XI.

THE SOURCE OF THE DANUBE.

NOT, like his great Compeers, indignantly
Doth DANUBE spring to life! The wandering
Stream

(Who loves the Cross, yet to the Crescent's gleam Unfolds a willing breast) with infant glee

Slips from his prison walls: and Fancy, free
To follow in his track of silver light,

Mounts on rapt wing, and with a moment's flight
Hath reached the encincture of that gloomy sea
Whose waves the Orphean lyre forbade to meet
In conflict, whose rough winds forgot their jars
To waft the heroic progeny of Greece,

When the first Ship sailed for the Golden Fleece,— ARGO,- exalted for that daring feat

To fix in heaven her shape distinct with stars.

XII.

ON APPROACHING THE STAUB-BACH, LAUTERBRUNNEN.

UTTERED by whom, or how inspired, designed
For what strange service, does this concert reach
Our ears, and near the dwellings of mankind,—
'Mid fields familiarized to human speech?

* See Note.

More thrilling melodies; Witch answering Witch,
To chant a love-spell, never intertwined
Notes shrill and wild with art more musical:
Alas! that from the lips of abject Want
Or Idleness in tatters mendicant

The strain should flow, free Fancy to inthrall,
And with regret and useless pity haunt
This bold, this bright, this sky-born WATERFALL!*

XIII.

THE FALL OF THE AAR, HANDEC.

FROM the fierce aspect of this River, throwing
His giant body o'er the steep rock's brink,
Back in astonishment and fear we shrink:
But, gradually a calmer look bestowing,
Flowers we espy beside the torrent growing;
Flowers that peep forth from many a cleft and
chink,

And, from the whirlwind of his anger, drink
Hues ever fresh, in rocky fortress blowing:
They suck from breath that, threatening to
destroy,

Is more

-

benignant than the dewy eve —

* See Note.

Beauty, and life, and motions as of joy:
Nor doubt but HE to whom yon pine-trees nod
Their heads in sign of worship, Nature's God,
These humbler adorations will receive.

XIV.

MEMORIAL,

NEAR THE OUTLET OF THE LAKE OF THUN.

"DEM

ANDENKEN

MEINES FREUNDES

ALOYS REDING

MDCCCXVIII."

Aloys Reding, it will be remembered, was Captain-General of the Swiss forces, which, with a courage and perseverance worthy of the cause, opposed the flagitious and too successful attempt of Buonaparte to subjugate their country.

AROUND a wild and woody hill,

A gravelled pathway treading,

We reached a votive Stone that bears
The name of Aloys Reding.

Well judged the Friend who placed it there

For silence and protection;

And haply with a finer care

Of dutiful affection.

The Sun regards it from the West;
And, while in summer glory

He sets, his sinking yields a type

Of that pathetic story:

And oft he tempts the patriot Swiss
Amid the grove to linger;

Till all is dim, save this bright Stone
Touched by his golden finger.

XV.

COMPOSED IN ONE OF THE CATHOLIC CANTONS.

DOOMED as we are our native dust

To wet with many a bitter shower,
It ill befits us to disdain

The altar, to deride the fane,

Where simple Sufferers bend, in trust
To win a happier hour.

I love, where spreads the village lawn,
Upon some knee-worn cell to gaze:
Hail to the firm, unmoving cross,
Aloft, where pines their branches toss!
And to the chapel far withdrawn,
That lurks by lonely ways!

Where'er we roam, along the brink
Of Rhine, or by the sweeping Po,
Through Alpine vale, or champaigne wide,
Whate'er we look on, at our side
Be Charity! - to bid us think,
And feel, if we would know.

XVI.

AFTER-THOUGHT.

O LIFE! without thy checkered scene
Of right and wrong, of weal and woe,
Success and failure, could a ground
For magnanimity be found;

For faith, 'mid ruined hopes, serene?
Or whence could virtue flow?

Pain entered through a ghastly breach,-
Nor while sin lasts must effort cease;
Heaven upon earth's an empty boast;
But, for the bowers of Eden lost,
Mercy has placed within our reach
A portion of God's peace.