In its unobtrusive sweetness, In its purity, and meetness Man in Nature finds. Yes, it is no fault of Nature's, Man in towns hath viler features, Pour'd on fields and flowers; Country life,-let us confess it,— We may readily possess it In its native air. Rides and rambles, sports and farming, Home, the heart for ever warming, Books, and friends, and ease,— Life must after all be charming, Yes, however little gaily, Check'd with sin and strife, Wisdom rests contented daily With a country life. American Lyrics. TO THE UNION; FROM A UNIT. Giant aggregate of nations, Live United, hands and hearts! Every petty class-dissension, Fling away absurd ambition! Be above such grovelling things! In each other's joys delighted, All your hate be-joys of war, And by all means keep United Sister States, as Now ye are! Were I but some scornful stranger, If it seems a thing unholy Freedom's soil by slaves to till, Charm'd with your commingled beauty England sends the signal round, "Every man must do his duty" To redeem from bonds the bound! Then indeed your banner's brightness Shining clear from every star Shall proclaim your joint uprightness, Sister States, as Now ye are ! So, a peerless constellation May those stars for ever blaze! Three-and-ten-times-threefold nation, Go a-head in power and praise! Like the many-breasted goddess Our Errand. AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE-OFFERING FOR THE NEW YEAR, (1852.) Britain! America! Mother and Child, Look to the world around; Stricken by guilt, with frenzy defiled, Look! for the Nations seethe and boil, Geyserlike, with loud turmoil Scattering scum upon every soil From Judgment's crimson cup! Look! for the People are hot with hate, Europe's despots, wise too late, The tempest on the skies. Britain! America! staunch and stout, Teaching the brawlers round about Is to obey!- —as bond, yet free ? Lifting the head, while bending the knee,ORDER's imperial race,— Fearlessly faithful found to be, Tho' the mountains choke the churning sea, And earth be moved out of her place! Britain! America! hand in hand, Like twin angels, lovingly stand, Fresh from the fields above, Link'd together in brotherhood's band, Mother and Daughter against the World! While earth's hurricane, inwardly curl'd, Yea, stand still;-but in ready array: Till they have fought to their fall: Conquering Peace for them All! |