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— She rose-she sprung-she clung to his embrace, 470 475 And tottering to the couch his bride he bore, 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! |