THE LORD OF BURLEIGH. In her ear he whispers gaily, "If my heart by signs can tell, Maiden, I have watch'd thee daily, And I think thou lov'st me well." She replies, in accents fainter, "There is none I love like thee." He is but a landscape-painter, And a village maiden she. He to lips, that fondly falter, Presses his without reproof: Leads her to the village altar, And they leave her father's roof. "I can make no marriage present: Little can I give my wife. Love will make our cottage pleasant, And I love thee more than life." They by parks and lodges going See the lordly castles stand: THE LORD OF BURLEIGH. Summer woods, about them blowing, Make a murmur in the land. From deep thought himself he rouses, Lay betwixt his home and hers; Built for pleasure and for state. Where they twain will spend their days. He shall have a cheerful home; She will order all things duly, When beneath his roof they come. With armorial bearings stately, And beneath the gate she turns; Sees a mansion more majestic Than all those she saw before: 115 Many a gallant gay domestic Bows before him at the door. All at once the colour flushes Her sweet face from brow to chin: Then her countenance all over But he clasp'd her like a lover, And he cheer'd her soul with love. So she strove against her weakness, Tho' at times her spirit sank: Shaped her heart with woman's meekness To all duties of her rank: And a gentle consort made he, And her gentle mind was such THE LORD OF BURLEIGH. That she grew a noble lady, And the people loved her much. Unto which she was not born. Three fair children first she bore him, And he came to look upon her, And he look'd at her and said, "Bring the dress and put it on her, That she wore when she was wed." Then her people, softly treading, Bore to earth her body, drest In the dress that she was wed in, That her spirit might have rest. 117 THE VOYAGE. I. WE left behind the painted buoy And madly danced our hearts with joy, II. Warm broke the breeze against the brow, The Lady's-head upon the prow Caught the shrill salt, and sheer'd the gale. |