Page:Poems of Sentiment and Imagination.djvu/196

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It was as well; the evil in his breast
Had quenched the starry light of love forever;
Tlie fate of one so good and beautiful
Must not be blended with so dark a fate.
With a chill, bitter smile, he answered her:

"I much regret this knowledge comes so late;
I did not dream your missive was a jest!
But even in jest there sometimes lurks a fate,
Pieventing love like ours from being blest;
And as I deemed you earnest, I had thought
It was as well to seek another bride.
The message with such just rebukings fraught
Was only play—you did not mean to chide?

"Most highly I approve your faith and trust;
Nor caught nor held by slander's secret spring—
What was it about stooping to the dust—
Or 'bout an eagle with a dirty wing?
Have you repented of your cruelty?
Have you forgotten what you so detest?
And do you prize me more than purity?
I can not realize I am so blest!

"But think not, pretty puritan, I could
Require the sacrifice that you must make
Of friends' approval and of all that's good
For a low lover's most unworthy sake.
No! no! the proffered bliss I must decline,
Though it should break my heart to say farewell!
Yet, if for love of me you still should pine,
I'll wed thee out of pity, fair Adel!"

Back from his bosom had the maiden sprang
As his first words startled her 'wildered ear,
And stood up calm and strong, but deathly pale;
And when his sneering lips grew bitterer still,
Her slender form grew stronger in its pride;