A Ballade from Lake Léman.
To E. P. C.
....Penitus convalle virenti
Inclusas animas....
Lustrabam studio recolens.
The shadows fall athwart the vine,1
And on the wooded hills of Vaud2
Stands clearly out the mountain pine3
In rose-gold of the after-glow.4
The day is dying on the snow,5
The sounds of night once more awake,6
The Valais mist hangs grey and low7
Among the shades that haunt the lake.8
Mountain and mist and lake combine9
To frame the scenes of long ago ;10
Here future conquerors of the Rhine11
Bowed ’neath the yoke of Divico.12
By here the Emperor journeyed slow13
Canossawards his peace to make ;14
His wind-swept form flits to and fro15
Among the shades that haunt the lake !16
The years wear on. With horse and line17
Napoleon swoops upon the foe ;18
O’er snowy Alp to Apennine19
His phantom forces forward go.20
Calvin, de Stael, Voltaire, Rousseau,21
All pass along, and in their wake22
Comes he who sang the captive’s woe23
Among the shades that haunt the lake.24
Envoi.
Madam, you love the spot I know25
For bygone days, and for the sake26
Of those who are no more, although27
Among the shades that haunt the lake.28