Blue roll the waters, blue the sky

Spreads like an ocean hung on high,

Bespangled with those isles of light,
So wildly, spiritually bright;

Who ever gazed upon them shining,

And turned to earth without repining,

Nor wished for wings to flee

away,

And mix with their eternal ray?

The waves on either shore lay there

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205

Calm, clear, and azure as the air;

And scarce their foam the pebbles shook,

But murmured meekly as the brook.

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The winds were pillowed on the waves;

The banners drooped along their staves,
And, as they fell around them furling,
Above them shone the crescent curling;

In midnight call to wonted prayer;

It rose, that chanted mournful strain,

Like some lone spirit's o'er the plain :

'Twas musical, but sadly sweet,

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Such as when winds and harp-strings meet,

And take a long unmeasured tone,

To mortal minstrelsy unknown.

It seemed to those within the wall

A cry prophetic of their fall:

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The tent of Alp was on the shore;

The sound was hushed, the prayer was o'er;

The watch was set, the night-round made,

All mandates issued and obeyed:

'Tis but another anxious night,

His pains the morrow may requite

VOL. V.

240

With all revenge and love can pay,
In guerdon for their long delay.

Few hours remain, and he hath need

Of rest, to nerve for many a deed

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Since he, their mightiest chief, had been
In youth a bitter Nazarene.

They did not know how pride can stoop,
When baffled feelings withering droop;

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