XVI. Self-exiled Harold wanders forth again, Which, though 'twere wild,-as on the plundered wreck With draughts intemperate on the sinking deck,- Stop! for thy tread is on an Empire's dust! XVIII. And Harold stands upon this place of skulls, He wears the shattered links of the world's broken chain. XIX. Fit retribution! Gaul may champ the bit And foam in fetters ;-but is Earth more free? And servile knces to thrones? No; prove before ye praise ! XX. If not, o'er one fallen despot boast no more! There was a sound of revelry by night, Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again, But hush! hark! a deep sound strikes like a rising knell ! Did ye not hear it ?-No; 'twas but the wind, On with the dance! let joy be unconfined; No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet And nearer, clearer, deadlier than before! Arm! Arm! it is-it is-the cannon's opening roar ! Within a windowed niche of that high hall XXIV. Ah! then and there was hurrying to and fro, Since upon nights so sweet such awful morn could rise? And there was mounting in hot haste: the steed, XXVI. And wild and high the " Cameron's gathering" rose! [ears! And (4) Evan's, (5) Donald's fame rings in each clansman's XXVII. And Ardennes (6) waves above them her green leaves, Grieving, if aught inanimate e'er grieves, Over the unreturning brave,-alas! Ere evening to be trodden like the grass Which now beneath them, but above shall grow In its next verdure, when this fiery mass Of living valour, rolling on the foe And burning with high hope, shall moulder cold and low. |