Low in a deep sequester'd vale, Whence Alpine heights ascend, A beauteous nymph, in pilgrim garb, Is seen her steps to bend. Her olive garland drops with gore; Her scatter'd tresses torn, Her bleeding breast, her bruised feet, Bespeak a maid forlorn. "From bower, and hall, and palace driven, To these lone wilds I flee: My name is Peace, I love the cot; O shepherd, shelter me!" "O beauteous pilgrim, why dost thou From bower and palace flee? So soft thy voice, so sweet thy look, Sure all would shelter thee." "Like Noah's dove no rest I find; The din of battle roars Where once my steps I lov'd to print Along the myrtle shores. "For ever in my frighted ears The savage war-whoop sounds; And, like a panting hare, I fly Before the op'ning hounds." "Pilgrim, those spiry groves among, The mansions thou mayst see, Where cloister'd saints chant holy hymns: Sure such would shelter thee!" "Those roofs with trophied banners stream, There martial hymns resound; And, shepherd, oft from crosier'd hands This breast has felt a wound." "Ah! gentle Pilgrim, glad would I Those tones for ever hear! With thee to share my scanty lot, That lot to me were dear. "But lo, along the vine-clad steep The gleam of armour shines; His scatter'd flock, his straw-roof'd hut, The helpless swain resigns. "And now the smouldering flames aspire; Their lurid light I see; I hear the human wolves approach; I cannot shelter thee." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN WALKED BUD WITH A PALETTE by CLARENCE MAJOR PROMETHEUS by GEORGE GORDON BYRON LOCHABER NO MORE by ALLAN RAMSAY THE FLIGHT OF YOUTH by RICHARD HENRY STODDARD THE PLANTING by MARGARET LEE ASHLEY THE LAY OF ST. CUTHBERT; OR THE DEVIL'S DINNER-PARTY by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |