Felicia Hemans in The New Monthly Magazine Volume 7 1823/On the Anniversary of an Ancient Battle
SONG FOR A SWISS FESTIVAL ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF AN ANCIENT BATTLE.
Look on the white Alps 'round!
—If yet they gird a land
Where Freedom's voice and step are found,
Forget ye not the band
Of dauntless men, our sires, who fell
Here, in the rocky battle-dell!
If yet, the wilds among,
Our silent hearts may burn,
When the deep mountain-horn hath rung,
And home our steps may turn;
Home! Home!—if still that name be dear,
Praise to the men who perish'd here!
Look on the white Alps 'round!
Up to their shining snows
That day the savage-rolling sound,
The sound of battle, rose!
Their caves prolonged the trumpet's blast,
Their dark pines trembled, as it pass'd.
They saw the princely crest,
They saw the knightly spear,
The banner and the mail-clad breast,
Borne down and trampled here!
They saw!—and glorying there they stand,
Eternal records to the land!
Praise to the mountain-born,
The brethren of the glen!
By them no steel-array was worn,
They stood as peasant-men!
They left the vineyard and the field,
To break an Empire's lance and shield.F. H.