky and stream. The diamond sky points snapped Keen ray-shafts o'er the clouds, that lightly napped Tpon the bed of heaven after play Through wind-swept, sun-scorched blue the live-long day. Yot leari'ng 'gain«t the bulwark, gazing now With ufi ard eyes and now adown tho prow That gasli 1 the undulating liquid line, Lee's thougii s, in golden phantasies benign, Dreamed waking dreams of home and childhood dead, Climbed visionary stairs, that circling led Up to ambition's throne, ambition's crown ; And then at thought of love plunged headlong down Into self-torture, self-intensified. Vague shapeless spectra, flitting o'er the tide Like shadow-hearses, filled with phantoms thin, Mesmeric magic wound his soul within, And living in another life he saw The life that death awakes despite the law Of mortal code. Innumerable things, Begirt with flowers and with rainbow wings, 10 146 THE LION AND THi.. LILIES, In panoramic splendor wreathed around. Then pantomimic warfare, seeming sound Itself personified, but all unheard, Preluded scenes of love. Bird after bird In brilliant ecstasy of soundless song — Maid after maid, a heart-bewitching throng — Joy after joy — hope after hope — each thought A living form — her eyes with pity fraught, Her love-lit eyes — A greenish pallor flashed Before his gaze, and then exploding dashed In constellated, multi-tinted showers Of jewelled sparks, that lost their opal powers And fell in worn-out ashes. Then again Before him was the water-smiling plain. The cloud-like mountains and the mount-like clouds. "Was I asleep?" Tb° outlook from the shrouds Made answer : *' Yes. Awake, the time has come ! Beside us, floating past in silence dumb, The boats move toward the shore. Haste to embark ! " With cautious movement through the friendly dark The long procession neared the landing place. "Who comes?" rang out the blackness-flooded space. A hush succeeded, eloquent with pain, And then the river-gloom gave back again A French reply unto the French demand That satisfied the guard. They reached the land, And, muflling softly every footfall, strove To thread the mazes of the hillside grove That root and branch held down to aid them up The rocky steps, as if they knew the cup To As And Hac Beh Upoi To Tliey A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 147 Of destiny hung toppling o'er the brim Of ruin or success, while on the rim Of their high eyry balanced England's cause, And aided to the limit of their laws The palm of freedom 'gainst the tyrant's chain. Fired with an ardor nothing could restrain, The Highlanders, at home on danger's breast, Swung up from crag to crag, from crest 'to crest. Attained the goal, the watchmen hurled away. And laid the corner-stone of Canada. ouds. ds lire 1 nbark ! " ark ,nd, VIII. The constellated stars grew faint and wan With watching for the sluggish-waking dawn. That roused itself at last with languid eyes, And, shiv'ring, waited for the sun to rise To warm its pulses, palsy-numbed with cold. The haze, night-slumb'ring, slowly fold on fold Uprose from earth arrayed in leaden gray, Burst from its web before the wand of day, And spread its cloud-wings, color-flushed, and grand. To catch the sun-burst deluging the land, As if to eastward Heaven's gates had raised, And glory's flood-tide, liberty-amazed, Had overwhelmed the world. The wide-eyed day Beheld tlie British lines in war array Upon the Plains of Abraham, inured To conflict, and of victory assured By faith in Wolfe's clear brain and fearless eyes. They[^heard the roll of drums, the brazen cries 148 THE LION AND THE LILIES: Of bugle-throats in leaping echoes dance The warning wide for French to arm for France, And soon beheld the mustering masses crowd In grim battalions, vengeful cloud on cloud, Before the ramparts of the citadel, As sky-storms on the far horizon swell, And range their columns, armed with wind and flame. Responsive to the thunder-trump's acclaim The British horns blared forth defiant strain, And Scottish bag-pipes, blown with gusty main. Awoke in kilted sons of heath-clad hills The fiery mountain valor, that o'er-fills The Highland breast, and, torrent-bounding, lays The foeman low. The morn wore on, and rays Of sunshine alternated with the gloom Of weeping clouds, when marching to their doom The shouting French charged on the lines of red That closed the gaps made by the falling dead, But answered not with musket or with tongue Till down the waiting line the order rung To fire. A flash -a roar — a cloud of smoke — Then surf-like 'gainst a reef the column broke In bloody spray. Again a flash — a roar — A British bayonet-rush — and all was o'er ! T Tl A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 149 IX. The sound of guns had ceased. The smoke-tent gray Was slowly towed by sluggish winds away, And left the stricken field exposed to view, Lee picked with dainty tread his passage through The life-forsaken casks of clammy clay, That but an hour before had felt the play Of fierce ambition's aspirations hot Within their breasts. He searched for those whose lot Had left them wrecked upon the shoals of life, The miserable victims of the strife. Whose groans in fearsome chorus rose around The awful precincts of the battle-ground. On bier of rock with plumes of golden-rod, Their souls up-summoned to the bar of God, The soldier-corses lay in warrior-state. The victors vanquished bv the hand of fate ; The vanquished victors, insomuch as they Had faced Death's valley and the shadow-way With hero-hearts, and fell as heroes fall. Led by their country's flag, their country's call. O'er mossy swell, through shrub-becrowded vale, Past tlowery coverts, sick at heart and pale As Death's own harvest, sickle-strown and sere. He sought the wounded with a manly fear Of doing aught to make their sufi'ering worse, While worlcing eagerly for the reverse. 160 THE LION AND THE LILIES. With slipping steps o'er the pine-needle pave He pushed his way through an umbrageous cave, Whose leaf-encumbered canopy, aglow With autumn flush, at distance seemed to flow With bright-red blood from a bHck heart of spruce, And waved a white-bloomed vine as flag of truce To enemies of whatsoever kind. He passed the curtained leaves to peer behind. And then beheld a scene that to his heart Flashed like a dagger or a venoraed dart. X. In dreams of beauty, dreams of sunny days, Of cloudland glories veiled in autumn haze, Of storm and calm, of summer, winter, spring — The bird-lore trilled afar on trembling wing — The even-song of water calm or wild — The wind-harp's tree-strung music undefiled — The mountain challenge to the mountain-cloud— The low marsh-whisper, and the wailing loud Of frost forerunners — in such dreams as these The maiden's slumbers toiled o'er nameless seas And boundless plains in vision-land, bedight With mirth and sorrow, misery, delight, Each color-burdened to its utmost fill. She fancied that she sat upon a hill : A stunted copse behind, before a grade Of crisping herbage sinking to the shade Of bristling shrubs ; a bird-orchestra strong, A subtle, time-annihilating song A TALE'JOF THE CONQUEST. 151 Outpouring like a cataract of joy, As crystal clear, as stainless of alloy. At first the buds, both leaf and flower, were sealed As if the spring-tide had not yet revealed Its warm, caressing presence, but the flow Of undulating song-surge seemed to blow The breath of quick'ning on each sleeping thing. From ])ud to bloom, in gorgeous coloring. The floral jewels wreathed the foliage, And earnest rivalry appeared to wage For precedence in color and in form. Oh, ne'er before in such rare uniform Had nature's beauties met her wond'ring sight ; But, puzzling o'er the scene, a gleam of light, As through a cloud, broke on her 'wildered brain, And instantly tlie mazy path grew plain. The burden of the great bird-song was love. And by its magic influence above. Below, and everywhere, had lit the glow Of beauty's charm excepting in the slow Chill winter of her undeveloped heart. Then o'er the rankling of the frosty smart A soothing balm came when another tone Than bird-voice, tender, manly, and alone. Sang out the very sweetest song of all. Her heart unfolding with a trembling call. She answered back the well-known English voice, And sprang to meet sweet love's unbiased choice. She saw his form, his face among the flowers. That fell athwart his way in balmy showers ; 152 THE LION AND THE LILIES: She felt his breath upon her blushing neck — Ah, coming hopes, how often do you wreck Like home-bound ships upon the homeside shore ! Another mrm pushed savagely before The welcomed one. The music changed to chimes In clangorous outswell. Her heart betimes Shrank back from blow to bud, and there stood he, The French aspirant for that heart, while Lee Lay lifeless at his feet. She tried to scream, And trying woke to find it but a dream ! A dream — save that the signal bells now broke The dawn-hush with their hurried stroke on stroke. 11 XL " A fire-alarm ! The fleet has fired the town ! " Her thoughts flew out word-winged. In hurried gown Attired she hastened out unto the street. Bad news e'er finds its way on pinions fleet, And little time was lost before she knew The reason of the ever-rising hue. " Arm ! Arm ! The Britons have attained the height. Montcalm wants every Frenchman now to fight As never loyal Frenchman fought before." A regiment mustered in before the door Where she, hand clasped in hand, watched for her sire. He came, white-haired and stately, with the fire Of danger's exultation in his eyes. ** My little girl, my bonny-hearted prize, I hoped that I had earned the recompense Of rest, and that I could have taken hence A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 153 My patient child to fair old France before My life was quite worn out. This battle o'er, I trust the warfare then will soon be done, And think my guerdon will be fairly won. Adieu, sweet one ! Nay, wipe those weeping eyes. Behold the lilied standard proudly rise And spread its arms out to embrace the breeze ! Pray, love, for France upon your bended knees ! " The gentle father stooped and kissed his child ; The soldier raised his martial head and smiled — As heroes smile before they cope with death, Where cannons blast the plains with scourging breath- Aiid then his white locks shone with argent-gleam Above the columned rays of bayonet-beam Adown the street, and through the gate away To greet the long thin lines in red array. XII. With eyes fear-laden, and with lips as white As moonbeams stealing through the bush at night. The girl beheld the long procession pass, A banner heading every martial mass. While beating drums and music-stirring strains Preluded out their going o'er the plains. Victorious before the fight began. A thrill of fervor through her bosom ran, Roused by the moving sight, for who can stand And watch the soldiers of one's native land March into battle with an unmoved soul 1 Anon she heard the booming cannons roll lIRnr 164 THE LION AND THE LILIES. Their angry clamor, while the rattling din Of musketry closed up the gaps within The tow'ring hills of sound. A sudden pause — A hush — a query : " What can be the cause ? The craven foes already must have run ! The fight is over and the vict'ry won ! What % Stragglers % More % Oh, can it be a rout % A frantic horde in mad retreat % No doubt ! The victory is won but not by us ! My country, that the issue should be thus ! " Like to a herd of frightened buffaloes In blind stampede, the agonizing throes Of fear whipped back the strugging, cursing throng. With steadfast gaze she watched them surge along The narrow street, as cascades force their way Through snowy glens, chased by the sceptre-sway Of tyrant Spring, but nowhere could she see Her father's form. She cried, '' God, can it be That he has fallen ? " Then she tried to gain Tne rabble-ear with anxious voice ; but vain The attempt — 'twas deaf to reason, sense, or sound. " I'll seaich him out upon the battle-ground ! " She sobbed, and as the mobbing crowd grew thin Set out on desp'rate way his side to win. A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 165 XIII. The long black hair flew round her milk-white face hi wild, luxuriant beauty's brilliant grace As through the gate she passed, and tleetly sped Toward the harvest of ungarnered dead. The rude rebuffs of way-retarding stones She heeded not, and when the heart-heaved moans Of human anguish smote upon her ears, She flung aside the burden of her fears And moved amid the dying and the dead By one unswerving purpose onward led. Too sad to tell the sights that she passed by — Pen cannot paint how wounded soldiers die ! Heart fails in lines of life's hot blood to trace True-tinted gleams of such a ghastly place ! As led by some protecting power she passed To where a V)usli-clump autumn-colors cast Upon the breeze, and there in what had been A templo decked in nature's choicest sheen, And dedicated unto nature's God, Outstretched upon a pinecone-browning sod Her white-haired father lay, and o'er him bent The young French lover, eagerly intent On binding up his breast. A sunset-glow Passed o'er the dying features, when below The branching limbs she stooped and knelt anear His side. He tried to speak. " Good-bye — my dear — ' 166 THE LION AND THE LILIES, A moment faltered, then upon her hand Phiced that of the young soldier — "native — land — " The low words, spoken on the verge of death, Just trembled over by an echo's breath Into this world, as to the ultra-earth His soul was ushered in immortal birth. Lee saw, but misconstrued, the hand-sign given, And felt his inmost heart's love-curtain riven In twain. He stole away with noiseless tread Heedless of wounded, heedless of the dead. Until he stood upon ^^^e giddy marge Of headlong cliffs, himself a victim-targe Of mental dart-stings keen. «' Oh, Wolfe, you died To-day in triumph, and the empire wide Will shout your praises while it mourns your death. Would that I, too, had breathed my parting breath ! But as I rend this rock and hurl it wide Into the river's ever-tombing tide. So from my heart I'll tear the rankling scourge. And toss it into dank oblivion's surge." A TALE OF THE C0N(2UEST. 157 CANTO THE SIXTH. I. Ql•EB^;c had fallen and upon its crest — The lodestar of the French within the West — The lioti-standard waved its victor-flame. The frost-king from his northern fastness came, '^ sed oer the earth his robe with graceful hand, And gambolled restlessly across the land. The roots and shrubs lay tucked beneath the snow That, blanket-like, kept up their inner glow, Till 'neath their leaves, as bird aneath its wing. Their pulses panted for the coming spring. The short-houred days, the long-houred nights flew by. The sun climbed higher in the southern sky. The snow dissolved, the ice-chains fell away. And weeping April clasped the hand of May, That, sparkling out in budding splendor sweet. Bent in her beauty at the summer's feet. Oh, summer in this nature-favored land, Thou art a symbol from the Father's hand. An emblem of eternal summer-tide ! [Thy balmy breezes thrill the forest wide i llnV 168 THE LION AND THE LILIES: With bloomirjg joy, while love-eyed flowers untold Their multi-hued corolla-mouths uphold To their caress, and e'en the thunder-voice From fiery lightning-lips seems to rejoice The landscape face, that, innocent of guile, Each peal replies to with a beaming smile. II. The long, sweet breathing of the summer breeze. In steady ebb and flow, swept through the trees, As if somewhere behind the forest-breast The forest-heart in rhythmic-pulsed unrest Kept slumber from the bellows-organ vast. The forest lungs. Oh, when the tempest-blast Upheaves the forest-throat, what bursting bounds That heart must make. Like far-off earthquake sounds, Or roll of thund'rous lake-surf on the shore, When lashed to rage, mnn hears its mighty roar, But has no power to lull its fevered heat. The noon-tide hours were bending at the feet Of even, and the slanting sun r.'iys mocked The merry shadows, that with arms ^^nlocked Danced through the glfxl and dells la mazy time, Attuned unto t- ' ' The rU^nme Of day-rounf' ong, A softly pei ^i.. ng long, Inversely, in advance the night to be, As autumn leaves f( ebode the win ry tree. Upon a tawny by-path, that crept dov n By careful steps among the boulders I )wn A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 159 Unto the pebbled beach, alternate shore And Htrcam, our heroine stood peering o'er The (ildor-tufts that thronged the river side, And k(!cnly tried to pierce the purple-dyed Far-glow, that shaded amber, gold, and green, And broke from green to blue in wavy sheen Mid-current, and to steely gray near land. A creamy cloud, shaped like a spectre-hand, Hung o'er the pearly-tinted southern sky, xVnd seemed to her imaginative eye To point attenuated fingers at A filmy cross beyond the vapors that Enwrapped the world — beyond the moon's gold bars- Beyond the sky-homes of the throbbing stars — Beyond the chaos of the vast unknown — Outside the utmost verge of distance lone — A halo hanging o'er the great white Throne. Twas but a glimpse, than thought tenfold more fleet. And yet she saw the wounded hands and feet. The crown of thorns, the spear-thrust in the side. The God-like form of Him who manlike died, And fur a while her awestruck soul was faint And thought was dumb. At shrine of many a saint Within the hallowed shades of cloisters old Had she outpoured her sorrows manifold. But ne'er before had God's own hand for her Held up His Son-crowned cross, the messenger Of joy eternal in the realms above, Of hope, of peace, of full redeeming love. 160 THE LION AND THE LILIES: Her heedless eyes disdained the waning Hght, The prophet-herald of on- marching night, And failed to note the silver-gleaming sail That on the atmospheric farther pale Toiled like the day-moon on the heaving blue Through diaphanic gauze of forming dew. With absent-minded air she slowly turned From stream of sunset tint to bush inurned In crescent walls of deeper-glooming shade, And passing through a shrub-bedotted glade Held up her trembling hands to one who came To meet her — one whose proudly-sounding name Had been cremated for the love of God, While from the ashes 'neath its burial sod Had sprouted up a flo"ver-soul, that won A saintly title for its work well done. III. The great world-warding sentinel, the moon, Marched through the heavens toward the night-tide's njon. The wavelets, burnished by it« full-faced glow, Seemed fairies dancing on a field of snow. Begemmed with jewels till the river's plain Shone with the glitter of a sun-flushed rain, That lancing down upon its ];>olisV>ed breast Bestirred its plumage into glad unrest. A contrast sharp the wooded shores displayed, Of :iomt rous shadows interspersed in shade ; A darkened pictu'^e of a darkened town, Wheii; looming pinnacles and towers looked down A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 161 le >tide's noon. In black contempt on blacker streets below, Still as the dead, and silent as the flow Of midnight's veins back to the heart of dawn O'er misty reaches of lone p.^airie lawn. Though gloom o'erhung the forest like a tent, Beneath the tent-like folds through many a rent Of intricate design the gambol-bent Moon-brownies brushed the shadow-webs awav, And cleared such places for fantastic play As best befit their merry-hearted selves. A perfect paradise for sprightly elves Was nested 'neath the frowning forest walls, As gloomy castles hold enchanted halls, Perfumed by love and beauty, hidden deep Beneath embattled corridor and keep. One glory-girdled fay of argentine. Suspended on its wings of filmy sheen, Like humminir-bird before a nectar-blow, Touched with its white lips' pure and lovely glow Two maiden faces, turned with tender eyes Toward something higher than the moon-lit skies. One face was young, and both were sweet and fair. One crowned with black, and one with silver hair. The spell of beauty brooded all around. On bubbling runlet and on leafy ground, ^'n tree-twined arch, on rock-bemantled swell, ^•n river- reach and garland-flooded dell. " How sweetly solemn 'tis to worship God ^^ ithm the temples fashioned by His rod, U 162 THE LION AAD THE LILIES: Life, death, and Heaven all seem nearer to Me here than when I walk in public view Amid the turmoil of life's busy days. In wood-locked alleys and by solemn bays I've roamed alone near nature's very heart With buoyant ecstasy of ioul, apart From all mankind, and fancied I could hear The voice of God, melodious and clear, Float after zephyr wind and mellow break Of billows, till the silence seemed awake And resonant with promises of peace And hope and sorrow's infinite surcease." Ah, well she ought to know, if mortal knows God's voice in silence or in tempest-throes ! Born in a castle, rocked in arms of wealth, She freely offered up to Him her health And strength and beauty, crossed the seething sea, And braved the dangers of immensity, Unfathor.ied and unknown, for His dear sake. Oh, man, how often dost thou boasting make High mention of thy might on flood or fell. Yet she, and such as she, perchance might tell Of daring acts which would eclipse thine own, Unwritten, unrecorded, and unknown On earth, but shining brighter than the sun In angel-records of the deeds well done. In awesome tones the dark-haired maid then told Of how she fancied she had seen unrolled, A moment's space, a token from on high. " Perchance a warning that my time is nigh. A TALE OF THE CONQUEST, 163 And death is dreadful ! Cruel-fanged alarms Depict in horror-shades the grisly arms, The torture-hands that rob the body's peace And plague the spirit after life's decease," She said. " Nay," was the gentle answer given. " The time is always nigh, but Christ in heaven Looks down with pity on each feeble child That needs His love. His holy guidance mild Is ever welcome unto those that roam Without the fold. He gladly welcomes home The wand'ring ones, and to the feeble feet Of sorrow, shepherd-like, with comfort meet He brings relief and joy. Cheer up, sweet one. That cross, which bore the image of the Son, Foretells of happiness to come. The death Thou callest dreadful is but Heaven's breath, A mei'ciful and painless balm for all The miseries that hold man's life in thrall.' She ceased, and each with silent gaze looked through Her soul's fair sky into the far-off' blue, Where moon and stars grow wan and disappear. Time melts away, eternity draws near. 164 THE LION AND THE LILIES, IV The camp awoke at morn from dreams disturbed By warbling songsters, thrilling songs uncurbed By fear of waking aught upon the earth, Where all should greet the glory-cradling birth Of summer dawn. The flowers sparkling vied With dewy lustre in a loving pride To make their homes as bright as homes could be, While humming-bird and honey-loving bee Buzzed back and forth from fragrant cup to cup With dainty taste, now softly sipping up From snow-white walls an atom of delight. Now rollicking in chambers rich bedight With rainbow colors, fair as those that glow Across the arch of heaven, when the low Clouds ope to let the setting sun peep through With passion-eyes of summer-tempered hue The rainy tears, that like a shower of stars Fall earthward, ruddy as the radiant Mars. *' The birds' example man should profit by. The bird-praise echoes to the azure sky. And human praise should rise wherever one Awakes to find another day begun. With all its blessings oifered at his reet As wave to willow where the waters meet The waiting shore. When in the Huron land Fr I woke at morn, and wandered hand in hand A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 165 With Indian girls anear the Huron sea, The mounting song swells seemed to bear to me Inspiring words wherewith to pierce the gloom Of heathen souls, and snatch them from their doom." The speaker took the younger maiden's hand, And lightly tripping down the shelving land, Led by the guidance of the water's gleam, They reached the margin of the restless stream, And bade good-morning to its surging tide. " There was a time I looked with loving pride Upon the flood untamable. The glow Of patriotic fervor, like the flow Of waters masterful, poured o'er my soul. And on its dazzling splendor's upward- roll I soared in spirit to ambition's throne. Now, fatherless, heart-broken and alone, I watch thee, mine no more ; alas, no more The heritage of France. Each tow'ring shore Will henceforth echo uncouth English strains. And Englishmen will garner all the gains From harvest-fields sown with the blood of France. My merry fancies used to sing and dance Unto the music of the sparkling waves, As roaming here and there through rocky caves, And over dizzy paths 'mid aisles of trees, My hair ablow upon the landward breeze, I painted mental pictures of the time When this wild land, so lovely in its prime. Would reach the climax of its golden noon. How like a hideous dream — Ah, precious boon, 166 THE LION AND THE LILIES, Were it a dream ! — comes back the battle morn — The peal of tocsin and the blare of horn — ■ The thunders booming through the clouds of smoke — The wails of anguish that the conflict woke — My father's death — the heart-ache and the woe — The passage through the army of the foe — The journey up to Montreal to you — The winter — spring— the liopes that half-mast flew, Then fluttered down into their charnel-rest — The summer — autumn — winter — spring — each dressed In robes of beauty fitting to its state, For landscape never mourns for mortal's fate — The dreary voyage down the stream again — Our very presence here ! Like groaning wain O'er-freighted with its load my weary brain Cries out against the burden of its grief, And holds its suppliant arms up for rt^lief." "Oh, child, our sorrows oft eclipse our joys. But joy itself unclouded often cloys Its own keen zest. Whoever knows the wealth Of mental buoyancy combined with health Until the clouds of sickness intervene Dull shadows 'tween their hope-inspiring sheen And life's rough way % Each God-sent night-shade brings Augurs of dawning on its dusky wings. Had Providence desired that France should sway This region vast He would have cleared the way For French successes. French reverses show He in His wisdom would not have it so. A TALE OF THE CONQUEST, 167 Remember what you saw last night on high. Liglit breaks for you ! Within the by-and-by T hope to meet you in loved France again. I hope to meet you in the sacred fane Of home with household benedictions round Your heart, the voice of childhood, and the sound Of liusband-cheer. Right gladly would I see Your fond affections in the custody Of him who comes with us, who goes with you. To France." "Another cause for sorrow true," The other said. " I've tried to love him, and Ho[)e when we reach again our native land That love will come obedient to my call, And yield its wayward fancies to my thrall. My father, dying, left me in his care, And could I love — but love will wander where It wills to go, while reason lags behind, And goads with torture one's uneasv mind." She turned away, for thoughts she would not tell,- Rebellious thoughts she could not curb or quell, — Rose like a lava-stream above the verge Of cratered feeling nothing could submerge. Her eyes seemed reading manuscript of God — The scroll spread open His divining rod Had marked with river, rolling hill, and sky. She saw but heeded not its imagery ; Her thoughts were introspective, and her soul, The autoscript, rose 'fore her like a scroll. 