Poems by George Pope Morris Part 8

From twelve till nearly fifty I've toiled and idled not, And, though accounted thrifty, I'm scarcely worth a groat; However, I inherit What few have ever gained-- A bright and cheerful spirit That never has complained.

A stillness and a sadness Pervade the City Hall, And speculating madness Has left the street of Wall.

The Union Square looks really Both desolate and dark, And that's the case, or nearly, From Battery to Park.

Had I a yacht, like Miller, That skimmer of the seas-- A wheel rigged on a tiller, [See Notes (5)]

And a fresh gunwale breeze, A crew of friends well chosen, And all a-taunto, I Would sail for regions frozen-- I'd rather freeze than fry.

Oh, this confounded weather!

(As some one sang or said,) My pen, thought but a feather, Is heavier than lead; At every pore I'm oosing-- (I'm "caving in" to-day)-- My plumpt.i.tude I'm losing, And dripping fast away.

I'm weeping like the willow That droops in leaf and bough-- Let Croton's sparkling billow Flow through the city now; And, as becomes her station, The muse will close her prayer: G.o.d save the Corporation!

Long live the valiant Mayor! [See Notes (6)]

A Legend of the Mohawk.

In the days that are gone, by this sweet-flowing water, Two lovers reclined in the shade of a tree; She was the mountain-king's rosy-lipped daughter, The brave warrior-chief of the valley was he.

Then all things around them, below and above, Were basking as now in the suns.h.i.+ne of love-- In the days that are gone, by this sweet-flowing stream.

In the days that are gone, they were laid 'neath the willow, The maid in her beauty, the youth in his pride; Both slain by the foeman who crossed the dark billow, And stole the broad lands where their children reside; Whose fathers, when dying, in fear looked above, And trembled to think of that chief and his love, In the days that are gone, by this sweet flowing stream.

The Ball-Room Belle.

(Music by horn.)

The moon and all her starry train Were fading from the morning sky, When home the ball-room belle again Returned, with throbbing pulse and brain, Flushed cheek and tearful eye.

The plume that danced above her brow, The gem that sparkled in her zone, The scarf of spangled leaf and bough, Were laid aside--they mocked her now, When desolate and lone.

That night how many hearts she won!

The reigning belle, she could not stir, But, like the planets round the sun, Her suitors followed--all but one-- One all the world to her!

And she had lost him!--Marvel not That lady's eyes with tears were wet!

Though love by man is soon forgot, It never yet was woman's lot To love and to forget.

We Were Boys Together.

(Music by Russell.)

We were boys together, And never can forget The school-house near the heather, In childhood where we met; The humble home to memory dear, Its sorrows and its joys; Where woke the transient smile or tear, When you and I were boys.

We were youths together, And castles built in air, Your heart was like a feather, And mine weighed down with care; To you came wealth with manhood's prime, To me it brought alloys-- Foreshadowed in the primrose time.

When you and I were boys.

We're old men together-- The friends we loved of yore, With leaves of autumn weather, Are gone for evermore.

How blest to age the impulse given, The hope time ne'er destroys-- Which led our thoughts from earth to heaven, When you and I were boys!

Oh, Boatman, Haste!

(Music by Balfe.)

Twilight.

Oh, boatman, haste!--The twilight hour Is closing gently o'er the lea!

The sun, whose setting shuts the flower.

Has looked his last upon the sea!

Row, then, boatman, row!

Row, then, boatman, row!

Row!--aha!--we've moon and star!

And our skiff with the stream is flowing.

Heigh-ho!--ah!--heigh-ho!-- Echo responds to my sad heigh-ho!

Midnight.

Oh, boatman, haste!--The sentry calls The midnight hour on yonder sh.o.r.e, And silvery sweet the echo falls As music dripping from the oar!