66 My father! must I stay?" While o'er him fast through sail and shroud, The wreathing fires made way. THERE CLXXI. THE BENDED BOW. HERE was heard the sound of a coming foe, 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? Arm ere Britain's turf grows red! And the reaper armed, like a freeman's son ; Arm thee! Britain's foes are nigh! And the hunter armed, ere the chase was done; And the bended bow and the voice passed on. 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 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. 66 'I CLXXII. THE BETTER LAND. 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 ?” "Eye hath not seen it, my gentle boy! LANDING OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS. THE breaking waves dashed high On a stern and rock-bound coast, And the heavy night hung dark When a band of Exiles moored their bark They shook the depths of the desert's gloom With their hymns of lofty cheer. 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, What sought they thus, afar? Bright jewels of the mine? The wealth of seas, the spoils of war? Ay, call it holy ground, The soil where first they trod! They have left unstained what there they found - Mrs. Hemans. CLXXIV. BERNARDO DEL CARPIO. 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 !" |