 | Young Arthur |  |
THE BILLET.
“The child will be cherish'd; this gold will ensure“The rank of its father; with patience endure
“The heart pang of parting; for silence alone
“Will ensure the child's welfare, its life, and your own.”
Here ceas'd the Sage, nor could the youth prevail
To gain that night a sequel to the tale;
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Oft dried the tear, nor could he more unfold.
With ardent force the Sage Young Arthur press'd,
With warmth unusual gaz'd on him and bless'd;
Arthur, a foundling, ne'er had father known,
Hubert and Ellen pass'd him for their own;
Childless themselves, and lest the truth should spread,
In a far village they sought other bread;
And by a clue (instructed from the hand
That plac'd the annual gold at their command)
Their change of residence to him convey'd
Who gave the charge, and for his nurture paid.
What made Young Arthur's artless heart beat high
When beams of love illum'd the Sages's eye?
What fill'd that Sage's bosom with alarms
When folding Arthur in his wither'd arms?
Who was that Sage, who happier days had known,
Who mourn'd hope foil'd, but not for ever flown?
| Young Arthur | |