The Poets of Essex County, Massachusetts

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889. Excerpt: ... As she felt able, however, during the years that followed, from time to time she continued her literary advancement alone in her quiet home, and under much difficulty she has secured a position in the-world of letters. Most of her writings consist of poetry, of which she has been a great lover from earliest childhood. She began to rhyme at the age of nine years, and at thirteen constructed her first poem, though she did not publish anything until she was twenty-one. Her printed poems number over two hundred. She has also prepared stories and essays for the papers. She has never married, and has always resided with her mother near the railway station at Byfield, in an unpretentious cottage, devoting most of her leisure hours to literature. THE BROKEN SONG. Once, long ago, a deep-toned song I heard, And sweeter tuned than voice of singing bird, Or rippling rill, or childhood's ringing mirth; Aye, richer, deeper, stronger, grander far Than aught beside I ever heard on earth. And whether days were right or days were wrong, Still in my heart I heard the wondrous song, And in my soul of joy there was no dearth; But, ah! one day a discord entered in, And then the song was like all songs of earth. Sometimes I eagerly ask: Is it lost? Or is it I, alone and tempest-tossed, That cannot hear the sweet song wandering forth? Oh, will the heavy sea be ever calm, That I may hear the song again on earth? Sometimes, methinks, I catch its low refrain, But when I listen, lo, 'tis gone again; And then my soul this bitter wail sends forth: 'Tis lost, 'tis lost! Oh, foolish, vain regret, The song I heard I'll hear no more on earth. But I can die! Oh, blest the boon of death! For, oh, methinks, when stilled in life's last breath, I'll hear again those sweet strains pealing forth...