THE VIOLET

1797

THE violet in her green-wood bower,

Where birchen boughs with hazels mingle,

May boast itself the fairest flower

In glen or copse or forest dingle.

Though fair her gems of azure hue,

Beneath the dewdrop's weight reclining;

I've seen an eye of lovelier blue,

More sweet through watery lustre shining.

The summer sun that dew shall dry
Ere yet the day be past its morrow,

Nor longer in my false love's eye

Remained the tear of parting sorrow.

TO A LADY

WITH FLOWERS FROM A ROMAN WALL

1797

TAKE these flowers which, purple waving,
On the ruined rampart grew,

Where, the sons of freedom braving,
Rome's imperial standards flew.

Warriors from the breach of danger
Pluck no longer laurels there;

They but yield the passing stranger

Wild-flower wreaths for Beauty's hair.

THE ERL-KING

FROM THE GERMAN OF GOETHE

1797

O, WHO rides by night thro' the woodland so wild?
It is the fond father embracing his child;

And close the boy nestles within his loved arm,
To hold himself fast and to keep himself warm.

'O father, see yonder! see yonder!' he says; 'My boy, upon what dost thou fearfully gaze?' — 'O, 't is the Erl-King with his crown and his shroud.' 'No, my son, it is but a dark wreath of the cloud.'

THE ERL-KING SPEAKS

'O, come and go with me, thou loveliest child;
By many a gay sport shall thy time be beguiled;
My mother keeps for thee full many a fair toy,
And many a fine flower shall she pluck for my boy.'

'O father, my father, and did you not hear

The Erl-King whisper so low in my ear?'

'Be still, my heart's darling - my child, be at ease; It was but the wild blast as it sung thro' the trees.'

ERL-KING

'O, wilt thou go with me, thou loveliest boy?
My daughter shall tend thee with care and with joy;
She shall bear thee so lightly thro' wet and thro' wild,
And press thee and kiss thee and sing to my child.'

'O father, my father, and saw you not plain,

The Erl-King's pale daughter glide past through the rain?'

'O yes, my loved treasure, I knew it full soon;
It was the grey willow that danced to the moon.'

ERL-KING

'O, come and go with me, no longer delay,
Or else, silly child, I will drag thee away.'-
'O father! O father! now, now keep your hold,
The Erl-King has seized me- his grasp is so cold!'

Sore trembled the father; he spurred thro' the wild,
Clasping close to his bosom his shuddering child;
He reaches his dwelling in doubt and in dread,
But, clasped to his bosom, the infant was dead!

WAR-SONG

OF THE ROYAL EDINBURGH LIGHT DRAGOONS

1798

To horse! to horse! the standard flies,

The bugles sound the call;

The Gallic navy stems the seas,

The voice of battle's on the breeze,

Arouse ye, one and all!

From high Dunedin's towers we come,

A band of brothers true;

Our casques the leopard's spoils surround, With Scotland's hardy thistle crowned;

We boast the red and blue.

Though tamely crouch to Gallia's frown
Dull Holland's tardy train;

Their ravished toys though Romans mourn;
Though gallant Switzers vainly spurn,
And, foaming, gnaw the chain;

Oh! had they marked the avenging call 1
Their brethren's murder gave,

1 See Note 1.

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