Produced by Susan Skinner, Tom Allen, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the DP Team MEMORIES OF CANADA AND SCOTLAND _SPEECHES AND VERSES_ BY THE RIGHT HON. THE MARQUIS OF LORNE K.T., G.C.M.G., &C. DEDICATED WITH RESPECT AND AFFECTION TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA CONTENTS _VERSES ON CANADIAN SUBJECTS._ CANADA, 1882 QUEBEC PROLOGUE--GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MARCH 1879 CANADIAN NATIONAL HYMN CANADIAN RIVER RHYMES THE CANADIAN ROBIN MILICETE LEGEND OF THE RIVER ST. JOHN THE GUIDE OF THE MOHAWKS THE STRONG HUNTER THE ORIGIN OF THE INDIAN CORN THE ISLES OF HURON THE MYSTIC ISLE OF THE "LAND OF THE NORTH WIND" WESTWARD HO! THE SONG OF THE SIX SISTERS THE PRAIRIE ROSES CREE FAIRIES THE "QU'APPELLE" VALLEY THE BLACKFEET SAN GABRIEL, ON THE PACIFIC COAST NIAGARA ON CHIEF MOUNTAIN CUBA ON THE NEW PROVINCE "ALBERTA" _VERSES CHIEFLY FROM HIGHLAND STORIES._ GAELIC LEGENDS COLHORN LOCH BÚY THE HARD STRAIT OF THE FEINNE TOBERMORY BAY, 1588 LOCH UISK, ISLE OF MULL THE LADY'S ROCK THE POOL OF THE IRON SHIRT INVERAWE AN ISLESMAN'S FAREWELL PREFACE TO DIARMID'S STORY GRINIE'S FLIGHT WITH DIARMID THE DEATH OF THE BOAR KING ARTHUR AND THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN SEANN ORAN GAILIC DUNOLLY'S DAUGHTER THE ARMADA GUN CAVALRY CHARGE--KÖNIGGRÄTZ THE IRISH EMIGRANT, 1880 THE IRISH EMIGRANT, 1883 SONG SONNET ON THE DEATH OF LORD F. DOUGLAS SADOWA ON A FOREIGN WAR-SHIP'S SALUTE TO THE QUEEN'S STANDARD _SPEECHES AND ADDRESSES._ FAREWELL ADDRESS AT INVERARAY EMBARKING AT LIVERPOOL REPLY TO THE LIVERPOOL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO THE MUNICIPALITY OF LONDONDERRY AT MONTREAL--TO THE ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY AT MONTREAL--REPLY TO THE CITIZENS' ADDRESS AT OTTAWA--REPLY TO THE CITIZENS' ADDRESS AT OTTAWA--DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOL PRIZES AT KINGSTON--ON RECEIVING THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS OF QUEEN'S COLLEGE AT KINGSTON--TO THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEEN'S COLLEGE AT KINGSTON--TO THE CADETS OF THE ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE AT MONTREAL--REVIEW ON THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY, 1879 AT MONTREAL--OPENING OF AN ART INSTITUTE AT QUEBEC--REPLY TO ADDRESS OF THE CITY CORPORATION AT QUEBEC--LAVAL UNIVERSITY AT TORONTO--TORONTO CLUB DINNER AT ST. JOHN, N.B. AT ST. JOHN, N.B.--REPLY TO ADDRESS OF THE CITY CORPORATION AT FREDERICTON--REPLY TO ADDRESS OF THE CITY CORPORATION IN KINGS' COUNTY, N.B.--REPLY TO ADDRESS OF THE MUNICIPALITY AT TORONTO--REPLY TO ADDRESS OF THE CITY CORPORATION AT BERLIN, ONTARIO--REPLY TO ADDRESS OF THE GERMAN RESIDENTS AT OTTAWA--EXHIBITION OF 1880 AT OTTAWA--EXHIBITION OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN ACADEMY OF ART AT QUEBEC--FESTIVAL OF ST. JEAN BAPTISTE AT HAMILTON--OPENING OF PROVINCIAL FAIR AT MONTREAL--OPENING OF PROVINCIAL FAIR AT MONTREAL--LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE REDPATH MUSEUM OF THE MCGILL COLLEGE AT CHAMBLY--UNVEILING THE STATUE OF COLONEL DE SALABERRY AT ST. THOMAS--GATHERING OF HIGHLANDERS AT WINNIPEG--IMPRESSIONS OF A TOUR IN THE NORTHWEST AT WINNIPEG--SOCIETY OF ST. JEAN BAPTISTE OF MANITOBA AT WINNIPEG--REPLY TO ADDRESS OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF ST. BONIFACE--MANITOBA AT WINNIPEG--REPLY TO ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF MANITOBA COLLEGE AT FORT SHAW, MONTANA--FAREWELL TO THE NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE AT OTTAWA--INCEPTION OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA AT SAN FRANCISCO, CAL--REPLY TO ADDRESS OF THE BRITISH RESIDENTS AT VICTORIA, B.C.--SPEECH AT A PUBLIC DINNER AT OTTAWA--MEETING OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION AT OTTAWA--SECOND MEETING OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA AT TORONTO--REPLY TO ADDRESSES OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY AND OF THE ONTARIO SOCIETY OF ARTISTS AT OTTAWA--FAREWELL ADDRESS OF THE PARLIAMENT OF CANADA REPLY EXTRACT FROM THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE _APPENDIX._ AT TORONTO--EXHIBITION OF ARTS AND MANUFACTURES AT TORONTO--REPLY TO ADDRESS AT THE QUEEN'S PARK AT OTTAWA--REPLY TO ADDRESS OF THE CITY CORPORATION AT MONTREAL--REPLY TO ADDRESS OF THE CITY CORPORATION AT QUEBEC--REPLY, OCT. 20TH 1883, TO ADDRESS OF THE CITY CORPORATION VERSES ON CANADIAN SUBJECTS. _CANADA_, 1882. "Are hearts here strong enough to found A glorious people's sway?" Ask of our rivers as they bound From hill to plain, or ocean-sound, If they are strong to-day? If weakness in their floods be found, Then may ye answer "Nay!" "Is union yours? may foeman's might Your love ne'er break or chain?" Go see if o'er our land the flight Of Spring be stayed by blast or blight; If Fall bring never grain; If Summer suns deny their light, Then may our hope be vain! "Yet far too cramped the narrow space Your country's rule can own?" Ah! travel all its bounds and trace Each Alp unto its fertile base, Our realm of forests lone, Our world of prairie, like the face Of ocean, hardly known! "Yet for the arts to find a shrine, Too rough, I ween, and rude?" Yea, if you find no flower divine With prairie grass or hardy pine. No lilies with the wood, Or on the water-meadows' line No purple Iris' flood! "You deem a nation here shall stand, United, great, and free?" Yes, see how Liberty's own hand With ours the continent hath spanned, Strong-arched, from sea to sea: Our Canada's her chosen land, Her roof and crown to be! _QUEBEC._ O fortress city, bathed by streams Majestic as thy memories great, Where mountains, floods, and forests mate The grandeur of the glorious dreams, Born of the hero hearts who died In founding here an Empire's pride; Prosperity attend thy fate, And happiness in thee abide, Pair Canada's strong tower and gate! May Envy, that against thy might Dashed hostile hosts to