Preservation
My maiden she proved false[31]to me；
To hate all joys I soon began,
Then to a flowing stream I ran,—
The stream ran past me hastily.
There stood I fix’d,in mute despair;
My head swam round as in a dream;
I well-nigh fell into the stream,
And earth seem’d with me whirling there.
Sudden I heard a voice that cried—
I had just turn’d my face from thence[32]—
It was a voice to charm each sense：
“Beware，for deep is yonder[33]tide！”
A thrill my blood pervaded[34]now，
I look’d and saw a beauteous maid
I asked her name-twas Kate,she said—
“Oh lovely Kate!how kind art thou!
“From death I have been sav’d by thee,
’Tis through thee only that I live;
Little’twere[35]life alone to give，
My joy in life then deign to be!”
And then I told my sorrows o’er,
Her eyes to earth she sweetly threw;
I kiss’d her,and she kiss’d me too,
And-then I talked of death no more.
1775.