s: Whose father Gad built Gadir; on this ground


s: Persuade him to restore the walls himself


s: But wherefore this advice? young, unespoused,


s: "O Dalica!" the shuddering maid exclaimed,


s: "Could I encounter that fierce, frightful man?


s: Unfixed though seeming fixed, her eyes downcast,


s: From far through sculptured galleries met her ear;


s: Then lifting up her head, the evening sun


s: Poured a fresh splendour on her burnished throne--


s: The fair Charoba, the young queen, complied.


s: Laid by his orbed shield, his vizor-helm,


s: And bade that none attend him; at his side


s: Two faithful dogs that urge the silent course,


s: Shaggy, deep-chested, crouched; the crocodile,


s: Crying, oft made them raise their flaccid ears


s: And push their heads within their master's hand.


s: There was a brightening paleness in his face,


s: Showered on the lonely Latmian; on his brow


s: Sorrow there was, yet nought was there severe.


s: Faint, hanging on her handmaids, and her knees


s: Tottering, as from the motion of the car,


s: His eyes looked earnest on her, and those eyes


s: Showed, if they had not, that they might have loved,


s: For there was pity in them at that hour.


s: With gentle speech, and more with gentle looks


s: He soothed her; but lest Pity go beyond,


s: And crossed Ambition lose her lofty aim,


s: Bending, he kissed her garment and retired.


s: He went, nor slumbered in the sultry noon


s: When viands, couches, generous wines persuade


s: And slumber most refreshes, nor at night,


s: And blindness waits not there for lingering age.


s: Ere morning dawned behind him, he arrived


s: At those rich meadows where young Tamar fed


s: "Now," said he to himself, "will I repose


s: At least this burthen on a brother's breast."


s: His brother stood before him.  He, amazed,


s: Reared suddenly his head, and thus began:


s: "Is it thou, brother!  Tamar, is it thou!


s: Why, standing on the valley's utmost verge,


s: Lookest thou on that dull and dreary shore


s: Where many a league Nile blackens all the sand.


s: And why that sadness? when I passed our sheep


s: The dew-drops were not shaken off the bar;


s: Therefore if one be wanting 'tis untold."


s: "Yes, one is wanting, nor is that untold."


s: Said Tamar; "and this dull and dreary shore


s: Is neither dull nor dreary at all hours."


s: Whereon the tear stole silent down his cheek,


s: Wondering he gazed awhile, and pitying spake:


s: "Let me approach thee; does the morning light


s: Scatter this wan suffusion o'er thy brow,


s: This faint blue lustre under both thine eyes?"


s: That grieves thee, I will pity:  thou but speak


s: And I can tell thee, Tamar, pang for pang."


s: "Gebir! then more than brothers are we now!


s: Everything, take my hand, will I confess.


s: I neither feed the flock nor watch the fold;


s: How can I, lost in love?  But, Gebir, why


s: That anger which has risen to your cheek?


s: Can other men? could you?--what, no reply!


s: And still more anger, and still worse concealed!


s: Are these your promises, your pity this?"


s: Mark me aright--I feel for thee--proceed--


s: Said the young shepherd, gladdened from his heart.


s: "'Twas evening, though not sunset, and springtide


s: Level with these green meadows, seemed still higher.


s: 'Twas pleasant; and I loosened from my neck


s: The pipe you gave me, and began to play.


s: Oh, that I ne'er had learnt the tuneful art!


s: Well, I was playing, when above the waves


s: Some swimmer's head methought I saw ascend;


s: I, sitting still, surveyed it, with my pipe


s: Awkwardly held before my lips half-closed.


s: How I was sitting, how she first assumed


s: The sailor; of what happened there remains


s: The sweet deceiver stepped upon this bank


s: Stooping to tune afresh the hoarsened reed,


s: I heard a rustling, and where that arose


s: My glance first lighted on her nimble feet.


s: Her feet resembled those long shells explored


s: By him who to befriend his steed's dim sight


s: Would blow the pungent powder in the eye.


s: Her eyes too!  O immortal gods! her eyes


s: Resembled--what could they resemble? what


s: Her mantle showed the yellow samphire-pod,


s: Her girdle the dove-coloured wave serene.


s: 'Shepherd,' said she, 'and will you wrestle now


s: And with the sailor's hardier race engage?'


s: I was rejoiced to hear it, and contrived


s: By pressing not too strongly, yet to press?


s: 'Whether a shepherd, as indeed you seem,


s: Or whether of the hardier race you boast,


s: But first,' said she, 'what wager will you lay?'


s: 'A sheep,' I answered; 'add whate'er you will.'


s: 'I cannot,' she replied, 'make that return:


s: Seldom, unless from rapine, hold a sheep.


s: Within, and they that lustre have imbibed


s: In the sun's palace porch, where when unyoked


s: His chariot-wheel stands midway in the wave:


s: Its polished lips to your attentive ear,


s: And I have others given me by the nymphs,


s: Of sweeter sound than any pipe you have.


s: But we, by Neptune, for no pipe contend -


s: This time a sheep I win, a pipe the next.'


s: But first her dress, her bosom then surveyed,


s: And heaved it, doubting if she could deceive.


s: Her bosom seemed, enclosed in haze like heaven,


s: To baffle touch, and rose forth undefined:


s: Above her knees she drew the robe succinct,


s: Above her breast, and just below her arms.


s: 'This will preserve my breath when tightly bound,


s: If struggle and equal strength should so constrain.'


s: Thus, pulling hard to fasten it, she spake,


s: And, rushing at me, closed:  I thrilled throughout


s: And seemed to lessen and shrink up with cold.


s: Again with violent impulse gushed my blood,


s: And hearing nought external, thus absorbed,


s: I heard it, rushing through each turbid vein,


s: Shake my unsteady swimming sight in air.


s: Yet with unyielding though uncertain arms


s: I clung around her neck; the vest beneath


s: Rustled against our slippery limbs entwined:


s: Started aside, and trembled till replaced:


s: And when I most succeeded, as I thought,


s: My bosom and my throat felt so compressed


s: That life was almost quivering on my lips,


s: Yet nothing was there painful! these are signs


s: My eyes grew dizzy, and my strength decayed.


s: I was indeed o'ercome! with what regret,


s: And more, with what confusion, when I reached


s: The fold, and yielding up the sheep, she cried:


s: 'This pays a shepherd to a conquering maid.'


s: She smiled, and more of pleasure than disdain


s: Was in her dimpled chin and liberal lip,


s: And eyes that languished, lengthening, just like love.


s: Leant, and could follow with my eyes alone.


s: But when I heard its bleating, as I did,


s: And saw, she hastening on, its hinder feet


s: Struggle and from her snowy shoulder slip -


s: One shoulder its poor efforts had unveiled -


s: Then all my passions mingling fell in tears;


s: Restless then ran I to the highest ground


s: To watch her--she was gone--gone down the tide -


s: And the long moonbeam on the hard wet sand


s: Lay like a jasper column half-upreared."


s: "But, Tamar! tell me, will she not return?


s: "She will return, yet not before the moon


s: Again is at the full; she promised this,


s: Though when she promised I could not reply."


s: Fear not my anger, look not on my shame;


s: Away with watchful nights and lonely days,


s: Contempt of earth and aspect up to heaven,


s: A tattered cloak that pride wears when deformed,


s: Away with all that hides me from myself,


s: Parts me from others, whispers I am wise--


s: From our own wisdom less is to be reaped


s: Than from the barest folly of our friend.


s: Tamar! thy pastures, large and rich, afford


s: Flowers to thy bees and herbage to thy sheep,


s: But, battened on too much, the poorest croft


s: Of thy poor neighbour yields what thine denies."


s: They hastened to the camp, and Gebir there


s: And ordered, from those ruins to the right


s: They forthwith raise a city:  Tamar heard


s: With wonder, though in passing 'twas half-told,


s: His brother's love, and sighed upon his own.


s: Now fragments weighed up from th' uneven streets


s: Leave the ground black beneath; again the sun


s: Shines into what were porches, and on steps


s: Once warm with frequentation--clients, friends,


s: All morning, satchelled idlers all mid-day,


s: Lying half-up and languid though at games.


s: Some raise the painted pavement, some on wheels


s: Draw slow its laminous length, some intersperse


s: Salt waters through the sordid heaps, and seize


s: The flowers and figures starting fresh to view.


s: The growing green of many trackless years.


s: With regular strong stroke, and nearer home


s: Dull falls the mallet with long labour fringed.


s: Here arches are discovered, there huge beams


s: Soon drop away:  there spreads a marble squared


s: And smoothened; some high pillar for its base


s: Chose it, which now lies ruined in the dust.


s: A crevice:  they, intent on treasure, strive


s: Strenuous, and groan, to move it:  one exclaims,


s: "I hear the rusty metal grate; it moves!"


s: Now, overturning it, backward they start,


s: See his throat thicken, and the crisped scales


s: Rise ruffled, while upon the middle fold


s: He keeps his wary head and blinking eye,


s: Curling more close and crouching ere he strike.


s: And be such treasure portions to your heirs.


s: Six days they laboured:  on the seventh day


s: Returning, all their labours were destroyed.


s: 'Twas not by mortal hand, or from their tents


s: 'Twere visible; for these were now removed


s: Above, here neither noxious mist ascends


s: There Gebir, pierced with sorrow, spake these words:


s: "Ye men of Gades, armed with brazen shields,


s: And ye of near Tartessus, where the shore


s: Stoops to receive the tribute which all owe


s: To Boetis and his banks for their attire,


s: For earth contains no nation where abounds


s: The generous horse and not the warlike man.


s: But neither soldier now nor steed avails:


s: Nor steed nor soldier can oppose the gods:


s: Nor is there ought above like Jove himself;


s: Nor weighs against his purpose, when once fixed,


s: Aught but, with supplicating knee, the prayers.


s: Swifter than light are they, and every face,


s: Though different, glows with beauty; at the throne


s: Of mercy, when clouds shut it from mankind,


s: They fall bare-bosomed, and indignant Jove


s: Drops at the soothing sweetness of their voice


s: On these high places daily, beat our breast,


s: Prostrate ourselves and deprecate his wrath."


s: The people bowed their bodies and obeyed:


s: Nine mornings with white ashes on their heads,


s: Lamented they their toil each night o'erthrown.


s: Leaning o'er black Mocattam's rubied brow,


s: Now seemed not further than the nearest cliff,


s: And crimson light struck soft the phosphor wave.


s: Then Gebir spake to Tamar in these words:


s: 'Give me thy secret and become my slave:'


s: Await the nymph, disguised in thy attire."


s: Then starting from attention Tamar cried:


s: My life is yours, my love must be my own:


s: Never felt one, or 'tis not one I feel."


s: But Gebir with complacent smile replied:


s: "Go then, fond Tamar, go in happy hour--


s: But ere thou partest ponder in thy breast


s: And well bethink thee, lest thou part deceived,


s: When even her love thy strength had to disclose.


s: My heart indeed is full, but witness heaven!


s: My people, not my passion, fills my heart."


s: "Then let me kiss thy garment," said the youth,


s: "And heaven be with thee, and on me thy grace."


s: Him then the monarch thus once more addressed:


s: "Be of good courage:  hast thou yet forgot


s: What chaplets languished round thy unburnt hair,


s: In colour like some tall smooth beech's leaves


s: Excites a pleasant, soothes a painful shame!


s: "These," amid stifled blushes Tamar said,


s: "Were of the flowering raspberry and vine:


s: But, ah! the seasons will not wait for love;


s: And Gebir bending through the woodlands culled


s: The creeping vine and viscous raspberry,


s: Less green and less compliant than they were;


s: And twisted in those mossy tufts that grow


s: That shake for bristly herds the foodful bough,


s: Wonder, stand still, gaze, and trip satisfied;


s: Pleased more if chestnut, out of prickly husk


s: Shot from the sandal, roll along the glade.


