Valerian a narrative poem : intended, in part, to describe the early persecutions of Christians, and rapidly to illustrate the influence of Christianity on the manners of nations |
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BOOK III.
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BOOK III.
Valerian ended: while his listening friends
Hung on his words with interested hearts.
Excited by his long adventurous tale,
Still they with fond solicitude enquired
Concerning Rome, the dangers he escaped,
By land, by sea; from beast and cruel man.
All which, with grateful heart and willing tongue,
The Roman answered with minutest care;
And, while he spoke, a tender speaking eye,
An eye of soft seraphic blue, was fixed
With admiration on his pensive face.
Valerian met those brilliant orbs of love:
His soul within him felt their potent sway,
And gratitude increased the holy flame.
Hung on his words with interested hearts.
Excited by his long adventurous tale,
Still they with fond solicitude enquired
Concerning Rome, the dangers he escaped,
By land, by sea; from beast and cruel man.
All which, with grateful heart and willing tongue,
The Roman answered with minutest care;
And, while he spoke, a tender speaking eye,
An eye of soft seraphic blue, was fixed
With admiration on his pensive face.
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His soul within him felt their potent sway,
And gratitude increased the holy flame.
Serenely o'er their heads the summer days
In wild luxuriance flew: but still the youth
Restrained the fervent vow he longed to breathe
In the soft ear of his enchanting maid.
He marked her manners and her generous heart,
Her mind of active and discerning power,
And heard delighted her deep-warbling harp;
Her simple vestments modestly displayed
A matchless form of grace, on which his eye
With virtuous and admiring pleasure dwelt.
In wild luxuriance flew: but still the youth
Restrained the fervent vow he longed to breathe
In the soft ear of his enchanting maid.
He marked her manners and her generous heart,
Her mind of active and discerning power,
And heard delighted her deep-warbling harp;
Her simple vestments modestly displayed
A matchless form of grace, on which his eye
With virtuous and admiring pleasure dwelt.
Meantime Alcestes to the aged king
His guest Valerian led. The warlike king
Received him with a smile and courteous mien;
He bade him welcome to his distant shores,
And promised him protection and repose.
His guest Valerian led. The warlike king
Received him with a smile and courteous mien;
He bade him welcome to his distant shores,
And promised him protection and repose.
63
Soon to the chiefs and to the people known,
Valerian gained their confidence and love.
They praised the stranger and his manners mild;
They heard his tale, and listened to those truths
Which Christ and his apostles came to teach.
Emboldened by his welcome to those shores,
And glowing with a zeal to spread abroad
The love and glory of his dying Lord,
And to diffuse among a savage race
The gospel's light, he with discretion broke
His great design; gained o'er the kingly mind,
Won to his cause the venerable seer,
Azora's gentle heart, and him who watched
The sacred lamp within the temple's walls.
Valerian gained their confidence and love.
They praised the stranger and his manners mild;
They heard his tale, and listened to those truths
Which Christ and his apostles came to teach.
Emboldened by his welcome to those shores,
And glowing with a zeal to spread abroad
The love and glory of his dying Lord,
And to diffuse among a savage race
The gospel's light, he with discretion broke
His great design; gained o'er the kingly mind,
Won to his cause the venerable seer,
Azora's gentle heart, and him who watched
The sacred lamp within the temple's walls.
At length prepared, impressed with power divine,
Montalvia's race received the faith of Christ,
Bowed to that God whose thunder shakes the skies,
Who called all being from the womb of night,
Who breathed in man the breath and soul of life,
Who rolls a thousand wheels, who life sustains,
By the sole power of his Almighty arm,
And all things governs by his sovereign will.
Then, by the radiance of the light of heaven,
Infernal darkness from the land was driven;
The demon-yell was hushed by Mercy's voice;
And idol-temples by the arm divine
Were beaten to the ground; the hovering winds
Which Superstition spread, to catch the beam
Emitted from the skies, were wide dispersed
By Heaven's all-conquering storm; and from the shrine
Crushed by the thunder's vindicating strength,
The trembling priests and impious prophets fled.
No more the altars smoked with human blood,
Butchered to quench a deathful idol's rage:
But prayer and heartfelt praise breathed from the lips,
To Him the source and spring of life and joy,
To Him who died that rebel man might live,
Ascended to the skies, and reached his ear.
Montalvia's race received the faith of Christ,
Bowed to that God whose thunder shakes the skies,
Who called all being from the womb of night,
Who breathed in man the breath and soul of life,
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By the sole power of his Almighty arm,
And all things governs by his sovereign will.
Then, by the radiance of the light of heaven,
Infernal darkness from the land was driven;
The demon-yell was hushed by Mercy's voice;
And idol-temples by the arm divine
Were beaten to the ground; the hovering winds
Which Superstition spread, to catch the beam
Emitted from the skies, were wide dispersed
By Heaven's all-conquering storm; and from the shrine
Crushed by the thunder's vindicating strength,
The trembling priests and impious prophets fled.
No more the altars smoked with human blood,
Butchered to quench a deathful idol's rage:
But prayer and heartfelt praise breathed from the lips,
To Him the source and spring of life and joy,
To Him who died that rebel man might live,
Ascended to the skies, and reached his ear.
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The Roman saw with joy the work of God
Progress and flourish in this heathen land.
To Him he bent in fervent grateful prayer,
Who sees and governs all concerns of men,
Who him had led, o'er seas and through distress,
To this asylum from a tyrant's rage.
Progress and flourish in this heathen land.
To Him he bent in fervent grateful prayer,
Who sees and governs all concerns of men,
Who him had led, o'er seas and through distress,
To this asylum from a tyrant's rage.
But some there were whose dark malignant minds
Beheld with rage their idols hurled to earth,
And vented curses on the Christian's head,
Who had o'erthrown their superstitious faith.
'Mongst these was Palladon, a wileful priest,
Hoary in years and versed in deeds of blood;
Beneath the sacred mantle he concealed
A cruel, plotting, ever-restless soul,
Which laughed at woe, which mocked the tear that flowed.
His eye had marked Valerian as his prey.
It scowled with vengeance on his noble form,
And would have smote him with its horrid gaze.
Beheld with rage their idols hurled to earth,
And vented curses on the Christian's head,
Who had o'erthrown their superstitious faith.
