6 Now Laura's image haunts his soul, • For me, her native home (he said), For me, a father's arms she fled Say, for a chosen lover's sake, What more could woman do? And now that health and peace forsake, Shall I forsake her too ? Now stretched upon the naked ground, Oppressed with pain and fear, She casts a languid eye around, 'Now, now she weeps at my delay, And shall neglect be mine? Submit, ye fears, to pity's sway,' He spoke and crossed the line. Soon at his sight the fair resumed Each captivating grace: On her pale cheek the rose re-bloomed, And smiles illumed her face. Yet to that cheek returned in vain The youth returning thro' the gloom, Was seized and to dishonour's tomb To meet his fate at wake of day No weakness did his cheek betray, 'If in the battle death I've dared, In all its horror drest, Think not this scene, by thee prepared, Yet then at Laura's hapless fate, My fortitude impairs, Unmanned I sink beneath the weight Of her oppressive cares. Ah! when her grief-torn heart shall bleed, Some little solace grant; Oh guard her in the hour of need From the rude hand of want.' Now, kneeling on the fatal spot, He twined the darkening band; The twelve who drew the unwelcome lot, And now the murmuring throng grew dumb, 'Twas silent all-save where, At intervals the mournful drum, Struck horror on the ear. Now, with their death-fraught tubes up-reared, The destined twelve were seen And now the explosion dire was heard, That closed Cabeysa's scene. Another scene remained behind, For Laura to supply— She comes! mark how her tortured mind Speaks thro' th' expressive eye. 'Forbear-will ye in blood (she said), On me-on me your vengeance shed, Relent and to these arms again I rave already on the plain Advancing now, she pierced the crowd, And reached the fatal place, Where, lifting from the corse the shroud, No semblance could she trace. Is this-Oh blasting view! (she cried), The youth who loved too well? His love for me the law defied, And for that love he fell ! 6 'When will the grave this form receive ? The grave-to which he's fled! There only there, I'll cease to grieve,' She spoke and joined the dead. Jerningham THE VILLAGE MANSION. Mark yon old mansion, frowning thro' the trees, Long may the ruin spare its hallowed guest! |