Ye towers that saw the wild ravens,
And the eagles with hunger impell'd,
Exultingly gorge 'mid your ruins.
On corpses of men which they held;
How sweet for you now 'tis to hear
The shepherd, so peaceful and meek,
Tune his reed with a melody clear,
While his flock in you shelter do seek.
Upon your battlements sitting,
To view the bright landscape below,
My heart becomes sad when remembering
That silent in death is the foe,
And the friends who bravely did combat,
And raised your grey towers so steep,
Declaring their life-blood should stagnate,
Ere ever in chains they would weep.
When I think of their purpose so pure,
The tear must fast trickle from me,
Their hearts did Providence allure
To their country, and her did they free;
We now live beneath a meek power,
And feel the full blessings of peace,
While on us abundantly shower,
The mercies of Heaven with increase.
THE EISTEDDFOD,
BY MRS. CORNWELL BARON WILSON. {91}
Strike the harp: awake the lay!
Let Cambria's voice be heard this day
In music's witching strain!
Wide let her ancient "soul of song,"
The echo of its notes prolong,
O'er valley, hill, and plain!
Minstrels! awake your harps aloud,
Bid Cambria's nobles hither crowd,
Her daughters fair, her chieftains proud,
Nor shall the call be vain!
Let gen'rous wine around be pour'd!
To many a chief in mem'ry stored,
Of Cambria's ancient day!
Sons of the mountain and the flood,
Who shed for her their dearest blood,
Nor own'd a conqueror's sway!
Be they extolled in music's strain,
Remembered, when the cup we drain,
And let their deeds revive again
In ev'ry minstrel's lay!
'Tis now the feast of soul and song!
As roll the festive hours along,
Here wealth and pow'r combine
With beauty's smiles, (a rich reward,)
To cheer the rugged mountain bard,
And honour Cambria's line!
Then, minstrels! wake your harps aloud,
Behold her nobles hither crowd,
Her daughters fair, her chieftains proud,
Like gems around they shine!
LLYWARCH HEN'S LAMENT ON CYNDDYLAN.
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