Felicia Hemans

“ They rose—the forester, the mountaineer—
—Oh! what hath earth more strong than the good peasant-spear?
Sacred be Grütli's field!—their vigil keeping
Through many a blue and starry summer night,
There, while the sons of happier lands were sleeping,
Had those brave Switzers met; and in the sight
Of the just God, who pours forth burning might
To gird th' oppress'd, had given their deep thoughts way,
And brac'd their spirits for the patriot-fight,
With lovely images of homes, that lay
Bower'd 'midst the rustling pines, or by the torrent-spray. ”

“ When cities blaze, and lift th' exulting voice,
And wave their banners to the kindling heav'n,
⁠Fear ye the festal hour!
When mirth o’erflows, then tremble!—'Twas a night
Of gorgeous revel, wreaths, and dance, and light,
⁠When through the regal bow'r
The trumpet peal'd, ere yet the song was done;
And there were shrieks in golden Babylon,
And trampling armies, ruthless in their pow'r.
⁠The marble shrines were crown'd;
Young voices, through the blue Athenian sky,
And Dorian reeds made summer-melody,
⁠And censers wav'd around ”

“ Their memory with all memories lov’d and blest;
In such a land there dwells a Power, combining
The strength of many a calm, but fearless breast,
–And woe to him who breaks the Sabbath of its rest! ”

“ Which through the sky's deep azure floats along,
⁠Like summer's quick'ning breath!
The ground is hollow in the path of mirth,
Oh! far too daring seems the joy of earth,
So darkly press'd and girdled in by death! ”

“ Then, on the silence of the snows there lay
A Sabbath's quiet sunshine—and its bell
Fill'd the hush'd air awhile with lonely sway,
For the stream's voice was bound by winter's spell,
The deep wood sounds had ceas'd. ”

“ When, through the streets, flash'd out th' avenging sword,
Fearless and free, the sword with myrtles bound* [1] !
⁠Through Rome a triumph pass'd;
Rich in her sun-god's mantling beams went by
That long array of glorious pageantry,
⁠With shout and trumpet-blast.
An empire's gems their starry splendour shed
O'er the proud march; a king in chains was led,
A victor, crown'd and rob'd, came stately last † [2] . ”

“ Senn, the name given to a herdsman amongst the Swiss Alps. ↑ (2) The dark azure, almost approaching to black, of an Alpine sky at midnight, has been frequently remarked by travellers. ↑ (3) Many of the highest Alpine peaks are called Domes. ↑ (4) "Like snows when winds are laid."
"Come new in Alpi senza venti."—Dante. ↑ (5) The Lake of the Four Cantons is sometimes called the Lake of Uri. The scenery of its shores is wild and majestic in the highest degree. The rocks in many parts rise from the water like a wall, without leaving room even for a pathway at their feet. ”

“ On the first day of the year 1308, they succeeded in throwing off the Austrian yoke; and "it is well attested," says the same author, "that not one drop of blood was shed on this memorable occasion, nor had one proprietor to lament the loss of a claim, a privilege, or an inch of land. The Swiss met on the succeeding Sabbath, and once more confirmed by oath their ancient, and (as they fondly named it) perpetual league."
THE LEAGUE OF THE ALPS.
‘Twas night upon the Alps. ”

“ On mentioning it to the guide, he said it was not uncommon, and that these warm winds were particularly felt on the Glacier des Bossons, owing to its being opposite several indentures or breaks of the Alpine chain, which give a passage to the currents of air from Italy and the South."—Letters on a Tour in Switzerland. ”