s: Stepped up the acclivity; and as he stepped,


s: And as the garlands nodded o'er his brow,


s: Th' expectant nymph, and seized him unaware.


s: He staggered at the shock; his feet at once


s: Slipped backward from the withered grass short-grazed;


s: But striking out one arm, though without aim,


s: Then grasping with his other, he enclosed


s: The struggler; she gained not one step's retreat,


s: Urging with open hands against his throat


s: Intense, now holding in her breath constrained,


s: Now pushing with quick impulse and by starts,


s: Till the dust blackened upon every pore.


s: Nearer he drew her and yet nearer, clasped


s: Fell, and her other lapsing o'er the neck


s: Of Gebir swung against his back incurved,


s: The swoll'n veins glowing deep, and with a groan


s: On his broad shoulder fell her face reclined.


s: But ah, she knew not whom that roseate face


s: Cooled with its breath ambrosial; for she stood


s: High on the bank, and often swept and broke


s: His chaplets mingled with her loosened hair.


s: Whether while Tamar tarried came desire,


s: And she grown languid loosed the wings of love,


s: Which she before held proudly at her will,


s: And nought but Tamar in her soul, and nought


s: Where Tamar was that seemed or feared deceit,


s: To fraud she yielded what no force had gained -


s: When from his crystal fount the visual orbs


s: He filled with piercing ether and endued


s: That never two fair forms at once torment


s: The human heart and draw it different ways,


s: And thus in prowess like a god the chief


s: Subdued her strength nor softened at her charms--


s: The nymph divine, the magic mistress, failed.


s: Recovering, still half resting on the turf,


s: She looked up wildly, and could now descry


s: The kingly brow, arched lofty for command.


s: "Traitor!" said she, undaunted, though amaze


s: Threw o'er her varying cheek the air of fear,


s: Thou hast forsooth deceived me? dar'st thou deem


s: Those eyes not hateful that have seen me fall?


s: O heaven! soon may they close on my disgrace.


s: Merciless man, what! for one sheep estranged


s: Hast thou thrown into dungeons and of day


s: Amerced thy shepherd? hast thou, while the iron


s: Pierced through his tender limbs into his soul,


s: By threats, by tortures, torn out that offence,


s: And heard him (oh, could I!) avow his love?


s: Say, hast thou? cruel, hateful!--ah my fears!


s: I feel them true! speak, tell me, are they true?"


s: She blending thus entreaty with reproach


s: Bent forward, as though falling on her knee


s: Whence she had hardly risen, and at this pause


s: Shed from her large dark eyes a shower of tears.


s: Th' Iberian king her sorrow thus consoled.


s: "Weep no more, heavenly damsel, weep no more:


s: Neither by force withheld, or choice estranged


s: Thy Tamar lives, and only lives for thee.


s: Whom heaven and earth and ocean with one hate


s: Conspire on, and throughout each path pursue.


s: Thou hast thy habitation, 'tis from heaven,


s: From heaven alone, such power, such charms, descend.


s: Then oh! discover whence that ruin comes


s: Each night upon our city, whence are heard


s: Those yells of rapture round our fallen walls:


s: Or meet oblation for the nymphs are tears?"


s: Which she perceiving, pride refreshed her heart,


s: Hope wreathed her mouth with smiles, and she exclaimed:


s: "Neither the gods afflict you, nor the nymphs.


s: Him whom my bosom pants for, as the steeds


s: In the sun's chariot for the western wave,


s: The gods will prosper thee, and Tamar prove


s: How nymphs the torments that they cause assuage.


s: Promise me this! indeed I think thou hast,


s: But 'tis so pleasing, promise it once more."


s: "Once more I promise," cried the gladdened king,


s: "By my right hand and by myself I swear,


s: And ocean's gods and heaven's gods I adjure,


s: Thou shalt be Tamar's, Tamar shalt be thine."


s: Then she, regarding him long fixed, replied:


s: "I have thy promise, take thou my advice.


s: Of incantation, demons rule these waves;


s: These are against thee, these thy works destroy.


s: Where thou hast built thy palace, and hast left


s: Sacrifice there, and all these rites observe.


s: Go, but go early, ere the gladsome Hours,


s: Strew saffron in the path of rising Morn,


s: Ere the bee buzzing o'er flowers fresh disclosed


s: Nor scatter off the bloom, ere cold-lipped herds


s: Crop the pale herbage round each other's bed,


s: Lead seven bulls, well pastured and well formed,


s: Their neck unblemished and their horns unringed,


s: Around each base rub thrice the black'ning blood,


s: And burn the curling shavings of the hoof;


s: And of the forehead locks thou also burn:


s: The yellow galls, with equal care preserved,


s: Pour at the seventh statue from the north."


s: Perceived her not, and she had disappeared -


s: So deep he pondered her important words.


s: And now had morn arisen and he performed


s: Almost the whole enjoined him:  he had reached


s: The seventh statue, poured the yellow galls,


s: The forelock from his left he had released


s: And burnt the curling shavings of the hoof


s: Moistened with myrrh; when suddenly a flame


s: Spired from the fragrant smoke, nor sooner spired


s: Down sank the brazen fabric at his feet.


s: He started back, gazed, nor could aught but gaze,


s: And cold dread stiffened up his hair flower-twined;


s: Then with a long and tacit step, one arm


s: Behind, and every finger wide outspread,


s: He looked and tottered on a black abyss.


s: He thought he sometimes heard a distant voice


s: Breathe through the cavern's mouth, and further on


s: Faint murmurs now, now hollow groans reply.


s: Dropped it, and heard it rolling step by step:


s: Like one (when shaken from some temple's roof


s: By zealous hand, they and their fretted nest)


s: Of birds that wintering watch in Memnon's tomb,


s: And tell the halcyons when spring first returns.


s: On, for the spirit of that matchless man


s: Whom Nature led throughout her whole domain,


s: While he embodied breathed etherial air!


s: Though panting in the play-hour of my youth


s: I drank of Avon too, a dangerous draught,


s: That roused within the feverish thirst of song,


s: Yet never may I trespass o'er the stream


s: Eve's shadowy curtain falls, can any man


s: Bring back the far-off intercepted hills,


s: Grasp the round rock-built turret, or arrest


s: The glittering spires that pierce the brow of Heaven?


s: The parting sun's gigantic strides recall?


s: Twice sounded GEBIR! twice th' Iberian king


s: Thought it the strong vibration of the brain


s: That struck upon his ear; but now descried


s: His unshorn hair grown soft in these abodes


s: Waved back, and scattered thin and hoary light.


s: Living, men called him Aroar, but no more


s: His name is heard, no more by Arnon's side


s: The well-walled city which he reared remains.


s: When they no longer doubt no longer fear--


s: And would have spoken, but the shade began,


s: Has led thee hither, nor without the gods


s: Penetrate thy firm feet the vast profound.


s: Thou knowest not that here thy fathers lie,


s: The race of Sidad; theirs was loud acclaim


s: When living, but their pleasure was in war;


s: The gods thought otherwise, by whose decree


s: Deprived of life, and more, of death deprived,


s: I still hear shrieking through the moonless night


s: Observe these horrid walls, this rueful waste!


s: Here some refresh the vigour of the mind


s: Nor wonder while thou hearest that the soul


s: Surmounting all obstruction, nor ascribe


s: The sentence to indulgence; each extreme


s: Its impulse, but in vain:  to be enclosed


s: And flying, but hell bars us, from ourselves.


s: Yet rather all these torments most endure


s: And towering thoughts on their own breast o'er-turned


s: And piercing to the heart:  such penitence,


s: Such contemplation theirs! thy ancestors


s: Bear up against them, nor will they submit


s: To conquering Time the asperities of Fate;


s: Yet could they but revisit earth once more,


s: How labour, even for their deadliest foe!


s: It little now avails them to have raised


s: Phoenicia, trophies, tributes, colonies:


s: Follow thou me--mark what it all avails."


s: Not rapid, that would rouse the wretched souls,


s: Nor calmly, that might lull then to repose;


s: Billows of bale, heard low, yet heard afar.


s: For when hell's iron portals let out night,


s: Often men start and shiver at the sound,


s: They hear their own hearts beat.  Now Gebir breathed


s: Twilight broods here, lulled by no nightingale


s: Nor wakened by the shrill lark dewy-winged,


s: But glowing with one sullen sunless heat.


s: Beneath his foot nor sprouted flower nor herb


s: Nor chirped a grasshopper.  Above his head


s: Part were sulphurous clouds involving, part


s: Shining like solid ribs of molten brass;


s: For the fierce element which else aspires


s: Higher and higher and lessens to the sky,


s: Below, earth's adamantine arch rebuffed.


s: Gebir, though now such languor held his limbs,


s: Scarce aught admired he, yet he this admired;


s: And thus addressed him then the conscious guide.


s: "Beyond that river lie the happy fields;


s: From them fly gentle breezes, which when drawn


s: Stronger with what they could not overcome.


s: Thus they that scatter freshness through the groves


s: With liquid light the marble bowl of earth,


s: And give her blooming health and spritely force,


s: Their fire no more diluted, nor its darts


s: Blunted by passing through thick myrtle bowers,


s: Neither from odours rising half dissolved,


s: Point forward Phlegethon's eternal flame;


s: Whence each ray reaches to the world above."


s: What region held his ancestors, what clouds,


s: What waters, or what gods, from his embrace.


s: Aroar then sudden, as though roused, renewed.


s: "Come thou, if ardour urges thee and force


s: Thy ancestors!" and lo! with horrid gasp


s: The panting flame above his head recoiled,


s: And thunder through his heart and life blood throbbed.


s: Such sound could human organs once conceive,


s: Cold, speechless, palsied, not the soothing voice


s: Could raise the wretched mortal from the dust;


s: Beyond man's home condition they! with eyes


s: Intent, and voice desponding, and unheard


s: By Aroar, though he tarried at his side.


s: "They know me not," cried Gebir, "O my sires,


s: Ye know me not! they answer not, nor hear.


s: How distant are they still! what sad extent


s: Aroar, what wretch that nearest us? what wretch


s: Is that with eyebrows white, and slanting brow?


s: Listen! him yonder who bound down supine,


s: Shrinks yelling from that sword there engine-hung;


s: Inclement winds blew blighting from north-east."


s: "He was a warrior then, nor feared the gods?"


s: "Gebir, he feared the Demons, not the Gods;


s: Though them indeed his daily face adored,


s: And was no warrior, yet the thousand lives


s: Squandered as stones to exercise a sling!


s: Oh, madness of mankind! addressed, adored!


s: O Gebir! what are men, or where are gods!


s: Plunge floundering mid the marshes yellow-flowered,


s: His restless head just reaching to the rocks,


s: His bosom tossing with black weeds besmeared,


s: How writhes he twixt the continent and isle!


s: What tyrant with more insolence e'er claimed


s: Rose more intense the pale-flamed thirst for gold?


s: And called forsooth DELIVERER!  False or fools


s: Who praised the dull-eared miscreant, or who hoped


s: To soothe your folly and disgrace with praise!


s: Hearest thou not the harp's gay simpering air


s: And now behold him! mark the wretch accursed


s: Self-yoked they stood two ages unredeemed."


s: "Oh, horror! what pale visage rises there?


s: Speak, Aroar! me perhaps mine eyes deceive,


s: Inured not, yet methinks they there descry


s: Such crimson haze as sometimes drowns the moon.


s: What is yon awful sight? why thus appears


s: That space between the purple and the crown?"


s: "I will relate their stories when we reach


s: Our confines," said the guide; "for thou, O king,


s: Differing in both from all thy countrymen,


s: Seest not their stories and hast seen their fates.


