■smtfh*zz 2 8 33 ' •.'SA'-y' LIBRARY ANNEX -j .■■■■•"':-■' ■■■■■ iil«- :IP r ' '"■': '."." . . .. ..■ . ■ k ?mm ■ ■■:■-■/■- ,*„■;■••-' - :»:■:: . . *.»IS5»'e ■;•'■: : :■■■;' -'^*§$§ti»l$M^ „ *.-V»-~^.^'.?.>-;^ aforttell Httioet0ttg ffiihrarg Strata. Nttt) Horli BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF HENRY W. SAGE 1891 Cornell University Library PS 2899.S62A6 Poems / 3 1924 022 180 941 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924022180941 y&&$@&q POEMS *p» •Henry Sandford Sfofford Was born in New York City, January 29th, 1845, and died at Flatbush, October 12th, 1868. The following poems are selected from a number found after his death in his writing desk. They were written in lead pencil on old envelopes and scraps of paper, evidently dashed off at the moment, without revision, and doubtless without thought in his own mind of their possess- ing any merit. They were all written while he was a student, and before the age of twenty years. " The Young Hero " was probably his first attempt at rhyme, and was prompted by an intense desire to go to the war, which he reluctantly relinquished at his mother's desire. Sandford was singularly reticent in regard to his writ- ings, and, with a few exceptions, kept them entirely to him- self. These selections are printed just as found, and are pub- lished only for friendly eyes ; a mother's loving tribute to the memory of a beloved and gifted child, taken from earth just as life in earnest had begun, but who had begun to live for eternity, while yet a boy. He had given his heart to the Saviour. Flatbush, January 18th, 1869. J* OTHER =? HOU art an angel spirit, Mother dear ! In thorny ways my drooping heart to cheer ; Thy voice, like angel melody divine, Thrills with harmonious chords this soul of mine. Thou'st ever led me through the paths of youth, With sweetest counsel, and with words of truth. Below, like thine, was ne^er known such love, It has its germ of life in heaven above. They tell us of the love of man and wife, When they, by marriage-bands, are made one life ; But what is that to thy dear love for me — 'Tis as a drop compared to a whole sea. I love to watch thy sweet and smiling face, And on each feature heavenly sunlight trace ; I love to hear thy gentle footsteps come Like music on the threshold of our home. Thy loving kindness, to the dear ones passed away To realms of noble light, of ever shining day, Shall shine, when Heaven's eternal day's begun, Touched with a radiance of the unsetting sun. In childhood's years, how sweet thy watchful care, Thou did'st in love each little sorrow share ; jirr ffOM~&. When suffering held me captive in my bed, Thou wert a loving angel o'er my head. Thou art so good, so gentle, and so true, Each tear-drop from thine eyes is heavenly dew,- Thy love unchanging, evermore the same, O, may I always honor thy dear name. May angels guard thee on thy way, And dancing sunbeams 'round thy footsteps play. And when night curtains us, O, may we be, Mother and son, through all eternity. M. Y WoME O W sweet this home, how full of memories dear ! Oft when I think, I drop the silent tear, For days gone by. Days when a sister's sweet and tender voice Made hearts in sympathy and love rejoice, Now birds sing days to rest, with songs so sweet, I hear the coming of those heavenly feet. Comes back to me that face, comes back that form, Sunlight her countenance, no shade of storm On that fair brow. Hark ! 'tis her gentle step enters the door, Saddened my bounding heart, saddened and sore ; 'Twill never come again, no never more, Till time shall pass away — earth be no more. MV JlO.ltfi. But there's another link rent from our chain, Sadly and mournfully broken in twain, Broken in pain. A father is absent, no father's kind face Will evermore come in that sad, vacant place, As the sun in dim twilight falls sadly away, He fell in Death's darkness, his morrow was day. Dear Mother ! I think of thy kindness and love, How oft have I tried thee — thy patience to prove, Thee sorrow have caused. Oh ! how thou hast led me through dangers and snares, Despite thy sore troubles — thy multiplied cares, Thou hast been to me ever, a lamp and a guide, As the billows have carried me fast o'er the tide. Thy gentleness, kindness to those passed away To the realms of a brighter and far better day, Forever will shine. Kind actions will live, when the earth shall decay, When the stars turn to chaos, to dust fall away ; Kind actions, like Spring, shall with beauty in- crease, Till the summer of Heaven shall bring fruits of peace. Oh ! what would life be without blessings of home, A mighty Sahara — a desert to roam, Full of quicksands and storms. Oh ! pity the orphans, who never have known, This spot of sweet memories, the blessings of home, 8 MT SOME. Where no loving father, no mother's sweet voice Comes through life's shadows to make them rejoice. Oh ! may we so live through life's darkness and gloom, That when life shall be o'er, and the shades of the tomb Their shadows shall cast, That we all may be there, where the links of our chain, Though broken in sorrow, though parted in pain, Have been forged, by our Lord, to the chain of his might, Which shines bright in the sunbeams of heavenly light. Home ! blessed thought, when life's short day is o J er We may reach home at last, that silvery shore No billows around. Oh ! there may our band be united again, No partings, no rendings, no sorrow, no pain, But we sing with the thought, there's parting no more, Home safely at last, on that bright golden shore. The Bell " 2'houghls Suggested by Ike Tolling of a 1)islant Sell." HEAR the ringing of the distant bell, its solemn sound lw> Touches a sacred chord within me — makes it V bound. What is there in the tolling of the far-off bell That wakes my dreamy soul to thought ? I cannot tell. It brings before me once again the memories of youth, Past days of joy, of golden hopes, of simpleness and truth I think it is, that sounds throughout our live's re- main, Through boyhood's day, through manhood's prime, through age the same. It seems to touch my inmost soul — my drooping Spirit lives- It strikes my ear with softest sound, and sweetest music gives. Sweet bell ! thy tones of holiest sound shall bless me on my way, And to my mind, in sorrow's night, bring memo- ry's golden ray. Then peal aloud thy solemn tones, and to me bring again Past days of happiness and joy, but banish every pain ; 9 /6> TJ7-E &ELZ. And let me in the great past live, and in the great past walk, And with the loved ones of the past in sweetest music talk. It brings before me once again the faces of the Past, Around each loved and sainted form a sacred halo casts. I hear them in the floating tones of hallowed music sing, I see them crowns of flowers, that are eternal, bring. They walk with us again, e'en now are with us here, A radiant light in darkness, in our danger's night to cheer. They seem to speak to us once more, and sweetest comfort bring, Within the inmost soul they dwell, an ever-living spring. In memory I go to school, and skip upon the green, I he faces of my school-mates, with their happy smiles are seen. But now, alas ! how many lie beneath the bright green turf, Perhaps that some have found their rest 'neath ocean's mighty surf. I know of one I loved full well, who in the far South fell, Pierced by a deadly bullet. Never can I rightly tell THIS &&ZZ. // The feeling that arose within me when the news was brought That he had passed through Death's great door — his fight had fought. 'Twas in the City of Savannah where he sadly fell; 'Twas in the first great year of strife, when trai- tors strove to tell To the great world their trembling power, and ever waning might, By doing fearful deeds of wrong, and burying deep the right. When they pulled down our glorious flag that floated 'neath the sky, That youthful hero's heart was sad, and full of tears his eyes. He loved his flag, he loved his God, and then he loved me too, And to his memory may I ever, evermore prove true. Perhaps the thoughtless, dreamless soul may think there is not much Of sacred sound within thy tones our inmost chords to touch, But so it is, that on our. way God sends these simple things To bring before us days gone by, from which fond memories spring. Then to my soul bring peace and hope, and speak with fondest love, And in thy gentle murmurings breath " there is a God above." 12 DEATH AT SUNSET. And ever when upon life's plains thy distant sounds I hear^ Methinks I'll stop and sadly muse and drop the silent tear. The bell has stopped, and once again my wand'r- ing thoughts have come Back to the region of their rest, my weary brain at home. Oh ! may we battle, dearest Lord, this ever chang- ing life With hero firmness, and force with manliness each strife. May we act a worthy part in life's exciting play, Nor be "nonentities " among the actors of to-day. And when the bell of life shall toll the spirit far away, May morning gild the rising soul with beams of heavenly day. &om Death at Sunset. jJTfflS- OTHER ! I'm growing weary now, <3MH./ Night's coming shadows wreath my brow. I'm going home — Home, where my sorrows shall be o'er, That vision-land be mist no more, But clear as summer day. Oh ! turn my head toward the West, That once again the sun at rest Mine eyes shall view. DEATH AT SUNSET. 13 See ! how the sky is decked with light, The sunset hills with splendor bright, Earth's shadows quickly fall. Oh, Saviour ! on thy loving breast Receive this head in peaceful rest, Thoughtless no more. For, through the shadowy stream I see That land of Spring, from Winter free, That land so pure and bright. I hear those choristers divine, I hearing have, that is not mine, To sounds of earth. Shout ! shout ! ye palm crowned host ; I hear Your shouts of triumph reach my ear ; Was e'er such chorus heard ? The light departs, I cannot see ; The shadows of this world by me Are dimly seen. Give wings ! give space ! oh, let me fly ! Far, far above yon fading sky, To worlds where peace is found. Open the window ! give me air ! I cannot breath, there's something here Upon my heart. A gentle spasm, then Death's dart, Struck with a sting that beating heart, So soon to cease its throb. Just as the sun went down in West, Another angel born to rest, Was crowned with light — /4 SUWS-ET JJV jltTTlTMN. Light that shall never fade away, Eternal as eternal day, The light of heaven itself. Sunset in Autum n. ILENTLY the fading sun in beauty knits his web Of golden light around sweet Nature's verge ; Mornfully the birds in notes of deepest sadness Seem to utter forth the twilight's dying dirge; Silently I see the sun go down in beds Of light among the gorgeous western hills ; Mournfully the woods are filled with sounds of sorrow, Issuing from the last expiring groans of running rills. Silently the trees in softest breezes seem to Whisper