University of Virginia Library

XIV.

“Jesu Maria! who art thou?
“Christ and the Virgin shield us now!”
A war-steed dashes through the throng—
A horseman leaps upon the ground,
And rushes like a maniac strong
Toward dying Zulma, while around
Gather the crowd to mark the scene—
For one so mournful ne'er had been.
Zulma looked up—a faint smile passed,
Like silvery moon-beam on the wave,
O'er lip and eye and then it cast
Behind the death hue of the grave.
Low bowed the horseman, Julian, there,
And fearful was his agony;
He kneeled, like statue of despair,
In hopeless, speechless misery;
But quivering lips and burning brow
Were worse than vain and idle now.
“Zulma”—he said at last, but wild
Came then the memory of his shame,
And Zulma's eye so proudly smiled
He trembled but to speak her name,
For she was calm as all must be
Who triumph o'er the demon—man,
And hold their pride and purity
Above corruption's blight and bann.
But life was ebbing fast away
From Zulma's broken heart and now,
While yet was left a conscious ray
Or never more his words must flow.
He spake at last—his words were few
But full of dark remorseful power,
The out-pourings of the soul's mildew,
That taints each lovely blooming flower,
Making all life a waste!—The fire
Of being, that had sunk and waned
In Zulma's bosom, burned again
Brightly a moment and there reigned
A majesty 'mid all her pain
That daunted Julian, as she strove
To rise upon a maiden's breast;—
“Prince Julian! that thou had'st my love,
‘And that in thine I was most blest,
'Tis bootless now to own; my doom
“Is sealed forever and the tomb
“Must be the resting-place of one
“Who once—who yet loves thee alone;
“Thou hast my pardon while I live—
“Forgive thyself as I forgive!”
Backward she fell—faint grew her breath,
Life left her cheek, her brow, her eye;
Slow o'er her heart came chilling death—
Zulma is in eternity!