O^^Z^y ,.^5^^ ^ ^ /-fS^ 
 
 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 SOCIAL RELATIONS, 
 
 OTHER POEMS 
 
 / 
 
 Jj!W/GAZLAY 
 
 -\. 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 CINCINiNATI: 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR'S PRIVATE USE. 
 
 1860. , 
 

 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by 
 
 J. W. GAZLAT, 
 
 In the CJerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the 
 
 Southern District of Ohio. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Clitic 5 
 
 Exordium, part first 20 
 
 Truth and Doubts 24 
 
 Chauges 43 
 
 The Who For, Why 56 
 
 Seauty, the Why, and Love 66 
 
 Music, Art, Happiness 91 
 
 A Game 115 
 
 Social Power and Relations 121 
 
 Petition to the Soul 141 
 
 Soul's Response 143 
 
 Social Power, continued 155 
 
 A Few 167 
 
 Reflection 175 
 
 War 179 
 
 Justice 185 
 
 National 186 
 
 Slavery 187 
 
 War, continued 188 
 
 Objections 192 
 
 Examples 196 
 
 Woman 203 
 
 The Man 220 
 
 Night, Scene First 228 
 
IV • CONTENTS. 
 
 Night, Scene Second 236 
 
 Do. do Third 265 
 
 Convention Between Day and Night 278 
 
 Mazzini 284 
 
 John Honesty 288 
 
 Bumpa Nickel 292 
 
 The Cataract 298 
 
 Virginia 301 
 
 Illustrations, Number one 310 
 
 Do. do. two 311 
 
 Do. do. three 313 
 
THE CRITIC. 
 
 i 
 
 F write you must, wliy not write prose— 
 The world is tired of sing song 
 To nauseate at silly rhyme, 
 Enough there is one would suppose, 
 All ready for the tuneful throng. 
 To last till final doom of time ; 
 And longer if they are compelled to read 
 To get well through in time its trump to heed. 
 
 If so, it's the demand must keep 
 The market from a deadlock glut: 
 The weak have appetites to sate. 
 
 To keep the ware above dog cheap. 
 The question may be fairly put — 
 Why free trade don't to it relate ? 
 
 Free trade in bread and butter, cabbage, wine. 
 
 Of course, then comes free trade in rhyme. 
 
 For silly things I'ra not so sure 
 That rhyme is solely in the fault ; 
 I think its likely some in brain — 
 
 Bad meter of that we endure — 
 
 As well as prose that's lame and halt. 
 Not cured by stopping up the drain. 
 
 You'd better let all scribblers have their way— 
 
 They will to write all nonsense that will pay. 
 
6 THE. CRITIC. 
 
 How can we help it if there's trash 
 Enough in rhyme to make us yawn ? 
 As chaff don't spoil the precious grain. 
 
 If wit will twirl its caustic lash, 
 There must be folly for its pawn — • 
 Great patience gravel}^ won't complain. 
 
 There must be little birds to twitter twire, 
 
 If scarcely heard amid the band's full choir. 
 
 And do you really think your stuff 
 
 Will find a market paying fair — 
 
 Compete with oracles thumb-worn ? 
 For answer it is plain enough : 
 
 The poet, if his gifts be rare. 
 
 Their siller value meets his scorn. 
 He writes what's in him for a praise or damn. 
 To miss or hit, just as he kens the man. 
 
 It's equal which the tide must flow. 
 
 If in its ebb the mud's exposed. 
 
 It still is nature's proper phase. 
 Exalted things as well as low ; 
 
 For truth sake have to be disclosed. 
 
 Provided each have proper place. 
 It's chiefly those who write for siller gain, 
 Who yield to Mammon by their loss of fame. 
 
 All traffic has its laws to fill. 
 
 Our wants of hunger common needs. 
 Our pastimes, too, have got their price, 
 
 But honesty demands clean will ; 
 The patriot's conscience ever pleads, 
 Man and his heart 'gainst all device — > 
 
 Of traffic touching social truth's affairs. 
 
 They're damu'd who enter them, for such base shares. 
 
THE CRITIC. 
 
 All trusts are sacred, and demand 
 An agony shan't make them less, 
 By their betrayal to a dross — 
 
 Are worthless when they don't withstand 
 Earth's highest bid to dispossess 
 Of claim involving heaven's loss. 
 
 True laws of gain 'twill not so much offend, 
 
 Where madrigals or nonsense only's penned. 
 
 Pay charity's high aim to hide 
 The hand bestowing out of sight ; 
 Then is the heart best at its feast, 
 
 To revel let the world deride : 
 
 The viands all in luchious plight — 
 The ruby wine, if last not least. 
 
 His savory dish others may dainty shun, 
 
 Yet smacks of welcome to his relish come. 
 
 Idolaters are poets made 
 
 By laws that's fixed and firm in soul ; 
 
 That images they should adore — 
 No prayer by any votary said. 
 
 But in he limns them for control — 
 
 'Tis their reality he kneels before. 
 If heaven or its high ruler be the theme, 
 His pictures glowing are no idle dream. 
 
 Words are but signs a name to call, — 
 Are yea or nay of place and time ; 
 As chisel that chips out the block, 
 
 Mite after mite like dust to fall : 
 They fashion may a thing divine. 
 Of beauty, or our nerves to shock. 
 
 By too much chipping or done out of place, 
 
 A hydra supervenes without a grace. 
 
THE CRITIC. 
 
 As the lone pilgrim on the sand, 
 
 Who stops to draw of image fair, — 
 That his warm fancy may suggest. 
 
 Wait for him in that happy land ; 
 So made good company they are, 
 Will so suffice if roughly dress'd : 
 
 With due allowance to console his time. 
 
 The same if drawn in sand or yet in rhyme. 
 
 They have a spirit in them and they speak 
 Away some woe, like one forgets 
 An hour lonely, by friend's loss. 
 
 Oblivion a deep well to seek — 
 Yet so of any grief it lets 
 The less to cure by greater cross ; 
 
 To cure a pain to other pain we turn — 
 
 A passion cool to make another burn. 
 
 Truth can't be bought to tell what's meant 
 In the true balance of the mind ; 
 It must not have a worldly fear 
 
 To cater for the mob's consent, 
 However much that may be blind. 
 As voice to which it lends an ear ; 
 
 Above the din of tlumder breaks its way, 
 
 To scorn hoarse threat' nings safety to betray. 
 
 Thus in his bent the poet must 
 Defy all chances that surround 
 Fame, fortune, or a thrall to bring— 
 
 He will them neither fear or trust ; 
 His soul is by the rightful bound, 
 When nature's God he deigns to sing. 
 
 The wrongs men suffer a good theme to break. 
 
 The labor in it his reward to make. 
 
THE CRITIC. 
 
 It's best he should be clear as light, 
 Sprinkl'd with diamond dust, to throw 
 More luster on a thing that's clear; 
 
 The light be such as men to sight. 
 Can also feel its social glow, 
 The deeper, stronger, as they hear. 
 
 If ever misty, 'tis a mist o'er ways 
 
 Thrown, not explain'd out clear by any gaze. 
 
 All else that's writ, however well. 
 
 Without a hero, can't succeed ; 
 
 That is the wit of every jest. 
 The spice that makes all legends tell — 
 
 All rhyme, all books, to gain much heed, 
 
 Demand one as a common zest. 
 It is the taste or reason of the thing. 
 Like balance master held up by a string. 
 
 The best of heroes you can name. 
 Most mischief must do in his line 
 To give and carry marks of rage ; 
 
 If any red his toga stain. 
 
 To count as scruples of sublime — 
 To fill that much a fuller page. 
 
 It will not do to stint him in his swell, 
 
 A mawkish story is but made to tell. 
 
 Well said, you've got me on the hip — 
 I can't boast heroes in full blast ; 
 I've barely shown how they are made, 
 
 To hammer them my sledge atrip. 
 Don't answer to the metals cast — 
 To comly form I can't persuade ; 
 
 To make a hero easy is for some. 
 
 No loss to be unmade when they are done. 
 
1.0 . THE CRITIC. 
 
 I would have hero for my lead, 
 
 To make one takes some punk and fire, 
 Much more than my poor nerves can spare ; 
 
 Those that are common to the breed, 
 But as stuffed effigies inspire, 
 Good hero makers grow so rare : 
 
 To he made worthy of the time and need. 
 
 Lightning demands to measure out their speed. 
 
 There is a doubt in any yarn. 
 
 That's by the choicest lightning spun : 
 How much the better makes the speed — 
 
 The more the fret the more to darn. 
 As frets grow larger when begun, 
 To mend them lightning gives small heed 
 
 The pastime is more nimble when we fly. 
 
 The moral mended, that's the thing to try. 
 
 Now Belzebub is hero great — 
 
 But few, if any, are much greater — 
 Whether it be for war or fame. 
 
 He's gotten worlds held in debate ; 
 
 In passing crooked things for straighter, 
 Chief model stands at every game. 
 
 If beaten in the list he's just as strong 
 
 To win by daring more, the more he's wrong. 
 
 Beside we are so cut and carved 
 Into divisions, sects — quite soon 
 Each man must his own hero be ; 
 
 Then if we are not better served, 
 Flunk'd heroism is no boon. 
 That time must prove we wait to see : 
 
 The best of heroes are made by the mob, 
 
 To hold but fickle reign if seer or snob. 
 
THE CRITIC. 11 
 
 A monster is a hero, I allow — 
 
 Be it of monstrous head or tail ; 
 
 I don't know which will frighten most, 
 
 Of people given much to stare ; 
 Perhaps it's in the nerves, somehow, 
 
 At any rate they're apt to fail 
 
 In the perception true to boast 
 
 Of difference 'tween the brains and hair. 
 Perhaps it's all a sham when people make a fuss 
 When there be only hair and tail for trust. 
 
 There is no hero to despise — 
 
 Disgrace a nation of the more 
 Than heroes of the fighting prize ; 
 With the mob villainy they rise 
 
 To Avound the age as dogs of gore ! 
 Civility, all decency, humanity, 
 With them allowed seem curs'd inanity. 
 
 That Piety the Ninth is hero strong, 
 
 In any bargain 'bout the soul ; 
 
 Romagna, with its chattels, bones, 
 The grass, the tithes thereto belong — 
 
 He much prefers their vain control, 
 
 Than all the souls his kingdom owns. 
 His little heroes in his pasture wide. 
 Join with him, and to soul prefer the hide. 
 
 Long agony some people spin 
 
 Out of a passion not to mend, 
 
 But keep the nerves strained at high pitch — 
 It's worse than weevil on the skin ; 
 
 Disease of weakness sure to send, 
 
 W^here winning words create the itch. 
 Nature more thoughtful pretermits the intense, 
 To give more time for health's recuperance. 
 
12 THE CRITIC. 
 
 These dancers on the Nile renown'd, 
 
 Trained passion wily to employ 
 
 In every gesture meaning sends. 
 To infect or with a poison wound 
 
 All who the sensual sight enjoy ; 
 
 A torrid sun cupiscence lends 
 To help the gesturer deeper to imbue 
 The willing victim trembling at the view. 
 
 I am no poet but a scribe, 
 
 To mark on things I chance to meet ; 
 
 If any after know the mark. 
 In passing on by life's way side, 
 
 I hope they'll add their own complete, 
 
 To make it plainer where it's dark. 
 In hints we have to trust like planting seed, 
 However small, a shade may thence proceed. 
 
 He was a boy wild as the best. 
 
 At rampant play and child-like sport,— 
 
 With nimble feet to know no tire. 
 From morn to night disdained to rest ; 
 
 To hunt, to fish, and danger court ; 
 
 Failure small prudence to inspire ; 
 Whatever led his thought or fancy first. 
 Courage and v.'ill the issue to adjust. 
 
 'Twas little Dorket Willie Will, 
 With all the rest knew how to play 
 Wild games and pranks in doors and out ; 
 
 'Twas wildness all, be sure, but still 
 The grown ones all the same array. 
 Like them, at trifles raise the shout. 
 
 The difference is not much in play at least, 
 
 Where noise and fun provide the heart a feast. 
 
THE CRITIC. 13 
 
 The various sports how wise they be. 
 
 To strengthen fashion, body, mind, 
 
 Each nerve and muscle some to suit, 
 Invention holds of genius plea ; 
 
 To discipline each in their kind. 
 
 In things for after life to boot. 
 Exacting calculation in a play, 
 Be used in after efforts well they may. 
 
 His fondness for his sports, though great. 
 
 Scarce led to blood or malice strife, 
 
 Or wrongs and frauds that spoil the fun ; 
 'Twas in his nature to debate 
 
 How meanness could in boyish life 
 
 Find harbinger when so begun ; 
 He could not so much scorn to prize his own, — 
 To make a trespass debt one must atone. 
 
 His parents taught him thus, no doubt, 
 
 By their example, peaceful ways, , 
 
 Great teacher 'tis for every boy ; 
 Life suffers much to be without 
 
 The school is poor its want betrays 
 
 Their childish wit sees to annoy. 
 Children see through the gauzy, thin disguise, 
 Where teaching by example tells them lies. 
 
 The plow, the hoe, he handled, too. 
 
 With courage equal to the rest ; 
 
 Nor shunned a task if rough the ground : 
 No doubt it mended much his thew 
 
 To help the manhood of his breast, 
 
 The moral exigence more sound. 
 Princes are those who with the ground contend, 
 With empire nobler than vain kings defend. 
 3 
 
14 THE CRITIC. 
 
 What treasure these dear little pets. 
 
 They have our kindness, sometimes more 
 Than their young energies ran bear ; 
 
 When too much tenderness some gets. 
 The rough and sturdy go before. 
 Unlearned in most unfitted are. 
 
 For the more natural wants to follow, 
 
 In which the training's often hollow. 
 
 And too ourselves we have to teach. 
 
 In much that nature will demand, 
 
 To reach her works prosperity. 
 No purpose good we ever reach, 
 
 To crush their griefs with whip in hand 
 
 Their tears to stay, severity 
 Is not the rule, it is no crime to cry 
 The purpose good, their fountain must supply. 
 
 I've known men go away and weep 
 
 For hours in a lonely place ; 
 
 The heart sore pressed with weight and pain — 
 They knew not why compelled to keep 
 
 Such tearful floods to flow apace. 
 
 Yet wanted calmer hours to gain. 
 'Tis nature's fountain made some thirst to slake, 
 Perhaps without them our lorn hearts would break. 
 
 Of days do not complain too long, 
 Or short our fortune's nick to strike ; 
 Or anxious much to other clime. 
 
 By roaming to avoid a wrong. 
 
 Which ever way we turn we're like 
 To miss some step or the right time — 
 
 Truth is the master ever strong. 
 
 If life be happy in long days possess'd. 
 The long are to correct the errors of the rest. 
 
THE CRITIC. 15 
 
 They never learn what has its seat 
 
 Deep in their nature from the first ; 
 
 Like seed that grows in nut or fruit, 
 Or magnet's spark to kindle heat : 
 
 To love and be beloved they must, 
 
 All ranks and climes to follow suit ; 
 It's in their nature as are wings to fly, 
 To teach it's hard — perhaps they never try. 
 
 Their seniors often deign to give advice. 
 
 And have it followed to the letter, 
 
 In matters touching love affairs ; 
 Somehow the passion is so nice. 
 
 Like the mad stream you try to fetter. 
 
 The more you stay the stronger tears ; 
 It's strange what nature teaches for good use. 
 Ourselves learned by in others seems abuse. 
 
 Whether love founds our liberty. 
 
 Disputing don't the fact decide ; 
 
 It founds some things of high concern. 
 Which show a strong proclivity 
 
 If or union as a groom and bride ; 
 
 So the first lesson that we learn 
 Is freedom in the heart to do its will — 
 Without a union liberty is ill. 
 
 Boys, don't about your destiny 
 
 Distress yourselves, or be distress'd 
 
 Beyond what duties point to do, — 
 There is a vast cansistency — 
 
 God's wisdom should resolve the rest. 
 
 A field he does not leave to you ; 
 His Avorks all praise him, let yours do the same, 
 His wisdom in you'll never find to blame. 
 
16 THE CRITIC. 
 
 It's good to be advised in time 
 
 Of the consistence nature force 
 
 Of organs, vessels, braces, all 
 Pumps, Syphons, as how they combine, 
 
 That for our health maintain life's course, 
 
 As prudence for the studies call. 
 The wisdom of the mind you never see 
 But as with all his works made to agree. 
 
 They may be led up to high aim, 
 As sometimes of themselves succeed. 
 In spite of wrong, neglects they bear, 
 
 To reach an eminence not tame ; 
 But oftener like worthless weed. 
 Where bad the associations are. 
 
 The madness of the world to struggle through. 
 
 It's strange if the expos'd the well can do. 
 
 The wide array of things to see. 
 
 To hear, to heed, and often test. 
 
 Intended store are to provide 
 With armor suiting each degree 
 
 Of life, to choose we may the best 
 
 The wit and courage to decide. 
 Boys' schooling chiefly indicates the mine 
 That riper years its riches may combine. 
 
 A cheerful face put on, put on. 
 It stronger makes the hands to do. 
 Wins favors ere the work's begun ; 
 
 The world around examples don. 
 All nature adds a cheering too. 
 Good wishes oil the wheels to run ; 
 
 If sore with labor when the day is done, 
 
 Courage to conquer as he whistles home. 
 
THE CRITIC. 17, 
 
 Long after this lie souglit away 
 
 From worldly drudgery aside, 
 
 A rustic home for some repose. 
 Past labors well deserved to pay, 
 
 Keflection wanted to provide 
 
 For all accounts we have to close ; 
 Well for us, when it's not deferr'd too late, 
 That rally none is left for the debate. 
 
 Time had been with his icy wand 
 
 Busy not gently on his brow, 
 
 Imposing marks of silver count 
 Through winters long with scepter'd hand. 
 
 And summers many to allow. 
 
 He'd made the most of their amount — 
 His harvest home delay'd, must quick and sure. 
 If gently in his flattering way secure. 
 
 Lonely he was as the last leaf, 
 
 By autumn sear'd, hung on its tree, 
 
 Its green companion faded, gone. 
 With every gust its stay more brief. 
 
 Away from absent ones to be, 
 
 No w^onder if the time seem'd long, 
 His hearth about where shadows mostly came, 
 With pallid brow, tho' once belov'd hearts' thane. 
 
 The past as a long river's flow. 
 
 Keeps ever on and on and by. 
 
 Bearing along some wreck to pain ; 
 It does not mean it for a woe. 
 
 But fondness of the heart to try. 
 
 How much therein, how long remain. 
 'Tis food that fondness can't at will put by. 
 If moist prefer'd to burning, tearless sigh. 
 4 
 
18 THE CRITIC. 
 
 On sweeps the stream, tho' with its surge 
 
 Came not alone a sombre wreck, 
 
 But naiads as a trooping train, 
 Their speed-like frolic on to urge. 
 
 With divers garbs and hues to deck, 
 
 Each anxious most a word to gain ; 
 Each gave a smile, with every word bespoke 
 A nod attention offer'd to provoke. 
 
 They'd tell him this, if he would hear, 
 
 They'd tell him that of deep concern 
 
 Each had due part of wisdom got ; 
 With lighter things he'd find to cheer. 
 
 They'd travel'd far and wide to learn, 
 
 Exploring ruins and what not ; 
 Some had a second sight, and some had been 
 To verge whose splendor makes all earth's but dim. 
 
 What could he do, when so beset. 
 
 The troopers all so bright and fair, 
 
 And he in want of company, 
 But open his clos'd door to let 
 
 Them in, attir'd just as they were. 
 
 If barely for civility ? 
 Consenting thus to their relations debt 
 He never has been able to regret. 
 
 They spoke, he put down what in part — 
 
 The whole he never could relate ; 
 
 Its length would tire, and then beside. 
 Hard names and many terms of art. 
 
 With episode made intricate. 
 
 Would far from common use divide. 
 He wanted only what in his old years 
 As for its comprehension best appears. 
 
THECRITIC. 19 
 
 The varied forms of metre feet, 
 
 Is consequence not well to shun, 
 
 S o many babblers of to hear, 
 In accents, and the tones they speak, 
 
 With many blended into one. 
 
 Or second 'fore the first is done, 
 
 No little jumble make appear. 
 By some it might be more the lucid made. 
 Who are not of monotony afraid. 
 ,• The company he entertain'd 
 
 V^Has been to him no dry repast ; 
 
 A selfish passion won't debate 
 A wish in others more restrain'd. 
 
 He'd been in many problems cast 
 
 All tastes can't to one test relate. 
 They vary in their nature, seek or shun 
 Some finish'd point, in all not yet begun. 
 
 Don't charge him with intent to teach 
 
 Mankind — that would be quite unfair ; 
 
 He's no ambition to promote. 
 Or envious eminence to reach, 
 
 A wounded pride in hearts to dare ; 
 
 It's easier with the tide to float. 
 To tell a man you'll teach hira how to do. 
 Is saying I am wiser learn'd than you. 
 
 Works serve the same as sticks, rely 
 
 Some would on, when a fancy took 
 
 To halt without a gen'rous thought, 
 The purpose serv'd, to be thrown by, 
 
 Just like a once but half read book. 
 
 Regretting only it was bought. 
 How can the rag man live, and he who daubs with ink, 
 If sticks and books to equal level sink ? 
 
SkefcKes of Life anb Sacial melatxans. 
 
 PART FIRST EXORDIUM. 
 
 he who, that is the question, or 
 The why, to he forever ask'd, 
 'Answer'd to he or wrong or right, 
 
 Or never answer'd many are. 
 Who did or made for why, what for, 
 
 Thus catechis'd is to he tasked ; 
 Ready it's best to be at sight, 
 
 To answer something foul or fair, 
 It matters little what, for in the main 
 Most askers never think of it again. 
 
 Thus much premis'd, we may affirm 
 
 When ask'd in earnest by true mind, 
 It's duty sacred to respond 
 
 With caution, or not say at all. 
 The man who has a journey to perform. 
 
 That's constant turning back to find 
 Direction that is badly con'd, 
 
 Has chance of getting thro' hut small ; 
 That is or may be reason why so many 
 Are off the road, or blindly find out any. 
 
AND SOCIAL RELATIONS. 21 
 
 The asker, if in earnest, has begun 
 
 In the light method, if he stop 
 Not till he's got quite amply through 
 
 All proper questions for his time ; 
 And if there he a single one 
 
 That wants more reason for its prop, 
 By far the best that he can do. 
 
 Is search it out with his own mind ; 
 For questions any, all, if truths involv'd. 
 By one's own thinking mostly must be solv'd. 
 
 You ask a question why, for what — 
 
 Your object is to get the state 
 Of any, yes or no, as true, 
 
 Needed for guide in life's affair. 
 'Tis said all men desire have got. 
 
 For truth as it involves their fate ; 
 If so, they often seem to rue 
 
 The getting, or remembrance spare. 
 Truths nothing more or less in any phase, 
 Thau hearts and things in the right time and place- 
 
 To find such place, and on it put 
 
 Your finger, that it stay just there, 
 Is not an easy, slip-shod task. 
 
 For doubts, a snare, will wily lay. 
 The grounds may change, atrip your foot. 
 
 Memory or reason fail due share. 
 Or seem to go about in mask ; 
 
 Some mists or fogs to hide the way. 
 One can't explain them all, and if one could. 
 By less the greater's often understood. 
 
22 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 Things are just'implements to use 
 
 In their relations properties to sura, 
 As mind and sense is fitted to receive ; 
 
 They have their language, and converse 
 ■ With truth to offer no abuse. 
 
 Speak kindly, many call'd the dumb 
 Our ignorance always to relieve ; 
 
 They'll give you chapter, line and verse, 
 For wisdom, as the mighty made it, 
 It's at their risk of any who invade it. 
 
 It's not with any man's belief 
 
 To meddle but of his notions, 
 Causation looking to that way. 
 
 As accidents or if or and 
 He's gather'd in a chapter brief 
 
 Of things aside from his devotions ; 
 No harm a word or two to say, 
 
 Where reasons don't a wrong command, 
 Scorn be to him with thought or mind intent, 
 To change a particle what truth has sent. 
 
 God never meant his work to curse. 
 No proof not one of such intent ; 
 His works plead ever the reverse — 
 
 Of goodness, justice, love supreme, 
 Are fill'd created universe. 
 
 To plead with man are kindly sent ; 
 They him as their kind father deem. 
 Who all things fitly made for their survey, 
 Omitting none that could neglect betray. 
 
AND SOCIAL RELATIONS. 23 
 
 He did. not in them man inform 
 Of the eternal purpose, all 
 
 The nature infinite reveal; 
 He did not wisely so intend. 
 
 Man to be man, the trust can't scorn- 
 Trust which the Maker don't recall, ; 
 
 No act of man can break the seal. 
 All wisdom thereby to offend. 
 
 The greatest conquest man on earth can gain, 
 
 Is that full trust that don't at this complain. 
 
 Heaven's gate to open to the soul. 
 
 On earth is truth to seek all day. 
 By means he has appointed clear, 
 
 Not to a few a partial dole, 
 But full as the broad heaven's display. 
 
 With naught but love to make us fear. 
 Schemes all and any man contrive to plod. 
 Are for man worship, not for that of God. 
 
 Man's passions are as fire to warm 
 
 His mind and b"dy, and excite 
 Due vital energy and force in each ; 
 
 Warmth for the plant there's equal need. 
 When kindled reason to disarm, 
 
 Let loose some madness to invite 
 To glut some foul desire, or teach 
 
 Our safety may the danger read. 
 It is not Heaven that does the harm to kill. 
 But the free agent with a darkened will. 
 
24 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 Sketches of life and ways of men will show 
 
 How variously is sought the way 
 Of truth, to think, to act, to bind. 
 
 Often with reason, as suppos'd. 
 If lame, or purpose illy know. 
 
 Where willful heart they don't betray. 
 Amendment all may hope to find, 
 
 Against the way is never clos'd. 
 Eead, think and act, if fail you often do, 
 G try again, with better lights in view. 
 
 TBUTH AND DOUBTS. 
 
 If truth have doubts that's truly seen. 
 What difference lies between the two ? 
 
 To doubt a doubt there is between, 
 
 Your doubts a truth if doubts be true. 
 
 If truths be true, there is no doubt 
 If doubts be true, then all have truth 
 
 A subject trite, tho' thought about 
 By aged men as well as youth. 
 
 Plato taught truths which long have stood 
 The toughest kind of pulls from logic : 
 
 W^hile these and others just as good 
 Ruin'd many a doubtful project. 
 
 Men see and feel, none Avill doubt that ; 
 
 Exactly how they see and feel 
 As readily is not come at — 
 
 Whether in truth or true ideal. 
 
 1 
 
AND SOCIAL RELATIONS. 25 
 
 There is for something be it fine 
 
 Or coarse we get to view 
 On which to predicate a line 
 
 For that which something never drew. 
 
 It may be true as a result — 
 
 We neither weigh or measure out ; 
 It may be false and reason mulct, 
 
 By holding truth apart from doubt. 
 
 To prove that something nothing is 
 
 But the bare shadow of a state. 
 Is easy, and appears no quiz 
 
 To those whose wordy doubts make fate. 
 
 Existence something proves, be sure, 
 
 An object certainly what less ; 
 To make that bad, you worse obscure 
 
 Than to expunge without redress. 
 
 Truth no illation where begin, 
 
 It does induction to find out ; 
 It can't exist without a thing 
 
 Or things for our belief or doubt. 
 
 Instinct itself conclusion sent 
 
 Of heav'n ripely in the mind. 
 Is to some special office bent 
 
 By special things its ways inclin'd. 
 
 Whether it could exist or not 
 
 Without those special things to suit. 
 
 To speak from knowledge we have got. 
 Fast join'd they are in man and brute. 
 
26 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 Thinga measure if they do not form 
 The mind for tho't conclnsion to, 
 
 Special or general one suborn, 
 For other, little's left to do. 
 
 Hypothesis we may invite 
 
 To help the proof a doubt to clear ; 
 
 It may seem reason such to write, 
 
 But proof by things must still appear. 
 
 Imagination largest range 
 
 Assumes, that leads away the tho't ; 
 Combine it may from regions strange. 
 
 Yet doings all by things are taught. 
 
 It has, be sure, and not denied. 
 
 The power all reasons path to cross, 
 
 Draw pictures — common sense deride — 
 Or put the cart before the horse. 
 
 Imagination a good wheel — 
 Its axle reason mostly like. 
 
 Broke from the range to serve as reel 
 A wandering path is sure to strike. 
 
 Its conjuration wide and vast. 
 
 In empire of some truth is found — 
 
 By time and place to random cast, 
 Like hollow things, yet true in sound. 
 
 Why surely men must be amused, 
 
 It is a physic unto many. 
 The thing is not to be refus'd 
 
 That good provides to do for any. 
 
AND SOCIAL RELATIONS. 27 
 
 Supposing mind conclusion draws, 
 
 Holding to self-demonstration, 
 Instinctive if to scorn some laws. 
 
 Things are true base of all illation. 
 
 What we get nearer to the more 
 
 We try to reach by any means. 
 It may be countless space before 
 
 Appearances a nearness gleans. 
 
 We must believe it there aw-aits 
 
 For our approach to overtake, 
 If you have proof the thing abates, 
 
 We still believe, if we mistake. 
 
 The fact is plain the mind all things 
 
 Have objects that we must defend ; 
 All proof can't raise the truthful wings, 
 
 So postulates conclusions lend. 
 
 If nothing is absurd and you 
 
 Can prove it so, however i^lain, 
 In spite of all the proof can do, 
 
 We believe it's something just the same. 
 
 The positive all things admit, 
 
 Establish'd that the work is done ; 
 The negative as plain, we get 
 
 Deny it, and there's neither one. 
 
 The infinite we never did or span. 
 
 Or measure ever more one grain. 
 Words never reach them, yet none can 
 
 Deny unprov'd, they're always plain. 
 
28 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 Some look upon the work most fair, 
 Surpassing beautiful concrete — 
 
 God made, to doubt of proof they are 
 For kindly purpose so complete. 
 
 Tlie wisdom, too, if all allowed, 
 Is not so potent from the end ; 
 
 On thankfulness for him to crowd 
 As if they fashioned were by friend. 
 
 Choose out the kindest man, select 
 
 An angel in his nature wise. 
 With feelings of the earthly sect — 
 
 Then bid him act without disguise. 
 
 Just as God all things has done, 
 
 In every part defended : 
 Excepting for himself in some 
 
 He'd do, what so was not intended. 
 
 The world is right, the crowd all say, 
 
 When others are concern'd ; 
 But for oneself some better pay 
 
 Or softer cushion is discern'd. 
 
 The earth was but a rocky ledge, 
 
 With water cover'd drear and dark — 
 There was no land, no joyful sound 
 
 Of voices with their thrilling laugh ; 
 No horizon whose silver edge 
 
 At morn awoke the cheerful lark — 
 No life surviving by the ground, 
 
 No man to dress on its behalf. 
 'Twas but a waste unseemly promis'd none 
 Of treasures, beauties, wisdom, .since has done. 
 
TRUTH AND DOUBTS. 29 
 
 For whom for why the mountains made ? 
 
 The streams, the valleys, plains and herds ; 
 The countless plants that overgrow, 
 
 Adornment, food, a sure supply 
 For senseless things not to persuade 
 
 The cattle or the airy birds 
 That sure to reason little owe. 
 
 Or intellect with science try : 
 'Twas for a heart and soul's exalted aim 
 All things he made, that wisdom can not blame. 
 
 The body not alone to cheer 
 
 Or cater to its appetite ; 
 The beasts and trees might these display 
 
 And reason not be counted best ; 
 So truth on earth could not appear. 
 
 Or heart of man to give delight. 
 He had a pride not to betray 
 
 Divine eternal that a test 
 Aside his works should stand, assay abide, 
 Order and truth from error to divide. 
 
 It was to be eternal for we know 
 
 His doings on eternal base 
 Stand firm, tho' like a human heart, 
 
 To love, approve, and lonely feel — • 
 It's fullness not allow'd to grow — 
 
 It must abide and hold its place ; 
 That man should act for God his part. 
 
 The tree can not its fruits conceal, 
 Small part to the infinitude compar'd, 
 God's pleasure yet is in such smallness shar'd. 
 
 C 
 
30 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 As if a parent in his own 
 
 Fond sight, his offspring's little acts 
 Prompted by genius smiling views 
 
 Applauds and feels his pleasure rise ; 
 There's few if any greater known, 
 
 A parent's pride from child exacts , 
 
 No finish'd excellence to choose 
 
 The source he counts if with surprise, 
 They are his own, as such to bear and tell 
 In his fond tho't, as in the makers dwell. 
 
 He has not made his love to force 
 
 His viands on his children guests, 
 Tho' many of, as such, would seem 
 
 His will requires that to enjoy 
 Them all, their proper source 
 
 With heart and hands they should address 
 Due diligence through every mean. 
 
 As love finds pleasure in employ ; 
 His gifts than light are scattered far more wide. 
 Collected, placed, all for some use provide. 
 
 Some cause for doubts lie far beyond 
 The visions that we mingle in ; 
 
 If seeing not we may defend 
 
 By surface truths which here begin. 
 
 Suppose we take a circle wide — 
 To call it life's true ample range — 
 
 What's for us there we may divide 
 Into the true, the doubtful, strange. 
 
TRUTH AN D^ DOUBTS. 31 
 
 All's true we every day allow, 
 
 That's common to all common sight ; 
 
 But yet the meaning and the how 
 To use them many doubts invite. 
 
 It's true and plain as is the sun 
 
 Whose rays we would collect to show 
 
 The moment that it's fairly done. 
 It turns to colors of the bow. 
 
 Waters are true — we see them gush, 
 
 The uses may be very fair ; 
 Examine further, doubts to hush. 
 
 They're very apt tc^ turn to air. 
 
 It's natural for us to force 
 
 Our seeming reason for. all things. 
 And they are very apt, of course. 
 
 To answer doubt with doubt it brings. 
 
 Ignorance a world upthrows. 
 
 Of place in which we stumble hitch ; 
 
 We break the loop as we suppose, 
 Where we have only drop'd a stitch. 
 
 We sometimes like a careful dame. 
 
 Work back to mend the bother — 
 While safe we think to make the same, 
 
 It often is, we drop another. 
 
 Strange things are like a face 
 
 Before we had not look'd into — 
 It's doubtful feature may give place. 
 
 The more and closer eyes pursue. 
 
32 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 But yet we know there are many 
 That all our scrutiny defy — 
 
 If true we read the sense of any, 
 
 Some doubt remains in most we try. 
 
 Mind is made up, no matter how. 
 Of elements select and fine ; 
 
 Like and unlike plain to avow, 
 The contradiction is divine. 
 
 Of mind the same you count but one ; 
 
 If unlike, two or many more, — 
 The infinite counts up the sum, 
 
 The weight and worth of mental lore. 
 
 The likeness of the mind or face, 
 
 However apt, doit't give them name ; 
 
 It's the unlike there holding place, 
 The titles lost if all the same. 
 
 To make the man within or out, 
 
 The like and unlike claim due share ; 
 
 Which most creates or solves a doubt 
 We kuow not, as we neither spare. 
 
 Whether it be resemblances 
 In pattern we suppose or see — 
 
 The truth of each remembrance is 
 To make the opposites agree. 
 
 Hence when the doubts get very thick, 
 That judgment rufHed stands at bay — 
 
 The truth of man we timely nick. 
 By yielding to the false full sway. 
 
TRUTH AND DOUBTS. 
 
 Knowledge is falsehood just as much 
 As any truth you can suppose : 
 
 The time and place for that you clutch. 
 Makes one or 'tother with it close. 
 
 A comely douht we seldom find — 
 They don't upon the surface lie ; 
 
 Like gold or diamonds in the mine, 
 Are never seen by passers by. 
 
 We have to dig, and then, yon know, 
 That digging is a tireful trade — 
 
 As nerves and muscles plainly show 
 To those who have the trial made. 
 
 Not digging in hard rocks or dirt, 
 
 Or in the gallies as you like, — 
 But in deep ledges to insert 
 
 Minerva's longest, sharpest pike. 
 
 Some have no doubts, where doubts are just, 
 So on life's ocean launch their bark ; 
 
 The chart and compass that they trust, 
 Approaching breakers do not mark. 
 
 On hobbies some ride whip and spur, 
 
 With heel and head abob and bobbing — 
 
 In morals find a single bur. 
 
 At this all nature must be jobing. 
 
 The master vice, the master sin, 
 
 Like incubus sits on the brain ; 
 So wisdom's temple they drive in 
 
 To tear the columns from her fane. 
 
34 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Sol's chariot, if yok'd by these. 
 
 Would scatter rays but now and then ; 
 
 Upon no herb excepting peas, 
 
 If chance their passion favor'd them. 
 
 If there be very much to note 
 
 From different places things require, 
 
 The worth of each time will devote, 
 For rank or object — high or higher. 
 
 Doubts most important, to demand 
 Close scrutiny, well to inspect, 
 
 Lie in a breach of some command. 
 That crime assum'd in would detect. 
 
 'Tis motive then more than the act. 
 We deal in often hard to reach. 
 
 Cool reason woos with Justice pact 
 The folly of hot haste to teach. 
 
 Yet is it strange that motive claims 
 Importance much in such affair. 
 
 So versatile its ends and aims. 
 As vapory as the changeful air. 
 
 If crime on motive must depend, 
 
 Where is the rogue who did the deed ? 
 
 Which first or last could so offend. 
 Where partners many give it heed. 
 
 Some parentage thought is worth, 
 To be consider'd worth our while. 
 
 There must be sponsors at the birth. 
 Bound for good moral, not to spoil. 
 
TRUTH AND DOUBTS. 35 
 
 Perhaps its not been fairly shown 
 
 Why motive has a root or not. 
 Or how like seed it may be grown 
 
 Left wild, or tam'd in garden plot. 
 
 If seed it be or like a germ, 
 
 Then there be also need of ground, 
 For this the social state we turn 
 
 To follow or to sow as found. 
 
 Now seeds grow wild and some grow tame 
 
 Some poison are and some are full 
 
 Of values worth to cultivate. 
 Their worth's determin'd by their fame, 
 
 We have to learn before we cull 
 
 Which best in use will vegetate. 
 
 The culture to neglect or shun 
 
 In mind or farm for any deed. 
 We can't expect a harvest home 
 
 Whether it be in mind or seed. 
 
 The product good or bad depends 
 
 Not bravely on a single grain. 
 But on the care the plant defends 
 
 Lest tares or weeds arrest our gain. 
 
 Its much with motive in this way 
 
 It has no choice its way to see 
 The laws of growth it must obey 
 
 With social culture to agree. 
 
 Motive may not be to crime, altho* 
 
 It leads to acts with such a name ; 
 The doubt is who for guilt will show 
 
 Has been the cause or most to blame. 
 
oG SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 ►Society good reason sees 
 
 Esteem, high in to hold all wealth, 
 Tho' honesty should better please 
 
 Give motive better than bare pelf. 
 
 Instead of urging up this good 
 As the chief aim in our affair. 
 
 We plainly teach why riches should 
 Do wrong more than the other dare. 
 
 The laws we do enact besure 
 
 To shut out murder and such like, 
 
 Then coward call him if too pure 
 Against his fellows' life to strike. 
 
 We drown the motive by the tide 
 We cause to rush some other way 
 
 Against what conscience might provide, 
 A check full oft we don't obey. 
 
 Until we catch rogues, all who urge, 
 Compell their fellow to go wrong. 
 
 Of doubts we can't a motive purge 
 Not knowing to whom faults belong. 
 
 Who proper counsel take for best, 
 It's sure to come in its good time 
 
 With heart and knowledge for it press'd. 
 Bad motives must have help to climb. 
 
 The poison in the seed yet may 
 Be us'd to good effect requir'd 
 
 111 motive turn'd some other way 
 Each to its place by truth inspir'd. 
 
 I 
 
TRUTH AND DOUBTS. 37 
 
 There is a spirit in each seed, 
 
 Call it with leave a soul or fay, 
 Its individual link'd in kinds 
 
 As varient as is human guise ; 
 It I'esurrects and puts on weed, 
 
 To suit for any soul's display, 
 Each to its own inhesion joins. 
 
 Perhaps not to immortalize. 
 From whence or whither in the all it tends. 
 Our reason no exculpter dares or lends. 
 
 The growth, you say a dress assum'd. 
 
 Comes by the earth, the seed or rain, 
 Yet just like thought appears ; 
 
 Each has a language of its own. 
 If by a shorter time consum'd. 
 
 The one than other, if to name 
 The mystic, this is lame to clear 
 
 Of origin or mode how first to grow. 
 Eternity may be perennial sprout 
 From some vast tree by heavenly tho'tbloom'd out. 
 
 The knack of metaphysics goes 
 
 No further than the flowers* borne, 
 That ripen may, to bring a fruit. 
 
 The incidents of taste and time. 
 The speculator may disclose 
 
 A vaster field to it forlorn. 
 Glows radiant world to suit. 
 
 Its wants to fill and thot's combine 
 In what unmakes or makes the grand design 
 Of spirit, matter, yea or nay to join. 
 
 7 
 
38 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Their vengeance doubts have madly dipp'd 
 \ In a vast sea of blood, to slake 
 A thirst for some supremacy, 
 
 Vaunted to boast who never had. 
 Supremacy, that still has slipp'd, 
 
 A froward grasp, and scorns to take 
 Presumption with its sophistry, 
 
 The' i(s daft logic interlard 
 As truths assum'd for centuries, overrun 
 By babbling nonsense of a silly tongue. 
 
 Man's darkest crimes no greater waste 
 
 Of generous blood has ever shed ; 
 None horrid more to stain life's page, 
 
 Than Azteck's doom by priests enjoin'd. 
 Millions on millions vengeful chas'd 
 
 With fire and sword, no mercy plead 
 For young or old, to stay hot rage 
 
 With pagan hatred willful join'd. 
 Curs'd mercy, justice, the divine, must be. 
 Because old Noah gave them no land in fee. 
 
 And there are shadows always due. 
 As any cloud might prove for rain. 
 
 If they obscure some cheerful view, 
 A healthy reason makes them plain. 
 
 Health kindly is his daily care. 
 
 He would not have us pain endure ; 
 
 His plants our wounds and bruises spare, 
 They virtues hold for every cure. 
 
 We must be weary, want repose, 
 Our daily duties lead to such ; 
 
 Disturbing visions round us close, 
 
 W^e know them as the mind they touch. 
 
TRUTH AND DOUBTS. 39 
 
 Music with downy finger steals 
 
 Upon the sense, to wrap, entwine ; 
 Hushing perturbed tho't, reveals 
 
 Its thrilling balm from the divine. 
 
 We never place a single thing 
 
 Where duly it does there belong, 
 But its reward will timely bring, 
 
 Tho' never if we place it wrong. 
 
 The Infinite chose man to see 
 
 And use all things he's made ; 
 His intellect gave to agree 
 
 In worth of each by him survey'd. 
 
 No other witnesses below 
 
 He chose, there were none here J 
 The earth was very lonely, so 
 
 Man was to. give its wildness cheer. 
 
 To look to it, and see fit place 
 
 For each and every thing to mark. 
 Reflecting all the maker's face. 
 
 For its approval list and hark. 
 
 Things all are by each other help'd. 
 
 Ideas to each are just the same ; 
 Whether in power or beauty yclept. 
 
 They build, and make each other's fame. 
 
 An idea of a thing all true. 
 
 Assigns it to its proper place; 
 Give it another, surely you 
 
 Its former truth annul, efface. 
 
40 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 An idea of an idea so depends 
 On due position for its worth ; 
 
 Its proper place its truth defends, 
 Or time due season for its hirth. 
 
 All things are false, or have such look 
 That are not whereto they belong ; 
 
 In palace, cot, in corner, nook, 
 As fitted to, not to be vvrong. 
 
 Confusion seems like scatter'd dust. 
 
 Thrown hither, thither, round, across, 
 In all affairs no last, no first. 
 
 Where order don't correct such lose. 
 You may imagination lead 
 
 To wildness where there's no rebuke, 
 It easy learns the false to heed, 
 
 Where mind has rightful path forsook. 
 
 The point is nice at which to stay, 
 The trust it would persuade us to, 
 
 So eloquent it makes its pictures speak, 
 Unwary credence to betray. 
 
 To gild the false with colors true, 
 In that sincere the heart may seek, 
 
 The more to vivid action that it tends, 
 
 Less calmness in the search for truth it lends. 
 
 Doubts may arise, because with some 
 The vision plainly points thereto : 
 
 Others look on to swear there's none, 
 All having things the same in view. 
 
 One sees a ghost as plain as day, 
 
 Dress'd out as ghosts are bound to be 
 
 Another looking the same way. 
 No sign of such a thing can see. 
 
TRUTH AND DOUBTS. 41 
 
 One sees a pitcher on his nose — 
 
 A place so odd for earthen ware — 
 The man himself comes to suppose, 
 
 Tho' seen, there is no pitcher there. 
 
 We often see among the clouds, 
 
 A ship with tackle all complete , 
 Can count her very stays and shrouds — 
 
 Yet no one there a ship would meet. 
 
 The mind may just the same possess 
 
 A medium or an eye that's double. 
 To reach the truth or doubt have less. 
 
 Will always pay to stop such trouble. 
 
 If things a'int there, we can presume 
 
 They are, and hold it just as fast. 
 Which leaves the quibbling fancy room, 
 
 To make it clear for horse or ass. 
 
 If some obliqi;ity life's scheme. 
 
 Is thus involved in strange surmises, 
 
 That doubt just like a truth will seem. 
 Truth itself oft more surprise is. 
 
 The passions craving, deep and strong. 
 
 Nature kindly comes to meet it. 
 The object too far off or wrong, 
 
 A mock one ready, sends to cheat it. 
 
 It is so sweet that doubt avers. 
 
 To worldly sects, a holy crew. 
 Who ever honest truth profess 
 
 His name, they stick it on like glue. 
 
 8 
 
4^ SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 If many doubts have been resolv'd. 
 It's by dissection it has come, 
 
 The process less have not involved, 
 Division each makes two for one, 
 
 Man in a glass his shadow sees — 
 It may be honest to the view ; 
 
 If ugly it would better please 
 
 To have the glass not half so true. 
 
 Nature is truth in all her ways, 
 
 All false is in the mind of acts, to do 
 
 Or speech to make that good delays, 
 Or some deception leading to. 
 
 The field is small when we begin 
 To clear away the weeds and tares. 
 
 Each truth we gain makes nearer kin 
 All others that we get as heirs. 
 
 We keep on gaining, with intent. 
 Close to the object that annoys, 
 
 Until our ways, by knowledge bent, 
 All doubt for mischief thus destroys. 
 
 The world seems like disturb'd, a nest 
 
 Of bees or hornets, as you choose. 
 The agitation puts thing out of place, 
 
 "While stings grow sharp as for defense ; 
 If for a hornet stings are best, 
 
 To use them men could well refuse 
 ThuB give the social freer space, 
 
 Less doubt to leave of the pretence 
 Which men employ, excuse for a vile sting 
 
 No healing has, but other pains to bring. 
 
CHANGES. 43 
 
 All nature is but one vast beat, 
 
 By which things being are sustain 'd ; 
 Like throb of heart that kindly sends 
 Drop after drop of blood to course 
 
 Thro' the hid channels, life's retreat — 
 Pulsing for loss to be regain'd, 
 Preserving in the breach it rends, 
 Willing for good all seeming force. 
 
 If to destroy the narrow vision finds 
 
 Yet life more strong the agitation binds. 
 
 Life's complication is resolv'd 
 Of the great Maker's ready will, 
 Into its myriad parts and threads. 
 Each with some wondrous aid endow'd, 
 
 To be sustained the airs involved, 
 Denied, the vital breath to kill ; 
 So sav'd of what it often dreads, 
 The ocean to the air is health allowed ; 
 
 Thus for each drop of blood the heart propels 
 
 A tribute from creation wide compels. 
 
 To die is but to stop a pulse, 
 
 That million, million miles away 
 Draws for the source of its supply 
 The throbbing ecstacy puts out, 
 
 That the small dust of its results 
 May vibrate back to stop decay 
 In the vast whole, whose parts that die 
 Are aids, great nature will not flout 
 
 In her vast scheme, where parts if ^mall, 
 
 Must mingle, balance to preserve from fall. 
 
44 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Throbbing to fill a glitt'ring niche. 
 The panorama round contains 
 Of pictures winning to the sight, 
 The purpose one for which they're drawn, 
 
 The colors vary, some are rich, 
 
 While some a modest glow sustains, 
 
 Variety made for delight. 
 
 We look again and they are gone ; 
 
 Some others fill their place, perhaps not like, 
 
 The difference may the sense but slightly strike. 
 
 And this is change of every day — 
 Perhaps we could not do without, 
 Or living, weary get and dull — 
 I would not aught of nature's food, 
 
 Or objects ask for longer stay ; 
 
 But then our heart 's not always stout. 
 To part with, some of grief are full. 
 We love to keep their neighborhood ; 
 
 But change like else all of its manner bears, 
 
 For purposes, regrets and pleasure shares. 
 
 Life 's made just like a ready wheel 
 To turn, on which we strive to climb. 
 There is no down or up, the sense 
 Keeps thinking that it upward mounts, 
 
 A predicate whose truth we feel 
 Connected with the grand sublime. 
 If nature cheats us, the offense 
 Deny we do, as pleasure counts 
 
 Its like no motion when a thing turns round, 
 
 Yet ever in the same position found. 
 
CHANGES. 45 
 
 Two centers for the mind are clear. 
 
 Or forces if we like that better ; 
 
 Just as a planet it must act, 
 
 The one is to, the other from. 
 The soaring that we feel is here, 
 
 To think so would our fancy fetter, 
 
 For truth of which lies in no fact, 
 
 No room its doubts to build upon ; 
 Imagination over logic in some things, 
 Obtains a victory by the doubt it brings. 
 
 The mind as portion of a whole 
 
 Is subject to an equal law, 
 
 Pulsating for all known effect, 
 
 Each particle receives its share, 
 Tho' matter has no mind or soul, 
 
 Yet language from it we can draw ; 
 
 Divine the gift, in all respect 
 
 Like tongue his counsels to declare 
 The meaning is the same, the words employ'd 
 If normal, never have their sense destroy 'd. 
 
 Effects are all by which to know 
 
 The tho'ts that overrule in might, 
 
 It could not be the mind before 
 
 Creation was for it endow'd ; 
 No blushing morn with fervid glow. 
 
 As heralds of the coming light ; 
 
 No waters crystal fountains pour. 
 
 No food unto the mind allow'd. 
 There was on earth as then no mind requir'd 
 Nothing to be by it perceived, admir'd. 
 
46 
 
 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Mind is not made, thus to depend 
 
 On matter or the food it craves, 
 
 The body's wants ask as supply, 
 It never has been known what end 
 
 As consequence, food to defend 
 
 The monster whose strange shapes it saves, 
 
 The poisons that within it lie 
 Prove but an agency we can't define, 
 May nourish, not to alter things divine. 
 
 Food is but element, no more 
 Like earth we stand upon, or air, 
 With uses that involve the whole, 
 As purpose of its parts explain : 
 
 The ocean with its hungry roar 
 Vast fountains, elements prepare 
 To nourish others those control. 
 One makes, one feeds for loss or gain 
 
 So the vast whole dines on its several ends, 
 
 As food to nourish, or as that it lends. 
 
 Pulsation centers, small and great, 
 Must hold, each to its object moves, 
 The harmony parts can't destroy, 
 Center immense the heavens seek, 
 
 The verge almits of no debate. 
 
 The point when reach'd, no distance proves 
 What final object to employ, 
 Excepting that perfections speak, 
 
 Pulsating ever that the growth or range 
 
 May work the greater this all smaller change. 
 
CHANGES. 47 
 
 All growth is change familiar made, 
 
 So that we scarcely note its swell, 
 
 All other changes touch its base 
 
 'Tis the vibration of the whole, 
 Destructions that at times invade 
 
 An equal purpose came to tell. 
 
 Some wrong the right is to displace, 
 
 By greater smaller grades control ; 
 We may not see too vast for our survey, 
 Yet know the laws of growth they must obey. 
 
 All motion urges matter on, 
 
 According to condition, need 
 
 To help direct or indirect, 
 
 The way the need as fit requires 
 The ship Avill urge her way along 
 
 Her track and onward bear her speed, 
 
 Tho' winds athwart the way deflect, 
 
 Delay is all the wrong inspires 
 Things move in circles as of yielding sides 
 That motion is not lost that force divides. 
 
 The chord we gently touch at will, 
 
 How doth it vibrate to the air. 
 
 As doth the soul to give response 
 
 Sweetly to whisper to its charm ; 
 The tones fond speech soft skill. 
 
 The master melody prepare, 
 
 Ever anon to speak anonce. 
 
 As if a question soul would learn, 
 Comes back unto its willing close embrace. 
 Both answer chord and soul as of one place. 
 
48 SKETCHES OF LIFT. 
 
 A sheet of water at its rest, 
 
 On which a simple pebble 's thrown, 
 Makes equal circles center round. 
 But none arise on ruffled wave, 
 
 It's like the soul when self possess'd. 
 Its tho'ts for circles are in tone, 
 The ruffl ing passions these confound, 
 That angles sharp obstruct the pave, 
 
 The tone when broken by a passion's rage, 
 
 Reason's fair circles, tho'ts cannot engage. 
 
 Granting all this, some minds will see 
 Changes it serves not to explain. 
 
 The facts with worldly wisdom must agree, 
 No words there are to make the other plain. 
 
 Sketches are sketches and so meant 
 
 A feature barely, saj' its nose 
 A face behind for your content. 
 
 You may doubt for or just suppose. 
 
 You give your mind to an employ. 
 Profession, faith or act to do, 
 To think you have it perfect, wise, 
 
 A change will come, the chaim destroy. 
 Subverting mostly former view, 
 Y^ou can't get back to realize 
 
 What once so fervid to enjoy. 
 
 The art, the genius, tho' they kindled high, 
 Refuse all further reasons to supply. 
 
 Our idols go among the rest 
 
 Of things we worship or upprize ; 
 
 Some longer raay remain as best, 
 
 To meet at length some strange surmise. 
 
CHANGES. 49 
 
 Things, thot's themselves get somehow sick, 
 Wear out, however tough they seem ; 
 
 Excepting friends, they longer stick. 
 
 Your wealth and bounty more than dream. 
 
 It's growth, and can't be stay'd, the flow 
 
 Is onward, you or I can't tell 
 What malady the mind would show, 
 
 Time's stream to lag without a swell. 
 
 The beat is in the eye as fire, 
 
 That flashes forth to tinge the cloud ; 
 
 If small and frequent, each conspire 
 To swell the beat for all allow'd. 
 
 We have no time without such beat, 
 Each throb is measure for the count ; 
 
 Time fails where there's no change that's meet 
 To tell the sum of its amount. 
 
 Music would fail, and beauty too. 
 As truth, would have no place to hide, 
 
 Seen but as thought, and sound pursue, 
 Some kindred fellow close beside. 
 
 We tread the mazy dances through, 
 Change front and sides to face about. 
 
 The same, in search of truths, they do, 
 To find their place, and clear a doubt. 
 
 The globe may shift its poles awry. 
 
 Contract its orbit, solstice change, 
 Truths just the same will find supply. 
 
 The center, time and place arrange. 
 
50 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The only things from changes free 
 
 Are the eternal never made ; 
 There is no time with them to be, 
 
 Time dies where change can not jDcrvade. 
 
 Our little things, all made to fit, 
 Changes as earthly growth assumes, 
 As better, higher, wiser deem'd. 
 Fail where there is to learn or heed ; 
 
 No false, no doubts souls to beset. 
 But truth eternal bright illumes. 
 The counsel's perfect, all as glean'd, 
 Nor error in their happy deeds. 
 
 As with the infinite we cannot name 
 
 Improvement any, or conjecture blame. 
 
 How simple 'tis for art to make 
 
 Machine with wheels, and click and springs, 
 Eepeating constantly, to cause 
 
 Of the same sound, or indicate 
 For time and space the mark it brings ; 
 
 Divisions known to bave their laws. 
 Nature points out, imtil outworn or broke, 
 Repeating ever the same sound or stroke. 
 
 Art higher, with more wheels contriv'd. 
 
 Can imitate most seemingly 
 Results caus'd by our cogitating, 
 
 Admit their power is not deriv'd 
 In botb from equal agency. 
 
 To human pride it's quite inflating, 
 To imitate results with manlike means. 
 As cause for which wild fancy never dreams. 
 
CHANGES. 51 
 
 We know well what repeating speaks, 
 
 The same or like of matter, sound, 
 Association, a magnet's thrill, 
 
 That in the wire it's compell'd, and seeks 
 Its fellow particle, if found, 
 
 Not known to it, yet onward still 
 To rush, as if each knew the dubious way, 
 How lightning knows, it's very hard to say. 
 
 Time and place are ours, to make 
 
 Subservient to the mind's good use ; 
 Memory, all faculties it has in store, 
 
 Are but adjustment, for they take 
 With incidents to make a truce. 
 
 To take and lend, or less or more ; 
 Helpers are all in the great work to do. 
 Combine, advance, return each other's task in view. 
 
 The spirit that moves in the mind. 
 
 Is the result of the same art 
 That species, genera and classes form'd. 
 
 The world with thrilling beauties join'd. 
 Changes but measure each its part. 
 
 As one the other like adorn'd. 
 Association, like the spirit of a friend, 
 Exists in each, as made for common end. 
 
 And changes, too, have nations swept. 
 
 As the vast besom of a dream ; 
 All that we know, they toil'd, they wept, 
 
 Or laugh'd and anger'd with the scene. 
 
 Mighty in embattled host. 
 
 Have stood fierce war to wage ; 
 If fame expected was the most, 
 
 It now but fills an idle page. 
 
52 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Nations have fallen, when to fall 
 There was no lower to go down ; 
 
 True worth had perish'd, and their pall 
 Hid more of sinninsr than renown. 
 
 Some stood up longer, and deserv'd 
 A hetter fate than that befel ; 
 
 The causes fatal that they serv'd, 
 If written, would a volume swell. 
 
 Suffice it, nations have gone out 
 
 Or down, left theme for history, 
 Also their ashes in an urn. 
 
 Or grave the latter, lest no doubt 
 If either hide the mystery 
 
 Why fallen never to return. 
 Yes, 'tis a mystery, when nations fall, 
 No earthly hand can hack to glory call. 
 
 There is or seems a spirit young, 
 
 That comes with faith like a fresh morn, 
 Or destiny by a surmise. 
 
 By which men seek to be supreme ; 
 It bears with burning on the tongue. 
 
 With speech of fire hearts to suborn, 
 Mostly when they are simply wise. 
 
 The selfish in it not being seen. 
 Men win by it, to thrust their fellow down. 
 To make him wear their wisdom or their gown. 
 
 i 
 
CHANGES. 53 
 
 It rages like Greek fire for a time, 
 
 That nations gazing catcli the flame ; 
 They seem to rave in new delight, 
 
 The fruits that first keen relish gave. 
 Grow out of season, get a bitter rind. 
 
 Or relish take that's flat and tame. 
 Reason must always temper spite, 
 
 When madness diggeth its own grave ; 
 Going down, the spirit sinks more low 
 Than if it were not in so hot a glow. 
 
 Nations tumble various ways. 
 
 No matter how they stumble ; 
 Example seldom with us stays. 
 
 To make us wiser or more humble. 
 
 Science and art have chang'd the world 
 
 More than the mountain's fall ; 
 
 The waste of land or crambling rocks. 
 
 From year to year, and day to day. 
 By tempests out firm basis hurl'd. 
 
 Mind more has gain'd than los,ses all 
 
 We've suffer'd by material shocks. 
 
 If less respect to it we pay. 
 The moral is the greater of the two. 
 While the material teaches moral view. 
 
 Floods break away with madden'd swell. 
 
 The rocky walls of mountains' place. 
 That nature's fastness seems appall'd. 
 
 Such bursts of Tequendama's tell. 
 By remnants of the mountain's base, 
 
 If legends in them deep involv'd. 
 They're nature's needful work all done. 
 For progress fruitful of a toil begun. 
 10 
 
54 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 So the great social world, well staid, 
 Aside from war's ambitious aim, 
 Is subject to convulsive storms, 
 Which lend away its social bar ; 
 
 To break some wrong, its rights invade, 
 Oppression kindling into flame, 
 Unruly passion's hazard scorns. 
 Lifts up the flood of civil war, 
 
 To sweep, as did the rage of Rome, 
 
 Proud Tarquiu from his guilty throne. 
 
 Full many Tarquins shall arise. 
 
 To insult our reason, right to scorn. 
 The more, the less we coolly act. 
 Give full soul's utt'rance in our deed ; 
 
 The eye, the voice hold their supplies. 
 That Felix trembling may inform. 
 More sure than if with steel attack'd. 
 Full braver in its place to speed. 
 
 Who makes good reason conquer social ill, 
 
 Augments his host, by madness sure to kill. 
 
 To know what laws lead to what end, 
 In elements of weather or of men. 
 
 We need to know their precedent. 
 Of what succeeding issues send. 
 
 Each by its proper apothegm. 
 These serve to shadow the event. 
 
 To mock's unwise it seems, or to suppose 
 
 Great changes warnings none disclose. 
 
 ( ( 
 
CHANGES. 55 
 
 There is a finger in the sky, 
 
 That writes upon the book of man ; 
 Daily its leaves, if tura'd with care, 
 
 Thereon the precious marks espy. 
 No path so crooked but they can 
 
 Tell safely dangers most to spare. 
 The penalties from our neglect. 
 Our fall or stumble will detect. 
 
 A storm forerun is by some sound, 
 
 Or thickening in the air, the wind 
 Gives forth a hollow, whizzing roar, 
 
 Birds seek a covert, and are found 
 Adjusting plumage, well design'd, 
 
 Emergence for that's quick before ; 
 Beasts are uneasy, by their instincts seek 
 A covert, wanting voice more plain to speak. 
 
 False suns are by refracted ray 
 
 Of light set round about the true, 
 Or halo's circle near his head. 
 
 Bristling swine whisk straw or hay. 
 The liquid world a pressure new 
 
 Sustains, to urge at fountain's head ; 
 The morning bow shines in the thicken'd west. 
 Foretelling storm before a night of rest. 
 
 Great moral changes, not the same, 
 
 Are in their import graver still. 
 So are foreseen by warning plain, 
 
 As faithful sentinels, to name 
 Some portents scor'd on mind and will, 
 
 Examples that should credence gain. 
 A halo round the sun, or angry sky, 
 Paint not their meaning with a deeper dye. 
 
 ) \ 
 
56 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The savan tliat picks up a bone 
 
 Or fossil mark'd with hoar of time, 
 
 Can place it to its tribe or clan, 
 Its element it lived on, or its zone ; 
 
 Perhaps omniforous of clime. 
 So does the moral empire stand, 
 
 Expos'd by current tho't, whether it tends 
 
 To fall, or food for exaltation lends. 
 
 The funeral, what is its gloom. 
 
 The pall, the mourner's solemn tread, 
 
 The anxious look of sad'ning grief, 
 Slowly to verge upon the tomb, 
 
 While hearts as heavy seem as lead. 
 Wanting some tears for their relief. 
 
 No ! none of this the nations death exacts. 
 
 More just the doom in all of which it lacks. 
 
 THE WHO FOR, THE WHY. 
 
 If any man why world was made. 
 Can find a reason, not contain'd 
 
 Within it, or in sight or hearing. 
 Deserves he richly to be paid 
 
 In the same coin, once render'd fam'd, 
 The seven wise men of Greeks revering. 
 
 If this don't sate his high ambition. 
 
 Let him but do it on his own condition. 
 
 The why's enough in its resolve, 
 To vex or answer questions both ; 
 
 No complication need involve 
 
 What one well bred, for t'other doth. 
 
THE WHO FOR, THE W H T . 57 
 
 In all the questions that concern 
 
 The worst or best affairs of men ; 
 We have no other way to learn 
 
 Than what they deign to say or ken. 
 
 Appeal to any sect you find, 
 
 For why or what the world was made, 
 
 They vow the Maker has design'd 
 It just for them in faith or trade. 
 
 The Jews began, it was for them. 
 
 There was no other Avorthy race, 
 Others are but a wither'd stem, 
 
 As heathens undeserving grace. 
 
 In modern times it's just the same 
 
 Enlarging only for its action ; 
 Each one himself is sure to name 
 
 As chief for all divine attraction. 
 
 In government it 's like the rest 
 
 It 's me or my small host or clique. 
 
 For which is made the places best — 
 To others give but dust to lick. 
 
 Now each attesting as they do. 
 
 The Maker 's made this si ining ball 
 
 To give the proof its meaning due, 
 For each must sure include the all. 
 
 If man a solitaire were form'd 
 
 To stick up like a peg or post, 
 The reason 's good the whole if scorned, 
 
 No social loss could any boast. 
 
58 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 That's not the reason of the way, 
 The sun was made to shine, 
 
 No heat or color in his ray ; 
 He's like the solitary mind. 
 
 The laws of social scheme premise 
 There should be one first to begin. 
 
 If tliere you stop the race supplies, 
 For social scheme a manikin. 
 
 The social is just like the sea — 
 There is no sea but for its drops ; 
 
 But these in saltness each agree, 
 The blow is fatal either lops. 
 
 The social is tho'ts cluster'd many — 
 One tho't is nothing, wanting brother, 
 
 Grows darker by the loss of any — 
 The social lies in each and other. 
 
 The social is no less than soul 
 
 Put in the body which was clay, • 
 
 When so conjoin'd there is a whole 
 Apart no answer yea or nay. 
 
 They act together for their fit 
 
 As poles for adverse counter way ; 
 
 Yet in one center firm to sit, 
 An undivided power display. 
 
 In ray of light you see no crook, 
 Yet by reflection it may come ; 
 
 So when to social power we look. 
 It conquers darkness like the sun. 
 
 i 
 
THE WHO FOR, THE WHY. 59 
 
 Wherever there's a power up, 
 
 There is a pov/er also down ; 
 You can't drink nectar from a cup, 
 
 But for the air that it surrounds. 
 
 Select your point to which things tend — 
 
 If tho'ts it be, it's just the same. 
 The opposite is sure to send 
 
 A messenger of equal fame. 
 
 Then why, you say, don't all things stand 
 
 At equilibrium— nothing move ; 
 I only say the maker's hand 
 
 Gives changes that we may improve. 
 
 How comes it then, thnt some appear 
 
 To be so low in their affairs ? 
 Life's bark on breakers often steers — 
 
 Of trouble get unequal shares. 
 
 Such questions answered as just now. 
 Was shown by what for self all say ; 
 
 Each special favor won't allow 
 The maker does to others pay. 
 
 Go ask again the beggar crew. 
 
 His little brood he has at home, 
 Their beauty, worth, and value true, 
 
 Exchange he would for few or none. 
 
 If ihere be many avIio believe 
 
 Their lot is hard, their burthens great — 
 They seldom find long cause to grieve 
 
 Or blame themselves for their estate. 
 
60 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Beside, it should be plain to each, 
 Examin'd singly, things seem toys ; 
 
 It's mostly as a whole they teach 
 The special value each enjoys. 
 
 By sight and reason 'tis the best, 
 Most equal, just to suit our need. 
 
 Material by the mental test 
 
 To make them in their wants agreed. 
 
 The earth view'd close uneven, rough. 
 Appears in measui'd, small detail ; 
 
 But take the whole it's plain enough — 
 Its comeliness we can't assail. 
 
 There's many things as we can see. 
 When beauty's taken into view. 
 
 Which militant appear to be. 
 Or for it little good can do. 
 
 Now who would put asijle and lay 
 All beauty ever out oi" sight. 
 
 Just to avoid things in the way 
 That seem to give it small delight. 
 
 If we can't spare you must allow 
 A single pleasure of our own, 
 
 Others a right have to avow. 
 
 If yours unlike, their place at home. 
 
 Position many ills provide — 
 Change gives it wrong or right ; 
 
 Much that we now as ills deride, 
 Once had, if any, 'twas but slight. 
 
THE WHO FOR, THE WHY. Gl 
 
 There is no rule, of course, no law — 
 
 Conditions for to make one guage, 
 What seems to one as pleasures flaw, 
 
 Another takes it to assuage. 
 
 The rule is general and we must 
 
 Take things at large for our content ; 
 
 In our imperfect state to trust 
 
 The whole we seldom see all meant. 
 
 Be ills the many, great or small, 
 
 The moral exigence we can't forego, — 
 
 To alter or repeal them all 
 We have to let position go. 
 
 It's neither you or me or less 
 
 Than time and place to hold their sway, 
 They may adjusted be to bless 
 
 The wisdoms high we must ohey. 
 
 The positive we evils call 
 
 Are few compar'd to the large scale ; 
 An empire vast within to fall 
 
 As full of blessings not to fail. 
 
 If many weep the tyrant's whip, 
 
 That full of sorrow galls the poor, 
 And power holds an angry grip, 
 
 'Tis of ourselves we thus endure. 
 
 Hills cave, and mountains topple down — 
 
 Siroccos sweep the laud and sea — 
 Convulsions shake the hollow ground. 
 
 For which men hold no remedy. 
 
 11 
 
62 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 They but accord as special aim 
 
 With that which fills the general need — 
 
 As changes from all growth oltain 
 The worst, to help the best succeed. 
 
 Yet is it clear that changes such 
 
 Come for adjustment of the whole ? 
 
 We can't affirm there's one too much, 
 For health and general good control. 
 
 Beside it's tyranny too strong. 
 
 If edicts made to force content, 
 
 In this or that we may esteem, 
 If others on commit no wrong — 
 
 His pleasure asks not your consent, 
 
 Tho' you some other better deem : 
 Diogenes was in his tub a happy man — 
 If Alexander out his light would stand. 
 
 A Howard looks for human woe — 
 It gives him much delight to find 
 A little weeping on the way ; 
 
 That sov'reign balm he may bestow, 
 His joy to comfort human kind. 
 Great heart to bid all anguish stay ; 
 
 The woe that's here Avas sent but to afford 
 
 The use for riches in the bosom stor'd. 
 
 All things are for the intellect 
 Or for the heart's direction sent, 
 Be it a jewel or a woe ; 
 
 The gen'rous all our pains reflect 
 
 To their own hearts, to make content 
 Refreshing, soft'ning in its glow ; 
 
 Sad would this world be if all woe were gone, 
 
 With hearts of kindness harden'd to a stone. 
 
THE WHO FOR, THE WHY. 63 
 
 Why should we always be one way, 
 
 Looking complaining of the ill ? 
 Deception surely to betray 
 
 Who would with noisy laughter fill. 
 
 Yes, on our knees, our back, our face, 
 Loud pray'rs to say 'gainst our haid lot ; 
 
 With laughter loud to fill the place. 
 Before the prayer half way has got. 
 
 If he intended man for trouble, 
 
 'Twas just to see 'em laugh more hearty ; 
 
 That when afflictions needs must double. 
 The laugli will have the stronger party. 
 
 Men laugh in doors, and harder out. 
 Day and night, in grief and sorrow, 
 
 So hearty, too, with thrilling shout. 
 
 There's little ground for grief to borrow. 
 
 They study for it, get up scenes 
 
 To make all grimace grow the stronger ; 
 
 Just cry a little first, it seems. 
 Laughter to make louder, longer. 
 
 Talk not of woe or any fate 
 
 Our maker sent to make us cry — 
 We always end a sad debate 
 
 With laughter, up our tears to dry. 
 
 Many sad mourners go away 
 
 To put their dearest friends one side, 
 
 Assuaging grief with fun and play, 
 Or quick new comfort to pi o vide. 
 
64 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Kings and great lords e'en must assuage 
 Their misery with some fool or knave, 
 
 Buffoons that stately grins engage 
 From courtly lassitude to save. 
 
 The poor have cures for every shaft 
 
 An evil wind or tide employs ; 
 No buffoon paid for them to laugh — 
 
 Their labor'd hours are full of joys. 
 
 Their children and their faithful dog 
 Make merry sport, and seem to know 
 
 That laughter lightens every clog 
 
 Which binds them to an earthly woe. 
 
 Industry wins the sweetest bread 
 That ever 2:)amper'd mortal taste ; 
 
 A pair in concord at its head, 
 The richest table ever placed. 
 
 Man is a building race, desist 
 
 He can't, no marble, brick or straw. 
 
 Or title deeds, yet where he lists 
 
 His domes and flow'ry walks will draw. 
 
 Endowing all with needful art and finish. 
 
 Omitted naught his pleasure to diminish. 
 
 The poor man sres his cottage swell 
 
 With stately columns, frieze and mould. 
 
 There laughing faces come to dwell. 
 The beautiful by pleasure tol'd ; 
 
 There boards are spread and viands ample press'd 
 
 With cheerful hearts upon the welcome guest. 
 
 i 
 
THE WHO FOR, THE WHY. 65 
 
 They visits make sweet company, 
 
 Eeccive to laugh the hours away 
 With joyous bout full happily 
 
 In music, dance and rustic play ; 
 Legends blend and list to welcome song, 
 That to the morn of happy days belong. 
 
 They build again in hope's full strength 
 
 A polish'd temple, arcades rear. 
 Stretching away unmeasur'd length. 
 
 On Jordan's banks with waters fair ; 
 No evil here that mars a sunny hour. 
 Can darkly there on blissful moments lower. 
 
 Evil and good have but their time — 
 
 Their place to put on either side, 
 As echo will a voice devine. 
 
 So is the empire they divide : 
 'Tis here an evil, there a good to be, 
 Change places only, not their family. 
 
 It's true the world was made for man. 
 
 But was so made on special trust ; 
 He should not slight the Maker's plan 
 
 To rule by reason, not by lust. 
 
 If any contra claims devise. 
 
 The best at logic could attempt ; 
 Six thousand years a right supplies 
 
 To give man's title some content. 
 12 
 
66 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 BEAUTY, THE WHY, AND LOVE. 
 
 Where tlieie's no standard, none to touch. 
 Like weight and measure to prescribe, 
 There's no appeal so that the test 
 
 Is bare opinion, which as such 
 
 Is form'd as time and place decide — 
 The taste directing which is best ; 
 
 It's so with beauty — nature's want is wide — 
 
 To place or nation, to no taste denied. 
 
 The standard Infinite, if plain 
 
 Necessity's result, we know 
 
 By reason nothing of such state ; 
 If faith a source from which we gain 
 
 Each taste must have its own to show, 
 
 If not, faith is involved in fate ; 
 The beauty that's divine thro' worldly guise, 
 We see each different as the taste supplies. 
 
 All art, all science and all tastes 
 Find beauty scatter 'd for their \-.se ; 
 The more to cultivate more found, 
 
 Tho' simple ones their little wastes 
 Unconscious are of the abuse. 
 Nor heed rich beauties scatter'd round ; 
 
 The mind will act on little as its store, 
 
 Least wise when blind, yet obstinate the more. 
 
 It's in the flower, it's in the field — 
 The blush of mora, the glow at eve ; 
 The pillow'd cloud, cerulean sky, 
 
 Sweet lights a million lusters yield — 
 The foam of ocean, hark to cleave. 
 All contrasts pale and deep their dye ; 
 
 Earth's bosom opens wide but to out throw 
 
 Some charm or gem enrich'd by beauty's glow, 
 
BEAUTY, THE WHY, AND LOTE. 07 
 
 It's in the tho't, inspiring there 
 
 To touch and win the heart's reply, 
 
 To melody in nature's voice, 
 Responsive ever to declare 
 
 The sparkling fountains of supply, 
 
 Past worlds, to find it heaven's choice ; 
 Earth fails, or dim its beauties grow to fade — 
 Heav'n opens to the soul celestial made. 
 
 We look an angel on, to say 
 
 Here's beauty's purity to own ; 
 
 Virtue the fair is sure to grace. 
 If from the heav'ns it finds its way : 
 
 Of whose intent no doubt is shown 
 
 That goodness gives to beauty place. 
 If monsters are suppos'd in heav'n to dwell, 
 By foils the mind makes beauty more excel. 
 
 Vice may seem beautiful or tame — 
 
 A monster only in disguise ; 
 
 The darken 'd passions so permit — 
 Brutes have no sin, none as a blame : 
 
 None knowing how the good to prize, 
 
 Yet learn the rein, the check and bit 
 To do, as seems with pleasure and good will, 
 Befits their station, that avoids the ill. 
 
 Sexual beauty that's decreed 
 
 To win the palm as first and best, 
 
 And wear it too, if kindness binds ; 
 To lineament it gives small heed. 
 
 No lines or colors stamp the test ; 
 
 Fitful fancy, coyish of no kinds. 
 Sees beauty as endow'd for each and all — 
 To make it great, if portion seemeth small. 
 
68 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 It's like the rain and dew on ground 
 
 That's hard and sear'd, its kindness gone, 
 Which soften'd by to yielding mood, 
 
 In bud and fruit thereby abound ; 
 Joy dances on the mountain lawn 
 As gladness fills each cultur'd rood ; 
 
 It's like the sunshine in its Ivindly ray, 
 
 That breaks to cheer, portending clouds away.' 
 
 There is a fitness nature sends 
 
 To each and all her family ; 
 Defense the best condition lends 
 
 In the broad world's humanity. 
 
 Take woman as she is endow'd^ 
 
 A gentle turn her form attends. 
 
 Some frailty cunningly devis'd, 
 The gruff and stalwart not allow'd. 
 
 As armor safety on depends, 
 
 Some modesty more signal priz'd. 
 Or Beauty's tears that mark her victory 
 Against the odds of steel's appliancy. 
 
 A gentle creature nature's dove, 
 
 Nurs'd in the lap of credence, seems 
 The soft and gentle maketh war 
 
 Against the adamant of hearts and arms, 
 To break them as burnt flax doth clove, 
 
 When Samson's hand his strength redeems ; 
 If our stern nature met no bar 
 
 Like this, its evil terror charms. 
 Earth would allow no holocaust to know 
 But cruelty to gloat o'er mournless woe. 
 
BEAUTY, THE WHY, AND LOVE. 69 
 
 That one's in darkness who don't know 
 
 When God for this world's blessing 
 
 Made woman to adorn and foster, 
 'Twas gift the best he would bestow ; 
 
 So to it gave his finest dressing — 
 
 With finish such in air and posture, 
 All future comers in the world whatever 
 Pronounce it would well Avorthy of the giver. 
 
 Beauty that has no special word 
 
 In nature, to direct its sense 
 Beyond what all things hold 
 
 To reason by, for best content 
 Involves us often in the absurd, 
 
 Where passions favor makes pretence 
 To special need by fancy told, 
 
 With haste, it often must repent, 
 Not seeing that the treasures worth to win, 
 Lies deeper, richer than the dazzling skin. 
 
 Of dust he did not make, but of 
 
 The sweetest morsel he could find ; 
 
 The nearest of the heart he form'd her. 
 Knowing the laws creating love 
 
 Was aptest in its native kind. 
 
 To feel the beauty that adorn'd her. 
 If any thing omitted of perfection, 
 Escaping God, deseives some deep reflection. 
 
 Much to be said need not ly way. 
 In praising form or any color, 
 Or dainty buds that bloom and wither ; 
 
 He took them all in one survey, 
 Excluding not the dim and duller. 
 In deep condens'd perfume to give her — 
 
 Then press'd and bound them to her tiny mouth, 
 
 To shame the spicy gales of the sweet south. 
 
70 SKETCHES OF LIFE . 
 
 The model of the column chose 
 Erect position best for grace ; 
 
 All flexure easy beauty shows, 
 
 For comely lines its motions trace, 
 
 For head it seems the pattern took 
 The path of orbs, a cycloid gem, 
 A mould design'd by heav'n to dare 
 
 Amendment in, for which to look 
 The truth of taste is to contemn 
 By art, we may snch labor spare ; 
 
 The chaplets crown, in the unrival'd skill, 
 
 Is nature's winning, our content to fill. 
 
 Its clothing of fine shreds, a hue 
 That's glossy, often floating curl'd, 
 Adornment for a perfect head — 
 
 Softer than gossamer when dew 
 Is slightly on it, shining purl'd, 
 Imposing more to make each shred, 
 
 For beauty such, art vain may try to mend. 
 
 More change of sample does but more offend. 
 
 O'er the whole form a glass he plac'd— 
 The adornment of the soul when just. 
 Therein reflected seemingly ; 
 
 Appears, true test, all modest, chaste. 
 
 To love with confidence we must. 
 As inward worth all beamingly 
 
 Gives outward beauty such resistless glow. 
 
 If black, yet lustrous like the fleecy snow. 
 
 k 
 
BEAUTY, IHE WHY, AND LOVE. 71 
 
 Read heaven's truth we must, before 
 
 Beauty is parted from its dross ; 
 
 Else like a subtle dew on ground 
 That's parch'd and arid, wanting more 
 
 Than clime or atmospheric loss 
 
 Can bear, so still to parch it's found 
 Drinking the scanty drops on leaf that's left, 
 Of fertilizing power so much bereft. 
 
 All preference beauty may be called — 
 
 A standard, doubtless, of the mind ; 
 
 As needful base for elevation, 
 We reason from it as enstall'd, 
 
 Of self perfection, but to find 
 
 For the bare surface this abrasion ; 
 Something ulterior that is wanted, 
 That by such standard is not granted. 
 
 Some have suppos'd unlike they are 
 
 To faultless form of Paradise ; 
 
 An earthly contact has since mar'd, 
 Inflicting deep, deforming scar : 
 
 Yet in Circassia they entice 
 
 To win due merit, if compar'd, 
 Of that fam'd model's contemplation, 
 If one can stand such strong temptation. 
 
 Her face is not a thing of art. 
 
 To be by rule contriv'd, schedul'd ; 
 
 But argument in all his work, 
 Perfections infinite impart : 
 
 In each, tho' perfect, overrul'd 
 
 By others not allow'd to lurk, 
 As enemy that is to foil another, 
 But nse and wisdom teaching to discover. 
 
72 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 It's true, if any thing's to be 
 
 A truth, as done by wisdom's maker, 
 The sex were meant not for a slur — 
 
 How comes it ever then, that she 
 Or other costume fabricator, 
 Have dar'd thus up to baste and hitch her ? 
 
 So that for any eyes beholding 
 
 There's little left of the first moulding. 
 
 Thus having done his best thereby, 
 
 He tho't he made a comely creature, 
 
 Yet the vile tailors of the land 
 Their wit and cunning to supply. 
 
 To dress it up a little neater. 
 
 With shears and woof at their command. 
 Have cut and stitch'd so many horrid ways, 
 The Maker 's lost his pains, if not his praise. 
 
 All mutilation is a crime 
 
 That taste, and law, or sense offends ; 
 
 The savage is allow'd to use, 
 Buffoons and apes may with him join, 
 
 For ridicule of modest ends. 
 
 Of morals asking no excuse, 
 But where God makes a beauty to adorn. 
 It is a crime that beauty to deform. 
 
 I 've always wish'd devoutly so. 
 Reason some limits would invite, 
 To more regard of beauty's claim. 
 
 The angels wiser by it grow. 
 
 To bend their wings in holy flight, 
 As best befits angelic aim, 
 
 They dare not in the presence of the high. 
 
 Puff up balloons for wings to help them fly. 
 
BEAUTY, THE WHY, AND LOVE. 73 
 
 No bar to beauty in tbe sex, 
 
 Condition, kind, or manners stakes, 
 
 Its the broad base of social rise. 
 Compelling love a heart to vex, 
 
 To thirst that wedlock only slakes, 
 
 As things all here some issue ties, 
 G-ranted of heaven's best it should avail, 
 This first and best is not allow'd to fail. 
 
 Beauty yet cometh like the rose. 
 
 With fragrance lesson to beseech 
 
 Our close attention, and to learn, 
 While calmness doth the mind compose. 
 
 Young wisdom may toward them reach. 
 
 To taste and order well to turn, 
 As entering wedge for health and useful store, 
 In growing years as seed for richer lore. 
 
 Among the passions of which flesh 
 
 Is heir to, reason least contents, 
 
 Equal to rule the bifold sex, 
 Around the heart a tender mesh, 
 
 To throw whose silken thread consents. 
 
 By equal thrall to please and vex. 
 Bearing to render clear its little love, 
 A scorpion's sting 'neath wings of dove. 
 
 The passions kindled, and the flame, 
 
 Keeps warming, burning more and more, 
 How does it so transfuse into the blood, 
 
 Its own wile vapor that like shame, 
 Makes mantling blushes cover o'er 
 The face and neck, just like a flood 
 
 Of roses dyed carnation bright and red. 
 
 To bloom so sudden in so strange a bed. 
 13 
 
74 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Love is but beauty's enemy, 
 
 To wound it as with malice sharp, 
 
 It 's like the viper on the thing, 
 It gluts upon contemmingly, 
 
 To turn away unfelt a spark 
 
 Of gratitude to heal its sting. 
 Its ravishment is gluttony outdone, 
 Its thanks the barren kindness of a stone. 
 
 Mark Antony could answer how 
 
 It came to sting in Cleopatra's arms. 
 
 By loss of country and to blur 
 "With treachery connuqial vow, 
 
 A cowardice to nurse stale charms, 
 
 An infamy endur'd for her. 
 To end in a vile death, a sneaking fear, 
 Much worse than death for noble minds to bear. 
 
 Othello could a sting not least 
 
 Of nurtur'd those of serpent nest, 
 
 Aim'd Jealousy at wedded bliss, 
 Tell how, when love as bud increas'd. 
 
 Was blooming on his glowing breast. 
 
 Perfuming its fond caress. 
 He could in ruthless vengeful hour , 
 Have heart to smother that sweet flower. 
 
 Yet wedded love is the great boon 
 
 That storms in vain assail and wrecks. 
 It 's like the sun at glorious noon. 
 
 Despite some spots and envious specks. 
 Gives ample light the world to bless. 
 Of boons most glorious we possess. 
 
BEAUTY, THE WHY, AND LOVE. */ 5 
 
 For even temper there's no rule, 
 
 There is a kindness that divine, 
 
 It makes it way thro' adamant, 
 Some storm is bitter than to cool 
 
 In vapid flatness of a mind, 
 
 Elastic never from its want, 
 Some fore collisian aught to strke a spark, 
 Its cheerful more than visions ever dark. 
 
 Who wears his polish'd armour by his side. 
 
 All conscious in his skill at arms, 
 
 Eetreats resource's wont provide. 
 His glittering point for victory charms, 
 
 Restraining gross offence by modest worth within, 
 
 You need not look for to be found in him. 
 
 Aside from any sorded views. 
 
 Affections have a mental spring. 
 
 Congenial, true, but yet all free, 
 Refreshing like the morning dews. 
 
 To bear love's warmth but not its sting, 
 
 Above the slough of jealousy, 
 They elevate the mind to noble deeds, 
 Sustain when frailer hope of earth recedes. 
 
 Age brings its ails, its cripped tho't. 
 
 Dalliance fails of any crumb, 
 
 To while a heavy hour away. 
 The past its bitter things so brought, 
 
 To haunt us sadly back will come, 
 
 Often, full often to dismay, 
 Then is the soul in need of something near, 
 A fellowship that overcomes the drear. 
 
76 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Tis woman's kind regard, her smile. 
 The waving of good cheering hand, 
 The eye that beams encouragement, 
 
 A look to smother earthly guile, 
 
 To make the clod on which we stand, 
 Seem joyous more with flowers bent, 
 
 To bloom, their fragrance tinging as it were, 
 
 The tho't, that else would wander in despair. 
 
 True poets know it best, of need 
 
 They have the most, the dross 
 
 That's in the world, but poor and ill 
 For inspiration can succeed. 
 
 With them their social deep felt loss, 
 
 Is that of sympathy to fill, 
 The soul's demand, it has a language voice. 
 Creating or directing tho'ts, the best for choice. 
 
 A world suspicious more than wise, 
 Can see no link between the sex, 
 Except it holds some gross surmise, 
 
 A flaw in morals it detects. 
 
 The voice of heaven's heard by some. 
 Others that of saints and women, 
 These to the heart if nearer home. 
 Both are not always meant for sinning. 
 
 Why not a tho't as well as fire. 
 Find way souls company to keep, 
 
 This rushes thro' a simple wire, 
 
 That by its means more subtle deep. 
 
 Of friendship to explain we cant, yet know 
 
 Its chain across a world can brightly throw. 
 
BEAUTY, THE WHY, AND LOVE. 77 
 
 We know there's flowers o'er the sea, 
 
 Go rambling for a distant mate. 
 Past tides and winds, adverse that be, 
 
 To reach, as vow to consecrate. 
 
 I do not think Tasso meant crime, 
 
 Or Petrarch, in their souls who kept 
 
 Sweet presence of an idol far 
 Away, yet deep therein to chime. 
 
 With high behests to intercept 
 
 No ideal good created there 
 Perhaps 'twas born of poetry ideal, 
 Yet service high perform'd the true, the real. 
 
 Why should not age want love to cheer. 
 
 The same as if 'twas young and frisky. 
 
 Or often thinks it wants it more, 
 Examples habit makes it clear. 
 
 The want assails the heart as briskly, 
 
 Tho' not for that which youth adore. 
 Its company, sweet company, that's mooted 
 For the enjoyment only to it suited. 
 
 Take an old house quite rusty say. 
 
 To fill it with good music cheer. 
 Don't the old pile renew'd up gay, 
 
 Seem prancing youth of early year. 
 
 Shall not the long worn nerves. 
 
 The aching frame by sorrow bent. 
 Find the sweet voice of woman serves, 
 
 To cheer the heart like magic sent. 
 
 14 
 
78 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 'Tis music in his old dry bones. 
 
 Nature appointed it for such, 
 Delicious food reviving tones, 
 
 The deepest chords of life to touch. 
 
 None but the shallow or the base. 
 
 Will blame such simple joy. 
 Or try to slur it with disgrace. 
 
 That passions gross employ. 
 
 It is no crime to wish earth were, 
 
 A paradise to age its not. 
 
 Unless it be so wishing ever, 
 That wishing should be made no snare, 
 
 To passion the desire alone has got. 
 
 When dead the wishing never, 
 Can crime be made tho' tho'ts survive. 
 The same as if the passion were alive. 
 
 Has age once reveal'd in the fold, 
 Enclosing wedded joy a theme. 
 As blest as lawful to a feeling heart. 
 
 Making its day bright burnished gold. 
 Its toil to pass like a charm'd dream. 
 When half dream'd out abrupt to part, 
 
 Is winning contrast at the dearest rate. 
 
 Of others any of the social state. 
 
 Old age from thee the world fades fast. 
 Thou feel'st it in that worlds neglect, 
 A coldness in its greeting hand, 
 
 Thou must now cherish the fond past. 
 Its spirit idols will protect, 
 To guide thee to their sunny land, 
 
 Where gentler bosoms kinder more as pure, 
 
 Shall rest thy weary soul, earth's anguish cure. 
 
BEAUTY, IHE WHY, AND LOVE. 79 
 
 Think not that in that sunny land, 
 
 Earth's lust dsfile wiih ravishment, 
 
 To gloat upon some sensual dream, 
 As passion waves a fickle wand, 
 
 Betray'd by unforseen event, 
 
 But senses everlasting teem. 
 With glory bright in undelay'd employ, 
 In social wisdom drink eternal joy. 
 
 That love is often madness, yes 
 
 Stark madness of a passion, 
 If cooler minds it comes to bless, 
 
 These seldom rule the fashion. 
 
 It sees that often when its cold. 
 
 Or reason has come back to reign. 
 Regrets keep tingling up to hold. 
 
 To mind some follies past with pain. 
 
 Love who don't feel are very apt 
 
 To ridicule it iu another — 
 111 consequence they but adopt. 
 
 Effects who heed not to discover. 
 
 The passion should have civil word, 
 
 Which ignorance oft denies ; 
 As those who reckon it absurd, 
 
 More madness has, than it supplies. 
 
 Love as a vapor in us set to burn, 
 
 A magnet there the vital spark 
 Attracts, combustion to assume ; 
 
 Like other fire it must be fed — 
 To fuel sympathy will turn, 
 
 For ladiation acts its part. 
 The ash or cinders wanting room. 
 
 There's none, yet may we dread 
 
^0 S KETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The void ensuing from extinguish'd flame. 
 Abraded nerves its loss affects with pain. 
 
 The heart floats in a vap'ry sea, 
 
 Whose current keeps perpetual whirl, 
 A thousand eddies to endure. 
 
 On fire it's like a moulten surge. 
 With breakers many at the lea ; 
 
 Thick mists in ambush place the peril, 
 To wreck a hope tho' deem'd secure ; 
 
 Yet will the fire oft deterge. 
 Evil most feared a hopeful blessing send, 
 Where social culture 'gainst a wrong defend. 
 
 Love fir'd of beauty as suppos'd, — 
 
 Blind path to seek as guide. 
 Stays not when mountains stand oppos'd. 
 
 But rushes like an Arctic tide. 
 
 The passion gets a rage — a fire. 
 That medicine may fail to cure ; 
 
 No reasons emj)ire in its ire. 
 
 Assault it makes can long endure. 
 
 Some weakness is the very thing that makes 
 
 The head turn dizzy o'er the heart it breaks. 
 
 Of kings it'turns the addl'd brain, — 
 Of queens with furor to e'er power, 
 
 As the wild steed that tramps the plain, 
 With haste all caution to devour. 
 
 So was the Scotian Queen to fame 
 Made brilliant on historic page ; 
 
 Her beauty as a torch, a flame 
 That ruin mark'd upon the age. 
 
BEAUTY, THE WHY, AND LOVE. 81 
 
 Her passions equalled the intense 
 In glow, her beauty beamed withal ; 
 
 Her fervid love saw no offence 
 In crimes inviting to her fall. 
 
 Crime taints, be it of love or gain, 
 That when we come in our great need. 
 
 To look for friends who would sustain, 
 They and the world are cold to heed. 
 
 The times in idleness too frank 
 
 Indulgence in her state, and youth 
 Claiming as due to royal rank. 
 
 Corrupted in her moral truth. 
 
 The period nears when younglets all. 
 Of kings or poor ones, doffing pride, 
 
 Some trade shall learn, or honest call, 
 'Gainst vicious dalliance to provide. 
 
 There is no standard for it fix'd. 
 
 The rainbow holds a special kind 
 Of red and blue and orange mix'd, 
 
 Dividing lines you can not find. 
 
 What would you strike from that fair arch — 
 Least gone its shining beauty mar ; 
 
 Dividing lines in vain you search, 
 Tho' plain to sense apparent are. 
 
 'Tis thus with human beauty plain. 
 To strike the soul and win our joy ; 
 
 It's as a whole, its parts to name. 
 And separate is to destroy. 
 
82 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Unmov'd we may on beauty look, 
 
 To judge it by asthetic rule, 
 Define each line and salient crook ; 
 
 But tho' thy judgment is thus cool, 
 We can't make out, however close we scan. 
 The magic of an eye, a lip or hand. 
 
 Hot love or lechery soon cools — 
 It's but a madness in the brain — 
 
 Oft seeks the mire of filthy pools. 
 Repentant sorrow but to gain ; 
 
 How many modern Hectors bite the dust, 
 
 Stain with some poigniard pointed by a lust. 
 
 Yet gentle reason'd love holds in 
 Its arms a world of genial bliss ; 
 
 Its kindness grows with life, to bring 
 
 Sweet flowers and fruits, its pain to miss ; 
 
 It's like the sun, with temper'd rays to cheer, 
 
 Whose torrid heat may vegetation sear. 
 
 Love reason has none, for its count 
 
 But that the present moment bears ; 
 To-morrow or another day 
 
 Brings new persuasions to desist — 
 New hobby fancy is to mount. 
 
 Whose fickleness excuse prepares 
 For hollowness, its deeds betray. 
 
 In blindness, frailty don't detect, 
 The fact is, change has come, we can't deny 
 To heal it by some falsehood barely try. 
 
BEAUTY, THE WHY, AND LOVE. 83 
 
 It's catching often, like a sneeze 
 
 Or cough, when sympathy permits, 
 
 Or fevers that infect the air — 
 To last as tempers chance to please ; 
 
 The conduct that in judgment sits, 
 
 The wanton passions deign to spare — 
 The fitness is in the nature, temper, will, 
 Small accidents provoke much may their ill. 
 
 Love's like the flower, or the hee 
 
 Extracting from it honey'd store. 
 To lay up, and he rich therein. 
 
 Against a winter's pinching lorn ; 
 It matters not how variously 
 
 The flowers guise in wisdom's lore — 
 The honey will its sweetness win, 
 
 If fitness gath'ring skill adorn : 
 So love may keep its passion long content, 
 Despite a guise tho' seeming to prevent. 
 
 The ideal world of beauty's full — 
 
 Greece drew her models from such source ; 
 
 Who from exalted emblems cull. 
 Give beauty its majestic force. 
 
 Deep from immortal fountains drew her lines, 
 
 Immortal tribute due to Grecian times. 
 
 Beauty lies scatter'd every where — ■ 
 
 O'er valley's, mountain, sea and lake ; 
 
 In matted grass, with flowers rare. 
 
 Clear streams that from their fountains break; 
 
 Pure streams that sparkle as they flow, — 
 
 Well love and youth such beauties know. 
 
84 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Streams long remember'd for the joy 
 
 Of youthful time, we oft renew. 
 Blest hours to sadden, no alloy ; 
 
 A painful gloom upon them threw, 
 'Twas a rich sunshine's smile to brighten, then 
 A bower to dazzle up in every glen. 
 
 Where lies the cleft for any fluke, 
 
 Love's anchor, like a ships, would find 
 With hawser fit its course to stay. 
 
 Till tempest in the heart outflare ; 
 The hawser of its clinch forsook. 
 
 Leaves love a prey to sea and wind — 
 A wreck that's painful lo survey, 
 
 Yet passing strange the pain to spare : 
 Some fairy finger knits the hawser's parted strand, 
 That love in safety may salute the land. 
 
 The sea with its waters and isles. 
 What legends its herald invites ; 
 
 They speak of its danger and toils. 
 Mast phasing mast hazard recites. 
 
 It's not of the history that's full 
 Of commerce, adventure and strife. 
 
 Intended with care now to cull. 
 But more to speak of dumb life. 
 
 A world of itself the great deep, 
 
 With laws made especial to fit. 
 All beauty and grandeur to keep. 
 
 Times hoar on its brow can not sit. 
 
BEAUTY, THE WHY, AND LOVE. 85 
 
 Its foam on its wave up to curl — 
 
 The wind and the sun to obey ; 
 Now fresh as spring flowers unfurl 
 
 Their bloom in the lap of sweet May. 
 
 If with envy, or motives more kind, 
 Old Boreas comes down with a sweep, 
 
 Red lightning the slave of his wind, 
 To break on calm dreams of her sleep. 
 
 The rattle and noise that we hear 
 
 Is of heaven's artillery, the grand. 
 As tempest comes often to rear 
 
 Her crest to nod o'er the land. 
 
 Then man with his tight little craft, 
 
 His ropes and his chains to resist. 
 Devices the best seem but daft. 
 
 For safety they can not insist. 
 
 The monster built ship that contains 
 Strong iron and steam for quick speed, 
 
 Is feeble its waves to sustain, 
 For safety can't always succeed ; 
 
 The host that of home dreams in her broad sides, 
 
 Finds a grave in the wave defiant it rides. 
 
 There's need or it would not so come, 
 For the tempest and roar of the sea. 
 
 The health of its deep may be one — 
 An element's balance make free. 
 
 All worlds and things that pertain, 
 
 Beside a plain use in their place. 
 Are to teach us some power to gain, 
 
 Our doings to brighten with grace. 
 
 15 
 
86 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 So the sea a study presents 
 Wortli well a rapt enterprise ; 
 
 It's alive with master contents, 
 
 Full of tho't that wisdom supplies. 
 
 Her monsters of huge slouchy sides. 
 
 Or long spindling points that she sends. 
 
 Prove that beauty her reason divides, 
 Yet for truth each pattern intends. 
 
 All that's made holds beauty its part — 
 To adorn and shine in its rank ; 
 
 But whether it thrills in the heart, 
 No conventional beauty to thank. 
 
 The heart is not always the eye — 
 Or feels as that sees if you will ; 
 
 For this may perfection espy. 
 Whilst that is damp'd by an ill. 
 
 Eyes differ, and hearts do the same ; 
 
 There may be no reason to guide— 
 The former may kindle a flame. 
 
 The latter in weakness decide. 
 
 There's beauty for art as for love, 
 Another, each having their grace. 
 
 They differ in that they approve. 
 Each sense is to fit in its place. 
 
 So 'tis Avith the fish in the sea — 
 Each one holds its beauty to fit ; 
 
 If you taste the teeth may agree. 
 The eye a true fancy don't hit. 
 
BEAUTY, THE WHY, AND LOVE. 87 
 
 The sea reads a catalogue long, 
 
 'Bout fishes who swim in her wave ; 
 
 The pattern of some Avould be wronS, 
 Were it not they variety save. 
 
 There's a whole requir'd to form 
 mportant as can be its parts, 
 Not made alone to adorn, 
 
 But needful to science and arts. 
 
 We call this or that by surmise, 
 
 As riches we deem to advance— 
 We mistake Goncolda supplies. 
 
 No wealth like this to enhance. 
 
 The sea not alone, but all round. 
 
 In air, earth and heav'n if far, 
 Variety clusters each bound, 
 
 From a mote to glitt'ring star. 
 
 Powers not single, or anything we 
 
 In nature behold to pervade, 
 [Jnless there be others agree 
 
 To foster and give it some aid. 
 
 la one we read little to tell. 
 
 It's barren of tho't as a mote. 
 In each of all numbers we swell. 
 
 The perfect is more to promote. 
 
 The atheist would but rejoice. 
 
 Could he find a variety short ; 
 He would pin on with a loud voice, 
 
 As proof of his slur or retort. 
 
88 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The fish have colors so many, 
 
 With taste on in harmony laid — 
 
 All their tribes, tho' shining and finny. 
 Have suits in diversity made. 
 
 They're spotted and specklM, cross bar'd, 
 Rounded and ray'd here and there ; 
 
 For art to do equal is hard — 
 No master can better prepare. 
 
 The ground on for colors to spread 
 Is faultless in taste to receive 
 
 Its spangles, gold, silver or lead, 
 Admit any taint to relieve. 
 
 Their shapes, like their colors, outrun 
 Wild fancy on wings to display — 
 
 To describe them one never is done, 
 To try, would our patience betray. 
 
 Yet color and shape is not all — 
 The wisdom to teach in their make. 
 
 For grouping on nature we call. 
 The fisb of the sea for its sake. 
 
 Thus taste is not worthless as weed, 
 But holds a prime rank in our state ; 
 
 To virtue and knowledge will lead, 
 To manners and morals relate. 
 
 Nature, for reasons her own. 
 
 Which man is bound to respect, 
 
 On corners and angles would frown, — 
 Not cur'd if she any detect. 
 
BEAUTY, THE WHY, AND LOVE. 89 
 
 She teaches us well in the fish. 
 
 As in animals all made beside — 
 Of corners and angles her wish 
 
 That there should be provision to hide. 
 
 Just so, if we in the mind look, 
 
 For all her great work must contain, 
 Accordance in curing some crook. 
 
 The effect if not pliance the same. 
 
 In all shapes, in fish as in shells 
 
 Devices hers, wisely proclaim 
 Her institutes, colors and swells. 
 
 Are sharpness of angles to tame. 
 
 Hence, there's not in that family, 
 
 Group'd with grace and beauty to shine ; 
 
 As gems of the deep flood sea — 
 A corner for taste to repine. 
 
 It is of itself a kingdom of grace. 
 
 Especially chaste in color and form ; 
 To the mind a luscious repast. 
 
 In its breake's by what they adorn. 
 
 There's a swell or a foil made bright. 
 
 By color of red, blue or grey. 
 Some tint that increases delight. 
 
 The closer, the more we survey. 
 
 Of surface with blank look and bare. 
 Among tribes it's comely to shun ; 
 
 Each wanting some beauty to share- 
 Lines waving with color to run. 
 16 
 
90 SKETCHES OFLIFE. 
 
 All sameness — the like for like cause, 
 Ho tiling, too much in design ; 
 
 The raind seldom gives it applause. 
 Variety none to combine. 
 
 Notes, music allows to be quick — 
 Say toot toot toot, as of a row ; 
 
 Too long in the row, they too thick 
 Monotony surely to show. 
 
 Beauty, plain truth is much like, 
 
 When the passions have little to say ; 
 
 The reason and judgment to strike, 
 For season and place how array. 
 
 An angle's a bad thing to tum 
 Unless we are sober in deed ; 
 
 Experience abundant to learn, 
 How illy we often succeed. 
 
 I think in our youth it is best 
 To be taught all angles to shun ; 
 
 A fair course they should not molest. 
 Like those of the planets and sun. 
 
 Too much stress on beauty or aught 
 That lies in the path of our toil, 
 
 Will bring our best efforts to naught. 
 Or hope disappoint in our moil. 
 
 The human of all forms the palm 
 Bears clearly for beauty away, 
 
 All disgust at comers to calm — 
 There are none true taste to betray. 
 
MUSIC, ART, HAPPINESS. 01 
 
 There's a swell or a wave or siicli ilk, 
 
 A shade or a fiae little hair, 
 The roughness of angles to bilk — 
 
 A verge upon beauty to share. 
 
 The nose if too sharp like a point, 
 
 Or an angle dispos'd to assume ; 
 The eye holds a flash worth a mint, 
 
 The mouth fur relief gi vet h room. 
 
 A swell or a taper of grace 
 
 All parts with the fingers adorn, 
 If they point, it is not to displace 
 
 Any beauty as crown to adorn. 
 
 The fervor of beauty though great. 
 
 Bespangling the ground where we tread 
 
 The purlieus, can only debate 
 
 Of fields where to freedom were led. 
 
 Good teacher it isif we know 
 
 How to praise it avoiding offence ; 
 All teaching is better like blow 
 
 Perfunit to combine with the sense. 
 
 MUSIC, ART, HAPPINESS. 
 
 Air, art thou breath divine sent here. 
 
 Sister of ocean so distill'd 
 As suiteth life's outseeking ways — 
 
 A spirit holding them to cheer, 
 The soul with want of anguish fill'd ; 
 
 Response of thine full oft delays 
 If in the ocean's voice on zephyr's wing, 
 Or airy harp such welcome raptures briug. 
 
92 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The way is by thee clear and bright 
 
 Leading far to supernal sky, 
 From which good angels may look down 
 
 To scatter hence the gloom of night ; 
 For woes of earth all tears to dry, 
 
 Or choir's celestial music drown ; 
 'Tis so that in the soul these visions come, 
 No mortal hand to see by which they're done. 
 
 We listen and there is a voice 
 
 Breaks from the fields the wilds around — 
 Its chary birds, the harp-like trees. 
 
 Some living thing to make rejoice 
 Life in us, at the welcome sound. 
 
 Where sympathy with nature breathes 
 So measur'd in us ways fond steps we tread, 
 A kind regard seems everywhere outspread. 
 
 The air in power holds accord 
 
 Rich in variety to suit 
 All mental ones for harmony 
 
 It's like some million shreds fine spun 
 That tension more or less afford. 
 
 Vibrations graded loud to mute 
 Emotions with all which agree, 
 
 One in the other constant run — 
 To fill their time and place each so resolv'd. 
 
 Its fellow in no failure is involv'd. 
 
 It's like a wave the waters cast 
 Around a point disturb'd thereon, 
 
 At other points disturb'd, each pass 
 As freely, as if only one — 
 
MUSIC, ART, HAPPINESS. 93 
 
 In air sometimes strange lights array — 
 The Romans counted with deep awe ; 
 
 Music and bells enchant at sea, 
 
 As spirits with sweet fingers play — 
 
 Heard plain by those who never saw 
 The soul to attest their exstacy. 
 
 Go where we will there is some sound to move, 
 
 To plead our pleasure, thankful to approve. 
 
 When man falls from appointed state, 
 
 To dwarf his soul by cruel ways. 
 The master don't his care suspend. 
 
 So with a h^nd of goodness great 
 From total wreck to keep him, lays 
 
 Rich fountains open wide, to send 
 Sweet sounds, all things to win his heart to stay 
 Where wisdom true, leads on the happy way. 
 
 Music depends to seek its ends 
 
 On elements the mind embrace. 
 Pulsating ever to a change ; 
 
 None other that more sweetly sends 
 Persuasive language change to grace, 
 
 Delight to dwarf its longest range ; 
 Each note so helps us on the throbbing way, 
 We like such most, most stirring are and gay. 
 
 Moods are variant, humors please, 
 
 Excite for grave or nimble sound ; 
 To touch the nerve, heart's yielding string. 
 
 One is a balm for sorrow's ease. 
 Best to induce a cheerful round — 
 
 Another courage fierce to bring. 
 Strange dainty organs that so nice a touch 
 Stirs up their empire for effect so much. 
 
94 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Each key finds in the mind a home, 
 
 As friend returning glad, if far 
 And long he stay'd to mourn away ; 
 
 The joy is mutual not for one — 
 So rapture leaves no room for jar 
 
 Who mutual kisses welcome pay ; 
 If grief had been and sorrow lingers there, 
 The calf is kill'd, each dance and supper share. 
 
 Of nature's make the tribe of birds 
 Are songsters, some of happy zeal. 
 
 To warble forth, if sharps and thirds 
 No harmony in concert yield ; 
 
 Each has an instinct note or song to swell, 
 
 In others lesson seldom to excell. 
 
 If gold and purple robes adorn, 
 
 No sign they are of chanting voice ; 
 Perhaps some vanity to shun. 
 
 Apt to attend attracting form ; 
 Neglect of inward worth, more choice 
 Charms that an outside flatter with high praise, 
 Is worthy most with modest mental ways. 
 
 Rich tho' their colors are with tint 
 
 Edging and fringe the glaucus to outvie. 
 
 All varied in their brilliant hues, 
 
 Their song close limits hold, or stint 
 
 111 for such gaudy dress, to try 
 
 All purple robes one could excuse. 
 
 If plainer, simpler, with high talents crown, 
 
 Uf voice and genius, worth, deserv'd renown. 
 
MUSIC, ARTS, HAPPINESS. 95 
 
 The Organista pours a siren flood 
 
 Of plaintive tones, the ravish'd ear 
 Upon, its in-shades sylvan deep 
 
 Of groves primeval, cluster'd wood ; 
 You tarry, spell bound, when you hear 
 
 The liquid notes, vibrating sweet, 
 No gaudy plumage decks her grace of song, 
 To brown and cinnamon her robes belong. 
 
 Others fam'd of the praise they earn. 
 For finish'd excellence of song, 
 
 Of gaudy plumage do not learn. 
 
 The robes are homely which they don, 
 
 Yet these charm'd choristera throw in 
 Like Malabran, true music's fire. 
 
 Their chant to flash extatic beam, 
 Pouring from eye, the beating wing 
 
 Time keeping to poetic ire, 
 
 Without a soul, its fervid gleam. 
 
 What agitation trembles thro' the frame. 
 
 When throat distended ekes its highest strain. 
 
 The note that thrills like sun and air. 
 Holds ready fitness for all tribes. 
 
 All ears can understand, adore 
 Its like the providence whose care 
 
 No stolid ignorance divides 
 
 From comprehension of its love ; 
 
 It goes without interpreter its way. 
 
 Heart's ease and comfort homage wide to pay. 
 
96 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Who has not heard the true sublime 
 In Handel's choral, Mozart's theme. 
 
 Has miss'd immense an earthly bliss ; 
 Let him not fail from chance or time, 
 
 An opportune to mend his dream 
 Of earth's felicity in this. 
 
 'Twill in his heart create a noble thirst 
 
 Forheav'n and harmony to guage his trust. 
 
 Yet one proud excellence is not 
 
 Enough, be it the most divine. 
 To build upon si;re social gain. 
 
 We can't at pleasure's banquet stop 
 To feast the soul, there think to join 
 
 Wants many for successful aims 
 The sterner work firm teaching will demand. 
 In reason's broader way holds large command. 
 
 Which of all passions that are mov'd 
 
 For any happiness we meet, 
 Gives most or least delight to find. 
 
 Or by what station most approv'd ; 
 Debate allows like taste to eat, 
 
 For purpose good are all design'd. 
 Large banquet nature spreads on field and plain. 
 For all to feast, change, taste, and come again. 
 
 Take human races, brutes, all tribes 
 
 Of animals, the feather'd choir, 
 Sum'd up a countless, mingled host — 
 
 See where most happiness resides 
 In this or that possession or desire. 
 
 Sought after or esteem'd the most ; 
 See if the Merciful has not within their reach, 
 Made every place and rank most sure to teach. 
 
MUSIC, ARTS, HAPPINESS. 9 J 
 
 Condition fix'd, we love its curse. 
 
 Its burning welcome, if of hell. 
 The passions can esteem, the worst 
 
 Admit, but loth what doth excel. 
 
 Who rule the oppress'd and ignorant. 
 
 Find profit in their vile estate ; 
 Debasing crimes the more will grant, 
 
 Oppression further to create. 
 
 The passions vile let loose to reign. 
 Destroy and crush, to teach their ill ; 
 
 Have brought to earth their bitter pain. 
 With blood enough a sea to fill. 
 
 Yet where to stay some passions vile. 
 
 Gain is not sought, but industry, 
 The ignorant way holds less of guile. 
 
 To live quite oft in harmony. 
 
 Music is nature's precious drug, 
 
 Prepar'd to heal or soften woes 
 Insidious that infest the nerves ; 
 
 N one with so fine a zest is dug 
 From earth, or liniment compose 
 
 To subtle purpose equal serves. 
 Tho' medicines may heal a bruise or wound. 
 In moral exigence do not abound. 
 
 All arts, pursuits may well agree 
 
 To make their offerings for much good ; 
 
 Strict morals in bare sumptuous see, 
 The heart wants better neighborhood. 
 
 17 
 
98 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Greece had hcv arts with culture high, 
 
 Rome hers, with equal like intent. 
 As idols many close enibrac'd, 
 
 Yet to the heart of millions nigh 
 They bro't no freedom to content. 
 
 Or rais'd a social state debas'd ; 
 While art to glory rose in her exalted mead, 
 Freedom and ballot knew no public need. 
 
 See the rich products of the soil, 
 
 Where fullness strives to crown the earth ; 
 
 Lonibardy's plains the pontine swale, 
 Luxurious growth for farmers' moil ; 
 
 In luvish plenty reap'd with mirth, 
 Reward to meet no stint or fail. 
 
 In corn and wine, with rice and luscious roots. 
 
 All wants supplied, but none that freedom suits. 
 
 Honey and wax and silk with fold. 
 
 Full many of the shuttled loam, 
 Respond to treasures 'neath the ground. 
 
 If not of ore sure wealth unfold. 
 To give to enterprise due room, 
 
 Yet press'd and crush'd is plenty bound 
 To feel the tramp of foreign Austrian feet. 
 Doom more severe to curse earth's promis'd treat. 
 
 'Tis not enough o'er this fair scene, 
 A darksome cloud may rest to break. 
 
 The radiant sunshine from on high. 
 Distracting voices mock the dream. 
 
 Land curses peace may overtake. 
 Cause anguish in the soul to lie. 
 
 Free thot's forbidden or not us'd for right. 
 
 All social joy is ever doom'd to blight. 
 
MUSIC, ART AND HAPPINESS. 99 
 
 Proud edifice of art the Vatican, 
 
 Along thy walls arts prizes glow 
 Sculpture and painting meet the gaze, 
 
 With beauty thy whole arch to span, 
 In colors chasten'd as the bow. 
 
 Forms with perfection to amaze, 
 Yet tho' the soul with rapture is subdu'd, 
 'Tis in decay with social want imbu'd. 
 
 Thy grandeur moulds the rust is on. 
 
 Palace and temple topling down, 
 The portico with jagged sides. 
 
 Crumbles to waste and arches long. 
 Boast nothing can but old renown, 
 
 No tramp of swaying crowds divide. 
 For passage to the Forum's full declaim, 
 All perish'd are but a bare empty name. 
 
 Music I heard thy witching strain. 
 
 Swell on the air to meet the heave. 
 Of bosoms pulsing with delight. 
 
 The answering welkin mov'dto claim. 
 Responsive reck'ning should receive, 
 
 xVU nature's gladness to invite. 
 The dome, St. Peter's echo'd to the sound. 
 Of music's prayer uplift with thrill profound. 
 
 Millions like voices with one loud 
 
 Encore, shook the firm stuco'd wall, 
 As peal on peal with rapture broke. 
 
 O'er chantry thro' the kneeling crowd, 
 "With hearts and tongue uplift to call, 
 
 As if the lofty more evoke. 
 Me tho't if earth holds aught of ecstasy. 
 Could satiate freedom's want, Music 'tis thee. 
 
100 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Nature is beauty's source and line, 
 As fountain vast from which to draw. 
 
 All forms, all shadows, color hue, 
 The sun a limner is design, 
 
 Of his is destitute of flaw, 
 
 In full proportion, just and true, 
 
 Tho' art and beauty in the mind may dwell. 
 
 The sun draws every blush their pencils tell. 
 
 Art as its promise has to grant. 
 
 The beauties and the forms, here, there. 
 
 As scatter'd far and wide to seem 
 Genius is but convenient loop 
 
 On which to hang the just and fair, 
 To make them suited more when done. 
 
 That the wide finish nature's points in all 
 
 May congregate to grace your house or wall. 
 
 The imitation of the vast 
 
 Creative wisdom in high Art, 
 Is moral as it is sublime ; 
 
 'Tis history of his works compass'd 
 Above what language can impart 
 
 To beautify the wings of Time. 
 
 Art too confers munificent 
 
 Entailments on the day and age, 
 
 Making of nature lessons to supply 
 Severer impress, slack intent. 
 
 New energies, induct, engage 
 Some vice for teachings to deny. 
 
 Impress on mind what nature has in view, 
 
 Deformity by beauty to subdue. 
 
 i 
 
MUSIC, ARTS, HAPPINESS. 101 
 
 As with loose words we see thrown round. 
 
 Wanting intensity, effect, 
 
 They move not in the heart or soul, 
 But when by art and genius bound 
 
 And group'd, much harder to neglect 
 
 Their power, or resist control. 
 By which they subjugate the passions strong. 
 To carry victory often when they're wrong. 
 
 Or like a lazy water pool, 
 
 That's scarcely seen by passers by ; 
 
 Or tho't of for its worth or use. 
 But when it's gather'd by art's rule 
 
 In fountains gushing in supply. 
 
 To cast their jets and spray profuse, 
 Or fall in graceful column in a stream — 
 We stop to gaze, so natural does it seem. 
 
 Nothing artistic more can boast, 
 
 Or higher in a useful scale 
 
 Than those inventions saving time ; 
 For human labor aiding most 
 
 In needs the greatest that assail. 
 
 With danger most from ignorant crime 
 Our social bulwarks, that they totter, fall. 
 Unless more time be gained to culture all. 
 
 Art stirs the land and stirs the sea, 
 
 To fill our wants as they increase ; 
 
 The strife is good, with just employ. 
 But want with art will not agree — 
 
 To be content it's strife to cease. 
 
 It must its victory to enjoy. 
 Invent and labor with incessant skill. 
 Enough, man's destiny can never fill. 
 18 
 
102 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 ]t has a fame to earn and wear. 
 
 As jewel precious in the nation's ear — 
 An honest fame, that gets fast friends, 
 
 For which all hearts are bound to care ; 
 Whose want is with'ring, coward fear. 
 Of need to feel no one defends, 
 
 To be a knave is worse than leprosy, 
 
 Tho' shuu'd in this, conscience makes joyous free. 
 
 It's happiness an anchoret 
 
 To be, a bonze to robe in filth, — 
 
 To set in squalid garb demure. 
 Making all sunshine black as night 
 
 Upon the mind ; to creep with stealth 
 
 From dm or roost, best, most obscure, 
 To think the least, to say or do, but mope 
 Will heaven's glory to the victim ope. 
 
 Or yet again to have a joust, 
 
 A carnival, a rant, a fete. 
 
 Rampant with saturnalean crank. 
 In which of wit and sense the most. 
 
 Horse laughter must its fellow greet 
 
 If rife the most in monkey prank ; 
 The more with mire and filth to pelt and throw. 
 If not more decent, yet more happy grow. 
 
 Thus happiness is made to come 
 
 Or grow to suit, as native soil 
 
 Or culture most we add ; 
 It may be wise, but then the dumb 
 
 Is often in some anxious toil. 
 
 To make the comely ape the sad ; 
 It's in some natures, with transforming power. 
 To make the base the beautiful devour. 
 
 k 
 
MUSIC, ARTS, HAPPINESS. 103 
 
 With air, with blossoms too, with faith, 
 
 Opinions duty all the same — 
 
 They have a latitude to each 
 And all, yet as ejected waif, 
 
 Lie, till to occupy and claim 
 
 The mind, the latitude they reach 
 Which gives them temper to befit, adorn, 
 ()f this the pleasure, that to be the scorn. 
 
 One throb is in the heart to beat, 
 
 Responsive to the one before ; 
 
 All nerves and fibres 'bey the call — 
 Answer alike in their retreat, 
 
 Or nod their thrill to wait one more, 
 
 Not felt, from life its certain fall : 
 So nature's one vast throb holds to supply 
 Her wants, stop'd not, unless it be to die. 
 
 'Tis happiness to see the flowers, 
 
 The cactus and the coffee bloom ; 
 
 Orange, citron, azelia sweet. 
 Deep glossy leaves each bud embowers, 
 
 As tangled masses shed perfume. 
 
 On every side the senses greet. 
 E'en up the flowers mount to nether sky, 
 To kiss its blue with retl and purple dye. 
 
 The spice and gums rich odors shed — 
 
 The cane, the cocoa, agave, yield 
 
 Juices and fruits of values prize. 
 Vanilla, yams, salute the tread. 
 
 Or clust'ring o'er the tangled field ; 
 
 Mangoes and ferns, with palms of size 
 And beauty to astonish with their growth, 
 For why such sumptuous lavisbraent of both. 
 
104 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The sky is rich in its deep blue — 
 
 The air a balmy softness lends 
 
 To enervate. The torrid sun 
 Pours down, forever to renew 
 
 Spring, summer, autumn sends, 
 
 Glaucus or sear'd together come. 
 With flowers, fruit and leaves to smile and go 
 Gaily to laugh, who winter never know. 
 
 Yet further to ac'orn and win 
 The rapt'rous senses — to excite 
 Due pleasure by her finish'd art, 
 
 Nature no variance stinted in 
 
 Beauties to feather'd. tribes invite 
 All that could pencil'd tints impart ; 
 
 The Toucan's color, the Flamingo's blaze. 
 
 With mingl'd. wonders others to amaze. 
 
 Here drops the medicated gum. 
 
 Resins and bark with myers, warm spice 
 Much sought and jjrecious held to be, — 
 
 Variegated woods and dyes, with some 
 Whose hues by brilliance arts entice, 
 To polish'd life of high degree ; 
 
 Distance of origin, rich value to supply, 
 
 To much which fashion rates at prices high. 
 
 No reason'd wish survives the hour 
 
 That nature plenty boastful throws 
 Within the idle lap, to cloy 
 
 The sated senses, shorn of power. 
 To sit a watchful guard on want ; 
 
 Industry asks no toiling blows. 
 That threaten 'd scarcity employ. 
 
 Idleness and vice make pleasures vaunt 
 To rule man's destiny forever, where 
 A vapor bath the sun and clime prepare. 
 
MUSIC, ARTS, HAPPINESS. 105 
 
 Men play with men as monkeys jest 
 
 Or play, with other monkeys chatter, 
 
 Then throw the fruit of cannon ball. 
 Or nip the vermin that infe.st 
 
 The cuticle — a common matter, 
 
 Nipping and sipping measure all ; 
 Monkeys alone have not a right to claim 
 All honors that invest a nipping fame. 
 
 It is happiness to see the snow 
 
 Lay glittering on the mountain's cap, 
 While at its base the torrid sun 
 
 Makes orange and the citron grow ; 
 In plants and trees the vernal sap 
 Forces the buds and flowers to come. 
 
 O'er valleys deep, with base extending wide. 
 
 The rocky cliffs fresh verdure ever hide. 
 
 To stand and view far as the eye 
 
 Can gather in the blooming scene 
 
 Of varied tint, of vale and swell. 
 Contrasted with the glacier high, 
 
 Is offering beauty the supreme 
 
 In one, sweet landscape painted well. 
 Including mountains, bearing polar ice, 
 With bloom and verdure, fit for Paradise. 
 
 Yet more to make unique the grand — 
 
 For contrast its sublime effect. 
 
 To heighten for admiring gaze, 
 Mountains on fire, tow'ring stand. 
 
 Casting afar athwart direct, 
 
 Their curling smoke and lurid blaze — 
 The day to beautify, as from their light 
 Casts up a grandeur more thro' shades of night. 
 
106 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 So all that makes the less or more. 
 
 The flower, the monkey, than the man, 
 
 A torrid sun some office keeps, 
 For purpose nature has in store. 
 
 To teach what's due in every land, 
 
 By vigilance that never sleeps, 
 Varied to suit the wild, the tame, here, there. 
 No space deserted that should wisdom share. 
 
 The sand that hums Sahara's plain 
 
 Upon, or scorches its dry thirst. 
 
 That vegetation drinks no dew, 
 Wide use to other lands the gain ; 
 
 Arising from its torrid dust — <■ 
 
 More genial tenipei anient to strew : 
 So thro' a barrenness cause up to spring 
 More than their lack in other good they bring. 
 
 Yet in these zones so scath'd and sear'd. 
 There laughs delicious nonsense wide. 
 Profusely met, also rich store 
 
 Of simple manners scantly bleared, 
 With stately vices to deride 
 Order and law, not known before ; 
 
 Men gather from their daily wants, advice 
 
 Uuvalu'd till is felt their daily price. 
 
 But happiness don't stop to find 
 
 An object, suited as to mend 
 
 Morals or life, or any care — 
 So grasps as passions prompt the mind. 
 
 Whatever covertly they send — 
 
 Alike all seem to give due share ; 
 Thus hurri'd, life is set and mix'd all through 
 With good and ill, just as they prompt to do. 
 
MUSIC, ARTS, HAPPINESS. 107 
 
 It's happiness to dip and stain 
 
 Your hands polute with kindred blood — 
 
 As 'twas on St. Bartholomew ; 
 The million on that day were slain, 
 
 Cut down and murder'd where they stood : 
 
 Like holocost, the men who slew, 
 Deem'd it a deed of grateful flavor, 
 Like unctious feast with spicy savor. 
 
 If men themselves to devils turn. 
 
 Insisting happiness 'tis to find 
 
 In deep carnation of all filth — 
 I only say if fingers burn 
 
 They do, 'twas not for them designed — 
 
 Unless by reason fair, no stealth ; 
 It can be prov'd as nature's fast desire 
 To make for fingers the best j^lace hot fire. 
 
 'Tis not so alway, there's a long 
 
 Proud list to name, o'er land and sea, 
 Of men who think of heav'n's behest ; 
 
 "Who in their hearts concieve not wrong 
 Of prayer for earth's felicity- 
 Wishing the worst, would learn the best, 
 
 As safest, noblest, glorious in its fold, 
 
 Of price beyond what earth's proud wealth has told. 
 
 No limits known to varying taste. 
 
 Built on for happiness as want ; 
 
 Invention kills to make anew, 
 Some other never deemed a waste ; 
 
 Supply augmenting which to grant. 
 
 Demand still faster to pursue — 
 Like a parch 'd earth, drinks in the copious rain. 
 Yet famish'd seems, oft as it pours again. 
 
108 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 There's jollity and mirth — the play, 
 
 The dance, the sports of field and flood, 
 The crowd approve and daily try — 
 
 Pleasure has claims we can't delay ; 
 In time for action with the mood, 
 Labor would better speed supply 
 
 The difficulty with pleasure's want of time, 
 
 Set well with health and order to combine. 
 
 It's happiness the land to till — 
 To dig its roughness all away, 
 With even furrows make it shine, 
 
 To plant the plain, the vale and hill ; 
 The growth to tend from day to day. 
 To set and prune for fruit the vine — 
 
 Rewards well promis'd for the toil's repay. 
 
 With most content come with the rural way. 
 
 It's happiness to hear the cattle low — 
 The music of the horse's neigh. 
 The notes of gladness from all kine, 
 
 Joy comes from plants to bloom that grow ; 
 As those whose seed and fruit repay 
 Sweet cares that rural arts combine — 
 
 At morn all fresh to busy field who goes. 
 
 Lord of the soil, at night meets glad repose. 
 
 It's happiness to hear the song 
 
 Of chaunting birds in round relay — 
 To see them tend their callow young — 
 
 Instinctive wisdom never wrong. 
 
 O'er plants and tribes of constant sway. 
 Examples taught by nature's tongue ; 
 
 Cheering the farmer in his sturdy toil, 
 
 To gather home rich product of the soil. 
 
MUSIC, ART, HAPPINESS. 109 
 
 There's company in rural life, 
 
 In every plant and beast around ; 
 
 All growth is company to cheer. 
 Next to his home, his children, wife. 
 
 To whom his heart is closely bound 
 
 By ties of love unmeasur'd, dear — 
 Ties that to break, profane as ever ban'd. 
 Be him who lifts a violating hand. 
 
 The plowman whistles to his field. 
 Haw, gee, to land to keep his steed ; 
 
 Turns up the soil to count the yield. 
 Before he scatters in the seed. 
 
 Blest toil is that which two retuns. 
 Console the thrifty worker's pains ; 
 
 Ones sates his mind before he earns, 
 T'other his pocket fills with gains. 
 
 Others have cares and trouble much, 
 
 Their work alive ahead to keep ; 
 The farmer's by a timely touch. 
 
 Gains ripe reward while he's asleep. 
 
 His children given to bless or blur 
 
 Expected peace in his old age. 
 Depending much what to prefer. 
 
 Their plastic minds as best engage. 
 
 Ruin lies in the pamper'd means, 
 
 Fond parents lavishly outlay ; 
 While cultur'd toil a rank redeems. 
 
 Worth more than riches find to pay. 
 
 19 
 
110 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 He feeds and feels his heart to swell, 
 Bj kindness nobler thot's arise ; 
 
 The grains he strews come back to dwell, 
 As bounties foster'd, 'neath the skies. 
 
 Tht dumb are teachers, sent to try 
 Our nature, and our hearts improve ; 
 
 One in their daily wants supply. 
 As ours are by eternal love. 
 
 We meet the brute, each wants have some. 
 The same we daily meet a brother ; 
 
 Oppression in the heart for one. 
 
 Will stop not when we meet the other. 
 
 Against a faithful servant sure. 
 
 Who for us spends his heart's best strength. 
 The cruel lash we can't endure. 
 
 His blood to taste the bitter length. 
 
 The mind the plant is greatly like. 
 Fresh earth dug round it day by day, 
 
 The root the deeper down will strike, 
 Eeward of harvest richer pay. 
 
 Watch Avell the mind, be sure to know 
 Its strength by culture too will come ; 
 
 'Twill prove a Avail against the blow 
 Of sickness, oft no other one. 
 
 There is a glory for all art, 
 
 Reflected forth like solar light ; 
 In foreign lands a luster bright. 
 
 An honest fame to win the heart. 
 
MUSIC, ART, HAPPINESS. Ill 
 
 The laws of happiness look more 
 
 To mind, its state, than honors, wealth ; 
 
 Small means who have on any score, 
 May turn them to some mental health. 
 
 True happiness in no condition lies, 
 
 It is the mind its current worth supplies. 
 
 Go plow the main, earth's further reach, 
 
 In search of happiness, content ; 
 At home the heart their worth may teach, 
 
 Despite of the vain toil thus spent. 
 
 Mock happiness abounds, it's but 
 
 A smile forc'd on some bad affair, 
 
 Or heart that's_fretful, out of tone ; 
 Shame may' the door of discord shut, 
 
 Appearances commend their share. 
 
 To last till people are alone : 
 If longer, 'tis the better so they may. 
 Forget, or mend the evils that betray. 
 
 The sea is happiness as much 
 
 To be upon as is the land ; 
 
 It has its music and loud roar, 
 Its ripple foam, with surge to touch 
 
 The clouds, then sway away to strand, 
 
 'Gainst rocks the tow'ring volumes pour. 
 Wave after wave, a fearful power in each. 
 In distance lost, yet on to othero reach. 
 
 At night to ride upon its wave. 
 
 With keel all bath'd in living fire. 
 
 See fish with flames make sport and play, 
 The dullest must of rapture crave ; 
 
 Deserv'd of wonder to inspire, 
 
 Surprise the more, not seen by day. 
 
112 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Deep wonders holden by romantic sea, 
 Gf legends full of myths and poesy. 
 
 There's Fata Morgana that dwells in the wave, 
 Keeps ethereal brushes to paint in the sky, 
 
 Life's doings by men, their favor to crave. 
 
 To fill them with marvels' unmeasur'd supply ; 
 
 While fairy-like Blink in his icy abode. 
 
 Mounts up to his place tall ships of the road. 
 
 What wonder, what pleasure it gives us to know 
 Our affairs far above are receiving such grace, 
 
 Ou.i houses, ourselves, our ships in a row, 
 In the sky find all lastious a place, 
 
 There to shine in new beauty and burnish of art, 
 
 Like spirits more charm'd to seem who depart. 
 
 There's many a light, as often a bell. 
 
 With a deep, thrilling song the mermaids sing. 
 
 Long suppos d on, tho' deep, their tale to tell, 
 If we see them not, yet loud is their ring. 
 
 And specter'd ships have flown swift o'er the main. 
 
 As if dark omen'd fate to tell they came. 
 
 What bliss is his, who 'mid the sky 
 
 Of wondrous world, or earth wilh lobes 
 Of varied lustrous things to view. 
 
 Can find deep counsels free to try ; 
 Content and wisdom their abodes 
 W^ill shun, the strifes vain to pursue ; 
 
 Nor will he envy's schemes and plots for vvealth, 
 
 Order distracting, banes of social health. 
 
MUSIC, ART, HAPPINESS. 113 
 
 It's not iu climes or ardent sun, 
 
 In wealth, its promises of joy, 
 Can lengthen happiness begun. 
 
 But either may or not destroy : 
 More is it in the mind with cultur'd aims, 
 Turns ills apparent into virtuous gains. 
 
 If you the spleen or vapors plague, 
 
 Or life's gay current seems to back. 
 Upon some painful theme tho' vague, 
 
 Or business thrift begins to slack — 
 Perhaps for cause and no one that you know, 
 The humors have forsaken wonted flow. 
 
 Take Music as your friend, a maid 
 
 Who never jilts or moody grows, 
 With sparkling voice, a cheerful aid 
 
 You'll find her, for the soul's repose ; 
 Her message seems divine, we can't devise 
 Or measure fountains that the charm supplies. 
 
 It sometimes rains, and thick without, 
 
 Vapors hang heavy and would seem 
 Disquietude your hearth about 
 
 To mingle in domestic scene ; 
 To snatch it's wise from every ache and pain, 
 Of pangs some portion ekeing out life's gain. 
 
 Call on her with her sweet guitar. 
 
 Piano, flute or violin — 
 For songs at every closing bar. 
 
 You'll find a growing charm within ; 
 Charms that celestial joys, inspii'd tongue 
 Have oft with harp and choir divinely sung. 
 
 20 
 
114 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Music, thy voice has heen to me 
 
 As vest and shade in weary land, 
 A power blest like breeze at sea, 
 
 When vessel nears a rocky strand ; 
 A pillow'd cloud wh< n troiibl'd visions He 
 Like sultry realms, beneath an arid sky. 
 
 I would not give thy soothing balm, 
 Thy thrills to temper, still, a woe, 
 
 To rob the victor of his palm, 
 
 All red with high ambition's glow ; 
 
 Without thee cold must seem the feeble pray'r 
 
 That asks of heaven for an entrance there. 
 
 I would not give thee for the gold 
 That Eldorado has in store ; 
 
 'T would make me sad such wealth to hold- 
 Deprived of thee I must be poor : 
 
 Wealth is but bitter ashes as a dross 
 
 To drooping spirit feeling music's loss. 
 
 There comes a time, it comes to all. 
 
 When those we love have pass'd away — 
 
 That meni'ry will some scenes recall, 
 That in the heart's recesses lay ; 
 
 As shadows left there lie as if conceal'd 
 
 Till music wakes them into tears reveal'd. 
 
 There is a time of battle's strife, 
 
 Calls men to arms for liberty, 
 Who freely peril blood and life — 
 
 Trusting in God devotedly ; 
 Then martial music swells a stirring strain. 
 With cheering voice to shake the bristling plain. 
 
A GAME. 115 
 
 There is a time when festive boards 
 Are spread for social mirth and joy — 
 
 An age of bliss an hour affords, 
 
 Unmix'd with cup that holds alloy ; 
 
 Then music breaks with answering welcome swell, 
 
 To the tides of joy that 'bounds a festive spell. 
 
 A simple pipe, when play'd away 
 
 Wheie the charm'd waters gently float, 
 
 As moon beams dance and stars shine gay, 
 The air all hush'd by its liquid note. 
 
 There's a balm in the soul at such an hour, 
 To banish away a world full of care ; 
 
 It seems to awaken a blissful power 
 Of rapture, more than is human share. 
 
 An echo each note, it Svcms to have more, 
 
 As swelling, then flowing and trilling 'mid air, 
 
 Grows fainter, then fuller, then softer, to pour 
 Fairy snatches of song up mingling there. 
 
 Don't trust a fond heart too long in its spell. 
 Or list to deep sighs, like tears on its strain ; 
 
 Rash vows may follow, embitter its swell, 
 Tho' joyous if now, if forgotten bring pain. 
 
 A GAME. 
 
 War is a happy game, men play 
 
 At foils, or in the tented fiild. 
 
 The same to do at cards or dice ; 
 They make their pray'rs in the same way, 
 
 The future tempting, that its yield, 
 
 Rabid of change, becomes a vice ; 
 Men seldom suffer vows to moderate, 
 But throw in fuel to exasperate. 
 
116 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Religion in some minds is not so bad 
 As gaming, furor they postpone — 
 That's set to conquer intellect, 
 
 Patient of promise to make glad, 
 Leaves reason to assert her thione ; 
 The passion seeking to neglect, 
 
 Than gaming worse it is a Bonze to be, 
 
 That makes a passion of stupidity. 
 
 To thrust in out of time, no matter what— 
 
 Insisting on it as a horse to ride 
 • Thro' thick and thin, to any goal, 
 Is vice, being all that vice has got 
 To boast of, that can virtue chide ; 
 Unreason'd time to give control — 
 The heat, the passion, and the haste beside 
 Untim'd some vice the issue will provide. 
 
 All things the mighty plac'd are fit 
 For our esteem — they can't be wrong ; 
 Nor is a weapon or a blade 
 
 Whose edge for the heart's blood is set. 
 Guilty of shedding it, belong 
 This does to passions that persuade ; 
 
 Excess is in the cup, or every drop 
 
 Would comfort give, evil avoid or stop. 
 
 Some call it moderation — some 
 
 Conservative, good common sense ; 
 
 The name we need not now dissect, 
 To minds of certain mold 'twill come — 
 
 To others fierce 'tis an offence. 
 
 Often arising from neglect, 
 Or ignorant causes, that so intervene 
 Our duty and the proper time between. 
 
A GAME. 
 
 Some men M'ear tails, or only one — 
 
 It is the shortest argument of merit ; 
 
 Without them, wanting due respect — 
 To put them on is power begun. 
 
 Wanting a reason to defer it, 
 
 That for a passion we neglect 
 The shortness, if the tail be over long 
 Proving in reason, making power strong. 
 
 The Javanese will game away 
 His body's freedom or life's best. 
 
 That all the losses means to pay 
 His honor never fails the test ; 
 
 Goes like a servile dog, when won to serve 
 
 A life of bondage, honor to preserve. 
 
 Men all or nearly, want to cast 
 Their bark upon an ocean wide, 
 To tempt and try some destiny, 
 
 That's not included in the past ; 
 To see how far it will decide 
 Something or nothing, to descry 
 
 Be it a bubble or blue-bottle fly — 
 
 To give their greed some sate in its supply. 
 
 The savage will sit down on earth. 
 At any simple game, for days 
 To play, till hunger pinches hard ; 
 
 In him it is no vice, from birth 
 
 Chance universal wins and sways — • 
 Life's cast as any dice prepar'd, 
 
 To win or lose his morals or his mind, 
 
 To win or lose are equally resign'd. 
 
 117 
 
118 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The white man in a better moral taught — 
 
 Holds the old levin just as strong — 
 It's nurs'd and paraper'd with an art, 
 
 A sybil's fortune to endow ; 
 Forms various for enticement sought, 
 
 With some the pleasure to prolong ; 
 Involvement intricate impart. 
 
 Oft by apt skill, yet more allow 
 The pleasure's greatest that the wits deride. 
 Leaving to chance or knavery to decide. 
 
 Some games are like our counting beads, 
 To keep the mind from running down — 
 Its flatness being hard to bear 
 
 Where burthen'd some relief succeeds ; 
 In bare positions change, that's found 
 Two shoulders more than one will wear — 
 
 (Change innocent or proper some propounds. 
 
 While others gall us by their fatal wounds. 
 
 Stop gaming, stop the ceaseless flood 
 Of fountains filling ocean deep — 
 Where nature must divest its own. 
 
 To beat the heart receives its blood ; 
 So time fit changes all to keep. 
 Incessant plies to lead us on ; 
 
 The strongest current on the way it sets, 
 
 Lies in the future, briglitest hope begets. 
 
 Men count their fingers that's a game, 
 
 Their tho'ts the hair that's on the chin 
 
 Hunt a musquito or a fly. 
 Or larger animal the same, 
 
 W^histle or hum all comfort bring, 
 
 Or to kill time to help us try. 
 To stop them is like stopping breath to mend, 
 Whose breath is out can never more offend. 
 
A GAME. 119 
 
 We can starcli men so stiff and tight, 
 
 There's danger any skin to bend, 
 
 It's best to keep them very cool, 
 All natural warmth however slight, 
 
 Some wicked tho't is sure to lend, 
 
 To violate of starch the rule. 
 This bent of doing proper, is to watch the mind 
 To stop it, in most things, for it design'd 
 
 Open the door that God has made, 
 
 To let the flowers and their perfume, 
 
 Come out to beautify, augment 
 Our social pleasure and persuade. 
 
 To dalliance innocent, full room, 
 
 To give, to foster good intent, 
 In all their various use we find, 
 But not to an excess of any kind. 
 
 This is our nature on to build, 
 
 There is no other to insure. 
 
 The safe successful to and Avise, 
 With taboo when you think to guild, 
 
 This, that, or something else the pure. 
 
 Thereby expecting up to rise. 
 Each has a taboo for his fanci'd ill 
 In turn all simple joys to mar or kill. 
 
 The excess may in th3 cup repose, 
 
 The feast contain it in its glut, 
 
 The hobby that we mount to ride. 
 In all we do it may disclose. 
 
 It's wrong, some rightful door to shut, 
 
 To offer violence as guide, 
 It surely lies in every days concern. 
 That would of anger, some vile passion learn. 
 
120 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 It's in the fast as well as slow, 
 
 Our labor prays or deep intent, 
 
 In all for God or self we do, 
 When made exclusively to show, 
 
 In this or that, we can't invent. 
 
 One thing all other's to forego, 
 God's in them all time jjroper, place to guage. 
 The sin excess is one too hot to wage. 
 
 The hours of labor eight each day. 
 
 Eight for the mind, for food and dress. 
 
 And recreation fit to choose. 
 Eight for repose and prayer to say. 
 
 With each reflection, more or less. 
 
 On duties kindness can't refuse, 
 These hours if any spent some other way, 
 We charge them to some social debt they pay. 
 
 Ship loads of volumes have been pen'd. 
 To prove some little deed a vice, 
 Not game, but play at pawns or cards, 
 
 Home idle tho'ts the heav'ns offend, 
 Our stealth or secrecy entice,. 
 Teaching the false to interlard, 
 
 Making a thing indifferently wise, 
 
 Instead of proper time, to hide with lies. 
 
 Avaunt, Ye wretched craft essay'd, 
 
 To wimble mind and thrust distress, 
 Thro' the sham ulcers painted there. 
 
 Cheating of the unbounded field. 
 Of heavenly plats to cheer array'd, 
 
 By wisdom high disign'dto bless. 
 As seeing the whole race might share, 
 
 Consoling gratitude their yield. 
 The abundaance heaven bestrews no crime, 
 God not forgetting thro' his gifts to shine. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND REIATIONS. 121 
 
 The adornment of the head with flowers, 
 
 To spangle with a gem the neck, 
 If this offend the hills and vales. 
 
 Are guilty by his own sweet mean, 
 As the vast heav'ns arch that towers, 
 
 These brilliants in profusion deck. 
 Effulgence with that never pales, 
 
 More welcome bright the more they seem, 
 To beautify this stool if that be sin, 
 Heaven's vast delight lies most therein. 
 
 Don't God love rivers and the flow, 
 
 Of the vast tidal living sea, 
 
 Man, and the cunning brute beside. 
 The partaree of flowers that blow, 
 
 O'er all earth's bed if such it be, 
 
 Deck'd out as for a living bride, 
 Why else he made them but for his delight. 
 His fondness in them ours to invite. 
 
 SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. 
 
 Act far the greatest man can do, 
 Is to upfoand the social state, 
 Eesting to cause on its true base, 
 
 Found Empire, greatest to pursue, 
 Of works the high to imitate. 
 Almighty's Orbs all find due place. 
 
 The harmony that's his man can't insure. 
 
 Yet imitation nearest makes most pure. 
 
 21 
 
122 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Work greatest, for its millions sway, 
 That hang upon the issue to provide, 
 For hope not blighted in its race, 
 
 Nor send in their false trust away, 
 Scoffers of those who did confide. 
 To make to find that trust disgrace. 
 
 The Solatair who builds with his best aim. 
 
 Can nothing found, but selfish poverty for gain. 
 
 Affairs the social take a gyre, 
 
 With strange philosophy beset, 
 From whence it came or how it got, 
 
 Ascending is matter long 
 Few care and fewer will enquire, 
 
 How proper teaching pays a debt. 
 We owe asocial vice to blot. 
 
 The selfish passion values wrong, 
 'Tis not so much the amount of any store, 
 But values just of little counts them more. 
 
 To reason on it is to know, 
 
 Matter and mind he form'd his will. 
 Is in them both to teach his sway, 
 
 The heavens all things beside. 
 In million forms are all to show. 
 
 The social nature and to fill, 
 The teaching purpose day by day. 
 
 No moment from us to divide, 
 Why else immensity would he invest 
 All full, but that we read his true behest. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. 123 
 
 The stars are social in their light, 
 
 They seem to beckon us and say, 
 
 In their soft beds of ether made. 
 Come to my bosom silver bright. 
 
 It's so refreshing here to stay. 
 
 Each color gives its cheerful aid, 
 To vary visions in communion sweet. 
 As social pleasure mental raptures meet. 
 
 You miss me when some murky cloud, 
 
 Shuts out my presence from your home, 
 
 Or on the sea you sail at night, 
 Old memories will our fancy crowd, 
 
 A wish for me again to come, 
 
 To sprinkle rays for your delight. 
 As on the pampas wild and lonely wide, 
 I've often been your company and guide. 
 
 You know I often watch full late 
 
 When you are with your lady far, 
 Away to hold a sweet debate, 
 
 To guide you home your silver star. 
 
 The welkin of this world we stud. 
 
 As diamonds with a lustre pure. 
 Of light to send a social flood, 
 
 Which countless realms for bliss alure. 
 
 The sea how does it speak and say, 
 
 To us when standing on its shore. 
 
 Asking of sea why wert thou made, 
 My waters many mingling sway, 
 
 For social contact ever pour 
 
 The sun and moon my bed invade, 
 Were I not chaste tides nestling progeny. 
 In fames wide mouth, would find for slander plea. 
 
124 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The sturdy mariner will stand, 
 Or fondly to my sh«)re will come 
 To greet me in his social way ; 
 
 sea, I love thee more than land, 
 On thy dear bosom I'm at home, 
 I sigh for thee, the live long day, 
 
 Ah, if his arms could span so far and wide, 
 H'd clasp me as his special chosen bride. 
 
 1 stir with life for social tho't. 
 Rich stores, I hold a vast supply. 
 To feed my children, millions wait, 
 
 Gold never has my bounty bo't, 
 I freely feed, or they would die. 
 They come to me in every straight, 
 'Twas social wisdom, I was made to fill. 
 Broad as my means of bounty is my will. 
 
 The stars however, pursue their ray, 
 Send down sweet messengers at night, 
 As dazzling silver color'd gleams. 
 
 Fine powder'd pollen like they lay. 
 To rock in, make my cradle's brigtit. 
 To woo and kiss me in ray dreams. 
 
 While I'm as chaste as any ice or snow. 
 
 Its only to be social that I know. 
 
 Whose seen the sea by a glowing sun. 
 
 Has seen vast grandeur in its wave, 
 At night who views its South broad spance, 
 
 The cross hung on empurpled blue, 
 Unutter'd, wonder seas begun. 
 
 The sky, deep brilliant purple cave, 
 White fleecy clouds bank'd in advance. 
 
 Black sooty mouths protruding through, 
 The stars refulgent with a tripple power to shine, 
 Looks on a glory contrast makes divine. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND REIATIONS. 125 
 
 The sea is social by its winds, 
 
 Its currents sweeping where are need ; 
 
 Who studies in them, always finds 
 Some social use they ever heed. 
 
 The earth is social in its beds 
 
 Of rocks, all climes they superpose, 
 
 Each on some family, kin, or near 
 Color, fracture, endurance spreads. 
 
 Some kindred nature to disclose. 
 
 Of social empire that they rear ; 
 In every clime the wanderer finds of home 
 In an old friend a pebble or a stone. 
 
 Emerald precious in its green. 
 
 Deep, rich and lustrous as the sea ; 
 A Beryl call'd when blue or pale — 
 
 Opal with divers hues, with flame 
 In some a living fire to seem. 
 
 Garnet finds for its family. 
 In colors as their shades prevail ; 
 
 Divers to be so is the name 
 All waters, shades of beauty, kindred take, 
 A path for pleasure, bonds of trade to make. 
 
 Kohi-noor, monarch in his might. 
 
 Of diamondom, a shining reign, 
 
 No vulgar subjects to annoy, 
 Where faces all are clear and bright ; 
 
 The rank of each in merits plain. 
 
 No other's right can one enjoy — 
 A true Republic, where by his own light. 
 No one casts shadow on another's right. 
 
 22 
 
120 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The metals each a power owns — 
 
 Some large, some of a smaller sway, 
 With different laws to rule their use ; 
 
 The Iron bountifully loans 
 
 To common wants of every clay, 
 The millions need not to refuse. 
 
 To give in toil and all great schemes of life, 
 
 In civil doings or in martial strife. 
 
 Gold of much power boasts with pride. 
 To be a slave in social climes, 
 Yet rules both kings and the vast crowd, 
 
 Whose value labor's toils provide ; 
 
 Which serves to measure vice and crime. 
 Buys bread to daily wants allow'd : 
 
 The beggar's pray'r, the rich one's ruling theme, 
 
 The miser's angel, and the toiler's dream. 
 
 It is so cause the mind must act 
 In strict accordance to its state. 
 From its revolving at the time — 
 
 Then serving most to win, attract. 
 Seeing no dilierent want or fate — 
 Advantage most with it to chime ; 
 
 All things presented are for good effect. 
 
 Time's fashion fail may for a due respect. 
 
 ]\Iost minds, like diamond in the rough. 
 Which need the force of hand and wheel 
 To bring their value out to light. 
 
 Hard pliances on substance tough, 
 Eequir'd are to make them yield 
 Their wealth and treasure for delight ; 
 
 The crowd but little know of the true test. 
 
 How value raised in one enrich the rest. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. 127 
 
 It's true, with labor hard and sweat, 
 
 As anxious looking for the gain. 
 
 While on the wheel the diamond's plied, 
 Some flaw our task appears to fret ; 
 
 Its loss of value giving pain, 
 
 Yet others with success are tried ; 
 True, patient merit having of our own, 
 May reach the value of a mind or stone. 
 
 Avoiding the excess o'ercloud. 
 
 Gold never would a true desert 
 
 Of worth in any mind or deed ; 
 There's time and place for both allow'd. 
 
 The preference best we should assert — 
 
 Neglecting was not so decreed. 
 But violates the healthy rule to choose, 
 Corrupting one another is to lose. 
 
 The earth is social in the home 
 
 It gives its millions to revere. 
 
 Fondest of names the heart invites. 
 There cherish'd social raptures come ; 
 
 No other naiiie we love so dear — 
 
 Mone that with equal joy delights, 
 No matter where the clime, or cold, or sear'd, 
 One little spot is there the most rever'd. 
 
 The leafy dingdom has a speech — 
 
 Persuasive utterance, winning word. 
 
 Teaching of many social ways, 
 Climes, circles thro' the earth to reach. 
 
 In all its uses to be heard. 
 
 In social lessons no delays ; 
 'Tis joy — the flowers give the precious fruit. 
 Hold life-like bounty every need to suit. 
 
128 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 I'm weaiy, and thy grateful leaf 
 
 A shade provides for rest, repose ; 
 
 I'm thirsty, and thy cordial juice 
 Pours nectar to assuage the grief, 
 
 Or bread for hunger with thee grows — 
 
 Deni'd thy bounty deems abuse 
 No social want to thy neglect pertains, 
 Thou mountains fill, and strew with good the plains. 
 
 Thy careful watch is on each slope. 
 
 Declivity, and causes all 
 
 That makes it needful in thy tribes. 
 As climate changes to give scope 
 
 For kinds adopted to each call — 
 
 To cherish or that cure provides ; 
 'Tis in thy vast variety of kinds and worth 
 That empire social spreads at every birth. 
 
 Thou keeps the seasons like a seer, 
 
 Well learn'd in things that wisely come — 
 The date is with thee, and thou knows] 
 
 The change of every clime and year ; 
 The dress that's proper to put on. 
 Be it of buds perfuming blows. 
 
 Or luscious fruits, and when and where it's best 
 
 For every day to wear a bridal dress. 
 
 To know thy name foretells thy rank — 
 
 Thy qualities to show advance. 
 
 Thy fame exalting more or less, 
 It's kindness in thee which we thank ; 
 
 So much our profit to enhance. 
 
 In the nice cutting of thy dress, 
 The belles may envy thee in thy choice way, 
 Of looking fine who fashion don't obey. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. 129 
 
 Thy kind politeness seems inbred, 
 
 Attested by thy messengers 
 
 Thou sends avant to let us know 
 Of thy perfume, so sweetly sped 
 
 The local that thy name prefers ; 
 
 So vvhisper'd thro' thy opening blow, 
 By leaves and stem and petals to proclaim 
 And other signal, patent signs they name. 
 
 The world enamor'd so thereby, 
 To foreign lands will anxious hie, 
 
 To make acquaintance, if for gain, 
 It seems like fiiendship's social tie — 
 
 Why not install it as the same ? 
 There scarcely is a limit to thy means allow'd, 
 Some social tendency to give the crowd. 
 
 There is in mind, say what one will. 
 
 An instinct that the plants accord — 
 
 Each grows for beanty, if the soil 
 And culture do such object fill ; 
 
 Good qualities that eacli afford, 
 
 Are never reach'd, neglecting toil — 
 If not the same apparent are in both, 
 Each mended is as good the other doth. 
 
 The plants say to the mind, I can 
 
 Coquette a-i well as you, and change 
 
 My form and dress in such a way, 
 The task to know just what I am — 
 
 My class and family to arrange. 
 
 Is so perplexing that you may 
 My bud and flower look upon, inspect — 
 Yet whether flesh or flower not detect. 
 
130 SKETCHES S OF LIFE. 
 
 Don't charge the plants with an intent 
 
 Of fickleness, for vain display. 
 
 Because of Austral dress so queer — 
 Athwart some grow, with blanches sent 
 
 As leaves abun't from common way ; 
 
 The pattern that you most revere, 
 Has many twists outside and often in, 
 Reason to straighten if we right begin. 
 
 The Mighty made the sun, behold 
 
 How bright to all it breaks to shine^- 
 None can dispute its conquering ray, 
 
 But lesser orbs he cast in mold. 
 
 With splendor not so much to join. 
 Not seen at all amid the day ; 
 
 Still fainter in their light do some appear. 
 
 Not known f nebula they be or sphere. 
 
 The same in all his works, tho' plain. 
 The social bond at its full noon. 
 In the great work there is to do. 
 
 Both for the social and the private gain j 
 For action both, with ample room. 
 The former oft is faint to view, 
 
 Tho' like the sun, the larger work stands out, 
 
 Making the path of duty clear of doubt. 
 
 Extremes no matter what in plant. 
 Their growth invites to variegate, 
 It's so, that science may extend — 
 
 Enrich the mind without, we can't 
 No limit seeing these create, 
 Imagination wiU distend ; 
 
 Thankful we should be for the smallest flower, 
 
 For each and all instruct in social power. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. 131 
 
 A simple flower, don't it it touch 
 
 Tlie heart or some aftection strike. 
 Revive a memory often dear, 
 
 Of absent friends we can't forget, 
 Perhaps now gone, tho' valu'd much. 
 
 Frail hope we ever meet the like, 
 Those bands of youth sweet flowers cheer, 
 
 Are fond and pure us amulet, 
 Crowds deck'd for gala-making ever gay. 
 Friendship in pleasure, never to betray. 
 
 The mind a limit has its bound, 
 
 Uphove by current time, expand 
 
 It must as things new place assume. 
 Their names if for a limii found. 
 
 Arranging w'isdom to command, 
 
 Eternity gives ample room, 
 There is no shortness that the mind detects, 
 InHnity, supposing it neglects. 
 
 Joy comes with putting in the seeds, 
 
 The seasons promise to repay. 
 
 The germ is pleasant to behold, 
 Its tender growth our kindness needs. 
 
 To watch it ripening day by day. 
 
 New pleasure hourly to unfold. 
 The harvest comes with rapture in its sheaves, 
 With smiling plenty that the barn receives. 
 
 The hills rejoice, the grapes full cheek. 
 
 Borrows of August modest blush. 
 
 Like that a maiden's coy assumes. 
 When certain matters of we speak, 
 
 But vanish soon, while grapes full flush, 
 
 With ripen'd purple dye perfumes. 
 For vintage soon, the merry maids and men invite. 
 Rich blood to press, of old a world's delight 
 
132 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 \Vheie is the man, who has, not so 
 Who lacks a heart of grateful sense, 
 A mind to feel the bounties thrown 
 
 By nature, vast and rich their flow 
 His life upon, not recompense 
 Deserv'd, unfelt to be unknown, 
 
 The bounty all for him to bless and raise. 
 
 To kindly feeling if too hard for piaise. 
 
 Plants we may cultivate and tend, 
 
 To improve in some by better growlh, 
 
 Nature a flavor, yet must lend. 
 For seed and mind create in both. 
 
 Without thee plants thy flower and seed, 
 Thy root and bark so rich to cull, 
 Thy stem and branch and leafy shade. 
 
 The world were dreary turn'd indeed. 
 Of cheerful toil thy fruit is full, 
 Gone, gone, a desert earth were made, 
 
 Mountains and plains uncloth'd, with thy rich robe, 
 
 A desert parch'd unfit for man's abode. 
 
 Who taught to fowls the air who wing, 
 
 To congregate in flocks and say. 
 
 There's safety more and counsel too, 
 That social neighborhood must bring. 
 
 In their long journeys such array, 
 
 More cheerful in support as they pursue, 
 The trackless air, in foreign climes to rest 
 Untaught, a home to find, be it their rest. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. J 
 
 Who tlieir instructor to select a cleft, 
 
 Or rugged ground the most obscure, 
 
 Or morass as their need befits. 
 That too, not of all food benefit. 
 
 Most wisely suited to secure. 
 
 Their colony as proof admits. 
 Their seasons and their time, they count to knoW; 
 As if by register 't were made to show. 
 
 And then there kindness heaven born. 
 Sent down to smoth a rugged way. 
 Those homeless and cast out to die, 
 
 A ray to cheer them thus forlorn. 
 Can any heart refuse to pay 
 Who sees dumb things in anguish lie, 
 
 Your very dog will watch you in your woe, 
 
 To save your life will risk his own to go. 
 
 Whatever else betide there might 
 
 If kindness of the brute were learn'd, 
 
 Evil would hide away in shame ; 
 'Tis thine to do with seem'd delight, 
 
 Where filthy dross is not discern'd, 
 
 Reward of its own heart to claim 
 This is the spirit, only which adorns, 
 W^ithout it, charity but more deforms. 
 
 The gentle tribes most numerous are. 
 
 And most our social pleasure win. 
 
 Ferocious ones, as scourge we view, 
 Seekers of blood to them compare 
 
 They die where social rights begin 
 
 Perish'd sweet meni'ry never drew 
 To any deed of promise that accords 
 To them a bliss, the social heart awards. 
 23 
 
134 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Tigers and cats, if partly tara'd 
 
 Are worthy of suspicious trust, 
 
 Our confidence may prove a snare ; 
 The lamb for gentleness is nam'd, 
 
 The dog's fidelity, we must 
 
 With fortitude attach'd declare, 
 A teacher worthy, in his best estate^ 
 Of admiration, wanting no debate. 
 
 The horse, of all nian's social pride 
 
 Of animals, must head the list, 
 
 The Ox, a faithful drudge besure 
 Intelligence, of speed, as guide, 
 
 Courage, no trifles can resist 
 
 Docility that makes secure, 
 A fortitude in all his lofty ways, 
 For horse or rider win a world of praise. 
 
 Far from his home, tho' toiling hard 
 
 By many a weary league oppress'd, 
 His burthen with a cheerful pace, 
 
 Bearing, tho' chance it chafe and gall. 
 With courage darkness, cant't retard 
 
 On urging to his home of rest, 
 With step secure, the way will trace 
 
 Thro' danger human skill would pall, 
 To find that home, tho' drear the night and late. 
 His speed is constant to its joyful gate. 
 
 As artist's binds and brutes excel 
 
 To make their social life compare. 
 
 Much neaier to a high desert. 
 It's like a want of home to dwell 
 
 In them, such structures as they lear 
 
 A fitness always to assert. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. 135 
 
 All clean as if they knew a slut at home, 
 Was a bad bargain better to have none. 
 
 And is it nothing that they're wise 
 
 In their condition, all it asks 
 
 To, do as if long school'd and train'd, 
 As various duties for them rise, 
 
 Promptly to do the hardst tasks 
 
 By moral falsehood not restrain'd ; 
 Their leaders chosen for their flight or roam. 
 Don't sign a bond, yet no betrayal known. 
 
 Look on the sun or double star 
 
 From these down to the smallest mote, 
 
 That plays the sun-beams on 
 Systems and details, teachers are 
 
 A social purpose, all promote 
 
 For our advance to help along — 
 The smallest holds a rank we can't dispense. 
 The largest not more needed in that sense. 
 
 All plants and animals first made 
 
 With equal wisdom in each class ; 
 Condition suiting wants suppli'd, 
 
 No failure in the smallest mite — 
 Then man exalted more in grade, 
 
 Is he with wisdom less to pass 
 Than other's, yet the most deni'd, 
 
 Who most requires not to slight ; 
 Surely it is so, the work no discord shows 
 Each one is serv'd, just as it wants and knows. 
 
136 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 THE WANTS OF ALL. 
 
 Some have hard, shells, that well defend — 
 
 Some a skin that's bullet proof, 
 
 An arrows speed on other takes 
 Careful to each the maker lends, 
 
 The best of shields in its behoof — 
 
 If strength or cunning safety makes. 
 Its given with all that wisdom adds most sure 
 That life and wants, by means the best secure. 
 
 There's in that range, vast as the light 
 
 Of sun and stars omit their fires. 
 No single spot without his care 
 
 Each ray demands an oil to feed ; 
 Expires by neglect or oversight. 
 
 Different means each want requires, 
 Millions on millions as they are, 
 
 Yet all are served in what they need ; 
 The smallest mote with orb that rolls to shine, 
 His equal care and Providence combine. 
 
 Man's body fearful in the skill 
 All wonder passing for effect, 
 Most complicate and so redem'd ; 
 
 Adjustment in leaving no will 
 Or wisdom better to det( ct 
 Amendment for not even dream 'd ; 
 
 The power and wisdom of a world beside, 
 
 A single hair's, improvement can't provide. 
 
THE WANTS OF ALL. 137 
 
 The intellect and soul are like 
 
 Diamonds put in a crystal clos'd ; 
 Most strange appearing as dark screen, 
 
 The body hiding their abode, 
 Refulgent forth, will pour their light 
 
 As if to solar ray oppos'd 
 To vie, that in the welkin seen, 
 
 Their glory matchless in their mode ; 
 To indicate things vast and so to shine. 
 For all the social emblems they combine. 
 
 We know the light by the effect 
 
 On social senses makes it plain — 
 
 Plain as the sun at happy noon. 
 By measure, weight, we don't detect 
 
 The light'ning, but its melting flame — 
 
 Reality, convinc'd of soon 
 Some things we see, or prove by measure weight. 
 Exist do others, by effects without debate. 
 
 Some say there is no soul to do 
 
 The work we mete it to perform, 
 
 Imagination fills its place 
 If granted, this won't help their view, 
 
 For substance don't its shadow scorn. 
 
 The soul may give the other grace 
 To be the very thing as such deni'd. 
 As a vast whole miscalling don't divide. 
 
 Things infinite, or elements from whence 
 
 Eternity exits by to consume ; 
 
 We know not of our search can't thereto reach. 
 The shortness of our sight, founds no pretense 
 
 For the denial of a world's full room ; 
 
 The vast infinitude must ever teach, 
 
 24 
 
138 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Believing only what we see and count, 
 Is ocean mighty to deny its fount. 
 
 The heav'ns are hung as with a chain ; 
 
 Whose links as of attraction made, 
 
 We see them not or staple find, 
 For which the wise have sought in vain ; 
 
 Unfound why weight of world's is stay'd. 
 
 Or atoms one to other's bind 
 All smaller things, as flowers, breath and seed, 
 Hold their vast secrets that we never read. 
 
 All elements, all laws thereto 
 
 Pertaining, altho' their effects 
 Seem different or opposite. 
 
 To one great purpose ever tend — 
 It is but our imperfect view, 
 
 That for the wrong the right deflects ; 
 A false conclusion to invite. 
 
 If seen our reason would offend — 
 How else can all the issues nature forms 
 Have equal end in what success adorns. 
 
 Our ships are freighted, and their course 
 
 Is set to marts of richest gain ; 
 Our caravans, tramp toilsome way 
 
 For purpose equal, end to count. 
 Nature no less in vast resource, 
 
 Her elements, like ships contain 
 Goods for her wide spread wants convey 
 
 Infinity's in their amount, 
 A simple acid, more than all the ships that sail 
 Bears richer freight to marts that never fail. 
 
 Il 
 
THE WANTS OF ALL. lo9 
 
 It is no wonder great if doubt. 
 
 Do many of a holy thing, 
 
 That like a beast of burden iis'd 
 To bear our vices, and help out 
 
 Lechery, all crimes indulgence in, 
 
 Beside with power profane abus'd 
 The wisdom of the world consisteth large 
 To make the false, the bonds of good take charge. 
 
 He made the stars with lambent flame, 
 
 To adorn and bless with social ray, 
 With other lights that fervid glow, 
 
 Eich jewels in the earth to shine. 
 More vari'd lustre to contain 
 
 Than ruby or the stars display. 
 More vast in splendor forth to show 
 
 With counter lights he formed the mind 
 The outward luster all of world's display, 
 As social being must the mind obey. 
 
 Greatest and richest for effect 
 
 That most to imitate thereby, 
 
 The high example of his might ; 
 Deserving most divine respect. 
 
 Are powers social in supply 
 
 Of love and kindness to reflect. 
 Our follows on in all their moil, 
 To lighten burthens of the mind and toil. 
 
 Knowledge we should get to be kind. 
 Riches and honors for the same. 
 All expectations of the good to share ; 
 
 Truly with brother's thus to bind 
 Most hearts equal in praise or blame, 
 Advice is the device with social care 
 
 That wins its way by the divine intent. 
 
 When from the heart we know for good its meant. 
 
140 SKETCHESS OF LIFE. 
 
 To help us walk the devious way. 
 
 Of pitfalls each for other's set, 
 Remove the hlinds they put for guide, 
 
 Enlarge our vision of the right, 
 To warm the heart, that cold as clay 
 
 A generous love therein beget, 
 Serving as lamp, when woes betide 
 
 To guide us in life's darkest night ; 
 Ofiflce of soul are these divine besure. 
 Abodes of knowledge, helping to secure. 
 
 It scorns to make its chiefest aim, 
 
 Things sensual of, that generate 
 
 Divisions, anger, most vicious pride, 
 From all excess will abstain ; 
 
 Yet all things holds to estimate 
 
 In places proper to abide, 
 Making this world approach to what's intended. 
 Taught by the love, that never is offended. 
 
 If any man a soul I'equires, 
 
 God gave it him for this world's good 
 To soften hardness in this sphere, 
 
 No generosity inspires 
 
 The argument, if any would 
 Vainly begrudge to leave it clear, 
 
 The whole that's made protected is as as one, 
 
 The thing itself or shadow, help the sum. 
 
 Time order'd well, is for its flight 
 
 To help all changes, if but slow 
 To us; they seem, from errors deep. 
 
 Uprising to a clearer view, 
 That view will come when the dark night 
 
 Ontfades before full social glow. 
 Of polished letters as they meet 
 
 With welcome hearts an empire thro* ; 
 
PETITION. ' 141 
 
 Errors to cure time and intent provide, 
 The moi'al power never is deni'd. 
 
 History don't name the time exact, 
 
 It was quite early with the race, 
 The world became a suitor bold, 
 
 To win the soul to its desire. 
 To be deck'd out with salve and grace. 
 
 Wanted the aid of power and gold. 
 Which both seem'd easy to acquire. 
 Provided it could win the soul's consent, 
 To gain it this petition made and sent. 
 
 PETITION . 
 
 Sweet soul, dear soul, I vow to you 
 
 Allegiance strong as iron bars 
 To help you with my worldly might. 
 
 Withholding nothing earth can give ; 
 Temples, I'll build, proportion'd true. 
 
 With gold adorn'd, and precious wares 
 Which to your altars must invite, 
 
 Talents and worth with fame to live ; 
 Indeed so costly rich, I'll make thy dome, 
 Its dazzle shall invite a world to come. 
 
 Music such as the sirens sing. 
 
 Known well to be thy fondest aid, 
 I'll sit for gay and solemn mood. 
 
 Precepts the choicest old and new, 
 Fresh from musty records bring, 
 
 Learn'd homilies, all ready made 
 To be a wonder, how men could 
 
 Logic, so intricate pursue ; 
 Dear soul, I'll tell thee what I'll make thy name, 
 O'erboud the earth with zealous glowing fame, 
 
142 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 You know the crowd ain't over choice, 
 Seeing my zeal and great display, 
 
 Will take me as thy own true voice. 
 To bow their knee to what I say. 
 
 All that I ask a small return 
 
 For so much pains and labor too, 
 
 With holy oil I freely burn, 
 
 As incense in thy name I strew. 
 
 Is that when heretics conspire 
 
 To thwart my holy scheme of love, 
 
 I may invoke and get thy ire, 
 
 Cloth'd with due vengeance from above. 
 
 It may occur that jealousy. 
 To make divisions will arise 
 
 With mad ambition made to see 
 My power and pretense to despise. 
 
 I want thy aid as holy scourge, 
 To lash 'em into due respect, 
 
 The hand that doth due vengeance urge. 
 Thy power in the right protect. 
 
 The people then will all come to 
 
 Thy altars, and rich treasures freight. 
 
 Make ample means to help me thro', 
 My rank and thine to elevate. 
 
 There's many little things I crave, 
 I can't excuse find for, to get 
 
 Much scrutiny thy name Avould save, 
 To keep eyes jealous, closely shut. 
 
soul's response. 143 
 
 Its scarcely possible to place, 
 
 All benefits in one programme. 
 So plain, I hope, they'll meet thy grace, 
 
 While I, thy humble servant am. 
 
 SOUL S RESPONSE. 
 
 I somewhat wonder at request. 
 
 In thy petition kindly meant, 
 Tho' plainly showing in thy mind. 
 
 An absence of what most concerns 
 Thyself to know as the behest. 
 
 To make such knowing for content, 
 It's want with evil much conjoin'd, 
 
 Which self esteem but seldom learns 
 Of wisdom in the way that's meant for thee. 
 Prefer thou would'st, if tliou the truth could see. 
 
 My power over thy affairs. 
 
 Does not consist as it would seem 
 To be suppos'd in thy address, 
 
 In temples riches mean to scourge 
 Rebellious clan, if any dares 
 
 Oppose thee in thy ruling scheme — 
 This would but make my empire less, 
 
 And worse the more such means to urge — 
 It might help thee in passions worst alloy 
 But in the end as surely to destroy, 
 
144 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Meant it was never that I should 
 
 Assist the world in any glare. 
 Of its contrivance to mislead, 
 
 Weak passions to exaggerate 
 Its value, which to he for good ; 
 
 Temperate reason must prepare. 
 To which my office helps to heed, 
 
 Reducing all false estimate. 
 That is to make the little of the world no less 
 Bat little great, true standard to possess. 
 
 Such office to unite with trust. 
 
 For human worldly means to gain 
 More power and consequence, therehy 
 
 Leads but to gain a worldly lust 
 For its desires, more ample reign, 
 A consequence unsafe to try, 
 
 'Tis one my nature does not fit me to, 
 
 But may for worldly passions better do. 
 
 Worldly power is a mean for gain. 
 
 Of some ambition hero below, 
 
 All proper in what's rightly meant, 
 My office excess is too restrain, 
 
 Yet make more free in good we know, 
 
 For life eternal that its best. 
 On worldly glitter cannot count for aid, 
 Tho' better making all its truths persuade, 
 
 I don't help any clan to lash 
 
 Or scourge an other for dissent 
 Oppos'd to an intent to do 
 
 They slander me who so suppose, 
 Heav'n is not gain'd by any rash 
 
 Appliance, heart or hand has meant. 
 Kind love my nature doth imbue, 
 
 Broad base of heav'n for its repose ; 
 
soul's response. 145 
 
 No chill from party strife, my warmth, as friend 
 To freeze, or humble rank or state offend. 
 
 You'll find me of the cot below. 
 
 Hearts humble, prayerful, dwelling there, 
 Or where the by-way stranger faints, 
 
 In sore affliction weeping, home 
 Lost from it, or its far to go ; 
 
 Its bitterness I came to share. 
 To stay his languishment against ; 
 
 I cannot leave distress alone, 
 I put within the heart my melted balm 
 To bid all anguish cease, all trouble calm, 
 
 There is no refuge city nigh, 
 
 To give his troubl'd spirit rest ; 
 I lead him to that built on high, 
 
 City eternal, call'd the blest. 
 
 I'm with the Jew you scorn and spurn. 
 
 The Hindoo kneeling, waiting where 
 
 His idols dumb, he deems intreat 
 Wherever hearts aspirtng burn, 
 
 Sincere for answer to their prayer ; 
 
 I will with joy to bless them meet. 
 If not in all unreason'd dumb request. 
 Some token seal'd bestow to make them blest. 
 
 My nature social can't refuse 
 
 The joy that comes from social good ; 
 
 All innocent and sweet delight, 
 The gay and smiling passions choose — 
 
 For earthly mint are widely strewed. 
 
 My nature none they serve to blight ; 
 I'm with the morning's early social pray'r. 
 
 All grief to heal, with pleasure equal share. 
 25 
 
146 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The mighty made the vast, the wide, 
 
 The bGundless — none can know to span, 
 
 All wisdom perfect in to be, 
 Change can't the infinite divide. 
 
 From purposes fore wrought in man. 
 
 As chosen witnesses, degree 
 Exalted in, to note his works with high accord, 
 To others none, that office to award. 
 
 It could not be the mighty felt, 
 
 Alone, and Avanted some relief, 
 
 Like recreation from high task, 
 Yet has the social widely dealt 
 
 To stand his nature in, not brief. 
 
 Enduring ever, less to ask 
 In the outgoing of eternal way, 
 Is cUange his wisdom offers to betray. 
 
 Eternity ! vast word to speak, 
 
 Yet preservation must include, 
 Kindness and love must represent. 
 
 Being all admitted here to draw, 
 My nature better world to seek ; 
 
 Why give affections so imbu'd, 
 Fruition never the intent. 
 
 The soul imbibes the trust as law 
 Of social nature, unrepeal'd to stay, 
 Tho' matter, mountains, worlds shall melt away. 
 
 You've nurs'd the passions not the best, 
 
 To make appeal ances the chief 
 
 Ingredient for power's gain ; 
 With falsehood causing to invest. 
 
 That sent for social toil's relief, 
 
 All duties in, tho' easy, plain 
 As every action call'd in this to c'o, 
 Is simplest in its means to get, if true. 
 
soul's response. 147 
 
 The mighty having chosen man 
 
 Sole witness for his wondrous works, 
 The intent is render' d plain thereby, 
 
 That in them man should read as hook, 
 To judge the intellect must scan, 
 
 If any seeming darkness lurks. 
 The soul and passions hold supply ; 
 
 To cure or help to overlook, 
 Science gives power, but temper'd it must be 
 By all the social wants in their degree. 
 
 And yet you count on, claim to rule 
 
 By power pure, the curse that's been 
 
 Long blighting to the social state — 
 Its subjects but convenient tool 
 
 Far any vice it may begin ; 
 
 A selfish passion dai-e debate. 
 Had you but look'd my laws upon as high, 
 Your schemes devis'd for me you would not try. 
 
 Power is heaven's work to form 
 
 The means for its direction best, 
 Of time and season to be shorn. 
 
 The issue dross it can't be less. 
 
 The sun in its untemper'd heat 
 
 Not cherish would, but often burn ; 
 
 Cinders in place of flowers meet. 
 And ashes fill earth's splendid urn. 
 
 If pure the air, as gas would kill, 
 By blending much is made to save ; 
 
 The soul it teaches how to fill 
 
 With power that to rule we crave. 
 
148 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 Pure power is as poison strong, 
 Untemper'd in one mind or two, 
 
 For social life food must belong 
 To elements well mingl'd through. 
 
 Power's a good whip, if any knew 
 The use and end for which it's sent ; 
 
 The sterling vict'ry of its blow 
 
 By knowledge makes the more content. 
 
 All power is slavery, come 
 
 From whence it will, to make us smart, 
 Unless the task for which it's done 
 
 Enlightens mind and betters heart. 
 
 The soul that labors to be pure, 
 Unless it be in good of others, 
 
 A selfish folly may secure. 
 
 Some pride the false discovers. 
 
 All objects, things, that God has made. 
 To soul that feels a heavenly glow, 
 
 Beauty and comeliness pervade 
 Therein, our duty plain to show. 
 
 It is not meant we always should 
 
 Keep on our knees in fervent pray'r ; 
 
 Great actions easy understood, 
 Performance of them better are. 
 
\ 
 
 soul's response. 149 
 
 The Sim doth quiver up his rays, 
 
 To shaft tliem forth good company. 
 For social empire to extend, 
 
 Appearing most as brilliant one. 
 Yet dazzling forth in many ways, 
 
 Bestrews with sweet variety 
 All colors, hues, for beauty blend. 
 
 To rival art the best it's done ; 
 Some brush the land, in various arts appear, 
 Others maik solid or a liquid sphere. 
 
 So power pure tho' it may seem. 
 As crushing with a single arm. 
 Is of God's love in all he's done. 
 
 To be improv'd in every scheme ; 
 The social to preserve from harm, 
 Whoever counts too much on one, 
 
 Deseit 01 art of selfish will to do. 
 
 Offends the soul but more such to pursue. 
 
 Who gave you power or the right 
 To judge the heart by any creed — 
 To curse the good the high permits 
 
 The social elements invite 
 
 Occasions proper for its heed. 
 When more to gain the right befits ; 
 
 The teaching free, the power must be the same, 
 
 Stay'd at the point allow'd just teachings aim. 
 
 26 
 
150 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 All teaching hate for, or disgust, 
 
 roung minds are ready to imbibe, 
 For something this or that directs 
 
 Where no excess it's leading to. 
 Is falsehood to the social trust. 
 
 Its biightest hopes must sure deride. 
 Not curing but creates defects — 
 
 Once enter'd the whole soul imbue : 
 ]\Ien grow up nurtur'd in such false conceit, 
 It's rare a reason temper'd soul to meet. 
 
 It's strange that the great God has made 
 All things as equal in their place, 
 
 Equal to be for purpose good. 
 AjDproving by his high decree ; 
 
 Yfct man so small by this assay'd. 
 Alternately for their disgrace, 
 
 Allows them wrangling neighborhood, 
 Each choosing some to curse his humor for. 
 Until God's precious things all they abhor. 
 
 The elements are all here plac'd, 
 
 Close near the heart, the fingers' end. 
 We trample on them at each step, 
 
 For all the work we have to do. 
 Their riches power take no waste. 
 
 Increase with every help we lend. 
 Enough to pay all labor's debt, 
 
 A constant surplus to accrue ; 
 The seeker never was dmi'd to find 
 Who opens to them, watchful, soul and mind. 
 
soul's response. 151 
 
 True power is the best of ways 
 
 To do all things, beginning right, 
 
 To change for better when we're sure 
 The social exigence provides 
 
 For it, and sooner if we can ; 
 So peace and safety none betrays. 
 
 Yet never reason's guard to slight, 
 
 Or let the false one step secure : 
 The smallest things being first guides. 
 
 Make larger easier to span, 
 But never think it best you should succeed, 
 Unless for social gain you test each deed. 
 
 If any tho'ts or words are penn'd, 
 
 Directing for true power's gain. 
 To make it safe and happy all, 
 
 The basely cunning will devise 
 Some twist of logic to defend 
 
 Objections serving them as gain ; 
 The Mighty seeing such a fall, 
 For better test against all lies. 
 
 Requires the doing as sure gain 
 By which to please all social actions in the right. 
 Each doing what shall best for all unite. 
 
 It's plain what duties to the soul 
 V Pertain, for its condition here. 
 
 As that hereafter being two, 
 Where evil ends with time its goal ; 
 
 The loftier pleasure must appear 
 
 A broader base appoints its view. 
 The intellect to fill with equal joy, 
 Than kindness needed more for full employ. 
 
 k t 
 
152 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 With every action man can do, 
 
 Bearing the social state to bless. 
 Instruct and win to make more free, 
 
 Tho'ts tending to good social bond ; 
 My social instincts urge me to 
 
 The ill gag'd passions their redress. 
 Invite from some duplicity, 
 
 A vicious taste as false as fond : 
 Then try to make the world believe it's me 
 That in such social falsehood's aid aorree. 
 
 Men's passions vary with their make, 
 
 Such is the want of wisdom's guide— 
 They seldom see such high behest, 
 
 Of difference make a bitter foe, 
 For heav'n we can't these passions take — 
 
 They do but reason override ; 
 So can not choose for heav'n the best, 
 
 Like gusts on lawful errands go — 
 Leave to the sun, and equal temper'd air, 
 Reason severe, all lasting good to share. 
 
 Scorn not the intellect, but teach 
 
 Its lessons with all social ways : 
 
 'Tis for the soul e needful guide. 
 In heav'n to form a seraph's speech — 
 
 To burthen every note of praise. 
 
 Eternity its themes provide — 
 Too short its reign, the mighty theme to scan, 
 Of state eternal hallow'd unto man. 
 
soul's response. 153 
 
 World, thy own follies are a scourge, 
 To whip thee by thy own rough hand. 
 Thy passions serving lash of flame, 
 
 I always better teaching urge ; 
 
 Entreat thee, make a nobler stand. 
 
 But thou art dumb thy faults to blame— 
 
 I'm bid to hope for certain time's advent, 
 
 When thou ta purpose mine shall free consent. 
 
 For heav'n the Mighty made the soul . 
 
 To dwell his presence in, serene. 
 As witness still to high behest. 
 
 To be taught ever, ever more ; 
 No power of earth can urge control. 
 
 To thwart the end shall intervene, 
 Or stay his will to make it bless'd. 
 
 Crusades of earthly men before — 
 No tax the body or the passions pay, 
 It heavsenly right can frange or take away. 
 
 Shall all else he has fondly made. 
 
 Serve in their place the end to reach ? 
 His own good pleasure to fulfill. 
 
 As purpose never turn'd aside, 
 Except the soul by ill betray'd. 
 
 An equal measure to beseech 
 In vain, if aught can let his will 
 
 From father's kindness to divide, 
 Contingents such as earthly schemes invent, 
 Make poor his love, his power impotent. 
 
154 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 Over it men spread a devious net, 
 
 For kindness, love, humility. 
 Its meshes daub, with gauds display 
 
 The filth that selfish passions strain, 
 Most dross, most holiness to get 
 
 The soul in such a plight we see, 
 To doubt God's work, so ill we may, 
 
 The art the cunning artists gain — 
 But damns themselves to endless, useless toil. 
 The more they labor poorer grows tlie soil. 
 
 Expunge the soul it will come back, 
 
 Prove there is none, still is it here, 
 
 As plain as shadows that we see 
 The fervid sun plows up no track. 
 
 Yet makes his light of heav'n clear, 
 
 As darkness is compell'd to flee ; 
 Things make no mark when such they don't require, 
 Yet fill our world, or vaster worlds empire. 
 
 Away take all we can not test 
 
 By figure, ear mark and the like. 
 
 If there be barely left mind's need. 
 The vacancy to fill is press* d ; 
 
 As sound comes from the blow we strike, 
 
 Or air to vacuum maketh speed. 
 We make reality, or it comes ready made. 
 The same of mountains as of mountains shade. 
 
 Where is the dagger of a spoken word. 
 
 What steel is pointed with to thrust ? 
 
 Who gave it shape or polished point. 
 Yet sharper than a damese sword ? 
 
 Ah ! deeper strikes its wound, and worse. 
 
 To agonize the quick or joint ; 
 Reality, we know no name that's to exclude, 
 If mind or soul creation of intrude. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. 155 
 
 SOCIAL POWER, ( CONTINUED,) 
 
 This power social to defend, 
 
 By any good not to enslave, 
 Its elements entire mnst draw, 
 
 From those that teaching entertnin ; 
 Whatever social point impend — 
 
 By it we solve, however grave. 
 It's barely to apply the law. 
 
 All good capacity will gain 
 The needful rules, position in to find — 
 As twig must be, to make the tree inclin'd. 
 
 Power don't come first, but only by 
 
 Instruction of some kind we gain, 
 Excepting mass like made to crush 
 
 Out, not to teach, but more evade 
 The rightful that it could supply. 
 
 All easy gotten with less pain, 
 Than that aftairs now social flush. 
 
 By fraud and force so potent made ; 
 It must be false whatever power claims, 
 From source the worse to make the more it gains. 
 
 Power an institute is made. 
 
 To watch and guard by force oppress 
 The social as an enemy. 
 
 To punish not to teach and raise. 
 The teaching got is but a trade, 
 
 True social power making less. 
 As centuries past have seemingly 
 
 Confirm'd in the small praise ; 
 Earn'd by them in the good they have begun, 
 However much the better parts undone. 
 
156 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Force driving seems a favorite. 
 As if man could succeed to do. 
 
 By a bare scourge for their delight, 
 Success has not invited to. 
 
 What is the issue, crimes suppress 
 To make by the same hand they kill. 
 
 Of crimes the number can't be less, 
 If curing more corrupts the will. 
 
 The programme may to some look fine. 
 The de'il as Captain at its head, 
 
 Against whom hosts in gowns combine. 
 To win by doubtful means of dread. 
 
 What fails in this another troop, 
 As large or larger come with scale. 
 
 To balance wrongs by legal whoop. 
 And prisons tortures that assail. 
 
 As this too fails there comes more pomp. 
 With ribbons tails, ensigns of power. 
 
 With polish'd steel and blasting trump. 
 Most land and least offences scour. 
 
 Are we not tired with the vain, 
 The false and futile ways to mend. 
 
 The art that flatters hope (o gain, 
 Making that worse it would defend. 
 
 Who is not satisfi'd that made 
 All trials, power, to invent, 
 
 To cure state ails but more invade. 
 Our social peace with less content, 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. 157 
 
 Power will consist of selfish will, 
 
 To mar the good it might achieve, 
 Whose social elements to fill, 
 
 Don't mingle with it to relieve. 
 
 You cannot power gain to sway. 
 Except whatever be the gain, 
 Is loss'd unto the social many,^ 
 
 The loas to feel perhaps they may, 
 Or not depending in the main, 
 How much they feel or know of any, 
 
 Abuse is always measur'd by the ease. 
 
 That ignorance embraces it to please. 
 
 Parental power with all that's like, 
 So made and temper'd by the high, 
 With guards as genial as they're wise. 
 
 Teaching in love, if social might 
 To aid, for its advance would try, 
 Dark ignorance would the less disguise ; 
 
 Indulgence false may sometimes mar its use, 
 
 The social state so seconds such abuse. 
 
 Affection tho' sweet, spring of joy 
 
 Around the heart its kindness lays, 
 
 As a strong band to knit invite, 
 Yet justice should her hands employ. 
 
 To guard the homage kindness pays, 
 
 Lest selfishness inflict s blight ; 
 Ask Brutus if the scepter, in the right to wave. 
 Should falter jewel of the heart to save. 
 
 27 
 
158 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 All other power assum'd for reign, 
 
 Is like a bandage on your limb. 
 Long being worn it leaves its mark, 
 
 To cover which you keep it there, 
 Doubting the use of reason lame. 
 
 The habit gets due virtue in, 
 The passions in reform being dark. 
 
 The time to change you cannot spare, 
 Tho' changing always with^more fearful cost, 
 Than in the right if half a life were lost. 
 
 The social state is the whole mind, 
 
 Acting to work for genial end. 
 As also members each preserve. 
 
 Vice tolerated legiance tempts, 
 The troth in which the whole are join'd, 
 
 (/orrupted crumbles to offend 
 Both parts, one feeling that may serve 
 
 As ill, the other favor none exempts ; 
 If vice arises by the whol's consent, 
 Its punishment the same should represent. 
 
 Name what you will of crimes there's none. 
 
 But those the social state adopts. 
 Or gives an opening for their rise — 
 
 Of some, there's power none to cure. 
 Yet all grow worse if left undone ; 
 
 The teaching many of them stops 
 As vain, all good must tantalize. 
 
 If ready means that can ensure. 
 Our better speed, in powers social gain. 
 Existence only in a phantom claim. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. 159 
 
 All power that doth mar or kill. 
 
 Freedom, oppression to make sore, 
 Are like hard burthens on the back. 
 
 Divided, hold diminish'd weight, 
 For each keep on dividing till, 
 
 To give their just proportion more. 
 That we divide the better track, ' 
 
 All social duties, for 'twill make — 
 So power comes to be no more or less 
 Than equal burthens, equal wrongs redress . 
 
 The cloud surcharg'd with pent up fire. 
 
 In blackness frowns with angry face, 
 Fierce terrors casting as it flies. 
 
 Dread bursting, look we on 
 Expecting hail, tornadoes ire, 
 
 The elements free in their place 
 Distribute, may the livid dyes 
 
 That sunshines glory breaks anon ; 
 Thus power collected center'd to crush down 
 By distribution general, makes it's frown. 
 
 The waters flood may swell to sweep 
 
 Our habitation and our wealth, — 
 To stay wide ruin to the land. 
 
 No arm of arts resistance can. 
 Evaporation powers keep — 
 
 In gentle dews that fall for health, 
 And growth may well command 
 
 A glory for the ruin span ; 
 Thus power collected, with an ill to awe 
 By distribution cheerful issues draw. 
 
160 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Can social power expect to ride, 
 
 The vvhirlwinA passion makes a storm, 
 And yet commune with hearts to cheer — 
 
 To feel, and for their wants provide ; 
 'Tis thought dispers'd that must adorn, 
 Minds spacious fields with no vile fear ; 
 
 But like the sun who scatters wide his rays, 
 
 Whose distribution by abundance pays. 
 
 Power conjures up with cunning art, 
 The abstract rules of justice high, 
 Aloft suspends her boasted scale, 
 
 Can any adage mend the heart. 
 Or knowledge of good use supply, 
 Not form'd the word is sure to fail, 
 
 What justice live our freedom to defend, 
 
 In a bare rescript by an adept penn'd. 
 
 Slaves take their leesons not to see 
 Their use or reason, but obey 
 Obedience thus becomes a law — 
 
 Trust, power says, put trust in me, 
 I'll lead you on safety's way — 
 Good custom holds no social flaw ; 
 
 It ever has been thus for minds suspense. 
 
 Until just action festers with offence. 
 
 In power trades, all pliances 
 
 That suit the fancy, wit or taste — 
 Men may outlay for divers ends, 
 
 Oft times for folly as it flies ; 
 But justice sole reliane is. 
 
 Will not be moek'd or balk'd to waste, 
 Allegiance that her claim defends, 
 
 If tamper'd with, 'tis freedom dies ; 
 Demanding distribution as a master power. 
 Battle to do on freedom's sacred tower. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. IGl 
 
 Why has the power of Empires gone 
 
 To mingle up with perish'd dust, 
 
 The voice once loud to herald fame, 
 But sculptur'd stone with scrawl adorn. 
 
 It held no heart in social trust, 
 
 No love of justice in to gain ; 
 It perish'd as a leaf untimely sear'd. 
 As other's all of justice not rever'd. 
 
 Where does it live but in the soul. 
 
 The heart and mind in action strong, 
 Dead rules its standard ill can mark, 
 
 To fit it for a deed undone ; 
 For social tho't to urge control. 
 
 From step to step that else is wrong, 
 The more unfelt, the more its dark 
 
 The least to be reli'd upon ; 
 He that don't learn, unknown his right to do. 
 Is but a slave to hold his master's view. 
 
 The lofty mountain has a base, 
 
 On crumbling rubble cannot stand, 
 
 Aspiring science needs one too. 
 Rich plains the first and not a waste ; 
 
 Holding thick verdure of the land. 
 
 Lay round with social means in view ; 
 So science needs for its successful rise, 
 A base which cultur'd wider rank supplies. 
 
 The need is of the social rules, 
 
 To learn and foster close intent. 
 To pulsate as good bloods support. 
 
 Each breath to strengthen and make pure, 
 Laws have a life like that, so schools 
 
 Us, as the trust and doings sent, 
 28 
 
 b 
 
1(>2 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 To make us answer their report, 
 
 When false to feel the wrong we do, 
 The law being in us working right to mind. 
 Is social strength unknown, when to it blind. 
 
 For every social act you'll find, 
 A law and rule to make you safe. 
 If sought and car'd aright to gain, 
 
 To organize, you must be join'd. 
 True sympathy not left a waif. 
 For social right you must arraign ; 
 
 The false and bring them looking face to face, 
 
 liCt shame have decent opportune for grace. 
 
 Europe to organize will not 
 
 Permit her people in the cause. 
 
 That social freedom would augment, 
 The bayonets are placed to stop, 
 
 Such treason 'gainst oppressions laws. 
 
 By wily heartless tyrants sent; 
 People dare not think or speak aloud for fear, 
 The dungeon or the guillotine would hear. 
 
 Now while you may, and while you can 
 
 Go organize, good social rule 
 To put within tlie heart to stay. 
 
 As guard to all the power you trust, 
 Abuses grow on every hand, 
 
 By right neglected duty cools. 
 Till blood for each you strive must pay, 
 
 To end as all such folly must ; 
 In making power, consist in the foul aim. 
 Usurping masters over millions gain. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. 1G3 
 
 We've talk'd about the sparkling sea. 
 
 Of joy to ride its swelling wave, 
 When snowy foam curls on its brow, 
 
 And the high winds are playing there, 
 But poor are these their merry glee, 
 
 To touch the bosom of a slave, 
 Therein no glow that will allow, 
 
 The soul a common bliss to share ; 
 The sun is dim and sickly nature's ways, 
 In every promise that their beauty pays 
 
 We've talkd' of beauty in the flower. 
 
 On woman's matchless form of grace, 
 
 By heaven sent earth's first delight. 
 To make it all a seeming bower, 
 
 In her a home found in each place. 
 
 All ranks its offer to invite ; 
 But what are these a home or woman's love, 
 Where social order don't our bliss approve. 
 
 We've sought the high as too the low, 
 
 Where power should build for harmony, 
 
 With earth's best gift to stutl adorn, 
 The tears that from oppression flow, 
 
 I'll with best hop'd intent agree, 
 
 Of social justice 'tis the scorn, 
 Wraps empires in with cruel base alloys 
 Their fair proportions mutilates destroys. 
 
 All social rule in best design 
 
 Holds purposes, that's plain to see — 
 
 It may omit or not to do 
 The duties with full power combine, 
 
 To make the base with right agree, 
 
 The false convert to love the true ; 
 Hold equal vigilance on every hand. 
 That rule and order may protect the land. 
 
1G4 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 To Hebrew altars if we turn, 
 Be it to find if seldom bright, 
 Thro' ages long their fires have shown, 
 
 Tinie has not held a reign more stern, 
 Than they their rules in long delight, 
 Rules first for social guidance known ; 
 
 Jf ill continu'd to found an empire wide. 
 
 Earth holds no power that from them can divide. 
 
 They've bravely stood the scoff rude thrust, 
 
 Of world's barbarian every where, 
 
 Dismembei-'d, scatter'd, robb'd and scourg'd, 
 Yet the same rules thy ever trust. 
 
 To keep such penalties their share. 
 
 Yet to renouncement ever urg'd ; 
 Say not that rules well learn'd for good intent. 
 Can't crush out social vice, the strongest sent. 
 
 See flow enriching stream the Nile, 
 
 Bearing to copts abounding store. 
 
 Quick product of the wat'ry flood. 
 With lavish'd fruits bids earth to smile 
 
 Response, his nature can't outpour, 
 
 Best suited to such various good. 
 Stern tyranny defiles the lotus leaf. 
 To curse abundance sent for toils relief. 
 
 Thus in his home by brutal force, 
 
 Press'd down unknown, good rules to bind. 
 
 His very air corrodes with sand. 
 Persuasion fails to win his course 
 
 To realms, inviting more and kind. 
 
 Nor die upon Nilotic land ; 
 ■ The mind when long such social ills oppress, 
 Fears greater in attempt to make them less. 
 
SOCIAL POWER AND RELATIONS. 1G5 
 
 In Ganges famous waters batlie, 
 
 To witness crowds and hosts who come, 
 Long jaunts of pilgrimage to make 
 
 Their bodies in its floods to lave, 
 And carry to their distant home 
 Drops precious from their souls to take 
 
 All earthly stain, ytt pity most sights such induce. 
 
 That ignorance founds such long and dark abuse. 
 
 To Boreal regions too may turn, 
 
 His steps who seeks for mental lore, 
 
 Arcturus leads his starry host. 
 Thither twilight's softer fires burns, 
 
 Than those the herald mornings pour, 
 
 Where solar rays a torrid conquest boast. 
 Here will he find, that climes with chilling blast 
 Freeze not the wrongs with darken'd empire cast. 
 
 Search climes we may if distant far, 
 
 To see abuses multiply. 
 
 No social rules that recommend 
 Abatement of domestic jar . 
 
 The bane of all the schemes they try, 
 
 All leading to like fatal end ; 
 At home survey our own, we may no boast 
 To steady folly which maintains the most. 
 
 The social state we'll to upfound. 
 
 Makes no demand we cannot fill 
 The elements requir'd to do. 
 
 In duties all plainly propound, 
 Meeted to be with kind and hearty will. 
 
 To thrust oppression through and through, 
 Most 'gainst the equal right is found. 
 
 What one's own labor don't deserve exact, 
 
 He shan't receive for it a worth that's lack'd. 
 
166 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 Some say the heart is all in all, 
 They mean the social as its claim, 
 Fills the whole circle of all deeds ; 
 
 Reason on every act must call, 
 
 That heart may trnth of object name, 
 No passion in all things succeeds, 
 
 Intelligence and reason come to mind 
 
 To crush oppression oft for ns desiga'd. 
 
 The rain and sunshine can't suffice 
 To make all genial crops abound, 
 However rich the earth may turn, 
 
 There's culture, care, that art supplies, 
 Intelligence ain't all in ground, 
 Man much must do or so discern ; 
 
 Just duties as his own good scheme to make, 
 
 Or reason justice has no task to take. 
 
 SOCIAL JUSTICE. 
 
 Justice is dealing measure weight. 
 Action and word in the right time, 
 Forgetting not it has its place. 
 
 As wants and state of life relate. 
 
 With all and each for truth combine, 
 To form a perfect social base, 
 
 If not, approaching to contend that aim. 
 
 Appearing nearer every step we gain. 
 
A FEW. 1G7 
 
 The standard in the mind is what 
 
 We know, within to stay abide. 
 To give us confidence to speak, 
 
 To be a man, or else to quail 
 Babble, a folly that we've got 
 
 Or mute where manhood should decide. 
 With pain or shame to all who seek 
 
 Unknown, where reason should avail, 
 In all our social matters joy and peace, 
 Provides where now our quarrels never cease. 
 
 A FEW. 
 
 Some say a few arc all we need. 
 
 To keep the social action pure. 
 
 Interpreters of law to guide, 
 The multitude who gave them heed, 
 
 A safe condition to secure. 
 
 Who justice, from all wrong divide. 
 Commend how much, you may the world at large, 
 Can little boast to recommend such charge. 
 
 A few are always precious as a few, 
 
 Be it of nobles, kings, or learned men, 
 
 Or more divines ones if you like. 
 If they can safely think for me and yotJ, 
 
 And tell us safely how to do, and when 
 
 Then are we as a drum to strike. 
 To answer only when its beat upon. 
 To hollow things their proper sound belong. 
 
168 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The air we breathe when open free, 
 Gives life and strength as we inhale, 
 A golden box confine it in ; 
 
 A taint usurps its purity 
 
 Instead of health infects with ail, 
 The gold won't saVe or any tin. 
 
 It's health is gone or by confinement dies, 
 
 The same with justice, any box supplies. 
 
 The golden confine glitters true. 
 And men are often won by sight. 
 Or hearing that a thing is best, 
 
 Rush for it as their nature to 
 To take if poison with delight. 
 To fancy relish as if blest ; 
 
 Why not, they feel a pain they can't endure, 
 
 Take any drug, who know not ills to cure. 
 
 The state of mind is the great want. 
 Creating social truth ain't there, 
 Something must fill, to hold its place ; 
 
 Ignorance to mend injustice can't. 
 Most tri'd the least content to share. 
 By quantity helps the less grace ; 
 
 The more you use the less the mind is stay'd, 
 
 Of any justice dealt in as a trade. 
 
 The sins that we allow, others 
 
 We don't allow produce, 
 
 Vice has its parentage in vice, 
 Allow'd and disallow'd are brothers, 
 
 To punish one's no use, 
 
 The other must entice ; 
 Its cowardice or worse in the design, 
 To punish little rogues, while greater shine. 
 
A FEW. 169 
 
 Example is creative, and begets 
 
 A progeny in our dispiglit, 
 
 The higher more it Avins 
 Expunging all its debts ; 
 
 We owe to teaching what is right, 
 
 In that its wrong begins ; 
 We do but beckon men in truth to stay, 
 While Avith a laugh we lead the other way. 
 
 We daily rob the widow lone — 
 
 The orphan, and the lab'ring poor 
 Of millions, while the robbers wear 
 
 Our smiles, to cheer, commend ; 
 A little robber takes a bone — 
 
 Some flesh, who hunger can't endure, 
 True hypocrites who are, 
 
 A breach of law pretend ; 
 Demand a vengeance on the little thief, 
 While larger ones hold the command in chief. 
 
 Laws are like notes that music needs 
 
 To play upon for our delight ; 
 
 They are dumb like any dot — 
 The music that proceeds 
 
 From them as we invite, 
 
 Is measure true they've got ; 
 The action makes the music to inspire, 
 To change and vary as our wants require. 
 
 The vile ones play sad tunes, to set 
 
 Poor noodles in a hideous dance ; 
 
 To call it intricate and fine, 
 Laugh at their blood and sweat — 
 
 The awkvvai'd gambols of their prance, 
 
 Or lash 'em with a cat-o'-nine ; 
 
 29 
 
 b 
 
 kt 
 
170 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 It's those a^one who know the notes to play 
 With time and grace, in measure just array. 
 
 Justice social, a whip to scourge, 
 
 To tantalize where it should heal— 
 This is the bent of all our ways ; 
 
 Ignorance is crime to crush, 
 Our wit, our insult to the verge 
 
 Of madness, drive all who can feel 
 The sting or scorn that brays 
 
 At others as a game to flush. 
 Do we forget the more we so amend. 
 The will more stubborn, less for good will bend. 
 
 Lawyers, lawmakers, the result 
 
 Of fickle time's necessity — 
 If honest, well for the event, 
 
 So is a mufti idoliz'd, 
 Their gain the sum in which were mulct. 
 
 To pay some doubts of casuistry ; 
 If honor theirs for our content. 
 
 The less our share the higher priz'd ; 
 Since plow shares have lost their hot credit, 
 The doubt remains if less we dread it. 
 
 What honor comes from social host, 
 "Where knowledge is the ware to shine. 
 But what is common to long ears ; 
 
 I envy not the gowns who boast 
 They hold a panel fame's design- - 
 The hurrah of such peers 
 
 Take it, if 'twill your easy fame supply, 
 
 I would have better, or on none rely. 
 
A FEW. 171 
 
 With legal as with other men, 
 
 Their worth and character they draw, 
 Little depends on that they know. 
 
 But rightly to be nnderstood 
 On elements surrounding them ; 
 
 What others know to mark a flaw. 
 Approve the right, good reason show. 
 
 All other fame is false in mood — 
 False to the purpose which to fame denies 
 The standari.', piers to equal pier sujjplies. 
 
 Who would his greatness borrow, eke 
 
 From dwarfish natures that lie round — 
 Holds little measure to subserve, 
 
 Allowance worth intrinsic gold ; 
 It's nobler far a height to seek — 
 
 A summit social, where is found 
 Reflected forth without reserve, 
 
 Applause from minds of polish'd mould — 
 Taught well, they give to social worth support, 
 A lustre that applause may deign to court. 
 
 Go clutch a fee and win your coat 
 
 From muddl'd brains the many wear. 
 Ambition it may fit if small. 
 
 Which they may pay as slaves advance 
 Some little pittance thus devote 
 
 Of honest toil, the chains they bear, 
 To soften if they daily gall, 
 
 I doubt your glory to enhance ; 
 I envy not the sum of any joy, 
 The tax of mind, it better should employ. 
 
 I 
 
172 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 The wise and learned for small play, 
 
 A bear, a beast, or learned pig — 
 An ape, of figure some like men, 
 
 As substitutes create delight ; 
 Their dignity less to betray, 
 
 Might gather for a show or rig — 
 The human not shut in the pen, 
 
 To nobler purposes invite ; 
 'Twonld found a difference great to one or t'other. 
 Our game to make of beast more than of brother. 
 
 We make the social run a muck, 
 
 To lash 'em well without restraint, 
 Then call it Justice, come to get 
 
 Ten lashes for one drop of cure ; 
 In droves shut up in legal nook. 
 
 To take their turns with courage faint — 
 To win or lose augments the debt, 
 
 Of shame and ignorance to endure ; 
 To be the sport of legal shuffle, board. 
 And bear the insolence upon them pour'd. 
 
 What whip more galling to the skin 
 
 Or any heart, not callous turn'd 
 Than that the legal hand sustains — 
 
 Dealt out bp masters day by day ; 
 The crowd to cower before its sting, 
 
 To feel their rank and wisdom spurn'd — 
 Tramp'd on, as noddies with slight brains, 
 
 To thank their masters for delay ; 
 Distrust to feel with fear and trembling doubt, 
 How justice can outbcar so foul a flout. 
 
A FEW. 173 
 
 Benefactors, charity, what 
 
 Are social only when outsent, 
 
 To pioneer on the highway 
 Where hearts against each other plot, 
 
 Untold why harmony is rent, 
 
 Or that themselves themselves betray ; 
 To guide, insist, to teach the right to learn. 
 Not rob, but social truth help to discern. 
 
 Suppose the execution rough. 
 
 When rurals first begin to stay. 
 Small mischief near their door. 
 
 All mischief makers to put down ; 
 The reason for is plain enough. 
 
 As changes pleading better way, 
 In first impressions may be poor. 
 
 Of means and friends to gain renown ; 
 Those that they slightly touch may think they gall, 
 Like cowards, with no wound, in battle fall. 
 
 The pride of empires, cities boast 
 
 Their grandeur, arts and arms alike, 
 From little inklings took their rise. 
 
 A single chieftain in the first. 
 As leader of tumultuous host, 
 
 A hovel or a rough made pike 
 The others, till their need supplies. 
 
 The strength and glitter all adjust ; 
 We never know, until the means we try. 
 The power that social justice can supply. 
 
 30 
 
 i 
 
174 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 As water drop'd upon the sand, 
 
 Is quick dispers'd, its trace is gone — 
 There's no abiding cup to hold, 
 
 Nor can its place our wit descry ; 
 iSo laws that live but in command. 
 
 No life of heart to give them tone, 
 In mind and action without fold, 
 
 Are quick to perish out and die ; 
 The Maker only knows the want, the need. 
 The rule disclos'd, suggested by his deed. 
 
 He feels it and it has a throb, 
 
 Pulsating, urging by its growth. 
 Making a dwelling as a home. 
 
 Like love of children in his breast, 
 Which from us taken is to rob 
 
 A bless'd endearment of its troth — 
 Increasing daily in the sum 
 
 Of strength, by nature kindly press 'd ; 
 Laws must take life to be preserv'd. 
 In daily manner of the action serv'd. 
 
 You train to falter not, or swerve. 
 
 To meet the cannon's deadly charge — 
 Thus go where danger makes but game 
 
 Ot all but honor, else all dross, 
 'Tis but a coward's part to nerve, 
 
 A doubtful honor to enlarge. 
 While vice, with lilliputian aim 
 
 To win, is more than honor's loss ; 
 There is no honor left, none to divide. 
 Where sneaking vice the umpire must decide. 
 
REFLECTION. 175 
 
 REFLECTION. 
 
 In all we do, if 'tis in place, 
 
 Worthy of being done, why sure 
 
 It's worthy of our choicest tho't ; 
 Stop then a moment, say some grace. 
 
 The mind's direction to procure — 
 
 To present exigence it's brought ; 
 There's many a hurri'd step for want of this. 
 Has caus'd the feet their proper ground to miss. 
 
 You seldom know when you begin 
 What end the issue is to shape — 
 How small, unseen, therein forgot. 
 
 Lies element defeat to bring, 
 A careful reason might escape, 
 A happy tho't the danger stop ; 
 
 It's true the best may fail in deepest schemes, 
 
 This makes no less the need of careful means. 
 
 It's just such training as the mind 
 Requires for its great success — 
 Exacting often is to put on guard 
 
 Its better powers, in to find. 
 
 More prompt and clearer readiness. 
 Emergence for to be prepar'd ; 
 
 The Mighty lays divinity of reason near 
 
 To every act and path of our career. 
 
176 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 The drama past there is a close. 
 Before it comes we have to own, 
 If honest, to the conscience pay 
 
 Its clues, most fit for its repose — 
 The most we can do to atone, 
 We've often err'd, a thot's delay ; 
 
 Might better left the printing of the page, 
 
 The proof less blot its errors to assuage. 
 
 AN APPLICATION. 
 
 To purge the land some mystics try, 
 By closing up one path of vice. 
 For this they frame a special law. 
 
 With Avords the purpose well supply, 
 To breakers of it strong advice, 
 By penalties infractions draw ; 
 
 The same would as intended be the effect, 
 
 If vice to law knew how to pay respect. 
 
 Opinion public being good to act 
 On the same vice, it will suffice 
 Without restraint, that law provides 
 
 No other law we need exact ; 
 Opinion up the mischief ties. 
 To search if covertly it hides — 
 
 Make it but clear what public will allows. 
 
 The needful action will the right espouse. 
 
AN APPLICATION. 177 
 
 'Tis partnership in vice that sets 
 
 Defiance of a public will, 
 
 Or none is known that would forbid 
 The duties that the law begets ; 
 
 Expression fairly does not fill 
 
 A want that is from reason hid ; 
 However wrong the expression by the law, 
 The standard is, which helps to mend a flaw. 
 
 Hence, public will is illy known, 
 
 Is not enforc'd, or not inform'd — 
 
 As often takes the worst advice. 
 Until it fairly gets its own ; 
 
 It's weak, deserving to be scorn 'd. 
 
 Can little confidence entice — 
 Beginning at times wrong and place to mend. 
 Makes worse the moral that it would defend. 
 
 Men won't believe a cup of wine 
 Bears on its sparkling face a look 
 That's thievish, robber bearing like — 
 
 No argument, lay or divine 
 
 Such color can give by the book. 
 Conviction such as truth don't strike ; 
 
 Our health, our physic, in their best estate. 
 
 Forbid with words we should the point debate. 
 
 We eat, we drink, the rich, the poor, 
 
 Necessity's a broad felt word, 
 
 Wants may be conscientious things, 
 It's waste of strength and reason sure. 
 
 To make the needful the absurd ; 
 
 A toil's reward we deem it brings. 
 Oft life itself seems to secure ; 
 
 The folly's patent in our daily deed, 
 
 To stop the good, lest evil should succeed. 
 
17B SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The wine of Tyfon, amber clear, 
 
 That sparkling in the bowl we throw, 
 
 Sweet aroma a thirst to slake. 
 Wakes in the soul a dreamy cheer, 
 
 L ke friendship old and warm its glow, 
 
 Unearthly never to forsake ; 
 The joyous sense hails visions from above, 
 Rap'd passages to fill like mirth of love. 
 
 'Tis the excess you wish to mend. 
 Not knowing moral force to try. 
 You tamper with tru3 laws of life, 
 
 Reforms good reason to defend ; 
 
 Some wit and wisdom would supply — 
 To violate engenders strife : 
 
 111 consequence deserv'd that come to pass, 
 
 Where ignorance proves itself to be an ass. 
 
 There must be centers for the stars, 
 
 Are centers to distribute light, 
 Yet not to use oppressive weight, 
 
 Upon the world they bless, adorn. 
 But soft as zephyrs wing their cars, 
 
 That trundle o'er the roads of night, 
 All social visions kind elate. 
 
 To meet refresh'd, returning morn ; 
 Thus hope and heav'n high contend, con^^pire, 
 That social blessing may the soul inspire. 
 
 Your centers Maelstroms are of rage. 
 Or ill constructed pools that whirl, 
 Mischevious waters gather'd in. 
 
 They war with bitter ichor wage. 
 All peaceful currents to imperil, 
 Or overwhelm with rushing din ; 
 
 From the deep mire of gather'd dark intent. 
 
 Foul noise and imprecations ever sent. 
 
WAR. 179 
 
 WAR. 
 
 ('Onqneio;s glory, and the mead, 
 
 llewaid all falsely sought to raise. 
 Ambition, love, the ills surprise. 
 
 To cover with its glitt'ring shield, 
 Has briitaliz'd man's daily deed. 
 
 Brought ruin for expected praise ; 
 The proof in perish'd empire lies, 
 
 A weeping world its fruitful yield. 
 Conqueror by sword, foul name to execrate, 
 Prai.se utter'd for the dreary desolate. 
 
 Build on it bid the soul to strive, 
 
 'Gainst reason justice the elate 
 Ignorance exasperate to fill 
 
 With bloody sacrifice to bathe. 
 Hands, hearts, to make but hate survive. 
 
 With remnant of a perish'd state. 
 Above all peaceful glory till 
 
 Wars honor fashions freedom's grave ; 
 Anger, no the name is falsely spoke 
 Humanity so lost, rage only can invoke. 
 
 The ciowd protect the assassin bold, 
 
 Robber, murder, thief at night, 
 A scourge of olden barb'rous days, 
 
 A Borgia little Zinghis Khan, 
 Close to their hearts with arms enfold. 
 
 Dwell on his murders with delight ; 
 His actions all with ardor praise. 
 
 Detailing foul disgrace to man ; 
 Sunken the race, in deep debasement grown 
 Caters for praises, steep'd in blood alone. 
 
180 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The richest curse that gold has paid 
 
 Lies in the iron and the steel, 
 It moulds and sharpens for our blood, 
 
 To shed, to pamper vice and power, 
 It buys an empire, full array'd 
 
 The promise of reward to yield ; 
 Then pays the band in robber's mood. 
 
 To waste it, all its life devour; 
 Gold makes the glitter of the world's display, 
 Then subsidizes war on it to prey. 
 
 Civilizer, the insatiate shark 
 
 That put's his teeth upon the weak, 
 To grind and mash them for his fill. 
 
 Of hunger, gold and power incense, 
 (-)f life and hope if left no spark. 
 
 He calls it Christian faith the meek, 
 Thus with his bloody hands and will. 
 
 Makes holiness for prayer pretense ; 
 Robbing the world, while supping on its bones. 
 He deems a name the rabid vice atones. 
 
 The gold is on the flow increase. 
 
 Subserving ends the wicked more — 
 Doubles the craving of its want, 
 
 No, millions hold a power to glut 
 Or yield exhausting waste a peace ; 
 
 Bribe squander with its endless score. 
 The grasping crow'd to sate you can't, 
 
 As well dry oceans bid fill up ; 
 The more allow'd, the less the value grows. 
 Vice wider opes its throat, the more it flows. 
 
WAR. 181 
 
 Munificence lies in its grasp, 
 
 Arts, beauty and good toils reward, 
 To strew our daily path with flowers. 
 
 True charity, it might relieve 
 To give the mind divine repast ; 
 
 False sentinel we set to guard, 
 To bind with pain its leisure hours, 
 
 A part not meant they should receive ; 
 Exalting in its nature and its means, 
 Defil'd in lapse of trustful social scenes. 
 
 Posterity inherit what 
 
 The debts our follies crimis contract — 
 For them to pay, hard be their lot, 
 
 With pride to keep their own ; 
 Kepudiation is a blot. 
 
 No choice is left for honest act. 
 To pays impossible to stop, 
 
 Alternation upon them thrown ; 
 To pay or not, the curse the same if bad, 
 Compell'd to wish they father's nevei had. 
 
 The world in equal sura bakrupt. 
 
 Was never half as much as now, 
 The bayonets are doubl'd too. 
 
 To keep our hands, our pockets out 
 The picking of to interrupt — 
 
 We better men must that allow, 
 If fingers itch the thing to do. 
 
 These bayonets create some doubt ; 
 Yet must it come, extremes in time will meet. 
 The robb'd on equal grounds the robber greet. 
 
 31 
 
182 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Pray, what is war the Vulture's heav'n, 
 The Jackals feast npori fat bones, 
 A merry peal for vengeful din. 
 
 The blast of trump o'er death's groans giv'n, 
 To drown blood, that no field atones, 
 Conqner'd with loss it be to win ; 
 
 The perish'd flesh, but longer leaves its bones 
 
 To blanch like empty fame no body owns. 
 
 Attack'd we must resist its life 
 
 To save if valu'd at a pin — 
 Ambition does not choose its fame, 
 
 Or grudge the worth of home — 
 A duty sacred beggar strife, 
 
 It's noble, be it lose or win. 
 If ours be not the struggles blame, 
 
 Inviting by our evil done ; 
 Wars cannot cease, without a social aim, 
 More noble worthy than a bloody fame. 
 
 To go to war, drums bugles sound. 
 
 Flags float, cheers send, God blesses thick, 
 Joy dances tiptoe to the fray, 
 
 Up turn'd faces smiles befit, 
 To come back pale with angry wound. 
 
 Cold charity don't know your sick, 
 A sinking heart in chill dismay. 
 
 Few tears and less of kindness get ; 
 Ah, that ambition held a reason 'd word, 
 Above the fatal folly to be heard. 
 
WAR. 183 
 
 How can the wrong find angel fiends, 
 
 With balm and tears to bathe its bruise — 
 It is to nurse a viper hard, 
 
 Asking a friendship for its sting. 
 Base charity that vice defends. 
 
 Repelling while it seems to choose. 
 To grudge the consolation shar'd. 
 
 Approval wanting from within ; 
 The world has curs'd the lack of generous grief. 
 The curse lies in the want of a deserv'd relief. 
 
 The pleas for war are all repeal'd. 
 
 By means of social intercourse. 
 By wiser occupations found. 
 
 By kindness intellectual lore ; 
 As by our faith profess'd to yield. 
 
 Unless our nature the morose 
 Grows in, the more God's gifts abound 
 
 To curse, not heal a social sore ; 
 Abject, why should we try the heart to make, 
 Beseech'd so strongly carnage to forsake. 
 
 Let war hawks stand aside and lop. 
 
 Their tails who from the public crib 
 Would steal, with feather more to grace, 
 
 Their rufded plumage and make sleek. 
 Their crumples with its oily sop. 
 
 The people where they don't forbid, 
 Would give high honest reason place, 
 
 To dam the motive that would seek, 
 To make fillibusters of a patriot's race. 
 To harvest, but dishonor foul disgrace. 
 
184 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 Destiny, the manifest, what's that 
 But what we make if foul or fair, 
 
 By deed our own to con and do, 
 If vile, we place it to the share 
 
 Of fortune, the true chances brat 
 If good, it's our contriv'd wise care 
 
 Of wit to help dame nature through ; 
 
 We do but cheat, pretending chance has made, 
 All ill befalling, we the good have stay'd 
 
 Science is like the sun best known, 
 
 In the wide benefits it throws, 
 Like a rich mantle o'er the world benumb' d, 
 
 Waiming into life and ecstacy ; 
 'Tis distribution widely thrown. 
 
 From sun or science, in the social glows 
 Its evil thus to overcome 
 
 Our social wants not to betray ; 
 Mixing up with, to tamper social tho't, 
 The best the more familiar to it brought. 
 
 All right, that's popular gets worn 
 Thread bare, impinging thus to gall, 
 Requires, renewing, carefully and oft, 
 
 The richest jewels that adorn 
 
 From beauty's fashion sudden fall. 
 So friendship's self gets fickle doft ; 
 
 Its worse, still worse, when powers that be, 
 
 Pretend they danger in true progress see. 
 
JUSTICE. 185 
 
 Courts sit and over your affairs. 
 
 Contrive to keep a careful look ; 
 
 To expound is their true trade. 
 To give a reason wisdom shares 
 
 Exponent of the legal book ; 
 
 Amendment show that might be made ; 
 They're very apt, it often so is found 
 To make worse laws than any they expoimd. 
 
 JUSTICE, (continued.) 
 
 Station, if science it imbues. 
 
 Makes fools of those who don't discern. 
 That every problem science mounts, 
 
 Deserves a social parallel ; 
 All quirks and quibbles but abuse. 
 
 True dignity they fail to learn. 
 The pride of science that discounts. 
 
 Not for the social to excel ; 
 Discredit brings upon the rank and name. 
 Of justice tho' appointed to maintain. 
 
 Men all are tyrants when their drift 
 The public will to reason train'd. 
 Don't h«dge about to keep in awe, 
 
 To lash them into social thrift ; 
 
 No othei means has wisdom nam'd, 
 The many minds the few to draw ; 
 
 When law and reason, many do not guide 
 
 The few, are barren either to provide. 
 32 
 
186 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 No standard touchstone for our act, 
 
 To guard and keep our dec'rous way, 
 liemains when duty is turnM loose, 
 
 From social ties that ought to bind ; 
 Accountable to feel if lack'd, 
 
 In power we exercise for sway, 
 To right and life of others an abuse. 
 
 More apt to ill than good design'd ; 
 Man must turn brutal when his passions lead, 
 To feel no answer welcome for each deed. 
 
 NATIONAL. 
 
 What's individual nation, 
 
 Or man private appli'd , 
 
 It is that certain guise pertain. 
 To mark and dignify a station. 
 
 That merit be not to deni'd, 
 
 There's none, if all count just the same ; 
 Put off your character, or dress have none, 
 Pure metal to vile dross is but to run. 
 
 Expel all neighbors, keep the coast 
 Clear of all but savages and beast, 
 Hawks and buzzards and the like 
 
 Ihtelligence and rivalry come most ; 
 Examples where we have the least. 
 The fact must like a hammer strike ; 
 
 That every nation like a man at home, 
 
 Is worthless more the more he's left aloge. 
 
SLAVERY. 18( 
 
 L A V E R Y 
 
 Slavery is war continu'd past 
 
 The threshold of domestic peace, 
 The captur'd once by plight of arms, 
 
 Are free with arms lain down ; 
 Else would we all in slav'ry cast, 
 
 Clank endless chains with no release. 
 From master sword who reason harms, 
 
 The right is nature's war can't frown ; 
 If from its place, as laws behest to stand. 
 One moment longer than the swords in hand. 
 
 'Tis the decree of honor unrepeal'd, 
 Like the vast equalizer in the grave. 
 Where buri'd empires equal lie. 
 
 The right of war by sword or pike to wield, 
 Combattants be they free or slave, 
 All equal make change can't deny ; 
 
 The strongest of all plight, earth's deed allows 
 
 The gage of peership, that wars fields espouse. 
 
 The winner may at arms be best, 
 
 Or stronger with wars sinews wage. 
 For victory on the embattl'd field ; 
 
 Yet has he by his plight confess'd 
 The hazzard when he casts his gage 
 Of honors trust, if he should-yield ; 
 
 This honor tramples not on fallen foe, 
 
 If life be spar'd, he equal free must go. 
 
188 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 To hold when battle strife is done, 
 In bondage those with light of gage 
 Is robber like Avithont a trait, 
 
 Of noble manhood felt as won ; 
 'Tis a foul blot on human page, 
 Too base for social life's estate ; 
 
 No winning strength of victory can repeal 
 
 The laws of honor, all but cravens feel. 
 
 A punishment is sure to seal 
 
 The degrepation of the wrong, 
 
 A worse can scarcely be devis'd ; 
 You must the blood of bondage feel. 
 
 To teint your veins with odor strong, 
 
 In offspring sadly realiz'd ; 
 What curse more fatal to parental breast, 
 That loaths it's boy fond nature would caress. 
 
 We go to war as we are train'd. 
 
 Thinking to crush adown some foe. 
 To cure a vice some ill suspend ; 
 
 It's our philosophy if base. 
 The ill by such no cure has gain'd ; 
 
 Revenge makes justice backward flow, 
 Makes enemies but no true friend. 
 
 False are the shadows that we chase ; 
 One vice prompts many selfish passion gains, 
 A cruel feast for all its angry pains. 
 
 WAR, (continued.) 
 
 The man that carries in his breast. 
 Combustion ready for all found 
 
 Explosive, there to throw his match. 
 Is to the race an enemy ; 
 
WAR. 181) 
 
 Worse than the savage lie molests 
 
 With taunt and cruelty comhin'd, 
 To make him guilty more of latches, 
 
 The loss of civil use to see ; 
 What are our worst of passions but example, 
 If not created by, are made more ample. 
 
 We found him sovereign in his home, 
 
 Savage for us to teach and raise, 
 
 Examples we profess'd to know ; 
 But ill born out in what we've done. 
 
 All cruelty itself bestrays 
 
 The hand to give receives the blow ; 
 Examples better should with self begun. 
 Than maiming, mutilating, ears and tongue. 
 
 We've kej^t on since, perhaps refin'd 
 
 Somewhat in cruelty of scale. 
 Pretending to make bargains pay 
 
 Them, large rewards for land and home ; 
 Keep cunning sharpers apt in blind, 
 
 To steal it ready never fail, 
 Can honesty stand up and say 
 
 We've simple justice to them done ; 
 The Jesuits and tyrants part, complete 
 They've found, a generous honor rare to meet. 
 
 The savage tribe who binds and ties 
 
 The victim up to flay all skin 
 Off inch by inch to its last web ; 
 
 Fearless to see the agony 
 Of monstrous tortures he applies. 
 
 Does as he's taught his right to win 
 Of deep revenge, you counsel him 
 
 No heart to feel his hatied ebb ; 
 Complaint is cowardly from those who share, 
 The bitter fruit they've forc'd the tree to bear. 
 
190 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Take the vongb cruelties from blade 
 
 Of steel, the dungeon, tortures rack 
 Of anguish in its drowning tears, 
 
 As broken hearts iu their low moan, 
 Most inad'ning as they life pervade, 
 
 As fruits of kindness that we lack, 
 Or fail in from our coward fears, 
 
 Deserting hearts iu anguish Ion 3; 
 The bare kind feelings cheering in their place. 
 With throb of joy, would fill the down trod race. 
 
 We have the brute to tame and bring. 
 
 Some seeming reason to endure. 
 If restiff in his nature hard. 
 
 Put iron in his mouth to curb, 
 Subdu'd to gamble in the ring. 
 
 Obedience comes thereby most sure. 
 From whom the whip and spur is shar'd. 
 
 Small seeming rancour to disturb ; 
 The brute knows seldom ready gratitude, 
 Beyond the measur'd lash and daily food. 
 
 Yet kindness in his nature grows. 
 
 Oft seeming as a reason'd birth, 
 To be return'd to bless our care. 
 
 Like manhood's heart enlarg'd to know ; 
 The source of which affection flows. 
 
 Wild, fierce and strange to social worth, 
 When in a state untam'd they are. 
 
 Resisting strong no 'traction show ; 
 Yet as the gentle lamb, they come to pay 
 The hand that tausrht them better to obev. 
 
WAR. 191 
 
 The savage nnreclaira'd his range. 
 
 Unsocial wilderness dark rude — 
 To seek and mar what to adorn. 
 
 The glory of the world deligts, 
 His way of life and manners strange. 
 
 With feelings bloody as his food, 
 Making his home a wild forlorn 
 
 Scant social sympathy invites . 
 Yet to the kindness nature teaches all, 
 His heart responsive answers to the call. 
 
 The dirt we tread upon despise, 
 
 To use for name of our disgust, 
 By custom cast away as dross ; 
 
 We're taught so by obliquity. 
 When tested answers in supplies. 
 
 Of precious metal free of rust. 
 Good service in, to save from loss 
 
 Of culture proves ubiquity ; 
 And are the heart and mind of man than dirt, 
 Less worthy grateful nature to assert. 
 
 There's not among all nature's store, 
 
 From mote to mountain fashion'd aught, 
 But has its useful high to serve. 
 
 The rightful searching to return ; 
 Good answer for all social lore, 
 
 Repaying kindly for each tho't. 
 Where social good it would subserve, 
 
 Reward the toil whatever earn ; 
 Is man the only mote the mighty made 
 His own, his fellow basely to persuade. 
 
192 BKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 False war, false party to promote. 
 
 False navy yards, a base device 
 
 All schemes of governra'nt are turn'd, 
 The dregs of manhood now devote, 
 
 The nations heart to sacrifice, 
 
 No saving healthy throb discern'd ; 
 War need not stay, to make more deep the scourge, 
 For madness greater mischief none can urge. 
 
 Who in Republics will be found 
 
 To oversee the overseers — 
 The watch'd and watchees all are one, 
 
 The guard and guarded keep one look. 
 The fault who finds may in the round, 
 
 Be faulted by his equal peers, 
 All knowing which, it's rarely done 
 
 With memorandum by the book ; 
 Some must be honest to control the will. 
 As those who hold the lash would treasures spill. 
 
 OBJECTIONS. 
 
 The wise in saws of present course. 
 
 Believe they see the whole of what 
 The future must of man reveal. 
 
 His nature and condition fix 
 Subservient to laws enforce. 
 
 By which all populations got 
 Its numbers full, the land must feel 
 
 Oppress'd by more and so predicts ; 
 Such scarcity of foods supply for all, 
 The mass at large in beggary must fall. 
 
OBJECTIONS. 193 
 
 On water live as Chinese do, 
 
 In tents, or caves, or any where — 
 A dish of porridge to obtain, 
 
 Cheese, crust or other scant suppl}' ; 
 Their hunger will reduce them to 
 
 Take any servitude or any fare, 
 And having lost all moral aim, 
 
 Be proud base means for life to try : 
 These laws, resultant so by lapse of time. 
 All sense confound of morals so of crime. 
 
 When hunger comes in his guant mein. 
 
 With haggard eye and wistful jaw, 
 Devouring like a famish'd beast, 
 
 Flesh, bread, and every growing thing ; 
 The race all dwarfy, raw and lean, 
 
 Shall feel one overruling law — 
 The stomach to provide a feast. 
 
 For hunger as the ruling king. 
 To worship him man proud shall be. 
 Not knowing hungry slaves from hungry free. 
 
 Pray stay, wise man, this is but small 
 
 Portion of risk to which were tied, 
 If fears and doubts can supercede 
 
 Eternal wisdom in the scale. 
 Plague's pestilence may on us fall, 
 
 And comets with swift vengeance ride. 
 On vagrant worlds to fatten feed. 
 
 That with ten million leagues of tail, 
 Absorb an ocean by their fall. 
 
 Or aptly whip some from its wat'ry place. 
 
 To leave of dry land not a single trace. 
 
 33 
 
194 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 All causes fail may to produce 
 
 Expected issues, reasoning finds 
 Unknown, true data to count on 
 
 The past, the future better tells 
 For benefits or for abuse ; 
 
 Sooner than hunger should all minds. 
 Debase, destroy by a bare long. 
 
 As number overgrowing swells, 
 It's better to conclude that wisdom sets the means 
 Avoidance for, by such as from it gleans. 
 
 Yet men starve constantly, and live 
 
 In dread of evils that don't come — 
 To borrow trouble and have doubt, 
 
 Of double doubts how they may fall. 
 By ways Divinity don't give 
 
 The knowledge easy got of some 
 To learn who earnestly set out 
 
 Avoiding those who would enthrall 
 By threaten'd dangers, vicious minds invent. 
 To keep their slaves in bondage more content. 
 
 Is life a juggle barely, all 
 
 Who teach and warn but juggler's trim ? 
 
 Deceived, deceiving, yea or nay. 
 Are hearts all false to beat their call — 
 
 From guile the struggle to begin. 
 
 Nor fonnder by a false delay ; 
 Say all is false, the world a cheat appears. 
 With all the flowers and smiling face it wears. 
 
OBJECTIONS. 105 
 
 Dig deep the slongli for man's estate, 
 
 All future times confirm his lot, 
 The poor are chain'd to servitude. 
 
 To cruel masters as the few, 
 Hunger and want decreed by fate, 
 
 Tramp freedom down, they never stop, 
 As poverty must crime include, 
 
 Twin sioters the relentless two — 
 As by the eternal wisdom human mind, 
 To perish out by hunger was design'd. 
 
 Science the earth can't cause to fill 
 
 With an abundance for all need, 
 For every rood, if dense its throng, 
 
 The sea is empt)^ of all store — 
 The Mighty's wisdom short of skill, 
 
 Leaves man to perish as a weed ; 
 To prove divine contrivance wrong. 
 
 Great pains with little for its score ; 
 Let's have another world by better hand, 
 With apter fitter sequence to command. 
 
 Man shall not meet his fellow on 
 
 The tired road, good cheer to say. 
 Here is my heart, with feeling beat, 
 
 To give for want or suff'ring yours, 
 Your sick, the limbs once brave and strong, 
 
 Now feeble, can't the body stay — 
 Come, rest, allay thy fever heat — 
 
 Cheer up, it often health secures ; 
 Men shall all starve where hearts can get no food, 
 If lavish plenty thieves on every rood. 
 
196 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Men shan't be friends and hardness leave, 
 
 Though far tlie better riches tell. 
 The world more flow'ry fields allow. 
 
 All pain divided gives less sting ; 
 li's best to wrong and try to grieve 
 
 Each other for (he little spell. 
 The longest years for life endow. 
 
 If short it will long evil bring, 
 We agents are each for the other's good, 
 Stern ignorance less makes it understood. 
 
 EXAMPLES. 
 
 In spite of want to make us starve, 
 
 The plottings of the base, with bumps too large, 
 And politics that has no heart 
 
 Or country but to buy and sell ; 
 There are good ways that often serve, 
 
 They come to all who would discharge 
 Of social duty a plain part. 
 
 That in the man should ever dwell ; 
 It's not of manhood's heart we should despair, 
 Trust comes of wisdom as divine its share. 
 
 So social state has fairly rung 
 
 Its changes from marauders' reign, 
 The rough excellence of a skin, 
 
 To wear untan'd the best among. 
 To high suavity courts gain. 
 As gentles all are polish'd in, 
 
 With raiment woviu of voluptuous thread, 
 
 Wearing with costly jewels overspread. 
 
EXAMPLES. 197 
 
 Whose is the fault, and whose the blame, 
 
 Co-equals where they both arise, 
 You think the heart to mend by dross. 
 
 Are griev'd and anger'd when you fail. 
 As if dross had full power to tame. 
 
 Unsocial passions you despise, 
 Tho' apter far to bring some cross. 
 
 With disappointment to assail ; 
 If hearts by such to gratitude incline, 
 To point a moral only needs a mine. 
 
 Some minds have doubts to founder on, 
 
 With many fears and reasons stale. 
 Why social wants can't be suppli'd, 
 
 They count men daft and doom'd to wronp' 
 No one opinion holding long, 
 
 By any means to make avail 
 For safety, that they could provide, 
 
 Why fail they must the reason's strong ; 
 Yet is it prov'd beyond a cavil or a flaw. 
 All wants the pow«rs of execution draw. 
 
 The comet flies, its terror bears 
 
 To minds of little reasoning blest — 
 One sees a fire to scorch and burn, 
 
 Another floods to drown, destroy ; 
 While nature safe its course prepares. 
 
 By the great law to all address'd, 
 Its threat'nings unto blessings turn, 
 
 All means alike by it employ, 
 The purpose one, no reason to offend, 
 Destroying, making, safety is the end. 
 
 34 
 
198 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 (toocI social rules are the rich field 
 
 Where full abundance grows to stay, 
 All wants of body as of mind, 
 
 Starvation is one phase of crime ; 
 Nature compels the plants to yield 
 
 Food equal to the moral sway, 
 As every bud, with seed and rind, 
 
 A moral being must combine, 
 As part and parcel of the plant to grow. 
 No need for this, no germ would ever show. 
 
 Take what is best in time to build. 
 
 Fates or starvation shall not mar 
 Its polish'd splendor, gaining high 
 
 Rewards, all ranks to bless, adorn, 
 Like morning sun, anon to guild 
 
 First mountain top, then vales afar — 
 No alien source for its supply. 
 
 Rewards of Mammon to subborn ; 
 - Then ask no more than other may the same, 
 For their own fellows do with equal aim. 
 
 Examples many are outspread. 
 
 And have been more than now. 
 Of recent years, and divers places. 
 
 Where social congregated bands, 
 Large numbers were togsther led. 
 
 To settle as good rules allow. 
 In towns, or under rural phases, 
 
 To work at trades and till the lands, 
 Livel long in love and harmony, no guide, 
 That laws appointed rulers make, prescribe. 
 
 1 
 
EXAMPLES. 199 
 
 No titl'd Satrap with a star 
 
 Or tail to herald dignity, its pay 
 To crush out or secure by fraud — 
 
 The latter oftener than the rule, 
 The object duties seldom bar ; 
 
 No etiquette for rights delay. 
 No drums or powder for its laud, 
 
 With sycophants to play the fool, 
 But Justice mighty in each heart they went, 
 To live and found the fruits of blest content. 
 
 No gather'd crowd to cast their caps. 
 
 Hurrahs to mingle with their yells — 
 For idols they have made to strut, 
 
 Cloth'd with official magnitude, 
 None who official spittle laps. 
 
 To get a place of power, tells 
 For such reward to carry smut, 
 
 To daub, if better dare intrude ; 
 They went to settle with a firm resolve 
 To do their duty, which no frauds involve. 
 
 No flunkies follow in the train 
 
 Of an official, pompous show 
 Self gratulations, puffs, to keep 
 
 Up to the flunkies' standard high ; 
 Pride seen in little curs, to gain 
 
 A place where in majestic row. 
 The big ones waddle, fat and sleek, ' 
 
 Curl'd tail, with upturn'd nose, whereby 
 They act their part, as well for strut's applause, 
 As big ones do by the same rules and laws. 
 
200 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 The State's a turnpike spacious, wide, 
 
 Where each may take his stand and swear 
 He'll have his gate, exact his toll. 
 
 To pay to his opinion your consent — 
 If not, his vengeance to abide ; 
 
 The surest, sneaking way prepare 
 Your life to pester or control. 
 
 To blacken to your heart's content : 
 If he don't gain by you, you shan't by him. 
 It's thus the savage for a social rule comes in. 
 
 The man of highest station shuts 
 
 His gate, and in his pocket puts the key. 
 Nor lets a single beggar through. 
 
 Although aloud they whine and cry, 
 Until the rhino down he puts ; 
 
 Fast in opinion to agree. 
 In all the servile work to do. 
 
 At meanness make no faces wry. 
 Or hold opinions like an honest man. 
 Unless from gate to get a sternmost jam. 
 
 The little whiffets of the road, 
 
 That keep no gate to stop your tiack, 
 Bark at you with a saucy throat. 
 
 To let their masters know you pay 
 No toll, opinions their's to load ; 
 
 To make your free a mulisd back 
 Throw dirt and filth upon your coat, 
 
 To splutter at you all the way ; 
 This is small parcel of the holy use 
 That freedom's satraps keep for its abuse. 
 
EXAMPLES. 201 
 
 Some gaze and think tliat power's got 
 All laboi'd duties to perform, 
 That makes a State the greatest, best. 
 
 The privates all in humble lot. 
 By number only to adorn 
 The higher rank, of growth the test ; 
 
 If private men great duties do not do. 
 
 The public ones can't their's aright pursue. 
 
 Vice is a coward, makes a fight 
 
 Where greater cowards yield the ground ; 
 
 But never will it face the right, 
 
 With hearts determin'd for this found. 
 
