L a n d Br e e z e s
BY
A RTH U R
A
TH E
W I LLIA M
ut ho r o f
NE A LE
"
Lak
e
E
ISHE R
Bre e ze s
"
PU BLI S H I NG CO MPA NY
440 FO U R TH A
" E NU E
MCM"
,
NE
" III
W
YO R "
P RE F A CE
The present v olume an d its predecessor
Lake B reezes were written at about the same
t i m e ; their sources o f in spiration and their
treatment are much the same ; they may there
for be considered compan ion volumes
In S ammy s S tories the sp eaker is the same
venturesome loquacious little chap that app ears
"
in Lake B reezes
He is a littl e white b oy who
is just b eginning to know the streets and fields
He Speaks the lan guage of his kind neithe r
kn owing nor c aring for good p ronunciation or
grammar Indeed he is quite unrestrained and
to invent s o me monstrosity of langua g e is c on
si de re d a feat worthy of attainment while h is
irrepressible thoughts are constantly bubbling
forth in this rather p icturesque style
In the Double Red Cross Poems in Lake
Breezes t here were drawn some faint and im
perfect sketches of th e ravages of alcohol one
of the great secondary causes of consumption ;
in the present volume other rough sketches are
drawn of as great devastation wrought by c o r
sets an o ther of the great secondary causes of
this general s c ourge
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CONTE NT S
LA ND
BRE E " E S
RAH A M L IN CO LN
MY CO U N T RY S CA LL
TRAM P LE TYRA NNY
TH E R O S E T HE L EAF AND T HE
D ANDELI O N S
TH E TOLL BRIDGE
TH E R AM BLER ROS E
D RIFT ING
I S AD O RE
B U ILDING A HO ME
TH E S TORE
A D AY IN A U TU M N
R U S TLING LE A" E S
AB
P A GE
1l
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,
15
TH O RN
16
19
20
23
24
25
28
3 0
3 1
3 3
TH E GA M E
3 5
CHRI S T MA S GREE
ING S
T
B REE "
LA " E
S U NRI S E O N
THE LA "
ES
E
41
W A" E S
46
S EA GU LL S
48
B OAT ING
S O NG
52
E S RE" EL
S A ILING T HE B O NNY BO Y
U PO N T HE BE A CH
TH E LA"
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"
SA
S W IMMI N
D
E
TRA
F
I NI N
’
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MMY
’
I C" LE
53
55
56
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S S TOR I E S
63
P O LLI W OG S
68
BILLY
71
MY
GOA T
D OU BLE RE D
CR OS S P OEM S
P
TH E D O U BLE R ED CROS S
TH E
W AIL
OF
T HE LOS T
81
TH E S W IMMING GIRL
S ON GS OF L A
TH E FI S HERM A N
’
S
D REAM
I S HERMAN S LU C"
THE R ED E A R OF CO RN
TH E HA Y MA " ER S
E " ENING
TH E
F
’
AGE
89
B OR
93
95
97
100
103
ABRAHAM LINC O LN
W H ILE faintly beamed the dawnin g West
Within the Shade of forest Old
Awoke a soul our l an d s beh est
T hat fretted at a cu rse u ntold
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T he cl angs of slav ery S fettered chains
T hat rattl ed th r ough the forest dim
Were mu rmurs from the se rvi l e pains
That struck reé ch oi n g chords in him
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,
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He hea r d them as a mother hears
The cry of pain from darling child
And struggled through the awakening years
Of right and wrong ne er r e c onciled
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At l as t in gloo m and fury bo rn
The storm swept wi ld across the l and
Till our loved nation racked and torn
Call ed for a fi rmer gui din g han d
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He c ame the Sp irit of th e Free
Resolved through storm and strife and hate
T o hold on high our great Decree
To sav e entire our S hip of S tate ;
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And more ou r Captain s pu rp os e then
If so the will of God might b e
T o prove the equal rights of m en
T o set the bounden b l ack m en free
,
,
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1
1
[ ]
,
,
Through dreary years the fight wore on ,
With dire di ssension ever high
Yet at the end our Chieftain won
For Union and for Liberty
,
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S carce had the dove of peace appeared
When one of foulest mi nd and brand
From darkest villainy upreared
And felled our Chief with crimson hand
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NO gentler ruler ever swayed
’
nation s awful destiny
Or dealt to conquered foes arrayed
No malice but sweet charity
A
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patriot in the grain was he
Who fought the wrong upheld the right ;
The people s rule and liberty
He e er defended with his might
A
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There as he met the unholy cause
With strife and Slander at him hurled
He st ood regardless of applause
A bea c on light to all the world
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Our nation s noble mart yred son ;
His truest life to her was given ;
Mid all her honored names Lincoln
S hines with the brightest stars in heav en
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Now as we v iew him from afar
In passing onward through the night
May we obey o ur guiding star
A ssail the wrong advance the right
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MY COUNTRY S CALL
"
MY Country s call is ringing
Throughout the day and night ;
To all our flag is b ringing
The S pirit of the fi g ht
That e en the sm allest nation
May live in liberty "
Then lowly though my station
My Flag is calling me
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S te rn hat r ed of oppressi on
P ro v okes our free born might
When nation wills t ransgression
O f other nation s right ;
And fills with savage slaughter
The highways of the se a ;
And burdens wife and daughter
W ith yoke of tyranny
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O ur P resident e e r p eerin g
With vision keen an d b right
D escried th e S ly foe nearing
Our own l and to ign ite
S ent forth the watc hwofd w ak i ng
The S o ns of Liberty "
T o arms " the world is makin g
S afe fo r D emo c ra c y "
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From an c i ent times and hoary
W e v e followed Freedom s light
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[13 ]
,
And battl es fierce and gory
We ve fought to stem the blight
O f tyrants mad obsessions
They hold the world in fee
And men and their possessi ons
Are theirs in Slav ery
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Now world wide wa r is raging
Must every man his might
Bring to the final waging
When freemen tyr ants smite
A n d end their desolation
That palls humanity "
Whatever be my station
My Flag is calling me
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1
[ 4]
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TRAMPLE TY RANNY
’
S ta rs and S tripes float o er m e ;
They float above my home ;
Their right and might are for me
And to their call I ll come
TH E
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It is my co untry s b an ner
That waves so grandly there ;
Its glorious folds and mann er
Breathe freedom on the air
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It flies o er l and and ocean
That S tan dard of the Free ;
I ts people s whole devotion
Is tram p le tyrann y"
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Its laws are of the pe ople
Ass embled in their might ;
It owns no crown or steep l e
In setting wrong from right
,
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It stands for justi c e ever
E a c h m an a freeman bo rn ;
And p o we r and post Shal l neve r
Make c iti z en forlorn
,
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And if some Lord s An oi nted
S hall spu rn hu m ani ty
I ts warriors are appointed
To tram p le tyranny"
,
[ 1 5]
"
TH E
"
R OS E
,
LE A F A ND
TH ORN
THE
TH E
better than you
said the rose to the
leaf
AS S h e tossed on the pure morning air
For my perfume is sweeter my colors are chief
Of the daintiest bowe rs of the fair
I
A
"
M
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In the bri ght sunn y morning my treasures are
sought
By the l over s fantastical Sight
Then deep into a nosegay I m cunn ingly wrought
To enhan ce h is sweet m aiden s delight
"
,
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grande r by far is my p l a c e in the
worl d ;
When I see you despised and forl o rn
I mus t think of h ow i dl e in budl et you curled
And how needless you ever were born
Oh
,
yes,
,
,
"
.
