WITH THOUGHTS THAT LONG IN DARKNESS DWELT:
WITH THOUGHTS THAT BURN.

Canto 1. Stanza 17

JON MTRKAY, ALFMARLE SIKELLEC.1.1219.

XII.

He lived-he breathed-he moved-he felt;
He raised the maid from where she knelt;
His trance was gone-his keen eye shone
With thoughts that long in darkness dwelt;
With thoughts that burn-in rays that melt.
As the stream late conceal'd

By the fringe of its willows,
When it rushes reveal'd

In the light of its billows; As the bolt bursts on high

From the black cloud that bound it,

Flash'd the soul of that

eye

Through the long lashes round it.
A warhorse at the trumpet's sound,
A lion roused by heedless hound,
A tyrant waked to sudden strife
By graze of ill-directed knife,

Starts not to more convulsive life
Than he, who heard that vow, display'd,

And all, before repress'd, betray'd:

"Now thou art mine, for ever mine,

"With life to keep, and scarce with life resign;

"Now thou art mine, that sacred oath,

Though sworn by one, hath bound us both.

"Yes, fondly, wisely hast thou done;

"That vow hath saved more heads than one: