TALFOURD.

The widow of the moment fix her gaze

Of longing, speechless love upon her babe,

The only living thing which yet was hers,

Spreading its arms for its own resting-place,

Yet with attenuated hand wave off

The unstricken child, and so embraceless die,

Stifling the mighty hunger of the heart.

Ion.

She scarcely raised

Her head, until her work—a bridal robe—

Hung dazzling on her arm; as then she sought

Her chamber, I impressed one solemn kiss

Upon her icy brow: then, as aroused

From stupor by poor sympathy, she threw

Her arms around my neck; and, whispering low,

But piercingly, conjured me to keep watch

Upon her thinkings, lest one erring wish

Should rise to mar her duty to her lord.

Glencoe.