Even while the proud ros e her vain glories ex
tolled
Her sweet p erfume an d colors decayed
Until on the wild wind that her ple asures u n
ro ll ed
Her rare fragran c e and p etals had strayed
,
,
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"
"
Not far better are you said the l eaf in reply
For my c ompany adds to your power
And while for a moment your favor is high
Tis the favor that l as ts but an hour
,
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[16 ]
,
"
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But I m better than you said the l eaf to the
thorn
AS She waved in di sdai n full est mo o d
F o r my missi on is ki nder on the bree ze I am
born
T o invite the sweet birds with a nod
’
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They come at my call but a moment to stay
For harsh is the bough and the twig
While away from your pres ence th ey d art in dis
may
T o alight on some friendlier Sprig
"
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,
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Though from enemies di re you protect the
green Sprout
And protect u s tis true all th e year
Yet our ki ndes t friends too you e er put to rout
For your pres ence p rovokes but a tear
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The vain leaf ever fluttered as the breez e wh is
pered low
And sh e trembled at the thought of th e sound
Of the strong win ds in autumn that about her
would b low
And in gusts sweep her over the ground
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My fair S isters of sum m er the thorn now re
plied
Your sweet lives are quaking with fear ;
E re the chill of the north wind through au tun m
has sighed
Your lithe bodies are withered and sear
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[17]
’
a ti m e you may flutter in vanity S pride
Like the floo d of hum an ity gay
But your life breath is short you are s oo n cast
aside
For your splendor c an l ast but a day
"
Fo r
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In the lives of us all is a great purpose sealed
A n d not bet ter is one than the res t
For we each to the other a se rvice must yi eld
And thus se rving we m ak e ou r li ves blest
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[ 1 8]
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THE T OLL BRIDGE
sweet memo ry still lingers
Pictures quaint and old
That have shunned Time s g leaning fingers
A s they stol e
Through those scene s with age grown fonder
Where by wood an d w old
A nd the bridge I oft would wander
For a toll
IN
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Balmy were those days and youthf ul
In the years gone by
Wh en I thrilled with raptu re truthful
O f the soul
When my hopes and dreams were laden
With a longing Sigh
When I wooed an honest maiden
Asking toll
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S hyly in the evening s gloaming
I would meet her where
S pans the bridge the streamlet foami ng
From the knoll
Oft I thi nk of those chan ce meetings
Of the wistful p air
And the lad S and lassie s greetings
And th e toll
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Every stream is crossed according
A s the water s high
[20]
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Deep by bridge or shallow fording
Baring sole ;
Cross by toll b ridge maiden slender
Keep your ankles dry ;
What if farer to bridge tender
Pay a toll "
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S ir Bridge Tender must one st ro ll ing
Pay or c ross by ford
When the rushing river rolling
Rounds the b owl "
Can you wait until tom o rr ow "
You are harsh in word ;
—
I can t pay unl ess I borrow
How much toll "
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’
"
Carefully the fare adjusting
B as king on the ridge
Of her fav or meek ly trusting
I would 10 11
For a moment s sweet delaying
On the narrow bridge
E re I sought the d ainty paying
Of the tol l
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Whe n the fairest of fai r give rs
Met encircling arms
Just above the flowing riv er s
Rippling roll
While my youthful heart was smitten
W ith her gracefu l cha rm s
’
,
,
[21 ]
And my mind in life lines written
Wears the toll
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Thus with artles s fond caressing
In the lingering breeze
I my ardent love expressing
Won the goal ;
Never c ould I think of missing
Neath the Sheltering trees
Coyly th e sweet maiden kissing
Paying toll
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With the glowi ng day s fast fa di ng
And the waning light
With the eveni ng s silent shadi ng
Of the stroll
Came the welc ome glow of vesper
Through the gath ering n ight
And the lovers lisping whi sper
And the toll
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’
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Came t o o soo n the lingering parting
And the tender k iss ;
Came and went the happy sta rting
Of life s s cro ll ;
Came and went but memory never
That exalted bliss
From our youthful j oys will sever
P aying toll
’
,
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[22 ]
THE RAMBLE R R O S E
rambler rose that c l im b st the ga rd en wall
With wayw ard bran ches thickly o er it Spun
And perfumed glories nodding in the sun
S upported thus thou fearst nor wind nor fall
How like the love of woman when c ombined "
With clinging ten drils fasten ed al l around
It towers aloo f nor c leav es the lowly ground
I ts ri ches t fragr an ce scattered unconfined
As shines the c l ustered fl owerets gorgeous span
While sweetest p erfume every wh er e p e rv ades
S o Shines the lo v e of woman link e d to man ;
And nestling there it neither wilts nor fades
I ts blessings bl o oming ever while life flo ws
To cheer the world as thou sweet rambler rose
S W EE T
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[ 3
]
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DRIF T ING
drifting drifting d rifting
Like the vagrant sands that flow
Are the hosts o f men and women ;
Constantly they c ome and go
S LOW LY
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,
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Like the racks that flit the heaven
They are drifting on an d on
By the fi tful four winds driven
Hither thither and are gone
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Purposeless an d seem n re c kless
AS the beasts that roam the field
Care they nought what needs tomorrow
If today their pleasu re yield
,
,
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the birds in airy pa ssage
Dart their thoughtless will S intent
S p rings the impulse of man s action
S trong and vivid till tis spent
AS
’
,
’
,
’
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Thus for age s they have drifted ;
Thus for ages they will yet
In a transient vag ue endeavor
Till the su n of life is set
,
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,
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[24]
I S AD O RE
a pleasant g rove and Shady
Where the birds th eir sweetest tune
S ang unto the little l ady
All that balmy afternoon ;
With his conscience on a nettle
Did the rogui sh Benny Moore
S idle all along the settle
T o the side o f Isadore
IN
,
,
.
How the squirrel ;he told her shyly
,
Nimbly gnaws the hick o ry nut ;
And to S h ow h er deftly slyly
How the master make s the cut
S lipt his arm around her quickly
Oh
the
naughty
Benny
M
o
ore
"
"
(
And with pulses beating thickly
S tole a ki ss from Isadore "
,
,
,
,
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,
When his childhood days were over
B enny found his l ove again
AS a timid quiet rover
W andering down a lonely lane ;
While he watched the lovely maiden
S m o te the hea rt of Benny Moore ;
And his candid soul love laden
Longed for gentl e Isadore
,
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2
[ 5]
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Was the thought of that swee t rover "
Would She b e the happy las s "
Then sh e saw a lucky clover
S tooped to pick it from the gras s ;
Oh th e thoughts o f that young lover
S hy and honest Benny Moore
When he saw the lucky clover
Touch the lips of Isadore "
"
"
,
,
,
,
All the birds sang gaily sweetly
As he saun tered by her sid e ;
Yet they queried so discreetly
All the woodland had replied ;
S oftly whispered word was Spoken
For the love of Benny Moor e ;
And the lover saw its token
In the eyes of Isadore
,
,
,
.
S wiftly flew the fleeting summe rs
As he toiled o er field and wold ;
Gladly saw two little comers
S afe withi n the fami ly fold ;
S weet the merry play an d prattle
Of the little Benny Moore
While he shared h is m en and cattl e
With his sister Isadore
,
’
,
.
,
Thus the days were filled with gladn ess ;
Love was long and fate w as kin d
Till an hou r of piercing sadness
S oft came stealing on the wind ;
,
[26 ]
BUILDING A HOME
HE
"
love in the Springtime the song birds re
turning
For mate and for nestlings their young hearts
are yearn ing
And filling the woo dland with new bursts of
song ;
While the sp ringti me of youth yet around us is
Smiling
A nd distant the summer of life is be g uiling
My love and my life unto thee would belong
And in the fair fields wo uld I build us a home ;
Thou j oy o f my youth and my love wilt thou
come "
FA
IR
-
,
,
,
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,
,
Oh love as the birds in
,
,
,
th e
sweetness of morn
i n s;
When flowers deck the earth with their fairest
adorning
Have chosen and mated and built them a nest
S o I in the prime o f my woman s devotion
Through j oy and through pain and the world s
rough commoti on ;
Would follow the l ongings that l ie in my
breast
And where er in ea rt h s lap we may build us our
home
There with thee my beloved with thee will I
,
,
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[ 2 8]
BOTH
"
With b ri ghtness and flowers the gl ad earth i s
teeming ;
The b u tte rfly s dan cing the little brook dre am
’
,
i n s,
O r laughing away as delights his gay heart ;
Yet clear be the heavens or foul be the weather
Our lives and our fortunes are bound firm to
gether ;
And if from our kindred we drift far apart
And the ties of ou r youth we thus sunder and
roam
I n ou r t rue hea rt of hea rts we wi l l bui l d us a
home
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
2
[ 9]
THE S T ORK
wise stork smiles ; with all his wiles
He knows how w ell tis done
When from the top of chimney S cop
He drops a little one
TH E
’
,
’
.
pray him c ome relieve your home
His magic wings unfurl ;
A boy mayhap would suit your lap
He s sure to bring a girl
You
,
,
,
,
’
.
O r other prayer h as wafted there
A S token of your j oy ;
W ith fancy s whi rl you wish a girl
But no he b rings a boy
’
,
.
,
You thi nk him rough ; you ve had enough ;
That sage bird only grin s
F or on his score he marked you four ;
He comes again—with twins
’
,
.
