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a legend of the south.
That binds them to each other.
The words were scarcely said,
When through the vaulted chapel
Rang a voice as from the dead—
The words were scarcely said,
When through the vaulted chapel
Rang a voice as from the dead—
"Forbear, forbear, my children!"
All turned in wild alarm,
And, lo! beside the doorway
Stood a proud and noble form.
All turned in wild alarm,
And, lo! beside the doorway
Stood a proud and noble form.
The face was deeply shaded,
But amid the gathering gloom,
The maiden knew her father,
By the waving of his plume.
But amid the gathering gloom,
The maiden knew her father,
By the waving of his plume.
"Forbear!" again he uttered,
And his voice was stern and deep,
"Let thy words be all unspoken,
That vow thou must not keep.
And his voice was stern and deep,
"Let thy words be all unspoken,
That vow thou must not keep.
"Ye are both, O God! my children,
The same by birth and name—
Thine, thine will be the anguish,
But mine has been the shame."
The same by birth and name—
Thine, thine will be the anguish,
But mine has been the shame."