AOMEB 07 HIGH SUKDERLAND. 185 



E'rR she tenderly tried the fell dirk to remove, — 

 There in her hand, — that pure hand of my jewel, 



She held the hright weapon all crimson'd with gore, 

 And loving reproached, — " thus to leave her was cruel.'' 



But those lips their deep silence would never break more.— 

 Then fondly she kissed him, her bright vesture staining, 



Appalled not, tho' horror and death stood so near, 

 And cried " Oh why should I thus be coraplaining, 



Let me join in the journey of one loved so dear." 

 Quick as the thought she bared her soft bosom, 



In frenzy I rushed to avert her sad fate, 

 One instant of anguish j — I caught up my blossom ' — 



But woe ! woe is me ! I had caught her too late. — 

 " Father," she whispered, " but one thing remaineth, 



Let my last moments pass in a transport of joy, 

 My life's little lamp as it flick'reth and waneth, 



Let it wane and expire on the breast of that boy. — 

 Gently I laid her besides her adored one. 



And gazed on the forms of the dying and dead, 

 Contented to die ; could my own death restore one. 



Or atone for the innocent blood 1 had shed. — 

 Forth from her lips the last sigh had departed. 



That ever should heave that snow-rivalling breast ; — 

 Left alone with the dead, and my guilt, — broken hearted, 



Henceforward a pilgrim, unshrived, and unblest. 

 And at night through the castle erst silent and lonely. 



Strange voices arose and strange shadows flew wild, 

 Though varied their gestures, their tones echoed only, 



" There ! there, stands the father who murdered his child." — 

 Swiftly the boat I unloosed from its mooring. 



And the oars strongly plied to leave danger behind. 

 Yet still is the sight of that vision devouring. 



And those voices are borne to my ear on the wind.— 



He ceased, for the strings of his harp were all broken, 

 I looked — but the sorrowful minstrel had gone. 



And had lelt, save the tale of his sorrows no token. — 

 The morning had dawned, and it found me alone. 



