I saw her eye kindle with heavenly hope, 320 I felt her hand's last pressure....Son of Orleans! "I remember as her bier 326 Went to the grave, a lark sprung up aloft, 330 "Then my soul awoke, For it had slumber'd long in happiness, 336 339 And much my cares avail'd, and much her son's, On whom, the only comfort of her age, She center'd now her love. A younger birth, Aged nearly as myself was Theodore, An ardent youth, who with the kindest care Had sooth'd his sister's sorrow. We had knelt 345 In closer union knits two human hearts "It chanced as once Beside the fire of Elinor I sat, 349 The night was comfortless, the loud blast howl'd, And as we drew around the social hearth, We heard the rain beat hard. Driven by the storm A warrior mark'd our distant taper's light; We heapt the fire, and spread the friendly board. I too could be content to dwell in peace, 356 But that my country calls. When the winds roar, Remember sometimes what a soldier suffers, And think on Conrade.' 360 "Theodore replied, 'Success go with thee! Something we have known Of war, and tasted its calamity; And I am well content to dwell in peace, Albeit inglorious, thanking the good God 365 "Did that God' Cried Conrade, form thy heart for happiness, Over thy wretched country? Did that God Form thee for Peace when Slaughter is abroad, 370 When her brooks run with blood, and Rape, and Murder, Stalk through her flaming towns? Live thou in peace, Of fierce and terrible benevolence, 375 That I did tremble as I listen'd to him. And in my heart tumultuous thoughts arose And vast, yet such they were as made me pant As though by some divinity possess'd. 'But is there not some duty due to those We love?' said Theodore; Is there an employ 381 385 "Hard is it,' Conrade cried, Ay, hard indeed, to part from those we love; I have left an aged mother; I have left 390 395 400 "So saying from his belt he took The encumbering sword. I held it, listening to him, And wistless what I did, half from the sheath 405 Drew forth its glittering blade. I gazed upon it, 'Maiden, thou sayest well. "He answer'd me I could not strike A lamb!..But when the merciless invader Spares not grey age, and mocks the infant's shriek And forces to his foul embrace the wife 409 415 Even where her slaughter'd husband bleeds to death, Almighty God! I should not be a man If I did let one weak and pitiful feeling Make mine arm impotent to cleave him down. 419 Think well of this, young man!' he cried, and took The hand of Theodore; think well of this; As you are human, as you hope to live In peace, amid the dearest joys of home, Think well of this! You have a tender mother; As you do wish that she may die in peace, 425 429 For help, and see her dragg'd, and hear her scream "When we had all betaken us to rest, Sleepless I lay, and in my mind revolved The high-soul'd warrior's speech. Then Madelon Rose in remembrance; over her the grave 440 Had closed; her sorrows were not register'd In the rolls of fame; but when the tears run down The widow's cheek, shall not her cry be heard In Heaven against the oppressor? will not God In sunder smite the unmerciful, and break 445 The sceptre of the wicked?.. Thoughts like these Possess'd my soul, till at the break of day I slept; nor did my heated brain repose Even then; for visions, sent, as I believe, From the Most-High, arose. A high-tower'd town Hemm'd in and girt with enemies, I saw, Where Famine on a heap of carcasses, Half envious of the unutterable feast, 449 Mark'd the gorged raven clog his beak with gore. I turn'd me then to the besieger's camp, 455 And there was revelry: a loud lewd laugh Sit at their feast, and plan the work of death. 459 Reproaching Heaven,.. lo! from the clouds an arm As of the avenging Angel was put forth, "From that night I could feel my burthen'd soul Heaving beneath incumbent Deity. I sate in silence, musing on the days 465 |