As yet was weak, penetrate half his scheme. But when, at length, he uttered "Thou art she!" All flash'd at once, and, shrieking piteously, "Oh not for worlds!" she cried-"Great God! to whom I once knelt innocent, is this my doom? Are all my dreams, my hopes of heavenly bliss, My purity, my pride, then come to this,- And sunk, myself, as low as Hell can steep Others ?-ha! yes-that youth who came to-day- But swear to me this moment 'tis not he, And I will serve, dark fiend! will worship even thee 66 Beware, young raving thing!-in time beware, Ev'n from thy lips. Go try thy lute, thy voice, To see those fires, no matter whence they rise, Once more illuming my fair Priestess' eyes; And should the youth, whom soon those eyes shall warın Indeed resemble thy dead lover's form, So much the happier wilt thou find thy doom, As one warm lover, full of life and bloom, Excels ten thousand cold ones in the tomb. Nay, nay, no frowning, sweet!-those eyes were made For love, not anger-I must be obeyed." Obeyed!-'tis well-yes, I deserve it all On me, on me Heaven's vengeance cannot fall Like me?-weak wretch, I wrong him—not like me Gay, flickering death-lights shone while we were wed, From reeking shrouds upon the rite look'd out! As victims, love them; as the sea-dog doats That rank and venomous food on which she lives! And, now thou see'st my soul's angelic hue, "Tis time these features were uncurtain'd too;This brow, whose light-oh rare celestial light! Hath been reserv'd to bless thy favour'd sight; These dazzling eyes, before whose shrouded might Thou'st seen immortal man kneel down and quakeWould that they were Heaven's lightnings for his sake But turn and look-then wonder, if thou wilt, That I should hate, should take revenge, by guilt, Upon the hand, whose mischief or whose mirth Sent me thus maim'd and monstrous upon earth; And on that race who, though more vile they be Than mowing apes, are demi-gods to me! Here-judge if Hell, with all its power to damn, Can add one curse to the foul thing I am!" He rais'd his veil-the Maid turn'd slowly round, Look'd at him-shriek'd-and sunk upon the ground On their arrival, next night, at the place of encampment, they were surprised and delighted to find the groves all round illuminated; some artists of Yamtcheou having been sent on previously for the purpose. On each side of the green alley, which led to the Royal Pavilion, artificial aceneries of bamboo-work were erected, representing arches, minarets, and towers, from which hung thousands of silken lanterns, painted by the most delicate pencils of Canton. |