The Emigrant Mechanic and Other Tales in Verse Part 59

CANADIANS' WELCOME TO H. R. H. THE PRINCE OF WALES, 1860.

Canadians, welcome now the Prince-- Victoria's n.o.ble, first-born son; Who comes amongst us to evince How much his Mother's love we've won.

He comes not as, a despot's heir From serfs their homage to demand.

He comes not with that outward glare So suited to a slave-cursed land,

But as a freeman to the free, His errand is of vast concern.

Then let us show our loyalty By aiming sordidness to spurn.

And thus while he inaugurates The wondrous triumph of Man's art*, See that our conduct compensates For right performance of his part.

*The Victoria bridge at Montreal.

Then shall his stay amongst us here Fill him with memories so sweet That he may, at no distant year, Be led his visit to repeat.

And while he views our country, filled With wonders of the vastest kind, May grain fields wide, industrious tilled, And thriving Arts, please well his mind.

Eager to prove ourselves content With British rule, and land so fair; We gladly hail the Prince now sent, And trust he will our blessings share.

A thousand welcomes then to you, The Heir to loved Victoria's throne; Canadians still to Freedom true, Would warmly make their homage known.

BRANTFORD'S WELCOME TO THE PRINCE OF WALES, 1860.

Welcome, thrice welcome, to our fair town, Albert Edward, the heir to Brittania's Crown!

We hail this your visit With feelings exquisite, And all party spirit most cheerfully drown In the joy of the day; While we earnestly pray That G.o.d's richest blessings may compa.s.s your way.

No Niagara's vast glories have we, No Bridge spanning River as wide as a sea; Yet we have a county Whose soil, for its bounty, Surpa.s.sed is by none in this clime of the FREE..

_The Garden_, 'tis named, Of all Canada, famed For choicest of land, though but lately reclaimed.

We have no splendid buildings to show, No Millionaire's palace that might notice draw, But yet we may boast of A very fair host of Both women and men who their duty well know.

While sweet girls and bright boys Sympathize in our joys, As your Highness can see by their truth-speaking eyes.

Nor yet men with great t.i.tles have we; But some meet you here brave as bravest can be.

These have been no strangers To greatest of great dangers, When war's horrid front threatened Liberty's tree.

Both Red Men and White Mingled then in the fight, And still live together to stand for the RIGHT.

Our good town, as your Highness well knows, Is called after one long released from life's woes.

His memory we cherish, And gladly would nourish The motives that led him to march against foes.

For brave Captain Brant Did most eagerly pant The Flag of true Freedom in these parts to plant.

Welcome, thrice welcome to our fair town, Albert Edward, the heir to Brittania's Crown!

No n.i.g.g.ardly measure Would we yield of pleasure, To you and your Suite, as you doubtless will own.

For we British rule prize, And would strengthen the ties Binding us to VICTORIA, the good and the wise.

A CALL FOR HELP FOR GARIBALDI.

1860

Canadian freemen, one and all, Respond to Garibaldi's call, And help him now to speed the fall Of fair Italia's foes.

Our G.o.d this year abundance sends, Oh, spend it not for selfish ends, But give to him who RIGHT defends, And strives to heal her woes.

See him as he unselfish stands, Surrounded by his patriot bands-- The admiration of all lands-- Wave Freedom's banner high.

He moves--acclaiming thousands wait To open wide each city gate.

And trust to him their future fate-- a.s.sured redemption's nigh.

Whole-souled and brave as man can be, He fights alone for Liberty; Nor will he rest till Italy Shake off her tyrants' chains.

This done he seeks not high estate; Success does not his soul elate; In lowliness he can be great, For meanness he disdains.

Can we to such a one deny a.s.sistance? when to do or die He pa.s.ses outward splendors by In singleness of heart?

Forbid it, ye of British blood!

Forbid it all who seek for good.

Rise! show that you have understood An honest freeman's part!

Let not this n.o.ble Patriot's fate Be such as was Kossuth's the Great.

May their magnific deeds create A glow of sympathy Which shall increase till every chain Enslaving man be snapped in twain, And universal Freedom reign In glorious majesty.

LINES SUGGESTED BY THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE'S ACCOUNT OF LINCOLN'S DEPARTURE FROM SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, FOR WAs.h.i.+NGTON.

He stood--the n.o.ble Lincoln--calm, though, sad, About to part from those with whom he lived So many years in sweetest amity.

Before him prospects which might well appal The stoutest heart. His country, fondly cherished, But erst so great and fair, the humbled victim Of black traitors' arts, and on the verge Of fearful ruin's widely yawning gulf.

While recollections of domestic bliss, Such as but few enjoy, might well indeed Make him quite loth to leave his much loved home.

With steady eye he views the concourse vast, Big thoughts fast welling from his inmost soul Too big for utterance. Yet a few choice words Steal forth and fall upon attentive ears: "Here have I lived for many, many years; Here were my children born, and one beneath The graveyard sod rests now in death, at peace!

I know not when each dear familiar face Now left behind may glad my eyes again; But this I know--a duty greater far Than ever fell to man since Was.h.i.+ngton Held Governmental reins, now falls to me.

Without G.o.d's aid he never could have known Success. Upon that Being placed he still His firm reliance, and succeeded well.

Succeed I cannot without aid Divine Imparted to me in this hour of need.

I place in G.o.d my trust; and oh, my friends, Pray you for me that I may have His help!

Then shall success, such as we well may crave, Be mine for certain in this crisis dread.

I bid you all affectionate farewell."

This heard with throbbing hearts the gazing throng; And, deeply moved within their bosom's depths, Responded soon, "We will all pray for you!"

Upon this scene might Angels fondly gaze, And place 't on record in high Heaven's archives, That Lincoln, feeling his own weakness much, His burden cast upon the Lord of all.

Go thus, thou chosen one, and firmly stand For Truth and Freedom in the Halls of State!

Let no time-serving policy be thine; But, placing round thee men of sterling worth, Grasp tight the reins of Const.i.tutional sway.

If go they will, let dupes of Slavery go, And reap the baneful fruit they've nurtured long.