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The Corsair: A Tale[;] Canto the First

  1. 1"----nessun maggior dolore,
  2. 2Che ricordarsi del tempo felice
  3. 3Nella miseria,----"
Dante, Inferno, v. 121.
  1. 4"O'er the glad waters of the dark blue sea,
  2. 5Our thoughts as boundless, and our souls as free,
  3. 6Far as the breeze can bear, the billows foam,
  4. 7Survey our empire, and behold our home!
  5. 8These are our realms, no limits to their sway--
  6. 9Our flag the sceptre all who meet obey.
  7. 10Ours the wild life in tumult still to range
  8. 11From toil to rest, and joy in every change.
  9. 12Oh, who can tell? not thou, luxurious slave!
  10. 13Whose soul would sicken o'er the heaving wave;
  11. 14Not thou, vain lord of Wantonness and Ease!
  12. 15Whom Slumber soothes not--Pleasure cannot please--
  13. 16Oh, who can tell, save he whose heart hath tried,
  14. 17And danced in triumph o'er the waters wide,
  15. 18The exulting sense--the pulse's maddening play,
  16. 19That thrills the wanderer of that trackless way?
  17. 20That for itself can woo the approaching fight,
  18. 21And turn what some deem danger to delight;
  19. 22That seeks what cravens shun with more than zeal,
  20. 23And where the feebler faint can only feel--
  21. 24Feel--to the rising bosom's inmost core,
  22. 25Its hope awaken and its spirit soar?
  23. 26No dread of Death--if with us die our foes--
  24. 27Save that it seems even duller than repose;
  25. 28Come when it will--we snatch the life of Life--
  26. 29When lost--what recks it by disease or strife?
  27. 30Let him who crawls, enamoured of decay,
  28. 31Cling to his couch, and sicken years away;
  29. 32Heave his thick breath, and shake his palsied head;
  30. 33Ours the fresh turf, and not the feverish bed,--
  31. 34While gasp by gasp he falters forth his soul,
  32. 35Ours with one pang--one bound--escapes control.
  33. 36His corse may boast its urn and narrow cave,
  34. 37And they who loathed his life may gild his grave:
  35. 38Ours are the tears, though few, sincerely shed,
  36. 39When Ocean shrouds and sepulchres our dead.
  37. 40For us, even banquets fond regret supply
  38. 41In the red cup that crowns our memory;
  39. 42And the brief epitaph in Danger's day,
  40. 43When those who win at length divide the prey,
  41. 44And cry, Remembrance saddening o'er each brow,
  42. 45How had the brave who fell exulted now!"
  1. 46Such were the notes that from the Pirate's isle
  2. 47Around the kindling watch-fire rang the while:
  3. 48Such were the sounds that thrilled the rocks along,
  4. 49And unto ears as rugged seemed a song!
  5. 50In scattered groups upon the golden sand,
  6. 51They game--carouse--converse--or whet the brand;
  7. 52Select the arms--to each his blade assign,
  8. 53And careless eye the blood that dims its shine;
  9. 54Repair the boat, replace the helm or oar,
  10. 55While others straggling muse along the shore;
  11. 56For the wild bird the busy springes set,
  12. 57Or spread beneath the sun the dripping net:
  13. 58Gaze where some distant sail a speck supplies,
  14. 59With all the thirsting eye of Enterprise;
  15. 60Tell o'er the tales of many a night of toil,
  16. 61And marvel where they next shall seize a spoil:
  17. 62No matter where--their chief's allotment this;
  18. 63Theirs to believe no prey nor plan amiss.
  19. 64But who that Chief? his name on every shore
  20. 65Is famed and feared--they ask and know no more
  21. 66With these he mingles not but to command;
  22. 67Few are his words, but keen his eye and hand.
  23. 68Ne'er seasons he with mirth their jovial mess,
  24. 69But they forgive his silence for success.
  25. 70Ne'er for his lip the purpling cup they fill,
  26. 71That goblet passes him untasted still--
  27. 72And for his fare--the rudest of his crew
  28. 73Would that, in turn, have passed untasted too;
  29. 74Earth's coarsest bread, the garden's homeliest roots,
  30. 75And scarce the summer luxury of fruits,
  31. 76His short repast in humbleness supply
  32. 77With all a hermit's board would scarce deny.
