True, in his words it broke not from his breast, 585 Start to the sound, as but remember'd then; 590 For then, ear, eyes, and heart would all awake. XXVIII. He had look'd down upon the festive hall, Their wonder at the calmness of the bold, The lip of ashes, and the cheek of flame; 595 And o'er his brow the dampening heart-drops threw 600 The sickening iciness of that cold dew, That rises as the busy bosom sinks With heavy thoughts from which reflection shrinks. Yes there be things that we must dream and dare, And execute ere thought be half aware: Whate'er might Kaled's be, it was enow To seal his lip, but agonise his brow. 605 He gazed on Ezzelin till Lara cast That sidelong smile upon the knight he past; When Kaled saw that smile his visage fell, 610 As if on something recognized right well; His memory read in such a meaning more Forward he sprung-a moment, both were gone, 615 Each had so fix'd his eye on Lara's mien, All had so mix'd their feelings with that scene, That when his long dark shadow through the porch 620 No more relieves the glare of yon high torch, 625 XXIX. The crowd are gone, the revellers at rest; 630 635 What better name may slumber's bed become? Night's sepulchre, the universal home, Where weakness, strength, vice, virtue, sunk supine, Alike in naked helplessness recline; 641 Glad for awhile to heave unconscious breath, Yet wake to wrestle with the dread of death, And shun, though day but dawn on ills increast, 645 END OF CANTO 1. LARA. CANTO II. I. NIGHT wanes-the vapours round the mountains curl'd Melt into morn, and Light awakes the world. Man has another day to swell the past, And lead him near to little, but his last; But mighty Nature bounds as from her birth, 650 655 Nor cloud shall gather more, nor leaf shall fall, 660 II. 'Tis morn-'tis noon-assembled in the hall, The gather'd chieftains come to Otho's call; 665 "Tis now the promised hour, that must proclaim The life or death of Lara's future fame; When Ezzelin his charge may here unfold, And whatsoe'er the tale, it must be told. His faith was pledged, and Lara's promise given, 670 To meet it in the eye of man and heaven. Why comes he not? Such truths to be divulged, III. The hour is past, and Lara too is there, With self-confiding, coldly patient air; Why comes not Ezzelin? The hour is past, 675 |