Page:Poems - Southey (1799) volume 2.djvu/32

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The slave who dares not burst it!"Thinkest thou,The parent, if his child should unrecall'dReturn and fall upon his neck, and cry,Oh! the wide world is comfortless, and fullOf vacant joys and heart-consuming cares,I can be only happy in my homeWith thee—my friend!—my father! Thinkest thou,That he would thrust him as an outcast forth?Oh I he would clasp the truant to his heart,And love the trespass."Whilst he spake, his eyeDwelt on the Maiden's cheek, and read her soulStruggling within. In trembling doubt she stood,Even as the wretch, whose famish'd entrails craveSupply, before him sees the poison'd foodIn greedy horror.Yet not long the MaidDebated, "Cease thy dangerous sophistry,Eloquent tempter!" cried she. "Gloomy one!
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