The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-11
POETRY.

POETRY.
WYOMING AND INDIAN MELODIES
and Other Poems. By Richard Lynott
OMalley. Cloth, 12mo., 120 pages; Tor
sale by the author at S5 cents per copy.
Readers of fugitive newspaper verse
no doubt have encountered poems by
Mr.. O'Malley. who has gained some
measure of local renown as 1.-The blind
poet" of Avoca. The present collection
of his works in rhyme Is not offered
with a view to challenging eXacting
criticism; the selections included with
in its covers are the unpretentious ef-
forts OF young man whose versihca-
tion proceeds spontaneously from an
ardent love of nature uncurbed by
technical precision or by familiarity
with classical models Their composer
Is to be judged rather as one or the
modest workers of this great Industrial
section whose learning Is derived at
first hand from the ever-insciring uni
Versity of nature than as nedant or
scholiast erudite in library lore. we
have examined the eighty or more
poems in this volume, anu have found
that many of them reveal originality.
freshness and merit. One in particu-
lar, by reason of it's dramatic vividnesS
no less than because Of local Interest in
Its theme, Is worthy of reproduction.
1t is entitled "Campbelrs Leap" and Is
as follows:
On Campbell's Ledge. at early morn,
Rang out hunters echOing horn,
While hoof of steed and hOof Of roe
Gave voices to the glen below,
Till every rock and hill around
Flung many an answer to the sound.
But bark. the notes no longer fly;
Their echoes on the distance die,
lrIt tnar slntp v,,c
Fierce frowns the mount in all Its pride;
l.0, halfway up its rugged side
Behold dismOunting from his horse
And bending DER u deers red corse,
Campbell. the huntsman OF the dale,
Bold Campbell, of Wyoming vale.--
There silent stands his charger. feet.
Whose rounded form and slender feet
Tells OF his value true.
While bends the huntsman o'er the roe
Aud marks how sure has been his bow.
He hears u Wild halloo.
Springing erect. his quick eye spied
Fast clamberlng up the mountain side
An Indian swarm, a demon band,
Rapid he glanced from left to right.
Seeking in vain q course for flight;
Twas death to move, twas death to
stand.
One moment stood he motionless,
As II In doubt, as In distress,
And 'reft OF every hope;
One moment more his dark eye flashed.
Into the saddle then he dashed
And gallOped 'gainst the slope.
Up, up he struggles, up he climbs.
His fOemen laundering at his heels;
The footing crumbles, and at times
He thinks that death cen now he feels.
Still upward. upward, on he strives;
Sudden ne hears the clash OF knives.
And. giancing wildly back.
At one spears length away he sees
Three of his foremost enemies
Press hard upon his track,
Striving to wound his noble horse,
Striving to check him In his course;
Vain, vain Is thei.' attack.
With desperate thought. with desperate
strength,
Backward he darts: and 10. at length.
He smites the nearest brave,
Who, groaning, filings his arms on high;
Pale grows his cheek and dim his eye.
While trembles in his breast the glave.
Yelling death-yell wild and shriIl,
He grasps his friends In deaths own
grip;
lmpetuous roll they from the hill;
Their comrades trample him until
Confusion reigns: their own they kill,
And In each others gore they slip.
Now Campbell with rekindled hope,
More fiercely speeds against the slope,
Urging his steed amain.
But q that war-whoop, howl and yell
Too plainly snow, too plainly tell
His foemen come again.
Still keeps he on that deathful track,
And ever and anon looks back,
Patting his foaming horse.
Still whirl his foemen on behind;
They seem impelled by fury's wind
And not by human force.
And well, full we'll, the huntsman knows
Why such band, such demon foes
Are 10th TO hur, the lance;
They crave him to glut their fell desire:
They crave him to glut their hungry fire
And cheer their brutal dance.
LO. now the topmost peak they gain!
Nor draws the rider on his rein,
But plunges headlong still;
While close behind whirl fierce the foe,
Gaining at every step they go,
Yelling their war-whoop shrill.
Now skins he long the rocky ledge.
And boldly seeks It's boldest edge;
And slumbers fair Wyoming's vale
Full many fathom there below,
And SGsQuehanna seems to trail
Like some blue cloud with curving tail.
Yet Campbell, vigorous and hale,
That dizzy height is scanning now;
His eye is bright, his cheek Is pale,
a purpose bold Is on his brow. a.
Of his true steed-one moment mere
And 10 that steed, nigh quick as thought,
His four slim feet together brought.
Sudden dozen warriors grim
Dart at the rider there;
Grapple Il dozen hands at him, -
But grapple empty air;
For instant as the lghtning's wing
The charger, with Il wOndrous spring,
Is distant like a dart. -
Down, down both horse and rider sWeep:
Down. down full many a fathom deep,
While Sick shrlnks every heart. -, ss.
Silent the Red-men stare beneath:
Silent they hold their throbbing breath:
Silent they quail al such death.
Still earthward man and charger dash
ResOunding on the stream they crash.
While Ger them foams towering splash.
They cut the waters like a blade,
An instant dart from sight.
Bold man. bold beast of might
Bold man. bold beast. 50 undismayed-
That was the grandest leap e'er made
BY Red-man or by White!
But see. o see the rivers brim,
Where plays the bubbling tide!
A horse and rider struggling swim
To gain the further side
And now they reach the verdant shore;
Bold Campbell smiles again,
FOndles his charger DER and DER
Stroking his silky name.