forth their sadness for the dying day ; Mournfully they drop their leaves, as tears In sorrow, for they know their robes will soon decay ; Silently the flowers that once were joyous Droop their heads, and in their musings faintly sigh; Mournfully they speak of days that once were ' happy, Now they know they're past, forever more gone by. Silently the clouds — those beds of light, ethereal matter — MJ % SHIT. 15 O'er us float, tinged by the sunset's last expiring ray ; Mournfully they cast their shadows o'er the earth In sadness at the thought of Nature's quick decay ; Silently night throws her robe of deepest drapery Around the earth, and nails it with the stars on high; Mournfully I drop mine eyes to earth, And think, and think again, and faintly sigh. Silently night spreads her milky way of majesty, And weaves it 'round about this far off darkened earth ; Joyfully she fixes stars as guards and sentries, That their eyes might be as watchmen to us in their twinkling mirth ; Silently these sentries cast their beams of light before .her, As she draws her chariot on yon heavenly milky way ; Thoughtfully she sends forth shooting stars, as rockets At the far off coming of her powerful adversary, Day. JAy Ship, ' IS winter cold, my life's a ship, ) With colors at the mast, With tatter'd sails the waves I cleave, My hull like sheety glass. The sun in west is sinking fast 'Tis falling in the sea ; 16 MT SJIIT. The rolling waves their shadows, cast — The night is covering me. How when I launch'd me on this voyage, Sail'd from the port of birth, And sped through harbor into sea I danced the wave with mirth ; And when I reached the open waste, I little thought I'd be — A shattered hull, tossed by the winds Upon this stormy sea. Once was this sea with dancing beam Lit by the mid-day light, The waters glistened in the sun, I little thought of night ; I little feared the threat'ning storms Which gathered in the sky, I only thought they'd float through space, And gently pass me by. They quickly came upon my ship Torn with the rending gales ; They struck my hull with lightning flash, And strip't in rags my sails. The waves rolled up in watery mounts, I almost had gone down, The sky was low'ring, dark o'erhead, In scornful, dismal frown. I weathered it — I'm still afloat, My colors still are bright ! Keep up my little ship ; and reach The distant port of light ! Though shattered, shook in every seam, MT SHIP. I? You still can reach the shore, Where angry waves, can never toss, Nor moaning billows roar. Once summer breezes filled my wings, And carried me along ; My heart, the captain of the ship, Sang in a merry song, But iEolus now, his sceptre sways, The wintry storms run high, And chilling winds drive me along, Cleaving the wintry sky. Yes, night her mantle quickly weaves, The sky is almost dead ; But see ! A light beams far away And paints the sea with red, That lights my hope upon this sea, It stands upon the bay, That, tranquil as the twilight hour, Leads to the city Day. The night will pass, the red-tint dawn, Shall gild the coming day ; The beams of light with fire-tip't darts Shall drive the shades away. Life's ocean crossed, the port in sight, The storms shall cease their roar ; Then anchor safe my little ship, Calm weather evermore ! jkt f EWPORT. STOOD upon old Newport's shore I heard the billows 'round me roar, My mind was still'd in thought. My face was kissed with foaming spray, The waves, in murmuring's seemed to say — What wonders God hath wrought. I ea's't mine eyes far out to sea Old ocean, groaning, spoke to me Of his vast magnitude. 'Twas not a voice of human sound, That touched mine ear, bound after bound, In the great solitude. The waves were dressed in regal blue, Their heads were cap't with purest hue Of spotless, pearly white. The sun their white heads blessed with light, He flashed, and struck their blue with might, It touched my soul, the sight. I looked again, far from the beach, No rock-bound coast the eye could reach — 'Twas one expanseless waste. A ship was striving with the waves, They fought it like ten thousand braves, And drove it in their haste. Thus, on Life's mighty sea we roam, Just like this ship : far from our home — The snow-white spotless shore. There tempests ne'er shall beat the soul, There billows ne'er shall 'round us roll, But peace forevermore. ii Wymn of the Birds." HEN summer beauty paints the earth With budding germ and hillside mirth, When flowrets smile toward the skies, And gently breath in perfumed sighs ; The birds in sonnets sweet proclaim, God paints our plumage — praise His name ! When summer morning lisps the day, And midnight shades have passed away, When twinkling stars have closed their eyes, And sunbeams flash the eastern skies ; The birds in warblings loud proclaim, He tunes our voices — bless His name ! Then 'neath the mid-day's burning sun, When o'er our heads its flash is hung, Refreshing laughs the hill-side stream, Made clearer by the fiery gleam, The birds again with joy proclaim, We gently sing our Maker's name ! And when the shades grow tall from West And shroud the sun in dying rest, How sweet the hallowed moments are, When evening sets her jewelled star ; The birds in ling'ring notes proclaim ; Glory to God, we praise His name ! Thou do'st our Father, gently keep The little songsters while they sleep, And when the East grows pale with light, When coming sunbeams rout the night, The birds in waking songs