Republican Herald

POETRY.

The Farmer,
All the toils of summer o'er,
Reap'd and plenty round his door.
Who on earth noblest and free
As the Farmer?—Like the bee,
All the sweets of life are his—
Large and full his cup of bliss—
Who can envy thrones to kings,
When the plough such treasures brings?

See his works with profit crown'd—
Barns with hay-stacks huddled round,
Like a family, whom fear
Draws within a circle near
Stately steeds and cattle neat,
Cribs of corn and mows of wheat,
Thickly peopled in his fold—
Harmless sheep and lambs behold,
Like the Christian 'midst the din
Of a noisy world of sin—
Fowls oviparous cackling round,
Poised with one foot on the ground,
Meet their master as he comes,
Cluck their wants and shake their plumes
When at midnight all is still,
Hear the geese with voices shrill,
At the slightest thought of harm,
Raise the tocsin of alarm;
While from all the barn-yards round
Echoes back the screaming sound.

See the lofty turkey cock.
Monarch of the feather'd flock
Like a haughty potentate,
Strutting round the yard of state,
Filled with anger fierce and dread,
At the sight of daring red,
Swell'd and gobbling as he goes,
Dire destruction to his foes,
But like other tyrants he
Soon will lose his head you'll see.

Ere the morn unlocks her doors,
Whence a stream of day-light pours,
Ere the bacchanalian goes
From the cups to seek repose,
Hear the game cock's clarion peal,
Breaking sleep's mysterious seal
Like a summons from the skies,
Calling mortals to arise;
While each faithful sentinel
Answers loud that all is well.

Industry obeys the call,
Rises, hasten to the stall,
And replenishes with food
All his stock and all his brood,
Who around him gladly fly
To a bountiful supply.
Back the husbandman returns,
Where the fire now briskly burns,
Where the partner of his joys—
Ruddy girls and healthful boys,
Kneeling with him round the chairs,
Send to heaven their matin prayers;
Thus the year with him begins,
Thus the race to heaven he wins.