ByHoratioAlger，Jr。
1875
Contents。
BALLADS。
Grand’therBaldwin’sThanksgivingSt。NicholasBarbara’sCourtshipTheConfessionRoseintheGardenPhoebe’sWooingTheLostHeartJohnMaynardFriarAnselmoMISCELLANEOUSPOEMS。
IntheChurchatStratford—on—AvonMrs。Browning’sGraveatFlorenceMyCastleApple—BlossomsSummerHoursJuneLittleCharlieTheWhippoorwillandI
CarvingaNameINTIMEOFWAR。
GonetotheWarWhereismyBoyTo—night？
ASoldier’sValentineLastWordsSongoftheCroakerKingCottonOutofEgyptThePriceofVictoryHARVARDODES。
I。FairHarvard，DearGuideofOurYouth’sGoldenDaysII。AsWeMeetinThyName，AlmaMater，TonightIII。FairHarvard，TheMonthsHaveAccomplishedTheirRoundIV。there’saFountainofFable，WhoseMagicalPowerOCCASIONALODES。
Bi—CentennialOdeFortheConsecrationofaCemeteryBALLADS。
GRAND’THERBALDWIN’STHANKSGIVING
UNDERNEATHprotectedbranches，fromthehighwayjustaloof；
StandsthehouseofGrand’therBaldwin，withitsgentlyslopingroof。
Squareofshapeandsolid—timbered，itwasstanding，Ihaveheard，InthedaysofWhigandTory，underroyalGeorgetheThird。
Manyatime，Iwellremember，IhavegazedwithChildishaweAtthebullet—holeremaininginthesturdyoakendoor，Turningroundhalf—apprehensive（reckingnothowtimehadfled）
Ofthelurking，savagefoemanfromwhosemusketitwassped……
Notfaroff，thebarn，plethoricwiththeautumn’sharvestspoils，Holdsthefarmer’swell—earnedtrophies——theguerdonofhistoils；
Filledtheloftswithhay，sweet—scented，ravishedfromthemeadowsgreen，Whilebeneatharestalledthecattle，withtheirquiet，drowsymien。
Deepandspaciousarethegrain—bins，brimmingo’erwithnature’sgold；
Herearepilesofyellowpumpkinsonthebarn—floorlooselyrolled。
Justbelowindeeprecesses，safefromwintryfrostchill，Thereareheapsofruddyapplesfromtheorchardthehill。
ManyayearhasGrand’therBaldwinintheoldhousedweltinpeace，Ashishaireachyeargrewwhiter，hehasseenhisherdsincrease。
Sturdysonsandcomelydaughters，growingupfromchildishplays，Onebyonehavemetlife’sduties，andgoneforththeirseveralways。
Hushedthevoiceofchildishlaughter，hushedischildhood’smerrytone，thefiresideGrand’therBaldwinandhisgoodwifesitalone。
Turningroundhalf—apprehensive（reckingnothowtimehadfled）
Ofthelurkingsavagefoemanfromwhosemusketitwassped。
Notfaroff，thebarn，plethoricwiththeautumnharvestspoils，Holdsthefarmer’swell—earnedtrophies——theguerdonofhistoils；
Filledtheloftswithhay，sweet—scented，ravishedfromthemeadowsgreen，Whilebeneatharestalledthecattle，withtheirquietdrowsymien。
Deepandspaciousarethegrain—bins，brimmingo’erwithnature’sgold；
Herearepilesofyellowpumpkinsonthebarn—floorlooselyrolled。
Justbelowindeeprecesses，safefromwintryfrostandchill，Thereareheapsofruddyapplesfromtheorchardonthehill。
ManyayearhasGrand’therBaldwinintheoldhousedweltinpeace，Ashishaireachyeargrewwhiter，hehasseenhisherdsincrease。
Sturdysonsandcomelydaughters，growingupfromchildishplays，Onebyonehavemetlife’sduties，andgoneforththeirseveralways。
Hushedthevoiceofchildishlaughter，hushedischildhood’smerrytone，BythefiresideGrand’therBaldwinandhisgoodwifesitalone。
Yetoncewithinthetwelvemonth，whenthedaysareshortanddrear，Andchillwindschanttherequiemoftheslowlyfadingyear，Whentheautumnworkisover，andtheharvestgatheredin，Onceagaintheoldhouseechoestoalongunwonteddin。
