Poor trembling heart—” and closer still he pressed
The exhausted maiden to his throbbing breast.
“Ten thousand curses strike the onward hind
Who haunts thee thus with cruelty refined!
Alas, my Clara! I could weep for thee,
But tears have long been strangers unto me.
But let him come—” a scornful tone he took,
Darkened his brow and deadly grew his look—
“ ’Tis time this hand had wreaked its treasured wrong,
And vengeance has delayed her sweets too long;