 Most men of note, in times gone by, 
 
 Have proved the expanding power 
 
 As; genial, own'd by social man. 
 Which must his state exalted high, 
 
 Secure and bless at future hour, 
 
 A limit scarcely to its span ; 
 Pray, shall it be in head or heart they mean. 
 In freedom of the few or many seen. 
 
 The crowd believ'd, in times afore. 
 
 Of halcyon days that should arise — 
 
 'Twas grateful to the soul's suspense. 
 Or why should seek a savage shore, 
 
 That most of social joy denies, 
 
 A home so lov'd to go from thence ; 
 With anguishment deep in their hearts they went. 
 To be Avith want and sufFerin.a: lonsr content. 
 
202 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 A savage shore they sought awdy, 
 
 Through a long, trackless, uuknown deep- 
 To make their home in a wild land, 
 
 'Mong savages and beasts of prey ; 
 By vigilance 'twas hard to keep 
 Life safe, but by a cunning hand ; 
 
 Shunning no toil and danger to be free, 
 
 Resolve the noblest, earnest if it be. 
 
 They fljd from tyranny, the worst 
 
 That lays upon a well-born thought. 
 An iron baud to crush it down, 
 
 To watch it as a subtle foe — 
 To make it aid a worldly lust. 
 
 By tyrants for religion taught ; 
 The church in slavery vile to crown, 
 
 To charge on heaven's command the blow ; 
 That baseness to oppress has equal none. 
 Which robs the subject to make poor the throne. 
 
 Why flee, why wince when the sharp lash 
 
 Is laid upon the tender flesh. 
 With scourging hand to make it bleed. 
 
 If nothing more is than to bear ; 
 No remedy, no oil upon the gash 
 
 To pour, with healing to refresh, 
 Restore and urge our holy speed, 
 
 To win high glory, wrong to dare ; 
 No, 'tis not true that mind should lie. 
 In brutal apathy to bear and die. 
 
WOMAN. 203 
 
 WOMAN . 
 
 Woman, God made thee as a bliss. 
 
 The rugged to assuage adorn. 
 To help thy mate none other here 
 
 With gifts divine such part to do ; 
 This holy ofifice, social is 
 
 Lost to the earth to meet thy scorn, 
 Made homeless solitary drear, 
 
 A high behest tho' plain to view ; 
 A thoughtless race may illy estimate. 
 If scorn'd thou art, the purpose still is great. 
 
 Creations work, of might unweigh'd 
 
 Measureless as infinitude 
 Of th't, exhaustless to perform, 
 
 Stands forth with unabated share 
 Of mystery so vast array'd ; 
 
 That wonder by its weight subdu'd 
 In speechless agony forlorn, 
 
 Gapes voiceless with a vacant stare; 
 If in such fields, might does not much abide, 
 Their vastness aigues fondness like a pride. 
 
 Thought might priority dispute. 
 
 With all things made in excellence. 
 For social use most apt display'd. 
 
 Being from us hid in this respect. 
 Almighty wisdom holds repute, 
 
 Exalted most to human sense. 
 In the vast fields so full array'd, 
 
 As not to suifer our neglect ; 
 
204 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 In chiefest excellence to challenge deep regard, 
 With art to imitate as great reward. 
 
 Pleasure is but succession wise, 
 
 Of tho'ts like flowers our path bestrew, 
 Some sweetness have in, while some 
 
 Nourish like fruit or leave behind 
 Bad flavor an excess supplies ; 
 
 All may be taught of good to do, 
 Or evil better left undone, 
 
 Sincere desire is sure to find ; 
 Tlie best reward, where nature widest throws 
 Examples most, for social life bestows. 
 
 Go to a city in decay. 
 
 It's walls are crumbling, doors unhung 
 How sadness damps the sinking mind ; 
 
 Petra, lonely more to stay. 
 
 Wand' ring thy desert walls among 
 Than the deep wilderness can find ; 
 
 The want of social sign is a sad grief. 
 
 Nature and art can minister relief. 
 
 Thy tenement of mind it's gain, 
 Wanting for daily thrifts supply, 
 To urge thy social ranks progress, 
 
 Is like a desert seen with pain. 
 
 Or gather'd mold and rust, whereby 
 Companionship has joy the less ; 
 
 Thy walls, Petra, desert who will seek, 
 
 Tho' once of social rapture bade to speak. 
 
WOMAN. 205 
 
 Herein we don't forget life's joy 
 
 In thousand vari'd ways that come, 
 To make us glad or to refresh 
 
 Some tir'd moments, nerves to rest ^ 
 Renewing power to employ, 
 
 New energies induct in some, 
 To lengthen life and health the best, 
 
 Examples in creative test ; 
 Nature don't weary, in her endless toil, 
 The useful making pleasure to, no foil. 
 
 Don't give to labor bad repute, 
 
 Or falsely think it wise to shun. 
 An action this or that less choice. 
 
 Except there be some moral bane. 
 By other rule we but refute, 
 
 Divinely equal all or none, 
 The time and place make right rejoice, 
 
 Intrinsic merit not to tame ; 
 Diamonds have value different, so of things 
 Each one to others all the merit brings. 
 
 Labor and learning both unite. 
 
 As one in purposes for good. 
 One of the body both of mind, 
 
 To equal strength if duly pli'd ; 
 Improvement social will invite. 
 
 Strength lives in reasons neighborhood. 
 In equal soil their roots to find, 
 
 One fails as t'other is deni'd. 
 We can't have mind, without the labor'd cause, 
 That subjugates them both to equal laws, 
 
 35 
 
206 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 Labor, the sturdy is the want, 
 
 The flesh, the bone, and muscle strong. 
 Improve and bring to just estate, 
 
 All things thereby proceed arise, 
 Be it a world or simple plant. 
 
 The sun its course would not prolonc'. 
 If planets could their task debate, 
 
 Defer to others its supplies ; 
 What doubts beset to worry social sense, 
 Where rank in labor's right finds base offense. 
 
 Joy comes of labor as the hills 
 
 Resound, the vallies echo wide 
 It's glad'ning clamor thrown aloft. 
 
 To mountain top as hearts respond 
 To sound of mirth the welkin fills. 
 
 Its rich abundance to provide. 
 The quiv'ring light as music soft. 
 
 Bears it away in raptures fond ; 
 Hearts must be hard or seeming like the vile, 
 Unmov'd by natures universal smile. 
 
 To be taught well is precious gift. 
 
 The false its only to correct 
 
 Whose evil lies at home; 
 Tiue social from by selfish rift. 
 
 All hopeless cureless to detect, 
 
 By any scheme as yet begun ; 
 One reason is, will it or not suffice. 
 Examples kill the most our wit supplies. 
 
WOMAN. 207 
 
 Most dolts come aptly by descent, 
 
 Of the opinion that they're learn'd, 
 
 Being forced or taught in their young years 
 To hasten over learn'd stuff ; 
 
 Years sixty wisely spent, 
 In what is best discern'd. 
 Are short to make us seers. 
 
 In which the most are short enough ; 
 Men learn the best who think they little know, 
 The most are stop'd where they begin to grow. 
 
 The highest rank of trust is thine, 
 
 As guardians to the little brood. 
 
 Whose accents first its thine to teach — 
 It may be that as stars they'll shine. 
 
 If thou providest mental food. 
 
 Of honest fame tho' high they reach ; 
 It bears thee on its glory fanning wings, 
 All for the wisdom they instruction brings. 
 
 Talents for fame and wit to deck. 
 
 Or pepper di^h of sharp discourse, 
 
 At which one's friends are cautious mum, 
 If thornless flowers win respect, 
 
 More than the barb'd it comes by force, 
 
 Of instinct we their daggers shun ; 
 The merits doubtless each hold's proper rank, 
 When in their place to meet, we're sure to thank. 
 
 * 
 It's very simple to suppose. 
 
 The head or heart alone should grow, 
 The other members to stand still, 
 
 'Twould make a monster to the sight, 
 
208 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Two bodies join'd in one disclose, 
 
 Example of the same to show, 
 Nature gives no inventive skill. 
 
 To found improveraent for delight ; 
 That don't include both equal head or hearts, 
 One's growth alone must spoil the other parts. 
 
 All parts that wisely are design'd, 
 
 A union for in strength and grace. 
 
 Require before the union's made, 
 A fitting suited to the kind 
 
 Of edifice we wish to place. 
 
 It's for some social use essay'd ; 
 Their parts require their nature to advance. 
 Such social shapes as must their worth enhance. 
 
 All education as all gain, 
 
 Have social base the only true. 
 We need not further look perplex. 
 
 Our life for cause that lies beyond, 
 As such its false to yield but pain, 
 
 For end the maker holds to view. 
 Conditions intricate that vex 
 
 Want but the heart to make them bend ; 
 To equal joy and good content in every phase, 
 Make all conditions equal in their place. 
 
 The bones of flesh require time. 
 Their just maturity to reach. 
 If shaded, hous'd, will sickly grow, 
 
 Equal are laws that govern mind. 
 Beyond its growth we cannot teach. 
 Too fast is fatal, more than slow ; 
 
 Teaching is only food well to digest, 
 
 Broad space demands with frequent toil and rest. 
 
WOMAN. 209 
 
 Fabius Maxiraus, in youth 
 
 Was dull and slow nor scarcely gave, 
 
 A sign of that rich riper fruit, 
 Which after years in shining truth, 
 
 Class'd him among the wise and brave. 
 
 His country's want so well to suit. 
 Against a subtle foe, whose anger drew 
 Revenge on Rome that her best armies slew. 
 
 All minds of depth are like the pit. 
 
 Of any nut of luscious taste. 
 
 The shell or husk to grow want time, 
 With labor'd elements to get 
 
 True flavor not convey 'd by haste, 
 
 Beyond a healthy swelling rind ; 
 Empirics try to make the pit by force. 
 Outgrow the laws of nature's healthy course. 
 
 Woman don't say yourself you know, 
 
 Such is acquaintance out of line. 
 
 Of mortal's knowledge in all cases — 
 One reason why it must be so. 
 
 Reposes on the vast design, 
 
 Which socializes all the races ; 
 If each one knew himself all tho't to guide. 
 The social would have nothing to decide. 
 
 All mind all matter stand alli'd. 
 
 Fast as decree of the supreme. 
 Unto the social as an end — 
 
 Including bound beyond time's flight, 
 (/reation vast for it supplied. 
 
 Point to it as the ruling theme, 
 The great the small alike defend 
 
 It, spirit of creating might ; 
 36 
 
210 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Hence the great duties on the race enjoin'd, 
 Lie in it or close kindred in combia'd. 
 
 Great office that a finger lends, 
 
 To imitate Almighty's task, 
 In province unto man assign'd, 
 
 To fill his world with art and use, 
 Labor creative never ends, 
 
 Xor favors from it all must ask, 
 No medium other is assign'd. 
 
 By which to molify abuse ; 
 But every blow we strike for good to thrive, 
 Is soul's exalted purpose to derive. 
 
 At holy altar kneel intense. 
 
 A fervent prayer pour out for what. 
 Some favor that the mighty high. 
 
 Vouchsafe will for the thirsty soul, 
 Create a spirit new, defence 
 
 'Gainst evils that appear as plot. 
 If answer comes with its supply. 
 
 What is it but enlarg'd control, 
 Creating power conducts you in, 
 New love and labor strouger to begin. 
 
 'Tis new creation for you pray. 
 
 Just like all other in intent. 
 Ripe in the fruit for social end, 
 
 Call it whatever name you will. 
 No prayer can labor's use delay. 
 
 Prolific harvest for it bend, 
 In field or soul to conquer ill ; 
 Curs'd must he be, who labors not or turn 
 His finger an unsocial thing to earn. 
 
WOMAN. 211 
 
 it a spirit idle yon invoke, 
 
 To tell you go lie down and rest, 
 Go languish in the shade and rust — 
 
 No, 'tis the eternal ever acting one, 
 Creation rose as word he spoke, 
 
 Yet with etei'nal youth is hlest. 
 To all who feel creative trust. 
 
 As theme divine of limit none. 
 All thot'sto bless from his creation spring, 
 New life to give and wisdom high to bring. 
 
 The excess of labor must enslave 
 
 Where drones abound with idle wing, 
 As burthens that we don't divide. 
 
 In due proportion are all like. 
 From chafe or social ill to save ; 
 
 Each must due contribution bring. 
 Nature her stores much to provide 
 
 Abundance causes to invite ; 
 Relief from want in what is hers to do. 
 Nor dreads a surplus should with Avaste imbue. 
 
 Some wait on labor as they do, 
 
 On any grace from heaven sent ; 
 They need and seek it with high zeal. 
 
 As cargueroes much prefer. 
 Dark mountain passes struggling through. 
 
 From which no danger will prevent. 
 With load to cause a giant's reel. 
 
 Than bear of idleness the spur ; 
 They seek most toilsome other's not suppii'd. 
 By social rise directing social tide. 
 
212 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 Where once the teusion'd muscles strove, 
 
 To sweat and blood compell'd full oft ; 
 
 The civil arts have lur'd the way, 
 With wheel and cog and cunning groove, 
 
 On easy chair to sit aloft, 
 
 The farmer with a magic sway ; 
 By wave of hand the power to wield. 
 That sweeps off clean the labor'd field. 
 
 Precepts are nails drove in to hold 
 
 The social life to times gone by — 
 Or going lest it take along 
 
 Some virtue stamp'd its tablets on, 
 So graven there, that in times fold. 
 
 They blur or o'er the better lie. 
 If some hold order in correction strong, 
 
 Beyond they little good have done ; 
 Longer to keep than time they're made to mend, 
 The prosperous social progress but uffend. 
 
 I leave it for the world to say. 
 
 How much it can of nature blanch 
 Outright, colors and instincts therfi. 
 
 Leaving a balance worth the cost. 
 Of blanching, fade out what it may, 
 
 Back it must come by force or chance. 
 New thinking races to prepare. 
 
 Oft when not leady for the lost ; 
 If art for government, provides good ways, 
 It is an art respect to nature pays. 
 
 The highest destiny as best. 
 
 Is that the mighty did create. 
 To follow thee in all thy ways ; 
 
 Cans't thou a better one presume. 
 
WOMAS. 213 
 
 Or find to make thee live as blest, 
 
 As honor'd in thy life's estate, 
 In aught that equal glory pays ; 
 
 It's true thou can'st give room. 
 To discontent, and seek some other way 
 The false in passion, or its pride obey. 
 
 Of all earth's precious things to seem, 
 
 Be it of flesh or jewel bright, 
 Most polish'd as a chosen gem. 
 
 Hidden away to be most sought ; 
 He's made thee fairest earth to deem 
 
 Without thee, as if sable night 
 Her mantle dark o'er ways of men. 
 
 Had thrown to make them naught ; 
 In thee, a world of laughing bliss is sent, 
 To crown with joy all social discontent. 
 
 What seemeth to thee toil and pain, 
 
 Their anguishment that so bereave. 
 To press thee down as if to crush, 
 
 Are ladders sent on which to mount. 
 Thy nature higher rank to gain. 
 The earth's full glory to receive. 
 
 Upborne upon thy fames account ; 
 It is thy choice to love the pain as its reward, 
 A tripple benediction will reward. 
 
 Some solitude at times our lot, 
 
 A tir'd sinking of the heart, 
 A weariness of the world's way, 
 
 Or wounds, that wrongs unwelcome bring. 
 Angels don't always fly to stop. 
 
 Or heal the anguish of their smart, 
 For ready help, then turn we may 
 
 To fountains that in woman spring ; 
 
1^14 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 To much that we endure and do not hide, 
 Will counsel and consoling words provide. 
 
 I would not mix her up entire, 
 
 With all the cause for jangling hates, 
 
 That but door life bring to assail. 
 No umpire truthful to inspire, 
 
 Amid rough storms our way debates, 
 The highest Judge in truth must fail. 
 
 In any quarrel aid to lend ; 
 
 What can we do when there's no peaceful bay, 
 
 Our ship if toss'd at anchor safe to lay. 
 
 There is a field both fair and wide, 
 
 Where stands the social tenement. 
 Why yield it to the blast of war, 
 
 Or the mad passions for corrupted gain ; 
 Let woman over it preside. 
 
 It needs a cherish'd government, 
 A wise firm hand to save from jar. 
 
 From daily waste it may sustain ; 
 If vote she must, why not the armies lead. 
 The helmet donn'd, who will young warrior's feed. 
 
 The ways of life are not as one. 
 
 In wants and need of body mind — 
 Some prominent and special use. 
 
 With place to fit and time to serve. 
 For each and all is wisely done. 
 
 The art of life is so to bind, 
 The deed and want the least abuse. 
 
 The better purpose on to curve ; 
 I leave the world to Judge of the best plan, 
 Most safe to change the woman to the man. 
 
WOMAN. 215 
 
 Help man, help God, who helper first, 
 
 Taught every labor and its use. 
 Most faithful tri'd, most tinth to ser. 
 
 How helping is an earthly bliss ; 
 God helpeth all who helping trust. 
 
 In him example to induce, 
 Of social strength a staff to be. 
 
 In way to heav'n we cannot miss ; 
 Go helper, help in spirit by him meant. 
 His trust to fill, fails not in the content. 
 
 What maketh godlike in thy name. 
 
 As angels wings thy nature sent 
 To stay a tempest in its rage. 
 
 And turn its desolation back, 
 To ward aside some coming flame. 
 
 Whose burning never would relent, 
 Where else no other to assuage, 
 
 Or heal a torture on life's track ; 
 God gave thee heart large as of course the sun, 
 'Circling as wide as human ills can run. 
 
 A heart that has for every woe 
 
 A balm, for every pain a tear, 
 To give us thy compassion sweet. 
 
 To stand by us when well we know. 
 No hand but thine will venture near. 
 
 With cooling drops parch'd lips to meet, 
 Parching by fever's burning glow, 
 
 Or stricken 'neath the world's dark frown, 
 
 In bitterness to tramp us down ; 
 God sent thee helper ever standing near, 
 To raise and comfort, scorn thou do'st not fear. 
 
216 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 There is a pool that lies aside, 
 
 The clear sweet fountain sparkling bright. 
 With darnel growing on its edge. 
 
 As reptiles croaking ever near ; 
 It need not on my page abide, 
 
 To stain it with a hurtful sight. 
 The power of God to man as pledge. 
 
 Shall make its turbid waters clear ; 
 If slow, 'twill change to give more ample room, 
 For social growth and flowers with their perfume. 
 
 Ask not why made the high the low, 
 
 Man and all world's, that shine and roll 
 Immensity with perfect order stay'd. 
 
 Now and for ever more not less. 
 All purpose mortals not to know, 
 
 Betidements that an end control, 
 The councils are to him who made 
 
 Man's place and province not to bless ; 
 To change an aspect, God has power and can 
 To make it here, subverts the world of man. 
 
 If naught except a star that shines — 
 
 A flower's perfume and gayety, 
 Of place with pleasure's nimble round, 
 
 Are the grand final of the race. 
 It graces ill such vast designs, 
 
 To greet with such disparity 
 A programme, bearing the profound 
 
 A prelude sadly to deface ; 
 Ten million worlds not needed surely are, 
 To make us laugh or gaze up a star. 
 
WOMAN. 217 
 
 The end is godly, that deny, 
 
 Powers of earth and world's assume, 
 Dare not, and that is bless'd — 
 
 Or perfect being end and aim ; 
 Stand all repeal'd but to supply 
 
 The false to fill perfections room, 
 With vanity of purpose test. 
 
 To be of God's exalted name. 
 No, God is perfect and the end the best. 
 To things he form'd his pleasures in to rest. 
 
 The wind on the sea makes a glorious sight. 
 
 Gives a seeming life to its motion grand, 
 The cloud with its thin and fragile form. 
 
 When the sun shines on, turns to molten gold ; 
 We admire much to see a thing so slight, 
 
 Turn ethereal from celestial wand. 
 But of all the riches sent to adorn 
 
 Or metal or gems sum up when all told ; 
 Or than sea, or than cloud, diviner to last, 
 Is truth round the heart of woman to clasp. 
 
 The sea holds great riches buri'd away 
 
 For which its hunger is ever the same. 
 With Peri to sport and sail in a shell. 
 
 That is spangl'd with purple, orange and blue, 
 Drawn by dolphins, who dash thro' foam and spray, 
 
 Held fast to guide by a sun beams rein, 
 The mermaid song to listen thereto. 
 
 Oft beguil'd away by its dreamy spell. 
 But no song, or shell, or riches of sea. 
 Boast worth to compare with her constancy. 
 
 37 
 
218 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Thou hast heard of gift divine they say, 
 That changes water into wine, 
 Those drinking of to thirst no more, 
 
 But youth put on if old and grey, 
 Then looking to a blissful shrine, 
 Take wings and for it's haven soar ; 
 
 If these things in the same distrust have grown. 
 
 I'll show how magnifi'd are gifts thy own. 
 
 Turn water into wine, thou cans't 
 
 Turn bread to panacea sweet. 
 
 The mouth to fill with lucious gust, 
 The tray on which the food thou stand'st. 
 
 In new made splendor comes to greet. 
 
 Times hoar can scarce invade to worst ; 
 Thy gifts are supernatural in this vale. 
 All magic arts in equal wonder fiil. 
 
 Thy cottage that peers low and scant, 
 
 Thatch'd roof and clay outspread for floor, 
 All humble looming in its build, 
 
 Resist thy beck to rise it can't, 
 To portal wide and poli-sh'd door. 
 With stately roof and burnish'd gild ; 
 
 Why not thy victor eyes in love are there. 
 
 To banish hence away life's last despair. 
 
 Is there in life a wail, a fearful storm, 
 To rack the mind and break its peace. 
 At which the bravest might despond ; 
 
 Thy look their terrors can reform — 
 All madden'd roar compel to cease : 
 Vain are all threats if thou art fond. 
 
 Come, welcome all events, for thou canst heal 
 
 The blotch, the plague, their torments ripe to yield. 
 
WOMAN. 219 
 
 Too thou ! Oh, why such fearful gift ! 
 
 Can wine turn back to poison draught, 
 
 Bread to make bitter in the mouth ? 
 The domes of grandeur that uplift 
 
 Their tow'ring roofs and polish'd shaft. 
 
 Thy breath can canker as the south, 
 With its siroccos blast can sweep away 
 The flower's fostering life with sweet delay. 
 
 Choose which thou wilt, but do not vow 
 Thou hast no choice thy gifts to lend — 
 Why should life mourn its bitterness. 
 
 With heavy grief to mar its brow, 
 
 Where thou canst charm against them send. 
 To banish or to feel them less ; 
 
 If thou art sent an angel's messenger. 
 
 Pray do not that of fallen one prefer. 
 
 A WORD AT PARTING. 
 
 The heartless schemes, unwise or base, 
 
 That politicians raise and mask, 
 Unworthy render them of trust, 
 
 To teach or train the heart and mind ; 
 A private want to find fit place 
 
 In Virtue's care, not in their task — 
 Can one expect an issue just. 
 
 In number large to madness join'd ? 
 They have no interest proper to the plot. 
 The more you give, returns the poorer got. 
 
220 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 War may be learn'd at public charge, 
 
 The art to kill regards the end 
 The basest that we can conceive ; 
 
 Virtue is seldom learn'd of mobs. 
 Or bodies that the means enlarge. 
 
 To smother out and not defend, 
 Want's that 'tis private hearts relieve : 
 
 To make by politici their snobs. 
 Whose use is doubtful as a teaching ware, 
 All people, if they wish, can easy spare. 
 
 THE MAN. 
 
 There was a rose, a simple flower. 
 
 Upon its stem that graceful bore 
 Its shining head, to kiss the dew, 
 
 With lips perfum'd, at early morn ; 
 If life was but a fragrant hour. 
 
 It counted worshipers by score — 
 True friends, that close their bosom drew, 
 
 That near the heart it might adorn ; 
 It faded, shrank, its leaves fell down. 
 But yet they strew'd perfume around. 
 
 A violet more simple still. 
 
 Led on a gentle, careless life, 
 Its labor in the world was small, 
 
 It suffer'd neither care or pain. 
 Yet modest beauty deign'd to fill 
 
 A circle wide with fondness rife, 
 Who lov'd and prais'd its colors all ; 
 
 They woo'd it for adornment's gain — 
 It died, and yet no charge was ever made 
 That could its modest worth or fame invade. 
 
THE MAN. 221 
 
 There was a man like flower made. 
 
 Of the same dust his nature grew, 
 His image touching the sublime, 
 
 With inward complicate renown, 
 Of soul and passions to persuade. 
 
 With many ties his nature drew. 
 To urge his being up to climb. 
 
 Strange winds, of storm and tempest frown 
 On him more fearful, that he apprehends 
 Evil more distant than the flower offends. 
 
 His life is longer, yet its sphere 
 
 As panorama emulates 
 In changes, of their sudden guise 
 
 Mysterious oft, as if their woof 
 Were woven in a sybil's gear ; 
 
 From mixture spun and stir'd by fates. 
 Where darkness broods for its supplies, 
 
 'Neath gushing light for that behoof ; 
 The vapors tremble in such atmosphere, 
 That mist is strangely blent to conjure fear. 
 
 For him in cunning art, a hood 
 
 Nature has set of texture fine. 
 To throw at times, perhaps unwarn'd, 
 
 Its shadow, reason on a film ; 
 It's like as if some passion stood, 
 
 With finger bent for the design. 
 All careful, so were not alarm'd. 
 
 Draws it quite o'er the thoughtful realm ; 
 It often seems, like consciousness shut out. 
 From that accustom'd to create a doubt. 
 
 38 
 
222 SKETCHES OF LIFE 
 
 It's dark within the hood when clos'd, 
 
 For reason's light is wan'd and gone=— 
 Yet therein seeming brightly more 
 
 Lights brilliant of phosphoric hue, 
 By glare false visions interpos'd, 
 
 Seeming of bliss a pledge or pawn. 
 Or gainful on some winning score, 
 
 Thus tempting froward to pursue ; 
 Tho' promises not clear in line or name, 
 Yet in the hood by darkness seeming plain. 
 
 Thus led or forc'd, wild deeds commits. 
 
 At which the angels veil their face, 
 And doers weep at, too, when done ; 
 
 O, villainy ! thou hast no friend — 
 Thy parent to condemn thee sits 
 
 In judgment, scorning thy disgrace ! 
 Pity asham'd, can scarcely come — 
 
 There is a laugh at thy foul end : 
 More sad it makes one to reflect on woe, 
 Waiting, deserted, for its final blow. 
 
 Who knows, pray, ponder, ask the deep 
 
 Recesses where the tho't must rise, 
 If the dark hood has not enclos'd. 
 
 The reason of the world in this, 
 The scorner tho' he judgment keep, 
 
 Arm'd with a bolt the law supplies. 
 Leaves stubborn doubt to be proposed 
 
 How he the falling hood can miss ; 
 Perhaps it's more than human strength can reach, 
 To say which most aside the hood can teach. 
 
THE MAN. 223 
 
 Intensity is the great stream 
 
 Or flood to overbear and sweep 
 Our reason like a straw away, 
 
 To turn our ends and aims to dust ; 
 It may be crime the cure you deem. 
 
 And try the proper cause don't keep 
 In view, or teach the means to stay. 
 
 Examples of all fruits the first — 
 Let him who out of darkness fairly climbs, 
 Give us true light, by which his reason shines. 
 
 That's in the social nothing less, 
 
 Emitted light from every line. 
 And tangent as time's circles move. 
 
 Less than the perfect tho' it be, 
 The good endeavor still to bless. 
 
 If darkly but, thro' efforts shine. 
 Compel the hood does to approve, 
 
 The less the selfish comes to see ; 
 It don't see darkness in the reason's way, 
 To mark the I that does the you betray. 
 
 Who that darkness knows, or why. 
 
 We are led bj'^ it to an abyss 
 To thrust us down its yawning depth ; 
 
 Why or for what ourself to dash, 
 Out memories sweet that lie 
 
 Clasp'd in the soul's eternal bliss — 
 To narrow up its precious width. 
 
 Is but ourself ourself to lash ; 
 Why is the wrong we each to other do. 
 Reason don't plead the narrow, selfish view. 
 
224 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 What saint is here, with sternness fit, 
 
 Or judge to hold of scourge the rein, 
 To make more perfect the divine, 
 
 In measure he deals out to slay 
 Or thrust his fellow in the pit — 
 
 To fix a standard for his pain, 
 Himself don't feel or vast design, 
 
 Compass his judgment won't obey ; 
 It's idle, vain, presumptuous to suppose 
 He learns of science what it can't disclose. 
 
 Is it some royal thief that farms, 
 
 A fief or realm to fret its fields, 
 With spears to enrich the soil 
 
 With copious showers of blood, 
 The product of revengeful arms ; 
 
 His pride or lust of conquest yields 
 To call it patriotic toil, 
 
 The wanton desolation good — 
 It must be that the dark'ning hood has fell 
 To mingle curses with its bloody spell. 
 
 The beauteous world adorn'd to shine, 
 
 By supernatural art contriv'd, 
 To fill the soul and slake its thirst, 
 
 With knowledge ample but to ask — 
 Distorted not by the divine. 
 
 But of a just estate depriv'd. 
 By evil musing and distrust. 
 
 So mingl'd with each other's task ; 
 To tire, and often faint in such false throes, 
 Or think a God inflicts all human woes. 
 
THE MAN. 225 
 
 It would not be so if demani 
 
 We make on others to perform — 
 Look'd to the social benefit, 
 
 Ourselves on equal base to stand, 
 Resolv'd of reason not to scorn, 
 The time and place full study get ; 
 
 Their simple laws to overrule as guide, 
 
 Leave folly's empire little to divide. 
 
 As 'tis, it's wondeiful how much 
 
 Perform he does of mingl'd deed, 
 In all relations, that he sues 
 
 To claim a sweet and blest perfume — 
 How many hazards in it touch. 
 
 How broad the charity they need, 
 As brace his nature ill can lose ; 
 
 Yet after all, to meet in room 
 Thereof, an ordeal cold and scathing too. 
 For moments darkness falling on his view. 
 
 He much has done that seemeth well, 
 
 To struggle for a little fame — 
 To leave his household when his dust 
 
 Lies silent in a humble tomb ; 
 The darkness that upon him fell. 
 
 All from your fellow's finger came, 
 Or ill device you on him thrust. 
 
 To blight the store of his perfume. 
 Yet like the Jeddah hounds you raise the cry. 
 For deed your own you tell him he must die. 
 
226 SKETCHES OF LIFE. 
 
 Crime never comes alone to slay 
 
 Our reason and the heart pervert — 
 It's in the knot tied up and bound, 
 
 False social weaves, if intricate, 
 Base cowards only would array, 
 
 Judgment 'gainst causes to assert, 
 In which no cure is ever found ; 
 
 Amendment to exasperate. 
 Search for the cause why evil must exist, 
 Nor on a further wrong for cure insist. 
 
 The last wild phase is at the door, 
 The civilizing temple opes to man, 
 Riches reserv'd it seems to crown 
 
 In magnitude not seen before, 
 Australian and Pacific land, 
 To consecrate a vast renown ; 
 
 Shall the material selfish rule the end. 
 
 Or moral power and glory more defend. 
 
 'Tis his own work, come as it will, 
 
 Achiev'd for honor or a curse to send, 
 The next grand step may it proclaim, 
 
 The elements expose to view ; 
 Material only, long can't fill 
 
 A nation's wants, the heart defend 
 'Gainst woes, no power it holds to tame. 
 
 Our simplest reason bring us to ; 
 We see the want, well able to redress, 
 Ourselves, our enemy, content with less. 
 
THE MAN. 
 
 227 
 
 New bonds, new bands are forming fast, 
 
 They will the millions all embrace, 
 More social closing with the soul — 
 
 Divine to prove their better lot. 
 To break the empire of the past, 
 
 A wider sympath)' to place 
 Less mystery for dark control. 
 
 Except from love and kindness got ; 
 High kings, high priests, intolerance will forego, 
 To tread the path where social duties flow. 
 
 My hand I've offer'd to the palm 
 
 Of every man, with heart to greet. 
 Well wishing in God's love and speed, 
 
 To him with all his tribe and clan ; 
 It may be that in my salaam. 
 
 His full approval all don't meet — 
 He's free to challenge as to read, 
 
 If right to find by wrong he can ; 
 We both arc pleas'd who love the truth to know, 
 All gain'd to gain it, let the manner go. 
 
228 NIGHT S GENES. 
 
 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 SCENE FIRST. 
 
 'Tis midnight, and the air is hush'd — 
 
 The kine lie down in their dumb bed ; 
 Stillness is melancholy's nearest friend, 
 
 'Tis broke but by the prowling pard 
 Or Bacchanals with revel flush'd — 
 
 The first to feast by instinct lead. 
 The last less reason can defend ; 
 
 Instincts if in the brute seem wanton, hard, 
 In man more wanton where no reason suits, 
 Condition his to raise above the brutes. 
 
 'Tis midnight past, the hour that parts 
 
 A death-like slumber from the morn, 
 Of waking to new life reviv'd. 
 
 New birth diurnal to the breast ; 
 Unbounded incense for all hearts. 
 
 Through the wide world expecting borne, 
 A wondrous boon to all unshriv'd. 
 
 Again life breaks, as from death's rest, 
 With joys made newer, fresh to flow, 
 As opening buds untasted death to know. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 229 
 
 'Tis midnight past, and yet there's eyes 
 
 Full many close do not to sleep, 
 They merry make, the darkness flee, 
 
 In dance to tread its mazes out — 
 In nimble chorus, think it's wise 
 
 The tabor's time and pipe to keep. 
 In suppleness with toe and knee ; 
 
 Absorb the world in sprightly rout, 
 Nor tire, unconscious of the golden light 
 Morn pours as victor, putting stars to flight. 
 
 'Tis not alone the toe and joints, 
 
 Contend for raptures of the reel. 
 Or waltz a humpy dumpy match, 
 
 The heart, the eyes, sometimes the lips, 
 To office higher love appoints 
 
 If noiseless, yet may deeper feel 
 In every maze to touch or snatch, 
 
 A palm or glance like bird who sips ; 
 On wing, some nectar from inviting flower, 
 He with his bill, while they witn hearts devour. 
 
 The blood is warm'd, the cheeks aglow, 
 
 Thtj heaving heart pulsates aloud— 
 There's fever in the blood or flesh, 
 
 The breath some balmy volumes pour 
 In pairs to be reliev'd they go. 
 
 To avoid the pressure of the crowd, 
 Cool breezes will out door refresh. 
 
 The dust is stifling from the floors ; 
 So pleasure thickens in the dance's rout. 
 Some pleasures in find other pleasures out. 
 39 
 
2 30 NIGHT S CENES. 
 
 *Ti*8 midnight past, tho* faint and slow 
 
 Star lights in trembling dimness come, 
 The blue upon the sky, some haze 
 
 Is blended with approaching grey ; 
 If larger ones some brilliance show, 
 
 Nights finished splendor comes from none, 
 The winds in miirm'ring dullness play. 
 
 As loit'ring mind with nought to say ; 
 There is no moon, the mountain silver line 
 Not seen as when she condescends to shine. 
 
 The senses now are quick, not bar'd 
 
 By nature's elemental floods apace. 
 Of light and winds which often sweep, 
 
 The welkin o'er to win our choice, 
 Or conjure dread from nature's hard. 
 
 So sound if small can fill large space. 
 And grief be heard if neighbors weep. 
 
 Not so when tempests raise their voice ; 
 To clatter as clouds gather' roU'd in sheets. 
 As brass and iron one the other meets. 
 
 The vale in double darkness hid. 
 
 It's leaf and flower can't be seen, 
 A murmur now and then prevails, 
 
 An insects flutter, sudden splash 
 Sounds, the conclusion to forbid, 
 
 That leafy kingdoms holds a screen, 
 Tho' darkness murk the night assails, 
 
 To signs the mighty gives, they flash 
 Conviction of a power not hid ; 
 
 All nature holds, some sign, some present sound, 
 
 The omnipresent, be it dark profound. 
 
 II 
 
NIGHT scenes'. 231 
 
 The bell we hear, the tolling bell, 
 
 At this dark hour it brings a thrill, 
 Some sad'ning tho't to dwell upon 
 
 Why should a sound portend some grief. 
 It's at the hour fit time to tell. 
 
 Our orisons so hush'd so still, 
 Perhaps its these they say anon 
 
 From guilt entreat to get relief ; 
 Humbly to kneel, proud spirits down a space, 
 Imploring heav'n with upturn'd wistful face. 
 
 No, there's a flambeau's light on high 
 
 Its blaze points out the cortege van, 
 The music is the dirges strain, 
 
 A funeral is approaching slow, 
 The trombones voice bespeaks it nigh, 
 
 With mellow chants to swell the band. 
 More loud as steps upon us gain. 
 
 Each note how plain it speaks of woe ; 
 Ah, how the stilly darkness seems to bend. 
 With pomp and glory fain their part to lend. 
 
 Memento other, yet small heed 
 
 No lime on sables our last pall, 
 To waste, or give to drops that go. 
 
 To f()rm an ocean of eternity ; 
 Endless they gather on time's speed, 
 
 UnfiU'd however, fast they fall 
 When near the heart they sprinkle woe. 
 
 Time smiles upon its casuistry ; 
 How can it be a gush of salty tears, 
 Heals up a wound made for eternal years. 
 
232 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 The lake whose waters calmly lie, 
 
 So minor'd stars if dim appear, 
 Upon it's surface thithers their way, 
 
 The flambeaus blaze upou it thrown, 
 A flick'ring light as if to vie, 
 
 In ekeing out to mourner's cheer, 
 To glimmer as the waters sway, 
 
 Suits falt'ring step to sadness known ; 
 Sadness all heedless to the torches blaze. 
 Were it a pyre, to crown a grief with bays. 
 
 In her palanquin borne by men. 
 
 Chief mourner now if palely shown, 
 Sits beauty in it's blushing time 
 
 Of years, the flow'ring spring to crown. 
 With fragrant bloom the thrifty stem. 
 
 Sorrow thus early strikes scarce blown. 
 What would she seem in her full prime. 
 
 No blush despoil'd of its renown ; 
 How would she look, how much, how far outrun 
 Her present self, glowing by the lit sun. 
 
 He sables well set on to deck. 
 
 Flesh mortal of a child so fair, 
 And grief itself can deeply win 
 
 A pity, when we feel its tears ; 
 It's so when grief completes its wreck, 
 
 Love comes to take with pity share. 
 To cover up and hide the brim, 
 
 That sorrow's cup o'erflowing bears ; 
 Pity I would, thy arms were long to cast 
 Kound scath'd one's many, sorrow comes to blast. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 233 
 
 Fair were slie, word but poorly made, 
 
 The assembl'd graces to express. 
 Around her hung as if to daie. 
 
 Angelic excellence above, 
 They might not such high host invade. 
 
 Yet provinces below address 
 With earth's born graces to compare, 
 
 Nor shun or fear the queen of love ; 
 Aught that we've seen of mortal deck'd out woe. 
 Fairer, more lofty, in the shade must throw. 
 
 Guido drew beaut}^ with large eyes, 
 
 Small mouth compress'd to hold 
 Its sweetness in, to have much room 
 
 To think it kept a precious store, 
 Beauty in no single feature lies. 
 
 As self creating clayey mould, 
 A spirit's life must give it bloom, 
 
 Absent we cannot long adore ; 
 'Twas so in every grace of motion look. 
 The mourner bore of inward soul partook. 
 
 You know it is celestial deep. 
 
 As the devotion of a spirit makes 
 It's life a veiity in the divine. 
 
 As food it lives on, elements to be 
 Just as the seas their saltness keep. 
 
 To die if "savor that forsakes, 
 Or turn to other thing which to combine, 
 
 It longer can't be call'd the sea ; 
 No perfect beauty can you make, of grace 
 The chisel, cuts, or brushes give a place. 
 
 40 
 
234: NIGHT S CENES. 
 
 They stand upon the graves quick verge, 
 
 The coffin lid is folded by, 
 No groans came from her, but a swell 
 
 Of murmur'd sighs from heaving breast, 
 That wounded hearts are wont to urge. 
 
 When fount of tears, from weeping's dry 
 Upon his face she kneeling fell. 
 
 And lip to lip in anguish press'd ; 
 Trembling like leaf, her utterance seem'd to tell, 
 Henry, my love, is this our last farewell. 
 
 The decencies perform'd, the occasion mien 
 Fill'd every looker on with grief ; 
 There burst a general sob aloud, 
 
 Feeling my heart to nature lean — 
 Wanting some tears for its relief. 
 The luxury drove me from the crowd ; 
 
 The luxury to go away and weep alone, 
 
 Perhaps I had much sorrow of my own. 
 
 She was to him betrothed, whom now 
 
 She mourn'd the banns, for his return 
 From war's fierce field, whereto 
 
 His country call'd him, whilesome staid-— 
 For fond completion of his vow, 
 
 Constant as the vestal fires burn ; 
 His noble heart while breath he drew, 
 
 A bullet breach unholy made — 
 While the lone weeper, more than widow sent, 
 To bear her Providence for life unspent. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 235 
 
 All men who saw her once, again 
 
 Would love to look, they were so charm'd 
 In all she did or deign'd to say. 
 
 And women too, who knew her, felt 
 A strange felicity remain — 
 
 Of all apt jealous pique disarm'd ; 
 Speaking or acting, sad or gay, 
 
 Truth kindly sweet conviction dealt. 
 Seeming to humor all companions said, 
 Yet sure to hint the right to which it led. 
 
 No clatt'ring slander of her sex 
 
 Defil'd her lips, or envious wit 
 Dazzl'd, a laughter to provoke, 
 
 As tho' mirth of condition low, 
 Could make its prize, a right to vex 
 
 The modest, or the humble hit ; 
 If in her power, such never spoke 
 
 But words some goodness to bestow — 
 Uplifting, or as teaching truth to mind, 
 How gain'd in what philosophy to find. 
 
 Buried at night, fit time to count 
 
 As witness, starry host to come, 
 More brilliant than earth's cavalcade — 
 
 They heaven's majesty portray. 
 No glitter in them false to mount, 
 
 To tarnish luster of the tomb — 
 To thank death barely for parade, 
 
 As bout upon a holiday ; 
 I would not die to exact a tribute such, 
 In all who give it false, it is too much. 
 
 I 
 
236 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 Buried at night, fit time and fit respDnse 
 
 To the dark shadows of grave's bed — 
 The dew, the chilly vapors suit cold clay, 
 
 They kiss and mingle as close friends. 
 They vent no slander if the nonce, 
 
 Or cast their venom at the dead ; 
 The truth perverted, half to say. 
 
 Earth holds enough, with such base ends. 
 Buried at night, the place of ray stern rest, 
 Let them not know or sod by which it's press'd. 
 
 Night wanes apace, you hear the clank 
 
 Earth men are making as they rise 
 From drowsy beds, to prompt prepare 
 
 Day's busy work in field and shop, 
 Or rack their brains for schemes and prank. 
 
 For gains in which small labor lies ; 
 An idle tongue oft wins large share 
 
 From those who toil for gather'd crop, 
 "Where each don't labor to deservt; his own— 
 Those idle merit honors with the drone. 
 
 The cattle low, and restless tramp. 
 
 Wanting the master's hand to feed — 
 The swine gruff calls make for the same, 
 
 The steed tied to his stall, his neck 
 Ample extends, to whicker, stamp 
 
 With nimble feet, his wants for heed ; 
 The cock his clarion throat, of fame 
 
 Long held, loud warning pours as check 
 To drowsy loungers, loitering in their bed. 
 While owls more conscious, fearing day, have fled. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 237 
 
 SCENE SECOND. 
 
 Night glorious, drap'd for our repose, 
 
 Rob'd deeper, richer than the day, 
 For cause the soul more ample room, 
 
 In its dusk stillness finds to soar 
 Heavenward, no limit finds to close 
 
 Vastness upon the vision's way — 
 Or depths that underlie its gloom. 
 
 That lights to tho't from darkness pour ; 
 Sleeper, forget not dark, thy rest its need. 
 Yet in it tho't has found its busy speed. 
 
 The din, the ceaseless clamor, light 
 
 From all created things alive — 
 
 Man, elements, the beast and bird, 
 If not of force, yet seemeth to invite, 
 
 Confliction like a swarming hive. 
 
 The voice of noise triumphant heard' ; 
 So deep the interest noisy strifes assume, 
 For thought's essay there's left but- little room. 
 
 Night's book the stars to sages far 
 
 Up in the annals of the past. 
 By Avhich they read man's destiny 
 
 Of horoscopic stellar guise — 
 For life to make some bliss, or mar 
 
 At birth, as by their tables cast — 
 The high would leave off revelry. 
 
 To list and tremble at the dread surmise ; 
 Kings left their thrones, and all their reason's throne 
 When stars made life a legend of their own. 
 
238 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 The horoscope by telescope 
 
 Is crush'd, the heavens assume 
 
 Hues brilliant, more to cast their light, 
 Nor stop at birth the pleasing hope, 
 
 There is for useful glory room, 
 
 Which ignorance may, but stars won't blight ; 
 How can an Infinite his glory tell, 
 If less their fires in light and number swell. 
 
 The stars as peopl'd worlds we may 
 
 Suppose, how can we think, surmise, 
 
 Space infinite their glory lights. 
 Can be unblest with night and day ; 
 
 Their countless orbs to deck tlie skies, 
 
 No pulsing throb a home invites — 
 While this small speck of earth to them compar'd, 
 Alone the chiofest excellence has shar'd. 
 
 How does the mariner the deep 
 
 Who sails upon, thro' the long night, 
 Look wistful up and bless their fires. 
 
 So many sweetly kindl'd up to keep 
 Watch for and show his way aright, 
 With many a cheering tho't inspire ; 
 
 He gaz'd upon them often when a boy. 
 
 They now remind him of his youthful joy. 
 
 They look'd upon him when the cot 
 
 Of her he lov'd, if humble, low. 
 
 He left, mayhap for the last time — 
 Their lights by him can't be foigot, 
 
 The inspir'd past augments their glow, 
 
 To follow him thro' every clime : 
 Home, good-b}'', a mother's arms around his neck, 
 Are fresh as tears that fall upon the deck. 
 
 1 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 239 
 
 The sky when I'nll of beaming fires, 
 
 As heaven's festival its blaze. 
 With glowing, brilliant streams of light, 
 
 Each ray a woilcl bespeaks its own — 
 'Finite power to count them tires, 
 
 To wonder more the more we gaze, 
 All wrapt of the transcendent night, 
 
 By such supernal glory shown ; 
 A vast infinitude is that abode, 
 When torches such skirt out the shining road. 
 
 Talk to the stars you do, you must 
 
 If wanderer you are from home — 
 
 Oft times sole company to say 
 Here lies your safety, here to trust 
 
 The road will to a shelter corne ; 
 
 Why should the feet be led astray. 
 When one can look above, and thankful speak 
 To stars, God made by, to protect the weak. 
 
 Blest is the man who from star light. 
 
 Or bird or plant, all elements to woo, 
 
 Can from each, all, sufficient draw 
 To guide him when it's dark at night. 
 
 To bring him all his troubles through— 
 
 His tent to pitch away from flaw ; 
 He must converse with stars, with all around, 
 Before the safety of his tent be found. 
 
 Many sad wanderers roam 
 
 Dispirited, to feel neglect. 
 
 The world holds out no friendly side — 
 No shelter for the head — no home. 
 
 Calling the soul up to protect 
 
 A desolation dreadful to abide. 
 
240 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 On any christian soil, yet there to stand, 
 Pride, selfish ignorance the curse command. 
 
 The felt is strongest where not spun. 
 The thousand fibres knit secure. 
 Adhere with interlacing strength. 
 
 Not reach'd in coarser bundles done ; 
 The last less hardship will endure — 
 'Tis so in the whole fiame and length 
 
 Of social life, the fibres many of the heart 
 
 Must felted be — if only spun they part. 
 
 Look now the city on, and list, 
 
 There is a noise like smother'd raid. 
 With now and then a break, a crash ! 
 
 Sudden surceas'd, a moment slack, 
 More distant, then renew'd again — 
 
 Like bands of men arm'd to resist, 
 In quick and hurri'd steps parade ; 
 At foil you hear their armor clash—- 
 
 The echo to take breath returning back. 
 Too many met by to be plain ; 
 
 The sound is nothing like but city's hum, 
 
 Ten thousand noises melted into one. 
 
 Night's fallen on its turrets, walls — 
 The shadow gives them glimmer gray. 
 Looming up lofty to the sight. 
 
