 | Young Arthur |  |
79
SUBJECT IV.
Wild Flowers.—Edith.
There's a little red flower
grows in the high grass,
Minute, but more fanciful form never grew;
It catches the eye as you carelessly pass,
And seems like a little bright ruby of dew.
Fair lady, go look; and, the fact while you prove,
Though you may not think so, ah! many may say,
“That flower looks like bashful, and innocent Love,
“Peeping at beauty, and wooing her stay.”
The name of that flower I never yet knew,
So I wrote in Love's Flora, the ruby of dew.
Minute, but more fanciful form never grew;
It catches the eye as you carelessly pass,
And seems like a little bright ruby of dew.
Fair lady, go look; and, the fact while you prove,
Though you may not think so, ah! many may say,
“That flower looks like bashful, and innocent Love,
“Peeping at beauty, and wooing her stay.”
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So I wrote in Love's Flora, the ruby of dew.
There's a little blue flower, too, blooms in the grass,
A variety this, and as brilliant in hue;
And it seems as if Morning, there chancing to pass,
Had dropp'd a bright bead from her bracelet of blue.
Fair lady, go look, and, the fact while you prove,
There are who may think, and admiring, may say,
“That flower looks like modest, ingenuous, Love,
“Peeping at Gracefulness, wooing her stay.”
And its name as the bead of the morning you'll view,
Where I traced in Love's Flora, the ruby of dew.
A variety this, and as brilliant in hue;
And it seems as if Morning, there chancing to pass,
Had dropp'd a bright bead from her bracelet of blue.
Fair lady, go look, and, the fact while you prove,
There are who may think, and admiring, may say,
“That flower looks like modest, ingenuous, Love,
“Peeping at Gracefulness, wooing her stay.”
And its name as the bead of the morning you'll view,
Where I traced in Love's Flora, the ruby of dew.
There's a little sensation awakens the breast
When true love is peeping, and beauty espies;
Perhaps you have been by that feeling imprest?
Though beauty be bashful, young lovers have eyes.
Fair lady, go look; there's a flower yet unsung,
The may-blossom, gather'd by Love in the morn;
'Tis Simplicity's gift; and if true love has hung
A garland for you let him ne'er feel the thorn.
And the may-blossom ever shall wreath'd be for vou,
With the bead of the morning and ruby of dew.
When true love is peeping, and beauty espies;
Perhaps you have been by that feeling imprest?
Though beauty be bashful, young lovers have eyes.
Fair lady, go look; there's a flower yet unsung,
The may-blossom, gather'd by Love in the morn;
'Tis Simplicity's gift; and if true love has hung
A garland for you let him ne'er feel the thorn.
And the may-blossom ever shall wreath'd be for vou,
With the bead of the morning and ruby of dew.
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The Bead of the Morning and Ruby of Dew
Were emblems of Allan; had Edith been kind,
O, she had been happy, for he had been true;
But the May-blossom, Hope, is the sport of the wind.
Were emblems of Allan; had Edith been kind,
O, she had been happy, for he had been true;
But the May-blossom, Hope, is the sport of the wind.
Thus thought sighing Edith, when leaving the board,
As Ernest his story had ceas'd for that day,
With the promise the next should a sequel afford;
And his eye follow'd Edith who glided away.
As Ernest his story had ceas'd for that day,
With the promise the next should a sequel afford;
And his eye follow'd Edith who glided away.
That her pain and her pleasure, while Ernest he told
His adventures, were mark'd by her smile, and her sigh
Was notic'd; but, sure, 'twere unmanly as bold
To say she coquetted to rivet his eye.
His adventures, were mark'd by her smile, and her sigh
Was notic'd; but, sure, 'twere unmanly as bold
To say she coquetted to rivet his eye.
Ah! no—as he spoke of each danger so drear
She sigh'd, for young Allan might equally fare;
She smil'd at the pleasant, for Hope whisper'd here
That he might be happy tho' she could not share.
She sigh'd, for young Allan might equally fare;
She smil'd at the pleasant, for Hope whisper'd here
That he might be happy tho' she could not share.
