The Emigrant Mechanic and Other Tales in Verse Part 38

We now will pa.s.s from sad to lively scenes, And bask awhile in July's warmth and smiles; For settlers,' homes can furnish ample means To have a _Picnic_ 'mongst the beauteous isles Bestudding Huron's face for many miles.

Why should not those, who live on such wild farms, Enjoy a pleasant pastime, which beguiles The jaded mind: affording many charms To those who wish to flee from anti-social harms?

CXVIII.

The subject some weeks previous had been broached, And this enabled farmers to have care Lest the event on needful work encroached-- A thing of which they all should be aware; As they, through Summer, have scarce time to spare For needful recreation in this way.

Now, by contrivance, they enjoy a share Of sweet delight, on this auspicious day: When several families make for a most pleasant Bay.

CXIX.

Fine was the day, and settlers' boats were ready To bear their precious cargoes from the sh.o.r.e.

The Pastor's presence kept the young folks steady, Though blandest smiles the happy party wore.

Strong, manly arms plied well each st.u.r.dy oar, To make the boats fly swift o'er sparkling waves.

These seemed quite conscious of the freight they bore, And kissed the water which their trim forms laved; While all enjoyed a scene that ne'er the heart depraved.

CXX.

And thus they reach a lovely Isle, tree-clad-- At no great distance from their starting place-- From whose high front most splendid views are had Of other isles, all clothed in Summer's grace.

With rapture they now gaze on Nature's face; See trees bedecked in brightest green attire, Which look well pleased with July's warm embrace-- Their forms view in the Lake, and much admire Their fine proportions; and more stateliness acquire.

CXXI.

For camping-ground they had not long to look; A sheltered place, from underbrush quite free, Was known to all as a most charming nook, Where they might rest and eat in privacy.

On choice of this they every one agree; Then place the baskets-laden with good things-- And now their voices, in sweet melody, Present pure praises to the King of Kings: A truly pleasant service that much blessing brings.

CXXII.

Young GOODWORTH'S then good poetry recited; "Hymn to Mont Blanc," and GRAVES' sweet "Elegy;"

While MILTON'S lofty strains each one delighted, And COWPER'S sketches-full of harmony.

CAMPBELL and WORDSWORTH yield variety, And BURNS his quota furnished with the rest.

WILSON'S good Dramas, too, were deemed to be, By all the company, among the best: And I would find no fault with what was then expressed.

CXXIII.

For lengthening out the pleasure thus obtained, The Pastor undertook to criticise Those pieces heard, and what was dark explained.

Next, needful ill.u.s.tration he supplies, Or shows defects not seen by common eyes.

Comparing the best with sacred poetry, He unfolds beauties in the Prophecies Of great Isaiah, and quite readily Paints in most glowing terms the Psalmist's minstrelsy!

CXXIV.

Then speaks of Jeremiah's plaintive strain-- The "Weeping Prophet" and true Patriot, Who often wept for Zion, and felt pain For her great sins; who, when G.o.d's wrath waxed hot Against his country, ne'er her weal forgot, But prayed and wrestled with the Lord of Hosts, If, peradventure, he her crimes would blot From out his Book; and yet he never boasts Of love to country, as some do who seek high posts.

CXXV.

The book of Job--great in poetic lore-- He dwells upon, till wonder and delight Seize all his hearers; most of whom before Had not enjoyed a very clear insight Into that Book, which tells of G.o.d's great might, His wisdom, goodness and forbearance long With his poor servant, brought to saddest plight Through Satan's eagerness to drive him wrong; When he poured forth his woes in deep impa.s.sioned song.

CXXVI.

Next glanced at Moses' song on Red Sea sh.o.r.e-- When Pharaoh and his mighty host were drowned-- In which the Tribes most gratefully adore Their great Deliverer, who on Egypt frowned.

No mortal uninspired could e'er have found Such fitting language for that great event, Those strains sublime, with glorious grandeur crowned, Came forth from heaven, and back were thither sent As wors.h.i.+p to the Lord, from hearts, on praise intent.

CXXVII.

'Twas now full time that they should all partake Of the refreshment thither brought with care.

While thirst was quenched with water from the lake, They each with each their choicest viands share.

But ere they eat of that most ample fate, Due thanks are given in a proper song.

Such happy lot with any can compare, So none need marvel if they tarried long, For everything conspired to make Love's bonds quite strong.

CXXVIII.

The dinner o'er the older ones retired To give the Island a complete survey.

In doing this they very much admired Sweet scenes thus visited on that fine day.

The younger part had no desire to stray, So they remained in that nice shady nook, And joined together in a harmless play, Or read awhile in some delightful book, And thus of purest pleasure old and young partook.

CXXIX.

The sun, quite fast into the West descending, Now warned them all it was full time to go To their dear homes, where sweetest comforts blending, Gave no just cause neglect of them to show.

But yet their hearts, with grat.i.tude aglow, Prompt them once more to join in praise each voice And now the Pastor sought from them to know If they of proper hymn have made their choice, As he had one composed, and truly would rejoice

Cx.x.x.

If his attempt to speak the mind of all For this day's pleasure and substantial joy Should meet, with approbation and recall The hours so sweetly spent without alloy.

He spoke of this to them with manners coy, Like one not used to boast what he had done.

"Perhaps," he said, "They might their time employ To more advantage if he ne'er begun To give to them the Song which he in haste had spun."

PASTOR'S SONG ON LEAVING THE ISLAND.

Soon Sol will sink into the West And Luna shed her silvery beams; Each songster seeks its wild-wood nest To spend the night in love's sweet dreams.

And we, dear friends, prepare to leave This Isle and each delightful scene, And feel we have no cause to grieve That we upon its sh.o.r.es have been.

For all, throughout this lovely day, Have had much pleasure free from pain.

Then let us, ere we go away, Lift up our hearts in praise again.

"O Thou who from thy bounteous hand Dost give thy children all they need, Behold us now--a loving band, And all our boats in safety speed

"To yonder bay; then guide us home.

Accept our thanks for mercies great We have enjoyed beneath thy dome, In humble, yet contented state."

Farewell, sweet Isle; may thy fair scenes Ne'er witness orgies, vile, profane; For this man's character demeans, And never yields him solid gain.

Cx.x.xI.

With this short song they all were satisfied, And soon agreed that it forthwith be sung.

In strong, warm feelyngs then each singer vied, And some gave proof they had no lack of lung.

To Duke Street tune were their fine voices strung, And thus verses went off charmingly, While through the distant woods their loud notes rung.

The party now, with great alacrity Regain the boats, and push into that deep, blue sea.

Cx.x.xII.