Page:Felicia Hemans in The Winter's Wreath 1831.pdf/21

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Doth pride himself in his distorted cunning Deeming it wisdom. Nay, thou goest not thus. My heart is bursting, and I will he heard. What! know'st thou not my spirit was born to hold Dominion over thine? Thou shalt not cast Those bonds thus lightly from thee. Stand thou there, And tremble in the presence of thy lord.

. This is all madness.

. Madness! No; I say 'Tis reason starting from her sleep, to feel And see, and know, in all their cold distinctness Things which come o'er her, as a sense of pain O'th' sudden wakes the dreamer. Stay thee yet. Be still. Thou art used to smile and to obey, Aye, and to weep. I have seen thy tears flow fast, As from the fulness of a heart o'ercharged With loyal love. Oh! never, never more, Let smiles or tears be trusted! When thy King Went forth on his disastrous enterprise, Upon thy bed of sickness thou wast laid, And he stood o'er thee with the look of one Who leaves a dying brother, and his eyes Were filled with tears like thine. No! not like thine: His bosom knew no falsehood, and he deemed Thine clear and stainless as a warrior's shield, Wherein high deeds and noble forms alone Are brightly imaged forth.

. What now avail These recollections?