THE LAY OF THE BELL. 77 sent king of France entertains towards the character of the Father of our country is well known. In front of the palace is a large square, on both sides of which are public buildings, and which contain statues of the great generals of France. In the centre of this square is an equestrian statue of Louis XIV. The royal gardens of Versailles are very beautiful. A large terrace extends before the palace, which is adorned with fine statuary. On the left is the Orangerie, or garden of orange trees; in front are several beautiful fountains, beyond which a fine avenue leads to a large canal. The rarest and sweetest flowers are found here, and it is the resort of the most fashionable people of Paris. The fountains, of which there are a great many in the garden, are supplied with water by an aqueduct, which was built by Louis XIV. at a great expense. The city is surrounded on all sides by woods, which are very agreeable in the summer season. The town itself is very pleasant, and is much visited by strangers as well as by the citizens of Paris. There is much to invite thither, besides the interest connected with the palace and its gardens. At some distance from the town is the palace of the Trianon, which was the favorite seat of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette. This small chateau is surrounded by a fine park, in which is a little Swiss village, which was built under the directions of that unhappy queen. She used often to visit it with her husband; and, dressed in the costume of Swiss peasants, they amused themselves in that simplicity which gives happiness to the poor man, but which failed of giving it to his royal imitators. Silver bubbles, lo! are springing, From the refuse free Let the fusion be; Then from pure and spotless metal With peals of joy it hails the festal. And greets the babe in freshest bloom, From woman's arms to storm and danger, The proud boy wildly hastes to roam, And-wand'ring o'er the earth a stranger— A stranger's staff conducts him home. But glittering in full maiden beauty, Pure as a spirit from above, With blushing cheek and heart of duty, Before him stands-the dream of love! A nameless thought his soul entrances, His young heart heaves apart to roam, To weep his swelling tears alone. O, tender hope! sweet expectation! Thou golden age of first-born loveBursts on the eye a new creation, And hearts with speechless raptures move. O, would thy days of May-day flowers Might even bloom for love's young hours! See! the pipes are brown already, Now I dip the stavelet in. If 'tis glazed, let all be ready, When the hard with soft combineth, For when the strong sustains the weaker, Ah! this life's most beauteous festal Though love be enduring; His fortune's indenture. With wisdom she schooleth; The sweet-scented lockers she filleth with trea sure, The swift whirring spindle she twirls at her leisure, The smooth-polished cabinets fill and o'erflow With shimmering wool and linen like snow; To the useful she addeth the beautiful ever, And resteth never. Now the father with eye of delight From his mansion's far-seeing gable Smould'ring fire-brown waves are gushing, THE LAY OF THE BELL. 79 And kindly serves the might of fire, Bursting where no barrier stands, In full measures Pour their treasures; Scathful from the clouds and rash Gleams the flash! Heard ye it moaning from the tower? The storm-clouds lower! Red as blood Is th' arch of Heaven. Ah! 'tis not the daylight's flood! Ether is riven With the cries; Dark billows rise. Pillars high of flames ascending Through the streets their red way wending; All is running, grasping, screaming, Flies the bucket: high o'erbending In ruthless state Gazes man on garners wastedHeavenly might his hopes have blastedWildly watches as they smoulder. Burnt and void Looks the room, Wild storms there now find a home. 'Stead of hollow casement cells Horror dwells. Clouds of Heaven, huge and darkling,' Peer on high. One last look Towards the tomb Of his home Sendeth now the master back Cheerily grasps his staff to roam; Though stripp'd of all a life had won, There's one sweet hope to him belonging; He counts the faces quickly thronging, Aha! not one dear child is gone. Now within the earth 'tis taken, Fitly now the mould doth fill; May 't in beauty soon rewaken, Paying for our toil and skill. Ah! the cast may fail? Should the mould be frail? Ah! perchance e'en while we're hoping To sacred earth's dark cave descending Lamenting in earth's dismal tomb, Sounds the bell Its slow heavy Fun'ral knell, Sad attending with its solemn swelling Ah! the wife, the dearest partner, From a husband's fond embraces, From the prattling infant throng Whom she bore, when years were young; All the ties of hope and home; While with heat the Bell is parting Mart and valley now grow stiller, O'er the mountains, But the guarded burgher palleth Not at night; Conscience aye the wicked calleth, Law hath eyes for ever bright. Holy order, rich in dower, A thousand hearts in palpitation Human powers their glory see. Heavenly boons his labor's prize: Sweetest Concord, Kindly in this sacred dwelling. Far, oh far th' accursed morning, When fell hordes this valley through Shall riot, peace and pity scorning. When the heaven, Whence the even's blushes parting Lovely beam, Shall, with fearful fires updarting From the towns and villas, gleam. Dash the mould for me in pieces, The master may with wisest reason The rattling timbers crash about, Wo, when, in the purlieus hidden, Silent tinder volume gains, Re-echoes to the madd'ning shout; "Freedom, equality." They rally The peaceful burgher grasps his arms; The streets are full, each square and alleyAssassins prowl in ghastly swarms. Then women to hyenas changing, Foul bant'ring with the obscene jest, Gnash their teeth and wildly ranging Pant to tear their victim's breast. Pure thoughts are fled, and fiendish passion Hath broken all the bonds of shame; The evil steals from good its fashion, And vices all untrammell'd reign, The lion growls, when he's awaken, Ravenous is the tiger's fang: But sadder far to be o'ertaken With vengeance by a lawless gang. Wo's them, who to such sightless wretches The franchise torch-light e'er would trust— For such it burns not-only catches, And cities wraps in smould'ring dust. Joy to me my God hath given. Look! How like a star of gold |