MARY HOWITT.

THE BALLAD OF RICHARD BURNELL.

PART I.

FROM his bed rose Richard Burnell

At the early dawn of day,
Ere the bells of London city
Welcomed in the morn of May.

Early on that bright May morning
Rose the young man from his bed,
He, the happiest man in London,
And thus to himself he said :-

"When the men and maids are dancing, And the folk are mad with glee,

In the Temple's shady gardens

Let me walk and talk with thee!'

"Thus my Alice spake last even,

Thus with trembling lips she spake, And those blissful words have kept me Through the live-long night awake.

""Tis a joy beyond expression,

When we first, in truth, perceive That the love we long have cherished Will not our fond hearts deceive!

"All my words, and all my actions,
But one meaning could impart ;
Love can love's least sign interpret,
And she reads my inmost heart.

"And her good old merchant father,Father he has been to me

Saw the love grow up between us, Saw-and was well pleased to see.

"Seven years I truly served him,

Now my time is at an end; Master is he now no longer :

Father will be-has been friend.

"I was left betimes an orphan,

Heir unto great merchant-wealth,

But the iron rule of kinsfolk

Dimmed my youth, and sapped my health.

"Death had been my early portion

Had not my good guardian come;

He, the father of my Alice,

And conveyed me to his home.

"Here began a new existence,—

Then how new the love of friends!

And for all the child's afflictions

Each one strove to make amends.

"Late my spring-time came, but quickly Youth's rejoicing currents run,

And my inner life unfolded

Like a flower before the sun.

"Hopes, and aims, and aspirations Grew within the growing boy;

Life had new interpretation;

Manhood brought increase of joy.

"In and over all was Alice,

Life-infusing, like the spring;

My soul's soul! even joy without her
Was a poor and barren thing!

"And she spoke last eve at parting,
'When the folk are mad with glee,
In the Temple's pleasant gardens

Let me walk and talk with thee!'

"As she spoke, her sweet voice trembled,--
Love such tender tones can teach!
And those words have kept me waking,
And the manner of her speech!

"For such manner has deep meaning," Said young Burnell, blithe and gay;

And the bells of London city

Pealed a welcome to the May.

PART II.

Whilst the folk were mad with pleasure,
'Neath the elm-tree's vernal shade,
In the Temple's quiet gardens

Walked the young man and the maid.

On his arm her hand was resting,
And her eyes were on the ground;

She was speaking, he was silent;

Not a word his tongue had found.

"Friend beloved," she thus addressed him, "I have faith and hope in thee! Thou canst do what no one else can

Thou canst be a friend to me!

"Richard, we have lived together All these years of happy youth; Have, as sister and as brother,

Lived in confidence and truth.

"Thou from me hast hid no feelings,
Thy whole heart to me is known;
I-I only have kept from thee
One dear, little thought alone.

"Have I wronged thee in so doing?
Then forgive me! But give ear;
'Tis to bare my heart before thee
That I now am with thee here.

"Well thou know'st my father loves thee; "Tis his wish that we should wed,I shame not to speak thus franklyWish, or will more justly said.

"But this cannot be, my brother, Cannot be 't were nature's wrong

I have said so to my father;

But thou know'st his will is strong."

Not a word spake Richard Burnell;
Not a word came to his lips;
Like one tranced he stood and listened;
Life to him was in eclipse.

In a lower tone she murmured,

Murmured like a brooding dove,

"Know thou,-Leonard Woodvil loves me,And that he has won my love."