God shall spread abroad His banner,- And the earth shall shout Hosanna, And the reign of blood shall cease. Through a sea of human gore; WILLIAM HENRY BURLEIGH. 11. TRUE GLORY. THEY err, who count it glorious to subdue Large countries, and in field great battles win, What do these worthies But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and enslave Who names not now with honor, patient Job? JOHN MILTON (In "Paradise Regained"). 12. THE WARRIOR'S WREATH. BEHOLD the wreath which decks the warrior's brow: 'Tis red, but not with roseate hues; 'Tis crimsoned o'er With human gore! 'Tis wet, but not with heavenly dews. "T is drenched in tears, by widows, orphans, shed: Methinks in sable weeds I see them clad, And mourn in vain for husbands slain, Children beloved, or brothers dear; The fatherless In deep distress, Despairing, shed the scalding tear. I hear, 'mid dying groans, the cannon's crash; I see, 'mid smoke, the musket's horrid flash; Here famine walks, there carnage stalks, Hell in her fiery eye; she stains With purple blood The crystal flood, Heaven's altars, and the verdant plains. Scenes of domestic peace and social bliss Towns sacked, whole cities wrapt in flame! Is this the "bay " Which warriors gain? Is this called Fame? From "National Preceptor." Anon. 1835. 13. MIGHT MAKES RIGHT. A SPARROW, perched upon a bough, Spied a poor beetle creep below, And picked it up. "Ah, spare me, spare!" The insect prayed: but vain its prayer. "Wretch!" cries the murderer, "hold thy tongue, For thou art weak, and I am strong." A hawk beheld him, and in haste Sharpens his beak for a repast, And pounces plump upon him. "Oh," Exclaims the sparrow, "let me go!" "Wretch!" cries the murderer, "hold thy tongue, For thou art weak, and I am strong." The hawk was munching up his prey, You'll spare my life, "Sure, comrade, we 're both a trade!" "Wretch!" cries the murderer, "hold thy tongue, For thou art weak, and I am strong." A sportsman saw the eagle fly: He shot, and brought him from the sky. The dying bird could only groan, "Tyrant, what evil have I done?" "Wretch!" cries the murderer, "hold thy tongue, For thou art weak, and I am strong." 'Tis thus that man to man behaves: "Wretch!" cries the stronger, "hold thy tongue, For thou art weak, and I am strong." From "National Preceptor." Anon. 1835 14. THE REIGN OF PEACE. BEAUTIFUL Vision! how bright it rose, Well might it brighten the rapt seer's eye, 'T was earth, glad earth, when her strife was o'er, Households are grouped in the fig-tree's shade, Beautiful vision and shall it be Ay ! for the word of the prophet is true. The vines of Judah shall then be pruned, ELIZA THORNTON 15. BANNOCKBURN. WHEN Burns agreed with George Thompson to write words for his volume of Scottish Airs, he adapted Bannockburn to the air, "Hey tuttie, taitie," said to have been played by the bag-pipers at Bannockburn. Before publication, Thompson, thinking the air too frivolous, urged the addition of two syllables, naming them, to suit the air, "Jamie Gordon." The words in italics are the added words. The third verse originally closed, “Let him turn and flee," and the fourth verse closed, "Let him follow me." The original inspiration has ever been the favorite version. Sir Walter Scott afterwards wrote the introductory stanzas. — ED. AT Bannockburn the English lay; But soon the sun broke through the heath, And lighted up that field of death; When Bruce, wi' soul-inspiring breath, His heralds thus addressed: "Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled, Or to glorious victory! Now's the day, and now 's the hour; See approach proud Edward's power,— "Wha will be a traitor knave? Traitor! coward! turn and flee! "Wha for Scotland's king and law |