XVII.

Save one alone, condemn'd to bear

The pangs of conscience, and despair; Save Christian!-From the fatal hour, He seiz'd on Bligh's long envied power, And the fell stroke of vengeance dealt, No joy, no comfort had he felt.

⚫He spoke not of his grief; 'twas known, By haggard eye, by hollow tone;

In heart, in brain, the pent up woe

Work'd to his senses overthrow.

XVIII.

If ever, o'er his gloomy soul

One hope of future blessing stole;

"Twas when the father's feelings mild

Dwelt fondly on the coming child;

Then would a soften'd sorrow teach

The sweet relief of friendly speech;

Blunted awhile remorse's force,

The parent's hopes would have their course.

It came at length, that anxious hour,

Pain's keenest thorn, hope's gayest flower!
It came, that hour of fearful joy!

The mother clasp'd her cherub boy;
The father gaz'd with father's pride,

The infant feebly gasp'd-and died!

XIX.

All who with parent's raptures swell,

A parent's sorrows well can tell;

But Christian's anguish, Christian's woe,

Guilt, misery, frenzy only know;

Fill'd to the brim, this draught of care

O'erflow'd the cup of his despair;

Silent by fits, by fits he spoke,

By fits in dreadful laughter broke;
Now would his wife adoring greet,
Now madly spurn her from his feet;

But still his ravings, loud and wild,
Turn'd on his captain and his child.
"Bligh! must I see that pale form still?
"Why frown on me?—I did not kill!-

"He is not dead!-He had a charm,

"See how he gnaws that little arm!

"The ocean bends not to his tread,

"He feeds with sharks upon the dead! "Has he not robb'd my baby's grave? "Oh! save my infant! Save him! save!

XX.

Days, weeks, and months, had roll'd away,

In silence, or in frenzy's sway;

At length more mild, more calm he grew,

Or seem'd: his friends, his wife he knew.
Again Iddeah's girdle bound

A pledge of Christian's love around:
He was so peaceful and so calm,

She thought to pour the healing balm,

Whilst walking on the cliff's high brow
The matron made the fond avow.

He stopp'd, he gaz'd upon the main,—
"See where the spectre comes again!
"He waits! I'll save this one!" he cried,

"Take me!" then plung'd into the tide.

XXI.

Vain was all help;—the sudden shock

Scatter'd his brains upon the rock.

Vain was all help!—all hope was gone,

Vain was each comrade's heart-felt groan;

Vain his sad widow's ceaseless moan!

Of all his love, and crime, and pains,

CHRISTINA only now remains!

Yet died not then Iddeah! She

Bore with unyielding constancy;

For her child's sake she nobly strove,

To live for her, tho' dead to love;

Each care, each duty to fulfil,

And in CHRISTINE find Christian still.