Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-28
P0ETRY.
LOVES VICTIM.


LOVES VICTIM.
In a fate number Of the London Monthly
Mssazins, We find the following simple and
pathetic ballad, suggested to the writer, By in
cidcnts connected with American Tradition
II is founded on the following circumstances.
Is related by tho author. in note attaehedto
tho ballad:
GA few miles below the Notch Of the White
Mountains, in the Valley of Saco. is a little
rise Of land called "Nancy's HILL" II was
formerly thickly covered with trees, cluster
ofwhich remains to mark the spot In l773,
at Dartmouth, Jefferson CO. u. s. lived Nancy
Wilson, Of respectable connexions. She was
engaged to bc married. Her lover hadset out
for Lancaster. She would follow him In the
depth Of winter. and on foot. There whs not
house for thirty miles, and the way through
the wild woods iootpath only. She persisted
in her design, and wrapping herself in her long
cloak, proceeded on her walk. Snow and
frost took place for several weeks, when sonie
persons passing her route reached the bill at
night On lighting their fires. an unearthly
figure stood before them beneath the bending
branches, wrapped in robe OF fee, II was
the lfeless form Of Nancy"
Size left her own warm home
TO tempt the frozen waste.
What time the traveller iear'a 20 roam,
And hunter shunn'd the blast;
Love pour'd his strength into her soult--
Could peril e'cr his power control,
She left her own warm home,
When stone, and herb, ami tree;
And sll beneath heavens !orid dome
BY winiry majesty,
In his stern age, were clad in show,
And human hearts beat chill apd slow.
II was a fearful hour
For one so young and tair:
The woods had not one sheltering bower,
The earth was trackless there,
The very boughs in silver slept.
As the sea-foam had DER them swept!
Snow after snow came down,
The sky look Il FIX in ice;
She deemd amid the seasons power;
Her love would all suffice
To Keep the source OF being warm,
And mock the teTrors OF tho STORM.
Love was her world oflife,
She thought but Of her heart.
Aud knowing that the winters strife
Could not its hope dispart,
She dream'd not that lis home Of clay
Night yield before the tenipest's sways-
Or judged that passione power
Passion SO strong and pure,
Might mock the snow-eake's wildering shower,
Proud that il could endure,
A, woman oft in times before
Had peril borne as much or more;
She wept-dawn past DER dawn,
None saw her face again.
The eyes che should have gazed opon,
Eook'd for her face in vain
N1o A. h~rv a.
Her voice had sousht-hOw vainiy long!
There 10 in saro's vale
A gently swelling Hill.
Shadows have wrapt Il like ve0
From trees that mark il still,
Around, the mountains towering bluh
Look on that spot Of saddest hue.
'Twss by that little hill,
At the dark noon Of night
Close by frozen snow-hid filk,
Where branches close unite
Even in winters lea1ess time,
The skeletons Of summers Primo
Tha. flash'j the travellers fame
On tree and precipice.
And show'd fair unearthly frame
In robes Of glitterins ice,
With head against a trunk inclined;
Like dream-spirit of the mind.
Twas that love -wander'd maid, deathpars
Her vesy hearts blood froze.
Loves Niobe in her own vale,
Now seckles, of all woes
Loves victim fair, and true, and mseS
As she ofthe famed Paraclete.
The mountains round shall tell
Her tale to travellers long,
The little yale of Saco swell
The western poets song,
And " Nancy's Hip in loftier .hynies
Be sung through unborn realms and Gmes.