Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/634

 GEORGE TRUE. George True, a native of Mount Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, was born about the year 1830. His father was one of the pioneer preachers of central Ohio, and is still a citizen of Mount Vernon. George True wrote respectable verses when a boy, and became a favorite contributor to the county papers, as well as the generally selected poet for whatever local .celebrations, description, or story, in ver.-e, was ap- propriate. In January, 1856, Mr. True became the publisher of The Genius of the West, at Cincinnati, and when he discontinued that magazine, in June of the same year, connected himself with the editorial department of the Toledo (Ohio) Blade, in Avhich capacity he is now employed. DAWN. From the upland and the meadow Faded darkness' gloomy vail ; Night was fleeing, light was coming. And the stars were growing pale. All night long had weary watchers, By a couch of restless pain, Heard a faint voice ask the question : " When will mornino; come agrain ? " Watched the blushing sky, as morning Climbed the rugged eastern hills. Waited, tremblingly, his coming. Crowned with golden dalfodils. Softer eyes were turned with longing Toward the hill-tops' dusky brown ; Fairer tresses than the sunbeams Waited an immortal crown. Oh ! how earnestly out-gazing Watched those eyes, as high and higher Crept the roseate tinge, till softly Burned the mountain-tops with fire ; ((il Till the sweep of light's broad billows, Like a molten sea of gold, Burst the mountain-wall, and over All the plain its richness rolled. IV. Very often had that faint voice, Falling fainter every day. Wished for morning's ruddy coming, Wished the shadows all away. Very often toward the mountains Had those spiritual eyes Turned, with gaze each day more longing, Watched the morn-awakened skies. Hers that look, so calm and saintly. Though with pallor strangely vailed ; Hers that love, like heavenly fragrance, On the desert earth exhaled ; Hers the graces, such as only Crown the lovely, pure and good, Who, before they enter heaven. Have put on their angel-hood. Pligher still the sun ascending. Showed his broad and dazzling croAvn ; 8)