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POEMS.

INTRODUCTORY VERSES.

I will record each little rhyme,
Although it may not be sublime,
Shall I despise the day though small?
Can I forget my Saviour's call?
Help me to love each little thing
From which the great and noble spring!
It's very true, yet it can be,
That drops of water fill the sea?
The mustard seed is very small;
The tree it brings is great and tall,
It spreads its branches far around,
Among its boughs the birds abound.
I then may do some noble deeds,
When I have sown these little seeds,
If one should fall in some one's heart,
And give to him an upward start.
Unseen the sparrow does not fall,
For Jesus Christ takes note of all.
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The little ant is smaller yet
And we may go and learn of it.
A single tear from weeping eyes,
Is like the rain drops from the skies,
For each one does its office fill,
And I should do my Saviour's will.
Now if the spiders were to say,
Just take these little webs away,
Would they succeed in catching flies,
Or would the Bible call them wise?
The locusts are without a king,
And yet they make the forest ring!
The coney I will not omit,
Because 'tis small and full of wit.
When Jesus left the shining sky,
And came on earth, for man to die,
He gave His life upon the tree,
That he might make sin's captive free.
He did not seek to dwell with kings,
Nor did he slight the minor things;
I know that he was meek and mild,
And sought to bless each little child.
And when he said, Go forth and preach,
Did he not also bid to teach?
Although my talent may be small,
My Saviour will require it all.
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THE DANGER.

Now here I lie upon the ground,
I wonder if I shall be found,
There's nothing but this little pine
By which in safety to recline.
Now it is standing on this hill,
And if I'm safe it is God's will;
But should I now be called to die,
On wings of love I soon would fly.
I hear the crew, now passing by,
And wonder if they 'll me descry;
For I can hear them loud proclaim,
While swearing vengeance on my name.
I see them going hand in hand,
And hear them in their noisy band,
I hear their guns and pistols crack,
As though they were returning back.
Jesus, to Thee I lift my prayer,
That Thou would'st save me from despair;
For they are drawing near the place
Where I have sought to hide my face.
For now they pass and do not see,
And surely I shall soon be free,
So, let me rise upon my feet;
It may be that I can retreat.
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How near they came unto the pine
By which, in fear, I did recline;
The distance measured in good fix,
The feet were number thirty-six.

TO S. S. N.

Sarah, thy name shall ever live!
Shall have the best place in my heart,
For the instruction thou didst give,
When others bade me to depart.
Stretch forth thy loving, gentle hands,
And bid the needy come to thee,
For there are many in the land,
Who gladly seek to learn of thee.
Thy gentle hand shalt bless the poor,
Shall wipe away the tears they shed;
And from thy bounty I am sure,
The poor and needy shall have bread.
Thy steadfast feet shall tread the way,
That saints and angels long have trod,
If thou wilt only watch and pray,
And seek to serve the living God.
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DOUBTS AND FEARS.

It was the time of fear and dread,
I looked to Calvary;
I had not where to lay my head,
My Saviour pitied me.
He seemed to speak in words unknown,
Looking from Calvary;
He seemed to say, why weep and moan
Oh! why not come to me?
My answer was, I could not come
With sins so much oppressed;
While they were rising, one by one,
Upon my weary breast.
Jesus, the Son of God, still lives,
And scatters doubts and fear;
His power the sins of all forgives,
And bids them disappear.

JESUS, MY FRIEND.

Iesus, thy love did leave its charms
Engraved upon my heart;
Thou bad'st me fly unto thine arms,
And from my sins depart.
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It was the time I came to thee,
With sin so much oppressed,
It was thy love that rescued me,
And gave my spirit rest.
But since that time I've gone astray,
My love is cold to Thee,
And I am in the crooked way,
Thy light I cannot see.
O! could I see thy love again,
Come beaming from the sky,
And know that I am free from sin,
And feel that thou art nigh!
I would no longer linger here,
And sink with fear and shame,
But I would seek the cross to bear,
And own my Saviour's name.
Now let me to my Saviour go,
And lean upon his breast,
Where peace and love forever flow,
In heaven, among the blest.
[_]

