She Loved Him.

She loved him — but she heeded not —

Her heart had only room for pride:

All other feelings were forgot,

When she became another's bride.

As from a dream she then awoke,

To realize her lonely state,

And own it was the vow she broke

That made her drear and desolate!

She loved him — but the sland'rer came,

With words of hate that all believed;

A stain thus rested on his name —

But he was wronged and she deceived;

Ah! rash the act that gave her hand,

That drove her lover from her side —

Who hied him to a distant land,

Where, battling for a name, he died!

She loved him — and his memory now

Was treasured from the world apart:

The calm of thought was on her brow,

The seeds of death were in her heart.

For all the world that thing forlorn

I would not, could not be, and live —

That casket with its jewel gone,

A bride who has no heart to give!