by Senex.
Originally published in The Casket of Flowers of Literature, Wit and Sentiment (Samuel C. Atkinson) #5 (May 1828).
Ah! who is she, stranger, with features so fair,
So innocent, yet so disorder'd and wild?
Her arms rais'd imploring, her bosom half bare,
All dishevell'd and loose flows her beautiful hair
And her eyes beady, so restless, tho' mild.
Ah! once, where those dark frowning battlements rise
Majestic, now gloomy and desolate, there
In beauty she bloom'd through youth's haleyon days,
While around her each echoing lip sung in praise
Of Maria, the lovely and fur.
Endow'd by kind nature with every blessing
The heart could desire or wealth could command;
Fortune's favours in richest profusion possessing,
While many a suitor in fond hope addressing,
Endeavor'd to gain her fair hand.
Amid the gay throng that so festively met
Around the rich board of the haughty Glenowen,
Was William the Brave, who a warrior great,
And handsome in person, and titled in state,
Still no wealth but his prowess did own.
Maria she lov'd him, her love was return'd
With a warmth of affection truly sincere;
And oft, when embracing, with sorrow they mourn'd
That against her fond love, with enmity burn'd,
The bosom, so stern, of her sire.
But haughty and proud was the soul of her sire,
And scowling, he bade him begone from her sight;
Then quickly determin'd the youthful Maria
Should be speedily giv'n in marriage to 'Tryor,'
A wealthy, but aged old Knight.
In vain she besought him, in vain to relent
From his firmly fix'd purpose, with tears she implor'd;
In anger he answer'd, he ne'er would consent—
For the bridegroom intended, immediately sent
To consummate certain his word.
Distracted! in phrenzy! her reason too weak
To withstand such a conflict of passion and fear;
Abandon'd its throne—o'er her once blooming cheek
Came the pale hue of death—with a loud piercing shriek
She swoon'd in convulsive despair!
And now, o'er the scenes of her childhood, forsaking
All pleasure and mirth, she a maniac goes;
A wanderer wretched, of grief deep partaking;
While in tears of deep sorrow, her heart, as if breaking,
Unbosoms its keenly felt woes.
Philadelphia, March, 1828. SENEX.