[The above lines are the second religious ones ever composed by me, and these were suggested to me on a pleasant Sabbath day, when returning from Sabbath school; and, musing on my soul's welfare, both in time and in eternity, I was suddenly aroused by some very wicked boys who were spending the Lord's day in idle sport, smoking and swearing, thus profaning God's name and day. I wondered how long man will be permitted to disregard the Bible, and violate the laws of the land!—How long he will shut himself out from good society, and bind himself in fetters of sin and death?—the death that never dies! May they soon hear, turn and live.]

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EULOGY ON A CLASSMATE.

TO E. E. S.
Sweet and pleasant are thy features,
Kind, and lovely are thy ways,
Fairer than ten thousand creatures,
The brightest vision of my days!
I mark thy steps from day to day,
And know that they are firm and true.
I only wish a word to say;
Take heed to all you speak or do.
From thy door a glancing look,
Upon my heart what wonders wrought!
Thy smiles from me my sorrows took.
Oh, how I felt! Oh, what I thought!
Now let me to yon garden go,
Where flowers bloom so fair and gay,
There I shall find some one I know,
Who will entice me there to stay.
Among the flowers, great and small,
The sweetness I will much admire;
Till one I find amidst them all,
That I may pick, and then retire.
Art thou not in gorgeous green,
Where all the living flowers grow,
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How is it that thou art the queen
Of all who see, and all who know?
But for myself, let me employ,
Ten thousand tongues, this one to aid,
That I may speak my inward joy,
When thee I see, thou pretty maid.
Kind Miss, I thee must bid adieu,
To thee, and all who thee surround;
But let me say, there's none like thee,
In all the world, that I have found.

PRAYER FOR THE SCHOOL.

Iesus, my Saviour, and my King,
Oh, grant this school a song to sing,
That we together here may meet,
And bow and worship at thy feet.
And when we shall have left this place,
Then give us of thy richest grace,
And lead each one unto his home,
That we may praise thee on thy throne!
And if we here shall meet no more,
Then let us meet on Canaan's shore,
Where we may walk the streets around,
And wear a robe, and starry crown.
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TEMPERANCE.

Stretch forth thy loving gentle hand
And raise thy banner to the sky,
Go, save the drunkards of the land,
When others shall have passed them by.
Oh, stretch thy net across the sea,
And gather in both great and small,
Yes, bid the drunkards come to thee,
And save them from the dreadful fall.
Thy ship is anchored near the shore,
Ten thousand stand upon her deck,
And she can carry thousands more.
Fearless of winds, or storms, or wreck.
How millions gather thick around,
With each eye fixed upon her sails,
To see her venture o'er the sound,
Moved onward by the gentle gales.
She soon will reach the happy land,
And gently touch the blissful shore,
Where millions round their Saviour stand,
Who 'll sail this temperance boat no more.
[_]

This was composed during the Congressional Temperance Meeting held at Howard University, at which Dr. Chickering presided, and Senator Pomeroy, and others made speeches.

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MY REFUGE.

Why do I doubt and tremble here,
Beneath this load of sin I bear?
Is there no one to pity me,
In all this grief and misery?
Why do I shrink with fear and shame,
And dare to own my Saviour's name?
Did He not die upon the tree,
That sinful man might thus be free?
Is there no room upon His breast,
Where I may lay my head to rest?
Did He not die a death of shame,
And bear for man the dreadful pain?

LETTER TO MISS SMITHERMAN.

[_]

This letter was written to a little child living in North Carolina, that I used to tend and pet. The first word she spoke was my name:

Howard University, Washington, D. C., May 8, 1872.

Miss Smitherman:

While sitting in my room thinking to whom my first May letter should be addressed, I thought of you as the one I should most like to honor, knowing that you will receive it

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with pleasure, as it comes from one whom you have not seen for five years.

I am living in the City of Washington, and am a student at Howard University. I am making rapid progress in my studies, having overtaken a class that was a year ahead of me.

