The convoy spread like wild swans in their | From mountain-cliff to coast descending sombre flight, The dullest sailer wearing bravely now, So gaily curl the waves before each dashing prow. down. XXIII. 'Tis night, when Meditation bids us feel We once have loved, though love is at an end: The heart, lone mourner of its baffled zeal, Though friendless now, will dream it had a friend. Who with the weight of years would wish to bend, When Youth itself survives young Love and joy? Alas! when mingling souls forget to blend, Death hath but little left him to destroy ! Ah, happy years! once more who would not be a boy? XXIV. Thus bending o'er the vessel's laving side, And flies unconscious o'er each backward year. A thought, and claims the homage of a tear; A flashing pang! of which the weary breast Would still, albeit in vain, the heavy heart divest. Look where the second Cæsar's trophies rose,* Now, like the hands that rear'd them, withering; Imperial anarchs, doubling human woes ! GOD! was thy globe ordain'd for such to win and lose? XLVI. From the dark barriers of that rugged clime, Through lands scarce noticed in historic tales: Are rarely seen; nor can fair Tempe boast A charm they know not; loved Parnassus fails, To match some spots that lurk within this Though classic ground and consecrated most, lowering coast. XLVII. He pass'd bleak Pindus, Acherusia's lake, Is lawless law; for with a bloody hand Disdain his power, and from their rocky hold Hurl their defiance far, nor yield, unless to gold. XLVIII. Monastic Zitza! from thy shady brow,§ Thou small, but favour'd spot of holy ground! Where'er we gaze, around, above, below, What rainbow tints, what magic charms are found! Rock, river, forest, mountain all abound, And bluest skies that harmonize the whole: Beneath, the distant torrent's rushing sound Tells where the volumed cataract doth roll Between those hanging rocks, that shock yet please the soul. XLIX. Amidst the grove that crowns yon tufted hill, Which, were it not for many a mountain nigh Rising in lofty ranks, and loftier still, Might well itself be deem'd of dignity, The convent's white walls glisten fair on high; Here dwells the caloyer,|| nor rude is he, Nor niggard of his cheer: the passer-by Is welcome still; nor heedless will he flee From hence, if he delight kind Nature's sheen to see. L. Here in the sultriest season let him rest, Fresh is the green beneath those aged trees; * Nicopolis, whose ruins are most extensive, is at some distance from Actium. The celebrated Ali Pacha. Five thousand Suliotes, among the rocks and in the castle of Suli, withstood thirty thousand Albanians for eighteen years: the castle at last was taken by bribery. In this contest there were several acts performed not unworthy of the better days of Greece. § The convent and village of Zitza are four hours' journey from Joannina, or Yanina, the capital of the pachalic. Il The Greek monks are so called. But when the lingering twilight hour was past, Revel and feast assumed the rule again: Now all was bustle, and the menial train Prepared and spread the plenteous board within ; The vacant gallery now seem'd made in vain, But from the chambers came the mingling din, *The Chimariot mountains appear to have As page and slave anon were passing out and in. been volcanic. + Now called Kalamas. ↑ Albanese cloak. § Anciently Mount Tomarus LXI. Here woman's voice is never heard: apart And scarce permitted, guarded, veil'd, to move, |