 | The Fall of the Leaf |  |
III.
At length came he, upon whose noble breastThe loveliest angel might with rapture rest:
Illustrious Cobourg!—Form'd in Virtue's mould!
Though manly, gentle; and with heart of gold!
25
Delighted, charm'd, adoring, and amazed.
He gazed—and loved! She saw his modest smile,
And blush'd! She felt its influence beguile
Her proudest wishes; while that secret Power
That rules in cot, in palace, and in bower,
Smiled at them both.—Not daring to explain:
The Royal Father saw their secret pain,
And softly whisper'd, “Cobourg! you may woo;
“To crown my wishes and the empire's too.”
Oh! blest that father, whose parental pride
Could make an empire's heir a good man's bride;
Could bend, in tears of rapture, from a throne,
To make his daughter's paradise his own!
| The Fall of the Leaf | |