Poems of Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Heath’s Book of Beauty, 1836/Amina
AMINA
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From Chairolas, Prince of Paida, with Other Tales, Philadelphia, 1836, pages 91-92
91
AMINA.
BY L. E. L.
Not yet to the dancers—love, leave not thy seat;
My own is the ground that is touched by thy feet.
They'll not miss thee, tho' thine be the foot and the hand,
The lightest, the whitest, that shine thro’ their band.
Give not to the revel a look nor a thought:
Mine own be the moment which dearly I’ve bought.
I know not what Fate will demand for delay;
I know I am happy—I know I will stay.
No power upon earth but thy own can divide
My heart from thy heart, and my step from thy side.
II.
I see thy lip tremble, I see thy cheek white,
And thy large eyes look strangely upon me to-night.
But I call not back, maiden, one word I have said;
There is blood on my hand, and a price on my head;
One merit—one only, my faults may atone;
Whatever I am—I am truly thine own:
One wave of thy hand, or one look from thine eye,
O'er the wide world would send me, that world to defy.
I love thee, Amina! as few ever love;
I Look to thy face as to heaven above;
For thy sake I think of my earlier years;
I bring to thy bosom its memories and tears.
III.
I saw thee—the parasite creepers had made
Of leaves and of blossoms a sweet ambuscade;
The flowers their rich colours and faint perfume shed,
And the fragrant grass pillowed thy delicate head;
The fountain beside thee reflected thy face,
Thy long hair fell round thee with exquisite grace:
I only remember, of all I sought there,
The turn of thy neck, and the fall of thy hair.
The sword that I wear has been idle since then;
My pistols are rusted, impatient my men.
Now, gloomy the tidings that come o'er the sea:
I must not stay longer in fair St. Lucie.
IV.
Look out from the lattice—the moon's on the tide:
She rules it as thou shall rule me when my bride.
In yon inland creek rocking a light vessel lies,
'Tis a bird on the wing ere it sweep through the skies;
Amid the dark branches of shadowy green
Like boughs that are leafless her tall spars are seen.
Come with me to yon vessel, my beloved and my own!
Her deck is my kingdom, and shall be thy throne:
Come, queen of the wild waves! Amina! with me,
And leave the green valleys of fair St. Lucie.
V.
No home made too lonely will darken thy mind;
No father, no mother, thou leavest behind;
There are no old affections thy heart to divide:
I am glad there is no one to love thee beside.
If this hour unites us, we never shall part:
My fairy! my flower! come home to my heart.
Dost thou see a dark shadow, far away on the main?
'Tis the frigates that seek me, and seek me in vain.
Thy sweet eyes are downcast—mine own thou wilt be.
Come far over ocean from fair St. Lucie!