Classic Poem

CANTO VII .

What though Despondence reigned, and wild Affright —
Stretched in the midst, and, through that dismal night,
By his white plume revealed and buskins white,
Slept R OLDAN . When he closed his gay career,
Hope fled forever, and with Hope fled Fear
Blest with each gift indulgent Fortune sends,
Birth and its rights, wealth and its train of friends,
Star-like he shone! Now beggared and alone,
Danger he wooed, and claimed her for his own.
('er him a Vampire his dark wings displayed.
'T was M ERION'S self, covering with dreadful shade.
He came, and, couched on R OLDAN'S ample breast
Each secret pore of breathing life possessed,
Fanning the sleep that seemed his final rest;
Then, inly gliding like a subtle flame,
Thrice, with a cry that thrilled the mortal frame,
Called on the Spirit within. Disdaining flight,
Calmly she rose, collecting all her might.
Dire was the dark encounter! Long unquelled,
Her sacred seat, sovereign and pure, she held.
At length the great foe binds her for his prize,
And awful, as in death, the body lies!
Not long to slumber! In an evil hour
Informed and lifted by the unknown power,
It starts, it speaks! " We live, we breathe no more!
The fatal wind blows on the dreary shore!
On yonder cliffs beckoning their fellow-prey,
The spectres stalk, and murmur at delay!
— Yet if thou canst (not for myself I plead!
Mine but to follow where 't is thine to lead),
O, turn and save! To thee, with streaming eyes,
To thee each widow kneels, each orphan cries!
Who now, condemned the lingering hours to tell,
Think and but think of those they loved so well! "
All melt in tears! but what can tears avail?
These climb the mast, and shift the swelling sail.
These snatch the helm; and round me now I hear
Smiting of hands, outcries of grief and fear
(That in the aisles at midnight haunt me still,
Turning my lonely thoughts from good to ill).
" Were there no graves — none in our land, " they cry
" That thou hast brought us on the deep to die? "
Silent with sorrow, long within his cloak
His face he muffled — then the HERO spoke.
" Generous and brave! when God himself is here.
Why shake at shadows in your mid career?
He can suspend the laws himself designed,
He walks the waters, and the winged wind;
Himself your guide! and yours the high behest,
To lift your voice, and bid a world be blest!
And can you shrink? to you, to you consigned
The glorious privilege to serve mankind!
O, had I perished, when my failing frame
Clung to the shattered oar mid wrecks of flame!
— Was it for this I lingered life away,
The scorn of Folly, and of Fraud the prey;
Bowed down my mind, the gift His bounty gave,
At courts a suitor, and to slaves a slave?
— Yet in His name whom only we should fear
('T is all, all I shall ask, or you shall hear)
Grant but three days. " — He spoke not uninspired;
And each in silence to his watch retired.
At length among us came an unknown Voice!
" Go, if ye will; and, if ye can, rejoice
Go, with unbidden guests the banquet share
In his own shape shall Death receive you there. "