'Mongst these was Palladon, a wileful priest,
Hoary in years and versed in deeds of blood;
Beneath the sacred mantle he concealed
A cruel, plotting, ever-restless soul,
Which laughed at woe, which mocked the tear that flowed.
His eye had marked Valerian as his prey.
It scowled with vengeance on his noble form,
And would have smote him with its horrid gaze.
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Collecting round him, in a private dome,
His friends long tried in villainy and wiles,
He thus addressed them with his winning voice:—
Happy am I to find, my virtuous friends,
That some with me, still faithful to their Gods,
Will mourn the honours of their country lost.
Who could believe that this strange wandering man,
Full of vain babblings, could o'erthrow so soon
The long established worship of our land!
Our king, grown old, enfeebled in his mind,
Implicitly receives his baby tales;
Our bald-pate priest, who has become a child,
Has also listened to this man of Rome;
And thousands following these deluded men,
Their fathers' and their country's gods have left.
No more we hear the voice of praise ascending
To great Oasis; and no more we see
On his high altar the fat victim bleed.
The multering skies proclaim the damning deeds:
And last night spoke a demon of the storm,
And said, Avenge, O priest, thy prostrate Gods.
O mourn, my friends, at those affrighting woes,
Which hang, like dark clouds, o'er this guilty land!
Let us, still true to our forefathers' faith,
Seek that relief which may from union flow.
Say, is there not some way, some righteous path,
Which being pursued by us may yet avert
The merited impending blow of Heaven?
His friends long tried in villainy and wiles,
He thus addressed them with his winning voice:—
Happy am I to find, my virtuous friends,
That some with me, still faithful to their Gods,
Will mourn the honours of their country lost.
Who could believe that this strange wandering man,
Full of vain babblings, could o'erthrow so soon
The long established worship of our land!
Our king, grown old, enfeebled in his mind,
Implicitly receives his baby tales;
Our bald-pate priest, who has become a child,
Has also listened to this man of Rome;
And thousands following these deluded men,
Their fathers' and their country's gods have left.
No more we hear the voice of praise ascending
To great Oasis; and no more we see
On his high altar the fat victim bleed.
The multering skies proclaim the damning deeds:
And last night spoke a demon of the storm,
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O mourn, my friends, at those affrighting woes,
Which hang, like dark clouds, o'er this guilty land!
Let us, still true to our forefathers' faith,
Seek that relief which may from union flow.
Say, is there not some way, some righteous path,
Which being pursued by us may yet avert
The merited impending blow of Heaven?
There is, cried one: the Christian youth should die.
There spoke, said Palladon, the voice of truth:
The Gods themselves would justify the deed,
And would reward the bold and faithful arm,
Who crushed the foe of Heaven. Let us then, friends,
Now take that counsel which will most secure
The execution of a deed so just:
And ye great Powers who rule the fates of men,
Be present with us, give our arms with strength
To vindicate successfully your cause.
The Gods themselves would justify the deed,
And would reward the bold and faithful arm,
Who crushed the foe of Heaven. Let us then, friends,
Now take that counsel which will most secure
The execution of a deed so just:
And ye great Powers who rule the fates of men,
Be present with us, give our arms with strength
To vindicate successfully your cause.
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He said: loud acclamations shook the dome,
Many contended who should foremost share
The danger of the deed. Palladon's voice
Hushed the big tumult, and besought his friends,
To wait in silence the most favoured time.—
Let us all share the danger of the deed;
Let us all bear a weapon in our hands,
True to our Gods and to our country's rights;
And let that steel which chance shall most befriend
Drink the heart's blood of Heaven's offending foe.—
He said: they all assented to his words,
They parted, and their homes in silence sought.
Many contended who should foremost share
The danger of the deed. Palladon's voice
Hushed the big tumult, and besought his friends,
To wait in silence the most favoured time.—
Let us all share the danger of the deed;
Let us all bear a weapon in our hands,
True to our Gods and to our country's rights;
And let that steel which chance shall most befriend
Drink the heart's blood of Heaven's offending foe.—
He said: they all assented to his words,
They parted, and their homes in silence sought.
Gondalbo's trumpet at the dawn of day
Had summoned to the chace his sportful friends:
With these came forth a troop of martial dames,
Led by Rolinda, first of all in charms.
Valerian, curious to explore the wood,
Where the magician kept his mystic school,
Accoutred in the armour of the land,
Mounted a steed, and followed in the train.
His stately form, the grace with which he moved,
And checked the fury of his headlong horse,
Struck his beholders with surprise: but most
Rolinda's eye him followed o'er the plains,
And most her tongue was lavish in his praise.
His courser bounded to the winding horn,
And to the clamours of the noisy hounds,
That echoed from the hills; he proudly pranced,
He snuffed the gale, and waved his floating mane.
When they had reached the borders of the wood,
Valerian saw with wonder its thick shades,
The towering height of its deep-rooted oaks,
And felt the chill of their o'ershadowing gloom.
Had summoned to the chace his sportful friends:
With these came forth a troop of martial dames,
Led by Rolinda, first of all in charms.
Valerian, curious to explore the wood,
Where the magician kept his mystic school,
Accoutred in the armour of the land,
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His stately form, the grace with which he moved,
And checked the fury of his headlong horse,
Struck his beholders with surprise: but most
Rolinda's eye him followed o'er the plains,
And most her tongue was lavish in his praise.
His courser bounded to the winding horn,
And to the clamours of the noisy hounds,
That echoed from the hills; he proudly pranced,
He snuffed the gale, and waved his floating mane.
When they had reached the borders of the wood,
Valerian saw with wonder its thick shades,
The towering height of its deep-rooted oaks,
And felt the chill of their o'ershadowing gloom.
Far in the woods the hunters had not plunged,
Before the hounds from his rude covert roused
A huge and furious boar: his glaring eyes
Shone like two stars amidst the depths of night;
Like to the murmur of seditious winds,
His breath was heard from far; he champed the foam
Which dropped down roping from his crooked tusks.
He heard the tumult of the coming war,
And high upridging his hard bristly back,
Prepared to meet the onset of his foes.
Before the hounds from his rude covert roused
A huge and furious boar: his glaring eyes
Shone like two stars amidst the depths of night;
Like to the murmur of seditious winds,
70
Which dropped down roping from his crooked tusks.
