A prompt, decisive man, no breath Our father wasted: “Boys, a path!” Well pleased, (for when did farmer boy Count such a summons less than joy?) Our buskins on our feet we drew; With mittened hands, and caps drawn low, To guard our necks and ears from snow, We cut the solid whiteness through, And, where the drift was deepest, made A tunnel walled and overlaid With dazzling crystal: we had read Of rare Aladdin’s wondrous cave, And to our own his name we gave, With many a wish the luck were ours To test his lamp’s supernal powers. * * * * * ICHABOD. The following poem was written on hearing of Daniel Webster’s course in supporting the “Compromise Measure,” including the “Fugitive Slave Law”. This speech was delivered in the United States Senate on the 7th of March, 1850, and greatly incensed the Abolitionists. Mr. Whittier, in common with many New Englanders, regarded it as the certain downfall of Mr. Webster. The lines are full of tender regret, deep grief and touching pathos. SO fallen! so lost! the light withdrawn Which once he wore! The glory from his gray hairs gone For evermore! Revile him not,――the Tempter hath A snare for all! And pitying tears, not scorn and wrath, Befit his fall. Oh! dumb be passion’s stormy rage, When he who might Have lighted up and led his age Falls back in night. Scorn! would the angels laugh to mark A bright soul driven, Fiend-goaded, down the endless dark, From hope and heaven? Let not the land, once proud of him, Insult him now, Nor brand with deeper shame his dim Dishonor’d brow. But let its humbled sons, instead, From sea to lake, A long lament, as for the dead, In sadness make. Of all we loved and honor’d, nought Save power remains,―― A fallen angel’s pride of thought Still strong in chains. All else is gone; from those great eyes The soul has fled: When faith is lost, when honor dies, The man is dead! Then pay the reverence of old days To his dead fame; Walk backward with averted gaze, And hide the shame! Illustration: SOUVENIR OF WHITTIER OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES. POET, ESSAYIST AND HUMORIST.