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189

BALLADS.

OH! 'TIS THE MELODY.

I

Oh! 'tis the melody
We heard in former years;
Each note recalls to me
Forgotten smiles and tears.
Tears caused by fleeting woes
I then believed severe,
Smiles that were shared by those
Whose smiles were very dear.
Sing then, oh! sing to me,
How sweet each note appears!
Oh! 'tis the melody,
We heard in former years.

II

Ay, I remember well,
When last I heard that lay,
'Twas in a sunny dell,
Just at the close of day.
Garlands of roses made
A roof from bough to bough,
Friends sat beneath the shade—
Alas! where are they now?
Sing then, oh! sing to me, &c.
190

III

Ay, I remember too
Who sweetly sang and play'd,
Yet half ashamed to view
The circle she had made.
Smiling to hear the sound
Of her own voice and lute,
Blushing to look around
On list'ners so mute.
Sing then, oh! sing to me, &c.

THE ROVER'S BRIDE.

I

Oh! if you love me furl your sails,
Draw up your boat on shore;
Come tell me of the midnight gales,
But tempt their might no more.

II

“Oh! stay,” Kate whispered, “stay with me.”
“Fear not” the Rover cried,
“Yon bark shall be a prize for me,
I'll seize it for my bride.”

III

The boat was in pursuit, it flew,
The full sails bent the mast,
Poor Kate well knew the Rover's crew
Would struggle to the last.

IV

Then, ceaselessly, for morning's light
She prayed upon her knees;
For, all the night, the sounds of fight
Were borne upon the breeze.
191

V

When morning came it brought despair,
The Rover's boat was gone!
Kate rent her hair; one bark was there
Triumphant, but alone.

VI

She sought the shore, she braved the storm,
A corpse lay by her side!
She strove to warm the Rover's form,
She kiss'd his lips, and died.

THE SOLDIER'S TEAR.

I

Upon the hill he turned,
To take a last fond look
Of the valley, and the village church,
And the cottage by the brook.
He listen'd to the sounds
So familiar to his ear,
And the soldier leant upon his sword,
And wiped away a tear.

II

Beside that cottage porch,
A girl was on her knees;
She held aloft a snowy scarf,
Which fluttered in the breeze.
She breath'd a prayer for him,
A prayer he could not hear,
But he paused to bless her as she knelt,
And wiped away a tear.
192

III

He turn'd, and left the spot,
Oh! do not deem him weak,
For dauntless was the soldier's heart,
Tho' tears were on his cheek.
Go watch the foremost ranks,
In danger's dark career.
Be sure the hand most daring there
Has wiped away a tear.

WELCOME ME HOME.

I

Gaily the Troubadour
Touch'd his guitar,
When he was hastening
Home from the war.
Singing “From Palestine
Hither I come,
Lady love! Lady love!
Welcome me home.”

II

She for the Troubadour
Hopelessly wept;
Sadly she thought of him,
When others slept;
Singing “In search of thee
Would I might roam,
Troubadour! Troubadour!
Come to my home.”
193

III

Hark! 'twas the Troubadour
Breathing her name,
Under the battlement,
Softly he came,
Singing “From Palestine
Hither I come,
Lady love! Lady love!
Welcome me home.”
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