Dread the race of Zaharak!

Fear the spell of Dahomay !»

Be as strong in future trial, Where resistance is denial.

« Now for Afric's glowing sky,
Zwenga wide and Atlas high,
Zaharak and Dahomay!-
Mount the winds! Hurra, hurra!»-

XXII. Uncouth and strange the accents shrill

Rung those vaulted roofs among; Long it was ere, faint and still,

Died the far-resounding song.
While yet the distant echoes roll,
The warrior communed with his soul.
« When first I took this venturous quest,

I swore upon the rood,
Neithier to stop, nor turn, nor rest,

For evil or for good.
My forward path, too well I ween,
Lies yonder fearful ranks between;
For man unarm’d, 't is bootless hope
With tigers and with fiends to cope-
Yet, if I turn, what waits me there,

Save famine dire and fell despair?— • Other conclusion let me try,

Since, chuse lowe'er I list, I die. Forward, lies faith and knightly fame ; Belind, are perjury and shame. In life or death I hold my word.»--With that he drew his trusty sword, Caught down a banner froin the wall, And enter'd thus the fearful hall.*

XXV.
The wizard song at distance died

As if in ether borne astray,
While through waste halls and chambers wide

The kuight pursued his steady way, Till to a lofty dome he came, That flash'd with such a brilliant flame, As if the wealth of all the world Were there in rich confusion hurl'd. For here the gold, in sandy heaps, With duller earth incorporate sleeps ; Was there in ingots piled, and there Coin'd badge of empery it bare; Yonder huge bars of silver lay, Dimm'd by the diamond's neighbouring ray, Like the pale moon in morning day; And in the midst four maidens stand, The daughters of some distant land. Their hue was of the dark-red dye, That fringes oft a thunder sky, Their hands palmetto baskets bare, And cotton fillets bound their hair; Slim was their form, their mien was shy, To earth they bent the humbled eye, Folded their arms, and suppliant kneeld, And thus their proffer:d gifts reveal'd.

XXVI.

XSIII. On high each waywaal maiden threw Her swarthy arm, with wild halloo! On either side a tiger sprungAgainst the leftward foe he flung The ready banner, to engage With tangling folds the brutal rage; The right-hand monster in mid air He struck so fiercely and so fair, Through gullet and through spinal bone The trenchant blade hath sheerly gone. His grisly brethren ramp'd and yelld But the slight leash their rage withheld, Whilst, 'lwixt their ranks, the dangerous road Firmly, though swift, the champion strode. Safe to the gallery's bound he drew, Safe pass'd an open portal through; And when 'gainst followers he flung The gate, judge if the echoes rung! Onward his daring course he bore, While, mix'd with dying growl and roar, Wild jubilee and loud lurra Pursued him on bis venturous way.

CHORUS. « See the treasures Merlin piled, Portion meet for Arthur's child. Bathe in Wealth's unbounded stream, Wealth that Atarice ne'er could dream !»

FIRST MAIDEN. « See these clots of virgin gold! Sever'd from the sparry mould, Nature's mystic alchemy In the mine thus bade them lie; And their orient smile can win Kings to stoop, and saints to sin.»-

XXIV. « Hurra, hurra! Our watch is done ! We hail once more the tropic sun. Pallid beams of northern day, Farewell, farewell ! Hurra, hurra!

SECOND MAIDEN. «See these pearls that long have slept; These were tears by Naiads wept For the loss of Marinel. Tritons in the silver shell Treasured them, till hard and white As the teeth of Amphitrite.»—

THIRD MAIDEN. « Does a livelier hue delight? Here are rubies blazing bright, Here the emerald's fairy green, And the topaz glows between; "Here their varied hues upite In the changeful chrysolite.»—

« Five hundred years o'er this cold glen
Hath the pale sau come round agen;
Foot of man, till now, hath ne'er
Dared to cross the Hall of Fear.

« Warrior! thou, whose dauntless heart Gives us from our ward to part,

FOURTH MAIDEN.

