 | Redwald |  |
While Edith wept in ceaseless grief,
And mourn'd her Mable early flown;
When time to all had brought relief
Save her's and Ivan's heart alone;
And mourn'd her Mable early flown;
When time to all had brought relief
Save her's and Ivan's heart alone;
A stranger came to Mona's shore,
Whose riches and whose gen'rous mind
Dispens'd relief to all who bore
The yoke of fortune too unkind.
Whose riches and whose gen'rous mind
Dispens'd relief to all who bore
The yoke of fortune too unkind.
21
The voice of all-resounding fame
In Mona's isle the story told,
And Edith heard of Redwald's name,
His wealth—his deeds—with int'rest cold.
In Mona's isle the story told,
And Edith heard of Redwald's name,
His wealth—his deeds—with int'rest cold.
Not long so coldly did she turn,
But listen'd when the youth was nam'd;
While on her cheek would blushes burn,
Nor longer was the speaker blam'd.
But listen'd when the youth was nam'd;
While on her cheek would blushes burn,
Nor longer was the speaker blam'd.
For Redwald was the stranger form
Her vision had so well pourtray'd,
The night of that appalling storm,
In all love's gentlest charms array'd.
Her vision had so well pourtray'd,
The night of that appalling storm,
In all love's gentlest charms array'd.
He too it was that cross'd her way
That morn, the last of Mable's fate;
All join'd her bosom to betray
To love's soft vows, and fortune's hate!
That morn, the last of Mable's fate;
All join'd her bosom to betray
To love's soft vows, and fortune's hate!
The lustre of his dark blue eye
Aw'd all to fear, yet there exprest
Were looks, which tend'rest thoughts imply,
When he would soften beauty's breast.
Aw'd all to fear, yet there exprest
Were looks, which tend'rest thoughts imply,
When he would soften beauty's breast.
22
The bright red rose which warm'd his cheek
Was often rais'd to crimson hue,
And passion's smother'd flame would speak,
And own how much its influence grew.
Was often rais'd to crimson hue,
And passion's smother'd flame would speak,
And own how much its influence grew.
From Erin's isle the stranger came,
Her's were his failings—yet the good—
The virtues, common to her name,
Had not his greater faults withstood.
Her's were his failings—yet the good—
The virtues, common to her name,
Had not his greater faults withstood.
For not a spark beam'd on the way
To bid the trusting stranger know,
His smiles were meant but to betray
His love—his friendship—certain woe.
To bid the trusting stranger know,
His smiles were meant but to betray
His love—his friendship—certain woe.
Well might young Edith vainly strive
To hear his vows with cold disdain,
Her heart to tenderness alive,
Shunn'd e'en to cause another's pain.
To hear his vows with cold disdain,
Her heart to tenderness alive,
Shunn'd e'en to cause another's pain.
She lov'd, nor blush'd his pow'r to own,
One only fear disturb'd her breast,
She dreaded lest a parent's frown
Should on her dearest wishes rest.
One only fear disturb'd her breast,
She dreaded lest a parent's frown
Should on her dearest wishes rest.
23
But he she lov'd had store of gold—
That key to many a human mind;
All who such passport can unfold
Will still a ready welcome find.
That key to many a human mind;
All who such passport can unfold
Will still a ready welcome find.
And tho' her father promis'd fair
To make his Edith Ivan's bride,
His vows had melted into air,
Since wealth the question must decide.
To make his Edith Ivan's bride,
His vows had melted into air,
Since wealth the question must decide.
Ere long, consent their hopes had crown'd,
The day was fix'd, and all agreed;
His joy her father freely own'd,
Nor gave his former promise heed.
The day was fix'd, and all agreed;
His joy her father freely own'd,
Nor gave his former promise heed.
But there was one, who not unmov'd
Heard of his falsehood—yet the pride
Of him who thus despairing lov'd,
Bade him his just resentment hide.
Heard of his falsehood—yet the pride
Of him who thus despairing lov'd,
Bade him his just resentment hide.
He would not meanly stoop to sue,
Nor beg, for what he might demand,
Tho' Edith rightly was his due—
To him belong'd her virgin hand.
Nor beg, for what he might demand,
Tho' Edith rightly was his due—
To him belong'd her virgin hand.
24
But when he heard her heart confess'd
A kindred passion for his foe,
The pangs that robb'd his mind of rest
He wish'd not Edith e'er should know.
A kindred passion for his foe,
The pangs that robb'd his mind of rest
He wish'd not Edith e'er should know.
A prey to grief, he shunn'd her sight,
And as approach'd the dreaded-day,
He wander'd oft at dead of night,
And sadly sigh'd the hours away.
And as approach'd the dreaded-day,
He wander'd oft at dead of night,
And sadly sigh'd the hours away.
| Redwald | |