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A slii\-'rini:, wri.-nrliin-, riii_iiu' ' i i--li - 
 Ami (low in\;tr(], (Inwjiwiird. Iicailldn;; i\:\ 
 l).c|i ill IIh' srctliilli: irillt' biOitw, 
 With slii'icks and (iiitlis— the iiii|Mi)iis i'n 
 
elaoo : 
 
 a^n %w 0f tk #Mm P^on^h toe. 
 
 BY 
 
 ELIZABETH T. PORTER BEACH. 
 
 , NEW YORK : 
 D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 
 
 443 <fe 446 BEOADWAT. 
 
 LONDON : 16 LITTLE BRITAIN. 
 
 1864. 
 
 'W 
 
Entekbd, according: to Act of Congress, in the year 186S, by 
 
 ELIZABETH T. PORTER BEACH, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 Southern District of New York. 
 
TO THE BELOVED 
 
 ■WHO HATE PASSED AWAY, 
 
 TO THE BELOVED 
 
 STILL KEMAININO, 
 
 THIS POEM 
 
 IS MOST LOVINGLY 
 
 Insrrxljtb'. 
 
INTEODUCTION. 
 
 The early history of Spain is so involved in doubt, 
 contradiction, and romance, that little is known of its 
 truthful detail ; while all considered worthy of gleaning 
 has been so ably handled by writers of acknowledged 
 superiority, as to render it unnecessary, or even presump- 
 tuous to bring the subject again before the public, farther 
 than, by a brief synopsis of the most important historical 
 events preceding the opening of this epic. 
 
 Spain is supposed to have been originally inhabited 
 by the descendants of " Tubal," who were subsequently 
 called " Iberians," the land bearing the name Iberia, prob- 
 ably in honor of some person of distinction. From the 
 earliest ages the country suffered from the invasions of the 
 Celts, Greeks, Phoanicians, and Carthaginians ; and, at 
 length, falling into the power of Eome, became, for a short 
 time, a subjugated province. It was during the fifth cen- 
 tury that the Goths, then the allies of Borne, after a strug- 
 gle of three years, succeeded in recovering Iberia, when a 
 new nation arose from the union of the Goths and Iberians, 
 
6 INTEODUOTION. 
 
 producing a brave, restless, noble-spirited people, whose 
 power remained unshaken under twenty-flve successive 
 kings of pure Gothic blood. The Goths, who were adher- 
 ents to the " Arian doctrine," after their invasion embraced 
 the faith of the Spaniards, which was the Catholic, in its 
 purest form ; the bishop and clergy being most exemplary 
 in their lives, and aiding in every way to promote the 
 influence of the laws and the welfare of the country. Thus 
 all prospered ; when, in the year of the Redemption 701, 
 Witiza was elected to the Gothic throne. He was of a 
 cruel nature ; and, through anxiety for the security of his 
 crown, becoming jealous of two sons of a preceding king, 
 FavUa (Duke of Cantabria), and Theodofredo, he caused 
 the death of the former, and, imprisoning the latter, put 
 out his eyes. Pelayo, son of Favila, being absent, and 
 Roderick and Theodofredo fleeing, happily escaped being 
 murdered. Witiza, soon by his tyranny and licentious- 
 ness, obtained the appellation of " Witiza the Wicked." 
 
 At length the Pontiff Constantine threatened to depose 
 and excommunicate the king; but Witiza set him at 
 defiance, and appointed his own brother, Orpas, or Oppas, 
 then Archbishop of Seville, to take a seat with Sindaredo, 
 in the episcopal chair of Toledo, making him Primate of 
 Spain. Orpas was a bad man, upholding the king in all 
 his wickedness. While Spain was sinking in vice and 
 Uceutiousness, Roderick, son of Theodofredo, was gather- 
 ing about him a host of noble warriors and soldiers, ready 
 to avenge the wrongs of his father and kindred. 
 
 With his bold and gallant band advancing unexpected- 
 ly upon an enervated and unprepared land, he easily put 
 all to rout, when the whole kingdom submitted to Don 
 Roderick ; who, to avenge the cruelty shown his father, 
 
INTEODUCTION. 7 
 
 put out the eyes of Witiza, imprisoning Mm in a castle, 
 where he died, a prey to suffering and remorse. His two 
 sons Ebba, or Eyan, and Siseburto, were banished from the 
 country. Orpas, a man of consummate art, succeeded in 
 obtaining the confidence of the king, and retaining his 
 sacred office at Seville ; but the see of Toledo was given 
 to the venerable ITrbino. With the brilliant reign of Don 
 Roderick, most persons are familiar. Among the first of 
 his noblemen was Count Julian, Lord of Consuegra and 
 Algeziras ; his wife, the Countess Frandina, being sister 
 of Witiza and Bishop Orpas. Enjoying the highest dig- 
 nities, being one of the " espatorias " or " royal sword- 
 bearers," he was also appointed commander of the Spanish 
 possessions on the African coast of the strait, then threat- 
 ened by the Arabian followers of Mahomet, establishing 
 the seat of government at Ceuta, the frontier bulwark on 
 the Mediterranean, where he bravely held in check the 
 Moslem foe. Before his departure he had confided his 
 beautiful daughter, Florinda, to the care of the king and 
 his queen Exilona, among whose " maids of honor " she 
 was enrolled. The betrayal of this trust by Don Roderick 
 aroused the most agonized, bitter feelings of an outraged 
 father, who, casting all thought of honor, loyalty, and 
 love of country upon one funeral pyre of scathing, consum- 
 ing revenge for the wrongs received from his sovereign, 
 formed one of the blackest schemes of treason known to 
 history, in which he was aided by his brother-in-law 
 Orpas. Calling together his friends and adherents, he 
 revealed his injuries, and unfolded his plans to dethrone 
 Don IRoderick, falsely pretending, at the same time, it was 
 his intention to raise one of the sons of Witiza to the 
 throne ; proposing they should seek the aid of Muza ben 
 
S INTEODUCTION. 
 
 Nosier, the Arabian emir or general, in Mauritania, for 
 that purpose ; while it was Ms secret determination to 1)6- 
 tray his country witJiout reservation to the Moslem, thus prov- 
 ing himself doubly traitor. 
 
 The Caliph, with joyful amazement, gladly acceded to 
 the call, when Don Roderick, in the happy security of 
 his power, and Spain in the height of her glory and peace- 
 ful bUss, were surprised and inundated by legions of tur- 
 baned troops ! Don Roderick, falling at the battle of 
 Xeres, a panic ensued, and " Taric el Tuerto," the Arabian 
 general, took possession of the camp. The escaping Chris- 
 tians fled to Auseva, one of the Asturian mountains, where, 
 at the opening of the poem, they are dwelling in caves, 
 awaiting a propitious moment for the recovery of their 
 rights, and the expulsion of the Moors. Don Pelayo, next 
 in line to the throne, having been taken prisoner, was, on 
 account of his known honor and nobleness of character, 
 allowed the freedom of the city of Seville, upon his 
 " parole d'honneur." Previous to which, the story sup- 
 poses him to have been betrothed to Zillah, daughter of 
 Count Eudon, a powerful lord, who, to save his life and 
 vast possessions, became an apostate and renegade, favor- 
 ing the suit of Abdelaisis, governor of the country, and 
 son of Muza, for the hand of his already plighted daughter. 
 
 For the substance of the two legends, here woven into 
 rhyme, the author is indebted to the kindness of the 
 lamented Washington Irving, who most courteously prof- 
 fered her the free use of any of his writings that might 
 subserve her purpose. 
 
 The poem opens during the sufferings of the Christians, 
 while the Moors are in the height of joyful power. 
 
I^oble and brave SpaniBh knights. 
 
 CHARACTERS. 
 
 Don RodekioE} last king of the Visi-GothSj son of Theodofredo. 
 
 Bon Pelato, the founder of the Spanish monarchy^ son of Favila. 
 
 Edba, son of Witiza. 
 
 TTuBAN, Archbishop of Toledo. 
 
 Centerio, a venerable Archbishop. 
 
 Orpas, Archbishop of Seville, brother to "Witiza and Frandina, a traitor. 
 
 Count Pedro, 
 
 Felistes, 
 
 Theodmir, 
 
 Ataulpho, 
 
 ROMIBO, 
 
 Alphonsk, son of Count Pedro. 
 
 Gomez, son of a nobleman, and page to Pelayo. 
 
 Count Julian, a brave Spanish nobleman, turned traitor and apostate, 
 
 from revenge. 
 Count Eudon, a Spanish nobleman, father of Zillah, an apostate and 
 
 renegade. 
 
 Tend&bo, a Spanish renegade. 
 
 MuzA BEN l^oziBB, the Arabian Emir. 
 
 ABDEIJ.ISIS, son of the Emir, and Governor of Spain. 
 
 Tario bl Tuerto,* the "one-eyed" Arabian GeneraL 
 
 Suleiman, 
 
 Alcahmeh 
 
 Tario ben Zetad, ) 
 
 „ f Moorish Chiefs. 
 
 Magued, ) 
 
 . [ Moorish Generals. 
 
 Alcahmen, J 
 
 ZiLLAHjt daughter of Count Eudon, and betrothed to Pelayo, 
 
 iNEZjt lady in -waiting to Zillah. 
 
 Ladt CoNSTANCEjt Wife of Couiit Pedro. 
 
 * El Shierto, meanisg " one-eyed." 
 
 f These are fimcy names. The historical name of the wife of Pelayo waa Gaudlosa. 
 
PROEM. 
 
PEOEM. 
 
 Weave we now an epic rhyme 
 Of the olden Moorish time, 
 When, in Seville's citron bowers, 
 On perfumed breezes sped the hours. 
 And love, and song, and roundelay, 
 And merry dance chased out the day ; 
 When Moorish blood all proudly coursed, 
 WhUe Spain's bold hearts grew faint with woe, 
 'Neath foreign yoke to bend now forced, 
 Of base invading Moslem foe ! 
 
 When Julian, the " Traitor Count," 
 Had called his minions to the mount 
 " La Sierra de Calderin" 
 (The Mount of Treason dark, and sin), 
 Where, on its rocky summit high. 
 With heart as hard, and evil eye 
 
14 PROEM. 
 
 (As Lucifer, the son of night 
 
 Erst tempted Him of glory bright). 
 
 Urged he, in wily, serpent way, 
 
 Spain, once so dear, they should betray ! 
 
 Vengeful, Don Rod'rick to dethrone, — 
 
 King Wit'za's son alone to own 
 
 In regal honor o'er their race ; — 
 
 And stUl, with treach'rous cimniDg base, 
 
 Plead " to assist their numbers weak, 
 
 Muza ben Nozier's aid they seek," — 
 
 The Arab chief, who joyfully 
 
 His troops would lend to treachery. 
 
 While Orpas, bishop, — priest of night. 
 As prince of darkness " clothed in Ught,"- 
 His sacred vesture's purity 
 Cov'ring deceit and infamy. 
 Unholy sanction vile did yield, 
 Trait'rous to prove on battle field ! 
 E'en would himself, hear Rod'rick e'er. 
 Lead to the net they should prepare, 
 And when in hottest combat siege, 
 Perfidious, betray his liege ! 
 With army's wing would basely pass 
 His forces to the impious mass ! 
 
P B O E M . 15 
 
 While Julian, fwice traitor ! planned 
 Full to betray his native land 
 To turban'd Moslem horde alone ! 
 ■ Hurling Don Rod'rick from the throne 
 For selfish end ; — ^nor caxed or thought, 
 So that he vengeance fuUy wrought : 
 For private iU from royal king 
 To ruin would his country bring ! 
 
 Amazed ! from Tangier's seargirt shore, 
 The Caliph Waled Ahnanzor 
 Received the traitor's missive bold 
 That thus his country basely sold ! 
 O'erjoyed, exclaiming, " God is gi-eat ! 
 Mahomet, Prophet, wields our fate ! " 
 And " Tario el Tuerto " * chose 
 To lead against the Christian foes ; 
 Who, soon, a hardy Arab troop, 
 Twelve thousand strong, prepared to swoop, 
 As birds of prey, o'er stormy Strait 
 Of Hercules, and frightful wake 
 Tarifa's shore and Calpe's rock 
 With " TeoMr " f war-cry's wild'ring shook. 
 
 * Tario, called hj the Arabs "El Tuerto" (the one-eyed), he hav- 
 ing but one eye. 
 
 t " Alia Akbar" (God ia most mighty), the Techir war-cry of the 
 Arabs. 
 
16 PROEM. 
 
 Dark was the night — wild was the way 
 Where Taric led to battle fray ; 
 Whose " Pass," Theodmir guarded well, 
 Until his Christian warriors fell ; 
 Where bravely made he boldest stand 
 All resolute, with Spanish band, 
 That " Pass " to guard with numbers small, 
 Save Cross and land, or nobly fall. 
 But Arab numbers master great. 
 Forced to retreat Theodmir's fate ; 
 While " Taric d Tuerto " bold. 
 His standard raised on Calpe's Hold ; 
 And " Gibel Tario " * gave it name. 
 In mem'ry of first victory's fame. 
 
 Joined then Theodmir, Ataulpho, 
 The prince, to meet th' invading foe, 
 When Calpe's summits, dim and gray. 
 Were bright'ning in the dawn's first ray ; 
 Who thus his men inspiring cheered. 
 As " Gibel Tarich Sold " they neared : 
 " Never should we sheathe good sword 
 While the dark, invading horde, 
 Infidels accursed ! may stand 
 To defile our Christian land ! 
 
 * Noiv Gibraltar. 
 
P E E M . 17 
 
 Now assail we, firm and bold, 
 Birds of prey in rugged " Hold." 
 Rout the vulture, dark-souled flock. 
 From our own loved mountain rock ! 
 Long the day, our lances keen — 
 Let not setting sun of e'en 
 Shine upon one living foe. 
 Lying not our captive low." 
 
 Answered they with shouts his word, 
 As advancing now they heard 
 Clash of cymbal, trumpet bray, 
 Prom their mountain rock-bound way ; 
 Glitt'ring bright with hekn and spear, 
 Moslem banners floating near ! 
 
 On a rock, in bold relief. 
 Stands the gaunt " Tuero " chief, 
 Brandishing two-pointed spear, 
 As his leaders, marching near. 
 He exhorts the prince to slay. 
 Thus insuring vict'ry's day ; 
 Crying, " Chiefs all slain, I wist, 
 Followers will fade as mist I " 
 
 'Mid the Gothic nobles there. 
 Prince Ataulpho shone most fair ; 
 
18 P EOEM. 
 
 Youthful grace, and majesty, 
 Crowning dauntless bravery : 
 Borne on a charger fiercely bold, 
 Caparisoned in ample fold 
 Of crimson velvet, 'broidered seen 
 In brilliant threads of golden sheen. 
 Wrought in gold his surcoat too. 
 Velvet, crimson, still in hue. 
 Waving plumes of snowy white 
 O'er his burnished helmet bright ; 
 While ten mounted pages bear 
 Weapons keen for battle fare. 
 
 Bravely charge the Christian band. 
 Now, the BpoUers of their land ! 
 FiUed, each Spanish heart, with fire 
 Of his olden Gothic sire ! 
 
 Planned the wily Taric well ! 
 Christian leaders sadly fell, 
 One by one, — while Ataulpho, 
 Struggling, sees impending woe ! 
 Through the thickest of the fight. 
 Calling for each bold, good knight ; 
 But, alas ! few answer gave, 
 'Mid the dead and dying brave ! 
 
PEOEM. 19 
 
 With his " handful warrior hand " 
 Vain he seeks to save their land. 
 Foremost in the Moslem van 
 Meeteth Julian's partisan, 
 Tendero, who leadeth on 
 Recreant Christians ! honor gone ! 
 Apostates ! renegades ! each son 
 To Prophet sold I by Eblis won I 
 
 Flashed then Ataulpho's raven eye, 
 Tendero, traitor, to espy ! 
 Reared in his father's palace court. 
 Thus, to the Moslem service bought ! 
 " Well, dost thou, traitor!'''' cried he there, 
 " Thus to attack, in battle share. 
 The son of him who gave thee bread ! 
 Thy lord ! now numbered with the dead ! 
 Thou, Avho betrayest Cross and God ! 
 Thy native soil ! thy coimtry's sod ! " 
 
 Boldly, then, with upraised lance, 
 Did Ataulpho brave, advance ; 
 For his vengeance fierce essayed ! 
 Furious charged the renegade ! 
 But Tendero, void of fear. 
 Met the prince in mid-career, 
 
20 P E O E M . 
 
 Crushed his lance upon his shield, 
 Crying, " Yield, Ataulpho, yield ! " 
 When the prince, from saddle-bow. 
 Grasped his mace, to meet the foe ; 
 And all frightful grew the strife, 
 Fierce the contest dire, for life ! 
 Yet, ne'er triumphed trait'rous Hade, 
 Treason's curse e'er on it laid ! 
 Paralyzed, the dastard hand 
 That would turn 'gainst native land ! 
 Vain, Tendero did essay 
 Renegado sword to play ! 
 But, between his armor's greaves 
 Ataulpho a stroke receives, 
 Which returneth he full well ! 
 Crushing hehn and skull, it fell ! 
 Armor rattling 'neath the blow. 
 Bold, that laid Tendero low. 
 But, alas ! e'en at that hour, 
 Azreal's raven wing did lower ! 
 O'er the noble Ataulpho, 
 The death angel's wing of woe ! 
 For, by an Arab javelin hurled. 
 Transfixed, Ataulpho's charger whirled, 
 And reeling, fell — ^in death to lie ; 
 Wben quick Taric ben Zeyad, nigh, 
 
P E O E M . 21 
 
 Spurred on, Trith scimitar's keen blow 
 
 To lay the Prince Ataulpho low ! 
 
 WTiom, sinking, covered with his gore, 
 
 His pages to a streamlet bore. 
 
 To stanch the wound, and bathe the face 
 
 Of that brave prince of royal race, 
 
 Who faintly oped his eyes, to say, 
 
 " How fares the battle ? Whose the day ? " 
 
 And thus, upon the cold ground there. 
 
 Breathed he his last, his dying prayer ! 
 
 Confessed his sias — ^no friar near, — 
 
 Then to the earth, that soil so dear. 
 
 Pressing his Ups iu fond farewell, 
 
 Exhausting, fainting, backward fell. 
 
 Sinking beneath death's with'ring blight. 
 
 While from its form his soid took flight ! 
 
 When Arab wan-iors, rushing by, 
 
 Smote off his head ! — ^with triumph's cry 
 
 Of " Lo I the Christian leader's head ! " 
 
 Which, on a lance, all gory red. 
 
 With surcoat of the prince, bore they 
 
 To Taric, — and, to trumpet's bray, 
 
 And zel and atabal's resound. 
 
 Thus marched the battle field around ! 
 
PEOEM. 
 
 With horror dire, and wUd afiright, 
 The Christians gazed upon that sight ! 
 Loved features ! — surcoat of their lord, — 
 Thus borne in triumph by the horde ! 
 In vain Theodmir rallied there ! 
 No more of combat would they share ; 
 But, casting battle vreapons by. 
 By Moors pursued, they wildly fly, 
 UntU the darkness of the night 
 Frustrated chase, and aided flight ; 
 "When turned to Christian camp the Moor, 
 Of plunder's spoil abundant, sure. 
 
 m befits it me to tell 
 How, on Xeres, Christians fell ; 
 Tomes elaborate, fiUed there are 
 With that bloody battle's fare, 
 Penned by hands of able might, 
 Bards, of inspiration's light, 
 Telling how the Moslem pour, 
 Dark'ning fair Guad'lete's shore ; 
 Where, the land of Xeres through. 
 Beauteous winds her stream to view ; 
 How, that battle's dawning day, 
 When the earth in darkness lay, 
 
PROEM. 23 
 
 Or ere the Ibrealdng of the light, 
 Arrayed Don Rod'rick for the fight ; 
 Sent for Bishop Urban then, 
 Holiest of priestly men ; 
 Laid aside the regal crown. 
 By the prelate knelt him down, 
 Sins confessed, was shriven there, 
 Bowed, micovered, low in prayer. 
 Mass and euch'rist to receive. 
 Ere for combat taking leave. 
 
 Now, prepared for battle fray, 
 He, « El Gid," * doth bear his way. 
 In the pomp and state aU bold 
 Of the Gothic kings of old. 
 Grand, in robe of gold brocade, 
 Sandals diamond wrought, arrayed ; 
 Wearing crown of jewels rare. 
 Bearing sceptre, rubied fair ; 
 Borne in iv'ry chariot white, 
 Axletrees of silver bright, 
 Wheels and pole of burnished gold ; 
 Canopy of golden fold 
 Rich embossed with precious stone, 
 That as starry heavens shone ; 
 * Don Koderiok, called by the Arabs "El Old" (the Lord). 
 
24 PEOEM. 
 
 Drawn Tby snowy palfreys white, 
 Draped in crimson velvet bright ; 
 Pearls, in rich emhroid'ry seen, 
 FlecMng aU in fleecy sheen. 
 A thousand youthful cavaliers 
 Surround the car, — choice grenadiers, 
 Of noble blood, a gallant band. 
 Knighted by Don Rod'rick's hand. 
 Cased in gilded armor bright. 
 Helmet-plumes of snowy white, 
 Surcoats, scarfs of varied hue. 
 Forming tableau fair to view ! 
 
 Fadeth soon, alas ! the scene, 
 Into darkness dire, I ween ! 
 When Orpas, base, turns with his band 
 Most treach'rous 'gainst his native land. 
 Then wild confusion, massacre. 
 And horror's fright attendant were ! 
 When, casting royal mantle far, 
 Rod'rick descendeth from the car, 
 And, springing on his fav'rite steed, 
 OreKa, bravely taketh lead, 
 With lance and buckler grasped in hand, 
 To rally his retreating band. 
 
PEOEM. 25 
 
 But Arab foes come thick'ning round, 
 With trusted subjects, traitors found ! 
 'Mid loyal knights, now falling fast, 
 Was seen the king, brave to the last ! 
 Till Chrysus' * waTes, in sad refraia. 
 His requiem chant in mournful strain ! 
 
 And Xeres' plain lay red with ^ore. 
 Where he, " M Gid^ had faUen low ! 
 And stained with blood, Guad'lete's shore. 
 From brave, and royal art'ries flow ! 
 When they, the saved from battle strife. 
 All hope now o'er, — for freedom, life. 
 To fair Auseva's bosom fly, 
 For refuge 'mid her motmtaias high. 
 
 While craven ones to Moslem bend — 
 Their souls and honor basely lend. 
 Frail, paltry lucre to retain 
 In coflfers, towers, and lands of Spaia ! 
 Twining the badge of sinful shame. 
 That doth the name of Christ defame, 
 In turban folds, with Crescent placed, 
 O'er brows where erst the Cross was traced ! 
 
 * The ancient name of the G-uadalete. 
 2 
 
26 PEOBM. 
 
 While brave Pelayo, next in line, 
 
 ThroTigli Favila, to Spanish throne, 
 
 'Mid palace courts doth captive pine ; 
 
 On ''■palabra de honor " alone 
 
 To roam at vs^iH through court and tower, 
 
 But pris'ner still, in Seville's walls, 
 
 'Mid Moorish feast and pomp and power, 
 
 Captive in.his own princely halls ! 
 
 Where Muza holdeth royal court, 
 
 And Abdelaisis, prince, his son. 
 
 As bride. Count Eudon's daughter sought, 
 
 Long since by brave Pelayo won ; 
 
 Betrothed and pledged by willing sire. 
 
 Who now, apostate, sad doth turn. 
 
 To shield him from the Moslem ire, — 
 
 With infamy his soul to burn ! 
 
 And fain would force his beauteous chUd 
 
 To list the royal chieftain's love ! 
 
 Would rend her heart with anguish wild — 
 
 Break vows, long registered above ! 
 
PEL AT O, 
 
PELATO. 
 
 OAETO I. 
 
 All bright the orb of day now turns 
 
 His glowing course unto the west, 
 That rich in crimson blushes bums, 
 
 As now, within her bosom blest, 
 He slowly sinks, while evening star 
 
 Smiles brightly over hill and glade, 
 And spreadeth twilight calm, afar 
 
 Her dewy veil, in deep'ning shade ; — 
 When tumeth, too, Pelayo bold, 
 
 With lover's step, toward myrtle bower, 
 His maiden pure, fond to enfold, 
 
 At balmy eve's sweet trysting hour ; 
 
30 P E L A T O . 
 
 When, one Tby one, the stars of night. 
 As angels' eyes, gleam through the veil 
 
 Of heavenly azure, beaming bright 
 
 O'er tower and mosque, through grove and 
 dale. 
 
 Twilight is sleeping on the plain, — 
 
 Sweetly the bulbul pours its note. 
 Her " Ave Maria " vesper strain. 
 
 All gently on the breeze to float : 
 I marvel that she trills so long ! 
 
 How fondly deep her tones to-night ! 
 WMle sings she o'er and o'er her song. 
 
 As though inspired by scene so bright ! 
 Art warbling thou for that fair maid, 
 
 Who, when the dew-drop kissed the rose, 
 Erst to thy bower so loving strayed, 
 
 At twilight's gentle, bahny close ? 
 Why lingers she in marble hall ? 
 
 WbUe throbs Pelayo's heart with fear, 
 With rustling breeze to bound or fall, 
 
 Sighing, " She cometh not to cheer ' " 
 How press his lips the flow'rets sweet 
 
 His loved one left to wither there ! 
 Why doth his heart so wildly beat ? 
 
 Why tarries thus his Zillah fair ? 
 
PELAYO. 31 
 
 Bright g]e9,in the lights from tower and hall, 
 
 And brighter still from maidens' eyes, 
 While, light as snowflakes' gentle fall. 
 
 Fair feet keep time to melodies. 
 Kow flash Pelayo's dark orbs deep, 
 
 As merry strains fall on his ear : 
 " Why faileth she her tryst to keep ? 
 
 Why comes she not my heart to cheer ? 
 Thou mookest me, O bird of night ! 
 
 With notes of joy, so blithe and free ! 
 How can ye beam, fair stars so bright, 
 
 While she forgets her love and me ? 
 O Abdelaisis ! well I trow, 
 
 My trusty blade will question thee. 
 If, in thy pride and power, e'er thou 
 
 Dare come between my love and me ! 
 Go, take thy bride from aU the fair, 
 
 The daughters proud of Spain's rich towers. 
 Thy wealth, thy pomp, and rank to share, 
 
 Seek not my -flower from these dear bowers ! 
 But hush, my heart ! be quelled, my ire ! 
 
 List ! list ! a fairy step I hear ! 
 'Mid sound of Castanet and lyre. 
 
 It draweth lightly, gently near ! 
 The dewy flowers bend in her path, 
 
 Shedding their perfumed breathings roimd ; 
 
32 P E L A T O . 
 
 Oh ! hushed is now my soul's vain wrath, 
 With joy alone its pulses bound. 
 
 O bird of night, thy note, how sweet ! 
 O stars ! how bright ye shiae ! 
 
 My lore ! my Zillah ! now I meet, — 
 Ay, swarthy Moor, she's miae ! " 
 
 " Yes, yes, Pelayo ! thine fore'er, 
 
 Come weal, come woe to thee or me ! 
 Though ne'er on earth thy home to share. 
 In brighter realms I'll dwell with thee ! " 
 
 " What mean thy words ? Why tremblest thou 
 
 As aspen quivers to the wind ? 
 That daring Moor, full well I trow, 
 
 Would seek with his thy fate to bind ; 
 E'en too well sure that even now 
 
 Thou'st stolen from his words of love. 
 To keep last evening's whispered vow, 
 
 Breathed here to me, my trembliag dove ! 
 And well I ken the foul, black stain 
 
 That on thy father rests — O woe ! 
 A renegade to God and Spain ! 
 
 Would give his daughter to our foe ! 
 
 " And though my word is pledged to bide 
 Within these walls tiU yon moon's wane, 
 
P E L A T O . 33 
 
 Captive, on Guadalquiver's side ! 
 
 A pris'ner in my fallen Spain ! 
 Yet, when her disk once more shall rise 
 
 In yonder heavens, an omen bright 
 To Spain, to us — light of mine eyes ! 
 
 I'U bear thee hence by her pure light. 
 For thou wert mine by bond, as word. 
 
 Acknowledged mine, by sire and court, 
 Ere that deep clarion blast was heard. 
 
 And craven souls were basely bought ! 
 That tocsin bell, that pealing rang 
 
 Its deep4oned notes of groaning woe 
 In quick, successive, frightful clang 
 
 "Wild call to meet the rushing foe ! 
 That Moorish blast of death and woe 
 
 That hurled destruction iq its breath, 
 As sweeps the fierce ' Siroc,' all low. 
 
 Before its path in horrid death ! 
 
 " Ah ! worse than Simoon's roar, the note, 
 That roused our happy, slumb'ring Spain, 
 
 And raised the Crescent flag to float 
 In triumph o'er Don Rod'rick slain ! 
 
 Fierce, madly rushed that swarthy throng. 
 With one wild swoop, as birds of prey — 
 
 2* 
 
34 P E L A T O . 
 
 That turban'd host, 'mid clash of gong, 
 And scimitars' bright flashing ray ! 
 
 When fell that noble cavalier, 
 Ramiro, 'mid the Christian dead. 
 
 And royal standard — omen drear ! 
 Lay spreading 'neath vile Moslem tread ! 
 
 Its burnished staff sad rent in twain. 
 
 That proudly bore our arms of Spain ! 
 
 Low, fallen on the battle field ! 
 
 Prophetic that we soon must yield ! 
 
 " With sickly glare the sun arose 
 
 Morns eight, upon Guad'lete's shore. 
 O'er Xeres' plain, dark with our foes. 
 
 And welt'ring in her children's gore ; 
 And evenings eight, set dark that sun. 
 
 O'er bravely struggling Christians there, 
 Whose pure heart's blood, all freely run 
 
 As Holocaust in country's share ! 
 Until the regal arm was feUed, 
 
 Until Don Rod'rick's hand was cold ! 
 And royal blood from heart-fount welled. 
 
 And ceased the dauntless war-strokes bold ! 
 When, lowly on his mother earth. 
 
 That kingly form was lain. 
 
PELATO. 35 
 
 Where passed unto his ' second birth ' 
 
 Don Rod'rick 'mid the slaia ! 
 In ' royal robe, and homed helm,' 
 
 Aad bright enamelled mail ; 
 When dark despair did aU o'erwhelm ! 
 
 With horror each heart quail ! 
 Then fainted, strongest, bravest heart ! 
 
 Then Hope, herself, took wing I 
 Dismay, confusion, bearing part ! 
 
 Fall'n! faU'nl Rod'rick! king! 
 
 " And poor Orelia,* riderless. 
 
 And -wild Moors rushing on 
 As beasts of prey, all merciless, 
 
 With yell and ' TecMr ' song ! 
 While Spain's brave blood poured gushing o'er, 
 
 As ■wine from out the vintner's press, 
 Her vineyards, '•patios^ f all gore ! 
 
 As though no God to save or bless. 
 
 " O fatal day ! O mom of woe ! 
 No marvel that our Cross fell low ! 
 God's blessed day, so desecrate ! 
 Palm Sunday ! stained with crimson date ! 
 
 * Roderick's war horse. + Coarta. 
 
86 P E L A T O . 
 
 O Woody field of Chrysus' shore ! 
 
 ' Gampo de la Yerdadf* 
 Fitter, ' El Gampo del Dolor 1 ' \ 
 
 Dark Hades' gory path ! 
 
 " And countless hosts of Arab power 
 
 Swarmed on, with Moslem foes. 
 And minaret, and crescent tower. 
 
 And golden mosque arose 
 'Mid convent groves, and Christian dell. 
 
 And heath-clad hill and plain, 
 Where cross and altar sadly fell, 
 
 And sacred walls of Spain ! 
 But better far that ev'ry vein 
 
 Of Spain's best blood, all pure and brave, 
 Should bathe, as tears, her noble slain. 
 
 Than recreant turn, base life to save ! 
 
 " Nay, pardon thou, my soul ! my love ! 
 
 I would not wound thy gentle heart, 
 My noble one ! my purest dove ! 
 
 That oi\hj father hath no part. 
 In my wUd grief I thoughtless spake, 
 
 Of one who calls thee child, I know, 
 
 * The field of truth. t The field of woe. 
 
PEL A TO. 37 
 
 Who would from me my soul's light take, 
 And finish well his work of woe ! 
 
 " Said I there seemed no God to save 
 
 Our fallen Spain, forevermore ? 
 If living, there remain ten brave 
 
 Of those left welt'ring in their gore, 
 God will not long avert his face 
 
 From our dear comitry's hleeding woes ; 
 Once more shall rise our fallen race. 
 
 Scattered shall he our cruel foes. 
 This faithful arm shall strike one blow 
 
 With vahant knights, our land to free ; — 
 Spain, desolate, and now laid low, 
 
 Thy banner, proud shall wave o'er thee ! 
 
 " But first, my nightiagale ! my bird ! 
 
 Must wing her flight with me away ; — 
 Here soon again her notes be heard. 
 
 When Adctory shall crown our day ! 
 In Seville's halls and bowers, with me. 
 
 My bride ! my queen of heart and throne I 
 O Spaia ! I fight for her and thee — 
 
 'Twere sad to strive for thee alone ; 
 My heart would faint, were no bright hope 
 
 To light me on my darkened way. 
 
38 P E L A T O . 
 
 N"o gentle tones my soul awoke — 
 No eye beamed on me lovmg ray. 
 
 " Why droops my trembling bird her wings ? 
 
 Nay, raise those tearful eyes above, 
 For bright with hope my soul now sings, 
 
 For ' vengeance, victory^ and love ! 
 As yonder orb from out that cloud 
 
 Is glimm'ring now, in misty light. 
 To burst in full effulgence proud. 
 
 So shall our Spain break from her night ! 
 Lo ! as she now reigns calm, serene, 
 
 And purely bright, in yon clear sky, 
 So dost thou reign, my bosom's queen, 
 
 And Spain's shall reign, with banner high ! 
 And as those stars gleam o'er her brow, 
 
 Steadfast and faithful in their ray, 
 So shine our loyal, brave hearts now, — 
 
 The few saved from that carnage day ! " 
 
 Fondly her violet orbs she turned 
 On him, all dewy bright with tears ; 
 
 While in their depth a lustre burned 
 Of love and faith, of hopes and fears. 
 
 " Ah ! yes, I'll raise mine eyes to thee. 
 Light of my soul ! mine own true knight ! 
 
A> yonder »ii-l» tVoni out tli;it ciond 
 Is ffliniin'i-inff now, in misty lii-'lit. 
 To liiii-st ill full efful-'rio-'^' pi-ouil. 
 ^o sh.ill om- S|Niin biviik froui ln'r uiirlit: 
 
PELATO. 39 
 
 They need no ' star ' or ' moon ' to see ; 
 
 Thy presence maketh all things bright ! 
 My cynosure to guide in love ! 
 
 My firm, unwav'ring beacon bright ! 
 To cheer on earth, and lead above, 
 
 TiU blend our souls in heav'nly light ! 
 But ah ! my heart grows faint with fear. 
 
 Lest from me severed, thou shouldst be. 
 My love ! my light ! in night most drear 
 
 Borne down in battle's raging sea ! 
 Nor could this earthly, frail bark breast 
 
 Alone and desolate life's tide ; 
 Better thy bird should seek her nest 
 
 Safe, glad, with thee on mountain side, 
 Or e'er its helm another take. 
 
 E'en though alone, on stormy sea ; 
 The bark must sink — ^this poor heart break. 
 
 Ere guide or love it know but thee ! 
 Crave I no throne, or courtly train, 
 
 No crown upon my brow to shine, 
 Pray I but freedom for our Spain, 
 
 One faithful heart — thine, dearest, thine ! 
 Alas ! how wild, how vain that hope 
 
 For Spain ! her glory now so shorn ! 
 In bondage base, 'neath foreign yoke ! 
 
 From night so dark, whence cometh mom ! 
 
40 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Where now thy noble, stalwart band ? 
 
 Where otir bold chiefs — ^brave sous of Spain ? 
 All crushed and scattered o'er her land ! 
 
 Or martyred, mould'ring with her slain ! 
 Fall'n Cross and sceptre, chief and king ! 
 
 Nay, rush not madly to thy grave ! 
 As cygnet fail-, thy dirge to sing 
 
 In reckless war cry, Spain to save ! " 
 
 Fondly he gazed, with love-Ut eye, 
 
 Within her earnest orbs of blue ; 
 As starry rays from heaven lie 
 
 In crystal waters, mirrored true. 
 " And if, as cygnet bird, I sing 
 
 My requiem in our battle cry, 
 Her parting song doth sweetest ring. 
 
 As mine would, love ! for Spain to die. 
 But fear thou not, my life ! my love ! 
 
 No swan-Uke dirge sing I forlorn. 
 But, as the lark chants dawn above. 
 
 So herald I our breaking mom ! 
 
 " Now rest that dear face close to me, 
 Thy golden tresses next my cheek. 
 While in thine ear I breathe to thee 
 A dream of hope I may not speak. 
 
P E L A Y O . 41 
 
 Thou dost remember my young page, 
 
 Gomez, that stripling of sixteen. 
 Who, constant, through the battle's rage. 
 
 Close by my side was ever seen ? 
 Dauntless and fearless in the fight, 
 
 As bound his liege and Spain to save ! 
 In sooth, it was a goodly sight. 
 
 That noble boy, so young and brave ! 
 But, when the fray grew madd'ning wild, 
 
 And fiercely rushed the dark horde on, 
 Borne with them was that faithful child ; 
 
 I turned — to find him. from me gone ! 
 And how, I need not tell to thee, 
 
 My heart for him has sorely bled, 
 Whom ne'er I thought again to see. 
 
 But sadly numbered with the dead ! 
 
 " Thy precious form last eve had passed 
 
 Scarce fifteen moments from my view. 
 And I had turned me from my last 
 
 Fond gaze, and sad, oh ! sad adieu ! 
 When passing near the ilex trees 
 
 That grace the borders of yon bower. 
 Heard I a rustling, as the breeze, 
 
 And at my feet there dropped a flower. 
 
4-2 P E L A T . 
 
 As, parting the ricli vines so bright, 
 
 All drooped their crimson buds with dew, 
 A voice exclaimed, " My liege ! my knight ! " 
 
 And Gomez ! living ! met my view ! 
 Bending with rapt'rous rev'rence deep, 
 
 Mine hands with kisses wild he prest, 
 Exclaiming, ' God my liege did keep ! 
 
 Oh ! be His name forever blest ! ' 
 
 " Then hastily his tale he told 
 
 Of one, who through that battle day. 
 Constant on me kept eye o'er bold, 
 
 And eager, sought fuU oft to slay. 
 'Twas Ebba ! who, with direst hate. 
 Strove, ever fierce, to wind my fate 
 In speedy death, — ^heart's blood to spiU, 
 And thus his hopes and vengeance fill. 
 Through all the hottest of the fight, 
 
 That Evil-eye my form e'er sought, 
 Gleaming with murd'rous intent bright, 
 
 With envy, malice, deeply fraught, 
 And baffled rage, — for well he knew 
 
 No treach'rous blow could reach my heart, 
 While that brave boy, so fondly true, 
 
 Close from my side would never part ; 
 
P B L A Y O . 43 
 
 And, therefore, thonglit he first to slay 
 My faithful guard ; so dastard sword 
 
 Aimed full at nie, — but turned, to lay 
 That nohle boy low with the horde ! 
 
 " Weak, faint, he rose, with strongest will 
 
 To serve his master to the last, 
 When rushing foe, with ' Techir ' shrill. 
 
 Bore his poor, fainting body past. 
 Bleeding and senseless on the field, 
 
 With all that wretched, dying throng. 
 Fell that poor child, — ^my guard and shield, 
 
 As rushing Moors swept wild along ! 
 At midnight hour, 'mid hope and fear. 
 
 One of his kin, who searched a friend. 
 Chanced my poor Gomez' moan to hear. 
 
 To save him from untimely end, 
 And bore him to a mountain cave, 
 
 Where brave and fair were gath'ring fast, 
 While others sought the field, to save 
 
 Their dying, ere all hope were past. 
 And thus a goodly band was spared. 
 
 Of Spain's brave, fallen, bleeding race ; 
 By leech's skill all gently cared. 
 
 To fill again the warrior's place. 
 
44 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Assembled there, in cave and glen, 
 
 And o'er the verdant mountain slope. 
 Wait Spain's fair daughters — ^loyal men — 
 
 Brave hearts, aU warm and bright with hope ; 
 Eager upon the foe to rush — 
 
 To raise our battle cry again, 
 The miscreant Saracen to crush 
 
 For' Vengeance! Victory! and Spain!'' 
 But now, my love ! to me they turn. 
 
 Last of my sad and princely race ! 
 Each heart with fervent zeal doth burn, 
 
 That as their chief I take my place ; 
 To lead them on, as chief and king, 
 
 From vale and mountain call they now, 
 That soon each dale and height may ring 
 
 With one avengeful, patriot vow. 
 
 " Learned they, I dwelt in bondage here. 
 
 When, as a peasant, Gomez came 
 To seek me out, with words of cheer. 
 
 Of quick release from captive shame. 
 Him send they, saying, one and all, 
 
 ' Go now unto Abd'laisis' court. 
 Where seek Pelayo, held in thrall. 
 
 With whom on Xeres' field we foughl. 
 
P E L A T O . 4:5 
 
 Tell him, his people, unsubdued, 
 
 His Christian chiefs, all faithful stand, 
 That time sufficient hath ensued, 
 
 Since Xeres' fall, and wait the band ; 
 That he, as king, shall lead them on ; — 
 
 In Theodmir's, Urbino's name. 
 In name of chiefs to glory gone. 
 
 We pray him, save our country's fame ! ' 
 And loud the cry, ' Save thou our Spain ! 
 
 Pelayo ! now our only hope ! 
 Let us not call or plead in vain ! 
 
 Pelayo ! break our hated yoke ! 
 Too long we pining, fettered groan ! 
 
 Restore, in thine own rightful line, 
 The Spanish sceptre — mount thy throne. 
 
 And raise our Cross, and Vii'gin shrine ! ' 
 
 " And now, my. life ! the hour draws nigh 
 When, to Asturia's mountains high, 
 We haste, just Heaven's will to do ; 
 For risen bright the fire anew, 
 So nearly dead ; — from embers past • 
 One spark,, not yet extinct, the last. 
 Breathed on by souls that brook no shame, 
 Hath kindled into glorious flame, 
 
46 P E L A Y O . 
 
 To sweep th' invader from our path 
 
 As leaves before the tempest's wrath ; 
 
 And raise a beacon-light on high 
 
 With ' Santiago ! ' battle cry ! 
 
 Then ne'er may it be said that I, 
 
 Recr'ant from death or duty, fly, 
 
 And thou wilt be my star of light, 
 
 Sweet love ! to cheer to freedom bright ; — 
 
 To freedom blest, on mountain height, 
 
 To fair Auseva's heav'nly air. 
 Far from that Crescent's hateful sight. 
 
 With me, my precious one ! I'll bear, * 
 Nay, list ! Bishop Centerio, sweet ! 
 
 With friends and maidens, dear to both, 
 Await us there, with love to greet, 
 
 And witness all, our nuptial troth : 
 And there, in God^s cathedral grand. 
 
 Lighted by myriad stars on high, 
 Guarded by angels pure, we'U stand, 
 
 Our canopy, the glorious sky. 
 Its columns, oaks, in moonlit sheen, 
 
 Fluted by many a beauteous vine ; 
 Our carpet, flowers on mossy green. 
 
 And there, my life ! I'll make thee mine ! 
 The holy bishop waits us there, 
 
 To join our hands, as hearts, in one, 
 
P E L A Y O . 47 
 
 Ere all shall join in one vast prayer 
 That God wiU bless the work begun, 
 
 For Cross and Faith — for fallen Spain, 
 And vow to fight, and bleeding fall, 
 
 So that her banner float again 
 
 O'er battlement, and tower, and wall ! 
 
