The poetical works of Eliza Cook Author:Eliza Cook 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: MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. THE OLD ARM-CHAIR I Love it, I love it; and who shall dare To chide me for loving that old arm-chair ? I've treasured it long as... more » a sainted prize, I've bedewed it with tears, and embalmed it with sighs; 'Tis bound by a thousand bands to my heart; Not a tie will break, not a link will start. Would ye learn the spell ? a mother sat there, And a sacred thing is that old arm-chair. In childhood's hour I lingered near The hallowed seat with listening ear; And gentle words that mother would give, To fit me to die and teach me to live. She told me shame would never betide, With truth for my creed and God for my guide ; She taught me to lisp my earliest prayer, As I knelt beside that old arm-chair. I sat and watched her many a day, When her eye grew dim, and her locks were gray; And I almost worshipped her when she smiled And turned from her Bible to bless her child. Years rolled on, but the last one sped— My idol was shattered, my earth-star fled; I learnt how much the heart can bear, When I saw her die in that old arm-chair. 'Tis past! 'tis past! but I gaze on it now With quivering breath and throbbing brow: 'Twas there she nursed me, 'twas there she died ; And memory flows with lava tide. Say it is folly, and deem me weak, While the scalding drops start down my cheek ; But I love it, I love it, and cannot tear My soul from a mother's old arm-chair. SONG OF THE RUSHLIGHT. Oh, scorn me not as a fameless thing, Nor turn with contempt from the song I sing. 'Tis true, I am not suffered to be On the ringing board of wassail glee ; My pallid gleam must never fall In the gay saloon or lordly hall; Butmany a tale does the rushlight know Of secret sorrow and lonely wo. I am found in t...« less