He heard the tumult of the coming war,
And high upridging his hard bristly back,
Prepared to meet the onset of his foes.
The dogs that first advanced were gashed and torn,
Their fellows fled, the stoutest hunter paused.
Swift as the winds Rolinda onward flies,
Nor heeds the counsel of her female train:
At the fierce beast she boldly hurls her spear;
True to her aim, it strikes him in the side,
The blood pours down in torrents from the wound.
The monster rages with excess of pain,
And turns his wrath on her who gave the blow,
Loud roaring like the storm. Rolinda's steed
Starts back and trembles, while the ponderous boar
Against him rushes, throws him to the earth,
And with him the fair burden which he held.
Helpless Rolinda lies, expecting death:
Valerian sees, he hastens to her aid,
He throws himself like lightning from his horse,
With his long spear he rushes on the boar,
And buries it in his extended jaws:
He falls, and shakes beneath his weight the ground.
Valerian raises the affrighted maid,
And gives her back in safety to her friends.
Their fellows fled, the stoutest hunter paused.
Swift as the winds Rolinda onward flies,
Nor heeds the counsel of her female train:
At the fierce beast she boldly hurls her spear;
True to her aim, it strikes him in the side,
The blood pours down in torrents from the wound.
The monster rages with excess of pain,
And turns his wrath on her who gave the blow,
Loud roaring like the storm. Rolinda's steed
Starts back and trembles, while the ponderous boar
Against him rushes, throws him to the earth,
And with him the fair burden which he held.
Helpless Rolinda lies, expecting death:
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He throws himself like lightning from his horse,
With his long spear he rushes on the boar,
And buries it in his extended jaws:
He falls, and shakes beneath his weight the ground.
Valerian raises the affrighted maid,
And gives her back in safety to her friends.
The danger past, again the trumpet sounds
The signal for the chase, and on they rush,
While horn, and clam'rous hound, and joyous shouts,
With peal on peal through the deep thickets break,
And rouse up silence from her lonely haunts.
The signal for the chase, and on they rush,
While horn, and clam'rous hound, and joyous shouts,
With peal on peal through the deep thickets break,
And rouse up silence from her lonely haunts.
As thus they wound the tangles of the wood,
And beat each thicket, and explored each hill,
They heard the loud blast of a bugle horn,
And far within the forest shade beheld
A youthful warrior leaning on his spear.
As they approached they marked his noble form,
His dark plume waving to the breath of air,
His glittering armour, and his gallant mien,
And soon Rolinda in the youth beheld
Brave Torismond, the Arimaspian prince,
And trembled for the fate of him she loved.
And beat each thicket, and explored each hill,
They heard the loud blast of a bugle horn,
And far within the forest shade beheld
A youthful warrior leaning on his spear.
As they approached they marked his noble form,
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His glittering armour, and his gallant mien,
And soon Rolinda in the youth beheld
Brave Torismond, the Arimaspian prince,
And trembled for the fate of him she loved.
The hunter, when he saw the train approach,
Started surprised, and sternly grasped his spear:
And soon as he and the Montalvian prince
Each other knew, rage sparkled in their eyes,
And indignation crimsoned o'er their cheeks.
Aloud Gondalbo called upon his foe,
Upbraided him with taunts, and bade his troop
Seize on the wretch, and bind him hand and foot,
And bear him to the presence of the king.
Started surprised, and sternly grasped his spear:
And soon as he and the Montalvian prince
Each other knew, rage sparkled in their eyes,
And indignation crimsoned o'er their cheeks.
Aloud Gondalbo called upon his foe,
Upbraided him with taunts, and bade his troop
Seize on the wretch, and bind him hand and foot,
And bear him to the presence of the king.
The prince, indignant, at this insult laughed;
Firm in his place he stood, and shook his spear,
And towering in his pride of strength thus spoke:—
Ha! think'st thou, prince, thou mighty man of war,
Thou bold upbraider of a single man,
That thou hast caught the lion in thy toils,
The lion who has thinned thy crowded ranks
And that thou'lt seize him, and him bound expose
To the rude gaze of thy detested slaves?
I scorn thy threats: here would I stand, alone.
And meet the brunt of your united force,
But that I have within the sound of horn
A band of soldiers, who have hither come
With me to share the pleasures of the chase.
Then tremble, ruffian, measure back thy steps
While now I bid my absent friends approach.
Firm in his place he stood, and shook his spear,
And towering in his pride of strength thus spoke:—
Ha! think'st thou, prince, thou mighty man of war,
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That thou hast caught the lion in thy toils,
The lion who has thinned thy crowded ranks
And that thou'lt seize him, and him bound expose
To the rude gaze of thy detested slaves?
I scorn thy threats: here would I stand, alone.
And meet the brunt of your united force,
But that I have within the sound of horn
A band of soldiers, who have hither come
With me to share the pleasures of the chase.
Then tremble, ruffian, measure back thy steps
While now I bid my absent friends approach.
He said, and loudly blew his bugle horn,
Which far extended its indignant blast.
The warning sound his friends obedient heard,
And swiftly at his call through thickets dashed,
And gathered round their loved and warlike chief,
Then had the storm of bloody battle raged,
But that young Torismond his soldiers checked,
And thus accosted the Montalvian prince:
Which far extended its indignant blast.
The warning sound his friends obedient heard,
And swiftly at his call through thickets dashed,
And gathered round their loved and warlike chief,
Then had the storm of bloody battle raged,
74
And thus accosted the Montalvian prince:
Ho! man of words, now execute thy threat;
Now bind me fast, and bear me to your king:
Sooner by far you might arrest the winds,
And yoke the lightnings to your battle-car.
But why for us should these bold warriors bleed?
Why in a private quarrel should we waste
The lives of friends so faithful in our cause?
Come on then, chief, alone, and leave thy horse,
And meet the prowess of this single arm;
And let our bands look on and mark our feats,
And say who most excels in deeds of arms.
Now bind me fast, and bear me to your king:
Sooner by far you might arrest the winds,
And yoke the lightnings to your battle-car.
But why for us should these bold warriors bleed?
Why in a private quarrel should we waste
The lives of friends so faithful in our cause?
Come on then, chief, alone, and leave thy horse,
And meet the prowess of this single arm;
And let our bands look on and mark our feats,
And say who most excels in deeds of arms.