 " Light of my soul ! wilt fly with me. 
 
 Far from thy gorgeous palace home, 
 Content in forest-wUd to be, 
 
 Or with thine own true knight to roam ? 
 Oh ! gently will I guard my dove. 
 
 And though in wild-wood be her nest, 
 I'U weave it close with flowers of love. 
 
 Forever blooming in my breast ! 
 And thou shalt say, in after power. 
 
 That marble court and golden dome. 
 Are not so dear as bird and flower. 
 
 And streamlet of our mountain home ! " 
 
 " Wilt fly with thee! And wouldst thou ask 
 Ton bird, in gilded cage so fine, 
 If it in Freedom's light would bask 
 
 With loving mate, or fettered pkie ? 
 To be each day more eager sought 
 To nestle in a tyrant breast, 
 
48 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Until at length, fierce, rudely caught, 
 
 And forced, e'en dying, there to rest ! 
 Nay ! nay ! thou couldst not leave me here 
 
 To be the bride of Moslem-foe ! 
 And I but shrank in maiden fear, 
 
 Lest wrong, ere wedded, hence to go. 
 But ever noble, true, and right, 
 
 My guide ! my light ! in all thou art ! 
 With trusting love Til share thy flight. 
 
 And from thee, never, never part I 
 
 " Ha ! see ! my Sainted Mother dear ! 
 
 In spirit pure ! an angel mild ! 
 Smiles sweetly, as she draweth near ! 
 
 She blesses us ! blesses her child ! 
 Now sadly turns she toward our Hall, 
 
 Where floats that brazen, impious scroU, 
 Proclaiming my lost father's fall ! 
 
 Plead ! mother ! plead for his poor soul ! 
 Look ! tear-drops swell in those dear eyes ! 
 
 AU mournfully she droops her head, — 
 Now smiles on us ! and toward yon skies 
 
 Floats gently on, by angels led ! 
 Bless me again ! O mother, stay ! 
 
 Smile yet once more ! and bless thy child ! 
 
P E L A Y O . 49 
 
 Bear her, oh, bear her not away ! 
 
 In mercy stay ! nor drive me wild ! " 
 To heaven, outstretched her arms she threw, 
 
 Piercing its depths with earnest gaze ! 
 Raised, poised, as if for flight — she too 
 
 Seems angel fair, in moonlit rays ! 
 As halo floats her sunny hair. 
 
 Of heaven's own blue, soul-fraught her eyes, 
 Fixed on that mother, till through air 
 
 She slowly fadeth in those skies ! 
 Then, as a lily, dew-drooped, weak, 
 
 All sobbing on his breast she fell, 
 Who fondly, soothing words did speak, 
 
 Till vanished grief 'neath love's sweet spell ! 
 And smUing she, as blossom bright 
 
 In sun's reviving, cheering ray. 
 Deems her blest mother, ' clothed in light,' 
 
 Came — omen of a happier day ! 
 
 " My precious love ! this waning moon 
 Absolves me full from ' word or bond,' 
 
 So must we hence, and that right soon. 
 To join our friends, the brave and fond. 
 
 When ev'niag dews the third shall fall, 
 Thou'lt meet me 'neath' the acacia fair. 
 
50 PELATO. 
 
 At sunset hour, wlieii from yon wall 
 
 Rings forth the Moslem cry, ' To prayer ! ' 
 When prostrate fa,lls each tm-baned knave, 
 
 And cry to ' Allah ' that dark mass, 
 We, praying God to bless and save, 
 
 "Will from those walls to freedom pass ! 
 "When from the minaret's high wall. 
 Her outer gallery, doth fall 
 The Mueezin's last ' Alia Hu^* 
 Our forms no more the guard may view ! 
 As peasants^ home from market trade. 
 
 In humble guise, on good mules strong, 
 Ourselves, Gomez, thy faithful maid, 
 
 Will careless wend our way along ; 
 And once without the farther wall 
 
 With thee, my precious life ! my fair ! 
 That slave may scarce on ' Allah ' call, 
 
 "Whom our sure flight to stop might dare. 
 Gomez will bring the garbs for all, 
 
 "Which don we o'er our vestures here ; 
 And in om* panniers, wardrobe small. 
 
 Will full suffice for rural gear. 
 Let Inez bring by stealth, at times, 
 
 Thy treasures and thy robes, my bride ! 
 
 "Alia 3u" ("God, the Prophet"), the concluding words of the 
 Muezzin's call to prayer. 
 
PELAYO. 51 
 
 As thou dost -wish, and near the limes, 
 Beneath the myrtle, closely hide." 
 
 But they must part — ^yon silv'ry moon 
 Is setting now — fading her light ; 
 
 The sad " adieu " comes all too soon — 
 To lovers fond, the sad " good night ! " 
 
 " Again ' good night,' mine angel love ! 
 
 Whom sainted spirits bright attend, 
 And guarding, shield my precious dove 
 
 For me, through life, life without end ! " 
 Again, again, one last embrace ! 
 
 As rending heartstrings thus to sever ! 
 " Once more our tryst in this dear place, 
 
 Again to part, sweet love ! oh, never ! " 
 Fluttered her white robes in the breeze. 
 
 Fades she, as angel, from his sight ! — 
 Now moans the wind through orange trees. 
 
 And, as yon moon, waneth his light ! 
 
CANTO n. 
 
 Theee weary days had well nigh passed, 
 
 And sunset hour came stealing near, 
 When ZUlah turned to take her last. 
 
 Sad, fond farewell of scenes once dear. 
 Brushing the tear that dimmed her eye, 
 
 For shadowed joys and past hopes, fled, 
 Bright flowers, that blossomed bvit to die, 
 
 All sadly stricken — withered — dead ! 
 " No place for thee," she mournful sighed, 
 
 " HI seemeth tear or sign of woe ; 
 A loved and royal chieftaia's bride, 
 
 While he is spared, may grief ne'er know." 
 
 But scarce that tear to fall had time. 
 Ere joy beamed forth ! in myrtle bower. 
 
 Beneath the acacia fair, and lime. 
 Her lover waits th' appointed hour ! 
 
PEL AT O. 53 
 
 One bound, one spring, and he hath, pressed 
 That trembling maiden to his heart ! 
 
 " Star of my soul ! my bride ! my blessed I 
 Miae own for aye ! no more to part I " 
 
 And Inez now and Gomez bend. 
 
 In rustic garb, and rev'rence deep. 
 With earnest zeal and care to tend. 
 
 And faithful guard still anxious keep ; 
 While quicHy armor's shining maU, 
 
 And snowy robe of finest make. 
 In peasant guise they closely veU, 
 
 And each on arm a basket take. 
 But scarce an arrow's distant flight. 
 
 By Guadalquiver's rippling side, 
 In grove of fig, well screened from sight. 
 
 Their sturdy mules had Gomez tied, 
 Which mountidg, they with hearts of fear 
 
 Went forth amid the noisy throng. 
 From bower, and "patio" * long loved, dear. 
 
 With careless air, and light-hummed song. 
 
 And the Alcazar leave full soon, 
 Her curling pennons, crescent moon, 
 
 * Court. 
 
64 P E L A T O . 
 
 And impious scrolls of Hasphemy, 
 Floating where sacred cross should be, 
 O'er Christian gardens, — grand arcade. 
 Of fluted columns' length'ning shade, 
 As siaks the sun in glowing west. 
 With glancing heam o'er courts to rest. 
 Of olive and sweet orange flower. 
 Radiant ia sunset's gorgeous hour. 
 
 And thus, with anxious, trembliag fear, 
 
 They meet the turbaned. Eastern throng ; 
 Giralda's tower soon passing near, 
 
 Mosque, convent, aqueduct along ; 
 And, as beneath the palm they passed, 
 
 The brazen statue, beareth there, 
 Murmured Pelayo, " Thus, at last, 
 
 May loe return with palm branch fair ! " 
 
 Now, Convent of the Carmelite, 
 
 Embowered 'mid chestnuts' richest bloom, 
 Beyond their Guadalquiver bright. 
 
 Behold they, ia deserted gloom. 
 No cross upraised toward heaven's light, 
 No sacred emblem meets the sight ! 
 With flutt'ring heart they rapid pass 
 'Mid Arab, Moor, and motley mass, 
 

 
 
 iil'^'^^^IPtt^ 
 
 ■•- -It' - ' 
 
 
 Wlii'li w.un, witll iciy till- rity L':lle- 
 TIh'1 sitVl.\ I'cai'li. nv c■,■;l^,v^ nill 
 or '-Alia llii!" t" l'n,|.lH.t t'l-c-at. 
 And |ir;ii^iiiL; O'uif, ji.i^s lVinn llit/ wii 
 
P E L A Y O . 55 
 
 While clear doth ring ttrougli perfumed air, 
 The Imaums' cry, " To prayer ! to prayer!" 
 When soon, with joy the city gate 
 
 They safely reach, ere ceases call 
 Of " Alia Em!" to " Prophet great," 
 
 And praising God^ pass from the wall ! 
 
 " Now, God be praised ! " exclaimed the knight, 
 
 " For this sweet hreath of freedom's air. 
 With thee, my star of beauty bright. 
 
 And queen of every virtue rare ! 
 My wild flower of the forest ! now 
 
 Thou bloomest in thy rustic dress. 
 More fair to me than when all -bow 
 
 To thee in courtly loveliness ! 
 ' Mimosa mia ! ' trembling thou ? 
 
 This little hand scarce guides thy rein I 
 ' Animo, vida mia! ' now, 
 
 For fear and terror, love ! are vain. 
 Turn thee, my life ! behold yon wall. 
 
 Where Moslem banners glisten bright ; 
 E'en now, thou seest, we're far from all. 
 
 And soon wiU fade their hateful sight." 
 
 " It is, my love ! no craven fear 
 
 Thrills deep my heart, unnerves my hand ; 
 
56 PELATO. 
 
 But terror, that thy life, so dear, 
 Be thus exposed to Moorish band ! 
 
 Lest that our flight o'er soon be known, — 
 Captured by numbers, sadly sure ! 
 
 To thee, my life ! no mercy shown ! 
 
 And I— forced bride of that vile Moor ! " 
 
 " Cheer thee, ' Mi Alma ! ' banish fear, — 
 
 For not untU the nightingale 
 Breathes forth her love-strains, sweetly clear, 
 
 Within our own dear parted vale. 
 Will Abdelaisis seek thy side. 
 
 To learn my bird has ta'en her flight ! 
 Near vulture dark no more to bide, 
 
 Ot patios, seared by Moslem blight. 
 When, thanks to Heav'n, the distance wide 
 'Tween thee and him, mine own ! my bride ! 
 And e'en pursued, full well, I ween, 
 Long leagues and night will kindly screen 
 Us from all ken, or sight of Moor, 
 And soon, all safe in refuge sure 
 Within Auseva's shelt'ring arm, 
 Where ne'er may aught aifright, or harm 
 My dove, enclosed in safest nest 
 Of eyi'ie bright, on loving breast ! " 
 
P E L A T O . 57 
 
 " Now on my heart doth radiance break ! 
 
 Safe, safe with thee I thine, only thine ! 
 My nohle oak ! storm ne'er may shake. 
 
 And I, thy weak but clinging vine. 
 And thus all fear I cast aside. 
 Thy loviog, true, and trusting bride : 
 More blithe my nest, on mountain height. 
 With thee, mine own I 'neath heaven's light, 
 Than Alcazar whose walls of gold, 
 Would but a pining birdling hold ; 
 Beating her wings 'gainst rubied bar. 
 Moaning for freedom, love, afar. 
 Dying, beneath the with'ring breath 
 Of loathfed love — far worse than death ! " 
 And thus, in converse fond, they led 
 
 Their loving, onward way. 
 And many a league had rapid sped. 
 
 Long ere the close of day. 
 
 HappUy they onward wend, 
 Smiling skies above them bend, 
 Hope, her radiance lends, to cheer, 
 Chasing ev'ry darksome fear. 
 Rich and lovely is the scene ! 
 Soft'ning now in shades of e'en, 
 
 3* 
 
68 PELAYO. 
 
 Far ascending mountains tigt, 
 Looming toward the glowing sky ; 
 Scattered hamlets, villas bright, 
 Calm repose in rosy light. 
 Castles grand, imposing tower 
 Lofty, where broad shadows lower, 
 Marking clear each rampart line 
 Bolder in the sim's decline. 
 
 Thus far, they had avoided well 
 
 Hamlet, or cot, or haunt of men ; 
 But now, as winding through a dell 
 
 Of sweet repose in moxmtain glen, 
 The faint, low, tolling of a beU 
 
 With blending voices, meet the ear ! 
 How solemn, sad, that dirge's swell, 
 
 As yon small fun'ral train draws near ! 
 
 Oh blessed sight ! no crescent stains 
 
 Where priests, with crucifix and paU, 
 Pay their last rev'rence to remains 
 
 Now passing to the home of all. 
 While from a grove, 'mid chestnuts' flower. 
 
 There glistens in the sunset light 
 Our cross of hope, on convent tower ! — 
 
 A hermitage, oasis bright I 
 
P E L A T O . 69 
 
 " Did I not tell thee, precious one ! 
 
 That, o'er each height and mountain glen. 
 Wait, hut to know our work begun. 
 
 To fight, and save, brave, loyal men, 
 Who, faithful to their cross and land 
 
 (As powder in the veiu doth lie), 
 AH calmly ready, waiting stand 
 
 To strike for Spain, or nobly die ? " 
 But list, the solemn words they sing 
 
 Of him, from earth now passed away, — 
 Conquered by one whom all own king, 
 
 In bitter sadness, day by day ! 
 
 Hark ! to yon convent bell, 
 
 Heavily it tolleth ; 
 List ! to the requiem swell. 
 
 Mournfully it rolleth. 
 
 Loved one ! thou'rt passing now 
 
 From earth to Heaven — 
 Sadly, the mourning bow — 
 
 Hearts, heavy ! leaden ! 
 
 Raise now the cross above, — 
 
 Jesus, the Saviour ! 
 Smile on us. Lord, in love ! 
 
 Pray for us, Madre ! 
 
60 P E L A T O . 
 
 Slow sets the sinking sun, 
 Skies brightly beaming ; 
 
 Mortal, thy work is done ! 
 Death, — harvest gleaning. 
 
 Leavest thou, as golden cloud, 
 Footpriats, brightly gleaming ; 
 
 Thus casting earthly shroud — 
 Passing from vain dreaming. 
 
 " Alas ! too true ! vain, idle dreams — 
 
 AU pomp, and wealth, and power below ! 
 And pleasure's ray but fitful gleams, — 
 
 And glory — but an empty show ! 
 But yesterday, how bright our land. 
 
 In every blessing, richly proud ! 
 Now governed by a foreign band, 
 
 And 'neath an impious yoke, how bowed ! 
 To-day, man calm in peace may rest. 
 
 To-morrow, wretched, homeless left ! 
 To-day, in happy love fuU blest, — 
 
 To-morrow, of that joy bereft ! " 
 
 " Nay, not bereft ! " she answered sweet, 
 
 " True love fades not, dies not, — oh, never ! 
 Death could but part us, love ! to meet 
 In Heaven, more bright, to dwell forever." 
 
P E L A Y O . 61 
 
 " My star of hope ! mine angel love ! 
 
 My bride on earth, in Heav'n fore'er ! 
 And earth scarce less than Heav'n ahove, 
 
 While thou my home or wand'rings share. 
 But, dear one ! thou must rest thee here, 
 
 In this aU holy, calm retreat ; 
 For yet full many a league, I fear. 
 
 Ere aught like this again we meet. 
 But see ! who hasten quickly near. 
 
 With eager step, as us to greet ! 
 Bishop Centerio ! maidens dear ! 
 
 Chiefs, nobles of our court we meet ! 
 Kind friends, who wend their loving speed 
 
 From far, to welcome us this night ; 
 Our escort hence o'er hiU and mead 
 
 To forest altar — ^nuptial rite. 
 For well, methinks, my gentle one 
 
 Might shrink to meet a warrior band, 
 With our smaU number first alone, 
 
 Friends many, love, will round thee stand ; 
 And were it not, mayhap, e'en now 
 
 Pursued, discovered in our flight. 
 We'd tarry here for marriage vow. 
 
 Our hands, as hearts, in love to plight." 
 
62 P E L A T O . 
 
 Scarce had she time to turn one glance 
 
 Of grateful love, for tender thought, 
 When nearer now those friends advance 
 
 With words of ardent welcome fraught. 
 " Bless thee ! " the hishop cried, " my chUd ! 
 
 God bless thee, prince, our hope, the last ! — 
 How, daughter, like thy mother mild ! 
 
 Whose days on earth full quickly passed ! 
 So, God ordaiaeth all for best. 
 
 Some wise, mysterious, imseen good, 
 To try our lore, our faith to test, — 
 
 He chastens now with bitter food ! 
 And teaches us, in brightest days 
 
 To guard the treasures we possess, 
 And prize the smallest sunny rays 
 
 Which our poor earthly life may bless." 
 
 Now crowd brave chiefs and nobles round 
 Their prince, Pelayo, happ'ly found ! 
 Exclaiming, " God, our Lord, we praise ! 
 Who thus, through thee, Spain's king doth raise. 
 Most royal prince ! we greet thee, all 
 Our hope now, in our country's fall ; 
 Welcome, brave chief! from fond hearts true. 
 Prince ! king ! to raise our Spain anew ! " 
 
P E L A Y O . 63 
 
 Tender and fond tlie greeting, too, 
 
 Between those maiden friends of old, 
 Who meet in scenes so strangely new, 
 
 In this calm glen, 'mid mountains bold ! 
 For long, these friends had holden all 
 
 Afar in mountain wilds their court ; 
 In caves, where pure streams rippling fall, 
 
 'Mid towers of houlders, strongly wrought ; 
 Thither had fled, when hope was past, 
 
 To bide until a fairer hour. 
 When Spain should ring her trumpet-blast, 
 
 And boldly reassert her power. 
 
 Within the monastery's wall 
 
 They enter now, brief rest to take ; 
 When speedily sounds kindly caE 
 
 Frugal collation all to make. 
 And there, on holy friars' board, 
 
 Bright flowers, rich fruits were freely spread, 
 With choicest wines, long since well stored. 
 
 Fresh game, and whitest chestnut bread. 
 And now, those maidens murmur low 
 
 Of much that's past, and bridal near ; 
 When, playfully, each seeks to know 
 
 Who ar.e the chosen bride-maids dear ? 
 
64 P E L A Y O . 
 
 While half in joy, and half in fear, 
 
 Fair Zillah, trembling, smiling, tries 
 Brave heart to bear, for him so dear. 
 
 Toward whom she tm-neth loving eyes ; 
 And though in parlance grave is he 
 
 With warriors of their suff 'ring land, 
 He feels that glance — and turns to see, 
 
 As though 'twere touch of gentle hand. 
 Magnetic thrill ! that, stealing sweet. 
 
 Soul to fond soul may loving send. 
 In one vibration full to meet. 
 
 In one soul-rapture both to blend ! 
 
 But they must hasten, — ^in yon court 
 
 The restless chargers stamp the grovmd, 
 Champing the bit with neigh and snort. 
 
 That through the vaUey shriU resound ; 
 While faithful mules still meeHy stand. 
 
 As if for toil and patience made ; 
 So, in all things, from wisest hand. 
 
 For every use, come light and shade. 
 
 Soon forth approach our prince and maid. 
 From sacred porch, each fair and knight ;- 
 
 The royal pair again arrayed 
 
 In proper robe, — in armor bright ; 
 
P B L A Y O . 65 
 
 And mounted they on steeds of white, 
 
 Was ever seen more nohle pair ? 
 With ev'ry grace and virtue bright, 
 
 A godlike hero ! angel fair ! 
 
 And Gomez, proudly, in advance, 
 
 His chieftain's spear and banner bears ; 
 
 While shield, and sword, and shining lance, 
 Each knight and warrior boldly wears. 
 
 Then bend they low, in rev'rence all. 
 
 Before those friars, old and grave, 
 Whose benedictions solemn faU, 
 
 With prayers that God wiU guide and save ; 
 As turning from that spot so blest. 
 
 The twilight dews begin to steal. 
 While crimson clouds adorn the west, 
 
 And sweetly chimes the vesper peal. 
 
 PRATER OF THE ERIARS. 
 
 " Domine, exaudi me" 
 Jesu, Saviour nune ! 
 Lo, now Thy children see, 
 SuppUants at Thy shrine. 
 
66 P E L A T O . 
 
 Lord ! Jehovah holy ! 
 
 Lend now Thine ear, — 
 Bend we, sad and lowly, 
 
 Dangers low'ring near ! 
 
 Save Thou, from sin and woe, 
 Lighten Thou, our sorrow ; 
 
 Shield us from Moslem foe. 
 Hasten brighter morrow. 
 
 Pray thou for us, Marie, 
 Virgin madre mine ; 
 
 Intercede for mercy 
 From the Lord divine. 
 
 " Orapro nobis" 
 
 O madre, madre mine ! 
 
 " Orapro nobis" 
 
 That Heaven's blessings shine 
 
 On homeless wand'rers here, 
 Toss'd and tempest driven ; 
 
 Life's treach'rous sea, aU drear I 
 From our haven riven ! 
 
P E L A T . 67 
 
 " Ora pro nobis" 
 
 Pardoned be our sin, 
 O'er foe of earth and soul 
 
 Vict'ry may we win ; 
 Guide Thou unto the goal — 
 
 Heaven safe within ! 
 
 With grave and solemn thoughts imbued, 
 
 And measured, gentle pace, they passed ; 
 The hour, the scene, their tones subdued. 
 
 As faint and fainter fell the last 
 Sad, plaintive strain of holy prayer — 
 
 So thrilling in its dying close. 
 That, as inspired — in chorus share 
 
 Spontaneous each voice arose 
 In rich, full tones — deep from the heart 
 
 Gushed forth again that fading prayer. 
 Each hiU and valley bearing part 
 
 In softened echoes through the air ; 
 While twilight falls, on hiU and dale. 
 
 As clouds of eve o'erhang the west, 
 Draping, with floating, gorgeous veU 
 
 The portals whence the day seeks rest. 
 Till fades the light from that fair west. 
 
 And stars come gUmrn'riug forth on high ; 
 
68 PEL AY O. 
 
 Sweet nature, hushed in dewy rest, 
 
 As calm reposing all things lie ; 
 While Night slow folds her dusky wings, 
 
 And silence reigns o'er hill and plain, 
 Save but the lay the nightbird sings. 
 
 In clear and melancholy strain, 
 Of gently trilling, plaintive note ; 
 
 Sweet warbler of the dreaming wild ! 
 "Whose mellow tones so liquid float 
 
 The livelong night in cadence mUd, 
 
 Enamored is she of yon moon, 
 
 That riseth now, serenely bright ? 
 Others, I ween, rejoice, thus soon 
 
 She smUeth on their way to Ught 
 Their mountain path, and heath, and plain, 
 Where solitude and silence reign 
 Sole dwellers now, and e'en by day 
 Where foot of man doth seldom stray. 
 Falls through the forest dense, her glance, 
 
 In quaint, strange forms, her cheering ray, 
 'Mid oaks whose waving branches dance, 
 
 And with the mountain breezes play. 
 Ofttimes their path in darkness quite. 
 
 Save startled fireflies' myriad gleam, 
 
P E L A Y O . 69 
 
 Or their own torches' fitful light 
 
 Of strangely wild and flick'ring beam. 
 
 Again, along the river's side, 
 
 Ana and Sella's course, they wend, 
 "Whose gentle waters ripp'ling glide. 
 
 While moonbeams in their bosom blend. 
 Their borders fringed with drooping vine, 
 
 Of fruit, and flowers, green, crimson, decked. 
 As em'rald, ruby, bright to shine. 
 
 In silv'ry sheen, all richly flecked ! 
 Their way, sweet strewn with dewy flowers, 
 O'er-arched by wild, fantastic bowers 
 Of lofty branches waving high 
 In tow'ring pride toward starry sky ; 
 Where rest secure the forest choir. 
 Till dawning waketh matin lyre, 
 Filling the air with melody. 
 As sweetest, rarest minstrelsy. 
 
 How strange that cortege in the wild ! 
 
 How fair that noble pair, so true ! 
 As in his loving gaze she smiled. 
 
 Her face upraised to moonlight view ! 
 Her tiny hand he fondly holds, 
 
 StiU gently guides her palfrey's tread. 
 
70 P B L A T O . 
 
 With tender ann her form enfolds, 
 While bends to her his noble head. 
 
 And thus, fuU many a rapid mile, 
 In hasty flight they quickly sped, 
 
 Sweet Love and Hope bright to beguile. 
 As happily their journey led. 
 
 Now turn they from all haunts of men 
 Toward " Barranco de Tocos " glen. 
 Where Deva's stream doth brightly wind. 
 With silv'ry birch and hazel lined. 
 Leaving the harvest fields spread wide 
 Of golden grain, for mountain side ; 
 High, rocky clifis of heath and gorse. 
 That gayly deck tortuous course ; 
 Tin wilder, grander grows their way. 
 Where toppling crags above them lay ; 
 And closer still, the rude defile. 
 Through boulders fiercely flinty pile ; 
 Nought heard, save Deva's rushing sound. 
 Or chargers' tramps re-echoing round, 
 Startling the eagle from his rest. 
 And forest bird from sheltered nest. 
 
 Lo ! rises yon, St. Mary's cave, 
 That Deva's rills, fair, sparkling lave ; 
 
P E L A Y O , 71 
 
 As Covadonga's temple old, 
 Towering in lofty grandeur bold ! 
 Where Christian watchmen ever stand 
 To guard Asturia's mountain band. 
 Nor mortal, e'er through this abyss 
 May warder stealthy pass, I wis I 
 But look ! up yonder mountain, bright 
 
 Gleam torches, fires, in cheerful glow ! 
 How fearful looms that dizzy height 
 
 To wand'rers at its base below ! 
 
 " Behold, my liege ! " exclaims a knight, 
 
 (Count Pedro), " our Auseva bold ! 
 That foe lives not, could force her height, 
 
 Or access gain within her fold ! 
 On her bright summit breathe we free. 
 
 Deep inspiration from on high, 
 Health, peace, religious liberty. 
 
 Fearing no foe, or danger nigh. 
 Calm sanctu'ry for royal flight ! 
 
 Where snowy clouds bend gently down, 
 Kissing her brow of grandeur bright. 
 
 With fleecy halo — ^heavenly crown ! 
 And there the eye's extended range 
 
 Unbounded o'er each side may roam 
 
72 P E L A T O . 
 
 O'er scenes of richly varied change, 
 
 Hill, river, vale, and vine-clad home. 
 Studded her slopes with many a cave 
 
 Of ev'ry size, and shape, and height, 
 Where artist, huntsman, hermit grave. 
 
 May peaceful lead a wild-wood life. 
 In these have found we each a home, 
 
 Rude, it is true, — ^but comfort share. 
 As after sportsman's forest roam. 
 
 We gayly feast on mountain fare. 
 And still, above these mountain caves, 
 
 There rises one, more grand in height. 
 Whose mossy court the streamlet laves 
 
 In purest water, crystal bright ; 
 Spacious, majestic, and embowered 
 
 By giant oaks, festooned with vine 
 Pendant with fruit, and blossom-showered, 
 
 Through which the laughing sunbeams shine. 
 And this, with fondest care, have we 
 
 Arranged, adorned, as best we might ; 
 And though no palace, — still, will be 
 
 A fairy bower, with bride so bright ! 
 An eyrie grand! for thee, our king ! 
 
 Ati eagle nest, amid the cloud ! 
 Until prepared to spread thy loing. 
 
 With mighty swoop, to cry aloud 
 
P E L A T O . 73 
 
 And scatter wide those birds of prey, 
 Vile ravens / dark in soul as hue / 
 
 Foul vultures ! clouding our fair day, — 
 Unholy, base, and impious crew / " 
 
 "_ Thanks, thanks, Count Pedro, for thy care ! 
 
 Our gracious thanks to each and all, 
 But chiefly for this jewel rare, 
 
 So gently nursed in lordly hall. 
 My brave sweet-heart, but tender flower ! 
 
 Unused to mountain storm and wind, 
 O'erjoyed am I, so fair a bower. 
 
 For this, my treasure, I may find." 
 
 " Secure, at least, my prince, 'tis found 
 
 'Gainst wile or siege of storming band. 
 For Nature's walls guard all around. 
 
 As though our fortress she had planned ! 
 And though our numbers sadly small. 
 
 Compared with that imholy horde, — 
 Bold hearts and valiant hands have all. 
 
 And on our side the blessed Lord ! 
 KTo battlement, though raised with skiU 
 
 By man's deep art or cunning bold. 
 May match our bulwarks, fortress hiU, 
 
 Of rook and crag from nature's mould ! — 
 4 
 
74 P E L A Y O . 
 
 As winds the path up Deva's side, 
 
 Fiercer aud steeper grow the cliffs, 
 As foot of man they bold defied 
 
 By tottling crags and frightful rifts. 
 Ascent is there but one, I wis ! 
 
 E'en that, dame Nature fain would close 
 By deep defile and dark abyss, 
 
 Through which a rushing torrent flows 
 Forever in this caldron deep. 
 
 To wildly seething, foaming pour 
 From rock to rock with whirling leap, 
 
 And constant, never-dying roar ! 
 O'er this ravine's imceasing flow 
 A rude draw-bridge we firmly throw, 
 And thus cheat nature — and the foe 
 That seeks to pass, with grave below ! 
 For should the Moslem here invade. 
 This crafty game may well be played : — 
 Meet we in coinbat ''neatli the ridge, 
 Retreat, if need he, o'er the bridge ; 
 Decoying thus the rushing Moor 
 To quick pursuit — of conquest sure. 
 On to the bridge we safe have passed, 
 When rings their Techir cry, the last ! — 
 A wily sev'ring of the cord 
 
 Tlmt knits that bridge o'er torrent'' s flow ! 
 
P E L A T O . 75 
 
 TP%ew, with one crash, must plunge the horde 
 
 Deep in the seething gulf helow I 
 Was ever known so sure a fort ? 
 
 Was ever tower more grand and high ? 
 Was ever held more gorgeous court, 
 
 Sun, moon, star-crowned in heav'nly sky ? " 
 
 Replied the prince, " We are much blessed, — 
 
 And Nature is most kind and bland. 
 Who, in her bosom giveth rest, 
 
 And sheltering arms to guard our band ! 
 And grateful, too, in sooth, are we, 
 
 That for our lambs God giveth ' fold,' — 
 My bride, thy lovely daughters three, 
 
 The wives and children of our bold. 
 For much fear I, few days may pass. 
 
 Ere, of our flight become full sure, 
 In hot pursuit wUl rush that mass. 
 
 Apostate father — rival Moor ! 
 But now with Nature laugh may we 
 
 At fury spent, impotent rage ! 
 Not here th' oppressors' power we'U see, 
 
 But 'gainst them conq'ring battle wage ! 
 And greatly should the mind be prized. 
 
 That craftily, with skilful plan. 
 
76 P E L A Y O . 
 
 The subtle net, the trap devised, 
 Which maketh sure of that darlc van ! " 
 
 Lo ! high above, as ia mid-air, 
 
 Planted upon a jutting rock, 
 Glitters a cross, raised, brightly fair. 
 
 As gleam of hope to Christ's poor flock, — 
 Huge, rudely carved, by Christian sons, 
 
 Unto their blessed symbol true. 
 Where fondly placed, those faithful ones, 
 
 Their Syrian blades to glitt'ring view. 
 From far and wide that cross is seen, — 
 
 In sunny rays, to gleam with light. 
 And stUl, full clear in soft moon sheen. 
 
 It glistens through the calm, dark night ; 
 And oft poor wand'rers o'er the plain, 
 
 The fainting, scattered of Christ's flock. 
 At our bright cross take hope again. 
 
 To lean once more on " clefted rook," 
 " The rock of ages," sure, fast hold 
 
 For all who cling with trusting zeal ; 
 Who keep brave heart and spirit bold. 
 
 And grateful, loving faith e'er feel. 
 
 Now soon the richer scenes are left, 
 Of varied orchards, pear, and lime, 
 
P E L A Y O . 77 
 
 With cot and hamlet, peace-bereft — 
 Fair citron bowers, and fragrant thyme. 
 
 Here, too, the plain begins to rise, 
 Gently ascending as they pass ; 
 
 Through heath and fern swarm bright fire-flies, 
 WhUe starts the lark from dewy grass, 
 
 Before the wand'ring, midnight band, 
 
 Invading thus his forest-land. 
 
 AH richly fair their pathway bright, 
 
 "With sleeping buds, where cistus* sweet. 
 Covers the earth with blossoms white, 
 
 Breathing rare odors 'neath their feet ; 
 As crushed hearts, oft-times only give 
 
 Their sweetness in the darkest hour; — 
 While yet in sunshiue bright they live. 
 
 Show not their worth, tiU sorrows lower. 
 Still, flow'rets sweet their pathway line. 
 Of eglantine, and wUd rose vine, 
 And chanting streamlets dancing play, 
 Throughout their devious, winding way. 
 The midnight moon smiles calmly down 
 
 O'er purple heath and trilling stream ; 
 
 » The oistaa sheds at night its perfumed leaves of white. 
 
78 P E L A T O . 
 
 Glancing wliere crags and ravines frown ; — 
 
 Through olive groves, with playful gleam ; 
 Kissing Anseva's star-crowned height 
 
 (Majestic, tow'ring 'mid her skies). 
 With glorious, full effulgence bright, 
 
 As in her smiles she sleeping lies ; 
 And Ibathed Asturia's hills in light 
 
 Which their huge forms now full defines 
 In the clear west — their giant height 
 
 Casting o'er Leon shadowy lines. 
 
 How calm, how varied is the scene ! 
 
 How fraught with all of good and mild, 
 As blend now in the moon's fair sheen, 
 
 Grove, vega, streamlet, bowlder wild ! 
 All solemn, silent, save the note 
 
 Of nightingale anon and then. 
 With whippowil's, that mournful float 
 
 In answers clear from hiU to glen ; 
 And hooting owl's discordant call, — 
 
 And tramping of their noble steeds. 
 As 'neath the footstep, scattered fall 
 
 Rich creeping vines, flowers, mountain weeds. 
 
 But now, more careful need they thread 
 Uncertain mazes, mountain way. 
 
PEL AT O. 79 
 
 Through gorge, o'er rocks with cautious tread, 
 
 That oft-times in their pathway lay ; 
 For nought of earth beams always fair, — 
 
 The smooth and rough, the dark and light. 
 Of good and ill aUke to share, — 
 
 The glorious day and shadowed night. 
 More careful too, the prince, I ween. 
 
 Of that sweet flow'ret hy his side, — 
 Anxious from every iU to screen 
 
 His wandering lamb, his mountain bride ; 
 Who droops no more — ^inspired by hope, 
 
 And love, and freedom's wild-wood air. 
 Bright, bravely now with all to cope. 
 
 That falleth to the trav'ler's share ; 
 As through the brush they wend their way. 
 
 Or deep ravine, in shadows hid 
 Of rocky spire and boulder gray 
 
 Looming as tower or pyramid ! 
 
 Twining their path the stream along, 
 Which, from the mountain top and hills. 
 
 With sparkling smile and winning song. 
 Gathers her playmate springs and riUs, 
 
 When mingling in one mazy dance. 
 Wilder and wilder still they leap, — 
 
80 P E L A T O . 
 
 O'er mossy rock aud wild-vine glance 
 
 And 'bove the splintered bowlder steep ; 
 "While louder, fiercer grows the roar, 
 
 As bounding on they frenzied go, 
 Till leaping, whirling, down they pour 
 
 ALL madly, in the gulf below : 
 But, from this depth, find outlet stUl, 
 
 Pure riUs, that down the mountaia stray ; 
 With gentle, sweetly murmuring trUl 
 
 Along her mossy slopes to play ; 
 Blending again with each fair stream. 
 
 That so adorns Spain's glowing land. 
 On which bright eyes and moonbeams gleam 
 
 At dewy eve, 'mid breezes bland ; — 
 As one, his course of pleasure passed. 
 
 From youth's fresh spring, through streamlets 
 mUd, 
 To torrents' seething gulf at last. 
 
 Would turn him from the vortex wild, 
 Again to seek the Light Above 
 In " pleasant ways " of truth and love ; 
 Passing from " troubled waters' " strife 
 To purer waves of peaceful life, 
 On gently flowing, happy tide, 
 Adown the stream of life to glide. 
 
PELAYO. 81 
 
 To reach at length the Heav'nly shore, 
 Where glory's waves roll evermore. 
 Now following the brooklet's way, 
 
 Up, up the mountam path they wind 
 Through dark defile, where not a ray 
 
 Of entrance may the moonlight find ; — 
 So deep, so shadowed dense with trees 
 
 Of pine and cedar, hirch and dak. 
 That, save when rude winds raised the breeze, 
 
 Scarce e'er a ray of sunshine broke. 
 Louder and louder still the sound 
 
 Of waters, as they upward tend ; 
 Until, at length, their course is bound 
 
 By that deep gulf, that doth defend 
 Their garrison from ev'ry foe. 
 
 Or even friend, until the bridge 
 Be thrown, with care, above its flow, 
 
 And firmly knitted o'er the ridge. 
 
 Guards, bold and true, are stationed here. 
 
 And warder, ready for alarm, 
 To whom Count Pedro breathes in ear 
 
 The magic word, the pass-word charm — 
 And, presto, bridge of oak, most strong, 
 
 And closely knit, hangs o'er the deep ! 
 
 4* 
 
82 P E L A T O . 
 
 While anxious guides the pi-ince along 
 
 His precious charge, from steep to steep. 
 Fluttered her heart with terror "wild, 
 
 So fearful, in the dead of night. 
 To that sweet palace-nurtured child. 
 
 That deep ravine, which torches' light 
 Brings out so dark and frightfully, 
 
 'Mid angry roar of waters near, — 
 How closely clingeth now doth she, 
 
 That fragile vine, to him so dear ! 
 'Tis passed ! they're o'er ! portcullis fled ! 
 
 And all stands quiet as before. 
 As if by wizard-charm thence sped, 
 
 As told in magic tales of yore ! 
 A phantom bridge, scarce seen, when gone ! 
 
 But crossed by no mere phantom band ; 
 For yon they slowly pass along — 
 
 And here her guards, all mortal, stand ! 
 
 Fainter and fainter comes the roar 
 Of rushing torrent to them now. 
 
 As wind they up the pebbly shore 
 Of merry stream, where elders bow. 
 
 And playful in its waters toss 
 
 Each berried branch of purple hue, 
 
P E L A T O . 83 
 
 To sprinkle o'er rich banks of moss, 
 
 In swaying breeze, their pilfered dew. 
 Its margin, fringed with fern and brake. 
 
 With bush of hazel, quince, and vine, 
 That spreading o'er the ilex, make 
 
 Fair elfin bowers, in soft moonshine. 
 Above, through beech, and giant oak. 
 
 Their roots in rocky beds firm set. 
 Her slanting beams alternate broke, 
 
 As bending to the winds they met 
 And kissed, and twined in fond embrace 
 
 Their waving arms, — ^then, in coy play, 
 Retreat, return, reinterlace. 
 
 To sweep with bounding spring away. 
 
 How gleam, in startled winged flight, 
 
 Those darting swarms of sparkling flies ! 
 Glancing as diamond lamps of night, 
 
 Or fickle beam from maiden's eyes ! 
 But now emerge they from the glen. 
 
 Through grove of chestnuts gentle rise, 
 To pass along, all joyous, when 
 
 The purple heath before them lies. 
 While fuU the moon again looks down, 
 
 Cheering them on with radiant smile. 
 
84 PEL A YO. 
 
 Without one angry, low'ring frown 
 
 Of bowlder wild, or rock's defile. 
 But, as nought bright without alloy, 
 
 She cannot light them alway clear ! 
 Brief time is there for moonlight joy, 
 
 For forest dense again they near ; — 
 But glimpses have they still, I ween. 
 
 Of softened brightness, yet to cheer, 
 Falls, now and then, a ray of sheen, 
 
 Speaking of cheering brightness near ; — 
 A brilliant, glowing Orb of Love, 
 
 As " Central Light," — a light to shine. 
 As God, the merciful, above, 
 
 Who sheds on all His Love Divine, 
 To guard and bless through every horn-. 
 
 Of pleasure bright, of grief and shade ; — 
 When summer's bloom, and winter's lower,- 
 
 A light and hope to never fade. 
 
 Blest consolation ! happy they. 
 
 Who, in a God of Love, e'er trust ! 
 
 Who make His mercy sure, their stay 
 And feel, until consigned to dust 
 
 His shelt'ring arm will still sustain, 
 His mercy soften every woe. 
 
PELAYO. 85 
 
 His kindness soothe eacli grief and pain 
 Till freed from earthly thrall helow ; 
 
 That He will guard unto the goal ^ 
 
 Of Heav'nly light, of bliss and joy, 
 
 Where perfect rest finds wearied soul, — 
 Glory and peace without alloy ! 
 
 Then, trusting faith and heart, we'll give 
 
 To Him, the AU-Powerful God and wise, 
 While in His sunbeams we may lie. 
 
 And to His glorious kingdom rise 
 In angel brightness, free from sin. 
 
 From selfishness, deceit, or hate ; — 
 Nought baleful enters there within 
 
 The Bright Abode,— the " Pearly Gate ! " 
 But peace, and love, and charity, 
 
 And kindly heart to each and all 
 Must bear we true, — and gentle be 
 
 To those who err, or sinning fall. 
 That, as our Saviour looked upon 
 
 The hapless child of grief and woe, 
 We, too, may all self-glory shun, 
 
 And pity, while we mercy show, 
 And soothe and bind the wounded heart. 
 
 Sad drooping 'neath the ills of life ; 
 
P E 1, A Y O . 
 
 For know we not the wiles, or art, 
 
 That made that spirit error rife ! 
 And know we less our own weak souls. 
 
 Ne'er tried by strong temptation's power, 
 On which no wave of. trouble rolls, 
 
 No trials dark, bewildering lower. 
 Why ! what are we — to judge, condemn 
 
 The weakness of another's way, 
 The errors of our fellow men. 
 
 When sin we too, from day to day ! 
 And if we love nor mercy show, 
 
 How may we ask it from above ? 
 And trust e'er bliss or Heav'n to know 
 
 Where Love sole reigns, and " God is Love ! " 
 
 Thus mused the prince, in placid mood, 
 
 In harmony with all things now ; — 
 His heart, by Love's sweet power subdued, — 
 
 'Neath her pure influence full to bow. 
 And smiling on his heart's dear flower. 
 
 He whispered soft, " O tyrant fair ! 
 Who boldest me in thy loved power, 
 
 Thy chains, forevermore, I bear ! 
 Escaped, in part, from prison wall, 
 
 StUl must my spirit captive be. 
 
P E L A Y O . 87 
 
 Environed close in love's sweet thrall. 
 
 ') 
 
 Whose gyves forever fetter me ! 
 O blessed fetters ! rosy chain ! 
 
 Ne'er would I loose one silken link, 
 But, in loved bondage, e'er remaia, — 
 
 Thus, from his chalice, nectar drink ! " 
 And pressing fondly to his Up 
 
 Her precious, tiny, lily-palm, — 
 " What though I cup of sorrow sip, — 
 
 Here have I antidote and bahn ! 
 A Lethe sweet to drown aU care, 
 
 A gleam of Heaven on earth, most bright, 
 An angel-love, mine heart to share, — 
 
 A star, to light my darkest night ! 
 My life ! my love ! my blossom fair ! 
 
 My crown of jewels, set in gold ! 
 So rich with virtues bright and rare ! 
 
 My lamb ! to rest within my fold ; 
 Enfolded in these arms' caress. 
 
