Page:Hemans in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 12 1823.pdf/7



The sun was reddening the clouds of morn When they enter'd the rock defile, And thrill as a joyous hunter's horn Their bugles rung the while.— But on the misty height, Where the mountain people stood, There was stillness as of night, When storms at distance brood:

There was stillness, as of deep dead night, And a pause—but not of fear, While the Switzers gaz'd on the gathering might Of the hostile shield and spear. On wound those columns bright, Between the lake and wood, But they look'd not to the misty height, Where the mountain people stood

The Pass was fill'd with their serried power, All helm'd and mail-array'd, And their steps had sounds like a thunder shower In the rustling forest shade. There were prince and crested knight Hemm'd in by cliff and flood, When a shout arose from the misty height Where the mountain people stood.