Logsofhickoryblazeandcrackleinthefireplacehugeantihigh，CurlingwreathsofsmokemountupwardtothegrayNovembersky。
Ruddyladsandsmilinglasses，justletloosefromschooldom’scares，Patter，patter，raceandclatter，upanddownthegreathallstairs。
Alltheboysshallholdhighrevel；allthegirlsshallhavetheirway，—
That’sthelawatGrand’therBaldwin’suponeachThanksgivingDay。
Fromfromtheparlor’ssacredprecincts，hark！amadderuproaryet；
RoguishCharlie’splayingstage—coach，andthestage—coachhasupset！
Joe，black—eyedandlaughter—loving，Grand’ther’sspecshisnoseacross，GravelywinksatbrotherWillie，whoisgaylyplayinghorse。
Grandma’sfaceisfairlyradiant；Grand’therknowsnothowtofrown，thoughthechildren，intheirfrolic，turntheoldhouseupsidedown。
Fortheboysmayholdhighrevel，andthegirlsmusthavetheirway；
That’sthelawatGrand’therBaldwin’suponeachThanksgivingDay。
Butthedinner——ah！thedinner——wordsarefeebletoportrayWhataculinarytriumphisachievedThanksgivingDay！
Fairlygroanstheboardwithdainties，buttheturkeyrulestheroast，Aldermanicattheoutset，atthelastafleshlessghost。
Thentherichnessofthepudding，andtheflavorofthepie，Whenyou’vedinedatGrandmaBaldwin’syouwillknowaswellasI。
When，atlength，thefeastwasended，Grand’therBaldwinbenthishead，And，amidthesolemnsilence，withareverentvoice，hesaid:——
"NowuntoGod，theGraciousOne，wethanksandhomagepay，Whoguardethus，andguidethus，andlovethusalways！
"Hescattersblessingsinourpaths，Hegivethusincrease，HecrownsuswithHiskindnesses，andgrantethusHispeace。
"Untohimself，ourwanderingfeet，wepraythatHemaydraw，Andmaywestrive，withfaithfulhearts，tokeepHisholylaw！"
Hissimplewordsinsilencedied:amoment’shush。AndthenFromallthelisteningheartsthereroseasolemn—voicedAmen！
ST。NICHOLAS。
Inthefar—offPolarseas，FarbeyondtheHebrides，Wheretheicebergs，toweringhigh，Seemtopiercethewintrysky，Andthefur—cladEsquimauxGlidesinsledgeso’erthesnow，DwellsSt。Nick，themerrywight，PatronsaintofChristmasnight。
Solidwallsofmassiveice，Bearingmanyaquaintdevice，Flankedbygracefulturretstwain，Clearasclearestporcelain，BearingataloftyheightChrist’spurecrossinsimplewhite，CarvenwithsurpassingartFromaniceberg’scrystalheart。
HereSt。Nick，inroyalstate，Dwells，untilDecemberlateClipsthedaysateitherend，Andthenightsateachextend；
Then，withhisattendantsprites，Scourstheearthonwintrynights，Bringinghome，inwell—filledhands，Children’sgiftsfrommanylands。
Herearewhistles，topsandtoys，Meanttogladdenlittleboys；
SkatesandsledsthatsoonwillglideO’ertheiceorsteephill—side。
Herearedollswithflaxencurls，Suretocharmthelittlegirls；
Christmasbooks，withpicturesgay，Forthiswelcomeholiday。
Inthecourtthereindeerwait；
Filledthesledgewithcostlyfreight。
Asthefirstfaintshadowfalls，PromptlyfromhisicyhallsStepsSt。Nick，andgraspstherein:
Andafar，inmeasuredtime，Soundsthesleigh—bells’silverchime。
LikeanarrowfromthebowSpeedthereindeero’erthesnow。
Onward！NowtheloadedsleighSkirtstheshoresofHudson’sBay。
Onward，tillthestuntedtreeGainsaloftiermajesty，Andthecurlingsmoke—wreathsriseUnderlessinclementskies。
Builtuponahill—sidesteepLiesacitywraptinsleep。
UpanddownthelonelystreetSleepywatchmenpacetheirbeat。
LittleheedsthemSantaClaus；
