 | Poems by the author of The Village Curate |  |
229
THE ORPHAN TWINS.
A TALE.
231
'Twas on a lofty mountain's side
Half up the verdant steep,
A gen'rous Vicar wedded, died,
And left his spouse to weep.
Half up the verdant steep,
A gen'rous Vicar wedded, died,
And left his spouse to weep.
And still she weeps from hour of rest,
'Till dawn of day begins,
Two little daughters at her breast,
Her only infant twins.
'Till dawn of day begins,
Two little daughters at her breast,
Her only infant twins.
All day o'er these she hangs her head,
Too young her grief to know,
And while her eyes sweet sorrow shed
They smile to see it flow.
Too young her grief to know,
And while her eyes sweet sorrow shed
They smile to see it flow.
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O happiest of all souls that live,
Whose brow no sorrow wears,
Would ye might never learn to grieve,
Nor know the cause of tears.
Whose brow no sorrow wears,
Would ye might never learn to grieve,
Nor know the cause of tears.
But ere five hasty springs were past,
And five short autumns gone,
The hapless mother breath'd her last,
And left her twins alone.
And five short autumns gone,
The hapless mother breath'd her last,
And left her twins alone.
They saw the hearse—they saw, but ah!
They knew not Death was come,
And oft they ask'd for dear Mamma,
Oft wish'd her still at home.
They knew not Death was come,
And oft they ask'd for dear Mamma,
Oft wish'd her still at home.
Oft they pursued her thro' the shade,
And oft the shrubs among
Wept, and entreated why she staid,
And where she hid so long.
And oft the shrubs among
Wept, and entreated why she staid,
And where she hid so long.
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Cease, lovely twins, ye grieve in vain,
Forbear, and be not sad,
Mamma shall ne'er return again,
Shun sorrow and be glad.
Forbear, and be not sad,
Mamma shall ne'er return again,
Shun sorrow and be glad.
Nor did they long her loss deplore,
For grief was not their foe,
They soon remember'd her no more,
And mirth took place of woe.
For grief was not their foe,
They soon remember'd her no more,
And mirth took place of woe.
To youth and years of love they grew
Under a Grandam's eye,
None ever liv'd that lov'd more true,
None shall more faithful die.
Under a Grandam's eye,
None ever liv'd that lov'd more true,
None shall more faithful die.
One birth they had, and took one part
For better and for worse;
One soul they were, one only heart,
One fortune and one purse.
For better and for worse;
One soul they were, one only heart,
One fortune and one purse.
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Complain'd the one, the other pin'd,
Smil'd one, they both were gay.
Scarce ever half an hour disjoin'd,
Together night and day.
Smil'd one, they both were gay.
Scarce ever half an hour disjoin'd,
Together night and day.
Arm within arm they trip'd the mead,
And clomb the weary steep,
Arm within arm came home to read,
And arm in arm to sleep.
And clomb the weary steep,
Arm within arm came home to read,
And arm in arm to sleep.
Would they had ever thus been seen
United heart and hand,
But mighty Love stept in between,
And sever'd friendship's band.
United heart and hand,
But mighty Love stept in between,
And sever'd friendship's band.
A wealthy youth with secret smile
Has won poor Charlotte's heart,
She begs to be excus'd awhile
However hard to part.
Has won poor Charlotte's heart,
She begs to be excus'd awhile
However hard to part.
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With tears her sister's side she leaves,
Her steed attends the door,
Lonely Amelia sighs and grieves,
And pleasure knows no more.
Her steed attends the door,
Lonely Amelia sighs and grieves,
And pleasure knows no more.
Silent she sits the livelong day,
Nor seeks the hill or grove,
But weeps her dismal hours away,
Without a friend to love.
Nor seeks the hill or grove,
But weeps her dismal hours away,
Without a friend to love.
No more she trips the flow'ry field,
No more the woody vale,
Her books no more amusement yield,
For sadness will prevail.
No more the woody vale,
Her books no more amusement yield,
For sadness will prevail.
Mean-time her sister fondly tries
In Edward's eye to shine,
And thinks not how Amelia sighs,
In sorrow left to pine.
In Edward's eye to shine,
And thinks not how Amelia sighs,
In sorrow left to pine.