surge and break, Bring Commerce, emulous to make Thy people share her fruitful fight, In filling argosies with store Of grain and timber, and each ore, And all a continent can shake Into thy lap, till more and more Thy praise in distant worlds awake. Who hath not known delight whose feet Have paced thy streets or terrace way; From rampart sod or bastion grey Hath marked thy sea-like river greet. The bright and peopled banks which shine In front of the far mountain's line; Thy glittering roofs below, the play Of currents where the ships entwine Their spars, or laden pass away? As we who joyously once rode Past guarded gates to trumpet sound, Along the devious ways that wound O'er drawbridges, through moats, and showed The vast St. Lawrence flowing, belt The Orleans Isle, and sea-ward melt; Then by old walls with cannon crowned, Down stair-like streets, to where we felt The salt winds blown o'er meadow ground. Where flows the Charles past wharf and dock. And Learning from Laval looks down, And quiet convents grace the town. There swift to meet the battle shock Montcalm rushed on; and eddying back, Red slaughter marked the bridge's track: See now the shores with lumber brown, And girt with happy lands which lack No loveliness of Summer's crown. Quaint hamlet-alleys, border-filled With purple lilacs, poplars tall, Where flits the yellow bird, and fall The deep eave shadows. There when tilled The peasant's field or garden bed, He rests content if o'er his head From silver spires the church-bells call To gorgeous shrines, and prayers that gild The simple hopes and lives of all. Winter is mocked by garbs of green, Worn by the copses flaked with snow,-- White spikes and balls of bloom, that blow In hedgerows deep; and cattle seen In meadows spangled thick with gold, And globes where lovers' fates are told Around the red-doored houses low; While rising o'er them, fold on fold, The distant hills in azure glow. Oft in the woods we long delayed, When hours were minutes all too brief, For Nature knew no sound of grief; But overhead the breezes played, And in the dank grass at our knee, Shone pearls of our green forest sea, The star-white flowers of triple leaf Which love around the brooks to be, Within the birch and maple shade. At times we passed some fairy mere Embosomed in the leafy screen, And streaked with tints of heaven's sheen, Where'er the water's surface clear Bore not the hues of verdant light From myriad boughs on mountain height, Or near the shadowed banks were seen The sparkles that in circlets bright Told where the fishes' feast had been. And when afar the forests flushed In falling swathes of fire, there soared Dark clouds where muttering thunder roared, And mounting vapours lurid rushed, While a metallic lustre flew Upon the vivid verdure's hue, Before the blasts and rain forth poured, And slow o'er mighty landscapes drew The grandest pageant of the Lord: The threatening march of flashing cloud, With tumults of embattled air, Blest conflicts for the good they bear! A century has God allowed None other, since the days He gave Unequal fortune to the brave. Comrades in death! you live to share An equal honour, for your grave Bade Enmity take Love as heir! We watched, when gone day's quivering haze, The loops of plunging foam that beat The rocks at Montmorenci's feet Stab the deep gloom with moonlit rays; Or from the fortress saw the streams Sweep swiftly o'er the pillared beams; White shone the roofs, and anchored fleet, And grassy slopes where nod in dreams Pale hosts of sleeping Marguerite. Or when the dazzling Frost King mailed Would clasp the wilful waterfall, Fast leaping to her snowy hall She fled; and where her rainbows hailed Her freedom, painting all her home, We climbed her spray-built palace dome, Shot down the radiant glassy wall Until we reached the snowdrift foam, As shoots to waves some meteor ball. Then homeward, hearing song or tale, With chime of harness bells we sped Above the frozen river bed. The city, through a misty veil, Gleamed from her cape, where sunset fire Touched louvre and cathedral spire, Bathed ice and snow a rosy red, So beautiful that men's desire For May-time's rival wonders fled: What glories hath this gracious land, Fit home for many a hardy race; Where liberty has broadest base, And labour honours every hand! Throughout her triply thousand miles The sun upon each season smiles, And every man has scope and space, And kindliness, from strand to strand, Alone is born to right of place! Such were our memories. May they yet Be shared by others, sent to be Signs of the union of the free And kindred peoples God hath set O'er famous isles, and fertile zones Of continents! Or if new thrones And mighty States arise, may He Whose potent hand yon river owns Smooth their great future's shrouded Sea! _PROLOGUE._ GOVERNMENT HOUSE, _March_ 1879. A moment's pause before we play our parts, To speak the thought that reigns within your hearts.-- Now from the Future's hours, and unknown days, Affection turns, and with the Past delays; For countless voices in our mighty land Speak the fond praises of a vanished hand; And shall, to mightier ages yet, proclaim The happy memories linked with Dufferin's name. Missed here is he, to whom each class and creed, Among our people lately bade "God speed;" Missed, when each Winter sees the skater wheel In ringing circle on the flashing steel; Missed in the Spring, the Summer and the Fall, In many a hut, as in the Council Hall; Where'er his wanderings on Duty's hest Evoked his glowing speech, his genial jest. We mourn his absence, though we joy that now Old England's honours cluster round his brow, And that he left us but to serve again Our Queen and Empire on the Neva's plain! Amidst the honoured roll of those whose fate It was to crown our fair Canadian State, And bind in one bright diadem alone, Each glorious Province, each resplendent stone, His name shall last, and his example give To all her sons a lesson how to live: How every task, if met with heart