VII.

    'Twas midnight； calmly slept the Earth, And the mysterious eyes above, Gazed down with chastened looks of love, Not, as when first they hymned her birth, With ardent¹ songs of holy mirth, But mournfully serene² and clear；—— As on some erring³ one we gaze, Whose feet have strayed from wisdom's ways, But who, in error, still is dear. Far o'er yon swiftly flowing stream Fair fell the young moon's silver beam, And gazing on its restless sheen, Stood one whose garb⁴, and port, and mien⁵, Bespoke⁶ him of a foreign land, One born to win, and hold command； The master mind, the leading one, Where deeds of manly⁷ might were done.

    Yet, by the hallowed glow, that came O'er lip and cheek, o'er eye and brow, He who beheld⁸, might guess that now His thoughts were not of wealth and fame： Whence could that veiling radiance shine, Save from Affection's holy shrine⁹？ And this was he, who from afar, Had come to bear away his bride； And love had been the guiding star, That lit him o'er the trackless tide； "To-morrow, on its sunny wing, My bridal hour soon shall bring； And those bright orbs¹⁰ which o'er me shed Such gentle radiance from on high, Shall shine upon my nuptial¹¹ bed, When next they walk along the sky. ！ what are all the pomps of earth, Of honour, glory, greatness, worth, Beside the bliss¹² which Love confers Upon his humblest followers¹³！" He said, and from the river turned；—— An eye, that with fierce hatred¹⁴ burned, Met his, and this reply was made： "Thou, haughty¹⁵ one, shalt be a shade Ere dawns the coming morrow's sun."

    Then, ere the point he could evade¹⁶, He felt the sharp steel pierce his breast, While he, who the foul¹⁷ deed had done Stood calmly by, and saw him sink In death, beside the water's brink¹⁸, Saw, gush¹⁹ by gush, the crimson²⁰ blood Pour out, and mingle²¹ with the flood； Then drew his dagger²² from its rest, And gazing on its fearful hue²³, Said, "Thou hast yet one task to do.

    He who, death-wounded, welters there, Came hither, o'er the deep to bear Far off from her paternal²⁴ nest, The white dove I have watched so long. The falcon's wing was bold and strong, Yet thou hast stayed him in his flight； Strike one more blow, and thou to-night May'st rest；" then laid his bosom²⁵ bare, And buried deep the dagger there, And by his victim's lifeless trunk, Without a sigh or groan²⁶ he sunk.