Notforhimarehumanlaws。
Withaleapheleavestheground，Scalesthechimneyatabound。
Fivesmallstockingshangbelow；
Fivesmallstockingsinarow。
FromhispocketblitheSt。NickFillsthewaitingstockingsquick；
Somewithsweetmeats，somewithtoys，Giftsforgirls，andgiftsforboys，Mountsthechimneylikeabird，Andthebellsareoncemoreheard。
SantaClaus！GoodChristmassaint，InwhoseheartnoselfishtaintFindethplace，somehomestherebeWherenostockingswaitforthee，HomeswheresadyoungfaceswearPainfulmarksofWantandCare，AndtheChristmasmorningbringsNofairhopeofbetterthings。
CanyounotsomecrumbsbestowOntheseChildrensteepedinwoe；
StealasinglelookofcareWhichtheirsadyoungfaceswear；
FromyouroverflowingstoreGivetothemwhoseheartsaresore？
NosadeyesshouldgreetthemornWhentheinfantChristwasborn。
BARBARA’SCOURTSHIP。
’Tisjustthreemonthsandekeaday，Sinceinthemeadows，rakinghay，OnlookingupIchancedtoseeThemanor’slord，youngArnoldLee，Withaloosehandontherein，Ridingslowlydownthelane。
AsIgazedwithearnestlookOnhisfaceasonabook，Asifconsciousofthegaze，SuddenlyheturnedtheraysOfhisbrillianteyesonme。
ThenIlookeddownhastily，Whilemyheart，likecagedbird，Flutteredtillitmightbeheard。
Foolish，foolishBarbara！
Wehadnevermetbefore，Hehadbeensolongaway，Visitingsomeforeignshore，Ihaveheardmyfathersay。
Whatintruthwashetome，RichandhandsomeArnoldLee？
Fatehadplacedusfarapart；
Why，then，didmyrestlessheartFlutterwhenhiscarelessglanceFellonmebymerestchance？
Foolish，foolishBarbara！
Therearefaces——aretherenot？—
Thatcanneverbeforgot。
LooksthatseenbutonceimpressWithpeculiarvividness。
SoitwaswithArnoldLee。
WhyitwasIcannotsayThat，throughallthelivelongdayHeseemedeverneartome。
WhileIraked，asinadream，Nowthesameplaceo’erando’er，Tillmylittlesisterchid，Andwithfulleyesopenedwide，Muchinwonder，gentlycried，"Why，whatailsthee，Barbara？"
Iaminthefieldsagain；
’TisapleasantdayinJune，Allthesongstersareintune，Pouringouttheirmatinhymn。
AllatonceaconsciousthrillLedme，halfagainstmywill，Tolookup。AbashedIseeHisdarkeyesfullfixedonme。
WhathesaidIdonotknow，Buthisvoicewassoftandlow，Ashespokeincarelesschat，Nowofthisandnowofthat，WhilethemurmurouswavesofsoundWaftedmeablissprofound。
Foolish，foolishBarbara！
AmIwaking？ScarceIknowIfIwakeorifIdream，Sounrealallthingsseem；
YetIcouldnotwellforegoThissweetdream，ifdreamitbe，Thathasbroughtsuchjoytome。
Hehastoldmethathelovesme，—
Heinranksofaraboveme；
AndwhenI，withcheeksaglow，ToldhimthatitwasnotmeetHeshouldwedwithonesolow，Heshouldwedwithonesolow，Thenhesaid，inaccentssweet，"Farbethoughtsofrankorpelf；
Dear，Ilovetheeforthyself！"
Happy，happyBarbara！
THECONFESSION。
Iamgladthatyouhavecome，Arthur，fromthedustytown；
Youmustthrowasideyourcares，Andrelaxyourlegalfrown。
CokeandLittleton，avaunt！
Youhaveruledhimthroughtheday；
Inthisquiet，sylvanhaunt，Becontenttoyieldyoursway。
Itispleasant，isitnot，Sittingherebeneaththetrees，WhiletherestlesswindaboveRipplesoverleafyseas？
Often，whenthetwilightfalls，Intheshadow，quitealone，Ihavesattillstarlightcame，Listeningtoitsmonotone。
Yetnotalwaysquitealone，——
Brother，letmetaketheplaceJustbehindyounowthemoonShinesnolongerinmyface。
