CONNECTICUT. FROM AN UNPUBLISHED POEM. "The woods in which we had dwelt pleasantly rustled their green leaves in the song, and our streams were there with the sound of all their waters." MONTROSE. still her gray rocks tower above the sea That crouches at their feet, a conquered wave; 'Tis a rough land of earth, and stone, and tree, Where breathes no castled lord or cabined slave; Where thoughts, and tongues, and hands, are bold and free, And friends will find a welcome, foes a grave; And where none kneel, save when to heaven they pray, Nor even then, unless in their own way. Theirs is a pure republic, wild, yet strong, A "fierce democracie," where all are true To what themselves have voted—right or wrong— And to their laws denominated blue; (If red, they might to Draco's code belong ;) A vestal state, which power could not subdue, Nor promise win-like her own eagle's nest, Sacred-the San Marino of the west. A justice of the peace, for the time being, And knowing all things;-and should Park appear From his long tour in Africa, to show The Niger's source, they 'd meet him with-we know. They love their land, because it is their own, And scorn to give aught other reason why; Would shake hands with a king upon his throne, And think it kindness to his majesty; A stubborn race, fearing and flattering none. Such are they nurtured, such they live and die : All-but a few apostates, who are meddling With merchandise, pounds, shillings, pence and peddling ; Or wandering through the southern countries, teaching The A. B. C. from Webster's spelling-book ; A decent living. The Virginians look But these are but their outcasts. View them near At home, where all their worth and pride is placed; And there their hospitable fires burn clear, And there the lowliest farm-house hearth is graced With manly hearts, in piety sincere, Faithful in love, in honour stern and chaste, In friendship warm and true, in danger brave, Beloved in life, and sainted in the grave. And minds have there been nurtured, whose control Is felt even in their nation's destiny; Men who swayed senates with a statesman's soul, And looked on armies with a leader's eye; Names that adorn and dignify the scroll, Whose leaves contain their country's history, And tales of love and war-listen to one, Of the Green-Mountaineer-the Stark of Benning ton. When on that field his band the Hessians fought, Are we worth more? Let's prove it now we can— Her's are not Tempe's nor Arcadia's spring, Of Florence and the Arno—yet the wing Of life's best angel, Health, is on her gales Through sun and snow-and in the autumn time Earth has no purer and no lovelier clime. |