Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1822.pdf/59



She looked up to the lovely face of heaven:— It was unclouded, and the rolling moon Pass'd o'er the deep blue sky like happiness, Leaving a trace of light. She gazed around, And all was fair and gaily beautiful— There was no gloom but that within her heart. Ah, this is very loneliness to feel So wholly destitute, without one thing That has a portion in our wretchedness! Then two came by—that voice to her was death— It was her false ! A lovely girl Hung on his arm, so soft, so delicate, It seemed a breath might sweep her from the earth; And bent with so much tenderness To catch the music of the timid voice, Which dared not breathe its love-vow audibly. rushed thence, as if her step Had been upon the serpent's lair. That night She brooded o'er her wrongs, and bitterly Prayed for revenge! - - - And this is Woman's fate: All her affections are called into life By winning flatteries, and then thrown back Upon themselves to perish, and her heart, Her trusting heart, filled with weak tenderness, Is left to bleed or break! - - - - The marriage feast was spread, the guests were round, The halls were filled with mirth, and light, and song. High o'er the rest the youthful pair were placed, Beneath a canopy of fretted gold And royal purple. With a shout they drank Health and long blessedness to the fair bride! And called for wine, to pledge them back His thanks. A slender Page approached, and held The golden cup; - - - There is a marble look In the dark countenance of that pale boy Ill suiting one so youthful. drained The liquor to the dregs; yet, while he drank He felt the eagle glance of that strange Page Fix on him like a spell. With a wild laugh Of fearless taunting, he took back the cup— That laugh rang like a demon's curse! The sounds