Glimpses of Antiquity Being a collection of metrical sketches, in the form of ballads, lyrics, &c., with main reference to mediaeval times or classical subjects. By George F. Preston [i.e. J. B. L. Warren] |
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ON A MOUNTAIN. |
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 | Glimpses of Antiquity |  |
54
ON A MOUNTAIN.
Pine-woods blue that clothe the mountain,
Sunbeams pierce not oft your shade!
Bilberries guard each fern-grown fountain,
With its miniature cascade,
Where, through moss thin waves distilling,
Trickle on, a runnel filling.
Sunbeams pierce not oft your shade!
Bilberries guard each fern-grown fountain,
With its miniature cascade,
Where, through moss thin waves distilling,
Trickle on, a runnel filling.
Wild the air around me sweeping,—
Wild the note the heathcock trills!
Wild the snow-fed torrent leaping,
In a hundred diamond rills!
Here the breath of freedom reaches:
Nought but sloth the valley teaches!
Wild the note the heathcock trills!
Wild the snow-fed torrent leaping,
In a hundred diamond rills!
Here the breath of freedom reaches:
Nought but sloth the valley teaches!
55
Here may grow some fairy blossom,
Fragile form, of colour rare,
Nestled in a snow-flake's bosom,
Only born in finest air,
Deep among the birk and heather,
Little recking wind or weather.
Fragile form, of colour rare,
Nestled in a snow-flake's bosom,
Only born in finest air,
Deep among the birk and heather,
Little recking wind or weather.
Who would live in pent-up valley,
Where the sunrise comes but late?—
Who in reeking town or alley,
Making gold and marring fate,
Spoiling life, that comes most pleasant
To the humble mountain peasant?
Where the sunrise comes but late?—
Who in reeking town or alley,
Making gold and marring fate,
Spoiling life, that comes most pleasant
To the humble mountain peasant?
| Glimpses of Antiquity | |