New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-24
NEW PUBLICATIONS..
HOLINESS POEMS.
SONGS IN MANY kEYs. .ByoIIyEn wHsDarI HOl'r'-

HOLINESS POEMS.
| SONGS IN MANY KEYS. ByOmyEK WESDeLL BoLsEs.
I2no, pp. 80. iicAr'r fiId~
| The brilliant and versatile genius OF DR.. Holmes
finds ample Ia &c and free expression IN this very
agreeable volume. a large proportion of the
poems which make up its contents were sug-
gesled by special occasions, TO the interest Of
which the author was pledged TO contribute his
quota of smiling wisdom, genial fellowship OF
exuberant huuor. For the most part, these are
distinguished for point, sparkling yIvacify OF
phrase, and happy adaptation to the spirit oil
the scene. The humor of the poet flows from
bland aud susceptible nature; it is always pure
and sweet u its manifestations; and seeks 10 artl-
fcial strength from bitter or yenomOus sources.
With all his passion for droery and fun, DIR.
| Holmes successfully attempts higher vein than
- to gigsle and make gggle." Many of the COM
positions in this volume betray depth and
earnestness of feeling which is kindred with the
genuine heart OF poetry. His reflective produc-
tons often indicate profound view OF human
experience; they were evidently written IN SAD
sincerity" they show a wide observation OF SC.
cety and keen insight into life; but, at the same
time, their tone is never morbid or somber, they
are inspired by cordial human sympathes and
tend TO excite q glow of generous feeling. No
one can read them without finding an antidote to
cynicism and misapthrOpy, and receiving from
their healthful, cheerful contagiOn, new impulse
to manly endeayOr.
From the narrative poem founded on an old
New-Encand tradition which opens the volume,
we extract the following stanzas as sinsularly
faithful description of local scenery, with which,
we dare say, many of our readers are no less ia
uiliar than the author:
Why seeks the knight that rocky cape
beyond tic Bay Of Lynni
What chance Liz wayward course may shape
To reach Ito village lnni
No story tells; whatee r we guess,
I past lies deaf and still,
b., Fate who rules to blight or bless,
Can lead Us where she VIII.
Make wayl Sir Ilarrys coach snd four
And lyefied groOms that ritel
They cross The Jerry, touch tie sdore
On Wnnisin,mets eide.
They bear the wash on Chelsea Beach
The level marsh they pass,
Where miles on miles the desert reach
IL rough with bitter grass.
Tie shining horses foam and pant,
Aud the smells BEGIN
OF t.hy Swampscot, salt Nahant,
| And leatheT-sceAted Lynn.
Next, or their lett, the slender spires,
| Aud glltterng vanes, thai crown
| The tome Of Salens irugal sIes,
Inc Old, w.ch-haunted town.
SO onward, Ger the rugged way
That ruus through rocks and sand,
| SLowercd by the t-upest-driyeu spray
| From bays on either hand,
! tn, shut betve en- their ouietretchel arms
The cews OF Marbchead
TIE orGs OF Dreams Wa cry farms,
VINO low The waves for bread.
At lsst toe anc ieut inn appears,
/ lie spres ding elm below,
| NhOse Tapping sign ule.e ifty years
hae sees iwed 10 and iro.
| How fair the azure fields in sight
Before ire lOw-5rowed innl
TIE tumblinc pillows fringe With hight
! The crescent shole Of Lynn;
NsLal. thrusts outycord through the waves
Her arm Of yellow sand,
/ au0 breaks The roaring surge tDat braves
TIE gausilet Oh her hand
/ With eddy.ng whil tbe waters lock
ion tr,eless mould fOrl1n,
TIE sharp-wiuged soa.fowl breeding rock,
That fronts the Spouting Horn;
Tlen free The wtite-sfi lied shallops glide,
| Ard WIDE tne Ocesa suilos.
TIL. shoreward bent, Lis streams divide
The two bare Missy lsles.
Several OF the poems are brmiid Of stirring
patriotism, which, though habiIull sentiment
with the writer, has been quickeued into new Life
AID frnor by recent events. Here is one Of them
which VIII bear frequent republication:
UNDER THE WASHINGTON Elm, CAMBRIDGE.
April q, 1851
Eighty wears have passed, and more,
Since under the brave old tree
Our fathers gathered Ia arms, ana swore
They would follow the sign their banners bore,
And light III the land was tree.
Half Of their work was done,
Half j. left TO do
Cambridge, and Concord, and LeXiDgtonl
When tuo battle is fought and won,
What shall be told OF youi
Hank 1T Is the south wind moans--
Who are the martyrs DOWN.
Al. the marrow wac true in your chiren's bones
Ihat spinkled with blood the cursed stoGes
OF tie murder-hamted townl
What il the storm.couda blowl
" hat ii the green leaves tall
Better the crashing temposts thrOe
Than the army Of worm that gnawed below,
Tramp them one aud sill
Then, when he battle il won
And tie land from traitors free,
Our children shall tell OF the strife begun
When Li1ertys second Aprl sun
Was nrignt OF our brave old treel
Although many of the topics which DR.. Holmes
has celebrated in his melodous verse are limited