Julia Alpinula :: :: University of Virginia Library

She woke in terror, and her eye, awake,
Yet seemed in ghastly energy to ache
With some such vision as in sleep appeared
To woo her to the danger which she feared,
For as upon the lonely walls it fell,
She saw a shadow move across the cell,—
Slow, but distinct, no creature of the brain,
It paused,—it moved,—and then it paused again.
Eudora, startled at the Presence, said
“What form art thou which risest from the dead
“To awe my sorrow? Ha! I know thee now,
“O Andron! O my husband! it is thou!—
“The paleness of the grave is on thy brow.

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“And thou wert buried in the darkening deep:—
“I knew it! there was torture in my sleep!
“Speak to my spirit, shade of air, or place
“Thy shadowy form once more in my embrace.”
It was no dream: she rushed that shade to clasp,
And a strong arm of iron met her grasp.
She feebly, fondly shrieked; that shriek again
Another's voice of gladness made more plain.
A few wild accents faltered on her tongue;—
To his fond arms the sad Eudora sprung,
Threw back the tresses of her hair, though weak,
That hers might feel the pressure of his cheek,
Which chill at first, and tremulous, became
With the next pulse, all fever and all flame,
Flushed with a hope too strong for mortal faith,
And scarcely conscious of his life or death;
He kissed her beating temples,—stilly kissed,—
And, whispering, strove to clear away the mist
Which wrapt her soul,—those thoughts which scarce we feel—
When dread and doubt contend with hope and zeal.
It is the living Andron in her arms,
Who stills her tremors, and her terror calms!—
“Fear not, Eudora, heaven has heard thy prayer,
“It still has left some joy for both to share;—

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“But hush! though deep the stair, thy voice may tell
“My tale of wonder to the centinel.
“I heard, I hear his footfall in the gale.—
“Hark to the tread!—now list, I have a tale.”
—'Twas long ere that delicious agony
Was o'er, that flood of deep suspense and joy;
Long, long her eye the glassy lustre took,
Which on the seeming spirit bent its look,
Till, cleared from her delusive dream of fear,
She faintly smiled, and bowed her head to hear.