IN SEPTEMBER. THIS windy, bright September afternoon Keeps swelling and subsiding; till there seems O'er all the world of valleys, hills, and streams, Only the wind's inexplicable tune. My heart is full of dreams, yet wide awake. Of tall elms, pale against the vaulted blue; But even now some yellowing branches shake, Some hue of death the living green endows:If beauty flies, fain would I vanish too. A BREATHING TIME. HERE is a breathing time, and rest for a little season. Here have I drained deep draughts out of the springs of life. Here, as of old, while still unacquainted with toil and faintness, Stretched are my veins with strength, fearless my heart and at peace. I have come back from the crowd, the blinding strife and the tumult, Pain, and the shadow of pain, sorrow in silence endured; Fighting, at last I have fallen, and sought the breast of the Mother, Quite cast down I have crept close to the broad sweet earth. Lo, out of failure triumph! Renewed the wavering courage, Tense the unstrung nerves, steadfast the faltering knees! Weary no more, nor faint, nor grieved at heart, O Child of Nations, giant-limbed, With unanointed brow, How long the ignoble sloth, how long The trust in greatness not thine own? To front the world alone! Achieve thy destiny, seize thy fame — A nation's franchise, nation's name? The Saxon force, the Celtic fire, These are thy manhood's heritage! Why rest with babes and slaves? Seek higher The place of race and age. CHANGE. Canada. Summers and summers have come, and gone with the flight of the swallow; Sunshine and thunder have been, storm, and winter, and frost; Many and many a sorrow has all but died from remembrance, Many a dream of joy fall'n in the shadow of pain. Hands of chance and change have marred, or moulded, or broken, Busy with spirit or flesh, all I most have adored; Even the bosom of Earth is strewn with heavier shadows, Only in these green hills, aslant to the sea, no change! |