A man proscribed, whom not to shun, 

 Was danger, almost fate, to brave : 



So all forsook him, all save one, 



One humble, faithful, powerless slave, 



His dog, old Nina. She had been, 



When they were boys, his children's mate ; 



His gallant Claude, his mild Eugene, 

 Both gone before him to their fate. 



And she had followed mournfully 



Their parting steps ; and when the door 



Closed after them, it seemed as she 

 Had/?// they would return no more. 



And when the dismal tidings came 



That they had perished in their bloom — 



Blighted, cut off without their fame, 

 Both huddled in one bloody tomb — 



And heart-struck in her first despair, 

 The mother sank into her grave, 



And Valrive, as he laid her there, 



Scarce wished he had the power to save ; 



But gazed upon that little heap, 

 Safe shelter for the weary head, 



And envied her untroubled sleep, 



And longed to share her peaceful bed. 



*5 2 



