"For sure 'twas here, as late a shepherd stray'd
"Bewilder'd, o'er the mountain's dreary bound,
"Close to the pointed cliff he saw him laid,
"Where heav'd the waters of the deep around.
"Alas, no longer could his heart endure
"The woes that heart was doom'd for me to prove:
"He sought for death—for death the only cure,
"That fate can give to vain, and hopeless love."
"My sire, unjust, while passion swell'd his breast,
"From the lov'd Alfred his Euphelia tore;
"Mock'd the keen sorrows that my soul opprest,
"And bade me, vainly bade me love no more!
"He told me love, was like yon' troubled deep,
"Whose restless billows never know repose;
"Are wildly dash'd upon the rocky steep,
"And tremble to the lightest breeze that blows!
"From these rude storms remote, her gentle balm,
"Dear to the suff'ring spirit, peace applies"—
Peace! 'tis th' oblivious lake's detested calm
Whose dull, slow waters never fall or rise.
"Ah, what avails a parent's stern command,
"The force of conq'ring passion to subdue?
"And wherefore seek to rend, with cruel hand,
"The ties enchanted love so fondly drew!
"Yet I could see my Alfred's fix'd despair,
"And aw'd by filial fear conceal my woes;
"My coward heart cou'd separation bear,
"And check the struggling anguish as it rose!
"'Twas guilt the barb'rous mandate to obey,
"Which bade no parting sigh my bosom move,
"Victim of duty's unrelenting sway,
"I seemed a traitor, while a slave to love!"
"Let her, who seal'd a lover's fate, endure
"The sharpest pressure of deserv'd distress;
"'Twere added perfidy to seek a cure,
"And stain'd with falsehood, wish to suffer less.
"For wretches doom'd in other griefs to pine,
"Oft' will benignant hope her ray impart;
"And pity oft' from her celestial shrine,
"Drop a warm tear upon the fainting heart.