Battle Ebe. I SEE the broad, red, setting sun I see amid the cloud-built tents— And meek meanwhile, the pallid moon O setting sun, awhile delay! For thousand eyes now gaze on thee, O ghastly moon! thy pallid ray On many a torn and bleeding heart, On many a glazing eye; And breaking hearts shall live to mourn, For whom 'twere bliss to die! The Unreturning. THE Swallow leaves the ancient eaves, The wheaten fields are all ablaze And in and out the west wind plays, The sun's rays light as warm and bright The wild bird wakes his simple song As if he were not dead! The summer skies, with softest sighs, And, standing in the farmhouse door, The woodbine grows-the jasmine blowsBeside the window-sill: Their soft sweet sigh is in the air, For the dead hands that placed them there On the red field are still. Around the wolds the summer folds Her wealth of golden light; And, past the willows' silvery gleam, But oh! one shade has solemn made His voice, whose sweet and gentle words How can the day, so bright and gay, Glare round the farmhouse door? When all the quiet ways he trod Shall know him nevermore! The Last of Earth: A PRISON SCENE. (x1.) LAST night a comrade sent in haste Till Faith's sweet light shone from his eye; A dreary place-that Hospital Where dim lamps break the solemn gloom, And nurses move with slow footfall, Like spectres, through the room. Above those cots all miseries blend, On each some form in suffering lies; Some groan-some sleep-but here one friend Puts on the angel's guise. Scarcely I heard the bugle's call, Scarce felt the night-wind's heavy breath, I only saw the shadows fall And the ghastly chill of death, I hear his piteous tones implore Shall feel Love's answering clasp. His frenzied spirit flies from pain, He thinks himself once more at home: "Dear wife-dear child-I'm here again, Close to me-closer come. "I could not lag where country led- Ah! many fall in this wild strife! But Freedom holds their memories dear, And makes a gem of every life For the crown she yet shall wear. |