PREFACE. xi 



His joys were mine, my pleasure his, 



Our own each other's every care, 

 And all our hopes of future bliss 



In love were intermingled there ; 

 Unknown to us each plot and snare, 



Which would in after-years be laid, 

 To give to each of grief our share, 



And turn life's sunshine into shade. 



He heard, and o'er him soon the spell 



An overpowering influence bore ; 

 To friends and home he bade farewell, 



Perchance to meet again no more. 

 He started for the far-off shore ; 



My pangs at parting, who can tell ! 

 E'en now doth mem'ry o'er and o'er 



Sound in my ears, farewell ! farewell ! 



Years now have fled, and through the gloom 



Of " days gone by " will Fancy rove, 

 Back to our childhood's happy home, 



E'en till again a brother's love 

 Seems round my heart like tendrils wove ; 



But soon the bubble bursts, and I 

 Have but the hope that yet in love 



Our souls shall meet beyond the sky. 



Years now have fled, and deeper still 



Grows the dark veil through which mine eye 

 Would pierce to see or good or ill 



Surrounding now his destiny : 

 But no ! not e'en a glimpse for me 



Of good or ill, or weal or woe ; 

 Impenetrable mystery 



Forbids me all I long to know. 



Must it be so ? and must his fate 



Be lost beneath oblivion's gloom ; 

 If yet alive unknown his state ; 



If dead alike unknown his tomb ? 



