Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-06-07

Inc SHADOWS OF evening arc tnIChcH
ing, twilight closes, and the thin mists
are rising IN the valley; the last charging
squadron yet thunders in the distance,
but it presses only on the foilcd and
scattered foe. For this Gay, the fight is
over.
| And those who rode foremost in its
fields at morning, where are they now!
On the banks of yon little stream there
lies knigbt-his ie-blood is ebbing fas-
ter than its tide His shield is rent, and
his lance is broken. Soldier, why faint
est thou? The blood that swells from
that deep wound shall answer.
1t was this morning that the sun rose
bright upon his hopes-it sets upon his
grave. This day he led the foremost rank
of spears, that in their long row levellod
when they had crossed the foes dark
line, death shouted in the outset! 1t was
the last blow that reached him. He has
conquered, though he shall not triumph
i'm the victory.
His breast-pate is dinted--his helmet
has the trace Of well dealt blows. The
scarf on his breast-she would shrink
but to touch it now, who placed it
there! Soldier, what will thy mistress
sayi She will say that her knight died
worhily.
I Ay,rouse thee-for the fight yet chafes
in tho distance! thy friends are shouting
thy pennon floats on high. Look on
yon crimson field, that seems to mock the
purple clouds above it!-prostrate they
lie, d,enched in their dark red pool
thy friends and enemies-the dead and
dying! The veteran, with the STRIPPING
Of day. The nemeless trooper and
the loader OF an hundred hosts. Friend
lies by friend. The steed with his rid
er. And foes linked IN their long en-
brace-their first and last-the gripe Of
death.
Far DER the field they lie, gorgeous
prey to ruin! White ploom and steel
morian; sabre and a,aghan; crescent
and cross; rich vest and bright corslets;
we came to tho fight, as we had come
to q Neutrality-suspicious. and glttering,
even in death, each shining warrior lies.
Knight, hast thou yet thought
bond it on heaven! The past is gone;
tho future lies before thee. Gaze on yon
gorgeous sky-home should lie beyond
! Lifo-honor-love-they pass to Him
that gave them. Pride that came on
like oceans pillows; see, round thee, how
1t lies, mute and passive. The wealthy
here are poor. The high born have no
precedence. The strong are powerless;
the mean content. The fair and lovely
have no followers. Soldier, she who
sped thee on thy course to-day-her blue
eye shall seek thee in the conquering
ranks Tomorrow, but it shall seek thee
in vain! Well! thus it is thou shoudst
have died d!-wth all to live for. Woudst
thou be base to have thy death bless
ing? Proud necks shall mourn for thee
bright eyes shall weep for thee. They
that live shall envy thee. Death! G lory
takes out thy sting.
The shades Of night are drawing on
soldier, thine eyes are darkoning. A last
ray Of the sun yet lies upon the distant
hill-even as he sinks, thy soul shall fol-
low him! See how thy stced feeds be-
side thee. His dark eye falls mildly on
his master-and he pauses. Poor wretch
thine instinct sees wrong, yet knows ii
not. Browse on,and heaven which guards
its meancst creatures, send thee kind
protector!
Warrior!-Ay, the stream Of that ril
flows cool; but thy lip no more shall taste
it. The moonlight that silvers its white
foam shall glitter on thy corslet, wher
the eye is closed and dim La! now the
night is coming--the mist is gathering
on the hill-the fox steals forth to seek
his quarry-and the gray owl sweep.
whirling by, rejoicing in the Stiffness -
Oh, soldier!-how sweetly now sounds
thy lady's lutte how fragrant are -
dew-sprinkled flowers that twine rount
the easement from which she leans! Tha
lutte shall enchant thee, those flower.
shall delight thee no more.
One other charge'-Solder, il may moi
be. TO thy saint and thy lady commcnt
thee! Hark to the low trumpet that sounds
the recall! Hark TO its long note--swce
is that sound in the ear of the spent ant
routed foe!
The victor hears il not. When tn,
breath rose that blow that note, he live,
its peal has rung, and his spirit ha
departed. Heath! though shouldest b,
a soldiers pillow. Moon! let thy COLI
light this night fall upon him. But morn
nightly soft dews shall tempt him not
the soldier must wake no more. III,
sle cps in the sleep of honor. His caus
was his country's freedom, and her faith
He is dead! The cross Of Christian
knight is on his breast-his lips ar
pressed to his lady's token!-Soldier
farewell.