The Covenanter's Son

Young Allan of the Hielands, my brother dear, is gone,
And dreary through the long, long nights, I sit and weep alone;
At times I hear his spirit-voice within the twilight dim,
And sleep brings but an aching dream of days gone by, and him! —
Of him, and of that fearful hour, when from our own fire-side,
And from the Bible where he knelt to seek his soul's best guide,
They dragg'd my brother forth to death — to death , as 'twere a crime
To worship as our fathers in the Covenanters' time.
My mother shriek'd — her woe was wild — she clasped their cruel knees, —
But tears, nor yet her sad white hairs, might plead with men like these:
They dragg'd him to the lonely moor, that foul and fateful night,
And slew him there, amidst our cries, and prayers, before our sight!
I saw him kneel in manly bloom their deadly guns before —
I clasp'd him in my arms a corse — all gash'd, and red with gore:
They left us to our misery — like slaves of guilt they fled —
With the curse of Heaven, and the brand of Cain upon their head!

My mother, like one half deranged, lay moaning wild and deep,
And gazing on the corpse — that gaze had made e'en marble weep! —
I would have whisper'd comfort, had not anguish choked my breath —
I would have prayed — but all my words seem'd crimson'd o'er with death!
We buried him in secret, and in secret wept him dead;
But, from that night, my mother pined, and never left her bed! —
I toil for food, from morn to eve, and soothe her as I may: —
But what can heal the broken heart? recall the mind's lost ray?

And he , the truest, best of friends, young Bruce of Ronadell,
Has sued me to become his bride — and, oh, I love him well;
But never will I quit thy side — no, no! my mother dear —
Though he should choose some lovelier bride, and leave me, weeping, here!
Some happier one, who loves him more — but that could never be:
Oh, if — if I should lose my love, my mother dear, for thee —
If coldly he should turn away, and other maiden wed —
Then, let me, let me die with thee — thy grave my bridal bed!
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