168 THE LION AND THE LILIES, V. " If tliis wild river and the wilder glades That hide and seek among the deepest shades, And ^ ush the red rocks out to let them past, Could be reconquered I again would cast My lot into such laudable crusade. Last night I wavered long, in thought dismayed, While sitting lonely in the moonlight pale. I've often dreamed of marching down the vale Where I was born, and fancied I could see The people trooping out to welcome me Returning home with honor crowned and fame, A soldier blazoned with a hero's name." The speaker paused and looked from stream to sky, A red tint gleaming in each full black eye. From sky to stream he wandered back again, Where crawling foams upon the liquid plain In snow-white robes like caterpillars bright. Bloomed on the surf in butterflies of light, " The longed-for time has come, and now I can Return to France and home, a ruined man ; The cause I championed dead, and yet unborn The love that I have longed for. Not in scorn But pity, which is counted kin to love, Has she received my homage. When above My head the waving standards led the way Into the fever-frenzy of the fray. A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 169 And earth seemed rocking like a storm-tossed ship, Her name was ever cradled on my lip, Her voice upon my ear, and on my life Her image. Long in unavailing strife Have I endeavor'^d to unlink the chain That girdled round my heart until the pain Became almost unbearable. Are all Who love bondservants to a tyrant's thrall As I have been and am 1 I pity them If so, but scorn myself. Who cannot stem His passions is meet food for scorn and jest. Who cannot curb the love-tide in his breast Is but a fool. I feel that I am one. From dawning's glow until the twilight dun, Day in, day out, I've sat as in a dream. And watched the paddles drip a sparkling stream Of gem-drops, as they moved like tireless wings And hipped the water into bubbling rings. That ever mirrored her fair face to me A thousand-fold, till love-lorn phantasy Seemed leading me through endless garden-grace Of matchless flowers, each flower a matchless face. I'll finish out the idle, bootless tale. Her guardian o'er the ocean I will sail ; Build wondrous castles on the crests of waves, And let them sink into unfathomed graves ; Walk at her side and sit anear her feet ; And, wlien the wind-winged journey is complete, End the romance by bidding her good-bye, Without a tender word, without a sigh, 170 THE LION AND THE LILIES: And then retrace my way across tlie sea, And live a hunter's life among the free Wild birds, wild flowers, and men as wild as they, Who joy in danger and with peril play." He turned and noted 'mong the dull, green trees The play of tresses dark upon the breeze. That skimming swallow-like o'er bush and brake Shook up the nodding shrubs to make them wake From drowsy reveries by dew-drops fed. " The dainty contour of her shapely head Is like a curling bud-bell just ablow, And proudly looking up to catch the glow That decks it out in life's most perfect bloom, Inhaling love and breathing out perfume." His strong hands, muscle-knotted, wind-embrowned, Into a weedy thicket gently wound Their careful way, past threat'ning thistle-heads. Where smiling yellows blushing into reds Showed straying sunbeams crystallized to flowers, Shy-hearted children of the summer hours. With dew-besprinkled treasure then he sped Past mossy-speckled tarns with boyish tread, Leaped silent shady pools and humming rills, Dark miry dips 'tween verdure-vested hills. And while the maidens mused in solemn way A nosegay nestled in a ferny spray With formal air was offered unto each. " These humble flowers are eloquent of speech. But man's rude ears cannot detect the sound From such rare lips as wreathe their voices round. A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 171 I brinj,' them therefore, ladies, unto you, Their eyes aglitter with soft tears of dew. Mayhap you can interpret their desires, Wlien floating past the domes and sun-bathed spires Of ruddy clitls, that ever vainly try To clasp the river rushing ^'eetly by. We start at once " i i.ie . nng plain With other guard^ ^cte? lant . our train. Last night at dusk the boat expectant came. I saw its sail burn in the sun's last Hame, And watched its course until it reached our cove. I bade good-bye beyond that ashen grove Unto the voyagers from Montreal, Right faithful sharers in our fight and fall. And wait to guide you to the British craft. I'd sooner float upon a driftwood raft With painted Iroquois to guide me through The rapids, than with such a motley crew As ours will be. These awkward English are A surly race of men. They'd rather mar Their looks with frowns than bear a smiling face — An English smile is but a vile grimace ! Last night I tried my best to be polite Unto their leader, but with manners trite And answers stale he drove me back into My shell. A British bull-dog, mettled through And through with bigot-hatred double-dyed, He looks on all things French with scornful pride. While he himself is but a stupid churl. Ah, ladies, come ! I see the sail unfurl 172 THE LION AND THE LILIES, Its white wing like a water-bird between The mazy tangles of yon clurapage green." VI. That British bull-dog, so described — that block Of island-bigotry, with brows alock With frowns, and nostrils tense with feelings stern That underneath his smould'ring will would burn — Seemed acting well the part ascribed to him. As back and forth along the river's rim He walked with hasty, long, impatient stride, A gleam alloy of anger and of pride Illumining his haughty English eyes. " I would have asked, methinks, had I been wise, Whom I was sent to meet, for had I known, A tyrant-monarch on a despot's throne Could not have forced me to such hateful task. My perturbation I must strive to mask. The turmoil of my feelings and the deep Humiliation of my soul I'll keep Beyond the range of scornful alien-eyes. Man may be foolish, and yet act as wise As if no silly fancies e'er bestrode The archway of his soul's inmost abode. They come — Ugh ! Watch the antics of the beau ! His oily black head bobbing to and fro As if his spine were set on wheels and springs, A puppet jumping when love pulls the strings. Had I you here upon the sward awhile. Sword edge to edge, and mocking smile to smile, A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 173 I'd make you dance to very difF(M'ent time, And clash the measures of the music's chime Upon your brains — that is, if brains you've got ! — Methiriks they have not fallen to your lot ! Can woman love, respect, such things as he % I've heard it said that woman's love is free To choose or pick as best besuits her aims, The hope of money, or ambition's games. Can it he so ? Aye, surely it must be. For true love ne'er can bend respectful knee To one of nature's evoluting shapes In <,'uise of man, and yet allied to apes." This rush of spleen relieved his boiling brain, As opened valves relieve the steam-bound strain. And stiaight and sturdy stood his stalwart frame As to the water's edge the French folk came. He felt the blood-tide flowing to his face When i'e(30gnition lit for scanty space Her pallid cheeks up ta their olden bloom. To fade away to corresponding gloom. Each waited for the other then to speak, Each saw i:he blush upon the other's cheek ; But hesitav,ing each, the time sped by. Each noted something in the other's eye That, misconstrued, gave bitter pain to both. The gently rolling vessel, nothing loath. From loosened moorings gaily shaking free, Sailed out upon the current toward the sea. 174 THE LION AND THE LILIES. VII. The yellow-dappled «and, the boulders gray — The lily pavement glist'ning green and gay With ornaments of golden-tinted balls — The pearly floors of labyrinthine halls O'ershaded by the rank crane-fashioned grass — The many-colored hues that mellowed pass Through airy halls unto the river's arms, There to bloom out with rich transcendent charms, And over-match the trees and sky they trace — All dropped behind like lagg'.rds in a race, As curving round a reeded bend the boat Moved willingly in search of goal remote. Our heroine's deep eyes, 'neath lids demure That veiled the beauty of their glances pure, Saw pine shades bridge the shadows of the hills As prone trees arch the homes of leaping rills ; Gnarled oaks o'erbend the lofty clay-slide steeps With tossing arms in wild, dishevelled heaps, Ao if despairing of their power to stand High sentinels o'er river and o'er land, While the revolting serfs beneath their sway, Grim snake-like roots out-crawling from the clay. Disdained to longer bear a living death. But held their ter.di ils out to catch the breath Of life from nature's free and balmy lips. With thoughts of naught but present-charming sips Jtiiiktm^mM.s^ll^ A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 175 Of pleasure, heedless of results beyond ; Long sandy swells, bound with a rocky bond, Up which like forlorn hope against a breach The serried trees strove evermore to reach Their dizzy summits, wreathed in fog and smoke. Such changing sights she saw, and seldom spoke To those anear on whom she would not look. The pale nun bent awhile o'er missal-book. Then raised her soft pathetic eyes to view The vessel's progress and the vessel's crew. Well t'jtored she to watch with patient smile The faults and foibles, thronging guile on guile, Of those she moved among in common life. No voice than hers could better heal a strife Or soothe a heart by bitter sorrow torn. Her cross indeed had ne'er been lightly borne, For wheresce'er reigned pestilence and woe Her w 11 Hug feet had e'er been wont to go, And all that woman's heart and woman's hand. Led by the guidance of divine command. Could do to raise the suffering from sin. Her heart and hand were competent to win. The Huron brave, the fiery Iroquois, The wan pappoose, the squalid, oickly stjuaw, Had eacli in turn been object of her care, And wonder :;d at her angel -presence rare. One litthi taint, e'en to herself unknown. Had striigi^led in and nestled all alone, A wolf, within a fold of virtues chaste. h'deed, I doubt me not, she had erased 176 THE LION AND THE LILIES x It out with lowly penitence and prayer Had she but dreamed that it was present there. Her whole life long she'd heard the British race Depicted as unfitted for a place Among the nations of the earth that claim Exemption from the brand of heathen shame. Year after year she saw the suffering throes Inflicted by those sanguinary foes, Until it seemed that, Englishmen away, The reign of wickedness would cease its sway. Small thought for wonder, then, that there should grow A weed of prejudice among the blow And bloom of virtues, blossoms meet for Heaven. Meek soul, the errant gorm did only leaven The beauteous whole with yet more perfect grace. For o'er the pallor of her pensive face The glow of self-inflicted chastisement Would flow, when flood of circumstances sent A health-wrecked Briton helpless at her feet. The satisfaction gained was more complete By nursing such outcast ones up to life Because 'twas bitter task. Rebelling strife Within her breast was welcome, wholesome scourge. That mental chatt" from grain was sure to purge. The young French soldier's criticisms keen, Though smiled aside, had some effect, i ween, Foi soon she let herself with curious eye O'erscan his features. With resultant sigh And mute ejaculation for his soul. Attended with the hope that time would roll (||iii3w«;' A TALE OF THE CONCIUEST. 177 uld srow Ell. ice, ;ourfi;e, The sullen clouds back from his lurid brows, She bound herself with conscientious vows To use all efforts in her power to gain So vile a sinner from the fiend's domain. With purpose laudable she whispered low : "My dear, 'tis said that we should love the foe, Use well the ones who treat us with despite, Give gold for dross, for darkness render light. That man, who bears upon his sin-lined face The stamp of Satan, is, methinks, in case Of urgent need. No doubt he's steeped in sin ; 'Twere conquest great hif. waj^vard soul to win. His face so ugly, doubtless seared by crime, Shows how he has misspent his youthful prime." "Nay," said the other, with emphatic air, "You do him wrong. I will not, cannot bear Such strictures false e'en of admitted foe. You say he's ugly, but I answer, No ! You say he's wicked ! I believe that he Is manly, upright, staunch as man can be ! " The last word sounded very like a sob. A sob it was, for heaving throb on throb Came others tearing at her heart-strings till They almost overpowered her utmost will. Xoii-plussed the nun turned round in vast amaze. And viewed the girl with scrutinizing gaze. Whose face had hardened into mould of peace. As metals harden when their fervors cease. "Dear child, God knows I meant no harm," said she, "But as my words have sounded unto thee 12 178 THE LION AND THE LILIES, As sentiments of mine ought ne'er to sound, I thank thee fervently, and trust the wound That thou didst make will long retain its smar^, And cease not to humiliate my heart." " I ask your pardon as a suppliant child," The low-toned answer came, *' My words were wild — Wild words and cruel I would fain recall — Forgive me — Sometime I will tell you all ! " VIII. Hour after hour the moving picture came. In shadow now, and now in sun-gilt frame — Came looming up, or spreading leagues away On wings of vapor or on clouds of spray, Then vanished past into the length'ning night That follows in the wake of human sight. Blue realms of mist and misty realms of cloud, Blue depths of heaven and depths of purple shroud, Long, filmy ghosts of thunder- voicing storm, Frail and attenuated as the form Of fancied spirit haunting graveyard still, I'rom skyey terrace canopied the hill. The forest and the wid'ning water-plain. The noise of bird-song soon began to wane Into a sleepy summer noontide drone ; The wind expii-ed with many a panting moan ; And heat rays, showering through the atmosphere, Rebounded back in air waves, shining, clear, And dazzling to the eye from water-mead ; Wild, rocky scarp; the swamps, that loved to bleed A TALE OF THE CONQUEST. 