He said: Gondalbo bounded from his horse;
He bade his soldiers pause, nor raise a hand
Or weapon in the fight. Silence ensued;
The combatants drew near; aside they threw
Their spears; they seized their swords, together rushed,
And shook the earth beneath their mighty strides;
Swift fell the blows of their loud thundering steel,
And far and wide their din of battle spread
At times Gondalbo seemed to press his foe
With conquering force; at times he seemed to yield
Beneath his rival's power; and both at times
Seemed weary of the fight and dreadful toil.
He bade his soldiers pause, nor raise a hand
Or weapon in the fight. Silence ensued;
The combatants drew near; aside they threw
Their spears; they seized their swords, together rushed,
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Swift fell the blows of their loud thundering steel,
And far and wide their din of battle spread
At times Gondalbo seemed to press his foe
With conquering force; at times he seemed to yield
Beneath his rival's power; and both at times
Seemed weary of the fight and dreadful toil.
Long they contended, and the turf beneath
With foot they hardened, and with blood they dyed;
Yet still in doubtful scales the vict'ry hung.
At length Gondalbo, with a wary eye.
Believed he saw his rival's power decline,
And thought one mighty effort would secure
To him the triumph of the bloody strife.
Rouzing his strength, and raising high his sword,
He struck the head of his relentless foe;
While at the moment he himself received,
Deep in the side, the plunge of his keen sword:
Both fell, and rolled in anguish on the ground.
With foot they hardened, and with blood they dyed;
Yet still in doubtful scales the vict'ry hung.
At length Gondalbo, with a wary eye.
Believed he saw his rival's power decline,
And thought one mighty effort would secure
To him the triumph of the bloody strife.
Rouzing his strength, and raising high his sword,
He struck the head of his relentless foe;
While at the moment he himself received,
Deep in the side, the plunge of his keen sword:
Both fell, and rolled in anguish on the ground.
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Loud shrieked Rolinda, and within the arms
Of her attendants sunk: her lover's name
Burst from her lips, and told the tender flame
She nursed with secret sorrow in her heart.
When the troops saw their princely leaders fall
They to their aid with eagerness rushed on:
Each man believed his fallen chief was dead,
And breathed revenge upon his hated foes.
Dark was the battle which with fury raged
Between these adverse bands: they were two clouds
Charged with dread thunder that together met;
They were two torrents meeting on a hill,
And upward dashing in the air their spray.
Of her attendants sunk: her lover's name
Burst from her lips, and told the tender flame
She nursed with secret sorrow in her heart.
When the troops saw their princely leaders fall
They to their aid with eagerness rushed on:
Each man believed his fallen chief was dead,
And breathed revenge upon his hated foes.
Dark was the battle which with fury raged
Between these adverse bands: they were two clouds
Charged with dread thunder that together met;
They were two torrents meeting on a hill,
And upward dashing in the air their spray.
Valerian's noble soul was sick of wars;
He mourned for men contending like the beasts,
With cruel joy, and rioting in blood:
But now in self defence he drew his sword,
And with an arm unrivalled in its strength,
Beat from him the assaults and rage of war.
He mourned for men contending like the beasts,
With cruel joy, and rioting in blood:
But now in self defence he drew his sword,
And with an arm unrivalled in its strength,
Beat from him the assaults and rage of war.
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The fight was won by bold Montalvia's sons;
Through the wild shades the Arimaspians fled,
And left their leader bleeding on the earth.
Valerian checked his friends in the pursuit,
And bade them both the fallen princes raise,
And to the city gently bear them back.
Rolinda followed in the mournful train,
With eye dejected and with altered air;
Her long dishevelled hair waved in the wind,
And frequent sighs broke from her aching heart.
Through the wild shades the Arimaspians fled,
And left their leader bleeding on the earth.
Valerian checked his friends in the pursuit,
And bade them both the fallen princes raise,
And to the city gently bear them back.
Rolinda followed in the mournful train,
With eye dejected and with altered air;
Her long dishevelled hair waved in the wind,
And frequent sighs broke from her aching heart.
Valerian, with a few who yet remained,
Through the wide forest still explored his way,
Till the high turrets of a ruined fane
Rose to his view, embosomed in the woods:
Along its side a torrent dashed its foam,
And a bleak hill o'erlooked its massy walls.
Here the magician lived, and, nursed in wiles,
Deluded men by tales of future life.
Arrived, they sought admission at the door,
And heard their blows roll through the mouldering hall.
A hand within drew back the iron bars,
And a deep voice cried, Mortals, follow me;
O ye who come with just desire to learn
The secrets of my dark mysterious art,
To hear me tell the hidden scenes of time,
Come follow me, and I will lead you where
The world shut out shall not obtrude, or break
The spell of magic which I breathe around.
Through the wide forest still explored his way,
Till the high turrets of a ruined fane
Rose to his view, embosomed in the woods:
Along its side a torrent dashed its foam,
And a bleak hill o'erlooked its massy walls.
Here the magician lived, and, nursed in wiles,
Deluded men by tales of future life.
Arrived, they sought admission at the door,
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A hand within drew back the iron bars,
And a deep voice cried, Mortals, follow me;
O ye who come with just desire to learn
The secrets of my dark mysterious art,
To hear me tell the hidden scenes of time,
Come follow me, and I will lead you where
The world shut out shall not obtrude, or break
The spell of magic which I breathe around.
The hearts of some were fear-struck by his words,
But still Valerian led the way to know
How would this scene of dark deception end.
They trod with caution up a flight of stairs,
And moved along a floor with echoing steps,
Which winding led them to an iron door:
Here the magician paused, and with a key
Unlocked the door, which turned on sullen hinge,
And showed the hall of magical deceit.
He bade them enter, nor a whisper breathe.
But still Valerian led the way to know
How would this scene of dark deception end.
They trod with caution up a flight of stairs,
And moved along a floor with echoing steps,
Which winding led them to an iron door:
Here the magician paused, and with a key
Unlocked the door, which turned on sullen hinge,
And showed the hall of magical deceit.
He bade them enter, nor a whisper breathe.
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He then with slow and measured step withdrew,
And suddenly appeared, waving a rod,
And clothed in vestments of the deepest black
Valerian marked his venerable form,
His eye of piercing and bewildering glance,
His beard and hair, white with the snows of age,
The hoarse and hollow cadence of his voice.
