GEMS OF SONG. THE SOLDIER'S DREAM. GUR bugles sang truce-for the nightcloud had lour'd, And the sentinel stars set their watch in the sky; And thousands had sunk on the ground overpower'd The weary to sleep, and the wounded to die. When reposing that night on my pallet of straw, By the wolf-scaring fagot that guarded the slain. At the dead of the night a sweet vision I saw, And thrice ere the morning I dreamt it again. mm1 Methought from the battle-field's dread ful array, Far, far, I had roam'd on a desolate track: Twas Autumn,-and sunshine arose on the way To the home of my fathers, that welcomed me back. I flew to the pleasant fields traversed so oft In life's morning march, when my bosom was young; I heard my own mountain-goats bleating aloft, And knew the sweet strain that the corn-reapers sung. Then pledged we the wine-cup, and fondly I swore From my home and my weeping friends. never to part: My little ones kiss'd me a thousand times o'er, And my wife sobb'd aloud in her fullness of heart. Stay, stay with us,-rest, thou art weary and worn; And fain was their war-broken soldier to stay: But sorrow return'd with the dawning of morn, And the voice in my dreaming ear melted away. YE MARINERS OF ENGLAND. YE mariners of England! That guard our native seas, Whose flag has braved, a thousand years, The battle and the breeze! Your glorious standard launch again And sweep through the deep, The spirits of your fathers For the deck it was their field of An Ocean was their grave! Where Blake and mighty Nelson fell No towers along the steep; Her march is o'er the mountain waves, Her home is on the deep. With thunders from her native oak, The meteor flag of England Till danger's troubled night depart, When the storm has ceased to blow THE BRIDE'S FAREWELL. FAREWELL, mother! tears are streaming Farewell, father! thou art smiling- Farewell, sister! thou art twining Why a blessed bride should weep. |