BARBARA FRIETCHIE. [JOHN G. WHITTIER, an American poet, was born in 1807. He was employed in labour upon a farm until his eighteenth year, and his early educational advantages were limited. He occupies a high position as a poet in America.] 1. Up from the meadows rich with corn, To the eyes of the famished rebel horde, 2. Forty flags with their silver stars, She took up the flag the men hauled down; 3. Under his slouched hat left and right Quick, as it fell from the broken staff On the loyal winds that loved it well; 5. Barbara Frietchie's work is o'er, And the rebel rides on his raids no more. Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall's bier. Barbara Frietchie.-The incident referred to in the poem occurred in the great American civil war. On the 6th of September, 1862, the city of Frederick, in Maryland, was taken possession of by a detachment of the rebel army, under the command of General Thomas Jonathan Jackson. The incident of the waving of the flag by Barbara Frietchie, a lady of very advanced years, took place precisely as the poet has narrated it. It was one of those noble deeds of courage which supply at once theme and inspiration. General Jackson was called "Stonewall" Jackson from the determination with which he always maintained his position in battle. He was accidentally shot by one of his own men. Next to General Lee, he was the most prominent soldier on the Southern side. HAIL TO THE CHIEF. [SIR WALTER SCOTT, born 15th August, 1771, died 21st September, 1832. What more need be said?] 1. HAIL to the chief who in triumph advances! Earth lend it sap anew; Sends our shout back agen, 2. Ours is no sapling, chance-sown by the fountain, Blooming in Beltane, in winter to fade; When the whirlwind has stripped every leaf on the mountain, The more shall Clan-Alpine exult in her shade. Proof to the tempest's shock, Echo his praise agen, "Roderich Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" 3. Proudly our pibroch has thrilled in Glen Fruin, And Banochar's groans to our slogan replied: Glen Luss and Ross-dhu, they are smoking in ruin, And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on her side. Widow and Saxon maid Long shall lament our raid, Think of Clan-Alpine with fear and with woe; Shake when they hear agen, 4. Row, vassals, row, for the pride of the Highlands ! Honoured and blessed in their shadow might grow! Ring from her deepmost glen, "Roderich Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!" SCOTT. Hail to the Chief!" This song is intended as an imitation of the boat-songs of the Highlanders, which were usually composed in honour of a favourite chief. They are so adapted as to keep time with the sweep of the oars, and it is easy to distinguish those intended to be sung to the oars of a galley, where the stroke is lengthened and doubled, as it were, and those which were timed to the rowers of an ordinary boat."-SCOTT. Roderich Vich Alpine dhu.-Besides his ordinary name and surname, every Highland chief had an epithet expressive of his patriarchal dignity as head of the clan, and which was common to all his predecessors and successors. But besides this title, which belonged to his office and dignity, the chieftain had usually another peculiar to himself, which distinguished him from the chieftains of the same race. This was sometimes derived from complexion, as dhu, black, or roy, red; sometimes from size, as beg, little, or more, large; at other times from some peculiar exploit, or some peculiarity of habit or appearance. The line of the text therefore signifies, Black Roderich the descendant of Alpine. Glen Fruin.-All the places mentioned in this stanza are in the neighbourhood of Loch Lomond; and the particular reference is to a noted conflict between the Macgregors and Colquhouns, which took place in Glen Fruin. The Colquhouns were almost extirpated in this bloody engagement. Rosebud.-Helen, the Lady of the Lake. MARK ANTONY'S ORATION OVER THE FRIENDS, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears: And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Did this in Cæsar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept ; Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; Was this ambition? |