s: Riseth, and murmuring hoarse, points straighter, haste!


s: Cried Gebir, and groaned loud, at last a tear


s: Burst from his eyes turned back, and he exclaimed,


s: Suffer me--Oh, my fathers!--am I torn--"


s: He spake, and would have spoken more, but flames


s: Enwrapped him round and round intense; he turned,


s: And stood held breathless in a ghost's embrace.


s: Thy calling voice, nor fate withheld me more:


s: Soon will my torments, soon will thine, expire.


s: When dipping in the victim's blood thy hand,


s: First thou withdrew'st it, looking in my face


s: Wondering; but when the priest my will explained,


s: Then swearest thou, repeating what he said,


s: And bruise the seed first risen from our line.


s: Therefore in death what pangs have I endured!


s: Twelve years I saw the ruined world roll round.


s: Shudder not--I have borne it--I deserved


s: My wretched fate--be better thine--farewell."


s: "Oh, stay, my father! stay one moment more.


s: Let me return thee that embrace--'tis past--


s: And now the gulf divides us, and the waves


s: Of sulphur bellow through the blue abyss.


s: In vain?"  Then sternly said the guide, "In vain!


s: Sayst thou? what wouldst thou more? alas, O prince,


s: None come for pastime here! but is it nought


s: To turn thy feet from evil? is it nought


s: Of pleasure to that shade if they are turned?


s: For this thou camest hither:  he who dares


s: His steps, nor demon's nor man's art prevail.


s: Once in each hundred years, and only once,


s: Or whether willed so by some power above,


s: This flaming arch starts back, each realm descries


s: Calmly said Aroar at his guest's surprise,


s: So permeated by heaven, no trace remains


s: Graven on earth:  here Justice is supreme;


s: Compassion can be but where passions are.


s: Here are discovered those who tortured Law


s: To silence or to speech, as pleased themselves:


s: Here also those who boasted of their zeal


s: And loved their country for the spoils it gave.


s: Hundreds, whose glitt'ring merchandise the lyre


s: Dazzled vain wretches drunk with flattery,


s: And wafted them in softest airs to Heav'n,


s: Doomed to be still deceived, here still attune


s: The wonted strings and fondly woo applause:


s: Their wish half granted, they retain their own,


s: But madden at the mockery of the shades.


s: Deep olive groves; there other ghosts abide,


s: Blest indeed they, but not supremely blest.


s: Aught but our opposite, and here are fates


s: How opposite to ours! here some observed


s: Strangers, who from the good old men retired,


s: Closed the gate gently, lest from generous use


s: It shake unsettled slumbers off their couch:


s: Some stopped revenge athirst for slaughter, some


s: These had no wishes, therefore none are crowned;


s: But theirs are tufted banks, theirs umbrage, theirs


s: And breeze enough to lull them to repose."


s: Then Gebir cried:  "Illustrious host, proceed.


s: Admired by all, but like a tale admired.


s: We take our children from their cradled sleep,


s: But ere departing for such scenes ourselves


s: We seize their hands, we hang upon their neck,


s: Our beds cling heavy round us with our tears,


s: Wherefore should wretched mortals thus believe,


s: Or wherefore should they hesitate to die?"


s: Thus while he questioned, all his strength dissolved


s: Within him, thunder shook his troubled brain,


s: He started, and the cavern's mouth surveyed


s: And bent toward them his bewildered way.


s: The king's lone road, his visit, his return,


s: The wondrous tale from royal ears delayed.


s: When the young queen had heard who taught the rites


s: Her mind was shaken, and what first she asked


s: Was, whether the sea-maids were very fair,


s: And was it true that even gods were moved


s: By female charms beneath the waves profound,


s: And joined to them in marriage, and had sons--


s: Who knows but Gebir sprang then from the gods!


s: Flattered both female youth and princely pride,


s: Showed Power in frightful attitude:  the queen


s: Marks the surpassing prodigy, and strives


s: To shake off terror in her crowded court,


s: And wonders why she trembles, nor suspects


s: How Fear and Love assume each other's form,


s: Vainly with crouching tigers, prowling wolves,


s: Rocks, precipices, waves, storms, thunderbolts,


s: The simplest heart, should Love refuse, assail:


s: Consent--the maiden's pillowed ear imbibes


s: Beauty and ardent lips and longing arms;


s: Then fades in glimmering distance half the scene,


s: Then her heart quails and flutters and would fly--


s: 'Tis her beloved! not to her! ye Powers!


s: What doubting maid exacts the vow? behold


s: Such ebbs of doubt and swells of jealousy


s: Toss the fond bosom in its hour of sleep


s: And float around the eyelids and sink through.


s: Lo! mirror of delight in cloudless days,


s: Lo! thy reflection:  'twas when I exclaimed,


s: Their end, and reckoned on our broken bonds,


s: And could at such a price such loss endure:


s: "Oh, what to faithful lovers met at morn,


s: What half so pleasant as imparted fears!"


s: Looking recumbent how love's column rose


s: Marmoreal, trophied round with golden hair,


s: He slumbered, one his unstrung low impressed.


s: Sweet wilderness of soul-entangling charms!


s: Led back by memory, and each blissful maze


s: Those dimpled cheeks, those temples violet-tinged,


s: Those lips of nectar and those eyes of heaven!


s: The liquid pearl, or twined the nodding crown,


s: Dreamed of the crawling asp and grated tomb,


s: Struck her, most piercing where love pierced before,


s: From those whose freedom centres in their tongue,


s: Handmaidens, pages, courtiers, priests, buffoons.


s: While tumult sweeps them ample room for play,


s: Everywhere questions answered ere begun,


s: Everywhere crowds, for everywhere alarm.


s: Thus winter gone, nor spring (though near) arrived,


s: Urged slanting onward by the bickering breeze


s: Shudder the sombrous waves; at every beam


s: More vivid, more by every breath impelled,


s: Their turbulent refulgence they display.


s: The more it seizes on the fiercer burns,


s: Hurried them blindly forward, and involved


s: In flame the senses and in gloom the soul.


s: Determined to protect the country's gods


s: And asking their protection, they adjure


s: With zeal, and trample under foot the slow;


s: Divine, those Sympathies whose delicate hand


s: Blind wretches! they with desperate embrace


s: Hang on the pillar till the temple fall.


s: Oft the grave judge alarms religious wealth


s: "People! these men are not your enemies,


s: Inquire their errand, and resist when wronged."


s: Together childhood, priesthood, womanhood,


s: The scribes and elders of the land, exclaim,


s: "Seek they not hidden treasure in the tombs?


s: Who can declare whose ashes they disturb!


s: Build they not fairer cities than our own,


s: For light, and portals larger, open courts


s: And wider streets in purer air than ours?


s: Temples quite plain with equal architraves


s: They build, nor bearing gods like ours embossed.


s: Though all the vulgar hate a foreign face,


s: It more offends weak eyes and homely age,


s: Throughout the land, and bid the strangers eat;


s: "Nurse of my childhood, soother of my cares,


s: Fear might impel me, never could distrust.


s: Go then, for wisdom guides thee, take my name,


s: Issue what most imports and best beseems,


s: And sovereignty shall sanction the decree."


s: Grew lighter; she sat down, and she arose,


s: She felt voluptuous tenderness, but felt


s: Her wisdom--for what wisdom pleased like hers!


s: She was delighted; should she not behold


s: Gebir? she blushed; but she had words to speak,


s: She formed them and re-formed them, with regret


s: That there was somewhat lost with every change;


s: She could replace them--what would that avail?--


s: Moved from their order they have lost their charm.


s: While thus she strewed her way with softest words,


s: A plenteous rather than perplexing choice:


s: She rubbed her palms with pleasure, heaved a sigh,


s: Grew calm again, and thus her thoughts revolved--


s: "But he descended to the tombs! the thought


s: Thrills me, I must avow it, with affright.


s: And wherefore? shows he not the more beloved


s: Of heaven? or how ascends he back to day?


s: Then has he wronged me? could he want a cause


s: And yet no reasons against rights he urged,


s: He threatened not, proclaimed not; I approached,


s: He hastened on; I spake, he listened; wept,


s: He was a conqueror, still am I a queen."


s: She thus indulged fond fancies, when the sound


s: Of timbrels and of cymbals struck her ear,


s: She feared, and listened to confirm her fears;


s: One breath sufficed, and shook her refluent soul.


s: Smiting, with simulated smile constrained,


s: Her beauteous bosom, "Oh, perfidious man!


s: Oh, cruel foe!" she twice and thrice exclaimed,


s: "Oh, my companions equal-aged! my throne,


s: This day, how tenfold wretched to endure!"


s: She ceased, and instantly the palace rang


s: 'Twas her own people.  "Health to Gebir! health


s: To our compatriot subjects! to our queen!


s: Health and unfaded youth ten thousand years!"


s: Then went the victims forward crowned with flowers,


s: Crowned were tame crocodiles, and boys white-robed


s: Guided their creaking crests across the stream.


s: The veil of sea-green awning:  if they found


s: Whom they desired, how pleasant was the breeze!


s: If not, the frightful water forced a sigh.


s: Sweet airs of music ruled the rowing palms,


s: Now rose they glistening and aslant reclined,


s: Now they descended, and with one consent


s: Plunging, seemed swift each other to pursue,


s: And now to tremble wearied o'er the wave.


s: Crowds of all ages:  here in triumph passed


s: Not without pomp, though raised with rude device,


s: Shone out in sunny whiteness o'er the reeds.


s: Nor could luxuriant youth, or lapsing age


s: Propped by the corner of the nearest street,


s: With aching eyes and tottering knees intent,


s: Loose leathery neck and worm-like lip outstretched,


s: Fix long the ken upon one form, so swift


s: Through the gay vestures fluttering on the bank,


s: And through the bright-eyed waters dancing round,


s: Wove they their wanton wiles and disappeared.


s: Meantime, with pomp august and solemn, borne


s: On four white camels tinkling plates of gold,


s: Heralds before and Ethiop slaves behind,


s: Each with the signs of office in his hand,


s: Each on his brow the sacred stamp of years,


s: Rich carpets bear they, corn and generous wine,


s: The Syrian olive's cheerful gift they bear,


s: With stubborn goats that eye the mountain tops


s: And steeds and stately camels in their train.


s: The king, who sat before his tent, descried


s: The dust rise reddened from the setting sun.


s: Through all the plains below the Gadite men


s: Were resting from their labour; some surveyed


s: The spacious site ere yet obstructed--walls


s: Already, soon will roofs have interposed;


s: Some ate their frugal viands on the steps


s: Contented; some, remembering home, prefer


s: The cot's bare rafters o'er the gilded dome,


s: And sing, for often sighs, too, end in song:


s: "In smiling meads how sweet the brook's repose,


s: To the rough ocean and red restless sands!


s: Where are the woodland voices that increased


s: On the fane step, and the first privet-flowers


s: Threw their white light upon the vernal shrine?"


s: Some heedless trip along with hasty step


s: Whistling, and fix too soon on their abodes:


s: Measures the lintel, if so great its height


s: As will receive him with his helm unlowered.


s: But silence went throughout, e'en thoughts were hushed,


s: Now first expanded the bare-headed train.


s: Onward they marched, and neither to the right


s: Nor to the left, though there the city stood,


s: Turned they their sober eyes; and now they reached


s: He hailed them, "Peace be with you:" they replied,


s: "King of  the western world, be with you peace."


s: Mistress of nations, thronged by palaces,


s: Glowing with pleasure and with palms refreshed,


s: Ere far advancing, all appeared a plain;


s: Treacherous and fearful mountains, far advanced.


s: The fierce hyena frighted from the walls


s: Bristled his rising back, his teeth unsheathed,


s: Drew the long growl and with slow foot retired.


