DEATH AND THE WARRIOR.

"AYE, warrior, arm! and wear thy plume
On a proud and fearless brow!
I am the lord of the lonely tomb,

And a mightier one than thou!

"Bid thy soul's love farewell, young chief!

Bid her a long farewell!

Like the morning's dew shall pass that grief—

Thou comest with me to dwell!

"Thy bark may rush through the foaming deep, Thy steed o'er the breezy hill;

But they bear thee on to a place of sleep,
Narrow, and cold, and still!"

"Was the voice I heard thy voice, O Death?

And is thy day so near?

Then on the field shall my life's last breath

Mingle with Victory's cheer!

"Banners shall float, with the trumpet's note,

Above me as I die,

And the palm-tree wave o'er my noble grave, Under the Syrian sky.

"High hearts shall burn in the royal hall, When the minstrel names that spot;

weep my fall

And the eyes I love shall
I love shall weep my

Death! Death! I fear thee not."

"Warrior! thou bearest a haughty heart,

But I can bend its pride!

How shouldst thou know that thy soul will part In the hour of Victory's tide?

"It may be far from thy steel-clad bands,
That I shall make thee mine;

It may be lone on the desert-sands,
Where men for fountains pine!

"It may be deep amidst heavy chains,
In some strong Paynim hold-

I have slow dull steps, and lingering pains,
Wherewith to tame the bold !"

"Death! Death! I go to a doom unbless'd,

If this indeed must be!

But the cross is bound upon my breast,

And I may not shrink for thee!

"Sound, clarion, sound!-for my vows are given To the cause of the holy shrine;

I bow my soul to the will of heaven,
O Death! and not to thine!"

F. H.