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GOLDEN FETTERS.

ARGUMENT.

GYNE, having discarded the man of her love, on account of his poverty; and married a wealthy suitor, for whom she had respect, but no love ; galled by her golden fetters, mourns over the sorrows of her heart.

GOLDEN FETTERS.

PART I.

I.

ONCE again I breathe with freedom,
Far from Fortune's false caress;
Where, it seemed, the hollow-hearted
Smiled upon my wretchedness.

Far is now the restless city,

With its routs, and with its balls,

Where the stifling robe of fashion
Oft o'er hearts in anguish falls—

Hearts in secret ever bleeding,

While the stricken strive to smile, And in mad pursuit of pleasure

6

Seek their sorrows to beguile;

B

Where the blooming English maiden
Oft is sold, like Eastern slave,
Into bondage, dark and dreary,
Bounded only by the grave;

Where the sold, and self-abased,
Restless, and with fevered brains,

In the giddy whirl of fashion

Half forget their heavy chains

Chains that, to the world around them,
Seem but ornaments of gold,

But are ever felt in secret,

Galling, hopeless, painful, cold,

Freezing all life's best emotions,

Giv'n by God for higher things—

Giv'n that earthly loves might heavenward Raise us on seraphic wings.

Oh the crime! to stifle lovings
Lent us from the land of bliss,
That its pure and sweet communings

Sorrowing man might taste in this.

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