CHARLES EDWARD AT VERSAILLES


ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF CULLODEN


Take away that star and garter--
Hide them from my aching sight:
Neither king nor prince shall tempt me
From my lonely room this night;
Fitting for the throneless exile
Is the atmosphere of pall,
And the gusty winds that shiver
'Neath the tapestry on the wall.
When the taper faintly dwindles
Like the pulse within the vein,
That to gay and merry measure
Ne'er may hope to bound again,
Let the shadows gather round me
While I sit in silence here,
Broken-hearted, as an orphan
Watching by his father's bier.
Let me hold my still communion
Far from every earthly sound--
Day of penance--day of passion--
Ever, as the year comes round;
Fatal day, whereon the latest
Die was cast for me and mine--
Cruel day, that quelled the fortunes