No More Learning

ii. p. 305. ) It should be added that the character of Leonard Ewbank was
drawn in large part from that of the poet's brother John--Ed.





* * * * *





THE SEVEN SISTERS; OR, THE SOLITUDE OF BINNORIE [A]


Composed 1800. [B]--Published 1807


The Story of this Poem is from the German of Frederica Brun. [C]--W. W.
1807.

One of the "Poems of the Fancy. "--Ed.




I Seven Daughters had Lord Archibald,
All children of one mother:
You could [1] not say in one short day
What love they bore each other.
A garland, of seven lilies, wrought! 5
Seven Sisters that together dwell;
But he, bold Knight as ever fought,
Their Father, took of them no thought,
He loved the wars so well.
Sing, mournfully, oh!
mournfully, 10
The solitude of Binnorie!

II Fresh blows the wind, a western wind,
And from the shores of Erin,
Across the wave, a Rover brave
To Binnorie is steering: 15
Right onward to the Scottish strand
The gallant ship is borne;
The warriors leap upon the land,
And hark! the Leader of the band
Hath blown his bugle horn. 20
Sing, mournfully, oh! mournfully,
The solitude of Binnorie.

III Beside a grotto of their own,
With boughs above them closing,
The Seven are laid, and in the shade 25
They lie like fawns reposing.
But now, upstarting with affright
At noise of man and steed,
Away they fly to left, to right--
Of your fair household, Father-knight, 30
Methinks you take small heed!
Sing, mournfully, oh! mournfully,
The solitude of Binnorie.

IV Away the seven fair Campbells fly,
And, over hill and hollow, 35
With menace proud, and insult loud,
The youthful Rovers [2] follow.
Cried they, "Your Father loves to roam:
Enough for him to find
The empty house when he comes home; 40
For us your yellow ringlets comb,
For us be fair and kind! "
Sing, mournfully, oh! mournfully,
The solitude of Binnorie.

V Some close behind, some side by side, 45
Like clouds in stormy weather;
They run, and cry, "Nay, let us die,
And let us die together. "
A lake was near; the shore was steep;
There never foot had been; 50
They ran, and with a desperate leap
Together plunged into the deep, [3]
Nor ever more were seen.
Sing, mournfully, oh!