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Edward with placid brow looks on,
Approves her wish to please,
And soon, by sweet attraction won,
Resigns his heart with ease.
Approves her wish to please,
And soon, by sweet attraction won,
Resigns his heart with ease.
Then all the breathing terms of love
In warm profusion fell,
He swore by all the pow'rs above
To wed, and use her well.
In warm profusion fell,
He swore by all the pow'rs above
To wed, and use her well.
She, freed at length from doubt and fear,
Once more regards her home,
And thinks of poor Amelia there,
By silent grief o'ercome.
Once more regards her home,
And thinks of poor Amelia there,
By silent grief o'ercome.
She thinks, and longs again to meet
The partner of her youth,
Who smil'd so gay, and sung so sweet,
And lov'd with so much truth.
The partner of her youth,
Who smil'd so gay, and sung so sweet,
And lov'd with so much truth.
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“Fly to Amelia, Edward, fly,
“Her face I long to see,
“Tell her for her I almost die,
“And bid her haste to me.”
“Her face I long to see,
“Tell her for her I almost die,
“And bid her haste to me.”
She spake, and at her sweet command
The youth like lightning flew,
And now he clasps Amelia's hand,
And she bids grief adieu.
The youth like lightning flew,
And now he clasps Amelia's hand,
And she bids grief adieu.
O luckless hour! how did joy's flood
Amelia's charms improve!
What mortal could have then withstood?
The youth was born to love.
Amelia's charms improve!
What mortal could have then withstood?
The youth was born to love.
A trickling tear stole down his cheek,
He kiss'd the hopeless maid,
He strove, but found no tongue to speak,
And love his tale forbade.
He kiss'd the hopeless maid,
He strove, but found no tongue to speak,
And love his tale forbade.
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“Where is my Charlotte, where?” she cried,
“Tell, tell me, or I die.”
;“I know not,” the false youth replied,
And hardly blush'd to lie.
“Tell, tell me, or I die.”
;“I know not,” the false youth replied,
And hardly blush'd to lie.
“Think not of Charlotte,” he began,
“Improper mate for thee,
“Woman was born to think of man,
“Amelia, think of me.”
“Improper mate for thee,
“Woman was born to think of man,
“Amelia, think of me.”
Day after day he urg'd his flame,
And faith regarded not,
Nor mention made of Charlotte's name,
Deserted and forgot.
And faith regarded not,
Nor mention made of Charlotte's name,
Deserted and forgot.
His artful tongue the maid beguiles,
His suit he presses still,
She seeks advice—the grandam smiles,
And answers, ‘As you will.’
His suit he presses still,
She seeks advice—the grandam smiles,
And answers, ‘As you will.’
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She gives consent; “but first,” she cries,
“Let lovely Charlotte come,
“Restore her to these longing eyes,
“Go, Edward, bring her home.
“Let lovely Charlotte come,
“Restore her to these longing eyes,
“Go, Edward, bring her home.
“She was my only hope and care,
“My bosom's darling friend,
“The bridal name I will not share
“Till she with joy attend.”
“My bosom's darling friend,
“The bridal name I will not share
“Till she with joy attend.”
“O tarry not,” rejoins the youth,
“Delay makes love depart,
“Delay abates the lover's truth,
“And cools the warmest heart.
“Delay makes love depart,
“Delay abates the lover's truth,
“And cools the warmest heart.
“Be wedded first, and with a kiss
“Thy Edward shall away,
“And bring her home to share thy bliss,
“And hail thy wedding day.”
“Thy Edward shall away,
“And bring her home to share thy bliss,
“And hail thy wedding day.”
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“O no,” she said—but grandam frown'd,
And bade her yield aside.
Young Edward's hope success has crown'd,
And fast the knot is tied.
And bade her yield aside.
Young Edward's hope success has crown'd,
And fast the knot is tied.
“Now hence,” she cries, “make haste away,
“And lovely Charlotte bring,
“To bless Amelia's wedding-day,
“And with her dance and sing.”
“And lovely Charlotte bring,
“To bless Amelia's wedding-day,
“And with her dance and sing.”
His horse was hurt—'twould surely rain—
The cruel youth replied,
And piteously began complain
So soon to leave his bride.