'Twas the false praise of Flatt'ry, of Beauty the bane—
Of beauty so anxious to listen and love—
Which gave to her mind the unthinking and vain,
To her heart the sad penitent's anguish to prove.
Of beauty so anxious to listen and love—
Which gave to her mind the unthinking and vain,
To her heart the sad penitent's anguish to prove.
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She saw all her folly, but saw it too late;
She thought her heart safe when she laugh'd him to scorn;
But 'twas gone with young Allan; whatever his fate,
Or safety or sorrow, sad Edith must mourn.
She thought her heart safe when she laugh'd him to scorn;
But 'twas gone with young Allan; whatever his fate,
Or safety or sorrow, sad Edith must mourn.
I am ignorant of the name of this flower, but I have found it among the grass in wild spots more frequently than in cultivated meadows. I have also found it among the straggling grass on arable land left fallow. It is very small, the flower of the cup kind, with points; and there are two varieties, a bright red and a beautiful azure. I think I have also seen a white variety.
THE STRANGER'S TALE CONTINUED.
Next day, when seated at the festive board,
Remov'd the viands, and the mansion's lord
Had pass'd the grace cup, and the pledge had gone,
Edith first honour'd, Ernest thus went on.
Remov'd the viands, and the mansion's lord
Had pass'd the grace cup, and the pledge had gone,
Edith first honour'd, Ernest thus went on.
“Peru astern, a gallant sail we spy,
And Spain's proud colours from her ensign fly;
We clear for action, hail the coming prey,
And Spain's insignia, as a lure, display;
The foe, deceiv'd, bears down; and when she nears,
Hailing with confidence (her hope, a breath!)
Dread to her view the bloody flag appears,
The pirate's signal, victory or death!
As when, by chance, th' incautious fly may get
Within the trammels of the spider's net,
Seeing his foe down-darting, though too late,
Desp'rate his struggles to divert his fate;
A fate too sure; so the brave Spaniard tried
To ward his peril, and our flag defied,
Vainly defied; his efforts show despair—
My soul revolts that I in guilt must share;
My plea necessity; with crafty art,
Death to evade, I act the pirate's part;
One doubtful act, one look of fear put on,
I seal my fate, nor benefit the Don;
And hope inspires me that the direful horde
Through me a warning shall to guilt afford,
When time shall answer: thus resolv'd, I show
A desp'rate brav'ry, and I board the foe,
Close by Sir Gorman; but, such art I use,
None can suspect, and none my truth accuse;
I saw the Spaniard vainly, madly, brave,
Saw all was lost, and us'd my art to save,
All lives else forfeit—as conceal'd I stood,
My vest and visage I besmear with blood;
Vict'ry I cry, and, with a false renown,
Rush to the staff and tear the colours down.
These arts prevail, Sir Gorman proudly pays
My fraudful daring with disgusting praise;
The ship a prize, (a glorious prize she prov'd)
On board the pirate was her wealth remov'd;
And captive came a lovely maiden there,
The captain's daughter, and divinely fair;
Virtuous as lovely; her Sir Gorman views
With eyes of horrid love, and rudely woos;
His passion tenders, and the maid's disdain
Fills his fierce soul with fury as with pain.
One day on deck, while weeping by her sire —
For free was he to walk the deck; his crew
In chains, for slav'ry's mart, the pirate threw. —
Sir Gorman seiz'd her with a fiend's desire;
The mad'ning father aim'd a fruitless blow
At Gorman's heart, who headless left his foe;
His mangled body is to ocean given,
His head, with impious triumph, hurl'd to heaven;
While on the deck the maid insensate lies,
And clos'd for ever seem those beauteous eyes.
The bark was mann'd from ours, to sea she stood,
And sail'd our consort on the cruise of blood.
The wretched maid, reviving, in despair,
To heaven for death address'd her frantic prayer;
With keen reproaches, furious, or sedate,
Wearied the chief, to tempt a desperate fate;
Refus'd all sustenance; while I alone
View'd her with sympathy 'twere death to own.