as bold, Proves the hard rock is seamed with precious gold, And Labour, when with Mirth and Love allied, Finds friends far stronger than in Force and Pride, And Sympathy and Kindness can be made The potent weapons by which men are swayed. He proved a nation's trust can well be won By loyal work and constant duty done; The wit that winged the wisdom of his word Set forth our glories, till all Europe heard How wide the room our Western World can spare For all who nobly toil and bravely dare. And while the statesman we revere, we know In him the friend is gone, to whom we owe So much of gaiety, so much which made Life's duller round to seem in joy repaid. These little festivals by him made bright, With grateful thoughts of him renewed to-night, Remind no less of her who deigned to grace This mimic world, and fill therein her place With the sweet dignity and gracious mien The race of Hamilton has often seen; But never shown upon the wider stage Where the great "cast" is writ on History's page, More purely, nobly, than by her, whose voice Here moved to tears, or made the heart rejoice, And who in act and word, at home, or far, Shone with calm beauty like the Northern Star! Green as the Shamrock of their native Isle Their memory lives, and babes unborn shall smile And share in happiness the pride that blends Our country's name with her beloved friends! _A NATIONAL HYMN._ GOVERNMENT HOUSE, _March_ 1880. From our Dominion never Take Thy protecting hand, United, Lord, for ever Keep Thou our fathers' land! From where Atlantic terrors Our hardy seamen train, To where the salt sea mirrors The vast Pacific chain. Aye one with her whose thunder Keeps world-watch with the hours, Guard Freedom's home and wonder, "This Canada of ours." Fair days of fortune send her, Be Thou her Shield and Sun! Our land, our flag's Defender, Unite our hearts as one! One flag, one land, upon her May every blessing rest I For loyal faith and honour Her children's deeds attest Aye one with her, &c. No stranger's foot, insulting, Shall tread our country's soil; While stand her sons exulting For her to live and toil. She hath the victor's guerdon, Her's are the conquering hours, No foeman's yoke shall burden "This Canada of ours." Aye one with her, &c. Our sires, when times were sorest, Asked none but aid Divine, And cleared the tangled forest, And wrought the buried mine. They tracked the floods and fountains, And won, with master-hand, Far more than gold in mountains, The glorious Prairie-land. Aye one with her, &c, O Giver of earth's treasure, Make Thou our nation strong; Pour forth Thine hot displeasure On all who work our wrong! To our remotest border Let plenty still increase, Let Liberty and Order, Bid ancient feuds to cease. Aye one with her, &c. May Canada's fair daughters Keep house for hearts as bold As theirs who o'er the waters Came hither first of old. The pioneers of nations! They showed the world the way; Tis ours to keep their stations, And lead the van to-day. Aye one with her, &c. Inheritors of glory, O countrymen! we swear To guard the flag whose story Shall onward victory bear. Where'er through earth's far regions Its triple crosses fly, For God, for home, our legions Shall win, or fighting die! Aye one with her, &c. _RIVER RHYMES_ 1. We have poled our staunch canoe Many a boiling torrent through; Paddling where the eddies drew, Athwart the roaring flood we flew. _Chorus--_ Dip your paddles! make them leap, Where the clear cold waters sweep. Dip your paddles! steady keep, Where breaks the rapid down the steep. 2. Where the wind, like censer, flings Smoke-spray wider as it swings, Hark! the aisle of rainbow rings To falls that hymn the King of kings. 3. Lifting there our vessel tight, Climbed we bank and rocky height, Bore her through thick woods, where light Fell dappling those green haunts of Night. 4. O'er the rush of billows hurled, Where they tossed and leaped and curled, Past each wave-worn boulder whirled, How fast we sailed, no sail unfurled! 5. Laughs from parted lips and teeth Hailed the quiet reach beneath, Damascened in ferny sheath, And girt with pine and maple wreath. 6. Oh, the lovely river there Made all Nature yet more fair; Wooded hills and azure air Kissed, quivering, in the stream they share. 7. Plunged the salmon, waging feud 'Gainst the jewelled insect-brood; From aerial solitude An eagle's shadow crossed the wood. 8. Flapped the heron, and the grey Halcyon talked from cedar's spray, Drummed the partridge far away;-- Ah! could we choose to live as they! _LEGEND OF THE CANADIAN ROBIN_ Is it Man alone who merits Immortality or death? Each created thing inherits Equal air and common breath. Souls pass onward: some are ranging Happy hunting-grounds, and some Are as joyous, though in changing Form be altered, language dumb. Beauteous all, if fur or feather, Strength or gift of song be theirs; He who planted all together Equally their fate prepares. Like to Time, that dies not, living Through the change the seasons bring, So men, dying, are but giving Life to some fleet foot or wing. Bird and beast the Savage cherished, But the Robins loved he best; O'er the grave where he has perished They shall thrive and build their nest. Hunted by the white invader, Vanish ancient races all; Yet no ruthless foe or trader Silences the songster's call. For the white man too rejoices, Welcoming Spring's herald bird, When the ice breaks, and the voices From the rushing streams are heard. Where the Indian's head-dress fluttered, Pale the settler would recoil, And his deepest curse was uttered On the Red Son of the soil. Later knew he not, when often Gladness with the Robin came, How a spirit-change could soften Hate to dear affection's flame: Knew not, as he heard, delighted, Mellow notes in woodlands die, How his heart had leaped, affrighted At that voice in battle-cry. For a youthful Savage, keeping Long his cruel fast, had prayed, All his soul in yearning steeping, Not for glory, chase, or maid; But to sing in joy, and wander, Following the summer hours, Drinking where the streams meander, Feasting with the leaves and flowers. Once his people saw him painting Red his sides and red his breast, Said: "His soul for fight is fainting, War-paint suits the hero best;" Went, when passed the night, loud calling, Found him not, but where he lay Saw a Robin, whose enthralling Carol seemed to them to say; "I have left you! I am going Far from fast and winter pain; When the laughing water's flowing Hither I will come again!" Thus his ebon locks still wearing, With the war-paint on his breast, Still he comes, our summer sharing, And the lands he once possessed. Finding in the white man's regions Foemen none, but friends whose heart Loves the Robins' happy legions, Mourns when, silent, they depart. _WERE THESE THE FIRST DISCOVERERS OF AMERICA?