Page:The Forest Sanctuary.pdf/136

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
130
LAYS OF MANY LANDS.


    Our children's fearless feet may bound,
        Free as the chamois leaps:
Teach them in song to bless the band
Amidst whose mossy graves we stand!

    If, by the wood-fire's blaze,
        When winter-stars gleam cold,
    The glorious tales of elder days
        May proudly yet be told.
Forget not then the shepherd-race,
Who made the hearth a holy place!

    Look on the white Alps round!
        If yet the sabbath bell
    Comes o'er them with a gladdening sound,
        Think on the battle-dell!
For blood first bath'd its flowery sod,
That chainless hearts might worship God!

This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.