Song Meaning

The poem opens with a defiant celebration of the pirate life, contrasting its freedom and exhilaration with the "luxurious slave" who cannot comprehend it. The narrator, a pirate chief, embraces danger and a life lived on the "trackless way," where "approaching fight" is a "delight" and death is a swift escape from "disease or strife." This is contrasted with the "fresh turf" of a pirate's grave, mourned by few but sincere tears, and the memory of feasts in the "red cup that crowns our memory." The pirates' existence is depicted as a wild, transient one, where "the many still must labour for the one," a natural order that the narrator accepts. Central to the narrative is Conrad, the enigmatic chief. He is set apart from his crew, a figure of "loneliness and mystery" whose "few words, but keen his eye and hand" command obedience. His austerity, shunning "grosser joys of sense" for a mind "nourished by that abstinence," fuels his effectiveness. While his crew "game—carouse—converse—or whet the brand," Conrad remains aloof, his actions driven by a "power of Thought—the magic of the Mind!" This mental prowess, linked with success, allows him to "mould another's weakness to its will," making even his crew's mightiest deeds appear his own. The poem masterfully employs vivid imagery and stark contrasts to portray Conrad's dual nature. His physical description is deliberately understated – "little to admire," "No giant frame" – yet his "dark eyebrow shades a glance of fire," and his "features' deepening lines and varying hue" hint at a "murkiness of mind" filled with "feelings fearful, and yet undefined." This internal turmoil is juxtaposed with his outward control, a "laughing Devil in his sneer" that evokes both "rage and fear." The lyrics suggest that beneath the surface of the ruthless pirate lies a complex, perhaps even tormented, individual, whose true self is revealed only in moments of intense emotional struggle, a "naked heart" bared with its "buried woes." The effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their unflinching portrayal of a romanticized yet brutal existence. The poem doesn't shy away from the violence and lawlessness, but frames it within a code of freedom and self-determination. Conrad's character, in particular, is a compelling study of a man shaped by past betrayals, who wields his intellect and will as weapons. The narrative's power comes from its ability to make the reader understand, if not condone, the Corsair's choices, highlighting the internal struggles that drive his external actions and the allure of a life lived on the edge.

Lord Byron - Non-Music, British Literature

The Corsair

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The Corsair CANTO THE FIRST "nessun maggior dolore, Che ricordarsi del tempo felice Nella miseria," Dante, Inferno, v. 121. I. "O'er the glad waters of the dark blue sea, Our thoughts as boundless, and our souls as free, Far as the breeze can bear, the billows foam, Survey our empire, and behold our home![198] These are our realms, no limits to their sway Our flag the sceptre all who meet obey. Ours the wild life in tumult still to range From toil to rest, and joy in every change. Oh, who can tell? not thou, luxurious slave! Whose soul would sicken o'er the heaving wave; Not thou, vain lord of Wantonness and Ease! Whom Slumber soothes notPleasure cannot please Oh, who can tell, save he whose heart hath tried, And danced in triumph o'er the waters wide, The exulting sensethe pulse's maddening play, That thrills the wanderer of that trackless way? That for itself can woo the approaching fight, And turn what some deem danger to delight; That seeks what cravens shun with more than zeal, And where the feebler faint can only feel Feelto the rising bosom's inmost core, Its hope awaken and its spirit soar? No dread of Deathif with us die our foes Save that it seems even duller than repose; Come when it willwe snatch the life of Life When lostwhat recks it by disease or strife? Let him who crawls, enamoured of decay, Cling to his couch, and sicken years away;[hk] Heave his thick breath, and shake his palsied head; Ours the fresh turf, and not the feverish bed, While gasp by gasp he falters forth his soul, Ours with one pangone boundescapes control. His corse may boast its urn and narrow cave, And they who loathed his life may gild his grave: Ours are the tears, though few, sincerely shed, When Ocean shrouds and sepulchres our dead. For us, even banquets fond regret supply In the red cup that crowns our memory; And the brief epitaph in Danger's day, When those who win at length divide the prey, And cry, Remembrance saddening o'er each brow, How had the brave who fell exulted now!" II. Such were the notes that from the Pirate's isle Around the kindling watch-fire rang the while: Such were the sounds that thrilled the rocks along, And unto ears as rugged seemed a song! In scattered groups upon the golden sand, They gamecarouseconverseor whet the brand; Select the armsto each his blade assign, And careless eye the blood that dims its shine; Repair the boat, replace the helm or oar, While others straggling muse along the shore; For the wild bird the busy springes set, Or spread beneath the sun the dripping net: Gaze where some distant sail a speck supplies, With all the thirsting eye of Enterprise; Tell o'er the tales of many a night of toil, And marvel where they next shall seize a spoil: No matter wheretheir chief's allotment this; Theirs to believe no prey nor plan amiss. But who that Chief? his name on every shore Is famed and fearedthey ask and know no more With these he mingles not but to command; Few are his words, but keen his eye and hand. Ne'er seasons he with mirth their jovial mess, But they forgive his silence for success. Ne'er for his lip the purpling cup they fill, That goblet passes him untasted still And for his farethe rudest of his crew Would that, in turn, have passed untasted too; Earth's coarsest bread, the garden's homeliest roots, And scarce the summer luxury of fruits, His short repast in humbleness supply With all a hermit's board would scarce deny. But while he shuns the grosser joys of sense, His mind seems nourished by that abstinence. "Steer to that shore!"they sail. "Do this!"'tis done: "Now form and follow me!"the spoil is won. Thus prompt his accents and his actions still, And all obey and few inquire his will; To such, brief answer and contemptuous eye Convey reproof, nor further deign reply. III. "A sail!a sail!"a promised prize to Hope! Her nationflaghow speaks the telescope?[hl] No prize, alas! but yet a welcome sail: The blood-red signal glitters in the gale. Yesshe is oursa home-returning bark Blow fair, thou breeze!she anchors ere the dark. Already doubled is the capeour bay Receives that prow which proudly spurns the spray. How gloriously her gallant course she goes! Her white wings flyingnever from her foes She walks the waters like a thing of Life![199] And seems to dare the elements to strife. Who would not brave the battle-fire, the wreck, To move the monarch of her peopled deck! IV. Hoarse o'er her side the rustling cable rings: The sails are furled; and anchoring round she swings; And gathering loiterers on the land discern Her boat descending from the latticed stern. 'Tis mannedthe oars keep concert to the strand, Till grates her keel upon the shallow sand.[hm] Hail to the welcome shout!the friendly speech! When hand grasps hand uniting on the beach; The smile, the question, and the quick reply, And the Heart's promise of festivity V. The tidings spread, and gathering grows the crowd: The hum of voices, and the laughter loud, And Woman's gentler anxious tone is heard Friends'husbands'lovers' names in each dear word: "Oh! are they safe? we ask not of success But shall we see them? will their accents bless? From where the battle roars, the billows chafe, They doubtless boldly didbut who are safe? Here let them haste to gladden and surprise, And kiss the doubt from these delighted eyes!" VI. "Where is our Chief? for him we bear report And doubt that joywhich hails our comingshort; Yet thus sincere'tis cheering, though so brief; But, Juan! instant guide us to our Chief: 120 Our greeting paid, we'll feast on our return, And all shall hear what each may wish to learn." Ascending slowly by the rock-hewn way, To where his watch-tower beetles o'er the bay, By bushy brake, the wild flowers blossoming, And freshness breathing from each silver spring, Whose scattered streams from granite basins burst, Leap into life, and sparkling woo your thirst; From crag to cliff they mountNear yonder cave, What lonely straggler looks along the wave? In pensive posture leaning on the brand, Not oft a resting-staff to that red hand? "'Tis he'tis Conradhereas wontalone; OnJuan!onand make our purpose known. The bark he viewsand tell him we would greet His ear with tidings he must quickly meet: We dare not yet approachthou know'st his mood, When strange or uninvited steps intrude." VII. Him Juan sought, and told of their intent; He spake not, but a sign expressed assent, These Juan callsthey cometo their salute He bends him slightly, but his lips are mute. "These letters, Chief, are from the Greekthe spy, Who still proclaims our spoil or peril nigh: Whate'er his tidings, we can well report, Much that""Peace, peace!"he cuts their prating short. Wondering they turn, abashed, while each to each Conjecture whispers in his muttering speech: They watch his glance with many a stealing look, To gather how that eye the tidings took; But, this as if he guessed, with head aside, Perchance from some emotion, doubt, or pride, He read the scroll"My tablets, Juan, hark Where is Gonsalvo?" "In the anchored bark." "There let him stayto him this order bear Back to your dutyfor my course prepare: Myself this enterprise to-night will share." "To-night, Lord Conrad?" "Aye! at set of sun: The breeze will freshen when the day is done. My corsletcloakone hour and we are gone. Sling on thy buglesee that free from rust My carbine-lock springs worthy of my trust; Be the edge sharpened of my boarding-brand, And give its guard more room to fit my hand. This let the Armourer with speed dispose; Last time, it more fatigued my arm than foes; Mark that the signal-gun be duly fired, To tell us when the hour of stay's expired." VIII. They make obeisance, and retire in haste, Too soon to seek again the watery waste: Yet they repine notso that Conrad guides; And who dare question aught that he decides? That man of loneliness and mystery, Scarce seen to smile, and seldom heard to sigh; Whose name appals the fiercest of his crew, And tints each swarthy cheek with sallower hue; Still sways their souls with that commanding art That dazzles, leads, yet chills the vulgar heart. What is that spell, that thus his lawless train Confess and envyyet oppose in vain? 180 What should it be, that thus their faith can bind? The power of Thoughtthe magic of the Mind! Linked with success, assumed and kept with skill, That moulds another's weakness to its will; Wields with their hands, but, still to these unknown, Makes even their mightiest deeds appear his own. Such hath it beenshall bebeneath the Sun The many still must labour for the one! 'Tis Nature's doombut let the wretch who toils, Accuse nothate nothim who wears the spoils. Oh! if he knew the weight of splendid chains, How light the balance of his humbler pains! IX. Unlike the heroes of each ancient race, Demons in act, but Gods at least in face, In Conrad's form seems little to admire, Though his dark eyebrow shades a glance of fire: Robust but not Herculeanto the sight No giant frame sets forth his common height; Yet, in the whole, who paused to look again, Saw more than marks the crowd of vulgar men; They gaze and marvel howand still confess That thus it is, but why they cannot guess. Sun-burnt his cheek, his forehead high and pale The sable curls in wild profusion veil; And oft perforce his rising lip reveals The haughtier thought it curbs, but scarce conceals.[hn] Though smooth his voice, and calm his general mien, Still seems there something he would not have seen: His features' deepening lines and varying hue At times attracted, yet perplexed the view, As if within that murkiness of mind Worked feelings fearful, and yet undefined; Such might it bethat none could truly tell Too close inquiry his stern glance would quell. There breathe but few whose aspect might defy The full encounter of his searching eye; He had the skill, when Cunning's gaze would seek[ho] To probe his heart and watch his changing cheek, At once the observer's purpose to espy, And on himself roll back his scrutiny, Lest he to Conrad rather should betray Some secret thought, than drag that Chief's to day. There was a laughing Devil in his sneer, That raised emotions both of rage and fear; And where his frown of hatred darkly fell, Hope withering fledand Mercy sighed farewell![200] X.