You like the Show it pleas es so
You want anothe r pair ;
He scorn s display ; k n ows better way
S ometime he ll see your heir
’
.
Away he flies to southern skies
And comes b ack year by year ;
Whence all his j oys of girls an d boys
He holds a secret dear
,
.
3
[ 0]
,
A
DAY IN AUTUMN
pale morn trembles with the light
O f the approaching day
Whil e l ingering el fi n s of the ni g ht
S kip on the lake and pl ay
TH E
,
.
Aroun d the low vault of the Sky
The ru ddy b ands aglow
Ass ail the wavelets dancing by
And stain their crystal flow
,
,
.
’
S wift o er the hills dull brown and sear
The dazzling minions Speed
Nor stay to dry a trembling tear
Upon the st ill green mead
,
,
,
.
The p l aintive brook Slow wanders on
S o sad and mournfully ;
Its friends th e fl owe rs and birds are gone
T o Seek a faire r sky
,
,
,
.
The rabbit with hi s pat ter tread
That where the bria rs gro w
S eeks h al f in fear his humble bed
B reathes of the e rm ine snow
,
,
,
,
.
The squirrel chatte rs as he sways
Upon a forest limb
And pluc ks a nut and nicely wei ghs
Against a winter g rim
,
.
[3 1 1
While arched on his primeval swing
He pares a brittle rind
Th e trees their scarlet vestmen ts fling
And shudder in the wind
,
,
,
,
.
’
A fretful rack of cloud that s fanned
By the autumn al gale
Flits sullen o er the sunn y land
And darkens dim the dal e ;
,
,
’
,
’
But when the little pet is o er
And frown to brightness yields
Indulgent nature smiles once more
In her abundant fields
,
,
.
0
golden autumn with thy wealth
Of fruit and smiles to cheer
Thou art the queen of rustic health
The crowni ng of the year "
,
,
,
Ag ain up o n the su nset hills
The golden arrows ply
As through the dusky clou ds there thrills
The rubric of the sk y
,
.
2
3
[ ]
RU S TLING LEA" E S
’
dull su n is wan d ring
O er the clouds sailing by
S low in the heavens
He s encirc l ing the Sky
TH E
’
A
,
’
.
The flowe rs are drooping ;
They are nipped by th e frost ;
Th eir sweet breath of summer
I S tran slated not lost
.
,
Th e sc ar leaves are falling
In the fores t and grove ;
They whisper the tidings
Of their nature and love
.
The winds have espoused them
Their stark parents they leave
T o Sigh through the evening
T o bewail and to grieve
,
.
In play of the eddy
In the vale o er the lea
Like Siren s th ey murmur
The weird songs of the se a
,
’
,
,
.
The billows are breaking
Both on sea and on land ;
By rough winds the waters
And the leaf scrolls are fanned
-
[3 3 ]
.
fallin g leaves flutter
And the snow clouds appear
Our lives are o ft checkered
With the shadows of fear ;
A
S
-
,
Yet while the leaves rustle
Through the gloom they may bring
We ll see but their token
Of the new l eaves of spring
,
,
’
.
3
[ 4]
Hurrah " hurrah "
Who cares a straw "
A merry crowd we re bringing ;
With chum and ma te
We ll celebrate
O ur te am s just praises Singing
"
’
’
,
’
.
[3 6 ]
CHRI S T MA S GRE E TING S
To
you I send my Christmas greeting
With many a wish for glad New Year ;
E en in our th ought tis sweet th e meeting
Of friends and kindred while we re here ;
’
’
,
,
’
But sweeter still with clasping fingers
T o feel and know each glowing h eart
T o feel each presence while life lingers
To know each b etter ere we p art
,
,
.
Come let us then at this glad se ason
Gather aroun d the festive board ;
Let love an d friendship be our reason
Till each the other s mind h as stored
,
,
,
’
’
.
Let merry children s voices mingle
While Showing gifts with l aughing fun ;
Let al l hearts at this Yuletide tingle
Then will the New Year blither run
,
.
[3 7]
LAKE BRE E " E S
S UNRI S E O N T HE LAKE
TH E
Shadowy night swift flies ;
The orient hoo d of skies
O e rh an g s th e lake
With brightening golden b ars
While Silently the stars
The heavens forsake
’
,
.
’
S p reading the lo w vault o er
From o ffing un to shore
The foreglow Shin es
O n clouds and n o dding seas
On Shore and cape and trees
In g u i ldin g lines
,
,
,
.
Thou Proteus of our day
Hast more of good to say
O r ill shal l fall
E re glows the z enith sun
O r h is nadir course Shall run
On change ful ball "
,
,
’
Now ruby tints o ersp read
The bournes of cloudy bed
That b anks the Sk y
A n d fro m the fl ee cy piles
S tray far fleet rifted isles
Craggy and high
,
-
,
,
.
41
[ ]
,
,
,
There stratus cl ouds hang l ow
Displayed in tenu ous row
W ith straits b etween ;
And near and far above
Rare fe athery racks e er ro v e
Along the scen e
,
,
,
’
,
.
Here bold and be etling brows
J u t from those banks of snows
Their b as es plan e ;
A n d thos e of dul ler hue
Se em mounts against the b lue
Of earth ag ai n
,
,
,
.
And higher in the breeze
Are forms o f land an d se as
B ank be ach an d bight ;
Cap e neck and mou ntain land ;
S tream lake an d ocean grand
All bathed in light
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
With b righte r brighter gleams
The ro seate morning b eams
And Shines and glows
And tints o f r ai nbow light
F al l on the enraptured Sight
The sk y o erfl ows
,
,
’
.
Awakin g now from rest
The l ake heaves his great breast
And Shakes till waves
,
,
[ 42 ]
And there again i s seen
Close on the chan geful green
Entrancing Sight
Broad webs of gold and red
Or crimson in I ts stead
A wondrous light "
,
,
,
And now I look again
It seems as if a rain
Of c olo rs fl ow e d ;
Or from the heap s of hues
Reds yell ows greens and blues
I t se ems it snowed
,
,
,
,
,
.
The mi ghty monarch gl ows
Across his f ac e there flows
A fl ami ng flood ;
F rom cheek to j owl it sways
From hai r to b e ard it p lays
In r ac er s moo d
,
’
.
’
Now see " neath cloudy v eil
A g u ilde d disk a trail
On heaving marge ;
S eems like a satellite
Jus t rising fro m the n ight
O r gol den barge
,
,
,
.
’
And o er the waters far
The m irrored p ath of c ar
Flows gleam ing bright ;
[ 44 ]
,
From c ar to shore it stream s
A myriad dancing beams
A dazz ling light
,
,
.
’
’
From neath ho ri z on S bend
S ome rising sails now wend
And mou nt the c rest ;
S ped by the m orning breez e
They scud along the seas
T o view the test
,
,
.
A c ross the race course drawn
Marki ng the pale of dawn
Lies cordon c l oud ;
And by that line c l oud b right
Resplendent in the light
Flies seagull proud
-
,
,
-
,
,
.
Judge of the contest he
B ird of the rolling se a ;
T he c ou rse he clea rs ;
Headlong the cou rse rs Spring "
Oh hear their hoof beats ring "
The crowd s wild cheers "
,
-
,
’
S carce urged th e steeds fly on
Nor ti ll th e goa l is won
Wi ll Slacken p ace ;
They mount through c l oudy v eils ;
They mount though chari ot wail s
T o win the race "
,
,
,
,
45
[ ]
WA" E S
HA RD blows the wind, and strews
sk
our
northe rn
y
With sn o wy banks of cloud
Around whose b ristling domes and turrets high
The whistling blast pipes loud
,
.
I hear it in its vain attempts to make
Of c onquered foe a slav e ;
I hear it howlin g fiercely o er the lake
To fright the fleeing wave
’
.
Blow on wild win d fo r thou c an st so on o e rt ak e
The fugitives that roll ;
And ere their haughty crests in triumph break
Fling out the v anquished scroll ,
’
,
,
,
,
Roll on ye waves that lash th e S hores along
In might and maj es ty ;
Roll on and marshal al l your seri ed thr ong
From Shore to Shore that lie
,
,
,
,
.
Far out upon your combing crests ye waves
I see a rising sail ;
Though driven hard by the fierce storm that
raves
S he rides before the gale
,
,
,
.