  33. 78But while he shuns the grosser joys of sense,
  34. 79His mind seems nourished by that abstinence.
  35. 80"Steer to that shore!"--they sail. "Do this!"--'tis done:
  36. 81"Now form and follow me!"--the spoil is won.
  37. 82Thus prompt his accents and his actions still,
  38. 83And all obey and few inquire his will;
  39. 84To such, brief answer and contemptuous eye
  40. 85Convey reproof, nor further deign reply.
  1. 86"A sail!--a sail!"--a promised prize to Hope!
  2. 87Her nation--flag--how speaks the telescope?
  3. 88No prize, alas! but yet a welcome sail:
  4. 89The blood-red signal glitters in the gale.
  5. 90Yes--she is ours--a home-returning bark-- SHIP
  6. 91Blow fair, thou breeze!--she anchors ere the dark.
  7. 92Already doubled is the cape--our bay
  8. 93Receives that prow which proudly spurns the spray.
  9. 94How gloriously her gallant course she goes!
  10. 95Her white wings flying--never from her foes--
  11. 96She walks the waters like a thing of Life!
  12. 97And seems to dare the elements to strife.
  13. 98Who would not brave the battle-fire, the wreck,
  14. 99To move the monarch of her peopled deck!
  1. 100Hoarse o'er her side the rustling cable rings:
  2. 101The sails are furled; and anchoring round she swings;
  3. 102And gathering loiterers on the land discern
  4. 103Her boat descending from the latticed stern.
  5. 104'Tis manned--the oars keep concert to the strand,
  6. 105Till grates her keel upon the shallow sand.
  7. 106Hail to the welcome shout!--the friendly speech!
  8. 107When hand grasps hand uniting on the beach;
  9. 108The smile, the question, and the quick reply,
  10. 109And the Heart's promise of festivity!
  1. 110The tidings spread, and gathering grows the crowd:
  2. 111The hum of voices, and the laughter loud,
  3. 112And Woman's gentler anxious tone is heard--
  4. 113Friends'--husbands'--lovers' names in each dear word:
  5. 114"Oh! are they safe? we ask not of success--
  6. 115But shall we see them? will their accents bless?
  7. 116From where the battle roars, the billows chafe,
  8. 117They doubtless boldly did--but who are safe?
  9. 118Here let them haste to gladden and surprise,
  10. 119And kiss the doubt from these delighted eyes!"
  1. 120"Where is our Chief? for him we bear report--
  2. 121And doubt that joy--which hails our coming--short;
  3. 122Yet thus sincere--'tis cheering, though so brief;
  4. 123But, Juan! instant guide us to our Chief:
  5. 124Our greeting paid, we'll feast on our return,
  6. 125And all shall hear what each may wish to learn."
  7. 126Ascending slowly by the rock-hewn way,
  8. 127To where his watch-tower beetles o'er the bay,
  9. 128By bushy brake, the wild flowers blossoming,
  10. 129And freshness breathing from each silver spring,
  11. 130Whose scattered streams from granite basins burst,
  12. 131Leap into life, and sparkling woo your thirst;
  13. 132From crag to cliff they mount--Near yonder cave,
  14. 133What lonely straggler looks along the wave?
  15. 134In pensive posture leaning on the brand,
  16. 135Not oft a resting-staff to that red hand?
  17. 136"'Tis he--'tis Conrad--here--as wont--alone;
  18. 137On--Juan!--on--and make our purpose known.
  19. 138The bark he views--and tell him we would greet
  20. 139His ear with tidings he must quickly meet:
  21. 140We dare not yet approach--thou know'st his mood,
  22. 141When strange or uninvited steps intrude."
  1. 142Him Juan sought, and told of their intent;--
  2. 143He spake not, but a sign expressed assent,
  3. 144These Juan calls--they come--to their salute
  4. 145He bends him slightly, but his lips are mute.
  5. 146"These letters, Chief, are from the Greek--the spy,
  6. 147Who still proclaims our spoil or peril nigh:
  7. 148Whate'er his tidings, we can well report,
  8. 149Much that"--"Peace, peace!"--he cuts their prating short.
  9. 150Wondering they turn, abashed, while each to each
  10. 151Conjecture whispers in his muttering speech:
  11. 152They watch his glance with many a stealing look,
  12. 153To gather how that eye the tidings took;
  13. 154But, this as if he guessed, with head aside,
  14. 155Perchance from some emotion, doubt, or pride,
  15. 156He read the scroll--"My tablets, Juan, hark--
  16. 157Where is Gonsalvo?"
  1. 158"In the anchored bark."
  2. 159"There let him stay--to him this order bear--
  3. 160Back to your duty--for my course prepare:
  4. 161Myself this enterprise to-night will share."
  5. 162"To-night, Lord Conrad?"
  1. 163"Aye! at set of sun:
  2. 164The breeze will freshen when the day is done.
  3. 165My corslet--cloak--one hour and we are gone.
  4. 166Sling on thy bugle--see that free from rust
  5. 167My carbine-lock springs worthy of my trust;
  6. 168Be the edge sharpened of my boarding-brand,
  7. 169And give its guard more room to fit my hand.
  8. 170This let the Armourer with speed dispose;
  9. 171Last time, it more fatigued my arm than foes;
  10. 172Mark that the signal-gun be duly fired,
  11. 173To tell us when the hour of stay's expired."
  1. 174They make obeisance, and retire in haste,
  2. 175Too soon to seek again the watery waste:
  3. 176Yet they repine not--so that Conrad guides;
  4. 177And who dare question aught that he decides?
  5. 178That man of loneliness and mystery,
  6. 179Scarce seen to smile, and seldom heard to sigh;
  7. 180Whose name appals the fiercest of his crew,
  8. 181And tints each swarthy cheek with sallower hue;
  9. 182Still sways their souls with that commanding art
  10. 183That dazzles, leads, yet chills the vulgar heart.
  11. 184What is that spell, that thus his lawless train
  12. 185Confess and envy--yet oppose in vain?
  13. 186What should it be, that thus their faith can bind?
  14. 187The power of Thought--the magic of the Mind!
  15. 188Linked with success, assumed and kept with skill,
  16. 189That moulds another's weakness to its will;
  17. 190Wields with their hands, but, still to these unknown,
  18. 191Makes even their mightiest deeds appear his own.
  19. 192Such hath it been--shall be--beneath the Sun
  20. 193The many still must labour for the one!
  21. 194'Tis Nature's doom--but let the wretch who toils,
  22. 195Accuse not--hate not--him who wears the spoils.
  23. 196Oh! if he knew the weight of splendid chains,
  24. 197How light the balance of his humbler pains!
  1. 198Unlike the heroes of each ancient race,
  2. 199Demons in act, but Gods at least in face,
  3. 200In Conrad's form seems little to admire,
  4. 201Though his dark eyebrow shades a glance of fire:
  5. 202Robust but not Herculean--to the sight
  6. 203No giant frame sets forth his common height;
  7. 204Yet, in the whole, who paused to look again,
  8. 205Saw more than marks the crowd of vulgar men;
  9. 206They gaze and marvel how--and still confess
  10. 207That thus it is, but why they cannot guess.
  11. 208Sun-burnt his cheek, his forehead high and pale
  12. 209The sable curls in wild profusion veil;
  13. 210And oft perforce his rising lip reveals
  14. 211The haughtier thought it curbs, but scarce conceals.
  15. 212Though smooth his voice, and calm his general mien,
  16. 213Still seems there something he would not have seen:
  17. 214His features' deepening lines and varying hue
  18. 215At times attracted, yet perplexed the view,
  19. 216As if within that murkiness of mind
  20. 217Worked feelings fearful, and yet undefined;
  21. 218Such might it be--that none could truly tell--
  22. 219Too close inquiry his stern glance would quell.
  23. 220There breathe but few whose aspect might defy
  24. 221The full encounter of his searching eye;
  25. 222He had the skill, when Cunning's gaze would seek
  26. 223To probe his heart and watch his changing cheek,
  27. 224At once the observer's purpose to espy,
  28. 225And on himself roll back his scrutiny,
  29. 226Lest he to Conrad rather should betray
  30. 227Some secret thought, than drag that Chief's to day.
  31. 228There was a laughing Devil in his sneer,
  32. 229That raised emotions both of rage and fear;
  33. 230And where his frown of hatred darkly fell,
  34. 231Hope withering fled--and Mercy sighed farewell!
