And stream'd above the gallant child, Like banners in the sky. There came a burst of thunder soundThe boy-oh! where was he? -Ask of the winds that far around With fragments strew'd the sea! With mast, and helm, and pennon fair, That well had borne their part But the noblest thing that perish'd there, Was that young faithful heart. THE ADOPTED CHILD. "WHY wouldst thou leave me, oh! gentle child? A straw-roof'd cabin with lowly wall— Where many an image of marble gleams, "Oh! green is the turf where my brothers play, Through the long bright hours of the summer-day, They find the red cup-moss where they climb, And they chase the bee o'er the scented thyme; And the rocks where the heath-flower blooms they knowLady, kind lady! oh! let me go." "Content thee, boy! in my bower to dwell, Here are sweet sounds which thou lovest well; Flutes on the air in the stilly noon, Harps which the wandering breezes tune; Whose voice was ne'er in thy mountains heard." "My mother sings, at the twilight's fall, A song of the hills far more sweet than all; "Thy mother is gone from her cares to rest, -Come thou with me to the vineyards nigh, "Is my mother gone from her home away? -But I know that my brothers are there at play. I know they are gathering the fox-glove's bell, Or the long fern-leaves by the sparkling well, Or they launch their boats where the bright streams flowLady, kind lady! oh! let me go." "Fair child! thy brothers are wanderers now, They sport no more on the mountain's brow, -Be thou at peace in thy brighter lot, "Are they gone, all gone from the sunny hill? THE DEPARTED. "Thou shalt lie down With patriarchs of the infant world—with kings, The powerful of the earth-the wise, the good, Fair forms, and hoary seers of ages past, All in one mighty sepulchre." Bryant. AND shrink ye from the way To the spirit's distant shore? Earth's mightiest men, in arm'd array, The warrior kings, whose banner Flew far as eagles fly, They are gone where swords avail them not, From the feast of victory. |