s: Yet were remaining some of ancient race,


s: And ancient arts were now their sole delight:


s: With Time's first sickle they had marked the hour


s: When at their incantation would the Moon


s: Start back, and shuddering shed blue blasted light.


s: The rifted rays they gathered, and immersed


s: In potent portion of that wondrous wave,


s: Which, hearing rescued Israel, stood erect,


s: And led her armies through his crystal gates.


s: Hither (none shared her way, her counsel none)


s: And the still breeze fell languid on the waste.


s: She, tired with journey long and ardent thoughts


s: Stopped; and before the city she descried


s: Intent she fixed her eyes, and on herself


s: Relying, with fresh vigour bent her way;


s: Nor disappeared the woman, but exclaimed,


s: One hand retaining tight her folded vest,


s: "Stranger, who loathest life, there lies Masar.


s: Stands on thy bleached bones and screams for prey.


s: My lips can scatter them a hundred leagues,


s: So shrivelled in one breath as all the sands


s: Wretched who die nor raise their sepulchre!


s: (Though in her withered but still firm right-hand


s: Held up with imprecations hoarse and deep


s: Glimmered her brazen sickle, and enclosed


s: Within its figured curve the fading moon)


s: Spake thus aloud.  "By yon bright orb of Heaven,


s: In that most sacred moment when her beam


s: Guided first thither by the forked shaft,


s: Strikes through the crevice of Arishtah's tower--"


s: "Sayst thou?" astonished cried the sorceress,


s: "Woman of outer darkness, fiend of death,


s: From what inhuman cave, what dire abyss,


s: Hast thou invisible that spell o'erheard?


s: What potent hand hath touched thy quickened corse,


s: What song dissolved thy cerements, who unclosed


s: Those faded eyes and filled them from the stars?


s: But if with inextinguished light of life


s: Thou breathest, soul and body unamerced,


s: Then whence that invocation? who hath dared


s: Those hallowed words, divulging, to profane?"


s: Dalica cried, "To heaven, not earth, addressed,


s: Prayers for protection cannot be profane."


s: Here the pale sorceress turned her face aside


s: "I dread her who, alone at such an hour,


s: Can speak so strangely, who can thus combine


s: The words of reason with our gifted rites,


s: Yet will I speak once more.--If thou hast seen


s: Clung the Masarian round her neck, and cried:


s: "Art thou then not my sister? ah, I fear


s: Deprive thine eyes of strength and purity.


s: And rest on Heaven suspended, where the founts


s: Of Wisdom rise, where sound the wings of Power;


s: Studies intense of strong and stern delight!


s: Weaned from the bosom of thy native land,


s: Oh, what more pleasant than the short-breathed sigh


s: When laying down your burden at the gate,


s: And dizzy with long wandering, you embrace


s: "Alas," said Dalica, "though all commend


s: This choice, and many meet with no control,


s: Yet none pursue it!  Age by Care oppressed


s: Feels for the couch, and drops into the grave.


s: The tranquil scene lies further still from Youth:


s: Consume Youth's fairest flowers; compared with Youth


s: Age has a something something like repose.


s: Like the horizon, which, as you advance,


s: Keeping its form and colour, yet recedes;


s: But mind my errand, and my suit perform.


s: Twelve years ago Charoba first could speak:


s: She would indulge him too, and would reply


s: 'What? why, Charoba!' raised with sweet surprise,


s: And proud to shine a teacher in her turn.


s: Show her the graven sceptre; what its use?


s: 'Twas to beat dogs with, and to gather flies.


s: She thought the crown a plaything to amuse


s: Herself, and not the people, for she thought


s: Who mimic infant words might infant toys:


s: But while she watched grave elders look with awe


s: On such a bauble, she withheld her breath;


s: She was afraid her parents should suspect


s: They had caught childhood from her in a kiss;


s: She blushed for shame, and feared--for she believed.


s: Yet was not courage wanting in the child.


s: No; I have often seen her with both hands


s: And listen to the shells within the scales,


s: Past are three summers since she first beheld


s: She coldly said, her long-lashed eyes abased,


s: 'Is this the mighty ocean? is this all!'


s: That wondrous soul Charoba once possessed,


s: Capacious then as earth or heaven could hold,


s: Of Gebir, whom with lust of power inflamed


s: The western winds have landed on our coast?


s: I since have watched her in each lone retreat,


s: Have heard her sigh and soften out the name,


s: More sweet, and seem to taste them on her lips,


s: Then loathe them--Gebir, Gebir still returned.


s: For soon the sunny stream of youth runs down,


s: And not a gadfly streaks the lake beyond.


s: Lone in the gardens, on her gathered vest


s: How gently would her languid arm recline!


s: How often have I seen her kiss a flower,


s: And on cool mosses press her glowing cheek!


s: Nor was the stranger free from pangs himself.


s: Whether by spell imperfect, or while brewed


s: The swelling herbs infected him with foam,


s: Oft have the shepherds met him wandering


s: Through unfrequented paths, oft overheard


s: Deep groans, oft started from soliloquies


s: That figure Fancy fondly chose to raise,


s: He clasped the vacant air and stood and gazed;


s: Then owning it was folly, strange to tell,


s: Burst into peals of laughter at his woes.


s: Next, when his passion had subsided, went


s: Where from a cistern, green and ruined, oozed


s: A little rill, soon lost; there gathered he


s: Violets, and harebells of a sister bloom,


s: The grass was whitened with their roots nipped off.


s: These threw he, finished, in the little rill


s: And stood surveying them with steady smile:


s: With such a start of terror, such a flush


s: And looked so piteous, so impatient looked--


s: And burst, before I answered, into tears.


s: Then saw I, plainly saw I, 'twas not love;


s: For such her natural temper, what she likes


s: She speaks it out, or rather she commands.


s: Than, if she loved him, 'Bring me him I love.'


s: Therefore the death of Gebir is resolved."


s: "Resolved indeed," cried Myrthyr, nought surprised,


s: "Precious my arts!  I could without remorse


s: Kill, though I hold thee dearer than the day,


s: Is this from fortune or from favouring stars?


s: What weeping!  Oh, what luxury!  Come, haste,


s: Gather me quickly up these herbs I dropped,


s: From those two maiden sisters pull the spleen:


s: Dissemblers! how invidious they surround


s: The virgin's tomb, where all but virgins weep."


s: "Nay, hear me first," cried Dalica; "'tis hard


s: "Perish! and may not then mine eye alone


s: Enough? the portion cannot be perceived."


s: And, sprinkling thrice flesh sulphur o'er the hearth,


s: And pointed to a woof, nor spake a word;


s: 'Twas a dark purple, and its dye was dread.


s: Plunged in a lonely house, to her unknown,


s: Now Dalica first trembled:  o'er the roof


s: Wandered her haggard eyes--'twas some relief.


s: The massy stones, though hewn most roughly, showed


s: The hand of man had once at least been there:


s: But from this object sinking back amazed,


s: Her bosom lost all consciousness, and shook


s: Her thus entranced the sister's voice recalled.


s: "Behold it here dyed once again! 'tis done."


s: Dalica stepped, and felt beneath her feet


s: The slippery floor, with mouldered dust bestrewn;


s: But Myrthyr seized with bare bold-sinewed arm


s: The grey cerastes, writhing from her grasp,


s: And twisted off his horn, nor feared to squeeze


s: The viscous poison from his glowing gums.


s: Nor wanted there the root of stunted shrub


s: Which he lays ragged, hanging o'er the sands,


s: And whence the weapons of his wrath are death:


s: Nor the blue urchin that with clammy fin


s: Holds down the tossing vessel for the tides.


s: Together these her scient hand combined,


s: And more she added, dared I mention more.


s: Which done, with words most potent, thrice she dipped


s: The reeking garb; thrice waved it through the air:


s: She ceased; and suddenly the creeping wool


s: Shrunk up with crisped dryness in her hands.


s: "Take this," she cried, "and Gebir is no more."


s: The sacred gate of orient pearl and gold,


s: Smitten with Lucifer's light silver wand,


s: The waves beneath in purpling rows, like doves


s: Glancing with wanton coyness tow'rd their queen,


s: Heaved softly; thus the damsel's bosom heaves


s: When from her sleeping lover's downy cheek,


s: Each moment nearer, she perceives the warmth


s: Of coming kisses fanned by playful dreams.


s: For 'twas the morning pointed out by Fate


s: Should share each other's nature knit in bliss.


s: The brave Iberians far the beach o'erspread


s: Ere dawn with distant awe; none hear the mew,


s: None mark the curlew flapping o'er the field;


s: Sounds, and goes sounding through the woods profound.


s: They, where they hear the echo, turn their eyes,


s: But nothing see they, save a purple mist


s: Roll from the distant mountain down the shore:


s: It rolls, it sails, it settles, it dissolves--


s: Now shines the nymph to human eye revealed,


s: And leads her Tamar timorous o'er the waves.


s: The shepherd; he shrinks back, of breath bereft:


s: His vesture clinging closely round his limbs


s: Unfelt, while they the whole fair form admire,


s: He fears that he has lost it, then he fears


s: The wave has moved it, most to look he fears.


s: Scarce the sweet-flowing music he imbibes,


s: Or sees the peopled ocean; scarce he sees


s: Not less divine, mild-natured; Beauty formed


s: These were the nymphs elected for the hour


s: The bridal bed, these tuned afresh the shells,


s: Wiping the green that hoarsened them within:


s: These wove the chaplets, and at night resolved


s: To drive the dolphins from the wreathed door.


s: Gebir surveyed the concourse from the tents,


s: From what attention with what earnestness


s: Now to his city, now to theirs, he waved


s: His hand, and held it, while they spake, outspread.


s: They tarried with him, and they shared the feast.


s: They stooped with trembling hand from heavy jars


s: The wines of Gades gurgling in the bowl;


s: Nor bent they homeward till the moon appeared


s: To hang midway betwixt the earth and skies.


s: 'Twas then that leaning o'er the boy beloved,


s: In Ocean's grot where Ocean was unheard,


s: "Tamar!" the nymph said gently, "come awake!


s: Enough to love, enough to sleep, is given,


s: Haste we away."  This Tamar deemed deceit,


s: Spoken so fondly, and he kissed her lips,


s: Nor blushed he then, for he was then unseen.


s: "What cause to fly?" said Tamar; she replied,


s: "Ask none for flight, and feign none for delay."


s: From dreams of pleasure to eternal sleep,


s: And, when I cease to shudder, cease to be!"


s: She held the downcast bridegroom to her breast,


s: Looked in his face and charmed away his fears.


s: She said not "Wherefore leave I then embraced


s: Myself a nymph, that now I should deceive?"


s: She said not--Tamar did, and was ashamed.


s: "Grief favours all who bear the gift of tears!


s: Mild at first sight he meets his votaries


s: The pausing foot, the closing door sounds loud,


s: The fiend in triumph strikes the roof, then falls


s: Darken and widen:  yes, proud-hearted man!


s: Nor otherwise when mountain floods descend


s: Smiles the unsullied lotus glossy-haired.


s: Thou, claiming all things, leanest on thy claim


s: Tamar, some silent tempest gathers round!"


s: "Round whom?" retorted Tamar; "thou describe


s: "But wherefore thou?  It threatens not thyself,


s: "The more I know, the more a wretch am I."


s: Groaned deep the troubled youth, "still thou proceed."


s: Found out at last too soon! cease here the search,


s: 'Tis vain, 'tis impious, 'tis no gift of mine:


s: What makes, when winter comes, the sun to rest


s: And night to tarry so at spring's return.


