And throwing darts reproachful, in the eyes
Of slumbering men, who, Past Meridian,-rise.
God sends this messenger of light to teach,
The sluggards practice what the laborers preach:
Behold! He walks upon the eastern rim,
And toiling on, bids all men follow Him.

But hark! What means that instantaneous roar,
Why doth the eagle, frightened, swiftly soar
To yon high peak that overhangs the sea?
What means that shriek of untold agony?
Proud bird of Freedom, hath some impious hand
Struck thy loved form?-Some cruel despot land,
Where liberty enchained is kept in awe,
Where regal tyrants make and rule the law?
Listen again, I hear the rumbling car;

Whilst on the breeze the cry of War! War! War!
Rings through the village, and the kindling spa
Bursts into flame;-Alas! my country, hark!
O'er southern plains I hear the clash of arms,
The wail of women, and the dread alarms

Of battle! On, on they rush, on with impetuous speed,
The young, the old, the hound, the nimble steed!
Mechanics, artizans, farmers, lawyers too,

And of the reverend clergy not a few!

For weeks the drum and fife rang through the town,
The nation spoke, and with an awful frown,

Thousands on thousands governed by their reason,
Went forth to aid in trampling upon Treason.
As when the billows of old ocean swell,

So trooped the legions of the North, to quell
This emanation from the depths of hell!

A little cottage on the village street,
Homely 'tis true, but notwithstanding, neat;
With fences whitened, garden nicely made,
Show'd woman's thrifty hand to have been laid
On the rude dwelling, that would surely shock
Some foppish upstart of a wealthy stock.
Within, the furniture was scant and poor;
No carpet hid the water-polished floor;
But labor, faithful friend, forever true,
Gave to each object old appearance new.

A virtuous widow and an honest son,
Dwelt here alone: but, ah! the two were ons;
Oh! blessed poverty, thy trials prove,
How much exists in mutual love.
Together both in sunshine and in shade;
Both sang together and together prayed.
Our hero on this glorious sunny day

Was treading slowly o'er his grassy way,
Toward the little shop, where at his trade
A meagre pittance at the best he made:-
When, suddenly, the bugle blast
Of war came calling loud and fast!
For brave men, all to go and fight,
For home, for country, and for right,
For freedom, for our flag and laws,
And for the honor of our cause!

Backward he turned; she blessed her son,
And bade him go, and never come
Until the glorious work was done!
She prayed, she smiled, she kiss'd her boy,
She wept with patriotic joy,—

To think that, humble as she was,
Through him she fought in freedom's cause.

My child, she said, be true to God;
Study and love His Holy Word;
Then foremost in the fight stand forth,
And do your best to aid the North.
And should these earthly bonds be riven,
We'll meet within the courts of heaven.
Go forth, the threatening clouds dispel!
Farewell, dear boy, once more-farewell.

Part Second.

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100

CHOICE SELECTIONS

No. 2.

UNITED STATES NATIONAL ANTHEM.
W. R. Wallace.

GOD of the Free! upon Thy breath
Our Flag is for the Right unrolled,
As broad and brave as when its stars
First lit the hallowed time of old.

For Duty still its folds shall fly;
For Honor still its glories burn,
Where Truth, Religion, Valor, guard
The patriot's sword and martyr's urn.

No tyrant's impious step is ours;
No lust of power on nations rolled:
Our Flag--for friends, a starry sky,
For traitors, storm in every fold.

Othus we'll keep our Nation's life,

Nor fear the bolt by despots hurled ; The blood of all the world is here,

And they who strike us strike the world!

God of the Free! our Nation bless
In its strong manhood as its birth;
And make its life a Star of Hope

For all the struggling of the Earth.

Then shout beside thine Oak, O North!
O South! wave answer with thy Palm;
And in our Union's heritage

Together sing the Nation's Psalm!