HENRY AND EMMA. A BALLAD. PART THE FIRST. THE HE moon illumes midst driving clouds The canopy of night, And now her face in darkness shrouds ; Now bursts a flood of light. Where GLASSNEY's streamlets down the dale In wild meanders stray; With grief oppress'd, a lowly swain Desponding took his way.. Wild were his steps-and stream'd his hair Behind him on the gale; Smiling at grief with frenzied look, "Alas!" he cried, "I've lost my love, "My EMMA's prov'd unkind: "In vain I rove the pathless wild "To leave my cares behind, " Deep in the wretched HENRY's heart "The rooted sorrow lies; "Ah, where's the healing power can close "The wound by which he dies. "Cold blows the night air o'er the heath; "And chill descends the dew; "But dews and midnight blasts, dear Maid! “ Are less unkind than you. "Long thro' the thorny paths I've stray'd, "Nor viper's tooth I fear ; "Are thorns or viper's teeth so sharp "As what thou plantest here? "Ye breezes bear my last sad sigh "To faithless EMMA's ear; "And say her Henry finds repose "From all his sorrows here.” |