Her sloping d eck that weary sailors tread
Rolls now aright again ;
,
[ 46 ]
,
’
Once more by puffi ng sail She s homewar d Sped
Nor h oods the rolling main
,
.
Along these Sh o res ye wav es the re dm an stood
And watched your rolling heights ;
Or in h is birch c anoe on c al mer flood
He sought hi s wild delights
,
,
,
,
,
.
No more the re dm an hunts your pebb l ed shore
O r seeks you r crafty game ;
NO more his warh o op s haun t you as b efore ;
He l eaves you but you r name
-
.
Ontario rol l on " and b l ow ye win ds "
And wrestle as of yore ;
S how once again y our kindred S pi rits
A n d rol l f r om shore to shore "
,
,
’
m
i nds ,
Rol l on " t o ha p py hun ting gr ounds alone
Your redman f riends have gone ;
Yet tel l uS of their feats th eir b attl es won
Roll on " rol l on " ro ll on "
,
[ 47 ]
,
,
S EAGULL S
’
o er the dark waves rising
Now swaying to and fro
Now turning dipping sailing
The wheeling seagulls go
FA R
,
,
,
,
,
.
Yet farther and farther I se e them
Agai ns t the mo ttled Sky
A S busy they are hunting
With keen an d piercing eye
,
.
Now high in the west c areening
They turn them t oward the sun ;
I see their white breas ts gleam ing
As they in splendor run
,
,
.
Now over bay an d harb o r
Their lustrous wings app ear
While mates to mates are calling
In vo ices loud and clear
,
.
And as they wheel an d ho v er
Above the swaying tide
They S p y th e darting fishes
That near the surface glide
,
a plunge a striking
With beak of surest aim
One rises from the water
W ith treasured fi nn y game
A S woop
,
,
,
.
[48]
.
He darts away with cunnin g ;
Pursue rs h e w ould flee ;
With envio us eyes they follow
O r l an dward or toward se a
.
Loud s c ream forsaken comrad es
That scan the cal mer fl ow ;
A S rising di p ping soaring
They sai l a graceful bow
,
,
,
,
.
And oh as one draws nea rer
His deep dark ti p s I see
His eyes and white p lumes gleamin g
That bird of maj es ty "
,
,
'
,
,
His mates with wings now fo l ded
In centu ries dot the tide ;
Their c all s an on resoun ding
Re ech o far and wide
,
,
,
.
And here and there some restless
Now take to air n ow wav e ;
In playful m oo d they skipp er
O r p reen t hem as they lav e
,
,
,
.
O r in thei r flight I wat ch them
O r on the swinging sea ;
And as th ey scan the waters
A wonder c omes to me
,
.
I wonder when they are flying
And watching the rocking flow
,
,
4
9
[ ]
,
,
,
A
ever an d ever screaming
How far they see bel o w
nd
,
.
S ee they in silent wate rs
A S th ey sail the tide along
The fish that s wi m in its bosom
The ro cks that below th em throng "
,
,
,
,
,
Do they with their keen vision
When b right and clear is the sk y
S ee through the d epths below them
Where sunken v essels lie "
,
,
they see the wre c k of th e vessel
That by wind an d wav e was tost
And with al l her sailo rs and cargo
Went down in the storm and was lost "
Can
,
,
Ye may not see the scho oner
Ye birds of soaring wing
But oh before the t empest
A warning c ry ye Sing
,
,
,
.
herald are ye of the danger
That lu rks within the gale ;
In flying or in screaming
Ye warn the stretc hi n g sail
A
,
,
.
Ye see the l ight waves tossing
Ye hear the arm ed wind
,
[ 50 ]
,
B O ATING SO NG
S A IL
oh sail away we go
S ki mming o er the crystal flow
Glidi ng while the p ennant flies
Plying neath the fri endly S kies
Running while the bree z e is free
S ail oh sail the life for me
,
,
’
,
,
’
,
,
.
,
Cleav ing n ow the gliding wave
While the laughing waters lave
Fleeing fro m th e wimpling wind
With a fickle wake behind
D arting now to wind or lee
S ail oh sail the life for me
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
Outward where the billows rise
Where the wheeling seagull cries
C ut into the white cap spray
Where it lends a Sportive fray
Out far out with mirth and glee
S ail oh sail the life for me
,
,
,
-
,
,
,
,
.
,
S ail oh sail the breezes veer
B ack toward the harbor steer
Back to wh e re the breakers roar
Back unt o the rocky Shore
Back u ntil th e port we see
S ail oh sail the life for me
,
,
,
,
,
.
[ 52 ]
,
,
THE
LAKE S RE " E L
’
’
night grew dark ; o er all the lake
A mirrored stillness there had been
When dancing ripples gathering fuller s o on
Glittered and sp arkled in the rising moon
That still her wonted rounds wo ul d make
To fend the darkness from the so ns of men
TH E
,
,
The in c reasing wind v eered twixt the wes t
And nort h and still increas ing blew
Till swelling waves broke fro m the tranquil tide
And reared their mighty cres ts afar and wide
Proud Swelling with defiant breast
And terror striki ng every wandering crew
.
,
,
-
,
,
-
,
-
Beaten about by gu sty winds
With bearings lost and fragm ent sails
A cruising hulk of stu ff more old than new
D rove o er the waters with a forlorn crew
Of man and bo y whose fearful minds
Lent furor to the billow heaping gales
.
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
-
.
Hard beat the wind ; hard drove the se a ;
All night upon the foaming deep
Floundered the Dolphin in the weltering waves ;
Sc arce hoped th e crew to S cape their watery
grave s
O r know the Shelt er of a lee
Or favored bay till dawn might o er them
creep
’
,
’
,
.
[ 53 ]
At las t the rosy tinted morn
Broke o er the orgies of the sea
And beamed upon the waters rolling high
And smiling vai nl y t ried to pacify ;
While darkly o er the sk y were born
Foul murky clouds that veiled the revelry
-
’
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
.
Then swiftly from a harbor flew
Across the Dolphin s course away
A life boat manned by sturdy company
Far o er the troubled waters of the sea
Overhauled the hulk its fearful cre w
And shoreward sought again her own fair
bay
,
’
,
-
,
,
’
,
,
,
.
Fierce swep t the wind acro ss the Sky
And fierce and fi erc e r drove th e sea
A S farther louder its resounding r o ar
Re echoing fought the sternly curbing shore ;
While safe the life boat glided by
And shunned once more Poseidon S tyranny
,
,
,
,
,
-
,
’
.
The se agulls shrieked their piercing c ry ;
The storm wind whistled through the land ;
And far far out across the seethin g lake
The white caps shook when wrathful Neptune
spake
And bid to fu rther revelry
Nor heeded more the sailors on the strand
-
,
-
,
,
.
[ 54 ]
S AILING T HE
B O NNY B O Y
"
"
O Bonny Boy sail "
What if the weather be c al m or a gale "
Wh at if we re drifting or dipping the rail "
May not the cares of life follow our trail "
S ail O Bo nn y Boy sail "
S A IL,
,
,
’
,
,
,
S ail O Bonny Boy sail "
Off on the rolling se a tossing the Spray
O ut in the waves at the c lose of the day ;
Let the time linger we l l live while we may "
S ail O Bonn y Boy sail "
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
,
S ail O B onn y Boy sail "
Now in the trough and n ow high on the crest
Rocked in the sea l ike a babe lulled to rest
L o cked in the arms on a fond mother s breast ;
S ai l O Bonn y B oy sail "
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
S ail O B onn y Boy sail "
Hai l to the skipper an d h ai l to the crew
Hail to the vesse l and b ail to th e blue
Hail to the world for life s moments are few ;
S ai l O Bo nn y Boy sail "
,
,
,
,
’
,
,
,
S ail O Bonny Boy sail "
Back o er the rolling waves sailing be fore
Back ere th e heavens in night gather o er
B a c k from the swells of the sea to the shore ;
S ail O Bonn y Boy sail "
,
,
’
,
,
’
,
,
,
[ 55 ]
UP O N THE BEACH
the sinuous beach of sand
That Skirt s Ontario s waters grand
Hemmed deep by many a willow wand
And locust sweet
A ll through the languid summer day
A crowd of happy children play
In shore clothes meet
U P ON
,
’
,
,
,
.
As back and forth the bree z es blow
And c rystal wate rs ebb and flow
The merry w an dere rs constant go
With dancing glee ;
From marge to crest of sandy Shore
Fair dam e s an d to ddli n g s dot it o er
Careles s an d free
,
,
’
.
