Niagara Falls 



1847 Coles, ABRAHAM. Niagara. (In his The microcosm, and other 



Col« poems. N. Y.: Appleton. 1881. Pp. 219-222.) 



An apostrophe to the majesty, might, swiftness, and awfulness of 

 Niagara. The author feels that 



Though this may seem, 

 Type of Eternity, 'twill pass away, 

 A murmurous dream. 



1848 



1848 BULKLEY, C. H. A. Niagara. A poem. N. Y.: Leavitt, Trow 



Bulkley & Co. 1848. P. 55. 



The author tells us that these 3,600 lines are an attempt to answer the 

 demand for a " poem of more than ordinary length, truly American in its 

 character " on Niagara Falls. He says that his " object has been not so 

 much to describe at length the scenery of Niagara, in order to excite 

 emotions in the reader similar to those of the beholder, for this would be 

 vain endeavor, as to give a transcript of what passes through the mind of 

 one who is supposed to witness so grand an achievement of nature." The 

 poem is tedious, with commonplace intervals, although it occasionally rises 

 to the heights of true poetry. The analysis which follows gives an idea 

 of the ambition and scope of the undertaking. 



Analysis 



Introductory apostrophe — themes proposed. Apostrophe to 

 the Fall as a vast form of life. The presence-chamber of God. A 

 knight-errant. Restless spirits. The streams — their lament — < 

 its uselessness. The Torrent like Time. A mourner over men 

 and nations. The Indian — his chase — his death-song — his 

 fall. Apostrophe to the Cataract as a Destroyer — an Historian 



— a warning Prophet — an oracle of Truth — a Chronicler 

 undying — a tireless Laborer — and unswayed by man. The 

 islands — refuge-spots — so are some hearts. Winter — the 

 Fall ice-imprisoned. Spring — with a song of Liberty. Apos- 

 trophe to Niagara River — passage down its banks. The Cliffs 



— Death of Hungerford. The Cave of the Winds. The Pin- 



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