And once, when in the woods an oak, for age, Unhurt they lay, like caverns above ground, The rifted rocks, for hands, about them clinging, Their tubes as straight, their mighty mouths as round And firm as when the rocks were first set ringing. Fresh from their unimaginable mould They might have seemed, save that the storms had stained them With a rich rust, that now, with gloomy gold In the bright sunshine, beauteously engrained them. Breathless the gazers looked, nigh faint for awe, Then leaped, then laughed. What was it now they saw? Myriads of birds. Myriads of birds, that filled The trumpets all with nests and nestling voices ! The great, huge, stormy music had been stilled By the soft needs that nursed those small, sweet noises ! O thou Doolkarnein, where is now thy wall? Where now thy voice divine and all thy forces? Great was thy cunning, but its wit was small Compared with nature's least and gentlest courses. Fears and false creeds may fright the realms awhile; But heaven and earth abide their time, and smile. LEIGH HUNT. THE KNIGHT'S TOMB. WHERE is the grave of Sir Arthur O'Kellyn? His soul is with the saints, I trust. SAMUEL TAYLOR COLeridge. DIRGE FOR A SOLDIER. CLOSE his eyes; his work is done! What to him is friend or foeman, Rise of moon or set of sun, Hand of man or kiss of woman? Upon St. Crispin's day Or England breed again MICHAEL DRAYTON. HOTSPUR'S DESCRIPTION OF A FOP. BUT I remember, when the fight was done, And 'twixt his finger and his thumb he held He questioned me; among the rest, demanded I then, all smarting, with my wounds being cold, Out of my grief and my impatience, Of guns, and drums, and wounds, -God save the mark ! And telling me, the sovereign'st thing on earth And that it was great pity, so it was, SHAKESPEARE. MARMION AND DOUGLAS. NOT far advanced was morning day, When Marmion did his troop array To Surrey's camp to ride; He had safe-conduct for his band, Beneath the royal seal and hand, And Douglas gave a guide : The ancient Earl, with stately grace, Would Clara on her palfrey place, And whispered in an undertone, "Let the hawk stoop, his prey is flown." The train from out the castle drew, But Marmion stopped to bid adieu : — "Though something I might plain," he said, "Of cold respect to stranger guest, Sent hither by your king's behest, While in Tantallon's towers I stayed, Part we in friendship from your land, And, noble Earl, receive my hand.". But Douglas round him drew his cloak, Folded his arms, and thus he spoke : 66 My manors, halls, and bowers shall still Be open, at my sovereign's will, To each one whom he lists, howe'er Unmeet to be the owner's peer. My castles are my king's alone, From turret to foundation-stone, The hand of Douglas is his own; And never shall in friendly grasp The hand of such as Marmion clasp.". "An 't were not for thy hoary beard, Lord Angus, thou hast lied!" On the Earl's cheek the flush of rage Hence might they see the full array Their marshalled lines stretched east and west, And fronted north and south, And distant salutation past From the loud cannon-mouth; Fierce he broke forth, -"And dar'st thou then Not in the close successive rattle To beard the lion in his den, The Douglas in his hall? And hop'st thou hence unscathed to go? Up drawbridge, grooms, what, Warder, ho! That breathes the voice of modern battle, But slow and far between. The hillock gained, Lord Marmion stayed: "Here, by this cross," he gently said, "You well may view the scene; Here shalt thou tarry, lovely Clare: No hope of gilded spurs to-day. — Told England, from his mountain-throne And such a yell was there, Of sudden and portentous birth, O life and death were in the shout, And triumph and despair. Long looked the anxious squires; their eye Could in the darkness naught descry. At length the freshening western blast Then marked they, dashing broad and far, And pluméd crests of chieftains brave But naught distinct they see: Amid the scene of tumult, high Although against them come, Of gallant Gordons many a one, With Huntley and with Home. Far on the left, unseen the while, And with both hands the broadsword plied, The Howard's lion fell; Yet still Lord Marmion's falcon flew The Border slogan rent the sky! As bends the bark's mast in the gale, It wavered mid the foes. No longer Blount the view could bear :- Fitz-Eustace, you with Lady Clare Then Eustace mounted too; - yet stayed, As loath to leave the helpless maid, |