179 The moisture from the scanty hearts of hills, And quaff with greed the tiny goblet-rills That (lanced with sparkling feet down forest ways ; And uU the wilderness of wild-wood maze. With shoreward sweep the boat then sought the shade, Passed 'neath an arch by graceful maples made, And stranded on a low black, reeded bank, Where water-loving shrublets, thick and rank. Disputed passage to the higher ground. With start abrupt and stalwart-throated sound The crew trolled out a tameless, lusty lay, Wild as the river when the west winds play. Bom, Up ! Up ! Up ! A song of the river we sing ! Up ! Up ! Up ! Of the dash and the quiver, The roll and the shiver — A song of the river we sing ! We'll up at the ))reak of the day, And we'll make the woodland ring, As we swing our oars in the breakers' spray That surge o'er the rocks in a bounding way, And we'll spread our sails to the breezes' sway- A song of the river we sing ! t'p 1 Up ! Up ! A song of the river we sing ! Float ! Float ! Float ! A song of the river we sing ! Float ! Float ! Float ! Of the dash and the quiver, The roll and the sliiver — A song of the river we sing ! Out into the arms of the gale, That sets the winter awing, 180 THE LION AND THE LILIES: We'll flap the folds of the flying sail, And scorn the note of the breakers' wail From foaming lips, like a phantom pale — A song of the river we sing ! Float ! Float ! Float ! A song of the river we sin A e - i? / ^, /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN biKEET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 I £p< ■1 186 THE LION AND THE LILIES, The lights ahead proclaim Quebec in view." She indistinctly heard as through a blur Confused, and knew the words addressed to her But answered not. Then spake another voice, " Wf! near the goal. Well may your heart rejoice. The ship is yonder, ready for the seas ; The morning light may bring the longed-for breeze." She saw it loom upon the dusky night. It grew in blackness, but her heart grew light. And all unheeding wondering eyes and ears. Her movements somewhat blinded by her tears. She slowly neared him, clasped his hands and cried, " I come ! Am I too late % " Then Lee replied, " There is no late this side of Heavt n, my dear ! " And hand in hand, each heart devoid of fear. But full of hope, they sailed away, away, From realms of darkness into love's bright day. AN UNFINISHED PROPHECY. 187 Hn 'Glnf[nisbe& propbec^. I. The twilight land toyed with the night When from the hills with footsteps light An Indian maiden passed adown A rugged path o'er boulders brown Unto the soft gray river sand. The sweet balsamic breezes fanned Her bronze-brown cheeks and blue-black hair With loving wings, and lilies fair Held up their golden cups to stay The progress of her paddle's play, As o'er the quiv'ring ripplets she, With airy grace and gestures free. Pulled from the beach a bark canoe, And threaded reedy mazes through Toward the river's open breast. That reached away into the west Till it caressed the after-glow Of sunset in the distance low. 188 AN UNFINISHED PROPHECY. II. Ill The river's rippling monotone — The low-voiced chants of zephyrs lone, That swung like censers through the halls By leafage arched, with leafage walls — The lazy hum of insect song — All seemed to woo the shades along The golden rim of eventide, As back and forth her paddle plied Through solemn symphonies of gloom Intc the night-enshrouded tomb Of recent day. The throbbing stars Rose one by one above the bars Of dark abysmal to the sea Of heaven, and the mystery Of nature's silence robed her round With garments threaded by the sound Of marsh- bird's wail, or pine-wood's moan. At length she turned, and toward the zone Of blackness, girding round the stream As lethe coils around a dream. She swerved the course of the canoe. And through the grasses, damp with dew. That held their arms down from the bank To fondle with the rushes rank. Propelled its prow against the sand. And silently sprang to the land. AN UNFINISHED PROPHECY. 189 III. She pulled aside a maple screen That curtained off a weird ravine, And stepped toward a smould'ring flame, O'er which crouched low an ancient dame Whose wrinkled face, as leather dry, Seemed dead, except that either eye Shone with a fierce, malignant glare, Like that which lights the wild-cat's lair When danger pries into its keep. " Mother, I'm glad you're not asleep," The maiden said in awesome way. " I've dared the dark which follows day, And paddled up through shade and gloom. And grim, fantastic shapes that loom Like giant goblins round the road That leads to your retired abode." "You're welcome, child, but never dread That you'll disturb my sleeping bed," The dame's harsh voice made answer soon " I do not sleep till night tide's noon Has gone to meet the dawning day. All night my tireless fancies play Unceasing gambols with the gnomes That chase each other 'neath the domes, That roof the wild deer's headlong path When flying from the hunter's wrath. ttilMi ■H?1*''H III 190 AN UNFINISHED PROPHECY. Why came you here % Do troubles chase You from your pillowed resting-place % Has love bestowed a heart on you, And come you here to prove it true ? " *' No heart has love bestowed on me, But mine has gone, and I to thee Come in the anguish of my grief To seek for solace, or relief. 'Tis said that you can lift the screen That veils the destinies unseen ; That you can hear unspoken thought ; Prognosticate the future, fraught With tangled loads of joy and woe. And by forewarning fend the blow The fates are waiting to inflict. I ask you, mother, to predict The harvest love will garner me. Until this summer I was free And happy as the warbling birds ; My thoughts ran on in merry words, As runnels ripple o'er the rocks, Or careless as my own dark locks. Which flung their mane to capture gleams That glanced from sun-bedizened streams. I watched the braves return one day From a victorious foray. And noted, tow'ring o'er the rest, A chieftain from the outbound west With eyes of fire and haughty frown. I met him ere the sun went down AN UNFINISHED PROPHECY. 191 And saw his frown turn to a smile, And in his eyes the fire the while Was fanned to fascination sweet. The Eagle Eye a lover meet Would be — " " Hist, child, footsteps approach ! Hide till we see who doth encroach Within the bounds of my domain ! To yonder bush, and there remain Until I call you forth again ! " IV. The ancient crone revived the blaze Until its red, uncertain rays Crept down the hillside dun, and died Upon the river's misty tide. Then by the lurid flick'ring gleams. That seemed dissolving out in dreams Among the leafy arcades far. She caught the glitter of a star That silver-like shot from its nest Upon a young brave's stalwart breast, As up the forest path he came, Attracted by the pinewood flame. " Why comest thou % " her voice rang keen Through shrouded glade and dim ravine. " I come to pray you'll weave a spell Whereby the future to foretell. A chieftain I, in battle skilled, Full many a foeman I have killed \ 192 AN UNFINISHED PROPHECY. - ■ ^ 1 f I've scalped the locks from many a brow, And never shirked a task till now. Through ghostly fogs, o'er leaping brooks, 'Mid slumb'ring snakes in dusky nooks, O'er sullen lairs and reedy shades. O'er quiv'ring brakes and venomed glades, O'er gusty hills, sun-flushed and high. That shook their locks against the sky, O'er shady stretches long and lone. O'er rocky ledge, through caverned stone. Past mornings prime, past twilight gray, I've tracked my foemen on their way With heart relentless, and with hand Ready to hurl the deadly brand With naught of mercy nor of fear. And yet to-night I'm standing here, Afraid to face a maiden's eyes. Afraid to reach to grasp the prize Mv heart desires all else above, Her precious treasury of love. I've tried to break the bonds that roll Their magic coils around my soul, By daring danger on the lake When storm-clouds o'er its bosom break — By roaming over flood and fell — By trying every potent spell The old magician 'neath the hill Could summon to assist his will — By chasing gravelights over graves. And rambling where the were-wolf raves AN UNFINISHED PROPHECY. 193 Out threats of torture and of rack To hapless ones that cross its track. I've run death's gauntlet, day by day, Where hungry wild-cats screech for prey, But everywhere the haunting face Of Budding Rose in matchless grace Swims 'fore my eyes. Pray, mother, tell, Will she return my love % Dispel My doubts at once and seal my fate ! " " Sit down behind that bush and wait," The dame replied, " until I call The wood-sprites up within my thrall." She lit a smoking pine -knot red. And swayed it thrice around her head, Then hurled it hissing in the marsh. The while her voice on air-wings harsh Passed through the thronging shadows dense, Unto love's hearing strained and tense. " I hear the voices of the trees In answer to the asking breeze, And this is what the voices say : ' True love will always have its way ! ' Come forth, my children, to the light ; The answer to the breeze is right." The maiden came with drooping head. The brave with grave and measured tread. And joined their hands above the blaze. "For you, fond lovers, length of days 13 194 AN UNFINISHED PROPHECY. ^iiii liil I prophesy, and happy times. Your lives shall run like merry rhymes Through many years of full content, And, when at last your course is spent, Your children shall revere your name. Your children's children — " Flashed a Uame, A lightning blast, athwart their eyes, And death assailed them in the guise Of Iroquois, the Hurons' dread — And seeress, lovers, all were dead ! 11 Al Ere OlH 0. Of Or Tho t FATHER DANIELS LAST MASS. lf»5 Ifatber Banters Xast /iDass. July 4th, 1648. Alon'k in the forest's verdant shade 'neath a towering pine lie stood, Erect and agile and strong of frame, with a visage mild and good. One hand to his broad, low brow was raised, in the other was clasped a book On which his half-closed eyes were cast with a dreamy, absent look. Did a vision pass before his brain of the life he had left behind, Of lofty hopes in glorious France for the love of the Lord resigned ? Or were his thoughts of the peril nigli — for the wolves prowled near the fold — Those hungry wolves the Iroquois, blood-thirsty, fierce and bold? J K jii' ]0(; FATHER DANIEL'S LAST MASS. Then he lifted his head, and a tender li^ht shone forth from his radiant (iyes As he looked throu<^h a I'jnt in the foliage green at the blue, unclouded skies. And murmured: "Father, Thy will be done; I havediiveii the world from me. Without reserve my naked soul I humbly offer Thee." With a gesture meek he turned away, and walked with ii solemn air Up the tangled wild- wood path ' -'t led to the rustic place of prayer, Where his faithful flock of Hurons had assembled, young and old. To worship God at their pastor's feet in the shelter of tiie fold. In gentle and loving tones he told, in words they could understand, The story of Christ, the infant God, to that simple, reverent band ; And, though full oft the wondrous tale he had told to them before, With bated breath and willing ears they heard it o'er once more. Then lowly they all knelt down to pray, while the birds and the trees around Seemed to hush their songs and still their sighs as if filled with awe profound. s\ FATHER DANIELS LAST MASS. 107 ihone forth reeii at the have driven ■ Thee." alked with a e rustic pUice mbled, young shelter of the ds they could that simple, had told to lieard it o'er ,e the birds and ,i,dis as if fiUeJ But hark ! What was that ? '* The Iroquois ! " rang the warning wihl and shrill, And at once the dreaded battle-cry re-echoed fiom vale and Iiill. PiTC Daniel sprang erect to his feet, and a moment gazed around. There were none could fight, for the braves had gone to a distant hunting ground. And only the women, and aged men, and children met his gaze. As horror-stricken they turned to him with lOoks of blank amaze. His eyes flashed fire. He lifted his hands, and his voice, like a trumpet clear, Hang out o'er tlie din of approaching strife: "My children, do not fear ! This day we shall be in Heaven with Christ ! Flinch not from the chastening rod ! " And in tones of triumph baptized them all in the name of the Triune God. Then wrapping his vestments round his frame, with an air of joyous guise. He strode to the door with a smile on his lips and a luminous light in his eyes, And facing undaunted the fiery foe, unflinching he braved the shock. And died with the name of his God on his tongue at the front of his fated flock. 