THE BETRAYAL.

Into the bower young Osmond came,
     Into the bower where Annie was sleeping;
Softly he whispers the maiden’s name,
     She awakes—her eyes are moist with weeping.
     Wherefore doth Annie sigh?

          What cruel pangs doth move her?
     Wherefore that tearful eye?
          Osmond—does he not love her?
          Annie is poor and fair,
               No paltry gems array her,

          But she deigns to love the princely heir,
               Though he comes but to betray her.

There is a magic in woman’s tears,
     Each glittering drop a charm possesses,
And Osmond trembles with guilty fears,

     As the charming girl to his breast he presses.
     Wherefore doth Annie smile?
          What sudden change doth move her?
     How woman’s tears beguile!—
          Young Osmond swears to love her!

          Annie is young and fair,
               Rich gems will soon array her,
          She will shortly wed the princely heir,
               Whose young heart would not betray her.

There is a Bridal at Osmond Hall,

     And beautiful forms the revels are keeping, [Page 205]
But Annie has wandered apart from all,
     The Maid of the Bower again is weeping!
     Why weeps the fair-one now?
          What hasty pledge is broken?

     Does she repent the vow—
          The solemn vow—just spoken?
          No—’tis dear woman’s plan,
               Let joy or grief waylay her,
          If she miss, or catch, some simple man,

               Her tears at once betray her! [Page 206]