XXXIV. And wet, and cold, and lifeless at her feet, Pale as the foam that froth'd on his dead brow, Which she essay'd in vain to clear, (how sweet Were once her cares, how idle seem'd they now!) Lay Juan, nor could aught renew the beat Of his quench'd heart; and the sea dirges low Rang in her sad ears like a mermaid's song, And that brief dream (1) appear'd a life too long. (2) XXXV. And gazing on the dead, she thought his face More like and like to Lambro's aspect grew- 'Tis-'tis her father's-fix'd upon the pair! (1) [MS." And that short dream contain'd a life too long."] (2) "I awoke from a dream-well! and have not others dreamed? — Such a dream!-but she did not overtake me. I wish the dead would rest, however. Ugh! how my blood chilled--and I could not wake-and -and-heigho! "Shadows to night Have struck more terror in the soul of Richard, Than could the substance of ten thousand, I do not like this dream, -I hate its foregone conclusion.' And am I to be shaken by shadows? Ay, when they remind me of no matter — but, if I dream thus again, I will try whether all sleep has the like visions. Since I rose, I've been in considerable bodily pain also; but it is gone and over, and now, like Lord Ogleby, I am wound up for the day." B. Journal, 1813.] XXXVI. Then shrieking, she arose, and shrieking fell, I have seen such—but must not call to mind. (1) Up Juan XXXVII. sprung to Haidée's bitter shriek, XXXVIII. And Haidée clung around him; "Juan, 'tis- Of pleasure and of pain-even while I kiss (1) [MS." I have seen such -but they o'erthrew my mind."] (2) [MS." A thousand sharper sabres wait the word."] XXXIX. High and inscrutable the old man stood, Calm in his voice, and calm within his eyeNot always signs with him of calmest mood: He look'd upon her, but gave no reply; Then turn'd to Juan, in whose cheek the blood Oft came and went, as there resolved to die; In arms, at least, he stood, in act to spring On the first foe whom Lambro's call might bring. XL. Young man, your sword;" so Lambro once more said: Juan replied, "Not while this arm is free." The old man's cheek grew pale, but not with dread, And drawing from his belt a pistol, he Replied, "Your blood be then on your own head." Then look'd close at the flint, as if to see 'Twas fresh -for he had lately used the lockAnd next proceeded quietly to cock. XLI. It has a strange quick jar upon the ear, That cocking of a pistol, when you know If you have got a former friend for foe; XLII. : Lambro presented, and one instant more Had stopp'd this Canto, and Don Juan's breath, When Haidée threw herself her boy before; Stern as her sire: "On me," she cried, "let death Descend-the fault is mine; this fatal shore He found-but sought not. I have pledged my I love him-I will die with him: I knew [faith; Your nature's firmness-know your daughter's too." XLIII. A minute past, and she had been all tears,(1) She drew up to her height, as if to show XLIV. He gazed on her, and she on him; 'twas strange In the large dark eye's mutual-darted flame; Her father's blood before her father's face (1) [MS.- -"But a few moments-she had been all tears."] XLV. I said they were alike, their features and Their stature, differing but in sex and years; Even to the delicacy of their hand (1) There was resemblance, such as true blood wears; And now to see them, thus divided, stand In fix'd ferocity, when joyous tears, And sweet sensations, should have welcomed both, Show what the passions are in their full growth. XLVI. The father paused a moment, then withdrew His weapon, and replaced it; but stood still, And looking on her, as to look her through, [ill; "Not I," he said, "have sought this stranger's Not I have made this desolation: few ; Would bear such outrage, and forbear to kill XLVII. "Let him disarm; or, by my father's head, (1) [The reader will observe a curious mark of propinquity which the poet notices, with respect to the hands of the father and daughter. Lord Byron, we suspect, is indebted for the first hint of this to Ali Pacha, who, by the bye, is the original of Lambro; for, when his lordship was introduced, with his friend Hobhouse, to that agreeable-mannered tyrant, the vizier said that he knew he was the Megalos Anthropos (i. e. the Great Man), by the smallness of his ears and hands. — GALT.] (2) [MS." And if I did my duty as thou hast, This hour were thine, and thy young minion's last."] |