Page:The Venetian Bracelet.pdf/25

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An orphan she, a rustic's nursling child, Oh, how could hope have ever so beguiled! "!" her kind old nurse's voice; "Nay, come to me, dear child, come and rejoice." Wondering, she enters, strangers round her stand, And kindly takes their lordly chief her hand. "So fair a peasant, sooth, but it is shame To tell thee, maiden, of another name. In the wild troubles which have rent our state Thy noble father met an exile's fate:— Nay, not that anxious look; he is no more, And sorrowing Genoa can but restore His honours to his child: I was aware, Thanks to that faithful creature's parent care, His daughter lived; and dear the task to me To bring these words, and let be