While, compassing the little mound around, XXII. DESPOND Who will, I heard a voice exclaim, Though fierce the assault, and shattered the de fence, It cannot be that Britain's social frame, The glorious work of time and providence, Should fall; that she, whose virtue put to shame, That orb whose beams round Saxon Alfred shone : sweep on, Nor let one billow of our heaven-blest Isle Toss in the fanning wind a humbler plume." That he might fly, where no one could pursue, No natural bond between the boldest schemes XXV. ON REVISITING DUNOLLY CASTLE. [See former series, Vol. III. p. 280.] THE captive Bird was gone; to cliff or moor Perchance had flown, delivered by the storm ; Or he had pined, and sunk to feed the worm: Him found we not: but, climbing a tall tower, There saw, impaved with rude fidelity Of art mosaic, in a roofless floor, An Eagle with stretched wings, but beamless eye, An Eagle that could neither wail nor soar. Effigy of the vanished, (shall I dare To call thee so?) or symbol of fierce deeds And of the towering courage which past times |