« Leave these gems of poorer shine,
Leave them all, and look on mine!
While their glories I expand,
Shade thine eye-brows with thy hand.
Mid-day sun and diamond's blaze
Blind the rash beholder's gaze.»—

CHORUS. « Warrior, seize the splendid store: Would 't were all our mountains bore! We should ne'er in future story, Read, Peru, thy perish'd glory!».

XXVII. Calmly and unconcern'd the knight 'Waved aside the treasures bright: « Gentle maidens, rise, I pray! Bar not thus my destined way. Let these boasted brilliant toys Braid the hair of girls and boys! Bid your streams of gold expand O'er proud London's thirsty Jand. De Vaux of wealth saw never need, Save to purvey him arms and steed, And all the ore he deign'd to hoard Inlays his helm, and hilts his sword.» Thus gently parting from their hold, He left, unmoved, the dome of gold.

XXVIII.
And now the morning sun was high,
De Vaux was weary, faint, and dry;
When lo! a plasbing sound he hears,
A gladsome signal that he nears

Some frolic water-run;
And soon he reach'd a court-yard square,
Where dancing in the sultry air,
Toss'd high aloft, a fountain fair

Was sparkling in the sun.
On right and left a fair arcade
In long perspective view display'd
Alleys and bowers, for sun or shade;

But full in front, a door,
Low-browd and dark, seem'd as it led
To the love dwelling of the dead,

Whose memory was no more.

As if the nymphs of field and flood

In gay procession came.
Are these of such fantastic mould,

Seen distant down the fair arcade,
These maids enlink'd in sister-fold,

Who, late at bashful distance staid,

Now tripping from the green-wood shade,
Nearer the musing champion draw,
And, in a pause of seeming awe,

Again stand doubtful now ?-
Ah, that sly pause of witching powers !
That seems to say, « to please be ours,

Be yours to tell us how.».
Their hue was of the golden glow
That suns of Candahar bestow,
O'er which in slight suffusion flows
A frequent tinge of paly rose;
Their limbs were fashion'd fair and free,
Jo nature's justest symmetry,
And wreath'd with flowers, with odours graced,
Their raven ringlets reach'd the waist;
In eastern pomp, its gilding pale
The hennah lent each shapely pail,
And the dark sumah

gave
the

eye
More liquid and more lustrous dye.
The spoiless veil of misty lawn,
In studied disarrangement, drawn

The form and bosom o'er,
To win the eye, or tempt the touch,
For modesty show'd all too much-
Too much-yet promised more.

XXXI.
« Gentle knight, awhile delay,»
Thus they sung, «thy toilsome way,
While we pay the duty due
To our master and to you.
Over Avarice, over Fear,
Love triumphant led thee here;
Warrior, list to us, for we
Are slaves to Love, are friends to thee.

Though no treasured gems have we,
To proffer on the bended knee,
Though we boast nor arm nor heart,
For the assagay or dart,
Swains have given each simple girl
Ruby lip and teeth of pearl ;
Or, if dangers more you prize,
Flalterers find them in our eyes.
« Stay, then, gentle warrior, stay,
Rest till evening steal on day;
Stay, O stay!—in yonder bowers
We will braid thy locks with flowers,
Spread the feast and fill the wine,
Charm thy ear with sounds divine,
Weave our dances till delight
Yield to languor, day to night.
« Then shall she you most approve,
Sing the lays that best
Soft thy mossy couch small spread,
Watch thy pillow, prop thy head,
Till the weary night be o'er-
Gentle warrior, wouldst thou more?
Wouldst thou more, fair warrior,--she
Is slave to Love and slave to tlice.»--

XXIX.
Here stopp'd de Vaux an instant's space,
To bathe his parched lips and face,

And mark'd with well-pleased eye,
Refracted on the fountain stream,
In rainbow hues, the dazzling beam

Of that'gay summer sky.
His senses felt a mild control,
Like that which lulls the weary soul,

From contemplation high
Relaxing, when the car receives
The music that the green-wood leaves

Make to the breeze's sigh.

you love,

XXX. And oft in such a dreamy mood,

The half-shut eye can frame Fair apparitions in the wood,

Nor climb'd he far its steepy round

Till fresher blew the air, And next a welcome glimpse was given, That cheer'd him with the light of heaven.