The windows of this circling hall were closed,
And two dim lights, suspended from the walls,
Threw o'er the darkness a deceitful ray;
Silence prevailed, and superstitious dread
Pressed with cold hand the unenlightened heart.
And suddenly appeared, waving a rod,
And clothed in vestments of the deepest black
Valerian marked his venerable form,
His eye of piercing and bewildering glance,
His beard and hair, white with the snows of age,
The hoarse and hollow cadence of his voice.
The windows of this circling hall were closed,
And two dim lights, suspended from the walls,
Threw o'er the darkness a deceitful ray;
Silence prevailed, and superstitious dread
Pressed with cold hand the unenlightened heart.
And now the wizard spoke: Tread not, my friends,
Beyond that line of black which marks the floor;
And, for the world's vast treasures, O speak not
When my kind spirit answers to my call.
Now fearless speak, O mortal, and declare
What thou would'st know of me: My art extends
Far in the depths of dark unmeasured time.
Beyond that line of black which marks the floor;
And, for the world's vast treasures, O speak not
When my kind spirit answers to my call.
Now fearless speak, O mortal, and declare
What thou would'st know of me: My art extends
Far in the depths of dark unmeasured time.
80
A voice then spoke: Mysterious being, tell
What means this vision, or this warning dream.
Some years ago my warlike father fell.
Struck by assassin hands, within these shades;
'Twas three nights since, at wizard-hour of one,
When the pale moon-beam over nature hung,
And the red planet trembled in the sky,
Methought I saw my father in my room,
Bending on me a stern enquiring eye;
He thrice traversed with martial step the floor,
Which doleful echoed as he moved along;
Inverted in his hand he held his spear,
And his tall plumes waved awful o'er his brows.
Slowly approaching my bed-side he placed
His hand upon his bleeding breast, and said,
My son, avenge your father's wrongs; I fell
By villain-wiles within the forest shades.
He spoke no more, but vanished from my sight,
Just as I broke the frightful dream, and rose
To clasp him in my arms.
What means this vision, or this warning dream.
Some years ago my warlike father fell.
Struck by assassin hands, within these shades;
'Twas three nights since, at wizard-hour of one,
When the pale moon-beam over nature hung,
And the red planet trembled in the sky,
Methought I saw my father in my room,
Bending on me a stern enquiring eye;
He thrice traversed with martial step the floor,
Which doleful echoed as he moved along;
Inverted in his hand he held his spear,
And his tall plumes waved awful o'er his brows.
Slowly approaching my bed-side he placed
His hand upon his bleeding breast, and said,
My son, avenge your father's wrongs; I fell
By villain-wiles within the forest shades.
He spoke no more, but vanished from my sight,
Just as I broke the frightful dream, and rose
To clasp him in my arms.
81
Tell thou to me
What means this dream, this vision of the night.
What means this dream, this vision of the night.
Then ceased the voice. The stern magician seemed
As if deep-struck by agonies of guilt:
Nature was acting in the place of art.
His features were distorted and convulsed,
His dark eye-balls seemed bursting from his head,
And frenzy seemed to agitate his frame.
At length, collecting all his firmness, he
Prepared to act his diabolic part.
He drew a phial from his robe, and poured
A liquid which it held upon the floor.
A flame arose with undulating spires,
And with a blue light overspread the room;
A cloud of smoke proceeded from the flame,
And rising to the ceiling, there assumed
A form which bore resemblance to a man.
At length a voice of deep and hollow tone
Burst on the ear from that collected cloud,
And answered thus to the inquiring man:—
Why hast thou, mortal, called me from my place?
Why didst thou say, Perturbed spirit, come?
Yet, powerful man, obedient to thy voice,
I here am wafted on the clouds of woe:
Then hear me speak, and bid my spirit rest.
The dream spoke truth: within this forest fell
Thy father, youth; a dagger pierced his heart;
Yet walks the earth, and breathes the air of life,
The man who slew him at the dead of night;
Yet shall the son avenge his father's wrongs.—
As if deep-struck by agonies of guilt:
Nature was acting in the place of art.
His features were distorted and convulsed,
His dark eye-balls seemed bursting from his head,
And frenzy seemed to agitate his frame.
At length, collecting all his firmness, he
Prepared to act his diabolic part.
He drew a phial from his robe, and poured
A liquid which it held upon the floor.
A flame arose with undulating spires,
And with a blue light overspread the room;
A cloud of smoke proceeded from the flame,
And rising to the ceiling, there assumed
A form which bore resemblance to a man.
At length a voice of deep and hollow tone
Burst on the ear from that collected cloud,
82
Why hast thou, mortal, called me from my place?
Why didst thou say, Perturbed spirit, come?
Yet, powerful man, obedient to thy voice,
I here am wafted on the clouds of woe:
Then hear me speak, and bid my spirit rest.
The dream spoke truth: within this forest fell
Thy father, youth; a dagger pierced his heart;
Yet walks the earth, and breathes the air of life,
The man who slew him at the dead of night;
Yet shall the son avenge his father's wrongs.—
Silence ensued; the mystic flame expired;
The aged wizard toward the window sprang
And let the day-light enter through the hall:
Big drops hung coldly on his pallid face,
And he looked wildly as if woke from death.
In fear and wonder the Montalvians stood,
And more than iron fetters bound their tongues.
Valerian, bending a stern piercing eye
On the magician, thus the silence broke:—
Old man, I've marked attentively thine art,
And for thy peace, and for the peace of men,
I warn thee, follow thy deceits no more.
Well hast thou studied and practised thy wiles,
But art in thee could not conceal thy guilt;
Say, know'st thou not more of the man who fell,
Stabbed by assassin, than thou gav'st a tongue
I pity thee; but mark me, magic-man,
Renounce thy 'snaring wiles, or fear my power.
A chemic potion, which thy phial held,
Produced the flame and smoke which filled the room;
Thou art possessed of ventriloquial powers,
Which made thy voice seem bursting from the cloud.
Awed and o'erpowered by these imposing arts,
Men are deluded by thy cunning tales,
And honour thee as something more than man.—
The aged wizard toward the window sprang
And let the day-light enter through the hall:
Big drops hung coldly on his pallid face,
And he looked wildly as if woke from death.