 Of mnch we see a part conceal'd, 
 Or less distinct for shadow thine — 
 
 The vision on it flatter'd falls. 
 
 To give the wondering fancy play ; 
 Tliere is a majesty that comes with night, 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 241 
 
 By heavens and earth ah'ke reveal'd, 
 
 Touch where it will it is divine : 
 The swelling ocean fearful more o'errides, 
 While tower and wall its lofty spell ahides. 
 
 You think to see a lahor'd day 
 
 Glad yielding to the night's repose — 
 To make for darkness solemn fall 
 
 Upon its precincts, asking rest ; 
 Nature thus indicates the way, 
 
 Yet artificial life and wants propose 
 Schemes new, that much enthrall 
 
 Our simple duties, once the best ; 
 'Tis not examples now direct the tide. 
 Except for passion selfish to provide. 
 
 From simples men depart, if slow. 
 
 In dress and food to gorgeous rise, 
 Their progress on the outside wears, 
 
 Their glitter to outdo in this — 
 The fashion chiefest makes its show. 
 
 To pass as virtue, its supplies 
 The merit most the outside hears, 
 
 The error. lies in that we miss ; 
 To make the show alone when virtue's there. 
 False if it's absent, that we don't forbear. 
 
 The right appearance all may not 
 
 Meet at a medium in display — 
 
 The happy one in truth and guise, 
 Yet the endeavor for it's got 
 
 Its worth, to lead the onward way 
 
 To the rich fountain where it lies ;1 
 Tho' vice put on to be in virtue's dress. 
 Shame may take part to make a vice the less. 
 41 
 
242 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 Night'd mantle folding cities in 
 
 More gorgeous opens the display, 
 
 Vice makes for safety to appear ; 
 The streets with myriad lights begin 
 
 To blaze, arm'd sentries tread the way, 
 
 While gliding steps bespeak the fear 
 Of crouching robbers, lanes and corners hide, 
 From passers by, but spaces small divide. 
 
 Watchers are set, with bell on spring, 
 
 Or beacon to urge hurried sound, 
 
 The mischief to surprise, forelay. 
 That burners on to cities bring, 
 
 Or burglars who aie prowling round, 
 
 Like catamount in search of prey ; 
 It's hard a reason to assign or make, 
 Why men, like beasts, should prowling habits take. 
 
 Men have such habits, and forth go 
 
 To rob and plunder neighbors nigh — 
 
 Once armies boldly did such work. 
 More cowardice the moderns show, 
 
 By art and cunning to supply 
 
 The rapine, meanness, thus to lurk ; 
 The cost is equal, but the honor's more. 
 If met in equal fight, than pry a door. 
 
 Why don't the robbers say. Come out 
 
 Brave men, you who have siller got, 
 While we have spent for vice or ill, 
 
 All that by fraud we could possess ; 
 A tussle we will have — a bout. 
 
 To see Avho's best at stab or shot — 
 Bring your train bands of aim and skill, 
 
 The law can't make our fortunes less ; 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 243 
 
 This is in truth the present end and aim, 
 While cowards call it by a softer name. 
 
 Those in high places rob secure, 
 
 They say it's law by which they do it — 
 The profits may be sweet to them. 
 
 The low and humble won't endure 
 To see them daily thus pursue it, 
 At cost the public funds must stem ; 
 
 All education moral, values but a straw. 
 
 While high examples cover frauds by law. 
 
 Men seek in luxury to find a bribe. 
 In ease to gain some happiness — 
 So in a scrambU for the two 
 
 Let rogues the civil thrift divide ; 
 To hazard all themselves possess. 
 For gain, light follies kept in view. 
 
 The more they seek distraction, more to bring, 
 
 Each vice allow'd some other vice to win. 
 
 Cities modern are a camp 
 
 Like ancient ones, a nation all 
 
 Turn'd out, with pickets careful set, 
 To watch the enemy, a guard to tramp, 
 
 As off and on the hours would fall. 
 
 Relieving one the others met ; 
 Ladies and children hop about and skip. 
 The staff take wine, and in their dances trip. 
 
244 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 They too have bloody battles wagM, 
 
 Not fear'd an enemy without, 
 Or pirates that come up by sea, 
 
 To rifle, pillage and seduce ; 
 But partisans become enrag'd 
 
 At knavery not play'd fair about, 
 A game in which they all agree. 
 
 The public must stand the abuse ; 
 Of promis'd spoil one's like to get a share too large, 
 The other on them makes a bloody charge. 
 
 The streets are in a blaze of light, 
 
 And happy revelings and song 
 Break often from a miradore — 
 
 Or serenaders with their flute and string, 
 Chant airs as passions sweet invite, , 
 
 Love often would all right prolong. 
 As darkness boldness gives the more, 
 
 When maidens bashful first begin 
 Night causes fevers' flush the more to rise. 
 In love's perhaps its hiding watchful eyes. - 
 
 The streets now rattl'ing wheels assail. 
 
 Fast horses prance at nimble pace, 
 Conveying devotees of mirth, 
 
 To be amus'd and show their style, 
 Encas'd within a glitt'ring pail — 
 
 To keep secure a painted face ; 
 Or robes from soil of highest worth. 
 
 If for their lives it were worth while 
 To give more length, preserve good blood and vein. 
 Foot it they should, unless 'twere pouring rain. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 245 
 
 Some seek the lecture room, and some 
 
 The church, the circus, dance or play — 
 Debating halls or clubs, with feast 
 
 A supper call'd, with wine and slew ; 
 Who's happy most, to tell can none — 
 
 'Tis fancy, or a passion trist or gay 
 Leads on the world, large part at least. 
 
 The rest are ninnies in their view ; 
 We have small standard for the world's renown, 
 The least in value, loudest oft in sound. 
 
 Some put a somber face upon. 
 And in their hearts say better I — 
 
 They hate all others who don't read 
 All lessons from their golden book, 
 In which they never cease to pry ; 
 
 Their time's all spent in cant and song. 
 With starch and grimace to supply, 
 
 Some don't provide the bread they need, 
 Or to their children give close look ; 
 
 By rant they easy whip the devil in debate. 
 
 Who in his turn as easy whips the state. 
 
 They hate all politics as wicked game, 
 
 So let the politicians go 
 
 Apace, to suit their devilish end ; 
 They don't see that the right and aim 
 
 Of social matters have to flow 
 
 From laws and rules all must defend. 
 That closely too, with lessons, ever watchful, strong, 
 If not, they fall with others by the public wrong, 
 
 42 
 
246 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 The world's a nursery, full of boys, 
 
 The oldest, wisest are at play. 
 At children's games, their fingers count 
 
 Like monkeys, may put on the grave, 
 With rattles, when they make a noise ; 
 
 The President proves all we say, 
 With hobby zeal in haste to mount, 
 
 His syntax has no time to save — 
 His lesson all forgot, the ABO 
 Of which he has to learn of boys more free. 
 
 Boys are or not, they all are spoil'd. 
 
 These would be great men, now they make 
 In olden times they built upright 
 
 Themselves, all shining in their worth — 
 By masters other none beguil'd. 
 
 You chose them for their merit's sake. 
 To put in place as your delight ; 
 
 Now cliques or party give them birth. 
 To you, to public good not worth a pin — 
 To folly sold before they rule begin. 
 
 How much so ever 'pears the force 
 
 •Or use of party to content to mount, 
 Ambitious glory in a selfish few — 
 
 The nation and its glory's more. 
 It's justice, honor to divorce, 
 
 Leaves nothing worthy of account ; 
 Quarrels, distraction must ensue, 
 
 All worth and strength <o fall before — 
 The laws must be oppressive, and the end 
 Some selfish motive or base scheme defend. 
 
 I 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 247 
 
 The bond of party games and buys 
 
 Men up with little selfish souls, 
 
 Who covet honors, and can't earn 
 What native worth to them denies ; 
 
 Intrigue for office such controls, 
 
 A game the greatest dunce can learn — 
 To be a rogue, deny all common sense, 
 A cat's paw gives them not the least offense. 
 
 One party makes a war to rage 
 
 On peaceful nations, to defy 
 
 The high behest that overrides 
 All governments, that rights engage, 
 
 Beyond what robbers daily try, 
 
 As not enough of this abides 
 Oar own free citizens, who think and clioose, 
 They rob and murder, and with scoff abuse. 
 
 What is the law of any State, 
 
 Where there are people's free call'd rights ? 
 Just as they want from current call. 
 
 Or day by day they think or see 
 The need of something postulate. 
 
 Or which experience to invites, 
 Embracing the best good of all ; 
 
 Deny them this supremacy. 
 The mind dismiss'd most needful social use. 
 Grows poorer, sinks or falters by abuse. 
 
 Men for have thirst some office, place — 
 
 A stool to sit on, 'bout their neck 
 
 A ribbon, badge of red or blue. 
 Or button-hole tied in, to grace 
 
248 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 The smallest honor that may deck 
 
 Their name, untiring road pursue ; 
 'Tis well and worthy such ambition serves 
 But better he by merit who deserves. 
 
 The clubs and cliques and coteriea 
 
 To such ambition give supply, 
 Also much charity some claim — 
 
 Expensive most the more it's tri'd ; 
 The objection is, its votaries 
 
 True charity its place deny, 
 Which should in private heart hold aim. 
 
 To every rank an! place to be alli'd ; 
 This deck'd out charity, a glitt'ring frost, 
 That fills with pride and pomp, not worth the cost. 
 
 A man first cons and learns his trade, 
 
 Then wiser by it grows to rise — 
 Well governments the wisest, best 
 
 Of trades, all men can learn, pursue — 
 First learn it, by its practice made 
 
 Able to do and be more wise ; 
 Begin aright, right action does the rest, 
 
 The action must be had on view. 
 You never in it can succeed by trust. 
 The more you try the greater's power's lust. 
 
 Freedom can't live its burthens shirk. 
 
 To put them on to shoulders few ; 
 
 Labor comes light by many hands, 
 For government or handy work — 
 
 Too much for one requires two, 
 
 Not seen the issue it commands ; 
 The reason is you power do not feel. 
 Or know the way it comes, your rights to steal. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 249 
 
 Men must amusements have, relax 
 
 A little, often, from their toil — 
 'Tis good to do so, proper in due time 
 
 And place, provided both be set 
 By laws of reason for such tax, 
 
 So that they don't create o foil — 
 The need's imperious to disjoin. 
 
 Thus leave the social deep in debt ; 
 The learning proper can combine with siich, 
 To overrule that they are not too much. 
 
 Good taste and elegance promote 
 
 If right ajipli'd, in time and place, 
 Manners the gentle and the fit. 
 
 To virtue leading as good aid — 
 'Tis low, ambition to devote 
 
 To boyibh follies room and space, 
 The noble and the safe so, to forget 
 
 A task exalting for were made ; 
 Nothing is noble which don't keep in view. 
 That little things can teach the great to do. 
 
 You learn the programme of all sport, 
 
 The horses names that ai;e to run — 
 The characters that grace the stage. 
 
 Of mountebanks and little pug ; 
 You have and can the same report. 
 
 To blazon in big letters as rich fun — 
 The simple laws for social gage. 
 
 To make protect in danger's tug ; 
 You know as much about as the buffoon, 
 Who in your mind usurps the largest room. 
 
 I 
 
250 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 You have not sense to keep the keys 
 
 Of your strong box that holds your cash, 
 But yield them up to sharpers bold, 
 
 To squander as it may them please — 
 Your honor or affairs to dash, 
 Then laugh to see the free-born sold ; 
 
 Wild animals their own good store can save, 
 
 Neglect of yours the social to enslave. 
 
 Just like your charity, your tin, 
 
 Both must to hir'd keepers go — 
 
 Have temples built to safely lay 
 Expensive palaces within ; 
 
 Their common worth you never know. 
 
 That is too high for your survey ; 
 The burthen'd labor to count up and sum, 
 True worth of hands or hearts you've nevdr done. 
 
 I would much pity you, and pour 
 
 Compassion out apace, a flood — 
 My life to save you freely spend. 
 
 To lead you into glory's path ; 
 But friendship shewn makes you the more 
 
 Suspicious, that your jealoushood 
 Augments of treacti'rous friend — 
 
 A jealousy that kindles wrath ; 
 Your masters lies have told, and in your ears 
 Pour'd hatred, ready when true friend appears. 
 
 You are not weak alone in mind, 
 But fill'd with viciousness, put there 
 
 By those who live upon you, tleece 
 To keep your passions as their trade ; 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 251 
 
 They rob you and you think it kind — 
 
 They spit upon you, you declare 
 Your dignity to serve, increase 
 
 Hurrahs to make at their parade ; 
 It's been so always with the rabble mass — 
 Oh, ignorance, at best thou art an ass ! 
 
 Vet as thou fashion'd were if rough, 
 By hands that made all beauty's things, 
 Diamonds to shine and stars to glow — 
 
 The maker's credit is enough. 
 
 That in thy clay a fountain spiings 
 To wash away all filthy flow ; 
 
 It's waiting but the happy spring of tide. 
 
 That shall by knowledge ignorance override. 
 
 What's more unrvly than the tongue ? 
 
 What mischief can't its tattle do 
 
 To life, to peace, to all our joy ? 
 Yet of our gifts and members, none 
 
 More choice are to pursue 
 
 The good and useful, to employ 
 It for, the rules and laws must be down laid. 
 As portion of our inward being made. 
 
 You daily see to make, you know 
 
 Men by no common means are won 
 
 To do for, love the social bond — 
 They may be taught to wheel and go 
 
 To cannon's mouth, of the forlorn. 
 
 Nor flinch, but be of danger fond ; 
 To overcome, to force with steady might 
 All fields where duty, honor, point the right. 
 
252 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 'Tis so by the same means no l<^ss, 
 In diligence compel to teach the way, 
 That moral right be set aloft 
 
 As beacon to reward, to bless — 
 Easy when many lead, to say 
 Come on, we have supineness doff'd ; 
 
 Men glory more when able right to do. 
 
 Than any ignorant passion they pursue. 
 
 'J"'each things all that clearly form 
 The social bond, its use and end, 
 The action's way to make them clear, 
 
 Grood manner that the same adorn. 
 Philosophy gain'd to defend 
 In simple life its ways most near ; 
 
 The details will on memory make their stamp, 
 
 The heart and feet to guide as with a lamp. 
 
 Bring in both sexes if to thrive 
 You have desire, and do intend 
 The one for teaching special made, 
 
 With subtle wit how to contrive 
 The means most apt to gain the end 
 All quick to cater for good aid — 
 
 If force be needed to compel at first 
 
 Use it all free, to fail brings force the worst. 
 
 It is an error fatal, that free men 
 
 Should think their learning to surcease 
 At any age, condition, high or low ; 
 
 So surely as they do so, then 
 
 Some vice will come in to release 
 From bonds, the safest is to know 
 
 Strength, power, an incence as they rise, 
 
 The path lies on, that ignorance don't suiprisa. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 253 
 
 Religion once a holy bond, 
 
 Much power had to bless and awe 
 Of spirit sought, whose plan is high — 
 
 Humble, to make whom did exalt 
 The heart enlarg'd, to friendship true ; 
 
 Now but corrupted to grow fond 
 Of fables more than holy law, 
 
 The way's but selfish, now men try 
 To shine most by another's fault ; 
 
 The gain is pride, kept most in view 
 To go to heaven, once a ladder to provide, 
 Now mammon's kingdom, in a strife to ride. 
 
 We're bantle'd, handled, nurs'd and kept 
 
 By patient watchfulness and care 
 Through a long helpless infancy. 
 
 Yielding much time to mould and make 
 Us fit to enter on life's stage — 
 
 A fruitful harvest might be reap't. 
 If birch and mal -indulgence, share 
 
 Could glean from such philosophy 
 Of those, who teaching undertake 
 
 Without due knowledge to engage ; 
 The hardest fate of all to infant mind 
 Is, refuse hands to which it's most assign'd. ' 
 
 Darkness, to thee and not to light 
 
 Beseechments are all boundless due, 
 The world owns not, but Poets more 
 
 Exalted in most precious gifts, 
 Should chaplets weave for thee, blest night ; 
 
 With shining bands then bring them to 
 
 43 
 
254 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 Thy threshold, ah, thy potent door 
 From which supernal glory lifts 
 Its shadows more than mantling flame, 
 To kindle praises to the eternal name. 
 
 All things earthy not alone. 
 
 But air and sky attest and bring 
 Presentments worthy to adorn. 
 
 As offerings at thy shrine ; 
 I saw it when I was a boy. 
 
 Thy hedges fresher seem'd and shone, 
 Thy birds attended on, to sing 
 
 Their notes with sweetest echo borne, 
 With rapture such, as only thine — 
 
 Day can't an equal strain employ 
 The tiny cricket, insects humm'd and sang, 
 As voice of myriads thro' thy empire rang. 
 
 'Tis late, and yet yon hear a thrill. 
 
 Oft minding of a happy hour 
 In some past passages bygone, 
 
 To come upon the heart anew ; 
 Its busy fingers with sweet skill 
 
 'J'ouching chords soft, to make devour 
 Some irksome, if not moments born. 
 
 Perhaps a channt is added too. 
 All grateful more, by stilly night whose air 
 For music, richer rhapsodies prepare. 
 
 The time of night, you hear the cry 
 The watcher carols as he goes 
 To listeners with a fever'd ear — 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 255 
 
 Past one, with wind and cloudy sky 
 
 Belated couch, yet no repose 
 
 The wearied spirit comes to cheer ; 
 Tho' darkness fondly spreads her curtain vail, 
 With anxious turning, yet repose to fail. 
 
 It's useless to describe the ways 
 
 Men seek to kill or mar the night. 
 There's few that reason can commend, 
 
 Most end the worst for health and ease 
 One fortune, one our peace betrays, 
 
 Bring self-reproach and not delight ; 
 Some evil passion to defend 
 
 If at the moment many please — 
 Business like vices may too much employ 
 The fretted mind that needs repose enjoy. 
 
 The honest has a right to sleep, 
 
 Nature so dictates by her chart ; 
 It is a hereditament to hold 
 
 As strong as any land or wares 
 In its enjoyment, robbers creep 
 
 Upon him to make stealthy mart 
 Of all he has by labor told. 
 
 The state no safety for prepares — 
 The bond is thus so far dissolv'd, he must 
 In his right arm for safety put his trust. 
 
 Idlers that waste and spend good time 
 
 In vice and folly, trifling sport. 
 No day to count the good you've done 
 
 Unto yourselves, your greatest foe ; 
 Others your wasted hours combine 
 
 In lessons, useful knowledge count, 
 
256 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 While all due pleasures freer come, 
 With keener relish in their flow, 
 These have the means, each day, to help and save 
 Their lellovvs in some matter, useful, grave. 
 
 The work 's immense, the muscles strong, 
 
 Of laboring crowds to build and save 
 A city, and preserve its wealth, perform 
 
 The tax on brain, its wear and tear 
 Is everlasting, most when wrong, 
 
 The labor 's dearest makes the slave 
 For whom no riches can adorn, 
 
 Uncultured mind this state must share ; 
 'Tis not in poverty that hearts despond 
 But callous others to the social bond. 
 
 If hearts were right, and pride knew how 
 
 And why it ought to rise and shine, 
 The poor would only be compos'd. 
 
 Of those whose hearts were mal. 
 The few who would not feel, allow 
 
 True love to neighbor, the divine. 
 Their place by hardness so enclosed 
 
 To suit their number, irksome, small, 
 Poverty is wrong in hearts that's all. 
 All other names are false for it we call. 
 
 The glare, the show, the dress parade, 
 Of cities, fill and agitate the mind, 
 
 That sober reason, chance for gain, 
 Or umpire scarcely on can count, 
 
 A miser's passion to invade. 
 
 The social heart makes stolid blind. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 257 
 
 Wisdom in all affairs is lame. 
 
 Whatever folly finds to mount. 
 The race decline, as all of cities do, 
 To save they must by rural blood renew. 
 
 The young to cities' vice expos'd, 
 
 Have but a worthless chance to rise, 
 Without a bone and muscle strong. 
 
 The mind is feeble and inert, 
 Its sparkling effort early clos'd 
 
 With strong ambition to be wise ; 
 True, many live, but to prolong 
 
 Expected good, short lives pervert. 
 The records ample of the waste immense, 
 For one to count success in its just sense. 
 
 Leave cities, choose aspiring hills, 
 
 A mountain region is the best. 
 
 No stagnant waters lying near. 
 The dew is pure, such region fills. 
 
 No poisons of the swamp molest. 
 
 The streams like life and joy run clear. 
 Your brood are sportive as the nimble doe, 
 Yielding most pleasure in life's healthy flow. 
 
 On lofty ground a mountain glade. 
 
 The mind, with freer room and scope 
 
 Invites to wider, nobler thought ; 
 Pure air a constant feast is made. 
 
 With table set on every slope 
 
 To revel at when rightly taught. 
 The boon is precious which the soul invites 
 To measure values by what health delights. 
 44 
 
258 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 When culture long the plow and hoe 
 
 Shall subjugate the low land soil. 
 
 Drain and relieve from gasses vile, 
 Sure gain if in the process slow, 
 
 Thrice safely then pursue our moil, 
 
 With health, its pontine regions smile. 
 The laborer finds in all his weary toil 
 Pure air gives health and strength to break the soil. 
 
 Yet health alone to make man blest, 
 
 Nor air however pure its cast, 
 
 Is not enough his social aim. 
 Must he be on gain of knowledge press'd, 
 
 The first it must not be the last 
 
 Of objects worthy most to gain 
 Triumphs, the other's value give but small, 
 Without it, fail they can not to enthral. 
 
 The rich domain by millions trod, 
 
 With all its beauty, hill and dale. 
 Its flocks, its labor'd care and toil, 
 
 Ambition to increase such means 
 For further gain to fret the sod 
 
 Are trifles all and can't avail 
 Fein'd bonds of union will embroil 
 
 In endless strife, no wealth redeems ; 
 We must have knowledge how to give and take, 
 With social justice the true bond to make. 
 
 Our feet are nimble in the chase 
 
 To wander hither, thither, there,"' 
 
 Some idle dream impels to seek, 
 Too late we find we but misplace,' 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 259 
 
 On ground our safety will not bear, 
 
 The counsels of the head are weak, 
 The penalty oft dearest paid bj' feet 
 Yet dangers too the other members meet. 
 
 The hands are busy oft to climb, 
 
 For some device the fingers grasp, 
 
 Ingenious may be of its kind. 
 Gorgeous yet who its means purloin 
 
 Enjoyment in it, need not ask 
 
 But brings disgust to pain the mind, 
 The hands and feet, good servants for good use. 
 Yet ignorance plies them for the worst abuse. 
 
 The tongue, a babbler of renown. 
 
 The portal of the world's vast ear. 
 Keeping in one unceasing ring 
 
 For mischief or to warn against, 
 To strike the proudest kingdom down, 
 
 Or build one up by truth sincere ; 
 The latter most will glory bring. 
 
 Though never gain'd where knowledge faints, 
 The active tongue may play a deadly part 
 To wound or save with joy a trusting heart. 
 
 The eye is nature's window, wide 
 
 Open'd the soul with earth and sky 
 To fill, if gems or specks there be 
 
 To color all as knowledge leads. 
 The head and heart their use provide 
 
 To make them black if fair their dye ; 
 A passion truth may fail to see ; 
 
 As custom false wins him who heeds ; 
 Gra'sping to think we hold a vision pure 
 To be oft mock'd, though vaunting to secure. 
 
260 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 The ends all seek are the great test, 
 
 The means oft trifling vary much 
 To make a pother for disguise, 
 
 The heart will out to give due proof, 
 That all may read which is the best; 
 
 The practice or profession, which to touch; 
 The vital interest, where it lies; 
 
 If on the lip or in the heart's behoof, 
 If men design the public good to seek 
 Self don't with every vicious action reek. 
 
 No patriotic sense they fight, 
 
 Like ruffians 'bout their office claims, 
 Degrading most the public will 
 
 Examples such, the land to crime; 
 With hot revenge sure to invite 
 
 All blood the madden'd rabble stains 
 Is justly charged as cause to spill 
 
 On those who act with base design. 
 Neglect their fellow, saving when they use 
 Some public right or duty to abuse. 
 
 While the worst passions are employ'd 
 To urge us on to do a right, 
 For useful gain the heart to mend, 
 
 VVe close the way through which enjoy'd; 
 Servants who see that we delight 
 In frauds and broils, must to them tend; 
 
 We make the world, bad as it is to curse, 
 
 The means, most costly tried, to make it worse. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 2G1 
 
 ELECTION RAID. 
 
 Fill up your jugs and bottles too, 
 
 And have your pockets heavy lin'd, 
 We've got the bells and drums secur'd 
 
 Our bills in flaming letters stuck; 
 Hoist the broad stripes of red and blue, 
 
 Throw the starr'd banner to the wind, 
 One loud huzza, we are insur'd 
 
 Of victory if we fight with pluck; 
 ^Tark well your tickets so they don't betray, 
 To-morrow brings our free election day. 
 
 Go rally boys, let none remain 
 
 At home to sneak a duty high; 
 We'll beat them, that is certain sure, 
 
 And then we'll have a jubilee; 
 Reward true patriots always gain, 
 
 With cash and office to supply 
 Their needs to mend, and means procure 
 
 To win again most certainly; 
 The people rally strongest with the sides 
 That the best fare of meat and drink provides. 
 
 Go stir up lazy Dick and Mike, 
 
 Their neighbors coax and bring 'em out 
 To hear the speeches at the hall; 
 
 Five lawyers will a tenor strike. 
 With facts and declamation stout, 
 
 That like a thunder clap will fall; 
 Our leaders will be smiling there 
 
 To see the opposing cowards stare; 
 By confidence and noise we're sure to win, 
 They can't withstand our speeches or our gin. 
 
2G2 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 Betty, pray bring my spurs; away] 
 
 With hurry I must ride to-night; 
 
 I'll teach Tom Jennings civil use 
 Of his vile tongue how to betray 
 
 Old friendship by its venom spite, 
 
 No cause he has for such abuse; 
 He says " I'me soft, I've rode the country thro'. 
 And liquor'dall attending each review." 
 
 •'Husband, I pray be cool and don't 
 
 Let anger prove you in the wrong; 
 
 Good cause by mildness wins the most; 
 It is weak heads that finds affront 
 
 To take in place of truth not strong; 
 
 The loudest cries least wool to boast; 
 You've done enough, aside from reason's gain. 
 To win of all the glutton rabble, fame. 
 
 You've given suppers, dinners, grog. 
 Until they've eat the house out bare; 
 Such gangs and crowds confusion keep, 
 
 My mind is in a constant fog. 
 Contriving next what to prepare. 
 While almost dumb for want of sleep; 
 
 The meat is out, the chickens all been kill'd. 
 
 My two preserve pots gone, so lately fill'd. 
 
 The fence is down and cattle break 
 Into the grain stacks and the corn, 
 While you are hunting office trade; 
 
 No care about your farm to take 
 Than gentry who all labor scorn, 
 Gentry by vices mostly made; 
 
 Affjiirs of State must surely go to rack 
 
 When in the hands of such a worthless pack." 
 
NTCHT SCENES. 2G3 
 
 "Wife, don't be foolish and perplex 
 
 My mind with such a faronade, 
 
 I can't dwell on these matters now. 
 Enough abroad I have to vex, 
 
 My peace and fortune to invade, 
 
 As you yourself must sure allow; 
 I'm pledged to keep these sorry rascals down, 
 Tom Jennings and his crew, to run I'm bound. 
 
 You don't remember how Sam Griggs 
 
 C:c^ rich f've years ago and past; 
 
 The p. triots joined to give him aid, 
 He ran for Sheriff, he and Spriggs, 
 
 To make a fortune by the cast, 
 
 A jolly supper loo he made 
 He now can strut about m his fine coat, 
 His wife and daughters in th-^ir satins float." 
 
 " Yes, husband, I remember well 
 
 Sam Griggs' patriotic rows, 
 
 The means he used to get true friends 
 You and his party never tell; 
 
 State secret babblers none allows. 
 
 Success approves base gotten ends. 
 True patriots sure, they wanted ready pay. 
 His farm to mortgage was the only way. 
 
 You've sold the oxen, and my cow 
 
 That mother, gave me for my dower; 
 
 My beds are likely to go next; 
 Old mule I would not give, I vow. 
 
 For all this office hunting power, 
 
 Black mail and suppers, grog annex'd; 
 If public trust comes by the lowest appetite. 
 Good men, I'm sure, it can not much invite. 
 
264 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 You quarrel barely for excuse 
 
 To have one better to oppress, 
 
 The country turn to battle ground, 
 Tfte vilest passions all let loose. 
 
 To cover frauds without redress, 
 
 All honest efforts to confound; 
 Its their own fault if people wont discern 
 A curse is all such labor vile can earn. 
 
 On equal grounds, to have I us'd 
 My neighbors in to sup and chat, 
 Among us none were rich or poor; 
 
 Now Sally has to come refus'd 
 
 With uncle Tom you've got a spat, 
 She never means to dark my door; 
 
 Now Sally was to me both kind and true, 
 
 I'm pain'd and griev'd the fault is laid to you." 
 
 How can we bear this life to take 
 
 With all its chances to despond. 
 
 And not have friends, true friends to share 
 Its joys, its burthens lighter make. 
 
 Better than riches to be fond. 
 
 All angry strife, revenge to spare, 
 Drinking our tea with friendly drops mix'd up, 
 Sweet words and tho'ts, new ones with every cup. 
 
 The Pliades down the west are gone. 
 
 The morning star in brilliant hues 
 
 Rejoicing in refulgent ray. 
 Pride of the east at coming dawn 
 
 Pours warning that we can't refuse. 
 
 That night her empire yields to day. 
 The sun but as a star, in distance seen, 
 Obscures ten millions with hercrolden beam. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. - 265 
 
 NIGHT, SCENE THIRD, NUMBER THREE. 
 
 There was no sun but darkness in the west, 
 
 Whose angry rolling clouds look'd thick and drear, 
 
 Winds folded by in tempest toss' and press'd, 
 Scudding in haste fierce ways to veer ; 
 
 Some up, some down, their curtains madly threw, 
 
 Veil'd sudden, these by others that pursue. 
 
 The wind drew fearful sighs and seem'd to wail 
 The coming night to greet with angry frown. 
 
 If for a moment hush'd, 'twas to assail 
 
 The darkness falling thick and fast around ; 
 
 With madder whirling and more angry blast. 
 
 Howling incessant threats o'er all it past. 
 
 Lightning arm'd with red thunderbolt 
 
 Shook heaven and earth and lash'd the sea, 
 
 Whose surges 'gainst each other jolt 
 
 To break with fearful crash upon the lee. 
 
 Thus night in tripple darkness 'gan her reign, 
 
 W^ith storm and thunder hung o'er sea and plain. 
 
 Birds scream'd, and for a covert swiftly flew, 
 
 Beasts howl'd, their way to shelter quickly made. 
 
 Wild terror every bolt from heaven threw. 
 O'er trembling hamlet, mount and glade ; 
 
 Domes fell with spires, toppling down like straws, 
 
 When whirl'd anon the sport of summer flaws. 
 
 Men shrank into their houses not assur'd 
 However strong compact their boasted wall. 
 
 The tempest by them could be long endur'd, 
 So look'd with terror for their sudden fall ; 
 
 To scourge each other elements seem turn'd 
 
 Each holding lash the hand tho' not discern'd. 
 45 
 
266 NIGHT S GENES. 
 
 There was no grief as such but a wild wail, 
 A storm wail such as once if heard in might, 
 
 All others sounds as zephyrs seem as frail, 
 When wafted on the bosom of still night ; 
 
 Woe there was none that came to mortal ear. 
 
 The tempest drown'd it or suppress'd by fear. 
 
 Big hail mix'd with the lightning fire seem'd 
 Rushing from heaven like a chariot driven, 
 
 Battle none fiercer of artillery deem'd 
 
 Host meeting host with all their vollies given ; 
 
 Rain with a hissing rush in torrents fell. 
 
 Earth drench'd, and river swept withmad'ning swell. 
 
 Mountains of waters pile'd on pile aloft. 
 
 As if a fury hove the boiling sea. 
 Earth shook as if her stony cradle trough, 
 
 A giant rock'd in his fell mad'ning glee ; 
 The blackness denser grew while murky clouds 
 Folded more close, hung as sky's mourning shrouds. 
 
 The traveler on his weary way beguil'd, 
 With his own safety needfully amov'd. 
 
 Yet sank at heart for safety of his child, 
 
 His distant home, his wife all that he lov'd ; 
 
 Often he turn'd a wistful look if vain, 
 
 Toward that home impell'd by anxious pain. 
 
 Trees fell across his way with threatful crash. 
 Rocks broke from hights and mountains o'er. 
 
 While madden 'd streams lit by the flash. 
 Of lightning overswep'd their shore ; 
 
 Distant the fires blaz'd of hamlets laid, 
 
 In mouldring ruin by the lightning made. 
 
 I 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 267 
 
 Smote in his heart he sat erect and kept 
 His noble, faithful steed with steady rein, 
 
 Whose one false leap or faltering step, 
 
 A certain death to shun or try seem'd vain ; 
 
 Worlds had he, would he barter but to know, 
 
 His household's safety from impending woe. 
 
 With front erect to breast the driving storm, 
 Each leap with peril trembl'd as he strode. 
 
 Yet on the danger cheerful to perform, 
 
 With heart undaunted by the fearful road, 
 
 His steed as if to conscious trials us'd, 
 
 Play'd with the danger cravens had lefused. 
 
 Raging the sea with furious broken wave, 
 
 Shores lash'd as piers and rocks like atubble broke, 
 
 Ships toss'd and sank into a foaming grave, 
 Scarce time a moment's mercy to invoke ; 
 
 darkness how thy shadows threats impell, 
 
 By deeper gloom as storms thy terrors swell. 
 
 These woes of earth so much of peril they bear. 
 To treasure in the heart a needful store, 
 
 The social exigence is loth to spare. 
 
 One's own reward expending for make more ; 
 
 Thus to the shores the gen'rous landsman crow'd 
 
 To heal the sufftring by the storm allow'd. 
 
 With ropes and buoyes sought their way to urge, 
 Where most the cries seem'd danger to betray. 
 
 Vain hope, as yet the madden'd heaving surge. 
 Back drove the efforts gen'rous tho'ts essay ; 
 
 Yet is it ever noble where our hearts and hands, 
 
 A deed that's noble to attempt commands. 
 
2G8 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 ■ 'Twas midnight now, there came a lull, 
 The storm with lessen'd fury rag'd, 
 The winds moan'd more in accents dull, 
 
 As anger changes when its grill's assuag'd ; 
 The clouds in broken fragments hung about, 
 The m on at fitful intervals shone out. 
 
 As lull'd the storm a seem'd repose, 
 Crept gently o'er the drowsy land, 
 
 So languid more the waters rose, 
 To murmur music 'gainst the sand ; 
 
 Yet from his rest the sea mew skim'd his way, 
 
 While rock'd on waves intrepid Petrals lay. 
 
 Night grew apace her pale and leaden hue, 
 Was on the mountain side the somber vale, 
 
 Faint shadows, star and moonlight threw. 
 
 As odors damp breath'd in the soften'd gale ; 
 
 Flowers have breath at night to be refresh'd, 
 
 From arid day they breathe for strength and rest. 
 
 'Twas autumn nigh, the ripen'd fields, 
 Clustering in harvest yellow sheaves, 
 
 Gather'd in shock to night the farmer yields. 
 As at its dusky hue for home he leaves ; 
 
 Home the reward of toil how blest we seek, 
 
 Our weir'd of rest our humble pillows speak. 
 
 There gather'd blood in other veins. 
 
 Hearts partners precious in its cares, 
 Whose wants our hopes and strength sustains, 
 
 As pleasure battens on the tax it shares ; 
 Without a home life desolate must turn. 
 To rust consign the wealth its labors earn. 
 
NIGHT S GENES. 260 
 
 All living tilings seek home, and find, 
 
 Mayhap, not knowing why it's blest, 
 As reason triumph in the human mind, 
 
 Theiv's but an instinct, seeking rest — 
 They seek it, keep it fondly as a treasure, 
 As if with us they felt domestic pleasure. 
 
 The horse from home, tramps the hard ground. 
 Champs on his bit, with hasten'd pace 
 
 Light speeds his weary limbs, till found 
 His home's delight, a resting place ; 
 
 Forest or storm, or ambush in his way — 
 
 If life be spar'd, his speed will scarce delay. 
 
 No compass lies before, no polar star, 
 
 Tho' darkness such as man can feel 
 Wraps round his path, all sight to mar. 
 
 Home still the thread to guide his heel ; 
 Find it he will, precision that defies 
 The search of all who learned wisdom tries. 
 
 The bee, all insects, have their home to guard — 
 They seek it out, as birds their Avon't of nest 
 
 There's magic in the spot, the small or hard, 
 Nightly its want is on their nature press'd — • 
 
 Man finds in his a threshold of delight, 
 
 Where rest and joy and social themes invite. 
 
 Most birds have sought the shelt'ring bough. 
 
 With all the social sense of home — 
 Their gentle twitters made to show 
 
 To each they are not left alone ; 
 Thus all night long politely they essay 
 To nidge all seeming lonely tho'ts away. 
 
 46 
 
270 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 It is not still, the kine are wont to low- 
 Beasts prowl, and some make hideous cry ; 
 
 Hinds, lambs, their bleating terror show. 
 Oft as by hungry wolf they die ; 
 
 Insects and birds niake thrilling, nightly song. 
 
 While those of j)assage dreary notes prolong. 
 
 But most night's silence finds a break 
 Wherever human haunts are found ; 
 
 Oft as some merry touse they take. 
 
 Or through their mazy dances bound — 
 
 Their mirth and music, hold with wild delight. 
 
 In peals of merry glee consume the night. 
 
 Others to forests crowd in chaunting mood, 
 In wildness, fervor, none the less. 
 
 Hymn up their rhymes in sylvan wood, 
 To deem for sin it makes redress ; 
 
 Strange fantasy that one in social glee. 
 
 Than t'other earneth more felicity. 
 
 No evil in the heart to urge excess, 
 Else all the maker sets for praise, 
 
 The boundless themes all made to bless, 
 Lie in the heart with simple ways ; 
 
 Where the broad social lays true empire down, 
 
 A merry tho't can't covet heaven's frown. 
 
 Bless'd sleep, how gentle is thy reign. 
 Sweet night invites thee to assume — 
 
 The weary toiler woos, that he regain 
 The day's exhaustion, faded bloom ; 
 
 Thy drowsy couch his tired limbs embrace, 
 
 His cares thy soft oblivion to efface. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. Z<1 
 
 'Tis thus in gentle slumbers to press down, 
 The striving throngs that busy din the day — 
 
 Crowd after crowd nightly with triumphs crown, 
 That in their drowsy visions calm they lay ; 
 
 Tho' darkness shadowy blots external things, 
 
 A world of dreaming wonder on them brings. 
 
 Some dream of wealth in golden, shining stores. 
 Most sought and coveted as crowning bliss — 
 
 They grasp and heap it, as it glitt'ing pours 
 In showers, oft sadly fear'd to miss ; 
 
 Just like a wakeful gathering of the dust. 
 
 The dream as often sees it turn to dust. 
 
 Some dream of power, a rightful name. 
 The want ambition seeks for selfish ends — 
 
 The loss to others most when ours the gain, 
 Ambitious dream the waking tho't defends ; 
 
 Wo should not dream so, if we knew how frail, 
 
 How like a web of moth all power must fail. 
 
 Some dream of love's past pleasures, or to come, 
 And in their sleep have rhapsodies and tears. 
 
 To feel a throbbing, aching heart, and some 
 Sigh heavily, just like day's grief appears ; 
 
 They wonder why in sleep they should have sorrow, 
 
 Not thinking sympathy is made to borrow. 
 
 In dreams some see great towns and cities rise. 
 
 On ruin quick of forest made to fall, 
 Throng'd millions gather'd there to dwell. 
 
 With strange and divers manners, flaunt and flare. 
 Boast wit and wisdom needed good supplies. 
 
 On Hercules for help make daily call ; 
 
272 NIGHT S CENES. 
 
 Yet strange to choose, no proverb makes excel, 
 
 Jackasses leaders in their state affair — 
 80 odd the choice, whatever truth might deem, 
 A fit of laughter smother'd out the dream. 
 
 Don't stake thy fortune on a dream, 
 Or make a study to unreel 
 The tangled thread wild fancy spun ; 
 
 A Gypsey book holds knowledge lean, 
 With childish doubts the mind to seal. 
 The wisdom less the more it's done — 
 
 It is a coward evil fates would try. 
 
 In the forbidden future thus to pry. 
 
 The traveler the storm outrode, 
 
 By moonlight anxious plies his way. 
 His steed, with unabated zeal. 
 
 Firm in his courage, keeps his tread, 
 Tho' weary leagues he's overstrode ; 
 
 No faintness faltering steps betray 
 The sureness of his clinching heel — 
 
 For home, he feels, lies close ahead, 
 To which the traveler turns his anxious gaze, 
 Tho' tears, unbidden, inward tho't betrays. 
 
 He look'd again, his home now near, 
 His lips compell'd into a pray'r. 
 Thy mercy, heav'n, all else forego. 
 
 But save me these most precious, dear — 
 The world beside I'll freely spare, 
 To thank thee, be it weal or woe ; 
 
 Then to his door he turn'd with rapture wild. 
 
 As in his arms he clasp'd his wife and child. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. ^iO 
 
 Night, art thou blest as 'tis by thee ? 
 
 The starry heavens shine and glow — 
 The day casts o'er an envious screen, 
 
 To hide them from our wond'ring sight ; 
 Thou lights the torches, bright they be, 
 
 Supernal gems of heaven to show 
 Vast majesty, to hold, redeem. 
 
 For adoration, blest delight ; 
 Come, gentle night, thy triumph to obtain, 
 The heavens declare the glory of thy reign. 
 
 Over the which were not begun. 
 
 Imperfect yet, and small in use decreed, 
 Tho' vast in wisdom and design, 
 
 Darkness sat ruler chief as ward ; 
 Athwart drear waste, waiting the sun, 
 
 A new creation to proceed — 
 Next to all else in tho't sublime. 
 
 Parent of light, with golden cord 
 To bind up surplus darkness, vast that lay 
 To usher in refulgent, sumptuous day. 
 
 Thick mists rebuk'd a treadless slough, 
 
 Unblest with echo's atmosphere — 
 Sweet harbinger of music sound. 
 
 Yielded, if loth, unseemly reign. 
 In room whereof were born rich bough. 
 
 Holding the flow'ry world to cheer. 
 With treasures vast fi'om the profound — 
 
 Intelligence all sent to name ; 
 Thou also, Night, among these gifts supreme 
 Of darkness, born as rival to day's gleam. 
 
274 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 The shadow that we slightly mark, 
 That chance our path don't intercept. 
 
 Exists as proof of great intents- 
 Two things affirming, others moot ; 
 
 Beauty is one, if of a spark 
 
 Its brilliance of is much bereft, 
 
 The contrast not being duly sent. 
 Of all intelligence the root 
 
 Again, lies something altra what we see, 
 
 A consequence that something of to be. 
 
 It's like a shadow, pray why not ? 
 
 One idea by another cast — 
 Penumbra of itself as but reflex 
 
 Of somathing that comes in between 
 Its vivid foliage ; color got, 
 
 Or reason could not find repast 
 On that its hunger would perplex. 
 
 Truth's shadow so not always seen ; 
 'Tis but a shadow minds contrive to throw 
 Athwart seem'd reason of another show. 
 
 All shadows of the mind come true. 
 
 By aid of light suppos'd, if small. 
 Or darkness often for it held, 
 
 Of source we never comprehend ; 
 If reasons thick they seem to strew 
 
 Some doubts as shades invest them all, 
 Which up to clear we are compell'd 
 
 To make some other shade defend ; 
 The manner of the matter seems a shade, 
 Before another complaisant to fade. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 275 
 
 Conscience don't heed how dark the fold 
 
 Night weaves to wrap in world of things. 
 There is some torch or ray unseen 
 
 Reck'ning mysterious gives therein. 
 Pours light whose source is never told. 
 
 To ready judgment strongly brings 
 Accounts to keep, of truth to glean 
 
 The volume vast has ever been ; 
 Intensely more the thought can see to write. 
 And plainer too than midst the din of light. 
 
 Nature's vast cup the earth contains. 
 
 With else all for a rich supply ; 
 The wisdom worker plainly saw 
 
 The need of uses all to fill, 
 Alembies fashion'd for their gains. 
 
 Tubes, siphons, pumps, no use whereby 
 To damage or contract a flaw. 
 
 That asks repairs by menders skill. 
 As each like Polipus or twig that's rent 
 For the same office now is always sent. 
 
 All rocks will melt, some waters turn 
 
 Into a jelly or a gas ; 
 The fire and gas help make the new, 
 
 "SYhat made of will the thing consume. 
 Employing each for equal terms, 
 
 A diffeience seeming, yet the mass 
 Pays all the tax, each particle unto 
 
 Some aliquot takes other's room ; 
 80 sun, earth, air, the elements of man, 
 Difter tut in an atom void of span. 
 
276 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 Now men begin to hurry up and heed 
 
 The business coming hours of day, 
 With net and hook and gives the fishers speed 
 
 To the clear waters for their finny prey, 
 Marking, with careful step and little noise, 
 His way, but few and cautious word employs. 
 
 Hunters are footing, each with dog and gun 
 
 To forests or the river's reedy side, 
 That when the breaking day is well begun, 
 
 Their proper grounds to seek the way divide ; 
 All anxious to secuie their game, the prize. 
 Intent through life, all aim to realize. 
 
 The ways are noisy with the trundl'd loads 
 Farmers and hucksters carry for supply. 
 
 While thick pedestrians crowd the roads 
 
 To make their gains, some chaffer some to buy ; 
 
 The business of the world, large part if trite. 
 
 Devoted much is to the appetite. 
 
 Nature with bounty's hand, for ill supplies 
 For food and raiment to the crowding race 
 
 W^here one wants all or one denies 
 
 Indulgence modest, can have healthy place ; 
 
 Each err, both he who shuns, or too much craves ; 
 
 True life is that which health and vigor saves. 
 
 Whose heart of nature full to swell. 
 Of generous being emulous of toil. 
 
 Less for itself, desires to excell 
 
 Than others, have deserved reward for moil ; 
 
 Forbears no labor that a duty asks. 
 
 Feels cheerful temper, lightens all its tasks. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 277 
 
 These are the men, with firm brac'd step 
 Tread on where threaten'd danger makes 
 
 A rugged break their way to intercept 
 
 Quail not, though storm and thunder on it breaks, 
 
 Keady for exigence come foul, come fair, 
 
 If soft they scorn it, bard it be they dare. 
 
 When boys, you see tbem in the rough and course, 
 
 Sun-burn'd or smutty, mayhap both, 
 Rolling a log, or some wild horse 
 
 Contending with to go when over loth ; 
 They drive their young days on with firm intent 
 To wrestle excellence from each event. 
 
 Examples fit their beings to enjoy, 
 
 The State no craven in them finds, 
 No tide blind fortune can employ, 
 
 Dispair by fortune forge the chain that binds. 
 They see a world their fellows made to hold, 
 God's circling arms iu equal love enfold. 
 
 Where are their lights like signal fires 
 
 That witb its glow lit nations gone, 
 Statesmen, patriots, the soul inspire 
 
 Among them all a single Washington ? 
 What caus'd their rise, why never like return, 
 
 Tho' States may feel their glow thro' ages burn ? 
 
 In yoirth, all ardent in the chase, 
 
 We see the game lies full in view, 
 Hope flushes on the quicken'd pace, 
 
 Receding still the faster we pursue ; 
 We conquer daily something in the race, 
 Tho' not assur'd that wisdom gives it place. 
 47 
 
278 CONVENTION, 
 
 The lark begins clieeiy her voice to try, 
 Her liquid notes upon the ravish'd ear, 
 
 While chanticleer with lofty, shriller cry. 
 Incessant peals, the day is drawing near ; 
 
 A warning light upon the east lies dim, 
 
 Small harbinger such great events begin. 
 
 The earth fast wheeling on her eastern verge. 
 Where day is waiting in her blushing light, 
 
 Her glory on the sleeping world to urge 
 A farewell taking of another night. 
 
 Sleepers awake ! Ye mountains lowly bow ! 
 
 To let her golden Safron crown your brow. 
 
 COiNVENTlON BETWEEN DAY AND NIGHT 
 
 Night greets thee day, with her salaam, 
 Thy dazzling glory, hopes tho' great. 
 
