Book 8 — TO ELIHU BURRITT AFTER LISTENING TO HIS LECTURE ON "COMMERCE,"

DEC. 26, 1857.

[Footnote: It affords me much pleasure to be able to say that after presenting these verses to Mr. Burritt he was kind enough to call on me at my house, and expressed himself pleased with them.]

DEAR SIR:—

Pray deem it not presumptious in me To give expression thus to what I felt Last night, while listening to the poetry In your discourse, as you on Commerce dwelt.

I know not if you ever wrote a rhyme, Or framed your thoughts in a well measured line; But sure I am your language so sublime, Shows you possess a deep, poetic mine.

I listened with attention most profound, As did the audience that before you sat, Feeling as if I was on holy ground; Which in my mind deep reverence begat.

And O, when you led us in spirit back To Eden's God-formed, most delightful bowers. Ere our great parents had endured the rack Of sin-struck consciences among her flowers,

I almost fancied that I heard the birds Warbling melodiously the praise of God; While sinless man in soul-enraptured words, Responded as he pressed the flowery sod.

And when Sin came, as with hot furnace-breath, To blast the loveliness of all around, And our progenitors first tasted death With consciousness that they were naked found,

You did portray the scene so vividly, Of their rude efforts at an uncouth dress, That tears of pity from strong sympathy Bedimmed my eyes to see their great distress.

And when you showed how God with skillful hand Employed Himself to make them coats of skin, I saw mechanic skill take higher stand From this divine and early origin.

And O, I thought this fact should ever lead Artificers to strive and manage well Their several crafts; and show by word and deed Their love to him who does in glory dwell.

Then, as I watched the progress made by Art, And peaceful Commerce coming by degrees, I felt it was your mission to impart To this war-ravaged world such views as these.

My gladsome soul did to such views respond, And utterance found before my God in prayer. Hence caught fresh glimpses of the time beyond The present age, which shall such glory share.

Go on, great champion of the Good and True, Spread wide the messages of dove-eyed Peace, And may God's richest blessing flow to you Where'er you are, until your labors cease!

TO A VIOLET. FOUND BLOOMING IN MY GARDEN IN DECEMBER, 1859.

Beauteous, variegated flower, That with courageous mien, Not heeding much stern Winter's power, Hast let thy face be seen At such a season, and amid such dearth Of vernal beauty, I would bid thee hail; For charms like thine to me have wond'rous worth, When Summer's comforts fail.

I had not thought to see a gem Like thee, as fresh and fair As ever graced a diadem, Bloom in the open air After such killing frost as we have had; And when grim Winter had his ice bolts hurled With double vengeance, prematurely mad As though to chill the world.

Still thou art here in loveliness, But lacking Spring-time's scent, And seeming in thy charming dress, With thy lone lot content. The while that other plants are dead to sight, And waiting patiently for Spring's approach, When King Frost's forces shall have ta'en their flight, Chased by Sol's glorious torch.

But now I bid a warm adieu, And place this in a book Where I can bring thee fresh to view. When'er I choose to look. Regretting only that I tore away Thee from my garden bed, where thy sweet face Lit up with smiles that nook, and made it gay, As by a sunbeam's trace.