With hue like that when some great painter dips His pencil in the gloom of earthquake and eclipse. XXIV A sweet and solemn smile, like Cythna's, cast She stood beside him like a rainbow Within some storm when scarce its From the blue paths of the swift sun And, when I spake, for sobs she could have faded; not answer me. One moment's light, which made O'er that child's parted lips-a gleam A shade of vanished days, -as the tears past Which wrapped it, even as with a father's kiss I pressed those softest eyes in trembling tenderness. XXV The sceptred wretch then from that I drew, and, of his change com- With words of sadness soothed his But he, while pride and fear held With sullen guile of ill-dissembled Glared on me as a toothless snake might glare: Pity, not scorn, I felt, though The desolater now, and unaware With imagery beautiful as dream Over its unregarded gold to keep Their silent watch. --The child trod faintingly, And, as she went, the tears which she did weep Glanced in the starlight; wildered seemed she, XXVII At last the tyrant cried, "She hun. gers, slave, Stab her, or give her bread!"—It was a tone Such as sick fancies in a new-made grave Might hear. I trembled, for the truth was known: He with this child had thus been left alone, And neither had gone forth for food, -but he, In mingled pride and awe, cowered near his throne, And she, a nursling of captivity, Knew nought beyond those walls, nor what such change might be. XXVIII And he was troubled at a charm withdrawn Thus suddenly; that sceptres ruled no more That even from gold the dreadful strength was gone Which once made all things subject to its power Such wonder seized him as if hour by hour The past had come again; and the swift fall XXVI I led him forth from that which now might seem A gorgeous grave: through portals Like wonder stirred who saw such awful sculptured deep change befall. Of one so great and terrible of yore To desolateness in the hearts of all XXIX A mighty crowd, such as the wide land pours Once in a thousand years, now gathered round The fallen tyrant;-like the rush of showers Of hail in spring, pattering along the ground, Their many footsteps fell-else came no sound From the wide multitude; that lonely man Then knew the burden of his change, and found, Concealing in the dust his visage wan, Refuge from the keen looks which through his bosom ran. XXX And he was faint withal: I sate beside him Upon the earth, and took that child so fair From his weak arms, that ill might none betide him Or her; when food was brought to them, her share To his averted lips the child did bear, But, when she saw he had enough, she ate, And wept the while;-the lonely man's despair Hunger then overcame, and, of his state Forgetful, on the dust as in a trance he sate. XXXI Slowly the silence of the multitudes Passed, as when far is heard in some lone dell The gathering of a wind among the woods Among our homes, is fallen! the murderer Who slaked his thirsting soul, as from a well Of blood and tears, with ruin! he is here! Sunk in a gulf of scorn from which none may him rear!" XXXII Then was heard-" He who judged, let him be brought To judgment ! Blood for blood cries from the soil On which his crimes have deep pollution wrought! Shall Othman only unavenged despoil? Shall they who by the stress of grinding toil Wrest from the unwilling earth his luxuries Perish for crime, while his foul Or creep within his veins at will? And to high justice make her chosen sacrifice." XXXIII "What do ye seek? what fear ye," then I cried, Suddenly starting forth, "that ye should shed The blood of Othman ?-if your hearts are tried In the true love of freedom, cease to dread This one poor lonely man. -beneath Heaven spread In purest light above us all, through earth, Maternal earth, who doth her sweet smiles shed "And he is fallen!" they cry; "he who did dwell Like famine or the plague, or aught Of human nature win from these a second birth. more fell, For all, let him go free; until the worth His very victims brought-soft looks and speeches meet. XXXVI Then to a home for his repose assigned, Accompanied by the still throng, he went In silence, where, to soothe his rankling mind, Some likeness of his ancient state And, if his heart could have been As those who pardoned him, he might have ended His days in peace; but his straight lips were bent, Men said, into a smile which guile portended, A sight with which that child like hope with fear was blended. XXXVII the eve of that 'Twas midnight now, The chains of earth like mist melted XXXV The murmur of the people, slowly dying, Paused as I spake, then those who near me were Cast gentle looks where the lone man The flood recede from which their thirst was lying they seek to slake. Shrouding his head, which now XXXVIII Clasped on her lap in silence ;through the air Sobs were then heard, and many kissed my feet In pity's madness, and to the despair Of him whom late they cursed a solace sweet away Decreed to hold a sacred Festival, A rite to attest the equality of all Who live. So to their homes, to dream or wake, All went. The sleepless silence did recall Laone to my thoughts, with hopes that make The dawn flowed forth, and from its purple fountains I drank those hopes which make the spirit quail, As to the plain between the misty mountains And the great City, with a countenance pale, I went it was a sight which might avail To make men weep exulting tears, for whom Now first from human power the reverent veil Was torn, to see Earth from her general womb Pour forth her swarming sons to a fraternal doom; XXXIX To see far glancing in the misty morning L |
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