472 
Armine and Elvira* 
That passion to indulge he sought, 
In Raymond’s groves, the deepest shade ^ 
There fancy’s haunting spirit brought 
The image of his long-lov’d maid. 
But, hark ! what more than mortal sound 
Steals on attention’s raptur’d ear! 
The voice of harmony around 
Swells in wild whispers soft and clear, 
Gan human hand atone so fine 
Sweep from the string with touch profane l 
Can human lip with breath divine 
Pour on the gale so sweet a strain ? 
’Tis she — the source of Armine’s woe— 
’Tis she— -whence all his joys must spring— 
From her lov’d lips the numbers flow, 
Her magic hand awakes the string. 
Now, Armine, now thy love proclaim, 
Thy instant suit the time demands ; 
Delay not— tumult shakes his frame ! 
A-fld lost in ec stacy he stands ! 
What magic chains thee to the ground Y 
What star malignant rules the hour, 
That thus in fix’d delirium drown’d, 
Each sense intranc’d hath lost its power ? 
The trance dispel ! awake ! arise ! 
Speak what untutor’d love inspires ! 
The moment’s past— thy wild surprise 
She see, nor unalarm’d retires, 
« Stay, sweet illusion ! stay thy flight l 
« ’Tis gone I Elvira’s form it wore— . 
4< Yet one more glimpse of short delight ! 
« ’Tis gone — to be beheld no more ! 
« Fly, loit’ring feet ! the charm pursue, 
“ That plays upon thy hopes and fears ! 
44 Ha ! no illusion mocks my view ; 
« ’Tis she- — Elvira’s §plf appears l 
« And shall I on her steps intrude ? 
“ Alarm her in these lonely shades ? 
« O stay, fair nymph ! no ruffian rude 
44 With base intent your walk invade. 