198 THE DEATH OF GARNI ER XTbe H)eatb qX (S>dx\\\zx., December 7th, 1649. It was afternoon and the gloaming Was nestling in the glades, While the sunlight blooming the mountains Shot defiant beams at the shades, When the priest on his errand of r^ercy Was making his round of the tov^n, Where the converts clung to his blessings As the children clung to his gown. He was delicate, slender, and beardless, But his heart was strung with the power That trium.phs over weakness* In danger's direst hour ; And the smile on his pallid features, And the light in his loving eyes. Were like gleams of the summer heavens Through the rifts of the cloudy skies. THE DEATH OF GARNIER. To the bed of the dying Indian He carried promise of life In lands of eternal bounty Beyond the realms of strife, And he held the gates of Heaven Ajar to the heathen soul, That the waves of the ocean of glory Might over its midnight roll. He had prayed from dusk till dawning For the safety of his flock, As the braves had gone to the valley To stem the tempest's shock. Now his heart wept drops of anguish For the souls of the unbaptized — Oh, little he recked for the bod; ; 'Twas the spirit his spirit prized ! " But if it please Thee, Father, To visit us with Thy frown. Let me lead my lambs to Thy bosom. Each crowned with a martyr's crown." Then over the quiet hamlet Came the ring of the Iroquois yell. And he welcomed with beaming visajje The note of his funeral knell. 199 i||i: " The voice of God in the heavens Is crying ; ' Be not afraid I ' " He cried to the crouching creatures Who hurried to him for aid. 200 THE DEATH OF GARNIER. " I grant you absolution In the name of the Christ you love. We will mount baptized with bloodshed To the golden throne above ! " Again and again upsweeping, His voice soared o'er the din : " Oh, this is the day of conquest Of the righteous over sin ! Come into the heart of Jesus, His bosom is open wide ! " And thus over death triumphant The martyr, Garnier, died. PONTIAC AT HOME. 201 Ipontlac at 1bome. The smould'ring embers of the sun-fire had Expired, but overhead the purple gray And grayish-purple clouds were golden-domed With glory tints in soft and tender glow. The balsam-laden air rocked back and forth The dark-boled, solemn pines with languid grace, And toyed among the lively maple leaves With freer hands. The pure-toned alto of The billow's voice, the vibrant thrill of storms At rest, commingled with the shirring strain That swung its censer o'er the woodland scene. The soporific sound-fumes perfumed sweet By Love and Peace. An Indian lay upon The velvet, mossy sward before his low Wigwam, that strove to hide its smoke-tanned walls Beneath the latticed splendor of the vines Which twined their flower-gemmed foliage about The giant hemlock limbs high-arching o'er. Linked hand in hand the cherubs, Love and Peace, 202 PONTIAC AT HOME. Ran here and there like playful children, and With gleesorae touch wove flower with flower and branch With branch into a mesh, that bore their names Inscribed upon its page. The Indian mused. His wrinkled face unmoved, his black eyes fixed On coming deeds, and thus his thoughts surged fast : " Could one fell stroke exterminate the whites. Had Pontiac the power to wield the blow, My arm, hear strengthened, would strike swift and true"— The hound beside him licked his rough, lank hand — " And blood should swell the torrents and the streams. I'll conquer soon ! I've bound the venomed thongs About the victims, and the time draws near " — His bronze-brown squaw went by with laughing face, And held her pappoose to his kissing lips — "For vengeance, vengeance sweeter far than life ! The crimson sky will swoop with flaming wings And talons lightning-tipped upon the brood, And then I'll reign supreme, the lord of all ! " The licking hound-tongue touched his swarthy cheek ; A low-crooned lullaby came from the tent. Where mother-song soothed into sleep his son ; The night-shades clustered home ; the beacon stars Awoke ; and o'er the mist-wrapped waters stole The long, low roll of distant British drums. THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS. 203 er and branch imes I, ixed ged fast : jes, ift and true"— c hand — he streams. I thongs r"— ;hing face, ,n life ! i: 1, I thy cheek ; mgs I'l" son; !on stars stole Ube "Glnitet) lEmpive Xo^alists. With quenchless love for the British flag, and love for the Mother-land, They had borne the brunt of the battle fierce, a brave, determined band. They had faced the foe with fearless hearts, they had done what men could do, And though that flag in the dust was trailed, to that flag they were staunch and true. Right staunch and true to the ties of old, they sacrificed their all, And into the wilderness set out, led on by Duty's call. The aged were there with their snow-white hair, and their life-course nearly run, And the tender, laughing little ones, whose race had just begun. 204 THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS. m Mid-life and youth in their various moods strode side by side afar Through the lonely lanes, led on by the light of the love that like a star Beamed brightest before when the dark was dense — the love that shall never wane As the beacon-light of a Briton's breast, though his foemen throng amain ! The love of country, and hearth, and home, that thrills the patriot's breast, And bids him follow the meteor flag, with tireless zeal and zest, O'er the tented field, through the dust and smoke, and the dash of the deadly hail. Where the squadrons clash, and the sabres flash, and the wounded groan and wail. Far into the depths of the mystic woods day in, day out, they went. And rested at night by the fire's red light, where the wolf and the wild-cat sent Their screeching tones through the tunnels lone of the forest dark and grim. As they tracked their prey through the tangled glades of the cedar thickets dim. Past pathless haunts, where the circling shades of hemlocks screened from sight The crouching savage or venomed snake ; round dawn- struck lakes, whose light rsTS. brode side by .t of the love ,8 dense — the "h his foemen bat thrills the ■eless zeal and moke, and the flash, and the ,y in, day out, vhere the wolf is lone of the Lgled glades of THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS. 205 O'er their misty brims with a drowsy glare beguiled the wolf from its den, With a purpose set they pushed along over bog and ferny fen. Past Nature's mighty temples lone, past mountain, plain, and fell. Where the star-eyed Night was roused from its rest by the catamount's fierce yell, They toiled to the goal of their heart's desire — a home on British soil ! — And Danger's gleaming, naked sword their purpose could not foil. es of hemlocks round dawn- 206 CAPTURE OF FORT DETROIT, Capture of jfort H)etrott. " 1B12. The summons spread throughout the land, the summons to the brave : It speeded west to far St. Clair, and north to Huron's wave; And fast into the forest wild its thrilling notes did float. It called the woodman from his toil, the fisher from his boat ; And high upon the mountain lone, and deep within the dell, The red men heard its stirring tones and answered to them well. In haste they came, responsive to their country's call for aid, — The young, the old, the white, the red, for Truth and Tvight arrayed. Their arms were strong, their mettle true, b'lt few in numbers they To cope in arms upon the field against the great array CAPTURE OF FORT DETROIT. 207 ihe summons That inarched with pomp and martial blare, with banners Haunting free, To sweep the British from the land, and drive them o'er the sea. On came the force invading, laughing loud their foe to scorn, Full sure that they must vanish like the mist before the rnorn. But hearts of giant might, equipped in patriotic mail, Sent tingling throes of passion through the sturdy rangers hale That swarmed around the standard proud, inherited from sires Who carried it through centuries enflamed with battle- fires, And left a glory-halo floating round each ample fold, Which served to nerve the feeble and reanimate the bold. The shock was sharp and savage, but right sudden the rebound, As face to face the foemen charged across the battle- ground. The hero-lads triumphant, fired with hot, chivalric glow. Chased back across the border home, pell-mell, the beaten foe. "No time for rest ! " cried Brock the brave, " let's conquer now or die ! " And swart Tecumseh at his side re-echoed back the cry. Then fast and far, from rank to rank, the thrilling orders came. That they must cross the river in the face of shot and flame. 208 CAPTURE OF FORT DETROIT. And on they went undaunted, they, the bravest of the brave ; They thought then but of honor, and they dreaded not the grave. Their leader's towering figure stood erect in his canoe, And o'er him England's banner out upon the breezes flew. Ah, who at such a moment, and with such a leader there, With such a flag above him, would of victory despair?— Not one, I ween, who followed through the midst of shot and shell The grand heroic figure, that they knew and loved so well. They reached the shore, they scaled the beach, and from a favored post They hurled like chaff before the wind the huge opposing host. That fled for shelter to the fort, where shelter there was none. For flashing fire on every side boomed out each 'leaguer's gun. "Advance ! Advance ! " rang out the cry along the battle- tide, ** Advance ! Advance ! " in trumpet tones their noble leader cried. With answering cheers upon their lips obeyed the willing men. While far and wide on every side, upstarting from the glen, The painted Indians whooping came and raised a direful din. As on they rushed with bounding steps the carnage to begin. CAPTURE OF FORT DETROIT. 209 .vest of the dreaded not 18 canoe, breezes ilew. jader there, despair 1— nidst of shot loved so well, ch, and from lUge opposing ter there was ;ach 'leaguer's nor the Inittle- their noble ed the willing from the glen, lised a direful he carnage to But— oh, what now ? The charge is checked, and all along the line The men in wonder see, and stop in answer to the sign That by their leader's hand is made. My country, can it be That he has craven -hearted turned % No craven heart is he ! See high above yon bastioned wall that flutt'ring flag of white. Where Stripes and Stars a moment since were glitt'ring on the sight, And list adown the joyous ranks the thrilling tidings go : "The fort has fallen in our hands, and with it all the foe !" A cheer triumphant rang aloud o'er forest, field and plain, And distant echoes caught it up and pealed it forth again. Ah, proudly beat the hearts, I trow, of all that gallant few. As darning o'er the battlements the flag of England flew, While, dumb as death, along the sward long lines of captives came, Who answered back with sullen looks the victors' loud acclaim, As from the ramparts of the fort they made the welkin rmg With plaudits loud for Brock the brave, and cheers for England's King. 14 210 DEATH OF BROCK, Deatb ot 3Broch. The roll of the drum breaks the sleep of the morning, As it rocks back and forth in the dawning's embrace, And the bugle's wild echoes sing widely the warning That the enemy's hosts are approaching the place. From their dreams spring the soldiers, alert for the greetin/j That foemen to foemen are eager to make, And they grasp up their weapons in haste for the meeting Of bayonet with bayonet in thicket and brake. Through field and through forest the columns advancing, Like foam-crested waves on a shore's rocky head, Come with flashing of bayonets and mettled steeds prancing, The ranks of the blue 'gainst the ranks of the red. Tlien suddenly rings out the musketry's rattle, And thunders the tone of the cannon's deep boom, As fiercely they join in the tumult of battle, When many brave soldiers are sent to their doom. DEATH OF BROCK, 211 Aloft on the breeze is the British flag flying, And round it the death-missives whistle and sing A (lirgo for the soldiers, who proudly are dying — Are dying for freedom, for country and king. morning, s embrace, Bvarning e place. 3r the greeting )r the meeting rake. IS advancing, head, ed steeds : the red. ;le, sep boom. eir doom. There are veterans there who have fought the world over, Regardless of danger, disdainful of death, And grimly they fall on the sere faded clover, And cheer for their king with their fast-failing breath. There, too, in the carnage and tumult beside them Are those who came forth at young Canada's call. And though torment and danger and death may betide them, They will fight on to vict'ry, or fight till they fall. They had answered the bugle's sharp summons of warning. Those stout-hearted heroes, the York Pioneers, And forth in the dusky gray dawn of the morning, Had marched to the conflict untrammelled by fears. And now they are fighting for all they hold dearest, Their sweethearts and wives, and the country they love : As they think of the ones that their hearts hold the nearest, " Protect them ! " they gasp to the Father above. 212 DEATH OF BROCK. Oh, v.ilder and fiercer the conilict is growing, And sorely the ranks of the red are oppressed. And fast is the flood of the crimson tide flowing. That is draining the lives of the bravest and best Can nothing be done to save from disaster The resolute men of that brave little band 1 Ah ! who is this coming up, fa,jt;.r and faster. Erect in the saddle, his sword in his hand % List, list to the cheer that rings high through the forest, And list to the tidings that run down the line : "It is Brock who has come when our need is the sorest ! At the flash of his sword vict'ry ever will shine." 'IffiRfi"' "With a shout on his lip he leaps into the battle, Unheedf ul of dangers, uncc iscious of fears. And his voice rings aloud o'er the musketry's rattle : " Push on to the front the b -ave York Volunteers ! " He pauses, he staggers, his life-blood is flowing ! Pale, pale grow his features — he's gasping for breath And seething with fury his soldiers are throwing Themselves on the foemen, avenging his death. They chase the invaders, they hurl them before them, They sweep o'er the field with victorious tread. Then they lower the flag that sadly droops o'er them, And wrap it with reverence over the dead. DEATH OF BROCK. 