  1. 232Slight are the outward signs of evil thought,
  2. 233Within--within--'twas there the spirit wrought!
  3. 234Love shows all changes--Hate, Ambition, Guile,
  4. 235Betray no further than the bitter smile;
  5. 236The lip's least curl, the lightest paleness thrown
  6. 237Along the governed aspect, speak alone
  7. 238Of deeper passions; and to judge their mien,
  8. 239He, who would see, must be himself unseen.
  9. 240Then--with the hurried tread, the upward eye,
  10. 241The clenchéd hand, the pause of agony,
  11. 242That listens, starting, lest the step too near
  12. 243Approach intrusive on that mood of fear:
  13. 244Then--with each feature working from the heart,
  14. 245With feelings, loosed to strengthen--not depart,
  15. 246That rise--convulse--contend--that freeze or glow,
  16. 247Flush in the cheek, or damp upon the brow;
  17. 248Then--Stranger! if thou canst, and tremblest not,
  18. 249Behold his soul--the rest that soothes his lot!
  19. 250Mark how that lone and blighted bosom sears
  20. 251The scathing thought of execrated years!
  21. 252Behold--but who hath seen, or e'er shall see,
  22. 253Man as himself--the secret spirit free?
  1. 254Yet was not Conrad thus by Nature sent
  2. 255To lead the guilty--Guilt's worse instrument--
  3. 256His soul was changed, before his deeds had driven
  4. 257Him forth to war with Man and forfeit Heaven.
  5. 258Warped by the world in Disappointment's school,
  6. 259In words too wise--in conduct there a fool;
  7. 260Too firm to yield, and far too proud to stoop,
  8. 261Doomed by his very virtues for a dupe,
  9. 262He cursed those virtues as the cause of ill,
  10. 263And not the traitors who betrayed him still;
  11. 264Nor deemed that gifts bestowed on better men
  12. 265Had left him joy, and means to give again.
  13. 266Feared--shunned--belied--ere Youth had lost her force,
  14. 267He hated Man too much to feel remorse,
  15. 268And thought the voice of Wrath a sacred call,
  16. 269To pay the injuries of some on all.
  17. 270He knew himself a villain--but he deemed
  18. 271The rest no better than the thing he seemed;
  19. 272And scorned the best as hypocrites who hid
  20. 273Those deeds the bolder spirit plainly did.
  21. 274He knew himself detested, but he knew
  22. 275The hearts that loathed him, crouched and dreaded too.
  23. 276Lone, wild, and strange, he stood alike exempt
  24. 277From all affection and from all contempt:
  25. 278His name could sadden, and his acts surprise;
  26. 279But they that feared him dared not to despise:
  27. 280Man spurns the worm, but pauses ere he wake
  28. 281The slumbering venom of the folded snake:
  29. 282The first may turn, but not avenge the blow;
  30. 283The last expires, but leaves no living foe;
  31. 284Fast to the doomed offender's form it clings,
  32. 285And he may crush--not conquer--still it stings!
  1. 286None are all evil--quickening round his heart,
  2. 287One softer feeling would not yet depart;
  3. 288Oft could he sneer at others as beguiled
  4. 289By passions worthy of a fool or child;
  5. 290Yet 'gainst that passion vainly still he strove,
  6. 291And even in him it asks the name of Love!
  7. 292Yes, it was love--unchangeable--unchanged,
  8. 293Felt but for one from whom he never ranged;
  9. 294Though fairest captives daily met his eye,
  10. 295He shunned, nor sought, but coldly passed them by;
  11. 296Though many a beauty drooped in prisoned bower,
  12. 297None ever soothed his most unguarded hour,
  13. 298Yes--it was Love--if thoughts of tenderness,
  14. 299Tried in temptation, strengthened by distress,
  15. 300Unmoved by absence, firm in every clime,
  16. 301And yet--Oh more than all!--untired by Time;
  17. 302Which nor defeated hope, nor baffled wile,
  18. 303Could render sullen were She near to smile,
  19. 304Nor rage could fire, nor sickness fret to vent
  20. 305On her one murmur of his discontent;
  21. 306Which still would meet with joy, with calmness part,
  22. 307Lest that his look of grief should reach her heart;
  23. 308Which nought removed, nor menaced to remove--
  24. 309If there be Love in mortals--this was Love!
