JEPHTHA'S DAUGHTER.1 I. SINCE Our Country, our God-Oh, my Sire! Since thy triumph was bought by thy vow- II. And the voice of my mourning is o'er, III. And of this, oh, my Father! be sure- And the last thought that soothes me below. IV. Though the virgins of Salem lament, 1. [Nathan (Fugitive Pieces, 1829, pp. 11, 12) seems to have tried to draw Byron into a discussion on the actual fate of Jephtha's daughter-death at her father's hand, or "perpetual seclusion”— and that Byron had no opinion to offer. "Whatever may be the absolute state of the case, I am innocent of her blood; she has been killed to my hands ;" and again, "Well, my hands are not imbrued in her blood!"] V. When this blood of thy giving hath gushed, Let my memory still be thy pride, And forget not I smiled as I died! OH! SNATCHED AWAY IN BEAUTY'S BLOOM.1 I. OH! snatched away in beauty's bloom, i. II. And oft by yon blue gushing stream Shall Sorrow lean her drooping head,ii. Fond wretch! as if her step disturbed the dead! i. ii. in gentle gloom.-[MS. M.] Shall Sorrow on the waters gaze, As if her footsteps could disturb the dead.-[MS. M.] I. ["In submitting the melody to his Lordship's judgment, I once inquired in what manner they might refer to any scriptural subject: he appeared for a moment affected-at last replied, 'Every mind must make its own references; there is scarcely one of us who could not imagine that the affliction belongs to himself, to me it certainly belongs. She is no more, and perhaps the only vestige of her existence is the feeling I sometimes fondly indulge.'"-Fugitive Pieces, 1829, p. 30. It has been surmised that the lines contain a final reminiscence of the mysterious Thyrza.] III. Away! we know that tears are vain, That Death nor heeds nor hears distress : Or make one mourner weep the less? i. Thy looks are wan, thine eyes are wet.ii. 1 MY SOUL IS DARK. I. My soul is dark-Oh! quickly string 2 Its melting murmurs o'er mine ear. That sound shall charm it forth again : you know, 1. [Compare "Nay, now, pry'thee weep no more! that 'tis sinful to murmur at . . . Providence."- "And should Why are your not that reflection check your own, my Blanche?"cheeks so wet? Fie! fie, my child !”—Romantic Tales, by M. G. Lewis, 1808, i. 53.] 2. [Compare "My soul is dark."-Ossian, "Oina-Morul," The Works of Ossian, 1765, ii. 279.] If in these eyes there lurk a tear, 'Twill flow, and cease to burn my brain. II. But bid the strain be wild and deep, Or else this heavy heart will burst; And ached in sleepless silence long; I SAW THEE WEEP. I. I SAW thee weep-the big bright tear I saw thee smile-the sapphire's blaze It could not match the living rays That filled that glance of thine. 1. ["It was generally conceived that Lord Byron's reported singularities approached on some occasions to derangement; and at one period, indeed, it was very currently asserted that his intellects were actually impaired. The report only served to amuse his Lordship. He referred to the circumstance, and declared that he would try how a Madman could write: seizing the pen with eagerness, he for a moment fixed his eyes in majestic wildness on vacancy; when, like a flash of inspiration, without erasing a single word, the above verses were the result."-Fugitive Pieces, 1829, p. 37.1 2. [Compare the first Sonnet to Genevra (addressed to Lady Frances Wedderburn Webster), "Thine eye's blue tenderness."] II. As clouds from yonder sun receive Which scarce the shade of coming eve Those smiles unto the moodiest mind Their own pure joy impart ; Their sunshine leaves a glow behind THY DAYS ARE DONE. I. THY days are done, thy fame begun ; The triumphs of her chosen Son, The slaughters of his sword! The deeds he did, the fields he won, The freedom he restored! II. Though thou art fall'n, while we are free Thou shalt not taste of death! The generous blood that flowed from thee Disdained to sink beneath : Within our veins its currents be, Thy spirit on our breath! III. Thy name, our charging hosts along, Shall be the battle-word! |