Part 7 (1/2)
N. Kerlin.
A feeble, idiot boy, he stood Where Nature in her beauty grew, And over field and flowering wood Her summer mantle lightly threw.
The scene had met his eye before; The pleasant path he oft had trod; And one who sought in simple lore To teach him things of heaven and G.o.d
Had often wandered with him there, And pointed out each lovely spot,-- The sunlit cloud--the floweret fair-- But still he comprehended not.
For all his soul was void and still, And darkness held his mind in thrall; He recognized no Sovereign Will, Nor saw the hand of G.o.d in all.
In Nature's presence now alone He stood, and filled with silent awe, Beheld, before the coming sun, The curtained Night in haste withdraw.
And gazing there with vacant eye, All motionless and mute he waits, When lo! the chariot of the sky Rolls through the morning's crimson gates.
The orient beams with beauteous light-- Hath not his soul its radiance caught?
His being grasps a new delight; A deep, mysterious change is wrought.
A light is kindled in his breast; A temple-veil at length is riven; And in that hour of strange unrest A thought is born--of G.o.d in heaven.
In haste he seeks his tutor's side, For he who ”bore in grief a part”
Will, in this happy hour of pride, Responsive hail his joy of heart.
The glowing cheek, the flas.h.i.+ng eye, The parted lips--_not voiceless now_-- And, caught from that resplendent sky, The marvelous light upon his brow,--
While these, ere yet he speaks, attest The rapture which that thought has given; He lifts his finger toward the east And softly whispers, ”_G.o.d, in Heaven!_”
O blessed hour! and happy he To whom, thro patient love 'twas given To set a fettered spirit free, And wake a hope of G.o.d in Heaven
NEAL DOW
WRITTEN FOR A MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE
A Soul was stirred as one thro' blinding tears Rehea.r.s.ed a tale of want and cruel wrong; Keen indignation banished doubts and fears; The purpose of imperial youth grew strong.
A Voice was heard: ”Alas! that on the side Of sin and mad oppression there is power, But we will change all this, if G.o.d so aid”:-- And Maine's new freedom dated from that hour.
A Life was given; fraught with n.o.ble deeds;-- Aflame with words of truth, and tireless zeal, And boldness for the right that gave no heed To threatening hate, or sycophant's appeal.
But men decried the fervor of that Soul, And would have hushed the Voice that pleaded still Against the oppressors' power, and such control As brought _them_ gain, all others loss and ill.
And men denounced that Life; and where it came Ofttimes their scoffings tainted the sweet air, As with malicious scorn they hailed a name That calumny itself left clean and fair.
And now that Soul hath entered into rest; That Voice is silent, and that peerless Life Hath crossed the threshold where the good and blest Enter, and cease from sorrow, toil and strife.
O Life and Voice and Soul! O princely one!
Our loyal hearts send greeting to thee now; Thy name has lighted near a century gone,-- 'Twill brighten ages yet to come, Neal Dow.
”PARADISE WILL PAY FOR ALL”