Of savage devils’-brats, my friend, beware, But gentle angels’-brats more hearts will break; Once such a one a sweet kiss bid me take, But when I came, I felt sharp talons there. Of black and ancient cats, my friend, take care, But white young kittens are still more awake; Once such a one my sweetheart did I make,-- My heart my sweetheart savagely did tear. O darling brat! O maiden passing sweet! How could thy clear eye e’er deceive me so? How could thy paw e’er give me such a blow? O my dear kitten’s paw so soft and neat! Could I but press thee to my glowing lip! And could my life-blood meanwhile cease to drip! 8. Thou oft hast seen me boldly strive with those,-- Both spectacled old fop and painted dame,-- Who gladly would destroy my honest name, And gladly see my last expiring throes. Thou oft hast seen bow pedants round me close, How fools with cap and bells my life defame, How poisonous serpents gnaw my sinking frame, Whilst from a thousand wounds my life-blood flows But firm as any tower there stood thy form; Thy head a lighthouse was amid the storm, Thy faithful heart a haven was for me; Though round that haven roars the raging main, And few the ships the landing place that gain, Once there, we slumber in security. 9. Fain would I weep, but, ah, I cannot weep; Fain would I upwards full of vigour spring But cannot; to the earth I needs must cling, Spurn’d by the reptiles that around me creep. Fain would I near my beauteous mistress keep, Near my bright light of life be hovering, And in her dear sweet breath be revelling, But cannot; for my heart with sorrow deep Is breaking; from my broken heart doth flow My burning blood, my strength within me fades And darker, darker grows the world to me. With secret awe I yearn unceasingly For yonder misty realm, where silent shades Their gentle loving arms around me throw. _LYRICAL INTERLUDE._ 1822-23. PROLOGUE. There once lived a knight, who was mournful and bent, His cheeks white as snow were, and hollow; He totter’d and stagger’d wherever he went, A vain vision attempting to follow. He seem’d so clumsy and awkward and gauche, That the flowers and girls, when they saw him approach, Their merriment scarcely could swallow. From his room’s darkest corner he often ne’er stirr’d, Esteeming the sight of men shocking, And extended his arms, without speaking a word, As though some vain phantom were mocking. But scarce had the hour of midnight drawn near, When a wonderful singing and noise met his ear, And he heard at the door a strange knocking.