BALLADS, DRAMATIC

AND

OTHER SKETCHES.

BALLADS, DRAMATIC

AND

OTHER SKETCHES.

THE BETROTHED.

Scene-A Southern Plantation - Noon.

MOTHER.

WHY linger near me, Emma, with that cheek
Which colors up in flushings like the sky

Lit by the sinking sun? Why from thine hand
Falls the small needle, as e'en that were weight

Too large? What mean these broken words and sighs,
Now passionate, then sinking down so low

That I must bend mine ear to catch the tone?
Hark, is that Edgar's step?