Full many a fo rt an d castle made
W ith circling wall and moat di splayed
T o keep them from the invader s raid
And san dm en s ire ;
And by the lapping of the wave
A well is dug with spade or stave
T o quench a fire
,
’
‘
’
.
S oon o ff the sh o re appears a bark
I ts model ancient as the ark
Full menacing th e stern bulwark
That threats their fort ;
B ristling with dea dl y cl othes pin guns
,
,
,
-
6
5
[ ]
,
,
He r bold c om mande r fearl ess runs
Abreast the p ort
.
‘
Immediate surrender si r
The only term s I would prefer
To letting Shot and Shell thick whir
Upon you down
This is th e answer firm an d stern
The v aliant captain would return
T o c astled town
,
,
"
,
,
,
.
At oth er times they launch a ship
With Shingl e sail s that will not ri p
Though o ft sh e s ees disastrou s tri p ,
W ith bee t l es man ned ;
Of gold and diamonds is her l oad
S he gaily scuds to r ocking road
O r foreign strand
,
,
,
,
.
S ometim es beneath o erh an g in g shade
A race is run twixt boy an d maid
Or children or their elders staid
With trip an d fal l
When down amid the flying san d
Thei r bulky bo di es flat ex p and
In awkwar d Sp r awl
’
’
,
.
They write their names in l ette rs l arge
Plac es an d dates u p on the marge
A n d gi ve them to the wav es in charge
The tale t o sav e ;
,
,
,
[ 57 ]
,
They c ome again anothe r day
To find their n ames are washed away
The fickle wave "
,
Again the t ots al ong the Shore
Will wade and sp atter more and more ;
Or down into the sand they bore
With curling toes
Unti l they reel with balance lost
Backward upon the waves they re tost
With loud spelt woes
,
,
,
’
.
Their elders c l ad in swimming gown
With bare feet pran cing up and do wn
Now boldly leave the shore sand brown
For waters deep
And there the artful lessons learn
T o swim to float t o dive in turn
And bal an c e kee p
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
Ho " swimming an d div ing fun begi ns
And spattered water spouts and S pi ns
It sharply strikes the glis tening skins
With sc ream and Shout ;
Then from the b attle s pouring flood
S ome to the nearest Shore wil l scud
In utter rout
,
’
.
The pretty nym phs Skim through the waves
Wh ile yonder dive th e risky knaves ;
[ 58]
,
S AMMY S S T O RIE S
’
SWIMMIN
W
de sun is j est a sco rc h in
An de win i s out uv b reaf
An de day gi ts h otter an hotter
An de birds are stiller n deaf ;
D en de leav es curl up deir edges
From do water dat dey lack
But de sweat " es roll s in rib ers
Down yer belly an yer b ack
’
’
E N
-
,
’
’
,
’
’
,
’
’
,
’
’
.
’
You kin mop yer face an fore ead
Wid yer ole limp h an k erch i e f
You kin blo w an fus s an fan you
Wid a wilted burdock leaf ;
But dere s " es one way uv coolin
You dat I kin understan d
S trip ye r cl o thes Off in de bushes
An go swimmin on de sand
’
’
,
’
’
,
’
’
’
,
,
,
’
’
.
You kin hold up ye r two fingers
To de fellers on de way
Fer dey al l k n ows well de m eanin
An dey ll sneak o r run away ;
D ey don nee d a l ot 0 c o axin
W en inb ited by de g an g ;
Dey j es hoops an yells an h ollers
An goes swimmin wid a ban g
,
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
.
Course de Shore i s ful l u v childern
Al l a p l ayi n in de sand
,
’
-
,
[ 63 ]
An dere s lots uv men an wi m en
S ittin furder u p de land ;
Dey are all a lookin at you
W en you dive an swim an float
A n dey t ink you got a bladder
In you bigger dan a boat
’
’
’
’
’
-
’
’
’
’
,
’
.
W en you dive yer head ducks unde r
A S you seen de divers do ;
Only di s you mus remember
Dat yer body goes down too ;
Grab yer nose an keep yer eyes shut
S wall e r b reaf to last a week
Fill yer chest an belly chuc k full
An de holler u v yer ch e ek ;
’
,
,
’
,
’
,
,
’
’
—
S tretch one hand above yer head S 0
,
,
Jump up like de bullfrogs do
Turn a h an sum top sy turvy ,
An you ll split de wave in two ;
But if you are sk ee rt an daresen t
An you re fraid yer head will b reak
You will surely make a flatter
Wid a steamer s swell an wake
,
’
-
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
"
"
’
’
.
S um tim
’
’
w en dey re all a looki n
At de b athers you kin leap
S tick yer hand high up above you
Hoop an yell to em
S o de ep "
Den Sink down into de water
An upon de b o ttom S it ;
eS
’
-
,
,
,
’
’
"
,
,
’
[ 64]
"
,
’
You kin almost al lus fool em
An dey t ink dat you got grit
,
’
’
’
’
’
.
’
W en you re swimm in it s so easy
Jes to Show em how you can
S pread yer arm s ri gh t out before you
An make stroke s j es like a man ;
Wid one foot upon de bottom
An de udder sp l ashi n we ll
You kin foo l em j est as e as y "
An dey never once kin tell
,
’
’
,
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
.
S u m t im
you kin take a drift log
O r a plank from O H d e beach
An kin straddle it an paddle
W en de b ottom s out uv reach ;
But you allus m us rememb er
Not t o let it t row you down
Cause you onc e roll off an strangle
Mayb e you will nearly drown
es
-
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
,
,
.
W en you re flo atin to o i t s risky
S pecially w en a ripple s on
Cause w en you kin j es touch b o ttom
W aves ro ll in an den you re gone
Fer dey cum w en you don sp e c t em
An dey fill you t rough de nose ;
Makes you strangle wid de sou sin
An you to de bottom goes
’
’
’
’
,
,
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
,
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
.
[ 65 ]
,
Well do trouf is swim m i n s risky
F er de feller dat plays smart
But e needn t b e so dafty
If e wants to learn d e art ;
He kin take a life p reserb er
Uv sum sort till e learns how
T er make strokes an keep is b reath in
Jes like I am do in now
’
,
,
,
’
’
’
-
’
’
’
’
’
.
’
awful nice an pleasant
A n it s mighty fin e to k now
S pecially w en you git capsi zed
O r git cought out i n a blow
An de waves roll bigger n bigger
A n you t ink dat you will drown
Fer t S a long ways to de bottom
An no stops a goin down
S wi m
in
m
’
s
,
’
’
,
’
’
,
,
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
,
’
,
’
’
-
.
S um t im
it is mighty handy
"
W en yer neighbor s in de drink
An o s S p l ashin bout like m i sc hi ef
An is j est about to sink ;
You k i n j ump right in an grab i m
By de collar or de hair
Roll i m on is back an save i m
Most b efore e kn ows you re de re
es
"
’
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
.
Dough you sum tim es kin be useful
T o yer neighbor or yersel f
If you knows de a rt uv swimmin
An kin be a water elf ;
,
’
’
6
[ 6]
,
’
,
DE FI CKLE POLLI WO GS
W
’
de win blows soft in Springt ime
An de flowers are b l o o m i n bright
An de b irds are all a Singin
An de bullfrogs croak at ni ght ;
Den I likes ter g o a tram p in
Long de banks uv creeks an bro oks
An ter watch de t ings dat appen
Mong de rushes in de nooks
’
E N
’
’
,
’
’
-
,
’
’
-
’
’
,
’
’
’
’
.
’
You kin learn a l o t bout nature
If you likes ter kee p about
An j es watch how t in gs are g rowin
From de little egg an sprout ;
S o I ve watc hed de frogs dis summer
An its " es de stran ge st t ing
How dey sleep in mud all winter
An wake up in early s p ring
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
.
Anyhow I seen an ol d on e
Lay her eggs m ong water weeds ;
D ey are soft an look like j elly
An no bigge r much dan seeds
Mos t two weeks I watch ed em steady
And at las t dey tu rn ed one day
I n to b eings some like bull eads
P ol l iwogs dat swam away
,
’
’
’
.
’
’
’
,
.
,
On de wee d s dey hung like l ee c hes
Till some mossy gills grew out
,
[ 6 8]
,
,
,
Den dey wiggled o ff like fishes
An in scho ols dey chased about ;
Den deir gills grew smaller n smaller
Till dey Shi fted clear inside
Just as if to ape de fishes
W en dey t rough de w aters glide
,
’
’
’
’
’
.