[201] Slight are the outward signs of evil thought, Withinwithin'twas there the spirit wrought! Love shows all changesHate, Ambition, Guile, Betray no further than the bitter smile; 230 The lip's least curl, the lightest paleness thrown Along the governed aspect, speak alone Of deeper passions; and to judge their mien, He, who would see, must be himself unseen. Thenwith the hurried tread, the upward eye, The clench�d hand, the pause of agony, That listens, starting, lest the step too near Approach intrusive on that mood of fear: Thenwith each feature working from the heart, With feelings, loosed to strengthennot depart, That riseconvulsecontendthat freeze or glow,[hp] Flush in the cheek, or damp upon the brow; ThenStranger! if thou canst, and tremblest not, Behold his soulthe rest that soothes his lot![hq] Mark how that lone and blighted bosom sears The scathing thought of execrated years! Beholdbut who hath seen, or e'er shall see, Man as himselfthe secret spirit free? XI. Yet was not Conrad thus by Nature sent To lead the guiltyGuilt's worse instrument 250 His soul was changed, before his deeds had driven Him forth to war with Man and forfeit Heaven. Warped by the world in Disappointment's school, In words too wisein conduct there a fool; Too firm to yield, and far too proud to stoop, Doomed by his very virtues for a dupe, He cursed those virtues as the cause of ill, And not the traitors who betrayed him still; Nor deemed that gifts bestowed on better men Had left him joy, and means to give again. Fearedshunnedbeliedere Youth had lost her force, He hated Man too much to feel remorse, And thought the voice of Wrath a sacred call, To pay the injuries of some on all. He knew himself a villainbut he deemed The rest no better than the thing he seemed; And scorned the best as hypocrites who hid Those deeds the bolder spirit plainly did. He knew himself detested, but he knew The hearts that loathed him, crouched and dreaded too. Lone, wild, and strange, he stood alike exempt From all affection and from all contempt: His name could sadden, and his acts surprise; But they that feared him dared not to despise: Man spurns the worm, but pauses ere he wake The slumbering venom of the folded snake: The first may turn, but not avenge the blow; The last expires, but leaves no living foe; Fast to the doomed offender's form it clings, And he may crushnot conquerstill it stings![202] XII. None are all evilquickening round his heart, One softer feeling would not yet depart; Oft could he sneer at others as beguiled By passions worthy of a fool or child; Yet 'gainst that passion vainly still he strove, And even in him it asks the name of Love! Yes, it was loveunchangeableunchanged, Felt but for one from whom he never ranged;[ Though fairest captives daily met his eye, He shunned, nor sought, but coldly passed them by; Though many a beauty drooped in prisoned bower, None ever soothed his most unguarded hour, Yesit was Loveif thoughts of tenderness, Tried in temptation, strengthened by distress, Unmoved by absence, firm in every clime, And yetOh more than all!untired by Time; Which nor defeated hope, nor baffled wile, Could render sullen were She near to smile, Nor rage could fire, nor sickness fret to vent On her one murmur of his discontent; Which still would meet with joy, with calmness part, Lest that his look of grief should reach her heart; Which nought removed, nor menaced to remove If there be Love in mortalsthis was Love! He was a villainaye, reproaches shower On himbut not the Passion, nor its power, Which only provedall other virtues gone Not Guilt itself could quench this loveliest one![hr] XIII. He paused a momenttill his hastening men Passed the first winding downward to the glen. "Strange tidings!many a peril have I passed, Nor know I why this next appears the last! Yet so my heart forebodes, but must not fear, Nor shall my followers find me falter here. 'Tis rash to meetbut surer death to wait Till here they hunt us to undoubted fate; And, if my plan but hold, and Fortune smile, We'll furnish mourners for our funeral pile. Aye, let them slumberpeaceful be their dreams! Morn ne'er awoke them with such brilliant beams As kindle high to-night (but blow, thou breeze!) To warm these slow avengers of the seas. Now to MedoraOh! my sinking heart,[hs] Long may her own be lighter than thou art! Yet was I bravemean boast where all are brave! Ev'n insects sting for aught they seek to save. This common courage which with brutes we share, That owes its deadliest efforts to Despair, Small merit claimsbut 'twas my nobler hope To teach my few with numbers still to cope; Long have I led themnot to vainly bleed: No medium nowwe perish or succeed! So let it beit irks not me to die; But thus to urge them whence they cannot fly. My lot hath long had little of my care, But chafes my pride thus baffled in the snare: Is this my skill? my craft? to set at last Hope, Power and Life upon a single cast? Oh, Fate!accuse thy follynot thy fate; She may redeem thee stillnor yet too late." XIV. Thus with himself communion held he, till He reached the summit of his tower-crowned hill: There at the portal pausedfor wild and soft He heard those accents never heard too oft! Through the high lattice far yet sweet they rung, And these the notes his Bird of Beauty sung: 1. "Deep in my soul that tender secret dwells, Lonely and lost to light for evermore, Save when to thine my heart responsive swells, Then trembles into silence as before. 2. "There, in its centre, a sepulchral lamp Burns the slow flame, eternalbut unseen; Which not the darkness of Despair can damp, Though vain its ray as it had never been. 3. "Remember meOh! pass not thou my grave Without one thought whose relics there recline: The only pang my bosom dare not brave Must be to find forgetfulness in thine. 4. "My fondestfaintestlatest accents hear[ht] Grief for the dead not Virtue can reprove; Then give me all I ever askeda tear,[203] The firstlastsole reward of so much love!" He passed the portal, crossed the corridor, And reached the chamber as the strain gave o'er: "My own Medora! sure thy song is sad" "In Conrad's absence would'st thou have it glad? Without thine ear to listen to my lay, Still must my song my thoughts, my soul betray: Still must each accent to my bosom suit, My heart unhushedalthough my lips were mute! Oh! many a night on this lone couch reclined, My dreaming fear with storms hath winged the wind, And deemed the breath that faintly fanned thy sail The murmuring prelude of the ruder gale; Though softit seemed the low prophetic dirge, That mourned thee floating on the savage surge: Still would I rise to rouse the beacon fire, Lest spies less true should let the blaze expire; And many a restless hour outwatched each star, And morning cameand still thou wert afar. Oh! how the chill blast on my bosom blew, And day broke dreary on my troubled view, And still I gazed and gazedand not a prow Was granted to my tearsmy truthmy vow! At length'twas noonI hailed and blest the mast That met my sightit nearedAlas! it passed! Another cameOh God! 'twas thine at last! Would that those days were over! wilt thou ne'er, My Conrad! learn the joys of peace to share? Sure thou hast more than wealth, and many a home As bright as this invites us not to roam: Thou know'st it is not peril that I fear, I only tremble when thou art not here; Then not for mine, but that far dearer life, Which flies from love and languishes for strife How strange that heart, to me so tender still, Should war with Nature and its better will!" "Yea, strange indeedthat heart hath long been changed; Worm-like 'twas trampledadder-like avenged Without one hope on earth beyond thy love, And scarce a glimpse of mercy from above. Yet the same feeling which thou dost condemn, My very love to thee is hate to them, So closely mingling here, that disentwined, I cease to love thee when I love Mankind: Yet dread not thisthe proof of all the past Assures the future that my love will last; ButOh, Medora! nerve thy gentler heart; This hour againbut not for longwe part." "This hour we part!my heart foreboded this: Thus ever fade my fairy dreams of bliss. This hourit cannot bethis hour away! Yon bark hath hardly anchored in the bay: Her consort still is absent, and her crew Have need of rest before they toil anew; My Love! thou mock'st my weakness; and wouldst steel My breast before the time when it must feel; But trifle now no more with my distress, Such mirth hath less of play than bitterness. Be silent, Conrad!dearest! come and share The feast these hands delighted to prepare; Light toil! to cull and dress thy frugal fare! See, I have plucked the fruit that promised best, And where not sure, perplexed, but pleased, I guessed At such as seemed the fairest; thrice the hill My steps have wound to try the coolest rill; Yes! thy Sherbet to-night will sweetly flow, See how it sparkles in its vase of snow! The grapes' gay juice thy bosom never cheers; Thou more than Moslem when the cup appears: Think not I mean to chidefor I rejoice What others deem a penance is thy choice. But come, the board is spread; our silver lamp Is trimmed, and heeds not the Sirocco's damp: Then shall my handmaids while the time along, And join with me the dance, or wake the song; Or my guitar, which still thou lov'st to hear, Shall soothe or lullor, should it vex thine ear, We'll turn the tale, by Ariosto told, Of fair Olympia loved and left of old.[204] Why, thou wert worse than he who broke his vow To that lost damsel, should thou leave me now Or even that traitor chiefI've seen thee smile, When the clear sky showed Ariadne's Isle, Which I have pointed from these cliffs the while: And thus half sportivehalf in fearI said, Lest Time should raise that doubt to more than dread, Thus Conrad, too, will quit me for the main: And he deceived meforhe came again!" "Again, againand oft againmy Love! If there be life below, and hope above, He will returnbut now, the moments bring The time of parting with redoubled wing: The why, the wherewhat boots it now to tell? Since all must end in that wild wordFarewell! Yet would I faindid time allowdisclose Fear notthese are no formidable foes! And here shall watch a more than wonted guard, For sudden siege and long defence prepared: Nor be thou lonely, though thy Lord's away, Our matrons and thy handmaids with thee stay; And this thy comfortthat, when next we meet, Security shall make repose more sweet. List!'tis the bugle!"Juan shrilly blew "One kissone moreanotherOh! Adieu!" She roseshe sprungshe clung to his embrace, Till his heart heaved beneath her hidden face: He dared not raise to his that deep-blue eye, Which downcast drooped in tearless agony. Her long fair hair lay floating o'er his arms, In all the wildness of dishevelled charms; Scarce beat that bosom where his image dwelt So fullthat feeling seem'd almost unfelt! Harkpeals the thunder of the signal-gun! It told 'twas sunset, and he cursed that sun. Againagainthat form he madly pressed, Which mutely clasped, imploringly caressed![hu] And tottering to the couch his bride he bore, One moment gazedas if to gaze no more; Felt that for him Earth held but her alone, Kissed her cold foreheadturnedis Conrad gone? XV. "And is he gone?"on sudden solitude How oft that fearful question will intrude! "'Twas but an instant past, and here he stood! And now"without the portal's porch she rushed, And then at length her tears in freedom gushed; Big, bright, and fast, unknown to her they fell; But still her lips refused to send"Farewell!" For in that wordthat fatal wordhowe'er We promisehopebelievethere breathes Despair. O'er every feature of that still, pale face, Had Sorrow fixed what Time can ne'er erase: The tender blue of that large loving eye Grew frozen with its gaze on vacancy, TillOh, how far!it caught a glimpse of him, And then it flowed, and phrensied seemed to swim Through those long, dark, and glistening lashes dewed With drops of sadness oft to be renewed. "He's gone!"against her heart that hand is driven, Convulsed and quickthen gently raised to Heaven: She looked and saw the heaving of the main: The white sail setshe dared not look again; But turned with sickening soul within the gate "It is no dreamand I am desolate!" XVI. From crag to crag descending, swiftly sped Stern Conrad down, nor once he turned his head; But shrunk whene'er the windings of his way Forced on his eye what he would not survey, His lone, but lovely dwelling on the steep, That hailed him first when homeward from the deep: And shethe dim and melancholy Star Whose ray of Beauty reached him from afar, On her he must not gaze, he must not think There he might restbut on Destruction's brink: Yet once almost he stoppedand nearly gave His fate to chance, his projects to the wave: But noit must not bea worthy chief May melt, but not betray to Woman's grief. He sees his bark, he notes how fair the wind, And sternly gathers all his might of mind: Again he hurries onand as he hears The clang of tumult vibrate on his ears, The busy sounds, the bustle of the shore, The shout, the signal, and the dashing oar; As marks his eye the seaboy on the mast, The anchors rise, the sails unfurling fast, The waving kerchiefs of the crowd that urge That mute Adieu to those who stem the surge; And more than all, his blood-red flag aloft, He marvelled how his heart could seem so soft. Fire in his glance, and wildness in his breast, He feels of all his former self possest; He boundshe fliesuntil his footsteps reach The verge where ends the cliff, begins the beach, There checks his speed; but pauses less to breathe The breezy freshness of the deep beneath, Than there his wonted statelier step renew; Nor rush, disturbed by haste, to vulgar view: For well had Conrad learned to curb the crowd, By arts that veil, and oft preserve the proud; His was the lofty port, the distant mien, That seems to shun the sightand awes if seen: The solemn aspect, and the high-born eye, That checks low mirth, but lacks not courtesy; All these he wielded to command assent: But where he wished to win, so well unbent, That Kindness cancelled fear in those who heard, And others' gifts showed mean beside his word, When echoed to the heart as from his own His deep yet tender melody of tone: 550 But such was foreign to his wonted mood, He cared not what he softened, but subdued; The evil passions of his youth had made Him value less who lovedthan what obeyed. XVII. Around him mustering ranged his ready guard. Before him Juan stands"Are all prepared?" "They arenay moreembarked: the latest boat Waits but my chief" "My sword, and my capote." Soon firmly girded on, and lightly slung, His belt and cloak were o'er his shoulders flung: "Call Pedro here!" He comesand Conrad bends, With all the courtesy he deigned his friends; "Receive these tablets, and peruse with care, Words of high trust and truth are graven there; Double the guard, and when Anselmo's bark Arrives, let him alike these orders mark: In three days (serve the breeze) the sun shall shine On our returntill then all peace be thine!" This said, his brother Pirate's hand he wrung, Then to his boat with haughty gesture sprung. Flashed the dipt oars, and sparkling with the stroke, Around the waves' phosphoric[205] brightness broke; They gain the vesselon the deck he stands, Shrieks the shrill whistle, ply the busy hands He marks how well the ship her helm obeys, How gallant all her crew, and deigns to praise. His eyes of pride to young Gonsalvo turn Why doth he start, and inly seem to mourn? Alas! those eyes beheld his rocky tower, And live a moment o'er the parting hour; Shehis Medoradid she mark the prow? Ah! never loved he half so much as now! But much must yet be done ere dawn of day Again he mans himself and turns away; Down to the cabin with Gonsalvo bends, And there unfolds his planhis means, and ends; Before them burns the lamp, and spreads the chart, And all that speaks and aids the naval art; They to the midnight watch protract debate; To anxious eyes what hour is ever late? 590 Meantime, the steady breeze serenely blew, And fast and falcon-like the vessel flew; Passed the high headlands of each clustering isle, To gain their portlonglong ere morning smile: And soon the night-glass through the narrow bay Discovers where the Pacha's galleys lay. Count they each sail, and mark how there supine The lights in vain o'er heedless Moslem shine. Secure, unnoted, Conrad's prow passed by, And anchored where his ambush meant to lie; Screened from espial by the jutting cape, That rears on high its rude fantastic shape.