THE SAFFRON. 
213 
Custom, and the poets, being in its favour, 
we cannot be wrong in accepting it as a suit¬ 
able emblem. 
ILLUSTRATION OF THE SENTIMENT. 
My own sweet child, ’tis now indeed we part; 
Thus perish all the idols of my heart. 
My joy thou hast been since the time that she 
Who gave thee birth went to eternity; 
And round my heart thou’st wove so strong a chain, 
I cannot part without this crushing pain. 
But he it so, for other claims have found 
Their way to thy young heart, and it hath hound 
With chains of adamant; oh may they long 
Be worn with joy, and never be less strong. 
Yet I have wish’d that I might keep thy love 
Without a rival, till to her above 
I render’d an account of what thou art. 
While still I kept thine undivided heart. 
But he it so ; and if thine happiness 
By him be made, thy lover I will bless; 
But when completed is the marriage tie, 
This world I fain would leave, and happily shall die. 
E. 
