Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DAISY SWAIN, THE FLOWER OF SHENANDOAH; A TALE OF THE REBELLION: 7, by JOHN M. DAGNALL First Line: Soon upon the breeze she heard the tramp Last Line: Were lost, in the gloom of night enshrouded deeply. Subject(s): American Civil War; Beauty; Death; Love; Soldiers; United States - History; Women; Dead, The | ||||||||
Soon upon the breeze she heard the tramp Of horse -- affright'd ran -- reach'd the cot -- turn'd round, And saw a shadowy form hard by, hovering Near. Quick the door she shut; but soon a rap Vibrated on her startled ear. Trembling, She thro' the window gazed alarmed, and thought She saw the chieftain returned back to burn The cot, as twilight shadows veil'd the man, And made his garb appear like gray. Now listen To her mind by prudence temper'd, her caution Spoke with earnest warmth. "Who in evening's mantle Sombre wrapt comes here?" "A friend," was the response. "A friend, forsooth! at such an hour! Perchance A foe, as none but the intrusive would Invade a lonely maiden's sanctuary: None but the designing prowl about in Gloomy shades of night, dark deeds to do, In order that their evil work may the Mortal eye elude, and you seemed fashioned For no good intent." "Call not suspicion To your mind, lone maid; I'm not on mischief Bound. Heaven is my witness. My mission Is a holy one, and needs precaution. To guard against impending ills I must Shun the cheerful beam of day, and wander Only when the night shrouds the world in gloom. The letter which I carry in my vest Declares the object of my visit, and will, I'm sure, remove your doubts: it's from Athol." When she heard the gentle name of Athol, She felt conscious that the stranger's ends were Right; and without further parley bade him Enter. Then he proffer'd her the letter, Which she gladly took, and turn'd it round and round. Her bosom heaved convulsed with deep emotion, The sullen chill of fear quit her blood, And stay'd the with'ring grief that blanch'd her cheeks With paly dye, and sooth'd her thorny pains. Then while Daisy, in the dim twilight, cast A joyous look upon its superscription, The stranger saw how beauteous was the maid, How serenely fair in ev'ry feature. Then, with the light of new-born hope, she from The folded letter raised her languid eyes, And said: "Tho' the lines seem to have been penn'd By a trembling hand, yet I can trace in Then the ornate style of dear Athol; and may Fate charter freedom's blessings to the brave Who brought them. May ev'ry adversity Give him renew'd courage, till his name shall Be upon the rolls of fame enshrined, and Honors, like his days, brighten full of years." The stranger bow'd his grateful thanks. "How was Dear Athol when you saw him last," she said. "In health and hope quite buoyant; for, to me, His confidant, he often speaks of you As being far above all mortal stars That shine. My praises, too, with his can now Be joined." Concluding which, Daisy look'd straight At the stranger, and caught the quick glance of His eye, but in it saw he was sincere: Then, gently curtseyed at the flatt'ring words Which he had spoken. "Most loth am I, fair maid, To bid you now farewell; but the pale star Of eve shoots down its lustre, and shame might Tinge your cheeks if here I tarried longer." "O, sir," she said, "my tongue hath not power Of words to tell the emotions that now I feel: But give Athol this token of My love, and murmur in his ear these vows Of mine: Tell him that, 'so long as time shall Last, his image will remain and still be Cherish'd at my faithful heart, and that, like The stream near which he's now encamp'd, my love For him is deep and pure.'" Delighted with The kindly task enjoined, the courier Promised faithfully her commands he would Obey. Then both their hands in friendship's grasp Were soon combined. Hastily forth he sallied, And nimbly mounted on his roan steed, Which restlessly on the emerald sward paw'd The deep green grass. "Adieu," he said. "Good bye" "And may kind Providence guard you safely On your way," was her response. Then quickly, The horseman and his charger, to her sight Were lost, in the gloom of night enshrouded deeply. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND DAISY SWAIN, THE FLOWER OF SHENADOAH; A TALE OF THE REBELLION: 1 by JOHN M. DAGNALL DAISY SWAIN, THE FLOWER OF SHENANDOAH; A TALE OF THE REBELLION: 10 by JOHN M. DAGNALL DAISY SWAIN, THE FLOWER OF SHENANDOAH; A TALE OF THE REBELLION: 2 by JOHN M. DAGNALL |
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