XVIII.

But who was he, that on his hunting-spear Lean'd with a prouder and more fiery bearing? -His was a brow for tyrant-hearts to fear, Within the shadow of its dark locks wearing That which they may not tame-a soul declaring War against earth's oppressors.-'Midst that throng, Of other mould he seem'd, and loftier daring, One whose blood swept high impulses along, One that should pass, and leave a name for warlike song,

XIX.

A memory on the mountains!-one to stand,
When the hills echoed with the deepening swell
Of hostile trumpets, foremost for the land,
And in some rock-defile, or savage dell,
Array her peasant-children to repel

Th' invader, sending arrows for his chains!
Ay, one to fold around him, as he fell,

Her banner with a smile-for through his veins
The joy of danger flow'd, as torrents to the plains.

XX.

There was at times a wildness in the light Of his quick-flashing eye; a something, born Of the free Alps, and beautifully bright, And proud, and tameless, laughing Fear to scorn! It well might be !-Young Erni's step had worn The mantling snows on their most regal steeps, And track'd the lynx above the clouds of morn, And follow'd where the flying chamois leaps Across the dark-blue rifts, th' unfathom'd glacier-deeps.

XXI.

He was a creature of the Alpine sky,

A being, whose bright spirit had been fed

'Midst the crown'd heights with joy and liberty,

And thoughts of power. He knew each path which led
To the rock's treasure-caves, whose crystals shed

Soft light o'er secret fountains.-At the tone
Of his loud horn, the Lämmer-Geyer had spread
A startled wing; for oft that peal had blown

Where the free cataract's voice was wont to sound alone.

XXII.

His step had track'd the waste, his soul had stirr'd

The ancient solitudes-his voice had told

Of wrongs to call down Heaven."-That tale was heard In Hasli's dales, and where the shepherds fold Their flocks in dark ravine and craggy hold On the bleak Oberland; and where the light Of Day's last footstep bathes in burning gold Great Righi's cliffs; and where Mount Pilate's height Casts o'er his glassy lake the darkness of his might.

XXIII.

Nor was it heard in vain.-There all things press

High thoughts on man.-The fearless hunter pass'd,
And, from the bosom of the wilderness,

There leapt a spirit and a power to cast

The weight of bondage down-and bright and fast,
As the clear waters, joyously and free,
Burst from the desert-rock, it rush'd, at last,

Through the far valleys; till the patriot-three

Thus with their brethren stood, beside the Forest Sea.*

XXIV.

They link'd their hands, they pledg'd their stainless

faith,

In the dread presence of attesting Heaven

They bound their hearts to suffering and to death,
With the severe and solemn transport given

To bless such vows.-How man had striven,
How man might strive, and vainly strive, they knew,
And call'd upon their God, whose arm had riven
The crest of many a tyrant, since He blew

The foaming sea-wave on, and Egypt's might o'erthrew.

XXV.

They knelt, and rose in strength.-The valleys lay
Still in their dimness, but the peaks which darted
Into the bright mid-air, had caught from day
A flush of fire, when those true Switzers parted,
Each to his glen or forest, stedfast-hearted,
And full of hope. Not many suns had worn
Their setting glory, ere from slumber started

Ten thousand voices, of the mountains born

So far was heard the blast of Freedom's echoing horn!

XXVI.

The ice-vaults trembled, when that peal came rending The frozen stillness which around them hung; From cliff to cliff the avalanche descending, Gave answer, till the sky's blue hollows rung; And the flame-signals through the midnight sprung, From the Surennen rocks like banners streaming To the far Seelisberg; whence light was flung On Grütli's field, till all the red lake gleaming Shone out, a meteor-heaven in its wild splendor seeming.

XXVII.

And the winds toss'd each summit's blazing crest,

As a host's plumage; and the giant pines,

Fell'd where they wav'd o'er crag and eagle's nest, Heap'd up the flames. The clouds grew fiery signs, As o'er a city's burning towers and shrines

Reddening the distance. Wine-cups, crown'd and bright,

In Werner's dwelling flow'd; through leafless vines From Walter's hearth stream'd forth the festive light, And Erni's blind old sire gave thanks to Heaven that night.