Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-07-24
THE SPORTS OF OTHER DAYS.

Far in the west, where sunsets parting beam
With brighter splendor tints the grassy stream,
Pinckney's green island home yet bears the name
Of one whose virtues share his country's fame,
A soldier proved, without reproach Or fear,
statesman skilled new commonwealths to rear,
To field and forum equally Injured,
What arms had won, his eloquencc secured;
With stern resolve his country to defend,
| He spurned the arrogance Of foe and friend;
| War crowned him with the laurels Of the brave,
Aud civic garlands Peace as amply gave;
With care he watched the anarchy that waits,
In ambusbed strength to crush revolving states,
And strove with zca', oil jealous fears above,
| To bind them fast by ties Of social love:
! In this alone his generous spiritsaw
For peace, security, and rule for law, ~
Safety from border strife, from foreign foe,
And the long ills that feeble nations know.
| Here every work of patriot duty wrought,
His peaceful shades the veteran statesman sought,
With ready anecdote the livelong day,
| Or playful wit he charmed the grave and gay,
And taught the art to brighten and refine,
With cheerful wisdom, lfe's unmarked decline.
With ready sympathy he loved to view
The April sports and to partake them too;
To watch-at early dawn, when skies are bright
And dews lie sparkling in the early light
| On leaf and 1ower-the sail and glistening oar,
Launched OH the hay from every creek and shore,
The favorite rock the noted shoa to reach,
Their landmarks tracing on the distant beach,
Far as the eye commands the sea around,
Gay fleets glide swiftly on the shining Sound;
With shouts and taunts the daily race run,
The sail is furcd, the wonted station won,
Tile line prepared, the hook with caution tried,
The various bait with artful care applied:
All cagcr-slavcs and mastcrs-to behold
Their annual prize with glittaring scales OF gold
To fcel the line through glowing fingers glide.
| Watch where the victim shows his FURNISHED side
With patient skin his various efforts foil,
And seize, in triumph; on the conquered spoil;
Then boast and jest exultingly proclaim
New trophies added to the victor's fame,
And the broad grin and shining face declare
How true a joy the negro sportsnen share !
Now, with declining day, on every hand,
The loaded boats turn slowly to the land,
Spread the light sail, or ply the bending oar,
And seek warm shelter on the wooded shore:
The boat songs chorus, withits wonted charm,
Imparts new yigor to each sturdy arm;
The camp the hamlet catch the well-known note,
. |
With sharpened appetite, the joyous crews
Proong their feast of savory 'tcaks and stews
And join where campfres glimmer through the tree
The light laugh floating on the western breeze
Desciibe the fish and fortunes Of the day,
How sly the bite, how beautiful the play;
Tell, with grave face, the superstitioas charm
, Tharm wrought the fisherman success or harm;
Recount the feats Of fishing or Of fun,
In other days by older sportsmen done;
In dreams renew their triumphs through the night
!, And wake to others with the dawning light;
Not Nlarshfelds master, in the palmicst day,
= For feast or fish could rcadier skill display,
Chowder e1pound with more consumate art,
: At the full trencher play manlier part,
! Or more secure from each intrusive carc,t
The joy participate and feast prepare.
Not Elliott, carly trained, with easy skill,
) Old Waltons various offices TO fill,
The sport to lead, the the willing ear bcguile,
And charm with rare felicity Of style,
The straining line with nicer art employs,
? With kecner zeSt the manly sport enjoys
Or takes tue Gsh and fortunes Of the day,
5 Sunshine or showers, more huoyantly gay.
But If the waywad fish r,fusc the hait,
; If floating lines for Stacker tides await,
, II trick and fun the idle moment brings,
From boat to boat Iighthcartcd laughter rings
, The novice starts alarmed, his slunbcr broke
! BY the sly veterans oft-repeatcd joke,
Or Dupc or Jester stretched in drcamless sleep,
, Lie rocked BY bIliovs rolling from the deep,
Fanned by the southern breeze that on its wings,
! From, the blue Sra refreshing cool1rss brings:
Nov reused by hunger, every halM explores
The wcll-Glled box, and culls its ample stores
Fish from the lsorpins feast the onieous maize
OF grist or -four, al auhplcr dish displays;
. WiiL- ap.-l;s-s--.--fsT'' to othr- fnsr,
They feast and kings Iuay coyet the repad
Or Inorc alert the crew, on pleasure bent,
, In the gay race the idle hour is spent;
The anchors lifted from from their oozy bed,
The long lines coiled the snowy canvas spread;
With pcnnans streaming on the sparkling hay
Their speed or skill the swiftcr boats dispay;
The Gull and Falcon stretch their pointed wings
Through the light foam the rapid Dolphin springs,
The peerless Nautilus, with broader sail,
Skins The green wave and courts the irCsh'ning gall
But other scenes attract the sportsman's gaze,
And turn his wandering thoughts to other days,
When ON these streams the Indians swift canoe,
Light as the gull, to sport or battle flew;
Light as the noisy aocks that meet the eye,
On restless pinions fitting gaily by;
A tamelcss ocean-brood that love to rove
The shore and sea, but shun the quiet grove,
In Idle sport they chase and are pursued,
With sudden dart surprise their minnow fool,
The rising diver watch, the well-carncd prize
Snatch from his bill with sharp, exu!tng cries,
Or in the stream their glossy plumage lave
| Al Z, ,,,;,L ut ~ N tho Urn
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