Page:The Forest Sanctuary.pdf/162

    And it seem'd like sunshine when he rais'd
        His joyous glance to mine!
With a stag's fleet step he bounded by,
So full of life—but he must die!

    He must, he must! in that deep dell,
        By that dark water's side,
    'Tis known that ne'er a proud tree fell,
        But an heir of his fathers died.
And he—there 's laughter in his eye,
Joy in his voice—yet he must die!

    I've borne him in these arms, that now
        Are nerveless and unstrung;
    And must I see, on that fair brow,
        The dust untimely flung?
I must!—yon green oak, branch and crest,
Lies floating on the dark lake's breast!

    The noble boy!—how proudly sprung
        The falcon from his hand!
    It seem'd like youth to see him young,
        A flower in his father's land!