Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/619

 HORACE EUBLEE. HoEACE RuBLEE, to whonx politics are now greater than poetry, holds the ofBce of State Librarian in Wisconsin, and is the editor of the State Journal, published at Madi- son. He was born, about thirty years ago, in Vermont ; he came to Wisconsin at the age of ten, and is consequently one of the "oldest inhabitants." We believe he no longer poetizes, and attributes his former poetry to youthful im- pressibility and inexperience. The following pleasant verses indicate the possession of a talent which should yet be cultivated. STEADFASTNESS. THOU who in the ways Of this rough world art faint and weary grown, Thy drooping head upraise, And let thy heart be strong ; for, better days, Trust still that future time will unto thee make known. In darkness, danger, pain. Despondency, misfortune, sorrow, all The woes which we sustain. Still be thou strong, from idle tears re- frain. And yet upon thy brow, in time, success shall fall. Banish that viewless fiend. Whose horrid presence men have named Despair ; Let all thy efforts tend Through life unto some great, some no- ble end. And life itself will soon a nobler aspect wear. As the soft breath of Spring Robes in bright hues the dark old Earth again, So would such purpose bring Thee back the buoyancy of youth, and fling Joy on thy aching heart unfelt through years of pain. Like the untrembling ray Of some clear planet, shining through the night, Pursue thy steady way ; And though through gloom and dark- ness it may lay. Thou shalt at last emerge and tread a path of light. But not by weak endeavor. By fickle course, faint-heartednesss, and fear, Canst thou expect to sever The massy links of error's chain ; for never Did they before aught else save stout strokes disappear. To the Steadfast alone The matchless glory of her un vailed form ( 603 )