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<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=354042" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>The Undying One - Canto IV</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0">'TIS done--the night has pass'd away; <br>And, basking in the sunny day, <br>The laughing fountain's waters bear <br>No record of each burning tear;-- <br>The silent echoes give no sound <br>Of shriek or moan; and nothing round <br>Can tell what breaking hearts have been <br>So lately in that quiet scene. <br>But ere the evening falls again, <br>Many a step o'er mount and glen <br>Shall hurry far and wide, to seek <br>Her of the pallid brow and cheek. <br>Proud is the eye of the bridegroom lord! <br>He hath girt him round with a trusty sword, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">And the horse that hath borne him to battle for years, <br>Gladly his angry summons hears. <br>His red nostrils snuffing the morning air, <br>Nothing he heeds their heavy care, <br>But waits till his high curving neck shall be freed, <br>To bound o'er the hills with an arrow's speed. <br>He is gone--full swiftly he dashes by-- <br>And many a bright and beautiful eye <br>Follows the rider's form;--and dreams <br>Of pleasant walks by the dancing streams, <br>Of moonlight whisperings in the grove, <br>Of looks of ardour, and vows of love, <br>Fill those young hearts: and they wonder why <br>Visions so happy should make them sigh: <br>And more they wonder, that any one <br>Of the numberless forms their eyes have known, <br>Should have stolen a heart which Carlos woo'd <br>By the fount, and the lone wood's solitude. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Oh! love--real love! intoxicating dream <br>Of beauty and of happiness! how vain <br>Are our aspirings after thee, which seem <br>To bring thee near us!--doubt and causeless pain, <br>And jealousies, and most unconstant sighs <br>For something fairer than this world supplies; <br>And fondness which doth end in faint disgust; <br>And airy hopes that crumble down to dust ;-- <br>These are not love,--though these too oft impart <br>A false excitement to the swelling heart. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">To look upon the fairy one, who stands <br>Before you, with her young hair's shining bands, <br>And rosy lips half parted;--and to muse, <br>Not on the features which you now peruse, <br>Not on the blushing bride,--but look beyond <br>Unto the aged wife, nor feel less fond: <br>To feel, that while thy arm can strike them dead, <br>No breathing soul shall harm that gentle head: <br>To know, that none with fierce and sudden strife <br>Shall tear thee from her, save with loss of life: <br>To keep thee but to one, and let that one <br>Be to thy home what warmth is to the sun; <br>To gaze, and find no change, when time hath made <br>Youth's dazzling beauty darken into shade, <br>But fondly--firmly--cling to her, nor fear <br>The fading touch of each declining year:-- <br>This is true love, when it hath found a rest <br>In the deep home of manhood's faithful breast. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">To worship silently at some heart's shrine, <br>And feel, but paint not, all its fire in thine: <br>To pray for that heart's hopes, when thine are gone, <br>Nor let its after coldness chill thine own: <br>To hold that one, with every fault, more dear <br>Than all who whisper fondness in thine ear: <br>To joy thee in his joy, and silently <br>Meet the upbraiding of his angry eye: <br>To bear unshrinking all the blows of fate, <br>Save that which leaves thy sorrow desolate: <br>Nor deem that woe, which thou canst feel is still <br>Borne with him, and for him; through every ill <br>To smile on him,--nor weep, save when apart, <br>God, and God only; looks into thy heart: <br>To keep unchanged thy calm, pure, quiet love, <br>If he, inconstant, doth a new one prove; <br>To love all round him as a part of him, <br>Ev'n her he worships:--though thine eye be dim <br>With weeping for thyself--to pray that not <br>One cloud may darken o'er their earthly lot: <br>With the affection of true hearts, to see <br>His happiness, which doth not hang on thee :-- <br>Oh! this is woman's love--its joy--its pain; <br>And this--it hath been felt--and felt in vain. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">They are dancing again, by the misty veil <br>Of the star-lit sky and the moonlight pale. <br>Laughing and murmuring voices rise <br>With their gladsome tones, to the peaceful skies: <br>And no one voice hath a sadder tone <br>For the sake of her whose form is gone, <br>Though her step was light in the dance, and her brow <br>Fairer than any which gleam there now. <br>Yet after the dance is done, and faint <br>Each languid limb on the turf is thrown, <br>Their gathering voices strive to paint <br>The stranger-heart that Linda won. <br>And still, as his wasted form, pale brow, <br>And mournful looks to their thoughts appear; <br>With his deep, sad voice, they wonder how <br>He hath pleaded his tale in Linda's ear. <br>And some dream wildly of wizard bower <br>Which hath tempted those fair young feet to stray: <br>And some of the sweet and charmed power <br>Which lies in the moonlight's holy ray: <br>And some who love--oh! they fondly feel, <br>In the hopeful heart of the promised bride, <br>That her soul may be bound in the woe or weal <br>Of the stranger by the fountain's side: <br>And none be able to know, or tell, <br>How such a love in her young heart grew-- <br>Till the charm have bound their souls as well, <br>And the flame burn bright in their bosoms too. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">They travel fast--the bridegroom lord, <br>With his prancing steed and his trusty sword; <br>And the brother-tyrant by his side, <br>With marble brow and heart of pride. <br>But vainly they follow o'er vale and hill, <br>Through the tufted heath, or the cool clear rill; <br>That mournful pair are far before, <br>Where the bleak sands lie, and the billows roar. <br>Far from the smiling land of her birth, <br>Her early home on the boundless earth, <br>Hath Linda, with tears, resolved to go, <br>For her mother's son is her deadly foe. <br>Stern as he was when she watch'd each look, <br>And obey'd ere he spoke--oh! how shall he brook <br>That her heart hath swerved, and her vows are naught <br>For the sake of the love which a stranger brought? <br>Oh! far may her white foot seek, and reach, <br>A home on Erin's shingled beach! <br>Where Miriam dwelt--in their bless'd land <br>Of the free warm heart, and the open hand; <br>Where no hypocrite sneer their wrath disguises, <br>But the sword springs out as the heart's blood rises; </div><div style="margin:10px 0">There hath she chosen her home to be: <br>And their bark bounds over the foaming sea. <br>Silently watching by Isbal's side, <br>Sadly she looks on the curling tide; <br>And, gloomily as it roams o'er all, <br>His eye is a guide where hers shall fall. <br>Sudden a light shot o'er that eye, <br>And a quivering through him came; <br>And Linda, though she knows not why, <br>Clings trembling to his frame. <br>Hurriedly he spoke, <br>As the deep flush broke <br>O'er his face: <br>'There is a vessel--would it were a wreck!-- <br>I know it by the flag; and on that deck <br>Are forms my soul can trace. <br>Though yet I see them not, I know <br>That, could we meet, a bitter woe <br>Were thine, their power beneath: <br>Though yet I hear them not, I feel <br>Each voice would tear the polish'd steel <br>From out its idle sheath. <br>Curse on the sails, whose lagging speed <br>Doth leave us in our hour of need! <br>Is there no wind in heaven? <br>They come--oh! Linda, cling to me: <br>Come closer yet: more strength will be <br>To love and vengeance given!' </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Vain wrath! Young Linda gazes on the sight <br>Which thus hath conjured up a desperate fight; <br>And, in the distance she doth spy a sail, <br>With its flag fluttering gently on the gale, <br>White, calm, and peaceful:--strange in truth it seems, <br>That such a sight hath power to wake such dreams. <br>Yet doth she shudder, as with vehement force <br>He clasps her round, and views the vessel's course. <br>It nears--it nears--and through the signal glass, <br>The distant forms of crew and captain pass.-- <br>'Tis they! 