ELEGY WRITTEN IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD. 'Hard by yon wood, now smiling as in scorn, Mutt'ring his wayward fancies he would rove; Now drooping, woful, wan, like one forlorn, Or crazed with care, or crossed in hopeless love. 'One morn I missed him on the 'customed hill, Along the heath, and near his fav'rite tree; Another came; nor yet beside the rill, Nor up the lawn, nor at the wood was he; 'The next, with dirges due, in sad array, Slow through the church-way path we saw him borne :— Approach and read (for thou canst read) the lay Graved on the stone beneath yon aged thorn.' THE EPITAPH. Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth, Heaven did a recompense as largely send: He gave to Mis'ry all he had, a tear; He gain'd from Heav'n ('twas all he wish'd) a friend. No further seek his merits to disclose, Or draw his frailties from their dread abode, (There they alike in trembling hope repose), The bosom of his Father and his God. 49 E Gray. THE DEFENCE OF THE BRIDGE AGAINST THE TUSCAN ARMY. But the Consul's brow was sad, And the Consul's speech was low, And darkly looked he at the wall, Before the bridge goes down; Then out spake brave Horatius, DEFENCE OF THE BRIDGE AGAINST THE TUSCAN ARMY. 'Horatius,' quoth the Consul, 'As thou sayest, so let it be.' Spared neither land nor gold, Now while the Three were tightening And Fathers mixed with Commons Meanwhile the Tuscan army, Came flashing back the noonday light, Four hundred trumpets sounded As that great host, with measured tread, The Three stood calm and silent, From all the vanguard rose : And forth three chiefs came spurring Before that deep array; To earth they sprang, their swords they drew, To win the narrow way; 51 Stout Lartius hurled down Aunus And clove him to the teeth: Darted one fiery thrust; And the proud Umbrian's gilded arms THE DEFENCE OF THE BRIDGE AGAINST THE TUSCAN ARMY-continued. But now no sound of laughter And for a space no man came forth But hark! the cry is Astur: Comes with his stately stride. Upon his ample shoulders Clangs loud the four-fold shield, He smiled on those bold Romans If Astur clears the way?' 53 333 DEFENCE OF THE BRIDGE AGAINST THE TUSCAN ARMY. Then, whirling up his broadsword With both hands to the height, And smote with all his might. The blow, though turned, came yet too nigh, To see the red blood flow. He reeled, and on Herminius He leaned one breathing-space; Then, like a wild cat mad with wounds, The good sword stood a hand-breadth out And the great Lord of Luna The giant arms lie spread; And the pale augurs, muttering low, Gaze on the blasted head. THE DEFENCE OF THE BRIDGE AGAINST THE TUSCAN ARMY-concluded. But meanwhile axe and lever Have manfully been plied; 'Come back, come back, Horatius!' 'Back, Lartius! back, Herminius! |