Transcribed by an anonymous volunteer from a book owned by David Price, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
A LEAF FROM THE OLD FOREST.
POEMS BY JOHN D. COSSAR.
LONDON: SMART & ALLEN, LONDON HOUSE YARD, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1870.
A LEAF FROM THE OLD FOREST.
O bring me a leaf from the Old Forest, The forest of beauty and song; Where the Ettrick, through woods and fair meadows, Doth lead its sweet waters along.
O bring me a leaf from the Old Forest, A tuft from the glossy black pine; A leaf from the oak and high chestnut tree And a branch of green holly combine.
O bring me a leaf from the Old Forest, A token so sacred, O bring; 'Twill recall those bright scenes to remembrance, Old friendships around it will cling.
INDEX.
PAGE.
PRELUDE 5
KING NIMAERA 15
LORD HENRY OF THE EDEN-SIDE 87
MY MOTHER'S DEATH 107
THE WORLD'S END 127
THE SABBATH DAY 133
BEAUTY ADORNED 141
WALTER (AN ACROSTIC) 157
THE ARRIVAL IN LEITH DOCKS ON A VISIT TO SCOTLAND 158
RECOLLECTIONS (TO SARAH) 161
A STOLEN KISS 162
THE ORPHAN BOY 166
A BRIGHT DAY, AFTER A SEASON OF DULL WEATHER 167
MUSIC 169
THE EVIL ONE 172
FRIENDSHIP 174
TO THE SPIRIT OF POETRY 177
BOYISH DAYS 180
BEAUTY 182
MY SCHOOLMATES 184
THE DEPARTED YEAR 185
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: A Leaf from the Old Forest by John D. Cossar
- 2: And though my mission be a barren task
- 3: Spurn not a man because his years are few
- 4: Cast idle sloth and sinfulness away
- 5: Three great princes had Nimaera
- 6: Weemus was a prince the second
- 7: In his right hand Sero wielded
- 8: There a band of seraphs meet him
- 9: Loseth hope and loseth courage
- 10: Creaking with their heavy burden
- 11: Will you hearken to the stories I can give you of Nimaera
- 12: Bearing to their princely Sero
- 13: And his spirit was removed Unto Sero
- 14: Going unto every limit Where Nimaera great in power is
- 15: Prowling after luckless surfeit
- 16: Gliding o'er the restless billows
- 17: But I must not wander thuswise
- 18: Whereto oft the lonely mourner
- 19: Bear their record Of the throne of King Nimaera
- 20: Own the powers of King Nimaera
- 21: 'Twas by this Eden of the northern land
- 22: And give a spirit to my lonesome life
- 23: But day and night he saw her further wane
- 24: And she who spake Was lovely to behold
- 25: And there sojourned many years away
- 26: Seeking to lend Humble adorance
- 27: But as I heard these reapers sing
- 28: Is borne unto the still hallowed green
- 29: Alike the heedless and the godly sleep
- 30: Upon the lurid flame His chariot shall roll
- 31: The golden sheaf doth not the feeder fill
- 32: Which traced her features like a silvery stream
- 33: For she beheld they sought the outward charms
- 34: And years dealt listlessly away
- 35: Disclosed Realms of most wondrous beauty
- 36: And to close The mind awhile in tranquils sweet
- 37: In softest strains of melody appear
- 38: Still their richer sounds unfold
- 39: Gives to my heart a sacred flame
- 40: Where have all my schoolmates gone
- 41: No giddy grandeur vesteth thee
- 42: Is there no balm to heal its wounds
- 43: Wrapt in slumber's lightest sleep
- 44: Amid the passing strife Where man appears
- 45: Oh call me not a faithless friend