John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892). The Poetical Works in Four Volumes. 1892.
Narrative and Legendary PoemsMary Garvin
F
Falls the Saco in the green lap of Conway’s intervales;
There, in wild and virgin freshness, its waters foam and flow,
As when Darby Field first saw them, two hundred years ago.
How changed is Saco’s stream, how lost its freedom of the hills,
Since travelled Jocelyn, factor Vines, and stately Champernoon
Heard on its banks the gray wolf’s howl, the trumpet of the loon!
Wide-waked To-day leaves Yesterday behind him like a dream.
Still, from the hurrying train of Life, fly backward far and fast
The milestones of the fathers, the landmarks of the past.
The loves and hopes and fears of old, are to our own akin;
And if, in tales our fathers told, the songs our mothers sung,
Tradition wears a snowy beard, Romance is always young.
O mill-girl watching late and long the shuttle’s restless play!
Let, for the once, a listening ear the working hand beguile,
And lend my old Provincial tale, as suits, a tear or smile!
The evening gun had sounded from gray Fort Mary’s walls;
Through the forest, like a wild beast, roared and plunged the Saco’s falls.
Over cedars darkening inland the smokes of Spurwink blew.
Right and left sat dame and goodman, and between them lay the dog,
Sitting drowsy in the firelight, winked and purred the mottled cat.
And his gray head slowly shaking, as one who speaks of death.
Since the Indians fell on Saco, and stole our child away.”
Of a great and common sorrow, and words were needed not.
On two strangers, man and maiden, cloaked and furred, the fire-light shone.
“Lives here Elkanah Garvin?” “I am he,” the goodman said.
And the goodwife drew the settle, and stirred the fire amain.
In her large, moist eyes, and over soft folds of dark brown hair.
Dear heart!” she cried, “now tell me, has my child come back to me?”
“Will you be to me a mother? I am Mary Garvin’s child!
She bade my father take me to her kinsfolk far away.
She said, ‘May God forgive me! I have closed my heart too long.
I sinned against those dear ones, and the Father of us all.
Better heresy in doctrine, than heresy of heart.
Never made her own flesh strangers, nor the claims of blood denied;
Earthly daughter, Heavenly Mother! thou at least wilt not condemn!’
As we come to do her bidding, so receive us for her sake.”
He woundeth, but He healeth; in her child our daughter lives!”
And, kneeling by his hearthstone, said, with reverence, “Let us pray.”
Warm with earnest life and feeling, rose his prayer of love and praise.
The stranger cross his forehead with the sign of Papistrie.
A chapel or a mass-house, that you make the sign of Rome?”
“Oh, forbear to chide my father; in that faith my mother died!
As they fall on Spurwink’s graveyard; and the dear God watches all!”
“Your words, dear child,” he answered, “are God’s rebuke to me.
Let me be your father’s father, let him be to me a son.”
From Spurwink, Pool, and Black Point, called to sermon and to prayer,
As by public vote directed, classed and ranked the people sit;
From the brave coat, lace-embroidered, to the gray frock, shading down;
Fain would thank the Lord, whose kindness has followed them through life,
Where she rests (they hope in God’s peace), has sent to them her child;
Not unworthy, through their weakness, of such special proof of love.”
And the fair Canadian also, in her modest maidenhood.
Thought the young men, “’T is an angel in Mary Garvin’s stead!”