A DEATH-SCENE

    "O day！ he cannot die When thou so fair art shining！ O Sun, in such a glorious sky, So tranquilly¹ declining；He cannot leave thee now, While fresh west winds are blowing, And all around his youthful brow Thy cheerful light is glowing！

    Edward, awake, awake—— The golden evening gleams Warm and bright on Arden's lake—— Arouse thee from thy dreams！

    Beside thee, on my knee, My dearest friend, I pray That thou, to cross the eternal sea, Wouldst yet one hour delay：

    I hear its billows roar—— I see them foaming² high； But no glimpse of a further shore Has blest my straining eye.

    Believe not what they urge Of Eden isles³ beyond； Turn back, from that tempestuous⁴ surge, To thy own native land.

    It is not death, but pain That struggles in thy breast—— Nay⁵, rally, Edward, rouse again； I cannot let thee rest！"

    One long look, that sore reproved me For the woe⁶ I could not bear-One mute look of suffering moved me To repent⁷ my useless prayer：

    And, with sudden check, the heaving Of distraction⁸ passed away； Not a sign of further grieving Stirred my soul that awful day.

    Paled, at length, the sweet sun setting； Sunk to peace the twilight⁹ breeze： Summer dews fell softly, wetting Glen, and glade¹⁰, and silent trees.

    Then his eyes began to weary, Weighed beneath a mortal sleep； And their orbs¹¹ grew strangely dreary¹², Clouded, even as they would weep.

    But they wept not, but they changed not, Never moved, and never closed； Troubled still, and still they ranged not—— Wandered not, nor yet reposed¹³！

    So I knew that he was dying—— Stooped, and raised his languid head； Felt no breath, and heard no sighing, So I knew that he was dead.