And Spain's proud colours from her ensign fly;
We clear for action, hail the coming prey,
And Spain's insignia, as a lure, display;
The foe, deceiv'd, bears down; and when she nears,
Hailing with confidence (her hope, a breath!)
Dread to her view the bloody flag appears,
The pirate's signal, victory or death!
As when, by chance, th' incautious fly may get
Within the trammels of the spider's net,
83
Desp'rate his struggles to divert his fate;
A fate too sure; so the brave Spaniard tried
To ward his peril, and our flag defied,
Vainly defied; his efforts show despair—
My soul revolts that I in guilt must share;
My plea necessity; with crafty art,
Death to evade, I act the pirate's part;
One doubtful act, one look of fear put on,
I seal my fate, nor benefit the Don;
And hope inspires me that the direful horde
Through me a warning shall to guilt afford,
When time shall answer: thus resolv'd, I show
A desp'rate brav'ry, and I board the foe,
Close by Sir Gorman; but, such art I use,
None can suspect, and none my truth accuse;
I saw the Spaniard vainly, madly, brave,
Saw all was lost, and us'd my art to save,
All lives else forfeit—as conceal'd I stood,
My vest and visage I besmear with blood;
Vict'ry I cry, and, with a false renown,
Rush to the staff and tear the colours down.
These arts prevail, Sir Gorman proudly pays
My fraudful daring with disgusting praise;
84
On board the pirate was her wealth remov'd;
And captive came a lovely maiden there,
The captain's daughter, and divinely fair;
Virtuous as lovely; her Sir Gorman views
With eyes of horrid love, and rudely woos;
His passion tenders, and the maid's disdain
Fills his fierce soul with fury as with pain.
One day on deck, while weeping by her sire —
For free was he to walk the deck; his crew
In chains, for slav'ry's mart, the pirate threw. —
Sir Gorman seiz'd her with a fiend's desire;
The mad'ning father aim'd a fruitless blow
At Gorman's heart, who headless left his foe;
His mangled body is to ocean given,
His head, with impious triumph, hurl'd to heaven;
While on the deck the maid insensate lies,
And clos'd for ever seem those beauteous eyes.
The bark was mann'd from ours, to sea she stood,
And sail'd our consort on the cruise of blood.
The wretched maid, reviving, in despair,
To heaven for death address'd her frantic prayer;
With keen reproaches, furious, or sedate,
Wearied the chief, to tempt a desperate fate;
85
View'd her with sympathy 'twere death to own.
“One day to Gorman's cabin was she sent,
I heard the orders and presag'd th' intent;
Then follow'd secretly: the trembling fair
The cabin enter'd, and the chief was there;
His eyes flash'd light'nings of illicit loye,
And hard to sooth her agonies he strove,
But vainly strove; entreaties were in vain,
His vows but scorn receiv'd, his threats disdain.
Now rose the fiend, desire to rage gave way,
The door he bolted; (I in secret lay,
Where, through an aperture, I all survey'd;)
Fierce, to a couch he dragg'd the fainting maid,
And then no longer could my rage be stay'd:
Heaven lent me courage, soon a pannel old
A crow-bar shatter'd; and the wretch I hold
Fast by one hand, his eyes with fury glare,
I seize his poniard, yet not his despair;
Speechless with rage my throat he seizes; I
Of all regardless but that hapless maid,
And virtue's sanctity, the poniard ply
To gain my breath; for life on balance play'd
With death, so hard he grasp'd; one desp'rate blow —
His hands fall helpless, and his head lies low;
Speechless he falls; I stagger with surprise,
And scarce can credit that in death he lies.
An instant pictures my terrific state,
His crew remaining to avenge his fate;
One hope remains; none saw the monster fall;
With ardent pray'r on providence I call —
“Protect me, Heav'n, for virtue's cause I dare,
“That cause is thine; then hear, O, hear my pray'r!
I heard the orders and presag'd th' intent;
Then follow'd secretly: the trembling fair
The cabin enter'd, and the chief was there;
His eyes flash'd light'nings of illicit loye,
And hard to sooth her agonies he strove,
But vainly strove; entreaties were in vain,
His vows but scorn receiv'd, his threats disdain.
