Page:Hemans in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 12 1823.pdf/8



And the mighty rocks came bounding down Their startled foes among, With a joyous whirl from the summit thrown— Oh! the herdsman's arm is strong! They came, like Lauwine* hurl’d, From Alp to Alp in play, When the echoes shout through the snowy world, And the pines are borne away.

The larch-woods crash'd on the mountain side, And the Switzers rush'd from high With a sudden charge, on the flower and pride Of the Austrian chivalry: Like hunters of the deer, They storm'd the narrow dell, And first in the shock, with Uri's spear, Was the arm of William Tell† !

There was tumult in the crowded strait, And a cry of wild dismay, And many a warrior met his fate From a peasant's hand that day! And the Empire's banners there, From its place of waving free, Went down before the shepherd men, The men of the Forest Sea‡.