 Enshrined in my heart's deep cells. 
 Mine angel-love ! to brightly bless ! 
 
 Toward whom my grateful love so wells ! — 
 Lord, make me worthy of Thy gift ! 
 
 This gem, from out Thy casket rare ! 
 And deign my soul more pure to lift 
 
 While this great blessing I may share ! " 
 
88 PEL AT O. 
 
 " Nay, nay, mine only love ! " she sighed, 
 
 " Unworthy I, such praise of thine ; 
 Thou takest but an earthly bride, 
 
 O'er full of faults ; — and as that vine 
 Needs pruning here and guidance there, 
 
 For true, unerring, upward way. 
 Full much need I thy loving care 
 
 To guide or shield, each passing day. 
 But, leaning, clinging, fond and true, 
 
 As that frail, trembling, forest vine, 
 I turn alone, my love ! to you. 
 
 E'er happy in thy love to shine ! " 
 
 Tortuous still the path they chose. 
 
 Through dell and grove, o'er heath and hill ; 
 Higher and higher yet it rose. 
 
 E'er winding mth the murm'ring rill ; 
 While pensively the stars look down, 
 
 As angels' eyes upon their way ; 
 As angels bright, when sorrows frown. 
 
 Fond, constant guard through darkest day. 
 
 Oh ! could we hnow those whom we love. 
 Torn from us here and borne away. 
 
 Truly, oh ! truly from above 
 
 May come, to cheer our darkened day ! 
 
p E L A y o . 89 
 
 Could we be sure they love us still 
 
 As when on earth, so true and fond, 
 Softened would he each grief and ill, 
 
 And Hope with joy woidd look beyond 
 To that blest realm, where, joined again, 
 
 In purest raptures, holy thrill. 
 The loved, united should remain, — 
 
 How deep would be the joy to fill, 
 And soothe, and bless the breaking heart. 
 
 All crashed and desolate with woe, — 
 To know that loving souls ne'er part, 
 
 But ever in fond union flow ! 
 
 Why not ? Doth God, the " God of love," 
 
 Implant that germ within the soul 
 To perish in His courts above ? 
 
 Liveth it not beyond the goal ? — 
 In those fair realms beyond the sky, 
 
 Whose monarch rules supreme in love. 
 Shall love fraternal, filial, die ? 
 
 Wither conjugial love above ? 
 Oh no ! it may not, cannot be ; — 
 
 That purest, holiest germ Divine 
 Must live through all eternity ! 
 
 Forever, brightly blooming, shine ! — 
 
90 PBJ.ATO. 
 
 Each gleam of fond affection's ray 
 
 Must beam through reahns more fan- and 
 bright, 
 Till blend all in one glorious day, 
 
 Blest by the Central Sun of light ! 
 
 How fraught that lonely, silent way 
 
 With food for contemplation deep ! — 
 In solemn night, the spirit's sway 
 
 Doth over all material sweep ; 
 Lifted the soul to higher strain, 
 
 Attuned to pm'er, holier chord ; — 
 Seem earthly joys and cares, how vain. 
 
 When drawn unto our Heav'nly Lord ! 
 
 So journey they through night along, 
 
 Li pensive meditation all ; 
 StUl, sweetly, notes of bulbul's song 
 
 In richly liquid cadence fall ; 
 And oft the startled black-bird sprang, 
 
 Flutt'ring from out the bush in fright, 
 With cry of fear that shrilly rang, 
 
 Breaking the stUlness of the night. 
 And many a lonely, weai-y mUe 
 
 They travel on, with cautious pace. 
 
PELAYO. 91 
 
 Threading the path where moonbeams smile 
 Through branches old, that interlace, 
 
 And cast their grotesque shadows, strange. 
 In forms that Fancy quaintly views, 
 
 As thus, in her unfettered range, 
 In mazy dreams prose-life they lose. 
 
CANTO III. 
 
 BtTT lo ! again those lights appear 
 
 Wiicli early met our wand'rers' sight, 
 "When, at the mountain's base, with fear 
 
 Aad awe, they gazed upon its height. 
 "When Don Theodmir from his side 
 
 A silver bugle raised, to sound 
 A note that rings all far and wide, 
 
 Echoing throughout the forest round ; 
 When, o'er the sighing of the breeze. 
 
 Above the rustling of the stream. 
 Come, borne on winds that stir the trees 
 
 A distant hum, a shout, a scream 
 Of human voices, mingling all. 
 
 From treble shrill to full bass note, 
 That higher, louder rise and fall, 
 
 Clearer and nearer still to float ! 
 While tossing, waving torches flame. 
 
 And thick'ninsr masses rushing come 
 
P E L A Y . 93 
 
 With joyous shout and wild acclaim, 
 To welcome royal wand'rers home ! 
 
 And with impatient, swiftest speed 
 A swarming mass come hast'ning near, 
 
 AH orderless, with none to lead, 
 Joiaing in wild, tumultuous cheer ! 
 
 With fond, united rev'rence, round 
 
 In homage bend they to our Pair ; 
 When one fuU shout doth wide resound. 
 
 Of " Welcome to the Brave and Fair ! " 
 And " three times three " doth echoing ring, 
 
 Throughout the mountain clear ; 
 With " Viva ! welcome to our king ! 
 
 Pelayo ! chieftain dear ! " 
 When, circling round them stiH more close. 
 
 And ranging all in order grave, 
 A welcome chorus full arose 
 
 Heart-felt, unto the Fair and Brave ! 
 
 WELCOME. 
 
 HaU ! Pelayo, chief and king ! 
 Loudly let the welkin ring 
 With fond welcome ! hail ,! viva ! 
 Leon's prince ! and Seville's star ! 
 
94 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Sun of glory ! soon to rise, 
 With thy star, 'mid brighter skies ! 
 Star of mom ! that heralds day, 
 Cheering now our clouded way ! 
 
 Star of beauty ! thus art thou 
 Welcome to Auseva's brow ; — 
 Welcome, chieftain ! welcome, bride ! 
 To our shelt'ring mountain side. 
 
 Welcome ! from true vassais all, 
 Welcome fond, from great and small, 
 Welcome ! priace, our chief and king, 
 Joyous welcome now we sing ! 
 
 Peace thou bringest with thy dove — 
 Peace will fold her wings of love. 
 Over cross and country bright, — 
 Thou, our Sun ! dispelling night 
 
 With her clouds of dusky hue, 
 Swarthy Moslems, from our view. 
 Till the Crescent crumbling lies 
 Where our Cross shall glorious rise ! 
 
PELAYO. 95 
 
 Welcome then to Fair and Brave ! 
 
 Joyous welcome sing we all — 
 Prince ! our cross and land to save ! 
 
 Blessings on thee ever fall ! 
 
 Grandsires, warriors bend the knee, 
 
 Infant hands uplifted are, 
 Praying blessings bright on thee. 
 
 Royal kiQg ! and bride-queen fair ! 
 
 Let the welkin ring 
 O'er rock, and hill, and valley, 
 
 Borne on zephyr's wing, 
 While round our chief we rally. 
 
 Gayly, joyous sing, 
 From loving hearts' deep fountain. 
 
 Welcome ! bride and king. 
 To freedom and our mountain ! 
 
 AH fondly sung that welcome lay, 
 
 In merry strain, and blithely gay. 
 
 While pure, sweet tones of child-like note 
 
 Above that chorus clearly float. 
 
 Rising o'er voices of the band, 
 
 As cherub-tones from Blessed Land ! — 
 
96 PELATO. 
 
 A Ibird-like voice of liquid ring, 
 
 In " welcome to the queen and king." 
 
 When marked our Fair a lovely youth, 
 
 A hoy of tender year, 
 With hrow of innocence and truth, 
 
 And eye of lustre clear : 
 Luxuriant locks of raven hue, 
 
 And face of classic mould ; 
 A child of heauty, rare to view — 
 
 A mimic warrior bold ! 
 Count Pedro's son, and hope, and heir — 
 A bud of richest promise fair, 
 Alphonse, by name, who, on our bride 
 Fixed earnest gaze, — close by her side. 
 With kindling cheek and eye to stand 
 
 Tn rev'rent, loving joy, — 
 A blossom bright, amid the band. 
 
 That lovely, fearless boy ! 
 A young Adonis seems he there, 
 
 As o'er his brow, full, broad, and white, 
 Float lightly curls of silken hair 
 
 Upon the rising breeze of night ; 
 While clear his silv'ry treble voice 
 Rings sweetly, " Welcome ! hail ! rejoice ! " 
 His psean to the royal pair, 
 In glad ovation bearing share. 
 
P E L A T O . 97 
 
 Smileth proud, Count. Pedro there, 
 
 Upon his precious child ! 
 Smileth fond, the mother fair, 
 
 The Lady Constance mild ; 
 While raised the sire in full heart pride, 
 
 The elfin palm of that pure child, 
 And bending to the royal bride. 
 
 Thus courteous spake, in accents mild : — 
 " Fair ladye queen ! all beauteous mine ! 
 Here offer I unto thy shriae. 
 My best heart's blood, my pride ! my joy ! 
 In this, my noble hero-boy ! 
 With love to serve and tend thee e'er. 
 In aU that falls to page's share ; 
 And yet, anon, if need there be. 
 To raise his faithful arm for thee I " 
 
 Bright smiled Alphonse, and clear replied, 
 " r faith I wUl, sweet ladye bride ! 
 And as the dew unto the flower, 
 I'd be to thee from this dear hour," — 
 Then Mssed the hand extended there 
 To fond caress his forehead fail' ; — 
 While silv'ry clear her voice was heard. 
 As sweetest tone of forest-bii'd, — 
 
98 PELATO. 
 
 " Ay ! as the dew-drop to tlie rose, 
 That fond her breast opes to enclose 
 The pure, refreshing gem of light, 
 Beauteous, and gladd'ning to the sight. 
 So, with kind thanks, Don Pedro, we 
 Will ever shelter lovingly, 
 In fond heart-fold, thy blossom bright, 
 Bestowed, received in love this night." 
 
 Exclaimed the prince, — " Now, by my rood I 
 In sure, brief time, all fair and good, 
 We'll knight thee, boy, with honors bright !- 
 Thou ' dew-gem ' ! to our queen of light ! " 
 
 " Thanks, royal sire ! " rephed the boy, 
 " And I will prove no carpet-toy. 
 But, in thy battles, mayhap, fight, 
 And bravely earn my honors right ! " 
 
 Proud, standing by her palfrey there. 
 Remains he near his mistress fair. 
 While smile the mother, sisters, all. 
 At knightly pride in one so small ! 
 In royal pagedom's service pressed, 
 As favored child henceforth caressed. 
 
P E L A T O . 99 
 
 To bide near Zillah's presence bright, 
 As tiny guard, or elfin-knight. 
 And well he loved his ladye fair. 
 Serving with zeal and earnest care ; 
 And weU Pelayo joyed to see 
 That child-boy's love and bravery. 
 
 Now gath'ring round, as children fond. 
 
 They leading, escort, cheering on, 
 Unto a grove, that lies beyond. 
 
 With bounding step, vivas ! and song. 
 Stately the trees of elm and beech, 
 
 Entwined with vines that mantling spread, 
 And in festooning garlands reach 
 
 From tree to tree, with pendants red, 
 Purple, and green, and blossoms fair. 
 
 All clust'ring rich, to form a bower 
 Of loveliness and beauty rare. 
 
 Where Nature weaves her wond'rous power ! 
 Sweet as the breeze from Araby, 
 
 The odors breathing from their flowers, 
 Wbose blossoms fall from vine and tree. 
 
 In rosy, snowy, perfumed showers. 
 Sprinkling the mossy carpet green 
 
 With silken leaves of richest hue, 
 
100 P E L A T O . 
 
 In varied forms of floral sheen, 
 
 As fall they, bathed in evening dew. 
 
 A Druid grove it seemeth fair ! 
 
 So strangely beautiful and wild, 
 Where mystic orgies might hold share, 
 
 As moonbeams brightly glancing smiled. 
 For, in the centre of this grove, 
 
 A circle rich of bay trees rose. 
 Through which the laurel graceful wove, 
 
 And thus, all strangely, did enclose 
 A rock, that altar blest might seem, 
 
 Draped fair with moss and twining vine, 
 While o'er its side a tiny stream 
 
 Came trickling down in crystal line : 
 Richly arrayed with lilies white — 
 
 Ne'er was cathedral, grandly fair. 
 So lovely graced with altar bright, 
 
 As that decked for our regal pair I 
 
 Lo ! on that altar, staudeth there 
 The Holy Ark! that blest doth bear 
 Most wond'rous " relics ! " happ'ly saved 
 By Urban, bishop loved, who braved 
 Fierce peril dire, — when tocsin bell. 
 And "Iielie cry"* and " Techir yell" 
 
 * The Faith-cry of the Moors. 
 
P E L A T . 101 
 
 Told that Toledo's glory Mght 
 
 Had fallen to tlie sons of night ! 
 
 When her cathedral's cross lay low, 
 
 Beneath the tread of Moslem foe, 
 
 With holy forethought, while aU fled, 
 
 Quick to his sacred altar sped, 
 
 Her precious " Relics " hlest, to spare 
 
 From impious profanation's share ; 
 
 Bearing them to Asturia's breast. 
 
 Within her shelt'ring fold to rest. 
 
 And in that ark, old legends say, 
 
 " Mementos marvellous, did lay ! " 
 
 Pieces, (they say it is most true,) 
 
 Are plainly seen to " favored view," 
 
 Of holy cross our Saviour bore ! 
 
 The garment last on earth He wore ! 
 
 The ground His sacred feet had pressed ! 
 
 The kerchief, " SudorJa," blest ! 
 
 Wherein His sacred head was boimd. 
 
 Stained, blood Divine! from brow thorn-crowned! 
 
 The " blessed bread " His hand once broke ! 
 
 St. ndophonse's holy " cope ; — " 
 
 Of sacred Bible, leaves Divine 
 
 From Holy Saints, with " pledges " line 
 
 Its sacred sides ; — ^whose outer part 
 
 Is curious lain, with ancient art. 
 
102 P E L A Y O . 
 
 In silver, gilt, aU richly frauglit, — 
 
 With twelve Apostles quaintly wrought. — 
 
 In bas relief those sides rare traced 
 
 " Our Ladye's " history — silver chased. 
 
 A crucifix, engraved in gold. 
 
 Upon its cover all behold, — 
 
 With Latin lines, four, plainly found, 
 
 In silver letters graved around. 
 
 And farther stiU, hath History told, — 
 
 That on this rock a cross of gold. 
 
 From Heav'n, by angel hands, was lain. 
 
 In blessing to brave sons of Spain ! 
 
 A cross, carved from an aged oak, 
 
 Twined close with lilies, pure arose 
 From that rock-altar, and awoke 
 
 Thought of our Saviour and His woes. 
 Oh ! what the sorrows of each son. 
 
 Compared with His, of suff'ring Spain, 
 Who, crucified, our vict'ry won, — 
 
 And for our sins, — was martyr'd ! slain ! 
 
 With loving kindness now doth stand 
 Bishop Centerio by our bride. 
 
 Bending, to raise her lily hand. 
 And bear her from the palfrey's side. 
 
P E L A Y O . 103 
 
 While gather round, fond maidens fair, 
 
 Who lead unto a myrtle bower, 
 To wreathe her silken, sunny hair 
 
 With sweet buds of the orange flower. 
 A tissue robe envelops now 
 
 Her beauteous form in sUv'ry sheen, — 
 A maiden pure, to take her vow 
 
 Of heart and hand — fair beauty's queen ! 
 An angel bright, for Heav'nly vow ; — 
 
 Veiled in transparent folds of light. 
 Floating, confined upon her brow 
 
 With one sweet bud — a lUy white. 
 
 As " Graces three " seem bride-maids fair, 
 
 Count Pedro's daughters, draped in white. 
 While maiden friends bear loving share 
 
 In vestal train, — " liege-ladyes " bright. — 
 And shine in contrast, raven eyes, 
 
 Wherein a world of witch'ry lies. 
 With Sovereign Ladye's orbs of blue, 
 
 Where Heav'n's light of love beams through. 
 
 Now draws Centerio near, to bless 
 This sweetest lamb of all his flock ; — 
 
 Matron and maiden fond caress, 
 And lead her to the altar-rock. 
 
104 P E L A T O . 
 
 That rock, her truth, is all as strong ; 
 
 As pure her spirit, as the stream 
 Which silv'ry runs its sides along 
 
 So brightly in the moonlit gleam. 
 And pure and lovely as the flower 
 
 That decks the moss-grown altar fair, 
 She stood within that forest-bower, 
 
 Of nature's works most choice and rare ! 
 Glancing, the moonbeams sweetly fell 
 
 "With tender love upon her face. 
 As angel smiles, that faia would dwell 
 
 Forever, on such earthly grace. 
 
 Rich, too, in every noble grace. 
 
 The royal bridegroom gazed with pride 
 
 And welling love upon the face 
 
 Of his all-beauteous, mountain bride ! 
 
 Without the border of the grove. 
 
 The multitude, all rev'rent, stand ; 
 And, in the circle, lattice wove 
 
 Of richest vines, — their noble band. 
 And in that chancelled sanctum small. 
 
 With laurel, bays, encircled, now 
 Stand bride and groom, fair maidens all. 
 
 With priests and friends, for nuptial vow. 
 
Ami there, in (rOiFs catlieili'iil Ki'imd, 
 Lighted by inyriail stars on hi^h, 
 (liiarderl by Angels piuv, we'll stand, 
 Onr caiK'iiy, thu glurious sky. 
 
P E L A Y O . 105 
 
 By wild torch-light and moon's last smile, — 
 For wanes she now as day draws near, — 
 
 Seems aU, more as enchanter's wile 
 Than aught of real might appear ! 
 
 In solemn silence hushed is all, 
 
 Save but the rippling of the stream. 
 And night-bird's note, or stray leaf's fall, 
 
 WhUe peeping stars, soft, twinkling beam. 
 Hushed is aU soimd, when, full and clear, 
 
 The holy bishop's voice doth now 
 Arise, to join that twain so dear, 
 
 In sacred, loving, marriage-vow. 
 
 Oh ! what a grand and goodly sight 
 
 That group within the circlet screen ! 
 Grove, altar, priests, " liege-ladyes " bright, 
 
 Bride, royal groom, — a fairy scene ! 
 With warriors, vassals, — torches glow ; 
 
 And far in east a glimm'ring ray 
 Of dawn appears, just tinging low. 
 
 Horizon clear, with promised day. 
 
 And rituals are solemn done,— ^ 
 The holy rites are uttered now,— 
 
 5* 
 
106 PEL AT 0. 
 
 And God hath joined that pair as one, 
 
 While by the altar low they bow ; 
 And ev'ry form, within, without 
 
 Those circles, bends in earnest prayer, — 
 When all arise, — while one clear shout 
 
 Of rapture fills the morning air 
 For bride and groom ! their king and queen I 
 
 But lo ! behold yon omen bright ! 
 Glowing in eastern skies, is seen 
 
 Aurora, rising, bathed in light ! 
 Smiling from out her vapory bed, 
 
 All blushing rich in rosy glow, 
 WhUe glist'ning dew-drops radiance shed 
 
 O'er tree and shrub and flower, below. 
 Slowly, gray shadows pass away, — 
 
 Vanish the mists from mountaia side, 
 As glorious Mom leads in the day, 
 
 With all her gorgeous pomp and pride ! 
 
 And brightly beam the radiant eyes 
 
 Of our brave priuoe, with love and pride. 
 
 Secure, now, of his blessed prize, — 
 The lovely being by his side ! 
 
 Brief time hath he to whisper low, 
 " Mine ! mine alone ! — ^my life ! my bride ! 
 
P E L A T O . 107 
 
 Come now to me, or weal or woe, 
 Thy love will brighten darkest tide ! " 
 
 Ere fond epithalamiums ring, 
 
 Nobles and vassals bearing share, — 
 
 In Nuptial Lay to gayly sing 
 Their blessing on the Royal Pair. 
 
 EPITHALAMIUM. 
 
 God bless our King and Queen ! 
 
 Spaniards' glory proud ! — 
 Bright now the silv'ry sheen 
 
 Lineth our dark cloud I 
 
 Glancing in cheering ray, 
 
 Fair, hopeful gleaming, — 
 O'er sad and darkened way, 
 
 Joyously beaming ! 
 
 Lo I now Aurora bright ! — 
 
 Roseate dawning ! 
 So fadeth gloomy night — 
 
 Glorious, our morning ! 
 
 God bless our Royal Bride ! 
 Star ! heav'nly seeming ! 
 
108 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Rising o'er stormy tide, 
 Radiant beamiag ! 
 
 God save our Prince and King ! 
 
 Leave him, oh ! never ! 
 Soon may the psean riag, — 
 
 Victory forever ! 
 
 God bless our Royal Chief! 
 
 Brave Pelayo, King ! 
 Hastening to our relief, 
 
 While the wild woods ring. 
 
 Hail ! to our Queen and Ejng I 
 
 Evermore to reign 
 O'er hearts that joyous sing 
 
 Viva ! Loved of Spain ! 
 
 "Now bear they forth a rustic throne 
 Of osier vines, close interwove, — 
 
 With flow'rets white, pure overstrown, 
 Which place they in the sanctum grove 
 
 Before that bay-crowned altar, where 
 
 Are standing groom and bride, so fair, 
 
 Awaiting farther holy rite 
 
 Than that which heart and hand may plight ;- 
 
P E L A T O . 109 
 
 High mass, and coronation yet, 
 
 And Vow for Spain — none may forget — 
 
 Nor feast, or merry bridal ring 
 
 Ere rural crowned their Queen and King. 
 
 How decked was all in Beauty's light ! 
 
 Breathing of naught but Nature's power ; 
 As if the wand of fairy sprite 
 
 Had waved o'er aU this sylvan bower ! 
 Fair censers swung, of pomegran'te. 
 
 Scooped from their riads of crimson hue, 
 Exhaliag odors from each plant. 
 
 Of fragrance, fresh with morning dew. 
 Enchanted spot ! where Fays court hold. 
 
 For brave and fair, 'twixt Heav'n and earth ! 
 As Moslem's fancy doth behold 
 
 His " Prophet " tiU celestial l?irth :— 
 By God and all good angels blest, — 
 
 A sainted spot, nearest to Heaven, — 
 A sanctuary and peaceful rest 
 
 So kindly to Spain's scattered given. 
 To shield and guard them from the foe. 
 
 To fill their minds with holy thought 
 That softens every earthly woe, — 
 
 Sole balm for bosoms, sorrow fraught. 
 
110 PELATO. 
 
 Again the chant, again the prayer, 
 
 And coronation rites are said : 
 Now laurel wreaths, and green bay fail- 
 
 Twine o'er pure hrow — and royal head ; 
 While friars grave, and maidens bright. 
 
 Lead there unto the forest throne 
 Spain's lawful King and Queen of hght. 
 
 Whose beauty as the morning shone ! 
 And friars, elder still, advance. 
 
 Bishop TJrbino at their head. 
 With solemn chant and Heav'n-ward glance, 
 
 To bend before the newly wed. 
 Placing withia the royal hand 
 
 A sceptre, formed from branches three, 
 A triune-wrought, symbolic wand. 
 
 Twined from bay, oUve, and oak tree ; — 
 Of firmness, valor, peace to tell, — 
 
 Admonishiag, e'er silently. 
 To cherish all these virtues well, 
 
 And rev'rence Holy Trinity ; — 
 And over-twined with lilies white. 
 
 Whose purity should reign o'er all ; — 
 Each royal deed be pure and bright ; 
 
 That never stain of darkness fall, 
 To suEy, or disgrace the name 
 
 Of Spain's Great Ruler, evermore, 
 
P E L A T O . Ill 
 
 That alway shall resound with fame 
 Of virtues rare, from shore to shore. 
 
 Then cried Centerio, loud and clear, 
 
 " Spaniards ! behold your Chief and King ! 
 Swear ye to Mm allegiance dear. 
 
 Until your souls for Heav'n take wing ? " 
 AH bending low, with close-crossed arms, 
 
 As one full voice, — " We swear," arose, 
 " For us, our seed, to guard from harms. 
 
 E'er faithful serve, destroy his foes. 
 And loyal prove to this our king, 
 
 Our country, and her faith, so dear, — 
 Untiringly his war-cry ring 
 
 Till risen Spain in splendor clear ! " 
 
 Fluttered fair maids, as dove-lets round, 
 
 While Gomez, faithful Gomez, stood 
 Near his dear master. King now crowned ! 
 
 With standard, shield, and bright sword good ; 
 And close beside his ladye-queen, 
 
 Alphonse, the cherub child. 
 With upraised brow, is constant seen. 
 
 And eyes that fondly smiled. 
 As Cupid unto Venus bright 
 
 Nestling with loving joy. 
 
112 PELATO. 
 
 Clipt of his wings, the saucy wight ! 
 Appears that lovely boy. 
 
 O'er royal heads, in graceful fold, 
 
 And forming background, crimson bright, 
 Droop banners, that in days of old. 
 
 Have floated high through bravest fight ! 
 Placing within the lily palm 
 
 Of his loved Queen, the sceptre-wand. 
 The King, in tones clear, fond, and calm, 
 
 Addressed her thus : — " In thy dear hand 
 I place this sceptre, fair and pure. 
 
 Queen of my heart, my throne, and land 1 
 As pledge of love and fealty sure, 
 
 Of us, and of our noble band, 
 To whom. I now proclaim thee Queen, 
 
 Alike of throne, and Spain, as heart ; 
 For regal homage, full, I ween, 
 
 My Queen must share an equal part." 
 
 Descending then from rural throne. 
 Toward the centre of the grove, 
 
 Unto a rock, Avith moss o'er-grown. 
 He, kneeling, raised his eyes above. 
 
 In humble, ardent, silent prayer 
 That God would aid him well to keep 
 
P E L A T . 113 
 
 The vow that soon must rise through air 
 
 To Heav'nly reabns, — ^that he might reap 
 Laurels most pure, from duty done 
 
 In sternest sense, — in ev'ry deed ; — 
 Willing to fall for victory won, — 
 
 For cross and coimtry, nobly bleed. 
 Deep silence reigned throughout the crowd. 
 
 As that heart-prayer arose on high, 
 While, kneeling, all assembled bowed, 
 
 And brighter gleamed the eastern sky, — 
 As if it beamed with angel smile, 
 
 Of joy, for aspiration given. 
 From noble souls, true, free from guile, — 
 
 Pure, holy prayer ! that wings to Heaven ! 
 
 Arose Centerio, and drew nigh 
 
 The king, to place within his hand 
 An oaken cross, which raised he high. 
 
 Then rev'rent kissed, — while bowed the band. 
 When grave, IJrbino's voice arose : — 
 
 " King ! hoped salvation of om- land ! 
 Deliv'rer of thy people's woes ! 
 
 Chief of our brave and stalwart band ! 
 Sole heir now to thy country's throne ! 
 
 We look alone to thee, and God, 
 
114: P E L A Y O . 
 
 To still Spain's suff'ring, anguished moan, 
 
 And save the land our fathers trod ! 
 Protect her from the spoiler's hand, 
 
 Throw off the despot, tyrant-yoke. 
 Raise up her enslaved, trampled band ; 
 
 And not until her chains are broke. 
 Give rest or slumber to thy soul. 
 
 As we, with thee, now swear to do, 
 TJntil the light of Freedom's goal 
 
 We all attain, Spain rise anew ! — 
 In victory all glorious fair 
 
 In victory all shining bright ; 
 Till victory's shout shall rend the air, 
 
 And Peace descend in robes of light. 
 
 " Dost vow thy country's wrongs to right ? 
 
 Dost swear to work, through weal and woe, 
 To save her honor purely bright ? 
 
 To die, or crush the invading foe ? 
 Swear'st thou to shield her welfare e'er. 
 
 Protect her from each foreign foe ; 
 Her suff'rings and her grief to share. 
 
 Until released from every woe ? 
 Bravely to fight, and bleed, and fall. 
 
 If need be, in her glorious cause, 
 
PELATO. 115 
 
 E'er ready for her rights to call, — 
 
 l^e'er in thy duty stem, to pause ? 
 Righteous to govern, — each pure law 
 
 Well based on equity and love ; 
 To guard against each unjust flaw. 
 
 And serve thy God who reigns above ? 
 And Him alone, in purity. 
 
 The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
 Until His Heav'nly Courts to thee 
 
 Shall opened be, resigned thy post 
 As earthly monarch ? — when this sound 
 
 Shall cause thy heart with joy to thrill, — 
 ' Weighed in the balance, faithful found ! ' 
 
 Drink thou from Heav'nly-flowing rill. 
 Freely and fuUy, of the joy 
 
 Celestial that the faithful share, — 
 Angelic draughts, without alloy ! — 
 
 Behold thy Father's Kingdom fair ! " 
 
 Thus spake th' archbishop, when replied 
 The king, in accents firm and clear : — 
 
 " Father ! my country's woes have cried 
 Long, loud, and high, from far and near, 
 
 And base were he, Spain's meanest son. 
 Who would not to her rescue fly. 
 
116 PELAYO. 
 
 And bravely figit, nor danger shun, — 
 For victory to fall, or die ! " 
 
 Raised he again that cross on high, — 
 
 As if inspired, his soul gushed forth ! — 
 " Great God ! who to all prayer art nigh, 
 
 Hear now, while plight we solemn troth ! 
 Here do I dedicate to Spain, 
 
 To Thee, and to our Queen, most dear. 
 My sword, my soul, my life, each vein 
 
 Of heart's best blood, nor faint or fear ; 
 But lead, and fight with my good sword. 
 
 Bravely and fearless to the end ; 
 And with Thine aid destroy the horde ; — 
 
 To chains, or " Eblis " * each slave send ! 
 To raise again our fallen Spain, 
 
 To wave aloft her Leon crest. 
 And plant her banner broad again 
 
 From Auseva to Ana west ! 
 To govern and direct with love. 
 
 And earnest seeking after right ; 
 Thee serve alone, my God above ; — 
 
 And seek to shield from error's night, 
 My country's souls, and lead them e'er 
 
 In pleasant paths of truth and peace, 
 
 * Prince of Darkness. 
 
P E L A Y O . 117 
 
 Of Wisdom's ways, that all may share, 
 And comfort imd, till earth-life cease." 
 
 Again that oaken cross he raised, 
 
 And to his lips devoutly pressed. 
 Exclaiming, — " God, our Lord, he praised ! 
 
 Record my vow — His angels blest ! 
 What say ye, trampled sons of Spain ! 
 
 Shall one lone vow be written there ? — 
 Rise ye, in vengeance, for our slain ? 
 
 Willing are ye, base yoke to bear 
 Of the invading, impious crew. 
 
 Who trample our dear cross in dust. 
 Who hold that cross to scoffing view, 
 
 And in Mahomet place their trust ? 
 Shall we to foreign vultures yield, — 
 
 Enslaved to eat our bitter bread ? 
 Or, bravely will ye good-sword wield, 
 
 By me, your King, e'er loving led ? 
 Swear ye, now, vengeance on the foe ? 
 Smite, wiU ye, the oppressor low ? — 
 Offer ye all, here, with me now. 
 To Heav'n, your free and solemn vow ? 
 Swear ye, to strike for our loved cross, 
 
 Our honor, and our native land ? 
 
118 PELATO. 
 
 And to revenge our 'brethreiis' loss, — 
 
 Our noble, martyred, slaughtered band ? — 
 To league ne'er witb tb' accursed foe ? 
 
 Ne'er recreant prove to faith or law ? 
 Ne'er rest from combat's strife to know, 
 
 But ceaseless wage perpetual war, 
 UntU our dear and sullied land 
 
 Be cleansed from each polluting foe, 
 Raised every brave and valiant hand 
 
 To fell the vile oppressor low ? 
 To lift our glorious banner high? 
 
 Base blood to spiU for our brave slain ? 
 And raise again the battle cry 
 
 Of ' Santiago ! Yengeance I Spain ! 'I* " 
 
 Aloft he raised the oaken cross. 
 
 Gazing upon his stalwart band ! 
 Then, kneeling on that rock of moss. 
 
 Toward Heaven waved his outstretched hand ! 
 
 As if his words had magic sound. 
 
 Bent was each knee, upraised each hand, 
 
 While swelled, as one full voice, around. 
 The solemn vow of that brave band : — 
 
 " Hear us, O God ! thy people, now. 
 For us, and for our sons, we vow. 
 
P E L A T O . 119 
 
 To offer up our Wood and life, 
 
 If need he, in our freedom's strife ; 
 To fight for all we liold most dear, 
 
 Our faith, our country, and our king ; 
 Never to falter, faint, or fear. 
 
 But earnest hattle song to sing. 
 As Holocaust, all free to die 
 
 For these, and for our brethren slain. 
 While loud we raise the wild war-cry 
 
 ' I<hr Vengeance / Victory ! and iSpain ! ' 
 Aid Thou, O God ! and hear us now ! — 
 
 May we not pray and strive in vain ! 
 Receive our one united vow ! — 
 
 Hear Leon ! Auria ! Heav'n ! and Spain I " 
 Then loud arose one cheering strain ! — 
 
 Throughout the hiUs it ringeth roxmd ! 
 " Pelayo ! Victory ! and Spain ! " 
 
 Reechoing to remotest bound 
 Of moxmtain, forest, valleys all ! 
 Again, again to rise and faU, 
 As though that heart-united strain 
 Thrilled through each pulse of suff'ring Spain! — 
 As echoed back that " Vow for Spain" 
 Rolling o'er hUls in fading strain, — 
 With glory bright, the sun shone out ! 
 When rose another ringiDg shout 
 
120 P E L A T O . . 
 
 Of greeting to the god of day, 
 Who thus burst forth with brilliant ray, — 
 Bright harbinger of joy and love, — 
 An omen fair from Heav'n above ! 
 As fain he too would come, to cheer 
 With hopeful light Spain's children dear ; 
 And comfort her down-trodden band. 
 With promised brightness to their land ! 
 Beloved Spain ! who, through night-cloud 
 Of swarthy Moslem, cries aloud 
 For light and comfort from the skies, 
 To raise her, ere she hopeless dies ! 
 
 Look ! as that orb in splendor roUs 
 His eastern way, and wings unfolds 
 Of glorious brightness, how they fall 
 Upon that cross ! as if to call 
 Each eye and heart to view, with pride, 
 That symbol, tow'ring on the side 
 Of highest peak, in glory bright. 
 Radiant with glances of God's light ! 
 
 Again, again the mountain rang. 
 
 Till from the copse the vdld deer sprang ; 
 
 Tip rose the lark, to pinion poise, 
 
 In terror at the wild'ring noise ! 
 
P E L A T O . 121 
 
 Casting one look of wild affright, 
 While glittered from his wings, in light, 
 Bright sparHiag drops, as dew-gems shed, 
 Pilfered from last night's grassy bed. 
 Startled the owl from morning dream, 
 To join her voice in clam'rous scream ; 
 While full and clear the hlackbird sang 
 Her matin-vow, that merry rang. 
 Trilled the wUd streams, in rippling joy, 
 
 Their liquid chant, in wruding dance, 
 With hord'ring vines and flowers to toy 
 
 In sparkling smile, 'neath sunbeam's glance. 
 Tossed high their heads in morning breeze. 
 
 Old forest oaks, there tow'ring proud. 
 Breaking their light and mist-crowned wreaths 
 
 In waving joy, as they too vowed 
 And wafted, toward the realm above, 
 
 That oath which aU of earth there nigh 
 Seemed off'ring, in fond, truthful love. 
 
 To God, the Heav'nly Father high ; — 
 While slow the mists rose from the side 
 
 Of moimtain, valley, hill, and dale, 
 Soft, gently spreading, far and wide. 
 
 Toward heaven, in floating, vapory veil. 
 Advanced TJrbino, with raised cross. 
 
 And, kneeling, thus addressed his God : 
 
122 P E L A T O . 
 
 " Great Father ! who didst save the Lost 
 
 And scattered Tribe who felt thy rod, 
 Look down, we pray thee, on us now ! 
 
 Pity our woes, and hear our call ! 
 Receive thy children's offered vow, 
 
 For victory and the Moslem fall ! 
 Bless Thou our King, now chosen here, 
 
 With wisdom, strength, to do all right ; 
 Be Thou unto him ever near, — 
 
 Surround him with Thine angels bright, 
 That Holy Influence may so blend 
 
 With all his o'wn high, noble power, 
 That bravely, e'er, unto the end. 
 
 He may endure, till brighter hour 
 Effulgent, fair, on Spain shall dawn. 
 
 And glory, reillumiued, break. 
 As beams to us this beauteous morn ! 
 
 As glorious doth yon sun awake ! — 
 Bless each and all assembled here. 
 
 Our people sad throughout the land ; 
 Protect their wi^•es and children dear. 
 
 With Thine all-powerful, gracious Hand ! " 
 
 Gravely rising now from prayer, 
 Benedictions solemn fall 
 
PBLATO. 123 
 
 Over all assembled there, 
 Royal — Noble — Warriors all. 
 " JBenedicat vos, 
 Omnipotens Devs, 
 Pater et Filius, 
 Et Spirittfs Sanctus. 
 Amen." 
 
CANTO IV. 
 
 But turn we to our Lovers now, 
 
 So joyous, beautiful, and true ! 
 So blest, in mutual, loving vow ! 
 
 To finish well this Eden view ! 
 Soon, nobles lead, full time I ween, 
 
 To Royal Cave, fair, wide, and vast, 
 Where sumptuous bridal-feast hath been 
 
 Prepared, to break their lengthened fast. 
 Less than an arrow's flight, there grew 
 
 Two lofty elms, whose limbs entwine. 
 And, drooping, hide from casual view 
 
 A spacious cave, whose porch, with vine 
 Of eglantine and wild rose sweet, 
 
 Was draped, festooned, most wondrous fair, 
 In graceful garlands rich to meet, 
 
 And fill with fragrance all the air. 
 Fronting these trees, a mossy green 
 
 Sloped gently down, encircled quite 
 
P B L A Y O . 125 
 
 With, hazels, that, all shitnm'ring seen. 
 
 Formed grove of beauty, freshly bright ! — 
 Over their boughs' extended reach. 
 
 Wild running vines, lithe spreading, threw 
 Their tendrils to fair trees of beech. 
 
 And thus a canopy o'er-grew, 
 Pendent with fragrant blossoms white. 
 
 With fruit, of crimson, purple hue, 
 Gleaming as jewels clear and bright 
 
 When sun-beams lighted them to view. 
 And, in the centre of the green, 
 
 A fairy fountain lulling played ; 
 While, in a mimic pond, were seen 
 
 Bright speckled fish, golden arrayed : — 
 Fair entrance to a fairy bower ! 
 
 Now part the branches — raise the vine, — 
 Put lovingly aside each flower, — 
 
 And enter we this bridal shrine ! 
 
 Oh ! wond'rous power of Nature's own ! — 
 
 HaU after hall of marble white. 
 Where clear stalactites pendent shone, 
 
 Reflecting rainbow colors bright ! 
 And suites of spacious chambers high, 
 
 With fair boudoirs attached thereto, 
 
136 PELAYO. 
 
 And domes, through which the azure sky, 
 'Mid covert openings, sly peeped through ! 
 
 All richly decked her court with flowers, — 
 
 Filled natural rases with their charms, 
 While at the porch and through the bowers 
 
 Warbled sweet birds till evening cahn. 
 When Philomel, her mellow strain 
 Enlinked in concord's dulcet chain, 
 And harmony, throughout the wUd, 
 Continuous welled, till morning smiled ; 
 When triUed again the lark his lay 
 In matin chant to herald day, 
 Until one anthem ceaseless rolled 
 In praise to Him the God of Old, — 
 From Natm-e's choristers, that rang 
 
 Their gushing joy from eve to morn, — 
 From morn till eve, His praises sang, 
 
 With midnight stars and morning dawn ; 
 While cushat doves, with cooing tone 
 
 Of happy joy and love, had placed 
 Their nests amid wild-roses groAvn 
 
 Over the portal, blossom-graced. 
 
 Busy had been each skilful hand 
 Of artist, maid, and matron there, 
 
P E L A T O . 127 
 
 To deck that cave, fondly had planned 
 
 To drape with taste and beauty rare 
 Each hall, with every fragrant flower 
 
 Breathing sweet odors aU around. 
 Where, fairest of this sylvan bower, 
 
 The Sanctum of our Queea was found 
 With niches, alcoves, natural-graced. 
 Where mountain sculptors fondly placed 
 Statue and vase, in idle hour. 
 Wrought with exact artistic power, 
 To please the fancy of their queen, 
 
 To deck with works of art her bower, 
 And beauties, ne'er in court-life seen. 
 
 Of mountain's fairest vine and flower. 
 The marble floor with heath o'erspread. 
 
 Whose purple blossoms raised to meet 
 With kiss of love her fairy tread. 
 
 Exhaling fragrance richly sweet. 
 And, in an alcove, osier couch 
 
 Spread with the myrtle fresh, and thyme, 
 And richest moss, that one might vouch 
 
 With hidden eyes, was down most fine. 
 And fleecy covering, soft and white, 
 
 CuUed from the flocks for their " Pet Lamb," 
 Forced from her home to mountain flight, — 
 
 Still guarded by the " Great I Am." 
 
128 P E L A T O . 
 
 Not lack they yet fine linen here, 
 
 Or other needs of palace life ; 
 For Inez, for her mistress dear. 
 
 Had all their panniers fiUed, ■well rife. 
 With comforts that the wild-wood ne'er 
 
 Could substitute, or hope to find ; 
 While Gomez, too, her zeal doth share, — 
 
 Each striving, with deep interest kind. 
 To soften every ill and care. 
 
 To add each comfort in their power, 
 And thus enable well to bear 
 
 Her rustic life, their palace flower. 
 Frescoed the walls with lilies white. 
 
 Garlands of lilies draped around. 
 Emblem of her pure spirit bright ; — 
 
 While orange-buds and myrtle wound 
 Each vase and statue, breathing fair 
 
 Of bridal love and constancy. 
 Which each to each should ever bear 
 
 Through life — through all eternity. 
 
 But look we in the vast saloon, 
 
 Glitt'ring with aU those rainbow drops 
 
 How generous Nature in this boon ! 
 Who not alone at comfort stops, 
 
PELATO. 129 
 
 But decorates, to please the eye, 
 
 Witli bright prismatic beauties rare. 
 Her canopy, upraised on Hgh, 
 
 Above that table's sumptuous fare 
 Of every game the mountaiu gave, 
 Of every fish her waters lave. 
 Gathered from all that mountain side. 
 To grace the ' Board ' of King and Bride. 
 Rich fruit from every bearing tree, 
 
 Sweet berries from each bush and viae. 
 With honey from the forest bee, 
 
 And draughts of purest native wine ; 
 Pomegranate, citron, peach, and pear. 
 Bright cherries and acava fair, 
 Orange and melon, fig and lime. 
 All fruits and berries of that clime ; 
 Nuts from the hazel, chestnut, beech. 
 Almond and filbert, — ^berries each, — 
 Straw, black, and raspberries from side 
 And sunny height of mountain wide : 
 Epagners, crowned with fruit and flower. 
 
 Complete that table's ample spread ; — 
 And must we not forget Spain's dower 
 
 Of white and wholesome chestnut bread. 
 
 6* 
 
130 PELAYO. 
 
 Fell flashing rays on crystal drop, 
 
 From sandal and sweet citron wood 
 That burned within that fairy grot 
 
 In marble cassolets ; — and stood 
 Vassals, whose rods of clove illume. 
 
 And wave an incense richly sweet. 
 Pervading all with rare perfume, — 
 
 Magnetic, — that the senses meet, 
 And soothe to softest harmony 
 
 All care, and ill, and passing woe. 
 While falls, as gentle minstrelsy, 
 
 The lulling sound of water's flow. 
 
