The Venetian Bracelet; The Lost Pleiad a History of the Lyre, and Other Poems

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1829. Excerpt: ... THE ANCESTRESS. SCENE I.--Jaromir. Bertha. Bertha. It is in this we differ; I would seek To blend my very being into thine--I'm even jealous of thy memory: I wish our childhood had been pass'd together, JAROMIR. Bertha, sweet Bertha! would to heav'n it had! What would'st thou with a past that knew thee not? BERTHA. To make that past my own by confidence, By mingled recollections, I would fain Our childish sorrows had been wept together; Our childish joys had been indulged together; Our childish hopes had been believed together: But as this cannot be, I speak of them--The very speaking does associate us--I speak of them, that, in those coming years, When youthful hours rise up within the mind, Like lovely dreams some sudden chance has brought, To fill the eyes with long-forgotten tears, My image may be with them as of one Who held such sympathy with aught of thine. JAROMIR. Sweetest, no more of this: my youth hath pass'd In harsh and rugged warfare, not the scenes Of young knights with white plumes, and gallant steeds, With lady's favour on each burnish'd crest, Whose tournaments, in honour of fair dames, May furnish tales to suit the maiden's ear. I've had no part in such; I only know Of war the terrible reality: --The long night-watch beneath the driving snow: --The unsoothed pillow, where the strong man lay Like a weak child, by weary sickness worn Even to weeping: --or the ghastly dead, By the more ghastly dying, whose last breath Pass'd in a prayer for water--but in vain, --O'er them their eager comrades hurry on To slaughter others. How thy cheek is blanch'd! I truly said these were no tales for thee. Come, take thy lute, and sing just one sweet song To fill my sleep with music. BERTHA. Then good night. I have so much to say to my old nurse, --This is her...