_ MILICETE LEGEND OF THE OUANGONDÉ, OR RIVER ST. JOHN. Though the ebbing ocean listens To Ugondé's throbbing roar, Calm the conquering flood-tide glistens Where the river raved before. [1] [1] The Bay of Fundy tide rises to such a height that it flows up the St. John River channel to some distance, silencing the roar of the Calls, which pour over a great ledge of rock left by the ebbing sea. Taken very literally from a tale in the "Amaranth Magazine," 1841. So the sea-brought strangers, stronger Than their Indian foes of old, Conquered, till were heard no longer War-songs through the forests rolled. Yet the land's wild stream, begotten Where its Red Sons fought and died, With traditions unforgotten Strives to stem Oblivion's tide; Tells the mighty, who, like ocean, Whelm the native stream, how they First in far dim days' commotion, Wrestling, fought for empire's sway. Hear the sad cascade, ere ever Sinks in rising tides its moan, True may be the tale, though never By the victor ocean known. Now the chant rings softly, finding Freedom as the sea retires; Loudly now, through spray-tears blinding Throb and thunder silver lyres; Silenced when the strong sea-water To its great' heart, limitless, Rising, takes the valley's daughter, Soothes the song of her distress. UGONDÉ'S TALE. For a while the salt brine leaves me O'er my terraced rocks to fall, And my broad swift-gliding waters Olden memories recall. Ere the tallest pines were seedlings With my life-stream these were blent; As a father's words, like arrows Straight to children's hearts are sent, So my currents speeding downwards, Ever passing, sing the same Story of the days remembered, When the stranger people came. Men of mighty limbs and voices, Bearing shining shields and knives, Painted gleamed their hair like evening, When the sun in ocean dives. Blue their eyes and tall their stature, Huge as Indian shadows seen When the sun through mists of morning Casts them o'er a clear lake's sheen. From before the great Pale-faces Fled the tribes to woods and caves, Watching thence their fearful councils, Where they talked beside the waves. For they loved the shores, and fashioned Houses from its stones, and there Fished and rested, danced at night-time By their fire and torches' glare. Sang loud songs before the pine-logs As they crackled in the flame, Raised and drank from bone-cups, shouting Fiercely some strange spirit's name. Turning to the morning's pathway, Cried they thus to gods, and none Dared to fight the bearded giants, Children of the fire and sun. From their bodies fell our flint-darts, Yet their arrows flew, like rays Flashing from the rocks where polished By the ice in winter days. Then the Indians prayed the spirits Haunting river, bank, and hill, To let hatred, like marsh vapour, Rise among their foes and kill. And they seemed to heed, for anger Often maddened all the band, Fighting for some stones that glittered Yellow on Ugondé's sand. Seeing axe and spear-head crimson, Hope illumined doubt and dread, And our land's despairing children Called upon the mighty dead. All the Northern night-air shaking, Rose the ancients' bright array, Burning lines of battle breaking Darkness into lurid day. But the stranger hearts were hardened, Fearless slept they; then at last Our Great Spirit heard, and answered From his home in heaven vast. For his waving locks were tempests, And the thunder-cloud his frown; Where he trod the earthquake followed, And the forests bowed them down. As his whirlwind struck the mountains, Rent and lifted, swayed the ground; Winged knives of crooked lightning Gleamed from skies and gulfs profound. Floods, from wonted channels driven, Roared at falling hillside's shock; What was land became the torrent, What was lake became the rock. Now the river and the ocean, Whispering, say: "Our floods alone See white skeletons slow-moving Near the olden walls of stone." Moving slow in stream and sea-tide, There the stranger warriors sleep, And their shades still cry in anguish Where the foaming waters leap. _THE GUIDE OF THE MOHAWKS_. For strife against the ocean tribe The Mohawks' war array Comes floating down, where broad St. John Reflects the dawning day. A camp is seen, and victims fall, And none are left to flee; A maid alone is spared, compelled A traitress guide to be. The swift canoes together keep, And o'er their gliding prows The silent girl points down the stream, Nor halt nor rest allows. "Speak! are we near your fires? How dark Night o'er these waters lies!" Still pointing down the rushing stream, The maiden naught replies. The banks fly past, the water seethes; The Mohawks shout, "To shore! Where is the girl?" Her cry ascends From out the river's roar. The foaming rapids rise and flash A moment o'er her head, And smiling as she sinks, she knows Her foemen's course is sped; A moment hears she shriek on shriek From hearts that death appals, As, seized by whirling gulfs, the crews Are drawn into the falls! _THE STRONG HUNTER._ There's a warrior hunting o'er prairie and hill, Who in sunshine or starlight is eager to kill, Who ne'er sleeps by his fire on the wild river's shore, Where the green cedars shake to the white rapids' roar. Ever