 Raised at the banquet's head a seat 
 
 All canopied with banners bright. 
 While spread beneath, for royal feet. 
 
 Were mats of moss and fleece of white. 
 Hither were led the king and queen, 
 
 Unto this cavern's banquet throne. 
 Where, cynosure of that bright scene, 
 
 Fair Zillah stUl most beauteous shone ! 
 While jasmine wreaths, and roses red, 
 
 Entwined around stalactites clear, 
 Drooping, in fragrance, o'er each head, — 
 
 Oft kissing cheek and shoulder near. 
 
P E L A Y O . 131 
 
 The monarch, nohle, dignified, 
 
 Apollo, — ^Mars, — to fancy seemed, 
 Combined in one ; — search far and wide, 
 
 A couple ne'er so perfect beamed 
 Upon a fond and loviag court. 
 
 As this, our King and Queen of Spain ! 
 While near, were placed Braves that had fought, 
 
 Fair bride-maids, nobles of their train. 
 Matron and priests — aU gently born, 
 
 Who cast away now far and wide 
 All sorrow on this joyous mom, — 
 
 Happy in their dear king and bride ; 
 While toast and song, with merry glee, 
 
 Fill up the measure full and high. 
 Of pure and happy harmony, — 
 
 While gayly flit the moments by 
 In that strange mountain-cavern wild 
 
 That ne'er had seen such feast before, — 
 Graced by an Oread-nymph so mild. 
 
 Whom aU must love — and one adore ! 
 
 And well, in truth, adored were she, — 
 
 Fair as an angel pure to bless 
 His life and home where'er to be. 
 
 With aU of woman's loveliness ! 
 
132 PEL AY O. 
 
 Those eyes so bright — of heaven's own hue, 
 
 So sweet with love's- confiding ray ! — 
 His deep impassioned glance so true 
 
 As though it ne'er could turn away 
 From gazing e'er with welling bliss 
 
 And heart-felt joy, ne'er known before. 
 Upon such blessing, now all his, 
 
 His, his alone, forevermore ! — 
 O happy pair ! united now 
 
 In holy love's fond plighted vow ! 
 Nor father, — rival, — e'er may part 
 
 Or sever now, fond wedded heart. 
 And all the brightness of that morn. 
 
 Flower, bird, and streamlet rippling by, — 
 HUl, dale, and valley, sunny lawn, — 
 
 Naught, half so fair on mountain high, 
 As that blest pair, — beaming with love ! 
 All glorious light ! spark from Above ! 
 Gleaming with soul-fraught flashes deep. 
 Electric, wildly fond to sweep 
 With thrilling rapture's hoUest power, 
 Fond hearts, in that gay bridal hour ! 
 
 And glances flash from maidens' eyes 
 Grey, black, and azure too, I ween ! 
 
PELATO. 133 
 
 On bravest knights, who may defy 
 
 Aught else, but not such weapons keen, 
 That penetrate all armor's show. 
 
 Piercing bold hearts fuU deep and sure ! 
 Conquering, ere yet its victim know. 
 
 With wound most fatal, passing cure ! — 
 But still, they faU not cowards there, — 
 
 Return they freely Cupid's fire, 
 "Wounding in turn the daring fair. 
 
 As tones respond to fuU-struck lyre. 
 
 No ! ne'er, I ween ! by night or day. 
 That mountain shone one half so gay 
 As now, with hearts and beauty bright. 
 It beamed in joy and love's delight ! 
 For sweetest harmony there crowned 
 
 The scene, each spirit, and the hour ; — 
 And as the buds there bloomed around. 
 
 Hearts opened to love's witching power ! 
 And aU is joy and ecstasy ! 
 
 While melting, — martial songs resound, 
 Until again aU rise to see 
 
 The Pledge for king and queen pass round ; 
 When from the feast they turn away. 
 
 Each free to seek his pleasm-e best ; — 
 
134 P E L A T O . 
 
 The loving, 'mid sweet groves to stray, — 
 The aged, to more quiet rest. 
 
 And there were tender vows, I wis, 
 
 Breathed 'neath the myrtle bowers that day, 
 And'fondest seal, in nectar kiss. 
 
 With Cupid, monarch arch, to sway 
 And thrill, amid the aspen trees. 
 Sweet-hearts, to quiver as their leaves, 
 Touched by the power of his loved thrall, 
 Till, conquered, they all willing fall, 
 Gay, happy captives ! glad to lie 
 
 In rosy bonds, — 'neath sweetest power ; 
 Nor from these chains would ever fly, — 
 
 Or ransomed be, by richest dower. 
 
 How lovely, too, those mountain maids ! 
 
 As caged-birds loosed in forest-wild, — 
 As Oreads bright, iu green-wood shades. 
 
 Or pure descended angels mUd ! — 
 And children sport in gayest mood 
 
 AU merrily, and filled with glee. 
 There chasing up and down the wood 
 
 Each butterfly and humming bee ; 
 Or, frolicking young naiads seen 
 In rivulets, 'mid broad leaves green ; — 
 
PELAYO. 135 
 
 Laving their white and tiny feet 
 
 In pebbly brooks, where wild flowers sweet 
 
 Dip, from their margins, in the breeze 
 
 That bends their heads and sways the trees. 
 
 Tossing each ringlet, sunny bright, 
 
 Of cherub child, as elfin sprite. 
 
 And friars pace by lonely way 
 
 In holy meditation deep, 
 Their breviary, and prayers to say, — 
 
 Their sacred vigils e'er to keep. 
 WhUe huntsmen bold, fierce for the chase, — 
 
 Wind loud and clear the bugle honi, 
 To seek, ere eve draws on apace. 
 
 Fox, rabbit, deer, and bounding fawn ; 
 And sportsmen, for light, feathered game, 
 
 (As ran the taste, — ^less arduous toU), 
 For pheasant, partridge, grouse, — tiU came 
 
 Hour for return, laden vdth spoU. 
 While minds more pensive, seek the stream. 
 
 With hook and line, for angler's play, — 
 For speckled fish, that darting gleam. 
 
 Bright sparkling, in the sunny ray. 
 And groups are gathered, here and there. 
 
 To list unto some legend old, 
 
186 PELAYO. 
 
 Or ballad sung of maiden fair, 
 
 Or tale of warrior bravely bold. 
 Thus, " Dolce far niente" life 
 
 They happy pass, all, light of heart. 
 Regardless of the comrDg strife. 
 
 In which each son must bear his part ; — 
 For are they not all rallied now. 
 
 With chief and king to lead agaia ? 
 Aad has not Heaven received their vow 
 
 To raise again their fallen Spain ? 
 And Hope reigns brightly o'er each heart, — 
 
 Hope sings again her cheering song 
 That Victory shall be their part. 
 
 And Peace smile on their kingdom long ! 
 
 Where linger our loved bridal pair. 
 
 Who, as the morning brilliant opes, 
 Shed o'er each heart, their radiance fair 
 
 " Couleur de rose " of blissful hopes ? — 
 Too sacred, — deep with holy joy. 
 
 Is their heart-love, so pure, I trow, 
 To gaze therein with rude annoy 
 
 For those who ne'er pledged nuptial-vow ; 
 And those who have, may better tell 
 
 From fond remembrance, — the deep thriU 
 
PELAYO. 137 
 
 Of rapturous joy, that full did well, 
 And all their bosom-pulses fill ! 
 
 Apart they rove in fairy bowers. 
 
 As Paradise, — Elysian bright ! 
 On rosy pinions flit the hours, 
 
 Till, in the west, now glows the light 
 Of setting sun, in grandeur proud. 
 
 Crimson, in rich fantastic shapes ; 
 When, in their sanctum, — from the crowd, 
 
 They list the note the bulbul wakes, 
 As heralds she approaching night ; — 
 
 And in that calm and sweet retreat, 
 Glowing with Love's effulgent light. 
 
 While rapturous their fond hearts beat, 
 Speak they of happy future bright, 
 
 When, Spain all free from Moslem foe, 
 
 Naught in their course but love shaU. flow ! 
 
 Sadly, they turn to sorrows sped, — 
 Still fondly dwell on joys to come ; 
 
 When, Discord with the Invader fled. 
 
 Sweet Peace shall reign o'er all their home ; 
 
 And Love, with fettered pinions, rest 
 In rosy chains, contented there, — 
 
138 P E L A Y O . 
 
 So happy and supremely blest 
 
 Ne'er could he dream of home more fair ; — 
 Nor would they seek to roam from this 
 Euchanted spot of sylvan bliss, 
 Where all breathes of the Heaven above, 
 And Nature smiles in joyful love. 
 But, save their country's long felt woes 
 
 CaU for redress and vengeance sure. 
 They'd shun aU care a court-life knows, 
 
 To pass their days 'mid scenes so pure. 
 
 Fond breathed his soul its incense sweet, — 
 
 The king, his happiness divine, 
 As gazing in her blue eyes deep, — 
 
 " Mine angel-bride ! mine ! only mine ! " 
 Was still the burden of his lay, — 
 
 " Oh ! is it then no dream divine 
 To sadly fade, and pass away ? — 
 
 And art thou, Love, forever mine ? 
 
 " O blessed God ! I pray Thee now 
 To make me worthy of the priae 
 
 Thou givest me in holy vow, 
 My bride ! mine angel from the skies ! 
 
 Teach me to guard and cherish e'er, 
 
 As Thou wouldst wish, my precious flower ; 
 
PEL AT O. 139 
 
 Guard Thou ! I pray, with choicest care, 
 
 And shield her, through each passing hour ! 
 How may I thank Thee for the boon ! — 
 
 How worthy prove of this great trust ! — 
 I'll raise Thy Cross 'bove Crescent moon. 
 
 The Moslem banner crush in dust, 
 And all the foes of our dear faith 
 
 Will scatter to the four wiiids wide, 
 Of ' Prophet-creed,' leave not a wraith ! — 
 
 And this were nothing, for my bride ! — 
 No recompense may e'er suffice 
 
 To liquidate my Heavenly debt ! 
 Thou seest the gratitude that lies 
 
 In my soul's depths ! ne'er to forget !— 
 My ardent thanks shall e'er rise up 
 Prom gratitude's o'er-flowing cup, — 
 And this fond heart throb constantly. 
 In ever-thankful love to Thee ! 
 
 " May perfumes from all fairest flowers, 
 May every breeze that floats on high, 
 
 Breathe to Thee, of our happy hours ! 
 Bear Thee each loving, grateful sigh ! 
 
 May every dew-drop's sun-beam flight 
 Bear glist'ning tears of joyful love 
 
140 p E L A y o . 
 
 From gratitude e'er glowing bright, 
 
 Pure as the angels know Above ! 
 Let now the bulbul speak to Thee 
 In her sweet, liquid minstrelsy. 
 Of my soul-gushing, grateful joy. 
 My welling bliss, free from alloy ! 
 May earth and air and sky and sea 
 Sing one eternal song to Thee ! 
 And thus my thanks outspoken be 
 For this my bride Thou givest me ! 
 Too deep my love, my joy, for speech ! — 
 No words, my holiest feelings reach ! 
 And tremble I, lest aU untrue 
 This wondrous joy ! and from my \iew 
 Thou float away — an angel bright, — 
 Or fade, as some fair dream of night ; 
 And waken I alone, to mourn ! 
 Of aU my fondest visions shorn ! 
 Look on me, Love ! speak ! speak and smUe ! 
 
 Tell me thou art indeed mine own ! — 
 My bride of earth ! — no myth, or wile, 
 
 To pass and leave me, sad — alone ! " 
 Fondly he pressed her to his breast, — 
 
 Parted her tresses from her brow, — 
 Again that brow, her lips, caressed : — 
 
 " Thou art mine own ! I clasp thee now 
 
P E L A Y O . 141 
 
 All palpable and human here ! 
 
 Enfolded truly m these arms ! 
 My love ! my soul ! my bride so dear, 
 
 Glowing with life and radiant charms ! — 
 Oh ! love me ! love me, angel mine ! 
 
 Take not thy sweet lips once away ! 
 Oh ! let me cling thus e'er to thine ! 
 
 My bride ! — thou canst not say me nay, 
 Speak ! speak thy love ! and let me hear 
 
 If half thou sharest of my joy ? — 
 Beams earth now to thee newly dear, 
 
 Without one saddened, dark alloy ? " 
 
 " ISTay ! nay ! my love I how may I speak 
 
 If kisses stop my words, — ^my lips ! 
 As flower, in helpless silence weak. 
 
 While humming-bird incessant sips ! 
 ilTay ! prithee cease ! and I will speak, 
 
 As ladies ever would, you know, — 
 Most cruel ! thus such guard to keep, 
 
 Giving no chance for ay or no ! 
 Now cry thee thanks, mine only love ! 
 
 Gladly respond I to thy soul, — 
 With thee, I thank our God Above ! — 
 
 Share I, thy joy and love, the whole, — 
 
] 42 F E L A Y . 
 
 Not ' half thy joy ' — my life ! mine own ! 
 
 Thou know'st full weU — am I not here ? 
 Have I not fled with thee alone ? — 
 
 Whom have I now but thee, so dear ? 
 How dark, how drear this world to me 
 
 Apart from thee, mine own true love 
 Nay, nay, I could not live from thee ! — 
 
 Without thee, what were Heaven above ? 
 And ' happy ! ' — oh ! how blest am I ! 
 
 Thine own loved bride ! thine, only thine !- 
 Ay, brighter far seem earth and sky, — 
 
 And fairer still yon moon-beams shine 
 Than e'er they smiled on me before ! 
 
 On me, thy happy, happy bride ! — 
 Whom, Love, thou blindly dost adore 
 
 While gazing on the brighter side 
 Of my poor virtues, yet to learn 
 
 How weak and fraU in all of right, 
 But rich in love, to thee I turn. 
 
 As sun-flower, to her god of light. — 
 I see no brightness but with thee, 
 
 Behold no joy that is not thine, — 
 Happy, with thee, where'er to be, 
 
 And in thy light alone to shine. 
 And full my chahce-blest of joy, 
 
 Dearest, as thine, save that I know 
 
P E L A T O . 143 
 
 One sad, sad spot of dark alloy. 
 
 When thinking, thou must from me go 
 E'en for a day, to risk thy life, 
 
 More precious far than worlds to me ! — 
 In wild and hateful battle-strife, — 
 
 Mayhap, forever severed we ! " 
 
 " Is this my nightingale ! my bird ! 
 
 Chanting such doleful vespers here ? — 
 No mournful notes may now be heard, — 
 
 A Chieftain's bride should know not fear ! — 
 Nay cheer thee ! cheer thee, gentle one ; 
 
 A voice, within me, speaks of hope ! 
 Saying, — that ours the victory won ! 
 
 Successfully, we battle cope ! " 
 
 Sweetly she turns her dove-like eyes, 
 
 To drink, from Ms, of hopeful joy, 
 While happier now her fair head lies 
 
 Upon his breast, half trust, half coy, — 
 With mingling sweet, of maid and wife 
 
 Of holy feelings, only known 
 To pm-e and good, in this earth-life, — 
 
 Hearts, where sweet lily-love hath grown. 
 There, all confiding, fond, and pm*e, 
 
 Reclines she on her lover's breast, 
 
IM P E L A Y O . 
 
 Nestling, of love and honor sure, 
 
 Where, as a bird, she'd ever rest. 
 While fondly plays he with each curl, 
 
 So sunny fair, of golden hue ; 
 Kissing white lids, that sweet unfurl 
 
 O'er violet eyes of heavenly blue. — 
 But list ! soft on the evening air 
 
 Come borne upon the breezes bland, 
 Sweetly, the vesper-tones of prayer. 
 
 Full rising from the mountain band ; 
 When, humbly too, they bend the knee. 
 In orison, to Deity, 
 Pure as the twilight dews to rise 
 In holy incense to the skies. 
 
 Now, cooling draughts and fruits most rare 
 Are placed before our happy pair. 
 While clear the nightingale's sweet prayer 
 Still warbling floats through evening air. 
 
CANTO Y. 
 
 All freshly clear and glowing bright 
 Breaks forth again the morning light ; 
 Again the orient, glimmering red, 
 Calls warriors from their mountain bed, 
 And while the mists rise toward the sky, 
 Full many a matin wafts on High ; — 
 While huntsmen, ready for the chase. 
 Dash forth, on merry mountain race. 
 Through thicket green, through opening clear, 
 To seek the roe and bounding deer. 
 O'er purple heath, at dawning day. 
 Through wild'ring paths, they wend their way 
 Where frightful crags above them bow. 
 Along wild rocks and ravine's brow. 
 Then through the copse and chestnut grove 
 To slacken pace, more quiet rove ; 
 Where gentle mood induced, they lose 
 More ardent zest to pensive muse, 
 1 
 
146 P E L A T O . 
 
 Some on their bright-eyed ladye-fair, 
 Others, in country's woes, thought share. 
 
 Brief moments these for tender thought, 
 A glimpse of tossing antlers caught, 
 "When, loud the hounds and sportsmen cry ! 
 Again the hills and dells reply ! 
 And dashing on, stag, archer, hound, 
 Once more all merrily they bound. 
 With yeUing bay and arrows' twang. 
 As speeding on the wild-deer sprang. 
 Cruel the sport ! not kind the heart 
 That sends the fatal, death-winged dart. 
 To lay that beauteous prey aU low, 
 And meet the mUd eye's anguished glow. 
 As sad the upturned, mournful gaze. 
 Is cast in last expiring haze 
 Reproachful ! as tho' fain to say, — 
 Could ye not spare my brief, bright day ? 
 Why seek ye my free momitain home 
 Where erst I fearlessly might roam ? — 
 Or, shielded here, could ye not spare, 
 And suffer me God's gifts to share ? 
 
 But sportsman-heart not oft, I ween. 
 Is touched by tender conscience keen ! 
 
P E L A T O . 147 
 
 When bugles ring and staunch hounds cry 
 And swift the springing stag goes by, 
 No thought, but for the bow true bent. 
 And whistling arrow surely sent ! — 
 And thus, in huntsman's merry day, 
 All softer thoughts are cast away. 
 
 Now, one by one, as blossoms ope. 
 
 Appear sweet maiden-flow'rets fair, 
 Bright, as the mom, with love and hope, — 
 
 As radiant, in their beauty rare. 
 While round the moss-grown Altar-rock, 
 
 To raise the matin hymn on high. 
 Assembled, range the mountain flock, — 
 
 From cave and forest-sport to hie ; 
 When swelling on the morning air 
 
 Arises fuU and rich and free. 
 With mist and dew in offerings share. 
 
 Their orison of melody. 
 Day, prayer-begun, all brightly crowned 
 
 With holy aspiration's rays. 
 That draw from Heaven pure angels round, 
 
 To guard through darkened earthly ways ! — 
 How beautiful the soul's incense ! 
 Borne through empyrean ether hence 
 
148 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Pure waftiag to the Heavenly throne ! 
 To God — unaided, and alone ! — 
 !N"o courtly pomp or herald fine 
 
 To sound the name and lead the vcay, 
 Unto our blessed Lord Divine ; — 
 
 Whose Gates wide open, night and day, 
 Stand in their pearly brightness fair ; 
 
 That all may welcome entrance find, — 
 The high and low alike to share 
 
 His love and wondrous mercy kind ! 
 Oh blessed Gates of peace and light. 
 
 That wearied souls may pass within ! 
 AU drooping, worn, through sorrow's night !- 
 
 A glorious morning to begin ! 
 Hark ! as those human voices blend 
 
 In richest harmony of prayer, 
 The green-wood birds their sweet notes lend 
 
 To fill with praise the morning air ; 
 Striving as who should loudest swell 
 
 His gratitude to God above, 
 With gushing joy to chanting teU 
 
 His happiness and praise and love ! 
 The lark gives back his matin high, 
 WhUe soaring far toward azure sky ; 
 The robin carols forth his glee 
 In richest strains of minstrelsy ; 
 
P E L A Y O . 149 
 
 In anthems pure, the warhUng thrush 
 
 Out-pours his joy from tree and brush ; 
 
 While clear, 'mid all, the boblink sings 
 
 " Praise God ! praise God ! " in note that rings 
 
 So full: of love and melody, 
 
 The sleeping flowers awake to see 
 
 The Morning smile ! — fuU tinie should they 
 
 Their incense sweet of perfume pay ! 
 
 When, blushing bright, the wild-rose red, 
 
 Lifts up her richly dew-gemm'd head ; 
 
 While sweet the lily, pure and white, 
 
 Her chalice opes in glittering light ; 
 
 And mountain violets bathed in dew. 
 
 Raise their sweet eyes of loving blue, 
 
 WhUe blossoms all, awake to share 
 
 In grateful offerings, sweet and fair. 
 
 Ripple the streams in laughing joy. 
 
 And dancing, whirl in playful toy 
 
 With every venturous vine and flower 
 
 That bends to sip their sparkling shower ; 
 
 WTiile loud the torrent joins, to swell 
 
 Majestic Praise ! — great Nature's bell ! 
 
 Sounding fore'er with grand accord 
 
 The glory of our Sov'reign Lord ! 
 
150 PBLATO. 
 
 And there were two, whose cup of bliss 
 
 Full high o'er-flowed with joys extreme ; — 
 Whose love-fraught, radiant happiness 
 
 Perfected, well the glorious scene ; — 
 Whose joy, too deep for outward tone, 
 
 Welled up with fuU intensity, 
 Beaming from eyes that glowing shone 
 
 With holy love's sweet purity. 
 Blest couple for that Eden-fair ! 
 
 To grace and finish well, and light 
 Their Paradise ; — as earth's first pair, 
 
 Ere fell sin's dark and with'ring bhght. 
 
 Ah ! why so brief all earthly joy ? 
 Why mixed her chalice with alloy ? 
 WTiy may they not thus ever dwell 
 In fairy bower and sylvan dell, — 
 In mountain groves far from the world, 
 
 Her courts' deceit and treacherous wile, 
 Or ere War's banner be unfurled, 
 
 And dove-eyed Peace so transient smile ? 
 But cloud not we the present l)right 
 
 With dark forebodings fraught with woe ; 
 Nor sing of Sorrow's gloomy night. 
 
 While radiant skies around us glow 
 
P B L A T O . 151 
 
 With rainbow hues of light and love, 
 
 And earth so smiles with happiness 
 Scarce might one deem the realms ahove 
 
 More sweetly, purely, e'er could bless ! — 
 And from this fair Elysian dream 
 
 Ne'er would they wish to wake or rise, 
 So bright does all around them beam ! — 
 
 A second glorious Paradise ! 
 Take we the moral, then, and see 
 
 How chequered-web destroys Life's chai-m, 
 Tin man would fain from sorrow flee 
 
 And earthly strife, — to Heavenly cahn ! 
 And were this sphere all bright below, 
 
 Without a cloud of Sorrow's night, 
 Ne'er would the soul with rapture glow. 
 
 To plume her wings for Heavenly flight ! 
 
 Blithe passed the days through deU and vale. 
 
 In shady mountain bower ; 
 Each hour might chime a fond love-tale. 
 
 Where swayed Love's magic power ! 
 How bhthe the king and happy bride ! 
 Roaming o'er flower-decked mountain side, 
 Culling sweet buds of love and light 
 With earthly blossoms, e'en less bright I 
 
152 PELATO. 
 
 Blithe as the merry songsters there, 
 That wake the morn with music rare, — 
 Chanting till dewy eve of love, — 
 Blest theme ! that angels sing above ! 
 
 From out their forest bower of joy, 
 
 How fair at early morn to hie ! 
 Wand'ring where dancing streamlets toy 
 
 With bending shrubs of every dye ; 
 Where bright the rose in dewy sheen. 
 The wild-rose, creeps amid the green ; 
 Where hawthorn sweet perfmnes the air, 
 And violets hide 'mid green leaves fair. 
 Peeping, with azure true-love eyes, — 
 Breathing of love that never dies, — 
 Whisp'ring from valley, stream, and grot. 
 To lovers fond, — " Forget me not ! " 
 
 Now saunter they through olive-dell, — 
 
 Now in some fair acacia bower. 
 Entranced, by Cupid's witching spell. 
 
 To dream away the blissful hour. 
 Oh ! with what joy upon his bride 
 
 Gazed e'er our royal knight ! 
 The blushing treasure by his side, 
 
 His cherished soul's delight ! 
 
PELATO. 153 
 
 While faiiy " Castles in his Spain " 
 He rears ia thought and speech, 
 
 Of prosp'rous days restored again, — 
 His flower, from danger's reach ! — 
 
 And, as the clouds of waning day- 
 Roll gorgeous o'er the west, 
 
 To their bright bower they wend their way, 
 For evening's peaceful rest. 
 
 How grand that mountain setting sun ! 
 
 The forest tops, each rocky spii-e, 
 The purple clifis, and torrents run, 
 
 Auseva's hiUs aU bathed in fire ! 
 As glowing rich in crimson light, 
 It blushing bids the earth good-night,, 
 'Mid heavens flecked with every hue 
 E'er mountain-flower or rainbow knew ; 
 WhUe each gay, tiny, feathered pair. 
 Seeking the nest 'mid leaflets fair. 
 Rings out the twilight parting note, 
 In plaintive cadence far to float ; 
 When sweet again the nightingale 
 
 Her song weUs forth in joy's delight, — 
 In liquid notes that through the vale 
 
 To nioonlight saunter now invite 
 
 jy* 
 
154 PELATO. 
 
 Fond lovers still to list her tale, 
 
 Warbling till dawn of true love bright ; 
 
 That when dark clouds of grief assail, 
 Cheers fonder through the gloomy night. 
 
 And there were wanting not, I ween, 
 
 The mandolin or light guitar. 
 And gay bolero on the green. 
 
 With chorus-glees that echoed far. — 
 But list ! — the vesper call to prayer ! 
 
 And from each bower, and grove, and dell. 
 Warrior and matron, maid repair. 
 
 Their holy vows and beads to teU. 
 While sweetly riseth on the air 
 
 Rich swelling tones of voices clear, 
 Breathing of Praise and earnest Prayer, 
 
 Drawing each soul to Heaven more near. 
 Incense as precious in His sight 
 
 As e'er from gi'andest altar rose, — 
 That star-gemm'd canopy of light, 
 
 Fairer than aught that Seville knows. 
 And sweeter far the balmy sleep. 
 
 Closing each guileless forest day, 
 Than fevered rest that courtiers reap 
 
 Prom hollow Pleasure's weary way 1 
 
PEL AT O. 155 
 
 So, bright fled the hours, as if Heaven below I 
 With innocent joys that the world never know ; 
 In the valley and dell, by the rivulet clear. 
 With love-beamiag eyes smiling ever most dear. 
 Oh! the Mountain at sunrise, at sunset, at eve. 
 Seems more lovely as each in its turn taketh leave ;— 
 The west, in its crimson, as gorgeous it glows , — 
 Fair eve when the dew-drop soft kisseth rose, — 
 And the stars all peep forth in their glimmering 
 
 bright. 
 With the Moon, their pure queen, in her silvery 
 
 light,— 
 Her smUe's mellow ray, over cliff, vale, and bower, 
 O'er the water-fall sparkling in diamond shower ; — 
 And the fond, happy stroU, over heath and wild 
 
 flower. 
 With the Dear One, whose smUe is the light of the 
 
 hour. 
 Where the aspen-leaf trembles as pulse of the heart. 
 Vibrating with love, that of life forms a part ; 
 Where the nightingale's song, and the whippowil's 
 
 call. 
 With the miirmiuTiig stream on the ear lulling fall, — 
 And the breeze, rich with perfume, steals over the 
 
 soul. 
 Till a dream-like enchantment pervadeth the whole, — 
 
156 PELAYO. 
 
 While hearts open full, to expand as a flower, — 
 Here freely to drink of Divine loving power ; — 
 As the blossom receiveth the pure falling dew. 
 To bloom still more brightly, and kindly, and true. 
 E"or star, or fair moon, or sweet flower, ever smiled 
 So lovely and bright as in this forest-wild, 
 Where hearts and pure souls, full unclosing in joy, 
 Quaff ITature's fresh pleasures, all free from alloy. 
 
CANTO VI. 
 
 Fain -would my Muse prolong the scene, 
 
 Arcadian life, — ^peaceful and pure, — 
 But winter follows spring, I ween. 
 And earthly joys not e'er endure. 
 'Twere marvel great, if Moorish foe 
 Their refuge sure, might chance to kaow, 
 But for a churl, Fandino hight, 
 Who base was bought — the caitiff wight ! 
 The Moslem, treacherous to guide 
 Unto Auseva's moimtain side. 
 Up through the bowlder's steep defile. 
 Their silent march of stealthy wile, 
 Beneath the raven wing of night. 
 That screeneth from the Christians' sight, 
 And vapors dense at dawning hour, 
 That heavily enclouding lower. 
 
158 PELAYO. 
 
 But few brief months, morn's eastern red 
 
 Had ushered in with rosy glow, 
 The day, to love and gladness wed, 
 
 When, from the guard that gazed below 
 Was heard the signal, — " Come the foe!'''' 
 
 ITot with the " Leila cry" and gong, 
 The clarion, and the timbrel shrill — 
 
 Not with the " Techir " battle-song, 
 But, with a muffled tramp, so stUl, 
 
 So cautious, winding there along. 
 But for the Watch, for coming ill, 
 Our Mountain Band might scarcely know 
 The cunning creeping of the foe ! 
 But, thanks to God and angels fair, 
 The floating mist divideth there, 
 Through which bright rays from Heaven fall. 
 Revealing Arabs, Moslems, all ! — 
 Ay ! thrice, kind rays from Heaven's sun 
 Shine, through the mist, their spears upon. 
 That gleaming, glist'ning in the light. 
 Betray the impious sons of night ! — 
 That Turban'd Host of swarthy hue, 
 As demons seem to Christian view ! 
 Alcahmen, as the Fiend of old, 
 Leading unto their Eden-fold ! 
 
P E L A Y O . 159 
 
 But, God be praised ! pure angels share 
 Fond, loving guard, for coming snare ; 
 And Heaven itself, in sunbeams bright. 
 Looks down to warn them of the fight ! 
 While in that calm, still morning clear, 
 Comes. borne unto the Christian ear, 
 The muffled tread of Moslem near. 
 To blanch fair cheeks with pallid fear ! 
 
 Ah ! now the startling signal ran 
 
 From cliff to cave, from man to man ! 
 
 And corslet, shield, and armor bright, 
 
 Are quickly donned for coming fight ; — 
 
 Stirring the Camp ! — with hasty tread 
 
 From ev'ry cave men armed sped ; — 
 
 While helpless matron, maid, and child, 
 
 Poured forth their prayers in terror wild. 
 
 And noble hearts swelled fiercely bold, 
 
 To tremble, in the soft enfold. 
 
 The parting clasp of loved ones dear, — 
 
 'Mid sobbing tones, and anguished tear. — 
 
 With hurried words of tenderness, 
 
 And trembling prayers that " God may bless," 
 
 Were hastening step, and bustling care 
 
 For all that falls to battle-share ; 
 
160 P E L A Y O . 
 
 The falchion, spear, and lance, and bow, 
 
 The banner, hateful to the foe ! — 
 
 And sighings heart might scarce endure 
 
 From loving ones : — " The Moor ! the Moor ! " 
 
 From precious lips, and trembling child 
 
 All frighted by the tumult wild ! — 
 
 And sad " Ave Marias " brief 
 
 From hearts half crazed with fearful grief ! 
 
 Ay ! many, oft, the matins said, — 
 
 By fair and brave to Heaven sped. 
 
 That God wotdd smile upon the Band 
 
 And bless and save their cherished Land ! " 
 
 But turn we to our noble King, 
 
 And trembling dove beneath his wing ; — 
 
 His tender flower ! — where shelter find ? — 
 
 God temper to his Lamb the wind ! 
 
 As lUy fair upon his breast. 
 
 She lies in loving anguish pressed, 
 
 Her azure eyes to him upturned. 
 
 That now with fear and terror burned 
 
 Deep in his soul ! for ah ! the woe ! 
 
 From his heart's treasure thus to go ! — 
 
 The madd'ning thought of her sad fate 
 
 Chance saciificed to Moslem hate ! — 
 
PELAYO. 161 
 
 " Great God ! " he cried, — " Oh, hear my prayer ! 
 
 My love, my bride, my Zillah spare ! — 
 
 Nor let me fall amid the slain, 
 
 But save me. Lord, for her and Spain ! — 
 
 Hear ! hear me. Heaven ! " and kneeling there, 
 
 Clasping his lily-burthen fair, 
 
 Still prayed : — " This flow'ret now I bear, 
 
 Grant me yet happily to wear. 
 
 And hence, I dedicate to Thee, 
 
 To her, and Spain, if need there be. 
 
 My svrord, my life, my every power, 
 
 For this — Thy blessed. Heavenly dower ! — 
 
 With Followers, and this good right arm, 
 
 I'll strike to shield from grief or harm 
 
 The sacred trust Thou givest me ; — 
 
 And thus, — ^I seal my pledge to Thee, — 
 
 Father in Heaven ! her guardian be ! " 
 
 And on that brow upon his breast, 
 
 The seal of love and truth he pressed. 
 
 Again, again the loving kiss. 
 
 So late bestowed in peaceful bliss ! — 
 
 Again upon her forehead fair 
 
 The kiss, — ^the cross signed, blessLug there, 
 
 And severing from that Parian brow 
 
 One sunny tress, doth place it now 
 
162 P E L A T O . 
 
 Upon his heart, whose every beat 
 Is hers fore'er — where'er to meet, 
 In Earthly joy — or Heaven above, — 
 United in Eternal Love. 
 
 " My precious one ! this sunny charm ! 
 Shall shield thy Love from ev'ry harm ;— 
 A talisman to guard him e'er 
 From aught of grief, or evil's share ! 
 ' Animo mia vida / ' Thou, 
 A warrior's bride ! may never bow 
 As drooping lUy, white with fear ! — 
 Nay ! nay ! I'll kiss each coward tear 
 That trembling in those sweet blue eyes 
 As dew-drop fair, in violet lies. 
 And bid them hence, until in joy, 
 As April's sunny tear-gems coy, 
 They sparkle bright, with loving beam 
 In welling happiness to gleam 
 'Mid rays, that fond with rapture burn 
 To welcome back thy knight's return." 
 
 More beautiful than flower, I ween. 
 Those deep blue eyes in tear-drops seen, 
 Thus opening 'neath his fond caress 
 In ardent glance of tenderness ! 
 
P E L A T O . 163 
 
 More lovely far than violets seen 
 Bright peeping through their leafy green, 
 Those azure orbs, half fringing hid 
 'Neath the unclosing lUy-lid, 
 With mournful gaze to ope on him. 
 As well the tear-drops fast, to dim 
 The sight -which e'er to him would turn 
 WhUe Life's bright light should hold to bum. 
 
 Closer unto his breast she clung, 
 
 While anguished sobs her bosom wrung ; — 
 
 Nestling yet nearer to his heart. 
 
 As fain, with him, would life depart. 
 
 " Nay ! nay ! — ah no !■ — it may not be ! 
 
 I cannot live apart from thee ! — 
 
 Oh ! bear me with thee to the strife ! 
 
 E'en as thy Page, to yield my life. 
 
 Or thou shouldst faU by Moslem-spear, — 
 
 And I — God ! and I not near ! — 
 
 In battle's rage thou far from me. 
 
 And I not there, — to die with thee ! — 
 
 Oh ! joy upon thy breast to lie ! 
 
 Oh I joy e'en thus, — and here to die ! 
 
 This bosom, refuge sole for me, 
 
 So soon 'mid battle dire to be ! — 
 
164 PEL AT O. 
 
 Oh ! could I guard thee, Love, for e'er 
 From every ill — by constant prayer, 
 I'd dwell in lowliest hovel poor, — 
 With thee, all want and care endure ! 
 If but to have thee safe with me, — 
 Frqm danger, strife, afar to be ! 
 Nor kingdom crave, or regal fame, — 
 Thy love, and thee, my dearest aim." 
 
 " Angel mio ! my precious life ! 
 'Twere worth whole years of danger's strife 
 To know, how thought or price above, 
 I thus am blessed in thy pure love ! — 
 More, far to me, than diadem. 
 Or Princely Mass, or Requiem, 
 The Love-beam from thine angel eye, — 
 The pure heart-drop, were I to lie 
 Untimely in the vale below, 
 O'erpowered by the Moslem foe ; — 
 Whence I would rise to wait for thee, — 
 My spirit-bride in Heaven to be ! 
 But no, my Love ! Still happ'ly here 
 We yet shall rove, in freedom dear, 
 When Spain, arisen from her night, 
 Shines bright again, in Glory's light ! 
 
PEL AT 0. 165 
 
 But ah ! how sad to leave thee now ! — 
 Thou sweetest blossom on the bough 
 Of my poor hfe ! else, naught to me, — 
 For what were life, deprived of thee ? — 
 Oh ! I have been so happy here ! — 
 Each moment, more than Kingdom dear 
 With thee, my light ! e'er by my side 
 To cheer and bless, — ^my precious bride ! 
 And, as the brightness fades away. 
 And dark'ning clouds obscure our day. 
 The blessed past, as Heavenly dream. 
 Too bright for earth-life now doth seem ! 
 Oh ! we have dwelt in Eden bowers ! 
 A Paradise, of love and flowers ! — 
 And thou, the Angel fair of light 
 That beamed o'er all in radiance bright. 
 And now, I turn, as He of Old, 
 From Eden bowers of joys untold ! — 
 Turn from my Heaven to dark'ning night, — 
 The flashing sword ! the fiends ! the fight ! 
 
 " But, yet again on Earth shall rise 
 To us, my love ! in brilliant skies, 
 Our Star of Hope, and Love, and Light, 
 To beam o'er all the future bright ! 
 
166 PELAYO. 
 
 And we mil dwell so pure in this 
 
 Our earthly sphere of loving bliss, 
 
 That when we leave our home of clay, 
 
 To spread our wings in Heavenly ray, 
 
 Scarce conscious of the wond'rous change, 
 
 Will deem we still Auseva range ! 
 
 Until the Loved Departed bright. 
 
 With angel welcome — cheer our sight ! 
 
 With words that thus in music fall : — 
 
 ' A God of Love here reigns o'er all, — 
 
 Welcome, ye children, pure in love, 
 
 To joys eternal here Above ! ' — 
 
 And thus forever we shall dwell 
 
 'Mid bliss that can but angels tell ; 
 
 For God, our God, shall guard through night 
 
 His children pure, to endless light ! " 
 
 But hark ! the signal call — " To arm ! " 
 Oh ! sound of frightful, dire alarm ! — 
 And Gomez, armed, — with lance and spear, 
 Helmet, and shield, quick draweth near, — 
 As quickly donned, in toilette brief. 
 All fully armed, stands now our Chief. 
 Again, again, in fond embrace 
 His lips to press on that sad face, — 
 
PBLATO. 167 
 
 So pallid in its misery ! — 
 
 Rigid — in hopeless agony ! — 
 
 Near madd'ning e'en the thought to part, 
 
 Crushing all light from that poor heart ! 
 
 Again the rallying call, — " To arm ! " 
 With sudden start of wild alarm 
 She frantic cliags to his embrace, 
 Half frenzied gazing in his face ! 
 " Nay ! nay ! Pelayo ! hear me ! no ! 
 Thou wilt not — canst not — from me go ! 
 Wouldst have me die ? — or, greater woe ! 
 Become the bride of thy dark Foe ? 
 Think ! think the fate that must be mine 
 Shouldst thou thy precious life resign 
 In Moorish fight ! — ^I, worse than dead ! — 
 By force, to Abdelaisis wed ! — 
 Oh ! could I now breathe out my life 
 Here ! here, my love ! or ere the strife 
 Should Heav'n-ward call thy precious soul, 
 Where I might wait thee at the goal 
 Whose ' Pearly Gates ' celestial rise, 
 Opening the glorious Paradise 
 Of our blest Home in Heaven above, — 
 Our home of pure, eternal love ! — 
 
168 PELATO. 
 
 Thus would I die upon thy breast ! 
 Where else on earth may I find rest ? — 
 More merciful, the hand to slay, 
 Than bear me from thy breast away ' * * * 
 Nay ! nay ! I care not now for ' pride ! ' 
 Let me but tarry by thy side, 
 Craven, or coward, free to be. 
 So I but live, or die, with thee ! " 
 
 " Zillah ! mine own ! can this so be ? 
 My brave-heart bride, thus counsel me ? 
 The daughter of long lineage brave 
 Hold back one arm, her land to save ? 
 Breathe softest word one hand to stay 
 From striking for her ransomed day, 
 While yet one banner floats o'er head 
 Where erst the Cross its glory shed ! 
 
 " That bleeding Country ! chained ! in woes 
 Of blackest night ! — ^vile foreign foes 
 Polluting her with impious faith ! — 
 WhUe, of her glory, scarce a wraith 
 Remains to waU in mournful tone, — 
 This is the Land where glory shone ! 
 Where intellect's rich, glowmg fire 
 niuming, woke the Pen, and Lyre 
 
P B L A T O . 169 
 
 Of Bards by Inspiration fed, — 
 Minds unto deepest myst'ries wed ; 
 Where bright-eyed Peace forever dwelt, 
 And Christian faith in freedom knelt, — 
 Where Love iUumrned Court and Cot, — 
 None knew the place where he reigned not ! 
 And Mirth and joyful Pleasure wove 
 A life more bright than ever Jove 
 Himself could dream, or wish to know ; 
 For in the full, luxuriant flow 
 Of Spain's fair tide, did Glory beam 
 Bright as her purest sparkling stream ! 
 And Love, and Light, and Poesy, 
 And cunning, sweetest Minstrelsy, 
 All good combined, in harmony 
 Bright crowned her day, right merrily ! 
 Behold her now ! — is there no hand 
 WiU rise to save the fallen land ? 
 Shall I, the Chief of noble band, 
 All craven shrink to take my stand ? 
 Not so, my star ! — thy smile will light 
 And cheer me for the coming fight ! 
 But for a moment now we part. 
 To meet again with lighter heart — 
 Victorious ! from the battle-field 
 Where Ishmael's sons shall surely yield ; 
 8 
 
170 P E L A Y O . 
 
 For He, the ' God of Eight,' will save 
 And Hess the cause of Pure and Brave ; 
 And Cross-capped towers shall merry ring 
 Their joyful peals for Queen and King ; — 
 And aU of Spain, rejoicing cry, — 
 ' Through Him we rise as phoBnix high ! ' " 
 
 As limpid fount returns the beam 
 
 Of Luna bright, in cheering gleam. 
 
 In her pure soul, fuU mirrored there. 
 
 His sanguine hopes reflected were ; 
 
 And brushing back the traitor tear 
 
 With her small palm, — " Hence ! banish fear ! " 
 
 'Mid tearful smiles, she sweetly cried, — 
 
 " For I am now thy worthy bride ! 
 
 A voice within me seems to say. 
 
 Our Spain shall rise in glorious day ! 
 
 And we, 'mid joys no tongue may tell. 
 
 Henceforth in love and peace shall dwell 1 
 
 I feel its truth ! — influx Divine ! — 
 
 That radiant through my soul doth shine, 
 
 Dispelling every gloomy fear. 
 
 Singing of joyful gladness near ! — 
 
 I cannot deem this light will last ! — 
 
 Thou witchest me with magic, cast 
 
P E L A Y O . 171 
 
 From thine own hopes, my nohle love ! — 
 
 Or sm-e my strength comes from Above ! — 
 
 As thy brave Queen, I'll with thee now 
 
 To list less tender, bolder vow, 
 
 In our fair grove, than late we made 
 
 Beneath her charmed leafy shade. 
 
 For this is Nature's own retreat, 
 
 Where Nature's heart should freely beat ; 
 
 And thus, I'll bravely near thee bide, — 
 
 Until the last — close by thy side." 
 
 Those falt'ring tones belied the word 
 That, trembling, from her lips was heard, 
 And wrung his heart ! — So sad to see 
 Hope struggling thus for mastery ! — 
 Within his hands he clasped her own. 
 
