The Prisoner of War.
“ See, the shepherd’s star is shining !1
Mary, quit thy long day’s toil.”2
“ Mother, one we love lies pining,3
Captive on a foreign soil.4
Seized at sea, far, far away,5
He yielded—but the last, they say.”6
Spin, poor Mary, toil and spin,7
For the captive one afar :8
Spin, poor Mary, toil and spin,9
For the prisoner of war !10
“ At your call, I light my lamp.11
But, my child, why yet in tears !” 12
“ Mother, he in dungeon damp13
Wastes—the sport of foemen’s jeers.14
Adrian loved me from a boy :15
His presence filled our home with joy.”16
Spin, &c.17
“ Child, for him I too would spin,18
But I am so old and frail.”19
“ All I toil for, all I win,20
Goes to him I love and wail.21
To her wedding, Rose in vain22
Invites me—hark ! the minstrel’s strain !”23
Spin, &c.24
“ Child, draw nigh the fire, I pray ;25
Chill it grows as day declines.”26
“ Mother, Adrian, they say,27
In a floating dungeon pines :28
Strangers, men of cruel mood,29
Repulse his hand stretched out for food.”30
Spin, &c.31
“ Cheerly, daughter ! I of late32
Dreamed that you were Adrian’s bride,33
And my dreams, like hests of fate,34
In one month are ratified.”35
“ What ! before the grass be green,36
Shall my dear warrior here be seen !”37
Spin, poor Mary, toil and spin,38
For the captive one afar !39
Spin, poor Mary, toil and spin,40
For the prisoner of war !41