The primitive Republican., 1851-05-22

We have introduced the whole Of this
Psalm, 2 because we wanted thereader to i'm
bibe the spirit of earnest endeayor, and Of
Jacob-lilIe wrestling, for a brighter day for
humanity, which it teaches. We venture
that no thinking man can brood over it, long,
without having his zeal to act in the living
Present" quickened, and without determin-
ing to go forward with brave heart, ready
too for any fate" to still greater pursuits
and achievements
We must beg the indulgence of the Edi-
tor, while we ask of him the insertion of
Excelsior" entire
'Tho shades of night were falling fast.
As through an Alpine village passed
youth, who bore, midsnow and ice,
banner with this strange device
Excelsior!
His brow was sad; his eye beneath
Flashed like falchion from its sheath,
And Ikea silver clarion rung
The accents of that unknown tongue,
Excelsior!
In happy hours he saw the light
Of household fires gleam warm and bright;
Above the spectral glaciers shone,
And from his lips escapeda groan,
Excelsior!
Try notthe passr the old man said;
Dark lowers. the tempest overhead,
The roarine torrent IS deep and wIde!'
And loud that clarion voice replied
Excelsior!
Oh stay tlie maiden said, and rest
Thy weary headupon this breastP
4 tear stood inhis bright blue eye,
But still he answered with sigh.
/ Excelsior!
Beware the pine-tree's withered branchl
Beware the awful avaanchr
This wa the peasants last goodnight,
A voice replied, iar mp the height,
Excelsior!
AT break of day, as hcavenward
The pious monks Of Saint Bernard
Uttered the oit-repcated prayer,
A voice cried through the startled air,
Excesior
A raveer,by the faithful hound
Half-buried in the snow was found,
StiIl grasping in his hand OF ice
| That banner with the strange device,
Excelsior!
There in the twilight cold and gray,
Lifeless, but beautiful he lay
Aud from the sky, serene and far,
A voice fell, like a falling star,
Excelsorg'
: What pilgrim-song, for the upward
climbing, and heayen-going soul! Who has
not heard from his own spirit that swondrous
cry of higher still, as he has been ascend
ling his earthly alpine way! Not satisfied
with past attainments, like that youth with
his banner of strange device" VIC have
cried Excelsior" and when we sink under
the paleness Of death, upon the loftiest sum.
nit, 10 voice from the far off glory ring;
out upon the car of the departing spirit, an
Excelsior" indicating that there is to Be
forever for the soul, a higher sttlt-a never
ending progression.
This poem embodies Longfelow's theory
of human Improvement In it, he shows
that the brave and. struggling, are to despis,
all else, forget all else, and resist all else, Il
the sublime effort, to attain the highest ele
walton; that when the counsel of laggarc
friendship, warns Of dangerous passes, lower
!, ing tempests, androaring torrents; when low
, bids US rest in pleasant dalliance with ii
charms; and when timid irresolution woulc
!, point Us to perils sc must send back the no
bic battle-bnrst of Excelsior, and on to.
higher still
! We cannot trespass longer, on the spac,
afforded us for this sketch of one. with who's,
volumes, re have passed some most delight
} ful and profitable hours; and yet We ba4,
/, left unnoticed many of his best uttcranccs
: we would love much to speak of lis Resia
nation, 1ceultation Of 0ifan, The Ds.
I S done, CLEAN Of Sunshine, aad score
! Of oshers, eqaally, and some 81 them more
faerltoFioas tlian thasa Sc ls5ys pentioned
y yield our present with regret
Throwing that Il cannot give ID 1eadcr aeog
ppgeciatioa q ~ aathor 10 has con
lted pleasur