  25. 310He was a villain--aye, reproaches shower
  26. 311On him--but not the Passion, nor its power,
  27. 312Which only proved--all other virtues gone--
  28. 313Not Guilt itself could quench this loveliest one!
  1. 314He paused a moment--till his hastening men
  2. 315Passed the first winding downward to the glen.
  3. 316"Strange tidings!--many a peril have I passed,
  4. 317Nor know I why this next appears the last!
  5. 318Yet so my heart forebodes, but must not fear,
  6. 319Nor shall my followers find me falter here.
  7. 320'Tis rash to meet--but surer death to wait
  8. 321Till here they hunt us to undoubted fate;
  9. 322And, if my plan but hold, and Fortune smile,
  10. 323We'll furnish mourners for our funeral pile.
  11. 324Aye, let them slumber--peaceful be their dreams!
  12. 325Morn ne'er awoke them with such brilliant beams
  13. 326As kindle high to-night (but blow, thou breeze!)
  14. 327To warm these slow avengers of the seas.
  15. 328Now to Medora--Oh! my sinking heart,
  16. 329Long may her own be lighter than thou art!
  17. 330Yet was I brave--mean boast where all are brave!
  18. 331Ev'n insects sting for aught they seek to save.
  19. 332This common courage which with brutes we share,
  20. 333That owes its deadliest efforts to Despair,
  21. 334Small merit claims--but 'twas my nobler hope
  22. 335To teach my few with numbers still to cope;
  23. 336Long have I led them--not to vainly bleed:
  24. 337No medium now--we perish or succeed!
  25. 338So let it be--it irks not me to die;
  26. 339But thus to urge them whence they cannot fly.
  27. 340My lot hath long had little of my care,
  28. 341But chafes my pride thus baffled in the snare:
  29. 342Is this my skill? my craft? to set at last
  30. 343Hope, Power and Life upon a single cast?
  31. 344Oh, Fate!--accuse thy folly--not thy fate;
  32. 345She may redeem thee still--nor yet too late."
  1. 346Thus with himself communion held he, till
  2. 347He reached the summit of his tower-crowned hill:
  3. 348There at the portal paused--for wild and soft
  4. 349He heard those accents never heard too oft!
  5. 350Through the high lattice far yet sweet they rung,
  6. 351And these the notes his Bird of Beauty sung:
  1. 352"Deep in my soul that tender secret dwells,
  2. 353Lonely and lost to light for evermore,
  3. 354Save when to thine my heart responsive swells,
  4. 355Then trembles into silence as before.
  1. 356"There, in its centre, a sepulchral lamp
  2. 357Burns the slow flame, eternal--but unseen;
  3. 358Which not the darkness of Despair can damp,
  4. 359Though vain its ray as it had never been.
  1. 360"Remember me--Oh! pass not thou my grave
  2. 361Without one thought whose relics there recline:
  3. 362The only pang my bosom dare not brave
  4. 363Must be to find forgetfulness in thine.
  1. 364"My fondest--faintest--latest accents hear--
  2. 365Grief for the dead not Virtue can reprove;
  3. 366Then give me all I ever asked--a tear,
  4. 367The first--last--sole reward of so much love!"
  1. 368He passed the portal, crossed the corridor,
  2. 369And reached the chamber as the strain gave o'er:
  3. 370"My own Medora! sure thy song is sad--"
  1. 371"In Conrad's absence would'st thou have it glad?
  2. 372Without thine ear to listen to my lay,
  3. 373Still must my song my thoughts, my soul betray:
  4. 374Still must each accent to my bosom suit,
  5. 375My heart unhushed--although my lips were mute!
  6. 376Oh! many a night on this lone couch reclined,
  7. 377My dreaming fear with storms hath winged the wind,
  8. 378And deemed the breath that faintly fanned thy sail
  9. 379The murmuring prelude of the ruder gale;
  10. 380Though soft--it seemed the low prophetic dirge,
  11. 381That mourned thee floating on the savage surge:
  12. 382Still would I rise to rouse the beacon fire,
  13. 383Lest spies less true should let the blaze expire;
  14. 384And many a restless hour outwatched each star,
  15. 385And morning came--and still thou wert afar.
