Like a brotherless hermit, the last of its race, Sweet bud of the wilderness! emblem of all But patience shall never depart.... Though the wilds of enchantment, all vernal and bright Be hush'd, my dark spirit! for wisdom condemns, Through the perils of chance, and the scowl of disdain, Ah, even the name I have worship'd in vain, Shall awake not the sigh of remembrance again! To bear, is to conquer our fate! ON THE DEATH OF A BELOVED AND ONLY SON. TRANSLATED FROM A DANISH INSCRIPTION. Can mortal solace ever raise Or fate restore a form so dear As that which lies unconscious here, Ah no, my Darco, latest given Nor warn'd of all my future woe, But, loosing thee, my blooming boy, For all that stay'd my earthly trust With thee is buried in the dust! Nine charming years had fraught with grace Thy sprightly soul and lovely face, Where harshness had not planted fear Nor sorrow wrung one silent tear; To share each welcome and adieu.... Each word, each thought, each look, to 'tend, My child, my scholar, and my friend! Oh, when his gaily....smiling talk Endear'd my sweet, my summer walk; Or when I sat, at day's decline And clasp'd his little hand in mine, Thus shall I bid thee Darco, stand, And grasp thee with my failing hand! Now hush, my heart!....afflicting Heaven, Thy will be done, thy solace given; For mortal hand can never raise The broken pillar of my days, Or earth restore a form so dear As that which lies unconscious here! THE DIRGE OF WALLACE. They lighted a taper at the dead of night, And chanted their holiest hymn; But her brow and her bosom were damp with affright.... Her eye was all sleepless and dim! And the lady of Elderslie wept for her lord, When a death-watch beat in her lonely room, When her curtain had shook of its own accord, And the raven had flapp'd at her window board, To tell of her warrior's doom! "Now sing ye the death song, and loudly pray "For a night-mare rides on my strangled sleep: "The lord of my bosom is doom'd to die; "His valorous heart they have wounded deep, "For Wallace of Elderslie." |