Al length his toil had won A lofty hall with trophies dress d, Where, as to greet imperial guest, Four maidens stood, whose crimson Vest

Was bound with golden zope.

XXXI.
O do not hold it for a crime
In the bold hero of my rhyme,

For stoic look,

And meet rebuke, Ile lack'd the heart or time; As round the band of sirens trip, He kiss'd one damsel's laughing lip; And press'd another's proffer'd hand, Spoke to them all in accents bland, But broke their magic circle through; « Kind maids,» he said, « adicu, adieu My fate, my fortune, forward lies.»— He said, and vanish d from their eyes; But, as he dared that darksome way,. Still heard behind their lovely lay:

Fair Flower of Courtesy, deparı! Go, where the feelings of the heart With the warın pulse in concord move: Go, where Virtue sanctions Love ! -->

XXXVI.
Of Europe scem'd the damsels all;
The first a nymph of lively Gaul,
Whose

easy step and laughing eye Her borruwd air of awe belie;

• The next a maid of Spain, Dark-eyed, dark-hair'd, sedate, yet bold; White ivory skin and tress of gold, Her shy and bashful comrade told

For daughter of Almaine.
These maidens bore a royal robe,
With crown, with sceptre, and with globe,

Emblems of empery;
The fourth a space behind them stood,
And leant upon a harp, in mood movie

Of minstrel ecstasy.
Of merry England she, in dress
Like ancient British druidess;
Her hair an azure fillet bound,
Her graceful vesture swept the ground,

And, in her hand display'd,
A crown did that fourth maiden hold,
Bat unadorn d with gems and gold,

Of glossy laurel made.

XXXUT.
Downward De Vaux through darksome ways

And ruin'd vaults has gone,
Till issue from their wilderd maze,

Or safe retreat, seem'd none;
And c'en the dismal path he strays

• Grew worse as he went on.
For cheerful sun, for living air,
Foul vapours rise and mine-fires glare,
Whose fearful light the dangers show'd
That doggd him on that dreadful road.
Decp pits, and lakes of waters dun,
They show'd, but show'd not how to shun.
These scenes of desolate despair,
These smothering clouds of poison'd air,
How gladly had De Vaux exchanged,
Though 't were to face yon tigers ranged !

Nay, soothful bards have said,
So perilous his state seem'd now,
He wish'd hiin under arbour bough

With Asia's willing maid.
When, joyful sound! av distance near
A trumpet flourish'd loud and clear,
And, as it ceased, a lofty lay
Secm'd thus to chide bis lagging way.

XXXIV.
«Son of Honour, theme of story,
Think on the reward before ye!
Danger, darkness, toil despise;
'T is Ambition bids thee rise.

XXXVII.
At.once to brave De Vaux knelt down

These foremost maidens three,
And proffer'd sceptre, robe, and crown,

Liegedom and seignorie
O'er many a region wide and fair,
Destined, they said, for Arthur's heir;

But homage would he none :-
« Rather,” he said, « De Vaux would ride,
A warder of the Border-side,
In plate and mail, than, robed in pride,

A monarch's empire own;
Railier, far rather, would he be
A free-born knight of England free,

Than sit on despot's throne.»
So pass'd he on, when that fourth maid,

As starting from a trance,
Upon the harp her finger laid;
Her magic touch the chords obey'd,

Their soul awaked at once !

« He that would her heights ascend, Many a weary step must wend; Hand and foot and knee he tries : Thus Ambition's minions rise.

« Lag not now, though rough the way,
Fortune's mood brooks no delay;
Grasp the boon that 's spread before ye,
Monarch's power, and conqueror's glory!»-

SONG OF THE FOURTH MAIDEN. « Quake to your foundations deep, Stately tower, and banner'd keep, Bid your

vaulted echoes moan, As the dreaded step they own..

XXXV. It ceased. Advancing on the sound, A steep ascent the wanderer found,

And then a turret stair :

« Fiends that wait ou Merlin's spell, Hear the foot-fall! mark it well! Spread your dusky wings abroad, Boune

ye

for your homeward road.

