Hours of Solitude. A Collection of Original Poems. Volume I.

THE AIREAL CHORUS;

OR,
THE WARNING.

"Lady, whither would you stray? Tempt no more this dang'rous wood; Blood‐besprinkled is the way, Evil lurks, to injure good.

"Lady, home, and swiftly, go; Horror follows as you fly: Lady, wherefore linger so? Hasten, or prepare to die.

"I was once a virgin fair, Morven lov'd, and thought him true; Morven left me to despair­ Morven thus will do by you.

"Lady, then no more delay; Hear me warn­in haste depart: Fiends, assembling in your way, Long to feast upon your heart.

"Round a cauldron­round and round, Lo! they brew a horrid charm; Magic words, of direful sound, Shall your pow'rs of flight disarm.

"Fly, oh! fly this dusky wood, O'er the flame your fibres shrink; Drunk, they riot on your blood, Reeling, tott'ring as they drink.

"Lo! they thirst, they rage for you, Yelling hoarse with fearful cry; Wild with transport they pursue, Laughing loud to see you fly.

"Vain your flight­I sadly tell Hope of mercy too is vain; If you step in magic spell, Never may you turn again.

"Lo! they rush­they seize you now­ In your bosom dart their fangs; Now your blood begins to flow­ Wild they suck amid your pangs.

"Spent with fury, now give o'er­ Yelling bear you swift away; Sink to hell, and rise no more Till they scent another prey.

"I was once a virgin fair, Morven lov'd, and thought him true; Morven left me to despair­ Morven thus will do by you.

"Lady, then no more delay; Hear me warn­in haste depart: Fiends, assembling in your way, Long to feast upon your heart."