tireless and noiseless, he knows not repose, Be the land filled with summer, or lifeless with snows; But his strength gives him few he can count as his friends, Man and beast fly before him wherever he wends, For he chases alike every form that has breath, And his darts must strike all,--for that hunter is Death!! Lo! a skeleton armed, and his scalp-lock yet streams; From this vision of fear of the Iroquois' dreams! _MON-DAW-MIN_; OR, THE ORIGIN OF THE INDIAN-CORN. Cherry bloom and green buds bursting Fleck the azure skies; In the spring wood, hungering, thirsting, Faint an Indian lies. To behold his guardian spirit Fasts the dusky youth; Prays that thus he may inherit Warrior strength and truth. Weak he grows, the war-path gory Seems a far delight; Now he scans the flowers, whose glory Is not won by fight. "Hunger kills me; see my arrow Bloodless lies: I ask, If life's doom be grave-pit narrow, Deathless make its task. "For man's welfare guide my being, So I shall not die Like the flow'rets, fading, fleeing, When the snow is nigh. "Medicine from the plants we borrow, Salves from many a leaf; May they not kill hunger's sorrow, Give with food relief?" Suddenly a spirit shining From the sky came down, Green his mantle, floating, twining, Gold his feather crown. "I have heard thy thought unspoken; Famous thou shall be; Though no scalp shall be the token, Men shall speak of thee. "Bravely borne, men's heaviest burden Ever lighter lies; Wrestling with me, win the guerdon; Gain thy wish, arise!" Now he rises, and, prevailing, Hears the angel say: "Strong in weakness, never failing, Strive yet one more day. "Now again I come, and find thee Yet with courage high, So that, though my arms can bind thee, Victor thou, not I. "Hark! to-morrow, conquering, slay me, Blest shall be thy toil: After wrestling, strip me, lay me Sleeping in the soil. "Visit oft the place; above me Root out weeds and grass; Fast no more; obeying, love me; Watch what comes to pass." Waiting through the long day dreary, Still he hungers on; Once more wrestling, weak and weary, Still the fight is won. Stripped of robes and golden feather, Buried lies the guest: Summer's wonder-working weather Warms his place of rest. Ever his commands fulfilling, Mourns his victor friend, Fearing, with a heart unwilling, To have known the end. No! upon the dark mould fallow Shine bright blades of green; Rising, spreading, plumes of yellow O'er their sheaves are seen. Higher than a mortal's stature Soars the corn in pride; Seeing it, he knows that Nature There stands deified. "'Tis my friend," he cries, "the guerdon Fast and prayer have won; Want is past, and hunger's burden Soon shall torture none." _THE ISLES OF HURON_ Bright are the countless isles which crest With waving woods wide Huron's breast,-- Her countless isles, that love too well The crystal waters whence they rise, Far from her azure depths to swell, Or wanton with the wooing skies; Nor, jealous, soar to keep the Day From laughing in each rippling bay, But floating on the flood they love, Soft whispering, kiss her breast, and seek No passions of the air above, No fires that burn the thunder-peak. Algoma o'er Ontario throws Fair forest heights and mountain snows; Strong Erie shakes the orchard plain At great Niagara's defiles, And river-gods o'er Lawrence reign, But Love is king in Huron's isles. _THE MYSTIC ISLE OF THE "LAND OF THE NORTH WIND."_ (KEEWATIN.) A land untamed, whose myriad isles Are set in branching lakes that vein Illimitable silent woods, Voiceful in Fall, when their defiles, Rich with the birch's golden rain, See winging past the wildfowl broods. Blue channels seem its dented rocks, So steeply smoothed, but crusted o'er With rounded mosses, green and grey, That oft a Southern coral mocks Upon this Northern fir-clad shore, 'Neath tufted copse on cape and bay. Here sunshine from serener skies Than Europe's ocean-islands know Ripens the berry for the bear, And pierces where the beaver plies His water-forestry, or slow The moose seeks out a breezy lair. The blaze scarce spangles bush or ferns, But lights the white pine's velvet fringe And its dark Norway sister's boughs; At eve between their shadows burns The lake, where shafts of crimson tinge The savage war-flotilla's prows. Far circling round, these seem to shun An isle more fair than all beside, As if some lurking foe were there, Although upon its heights the sun Shines glorious, and its forest pride Is fanned by summer's joyous air. For 'mid these isles is one of fear, And none may ever breathe its name. There the Great Spirit loves to be; Its haunted groves and waters clear Are homes of thunder and of flame; All pass it silently and flee, Save they who potent magic learn, Who lonely in that dreaded fane Resist nine days the awful powers: And, fasting, each through pain may earn The knowledge daring mortals gain, If life survive those secret hours! _WESTWARD HO!_ Away to the west! Westward ho! Westward ho! Where over the prairies the summer winds blow! Why known to so few were its rivers and plains, Where rustle so tall in their ripeness the grains? The bison and Red-men alone cared to roam O'er realms that to millions must soon give a home; The vast fertile levels Old Time loved to reap The haymaker's song hath awakened from sleep. Away to the West! Westward ho! Westward ho! Why waited we fearing to plant and to sow? Not ours was the waiting! By God was ordained The hour when the ocean's grey steeds were up-reined, And green marshes rose, and the bittern's abode Became the Lone Land where the wild hunter strode, And soils with grass harvests grew rich, and the clime For us was prepared in the fulness of Time! Away to the West! Westward ho! Westward ho! For us 'twas prepared long ago, long ago! There came from the Old World at last o'er the sea, The bravest and best to this land of the free; And, leal to their flag, won the fruits of the earth By might that has given new nations a birth, But found in our North-land a bride to