306 SELECT POETRY

So peacefully their hours were spent
That life had scarce a sorrow ;

They took the good of every day,
And hoped for more to-morrow.

But oft some shining April morn
Is darkened in an hour;

And blackest griefs o’er joyous homes
Alas! unseen may lower.

Not yet on Switzerland had dawned
Her day of liberty ;

The stranger’s yoke was on her sons,
And pressed right heavily.

So one was sent in luckless hour,
To rule in Austria’s name ;

A haughty man of savage mood,—
In pomp and pride he came.

One day, in wantonness of power,
He set his cap on high ;—
* Bow down, ye slaves,” the order ran ;
** Who disobeys shall die !”

It chanced that Witt1am Text, that morn,
Had left his cottage home,

And, with his little son in hand,
To Altorf town had come.

For oft the boy had eyed the spoil,
His father homeward bore,

And prayed to join the hunting crew,
When they should roam for more.