ItisneartwomonthsagoSinceImethim，asIthink，ByGod’smercy，whenmyhorseTrembledontheriver’sbrink。
Ihadfallen，buthisarmFirmlyseizedthebridle—rein，And，withonedecidedgrasp，Drewmebacktolifeagain。
IwasgratefulandessayedFittingwordsmythankstospeak。
Arthur，whentheheartfeelsmost，Words，Ithink，areoftenestweak。
SoIstammeredandIfear，WhatIsaidhadlittlegraceButIknewheunderstood，Bythesmileuponhisface。
Therearefaces——hiswassuch——
Thataresealedwheninrepose；
Onlywhenasmilefloodsout，Allthesoulinbeautyglows。
WiththatsmileIgrewcontent，Andmyheartgrewstrangelycalm，AswithtrustfulstepIwalked，Myarmrestingonhisarm。
Brother，turnyourfaceaway，So，dear，IcantellyoubestAllthatfollowed；butbesureYouarelookingtothewest。
Arthur，Ihaveseenhimsince，Nearlyeveryday，untilIfIlosehim，allmylifeWouldgrowwan，anddark，andchill。
Brother，thismyloveimputeNottomeformaiden—shame；
Hehassoughtmeforhiswife，Hewouldcrownmewithhisname。
OnlyyesterdayhesaidThatmylovehislifewouldbless:
WouldIgrantit？Arthur，dear，WasIwronginsaying"Yes"？
ROSEINTHEGARDEN。
THIRTYyearshavecomeandgone，MeltingawaylikeSouthernSnows，Since，inthelightofasummer’snight，IwenttothegardentoseekmyRose。
Mine！Doyouhearit，silvermoon，Floodingmyheartwithyourmellowshine？
Mine！Bewitness，yedistantstars，Lookingonmewitheyesdivine！
Tellme，tellme，wanderingwinds，Whisperit，ifyoumaynotspeak——
Didyouever，inallyourround，Fanalovelierbroworcheek？
LongInursedinmyheartthelove，Lovewhichfelt，butdarednottell，Till，Iscarcelyknowhoworwhen——
Itfoundwildwords，—andallwaswell！
Icanhearhersweetvoiceevennow——
Itmakesmypulsesleapandthrill——
"IoweyoumorethanIwellcanpay；
Youmaytakeme，Robert，ifyouwill！"
Onepleasantsummernight，thegardenwalksalone，Lookingaboutwithrestlesseyes，WonderingwhithermyRosehadflown，Till，fromaleafyarbornear，Therecametomyearsthesoundofspeech。
WhocanbewithRosetonight？
Letmehidemeunderthebeach。
Itmustbeoneofherfemalefriends，Talkingwithherinthegloaminggray；
Perchance——Ithought——theymayspeakofme；
Letmelistentowhattheysay。
ThisIsaidwithacarelesssmile，Andajoyousheartthatwasfreefromfears；
LittleIdreamedthatthewordsIheardWouldweighonmyheavyheartforyears。
"Rose，myRose！foryourheartismine，"
Iheardinalowvoice，passion—fraught，"InthesightofHeavenwearetrulyone；
Whywillyoucastmeawayfornaught？
"WillyougiveyourhandwhereyourheartgoesnotToamanwhoisgraveandsternandold；
Andwhoselovecomparedwithmypassion—heat，AsthesnowofthefrozenNorth，iscold？"
AndRose——Icouldfeelhercheekgrowpale——
Hervoicewastremulous，thengrewstrong——
"Richard，"shesaid，"yourwordsarewild，Andyoudomyguardianbitterwrong。
"Didyouneverhearhow，yearsgoneby，"——
Shespokeinatremulousundertone——
"Bereftoffriends，o’ertheworld’shighways，Iwanderedforthasachildalone？
"Heopenedtomehishomeandheart——
Hewhomyoucallsosternandcold——
AndmygratefulheartImaywellbestowOnhimforhiskindnessmanifold。"
"Rose，"hesaid，inasaddenedtone，"Ithankhimforallhehasdoneforthee；
Hehasactednobly——Ididhimwrong——
Butistherenovoiceinyourheartforme？"
AndRose——shetrembled——Ifeltitall；
Iheardherquickbreathcomeandgo；
Hervoicewasbroken；sheonlysaid，"Havepity，Richard，andletmego！"
Andthen——Heavengavemestrength，Ithink——
Istoodbeforethemcalmandstill；
