And he had reached his home; when lo! there sprang One with a bounding footstep, and a brow Like light, to meet him. Oh! how beautiful! Her dark eye flashing like a sun-lit gem, She knew that he was stricken then, and rushed Of tears she could not stay, she sobbed a prayer Shot o'er her countenance; and then, the soul CXX.-FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES. GEORGE WASHINGTON. 1. BORN, Sir, in a land of liberty, having early learned its value, having engaged in a perilous conflict to defend it, having, in a word, devoted the best years of my life to secure its permanent establishment in my own country,— my anxious recollections, my sympathetic feelings, and my best wishes, are iresistibly excited, whensoever, in any country, I see an oppressed Nation unfurl the banners of freedom. But, above all, the events of the French Revolution have produced the deepest solicitude, as well as the highest admiration. 2. To call your nation brave, were to pronounce but common praise. Wonderful People! Ages to come will read with astonishment the history of your brilliant exploits! I rejoice that the period of your toils and of your immense sacrifices is approaching. I rejoice that the interesting revolutionary movements of so many years have issued in the formation of a Constitution designed to give permanency to the great object for which you have contended. 3. I rejoice that liberty, which you have so long embraced with enthusiasm,-liberty, of which you have been. the invincible defenders,—now finds an asylum in the bosom of a regularly organized Government;-a Government, which, being formed to secure the happiness of the French People, corresponds with the ardent wishes of my heart, while it gratifies the pride of every citizen of the United States, by its resemblance to his own. On these glorious events, accept, Sir, my sincere congratulations. 4. In delivering to you these sentiments, I express not my own feelings only, but those of my fellow-citizens, in relation to the commencement, the progress, and the issue, of the French Revolution; and they will cordially join with me in purest wishes to the Supreme Being, that the citizens of our sister Republic, our magnanimous allies, may soon enjoy in peace that liberty which they have purchased at so great a price, and all the happiness which liberty can bestow. 5. I receive, Sir, with lively sensibility, the symbol of the triumphs and of the enfranchisement of your Nation, the colors of France, which you have now presented to the United States. The transaction will be announced to Congress; and the colors will be deposited with those archives of the United States which are at once the evidences and the memorials of their freedom and independence. May. these be perpetual! And may the friendship of the two Republics be commensurate with their existence ! CXXI.-MARMION TAKING LEAVE OF DOUGLAS. SIR WALTER SCOTT. 1. THE train from out the castle drew; But Marmion stopped to bid adieu : 66 Though something I might 'plain," he said, While in Tantallon's towers I stayed,- 2. But Douglas round him drew his cloak, My manors, halls and bowers, shall still To each one whom he lists, howe'er 3. Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire, And-" This to me!" he said: And lay your hands upon your sword!), And if thou saidst I am not peer To any lord in Scotland here, Lord Angus, thou hast lied!" 4. On the Earl's cheek the flush of rage O'ercame the ashen hue of age: Fierce he broke forth :- "And darest thou, then, To beard the lion in his den, The Douglas in his hall? And hopest thou hence unscathed to go? Up drawbridge, grooms !—what, warder, ho! 5. Lord Marmion turned,-well was his need,- And when Lord Marmion reached his band, And shakes his gauntlet at the towers! CXXII.-THE DEATH OF MARMION. 1. AND soon straight up the hill there rode Two horsemen, drenched with gore, And in their arms, a helpless load, A wounded knight they bore. His hand still strained the broken brand, His arms were smeared with blood and sand: With dinted shield and helmet beat, 2. Young Blount his armor did unlace, Said " By Saint George, he's gone! The spear-wound has our master sped; SCOTT. And see the deep cut on his head! "Unnurtured Blount! thy brawling cease: 3. "Where's Harry Blount? Fitz Eustace, where? 4. With fruitless labor, Clara bound, With dying hand, above his head He shook the fragment of his blade, 1. MAUD MULLER, on a summer's day, 2. But when she glanced to the far-off town, WHITTIER. |