[206] Then rose his band to dutynot from sleep Equipped for deeds alike on land or deep; While leaned their Leader o'er the fretting flood, And calmly talkedand yet he talked of blood! CANTO THE SECOND swash "Conosceste i dubbiosi desiri?" Dante, Inferno, v, 120. I. In Coron's bay floats many a galley light, Through Coron's lattices the lamps are bright,[207] For Seyd, the Pacha, makes a feast to-night: A feast for promised triumph yet to come, 610 When he shall drag the fettered Rovers home; This hath he sworn by Allah and his sword, And faithful to his firman and his word, His summoned prows collect along the coast, And great the gathering crews, and loud the boast; Already shared the captives and the prize, Though far the distant foe they thus despise; 'Tis but to sailno doubt to-morrow's Sun Will see the Pirates boundtheir haven won! Meantime the watch may slumber, if they will, Nor only wake to war, but dreaming kill. Though all, who can, disperse on shore and seek To flesh their glowing valour on the Greek; How well such deed becomes the turbaned brave To bare the sabre's edge before a slave! Infest his dwellingbut forbear to slay, Their arms are strong, yet merciful to-day, And do not deign to smite because they may! Unless some gay caprice suggests the blow, To keep in practice for the coming foe. Revel and rout the evening hours beguile, And they who wish to wear a head must smile; For Moslem mouths produce their choicest cheer, And hoard their curses, till the coast is clear. II. High in his hall reclines the turbaned Seyd; Aroundthe bearded chiefs he came to lead. Removed the banquet, and the last pilaff Forbidden draughts, 'tis said, he dared to quaff, Though to the rest the sober berry's juice[208] The slaves bear round for rigid Moslems' use; The long chibouque's[209] dissolving cloud supply, While dance the Almas[210] to wild minstrelsy. The rising morn will view the chiefs embark; But waves are somewhat treacherous in the dark: And revellers may more securely sleep On silken couch than o'er the rugged deep: Feast there who cannor combat till they must, And less to conquest than to Korans trust; And yet the numbers crowded in his host Might warrant more than even the Pacha's boast. III. With cautious reverence from the outer gate Slow stalks the slave, whose office there to wait, Bows his bent headhis hand salutes the floor, Ere yet his tongue the trusted tidings bore: "A captive Dervise, from the Pirate's nest Escaped, is herehimself would tell the rest."[211] He took the sign from Seyd's assenting eye, And led the holy man in silence nigh. His arms were folded on his dark-green vest, His step was feeble, and his look deprest; Yet worn he seemed of hardship more than years, And pale his cheek with penance, not from fears. Vowed to his Godhis sable locks he wore, And these his lofty cap rose proudly o'er: Around his form his loose long robe was thrown, And wrapt a breast bestowed on heaven alone; Submissive, yet with self-possession manned, He calmly met the curious eyes that scanned; And question of his coming fain would seek, Before the Pacha's will allowed to speak. IV. "Whence com'st thou, Dervise?" "From the Outlaw's den A fugitive" "Thy capture where and when?" "From Scalanova's port[212] to Scio's isle, The Saick[213] was bound; but Allah did not smile Upon our coursethe Moslem merchant's gains The Rovers won; our limbs have worn their chains. I had no death to fear, nor wealth to boast, Beyond the wandering freedom which I lost; At length a fisher's humble boat by night Afforded hope, and offered chance of flight; I seized the hour, and find my safety here With theemost mighty Pacha! who can fear?" "How speed the outlaws? stand they well prepared, Their plundered wealth, and robber's rock, to guard? Dream they of this our preparation, doomed To view with fire their scorpion nest consumed?" "Pacha! the fettered captive's mourning eye, That weeps for flight, but ill can play the spy; I only heard the reckless waters roar, Those waves that would not bear me from the shore; I only marked the glorious Sun and sky, Too brighttoo bluefor my captivity; And felt that all which Freedom's bosom cheers Must break my chain before it dried my tears. This mayst thou judge, at least, from my escape, They little deem of aught in Peril's shape; Else vainly had I prayed or sought the Chance That leads me hereif eyed with vigilance: The careless guard that did not see me fly, May watch as idly when thy power is nigh. Pacha! my limbs are faintand nature craves Food for my hunger, rest from tossing waves: Permit my absencepeace be with thee! Peace With all around!now grant reposerelease." "Stay, Dervise! I have more to questionstay, I do command theesitdost hear?obey! More I must ask, and food the slaves shall bring; Thou shall not pine where all are banqueting: The supper doneprepare thee to reply, Clearly and fullI love not mystery." 'Twere vain to guess what shook the pious man, Who looked not lovingly on that Divan; Nor showed high relish for the banquet prest, And less respect for every fellow guest. Twas but a moment's peevish hectic passed Along his cheek, and tranquillised as fast: He sate him down in silence, and his look Resumed the calmness which before forsook: The feast was ushered inbut sumptuous fare He shunned as if some poison mingled there. For one so long condemned to toil and fast, Methinks he strangely spares the rich repast. "What ails thee, Dervise? eatdost thou suppose This feast a Christian's? or my friends thy foes? Why dost thou shun the salt? that sacred pledge,[214] Which, once partaken, blunts the sabre's edge, Makes even contending tribes in peace unite, And hated hosts seem brethren to the sight!" "Salt seasons daintiesand my food is still The humblest root, my drink the simplest rill; And my stern vow and Order's[215] laws oppose To break or mingle bread with friends or foes; It may seem strangeif there be aught to dread That peril rests upon my single head; But for thy swaynay morethy Sultan's throne, I taste nor bread nor banquetsave alone; Infringed our Order's rule, the Prophet's rage To Mecca's dome might bar my pilgrimage." "Wellas thou wiltascetic as thou art One question answer; then in peace depart. How many?Ha! it cannot sure be day? What Starwhat Sun is bursting on the bay? It shines a lake of fire!awayaway! Ho! treachery! my guards! my scimitar! The galleys feed the flamesand I afar! Accurs�d Dervise!these thy tidingsthou Some villain spyseizecleave himslay him now!" Up rose the Dervise with that burst of light, Nor less his change of form appalled the sight: Up rose that Dervisenot in saintly garb, But like a warrior bounding on his barb, Dashed his high cap, and tore his robe away Shone his mailed breast, and flashed his sabre's ray! His close but glittering casque, and sable plume, More glittering eye, and black brow's sabler gloom, Glared on the Moslems' eyes some Afrit Sprite, Whose demon death-blow left no hope for fight. The wild confusion, and the swarthy glow Of flames on high, and torches from below; The shriek of terror, and the mingling yell For swords began to clash, and shouts to swell Flung o'er that spot of earth the air of Hell! Distracted, to and fro, the flying slaves Behold but bloody shore and fiery waves; Nought heeded they the Pacha's angry cry, They seize that Dervise!seize on Zatanai![216] He saw their terrorchecked the first despair That urged him but to stand and perish there, Since far too early and too well obeyed, The flame was kindled ere the signal made; He saw their terrorfrom his baldric drew His buglebrief the blastbut shrilly blew; 'Tis answered"Well ye speed, my gallant crew! Why did I doubt their quickness of career? And deem design had left me single here?" Sweeps his long armthat sabre's whirling sway Sheds fast atonement for its first delay; Completes his fury, what their fear begun, And makes the many basely quail to one. The cloven turbans o'er the chamber spread, And scarce an arm dare rise to guard its head: Even Seyd, convulsed, o'erwhelmed, with rage, surprise, Retreats before him, though he still defies. No craven heand yet he dreads the blow, So much Confusion magnifies his foe! His blazing galleys still distract his sight, He tore his beard, and foaming fled the fight;[217] For now the pirates passed the Haram gate, And burst withinand it were death to wait; Where wild Amazement shriekingkneelingthrows The sword asidein vainthe blood o'erflows! The Corsairs pouring, haste to where within Invited Conrad's bugle, and the din Of groaning victims, and wild cries for life, Proclaimed how well he did the work of strife. They shout to find him grim and lonely there, A glutted tiger mangling in his lair! But short their greeting, shorter his reply "'Tis wellbut Seyd escapesand he must die Much hath been donebut more remains to do Their galleys blazewhy not their city too?" V. Quick at the word they seized him each a torch, And fire the dome from minaret to porch. A stern delight was fixed in Conrad's eye, But sudden sunkfor on his ear the cry Of women struck, and like a deadly knell Knocked at that heart unmoved by Battle's yell. "Oh! burst the Haramwrong not on your lives One female formrememberwe have wives. On them such outrage Vengeance will repay; Man is our foe, and such 'tis ours to slay: But still we sparedmust spare the weaker prey. Oh! I forgotbut Heaven will not forgive If at my word the helpless cease to live; Follow who willI gowe yet have time Our souls to lighten of at least a crime." He climbs the crackling stairhe bursts the door, Nor feels his feet glow scorching with the floor; His breath choked gasping with the volumed smoke, But still from room to room his way he broke. They searchthey findthey save: with lusty arms Each bears a prize of unregarded charms; Calm their loud fears; sustain their sinking frames With all the care defenceless Beauty claims: So well could Conrad tame their fiercest mood, And check the very hands with gore imbrued. But who is she? whom Conrad's arms convey, From reeking pile and combat's wreck, away Who but the love of him he dooms to bleed? The Haram queenbut still the slave of Seyd! VI. Brief time had Conrad now to greet Gulnare,[218] Few words to reassure the trembling Fair; For in that pause Compassion snatched from War, The foe before retiring, fast and far, With wonder saw their footsteps unpursued, First slowlier fledthen ralliedthen withstood. This Seyd perceives, then first perceives how few, Compared with his, the Corsair's roving crew, And blushes o'er his error, as he eyes The ruin wrought by Panic and Surprise. Alla il Alla! Vengeance swells the cry Shame mounts to rage that must atone or die! And flame for flame and blood for blood must tell. The tide of triumph ebbs that flowed too well When Wrath returns to renovated strife, And those who fought for conquest strike for life. Conrad beheld the dangerhe beheld His followers faint by freshening foes repelled: "One effortoneto break the circling host!" They formunitechargewaverall is lost! Within a narrower ring compressed, beset, Hopeless, not heartless, strive and struggle yet Ah! now they fight in firmest file no more, Hemmed incut offcleft down and trampled o'er; But each strikes singlysilentlyand home, And sinks outwearied rather than o'ercome His last faint quittance rendering with his breath, Till the blade glimmers in the grasp of Death! VII. But first, ere came the rallying host to blows, And rank to rank, and hand to hand oppose, Gulnare and all her Haram handmaids freed, Safe in the dome of one who held their creed, By Conrad's mandate safely were bestowed, And dried those tears for life and fame that flowed: And when that dark-eyed lady, young Gulnare, Recalled those thoughts late wandering in despair, Much did she marvel o'er the courtesy That smoothed his accents, softened in his eye 'Twas strangethat robber thus with gore bedewed, Seemed gentler then than Seyd in fondest mood. The Pacha wooed as if he deemed the slave Must seem delighted with the heart he gave; The Corsair vowed protection, soothed affright, As if his homage were a Woman's right. "The wish is wrongnay, worse for femalevain: Yet much I long to view that Chief again; If but to thank for, what my fear forgot, The lifemy loving Lord remembered not!" VIII. And him she saw, where thickest carnage spread, But gathered breathing from the happier dead; Far from his band, and battling with a host That deem right dearly won the field he lost, Felledbleedingbaffled of the death he sought, And snatched to expiate all the ills he wrought; Preserved to linger and to live in vain, While Vengeance pondered o'er new plans of pain, And stanched the blood she saves to shed again But drop by drop, for Seyd's unglutted eye Would doom him ever dyingne'er to die! Can this be he? triumphant late she saw, When his red hand's wild gesture waved, a law! 'Tis he indeeddisarmed but undeprest, His sole regret the life he still possest; His wounds too slight, though taken with that will, Which would have kissed the hand that then could kill. Oh were there none, of all the many given, To send his soulhe scarcely asked to Heaven?