Page:The complete poems of Emily Bronte.djvu/224

168 Loud was the sudden gust of woe

From those who watch around;

Rosina turned and sought to know

Why burst that boding sound.

'What then, my dreams are false,' she said,

Come, maidens, answer me;

Has Almadore in battle bled!

Have slaves subdued the free?

'I know it all; he could not bear

To leave me dying far away;

He fondly, madly lingered here

And we have lost the day!

But check those coward sobs, and bring

My robes, and smooth my tangled hair;

A noble victory you shall sing

For every hour's despair!

'When will he come? 'Twill soon be night;

We'll come when evening falls;

Oh! I shall weary for the light

To leave my lonely halls!'

She turned her pallid face aside,

As she would seek repose;

But dark Ambition's thwarted pride

Forbade her lips to close.