HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY

THE GIFT OF

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY Maris 7, 1930

A TALE.

- I suoi pensieri in lui dormir non ponno. » Tasso, canto decimo, Gerusalemme Liber.

«O'er the glad waters of the dark blue sca,
« Our thoughts as boundless, and our souls as free,
Far as the breeze can bear, the billows foam;

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Survey our empire, and behold our home?

<< These are our realms, no limits to their sway« Our flag the sceptre all who meet obey.

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Ours the wild life in tumult still to range

From toil to rest, and joy in every change.
Oh, who can tell? not thou, luxurious slave?
Whose soul would sicken o'er the heaving wave;
Not thou, vain lord of wantonness and ease!

« Whom slumber soothes not- -pleasure cannot pleaseOh, who can tell, save he whose heart hath tried, And danced in triumph o'er the waters wide,

The exulting sense-the pulse's maddening play, That thrills the wanderer of that trackless way? "That for itself can woo the approaching fight, « And turn what some deem danger to delight; That seeks what cravens shun with more than zeal, «And where the feebler faint can only feel

« Feel

to the rising bosom's inmost core,

<< Its hope awaken and its spirit soar?

« No dread of death-if with us die our foes<< Save that it seems even duller than repose:

<< Come when it will-we snatch the life of life<< When lost-what recks it—by disease or strife? « Let him who crawls enamoured of decay,

Cling to his couch, and sicken years away;

<< Heave his thick breath, and shake his palsied head; Ours- the fresh turf, and not the feverish bed.

While gasp by gasp he falters forth his soul,

<< Ours with one pang-one bound- escapes control. << His corse may boast its urn and narrow cave, «And they who loathed his life may gild his grave: << Ours are the tears, though few, sincerely shed, « When Ocean shrouds and sepulchres our dead. « For us, even banquets fond regret supply <<< In the red cup that crowns our memory; « And the brief epitaph in danger's day,

When those who win at length divide the prey,
And cry, Remembrance saddening o'er each brow,
How had the brave who fell exulted now! »

II.

Such were the notes that from the Pirate's isle,
Around the kindling watch-fire rang the while;
Such were the sounds that thrilled the rocks along,
And unto ears as rugged seemed a song!
In scattered groups upon the golden sand,
They game-carouse-converse-or whet the brand;
Select the arms-to each his blade assign,
And careless eye the blood that dims its shine:
Repair the boat, replace the helm or oar,
While others straggling muse along the shore,
For the wild bird the busy springes set,
Or spread beneath the sun the dripping net;
Gaze where some distant sail a speck supplies,
With all the thirsting eye of Euterprise;
Tell o'er the tales of many a night of toil,
And marvel where they next shall seize a spoil:

No matter where their chief's allotment this;
Theirs, to believe no prey nor plan amiss.
But who that CHIEF? his name on every shore
Is famed and feared - they ask and know no more.
With these he mingles not but to command;
Few are his words, but keen his eye and hand.
Ne'er seasons he with mirth their jovial mess,
But they forgive his silence for success.
Ne'er for his lip the purpling cup they fill,
That goblet passes him untasted still

And for his fare the rudest of his crew

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Would that, in turn, have passed untasted too;
Earth's coarsest bread, the garden's homeliest roots,
And scarce the summer luxury of fruits,
His short repast in humbleness supply
With all a hermit's board would scarce deny.
But while he shuns the grosser joys of

sense

His mind seems nourished by that abstinence.

<< Steer to that shore!»- they said. « Do this! » -'tis done :
<< Now form and follow me! >>
-the spoil is won.
Thus prompt his accents and his actions still,
And all obey and few inquire his will;

To such, brief answer and contemptuous eye
Convey reproof, nor further deign reply.

III.

« A sail! a sail!. -» a promised prize to Hope
Her nation-flag-how speaks the telescope?
No prize, alas!—but yet a welcome sail :
The blood-red signal glitters in the gale.
Yes-she is ours- a home returning bark·
Blow fair, thou breeze! - she anchors ere the dark.
Already doubled is the cape-our bay

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Receives that prow which proudly spurns the spray.
How gloriously her gallant course she goes!

Her white wings flying

never from her foes

She walks the waters like a thing of life,

And seems to dare the elements to strife.
Who would not brave the battle fire-the wreck

To move the monarch of her peopled deck?

IV.

Hoarse o'er her side the rustling cable rings;
The sails are furled; and anchoring round she swings:
And gathering loiterers on the land discern
Her boat descending from the latticed stern.
'Tis manned

the oars keep concert to the strand, Till grates her keel upon the shallow sand.

Hail to the welcome shout! - the friendly speech!
Wheu hand grasps hand uniting on the beach;
The smile, the question, and the quick reply,
And the heart's promise of festivity!

V.

The tidings spread, and gathering grows the crowd:
The hum of voices, and the laughter loud,

And woman's gentler anxious tone is heard

Friends'- husbands'- lovers' names in each dear word: «Oh! are they safe? we ask not of success«But shall we see them? will their accents bless?

<< From where the battle soars-the billows chafeThey doubtless boldly did. but who are safe?

Here let them haste to gladden and surprise, « And kiss the doubt from these delighted eyes!

VI.

<< Where is our chief? for him we bear report -
« And doubt that joy - which hails our coming - short;
«Yet thus sincere - 'tis cheering, though so brief;
<< But, Juan! instant guide us to our chief:

« Our greeting paid, we'll feast on our return,
« And all shall hear what each may wish to learn. »
Ascending lowly by the rock-hewn way,

To where his watch-tower beetles o'er the bay,
By bushy brake, and wild flowers blossoming,
And freshness breathing from each silver spring,
Whose scattered streams from granite basins burst,
Leap into life, and sparkling woo your thirst;
From crag to cliff they mount - Near yonder cave,
What lonely straggler looks along the wave?
In pensive posture leaning on the brand,
Not oft a resting-staff to that red hand?