The U.E.: A Tale of Upper Canada 9781487589271

Table of contents :
Preface
Introduction
Canto First
Canto Second
Canto Third
Canto Fourth
Canto Fifth
Canto Sixth
Canto Seventh
Canto Eighth
Canto Ninth
Canto Tenth
Canto Eleventh
Canto Twelfth
ERRATA

Citation preview

Toronto Reprint Library of Canadian Prose and Poetry Douglas Lochhead, General Editor This series is intended to provide for libraries a varied selection of titles of Canadian prose and poetry which have been long out-of-print. Each work is a reprint of a reliable edition, is in a contemporary library binding, and is appropriate for public circulation. The Toronto Reprint Library makes available lesser known works of popular writers and, in some cases, the only works of little known poets and prose writers. All form part of Canada's literary history; all help to provide a better knowledge of our cultural and social past. The Toronto Reprint Library is produced in short-run editions made possible by special techniques, some of which have been developed for the series by the University of Toronto Press. This series should not be confused with Literature of Canada: Poetry and Prose in Reprint, also under the general editorship of Douglas Lochhead.

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS

Toronto Reprint Library of Canadian Prose and Poetry ©University of Toronto Press 1973 Toronto and Buffalo ISBN 0-8020-7513-4 Only publication was in 1859, but in two versions. Entire poem handset and printed by William Kirby at the 'Mail' printing shop. This reprint is the second version of the poem, Kirby having made some minor corrections and changes.

THE

U. E. A TALE OF

UPPER CANADA

" Contented Toil, and hospitable Care, And kind connubial Teuderness are the And Piety with wishes placed above, And steady Loyalty and faithful Love."

N I A G A R A . 1859,

Entered according to Act ofProvincialParlimentin the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Nine, by WILLAM KIRBr,in the Office of the Eng. istrar of the Province of canada.

PREFACE. The following poem was written in the year 1846, and With much diffidence, is now, for the first time; published by its author. Its design was mainly to pre s e r v e a few peculiar traits of a generation of men, now alasi nearly passed away : the United Empire Loyal ista of Canada ; those brave and devoted defendera of the British Crown, Connexion and Government, in the American Revolution, that ended in the partition of the Empire, and the settlement of Upper Canada, by the Loyalist Refugeen on the one hand, and the form ation of the United States on the other. The author is conrecious of many faults in his work; and although it has lain by, a longer timethanHoracerecommendseven; even, he fears its quality will not have improved by the keeping, as it has been wholly neglected during that time. ouch an it is however, he ventures to publish it, in the hope that his humble tribute to the memory of the noble Patriarchs of Upper Canada, who, with this goodly land, the fruit of their enrly toils and almoast incredible hardships, have left us the still nobler incheri tance of their patriotic and loyal example, may not bo unacceptable to Cannadian readers. For such must ever cherish the memory of the U. E. Loyalists, an a class of men Who individually and almost without exception,deservedthat fine encomium of the Roman poet " Cui Pudor, ct Justiice Soror, Incorrupt Fides, nudaque Veritas ; Quardo ullum invementparen?" NIAGAEA.1859

TO THE HON,

SIR JOHN BEVERLEY ROBINSON, B A R 0 N E T; CHIEF' JUSTICE OF U P P E R C A N A D A , THIS POEM IS (ay PERMISSION R E S P E C T F U L L Y D E D I CATEDT , THAT as Hay, LONG CONTENTS AS, HE HAS LONG BEXN, THE PARDE AND ORNAMENT OF OUR LAND,

WICHASHASINTURNDEFENDEDHASINTURNDEFENDEDWITHHISSWORD, ILUSTRATED WITH HIS SWORAD

AND DISTIGUISHED BY HIS SUPREME OF JUSTICE

THE SINGER DESIRE OF HIS MUCH OBLIGED

AND MontOEEDIENTARRVANT, THE AUTHOR.

A TALE OF

UPPEK CANADA. Introduction, In lono Canadian woods I raise my cong, Where lingering cu»s, the liummcrdsxys prolong, And rugged oak:s their lengthening F/hadou fitting, Athuaii the smujhiuc of the t'ilcnt spring Wliile blue Ontario, sparkling through tho IITCS, With rrialciul broom.* ianfl the Jiour of euyo. I/jt oti.ors fiir for foreign grandeurs roam, Dearei U» ino tlie lovcliuosa of home : Our oceiiM-laivCH Unit u proud to regions strange, Whevo beavers do.in, and herding bisons range. Our butindloj-'j woods where ra|ud rivers swccjp, And cloudy Cataracts in. Lhituder leap, Our hills and valoy with verdure ric.h and rare; 'Ncalh axurc slvirs that breathe ijumortc.l air, Our bur.liy bai»l:» v.iih birds and l.icrrics g.\v, Our gentle streams that v;ind themselves a(\ ay Through ilowp.ry inead,-; and fields of golden cory^'here Plenty iills brimful her copious horn, A.nd elieerl'nl loilfi and ruuil nportb endear tiach varied season of the circling year. J]ut glorious M.iro ! unto thcc belong Tho might and majesty of epic song.

