SAINT CLOUD. [Paris, 5th September, 1815.] SOFT spread the southern summer night The evening breezes gently sigh'd, And wreck of sweet Saint Cloud. The drum's deep roll was heard afar, The startled Naiads from the shade We sate upon its steps of stone, Nor could its silence rue, The echoes of Saint Cloud. Slow Seine might hear each lovely note While through the moonless air they float, And sure a melody more sweet Though music's self was wont to meet Nor then, with more delighted ear, Few happy hours poor mortals pass,— '[These lines were written after an evening spent at Saint Cloud with the late Lady Alvanley and her daughters, one of whom was the songstress alluded to in the text.] 3 THE DANCE OF DEATH. L NIGHT and morning were at meeting Cocks had sung their earliest greeting; For no paly beam yet shone On the heights of Mount Saint John; Broad and frequent through the night Chill and stiff, and drench'd with rain, Though death should come with day. II. 'Tis at such a tide and hour, Wizard, witch, and fiend, have power, '[Originally published in 1815, in the Edinburgh Annual Register, vol. v.] And ghastly forms through mist and shower And then the affrighted prophet's ear Valiant Fassiefern. Through steel and shot he leads no more, And proud Bennevis hear with awe, III. 'Lone on the outskirts of the host, The weary sentinel held post, And heard, through darkness far aloof, The frequent clang of courser's hoof, - Where held the cloak'd patrol their course, And spurr'd 'gainst storm the swerving horse; But there are sounds in Allan's ear, When down the destined plain, Such forms were seen, such sounds were heard Such, when he drew his ruthless sword, The yet unchristen'd Dane. They wheel'd their ring-dance hand in hand, The Seer, who watch'd them ride the storm, And still their ghastly roundelay IV. Song. Wheel the wild dance While lightnings glance, · [See ante, vol. ii., Marmion, canto v., stanzas 24, 25, 26, and Appendix, Note N, p. 331.] |