LVI. By Coblentz, on a rise of gentle ground, Falling for France, whose rights he battled to resume. LVII. Brief, brave, and glorious was his young career, His mourners were two hosts, his friends and foes; And fitly may the stranger lingering here Pray for his gallant spirit's bright repose; For he was Freedom's champion, one of those, The few in number, who had not o'erstept The charter to chastise which she bestows On such as wield her weapons; he had kept The whiteness of his soul, and thus men o'er him wept.29 LVIII. Here Ehrenbreitstein,23 with her shatter'd wall Black with the miner's blast, upon her height Yet shows of what she was, when shell and ball Rebounding idly on her strength did light: A tower of victory! from whence the flight Of baffled foes was watch'd along the plain : But Peace destroy'd what War could never blight, And laid those proud roofs bare to Summer's rainOn which the iron shower for years had pour'd in vain. LIX. Adieu to thee, fair Rhine! How long delighted LX. Adieu to thee again! a vain adieu ! There can be no farewell to scene like thine; Their cherish'd gaze upon thee, lovely Rhine!" The brilliant, fair, and soft,-the glories of old days, LXI. The negligently grand, the fruitful bloom A race of faces happy as the scene, Whose fertile bounties here extend to all, Still springing o'er thy banks, though Empires near them fall. |