 And gazing in that angel face, 
 Where love and fear so sadly shone. 
 
 Breathed he a prayer for Heaven's grace 
 Upon that tender, fragile flower 
 That ill could breast this stormy hour ! — 
 That God would guard his star of love. 
 With angels pure, from realms above. — 
 Again within his arms he clasped 
 
 That lovely form, — his bride, his own ! 
 
172 PELAYO. 
 
 To be, ere moments brief have passed, 
 
 Left weeping, helpless, here alone ! — 
 Sadly, a ling'ring look, — the last, 
 
 Around his bower of bhss he gave, 
 As round her form his arm he passed. 
 
 And forth departed from the cave 
 Unto the Circlet Grove, where now 
 
 Were gath'ring fast a motley band, 
 The humble prayer and solemn vow 
 
 To offer for their fallen land. 
 The hoary sire and warrior strong, 
 Maid, matron, children, haste along ; 
 With less of happy joy, I ween. 
 Than that which welcomed King and Queen ! 
 
 Hushed now each sound of joy or glee. 
 Where smiles then played, — the tear we see — 
 In loving eyes, from whence the light 
 Sad dimmed, in drooping terror's fright ! 
 They come ! that noble Mountain Band ! 
 The Laurel Circlet, 'round to stand ; 
 Women and children, — chieftains all. 
 Assembled by the rallying call. 
 
 In silence all they gather round — 
 Naught breaks the stillness, so profound, 
 
P E L A T O . 1Y3 
 
 Save rustling of the aspen leaf, 
 Or stifled sob of woman's grief! — 
 Witli twitt'ring of each forest bird, 
 And choral matins, sadly heard, — 
 And om'nous sound of torrent's pour 
 In deep, and heavy, threatening roar. 
 
 Around the Altar, rev'rent now, 
 Urban, Centeiio, Friars bow ; 
 When forth advancing speaks their Chief: — 
 " Brave Sons of Spain ! the moments, brief 
 Ere in the ravine's depths below 
 Meet we Alcahmen with the foe ! — 
 Chiefs ! Warriors ! now it rests with ye 
 Our Spain — our fettered Land to free ! 
 They come in hosts, that swarthy Horde ! 
 
 Dark'ning, as locusts swarm, the plain ; 
 But we have on our side the Lord, 
 
 To whom we may not call in vain ! 
 And Spirits of the Brave on High, 
 Above the blue empyrean sky, 
 In breathless, holy prayer, await 
 The Contest, — and our coming fate ! 
 Shades of the Blest ! who for your Land 
 FeU nobly ! slain ! a martyred Band ! 
 
174: P E L A T O . 
 
 For you, and for our Country now, 
 Vengeance all deep we solemn vow ! — 
 Look, from your holy, starry height, 
 All prayerful, on the coming fight ; 
 Guard and protect our Band from ill. 
 And thus your Heav'nly mission fill 
 As ' Ministering Angels ' fair. 
 That in your Country's woes take share ; 
 To guard, sustain her children hrave. 
 And through directing Influence — save ! 
 
 " Warriors and Chiefs ! what say ye now ? 
 Shall Christians, tamely fettered, how 
 To dogs and Infidels accurst ? 
 No ! in God's name, those chains we'll burst ! 
 Ajid vengeance hurl on each vile son ! — 
 Nor cease until full victory won ; — 
 Till high our Cross shall float above, — 
 Peace, o'er our borders reign in love ! — 
 What say ye ? Stand ye ready aU 
 Now at your Country's desp'rate call ? 
 Here on this Shrine take ye the oath 
 To strike for God and Country both ? 
 While yet one arm may wield its spear 
 Onward to press with bravest cheer ? 
 
P E L A Y O . 175 
 
 Strike ! strike for Vengeance and our Land ! 
 Tour wives and homes ! — Swear ye, my Band ? " 
 " We swear I " doth one full tone resound, 
 . And bow they all, that Shrine around, — 
 WhUe bright blades rest they solemn there 
 Upon the flower-decked Altar fair. 
 
 " Nobles and Chiefs ! " he still pursued, 
 " Theodmir — Pedro — Leaders here ; 
 
 Our God Spain's sufF'rings long hath viewed, 
 And now, — for vengeance draweth near ! — 
 
 His Cross to raise — our Land to save ; 
 
 To bless the Pure, the Good, and Brave, 
 
 For where His Banner Christians bear, 
 
 The Lord will not be absent there ! 
 
 I fear not for ye, one and all. 
 
 E'er dauntless in your Country's call ; 
 
 The duties now devolved on ye, 
 
 In your past deeds have surety ! 
 
 Well tried are ye — not wanting found, — 
 
 To God and noble deeds e'er bound ! 
 
 This day, again ye take the Vow, 
 
 To lead where Honor calleth now ; 
 
 Hold forth each brave and well-tried sword, 
 
 And, in the name of our blest Lord, — 
 
176 PELAYO. 
 
 Promise ye still to lead aright 
 
 For God and Spain, in this day's fight, — 
 
 Until the base Invader's blood 
 
 Shall stain the glen, or tinge yon flood ! " 
 
 Bright flashed each blade, as forth it sprang ! 
 
 As Master's honor, clearly rang 
 
 Upon the Altar pointed there, 
 
 WhUe, with unfalt'ring voice — " We swear/" 
 
 Rose full upon the morning air, — 
 
 " For Spain and Vengeance ! here we swear !- 
 
 Auseva and Asturia ! now, — 
 
 Ye native streams ! — ^Earth, air, and sky ! 
 Bear witness, while we solemn vow, 
 
 In Spain's dear cause to bravely die ; — 
 Never to league with foe accurst. 
 But from her chains untrammelled burst ; — 
 To wage perpetual, vengeful war 
 From north to south, from shore to shore, — 
 Till not one living foe remain 
 To blight the soil of our loved Spain. 
 We swear ! " — while all clear said and felt — 
 " Amen ! Amen ! " Then, lowly knelt 
 Father and son, maid, wife, and child, — 
 AU prayerful in that Mountain-Wild ! 
 
PELAYO. 177 
 
 Upon the Altar's base in prayer 
 
 Our King and Queen take humble share ; — 
 
 Encircling them, Priests, Fathers grey, 
 
 Pleading for Spain's victorious day. 
 
 And offered now, is Solemn Mass, 
 
 Ere yet to Combat dire they pass — 
 
 AU shriven, souls from earthly sin, 
 
 That death, or freedom soon may win ! 
 
 And holy Eucharist is given 
 
 Ere yet, mayhap, earth-cord be riven ! 
 
 Before that Altar, grave and calm 
 TJrbino standeth, — in his palm, 
 Upraised, an Hex cross doth bear. 
 While blessing all assembled there. 
 " Now, Benedicat vos, I pray. 
 
 Pater et Filius, Divine, 
 Omnipotens Deus, for aye, — 
 
 Et Spiritus Sanctus — Amen." 
 With Cross stiU clasped, thus kneeling there. 
 He raised his eyes toward Heaven in prayer — 
 While all, with close-crossed arms, low bent. 
 In humble supplication, knelt : — 
 " Our Father ! Lord of Heaven ! behold 
 In Thy dear cause Thy Sons enrolled ! 
 
 8* 
 
178 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Oh ! deign to lend a pitying ear 
 Unto our prayerful offerings here ! " 
 
 PRAYEB. 
 
 Great Father of the Mountain ! 
 
 God of its crowning cloud ! 
 Great wielder of the hghtning, 
 
 And of the thunders loud ! 
 Who colorest fair the rainbow, 
 
 And gildest sunbeams bright, 
 Who speakest in the torrent's flow, — 
 
 Who said,—" Let there be light ! "— 
 Who drapest earth with verdure. 
 
 Rich groves, and luscious vine. 
 And lavest the green herbage. 
 
 With streamlets' silvery line ; 
 Who ridest on the whirlwind 
 
 And 'mid the tempest storm. 
 Dost waters of the deep, bind, 
 
 And bud and blossom form ; 
 Who dwellest in the lily's breast. 
 
 And giv'st the rose its hue. 
 Dost 'mid the perfumed violets rest, — 
 
 Distillest sweetest dew, — 
 
PELATO. 119 
 
 Who tingest bright the eastern sky, 
 
 When Morn leads in her train, 
 With tints that in fair sea-shells lie, 
 
 Or gems from India's main. 
 As riseth in his royal pride, 
 
 Great Sol, — Thine orb of light. 
 With warming, cheering ray to glide 
 
 Through clouds of fleecy white. — 
 Blest Lord ! who dost that orb direct 
 
 Throughout thine heav'nly skies 
 Of azure clear, all snowy flecked, 
 
 Till daylight fading dies 
 In gorgeous hues of sunset glow. 
 
 Gilding the glowing west, 
 Where rainbow clouds fantastic flow 
 
 As sinks that orb to rest. — 
 
 Father ! in whose ethereal sky 
 
 Thy myriad stars of brilliant ray. 
 As diamond lights, pure gleaming lie. 
 
 Until in mom they fade away ; — 
 Great God ! who givest beauteous moon 
 
 To gladden skies through night's dark hour, — ■ 
 To lovers fond a blessed boon ! — 
 
 Smiling o'er radiant heart, as bower ; 
 
180 PELAYO. 
 
 Thou, Lord ! who dost that orb of night 
 So glorious, place in ether clear, 
 
 Jehovah ! Father ! Lord of Light ! 
 Deign now, our Orison to hear ! 
 
 Look from Thy starry throne 
 
 Down upor^our sorrow; — 
 Hear humble prayer and moan 
 
 For a brighter morrow ! 
 Bless Royal Queen and King, — 
 
 Spaniard's hoped salvation, — 
 Soon may the psean ring 
 
 Victory ! for our nation ! 
 Hear, while we bend to Thee, — 
 
 Creatures of Thy moulding, — 
 Aid, Cross and Land to free 
 
 From her ashes smould'ring ! — 
 May she rise in power again, 
 
 As Phcenix erst in story ; — 
 Spain resound with one refrain 
 
 Of re-illumined glory ! 
 Give us victory o'er the foe, — 
 
 Protect each son and daughter ; 
 Save us, Lord, from captive woe ! — 
 
 Base bondage — worse than slaughter ! 
 
PELAYO. 181 
 
 Better far, these forms all low, 
 
 Still, ill death were sleeping, 
 Than, 'neath yoke of Moslem foe, — 
 
 Wives and daughters weeping ! — 
 
 Spare our wives and children. Lord ! 
 
 Loved ones, whom we leave with Thee ; 
 Spare ! oh ! spare them from the horde ! 
 
 Captured, — slaughtered should we be. 
 Save us. Lord ! nor let us fall, 
 
 God, our Father ! be our stay ; 
 Guard Thy suff'ring children all, — 
 
 Grant to Spain a brighter day 
 When her banner proud shall wave 
 
 O'er each wall and fortress height. 
 While rejoice each Fair and Brave, 
 
 In the rays of Glory's light ! — 
 
 Hear, now, our Prayer and Vow ! 
 
 List our Refrain ; 
 Hear, Lord ! in mercy. Thou ! 
 
 Save ! save our Spain ! 
 
 CHANT. 
 
 Father of the Mountain, 
 God of the Vale and Hill, 
 
182 PELAYO. 
 
 Father of the Fountain, 
 
 Of Streamlet, Lake, and Rill. 
 Father of the Wild-wood, 
 
 Of Heath, and Grove, and Plain, 
 God of the raging Flood, 
 
 Great Ruler of the Main. 
 Father of each Bird and Flower ; 
 
 Commander of the Storm, 
 Giver of the Summer Shower, 
 
 Creator of each Form ; 
 Father of the Moon and Sun, 
 
 The Author of each Star, — 
 Wond'rous aU Thy Works !— " Well done,"- 
 
 On Earth — in Heaven afar ! 
 
 Father of aU pure Angels bright 
 
 In Blessed Realms above ; — 
 Creator of each Day and Night, — 
 
 God of aU Truth and Love. 
 Father of every Mercy kind, 
 
 Supreme ! in Goodness great ! 
 Who tempers to the lamb the wind, — 
 
 We, at Thy footstool wait ! — 
 
 Dear Father ! God ! Jehovah ! 
 Hear ! while we humbly bow ; — 
 
P E L A Y O . 183 
 
 Blest Saviour ! Thou, our Guide-Star, — 
 
 List now our Prayer and Vow ! — 
 Lord, we place our trust in Thee, 
 May we now victorious he 
 O'er the foe, and every sin. 
 Till Thy Heavenly Courts we win ! 
 
 As hreathed its cadence last that prayer, 
 Forth from the grass, through morning air, 
 A Lark soared high with dew-gemm'd wing, 
 And note, as omen bright, to ring ! — 
 Piercing the skies, as though to bear 
 That pure, soul-oflFered matin-prayer 
 To Heaven's own Court on pinions light. 
 And carol back her answer bright ! 
 
 Rise they from humble praying 
 
 With courage, strength anew ; 
 Each man his sabre swaying, 
 
 Toward Heaven, with ardor true. 
 
 The King, before the Altar, 
 
 Majestic stands in view, — 
 Cries, — " Spaniards ! never falter ! 
 
 But die, or bravely do ! " 
 
184 p E L A y . 
 
 His regal sceptre waving — 
 
 " Now Vengeance to the Foe, 
 Our Land and Homes invading ! 
 
 Woe to the Moslem ! woe ! — 
 One day of fighting glorious, 
 
 And craven, Moorish horde, 
 Shall, by our arms victorious, 
 
 Fall low beneath our sword ! 
 
 " Forward ! forward to the fight ! 
 Draw for Liberty and Right ! 
 For our Loved — whose prayers wiU rise 
 'Bove the fray to Heav'nly skies. — 
 While the dark invading foe. 
 Swarm as fiends our vale below, 
 Remember — God doth guard above. 
 And I, your King, lead on in love. — 
 Forward to the impious foe ! — 
 Who shunneth fray, wins death or Avoe !- 
 Honor to the brave in fight ! — 
 God bless our Cause with Glory bright ! 
 
 " For God ! and Spain receiving 
 Your loyal plighted vow, 
 I bid you to your wreathing 
 Of glorious laurels now ! " — 
 
PEL AY O. 185 
 
 With arms upraised extending, 
 He blessed Ms Mountain Band, — 
 
 " Go forth — Spain's Cause defending — 
 Your Cross — and Native Land ! " 
 
 Glowed forth his soul with ardor bright, 
 
 Illuming face and form, 
 Beaming with Inspiration's light, — 
 
 With Heavenly Influence warm ! 
 WhUe, wond'rous sight ! an Eagle there 
 Wheeled round and round above in air, 
 Nearer and nearer o'er his head ! 
 Then, soaring high, toward heaven sped ! — 
 At this, the superstitious crowd 
 Would fain have shouted wildly loud. 
 But for this order rigid passed : — 
 " Strict silence keep tUl Bugle blast ! " — 
 Thus, they subdued their gladness' show ; 
 " Blest Omen ! " breathe in joy-tones low, — 
 " The Bird of Victory descends 
 And proudly o'er our Sovereign bends ! 
 Ah ! Moslem dark ! bide we our day ! 
 Nor long the Avenging hand will stay, — 
 Thy voice shall rise in unthought fear, 
 When e'en thine ' Allah ! ' may not hear ! " 
 
186 PELATO. 
 
 " No loud exclaim," had said the King, — 
 " No sabre raised, no clarion ring 
 Till Signal pass! — until the foe 
 Hath neared ' St. Mary's Gave ' below. 
 With force unequal in the strife, 
 'Twere folly e'en to lose one life 
 Needless, while yet we may endure, — 
 Ere neared the Bridge, when. Victory sure, 
 Once well within our deep ravine. 
 The Moorish foe wUl scarce, I ween. 
 Find outlet, or escape from harm, 
 While yet may rise one Spanish arm ! 
 And well they ken, that iU may cope 
 That Arab horde ! in battle scope — 
 Through ravine's depths, o'er rocky height. 
 With mountaineers, m desp'rate fight ! — 
 But deem they, that, Asturians, we, 
 AU crushed, for refuge, hither flee ; 
 And thus, through stealthy, sly advance. 
 Surprised, by sudden zel and lance. 
 We needs, in craven fear, must yield ; — 
 Each Holy Banner, sword, and shield, 
 And life itself, to Moslem fall, — 
 Or on their ' Allah Frophet ' call ! 
 So, silent all — impatient none ; — 
 Cautious — and ours the victory won ! 
 
P E L A Y O . 187 
 
 Calmly await — till, in yon glen, 
 
 Our Cross have passed those turban'd men, — 
 
 Until my Bugle note shall sound. 
 And full the ' signal ' pass aromid, 
 From Chiefs to Men — iVbw, in the name 
 
 Of God! for Vengeance ! and our Spain I — 
 ' Santiago y clena Espana 1 ' 
 
 Well up through the ravine's dark side ; — 
 ' Santiago y clena Espana ! ' 
 Ring forth o'er the mountain-tops wide ! " 
 
 Now, risen from the blessing 
 
 Of him, their Chief and King, 
 Their joy hut scarce repressing 
 
 To see that eagle-wing 
 Out-spread, as though caressing, 
 
 And shelt'ring their loved Chief ! — 
 As harbinger of blessing 
 
 From Heaven — in their belief ! 
 
 Now toward the King, Urbino came, 
 With Crucifix and incense-flame, — 
 To wave around the royal head 
 Blest perfume, from the Censer shed. 
 Raising his hand, he solemn spake, — 
 " As servant of our Lord, I take 
 
188 PEL A TO. 
 
 Prerogative of Holiness, 
 
 In His dear l^ame, thee, King, to Wess ; — 
 
 May His Right Arm be with thee still 
 
 To guard and save from every ill; — 
 
 May Father, Son, and Holy Ghost 
 
 Bless thee, my son, and all om- Host ! " — 
 
 Riseth the King from solemn prayer. 
 
 Embracing fond the Prelate there ; — 
 
 " Thanks, Holy Padre ! firm my oath, 
 
 I keep for God and Country both ! " 
 
 Then, turning to his Mountaineers, — 
 
 " Our Vow, our Prayer, great Heaven hears ! 
 
 Each, faithful to his solemn trust, — 
 
 And God, our God will bless the just ! 
 
 " Now, Warriors, for a brief farewell 
 To those most dear — then to the dell : " — 
 And turning, seeks the Chief his Fair 
 On Osier Throne reclining there, — 
 With " Liege-Ladyes," no longer bright. 
 But drooping, as pale flowers of night, 
 Bedewed in tears for Love and Sire, 
 Departing for the battle dire ! — 
 
 " To those ye love ! " sad spake the Chief, 
 " For moments each, but few and brief! — 
 
PEL AT O. 189 
 
 We would alone ; — ere flits the hour 
 Await thy Queen within her bower." — 
 " Nay ! nay ! I prithee say not so ! 
 
 TJnto the Cliff with thee I go! 
 Thou'lt bear me hence ? Mine own dear lord ! 
 This parting boon thou wilt accord ? 
 Ne'er could I bide within that bower, 
 
 Where we have passed each blissful hour ! — 
 
 'Twould madden me with fearful fright, 
 
 WhUe thou wert struggling in the fight ! " 
 
 " Sweet love ! thou ne'er couldst bide that sight ! 
 
 My tender flower ! born for the light ! 
 
 But iU could brook the stormy wrath 
 
 So soon to sweep our mountain path ! " 
 
 " Yes, well thou say'st ' Light is for me,' 
 "WTio know'st my light is but with thee ! 
 Together, midnight, noon to me ! 
 And light and life, alone with thee !— 
 I will not, dearest ! " mournfully she said. 
 While from his breast she raised her drooping 
 
 head, 
 Gazing with anguished look upon his face, 
 " I win not blench, or fail to chase. 
 So strength be spared, each sign of fear. 
 If to the last I bide thee near I — 
 
190 PELAYO. 
 
 Each golden moment ere we part 
 
 E'en as the life-drops of my heart ! — 
 
 Deny me not, I pray thee ! this 
 
 Sole shadow of departed bliss ! 
 
 These precious moments ! chance the last 
 
 On earth together to he passed ! 
 
 And I may with thee, dearest ! now, 
 
 Unto the Cliif, — the ravine's brow ? 
 
 Thou'lt see, I'll nobly bear me up. 
 
 And bravely quaif my bitter cup ! * * 
 
 Nay ! nay ! the bower is not for me, 
 
 Save there together, love, we be ! — 
 
 Why, have not I as brave a soul 
 
 As women, children, there the whole ? 
 
 Less loving I than each fond wife 
 
 "Who there may watch throughout the strife ?- 
 
 Now, shame upon my womanhood. 
 
 If I, thy Queen ! bear heart less good, 
 
 Loving, or strong, or brave, or kind, 
 
 Than 'mid our people we may find ! 
 
 Fear not for me ! — Ah ! would that strife 
 
 Were o'er ! — thou here again, my life ! 
 
 And I, upon thy precious breast, 
 
 Thus ever, evermore might rest ! 
 
 Or thus to die ! — exhale my life. 
 
 Ere parted for this horrid strife ! 
 
PELAYO. 191 
 
 Pass to Eternal, Heavenly birth, 
 Ere severed thus ! — thus here on earth ! 
 My God ! my God ! oh ! spare Thou mme. 
 Mine only love ! my light ! to shine 
 Around these paths, — in our loved bower ; — 
 Spare ! spare my soul the midnight-hour ! — 
 Let not his raven-wing Death ope. 
 Crushing all joy, and life, and hope ! — 
 That. hideous plume of night o'er-spread ! — 
 My light and hopes, all shaded ! dead ! " 
 
 Closer unto his heart he drew 
 
 That precious form, — as though he too 
 
 Must die ere leave his flower alone, 
 
 As blossom sweet by tempest blown ! — 
 
 " Mine angel one, and should this be, — 
 
 To thee my spirit stiU must flee ; — 
 
 Still, ever fondly guarding thee ! 
 
 Thine ! thine Above ! eternally ! 
 
 For oh ! my life ! thou knowest well, 
 
 Better than e'er vaia words may tell, 
 
 The torture wringing my poor heart, 
 
 Each pulse, each chord, from thee to part ! — 
 
 But honor, duty, bid me on ; — 
 
 And thou wUt ofier when I'm gone 
 
192 P E L A T O . 
 
 Thy pure-breathed Orisons, my love ! 
 For him thou lov'st, to God ahove ; 
 And thus, I'll know my Zillah prays ! — 
 The shaft of ill and danger stays. 
 Through intercession, purely given. 
 For one unworthy, unto Heaven ! — 
 Ay, sweetest love ! should prayer be vain. 
 And we on earth ne'er meet again ! 
 If Souls may from the world above 
 Return to linger where they love, 
 My spirit wiU be near thee stiU 
 To loving shield from every iU, 
 Until thy soul shall take its flight 
 To realms of pure, angelic light ! 
 When, to the bowers of Paradise, 
 Together we wiU fondly rise ! 
 One, loving, true, duality. 
 United for Eternity ! — 
 And 'chance I fall, — my Chiefs will be 
 Guardians most true and kind to thee, — 
 In each, in all, thou'lt ever find. 
 Brother, and friend, and parent kind, * 
 Nay ! list ! 'twas but of chance I spake — 
 Not yet my life the sword shall take ; — 
 In earthly bowers, we yet shall share 
 Together joys and blessings rare. 
 
P E L A T O . 193 
 
 Now, all good Saints protect thee, sweet ! 
 Until in Victory we meet ! — 
 God ! and all Angels, guard thee well ; 
 My love ! my bride ! my life ! farewell ! " 
 Oh ! sadly anguished, fond caress ! — 
 So full of love and wretchedness ! — 
 Dark'ning the light from that poor heart ! — 
 Rending its chords, — ^thus, thus to part ! — 
 
 Oh ! then, and there, was parting, 
 
 That wrung the loving heai-t I 
 And bitter tear-drops starting, 
 
 As ran the sound — " Depart/" 
 
CANTO YII. 
 
 Upon the Cliff, assembled there 
 
 King, Queen, and Chieftains of the band, 
 Mother, and child, and maiden fair, 
 
 "With Warriors, gathered stand. — 
 WhUe in St. Mary's giant cave. 
 
 Just at the closing of the glen. 
 Are waiting. Warriors boldly brave. 
 
 Their culled and choicest Mountain men ; 
 And here and there, where rocks jut far. 
 Watchers for warniag mounted are, 
 All vigilant, with eye intent 
 Upon the chasm keenly bent. 
 Eager and burning for the fight, 
 
 Brave, stalwart mountaineers await 
 The Foe approaching nearer sight, — 
 
 AU unappalled, — nor fear their fate ! — 
 
P B L A Y O . 195 
 
 In silence aU, — save murmured word 
 Of tenderness, and love, and hope, — 
 
 And quiet, martial orders heard. 
 How in the coming fray to cope. 
 
 Oh ! what a shade of serious joy 
 
 Reigned o'er that Monarch's face ! — 
 A light of love, and sad alloy, 
 
 That mingling there held place ! — 
 All tenderly his glances fell 
 
 Upon his flow'ret near, — 
 Then, with dire fierceness on the deU, 
 
 The Moslem tramp to hear ! 
 Around him, standing Chieftains bold, — 
 Theodmir, tried in battles old, 
 Pelistes, Pedro, with him now 
 Upon the mossy ravine's brow, — 
 And Gomez, faithful, at his side. 
 With throbbing zeal to scarce abide 
 The laggard moments, far too slow ! 
 His burning valor fierce to show. 
 
 Upon a knoll our Bishops knelt, 
 
 Constant each rosary to say, — 
 Their orisons, deep and soul-felt, 
 
 For strength throughout the coming fray. 
 
196 PELAYO. 
 
 The morning sunlight kissed each spire 
 Of flinty rock, in ci'imson fire, 
 High o'er the Ravine's darksome way. 
 Where fell dense shadows, grim and grey, 
 That deeper, darker, narrower grew 
 'Mid beetling crags rude passing through, 
 Dark chasms by the torrent rent, 
 Through years of rushing fury spent. 
 
 Enshrined now, as some fair bride 
 
 In fleecy veil of white, 
 Around the bowlder'd mountain side 
 
 Hung curling vapors light, 
 As erst to Israel's Host was given 
 
 A cloud of misty light, — 
 All kindly sent by gracious Heaven 
 
 To shield from Moslem sight. 
 But well the Christians know the tread, 
 
 Faint echoing from below ! — 
 The muffled, measured, tramping dread. 
 
 Of the invading Foe ! — 
 And well they mark, our warrior-men, 
 Each point they're passing in the glen. 
 E'en through that cloud ! — ^but now a ray 
 Of sunlight falleth on their way ! 
 
P E L A T O . 197 
 
 And soon the light, dispersing mist, 
 
 That on earth's bosom lies, 
 Gently, Auseva's brow hath kissed. 
 
 To floating heaven-ward rise : 
 When lo ! from snow-flecked azure skies 
 
 Gleameth Mom's sunlight down. 
 Deep where the chasm's shadow lies 
 Beneath the bowlders' frown. 
 Revealing banners waving, 
 
 'Mid glitt'ring lances' sheen. 
 Where Deva's stream is laving 
 Her ilex branches green ! 
 
 And Rabenal and Foncebadon, 
 
 Far in. the west that lay. 
 As through the mist breaks forth the sun. 
 
 Their giant forms display. 
 While, toward the north, 'mid bright'ning skies. 
 
 The land they love so dear ! — 
 Where the Erbesian Mountains rise, 
 
 'Mid vapors floating clear. 
 
 But nearer still advance the Foe 
 Toward the blessed Cross below ; — 
 A strange, xmseemly, hideous mass ! 
 All stealthy, winding through the Pass ! 
 
198 P E L A Y O . 
 
 " The Moor ! the Moor ! " the vale below 
 Is teeming with white turhan'd Foe ! — 
 No cymbal clang, or atabal 
 Wild warning give, or ear appal ; — 
 No " Allah MaKmet! " battle-cry 
 To tell the tale of Moslem nigh, — 
 No kettle-drmn, or gong-peal fell, 
 With " Ldie cry " and " Techir yellT' 
 But slyly, stealthy thread they way, — 
 While, oft, anon, a heavenly ray 
 Pierces the chasm's depth, to show 
 Their wily creeping now below ! — 
 And as the oaken Cross they pass, 
 
 That unbelieving Foe ! 
 The King, amid that silent mass, 
 
 One warning note doth blow 
 From silver bugle at his side, 
 
 All clear, but soft and low ; 
 Well heard on upper Mountain wide. 
 
 But reaching not the Foe. 
 
 " Now, in the name of Heaven ! . 
 
 For ' Vengeance, and our Spain I ' — 
 Men, see your chains be riven, 
 Our war-cry not in vain ! " 
 
P E L A T O . 199 
 
 From crag to crag the Signal passed, — 
 
 Each voice suhdued, to tell, — 
 From Warrior's prattling boy, the last. 
 
 That Signal lisping fell ! — 
 Now peals that shout from rear to van ! 
 Rings forth as one from ev'ry man ! 
 High o'er the hiU-tops far and wide, 
 Echoing adown the ravine's side ! 
 And well, I ween, it startling fell 
 On Moorish ears within the deU ! — 
 Who thought to steal upon their prey. 
 Surprise ! — with easy conflict slay ! — 
 " They come ! — ^The Moslem come ! " the cry, — 
 And, as fierce lightnings, glist'ning fly 
 From out the sheath each glitt'ring sword, — 
 Flashing as one, at given word ! 
 
 How gazes on his bride the King ! 
 
 With look that tells how grief doth wring 
 
 That bosom where he clasps her now ! 
 
 Pressing fond kisses on her brow, 
 
 In last, last lingering embrace ! — 
 
 Love over all things bearing place 
 
 When mingling souls breathe out their sighs, 
 
 Speaking of Love that never dies, — 
 
200 P E L A T O . 
 
 Telling of true affection's power, 
 That triumplis e'en o'er Azrael's hour ! — 
 " Adios Zillah ! Zillah mine !— 
 To God ! to God I thee resign ! — 
 Spare ! spare us, Lord, to meet again. 
 Rejoicing in our love and Spain ! — 
 Again farewell, my life ! again ! " 
 
 One moment in his clasp she lay ! 
 " Now — ' Vengeance ! Victory ! and Spain ! ' "- 
 
 Another ! — he has passed away ! — 
 
 As statue there, she stands to view ! 
 So fixed, so Parian white in hue ! 
 As though all life had with him fled. 
 Leaving no tear of woe to shed ! — 
 So fixed on him those azure eyes, 
 As down the Cliff he eager flies. 
 With wildly loving gaze so true, 
 TiU 'neath the crags he's lost to view ! 
 Then, hack, bewildered, from her brow 
 Those sunny ringlets throwing now. 
 While toward the Glen turned every eye. 
 She to the Cross doth trembling fly, 
 Where, sooner, nearer she may view 
 Him whom she loves so wildly true. 
 
P E L A Y O . 201 
 
 And 'neath the sacred Symbol there 
 Breathe forth her anguished soul in prayer. 
 
 " My God ! " she cries, — " Oh ! save my Love ! — 
 Look Thou in mercy from Ahove ! — 
 Christ ! Christ our Saviour ! listen now 
 While thus beneath thy Cross I bow ! 
 
 " Ave Maria / for thy child 
 Intercede, O Madre mild ! — 
 Heavenly Father ! Saviour dear ! 
 To Thy suppliant one draw near ! 
 
 " Ave Maria t Madre mUd, 
 Pity now thy suff 'ring child ! 
 Ora Madre I for us pray, — 
 For my Love throughout the fray ! 
 
 " Father ! Saviour! look below, 
 Save us from the Moslem foe ! 
 Grant the victory ours this day, — 
 Hear me, while to Thee I pray ! 
 
 " Heavenly Father ! through Thy Son 
 Listen to Thy suppliant one ; 
 Mercy ! mercy for my Love ! 
 Save him, God in Heaven above ! " 
 
 9* 
 
202 P B L A Y O . 
 
 Quick down the Mountain-side they rush 
 From cliff to crag, o'er rock, through brush, 
 As light deer fleet, on sporting day, 
 Or wild heasts, eager for the prey. 
 While screams the eagle, soaring high, 
 As on their maddened course they fly, — 
 The Mountain-side fierce dashing down 
 Where beetling rocks o'er ravines frown ; — 
 From bowlders huge they bounding sprung, 
 For vengeance ev'ry sinew strung ! 
 On ! rushing toward the coming Foe ! — 
 And now they reach the vale below ; — 
 And calm before St. Mary's Cave 
 Pelayo stands — majestic — brave ! — 
 Theodmir, Odear, nobles, wait 
 The crisis, — and their coming fate ! — 
 An oaken Cross before them raised. 
 
 On which, 'mid golden mottoes, shone — 
 " Jehovah ! God ! be ever praised ! " 
 
 In brUliant letters set thereon. 
 And broad the " Bannered Lion " waves, — 
 
 And crimson pennons float ; — 
 WhUe dauntless wait the assembled Braves 
 
 The Conflict's signal-note ! 
 
P E L A Y O . 203 
 
 Riseth now the bugle-call — 
 
 " Ready ! Christian Warriors all ! 
 
 Lo ! invading foes appear ! 
 
 Strike ! for Cross and Country dear ! " — 
 
 Now approach the dark array, 
 
 Swarthy Moslems cloud the way ! 
 
 Rise " Techir " shout and tymbalon, 
 
 The tambour-peal and cymbalon ! 
 
 Riseth shrill the " Techir yell I " 
 
 " Lelie Faith-cry " from the dell ; 
 
 As all demons loose were sent ! — 
 
 "With that cry, their fury blent ! — 
 
 From man to man Spain's war-cry rose, — 
 
 " For God, and Vengeance on our Foes ! " — 
 
 Mingling in one tumultuous roar, 
 
 That every hUl-top echoing bore ; 
 
 They come ! they come ! our Mountain-men ! 
 
 Forth how they issue through the glen ! 
 
 "With glitt'ring lance and warrior-tread. 
 
 By brave Pelayo nobly led ; 
 
 Mounted upon his charger white 
 
 "While on his breast-plate gleameth bright 
 
 A silver cross, — as ever bore 
 
 Don Roderick, in days of yore. 
 
204 P E L A X o . 
 
 His snowy plume, from helmet bright, 
 Floats as a cloud of fleecy white ; 
 While following close, with glist'ning flash 
 From shields of steel, his warriors dash ! — 
 Hark ! the shout and battle cry 
 Ringing up the Chasm high ! 
 " ' God ! Santiago 1 Vengeance ' no\o ! 
 Spaniards ! by your Faith and Vow ! 
 For Yengeance and our Country's right ! 
 By our Faith and Symbol bright, 
 Dash the brazen Crescent low ! 
 Death Tinto the impious Foe ! " 
 " Santiago ! y clena Espana ! " 
 
 Up, up, through the ravine, doth sound, 
 " Santiago ! y clena Espana ! " 
 
 O'er the Mountain doth clearly resound ! 
 
 Now they pause in deadly stand ! — 
 Christians, and the Moorish band ! — 
 Ceased, the heavy tramp of wrath, — 
 Ceased, as storm on forest-path ! — 
 And all is cahn, — a frightful hush ! — 
 
 As wild beasts pause before their prey 
 In fiendish glare ! ere yet they rush 
 
 With raging fury, fierce to slay ! — 
 
^-^^cX.^tV.^V- 
 
 1-hirk! tlie shont and battle-t-'iy 
 Hinging 1^1' the rliasin high ! 
 ■'•God! Snntiago! A\-ngc;incc' now 1 
 >|i;iiiinr(ls! by your P'iiith and Vuw !'■ 
 
P E L A Y O . 205 
 
 Now, level lance, and spear, and bow ! — 
 
 A measured scanning of the Foe ! 
 
 The Moorish yell ! the Christian cry ! 
 
 " Vengeance/ For God! and Spain to.die ! '''' 
 
 " Alia Akbarf" and « Alia il Alia ! " 
 
 Pierce shrUl 'bovc the cymbal's loud claag ! 
 " Santiago y clena Espana I " 
 
 Brave Christians re-echoing, rang ! 
 Bushes now Pelayo, fleet 
 On his charger, fierce to meet 
 Alcahmen in full career, — 
 In whose breast he drives his spear, 
 Striking sure, with warrior-craft, — 
 Piercing him with deadly shaft ! — 
 From his war-steed thus doth fall 
 Alcahmen in Azrael's thrall ! — 
 Smiting, slaying, through the mass. 
 
 Fierce, Pelayo maketh way ! 
 While beneath his with'ring pass 
 
 Moslem tyrants falling lay ! — 
 Arab and Moor ! as though the God 
 
 Of Vengeance wrought through him 
 To feU the Oppressor 'neath His rod, — 
 
 The eye of Rapine — dim ! 
 
206 P K L A Y o . 
 
 Close they in wild combat fierce, 
 'Mid saljre's clash and arrow's pierce ! 
 As meteors, flash the war-spears there ! — 
 Oh ! hideous sight, that battle glare ! — 
 The deadly fight of man with man ! — 
 The fiend-like rushing of each van, — 
 The whirl, the thick'ning, dusky air. 
 As to and fro wild chargers tear ! — 
 And foreign shout and Christian call, 
 'Mid javelins' cleave, — and riders' fall ! — 
 And shiv'ring lance, and helmets' crash, 
 With crossing spears, and sabres' clash ! — 
 The buzzing twang and arrow's hiss. 
 From aim too sure to failing miss, — 
 And ringing buckler, sword, and lance. 
 As horse and rider wild advance 
 To reel beneath the javelin hurled, 
 'Mid tossing banners, pennons curled. 
 And fierce collision raging there. 
 As though all fiends the combat share ! 
 
 Proudly, the Rampant Lion waves 
 Its folds, that breeze of morning laves ! — 
 Heard foreign tongues in jargon round. 
 While impious oaths o'er hills resound. 
 
P E L A Y O . 207 
 
 Nobly, our Christians bore them then ! 
 Bravely, the Mountain Warrior-men ! — 
 While foremost e'er the King appeared, 
 With waving plume and lance upreared ; 
 And on his breast that cross e'er seen 
 Glist'ning with pure and hopeful sheen, — 
 Anon, and now to brighter flash 
 With rushing charger's furious dash. 
 
 Now in the gorge grows fierce the fight 
 
 Beneath the gaze of loving sight ! 
 
 Wives, maids beloved, and children dear 
 
 Together grouped in pallid fear, — 
 
 All save our Queen, — who, wild with fright, 
 
 Alone still gazes on the fight ; 
 
 Alone, stUl prayeth for her Love 
 
 Beside the Cross, upraised above 
 
 The scene of conflict, high in air ; 
 
 Ofiering her holy, anguished prayer 
 
 Beneath its shelter there alone, 
 
 For life, more precious than her own ; — 
 
 And thus, while through the gorge he passed, 
 
 As toward the Cross a glance he cast. 
 
 Beholds the King his more than life. 
 
 As Angel pure, to guard through strife ! 
 
208 P K L A Y O . 
 
 Clinging unto that Symbol bright, 
 
 As some blessed spirit draped in light ! — 
 
 His own pure Star of hope, so fair. 
 
 Amid the clouds enshrined there ! — 
 
 Her white robes flutt'ring in mid-air. 
 
 Her lily-hands outclasped in prayer, 
 
 One sunny ray on her pure brow, 
 
 As thus she beams upon him now ! 
 
 Ay ! lovely she, as spirit bright, 
 
 Gazing from off that Cross-crowned height — 
 
 Her golden hair, loose, unconfined, 
 
 Fair streaming to the mountain wind ! 
 
 In loving rev'rence raised he high 
 His sword, to meet her searching eye ; 
 Pressing one hand to his fond heart. 
 Where, as his life-blood, bore she part ! — 
 " God bless thee ! " cries she, " for that sign ! 
 "With life alone, may we resign, 
 And not e'en then, the soul-deep love 
 That must live on in worlds above ! " 
 And, in mute signal, she too prest 
 One hand upon her throbbing breast. 
 While on the Cross the other lies, 
 As still her prayer doth Heaven-ward rise ! 
 
P E L A Y O . 209 
 
 A step ! — and Inez breathless there ! 
 " O ladye dear ! my sovereign fair ! " 
 Exclaiming quick, in anxious tone, 
 " And art thou grieving here alone ! 
 Forgive ! forgive ! that 'mid the mass, 
 I marked thee not, when thou didst pass ! 
 My look was but one moment drawn 
 Toward the Glen, — when thou wert gone ! " 
 " Full pardon, Inez, — ^it is naught ; 
 Alone to leave the cliff I sought, — 
 And stole me here the fray to see, 
 Where, by this Cross, alone I'd be ! " 
 
 " Prithee, ladye, rest not here, 
 This is no sight for thee ; 
 God wUl preserve thy Liege so dear, — 
 But here thou should'st not be ! " 
 
 " Nay, Inez, nay, fear not for me, 
 
 A dauntless Chieftain's bride ! 
 Nay, here alone my place should be, — 
 
 Still here I must abide. — 
 But list thee ! Hark ! My Liege-love's voice ! 
 
 Around him how they rally, 
 Of Spain's brave sons the proud and choice. 
 
 From mountain-height and valley ! 
 
230 PELAYO. 
 
 Lo ! his gallant bearing there ! 
 
 Jove-like, in his splendor ! 
 Now just Heaven in mercy spare 
 
 Thy children's brave defender ! 
 List thee ! list thee ! how they cry, 
 
 While around they rally ! — 
 ' King ! for Spain and thee we die ! 
 
 Fearless, onward sally ! ' 
 Behold ! how nobly leads he on ! 
 
 My gallant, bold and brave ! 
 Who for our glory, — well nigh gone ! 
 
 Would die to guard and save ! 
 Ha ! now rush the turban'd horde 
 
 With crescent, cymar flashing ! — 
 Save ! oh ! save him. Heavenly Lord ! 
 
 From foes, — as demons dashing ! " 
 
 Scarce breathed her brief but ardent prayer, 
 
 When, by that pure earth-child. 
 Her Angel Mother standeth there 
 
 In Heavenly radiance mild ! 
 Unseen by her — but far below, 
 
 A startling sight ! I ween, 
 To one among the impious foe. 
 
 That Cross, thus guarded seen ! 
 
P E L A Y O . 211 
 
 The Father 1 — foremost 'mid the van, 
 
 Count Midon ! turban'd there ! 
 Apostate ! renegado man ! 
 
 In Moorish cause to share ! — 
 The wife beloved, to Heaven called, 
 
 The daughter from him fled, 
 Beholdeth he, now sad appalled. 
 
 As Angels from the Dead ! 
 Beside the sacred Cross, which he 
 Hath base abjured, so cravenly, 
 Life and possessions vast of Spain, 
 Most haplessly still to retain ! 
 And thus, approaching with the foe, 
 Breaks on his view from vale below, 
 The Holy Cross, so blest, that he 
 Had reverenced from his infancy. 
 Uplifted high and glist'ning bright. 
 
 While on each side, most fair. 
 An Angel standeth, clothed in light ! 
 
 Two Angels watching there ! 
 Well doth Count Eudon know that pair — 
 
 His child and angel wife ! — 
 Deeming both sent from Heaven there 
 
 To warn him from the fight ! 
 
212 
 
 PEL ATO. 
 
 And all wlio raised to Heaven the eye, 
 
 Took comfort from that sight, — 
 Glist'ning, on jutting cliff so high, 
 
 That Cross — with angels bright 
 On either side enrobed in white, 
 
 As guardian seraphs there, — 
 That Christians in that desp'rate fight 
 
 Might hopeful comfort bear. — 
 How like the two in visage fair, 
 
 In gentle, graceful mien, 
 In azure eyes and golden hair — 
 
 As on that Cross they lean ! 
 
 Why starts that child ? what meets her eye ?- 
 
 From out the Moslem bands 
 Springs forth a Chief, with arms tossed high 
 
 Wild pointing where she stands ! 
 As though well nigh in terror mad ! 
 
