Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1823.pdf/145



lived in one feeling, one that made Care, toil, and suffering pleasant; and he hailed England, dear England, happy in success, In hope, and love. It was a summer morn— The very season he had left that vale— When he returned. How cheerfully the fields, Spread in their green luxuriance of corn, The purple clover, and the new cut hay, Loading the air with fragrance! the soft river, Winding so gently! there seemed nothing changed, And 's heart was filled with gladness: all, He fancied, looked as if they welcomed him. His eyes filled with sweet tears, and hasty words Of love and thankfulness came to his lips. His path lay through the churchyard, and the bells Were ringing for a wedding. What fond thoughts They wakened, of how merrily their round Would peal for him and ! He kissed The broken ring, the braid of golden hair, And bounded, with light step and lighter heart, Across the churchyard; from it he could see The cottage where his own true Maiden dwelt. Just then the bridal party left the church, And, half unconsciously, young looked Upon the bride—that bride was !— He stopped not in the village,—spoke to none,— But went again to sea; and never smile Lighted the settled darkness in his eyes: His cheek grew pale, his hair turned grey, his voice Became so sad and low. He once had loved To look upon the sunset, as that hour Brought pleasant memories, such as feed sweet hopes; Now ever gazed he on it with the look Of the young widow over her fair child, Her only child, in the death agony. His heart was withered. Yet, although so false, He never parted with his 's gift: Still the soft curl and the bright ring were kept, Like treasures, in his bosom. Years passed by,