Josephine's Remonstrance

Nay, bid me not depart from thee!Thou hast not said the word;Or it is all forgotten now,Or else not rightly heard.

Speak quickly! tell me 't is not so II have not heard aright!Thou wouldst not cast upon my soulThis dark and withering blight!

Napoleon! in that fatal hourPeace will from thee depart;And not alone shall I be doomedTo bear a broken heart.

Yet think not that I wish 't were so,—God knows this heart of mine,That dear and precious to my soul,Is every wish of thine.

Yet bear in mind, the crown you wearWas promised unto me;That I, not thou, have ever beenThe Child of Destiny.

Apart from me thou canst not live,Thy fortunes will decay,And thou, Napoleon! in that hour,Wilt think on what I say.

And yet I would not seek to moveThy purpose, firmly set;But, oh! forgive the tender hopesThat cling to memory yet!