New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-14
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
SOME RECENT POEMS.


So>fE RECENT POEMS.
x,,p,.u avn OTHER POEMS BY JOIN GREEN
wv WHITTIER. i9mo PIP. ioc Fields. osgood' a
= VERSES. ByHH. ismO. Pr. 100 The Same
POEMS nv BRET HARTE. i2mo PIP 49, The Same.
rnTsonrs AND LYRIC PIECES. BY ROBERT KELLEY
wpTxs 17mo PIP. l6i. LeypOldt Holt
e. CATsKILL AND OTHER POEMS BY the late, late g.
- WFIR ROOSEVELT. Svo. PIP. 81. Charles f. Roper
a DREAM MUSIC. By FREDERIC ROWLAND MARVIN
I2no. pr. IO7. Carleton
:. I az love AND CHiIDHooD By JEAN INGELOw.
limo. PIP. l72. Roberts Brothers.
The principal poem in Mr.. Whittier's volume takes
the form of an Oriental story, although 1t had It's
birth in the imagination of the author, setting forth
one of the ethical lessons in which he so greatly de-
lights and showing that one sweet law OF charity
should be made to reconcile the differences OF re-
hgious faith This Eastern picture is presented IN
framework of purely New-England character, the
idylic softness of which furnishes effective con-
trast 10 the vOluptuous glow Of the Orient But the
pay of fancy kept in strict subsection TO the moral
purpose of the poem. The versihcaton shows even
more than the usual facility of the author. and his
disposition TO sacrifice the fastidous rules of the
artist to freedom of expression. His fluent rhymes
afford an appropriate medium for the nobest idea OF
the Quaker creed that the influence of the Divine
Light is never wanting to the aspirations OF the
human soul.
80 welcome from every
The tokens OF that primal Force
As the young heart i reaches to- -
The tidal wave of human souls
Guide comforter, and inward word,
The eternal spirit Of the Lord!
Nor fear aught that science brings
From searching through material thinG''
Content TO let It's glasses prove.
Not by the letters oldness move,
The myriad worlds on worlds that COURSE
Tie spaces Of the universe;
Since everywhere the spirit walks
The garden al the heart, and talks
With man, as under Edens trees,
In all his varied languages. 49,, 49,
Why mourn above some hopeless haw
In the stone tables Of the law
When scripture every dN aifesn
lie traced on tablets of the flesh
BY inward sense by outward signs,
Gods presence still the heart dyines;
Through deepest JOY OF Him We learn,
In sorest grief to Him i'm we turn m .,,ar.
The chid-ike instinct Of prayer
The other pieces in this volume comprise several
fugitive productions of the author, including one
OF two patriotic lyrics and poems for public
sions The aectionate dedicatory lines to President
Barnard of Columbia College recall the early days
when the two friends east the horoscope of their
future life together beneath the shade of the old
Charter Oak i'll Hartford
The second work on our list, which comes to MS
under the modest title of " Verses, by ii. H., pre-
sents the evident of feminine pen in the sin
rular delcacy and refinement of its conceptions and
the subtle charm of its language, which suggests
thought by fine shadings of expression rather than
by prompt emphatic utteranee. Nor are the ele-
ents of higher strength less visible IN the serene
repose of spirit which surrounds almost every poem
with a pracions and kindly atmosphere. The themes
are often drawn from sources OF profound specula-
ton. or relate to intimate experiences Of hidden
depth and pathos but there is wringng of hands,
nor Disagreement of counenance, nor morbid appeals
10 fearful fountains. The writer betrays thought
.ful mcditatIvc disposition, which would afford am
ple materials for 4 work of reflection, but 1T rs soft
encd 10y a genial and tender fancy, and
delicate sense of all the kindling mhu-
ences of external nature Few poetical vol
umes of recent date are so thoroughly lmbued
with the genuine spirit of poetry. The sincerity of
the author has inspired her imagination, and raised
her TO an elevated sphere of poeticsl creation, If
the study Of favOrite models is sometimes reflected
in her verse her taste is hOnored by her choice of
masters who are so gentle and wise not to
make her a subject nor to impair her originality by
1he tyranny of their power. The exquisite finish Of
many of the pieces evnces the skill of ne artist
well a. the soul Of the poet Among the character
istic specimens which want OF space alone forbds
us to quote We may refer 70 e NV Legacy" Loves
LargesS.7 My Lighthouses" At Last" Ny
Bees" In the Pass " When the Kings Come" My
Strawberry" Return TO the Hills although per-
haps no single poem can give just idea of the per-
vsding excellence of the whole volume The follow
ing little piece is certainly no better than many
Others We might mention, but it gives something
of the authors theory Of writing poetry. We are
tempted to transfer il to our columns.
The birds must know, who wiscy sings
VIII sing they;
The common air has generous wings,
Songs make their way.
No messenger 10 run before,
Devising plan;
No mention ~ the place or hour
To any man
No waiting tin some sound betray.
listening ear;
No different voice, no new delays.
II steps draw near.
What bird !, that Its song IL good
And eager eyes
peering through the dusky wood
IL glad surprise.
Then late at night when by his fire
The Traveller sits.
Watching the flame grow brighter, higher,
The sweet song fits
BY snatches through lis weary brain
To help him rest
When next he goes that road again,
An empty nest
On leadess bough will make him Igh
a" All me last spring
Just here theaTd. in passing by
That rare bird sing %
But while he signs remembering
How sweet the song,
The little bird on tirelcss wing
l. borne along
VITA weary feet,
other roads, The simple strain
The birds must Know. Who wisely sings
WI sing as thoy;
The air has generous wings,
HoDgS make their way.
We onght not to forget the charming style in
which the Volume ia brought out, forming a dainty
s.asket f0r a collection OF choice gems.
The fame of Bret Hyrte has so brilliantly shot To
kle zenith AS to render amy comments on his poems
superfuous task. The verdict of the popular mind