Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-04-26
POETR v.

The following Poem obtained the premium oi
FIFTY DOLLARS, offered by the editors Of the
Albany Literary Gazette.
THE WESTERN EMICRANT.
-------
By MISS Lydia Huntley SigOwney, Of Hart.
Jord, Conn.
Amid those forest shades that proudly rear'd
Their unshorn beauty toward the iavoTing skies,
An axe rang sharply. There, with vigorous arm
Wrought bold emigrant, while by his side
His little son with question and response
Beguiled the toll
"Boy thou hast never seen
Such glorious trees, and when their giant trunks
Fall, how the firm earth groans. Rememberes
thou
The mighty river on whose breast we sai'd
So many days on toward the setting SUM
Compared to that, our own Connecticut
Is but a creeping stream"
"Father, the brook
That BY our door went singing when launch'd
My tiny boat with all the sportive boys,
When school was o'er, is derer far TO me
Than all these deep broad waters. To my eye
They are strangers And those little trees
My mother planted in the garden bound
OF our first home from whence the fragrant peacl
Fell in its ripening gold, were fairer sure
Than this dark forest shutting out the day.
"What, no! my little girl, and with light step
A fairy creature fastened toward her sire,
And setting down the basket that contand
The Moons repast, look'd upward to his face
With sweet, confding smile.
See dearest, see
Your bright wing'd paroquet and hear the song
Ofthe gay red bird echoing through the trees,
Making rich music. dds thou ever hear
In far New England such mellow tone!''
81 had robin that did take the crumbs
Each night and morning. and his chipping voice
Did make me joyful, as went to tend
My snow drops was always laughing there,
In that first home. should be happier now
Methinks, if | could find among these des
The same fresh violets.''
Slow night drew on,
And round the rude hut of the Eriigrant,
The wrathful spirit Of the autumn storm
Spake bitter things. His weared children slept,
And he, with head declin'd sat listening long
To the swoln waters of the Illinois,
Dashng against their shore. Starting, he spake-
"Wife!--did | see thee brush away tear'-
G. "a, a., a., Lii.
Of,hy nativity. Their sparkling lights,
Carpets and sofas, and admiring guests,
Beft thee better than these rugged walls
OF shapeless logs, and this lone hermit home"
Upon my ear that echoed hymn did steal
Which mid the church where first we paid our
So tuneful peal'd. But tenderIy thy voice
Dissolv'd the ilIusion;''- and the gentle smile
Lighting her brow,-the fond caress that sooth'd
Her waking infant re-assur'd his soul
That cheresoe'er the pure affections dtceH
find strike a healthfu root, is happiness.
PLACID and grateful to his rest he sank
But dreams, those wild magicians, which do play
Such pranks when reason slumbers ,treless wrough
Their will with him. Up rose the busy mart
Ofhis own native city,-roof and spire
All glittering bright, in Fancy's frost work ray.
Forth come remember'd forms-wth curying necl
The steed his boyhood nurtur'd proudly neigh'd-
The favorite dog, exultng round his feet
Frisk'd, with shrill, joyous bark--famiiar doors
Flew open-greeting hands with his were link'd
In Friendships grasp--he heard the keen debate
From congregated haunts, where mind with mind
Doth blend and brighten--and till morning rov'd
Mid the loy'd scenery Of his father-land