L. Here in the sultriest season let him rest, LI. Dusky and huge, enlarging on the sight, Nature's volcanic amphitheatre,22 Chimæra's alps, extend from left to right: Beneath, a living valley seems to stir; Flocks play, trees wave, streams flow, the mountain-fir Nodding above: behold black Acheron ! 23 Once consecrated to the sepulchre. Pluto! if this be hell I look upon, Close sham'd Elysium's gates, my shade shall seek for none! LII. Ne city's towers pollute the lovely view; Veil'd by the screen of hills: here men are few, But, peering down each precipice, the goat 24 The little shepherd in his white capote * Doth lean his boyish form along the rock, Or in his cave awaits the tempest's short-liv'd shock. LIII. Oh! where, Dodona! is thine aged grove, Prophetic fount, and oracle divine? What valley echo'd the response of Jove? What trace remaineth of the thunderer's shrine? All, all forgotten-and shall man repine That his frail bonds to fleeting life are broke? Cease, fool! the fate of gods may well be thine:" When nations, tongues, and worlds must sink beneath the stroke! LIV. Epirus' bounds recede, and mountains fail; As ever Spring yclad in grassy dye : Ev'n on a plain no humble beauties lie, Or with the moon-beam sleep in midnight's solemn trance. LV. The Sun had sunk behind vast Tomerit, 25 And Laos wide and fierce came roaring by; 26 The shades of wonted night were gathering yet, Childe Harold saw, like meteors in the sky, The glittering minarets of Tepalen, Whose walls o'erlook the stream; and drawing nigh, He heard the busy hum of warrior-men Swelling the breeze that sigh'd along the lengthening glen. LVI. He pass'd the sacred Haram's silent tower, LVII. Richly caparison'd, a ready row Of armed horse, and many a warlike store While the deep war-drum's sound announc'd the close of day. LVIII. The wild Albanian kirtled to his knee, And crooked glaive; the lively, supple Greek; The bearded Turk that rarely deigns to speak, LIX. Are mix'd conspicuous: some recline in groups, Half whispering there the Greek is heard to prate; "There is no god but God !-to prayer-lo! God is great!" |