O'er the dark gallery, where his fathers frown'd In rude but antique portraiture around : They heard, but whisper'd-" that must not be known "The sound of words less earthly than his own. 140 Yes, they who chose might smile, but some had 66 seen They scarce knew what, but more than should have been. Why gazed he so upon the ghastly head Which hands profane had gather'd from the dead, "That still beside his open'd volume lay, "As if to startle all save him away? "Why slept he not when others were at rest? 145 "Why heard no music and received no guest? "All was not well they deem'd--but where the wrong? "Some knew perchance--but 'twere a tale too long; "And such besides were too discreetly wise, 150 "To more than hint their knowledge in surmise; "But if they would-they could”—around the board, Thus Lara's vassals prattled of their lord. X. It was the night-and Lara's glassy stream 155 The stars are studding, each with imaged beam: And yet they glide like happiness away ; The immortal lights that live along the sky: 160 And Innocence would offer to her love. 166 These deck the shore; the waves their channel make To walk in such a scene, on such a night! 170 So Lara deem'd, nor longer there he stood, Such scene his soul no more could contemplate: Such scene reminded him of other days, 175 Of skies more cloudless, moons of purer blaze, Of nights more soft and frequent, hearts that nowNo-no-the storm may beat upon his brow, Unfelt-unsparing—but a night like this, A night of beauty, mock'd such breast as his. 180 XI. He turn'd within his solitary hall, And his high shadow shot along the wall; Like life, but not like mortal life, to view; 190 195 Glanced like a spectre's attributes, and gave XII. 200 'Twas midnight—all was slumber; the lone light 206 They heard and rose, and tremulously brave XIII. Cold as the marble where his length was laid, Though mix'd with terror, senseless as he lay, Some half form'd threat in utterance there had died, Some imprecation of despairing pride; His eye was almost seal'd, but not forsook, That oft awake his aspect could disclose, And now was fix'd in horrible repose. 220 They raise him-bear him; hush! he breathes, he speaks, The swarthy blush recolours in his cheeks, 225 His lip resumes its red, his eye, though dim, In terms that seem not of his native tongue; 230 And such they were, and meant to meet an ear XIV. His page approach'd, and he alone appear'd To know the import of the words they heard; 235 |