Th' expiring spark still glimmer'd in his eye
As her lov'd name throb'd the deadly sigh!
But the strong foe, with adamantine hand
Drew round his faultering voice a triple band.
Speechless—and pale—life faintly beat his breast,
'Till the sad sun beheld the purple west;
Still on his pallid face—soft kindness strove,
His lingering looks on Friendship dwelt and Love,
And as his last pulse beat with quivering chill,
His trembling eye-balls—look'd Maria still!