With sudden wing, and ruffled breast, The clouds beneath him seem'd so dun; PARISINA. ΤΟ SCROPE BERDMORE DAVIES, ESQ. THE FOLLOWING POEM IS INSCRIBED BY ONE WHO HAS LONG ADMIRED HIS TALENTS AND VALUED HIS FRIENDSHIP. January 22. 1816. ADVERTISEMENT. THE following poem is grounded on a circumstance mentioned in Gibbon's “Antiquities of the House of Brunswick.” I am aware, that in modern times the delicacy or fastidiousness of the reader may deem such subjects unfit for the purposes of poetry. The Greek dramatists, and some of the best of our old English writers, were of a different opinion: as Alfieri and Schiller have also been, more recently, upon the Continent. The following extract will explain the facts on which the story is founded. The name of Azo is substituted for Nicholas, as more metrical. "Under the reign of Nicholas III. Ferrara was polluted with a domestic tragedy. By the testimony of an attendant, and his own observation, the Marquis of Este discovered the incestuous loves of his wife Parisina, and Hugo his bastard son, a beautiful and valiant youth. They were beheaded in the castle by the sentence of a father and husband, who published his shame, and survived their execution. He was unfortunate, if they were guilty: if they were innocent, he was still more unfortunate; nor is there any possible situation in which I can sincerely approve the last act of the justice of a parent." - GIBBON's Miscellaneous Works, vol. ш. p. 470. PARISINA. I. It is the hour when from the boughs Seem sweet in every whisper'd word; * As twilight melts beneath the moon away.* II. But it is not to list to the waterfall That Parisina leaves her hall, And it is not to gaze on the heavenly light "Tis not for the sake of its full-blown flower- Though her ear expects as soft a tale. There glides a step through the foliage thick, And her cheek grows pale- and her heart beats quick. The lines contained in this section were printed as set to music some time since, but belonged to the poem where they now appear; the greater part of which was composed prior to "Lara." Lord Byron. 11. 28 There whispers a voice through the rustling leaves, And her blush returns, and her bosom heaves: A moment more - and they shall meet "Tis past her lover 's at her feet. III. And what unto them is the world beside, We know such vision comes no more. IV. With many a lingering look they leave The frequent sigh - the long embrace The lip that there would cling for ever, While gleams on Parisina's face The Heaven she fears will not forgive her, |