6-24 ) 



DRAMATIC FRAGMENT. 



- SCENE II. A Cottage in the Tyrol. Time, Sunrise. 

 Enter HOFEB and Swiss Soldier. 



HOP. So, Fritz, is all prepared ? 



FRITZ. It is, ray lord. 



HOP. Then leave me for awhile I fain would linger 

 A little, ere I quit the scenes I loved 

 From infancy to manhood; fain would throw 

 A long, perhaps my latest glance, on all 

 My heart most cherish'd. Leave me, faithful Fritz, 

 And pardon me my weakness but a moment, 

 And I will rouse me from my woman's mood 

 To Switzerland, and freedom. 



(After a long pause.) 



Beautiful sun ! 



That climbest up the mountains, flinging wide 

 A sea of rosy light on icy crag, 

 And toppling pinnacle of pathless snow ; 

 Spirit of life and beauty ! that dost love 

 To pause in thy majestical career, 

 And bend thy brightest and most glorious smile 

 On Switzerland, my country ! and ye light gales, 

 That, rustling through the depths of the pine forest, 

 Startle the quick-eyed izard from his lair, 

 And waft a dewy fragrance, wide and far, 

 On earth, and heaven, upon the waving wood, 

 And on these flowers my own Annette has planted ; 

 Hear me ! 'tis Hofer breathes his last farewell 

 To all he loves on earth, except his country ! 

 C The air of the Ranz des Vaches is heard, HOFEB bursts into tears, and pause* 



for some time.) 



Away! away! ye dear delicious dreams 

 Of all I was. Alas ! to have been happy 

 Is the excess of misery ; and yet 

 The mind will cling with fond and passionate longing 

 E'en to that shadow of a shade. 



Farewell my native vales, and ye sweet strains 

 That fall upon my cold and desolate ear, 

 As the light breezes of the odorous south 

 Upon a stagnant pool, farewell for ever! 

 There is a something busy at my heart, 

 A gloom upon my spirits was not wont 

 To steal upon me otherwise. God of Heaven ! 

 If Hofer falls, protect his wife, his children ; 

 And save, Almighty Father, save his country ! 



