[@3Some time since the writer was introduced to a gentleman, who politely requested his acceptance of a handsome walking-stick, giving him at the same time its interesting history, which is as follows: It had been the property, and daily companion of a gentleman (a member of the Church of England), who although a layman, most laudably employed several evenings in each week preaching to, and instructing the peasantry in different cottages in his neighbourhood. This gentleman, upon a certain occasion, gathered what he supposed to be mushrooms, in eating which, himself, a sister, and a little boy were poisoned@1.—AUTHOR'S NOTE.] HE, whose warm hand had often pressed Thy smoothly rounded head, Is where the "weary are at rest," There hath thine owner fled. ... And often as he leaned on thee In copse, or flowery glen; O! did he not in vision see The wretchedness of men? At other times, when lifting thee In gay and curving swing, 'Twas his a brighter scene to see And of that scene to sing. Good as thou art, he clearly knew, Although thou wast his stay, Thy virtues would recede from view, Thyself fall in decay. ... But in a dark and trying hour (Man hath his days of woe!), He found in vegetable power A dreadful, deadly foe! His heart corroded—sank to rest, No more to ope life's way; His hand no longer on thee pressed, Thyself no more his stay! He resteth where the nettles spring, Not having aid from thee; On that account I of thee sing, Who now belongst to me! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OF THE MANNER OF ADDRESSING CLOUDS by WALLACE STEVENS AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA by OSCAR WILDE RENEWAL by GLADYS NAOMI ARNOLD STANZAS by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD WINTER SONG by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN FLEUR DE LIS by GRACE EVELYN BROWN SORDELLO: BOOK 5 by ROBERT BROWNING LINES WRITTEN IN ROUSSEAU'S LETTERS OF AN ITALIAN NUN. by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |