Cast but one grain of incense on yon bright and sacred fire,
And outraged as thy rulers are, 'twill calm their lawful ire!"

"Bend but thy knee before the shrine where we've so often knelt,
Joined in the same pure orisons--the same emotion felt;
Forsake a creed whose very God with scorn was crucified--,
Irene, hear me, and thou It be again my life and pride!"
He pressed the censer in her hand, of which one single throw
Would have restored her all the state, the bliss, that earth
might know;

But she, inspired by heavenly grace, the censer dashed aside:
"I've said I but believe in Him who on Mount Calvary died!"
He spoke no word, her cruel judge had hurled his glittering dart;
Barbed with relentless rage, it found his victim's dauntless
heart.
She but had time to breathe a prayer that he might be forgiven,
And in that breath her spotless soul had passed from earth to
heaven.




CORNELIA'S JEWELS.


Among the haughtiest of her sex, in noble, quiet pride,
Cornelia stood, with mien that seemed their folly vain to chide:
No jewels sparkled on her brow, so high, so purely fair,
No gems were mingled 'mid her waves of dark and glossy hair;