 | Ionica |  |
180
Sapphics for a Tune.
MADE BY REQUEST OF A SONGSTRESS AND REJECTED.
Relics of battle dropt in sandy valley,
Bugle that screamed a warning of surprise,
Shreds of the colour torn before the rally,
Jewel of troth-plight seen by dying eyes,—
Welcome, dear tokens of the lad we mourn.
Tell how that day his faithful heart was leaping;
Help me, who linger in the home forlorn,
Throw me a rainbow on my endless weeping.
Bugle that screamed a warning of surprise,
Shreds of the colour torn before the rally,
Jewel of troth-plight seen by dying eyes,—
Welcome, dear tokens of the lad we mourn.
Tell how that day his faithful heart was leaping;
Help me, who linger in the home forlorn,
Throw me a rainbow on my endless weeping.
1885.
A SECOND ATTEMPT.
ACCEPTED.
Down the burnside hurry thee, gentle mavis!
Find the bothie, and flutter about the doorway.
Touch the lattice tenderly, bid my mother
Fetch away Johnnie.
Find the bothie, and flutter about the doorway.
Touch the lattice tenderly, bid my mother
Fetch away Johnnie.
181
Mother, uprouse thee! many bitter arrows
Out of one bosom gather, and for ever
Pray for one resting in a chilly forest
Under an oak tree.
Out of one bosom gather, and for ever
Pray for one resting in a chilly forest
Under an oak tree.
Gentle mavis! hover about the window
Where the sun shines on happy things of home life,
Bid the clansmen troop to the gory dingle.
Clansmen, avenge me!
Where the sun shines on happy things of home life,
Bid the clansmen troop to the gory dingle.
Clansmen, avenge me!
Mother! oh, my mother! upon a cradle
Woven of willows, with a bow beside me,
Near the kirk of Darrisdeer, under yew boughs,
Rock thy beloved.
Woven of willows, with a bow beside me,
Near the kirk of Darrisdeer, under yew boughs,
Rock thy beloved.
1885.
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