be known More worthy than all of the love of the throne. Away to the West! Westward ho! Westward ho! God's hand is our guide; 'tis His will that we go! To lands yet more happy than Europe's, for here We mould the young nation for Freedom to rear. Full strongly we build, and have nought to pull down, For, true to ourselves, we are true to the Crown; The will of the people its honour shows forth, As pole-star, whose radiance points steadfastly north. Away to the West! Westward ho! Westward ho! Where rooted in Freedom shall Liberty grow! Right good is the loam that for five score of days Its rolling lands show, or its plains' scented ways: Nor used is the pick, if the earth has concealed The waters it keeps for the house and the field; The spade finds enough, until burst on the sight Our Rocky Sierras' sweet rivers of light. Away to the West! Westward ho! Westward ho! From mountains and lakes there the great rivers flow! If told of Brazil or great Mexico's gold, Of Cotton States' warmth and of Canada's cold, Go say how we prize, like the ore of the mine, The snows sapphire-shadowed in winter's sunshine; --Our gayest of seasons! which guards the good soil For races who won it through faith and through toil. Away to the West! Westward ho! Westward ho! Bright sparkles its winter, and light is its snow! There gaily, in measureless meadows, all day The sun and the breeze with the grass are at play, In billows that never can break as they pass, But toss the gold foam of the flower-laden grass, The bright yellow disks of the asters upcast On waves that in blossoms flow silently past. Away to the West! Westward-ho! Westward ho! Where over the prairies the summer winds blow. The West for you, boys! where our God has made room For field and for city, for plough and for loom. The West for you, girls! for our Canada deems Love's home better luck than a gold-seeker's dreams. Away! and your children shall bless you, for they Shall rule o'er a land fairer far than Cathay. Away to the West! Westward ho! Westward ho! Thou God of their fathers, Thy blessing bestow! _THE SONG OF THE SIX SISTERS._ [Manitoba, Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Athabasca, Alberta, and British Columbia.] At a feast in the east of our central plains, Girt with the sheaths of the wheaten grains, Manitoba lay where the sunflowers blow, And sang to the chime of the Red River's flow: "I am child of the spirit whom all men own, My prairie no longer is green and lone, For the hosts of the settler have ringed me round, And his bride am I with the harvest crowned." On her steed at speed o'er her burning grass We saw Assiniboia pass: "The bison and antelope still are mine, And the Indian wars on my boundary-line; Where his knife is dyed I love to ride By the cactus blooms or the marshes wide, While the quivering columns of thunder fire Give light to the darkened land's desire." "To the North look ye forth," cried the voice of one, Who dwells where the great twin rivers run;-- "Or farther yet," Athabaska cried, "Where mightier waters the hills divide: 'Peace' is their name, and the musk ox there Still feeds alone on the meadows fair." "Nay, stay," said the first; "the white man's word Hath called me the kindest to horse and herd." From on high where the sky and the snow-born rill Each morn and eve to the rose-tints thrill, Sang the fairy Sprite of the Fountain Land: "A daughter of her, whose sceptred hand With the flag of the woven crosses three Hath rule o'er the ocean, hath christened me, And my waves their homage repeat again, And that standard greet in the loyal main." And their lays in her praise then sang the four: "Alberta has all we can boast and more: The scented breath of the plains is hers, The odours sweet of the sage and firs; There the coal breaks forth on her rolling sod, And the winters flee at the winds of God. Columbia, come! for we want but thee; Now tell of thyself and thy silent sea!" "Clad with the silver snow, a pine Guarded the grot of a golden mine, And dark was the shade which the mist-wreaths cast Though brightly they shone on the mountain vast. Stars and sun o'er that cavern swept, Where on the glittering sand I slept; But none could behold me, or know where was stored More treasure than monarch e'er won with the sword. Floods in fathomless torrents fall Through the awful rifts of the Alpine wall, Where I passed in the night over forest and glen, O'er the ships on the sea and the cities of men-- Swifter than morn! His shafts of love Behind me caught the peaks above, But touched not my wings: I had gone e'er he came Where the vine-maple fringed the deep forest with flame. Strewn o'er the sombre walls of green In saffron or in crimson sheen, How lovely those gardens of autumn, where rolled In smoke and in fire the red lava of old! Soon I reached my sea-girt home Sheltered from the breakers' foam. Seek not for mine isle, for a thousand and more Lie asleep in the calm near the mountainous shore. Oft I roam in moon ray clear With the puma and the deer; From the boughs of Madrôna that droop o'er a bay I watch the fish dart from the beams of the day. Mine are tranquil gulfs, nor give Sign to lovers where I live; But the sea-rock betrays where my netting is hung, When the meshes of light o'er its mosses are flung!" She ceased, and then in chorus strong The blended voices floated long:-- "No sirens we, of shore or wave, To sing of love and tempt the brave: We fled their path, and freedom found Where blue horizons stretched around, And lilies in the grasses made A double sunshine on each blade. No wooers we, but, wooed by them, We yield our maiden diadem, And welcome now, no longer mute, Tried hearts so true and resolute!" _THE PRAIRIE ROSES._ The Noon-Sun prayed a prairie rose To blanch for him her blossom's hue, But to the Plain all love she owes; Beneath that mother's grass she grew. And sheltered by her verdant blades, Their tints of green she made her own; But still the Sun sought out her shades And said, "Be my white bride