[219] Must he alone of all retain his breath, Who more than all had striven and struck for death? He deeply feltwhat mortal hearts must feel, When thus reversed on faithless Fortune's wheel, For crimes committed, and the victor's threat Of lingering tortures to repay the debt He deeply, darkly felt; but evil Pride That led to perpetratenow serves to hide. Still in his stern and self-collected mien A conqueror's more than captive's air is seen, Though faint with wasting toil and stiffening wound, But few that sawso calmly gazed around: Though the far shouting of the distant crowd, Their tremors o'er, rose insolently loud, The better warriors who beheld him near, Insulted not the foe who taught them fear; And the grim guards that to his durance led, In silence eyed him with a secret dread IX. The Leech was sentbut not in mercythere, To note how much the life yet left could bear; He found enough to load with heaviest chain, And promise feeling for the wrench of Pain; To-morrowyeato-morrow's evening Sun Will, sinking, see Impalement's pangs begun, And rising with the wonted blush of morn Behold how well or ill those pangs are borne. Of torments this the longest and the worst, Which adds all other agony to thirst, That day by day Death still forbears to slake, While famished vultures flit around the stake. "Oh! waterwater!"smiling Hate denies The victim's prayer, for if he drinks he dies. This was his doom;the Leech, the guard, were gone, And left proud Conrad fettered and alone X. 'Twere vain to paint to what his feelings grew It even were doubtful if their victim knew. There is a war, a chaos of the mind,[220] When all its elements convulsed, combined Lie dark and jarring with perturb�d force, And gnashing with impenitent Remorse That juggling fiend, who never spake before, But cries "I warned thee!" when the deed is o'er. Vain voice! the spirit burning but unbent, May writherebelthe weak alone repent! Even in that lonely hour when most it feels, And, to itself, allall that self reveals, No single passion, and no ruling thought That leaves the rest, as once, unseen, unsought, But the wild prospect when the Soul reviews, All rushing through their thousand avenues Ambition's dreams expiring, Love's regret, Endangered Glory, Life itself beset; The joy untasted, the contempt or hate 'Gainst those who fain would triumph in our fate; The hopeless past, the hasting future driven Too quickly on to guess if Hell or Heaven; Deedsthoughtsand words, perhaps remembered not So keenly till that hour, but ne'er forgot; Things light or lovely in their acted time, But now to stern Reflection each a crime; The withering sense of Evil unrevealed, Not cankering less because the more concealed; All, in a word, from which all eyes must start, That opening sepulchre, the naked heart[221] Bares with its buried woestill Pride awake, To snatch the mirror from the soul, and break. Aye, Pride can veil, and Courage brave it all Allallbeforebeyondthe deadliest fall. Each hath some fear, and he who least betrays, The only hypocrite deserving praise: Not the loud recreant wretch who boasts and flies; But he who looks on Deathand silent dies: So, steeled by pondering o'er his far career, He half-way meets Him should He menace near! XI. In the high chamber of his highest tower Sate Conrad, fettered in the Pacha's power. His palace perished in the flamethis fort Contained at once his captive and his court. Not much could Conrad of his sentence blame, His foe, if vanquished, had but shared the same: Alone he satein solitude had scanned His guilty bosom, but that breast he manned: One thought alone he could notdared not meet "Oh, how these tidings will Medora greet?" Thenonly thenhis clanking hands he raised, And strained with rage the chain on which he gazed; But soon he found, or feigned, or dreamed relief, And smiled in self-derision of his grief, "And now come Torture when it will, or may More need of rest to nerve me for the day!" This said, with langour to his mat he crept, And, whatso'er his visions, quickly slept. 'Twas hardly midnight when that fray begun, For Conrad's plans matured, at once were done, And Havoc loathes so much the waste of time, She scarce had left an uncommitted crime. One hour beheld him since the tide he stemmed Disguiseddiscoveredconqueringta'encondemned A Chief on landan outlaw on the deep Destroyingsavingprisonedand asleep! XII. He slept in calmest seeming, for his breath[222] Was hushed so deepAh! happy if in death! He sleptWho o'er his placid slumber bends? His foes are goneand here he hath no friends; Is it some Seraph sent to grant him grace? No,'tis an earthly form with heavenly face! Its white arm raised a lampyet gently hid, Lest the ray flash abruptly on the lid Of that closed eye, which opens but to pain, And once unclosedbut once may close again. That form, with eye so dark, and cheek so fair, And auburn waves of gemmed and braided hair; With shape of fairy lightnessnaked foot, That shines like snow, and falls on earth as mute Through guards and dunnest night how came it there? Ah! rather ask what will not Woman dare? Whom Youth and Pity lead like thee, Gulnare! She could not sleepand while the Pacha's rest In muttering dreams yet saw his pirate-guest, She left his sidehis signet-ring she bore, Which oft in sport adorned her hand before And with it, scarcely questioned, won her way Through drowsy guards that must that sign obey. Worn out with toil, and tired with changing blows, Their eyes had envied Conrad his repose; And chill and nodding at the turret door, They stretch their listless limbs, and watch no more; Just raised their heads to hail the signet-ring, Nor ask or what or who the sign may bring. XIII. She gazed in wonder, "Can he calmly sleep, While other eyes his fall or ravage weep? And mine in restlessness are wandering here What sudden spell hath made this man so dear? True'tis to him my life, and more, I owe, And me and mine he spared from worse than woe: 'Tis late to thinkbut softhis slumber breaks How heavily he sighs!he startsawakes!" He raised his head, and dazzled with the light, His eye seemed dubious if it saw aright: He moved his handthe grating of his chain Too harshly told him that he lived again. "What is that form? if not a shape of air, Methinks, my jailor's face shows wondrous fair!" "Pirate! thou know'st me not, but I am one, Grateful for deeds thou hast too rarely done; Look on meand remember her, thy hand Snatched from the flames, and thy more fearful band. I come through darknessand I scarce know why Yet not to hurtI would not see thee die." "If so, kind lady! thine the only eye That would not here in that gay hope delight: Theirs is the chanceand let them use their right. But still I thank their courtesy or thine, That would confess me at so fair a shrine!" Strange though it seemyet with extremest grief Is linked a mirthit doth not bring relief That playfulness of Sorrow ne'er beguiles, And smiles in bitternessbut still it smiles; And sometimes with the wisest and the best, Till even the scaffold[223] echoes with their jest! Yet not the joy to which it seems akin It may deceive all hearts, save that within. Whate'er it was that flashed on Conrad, now A laughing wildness half unbent his brow: And these his accents had a sound of mirth, As if the last he could enjoy on earth; Yet 'gainst his naturefor through that short life, Few thoughts had he to spare from gloom and strife. XIV. "Corsair! thy doom is namedbut I have power To soothe the Pacha in his weaker hour. Thee would I sparenay morewould save thee now, But thisTimeHopenor even thy strength allow; But all I can,I willat least delay The sentence that remits thee scarce a day. More now were ruineven thyself were loth The vain attempt should bring but doom to both." "Yes!loth indeed:my soul is nerved to all, Or fall'n too low to fear a further fall: Tempt not thyself with perilme with hope Of flight from foes with whom I could not cope: Unfit to vanquishshall I meanly fly, The one of all my band that would not die? Yet there is oneto whom my Memory clings, Till to these eyes her own wild softness springs. My sole resources in the path I trod Were thesemy barkmy swordmy lovemy God! The last I left in youth!He leaves me now And Man but works his will to lay me low. I have no thought to mock his throne with prayer Wrung from the coward crouching of Despair; It is enoughI breatheand I can bear. My sword is shaken from the worthless hand That might have better kept so true a brand; My bark is sunk or captivebut my Love For her in sooth my voice would mount above: Oh! she is all that still to earth can bind And this will break a heart so more than kind, And blight a formtill thine appeared, Gulnare! Mine eye ne'er asked if others were as fair." "Thou lov'st another then?but what to me Is this'tis nothingnothing e'er can be: But yetthou lov'standOh! I envy those Whose hearts on hearts as faithful can repose, Who never feel the voidthe wandering thought That sighs o'er visionssuch as mine hath wrought." "Ladymethought thy love was his, for whom This arm redeemed thee from a fiery tomb." "My love stern Seyd's! OhNoNonot my love Yet much this heart, that strives no more, once strove To meet his passionbut it would not be. I feltI feelLove dwells withwith the free. I am a slave, a favoured slave at best, To share his splendour, and seem very blest! Oft must my soul the question undergo, Of'Dost thou love?' and burn to answer, 'No!' Oh! hard it is that fondness to sustain, And struggle not to feel averse in vain; But harder still the heart's recoil to bear, And hide from oneperhaps another there. He takes the hand I give notnor withhold Its pulse nor checkednor quickenedcalmly cold: And when resigned, it drops a lifeless weight From one I never loved enough to hate. 1120 No warmth these lips return by his imprest, And chilled Remembrance shudders o'er the rest. Yeshad I ever proved that Passion's zeal, The change to hatred were at least to feel: But stillhe goes unmournedreturns unsought And oft when presentabsent from my thought. Or when Reflection comesand come it must I fear that henceforth 'twill but bring disgust; I am his slavebut, in despite of pride, 'Twere worse than bondage to become his bride. Oh! that this dotage of his breast would cease! Or seek another and give mine release, But yesterdayI could have said, to peace! Yes, if unwonted fondness now I feign,[hv] RememberCaptive! 'tis to break thy chain; Repay the life that to thy hand I owe; To give thee back to all endeared below, Who share such love as I can never know. FarewellMorn breaksand I must now away: 'Twill cost me dearbut dread no death to-day!" XV. She pressed his fettered fingers to her heart, And bowed her head, and turned her to depart, And noiseless as a lovely dream is gone. And was she here? and is he now alone? What gem hath dropped and sparkles o'er his chain? The tear most sacred, shed for others' pain, That starts at oncebrightpurefrom Pity's mine, Already polished by the hand divine! Oh! too convincingdangerously dear In Woman's eye the unanswerable tear! That weapon of her weakness she can wield, To save, subdueat once her spear and shield: Avoid itVirtue ebbs and Wisdom errs, Too fondly gazing on that grief of hers! What lost a world, and bade a hero fly? The timid tear in Cleopatra's eye. Yet be the soft Triumvir's fault forgiven; By thishow many lose not earthbut Heaven! Consign their souls to Man's eternal foe, And seal their own to spare some Wanton's woe! XVI. 'Tis Mornand o'er his altered features play The beamswithout the Hope of yesterday. What shall he be ere night? perchance a thing O'er which the raven flaps her funeral wing, By his closed eye unheeded and unfelt; While sets that Sun, and dews of Evening melt, Chill, wet, and misty round each stiffened limb, Refreshing earthreviving all but him! CANTO THE THIRD swash "Come vediancor non m'abbandona." Dante, Inferno, v. 105. I. Slow sinks, more lovely ere his race be run,[224] Along Morea's hills the setting Sun; Not, as in Northern climes, obscurely bright, But one unclouded blaze of living light! O'er the hushed deep the yellow beam he throws, Gilds the green wave, that trembles as it glows. On old �gina's rock, and Idra's isle,[225] The God of gladness sheds his parting smile; O'er his own regions lingering, loves to shine, Though there his altars are no more divine. Descending fast the mountain shadows kiss Thy glorious gulf, unconquered Salamis! Their azure arches through the long expanse More deeply purpled met his mellowing glance, And tenderest tints, along their summits driven, Mark his gay course, and own the hues of Heaven; Till, darkly shaded from the land and deep, Behind his Delphian cliff he sinks to sleep. On such an eve, his palest beam he cast, WhenAthens! here thy Wisest looked his last. How watched thy better sons his farewell ray, That closed their murdered Sage's[226] latest day! Not yetnot yetSol pauses on the hill The precious hour of parting lingers still; But sad his light to agonising eyes, And dark the mountain's once delightful dyes: Gloom o'er the lovely land he seemed to pour, The land, where Phoebus never frowned before: But ere he sunk below Cith�ron's head, The cup of woe was quaffedthe Spirit fled; The Soul of him who scorned to fear or fly Who lived and died, as none can live or die! But lo! from high Hymettus to the plain, The Queen of night asserts her silent reign.