Page:Hemans in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 12 1823.pdf/6



wine-month* shone in its golden prime, And the red grapes clustering hung, But a deeper sound, through the Switzer's clime, Than the vintage-music rung— A sound through vaulted cave, A sound through echoing glen, Like the hollow swell of a rushing wave: —'Twas the tread of steel-girt men!

And a trumpet, pealing wild and far, 'Midst the ancient rocks was blown, Till the Alps replied to that voice of war, With a thousand of their own. And through the forest-glooms, Flash'd helmets to the day, And the winds were tossing knightly plumes, Like pine-boughs in their play.

In Hasli's wilds there was gleaming steel, As the host of the Austrian pass'd: And the Shreckhorn's rocks, with a savage peal, Made mirth of his clarion's blast. Up midst the Righi snows, The stormy march was heard, With the charger's tramp, whence fire-sparks rose, And the leader's gathering word.

But a band, the noblest band of all, Through the rude Morgarten strait, With blazon'd streamers, and lances tail, Mov'd onwards in princely state. They came, with heavy chains, For the race despis'd so long— But amidst his Alp domains, The herdsman's arm is strong!