Samuel Taylor Coleridge

“ Edward, however, though perplexed by her strange detractions from her daughter's good qualities, yet in the innocence of his own heart still mistaking her increasing fondness for motherly affection; she at length, overcome by her miserable passion, after much abuse of Mary's temper and moral tendencies, exclaimed with violent emotion—O Edward! indeed, indeed, she is not fit for you—she has not a heart to love you as you deserve. It is I that love you! Marry me, Edward! ”

“ Both Ellen and his wife.
And Mary could not check her tears.
So on his breast she bow'd;
Then Frenzy melted into Grief,
And Edward wept aloud.
Dear Ellen did not weep at all,
But closelier did she cling.
And turn'd her face and look'd as if
She saw some frightful thing.
PART IV.
To see a man tread over Graves
I hold it no good mark;
'Tis wicked in the Sun and Moon,
And bad luck in the dark!
You see that Grave? The Lord, he gives,
The Lord, he takes away:
Oh! 'tis the child of my old age
Lies there as cold as clay. ”

“ But Ellen, spite of miry ways
And weather dark and dreary,
Trudg'd every day to Edward's house,
And made them all more cheary.
Oh! Ellen was a faithful Friend,
More dear than any Sister!
As cheerful too as singing lark ”