[227] No murky vapour, herald of the storm, Hides her fair face, nor girds her glowing form; With cornice glimmering as the moon-beams play, There the white column greets her grateful ray, And bright around with quivering beams beset, Her emblem sparkles o'er the Minaret: The groves of olive scattered dark and wide Where meek Cephisus pours his scanty tide; The cypress saddening by the sacred Mosque, The gleaming turret of the gay Kiosk;[228] And, dun and sombre 'mid the holy calm, Near Theseus' fane yon solitary palm, All tinged with varied hues arrest the eye And dull were his that passed him heedless by. Again the �gean, heard no more afar, Lulls his chafed breast from elemental war; Again his waves in milder tints unfold Their long array of sapphire and of gold, Mixed with the shades of many a distant isle, That frownwhere gentler Ocean seems to smile. II. Not now my themewhy turn my thoughts to thee? Oh! who can look along thy native sea, Nor dwell upon thy name, whate'er the tale, So much its magic must o'er all prevail? Who that beheld that Sun upon thee set, Fair Athens! could thine evening face forget? Not hewhose heart nor time nor distance frees, Spell-bound within the clustering Cyclades! Nor seems this homage foreign to its strain, His Corsair's isle was once thine own domain Would that with freedom it were thine again III. The Sun hath sunkand, darker than the night, Sinks with its beam upon the beacon height Medora's heartthe third day's come and gone With it he comes notsends notfaithless one! The wind was fair though light! and storms were none. Last eve Anselmo's bark returned, and yet His only tidings that they had not met! Though wild, as now, far different were the tale Had Conrad waited for that single sail. The night-breeze freshensshe that day had passed In watching all that Hope proclaimed a mast; Sadly she sate on highImpatience bore At last her footsteps to the midnight shore, And there she wandered, heedless of the spray That dashed her garments oft, and warned away: She saw not, felt not thisnor dared depart, Nor deemed it coldher chill was at her heart; Till grew such certainty from that suspense His very Sight had shocked from life or sense! It came at lasta sad and shattered boat, Whose inmates first beheld whom first they sought; Some bleedingall most wretchedthese the few Scarce knew they how escapedthis all they knew. In silence, darkling, each appeared to wait His fellow's mournful guess at Conrad's fate: Something they would have said; but seemed to fear To trust their accents to Medora's ear. She saw at once, yet sunk nottrembled not Beneath that grief, that loneliness of lot, Within that meek fair form, were feelings high, That deemed not till they found their energy. While yet was Hope they softened, fluttered, wept All lostthat Softness died notbut it slept; And o'er its slumber rose that Strength which said, "With nothing left to love, there's nought to dread." 'Tis more than Nature'slike the burning might Delirium gathers from the fever's height. "Silent you standnor would I hear you tell Whatspeak notbreathe notfor I know it well Yet would I askalmost my lip denies Thequick your answertell me where he lies." "Lady! we know notscarce with life we fled; But here is one denies that he is dead: He saw him bound; and bleedingbut alive." She heard no further'twas in vain to strive So throbbed each veineach thoughttill then withstood; Her own dark soulthese words at once subdued: She tottersfallsand senseless had the wave Perchance but snatched her from another grave; But that with hands though rude, yet weeping eyes, They yield such aid as Pity's haste supplies:[hw] Dash o'er her deathlike cheek the ocean dew, Raise, fan, sustaintill life returns anew; Awake her handmaids, with the matrons leave That fainting form o'er which they gaze and grieve; Then seek Anselmo's cavern, to report The tale too tediouswhen the triumph short. IV. In that wild council words waxed warm and strange,[hx] With thoughts of ransom, rescue, and revenge; All, save repose or flight: still lingering there Breathed Conrad's spirit, and forbade despair; Whate'er his fatethe breasts he formed and led Will save him living, or appease him dead. Woe to his foes! there yet survive a few, Whose deeds are daring, as their hearts are true. V. Within the Haram's secret chamber sate[230] Stern Seyd, still pondering o'er his Captive's fate; His thoughts on love and hate alternate dwell, Now with Gulnare, and now in Conrad's cell; Here at his feet the lovely slave reclined Surveys his browwould soothe his gloom of mind; While many an anxious glance her large dark eye Sends in its idle search for sympathy, His only bends in seeming o'er his beads,[231] But inly views his victim as he bleeds.[276] "Pacha! the day is thine; and on thy crest Sits TriumphConrad takenfall'n the rest! 1310 His doom is fixedhe dies; and well his fate Was earnedyet much too worthless for thy hate: Methinks, a short release, for ransom told[hy] With all his treasure, not unwisely sold; Report speaks largely of his pirate-hoard Would that of this my Pacha were the lord! While baffled, weakened by this fatal fray Watchedfollowedhe were then an easier prey; But once cut offthe remnant of his band Embark their wealth, and seek a safer strand." 1320 "Gulnare!if for each drop of blood a gem Where offered rich as Stamboul's diadem; If for each hair of his a massy mine Of virgin ore should supplicating shine; If all our Arab tales divulge or dream Of wealth were herethat gold should not redeem! It had not now redeemed a single hour, But that I know him fettered, in my power; And, thirsting for revenge, I ponder still On pangs that longest rackand latest kill." 1330 "Nay, Seyd! I seek not to restrain thy rage, Too justly moved for Mercy to assuage; My thoughts were only to secure for thee His richesthus released, he were not free: Disabledshorn of half his might and band, His capture could but wait thy first command."[277] "His capture could!and shall I then resign One day to himthe wretch already mine? Release my foe!at whose remonstrance?thine! Fair suitor!to thy virtuous gratitude, 1340 That thus repays this Giaour's relenting mood, Which thee and thine alone of all could spare No doubt, regardlessif the prize were fair My thanks and praise alike are duenow hear! I have a counsel for thy gentler ear: I do mistrust thee, Woman! and each word Of thine stamps truth on all Suspicion heard.[hz] Borne in his arms through fire from yon Serai Say, wert thou lingering there with him to fly? Thou need'st not answerthy confession speaks, 1350 Already reddening on thy guilty cheeks: Thenlovely Damebethink thee! and beware: 'Tis not his life alone may claim such care! Another word andnayI need no more. Accursed was the moment when he bore Thee from the flames, which better farbut no I then had mourned thee with a lover's woe Now 'tis thy lord that warnsdeceitful thing! Know'st thou that I can clip thy wanton wing? In words alone I am not wont to chafe: 1360 Look to thyselfnor deem thy falsehood safe!" He roseand slowly, sternly thence withdrew, Rage in his eye, and threats in his adieu: Ah! little recked that Chief of womanhood Which frowns ne'er quelled, nor menaces subdued; And little deemed he what thy heart, Gulnare! When soft could feeland when incensed could dare![278] His doubts appeared to wrongnor yet she knew How deep the root from whence Compassion grew She was a slavefrom such may captives claim 1370 A fellow-feeling, differing but in name; Still half unconsciousheedless of his wrath, Again she ventured on the dangerous path, Again his rage repelleduntil arose That strife of thought, the source of Woman's woes! VI. Meanwhilelonganxiouswearystill the same Rolled day and night: his soul could Terror tame This fearful interval of doubt and dread, When every hour might doom him worse than dead;[ia] When every step that echoed by the gate, Might entering lead where axe and stake await; When every voice that grated on his ear Might be the last that he could ever hear; Could Terror tamethat Spirit stern and high Had proved unwilling as unfit to die; 'Twas wornperhaps decayedyet silent bore That conflict, deadlier far than all before: The heat of fight, the hurry of the gale, Leave scarce one thought inert enough to quail: But bound and fixed in fettered solitude, To pine, the prey of every changing mood To gaze on thine own heartand meditate Irrevocable faults, and coming fate Too late the last to shunthe first to mend To count the hours that struggle to thine end, With not a friend to animate and tell To other ears that Death became thee well; Around thee foes to forge the ready lie, And blot Life's latest scene with calumny; Before thee tortures, which the Soul can dare, Yet doubts how well the shrinking flesh may bear; But deeply feels a single cry would shame, To Valour's praise thy last and dearest claim; The life thou leav'st below, denied above By kind monopolists of heavenly love; And more than doubtful Paradisethy Heaven Of earthly hopethy loved one from thee riven. Such were the thoughts that outlaw must sustain, And govern pangs surpassing mortal pain: And those sustained heboots it well or ill? Since not to sink beneath, is something still! VII. The first day passedhe saw not herGulnare The second, thirdand still she came not there; But what her words avouched, her charms had done, Or else he had not seen another Sun. The fourth day rolled along, and with the night Came storm and darkness in their mingling might. Oh! how he listened to the rushing deep, That ne'er till now so broke upon his sleep; And his wild Spirit wilder wishes sent, Roused by the roar of his own element! Oft had he ridden on that wing�d wave, And loved its roughness for the speed it gave; And now its dashing echoed on his ear, A long known voicealas! too vainly near! Loud sung the wind above; and, doubly loud, Shook o'er his turret cell the thunder-cloud;[232] And flashed the lightning by the latticed bar, To him more genial than the Midnight Star: Close to the glimmering grate he dragged his chain, And hoped that peril might not prove in vain. He rais'd his iron hand to Heaven, and prayed One pitying flash to mar the form it made: His steel and impious prayer attract alike The storm rolled onward, and disdained to strike; Its peal waxed fainterceasedhe felt alone, As if some faithless friend had spurned his groan VIII. The midnight passed, and to the massy door A light step cameit pausedit moved once more; Slow turns the grating bolt and sullen key: 'Tis as his heart forebodedthat fair She! Whate'er her sins, to him a Guardian Saint, And beauteous still as hermit's hope can paint; Yet changed since last within that cell she came, More pale her cheek, more tremulous her frame: On him she cast her dark and hurried eye, Which spoke before her accents"Thou must die! Yes, thou must diethere is but one resource, The lastthe worstif torture were not worse." "Lady! I look to none; my lips proclaim What last proclaimed theyConrad still the same: Why should'st thou seek an outlaw's life to spare, And change the sentence I deserve to bear? Well have I earnednor here alonethe meed Of Seyd's revenge, by many a lawless deed." "Why should I seek? becauseOh! did'st thou not Redeem my life from worse than Slavery's lot? Why should I seek?hath Misery made thee blind To the fond workings of a woman's mind? And must I say?albeit my heart rebel 1460 With all that Woman feels, but should not tell Becausedespite thy crimesthat heart is moved: It feared theethanked theepitiedmaddenedloved. Reply not, tell not now thy tale again, Thou lov'st anotherand I love in vain: Though fond as mine her bosom, form more fair, I rush through peril which she would not dare.[282] If that thy heart to hers were truly dear, Were I thine ownthou wert not lonely here: An outlaw's spouseand leave her Lord to roam! What hath such gentle dame to do with home? But speak not nowo'er thine and o'er my head Hangs the keen sabre by a single thread;[ib] If thou hast courage still, and would'st be free, Receive this poniardrise and follow me!" "Ayein my chains! my steps will gently tread, With these adornments, o'er such slumbering head! Thou hast forgotis this a garb for flight? Or is that instrument more fit for fight?" "Misdoubting Corsair! I have gained the guard, Ripe for revolt, and greedy for reward. A single word of mine removes that chain: Without some aid how here could I remain? Well, since we met, hath sped my busy time, If in aught evil, for thy sake the crime: The crime'tis none to punish those of Seyd. That hatred tyrant, Conradhe must bleed! I see thee shudder, but my soul is changed Wrongedspurnedreviledand it shall be avenged Accused of what till now my heart disdained Too faithful, though to bitter bondage chained. Yes, smile!but he had little cause to sneer, I was not treacherous then, nor thou too dear: But he has said itand the jealous well, Those tyrantsteasingtempting to rebel, Deserve the fate their fretting lips foretell. I never lovedhe bought mesomewhat high Since with me came a heart he could not buy. I was a slave unmurmuring; he hath said, But for his rescue I with thee had fled. 'Twas false thou know'stbut let such Augurs rue, Their words are omens Insult renders true. Nor was thy respite granted to my prayer; This fleeting grace was only to prepare New torments for thy life, and my despair. Mine too he threatens; but his dotage still Would fain reserve me for his lordly will: When wearier of these fleeting charms and me, There yawns the sackand yonder rolls the sea! What, am I then a toy for dotard's play, 1510 To wear but till the gilding frets away? I saw theeloved theeowe thee allwould save, If but to show how grateful is a slave. But had he not thus menaced fame and life, And well he keeps his oaths pronounced in strife I still had saved theebut the Pacha spared: Now I am all thine ownfor all prepared: Thou lov'st me notnor know'stor but the worst. Alas! this lovethat hatredare the first Oh! could'st thou prove my truth, thou would'st not start, Nor fear the fire that lights an Eastern heart; 'Tis now the beacon of thy safetynow It points within the port a Mainote prow: But in one chamber, where our path must lead, There sleepshe must not wakethe oppressor Seyd!" "GulnareGulnareI never felt till now My abject fortune, withered fame so low: Seyd is mine enemy; had swept my band From earth with ruthless but with open hand, And therefore came I, in my bark of war, To smite the smiter with the scimitar; Such is my weaponnot the secret knife; Who spares a Woman's seeks not Slumber's life. Thine saved I gladly, Ladynot for this; Let me not deem that mercy shown amiss. Now fare thee wellmore peace be with thy breast! Night wears apace, my last of earthly rest!"[ic] "Rest! rest! by sunrise must thy sinews shake, And thy limbs writhe around the ready stake, I heard the ordersawI will not see If thou wilt perish, I will fall with thee. My lifemy lovemy hatredall below Are on this castCorsair! 'tis but a blow! Without it flight were idlehow evade His sure pursuit?my wrongs too unrepaid, My youth disgracedthe long, long wasted years, One blow shall cancel with our future fears; But since the dagger suits thee less than brand, I'll try the firmness of a female hand. The guards are gainedone moment all were o'er Corsair! we meet in safety or no more; If errs my feeble hand, the morning cloud Will hover o'er thy scaffold, and my shroud." IX. She turned, and vanished ere he could reply, But his glance followed far with eager eye; And gathering, as he could, the links that bound His form, to curl their length, and curb their sound, Since bar and bolt no more his steps preclude, He, fast as fettered limbs allow, pursued. 