 Transfixed ! or changed to stone ! — 
 E'en to that chUd, his anguish sad 
 
 Is plainly, clearly shown ! — 
 Then, fiercely from his turban'd head 
 
 The hateful badge he rent — 
 To vengeful cast beneath his tread 
 
 The crescent, hurling sent 
 
P E L A T O . 213 
 
 Down in the dust, — and trampled on ! — 
 
 When on his knees he fell, 
 Abjuring creeds of Moslem-son, 
 
 And traced the, Christian-spell, 
 The Cross, upon his brow now bare ! 
 
 Gazing still wild above. 
 Crying — " Behold ! my dear ones there ! 
 
 My Child ! mine Angel Love ! " 
 
 « Father ! O Father ! " Shrill the cry 
 
 Doth rise from that poor child ! 
 That upturned gaze hath met her eye, — 
 
 Her father's anguish wild ! 
 And, mad herself, with agony, 
 
 She from the Cross would spring, 
 When lo ! a light ! — a melody ! 
 
 As Heaven's harp-strings ring ! — 
 Dazzling her eyes — to stay her there ; 
 
 When now first meets her sight, 
 Her Mother pure, an Angel fair. 
 
 In Heavenly radiance bright ! 
 Upon that Cross one hand she laid, 
 
 The other raised to Heaven : — 
 " Not vainly hath his soul essayed, — 
 
 Thy father! now forgiven ! " 
 
214 P E I> A T O . 
 
 One tear of grief, full penitent, 
 
 One sigh of anguish given ; 
 One soul-fraught prayer to Heaven sent. 
 
 That earthly sin be shriven, 
 Will meet a pitying Saviour's eye, 
 
 A God of mercy's ear, 
 Who heedeth, when the erring cry, 
 
 And loving, draweth near ! " 
 
 Gently, as soft Eolian note. 
 
 Breathes o'er her soul that strain, 
 As dream-like harmonies that float, 
 
 Entrancing sweet the brain ! — 
 One moment short, that mother bright 
 
 Absorbs her look above 
 From hideous scene of strife and fight 
 
 In earnest gaze of love ; — 
 " Praise God ! " — she cries, — " O mother mine ! 
 
 Leave, leave me not, I pray ! 
 Let but thy sainted presence shine 
 
 Upon us through the fray ! " — 
 Then, tm-ning to the fight below 
 
 Beholds her Father there. 
 Surrounded by the Moorish foe, 
 
 In deadly conflicts share ! 
 
P E L A Y O . 215 
 
 What arm, uplifted, flies to save 
 
 With Taliant Follow'rs near ? 
 The King ! Pelayo ! ever brave ! 
 
 Her Liege-love, nobly dear ! 
 Wildly she gazed, with close-clasped hand ! 
 
 Oh ! madly hot the strife ! — 
 But see ! 'mid sabres' clash, the Band 
 
 Have saved that Father's life ! 
 But fierce the chase ! while loudly liag 
 
 The atabel, and " Alia yell " — 
 While bravely stUl bears on the King 
 
 Up, up the narrow deU ! 
 
 That Angel Mother — that pure child- 
 Still from the Cross look down ; 
 
 While ZUlah cries in terror wild — 
 " Great God ! avert Thy frown 1 " 
 
 " God smileth on thee, daughter mine ! " 
 The Angel sweetly spake ; — 
 
 " His blessings round thy pathway shine! — 
 My Messing, daughter, take! " — 
 
 Laying upon her upraised brow 
 One white, transparent hand, — 
 
 " A. Mother's blessing on thee now ! — 
 God will protect thy Sand! " 
 
216 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Then, as fair morning mists arise 
 
 She floateth from the sight, 
 While ZiUah's earnest azure eyes 
 
 Pursue through clouds of light. 
 With outstretched arms and piercing cry, 
 
 " O Mother ! stay with me ! 
 Sweet Mother ! leave me not to die ! 
 
 Take, take me hence with thee ! " 
 
 In sooth ! she seems too fair to stay ! 
 
 Too bright to tarry here ! 
 Ko marvel should she float away 
 
 From this poor mundane sphere ; 
 Half fainting on the Cross she fell, — 
 
 While, borne upon the air, 
 The sound of gong and Moorish yell. 
 
 The battle tale still bear. 
 
 " O Heaven ! my brain is ringing I 
 
 Mine eyes have lost their sight ! " — 
 Then, to the Cross wild clinging, 
 
 She veUs her orbs of light 
 With her small palms, so Hly-white ; — 
 
 " Nay, Inez, heed not me ; 
 'Tis but a moment, — of the fight — 
 
 How sways it ? — dost them see ? " 
 
P E li A T O . 217 
 
 " N"ay, Ladye ! — I would bear thee hence ; " 
 
 " Peace, ghi !— the King ?— the Foe ? "— 
 " The Kmg now stands on the defence ! — 
 
 As locusts swarm the Foe ! 
 The Crescent-banner floateth high 
 
 Above the swarthy horde, — 
 Low in the dust, grant soon it lie ! — 
 
 Raise, raise our Cross ! O Lord ! 
 
 " Ladye ! what a goodly sight ! 
 Would Heaven I were a man — 
 A "Warrior brave — I'd surely fight, 
 And foremost in the van ! " — 
 List ! to the sabres' clash ! 
 Hark ! to the cymbal ! 
 Lo ! how the bright blades flash ! 
 Ringeth the timbrel ! 
 Hear ! oh ! hear the madd'ning shout I 
 
 Rageth dire the battle ! 
 Grant we be not put to rout, — 
 Slaughtered as dumb cattle ! 
 Rush the Lancers now along 
 
 Over dead there lying, 
 Riseth wild, " Wul wullah " * song 
 O'er the fallen, — dying ! — 
 
 * Death song of the Moors. 
 10 
 
218 P E L A T O . 
 
 Hither, thither, madly sway 
 
 Woful death and sorrow ! — 
 Fearful from such carnage day 
 
 Will rise the coming morrow ! — 
 Now, ah ! now retreat our men ! 
 
 Up, up the steep defile ! — 
 Little doth the Moslem ken 
 
 Of our deep-laid wile ! 
 Frenzied, furious press they on ! 
 With shrill zel and tymhalon. 
 Sounding their own clanging dirge 
 Ere they sink lieneath the surge ! " 
 
 l^Tow jutting crags and groves of yew. 
 Obstruct fair Inez' further view ; 
 And thus the tale ice still relate 
 Of that fierce fray and Moslem fate. — 
 TJpriseth shrill " Wul wullah " cry. 
 
 Where low one dark Division's head, 
 Alexman, slain, doth bleeding lie 
 
 Amid the dying and the dead ! 
 And " Alia Allah I " yet again. 
 
 As falls his colleague, Suleymen ! 
 TiU Covadonga's vale doth flow. 
 With blood of leading Chieftain-foe ! 
 
PELAYO. 219 
 
 Manuza's spirit, too, hath fled ! 
 Dark Leaders, three, lie with the dead ! — 
 Still, Ishmael's hlood doth boldly flow 
 Through Arah veins, despite their woe ! — 
 FoUow stiU that desp'rate Foe, 
 
 Now madly on, I wis. 
 Heedless of the Gulf helow ! — 
 
 The seething, wild Abyss ! 
 Rushing, pressing toward the Bridge, — 
 
 God now save each soul ! 
 Dashing fiercely o'er the ridge 
 Madly to their goal ! 
 
 Fierce the whistling arrows fly 
 From pui'suing Arabs nigh ; 
 Fierce return, full deep to rest 
 In their wielder's impious breast ! 
 For, it is said, that " When the bow. 
 
 Wielded by Arab-hand, 
 Was bent to smite the Spanish foe, 
 
 A bright Celestial band 
 Hurled e'en about the poisoned dart, 
 
 That Christian breast would pierce. 
 Back, swift again, to Arab heart, 
 
 With deathful venom fierce ! " — 
 
220 PBLATO. 
 
 On, and still onward yet they rush, 
 
 O'er rocky crag and mountain brush ; 
 
 Up, UJ3 that steep and wild ravine, 
 
 The Draw-Bridge reached! — ^brief time, I 
 
 ween ! — 
 Her quiv'ring beams quick open flimg, 
 Her oaken sinews trembling rung ! — 
 Firm all, till Christian-men have passed, 
 Mre yet the chain asunder cast, 
 And safe the Band! — A moment more, 
 'Tis covered by that dark mass o'er ! — 
 A swaying of those pond'rous beams, — 
 A sev'ring of the sinewy seams, — 
 A shiv'ring, wrenching, ringing crash, — 
 And downward, downward, headlong dash 
 Deep in the seething gulf below, 
 With shrieks and oaths — the imjsious Foe ! — 
 And at the instant, down were poured 
 Huge, loosened rocks, that thund'ring roared 
 Through the ravine, as, with sharp crash, 
 Down the defile they ringing dash, — 
 High from the beetling bowlders wild. 
 Hurled frightful rocks, there tott'ling piled, — 
 An avalanche of missiles dread 
 With vengeful force, destruction sped ! — 
 
P E L A T . 221 
 
 And of the rear that 'scaped the hridge, 
 No Moor, but fell heneath the ridge, — 
 Crushed hy the soil they strove to gain ! — 
 Thus hurled defiance, — injured Spain ! 
 
 With that portcuUis' crashing sound. 
 
 Throughout the chasm up resound 
 
 Wild shrieks of terror and despair. 
 
 From 'parting souls, that rend the air ! — 
 
 From that vast horde, o'erwhelmed, submerged ! 
 
 'Bove foaming waters roaring heard, 
 
 Were fearful oaths, and Prophet call. 
 
 Till fainter, feebler, voices fall, — 
 
 And echo but prolongs the sound, 
 
 Till l^ature's silence reigns around ! — 
 
 Those waters wUd are rushing on ! 
 
 That Host ! — ^the Foe ! — are silent ! — gone ! — 
 
 The Moorish banner, tattered, — torn, 
 
 Upon the angry sm-ges borne. 
 
 As battered saU, rude tempest-tossed, 
 
 Life's vessel wrecked ! the crew — all lost ! — 
 
 Oh ! short the journey, wildly fleet, 
 
 That swarthy mass hath ta'en, to meet 
 
 Departed souls in Hades' shade, — 
 
 The "-Prophet Great'''' and '■'■ Souri-maid ! " 
 
222 P E L A Y O . 
 
 And fe'w among that host of sin, 
 May pass the " Pearly Gate " within ! — 
 'Now God have mercy on each soul, 
 Rushing unto " Gehenna's " goal ! 
 
 Of that dark horde doth none remain 
 To chant the mournful requiem strain 
 O'er parted souls, by Azreal called, 
 Unwarned, unshriven, and un-palled ? — 
 Ay ! One of all that turban'd mass. 
 That wily stole within the Pass, 
 The renegade, repentant man 
 Alone is left of all the van ! 
 The Father ! — struck with dire remorse. 
 His soul's-eyes opened to the course 
 So vUe, so fraught with shameful woe 
 That leagued him with the Moslem foe ! 
 Who, when that Angel-Spirit mild, 
 Beside the Cross, with their pure child, 
 Gazed sadly on his turbaned brow. 
 Dismayed beheld his Moslem Vow ! 
 When, calling on his God above, 
 He traced the Holy Cross of love. 
 Hurling, defiant of all wrath. 
 The Crescent in the Moorish path ! — 
 
P E L A T O . 223 
 
 And victim sure had fallen he, 
 
 Chanced not the King that act to see, 
 
 To recognize, with quick glance, keen. 
 
 The Father of his Love and Queen ! 
 
 Swift to the rescue dashing then, 
 
 In fiercest conflict — with his men 
 
 To strike — to seize, — and hearing, save 
 
 That Sire from Moor, — from torrent grave ! — 
 
 And thus, unto the farther shore 
 
 Of that dark " Styx " there passed but one. 
 Who e'er the impious symbol bore 
 
 Of Christ-defying, Moslem-son ! 
 
CANTO VIII. 
 
 But turn we to the brighter side, 
 
 Asturians, Christians, where ai-e they ? 
 Brave hearts ! that now on glory's tide 
 
 Behold their Country's breaking day ! — 
 With Victors' bearing, Psean strain, 
 
 Onward they lead their winding way 
 Through dell, o'er bowlder, rock, and plain. 
 
 Along fair Deva's trilling play ; 
 While on the nearest cliff above, 
 
 Assembled, wait the good and fair, 
 Child, wife, and mother, maiden-love. 
 
 With joyous hearts and thankful prayer. 
 Closer and closer draw they near, 
 
 More brightly flashes armor's ray. 
 Clearer arise loved voices dear. 
 
 Victorious up their Moimtain-way ! 
 Wild tumult now pervades tlie camp, 
 As shouts of joy and hurried tramp, 
 
PEL ATO. 
 
 2i5 
 
 And neighing steed, up Avinding path 
 Bear conquerors from the battle's wrath ! 
 
 As warriors true, from earthly strife, 
 Rise they to Eden-howers of life, 
 Toward purer hearts, " Houris " more bright 
 Than e'er may greet the Moslem sight ! 
 And theirs, the recompense all fair 
 That faUeth to the Christian share, 
 Who, batt'Ung evil, conquering sin. 
 Doth nobly, rarest blessings win ; — 
 For there upon the mountain height. 
 Await them, beauteous forms of light. 
 With loving gaze, from starry eyes, 
 Bright as the orbs of Paradise ! 
 And hearts, o'er-fiUed with holy love. 
 Exceeded scarce by those above ! 
 Who, with them, held angelic view 
 To guard and bless the Brave and true ! 
 Scarce bide they now the quick advance, 
 Of glitt'ring armor, blade, and lance ; 
 But, wUd with joy's tumultuous glow. 
 Well nigh would leap to arms below ! — 
 No time for courtly rule to-day ! — 
 The soul alone, may now bear sway ; 
 
 10* 
 
226 P E L A Y O . 
 
 And with heart-bounding happiness 
 The loved are clasped in wild caress ! 
 
 But who may now e'en half express 
 The wild'ring, gushing joy's excess, 
 That welled the heart of Zillah dear, 
 As Husband, Father, safe appear ! — 
 While toward the cliff approach they near, 
 Trembles her frame, as e'en through fear ! 
 And fainter still the quiv'ring throb 
 Of each sweet pulse, as joy doth rob 
 Her heart of its full life-blood beat. 
 Thus Lover, Father, safe to meet ! — 
 Till drooping to the Cross she clings, 
 As loud the shout of victory rings ! 
 Conscious, the while, that loved ones dear, 
 Are swiftly, closer, drawing near, — 
 Nor yet the power to greeting rise. 
 Scarce raise fair lids from azure eyes ! 
 
 They come ! — when, as with life's last power, 
 Struggles our fainting Hly-flower, 
 And springing toward that noble breast, — 
 In wUd embrace is swooning pressed ! 
 Close clasped, within those arms to rest, 
 As weary bird, in sheltered nest 
 
P E L A Y O . 227 
 
 Of loving mate, returned to cheer, — 
 With fond, repentant Father dear. 
 Encircled in that fond emhrace, 
 Her own, her only resting place ; 
 His lips upon those lids, each tress 
 Oft presses he in joy's excess, — 
 " Look up, my life ! oh ! loot and see 
 Thy Lover safe ! safe here with thee ! 
 Raise, raise those lids to me, and know 
 Ths victory ours! Conquered the foe! 
 Oh ! when my light doth brilliant burn, 
 Let it not all to darkness turn ! 
 As true it must if thy dear lid 
 May ope not to thy lover's bid. 
 Nor let me call thee thus in vain ! 
 ZUlah ! mine own ! mine own again ! 
 I clasp thee now upon this breast, — 
 Oh ! let thine eyes upon me rest ! " 
 
 Gently unclosed the fringed lid. 
 Beneath his kiss, — to loving bid ; 
 As rises mist 'neath sunbeams' power, 
 From sweetly dew-gemm'd azure flower. 
 And as fair leaves from budlets break. 
 The blossoms of her soul awake. 
 
228 P E L A Y O . 
 
 To beam upon the loved one true 
 
 Thro' joy-tears bright, of love's sweet dew ! 
 
 To gaze on him with gentle beam, 
 
 All dream-like, in her joy's extreme ; 
 
 Scarce realizing full that she, 
 
 Thus, now, within his arms may be, 
 
 "Whom late she saw, 'mid perils rife. 
 
 In. fiercest combat's deadly strife, 
 
 Pursued by fiends of swarthy hue. 
 
 Till lost to her sad, straining view ! 
 
 " Pelayo ! loved one ! husband dear ! 
 Safe ! safe ! — I on thy bosom here ! — 
 O God ! how now Thy name I bless 
 For this o'er-powering happiness ! — 
 Oh ! welcome, Father ! " murmured mild 
 The waking, happy wife and child ! 
 " Forgive that from thee I did stray, 
 For it hath drawn to Heavenly way 
 That leadeth to my Mother bright, 
 Who watched thee from that Cross's sight, 
 And breathed so sweetly there to me. 
 That ' God, with her, would smile on thee ! ' " 
 
 " Kg pardon thou, my child, should ask, 
 Mine, mine the need, and mine the task 
 
PEL AT O. 229 
 
 To plead to Heaven, and -vvife, and thee, 
 For love, forgiveness great to me. 
 Humbled my soul, aU crushed my heart. 
 That I, by weakness, snares, and art. 
 In one fell moment, base vras driven 
 To risk my aU of love and Heaven ! 
 Oh ! how for mercy hope may I 
 When 'neath the pure, Celestial sky, 
 I stand, a shamfed thing of night. 
 Fashioned in God's own image bright ! " 
 
 "■ In thine ovra. words, my father dear. 
 Thou speakest that thy soul should cheer ; 
 For, as His image, thou dost bear. 
 So, of His light thou boldest share. — 
 The ' Spark Divine ' within thee shines, — 
 Each throb of penitence refines ; 
 And earnest aspirations given, 
 Are sparks to light thee unto Heaven, 
 Kindling, until in radiance bright 
 They fill the soul with holy light, 
 The Light Divine within doth rise. 
 To lead to glorious, Heavenly skies ! 
 For He, our Father, God of Love, 
 E'er gently guides to realms Above, 
 
230 
 
 P E L A Y O . 
 
 The erring soxil that prays for light 
 Unto His Courts of Glory bright ! " 
 
 An Angel fair, of comfort true, 
 Raising bright hope-beams to the view 
 Of her poor father, seemed that child, 
 As sweetly in his face she smiled ! 
 
 " N'ow, daughter blest ! thy words, as light 
 Fall on my spirit's darkened night ! 
 And I will to God's Altar go, 
 Confess my crime — and while below 
 Strive to redeem my hateful sin. 
 And, by good acts and pureness, win 
 Forgiveness from our Lord Above, 
 Whom, my soul feels, doth rule in Love." 
 His lips he pressed upon her brow, — 
 " A father's blessing on thee now ! — 
 God bless ye both ! — I will away. 
 My sins to shrive, — my Beads to say." 
 
 " Mine own ! — mine husband ! " soft she sighed, 
 " And thou hadst fallen, — I, too, had died ! — 
 Beside that Cross ! — with thine, my soul 
 Had borne its flight to Heavenly goal ! — 
 For ah ! thou couldst not dream, or know 
 Mine agony ! my deadly woe, 
 
P E L A Y O . 233 
 
 When parted from my aching sight, 
 I saw thee next in direful fight ! 
 Through flashing sabres, lances' sway, 
 Dashing thy fearless, frightful way ! — 
 'Mid shoals of tossing turbans white. 
 As sea-birds on dark waves of night ! 
 'Mid shrieking zel and ' Techir ' strain, 
 TiU sickened, wild, my wretched brain 
 Could bear no more the horrid sight ! 
 And faded from mine eyes the light ! 
 When, lone, thy poor bird drooped her down, 
 Hope's pinions crushed, beneath the frovni 
 Of raging battle's dark'ning wrath. 
 Sweeping across our mountain-path ! 
 And ne'er my soul had wakened more. 
 So desolate on earthly shore ! 
 But that the shout of Victory's cry 
 Wrested my soul's departure nigh ! 
 And thy loved voice on homeward way. 
 My parting spirit's flight did stay ! 
 Called back the life-blood's gushing start. 
 To this poor, fainting, o'er-taxed heart, — 
 To sink again with joy extreme, 
 'Neath ecstasy's o'er-powerful beam ! 
 And waken thus upon thy breast, 
 Mine only home ! mine only rest ! " 
 
232 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Deep, deep the love that radiant shone 
 
 From his dark eyes within her own 
 
 Sweet orbs of heaven-hued lustre bright, 
 
 Beaming on him with angel light ! 
 
 " Thy home, thy rest, sweet one ! fore'er, — 
 
 My love, my heart, my throne to share ! 
 
 No parting more, no sad adieu. 
 
 To bear me from thy loving view ! — 
 
 Oh ! thou hast suffered, precious life ! 
 
 How suffered ! through that direful strife ! 
 
 But, parted we, love, not in vain. 
 
 For now I clasp thee, mine again ! 
 
 Mine own ! all mine ! in this bright hour 
 
 When victory ours ! and thou, my flower ! 
 
 Full soon, as Queen with me to reign 
 
 O'er loving hearts — and happy Spain ! 
 
 But throne, and life, would I resign 
 
 Now thus again to call thee mine ! 
 
 For Crown and all of Life to me, 
 
 Were nothing worth, save shared with thee. 
 
 " Oh ! when I saw this lovely form. 
 Afar, from out the battle-storm. 
 As Angel bright amid the cloud, 
 My soul was dark with anguish bowed ! 
 
PELATO. 233 
 
 Alone, upon that Cross so clinging, — 
 
 While loud, wild shouts of strife were ringing ! 
 
 So frail, so anguished, helpless, pure ! 
 
 Scarce could the sight mine eyes endure ! — 
 
 But all is over, — joy-notes ring. 
 
 And light with love our souls shall sing 
 
 A gushing Anthem, soon to raise 
 
 With our brave band in sacred praise. 
 
 For list ! how rises on the air 
 
 The vesper-call for thankful prayer ! 
 
 For ' Te Deum ' all souls to sing 
 
 In joyous, grateful offering ! " 
 
 Now wend they thro' fair grove and bower 
 So sadly passed at dawning hour ! — 
 How changed each aspect since the morn. 
 When aU frowned dark to hearts forlorn ! — 
 Sweet fragrance from the orange trees 
 As incense rises on the breeze, 
 From bud and flower 'mid shining green. 
 As happy passed the fair Bride-Queen ; 
 And blossoms fall on her pure brow, 
 As gently sways each drooping bough. 
 While violets bending 'neath her feet. 
 Send up their perfumes freshly sweet ; 
 
234 P E L A Y . 
 
 And gay the tiny feathered choir, 
 Ring out in ISTature's full-toned lyre 
 Victorious strains of minstrelsy, 
 In merry flight, from tree to tree ; — 
 And boimding steps spring blithe along, 
 "With eyes of light and souls of song. 
 Their rapturous praise to offer here. 
 For loved ones saved ! — for Victory dear ! 
 And maidens, wreathed with lilies white 
 All glist'ning fair with dew-drops bright. 
 Around brave lovers' brow, now wind 
 Chaplets of Laurel, Bay entwined. 
 
 But as they reach the Altar-rock, 
 Behold the happy mountain-floct 
 Count Eudon, prostrate, penitent 
 Before the Cross, in sackcloth bent ! 
 Before the Saviour's image there, 
 His burden full, of grief, laid bare, — 
 Repentant of each fault and sin, 
 Forgiveness, praying, now to win ! 
 Who, in his anguish, deep, sincere. 
 Remorseful in the Padre's ear 
 Had poured the tale of grievous woe, 
 That leagued him with his country's foe ! — 
 
PELAYO. 235 
 
 And thus before all eyes, would lie, 
 The People should his sorrow see. 
 For perjured faith and honor's loss. 
 Him suppliant 'neath the Saviour's Cross. 
 
 Slowly he turned, and raised his face, 
 Down which the scalding tear-drops chase ; — 
 " Thou seest a sadly erring one. 
 Repentant for all evil done ; 
 Who, none hut God in Heaven doth own, 
 Bending to Him and Christ alone. 
 Praying, most humbly here and free, 
 That he forgiven full may be ! " 
 
 Now raised the Priest the Penitent, 
 And o'er him praying, humbly bent. 
 Signing the Cross, on ashened head, 
 With Holy water, freely shed, — 
 While words of comfort chanted he, 
 Of God's great mercy, full and free ! 
 How, sinners vUe, repentant, may 
 Beam white as snow in God's pure ray ! 
 Then, from his shoulders casts aside 
 The ashen vesture, that doth hide 
 The robe of white, all purely fair. 
 Symbol of that his soul should wear. 
 
236 PELAYO. 
 
 Raising his eyes toward Heaven, he said, — 
 
 " Great God ! Thy gracious hand hath led 
 
 Unto the Cross, this erring son, 
 
 Who turneth from his evU done ; 
 
 From Thy fair path late gone astray. 
 
 Doth now for pardon, anguished pray ! 
 
 Hear him, O Father ! save and bless 
 
 Thy suppliant in the wilderness 
 
 Of sin, as earth, — for sworn hast Thou, 
 
 ' The soul that unto Me doth bow. 
 
 The contrite sinner, wiU I shrive, 
 
 And save his guilty soul alive ! ' 
 
 Therefore, shall I not plead in vain, — 
 
 Receive I in Thy Fold again 
 
 The one lost Lamb, — the Penitent ! 
 
 And thus, through me, Thy servant sent. 
 
 Thy Blessing on his head I lay. 
 
 Absolving him from error's way ; 
 
 And offer ' Holy Sacrament ' 
 
 Unto Thy child, now penitent ; — 
 
 The blessed Eucharist receive. 
 
 In name of all thou dost believe ; 
 
 The ' undivided Trinity,' 
 
 Bless thee through all Eternity." 
 
P E L A Y O . 237 
 
 Then, from the Altar lifting up, 
 
 The Blessed Bread, and Sacred Cup, — 
 
 Unto him kneeling, solemn said, — 
 
 " Receive from me the Holy Bread, — 
 
 ' The Bread of Life,' in faith partake, 
 
 And Covenant with Heaven make. 
 
 By faith, Christ's Wood shall ransom thee, — 
 
 His, who once died on Calvary, 
 
 Who said, — ' In memory of me 
 
 Do this ; ' — thus, henceforth, pardoned be — 
 
 Therefore, through Christ, absolved thou art, — 
 
 God's blessing thine, — in peace depart." 
 
 Quick now advance the Royal Pau' ; — 
 'Mid tears of joy the daughter fair 
 Enfolds with filial tenderness 
 Her sire, in loving, fond caress ; — 
 From King and nobles there around. 
 Congratulations warm resound, 
 And, as in Heaven, on earth there beamed 
 Joy through each soul, for one redeemed. 
 
 ■Row, seated on the rural throne, 
 
 The King, with his loved bride, 
 Blooming as mountain-rose fresh blown, — 
 
 The Father by her side ; 
 
238 PELATO. 
 
 And Alphonse, tiny Eros-boy, 
 
 E'er near his Psycte-Queen, 
 In smiling, radiant, youthful joy 
 
 Of petted child, is seen 
 With silken locks oft sly to play 
 
 Of waving, golden sheen 
 That on fair shoulders sunuy lay, 
 
 As halo's rays, I ween ! — 
 And every heart beats joyously, 
 
 Each soul with hope is light. 
 Here in the merry mountain free. 
 
 For glorious victory bright ! 
 And, by his Royal master near, 
 
 Standeth in noble pride, 
 Gomez, who through all paths of fear. 
 
 Still by his King doth bide ; 
 Gomez, who well hath played good-sword 
 
 In yonder dark ravine 
 'Gainst the departed Moslem horde. 
 
 With Braves round King and Queen. 
 
 Now grave about the Altar stand 
 
 The Fathers of the flock, 
 Loved shepherds of the wandering band 
 
 Beside the flower-decked rock ; — 
 
PELATO. 239 
 
 While pseans' gay, triumpliant note 
 
 Far on the breeze doth float, 
 
 Till full " Laudamus " clear resounds 
 
 Throughout Auseva's bounds. 
 
 An offering, in melody 
 
 For great and glorious -victory ! 
 
 TE DEUM LAUDAMUS. 
 
 God hath heard His children cry, 
 God, in mercy, hath drawn nigh, 
 God, our Father, blessed be, 
 God ! and Holy Trinity ! 
 
 " Maria Madre " on us smUed ; — 
 From the Cross that bore her child, — 
 With a Sainted Angel bright. 
 Blest us, through the Moslem fight ! 
 
 We were weak, but on our side 
 Did the Blessed Lord abide ; 
 Else, when foes upon us rushed. 
 Death these voices would have hushed. 
 
 Praise the Lord ! Who, through the fray, 
 Gave us not as Moslem prey ! — 
 
24:0 P E L A T O . 
 
 Our salvation wrought hath He, 
 Glory ! Praise to Him e'er be ! 
 
 Not by our own sword, or arm, — 
 
 " His Right Arm," — saved us from harm ; 
 
 O'er us still, in loved defence. 
 
 Shines His loving countenance. 
 
 The Lord appears for us and ours, 
 Our stay and shield thro' battle-hours ; 
 The Lord our enemies o'er-throws, — 
 Dashes in pieces all our foes ! 
 
 Then not to us, O Lord ! but Thee, 
 Alone the power and honor be ; 
 For Thou, the Lord, great things hast done. 
 Rejoice ! the victory God bath won ! 
 
 Oh ! bless the Lord, Who victory bore. 
 From this time forth, for evermore ; 
 Bless Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, — 
 Forevermore, Auseva's host ! 
 
 The waters dark our foes have crowned. 
 O'er wicked souls, loud they resound ; 
 The waters deep flow o'er the proud, — 
 O'er their vUe souls in fury loud ! 
 
P E L A T O . 241 
 
 Glory to God ! "Who victory won — 
 Glory to Jesus Christ His Son ! 
 Glory to the Holy Ghost, 
 Ever sing our Christian Host. 
 
 As we erst to Thee did bow, — 
 As we oflFer praises now, — 
 In homage evermore we bend, 
 Glory to God ! World without end ! 
 
 As dying now, the notes of song 
 Are echoed o'er the hiUs along, 
 While bright the sky, all crimson dresi. 
 Reflects rich hues from out the west, 
 Rose-colored, o'er the gathered there. 
 As some rare picture glowing fair ; — 
 Throne, Altar, groupings, beauteous shown, 
 To perfect fuU the tableau's tone ; 
 While maidens bright, with upraised hands. 
 As Floral Nymphs, or Sylphide bands, 
 Spring dancing forth from myrtle bowers. 
 Bearing wreathed coronals of flowers 
 With swaying arms, and glancing feet, 
 That to their sUv'ry song time beat, — 
 Waving in palms of lily white. 
 Fair coronets of blossoms bright, 
 11 
 
242 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Shedding their perfume rich, o'er all, 
 In waving, graceful, rise and fall, — 
 And thus those Oreads fondly hear 
 Their off 'ring toward the Royal Pair. 
 
 A tableau stDl before the throne ! — 
 
 WhUe two, who there most beauteous shone 
 
 On poisfed feet, with bending sway, 
 
 In liquid notes chant forth their lay, — 
 
 WhUe yet another to the sight 
 
 The scene presents, in shade and light ; 
 
 For Maidens, Priests, and "Warriors there. 
 
 Combine to form a whole most rare. 
 
 SONG OF THE MAIDENS. 
 
 All hail to the Fair and the Brave ! 
 
 HaU ! hail to the Queen of our Love ! 
 Hail Pelayo ! his land who doth save, 
 
 Bringing Peace to our Ark with his Dove. 
 
 We have come from the bright orange grove, 
 Where creepeth the green myrtle-vine, 
 
 'Mid her buds and her blossoms to rove, — 
 A Wreath for our Queen-Bride to twine. 
 
P E L A Y O . 243 
 
 And we've pilfered the Violet fair, 
 
 From her moss-grown and shady retreat, 
 
 Its richness of perfume to bear, 
 
 With the Jasmine, ia soul-breathing sweet. 
 
 And down in the vaUey afar. 
 
 Where the streamlets are ever at play, 
 
 We have wandered, where sunbeam, or star. 
 Scarce may peep but with glimmering ray, 
 
 Wbere, at midnight, the Fairies, all sprightly. 
 
 Oft gather iu mystical ring. 
 To dance on the mossy banks lightly, 
 
 As blossoms they sportively fling. 
 
 While Elfins in green leaves are floating 
 O'er rippling and bright silv'ry spray ; — 
 
 In their tiny and gay mimic boating 
 To frolic, in wild, merry play. 
 
 And we've gathered the Blossoms there lying, 
 The Flow'rets the Fairies threw by. 
 
 With the Drops from the Elfin-spray flying — 
 Dew-gems, in their leaf-boats, that lie, 
 
 As a Charm for the Fair and the Brave, — 
 An Amulet, precious with light. 
 
244 P E L A T O . 
 
 To guard and to bless and to save, 
 
 From darkness, and sorrow, and blight ! 
 
 And we've gathered the Lilies there pure, 
 Enfolded in love-leaves of green. 
 
 All nestling, so fondly secure. 
 For the brow of our Lily-souled Queen. 
 
 And stiU farther down by the river. 
 Where taller their sisters are grown, — 
 
 Adown where the light aspens quiver, 
 Court Lilies, have culled, freshly blown. 
 
 The Asphodel fair in her pride, 
 The Lily of sun-light and power. 
 
 For the Wreath of our Palace-born bride. 
 With the modest Forget-me-not flower. 
 
 And sweet Water-Lilies of white. 
 
 Their beauties that lave in the stream, 
 
 Raising forth their pure heads to the light 
 From the waters that sparklingly gleam 
 
 With joy, that within their fond breast 
 The dear-ones so calmly repose, 
 
 In the bosom so trustingly rest, 
 Whose love-tide unceasingly flows. 
 
P E L A T O . 245 
 
 As hearts, fond, of Spain's Christian land, 
 
 Now enfold Royal Lilies of light 
 In the bosom of Anseva's band 
 
 Whose souls well with love ever bright. 
 
 And bright in her sUvery sheen 
 
 The Tuberose we fondly enwound, 
 
 For it breathes of the mind of our Queen, 
 ImpartLag sweet richness around. 
 
 And the Rose, pure and white, still we place, — 
 The queen of the flow'rets most fair. 
 
 For our Queen, who o'er all beareth grace, 
 In the Wreath we now lovingly bear. 
 
 We have come from the grove and the fountain, 
 Have roamed o'er the heath, wild and free. 
 
 O'er the green, sunny side of the moimtain, 
 To gather our Love-gifts for thee ; 
 
 We have come from the blossoming bowers. 
 Where the buds and the flow'rets grow fair, 
 
 Where the Cistus its perfumed leaves showers. 
 Silver sheen o'er the moss-carpet there. 
 
 Breathing out all the night its sweet breath, 
 As the Bride on her fond lover's breast, 
 
246 P E L A Y O . 
 
 The Hero, who saveth from Death 
 His people, and bringeth them rest. 
 
 And we bear their bright buds in the hand, 
 And their fragrance we bear on our feet ; 
 
 A grateful and h'&.ppy Queen-band, 
 With off'rings of love now to greet. 
 
 And a Chaplet, stUl worthy have we 
 
 For the King of all hearts — for the Brave,- 
 
 Glowing leaves from the shining Bay-tree, 
 And branches the Laurel doth wave, 
 
 With Oak, and blest Amaranth twined. 
 Bright " Immortelle " fair ever to be. 
 
 We fondly, our Liege, have enshrined 
 In a Coronal oflf'ring to thee. 
 
 And blossoms we'd evermore spread 
 
 In the path of our Monarch and Queen, — 
 
 Fair buds, their sweet fragrance to shed. 
 Rose and Laurel, with fresh Myrtle green. 
 
 From us, at thy feet, then receive 
 The Theme that we florally weave. 
 Symbolic of virtues most rare, 
 Breathing type of the Brave and the Fair. 
 
P E L A T O . 247 
 
 ' Nay, nay, fair maidens ! " cried the King, 
 " N^ot at our feet such off 'ring fling ! 
 From hands so fair, the gift, I trow, 
 Should only rest upon our brow." 
 And kindly hending. King and Queen 
 Are fondly crowned in floral sheen ; 
 WhUe Royal thanks and Queen's caress, 
 Perfect the maidens' happiness. 
 
 And now the day is hravely done. 
 All brightly sinks the setting sun ; 
 While happy hearts in joy repair, 
 Evening repast and rest to share. 
 Each to his mountain-bower of light. 
 In joyous dreams to pass the night, — 
 Dreams, not with dawn to fade away, 
 But shine more truthful with the day, — 
 To prove, no myth or idle tale 
 Their victory in Deva's vale ! — 
 That soon, Spain's gates shall open wide, 
 By easy battle's conquering tide. 
 
CANTO IX. 
 
 How changed all hearts since that sad morn 
 
 When Zillah left her bridal bower, 
 In fearful wretchedness forlorn ! — 
 
 Now, blooming as the mountain flower ! 
 Joyous they wend their happy way 
 Through flow'ry paths where brooklets play,- 
 Fair Zillah, at this sunset hour, 
 "With Husband, Father, to their Bower ! 
 Eager to show her sire how fair 
 Her forest-home with beauties rare ; — 
 O'erjoyed, that father now should rest 
 Within her own wild mountain-nest. 
 
 Pensive the father, as he cast 
 His thoughts o'er present and the past, — 
 On his poor, suff'ring, gentle child, 
 Thus fleeing to the mountain-wild 
 
P E L A Y O . 249 
 
 To suffer hardships new and strange, — 
 As rustic maiden, here to range ! 
 And gazing sadly, — on her brow 
 Fond kisses prest, exclaiming — " Thou ! 
 O thou ! so nursed in palaces, my child ! 
 To dwell within this mountain wild ! 
 O brave young heart ! 'tis those like thee 
 Are worthy of Spain's soil to.be ! — 
 And base my soul with infamy. 
 To turn one moment e'en from thee. 
 My Country, when the frail and pure, 
 For thee so nobly could endure ! " 
 
 " Nay, father dear ! " she fondly cried, 
 " The past is o'er, — all cast aside, 
 Save but as lessons in our sight. 
 To profit in the future bright." 
 
 How gazed the King with loving pride 
 Upon his joyous forest-bride ! 
 So happy here her sire to greet 
 With welcome fond to their retreat ! 
 
 " See, father, see ! our mossy lawn ! 
 Our fountain bright ! — my gentle fawn ! — 
 
 11* 
 
250 PELATO. 
 
 How fond with pleasure beams his eye 
 
 To view the loved ones drawing nigh. 
 
 jEstrella mia ! pleased art thou 
 
 To see thy mistress smiling now ? 
 
 Ay ! weU thou know'st this sad, sad dawn, 
 
 No word had she for thee, my fawn. 
 
 " And list my cushat-doves so sweet, 
 Cooing, in welcome now to greet 
 Us home again to fairy bowers 
 Where love fills up their life, as ours. — 
 Now, father, see my hiding place. 
 That eglantine and wild-rose lace 
 With clinging tendrils freshly fair 
 That bud and blossom ever bear ! 
 Had ever birdliag fairer nest ? — 
 By loving mate more fond carest? 
 And oh ! how happy now, to see 
 My father dear thus safe with me ! 
 
 " Search for the entrance ! Father, look I 
 Was ever so secure a nook ? " 
 Parting the branches, bright she smiled, — 
 " Behold ! the nest of thy dear child ! 
 What say you now ? " as enter they 
 Where clear stalactites sparkling play 
 
PELATO. 251 
 
 Around the hall of marWe white, 
 
 Reflecting many a mirrored light, 
 
 Fresh decked with flowers by maiden hand, 
 
 Tender and loving of their band ; 
 
 And cushions, carpet richly green 
 
 Of freshest moss, are beauteous seen. 
 
 " N"ay, rest not here ! " and, as a bird. 
 
 Her joyous tones are ever heard. 
 
 As gliding, flitting through each nook, 
 
 And hall, and chamber, crying, — " Look ! " 
 
 Till now, quite near her own boudoir, 
 
 A spacious chamber, covered o'er 
 
 With fresh-culled flowers of every hue, 
 
 Bespangled with the evening dew, 
 
 And pillowed couch of fragrant heath 
 
 Of purple, and elastic wreath. 
 
 Made soft with downy-coveiing, spread, 
 
 From brightest breast of songster shed : — 
 
 And Bead and Crucifix are there. 
 
 For Orison and Matin share, 
 
 While fragrant torch-light's gentle gleam, 
 
 Fall on the senses as a dream. 
 
 " See, father dear ! here shalt thou rest 
 In this our Paradise so blest, — 
 
252 P E L A T O . 
 
 This, thine own Sanctum calm to be, 
 When thou to solitude would'st flee. 
 Oh ! am I not joyous and blest to see. 
 Thus Liege-love, and Father, both safe with me ! 
 And I never would fly from my loved Eden-bower, 
 For the richest of courts or the highest of power ! " 
 
 Radiant in her bright womanhood, 
 She beamed, as all of fair and good, 
 With sparkling eyes and soul of light, 
 O'er-flowing with love's ardor bright. 
 
 " It is, in truth, fair child," said he, 
 " A bower o'er blithe and kind for me ; 
 And God, who guards the sparrow's rest. 
 Hath fondly my sweet birdling blest. — 
 God ever bless thee more, my child. 
 Henceforth, as through the mountain- wild ! " — 
 'Mid tears, he pressed her pure young brow, — 
 " Receive thy father's blessing now." 
 
 Followed the King the happy pair, 
 Gazing upon his magnet fair, — 
 But at her filial tenderness, 
 Half sprang to clasp such loveliness ! 
 
PELATO. 253 
 
 The beauteous being good as bright, — 
 Exclaiming, — " Angel thou of light ! 
 My Star ! my blessing e'er to be, — 
 Without thee, what were life to me ! " 
 
 But now the evening feast is spread. 
 And to the Hall the Sire is led. 
 Upon the King's right hand is placed, 
 While Zillah fair, his heart-side graced ; — 
 And that gay banquet freely crowned 
 With every good the Mountain found. 
 Of viand, draught, or fresh fruits rare. 
 That richest grove or vine may bear ; — 
 WhUe Nobles high, and Warriors bold. 
 Bishops and Friars, Padres old. 
 And Maidens fair, are seated round. 
 In honor of the Father found. — 
 Above, around, droop garlands swe'fet. 
 Blossoms of brightness, close to meet 
 The eye and cheek and breathing sense, 
 With fragrance, as of rare incense. 
 
 Marvels the Sire that Wild so lone 
 Should aU of banquet's share thus own, 
 Sweeter and richer far than e'er 
 His patios, parks, or vineyards bear ! 
 
254 P E L A T O . 
 
 And gay the merry cup goes round, 
 
 That freshly innocent is found ; 
 
 And bright the glance from loving eyes, 
 
 'Mid badinage and keen replies ; 
 
 While speak the grave of all the past. 
 
 And of that effort, now the last, 
 
 When, with well-planned and boldest stroke, 
 
 Brave Spanish sons shall rend their yoke, — 
 
 The last fraU link that bindeth down, 
 
 And King and Queen all happy crown 
 
 With loud acclaim, free banners float, 
 
 God's Cross upraised, and Victor-note ! 
 
 Fain would they from Count Eudon hear 
 
 Of much that hath not reached their ear ; 
 
 Afar thus in the mountain-wood. 
 
 Of all unknown, of ill or good. — 
 
 Briefly he spake of erring ones, 
 
 The Renegade, Apostate sons ; 
 
 The fall'n from Faith — ^through craven fear, 
 
 Renouncing all of Truth most dear ; 
 
 Some, through the sordid hope of gain, — 
 
 Some for their tOTvers and lands of Spain ; 
 
 Others, by wicked led astray ,- 
 
 All wretched on their trait'rous way ; — 
 
P E L A Y O . 255 
 
 Needing compassion greatly now, — 
 For perjured faith and broken vow 
 Have eaten, vulture-like, within, — 
 Penance enough for every sin ! 
 