proclaim, He guardeth us, we'll praise His name ! J 9 F EFLECTIONS. l&OW wonderful Thy grace, Oh Lord ! how won- ^iL derful Thy power, rAJ Open thy heavens now, and pour upon us a rich & shower Of Thy Great Spirit, heavenly sound, it cometh from above, 'Tis but a portion of Thy name; Thy Sovereign name is Love. Whene'er I contemplate Christ's death, amaze- ment fills my heart, In mercy then did He descend, in wonderous love depart. From Thy right hand, that regal throne, where He did reign with Thee, For us He lived, for us He died, that we might reign with Thee. In sorrow here He walked, men little thought His might Would be revealed to them at last, when in their dreadful fright They will cry out : " Fall on us now, ye mighty rocks and stones ! Annihilate us if ye will, to powder grind our bones !" How on the raging waters, the long-sought light appears, To the storm-driven mariner ; how vanish all his fears, 20 IIEFZECT^ONS. 2/ When once again the great sea crossed, his ves- sel lies at rest, When once again received, she floats upon the harbor's breast. So on Life's surging billows, the beacon-light of heaven, To the storm-driven Christian to guide him on is given, Till evermore, Life's ocean past, his soul shall be at rest, Forevermore shall praise the Lord, no care with- in his breast. How on the sandy desert, the traveller's heart does bound, When welcome news his guides do bring, " an oasis is found," He feasts his eye upon the spot so beautifully green, And after quenching well his thirst, he leaves the joyous scene. So on Life's mighty desert, the Christian's heart is sad, When viewing o'er the barren waste, no pros- pect makes him glad, When all at once the eye of faith discerns the living green, His heart cries out in joyous tones, God's oasis is seen. Hope is the oasis God gives to weary ones be- low, That on the mighty desert they may his mercy know, 22 CZOllDS. Though all the sands of Life surround, Hope in its living green, O ! bless the Lord ! my life, I cry, that Hope sheds such a beam. Beam, that shall pour its heaven-born rays upon our darkened path, Beam, that shall lead us through life's way, pre- serve us from God's wrath, And when at last our eyes, in fear, we to the Lord shall raise, We'll find that Hope's a blessed seed, that bloometh into praise. P L O U D S S I sit in my bedroom window, I watch the fleeting clouds ; )i£f Now they're snowy white, now golden, a Now they're dark as funeral shrouds, Now they fly with the speed of an arrow, Now they float at a gentle pace, Now they're frowning, now rejoicing With sweet smiles upon their face. One moment they seem like castles That dot the distant sky ; Another, they seem like flames of light, Reaching to worlds on high ^ Now they're dark as rebel dungeons, Where the captive's life is run ; Now they're plains of heavenly ether, Gilded by the golden sun. CZ0U3)S. 23 A storm in the west approaches — The clouds are arrayed for fight ; See ! they're frowning in the distance, For their eyes with wrathful light Are sending forth their anger, Are flashing forth their spite, And, in tones of deepest thunder, They proclaim aloud their might. The clouds are weeping above us, They feel saddened for the earth ; The tears they shed upon it Will bless the bright green turf; And flowers shall raise their drooping heads Toward those clouds above, And drink their precious drops and sigh — " We drink thy tears in love." But the storm flies quickly o'er us ; I rejoice, with a murmured prayer, That the sky is once more joyous, For no saddened cloud floats there ; But the sun comes out in his glory, And gildeth the ethereal clouds ; For they're risen from death and darkness, And cast off their funeral shrouds. As I sit in my heart's lone window, I watch life's changing light ; Now shadows appear in the distance, As dark as the deepest night, As God sendeth his love like sunshine, And it drives far from us our fears, And it falls on the heart with its gladness, v And our drooping spirit cheers. A u T U M N , i UTUMN cometh, cometh, cometh, At a slow and solemn pace ; Soon the glories of the summer Will have run their joyous race ; Now the leaves are growing older, Now they're fading, falling fast ; -Soon their hues, so soft and golden, For the dust of earth will pass. Yes, the trees, they must feel saddened As they see their hopes decay, And their dress of regal beauty Fall so solemnly away ; Oh, how soon they lose their glory ; How soon their blossoming flower, For the northern winds will quickly rend Them of their tottering power. The flowers are pining sadly, And methinks I hear them sigh ; For they feel so very mournful, That they're born so soon to die ; For they've seen their friends and sisters Droop,' and die off" one by one ; And they know their lives will soon be past, And the cold wind of Death will come. And the stream, it sounds so lonely, As it winds its distant way, Through dying woods and meadows, And in sadness, seems to say — 24 ZI2TZJS JIM. 26 " Once, gay and merry was I, And I ran with a joyous bound ; But soon old Winter will cover my head, When no more I sweet music can sound." Yet it makes my heart feel joyous, To feel that when Winter has~gone, Sweet Summer will rise from the bed of death, And her beautiful garments don ; Then her head will be decked with the garlands of earth, And sweet flowers shall come forth and bloom ; And the birds, in their notes of rejoicing, shall sing " The