Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-06-04
i1Ottru
THE CLOSING SCENE.

nY Q. BUCHANAN REED.
The following is pronounced by the Westminster RI
Wow to be uuquesionaby the best American Poem
written
Within the sober realms " lcaacss trees
The russell year inhaled the dreamy air,
Like some tanned reaper, in his hour Of ease
When all the fields arc lying brown and bare.
The gray barns looking from their hary hills,
Der the dun waters, widening in the vaics,
sent down the air greeting Co the mills
On the dull thunder Of alternate Halls
Al sights are mcioved aud OH sounds subducd
The hills seemed further, and the stream sang low,
As in dream the distant woodman hcwed
His winter log, with many muifcd blow
The enhattled forest ercwhilc armed in gold,
Their banners bright with every martial hue.
Now stood like some sad, beaten host Of old
Withdrawn aiar in Times remotest blue.
On sombre wings the sulture tried her flight,
The dove scarce heard her singing mates complaints
Aud, like a star, slow drawing in The light,
The village church ,ano seemed to pale and thnt.
The sentinel cock upon the hillside crew.
Crew thrcc-aud all was stllcr than before
Silent, On some replying wafdeI blew
His alien horn, and then was heard no more.
Where erst the jay, within the Gins tall crest,
Made garruous trouble round her unfcdgcd young,
And whore the or0lo hung hor s'yayiug nest,
BY every light wind like censor swungi
Where sang the noisy martins of the caves,
The busy swallows circng ever near
Foreboding. as he rustic mind believes.
And early harvest, and plentcou' year;
Where every bird which charmed The ,cnal feast
Shook the sweet sumhcr from lbs wings 40 morn,
To warn the rcapcrs OF the rosy east
All now was soullcs' empty and iorlofn
Alone. fiom ont the subblc. pipcl the quaili
Aud croascd The through oll She drrary gloomi
Alone the phca ant, drumming u Che vale,
Made echo to the distant cottage loom.
There was no bud. no bloom upon the bowers;
spiders moved their thin shruuis, night hY night
The thistle down, the only ghost " flowers,
Sailed slowly hy-passing noiseicss ont VI sight
Amid all thi.--in This most cherries eir.
And where the woodhine she'd upon che porch
In crimson leaves, as II the year stood there
Firing the floor with DIS inverted torch
Amid all this. the center n the scene.
The white haired matfnu, with mpnutonous tread,
Piled the swirl wheel. and with her joyous mcu
sat like a Fate and watched the flying thread
She had known sorrow. ffc had walked with her;
on sHppcd and broke with hcr the ashcu crust,
Mud Zoo 'hc dead leaves sim She heard thc stir
OF Dis brick mantle trolling in Che dust
While yet her check was bright with summer bloom
Her country smnmouod aud she rayg her all
Aud twice war bowed 90 her bis sable PLUME
Rc-gaye the sNuri to rust upon be WALL
Re-.,,vo tho svor l--but not the haui That drew
And struck cor liberty the dying blow;
Nor him, who. 90 bis sire and country true,
Fcll mid thc ranks of tlc invading ioc.
long. but no, loud the drouinr wheel went on.
Like the low murnurs Of % hive 40 un0n.
Long. bat not llud the memory nf the gone
Brcalcd through her lips a sad mud ucmuluus tune
Al last the thread was snnppci-hrr head was bowed
Life drOnqrl the distaf through hv hands serene (;
And loving uaighb1r, smo0thed hrr careful STROUD,
While Death AND Winter closed thr autumn scene