YoumighthavethoughtmytranquilbreastHadneverknownonepassion—thrill。
Andtheyalternateflushedandpaled；
Rosetottered，andIfearedwouldfall；
Icaughtherinsupportingarms，Andwhispered，"Rose，Ihearditall。
"Ihadadream，butitispassed，Thatwemightjourney，handinhandAlongtheruggedsteepsoflife，UntilwereachedGod’spromisedland。
"Thiswasmydream；——’tisovernow；——
ThankHeaven，itisnotyettoolate！
IpraynoselfishactofmineMaykeeptwoyoungheartsseparate。"
Iplacedherpassivehandinhis—
WithhowmuchpainGodonlyknows——
Andblessinghimforhersweetsake，IlefthimstandingwithmyRose！
PHOEBE’SWOOING。
"PHOEBE！Phoebe！Whereisthechit？
WhenIwanthermostshe’soutoftheway。
Child，you’rerunningalongaccountUp，tobesquaredonJudgment—day。
"Wherehaveyoubeen？andwhathaveyouthere？"
"Tothepastureforbuttercupswetwithdew。"
"Mypatience！Ithinkyouareoutofyourwits；
Iwonderwhatgoodwillbuttercupsdo？
"There’spennyroyalyoumighthavegot，—
Itmighthavebeenusefultoyouorme，ButIneverheard，inallmylife，Ofbuttercupcordialorbuttercuptea。
"Iwantyoutostayandmindthebread，I’vejustputtwoloavesintheoventobake；
Whentheyareclonetakethemcarefullyout，Andputintheirplacethisloafofcake，"WhileIrunovertoWidowBrown’s；
Herson，fromthemines，hasjustgotback。
Idon’tbelievehe’sacentinhispurse，Youngmenaresoshiftlessnow，alack！
"ItwasverydifferentwhenIwasyoung；
Youngmenwereprudent，andgirlswerewise；
Youwouldn’tcatchthemgaddingaboutLikesomanyidlebutterflies。"
Sobustledandscoldedtheworthydame，Untilshehadpassedtheoutersill，Todoherjustice，itseldomchancedThatherhandswereidle，ortonguewasstill。
SoPhoebegatheredherknittingup，Andsatherdowninthechimneyniche；
Buthermindwasonotherthoughtsintent，Andhereandthereshedroppedastitch。
Theyellowkittenpurredonthehearth，Whilethekitchenclock，withitsframeofoak，Inthecornerstood，likeasentinel，Andchallengedtimewithitsmeasuredstroke。
ButPhoebe’smindwasonnoneofthese:
Thebreadintheoven，hergoodaunt’sfrown，Andthescenebeforeherfadedaway，AndblendedwiththoughtsofReubenBrown:
Howtheywalkedtogetheronsummerdays，Orbravelyfacedthewinter’schill，AndchattedmerrilyallthewayTothelittleschool—houseonSligoHill。
Howbothgrewolder，andschool—dayspassed，Whenhewasayouth，andamaidenshe；
HowoftenshewentwithReubenBrownTotherusticdanceorthesocialbee。
ThewarmflushdeepenedonPhoebe’scheek，Andshebreathedalow，half—conscioussigh；
Ah，well—a—day！theywerehappytimes，Buthehasforgotten，andsomustI。"
SoPhoebegatheredherknittingup，Which，whileshewasthinking，hadfallendown，Whenherquickearcaughtastrangefootfall，AndthereinthedoorwaystoodReubenBrown，Withthesamefrank，handsomefacesheknew，Asmileasbright，andaneyeasblack——
"Phoebe，"hesaid，"Ihavewanderedfar；
Areyougladtoseeyourplaymateback？"
Thekittenstillpurredonthekitchenhearth，Andtheancientclock，withitsframeofoak，Inthecornerstood，likeasentinel，Andchallengedtimewithitsmeasuredstroke。
Apleasedlightshoneinthemaiden’seyes；
Ah，love，younglove，itisverysweet！
Reubenhadgone，butshesatquitestill，Andtheknittinglayuntouchedatherfeet。
Justthenthedamecamebustlingin，Andwenttotheovenwithoutado。
"Why，Phoebe，child，whathaveyoudone？
Thebreadisbakedasblackasmyshoe！"
AndPhoebestarted，andblushedforshame，Tookupherknittinganddroppeditdown；
