Classic Poem

10.

" Not lonely here? " confus'd, he said;
And from his lip its colour fled,
When, at her feet, he saw a child,
The little foundling, Telmarine.
With Telma's smile, on him it smil'd,
With Telma's locks of raven hue,
And upturn'd eyes of darkest blue.
Confus'd, he nam'd its mother's name!
While pale, as death's cold brow, became
The cheek of Etheline.

11.

" Telma! " he said; nor waited long
Ere seem'd at once to come and go
The shadow of a shape of woe,
(Like the last look of kindness sent
From dying eyes, it came and went,)
And, thus, a voice replied in song:
" Oh, Konig, if the living knew,
What death-freed spirits only know,
That none are happy, but the true;
Wert thou like moonlight on the snow,
Or dew on lilies — bright and pure;
Oh, if thy soul were anchor'd sure —
Not on thy gods of death and strife,
Fierce Jove, arm'd Pallas, fiery Mars,
(Nor on glad Orus, and the stars,
Or Jareeha, hurrying white
Behind the troubled gloom of night,)
But on the Lord of Love and Life;
Thou would'st not need to hear it said,
That bless'd are they who love the dead.
Who that hath lov'd, as truth doth love,
Lov'd only once, and lost his love,
But in his heart of hearts hath said,
" Safe is the love that loves the dead? "
Then, Come! our marriage-feast is spread;
Celestial guests enquire for thee;
Sweet is the love that loves the dead!
And angels wait for thee and me:
Be happy yet! espouse the dead:
Safe is the love that loves the dead!
Oh, well is he who weds the dead! "