Page:The Domestic Affections, and Other Poems.pdf/111



But could their pomp console her wounded breast, Dispel one sigh, or lull one care to rest? Ah! suff'ring Parent! fated still to mourn, Ah! wounded heart!—he never shall return.

He fell!—that eye of soft and varying ray, Where warm expression kindled into day; Where ardor sparkled, where affection beam'd, And youth and hope in living lustre stream'd; That voice belov'd, whose bliss-imparting tone, Bade her fond heart its thrilling magic own; That mantling cheek, where animation glow'd, Spread the rich bloom, the vivid flush bestow'd; That brilliant eye is clos'd in shades of night, That voice is hush'd, that cheek no longer bright! 'Twas her's, when hope one meteor-beam had giv'n, (Fair form of light! sweet fugitive of heav'n!) To see dark clouds obscure the rainbow-dream, Watch its pale sun-set, and its closing gleam! To see the last, the lingering bliss depart, The lonely Day-star of her widow'd heart!