Now rose the fiend, desire to rage gave way,
The door he bolted; (I in secret lay,
Where, through an aperture, I all survey'd;)
Fierce, to a couch he dragg'd the fainting maid,
And then no longer could my rage be stay'd:
Heaven lent me courage, soon a pannel old
A crow-bar shatter'd; and the wretch I hold
Fast by one hand, his eyes with fury glare,
I seize his poniard, yet not his despair;
Speechless with rage my throat he seizes; I
Of all regardless but that hapless maid,
And virtue's sanctity, the poniard ply
To gain my breath; for life on balance play'd
86
His hands fall helpless, and his head lies low;
Speechless he falls; I stagger with surprise,
And scarce can credit that in death he lies.
An instant pictures my terrific state,
His crew remaining to avenge his fate;
One hope remains; none saw the monster fall;
With ardent pray'r on providence I call —
“Protect me, Heav'n, for virtue's cause I dare,
“That cause is thine; then hear, O, hear my pray'r!
“A sudden valour seizes all my soul,
I see my course and hasten to the goal;
The die is thrown, and I the cast must stand;
Rush upon deck, the poniard in my hand,
(The maid insensate when the monster fell
Could ne'er my prompt and specious tale repel,
Part in truth founded, part deception fram'd,
Desp'rate the case and desp'rate efforts claim'd,)
“Behold,” I cried, “the blood this hand hath shed,
And, if I err'd, hurl vengeance on my head;
But hear me first — and justice of the brave
Boon never ask'd but honor nobly gave.
“Low lies Sir Gorman, by this hand laid low;
But, dead to honor, he deserv'd the blow;
For him you fought, still lavish of your blood,
For him, whose fraud your honest claims withstood;
Prompt at his mandate you the fight sustain'd,
The conquest yours, Sir Gorman only gain'd;
From ev'ry prize all secrecy could veil
The wretch purloin'd; nor trust me for the tale;
A hoard of riches shall his guilt proclaim,
For which you fought, yet shar'd not, to his shame;
For which you fought, for which your comrades fell:
So sordid traitors generous friendship sell.
I see my course and hasten to the goal;
The die is thrown, and I the cast must stand;
Rush upon deck, the poniard in my hand,
(The maid insensate when the monster fell
Could ne'er my prompt and specious tale repel,
Part in truth founded, part deception fram'd,
Desp'rate the case and desp'rate efforts claim'd,)
“Behold,” I cried, “the blood this hand hath shed,
And, if I err'd, hurl vengeance on my head;
But hear me first — and justice of the brave
Boon never ask'd but honor nobly gave.
87
But, dead to honor, he deserv'd the blow;
For him you fought, still lavish of your blood,
For him, whose fraud your honest claims withstood;
Prompt at his mandate you the fight sustain'd,
The conquest yours, Sir Gorman only gain'd;
From ev'ry prize all secrecy could veil
The wretch purloin'd; nor trust me for the tale;
A hoard of riches shall his guilt proclaim,
For which you fought, yet shar'd not, to his shame;
For which you fought, for which your comrades fell:
So sordid traitors generous friendship sell.
“When our last conquest he was prompt to board,
'Twas but to add an harvest to his hoard;
From the state cabin, in my sight, he took
A chosen casket, with an anxious look
That none observ'd him; I, obscur'd from sight,
Beheld the diamonds by the cabin's light;
Larger I ne'er had seen; and were they shar'd?
No! you were basely robb'd of your reward.
To day the shares allotted he bestow'd;
By him allotted, and my anger glow'd
To see no jewel of that casket there:
Hence to his cabin boldly I repair,
When he was dallying with the captive fair.
'Twas but to add an harvest to his hoard;
From the state cabin, in my sight, he took
A chosen casket, with an anxious look
That none observ'd him; I, obscur'd from sight,
Beheld the diamonds by the cabin's light;
Larger I ne'er had seen; and were they shar'd?
No! you were basely robb'd of your reward.
