Classic Poem

Now Night's sullen Noon spreads her mantle around,
And menacing thunders roll solemn in air,
Amanda's sad accents the woodlands resound,
Dark mountains re-echo these plaints of despair.

— See how the gloom deepens, the rude tempest roars,
— And loud the rough North-wind howls through the expanse,
— Old Ocean, hoarse murmuring, lashes the shores,
— While phantoms of night o'er the wild desert dance.

— The prominent cliff, that impends o'er the flood
— Responds to the ominous scream of the owl;
— Grim wolves rave infuriate through the dark wood,
— Their orgies nocturnal discordantly howl!

— Here, pensively straying, I'll climb the tall steep,
— While Night's leaden sceptre bids nature repose,
— From the brow of the precipice plunge in the deep,
— And thus put an end to my numberless woes.

— In the gay morn of life surely none was more blest,
— To the blithe song of pleasure I danc'd o'er the green,
— Of innocence, beauty, and fortune possest,
— While sportive festivity hail'd me her queen.

— To solace my parents my pleasing employ,
— Their life's rugged passage with flow'rets to strow,
— Amanda their hope, and Amanda their joy,
— Her happiness all that they wish'd for below.

— Thus fifteen fair summers roll'd swiftly away,
— Ere man, base deceiver, to ruin me strove,
— Ere Cleon, deceitful, but witty and gay,
— First melted my heart to the raptures of love.

— Spring, sweetly luxuriant, deck'd the gay lawn,
— The dew-drop, nectareous, bespangled the grove,
— When Cleon first met me, one beautiful morn,
— With trembling solicitude whisper'd his love.

— His person was graceful, his manners refin'd,
— A pupil of Chesterfield, easy and free;
— But night's darkest gloom not so dark as his mind,
— Not half so deceitful yon treacherous sea.

— With eyes beaming rapture he swore to be true;
— Can cruelty dwell with a cherub so fair?
— Would you make me unhappy who live but for you,
— Ah! why should you drive a fond youth to despair?

— With fatal success were his stratagems plied
— To ruin a blooming and innocent maid;
— Full often he promis'd to make me his bride,
— Then, basely deserted the nymph he betray'd!

— The news to my parents convey'd sad surprise,
— Oppress'd with keen anguish they tore their grey hair,
— Till pitying death clos'd their sorrowing eyes,
— But left me behind them a prey to despair.

— Impell'd by rude Phrensy I wander'd from home,
— That home once delightful, where once I was blest,
— Now indigent, hopeless, distracted I roam,
— 'Till Death's cold embrace full my sorrows to rest!

— But, ah! the wild horrours of madness return
— To rive every nerve in my tremulous frame,
— Forbear, my pain'd head, any longer to burn,
— Cease, anguishing heart, to enkindle the flame.

— Roar louder, ye winds! spread destruction around!
— Let thunders, loud bellowing, shake the firm pole,
— Let earthquakes impel e'en the shuddering ground,
— To mimick the passions which torture my soul!

— Ah, Cleon! thou false, thou perfidious swain,
— My spectre shall haunt thee in Night's silent gloom. —
She spake; then precipitant plung'd in the main,
And sought for repose in the cold watery tomb!