Summer is Raised from her Tomb." Oh, ye who behold dying Nature at rest, And see her fall sadly away, Remember your life, like the past Summer is, Like its beauties, will droop and decay ; May you rise after death as the summer will rise, With garlandsand choice flowers crowned, That angels, in songs of rejoicing, may sing " Another companion is found." y » Little Jim, HE cottage was a thatched one, the outside old and mean, Yet everything within that cot was wondrous neat and clean ; 4 26 ZITTZE JIM. The night was dark and stormy, the wind was howling wild, A patient mother watched beside the death-bed of her child — A little worn-out creature — his once bright eyes grown dim ; It was the collier's wife and child — they called him " Little Jim." And O ! to see the briny tears fast hurrying down her cheek, As she offered up a prayer in thought — she was afraid to speak Lest she might 'waken one she loved, far better than her life, For she had all a mother's heart, had that poor collier's wife, With ha'nds uplifted, see ! she kneels beside the sufferer's bed, And prays that He will spare her boy and take herself instead. She gets her answer from the child — soft fall these words from him, " Mother, the angels do so smile, and beckon " Little Jim ;" I have no pain dear mother, now, but O, 1 am so dry — Just moisten poor Jim's lips again, and mother, don't ye cry," With gentle trembling haste she held a teacup to his lips ; He smiled to thank her as he took three little, tiny sips — 2 .irr FMIEND. 27 " Tell father, when he comes from work, I said good night to him ; " And mother, now I'll go to sleep," alas ! poor " Little Jim." She saw that he was dying — that the child she loved so dear Had uttered the last words that she might ever hope to hear ; The cottage door is opened — the collier's step is heard — The father and the mother meet, but neither speak a word. He felt that all was over — he knew his child was dead ; He took the candle in his hand, and walked to- ward the bed ; His quivering lips gave token of the grief he'd fain conceal — And see ! his wife has joined him — the stricken couple kneel ; With hearts bowed down with sadness, they humbly ask of Him, In Heaven once more to meet again their own poor " Little Jim." To My Fri END. HEN in moments of solitude, moments of rest, When the cares of this world are remote from my breast, Then I think of thee, friend, and I feel thou art near, 28 to .nrr Ffti&jvs). To speak to me comfort, my spirits to cheer. For though space may divide us, my heart is the same, To the friendship that binds us, that bright gol- den chain ; Bles't chain ! may we now and forevermore prove That its links have been forged by the power of love. In my heart there's a light that shines brightly for thee ; Its oil I replenish, nor eye ere can see Its beauty and power, yet its gorgeously bright, And it gildeth my heart with its soft silver light. O ! Let it burn on, may it evermore be, As a sunbeam, to shine on life's shadowy sea, To guide us when rocks in our pathway arise, And be to our hearts as the sun in the skies. In my heart there's a flower, I ne'er can ex- press The feeling of hope it excites in my breast, When I look at its beauty, its blossoming power, For it grows in the heart, and is strengthened each hour; For though flowers of earth, all may droop and decay, This flower grows sweeter and brightier each day; 'Tis the flower of friendship, we must ever be true To its fragrance, its beauty, its soft golden hue. In my heart there's a stream that runs onward toward thee, 'Tis the stream of rejoicing, of sweet sympathy, It is bordered with banks of bright radience and peace, And I pray that its force may forever increase. O ! Let it run on through the great land of time, May it never be checked, no impediment find, Though the shadows of night may be cast in the way, May its waters be kissed with the sunlight of day. I've seen many friendships that seem like the year, A season of Summer, then Winter so drear, But our's is tried to each season I find, And no winter can drive it away from the mind. Our friendship's unchangable, not like this life, One moment sweet peace and another fierce strife, But 'tis fixed like a rock, may it ever remain, Through sunlight and shadow forever the same. ft Y M N, | EAR Father ! hear us when to Thee we pray, And in thy mercy, smooth Life's rugged way, When unto Thee in our great sorrows call, Hear us, O Lord ! our Hope ! our Strength ' our All ! 30 HrMJV. How can we come to Thee in love aright, These souls so dark with struggling in the fight. Yet Faith with golden beam shall shed its ray, And make the darkness seem like gorgeous day. Like flowrets sweet, Thy blessings crown our heads, In smiles of love, Thine angels guard our beds ; If on Life's way, or in the arms of sleep, Wil't Thou our souls in love and mercy keep ? May truth and love within our hearts be found, Mercy and charity, bright gems, abound, Hang out Thy promise rain-bow in Life's sky, And on it fix the sinner's wand'ring eye. May we, like soldiers in Life's conflict, prove That we will stand for Thee, will gain Thy love, Like soldiers, battling for the right, may we Fight with our feeble strength, dear Lord, for Thee. Wil't Thou to us the victor's laurel give, And may we through the great Eternal live. But cast thine eye upon us once again, And we will battle fearless of the pain. A; Few Questions. HO formed the earth and