213 sed, dng, ttd best 11 Lgh the forest, 3 line : is the sorest ! 1 shine." attle, irs, y's rattle : /"olunteers ! " Sad, sad are the souls of the men gathered round him — Not triumph but sorrow possesses each breast — For bravest and noblest of men had they found him. He led them to glory, but now he's at rest. He's at rest, but forever the fame of his story Will shine on our annals untainted by time, And ever will glitter the star of his glory, Who fell at his post in his bright golden prime. wing ' ng for breath ' rowing 5 death. before them, IS tread, )s o'er them, ead. 214 DEATH OF TECUMSEH. H)eatb oX XTecumseb. " Ye braves ! that fear no foes, and laugh at death, Right well I know that to your latest breath You'll fight like heroes, or like heroes fall, — So now on you I confidently call To hurl destruction with relentless hand Upon the base invaders of our land ! The white man's signal-gun has failed to sound. And silence broods his coward camp around. We need not care — in sooth it's better so — Let's dash alone upon the hated foe. Grasp for ourselves bright vict'ry's royal crown, And share with none the prize of high renown ! " Like statues round their stalwart chief they stood Within the margin of the tangled wood, While spake Tecumseh thus in fervent strain, Though every eye flashed fire, and every brain Burned with desire to raise the battle-cry, Rush to the field, and win the fight or die. DEATH OF TECUM SEH. 215 For honor, glory, fame, the victors' meeds, He urged his eager men to daring deeds, Who in response with shouts the silence broke. And charged with fury through the fire and smoke. A moment more and then the meeting came With roar of thunder and with flash of flame, While piled in bloody heaps the warriors fell, And filled the woods with many a dying yell. Tecumseh's voice rang ever on the air. And where the fight was fiercest he was there, Until at last the fatal bullet sped. And, dying, fell he 'mong the ghastly dead. With breasts by grief and bitter vengeance riven, The red men raised their battle-cry to heaven, Clewed round their chieftain's corpse and vainly tried To curb the torrent of the fiery tide That swept upon them with resistless flow. And hurled them headlong with its mighty blow. But few escaped from out the carnage then Of that chivalric band of desperate men. But those that did with death-defying ire, Heart linked to heart by patriotic fire. Bore off Tecumseh to a resting place Deep in the dusky forest's sad embrace. 216 BURIAL OF TECUMSEH. 3Burtal of XTecumseb. 'Tis midnight, and no sound is heard within The forest vast, save when the wind, with weird And wailing moan, sobs through the lofty pines, And doles a mournful dirge above the place Where sleep the dead. The demons twain of War And Death have reaped an awful harvest there, And on the golden-colored leaves there lies A deeper stain than Nature's brush is wont To paint thereon — the tinge of human gore. Throughout the day the forest dense has rung With trumpet-blasts of War, but now the hush Of Death has settled down upon the scene And silence reigns around. Ah ! what are these % What ghostly shades are these, that glide along With noiseless step ? Are they the phantom forms Of braves long dead, that prowl again above Their tombs % Look ! There they halt, and circling round A narrow pit, place in its dusky depths BURIAL OF TECUMSEH. 217 A something stiff and motionless. List now ! A low, sad song — that hardlj' wakes to life The faintest of the echoes slumbering there — Is chanted softly o'er the yawning grave, Recounting all the famous deeds of him Whose lifeless body lies outstretched before Thein there. In sobs of vengeance dies the song. As on the nerveless bosom, once so brave, The clammy earth is cast, and autumn leaves Are piled above to hide the sacred spot From the invaders' gaze. The bitter task Is done. One long, one lingering look, and then Their pent-up feelings burst the bonds, and give Expression to a cry that rings " Revenge " For miles around, and frights the foemen in Their sombre bivouac by the battle-ground. Ere die the echoes of that awful yell The mourners vanish in the murky gloom. And solemn silence settles once again Around the secret tomb where they have placed Tecumseh, noblest of the Indian race. 218 LAURA SECORD. Xauta Secort). On the sacred Rcroll of glory Let us blazon forth the story Of a brave Canadian woman, with the fervid pen of fame, So that all the world may read it, So that every heart may heed it. And rehearse it through the ages to the honor of her name, In the far-off days of battle. When the muskets' rapid rattle Far reechoed through the forest, Laura Seeord sped along Deep into the woodland mazy. Over pathways wild and hazy. With a firm and fearless footstep and a courage staunch and strong. She had heard the host preparing, And at once with dauntless daring Hurried off to give the warning of the fast-advancing foe; LAURA SECORD. 219 And she flitted like a shadow Far away o'er fen and meadow, Where the wolf was in the wildwood, and the lynx was l)'ing low. pen of fame, of her name. [•d sped along irage staunch ivancing foe ; From within the wild recesses Of the tangled wildernesses Sounds mysterious pursued her 'long the winding forest way, And she heard the gutt'ral growling Of the bears, that, near her prowling, Crushed their course through coverts gloomy with their cubs in noisy play. Far and near the hideous whooping Of the painted Indians, trooping For the foray, pealed upon her with a weird, unearthly sound. While great snakes went gliding past her As she sped on fast and faster, And disaster on disaster seemed to threaten all around. Thus for twenty miles she travelled Over pathways rough and ravelled, Braving danger for her country like the fabled ones of yore. Till she reached her destination. And forewarned the threatened station Of the wave that was advancing to engulf it deep in gore. 220 LAURA SECOND. Just in time the welcome warning Came unto the men, that, scorning To retire before the foemen, rallied ready for the fray, And they gave such gallant greeting, That the foe was soon retreating Back in wild dismay and terror on that glorious battle-day. Few returned to tell the story Of the conflict sharp and gory That was won with brilliant glory by that brave Canadian band, For the host of prisoners captured Far outnumbered the enraptured Little group of gallant soldiers fighting for their native land. Braver acts are not recorded In historic treasures hoarded, Than the march of Laura Secord through the forest long ago. And no nobler deed of daring Than the cool and crafty snaring By the band at Beaver Dam of all that well-appointed foe. But we know if war should ever Rage again o'er field or river. And the hordes of the invader should appear within our land, Far and wide the trumpets pealing Would awake the same old feeling. And again would deeds of daring sparkle out on every hand. A STORY OF THE FOREST. 221 he fray, IS battle-day. ,ve Canadian r native land. e forest long ppointed foe. ar within our 3n every hand. H Stori? of tbe jforest. Upon a craggy height, that towered its rough Crest o'er the white-capt surges of the grand Old river, stood a tall and dusky form. The crimson sun that lit the purple clouds With golden grandeur as it bade the world Good-night, shone brightly on his lofty brow, And lit his dusky features with a fire That sparkled back the brightness of his wild Antl flashing eyes. In silence stood he for A while, and then, as o'er his heaving breast A tide of passion swept its scorching wave, And rankled up each unhealed, mental wound, His voice burst out in accents deep at times And fierce, as if it echoed back the roar Of wild Niagara's awful voice ; anon It sank in strains as plaintive, sad, and low As great Ontario's rippling whisper, when, Becalmed, it laves its soft and sandy beach With wooing touch. 222 A STORY OF THE FOREST. " A beauteous country lies Outspread before me, but its charm has fled, And over everything a shade has passed Like death upon the brow of blooming youth, And gloomy voices floating up from hill And dale and surging stream, seem taunting me. I heed you not, begone ! — and yet I dare Not disobey your words ! The very dead Would rise against me if I did, and down Within the leaCj dells, where rest their bones, Each grinning skull would gnash its naked jaws The while I passed, and bony hands would point Their fleshless palms in scorn. The times have changed, Ye ghostly ones ! A few short years ago The forest bloomed in radiance around. And roamed the red man, proud and free. The lord of all the land. The pale-face came, And everywhere before his blighting hand The forest green is fading out, and soon The noble wildwood will be dead, and far Away a feeble band, the remnant weak Of those who once so proudly ruled the land, Will pass in sorrow deep, in dark despair. I know it, feel it, that our race is doomed, And evil demons hover o'er me now, And strive to bind my struggling soul in chains ! I fain would burst their loathsome bonds in twain, But in my blood the poison is at work, And sluggish is the crimson flow within My veins. But I will rouse myself again, A STORY OF THE FOREST. 223 And drag each dastard thought from out my breast. Ye spirits wild, that sing o'er hill and valo Revenge unto the wounded heart, list now Unto my tale, and nerve me for my task ! On yon far hill I snatched from Death's embrace A snow-white maiden, but her lover came With stealthy step, and struck me down to earth In heedless haste. Struck me, a noble chief. E'en as he'd smite his dog ! Struck me, and yet I answered not the blow ! A cursed spell Seemed o'er me cast, and like a beaten cur I slunk away, and here I stand, while on My hands no trace of human blood is seen. A haunting face is ever present with Me, too, that seems to guide me at its will. I rushed away into the forest wild, But it came there and brought me back again. And so I've wandered circling round the spot Where lives the maid whose life I saved, and as The fishes circle round the light until They meet — but 'tis not so ! an eagle, I Will proudly swoop upon the tempting prey. And bear her off triumphant in my clasp." II. " Rock, mountain, river, forest, here once more I stand and hold communion with you all ! But, ah, how changed I am since when I raged. And vowed out vengeance here against a foe ! The fates withheld my fiery arm, and I 224 A STORY OF THE FOREST. Was left upon the battle-field as dead, Until my rival had found out and borne Me to his home. With tender care he bound My wounds, and kept me till they lost their smart. Had he but known how I had thirsted for His blood, would he have tended me so well ? And she, his promised wife, whom I have loved So madly, came and helped to bring me back To life. But little did she dream the strife Her presence caused within my troubled breast ! Oh, must I give her up ? I must — I must ! Without her life is naught to me, and yet I'd rather die than do injustice to Her lover now ! My mind is weak. I fear I cannot live and love her not. I know My quenchless passion will ere long consume The feeble bonds of right I fain would bind About it, and my soul will fall before Its force. The path of Life — the path of Death — Which shall I take % Of Life % The way is dark Before me now no ray of light illumes The gloom. Of Death % Ah, yes, I'll dare it all ! My life, a sacrifice, I give unto The shrine of honor. Oh, ye phantom braves, I come to join you in your mystic world ! Farewell, farewell, old earth, a long farewell ! " He cast a parting glance around, and then Plunged headlong in the boiling flood, the while The evening sun sank down behind the hills. THE RIVALS. XTbe IRivals I. A STALWART youth strode briskly o'er The root-entangled forest floor, While round him pLayed in pantomime The shadows of the even-time. He heeded not the elfin band That circled round him hand in hand, And wove the woof of darkness well O'er gurgling stream and cloistered dell. Nor heeded he the barking calls — Resounding through the leafy halls — Of trooping wolves on plunder bent. His anxious heart was more intent On fears begot of love than those Flung into life by woodland foes. II. Anon an open space appeared From which the hand of toil had cleared The maples and the purring pines, And there enwreathed with clinging vines, 15 226 THE RIVALS. Anear the margin of the wood, A shanty, stump-surrounded, stood. The young man paused within the shade That walled the margin of the glade, And to the trees around his woes He slowly, sadly did disclose. " She once was kind — 'twas months agone- But now I fear she looks upon Another with more partial eyes — Alas, that he should win the prize ! To-night my fate I must decide. I fear me much she will deride My awkward courting — Be it so ! Come good or ill, I'm bound to know — " His words abruptly ceased as o'er The clearing, hast'ning to the door, He knocked in nervous dread and doubt Upon its oaken panels stout. III. He raised the latch with timid hand Responsive to the gruif command, " Come in ! " and by the candle's glare Beheld his rival seated there. " I'm glad you've come," the father cried. ** Just sit you down here at my side. I want to ask you 'bout the way You fought the fire the of -^r day." The mother, too, a welcome gave. The daughter bowed with visage grave. THE RIVALS. Spake words of formal greeting cold, Tossed back a wayward tress of gold, And turned to smile at other eyos. That answered back right lover- wise. 227 IV. The father talked of fire and frost, Of lake and river tempest-tossed. Of storm and calm, of wind and snow, Of black bears in the swamps below. The while the weary mother closed Her heavy eyelids as she dozed And dreamed of daily duties done And household struggles deftly won. Beyond the radius of the rays Cast by a tallow candle's blaze The daughter in a corner sat. Engaged in confidential chat, With neither word nor look for him. Scant wonder, then, in silence grim He fiercely wished himself away. And afte' but a brief delay Abruptly bade a gruff adieu. And soon again was dashing through The dingy dungeons of the night. With heavy heart and footsteps light. 