| Full of grief, the low winds sweep
|
| O’er the sorrow-haunted ground;
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| Dark the woods where night rains weep,
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| Dark the hills that watch around.
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| Tell me, can the joys of spring
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| Ever make this sadness flee,
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| Make the woods with music ring,
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| And the streamlet laugh for glee?
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| When the summer moor is lit
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| With the pale fire of the broom,
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| And through green the shadows flit,
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| Still shall mirth give place to gloom?
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| Sad shall it be, though sun be shed
|
| Golden bright on field and flood;
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| E’en the heather’s crimson red
|
| Holds the memory of blood.
|
| Here that broken, weary band
|
| Met the ruthless foe’s array,
|
| Where those moss-grown boulders stand,
|
| On that dark and fatal day.
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| Like a phantom hope had fled,
|
| Love to death was all in vain,
|
| Vain, though heroes' blood was shed,
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| And though hearts were broke in twain.
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| Many a voice has cursed the name
|
| Time has into darkness thrust,
|
| Cruelty his only fame
|
| In forgetfulness and dust.
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| Noble dead that sleep below,
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| We your valour ne’er forget;
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| Soft the heroes' rest who know
|
| Hearts like theirs are beating yet. |