A Leaf from the Old Forest

Transcribed by an anonymous volunteer from a book owned by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
poems by JOHN D. COSSAR.
london: Smart & Allen, London House Yard, Paternoster Row. 1870.
O bring me a leaf from the Old Forest, The forest of beauty and song; Where the Ettrick, through woods and fair meadows, Doth lead its sweet waters along.
O bring me a leaf from the Old Forest, A tuft from the glossy black pine; A leaf from the oak and high chestnut tree And a branch of green holly combine.
O bring me a leaf from the Old Forest, A token so sacred, O bring; ’Twill recall those bright scenes to remembrance, Old friendships around it will cling.
Critics of art, connoisseurs of fair Fame, Who on her bulwarks stand, to guard the way Unto the courts wherein her favored dwell, Where they have gained admittance by the pass “True merit,” which alone can bring them there; Thine is the power the unworthy to debar, To tell them that they are unfit to come To seek a standing near her honored throne. Away in sorrow the beseigers turn, Foiled in their effort, to more humble scenes, With showers of censure pouring round them fast,
And shame in volleys flying on to them. These are thy missiles, and they lose no mark, But bear sore torture to the vanquished wretch, Until oblivion hides him from their power. Stay they to barter, then the task is vain; ’Tis but a weary while they can withstand The many darts sent with a fatal aim. I make me bold to speak a word with thee, Though better far my tongue had held its peace, And though my mission be a barren task, And woe betide me in the course I take. If ye my motive deem it good to ask, In form of motto, I will give it thus: “He who doth not to battle venture forth No trophy takes, as they who go to win.” It is not meet that I should dare to judge If Merit tend me in the mission here; But I will trust that Honor may attend, And that ye will a fair decision give. I urge no claim to learning high and great, Nor kinship to the noble in descent, Nor hold a name to offer of renown; But from the ranks of secret come, unknown, And trust in time of fortune to advance, Then to behold thee in a happy mood. For men have moods which to their acts imply