Ere she hath reached yon rustic Shed Hung with late-flowering woodbine spread The fragrance of the breathing flowers And mysteries above her years. -Yes, she is soothed: an Image faint And yet not faint a presence bright Returns to her;—'tis that blessed Saint The invisible God, and take for guide The faith reformed and purified. "Tis flown-the vision, and the sense Of that beguiling influence! "But oh! thou Angel from above, Thou Spirit of maternal love, That stood'st before my eyes, more clear Than Ghosts are fabled to appear Sent upon embassies of fear; As thou thy presence hast to me Then from within the embowered retreat Where she had found a grateful seat Perturbed she issues. She will go; Herself will follow to the war, And clasp her Father's knees;- ah, no! She meets the insuperable bar, The injunction by her Brother laid; His parting charge-but ill obeyed! All prayer for this cause or for that; All efforts that would turn aside The headstrong current of their fate : In resignation to abide The shock, AND FINALLY SECURE O'ER PAIN AND GRIEF À TRIUMPH PURE. She knows, she feels it, and is cheared; He paced along the silent sod, And greeting her thus gently spake, "An old Man's privilege I take ; Dark is the time- a woeful day! Dear daughter of affliction, say How can I serve you? point the way." "Rights have you, and may well be bold: You with my Father have grown old In friendship go from him—from me ; Strive to avert this misery. This would I beg; but on my mind A passive stillness is enjoined. You not forbidden to recline With hope upon the Will Divine." Hope" said the Sufferer's zealous Friend, "Must not forsake us till the end. In Craven's wilds is many a den, -"Ah tempt me not!" she faintly sighed; "I will not counsel nor exhort, · With my condition satisfied; But you at least, may make report Of what befalls; -be this your task This may be done; 'tis all I ask!" - She spake - and from the Lady's sight The Sire, unconscious of his age, Departed promptly as a Page Bound on some errand of delight. The noble Francis wise as brave, Thought he, may have the skill to save : Him will I seek: the insurgent Powers But quick the turns of chance and change, And knowledge has a narrow range; Whence idle fears, and needless pain, And wishes blind, and efforts vain. Their flight the fair Moon may not see ; For, from mid-heaven, aiready she Hath witnessed their captivity. She saw the desperate assault Upon that hostile Castle made; But dark and dismal is the Vault Where Norton and his Sons are laid! Disastrous issue! — He had said |