Four of his men, the bravest four, Behind him basely came the Graeme, But yet his sword quat not the grip, Nor dropt he to the ground, Till through his enemy's heart his steel Had forced a mortal wound. Graeme, like a tree with wind o'erthrown, Fell breathless on the clay; And down beside him sank the Rose, The sad Matilda saw him fall: "Oh, spare his life!" she cried; "Lord Buchan's daughter begs his life; Let her not be denied!" Her well-known voice the hero heard; And fixed them on the weeping maid, "In vain Matilda begs the life, By death's arrest denied: My race is run-adieu, my love-" The sword, yet warm, from his left side With frantic hand she drew: "I come, Sir James the Rose," she cried; "I come to follow you!" She leaned the hilt against the ground, Then fell upon her lover's face, TO THE EU E K O O. HAIL, beauteous stranger of the grove! Thou messenger of Spring! Now heaven repairs thy rural seat, And woods thy welcome sing. What time the daisy decks the green, Hast thou a star to guide thy path, Delightful visitant! with thee, I hail the time of flowers, And hear the sound of music sweet, The schoolboy wandering through the wood, To pull the primrose gay, Starts the new voice of spring to hear, And imitates thy lay. What time the pea puts on the bloom, Thou fliest thy local vale, Another guest in other lands, Sweet bird! thy bower is ever green, Thy sky is ever clear; Thou hast no sorrow in thy song, No winter in thy year! TIS past: the iron North has spent his rage; Of genial heat and cheerful light the source, |