Page:Tale of Paraguay - Southey.djvu/133

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It was not passion only that disturb'd Her gentle nature thus; it was not grief; Nor human feeling by the effort curb'd Of some misdeeming duty, when relief Were surely to be found, albeit brief, If sorrow at its springs might freely flow; Nor yet repining, stronger than belief In its first force, that shook the Maiden so, Tho' these alone might that frail fabric overthrow.

The seeds of death were in her at that hour. Soon was their quickening and their growth display'd: Thenceforth she droop'd and withered like a flower, Which when it flourished in its native shade Some child to his own garden hath convey'd, And planted in the sun, to pine away. Thus was the gentle Mooma seen to fade, Not under sharp disease, but day by day Losing the powers of life in visible decay.