CANTO THE FIRST XV |
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CANTO THE FIRSTXV
Whate`er his frenzy dream`d or eye beheld,
If yet remember`d ne`er to be reveal`d,
Rests at his heart: the custom`d morning came,
And breathed new vigour in his shaking frame;
And solace sought he none from priest nor leech,
And soon the same in movement and in speech
As heretofore he fill`d the passing hours,
Nor less he smiles, nor more his forehead lours
Than these were wont; and if the coming night
Appear`d less welcome now to Lara`s sight,
He to his marvelling vassals shew`d it not,
Whose shuddering proved /their/ fear was less forgot.
In trembling pairs (alone they dared not) crawl
The astonish`d slaves, and shun the fated hall;
The waving banner, and the clapping door;
The rustling tapestry, and the echoing floor;
The long dim shadows of surrounding trees,
The flapping bat, the night song of the breeze;
Aught they behold or hear their thought appals
As evening saddens o`er the dark gray walls.
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