Page:Tales and Historic Scenes.pdf/128

124

From peace, and light, and glory hurl'd, The outcast of a purer world, I saw each brighter hope o'erthrown, And lived for one dread task alone. The task is closed—fulfill'd the vow, The hand of death is on thee now. Betrayer! in thy turn betray'd, The debt of blood shall soon be paid: Thine hour is come—the time hath been My heart had shrunk from such a scene; That feeling long is past—my fate Hath made me stern as desolate.

"Ye that around me shuddering stand, Ye chiefs and princes of the land! Mourn ye a guilty monarch's doom? —Ye wept not o'er the patriot's tomb! He sleeps unhonour'd—yet be mine To share his low, neglected shrine. His soul with freedom finds a home, His grave is that of glory—Rome! Are not the great of old with her, That city of the sepulchre?