Would call my coldest, sternest glance, a Heav'n, "Not wrong'd? not injured?" was my harsh reply; "Deceiv'd! betray'd! made one with Infamy! "When my fond dreams a spotless bride possest, "To fold the vile adult'ress to my breast!" Would I then see her in her dying hour? Then, sure, the basilisk guilt would lose its power: Sure he, for whom alone her life was sweet, Whose very name 'twas Heaven to repeat, Would soothe a broken heart that soon should cease to beat! To my eternal sorrow I complied. O! had I granted more, or all denied! Yes! I would see her ere her spirit fled, Did I survive - I warr'd not with the dead. "There!" said her barb'rous Mother, "there she lies! "This is your work enjoy her agonies. "Nothing can save her art in vain were tried “And your revenge will soon be satisfied.” "Revenge!" I cried; "alas! may Heav'n as free "Forgive my sins, as I her wrongs to me!" She heard not-thunders might have spoke in vain, Amid that fever of delirious pain; Till, faint and fainter grown, she silent lay, Unclench'd her pale, cold hands, and died away. You might have rouz'd a marble form as soon As broke the torpor of that death-like swoon. But Nature, strong in youth, holds fearful strife, Ere stops the crimson current, warm with life. She woke and saw me. O! that dying look! "My Fred'ric here?"-and then her poor frame shook-"Say you forgive me - speak that blessed word"How kind, how welcome death, those accents heard!" "If I forgive, Sophia? what am I? "A poor, frail mortal - all infirmity : "One born in sin, and impotent as frail! "For pardon sue where pardon may avail. "If Heav'n some dear, some precious moments spare, "Hold fast the treasure, give thy soul to prayer. Cling to the Cross! Redeeming mercy crave! "Certain to hear, omnipotent to save. "Who spared the thief on the accursed tree, "May purge thy crimes, may turn and look on thee." A supernatural strength she seem'd t' have gain'd; She kneel'd upright, though not an arm sustain❜d. Her wretched Mother strove to drag her back. O! then what agonies my spirit rack ! "Touch, touch her not," I cried, "see, see, she prays! 66 Eternity's at stake!" Pale with amaze, The creature dropp'd upon her seat: that o'er, Her outstretch'd arms were rais'd, her fingers intertwin'd, E Her hands unclasp'd at length, th' orison done, She dropp'd upon her pillow she was gone. A faintness took me more I know not clear, woke, and Seymour near. call'd. My pitying friend Still urg'd delay, but urg'd it to no end; I would behold it: and he then confest It had drunk poison from its mother's breast. I could not bear, he knew, its pangs to see; But all that art could do was done, and still should be. Sweet babe! with all a father's love I fled, And pillow'd on my arm its burning head. 'Twas dying, dying; ne'er shall I forget Its innocent looks methinks I see them yet Such tortures seem'd its feeble frame to rack! Those tender fingers, bent, and cold, and black. It open❜d its dear eyes, and seem'd to meet Less stern, less stubborn, I had sav'd my child; From bitter agonies, soul-mad'ning, wild, Its hapless mother. O! to you I flee My dearest earthly comfort! Write to me Pity your son, and pray- the prayer of such (O! there is hope in that!) availeth much. EUGENIA TO FREDERIC. NOT thus, not thus, beloved Fred'ric, mourn No guilt is thine, and peace shall yet return. Of him who loves divested of esteem! And, as my mind the fearful past revolves, Lost seem her claims, and just thy stern resolves. Grant thou couldst love, forgive, almost forget, Still for thy offspring thou hadst trembled yet: Hard fate the daughters' where a mother's deeds Their sire as warning, not example, pleads! I feel thy sorrows from my inmost soul; But time will calm them, piety controul. Think, that dear infant, pure and sinless lost, What tears of bitter agony had cost, |