'tis they! Her brother's haughty form, <br>Proudly erect, defies the coming storm: <br>And, seated near him, in his mantle clad, <br>With brow almost as haughty, but more sad, <br>Is he who woo'd her heart, when love was yet <br>A dream--which those who wake, strive vainly to forget! </div><div style="margin:10px 0">She sees them, but all unconscious they, <br>Who tracks them thus on their distant way. <br>They hail the vessel, then turn to gaze <br>Upon the sunset's parting rays; <br>And veering in their course, they sever, <br>Careless if they should part for ever! <br>But Isbal hath fix'd his straining sight <br>On the gleamy look of her canvas white, <br>And with impatient glance on high <br>Chides the full sails that hide the sky; <br>And yearns, till that distant land be won, <br>For spirits' wings to bear him on. <br>Bounds the light ship on her foamy track, <br>With her crimson pennant floating back: <br>Onward impell'd by the steady gales, <br>That are firmly pressing the swelling sails. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">On she goes, and the waves are dashing <br>Under her stern, and under her prow; <br>Oh! pleasant the sound of the waters splashing <br>To those who the heat of the desert know. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">On she goes--and the light is breaking <br>In a narrow streak o'er the distant sea; <br>And the shouts confused of the crew are waking <br>The silent air with an echo free. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">On she goes--and the moon hath risen-- <br>The holy moon that her veil doth shroud; <br>And like a mournful face from prison, <br>She looketh out of her watery cloud. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Graceful as earth's most gentle daughters, <br>That good ship sails through the gleaming spray-- <br>Like a beautiful dream on the darken'd waters, <br>Till she anchors in Killala bay. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Erin!--be hush'd, my lyre! Oh! thou, <br>With ardent mind and eager brow; <br>With heart and harp together strung, <br>The hero's soul, the poet's tongue; <br>Who shall attempt the chorded shell <br>Which thou hast breathed upon so well? <br>Or who shall seek that land to praise, <br>Nor seem to echo back thy lays? <br>That land, 'the land that bore thee;' never <br>Shall aught thy name from Erin's sever-- <br>Nor dream of Erin's beauty be, <br>That doth not also breathe of thee. <br>And if perchance, in after years, <br>Some other harp shall wake our tears; </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Or, with a burst of glorious song, <br>Bear our rapt souls in dreams along: <br>The songs they sing, the lays they pour, <br>Shall bring us back thy genius--Moore! <br>Oh! yes--by all that others feel, <br>When from thy lip the low words steal: <br>By many an unregarded sigh <br>The winds have caught in passing by: <br>By wild far dreams of light divine, <br>That come not, save to souls like thine: <br>By the heart-swelling thou hast wrought: <br>By thy deep melody of thought: <br>By tear, and song, and ardour won-- <br>The harp of Erin is thine own! </div><div style="margin:10px 0">A storm is in the sky; a storm on earth; <br>And terror pale hath hush'd the voice of mirth. <br>And strong determination gleams forth now <br>From the deep lines of many a careless brow. <br>A storm is on the sea; a storm in heaven; <br>And wildly on the vessel's course is driven. <br>Forth rushes lightning from the lurid skies, <br>And ere the pilot's lips can pray,--he dies! <br>Aghast they stand;--the blacken'd corse lies there, <br>Sickening their helpless hearts with deep despair: </div><div style="margin:10px 0">While Isbal waves his vainly lifted hand, <br>And shouts in deafen'd ears his proud command: <br>'Each to his post! Myself will take the helm, <br>Though lightnings dart, and billows overwhelm. <br>Why dream ye thus? Is death so dreadful then <br>To shrinking things that boast the name of men? <br>Will ye be daunted that one soul hath gone <br>Ere he had time to say, 'I go alone!' <br>Struggle for life! for soon the yawning tide, <br>Which howls and dashes o'er the good ship's side, <br>Shall come to claim its prey:--each to his post, <br>And strain and labour, or the ship is lost!' <br>Alarm, and shame, and wonder fill their hearts; <br>And then his fiery speech some warmth imparts. <br>All hands aboard with silent strength obey, <br>And the strain'd vessel ploughs her labour'd way. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">A bark--a bark comes tossing o'er the wave, <br>(On the dark face of heaven, more darkly seen) <br>Right on the vessel's course,--while ev'n the brave <br>Shudder for breath;--what doth the helmsman mean? <br>Onward she comes--by raging wave and wind <br>Helplessly driven with a meteor's speed: <br>Almost she touches:--is the helmsman blind, <br>That of such danger he doth take no heed? </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Well doth he know that ship, whose eye hath watch'd <br>All the long day; and now doth glaring stand, <br>His only fear that heaven perchance hath snatch'd <br>His deep revenge from out his desperate hand. <br>She comes!--a shock--a hollow whiffing sound-- <br>A wail that o'er the troubled waters went <br>Of many howling voices;--a harsh sound <br>Of the keel grating o'er that bark's descent; <br>And all was over!--Oh! in those few words <br>How much of agony, and hope, and fear, <br>And yearnings after life, and treasured hoards <br>Of young hearts' feelings, cease and disappear! <br>All--all was over! what, we may not know; <br>But, looking back, in our own breasts we feel <br>Much perish'd, with the separate all of those <br>Who sank beneath that vessel's grating keel. <br>And with them perish'd Linda's brother stern, <br>And the young bridegroom in his hour of youth: <br>And Linda feels her brain and bosom burn-- <br>Oh! it had madden'd her to know the truth! <br>The murderous truth, that he she loved--for whom <br>And for whose love she broke her plighted troth, <br>With strong and ruthless hand prepared the doom, <br>Which sickens her to dream upon--for both. <br>But as it was, she gazed into his face, <br>And round upon the black and empty space, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">And then with shudderings cold she bow'd her head, <br>And gazed upon the waters.-- <br>Have the dead <br>Power to rise? She sees a single form <br>All impotently struggling with the storm, <br>And tossing high his arm, as if to crave <br>A rescue from his comrades' watery grave. <br>Oh! save him!--save him! Swift a rope is thrown, <br>And on the deck, with an exhausted groan, <br>The half-drown'd wretch is laid. With greedy glare <br>Doth Isbal watch him for a moment there; <br>And then with faded glance draws calmly back, <br>And seems to watch the vessel's furrow'd track. <br>Meanwhile full many a rough but hearty grasp <br>Greets the lone stranger; but his hand the clasp <br>Returns not--and their words of welcome seem <br>Spoken to one who hears not, but doth dream. <br>Wistfully gazing up into their eyes, <br>As though he understood them not--awhile <br>All motionless he stands; then to the skies, <br>Then on the sea, with a most bitter smile. <br>And thus he spoke, but whom he loved, or why, <br>Is in His book who suffer'd them to die:-- </div><div style="margin:10px 0">'It was a pleasant dream--possessing thee, <br>Albeit thy stay was very short on earth: <br>And still my hopes and heart are blessing thee, <br>Thou of the glad bright eyes and voice of mirth. <br>It was a pleasant dream--but thou art gone, <br>By many a billow cover'd from my sight: <br>Thou'lt come no more to cheer me when alone-- <br>Thy lips are mute--thine eyes no more are bright. <br>Oh! thou in whom my life was all bound up, <br>What is that life without thee? Long ere now <br>I deem'd that I had drain'd pale sorrow's cup-- <br>Alas! I had not seen death on thy brow. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">'Oft, when with boding fears I've sat to watch <br>For thy dear coming, with dim weary gaze, <br>Or wander'd out thine eye's first glance to catch, <br>Fancy hath painted them with fading rays. <br>I've dream'd of danger and of death; and when <br>Thine answering look hath met my anxious eye; <br>When I have clasp'd thee to my heart again-- <br>That heart's full joy hath strain'd to agony. <br>But it hath come at last--the long dark day, <br>The cheerless absence which hath no return; <br>And what is left to me? where lies thy clay-- <br>There--there, beloved, doth my beacon burn!' </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Wildly he gazed upon the green deep wave, <br>As if he sought a spot to be his grave; <br>Then turning him where Isbal stood aside, <br>'My curse upon thee, helmsman!' loud he cried. <br>He leapt--the waters closed, and murmur'd o'er: <br>The heart that beat to suffer--felt no more. <br>And Isbal started, and young Linda wept; <br>And the heavens brighten'd, and the loud winds slept. <br>The cold pale moon began once more to shine, <br>And the tall vessel sped athwart the brine. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">'Tis deep blue midnight--many a star <br>Is twinkling in the heavens afar. <br>The autumn winds are blowing keen <br>The straight and steady masts between; <br>And motionless the vessel lies, <br>As she were traced upon the skies. <br>Within that anchor'd ship are some <br>Fond simple hearts who dream of home; <br>And murmuring in their sleep, they hear <br>Far distant voices whispering near. <br>Within that anchor'd ship are many <br>Whose careless dreams (if they have any) <br>Bring back some lightly-utter'd jest, <br>To brighten o'er their lonely rest. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Within that anchor'd ship are none <br>Who sleep not, save the watch--and one <br>Who may not rest--who dares not dream; <br>And he--whence glows that sudden beam <br>That shot along his pallid brow? <br>Again--again--'tis brighter now-- <br>Awake! awake! 'tis danger--death!-- <br>The flames are round, above, beneath; <br>Fire! on the lonely waste of sea-- <br>Fire! where no human help can be! <br>Wild, breathless, and aghast, the crew <br>Crowd the scorch'd deck. A busy few, <br>With the rude instinct that doth make <br>Man struggle for existence' sake, <br>Lower the boats:--one after one <br>Those frail light barks are landward gone, <br>Ere Isbal from his vision'd trance <br>Is roused.--What meets his hurried glance? <br>Half burnt, half drown'd, around him dying, <br>Are wretches on the waters lying. <br>He gazes on all with shivering start-- <br>''Tis the curse--'tis the curse of that broken heart!' <br>He hails the last boat--'Oh! not for my life <br>Do I ask you to brave the element's strife; <br>But for her who is dearer than life'--in vain! <br>A hoarse voice answers him again: </div><div style="margin:10px 0">'When thou wert helmsman, the ship went down, <br>And the heavens look'd out with an angry frown. <br>How know we who or what thou art, <br>A man in form, but a fiend in heart! <br>Thou didst not shudder, nor quail, nor shrink, <br>When we heard the waves their death-sob drink; <br>Though brave men held their breath, to see <br>Their fellows die so suddenly! <br>The wrath of Heaven is on thy head, <br>And a cry is come up from the early dead-- <br>It hath wrought on us this awful sign; <br>And we will not perish for thee or thine!' </div><div style="margin:10px 0">It was over now!--and alone they stood <br>In that fiery ship, on the glowing flood; <br>With a woman's love, and a woman's fear, <br>She clung to that bosom, now doubly dear; <br>And she look'd up into his death-like face, <br>From the eager clasp of his firm embrace, <br>With a strange wild smile, which seem'd to say, <br>'Let us die together.' He turn'd away, <br>And he gazed far out on the lonely sea, <br>Where the billows are raging desperately; <br>He gazed far out to the utmost verge, <br>But the sickening sound of the booming surge, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">And the dashing waves, with their ceaseless strife, <br>Coursing each other like things of life-- <br>And a howl through the lighted firmament, <br>As the boat, and the boat's crew downward went-- <br>Sounds of sorrow, and sights of fear, <br>Were all which struck on his eye and ear. <br>He look'd around him:--the fiery blaze <br>Mocking the pale moon's quiet rays; <br>The red flames licking the top-mast high, <br>As if climbing to reach the cool clear sky; <br>And the waters which came with a hissing,<br>On the side of the burning ship to dash; <br>The fire-tinged sails, and the lonely deck, <br>Which must soon be a black and helpless wreck; <br>The perishing fragments of all which lay <br>So proudly bright at the close of day; <br>And the memory of that grating sound, <br>When the keel pass'd over the wretches drown'd: <br>These, and the thoughts such scenes impart, <br>Were all that struck on his eye and heart. <br>All--was it all? Was there no pale form, <br>Shining amid the element's storm, <br>With her lip compress'd, and her dark eye proud, <br>While the flames rose high, and the blast blew loud? <br>Feeling that now no earthly power <br>Could sever their hearts for one short hour, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">And careless of death, because she knew <br>That where he sank, she must perish too! <br>He look'd on her, and his heart grew sick, <br>And his filmy glance was dull and thick, <br>As wildly earnest he gazed once more <br>From the rolling sea to the distant shore. <br>A wild light shot o'er