In fear and wonder the Montalvians stood,
And more than iron fetters bound their tongues.
Valerian, bending a stern piercing eye
83
Old man, I've marked attentively thine art,
And for thy peace, and for the peace of men,
I warn thee, follow thy deceits no more.
Well hast thou studied and practised thy wiles,
But art in thee could not conceal thy guilt;
Say, know'st thou not more of the man who fell,
Stabbed by assassin, than thou gav'st a tongue
I pity thee; but mark me, magic-man,
Renounce thy 'snaring wiles, or fear my power.
A chemic potion, which thy phial held,
Produced the flame and smoke which filled the room;
Thou art possessed of ventriloquial powers,
Which made thy voice seem bursting from the cloud.
Awed and o'erpowered by these imposing arts,
Men are deluded by thy cunning tales,
And honour thee as something more than man.—
He ceased: he hastily withdrew, and left
The man of magic, trembling at his words.
Through the deep woods he measured back his steps,
And having reached again the open plains,
Dismissed in courteous terms his friendly guides,
And then pursued his solitary way.
The man of magic, trembling at his words.
84
And having reached again the open plains,
Dismissed in courteous terms his friendly guides,
And then pursued his solitary way.
Night fell around him as he bent his course,
Seeking the cottage of his gentle friend.
No moon arose to light him in his path;
The stars were hid by wrathful flying clouds;
Shrill blasts swept o'er him, and big drops of rain
Beat loudly on the earth; the lightning's flash
Disclosed the terror of the gathering storm,
And muttering thunders shook the vault of heaven.
Seeking the cottage of his gentle friend.
No moon arose to light him in his path;
The stars were hid by wrathful flying clouds;
Shrill blasts swept o'er him, and big drops of rain
Beat loudly on the earth; the lightning's flash
Disclosed the terror of the gathering storm,
And muttering thunders shook the vault of heaven.
Valerian, still a stranger in the land,
Deprived of light, and parted from his friends,
With speed urged onward his affrighted steed,
Uncertain of the road. He had some hours
Thus held his devious course, when, by the glare
Emitted from the clouds, his startled eye
Caught a huge figure moving at his side.
Scarce had his voice denoted his surprise,
When a strong hand impelled him from his horse.
With sudden bound he broke the vigorous grasp,
Unsheathed his sword, and, with a fearless heart,
On his assailant rushed; he struck the steel
Which his mysterious foe plunged at his heart.
Then in the dark a deadly battle raged;
Blow answered blow, and from the neighbouring hills
Their noise of battle rung. Not long they fought,
Before shrill whistles sounded through the gloom,
Approaching steps were heard to beat the earth,
And hosts of foes came to the aid of him
Who felt the thunder of Valerian's arm
A voice then spoke: Ho, comrades, seize this man!
And harm him not, but bear him to my cave.
Deprived of light, and parted from his friends,
With speed urged onward his affrighted steed,
Uncertain of the road. He had some hours
Thus held his devious course, when, by the glare
Emitted from the clouds, his startled eye
85
Scarce had his voice denoted his surprise,
When a strong hand impelled him from his horse.
With sudden bound he broke the vigorous grasp,
Unsheathed his sword, and, with a fearless heart,
On his assailant rushed; he struck the steel
Which his mysterious foe plunged at his heart.
Then in the dark a deadly battle raged;
Blow answered blow, and from the neighbouring hills
Their noise of battle rung. Not long they fought,
Before shrill whistles sounded through the gloom,
Approaching steps were heard to beat the earth,
And hosts of foes came to the aid of him
Who felt the thunder of Valerian's arm
A voice then spoke: Ho, comrades, seize this man!
And harm him not, but bear him to my cave.
Resistance proved in vain; by numbers pressed,
Valerian now was seized, his arms were bound,
And he was dragged to Artaban's rude cave.
Awhile he lay in darkness, and in doubt
What fate impended o'er his weary head:
On his suspense the light of torches beamed,
And in the cavern throngs of robbers came,
Clad in dark armour, and begrimed with dust.
Above the rest Artaban towered in bulk,
In form more beautiful, in brighter arms;
The helmet which he wore, with streaming hair,
Concealed a face of strong, determined lines.
Valerian now was seized, his arms were bound,
And he was dragged to Artaban's rude cave.
86
What fate impended o'er his weary head:
On his suspense the light of torches beamed,
And in the cavern throngs of robbers came,
Clad in dark armour, and begrimed with dust.
Above the rest Artaban towered in bulk,
In form more beautiful, in brighter arms;
The helmet which he wore, with streaming hair,
Concealed a face of strong, determined lines.
Breaking the awful stillness of the night,
In voice commanding thus he spoke: Brave men,
Unbind the captive's hands. Say, gallant foe,
Dost thou know Artaban, who roams these wilds?
Hast thou not heard of him? If thou hast not,
Thou art a stranger here. I, I am he;
I crush the head of overtopping pride,
And take from wealth its overflowing stores.
A robber I am called; the mother clasps
Her babe more closely to her anxious breast
At mention of my name: her or her babe,
Or sorrow's worn-down man I never harmed:
I know of men who roll in regal power,
Who merit more the robber's name than I.
Say, stranger, who art thou? Tell without fear;
Since I was born I never coped with man
Who wielded with a braver force his sword.
In voice commanding thus he spoke: Brave men,
Unbind the captive's hands. Say, gallant foe,
Dost thou know Artaban, who roams these wilds?
Hast thou not heard of him? If thou hast not,
Thou art a stranger here. I, I am he;
I crush the head of overtopping pride,
And take from wealth its overflowing stores.
A robber I am called; the mother clasps
Her babe more closely to her anxious breast
87
Or sorrow's worn-down man I never harmed:
I know of men who roll in regal power,
Who merit more the robber's name than I.
Say, stranger, who art thou? Tell without fear;
Since I was born I never coped with man
Who wielded with a braver force his sword.
Fearless, Valerian answered his desire,
Told who he was, his hasty flight from Rome,
And his arrival on those distant shores.
Which when he heard, the robber seized his hand
And in impetuous accents thus replied:—
Told who he was, his hasty flight from Rome,
And his arrival on those distant shores.
Which when he heard, the robber seized his hand
And in impetuous accents thus replied:—
Art thou a Roman? See a Roman here!
