Mutual was the blissful passion,
Stronger and stronger still it grew;
Henry liv'd but for his Clara,
Clara but her Henry knew.
But, alas! their bliss how transient,
Earthly joy but leads to care:
Henry sought her haughty parent
And implor'd his daughter fair—
Dar'd to ask the wealthy lordling,
For the damsel's willing hand,—
Pleaded with respectful fervour,
Who could his request withstand?
Clara's father,—he withstood it,
He the ardent suit denied,—
To a house so poor, though noble,
Never would he be allied.
Bade him seek a love more equal,
Banish Clara from his mind,
For he should no more behold her,—
She,—poor maid, he close confin'd.
Hapless Henry, thus rejected,
Lost, unfriended, and forlorn,
Wretched, sad, by all neglected,
His fond heart with anguish torn.
Then, to crown his bosom's sorrow,
News was whisper'd in his ear,
Clara on the coming morrow,
Would a lordling's bride appear.
Wild, distracted, mad with phrenzy,
To the father's house he flew,
There determin'd to behold her,
And to breathe his last adieu.
Joyous on the nuptial even,
Round the sparkling festal board,
With a crowd of guests carousing,
Sat this rich and haughty lord.
Left a moment unattended,
Clara soon that moment seiz'd,
First to heav'n her sire commended,
Then fled from home, tho' weeping, pleas'd.