Why-thou wert worse than he who broke his vow "To that lost damsel, shouldst thou leave me now;

“Or even that traitor chief-I've seen thee smile, “When the clear sky showed Ariadne's Isle,

"Which I have pointed from these cliffs the while : "And thus, half sportive half in fear, I said,

445

"Lest Time should raise that doubt to more than dread,

"Thus Conrad, too, will quit me for the main :

450

"And he deceived me-for-he came again!"

"Again-again-and oft again-my love! "If there be life below, and hope above,

"He will return-but now, the moments bring "The time of parting with redoubled wing:

455

“The why—the where-what boots it now to tell? "Since all must end in that wild word-farewell!

"Yet would I fain-did time allow-disclose

"Fear not these are no formidable foes;

"And here shall watch a more than wonted guard, 460 "For sudden siege and long defence prepared : "Nor be thou lonely-though thy lord's away, “Our matrons and thy handmaids with thee stay; "And this thy comfort--that, when next we meet

66

Security shall make

repose more sweet :

465

"List!—'tis the bugle-Juan shrilly blew—
"One kiss-one more-another-Oh! Adieu !"

She rose-she sprung-she clung to his embrace,
Till his heart heaved beneath her hidden face.
He dared not raise to his that deep-blue eye,
Which downcast droop'd in tearless agony.
Her long fair hair lay floating o'er his arms,
In all the wildness of dishevell'd charms;
Scarce beat that bosom where his image dwelt
So full-that feeling seem'd almost unfelt!
Hark-peals the thunder of the signal-gun!
It told 'twas sunset-and he cursed that sun.
Again-again-that form he madly press'd,
Which mutely clasp'd, imploringly caress'd!

470

475

And tottering to the couch his bride he bore,
One moment gazed-as if to gaze no more;
Felt-that for him earth held but her alone,
Kiss'd her cold forehead-turn'd-is Conrad gone?

480

XV.

"And is he gone?"-on sudden solitude

How oft that fearful question will intrude!

485

""Twas but an instant past-and here he stood!

PUBLISHED BY JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, DEC. 11819

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