  16. 386Oh! how the chill blast on my bosom blew,
  17. 387And day broke dreary on my troubled view,
  18. 388And still I gazed and gazed--and not a prow
  19. 389Was granted to my tears--my truth--my vow!
  20. 390At length--'twas noon--I hailed and blest the mast
  21. 391That met my sight--it neared--Alas! it passed!
  22. 392Another came--Oh God! 'twas thine at last!
  23. 393Would that those days were over! wilt thou ne'er,
  24. 394My Conrad! learn the joys of peace to share?
  25. 395Sure thou hast more than wealth, and many a home
  26. 396As bright as this invites us not to roam:
  27. 397Thou know'st it is not peril that I fear,
  28. 398I only tremble when thou art not here;
  29. 399Then not for mine, but that far dearer life,
  30. 400Which flies from love and languishes for strife--
  31. 401How strange that heart, to me so tender still,
  32. 402Should war with Nature and its better will!"
  1. 403"Yea, strange indeed--that heart hath long been changed;
  2. 404Worm-like 'twas trampled--adder-like avenged--
  3. 405Without one hope on earth beyond thy love,
  4. 406And scarce a glimpse of mercy from above.
  5. 407Yet the same feeling which thou dost condemn,
  6. 408My very love to thee is hate to them,
  7. 409So closely mingling here, that disentwined,
  8. 410I cease to love thee when I love Mankind:
  9. 411Yet dread not this--the proof of all the past
  10. 412Assures the future that my love will last;
  11. 413But--Oh, Medora! nerve thy gentler heart;
  12. 414This hour again--but not for long--we part."
  1. 415"This hour we part!--my heart foreboded this:
  2. 416Thus ever fade my fairy dreams of bliss.
  3. 417This hour--it cannot be--this hour away!
  4. 418Yon bark hath hardly anchored in the bay:
  5. 419Her consort still is absent, and her crew
  6. 420Have need of rest before they toil anew;
  7. 421My Love! thou mock'st my weakness; and wouldst steel
  8. 422My breast before the time when it must feel;
  9. 423But trifle now no more with my distress,
  10. 424Such mirth hath less of play than bitterness.
  11. 425Be silent, Conrad!--dearest! come and share
  12. 426The feast these hands delighted to prepare;
  13. 427Light toil! to cull and dress thy frugal fare!
  14. 428See, I have plucked the fruit that promised best,
  15. 429And where not sure, perplexed, but pleased, I guessed
  16. 430At such as seemed the fairest; thrice the hill
  17. 431My steps have wound to try the coolest rill;
  18. 432Yes! thy Sherbet to-night will sweetly flow,
  19. 433See how it sparkles in its vase of snow!
  20. 434The grapes' gay juice thy bosom never cheers;
  21. 435Thou more than Moslem when the cup appears:
  22. 436Think not I mean to chide--for I rejoice
  23. 437What others deem a penance is thy choice.
  24. 438But come, the board is spread; our silver lamp
  25. 439Is trimmed, and heeds not the Sirocco's damp:
  26. 440Then shall my handmaids while the time along,
  27. 441And join with me the dance, or wake the song;
  28. 442Or my guitar, which still thou lov'st to hear,
  29. 443Shall soothe or lull--or, should it vex thine ear,
  30. 444We'll turn the tale, by Ariosto told,
  31. 445Of fair Olympia loved and left of old.
  32. 446Why, thou wert worse than he who broke his vow
  33. 447To that lost damsel, should thou leave me now--
  34. 448Or even that traitor chief--I've seen thee smile,
  35. 449When the clear sky showed Ariadne's Isle,
  36. 450Which I have pointed from these cliffs the while:
  37. 451And thus half sportive--half in fear--I said,
  38. 452Lest Time should raise that doubt to more than dread,
  39. 453Thus Conrad, too, will quit me for the main:
  40. 454And he deceived me--for--he came again!"
  1. 455"Again, again--and oft again--my Love!
  2. 456If there be life below, and hope above,
  3. 457He will return--but now, the moments bring
  4. 458The time of parting with redoubled wing:
  5. 459The why, the where--what boots it now to tell?
  6. 460Since all must end in that wild word--Farewell!
