In dews that heavens far distant weep Their turf may bloom; Or genii twine beneath the deep Their coral tomb. Is 't death to fall for Freedom's right? What can alone ennoble fight? A noble cause! Give that and welcome war to brace The charging cheer, Though Death's pale horse lead on the chase, What's hallowed ground? 'Tis what gives birth Earth's compass round; And your high-priesthood shall make earth THE SEMINOLE'S REPLY. Blaze, with your serried columns! I've scared ye in the city, I've scalped ye on the plain; Go, count your chosen, where they fell I scorn your proffered treaty ! Revenge is stamped upon my spear, Some strike for hope of booty, Ye've trailed me through the forest, I loathe ye in my bosom, I scorn ye with mine eye, And I'll taunt ye with my latest breath, I ne'er will ask ye quarter, And I ne'er will be your slave; But I'll swim the sea of slaughter, Till I sink beneath its wave ! [G. W. Patten. SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM. BREATHES there the man with soul so dead, "This is my own,-my native land!" Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned, As home his footsteps he hath turned, From wandering on a foreign strand? High though his titles, proud his name, [Sir Walter Scott. THE LIFE-BOAT. THE thunder-spirits sound on high The storm's wild tocsin, loud and deep, And winds and waves, with maddening cry, Fierce at the summons leap. Wide flashed through heaven the lightning's wing The blinding rain did swiftly pour; And the noble ship, a helpless thing, Lay tossing toward the shore! Then shrieked the crew, "In mercy save!" And rushing headlong to her side, They launch the life-boat on the wave, And tempt the fearful tide. And there was He, above the storm, Boy! in the storms that shake the soul, [Mrs. Osgood. TAKE HEED. I KNEW him when a little child, He seemed an angel when he smiled, I knew him when a brave, bright boy, I knew him when a noble youth, His very look was that of truth,— I knew him when young manhood came,- To every heart his gifted name I knew him when his youthful bride, Joyous he came to wed; The country's flower, the country's pride, "God bless them!" thousands said. I knew him when he stooped to kiss, How sweet that kiss must be !- I knew him at the holy shrine,- I saw him take the bread and wine, I knew him this, I knew him all And yet, oh God! his blackened pall [J. É. L. FLIGHT OF THE MUSKOGEE INDIAN. On the shores of Carolina an Indian warrior stood, A captive of the Shawnees, and reddened with their blood; Strange arts of varied torture his conquerors tried in vain; Like a rock that stands the billows, he dashed them off again. He shouted, and the echo shrill returned the lengthened shriek, "I have rent you as the eagle rends the dove within his beak; And ye give me women's tortures; see, I lightly cast them by. As the Spirit of the storm-cloud throws the vapor from the sky." "Ye are women!" the wild echo came wilder on the air,— "I will show a worthy trial for a Muskogee to bear; Let me grasp a heated gun in this raw and bloody hand, And ye shall not see an eyelash move to shame my father land." |