Page:Poems Baldwin.djvu/95

In the deep dungeon 'neath the palace walls
The poor lone captive mourns his fate, and calls
In vain for mercy; but to-night he weeps
Tears of calm grief,—his son beside him sleeps.
The dim light gives his features to his view,
And hope springs in his aged breast anew.
Ah, will the heart that granted his request,
And gave once more his lov'd one to his breast,
Restore to him the long lost light of morn,
And all from which his faithful heart was torn?
A deep, dull groan replies: the shades of death
Are on that face! hush'd is his gentle breath.
Ah, who will mourn with thee, thou stricken one?
All, all! for all have lost their first-born son!

Rut harsher voices mingle with the wail
That spreads afar o'er desert, woods, and dale;
The mourning kine and nobler beasts proclaim,
With frighted cries and eyes of red'ning flame,
The direful fate has torn away their young,
Who had but now with joy around them sprung.
To man alone is tender feeling given?
Oh, hear that groan that reaches unto heaven!

To the king's ear the midnight cry is borne;
His breast with sorrow is all reft and torn;
He could not feel the stranger's heartfelt woe