beauteous sky, Who fixed those orbs of light on high, I hear my heart with rapture sigh, The Lord. Who out of chaos brought forth light, Who made the sun with beams so bright, That men cannot behold its sight, The Lord. Who did create all creeping things, The woods, the forests, and the springs, And out of nature beauty brings, The Lord. Who formed the earth, who guides our ways, Who gilds our paths with joyous rays, And turns rejoicing into praise, The Lord. Who to our souls speaks words of love, Who makes us all his will approve, And smiles upon us from above, The Lord. Who, to my heart in terror's night, Brings peace and joy and morning light, When I am wrong, sets me aright ! The Lord. Dear Lord ! To Thee we'll ever cry, Thou art my strength, our hope on high, And for Thy truth our souls will sigh, Dear Lord ! 3 1 The Young M OUNG TTERO. WAS in the year of " eighteen sixty-one," When the mid-night of treason had almost be- $) g un To blot out the sun of our national life, And befog the pure air with the traitor's foul blight. Columbia sat in her great arm-chair, Entwining the locks of her golden hair, 'Round her figure, that trembled with conflicts and fears. How heavy her sighs ! how unnumbered her tears ! Sighs ! tears ! for the dead, the wounded, the dying, Who in dark rebel dungeons, and hospitals lying, Hoped ! prayed that her strength, she might quickly regain, That her conflicts might cease, disappear all her pain, How they thought of the dear ones in homes far awav, How they longed, that again one word, they might say Of comfort, to mother, to sister, to love, O Lord in thy mercy protect from above ! Enough have I seen of Columbia's sorrow, O, Father in Heaven may each deepened fur- row, 32 TUB TOZfJYG ITE'JiO. 33 From her fair brow be banished, be driven away, May the day-star oF peace soon bring that bright day, When once, once again, her distresses all passed, Her conflicts, her terrors, her fears she will cast On the shoulders of Him, who her burdens can bear, For a million tried freemen His comfort may share. I left her, I wandered through life's mighty way, I thought of the darkness, I prayed that a ray Might fall on the path of our national life, So darkened with sorrow, with anguish and strife, I wandered through city, through village and dale, I was driven by tempest, I was tossed by the gale, Till at last almost famished, with sorrow nigh dead, I stopped at a cottage to beg for my bread. The cottage lay smiling amidst the bright hills, So golden with autumn, where the noise of the rills, Made music refreshing, so soft on my ear, That my sorrow was driven away with a tear ; A tear, for the home, where in youth I was blessed, With a life amidst roses, no care on my breast, Oh, the memories of youth ! how they haunt me again ! The village, the schoolhouse, the hillside, and plain. 36. THE rOZTJVG HEHO. I quench thoughts within me, I raise up mine eyes To the glories of earth, to the beauteous skies, How calm is the landscape, how glorious the sight, For the trees with their great lungs, are whisper- ing God's might, In the breezes they speak of God's greatness and power, " He fanneth our warm heads, He sende.th the shower That maketh us multiply, maketh us reign, The queens of the forest, unfettered by pain." Yes ! look thou upon us, and see our bright smile, No care, and no thought our sweet moments beguile, We hear not the cry of the dying, the dead, That in Southern forests their hearts-blood have shed, We've heard of the saying, that much doth abound, " Uneasy the monarch that weareth a crown," Your monarch of empire, uneasy may be, " But the leaves are our crowns, and our heads they are free." Mine eyes from the forest I joyfully raise, Mine heart it is full of devotion and praise, I am not alone in my outburst of love, For a thousand sweet voices are raising above, Their notes so seraphic, God's choir they are, THE YOUJVG HE'RO. 85 For from morning to night they proclaim from afar, With their sweet little voices, " The Lord is the same, O'er poor birds of the forest He ever doth reign." But stop ! I must onward, enough 'tis to say, That the scene is symbolic of Life's future day, The cottage doors open, I'm welcome at last, To the board of the humble, their modest repast ; The household consists of a mother and son, That have lived in sweet unity since life begun, The mother's sweet face and white silvery hairs, Might entertain angels that came unawares. But where was the Father ! presumption doth ask ; He had fought a good fight, he had finished his task, In the old village churchyard, far down in the vale, His ashes repose, 'mid the tempest and gale. His white hoary hairs once the household did bless, But now he was gone to the land of his rest ; A patriot was he, a patriot bold, He had fought in the war with Britannia of old. His dying command to his wife he had given, To train up their son for the blessings of heaven ; To make him a patriot, make him to love, se the rozrjve jieko. His land 'with a true heart, and ever to prove That love with his might, with his right hand to strike, For her dignity, honor, her truth and her right. Dear son ! thou can'st never thy father forget, Though his course it is run, and his life it is set. When I entered, the mother was bathed in her tears, I asked her the trouble, she said " that her years Were waning to sunset, that soon they would close, In the land of her fathers she soon would repose." She