398 CONSOLATIONS OF SOLITUDE
Lest it be stol'n by some that pass. What do I see ? That face I know ; Is it my child lies there below, Still fresh in all her youthful charms ? Come up to thine old father's arms ! What ! Wilt not speak ? Then fate hath lied. No doubt she hath fallen in and died ; Else to my wrong is joined abuse ; I've found when finding hath no use. Perhaps she sleeps ; for sure, so fair, No dead thing could lie smiling there- Awake ! alas, beneath how far ! Her face shines twinkling like a star. She cannot hear me, and I know She lies full half a mile below ; Hopeless to reach her, that seems clear ! She's too far down my voice to hear ; Must she for aye lie there forlorn ? She might as well have ne'er been born. Wake, daughter, wake, and solve my doubt ! How shall thy father fish thee out ?
��LIFE.
Spirit of life, so lately fled
From those once sparkling eyes, That leavest me to mourn the dead
With useless tears and sighs !
Like a sweet thought thou didst depart. Unheard, unseen, unknown ;
Then why laments my foolish heart ? What art thou that hast flown ?
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