Behold my face uncovered to thy gaze,
And mark the eagle-feature which it wears.
I also fled from Rome, ungrateful Rome:
This bosom, rough with honourable scars,
Can tell how faithful I have been to her,
But gratitude made no return to me.
I left, indignant, her detested shores,
And here have lived on plunder and on war.
With my whole heart I honour thee, brave man;
Be henceforth free as air; Artaban's band
Shall never do thee harm; I am thy friend,
And in thy time of danger call on me.
I now will guide thee safely to thy home,
Through all the windings of these darksome haunts.
Behold my face uncovered to thy gaze,
And mark the eagle-feature which it wears.
I also fled from Rome, ungrateful Rome:
This bosom, rough with honourable scars,
Can tell how faithful I have been to her,
88
I left, indignant, her detested shores,
And here have lived on plunder and on war.
With my whole heart I honour thee, brave man;
Be henceforth free as air; Artaban's band
Shall never do thee harm; I am thy friend,
And in thy time of danger call on me.
I now will guide thee safely to thy home,
Through all the windings of these darksome haunts.
He said; and answering to his words, drew forth
Valerian from his cave, and over hill,
And over bosky dell, through winds and rains,
And through the starless night, him faithful led,
And left in safety at Alcestes' cot.
Valerian from his cave, and over hill,
And over bosky dell, through winds and rains,
And through the starless night, him faithful led,
And left in safety at Alcestes' cot.
This good performed, these strange adventures past,
Valerian with his venerable friend
Dwelt for a time securely in repose:
The pomp of Rome, her halls and ivory domes,
Gave not that peace, which blessed the cot
That humbly rose upon the Caspian shore.
Nor was the youth forgetful of his love;
His heart's fond treasure was Azora still:
A mind so kind and good, a form so fair,
Dwelt in his thoughts, and soothed his nightly dream.
She was his pupil, and, with tenderest care,
He taught “his lovely scholar all he knew;”
Explained to her the Scriptures of his God,
And all the wonders of the Roman world.
From his instructions she in knowledge grew,
Her soul expanded with the love of truth,
Her eye was lighted by the torch of heaven,
And all her love she centered on her friend.
Valerian with his venerable friend
Dwelt for a time securely in repose:
The pomp of Rome, her halls and ivory domes,
89
That humbly rose upon the Caspian shore.
Nor was the youth forgetful of his love;
His heart's fond treasure was Azora still:
A mind so kind and good, a form so fair,
Dwelt in his thoughts, and soothed his nightly dream.
She was his pupil, and, with tenderest care,
He taught “his lovely scholar all he knew;”
Explained to her the Scriptures of his God,
And all the wonders of the Roman world.
From his instructions she in knowledge grew,
Her soul expanded with the love of truth,
Her eye was lighted by the torch of heaven,
And all her love she centered on her friend.
One night Valerian rambled o'er the plains,
And, guided by the pale torch of the moon,
Thoughtful indulged the golden dreams of love:
Clear was the sky, no night-cloud crossed the stars,
The spicy zephyr poured his murmuring song,
And on the rocks the heaving billows died.
Enchanted with this scene of night, and wrapt
In melancholy guise, he rambled on,
And bent his museful steps to a wild hill,
Whose top was shaded by a knot of trees,
Whose foot was bathed by a romantic stream,
Which poured its mellow cadence on the ear,
And in the tangled thickets lost its way.
Before he reached the hill, his ear was struck
By the sweet clamours of Azora's harp,
And by this ditty warbled to the winds:
And, guided by the pale torch of the moon,
Thoughtful indulged the golden dreams of love:
90
The spicy zephyr poured his murmuring song,
And on the rocks the heaving billows died.
Enchanted with this scene of night, and wrapt
In melancholy guise, he rambled on,
And bent his museful steps to a wild hill,
Whose top was shaded by a knot of trees,
Whose foot was bathed by a romantic stream,
Which poured its mellow cadence on the ear,
And in the tangled thickets lost its way.
Before he reached the hill, his ear was struck
By the sweet clamours of Azora's harp,
And by this ditty warbled to the winds:
Clothe me, still night, within thy mantle grey,
Nor mark the blush that crimsons o'er my cheek,
Bear not my accents, rustling wind, away,
O let no mortal hear me while I speak.
Nor mark the blush that crimsons o'er my cheek,
Bear not my accents, rustling wind, away,
O let no mortal hear me while I speak.
91
To thee, soft moonlight, I address my tale,
Ye stars of heaven, to you I lift mine eyes,
With tears I bathe the pinions of the gale,
And load these shadows with my heavy sighs.
Ye stars of heaven, to you I lift mine eyes,
With tears I bathe the pinions of the gale,
And load these shadows with my heavy sighs.
Come, harp, thy strings of harmony awake,
Come lull thy mistress with one soothing strain,
This magic sorrow of her bosom break,
Loud let thy transports drown the voice of pain.
Come lull thy mistress with one soothing strain,
This magic sorrow of her bosom break,
Loud let thy transports drown the voice of pain.
Azora loves; her bosom feels a flame,
A passion pure, most sacred, and most true;
Why should I falsely blush to tell his name?
Brave youth of Rome, my bosom beats for you.
A passion pure, most sacred, and most true;
Why should I falsely blush to tell his name?
Brave youth of Rome, my bosom beats for you.
Thy lofty soul, thy martial form of grace,
Thy heart all noble, free from treacherous art,
Thy winning manners, and thy pensive face,
Have won Azora's unassuming heart.
Thy heart all noble, free from treacherous art,
Thy winning manners, and thy pensive face,
Have won Azora's unassuming heart.
92
O had I still this heart to give again,
Brave youth of Rome, I'd give it to thee still;
O could I banish from this heart its pain,
Its dissolution would oppose my will.
Brave youth of Rome, I'd give it to thee still;
O could I banish from this heart its pain,
Its dissolution would oppose my will.
But low and humble is Azora's lot;
Born in obscurity, a heathen maid,
My days have flown in yonder little cot,
My rambling foot has never left this shade.
Born in obscurity, a heathen maid,
My days have flown in yonder little cot,
My rambling foot has never left this shade.
But thou, dear youth, didst come to cheer this clime,
To pour instruction on this darkened mind,
To teach this soul to pass the bounds of time,
To soar to heaven, and leave the world behind.
