THE DESERTED BRIDE. SUGGESTED BY A SCENE IN THE PLAY OF THE HUNCHBACK. INSCRIBED TO JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES. "LOVE me !-No-he never loved me!" Else he'd sooner die than stain One so fond as he has proved me With the hollow world's disdain. False one, go-my doom is spoken, Wed him!-Never.-He has lost me! Tears!-Well, let them flow!-His bride? No.-The struggle life may cost me ! But he'll find that I have pride! Love is not an idle flower, Blooms and dies the self-same hour. B Titles, lands, and broad dominion, With himself to me he gave ; Stoop'd to earth his spirit's pinion, And became my willing slave! Knelt and pray'd until he won me— Looks he coldly now upon me? Ingrate !—Never sure was maiden Wronged so foul as I. With grief My true breast is overladen Tears afford me no relief Every nerve is strained and aching, And my very heart is breaking! Love I him?—Thus scorned and slighted— Thrown, like worthless weed, apart― Hopes and feelings seared and blighted Love him?—Yes, with all my heart! With a passion superhuman Constancy, "thy name is woman.' Love nor time nor mood can fashion Love?-Idolatry's the word To speak the broadest, deepest passion, Ever woman's heart hath stirr'd! Vain to still the mind's desires, Which consume like hidden fires! Wrecked and wretched, lost and lonely, Crush'd by grief's oppressive weight, With a prayer for Clifford only, I resign me to my fate. Chains that bind the soul I've proven Strong as they were iron-woven. Deep the wo that fast is sending From my cheek its healthful bloom; Sad my thoughts as willows bending Without Clifford not a blessing In the world is worth possessing. |