226 ORATIONS AND IMPASSIONED PIECES. 



And in its radiance Switzerland's banners sparkle ; 



Helvetic swords its beams are multiplying ; 



Ten thousand stars upon their spear-points tremble : 



Ten thousand voices roll their living thunders, 



And all cry " LIBERTY !" It is no dream ! 



They shout again, and my own name they shout ; 



A Tell, a Tell ! they cry. I come, I come ! 



Thou shalt be FREE ; thy fetters rend asunder, 



Thus, as I rend my own. 



WALLACE. 



Cursed* be the fatal day when Edward came, 

 In crested pride, to urge a lawless claim ; 

 Cursed be the day. Letf weeping History tell 

 How fought the brave, and how the noble fell ; 

 When, slowly swelling, roll'd the battle-tide 

 On Falkirk's field of death, and Carron's side. 

 The beam of morn, that rose on eastern height, 

 Danced on the plume of many a gallant knight ; 

 The J ray that lingered on the ocean- wave., 

 Kiss'd the red turf of many a soldier's grave : 

 Dark as the torrent's desolating flow, 

 And drear as winter was that time of woe, 

 Yet droop'd not Hope; she turn'd her azure eyes 

 Where, heaven-ward, Caledonia's mountains rise, 

 And deep embosom'd in the glow of night, 

 A star was seen to shed a lonely light ; 

 It burn'd afar, with lustre pale and sweet, 

 To mark the spot of Freedom's last retreat. 

 There, || on a rock, unmov'd and undismay'd, 

 The sable plumage waving o'er his head, 

 Stern Wallace stood. With high uplifted hand 



* Firm and strong tone of voice, with a feeling of anger. 



) Relaxes into a calmer manner, with much solemnity and earnestness. 



J Plaintive utterance, with a low tone. 



The tone arid manner become more animated and cheerful, with a 

 calm and serene expression of countenance. 



|| Firm and impressive manner, in order to reflect the courageous 

 deportment of Wallace. 



