THE THEMES OF SONG.
BY MRS. HEMANS.
Of truth, of grandeur, beauty, love, and hope,
And melancholy fear subdued by faith.
Wordsworth.
Where shall the minstrel find a theme?
Where'er, for freedom shed,
Brave blood hath dyed some ancient stream
Amidst the mountains, red.
Where'er a rock, a fount, a grove,
Bears record to the faith
Of love, deep, holy, fervent love,
Victor of fear and death.
Where'er a spire points up to Heaven,
Through storm and summer air,
Telling that all around have striven,
Man's heart, and hope, and prayer.
Where'er a chieftain's crested brow
In its pride hath been struck down,
Or a bright-haired virgin head laid low,
Wearing its youth's first crown.