said that her son was the only true friend She ever had had, and how could she send Him forth to the conflict that raged in our land, Yet his father had offered his own precious hand. I told her to ask God to give her his light, That she might, through the true faith, obtain a blessed sight Of his gracious face, so beaming with love, That one ray from his sunshine would make her approve His will, whatsoever decision might reign, Whether sunlight, or darkness, whether sorrow, or pain, For the Lord's always just, the Lord's always right, He guards us from danger, and makes darkness light. The son he was handsome, he was gentle and kind, THE TOTWG IIB'RO. S7 In peace like the lamb, in fierce war like the wind That sweeps with a hurricane through torrid zones ; His voice, like sweet music, had deep thunder tones ; His love for his country was fervent and strong, Had praised her, had prayed for her, hoped that ere long His arm against traitor for freedom would raise, On her altar he'd offer his heart's truest praise. Yet I know, dearest hearer, you may ask me, Oh, why Did he not to the conflict then hasten to die ! I'll tell vou, dear friend, 'twas the magic of love That bound him to mother, each affection above. Had mother once wished to the son that he'd go Forth to fight with our patriots, well do I know That his heart would have leaped with the rap- ture of joy, And his love for our land would have know no alloy. The mother oft thought 'twas her duty to say, " Go forth, dearest son, go forth to the fray," For she knew that the mothers throughout our broad land Had offered their sons, and had ply'd the right hand For their comfort, while fighting, with faith, for the right ; I say, from the heart, 'tis a beautiful sight, 38 THE T07TJVG JZ&210. So golden that chord of sweet sympathy runs From the soldiers in battle, to far, peaceful homes. Oh ! could I, dear friend, Oh ! could I express The doubts and the conflicts, the fears and dis- tress That mothers experience for sons far away, You would open your heart, and in faith you would pray, " Oh ! God, in thy mercy, may war quickly cease, May rebellion fall rightly, grant to us peace, Peace, founded on unity, justice and right, May the lamp of our land, not bedimmed, shed its light." May its rays o'er lands distant in radience be shed, Our land above others in pride raise her head ; To those nations, who trembling, pray we may fall, Oh, send, we beseech thee, the mightiest squall Of judgment divine ; may the winds fairly rend The sails of their power, on them wilt thou send — But no, we would pray even them Thou would'st bless, Though they're slavery's friends, and the poor would oppress. But stop ! I'm digressing, I was musing, I say On the rocks that are set in our national way ; But now I my thoughts have collected again, TITB rOZTJYG BEllO. 39 And my mind is relieved from the burden of pain, For upon raising mine eyes to the mother, I see That her mind from the conflict of duty is free. She has prayed to the Father, to her strength he did lend, To the conflict of freedom her son she will send. The mother, her eyes to her son she did raise, He smiled when he looked en the parent's sweet gaze, She, in outbursts of joy, for no trouble oppressed, Her son in the music of love did address : My dear, since foul treason first arose in our land, Thou hast ever been anxious, undaunted to stand For the rights of our country, her freedom, her peace, And now from anxiety thee I release. Thou know'st, my dearest, thou know'st, that I Must soon with the dust of my forefathers lie ; Long, long did I hesitate whether to send Thee forth to the conflict, thy mother's lone friend, Until to our door this old patriot came, So aged with time, so hungry and lame. I told him my trouble, he asked me to pray- To my Father to drive the great darkness away. I told God my sorrow, I asked him to show The way that my duty should prompt me to go ; The answer, in mercy, soon came from above, &0 T£TJE TOUJVG H£3iO. " To the call of the land send thy son forth in love ;" Enough 'tis for mother to know that the Lord Would have her dear son wield for freedom the sword Against traitors, that mighty unprincipled band, Who the poor would enslave in our far-reaching land. And now, dearest offspring, no more can I say, But to God, in yon heaven, I ever will pray From temptation he'll guard thee, from dangers in camp, On the field of fierce strife, or the long weary tramp ; And ever remember what thy mother has told Thee of Him, who for thee, lived and suffered of old. May thy mother's kind precepts be ever to thee As the lighthouse to heaven on life's stormy sea. The son felt much sadness arise in his heart, How could he from mother in joyfulness part ; But he thought of his duty, the call of his land, And in tones of sweet music his voice trembling ran : "Dear mother, I love thee, no tongue can express The feelings of joy that arise in my breast, When I think of thy goodness, how well do I know Thou has't led me in mercy through life's path below. TSJE TOUJYG JIEftO. 