AQXES. 



173 



Would make the sternest heart to 

 qaake 

 And thrill the throbbing brain. — 



Bat she had breathed a dreadful vow 

 And called on all above, — be'ow, — 

 That should she break the oath she 



made, 

 To pour their vengeance on her head 

 Her soul to overthrow. 



Once happiest of the happy throng 

 That bounded light, the bowers 



among, — 

 No laugh more silv Ty than her own, 

 No face wi.h smiles more 'witching 



shone. 



No heart with love more strong. 



Wealth, beauty, and a mind at ease. 

 What more can mortal wish than 



these ? 

 When eveiy smile could make a fi-icnd 

 Whose joy would on her look depend, 

 Whose life was spent to please ? 



Servants of every depree 

 ^^■ere proud to bend the humble kne?, 

 Rewarded by her cheering smile 

 For nights of watching, daysof toil, — 

 Sure none more bless 'd than she. 



Still blest and happy had she been, 

 Still reigning absolutely qneen. 

 Had not youn^ love his javelin cast. 

 Sure aimed and barbed he left it fust 

 Her heaving breasts between. 



Those eyes which sparkled o'er a 



flower, 

 Now ar.xious watched the tard • hour 

 And charms of wooded nook and dell, 

 Unnoticed left their tales to tell, 

 Saving one little bower. 



And there as daylight sank to sleep, 

 And stars above began to poep, 

 In that soul-stimng h ur of eve 

 When western clouds their curtains 

 weave 



Around the mountain steep ; — 



Then like some faiiy phantom flitting 

 She'd haste to find her loved one 



sitting, 

 Lock'd in his ardent, strong embrace, 

 Gazing upon his anxious face. 

 For love's reward entreating. 



And if the rising moon display 'd 

 Her burnished face, and lit the shade, 

 Throwing her mild intmsive beam 

 Within that sacred noo'<, 'twould seem 

 As tho' she kissed the maiJ. 



The faint heaved sigh and whispered 



word. 

 Sweeter to love than minstrel's ch ord 

 \Vere all the sounds that smote the 



car 

 Unless some little bird in fear 

 The heavy fo.iage stirred — 



True happiness, if such there be, 

 Is found when hearts from doubts 



are fi-ei', 

 When trusting all is as it seems, 

 And passing life in lovers' dreams, 

 1 he light-winged moments flee. 



Thus happy she, and happier still 

 Was he who caused the firit-fond 



thrill. 

 That wok^ her innocent desires, 

 And fannad to life the latent fires, 

 Which burn to bless or kill. 



And when was maiden's will so strong 

 As to resist the wintiiiig tongue. 

 When bounteous nature has designed 

 To deik the ca.ki't of the mind, 

 In form so fair and young f 



