Then bear my corse, my comrades! bear,
This bridegroom blithe to meet;
He in his wedding trim so gay, I in my winding sheet."
She spoke; she died. Her corpse was borne
The bridegroom blithe to meet;
He in his wedding trim so gay,
She in her winding sheet.
Then what were perjured Colin's thoughts?
How were these nuptials kept?
The bridesmen flock'd round Lucy dead,
And all the village wept.
Confusion, shame, remorse, despair,
At once his bosom swell;
The damps of death bedew'd his brow;
He shook, he groan'd, he fell.
From the vain bride, ah! bride no more!
The varying crimson fled,
When stretch'd before her rival's corpse
She saw her husband dead.
Then to his Lucy's new-made grave Convey'd by trembling swains, One mould with her, beneath one sod,
For ever he remains.
Oft at this grave the constant hind
And plighted maid are seen; With garlands gay and true-love knots They deck the sacred green.
But, swain forsworn! whoe'er thou art, This hallow'd spot forbear;
Remember Colin's dreadful fate,
And fear to meet him there.
[WILLIAM SOMERVILLE was born in the year 1692, at the family seat at Edstone, in Warwickshire. He was educated at Winchester School, and afterwards at New College, Oxford. He passed the chief part of his life at the residence of his ancestors, and occupied himself with the duties of a country magistrate, the active life of a keen sportsman, and the cultivation of his poetic talents.
Somerville's "Chase" has always been a favourite with lovers of country life, and has often been reprinted.]
NEXT will I sing the valiant falcon's fame : Aërial fights, where no confed'rate brute Joins in the bloody fray; but bird with bird Justs in mid-air. Lo! at his siege the hern, Upon the bank of some small purling brook, Observant stands to take his scaly prize, Himself another's game. For mark behind The wily falconer creeps: his grazing horse. Conceals the treacherous foe, and on his fist Th' unhooded falcon sits: with eager eyes She meditates her prey, and, in her wild Conceit, already plumes the dying bird. Up springs the hern, redoubling every stroke, Conscious of danger, stretches far away,
With busy pennons and projected beak, Piercing th' opponent clouds: the falcon swift Follows at speed, mounts as he mounts, for hope
Gives vigour to her wings. Another soon
Strains after to support the bold attack,
Warm grows the conflict, every nerve 's employ'd; Now through the yielding element they soar Aspiring high, then sink at once, and rove In trackless mazes through the troubled sky. No rest, no peace. The falcon hovering flies. Balanced in air, and confidently bold
Hangs o'er him like a cloud, then aims her blow Full at his destined head. The watchful hern Shoots from her like a blazing meteor swift That gilds the night, eludes her talons keen And pointed beak, and gains a length of way. Observe th' attentive crowd; all hearts are fix'd On this important war, and pleasing hope Glows in each breast. The vulgar and the great, Equally happy now, with freedom share The common joy. The shepherd-boy forgets His bleating care; the labouring hind lets fall His grain unsown; in transport lost, he robs Th' expecting furrow, and in wild amaze The gazing village point their eyes to heaven. Where is the tongue can speak the falconer's cares 'Twixt hopes and fears, as in a tempest tost? His fluttering heart, his varying cheeks confess
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