MARSHAL SCHWERIN'S GRAVE career in arms. ["I CAME upon the tomb of Marshal Schwerin -a plain, quiet cenotaph, erected in the middle of a wide corn-field, on the very spot where he closed a long, faithful, and glorious He fell here, at eighty years of age, at the head of his own regiment, the standard of it waving in his hand. His seat was in the leathern saddle-his foot in the iron stirruphis fingers reined the young war-horse to the last." Notes and Reflections during a Ramble into Germany.] THOU didst fall in the field with thy silver hair, Thou wert laid to rest from thy battles there, In the camp, on the steed, to the bugle's blast, And a warrior's bier was thine at last, When the snows had crowned thy head. Many had fallen by thy side, old chief! The soldier's heart at thy step leapt high, Now may'st thou slumber-thy work is done Thou of the well-worn sword! From the stormy fight in thy fame thou'rt gone, But not to the festal board. THE FALLEN LIME-TREE The corn-sheaves whisper thy grave around, O lover of battle and trumpet-sound! A quiet home from the noon-day's glare, 205 Didst thou toil through the days of thy silvery hair, To win thee but this at last? THE FALLEN LIME-TREE O JOY of the peasant! O stately lime! Long and long ago Screened our gray forefathers From the noontide's glow; Thou, beneath whose branches, Wrapt in fairy dreams. O tree of our fathers! O hallowed tree! Where shall now the weary As on thy sweet leaves? Build again her nest? She so long the inmate Of thy fragrant breast! But the sons of the peasant have lost in thee These may yet find coverts Leafy and profound, Full of dewy dimness, Odour, and soft sound: When shall they be gathered Round another tree? O pride of our fathers! O hallowed tree! THE BIRD AT SEA BIRD of the greenwood! All the sweet waters Far hence are at play- Where the mast quivers FAR AWAY How shouldst thou battle With storm and with spray? Or art thou seeking Vine leaves are fanned? Midst the wild billows Why then delay? "Chide not my lingering A hand that hath nursed me A heart that hath cherished Through winter's long day: FAR away! - FAR AWAY my home is far away, Where the blue sea laves a mountain-shore; Midst the flowers my sister sings once more, 207 Far away! my dreams are far away, When at midnight stars and shadows reign:" "Gentle child!" my mother seems to say, "Follow me where home shall smile again, Far away! - my hope is far away, Where love's voice young gladness may restore. KEENE; OR, LAMENT OF AN IRISH [THIS lament is intended to imitate the peculiar style of the Irish Keenes, many of which are distinguished by a wild and deep pathos, and other characteristics analogous to those of the national music.] DARKLY the cloud of night comes rolling on; There is blood upon the threshold Whence thy step went forth at morn Like a dancer's in its fleetness, O my bright first-born! At the glad sound of that footstep |