They wrapt the ship in splendor wild, They caught the flag on high, And streamed above the gallant child, Like banners in the sky. There came a burst of thunder sound; The boy,--Oh! where was _he_? Ask of the winds, that far around With fragments strewed the sea,-- With shroud and mast and pennon fair, That well had borne their part,-- But the noblest thing that perished there Was that young, faithful heart. THE ROMANCE OF THE SWAN'S NEST _By_ ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Little Ellie sits alone 'Mid the beeches of a meadow, By a stream-side on the grass, And the trees are showering down Doubles of their leaves in shadow, On her shining hair and face. She has thrown her bonnet by, And her feet she has been dipping In the shallow water's flow; Now she holds them nakedly In her hands, all sleek and dripping, While she rocketh to and fro. Little Ellie sits alone, And the smile she softly uses Fills the silence like a speech, While she thinks what shall be done, And the sweetest pleasure chooses For her future within reach. Little Ellie in her smile Chooses, "I will have a lover, Riding on a steed of steeds: He shall love me without guile, And to _him_ I will discover The swan's nest among the reeds. "And the steed shall be red roan, And the lover shall be noble, With an eye that takes the breath. And the lute[316-1] he plays upon Shall strike ladies into trouble, As his sword strikes men to death. "And the steed it shall be shod All in silver, housed in azure;[316-2] And the mane shall swim the wind; And the hoofs along the sod Shall flash onward, and keep measure, Till the shepherds look behind. "But my lover will not prize All the glory that he rides in, When he gazes in my face. He will say, 'O Love, thine eyes Build the shrine my soul abides in, And I kneel here for thy grace!' "Then, aye, then shall he kneel low, With the red-roan steed anear him, Which shall seem to understand, Till I answer, 'Rise and go! For the world must love and fear him Whom I gift with heart and hand.' [Illustration: LITTLE ELLIE SITS ALONE] "Then he will arise so pale, I shall feel my own lips tremble With a _yes_ I must not say: Nathless[317-3] maiden-brave, 'Farewell,' I will utter, and dissemble-- 'Light to-morrow with to-day!' "Then he'll ride among the hills To the wide world past the river, There to put away all wrong, To make straight distorted wills, And to empty the broad quiver Which the wicked bear along.