Just then, beneath some orange trees, Beneath that fresh and springing bower, 1 Close by the lake she heard the moan Of one who, at this silent hour, Had thither stolen to die alone One who in life where'er he moved, With even a sprinkle from that lake Which shines so cool before his eyes. No voice, well known through many a day, To speak the last, the parting word, Which, when all other sounds decay, Is still like distant music heard. That tender farewell on the shore Of this rude world when all is o'er, Which cheers the spirit, ere its bark Puts off into the unknown dark.. Deserted youth! one thought alone Shed joy around his soul in death— That she, whom he for years had known, And loved, and might have called his own, Was safe from this foul midnight's breath Freshly perfumed by many a brand But see,-who yonder comes by stealth, Like a young envoy, sent by health, She, who would rather die with him, Her arms are round her lover now, And dips, to bind his burning brow, In the cool lake her loosened tresses. Ah! ance how little did he think An hour would come, when he should shrink With horror from that dear embrace, Those gentle arms that were to him Holy as is the cradling place Of Eden's infant cherubim ! And now he yields-now turns away, Near his unasked or without shame. 'Oh! let me only breathe the air, The blessed air, that's breathed by thee, And whether on its wings it bear Healing or death, 'tis sweet to me! There,-drink my tears, while yet they fall,Would that my bosom's blood were balm, And well thou know'st, I'd shed it all, To give thy brow one minute's calm : Nay, turn not from me that dear face— Am I not thine-thy own loved bride→→ The one, the chosen one, whose place In life or death is by thy side! Think'st thou that she, whose only light In this dim world from thee hath shone, Could bear the long the cheerless night, That must be her's, when thou art gone? That I can live, and let thee go, 6 One kiss the maiden gives, one last, Long kiss, which she expires in giving! Sleep,' said the Peri, as softly she stole The farewell sigh of that vanishing soul, 6 As true as e'er warmed a woman's breast Sleep on, in visions of odour rest, In balmier airs than ever yet stirred Th' enchanted pile of that lonely bird, Who sings at the last his own death lay, And in music and perfume dies away!' Thus saying, from her lips she spread That like two lovely saints, they seemed From their dim graves, in odour sleeping;— While that benevolent Peri beamed Like their good angel, calmly keeping Watch o'er them, till their souls would waken! But morn is blushing in the sky; Again the Peri soars above, Bearing to heaven that precious sigh High throbbed her heart, with hope elate, And she already hears the trees Of Eden with their crystal bells, Ringing in that ambrosial breeze That from the throne of Alla swells; And she can see the starry bowls That lie around that lucid lake, Upon whose banks admitted souls Their first sweet draught of glory take! |