6

THE IL E,

And thine with power and grand-cur to rehearse In all the pomp cf pan-harmonic verse, Gods and their works, and on the Lyre unbar The mighty symphonies of in*\n and war. Thee, Chief of song ! Let circling halos blaze Around thy head and crown imr?ortal bays, For me a wreath of modest cedar, still, ilay haply bloom on some Canadian kill. Then come my woodland Muse and fire ray tongue, And let my lips the moving strain prolong, Till warm with life and radiant from above, My lay be worthy of my country's love t

Canto FirstAnd first what lit my soul and poet's pride, Yon Mansion seated on the upland sido, Where shady orchards lovingly surround, And glisicning vanes o'ertop the rising ground j Where winding through the forest glades, are seen, Meadows r,nd cornfields, ail in gorgeous green, And flocks and herds, in grassy pastures run, Or in the reedy pool defy the noonday sun. Could my unpracticed hand, with truth portray, And virtue in a fitting guise array, Imperial Crcsar, in his proudest hour, Mig-hfc vail hie grandeur at yon simple door. IL

A L I tLou sweet, bard, who sawest with mournful ey« "The rural virtues from their Country fly," Here mights t behold tfxcra in their new-found homo, The hunfltcH of thia hospitable dome.

THE U. E.

7

Heart*/.hers together knit in fondest ties,With innocence and love supremely wise, In cheerful labours pass their peaceful daye, While grateful evening all their toil repays. Unseen, unenvied, in that blissful bower, The gauds of fashion or the pomps of power j And Schoolmen there, the use of life might scan, And learn that serving God is love to man.

III. Mow down in yonder mead where clover grov?a> Fragrant, as honey sweet, and ruddy glows, A sun-burnt band all lithe and bending away, With sinewy arms, the scythe, and toss the hay. A shaggy house-dog, and a lovely boy, His widowed mother's solace, pride and joy, With noisy glee, and merry riot, play Half-buried rolling in the new mown. hay. And sitting in the shade of yonder trees, To view their labours and recline at ease. The agod sire of him, who scythe in hand, With rural triumph heads the rustic band.The old man smiles with happy look benign, And in his son still leads the harvest line. His flowing locks of venerable grey, Adorn a brow clear as the sunny day, Thoughtful and kind, though traced* with many a care, N"o meanness ever set a wrinkle there. Mis placid lip, his mild composed eye, Reaming with light of an immortal sky, His stalwarth frame, and upright bearing, sc.an, On every single part is stamped, the man. IV.

But whore's Constance, who from his side hath goae, The widow of his first-Dora favorite Bon,

8

TIIl'J IT. K.

Who yond-or lies where weeping willows rrave And mournful bend above hia humble grave? Hia gallant Etbwald, who, v/hon v/[Id alarms, Rang through the band, Rebellion wan in arms I Forsook his fields and F.ei/ed his rifle true, And. bade hia dear Constjiw.c a last adieu j His noble heart on fire, he rushed svilh speed, To savo hi.4 country :il her utmost need j •V.:d still prcaaad for«{iT)o.sl of the faithful baud, Who quelled invasion arid piv.si.«r\ed the land; iJut.il, from lVcNeoU*s j>!:iiri« »v}j soon would wither iu the silent tomb. VL

The father sees with sympathizing vroo, If is favorite lie convulsed iu passion's ihroo, With throbbing heart, and Hlle£ coast sinks Cant beneath their eyes, And one blue watery circle bounds the skies \ Tho Pilot en.lla his uoat, mid from the fikle With hi:n, the IP.SC fond Jinks of homo divide. But mark that youth absorbed in silent grief, Tho changing ;!cen^ to him brings no relief. Though scarce sixteen, these arc no childish tears*. That weep some toy despipcd in riper years. The lust dim .speck of land arrests his, eyes, And sinks, und still he looks ixnd still lie sigha, While memory conjuring up each parted scene. Turns watery v/aslca to groves and meadows greon: Again he roves along tho banks of Swale And tunes his pipe fid own the bleating valcj Again, with lovely Constance by h?s side, Sweet words ixnd kinder looks }itr» care divide) In childhood .linked; thoy wont tho fields to rovr ; In riper yoiHh, 5»stincljvo sought the grove, Till to their thvoJ>bing hearts an utterance cnm'\ Th'?y kiicv/ they loved, mid. passion found a namnom drooped her heac, 'Twos but a parsing cloud, that instant (led,* His soul gazed on her from hia azure ej'cs. And in their depths she saw. true hope atisc. • Tis past, she said j let not my Ethwald fear Constance may be too weak her fate to bear. Yes ! as the sun descended only seems Awhilo retired to rise with, brighter beams, So ever faithful thou a^vin. v»ilt come To bless thy love and lead bcr to thy home. Now go I now ofo! my .eyes with darkness fill— { ace thcc not—-0 God f but hold thce still— A moment stay!—ho'a gone, and like a dart, Each parting 'footstep smote her breaking heart. XXII. But lapaing time doth dull the ed^e of grief, Tbc gentlest nurse that brings the heart relief,

THE U.K.

