As if the clouds its echo would repeat ; And nearer, clearer, deadlier than before! Arm! Arm! it is-it is—the cannon's opening roar ! Within a window'd niche of that high hall And caught its tone with Death's prophetic ear; And roused the vengeance blood alone could quell; Ah! then and there was hurrying to and fro, And there was mounting in hot haste the steed, And swiftly forming in the ranks of war; And wild and high the "Cameron's gathering" rose! And Ardennes waves above them her green leaves, Grieving, if aught inanimate e'er grieves, Ere evening to be trodden like the grass Which now beneath them, but above shall grow In its next verdure, when this fiery mass Of living valour, rolling on the foe And burning with high hope, shall moulder cold and low. D D Last noon beheld them full of lusty life, The thunder-clouds close o'er it, which when rent Which her own clay shall cover, heap'd and pent, Rider and horse,-friend, foe,-in one red burial blent. TO A SKYLARK. BY PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY. [PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY, the son and heir of Sir Timothy Shelley, of Castle Goring, Sussex, was born at Field Place, in that county, on the 4th of August, 1792. He was educated first at Eton, and afterwards at Oxford. His violation of all rules, and his adoption of atheistical principles, led to his removal from the former, and his expulsion from the latter seat of learning. An imprudent marriage caused him to be cast off by his family. After the birth of two children he was separated from his wife, and went abroad. Shortly after his return to England, his wife committed suicide, which caused Shelley to be exposed to much obloquy and misrepresentation. He contracted a second marriage with the daughter of Mr. Godwin, the author of "Caleb Williams." On the 12th of March, 1818, he quitted this country, never to return. He went direct to Italy, where he renewed his acquaintance with Lord Byron. After some years of disease, intense study, and literary occupations, he was accidentally drowned in the Gulf of Lerici, on the 8th of July, 1822. In accordance with his own desire, his body, when recovered, was burnt on the sea-shore, and the ashes interred at Rome. Shelley was the author of " Prometheus," "Queen Mab," "Alastor," "Cenci, "An Ode to the Skylark," and other miscellaneous pieces.] HAIL to thee, blithe spirit! Bird thou never wert, That from heaven, or near it, Pourest thy full heart In profuse strains of unpremeditated art. Higher still and higher, From the earth thou springest Like a cloud of fire; The blue deep thou wingest, And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest, |