SOLFERINO.

On Solferino’s dizzy heights there grew The bright green grass and here and there were seen The golden hues of flow’rets shining fair, The bright, warm sunshine sparkled on the world And all the cloudlets of the azure sky Dark shadows threw upon the happy scene.

But on the crest of that tall cliff there frowned The battered walls the battlements and tow’rs, And in the castle Solferino’s prince Walked to and fro and ’round him stood his men. And ere the heart had time to falter once Was heard the deafening rolling cannon’s roar.

“The foe has come!” They flew to arms, and ere The echoes quite had died away, they gave Forth shot for shot and shout for shout. Then was thy life-blood spilt! That day Was one of woe to thee Sardinia! Those lives have left forevermore this earth.

Then came the awful ravage of the fray: The cannon’s roar, the dying’s groan, the sounds of war. And ev’rywhere was blood—the verdure was Beneath the hard foot trampled and the day Turned dark beneath the reign of chaos wild.

The Mincio’s waters drifted toward the sea. But ever on its bosom wild was borne The life-blood of the soldier’s in the fray. Ah! red as blood its once clear waters were, And on its banks the same dread curse prevailed.

Thus man shall slay and man shall die until The time when his wild fury thus unchecked Shall spend itself and once relapse away. Oh! may man’s conscience soon awake to learn The wild disaster that his fury wrought.

The cold gray mist crept o’er the shore, And hung about the bay; We saw the foaming of the surf Within the twilight gray. But through the twilight cold and still We heard the hum from yonder town; We saw the path around the hill Come winding ever slowly down. The wild wind rose as night came on, We heard the waves beat on the shore; The tempest wailed and moaned about Above the distant roar. Sad night, alas! was that to some Who, on the dreary ocean wide Heard far and near the tempest come— The wailing winds on either side. A dreadful night—a stormy night— It swept the wrecks ashore; It was a time—a dreadful sight— Forgotten nevermore. That night was one of woe, alas! The wild wind whistled by; And seemed to be as it did pass Some struggling sailor’s drowning cry.

Far in the west is a peaceful land Where the golden sunset fades away, And fast as the twilight shadows come The sunset bids farewell to day. The snow white vapor in fragments flies, And the gold-edged clouds near the sunset move; But the twilight, dim and dark and gray, Steals fast from sight this land of love. The zephyrs stir and the soft leaves wave And sigh for the loss of the sunset sky; But even the beauties that shine in the west Must ever fade till the glories die.

In the distance dim a valley lies Where flows a deep dark river; On the farther shore a city stands, Where the tide flows on forever. A cloud hangs o’er the city fair By day in the valley yonder; By night in the streets, devoid of light, Wild phantoms ever wander. No sound comes forth from the vacant domes That gleam in the quiet air. No living thing breaks the solitude— But the phantoms wander there. In the distance dim a valley lies Where flows a rolling river, But the phantoms wander by its side As time flies by forever.

When the sunset in the west Gilds the landscape far and near Wraps the sun within his shroud Dies he on a glorious bier. When the night falls o’er the land, Comes the cresent from the sky; Silence reigns upon the scene, As the brooklet hurries by. When the starlight cold and still Falls upon the earth below— Falls upon the church-yard hill, By the saddened brooklets flow. Slower come the drifting waters Ceasing once their noisy glee. As it passes by it sings on In a plaintive melody. Ghostly rise the marble spectres O’er the beds of those who sleep;— Ever in the night or day time Still their solemn vigils keep. When the sunrise in the east Gilds the sky with flames of light, Runs the brooklet fast to meet With its waters ever bright. Onward to the flowing river, And its waters mingle there; Oh! when shall they return agan To the brooklet shining fair?

When the Christ was born on earth, Then wise men the star did guide, Till with riches they appeared By the great Messiah’s side. And the angels ever echoed Songs of happiness again, And a voice from heaven answered Peace on earth good will to men. Still the star whirled in its orbit Round the sun of heat and light,— Saw the earth in years advancing— Watched her in her rapid flight. When we slumber peacefully,— When we think not what is near, Still the star’s light shineth ever All its beams are bright and clear. Thus forever, yet unceasing,— Still it shineth as of yore, And shall be a guide and helper Through the ages evermore.