XXII. All suffering doth destroy, or is destroy'd, Even by the sufferer; and, in each event Ends-Some, with hope replenish'd and rebuoy'd, Return to whence they came-with like intent, And weave their web again; some, bow'd and bent, Wax gray and ghastly, withering ere their time, And perish with the reed on which they leant; Some seek devotion, toil, war, good or crime, According as their souls were form'd to sink or climb : XXIII. But ever and anon of griefs subdued There comes a token like a scorpion's sting, Scarce seen, but with fresh bitterness imbued; And slight withal may be the things which bring Back on the heart the weight which it would fling Aside for ever: it may be a sound A tone of music,-summer's eve—or spring, A flower-the wind-the ocean-which shall wound, Striking the electric chain wherewith we are darkly bound; XXIV. And how and why we know not, nor can trace The blight and blackening which it leaves behind, When least we deem of such, calls up to view The cold-the changed-perchance the dead-anew, The mourn'd, the loved, the lost-too many!-yet how few! XXV. But my soul wanders; I demand it back A ruin amidst ruins; there to track The beautiful, the brave-the lords of earth and sea, . XXVI. The commonwealth of kings, the men of Rome! Thou art the garden of the world, the home Thy wreck a glory, and thy ruin graced With an immaculate charm which can not be defaced, XXVII. The Moon is up, and yet it is not night— While, on the other hand, meek Dian's crest Floats through the azure air—an island of the blest! XXVIII. A single star is at her side, and reigns With her o'er half the lovely heaven; but still (14) Which streams upon her stream, and glass'd within it glows, XXIX. Fill'd with the face of heaven, which, from afar, Comes down upon the waters; all its hues, From the rich sunset to the rising star, Their magical variety diffuse: And now they change; a paler shadow strews Dies like the dolphin, whom each pang imbues The last still loveliest, till-'tis gone-and all is gray. XXX. There is a tomb in Arqua ;-rear'd in air, Watering the tree which bears his lady's name (15) With his melodious tears, he gave himself to fame. XXXI. They keep his dust in Arqua, where he died; (16) Went down the vale of years; and 'tis their pride- A feeling more accordant with his strain |