Little Rosa, who hoped, ere the whole day had passed, That the youth would speak out, to the purpose, at last, When evening at length was beginning to fall, III. MORNING is beaming o'er brake and bower, Lo! where my Second, in gorgeous array, With an arching neck, and a glancing eye. Spread is the banquet, and studied the song; And the maidens fling flowers, but where is my Whole. Look to the hill, is he climbing its side? Look to the stream-is he crossing its tide? Out on the false one! he comes not yetLady, forget him, yea, scorn and forget. "My first was dark o'er earth and air, As dark as she could be! The stars that gemmed her ebon hair King Cole saw twice as many there "Away, King Cole,' mine hostess said, 'Flaggon and flask are dry; Your nag is neighing in the shed, For he knows a storm is nigh.' She set my Second on his head, And she set it all awry." IV. COME from my First, ay, come ! The battle dawn is nigh; And the screaming trump and the thund'ring drum Are calling thee to die! Fight as thy father fought, Fall as thy father fell, Thy task is taught, thy shroud is wrought; So-forward! and farewell! Toll ye, my Second! toll! Fling high the flambeau's light; And sing the hymn for a parted soul, Beneath the silent night! The wreath upon his head, The cross upon his breast, Let the prayer be said, and the tear be shed: So take him to his rest! Call ye my Whole, ay, call! And let him greet the sable pall With a noble song to-day; Go, call him by his name; No fitter hand may crave To light the flame of a soldier's fame V. He talked of daggers and of darts, Of passions and of pains, Of weeping eyes and wounded hearts, Of kisses and of chains; He said, though love was kin to grief, He said, though many rued belief, She safely might believe; But still the lady shook her head, My Whole was all that he had said, He said, my First-whose silent car Was slowly wandering by, Veiled in a vapour faint and far Yet oh! it was not half so bright, But still the lady shook her head, My Whole was all that he had said, And then he set a cypress wreath Upon his raven hair, And drew his rapier from its sheath, But still the lady shook her head, My Whole was all that he had said, And all that he could say. |