THE SLAVE. Wide o'er the tremulous sea, The moon spread her mantle of light; His sighs pass'd unheard in the gale. Ere o'er the salt waves thou wert borne. "Through the groves of Angola I stray'd, "Love and hope made my bosom their home, "Then I talk'd with my favourite maid, "Nor dreamt of the sorrows to come. "From the thicket the man-hunter sprung, "My cries echoed loud through the air; "There was fury and wrath on his tongue, "He was deaf to the voice of despair. "Accursed be the merciless band, "That his love could from Maratan tear; "And blasted this impotent hand, "That's severed from all I held dear. "But, hark! o'er the silence of night "Oh, Maratan! haste thee," she ories, "Now sinking amidst the dim ray, "To morrow the white man, in vain, "And rush to the realms of the brave." FRANK HAYMAN. Frank Hayman, once a brother of the brush, If some odd mischief stumbled in his way. And sometimes in his cups a little mellow. There is a famous place, yclept Vauxhall, Where cits, good folks, regale with merry hearts, And oft to busy waiters eager bawl For fresh supplies of ham, and beef, and tarts. A dog, who saw the man's condition, On the look-out, was lurking close behind,- Ready to snap at any thing that fell. The porter stagger'd on,-the dog kept near, Now made a spring, and then drew back with fear, Through many a street the tipsy porter reels, Then rolling on again, the man survey'd The sight of this refreshing place, The scent that hails him from the door, Arrest at once his rambling pace As they had often done before. Strait on a bench without he stretch'd along, The dog, unable longer to refrain, Who caused his care, Jumpt and bit, jumpt and bit, jumpt and bit again. Then having made a hearty meal, At length, our porter's slumber o'er, Had eased him of his load behind. Then read the paper in his hand, Hayman drew near, with eager mien, And now we need but mention one thing more, OSMOND'S 66 DREAM. (FROM THE CASTLE SPECTRE.") Osmond. Save me! save me! they are at hand! Oh! let them not enter. (Sinks into the arms of Saib and Hassan.) Saib. How violently he trembles. What can this mean? Hassan. Speak, my lord! Do you not know us? Osm. Ha! whose voice! Hassan ? and Saib, too, here? Oh! was it then but a dream? Did I not hear those dreadful, those damning words? Still, still they ring in my ears. Hassan Hassan ! death must be bliss, in flames or on the rack, compared to what I have this night suffered. Has. Compose yourself, my lord. Can a mere dream unman you thus? Osm. A dream, say'st thou? Hassan, 'twas a dream of such horror! did such dreams haunt my bitterest foe, I should wish him no severer punishment. Mark you not how the ague of fear still makes my limbs tremble? roll not my eyes as if still gazing on the spectre? Are not my lips convulsed, as were they yet pressed by the kiss of corruption? Oh! 'twas a sight that might have bleached Joy's rosy cheek for ever, and strewed the snows of age upon youth's auburn ringlets! Hark, fellows! instruments of my guilt, listen to my punishment! Methought I wandered d through the low-browed caverns, where repose the reliques of my ancestors! Suddenly a female form glided along the vault; it was Angela! She smiled upon me, and beckoned me to advance. I flew towards her, my arms were already unclosed to clasp her; when suddenly her figure changed, her face grew pale, a stream of blood gushed from her bosom !Hassan, 'twas Evelina ! Saib & Has. Evelina! Osm. Such as she sank at my feet expiring, while my hand grasped the dagger crimsoned with her blood! "We meet again this night," murmured her hollow voice! "Now rush to my arms-but first see what you have made me! embrace me, my bridegroom! we must never part again!" While speaking, her form withered away, the flesh fell from her bones, her eyes burst their sockets-a skeleton, loathsome and meagre, clasped me in its mouldering arms. Saib. Most horrible! Osm. And now blue dismal flames gleamed along the walls; the tombs were rent asunder; bands of fierce spectres rushed around me in frantic dance; furiously they gnashed their teeth, while they gazed upon me, and shrieked in loud yell," Welcome, thou fratricide!-welcome, thou lost for ever!" Horror burst the bands of sleep; distracted I flew hither. But my feelings-words are too weak, too powerless to express them. Saib. My lord! my lord! this was no idle dream, it was a celestial warning, 'twas your better angel that whispered "Osmond, repent your former crimes. Commit not new ones!" Remember, that this night should Kenrick Osm. Kenrick? oh, speak! drank he the poison? Saib. Obedient to your orders, I presented it to him at supper; but ere the cup reached his lips, his favourite dog sprang upon his arm, and dashed it to the ground. Osm. Praised be Heaven! then my soul is lighter by a crime! Kenrick shall live. What though he quit me, and betray my secrets? Proofs he cannot |