Her neat but homely garments pressed The pure, the feeling heart; Oft sought in vain behind the vest Of decorated art. • If sharing all thy cares (she said), Has paled my beauty's rose, Ah! know, for thee the heart that bled, With all its passion glows: Blest moment, to my wish that gives The long, long, absent youth! He lives-th' endeared Cabeysa lives, And love confirms the truth. . When thy brave comrades fell around, Oft in the troubling dream of night, I saw the rushing spear; Nor did the morn's awakening light Dispel the lingering fear.' 6 Thy tender fears (the youth replied), Ah give them to the air! To happiness we're now allied, And pleasure be our care. Let us pursue the joy begun, Nor lose by dull delay: Say, Laura, shall to-morrow's sun Illume our nuptial day ?' With look declined she blushed consent Reserve that takes alarm, And love and joy their influence lent The guests, to hail the wedded pair, Tho' no delicious wines were poured, The handmaid Neatness spread the board, And sage Content said grace. Scarce thro' one hasty week had love When bliss (as flies the frighted dove) 6 Their humble mansión fled : Twas at Bellona's voice it flew, That called to War's alarms; Bade the youth rise, to valour true, And break from Laura's arms. But still she strained him to her heart, Ah what, (she said), should'st thou depart, Say, valiant youth, when thou'rt away, Who'll raise my drooping head? How shall I chase the fears that say, Thy loved Cabeysa's dead?' With thine my fate I now involve, Intent thy course to steer; No words shall shake my firm resolve, Not even that trickling tear. • Framed for each scene of soft delight,' And love, though falls the beating rain, Will keep this bosom warm.' E'en as the wall-flower rears its head, Her zeal (the supplement of strength), Upheld her many a day, But nature's powers subdued at length, On sickness' couch she lay. Three painful days unseen she lay Of him she held so dear; Ah! does he thus my love repay?? She said, and dropt a tear. < Cabeysa, at a league's remove, Dwells on the tent-spread hill; Ah! wherefore did he vow true love, And not that vow fulfil ?' Yet not deficiency of truth Forbade to yield relief; Stern power withheld the tender youth, And duty to his chief: Who, wisely counselled, drew a line |