IN MEMORIAM.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 223, 17 February 1874, Page 6

IN MEMORIAM.

DAVID LIVINGSTONE. Down manv a giant stream, whose place of birth, Lies hidden in the distance from our ken, A nd from the nooks and corners of the earth. Where darkness shrouds the souls of savage men, A dirge steals softly on the breath of night, Which tells us of a noble spirit fled To find the mystic source of truth and light, And read the book that mortals have not read. Where shall we meet with courage true and grand As that which stayed the brave old wanderer’s heart ? Home, pleasure, friendship, love, and native land He left, to trace the world’s mysterious chart. Adown the valleys where Zambesi runs, Along the Nile, and hv Nyassa’s lake, To Earth’s degraded and benighted sons He brought the peaceful words which Jesus spake. The tameless Berber reigns his steed to gaze With wandering pity on that tranquil face ; The grateful Ethiopim chants the praise Of him who brought “glad tidings” to his race. When Livingstone is named, what fool shall dare To boast of war’s red tyrants, robed in blood, Who sacrifice the serfs for vultures’ fare, * Who call it glory, to give ravens food ?

When battle’s trumpets sound, and banners stream, The mad blood flies to the enthusiast’s brain, And where the war-drums roll and satires gleam, His fiery spirit seeks the purple plain. The yeoman, fenced within his narrow home, . Bursts the old links and seeks for freer skies;Nor fears to cross the ever-shifting foam, Hope tells his heart he goes to win a prize. But this great man left all wealth’s gifts behind, Ease could not bind him to his native shore ; His bosom glowed to benefit his kind, To bear off knowledge and return with more. He marched through trackless wilds and deserts drear Although Death’s footsteps dogged his every pace ; The cause he lived for shielded him ’gainst fear, His soul could meet the Spectre face to face.

Array the monarch's dust in pomp and pride, Whilst flatterers bis doubtful virtues sing ; A grander death this great old victor died Than England’s boldest duke or bravest king, Xo cultivated sigh, nor polished tear Bedecks the couch whereon our hero sleeps ; A purer tribute falls upon his bier, For lo ! above his corse the savage weeps. Thomas Bracken. —Evening Star.