He looked down from the fortress won, on the tents
and towers below,
The moon-lit sea, the torch-lit streets—and
a gloom came o’er his brow:
The voice of thousands floated up, with the horn and
cymbals’ tone;
But his heart, ’midst that proud music, felt
more utterly alone.
And he cried, “Thou art mine, fair city! thou
city of the sea!
But, oh! what portion of delight is mine at last in
thee?
—I am lonely ’midst thy palaces,
while the glad waves past them roll,
And the soft breath of thine orange-bowers is mournful
to my soul.
“My brother! oh! my brother! thou art gone,
the true and brave,
And the haughty joy of victory hath died upon thy
grave:
There are many round my throne to stand, and to march
where I lead on;
There was one to love me in the world—my
brother! thou art gone!
“In the desert, in the battle, in the ocean-tempest’s
wrath,
We stood together, side by side; one hope was our’s—one
path:
Thou hast wrapt me in thy soldier’s cloak, thou
hast fenced me with thy breast;
Thou hast watched beside my couch of pain—oh!
bravest heart, and best!
“I see the festive lights around—o’er
a dull sad world they shine;
I hear the voice of victory—my Pedro where
is thine?
The only voice in whose kind tone my spirit found
reply—
Oh! brother! I have bought too dear this hollow
pageantry!
“I have hosts, and gallant fleets, to spread
my glory and my sway,
And chiefs to lead them fearlessly—my friend
hath passed away!
For the kindly look, the word of cheer, my heart may
thirst in vain,
And the face that was as light to mine—it
cannot come again!
“I have made thy blood, thy faithful blood,
the offering for a crown;
With love, which earth bestows not twice, I have purchased
cold renown:
How often will my weary heart ’midst the sounds
of triumph die,
When I think of thee, my brother! thou flower of chivalry!
“I am lonely—I am lonely! this rest
is ev’n as death!
Let me hear again the ringing spears, and the battle-trumpet’s
breath;
Let me see the fiery charger’s foam, and the
royal banner wave—
But where art thou, my brother?—where?—in
thy low and early grave!”
And louder swelled the songs of joy through that victorious
night,
And faster flowed the red wine forth, by the stars
and torches light;
But low and deep, amidst the mirth, was heard the
conqueror’s moan—
“My brother! oh! my brother! best and bravest!
thou art gone!”
Mrs. Hemans.—Monthly Magazine.
* * * * *
A SUMMER TOUR.