Page:Flowers of Loveliness.pdf/20



Then, amid a forest lonely Does she seem to stray; Our huge serpent, and one only, Seems to mark her way. Then begins her hour of terror; Strange shapes know their time— Struggling with some nameless error, With some unknown crime.

Phantoms crowd around, repeating Words that are of death; Loud her startled heart is beating, Louder than her breath. But a rosy lip has kissed her, With that kiss she wakes; Pale she gazes on the sister Who her slumber breaks.

Mighty must have been the sorrow, Passionate the grief, Which can thus a solace borrow, From that haunted leaf. Scarcer does the broken-hearted Draw a living breath; Better it were quite departed, Than this life in death."