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48.

He comes at length, a happy man, to find
His only dream of hope fulfill'd at last.
The sunshine of his all-believing mind
There is no doubt or fear to overcast;

No chilling forethought checks his bliss; the past
Leaves no regret for him, and all to come
Is change and wonder and delight.

Hath busy fancy conjured up a sum

How fast

Of joys unknown, whereof the expectance makes him dumb.

49.

O happy day, the Messenger of Heaven Hath found them in their lonely dwelling place! O happy day, to them it would be given To share in that Eternal Mother's grace, And one day see in heaven her glorious face Where Angels round her mercy-throne adore! Now shall they mingle with the human race, Sequester'd from their fellow-kind no more; O joy of joys supreme! O bliss for them in store!

50.

Full of such hopes this night they lay them down,
But not as they were wont, this night to rest.

Their old tranquillity of heart is
The peace

gone;

wherewith till now they have been blest Hath taken its departure. In the breast

Fast following thoughts and busy fancies throng; Their sleep itself is feverish, and possest

With dreams that to the wakeful mind belong; To Mooma and the youth then first the night seem'd

long.

51.

Day comes, and now a first and last farewell
To that fair bower within their native wood,
Their quiet nest till now. The bird may dwell
Henceforth in safety there, and rear her brood,
And beasts and reptiles undisturb'd intrude;
Reckless of this, the simple tenants go,

Emerging from their peaceful solitude,

To mingle with the world,

but not to know

Its crimes, nor to partake its cares, nor feel its woe.

A TALE OF PARAGUAY.

CANTO IV.

A TALE OF PARAGUAY.

CANTO IV.

1.

THE bells rung blithely from St. Mary's tower When in St. Joachin's the news was told That Dobrizhoffer from his quest that hour Drew nigh: the glad Guaranies young and old Throng through the gate, rejoicing to behold His face again; and all with heartfelt glee Welcome the Pastor to his peaceful fold, Where so beloved amid his flock was he That this return was like a day of jubilee.

2.

How more than strange, how marvellous a sight
To the new comers was this multitude!

Something like fear was mingled with affright
When they the busy scene of turmoil view'd;
Wonder itself the sense of joy subdued,
And with its all-unwonted weight opprest
These children of the quiet solitude;

And now and then a sigh that heaved the breast Unconsciously bewray'd their feeling of unrest.

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