American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-01-13
THE VICTIM OF SEDUCTION.

Loud how'd the tempest of winters night,
And dying lamps dispensed twinking light,
No friendly star Humid the vault of heav'D
But DER its face big clouds were wildly driv'n
Mute silence regn'd in each deserted street,
Save where the rushing blast or pelting sleet,
Was heard to whistle or to rudely beat.
Twas then, that a fnty step reclin'd
TO all the pow'r of wretchedness resgnd
Grief on her cheek and famine in her eye,
Child OF misery was seen to lie.
Rough blew the wind around her shivering form,
Lost were her sighs amid the rafting storm,
Uncovered was her bosom once SO fair,
Now the cold residence of fell despair
Loose down her back her matted tresses lay,
Those lovely locks, deck'd in colours gay,
Damp were her temples with the dews of DEATH,
And slowly drawn her thick and struggling breath
Lfe's quvering taper hastens to an end,
On Death she cals-to her welcome friend.
mark'd the closing of her stormy day,
saw her lingering graces steal away,
Heard the last accents trembling on her lips,
While Nature sgh'd at Beauty's dire eclipse!
Oh lovely rose once fairer than the morn,
Gay the mead that Springs green hands adorn,
Sweet as the western gale that gently blows,
Heaving the budding fragrance as he goes,
Pure the gems that deck the primrose-yae,
Soft the warbng of the nightingale
Awhile thy graces brightly glow, but soon,
The envious night comes DER thy beautys noon,
Now low in Earth those charms neglected lie,
That once SO fir'd the Worlds atmiring eyel
Where is thy lightning oh avenging Power
Whose piercing glance beheid that midnight hour,
Who heard'sther falterng pray'r, her parting sigh,
Who saw lifes mantng hues untlmely fly
Why breathes The wretch that cropt this opning flower
Why does the him its radiance pour
Why smiles his gay career of love and mirtb,
While Mary's faded form lies low in earth!
Fresh as the blush that tnts the morning sky,
Did Marys charms first catch his trait ous eye,
Soon did he captive hold her willing soul,
Soon DER her breast the soft delirium stole.
How could she doubt his fond insidous smile
How trace the doublings of each artful wilel
All could she dream that heart would truth dsown,
That fondy swore to love but her alone !
Oft in his eye the would seem to swell;
Oft from his lips Truths modest accents fell;
Why did not iro~ning lIeav'n with instant death.
Wither the lip and close the treachrous breath
For this thy fame's far sunk in night,
For this thy virtues felt an early blight,
For this thou met'st the worlds proud mockery
And bitter language of the tauntng eye!
This robbd thy polish'd cheek of Summers blooms
And sunk thy youths fair hcnors TO the tomb;
Blasted the promise of thy graceful form,
And gave thy beauties to the midnight storm!
And oh thou false one--Justice will arrive,
Der wreck of worlds thy treacl' ry will survive
See where it burns on Heavn's wide chronicle,
See where thy vows the flaming pages fill
Though Pleasure hail thee with her laughing eyes,
Soon will thy crimes in tlireul judgment rise
Fen now when frolic joys thy steps attend,
While sparkling energies their transports lend,
Does not fell Conscience with its sting advance
And give the future of thy shuddrng glance!
At dead of night thy Mary's form appears,
Her thrilling voice thy startled fancy hears;
Oft in the moons pale CLEAN her spectre gldes,
Among the billowy clouds she swiftly rides,
Majestic frownng midst the rowing storm,
Thou hearst her voice. thou vlewst her angelform!
Soon shall LIES idle visions fade away,
And on thy soul will burst the Judgment Day.
Miss Temple.