BRIDAL BALLAD. THE ring is on my hand, And the wreath is on my brow; Satins and jewels grand Are all at my command, And I am happy now. And my lord he loves me well; But, when first he breathed his vow I felt my bosom swell For the words rang as a knell, And the voice seemed his who fell In the battle down the dell, But he spoke to re-assure me, And he kissed my pallid brow And thus the words were spoken, And, though my heart be broken, Behold the golden token That proves me happy now! Would God I could awaken! For I dream I know not now, And my soul is sorely shaken Lest an evil step be taken,Lest the dead who is forsaken May not be happy now TO F BELOVED! amid the earnest woes That crowd around my earthly path-(Drear path, alas! where grows Not even one lonely rose) My soul at least a solace hath In dreams of thee, and therein knows And thus thy memory is to me Like some enchanted far-off isle In some tr multuous sea Some ocean throbbing far and free With storms-but where meanwhile Serenest skies continually Just o'er that one bright island smile. VOL. II.-4. SCENES FROM "POLITIAN; AN UNPUBLISHED DRAMA. I. ROME. A Hall in a Palace. Alessandra and Castiglione Alessandra. Thou art sad, Castiglione. Castiglione. Sad!-not I. Oh, I'm the happiest, happiest man in Rome! A few days more, thou knowest, my Alessandra, Will make thee mine. Oh, I am very happy! Aless. Methinks thou hast a singular way of showing Thy happiness-what ails thee, cousin of mine? Why didst thou sigh so deeply? Cas. Did I sigh? I was not conscious of it. It is a fashion, A sil v-a most silly fashion I have When I am very happy. Did I sigh? (sighing.) Aless. Thou didst. Thou art not well. Thou hast indulged Too much of late, and I am vexed to see it. Late hours and wine, Castiglione,-these Thy looks are haggard-nothing so wears away Cas. (musing.) Nothing, fair cousin, nothing-not even deep 80rrow-. Wears it away like evil hours and wine. Aless. Do it! I would have thee drop Cas. I will drop them. Aless. Thou wilt-thou must. Attend thou also more Upon appearances. Cas. I'll see to it. Aless. Then see to it !-pay more attention, sir, Cas. Much, much, oh much I want In proper dignity. Aless. (haughtily.) Thou mockest me, sir! Cas. (abstractedly.) Sweet, gentle Lalage! I speak to him he speaks of Lalage! Sir Count! (places her hand on his shoulder) what art thou dreaming? he's not well! What ails thee, sir? Cas. (starting.) Cousin! fair cousin !—madam! I crave thy pardon-indeed I am not well Your hand from off my shoulder, if you please. This air is most oppressive !-Madam-the Duke! Enter Di Broglio. Di Broglio. My son, I've news for thee !-hey?—what's the matter? (observing Alessandra.) I' the pouts? Kiss her, Castiglione! kiss her, I've news for you both. Politian is expected We'll have him at the wedding. To the imperial city. Aless. What! Politian Of Britain, Earl of Leicester ? Di Brog. The same, my love. "Tis his first visit We'll have him at the wedding. A man quite young And high descent. We'll have him at the wedding. Gay, volatile and giddy-is he not? Di Brog. Far from it, love. No branch, they say, of all philosophy Aless. 'Tis very strange! I have known men have seen Politian And sought his company. They speak of him Cas. Ridiculous! Now I have seen Politian And know him well-nor learned nor mirthful he. From common passions. Di Brog. Children, we disagree. Let us go forth and taste the fragrant air (exeunt.) |