'Twas dark and winding, and he knew not where That passage led; nor lamp nor guard was there: He sees a dusky glimmeringshall he seek Or shun that ray so indistinct and weak? Chance guides his stepsa freshness seems to bear Full on his brow as if from morning air; He reached an open galleryon his eye Gleamed the last star of night, the clearing sky: Yet scarcely heeded theseanother light From a lone chamber struck upon his sight. Towards it he moved; a scarcely closing door Revealed the ray within, but nothing more. With hasty step a figure outward passed, Then paused, and turnedand paused'tis She at last! No poniard in that hand, nor sign of ill "Thanks to that softening heartshe could not kill!" Again he looked, the wildness of her eye Starts from the day abrupt and fearfully. She stoppedthrew back her dark far-floating hair, That nearly veiled her face and bosom fair, As if she late had bent her leaning head Above some object of her doubt or dread. They meetupon her browunknownforgot Her hurrying hand had left'twas but a spot Its hue was all he saw, and scarce withstood Oh! slight but certain pledge of crime'tis Blood X. He had seen battlehe had brooded lone O'er promised pangs to sentenced Guilt foreshown; He had been temptedchastenedand the chain Yet on his arms might ever there remain: But ne'er from strifecaptivityremorse From all his feelings in their inmost force[286] So thrilled, so shuddered every creeping vein, As now they froze before that purple stain. That spot of blood, that light but guilty streak, Had banished all the beauty from her cheek! Blood he had viewedcould view unmovedbut then It flowed in combat, or was shed by men![id] XI. "'Tis donehe nearly wakedbut it is done. Corsair! he perishedthou art dearly won. All words would now be vainawayaway! Our bark is tossing'tis already day. The few gained over, now are wholly mine, And these thy yet surviving band shall join: Anon my voice shall vindicate my hand, When once our sail forsakes this hated strand." XII. She clapped her hands, and through the gallery pour, Equipped for flight, her vassalsGreek and Moor; Silent but quick they stoop, his chains unbind; Once more his limbs are free as mountain wind! But on his heavy heart such sadness sate, As if they there transferred that iron weight. No words are utteredat her sign, a door Reveals the secret passage to the shore; The city lies behindthey speed, they reach The glad waves dancing on the yellow beach; And Conrad following, at her beck, obeyed, Nor cared he now if rescued or betrayed; Resistance were as useless as if Seyd Yet lived to view the doom his ire decreed XIII. Embarkedthe sail unfurledthe light breeze blew How much had Conrad's memory to review![ie] Sunk he in contemplation, till the Cape Where last he anchored reared its giant shape. Ah!since that fatal night, though brief the time, Had swept an age of terror, grief, and crime. As its far shadow frowned above the mast, He veiled his face, and sorrowed as he passed; He thought of allGonsalvo and his band, His fleeting triumph and his failing hand; He thought on her afar, his lonely bride: He turned and sawGulnare, the Homicide! XIV. She watched his features till she could not bear Their freezing aspect and averted air; And that strange fierceness foreign to her eye Fell quenched in tears, too late to shed or dry.[if] She knelt beside him and his hand she pressed, "Thou may'st forgive though Allah's self detest; But for that deed of darkness what wert thou? Reproach mebut not yetOh! spare me now! I am not what I seemthis fearful night My brain bewildereddo not madden quite! If I had never lovedthough less my guilt Thou hadst not lived tohate meif thou wilt." XV. She wrongs his thoughtsthey more himself upbraid Than herthough undesignedthe wretch he made; But speechless all, deep, dark, and unexprest, They bleed within that silent cellhis breast. Still onward, fair the breeze, nor rough the surge, The blue waves sport around the stern they urge; Far on the Horizon's verge appears a speck, A spota masta sailan arm�d deck! Their little bark her men of watch descry, And ampler canvass woos the wind from high; She bears her down majestically near, Speed on her prow, and terror in her tier;[ig][233] A flash is seenthe ball beyond her bow Booms harmless, hissing to the deep below. Up rose keen Conrad from his silent trance, A long, long absent gladness in his glance; "'Tis minemy blood-rag flag! againagain I am not all deserted on the main!" They own the signal, answer to the hail, Hoist out the boat at once, and slacken sail. "'Tis Conrad! Conrad!" shouting from the deck, Command nor Duty could their transport check! With light alacrity and gaze of Pride, They view him mount once more his vessel's side; A smile relaxing in each rugged face, Their arms can scarce forbear a rough embrace. He, half forgetting danger and defeat, Returns their greeting as a Chief may greet, Wrings with a cordial grasp Anselmo's hand, And feels he yet can conquer and command! XVI. These greetings o'er, the feelings that o'erflow, Yet grieve to win him back without a blow; They sailed prepared for vengeancehad they known A woman's hand secured that deed her own, She were their Queenless scrupulous are they Than haughty Conrad how they win their way. With many an asking smile, and wondering stare, They whisper round, and gaze upon Gulnare; And her, at once abovebeneath her sex, Whom blood appalled not, their regards perplex.[ih] To Conrad turns her faint imploring eye, She drops her veil, and stands in silence by; Her arms are meekly folded on that breast, WhichConrad safeto Fate resigned the rest. Though worse than frenzy could that bosom fill, Extreme in love or hate, in good or ill, The worst of crimes had left her Woman still! XVII. This Conrad marked, and feltah! could he less? Hate of that deedbut grief for her distress; What she has done no tears can wash away, And Heaven must punish on its angry day: Butit was done: he knew, whate'er her guilt, For him that poniard smote, that blood was spilt; And he was free!and she for him had given Her all on earth, and more than all in heaven![234] And now he turned him to that dark-eyed slave Whose brow was bowed beneath the glance he gave, Who now seemed changed and humbled, faint and meek, But varying oft the colour of her cheek To deeper shades of palenessall its red That fearful spot which stained it from the dead! He took that handit tremblednow too late So soft in loveso wildly nerved in hate; He clasped that handit trembledand his own Had lost its firmness, and his voice its tone. "Gulnare!"but she replied not"dear Gulnare!"[ii] She raised her eyeher only answer there At once she sought and sunk in his embrace: If he had driven her from that resting-place, His had been more or less than mortal heart, Butgood or illit bade her not depart. Perchance, but for the bodings of his breast, His latest virtue then had joined the rest. Yet even Medora might forgive the kiss[ij] That asked from form so fair no more than this, The first, the last that Frailty stole from Faith To lips where Love had lavished all his breath, To lipswhose broken sighs such fragrance fling, As he had fanned them freshly with his wing![ik] XVIII. They gain by twilight's hour their lonely isle. To them the very rocks appear to smile; The haven hums with many a cheering sound, The beacons blaze their wonted stations round, The boats are darting o'er the curly bay, And sportive Dolphins bend them through the spray; Even the hoarse sea-bird's shrill, discordant shriek, Greets like the welcome of his tuneless beak! 1730 Beneath each lamp that through its lattice gleams, Their fancy paints the friends that trim the beams. Oh! what can sanctify the joys of home, Like Hope's gay glance from Ocean's troubled foam?[ill] XIX. The lights are high on beacon and from bower, And 'midst them Conrad seeks Medora's tower: He looks in vain'tis strangeand all remark, Amid so many, hers alone is dark. 'Tis strangeof yore its welcome never failed, Nor now, perchance, extinguishedonly veiled. With the first boat descends he for the shore, And looks impatient on the lingering oar. Oh! for a wing beyond the falcon's flight, To bear him like an arrow to that height! With the first pause the resting rowers gave, He waits notlooks notleaps into the wave, Strives through the surge, bestrides the beach, and high Ascends the path familiar to his eye. He reached his turret doorhe pausedno sound Broke from within; and all was night around. He knocked, and loudlyfootstep nor reply Announced that any heard or deemed him nigh: He knocked, but faintlyfor his trembling hand Refused to aid his heavy heart's demand. The portal opens'tis a well known face But not the form he panted to embrace. Its lips are silenttwice his own essayed, And failed to frame the question they delayed; He snatched the lampits light will answer all It quits his grasp, expiring in the fall. He would not wait for that reviving ray As soon could he have lingered there for day; But, glimmering through the dusky corridor, Another chequers o'er the shadowed floor; His steps the chamber gainhis eyes behold All that his heart believed notyet foretold! XX. He turned notspoke notsunk notfixed his look, And set the anxious frame that lately shook: He gazedhow long we gaze despite of pain, And know, but dare not own, we gaze in vain! In life itself she was so still and fair, That Death with gentler aspect withered there; And the cold flowers[235] her colder hand contained, In that last grasp as tenderly were strained As if she scarcely felt, but feigned a sleep And made it almost mockery yet to weep: The long dark lashes fringed her lids of snow, And veiledThought shrinks from all that lurked belowOh! o'er the eye Death most exerts his might,[236] And hurls the Spirit from her throne of light; Sinks those blue orbs in that long last eclipse, But spares, as yet, the charm around her lips Yet, yet they seem as they forebore to smile, And wished repose,but only for a while; But the white shroud, and each extended tress, Long, fairbut spread in utter lifelessness, Which, late the sport of every summer wind, Escaped the baffled wreath that strove to bind;[im] Theseand the pale pure cheek, became the bier But She is nothingwherefore is he here? XXI. He asked no questionall were answered now By the first glance on that still, marble brow.[in] It was enoughshe diedwhat recked it how? The love of youth, the hope of better years, The source of softest wishes, tenderest fears, The only living thing he could not hate, Was reft at onceand he deserved his fate, But did not feel it less;the Good explore, For peace, those realms where Guilt can never soar: The proud, the waywardwho have fixed below Their joy, and find this earth enough for woe, Lose in that one their allperchance a mite But who in patience parts with all delight? Full many a stoic eye and aspect stern Mask hearts where Grief hath little left to learn; And many a withering thought lies hid, not lost, In smiles that least befit who wear them most. XXII. By those, that deepest feel, is ill exprest The indistinctness of the suffering breast; Where thousand thoughts begin to end in one, 1810 Which seeks from all the refuge found in none; No words suffice the secret soul to show, For Truth denies all eloquence to Woe. On Conrad's stricken soul Exhaustion prest, And Stupor almost lulled it into rest; So feeble nowhis mother's softness crept To those wild eyes, which like an infant's wept: It was the very weakness of his brain, Which thus confessed without relieving pain. None saw his trickling tearsperchance, if seen, That useless flood of grief had never been: Nor long they flowedhe dried them to depart, In helplesshopelessbrokenness of heart: The Sun goes forth, but Conrad's day is dim: And the night comethne'er to pass from him.[io] There is no darkness like the cloud of mind, On Grief's vain eyethe blindest of the blind! Which may notdare not seebut turns aside To blackest shadenor will endure a guide! XXIII.[237] His heart was formed for softnesswarped to wrong, Betrayed too early, and beguiled too long; Each feeling pureas falls the dropping dew Within the grotlike that had hardened too; Less clear, perchance, its earthly trials passed, But sunk, and chilled, and petrified at last.[238] Yet tempests wear, and lightning cleaves the rock; If such his heart, so shattered it the shock. There grew one flower beneath its rugged brow, Though dark the shadeit shelteredsaved till now. The thunder camethat bolt hath blasted both, The Granite's firmness, and the Lily's growth: The gentle plant hath left no leaf to tell Its tale, but shrunk and withered where it fell; And of its cold protector, blacken round But shivered fragments on the barren ground! XXIV. 'Tis mornto venture on his lonely hour Few dare; though now Anselmo sought his tower. He was not there, nor seen along the shore; Ere night, alarmed, their isle is traversed o'er: Another mornanother bids them seek, And shout his name till Echo waxeth weak; Mountgrottocavernvalley searched in vain, They find on shore a sea-boat's broken chain: Their hope revivesthey follow o'er the main. 'Tis idle allmoons roll on moons away, And Conrad comes not, came not since that day: Nor trace nor tidings of his doom declare Where lives his grief, or perished his despair! Long mourned his band whom none could mourn beside; And fair the monument they gave his Bride: For him they raise not the recording stone His death yet dubious, deeds too widely known; He left a Corsair's name to other times, Linked with one virtue, and a thousand crimes.