And doth a roof above me close? I closed my own again once more, A slender girl, long-hair'd and tall, A prying, pitying glance on me No vision it could be, But that I lived, and was released But fail'd—and she approach'd, and made I must not strive as yet to break And stole along on tiptoe tread, head, And gently oped the door, and spake In whispers-ne'er was voice so sweet! Even music follow'd her light feet; But those she call'd were not awake, And she went forth; but, ere she pass'd, Another look on me she cast, Another sign she made, to say, Her due return:-while she was gone, XX. « She came with mother and with sire- Since I became the Cossacks' guest: Sent me forth to the wilderness, Bound, naked, bleeding, and alone, the desert to a throne, Το pass What mortal his own doom may guess?Let none despond, let none despair! To-morrow the Borysthenes May see our coursers graze at ease As I shall yield when safely there. Comrades, good night!»-The hetman threw His length beneath the oak-tree shade, With leafy couch already made, A bed nor comfortless nor new His eyes the hastening slumbers steep. The king had been an hour asleep. NOTE TO MAZEPPA. Note 1, page 408, line 21. Rich as a salt or silver mine, etc. This comparison of a « salt mine» may perhaps be permitted to a Pole, as the wealth of the country consists greatly in the salt mines. VOL. VI. 28 |