I rage! I burn! and scarce refrain
To lift the glittering steel on high,
For, lo! the Gorgon-visaged train
Of the detested foeman nigh:
Shall I my swelling heart control?
To parley deign-or still in mortal strife
The tumult of my soul?
Dire sister, guardian of the spot, to thee
Awe-struck I bend the knee,
Nor dare with arms profane thy deep tranquillity!
First Chorus (CAJETAN).
Welcome the peaceful strain!
Together we adore the guardian power
Of these august abodes!
Sacred the hour
To kindred brotherly ties
And reverend, holy sympathies;-
Our hearts the genial charm shall own,
And melt awhile at friendship's soothing tone:-
But when in yonder plain
We meet-then peace away!
Come gleaming arms, and battle's deadly fray!
The whole Chorus.
But when in yonder plain
We meet-then peace away!
Come gleaming arms, and battle's deadly fray!
First Chorus (BERENGAR).
I hate thee not-nor call thee foe,
My brother! this our native earth,
The land that gave our fathers birth:-
Of chief's behest the slave decreed,
The vassal draws the sword at need,
For chieftain's rage we strike the blow,
For stranger lords our kindred blood must flow.
Second Chorus (BOHEMUND).
Hate fires their souls-we ask not why;-
At honor's call to fight and die,
Boast of the true and brave!
Unworthy of a soldier's name
Who burns not for his chieftain's fame!
The whole Chorus.
Unworthy of a soldier's name
Who burns not for his chieftain's fame!
One of the Chorus (BERENGAR).
Thus spoke within my bosom's core
The thought-as hitherward I strayed;
And pensive 'mid the waving store,
I mused, of autumn's yellow glade:-
These gifts of nature's bounteous reign,-
The teeming earth, and golden grain,
Yon elms, among whose leaves entwine
The tendrils of the clustering vine;-
Gay children of our sunny clime,-
Region of spring's eternal prime!
Each charm should woo to love and joy,
No cares the dream of bliss annoy,
