TO AGNES.
AN HISTORICAL REFLECTION.
Herodotus says, a custom prevailed among some tribes of the ancient
Scythians, of prohibiting the marriage of their virgins till they had killed
an enemy in battle.
The rovers of old Scythia's plain
A curious custom had, 'tis said;
No maid till she a foe had slain
Was e'er allowed to wed.
Now think you, gentle Agnes, what
Had been your fate had you lived then—
Sure your's had been a luckless lot,
Among those savage men!
Hard doom! that one so sweet, so fair,
Unloved, unwedded should remain,
Because her kind heart could not bear
To give another pain!—
And yet methinks one way had still
Been left, your fortune to redress—
For you would pierce all hearts, and kill
By very gentleness!—
1831.