his gloomy brow; <br>'Oh! Heaven, dear Linda, is with us now! <br>Amid these scenes of fear and dread, <br>Thy Isbal, still secure, might tread: <br>The floating wave would bear him on <br>To live--but he would live alone. <br>Oh! by the love thou bear'st me still, <br>Though to me thou owest all earthly ill; <br>By the hours, and days, and years of bliss <br>Which made thy dreams, ere life sank to this; <br>By the hope that hath been, and that still may be, <br>Plunge into the waves, beloved, with me.' <br>Wildly she gazes, and shrouds her eyes <br>From the dark confusion of sea and skies. <br>Oh! woman's heart! to die by his side <br>Less fearful seems than to stem that tide; <br>Those roaring, raging, horrible waves, <br>Which are rolling o'er her shipmates' graves. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Onward--onward--and Isbal draws <br>His labour'd breath with a gasping pause; <br>The curse is light <br>On his soul that night; <br>For a heart is beating against his breast, <br>Where his lonely thoughts have found sweet rest, <br>And a calm delight. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Onward--onward--she faints not yet-- <br>Though her cheek be cold, and her long hair wet; <br>And Isbal yearns, <br>As her fond eye turns <br>To search for hope in his eager face; <br>For land, and a mossy resting-place, <br>Where nothing burns. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Onward--onward--for weary miles <br>Through the lone chill waters, where nothing smiles, <br>And the light hath shrunk-- <br>And the wave hath drunk <br>The last dull, cheerless, ruddy gleam, <br>And naught remains but an awful dream <br>Of the good ship sunk. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Onward--onward--in darkness now, <br>And the dew is standing on Isbal's brow; <br>And his soul is wrung, <br>As the arms which clung <br>Confidingly, droop in their beauty there <br>On the nervous strength of his shoulder bare, <br>Where her long hair hung. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Onward--onward--he hears once more <br>Murmurs and sounds from the blessed shore. <br>He heedeth not <br>His long dark lot, <br>But strains that form in a long embrace, <br>And tenderly kisses her cold pale face, <br>And his toil is forgot. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">'Thou'rt saved, my Linda! See, the land is won-- <br>The pleasant land where we may live alone: <br>The deep firm land, where we may stand and gaze <br>Upon the ocean in its stormiest days. <br>Linda, my beautiful! oh, blessed be <br>That day of well-remember'd agony <br>Which stamp'd the brand of darkness on my brow-- <br>Since I have lived, beloved, to save thee now.' </div><div style="margin:10px 0">He hath lifted her and laid her down, <br>And taken her soft hand in his own, <br>And wrung the brine from out her hair, <br>And raised its weight from her bosom fair, <br>Its cold damp weight, that her breath may come <br>Free from its pure and lovely home. <br>He hath press'd his cheek close, close to hers, <br>To feel when the first pulsation stirs, <br>And now he watches with patient love <br>Till that fainting form begin to move. <br>Long may he watch. Oh! never more <br>By the rolling sea, or the pleasant shore, <br>Shall her mournful voice with its gentle sigh <br>Whisper soft words of melody. <br>Never, oh! never more, her form <br>With faithful step, through sun and storm, <br>Shall follow him from land to land <br>Or like his guardian spirit stand. <br>Long may he watch for that head to rise, <br>For the gentle glance of those waking eyes: <br>Cold and pale as she lieth now-- <br>With her weary limbs, and her faded brow, <br>So must she lie for evermore-- <br>She hath pass'd her trials, and reach'd the shore! </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Ah! who shall tell their agonized despair, <br>Who, after watchful nights of ceaseless prayer, <br>And days of toil, and hours of bitter tears, <br>And agony that does the work of years-- <br>Stand by the bed of death with whirling brain, <br>And feel they toil'd, and loved, and pray'd, in vain. <br>Sadly and fearfully they shrink from those <br>Whose looks confirm the story of their woes, <br>And seek with visionary words to buoy <br>Their spirits up with prophecies of joy: <br>Ev'n while their blanch'd lips quiver in their dread, <br>The faint tongue murmurs, 'No, they are not dead!' <br>And yet we feel they are. So Isbal stood <br>By the deep, rolling, and eternal flood; <br>And so he sought some comfort to impart <br>With a fond falsehood to his conscious heart; <br>And still repeated, 'Lo, she breathes! she stirs!' <br>When his own breath had waved a tress of hers. <br>The oft repeated echo died away <br>Of those vain words; and as the ocean spray <br>With its light snow-shower drenches her again, <br>His lip gives forth uncertain sounds of pain. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">In his wrung heart he seeks to guess <br>When perish'd so much of loveliness; </div><div style="margin:10px 0">And in Fancy's dream her arms again <br>Cling, as they clung around him then. <br>Which of the mountain waves that rose, <br>Bade her meek eyes for ever close? <br>Was it her corpse that he bore for miles, <br>When he gladly dreamt of her grateful smiles? <br>Or did her white feet touch the shore, <br>Ere her spirit departed for evermore? <br>With a straining force his deep thoughts dwell <br>On each murmur that rose 'mid the ocean's swell. <br>Was it, when feebly her young arms sank, <br>That the dashing waters her spirit drank, <br>And her breath pass'd out on the billows high <br>With a faint and an unremember'd sigh? <br>But no--for long after he spoke to cheer, <br>And her sweet voice answer'd in his ear. <br>Was it when darkness fell around, <br>And the red ship sank with a gurgling sound-- <br>That her angel soul to its haven past <br>On the unseen wings of the midnight blast? <br>Did she yearn for the far land hopelessly, <br>As her stiff limbs shrank from the foaming sea: <br>Or did she yield her up to death, <br>With a weary moan, and a gasping breath? <br>Vainly he searches his tortured brain <br>For a farewell word, or a sigh of pain; </div><div style="margin:10px 0">Silently as he bore her on, <br>Her soul from its gentle frame hath gone, <br>And never on earth shall his heart discover <br>The moment her love and her life were over; <br>Only this much shall the lost one know-- <br>Where she hath departed, he may not go! </div><div style="margin:10px 0">With sternly folded arms, and indrawn breath, <br>He stands and gazes on that form of death. <br>The deep--the sickening certainty is there, <br>The doom eternal of his long despair. <br>O'er the dim wave he flung his desperate arm, <br>Forgetful in his anguish of the charm <br>That bound his life. With effort wild and vain <br>He plunges headlong in the treacherous main; <br>While the lone sea, with melancholy sound, <br>Returns him groaning to the mossy ground. <br>Again he leaps the tide-wash'd bank, which late <br>He deem'd a shelter from the storms of fate: <br>The dashing waters yield, and then divide; <br>But still he sinks not in the whelming tide. <br>Proudly he stemm'd the billows, when his arms <br>Bore the faint burden of his Linda's charms: <br>Proudly he gazed upon the waters high, <br>Whose strength contain'd no power to bid him die: </div><div style="margin:10px 0">But now he curses, with a bitter voice, <br>The ocean, which doth triumph and rejoice, <br>As the green billows, heaving in the day, <br>Greedily roar around that lifeless clay. <br>Hark! the wild howl that echoes through the land, <br>As his foot spurns the smooth and glittering sand. <br>That wave its floating weight on shore hath thrown; <br>And 'the Undying One' is left alone.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br /></a><br />poem by <a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/by.php?a=Caroline+Elizabeth+Sarah+Norton">Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton</a><div class=q>
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<script type="text/javascript" src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=citatepedia" async="async"></script><div style="display:inline-block" class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" data-url="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=354042" data-title="The Undying One - Canto IV de Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton" data-description="'TIS done--the night has pass'd away; 
And, basking in the sunny day, 
The laughing fountain's waters bear 
No record of each burning tear;-- 
The silent echoes give no sound 
Of shriek or moan; and nothing round 
Can tell what breaking hearts hav..."></div>
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