8. He springs from his hammock, || he flies to the deck; Amazement confronts him || with images dire; Wild winds and mad waves || drive the ve sel a wreck, The masts fly in splinters, || the shrouds are on fire! 9. Like mountains the billows || tumultuously swell, In vain the lost wretch' || calls on mercy to save; Unseen hands of spirits || are ringing his knell, And the death-angel flaps || his broad wings o'er the wave. 10. Oh, Sailor-boy'! | woe to thy dream of delight! In darkness || dissolves the gay frost-work of bliss; Where now is the picture || that Fancy touched bright; Thy parents' fond pressure, || and love's honeyed kiss? 11. Oh, Sailor-boy'! Sailor-boy'! || never again Shall home, love, or kindred, || thy wishes repay; 13. On beds of green sea-flower || thy limbs shall be laid, 14. Days', months', years', and ages, || shall circle away, DIMONI LESSON XXXII. MARY, THE MAID OF THE INN. 1. WHERE is she, the poor maniac, whose wildly-fixed eyes 2. No aid', no compassion', the maniac will seek; Through the rags do the winds of the winter blow bleak 3. Yet cheerful and happy`, nor distant the day, The traveler remembers, who journeyed this way, 4. Her cheerful' address filled the guests with delight, 5. She loved'; and young Richard had settled the day`, And she hoped to be happy for life: But Richard was idle and worthless; and they 6. 'Twas in autumn, and stormy and dark was the night, 7. "Tis pleasant," cried one, "seated by the fireside, "A fine night for the Abbey`!" his comrade replied: 8. "I myself, like a school-boy, should tremble to hear 9. "I'll wager a dinner," the other one cried, "That Mary' would venture there now`:" 10. "Will Mary this charge on her courage allow?" "I shall win, for I know she will venture there now, 11. With fearless good-humor did Mary comply, The night it was gloomy, the wind it was high; 12. O'er the path so well known, still proceeded the maid, Where the Abbey rose dim on the sight; Through the gateway, she entered, she felt not afraid; Yet the ruins were lonely and wild, and their shade 13. All around her was silent, save when the rude blast Over weed-covered fragments still fearless she passed, Where the alder-tree grew in the aisle. 14. Well pleased did she reach` it, and quickly drew near, When the sound of a voice seemed to rise on her ear; 15. The wind blew`, the hoarse ivy shook over her head`: The wind ceased', her heart sunk in her bosom with dread, 16. Behind a wide column, half breathless with fear, That instant, the moon o'er a dark cloud shone clear, 17. Then Mary could feel her heart-blood curdle cold! It blew off the hat of the one, and behold, 18. "Stop! the hat!" he exclaims; "Nay, come on, and fast hide 19. She ran with wild speed`, she rushed in at the door`, Her limbs could support their faint burden no more; 20. Ere yet her pale lips could her story impart, Her eyes from that object convulsively start, For, Ŏ Heaven! what cold horror thrilled through her heart, 21. Where the old Abbey stands, on the common hard by', Not far from the inn, it engages the eye`; The traveler beholds it, and thinks with a sigh', SOUTHET. LESSON XXXIII. 3 3 MIDNIGHT MASS FOR THE DYING YEAR. 1. YES, the year is growing old, And his eye is pale and bleared; 2. The leaves are falling, falling', Caw! caw! the rooks are calling, 3. Through woods and mountain-passes 4. The hooded clouds, like friars, 5. There he stands, in the foul weather, Crown'd with wild flowers and with heather', A king,-a king! 6. Then comes the summer-like day, His joy! his last! O, the old man gray Gentle and low`. 7. To the crimson woods he saith, Of the soft air, like a daughter's breath, Do not laugh at me! 8. And now, the sweet day is dead'; No stain from its breath is spread No mist or stain! 9. Then, too, the Old Year dieth, And the forests utter a moan, Vex not his ghost! 10. Then comes, with an awful roar, 11. Howl! howl! and from the forest 12. For there shall come a mightier blast, And the stars from heaven downcast, Kyrie Eleyson! Christe Eleyson!* LONGFELLOW. LESSON XXXIV. 4 THE SOLDIER'S REST. 1. SOLDIER', rest! || thy warfare o'er', Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking; Dream of battle-fields || no more, Days of danger', || nights of waking, In our isle's enchanted hall, Hands unseen || thy couch are strewing, Fairy strains of music || fall, Every sense in slumber dewing. Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking`; 2. No rude sound shall reach thine ear", Here's no war-steed's neigh and champing, These words mean, "Lord, have meroy! Christ, have mercy!" |