184: AGNES OF HIGH SUNDERLAND, 



Why in heavenly beauty dress, 



Mortal forms on earth to rove, 

 If our hopns we most repress, 



Stifling all oar thoughts of love? 

 Can thy gently heaving breast 



An unfeeling heart contain 7 

 Must I languish thus unblest, 



Nursing love's devouring pain ? 

 Speak one kind consenting word, 



Doom me not in lifelong woe. 

 One fond favour dear accord 



One sweet smile on me bestow. 

 Do not treat my love too lightly, 



Do not bid me now depart, 

 Do not veil those eyes which brightly 

 Chi'er my fond and loving heart — 

 Thou canst know not half the torment 

 Which in hopeless hearts can dwell, 

 Brooding over love's bereavement." 



" Know ! she cried, " 1 know too well."— 

 Thus had he spoken when I burst in upon them, 



Wy lips white with rage, and my heart all on fire, 

 They gazed but they moved not, a spell seem'd upon them 



And she clung to the youth as in dread of her sire,— 

 Madden'd I «aw the dear idol long cherished 



Half won from my love by that strange sailor boy ;— 

 At the sight every spark of affection was banisled. 



No wish, but the cause of my loss to destroy.— 

 Sweetly she smiled, that old smile so enchanting, 

 And whispered a word in the ear of the youth. 

 And he pressed her more closely, hot kisses implanting, 



And uttering vows of his love and his truth. — 

 Down on their knees they besought me to bless them, 

 My eyes from their sockets in rage seeemed to start, 

 And when bending o'er them as if to caress them, 

 1 planted my dagger deep, deep in his heart.— 

 No groan passed his lips as he slowly rolled over 



Tho life's stream in red tide was fast ebbing away. 

 And she who had plighted her troth to that lover. 

 Grief-stricken endeavoured its current to stay.— 

 Oh ! how she called,— how she begged,- how entreated, 



For a word,— e'en a sigh,— or a la^t look of love, 

 Bnt vainly, alas !— for his breath had departed. 