s: And I will tell sometimes the fate of men


s: Who loosed from drooping neck the restless arm


s: Adventurous, ere long nights had satisfied


s: How whirlpools have absorbed them, storms o'er-whelmed,


s: And how amid their struggles and their prayers


s: The big wave blackened o'er the mouths supine:


s: Then, when my Tamar trembles at the tale,


s: Kissing his lips half open with surprise,


s: Glance from the gloomy story, and with glee


s: Thus we may sport at leisure where we go


s: Where, loved by Neptune and the Naiad, loved


s: The spritely nymph whom constant Zephyr wooes,


s: Rhine rolls his beryl-coloured wave; than Rhine


s: More stately! most the simple crown adorns


s: With here and there a flower:  his lofty brow


s: He rears, and mystic bards his fame resound.


s: Will harbour us from ill."  While thus she spake,


s: She touched his eyelashes with libant lip,


s: And breathed ambrosial odours, o'er his cheek


s: Celestial warmth suffusing:  grief dispersed,


s: And strength and pleasure beamed upon his brow.


s: Then pointed she before him:  first arose


s: The sacred isle that shrines the queen of love.


s: It stood so near him, so acute each sense,


s: Or coo serene or billing strife of doves,


s: But murmurs, whispers, nay the very sighs


s: Which he himself had uttered once, he heard.


s: Next, but long after and far off, appear


s: The cloud-like cliffs and thousand towers of Crete,


s: Phoebus had raised and fixed them, to surround


s: He saw the land of Pelops, host of gods,


s: Saw the steep ridge where Corinth after stood


s: Beckoning the serious with the smiling arts


s: That to assure the bent-up hand unskilled


s: Looked oft, but oftener fearing who might wake.


s: He heard the voice of rivers; he descried


s: That tread his banks but fear the thundering tide;


s: And poplar-crowned Spercheus, and reclined


s: Scattered above the weeds his hoary hair.


s: Far onward to the left a glimmering light


s: Glanced out oblique, nor vanished; he inquired


s: Whence that arose, his consort thus replied -


s: Of noble rivers none with mightier force


s: Rolls his unwearied torrent to the main."


s: Darkness with light more horrid she confounds,


s: Baffles the breath and dims the sight of day.


s: And, looking up, held fast the bridal vest;


s: He heard the roar above him, heard the roar


s: Hurl, from earth's base, rocks, mountains, to the skies.


s: Meanwhile the nymph had fixed her eyes beyond,


s: As seeing somewhat, not intent on aught.


s: He, more amazed than ever, then exclaimed,


s: "Look yonder," cried the nymph, without reply,


s: "Look yonder!"  Tamar looked, and saw afar


s: Where the waves whitened on the desert shore.


s: When from amid grey ocean first he caught


s: The heights of Calpe, saddened he exclaimed,


s: With all his thunder-hearing clouds, I hail


s: Thy ridges rough and cheerless! what though Spring


s: Nor kiss thy brow nor cool it with a flower,


s: Yet will I hail thee, hail thy flinty couch,


s: Where Valour and where Virtue have reposed."


s: The nymph said, sweetly smiling, "Fickle man


s: And I confess how, looking back, a thought


s: Has touched and tuned or rather thrilled my heart,


s: Too soft for sorrow and too strong for joy:


s: Fond foolish maid, 'twas with mine own accord


s: It soothed me, shook me, melted, drowned, in tears.


s: But weep not thou; what cause hast thou to weep?


s: Wouldst thou thy country? wouldst those caves abhorred,


s: Dungeons and portals that exclude the day?


s: Gebir, though generous, just, humane, inhaled


s: Rank venom from these mansions.  Rest, O king


s: With horrid chorus, Pain, Diseases, Death,


s: Stamp on the slippery pavement of the proud,


s: And ring their sounding emptiness through earth.


s: Possess the ocean, me, thyself, and peace."


s: And now the chariot of the Sun descends,


s: The waves rush hurried from his foaming steeds,


s: Smoke issues from their nostrils at the gate,


s: Which when they enter, with huge golden bar


s: What mortal first by adverse fate assailed,


s: Trampled by tyranny or scoffed by scorn,


s: Bade with fond sigh his native laud farewell?


s: Wretched! but tenfold wretched who resolved


s: Against the waves to plunge th' expatriate keel


s: Deep with the richest harvest of his land!


s: Driven with that weak blast which Winter leaves


s: Zephyrs pass by and laugh at his distress.


s: "Who would with aching head and toiling arms


s: Bear the full pitcher to the stream far off?


s: Who would, of power intent on high emprise,


s: Deem less the praise to fill the vacant gulf


s: To close around and cruel that monster VOID:


s: Fire, springing fierce from his resplendent throne,


s: Woundless and whole with iron-coloured mace,


s: Or whirling headlong in his war-belt's fold.


s: Mark well the lesson, man! and spare thy kind.


s: Go, from their midnight darkness wake the woods,


s: Woo the lone forest in her last retreat:


s: Many still bend their beauteous heads unblest


s: Light upon e'en the wretched, who have fled


s: The house of bondage or the house of birth;


s: Suspicions, murmurs, treacheries, taunts, retorts,


s: Attend the brighter banners that invade;


s: And the first horn of hunter, pale with want,


s: Sounds to the chase, the second to the war.


s: When, linked together by the seven-armed Nile,


s: Here the Tartesian, there the Gadite tents


s: Rang with impatient pleasure:  here engaged


s: While they of Durius raced along the beach


s: And scattered mud and jeers on all behind.


s: The strength of Baetis too removed the helm


s: And stripped the corslet off, and staunched the foot


s: Against the mossy maple, while they tore


s: Their quivering lances from the hissing wound.


s: Others push forth the prows of their compeers,


s: And the wave, parted by the pouncing beak,


s: Swells up the sides, and closes far astern:


s: The silent oars now dip their level wings,


s: And weary with strong stroke the whitening wave.


s: Now, entering the still harbour, every surge


s: Runs with a louder murmur up their keel,


s: And the slack cordage rattles round the mast.


s: Sleepless with pleasure and expiring fears


s: And o'er the plains appointed for the feast


s: Hurried with ardent step:  the swains admired


s: What so transversely could have swept the dew;


s: Nor long, unheeding man, one pace preserved.


s: Not thus Charoba:  she despaired the day:


s: The day was present; true; yet she despaired.


s: In the too tender and once tortured heart


s: Doubts gather strength from habit, like disease;


s: Fears, like the needle verging to the pole,


s: How often, when her maids with merry voice


s: Called her, and told the sleepless queen 'twas morn,


s: How often would she feign some fresh delay,


s: And tell them (though they saw) that she arose.


s: Next to her chamber, closed by cedar doors


s: On its fair surface bore its pavement high:


s: With fluttering boys adorned and girls unrobed:


s: These, when you touch the quiet water, start


s: Entangled mid each other's flowery wreaths,


s: Here came at last, as ever wont at morn,


s: Charoba:  long she lingered at the brink,


s: Often she sighed, and, naked as she was,


s: Sat down, and leaning on the couch's edge,


s: Rested her burning cheek:  she moved her eyes;


s: She blushed; and blushing plunged into the wave.


s: Now brazen chariots thunder through each street,


s: And neighing steeds paw proudly from delay.


s: While o'er the palace breathes the dulcimer,


s: Lute, and aspiring harp, and lisping reed;


s: Loud rush the trumpets bursting through the throng


s: And urge the high-shouldered vulgar; now are heard


s: Curses and quarrels and constricted blows,


s: Now murmurs, like the sea or like the storm,


s: Or like the flames on forests, move and mount


s: From rank to rank, and loud and louder roll,


s: Till all the people is one vast applause.


s: Yes, 'tis herself, Charoba--now the strife


s: Feel they some partial pang, some secret void,


s: Some doubt of feasting those fond eyes again?


s: Panting imbibe they that refreshing sight


s: She goes, the king awaits her from the camp:


s: Him she descried, and trembled ere he reached


s: Her car, but shuddered paler at his voice.


s: Grows paler filled afresh and dewed with wine;


s: So seems the tenderest herbage of the spring


s: The beauteous queen alighting he received,


s: And sighed to loose her from his arms; she hung


s: A little longer on them through her fears:


s: Her maidens followed her, and one that watched,


s: One that had called her in the morn, observed


s: Burns into whiteness, while the blushing cheek


s: Between both nations drawn in ranks they pass:


s: The priests, with linen ephods, linen robes,


s: Attend their steps, some follow, some precede,


s: Where clothed with purple intertwined with gold


s: Two lofty thrones commanded land and main.


s: Behind and near them numerous were the tents


s: As freckled clouds o'erfloat our vernal skies,


s: Numerous as wander in warm moonlight nights,


s: Swans pliant-necked and village storks revered.


s: Throughout each nation moved the hum confused,


s: Like that from myriad wings o'er Scythian cups


s: Of frothy milk, concreted soon with blood.


s: Throughout the fields the savoury smoke ascends,


s: And boughs and branches shade the hides unbroached.


s: And others press the helmet--now resounds


s: The signal--queen and monarch mount the thrones.


s: The brazen clarion hoarsens:  many leagues


s: Above them, many to the south, the heron


s: Rising with hurried croak and throat outstretched,


s: Ploughs up the silvering surface of her plain.


s: Tottering with age's zeal and mischief's haste


s: The throne, she leant against the pedestal,


s: And now ascending stood before the king.


s: Prayers for his health and safety she preferred,


s: And o'er his head and o'er his feet she threw


s: Myrrh, nard, and cassia, from three golden urns;


s: His robe of native woof she next removed,


s: And round his shoulders drew the garb accursed,


s: And bowed her head and parted:  soon the queen


s: Saw the blood mantle in his manly cheeks,


s: And feared, and faltering sought her lost replies,


s: And blessed the silence that she wished were broke.


s: Alas! unconscious maiden! night shall close,


s: And love and sovereignty and life dissolve,


s: When thunder overhangs the fountain's head,


s: Losing its wonted freshness every stream


s: Grows turbid, grows with sickly warmth suffused:


s: Thus were the brave Iberians when they saw


s: The king of nations from his throne descend.


s: Scarcely, with pace uneven, knees unnerved,


s: Reached he the waters:  in his troubled ear


s: They sounded murmuring drearily; they rose


s: Wild, in strange colours, to his parching eyes;


s: They seemed to rush around him, seemed to lift


s: From the receding earth his helpless feet.


s: He fell--Charoba shrieked aloud--she ran--


s: Frantic with fears and fondness, mazed with woe,


s: The turban that betrayed its golden charge


s: Within, the veil that down her shoulders hung,


s: All fallen at her feet! the furthest wave


s: Creeping with silent progress up the sand,


s: Glided through all, and raised their hollow folds.


s: In vain they bore him to the sea, in vain


s: Rubbed they his temples with the briny warmth:


s: He struggled from them, strong with agony,


s: He rose half up, he fell again, he cried


s: His neck, and raising on her knee one arm,


s: Sighed when it moved not, when it fell she shrieked,


s: And clasping loud both hands above her head,


s: She called on Gebir, called on earth, on heaven.


s: "Who will believe me? what shall I protest?


s: How innocent, thus wretched!  God of gods,


s: Strike me--who most offend thee most defy--


s: Charoba most offends thee--strike me, hurl


s: From this accursed land, this faithless throne.


s: See here the gorgeous robe! you little thought


s: How have the demons dyed that robe with death.


s: Where are ye, dear fond parents! when ye heard


s: My feet in childhood pat the palace-floor,


s: Ye started forth and kissed away surprise:


s: Will ye now meet me! how, and where, and when?


s: And must I fill your bosom with my tears,


s: And, what I never have done, with your own!


s: Why have the gods thus punished me? what harm


s: Their temples, asked too little, or too much?


s: Proud if they granted, grieved if they withheld?


s: O mother! stand between your child and them!


s: Appease them, soothe them, soften their revenge,


s: Alas, but if you cannot! they themselves


s: Will then want pity rather than your child.


s: Behold the festive day, the nuptial hour!"


s: Thus raved Charoba:  horror, grief, amaze,


s: Pervaded all the host; all eyes were fixed;


s: All stricken motionless and mute:  the feast


s: Was like the feast of Cepheus, when the sword


s: Of Phineus, white with wonder, shook restrained,


s: And the hilt rattled in his marble hand.


s: She heard not, saw not, every sense was gone;


s: One passion banished all; dominion, praise,


s: The world itself was nothing.  Senseless man!


s: What would thy fancy figure now from worlds?


s: There is no world to those that grieve and love.


s: She hung upon his bosom, pressed his lips,


s: Breathed, and would feign it his that she resorbed;


s: She chafed the feathery softness of his veins,


s: That swelled out black, like tendrils round their vase


s: After libation:  lo! he moves! he groans!


s: He seems to struggle from the grasp of death.


s: Charoba shrieked and fell away, her hand


s: Still clasping his, a sudden blush o'erspread


s: Her pallid humid cheek, and disappeared.


s: 'Twas not the blush of shame--what shame has woe? -


s: 'Twas not the genuine ray of hope, it flashed


s: With shuddering glimmer through unscattered clouds,


s: It flashed from passions rapidly opposed.


s: Never so eager, when the world was waves,


s: Stood the less daughter of the ark, and tried


s: With folded vest and casting arm the dove;


s: Rattled the hail, and when the light of heaven


s: Closed, since the wreck of Nature, first eclipsed,


s: As she was fearful how his groans might end.


s: They ended:  cold and languid calm succeeds;


s: His eyes have lost their lustre, but his voice


s: Is not unheard, though short:  he spake these words:


s: "And weepest thou, Charoba! shedding tears


s: The neck of kings entombed! then weep, fair queen,


s: Ah! what is grandeur, glory--they are past!


s: When nothing else, not life itself, remains,


s: Still the fond mourner may be called our own.


s: Should I complain of Fortune? how she errs,


s: Scattering her bounty upon barren ground,


s: Slow to allay the lingering thirst of toil?


s: Fortune, 'tis true, may err, may hesitate,


s: Death follows close nor hesitates nor errs.


s: I feel the stroke!  I die!"  He would extend


s: Cold sweat and shivering ran o'er every limb,


s: His eyes grew stiff, he struggled and expired.


s: {1}  "Ah, what avails the sceptred race,


s: Was no more trapp'd with his own flower,


s: Through which the unfenced footways pass,


s: Her name with stars that throbb'd and felt;


s: What reason for these sighs?  What hope,


s: 'Tis nothing strange that warriors bold,


s: Whirl'd round, and bound with showers of threads,


s: Enfolding, thrill'd me through and through


s: With bliss beyond aught heaven can have,


s: I stretch'd my arms to the sky, and sprang


s: Which with the words came then and there;


s: The poor things which the world calls such.


s: Was loved, Anne less than look'd at, shows


s: Like sunshine through the shower's bright tears;


s: She knights first with her smile; she walks,


s: Through young sea-service.  They all speak


s: With these my friends; and sweet 'twill be


s: Should pine for love, in love's embrace,


s: Because, though good, she's not the best?


s: A touch will tell it, though, for pride,


s: And, while she accepts love's make-believe,


s: You'll twice despise what you'd deceive.


s: These, and the sun's eye-gladding gleam,


s: And carries back, through boundless night,


s: And thought, with bursting heart, of one


s: Which is not reverence, laughters gain'd


s: Surely there's hope!  For life 'tis well


s: What! and, when some short months are o'er,


s: Drop from the bright and virtuous sphere


s: Not loss, not death, my love shall tire.


s: Ache and o'erflow with tears, that grace


s: And said, 'Ah, Lord, for Thy love's sake,


s: Faint, fierce, the truth that hope was none


s: The father of love is hope, (though love


s: Quite what, but ground whereon to stand,


s: Therefore, through time's close pressure bold,


s: 'Heaven bless you!'  Oh, to have back then stepp'd


s: Farewell.  The school-books which you send


s: Their pride to smooth success, and scoff


s: Which then seems lost, or serves to slake


s: Think, also, how 'twould suit your pride


s: The world's the sphere she's made to charm,


s: Which you have shunn'd as if 'twere harm.


s: Though young, 'twere now o'er late in life


s: Our lords should sit like lords on high,


s: Move sightless, till I sought the prize,


s: His bearing, prospects, birth, all these


s: Might well, with small suit, greatly please;


s: Than we their grace, were still unquell'd,


s: Clay grafts and clods conceive the rose,


s: And, kindly train'd, love's roses thrive,


s: Blame nought then!  Bright let be the air


s: 'All heaven besides,' what could I then,


s: There's naught, and half a world of sea.


s: Nigh miss'd through last night's storm!  There fell


s: A man from the shrouds, that roar'd to quench


s: Dark, save when lightning show'd the deeps


s: And sweet dreams chased the fancies dense


s: Her brilliant mildness threads the maze;


s: No charms are left, where all were rife,


s: Says trembling, 'Do you love me.  Dear?'


s: And says, 'Go, Love, 'tis too much bliss.'


s: Such dreams as these come night by night,


s: (And that's my dream!) and this man Vaughan


s: Have smirch'd her: ah, 'twould move her, sure,


s: Oh, chance too frail, yet frantic sweet,


s: There peep the roofs where more than kings


s: There laughs the realm where low and high


s: --Mother, since this was penn'd, I've read


s: But, lounging, lets her please his pride


s: I thought the worst had brought me balm:


s: They laugh, they kiss, Oh, God! oh, God!


s: Which soar'd too nigh that jealous Heaven


s: And she'll ne'er be your neighbour more,


s: Meantime with earth the bleeding branch.


s: Ill Voice, at least thou calm'st my mood:


s: Vaughan and my Love, his three-days' Bride,


s: She lit the deck.  The Heav'n-sent chance!


s: She smiled, surprised.  They came to see


s: Should have her, in the heavens, for mine,


s: Which tired the heart and brought no gain.


s: She's graceless, say, yet good and true,


s: (Her keys being gold, but not the right,)


s: Of thoughts ill-timed and words ill-placed;


s: Which men, where 'tis not claim'd, neglect,


s: So late of mornings: weak tears stream'd


s: And so, with heart still bleeding quick.


s: And told our chaplain's daughter, Jane,--


s: Blush'd, spoke of love return'd, and closed


s: The strength He gives.  The highest degree


s: I'll serve all.  Jane be munch more dear


s: I'll love her!  Yea, and love's joy comes


s: Time's treason, and the gathering dross,


s: And takes its place with tunings that are


s: To think gilt rooms, and spacious grounds,


s: Letting the world's eyes guide my tongue!


s: And dwells not on the arch'd brow's height


s: Flow'rs, though the soul be still to seek;


s: And, saying 'How cold 'tis,' or 'How warm,'


s: Were't else, might leave us both to moan


s: And writes that he 'has seen Fred Graham,


s: And sobb'd, when ask'd the cause to tell,


s: So that his plague looks always pleased;


s: In me.  _Your_ husband, Love, might wince


s: I've done and thought my whole life long!


s: Sees through and through me!  Could not you,


s: She slept, nor knew how she was bless'd.


s: In _love_, not _law_, I'll call you now,--


s: For, though he smiled, and said, 'How smart!'


s: She spends two hours, or something near,


s: How all things deck themselves that wed;


s: How birds and plants grow fine to please


s: Dress was, at first, Heaven's ordinance,


s: How the King's Daughter dress'd!  And, then,


s: Sure that in _one_ thing Fred was right.


s: But, though I trust his prayers are said,


s: 'Men's creeds should not their hopes condemn.


s: To other things, once strange, I've grown


s: For hours, and scarcely spoke.  When he,


s: There's Baby.  You should see him smile!


s: The air that rings with larks, the grave


s: But, if 'twere scanned, 'twould chiefly mean


s: And still, to the nerves, nice notice give


s: The heart would lose all count, and beat


s: Their steps on the starry track in vain!


s: Stretch'd, and the sounds and sights of June


s: More wealth than miser's dreams could show,


s: The Alpine shepherd looks to the height,


s: Meantime Jane stitch'd, and fann'd the flies


s: Were then most precious?  Question vain,


s: Cause, but that heaven's bright winds will blow


s: That where there's love and truth there's heaven.


s: Those glittering peaks, disrupted, spread


s: The sunshine quench'd, from one dark form


s: Straight to the zenith, black with bale,


s: Kine dropp'd their heads; the tortured gust


s: Jagg'd and convuls'd the ascending smoke


s: Humbled the soul, and the rain all round


s: Nor flagg'd in force from first to last,


s: And gaps and fractures, fringed with light,


s: Show'd the sweet skies, with squadrons bright


s: Through gulfs of calm and glittering air.


s: Her countenance show'd, or sooth'd perchance


s: Of the ass, and, somewhat thick-voiced, said,


s: The Admiral's Wife, she learn'd that Fred


s: Her fortune.  Half was his, she thought;


s: Yet something might, she hoped, be plann'd.


s: Next month, at High-Hurst?  Change of air


s: She said, 'How strange of Frederick, Dear,'


s: The chief of charms, who could have thought?


s: Comes, lest we give ourselves the praise,


s: And mostly our thanks for granted pray'rs


s: Signs of his love, which pleased me more


s: Help'd me, which had, before, perplex'd.


s: Of a wife's love, takes thence the check


s: Dear Saint, I'm still at High-Hurst Park.


s: To this old house, when Courtholm stands


s: Guests here, whose names will startle you:


s: Are charm'd.  Yet she has neither grace,


s: Though Frederick's fancy none can blame,


s: With those sweet Children.  They've the run


s: Of all the place.  When school was done,


s: Maud burst in, while the Earl was there,


s: Do you know, Dear, this odd wife of Fred


s: But then she smiles when most would pout;


s: With the last brocade.  'Tis not the same,


s: And this you might just hint, my Dear,--


s: That 'beauty is love which can be seen.'


s: Delightful; there's such ease, and grace,


s: But Frederick says it's less the expense


s: And kiss'd and call'd me 'Cousin.'  Fred


s: And black, carved oak.  A curtain'd door


s: Though Frederick would not say his prayers


s: When she had shown me through the house,


s: She fetch'd the children, who had dined;


s: Show'd me how all the grounds were plann'd.


s: ('Quite charming,' were the words Fred said,)


s: Within youth which rather seems her clime,


s: Alone, and watch'd where mov'd and talk'd,


s: I kiss'd the kind, warm neck that slept,


s: Therefore, as more than friends, we met,


s: The good we have pass'd and have not seen!


s: They are the ghosts, and check the breath:


s: How small her greatest fault!  Ill dreams


s: Were those that foil'd with loftier grace


s: 'Twas here she sat and work'd, and there


s: She comb'd and kiss'd the children's hair;


s: Her worst gown's kept, ('tis now the best,


s: Like that which lifts, through centuries,


s: And while, last night, I lay quite still,


s: That death's not worse than dust to dust,


s: And death, which takes me from his side,


s: My thoughts all down, 'twould make a book.


s: When first they came, like songs, from you,


s: The children, whom thou here may'st see,


s: Sever'd are now those bonds earth-wrought;


s: All love, not new, stands here for nought!'


s: 'For _they_ two are one flesh!'  But 'tis


s: This life!--'Gainst which, and much more yet,


s: For how could Christ have taught such clods


s: But those first years, (how could I live!)


s: This might have fallen: 'tis mine instead!


s: You must not think a child's small heart


s: Lest you should hear them laugh and play.


s: Suits the shorn lambs.  Instruct them, Dear,


s: And show now, till their journey's done,


s: All poor folks liked me; and, at the end,


s: And, new, 'twill calm your grief to know,--


s: There's kindness, that's look'd kindly on,


s: Kiss'd me, and cried, 'His hope found grace!'


