THE

WANDERER OF SWITZERLAND.

PART I.

A Wanderer of Switzerland and his Family, consisting of his Wife, his Daughter and her young Children, emigrating from their Country, in consequence of its Subjugation by the French in 1798, arrive at the Cottage of a Shepherd, beyond the Frontiers, where they are hospitably entertained.

Shep.

"Wanderer! whither dost thou roam?

Weary wanderer, old and grey!

Wherefore hast thou left thine home

In the sunset of thy day?"

Wanderer. "In the sunset of my day,

Stranger! I have lost my home:

Weary, wandering, old and grey,

Therefore, therefore do I roam.

Here mine arms a Wife enfold,
Fainting in their weak embrace;
There my daughter's charms behold,
Withering in that widow'd face.

These her infants-O their Sire,
Worthy of the race of TELL,
In the battle's fiercest fire,

-In his country's battle fell!"

Shep. "SWITZERLAND then gave thee birth ?" Wand. " Aye 'twas SWITZERLAND of yore; But, degraded spot of earth,

Thou art SWITZERLAND no more:

O'er thy mountains, sunk in blood,

Are the waves of ruin hurl'd;

Like the waters of the flood

Rolling round a buried world."

Shep. "Yet will Time the deluge stop';
Then may SWITZERLAND be blest:
On St Gothard's hoary top
Shall the Ark of Freedom rest."

Wand. "No!-Irreparably lost,

On the day that made ́us slaves,
Freedom's Ark, by tempest tost,
Founder'd in the swallowing waves.”

*ST GOTHARD is the name of the highest mountain in the canton of URI, the birth-place of Swiss Independence.

Shep. "Welcome, Wanderer as thou art, All my blessings to partake;

Yet thrice welcome to my heart,

For thine injured country's sake.

On the western hills afar

Evening lingers with delight,
While she views her favourite star

Brightening on the brow of night.

Here, though lowly be my lot,

Enter freely, freely share

All the comforts of my cot,
Humble shelter, homely fare.

Spouse! I bring a suffering guest,

With his family of grief;

Give the weary pilgrims rest,

Yield the Exiles sweet relief!"

Shep.'s Wife. "I will yield them sweet relief:

Weary pilgrims! welcome here;

Welcome, family of grief!

Welcome to my warmest cheer.”

Wand. "When in prayer the broken heart
Asks a blessing from above,

Heaven shall take the Wanderer's part,
Heaven reward the stranger's love."

Shep. "Haste, recruit the failing fire,
High the winter-faggots raise:
See the crackling flames aspire;
O how cheerfully they blaze!

Mourners! now forget your cares,
And, till supper-board be crown'd,
Closely draw your fire-side chairs;
Form the dear domestic round."