I SAW THEE WEEP. I SAW thee weep-the big bright tear And then methought it did appear I saw thee smile-the sapphire's blaze It could not match the living rays As clouds from yonder sun receive A deep and mellow dye, Which scarce the shade of coming eve Those smiles upon the moodiest mind THY DAYS ARE DONE. THY days are done, thy fame begun; Though thou art fall'n, while we are free Thou shalt not taste of death! The generous blood that flow'd from thee Disdain'd to sink beneath: Within our veins its currents be, Thy spirit on our breath! Thy name, our charging hosts along, Shall be the battle-word! Thy fall, the theme of choral song From virgin voices pour'd! To weep would do thy glory wrong; Thou shalt not be deplored. SONG OF SAUL BEFORE HIS LAST BATTLE. WARRIORS and Chiefs! should the shaft or the sword Pierce me in leading the host of the Lord, Thou who art bearing my buckler and bow, Farewell to others, but never we part, SAUL. THOU whose spell can raise the dean King, behold the phantom seer!"* Earth yawn'd; he stood the centre of a cloud: Light changed its hue, retiring from his shroud. Death stood all glassy in his fixed eye; His hand was wither'd, and his veins were dry: "Why is my sleep disquieted? "ALL IS VANITY, SAITH THE PREACHER." FAME, wisdom, love, and power were mine I sunn'd my heart in beauty's eyes, And felt my soul grow tender : All earth can give, or mortal prize. Was mine of regal splendor. I strive to number o'er what days Remembrance can discover, Which all of life or earth displays Would lure me to live over. There rose no day, there roll'd no hour That gall'd not while it glitter'd. The serpent of the field, by art And spells, is won from harming; But that which coils around the heart, Oh! who hath power of charming? It will not list to wisdom's lore, Nor music's voice can lure it; But there it stings for evermore The soul that must endure it. BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON WE SAT Along my bones the creeping flesh did quake; DOWN AND WEPT. WE sat down and wept by the waters And as my damp hair stiffen'd, thus it spake: "Is man more just than God? Is man more pure |