[239] Footnotes [194] {223} [This political allusion having been objected to by a friend, Byron composed a second dedication, which he sent to Moore, with a request that he would "take his choice." Moore chose the original dedication, which was accordingly prefixed to the First Edition. The alternative ran as follows: "January 7th, 1814. My dear Moore, I had written to you a long letter of dedication, which I suppress, because, though it contained something relating to you, which every one had been glad to hear, yet there was too much about politics and poesy, and all things whatsoever, ending with that topic on which most men are fluent, and none very amusing,one's self. It might have been re-written; but to what purpose? My praise could add nothing to your well-earned and firmly established fame; and with my most hearty admiration of your talents, and delight in your conversation, you are already acquainted. In availing myself of your friendly permission to inscribe this poem to you, I can only wish the offering were as worthy your acceptance, as your regard is dear to Yours, most affectionately and faithfully, Byron."] [195] {224} [After the words, "Scott alone," Byron had inserted, in a parenthesis, "He will excuse the 'Mr.'we do not say Mr. C�sar."] [196] {225} ["It is difficult to say whether we are to receive this passage as an admission or a denial of the opinion to which it refers; but Lord Byron certainly did the public injustice, if he supposed it imputed to him the criminal actions with which many of his heroes were stained. Men no more expected to meet in Lord Byron the Corsair, who 'knew himself a villain,' than they looked for the hypocrisy of Kehama on the shores of the Derwent Water; yet even in the features of Conrad, those who had looked on Lord Byron will recognize the likeness "'To the sight No giant frame sets forth his common height; Sun-burnt his cheek, his forehead high and pale The sable curls in wild profusion veil....'" Canto I. stanza ix. Sir Walter Scott, Quart. Rev., No. xxxi. October, 1816.] [197] {227} The time in this poem may seem too short for the occurrences, but the whole of the �gean isles are within a few hours' sail of the continent, and the reader must be kind enough to take the wind as I have often found it. [198] [Compare"Survey the region, and confess her home." Windsor Forest, by A. Pope, line 256.] [hk] {228} Protract to age his painful doting day.[MS. erased.] [hl] {230} Her nationflaghow tells the telescope.[MS.] [199] [Compare The Isle of Palms, by John Wilson, Canto I. (1812, p. 8) "She sailed amid the loveliness Like a thing with heart and mind."] [hm] {231} Till creaks her keel upon the shallow sand.[MS.] [hn] {234} The haughtier thought his bosom ill conceals.[MS.] [ho] He had the skill when prying souls would seek, To watch his words and trace his pensive cheek.[MS.] His was the skill when prying, etc.[Revise.] [200] {235} That Conrad is a character not altogether out of nature, I shall attempt to prove by some historical coincidences which I have met with since writing The Corsair. "Eccelin, prisonnier," dit Rolandini, "s'enfermoit dans un silence mena�ant; il fixoit sur la terre son visage f�roce, et ne donnoit point d'essor � sa profonde indignation. De toutes partes cependant les soldats et les peuples accouroient; ils vouloient voir cet homme, jadis si puissant ... et la joie universelle �clatoit de toutes partes.... Eccelino �toit d'une petite taille; mais tout l'aspect de sa personne, tous ses mouvemens, indiquoient un soldat. Son langage �toit amer, son d�portement superbe, et par son seul regard, il faisoit trembler les plus hardis."Simonde de Sismondi, Histoire des R�publiques Italiennes du Moyen Age, 1809, iii. 219. Again, "Gizericus [Genseric, king of the Vandals, the conqueror of both Carthage and Rome] ... statur� mediocris, et equi casu claudicans, animo profundus, sermone ratus, luxuri� contemptor, ir� turbidus, habendi cupidus, ad sollicitandas gentes providentissimus," etc., etc.Jornandes, De Getarum Origine ("De Rebus Geticis"), cap. 33, ed. 1597, p. 92. I beg leave to quote those gloomy realities to keep in countenance my Giaour and Corsair.[Added to the Ninth Edition.] [201] [Stanza x. was an after-thought. It is included in a sixth revise, in which lines 244-246 have been erased, and the present reading superscribed. A seventh revise gives the text as above.] [hp] {236} Released but to convulse or freeze or glow! Fire in the veins, or damps upon the brow.[MS.] [hq] Behold his soul once seen not soon forgot! All that there burns its hour awaybut sears The scathed Remembrance of long coming years.[MS.] [202] {237} [Lines 277-280 are not in the MS. They were inserted on a detached printed sheet, with a view to publication in the Seventh Edition.] [hr] {238} Not Guilt itself could quench this earliest one.[MS. erased.] [hs] {239} Now to Francesca.[MS.] Now to Ginevra.[Revise of January 6, 1814.] Now to Medora.[Revise of January 15, 1814.] [ht] Yet heed my prayermy latest accents hear.[MS.] [203] [Compare "He gave to Misery all he had, a tear, He gained from Heaven ('twas all he wished) a friend." Gray's Elegy in a Country Churchyard.] [204] {243} [For Bireno's desertion of Olympia, see] Orlando Funoso, Canto X. [stanzas 1-27]. [hu] {244} Oh! he could bear no morebut madly grasped Her formand trembling there his own unclasped.[MS.] [205] {247} By night, particularly in a warm latitude, every stroke of the oar, every motion of the boat or ship, is followed by a slight flash like sheet lightning from the water. [206] {248} [Cape Gallo is at least eight miles to the south of Corone; but Point Lividia, the promontory on which part of the town is built, can hardly be described as a "jutting cape," or as (see line 1623) a "giant shape."] [207] {249} [Coron, or Corone, the ancient Colonides, is situated a little to the north of a promontory, Point Lividia, on the western shore of the Gulf of Kalamata, or Coron, or Messenia. Antoine Louis Castellan (1772-1838), with whose larger work on Turkey Byron professed himself familiar (Letter to Moore, August 28, 1813), gives a vivid description of Coron and the bey's palace in his Lettres sur la Mor�e, etc. (first published, Paris, 1808), 3 vols., 1820. Whether Byron had or had not consulted the "Letters," the following passages may help to illustrate the scene: "La ch�ine caverneuse du Taygete s'�l�ve en face de Coron, � l'autre extr�mit� du golfe" (iii. 181). "Nous avons aussi �t� faire une visite au bey, qui nous a permis de parcourir la citadelle" (p. 187). "Le bey fait a ex�cuter en notre pr�sence une danse singuli�re, qu'on peut nommer danse pantomime" (p. 189; see line 642). "La maison est assez bien distribu�e et proprement meubl�e � la mani�re des Turcs. La principale pi�ce est grande, orn�e d'une boisserie cisel�e sur les dessins arabesques, et m�me marquet�e. Les fen�tres donnent sur le jardin ... les volets sont ordinairement ferm�s, dans le milieu de la journ�e, et le jour ne p�n�tre alors qu'a travers des ouvertures pratiqu�es, au dessus des fen�tres et garnis de vitraux color�s" (p. 200). Castellan saw the palace and bay illuminated (p. 203).] [208] {250} Coffee. [209] "Chibouque" [chib�k], pipe. [210] {251} Dancing girls. [Compare The Waltz, line 127, Poetical Works, 1898, i. 492, note 1.] [211] It has been observed, that Conrad's entering disguised as a spy is out of nature. Perhaps so. I find something not unlike it in history."Anxious to explore with his own eyes the state of the Vandals, Majorian ventured, after disguising the colour of his hair, to visit Carthage in the character of his own ambassador; and Genseric was afterwards mortified by the discovery, that he had entertained and dismissed the Emperor of the Romans. Such an anecdote may be rejected as an improbable fiction; but it is a fiction which would not have been imagined unless in the life of a hero."See Gibbon's Decline and Fall [1854, iv. 272.] [212] {252} [On the coast of Asia Minor, twenty-one miles south of Smyrna.] [213] [A Levantine bark"a kind of ketch without top-gallant sail, or mizzen-top sail."] [214] {254} [Compare the Giaour, line 343, note 2; vide ante, p. 102.] [215] The Dervises [Dervish, Persian darvesh, poor] are in colleges, and of different orders, as the monks. [216] {255} "Zatanai," Satan. [Probably a phonetic rendering of ñı�p(�). The Turkish form would be sheytan. Compare letter to Moore, April 9, 1814, Letters, 1899, iii. 66, note 1.] [217] {256} A common and not very novel effect of Mussulman anger. See Prince Eugene's M�moires, 1811, p. 6, "The Seraskier received a wound in the thigh; he plucked up his beard by the roots, because he was obliged to quit the field." ["Le s�raskier est bless� a la cuisse; il s'arrache la barbe, parce qu'il est oblig� de fuir." A contemporary translation (Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, 1811), renders "il s'arrache la barbe" he tore out the arrow.] [218] {257} Gulnare, a female name; it means, literally, the flower of the pomegranate. [219] {259} [The word "to" had been left out by the printer, and in a late revise Byron supplies the omission, and writes "To Mr. Murray or Mr. Davison. Do not omit wordsit is quite enough to alter or mis-spell them. Bn." In the MS. the line ran "To send his soulhe scarcely cared to Heaven." "Asked" is written over in pencil, but "cared" has not been erased.] [220] {261} [Compare"One anarchy, one chaos of the mind." The Wanderer, by Richard Savage, Canto V. (1761, p. 86).] [221] {262} [Compare"That hideous sight, a naked human heart." Night Thoughts, by Edward Young (Night III.) (Anderson's British Poets, x. 71).] [222] {263} [Compare "When half the world lay wrapt in sleepless night, A jarring sound the startled hero wakes. He hears a step draw nearin beauty's pride A female comeswide floats her glistening gown Her hand sustains a lamp...." Wieland's Oberon, translated by W. Sotheby, Canto XII. stanza xxxi., et seq.] [223] {265} In Sir Thomas More, for instance, on the scaffold, and Anne Boleyn, in the Tower, when, grasping her neck, she remarked, that it "was too slender to trouble the headsman much." During one part of the French Revolution, it became a fashion to leave some "mot" as a legacy; and the quantity of facetious last words spoken during that period would form a melancholy jest-book of a considerable size. [hv] {268} I breathe but in the hopehis altered breast May seek anotherand have mine at rest. Or if unwonted fondness now I feign.[*][MS.] [*] [The alteration was sent to the publishers on a separate quarto sheet, with a memorandum, "In Canto firstnearly the end," etc.a rare instance of inaccuracy on the part of the author.] [224] {270} The opening lines, as far as section ii., have, perhaps, little business here, and were annexed to an unpublished (though printed) poem [The Curse of Minerva]; but they were written on the spot, in the Spring of 1811, andI scarce know whythe reader must excuse their appearance hereif he can. [See letter to Murray, October 23, 1812.] [225] [See Curse of Minerva, line 7, Poetical Works, 1898, i. 457. For Hydra, see A. L. Castellan's Lettres sur la Mor�e, 1820, i. 155-176. He gives (p. 174) a striking description of a sunrise off the Cape of Sunium.] [226] {271} Socrates drank the hemlock a short time before sunset (the hour of execution), notwithstanding the entreaties of his disciples to wait till the sun went down. [227] The twilight in Greece is much shorter than in our own country: the days in winter are longer, but in summer of shorter duration. [228] {272} The Kiosk is a Turkish summer house: the palm is without the present walls of Athens, not far from the temple of Theseus, between which and the tree, the wall intervenes.Cephisus' stream is indeed scanty, and Ilissus has no stream at all. [E. Dodwell (Classical Tour, 1819, i. 371) speaks of "a magnificent palm tree, which shoots among the ruins of the Ptolemaion," a short distance to the east of the Theseion. There is an illustration in its honour. The Theseionwhich was "within five minutes' walk" of Byron's lodgings (Travels in Albania, 1858, i. 259)contains the remains of the scholar, John Tweddell, died 1793, "over which a stone was placed, owing to the exertions of Lord Byron" (Clarke's Travels, Part II. sect. i. p. 534). When Byron died, Colonel Stanhope proposed, and the chief Odysseus decreed, that he should be buried in the same spot.Life, p. 640.] [229] {273} [After the battle of Salamis, B.C. 480, Paros fell under the dominion of Athens.] [hw] {274} They gather round and each his aid supplies.[MS.] [hx] {275} Within that cave Debate waxed warm and strange.[MS.] Loud in the cave Debate waxed warm and strange. [January 6, 1814.] In that dark Council words waxed warm and strange. [January 13, 1814.] [230] [Lines 1299-1375 were written after the completion of the poem. They were forwarded to the publisher in time for insertion in a revise dated January 6, 1814.] [231] The comboloio, or Mahometan rosary; the beads are in number ninety-nine. [Vide ante, p. 181, The Bride of Abydos, Canto II. line 554.] [hy] {276} Methinks a short release by ransom wrought Of all his treasures not too cheaply bought.[MS. erased.] Methinks a short release for ransomgold.[MS.] [hz] {277} Of thine adds certainty to all I heard.[MS.] [ia] {278} When every coming hour might view him dead.[MS.] [232] ["By the wayI have a charge against you. As the great Mr. Dennis roared out on a similar occasion'By G-d, that is my thunder!' so do I exclaim, 'This is my lightning!' I allude to a speech of Ivan's, in the scene with Petrowna and the Empress, where the thought and almost expression are similar to Conrad's in the 3d canto of The Corsair. I, however, do not say this to accuse you, but to exempt myself from suspicion, as there is a priority of six months' publication, on my part, between the appearance of that composition and of your tragedies" (Letter to W. Sotheby, September 25, 1815, Letters, 1899, iii. 219). The following are the lines in question: "And I have leapt In transport from my flinty couch, to welcome The thunder as it burst upon my roof, And beckon'd to the lightning, as it flash'd And sparkled on these fetters." Act iv. sc. 3 (Ivan, 1816, p. 64). According to Moore, this passage in The Corsair, as Byron seemed to fear, was included by "some scribblers"i.e. the "lumbering Goth" (see John Bull's Letter), A. A. Watts, in the Literary Gazette, February and March, 1821among his supposed plagiarisms. Sotheby informed Moore that his lines had been written, though not published, before the appearance of the Corsair. The Confession, and Orestes, reappeared with three hitherto unpublished tragedies, Ivan, The Death of Darnley, and Zamorin and Zama, under the general title, Five Unpublished Tragedies, in 1814. The story of the critic John Dennis (1657-1734) and the "thunder" is related in Cibber's Lives, iv. 234. Dennis was, or feigned to be, the inventor of a new method of producing stage-thunder, by troughs of wood and stops. Shortly after a play (Appius and Virginia) which he had put upon the stage had been withdrawn, he was present at a performance of Macbeth, at which the new "thunder" was inaugurated. "That is my thunder, by God!" exclaimed Dennis. "The villains will play my thunder, but not my plays."Dict. Nat. Biog., art. "Dennis."] [ib] {282} But speak not nowon thine and on my head O'erhangs the sabre.