Page:Poems and essays (IA poemsessays00howerich).pdf/26
This page needs to be proofread.
20
Acadia.
Some thrilling ballad from her fruitful store;
And as the simple notes melodious rise,
The tears, uncall'd, bedew the parents' eyes,
Whose thoughts are borne to scenes, now far away,
Where first their ears drank in that simple lay;
While "absent friends," like spirits round them throng,
By Mem'ry painted with a tint as strong
As though but yesterday the joyous smile
Beam'd from those eyes, that, once in Albion's isle,
Their rays of gladness scatter'd o'er the flowers
Of hope and joy, in childhood's sportive hours.
And as the simple notes melodious rise,
The tears, uncall'd, bedew the parents' eyes,
Whose thoughts are borne to scenes, now far away,
Where first their ears drank in that simple lay;
While "absent friends," like spirits round them throng,
By Mem'ry painted with a tint as strong
As though but yesterday the joyous smile
Beam'd from those eyes, that, once in Albion's isle,
Their rays of gladness scatter'd o'er the flowers
Of hope and joy, in childhood's sportive hours.
Then, half forgetful of their present lot,
They rove o'er scenes that ne'er can be forgot,
The joys and griefs of life—the light and shade
Of carly thought, that ne'er from memory fade
Transport their spirits o'er the Atlantic's foam,
And bid them welcome to their island home.
As now their loved boy rests upon their knee,
They nestled once, as light of heart as he;
Anon they stand beside the narrow bed,
And hear cold earth on aged temples spread,
And mark the bursting sob and tearful eye,
That send to their lone hearts a sad reply.
They rove o'er scenes that ne'er can be forgot,
The joys and griefs of life—the light and shade
Of carly thought, that ne'er from memory fade
Transport their spirits o'er the Atlantic's foam,
And bid them welcome to their island home.
As now their loved boy rests upon their knee,
They nestled once, as light of heart as he;
Anon they stand beside the narrow bed,
And hear cold earth on aged temples spread,
And mark the bursting sob and tearful eye,
That send to their lone hearts a sad reply.
The scene is changed—upon a verdant seat,
A glassy streamlet smiling at their feet,
Fast by a crumbling castle, where decay
With silent tooth gnaws stone by stone away,
A gallant oak, extending overhead,
To guard the simple flowers around them spread;
A glassy streamlet smiling at their feet,
Fast by a crumbling castle, where decay
With silent tooth gnaws stone by stone away,
A gallant oak, extending overhead,
To guard the simple flowers around them spread;