The paper fell from his palsied hand,--a sudden faintness came over him,--he fell back almost senseless in his chair,--exhausted by excess of grief, he remained a long time in a stupifying anguish. [_A&M_: The paper fell from his palsied hand--a sudden faintness came upon him--the room grew dark--he staggered, and fell senseless upon the floor. ... Exhausted by excess of grief, he now lay in a stupifying anguish....] The tidings were so unlooked-for of the premature death of his unfortunate son, who about this time was expected to arrive in New-York. For him an only brother was inconsolable; and Alida, who had long been accustomed to his kindness and caresses, was overcome with a dejection that time alone could alleviate. Her father observed her affliction in commisseration with his own,--he was dejected and lonely, and the world appeared like a wilderness; nothing could lessen his present evil, or soothe his afflicted mind. The former peaceful serenity of his life was materially clouded; and in his turn calamitous wo had overtaken him--the inalienable portion of humanity,--and the varied and shifting scenery in the great drama of time had brought with it disaster. His spirit was sunk in despondency, and his sensations became utterly absorbed in melancholy; and all the pious and philosophical reflections that he exerted himself to bring to his remembrance, could scarcely afford even a transitory consolation in this afflicting dispensation. [_A&M_ (same scene, author's own voice): mark well the varied and shifting scenery in the great drama of time ... then say, if disappointment, distress, misery and calamitous woe, are not the inalienable portion of the susceptible bosom.] [_A&M_ (later scene): Alonzo was too deeply absorpt in melancholy reflection....] From foreign lands the tidings borne, With pain to wake a parent's anguish, O, brother dear, beloved of all, For thee a brother's heart must languish. "That eye of brightness glows no more, That beaming glance in night is clouded;" On Maracaibo's distant shore, "In death's dark cell untimely shrouded." [Tighe, _Verses Written at the Commencement of Spring_, stz. 12, 13 (mid-line ellipses in original): Haste, sweetest Babe, beloved of all! Our cheerful hours without thee languish: Ah! hush!.... he hears no more thy call! Ah! hush!.... nor wake a parents anguish!] That lip of roses glows no more; That beaming glance in night is clouded; Those bland endearments all are o'er, In death's dark pall for ever shrouded.] Alas! for him no kindred near In hopes to minister relief; He sees no tear of pity shed, He sees no parents' anxious grief. And as still evening came on, In saddest solitude and tears, His thoughts would turn on distant home, On peaceful scenes and happier years.