“God save the king!” But, hush! what noise was that?
Oh heaven! to think a mother’s eyes should look
On such a sight! Away! vile carrion-beast!
Those are the sons of Saul,—poor Rizpah’s sons.
O my dead darlings! O my only joy!
O sweet twin treasure of my lonely life,
Since that most mournful day upon Gilboa,
Torn from me thus!
I have no tears to shed.
O God! my heart is broken! Let me die!
*****
Gilboa! David wrote a song on it,
And had it put in Jasher—“Weep for Saul.”
Armoni used to sing it to his harp.
Poor blackened lips!······
······I wonder if they dream,
My pretty children······
······Come, Mephibosheth,
Here is your father; say “God save the king!”
The Gibeonites! Ah! that was long ago.
Why should they die for what they never did?
No; David never would consent to that!
*****
Whose son is he, this youth? Dost know him, Abner?
Ha, ha! they shout again “God save the king.”
*****
Was I asleep? I came not here to sleep.
O poor old eyes, sorrow has made you weak.
My sons! No, nought has touched them. O, how cold!
Cold, cold! O stars of God, have pity on me,
Poor lonely woman! O my sons, Saul’s sons!
Kind stars, watch with me; let no evil beast
Rend that dear flesh. O God of Israel,
Pardon my sins! My heart is broken!
NATALIE.
I.
Such a pretty, siren face
Thine was, Natalie!
Such a merry, winning grace
Drew my heart to thee,
In those distant, happy days
When thy heart was free.
II.
Fearless then we gathered joy,
Not a care had we,
Happier girl and happier boy
Well there could not be;
In our bliss was no alloy,
Playmate, Natalie.
III.
Time is cruel. Thou and I
Parted, Natalie!
And thy kissed lips said “Good bye!
Surely write to me.”
Thou wast then too young to sigh,
Little Natalie!