 | Nacoochee ; or, the beautiful star, with other Poems |  |
XXXII.
The moon rose high in the fulgent even,
And the stars were bright on the silent sea,
When the maiden raised up her hands to heaven,
And said, “How long will he stay from me?”
The star-gemmed wings of the night were spread
Over all high heaven to the farthest skies;
And the wind-stirred grass, from her fawn-like tread,
Fell down like the tears from her deep blue eyes!
For the foes were slain, and the battle fought,
And the maiden stood by the river's side—
But the vulture claimed what the maiden sought
For his doom was sealed when his Lena died!
And she seeks the field for her absent love,
As she leaves her steps on the silver sand:
But an angel comes from the heavens above,
And grasps her fast by the lily hand!
And the stars were bright on the silent sea,
When the maiden raised up her hands to heaven,
And said, “How long will he stay from me?”
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Over all high heaven to the farthest skies;
And the wind-stirred grass, from her fawn-like tread,
Fell down like the tears from her deep blue eyes!
For the foes were slain, and the battle fought,
And the maiden stood by the river's side—
But the vulture claimed what the maiden sought
For his doom was sealed when his Lena died!
And she seeks the field for her absent love,
As she leaves her steps on the silver sand:
But an angel comes from the heavens above,
And grasps her fast by the lily hand!
“Oh God!” said she, “from the realms on high!
Then speak to the wretched and let her pass;
Shall the warrior live?—shall the maiden die?”—
And the Angel said to the maid, “Alas!”
Then speak to the wretched and let her pass;
Shall the warrior live?—shall the maiden die?”—
And the Angel said to the maid, “Alas!”
“Oh! speak to my soul, for thy hand is cold,
And thy locks are richer than strans of gold!
Oh! what is the fate of my love to be!
And say, what caused thee to come to me?”
And thy locks are richer than strans of gold!
Oh! what is the fate of my love to be!
And say, what caused thee to come to me?”
And the spirit raised her hands up to heaven,
And said, “Fond maid! thou shalt hear this even!
Thy love is dead!—”
“For his country's sake?
Oh! away, false one! for my heart must break!”
And said, “Fond maid! thou shalt hear this even!
Thy love is dead!—”
“For his country's sake?
Oh! away, false one! for my heart must break!”
“Nay! arise, fair maiden! and hear me tell,
The warrior's soul 's in the depths of hell!”
The warrior's soul 's in the depths of hell!”
“In hell?—did he die on the battle-field?”
“He died with his blood on his battered shield!
I have come, fair maiden! thy soul to take”—
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“Oh! away, false one! for my heart must break!”
“Nay, awhile, dear one! thou shalt hear the truth—
I was once like thee, in my sinless youth!
I was fair, like thee, in the hour of trust,
But his heart was false, and my hopes were dust!
I believed him true—was betrayed like thee—
For his smiles were more than the world to me!
I have met thee here for thy soul's own sake”—
I was once like thee, in my sinless youth!
I was fair, like thee, in the hour of trust,
But his heart was false, and my hopes were dust!
I believed him true—was betrayed like thee—
For his smiles were more than the world to me!
I have met thee here for thy soul's own sake”—
“Oh! away, false one! for my heart must break!”
“It shall never break on this side the grave!
I have come, fair maiden! thy soul to save!
For the God of light from the heavens above”—
I have come, fair maiden! thy soul to save!
For the God of light from the heavens above”—
“Hath sent thee to save?—then redeem my love!”
“I have watched thee long from the western star—
I have seen thee look at my home afar!
I have heard thee sigh for the wretch in hell!
Where his cursed soul shall forever dwell!
I adored him once, when my youth was love,
But an angel took me to heaven above!
For the very wretch that was bound to thee,
Was the same foul fiend that was false to me!
I have left my home for thy precious sake”—
I have seen thee look at my home afar!
I have heard thee sigh for the wretch in hell!
Where his cursed soul shall forever dwell!
I adored him once, when my youth was love,
But an angel took me to heaven above!
For the very wretch that was bound to thee,
Was the same foul fiend that was false to me!
I have left my home for thy precious sake”—
“Oh! away, bright one! for my heart must break!”
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