Choice Specimens of American Literature, and Literary Reader · Chapter 271=349.= Historical Reminiscences
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Eve o'er our path is stealing fast: Yon quivering splendors are the last The sun will fling, to tremble o'er The waves that kiss the opposing shore; His latest glories fringe the height Behind us, with their golden light.
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Yet should the stranger ask what lore Of by-gone days, this winding shore, Yon cliffs, and fir-clad steeps, could tell If vocal made by Fancy's spell, The varying legend might rehearse Fit themes for high romantic verse.
O'er yon rough heights and moss-clad sod Oft hath the stalwart warrior trod; Or peered with hunter's gaze, to mark The progress of the glancing bark. Spoils, strangely won on distant waves. Have lurked in yon obstructed caves.
When the great strife for Freedom rose, Here scouted oft her friends and foes, Alternate, through the changeful war, And beacon-fires flashed bright and far; And here, when Freedom's strife was won, Fell, in sad feud, her favored son;—
Her son,—the second of the band, The Romans of the rescued land. Where round yon capes the banks descend, Long shall the pilgrim's footsteps bend; There, mirthful hearts shall pause to sigh There, tears shall dim the patriot's eye.
There last he stood. Before his sight Flowed the fair river, free and bright; The rising Mart, and isles and bay, Before him in their glory lay,— Scenes of his love and of his fame,— The instant ere the death-shot came.
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=George W. Doane, 1799-1859.= (Manual, p. 523.)
From "Evening."
=350.=
Softly now the light of day Fades upon my sight away; Free from care, from labor free, Lord, I would commune with thee.
Thou, whose all-pervading eye Nought escapes, without, within, Pardon each infirmity, Open fault, and secret sin.
Soon for me the light of day Shall forever pass away; Then, from sin and sorrow free, Take me, Lord, to dwell with thee!
Thou who sinless, yet hast known All of man's infirmity; Then, from thy eternal throne, Jesus, look with pitying eye.
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=George P. Morris, 1801-1864.= (Manual, p. 523.)