Infantine effusions By Ernest Charles Jones, written by him, between the eighth and tenth years of his age |
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PYRENEAN ADVENTURE. |
 | Infantine effusions |  |
PYRENEAN ADVENTURE.
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The following lines were composed on reading an extract from a novel which appeared in the Gleaner, published at Hamburg 22d May 1829.
All hail! ye mist—surrounded mounts of Spain!
Where, stony passes lead to fertile plain,
Where dark'ning lies, the winding—deep ravine—
Where murm'ring streams bound o'er the mossy green;
Where dreadful precipice, and rocky steep
Frown fearful—o'er some yawning chasm deep—
Where screaming shrilly in the azure sky
The eagle sends his note—a deaf'ning cry!
Amongst the rest—a stony pass there laid
'Twas not by art—it was by nature made—
'Twas Irun call'd—and long renown'd had been,
It led to a woody—to a deep ravine—
Andaye's heights—a mighty belt was seen.
San Marcial and the Ocean hemm'd it round—
A beauteous rivulet rippled o'er the ground,
And help'd to swell fair Bidassoa's stream;
That blended sweetly with the woodland scene.
A ruin'd bridge that had for ages stood—
Sublimely arch'd above the chrystal flood—
A lasting monument—whose mould'ring arch—
Full long, had brav'd the boist'rous winds of march.
Where, stony passes lead to fertile plain,
Where dark'ning lies, the winding—deep ravine—
Where murm'ring streams bound o'er the mossy green;
53
Frown fearful—o'er some yawning chasm deep—
Where screaming shrilly in the azure sky
The eagle sends his note—a deaf'ning cry!
Amongst the rest—a stony pass there laid
'Twas not by art—it was by nature made—
'Twas Irun call'd—and long renown'd had been,
It led to a woody—to a deep ravine—
Andaye's heights—a mighty belt was seen.
San Marcial and the Ocean hemm'd it round—
A beauteous rivulet rippled o'er the ground,
And help'd to swell fair Bidassoa's stream;
That blended sweetly with the woodland scene.
A ruin'd bridge that had for ages stood—
Sublimely arch'd above the chrystal flood—
A lasting monument—whose mould'ring arch—
Full long, had brav'd the boist'rous winds of march.
The British tents were ranged where waters glide
And torrents rush from every mountain's side.
Young Edwin was among the British host—
One of the bravest—that its armies boast.
The tongue of rumour oft to him had told—
The beauty of the scene he would behold;
He wish'd to stray along the mountain's side
To view fair nature—in her wildest pride.
It was September—there—a balmy time—
Where linnets warble forth their song divine—
Where undisturbed by chilling baleful blasts—
The sweet—the odorous rose for ever lasts;
Where night a beauteous—silvery veil expands—
Nor yellow vapours hang above the land—
But clear the star shines in ethereal sky
Nor nightly vapours cloud the blue on high.
—Young Edwin sought the scenes to him so dear—
Where mighty rocks are ranged—tier over tier—
There where the sun shines with unsullied ray
And adds new lustre—to a gorgeous day.
And torrents rush from every mountain's side.
Young Edwin was among the British host—
54
The tongue of rumour oft to him had told—
The beauty of the scene he would behold;
He wish'd to stray along the mountain's side
To view fair nature—in her wildest pride.
It was September—there—a balmy time—
Where linnets warble forth their song divine—
Where undisturbed by chilling baleful blasts—
The sweet—the odorous rose for ever lasts;
Where night a beauteous—silvery veil expands—
Nor yellow vapours hang above the land—
But clear the star shines in ethereal sky
Nor nightly vapours cloud the blue on high.
—Young Edwin sought the scenes to him so dear—
Where mighty rocks are ranged—tier over tier—
There where the sun shines with unsullied ray
And adds new lustre—to a gorgeous day.
All hail! ye scenes!—so dear unto my heart—
All hail!—cried he—your wonted joy impart!
Ah! let me revel in the mountain scene—
And gaze upon the low and deep ravine—
And hear the murmur of the distant fount—
And wind the path of some high-towering mount!
All hail!—cried he—your wonted joy impart!
Ah! let me revel in the mountain scene—
55
And hear the murmur of the distant fount—
And wind the path of some high-towering mount!
He left the camp with ardent wish to view
The hollow glens—where twining woodbines grew;
With doubtful path the mighty cliff ascends
Where sylvan scenery—with mountain—blends.
'Twas a huge rock by misty vapours crown'd
Where eagles shrick'd from out their cavern'd ground
And distant echoes—repeated the shrill sound.
The huge—the craggy precipice he mounts,
And tries to trace the source of Guadia's founts;
O'erwhelmed with labour—still pursues his way
Nor fears to see the ray of parting day;
And as he look'd beneath him, he might view—
Extensive fields where waving herbage grew;
Towns—Villages—all beneath him lay
On which divinely smiled the solar ray;
Redoubts—and batteries—and the distant tent;
The mighty precipice—of vast extent:
And hanging woods of beauteous emerald die—
In splendour with the snow-capt mountains vie.
An universal stillness reign'd throughout the sky,—
Unbroke by aught—except the eagles cry.
No waving wind—to stir the leaves that rest
Scarce moving—on the mountain's rugged breast;
An awful stillness reign'd through all around
Unbroke by aught—except the fountain's sound—
That murm'ring quickly o'er its stony bed
From the huge rock—in triple thunders fled;—
So far was he—scarce could he hear its rush—
And day declining bade the eagle hush.
Clear was the vaulted blue in Heaven's height—
The sun was fading fast upon the sight;
He still advanc'd, and as he mounts more high—
More wondrous beauties meet th'enraptur'd eye.
The mountain's gain'd and ev'ry danger past—
In extacy around his eyes he cast—
But sudden starting in dismay he saw—
Some wretched victims of destructive war;
He saw beneath a dim uncertain ray
In a vast pit some mangled soldiers lay!—
Their bones were blanch'd beneath the winters rain
'Twas but the wreck of men he saw remain;
The hungry eagle pounce'd upon its prey
Shriek'd vainly round—the flesh was long away!—
Their military dress in shreds they tore—
In rage—to miss the food they'd found before.
And look'd on him—as if they would have said—
When will the fate of battle doom thee dead?—
They flew away—and sought their airy den—
With regret leaving—those sad wrecks of men;
Mov'd at the sight—surpris'd he gaz'd—he thought—
How warring armies 'mong those cliffs had fought!
No obvious path—to this dread chasm led—
A mountain urn—for some brave warriors dead!
But length'ning shadows bade him now prepare
To leave the scene that rivetted him there.
He went and breath'd a sigh for those behind
Whose bones lay bleach'd beneath th'northern wind.
But now the night was come;—with borrow'd light
Shone sweet in air—the brilliant lamp of night—
Her chasten'd beam she darts where Edwin strays
Lost now—benighted—in the woody maze—
And lights his dubious way with silver rays.
He guides his way by th'murmur of the fount.
While nightly mists in rolling circles mount—
While Quatra-coné—with his snowy shrouds
Rears his tall head—and kiss'd the vap'ry clouds.
The hollow glens—where twining woodbines grew;
With doubtful path the mighty cliff ascends
Where sylvan scenery—with mountain—blends.
'Twas a huge rock by misty vapours crown'd
Where eagles shrick'd from out their cavern'd ground
And distant echoes—repeated the shrill sound.
The huge—the craggy precipice he mounts,
And tries to trace the source of Guadia's founts;
O'erwhelmed with labour—still pursues his way
Nor fears to see the ray of parting day;
And as he look'd beneath him, he might view—
Extensive fields where waving herbage grew;
Towns—Villages—all beneath him lay
On which divinely smiled the solar ray;
Redoubts—and batteries—and the distant tent;
The mighty precipice—of vast extent:
56
In splendour with the snow-capt mountains vie.
An universal stillness reign'd throughout the sky,—
Unbroke by aught—except the eagles cry.
No waving wind—to stir the leaves that rest
Scarce moving—on the mountain's rugged breast;
An awful stillness reign'd through all around
Unbroke by aught—except the fountain's sound—
That murm'ring quickly o'er its stony bed
From the huge rock—in triple thunders fled;—
So far was he—scarce could he hear its rush—
And day declining bade the eagle hush.