alone!" Then, sorrowing for his grievous pain, Her sister loved the amorous god, And blushed, ashamed, as o'er the plain His parting beams illumed the sod. So one sweet rose yet wears the green, And one in sunset's crimson glows; Still one untouched by love is seen, And one in conscious beauty blows. _CREE FAIRIES_. "Did earth ever see On thy prairie's line Tribes older than thine, Old Chief of the Cree?" "Before us we know Of none who lived here; Our shafts bade them go. "But others have share Of lake and of land, A swift-footed band No arrow can scare. "Their coming has been When flowers are gay; On islet and bay Their footprints are seen. "There dance little feet Light grasses they break; Beneath the blue lake Must be their retreat. "We listen, and none Hears ever a sound; But where, lily-crowned, Floats the isle in the sun, "Three children we see Like sunbeams at play. And, voiceless as they, Dogs bounding in glee. "Of old they were there! Ever young, who are these Whom Death cannot seize? What Spirits of air?" _THE "QU'APPELLE" VALLEY._ Morning, lighting all the prairies, Once of old came, bright as now, To the twin cliffs, sloping wooded From the vast plain's even brow: When the sunken valley's levels With the winding willowed stream, Cried, "Depart, night's mists and shadows; Open-flowered, we love to dream!" Then in his canoe a stranger Passing onward heard a cry; Thought it called his name and answered, But the voice would not reply; Waited listening, while the glory Rose to search each steep ravine, Till the shadowed terraced ridges Like the level vale were green. Strange as when on Space the voices Of the stars' hosannahs fell, To this wilderness of beauty Seemed his call "Qu'Appelle? Qu'Appelle?" For a day he tarried, hearkening, Wondering, as he went his way, Whose the voice that gladly called him With the merry tones of day? Was it God, who gave dumb Nature Voice and words to shout to one Who, a pioneer, came, sunlike, Down the pathways of the sun? Harbinger of thronging thousands, Bringing plain, and vale, and wood, Things the best and last created, Human hearts and brotherhood! Long the doubt and eager question Yet that valley's name shall tell, For its farmers' laughing children Gravely call it "The Qu'Appelle!" _THE BLACKFEET_ I. Where the snow-world of the mountains Fronts the sea-like world of sward, And encamped along the prairies Tower the white peaks heavenward; Where they stand by dawn rose-coloured Or dim-silvered by the stars, And behind their shadowed portals Evening draws her lurid bars, Lies a country whose sweet grasses Richly clothe the rolling plain; All its swelling upland pastures Speak of Plenty's happy reign; There the bison herds in autumn Roamed wide sunlit solitudes, Seamed with many an azure river Bright in burnished poplar woods. II. Night-dews pearled the painted hide-tents, "Moyas" named, that on the mead Sheltered dark-eyed women wearing Braided hair and woven bead. Never man had seen their lodges, Never warrior crossed the slopes Where they rode, and where they hunted Imu bulls and antelopes. Masterless, how swift their riding! While the wild steeds onward flew, From round breasts and arms unburdened Freedom's winds their tresses blew. Only when the purple shadows Slowly veiled the darkening plain Would they sorrow that the Sun-god Dearer loved his Alp's domain. III. Southward, nearer to the gorges Whence the sudden warm winds blow, Shaking all the pine's huge branches, Melting all the fallen snow, Dwelt the Séksika, the Blackfeet; They whose ancestor, endued, With the dark salve's magic fleetness, First on foot the deer pursued. Gallantly the Braves bore torture While their Sun-dance fasts were held, While the drums beat, and the virgins Saw the pains by manhood quelled. As each writhing form triumphant Called on the Great Spirit's might, On his son, whose voice in thunder Summons airy hosts to fight. IV. "Star-Child," praised as bearing all things, Praised as Brave who never feared, Young, but famed above his elders, Chief to man and maid endeared, Went with comrades, quiver-harnessed, O'er the hills, and face to face, Where the bright leaves trembled round them, Found the fearless huntress race Was it peace or was it warfare? Starting back, their bows they drew, But a mystic power compelled them, And no word, no arrow flew. Nearer to each other drawing, Strength and beauty beckoned "Peace," Each the other envious eyeing, Jealous lest their hunt should cease! V. "They are strong; could not they aid us?" Thought the maiden band amazed; "Conquered, these could well obey us!" Dreamed the warriors as they gazed. Falsely answered cunning "Star-Child," Smiling as they slowly met, While the women's frequent questions Were to laughter's music set, "Who is chief among you, tell us?" "He is far! Is she your queen With the shells and deer-teeth broidered, Decked with sheen of gold between?" "Yea; she slays the bear, the grizzly: Light her empire on us lies; With the love she rules her courser Guides and guards us 'Laughing Eyes'!" VI. Vaunted then the men their "Star-Child:" "Peerless soldier, keen-eyed king! From the girl he weds shall heroes Worthy war-god's lineage spring. Know ye not how old enchantment Saw his storm-born sire appear, Armed, upon a peak dark-lifted O'er the snows and glaciers drear? His the darts divine, whose breaking Thrice hath some disaster sent, Shafts that killed and then returning, Kept his armoury unspent." "Give us of these arrows. Bring him!" Cried the maidens. "Nay," they said; "Come with us and share our hunting Ere the autumn leaves are shed." VII. Answered they: "In painted lodges Berries we have dried and meat; Come again! e'er comes the winter, Let us hear your horses' feet." And they sprang into their saddles, Swept, white-splashing, through a stream Red and saffron hued, the pageant Crossed the blue translucent gleam. Then unwilling, as they vanished, "Star-Child" slow to camp returned; Told the council of the Blackfeet All the