The Emigrant Mechanic and Other Tales in Verse Part 51

Unfurl wide your banners, and good still pursuing, On "No Truce with Tyrants!" let each take his stand.

Lend, lend a hand! Lend, lend a hand!

The might of this evil but few can withstand!

Shrieks and groans from the dying are heard all around you, And heartrending sights every day are displayed; While blasphemous curses may well nigh astound you, And dangers fast thicken; yet be not dismayed.

Lend, lend a hand! Lend, lend a hand!

If these things appal you your help they demand.

Thousands of widows and orphans call on you Who lost their support from this tyrant's attacks, And he with his legions may soon fall upon you, If you now shrink from duty or show him your backs.

Lend, lend a hand! Lend, lend a hand!

Your own peace and safety your efforts demand.

Our Jails and Asylums are full to o'erflowing With victimized wretches struck by this fiend's hand, And many poor youths unsuspicious are going To destruction, led on by his magical wand.

Lend, lend a hand! Lend, lend a hand!

The doom which hangs o'er them gives forth the command.

Then muster your forces and stand forth unyielding, In the name of Humanity heed not his rage.

Mind not his blandishments--evil still gilding-- But ever determine to war with him wage.

Lend, lend a hand! Lend, lend a hand!

In this monster's overthrow firmly now stand.

Christians, arouse you! Quick, up and be doing!

For help look to G.o.d's own Omnipotent Arm!

Let no Tempter charm with the soft voice of wooing, Or frighten your hearts by the sounds of alarm.

Lend, lend a hand! Lend, lend a hand!

'Midst trials and dangers like true heroes stand.

VERSES WRITTEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER READING HORACE SMITH'S "BACHELOR'S FARE."

1854.

He who wrote these lively verses Hath his talents misemployed, While he marriage ills rehea.r.s.es-- The conjugal life asperses Which so many have enjoyed.

And each brown or blue eyed charmer, Let her rank be high or low, Must have felt such verses harm her-- Must have felt her cheek grow warmer With just indignation's glow.

Were he then as bachelor living He might speak of bachelor life.

But such men need not be giving Crabbed views of man and wife.

If he were to fair one married Greater still would be the shame; It would prove love had miscarried, He alone perhaps to blame.

Were it shown that he was jesting, Jests like this with ills are rife; Poets should be still attesting This plain truth--Mankind are blest in Chaste and sweet Conjugal Life.

Marriage is of G.o.d's ordaining, Serving purpose wise and good.

Those who are from it abstaining, Should be found always refraining From treating it in jesting mood.

From experience I am speaking, In protesting I prefer A wedded life. If you are seeking To have pockets with no leak in, From it let naught you deter.

But this thing make up your mind in, Choice should fall on one of worth.

Love of wealth some men are blind in; For a wife may be worth finding, Though she be of humble birth.

If you are a true wife blest in, Mind you well fulfill your part, That you may, all cares distressed in, Prove the warmth of woman's heart.

I have proved it in rich measure, And with honest brow declare, Married life for sweetest pleasure Can with any life compare!

STANZAS ON THE PEACEFUL STRUGGLE IN EUROPE.

APRIL, 1854.

England's real strength is in the Lord of Hosts

Slumbereth now the British Lion, In his sweet green Island lair?

No! He rushes forth to die on Europe's plains, or crush the Bear.

Now he may well hope for glory, Warring in defense of Right.

Will he soon be faint and gory From the Czar's most lawless fight?

Oh, forbid it, G.o.d of Battles-- In whom we would place our trust!

Ere is heard his cannon's rattles Quench the Bear's most savage l.u.s.t!

Turn him back to his own regions, Though a wild and bitter clime; Wide disperse his barbarous legions In Thy own good _way_ and _time_.

If in Wisdom thou ordainest This dread war shall still proceed-- Let us feel thou ever reignest Through the saddest hours of need;

That thou still as Sovereign rulest O'er the Nations of this world; That thou yet mad Despots schoolest, Ere they to the dust are hurled.

O preserve our generous Lion, And his partners in the War; Bid their hosts thy arm rely on; Guard each soldier, s.h.i.+eld each tar.

Let we see them soon returning To their now deserted domes; Let pure joy instead of mourning Fill their fondly cherished homes.

May we profit by the lesson Which events like this should teach-- Seek to put away transgression, Act as healers of each breach.

Then we long may share G.o.d's favor-- From the Queen upon her throne To the lowly son of labor Toiling his poor crust to own.

LINES WRITTEN ON THE MORNING OF THE DREADFUL FIRE WHICH CONSUMED THE B. B. & G. R. R. DEPOT BUILDINGS.

Oh! there has come on us a dreadful calamity, Our fine Depot Buildings in ruin lie low.

And works which for months were in earnest activity, To Fire's fearful ravage have been made to bow.

If the watchmen were both in the right path of duty, How came it we every one heard with amaze, That they saw not the fire till it fiercely was bursting Right through the gable in one perfect blaze.