Clear was the vaulted blue in Heaven's height—
The sun was fading fast upon the sight;
He still advanc'd, and as he mounts more high—
More wondrous beauties meet th'enraptur'd eye.
The mountain's gain'd and ev'ry danger past—
In extacy around his eyes he cast—
But sudden starting in dismay he saw—
Some wretched victims of destructive war;
57
In a vast pit some mangled soldiers lay!—
Their bones were blanch'd beneath the winters rain
'Twas but the wreck of men he saw remain;
The hungry eagle pounce'd upon its prey
Shriek'd vainly round—the flesh was long away!—
Their military dress in shreds they tore—
In rage—to miss the food they'd found before.
And look'd on him—as if they would have said—
When will the fate of battle doom thee dead?—
They flew away—and sought their airy den—
With regret leaving—those sad wrecks of men;
Mov'd at the sight—surpris'd he gaz'd—he thought—
How warring armies 'mong those cliffs had fought!
No obvious path—to this dread chasm led—
A mountain urn—for some brave warriors dead!
But length'ning shadows bade him now prepare
To leave the scene that rivetted him there.
He went and breath'd a sigh for those behind
Whose bones lay bleach'd beneath th'northern wind.
58
Shone sweet in air—the brilliant lamp of night—
Her chasten'd beam she darts where Edwin strays
Lost now—benighted—in the woody maze—
And lights his dubious way with silver rays.
He guides his way by th'murmur of the fount.
While nightly mists in rolling circles mount—
While Quatra-coné—with his snowy shrouds
Rears his tall head—and kiss'd the vap'ry clouds.
The moon's half veil'd and scarce her struggling ray
Lends its soft light to guide brave Edwin's way.
Wilder'd he strays among the labyrinths green
And still hangs wondering on the beauteous scene:
When an Iberian youth—in distance spied—
And quickly to the welcome traveller hied;
From the mountain pass requested to be led—
And ask'd the tale of those—he had seen dead.
Lends its soft light to guide brave Edwin's way.
Wilder'd he strays among the labyrinths green
And still hangs wondering on the beauteous scene:
When an Iberian youth—in distance spied—
And quickly to the welcome traveller hied;
From the mountain pass requested to be led—
And ask'd the tale of those—he had seen dead.
Alas! why bring those happier times to mind—
T'awaken griefs!—of long past joys remind!
—Here once—a Hamlet stood—a blest retreat!
Where peaceful innocence then held its seat—
Each humble roof beneath the deep-green trees
Screen'd from the sun—while zephyr fan'd the breeze
Each happy cot a pleasing scene presents
And clambering woodbine sends its heav'nly scents
A sweet and chrystal fount runs through the glade
Meand'ring soft beneath the tall trees shade.
While rural festivals we here prepare
Beneath th'unclouded sky and balmy air—
Sudden there burst upon our startled sight
A marauding band-adown the neighb'ring height!
Like furious torrents on our peasants rush
Despoil our homes—our wives and babes they crush!
Mad to revenge—we rush upon the sword—
Vain are our efforts 'gainst this Gallic hord;
The festive decorations seize in our defense—
And furious drive th'insatiate murd'rers hence.
Vengeance! the cry—we spurn the mossy ground—
—Our shouts re-echo 'mong the rocks around!
T'awaken griefs!—of long past joys remind!
—Here once—a Hamlet stood—a blest retreat!
59
Each humble roof beneath the deep-green trees
Screen'd from the sun—while zephyr fan'd the breeze
Each happy cot a pleasing scene presents
And clambering woodbine sends its heav'nly scents
A sweet and chrystal fount runs through the glade
Meand'ring soft beneath the tall trees shade.
While rural festivals we here prepare
Beneath th'unclouded sky and balmy air—
Sudden there burst upon our startled sight
A marauding band-adown the neighb'ring height!
Like furious torrents on our peasants rush
Despoil our homes—our wives and babes they crush!
Mad to revenge—we rush upon the sword—
Vain are our efforts 'gainst this Gallic hord;
The festive decorations seize in our defense—
And furious drive th'insatiate murd'rers hence.
