Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1911-12-02
John Alden

Into the open air John Alden, per
picked and bewildered,
Rushed like a man insane, and wan
dered alone by the seaside;
Paced up and down the sands, and
barred his head to the east wind,
Cooling his heated brow, and the fire
and fever within him.
Slowly as out OF the heavens, with
apocalyptical splendors,
Sank the City of God, in the vision
OF John the Apostle,
so, with its cloudy walls of chrysolite,
jasper, and sapphire
Sank the broad red sun, and over It's
turrets uplifted
Glimmered the golden reed of the
angel who measured the city.
Welcome, o wind of the East" he
exclaimed in his wild exultation.
welcome, o wind of the East. from
the caves of the misty Atlantic
Blowing DER fields of dulse, and
measureless meadows of sea
grass,
Blowing DER rocky wastes, and the
grottos and gardens of ocean,
Lay thy cold, moist hand on my burn
ing forehead, and wrap me
Close in thy garments of mist. to al
lay the fever within mel"
Like an awakened conscience. the
sea was moaning and tossing,
Beating remorseful and loud the mu-
table sands of the sea-shore.
Fierce In his soul was the struggle
aEd tumult of passions contend
ing;
Love triumphant and crowned. and
friendship wounded and bleeding.
Passionate cries OF desire, and i'm
Fortunate pleadings OF duty
Us It my fault" he said. that the
maiden has chosen between us?
bs Il Az fault that he failed,-my fault
that am the victoc?"
Then within him there Numbered a
voice, like the voice OF the
prophet:
TT hath displeased the Lordl"-and
he thought of Dayid's transgres-
sion,
Bathshebas beautiful face. and his
friend in the front OF the battle!
Shame and confusion of guilt, and
abasement and se1f-condemnation
Overwhelmed him at once; and he
cried in the deepest contrition:
1T hath displeased the Lordl 1t is
the temptation of Satan!"
Then uplifting his head. he looked
at the sea, and beheld there
Dmly the shadowy form of the May
flower riding at anchor,
Rocked on the rising tide, and ready
to sail on the morrow;
Heard the voices of men through the
mist, the rattle of cordage
Thrown on the deck, the shouts Of the
mate. and the sailors AYE, aye,
" siri"
Clear and distinct. but not loud. in
Tss dripping air of the twilight
Sull for moment he stood. and
listened, and stared at the vessel
Then went hurriedly on, as one who
seeing a phantom,
Stops, then quickens his pace, and
follows the beckoning shadow.
Yes. it is plain to me now" he muir
INJURED; "the hand Of the Lord if
Leading me out of the land of dark
ness, the bondage Of error.
Through the sea, that shall lift the
walls of its waters around me.
Hiding me- cutting me OF, from the
cruel thoughts that pursue me.
Back will l go Ger the ocean, this
dreary land will abandon.
Her whom may not love. and hin
whom my heart has offended.
Better to be in my grave in the greer
old churchyard in England,
Close by my mothers side, and among
the dust of my kindred;
Better be dead and forgotten, than iv
ing in shame and dishonorl
Sacred and safe and unseen, in the
dark of the narrow chamber
With me my secret shall die. like I
buried jewel that glimmers
Bright on the hand that is dust, In thu
chambers of silence and dark
ness
Yes. as the marriage ring Of the grea
espousal hereafter"
Thus as he spake, he turned. in tn
strength Of his strong resolution
Leaving behind him the shore, an
hurried along IN the twilight,
Through the congenial gloom Of tn
forest silent and somber,
TIL he beheld the lights IN the seve
houses Of Plymouth,
Shining like seven stars IN the dus
and mist Of the evening.
Soon he entered his door, and foun
the redoubtahle Captain
sitting alone, and absorbed in IN
martial pages OF Caesar.