Page:Poems of Sentiment and Imagination.djvu/195

Rh She had thought that Clarence was no more Than the wild wind to her—that every link That bound her soul to his had broken been By the abhorrence of his sinful past— That the dark, struggling anguish of her soul Had been subdued forever—yet oh! now, The very instant that her eyes met his, She the spell upon her!A strange thrill Crept round her sinking heart—the weary past Was all forgotten, and she only felt His presence!Why stood he thus and smiled? The life seemed fainting in her heart; her lip Spoke not, but with uneven step she came And leaned her forehead on his throbless breast! No word, and no caress!And summoning strength She lifted up her face and looked in his. Cold were his eyes, and stern his altered brow, And his fine lips were curled into a sneer. He thought to crush with coldness and contempt The gentle spirit of the gifted girl; And for a moment she was powerless With sorrow, not with dread.She clung to him With icy and faint grasp, her large, strange eyes Fixed on his face, and murmured to herself, Slowly and soft, as in a painful dream:


 * He greets me with no loving word—
 * His brow is stern with pride;
 * The stars our passionate vows have heard,
 * Yet knows he not his bride!
 * My brow with anguish is distressed—
 * My heart is fainting in my breast;
 * Yet soothes he not, and speaks he not!
 * I know—I know I am forgot!"


 * Unconscious of her words was the young girl,

In that dark moment of bewilderment When love came back, unbidden, to her heart;