s: 'And, when you talk, I hear,' she sigh'd,


s: Through what Love deem'd rejected prayers.'


s: With the lights of the Seven Candlesticks.


s: That wild things do, where beasts of prey


s: The waist that ne'er felt waltzer's hand!


s: (But, oh, my daughters have such wills!)


s: She twice refused George Vane, you know;


s: There, but that earthly things have more


s: So Heaven's voice calls, like Rachel's voice


s: Serve on; then, oh, Beloved, well-tried,


s: Returns, and calls them Clouds of Heaven,


s: I tread a road, straight, hard, and even;


s: How sweet!  How sweet the household round


s: Of youth being counted, henceforth, harms:


s: But strait's the gate of life!  O'er late,


s: Which sounds, from fields beyond my range,


s: In the highest heaven and lowliest heart;


s: That final strain to the last height flew


s: Where sunshine seems asleep, though bright,


s: From time's huge wreck, all men have dream'd


s: The thanksgiving mind, which wisdom sums,


s: When, thrill'd with hopeful love, I rose


s: Of those that to their love-feasts went,


s: Of heart, that earns, in midst of wealth,


s: How tell the crowd, whom a passion rends,


s: To the speechless heart, the unfinish'd song,


s: Consisting, say, of things like these:--


s: If gay looks told the heart's glad sense,


s: Nor vex'd they my short slumbers, though


s: Thus, for three months, with terrors rife,


s: I watched o'er; and the danger, at last,


s: Breathed witheringly, and Spring's growth ceased,


s: Changed into cloud, and the sick flowers


s: In three nights, thick with green.  Then she


s: With large, thanksgiving eyes, that shone,


s: In heaven,' we ask'd that heaven's bliss


s: Though 'tis the heat, the fire 'tis not:


s: By strangeness which, the more they mark,


s: And, though in time he'll treat you worse,


s: He'll love you more, you need not doubt,


s: Like forge-flames when the bellows stop.


s: That scorns the world's slow-gather'd sense


s: Rules babes, before there's hope of one,


s: Of yours and John's.  With all the bliss


s: Of that sweet love which, startling, wakes


s: And, in the soul, o'erstrain'd for grace,


s: Till Heaven's bold sun-gleam lit the earth.


s: Christ's marriage with the Church is more,


s: But here I speak of heights, and heights


s: Of brighter stars; and sad thoughts come


s: Could lovers, at their dear wish, blend,


s: 'Twould kill the bliss which they intend;


s: There where the outward forms are miss'd,


s: That which in act they shunn'd, their own.


s: For 'gainst God's will much may be done,


s: The checks that make them serve the soul,


s: Nay, more, she bids him, for his spouse,


s: And faith that, straight t'wards heaven's far Spring,


s: Thus crown'd, from being thereto enough,


s: A maid, whom chance, not he, did choose,


s: They plight their vows.  The parents say


s: That take more pains, and trust Him less


s: Love's sensitive tendrils sicken, curl'd


s: To mock some good that, gain'd, keeps still


s: And does the still growth check and blur


s: That lifts to the sun the earth-drawn crop


s: They're 'shamed to let the children see,


s: Though heads forget; on babes, chief fount


s: Strengthens, and yearns for brighter day,


s: That chance one of her strange, sweet sex


s: Though love is all of earth that's dear,


s: Shall this unflagging flame, here nurs'd


s: Down fluttering drop the frail wings four,


s: Missing the weight which made them soar.


s: Fell not, which makes a month's romance,


s: For nought's so sad, the whole world o'er,


s: Glorious for light is the earliest love;


s: But worldly things, in the rays thereof,


s: Where last year's grass droops gray and dank,


s: For where is he that, knowing the height


s: As when, in childhood, turning a dim street,


s: There, where the little, bright, surf-breathing town,


s: That shew'd me first her beauty and the sea,


s: Gathers its skirts against the gorse-lit down


s: And scatters gardens o'er the southern lea,


s: Within a kind, yet sombre Mother's shade,


s: Who of her daughter's graces seems almost afraid,


s: Viewing them ofttimes with a scared forecast,


s: Caught, haply, from obscure love-peril past.


s: By frets, if, on Amelia's cheek of peach,


s: I touch the notes which music cannot reach,


s: Wherefore it came that, till to-day's dear date,


s: I curs'd the weary months which yet I have to wait


s: Ere I find heaven, one-nested with my mate.


s: As she were there, her long-besought consent


s: 'For,' said she, hiding ill a moistening eye,


s: God makes as if He least knew how to guard


s: The treasure He loves best, simplicity.'


s: And there Amelia stood, for fairness shewn


s: Like a young apple-tree, in flush'd array


s: Of white and ruddy flow'r, auroral, gay,


s: With chilly blue the maiden branch between;


s: And yet to look on her moved less the mind


s: To say 'How beauteous!' than 'How good and kind!'


s: By walls o'er which the lilac's numerous plume


s: With daisies, in conspicuous myriads seen,


s: With single ardour for her spouse, the sun;


s: Of white and ruddy branch, auroral, gay,


s: With azure chill the maiden flow'r between;


s: And broadcast buttercups at joyful gaze,


s: Like the six-hundred-thousand-voiced shout


s: Great chestnuts raised themselves abroad like cliffs of bloom;


s: We caught the solemn voice of single air,


s: And when Amelia, 'bolden'd, saw and heard


s: And all things in God's bounty did rejoice,


s: She who, her Mother by, spake seldom word,


s: Went as a clock does, when the pendulum's off.


s: Ill Monarch of man's heart the Maiden who


s: And I, up the bright steep she led me, trod,


s: With, 'What is gladness without gratitude,


s: And of delight, the guerdon of His laws,


s: And I, of Him loved reverently, as Cause,


s: The low, gray Church, in its sequester'd dell,


s: Dead Millicent indeed had been most sweet,


s: A boy's proud passion free affection blunts;


s: His well-meant flatteries oft are blind affronts,


s: And sate her, crownless, at my conquering feet,


s: It should have bred in me humility, not pride.


s: Secure she smiled and warm from all mischance


s: With my--some might have thought too much--superior age,


s: Thus nought forbade us to be fully blent.


s: The darnell'd garden of unheedful death,


s: She ask'd what Millicent was like, and heard


s: Of eyes like her's, and honeysuckle breath,


s: Yet fill'd with only woman's love, and how


s: And on my lovelier-freighted arm she leant,


s: To deck her breast, she dropp'd upon the grave.


s: 'And this was her's,' said I, decoring with a band


s: 'Nay, I will wear it for _her_ sake,' she said:


s: For dear to maidens are their rivals dead.


s: She seated on the black yew's tortured root,


s: And nigh the little mound where lay that other,


s: I kiss'd her lips three times without dispute,


s: And kiss'd it three times thrice without dispute.


s: Upon my head her fingers fell like snow,


s: Her lamb-like hands about my neck she wreathed.


s: Her arms like slumber o'er my shoulders crept,


s: And with her bosom, whence the azalea breathed,


s: She did my face full favourably smother,


s: To hide the heaving secret that she wept!


s: Now would I keep my promise to her Mother;


s: Now I arose, and raised her to her feet,


s: Moth-like, full-blown in birthdew shuddering sweet,


s: With great, kind eyes, in whose brown shade


s: At inmost heart well pleased with one another,


s: Through the plough'd field does each clod sharply shew,


s: With shade the dimples of our homeward hills,


s: We left the 'wilder'd garden of the dead,


s: And gain'd the gorse-lit shoulder of the down


s: That keeps the north-wind from the nestling town,


s: And caught, once more, the vision of the wave,


s: Pursued alone her distant purpose grave;


s: And, by steep steps rock-hewn, to the dim street


s: Back to her Mother, anxious in the dusk.


s: Me shall the phantom months no more affright.


s: For heaven's gates to open well waits he


s: Perchance she droops within the hollow gulf


s: Which the great wave of coming pleasure draws,


s: Ye Clouds that on your endless journey go,


s: One day's controlled hope, and then one more,


s: And on the third our lives shall be fulfill'd!


s: Palm placed in palm, twin smiles, and words astray.


s: But shall I not, with ne'er a sign, perceive,


s: The pulse in that vein making alien pause


s: Down each long finger felt, a differing strand


s: Beneath the touch of my like numerous bliss


s: And yet our lives shall now be first fulfill'd.


s: And into their summ'd sweetness fall distill'd


s: One sweet drop more, in absolute increase


s: That heav'st as if for bliss of her and me,


s: And separatest not dear heart from heart,


s: Though each 'gainst other beats too far apart,


s: Let it not seem that I behold her smile.


s: Love in each moment years and years of rest,


s: The blazing photosphere of central Night,


s: Terror, thou swarthy Groom of Bride-bliss coy,


s: Of kisses close beyond conceit of sense;


s: O, Life, too liberal, while to take her hand


s: Is more of hope than heart can understand;


s: Perturb my golden patience not with joy,


s: One day's controlled hope, and one again,


s: And then the third, and ye shall have the rein,


s: But soon let your unrestful rapture cease,


s: Condensing till the abiding sweetness win


s: One sweet drop more in the measureless increase


s: She train'd the gold Azalea, whose perfume


s: She, Spring-like, from her breathing grace dispersed.


s: Last night the delicate crests of saffron bloom,


s: For that their dainty likeness watch'd and nurst,


s: At dawn I dream'd, O God, that she was dead,


s: And waked, ah, God, and did not waken her,


s: Perfectly bless'd in the delicious sphere


s: By which I knew so well that she was near,


s: My heart to speechless thankfulness composed.


s: It _was_ the azalea's breath, and she _was_ dead!


s: The warm night had the lingering buds disclosed,


s: And I had fall'n asleep with to my breast


s: Parting's well-paid with soon again to meet,


s: Soon in your arms to feel so small and sweet,


s: Sweet to myself that am so sweet to you!'


s: It was not like your great and gracious ways!


s: Do you, that have nought other to lament,


s: I knew, indeed, that you were parting soon;


s: And so we sate, within the low sun's rays,


s: You whispering to me, for your voice was weak,


s: What made your eyes a growing gloom of love,


s: As a warm South-wind sombres a March grove.


s: And it was like your great and gracious ways


s: To turn your talk on daily things, my Dear,


s: Because you spoke so low that I could scarcely hear.


s: But all at once to leave me at the last,


s: More at the wonder than the loss aghast,


s: And the only loveless look the look with which you pass'd:


s: 'Twas all unlike your great and gracious ways.


s: My little Son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes


s: And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise,


s: Having my law the seventh time disobey'd,


s: His Mother, who was patient, being dead.


s: Then, fearing lest his grief should hinder sleep,


s: With darken'd eyelids, and their lashes yet


s: Kissing away his tears, left others of my own;


s: A box of counters and a red-vein'd stone,


s: And two French copper coins, ranged there with careful art,


s: Ah, when at last we lie with tranced breath,


s: Than I whom Thou hast moulded from the clay


s: 'I will be sorry for their childishness.'


s: 'If I were dead, you'd sometimes say, Poor Child!'


s: From eyes which, not to grieve me, brightly smiled.


s: I seem to hear your laugh, your talk, your song.


s: It is not true that Love will do no wrong.


s: And did you think, when you so cried and smiled,


s: How I, in lonely nights, should lie awake,


s: And of those words your full avengers make?


s: That sweet amends thrice told are come to thee,


s: With all my will, but much against my heart,


s: Our solace is, the sad road lies so clear.


s: To see the peach-bloom come in evening skies,


s: And even through faith of still averted feet,


s: The bitter journey to the bourne so sweet


s: Seasoning the termless feast of our content


s: With hope of utter binding, and of loosing endless dear despair?


s: More transient than delight and more divine!


s: If she does something but a little sweet,


s: As gaze towards the glass to set her hair,


s: See how his soul falls humbled at her feet!


