Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/604

 ALYIN ROBINSON. Alvin Robinson, a native of Cortland county, New York, was born in the month of May, 1830. His father was a farmer. Alvin enjoyed good common school ad- vantages, and then wandering westward seeking his fortune, spent several years in California. Returning to the Pacific States, he made his home in Chicago, Illinois, and is now the editor of The North- Western Home Journal. THE HOUSEHOLD SORROW.* A HOUSEHOLD sorrow lies on my heart. Heavy, and damp, and chill ! I feel the point of the fearful dart That wounds, but does not kill. The flashing orb of a noble mind That shown on life's bright river. Has sunk, a darkened moon, behind The hills of night forever. I watched its first faint, feeble ray Gleam out on a world of strife. And gladly saw the fountains play That measured the stream of life. I knew not then of the sword of fire That over my path would move. And probe with the keenness of despair The depth of a father's love. Under the vale of a midnight sky. On the morrow's wint'ry bars. To the pitiless stars I send my qyj — To the cold and passionless stars ! I call with a doubtful, fitful joy. That back from the starry plain, The wandering mind of my noble boy May come to our home again. ( 588 SUMMER ON THE PRAIRIES. 'Tis summer on the prairies, While their stretching miles of bloom Cast on the wild and wanton winds Their riches of perfume ; And while the wild cock blows his shell, The brown lark pours his staves, The broad savannas clap their hands And roll their emerald waves. There's a white cliff, like a tower, Looking down upon a stream, "Where the gray fox sees his image, Half asleep and half in dream ; And nortliward pass two pilgrim birds. Well pouched and very slow, That tell of isles in a southern sea, And the shores of Mexico. As my foithfiil Indian pony Gallops lightly o'er the plain. The startled fawn leaps up in fear. And stalks away the crane ; The sword-snipe circles through the air And screams his dismal tune, And the red wolf sits by his earthen den. And howls to the setting moon ! )
 * Written on occasion of the dementation of a gifted son.