Classic Poem

Now heedless raved the stormy night,
For instant terror frowned no more,
And cheerful blazed the spreading light
Round Kilda's dark and dismal shore;

And cheerful smiled the grateful pair,
And talked of death and dangers past, —
When loud the voice of wild despair
Came rushing on the midnight blast.

Chill horror seized each lover's heart —
" Ah, me! what dismal sounds draw near! —
Defend us, heaven! " with sudden start
Cried Mora , thrilled with frantic fear.

One hand supports his trembling wife,
The other grasps his trusty glave;
" My Harp, " he cries, " has given thee life,
And this that precious life shall save! "

" No danger comes, " deep sighed a form,
As near the cove it shiv'ring stood;
" A stranger, shipwrecked by the storm,
Implores the gen'rous and the good;

" No danger comes — ah, me! forlorn!
A wretch by woes and tempests tost!
From love, from friends, and kindred torn,
And dashed on Kilda's frightful coast!

" Restless with grief, at op'ning day
For Lewis' isle I spread the sail;
Sweet rose the lark with cheerful lay,
And sweetly blew the flatt'ring gale!

" Ah, fate relentless! thus to cheat
With baneful lure and treach'rous smile! —
Were human suff'rings not complete
Till wrecked on Kilda's desert isle!

" Lured by the light that gleams afar,
With fainting steps these cliffs I prest:
O may it prove a polar star,
And guide to pity's shelt'ring breast! "

Quick from his grasp the falchion flies,
As Col each opening arm extends;
" Approach, ill-fated youth! " he cries,
" Here — here are none but suff'ring friends!

" Like thee, we hailed the matin song,
The flatt'ring gale, and faithless tide! —
How sweet! by zephyrs borne along,
My Harp and Mora by my side!

" Why starts the youth? — approach — draw near;
Behold the wreck of storm and wave —
'Tis all that's left — my Harp so dear
I burned, that fair one's life to save! "

First pale, then crimson grew his cheek,
And sorely shook his manly frame!
His fault'ring tongue refused to speak,
Save to repeat his Mora'S name —

A name, which oft had charmed his ear,
And e'en from childhood grew more sweet!
A name, which love had rendered dear,
And sorrow taught him to repeat!

Long had he nursed the kindling flame,
Long, long possessed her virgin heart;
But party feuds and discord came,
And forced the tend'rest pair to part.

Torn hapless thus from all he loved,
The wretched wand'rer left his home;
From isle to isle incessant roved; —
His only wish — to idly roam

Oft had he braved the tempest's war
Unaided in his slender bark,
Oft lonely steered by some faint star,
That glimmered through th' involving dark;

Oft, oft uncertain whither driven,
Or near some rock or breaker borne;
He'd quit his helm to guiding heaven,
And sigh his cheerless lot till morn!

Oft had the wild heath been his bed,
On some lone hill or craggy steep;
While light'nings flashed around his head,
And eagles screamed his woes asleep.

Thus passed his wand'ring life away,
" A wretch by woes and tempests tost, "
Till Fortune, in her changeful play,
Wrecked him on Kilda's fatal coast.

Ah! little thought he, while he strove
'Gainst whelming wave and rocky shore,
Yon light would guide him to his love,
From whom these ceaseless ills he bore!

" Why starts the youth! — approach — draw near;
Behold the wreck of storm and wave! —
'Tis all that's left! — my Harp so dear
I burned, that fair one's life to save! "

A glance from Mora'S speaking eye
Half calm'd the fond youth's labouring breast.
The tale goes round — the bleak winds sigh,
And Col mistrustless sinks to rest.

Ah! how could cold distrust possess
A breast so gen'rous, kind, and true!
A heart still melting to distress,
To love — false fair one! and to — you.

The morn arose with aspect drear,
The waves still dash with sullen roar, —
Col starts from rest — no Mora'S near!
The treach'rous pair are far from shore!

From Kilda's eliff that towers on high,
He spies the white sail far at sea;
And, while the big tear fills each eye,
Cries, " Have I burned my Harp for thee! "