In all the ups and downs of life—
Of which they’ve had their share—
They never knew domestic strife,
Or, if at all, ’twas rare.
They now seem standing on the verge
Of that unfathomed sea,
Just waiting for the final surge
That opes eternity.
When comes that surge, or soon or late,
May they in peace depart;
And meet within the shining gate,
No more to grieve or part.
[The Donation Visit.]
The following poem was read upon the occasion of a donation visit by the Head of Christiana congregation to their pastor, Rev. James I. Vallandigham.
Fair ladies dear, and gentlemen.
I thought not to be here to-day:
But I’m a slave, and therefore, when
My muse commands, I must obey.
I’ve struggled hard against her power,
And dashed her yoke in scorn away,
And then returned, within an hour,
And meekly bowed and owned her sway.
I know the ground on which I stand
And tremble like an aspen when
I see around, on every hand,
Such learned and such gifted men,
Who really have been to college,
And know the Latin and the Greek;
And are so charged with general knowledge
That it requires no little cheek
In an obscure and modest bard
To meet a galaxy so bright,—
Indeed, I find it rather hard
To face the music here to-night.