To day the shares allotted he bestow'd;
By him allotted, and my anger glow'd
88
Hence to his cabin boldly I repair,
When he was dallying with the captive fair.
“Boldly I enter, and, to hide his shame,
In secret, justice for your wrongs I claim;
Demand the casket for your equal prize;
He spurns, he strikes me, and — the robber dies —
He dies! — for tyranny who curs'd as he?
Your cause was mine — I felt it — you are free:
But e'er my blood, thus risk'd for you, is spilt,
Go, search his coffers, and confirm his guilt.”
In secret, justice for your wrongs I claim;
Demand the casket for your equal prize;
He spurns, he strikes me, and — the robber dies —
He dies! — for tyranny who curs'd as he?
Your cause was mine — I felt it — you are free:
But e'er my blood, thus risk'd for you, is spilt,
Go, search his coffers, and confirm his guilt.”
I ceas'd, and down the reeking poniard threw,
And an undaunted front oppos'd the crew;
A while with wonder all in silence stood,
Then o'er mysterious whisp'rings turn'd to brood;
Some rush'd below; on deck a box they bore,
New to their notice, bursting with a store
Of unaccounted gems, and ponderous, precious ore.
And an undaunted front oppos'd the crew;
A while with wonder all in silence stood,
Then o'er mysterious whisp'rings turn'd to brood;
Some rush'd below; on deck a box they bore,
New to their notice, bursting with a store
Of unaccounted gems, and ponderous, precious ore.
“Ernest is free! the deed was nobly done,”
Exclaim'd each voice, and every voice as one;
A share they offer'd, I the gift disdain'd;
“Enough,” I cried, “that glory I have gain'd;
Your blood 'twas bought it, yours be then the prize,
Amply for me this bauble will suffice;
This will remind me how my arm has dar'd;
Weigh you my future actions for reward.”
So said, this cross (and here a cross he show'd,
Gold, and one single ruby in it glow'd)
So said, this cross I took; amaz'd they view,
And admiration fascinates the crew;
My modest claim and high prais'd zeal, combin'd,
Mislead their judgment and their reason blind;
They choose me chief; I scarce the choice believe;
The hand of friendship they and fealty give,
And all Sir Gorman's honors I receive.
Exclaim'd each voice, and every voice as one;
89
“Enough,” I cried, “that glory I have gain'd;
Your blood 'twas bought it, yours be then the prize,
Amply for me this bauble will suffice;
This will remind me how my arm has dar'd;
Weigh you my future actions for reward.”
So said, this cross (and here a cross he show'd,
Gold, and one single ruby in it glow'd)
So said, this cross I took; amaz'd they view,
And admiration fascinates the crew;
My modest claim and high prais'd zeal, combin'd,
Mislead their judgment and their reason blind;
They choose me chief; I scarce the choice believe;
The hand of friendship they and fealty give,
And all Sir Gorman's honors I receive.
Nor think my youth the thoughtless choice could bar;
They saw me desp'rate in the daring war;
And my high tow'ring form and vigour show
More years than time had licence to bestow;
The horrid honour I with dread accept,
While desperate plans within my bosom crept,
Secret and deep; as 'neath some fated fort
Lies the dread mine, whose ruin and report
Together burst; so hid my plans remain,
'Till hope should justify to fire the train,
And spring the mine which should confound them all,
Warn'd of their ruin only by their fall.
To drooping Isabel (to me resign'd)
My plans imparted, peace compos'd her mind;
Her honour sacred, she affects regard,
And I seem happy in the feign'd reward.
A sail we see: a trifling force it shows,
And two stout barks our baneful power compose;
We hail, she strikes; 'twere madness to contend;
Bloodless the victory; on board I send
My first lieutenant, licens'd to command,
But give the plunder wholly to the band;
Disclaim all share; they by this artful trait
Deceiv'd, I rule them with despotic sway;
Affect a sternness foreign to my soul,
And with a savage justice crown the whole.