« It is Ais, the first wlio e'er
• Dared the dismal Hall of Fear;

His, who hath the snares defied
Spread by Pleasure, Wealth, and Pride.

Quake to your foundations deep, Bastion huge, and turret steep! Tremble keep, and totter tower! This is Gyneth's waking lour.»-

XXXVIII. Thus while she sung, tbe venturous knight Has reach'd a bower, where milder light

Through crimson curtains fell;
Such soften'd shade the bill receives,
Her purple veil when twilight leaves

Upon its western swell.
That bower, the gazer lo bewitch,
Had wondrous store of rare and rich

As e'er was seen with eye ;
For there by magic skill, I wis,
Form of each thing that living is

Was limu'd in proper dye.
All seem to sleep-the timid hare
On form, ihe stag upon his lair,
The cagle in her eyrie fair

Between the earth and sky.
But what of pictured rich and rare
Could win De Vaux's eye-glance, where,
Deep slumbering in the fatal chair,

He saw King Arthur's child!
Doubt, aud anger, and dismay,
From her brow bad pass'd away,
Forgot was that fell tourney-day,

For, as she slepe, she smiled.
It seem'd that the repentant seer
Her sleep of many a hundred year

With gende dreams beguiled.

XL.
Gently, lo! the warrior kneels,
Soft that lovely hand he steals,
Soft to kiss, and soft to clasp-
But the warder leaves her grasp;

Lightning flashes, rolls the thunder!
Gynetlı startles from her sleep,
Totters tower, and trembles keep,

Burst the castle walls asunder!
Fierce and frequent were the shocks,

Melt the magic halls away--
--But beneath their mystic rocks,
In the arms of bold De Vaux,

Safe the princess lay!
Safe and free from magic power,
Blushing like the rose's flower

Opening to the day;
And round the champion's brows was bound
The crown that druidess had wound,

Of the green laurel-bay.
And this was what remaind of all
The wealth of each enchanted hall,

The garland and the dame :-
But where should warrior seek the meed,
Due to high worth for daring deed,

Except from Love and Fame!

ΧΧΧΙΧ. .
That form of maiden loveliness,

"Twixt.childhood and 'twixt youth, That ivory chair, that sylvan dress, The arms and ancles bare, express

Of Lyulph's tale the truth.
Still upon her garments hem
Vanoc's blood made purple gem,
And the warder of command
Cumber'd still her sleeping hand;
Still her dark locks dishevell’d flow
From net of pearl o'er breast of snow
And so fair the slumberer seems,
That De Vaux impeach'd his dreams,
Vapid all and void of might,
Hiding lalf bier charms from sight.
Motionless a while he stands,
Folds his arms and clasps his hands,
Trembling in his fitful joy,
Doubtful how he shall destroy

Long-enduring spell;
Doubtful too, when slowly rise
Dark-fringed lids of Gyneth's eyes,

What these eyes shall tell. « St George ! St Mary! can it be, That they will kiudly look on mc!»

CONCLUSION.

I.
MY LUCY, when the maid is won,
The miastrel's task, thou know'st, is done ;

And 10 require of bard
That to the dregs his tale should run,

Were ordinance too hard.
Our lovers, briefly be it said,
Wedded as lovers wont to wed,

When tale or play is o'er;
Lived long and blest, loved fond and true,
And siw a numerous race renew

The honours that they bore.
Know, too, that when a pilgrim strays,
In morning mist, or evening maze,

Along the mountain lone, That fairy fortress often mocks llis gaze upon the castled rocks

Of the Valley of Saint John;
But never man since brave De Vaux

The charmed portal won. "T is now a vain illusive show, That melis whene'er the sun-bcams glow,

Or the fresh breeze hath blown.

II.
But see, my love, where far below
Our lingering wheels are moving slow,

The whiles up-gazing still,
Our menials eye our sleepy way,
Marvelling, perchance, what whim can stay
Our steps when eve is sinking gray

On this gigantic hill.
So think the vulgar-life and time
Ring all their joys in one dull chime
Of luxury and casc;