Not a step is out of tune, As the tides obey the moon! On they march, though to self-slaughter, Whose high-waves o'ersweep the border Hearken to the armour's clank! III. Look upon the bristling wall, Shade of Rernus! 'tis a time Awful as thy brother's crime ! Christians war against Christ's shrine : Must its lot be like to thine? IV. Near-and near-and nearer still, Then with stronger shock and louder, 20 30 40 First flowers of the bloody meadows 50 Which encompass Rome, the mother V. Onward sweep the varied nations! Matched with Bourbon's black banditti ! Rouse thee! Rather give the torch 60 Your worst dwelling with their foot. 70 VI. Ah! behold yon bleeding spectre ! See the giant shadow stride i. Than such victors should pollute.—[MS.] 80 1. Scipio, the second Africanus, is said to have repeated a verse of Homer Iliad, vi. 448], and wept over the burning of Carthage [B.C. 146]. He had better have granted it a capitulation. VOL. V. Stalking o'er thy highest dome, VII. Now they reach thee in their anger: VIII. Yet once more, ye old Penates ! Shed Rome's blood, he was your brother: 'Twas the Roman curbed the Roman ;- Yet again, ye saints and martyrs, Rise! for yours are holier charters ! Mighty Gods of temples falling, Yet in ruin still appalling! Mightier Founders of those altars, True and Christian,-strike the assaulters! Show even Nature 's self abhorrent. 2 L Let each breathing heart dilated Rome be crushed to one wide tomb, 120 [BOURBON, ARNOLD, CÆSAR, and others, arrive at the foot of the wall. ARNOLD is about to plant his ladder. Bourb. Hold, Arnold! I am first. Arn. Not so, my Lord. Bourb. Hold, sir, I charge you! Follow! I am proud Of such a follower, but will brook no leader. [BOURBON plants his ladder, and begins to mount. Now, boys! On! on! Cas. Arn. [A shot strikes him, and BOURBON falls. And off! Eternal powers! The host will be appalled,—but vengeance! vengeance! [BOURBON takes ARNOLD by the hand, and rises; but Conceal my fall 2-all will go well-conceal it! Arn. Removed; the aid of-- Bourb. You must be No, my gallant boy! 130 1. [Byron retains or adopts the old-fashioned pronunciation of the word "Rome" metri gratiâ. Compare The Island, Canto II. line 199.] 2.["Le bouillant Bourbon, à la tête des plus intrepides assaillans tenoit, de la main gauche une échelle appuyée contre le mur, et de la droite faisoit signe à ses soldats de monter pour suivre leurs camarades; en ce moment il reçut dans le flanc une balle d'arquebuse qui le traversa de part en part; il tomba à terre, mortellement blessé. On rapporte qu'avant d'expirer il prononca ces mots : 'Officiers et soldats, cacher ma mort à l'ennemi et marchez toujours en avant; la victoire est à vous, mon trépas ne peut vous la ravir.'"-Sac de Rome en 1527, par Jacques Buonaparte, 1836, p. 201.] Cæs. Would not your Highness choose to kiss the cross? We have no priest here, but the hilt of sword May serve instead :-it did the same for Bayard.' Bourb. Thou bitter slave! to name him at this time! But I deserve it. Arn. (to CESAR). Villain, hold your peace! 141 Cas. What, when a Christian dies? Shall I not offer A Christian "Vade in pace?" 2 Arn. Silence! Oh! Those eyes are glazing which o'erlooked the world, Bourb. Arnold, shouldst thou see France- -But hark! hark! the assault grows warmer Oh! For but an hour, a minute more of life, To die within the wall! Hence, Arnold, hence! You lose time-they will conquer Rome without thee. -- Bourb. Not so; I'll lead them still 150 In spirit. Cover up my dust, and breathe not That I have ceased to breathe. Away! and be Victorious. Arn. But I must not leave thee thus. Bourb. You must-farewell-Up! up! the world is winning. [BOURBON dies. Cas. (to ARNOLD). Come, Count, to business. Arn. True. I'll weep hereafter. [ARNOLD Covers BOURBON'S body with a mantle, mounts the ladder, crying The Bourbon! Bourbon! On, boys! Rome is ours! Cas. Good night, Lord Constable! thou wert a Man. [CESAR follows ARNOLD; they reach the battlement; ARNOLD and CÆSAR are struck down. 1. "Quand il sentit le coup, se print à cryer: 'Jésus !' et puis il dist Hélas! mon Dieu, je suis mort!' Si prit son espée par la poignée en signe de croix en disant tout hault, Miserere mei, Deus, secundùm magnam misericordiam tuam.'"-Chronique de Bayart, 1836, cap. lxiv., p. 119. For his rebuke of Charles de Bourbon, "Ne me plaignez pas," etc., vide ante, p. 499.] 2. [M. de Bourbon, dit un contemporain, 'termina de vie par mort, mais avant fist le devoir de bon, Chrestien; car il se confessa et reçut son Créateur.'"-De l'Italie, par Émile Gebhart, 1876, p. 256.] |