Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1822.pdf/66



Her head leant on her arm, the beech's trunk Supporting her slight figure, and one hand Prest to her heart, as if to still its throbs!— You never might forget that face,—so young, So fair, yet traced with such deep characters Of inward wretchedness! The eyes were dim, With tears on the dark lashes; still the lip Could not quite lose its own accustomed smile, Even by that pale cheek it kept its arch And tender playfulness: you looked and said, What can have shadowed such a sunny brow? There is so much of natural happiness In that bright countenance, it seems but formed For Spring's light sunbeams, or yet lighter dews. You turned away—then came—and looked again, Watching the pale and silent loveliness, Till even sleep was haunted by that image. There was a severed chain upon the ground— Ah! love is even more fragile than its gifts! A tress of raven hair:—oh, only those Whose souls have felt this one idolatry, Can tell how precious is the slightest thing Affection gives and hallows! A dead flower Will long be kept, remembrancer of looks That made each leaf a treasure. And the tree Had two slight words graven upon its stem— The broken heart's last record of its faith— "Adieu, Henri!"------