Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-11-30
From the Literary ! Gazette.
WHAT'S Noble !
BY CHARLES SWAIN

BY CHARLES SWAIN.
What is noble to inherit -
$ Wealth, estate, and proud degree -. ~
: There must be some other merit ~
Higher yet than these for me F.
Something greater for must enter
;. Into life's majestic span; s 9.
Fitted to create and centre 1 -
True nobility in man! w.
What is noble? tits the finer E.-.-,
Portion Of our mind and heart;
Linked to something still diviner sa5s
Than mere language can impart
Ever prompting-ever seeing s-s sSs.5s =
Some improvement yet to plan; z- ~
s. To uplift our fellow being ,-5.5 81
And, like man, to feel for nan! g. - "a 81 &
What is noble is the sabre = s 1et
q Nebler than the humble spadeI, $500 -.ty =
s. There is adignity in labor 81 II 35&G
Truer than e 'er sPomp arrayed! ~ IS
He who seeks the Minds improvement
Aids the .world-in aiding mind -. 50 ..H
Every great commanding movement -. ~
Serves not one-but Ill mankind. .. -..- ,a- {
Ger the FORCES heat and ashes. 49,. -. ssss.5
Der the Engines iron head =.--...
Where the rapid shuttle flashes, s.. .s.fssf :
u And the spindle whirls it's thread; te.f. a..
There is Labor lowly tending ~s5.5Hf Fk-
Zach requirement of the hour, a.. aa.s 755
There is genius still extending er.sd 30
Science-and its world of power ..s.:..'
MD the dust, and speed, ana clanOF
= Of the loom-shed and the mill; se.g
j. Midst the elnk of wheel and hammer, ..==-, :
Great results are growing still rf,t
Though too oft by Fashions creatures z-r &
Work and workers may be. blamed ;f,.sJ ~
Commerce need not hide its features! r.--s. f.
Industry is not ashamed! s.ad Y.o Il g..
What is noble that which places : st...,
Truth in its enfranchised viii J. i ~-5E
Leaving steps--lke angel-traces-u a. s. II
That mankind NAV follow Stilll
Zen though; Scorn's malignant glances rt a.,
- Il Prove him poorest of his clan, ,r..s =,
He's the No6te--who advances He -i
Freedom, and the Cause OF Man!
To my Little Daughters shoes.
Two little, rough-worn, stubbed shoes, -
A plump, well-trodden pair ,''s2}f. ,.t
With striped stockings thrust within,
q Lie just beside the chair. f...'
OF very homely fabric they, - TX. .t~s.. -a
A hole is in each toe .f f-=. .-t.s =. e.
They might have cost when they were new, .'.-
Some fifty cents or so.
And yet this little worn-out pair
Is richer far to me, @ r"
Than all the jewelled sandals are a, ~..E.
vi Eastern luxury.
This notified leather, cracked with use,
Is satin in my sight
These little furnished buttons shine
With all diamonds light.
Search through the wardrobe of the world;
You shall not find ME there,
So rarely made, so richly wrought,
So glorious a pair. - 1-
And why2 Because they tell of her -f@
Now sound asleep above, ..f .t -
Whose form is moving beauty, and ..|
Whose hearts, beating love.
They tell me of her merry laugh,
Her rich, whoe-hearted glee;
l1or gentleness, her innocenee, FL.
And infant purity. ...- .-....f
They tell me that her wavcring steps
Will long demand my aid;
For the old road of human life
Is very roughly laid. ias .,. .r....-
High hills and swift descents abound
And, On so-rude a way,~-----.--=-.a->--....
Feet that can wear these coverings
Would surely go astray
Sweet little girl be mine the task
Thy feeble steps to tend
To be thy guide, thy counsellor,
Thy playmate and thy friend
And when my steps shall faltering grow,
And thine be firm and strong, -.
Thy strength shall lead my totterng age
In cheerful peace along!