The Song of the Exile-A Canadian Epic Part 19

And I lay there all trembling in fear as I lay, Till with beckoning finger he led me away; Then I rose and went forth in the darkness of night, And, still trembling, I followed that Angel of Light.

And I followed him on till he paused in his flight Where a Christian lay sleeplessly pa.s.sing the night; And I heard him repeat as he lay on his bed, "My paths are divided, Lord, which shall I tread?"

And I saw that the one led to glory and fame, While the other fulfilled not his heart-cherished aim; But the scales of mortality darkened his eye, And the thing I saw plainly he could not descry.

Then the Angel breathed o'er him, and light seemed to break O'er his soul, and he saw then the path he should take.

Then his spirit was eased, and sweet sleep o'er him came, For he thought this would lead him to glory and fame.

But I saw that the path he had chosen that day Would lead him from glory and fame far away; But I saw, too, that, were he not led in this path, The love of the world would have shaken his faith.

For his pride, swelling high in the glory of gain, Would have led him from G.o.d to things sinful and vain.

But his trouble would lead him to G.o.d now for rest; And I saw that the plan of his Maker was best.

Then the Angel went forth, and I followed him still, Thus impelled by the force of his Heavenly will, Till he stayed where two lovers stood breathing their vows, With the fondness that love and deep pa.s.sion arouse.

Then he put forth his hand, and he pointed in wrath; And the fever-fiend rose with a horrible laugh.

But the man felt him not as he poisoned his blood, And the woman saw nought as still smiling she stood.

But I knew that that meeting was surely their last, For the shadow of death on the man was now cast.

And my heart could but pity the woman, whose pain I yet knew would redound to her infinite gain.

For deception and falsity deep in the heart Of the man were writ large, and there truth had no part; And the pain of her mourning was nought when compared With the agony he would have caused her, if spared.

Quickly onward then hasted the Angel of G.o.d, And I still followed close in the steps that he trod; And I saw, when his flight was arrested again, That we stood where an infant lay tossing in pain.

And the mother, with tear-laden eyes, kneeling there, Sought relief from her trouble in heart-broken prayer, As she cried unto G.o.d, in a piteous tone, That He would not deny her the life of her son.

And the Angel himself breathed a sorrowful sigh, And I thought that a tear glistened bright in his eye, As he stretched forth his hand, and commanded the soul Of the child to ascend to its Heavenly goal.

Then I heard a loud cry of distress on the air, And I saw the lone mother lie grief-stricken there; And the tears of compa.s.sion flowed fast from my eyes, Though I knew that G.o.d's action was kindly and wise.

For disease on the child had imprinted its stain, And his life would have been but a long-endured pain, Had his Father not early exerted His might, And thus called the young soul to the Kingdom of Light.

Then the scene seemed to melt in the darkness away, And again on the couch in my chamber I lay.

And the Angel of G.o.d by my side again stood; And he gazed on me sadly and said, "G.o.d is good."

Then I saw him no more, but with morn I awoke And remembered the words that the Angel had spoke; And the scenes of the vision, repictured again, Pa.s.sed before me, and brought me a balm for my pain.

For I knew that my G.o.d had not called me in vain To temptation and trial, and I would not complain; But with gladness I went forth anew to the strife, Knowing now that my Father was guiding my life.

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

THE SERPENT.

Canada, the time approaches, And is even now at hand, When thou must declare what ruler Thine allegiance shall command.

In thy midst there creeps a Serpent-- Deadliest of all thy foes-- Gliding in among thy councils, Spreading venom where she goes.

Like the fatal boa-constrictor Charming those who soon must die, She can so transfix her victim By the glitter of her eye,

That the greatest of thy statesmen Dares not question her decree, But in meek humiliation Bows to her, abjuring thee.

Rise, Canadians! and boldly Thrust the Serpent from your land; And should any strive to help her, Crush them with your martial hand.

Rise unanimous, and fear not In your country's cause to fight; Better bloodshed than surrender To the wily Serpent's might.

Hurl from power the men who basely Truckle to the Serpent's will; Cast them out and call on others-- Truer men--their place to fill.

Men whose chiefest aim shall be to Fight for Canada and home-- Men who will not bow before the Dictates of the Church of Rome.

Canada, the time approaches, And is even now at hand-- Wilt thou choose that Rome or England Thine allegiance shall command?

PRO DEO ET PATRIA.

Silent yet fiercely the battle is raging; Blood is not flowing, but poison is spread; Freedom and slavery madly are waging A war that will last till its cause shall be dead.

Canada, thine is the field of the battle, Nor would the conflict be long or severe, Were not thy statesmen, "like dumb, driven cattle,"

Led by emolument, daunted by fear.

Slowly advances the Jesuit faction, Crafty and subtle the means they employ.

Protestants fight, but uncertain their action-- Party dissensions their power destroy.

Love of their country still loudly professing, On to the conflict _divided_ they go.

Firmest allegiance to Britain confessing, Still _disunited_ they fight with her foe.

Canada, these are the men who defend thee-- These the brave soldiers who fight in thy name: Fierce is the struggle, but soon will the end be; And Leo shall lead thee to glory and fame!

DESPONDENCY.

_A Response to "Courage," by Celia Thaxter._