228 THE RIVALS. V. His homeward path, five miles or more, In reckless mood he hastened o'er, And went to bed resolved to rise As soon as dawning touched the skies. Take his farewell of hearth and home, And hither, thither onward roam Until new follies should o'erpower The folly regnant of the hour. The midnight found him still awake. But long ere day began to break His musing melted into dreams Of love requited. Golden beams Beguiled him on through fairy bowers, And happiness in shining showers Illumed his soul with radiance sweet. Her pouting mouth was raised to greet Him with a glowing red-lipped kiss. When suddenly with savage hiss A whirlwind swung him in its arms ! He, starting, woke as loud alarms Rang out upon the silence dead, And on his ears the tidings dread Were shouted in stentorian notes By half a dozen husky throats : " The Indians come ! Awake ! Hallo ! The reds are on the rampage — ho ! " THE RIVALS. 229 VI. The starry garments of the night Were fading at the dawning light As, peering out into the gloom Through the barred windows of his room, He asked the mei.ning of the noise. " The Indians are out ! The boys From Abel Brown's brought in the news. Come on, there is no time to lose. They're out in force and full of fight ; The eastern settlement's alight With burning shanties, and they say The scalping-knife is at its play." With hot impatience waited they For his appearance, then away Into the forest mystic sped To meet their savage foemen dread. VII. In silence on through glen and glade, With eyes alert for ambuscade. The hunters left the miles behind. At times upon the morning wind The echoes of the warwhoops came. And presently a snake of flame Was seen encircling, fold on fold, A shanty in its fiery hold, 230 THE RIVALS. While painted redmen, full a score, In fiendish glee and drunk with gore, Were dancing round a captive band. A moment more and hand to hand And knife to knife, the red and white Contestants closed in clashing fight. VIII. Our hero saw as in a dream, Surrounded by the ruddy gleam Of scalping-knife and flaming brand, In agony the maiden stand That he had loved full many a day. Anear his feet his rival lay. While o'er him towered in hungry glee An Indian eager to set free, The pulsing blood within his breast. An ugly thought, an evil guest Amid the mob that thronged his brain, Besought our hero to restrain His arm from giving needed aid. " Nay ! " shouted he, the while he swayed His musket clubbed above his head, " Better that I myself be dead Than hold my hand in such a cause." With but a momentary pause The deed was done, the rival spared. Immediately the man, who'd dared THE RIVALS. 231 The danger, fell from hatchet wound, And lay awhile in swoon profound. When he, recovering, oped his eyes He found to his intense surprise His head was pillowed in the arms Of her he loved, while love's alarms Burst through the barriers of her breast And fervently that love confessed, Regardless that his rival near Her tender wooing words could hear. iii.|| 232 THE STAR OF FAME. Ube Star ot jfame, A GHOSTLY presence came unto the child At eve, within his little trundle bed, And o'er him bent a face so fair and mild. It seemed an angel hovering near his head. One hand upon his golden hair was placed, The other pointed through the gloom afar Where gloom had fled and in its place was traced The golden throne of an effulgent star. And then, as bounden by a mystic spell. The boy arose and went into the night, And journeyed far o'er plain and bosky fell Until he met and passed the morning light. With straining step and eager, beaming eyes. He strove to reach the star thus sparkling bright, But though he struggled for the glittering prize. It waned away and vanished from his sight. With wearied steps he trudged his homeward road, And all his boyish limbs were stiff and sore, But when he reached his childhood's loved abode. Its occupants were gone — their lives were o'er. THE STAR OF FAME. 233 The house, a creaking, rotten ruin, stood Amid a mass of trailing, tangled weeds ; And near at hand, beside the dismal wood, The spring was choked with vile and fenny reeds. No sound arose around, excepting when The wind with wail dolorous crept across The ruined, disma^ old hearthstone, and then Escaped through mouldy walls o'ergrowr. with moss, And softly sighing, sadly sobbing, said, " They all are dead," — and then in low refi-ain Came trembling feebly back, "They all are dtad;" As far-off echoes told it o'er again. Within a grove their grass-grown graves he found. And sinking down beside them moaned and cried. Then crying bent his head unto the ground. And bending there the weary mortal died. At morn the people passing by perceived A thin old man with long and silver hair. Whose face uptirned the stamp of death received. The while his hands were clasped in silent prayer. A boy he started in pursuit of fame. That sparkled brightly in his mental sky. But age o'ertook him ere he reached his aim. And weak and weary came he home to die. So deeply bent upon his childish chase. He heeded not the year-stones as they went, But age retarded soon his boyish race. And death extinguished then his life misspent. 234 THE SERAPH'S TASK. Ube Serapb*0 'Cask* When the fiat of creation "Was thundered from the Throne, And borne on the wings of the echoes To the void, where Space alone, On his mighty dais seated, Swayed a despot-sceptre far O'er the realms of endless distance To the path of the nearest star, I stood in the ranks of the seraphs With my flaming wings outspread. The halo of heaven's lustre In light-waves over my head. Then a sweet, soft voice flew to me, A page by the Master sent, A messenger golden-throated, And in homage low I bent, •* Fill up a measureless chalice To the very brim," it said, 1 THE SERAPH'S TASK. 236 " From the font of Love, and follow Where the angel of light has led ; And over the new world flutter Your ceaseless wings, and drain From the bounteous cup o'erflowing The precious heavenly rain On the souls of mortals henceforth Till earth's brief day is" done." With a sweep of my swift wings downward I circled the shining sun, And reached the puny planet Where the pigmy swarms of men Live out their lives in a moment. Are buried away, and then Have their places taken by others. Who struggle, delve, and toil, And fight like hungry demons For possession of the soil. O'er the seething mob I flour' jh My goblet brimming o'er. And anoint the ocean's billows, The land from shore to shore. I visit the hut on the highway, . The shanty in the swale, The cabin upon the prairie. The cot in the flowery vale. The camp on the lichened ramparts Of the miner-tunnelled rock, The lighthouse lone that the tempests Assail with savage shock. 230 THE SERAPH'S TASK. The palace of the noble, The lodge of the porter old, And the squalid hovel filthy In the slums that the cities hold. The young and the old regardless, The saint and the sinner aliKe, The rich and the poor my showers In gleaming dashes strike. To some they bring endless sorrow, To some unbounded joy. And to some that saddened pleasure, The trouble of Love's alloy. At times I catch the echoes Of the anthems round the Throne, And note the glint of glories. That wander far and lone. And ray heart leaps in my bosom At the thought of soaring back With the angel of light in the evening On his home-returning track; And I hold my exhaustless measure At arm's length in the air, And pour with the rush of a torrent The contents everywhere. A TOUCH OF NATURE. 237 H troucb ot Ittature. As an Indian brown, as an Indian rude, as an Indian keen and sly, His summer home was the forest wide, and his summer tent the sky. For a score of years or more he had tracked the bear to its tangled den, And he knew the ways of the wilds full well, but naught of the ways of men. He had trapped and hunted for game, when the bay was hooded with mist and storm, And he'd dreamed with the stars through the summer nights, when the lake's breath fluttered warm Through the tasseled boughs of the droning pines, running minor chords among The flowing swells and the rhythmic beats of nature's wordless song. Ill 238 A TOUCH OF NATURE. His thoughts were as knotty and gnarled as his hands, and lie deemed it no sin to slay The red-skinned braves that prowle*^ like wolves in the wake of his rugged way. Three times since the break of day haa he fired, and thrice had an Indian bold O'erleaped the bounds of the realms of life into death's arms white and cold. He knew the avengers were on his trail, like hounds on the scent of the deer, But his aim was true, and his gun was sure — What then need the hunter fear, As he deftly bounds o'er the boggy maze and the symbol- circled hill. And welcomes the draughts of danj,. the river welcomes theriin When he bent 'neath the beeches that bowered a ridge on the crest of a runlet's rim. He noted a sight that, wild as he was, had terrors for even him. A young pappoose had toppled o'er the bank to the stroara below. And the dancing ripples were dragging it down to a deadly rapid's flow. He heard the mother's startled cry as she rushed along the bank. And he sprang from the shade of his covert dense to a bed gf rushes rank, 8 hands, and olves in the d, and thrice into death's :e hounds on —What then [ the syrabol- iver welcomes •ed a ridge on rror? for even to the stream vn to a deadly rushed along dense to a bed A TOUCH OF NATURE. 239 And thence waded out through mire and ooze, waist deep to the heart of the flood, When a bullet pinged to its billet in his breast with an angry thud. With a guttural cry to the God above to shrive his soul from sin. He strove with all his waning strength the child from the waves to win. Then handing it up to its mother's arms, with a ghastly look of pride. He turned to face the coming foe as hero-like he died. 240 THE LOST BABY. XTbe Xost 3Bab^, Through the broad, old-fashioned kitchen. Kicking up a rousing din, Kushed the farmer's noisy children When their mother called them in. They'd been out upon the haystack, Sliding headlong down the hay, Heels akimbo, till the twilight Fluttered o'er the marshes gray. Hearts afire with merry mischief. Spirits boiling o'er with fun, Round the chairs and tables romping Did they rush and shout and run, While their jolly peals of laughter Echoed through the attic wide. Where the frightened little " mouses " Scampered off in haste to hide. *' Gracious me ! " the farmer shouted, " Mother, put the rogues to bed, THE LOST BABY. 241 For their clatters and their rackets Ring like buzz-saws through my head." But the little urchins promised That they'd be as good as good While their grandma told a story — That was if she only would. So the fond old grandma kindly Put her knitting needles down, Pushed her spec's among the furrows Nestling 'neath her cap's quaint crown, And, as o'er her age-dimmed features A bright ray of pleasure crossed, Said she guessed she'd tell a story 'Bout a boy that once was lost. " He was such another mischief As my little Tommy here, Always toddlin' after something Just without a bit of fear. Now, one day, his ma was busy Making pan-cakes for the tea, When she sudden-like bethought her, ' Where can little Toddlin's be % I've not heard his merry laugh te** For ten m^iutes, I declare — Johnny, have you seen the baby In the barnyard anywhere % ' Johnny from the stable answered : ' Just a little while ago He was chasing the old rooster With the handle of a hoe, 16 242 THE LOST BABY. And he told me he was going To the bush to have some fun — " Guess I'll shoot some great big boarses Wif yis hannel for a gun." Then he skipped off past the corner Through the mud without regard, And I heard him makin' havoc With the hens around the yard. You will hear 'em all a-chorus In a moment if you wait.' Presently the mother started, Pointing to an open gate Leading to the summer-fallow, Hound which crowded up the trees, With their long limbs nodding grimly To the singing of the breeze. And her voice seemed all entangled With the beatin' of her heart. As a pang of terror smote it With an anguish-bearded dart. ' Hurry, Johnny, to the forest. Off and search without delay ! ' Then with flying footsteps sped she O'er the fallow's rugged way, Till she rushed among the choppers, Underbrushing in a swale, With her eyes ablaze with terror And her features deathly pale. Up responsive to her pleading Straightway strode the sturdy men THE LOST BABY 243 O'er the trail beyond the meadow ' Into thicket, swamp and glen, Where the wild-cats held their concerts, Caterwaulin' at the moon, Sailin' boat-like through the heavens At the ghostly midnight noon. Vain the search. The shadows gathered 'Till the groves were black as graves, And the by-paths to the clearin's Were as dim as mountain caves. When the mother, lantern-seekin', Hurried to the shanty door. Where she stopped in blank amazement. For before her on the floor Was the little lost one seated In the remnants of the dough. * Why, mamma, where has 'ou bin to, Yat's yust what I wants to know ? I went seepin' wif e piggies. An' I hided den from ou. An' den when I went to find ou. Den I dess ou hided too ; So I kied till I was seepy. Den I seeped a hull lot more, Till I found dis pan of nice stuff To make picters on de floor.' Fondly did the loving mother Press her darling to her breast, Thanking God her little birdie Had not wandered from the nest. 244 THE LOST BABY. But the great rough men, on coming At her call from out the wood, Laughed at mother's dough-daubed darling Just as hard as e'er they could. There, the story's over, children ; Off to bed you'd better go ! Yes, your father was the lost one. And I found him in the dough." A FOREST SINGER. 