And they who fly in terror deem A mighty host behind, And hear the tramp of thousands Upon the hollow wind. Then sweet the hour that brings release From danger and from toil: We talk the battle over, And share the battle's spoil. The woodland rings with laugh and shout, As if a hunt were up, And woodland flowers are gathered To crown the soldier's cup. Well knows the fair and friendly moon The glitter of their rifles, The scampering of their steeds. 'Tis life to guide the fiery barb Across the moonlight plain; 'Tis life to feel the night-wind That lifts his tossing mane. SONG OF MARION'S MEN. 225 A moment in the British camp A moment-and away Back to the pathless forest, Before the peep of day. Grave men there are by broad Santee, And lovely ladies greet our band With smiles like those of summer, THE ARCTIC LOVER. GONE is the long, long winter night; Look, my beloved one! How glorious, through his depths of light, Rolls the majestic sun! The willows, waked from winter's death, Give out a fragrance like thy breath The summer is begun! Ay, 'tis the long bright summer day: The loosened ice-ridge breaks away The smitten waters flash. Seaward the glittering mountain rides, While, down its green translucent sides, The foamy torrents dash. See, love, my boat is moored for thee, By ocean's weedy floor The petrel does not skim the sea More swiftly than my oar. THE ARCTIC LOVER. 227 We'll go, where, on the rocky isles, Her eggs the screaming sea-fowl piles Or, bide thou where the poppy blows, Seek and defy the bear. Fierce though he be, and huge of frame, This arm his savage strength shall tame, When crimson sky and flamy cloud And the dead valleys wear a shroud I'll build of ice thy winter home, With glistening walls and glassy dome, The white fox by thy couch shall play; And, from the frozen skies, The meteors of a mimic day Shall flash upon thine eyes. And I—for such thy vow-meanwhile Till that long midnight flies. THE JOURNEY OF LIFE. BENEATH the waning moon I walk at night, And broken gleams of brightness, here and there, The trampled earth returns a sound of fear- And I, with faltering footsteps, journey on, |