XXX. Her reign is past, her gentle glories gone: To cast a worthless offering at thy shrine, Nor ask so dear a breast to feel one pang for mine. XXXI. Thus Harold deem'd, as on that lady's eye He look'd, and met its beam without a thought, Love kept aloof, albeit not far remote, Well deem'd the little God his ancient sway was o'er. XXXII. Fair Florence found, in sooth with some amaze, And much she marvell'd that a youth so raw Nor felt, nor feign'd at least, the oft-told flames, Which, though sometimes they frown, yet rarely anger dames. XXXIII. Little knew she that seeming marble-heart, And had he doated on those eyes so blue, Yet never would he join the lover's whining crew. G XXXIV. Not much he kens, I ween, of woman's breast, But not too humbly, or she will despise Brisk Confidence still best with woman copes; Pique her and soothe in turn, soon Passion crowns thy hopes. XXXV. "Tis an old lesson; Time approves it true, The paltry prize is hardly worth the cost: If, kindly cruel, early Hope is crost, Still to the last it rankles, a disease, Not to be cur'd when Love itself forgets to please. XXXVI. Away! nor let me loiter in my song, For we have many a mountain-path to tread, By pensive Sadness, not by Fiction, led: To teach man what he might be, or he ought; XXXVII. Dear Nature is the kindest mother still, Though alway changing, in her aspect mild; From her bare bosom let me take my fill, Her never-wean'd, though not her favour'd child. Oh! she is fairest in her features wild, Where nothing polish'd dares pollute her path: To me by day or night she ever smil❜d, Though I have mark'd her when none other hath, And sought her more and more, and lov'd her best in wrath. XXXVIII. Land of Albania! where Iskander rose, And the pale crescent sparkles in the glen, Through many a cypress grove within each city's ken. XXXIX. Childe Harold sail'd, and pass'd the barren spot, "* Where sad Penelope o'erlook'd the wave; And onward view'd the mount not yet forgot, If life eternal may await the lyre, That only Heaven to which Earth's children may aspire. |