 Of Julian, still they'd further know : — 
 " How fares he with the Moslem foe 
 Far in the East ? — 'tis well this day 
 He came not near our lances' play ! " 
 " Forbear your ire, for great his woe, 
 Since leagued Count JuUan with the foe ! 
 The tree that seemeth freshly fair, 
 May canker at the root still bear. — 
 Hatred, he reads in every eye, — 
 The Christians curse him, passing by ! 
 Men whisper, as he wends forlorn, 
 And turn away in bitter scorn ! 
 And mothers, should he chance pass by, 
 
 Snatch close their infants to the breast, 
 Lest on them glance his traitor eye, 
 
 ' The evil eye,' upon them rest ! 
 Till, his at length that bitter ban, — 
 The loathing of his fellow-man ; 
 While now, the direct curse of all, 
 To loathe himself, doth justly fall ! 
 
256 PELAYO. 
 
 Sulieman, too, suspicious still 
 That yet the count may work him lU, 
 Saying, — ' He who betrays his land, 
 May traitor prove yet to our band ; ' 
 Orders for his arrest soon sped, — 
 But ere received, the count had fled 
 To mountaias of the Arragon, — 
 A wandering, homeless, wretched one ! 
 
 " The Emir, fierce to lose his prey, 
 Quick crossed the straits where Ceuta lay. 
 The Countess Julian and her son. 
 To capture ere the day begun. — 
 And now, as it was given me, 
 A tale of fear I'U tell to thee, 
 Wtose horrors, chanced the very night 
 The Bishop Orpas' soul took flight ; 
 His traitor-body, bound in chain. 
 Could not the summoned soul restrain, — 
 That left its gloomy prison gate. 
 For who may say what realm, or fate ? " 
 
PELAYO. 25T. 
 
 TALE OF THE COUNTESS JULIAK 
 
 At midnight hour, 
 Within her Tower, 
 The Countess grieved. 
 All hope hereayed. 
 
 O'er pleasures past, 
 And joys, the last ! — 
 When, sound of fear ! 
 She low doth hear 
 
 The solemn swell 
 Of tolling hell,— 
 As moaning hreeze 
 Through cypress trees ! 
 
 When, sight of fear I 
 There doth appear 
 Orpas ! her brother, 
 Standing near ! 
 
 His wraith ! fuU true, 
 To mortal view ! 
 All ghastly white. 
 With eyes of light. 
 
258 P E L A Y O . 
 
 That lambent beam 
 With flashing gleam ! — 
 "With grave voice low, 
 And sad with -woe, 
 
 He mournful said, 
 " Lo ! from the dead. 
 My sister, see ! 
 I come to thee ! 
 
 Avert thy fate 
 Now, ere too late ! — 
 Guard well thy son I 
 For bloodhounds run 
 
 Upon his track, 
 For death or rack ! — 
 Guard then thy son 
 Ere evil done I 
 
 Sis purity 
 Might safety be, 
 But,/b»* our sins 
 Se, vengeance wins I 
 
P E L A X o . 259 
 
 Then, ceased his word ; — 
 No sound was heard, — 
 Nor form was seen 
 Where he had heen ! 
 
 " Roused frora her stupor, — quick the ' Call ' 
 Frandina,* for the gath'ring gave 
 
 Of soldiers, warriors, chieftains all, 
 Their infant master now to save. — 
 
 Full true the spirit spake her then ! 
 
 For lo ! adown the rocky glen 
 
 Were seen the Emir and his host — 
 
 Th' Armada, swarming black their coast ! — 
 
 By storm, at length, the Citadel 
 
 Was taken, and the Fortress fell ! 
 
 When, with an anxious, fearful heart, 
 
 The countess sought her to depart. 
 
 " ' Surely,' she said, ' within the grave, 
 My child, I still may hope to save ! ' 
 And thus, among the vaulted Dead, 
 Her Innocent, she trembling led, — 
 ' In darkness, and alone to be, 
 Thou'rt not afraid, my child,' said she. — 
 
 * The Countess Julian. 
 
260 PEL A TO. 
 
 ' No, mother, they can do no harm,' 
 Replied the boy, in accents calm, — 
 ' And why should I my sister fear, 
 Who loved me e'er, so fondly dear ? ' 
 The Sepulchre, she opening said, — 
 ' Listen, my son, amid the Dead, 
 With thy dear sister wait me here, — 
 And silence keep ; — for much I fear. 
 Fierce, cruel men now seek to slay. 
 Or bear thee hence from me away ! 
 And as thy life thou boldest dear. 
 In silence now await me here.' 
 
 " Then, up the Citadel, in haste 
 Her trembling steps she quick retraced, — 
 Soon to the Emir prisoner brought, 
 Who for the child now eager sought. 
 ' Where hidht thy child? full quicMy state, 
 Or sad, my dame, thy lucldess fate ! 
 Torture shall wring the truth from thee, 
 Unless thou now divulge it free ! ' 
 
 " With haughty bearing stood she there, — 
 A queen, in stately grandeur rare ! 
 ' Emir, the truth is to me wed, — 
 My darling child lies with the dead ! ' 
 
P E L A Y O . 261 
 
 Then cried Alahor, — ' Soon we'll see ! 
 Countess, thou comest hence with me 
 To search a jewel we must find ; — 
 And sooth, methinks, if I'm not blind, 
 Thy child's concealment thou wilt speak, 
 If not by words, in blanching cheek ; 
 And thus, Condesa, show fuU well 
 That which thy lips deign not to tell ! ' 
 
 " Now search they every nook around, 
 Above, below, and imder ground ; 
 While blanches pale her cheek with fear 
 A^s now the sepulchres they near ! 
 jBut as they turn to pass them by, 
 A light of joy gleams in her eye ; 
 Which, seeing, Yuza quick doth say, — 
 ' W^re leaving now our gentle prey ! ' 
 
 " ' Enter the sepulchres I ' he cried, 
 ' JT faith, the Countess hath not lied ! ' 
 Then, as the tombs they searching ope, 
 A strange, fair sight upon them broke ! — 
 Within Florinda's * resting place, 
 One dimpled aim thrown o'er his face, 
 
 * Daughter of Count Julian. 
 
262 r E L A Y o . 
 
 That cLerub-child in Heavenly sleep 
 Lay now, as Angel pure, to keep 
 Watch o'er Ms sister's ashes dear, 
 While fiends were searching for him near ! 
 Wliere, through long, weary hours, had he 
 Lain in his infant purity ! 
 
 " A brawny arm of soldier dread. 
 Raised that sweet blossom from the Dead ; 
 As Azreal's night-wings, bear away 
 Fair buds, from darksome homes of clay 
 To hearts that mourn ; — but not as he. 
 The Angel dark, to those who see 
 With soul-oped eyes, the vista bright 
 Through which those buds are borne to Light ! 
 
 " But, Azreal dark in deed, is he, 
 That to the Emir fierce could flee. 
 With that poor birdling, struggling there, — 
 While mother's shrieks pierce shrill the air ! 
 
 " As bird for stolen young fierce flies. 
 Pursued, that mother, with wild cries 
 Of anguish to the Emir's feet ! — 
 God help thee now, that foe to meet ! 
 
P E L A Y O . 263 
 
 That cruel and relentless one ! — 
 ' Mercy ! ' she cried, — ' My child ! my son ! 
 O Emir ! to a mother's prayer 
 Listen ! and God will now and e'er 
 Shed blessings on thee from Above, 
 From His pure fount of Heavenly love ; 
 Let but my prayer thy mercy meet. 
 And I will kiss thy very feet ! ' 
 
 " ' Now bear this frantic woman hence ! ' 
 
 The Emir cried, — ' and guard her well ! ' 
 And thus, with cruel violence. 
 
 They dragged her to the dungeon-cell ! — 
 No pity to the mother shown ! — 
 
 No ray of mercy deep within 
 That heart, hard as the ' nether stone,' 
 
 And dark with all of earthly sin ! — 
 Where rests that spark, O man of night ! 
 Divine, within thy soul's deep blight. 
 The one pure drop to purify. 
 And draw thy spirit Heaven nigh ? 
 For e'en the rocky crystal's breast 
 Will show, where dewy drop doth rest 
 Within its heart, all stony bound. 
 When dug from depth of darkest ground ! 
 
264 P E L A T O . 
 
 Turning to Yuza, standing near, 
 The Emir whispered in his ear ; 
 When, straight, that son of Ishmael wild 
 Led out the innocent young child 
 Forth to a tower, up staircase nigh, 
 UntU they reached its summit high ; 
 Where on its battlement they stand. 
 The fair child grasping close his hand. 
 
 " ' Cling not to me, my chUd, so tight. 
 
 There is no harm to thee ! ' — 
 ' Father, I fear not, — but the height 
 
 Is wondrous great to see ! ' 
 Gazed with delighted eyes the child ! 
 
 Bright waved his sunny hair 
 In the fresh breeze, that gently mUd 
 
 Played o'er his forehead fair ; 
 And glowed his cheek at sight so grand. 
 
 Where foaming billows reach 
 Afar off toward the sunny land 
 
 Of Spain's bright, glitt'ring beach ! 
 Said Yuza— ' Know'st thou, child, the shore 
 
 Beyond those waters blue ? ' 
 ' 'Tis Spain ! the land my parents bore 1 ' 
 
 Replied the boy, most true. 
 
P E L A Y O . 265 
 
 ' Stretch forth thine hands and bless it then, 
 
 My child ! ' the swarthy demon said ; — 
 The trusting boy, no harm to ken. 
 
 Unclasped his hold, — with upraised head 
 Stretched forth his tiny hands, to bless 
 
 His country, with fond, ardent glow, — 
 When that foul fiend of wickedness 
 
 Hurled, o'er the battlement below, 
 That pure young form, far, headlong down ! — 
 Where sm'ges dash, 'mid rocks' dark frown. 
 And searbirds screech and waters moan 
 His requiem, — ^that child was thrown, 
 A shapeless mass, all crushed beneath ! — 
 The foaming spray, his Funeral wreath, — 
 The billows white, his ' Winding sheet ! ' — 
 And thus — Death culled that Slossom sweet ! 
 
 " The morning's dawn, that mother found 
 Led from her dungeon, — chained and bound ! 
 Dishevelled hair, and dark eyes wild, 
 Told well, she Icnew all of her child/ 
 No tear, no prayer, she offers now, — 
 Content, her head in death to bow ! — 
 For hopes all crushed, and lights all fled, 
 Since her pure chUd lay mangled ! — dead ! 
 
 12 
 
266 PEL AT O. 
 
 To ' Christian priiners ! ' now dotli call 
 
 Alahor loud, — ' Behold ye here 
 Count Julian! s wife ! He, on ye all 
 
 Brought ruin ! wrecked your country dear ! ' 
 Then, ordered he, that poor one ! lone ! — 
 They, unto death, should each man stone ! 
 But back they shrink with horror all, — 
 ' JiTot upon Aer, — from us e'er fall 
 The punishment he weU deserves — 
 For God, who ne'er from justice swerves 
 Hath said, — ' Ye shall not harm or slay, 
 Vengeance is mine, I will repay ! ' — 
 The Emir vowed that each should die, 
 Who would not with his will comply ; — 
 And so, the Countess, thus, and then, 
 Was murdered by her countrymen ! 
 
 " Too sad a tale, list ye to-night. 
 When all should breathe alone of bright 
 And joyous deeds, in cheerful strain. 
 To banish every thought of pain." — 
 " ISTay ! nay ! " they cry, " we needs must hear 
 Of all the past, or gay, or drear ; — 
 Tell us, we pray thee, one and all, 
 Wert near Cordova in her fall ? " 
 
P E L A Y O . Ml 
 
 " I was," replied Count Eudon, clear, 
 " But why me ask, Pelistes here ? " — 
 " Because, when of this tale we seek, 
 Pelistes briefly e'er doth speak. 
 For he hath an o'er-modest heart, — 
 l!Te'er in his own praise hearing part. 
 And therefore, we hut simply learn 
 The Moor he battled in his turn ; 
 That he hath hither fled, we know, 
 And h'ow escaped he from the foe ; 
 But of his prowess, valiant, bold. 
 Have ne'er, as yet, been fuUy told ; 
 Well know we all, his spirit brave. 
 That nobly perilled Hfe, to save 
 His cavaliers, — e'en twice essayed 
 Through dangers dire to bring them aid, — 
 And now, escaped his happy turn. 
 
 Brave comrades fallen, captive still, 
 How sad his heart doth eager bum 
 
 Their chains to burst — his vengeance fill ! — 
 And strong the hope, not distant long. 
 The hour, when loud our Victory-song, 
 Upon those captive ears shall fall 
 In Freedom's hopeful, cheering call ! 
 To rescue Braves from Moslem foe, 
 To strike the fierce oppressor low ! — 
 
263 P EL A Y O . 
 
 Dark prison gates wide opened be, 
 
 And Spain ! loved Spain ! all glorious, free ! 
 
 " And now. Count Eudon, 'tis for thee 
 To sound Pelistes' bravery, — 
 Who, modest, humble e'er as brave, 
 Denies us still the boon we crave." 
 
 But ere the tale may yet be told. 
 
 The " Pledge," from Fair, and Grave, and Bold, 
 
 Must freely pass this joyous e'en, 
 
 For Bride and Groom — for King and Queen ; — 
 
 The toast in honor passed around, — 
 
 All, save Count Eudon, seated now, — 
 " Full happy here am I to sound 
 
 Just tribute, — and for that brave brow. 
 So bending now in noble shame. 
 Wreathe truthful laurels, — crown the name 
 Of brave Pelistes, bright in glory ! — 
 And thus, — I pass me to my story. 
 
 STORY OF PELISTES. 
 
 " While Taric swept around our land 
 His scimitar, destruction bent. 
 The Greek Magued, with motley band. 
 To siege Cordova soon was sent ; 
 
PEL A TO. 269 
 
 Whose people, all secure, with pride 
 Beheld, as inundation's tide 
 Don Rod'rick, with his bands of Spain 
 Sweeping o'er Guadalquiver's plain ! 
 But, dire dismay ! the ' Fleeing ' bring 
 
 WUd tidings of their mighty host ! 
 Gone ! fallen now. El Cid their King ! 
 
 Routed the army ! — Roderick lost ! 
 
 " Amid dire consternation great, 
 Pelistes, haggard, at their gate, 
 Leading a band of Cavaliers, 
 Arrived, to lighten somewhat fears ; 
 For well Cordova's people knew 
 
 Pelistes' spirit, steadfast, brave ; — 
 Him rallying round with hope anew, 
 
 Cried, — ' Roderick is fallen ! thou wilt save ! 
 No King, no Leader, now have we ! — 
 Thou unto us as Chieftain be ! 
 Defend our city from the foe ! 
 Protect us, in this hour of woe ! ' 
 
 " Crushed by his grief, — ambition free, 
 Nought but his Country's woes to see ! 
 Pelistes, for her suff'ring sake, 
 Effort, though desp'rate, still would make ; — 
 
270 p E L A y o . 
 
 And answering said, — ' This is the hour 
 
 To stand up bravely, one and all ! 
 Our city, guarded well by tower, 
 
 And battlement, and strong built wall. 
 May check the progress of the Moor, — 
 If ye but promise to endure 
 Bravely with me, the boon ye ask 
 I'll freely grant, and to the task.' 
 The citizens warm pledges gave 
 
 To stand by him imtil the last, — 
 With zeal untiring seek to save 
 
 Their walls, and towers, till hope were past ; 
 But, weak in faith, and strong for self. 
 The wealthy, for their dross and pelf, 
 Soon as they heard the Moslem tread. 
 With gathered treasures, basely fled ! 
 E'en too the monks, church, convent sacked. 
 And, with their riches quickly packed. 
 For mountains, or Toledo, all — 
 City and Altars left to fall ! 
 
 " Pelistes, though deserted now 
 
 By craven ones, all frighted thence, 
 Determined, yielding ne'er to bow 
 
 While he might strike for their defence. 
 
P E L A Y O . 271 
 
 With Cavaliers, a scanty band, 
 
 And Fugitires, in numbers small, 
 Firmly resolved to bravely stand, — 
 
 The city save — or nobly fall ! 
 
 " Advanced that motley army then — 
 Apostate Christians, Moslem men — 
 By Renegade Greek Magued, 
 And shameless traitor Julian led ! — 
 While still afar from city wall. 
 In luckless chance, it did befall 
 That, wand'ring Guadalquiver's side, 
 Their scouts a Spanish shepherd spied, — 
 From Cordova, the trembling hind. 
 Whom, basely craven, free they find 
 The city's secrets to relate, — 
 How guarded waU and tower, to state ! 
 
 " ' The walls and gates,' said Magued, 
 ' Are they all strong and well guarded ? ' 
 ' The walls are wondrous strong and high. 
 And soldiers guard them, ever nigh, — 
 But, secret spot full well I know. 
 Where entrance now can make the foe, — 
 Which easily may soon be found 
 Just near the bridge, — ^high from the ground. 
 
272 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Here, I observed the other mom, 
 That portions of the wall had worn. 
 And falling, made a sorry breach, 
 Which, by a fig-tree near, you reach. 
 And so, with ease, the wall be scaled, 
 When other efforts shall have failed ; ' — 
 And thus, that traitor, vile as low. 
 Betrays his city, — guides the foe ! 
 
 " Well having marked the villain's tale, 
 Magued there halted in the vale ; 
 And renegade Spaniards sent, 
 As if in flight — -for safety bent, 
 To seek within Cordova! s wall 
 Refuge and shelter, ere they fall / 
 Who, to her gates aU treach'rous fly, — 
 With terror feigned, for entrance cry ! 
 The tale well told — admitted they 
 Within her walls to wend their way ! — 
 Vile traitors ! stealing in their fold. 
 As Serpent of fair Eden old ! 
 The kindly hands would rescue bring. 
 Thus basely treacherous to sting ! — 
 Where will such souls find refuge, pray, 
 When shineth clear Eternal day. 
 
P E L A Y O . 273 
 
 And spirits dark, erst ' clad in light,' 
 Stand full revealed, as forms of night ? 
 No cloak of seeming virtue's fold 
 Aroimd their spirit-forms enrolled, — 
 But, black, in bold relief to stand 
 'Mid sinful souls — a fiendish band ! 
 No more to steal 'mid pure and blest. 
 Or with the good and bright to rest ; 
 Afar ! afar from loved-ones fair. 
 Their home, their presence ne'er to share ! 
 But, with their like enforced to dwell 
 'Mid horrors, mortal may not tell ! 
 Ay! with their like alone to dwell! 
 Worse penance than the dungeon-ceU ! 
 'Mid fiends that aU commandments break. 
 From widow, orphan, — justice take ! 
 Defrauders, causing suff'ring poor 
 Mis'ry stUl greater to endure ! 
 Deceivers, robbers, murd'rers all ! 
 On whom just punishment shall fall ; — 
 When withered souls, warped, cramped, and 
 seared. 
 
 Shall to their level gravitate. 
 To dwell in darkness justly feared, — 
 
 Their sure, as wretched, direful fate ! 
 
 12* 
 
27i PE L A Y O. 
 
 'Now wait the fiends, the coming foe, — 
 Their signal dark for treach'rous blow ! 
 Till, on a wild, tempestuous night. 
 The bridge of Guadalquiver bright 
 The Moslem neared — in ambush lay, — 
 While Magufed steals his Avily way 
 With chosen men, and dark-souled guide 
 To ford the stream, and by the side 
 Of tow'ring walls grope silently, 
 Until they reach the wild ' Fig tree ; ' 
 Where traitors, now within the wall, 
 Await, to aid at signal call ; — 
 Their turbans' folds they wind in cord. 
 And lower to the Moorish horde. 
 Who scale the wall, the opening reach. 
 And safely pass within the breach ; 
 A moment only now to wait, 
 
 When, drawing scimitars, they hie, 
 Quickly unto the ' river gate,' 
 
 That openeth where the bridge doth lie. 
 
 " The guards, surprised thus from within, 
 Were soon o'ercome by Moslem horde, — 
 The gate thrown open, — with wild din 
 
 The foe, o'er bridge, thro' entrance poui-ed !- 
 
P E L A Y O . 275 
 
 With hasty zeal then sallied out 
 
 The band by brave Pelistes led ; 
 Who, soon all hemmed each side about, 
 
 For refuge to a convent fled, 
 Whose pond'rous doors they quickly close, 
 As furious rush their fiendish foes — 
 When, from each tower and battlement, 
 They frightful missiles hurling sent, — 
 And, thus assailed, the Moors retire, 
 Not relishiug such weapons' fire ; 
 Forced from the convent thus away. 
 They threat'ning cry, — ' Bide we our day I ' 
 
 " Pelistes now examines all. 
 To find full strong each gate and wall ; — 
 Massive, secured with bolt and bar 
 The grated doors and windows are ; 
 A cistern large of water there. 
 Provisions, of a liberal share, — 
 And so, proposed to ' Make a stand,' 
 UntU relief should be at hand. 
 Fondly, his brave and earnest word, 
 The cavaliers, with shouts, all heard ; 
 Not one, but would in death have lain 
 There nobly down for Chief and Spain ! 
 
276 PELAYO. 
 
 " Three weary, anxious montlis, the band 
 
 Defended bravely well, and sure. 
 Their sacred walls, — ^most firm did stand 
 
 'Gainst each assault of furious Moor. 
 The standard of their faith waved high 
 
 And constant, on the loftiest tower, 
 That it might meet some Christian eye, — 
 
 And ever through the night's dark hour 
 A fire bright blazed, as signal call 
 Of dire distress, to Spaniards aU 
 Throughout the country wide around, — 
 That helpful succor might be found. 
 
 " The watchmen from the turret gazed, 
 Hoping, through each dust-cloud that raised. 
 They might descry their Chiefs of Spain, — 
 But ah ! alas ! they looked in vain ! 
 For all that country, now, forlorn, 
 Abandoned lay ! — of Kfe quite shorn, 
 Save Arab horseman chanced to stray 
 Along fair Guadalquiver's way. 
 
 " At length, provisions all were gone ! — 
 And, one by one, they now must slay 
 Loved chargers, that had borne them on 
 Oft faithfully, through battle-day. — 
 
PELAYO. 277 
 
 And miseries of famine sore, 
 
 Unmurmuring, they wasting bore, — 
 
 Pelistes meeting with a smile 
 
 Of loving courage, e'er meanwhile. 
 
 The good knight read their suff'rings well. 
 
 Which their wan faces plainly tell, — 
 
 For them, more than himself to grieve, — 
 
 And hence, resolved forthwith to leave 
 
 And effort for deliverance make. 
 
 If e'en thro' death, for their loved sake ; 
 
 So to the Convent-court he led 
 
 The assembled braves, to whom he said : — 
 
 " ' Brethren, defending, moons full three, 
 
 These sacred towers from impious hand. 
 Privation, famine, borne have we, — 
 
 My nobly brave, and suff'ring band ! — 
 But now, starvation drives me forth ! — 
 
 My cavaliers, ye know full well 
 Our cause is desp'rate ! — sadly loth 
 
 Am I, these grievous words to tell ! 
 And chance but one, I see me now, 
 
 AU peril fraught, with danger rife ! — 
 But, as your leader, here I vow 
 
 To brave it, — e'en at risk of life ! 
 
278 P E L A Y O . 
 
 " ' Our countrymen know not our fate : — 
 The morrow's dawn I'll hie me hence, 
 When first is oped the city gate, 
 To seek for aid in our defence. 
 Alone, perchance I safe may pass, 
 And unsuspected through the mass. 
 Then, to Toledo speedy fly, 
 Soon to return with succor nigh. 
 Now mark ! upon yon mountain high 
 Should ye five burning lights espy. 
 Be sure that aid is near at hand, 
 And, hast'ning, gather all the band 
 To sally on the city's heart. 
 While I attack her outer part, — 
 Her gates and bulwarks meantime siege, — 
 Yom* prayers, kind nobles, for your Liege ! ' 
 
 " And leading to the Chapel, then, 
 
 Before the Altar prayed they there, 
 Pelistes, and his loyal men. 
 
 Kneeling before the Virgin fair, — 
 When, rising, farther thus he spake : — 
 ' !N"ow, ere I leave, this promise make. 
 That, to the last, ye, one and all. 
 Will bide within the convent wall ; 
 
PELAYO. 279 
 
 Defend, as Christian brave men here, 
 Tour Cross and honor, ever dear, — 
 Never renounce your Faith, or throw 
 Yourselves for mercy on the foe, 
 The renegado base Magued, 
 Or traitor Julian, worse than dead ! 
 And, as you guard this holy wall, 
 Guard well your honors'-temple all, — 
 God knows if we have land to save ! — 
 If not, — then better in the grave ! 
 Loyal and true ye've been to me, — 
 True to my son, tiU death, were ye ; — 
 Grieves me, I have no power to prove 
 My ever true and grateful love, 
 Save through this effort, peril rife, 
 To venture thus my worthless life.' 
 Pelistes, then, each, one by one, 
 Embraced, as father fond, his son ; 
 With loving spirit, saddened heart. 
 As though in death they now did part. 
 The warriors sUent crowded round, 
 
 Kissing his hands, — ^his garment's hem, — 
 While tears o'er sternest cheeks were found— 
 
 And thus he parted there from them. 
 
280 P E L A Y O . 
 
 At silent, grey, and early mom, 
 
 Forth from the postern, on his steed. 
 He issued on that hope-forlorn. 
 
 With shield and lance, for coining need. 
 Just streaked the eastern glimm'ring grey 
 As slow he paced his lonely way 
 Through vacant streets, his charger's tramp 
 Re-echoing to the Moslem camp ! 
 Still, little would suspected be 
 A single horseman, tranquilly 
 Wending his way, thus carelessly. 
 Through armed town, as enemy ! 
 
 " At opening hour, he reached the Gate, 
 When, entering, it was his fate 
 A party, foraging, to pass, 
 With cattle rushing wild ' en masse.'' 
 Amid the herd and cattle throng. 
 He safely rode his way along 
 Unheeded, till without the Gate, 
 When, at a quickened, rapid rate 
 He spurred his charger's course aside, 
 Alas ! not ere full well descried 
 By Magued the renegade, 
 Who, singly, hot pursuit now made. 
 
P E L A Y O . 281 
 
 " Dashed on Pelistes, on Magued, — 
 For bush or rock ne'er halting stayed, — 
 O'er rugged height, through channel dry. 
 On ! on ! stUl dashing onward fly ! — 
 But now, alas ! grieves me to tell, — 
 Pelistes' charger, stumhling, fell 
 From top to base of ravine's height, — 
 Rider and steed in woful plight ! 
 Pelistes, wounded, bathed in gore, 
 Successful flight could hope no more, — 
 His charger maimed, — in quiv'ring fear, — 
 While Magued, the foe, drew near, 
 Exclaiming, — ' Sen or Alcaydfe ! 
 "Well met, in happy time are we ! 
 My prisoner, now thou'lt humbly yield. 
 And own me master of the field ! ' 
 No answer then Pelistes made 
 Save drawing of his right good-blade. 
 With, firm, bold bracing of his shield. 
 That spake, — ^I die, ere captive yield ! 
 
 " Desp'rate the conflict that ensued ! 
 Their shields to pieces hacked and hewed, 
 WTiUe armors' fragments strewn around, 
 And stained with blood the mossy ground ! 
 
282 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Seldom were warriors matched so well — 
 
 That of such equal prowess tell ! 
 
 Who, pausing oft, took breath, and gazed, 
 
 Admu-ingly ! and all amazed, 
 
 Each on the other, as they ' stayed ' — 
 
 The loyal knight and renegade ! 
 
 To disadvantage fights, howe'er, 
 
 Pelistes, in this combat's share. 
 
 For, wounded, he could illy strive, 
 
 "Which marking, Magued now but sought 
 To take his noble prey alive, 
 
 And weary only, as they fought, 
 Not slay ; — for weaker still he grew, — 
 Till kindled all his strength anew. 
 To strike one brave and single blow ! — 
 'Twas parried well ! — when fell he low. 
 Senseless, and bathed in crimson tide,-^ 
 The Renegade fierce by his side, 
 His foot on fallen lance to rest, 
 His blade's point on Pelistes' breast. 
 Crying, — ' Now plead from me thy life ! ' 
 
 But that brave knight lay as one dead. 
 And passed away from mortal strife ! — 
 
 Unlaced his helmet then, Magued, — 
 And, resting on the rocky ground. 
 By Moorish cavaliers was found ; 
 
P E L A Y O . 283 
 
 Who, in Pelistes seeing life, 
 
 Now raise him from the scene of strife ; 
 
 And aidrQg Magued on his steed. 
 
 Back to Cordova slow proceed ; 
 
 When as the convent pass they by, 
 
 The cavaliers their Chief'espy, 
 
 As, nearly dying, he is borne 
 
 Bleeding, and captive, thus forlorn ! — 
 
 With shouts ' To rescue ! ' rush they out, — 
 
 But, bade repulsed, are put to rout ! — 
 
 Within the portal of the tower, 
 
 Back driven, by superior power, — 
 
 Fighting all fiercely side by side. 
 
 While blood flows free in crimson-tide. 
 
 From court to Altar, aisle to nave, — 
 
 Thus struggle still the nobly brave. 
 
 Till, in the cloisters grim and grey. 
 
 The fallen, dead, and dying, lay ! 
 
 And, of Pelistes' faithful band. 
 
 Some few died bravely sword in hand. 
 
 Others, disabled, pris'ners made. 
 
 Were in St. George's convent laid. 
 
 " To bold Pelistes' prowess brave, 
 Great reverence the Moslem gave ; 
 
284 PELAYO. 
 
 And, while their captive, Arab-chiefs 
 Sought each to cheer his heavy griefs ; 
 Most kindly strove he should forget 
 He was their hapless pris'ner yet ; 
 And, when recovered, courteous gave 
 A banquet, to their captive brave ! 
 
 " In sable armor, sadly borne. 
 Appeared he there, with visage woi-n ; 
 For, evermore his country's ill 
 With anguish great his heart doth fill ! 
 Among the guests assembled there, 
 Count Julian high command doth bear, 
 Enrobed in motley garments vUe, 
 • Of Christian and Morisco style. 
 A close, and bosom friend, had been 
 Pelistes, to the Count e'er seen, 
 Through wars of signal bravery. 
 In happy days of loyalty ; 
 But, when the Count would him salute, 
 Pelistes turned in scorn, quite mute ! — 
 Regarding him, through that repast, 
 As one imknown, until the last. 
 
 " When now the banquet near its close. 
 With courtesy, the Moslem foes. 
 
P K L A Y O . 285 
 
 Dwell on the merits of the brave, — 
 The Christians, fallen their land to save ! 
 ' Those who so nobly did defend 
 Their sacred walls unto the end ! ' 
 
 " Pelistes, silent, bowed his head, — 
 With lifted voice, then rising, said : — 
 ' Happy ! happy ai-e the dead ! 
 All their cares and sorrows fled ! 
 In peacefulness fore'er to rest — 
 Happy, they, among the Blest ! 
 For they dwell in realms of joy, — 
 Earthly strifes no more annoy ; — 
 Their reward, receive they now, 
 Glorious laurels for the brow ! 
 
 " ' I could mourn my brethren brave, 
 But they died their Cross to save ! 
 Glory, honor now their share, 
 WhUe my country's woes I bear ! 
 I have seen mine only son. 
 My joy ! my hope ! miae idol one ! 
 In his beauty, and my pride, 
 Falling, martyred, by my side ! — 
 
 " ' Friends and kindi-ed, followers all, 
 As the leaves 'neath wild blasts fall, — 
 
286 PEL A TO. 
 
 Till my tears have ceased to flow, — 
 All my hopes and joys laid low ! 
 
 " ' Yet, one there is, for whom I mourn 
 With never-ceasing grief forlorn ! — 
 The loved companion of my youth, — 
 The noble heart, of purest truth ! 
 Most loyal of all Christian knights ! 
 Defender of his country's rights ! — 
 lEm find I not ! alas! alas! 
 This grief may never from me pass! — 
 If fall'n in hattle, and I knew 
 Where his loved bones might meet my view, 
 If bleaching white on Xeres' plain. 
 Or deep beneath Guad'lete lain, 
 I'd seek them out, and fond enshrine 
 Them as loved patriot^saint of mine ; — 
 Or, if sad driven from his home, 
 As exile forced the world to roam, 
 I'd join him on his hapless way. 
 O'er foreign lands with him to stray, 
 Where we, together, e'er might mourn 
 Our country, of her glory shorn ! ' 
 
 " At this lament, e'en Arab-heart 
 Was touched, to bear in grief its part ! 
 
PELAYO. 287 
 
 ' Who was this peerless friendj ' they say, 
 
 ' To whom such homage thou dost pay ? ' 
 
 ' His name,^ Pelistes answered then, 
 
 ' The name he hore was Julian ! ' 
 
 The Moslem started with surprise ! 
 
 ' Brave cavalier,' each kindly cries, 
 
 ' Grief must thy senses dim, we fear — 
 
 Behold ! the Count before thee here ! 
 
 Thy friend, thou knowest not ! look and see ! 
 
 Count Julian here doth stand hy thee ! ' 
 
 " Then turned the knight his searching eye 
 Upon the Count — ^nor deigned reply, — 
 Regarding him with lofty air, 
 That stern, contemptuous scorn doth boar ! — 
 
 " Darkened Count Julian's visage now. 
 
 Sank his shamed eye in troubled look 
 Beneath the gaze from that pure brow — 
 
 The with'ring scorn, he ill could brook ! 
 Then cried Pelistes,— '' In God's name, 
 
 I charge thee, man unknown ! 
 Barest thou Count Julian so defame ? 
 
 His name presume to own ? ' — 
 Redden'd the Count, with anger deep, — 
 
 ' Pelistes ! why this mockery keep ? 
 
288 PELATO. 
 
 Thou knowst me as Count Julian well, — 
 It needs no tongue my name to tell ! ' 
 
 " ' I know thee as Impostor base, ! ' 
 Pelistes cried, in deepest scorn, — 
 
 ' Count Julian was of noble race, 
 A Gothic knight, all purely born ; 
 
 Of race. Count Julian, pure and free ; — 
 
 But thou, — in mongrel garb I see ! 
 
 Count Julian was a Christian sworn, 
 
 But thou — art Infidel forlorn ! — 
 
 Count Julian ne'er did wav'ring pause, 
 
 But foremost e'er in country's cause ; 
 
 And to his King, loyal and true ; — 
 
 A Renegade ! in thee I view ! — 
 
 Count Julian, living, brave would stand 
 
 To strike for Cross, and King, and Land ; 
 
 But thou — a hoary traitor art ! 
 
 That of no country bearest part ! 
 
 Thy hands are stained with royal blood ! 
 
 Thy country's woes roll as a flood 
 
 Of dire destruction, death, and blight, 
 
 Through thee ! through thee ! thou fiend of 
 night! 
 
 Forswearer of thy Land and God ! — 
 
 Thou worm ! fit only for the sod ! 
 
P E L A Y O . 289 
 
 And, thus again, I say to thee. 
 Thou liest ! O man unknown, to me ! — 
 My friend, alas ! is with the dead !^ 
 And thou, a fiend of hell here fled, 
 To take possession of his frame, 
 And desecrate his nohle name ! 
 Thou liest ! man unknown ! to me ; 
 Count Julian, ne'er in thee I see ! ' 
 And thus, the traitor vile, he spurned, — 
 Then from the banquet proudly turned, — 
 Leaving the Count o'er-whelmed with shame ! 
 Scorned e'en by Arab-chiefs his name ! — 
 Now weaves my story happy close, — 
 Escaped Pelistes, each here knows, — 
 And thus, I pledge that noble knight. 
 Whose name is crowned with glory bright." 
 
 " Thanks ! " cry they, " for thy story now, 
 The chaplet for Pelistes' brow," 
 And, as the toast for him goes by. 
 Rising, all " Vive Pelistes ! " cry, 
 And— r" Vive Pelistes ! " still doth ring 
 With " Blessings on our Queen and King ! " 
 As, with cheered hearts for victory bright. 
 They, leaving, pass the gay " Good-Mght." 
 
 IS 
 
CANTO X. 
 
 The silv'ry moon ascending now, 
 Serenely shines on mountain brow, — 
 With placid beam o'er heath and grove, 
 Where happy lovers fondly rove ; 
 Through leafy bowers and vale she played 
 Tn mazy, frescoed, light and shade, — 
 Through the dense chestnut foliage grey. 
 In glowings soft of mellow ray. 
 That dancing o'er the ripp'ling stream. 
 On Deva's bosom glist'ning beam. 
 And bathe Auseva's cloud-kissed height. 
 In full, resplendent glory bright. 
 
 And sweet was the sleep, that all brightened,- 
 The Royal, the Fair, and the Brave ; 
 
 O'er souls, now of darkness so lightened, 
 Blest Peace her white pinions doth wave ; 
 
PELAYO. 201 
 
 And the calm, dewy twilight of morning 
 
 Gleams fair o'er each fresh-wakened soul, — 
 As blossoms, the mountain adorning. 
 
 Ope their leaves to the sunbeams, that stole 
 Through the mist, and the fleecy cloud rising, 
 
 To their loved-ones, the buds and the flowers. 
 All pure from their heaven-baptizing, 
 
 Smiling sweetly in mom's dawning hours. 
 
 Fair as Eden, the mountain beams brightly, 
 
 WhUe Deva glides vocal in song. 
 As warm hearts, and gay feet, bounding lightly. 
 
 With dance chase the moments along. 
 And more exquisite now is the shading. 
 
 From the mountain-tops glistening in light. 
 To the woods' leafy hues, darkly fading 
 
 In emerald shadows of night ; 
 WhUe the corn-fields lie far, golden beaming, 
 
 'Mid vineyards of purple spread bright, 
 And the streamlet, that watereth, gleaming 
 
 In sunlight, as silver to sight ; 
 With gardens and orchards fresh blooming 
 
 In varied profusion far hence. 
 Their citron and orange perfuming 
 
 The breeze, with their honeyed incense ; — 
 
292 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Till calm steals the mild, glowing evening, 
 
 Wlien glory illumes earth and skies. 
 As day, with her gorgeous train leaving. 
 
 In rainbow-hued west, sweetly lies ; 
 The heavens, all crimson in splendor, — 
 
 Each object, fair rose-tinted crowned, 
 While the soul glows with rapture more tender. 
 
 Inspired by the Eden around ! 
 And clear flow the pure, sparkling waters, 
 
 Bespangled with myriad stars play. 
 As warriors, with Spain's lovely daughters. 
 
 Entranced in their love-dreams, now stray ; 
 While the nightingale's song to their wooing. 
 
 From her bower 'mid the stately palm-tree. 
 With the dove her accompaniment cooing. 
 
 Fill the mountain with sweet minstrelsy ! 
 
 So merrily fleet now, the gay mountain-hours. 
 Thro' vaUey, by brooklet, mid wild forest-flowers ; 
 The bow, and the line, and the rebeck, and song, 
 Winging the light, sylvan moments along ; 
 The mimic tournay and bolero's light bound. 
 The banquet, where glee and gay toast passes roimd. 
 The dance in the grove, to the mandolin's tone. 
 Where brightly the moon, with her starry train, 
 shone 
 
PEL AT O. 293 
 
 O'er the fond whispered vow, 'neath the perfume- 
 leaved bower 
 
 Of the jasmine, and myrtle, and sweet forest-flower ; 
 
 While the bulbul stiU sings, from her breeze swaying 
 lime. 
 
 Her rapturous notes, that to love-pulse keeps time. 
 
 The high and the low, alike happy are here. 
 Afar from all discord, or envy, or fear ; 
 For the vassals, apart, join in seguidUle's song. 
 As the wild-forest moments flit gayly along ; 
 While his love ditty carols the dark-browed Moza 
 To his night-eyed MuoTiaoha, with tinkling guitar, 
 And light-hearted couples, all merrily met. 
 Spring in boundings elastic to gay Castanet ; 
 And the dense chestnut shade, and the drooped 
 
 citron-bough, 
 Shelter sweet stolen kisses, and fond whispered 
 
 vow, — 
 Love reigns in cave-royal, in valley, and grot. 
 And where is the Heaven where Love reigneth not ? 
 
CANTO XI. 
 
 Theice tte moon hath risen now, 
 
 Kissing fair Auseva's brow ; 
 
 Thrice sweet evening dew-drops rest 
 
 In the hly's chaliced breast ; 
 
 And thrice the morning sun hath smiled 
 
 Upon the opening blossoms wUd ; — 
 
 Thrice the matin-anthems ring 
 
 From joyous lark on dew-tipped wing, — 
 
 When Queen, and Maiden-flow'rets, bright 
 
 As bird or blossom of the wUd, 
 Are warned to phime their wings for flight 
 
 From groves that have so long beguiled 
 Their souls in sweet Elysium ; 
 And as the startling word doth come ; — 
 " When morning star shall next arise 
 We leave our Mountain-Paradise 
 
PELATO. 295 
 
 The distant foe afar to seek ! " 
 Paled, suddenly, each maiden-cheek ! 
 At sound that flushed the warrior-band. 
 And bright their patriot soul-flame fanned. 
 Rejoiced, they from Count Eudon learned, 
 " The foe, that for new conquest turned. 
 Had turned them toward the east afar," 
 When now might rise BpairHs morning star ! 
 Thus kindly, Heaven hath opened way, 
 Asturia ! for thy dawning day ! 
 Oviedo ! Leon ! soon to ring 
 With " HaU. Pelayo, conquering King ! " 
 
 Spake to the band Pelayo then, 
 
 " My brave and true Asturian men, 
 
 Raise now your good-swords yet once more 
 
 Upon fair Esla's murm'ring shore, 
 
 For lo ! Count Eudon true doth bring 
 
 TTie Watchword we full soon shall ring 
 
 ''Neath Leon's rampart craftily 
 
 As Moors, from mountairwoictory ! 
 
 For little ken the biding there. 
 
 The watery grave their brethren share 
 
 'Neath Deva, chanting gay refrain 
 
 In joyously triumphant strain ! 
 
296 PELAYO. 
 
 And ' Alia Akbar ! ' wide shall ope 
 Old Leon's gates, — that we may cope, 
 In easy conflict with the Moor, 
 Successful battle — conquest sure ! — 
 For Muza unto Afric's sands 
 Hath drawn his horde of Arah bands,- 
 Thus, vantage take we, to regain 
 Just rights o'er Leon and our Spain. 
 Too long our fair inheritance 
 The base foe hold, — now, Muza hence 
 In foreign wars, — we'll ' Beard his den ' 
 To plant our Leon high again ! 
 Bright on the trampled soil of Spain 
 We'll raise the Spanish throne again ; 
 And, through Favila's native line, 
 Spain's royal sceptre yet shall shine ! 
 
 " Then burnish falchions, one and all. 
 Brilliant to gleam at ' Battle-call,' — 
 ' Santiago I Leon I ' ring the cry, 
 ' Vengeance I for Spain we^d bravely die ! ' 
 Our Country's star now riseth bright ! 
 Wanes low the Crescent, 'neath the light 
 Of Holy Cross — right soon to sink 
 In night — whUe we morn's glory drink ! " 
 
P E L A Y O . 297 
 
 Listened the crowd in silent husli, — 
 But now arose o'er rock and brush, 
 Up mountain-height, a ringing shout ! 
 Again, agaia, the cheer pealed out ! 
 That told Pelayo well the tale 
 How strong the hearts of Deva's Vale ; 
 And how, stiU boldly strike would they, 
 When called again to battle fray ! 
 
 Cried they, " Viva ! Chieftain ! "King ! — 
 
 He, as Bird of Jove, shall wing 
 
 From his eagle eyrie height, 
 
 Brightly now, victorious flight, — 
 
 Swooping o'er foul ravens vUe, 
 
 That, polluting, dark defile 
 
 Spain's pure homes and Cross of light, 
 
 With their impious deeds of night ! 
 
