Page:The Domestic Affections, and Other Poems.pdf/112



He fell!—her woe, her soul-consuming grief, Mourns in no language, seeks for no relief; Forbids the mind in sympathy to glow, The voice to murmur, and the tear to flow; But deep within, enshrin'd in silent sway, Dwells on each nerve—and withers life away!

Or see yon Orphan-maid, in beauty's bloom, Fair lovely mourner o'er a Father's tomb! For him, far distant on the battle-plain, She pray'd, and wish'd, and wept—alas!—in vain! No tender friend receiv'd his parting breath, No filial sweetness cheer'd the hour of death— For, ah! when nature most demands to share The smile of tenderness, the hand of care; E'en then, deserted on the field, he bled, Unknown, unmark'd, his gallant spirit fled! Lo! where she weeps forlorn, in anguish lost, A frail Mimosa, blighted by the frost! Who now shall guard the blossom of her youth, The gem of innocence, the flower of truth?