Page:Felicia Hemans in The New Monthly Magazine Volume 16 1826.pdf/3



Nor look nor tone revealeth aught Save woman's quietness of thought; And yet around her is a light Of inward majesty and might.Arria, by M. J. J.

was the time when children bound to meet Their father’s homeward step from field or hill, And when the herd's returning bells are sweet In the Swiss valleys, and the Lakes grow still, And the last note of that wild horn swells by, Which haunts the Exile's heart with melody.

And lovely smiled full many an Alpine home, Touch'd with the crimson of the dying hour, Which lit its low roof by the torrent's foam, And pierced its lattice through the vine-hung bower; But one, the loveliest o'er the land that rose, Then first look'd mournful in its green repose.

For Werner sat beneath the linden-tree, That sent its lulling whispers through his door, Ev’n as man sits whose heart alone would be    With some deep care, and thus can find no more The accustom'd joy in all which Evening brings, Gathering a household with her quiet wings.

His wife stood hush'd before him—sad, yet mild In her beseeching mien;—he mark'd it not— The silvery laughter of his bright-hair'd child Rang from the greensward round the shelter'd spot, But seem'd unheard;—until at last the boy Raised from his heap'd up flowers a glance of joy,

And met his father's face:—but then a change Pass'd swiftly o'er the brow of infant glee, And a quick sense of something dimly strange Brought him from play to stand beside the knee So often climb'd, and lift his loving eyes That shone through clouds of sorrowful surprise.

Then the proud bosom of the strong man shook; —But tenderly his babe's fair mother laid Her hand on his, and with a pleading look Through tears half quivering,—o'er him bent, and said, "What grief, dear friend, hath made thy heart its prey † That thou shouldst turn thee from our love away?

"It is too sad to see thee thus, my friend!    Mark'st thou the wonder on thy boy's fair brow Missing the smile from thine?—Oh cheer thee! bend     To his soft arms, unseal thy thoughts e'en now!