17

And Hope beams mildly as the polar star Through breaking clouds when tempests cease to war. Young Ethwald's soul grew patient and serene, Though gone the joyous mirth that once had been, A chastened light diffused its mellow rays Like Indian-Summer's soft and golden haze, Composed his looks and filled his eyes with thought, And all the boy at once to manhood brought. With filial love his aged sire ho tends, Or through the ship his watchful eye defends The heedless steps where little Eric strays. And with the jovial crew, exulting plays. The crew lie round in groups, with small avail They pipe the loitering winds to fill the sail That hangs in folds and idly flaps the mast; While on the deep, as if embedded fast, The ship sits motionless in proud disdain, Like some'huge rock that juts upon the plain. XXIII. A dreamy stillness hovers over 'the deep, And weary thoughts compose themselves to sleep. The cloudless skies look down, and face to face. Impress old Ocean, with a long embrace. The flaming sun shoots down his startling beams, To depths where MidgarrPrj hoary serpent dreams Of coining doomsday," as he restless glows, While banished mermaids fan his scaly brows. Upon the placid surface, dashing spray Of silver, marks the Dolphin's rapid play, And troops of flying-fish exulting spring, Defiant of the sea-bird's swooping wing. The grampus slowly turns his bulky side, 'Mid little nautili that round him glide, Erect their purple sail and ply their oar And cruise in fairy fleets the ocean o'er.

2

18

THE U. E.

XXIV. The broad expanded waters tremulous, seem Crusted with light beneath the solar beam. A shining path of molten gold, anon, Bridges the ocean to the sotting sun-, Whore seven-fold glories fill the glowing West. And Heaven reveals ite gorgeous halls of rest.' There, gates of Pearl iridescent, unfold The streets of God paved \vilh transparent gold. And Fancy hears I he sxvcol commingled tono Of Angels' harps, and voices round the throne. A glorious shadow of the real and true I Incomprehensible but to the few, Whose purged vision see the cords of light That earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, unite I XXV. Old Ocean now unwonted slumber takes j But. mark the hour when frosh the giant wakes, And chides the truant x.ephyrs' idle race. Who ceased to fan hui broad reclining lace* At last he stirs, and on the very edge Of sea and sky, appears a darker leclge ; A coming ripple heralds in the wind,""' And bulky clouds come trailing on behind. In thronging droves the Porpoise I'olls along, And lusty breezes pipe their rising song. The sails swell, out, the streamers play'above, Awl soon, the stately ship begins to move. >So moves the graceful sl.'ig who snu'fs the gale*, And smells the hunter following on the trail j With flanks in-drawn, and nostrils stretched wide Ho stamps his hoof and peers on every side, Ho hears the bay of his approaching foes, Awl .swiftly bounding through the woodland goes. XXVI. Now harder gusts scud o'er the thickening skies,

TIIEU.E.

19

In ri'lgrs deep and long the waters rise. A raid the shroud,", tho winds begin to wail, And dashing sprays bedew the tightened sail. As lowering skies o'ersprcad with deeper brown, Tho pitching ship toils heavier i;p and down j The rumbling din of storms is heard afar, And all betokens elemental war. The watchful sailors hear tho approaching gales, Take in (heir spars, and roof their bursting sails, And clear their eutubf.'ix'd decks, and all prepare. To meet the viewless demons of the air. XXVII. Younz Kthwakl viewed the scene 5 unwonted fire fll framed in his eyes as came the tempest nighcr, Vt"i!d throbbed his heart nud mingled awe and joy, Thrill;-.-; "very nerve of the enraptured boy. So iV'ols tho soMier. yet. 117 wars unstcelod, W!UMI first propnrmg for tho martial field ; His Foul to iuni-km strung, joys/ hopes and fears, Mix in hirf bron-1. and tingle in his cars. The coward imaUs, the gross heart never knows The terror swor-t. from scones like thc.se that flows The (5'i-lTiko rising of tho raptured soul. 'Mid crash of worlds nnd elements that roll.

XXVIII. TK: a^r-(] .Siro behold the raging scone. Wiih Chri - t i o i t confidcn.cc and tranquil mien ; Vi'hJIo on his lap his little Kric lay, Smiiod in h i » sleep, and drcamod of his play. Kthwald, s;ii«.i he j ? Tis inomcntH such as these, Ti;rit try iho f < » u l and prove it'* l»oa.