Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

THE ATTEMPT.
9
The pleasure, mingled with interest, which is derived from perusing the narration
of heroic deeds and valiant though bloody battles, or perhaps the sufferings of those
who bravely died for their country and religion, is very great. Who can read of the
gallant rescues of the Knights errant, the bloody and brave excitements and battles
relating to the Crusades, the patriotic sufferings of William Wallace dying for his
country, or the martyr John Brown with his last breath blessing his murderers, with¬
out such emotions ? Yet, along with this pleasure and interest, there is mixed up a
shrinking horror at the cruel deeds and relentless crimes perpetrated in the dark ages,
and there is also a thankfulness that we now live both in an age and country in which
such things are abhorred for their barbarity, and utterly detested for their cruelty.
Pro Yirtute.
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Cp&’fs Ipragcr.
Softly shone the summer moonbeams
On a scene so calmly fair,
You would think an angel’s finger
Had bestowed the picture there.
But not rudely came the shadow,
Inch by inch it still crept on,
As the shades of night advancing
Creep athwart a sun-lit lawn.
Por the rays with solemn splendour
Lit a chamber draped in white,
Pointed with an icy finger
To a sad, yet beauteous, sight.
To a couch where, calmly sleeping
In the rigid arms of Death,
Lay a form that but that morning
Had sighed forth its latest breath.
And the form was of a maiden,
Who, in life’s first blush of spring,
Had too soon been overshadowed
By the angel’s waxen wing.
Uor unwelcome came the summons
By the solemn trumpet given,
Por another spirit’s presence
In the amplitude of heaven.
Por the virgin heart had wedded
Its young fervour to the Lord,
And had taken all its pleasure
Prom the heav’nly Bridegroom’s word.-
And the ransom’d spirit’s gladness
In the clayiiad left some trace,
In the calm repose of figure,
In the sweetly sleeping face.