The heir of Rookwood.
245
The blood leaped through my heart, a pale mist swept
Over my eyes, the very earth was thrilling,
Reeling beneath my feet. Lilia fled on.
She trod the brink of the ravine. Broad oaks
Embraced her with their shadows. While I scarce
Discerned her flowing draperies, the moon
Withdrew its light.
I followed through the darkness—
A perilous path! I tracked her by the sound
Of crashing brush and slippery stones displaced
Tumbling into the hollow. Outstretched boughs
Forbade me with their firm extended arms.
Vines caught my feet, far-reaching brambles held
My garments. In the river's lifted voice
There was a fearful cadence, and the wind
Rose shrill and sudden. Then the cataract
Grew hoarser, louder, till all sounds were trampled
Under its eager feet. The boughs o'erhead
Were instantly divided. Breathless, faint,
I stood above the waterfall and felt
Its white waves leap beneath me.
Where was Lilia?
Over my eyes, the very earth was thrilling,
Reeling beneath my feet. Lilia fled on.
She trod the brink of the ravine. Broad oaks
Embraced her with their shadows. While I scarce
Discerned her flowing draperies, the moon
Withdrew its light.
I followed through the darkness—
A perilous path! I tracked her by the sound
Of crashing brush and slippery stones displaced
Tumbling into the hollow. Outstretched boughs
Forbade me with their firm extended arms.
Vines caught my feet, far-reaching brambles held
My garments. In the river's lifted voice
There was a fearful cadence, and the wind
Rose shrill and sudden. Then the cataract
Grew hoarser, louder, till all sounds were trampled
Under its eager feet. The boughs o'erhead
Were instantly divided. Breathless, faint,
I stood above the waterfall and felt
Its white waves leap beneath me.
Where was Lilia?
