Page:Southern Life in Southern Literature.djvu/227

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ALEXANDER BEAUFORT *MEEK

[Alexander Beaufort Meek was born in Columbia, South Caro lina, in 1814. At an early age he removed with his parents to Ala bama, where he became lawyer, politician, editor. After the Civil War he removed to Columbus, Mississippi, where he died, in 1865. Besides poetry, he published a volume of orations and sketches.] A SONG The bluebird is whistling in Hillibee grove, Terra-re! Terra-re! His mate is repeating the tale of his love, Terra-re! But never that song, As its notes fleet along, So sweet and so soft in its raptures can be, As thy low-whispered words, young chieftain, to me. Deep down in the dell is a clear crystal stream, Terra-re! Terra-re! Where, scattered like stars, the white pebbles gleam, Terra-re! But deep in my breast, Sweet thoughts are at rest, No eye but my own in their beauty shall see; They are dreams, happy dreams, young chieftain, of thee. The honey-bud blooms when the springtime is green, Terra-re! Terra-re! And the fawn with the roe, on the hilltop is seen, Terra-re!