Andwhenherauntsaid，"Whatailsyou，child？"
Shehastilyanswered，"ReubenBrown。"
Ah，love！younglove！itisverysweet，Infield，orhamlet，orcrowdedmart；
Butitburnswiththebrightest，purestflameInthehiddendepthsofayoungmaid’sheart。
THELOSTHEART。
Onegoldensummerday，Alongtheforest—way，YoungColinpassedwithblithesomestepsalert。
HislockswithcarelessgraceRimmedroundhishandsomefaceAnddriftedoutwardontheairysurge。
Soblitheofheartwashe，Hehummedamelody，Andallthebirdswerehushedtohearhimsing。
AcrosshisshouldersflungHisbowandbaldrichung:
So，intruehuntsman’sguise，hethreadsthewood。
Thesunmountsupthesky，Theairmovessluggishly，Andreekswithsummerheatineverypore。
Hislimbsbegintotire，Slumbershisyouthfulfire；
Hesinksuponaviolet—bedtorest。
ThesoftwindsgoandcomeWithlowanddrowsyhum，Andopeforhimtheivorygateofdreams。
Beneaththeforest—shadeTheretripsawoodlandmaid，Andmarkswithstartledeyethesleepingyouth。
Atfirstshethoughttofly，Then，timid，drawingnigh，Shegazedinwonderonhisfairyoungface。
WhenswiftlystoopingdownUponhislockssobrownShelightlypressedherlips，andblushingfled。
WhenColinwokefromsleep，Fromslumberscalmanddeep，Hefelt—heknewnothow—hishearthadflown。
Andso，withanxiouscare，Hewanderedhereandthere，Butcouldnotfindhislostheartanywhere。
Thenhe，withairdistraught，Andbrowofanxiousthought，Wentoutintotheworldbeyondthewood。
Ofeachthatpassedhimby，Hequeriedanxiously，"Iprithee，hastthouseenaheartastray？"
Somestaredandhurriedon，Whileotherssaidinscorn。
Yourhearthasgoneinsearchofyourlostwits"
Thedayiswearingfast，YoungColincomesatlastTowhereacottagestoodemboweredintrees。
Helookswithin，andthereHeseesamaidenfair，Whosingslowsongsthewhileshepliesherwheel。
"Iprithee，maidenbright，"——
Sheturnsasquickaslight，Andstraightawarmflushcrimsonsallherface。
She，muchabashed，looksdown，ForonhislockssobrownSheseemstoseethemarksherlipshavemade。
Wherebyshestandsconfest；
Whatneedtotelltherest？
Hesaid，"Ithink，fairmaid，youhavemyheart。
"Nay，donotgiveitback，Ishallnotfeelthelack，Ifthouwiltgivetomethineowntherefor。"
JOHNMAYNARD。
’TwasonLakeErie’sbroadexpanseOnebrightmidsummerday，ThegallantsteamerOceanQueenSweptproudlyonherway。
Brightfacesclusteredonthedeck，Or，leaningo’ertheside，WatchedcarelesslythefeatheryfoamThatfleckedtheripplingtide。
Ah，whobeneaththatcloudlesssky，Thatsmilingbendsserene，Coulddreamthatdangerawful，vast，Impendedo’erthescene，—
CoulddreamthatereanhourhadspedThatframeofsturdyoakWouldsinkbeneaththelake’sbluewaves，Blackenedwithfireandsmoke？
Aseamansoughtthecaptain’sside，Amomentwhisperedlow；
Thecaptain’sswarthyfacegrewpale；
Hehurrieddownbelow。
Alas，toolate！Thoughquick，andsharp，Andclearhisorderscame，NohumaneffortscouldavailToquenchtheinsidiousflame。
Thebadnewsquicklyreachedthedeck，Itspedfromliptolip，AndghastlyFaceseverywhereLookedfromthedoomedship。
"Istherenohope——nochanceoflife？"
Ahundredlipsimplore，"Butone，"thecaptainmadereply，"Toruntheshiponshore。"
Asailor，whoseheroicsoulThathourshouldyetreveal，BynameJohnMaynard，eastern—born，Stoodcalmlyatthewheel。
"Headhersouth—east！"thecaptainshouts，Abovethesmotheredroar，——
"Headhersouth—eastwithoutdelay！
Makeforthenearestshore！"
