Across the marsh, the game in view, Nor paused, till o'er the stag he blew A death-proclaiming blast; Came forth the Maid Behold," she said, "In me 66 a stricken Hind Pursued by destiny! "From your deportment, Sir! I deem And will not hold in light esteem 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, 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 While I have lodged in this rough hold, Nor yet of trouble and alarms : 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 But wonder, pity, soon were quelled; The soul's pure brightness he beheld 325 He loved, he hoped, a holy flame Kindled 'mid rapturous tears; The passion of a moment came "Such bounty is no gift of chance," Exclaimed he; "righteous Heaven, 330 Preparing your deliverance, To me the charge hath given. The Czar full oft in words and deeds But, when the Lady Catherine pleads, 335 "Leave open to my wish the course, And I to her will go; From that humane and heavenly source, 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, 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 Beheld their only Child returned, 350 355 So long the lost as dead, The household floor to tread. 360 Soon gratitude gave way to love Delivered and Deliverer move Meek Catherine had her own reward; 365 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; 370 Great was their bliss, the honour high 375 1830. INSCRIPTIONS. I. IN THE GROUNDS OF COLEORTON, THE SEAT OF SIR GEORGE BEAUMONT, BART., LEICESTERSHIRE. 1808. THE embowering rose, the acacia, and the pine, One wooed the silent Art with studious pains: 5 These groves have heard the Other's pensive strains; Devoted thus, their spirits did unite By interchange of knowledge and delight. IO And when its potent branches, wide out thrown, Darken the brow of this memorial Stone, shield In civil conflict met on Bosworth-field; 15 And of that famous Youth, full soon removed |