The Recluse and the Refuge
Hush'd was the night in dismal gloom,
Each star seem'd quite extinguish'd,
And round A LMERIA'S dreary room
No chearful voice distinguish'd.
For lowly, in a distant shed,
Which youth might see with horror,
The mournful nymph by choice was led
To soothe her heartfelt sorrow.
No earthly friend, no earthly ear,
Cou'd hear her griefs complaining —
And pious patience check'd the tear
Which memory oft was gaining!
Hush'd was the night! — 'tis dark, 'tis bleak!
But hark — a step's approaching!
Come gentle maid, my Anna speak —
Perhaps, some thief's encroaching,
" Ah no! — some knock, ameager knock
" My silent door's assailing!
" If mis'ry asks, I wou'd not mock
" The feeble hope prevailing!
" Go damsel fly! but fear I see
" Repels thy kind endeavour —
" If death the suppliant's lot shou'd be
" Twou'd darken mine for ever! " —
She flies — the fair A LMERIA flies! —
'Tis sure no wondrous error,
For pity tho' with dove-like eyes
Will meet the form of terror.
Her snowy hand unbars the gate
With firm and gen'rous vigour,
No ruffians stand — no robbers wait —
But mis'ry's mournful figure.
Yet nobly form'd — she knew not how —
A grace was still prevailing,
Tho' death seem'd seated on his brow
And life's gay bloom was failing.
With falt'ring speech, he faintly cried,
" A murd'rer's blow subdued me!
" What do I see? my destin'd bride! —
" Then justice has pursued me!
" O righteous Heaven! — in mercy spare " —
But nature's strength diminish'd —
May Heaven in mercy hear the prayer
By feeble words unfinish'd!
He dropt — he fell! — but oh that eye
Its melting look had taken —
A LMERIA ! — must thy lover die,
Tho' long thou wert forsaken?
Ah no! — A LMERIA must forgive —
There needs not man's endeavour,
" Anna , she says — he sure will live, —
" We cannot part for ever!
" Say not that death has clos'd his eyes,
" Thou need'st not thus deplore him, —
" Say not O cruel maid, he dies,
" For Heaven may yet restore him!
" Sweet hope, I cannot lose thy ray
" To chear my heartfelt sorrow,
" Anna ! I'll be his nurse to day —
" — I'll be his bride tomorrow!
" No lady, no! — his farewell look,
" His farewell sigh is given! —
" Go, search in truth's celestial book,
" And give thy heart to Heaven!
Each star seem'd quite extinguish'd,
And round A LMERIA'S dreary room
No chearful voice distinguish'd.
For lowly, in a distant shed,
Which youth might see with horror,
The mournful nymph by choice was led
To soothe her heartfelt sorrow.
No earthly friend, no earthly ear,
Cou'd hear her griefs complaining —
And pious patience check'd the tear
Which memory oft was gaining!
Hush'd was the night! — 'tis dark, 'tis bleak!
But hark — a step's approaching!
Come gentle maid, my Anna speak —
Perhaps, some thief's encroaching,
" Ah no! — some knock, ameager knock
" My silent door's assailing!
" If mis'ry asks, I wou'd not mock
" The feeble hope prevailing!
" Go damsel fly! but fear I see
" Repels thy kind endeavour —
" If death the suppliant's lot shou'd be
" Twou'd darken mine for ever! " —
She flies — the fair A LMERIA flies! —
'Tis sure no wondrous error,
For pity tho' with dove-like eyes
Will meet the form of terror.
Her snowy hand unbars the gate
With firm and gen'rous vigour,
No ruffians stand — no robbers wait —
But mis'ry's mournful figure.
Yet nobly form'd — she knew not how —
A grace was still prevailing,
Tho' death seem'd seated on his brow
And life's gay bloom was failing.
With falt'ring speech, he faintly cried,
" A murd'rer's blow subdued me!
" What do I see? my destin'd bride! —
" Then justice has pursued me!
" O righteous Heaven! — in mercy spare " —
But nature's strength diminish'd —
May Heaven in mercy hear the prayer
By feeble words unfinish'd!
He dropt — he fell! — but oh that eye
Its melting look had taken —
A LMERIA ! — must thy lover die,
Tho' long thou wert forsaken?
Ah no! — A LMERIA must forgive —
There needs not man's endeavour,
" Anna , she says — he sure will live, —
" We cannot part for ever!
" Say not that death has clos'd his eyes,
" Thou need'st not thus deplore him, —
" Say not O cruel maid, he dies,
" For Heaven may yet restore him!
" Sweet hope, I cannot lose thy ray
" To chear my heartfelt sorrow,
" Anna ! I'll be his nurse to day —
" — I'll be his bride tomorrow!
" No lady, no! — his farewell look,
" His farewell sigh is given! —
" Go, search in truth's celestial book,
" And give thy heart to Heaven!
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