The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-30
The Yotfolk gust.
FRIDAY, JUNE 80, 1866. ~
ALONE.


[Ofpheus G. Kerr Or. H. Newell)
Well known as an extravagant humorii
but the following, from his volume @
serious verse, entitled "Palace Beautiful
and Other Poems, "exhibits another sid
OF his mind ad
Three stalwart sons old swsyn, tho Saxon, had, 81
Brave, hardy lads, for battle or the chase;
And though, like peasants, barbarou.iy clad,
Each wore the Nameless Noble in his face
: One DER another rose their heads In tiers,
s. steps for their fathers honorable years.
pa One night, I'M Autumn, sat they round the No. 1.
In the rude cabin bountifui of Home;
Mild by the reverence due from child to sire,
Bold in the manhood unto mastry come;
Working their tasks DER huntsmen's forest gear,
Loos'ning the bow and sharpening the spear.
Lost in his thoughts old sweyn, the Saxon stood, ~
Leaning In silence galnst the chimney stone;
Staring unconscious at the blazing wood,
Steep'd In the mood Of mind he oft had known;
AS an old tree, whose stoutest branches shake
Scarce from their vigor sign of life will take. 81.
Athcl, the bearded, his bow had done,
Alfred, the nimbe, laid his spear aside,
Edric, the fairest, firing Of his fun,
Left the old hound to slumber on his hide;
Yet was their sire like one whose features seem
Shaded by sleep, and all their light dream.
Bold in the favor of the eldest born, -
Athob for both his younger brothers spoke
"Fathef, the fox Il prowling in the corn,
And hear the night owl hooting from the oak. ~
Let us to rouch.D But sweyn had raised his head,
And thus, unwilling what had pass'd no said -,
"ses, from my breast / draw this chain Of gold
Fair in the freight royalty It shone,-- IA ID
This for his honor who shall best unfold
Who, Of all creatures, Is the most Alone
Take him from palace. monsstr or cot - 'f
Loving unloved, forgetting, or forgotn
Then Athol spoke, with thoughtful tone and look,
" HHs is the loneliest-most Alone of ell, L3L
Who, in q skiH to the midseas forsook, 'r-i.e
Find not an echo even to his call
II Echo lived not, all alone wero no;
But there's no echo on the solemn seal" -4
And Alfred next 80 But lonelicr, brother, far,
20 The wretch that flies Just avengiug rod; "-
TO him all scenes sre waste, g foo the star,
All earth he's lost, yet knows 20 heav'n. 10 God;
MOST Lonely ne, Who making man his foe,
Unto mans Maker dareth not to goIn +
Thus spoke the lads, with wit beyond their years;
And yet tho old man held hisbeard and sigh'd,
Asons who gains the form his wishing wears,
But misses still something most denied ~
Upon his youngest eager looks he turned,
And Edric's cheek with grace ingenious burned.
Think, my father,' and his tone was low,
THAT lonelisr yet, and most Alone is he,
ecarce taught, tho crowds leading, where to 20,
And face missing, can no other SEQ; = %
Though oil the Norman's court around him moves.
Hs Is Alone apart from Her he lovsss
A hush fell on them. Then, with loving air,
% And all the touching romance Of the Old.
The hoary father kissed young Edric's hair, ~.
And Ger his shoulders threw the chain Of gold;
Then feliupon his darllngs neck, and cried.
u have been lonely since thy mother died" 'i