BINGEN ON THE RHINE. MRS. C. E. S. NORTON. A SOLDIER of the Legion lay dying in Algiers, There was lack of woman's nursing, there was dearth of woman's tears; But a comrade stood beside him, while his lifeblood ebbed away, And bent, with pitying glances, to hear what he might say. The dying soldier faltered, and he took that comrade's hand, And he said, "I never more shall see my own, my native land; Take a message, and a token, to some distant friends of mine, For I was born at Bingen,-fair Bingen on the Rhine. "Tell my brothers and companions, when they meet and crowd around, To hear my mournful story, in the pleasant vineyard ground, That we fought the battle bravely, and when the day was done, Full many a corse lay ghastly pale beneath the setting sun; And, mid the dead and dying, were some grown old in wars, The death-wound on their gallant breasts, the last of many scars; And some were young, and suddenly beheld life's morn de cline, And one had come from Bingen, fair Bingen on the Rhine. "Tell my mother that her other son shall comfort her old age; For I was still a truant bird, that thought his home a cage. For my father was a soldier, and even as a child My heart leaped forth to hear him tell of struggles fierce and wild; And when he died, and left us to divide his scanty hoard, sword; And with boyish love I hung it where the bright light used to shine, On the cottage wall at Bingen, calm Bingen on the Rhine. 66 Tell my sister not to weep for me, and sob with drooping head, When troops come marching home again with glad and gallant tread, But to look upon them proudly, with a calm and steadfast eye, And to hang the old sword in its place (my father's sword and mine), For the honor of old Bingen, dear Bingen on the Rhine. "There's another, not a sister; in the happy days gone by You'd have known her by the merriment that sparkled in · her eye; Too innocent for coquetry, too fond for idle scorning, BINGEN ON THE RHINE. 151 O friend! I fear the lightest heart makes sometimes heaviest mourning! Tell her the last night of my life (for, ere the morn be risen, My body will be out of pain, my soul be out of prison) I dreamed I stood with her, and saw the yellow sunlight shine On the vine-clad hills of Bingen, -fair Bingen on the Rhine. "I saw the blue Rhine sweep along; I heard, or seemed to hear, The German songs we used to sing, in chorus sweet and clear; And down the pleasant river, and up the slanting hill, The echoing chorus sounded, through the evening calm and still; And her glad blue eyes were on me, as we passed, with friendly talk, Down many a path beloved of yore, and well- remembered walk! And her little hand lay lightly, confidingly in mine,— But we'll meet no more at Bingen,-loved Bingen on the Rhine." His trembling voice grew faint and hoarse, his grasp was childish weak,- His eyes put on a dying look, he sighed, and ceased to speak; His comrade bent to lift him, but the sparks of life had fled, The soldier of the Legion in a foreign land is dead! And the soft moon rose up slowly, and calmly she looked down On the red sand of the battle-field with bloody corses strewn; Yes, calmly, on that dreadful scene her pale light seemed to shine, As it shone on distant Bingen, fair Bingen on the Rhine. SONNET ON HIS BLINDESS. J. MILTON. When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide, Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he, returning chide; Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed, TWO LOVERS. GEORGE ELIOT. WO lovers by a moss-grown spring: They leaned soft cheeks together there. O love's blest prime! Two wedded from the portal stept: O tender pride! Two faces o'er a cradle bent: Two hands above the head were locked; These pressed each other while they rocked, Those watched a life that love had sent. O hidden power! Two parents by the evening fire: The red light fell about their knees |