The flames rolled on. He would not go Without his father's word; That father faint in death below, His voice no longer heard. He called aloud: "Say, father, say He knew not that the chieftain lay "Speak, father!" once again he cried, Upon his brow he felt their breath, And in his waving hair, And looked from that lone post of death And shouted but once more aloud, 66 'My father! must I stay?" While o'er him fast through sail and shroud, The wreathing fires made way. With mast, and helm, and pennon fair, That well had borne their part; But the noblest thing that perished there Was that young faithful heart! Mrs. Hemans. CLXXI. THE BENDED BOW. HERE was heard the sound of a coming foe, THERE There was sent through Britain a bended bow; And a voice was poured on the free winds far, As the land rose up at the sound of war: Heard ye not the battle horn? Leave it for the winds to shed, Arm! ere Britain's turf grows red! And the reaper armed, like a freeman's son; Hunter! leave the mountain chase! Leave him for a nobler prey! Let the deer ungalled sweep by, Arm thee! Britain's foes are nigh! And the hunter armed, ere the chase was done; And the chieftain armed, and the horn was blown; And the bended bow and the voice passed on. Prince! thy father's deeds are told In the bower and in the hold, 66 Give our bards a tale of thee! And the prince came armed, like a leader's son; Mother! stay thou not thy boy! And the bended bow and the voice passed on; Mrs. Hemans. HEAR thee speak of the better land, "Is it where the feathery palm-trees rise, And the date grows ripe under sunny skies? Or midst the green islands of glittering seas, Where fragrant forests perfume the breeze, And strange, bright birds, on starry wings, Bear the rich hues of all glorious things?" "Not there, not there, my child!" "Is it far away, in some region old, Where the rivers wander o'er sands of gold? Where the burning rays of the ruby shine, And the diamond lights up the secret mine, And the pearl gleams forth from the coral strand?" Is it there, sweet mother! that better land?" "Eye hath not seen it, my gentle boy! Mrs. Hemans. CLXXIII. LANDING OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS. HE breaking waves dashed high THE On a stern and rock-bound coast, Their giant branches tossed; And the heavy night hung dark The hills and waters o'er, When a band of Exiles moored their bark On the wild New England shore. Not as the conqueror comes, They, the true-hearted, came; Not as the flying come, In silence and in fear; They shook the depths of the desert's gloom Amidst the storm they sang, And the stars heard, and the sea! And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang To the anthem of the free! The ocean eagle soared From his nest by the white wave's foam, There were men with hoary hair Why have they come to wither there, There was woman's fearless eye, They have left unstained what there they found Mrs. Hemans. CLXXIV. BERNARDO DEL CARP10. THE warrior bowed his crested head, and tamed his heart of fire, And sued the haughty king to free his long-imprisoned sire; "I bring thee here my fortress-keys, I bring my captive train, I pledge thee faith, my liege, my lord! O! break my father's chain !" |