Repository: UIHistories Project: Illio - 1895 [PAGE 103]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

©fee to a pipe.

Creation paused to take survey and everything was good; And Adam had an easy time with lots of fruit and food, And then began the doubtful task of making something best, Some crowning glory to fulfill proud Nature*s high behest. So man was soundly put to sleep and from his side was slashed A being so entrancing fair, that Adam was so mashed That when she saw the fruit forbid (which really did look best) And vowed, protested, and declared 'twas better than the rest, Defied the law and tasted it, he tasted too, 'twas sad, For all things topsy-turvy turned, and everything was bad. And oh, how changed was human fate, When once outside the garden gate! The ground which smiled beneath his feet, With blossoms gay and blossoms sweet, Frowned dark with thorns and thistles now: Bend low, O man, thy sweating brow. The labor question then took on its hydra-headed life, For Adam had to go to work to feed his pretty wife. One only thing from Paradise he brought for good or ill, To lead him up or lure him down, her smile entranced him still. Full near six hundred centuries had told the death of years, Which brought no cure for earthly cares, no solace for its tears, Till England had a woman king, who played the deuce with men, And sent them off when thus she pleased and whistled back again. When Walter Raleigh took his turn in banishment to groan. In western wilds he found a weed a barter for her throne. Our thanks to thee, O kingly queen, who sent thy lover o>r the sea, For, lo, he brought care's healing balm when he came back to thoe. Three hundred years of thanks are due from labor's rugged brow, From heavy hearts and fleet ing homes, we can defy them now Let maiden's frown and Tovo forget; Let woman tease and children fret; Let empty purse and clamorous debt; Let Fortune do her bitter worst; Let banks collapse and bubbles burst; Let tariff low or tariff high Make honors flee or votes pu by. My heels shall seek for some tall rest. With slumberous peace upon my breast, My half-closed eyes see visions olest, With sweet content, a welcome guest, I calmly drift away 'neath amber skies I - l; If from my pipo the curling vapors rise.

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