marvels he had learned; Dressed him in his chief's apparel, Rode to where, within the glen, Lay the trail that led him onward To the town, unknown of men. VIII. From each Moya thronged the dwellers: "Hath the chief the arrows sent?" "I am Chief; behold me; trust me. Lead me to your ruler's tent." "He hath not the shafts enchanted; Thus unarmed came never chief!" Bent a thousand bows around him: "Back or die, impostor, thief!" Angry, yet afraid to anger, Lest he lose those "Laughing-Eyes," He, obeying, vowed to conquer; Scorning to make vain replies, Went; and weary seemed the journey! All along the yellow plain Red as rose-leaves in the grasses Flushed his dusky cheeks with pain. IX. Grave, in silent circles seated 'Neath their Moya's smoke-tanned cone, Round the fire his chieftains heard him, Holding each a pipe's red stone. Pausing long, they gave their counsel, Different from their wont; for here All the young men spoke for kindness, All the old men were severe. But the Braves rode forth at morning, Half the magic darts they bore; Pledge so precious of their friendship None had thought to give before! To the huntress nation welcome, Waking song in every tent, Where the hours were passed in feasting And the days to love were lent! X. Thus the maidens were the victors, For to them the warriors came: "Laughing-Eyes" but loved the "Star-Child" When his shafts her own became. Ah! but where is man or woman Who may boast of triumph long? Nought abides, and mighty nations Cannot ever more be strong. So each huntress found a master, Yielding to her heart's new birth, And no more along the prairie Beat her steed the sounding earth. Yearly yet the Blackfeet women Meet and dance and sing the day When through love they won, and, winning, Freedom passed with love away! _SAN GABRIEL, ON THE PACIFIC COAST._ Grey-cowled monk, whose faith so earnest Guides these Indians' childlike hearts, As their hands to toil thou turnest, Teaching them the Builder's arts, Speak thy thought! as now they gather Round the white walls on the plain, Rearing them for God the Father, And the glory of New Spain. "Thou, St. Gabriel, knowest only Why thy holy bells I raise, To no turret proud and lonely, There to sound the hours of praise;-- Why I keep them close beside me, Framed within the church's walls, Here where heathen lands shall hide me Until death to judgment calls." Then St Gabriel in high heaven Told the saints this mortal's lot, As the Angelus at even Rose to day that dieth not; And from out the nightly wonder Of the darkened world would float, Mingling with the near sea's thunder, Yonder belfry's golden note. "Two there were, whose loves were blighted By the Spanish pride abhorred, And their vows and wealth they plighted To the Missions of the Lord. For his church these bells she gave him, When within their glowing mould, She had cast what were her treasures, --All her ornaments of gold. "So do these, that to his seeming Were but good as touched by her, Ring to seek for love redeeming All who sorrow, all who err. Yes, though human love be ever Heard upon the throbbing air, This shall make his life's endeavour Stronger through a woman's prayer. "God is not a Lord requiring Sacrifice of memories dear, And their love in life untiring To His life hath brought then near. Thus his wish to have beside him That which seems her voice, is good: Lovingly the Lord hath tried him, And his heart hath understood." _NIAGARA_ A ceaseless, awful, falling sea, whose sound Shakes earth and air, and whose resistless stroke Shoots high the volleying foam like cannon smoke! How dread and beautiful the floods, when, crowned By moonbeams on their rushing ridge, they bound Into the darkness and the veiling spray; Or, jewel-hued and rainbow-dyed, when day Lights the pale torture of the gulf profound! So poured the avenging streams upon the world When swung the ark upon the deluge wave, And, o'er each precipice in grandeur hurled, The endless torrents gave mankind a grave. God's voice is mighty, on the water loud, Here, as of old, in thunder, glory, cloud! _ON CHIEF MOUNTAIN_ A GREAT ROCK ON THE AMERICAN NORTH-WEST FRONTIER. Among white peaks a rock, hewn altar-wise, Marks the long frontier of our mighty lands. Apart its dark tremendous sculpture stands, Too steep for snow, and square against the skies. In other shape its buttressed masses rise When seen from north or south; but eastward set, God carved it where two sovereignties are met, An altar to His peace, before men's eyes. Of old there Indian mystics, fasting, prayed; And from its base to distant shores the streams Take sands of gold, to be at last inlaid Where ocean's floor in shadowed splendour gleams. So in our nations' sundered lives be blent Love's golden memories from one proud descent! _CUBA_ Spake one upon the vessel's prow, before The sinking sun had kissed the glittering seas: "'Twas here Columbus with his Genoese Steered his frail barks toward the unknown store, With hope unfaltering, though all hope seemed o'er; Calm 'mid the mutineers the prophet mind Saw the New World to which their eyes were blind, Heard on its continents the breakers' roar, Told of the golden promise of the main, While cursed his crew, and called a madman's dream The land his ashes only hold for Spain! It rose on dim horizon with the gleam Of morn, proclaiming to the kneeling throng All treasures theirs, because one heart was strong." _ON THE NEW PROVINCE "ALBERTA."_ [This Province was called after the Princess, one of whose Christian names is Alberta.] In token of the love which thou hast shown For this wide land of freedom, I have named A province vast, and for its beauty famed, By thy dear name to be hereafter known. Alberta shall it be! Her fountains thrown From alps unto three oceans, to all men Shall vaunt her loveliness e'en now; and when, Each little hamlet to a city grown, And numberless
{'title': 'Memories of Canada and Scotland — Speeches and Verses by Argyll', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}