Page:Hemans in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 32 1832.pdf/10

 Yet hear! if thou hast known The tender sweetness of a mother's voice, If the true vigil of affection's eye Hath watch'd thy childhood, if fond tears have e'er Been shower'd upon thy head, if parting words E'er pierced thy spirit with their tenderness— Let me but look upon his face once more, Let me but say—Farewell, my soul's beloved! And I will bless thee still! (aside).Her soul may yield, Beholding him in fetters; woman's faith Will bend to woman’s love— —Thy prayer is heard; Follow, and I will guide thee to his cell. Oh! stormy hour of agony and joy! But I shall see him,—I shall hear his voice! (They go out.)

Herbert, my Herbert!—is it thus we meet? The voice of my own Edith! Can such joy Light up this place of death? And do I feel Thy breath of love once more upon my cheek, And the soft floating of thy gleamy hair? My blessed Edith? Oh! so pale! so changed! My flower, my blighted flower! thou that wert made For the kind fostering of sweet summer airs, How hath the storm been with thee!—Lay thy head On this true breast again, my gentle one! And tell me all. Yes, take me to thy heart, For I am weary, weary! oh! that heart! The kind, the brave, the tender!—how my soul Hath sicken'd in vain yearnings for the balm Of rest on that warm heart!—full, deep repose! One draught of dewy stillness after storm! And God hath pitied me, and I am here— Yet once before I die! They cannot slay One, young and meek, and beautiful as thou! My broken lily! Surely the long days Of the dark cell have been enough for thee! Oh! thou shalt live, and raise thy gracious head Yet, in calm sunshine. Herbert! I have cast The snare of proffer'd mercy from my soul, This very hour. God to the weak hath given Victory o’er Life and Death!—The tempter's price Hath been rejected—Herbert, I must die. Oh, Edith! Edith! I, that led thee first From the old path wherein thy fathers trode, I, that received it as an angel’s task, To pour the fresh light on thine ardent soul, Which drank it as a sun-flower—I have been Thy guide to death!