THE ORIGIN OF THE HARP. THOMAS MOORE. (“Irish Melodies.") "Tis believed that this harp which I wake now for thee Was a siren of old who sung under the sea; And who often at eve through the bright billow roved To meet on the green shore a youth whom she loved. But she loved him in vain, for he left her to weep, And in tears all the night her gold ringlets to steep, Till Heaven looked with pity on true love so warm, And changed to this soft harp the sea-maiden's form! Still her bosom rose fair-still her cheek smiled the same— While her sea-beauties gracefully curled round the frame; And her hair, shedding tear-drops from all its bright rings, Fell over her white arm, to make the gold strings! Hence it came that this soft harp so long hath been known To mingle love's language with sorrow's sad tone; Till thou didst divide them, and teach the fond lay To be love when I'm near thee and grief when away! LOCHINVAR. SIR WALTER SCOTT. (Lady Heron's Song.) 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 unarın'd, and he rode all alone. So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, There never was knight like the young Lochin var. He staid not for brake, and he stopp'd not for stone, He swam the Eske river where ford there was none; But ere he alighted at Netherby gate, The bride had consented, the gallant came late: For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war, Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar. So boldly he enter'd the Netherby Hall, Among bride's-men, 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 wooed 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 Lochin var." 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 Lochin var. So stately his form, and so lovely her face, And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume; And the bride-maidens whispered, ""Twere better by far, To have match'd our fair cousin with young Lochinvar." One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear, When they reach'd the hall-door, and the charger stood near; So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung, "She is won! we are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur; They'll have fleet steeds that follow," quoth young Lochinvar. There was mounting 'mong Græmes of the Neth erby clan; Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran: There was racing and chasing, on Cannobie Lee, THE KNIGHT AND THE LADY. (A domestic legend of the reign of Queen Anne.) "Hail, wedded love! mysterious tie!” Thomson-or Somebody. RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM (THOMAS INGOLDSBY.) The Lady Jane was tall and slim, The Lady Jane was fair, And Sir Thomas, her lord, was stout of limb, And his cough was short, and his eyes were dim, And he wore green "specs," with a tortoise-shell rim, And his hat was remarkably broad in the brim, |