Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/284

268 HARVEY RICE. [1840-50. Nor does he wait at Heaven's high gate, Nor does he shed a tear ; But breaks the bars and smites the stars, And dark grows every sphere ; Nor does he shed a tear ! — But doomed now dies, 'neath blacken'd skies. Remembered never more ! And now, downcast, the silent Past, In darkness, hides her store ; Remembered never more ! OUR PILGRIM SIRES. With all their virtues plain and stern, The good old times have sped ; And now the wisdom which we learn, Turns giddy every head ; And yet 'tis wrong, I ween, to spurn Our old ancestral dead ! Our Pilgrim sires were taught of God, And solemn psalms they sung ; They trained their childi-en with the rod. And witch and wizard hung! Yet, if they erred — 'tis nothing odd — All err — both old and young ! They earned by toil whate'er they had. Since Heaven ordained it so ; Nor with the fiishions went they mad, Nor cramped they waist or toe ; Nor like the lily, pale and sad. Looked eveiy belle and beau! The girls were taught to spin and weave. The boys to hold the plow ; 'Twas then thought wise — and I believe As wise it might be now, If people would their scheming leave, And live by sweat of brow. The good old times were good enough, Though times more polished dawn ; Men then were made of sterner stuff Than those that now are born ; Though plain they were and somewhat rough, Yet why their virtues scorn ? THE MORAL HERO. With heart that trusteth stiU, Set high your mark ; And though with human ill, The warfare may be dark, Resolve to conquer — and you will ! Resolve, then onward press, Fearless and true ; Believe it — Heaven will bless The brave — and still renew Your faith and hope, e'en in distress ! Press on, nor stay to ask For friendship's aid ; Deign not to wear the mask. Nor wield a coward's blade. But still persist, though hard the task. Rest not — inglorious rest Unnerves the man ; Struggle — 'tis God's behest! Fill up life's little span With God-like deeds — it is the test — Test of the high-born soul. And lofty aim ; The test in History's scroll Of every honored name! None but the brave shall win the goal. Go act the hero's part. And, in the strife,