"But mine the sorrow, mine the fault, I'll seek the solitude he sought, "And there, forlorn, despairing, hid, "Forbid it, Heaven!" the Hermit cry'd, And clasp'd her to his breast: The wondering fair-one turn'd to chide, 'Twas Edwin's self that prest. "Turn, Angelina, ever dear, Thy own, thy long-lost Edwin here, "Thus let me hold thee to my heart, And shall we never, never part, "No, never from this hour to part, We'll live and love so true; The sigh that rends thy constant heart, Shall break thy Edwin's too." THE THREE WARNINGS. THE A TALE. BY MRS. PIOZZI. HE tree of deepest root is found Least willing still to quit the ground; 'Twas therefore said, by ancient sages, That love of life increas'd with years So much, that in our latter stages, When pains grow sharp, and sickness rages, The greatest love of life appears. This great affection to believe, Be pleas'd to hear a modern tale. When sports went round, and all were gay, On neighbour Dobson's wedding day, Death call'd aside the jocund groom With him into another room, And looking grave, "You must," ŝays he, "Quit your sweet bride, and come with me.” "With you! and quit my Susan's side! With you!" the hapless husband cry'd: "Young as I am! 'tis monstrous hard! Besides, in truth, I'm not prepar'd: My thoughts on other matters go, This is my wedding night, you know." What more he urg'd I have not heard, So Death the poor delinquent spar'd, His hour-glass trembled while he spoke, Neighbour," he said, "farewell: no more Shall Death disturb your mirthful hour; And further to avoid all blame Of cruelty upon my name, To give you time for preparation, In hopes you'll have no more to say, Well pleas'd the world will leave." What next the hero of our tale befel, He chaffer'd then, he bought, he sold, Nor thought of Death as near; His friends not false, his wife no shrew, He pass'd his hours in peace: But while he view'd his wealth increase, Old Time, whose haste no mortal spares, Brought on his eightieth year. And now one night in musing mood, As all alone he sat, Th' unwelcome messenger of Fate Once more before him stood. Half killed with anger and surprise, "So soon, d'ye call it!" Death replies : " Surely, my friend, you're but in jest ; Since I was here before, 'Tis six-and-thirty years at least, And you are now fourscore." "So much the worse," the clown rejoin'd; To spare the aged would be kind: Besides you promis'd me Three Warnings, Which I have look'd for nights and mornings: But for that loss of time and ease, I can recover damages." I know," cries Death, "that at the best, I seldom am a welcome guest: But don't be captious, friend, at least: And sure, to see one's loves and friends, 66 Perhaps," says Dobson, so it might, But latterly I've lost my sight." "This is a shocking story, 'faith; Yet there's some comfort still," says Death: I warrant you hear all the news." "There's uone," cries he; " and if there were, I'm grown so deaf, I could not hear." Nay then," the spectre stern rejoin'd, "These are unjustifiable yearnings; If you are Lame, and Deaf, and Blind, You've had your Three sufficient Warnings. |