Poem by Hector Macneill

Donald and Flora

A ballad, on the death of a friend killed 
at the battle of Saratoga

When many hearts were gay,
Careless of aught but play,
Poor Flora slipt away
    Sadd'ning to Mora.
Loose flow'd her yellow hair,
Quick heav'd her bosom bare,
As thus to the troubled air
    She vented her sorrow:

Loud howls the stormy west,
Cold, cold is winter's blast--
Haste then, O Donald, haste!
    Haste to thy Flora!
Twice twelve long months are o'er
Since on a foreign shore
You promised to fight no more,
    But meet me in Mora.

'Where now is Donald dear?'
Maids cry with taunting sneer;
'Say is he still sincere
    To his lov'd Flora?'
Parents upbraid my moan;
Each heart is turn'd to stone;--
Ah Flora! thou'rt now alone,
    Friendless in Mora!

Come then, O come away!
Donald, no longer stay!--
Where can my rover stray
    From his lov'd Flora?
Ah, sure he ne'er could be
False to his vows and me!--
O heav'ns! is not yonder he
    Bounding o'er Mora!

'Never, O wretched fair,'
Sigh'd the sad messenger,
'Never shall Donald mair
    Meet his lov'd Flora!
Cold as yon mountain snow
Donald thy love lies low!
He sent me to soothe thy woe,
    Weeping in Mora.

Well fought our valiant slain
On Saratoga's plain;
Thrice fled the hostile train
    From British glory.
But ah! though our foes did flee,
Sad was each victory.
Youth, love, and loyalty,
    Fell far from Mora!

'Here, take this love-wrought plaid,'
Donald expiring said,
'Give it to yon dear maid
    Drooping in Mora.
Tell her, O Allan, tell!
Donald thus bravely fell,
And that in his last farewell
    He thought on his Flora.'

Mute stood the trembling fair,
Speechless with wild despair,
Then striking her bosom bare,
    Sigh'd out 'poor Flora!
Ah Donald! -- ah well-a-day!'
Was all the fond heart could say.
At length the sound died away
    Feebly on Mora.

1. On Admiral Lord Nelson's Sending in the Hour of Victory, a Flag of Truce to Stop the Further Effusion
2. Come under My Plaidie; Or, Modern Marriage Delineated
3. On the Death of Lieut. Gen. Sir Ralph Abercromby. Killed at the Battle of Alexandria, in Egypt, Marc
4. The Scottish Muse
5. Tak Tent and Be Wary

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