Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/576

 the wealth of nations, to enter into statistical research, and to encounter each other in fiscal controversy—we present to the world the most sublime and touching spectacle that human circumstances can well produce—the spectacle of a senate mourning a hero!"—.

No sounds of labour vexed the quiet air From morn till eve. The people all stood still, And earth won back a Sabbath. There were none Who cared to buy or sell and make a gain For one whole day. All felt as they had lost A father, and were fain to keep within, Silent or speaking little. Such a day An old man sees but once in all his time.

The simplest peasant in the land that day Knew somewhat of his country's grief. He hoard The knell of England's hero from the tower Of the old church, and asked the cause and sighed. The veteran who had bled on some far field Fought o'er the battle for the thousandth time, With quaint addition; and the little child, That stopped his sport to run and ask his sire What it all meant, picked out the simple tale,— How he who drove the French from Waterloo, And crushed the tyrant of the world, and made His country great and glorious,—he was dead. All, from the simplest to the stateliest, knew But one sad story,—from the cottar's bairn Up to the fair-haired lady on the throne, Who sat within and sorrowed for her friend; And every tear she shed became her well, And seemed more lovely in her people's eyes Than all the starry wonders of her crown.

But as the waters of the Northern Sea (When one strong wind blows steady from the pole) Come hurrying to the shore, and far and wide As eye can reach the creaming waves press on Impatient; or, as trees that bow their tops One way when Alpine hollows bring one way The blast whereat they quiver in the vale, So millions pressed to swell the general grief One way;—for once all men seemed one way drawn; Or if, through evil hap and unforeseen Some stayed behind, their hearts; at least, were there The whole day through—could think of nothing else— Hear nothing else—see nothing!