Then came a burst of thunder sound—
The boy—oh! where was he!
Ask of the winds that far around
With fragments strewed the sea,
With mast, and helm, and pennon fair,
That well had borne their part;
But the noblest thing that perished there
Was that young faithful heart!
Mrs. Hemans.
CLXXI.
THE BENDED BOW.
There was heard the sound of a coming foe,
There was sent through Britain a bended bow;
And a voice was poured on the free winds far,
As the land rose up at the sound of war:
Heard ye not the battle horn?
Reaper! leave thy golden corn!
Leave it for the birds of heaven;
Swords must flash, and spears be riven:
Leave it for the winds to shed,—
Arm! ere Britain's turf grows red!
And the reaper armed, like a freeman's son;
And the bended bow and the voice passed on.
Hunter! leave the mountain chase!
Take the falchion from its place!
Let the wolf go free to-day;
Leave him for a nobler prey!
Let the deer ungalled sweep by,—
Arm thee! Britain's foes are nigh!
And the hunter armed, ere the chase was done;
And the bended bow and the voice passed on.
Chieftain! quit the joyous feast!
Stay not till the song hath ceased:
Though the mead be foaming bright,
Though the fire gives ruddy light,
Leave the hearth and leave the hall,—
Arm thee! Britain's foes must fall!
And the chieftain armed, and the horn was blown;
And the bended bow and the voice passed on.
Prince! thy father's deeds are told
In the bower and in the hold,
Where the goatherd's lay is sung,
Where the minstrel's harp is strung!
Foes are on thy native sea,—
Give our bards a tale of thee!
And the prince came armed, like a leader's son;
And the bended bow and the voice passed on.
Mother! stay thou not thy boy!
He must learn the battle's joy.
Sister! bring the sword and spear,
Give thy brother words of cheer!
Maiden! bid thy lover part;
Britain calls the strong in heart!
And the bended bow and the voice passed on;
And the bards made song of a battle won.
Mrs. Hemans.