The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 321: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

248 THE STEAM PACKET. Look there, a thousand lances gleam afar, In the warm sunlight of this gentle spring ! And, ’midst the clang of bolts, that grate and jar, Heard ye the warder’s challenge sharply ring ? Welcome! sport that sweetens labour! Village maidens, village boys, Neighbour hand in hand with neighbour, Dance we, singing to the tabor, nd the sackbut’s merry noise ! He comes ! he comes} Alas! this mighty king With envy well the hovel’s peace may view ; See! where he stands, a pale and spectral thing! And glares askance the serried halberts through. Welcome! sport that sweetens labour ! Village maidens, village boys, Neighbour hand in hand with neighbour, Dance we, singing to the tabor, And the sackbut’s merry noise ! Beside our cottage hearths how bright and grand, Were all our visions of a monarch’s air ! What! is his sceptre but that trembling hand ? Is that his crown, a forehead seamed by care? Welcome ! sport that sweetens labour ! Village maidens, village boys, | Neighbour hand in hand with neighbour, Dance we, singing to the tabor, And the sackbut’s merry noise ! In vain we sing ; at yonder distant chime, Shivering, he starts !—’twas but the village bell ‘But evermore the sound that notes the time Strikes to his ear an omen of his knell! Welcome ! sport that sweetens labour ! Village maidens, village boys, Neighbour hand in hand with neighbour, Dance we, singing to the tabor, And the sackbut’s merry noise ! Alas! our joys some dark distrust inspire He flies, attended by his chosen slave : Beware his hate; and say, *‘ Our gracious Sire A loving smile to greet his children gave.’’ Welcome! sport that sweetens labour Village maidens, village boys, Neighbour hand in hand with neighbour, Dance we, singing to the tabor, And the sackbut’s merry noise ! (E(0) m book (E(0)