Victorian Songs Part 19

SET TO MUSIC BY THE CHEVALIER NEUKOMM.

Come sing, Come sing, of the great Sea-King, And the fame that now hangs o'er him, Who once did sweep o'er the vanquish'd deep, And drove the world before him!

His deck was a throne, on the ocean lone, And the sea was his park of pleasure, Where he scattered in fear the human deer, And rested,--when he had leisure!

Come,--shout and sing Of the great Sea-King, And ride in the track he rode in!

He sits at the head Of the mighty dead, On the red right hand of Odin!

He sprang, from birth, like a G.o.d on earth, And soared on his victor pinions, And he traversed the sea, as the eagles flee, When they gaze on their blue dominions.

His whole earth life was a conquering strife, And he lived till his beard grew h.o.a.ry, And he died at last, by his blood-red mast, And now--he is lost in glory!

So,--shout and sing, &c.

[Decoration]

_A SERENADE._

SET TO MUSIC BY THE CHEVALIER NEUKOMM.

Awake!--The starry midnight Hour Hangs charmed, and pauseth in its flight: In its own sweetness sleeps the flower; And the doves lie hushed in deep delight!

Awake! Awake!

Look forth, my love, for Love's sweet sake!

Awake!--Soft dews will soon arise From daisied mead, and th.o.r.n.y brake; Then, Sweet, uncloud those eastern eyes, And like the tender morning break!

Awake! Awake!

Dawn forth, my love, for Love's sweet sake!

Awake!--Within the musk-rose bower I watch, pale flower of love, for thee; Ah, come, and shew the starry Hour What wealth of love thou hid'st from me!

Awake! Awake!

Shew all thy love, for Love's sweet sake!

Awake!--Ne'er heed, though listening Night Steal music from thy silver voice: Uncloud thy beauty, rare and bright, And bid the world and me rejoice!

Awake! Awake!

She comes,--at last, for Love's sweet sake!

[Decoration]

_KING DEATH._

SET TO MUSIC BY THE CHEVALIER NEUKOMM.

King Death was a rare old fellow!

He sate where no sun could s.h.i.+ne; And he lifted his hand so yellow, And poured out his coal-black wine.

Hurrah! for the coal-black Wine!

There came to him many a Maiden, Whose eyes had forgot to s.h.i.+ne; And Widows, with grief o'erladen, For a draught of his sleepy wine.

Hurrah! for the coal-black Wine!

The Scholar left all his learning; The Poet his fancied woes; And the Beauty her bloom returning, As the beads of the black wine rose.

Hurrah! for the coal-black Wine!

[Ill.u.s.tration: Full-page Plate]

All came to the royal old fellow, Who laughed till his eyes dropped brine, As he gave them his hand so yellow, And pledged them in Death's black wine.

Hurrah!--Hurrah!

Hurrah! for the coal-black Wine!

[Decoration]

_SIT DOWN, SAD SOUL._

Sit down, sad soul, and count The moments flying: Come,--tell the sweet amount That 's lost by sighing!

How many smiles?--a score?

Then laugh, and count no more; For day is dying!

Lie down, sad soul, and sleep, And no more measure The flight of Time, nor weep The loss of leisure; But here, by this lone stream, Lie down with us, and dream Of starry treasure!

We dream: do thou the same: We love--for ever: We laugh; yet few we shame, The gentle, never.

Stay, then, till Sorrow dies; _Then_--hope and happy skies Are thine for ever!

[Decoration]

_A DRINKING SONG._

Drink, and fill the night with mirth!

Let us have a mighty measure, Till we quite forget the earth, And soar into the world of pleasure.

Drink, and let a health go round, ('T is the drinker's n.o.ble duty,) To the eyes that s.h.i.+ne and wound, To the mouths that bud in beauty!

Here 's to Helen! Why, ah! why Doth she fly from my pursuing?

Here 's to Marian, cold and shy!

May she warm before thy wooing!

Here 's to Janet! I 've been e'er, Boy and man, her staunch defender, Always sworn that she was fair, Always _known_ that she was tender!

Fill the deep-mouthed gla.s.ses high!

Let them with the champagne tremble, Like the loose wrack in the sky, When the four wild winds a.s.semble!

Here 's to all the love on earth, (Love, the young man's, wise man's treasure!) Drink, and fill your throats with mirth!

Drink, and drown the world in pleasure!

[Decoration]

_PEACE! WHAT DO TEARS AVAIL?_

Peace! what can tears avail?

She lies all dumb and pale, And from her eye, The spirit of lovely life is fading, And she must die!

Why looks the lover wroth? the friend upbraiding?

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