  7. 461Yet would I fain--did time allow--disclose--
  8. 462Fear not--these are no formidable foes!
  9. 463And here shall watch a more than wonted guard,
  10. 464For sudden siege and long defence prepared:
  11. 465Nor be thou lonely, though thy Lord's away,
  12. 466Our matrons and thy handmaids with thee stay;
  13. 467And this thy comfort--that, when next we meet,
  14. 468Security shall make repose more sweet.
  15. 469List!--'tis the bugle!"--Juan shrilly blew--
  16. 470"One kiss--one more--another--Oh! Adieu!"
  17. 471She rose--she sprung--she clung to his embrace,
  18. 472Till his heart heaved beneath her hidden face:
  19. 473He dared not raise to his that deep-blue eye,
  20. 474Which downcast drooped in tearless agony.
  21. 475Her long fair hair lay floating o'er his arms,
  22. 476In all the wildness of dishevelled charms;
  23. 477Scarce beat that bosom where his image dwelt
  24. 478So full--that feeling seem'd almost unfelt!
  25. 479Hark--peals the thunder of the signal-gun!
  26. 480It told 'twas sunset, and he cursed that sun.
  27. 481Again--again--that form he madly pressed,
  28. 482Which mutely clasped, imploringly caressed!
  29. 483And tottering to the couch his bride he bore,
  30. 484One moment gazed--as if to gaze no more;
  31. 485Felt that for him Earth held but her alone,
  32. 486Kissed her cold forehead--turned--is Conrad gone?
  1. 487"And is he gone?"--on sudden solitude
  2. 488How oft that fearful question will intrude!
  3. 489"'Twas but an instant past, and here he stood!
  4. 490And now"--without the portal's porch she rushed,
  5. 491And then at length her tears in freedom gushed;
  6. 492Big, bright, and fast, unknown to her they fell;
  7. 493But still her lips refused to send--"Farewell!"
  8. 494For in that word--that fatal word--howe'er
  9. 495We promise--hope--believe--there breathes Despair.
  10. 496O'er every feature of that still, pale face,
  11. 497Had Sorrow fixed what Time can ne'er erase:
  12. 498The tender blue of that large loving eye
  13. 499Grew frozen with its gaze on vacancy,
  14. 500Till--Oh, how far!--it caught a glimpse of him,
  15. 501And then it flowed, and phrensied seemed to swim
  16. 502Through those long, dark, and glistening lashes dewed
  17. 503With drops of sadness oft to be renewed.
  18. 504"He's gone!"--against her heart that hand is driven,
  19. 505Convulsed and quick--then gently raised to Heaven:
  20. 506She looked and saw the heaving of the main:
  21. 507The white sail set--she dared not look again;
  22. 508But turned with sickening soul within the gate--
  23. 509"It is no dream--and I am desolate!"
  1. 510From crag to crag descending, swiftly sped
  2. 511Stern Conrad down, nor once he turned his head;
  3. 512But shrunk whene'er the windings of his way
  4. 513Forced on his eye what he would not survey,
  5. 514His lone, but lovely dwelling on the steep,
  6. 515That hailed him first when homeward from the deep:
  7. 516And she--the dim and melancholy Star,
  8. 517Whose ray of Beauty reached him from afar,
  9. 518On her he must not gaze, he must not think--
  10. 519There he might rest--but on Destruction's brink:
  11. 520Yet once almost he stopped--and nearly gave
  12. 521His fate to chance, his projects to the wave:
  13. 522But no--it must not be--a worthy chief
  14. 523May melt, but not betray to Woman's grief.
  15. 524He sees his bark, he notes how fair the wind,
  16. 525And sternly gathers all his might of mind:
  17. 526Again he hurries on--and as he hears
  18. 527The clang of tumult vibrate on his ears,
  19. 528The busy sounds, the bustle of the shore,
  20. 529The shout, the signal, and the dashing oar;
  21. 530As marks his eye the seaboy on the mast,
  22. 531The anchors rise, the sails unfurling fast,
  23. 532The waving kerchiefs of the crowd that urge
  24. 533That mute Adieu to those who stem the surge;
  25. 534And more than all, his blood-red flag aloft,
  26. 535He marvelled how his heart could seem so soft.