The cruel youth replied,
And piteously began complain
So soon to leave his bride.
But she no false excuse would hear,
She bade him keep his word,
“Take chaise,” she cried, “nor tempest fear,
“My purse the cost afford.”
She bade him keep his word,
“Take chaise,” she cried, “nor tempest fear,
“My purse the cost afford.”
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The chaise is summon'd to the door,
The treach'rous youth is gone.
“Make haste,” she cries, “nor see me more
“Till Charlotte make us one.”
The treach'rous youth is gone.
“Make haste,” she cries, “nor see me more
“Till Charlotte make us one.”
Perplex'd with doubt, and stung with shame,
He curses his false art,
Nor knows what new excuse to frame
To heal poor Charlotte's heart.
He curses his false art,
Nor knows what new excuse to frame
To heal poor Charlotte's heart.
Yet not in vain Invention sought
Some stratagem to please,
His bosom broods an artful thought
To give Amelia ease.
Some stratagem to please,
His bosom broods an artful thought
To give Amelia ease.
He bids the driver change his road,
And scour the country round,
Then seek again the bride's abode,
And leave him where he found.
And scour the country round,
Then seek again the bride's abode,
And leave him where he found.
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Fast fly the wheels. But far and near
Report has wing'd its way,
'Tis told in Charlotte's eager ear
That Edward weds to-day.
Report has wing'd its way,
'Tis told in Charlotte's eager ear
That Edward weds to-day.
'Tis told, “Amelia stole his heart,
“An hour may make them one,
“Away, away, with speed depart,
“And claim him ere 'tis done.”
“An hour may make them one,
“Away, away, with speed depart,
“And claim him ere 'tis done.”
With speed she comes, but ah! too late;
The fatal hour is past.
Amelia spied her at the gate,
And flew to hold her fast.
The fatal hour is past.
Amelia spied her at the gate,
And flew to hold her fast.
“Welcome, dear stranger, kind and true,
“You all my thoughts employ,”
She said, her arms about her threw,
And wept abundant joy.
“You all my thoughts employ,”
She said, her arms about her threw,
And wept abundant joy.
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And so their faithful hearts were tied,
In both affection glow'd;
Though injur'd Charlotte came to chide,
Her eye with transport flow'd.
In both affection glow'd;
Though injur'd Charlotte came to chide,
Her eye with transport flow'd.
Awhile her soul no trouble knew;
And anger harbour'd none,
Till arm in arm they both withdrew,
To tell their griefs alone.
And anger harbour'd none,
Till arm in arm they both withdrew,
To tell their griefs alone.
Then Charlotte's words soon sound a way
To give suspicion birth,
“And why,” she cries, “this suit so gay?”
“And why these sounds of mirth?
To give suspicion birth,
“And why,” she cries, “this suit so gay?”
“And why these sounds of mirth?
“Why ring these changes in my ear?
“What mean these looks of glee?
“Ah me! Amelia weds, I fear,
“And has not thought of me.”
“What mean these looks of glee?
“Ah me! Amelia weds, I fear,
“And has not thought of me.”
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“Yes,” said Amelia, “still most true,
“On thee my heart has dwelt,
“And all the pains that love e'er knew,
“In thy long absence felt.
“On thee my heart has dwelt,
“And all the pains that love e'er knew,
“In thy long absence felt.
“I've long'd to meet thee night and day,
“Unhappy left alone;
“But Edward would not come away
“Till wedlock made us one.”
“Unhappy left alone;
“But Edward would not come away
“Till wedlock made us one.”
“And are ye wedded?” Charlotte said,
But could no farther speak,
Her looks confess'd the injur'd maid,
The roses left her cheek.
But could no farther speak,
Her looks confess'd the injur'd maid,
The roses left her cheek.
She rose in anguish to depart,
And feebly shut the door;
For sorrow swell'd her breaking heart
That soon shall beat no more.
And feebly shut the door;
For sorrow swell'd her breaking heart
That soon shall beat no more.
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Young Edward met her as he came,
And pass'd astonish'd by,
Unusual terror shook his frame
When Charlotte caught his eye.
And pass'd astonish'd by,
Unusual terror shook his frame
When Charlotte caught his eye.
