356
WATERLOO.
Now her pale lamp she holds o'er Slaughter's hand,
Guides the sure blow, and points the vengeful brand.
Onward they rush, 'till the reflected beam
Quivers on Sambre's gently-gliding stream.
Ah, gentle now no more! The broken wave
Flashes above the soldier's wat'ry grave.
The stifled groan, the frequent plunge declare
That foemen slay, and warriors perish there.
Guides the sure blow, and points the vengeful brand.
Onward they rush, 'till the reflected beam
Quivers on Sambre's gently-gliding stream.
Ah, gentle now no more! The broken wave
Flashes above the soldier's wat'ry grave.
The stifled groan, the frequent plunge declare
That foemen slay, and warriors perish there.
But turn your eyes, where spreads the tranquil light
O'er the wide plain, where rag'd the desperate fight,
Death's banquet-room, where wildly mingled lie
The wrecks of his tremendous revelry.
The pale ray gleams on many a paler cheek,
Distain'd alone by slaughter's crimson streak;
And oft the glist'ning radiance, mildly wan,
Falls on a face too beautiful for man;
While from the riven helm escap'd have roll'd
Dark braided tresses, or dishevell'd gold.
'Tis Gallia's maid, who by her warrior's side
In danger triumph'd, and devoted died.
O'er the wide plain, where rag'd the desperate fight,
Death's banquet-room, where wildly mingled lie
The wrecks of his tremendous revelry.
The pale ray gleams on many a paler cheek,
Distain'd alone by slaughter's crimson streak;
And oft the glist'ning radiance, mildly wan,
Falls on a face too beautiful for man;
While from the riven helm escap'd have roll'd
Dark braided tresses, or dishevell'd gold.
'Tis Gallia's maid, who by her warrior's side
In danger triumph'd, and devoted died.
O woman, with thy grace what strength combines!
Faithful as ivy to the shaft it twines,
Which closer still in ruin clasps it round,
And gives in turn the kind support it found!
Faithful as ivy to the shaft it twines,
Which closer still in ruin clasps it round,
And gives in turn the kind support it found!
