To shore they came, and to the boat
Fast leapt he with the child,

And in leapt Margaret.. breathless now,

And pale with fear and wild.

With arching crest and swelling breast

On sail'd the stately swan,

And lightly down the rapid tide

The little boat went on.

The full orb'd moon, that beam'd around

Pale splendour through the night,

Cast through the crimson canopy

A dim discolour'd light.

And swiftly down the hurrying stream

In silence still they sail,

And the long streamer fluttering fast,
Flapp'd to the heavy gale.

And he was mute in sullen thought,

And she was mute with fear,

Nor sound but of the parting tide
Broke on the listening ear.

The little babe began to cry,
Then Margaret raised her head,

And with a quick and hollow voice
"Give me the child!" she said.

"Now hush thee, hush thee, Margaret, "Nor my poor heart distress!

"I do but pay perforce the price

"Of former happiness.

"And hush thee too, my little babe!

Thy cries so feeble cease;

"Lie still, lie still; .. a little while

"And thou shalt be at peace."

So as he spake to land they drew,

And swift he stept on shore,

And him behind did Margaret
Close follow evermore.

It was a place all desolate,

Nor house nor tree was there;

And there a rocky mountain rose,
Barren, and bleak, and bare.

And at its base a cavern yawn'd,
No eye its depth might view,

For in the moon-beam shining round

That darkness darker grew.

Cold horror crept through Margaret's blood,

Her heart it paused with fear,

When Rudiger approach'd the cave,

And cried, "Lo I am here!"

A deep sepulchral sound the cave

Return'd "Lo I am here!"

And black from out the cavern gloom

Two giant arms appear.

And Rudiger approach'd, and held

The little infant nigh;

Then Margaret shriek'd and gather'd then

And round the baby fast and close

Her trembling arms she folds,

And with a strong convulsive grasp

The little infant holds.

"Now help me, Jesus !" loud she cries,

And loud on God she calls;

Then from the grasp of Rudiger

The little infant falls.

And loud he shriek'd, for now his frame

The huge black arms clasp'd round, And dragg'd the wretched Rudiger Adown the dark profound.

1796.