That no one breathing should be left to perish, Placed in the little boat, then o'er the deep Send forth a song of triumph. Waves and Winds. XX. THE RUSSIAN FUGITIVE. PART I. ENOUGH of rose-bud lips, and eyes Earth wants not beauty that may scorn Yea, to the stars, if they were born For seasons and for hours. Through Moscow's gates, with gold unbarred, Stepped one at dead of night, Whom such high beauty could not guard From meditated blight ; By stealth she passed, and fled as fast As doth the hunted fawn, Nor stopped, till in the dappling east Seven days she lurked in brake and field, At length, in darkness travelling on, Her Foster-mother's hut. "To put your love to dangerous proof No answer did the Matron give, She led the Lady to a seat Beside the glimmering fire, Bathed duteously her way-worn feet, Prevented each desire: The cricket chirped, the house-dog dozed, And on that simple bed, Where she in childhood had reposed, Now rests her weary head. When she, whose couch had been the sod, Whose curtain, pine or thorn, Had breathed a sigh of thanks to God, Who comforts the forlorn ; While over her the Matron bent, Sleep sealed her eyes, and stole Feeling from limbs with travel spent, And trouble from the soul. Refreshed, the Wanderer rose at morn, In those unworthy vestments worn And "O beloved Nurse!" she said, My thanks with silent tears Have unto Heaven and you been paid: "Have you forgot - and here she smiled. "The babbling flatteries You lavished on me when a child Disporting round your knees? I was your lambkin, and your bird, "The blossom you so fondly praised Is come to bitter fruit; A mighty one upon me gazed; I spurned his lawless suit. And must be hidden from his wrath: Will guide me in my forward path; "I cannot bring to utter woe Your proved fidelity." "Dear Child, sweet Mistress, say not so! For you we both would die.". 66 Nay, nay, I come with semblance feigned And cheek embrowned by art · Yet, being inwardly unstained, With courage will depart." "But whither would you, could you, flee? A poor man's counsel take; A thought for your dear sake; PART II. THE dwelling of this faithful pair And there, sequestered from the sight, And midway in the unsafe morass Of firm, dry ground with healthful grass |