Page:Rosalind and Helen (Shelley, Forman).djvu/16

14 Yes: I know: I was bewildered. Kiss me, and be gay, Dear boy: why do you sob?

I do not know: But it might break any one's heart to see You and the lady cry so bitterly.

It is a gentle child, my friend. Go home, Henry, and play with Lilla till I come. We only cried with joy to see each other; We are quite merry now: Good night.

The boy Lifted a sudden look upon his mother, And in the gleam of forced and hollow joy Which lightened o'er her face, laughed with the glee Of light and unsuspecting infancy, And whispered in her ear, "Bring home with you That sweet strange lady-friend" Then off he flew, But stopt, and beckoned with a meaning smile, Where the road turned. Pale Rosalind the while, Hiding her face, stood weeping silently.

In silence then they took the way Beneath the forest's solitude. It was a vast and antique wood, Thro' which they took their way; And the grey shades of evening O'er that green wilderness did fling Still deeper solitude.