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45.

Across her shoulders was a hammock flung,
By night it was the maiden's bed, by day
Her only garment. Round her as it hung,
In short unequal folds of loose array,

The open meshes, when she moves, display
Her form. She stood with fix'd and wondering eyes,
And trembling like a leaf upon the spray,

Even for excess of joy, with eager cries
She call'd her mother forth to share that glad surprise.

46.

At that unwonted call with quicken'd pace The matron hurried thither, half in fear. How strange to Monnema a stranger's face! How strange it was a stranger's voice to hear, How strangely to her disaccustom'd ear Came even the accents of her native tongue! But when she saw her countrymen appear, Tears for that unexpected blessing sprung, And once again she felt as if her heart were young.

47.

Soon was her melancholy story told,
And glad consent unto that Father good
Was given, that they to join his happy fold
Would leave with him their forest solitude.
Why comes not now Yeruti from the wood?
Why tarrieth he so late this blessed day?
They long to see their joy in his renew'd,
And look impatiently toward his way,

And think they hear his step, and chide his long delay

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.

How fast Hath busy fancy conjured up a sum

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 gone;

The peace 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.

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