 Fast bounds of moderation calm 
 Will not thy pride too much elate. 
 
 In making her salaam, night asks 
 A little private conversation. 
 
 Before the laboring day its tasks 
 Imposes for thy occupation. 
 
 Living near neighbors as we do, 
 
 Reflected by a single shade, 
 It is to common wisdom due, 
 
 That envy don't our bounds invade. 
 
 I 
 
CONVENTION. 279 
 
 She certes has most iDaltry eye 
 
 Of any animal alive, 
 A mote or fault so small will spy 
 
 On neighbor's garb and on it thrive. 
 
 Night envies not thy playful glare, 
 So Avhy shonldst thou her dusky hue. 
 
 As each may blend and have to spare, 
 Both shade and sunshine for the two. 
 
 To make thee fresher in the morn, 
 All shining more thy robes as new, 
 
 Night gathers up not for thy scorn 
 To sprinkle on them limpid dew. 
 
 So thy warm sun dispels some damps 
 At times of noxious increment, 
 
 Producing in my people cramps. 
 To health quite inconvenient. 
 
 Night 's not unmindful of thy use 
 In all her great and best affairs, 
 
 She trusts that day will scorn abuse, 
 Regrets to bring on all who shares. 
 
 'Tis often thus Ave see too late, 
 
 The good that 's heedless cast aside. 
 
 With power we 'd often new create 
 The objects making us divide. 
 
 Duty and Justice must be grav'd. 
 Deep giaven on the heart and mind. 
 
 To do their pleasure can't be sav'd 
 Unless the three as friends are join'd. 
 
280 CONVENTION. 
 
 Thy people have got many ways 
 That night has greatly wonder'd at, 
 
 Perhaps it 's predjudice that sways, 
 Or fashion, harder to combat. 
 
 They rise sometimes at early dawn, 
 
 With guns to make such noise and clatter, 
 
 My people staitled in their brawn, 
 
 Thinking there is some dreadful matter. 
 
 A fight at Solferino the oppress'd 
 
 Of Italy needed to redeem, 
 Vesuvius choking, nothing less. 
 
 Can such a mortal rattle mean. 
 
 The glorious truth we come to find 
 Two bumpkins have for office run, 
 
 One t' other leaves one vote behind. 
 For this the rattle bang to stun. 
 
 Night can't see why it ain't enough, 
 
 ('ontent to win a civil race ; 
 Revenge is surely meanly tough, 
 
 Where noise must signify disgrace. 
 
 Tliy people make prodigious noise, 
 While mine lay down for quiet sleep ; 
 
 Such rumpus many a nap destroys, 
 From honest needful rest to keep. 
 
 Yet being neighbors must expect 
 Some inconvenience to be boiue, 
 
 Each one has foibles to respect, 
 He must admit who wants return. 
 
I 
 
 NIGHT SCENES. 281 
 
 We may have speed to matcli tlie bird, 
 
 With wiugs that never tire of flight, 
 But yet may lack one little word 
 
 When wanting hearts are never right. 
 
 Charity that by good creed is made 
 
 A modest unassuming grace. 
 Thy people use for false parade, 
 
 Themselves to swell in public place, 
 
 Oft take my shadow, which is meant 
 For rest and dreams to prayer shut eyes. 
 
 To hide some base contriv'd intent, 
 With little shame their guilt supplies. 
 
 Their politics of the same stuff, 
 
 Appear a hollow kind of drum 
 With sound and false parade enough, 
 
 With noise, all praises up to sum. 
 
 Why ain't a pop gun just as good 
 
 In caliber the best for those 
 Who strive to have it understood 
 
 That worth depends on noise and shows ? 
 
 The demi-savage Eomans kept 
 
 Their trumpry shows, and noisy game 
 
 The harvest as suppos'd, they rept 
 W^as making, arguments but tame. 
 
 Yet night desires there may be peace 
 Between her kingdom and bright days, 
 
 That causes for rank strife may cease. 
 Before her these conditions lays : 
 48 
 
282 NIGHT SCENES. 
 
 It is agreed and firmly understood 
 That day shall always have the right 
 
 To fire big guns of cotton wood, 
 Or pop-guns if they more delight. 
 
 And on especial days that come, 
 Such as the fourth, of high behest. 
 
 Make louder noise with powder, drum. 
 And thunder too if tho't the best. 
 
 Night would surmise that a big noise 
 Forc'd on to any small occasion. 
 
 Distinction needful much destroys 
 For signalizing an ovasion. 
 
 That further, day may undertake 
 To feed and clothe the poor, prepare 
 
 For this a dance and merry make. 
 Provided all the poor are there. 
 
 And if it ever should occur 
 
 That rogues in office chance puts in, 
 
 To turn them out as honest spur. 
 To fire big guns and have a din. 
 
 Further, that small elections may 
 Not lose their fame and so run out. 
 
 There shall be fix'd a given day 
 
 On which all patriots raise the shout. 
 
 Night thinks with treaty of this kind 
 
 Some follies might be brought to system, 
 
 A few of each when well defin'd 
 As wholesome physic, to assist 'em. 
 
NIGHT SCENES. 283 
 
 A noise is held ingredient grand 
 
 In this world's sublimation, 
 Taking progression by the hand, 
 
 The air to purify or nation. 
 
 If any vice or odious sin 
 
 Defiles with stain the public garment, 
 We've but to raise a shout and din 
 
 To frighten off the varmint. 
 
 Remembering some we must endure. 
 It's wiser much than to suppress. 
 
 To watch them well with physic sure, 
 True means all ails to make the less. 
 
 Expressly 'tis agreed hereby 
 Thunder's a lawful occupation 
 
 Of clouds, when sultry hot and dry, 
 Not hinder'd in this stipulation. 
 
 Railroads may thunder with their gears 
 Without a breach hereby intended, 
 
 Because the sound so much appears 
 Like that herein defended. 
 
 Night begs her compliments sincere 
 Day will in earnest friendship take. 
 
 So trusts no diplomatic sneer 
 
 A firm and lasting peace will break. 
 
284 MAZZINI 
 
 MAZZINNI. 
 
 Mazzini's right, some thousand years 
 
 Before the Gog and Magog die, 
 Now crushing with an iron jaw 
 
 The heart of Italy to stain 
 With blood its own, as with forc'd tears 
 
 Brave cheeks to scorch of those who try 
 To make oppression name its laws ; 
 
 Legitimacies peaceless claim 
 More hurtful than a serpent's poison coil, 
 Or Upas blasting to the fairest soil. 
 
 Have you been banish'd from your home, 
 Or in a dungeon thrust to starve, 
 Rob'd, scourg'd with insult gross and vile. 
 
 For cause you can not hold your tongue. 
 To do so would it all deserve 
 To see them buffet wife and child ; 
 
 Have you borne this, are human even small, 
 
 And yet the hands uphold that do it all? 
 
 What's talents, genius, worth, renown. 
 Country, friends, a home, some fame. 
 That make a thought of worth to live, 
 
 If one base breath can perish down 
 To be as things without a name, 
 Such ills a tyrant's nod to give ; 
 
 All this to perish by a tyrant's breath, 
 
 Fell crimes are virtues not deserving death. 
 
MAZZINI. 285 
 
 The curses that come over realm, 
 
 Or heads or hearts to seath and sweep, 
 
 Whether by tempest or earth shake, 
 With self and all belov'd to overwhelm, 
 
 Have but a moment's pang if deep, 
 
 As light as air to those that break 
 On hearts out-banish'd from their hearth and home, 
 With madness gnawing ever till life's done. 
 
 Have the heart's strings been wound and wound 
 In blissful lacings treasur'd at the core, 
 A little heaven blending close its threads 
 
 To clasp its vital throbbings round ? 
 
 Treasures of worth, earth holds no more, 
 Fast on the verge celestial treads. 
 
 All blasted by that cursed word away, 
 
 Lone Avanderer, exile, bar'd from home to stay. 
 
 The fairest portion of earth's fold, 
 
 Where culture, arts, and happy homes 
 Once joyous rang in social glee. 
 
 O'er life prolific of its swarms. 
 Now scant and niggard races hold ; 
 
 Oppression's hand the ruin owns, 
 A desert left is all we see, 
 
 No social radiance ever warms ; 
 Why should earth blighted be and curs'd the most 
 By titles that a crown or ribbon boast ? 
 
 Nor can you make sweet sauce or soy, 
 To be doll'd out in parcels small, 
 
286 MAZZINI. 
 
 Of hecaven his highest pride essay'd, 
 Oppression's taxes here to earn 
 
 As means for greater promised joy 
 Hereafter ; now the more you mall, 
 
 Your lusts all pamper'd by the trade, 
 So blind your gods they can't discern. 
 
 It is not true the more one's here oj^press'd. 
 
 By richer joys in heaven he will be bless'd. 
 
 Just as we keep, with angry teeth, 
 
 A surly mastifif" who rends and tears 
 All comers with intrusive foot 
 
 Who overstep our closes bound. 
 The plea is to secure relief 
 
 'Grainst those who seek our blood or wares 
 Provision nothing in to suit, 
 
 Where none but civil people's found ; 
 That's just the thing we want to make the race, 
 So master's tyrants have no need of place. 
 
 Is it easier dogs to teach 
 
 Than men of so much better parts, 
 Or royal terriers, we their rats 
 
 Hunted to be for blood and sport. 
 No higher game examples reach 
 
 Than fangs to rend each other's hearts, 
 For lowest instinct it adapts ; 
 
 The mind can't rise where no support 
 Is given by the action in its own affair, 
 For freedom else all is but bastard heir. 
 
» 
 
 I 
 
 M AZZ INI. 287 
 
 The great grand curse that's ever been 
 
 Blighting to all trne social rise. 
 Is satraps legitimate to set 
 
 Over us, as if they needed were 
 To nale, who but disrule begin ; 
 
 Democracy the ware supplies. 
 In its own way, corrupt to get. 
 
 No name can heal the base affair ; 
 All men who their own social action shun, 
 Are curs'd the more the better it is done. 
 
 REFLECTION. 
 
 He who would wassail make, and joy, 
 His larder tax, and hamper drain. 
 Intends it should his spirit mend, 
 
 Must his own labor'd means employ — 
 Purveyance of his honest gain. 
 Sweet gust and relish will attend ; 
 
 While he who revels at his country's cost, 
 
 Bears poison in the chalice for it toss'd. 
 
288 JOHN HONESTY. 
 
 JOHN HONESTY. 
 
 For all the tilings on earth we see, 
 
 That's guilded, patch'd, to hide a flaw, 
 To shine and glitter like the true 
 
 So call'd, the best we ever saw ; 
 By brittle fashion hail'd as new — 
 Ay, for all riches of the land and sea, 
 I would not give John Honesty. 
 
 John may live in a house that's low, 
 Of humble mein, if walls not rent. 
 
 By scoffers, when they glitter by — 
 A look of scorn he proudly sent. 
 
 For them such ilk, tho' seeming high, 
 Oppressing others be their bent ; 
 
 For them if thousands in a row, 
 
 John's worth them ten times told, I trow. 
 
 John's word is richer than his gold. 
 His promises the pearls outshine — 
 With conscience clear as drop of dew. 
 
 Whatever done by his design. 
 For safety will be carried through ; 
 All knowing are compell'd to hold 
 His truth and faith are never sold. 
 
JOHN HONESTY. 289 
 
 John can't consent to help the crew 
 Who traffic in all state affairs, 
 To make their morals low and vile ; 
 
 State honors he but seldom shares, 
 A plund'ring scheme be apt to spoil ; 
 He has no party, and the few 
 Who join him others all beshrew. 
 
 John sees a modest, safe homestall 
 Our fathers well devis'd begun, 
 For its completion, knew they must 
 
 Have men to choose, and lay the stone 
 Of worth of heart and public trust ; 
 The drivellers who infest the wall. 
 On none but their own creatures call. 
 
 John knows the land was bright and fair, 
 Designed for freedom's noble aim — 
 By bondage never to be curs'd ; 
 
 Now dastards gloating on their fame. 
 Pollution on its soil to thrust. 
 
 Its realms enlarging most their care. 
 Wider to make the bondmen's share. 
 
 John never hides behind the church, 
 To serve as foil to any blur. 
 Or as a crutch to prop his sin ; 
 
 The honest ways that life prefer, 
 His soul he keeps inducted in — 
 Knows 'tis a fault if any lurch 
 Knocks sleeping conscience from its perch. 
 
 49 
 
290 JOHN HONESTY 
 
 John has a little family, 
 
 Dear as are drops of the heart's blood ; 
 'Tis greatest cruelty he knows, 
 
 Examples none to give as stud 
 To their young want that daily grows, 
 Imbues their minds that they should be 
 As freedom's heirs in honesty. 
 
 John has no fortune large to give, 
 
 But leaves them riches rust don't spoil- 
 In heart that's true to fellows right. 
 
 True salt preserving freedom's soil. 
 In luster shining clear and bright ; 
 
 John knows such treasures wants relieve, 
 And peace at last for crown receive. 
 
 He knows that teaching must be lame 
 
 That don't the hands as well as mind 
 
 Employ, to rivet as we learn, 
 A victory over crime to gain. 
 
 True method in the social join'd, 
 
 In idleness we can't discern ; 
 Science is knowing how to do the best, 
 Vicious, it's always in a wanton rest. 
 
 Each one to labor with good might, 
 His circle fills with blest emprise. 
 He knows his Maker smiles on him 
 
 To cheer him thro' the coming night ; 
 The many circles so to rise. 
 Each one its special duty in. 
 
 To be as one when all the circles meet. 
 
 Like stars, one light of glory to complete. 
 
JOHN HONESTY. 291 
 
 John knows the beauteous sea will float 
 The gallant ship, to plow its wave. 
 To make the spray and foam arise, 
 
 For purpose what the surge to brave. 
 With compass none where danger lies, 
 In deeps away, of lands remote, 
 Such wants to hazard great devote. 
 
 So with the feet that guideless speed 
 
 Their way thro' life, where storms beset, 
 Some light or compass to descry, 
 The hazard certain to be met. 
 At free command for use must lie ; 
 'Tis social action rule to read. 
 Like compass makes the voyage succeed. 
 
 No simple thing we make or do. 
 But ready end lies in the Avay — 
 First learn'd, then cherish'd for its use, 
 
 The rule and doing two in one ; 
 Who conquers first in early day, 
 The cure, like home, forever true, 
 Plac'd in the heart is dear to view. 
 
292 BUMPA NICKEL. 
 
 BUMPA nickel; 
 
 Ye men that sallow hues invade, 
 
 Or pale as if the robber fear 
 
 Had ting'd your cheek, and not the rose ; 
 The lazy blood too long has stay'd 
 
 In slacken'd pace, and don't come near 
 
 The surface, wheie small veins repose ; 
 The circulation is not equal, and don't fill 
 The purple channels with a hearty will. 
 
 Loitering in places most expos'd 
 
 To rupture, or in turgid mass, 
 
 O'erload internal veins to make 
 A tubercle, by harden'd ring inclos'd, 
 
 Thro' which the blood must fail to pass ; 
 
 Or other form of malformation take, 
 To give you trouble, and assail your health, 
 With ails not to be cur'd by any wealth. 
 
 Ye seated men, that books or trade. 
 Keep naird much like a post or style 
 To one position, day by day ; 
 
 If there be health in ax or spade. 
 Your calling will not reconcile 
 Unto their use, without display ; 
 
 Of energy and care to improve your time. 
 
 Beyond what daily habits to incline. 
 
 * A coarse bread made of unbolted flour. 
 
BUMPA NICKEL. 293 
 
 You've got such ailments as proceed 
 
 From slacken'd force, the nerves and bile 
 
 Responding to, to give alarm ; 
 'Tis Bumpa Nickel that you need — 
 
 The dumps and vapors he can spoil 
 
 As quick as any patent charm ; 
 You don't believe it, so a simple use 
 Can't come in combat with indulg'd abuse. 
 
 Ladies, fair creatures, is there one, 
 
 Learn'd or unlearn'd can spell you out ? 
 
 To leave no doubtful spot or shade 
 To prove the Avork not fairly done ; 
 
 Your own sweet selves premise some doubt 
 
 Of what these appetites are made — 
 The chalk, the pencils, and the pickles sour, 
 Hard clay and kickshaws of the like devour. 
 
 I don't think any thing is wrong 
 
 You do, if 'tis it can't be mended — 
 
 There's in the way thtm plaguey males, 
 To give you trouble, being strong 
 
 Or headstrong, in their way defended. 
 
 Your right position often fails ; 
 They stand in their own light, the saucy yeomen, 
 Some reason ihey should show, were I a woman. 
 
 If any should, as times progress. 
 
 Get mopey, nervous, or suck ilk, 
 
 I would not say it openly, but hint, 
 If 'twas the fashion like your dress. 
 
 Made up true ornament to bilk. 
 
 You would if de'il himself was in in't, 
 Take Bumpa Nickel with as good a grace 
 As ever poodle lick'd a pretty face. 
 50 
 
294 BUM PA NICKEL. 
 
 In science cuisine to be adept, 
 
 Is next to physic, or before — 
 
 Perhaps the oldest of the two ; 
 If the inventor of the bolt had kept 
 
 His hand out of that sifting score, 
 
 The physic would have more to do — 
 As 'tis, it's slain more thousands in one season. 
 Than Samson, madden'd by Delilab's treason. 
 
 Some athlete are, or giant large, 
 
 Made to devour, not to devise ; 
 
 For aught but Mammon's lowest birth. 
 To be on thrift a baneful charge — 
 
 Greedy ol what the sea supplies. 
 
 Or munching up the fruits of earth ; 
 On such it is a sinful waste of time. 
 To give 3 place or reason by a rhyme. 
 
 Or those whom arctic climes invite 
 'Mid snow and ice to take their snack, 
 Carbon is all they need to form 
 
 A lining, oil and fat invite — 
 
 Worth more than fur upon the back. 
 With greasy plumpness to adorn ; 
 
 A useless folly 'twould be to suppose 
 
 For lumps like these we should a rhyme compose. 
 
 The chaste, the free and delicate. 
 
 Strong thinkers seldom wearing gross, 
 More nimble with the proper cheer, 
 
 Given at times to speculate 
 
 On things that give the world no loss, 
 A vision that's not always clear ; 
 
 'Tis such to help, if would be help'd at all. 
 
 On Doctor Bumpa Nickel give a call. 
 
BUM PA NICKEL. 295 
 
 When we were boys, Ave ate all day, 
 
 And slept as if we'd never wake — 
 
 The stomach had enough to do, 
 Its aids v/ere full, had ample play. 
 
 On mush and porridge, little cake, 
 
 Or dainties if we thrifty grew ; 
 If things are chang'd, the reason's just as strong, 
 To shrink the bowels up, if then, must yet be wrong. 
 
 As for our physic, there's no guide, 
 
 Condition, fancies all to flatter ; 
 
 The best way is not to be sick — 
 If this can't be, we must abide 
 
 A thousand cures, by drug or water, 
 
 Tlie remedies come fast and thick ; 
 To choose them here, love's labor's lost. 
 Some die regretting most the cost. 
 
 If you don't keep the bowels use 
 
 In what is well for them to do. 
 
 They'll fill with gas, or shrink ; 
 Too long in either is abuse, 
 
 You'll wish them not invited to, 
 
 A cholic or a knot tied in, you'll think. 
 Is worse than trouble, diet good would make, 
 And harder much to cure than this to take. 
 
 Our mothers Avise a custom had. 
 
 When flesh got knotty, full of pain, 
 
 A poultice mollient to provide ; 
 Your memory must be very bad. 
 
 With wit to boast indifferent gain, 
 
 If knots that have their place inside — 
 In the same way you fail to tickle 
 By poultice made of Bumpa Nickel. 
 
296 BUMPA NICKEL. 
 
 The Arabs score when men are sick, 
 
 Their shins to raise and irritate 
 The vital action to new force ; 
 
 A whip or scourge might do the same. 
 Some puncture or sharp needle stick 
 
 Into the flesh, and thus create 
 A pain, by which to arrest the course 
 
 Of ails that do or would inflame ; 
 Of mind or body equal, equal ways the cure. 
 By changing what we cant to that we can endure. 
 
 Our troubles of the body and the mind 
 Lie in a thousand ways to come — 
 Each has its cause and errand to perform, 
 
 Yet nature, ever with a poAver kind, 
 Labors to leave us masters none 
 Excepting death, who only the forlorn 
 
 Of what is left takes as his share. 
 
 As distribution nothing else can spare. 
 
 Don't overload the team you drive. 
 
 And give it plenty time to rest — 
 All cruelty is base, and not the true 
 
 Indices of a worthy nature ; 
 The beasts themselves will often strive 
 
 For their revenge, when badly press'd. 
 And God smiles on our mercy, too ; 
 
 Load your stomach can't bear greater 
 Than any span of sturdy mules can draw. 
 Unless you give it time, or have a monster maw. 
 
BUM PA NICKEL. 297 
 
 Don't look for cures, in your distress, 
 
 Too much on medicine, or give 
 Its doctors credit all to heal — 
 
 The wise ones worthy are of praise — 
 Their numbers few and growing less, 
 
 The ails by which the others live, 
 To shallow minds will not reveal 
 
 True symptoms of their devious ways ; 
 So we are doctor'd, tortur'd, kill'd or cur'd, 
 For other ails, not those we have endur'd. 
 
 'Tis cold or heat for causes that 
 
 We seldom see to know the why ; 
 They overtake us now, not then, 
 
 A war to make our empire in — 
 Disease to plant by their combat. 
 
 An equal temperament defy — 
 It might be plain could we but ken 
 
 In what or why they all begin. 
 But what's the use of all we see and know. 
 When worst we take and let our safety go ? 
 
298 THE CATARACT 
 
 THE CATARACT. 
 
 I've stay'd to see thy river pour 
 
 Its waters gather' d far away, 
 By Huron and Superior's shore, 
 
 Where Indians roam, and wild deer play ; 
 A wilderness of wilds, where white man's feet 
 Have rarely press'd the forest dark and deep. 
 
 From lake to lake, high in the north, 
 Thy fountains swell from winter snow. 
 
 From rocks and valleys driven forth. 
 Where pines and rigid hemlocks grow ; 
 
 Time has no date to count the age upon 
 
 When floods came rushing first from Nepigon. 
 
 The red man with his bark canoe. 
 
 Were ancient as the coptic Nile, 
 Did deer and muskaluuge pursue. 
 
 When Egypt also were a wild ; 
 Deep furrows in thy rocks by currents worn, 
 To depths such as no stinted times have torn. 
 
 What ages form'd the sedement 
 
 For vast prairies rich, deep soil. 
 Myriads of years 'twould represent. 
 
 If gather'd by earth's common toil ; 
 Entomb'd there lies beneath the rock and drift, 
 Deep, hoary mystery, when the veil we lift, 
 
THE CATARACT. 299 
 
 Pouring thus o'er thy rocky bed, 
 
 Press'd on by founts that never stay, 
 Deep waters to the chasm led, 
 
 To leap, rebound and cast their spray — 
 Then headlong rushing to the depth profound. 
 In swift, exulting tumble, shake the ground. 
 
 Now romes the elemental strife — 
 
 Waters on waters heap'd to roar, 
 Confus'd to rush, as mad with life. 
 
 In boiling anger lash the shore ; 
 Volumes come foaming back from depths below. 
 With spray and mist to set the shining bow. 
 
 Deep in thy cavern, fiercely drove, 
 Each plunge bounds boiling up again, 
 
 The strife of Avaters, round above. 
 
 Their endless whirls and foam maintain ; 
 
 Grim rocks, with rugged faces, bare and torn, 
 
 All black'd and drip'd, seem weeping things forlorn. 
 
 The dazzling sun is on thy green 
 
 Hued water, to the sloping ledge, 
 But quickly chang'd to whiten sheen. 
 
 As swiftly pass'd the clifted edge ; 
 The sounds of many waters loudly hum, 
 Tliy organ rocks such music well become, 
 
 I've seen thee by the moon-lit sky — 
 Thy foam and roar were yet the same. 
 
 Thy bow, tho' mark'd by paler dye, 
 Reek'd thro', in softer blushes came — 
 
 Blushes which nature can't afford to lose. 
 
 By shadows blurr'd, to fade they still refuse. 
 
300 THE CATARACT. 
 
 Bnt mist and moon, and nightly spray, 
 Seem'd tonch'd with marvels new — 
 
 Night's visions that around thee lay, 
 To loftier aspirations drew ; 
 
 Visions which grow more ample, as the sight 
 
 Dilates the more with fainter beams of light. 
 
 The bird of night flew screaming by. 
 
 To waver seem'd, as on he flew, 
 Like those who fear a tempest nigh. 
 
 With hasten'd speed their way pursue ; 
 The storm was rising with its rushing sound — 
 But feeble seem'd the cataract to drown. 
 
 In battle fierce, 'tween armies proud. 
 
 While earthquake gives no auded note. 
 Amid its cannon bursting loud. 
 
 Can hear the bugle's piercing throat ; 
 On rush'd the storm, thick vapors roll'd. 
 
 With mist, as veil around thy head 
 Drew up, to shew fierce livid fold. 
 
 While thunders echo'd through thy bed. 
 
 Terrors thy hist'ry rest upon, 
 
 Of men and craft in thy abyss 
 Drawn fearfully its rocks among. 
 
 Yet rare a certain death to miss ; 
 Sometimes their bodies far below are seen, 
 Stern marks upon, strong life could not redeem. 
 
VIRGINIA. 301 
 
 VIEGINIA. 
 
 I 
 
 A finger is in heaven the same 
 That once npon carousing wall 
 Wrote down the fate of banquet's guest, 
 
 Writes still in wrath of burning flame, 
 'Tis destiny, go heed the scroll 
 Full on thy aching vision press'd, 
 
 Heed it thou shalt, if now thy scorn, 
 
 Thy pride forbid it to inform. 
 
 Whenever did high heaven neglect 
 
 To exact its blood for blood 
 
 That shameless, wrongly, guileful shed. 
 To slay where no one to protect. 
 
 With hand uprais'd, as warden stood. 
 
 To shield the victim e'er he bled ; 
 A coward's hand that will not dare to strike, 
 Offensive 'gainst protecting equal pike. 
 
 Yes, the rebuke shall come tho' now. 
 Defiant, Cain-like, thou can'st boast 
 Thy safety, brother's right to jeer. 
 
 Blood cries for blood in its dark vow. 
 No arm of earth with bristling host 
 Can shield thee when it comes to sear ; 
 
 No darkness deep as midnight hide thee can, 
 
 From retribution due for wrong to man. 
 51 
 
302 VIRGINIA. 
 
 In Kansas read it, fearful done 
 
 Thy fellows by approv'd and taught, 
 And by thee hail'd in merry glee, 
 
 There freemen in their lawful home 
 By five and sword of life distrought ; 
 Shame thou of the same kindred be. 
 
 Hands too thou gavest it not to feel 
 
 The agony of blood from dripping steel. 
 
 What crimes did Kansas to provoke 
 Thy bloody hands to scourge and slay. 
 They stood up for their equal right 
 
 Thy fathers, ours, once fei vent spoke, 
 Before high heaven pledg'd to sway. 
 Deep in their hearts to feel its might, 
 
 Perjur'd is the tongue the faith betrayed. 
 
 Who now against it stand array'd. 
 
 Judgment from the mid heaven descends 
 That waits not for thee to forget. 
 Trebled with speed on hurried blast, 
 
 Each whispering wind a loudness lends 
 To harrow up thy ear with threat. 
 The shaking leaf with noise comes past 
 
 As if the banner of a foe was there 
 
 With rustling arms apois'd mid air. 
 
 Thou knowest not whence a plague proceeds. 
 Its dwelling place is from thee hid ; 
 Or pestilence with eye aghast. 
 
 What opportune fell monsters leads. 
 How Pandora from treach'rous lid 
 Terrors confounding forth to cast. 
 
 Thy dreams in innocence to bring repose, 
 
 In guilt a hydra's arms around thee close. 
 
VIRGINIA. 303 
 
 The sky is clear, health seemeth in, 
 
 Why don't it joy of peace impart, 
 
 Why in thy soul forboding ill 
 Of some foul plot thy friends begin. 
 
 Grim shadow of to make thee start ? 
 
 With soul at peace do shadows thrill. 
 As if on some volcanic heaving ground, 
 Convnls'd to rend at quick expected sound. 
 
 Deed thoughts are food of mind the same 
 
 As diet for the body's health allow'd, 
 
 If poison in the latter found 
 The bones will rot the palid frame 
 
 Fall sudden to await its shroud 
 
 An equal fate do both propound. 
 Insidious poison of ill deeds betray 
 The State or soul to equal like decay. 
 
 The elements familiar in the mind, 
 
 'Twill feed upon and so assume 
 
 To shape and point in our dispight 
 Our manhood's growth, or leave behind 
 
 A dwarfish effigy in room, 
 
 The excellence divine to slight, 
 Wanting the excellence, the dwarfish is the mead, 
 As judgment standing 'gainst the wrong in deed. 
 
 'Tis said that crimes come as they may, 
 
 Have seasons like the tidal sea, 
 
 Or like death's bills come to be paid 
 Consulting little moral sway, 
 
 But deal in ratio's kind degree 
 
 As if in bones and flesh they 're laid ; 
 This proves that monsters every tribe. 
 Live by the food to nourish that's suppli'd. 
 
304 VIRGINIA. 
 
 Come as Ihey will, equal were bound 
 A moral physic to provide, 
 Being but disease, the same to meet 
 
 "With antidotes to make us sound, 
 Nor cease their pliance till the tide 
 Of life cause healthful pulse to beat ; 
 
 The duty 's just the same to stay all ill, 
 
 To cure or not, to try is duty still. 
 
 Great object this, all that we know 
 
 Hearts made for, or the world 's a sham 
 And heaven a science of deceit. 
 
 Of life to make the ebb or flow 
 Equal as worthless in the plan, 
 Alike with fate of beasts to meet. 
 
 Yield up our heed to foster moral guard 
 
 That man and world by infamy stand bar'd. 
 
 Cans't thou absorb or stay all tears. 
 
 They flow as from some foiintain deep, 
 Than sea far deeper gives them spring. 
 
 Than earthly deeps or waters wide. 
 Whose fount as thought is in the spheres 
 
 Made not, but rule divine to keep 
 Over the bubble world as mimic thing, 
 
 A shadow that its beek can chide ; 
 And this is what against thy hand is bent, 
 That for a human woe we shan't relent. 
 
 Can'st thou the sun put out that hence 
 Day none shall be or shade of night 
 Nor morning's glow life's precious hour. 
 
 Why not, if thou canst stay offence 
 At galling chain or freedom's blight ; 
 They equal are who hold the power. 
 
VIRGINIA. 305 
 
 Where sympathy forbids no tear can spare 
 An iron heart must be the world's to wear. 
 
 No never more in this lone vale 
 
 Shall any tears be shed, no wail 
 
 At wrongs that make a brother bleed 
 But laughter shall all woes assail, 
 
 And grief shall meet the murd'rous flail 
 
 Content to shout araen the deed ; 
 There is to life but one broad spacious side. 
 Havoc and Eapine over this preside. 
 
 Hush'd be the winds that sorrows bear. 
 
 Silent all tongues to name a grief. 
 
 No tell-tale witness to the wrong 
 Must ever peaching murmur dare ; 
 
 If any pain cries for relief, 
 
 Allowance of to me belong 
 Without my leave of any they complain 
 War's penalties and threats my wrath restrain 
 
 Nations may prate about the free, 
 
 And poets wreathe by garland song, 
 
 The temple false that freemen raise 
 'T is all a sham philosophy. 
 
 Bondage by high decree makes wrong 
 
 The puerile stuff the dotards praise ; 
 'T is in oppression grinding down the race 
 That freedom lifts on high angelic face. 
 
 Judgments, if angels fallen wrath 
 
 More fierce to seathe thee, held to pour, 
 Than the last viol's fell dismay 
 52 
 
306 VIRGINIA. 
 
 They'd stop, when near tliy vengeful path, 
 To cry enough, not one drop more, 
 'T would but malevolence betray ; 
 The measure is complete to blast the deed, 
 They have it chosen mercy must succeed. 
 
 Thou art in war at thy own sill, 
 
 A war that shames the knave who aims 
 His knife at single purse to make 
 
 It yield a paltry coin its fill ; 
 
 Thy war extorts its coward gains 
 
 From bondage, with its whip and chains. 
 
 Safely can'st thirst of avarice slake; 
 
 Knave in his courage who the law will dare, 
 
 While cowards ramparts 'gainst the law prepare. 
 
 At war with law the mighty made. 
 
 First greatest never to be broke. 
 Or be annulled where life is cast 
 
 As master cement of the whole ; 
 The bond paternal ties persuade. 
 
 The pains of death can not revoke, 
 Tho' break the heart round which they clasp, 
 
 Their clinch is deep within the soul ; 
 These too are blasted by a bondage chain. 
 Often where blood thy own runs in the vein. 
 
 The name of father — how it thrills 
 
 From heaven to earth's deepest wells — 
 Divinity dwells in the sound 
 
 As watch and guard o'er human ills. 
 None other with like rapture swells 
 In hearts its mission to propound ;. 
 
 Earth's desolation in its want to share 
 
 Bondage is ready reckless to prepare. 
 
 I 
 
VIRGINIA. 307 
 
 The pests of Europe can't produce 
 
 Revolting more to social sense, 
 An infamy on human page 
 
 Than bondage thine spreads out ; 
 In tender love for this abuse 
 
 Thy chivalry takes deep offence, 
 Blows war trumps threat'ning rage, 
 
 How quick it will all Europe route 
 If it should dare to make thy soil its home, 
 As if a pestilence more foul could come. 
 
 The Union is to thee a curse 
 
 Because the north won't palisade 
 Thy bondage round, that ever hence 
 
 Disturbance none or threat shall come, 
 No censure on it to be thrust, 
 
 Whatever province it invade 
 To be receiv'd with complaicence ; 
 
 All freemen take it to their home, 
 The Union lov'd how much no word will tell, 
 But granted this is freedom's final knell. 
 
 Thou say'«t thy brother chafes thee in 
 
 Thy bondage claims to break their pact. 
 
 With taunting insolenceand theft; 
 All penal laws to shape begin, 
 
 ^Their instruments by which to act 
 
 They seem of choice to stand bereft ; 
 The penalty is sure what needs must strike the blow, 
 Heaven's time lies in, but not in man's to know. 
 
308 VIRGINIA. 
 
 Sometimes tlie careful treasures rust 
 
 Or walls like Rome's invite decay, 
 A blight in ready scourge in drear 
 
 Desertion leaves a homeless soil, 
 Men flee as lost all social trust, 
 
 In room whereof a grim dismay 
 With scoffing laugh is ever near 
 
 To haunt the blows of precious toil ; 
 They flee the oppressive curse of stulted man 
 While ruin broad sweeps o'er the weeping land. 
 
 Often, more oft some dark'ning plague 
 
 Masks round the mind as now round thine, 
 
 In lurid fancy to deceitful gain, 
 Truth precious lost or seeming vague. 
 
 With monsters only to combine, 
 
 The errors striving to maintain ; 
 W^anting a truth for some success to join, 
 By threats and force the millions would combine. 
 
 Thou can'st remember the bright day, 
 The heavens joyful in propitious glow, 
 All nature smiling on the Union made 
 
 To promise long its strength to stay, 
 Full trust in thee and thine to show. 
 No want of friendship dare invade ; 
 
 'T was cordial greeting of thy hand to take, 
 
 Sure thou remerab'rest who did this forsake. 
 
 Shall some foul land a pontine swail, 
 
 Claim'd residence of its reptile. 
 Open a miasmatic surge 
 
 To sweep off friendship for the free, 
 
VIRGINIA. 309 
 
 Some paltry gain truth can't avail. 
 
 The world of its best right beguile, 
 Plot for a ruin on to urge 
 
 'Gainst labor's noble embassy, 
 Shall some few miles of homely ground if curs'd 
 Cast man and all his hopes to lick the dust. 
 
 Crimes, what are they in their fell might 
 
 By arms by chain or cunning fraud 
 
 The opportune how'er supplied, 
 Labor to rob of its just right. 
 
 Good social scheme to lose its laud, 
 
 Fraternal bond all strength deni'd, 
 Appeals in vain a social trust to raise, 
 Doom'd to decay, tho' tiatt'ring it delays. 
 
 Machines of men to make insult 
 
 But offers to almighty law. 
 
 Directing to construct uphold, 
 A social system, the result 
 
 Of need the mind can find to draw 
 
 An excellence above the fold ; 
 For cattle holding their just place 
 To put on level with, is mind's disgrace. 
 
 The civilizer is abroad to cast 
 
 Philosophy o'er the world wide, 
 
 To weigh oppression is its bent, 
 The gross vitality that 's past 
 
 With its great heart to chide 
 
 Causing the spo.ler to relent ; 
 The tide grows stronger, swifter, sweeping on. 
 Thou can'st not stand against it in thy wrong. 
 
310 WORSHIP. 
 
 WOKSHIP. 
 
 Can't I unto the Father go 
 
 Unless 1 do entreat the Son, 
 
 The Holy Ghost to make the three ? 
 Yet while the Scriptures plainly show 
 
 In truth the three are only one, 
 
 I may to either make my plea, 
 The name 's a trifle, so the substance 's theie, 
 Each one alike holds all the three can spare ; 
 It must be so with any three in one. 
 Or union else is nothing but a pun. 
 
 Some take the Holy Ghost, some Mary, 
 Some other saint not of the three, 
 
 It 's always been so, as tastes vary, 
 Sure to be right, they disagree. 
 
 By Scriptui'e power is not left 
 For devils, angels, men to mar, 
 Or thwart or high divine install, 
 
 One atom make it of bereft 
 Divine philosophy to bar 
 That God as one is all in all. 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 311 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 NUMBER ONE. 
 
 Who are the free ? It can't be the bird, 
 With joy in his wing and his flight. 
 
 He never a whisper drop'd of the word, 
 Tho' his course on the breeze is so light ; 
 
 He sings, as he flies, a sweet song of his own, 
 
 The warble, if like it, is but a blithe tone. 
 
 As he soars gaily up, on pinions of down, 
 
 It seems to us freedom indeed — 
 But the hawk, who has no kind renown, 
 
 Is hast'ning that way with swift speed ; 
 Poor bird, how he trembles such friend to engage- 
 He'd give twenty songs to be in a cage. 
 
 G'ome hither, sweet bird, I know by thy flight. 
 Thou art weary and anxious for rest, 
 
 A refuge I'll give, 'twill be my delight. 
 
 As close to my bosom to soothe thee I press ; 
 
 Ah ! wild with despair, there's many a one 
 
 Would fly to its rest with a welcome to come. 
 
 Man steps lightly forth, so purely to snuff 
 The free air, strong resolves in his breast 
 
 That learning strict rules are all stuff. 
 
 Which shall break not his freedom or rest ; 
 
312 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 He'll find very soon that hawks are abroad, 
 While j)itfalls and traps environ his road. 
 
 His passions, like birds, if full swing 
 He gives thera, in fatal disguise, 
 
 Tho' to carol and mirthfully sing. 
 The hawk will the rapture surprise ; 
 
 Hawks have their use to birds or to men. 
 
 The value of safety to learn, not contemn. 
 
 The bars, bolts and prisons abound 
 With dungeons of filth and disease, 
 
 Is't in freedom or heav'n they're found ? 
 Revenge or false passion to please ; 
 
 Can it be, so far we've mistaken the way, 
 
 To fall in such pits, when the free we essay ? 
 
 NUMBER TWO. 
 
 From the earth take away its mountain and vale. 
 Its rugged faced rocks, its surface uneven, 
 
 The springs and the rivers, the fountains would fail. 
 The showers refreshing, scarcely be given. 
 
 Its beauties all mar'd, that ravish our senses — 
 
 The plains turn'd to deserts, where heat so intense is. 
 
 The ocean quite stagnant for want of resources, 
 Its green turn'd to black, lay sick in its bed. 
 
 All rivers flush waters stay'd in their courses. 
 The grandeur, the beauty of earth would be fled ; 
 
 Just so with the mind, by tyranny tame it, 
 
 lleduc'd to a level unhealthy to lame it. 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 313 
 
 Its grandeur and beauty, and freedom of space, 
 Now acting, rebounding, then soaring aloft, 
 
 True science •will guide and quicken its pace, 
 But never to tame or render it soft ; 
 
 There must be an action wide as the wave. 
 
 True rules will not stop, but from anarchy save. 
 
 If things of one size were of value and weight, 
 Mathematics would sadly be snub'd in its course — 
 
 Proportions and magnitude, little and great. 
 Are elements fixing a life, giving force ; 
 
 Well, take from the mind, by false rule to reduce, 
 
 Each evil you cure begets some abuse. 
 
 The earth, to be rich in all it has got, 
 
 Great masses of rock must crumble to dust — 
 
 The vegetable world would perish and rot, 
 If adamant nature cemented the crust ; 
 
 The mind in the mass to oppress in its sway, 
 
 In socialis'd fractions may wisdom obey. 
 
 It must stand by itself, like old granite rock. 
 
 Rough and smooth, hard or lithe, often unkind — 
 
 In particles mingled to soften the shock. 
 Dissolving, uniting, to be a true mind ; 
 
 In the one it's a diamond, all brilliant to shine. 
 
 In the social blends freely in truth to combine. 
 
 NUMBER THREE. 
 
 We can't unravel the snarl'd thread. 
 
 That tangles up the complex woof 
 Of woman's mind a mottled web 
 
 Defying oft our keenest proof; 
 We think at times to fathom its sweet ways^ 
 
 Accept a smile for softness it betrays. 
 58 
 
314 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 The rustling leaf upon the bush 
 
 Is not more easy mov'd or shows 
 Excitement greater than her blush, 
 
 When light-like causes interpose ; 
 The chill, the agony she seems to take. 
 When glass or promises unseemly break. 
 
 Are all so natural they 'pear to lie 
 Like foam that floats upon the surf. 
 
 So too her tear and deep drawn sigh 
 Show gentleness of native birth ; 
 
 Will she not weep if you by chance should wound 
 
 Her kitten or her pretty little hound. 
 
 Tears are her glitt'ring arms to break 
 
 Their way thro' adamantine hearts 
 Proud victor such as steel can't make 
 
 Tho' flesh from harden'd bone it parts ; 
 They are our teachers, these soft things to sway 
 Our froward tempers often led astray. 
 
 Gilded this world is often made to bate 
 Our seeming firmless to unmanly end 
 
 Tlie weakness in ourself we can but hate 
 To wish our firmness had a truer friend ; 
 
 We have misgivings, too, and contradiction, 
 
 Showing quite plainly in our male condition. 
 
 ' Tis needful such appears our want. 
 
 Our rougher ways of life to meet. 
 Strong muscles and a form more gaunt 
 
 Fit us with danger to compete ; 
 It is no thing to boast our rougher nature. 
 Except the contrast needful making greater. 
 
i 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. 315 
 
 These tender things have tendencies 
 
 We know not how to reconcile. 
 When horrid sights appear to please, 
 
 That beauty gives applauding smile ; 
 How can the horrid any charm present, 
 To win a thing with rose and lilly blent. 
 
 They went to see the Gladiator die. 
 
 To bear it like the roughest man, 
 His latest breath expiring sigh 
 
 With close regard intent to scan, 
 Watch'd blood that trickl'd from the fatal thrust, 
 To its faint current mingling with the dust. 
 
 Intent to gaze still on life's throes, 
 
 The latest ebb it feebly makes. 
 Watching yet on the palid close, 
 
 If tears obscure the view she takes ; 
 Still on, expecting more to be amus'd. 
 
 While death all further agony refus'd. 
 
 The ring is set, and dog and beast 
 
 With fiercer men for blood go there. 
 Upon its savage sports to feast. 
 
 The unoffending flesh to tear ; 
 Within the circle, near'd the cruel scene. 
 White waving plumes announce earth's model c[ueen. 
 
 With grace and blooming beauty on, 
 
 Pale majesty around her brow, 
 They speak of noble things to con, 
 
 Tho' more than lost where she is now ; 
 Why was an angel made with face to win. 
 To a polluting world then smuggled in ? 
 
316 ILLUSTE ATIONS. 
 
 She looks, alas, that eye that might 
 Calm down a world of bitter woe, 
 
 On blood and beasts in deadly fight, 
 Her cheek unmarked by conscious glow, 
 
 Anxious she peers and leans her woman's head 
 
 To see when the last man or beast is dead. 
 
 Ah, what a contrast 'tween the sight 
 Of lovely woman and her taste ; 
 
 If culture brings such base delight, 
 Pray stop it, let her go to waste ; 
 
 Better than art should spoil so sweet a thing 
 
 To stay its culture or close up the ring. 
 
 How much of nature may to steel 
 
 Be turn'd to crystalize as hard, 
 Is measur'd by the woes they feel 
 
 By the world's down trod millions shar'd ; 
 In lessons taught if daily by the crowd, 
 Stern advocates, for better teaching, loud. 
 
 To woman nature gives much heed 
 In urgence prying 'gainst the hid. 
 
 Intending it as cautious need 
 All secret danger to forbid. 
 
 To burthens of her life most precious care, 
 
 111 used by cruel sights she seeks to share. 
 
 Man excellence may have, and brave renown, 
 
 Severe assthetic and the close, 
 To the cold Avorld, the eder down, 
 
 Of icy blast will break the force ; 
 Nature did not intend severity 
 All realms to hold in stern obduracy. 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 31' 
 
 This flower upon life's thorny vale, 
 
 With stern ambition seeks to rise, 
 To waste its tVagiance on the gale, 
 
 That clouds with storm the gentle skies. 
 Or graft its tender petals on the sturdy oak, 
 Its rank and rougher nature to invoke. 
 
 Sweet flower, pray not be deceiv'd. 
 
 Or think thy nature to betray — 
 Full sore the good ones will be griev'd. 
 
 If thou affect such high display ; 
 When up so high on gale or lofty tree. 
 Thy sweetness scarcely can admir'd be. 
 
 How will the lone ones look around, 
 
 To find thy bed of rich perfume, 
 Thy leaves that whilom strew'd the ground. 
 
 Sought for at early morn and noon, 
 The noble and the low, the meek, the bold, 
 Come far, thy daily splendor to behold. 
 
 The world will sadly miss thee, too, 
 Then do not go from thy own place — 
 
 All thou canst ask we'll freely do. 
 If thou but spare us this one grace ; 
 
 Hearts thou may'st have at thy devotion — 
 
 They can not reach thee in thy tree's promotion. 
 
 Oh ! that all flowers knew their own 
 Sweet blooming place of value high. 
 
 When hearts are sick and weary grown. 
 Their fragrance would a cure supply ; 
 
 A mighty mercy gave us heaven's foretaste. 
 
 One flower fragrant, gentle, modest, chaste. 
 
EEEATA. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 35 last verse, first line, " to " leave out. 
 41 last verse, third line, prefers for profess. 
 52 third verse, fourth line, " best " for lest. 
 
 74 second verse, fourth line, " connulial," b turned. 
 
 75 first verse, seventh line, " fire " for fore. 
 
 76 first verse, sixth line, "lent " for bent. 
 
 82 fourth verse, fourth line, " detect " for desist. 
 
 83 first verse, seventh line, "the" next to nature omit. 
 89 first verse, first line, " as " for us. 
 
 91 last verse, fifth line, " wont " for want. 
 
 98 last verse, fifth line, " loud " for land. 
 105 second verse, first line, read " it's " for " it is." 
 107 fourth verse, last line, '-'has told," at end of line. 
 113 second verse, fifth line, " or " for and. 
 145 second verse, first line, read " If the cot be low." 
 160 third verse, fifth line, read " on to safety." 
 160 next verse, read " reliance is." 
 
 164 first verse, seventh line, " contriv'd " for continu'd. 
 
 165 fourth verse, last line, "study" for steady. 
 171 first verse, last line, " peers " for piers. 
 
 183 first line, read " friends " for fiends. 
 
 184 second verse, ninth line, " temper " for taraper. 
 203 second verse, third line, tho'ts for tht. 
 
 211 first line, " Is " wanted as first word. 
 
 213 third verse, last line, " afford " for reward. 
 
 216 last line, " upon " for up. 
 
 232 last verse, first line, "her " for he. 
 
 244 second verse, sixth line, "night" for right. 
 
 249 first verse, sixth line, read "a " for o. 
 
 250 second verse, last line, read " never " for nevdr. 
 
 251 third verse, first line, read "u" for v. 
 
 254 third verse, seventh line, read "lorn " for borne. 
 258 second verse, fourth line, " he " too much. 
 
f^my^l 
 
 I