Long may thy cheek retain its bloom, VIII. "Alone!" she cried, but all was o'er, When hideous images have crossed And all sweet thoughts in chaos tost ;— Or rocked upon the stormy streams Up quickly from the carpet sprung, Erased each mark and every speck And of life's all had been bereft ; (With yesterday, oh! had life flown!) Her charms so lovely did display ; Night's white apparel then put on, IX. At rising hour she turned her head X. The morn was past, day on the wane, With invitation to attend That night in Count GUDONI's hall, Where LEON and his bride would lend The charm unto the festival. XI. "Could it be so ?" She gasped for breath. Had she received a hest for death, An irresistible command To hasten to the exile's land, Where Hope and Mercy never smiled, Many the high resolves she made, Many emotions dark allayed That rose to give her bosom aid : She would not shed another tear For him she once had held so dear ;~ Henceforth her cheek should bloom as bright, Her step be in the dance as light As when one glance from LEON's eyes Her songs, her smiles should be as gay; But ah! we know not till they're stirred, What notes among the heart's strings slumber; A reckless touch of one fine chord Wakes tones that life's brief years outnumber, Whose doleful jarring never ceases Till Death the troubled soul releases. When sense and reason had returned, And in her bosom feelings burned Which vengeance only can allay— Especially in lava hearts, When wrong unsheathes in them her darts. That night in Count GUDONI's hall She would attend the festival, Her beauty deck in richest style, And teach her lip its sweetest smile; TO LEON make her cheek and eye sprung, A snowy shawl around her flung, The arduous toilette they begun. XIV. Before her mirror mute she stands, Her black eyes gleam like two fixed stars, Decaying beauty to illume; |