A Sanitary Message. "I come to wash away no stain Upon your wasted lea; I raise no banners, save the ones The forest wave to me: Upon the mountain side, where Spring "I visit every humble roof; Only upon the highest peaks Until in tricklings of the stream, My unspent bounty comes at last To mingle with the sea." And thus all night, above the wind, I heard the welcome rain, A fusillade upon the roof, A tattoo on the pane: 165 The key-hole piped; the chimney-top A warlike trumpet blew ; But, mingling with these sounds of strife, This hymn of peace stole through. THE COPPERHEAD. (1864.) THERE is peace in the swamp where the Copperhead sleeps, Where the waters are stagnant, the white vapour creeps, Where the musk of magnolia hangs thick in the air, And the lilies' phylacteries broaden in prayer; There is peace in the swamp, though the quiet is death, Though the mist is miasm, the upas-tree's breath, Though no echo awakes to the cooing of doves, There is peace: yes, the peace that the Copperhead loves! Go seek him he coils in the ooze and the drip But beware the false footstep, the stumble that brings A deadlier lash than the overseer swings. Never arrow so true, never bullet so dread, As the straight steady stroke of that hammer-shaped head; Whether slave, or proud planter, who braves that dull crest, Woe to him who shall trouble the Copperhead's rest! Then why waste your labours, brave hearts and strong men, In tracking a trail to the Copperhead's den? Lay your axe to the cypress, hew open the shade ON A PEN OF THOMAS STARR KING. THIS is the reed the dead musician dropped, With tuneful magic in its sheath still hidden; The prompt allegro of its music stopped, Its melodies unbidden. But who shall finish the unfinished strain, His pen ! what humbler memories cling about Its golden curves! what shapes and laughing graces Slipped from its point, when his full heart went out In smiles and courtly phrases! The truth, half jesting, half in earnest flung; |