| Redwald | ||
As swift as lightning from on high,
Which cleaves the azure vaulted sky,
So Edith flew—impell'd by dread,
The ground scarce felt her rapid tread,
E'en so she darted down the hill,
While ev'ry nerve with terror's thrill
Beat high—her spirits ebbing fast,
She gain'd the cottage door at last,
Which open'd as her step drew nigh,
And Redwald met her eager eye!
She look'd a moment wildly round,
Then sunk exhausted on the ground.
He sprung, with sudden fear imprest,
And rais'd her to his throbbing breast,
Long lay she senseless in his arms,
While o'er her hung with fond alarms
Her weeping parents, who in vain
Strove to restore her life again.
And Redwald gaz'd in dread and woe,
Until returning life's faint glow
Gave to her cheek its roseate dies:—
At length she slowly rais'd her eyes,
On him she fix'd her stedfast view,
But shudd'ring soon the glance withdrew,
And with a start of wild alarm
She grasp'd her mother's helping arm,
While tears that bath'd her cheeks so cold
The anguish of her bosom told:
Which cleaves the azure vaulted sky,
So Edith flew—impell'd by dread,
The ground scarce felt her rapid tread,
E'en so she darted down the hill,
While ev'ry nerve with terror's thrill
Beat high—her spirits ebbing fast,
She gain'd the cottage door at last,
Which open'd as her step drew nigh,
And Redwald met her eager eye!
28
Then sunk exhausted on the ground.
He sprung, with sudden fear imprest,
And rais'd her to his throbbing breast,
Long lay she senseless in his arms,
While o'er her hung with fond alarms
Her weeping parents, who in vain
Strove to restore her life again.
And Redwald gaz'd in dread and woe,
Until returning life's faint glow
Gave to her cheek its roseate dies:—
At length she slowly rais'd her eyes,
On him she fix'd her stedfast view,
But shudd'ring soon the glance withdrew,
And with a start of wild alarm
She grasp'd her mother's helping arm,
While tears that bath'd her cheeks so cold
The anguish of her bosom told:
| Redwald | ||