Go to thy home, rejoicing son and brother! Bear in fresh gladness to the household scene! For me, too, watch the sister and the mother, I well believe-but dark seas roll between.
"Wie herrlich die Sonne dort untergeht! da ich noch ein Bube war -war's mein Lieblingsgedanke, wie sie zu leben, wie sie zu sterben!" DIE RAUBER.
LIKE thee to die, thou sun!-My boyhood's dream Was this; and now my spirit, with thy beam, Ebbs from a field of victory !-yet the hour Bears back upon me, with a torrent's power, Nature's deep longings. Oh! for some kind eye Wherein to meet love's fervent farewell gaze; Some breast to pillow life's last agony, Some voice, to speak of home and better days, Beyond the pass of shadows! But I go, I that have been so loved, go hence alone; And ye, now gathering round my own hearth's glow, Sweet friends! it may be that a softer tone, Ev'n in this moment, with your laughing glee, Mingles its cadence while you speak of me- Of me, your soldier, midst the mountains lying, On the red banner of his battles dying, Far, far away! And oh! your parting prayer- Will not his name be fondly murmur'd there? It will!-A blessing on that holy hearth! Though clouds are darkening to o'ercast its mirth. Mother! I may not hear thy voice again; Sisters! ye watch to greet my step in vain; Young brother, fare thee well!-on each dear head Blessing and love a thousandfold be shed, My soul's last earthly breathings! May your home Smile for you ever!-May no winter come, Noworld, between your hearts! May ev'n your tears, For my sake, full of long-remember'd years, Quicken the true affections that entwine Your lives in one bright bond! I may not sleep Amidst our fathers, where those tears might shine Over my slumbers; yet your love will keep My memory living in th' ancestral halls, Where shame hath never trod. The dark night falls, And I depart. The brave are gone to rest, The brothers of my combats, on the breast Of the red field they reap'd:-their work is done- Thou, too, art set!-farewell, farewell, thou sun! The last lone watcher of the bloody sod Offers a trusting spirit up to God.
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