 | Poems and Essays of a Miscellaneous Character on Subjects of General Interest |  |
257
A TRUE STORY.
TO YOUNG ABSTAINERS.
Listen, dear ones, to my story,
True as sad, and sad as true;
'Tis a tale to make you sorry—
Show you what vile drink can do.
True as sad, and sad as true;
'Tis a tale to make you sorry—
Show you what vile drink can do.
'Twas the Sabbath. From my casement
Glanced mine eye along the road;
Scene I saw of dark debasement—
Blush, Oh earth! forgive, Oh God!
Glanced mine eye along the road;
Scene I saw of dark debasement—
Blush, Oh earth! forgive, Oh God!
Came a pair of drunkards hoary,
Wife and mother named they one:
Husband he—ah! shameful story—
Father to that sorrowing son;
Wife and mother named they one:
Husband he—ah! shameful story—
Father to that sorrowing son;
Who, when long from home they tarried,
Sought and found them, helpless set
'Gainst the wall, by turns half carried;
Who that saw will e'er forget?
Sought and found them, helpless set
'Gainst the wall, by turns half carried;
Who that saw will e'er forget?
258
While he props the helpless mother,
Down the father prostrate falls;
Stoop'd to him, his name the other
Loud in babbling frenzy calls.
Down the father prostrate falls;
Stoop'd to him, his name the other
Loud in babbling frenzy calls.
Folks from out the doors came peeping;
Curious children gathered round;
Shame and grief subdued him: weeping,
Down he sat upon the ground.
Curious children gathered round;
Shame and grief subdued him: weeping,
Down he sat upon the ground.
Oh those tears! I pray that never
May I see the like again;
Female lips began to quiver,
Children sad and still remain.
May I see the like again;
Female lips began to quiver,
Children sad and still remain.
One steps forth from the beholders—
Good Samaritan is he—
“Friend,” he said, and touched his shoulder,
“Help and pity take from me.”
Good Samaritan is he—
“Friend,” he said, and touched his shoulder,
“Help and pity take from me.”
“Thanks!” he said, and raised his mother,
All insensate, on his arm;
Bore his unknown friend the other,
Shelter'd both from shame and harm.
All insensate, on his arm;
Bore his unknown friend the other,
Shelter'd both from shame and harm.
Children, are your hearts not burning
With a grateful, fervent flame,
Ye who ne'er with tears of mourning
Watched and wept a parent's shame?
With a grateful, fervent flame,
Ye who ne'er with tears of mourning
Watched and wept a parent's shame?
| Poems and Essays of a Miscellaneous Character on Subjects of General Interest | |