BOOK THE NINTH.
321
And where thou seest the pamper'd flesh-worm trail, 140
Once the white bosom heaved. She fondly thought
That at the hallowed altar, soon the Priest
Should bless her coming union, and the torch,
Its joyful lustre o'er the hall of joy,
Cast on her nuptial evening: earth to earth 145
That Priest consign'd her, and the funeral lamp
Glares on her cold face; for her lover went,
By glory lur'd to war, and perish'd there;
Nor she endur'd to live. Ha! fades thy cheek?
Dost thou then, Maiden, tremble at the tale? 150
Look here! behold the youthful paramour!
The self-devoted hero!"
Fearfully
The Maid look'd down, and saw the well known face
Of—Theodore! in thoughts unspeakable,
Convulsed with horror, o'er her face she clasp'd 155
Her cold damp hands: "Shrink not," the Phantom cried,
"Gaze on! for ever gaze!" more firm he grasp'd
Her quiv'ring arm: "this lifeless mouldering clay,
Once the white bosom heaved. She fondly thought
That at the hallowed altar, soon the Priest
Should bless her coming union, and the torch,
Its joyful lustre o'er the hall of joy,
Cast on her nuptial evening: earth to earth 145
That Priest consign'd her, and the funeral lamp
Glares on her cold face; for her lover went,
By glory lur'd to war, and perish'd there;
Nor she endur'd to live. Ha! fades thy cheek?
Dost thou then, Maiden, tremble at the tale? 150
Look here! behold the youthful paramour!
The self-devoted hero!"
Fearfully
The Maid look'd down, and saw the well known face
Of—Theodore! in thoughts unspeakable,
Convulsed with horror, o'er her face she clasp'd 155
Her cold damp hands: "Shrink not," the Phantom cried,
"Gaze on! for ever gaze!" more firm he grasp'd
Her quiv'ring arm: "this lifeless mouldering clay,
"As
