Page:The poetical works of Thomas Campbell.djvu/69

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And that unconscious you had cast a spellOn Julia's peace, my pride refused to tellYet in my child's illusion I have seen,Believe me well, how blameless you have been:Nor can it cancel, howsoe'er it end,Our debt of friendship to our boy's best friend.At night he parted with the aged pair;At early morn rose Julia to prepareThe last repast her hands for him should make:And Udolph to convoy him o'er the lake.The parting was to her such bitter grief,That of her own accord she made it brief;But, lingering at her window, long survey'dHis boat's last glimpses melting into shade.Theodric sped to Austria, and achievedHis journey's object. Much was he relievedWhen Udolph's letters told that Julia's mindHad borne his loss firm, tranquil, and resign'd.He took the Rhenish route to England, highElate with hopes, fulfill'd their ecstasy,And interchanged with Constance's own breathThe sweet eternal vows that bound their faith.To paint that being to a grovelling mindWere like portraying pictures to the blind.'Twas needful ev'n infectiously to feelHer temper's fond and firm and gladsome zeal,To share existence with her, and to gainSparks from her love's electrifying chainOf that pure pride, which, lessening to her breastLife's ills, gave all its joys a treble zest,Before the mind completely understoodThat mighty truth—how happy are the good!
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