92
WESTERN RESERVE STUDIES
LEONORA
From visions of disastrous love
Leonora starts at dawn of day;
"How long, my Wilhelm, wilt thou rove?
Does death or falsehood cause thy stay?"
Since he with godlike Frederick's pow'rs
At Prague had foremost dar'd the foe,
No tidings cheer'd her lonely hours,
No rumor told his weal or woe.
Leonora starts at dawn of day;
"How long, my Wilhelm, wilt thou rove?
Does death or falsehood cause thy stay?"
Since he with godlike Frederick's pow'rs
At Prague had foremost dar'd the foe,
No tidings cheer'd her lonely hours,
No rumor told his weal or woe.
Empress, and King, alike fatigued,
Now bade the storm of battle cease;
Their arms relenting friendship leagued,
And heal'd the bleeding world with Peace.
They sing, they shout, their cymbals clang,
Their green wreaths wave, they come, they come;
Each war-worn Hero comes to hang
With trophies his long wept for home.
Now bade the storm of battle cease;
Their arms relenting friendship leagued,
And heal'd the bleeding world with Peace.
They sing, they shout, their cymbals clang,
Their green wreaths wave, they come, they come;
Each war-worn Hero comes to hang
With trophies his long wept for home.
While from each bastion, tower, and shed,
Their country's general blessing showers;
Love twines for every laurel'd head,
His garland of domestic flowers.
How welcome husbands, sons, return'd!
What tears, what kisses greet the brave!
Alone poor Leonora mourn'd,
Nor tear, nor kiss, nor welcome gave.
Their country's general blessing showers;
Love twines for every laurel'd head,
His garland of domestic flowers.
How welcome husbands, sons, return'd!
What tears, what kisses greet the brave!
Alone poor Leonora mourn'd,
Nor tear, nor kiss, nor welcome gave.
From rank to rank, from name to name,
The fond inquirer trembling flew;
But none by person or by fame,
Aught of her gallant Wilhelm knew.
When all the joyous bands were gone,
Aghast she tore her raven hair;
On the cold earth she cast her down,
Convuls'd with frenzy and despair.
The fond inquirer trembling flew;
But none by person or by fame,
Aught of her gallant Wilhelm knew.
When all the joyous bands were gone,
Aghast she tore her raven hair;
On the cold earth she cast her down,
Convuls'd with frenzy and despair.
In haste th' affrighted mother flew,
And round her clasp'd her aged arms:
"Oh, God! her griefs with mercy view,
Oh, calm her constant heart's alarms!"
"Oh, mother! past is past; 'tis o'er;
Nor joy, nor world, nor hope I see;
Thy God my anguish hears no more,
Alas, alas! Oh, woe is me!"
And round her clasp'd her aged arms:
"Oh, God! her griefs with mercy view,
Oh, calm her constant heart's alarms!"
"Oh, mother! past is past; 'tis o'er;
Nor joy, nor world, nor hope I see;
Thy God my anguish hears no more,
Alas, alas! Oh, woe is me!"
