500 MEETING OF THE DELEGATES. 



instructions, and see how your Union gets on. Farewell, brother 

 soldiers !" 



We now wended home, patriot-like, arm in arm, and reeling 

 drunk. Dick and the old shoemaker got to high words because he 

 had not proposed a vote of thanks : to this Dick pleaded guilty by 

 saying that he made no speech, nor never knew how in his life, and 

 that he would spout him for half a gallon of ale, in any Union house 

 in England. Daylight dawned when we reached Leicester, where, 

 with our readers, we for the present must halt. 



STANZAS. 



Ho\v oft, at some gay festival, 



When high the flowing cups were crown'd, 



And mirth re-echoed thro' the hall, 

 And song and music floated round ; 



When every heart with joy beat high, 



And eyes flashed love to eyes again, 

 And hope was breathed in ev'ry sigh 



And pleasure left no room for pain; 



How oft, in that delicious hour, 



In that enlargement of the soul, 

 When reason half forgot her power, 



And joy would wildly spurn control, 



Would darksome thoughts my mind invade, 



Like clouds that flit across the sky, 

 Ayd, trembling, to myself I said 



" If one amongst us were to die !" 



I shudder'd, and a sudden tear 

 Adown my burning cheek would flow, 



Arresting joy in his career, 

 And half presaging future woe. 



And must they die ? And must the light 

 Of each bright eye be quenched in death ; 



The cheek forget to bloom so bright, 

 The lips to yield their balmy breath ? 



And must they die ? Is it my doom 



To live and see each bright one fall ? 

 O grant me, Heav'n, an early tomb 



O let me perish first of all ! 



April, 1831. SIGMA 