She saw him at her look afraid,
She turn'd her eyes aside,
And nothing to upbraid him said,
But went away and died.
She turn'd her eyes aside,
And nothing to upbraid him said,
But went away and died.
Amelia in amazement sat,
Suspicion soon began,
She seiz'd her gloves, her cloak, and hat,
And after Charlotte ran.
Suspicion soon began,
She seiz'd her gloves, her cloak, and hat,
And after Charlotte ran.
“And stay,” she cried, “dear Charlotte stay,”
But Charlotte could not hear,
Fast she pursued, but miss'd the way
Nor found her far or near.
But Charlotte could not hear,
Fast she pursued, but miss'd the way
Nor found her far or near.
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She sought her long, she wept, and call'd,
Her cheek with ardor burn'd,
Young Edward met her guilt-appal'd,
From Charlotte just return'd.
Her cheek with ardor burn'd,
Young Edward met her guilt-appal'd,
From Charlotte just return'd.
“Where is my Charlotte,” cried the maid,
“Why is not Charlotte come?”
“Be patient,” falt'ring Edward said,
“She's absent far from home.
“Why is not Charlotte come?”
“Be patient,” falt'ring Edward said,
“She's absent far from home.
“I long'd to see the fair one here,
“To grace our wedding feast,
“But she is gone the Lord knows where
“A hundred miles at least.”
“To grace our wedding feast,
“But she is gone the Lord knows where
“A hundred miles at least.”
“False youth,” she cried, “O double tongue,
“That dares again deceive,
“Come in, and hide not Charlotte's wrong,
“To make Amelia grieve.
“That dares again deceive,
“Come in, and hide not Charlotte's wrong,
“To make Amelia grieve.
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“Sit down, and swear by Heav'n above
“Not to deceive me now.
“Didst thou not win my Charlotte's love,
“And soon to wed her vow?”
“Not to deceive me now.
“Didst thou not win my Charlotte's love,
“And soon to wed her vow?”
“I swear,” the trembling youth replied,
But could not answer no,
For conscience smote him. “Hence,” she crie
“Go, false dissembler, go,
But could not answer no,
For conscience smote him. “Hence,” she crie
“Go, false dissembler, go,
“Away, and to my Charlotte fly.”
She open'd wide the door,
“Let Charlotte's mouth the wrong deny,
“Or never see me more.”
She open'd wide the door,
“Let Charlotte's mouth the wrong deny,
“Or never see me more.”
Sullen and pale the roof he left,
And full of shame is gone.
The wretched bride, of peace bereft,
Sits down to feed alone.
And full of shame is gone.
The wretched bride, of peace bereft,
Sits down to feed alone.
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But all the board untasted stood,
All shew of transport ceas'd;
Affliction was her only food,
And anguish all her feast.
All shew of transport ceas'd;
Affliction was her only food,
And anguish all her feast.
Three days elapse, and none can tell,
Why injur'd Charlotte stays,
Till now the solemn tolling bell
The secret half betrays.
Why injur'd Charlotte stays,
Till now the solemn tolling bell
The secret half betrays.
Amelia heard, her heart misgave,
Her tears forgot to flow,
She rose to ask for whom the grave,
And who was gone from woe.
Her tears forgot to flow,
She rose to ask for whom the grave,
And who was gone from woe.
The path which to the steeple led,
Disguis'd and all forlorn,
She sought, and saw the happy dead
To church before her borne.
Disguis'd and all forlorn,
She sought, and saw the happy dead
To church before her borne.
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In hopes some aged dame to meet
Some cottage-friend to find,
With slow and undetermin'd feet
She loiter'd far behind.
Some cottage-friend to find,
With slow and undetermin'd feet
She loiter'd far behind.
One aged dame she met alone,
A dame of feeble sight,
And humbly question'd her, unknown,
For whom the grave to-night.
A dame of feeble sight,
And humbly question'd her, unknown,
For whom the grave to-night.
“For one of better hopes than thee,
“A maid of truth,” she cried,
“Who breath'd her last beneath yon tree,
“And for her true-love died.”
“A maid of truth,” she cried,
“Who breath'd her last beneath yon tree,
“And for her true-love died.”
