Page:Landon in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book 1832.pdf/32

Rh

Rh

"The English who have lost their health, often resort to these hills for the hot season, where the air and exercise are sometimes as beneficial as the voyage to Europe." The following verses allude to the early death of a young friend, who, adopted by some distant relatives, accompanied them to India; and died in this very spot, whither she had been taken for the recovery of her health.

had to watch the fading Of that young and lovely cheek, And that pale lip's mute upbraiding, Which asked not sound to speak.

We saw that she was pining For her own loved English land, And her life's sweet light declining, For she loathed our Indian strand;

Her heart was with her mother, Far o'er the salt sea foam, And she could not love another, As she loved her early home.

She clung with love too tender To every former scene, For one of Eastern splendour, To be what they had been.

Alas, why did we bring her To this golden land in vain? Ah, would that we could wing her To her native land again!

We never see her weeping, But we know that she does weep; And she names loved names in sleeping, As she names them but in sleep.

We watch one bright spot burning On her cheek of hectic red, And we dread each day's returning, Lest it rise but for the dead.