And here their wondering host hath interposed "Whate'er there be between you undisclosed, "This is no time nor fitting place to mar "The mirthful meeting with a wordy war. "If thou, Sir Ezzelin, hast ought to show "Which it befits Count Lara's ear to know, "To-morrow, here, or elsewhere, as may best "Beseem your mutual judgment, speak the rest; 470 "I pledge myself for thee, as not unknown, "Though like Count Lara now returned alone "From other lands, almost a stranger grown; "And if from Lara's blood and gentle birth "I augur right of courage and of worth, "He will not that untainted line belie, "Nor aught that knighthood may accord, deny." "To-morrow be it," Ezzelia replied, 480 “And here our several worth and truth be tried; “I gage my life, my falchion to attest "My words, so may I mingle with the blest!" What answers Lara? to its centre shrunk His soul, in deep abstraction sudden sunk; The words of many, and the eyes of all.. That there were gathered, seemed on him to fall; But his were silent, his appcared to stray In far forgetfulness away away Alas! that heedlessness of all around Bespoke remembrance only too profound. XXIV. "Tomorrow!" word ay, tomorrow! "further 490 Than those repeated none from Lara heard; known. He scized his cloak his head he slightly bowed, And passing Ezzelin, he left the crowd; And, as he passed him, smiling met the frown With which that chieftain's brow would bear him down: It was nor smile of mirth, nor struggling pride 500 Of all that he would do, or could endure. For man to trust to mortal look or speech; learn. XXV. And Lara called his page, and went his way- 510 Though not unknown the tongue of Lara's land, come, 520 When Lara's lip breathed forth the words of home: Those accents as his native mountains dear, Awake their absent echoes in his ear, Friends', kindreds', parents', wonted voice recall, Now lost, abjured, for one his friend, his all: For him earth now disclosed no other guide; What marvel then he rarely left his side? XXVI. Light was his form, and darkly delicate That brow whereon his native sun had sate, All the heart's hue in that delighted glow; That for a burning moment fevered there; Yet less of sorrow than of pride was there, 540 His resting-place the bank that curbs the brook: He seemed, like him he served, to live apart 550 From all that lures the eye, and fills the heart; To know no brotherhood, and take from earth No gift beyond that bitter boon our birth. XXVII. If aught he loved, 'twas Lara; but was shown A spirit deep that brooked not to be chid; As if 'twas Lara's less than his desire That thus he served, but surely not for hire. knew 570 |