77
Or Laurustinus, modest flow'r!
Alone survive the cheerless hour.
Then round her neck of jetty hue
Entwine the band of heav'nly blue,
Color of triumph! to proclaim
Maria's deeds! Maria's fame!
Alone survive the cheerless hour.
Then round her neck of jetty hue
Entwine the band of heav'nly blue,
Color of triumph! to proclaim
Maria's deeds! Maria's fame!
And ne'er, Maria! greyhound true,
Like thee, o'er hill and valley flew!
And ne'er like thine, on Ilsley's plain,
Could dauntless spirit vanquish pain!
Fresh and unhurt thy rivals stood,
Thy wounded feet all bath'd in blood;
But, when the destin'd prey was found,
Those little feet scarce felt the ground,
Chas'd the poor victim like the wind,
And left each far-fam'd dog behind;
In vain the fated quarry flies,
Her death decides the envied prize.
Like thee, o'er hill and valley flew!
And ne'er like thine, on Ilsley's plain,
Could dauntless spirit vanquish pain!
Fresh and unhurt thy rivals stood,
Thy wounded feet all bath'd in blood;
But, when the destin'd prey was found,
Those little feet scarce felt the ground,
Chas'd the poor victim like the wind,
And left each far-fam'd dog behind;
In vain the fated quarry flies,
Her death decides the envied prize.
