Lo! where my Second, in gorgeous array, With an arching neck and a glancing eye. Spread is the banquet and studied the song, Look to the hill! is he climbing its side? -- IV IVAN THE CZAR. He sat in silence on the ground, Lonely, though princes girt him round, He had cast his jewelled sabre, To the earth beside his youthful dead – His fair and first-born son. PRAED. With a robe of ermine for its bed On the pallid face came down, Low tones, at last, of woe and fear, From his full bosom broke. A mournful thing it was to hear Came forth in strange, dull, hollow tones, "There is no crimson on thy cheek, And on thy lip no breath; I call thee, and thou dost not speak- That I the deed have done- "Well might I know death's hue and mien; But on thine aspect, boy! What, till this moment, have I seen Save pride and tameless joy? Swiftest thou wert to battle, How could I think a warrior's frame "I will not bear that still cold look Hath my word lost its power on earth? "Didst thou not know I loved thee well? Thou didst not! and art gone In bitterness of soul, to dwell "Thou wert the first, the first fair child I reared thee as an eagle, To the chase thy steps I led; I bore thee on my battle-horseI look upon thee - dead! "Lay down my warlike banners here, And bury my red sword and spear, I have slain my work is done. And thus his wild lament was poured He heard strange voices moaning In every wind that sighed; From the searching stars of heaven he shrank. DEATH THE LEVELLER. The glories of our birth and state Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate; Sceptre and crown Must tumble down, F. HEMANS. And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade; To the cold tomb: Only the actions of the just Smell sweet, and blossom in the dust. SHIRLEY. VI THE SWORD. 'Twas the battle-field, and the cold pale moon With his father's sword in his red right hand, Lay a youthful chief; but his bed was the ground, A reckless rover, 'mid death and doom, Drawn by the shine of the warrior's sword, He wrenched the hand with a giant's strength, |