Oliver Newman A New-England Tale (Unfinished): With Other Poetical Remains. By the late Robert Southey |
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 | Oliver Newman |  |
Son of a hapless house!
What were the thoughts which then within thy breast,
At thy true friend's concluding words, arose?
Doth that quick flush disclose
A feeling thou hast labour'd to control,
And hitherto represt
In singleness of heart and strength of soul?
A light, which like a sudden hope might seem,
Kindled his cheek, and brighten'd in his eye:
But it departed like a gleam,
That for a moment in the heavy sky
Is open'd when the storm is hurrying by;
And then his countenance resumed
Its meek serenity.
What were the thoughts which then within thy breast,
At thy true friend's concluding words, arose?
Doth that quick flush disclose
A feeling thou hast labour'd to control,
And hitherto represt
In singleness of heart and strength of soul?
A light, which like a sudden hope might seem,
Kindled his cheek, and brighten'd in his eye:
But it departed like a gleam,
That for a moment in the heavy sky
Is open'd when the storm is hurrying by;
And then his countenance resumed
Its meek serenity.
Nor did that sad composure change,
When of the gentle maiden Leverett spake,
Whom to his charge her mother's dying prayer
In Christian confidence consign'd.
And yet it was a theme which well might wake
Oppugnant feelings in his inmost mind;
For with a hope upon that mother's heart,
Implied, though not express'd, the solemn care
Was given; and therefore in the young man's heart
Uneasily it lay,
As if he were unjust,
And had received a trust
He could not, must not, did not dare—
And yet would fain—repay.
When of the gentle maiden Leverett spake,
Whom to his charge her mother's dying prayer
In Christian confidence consign'd.
And yet it was a theme which well might wake
Oppugnant feelings in his inmost mind;
For with a hope upon that mother's heart,
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Was given; and therefore in the young man's heart
Uneasily it lay,
As if he were unjust,
And had received a trust
He could not, must not, did not dare—
And yet would fain—repay.
| Oliver Newman | |