Five Excellent New Songs (Stirling)/Dulce Domum

by Anonymous

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 Mary
For 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 bliss
Was 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 knell
That bids farewell
To dulce, dulce domum.

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