VI.

A sound went up--the wave’s dark sleep was broken-- On Uri’s lake was heard a midnight oar-- Of man’s brief course a troubled moment’s token Th’ eternal waters to their barriers bore; And then their gloom a flashing image wore Of torch-fires streaming out o’er crag and wood, And the wild falcon’s wing was heard to soar In startled haste--and by that moonlight flood, A band of patriot men on Grutli’s verdure stood.