LXVI. Childe Harold saw them in their chieftain's tower That saddening hour when bad men hotlier press: In aught that tries the heart how few withstand the proof! LXVII. It chanced that adverse winds once drove his bark Full on the coast of Suli's shaggy shore, When all around was desolate and dark; To land was perilous, to sojourn more; Dubious to trust where treachery might lurk: At length they ventured forth, though doubting sore That those who loathe alike the Frank and Turk Might once again renew their ancient butcher-work. LXVIII. Vain fear! the Suliotes stretch'd the welcome hand, Doth lesson happier men, and shames at least the bad. LXIX. It came to pass, that when he did address To traverse Acarnania's forest wide, In war well season'd, and with labours tann'd, And from his further bank Etolia's wolds espied. LXX. Where lone Utraikey forms its circling cove, For many a joy could he from Night's soft presence glean. LXXI. On the smooth shore the night-fires brightly blazed, The feast was done, the red wine circling fast, And he that unawares had there ygazed With gaping wonderment had stared aghast; For ere night's midmost, stillest hour was past, Each Palikar his sabre from him cast, And bounding hand in hand, man link'd to man, Yelling their uncouth dirge, long daunced the kirtled clan. LXXII. Childe Harold at a little distance stood And view'd, but not displeased, the revelrie, Nor hated harmless mirth, however rude: In sooth, it was no vulgar sight to see Their barbarous, yet their not indecent, glee; And, as the flames along their faces gleam'd, Their gestures nimble, dark eyes flashing free, The long wild locks that to their girdles stream'd, While thus in concert they this lay half sang, half scream'd: SONG. 1 TAMBOURGI! Tambourgi*! thy 'larum afar 2 Oh! who is more brave than a dark Suliote, To the wolf and the vulture he leaves his wild flock, 3 Shall the sons of Chimari, who never forgive Let those guns so unerring such vengeance forego! 4 Macedonia sends forth her invincible race; . For a time they abandon the cave and the chace : * Drummer. Then the pirates of Parga that dwell by the waves, 6 I ask not the pleasures that riches supply, My sabre shall win what the feeble must buy; And |