245 H jforest Sinoer. When we got married, Jane an' me, 'way back in forty-two, There was a family confab as to what we ought to do To earn a decent livin', and it mostly was agreed The city was the spot where we was likely to succeed. But we decided for ourselves that we would rather try To build a home within the bush beneath the country sky, So by the Maple Creek we camped until our shanty rose. Hewed from the wildwood's quiet heart by love-directed blows. Life there was sweeter far to us, the sunshine far more fair, I well believe, than 'twould have been if we had settled where Advice of others pointed with a careless sort of hand — Oh, give to me the wildwood free, old nature's native land ! 246 A FOREST SINGER. Not long alone we lived, for soon a sturdy little lad Was rompin' round the shanty, an' when I was tired or sad His jolly shouts chased clean away the dumps from out my heart. Another came, an' then a third, each noisy, wild, an' smart. You couldn't find sich boys as them in fifty miles about, As all the neighbors round agreed without a bit o' doubt ; But when the fourth wee codger came we saw he wasn't strong ; It seemed the hinges in his back had kind o' twisted wrong. We thought at first he'd never walk, but as the seasons went. His legs grew firmer, though his back was sort o' curved an' bent. An' he was able to go round, although he never played, But mostly sat in summer days within the sumach's shade. There on a little rustic seat he used to sit an' sing. An' mimic of the birds until he made the woodland ring With jest the finest music that a mortal ever heard — Twas like a seraph singin' to the warblin' of a bird. An' of'en of an evenin', when the twilight died away, An' up the foggy pathway of the marsh-clouds cold an' gray The round-faced moon rose smilin' in a glory-circlin' ring, 'T would minded you of heaven fer to hear that youngster sing. A FOREST SINGER. 247 e lad tired or sad :rom out my d, an' smart. les about, it o' doubt ; w he wasn't isted wroiif;'. the seasons )rt o' curved ;r played, aach's shade. sing, iland rin*,^ heard — , bird. 1 away, cold an' i,'r;iy iirclin' ring, at youngster His voice, like ripplin' water, 'most asleep on sandy bars, Would float above the pine-tops tall, that p'inted to the stars, An' then you'd fancy you could feel an echo from on high, As if the harps had caught it up beyond the listenin' sky. The other boys were jest as kind to him as kind could be, But sometimes in a thoughtless way the words would slip that he Was no account when work was round, an' then his eyes would fill With tears that seemed to numb his song till it growed mute an' still. One spring the snow was very deep, an' when the thaw set in A flood came down the mountain like an army bound to win. It piled the floatin' ice-cakes high within the river's arms, While we stood helpless on the bank an' shouted our alarms. A great ice-rnass had tangled with the branches of a tree. Though but a moment's loppin' with an axe would set it free, An' soon its frightful rampart would 'a' backed the surgin' tide Until it swirled the shanty from the river's shelvin' side. 248 A FOREST SINGER. Down caine the boilin' fury of the waves with roarin' sweep — Oh, who would brave the danger an' across the pathway leap, Although the doing guarded home against the freshet's wave, When by the doing he was doomed to an untimely grave 1 For answer o'er the heavin' floes a boyish figure clomb, — My cripple laddie givin' up his life to save his home ! He neared the spot hand over hand and broke the bond in twain, Then backward turned an' tried to reach the bank, but tried in vain. We saw him lift his little arms an toss the axe away. We saw him clasp his tiny hands as if he meant to pray, An' then we heard his voice swell out, a wonderment o' song; T hear it now an' always will throughout my hull life-long. " I ain't no use on earth at all ; it's better 1 should die. An' mebbe (jlod can make me good for somethin' in the sky. Tell mamma that" — We heard no more, he disappeared from view, As down the ramparts toppled an' the fierce waves hurried through. We found him in the mornin' with a smile upon his face, An' then we bore his body to its peaceful resting-place Among the shifting shadows where he'd loved to sit an' sing Until the leaves had fallen an' the birds had taken wing. REST. 24i> with roarin' he pathway 38het's wave, mely gravel 'e clomb, — home ! the bond in 16 bank, but e away. it to pray, mderment o' iull Hfe-lon,l,^ lould die, i' in the sky. disappeared aves hurried )n his face, ng-phice ;o sit an' sing )aken wing. IRest. When I plow all day in the fallow lot, An' the summer sun shines fierce an' hot On my achin' back an' my weary limbs, I rest myself by hummin' the hymns That Mary sings o'er the cradle to Our little lassie with eyes of blue, Till the baby eyelids, soft an' white, Are folded bud-like over her sight. From morn till night do I come an' go Along the furrows to an' fro. An' my big boots covered with clods of clay. Seem to hold me back from the close of day ; But I think of the songs that Mary sings, While back an' forth the cradle swings, An' the croonin' melody, low an' sweet. Seems to lighten the burden that clogs my feet. 250 REST. It's rather tirin', you'd better believe, To tramp from the dawn till the dusky eve Behind a plow that will kick in spite Of a fellow's efforts to steer it right ; But the echoes of Mary's cradk-song Float into my heart as I trudge along, An' give to my thoughts bright golden wings That waft them high over earthly things. What does she sing 1 Well, I hardly know, But it's mostly somethin' soft an' low. I hain't no ear for tunes, they say. But hers sound like the winds at play Around the crowns of the sandy dunes In the drowsy hours of the afternoons. When the birds are asleep, an' the pine woods' moan Joins in with a kind of undertone. Yes, Mary, my darlin', sings an' sings. While back an' forth the cradle swings. An' the croonin' melody, low an' sweet, Seems to lighten the burden that clogs my feet. The words'? W^ell — "Angels are hoverin' round — An' " Up to the realms of glory I'm })ound — " But the nearest, an' dearest, an' sweetest, an' best, Is the promise of Jesus to give us " rest." THE DINNER IS READY, TOM. 251 igs w. Ube S)imter is IReabs, XTom. oods' moiin ^y feet. i' round — ' id—" , an' best, The wee wife looks from the doorway down Th^'ough the far dim forest aisles, Her fair hands shading her eyes of brown And her sweet lips gemmed with smiles. Then she calls with a voice of cheery sound, " The dinner is ready, Tom ! " And back from the beeches the echoes bound, " Dinner — ready — Tom ! " While a faint voice steals from the marshy ground, " Dear— old— Tom ! " With a buoyant step and a joyous song She leaves the shanty door, And dancing the tangled path along Her voice rings as before, 252 THE DINNER IS READY, TOM. Above the lilt- of the robin's lay, " The dinner is ready, Tom ! " And afar the riotous echoes play, " Dinner — ready — Tom ! " While a whisper comes from far away, "Dear— old— Tom!" 'Mid the fragile ferns and the golden-rod She trips her dainty way. And lightly springs o'er the mossy sod Near the slough and the quagmire gray. There comes a call like the coo of a dove, " The dinner is ready, Tom ! " That is echoed back by the branches above, " Dinner — ready — Tom ! " And the lovdand sprites sing in tones of love, " Dear— old— Tom ! " The golden dreams of the times to come Give zest to the might of his arm, And he works with a will to build his home. With a will to clear his farm. He starts — he listens — again the sound, " The dinner is ready, Tom ' Is caught by the hills .""1 t •' d, " Dinner — ready And the beaver ni , l .ebound, "Dear— ou. i om ! " m THE DINNER IS READY, TOM. 253 He turns, and at hand through the sumachs sees A vision with golden hair, And he hurries to greet her among the trees. His household angel fair. With a merry laugh she says as they meet, " The dinner is ready, Tom ! " And his lips presfi hers as the echoes repeat, " Dinner — ready — Tom ! " And up from her heart well the echoes sweet, " Dear— old— Tom ! " 264 NEW YEAR'S GREETING. IRew l^ear'5 (Bceeting. CANADA TO HER CHILDREN. Hearken, children, tc my greeting, Borne upon the wild vvinds, beating Onward now, and now retreating Back and forth o'er sea and strand ; Listen to the words they bring you. Listen to the songs they sing you — Songs I taught the winds to wing you, Bring you, sing you, through the land. Floating o'er each frozen river. Where the sunbeams glance and quiver, Do the wild winds wail and shiver Out my greeting unto thee • And across the misty meadows. Shrouded now with snowy shadows. Over iuoimtains, moors and meadows, Do thf y sing this song for me. NEW YEAR'S GREETING. Soft at first and sadly s^'gbing, While the old year, fainting, dying, Gasps the last few moments flying Ere it sinks among the dead ; Then with joyous notes out welling, Over hill and valley swelling, Trills the wind triumphant, telling Forth the greeting that I said : " Gone the old year is forever, Floating down Time's rapid river, Back unto its gracious giver. With its freight of joy and woe Printed plainly on its pages. To be read throughout the ages By the criticising sages. To the great world as they go. " And the new year now is living. And its new-born moments giving Unto every mortal living Chances to redeem the past ; Let each one be up and doing, And some noble cause pursuing, That this year may bear reviewing Better far than did the last. ■'All and each of ev'ry order, -Dwelling now within my border, Do I call to quell disorder. With a never failing aim ; 255 256 NEW YEAR'S GREETING. Though your hair be gray or golden, Though your heart be young or olden, Unto you I am beholden For the honor of my name. " And the floating of my banner, All depends upon the manner That throughout my mighty manor You, ray children, fight for right ; And my honor and my glory And the triumph of my story, When the present time is hoary. All depend upon your might. " Onward, upward ever going. With my flag above you flowing. Bravely on the breezes blowing, Press your steadfast way along; Armed with strong determinations. High among the highest nations, There to vent your aspirations With the noblest of the throng ; ** Till a beacon, brightly beaming. Of a rare and radiant seeming, May Canadian glory, gleaming. Spread its splendor o'er *^^he world ; And with England upward scaling. In the fight for right unfailing, With a courage never quailing. May my banner be unfurled ! NEW YEAR'S GREETING. 257 " And when life at length is ended, And your bodies have descended, And your dust with dust has blended. May the New Year's Day above, From all sin and sorrow riven, Unto each and all be sriven, Of the endless year of Heaven With a greeting full of love." 17 258 A CANADIAN VETERAN. H CanaDiau IDeteran. IT was sammer-time, and softly swept the warm sweet air along, Laden with the breath of flowers, laden with the wild-birds' song; And it brushed the long white tresses of an old man's silver hair, As beside the open casement sat he dreaming in his clniir, And upon his aged heart-strings played a low ^olian tuno, Bringing back to his December thoughts and fancies of his June. But a quick step on the stairway, and a quick voice in the hall, Sent the past into the shadows and the present did recall ; As a tall and stalwart stripling, with a smooth and beardless face, ^iagerly into his presence sti'ode with manly air and grace. ' Grandsire," cried he then right ({uickly, and his voice * rang loud and cleai-, " I have donned my suit of armor, I am now a volunteer ! A CANADIAN VETERAN. 259 arm sweet air the wild-birds' Id man's silver g in his chair, J ^olian tune, I fancies of his ck voice in the ent did recall ; L smooth and and his voice ^v a volunteer ! I have donned my suit of armor for my country and my Queen, And I hope to be as valiant as my good grandsire has been." Then a flush lit up the features, erst so wan and deathly pale, And the old man's eyes shone pj-oudly on the youth so stout and hale. "I was dreaming, grandson," said he, "dreaming of the buried days When the world lay spread before me, draped in clouds of golden haze ; So when first you came unto me, clad in hues of British red, I was sure it was my brother, who at Lundy's Lane fell dead. I was sure that it was Harry — Harry, noble, brave and true ! — 1 was sure that it was Harry, for he looked so much like you! Oh, I trust, my darling grandson, that the time will never be When our beauteous young Dominion shall have need to call on thee. But I know that to the summons you will answer without fe ar air and grace. | When the drumbeat calls to battle each Canadian volunteer. Still within my time-worn bosom leaps the blood with eaffer