Then as he stood beside the grave, 



With tearless eye, and lip compressed, 



Crept to his feet his poor dumb slave, 



And moaned as if his thoughts she guessed 



And looked up in his face, and sighed 

 As if her poor old heart would break ; 



And in her fond mute language cried, 

 "Oh, master! live for Nina's sake." 



They spurned her off — but ever more, 

 Surmounting e'en her timid nature, 



Love brought her to the prison door, 



And there she crouched, fond, faithful creature 



Watching so long, so piteously, 

 That e'en the jailer — man of guilt, 



Of rugged heart — was moved to cry, 



" Poor wretch ! there enter, if thou wilt." 



And who than Nina more content, 



When she had gained that dreary cell, 



Where lay in helpless dreariment 

 The master loved so long and well ! 



And when into his arms she leapt, 



In her old fond, familiar way, 

 And close into his bosom crept, 



And licked his face — a feeble ray 



l 53 