I have followed the precepts of your father and mother, and for this reason I have run the road of wisdom without getting discouraged.

As a Christian, I endeavor to do all I can for Christ; as a student, to compete with my class-mates; as a politician, to prove true to my country; as a citizen, to be law-abiding.

I am very busy at this time preparing for our annual examination.

Some say that I am a poet, because I sometimes write a verse or two. The following lines I have dedicated to you:

Miss Nancy Jane, I long to see
Those golden charms of thine,
While standing in a garden green,
Where nature is sublime.
Within the place where flowers bloom,
Around thy head so gay,
Where birds and bees do loud proclaim
Thou art the queen of May.
Oh, could I see thy piercing eyes,
As they reflect the light
Which drives away thy midnight dreams,
And makes thy visions bright.
I long to see thy tender smiles,
So gentle and so gay,
That drive away the cares of life,
And make life's darkness day.
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While thou art in that tranquil place,
Let evening shades draw nigh,
Where thou may'st in the moonbeams stand,
And view the starry sky.
Then cast thine eyes around about,
And view the willow tree,
And when thou dost recall the past,
Oh, then remember me!
I left the South, and journeyed East,
This goodly land to see;
But I have never found a child
That I could love like thee.
When thou was't in thy mother's arms,
Those arms so dear to thee,
I saw thee when thou sweetly smiled,
And then thou called'st for me.
So much surprised thy mother was,
She quickly did exclaim,
“My little daughter, though so young,
Has plainly called thy name!”
I hastened to that tranquil place,
And took thee in my arms,
I smiled and kissed thy dimpled cheeks,
And looked upon thy charms.
And now I look upon the arm
On which thy head did rest,
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And well remember how thou slept,
When leaning on my breast.
I cannot tell your pa and ma
How I esteem those days;
Nor can I tell them how I love
Their kind and pleasant ways.
My little friend, I'd like to ask,
Art thou a child of God?
And do you walk the narrow path
That saints and angels trod?
It is a straight and shining road,
And leads through wisdom's ways,
And if you'd be a child of God,
Oh, start in early days!
Now, if we never meet again
About the old home place,
Then may we meet in heaven above,
Around God's throne of grace.
Remember me to all my friends,
In words which I proclaim;
Then give my love to all thy house,
And thou accept the same.
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ONE TO LOVE.

Oh, where 's the maid that I can love,
With love which I have never told?
Where is the one that I would like
To comfort me when I am old?
Do I not see before my face,
A mate prepared for every one?
Then sure there's one prepared for me,
Nor need I trudge the road alone.
Now who is he that speaks to me
Of Mormons and of Mormonhood?
While this you know, the Lord has said,
They twain shall be one flesh, one blood!
Come listen, then, to what I say
Before this evening's work is done,
That you can do as you may please,
But I'd be satisfied with one.

THE SACRED STREAMS.

Iesus, that stream shall ever flow
That washed my sins away;
That made my heart as white as snow,
And moved me then to pray.
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It is a stream of pure delight,
Flowing both deep and wide;
Each ripple doth reflect the light,
Proceeding from Thy side.
It is a stream where all can meet
And drink a full supply;
Can bow and worship at Thy feet,
And praise Thy name most high.
There millions in Thy presence stand,
They bid us welcome home;
They tell us of that happy land,
Where all in Christ are one.
And if we will consent to go,
We there shall bathe again
In waters bright that can, we know,
Cleanse from the foulest stain.

THE NATION'S FRIEND.