61 Perhaps I have caused thee much sorrow, and care, Perhaps I have caused thee anxiety, there In thy bosom, so bursting with love for thy son, Since the day I was born, life's great race-course to run ; Kind mother, thou wilt join hand with God once again, Though dangers assail thee, He will thee defend From whatever of trouble may lie in thy way, While the bright star from heaven shall shed its bright ray. When I think of thy kindness, how tender and mild Thou did'st lead me when wandering, a weak, erring child, When dangers assailed me thou ever wert near, To guide me in darkness, in sorrow to cheer. Dear mother, the voices of memory recall, Thou wert kind to the poor, to the sick thou wert all Of kindness, compassion, of goodness and love, There's a God that rewards gentle acts, up above. Thou wilt weather, protected, the storm and the gale, Though tempest and dangers thy bark may as- sail, Thou must ever remember, the sunlight of heaven To barks, on life's storm-driven ocean is given. 6 4.2 THE l-O&JVG- HEItO. And when the great ocean of Life shall be past, In the harbor of Heaven thou wilt anchor at last. Blessed harbor ! no ripple shall wrinkle its face, For the shores of Eternity, line the calm place. May God spare thee mother, a long life to live, May he guide thee from sorrow, and happiness give, Is the prayer of thy son, and forever will be, Till at last in yon Heaven, his glory thou'lt see. But stop — we are weary, let us rest now our heads, Through this night may sweet angels be guard- ing our beds, On the morrow, when morning first casteth her ray, I must with my comrades be marching away. The morning did come, though the night seemed like years To that mother so bathed in her anguish and tears ; For she thought how affection had governed her son, Since the day that his life on this earth was be- gun ; But the time now arrived for the parting good- byes, How burdened their hearts, full of tears were their eyes, 'Twas hard for the mother to see him depart, She had twined 'round about him the fondest of hearts : t£ *J* 3fC 2f£ Sp ij% 5p *r* *f* THE T017JV& HERO. 4-3 Twas just fourteen months later, the year about to close, When in Western Virginia, 'midst the sheet- winding snows, A picket was tramping, far down in a vale, As a shelter from storm, and the fierce beating gale. A rifle was heard in the distance to crack, And the picket was seen quickly fall on his back, A surgeon ran up to him, saddened he said, " Our comrade of many a contest is dead." The camp on a hill-side not far distant lay, Each member within it was saddened that day, Not so much from grim death, for oftimes before Had he opened before them his terrible jaw. But they felt that the dearest of brothers had died As before them the corpse of the picket they spied ; For, from purest affection he fought, they believed, And now had the crown of the faithful received. But who is this picket ? an answer now comes, 'Twas our young noble hero, who left his far home, Where his mother in sadness with him last did part, 'Mid the- parting good-bye's and the achings of heart. His comrades they searched him, they searched him to find 44 T£T£! TOUNG MEftO. If a word he had left, if not even a line He had penned for his dear friends, but nothing was found Save a picture of mother, with gray locks around. But hark ! what is it that sounds on my ear, Behold, in the distance the soldiers appear, In mournful procession, they carry the dead, A crown that's invisible trimming his head. In sadness they take him and lay him to rest, The sword he had fought with they placed on his breast ; They cover him up, 'mid their troubles and fears, 'Mid the sorrow of hearts and the shedding of tears. No volley they fired, they feared that the crack Of a rifle, like blood-hounds that follow the track, Would bring down the foe, and that not even he In his grave would find rest, from their hands would be free. That lost one now lies 'neath Virginia's green turf, His soul, like a wave of the ocean's great surf, Has found peace at last on the bright golden shore, Where the acts of the faithful' shall shine ever- more. - That hero will sleep till the trumpet's last blow, When from land and from water earth's dead forth shall go ; TI2& VOUJYG IlS'/iO. 4-5 The martyrs, the heroes, the patriots for right, Will glory for Christ, and rejoice in the sight Of his countenance, so beaming with truth and with love, And in tears of rejoicing their eyes raise above To Him, who in smiles will proclaim, " I'm thy Lord, To inhabit yon heaven is thy Father's reward." A message was sent to a far Northern home, The mother was waiting for news from her son, She opened the message and quickly she read : " Thy son, he is numbered among the great ■ dead." How saddened that mother, how heartrending her tears, Yet she conquered her sorrows, her doubts, and her fears, For she knew that her son was forever at rest, Where no doubts and temptations arise in the breast. Oh ! comfort her mothers, I call on ye now To twine consolation 'round her fasi-fading brow ; Bring joy, and bring hope, bring the blossoms of peace, Let your aims for her comfort through time never cease. Remember that she sent forth her son, that he gave His breast as a bulwark, our country to save, 'Twas a blessing to her, for she truthfully knew £6 2 HE TOVJVG &E2tO. That to God, and his land, he had ever proved true. Oh ! mothers and sisters throughout the great North, If a son or a brother ye have not sent forth, Remember the thousands who are weeping in pain For the loved and the lost ones, who never again Shall comfort them, speak to them, but who have passed Through death, for their country, and found peace at last. I pray you, beseech you, endeavor to make That path one of flowers, for Jesus Christ's sake. *T» SS^m&'^ t'^i •■'•;;« ..*•'-./• »^*&fi^^fe*