Five Excellent New Songs (Stirling)/Dulce Domum
For other versions of this work, see Dulce Domum (song).
DULCE DOMUM.
Deep in a vale a cottage stood,Oft sought by travellers weary,And long it prov'd the blest abode Of Edward and of MaryFor her he chaf'd the mountain goat,O'er Alps and glaciers bounding;For her the chamois he would shoot,Dark horrors all surrounding.
But evening come,He fought his home,And, anxious, lovely woman,She hail'd the sight,And every night,The cottage rung,As they sung.Oh! dulce, dulce domum
But soon, alas! this scene of blissWas chang'd to prospect dreary!For war and honour rous'd each Swiss,And Edward left his Mary.To bold Gothard's height he rush'd,'Gainst Gallia's foes contending;And, by unequal numbers crush'd,He died, his land defending.
The evening come,He sought not home,Whilst she—distracted woman— Goes wild with dread,Now seeks him dead,And hears the knellThat bids farewellTo dulce, dulce domum.