[MS.] [ic] {284} Night wears apaceand I have need of rest.[MS.] [id] {286} A variant of lines 1596, 1597 first appeared in MS. in a revise numbering 1780 lines Blood he had viewed, could view unmovedbut then It reddened on the scarfs and swords of men. In a later revise line 1597 was altered to It flowed a token of the deeds of men. [ie] {287} His silent thoughts the present, past review.[MS. erased.] [if] Fell quenched in tears of more than misery.[MS.] [ig] {288} They count the Dragon-teeth around her tier.[MS.] [233] ["Tier" must stand for "hold." The "cable-tier" is the place in the hold where the cable is stowed.] [ih] {289} Whom blood appalled not, their rude eyes perplex.[MS. erased.] [234] [Compare "And I the causefor whom were given Her peace on earth, her hopes in heaven." Marmion, Canto III. stanza xvii. lines 9, 10.] [ii] {290} "Gulnare"she answered not again"Gulnare" She raised her glanceher sole reply was there.[M.S.] [ij] That sought from form so fair no more than this That kissthe first that Frailty wrung from Faith That laston lips so warm with rosy breath.[MS. erased.] [ik] As he had fanned them with his rosy wing.[MS.] [il] {291} Oh! none so prophesy the joys of home As they who hail it from the Ocean-foam.[MS.] Ohwhat can sanctify the joys of home Like the first glance from Ocean's troubled foam.[Revise.] [235] {292} In the Levant it is the custom to strew flowers on the bodies of the dead, and in the hands of young persons to place a nosegay. [Compare"There shut it inside the sweet cold hand." Evelyn Hope, by Robert Browning.] [236] {293} [Compare"Andbut for that sad shrouded eye," etc. and the whole of the famous passage in the Giaour (line 68, sq., vide ante, p. 88), beginning"He who hath bent him o'er the dead."] [im] Escaped the idle braid that could not bind.[MS.] [in] By the first glance on that cold soulless brow.[MS.] [io] {294} And the night cometh'tis the same to him.[M.S.] [237] [Stanza xxiii. is not in the MS. It was forwarded on a separate sheet, with the following directions: (1814, January 10, 11.) "Let the following lines be sent immediately, and form the last section (number it) but one of the 3rd (last) Canto."] [238] {295} [Byron had, perhaps, explored the famous stalactite cavern in the island of Anti-Paros, which is described by Tournefort, Clarke, Choiseul-Gouffier, and other travellers.] [239] {296} That the point of honour which is represented in one instance of Conrad's character has not been carried beyond the bounds of probability, may perhaps be in some degree confirmed by the following anecdote of a brother buccaneer in the year 1814:"Our readers have all seen the account of the enterprise against the pirates of Barataria; but few, we believe, were informed of the situation, history, or nature of that establishment. For the information of such as were unacquainted with it, we have procured from a friend the following interesting narrative of the main facts, of which he has personal knowledge, and which cannot fail to interest some of our readers:Barataria is a bayou, or a narrow arm of the Gulf of Mexico; it runs through a rich but very flat country, until it reaches within a mile of the Mississippi river, fifteen miles below the city of New Orleans. This bayou has branches almost innumerable, in which persons can lie concealed from the severest scrutiny. It communicates with three lakes which lie on the south-west side, and these, with the lake of the same name, and which lies contiguous to the sea, where there is an island formed by the two arms of this lake and the sea. The east and west points of this island were fortified, in the year 1811, by a band of pirates, under the command of one Monsieur La Fitte. A large majority of these outlaws are of that class of the population of the state of Louisiana who fled from the island of St. Domingo during the troubles there, and took refuge in the island of Cuba; and when the last war between France and Spain commenced, they were compelled to leave that island with the short notice of a few days. Without ceremony they entered the United States, the most of them the state of Louisiana, with all the negroes they had possessed in Cuba. They were notified by the Governor of that State of the clause in the constitution which forbade the importation of slaves; but, at the same time, received the assurance of the Governor that he would obtain, if possible, the approbation of the General Government for their retaining this property.The island of Barataria is situated about lat. 29 deg. 15 min., lon. 92. 30.; and is as remarkable for its health as for the superior scale and shell fish with which its waters abound. The chief of this horde, like Charles de Moor, had, mixed with his many vices, some transcendant virtues. In the year 1813, this party had, from its turpitude and boldness, claimed the attention of the Governor of Louisiana; and to break up the establishment he thought proper to strike at the head. He therefore, offered a reward of 500 dollars for the head of Monsieur La Fitte, who was well known to the inhabitants of the city of New Orleans, from his immediate connection, and his once having been a fencing-master in that city of great reputation, which art he learnt in Buonaparte's army, where he was a captain. The reward which was offered by the Governor for the head of La Fitte was answered by the offer of a reward from the latter of 15,000 for the head of the Governor. The Governor ordered out a company to march from the city to La Fitte's island, and to burn and destroy all the property, and to bring to the city of New Orleans all his banditti. This company, under the command of a man who had been the intimate associate of this bold Captain, approached very near to the fortified island, before he saw a man, or heard a sound, until he heard a whistle, not unlike a boatswain's call. Then it was he found himself surrounded by armed men who had emerged from the secret avenues which led to this bayou. Here it was that this modern Charles de Moor developed his few noble traits; for to this man, who had come to destroy his life and all that was dear to him, he not only spared his life, but offered him that which would have made the honest soldier easy for the remainder of his days, which was indignantly refused. He then, with the approbation of his captor, returned to the city. This circumstance, and some concomitant events, proved that this band of pirates was not to be taken by land. Our naval force having always been small in that quarter, exertions for the destruction of this illicit establishment could not be expected from them until augmented; for an officer of the navy, with most of the gun-boats on that station, had to retreat from an overwhelming force of La Fitte's. So soon as the augmentation of the navy authorised an attack, one was made; the overthrow of this banditti has been the result: and now this almost invulnerable point and key to New Orleans is clear of an enemy, it is to be hoped the government will hold it by a strong military force."American Newspaper. [The story of the "Pirates of Barataria," which an American print, the National Intelligencer, was the first to make public, is quoted in extenso by the Weekly Messenger (published at Boston) of November 4, 1814. It is remarkable that a tale which was destined to pass into the domain of historical romance should have been instantly seized upon and turned to account by Byron, whilst it was as yet half-told, while the legend was still in the making. Jean Lafitte, the Franco-American Conrad, was born either at Bayonne or Bordeaux, circ. 1780, emigrated with his elder brother Pierre, and settled at New Orleans, in 1809, as a blacksmith. Legitimate trade was flat, but the delta of the Mississippi, with its labyrinth of creeks and islands and bayous, teemed with pirates or merchant-smugglers. Accordingly, under the nominal sanction of letters of marque from the Republic of Cartagena, and as belligerents of Spain, the brothers, who had taken up their quarters on Grande Terre, an island to the east of the "Grand Pass," or channel of the Bay of Barataria, swept the Gulph of Mexico with an organised flotilla of privateers, and acquired vast booty in the way of specie and living cargoes of claves. Hence the proclamation of the Governor of Louisiana, W. C. C. Claiborne, in which (November 24, 1813) he offered a sum of $500 for the capture of Jean Lafitte. For the sequel of this first act of the drama the "American newspaper" is the sole authority. The facts, however, if facts they be, which are pieced together by Charles �tienne Arthur Gayarr�, in the History of Louisiana (1885, iv. 301, sq.), and in two articles contributed to the American Magazine of History, October and November, 1883, are as curious and romantic as the legend. It would appear that early in September, 1814, a British officer, Colonel E. Nicholls, made overtures to Jean Lafitte, offering him the rank of captain in the British army, a grant of lands, and a sum of $30,000 if he would join forces with the British squadron then engaged in an attack on the coast of Louisiana. Lafitte begged for time to consider Colonel Nicholls's proposal, but immediately put himself in communication with Claiborne, offering, on condition of immunity for past offences, to place his resources at the disposal of the United States. Claiborne's reply to this patriotic offer seems to have been to despatch a strong naval force, under Commander Daniel Patterson, with orders to exterminate the pirates, and seize their fort on Grande Terre; and, on this occasion, though the brothers escaped, the authorities were successful. A proclamation was issued by General Andrew Jackson, in which the pirates were denounced as "hellish banditti," and, to all appearances, their career was at an end. But circumstances were in their favour, and a few weeks later Jackson not only went back on his own mandate, but accepted the alliance and services of the brothers Lafitte and their captains at the siege of New Orleans, January 8, 1815. Finally, when peace with Great Britain was concluded, President Madison publicly acknowledged the "unequivocal traits of courage and fidelity" which had been displayed by the brothers Lafitte, and the once proscribed band of outlaws. Thenceforth Pierre Lafitte disappears from history; but Jean is believed to have settled first at Galveston, in Texas, and afterwards, in 1820, on the coast of Yucatan, whence "he continued his depredations on Spanish commerce." He died game, a pirate to the last, in 1826. See, for what purports to be documentary evidence of the correspondence between Colonel E. Nicholls and Jean Lafitte, Historical Memoirs of the War in West Florida and Louisiana, by Major A. La Carri�re Latour, 1816, Appendix III. pp. vii.-xv. See, too, Fernando de Lemos (an historical novel), by Charles Gayarr�, 1872, pp. 347-361.] In [the Rev. Mark] Noble's continuation of "Granger's Biographical History" [of England, 1806, iii. 68], there is a singular passage in his account of Archbishop Blackbourne [1658-1743]; and as in some measure connected with the profession of the hero of the foregoing poem, I cannot resist the temptation of extracting it."There is something mysterious in the history and character of Dr. Blackbourne. The former is but imperfectly known; and report has even asserted he was a buccaneer; and that one of his brethren in that profession having asked, on his arrival in England, what had become of his old chum, Blackbourne, was answered, he is Archbishop of York. We are informed, that Blackbourne was installed sub-dean of Exeter in 1694, which office he resigned in 1702; but after his successor Lewis Barnet's death, in 1704, he regained it. In the following year he became dean; and in 1714 held with it the archdeanery [i.e. archdeaconry] of Cornwall. He was consecrated Bishop of Exeter, February 24, 1716; and translated to York, November 28, 1724, as a reward, according to court scandal, for uniting George I. to the Duchess of Munster. This, however, appears to have been an unfounded calumny. As archbishop he behaved with great prudence, and was equally respectable as the guardian of the revenues of the see. Rumour whispered he retained the vices of his youth, and that a passion for the fair sex formed an item in the list of his weaknesses; but so far from being convicted by seventy witnesses, he does not appear to have been directly criminated by one. In short, I look upon these aspersions as the effects of mere malice. How is it possible a buccaneer should have been so good a scholar as Blackbourne certainly was? He who had so perfect a knowledge of the classics (particularly of the Greek tragedians), as to be able to read them with the same ease as he could Shakespeare, must have taken great pains to acquire the learned languages; and have had both leisure and good masters. But he was undoubtedly educated at Christ-church College, Oxford. He is allowed to have been a pleasant man; this, however, was turned against him, by its being said, 'he gained more hearts than souls.'" [Walpole, in his Memoirs of the Reign of King George II., 1847, i. 87, who makes himself the mouthpiece of these calumnies, says that Hayter, Bishop of Norwich, was "a natural son of Blackbourne, the jolly old Archbishop of York, who had all the manners of a man of quality, though he had been a Buccaneer, and was a clergyman; but he retained nothing of his first profession except his seraglio."] "The only voice that could soothe the passions of the savage (Alphonso III.) was that of an amiable and virtuous wife, the sole object of his love; the voice of Donna Isabella, the daughter of the Duke of Savoy, and the grand-daughter of Philip II. King of Spain. Her dying words sunk deep into his memory [A.D. 1626, August 22]; his fierce spirit melted into tears; and, after the last embrace, Alphonso retired into his chamber to bewail his irreparable loss, and to meditate on the vanity of human life."Gibbon's Miscellaneous Works [1837, p. 831]. [This final note was added to the Tenth Edition.]

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The Corsair

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