
MARGUERITE;OR, THE ISLE OF DEMONSAND OTHER POEMS
PREFACE.
SONNET.
EUDORA.
THE VOICE OF THE AGES.
THE WOODLAND WALK.
STREET WAIF.
THE SONG OF A GLORIFIED SPIRIT
BOUND TO THE WHEEL.
THE APPLE WOMAN.
A modest but heartfelt anthology, this volume gathers verses composed over many years of a bustling life in 19th‑century Canada. The poet ranges from tender sonnets and city sketches to vivid portraits of the rugged northern landscape, each piece echoing a different facet of the young nation’s character. Readers will hear the cadence of everyday moments—street waifs, market minstrels, the crisp air of a Montreal carnival—woven with a subtle, often nostalgic, lyricism.
At the heart of the collection lies the longer narrative poem “Marguerite, or the Isle of Demons,” a romantic legend set against the early colonial backdrop of New France. It follows a young woman caught in the brutal power of a tyrannical explorer, while an isolated, mist‑shrouded island teems with superstition and danger. The poem balances historical detail with a haunting, almost mythic atmosphere, inviting listeners to imagine the stark beauty and moral dilemmas of that era.
The overall tone is gentle yet resilient, reflecting both personal devotion and a broader love for the Canadian wilderness. The poet’s clear, melodic language makes each piece easy to follow, while occasional touches of the supernatural add a quiet intrigue. Listeners seeking a blend of history, nature, and heartfelt emotion will find this collection a rewarding listening experience.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (185K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Thanks to Tim Lindell, Paul Marshall and all the DP proofreading team.
Release date
2021-02-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1822–1900
Best remembered as a 19th-century Canadian poet, this Irish-born writer drew on memory, place, and history in work that links Ulster roots with life in Canada. His surviving poems suggest a thoughtful voice shaped by migration, teaching, and a strong sense of landscape.
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