F AR in the windings of a vale, The fafe retreat of health and peace, There beauteous EMMA flourish'd fair Beneath a mother's eye, Whofe only wish on earth was now The fofteft blush that nature spreads Gave colour to her cheek ; Such orient colour fmiles thro' heav'n Nor let the pride of great ones fcorn This charmer of the plains ; That fun which bids their diamond blaze, To deck our lily deigns. Long had the fir'd each youth with love, Each maiden with despair; And tho' by all a wonder own'd, Yet knew not she was fair. Till EDWIN came, the pride of fwains, And from whofe eyes ferenely mild, A mutual flame was quickly caught, What happy hours of heartfelt bliss, But blifs too mighty long to last, His fifter, who like envy form❜d, To work them harm, with wicked skill Each darker art employ'd. The The father too, a fordid man, Who love nor pity knew, Was all unfeeling as the rock From whence his riches grew. Long had he seen their mutual flame, In EDWIN's gentle heart a war Deny'd her fight, he oft behind Oft too in Stanemore's wintry waste, In fighs to pour his foften'd foul His cheeks, where love with beauty glow'd, A deadly pale o'ercaft; So fades the fresh rofe in its prime, Before the northern blast. The parents now, with late remorse, And weary'd heav'n with fruitless pray'rs, And fruitlefs forrows fhed. "Tis past, he cry'd, but, if your fouls Sweet mercy yet can move, She came; his cold hand foftly touch'd, But oh! his fifter's jealous care (A cruel fifter fhe!) My EDWIN, live for me. Now Now homeward as fhe hopeless went, The blast blew cold, the dark owl fcream'd, Amid the falling gloom of night, In every bush his hovering fhade, Alone, appall'd, thus had she pass'd The vifionary vale, When lo! the death-bell fmote her car, Sad founding in the gale. Juft then she reach'd, with trembling steps, Her aged mother's door; He's gone, fhe cry'd, and I shall fee I feel, I feel this breaking heart From her white arm down funk her head, She fhiver'd, figh'd, and died. |