This nation has a faithful friend,
In whom she may confide;
Whose influence is like a sea,
Flowing both deep and wide.
Let us behold the sea, how calm—
What ships her billows float,
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Come let us hasten to the shore,
And get on freedom's boat.
Upon her deck the nations meet;
The white and colored there,
Where no first place nor second known,
No difference in the fare.
I saw her raise her banner high,
And cast it to the breeze,
While tempests raged and billows rolled
She sailed through gulfs and seas.
Through smoke and fog she onward went
This nation to defend,
When Dixie cried, “Take her last son,
And her last dollar spend.”
When hissing shot around her fell,
From rebel cannon's mouth,
She stood the storm, the rain, the hail,
And now can stand the drouth.
I heard her cry, while sailing on—
And Justice is her name—
Grant equal rights to every man,
And amnesty the same.
She soon will land her noble crew
Within a city bright,
Where nations in one brotherhood
Drink national delight.
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Where we may have our public schools,
With open doors displayed;
Where all may drink at wisdom's fount
With none to make afraid.
Young friends, I know you will be there
Bright, shining, as the sun;
With equal rights secured to all,
When Sumner's work is done.
The nation's friend! still firm he stands,
With neither sleep nor slumber,
Come every Freedman in this land
And hail the name of Sumner.

ADAM AND EVE.

I plant this tree to try thy faith,
And, if thou only wilt obey,
Thou shalt ever see my face,
And I will bless thee day by day.
The good of life I 'll not withhold,
Nor kindred pleasures will deny,
But thou shalt walk in streets of gold,
And thou shalt never, never die.
Thy days and years shall have no end;
Sickness nor sorrow shalt thou know;
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And in old age thou shalt not bend,
Except thou yield unto the foe.
Go, freely drink from every fount,
From streams as they go laughing on,
Proceeding down from every mount,
Singing their merry, merry song.
It is not well to be alone;
There should be one to comfort thee;
And from thy side I 'll take a bone,
And soon in one thy twain shalt be.
In yonder place I think I see
Adam reclining in the shade,
Rejoicing near the green bay tree,
E'en in the place where Eve was made.
List ye to what this man will say,
This man who never spake before;
And see how wise, though made of clay,
Now he has some one to adore.
Bone of my bone, I know thou art,
And Eve thy name shall ever be;
I'll wear thine image in my heart,
And thou shalt ever cleave to me!
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THE LITTLE HELPER.

[_]

[The day of the celebration of the Fifteenth Amendment I was passing through the crowd in the street when a little girl, Clara Saunders, (whom I knew not at the time, but is a student at Howard University,) noticed my eyes, and thinking I could not see and would be run over, took me by the hand and lead me to a place of safety. The kindness made such an impression, I was moved to write this little poem.]

Behold the great and swelling crowd,
While thronging through the street,
And then behold the hand that keeps
Me from the horses feet.
The great and small have passed me by,
And here unseen I stand;
I have no sympathy, no help,
Except this little hand.
And now I bless this little hand,
Which gently takes my arm;
Kind Jesus, guide this little child,
And keep her from all harm.
The proud and gay are passing by,
And foolishly have scorned,
When they have met me on the street
Afflicted as when born.
But now and then I meet a child
As harmless as a dove,
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Who tells me by its little deeds,
That God alone is love.
Dear Saviour, bless this little child,
Whate'er her name may be;
Dost Thou not see her little heart,
How kind she's been to me!

LOVE'S SOLILOQUY.

Oh, why have I thus failed to write
A line upon my heart's delight?
The reason why I cannot tell,
For it, I think, is known too well.
I need not say that she is pretty;
But I am sure she is quite witty,
She is both comely to behold,
And, in my sight, as pure as gold.
I like the style in which she's dressed,
And place her now among the blessed;
There is no one more neat than she
Among the fairer ones I see.
It's true I take a complex view,
Instead of one, I look at two;
The one, because she's neat and trim,
The other one is fair and slim.
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'Tis very true, one has a beau,
The other one has none I know:
The one may dwell e'en near my heart,
The other one must then depart.
There's only one that I can love,
And she's as harmless as a dove;
She is not drifted by the tide
With twenty beaux around her side.
I have seen one all dressed in green;
The other one may be a queen:
I think one has a pleasant mother,
The other one a handsome brother.
Now, shall I tell the first one's name,
For fear that you may think in vain?
Shall I record on history's page,
The other one is not of age?
When you have seen the other one,
Then think of mother's only son,
To her be kind, be just and true,
That she may thus confide in you.
And when you have been kind to her,
A favor you will then confer,
I hope that you will never slight
The one who is my heart's delight.
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OUR MAY-DAY WALK.

