Poems (Truesdell)/Josephine's Remonstrance
JOSEPHINE'S REMONSTRANCE.
"Bonaparte, behold that bright star; it is mine! and remember, to mine—not thine—has sovereignty been promised. Separate, then, our fates, and your star fades."
Nay, bid me not depart from thee!
Thou hast not said the word;
Or it is all forgotten now,
Or else not rightly heard.
Thou hast not said the word;
Or it is all forgotten now,
Or else not rightly heard.
Speak quickly! tell me 't is not so I
I have not heard aright!
Thou wouldst not cast upon my soul
This dark and withering blight!
I have not heard aright!
Thou wouldst not cast upon my soul
This dark and withering blight!
Napoleon! in that fatal hour
Peace will from thee depart;
And not alone shall I be doomed
To bear a broken heart.
Peace will from thee depart;
And not alone shall I be doomed
To bear a broken heart.
Yet think not that I wish 't were so,—
God knows this heart of mine,
That dear and precious to my soul,
Is every wish of thine.
God knows this heart of mine,
That dear and precious to my soul,
Is every wish of thine.
Yet bear in mind, the crown you wear
Was promised unto me;
That I, not thou, have ever been
The Child of Destiny.
Was promised unto me;
That I, not thou, have ever been
The Child of Destiny.
Apart from me thou canst not live,
Thy fortunes will decay,
And thou, Napoleon! in that hour,
Wilt think on what I say.
Thy fortunes will decay,
And thou, Napoleon! in that hour,
Wilt think on what I say.
And yet I would not seek to move
Thy purpose, firmly set;
But, oh! forgive the tender hopes
That cling to memory yet!
Thy purpose, firmly set;
But, oh! forgive the tender hopes
That cling to memory yet!