LOVE'S VICTIMS: THE HERMIT's STORY, CANTO III

Need I relate what cares I us'd, 'Till sluggard life return'd, Or number all my pray'rs refus'd, Or tell her ransom spurn'd?

Whether by daring guilt betray'd, Or fate severe opprest, I shunn'd to ask, of truth afraid— Her anguish fill'd my breast;

Doom'd to her cheerful native land To bid a long adieu, And on a rude unpitying strand Declining life pursue:

"Unhappy fair, whose fatal pow'r. "Enslaves my constant thought, "Behold in this disastrous hour "The ruin thou hast wrought!

"These tears, this anguish is thine own, "That rends thy Albert's breast; "But tears with thee are pleasing grown, "And anguish lulls to rest.

"Together on th' appointed plain "We'll count the painful years, "Together drag the galling chain, "And mingle bitter tears."

"Forbear, forbear!" the suff'rer cried, And rais'd her languid head, "Thy hate, thy vengeance I'll abide— "Thy constancy I dread.

"Let mercy griev'd at length forsake "A wretch to sorrow born; "Leave that obdurate heart to break, "Which could deserve thy scorn!"

The tender pray'r I heard unmov'd, Or heard with soften'd heart; From her, whom still alone I lov'd, Resolv'd no more to part.

The swelling sails forbad delay; We left our native shore; O'er the blue waves the streamers play, And land is seen no more.

Ah! shade belov'd! what wond'rous grief Did then thy bosom know, While the fraught heart denied relief, And tears forbore to flow!

Pale, drooping o'er the billow's foam, I see thy form recline; Thine eyes o'er ocean wildly roam, Or deeply fix in mine!

That speechless woe can language paint, Or tell the thrilling look, When sighs at length, and accents faint The fearful silence broke?

"For thee—for thee—much injur'd youth, "'Midst all my sins abhorr'd "(So witness for me, heavenly truth!) "My bosom's only Lord,

"For thee alone, these pangs, these sights— "My chains no longer wound—" She said, when sobs convulsive rise, And choke th' imperfect sound.

"Well pleas'd in death these eyes should close, "So thou might'st feel," I cried, "No greater pain than Albert knows, "With Emma by his side.

"Secure we brave the changing sky, "By hope forbid to weep; "Love bears his lighted torch on high, "And guides us o'er the deep:

"And see the destin'd land appear! That land our faith shall prove; "Alike shall either hemisphere "Propitious smile on love."