Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-07-28
poetry.
Abram and Zimri'
BY CLARENCE c. COOK.

TThere is a tradition among the Jews that the field
mentioned in the following poem, aud consecrated
so purely by brothcrly love, was chosen by Solo
mon as the most worthy spot for the erection Of his
temple 10 God.1
ABRAM and Zimri owned "a field together
Alevel field hid in a happy vale.
They plowed it with one pillow, and in the Spring
Sowed, walking side by side, the fruitful seed.
In harvest, when the glad earth smiled with grain,
Each one carried TO his home one-half the sheaves
And stored them with much labor in his barns.
Now Abraham had a wife and seven sons.
But Zimri dwelt alone within his house.
One night, before the sheayes were gathered in,
As Zimri lay upon his lonely bed.
And counted in his mind his little gains,
He thought upon his brother Abraham's lot,
And said, II dwell alone within my house,
But Abram hath a wife and seven sons,
And vet we share the harvest sheaves alike;
He surely needeth more for life than |;
l will arise, and grid myself, and go
Down to the field, and add to his from mine"
So he arose, and girded up his loins,
And went out softly to the level field;
The moon shone out from dusky bars of clouds,
The trees stood black against the cold blue sky,
The branches waved, and whispered in the wind.
So Zimri, guided by the shifting light
Went Down the mountain path, and found the field
Took from his store of sheaves a generous third,
And bore them gladly to his brothers. heap,
And then went back to sleep, and happy dreams.
Now that same night as Abram lay in bed
Thinking upon his blissful state in life,
He thought upon his brother Zimris lot,
And said, "He dwells within his house alone,
He goeth forth to TOLL with few to help,
He 6oeth home at night to q cold house,
And hath few other friends but me, and mine;
(For these two titled the happy vale alone)
While I, whom Heaven hath very greatly blessed
Dwell happy with my wife, and seven sons
Who aid me in my toll, and make it light,
And yet we share the harvest sheaves alike.
This surely is not pleasing unto God.
I will arise, and grid myself and go
Out to the field, and borrow from my store,
And add unto my brother Zimri's pile
So he arose, and girded up his loins,
And went down softly to the level field.
The moon shone out from silver bars of clouds,
The trees stood black against the starry sky,
The dark leaves waved and whispered in the breeze.
So Abram, guided by the doubtful light,
Passed down the mountain path, ana iound the nelu,
Took from his store Of sheaves a generous third,
And added them unto his brothers heap;
Then he went back to sleep and happy dreams.
So the next morning with the early sun
The brothers rose, and went out to their toll.
And when they came to see the heavy sheaves,
Each wondered in his heart to find his heap
Though he had given a third. was still the same.
Now the next night went Zimri to the field,
Took from his store of sheaves a generous share
And placed them on his brother Abrams heap
And then lay down behind his pile to watch.
The mooa looked out from bars of silvery cloud,
The cedars stood up black against the sky,
The olive-branches whispered in the wind.
Then Abram came down softly from his home,
And looking to the left and right went on,
Took from his ample store a generous third,
And laid it on his brother Zimri's pile.
Then Zimri rose, and caught him in his arms
And wept on his neck and kissed his cheek,
And Abram saw the whole--and could notspeak-
Neither could Zimri, for their hearts were full.
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.