That name shall be storied in record sublime, In the uttermost corners of earth: And renowned, till the wreck of expiring time, Yes, bury my heart in the boundless sea :— John Malcolm, Esq. MATILDA. Outrageous did the loud wind blow Across the sounding main; The vessel tossing to and fro, Could scarce the storm sustain. Matilda to her fearful breast His Held close her infant dear; presence all her fears increased, And waked the tender tear. Now nearer to the grateful shore, The shattered vessel drew; The daring waves now ceased to roar, Matilda, with a mother's joy, Gave thanks to heaven's power; How fervent she embraced her boy! O! much deceived and hapless fair, For, stepping forth from off the deck, Amazement-chained! her haggard eye Gave not a tear to flow, Her bosom heaved no conscious sigh, To snatch the child from instant death, But when the corse had met her view, Stretched on the pebbly strand, Roused from her exstacy she flew, And pierced th' opposing band. With tresses discomposed and rude, To the infant's lips, her lips she glued, Now throwing round a troubled glance, • Heard ye the helpless infant scream ? Saw ye the mother bold? How, as she flung him in the stream, But soft, awhile-see! there he lies, Why fall the dew-drops from your eyes? 'Yes, yes-his little life is fled, 6 Ah me! that cheek of livid hueThat brow-that auburn hairThose lips where late the roses blew, All, all my son declare. Strange thrilling horrors chill each vein A voice in accents wild, Thunders to this distracted brain, Matilda slew her child!' She added not-but sunk oppressed, While from her grief-distracted breast, Jerningham. STANZAS. The turf shall be my fragrant shrine, My choir shall be the moonlight wayes, When murmuring homeward to their caves, Or, when the stillness of the sea, Even more than music, breathes of Thee! I'll seek, by day, some glade unknown, Thy Heaven, on which 'tis bliss to look, The glories of thy wonderous name. |