Yet one way remains: to the river
I'll fly from the goadings of care!—
But drown?—oh, the thought makes me shiver—
A terrible death, I declare!
Ah, no!—I'll once more see my Kitty,
And parry her cruel disdain—
Beseech her to take me in pity,
And never dismiss me again.
Lord of the Castle.
"Lord of the castle! oh, where goest thou?
Why is the triumph of pride on thy brow?"
"Pilgrim, my bridal awaits me to-day,
Over the mountains away and away."
"Flora in beauty and solitude roves,
List'ning for thee in the shade of the groves."
"Pilgrim, I hasten her truth to repay,
Over the mountains away and away."
"Guided by honor, how brilliant the road
Leading from cottage to castle abode!"
"Pilgrim, its dictates I learned to obey,
Over the mountains away and away."
The Fallen Brave. [See Notes]
From Cypress and from laurel boughs
Are twined, in sorrow and in pride,
The leaves that deck the mouldering brows
Of those who for their country died:
In sorrow, that the sable pall
Enfolds the valiant and the brave;
In pride that those who nobly fall
Win garlands that adorn the grave.
The onset—the pursuit—the roar
Of victory o'er the routed foe—
Will startle from their rest no more
The fallen brave of Mexico.
To God alone such spirits yield!
He took them in their strength and bloom,
When gathering, on the tented field,
The garlands woven for the tomb.
The shrouded flag—the drooping spear—
The muffled drum—the solemn bell—
The funeral train—the dirge—the bier—
The mourners' sad and last farewell—
Are fading tributes to the worth
Of those whose deeds this homage claim;
But Time, who mingles them with earth
Keeps green the garlands of their fame.
Song of the Troubadour.