Came and brought hope! while scarce of mortal birth

He deem’d the pale fair form that held on earth

Communion but with grief.

Ere long, a cell,

A rock-hewn chapel rose, a cross of stone

Gleam’d through the dark trees o’er a sparkling well;

And a sweet voice, of rich yet mournful tone,

Told the Calabrian wilds that duly there

Costanza lifted her sad heart in prayer.

And now ’twas prayer’s own hour. That voice again