Page:Oriental Sketches Dramatic Sketches and Tales.pdf/182

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Alas! henceforward all my joys are fled, Vivid imagination will surround Thy secret with a host of fears. My heart Suggests some cruel motive for thy stern Unyielding silence. Oh! my own Giovanni, Why art thou so unkind? Thou art my wife; I should have told this tale when I had won Thy virgin love, and left thee to thy choice. Forgive me, for I feared to lose thee, sweet; Forgive me, that I tell the story now. It is to prove to thee, my love, my trust, And that I deem thee wise as thou art fair.

I am a fool to let thee see how deep, How ardent, tender, and how passionate, My love hath grown. My husband, when I feel The pressure of thine arm, meet thy fond glance