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The Legend of Genevieve

with other tales and poems. By Delta [i.e. David Macbeth Moir]

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 I. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 VI. 
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 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
No. IV. THE BARD'S WISH.
 V. 
 VI. 
  


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No. IV. THE BARD'S WISH.

Oh! were I laid
In the greenwood shade,
Beneath the covert of waving trees;
Removed from woe,
And the ills below,
That render life but a long disease!
No more to weep,
But in soothing sleep
To slumber on long ages through;—
My grave-turf bright
With the rosy light
Of eve, or the morning's silver dew!

279

For all my dreams,
And vision'd gleams,
Are not like those of this earthly span;
My spirit would stray
For ever away
From the noise of strife, and the haunts of man.
I ask no dirge.—
The foaming surge
Of the torrent will sing a lament for me;
And the evening breeze,
That stirs the trees,
Will murmur a mournful lullaby.
Plant not—plant not—
Above the spot,
Memorial stones for the stranger's gaze;
The earth and sky
Are enough, for I
Have lived with Nature all my days!
Oh! were I laid
In the greenwood shade,

280

Beneath the covert of waving trees;
Removed from woe,
And the ills below,
That render life but a long disease!