Page:Poems Sigourney 1827.pdf/127

Rh As if kind Nature taught that innocent one With fond delay to cheat the hour which seal'd His hopeless orphanage.—But those were near Who mock'd such dalliance, as that Spirit malign Who twined his serpent length mid Eden's bowers Frown'd on our parents' bliss.—The victim mark'd Their harsh intent, and clasp'd the unconscious babe With such convulsive force, that when they tore His writhing form away, the very nerves Whose deep-sown fibres rack the inmost soul Uprooted seem'd.— With voice of high command Tossing her arms, she bade them bring her son,— And then in maniac rashness sought to leap Among the astonish'd throng.—But the rough cord Compress'd her slender limbs, and bound her fast Down to her loathsome partner.—Quick the fire In showers was hurl'd upon the reeking pile;— But yet amid the wild, demoniac shout Of priest and people, mid the thundering yell Of the infernal gong,—was heard to rise Thrice a dire death-shriek.—And the men who stood Near the red pile and heard that fearful cry, Call'd on their idol-gods, and stopp'd their ears, And oft amid their nightly dream would start As frighted Fancy echoed in her cell That burning mother's scream.