Poems of James McIntyre Part 3

Muskoka's famed for woods and brakes, For rocks and meadows and clear lakes, And sportsmen for it proudly claim That 'tis a land for fish and game.

There doth arise a sweet aroma From great spruce forests of Algoma, And from the poplar, birch and pine, There too is wealth in many a mine.

It may be that of mines the best, Will be found in Ontario West, Stretching towards the interior, Three hundred miles west of Superior.

Ess.e.x is our sunny south, At the Detroit river's mouth, There the sun doth cheerful smile On the grape vineyards of Pelee Isle.

Pioneer's axe it now doth ring, On the sh.o.r.es of Nip.i.s.sing, And some do locate claims away To distant north around James' Bay.

CANADIAN RIVERS AND LAKES.

We have here a sight as fair As bonnie Doon or banks of Ayr, Like modest worth meandering slow The quiet waters gently flow, Rose, thistle, shamrock, all combine, Around the maple leaf to twine, Whose outstretched arms so gigantic Clasp Pacific and Atlantic, Embracing lakes like burnished gold, With joy a Shakespeare might behold, For either Poet Burns or Moore[B]

Such scenery they would adore.

[B] Tom Moore paddled his own canoe along the Canadian sh.o.r.e of Lake Erie and was enraptured with the view. He landed and remained over night at a farm house. His Canadian Boat Song is immortal.

NIAGARA DRY.

It happened once in early spring, While there did float great thick ice cakes, That then a gale did quickly bring Them all down from the upper lakes.

And from Buffalo to Lake Erie, Across the entrance to river, It was a scene of icebergs dreary, Those who saw will remember ever.

Then gale blew up lake and river, And left Niagara almost dry, This a lady did discover As above the Falls she cast her eye.

Such scene it had been witnessed never, Since Israelites crossed the Red Sea, When they had resolved forever From Pharaoh's bondage to flee.

Lady she resolved to venture, Proudly carrying British flag, Erecting it in river's centre In crevice of a rocky crag.

It seems like a romance by Bulwer, How she captured Niagara, But it was seen by Bishop Fuller, Who did at sight of flag hurrah.

Ten thousand years may die away Before another dry can tread, In bottom of Niagara, For she doth jealous guard her bed.

But ice her entrance did blockade, And wind it kept the waters back, So that a child could almost wade Across the brink of cataract.

UNITED BY STEEL RAILS.

When Indian tribes in the Northwest Rebelled against the Eastern laws, Canadian courage it did test, All were united in the cause.

But how shall volunteers proceed Such distance, several thousand miles, Will they in their dark hour of need Ask Uncle Sam with pleasant smiles

For to allow our volunteers To pa.s.s o'er their north railroad, Perhaps subject to doubts and fears, Where British soldiers never trod.

But there went up a glad hurrah When it was found that in our land, Almost finished was railway, And trains do wait for word command,

To bear away our volunteers To those far North distant lands, But dispelled were all their fears When they rode over those steel bands,

Which bound young nation all in one, Before detached and all apart, Shoulder to shoulder now each one Feels patriot feelings in his heart,

First time we truly realize The value of this great railway, Its benefits each now doth prize, Highway to j.a.pan and Australia.

The policy it has proved wise, Which did build this great railway, The vast Northwest to colonize, And bear its products far away.

Canadian flags are now unfurled In the ports of the Chinese, Short route to Oriental world Gives Canada her cheap fine teas.

LORNE AND LOUISE.

Lines written on the arrival of Governor Lorne and the Princess Louise in Canada.

The tidings now all hearts do please, That she has landed safe, Louise, Victoria's beloved daughter, Who boldly has crossed the water, For royal Princess doth adorn The t.i.tle of the Lord of Lorne, For this union it doth join Campbell with Royal Stewart line; Lorne will be Duke of broad Argyle, And the Lord of many an Isle.

When he inherits broad domain May he strive tenants hearts to gain.

To us it seems a brighter morn Hath dawned on us with Governor Lorne, And when they visited this place True happiness beamed on each face, The first white child who here was born Presented was to Governor Lorne, From Forest 'ere it was reclaimed, Our fine town after him was named.

CANADIAN SPORTS AND GAMES AND PLAYS.

Burns sang of joys of Hallowe'en But in Canada is often seen By far more jolly times than these At logging raising, paring bees, For here the youth is not afraid To trip it with a pretty maid, For this at night is his reward For working at the bee so hard, And oft times till the break of day At forfeits they will merry play, For he doth win e'en though he miss, If from sweet la.s.s he gets a kiss, But in its place doth justly prize His tea and cakes and pumpkin pies.

When winter comes it brings no gloom But makes fresh pleasures spring and bloom, For when the youth longs for a bride He gives his girl a grand sleigh ride, Which to them both doth pleasures bring While merry sleigh bells cheery ring, And with the fair maid of his choice He graceful skates with her on ice, Charming mode of locomotion Gliding o'er a polished ocean, Such joys they soon do love evolve, And they on union do resolve, He is happy with his chosen, For warm love gets never frozen.

And young folks oft they do take pride, How swift they down the hill can glide, And they bravely dare the frost king So they may enjoy the coasting, Each striving for to lead the van In the swift shooting toboggan.

And on the ice men love to hurl The polished blocks to skilful curl, And curlers all do proudly claim Their's is a manly healthy game, And in Canadians you trace A generous, hardy and brave race.

And brilliant as a fairy hall Is scenes on ice at carnival, Before the gale in an ice boat It swiftly o'er the ice doth float, The sensation is you fly Like lightning shooting through the sky.

In summer time the youth do toss The baseball and do play lacrosse, And tradition doth for it claim That 'tis an ancient Indian game, And if a foe invade we can, Drive them back with clubs Canadian.