On a rainy autumn evening Into desert places went a maid; And the secret fruit of unhappy love In her trembling hands she held. All was still: the hills and the woods Asleep in the darkness of the night. And her searching glances In terror about she cast. And on this babe, the innocent, Her glance she paused with a sigh: Asleep thou art, my child, my grief. Thou knowest not my sadness. Thine eyes will ope, and tho' with longing, To my breast shalt no more cling. No kiss for thee to-morrow From thine unhappy mother. Beckon in vain for her thou wilt, My everlasting shame, my guilt! Me forget thou shalt for aye, But thee forget shall not I. Shelter thou shalt receive from strangers, Who 'll say: Thou art none of ours! Thou wilt ask, Where are my parents? But for thee no kin is found! Hapless one! With heart filled with sorrow, Lonely amid thy mates, Thy spirit sullen to the end, Thou shalt behold fondling mothers. A lonely wanderer everywhere Cursing thy fate at all times, Thou the bitter reproach shalt hear.... Forgive me, oh, forgive me then! Asleep! let me then, O hapless one To my bosom press thee once for all. A law unjust and terrible Thee and me to sorrow dooms. While the years have not yet chased The guiltless joy of thy days, Sleep, my darling, let no griefs bitter Mar thy childhood's quiet life! But lo! behind the woods, near by The moon brings a hut to light. Forlorn, pale, and trembling To the doors nigh she came. She stooped and gently laid she down The babe on the threshold strange. In terror away her eyes she turned And in the dark night disappeared. 1814. THE BLACK SHAWL. III. 83. I gaze demented on the black shawl And my cold soul is torn by grief. When young I was and full of trust I passionately loved a young Greek girl. The charming maid, she fondled me, But soon I lived the black day to see. Once as were gathered my jolly guests A detested Jew knocked at my door. Thou art feasting (he whispered) with friends But betrayed thou art by thy Greek maid. Moneys I gave him and curses, And called my servant the faithful. We went: I flew on the wings of my steed; And tender mercy was silent in me. Her threshold no sooner I espied Dark grew my eyes, and my strength departed. The distant chamber I enter alone, An Armenian embraces my faithless maid. Darkness around me; flashed the dagger; To interrupt his kiss the wretch had no time. And long I trampled the headless corpse,-- And silent and pale at the maid I stared. I remember her prayers, her flowing blood, But perished the girl, and with her my love. The shawl I took from the head now dead And wiped in silence the bleeding steel.