The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1858-12-02

that every poet is lover and by purity of
reasoning, every lover ought to be poet. To
that title, however, I make no pretensions 1T
is my first and last attempt they were written
during our first cruise, and when my heart bled
at every recollection of Mary! The evening
was beautiful; the moon rode in slvery splendor
through the clear blue heavens; not breath
disturbed the sleeping waters, and from the bo-
som of the waves the stars which glittered in
the skies were reflected in all their brightness
Mary occupied my thoughts; / remembered the
evenings had spent in her delightful society !;
[ reflected on my loss, until my ideas assumed
this form; they were committed to paper, and
have since served to enclose this precious relic
of former happiness" They were as follows:
LINES TO THE MEMORY OF MARY MoRNToN.
When death, dread Monarch hurls the relentless DART
And lays in dust the wise the good the great
Deep streams of sorrow flow from every heart,
And nations mourn beneath the stroke of fate.
When the dark tomb its jaws insatiate close,
On those dear forms whose souls twind with ours
No stoic's self could blame the tear that flows,
Or chase the memory from those painful hours.
Then let the muse indulge in signs and tears
Ger love that's past, and joys forever flown
Charms our fond hearts, and is forever gone.
Frail are our joys as is yon opening flower,
That spreads its fragrant bosom to the Skies
Piucked by the intruder's hand in one short hour,
It's bloom is withcr'd and its fragrance dies.
Swift pass the hours where friendship spreads her charms
In dreams of bliss the months unheeded roll
Nor dream aught that tear from fond arms,
Those dear delights that Irvine around the soul.
Oh happy moments still think view,
That tender bosom, and that mild blue eye,
Melting in love-then blame the joys that few,
With winged haste to pass away and die.
Yes; they are dead! yet memory lives to fling,
Her snowy fingers DER the engraven heart,
And trace those lines of love, which read, will bring
Remembrance of those joys from which never part
Then all farewell or bliss, veal or
All are forgotten, buried = from this hour;
The muse resigns her harp to tears that flow
Ger love sweet memory, and her pleasing power.
AS finished raading, my eye met Laftte's,
and saw tear trembling in his eye, which was
hastily wiped away.
"Who comes here 2" said Laftte, lifting his
glass to his eye, and mine took the same direc-
ton,
A sloop of war had just hove in view, and the
British flag was flying at her peak LATTE
replaced the portrait in his bosom, and fastened
to give orders for clearing his vessels for action
This was speedily done, and all hands were at
quarters. In the meantime the sloop had an
chored, and boat, fully Manned with the white
flag flying, was approaching the shore. The
bearer of the flag presented Laftte with a let
ter, to which he respectfully requested an answer
Lafitte ordered some refreshments for the boats
crew, as he requested me to accompany him to
the hut we had just left and which he always
occupied when OH shore He seated himself at
the table, and breaking the seal, read as fol-
lows -
To Captain Lafte, COMMANDMENTS Chief Of
the revolutionary Flotilla, IN the Gulf of
Merico
SIR = His Brittanic Majesty's force will
soon visit the southwestern part of the United
States with an overwhelming force; and l. as
commander of his Majesty's Navy on the Amer
lean station, am authorised to offer you any
Office in my power to bestow, together with any
sum Of money you may demand, if you will con-
sent to become chief conductor of the Flotilla,
which will be employed on this service, and
which your intimate acquaintance with these
shores enables you to do with SO much honor to
yourself, and advantage to his Majesty's service
On your answer will depend whether we are to
consider and treat you as friend or an enemy
With sentiments Of the greatest respect,
remain your servant,
"a. COCHRAN, Admiral, &c.
At Sea, Sept. 1914"
Laftte took his pen, and without saying
word, endorsed on the margin of the letter
:" No terms with tyrants /" enclosed it in an en-
velope, redirected it, and handed it to the Off
Ger, with, You have my answer" TIE boat
returned to the vessel, which Immediately
weighed anchor and stood out to sea.
These fellows, if they dared would destroy
US without ceremony" said LATTE, as they dis
appeared before fine breeze, "but when favor
is wanted, they are liberal Of their promises to
excess, and submissive as lambs T shall not be
troubled with them any more, unless they see fit
to make an attempt upon my establishment,
when they will find more sand bars than clear
seas, and more iron than silver. But there is
another vessel in sight. 1t is my trader from
New Orleans. ] shall now be able to iborate