’
’
By an by a strange t ing ap p en e d
An you don know what I saw ;
Near one S tail upon is body
F eared a little hinder paw ;
Den de udder came a p ee p i n ;
An de fore paws soon appeared ;
W en e swam is feet would paddle
But i s t ail is cou rse j es steered
’
,
’
’
’
’
,
,
’
’
-
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
.
What a c urious l ooki n creature
I S a fickl e polliwog
W en e sets i m self to t in k i n
He will change into a frog "
O n ea ch S ide is p aws are p addlin
While is t ail fl o ps ou t behind ;
Whether e is fish or bullfrog
He can t quite make up is mind
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
,
’
’
.
S oon dat tai l gi ts small er n smal l er
And at last it drops clean o ff ;
Leaves a raw place dere to sit on
But I g ue ss a bull frog s tough ;
He k in sit upon a sore spot
An b e happy all day l ong ;
’
’
,
’
,
’
6
9
[ ]
,
,
’
An as soon as dat gits covered
He will Sing i s Springtim e so ng
’
.
Polliwogs are awful fickle ;
Dey are changin all de time ;
Dey don like de clea r cool water
Dey don like de Slippery slime ;
I su sp ec dey ll keep on changin
S p rout i n legs an dro p p i n tail s ;
W en I see dem next time mayb e
D ey ll b e changed clean in to whales "
’
’
,
,
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
’
,
’
[ 70 ]
,
TRA I NI N
’
MY BILLY G O A T
aught ter see my billy goat ;
H e s j est as Slick by gee
A S a n y goat you ever seen
E r e v er sp e c ter see ;
He knows most everyt ing I kn ow
A n sum t in gs dat I don t
"
For every time I say You will
He blats out W ell I won t
Y OU
’
,
,
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
,
,
"
,
,
’
"
,
"
.
,
’
’
His hai r is nice an soft an long
C ep t on his h o ofs an head ;
Feels like an airy cushion most ;
But dere it feels like lead
E specially w en e S rearin round
An strik es you wid dat hair
An makes yer hi nder feel j es like
A cushion wi dout air
,
’
’
,
,
’
’
’
’
,
’
,
’
’
.
’
Now w en I try to grab is bear d
T o make i m do my will
He dodg es quick de udder way
An blats b ac k Not fu r Bill
H e s quite a h an dy chap you se e
A readin uv m y mind
Fur e kin tell most every tim e
W en sum t i n g s in de wi nd
’
,
,
’
,
,
’
"
"
.
,
’
,
,
’
-
,
’
’
’
’
.
’
He s stubb orn as a full blown m u l e
An stouter dan a bull ;
-
’
[ 71 ]
,
Fur w en I pu lls upon i s ro p e
He sets an lets m e pull ;
An den we have a tug u v war
Dat I m o st allus wins
Fur quick as s cat he ll quit is hold
An butt me on de shins
’
’
,
’
’
,
,
’
’
’
,
,
,
’
.
haven t tam ed im quite as wel l
A S I in tend , su m day ;
He still rea rs on is hinder legs
In a threat nin kind 0 way ;
An w en dese butti n spells cums on
He s not in l e arn in mo od ;
He ll whi sk is t ai l an blat about
Not wan ti n to be good
’
’
I
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
"
"
’
.
His horns are awful hard you b et
An b ent to suit is want s
For every time e drops is head
Dey lands right on my p an ts ;
He s goat clean t rough inside an out
Horn s beard an stumpy tail ;
He ll blat an sh ake is b atte rin ram ,
An den at me e ll sail
,
,
’
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
,
,
’
,
,
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
.
He h as de queerest appetite ;
Most anyt i ng e ll chew
His t edder rope a pasteboard b ox
My Shirt an stoc k i n too ;
But m o st e likes ma s garde n p atch
Wid dat n i c e lettic e bed ;
’
’
’
,
,
,
’
’
,
’
’
[ 72 ]
For e don t membe r l i ck in s wel l
Nor hal f de t in gs she s said
’
’
’
’
’
’
.
’
He l l sneak into dat g arden patch
O r chew m y cl o es by gee ;
Den wid a l ook so in ercen t
He ll lay it all on me ;
Ma h as h e r doubts which one is w orst ;
S o de r e I am again ;
But c au se I me mber b etter n Bil l
I ll stake im W id a chai n
,
’
,
,
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
.
S um t i m
I try to harn ess i m
An hitch im to is ca rt ;
But w en I git im pa rtly hitched
He s su re t o play up sma rt
A n git me tangled in de strap s
An butt me goo d an sound
A n by de time o s done wid me
I m harnessed on de ground
’
es
,
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
,
’
,
’
,
’
’
’
’
.
I yell s te r git my ma ter he l p
Me hitch im to dat c art ;
Caus e den e a c ts mos t awful good
Till I am bout to start ;
Now e runs dis way now runs d at
Or p r ap s e turns ab out
O r runs u p on a ston e or stump
Unti l e dumps me out
’
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
,
’
.
7
[ 3
]
,
S um tim
I r a c e i m on de road ;
I t i nk I l l Show dem how ;
Yet w en I g i t i m under way
He wouldn t beat a cow
But w en e run s away wid me
He takes an awful clip
A n den I t ink I ll haul i m down
But allus gets de Slip
’
es
’
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
’
,
.
’
W en I u nhi tc h i m from dat c art
An strip is ha rn ess too
He s not so s l ow ter Show me den
Jest how much e c an do ;
I tells i m den No fee d you ll get
You ve been so b ad unkind ;
But w en e sta rts dat b atteri n ram
I qui ckly change my min d ;
’
,
’
’
,
,
’
’
’
"
’
,
,
’
"
,
’
’
’
’
An w en I takes im to d e l ot
T er stake im wi d is chain
H e s never tired a bit by j inks
He d beat a railroad train ;
An if I try ter slo w i m up
T o gain my b reaf an feet
He " es lights out ter b eat de wind
An drags me on my seat
’
’
’
’
,
’
,
,
’
’
’
,
’
,
’
’
.
’
But I am g rowi n awful fast ;
I ll teach dat billy goat
Dat w en I calls im it don t m ean
Ter butt me neath my c oat ;
’
’
’
’
,
’
[ 74 ]
,
,
D O U BLE RED CR OSS P O EM S
THE D OUBLE RE D CRO S S
the D ouble Red Cross Shines out from afar ;
Ti s a sym bol of light ti s a symbol of w ar ;
And the tubercle germ in its fastn ess must fear
When that bright flam i ng standard destruction
b ri ngs near
OH ,
‘
’
’
,
,
.
All the world h as enlisted beneath that bright
Sign
To expel the fell foeman from your home and
mine ;
And we too in meet ardor must j oi n in the
st rife
O r for us the arch tyran t will ever be rife
,
,
,
.
We must conquer his vil l ains tho se ene mies dir e
That forever are setting our soul homes afi re ;
We must keep our flesh fortress in God s giv en
mold
O r wi l l the ste rn tyran t soon enter ou r fold
,
,
’
,
.
T hen away with these girdl es of to rture and
pain ;
Let the lungs free l y swell in their rightful do
main ;
Let the blood an d air mingle from c eiling to
floor
Till the fabric revived stands a stronghold on c e
m ore
,
.
7
[ 9]
’
Dread King Alc ohol S forces are allies afield
Of the tyrant that stealthily weakens our Shield ;
And he too must b e v anquished his forces back
hurle d
Ere the blest light of freedom m ay enter the
world
,
,
,
.
In poverty s squ al o r with air foul defil ed
The enemy forces the fort of the child ;
A n d ench ai ns him a captive at earliest breath
Released only from torture by m ercifu l death
’
,
,
,
.
Then up with the standard and down with the
foe ;
This scourge of the nations forever must go ;
And in place of disease an d weak misery wan
S hall reign health in the sturdy and glad ra c e of
,
m an
.
[ 80 ]
T HE WAIL OF THE L O S T
S uffe ri ng b ree ds wi sdo m
"
"
—W ILLIAM LLO YD GARRI SO N
.
,
J
R
.
gray at noon of life
And pale and gaunt and worn
S till walked a dupe of dress and strife
Be gun ere sh e was born
A W OM A
N
,
.
’
The ages c urse had dragged her low
And racked her t o rtured frame ;
Her mangled form in ago ny now
S till fed the r aging flame
,
.
T hough passing years and trial s dire
Had taught maturer mind
Th is slave of fashion S prid e and fire
Threw reason to
wind
/the
,
’
.
Yet listen must the aching form
The fram e that s wren c hed an d tried
Wh e n reason S voice bu rsts th rough the storm ,
A nd wil l not b e belied
’
,
’
.
That voi ce that n ow as thun de r ro l led
Re echoe d through he r m ind
And all its legion wa rn ings old
Came troop in g up behind ;
,
,
S ome j ust r efle c tio ns o n th e age
S ome wh ere her ki n dred fail ed
,
8
[ 1]
,
,
’
But more upon her fo ll y S wage
T ill thus the woman wai l ed "
,
A line of forebears past and gone
That strewed with w recks life s sea
Have hoarded to rtures one by on B 1‘
E
And left them al l to me
E;
"
,
’
,
.
"
Their cri p pl e d bodies scathing scars
That mother s corse eke bo re
Came on to me with many mars
T hat wer e n ot there b e fore
’
,
’
,
,
.
For weak nutrition S blighting Spells
That trickl ed through their vein s
Augmented by the stifled cells
Of lungs and brawn and brai ns
"
’
,
,
,
"
Fro m m e my native store had sap ped
Of neede d strength and vi m
Til l ere my fathered life was lapped
My seal ed fate was grim
,
,
,
.
E en in th e womb n or torture c eased
Nor pressure s throttling gri p
Till pallid life bloo d s flow de cr eas ed
T o scar c e a witherin g drip
"
’
’
,
’
.
"
T ight was I hel d imprisoned there
Withi n that bony wall
[ 82 ]
"
This is not as by Nature planned
Her noblest work to do ;
But wh en we trouble her command
Our wage is trouble too
.
,
"
No t tranquil i s the
,
of life
When once we re on i ts waves
Nor hall o wed is the eternal strife
That makes u s fashion s Slaves
se a
,
’
,
’
.
"
We follow blindly in th e wake
Of those that p ass before
And measure not the cost we take
That their transgressions bore
,
,
"
"
And blindly on the budding girl
The girdlin g lace is b ound ;
Her brain reels in a dizzy whirl ;
S he Sinks upon th e ground
.
’
"
Her lovely body s floating lines
Are crumpled c ramped and cru shed
Int o the cors e t S strict con fines
And Nature s cri e s are hushed
,
’
,
’
.
"
Internal organs o n e and all
Distorted fr om their place
Are b ound in serfdom and the thrall
Of relentless Tyrant Lace
,
,
,
.
84
[ ]
The functions of these maste r part s
Perverted thus by stealth
Are m ine d in the highe st arts
That m ake for body health
"
,
,
.
Thus all the health of future years
And all the functions nice
Are mangled into tags and tears
By Inquisition s vice
"
’
.
"
Oh are we Christian thus to bind
And nail upon a cross
The tender live s of our own kind
And not e en count their loss "
,
,
’
"
The heathen will not thus insult ;
Nor sc arc e the savage wild
Oppressed by superstitious cult
Will immolate her child
,
,
.
"
In younger years I too was blind
And d eaf to Nature s l aw ;
cultured z eal ously my mind
And saw not any flaw
,
,
’
I
,
.
"
Aye lore of letters that I learn ed
In those much vaunted schools
But lore of body that I Spurned
And rated as a foo l s
,
,
,
,
,
’
.
[ 85 ]
,
"
This is not as by Nature planned
Her noblest work to do ;
But when we trouble her command
Our wage is trouble too
,
No t tranquil i s the
.
of life
When once we re on i ts waves
Nor hall o wed i s the eternal strife
That makes us fashion S slaves
"
,
se a
,
’
,
,
’
.
We follow blindly in the wake
Of those that p ass before
And measure not th e cost we take
That their transgressions bore ;
"
,
,
"
And blindly on the budding girl
The g irdling lace is bound ;
Her brain reels in a dizzy whirl ;
S he Sinks upon th e ground
.
’
Her lovely body s floating lines
Are crumpled c ramped and cru shed
Into the cors et S strict c onfines
And Nature s cri e s are hushed
"
,
’
,
’
.
"
Inte rnal organs on e and all
Distorted from their place
Are b ound in serfdom and the thrall
Of rel entless Tyrant Lace
,
,
,
.
84
[ ]
The functions of these master pa rts
Perverted thus by stealth
Are ruined in the highe st arts
That make for body health
"
,
,
.
Thus all the health of future years
And all the function s nice
Are mangled into tags and te ars
By Inquisition S vice
"
’
.
"
Oh are we Christian thus to bind
And nail upon a cross
The tender lives of our own kind
And not e en count their loss "
,
,
’
"
The heathen will not thus insult ;
Nor scarce the savage wild
Oppressed by superstitious cult
Will immolate her child
,
,
.
"
In y ounger years I too was blind
And de af to Nature s l aw ;
I cultured zealously my min d
And saw not any flaw
,
,
’
,
.
"
Aye lore of letters that I learned
In those much vaunted schools
But lore of body that I spurned
And rated as a foo l s
,
,
,
,
,
’
.
[ 85 ]
,
I ve practised young and old that lore
And in my vain attempt
The laws of body to ignore
And hold myself exempt
"
’
,
,
I ve paid long suffering as the price
Of Nature s broken rule
And made of heal th a sacrifi ce
T o frowardn ess at school
"
’
’
,
.
Not I alone have m e t the cost
Of this pervers ity ;
My children too have each been lost
Within this rag i ng sea
"
,
,
.
I ve wrecked their lives as mine was wrecked
In childh oo d s days b efo r e ;
I saw not how the se a was fl eck e d
With wrecks of milli o n s more
"
’
’
.
"
I
I saw not till too late the dross
That floats up on the b rine ;
knew not till too late my loss
What agony was mine "
I racked my body till its form
Well weakened with the Sil l
Became a field of battle storm
For ge rms that lodged within
"
’
,
.
[ 86 ]
,
’
Twas thus consumption gain ed its hold
And Slowly worked its way ;
And thus it swept my falling fold
In undisputed sway ;
"
’
Thus allied germ s ran ged o er the field
And fi re t o ngues leaping swelled
Against the fortress weakened Shield
And never could b e quelled
,
-
’
.
I ve lost my darlings one and all
T o pride S infernal rag e ;
And pale consumption s withering p all
H as c o me at every age
"
’
,
,
’
’
.
"
I too am lost in its fell swo o p
That recks me little now ;
The sacrifice of my little group
I S burned upon my brow
"
,
,
.
"
My neighbors I hav e led afiel d
No t by my conscious will ;
Their minds u nwarily did yield ;
‘
I am their keeper still
,
’
,
"
’
.
I ve drained to dregs the brimming cup
Of life s most bitter wine ;
I fed the fires that licked us up ;
Now ashes meet are mine "
’
[ 87 ]
,
O h wo ul d ou r mothers but igno re
The prick and press of pride
And to their children quick restore
Thos e truths they keep aside ;
"
,
,
Would daughters in their growing years
Keep fresh their vigor prime
And preen their b o dy s health till nears
Their own sweet nes ting time ;
"
,
’
"
Would f ath e rs teach those healthful arts
That youthful minds Should know
Due care for all our body s part s
With wills t o keep th em S O
,
’
,
"
Wo uld sons expect of Sisters dear
Of sweethea rts and of wives
Not sho wy forms that blanch and sear
But natural heal thy lives ;
,
,
,
"
Wo ul d all throw o ff this bl as ting yoke
And take a sol emn vow
T o wipe this curse with one grand stroke
Its root and stem an d bough
,
,
"
The darkest ills that plagu e the earth
With fell c onsumption S rage
Would leave n o mark t o m ar our birth
No scar t o fret our age
,
’
,
,
"
.
8
[ 8]
,
,
Her e may I laugh without distress ;
I m free I m fre e "
’
’
,
C o uld woman as the pri stine race
B e wholly free from torturing lace
How l o vely in her natural grac e
Woul d She app ear "
Then would th e function of her life
Be added to th e charms of wife
Without a fear
,
,
,
.
