The Abbeville Banner

POETRY.

As there were several errors in the following verses in our last, in justice to Conrad we have republished them.

(WRITTEN FOR THE BANNER.)

LINES

Suggested by the melancholy, but glorious fate
of
the late lamented Col. Clay.

Mark well yon proud heroic form, in majesty it
towers,
With eagle front and dauntless mien, where battle
darkest lowers,
The Mexican, beneath his
glance, quails and with
shrouded eye,
Reckless of honor,
home or fame, turns with af-
fright to fly.

Lo! now where Azrael's shaft has thinn'd our chi-
valry, he hies,
And follow'd by his chosen band, above the pierc-
ing cries
Of wounded men, is heard
their loud huzza--it
rends the air
Clay
Clay and victory or death, to hearts that
know not fear!

Yes, 'tis Kentucky's champion! how fearlessly he
leads
Where waving plumes are laid in dust, that gallant
spirit heeds
No death's alarms, when struggling to redeem
from tyrant's chain
The oppress'd--and in that sacred cause he bleeds
not all in vain.

Look! he has gain'd a fearful point--the day is al-
most won--
Yet shield--OH! SAVE HIM HEAVEN! 'tis too late the
deed is done!
He sinks with gaze unconquer'd still, and wildly
gathering near
His faithful few are kneeling round, in mute con-
vulsed despair.

But hark! upon his closing ear, the note of victory
falls--
It stays his parting soul, and for a moment hope
recalls--
That dying hand has rais'd the sword--his lip out-
says a shout--
But with the thrilling
effort
life's last
lingering
ray goes out

Hush'd into solemn silence, with unspoken tearless
grief,
They carry forth 'mid music's wail their now la-
mented chief,
And laying him within
his martial resting place,
they fire
Each one his farewell shot, and all in wordless
woe retire.

The bugle may not wake him now! Columbia's
chieftain sleeps!
Yet hear a nation's voice, which says, as plaintive-
ly it sweeps--
Still lives our sainted Clay! his name can never,
NEVER die,
'Tis written with the burning star of fame in
glo-
ry's sky!

Erskine College.
CONRAD.