For me's no clemency divine!
False LEON! retribution's thine!

I had a dream-a troubled dream-
In which I saw thy dark eyes beam
Upon a fair Sicilian maid,

In her white nuptial robes arrayed ;

I saw her at the altar stand

I saw thee take her lily hand-
And joyous hailed the morning light
Which broke the vision of that night!
Yet oft to me it would return,

And overwhelm my soul in woe ;
But then the vision I would spurn,-
For oh I could not deem it se !
But ere the dawning of the morrow
'Twill prove an omen of my sorrow.
My faithful page, come hither, come!
This long delay may seal our doom;
Mount thee upon the fleetest steed,
And with the winged lightning's speed,
To Count GUDONI's castle go,

And what betideth let me know."

She said, and in her wildered state,
Unnoticed passed the castle gate,
And by the watchful mastiffs' lairs,
Tripped lightly up the marble stairs,

Flew through the corridor's dim gloom,
And safely reached her distant room.
Upon the silken couch she fell,

And strove her torturing doubts to quell ;

But easier 'tis the waves to still

That roll amid the stormy ocean,

Than subjugate unto the will

The troubled bosom's wild commotion ;-
Now up she sprang, in frantic mood,
Paced rapidly across the floor-
Then stopped-before her mirror stood,
And while she scanned her beauty o'er,

By dress so richly now displayed,
Revenge and Pride called to her aid.
With hasty step and firm intent,

Unto a secret casket went,

A little packet thence withdrew—

Love's tokens dear while they were true-
Unclasped with trembling hand the lid,

Quickly the snowy scrolls undid ;
Over each missive glanced her eye,
Then for another dashed it by ;
And when she reached the final line
That erst to her had seemed divine,-
Pondered how little such are worth,
She laid them all upon the hearth ;-

Betrothal ring-chains, diamonds, pearls

A locket with her LEON's curls,

His miniature serenely put

Upon the medley fated pyre; Stamped it with her indignant foot

And strength of slighted love's keen ire. Then to the pile the torch applied,

And round them while the swift flames glide,
Like lightning ere the thunders roll,
Effacing casket, gem, and scroll,

Melting the chains to livid thread;

With low, unfaltering voice she said

“

"O LEON! I could see thy soul

Writhe in thy frame, girt round by fire,

Calmly as I behold each scroll,

Beneath that fatal flame expire : "

Then sank upon the ottoman,

And watched the blaze as on it ran;
Love's gilded tokens all consuming,
But not his fiery pangs entombing.—
No! deep within her throbbing heart,
There quivering hangs his poisoned dart,
Too deeply lodged for surgeon's art.

IV.

"But list!-my page!-be still my heart!— To feign is now thy only part.

What do I fear? Why tremble so?
Whence this new ague-fit of woe?

He'll only tell what now I know—
What dreams have taught me long ago,
The songs the minstrel sang to me,
Who late came o'er from Sicily.

I knew not why, but as he sung,
The bridal song of ROSALIE
Seemed in my ear the larum rung

Of some approaching misery.
Prophetic was its every tone,
And mournful as the midnight moan

Of tempest midst the forest lone :

But all too vain-such pondering!

I'll hear whate'er my page may bring

No fiercer pangs my heart can feel,

Though death to-night my doom should scal!"

V.

The page approached at her command,
And kneeling kissed her snowy hand,

An anxious glance upon her flung,
And thus began with faltering tongue.

VI.

"In Count GUDONI's spacious hall

Rise loud the sounds of festival,

The golden lamps are burning bright—
Lord LEON hath returned to-night,

And like a Peri by his side,

I saw his fair Sicilian bride

Her brow".

"Enough, my page, 'tis well,

What further passed thou needst not tell ;Peace to Lord LEON and his bride,"

Firmly, yet softly, she replied;

"My secret, keep-for if one breath

My sire should learn, 'twill cause my death;

And that I am unfit to die,

Is known to all the saints on high.

Refrain thy tears-nor weep nor sigh

Myself am calm :-now to thy bed,

With Heaven's best blessing on thy head."

VII.

The faithful page dropped on his knee,

And said, while tears suffused his eye, "My life is consecrate to thee,

Whate'er thy future destiny.