64 LAYS OF MANY LANDS. the sky But I depart like sound, like dew, like aught that leaves on earth No trace of sorrow or delight, no memory of its birth! I go !--the echo of the rock a thousand songs may swell When mine is a forgotten voice.-Woods, mountains, home, farewell ! “ And farewell, mother! I have borne in lonely silence long, But now the current of my soul grows passionate and strong! And I will speak! though but the wind that wanders through And but the dark deep-rustling pines and rolling streams re ply. Yes! I will speak!-within my breast whate'er hath seem'd to be, There lay a hidden fount of love, that would have gush'd for thee! Brightly it would have gush'd, but thou, my mother : thou hast thrown Back on the forests and the wilds what should have been thine own ! “ Then fare thee well ! I leave thee not in loneliness to pine, Since thou bast sons of statelier mien and fairer brow than mine! Forgive me that thou couldst not love !mit may be, that a Yet from my burning heart may pierce, through thine, when I am gone! And thou perchance may'st weep for him on whom thou ne'er hast smiled, And the grave give his birthright back to thy neglected child ! Might but my spirit then return, and 'midst its kindred dwell, And quench its thirst with love's free tears!'tis all a dream --farewell !" “ Farewell !"—the echo died with that deep word, Yet died not so the late repentant pang By the strain quicken'd in the mother's breast ! There had pass'd many changes o'er her brow, And cheek, and eye; but into one bright flood Of tears at last all melted ; and she fell On the glad bosom of her child, and cried “Return, return, my son !"--the echo caught A lovelier sound than song, and woke again, Murmuring"Return, my son !" tone a LAYS OF MANY LANDS. 65 THE SULIOTE MOTHER. It is related in a French Life of Ali Pacha, that several of the Suliote women, on the advance of the Turkish troops into their mountain fastnesses, assembled on a lofty summit, and, after chanting a wild song, precipitated themselves, with their children, into the chası below, to avoid becoming the slaves of the enemy. a She stood upon the loftiest peak, Amidst the clear blue sky, And a dark flash in her eye. Dost thou see where the foeman's armour shines ? Wouldst thou spring from thy mother's arms with joy? For in the rocky strait beneath, Lay Suliote, sire and son ; Before the pass was won. Who for the mountain hearth and home! And now the horn's loud blast was heard, And now the cymbal's clang, As cliff and hollow rang. What saith the trumpet to Suli's wild ? But nearer came the clash of steel, And louder swell'd the horn, 66 LAYS OF MANY LANDS. « Hear'st thou the sound of their savage mirth? -Boy! thou wert free when I gave thee birth, And from the arrowy peak she spruug, And fast the fair child bore, A cry-and all was o'er ! THE FAREWELL TO THE DEAD. The following piece is founded on a beautiful part of the Greek funeral service in which relatives and friends are invited to embrace the deceased (whose face is uncovered) and to bid their final adieu. See Christian Researches in the Mediterranean, -'Tis hard to lay into the earth Wilson. Come near!-ere yet the dust, In still and solemn trust! Look yet on this young face! Gladdening its hearth and race ? Ye weep, and it is well! And sunshine seem'd to dwell LAYS OF MANY LANDS. 67 Look yet on him, whose eye The beings born to die? How may the mother's heart The lovely must depart ! Look on him! is he laid Yet that, ev'n that, must fade! His voice of mirth had ceased At the gay bridal feast ! Yet mourn ye not as they His birthright's hope away! MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. THE TREASURES OF THE DEEP. a What hid'st thou in thy treasure-caves and cells ? We ask not such from thee. Earth claims not these again. Man yields them to decay. Give back the true and brave! But all is not thine own. |
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