The toilsome day—this could not last;
Unknown, uncar’d for, by his side
Sickening I lay, and Malcolm tried,
While yet pale cheek and tottering limb
Told how disease had prey’d on him,
His hireling task to ply.
Alas! the eager will in vain
Struggled with lassitude and pain;
Desperate, he sought his home again
To see his Marian die.