XX. They stabbed them in the back, and sneered. A slave And one more daring raised his steel anew To pierce the stranger. XXI. "It doth avail not that I weep for ye Ye cannot change, since ye are old and grey, And ye have chosen your lot-your fame must be A book of blood, whence in a milder day Men shall learn truth, when ye are wrapped in clay : Now ye shall triumph. I am Laon's friend, And him to your revenge will I betray, So ye concede one easy boon. Attend! XXII. "There is a people mighty in its youth, A land beyond the oceans of the west, Where, though with rudest rites, Freedom and Truth By inbred monsters outraged and oppressed, XXIII. "That land is like an eagle whose young gaze Feeds on the noontide beam, whose golden plume Floats moveless on the storm, and in the blaze Of sunrise gleams when earth is wrapped in gloom; Of murdered Europe may thy fame be made, Great people! As the sands shalt thou become; Thy growth is swift as morn when night must fade; The multitudinous earth shall sleep beneath thy shade. XXIV. "Yes, in the desert, then, is built a home Of a new heaven; myriads assemble there And then to you this night Laon will I betray. XXV. "With me do what ye will. I am your foe!" The light of such a joy as makes the stare Of hungry snakes like living emeralds glow Shone in a hundred human eyes." Where, where Is Laon? Haste! fly! drag him swiftly here! We grant thy boon."-"I put no trust in ye; Swear by the Power ye dread."—"We swear, we swear!" The stranger threw his vest back suddenly, And smiled in gentle pride, and said, "Lo! I am he!" CANTO XII. I. THE transport of a fierce and monstrous gladness Just heard the happy tidings, and in hope Closed their faint eyes; from house to house replying, With loud acclaim, the living shook heaven's cope, And filled the startled earth with echoes. II. Morn did ope Its pale eyes then; and lo! the long array A shape of light is sitting by his side, A child most beautiful. I' the midst appears Laon-exempt alone from mortal hopes and fears. III. I His head and feet are bare, his hands are bound And calm, and, like the morn about to break, IV. Tumult was in the soul of all beside Ill joy, or doubt, or fear; but those who saw Their tranquil victim pass felt wonder glide Into their brain, and became calm with awe.— Borne by the ready slaves of ruthless law, V. And see, beneath a sun-bright canopy, Of fire, and look around. Each distant isle VI. There was such silence through the host as when Pleading for Laon's life-her stifled groan VII. What were his thoughts, linked in the morning sun Millions, with hearts that beat both loud and fast, Watch for the springing flame expectant and aghast. VIII. They fly-the torches fall-a cry of fear Has startled the triumphant !—they recede! For, ere the cannon's roar has died, they hear The tramp of hoofs like earthquake, and a steed, Dark and gigantic, with the tempest's speed Bursts through their ranks: a woman sits thereon, Fairer, it seems, than aught that earth can breed,Calm, radiant, like the phantom of the dawn, A spirit from the caves of daylight wandering gone. IX. All thought it was God's Angel come to sweep With crushing panic fled in terror's altered mood. X. They pause, they blush, they gaze; a gathering shout Bursts, like one sound from the ten-thousand streams Of a tempestuous sea. That sudden rout One checked who never in his mildest dreams Felt awe from grace or loveliness, the seams Of his rent heart so hard and cold a creed Had seared with blistering ice :—but he misdeems That he is wise whose wounds do only bleed Inly for self; thus thought the Iberian Priest indeed ; XI. And others too thought he was wise to see In pain and fear and hate something divine; Now with a bitter smile, whose light did shine Rallied his trembling comrades-"Is it mine |