“What was her name?” “Poor hapless child,”
The dame again begins,
“The best of two, both good and mild,
“The Vicar's Orphan Twins.”
The dame again begins,
“The best of two, both good and mild,
“The Vicar's Orphan Twins.”
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“Ah! was it Charlotte?” “Yes,” she said.
Amelia ask'd no more,
But forward went with downcast head,
And wept for anguish sore.
Amelia ask'd no more,
But forward went with downcast head,
And wept for anguish sore.
Under the footsteps of a stile,
That to the church-door led,
She sat to sigh and weep a while,
And lean'd her weary head.
That to the church-door led,
She sat to sigh and weep a while,
And lean'd her weary head.
At length the surplic'd priest appears,
The corpse has left the aisle,
Young Edward follows bath'd in tears,
His false love to bewail.
The corpse has left the aisle,
Young Edward follows bath'd in tears,
His false love to bewail.
How was thy eye, Amelia, griev'd,
When now it saw the truth,
How didst thou pity her deceiv'd,
And how accuse the youth!
When now it saw the truth,
How didst thou pity her deceiv'd,
And how accuse the youth!
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How did thy heart within thee mourn,
To hear, devout and slow,
A voice pronounce that “man is born
“To live and die in woe.
To hear, devout and slow,
A voice pronounce that “man is born
“To live and die in woe.
“He cometh up for little time,
“A short-liv'd summer flower,
“Cut down and wither'd in his prime,
“The glory of an hour.”
“A short-liv'd summer flower,
“Cut down and wither'd in his prime,
“The glory of an hour.”
Slow she approach'd the silent crowd,
Bade grief a while retreat,
Endeavour'd not to weep aloud,
And stood at Charlotte's feet.
Bade grief a while retreat,
Endeavour'd not to weep aloud,
And stood at Charlotte's feet.
And now the corpse is ready made,
The sexton steps between,
Poor Charlotte must in earth be laid,
And never more be seen.
The sexton steps between,
Poor Charlotte must in earth be laid,
And never more be seen.
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She strove, but could not longer hide
The potent flood of grief.
Young Edward saw, and knew his bride,
And flew to give relief.
The potent flood of grief.
Young Edward saw, and knew his bride,
And flew to give relief.
Kindly she press'd his offer'd hand
And all his wrongs forgave,
But could not longer grief withstand,
She sunk at Charlotte's grave.
And all his wrongs forgave,
But could not longer grief withstand,
She sunk at Charlotte's grave.
Her heart was burst, her cheek was pale;
He much to save her tried,
But nought could all his art avail,
She clos'd her eyes, and died.
He much to save her tried,
But nought could all his art avail,
She clos'd her eyes, and died.
So ceas'd the burial, day was gone.
The grave is wider made.
To-morrow both are brought as one,
And in the cold earth laid.
The grave is wider made.
To-morrow both are brought as one,
And in the cold earth laid.
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And now the youth begins to rave,
His reason scarce remains,
The hour that clos'd their only grave,
Devoted him to chains.
His reason scarce remains,
The hour that clos'd their only grave,
Devoted him to chains.
This tale a tender mother told her child,
As both together on a summer's eve
Sat in the shade at work. “And thus,” she cried,
“Man has abundant troubles, some deserv'd,
“Some little merited. But full of pain,
“As life in all its seasons may appear,
“'Tis to ourselves, my child, we chiefly owe
“The multitude of poignant griefs we feel.
“As in my tale, afflictions oft proceed
“From falsehood and dishonesty in man,
“From haste and want of prudence in ourselves.
“Be Lucy wise, and from another's pain
“Learn her own duty to engage with care.
“Regard the voice of caution, and be happy.”
As both together on a summer's eve
Sat in the shade at work. “And thus,” she cried,
“Man has abundant troubles, some deserv'd,
“Some little merited. But full of pain,
“As life in all its seasons may appear,
“'Tis to ourselves, my child, we chiefly owe
“The multitude of poignant griefs we feel.
“As in my tale, afflictions oft proceed
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“From haste and want of prudence in ourselves.
“Be Lucy wise, and from another's pain
“Learn her own duty to engage with care.
“Regard the voice of caution, and be happy.”
| Poems by the author of The Village Curate | |