2. Down along the rocky shore Of the black mountain-lake, 3. High on the hill-top He is now so old and gray On his stately journeys From Slieveleague to Rosses; Or going up with music To sup with the Queen Of the gay Northern Lights. 4. They stole little Bridget When she came down again, Between the night and morrow, They thought that she was fast asleep, 5. By the craggy hill-side, Through the mosses bare, As dig them up in spite, Come, dear children, come away down; One last look at the white-walled town, And the little gray church on the windy shore; She will not come though you call all day; 29 ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING. THE FORCED RECRUIT AT SOLFERINO.1 1. In the ranks of the Austrian you found him, Yet bury him here where around him You honour your bravest that fall. 1 Solferino, a village of Northern Italy. Here the Austrians were defeated by the French in 1859. 2. Venetian, fair-featured and slender, 3. No stranger, and yet not a traitor, Though alien the cloth on his breast; Young heart has a shot sent to rest! 4. By your enemy tortured and goaded To march with them, stand in their file, He facing your guns with that smile! 5. As orphans yearn on to their mothers, He yearned to your patriot bands ;— "Let me die for our Italy, brothers, If not in your ranks, by your hands! 6." Aim straightly, fire steady, spare me A ball in the body which may Deliver my heart here, and tear me This badge of the Austrian away!" 7. So thought he, so died he this morning. 8. One tricolor floating above them; Struck down 'mid triumphant acclaims And blazon the brass with their names. 9. But he, without witness or honour, There, shamed in his country's regard, 10. 'Twas sublime. In a cruel restriction [reward. |