  27. 536Fire in his glance, and wildness in his breast,
  28. 537He feels of all his former self possest;
  29. 538He bounds--he flies--until his footsteps reach
  30. 539The verge where ends the cliff, begins the beach,
  31. 540There checks his speed; but pauses less to breathe
  32. 541The breezy freshness of the deep beneath,
  33. 542Than there his wonted statelier step renew;
  34. 543Nor rush, disturbed by haste, to vulgar view:
  35. 544For well had Conrad learned to curb the crowd,
  36. 545By arts that veil, and oft preserve the proud;
  37. 546His was the lofty port, the distant mien,
  38. 547That seems to shun the sight--and awes if seen:
  39. 548The solemn aspect, and the high-born eye,
  40. 549That checks low mirth, but lacks not courtesy;
  41. 550All these he wielded to command assent:
  42. 551But where he wished to win, so well unbent,
  43. 552That Kindness cancelled fear in those who heard,
  44. 553And others' gifts showed mean beside his word,
  45. 554When echoed to the heart as from his own
  46. 555His deep yet tender melody of tone:
  47. 556But such was foreign to his wonted mood,
  48. 557He cared not what he softened, but subdued;
  49. 558The evil passions of his youth had made
  50. 559Him value less who loved--than what obeyed.
  1. 560Around him mustering ranged his ready guard.
  2. 561Before him Juan stands--"Are all prepared?"
  3. 562"They are--nay more--embarked: the latest boat
  4. 563Waits but my chief----"
  5. 564"My sword, and my capote."
  6. 565Soon firmly girded on, and lightly slung,
  7. 566His belt and cloak were o'er his shoulders flung:
  8. 567"Call Pedro here!" He comes--and Conrad bends,
  9. 568With all the courtesy he deigned his friends;
  10. 569"Receive these tablets, and peruse with care,
  11. 570Words of high trust and truth are graven there;
  12. 571Double the guard, and when Anselmo's bark
  13. 572Arrives, let him alike these orders mark:
  14. 573In three days (serve the breeze) the sun shall shine
  15. 574On our return--till then all peace be thine!"
  16. 575This said, his brother Pirate's hand he wrung,
  17. 576Then to his boat with haughty gesture sprung.
  18. 577Flashed the dipt oars, and sparkling with the stroke,
  19. 578Around the waves' phosphoric brightness broke;
  20. 579They gain the vessel--on the deck he stands,--
  21. 580Shrieks the shrill whistle, ply the busy hands--
  22. 581He marks how well the ship her helm obeys,
  23. 582How gallant all her crew, and deigns to praise.
  24. 583His eyes of pride to young Gonsalvo turn--
  25. 584Why doth he start, and inly seem to mourn?
  26. 585Alas! those eyes beheld his rocky tower,
  27. 586And live a moment o'er the parting hour;
  28. 587She--his Medora--did she mark the prow?
  29. 588Ah! never loved he half so much as now!
  30. 589But much must yet be done ere dawn of day--
  31. 590Again he mans himself and turns away;
  32. 591Down to the cabin with Gonsalvo bends,
  33. 592And there unfolds his plan--his means, and ends;
  34. 593Before them burns the lamp, and spreads the chart,
  35. 594And all that speaks and aids the naval art;
  36. 595They to the midnight watch protract debate;
  37. 596To anxious eyes what hour is ever late?
  38. 597Meantime, the steady breeze serenely blew,
  39. 598And fast and falcon-like the vessel flew;
  40. 599Passed the high headlands of each clustering isle,
  41. 600To gain their port--long--long ere morning smile:
  42. 601And soon the night-glass through the narrow bay
  43. 602Discovers where the Pacha's galleys lay.
  44. 603Count they each sail, and mark how there supine
  45. 604The lights in vain o'er heedless Moslem shine.
  46. 605Secure, unnoted, Conrad's prow passed by,
  47. 606And anchored where his ambush meant to lie;
  48. 607Screened from espial by the jutting cape,
  49. 608That rears on high its rude fantastic shape.
  50. 609Then rose his band to duty--not from sleep--
  51. 610Equipped for deeds alike on land or deep;
  52. 611While leaned their Leader o'er the fretting flood,
  53. 612And calmly talked--and yet he talked of blood!