This eBook was produced by Sergio Cangiano Juliet SutherlandCharles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading TeamCANADA AND OTHER POEMSBYT F YOUNGPREFACEI introduce the following poetical attempts to the public with greatdiffidence I am not sure but a direct apology would be in better tastebut the strength derived from the purpose I had in view in writing andpublishing them sustains me without saying anything further by way ofexcuse Like Burns I wished to do something for my country and chosethis method of doing itThe literature of this country is in its infancy It must not alwaysremain so or the expectations we have in regard to making it a greatnation will never be fulfilled Literature gives life to a nation orrather it is the reflection of a nations life and thought in a mirrorwhich cheers strengthens and ennobles those who look into it and studywhat is there displayed Literature must grow with our nation and whengrowing it will aid the latters progress in no small degreePedantic critics may find fault with my modest productions and perhapsjustly in regard to grammatical construction and mechanicalarrangement but I shall be satisfied if the public discern a vein oftrue poetry glittering here and there through what I have just writtenThe public are the final judges of compositions of this sort and notthe writer himself or his personal friends It is they therefore whomust decide whether these humble attempts of my prentice hand shall benumbered with writings that  have been forgotten or whether theirauthor shall be encouraged to strike his lyre in a higher key toaccompany his Muse while she tries to sing in a loftier strainIn passing an opinion on my literary venture of course the youthfulstate of our country will be taken into consideration  for it is astate which necessarily tinges all of our productions literary orotherwise with a certain amount of crudity Consequently reasonablemen will not expect that felicity of expression and that ripeness andhappiness of thought which would be expected in the productions of anolder country although they may be aware that true poetry is not theresult of education or even the refinements of a nation long civilizedWith these words by way of introduction and explanation I dedicate thislittle book of mine to the Canadian public hoping that whatever theymay think of me as a poet they will not forget that I am a loyalCanadian zealous in behalf of anything that may tend to refineinstruct and elevate my country and anxious to see her take anhonourable stand among the other nations of the earthTHE AUTHORPORT ALBERT March 1887                                   CONTENTSCanadaYouthful FanciesSunriseChristmasNew Years DayHappinessLoveHateDisplayThoughtPurityIs There Room for the PoetIrelandDavids Lamentation over Saul and JonathanA Virtuous WomanThe Tempest StilledNatures Forces OursManLifeOde to ManThe Reading ManMan and His PleasuresLines in Memory of the Late Archdeacon Elwood AMThomas MooreRobert BurnsByronGoderichKelvinNiagara FallsAutumnA SunsetFarewellBy the LakeThe TeacherGrace DarlingThe IndianLines on the NorthWest RebellionLouis RielYe Patriot Sons of CanadaA Heros DecisionJohn and JaneThe Truant BoyA Swain to his SweetheartThe Fishermans WifeThe Diamond and the PebbleTemptationSlanderWomanSympathyLove and WineHow Natures Beauties Should be ViewedTo a CanaryThe SchoolTaught YouthA DreamA Snow StormTo Nova ScotiaThe Huntsman and His HoundThe Maple TreeThe Pine TreeA Sabbath Morning in the CountryCatching Speckled TroutA Protestant Irishman to his WifeMemories of School DaysVerses Written in Autograph Albums                                   POEMS                                   NEW YEARS DAYHail joyous morn Hail happy dayThat ushers in another yearFraught with what sorrow none can sayNor with what pain to mortals hereAnother year has rolld awayWith all its sorrows joys and fearsBut still the light of hopes glad rayYet beams within our heart and cheersOne year one span of time has passdSo swift to some to others slowBut it has gone and we should castAlong with it remorse and woeOf things weve done or only thoughtTis useless now the bitter tearOf actions unavailing wroughtLet them repose upon their bierWe should indeed een yet atoneFor what our reason says we canBut never let remorses groanDegrade us from our state as manLet us discharge the debts we oweBut still some debts will be unpaidBut we if we forgive alsoShould neer despairing feel afraidThe future is before us stillAnd to that future we should gazeWith hope renewd with firmer willTo tread lifes weary tangld mazeWe neer should let the gloomy pastBow down our heads in dark despairBut we should keep those lessons fastWhich een our follies taught us thereExperience so dearly boughtBy folly or by ignoranceShould in our inmost system wroughtOur daily life improve advanceThen let us press towards the goalThe common goal of all mankindGo on while seasons onward rollNor cast one fainting look behindAnd as we journey through this yearLet us in watchfulness bewareOf all that brings remorseful tearOr future terror and despairLet us with thoughtful vision scanEach step we take each act we doThat we may meet our brother manWith no unrighteous thing to rueA happy happy bright New YearI wish to all the sons of menWith happy hearts and merry cheerTill it has rolld its round again                                   TO A CANARYImprisond songster thou for meHath warbld many a cheerful layThy songs so sweetly glad and freeRevive my heart from day to dayThe frost is keen the wind is coldNo wildbird twitters from the sprayBut still resounding as of oldThy voice thrills forth