1

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by

JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

14 JUN 1939

LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY PRESS:
WELCH, BIGELOW, AND COMPANY,

CAMBRIDGE.

TO

SAMUEL E. SEWALL

AND

HARRIET W. SEWALL,

OF MELROSE.

OLOR ISCANUS queries: "Why should we
Vex at the land's ridiculous miserie ?"

So on his Usk banks, in the blood-red dawn
Of England's civil strife, did careless Vaughan
Bemock his times. O friends of many years!

Though faith and trust are stronger than our fears,
And the signs promise peace with liberty,
Not thus we trifle with our country's tears

And sweat of agony. The future's gain

Is certain as God's truth; but, meanwhile, pain
Is bitter and tears are salt: our voices take
A sober tone; our very household songs
Are heavy with a nation's griefs and wrongs;

And innocent mirth is chastened for the sake

Of the brave hearts that nevermore shall beat,

The eyes that smile no more, the unreturning feet!