To pour instruction on this darkened mind,
To teach this soul to pass the bounds of time,
To soar to heaven, and leave the world behind.
O were I mistress of the proud world's throne,
And thou a suppliant on thy bended knee.
Thee, dear Valerian, would I love alone,
No passion would I cherish but for thee.
And thou a suppliant on thy bended knee.
Thee, dear Valerian, would I love alone,
No passion would I cherish but for thee.
93
Say then, brave stranger, can thy heart receive
A heart in which thy virtues ever dwell?
These shades, these streamlets, canst thou ever leave,
And bid Azora and her cot farewell?
A heart in which thy virtues ever dwell?
These shades, these streamlets, canst thou ever leave,
And bid Azora and her cot farewell?
Oh, if thou canst, dear wandering youth, adieu,
I'll write thy image and thy memory here,
And at still evening, while I think of you,
I'll seek thy safety with a prayerful tear.
I'll write thy image and thy memory here,
And at still evening, while I think of you,
I'll seek thy safety with a prayerful tear.
Cease now, my harp, fall silence on thy strings,
Dews of the night, descend upon my breast,
Breeze, fan my loose locks with thy unfelt wings,
And rock me, angels, in the arms of rest.
Dews of the night, descend upon my breast,
Breeze, fan my loose locks with thy unfelt wings,
And rock me, angels, in the arms of rest.
Azora ceased; and on the passing winds
The murmur of her music died away.
Wrapt in big transports stood the listening youth;
Dreams from Elysium for a moment bound
In fetters magical his limbs and tongue:
At length he broke his joy's enchanting spell,
And with a voice of full and mellow tones,
Thus answered to the night song of the maid:
The murmur of her music died away.
Wrapt in big transports stood the listening youth;
94
In fetters magical his limbs and tongue:
At length he broke his joy's enchanting spell,
And with a voice of full and mellow tones,
Thus answered to the night song of the maid:
Where roves my sad romantic maid,
Kind shepherds can you tell?
Say, have you seen her in the shade,
The hill, or tangled dell?
Tell me, sweet stream, that babblest by,
Hast thou not listened to her sigh?
Kind shepherds can you tell?
Say, have you seen her in the shade,
The hill, or tangled dell?
Tell me, sweet stream, that babblest by,
Hast thou not listened to her sigh?
Sad echo, from thy mossy hall,
Didst thou the wanderer see;
And didst thou answer to her call,
And did she speak of me?
Soft gales of evening, bathed in dew,
Oh! have you seen her as you flew?
Didst thou the wanderer see;
And didst thou answer to her call,
And did she speak of me?
Soft gales of evening, bathed in dew,
Oh! have you seen her as you flew?
95
I seek her over hill and dale,
O'er stream, through whispering grove,
I tell her name to every gale,
Breathed from the heart of love;
I call—but still no voice replies;
I call—but still Azora flits.
O'er stream, through whispering grove,
I tell her name to every gale,
Breathed from the heart of love;
I call—but still no voice replies;
I call—but still Azora flits.
The robe she wears, of azure hue,
Floats loosely on the air;
Her eyes are of seraphic blue,
Pale brown her waving hair;
Her steps are like the bounding roe,
Her cheeks the rose, her forehead snow.
Floats loosely on the air;
Her eyes are of seraphic blue,
Pale brown her waving hair;
Her steps are like the bounding roe,
Her cheeks the rose, her forehead snow.
The nightingale would cease to sing,
To listen to her lay,
And zephyr spread its silken wing,
To bear the notes away:
Her voice, her air, her face impart
A mind, a genius, and a heart.
To listen to her lay,
And zephyr spread its silken wing,
To bear the notes away:
Her voice, her air, her face impart
A mind, a genius, and a heart.
96
Behold, the sun withdraws his beam,
And darkness shrouds the scene;
The night-bird pours his hollow scream,
The night-wind sweeps the green;
No pipe is heard on mead or rock,
The shepherd homeward drives his flock:
And darkness shrouds the scene;
The night-bird pours his hollow scream,
The night-wind sweeps the green;
No pipe is heard on mead or rock,
The shepherd homeward drives his flock:
O then return, my peerless fair,
Restrain thy eager flight;
The falling dews will drench thine hair,
Unwholesome is the night.
I'll wind each thicket, beat each shade,
Till I have found thee, wandering maid.
Restrain thy eager flight;
The falling dews will drench thine hair,
Unwholesome is the night.
I'll wind each thicket, beat each shade,
Till I have found thee, wandering maid.
Thus sang the youth; and lightly o'er the stream,
And up the hill with bounding step he flew.
He found Azora leaning on her harp;
His faithful vows he proffered at her feet,
And he received a heart already his.
Chaste Dian smiled upon their virtuous love,
And silvered o'er the shadow of the night.
Valerian led her to her father's cot;
They offered up their mutual vows to God;
The happy father blessed the faithful pair,
And Heaven's rich blessings crowned their days and years.
And up the hill with bounding step he flew.
He found Azora leaning on her harp;
His faithful vows he proffered at her feet,
And he received a heart already his.
Chaste Dian smiled upon their virtuous love,
97
Valerian led her to her father's cot;
They offered up their mutual vows to God;
The happy father blessed the faithful pair,
And Heaven's rich blessings crowned their days and years.
By Oriander and the nation loved,
Valerian grew in influence and power;
The truths divine he taught more widely spread,
And future years, he hoped, would bless the hand
Which, in the land of darkness and of death,
Had sown the seeds of everlasting life.
How far were answered these auspicious hopes,
The scenes and changes which by years were brought
On those fair climes which owned the eastern sun;
The deeds of war, and garments rolled in blood,
Conspiracy, with all its dark designs,
With milder scenes of love and quiet life,
If Heaven permit, my verse may yet unfold.
Valerian grew in influence and power;
The truths divine he taught more widely spread,
And future years, he hoped, would bless the hand
Which, in the land of darkness and of death,
Had sown the seeds of everlasting life.
How far were answered these auspicious hopes,
The scenes and changes which by years were brought
On those fair climes which owned the eastern sun;
The deeds of war, and garments rolled in blood,
Conspiracy, with all its dark designs,
With milder scenes of love and quiet life,
If Heaven permit, my verse may yet unfold.
| Valerian | |