birth,

The metal is solid, and massive, and

pure,

And wrought with all skill that an
artist can lend;

But there's something exists that
I value still more-

It is this; and the Master Designer,
I'm sure,

Took out from Humanity's mine the best ore

To make it-the generous heart of my friend.

OUR SOLDIERS' FAMILIES.

A PROLOGUE, DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF AN AMATEUR PERFORMANCE OF HAMLET FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SOLDIERS' FAMILIES IN CINCINNATI, FEBRUARY 6, 1865.

earth.

fancy roams,

And finds these patient patriots in their homes;

Finds them at quiet firesides-nobly there

Waiting beside the hero's empty chair;

Beside the chair, perchance, which

George,

glorious sight;

Mark the

them the Swan of Avon sings to-night,

The earth's great laureate, whose immortal skill

Created worlds and peopled them at will,

Whose wizard wand, at one majestic swing,

Could make a kingdom, or dethrone a king;

For them he bids the spectre monarch rise;

For them the sweet Ophelia sings and dies;

For them he asks a sovereign of our

To

own

leave to-night his magisterial throne,

To lay aside awhile his genial vein, To look, and think, and be the melancholy Dane.

Our soldiers' families! For them have come

This generous audience, packed from pit to dome.

For them (would it were worthier) here I lay

Upon their altar this, my light bou

quet;

And if, perchance, their kindly eyes should view

Among the leaves some random drops of dew,

Believe them each the poet's loving

tear

In secret shed beside some patriot's bier.

Newly descended from their high estate,

For them, be sure, the angels watch and wait;

Our patriot sires, who all our freedom gave,

Look down and bless the households

of the brave;

But, grander still, within his dome of domes,

God smiles His blessing on our Soldiers' Homes!