THE HOMEWARD MARCH. BE still my heart: I hear them come: Those sounds announce my lover near: The march that brings our warriors home Proclaims he'll soon be here. Hark, the distant tread, O'er the mountain's head, While hills and dales repeat the sound; And the forest deer Stand still to hear, As those echoing steps ring round. Be still my heart, I hear them come, But hark, more faint the footsteps grow, Not here their home, alas, they go To gladden happier maids! Like sounds in a dream, The footsteps seem, As down the hills they die away; And the march, whose song So peal'd along, Now fades like a funeral lay. 'Tis past, 'tis o'er, hush, heart, thy pain! And though not here, alas, they come, Rejoice for those, to whom that strain Brings sons and lovers home. WAKE UP, SWEET MELODY. WAKE up, sweet melody! Now is the hour When young and loving hearts Feel most thy power. One note of music, by moonlight's soft ray Now is the hour When young and loving hearts Feel most thy power. Ask the fond nightingale, When his sweet flower Loves most to hear his song, In her green bower? Oh, he will tell thee, through summer-nights long, Fondest she lends her whole soul to his song. CALM BE THY SLEEP. CALM be thy sleep as infants' slumbers! Or if, where Pleasure's wing hath glided, Still be thy lot with me divided, – Thine all the bliss, and mine the pain! Day and night my thoughts shall hover Half breathed to Heav'n and half to thee. |