William and Helen.

[1796.1]

IMITATED FROM THE "LENORE" OF BÜRGER.

THE Author had resolved to omit the following version of a well-known Poem, in any collection which he might make of his poetical trifles. But the publishers having pleaded for its admission, the Author has consented, though not unaware of the disadvantage at which this youthful essay (for it was written in 1795) must appear with those which have been executed by much more able hands, in particular that of Mr. Taylor of Norwich, and that of Mr. Spencer.

The following Translation was written long before the Author saw any other, and originated in the following circumstances:-A lady of high rank in the literary world read this romantic tale, as translated by Mr. Taylor, in the house of the celebrated Professor Dugald Stewart of Edinburgh. The Author was not present, nor indeed in Edinburgh at the time; but a gentleman who had the pleasure of hearing the ballad, afterwards told him the story, and repeated the remarkable chorus

"Tramp! tramp! across the land they speede, Splash! splash! across the sea; Hurrah! The dead can ride apace!

Dost fear to ride with me?"

In attempting a translation, then intended only to circulate among friends, the present Author did not hesitate to make use of this impressive stanza; for which freedom he has since obtained the forgiveness of the ingenious gentleman to whom it properly belongs.

THE CHASE and WILLIAM AND HELEN; Two Ballads, from the German of Gottfried Augustus Bürger. Edinburgh: Printed by Mundell and Son, Royal Bank Close, for Manners and Miller, Parliament Square; and sold by T. Cadell, jun.,

WILLIAM AND HELEN.

FROM heavy dreams fair Helen rose,
And eyed the dawning red:
"Alas, my love, thou tarriest long!
O art thou false or dead?"-

With gallant Fred'rick's princely power
He sought the bold Crusade;
But not a word from Judah's wars
Told Helen how he sped.

III. With Paynim and with Saracen At length a truce was made, And every knight return'd to dry The tears his love had shed.

Our gallant host was homeward bound
With many a song of joy;
Green waved the laurel in each plume,
The badge of victory.

And old and young, and sire and son, To meet them crowd the way, With shouts, and mirth, and melody, The debt of love to pay.

Full many a maid her true-love met,
And sobb'd in his embrace,
And flutt'ring joy in tears and smiles
Array'd full many a face.

and W. Davies, in the Strand, London. 1796. 4to.-See "Essay on Imitations of the Ancient Ballad," ante p. 565, and Life of Scott, vol. i. chapters 7 and 8.

XXVII.

Awake, awake, arise, my love!

How, Helen, dost thou fare?

Wak'st thou, or sleep'st? laugh'st thou, or weep'st? Hast thought on me, my fair?"

XXVIII.

"My love! my love!-so late by night!-I waked, I wept for thee:

Much have I borne since dawn of morn; Where, William, couldst thou be?"

XXIX.

"We saddle late-from Hungary I rode since darkness fell;

And to its bourne we both return

Before the matin-bell."

XXX.

"O rest this night within my arms,

And warm thee in their fold!

Chill howls through hawthorn bush the wind:My love is deadly cold."

XXXI.

"Let the wind howl through hawthorn bush! This night we must away;

The steed is wight, the spur is bright;

I cannot stay till day.

XXXII.

"Busk, busk, and boune! Thou mount'st behind Upon my black barb steed:

O'er stock and stile, a hundred miles,

We haste to bridal bed."

XXXIII.

"To-night-to-night a hundred miles!

O dearest William, stay!

The bell strikes twelve-dark, dismal hour! O wait, my love, till day!"

XXXIV.

"Look here, look here-the moon shines clear

Full fast I ween we ride;

Mount and away! for ere the day

We reach our bridal bed.

XXXV.

"The black barb snorts, the bridle rings; Haste, busk, and boune, and seat thee! The feast is made, the chamber spread, The bridal guests await thee."

XXXVI.

Strong love prevail'd: She busks, she bounes,
She mounts the barb behind,

And round her darling William's waist
Hor lily arms she twined.