Noterrorpalesthehelmsman’scheek，Orcloudshisdauntlesseye，As，inasailor’smeasuredtone，Hisvoiceresponds，"Ay！ay！"
Threehundredsouls，thesteamer’sfreight，Crowdforwardwildwithfear，WhileatthesternthedreadedflamesAbovethedeckappear。
JohnMaynardwatchedthenearingflames，ButstillwithsteadyhandHegraspedthewheel，andsteadfastlyHesteeredtheshiptoland。
"JohnMaynard，canyoustillholdout？"
Heheardthecaptaincry；
AvoicefromoutthestiflingsmokeFaintlyresponds，"Ay！ay！"
Buthalfamile！ahundredhandsStretcheagerlytoshore。
Buthalfamile！ThatdistancespedPerilshallallbeo’er。
Buthalfamile！Yetstay，theflamesNolongerslowlycreep，Butgatherroundthathelmsmanbold，Withfierce，impetuoussweep。
"JohnMaynard！"withananxiousvoiceThecaptaincriesoncemore，"Standbythewheelfiveminutesyet，Andweshallreachtheshore。"
ThroughflameandsmokethatdauntlessheartRespondedfirmlystill，Unawed，thoughfacetofacewithdeath，—
"WithGod’sgoodhelpIwill！"
Theflamesapproachwithgiantstrides，Theyscorchhishandandbrow；
Onearm，disabled，seekshisside，Ah！heisconquerednow！
Butno，histeetharefirmlyset，Hecrushesdownhispain，Hiskneeuponthestanchionpressed，Heguidestheshipagain。
Onemomentyet！onemomentyet！
Braveheart，thytaskiso’er，Thepebblesgratebeneaththekeel。
Thesteamertouchesshore。
ThreehundredgratefulvoiceriseInpraisetoGodthatheHathsavedthemfromthefearfulfire，Andfromtheengulphingsea。
Butwhereishe，thathelmsmanbold？
Thecaptainsawhimreel，—
Hisnervelesshandsreleasedtheirtask，Hesankbesidethewheel。
Thewavereceivedhislifelesscorpse，Blackenedwithsmokeandfire。
Godresthim！NeverherohadAnoblerfuneralpyre！
FRIARANSELM0。
FriarAnselmo（God’sgracemayhewin！）
Committedonesaddayadeadlysin；
Whichbeingdonehedrewback，self—abhorred，FromtherebukingpresenceoftheLord，And，kneelingdown，besought，withbittercry，Sincelifewasworthlessgrown，thathemightdie。
Allnightheknelt，and，whenthemorningbroke，Inpatiencestillhewaitsdeath’sfatalstroke。
WhenallatonceacryofsharpdistressArousedAnselmofromhiswretchedness；
And，lookingfromtheconventwindowhigh，HesawawoundedtravellergaspinglieJustunderneath，who，bruisedandstrickensore，Hadcrawledforaiduntotheconventdoor。
Thefriar’sheartwithdeepcompassionstirred，Whenthepoorwretch’sgroansforhelpwereheardWithgentlehands，andtouchedwithlovedivine，Hebathedhiswounds，andpouredinoilandwine。
Withtenderforesightcaredforallhisneeds，——
Ablessedministryofnobledeeds。
Insuchdevotionpassedsevendays。AtlengthThepoorwayfarergainedhiswontedstrength。
Withgratefulthankshelefttheconventwalls，AndonceagainondeathAnselmocalls。
When，lo！hiscellwasfilledwithsuddenlight，Andonthewallhesawanangelwrite，（Anangelinwhoselikenesshecouldtrace，Morenoblegrown，thetraveller’sformandface），"Courage，Anselmo，thoughthysinbegreat，Godgrantstheelifethatthoumay’stexpiate。
"Thyguiltystainsshallbewashedwhiteagain，Bynobleservicedonethyfellow—men。
"HissouldrawsnearestuntoGodabove，Whotohisbrotherministersinlove。"
MeeklyAnselmorose，and，afterprayer，Hissoulwaslightenedofitspastdespair。
Henceforthhestrove，obeyingGod’shighwill，Hisheaven—appointedmissiontofulfil。
Andmanyasoul，oppressedwithpainandgrief，Owedtothefriarsolaceandrelief。
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MISCELLANEOUSPOEMS。
