Page:Poems Betham.djvu/123

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All saw the change, and kindly strove
 My sadness to relieve;
Base Hubert feign'd a parent's love,
 Which could not see me grieve.

A painful anger flush'd my cheek,
 My lip indignant smil'd,
I cried, "And did he e'er bespeak
 Thy friendship for his child?"

"Ellen! when death was drawing nigh,
 Thou wert his only care;
Oh! guard her, Hubert, if I die.
 It is my latest prayer.

To none, dear friend, but thee," he cried,
 "Whose love and truth are known,
Could I this precious charge confide,
 To cherish, as thy own!"?