Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-04-08

POETRY.
Dingen.


by HON. MRS. NORTON.
soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers,
There lack of woman's nursing there was dearth
of woman's tears;
But comrade stood beside him, while his lfe-blood
ebbed away,
And bent with plying glances to hear what he might
say.
The dying soldier faltered as he took his comrades
hand,
And he said, 81 never more shall see my my ma
tive land;
Take message ard token to some distant friends of
mine,
For was born at Bngen at Bngen on the Rhine.
Tell brothers and companions, when they meet and
crowd around,
To hear my mournfu story in the pleasant vineyard
town.,
That we fought the battle bravely-a when the day
was done,
Full many corpse lay ghasy pale beneath the set
ting sun
And midst the dead and dying were some grown old
in wars
The death wound on their gallant breasts the last Of
many scars;
But some were young suddenly beheld lifes
morn decline,
And one had come from Bingen, fair Bingeu on the
Rhinel
old age,
cage
For my Father was soldier and ever as child,
BY heart leaped forth to hear him tell of struggles
fierce and wild,
And when he died and left US to divide his scanty
hoard,
let them take what eer they would, but kept my Fa-
theirs sword,
And with boyish love hung it where the bright light
used to shine
On the cottage wall at Bingen-calm Blngen on the
Rhine.
ing head,
When the troops are marching home again with glad
and gallant tread
But to look upon them proudly with calm and stead
fast eye,
For her brother soldier too and not afraid to die.
And if comrade seek her, ask her in my my name
To listen to him kindly without regret or shame;
And to hang the old sword in its place, (my Fathers
sword and mine,)
For the honour of old Bngen-dear Biugen on the
Rhine!
There's another-not sster-in the happy days gone
by
You'd have known her by the merriment that sparkled
in her eye;
Too innocent for coquery-too fond for idle scorning
friend fear the lghtest heart makes sometimes
heaviest mourning
Tell her the last night of my iife(for eer this moon
be risen,
Ny body will be out of pain-y soul be out of PRISON.
dreamed stood with her and saw the yellow sun
light shine
On the vine.clad hills of Bngen-fair Bngen on the
Rhine.
saw the blue Rhine sweep along, and heard or SEEM
ed to hear
The German songs we used to sing in chorus sweet
and clear,
And down the pleasant river and up the santing hill
The echoing chorus sounded through the evening calm
| and still,
And her glad blue eyes were on me passed with
friendly talk
Down many path beloved of yorc and well remcm-
| bered walk.
And her little hand lay lightly, confdingly in mine
But well meet more ut Bingen-ioyed Bingen on
| the Rhine"
His voice grew faint and hoarserhs grasp child
| iSh weak,
His eyes put on CLASSY look-he sighed and ceased
| to speak;
His comrade bent to lift him, but the spark of life had
! fed,
The soldier of the Legion in foreign land was dead
The soft moon up slowly, and calmly she looked
down,
On the red sand of the battle field with bloody corpses
strewn;
Yes calmly that dreadful scene her pale light seem
ed to shine
As it shone on distant Bingen-fair Bingen on the
Rhine.