GERTRUDE, OR FIDELITY TILL DEATH. Dark lowers our fate, And terrible the storm that gathers o'er us; But nothing, till that latest agony Which severs thee from nature, shall unloose This fix'd and sacred hold. In thy dark prison-house, In the terrific face of armed law, Yea, on the scaffold, if it needs must be, I never will forsake thee. JOANNA BAILLIE. eyes rais'd, HER hands were clasp'd, her dark The breeze threw back her hair; Up to the fearful wheel she gaz'd— All that she lov'd was there. The night was round her clear and cold, The holy heaven above, Its pale stars watching to behold The might of earthly love. "And bid me not depart," she cried, "My Rudolph, say not so! This is no time to quit thy side, Peace, peace! I cannot go. Hath the world aught for me to fear, When death is on thy brow? The world!-what means it ?-mine is here I will not leave thee now. "I have been with thee in thine hour Of glory and of bliss ; Doubt not its memory's living power To strengthen me thro' this! ! And thou, mine honour'd love and true, Bear on, bear nobly on! We have the blessed heaven in view, And were not these high words to flow Thro' all that night of bitterest wo But oh! with such a glazing eye, With such a curdling cheek Love, love! of mortal agony, Thou, only thou shouldst speak! The wind rose high,-but with it rose Her voice, that he might hear: Perchance that dark hour brought repose To happy bosoms near; While she sat striving with despair Beside his tortured form, And pouring her deep soul in prayer Forth on the rushing storm. She wiped the death-damps from his brow, With her pale hands and soft, Whose touch upon the lute-chords low, Had still'd his heart so oft. She spread her mantle o'er his breast, And on his cheek such kisses press'd Oh! lovely are ye, Love and Faith, Enduring to the last! She had her meed-one smile in death And his worn spirit pass'd. |