Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/145

 REDEMPTION. 139

Yet, strange, with teardrops in thine eyes. Soon one, Who stood aloof, gan beck'ning thee away, And seem'd impatient at thy tardy step. With one enravish'd, ling'ring look on me, (Oh ! how ecstatic is the mem'ry now, How sweet the ravishment, which that look gave,) Thou answer'd to his motion, and withdrew. Some sinister portent e'ercast his brow, Yet still thou follow'd ; shrieking, I pursued. Long was the distance, devious the road, But naught would my maternal heart give o'er. A busy mart at length arose in view, And frenzied multitudes opposed thy way. I lost thee in their midst, but still pursued, Eager to seek thee whither thou had'st gone. Their execrations rang within my ear, And threats of violence my grief renew'd. I call'd thee Son, my Son, oh ! whither dost Thou flee ? But found thee not, nor heard, alas ! Thy well known voice return familiar sounds ; Destined, ah me ! to hear that voice no more. All night I sought thee, all night found thee not, Till morn broke sadly on my blasted hopes, And I stood by thy bruised and mangled corse. Tell me, my Son, my life, my joy, my all, What means this vision that so racks my soul ? Is it foresent in mercy from above, To blunt the force of some approaching ill ? Or shaft from th' evil one, sent to harrass? Thou would'st not leave me, no thou can'st not go; Save thee, whom have I, sole my staff and stay." Not with such grief did Eve her fault bewail,

�� �