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THECHURCHATSTRATFORD—ON—AVON。
Oneautumnday，whenhedgesyetweregreen，Andthick—branchedtreesdiffusedaleafygloom，HardbywhereAvonrollsitssilverytide，IstoodinsilentthoughtbyShakspeare’stomb。
Ohappychurch，beneathwhosemarblefloorHisashesliewhosoenrichedmankind；
Themany—sidedShakespeare，rareofsoul，Anddoweredwithanall—embracingmind。
ThroughthestainedwindowsraysofsunshinefallInsoftenedgloryonthechancelfloor；
WhileI，apilgrimfromacrossthesea，standwithbareheadinreverentialawe。
ChurchestherearewithinwhosegloomyvaultsReposethebonesofthosethatoncewerekings；
Theirpowerhaspassed，andwhatremainsbutclay？
WhileinhisgraveourShakspearelivesandsings。
Kingswerehispuppets，kingdomsbuthisstage，——
Faintshadowstheywithouthisplasticart，——
Hewaveshiswand，andlo！theyliveagain，Andinhisworldperformtheirmimicpart。
Borninthepurple，hisimperialsoulSitscrownedandsceptredintherealmsofmind。
Kingdomsmayfall，andcrumbletodecay，Timebutconfirmshisempireo’ermankind。
MRS。BROWNING’SGRAVEATFLORENCE。
FLORENCEwearsanaddedgrace，Allherearlierhonorscrowning；
Dante’sbirthplace，Art’sfairhome，HoldsthedustofBarrettBrowning。
GuardianofthenobledeadThatbeneaththysoilliesleeping，England，withfullheart，commendsThisnewtreasuretothykeeping。
Takeher，sheishalfthineown；
Inherverses’richoutpouring，BreathesthewarmItalianheart，Yearningfortheland’srestoring。
Fromthyskiesherpoet—heartCaughtafresherinspiration，Andhersoulobtainednewstrength，Withherbodilytranslation。
Freelytakewhatthouhastgiven，Lessherverses’rhythmicbeauty，ThanthestirringnotesthatcalledTrumpet—likethysonstoduty。
RarestofexoticflowersInthynativechaplettwining，TothetempleofthygreatAddher——sheisworthenshrining。
MYCASTLE。
Ihaveabeautifulcastle，Withtowersandbattlementsfair；
Andmanyabanner，withgaydevice，Floatsintheouterair。
Thewallsareofsolidsilver；
Thetowersareofmassivegold；
AndthelightsthatstreamfromthewindowsAroyalsceneunfold。
Ah！couldyoubutentermycastleWithitspompofregalsheen，YouwouldsaythatitfarsurpassesThepalaceofAladeen。
CouldyoubutenterasIdo，Andpacethroughthevaultedhall，Andmarkthestatelycolumns，Andthepicturesonthewall；
Withthecostlygemsaboutthem，Thatsendtheirlightafar，WithachasteandsoftenedsplendorLikethelightofadistantstar！
Andwhereisthiswonderfulcastle，Withitsrichemblazonings，WhosepompsofarsurpassesThehomesofthegreatestkings？
ComeoutwithmeatmorningAndlieinthemeadow—grass，Andliftyoureyestotheetherblue，Andyouwillseeitpass。
There！canyounotseethebattlements；
Andtheturretsstatelyandhigh，Whoseloftysummitsaretippedwithclouds，Andlostinthearchingsky？
Dearfriend，youareonlydreaming，YourcastlesostatelyandfairIsonlyafancifulstructure，——
Acastleintheair。
Perchanceyouareright。IknownotIfaphantomitmaybe；
Butyet，inmyinmostheart，IfeelThatitlives，andlivesforme。
Forwhencloudsanddarknessareroundme，Andmyheartisheavywithcare，Istealmeawayfromthenoisycrowd，Todwellinmycastlefair。
Thereareservantstodomybidding；
Thereareservantstoheedmycall；
AndI，withamaster’sairofpride，Maypacethroughthevaultedhall。
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