We went out to the Soldiers' Home,
With happy hearts and free,
And as we stepped within the grove
All eyes were fixed on me.
They seemed to speak in words like these:
“Will he not write a poem?
“Does he not feel the gentle breeze
“On which our thoughts are borne.”
And as they range through worlds unknown,
I thought I heard them say:
That “Walden ought to write a verse,
“Upon the first of May!”
Let nature in sublimity,
With golden rays of light,
Loan him a pen with diamond point,
And tell him what to write.
Let May put on her coat of green
And bid him freely speak,
That we may have a word or two
Before we stop to eat.
We cannot feel the hidden spark
That burns within his breast;
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Nor can we tell him what to say,
For nature's thoughts are best.
I hope he 'll think upon the bridge,
And of the willow tree;
I hope he 'll think of every one,
And then he 'll think of me.”
Depart from me all cares of life,
And let me here compose
A line or two upon this place
In verses or in prose.
This is a fair and pleasant place,
And lovely to behold;
The place where aged soldiers live,
I often have been told.
Now let the soldier cast his eye
Upon the fields of green,
And I am sure he will proclaim
The matron is the queen!
Then let the Captain take a view,
Although he is afar,
And with the soldiers he 'll proclaim,
Each lady is a star.
Here while I view the tender leaves,
And hear the gay birds sing,
My thoughts are borne upon the breeze,
That kindly welcomes Spring.
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They swiftly fly to nature's arms,
And in her bosom rest,
'Till she unfolds her richest charms,
Close hid within her breast.
And then they will return again,
As constant as the dove,
And join the angels when they sing,
That God is only love.
Now while I'm in this tranquil place,
The evening shades appear,
Where I can view the landscape o'er
And none but I am here.
With love and kindness one comes down,
And by me takes her seat,
And kindly asks me to accept
A piece of bread and meat.
Of course I will accept of it,
And glad to eat I am,
And think within my heart there is
A Mary in this land.
Yet let me speak of one more friend,
I should not slight her name,
Whom I have found both just and true—
It is Miss E. L. Crane!
Young friends, if we no more shall meet
Within the Soldier's Home,
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Oh! may we meet in Heaven above
Around God's brilliant throne.
May 1, 1872.

THE YOUNG MAN'S COMFORTER.

There is not one that can be found
More happy than the man unbound,
If he will not himself engage
To any one of any age.
He then can live a single life;
When free from wed and free from wife
There 'd be no one that could control
Nor disregard him when he's old.
According to the lines above
There is no one that he should love;
But if he thinks this is not right,
Then let him seek his heart's delight.

CONSECRATION OF SELF.

Iesus, I feel the quickening spark,
O how it burns within!
'Tis love that purifies the heart,
And cleanses from all sin.
And now I stretch my hands to Thee;
Dear Saviour bid me fly,
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That I may in thy presence be,
And reign above the sky.
Where I may wear a starry crown,
Through ceaseless years to come,
And in the city I'll be found,
Around thy dazzling throne.

TO MY BENEFACTOR.

It's true I have a friend, indeed,
Whom I can safely trust and heed;
He's been to me a shining light,
And seeks to guide my feet aright.
When doubt and fear shall cloud my skies,
Then he will come and sympathize;
He found me in a seeking state,
And placed me here among the great.
Will he not lead me with his hand
Toward Canaan's fair and happy land?
Will he not mark each step I take,
Or mend each sacred link I break?
I came to him when much oppressed,
And soon he eased my troubled breast;
And now I bless the way he led,
When all my sorrows quickly fled.
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INQUIRY.

I love to look on thee kind friend,
Would like to ask thy name.
My leisure hours with thee I 'd spend,
And learn from whence thou came.
I 'd gather wisdom from your voice,
Advancing day by day,
Please gratify my ardent choice,
Thy name! what is it? pray.

DEDICATED TO M. W. W.

ON MAKING, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A SHIRT.