The vanquish'd captain to my bark remov'd
A secret friendship kindred views improv'd;
Yet, that suspicion's hundred eyes may sleep,
At well-feign'd distance I my prisoner keep;
In secret cypher we converse, and form
A plan to crush the desolating swarm
Meanwhile a storm the ill-found vessel tore,
Our consorts, parted, we beheld no more;
The calm returning, weakened in our force,
To a known pirate haunt we shape our course.
The coast we reach, and pleasant was the scene,
And wild deer greet us bounding o'er the green;
We near the shore; 'tis night, and I command
The crew next morning, for the chace, to land;
There we cast anchor, and, when morning came,
The crew debark'd, impatient for the game;
Four but remain'd, whom trifling duties stay'd,
And I departure to the last delay'd;
The boat return'd for me — but one our boast,
It's fellow in the storm was stav'd and lost —
The boat return'd, but, while it sought the shore
With its last freight, I sent the stationed four
Below, provisions for the boat to bring;
All at command flew with an instant spring
Down the rais'd hatchway; triumph was assur'd,
I fix'd the hatchway, and the whole secur'd!
The Spanish sailors my associate freed,
Yet kept below till useful in our need;
The boat return'd for me, but row'd by two,
The idlest, worst, and weakest of my crew;
Aboard commanded, none presum'd delay,
Up rush'd the Spaniards and secur'd their prey;
And 'ere the pirates from our ken were gone,
The boat was hoisted, and the bark our own.
The anchor rais'd, Spain's colors we display,
The canvas floats, and we are under weigh;
All sail we crowd a Christian port to gain,
Seek the Atlantic, and resolve for Spain.
They saw me desp'rate in the daring war;
And my high tow'ring form and vigour show
More years than time had licence to bestow;
The horrid honour I with dread accept,
While desperate plans within my bosom crept,
Secret and deep; as 'neath some fated fort
Lies the dread mine, whose ruin and report
90
'Till hope should justify to fire the train,
And spring the mine which should confound them all,
Warn'd of their ruin only by their fall.
To drooping Isabel (to me resign'd)
My plans imparted, peace compos'd her mind;
Her honour sacred, she affects regard,
And I seem happy in the feign'd reward.
A sail we see: a trifling force it shows,
And two stout barks our baneful power compose;
We hail, she strikes; 'twere madness to contend;
Bloodless the victory; on board I send
My first lieutenant, licens'd to command,
But give the plunder wholly to the band;
Disclaim all share; they by this artful trait
Deceiv'd, I rule them with despotic sway;
Affect a sternness foreign to my soul,
And with a savage justice crown the whole.
The vanquish'd captain to my bark remov'd
A secret friendship kindred views improv'd;
Yet, that suspicion's hundred eyes may sleep,
At well-feign'd distance I my prisoner keep;
In secret cypher we converse, and form
A plan to crush the desolating swarm
91
Our consorts, parted, we beheld no more;
The calm returning, weakened in our force,
To a known pirate haunt we shape our course.
The coast we reach, and pleasant was the scene,
And wild deer greet us bounding o'er the green;
We near the shore; 'tis night, and I command
The crew next morning, for the chace, to land;
There we cast anchor, and, when morning came,
The crew debark'd, impatient for the game;
Four but remain'd, whom trifling duties stay'd,
And I departure to the last delay'd;
The boat return'd for me — but one our boast,
It's fellow in the storm was stav'd and lost —
The boat return'd, but, while it sought the shore
With its last freight, I sent the stationed four
Below, provisions for the boat to bring;
All at command flew with an instant spring
Down the rais'd hatchway; triumph was assur'd,
I fix'd the hatchway, and the whole secur'd!
The Spanish sailors my associate freed,
Yet kept below till useful in our need;
The boat return'd for me, but row'd by two,
The idlest, worst, and weakest of my crew;
92
Up rush'd the Spaniards and secur'd their prey;
And 'ere the pirates from our ken were gone,
The boat was hoisted, and the bark our own.
The anchor rais'd, Spain's colors we display,
The canvas floats, and we are under weigh;
All sail we crowd a Christian port to gain,
Seek the Atlantic, and resolve for Spain.
| Young Arthur | |