And smiled!- The spoilers tempt no second blow; They fawn on the proud feet that spurn them lying low. 'The sun comes forth, and many reptiles spawn; He sets, and each ephemeral insect then 260 It sinks, the swarms that dimmed or shared its light Leave to its kindred lamps the spirit's awful night.' Thus ceased she: and the mountain shepherds came, Their garlands sere, their magic mantles rent; The Pilgrim of Eternity, whose fame Over his living head like Heaven is bent, An early but enduring monument, 266 Came, veiling all the lightnings of his song In sorrow: from her wilds Ierne sent The sweetest lyrist of her saddest wrong, And love taught grief to fall like music from his tongue. 270 Who in another's fate now wept his own; As, in the accents of an unknown land, He sung new sorrow; sad Urania scanned The Stranger's mien, and murmured: 'Who art thou?' He answered not, but with a sudden hand Made bare his branded and ensanguined brow, Which was like Cain's or Christ's-Oh! that it should be so! 305 |