Page:Lass of fair wone, or, The parson's daugter (sic) betrayed.pdf/7

 "Go, seek a spouse of nobler blood Nor God's just judgments dread- So shall, ere long, some base-born wretch Defile thy marriage bed.

Then, traitor, feel how wretched they In hopeless shame immerst; Then smite thy forehead on the wall While horrid curses burst.

Roll thy dry eyes in wild despair— Unsooth'd thy grinning woe: Through thy pale temples fire the ball, And sink to fiends below."

Collected, then, she started up, And, through the hissing sleet, Through thorn and brier, through flood and mire, She fled with bleeding feet.

“Where now," she cry'd, “my gracious God! What refuge have I left?" And reach'd the garden of her home, Of hope in man bereft.

On hand and foot she feebly crawl'd Beneath the bower unblest; Where withering leaves and gathering snow Prepar'd her only rest.

There rending pains and darting throes Assail'd her shuddering frame; And from her womb a lovely boy, With wail and weeping came.