Undertow of a TradeWind Surf Author:Making of America Project, George Hunt Clark Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: LIFE'S MERIDIAN. As when, at noon, some traveler tired, Rests on the summit of a hill, But with the glorious prospect fired Keeps heart and spirit buoyant... more » still, Till toward the land he has to tread He hends his weary steps once more, Where forests dark and wide o'erspread The hills and plains that stretch before; So, like that traveler, now I stand A moment at life's noon-day place, Where rises Memory's spectre band, And Hope averts her pallid face. Yet do I take my pilgrim staff, Resolved youth's promise to fulfill, Although life's best and brightest half Is past—for I have climbed the hill! Passion is dead, and Hope betrayed; Thought deepens o'er my clouded brow; I've lost the substance for the shade, And Love is but a memory now. With higher thought and purpose yet, I will pursue my journey on; I cannot, if I would, forget The lesson of my half life gone. Up, up faint heart! Be very bold, Nor linger in the race of life; Still on! nor let your faith grow cold, Nor waver in the coming strife. Undaunted still, beside the brave Press onward, with the goal in sight, Nor falter till ye reach the grave, And bow to its o'ennastering might. WINTER RHYMES. Come, wheel the arm-chair to the lire That blazes bright and high, While the storm raves and howls without And fills the gloomy sky: Let shrieking winds outside the door Play out their gusty part, So long as comfort reigns within, No winter chills the heart. Then let the storm, love, ring alarms, We've happy hours in store; If God but lends us hope and health, Why need we ask for more? Riches bring heavy thoughts and cares— No jot for gold care 1, I have a sunshine of the heart That wealth could never buy. Give me these welling ...« less