Southern Literature From 1579-1895 Part 48

JAMES RYDER RANDALL.

~1839=----.~

JAMES RYDER RANDALL was born in Baltimore, and his fame rests upon his stirring war-song, "Maryland, my Maryland," which has been called the "Ma.r.s.eillaise of the Confederacy." It was written in 1861 and set by Mrs. Burton Harrison to the tune of the old college song "Lauriger Horatius," on the wings of which it quickly flew all over the South.

His profession is that of an editor, and his delicate health has compelled his residence in a warmer lat.i.tude than his native city, in Louisiana and Georgia.

WORKS.

Fugitive Poems: Maryland, My Maryland, Sole Sentry, Arlington, Cameo Bracelet, and others.

MY MARYLAND.

The despot's heel is on thy sh.o.r.e, Maryland!

His torch is at thy temple door, Maryland!

Avenge the patriotic gore That flecked the streets of Baltimore, And be the battle-queen of yore, Maryland, my Maryland!

Hark to an exiled son's appeal, Maryland!

My Mother-State, to thee I kneel, Maryland!

For life and death, for woe and weal, Thy peerless chivalry reveal, And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel, Maryland, my Maryland!

Thou wilt not cower in the dust, Maryland!

Thy beaming sword shall never rust, Maryland!

Remember Carroll's sacred trust, Remember Howard's warlike thrust, And all thy slumberers with the just, Maryland, my Maryland!

Come! 'tis the red dawn of the day, Maryland!

Come with thy panoplied array, Maryland!

With Ringgold's spirit for the fray, With Watson's blood at Monterey, With fearless Lowe and das.h.i.+ng May, Maryland, my Maryland!

Dear Mother! burst the tyrant's chain, Maryland!

Virginia should not call in vain, Maryland!

She meets her sisters on the plain,-- "_Sic semper!_" 'tis the proud refrain, That baffles minions back amain, Maryland!

Arise in majesty again, Maryland, my Maryland!

Come! for thy s.h.i.+eld is bright and strong, Maryland!

Come! for thy dalliance does thee wrong, Maryland!

Come to thine own heroic throng Walking with Liberty along, And chant thy dauntless slogan-song, Maryland, my Maryland!

I see the blush upon thy cheek, Maryland!

For thou wast ever bravely meek, Maryland!

But lo! there surges forth a shriek, From hill to hill, from creek to creek, Potomac calls to Chesapeake, Maryland, my Maryland!

Thou wilt not yield the Vandal toll, Maryland!

Thou wilt not crook to his control, Maryland!

Better the fire upon thee roll, Better the shot, the blade, the bowl, Than crucifixion of the soul, Maryland, my Maryland!

I hear the distant thunder hum, Maryland!

The Old Line's bugle, fife, and drum, Maryland!

She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb; Huzza! she spurns the Northern sc.u.m,-- She breathes! She burns! She'll come! She'll Come!

Maryland, my Maryland!

Written 1861.

ABRAM JOSEPH RYAN.

~1839=1886.~

FATHER RYAN, "the poet-priest," was born in Norfolk, Virginia, but pa.s.sed most of his life farther south. He lived in New Orleans, Knoxville, Augusta, and Mobile. His death occurred in Louisville, Kentucky. His patriotic poems are among the best known and most admired that the South has produced; his religious poems evince a sad view of human life together with an exalted adoration of the Divine Will.

WORKS.

Poems.

Life of Christ, [unfinished].

Some Aspects of Modern Civilization, [a lecture].

To our great regret, we have not been permitted by the publishers to copy any of Father Ryan's poems. Every one is familiar with his "Conquered Banner," and "Sword of Lee"; the "Song of the Mystic" is one of his most beautiful productions.

WILLIAM GORDON McCABE.

~1841=----.~

WILLIAM GORDON MCCABE was born near Richmond, and educated at the University of Virginia. He was a captain in the Confederate service; and since the war he has had at Petersburg one of the best schools preparatory to the University. He is a poet, and has also edited several Latin authors for school use.

WORKS.

Ballads of Battle and Bravery.

Defence of Petersburg.

DREAMING IN THE TRENCHES.[38]

I picture her there in the quaint old room, Where the fading fire-light starts and falls, Alone in the twilight's tender gloom With the shadows that dance on the dim-lit walls.