The Emigrant Mechanic and Other Tales In Verse | Page 6

hole, with crystal water filled,?By land surrounded which was never tilled;?Of spongy texture, yielding to the foot--?Quite full of danger is this marshy spot.?To this place WILLIAM once a fishing went,?And, ere his patience was completely spent,?Took up a fresh position; but, alas!?His foothold proved but little else than grass.?While sinking fast he, with a fluttering heart,?Gave one quick spring and reached a firmer part.?This proved a lesson which he ne'er forgot--?He visited no more that dreaded spot.
Before this time, for years, he went to school,?And caught some learning by the common rule;?In parsing showed a fair amount of skill,?Wrote a plain hand, and read with right good will;?Almost a "book-worm," seemed he to devour?What books he got, and read from hour to hour.?And, oh! how pleased and gratified was he,?To hear the Master read sweet poetry!?Once he read well a very touching tale,?In which the Poet does the lot bewail?Of orphan "Lubin," who, while tending sheep?For a hard master, oft was seen to weep.?While this pathetic tale was read aloud,?The tears to WILLIAM'S eyes would quickly crowd;?And from that time a Poet he became--?In joy or sorrow felt a glowing flame.?Though still so young he, at this very time,?Oft framed rude numbers, and poured forth his rhyme;?And 'twas no wonder if, by Nature taught,?He wrapped himself in sweet poetic thought.?He, to this day, is pleased to recollect?What few, who knew him then, would e'er suspect--?How much he loved to wander in the woods,?And watch the trees put forth their opening buds;?Or list the sound created by the wind,?Which sought a passage through the leaves to find.?He also loved, with wonder and delight,?To gaze on flowers bedecked with glory bright;?On polyanthus and auriculas,?In pleasing contrast with the ribbon-grass;?On wall-flower, too, with richest odor filled,?Like sweet frankincense daintily distilled;?On roses fair, in great variety?Of scent and color; and the peony,?Or scented violet, which scarce shows its head,?Yet does its odor o'er the garden shed;?On prince's feather, wearing stately plume,?With much of show, but nothing of perfume;?Loved tulips, lilies, pinks and gilliflowers,?With woodbines trained o'er lovely garden bowers,?That give forth sweetness and their charms display,?While, in rich robes, they stand in full array;?The foxglove, daisy, and demure monk's-hood,?With lilacs, and the scented southern wood;?The guelder-rose, with its fair, whited balls,?And creeping plants, high climbing up the walls,?These at all times our hero warmly loved,?And showed it, too, when he in gardens roved.?While, to himself, he had a patch of ground,?Where, at his leisure, he was mostly found.?Thus passed, most pleasantly, his youthful days,?All intermingled with his boyish plays,?And sometimes meriting a need of praise.
BOOK II.
THE ARGUMENT.--Address to domestic bliss. Its influence on society. Principal source from whence it springs, viz: conjugal union faithfully cherished. An appeal to parents and law-givers on the subject. WILLIAM'S training under its influence. Difficulties in procuring a trade. Success at last. Reflections on, and encouragements to, such trades. Temptations and trials. Anecdotes. Appeal to masters and others. Narrow escape from a cut-throat. Courtship and its?consequences. Conclusion.
Domestic bliss! what tongue can speak thy praise!?What poet give, even in his noblest lays,?An eulogy that shall thy charms express,?Clothed in Truth's language, thy own native dress??To thy sweet influence do we owe the choice?Of all mankind, whoever raised their voice?In Freedom's cause, or stood on battle-ground,?While Liberty her banner waved around.?To thee, when governed by God's holy book,?Must we in future for true heroes look.?For if thou dwellest in each family,?Then long may wave the flag of Liberty!?To keep thee shining brightly round each hearth,?Is worth the wealth contained in all the earth!?It does become us then to study well?(Who knows the secret? Would some Angel tell?)?The best of means by which to foster this?Great earthly blessing, pure domestic bliss!?Hail sweet conjugal union! Hail to thee!?May I thy humble votary ever be!?Take thee away, and each dear earthly home?Would soon a scene of dreadful strife become;?And from this source would spring a thousand woes?Which to imagine has my heart's blood froze!
Dear fellow countrymen! Stand forward now,?And faithful prove unto your marriage vow.?I conjure you by all the sacred ties?By which you're bound unto your families,?Whatever faults, through weakness, you display,?In this be faithful to your dying day!?Why will you leave the wife you swore to love,?Who should to you be as a precious dove,?To wanton with a harlot void of shame,?And bring disgrace upon a father's name??Why will you pierce yourselves with sorrow through,?And ruin bring upon your children, too??Oh! let a broken-hearted wife's deep sighs,?And children's woes, bring tears into your eyes!?Give to yourselves no rest, by day or night,?Till you have made their saddened faces bright.?Oh! there is One above who sees you now,?If you repent not he will bring you low!?Regard this warning, flee to God for peace,?From loving your dear families never cease.
And ye, whose task