XVII. But whoso entereth within this town, Doth care for cleanness of surtout or shirt; Though shent with Egypt's plague, unkempt, unwash'd, unhurt. XVIII. Poor, paltry slaves! yet born 'midst noblest scenes— Why, Nature, waste thy wonders on such men ? Lo! Cintra's glorious Eden intervenes 22 In variegated maze of mount and glen. To follow half on which the eye dilates Through views more dazzling unto mortal ken Than those whereof such things the bard relates, Who to the awe-struck world unlock'd Elysium's gates. ΧΙΧ. The horrid crags, by toppling convent crown'd, Mix'd in one mighty scene, with varied beauty glow. XX. Then slowly climb the many-winding way, ΧΧΙ. And here and there, as up the crags you spring, Mark many rude-carved crosses near the path : Yet deem not these devotion's offeringThese are memorials frail of murderous wrath: For wheresoe'er the shrieking victim hath Pour'd forth his blood beneath the assassin's knife, Some hand erects a cross of mouldering lath ; And grove and glen with thousand such are rife Throughout this purple land, where law secures not life.24 XXII. On sloping mounds, or in the vale beneath, Are domes where whilome kings did make repair; 25 When wanton Wealth her mightiest deeds hath done, Meek Peace voluptuous lures was ever wont to shun.26 XXIII. Here didst thou dwell, here schemes of pleasure plan, But now, as if a thing unblest by Man, XXIV. Behold the hall where chiefs were late convened !27 Oh! dome displeasing unto British eye! With diadem hight foolscap, lo! a fiend, A little fiend that scoffs incessantly, There sits in parchment robe array'd, and by His side is hung a seal and sable scroll, Where blazon'd glare names known to chivalry, And sundry signatures adorn the roll, Whereat the Urchin points and laughs with all his soul. XXV. Convention is the dwarfish demon styled |