The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-08-12

been.
stood in wonder, viewing craggy height
One early morning IN the beauteous spring
Under the Rocks of Deer Creek, where in dizzy
flight.
The hawk scared upward on his strong dark
wing.
Nature was heavy with sweet perfume
Of locust blossom, and the fragrant dews
Distiling in the heart of many dainty bloom
wreathng the wayside with their brilliant hues.
Under the shadowy trees ripping stream
Flowed calmly by along the sloping shore,
And happy birdS--like music in dream
CarOled their matin- songs as oft before
Yonter an old gray mill. whose lazy wheel,
Dripping. turned slowly the grist within,
Stood by the roadside in mute appeal
To times unceasing toll and grinding sin.
The morning clouds were breaking fast away,
And glinting streaks of sunshine iiecked the sky;
While shadows, like flock of birds at play,
Chased UP and down the valley far and nigh.
Then to the left the Rocks of Deer Creek rose
Like some huge giant on his lofty throne,
Defying storms and tempests as his foes;
monarch in his sovereign power alone.
Soon from its base I climbed the steep ascent,
Towards the summit of the giants seat,
And paused awhile to look out as | went,
To view the landscape widening at ny feet.
o, wondrous picture of Gods favored land,
When seen from heights above the toiling fields
II awes the soul in such place TO stand,
To feel the sceptre God in Nature wiclds.
And now reach the pinnacle of rocks.
Where silence hroods in mystery sublime,
Save when the night birds gather here in tlocks
Before their flight to some more genial cline.
What awful shock in ages long since gone
Could thus have piled these massive stone so
high:
Could thus have placed them singly-one by one
AS If it were the work of human industry?
Tradition tells us that the Indians here
Held solemn council gainst adventurous tribes,
When none but savage races made them fear
Ere white men stole their lands by force and
brides.
Here hewn upon the highest iutting ledge
Two seats are found in perfect fashion still;
Tradition, too. asserts, with solemn pledge,
That these the King and Queen were wont to
FILL
own that something in this mystic place
inspires the soul with strange oppressive
Who knows what deeds of blood within this space
In other years by warrior bands were wrought?
But those were days of savage pride and law.
Now beauteous Nature spreads the dewy shield
And hings her her peaceful banners where no
The cruel hordes tread down the tecming field.
Now kings and queens of far more sweet domains
Roam up these hills to reach the Rocks above
And resting there, the signing youth detains
His willing mate, with tender words of love
Could these bleak Rocks unbosom all they hear,
How many vows of holy bliss would find
An audience of listening souls. to cheer
The cold realities that burden heart and mind.
How like to life these solemn Rocks appear
High up upon the pinnacle of joy
Sweet life begins with early vows so dear
1t seems as if its bliss naught could destroy.
The fair world spreads below with distant charms,
And loving eyes with dream-light view the
scene
Nor see the world so full of dark alarms.
Where troubles, like dread reapers, go to CLEAN
All! well for life it can begin so high
Upon the summit of the mount of love:
Fond memories round the heart, like birds will
fly,
And nestle there like some returning dove.
But on the lower plains of life we see
The harsher outlines of our daily toll:
Twere well If Loves fair PriesteSs constantly
Pour on our hearts her pure amounting oil
When in the Temple of affections creed,
holy light will burn with holy fire;
Before the altar Of our life's one need
The emblem of immortal loves desire
Ye Rocks of Deer Creek may we learn of thee
How firm the Rock of Ages must be set;
Time mars thy beauty, but eternity
Adds ustre to the Saviours coronet
He is the Rock of Ages cleft for all,
Yet fixed forever in His Throne of love
The world shall fade, and rocks and hills must
fall,
But we, with Him, shall reign as kings above.