h Young Lochinvar O, YOUNG Lochinvar is come out of the West ! Through all the wide Border his steed was the best ; And save his good broadsword, he weapons had none; He rode all unarm’d, and he rode all alone. So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, There never was knight like the young Lochinvar. He stay'd not for brake and he stopp'd not for stone ; So boldly he enter'd the Netherby Hall, Among bridesmen, and kinsmen, and brothers, and all ;Then spoke the bride's father, his hand on his sword (For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word), ‘O, come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar ?' I long woo'd your daughter, my suit you denied ;Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide ;And now am I come with this lost Love of mine To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine. There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far, That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar !' The bride kiss'd the goblet : the knight took it up, He quaff’d off the wine and he threw down the cup. She look'd down to blush, and she look'd up to sigh, With a smile on her lips, and a tear in her eye. He took her soft hand, ere her mother could bar,Now tread we a measure !' said young Lochinvar. So stately his form, and so lovely her face, D One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear, near ; So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung, So light to the saddle before her he sprung! 'She is won ! we are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur ; They'll have fleet steeds that follow,' quoth young Loch invar. There was mounting ’mong Græmes of the Netherby clan, Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran, SIR W. Scott. In The Wreck of the Hesperus It was the schooner Hesperus, That sailed the wintry sea ; To bear him company. Her cheeks like the dawn of day, That ope in the month of May. With his pipe in his mouth, The smoke now West, now South. Had saild the Spanish Main, For I fear a hurricane. And to-night no moon we see !' And a scornful laugh laughed he. Colder and louder blew the wind, A gale from the North-east ; The snow fell hissing in the brine, And the billows frothed like yeast. Down came the storm, and smote amain The vessel in its strength ; She shudder'd and paused, like a frighted steed, Then leap'd her cable's length. • Come hither! come hither! my little daughter, And do not tremble so; That ever wind did blow.' He wrapp'd her warm in his seaman's coat Against the stinging blast; And bound her to the mast. a may it be?' • O father! I hear the church-bells ring, O say, what ''Tis a fog-bell, on a rock-bound coast !' And he steerd for the open sea. "O father! I hear the sound of guns, O say, what may it be?”. 'Some ship in distress that cannot live In such an angry sea!' O say, what may it be?' A frozen corpse was he. With his face to the skies, On his fix'd and glassy eyes. Then the maiden clasped her hands and prayed That saved she might be; And she thought of Christ, who stilled the waves On the Lake of Galilee. And fast through the midnight dark and drear, Through the whistling sleet and snow, Like a sheeted ghost, the vessel swept Towards the reef of Norman's Woe. And ever the fitful gusts between A sound came from the land ; On the rocks and the hard sea-sand. She drifted a dreary wreck, Like icicles from her deck. Look'd soft as carded wool, Like the horns of an angry bull. With the masts went by the board ; Ho! ho ! the breakers roared ! A fisherman stood aghast, Lashed close to a drifting mast. The salt tears in her eyes ; On the billows fall and rise. a Such was the wreck of the Hesperus, In the midnight and the snow ! Christ save us all from a death like this, On the reef of Norman's Woe! H. W. LONGFELLOW, The Dog and the Water-lily THE noon was shady, and soft airs Swept Ouse's silent tide, I wander'd on his side. And high in pedigree - That spaniel found for me,) Now, starting into sight, With scarce a slower flight. His lilies newly blown; And one I wish'd my own. To steer it close to land; Escaped my eager hand. With fix'd considerate face, To comprehend the case. Dispersing all his dream, The windings of the stream. Beau, trotting far before, And plunging left the shore. Impatient swim to meet The treasure at my feet. |