Vengeance! the cry—we spurn the mossy ground—
—Our shouts re-echo 'mong the rocks around!
At once we plan a mighty scheme—and all—
Spoilers—tyrants—in one heap shall fall!
Thou'st seen that hollow on the mountain's crown?—
Where mighty crags with jutting forehead frown?
—A rock hung o'er it—a mighty crag and vast—
That ne'er had shook beneath a northern blast—
We loose the crag—that with the slightest push—
'Twould in the abyss with triple thunders rush;
—'Twas dawn! the dawn of that avenging day—
We had designed our vengeance to allay!
—The sun rose fiery—immortal Phoebus rose—
On Quatra-coné's mount—refulgent glows.
The snows like diamonds shine beneath his rays
And various dies—in mountain pomp displays—
Now diamonds—rubies—all alike it shews,—
In all the tints of tyrian hues it glows!—
Its snowy shrouds to sheets of silver changed;
And fairy palaces—in order ranged—
A golden crown adorns the mountain's head
It shone—a farewell ray unto the dead!
Then my heart swell'd above my native land—
I call'd my comrades—and I seized my brand—
The shout was given—the dire fiends arose—
And neighbouring rocks re-echo to our blows
Francisco's our leader—on him the rank's bestow'd—
With direful rage—his manly cheek's o'erglow'd
When feigning to be wounded—through th'vale he flew—
The raging blood-hounds—with eager haste pursue.
That hollow you have seen—our fortress made—
A bridge of solid oak above it laid—
Francisco gains it!—the dire moment's come—
On which is fix'd th'unwary foeman's doom!
Francisco clears the chasm with a bound!—
Our shout arose—with triple echoes round—
—The rock still hung above the bridge—it fell!
—And fearfully arose our foeman's yell!—
The bridge is split!—the hanging death they view—
A pallid languor o'er their foreheads flew—
They cry for mercy—mercy!—was their cry—
Such Mercy—as ye granted!—we reply—
Vengeance is ours—your cry is now too late—
Behold yon ruins!—and receive your fate!
Here ceased his tale—his feelings keener grew
Silent, he pointed to the camp in view—
In speechless agony—with the light'nings flash
He rush'd away—the boughs beneath him crash.
60
Thou'st seen that hollow on the mountain's crown?—
Where mighty crags with jutting forehead frown?
—A rock hung o'er it—a mighty crag and vast—
That ne'er had shook beneath a northern blast—
We loose the crag—that with the slightest push—
'Twould in the abyss with triple thunders rush;
—'Twas dawn! the dawn of that avenging day—
We had designed our vengeance to allay!
—The sun rose fiery—immortal Phoebus rose—
On Quatra-coné's mount—refulgent glows.
The snows like diamonds shine beneath his rays
And various dies—in mountain pomp displays—
Now diamonds—rubies—all alike it shews,—
In all the tints of tyrian hues it glows!—
Its snowy shrouds to sheets of silver changed;
And fairy palaces—in order ranged—
A golden crown adorns the mountain's head
It shone—a farewell ray unto the dead!
Then my heart swell'd above my native land—
61
The shout was given—the dire fiends arose—
And neighbouring rocks re-echo to our blows
Francisco's our leader—on him the rank's bestow'd—
With direful rage—his manly cheek's o'erglow'd
When feigning to be wounded—through th'vale he flew—
The raging blood-hounds—with eager haste pursue.
That hollow you have seen—our fortress made—
A bridge of solid oak above it laid—
Francisco gains it!—the dire moment's come—
On which is fix'd th'unwary foeman's doom!
Francisco clears the chasm with a bound!—
Our shout arose—with triple echoes round—
—The rock still hung above the bridge—it fell!
—And fearfully arose our foeman's yell!—
The bridge is split!—the hanging death they view—
A pallid languor o'er their foreheads flew—
They cry for mercy—mercy!—was their cry—
Such Mercy—as ye granted!—we reply—
Vengeance is ours—your cry is now too late—
62
Here ceased his tale—his feelings keener grew
Silent, he pointed to the camp in view—
In speechless agony—with the light'nings flash
He rush'd away—the boughs beneath him crash.
| Infantine effusions | |