USEFUL AUTHORS. ONE kind alone remained, seen through the gloom And purpose stanch, and perseverance asked, Composed of many thoughts, possessing each Which, having fitly shaped, and well arranged A stately superstructure, that, nor wind, Nor wave, nor shock of falling years, could move; As ranks of veteran warriors in the field, A tower of strength; in massy phalanx knit, A sea of valor, dread, invincible. Pollok. THE PILGRIM FATHERS. BOLD men were they, and true, that pilgrim band, Who ploughed with venturous prow the stormy sea, Seeking a home for hunted Liberty Amid the ancient forests of a land Wild, gloomy, vast, magnificently grand! Constant in faith; in justice how severe ! Though fools deride, and bigot sceptics sneer, Praise to their names! If called like them to cope, In evil times, with dark and evil powers, O, be their faith, their zeal, their courage ours! COLUMBUS IN CHAINS. TWAS eve:-upon his chariot throne The sun sank lingering in the west; But sea and sky were there alone, To hail him in this hour of rest; Yet never shone his glorious light More calmly, gloriously bright. Nor clouds above, nor wave below, Anon, a single ship, from far, Came softly gliding o'er the sea, Lovely and quiet as a star, When its fair path is calm and free, Or like a bird with snow-white wing, Came on that glittering, gentle thing. She came, with buoyant beauty crowned, And yet disturbed the scene's repose; For she, of all the objects round, Alone was linked to human woes ; She only, 'mid the glorious span, And yet she bore from conquering feat His the keen eye and stately form, Yet was that mighty soul subdued By man's neglect and sorrow's sway, As rocks, that have the storm withstood, May silent waters wear away. But the vexed spirit spurned its yoke; He looked upon his chains, and spoke : "Adopted land! Adopted land! And these, then, are thy gifts for me, Who dared, where unknown seas expand, Seek realms and riches vast for thee! Who made, without thy fostering power, "O'er Spain yon glorious sun may set, May rise o'er other lands, and yet - "I served thee as a son would serve; "For thee my form is bowed and worn Ills worse than sorrow, more than pain; "My guerdon? - 'Tis a furrowed brow, And Hate, with Malice in her train : What other guerdon?- View my chain! |