 | Redwald |  |
Awhile in silent gloom did Ivan stand,
Then starting—caught in trembling haste her hand,
The moon's bright lustre beam'd around his form,
And awful was his tone—he rais'd his arm,
And as he pointed tow'rds the starry Heav'n,
Unearthly grandeur to his frame seem'd giv'n:
“And know'st thou not,” he cry'd, “who gave the blow,
“What villain caus'd a brother's tears to flow?
“Can'st thou this pale—this wasted form behold,
“And yet the secret wilt thou not unfold!
“Well may'st thou start and wonder I should know
“That thou art mistress of the tale of woe;—
“'Twas from the rev'rend seer, whose wondrous pow'r
“Is known in Mona, I in blessed hour
“Learnt that thy lips the secret could reveal,
“And give the wretch to my avenging steel.
“By all my suff'rings from thy beauty's pow'r,
“By my firm love, which never till this hour
“I dar'd to tell thee!—by my mother's shade,
“And by that lov'd and deeply injur'd maid,
“Who once was dear to thee—the deed proclaim,
“And speak the vile—the hateful murd'rer's name!”
Then starting—caught in trembling haste her hand,
The moon's bright lustre beam'd around his form,
And awful was his tone—he rais'd his arm,
And as he pointed tow'rds the starry Heav'n,
Unearthly grandeur to his frame seem'd giv'n:
“And know'st thou not,” he cry'd, “who gave the blow,
“What villain caus'd a brother's tears to flow?
“Can'st thou this pale—this wasted form behold,
“And yet the secret wilt thou not unfold!
“Well may'st thou start and wonder I should know
“That thou art mistress of the tale of woe;—
33
“Is known in Mona, I in blessed hour
“Learnt that thy lips the secret could reveal,
“And give the wretch to my avenging steel.
“By all my suff'rings from thy beauty's pow'r,
“By my firm love, which never till this hour
“I dar'd to tell thee!—by my mother's shade,
“And by that lov'd and deeply injur'd maid,
“Who once was dear to thee—the deed proclaim,
“And speak the vile—the hateful murd'rer's name!”
| Redwald | |