But while such bonds enslave our sex
Well may the nobler question s vex
Maid s wife s and m o ther s all complex
No h elp I se e
Until our thral ldom we shall Spurn
And from our mother Nature learn "
B e free be free "
’
’
’
,
,
,
"
"
,
9
[ 0]
S O NG S O F LAB OR
T HE FI S HE RMA N S DREAM
’
bro wn who braved the seas
That beat Ontario s shore
S at in his cabin in quiet ease
Lulled by the break ers roar
A
F I S H E RM A N
,
,
’
,
,
’
.
The good wi fe Sped her wonted toil
A s the evening spread sh e laid ;
The lone lamp lighted dim the coil
Of line and net h e made
,
.
ki tten purred and arched he r back
Against her master s limb ;
The do g that followed e er his track
S niffed as h e peered at him
Th e
’
’
,
,
.
The driftwood crackled at the hearth
The kettle p u fl ed its steam ;
The fisherman nodded back and forth
A s he dreamed aloud his dream "
"
,
,
’
A few more like this morning s catch
And the blustering winds may blow ;
A larger numb er or finer batch
Ne er came from the waters b el ow
,
’
.
"
’
Then I ll quit the fretful waves an d th e boats
And quit the ch an geful tide ;
I ll sell my nets and bobbing floats
And all my tackle beside
’
.
3
9
[
]
,
’
I ll build me a house o erl ook in g th e b ea ch
With a garden an d flowers to cheer ;
And chicke ns an d ducks a plenty of each
Shall b ring me returns through the year
"
’
,
,
.
There with my wife I will nestle and thrive
Till the dim light of evening Shall c ome ;
There mid such comforts contented we ll live
Till the trump et Shal l summon us home
’
’
"
.
The fisherman roused from his happy dream
T o the evening spre ad laid by
S miled as he th ought how the real might seem
With the dream ed of treasures nigh
,
,
.
T o his wife he told th e story again
But she o nl y sm i led as before ;
And at evening s close on h is c ot he was lain
T o dream hi s dream once more
,
’
.
[ 94 ]
THE FI S HE RMAN S LUCK
’
’
morning dawned the fi sherman s sail
P u fi e d with the din gy breez e
Flitted p as t sh o al on increasing g ale
To the water of open se as
E
RE
,
,
.
On on it flew across the waves
The signal buoy to fi n d
That bobbed o er the spot in watery caves
Where the nets were anchored and lined
,
,
,
’
,
,
.
There in the swaying depths and the dark
The fi sh e rm an s fancy could see
A boatl o ad of fi sh that o e rtOp p l ed the mark
A s in dream he knew it would b e
,
,
’
’
,
,
.
Ag ain the bright pictur e enkindled his eye
Of the home o e rl ook in g th e beach
With its fowls an d i ts flowers and his wife sit
ing by
And watchfully caring for each
,
’
,
,
.
Ab sorb ed in his vision h is landmarks h e los t ;
Hi s buoy submerged by the drift
He wandered and hunted and aimlessly tost
Till the nets seemed n o t there to lift
,
.
At
length in returning h is bearings he gained ;
The buoy shot up from the tide ;
,
[ 95 ]
W ith the Sight of the signal despairing glo o m
waned
And vainly his j oy would h e hide
,
,
.
His hands burn ing with haste he lifted the float
And with it th e nets that it bo und ;
But few wer e th e fis h straggled into the b o at ;
They had shifted their fe eding ground
,
,
.
Crestfal len and l imp h e turned him to g o ;
The morn ing breeze had v e ered ;
The bufl etin g winds were rolling the flow ;
T o the harbor s port he ste ered
'
’
.
O er the shore on the hillside there gleamed the
bri ght Spot
Where his c ottage should stand one day ;
But a plan unfulfi lled see med ever his lot
While his life stream was ebbing away
’
,
,
,
-
.
His dream fled before hi m on gossamer sail
His hopes their colo rs had struck
A S the cry of his craft brok e forth in the w ai l
O h this is fisherm an S luck "
,
,
"
’
,
6
9
[ ]
"
,
He thought he heard in th at Olden time
The voice of one to him most dear
And saw the twinkle and smile sublime
As he stripped the blushing ear ;
The j oyful laugh ter burst aloud
A shout went up from the merry crowd
When he sought the bashful kiss ;
His suit was long his triumph proud
In the fin al moment of bliss
,
,
,
.
Oh often a kiss in privilege paid
Mid blu shes squirms an d j ubilee ;
Not few the plights twixt man and maid
At that blithe husking b e e
Many a year h as p assed Since then
And wide the gaps in maids and men
The wide world whirling on ;
Many have pass ed beyond our ken
And few remain alone
,
’
,
’
.
,
,
,
.
His j oy was full with happy bride
And bright the children by their door ;
How lovely w as sh e then by his Side
Mo re lovely than b efore "
Together they traveled fro m that day
Mid smiles and tears mid dul l an d gay
More years than double score ;
Ne e r were they p arted by the way
Till p arted at life s Shore
,
,
,
’
’
,
,
’
’
.
Full oft Sinc e then the old man dre am ed
Of his blessed pa rtner in the Sky ;
[ 98]
And oft the way mu c h harder seemed
A tear slipp e d from his eye
The sink ing sun glowed red and dull ;
The rustling corn leaves mute and lull ;
The red ear still in his han d
The husker s heart was over full
Thinking of that distant land
.
,
’
,
.
99
[ ]
THE HAY MAKER S
in the mo rning early
When th e brightly gl owing sun
Glistens on the dew drops pearly
I S the mower s work begun
OF TE N
,
,
’
.
When the mead ow lark swift springin g
E choes to the matin call
Through the farm yard shrilly ringing
S cans the t e am th e hill and fall
,
,
-
,
.
Ro un d and ro und the graceful bowing
Of the sprightly moving pair
S eem s a token of their kn owing
Tis their winter s toothsome fare
’
’
.
And a bree z e from out the morning
S weep in g by them as they p ass
Waving their Sleek necks adorning
S ways the heaving se a of gr as s
,
,
’
,
.
’
And the brook s Slow Sleepy murmu r
T rickles o er its pebble stones
Rumbles ever yet i nfi rm er
In its drowsy undertones ;
,
’
,
But its banks of verd ant setting
Feel n owhere the humming blade
Though the bird s and flowers coquetting
Tremble in its mossy shade
[ 1 00 ]
,
,
.
,
’
Of the children s hay time larking
Join s the race they often run
-
,
D own the hill through hay and stubble
Falling on their rugged road
Up with ne er a Sign of trouble
For a ride upon the load
,
,
’
,
,
.
Oh the mirthful fun of swaying
On the load that r ocks to sleep
O r of sprites and fairies playing
In the hay so soft and deep "
,
,
How they listen tense with wonder
To som e oft repeated yarn
Till they duck their heads low under
Laden beams athwart the barn "
-
,
How they romp in endless packing
Of the hay into the mow ;
How in fun they help in sta cking
Till the sweat stands on their br ow "
Again in the big hay wagon
With its rattling j ar and j olt
T aking the gray water fl ag o n
B ack into the field they bolt
,
-
,
,
,
.
Thus they to il until the even
In their strangely wild delight ;
Till the calm glow of the heaven
Heralds in the peaceful night
[ 1 02 ]
,
.
,
E " ENING
TH E day i s
done
And rest is won
The evening an d repose ;
Homeward the toiler goes ;
With h appy heart
O f life a part
His kindly Spirit flows
,
,
,
,
.
Around his kn ee
His family
Of bright eyed girl s and boys
Content with Simple j oys
Makes of his lif e
A happy strife
His weariness alloys
-
,
,
,
.
The evening glows ;
The Shadow grows
F rom every bu sh and tree ;
O er all the Silent lea
No s ong is heard
From warbling bird
That cheered the world an d m e
’
,
soo n the bree z e
S hak es in the trees
And cooling is the draft ;
Afar th e light winds waft
[ 1 03 ]
A
nd
,
.
The tor rid heat
That in the stre et
The straggling waters
,
qu aft
.
The maiden m oon
That very soon
Through cloud racks makes her way
Mid brillian t suitors gay
With modest light
Illumes the night
A n d spreads her magic sway
,
’
,
,
.
And through the night
In garments white
O er mountain field and glen
The haunt and home of men
Her watch sh e keeps
And Silent creeps
Till dawn app ears again
,
,
’
,
,
,
,
,
.
Again the toil
Ag ai n th e bro il
Through glowing h eat of sun ;
Tis thus our lives are run ;
By toil and strife
Through constan t life
A peac eful close is won
,
’
,
.
’
In life s decline
May p eace b e mine
1
[ 04 ]
,
,