"I woke—where was I?—Do I see

A human face look down on me?

And doth a roof above me close?

Do these limbs on a couch repose?

Is this a chamber where I lie?800

And is it mortal yon bright eye,

That watches me with gentle glance?

I closed my own again once more,

As doubtful that my former trance

Could not as yet be o'er.

A slender girl, long-haired, and tall,

Sate watching by the cottage wall.

The sparkle of her eye I caught,

Even with my first return of thought;

For ever and anon she threw810

A prying, pitying glance on me

With her black eyes so wild and free:

I gazed, and gazed, until I knew

No vision it could be,—

But that I lived, and was released

From adding to the vulture's feast:

And when the Cossack maid beheld

My heavy eyes at length unsealed,

She smiled—and I essayed to speak,

But failed—and she approached, and made820

With lip and finger signs that said,

I must not strive as yet to break

The silence, till my strength should be

Enough to leave my accents free;

And then her hand on mine she laid,

And smoothed the pillow for my head,

And stole along on tiptoe tread,

And gently oped the door, and spake

In whispers—ne'er was voice so sweet![274]

Even music followed her light feet.830

But those she called were not awake,

And she went forth; but, ere she passed,

Another look on me she cast,

Another sign she made, to say,

That I had nought to fear, that all

Were near, at my command or call,

And she would not delay

Her due return:—while she was gone,

Methought I felt too much alone.