s: And, if she dance, it doth such grace confer


s: As opes the heaven of heavens to more than her,


s: To die unknown for her were little cost!


s: Makes up the sum of that which may be lost!


s: Be he not destin'd for the glooms of hell?


s: And known, with sharp remorse and sweet, as Queen


s: And tear-glad Mistress of his hopes of bliss,


s: He adores as Margaret, Maude, or Cecily?


s: That each one heaves for Earth's last lowlihead


s: Ineffably lock'd in dateless bridal-bed?


s: 'Sons now we are of God,' as we have heard,


s: 'But what we shall be hath not yet appear'd.'


s: Who claims to enjoy her sacred beauty be,


s: Such as a Bride, viewing her mirror'd charms,


s: Feels when she sighs, 'All these are for his arms!'


s: Flash'd on thy cheek from His immense desire,


s: Which waits to crown, beyond thy brain's conceit,


s: Thy nameless, secret, hopeless longing sweet,


s: We laugh'd, till love was mix'd with sleep


s: Flash'd those great gleams of hope unknown


s: Bright thro' the valley gallops the brooklet;


s: Touch'd by the zephyr, dances the harebell;


s: Two little children, seeing and hearing,


s: Hand in hand wander, shout, laugh, and sing:


s: Lo, in their bosoms, wild with the marvel,


s: Love, like the crocus, is come ere the Spring.


s: Yearn for each other, faith truly plight,


s: Radiance of Eden unquench'd by the Fall;


s: This the first first-love, the first love of all!


s: The "Lay of the Last Minstrel," Scott's first romantic tale, was


s: success, took more than usual pains, and thoroughly enjoyed the


s: writing.  On pleasant knolls, under trees, and by the banks of


s: Scott at those gatherings was full of companionable mirth, and in


s: wave, while his mind was at work on such lines as -


s: "They close, in clouds of smoke and dust,


s: With sword-sway and with lance's thrust;


s: Francis Jeffrey, in the Edinburgh Review, complained of anti-


s: Scottish feeling, and otherwise criticised his friend's work in a


s: origin of the Quarterly Review.  Of the great popularity of


s: So feeble thrilled the streamlet through:


s: Now, murmuring hoarse, and frequent seen


s: Through bush and briar, no longer green,


s: And blossoms clothe the hawthorn spray?"


s: Yes, prattlers, yes.  The daisy's flower


s: The mind that thought for Britain's weal,


s: That shrouds, O Pitt, thy hallowed tomb!


s: Short, bright, resistless course was given.


s: Rolled, blazed, destroyed--and was no more.


s: O'er their wild mood full conquest gained,


s: The pride he would not crush restrained,


s: Showed their fierce zeal a worthier cause,


s: And brought the freeman's arm to aid the freeman's laws.


s: Hadst thou but lived, though stripped of power,


s: Thy thrilling trump had roused the land,


s: Thy strength had propped the tottering throne:


s: When Death, just hovering, claimed his prey,


s: Then, while on Britain's thousand plains


s: And if thou mourn'st they could not save


s: Lays heroes, patriots, bards, and kings;


s: Where stiff the hand, and still the tongue,


s: Of those who fought, and spoke, and sung;


s: Till through the British world were known


s: These spells are spent, and, spent with these,


s: Not even your Britain's groans can pierce


s: Though not unmarked, from northern clime,


s: The bard you deigned to praise, your deathless names has sung.


s: That throbs through bard in bardlike mood,


s: Though all their mingled streams could flow -


s: May boast of book-learned taste refined.


s: They gleam through Spenser's elfin dream,


s: Profaned the God-given strength, and marred the lofty line.


s: Shield, lance, and brand, and plume, and scarf,


s: Pure Love, who scarce his passion tells;


s: That loves the tale she shrinks to hear;


s: Unchanged by sufferings, time, or death;


s: The loophole grates where captives weep,


s: Coal-black, and grizzled here and there,


s: His square-turned joints, and strength of limb,


s: With wings outspread, and forward breast:


s: Could draw the bow, the sword could sway,


s: Nor less with courteous precepts stored,


s: Could dance in hall, and carve at board,


s: They bore Lord Marmion's lance so strong,


s: Each held a boar-spear tough and strong,


s: The guards their morrice-pikes advanced,


s: Gave them a chain of twelve marks' weight,


s: "Room, lordlings, room for Lord Marmion,


s: By knight should ne'er be heard in vain.


s: Where hast thou left that page of thine,


s: "That boy thou thought'st so goodly fair,


s: She'll stoop when she has tired her wing."


s: James backed the cause of that mock-prince,


s: Have drunk the monks of St. Bothan's ale,


s: And given them light to set their hoods."


s: "Now, in good sooth," Lord Marmion cried,


s: Well hast thou spoke; say forth thy say."


s: And shadows, mists, and darkness, given.


s: "To stout Saint George of Norwich merry,


s: "This man knows much--perchance e'en more


s: Strange sounds we heard, and, sooth to tell,


s: Nor lord, nor knight, was there more tall,


s: Soon change the form that best we know -


s: And want can quench the eye's bright grace,


s: Whose springs can frenzied dreams dispel,


s: And knight and squire had broke their fast


s: When these waste glens with copse were lined,


s: Yon thorn--perchance whose prickly spears


s: Have fenced him for three hundred years,


s: And through the foliage showed his head,


s: (The neighbouring dingle bears his name),


s: With horse, and hawk, and horn, and hound;


s: And through the brake the rangers stalk,


s: Though small our pomp, and mean our game


s: And drinks, "The Chieftain of the Hills!"


s: Trip o'er the walks, or tend the flowers,


s: With form more light, or face more fair.


s: From Yair,--which hills so closely bind,


s: Though much he fret, and chafe, and toil,


s: When thought is speech, and speech is truth.


s: Condemned to stem the world's rude tide,


s: For Fate shall thrust you from the shore,


s: For trust, dear boys, the time will come


s: Thou know'st it well,--nor fen, nor sedge,


s: Nor tree, nor bush, nor brake, is there,


s: Bears thwart the lake the scattered pine.


s: Where swain, or woodman lone, might dwell;


s: And silence aids--though the steep hills


s: Your horse's hoof-tread sounds too rude,


s: Here, have I thought, 'twere sweet to dwell


s: That wizard-priest's, whose bones are thrust


s: Spread wide through mist their snowy sail,


s: But chief 'twere sweet to think such life


s: (Though but escape from fortune's strife),


s: Like that which frowns round dark Lochskene.


s: Shakes the dark rock with groan and yell.


s: With lightning-flash, and thunder-stroke,


s: Where, from high Whitby's cloistered pile,


s: Much joyed they in their honoured freight;


s: Then shrieked, because the sea-dog, nigh,


s: His round black head, and sparkling eye,


s: Save two, who ill might pleasure share -


s: Her hopes, her fears, her joys, were all


s: These charms might tame the fiercest breast;


s: This crime was charged 'gainst those who lay


s: Towns, towers, and halls successive rise,


s: And next, they crossed themselves, to hear


s: Where, boiling through the rocks, they roar


s: Thy tower, proud Bamborough, marked they there,


s: Which could twelve hundred years withstand


s: Winds, waves, and northern pirates' hand.


s: Showed where the spoiler's hand had been;


s: Then, having strayed and gazed their fill,


s: And, sinking down, with flutterings faint,


s: How oft their patron changed, they told;


s: How, when the rude Dane burned their pile,


s: O'er northern mountain, marsh, and moor,


s: Seven years Saint Cuthbert's corpse they bore.


s: Even Scotland's dauntless king and heir,


s: And Lodon's knights, all sheathed in mail,


s: Seen but, and heard, when gathering storm


s: The hearers blessed themselves, and said,


s: From the rude rock the side-walls sprung;


s: The grave-stones, rudely sculptured o'er,


s: Which served to light this drear domain,


s: With damp and darkness seemed to strive,


s: Were placed the heads of convents three;


s: Obscured her charms, but could not hide.


s: To those bright ringlets glistering fair -


s: Because his conscience, seared and foul,


s: And crouch, like hound beneath the lash;


s: Yet well the luckless wretch might shriek,


s: By strange device were they brought there,


s: Still as she spoke she gathered strength,


s: With treason's charge--and on they came,


s: And, hark! the throng, with thundering cry,


s: Paused, gathered voice, and spoke the rest.


s: "Still was false Marmion's bridal stayed:


s: 'Ho! shifts she thus?' King Henry cried;


s: Now, men of death, work forth your will,


s: Then shall these vaults, so strong and deep,


s: Back from her shoulders streamed her hair;


s: And crossed themselves for terror's sake,


s: Life's chequered scene of joy and sorrow;


s: Flits, winds, or sinks, a morning dream.


s: Heaves its wild sigh through Autumn trees;


s: Then, wild as cloud, or stream, or gale,


s: Oft hast thou said, "If, still misspent,


s: Still from the grave their voice is heard;


s: From them, and from the paths they showed,


s: Choose honoured guide and practised road:


s: And snatched the spear, but left the shield!


s: For princedom reft, and scutcheons riven,


s: Thy land's, thy children's wrongs to feel,


s: And when revolves, in time's sure change,


s: Which the grim Turk, besmeared with blood,


s: Or that, whose thundering voice could wake


s: On the warped wave their death-game played;


s: From the pale willow snatched the treasure,


s: Deemed their own Shakespeare lived again."


s: Thy friendship thus thy judgment wronging,


s: Wouldst thou engage my thriftless hours.


s: Through England's laughing meads he goes,


s: Where hedgerows spread a verdant screen,


s: Rude though they be, still with the chime


s: And feelings, roused in life's first day,


s: Then rise those crags, that mountain tower,


s: By the green hill and clear blue heaven.


s: And still I thought that shattered tower


s: With some strange tale bewitched my mind,


s: Down from that strength had spurred their horse,


s: Methought that still, with trump and clang,


s: Methought grim features, seamed with scars,


s: When, pouring from their Highland height,


s: While stretched at length upon the floor,


s: And onward still the Scottish Lion bore,


s: And still the scattered Southron fled before.


s: Still, with vain fondness, could I trace,


s: From the thatched mansion's grey-haired sire,


s: Whose eye, in age, quick, clear, and keen,


s: Showed what in youth its glance had been;


s: Whose doom discording neighbours sought,


s: Nay, my friend, nay--Since oft thy praise


s: Though wild as cloud, as stream, as gale,


s: Who, fired with hate and thirst of prey,


s: Of some tall cliff, the deer looked down;


s: The village inn seemed large, though rude:


s: Down from their seats the horsemen sprung,


s: Which he, who ill such gaze could brook,


s: Full met their stern encountering glance,


s: "Saint Mary! saw'st thou e'er such sight?


s: Which thus had quelled their hearts, who saw


s: "Fitz-Eustace, know'st thou not some lay,


s: "So please you," thus the youth rejoined,


s: Eleu loro, &c.  Soft shall be his pillow.


s: Eleu loro, &c.  There shall he be lying.


s: That, could their import have been seen,


s: Would scarce have wished to be their prey,


s: Fear, for their scourge, mean villains have,


s: Their minds to bear the wounds they feel,


s: Even while they writhe beneath the smart


s: Marmion, whose soul could scantly brook,


s: Thought, look, and utterance failed him now -


s: Fall'n was his glance, and flushed his brow:


s: A fool's wild speech confounds the wise,


s: When the stern priests surprised their prey.


s: His conscience slept, he deemed her well,


s: And Constance, late betrayed and scorned,


s: "Alas!" he thought, "how changed that mien!


s: How changed these timid looks have been,


s: Have steeled her brow, and armed her eyes!


s: Her peace on earth, her hopes in heaven!


s: Would," thought he, as the picture grows,


s: Vigil and scourge--perchance even worse!"