Canada And Other Poems Part 13

And this is what I learn'd that day, When I sat down to write: That man, above all earthly things, Sits plac'd by lawful right.

And tho' he lives this life below, 'Mid accidents and pain, There is a better life for him, When he shall live again.

And tho' his road upon this earth Be dusty, bleak and bare, Another, and a joyful road, Is his, to travel there.

LIFE.

"What is life?" I asked a lad, As on with joyful bound, He went to join the merry troop, Upon the cricket ground.

He paus'd at once with pleasant look, This bright-ey'd, laughing boy, "Why, life," said he, "is sport and mirth; With me 'tis mostly joy.

"The tasks which I receive at school, I feel to be unkind; But when I get my ball and bat, I drive them from my mind.

"With other boys I run and shout, I throw and catch the ball, Oh, life is a right jolly thing, To take it all in all."

"And what is life?" I asked a maid, Who trod, as if on air, So lightly she did trip along, So bright she look'd, and fair.

The maiden stopp'd her graceful steps, And to my words replied, "Oh, life's a lovely dream," she said, With some slight boons denied.

"But love, and health, and beauty crowns My lot so filled with cheer, That joy beams forth from ev'rything, To favor'd mortals here.

"The birds and flow'rs are fill'd with joy, With joy the birds do sing; The very rain that comes from heav'n, Seems loads of joy to bring.

"And when I look to future years, The view seems brighter still, And brighter grow the perfum'd flow'rs, As I go up the hill."

"And what is life?" I asked a man, A man of middle years.

"This world is truly call'd," he said, "A vale of bitter tears.

"I thought this earth a bright, fair spot, But that was long ago; I view it now, with truer sight, And see a world of woe.

"With disappointment and regret, And hopes thrown to the ground, I live, but with an aching heart I tread life's weary round."

"And what is life?" This time a man With h.o.a.ry hair replied: "This life consists of gracious boons, With evils by their side.

"To leave the bad, and choose the good, Is done but by the few, And that is why mankind are such A discontented crew.

"With greed, the pleasure now is grasp'd, Or what they deem is so, Not thinking that each pleasure now, May bring a future woe.

"My son, take heed to what I say, And see thou mark it well, All earthly joys, too much indulg'd Will lead you down to h.e.l.l.

"For Heaven's sake, I pray you now To curb your youthful will, Nor give your headstrong pa.s.sions play, To use their deadly skill.

"There's joy, my son, all through this life, To meet, as well as woe, And if mankind would act aright, Much more of it they'd know.

"With prudence, virtue, for your friends, And caution by your side, And faith in G.o.d's o'erruling pow'r, Your life will calmly glide.

"Content to bear the ills you meet, Mix'd always with your joy, For human prudence can't avert Some woes, which still annoy.

"Pray that your mind be strong and clear, And vigorous your frame, Your heart inspir'd with love and fear For your Creator's name."

A HERO'S DECISION.

He just had reached the time of life, When cares are felt by men, But when they're strong to bear them well,-- A score of years and ten.

"Heigh ho!" says he, "and this is life, The dream of earlier years, In which we see so much of joy, And naught of bitter tears.

"I've lived a half a score of years, In search of fame and glory, For all earth's boasted joys I've sought, But ah! what is the story?"

The story! 'tis the same old tale, Told long, long years ago, But strange, each for himself must learn This earth's a 'fleeting show.'

"The dreams of sanguine, hopeful youth, Are chiefly dreams alone, Whose falseness often breaks the heart, Or turns it into stone.

Fame's or ambition's giddy height Is only seldom gain'd, And often half the pleasure leaves, Just when the height's attain'd."

But still I strive, and still I hope, And still I fight the battle, Besieg'd by earth's artillery, With all its horrid rattle.

Then come, ye mocking earthly foes, E'en come like fiends of h.e.l.l, I'll fight the battle till I die, And I will fight it well.

"I'll change my tactics quickly, tho', Fight on a diff'rent line, And on my waving battle flag, I'll mark a diff'rent sign.

Until this present moment, I Have fought in single strife, But I will fight no more alone, I'll get myself a wife.

We'll then fight all who dare oppose, E'en should it be her brother, And when we've vanquish'd all our foes, We'll turn and fight each other."

ODE TO MAN.

A man is not what oft he seems, On this terrestrial sphere, No pow'r to wield, no honor'd place, Oft curb his spirit here.

He knows not what within him lies, Until his pow'rs be tried, And when for them some use is found, They spring from where they hide,

To startle and to puzzle him, Who never knew their force, Because his unfreed spirit kept A low and shackl'd course.

Dishearten'd and despairing, he Had often sigh'd alone, Not thinking that in other ways His spirit might have grown.

Not thinking that another course, Which needed pluck and vim, Might raise his drowning spirit high, And teach it how to swim;

To battle with the rolling tide, That hurries onward men, And raise his head above the waves, That come and go again.

A SWAIN TO HIS SWEETHEART.

What subtle charm is in thy voice, That ever, when I hear its tone, My heart doth pleasantly rejoice, And fondly turns to thee alone?

The mem'ries of a toilsome life Are banish'd by its potent spell, And earthly care, and earthly strife, No whisper'd sorrows dare to tell.

Where hope had fled, new hope inspires; Comes life, where lately life had gone; New purposes my bosom fires, To battle hard and bravely on.