Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-04-18
BURLINGTON, IOWA. APRIL Is, 1850

Loving and loved ones, who are left behind
To mourn the Pilgrims to pale Mammon's shrine
The devotees who sacrifice the joys <
Ofhome, and all the ties that gladden. life
Who patiently endure privations hard,
And face the dangers Of the wilderness
For the uncertain prospect of great gain.
Disease and Famine hover round their path,
And Doubt hangs up her dismal clouds beyond;
While Disappointment mocks them with ray
Of hope, which lures them onward to the end
An end, perhaps, that few could look upon
With eyes undimmed by PHYS scalding tears.
How many of the crowds that choke the way
Shall look their last and lay them down to die,
Where none will speak a sympathisng word,
Or bear their parting sigh to those they love!
All when will men forbear this woful waste
or soul-ennobled natures, in the search
For that which brings no pleasure to the mind?
When will they cease to that golden aross
Which satstieth not, and makes OF life
But perpetual toll, and beggars most
Those who have Glanced to grasp the largest heap?
Wealth is a blessing when 'tis rightly used;
When not, it ever proves the greatest curse.
1t fills the soul with poison; dries up all
The springs of pure affection; stirs up pride
And all its kindred passions, and at last
Leads its possessor to a cherries death.
How few there are who properly employ
That bounty Providence has kindly lent
For their own good and all mankind's besides!
Why then should men persist, in seeking that
Which will most likely prove fatal bane9
Are there not fertile fields enough to till,
And beauteous scenes profusely spread around,
| To bless with JOY and every want supply,
That men should leave theirk inbred and their homes
These blooming valleys and these calm abodes,
| To seek for gold in dangers thorny road, r&am
Where Death and Anguish mark them for their ownf
| Here nigh. they live in quiet. sober ease,
| Enjoying all that man can claim on Earth
The fre-siae pleasuers of their humble lot,
| The social feelings binding man to man,
| The ennobling virtues of the head and heart,-
Pure happiness that gold can but destroy.
Yet men will not be wise until too late;
| Their minds are dszzled by the transient glare
| Which Art has kindled to allure the weak
! From their true happiness 10 deep despair;
| AS flies that flut.er round the nightly lamp
Have sped, on wings of hope, from distant fields
| To find Death mocking them amidst the fame.
But let them go:--turn we 10 waere yoD lamp
Is sporting innocently by its dam,
Seeking no joy save that which Nature gives.
| Here we may learn what we should ne'er forget
| That he who would enjoy his life as much
As life can be enjoyed. must spurn the hribe
| Which tempts to violate great Natures law.
| That man must labor, God himself has said;
| And In his labor all his treasures lie;
| Without it. health and happiness will fee,
| And with il, both with ease may be secured
Then labor while tis sprng;plorgh the rich earth,
| And lind it medicine for every i'll;
Drink the sweet fragrance of the deTy morn;
Let perspiration stream from every pore;-
The body wearied, turn the mental soil
With the deep share Of Thought; thus will the mind
And body, strengthen: cherish, and enlarge,
The one the other, and together grow
To the full stature of perfect man,
For both must work, or one or both will fail.
And when the Summer and the Harvest come,
Then shall you reap your nobly earned reward,
! And know ,chat honest independence is.
! BURLINGTON, April, 1850.