Mad humanity : its forms, apparent and obscure / by L. Forbes Winslow.

  • Winslow, Lyttleton Forbes, 1844-1913.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Mad humanity : its forms, apparent and obscure / by L. Forbes Winslow. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    now upon Harley—' My Billy is no more,' said she. ' Do you weep for my Billy ? Blessings on your tears ! I would weep, too, but my brain is dry, and it burns —it burns—it burns!' She drew Hear to Harley. ' Be comforted, young lady,' said he, ' your Billy is in heaven.'—' Alas ! I am grown haughty of late, I have almost forgotten to think of heaven: yet I pray some- times—when I can, I pray; and sometimes I sing; when I am saddest, I sing—you shall hear me— hush!— ' Light be the earth on Billy's breast, And green the sod that wraps his grave.' There was plaintive wildness in the air not to be withstood, and, except the keeper, there was not an unmoistened eye around her. ' Do you weep again ?' said she; ' I would not have you weep. You are like him, believe me; just as he looked when he gave me this ring. Poor Billy !— ' 'Twas the last time we ever met. 'Twas when the seas were soaring.' I love you for resembling my Billy, but I shall never love any man like him.' She stretched out her hand to Harley; he pressed it between both of his, and bathed it with his tears. ' Nay, that is Billy's ring,' said she; ' you cannot have it, indeed; but here is another—look here, which I plaited to-day, of some gold thread from this bit of stuff; will you keep it for my sake ? I am a strange girl, but my heart is harmless; my poor heart, it will burst some day— feel how it beats.' She pressed his hand to her bosom, then, holding her head in the attitude of listening,—' Hark ! one !