The vessel plunging on a rock, Wreck threatening in its fellest shape, No moment's respite from the shock, No human means or power to 'scape, Some higher-swelling surge shall free, And lift and launch into the sea! So, Marie, yet shall aid divine Restore that failing heart of thine! Though to its centre wounded, griev'd, Though deeply, utterly bereav'd. There genial warmth shall yet reside, There swiftly flow the healthful tide; And every languid, closing vein, Drink healing and delight again! At present all around her fades, Her listless ear no sound pervades. Her senses, wearied and distraught, Perceive not how the stream of thought, Rising from her distressful song, In hurrying tide has swept along, With startling and resistless swell, The panic-stricken Isabel! Who--falling at her father's feet, Like the most lowly suppliant, kneels; And, with imploring voice, unmeet For one so fondly lov'd, appeals.-- "Those looks have been to me a law, And solely by indulgence bought, With zeal intense, with deepest awe, A self-devoted slave, I caught My highest transport from thy smile; And studied hourly to beguile The lightest cloud of grief or care I saw those gracious features wear! If aught induced me to divine A hope was opposite to thine, My fancy paus'd, however gay; My silent wishes sunk away! Displeasure I have never seen, But sickness has subdued thy mien; When, lingering near, I still have tried To cheer thee, and thou didst approve; But something still each act belied, My manner chill'd, restrain'd my love! E'en at the time my spirit died With aching tenderness, my eye, Encountering thine, was cold and dry! To maim intention, fondness,--came The sudden impotence of shame. Thy happiness was thriftless wealth, For I could only hoard by stealth! Affection's brightly-glowing ray Shone with such strong, o'erpowering sway, That service fainted by the way! "But now an impulse, like despair, Makes me these inner foldings tear! With desperate effort bids me wrest The yearning secret from my breast! Far be the thought that any blame Can fix on thy beloved name! The hapless Minstrel may not feign; But thou, I know, canst all explain-- Yet let me from this place depart, To nurse my fainting, sicken'd heart! Yet let me in a cloister dwell, The veiled inmate of a cell; To raise this cowering soul by prayer!-- Reproach can never enter there! "Turn quickly hence that look severe! And, oh! in mercy, not a tear! The most profuse of parents, thou Didst every wish fulfil--allow; Till that which us'd to please--invite, Had ceas'd to dazzle and delight; And all thy gifts almost despis'd, The love that gave alone I priz'd.