Page:The Siege of Valencia.pdf/182

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Take thou no heed! The words of wretchedness Admit not scrutiny. Wouldst thou mark the speech Of troubled dreams?

I have seen thee in the hour Of thy deep spirit's joy, and when the breath Of grief hung chilling round thee; in all change, Bright health and drooping sickness; hope and fear; Youth and decline; but never yet, Elmina, Ne'er hath thine eye till now shrunk back perturb'd With shame or dread, from mine!

Thy glance doth search A wounded heart too deeply.

Hast thou there Aught to conceal?

Who hath not?

Till this hour Thou never hadst!—Yet hear me!—by the free And unattainted fame which wraps the dust Of thine heroic fathers——