168 SCENE FROM HADAD. And shooting stellar influence through her caves, Had. These Deities They invocate with cheerful, gentle rites, Hang garlands on their altars, heap their shrines Tam. Cast not reproach upon the holy altar. Had. Nay, sweet. Having enjoyed all pleasures here That Nature prompts, but chiefly blissful love, At death, the happy Syrian maiden deems Her immaterial flies into the fields, Or circumambient clouds, or crystal brooks, To quaff, once more, the cup of human joy. Tam. But thou believ'st not this. Had. I almost wish Thou didst; for I have feared, my gentle Tamar, Announced in terrors, coupled with the threats Whose word annihilates,—who could arrest SCENE FROM HADAD. His firmamental cataracts came down !— All perished, yet his purpose faltered not!— But unextinguished burns to deepest hell. Jealous, implacable Tam. Peace! impious! peace! Had. Ha! says not Moses so? The Lord is jealous. Tam. Jealous of our faith, Our love, our true obedience, justly his; Had. But others have, If oracles be true. Tam. Little we know Of them; and nothing of their dire offence. my soul Had. I meant not to displease, love; but 169 170 SCENE FROM HADAD. Itself, o'ershadowed by the Cherubim ; Witness, ye Heavens! Eternal Father, witness! I love, adore, and praise thy glorious name, I grieve, for hopes that fade,-for your lost soul, Had. O, say not so, Beloved Princess. Why distrust my faith? Tam. Thou know'st, alas, my weakness; but remember, I never, never will be thine, although The feast, the blessing, and the song were past, Though Absalom and David called me bride, Till sure thou own'st, with truth, and love sincere, Had. Leave me not-Hear, hear I do believe I know that Being lives SCENE FROM HADAD. Whom you adore. Ah! stay-by proofs I know Which Moses had not. Tam. Prince, unclasp my hand. 171 (Exit.) Had. Untwine thy fetters if thou canst.-How sweet To watch the struggling softness! It allays The beating tempest of my thoughts, and flows, THE LAST READER. BY OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES. I SOMETIMES Sit beneath a tree, A tone that might have passed away, I keep them like a lock or leaf, That some dear girl has given; |