PART IV. THE ever-changing Moon had traced Twelve times her monthly round, When through the unfrequented Waste Was heard a startling sound; A shout thrice sent from one who chased Bounding through branches interlaced, The fainting creature took the marsh, This, Ina saw; and, pale with fear, Shrunk to her citadel; The desperate deer rushed on, and near The tangled covert fell. Across the marsh, the game in view, Nor paused, till o'er the stag he blew "From your deportment, Sir! I deem A suffering woman's word; "Tears might be shed, and I might pray, But I will not defile with dust The knee that bends to adore "I speak not of the winter's cold, Nor yet of trouble and alarms: High Heaven is my defence; And every season has soft arms For injured Innocence. "From Moscow to the Wilderness And happy were I, if the Czar To end life here like this poor deer, "Are you the Maid," the Stranger cried But wonder, pity, soon were quelled; The soul's pure brightness he beheld "Such bounty is no gift of chance," To me the charge hath given. But, when the Lady Catherine pleads, my Leave open to wish the course, From that humane and heavenly source, Good, only good, can flow." Faint sanction given, the Cavalier Though question followed question, dear To the Maiden's filial heart. Light was his step,-his hopes, more light, And the fifth morning gave him sight He sued:-beart-smitten by the wrong, The Emperor sent a pledge as strong O more than mighty change! If e'er And joy's excess produced a fear Of something void and vain ; 'Twas when the Parents, who had mourned So long the lost as dead, Beheld their only Child returned, The household floor to tread. Meek Catherine had her own reward; The Czar bestowed a dower; And universal Moscow shared Flowers strewed the ground; the nuptial feast Was held with costly state; And there, 'mid many a noble guest, The Foster-parents sate; Encouraged by the imperial eye, They shrank not into shade; Great was their bliss, the honour high 1830. |