Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1826.pdf/8

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was a shrine, a sunny shrine, On it the Statue stood of Love; Thrice beautiful, as morning's dream Had brought the image from above. There many an hour would Beauty kneel Adoring at the lovely shrine— Haunting the Statue with one prayer— "Would thou had'st life! would thou wert mine!" Wearied, at length, the pitying heaven No more the maiden's prayer denied; Life darken'd in the Statue's eye, And warm'd the veins life's crimson tide; Breath, mortal breath, was on the lip, And Beauty caught it to her breast. Alas! the shape had changed to Grief— Love ever does when once possess’d. L. E. L.