Page:The fall of Robespierre. An historic drama (IA fallofrobespierr00cole).pdf/24

  Halcyon daughter of the skies,
  Far on fearful wing she flies,
  From the pomp of scepter'd state,
  From the rebel's noisy hate.

  In a cottag'd vale she dwells
  List'ning to the Sabbath bells!
  Still around her steps are seen,
  Spotless honor's meeker mein,
  Love, the sire of pleasing fears,
  Sorrow smiling through her tears,
  And conscious of the past employ,
  Memory, bosom-spring of joy.

Tallien.
I thank thee, Adelaide! 'twas sweet, though mournful.
But why thy brow o'ercast, thy cheek so wan?
Thou look'st as a lorn maid beside some stream
That sighs away the soul in fond despairing,
While sorrow sad, like the dank willow near her,
Hangs o'er the troubled fountain of her eye.

Adelaide.
Ah! rather let me ask what mystery lowers
On Tallien's darken'd brow. Thou dost me wrong—
Thy soul distemper'd, can my heart be tranquil?

Tallien.
Tell me, by whom thy brother's blood was spilt?
Asks he not vengeance on these patriot murderers?
It has been born too tamely. Fears and curses
Groan on our midnight beds, and e'en our dreams
Threaten the assassin hand of Robespierre.
He dies!—nor has the plot escaped his fears.

Adelaide.
Yet—yet—be cautious! much I fear the Commune—