Mary, my shirt is neatly made,
Each stitch is in its proper place;
There 's not a wrinkle to be seen.
Nor basting thread that will deface.
I 've criticised with all my might;
I thought the button holes were shirked,
But I was struck with much surprise
To find they all were neatly worked.
I turned it in and turned it out,
I sought to find some fault with it;
I tried it on, and tried it off,
I never had so neat a fit.
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I think I see within it stitched,
A figure of your daily life;
It surely tells that you will make,
Some happy man a thrifty wife.
And now I speak unto the hand
That never made a shirt before:—
Work hard to cultivate the mind,
Then arduous task's will soon be o'er.

GRACE AT TABLE.

Bless us as we together meet,
And sanctify the food we eat;
Blest be the God who wisdom gives,
The food by which the spirit lives.
And when we shall have left this place,
Lord, give us of Thy richest grace,
Help us to love Thee now—and then,
Forever and ever—and Amen.

ODE TO GEN. O. O. HOWARD.

Kind Saviour, hear the voice of prayer,
And do thou bless this sacred hour,
May peace and comfort now be sent,
Upon our loving President.
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Its true he 's in a heathen land,
Where red-men may around him stand,
With tomahawk and scalping knife,
And threaten vengeance on his life.
While he is in the distant West,
May all he does be for the best,
Be Thou his shield both day and night,
And ever guide his feet aright.
We know his trust is in Thy name,
And in Thy love he doth remain,
For he did prove himself most true,
When fighting by the starry blue.
O lead him o'er the Rocky Mounts!
And let him drink from sparkling founts;
And when he 's where the water gleams,
Then let him bathe in crystal streams.
And when he hears the wild beast moan,
Then let him think of friends at home;
For there does dwell his loving wife,
Who comforts him mid earthly strife.
Let birds and bees both sing his praise,
To lighten up his dreary days;
Let nature in her beauty shine,
Teaching that all things are divine.
Another word I should have said—
I 'd like to ask, has he a bed?
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A shelter where within to rest,
While he is in the distant West?
O grant me words that I may write,
More on the President to night,
The words I need I do not know,
Except they shall from Webster flow.
Congress of power has given a lease,
Oh, aid him Lord, in making peace!
And guide him with thy sacred hand,
That he may bless his native land.
Yes, bless it in Thy sacred name,
And break each link in error's chain;
For in this land there's hardly one,
So many generous deeds has done.
Will Thou return him home again,
Both free from sorrow and from pain;
That we may see his loving face,
All lighted with Thy richest grace.
And when he turns to East or West,
He 'll view his labor Thou hast blessed;
Or turns to either North or South
He 'll bless the poor by word of mouth.
And when he comes within the school,
He 'll see how well we keep each rule.
Although to us they may seem tight,
Yet we believe that they are right.
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And when from scenes like these we go,
To journey on with friend or foe,
May happy thoughts around be showered,
When we recall the name of Howard!

CAST YOUR CARES UPON THE LORD.

It is the King, the Prince of Peace,
Who holds the reins of time;
Who sits upon His Father's throne,
And rides upon the wind.
'Tis He, whom angels do adore,
And praise His name most high,
He walks upon the mighty deep,
And reigns with God on high.
He spreads the clouds beneath the sky,
And bids them disappear,
He guides the pilgrim with His eye
And scatters doubt and fear.
He holds the lightning in His hand,
Till he shall bid it fly,
And then it darts from East to West,
Athwart the cloudy sky.
'Tis he who is the sinner's friend,
And only such can be,
He bled and died, that all might live,
When nailed upon the tree.
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LETTER TO DR. SEE.

[_]

This letter was written to the Secretary of the Reformed Church of America.

Howard University, Washington, D. C., June 4, 1872.

Dr. See:

Dear Friend: I should have written you before, but being very busy in my studies, I have been putting it off until I should have time.

We are preparing for examination, and my idle moments are all passed.

