Upon the axe which near him shone With a clear and ghastly glitter Oh! that parting hour was bitter! 425 Even the stern stood chilled with awe : Dark the crime, and just the law Yet they shuddered as they saw. XVII. The parting prayers are said and over 430 "These hands are chained-but let me die "At least with an unshackled eye 450 "Strike:"-and as the word he said, Rolled the head—and, gushing, sunk 455 460 He died, as erring man should die, And while before the Prior kneeling, His heart was weaned from earthly feeling; His wrathful sire—his paramour 465 He claimed to die with eyes unbound, His sole adieu to those around. XVIII. Still as the lips that closed in death, But yet, afar, from man to man, A cold electric shiver ran, 475 Pierced through with forced and sullen shock, Save one-what cleaves the silent air So madly shrill-so passing wild? Done to death by sudden blow, Through Azo's palace-lattice driven, 485 490 And every eye is turned thereon; XIX. Hugo is fallen; and, from that hour, 495 500 |