"JULIA," THEODRIC said, with purposed look
Of firmness," my reply deserved rebuke;
But by your pure and sacred peace of mind,
And by the dignity of womankind,

Swear that when I am gone you'll do your best To chase this dream of fondness from your breast."

The abrupt appeal electrified her thought ;She look'd to Heav'n as if its aid she sought, Dried hastily the tear-drops from her cheek, And signified the vow she could not speak.

Erelong he communed with her mother mild:
"Alas!" she said, "I warn'd-conjured my child,
And grieved for this affection from the first,
But like fatality it has been nursed;

For when her fill'd eyes on your picture fix'd,
And when your name in all she spoke was mix'd,
'Twas hard to chide an over-grateful mind!
Then each attempt a likelier choice to find
Made only fresh-rejected suitors grieve,

And UDOLPH's pride-perhaps her own-believe
That could she meet, she might enchant even you.
You came.-I augur'd the event, 'tis true,
But how was UDOLPH's mother to exclude
The guest that claim'd our boundless gratitude?
And that unconscious you had cast a spell
On JULIA's peace, my pride refused to tell :
Yet in my child's illusion I have seen,
Believe me well, how blameless you have been;
Nor can it cancel, howsoe'er it end,

Our debt of friendship to our boy's best friend."

At night he parted with the aged pair;
At early morn rose JULIA to prepare

The last repast her hands for him should make :
And UDOLPH to convoy him o'er the lake.
The parting was to her such bitter grief,
That of her own accord she made it brief;
But, lingering at her window, long survey'd
His boat's last glimpses melting into shade.

THEODRIC sped to Austria, and achieved His journey's object. Much was he relieved When UDOLPH's letters told that JULIA's mind Had borne his loss firm, tranquil, and resign'd. He took the Rhenish route to England, high Elate with hopes, fulfill'd their ecstasy,

And interchanged with CONSTANCE's own breath The sweet eternal vows that bound their faith.

To paint that being to a grovelling mind Were like pourtraying pictures to the blind. 'Twas needful even infectiously to feel Her temper's fond and firm and gladsome zeal, To share existence with her, and to gain Sparks from her love's electrifying chain, Of that pure pride, which, lessening to her breast Life's ills, gave all its joys a treble zest, Before the mind completely understood That mighty truth-how happy are the good!

Even when her light forsook him, it bequeath'd Ennobling sorrow; and her memory breathed A sweetness that survived her living days, As odorous scents outlast the censer's blaze.

Or, if a trouble dimm'd their golden joy, 'Twas outward dross, and not infused alloy : Their home knew but affection's looks and speech A little heaven, above dissension's reach. But 'midst her kindred there was strife and gall; Save one congenial sister, they were all Such foils to her bright intellect and grace, As if she had engross'd the virtue of her race. Her nature strove the unnatural feuds to heal, Her wisdom made the weak to her appeal; And, tho' the wounds she cured were soon unclosed, Unwearied still her kindness interposed.

Oft on those errands though she went, in vain, And home, a blank without her, gave him pain, He bore her absence for its pious end.But public grief his spirit came to bend ; For war laid waste his native land once more, And German honour bled at every pore. Oh! were he there, he thought, to rally back One broken band, or perish in the wrack! Nor think that CONSTANCE sought to move and melt

His purpose: like herself she spoke and felt :-
"Your fame is mine, and I will bear all wo
Except its loss?—but with you let me go

To arm you for, to embrace you from the fight;
Harm will not reach me-hazards will delight!"
He knew those hazards better; one campaign
In England he conjured her to remain,
And she express'd assent, although her heart
In secret had resolved they should not part.

To read, when they were gone beyond recall,
A note from her loved hand, explaining all.
She said, that with their house she only staid
That parting peace might with them all be made;
But pray'd for love to share his foreign life,
And shun all future chance of kindred strife.
He wrote with speed, his soul's consent to say:
The letter miss'd her on her homeward way.
In six hours CONSTANCE was within his arms:
Moved, flush'd, unlike her wonted calm of charms,
And breathless-with uplifted hands outspread—
Burst into tears upon his neck, and said,—

"I knew that those who brought your message laugh'd,

With poison of their own to point the shaft;
And this my one kind sister thought, yet loath
Confess'd she fear'd 'twas true you had been wroth.
But here you are, and smile on me: my pain
Is gone, and CONSTANCE is herself again."
His ecstasy, it may be guess'd, was much :
Yet pain's extreme and pleasure's seem'd to touch.
What pride! embracing beauty's perfect mould;
What terror! lest his few rash words, mistold,
Had agonized her pulse to fever's heat :
But calm'd again so soon it healthful beat,
And such sweet tones were in her voice's sound,
Composed herself, she breathed composure round.

Fair being! with what sympathetic grace
She heard, bewail'd, and pleaded JULIA's case;
Implored he would her dying wish attend,
"And go," she said, "to-morrow with your friend;

I'll wait for your return on England's shore,
And then we'll cross the deep, and part no more."

To-morrow both his soul's compassion drew
TO JULIA'S call, and CONSTANCE urged anew
That not to heed her now would be to bind
A load of pain for life upon his mind.

He went with UDOLPH-from his CONSTANCE Went-
Stifling, alas! a dark presentiment

Some ailment lurk'd, even whilst she smiled, to mock His fears of harm from yester-morning's shock. Meanwhile a faithful page he singled out,

To watch at home, and follow straight his route, If aught of threaten'd change her health should show

-With UDOLPH then he reach'd the house of wo.

That winter's eve how darkly Nature's brow Scowl'd on the scenes it lights so lovely now! The tempest, raging o'er the realms of ice, Shook fragments from the rifted precipice; And, whilst their falling echoed to the wind, The wolf's long howl in dismal discord join'd, While white yon water's foam was raised in clouds That whirl'd like spirits wailing in their shrouds : Without was Nature's elemental din

And beauty died, and friendship wept, within!

Sweet JULIA, though her fate was finish'd half, Still knew him-smiled on him with feeble laughAnd bless'd him, till she drew her latest sigh! But lo! while UDOLPH's bursts of agony,

F