I am doing very well in my studies, and have found time, in connection with them, to attend about half of the Theological lectures. During this year I have composed about thirty poems. I am going to have a book published this summer, which I hope will meet a favorable consideration from the reading public.

Doctor, I love the great Reformed,
And pause within her arms;
I dare not scorn her day when small,
Nor trifle with her charms.
How long she stood within God's sight,
Pure and undefiled?
How long has it been her delight
To save each little child?
Oh! when did she His banner raise,
And cast it to the breeze?
How long will she be tossed upon
This world's tempestuous seas.
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Her millions she has landed safe,
Upon fair Canaan's shore;
There 're millions yet within her arms,
And room for millions more.
Now let me praise the great Reformed,
And magnify her name,
For all the kindness she has shown,
Since from the South I came.
She did not turn away from me
But bade me go in peace,
And kindly asked me to accept
A place among the least.
Dear Saviour, bless the great Reformed,
And keep her in thy care,
And when she trembles in the storm,
Then scatter doubt and fear!

ON A FRIEND.

Why thus I write I cannot tell,
I cannot give the reason why,
Except it is because thou hast
Become the apple of mine eye.
I cannot speak the words I wish,
However true they all may be,
Because I know the gay and vain
Have placed their longing eyes on thee.
44

Shall I betray the noble thoughts
Which guard thine image day and night?
Or shall I speak of Mr. A---,
Who seeks to put those thoughts to flight?
A--- thy beauty doth admire,
B--- thy kind and loving ways,
And C--- because thou sheddest light
To cheer and bless his dreary days.
But for myself, intelligence,
Beauty and meekness reign alone;
And she must love the Son of God
Who sits upon His Father's throne.
I will not write another line
Lest critics say I flatter you;
And they would say I prove unkind
And you might think I am untrue.

ON A SEAMSTRESS.

My shirt is truly neat and strong
Although for it I waited long;
I know Miss S--- will never slight,
Nor sew on shirts by candle light.
I long have known this one who sews,
And now commend her to her beaux,
She has no artificial ways
To cause young men on her to gaze.
45

CALL TO SABBATH SCHOOL.

Oh! hark unto this liberal call;
For you are all invited,
And if you stay away I know,
The children will be slighted.
Oh! why not come into the school—
For you may be a teacher;
Of all the beauties of the day,
This is the brightest feature.
The President will sure be there,
And that will be exciting,
And a short lecture I will give,
If you will be confiding.
The children will together meet,
They 'll look to see your coming,
While birds and bees within the grove,
Will greet you with their humming.
The school will meet at three o'clock,
A pleasant time to spend,
And when we hear the clock strike five,
Our exercise will end.
46

TO THE GRADUATING CLASS.

Young men, there is one honor yet,
One I 'm sure each one can get;
An honor that is tried and true,
One that will ever stand by you.
When entering on the field of life,
Each graduate should have a wife,
One who will guide his feet aright,
And ever be his heart's delight.
'Tis true, quite true, you 're leaving college,
With minds well stored with useful knowledge;
But oh, all this will prove in vain,
Except some lady's heart you gain.
'Tis true you stood upon the stage,
Examples of the modern age;
But life is vain if you are wise
If there's no star in all your skies.
But if each one will still live single,
I 'm sure your pockets cannot jingle;
I care not who may be your choice,
If you 'll obey this warning voice.
Go forth, therefore, in all the land,
And reap success on every hand;
Go make yourselves a shining name,
Then you 'll deserve eternal fame.
47

ON A FRIEND.

Kind friend why dost thou look so sad?
What may thy troubles be?
Oh dost thou fear some one will take
The one so kind to thee?
She is a fair and charming one
She dazzles every eye,
It is enough to make thee weep,
Enough to make thee sigh.

A LADY FRIEND.

Go tell Miss V--- to quickly come,
And bring her pen and ink,
That she may write each word I speak
Or each one that I think.
She can unfold my darkest thoughts
And make them plain to me,
I know not one so full of art
No one so apt as she.
She was with me on first of May;
For me she then did write
With little kind and gentle deeds,
She 's like my heart's delight.
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