University of Virginia Library

'Twas long before the Youth could ask
The Maid to break the spell of wonder;
'Twas long before the Maid could task
Her quivering lips to part asunder;
At length: “Conflicting with the wave,
Our bark,” she said, “is lost on ocean;
But in our boats we gain'd the cave,
And 'scap'd the dread commotion.
My Sire is gone to rouse your gate;
Within the cave he bade me wait.
'Twas strange, I thought, in place so drear,
To leave me in the hour of fear;
While with him of his armed clan
In silence followed every man.
Long did I wait in dread suspense;
At last resolv'd my passage thence
To try, along yon arbour lone,
Whose secret Owen oft had shewn;
In hope the Castle square to gain,
But darkness made my efforts vain;
And terror scarce had left me force
To feel my doubtful trembling course!
O Owen, 'twas a blessed error!
And art thou here? and art thou safe?
Alas! a thousand thoughts of terror
My burning brain to phrensy chafe;
For I have heard, and I have seen;
O God! those horrid phantoms screen;
I dread to think, and dread to say;
And dare not go, and dare not stay;
Yes: let us seek the Castle gate,
And hear the Oracle of Fate!”

Those words to Owen's ear were wild
As ravings of a maniac child;
And as he gave his guiding arm,
And strove her shuddering heart to calm,
He fear'd that some malignant sprite
Had dash'd her reason with affright;
Some airy necromancer's charm
Had done her gentle spirit harm.