The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-02-02
"Poems."

with the litcrati Of this present day
whether we have a poet among us
many holding to the idea that such poets
as Shakespeare and Milton do not make
their appearance on the stage but once
in many ages. Such may be the case
indeed, we think it is. Poets may be,
not inaptly, compared to comets which
burst upon the world and sweep across
the heavens, filling with awe and admi-
ration all beholders and then disap-
pearing awhile, long centuries may
elapse ere another makes its appearance,
though the sky may often be filled with
little shooting stars and meteors, some
of which, perhaps, may, for the moment,
catch the eye of the single gazer or the
multitude, and dsome-many-who would
fain believe themselves destined to illu-
inmate the world, pass away simply as
aroltes.
But we think We have discovered
real comet in the literary world, one of
the regular long-tailed fellows; for we
have just received volume, the title
page Of which reads" Poems. By
Edward Stagg. St. Louis, Mo. Pub
lished by Keith & Woods. New York
A. s. Barnes & Co." We say we have
just discovered this comet. We are
wrong here, for We formerly had the ex-
treme honor of personal acquaintance
with Mr.. Stagg, indeed, we once printed
a book for him which was made up of
a large number of the "poems" which
this book contains. So that we trust
when the world shall turn its gaze on
him, we may receive small share Of
credit for introducing him to the world
though We don't think there was ever
half dozen copies of the book sold,
such is the tardiness of the world in
awarding merit to literary geniuses.
Here is specimen Of what may be found
in this volume. 1t is entitled The
Surprise":--
Beside smooth and tranquil lake
Sat IN using, Isabelle;
And all around her beauteous make
Her rich brown tresses fell.
Her head upon her hand reclin'd,
Her eyes were downward cast;
u was clearly seen her troubled mind
Was dwelling on the past:
Nor past alone but future, too,
For, now some happy thought,
Would quickly come, and bring to view
Such smile as Hope has taught.
But sure it was she thought of one
She deem'd was far away,
For now and then, in signing tone,
You'd hear her softly say:
go, how / wish him with me now,
To share these scenes so fair;
Here, with these hands I'd smooth his brow
With them I'd twine his hair.
] es, and I'd sing that lovely song
i know he loves to hear;
While many hills would echo long,
10 please his listening ear"
She hears a stirring of the leaves,
And starts Can HE be near,
Her breast with mix'd d emotion heayes,
Ofjoy and yet Of fear.
He comes She springs upon her feet
All fed are her alarms
She runs her lover. self to meet
He clasps her in his arms!
There, if that isn't poetry, We would
.like to know what it is. Here is some
thing in what Mrs. Partington would
call the schenectady strain, though it is
entitled /" Pleasant Memories" -
I've often thought I'd like again
, a careless boy to be;
So free was from mental pain:
For nothing troubled me.
I'd cry, at times; but quick smile
I Would chase my tears away;
, Some sport stand ready to beguile,
1 Nor let sorrow stay.
' How often would climb q tree,
b. And take the Robins nest,
Nor deem l lack d humanity,
: To break the young ones rest
J. How oft into the crystal brook
= I'd cast the slender line,
And laugh to see around the hook
u The'golden sunish shine.
c And how, again, before the sun
Would raise, or aught was heard,
I'd wander in the woods with gun,
And shoot some joyous bird.
Il How often. too, I'd raise the kite,
When some propitious breeze
Would watt it nearly out ofsightl
l. What more thai this could nlea So