Which all conspired to prove untrue,
For he had healthy daughters five,
Who up in maiden beauty grew--
Clorinda, Isobel, and Jane--
Such was the order of their birth--
And Florabel and Clementine,
All lovely, gay, and full of mirth.

But man is blind, with all his power,
And gropes through life his darksome way;
Nor ever thinks the evil hour
May come within the brightest day.

As custom went, a noble throng
Hath filled Craigullan's ancient hall,
Amidst th' inspiring dance and song,
Clorinda is admired of all.
The sun with his enlivening light
Brings out the viper and the rose,
And joy that cheers will oft excite
Dark Mania from her long repose.
Amidst the dance and music there--
The dance which she so proudly led--
A maniac shriek has rent the air--
Clorinda falls, her reason fled.

In vain shall passing time essay
To soothe the dire domestic pain;
Fair Isobel becomes the prey
Of that same demon of the brain.