A green-hair'd nymph might shelter seek, Where silent and safe she heard afar The glassy crystal sparkled clear That wild and tender light was shed, And thus, as in that simple dress, And eyes half-clos'd, and breast of snow, Oh! she was dearer to the heart, Than when from her, 'midst feast and joy, Tlatzeca gaz'd, in rapture deep, "I lov'd thee, when two infants we I lov'd thee, when to boyhood grown, "I've lov'd thee since; I love thee now; E'en Death can never part The love, which trembles on my tongue, Which burns within my heart. * I have heard the expression objected to, as addressed to a female:-in other languages the usage is not unfrequent.-ED. "But other arms than these will clasp To call one moment mine. "Nay, frown not-turn not thus away— I am so bound to thee; Thy anger ne'er can loose the chain, "For mercy here Tlatzeca kneels- This bursting of his heart. Say that thou lov'st me-it will drive This silent dark despair From my lone soul, and bid a ray Of blessed hope shine there. "Thou canst not! I am gone, proud maid— Live here from danger free; Angel of Death, I'm ready now Haste, Dark One, haste to me!" He turn'd in agony away; One moment, and she came, That dark-ey'd Maid, and clasp'd his hand, And call'd upon his name: "Hear me, Tlatzeca, hear me now; Each word that thou hast said Hath been an arrow tipt with fire, An omen from the dead. 'Why didst thou fight my father's fight, Why didst thou save my life; Why burst my tyrant's iron chain, And brave the murd'rer's knife? "Thou knew'st I could not-dar'd not love Him whom my Sire had curs'd; For he forbade to raise the flame Our infancy had nurs'd; "For this poor heart had ne'er forgot When sorrow and grief were never known, "When ev'ry moment, wing'd with joy, To ecstasy was given; "But whisp❜ring tongues and envy's blight And then he snatch'd me from thy love, "He gave me to another chief— This morn the pomp I led; Thou know'st the dreadful hour that came, And left a nation dead. "Th' unfinish'd rites were stain'd with blood; My sire gasp'd on the ground; Brethren and friends all struggling died; And I was seiz’d, and bound; "Thou cam'st, an angel from above, Youth, innocence, to save ; A moment of forgetfulness, And we were on the wave. "Thou only now art left on earth "Take then, dear Youth, that heart again, Tlatzeca stood a moment's space, At length across his deep-flush'd cheek Like ev❜ning lightning flashing fast But Nature and Love the struggle sooth'd, He clasp'd the Maiden in his arms; And they were silent-while around And they were silent-'twas a bliss And he is gone, Tlatzeca now, And the boatman is in his skiff once more, And bounding o'er the main. And Time roll'd on in ceaseless course; A gilded skiff, with a plumed chief, And none could tell its destin'd port, And Time roll'd on-and Right had burst The tyrant's hated chain; And Vict'ry shouted long and high, And Freedom rose again. Tlatzeca drew the first his sword, And now a grateful nation brought And where is he? On the deck he stands And marks the green wave flashing fast です。 On goes the galley before the gale, A And rattling cords, and streamers gay, On goes the galley before the gale, A On goes the galley before the gale, And the dearest of them said, "Why seeks not the Youth, who is brave and young, The love of a lovely Maid?" On goes the galley before the gale,bud "Now seek I my bride!"-he said, and sprung Like lightning overboard. Mute gaze they, as each flashing wave |