Yet, when above the forest-glooms The white swans southward passed, High as the pitch of their swift plumes Her fancy rode the blast; And bore her toward the fields of France, 245 Her Father's native land, To mingle in the rustic dance, The happiest of the band! Had heard her Father tell Of those beloved fields she oft 250 In phrase that now with echoes soft She saw the hereditary bowers, The Kremlin and its haughty towers PART IV. THE ever-changing Moon had traced A shout thrice sent from one who chased Bounding through branches interlaced, The fainting creature took the marsh, And toward the Island fled, While plovers screamed with tumult harsh Above his antlered head; This, Ina saw; and, pale with fear, Shrunk to her citadel; The desperate deer rushed on, and near 255 260 265 270 Across the marsh, the game in view, Nor paused, till o'er the stag he blew A death-proclaiming blast; Then, resting on her upright mind, "In me Came forth the Maid- From your deportment, Sir! I deem There is my covert, there perchance My fortunes hid, my countenance "Tears might be shed, and I might pray, That what has been unveiled to-day, But I will not defile with dust 275 280 285 290 The knee that bends to adore The God in heaven ;-attend, be just; 295 "I speak not of the winter's cold For summer's heat exchanged, While I have lodged in this rough hold, From social life estranged; Nor yet of trouble and alarms: And every season has soft arms 300 "From Moscow to the Wilderness 305 It was my choice to come, Lest virtue should be harbourless, To end life here like this poor deer, "Are you the Maid," the Stranger cried, From Gallic parents sprung, 310 Whose vanishing was rumoured wide, 315 Who foiled an Emperor's eager quest? These rude habiliments, and rest Your head in this dark lair!" 320 But wonder, pity, soon were quelled; The soul's pure brightness he beheld He loved, he hoped, a holy flame 325 The passion of a moment came "Such bounty is no gift of chance," Exclaimed he; "righteous Heaven, Preparing your deliverance, To me the charge hath given. The Czar full oft in words and deeds But, when the Lady Catherine pleads, Leave open to my wish the course, And I to her will go; From that humane and heavenly source, Good, only good, can flow." Faint sanction given, the Cavalier Was eager to depart, Though question followed question, dear To the Maiden's filial heart. 340 Light was his step, -his hopes, more light, 345 And the fifth morning gave him sight He sued:-heart-smitten by the wrong, 350 The Emperor sent a pledge as strong So long the lost as dead, O more than mighty change! If e'er Amazement rose to pain, And joy's excess produced a fear Of something void and vain ; 'Twas when the Parents, who had mourned Beheld their only Child returned, 355 The household floor to tread. 360 |