Hardships for the brave encountered, Even the feeblest may endure: If almighty grace through me thy chains unbind 35 VI "Princess, at this burst of goodness, Leading such companion I that gilded dome, VIII "Feeling tunes your voice, fair Princess! Else these words would come like mockery, 40 45 "Whence the undeserved mistrust? Too wide apart Our faith hath been,-O would that eyes could see the heart!" IX Tempt me not, I pray; my doom is Ne'er assoil my cobwebb'd shield! Never see my native land, nor castle towers, 50 Nor Her who thinking of me there counts widowed hours." X "Prisoner! pardon youthful fancies; Wedded? If you can, say no! Blessed is and be your consort; Hopes I cherished—let them go! Handmaid's privilege would leave my purpose free, 55 60 THE ARMENIAN LADY'S LOVE 235 XI "Wedded love with loyal Christians, Lady, is a mystery rare; Make one being of a pair." "Humble love in me would look for no return, Soft as a guiding star that cheers, but cannot burn." 65 XII "Gracious Allah! by such title Him who thus exalts thy spirit, Flower of an unchristian sod! 70 Or hast thou put off wings which thou in heaven dost wear? What have I seen, and heard or dreamt? where am I? where ? XIII Here broke off the dangerous converse: Less impassioned words might tell How the pair escaped together, Tears not wanting, nor a knell Of sorrow in her heart while through her father's door, And from her narrow world, she passed for evermore. XIV But affections higher, holier, 75 Urged her steps; she shrunk from trust 80 In a sensual creed that trampled Woman's birthright into dust. Little be the wonder then, the blame be none, XV Judge both Fugitives with knowledge: 85 Mighty were the soul's commandments To support, restrain, or raise. Foes might hang upon their path, snakes rustle near, But nothing from their inward selves had they to fear. 90 XVI Thought infirm ne'er came between them, With accordant steps, or gathering Forest-fruit with social hands; 94 Or whispering like two reeds that in the cold moonbeam Bend with the breeze their heads, beside a crystal stream. XVII On a friendly deck reposing They at length for Venice steer; There, when they had closed their voyage, One, who daily on the pier 100 Watched for tidings from the East, beheld his Lord, XVIII Mutual was the sudden transport; Breathless questions followed fast, Each word greedier than the last ; 105 "Hie thee to the Countess, friend! return with speed, And of this Stranger speak by whom her lord was freed. XIX Say that I, who might have languished, My Deliverer would present 110 * A small town in Prussian-Saxony, the residence of the Counts of Stolberg-Stolberg.-ED. THE ARMENIAN LADY'S LOVE For a crowning recompense, the precious grace XX Make it known that my Companion Is of royal eastern blood, Thirsting after all perfection, Innocent, and meek, and good, Though with misbelievers bred; but that dark night XXI Swiftly went that grey-haired Servant, Charged with greetings, benedictions, For a sunny thought to cheer the Stranger's way, XXII And how blest the Reunited, While beneath their castle-walls, Runs a deafening noise of welcome !—— Blest, though every tear that falls Doth in its silence of past sorrow tell, 1 237 115 120 125 130 And makes a meeting seem most like a dear farewell. XXIII Through a haze of human nature, Glorified by heavenly light, 1 1836. Fancy (while, to banners floating High on Stolberg's Castle walls, The devout embraces still, while such tears fell As made 1835. Looked the beautiful Deliverer On that overpowering sight, While across her virgin cheek pure blushes strayed, XXIV On the ground the weeping Countess Knelt, and kissed the Stranger's hand; Act of soul-devoted homage, Pledge of an eternal band: Nor did aught of future days that kiss belie, Which, with a generous shout, the crowd did ratify. 135 140 XXV Constant to the fair Armenian, Gentle pleasures round her moved, Reverenced, like a sister, loved. 145 Christian meekness smoothed for all the path of life, 149 Who, loving most, should wiseliest love, their only strife. XXVI Mute memento of that union In a Saxon church survives, Where a cross-legged Knight lies sculptured As between two wedded Wives 155 Figures with armorial signs of race and birth, |