Page:Tales and Historic Scenes.pdf/36

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In silent musings rapt:—the slaughter'd brave Lie thickly strewn by Darro's rippling wave. Soft fall the dews—but other drops have dyed The scented shrubs that fringe the river side, Beneath whose shade, as ebbing life retired, The wounded sought a shelter, and expired.13 Lonely, and lost in thoughts of other days, By the bright windings of the stream he strays, Till, more remote from battle's ravaged scene, All is repose, and solitude serene. There, 'neath an olive's ancient shade reclined, Whose rustling foliage waves in evening's wind, The harass'd warrior, yielding to the power, The mild sweet influence of the tranquil hour, Feels, by degrees, a long-forgotten calm Shed o'er his troubled soul unwonted balm; His wrongs, his woes, his dark and dubious lot, The past, the future, are awhile forgot; And Hope, scarce own'd, yet stealing o'er his breast, Half dares to whisper, "Thou shalt yet be blest!"

Such his vague musings—but a plaintive sound Breaks on the deep and solemn stillness round;