X.

X.

The setting sun his parting beams has shed On many a pile of dying, and of dead; Emblem of life! like his last dying ray, Thousands have seen the closing of their day; Have, when he sunk beneath yon hill, and fir’d The plains beneath, with mellowing blaze--expired. There, by yon palm, that waves its arms on high, 560 A youthful chief has laid him down to die; His mother’s last, lone hope, her joy, her pride: Three other sons, by war’s o’erwhelming tide, Had long been swept away: and he, now gasping here, Was left alone, her aged breast to cheer. And must he also die? in life’s gay morn, And leave her wretched (like a wreck forlorn): And she now sits at home; and thinks the while, That fate, propitious, on his arms will smile; That glory’s hand will gild his youthful name, 570 With laurels gather’d in the field of fame. How fruitless all her cares--her hopes how vain-- He ne’er will bless her widow’d sight again! From his cold heart fast ebb the torrents red, Down sinks his arm, he’s dying!--ah! he’s dead!

And there, by yonder shelt’ring hill, is laid Expiring Seyd, the once-fam’d Renegade. From his own country banished; all he lov’d Were left behind, and hither he had rov’d. Then he was young, and fate might have in store, 580 To cheer the future, many a blessing more: But, in one fatal hour, of sense bereft, All, all was withered--for his God he left! Black were his ringlets then, they now are grey; Yet ne’er could mem’ry quit that dreadful day; He rush’d to battle, glory met him there, For in Seyd’s bosom, courage was despair. Years roll’d away, and found him still the same, Deep sunk in guilt, yet conscious of his shame; And now, alas! that guilt has brought him here, 590 Without a friend his dying hour to cheer; Upon the past he turns his desperate eye, A long, long scene of guilt and infamy; Upon the future,--no!--he does not dare To cast a look on what awaits him there; And fain he’d lift his thoughts to heav’n, and fain Would pray once more; to him th’ attempt is vain: He rears him up, towards his native shore He rolls his eye;--peace,--he can gaze no more.