Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

“The slanderous asp, drawing near,
“Dropped venemous words in his ear,
“And my false love believed!
“Oh! love, thou art deceived!
“Ah! come thou back, restore my bliss,
“My heart for thee beats ever true,
“But like a flower which thirsts for dew,
“It withers for want of thy kiss!

“I followed him early, I followed him late,
“I uttered low plaint and he answered with hate,
“And, turning upon me, (ah! vainly I strove!)
“He forced from my finger the pledge of his love,
“And cursed me and left me alone on the shore:
“And he came not again, and he cometh no more:

“But I am left forlorn, forlorn,
“The golden links are broken,
“And even the frailest token
“Of Love from me is torn!”

Twelve Moons had rolled: I passed the self-same way,
She sang:

“With sleekest speech, with saint-like smile,
“He woo'd this simple heart too well!
“By his bland lips beguiled, alas!
“I loved him, and I fell!
“Forlorn and lost, in nameless pain,
“By Mis'ry taught, I know thee now:
“Traitor! flee me—flee in vain!
“My curse hath crossed thy brow.”