In every bush his hovering shade, Alone, appall'd, thus had she pass'd The visionary vale— When, lo! the death-bell smote her ear, Sad sounding in the gale! Just then she reach'd, with trembling step, I feel, I feel this breaking heart 'Beat high against my side— From her white arm down sunk her head She, shiver'd, sigh'd, and died. RODOLPHO AND MATILDA. [KEATE.] WHEN o'er the Alpine heights chill Winter spreads His hoary mantle; when the thick'ning air Descends in feather'd flakes; each prospect now How wild, how shapeless! Streams which us❜d to flow With hasty currents, lazy creep, beneath Th' incumbent snow. The tall fir's loaded branch 'Midst its sad victims, from the house of death Let me recal one true, one wretched pair It sunk untimely to the tomb. The tale I've heard from shepherds, as they pointed out The spot their story noted, and have dropt For hapless love a sympathising tear. In a lone vale, wash'd by th' impetuous Arve, Beneath the shade its tallest mountain threw, Matilda dwelt, the sole remaining hope Of old Alberto, whose paternal farm Cover'd with flocks and herds spread wide around. Fair as the bloom of May, and mildly sweet Sat native comeliness, and manly fire O'er all diffus'd its lustre. Yet with her His gen'rous mind most sway'd, where shone each thought That delicacy knows, far more refin'd Than suits the happy! Much he had convers❜d Of his own woods, to the discordant din Of populous cities. What but fate could bar With all a bridegroom's transport, call'd his friends To greet th' expecting maid: still as he went The thousand raptures drew which youthful breasts A blush was on her cheek, and her clos'd Shew'd but as sleep. Her bridal ornaments, eye Around her head she wore To wait the nuptial. Ah! deck'd in vain! On the sad scene Rodolpho gazes, stands awhile aghast, The semblance of despair; his swelling breast, Torn by conflicting passions, from his tongue Utt'rance withholds. He rolls his haggard eyes On all around, as he would ask if e'er Grief such as his were known; then o'er the dead A thousand frantic kisses, her cold hand SIR JAMES THE ROSS: AN HISTORICAL BALLAD. [BRUCE.] Or all the Scotish northern chiefs His growth was like a youthful oak, And, waving o'er his shoulders broad, |