"Why not remove it from its lurking-place?"
'Twas done as soon as said; but on the way
It burst-it fell; and lo! a skeleton;
And here and there a pearl, an emerald-stone
A golden clasp, clasping a shred of gold.
All else had perish'd-save a nuptial ring,
And a small seal, her mother's legacy,
Engraven with a name, the name of both—
"GINEVRA."-There then had she found a grave!
Within that chest had she conceal'd herself,
Fluttering with joy, the happiest of the happy:
When a spring-lock, that lay in ambush there.
Fasten'd her down for ever!
WHEN midnight o'er the moonless skies
Her pall of transient death has spread,
When mortals sleep, when spectres rise
And nought is wakeful but the dead
No bloodless shape my way pursues,
No sneeted ghost my couch annoys.
Visions more sad my fancy views,
Visions of long-departed joys!
The shade of youthful hope is there,
That linger'd long, and latest died;
Ambition all dissolved to air,
With phantom honours at her side.
What empty shadows glimmer nigh!
They once were friendship, truth, and love!
Oh, die to thought, to memory die,
Since lifeless to my heart ye prove!
STAY, Lady, stay, for mercy's sake,
And hear a helpless Orphan's tale :
Ah! sure my looks must pity wake;
'Tis want that makes my cheek so pale.
Yet I was once a mother's pride,
And my brave father's hope and joy;
But in the Nile's proud fight he died-
And I am now an orphan boy.
Poor foolish child! how pleased was I,
When news of Nelson's victory came,
Along the crowded streets to fly,
And see the lighted windows flame!
To force me home my mother sought,
She could not bear to see my joy;
For with my father's life 't was bought,
And made me a poor orphan boy.
The people's shouts were long and loud,— My mother, shudd'ring, closed her ears; "Rejoice! rejoice!" still cried the crowd, My mother answer'd with her tears. "Why are you crying thus," said I,
"While others laugh and shout with joy?" She kiss'd me-and, with such a sigh! She call'd me her poor orphan boy.
"What is an orphan boy?" I cried,
As in her face I look'd and smiled;
My mother through her tears replied,
"You'll know too soon, ill-fated child!" And now they've toll'd my mother's knell, And I'm no more a parent's joy,
O Lady, I have learnt too well
What 't is to be an orphan boy.
Oh! were I by your bounty fed !—
Nay, gentle Lady, do not chide,—
Trust me, I mean to earn my bread;
The sailor's orphan boy has pride.
Lady, you weep!-ha!-this to me?
You'll give me clothing, food, employ? Look down, dear parents! look, and see Your happy, happy orphan boy.
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