 ' Alia Akbar ! ' shall unfold 
 
 Leon's Gates, to sons of old, 
 
 ' Techir yell ' and ' Lelie cry ' — 
 
 Ever from Oviedo die ! 
 
 " Lo ! the avenging hour draws nigh 
 
 When routed Moors shall scattered fly 
 
 From Christian walls ! while from our home. 
 
 As Israel's sons, no more we roam. 
 
 13* 
 
298 PELATO. 
 
 Rejoice ! brave, suff'ring sons of Spain !— 
 Rejoice ! your land ye'U soon regain ! 
 Lift Tip your heads, ye MU-tops high ! — 
 Spain's hour of glory draweth nigh ! " 
 
 Again the shout rose far on high 
 Piercing the azure-vaulted sky ; 
 Again the welkin full doth ring 
 " Viva Pelayo ! Leon's Kiug ! " 
 And quick the buckler, gorget, shield, — 
 And armor's suit for battle-field, 
 Prepare the Brave, whose mountain-life 
 Exempt had been from garb of strife ; 
 For now the 'vengeful hour draws nigh, 
 Wherein Spain's future fate doth lie ; 
 And eager, sanguine hope pervades 
 All hearts in mountain-groves and glades ; 
 Hope, with her cheering radiance blest, 
 Doth soothe each fear of ill to rest, — 
 And, with contagious influence, cast 
 Her rosy tinge o'er forest vast, 
 Inspiring ardor freshly new, 
 As bright the future beams to view ! 
 And hast'ning feet and hurried sound. 
 Of hmnan voices echoing round. 
 
P E L A T O . 299 
 
 Speak of the morrow's parting-day, — 
 The onward march, — ^the battle-fray. 
 With zeal renewed, each mountaineer 
 Glowing with hope, — ^in happy cheer, 
 Reflecteth joy with kindled eye, 
 As draws the hour of battle nigh ! 
 
 Apart, the King roves with his Bride 
 O'er cherished scenes of mountain-side ; 
 To ev'ry grove, and stream, and dell, 
 Bidding a sadly-fond farewell ! 
 Sweet memories, culling here and there. 
 In leaflet dear and blossom fair, 
 To breathe afar of bridal bliss. 
 Passed in their forest-wilderness. 
 
 Thus sped the day, — ^now in the west 
 The crimson waves of sunset rest, 
 When clear the silver bugle-caU 
 Rings out for vesper-prayer to aU, 
 Where Bridal Vow, and Regal rite, — 
 Ovation passed, — where now, this night, 
 Each shriven, — ^Blessing yet must fall 
 Upon the assembled warriors all — 
 In that fair grove, whence they repair 
 For evening hymn and holy prayer. 
 
300 PELATO. 
 
 Again full swells the solemn chant, 
 While sunny beams fall bright aslant 
 O'er infant head, and maiden tress. 
 And brave men's brow, as though to bless 
 All, in this parting, sacred hour, 
 With promise of God's loving power. 
 
 Around the Altar now doth stand 
 
 Urban, with Prelates of the Band ; — 
 
 Centerio, awaiting there, 
 
 In holy rituals to share. 
 
 Rev'rent, amid the assembled host. 
 
 The King and Queen appear foremost, — 
 
 And, ranged within the circles three, 
 
 As rank befits, the troops we see. 
 
 Pure lilies, on the Cross still shone, — 
 Who will re-place when fair hands gone ? 
 Bright trickles stiU the silvery shower 
 O'er Altar's sides and clinging flower, — 
 While low before that moss-grown shrine 
 The Regal couple now incline ; — 
 Prayers, sacred rites, fond Blessing given,- 
 And Royal souls are fully shriven. 
 
 With Crucifix in hand upraised. 
 
 Urban exclaims, — " Now God be praised ! 
 
P E L A Y O . 301 
 
 Son of a heroed race ! O King ! 
 That thou, in lawful line, mayst bring 
 Unto the Royal throne of Spain 
 Again pure Gothic blood to reign ; 
 Restoring to thine own their right, — 
 Sceptre unstained, and Ci'oss of Light ! — 
 God crown thee with all blessings bright ! 
 God bless thee. Queen ! Star of our night ! 
 Guide Thou, O Lord ! unto Spain's throne, 
 The Royal pair we proudly own ! " 
 
 To osier throne they now are led, — 
 
 While still the Primate o'er each head 
 
 God's blessing prays, and in His name. 
 
 To souls repentant, grants the same. 
 
 And prayers Centerio doth say — 
 
 Shriven, assoyled in fuU are they. 
 
 The Band, who now through twilight air 
 
 Breathe forth their last, sweet vesper-prayer ; — 
 
 And to the influence of the hour 
 
 Their hearts attuned, from Circlet Bower, 
 
 "With pensive thoughts and mind subdued. 
 
 They wend their way through forest-wood. 
 
 And this the last, last happy rest 
 Within Auseva's sbelt'ring breast ! 
 
302 P E L A T o . 
 
 O cMldren ! saddened now are ye, 
 Passing from stream, and flower, and tree ! 
 The dreamy, ripp'ling, soothing stream. 
 
 The fragrant mountain-blossoms bright. 
 The hazel groves, where moonbeams gleam 
 
 O'er hearts all bathed in love's delight ! 
 While warbles to his own dear rose. 
 
 Sweet bulbtil, strain of pathos deep. 
 That on the soul entrancing flows. 
 
 And senses in fair love-dreams steep. 
 Oh ! sad ye wake from sylvan-dreams, 
 Where all of joy and peace so beams. 
 To clash of sabre, battle-day. 
 Where frightful discord beareth sway ! 
 Dream on, — for yet ye'U wake to light, 
 To dawning day of glory bright ! 
 Awake to see the Crescent wane 
 Beneath the Cross of rising Spain ! 
 
CANTO xn. 
 
 Fair breaks tte dawn in eastern sMes, 
 High doth the lark toward heaven rise, 
 Bright wake the souls of mountain-band, 
 With forest-birds, by zephyrs fanned, — 
 Blusheth the day on mountain-side, — 
 Calm lie the valleys far and wide, — 
 And silence rests all sweetly still 
 O'er leafy dale and rocky hill. 
 
 But up and stirring is the camp 
 For onward march, — for battle-tramp ; 
 And maidens, as rose-leaves, unfold 
 Their Uly-Iids on mountain-wold. 
 
 Astir the troop with ardor's fire, 
 Astir the woods' inspired choir, 
 
304: P E L A Y O . 
 
 Astir fair maids, as gleams of light, — 
 Astir each stream, in rippling bright ; 
 And all is life in cave and vale — 
 Donning of robe and coated-mail, 
 And many a matin briefly said 
 By warrior brave, and gentle maid. 
 
 JFbr they must leave ! and all things bright 
 Seem grieving o'er the mountain flight ! 
 The lark arose with mournful cry, — 
 The breeze seems murmuring its sigh, — 
 Deep shadows lie on mountain-breast, — 
 Tremble the trees in sad unrest ; — 
 Sweet blossoms raise their eyes of light 
 Glittering with dewy tear-drops bright, — 
 And dew-drops, too, in maidens' eyes. 
 As Angels, leaving Paradise ; 
 And brave knights turn with deep-di-awn sigh 
 From happy groves of trysting, nigh. 
 
 And Zillah bright ! sad hour is this 
 That calls from rosy bower of bliss ! 
 From bird, and tree, and stream, and flower. 
 So cherished through Love's happy hour ! — 
 And e'en the monarch's eye grows dim 
 Turning from spot so dear to him, — 
 
PBLAYO. 305 
 
 Scene of his highest, greatest Miss, 
 His Bower of Bridal happiness ! 
 Where, in his hour of gloomy night. 
 Beamed o'er his way his star of light ! 
 His soul to cheer, to gladden life 
 Through days of peace, to battle-strife, — 
 When far from pomp and state away. 
 Love reigned with free unfettered sway, — 
 Unfolded full his pinions white. 
 Within their breasts, of pure delight. 
 
 And now, in truth, brief time have they 
 In sacred grove High Mass to say ; — 
 But ere they leave, beneath pure Heaven, 
 In Eucharist, there solemn given, 
 The blessed bread they all partake, — 
 And thus their peace with Heaven make, 
 The faithful, rev'rent. Christian flock. 
 Low bending round the Altar-rock. 
 
 Solemn swells the matin prayer, 
 Sweetly float on morning air 
 Parting strains of harmony. 
 Minor notes of minstrelsy ! 
 
 Soon, loud the silver bugle-call 
 For mustering and gath'ring all ! 
 
306 PELAYO. 
 
 And quick appear 'neath chestnut tree 
 The " Flower of Spanish Chivalry." 
 
 The standard bearer, with his Leon-fold, 
 And valiant men, in ordered columns bold, 
 Stand resolute, with hearts' proud beat, , 
 
 Impatient all the foe to meet. — 
 Proudly the war-steed of Pelayo King, 
 Tosses his rich-maned head with stately fling. 
 Strikes with uneasy hoof the mossy ground. 
 And neighing, champs the bit and gazes round, 
 As he would say — " Now haste, the foe to meet. 
 Eager am I to crush them 'neath the feet, — 
 To nobly bear my gallant Chief along. 
 And fearless face the invading turban'd throng ! " 
 And Gomez holds his master's lance. 
 And helm, and shield, with earnest glance 
 Of loving zeal, and ardent glow. 
 To meet agairi the Moslem foe. 
 
 Now, with their train, draw on apace 
 The King majestic, — Queen of grace, — 
 Bright harbingers of brilliant day, 
 Their only hope through troublous way. — 
 Armed was the Chief, from head to feet, — 
 Accoutred well, the foe to meet ; 
 
PELATO. 307 
 
 While burnislied helm, and milk-white plume, 
 As snowy wreath, his brow- illume ;-^ 
 " Liege-Ladyes," matrons, maidens fair. 
 With old and young, are gathered there ; 
 And " Men at Arms," with lance and spear. 
 Bring up the colunm's glitteriug rear. 
 
 Now on the mossy cliff they stand, 
 Ready for march, the accoutred band ; — 
 And — " Forward! " — on their way they go, 
 Winding the mountain-path below. 
 Fierce war-steeds neigh, to bugle blown. 
 While casque, and shield, and gorget shone 
 Glistening through oak and hazel green. 
 With pennons broad, of crimson sheen ; 
 Visor, and helm, and crest of knight, 
 With corslet's steel, all burnished bright. 
 And battle-axe, as silver now, 
 Gleam through each waving forest-bough. 
 
 With sad " Farewell " they turn from bowers 
 
 Of Eden beauty, where fair flowers 
 
 Of love and joy had sweetly decked 
 
 Their hearts' pure altar, when, home-wrecked. 
 
 They found, in mountain-haven blest, 
 
 A sanctuary of Heavenly rest, — 
 
308 PELATO. 
 
 Within fair Nature's sheltering arm, 
 From cruel foes, a refuge calm. 
 
 Thus, to notes of deep sadness, " Adieu " they now 
 
 sing, 
 In fond, plaintive strains that with clear echoes ring, 
 As cygnet's sweet tone doth all mournfully swell. 
 Its sad dirge at parting — in loving farewell. 
 
 FAEEWELL TO THE MOUNTAIN. 
 
 Farewell to the Mountain ! farewell to the grove ! 
 No longer your pathways we merrily rove ! — 
 Oh ! will ye, sweet valleys, thus blooming smile on, 
 When we, your fond children, are far from you 
 gone? 
 
 No tear for your loved ones ! no sigh now have ye, 
 For those who are weeping their farewell to thee ? 
 Bear ye no softer heart than your white marble rock, 
 That may mourn for the loss of yovu- fair moimtaiu- 
 flock? 
 
 Or smile ye to comfort and cheer our sad way. 
 With hope of return, on some bright future day 
 
P E L A T O . 309 
 
 With the Leon upraised, and the Spanish Crown old 
 On the brow of Pelayo, to Auseva's fold ? 
 
 Where children of Spain to their mother's hreast 
 
 flocked, 
 And in her fair cradle, all gently was rocked 
 The infant of Freedom, — sweet Liberty's child, — 
 In her Monarchy's cradle, — the blest mountain-wild. 
 
 Oh ! yes, when we've parted, ye'll sigh in the breeze. 
 
 And murmur ia streamlet, and moan through the 
 trees ; 
 
 And your tears will flow fast down your lone moun- 
 tain-side 
 
 For the loss of your King and his fairy Queen-Bride ! 
 
 For the light will be gone, and the beautiful fled. 
 And your flow'rets, all drooping, will mournfully 
 
 shed 
 Their tear-drops of dew, and their incense of grief, — 
 While only they bloom in the blessed belief 
 
 That, as morning re-beams, after night's dreary hour, 
 Their lights will return, brightly risen in power. 
 To smUe on their children, grove, blossom, and 
 
 stream, 
 That lightened their sorrows with beauteous beam. 
 
310 
 
 PEL A YO. 
 
 And ne'er would we stray from Elysium so fair, 
 The hollow delights of a court-hfe to share, 
 But sad, captive brethren, and country's loud call 
 Admonish that pleasure is not here our all. 
 
 Then, sweet Vale of Deva, all fondly, fore'er. 
 Thy name in our hearts' deep recesses we'll bear, — 
 And oft, to thy dear, precious bosom will flee 
 In annual pilgrimage here unto thee. 
 
 From trammels of coui-t-life, and coffers of care, 
 To Nature's calm rest, and the wUd woods repair, — 
 In Nature's majestic cathedral to raise 
 Our joyful " Te Deum " of heart grateful Praise ! 
 
 And young infant heroes, we'll hither, too, bring, 
 To mark well Auseva, whose valley did ring 
 With " Alia il Alia,'' and wild " Techir yell,'' 
 Covedanga, where Ishma'l's dark Arab-sons fell ! 
 
 Where the Cross of Salvation on high shineth bright. 
 Fair encased in our Syrian steel-blades of light ! 
 And many a crescent, deep eaten with rust, 
 'Neath Christian's light tread, lieth low in the dust ! 
 
 Yes, here often our fair gylvan ooui't we will hold. 
 With brave knights, and fair maidens, in Druid 
 groves old. 
 
PELAYO. 311 
 
 Bright as Dryad, or Oread nymphs e'er were Keen, 
 Or Titania's fairies on mystical green. 
 
 Now blossoms of brightness they lovingly place 
 On bosoms as pure as the flow'rets that grace, — 
 Memorials, evermore fondly to wear. 
 As amulet-charm, from their Eden-bowers fair. 
 
 And as our first Parents from Paradise bowers, 
 Turn they, from the scene of their past happy hours ; 
 " We leave thee ! we leave thee ! " they mournfully 
 
 cry— 
 " And grieve we ! and grieve we ! " seems echo's 
 
 reply ! 
 
 And downward now their course they wend, 
 
 Through winding paths and myrtle bowers ; 
 Turning full oft, again to send 
 
 Yet one more glance, where joyous hours 
 Of untold happiness had fled ! 
 Where, from fond souls. Love's ray had shed 
 Its halo o'er each blooming spot. 
 Whose breezes sigh, — " Forget me not ! " 
 To each loved flower, and bird, and brook, 
 
 Grove, hill, and dreamy hazel dell. 
 The heath blown clifi", and mossy nook, 
 
 To all, — a sadly fond farewell ! 
 
312 P E L A T O . 
 
 A fair, goodly sight was that bold cavalcade ! 
 King, Queen, and brave warriors, and fair, gentle 
 
 maid, 
 And grey-beards, and matrons, and tender young 
 
 child, 
 Priests, fathers, and prelates, and grave bishops 
 
 mild, 
 All mounted, and houselled, and dight for the way, 
 That leadeth to Spain's happy, long promised day ! — 
 Palfrey, war-steed, and mule, as in rank they belong, 
 FiU up the quaint whole of that strange, motley 
 
 throng ! 
 
 The King, on his charger, majestic was borne, 
 With trappings that silver and gold rich adorn. 
 With the star of his soul, his life's dearest delight 
 By his side, closely guarded, on palfrey of white, 
 WhUe float her loose tresses as golden rays fair, 
 In bright sunny beams, to the fresh morning air ; 
 Her father, and Inez, and Gomez aU near, 
 Urbino, Centerio, " Liege-ladyes " dear. 
 Ad'lides, or guidesmen, lead cautious advance. 
 While follow bold heroes to fiery steeds' prance ; 
 Severian, Odear, Pelistes, close seen. 
 With Alphonse ever near his beloved King and 
 Queen ; 
 
P E L A T O . 313 
 
 And liege-men and vassals still hast'ning along, — 
 A loving, and ardent, united brave throng ! 
 Asturians, Chieftains, and staunch mountain-band — 
 The saviours of Spain, — their sad, down-trodden land ! 
 
 Thus winding the pathway that fair cavalcade, 
 Their banners and pennons in sunbeams displayed, 
 While falchion and shield bears each bold cavalier 
 In radiant file, with the lance and the spear ; 
 And glisten their arms in the mom's rosy light, — 
 Flash armor and helmet all glittering bright. 
 Floats light on the breeze, their white plumes' wav- 
 ing play. 
 As wiadeth the band down its last mountain way. 
 
 14 
 
CANTO xm. 
 
 ISTo longer deep the bowlder's shade 
 O'er their wild pathway densely laid ; 
 But openings fair of gentle slope, 
 Where sunny rays the shadows broke, 
 And glades of smiling light were seen 
 Spread bright in hues of varied green. 
 By hazel skirted rich, where twine 
 Clematis and the wild-rose vine ; 
 And on the brooklet's bosom play 
 Bright diamond drops in silv'ry spray. 
 Where droops the willow fair, to lave 
 Her tresses in the dancing wave ; 
 And aspens bend in quiv'ring beam 
 With waving grace to sip the stream ; 
 While on her sparkling current's play, 
 Floats, now and then, a blossom stray, 
 That, bending from its sylvan nook 
 To steal one dew-drop from the brook. 
 
PELAYO. 315 
 
 Drawn from its peaceful home away 
 O'er depths where smilmg smiheams play, 
 Is home upon the rolling tide 
 In merry, floating, dancing glide ; 
 TiLL now, where swifter current flows. 
 The flow'ret on its bosom glows, 
 Far from its sister blossoms dear 
 Sad driftiQg ofi" toward waves of fear, 
 Where, 'mid the foaming torrent's leap, 
 'Tis lost beneath the whii'ling deep ! — 
 And such is wrongful Pleasure's wile, 
 That, falsely luring, doth beguile 
 The pure young soul to gently sip 
 Her beaming cup, — ere long to dip 
 Farther and deeper still in sin. 
 Till waves of vice the frail one win 
 To waters dark, where, misery tossed, 
 That spirit pure, at length, — is lost ! 
 
 Thus many a forest stream they past, 
 
 And many a leafy dale. 
 In windiugs of the mountain vast 
 
 Through Deva's quiet vale ; 
 Streams, whose clear waters sparkling bright 
 
 From depths of untold purest ore. 
 
316 
 
 PEL A TO. 
 
 Roll up their golden sands to light 
 In glitt'ring waves, upon the shore. 
 
 Still guideth e'er the King his Bride 
 
 In gentle pace close by his side, 
 
 With loving -word and tender gaze, 
 
 Through rocky steep and flowery maze. — 
 
 " Light of my way ! how glows my soul 
 
 With rapture's fire, that to the goal 
 
 Of earthly life, in thy dear smUe 
 
 I may each care and grief beguile ! 
 
 Thus quafiing joy-beams from thine eyes — 
 
 Mine angel strayed from Paradise ! 
 
 To whose fair gates, thou. Star of light 
 
 'Mid sea of storms in threat'ning night ! 
 
 Wilt cheer with ever constant ray, 
 
 As hast thou, love, since that bright day 
 
 When first thou blest my weary path — 
 
 My sun-beam ! 'mid dark scenes of wrath." 
 
 " Content am I," Bweet murmured she, 
 
 " Angelic, e'er to seem to thee ; 
 
 But Cupid sure hath charmed thee blind, 
 
 In me, Celestial bride to find ! 
 
 In sooth, thine eyes I would not ope 
 
 My faults to see, — but ever hope 
 
P E L A T O , 317 
 
 To be, whate'er thou deemest right, 
 
 And through thy praise become more bright 
 
 In all of good, in all of true, — 
 
 To be, all that I seem, to view ; 
 
 And prove thy star of joy thus e'er, — 
 
 Thy griefs dispel, or fondly share. — 
 
 If love alone may gild thy way, 
 
 'Twill beam effulgent as the day 
 
 Through my heart's-flame, — ^that ever bums 
 
 Alone for thee, — ^to thee e'er turns ; 
 
 For as the sunshine of my soul 
 
 Art thou to me ! my joy, the whole, — 
 
 As flower, I live within thy light, — 
 
 Apart from thee, must die 'neath blight 
 
 Of hapless misery and woe ! 
 
 And thus, I tremble much to know 
 
 Again from me thou turn'st away, 
 
 Thy life to risk in battle-fray ! 
 
 Oh ! what this blooming earth to me. 
 
 Or scarcely Heaven afar from thee ! — 
 
 A darkened planet, — sphere of night, — 
 
 Without thy rays of loving light ! " 
 
 " Ne'er could I hide, sweet Bride ! from thee, 
 The joy thy words impart to me ! 
 
318 P E L A Y O . 
 
 For I would be the ray, the sun 
 My Flower should seek, — ^her only one. 
 But still, must e'er my precious Dove 
 Remember there is One above 
 Who, list'ning to the raven's cry. 
 Will never pass my dove-cote by ! — 
 Or darkly frown on birdling there, 
 To droop her pinions, pure and fair, 
 With anguished grieving for lost mate, — 
 Leaving her widowed, desolate ! 
 For God hath still a work to do. 
 His Wisdom great, will carry through ; 
 And I, his humble instrument. 
 Must bide until my summons sent ; 
 And thou, an arrant coward one 
 To weep ere Heaven high hath won 
 For us our Cross, — ^her throne for Spain, 
 And sacred wall and tower again ; 
 And thou. Queen of my life and soul ! 
 With me, attain the highest goal 
 Of earthly honor, human power, — 
 Our heritage, of regal dower ! 
 Then, daughter of a noble race ! 
 Quick ev'ry recreant tear-drop chase. 
 And summon back the radiant smile. 
 That doth my every care beguile." 
 
PELATO. 319 
 
 In converse fond thus journey they 
 
 With unremitting, rapid speed, 
 Where Sella's, Ana's waters play, 
 
 Aad tributary streams, that feed 
 Deva's and Ova's rushing tide, 
 And Asta, that doth sparkling glide 
 Far to the deep blue -westem sea, 
 Toward rolling waves of majesty. 
 
 And deem not we, our Pair, I trow, 
 The only hearts that loving bow 
 Beneath the sway of Cupid's bow 
 In rapturous and tender glow ! 
 For brave knights guide with mailfed glove 
 The palfrey-reins of " Ladye Love," 
 And bright, from eyes of fair ones, glance, 
 Rays, that all powerful as the lance. 
 Pierce keenly, closely armored breast. 
 To leave the dart therein to rest ! 
 A hopeless wound, all deeply sure, 
 That cunning skill may never cure ! 
 And, as the badge of conquered heart, 
 Each warrior bears in loving part. 
 His " Ladye's Favoure " there as crest' 
 Upon the war-plate of his breast. 
 
320 PEL AT O. 
 
 Not merciless, fair tyrant foe ! — 
 But deign to soothe the heart-felt woe 
 Of fallen knight 'within her power, 
 Ere yet the grievous parting hour ; 
 For know they not how next they meet,- 
 In Coat of Mail, or Winding Sheet ! 
 Thus, fondest vows are fully made 
 In wand'rings through the forest-shade. 
 
 Thus wend they all their way along, 
 In gay discourse, — with gentle song 
 Of cheering strain, or olden tale. 
 As pass they from the Mountain-vale. 
 And bright the wild-rose twineth now 
 Acacia hedge and hazel bough ; 
 While sweet the warbling linnet's lay 
 Enlivens through the live-long day. 
 
 And here beams dawning happiness ! 
 For Hope has raised her light, to bless 
 With promise bright of liberty. 
 And thus aU passes cheerily ; — 
 On rosy wings, to sanguine hearts 
 The moments flit ; — with passing fear. 
 Returning peace gleams forth agaia, 
 O'er vineyard, olive-grove, and plain, — 
 
P E L A Y O . 321 
 
 Hope smileth now, wliile fading grief 
 Dissolves as mist, or snowy wreath. 
 Beneath her sunny influence bright 
 To bathe aU nature fair ia light. 
 
 And clear glistening Asta, as morning doth wake, 
 
 Shines bright in the sun's glancing play. 
 That Msses her bosom's blue shimmering break 
 
 'Mid flashes of diamond spray. 
 And hamlet, and villa, and casteUate towers, 
 
 Rest dreamy in Morn's gentle ray, 
 WhOe lustrous green meadows, and rich Hex bowers. 
 
 Beam fair in the blushing of day. 
 Through winding moss-paths, hedged with pomegra- 
 nate's glow, 
 And dense olive-woods, does their way blithely go ; 
 "Where vineyards o'er valley and hUl spread to view, 
 With glimpsing cortijos* of white peeping through ; 
 While vintagers busy are culling in glee 
 The clear, purple pendants, as picture to see, 
 When droop the rich clusters from basketed head 
 Of vintner, returning with firm, graceful tread. 
 
 Thus day passes brightly to travellers now, 
 As wind they 'neath myrtle and broad chestnut 
 bough, 
 
 * Farmhouse. 
 14* 
 
322 
 
 P E L A Y O. 
 
 With occasional rest in the calm citron bowers, 
 And fruit to refreshen the long journeyed hours — 
 For berries or fruit surely lack they not here, 
 Where temptingly glow they forever quite near ; 
 And pure gushing rUls in the sun's merry shine. 
 To freshen and gladden still sweeter than wine. 
 
 As eve draws apace, and gray shades of the west 
 Are length'ning, more brightly the scene stiU. is 
 
 drest ; 
 In fair sunset beauty aU glowing the plain 
 With waving spread carpet of rich golden grain. 
 Groves of fig, lime, and citron, with orange buds 
 
 white. 
 Pomegranate, deep blushing in crimsoning light ; 
 The shimmering aspen, date, almond-tree seen 
 All smiling arrayed in the rare sunset-sheen. 
 
 Bright riseth now the evening star. 
 While sinks the western sun afar ; 
 On homeward way, the muleteer 
 Whistles o'er hUl in merry cheer ; 
 And peasants blithe, and goat-herds gay 
 Return from well-spent laboring day ; 
 And Spaniards breathe aU newly free 
 In hope of speedy liberty ! 
 
P E L A T O . 323 
 
 And light mantilla's graceful spread 
 Falls o'er Muchaclia's* braided head, 
 As fondly now she hastes to meet 
 Her lover, 'neath the acacia sweet. 
 
 And oft, clear ripp'ling streams they've passed, 
 
 And oft a sunny dale, 
 Since Deva's waters gleamed their last 
 
 From out her lovely vale ; 
 WhUe orange grove, and fruited tree. 
 
 And teeming blossomed vine. 
 Still ever gladden cheerily 
 
 Their road's extended line. 
 
 Again they rest, as sunbeams fade, 
 
 'Neath chestnut's calm repose. 
 Where nestles sweetly in the glade. 
 
 The violet with the rose. 
 Again the mossy bank's gay cheer. 
 
 Where pears, bright cherries shine 
 From orchards richly laden near. 
 
 With fruit of drooping vine ; — 
 Their panniers, gen'rous stored, full rife. 
 
 With all collation's share, 
 
 * Feasant girl. 
 
324 P E L A T O . 
 
 And thus, in merry wild-wood life, 
 Partake they sylvan fare. 
 
 Now, all refreshed, again they rise. 
 
 Their journey to resume ; 
 While lightly gay each moment flies, 
 
 That love and joy illume, — 
 Through woods and where the brooklets triU, 
 
 O'er purple heath, their way, 
 With unslacked speed, they onward still. 
 
 Till twilight fair doth lay 
 Her gentle mantle o'er the land 
 
 With soothing influence blest, — 
 Her fresh'ning breezes, soft and bland, 
 
 On soul and brow to rest. 
 The hour of holy vesper cahn. 
 When evening dew's inspiring bahn 
 Bathes leaf and flower, — as doth the soul 
 Angelic influence' sweet control, — 
 The hour, when sacred vespers call 
 
 The soul to commune with its God ; — 
 But on the ear no beU doth fall, 
 
 No sound, save steed's-tramp o'er the sod. 
 Or rushing sweep of feathered wing, — 
 
 In forest-bird's swift darting flight, 
 
P E L A Y O . 325 
 
 That buzzing past the ear doth ring, 
 Toward sheltered nest in wild aflfright 
 
 Lest strange invaders seek his home, 
 His dear ones drive from rest secure, 
 
 AU shelterless the wild to roam, — 
 As Christians — scattered hj the Moor. 
 
 And though no altar now have they 
 Round which, on hended knee, to pray, 
 To starry heav'ns they lift their eyes, 
 Where myriad orbs of glory rise. 
 And breathe their Jives sweet, that float 
 On evening breeze, in chanted note. 
 Through boundless space of azure fair. 
 To Heaven as incense rising there ; 
 While calm the silvr'y moon her light 
 Now sheds to cheer the wanderers' sight, 
 O'er glist'ning armor's steel to play 
 In softly glancing, mellow ray. 
 
 And through the eve still hasten they 
 With quick'ning speed, their way along. 
 
 Bright fire-flies sparkling in their way, 
 The bulbul cheering with her song ; ■ 
 
 Till now the Convent's cross they spy 
 Near — rising in the soft moonlight 
 
326 P E L A Y O . 
 
 From hazel grove, where cahn doth lie 
 
 That hermitage, — oasis bright 
 To weary souls, and weary head, 
 
 That fain would rest from lengthened way, 
 With unremitting ardor sped 
 
 Throughout fatiguing journey's day. 
 
 List ! clear from out that dreamy dell 
 
 The echoing tones of midnight hell ! 
 
 N"aught breaking else the stUhiess sweet, 
 
 Of monastery's West retreat. 
 
 And here, calm refuge now must find 
 
 Maid, matron, infant, left behind 
 
 To await the band's advancing stroke, 
 
 That soon shall break the Moslem yoke, 
 
 And open Leon's portals wide, 
 
 To ushur in, with loving pride, 
 
 The fair, and innocent, and bright, 
 
 To fully reinstated right. 
 
 The sUence of that midnight hour 
 
 Lay as a spell on grove and bower, — 
 
 And on the souls of all most blest, 
 
 In this calm sanctu'ry of rest. 
 
 Now enter they the convent hall 
 As friars pass to midnight prayer ; 
 
P E L A Y O . 327 
 
 And, greetings passed, join one and all 
 
 In altar's orisons to share, — 
 " Te Deiim " and " Ziaudamus " sing. 
 
 For God's great mercies to their Band, 
 Through perUs all, — ^Who saved their King 
 
 To raise again their fallen Land. 
 
 And soon the welcome cheer is spread 
 
 Upon the friar's oaken board. 
 Where Royal Pair and suite are led, — 
 
 While all the mountain horde 
 Are well supplied in kindly care. 
 And lib'ral, with the choicest fare 
 That fills the larder of the good 
 And Reverend, Holy Brotherhood. 
 
 Now, " Fathers," eager list the tale 
 
 Of Christian conquest in the Vale 
 
 Of Deva fair, whose crystal flood 
 
 All purple grew with Moorish blood ; 
 
 And of the coming battle-fray, — 
 
 How, Muza having far away 
 
 To Eastern shores his Host now sent. 
 
 On farther conquest fiercely bent. 
 
 The hour for vengeance fuU arrived ! 
 
 Each soul prepared, assoyled, and shrived, — 
 
328 P E L A Y O . 
 
 The Pass-word theirs, that wide shall swing 
 Old Leon's Gates, with " Akhar " ring 
 To open to the Christian throng 
 The portals of her rampart strong; — 
 Where, once within those walls, full sure 
 Destruction to the Invading Moor ! 
 And Hope smiles o'er the cheerful board. 
 
 And Hope smiles o'er the vassals all ; 
 Hope whispers, — Soon shall fall the horde. 
 
 And Spain arise from tyrant thrall ! 
 
 Now weary ones seek night's repose. 
 
 For at the morrow's dawning hour 
 Depart the Brave, to seek their foes — 
 
 To fell the Usurper in his power ; — 
 Leaving them there, — Fair, Weak, and Dear,- 
 
 Within the monastery fold. 
 Safe from all harm, or chance of fear, — 
 
 With friars grave and fathers old. 
 
 Not free from grief each gentle heart, — 
 Not free from care each Warrior bold, — 
 
 Thus from his Loved and Fair to part ; — 
 To loose the white arms' twining fold. 
 
 Deeming, perchance 'tis now the last 
 Ere Death his cold embrace shall give ! — 
 
P E L A Y O . 329 
 
 For who may say, — ^Through perils vast — 
 Through conflict dire — safe shall I lire ? 
 But sleep at length falls o'er pure brow 
 That on brave bosom resteth now ; 
 And slumber sweet doth for a while, 
 Oblivious, warrior souls beguile ; 
 Wrapped in their dreams of varied hue, — 
 Mazes of chequered web, wrought through, — 
 " Love, — ^partings sad, — and grief, — and fight, — 
 Vict'ry ! — return ! " — they pass the night ; 
 TUl full, clear tones of matin-bell 
 A double summons startling tell ! 
 And trembling pulse, and heart's quick beat. 
 Speak of the moments passing fleet, 
 Ere severed, hearts of love and fear. 
 For all on earth, — or bright or drear ! — 
 Perchance for woe ! perchance for weal ! — 
 Sad ! sad rang out that matin peal ! 
 
 Brief moments, ere morn's dawning ray 
 
 Piercing aslant the oriel pane. 
 In varied hues prismatic lay 
 
 On suppliant forms, low bowed again 
 Around the holy chancel's pale. 
 
 The Prelate's blessing to receive. 
 
330 PELAYO. 
 
 With prayers that God will never fail, 
 Or in their coming peril leave 
 
 His children, struggling for their Cross, 
 Their Land, and Homes again, 
 
 And guard and save them each from loss, 
 And raise their trampled Spain. 
 
 Now the King before the crowd 
 Raises clear his voice aloud : — 
 " Asturians ! Spaniards ! Christian men I 
 Heroes of Covadonga's glen ! 
 Yet again your arms ye rise 
 For your Land, that darkened lies 
 'Ifeath the yoke of foreign power, 
 Waiting for the coming hour, 
 Freighted with the zeal inspired 
 That hath erst your valor fired ! 
 Biding for the blow to fall, — 
 At the ' Leon battle-call,' — 
 That shall break her heavy chain. 
 Bringing freedom, peace again, 
 To each altar, home, and wall ! — 
 Liberty and joy to all ! — 
 Well and nobly have ye fought ! 
 Bravely, on our Xeres' plain ! 
 
PELA.YO. 331 
 
 Eager, e'en witli life 'twere bought, 
 Bold to strilie for Cross and Spain ! 
 
 " Onward ! in the name of God ! 
 For your Cross and native sod ! 
 He who face, doth forward fall, 
 We will bear his earth-sins aU." 
 
 Now the Bishop chanteth Mass, 
 Ere to combat dire they pass ; 
 Shriven and assoyled are they, — 
 Houselled, for the battle-fray I 
 
CANTO XIV. 
 
 Oh ! sad were the partings and bitter the tears, 
 
 Of the brave and the lovely, 'mid hopes and 'mid 
 
 fears ! — 
 And in cahn hazel grove, 'neath the green myrtle 
 
 bower, 
 Severed fond Royal lovers at morn's blushing hour ; 
 Close clasped to that heart where the fair silken tress 
 Still lay as his amulet ever to bless. 
 His charm and his guard from each ill and each foe. 
 That tress from his Angel of earth here below — 
 Fair Zillah, his blessing, his star-light of life ! 
 With heart strung to terror at near coming strife ! 
 And heaven-hued orbs gazing deep in his own. 
 All anguished, from lids where the welling tears 
 
 shone, — 
 Sad moaning, 'mid sobbing of griefs bitter flow : — 
 " Pelayo ! my life-pulse ! — Oh ! bitter the woe 
 
P E L A Y O . 333 
 
 That tears thee again from my gaze far away, 
 To peril thy life in the wild hateful fray ! * * * 
 Oh ! thine honor is precious, — thy fame dear to me ! 
 But rather the flower-decked ' Muchacha ' I'd be, 
 With thee. Love, as Muzo,* in rustic-life wed. 
 Than a thorn-woven diadem piercing my head, — 
 For each hour we are severed is thorn-fraught to 
 
 me, — 
 No blossom, thou absent, in life I may see, — 
 But trembles with terror, thy sad, drooping bride. 
 Each moment, when parted, dear love! from thy 
 
 side ! " 
 
 " Oh ! speak thus forever, my loved one ! " he sighed ; 
 "My soul's star! my blessing! my Heavensent 
 
 bride ! 
 Thus ever, for aye, would I stiU be the light 
 To illumine thy soul and dispel sorrow's night ! 
 But cheer thee, mine Angel ! my star-light of hope ! 
 For easy the battle thine own Love shall cope, — 
 Ay, easy the conquest and brilliant the hour 
 That shall crush the dark yoke of the stem Moslem 
 
 power ; 
 And better by far, love, thou know'st it to be. 
 That Christians should conquer and Spaniards be free ; 
 
 * A Peasant. 
 
334 P E L A Y O . 
 
 And thou, bearing roseate crown, my brave Queen, 
 The sceptre should wield of sweet Love's purest 
 
 sheen ; — 
 That we 'neath Lovers diadem calmly should glide 
 Down the stream of our fortune, all wisely to guide 
 The helm of our country, — ^lead ever through love 
 Our nation in peace to the bright realms above. 
 Than ' Muzo, Muchacha,^ aU useless to be 
 In sphere never marked for our high destiny, 
 While Spain, our loved Spain, in her chains lying low, 
 Her Christians a scoff to the impious foe ! — " 
 
 " Nay ! glory I, love," doth she fondly exclaim, 
 
 " FuU well in thine own and our dear country's 
 
 fame, — 
 And so Heaven in mercy but spareth thy life, 
 I'll bravely still bid thee — ' God-speed ' to the strife ! " 
 
 " God bless thee ! God bless thee ! my brave one ! " 
 
 he cried, — 
 " God bless thee ! God bless thee ! " she sadly re- 
 plied ; — 
 One close-clinging kiss, one heart-pressed embrace, — 
 Fond kisses again on that tear-bedewed face, — 
 And Zillah, — poor Zillah ! is weeping alone ! — 
 The light of her life now departed, and gone ! 
 
PKLAYO. 335 
 
 Half fainting, she lies on the mossy bank there, — 
 'Mid flow'rets, — a sad stricken lily, — as fair ! 
 
 Soon mounted, the King, with his brave Christian 
 
 throng. 
 From the court of the convent now moveth along ; 
 The Royal and Bold, stanch to " Beard in their den " 
 The Moslem-Invaders and fierce Arab-men. 
 
 Forth they pass in glitt'ring file, — 
 Falling on them now the while 
 Loving glance from mournful eyes 
 Where the glist'ning tear-drop lies. 
 Sad, her bower of myrtle through, 
 ZiUah doth the cortege view ; 
 Ranks of burnished armor's sheen, 
 Sad beholds, through branches green, 
 As their light'ning flashes broke 
 Through the waving elm and oak. 
 Gleaming on her pure young brow, 
 Blanched with grievous terror now ! — 
 Snowy plume and hehnet-crest. 
 Honor's star, on knightly breast, — 
 Dazzling streams of lance and spear, 
 Glist'ning in the sun-light clear. 
 
336 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Most noble, 'mid the gallant throng, 
 Her Royal Chief, — ^borne proud along 
 On Rod'rick's charger, happUy found 
 Wand'ring over Xeres' battle-ground, 
 And led unto the convent-glen, — 
 Sad relic to her Holy men ! 
 Who gently tend the steed forlorn 
 That mortal since hath never borne 
 Until this morn, vrhen liege-men lead 
 Unto their Chief the noble steed, — 
 And V) the King of Leon's line 
 The royal charger thus resign. 
 
 'Twould seem he felt his master's race !- 
 Arching his neck, with martial pace 
 So proudly leading forth his way. 
 As fierce agaia for battle-fray. 
 Majestic, sooth, the war-horse trod. 
 As deeming that he bore some god 
 Of earth, or kingly hero bold. 
 As erst he moved, in times of old ! 
 For thus, through many a battle-day, 
 Don Rod'rick bore he, 'mid the fray, — 
 His regal master, grand to sight ! 
 Through oft-repeated, deadly fight, — 
 
P E L A T O . 33T 
 
 With curving neck, and milk-white mane, 
 And tossing liead, that all marked well, 
 
 So proud on Xeres' battle plain, 
 Until his Royal master fell ! 
 
 Aad then, alas ! 'neath fortune's frown. 
 
 He laid him by that master down ! 
 
 At length by Christian sons was found 
 
 That Royal form, sad wand'ring round ! 
 
 With grief, Pelayo's heart had bled 
 When thus to him the steed was led, — 
 Poor relic of Don Roderick's pride. 
 Last seen by Chrysus' crimson tide ! 
 Exclaimed he then : — " Poor, faithful steed ! 
 The kingly hand, that erst did feed 
 And cherish thee, — oft led thee on 
 To conflict's field, — is powerless, — gone ! 
 But fear thou not — still, master kind. 
 And tender care thou yet shalt find, — 
 My brave Orelia ! noble steed ! 
 That proved so true in hour of need ! " 
 
 As though his words the charger knew, 
 AU. fondly closer still he drew. 
 And on the shoulder of the King 
 His head reclined, sad whinnying. 
 
 15 
 
338 PELAYO. 
 
 And now, he proudly bears again 
 A King, to combat for his Spain ! 
 And as of old, breaks spirit high 
 In prancing hoof and fire-lit eye. 
 
 " My love ! my life ! " exclaimed the Queen, 
 As gallant passing, thus was seen. 
 Her Lord and Chief to peril dire,— 
 To rouse the sleeping tiger's ire ; — 
 " Grant, grant thy war-trained steed may bear 
 Thee safely through the battle's share. 
 And speed thee to mine arms, sweet life ! — 
 Safe, safe, from horrid combat's strife ! 
 'Not masterless again return ! 
 O God ! let not that sight e'er burn 
 Within mine heart, — within my brain ! 
 Better, by far, I lifeless lain 
 Amid the cold and sUent dead. 
 Than thus, the vulture Grief be fed 
 Hourly, — forever, on the heart ! 
 Fore'er to pierce, — the poisoned dart ! 
 Crushing all hope, and joy, and light. 
 In one long, hideous, frightful night 
 Of wild despau-, and icy gloom ! — 
 Better, by far, the silent tomb ! 
 
PELAYO. 339 
 
 " What meaneth now this holy calm ! — 
 
 As though my soul were bathed in balm 
 
 Of rarest bliss, — or Influence blest 
 
 As foretaste of Celestial rest, — 
 
 That soothing fears, allaying grief, 
 
 Bears radiant Hope to my relief! 
 
 List ! strains angelic sweetly ring ! — 
 
 Soft in mine ear a voice doth sing, — 
 
 ' Cahn now thy grief — cease every fear, 
 
 The Angel bright of Peace draws near, — 
 
 God will preserve thy Love and King, — 
 
 God to thine arms wUl surely bring 
 
 Thy conq'ring Hero safe again, 
 
 Victorious, long with thee to reign ! ' " 
 ****** 
 
 Bright the train still wendeth way 
 In the risiag light of day, — 
 Hopeful, ZUlah's glances rest 
 On her Chieftain-hero blest ; 
 Martial music fills the air. 
 Greeting ears of distant Fair, 
 Waking songsters of the grove 
 To their matin-hymns of love. 
 
340 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Winding thus they onward pass 
 Through fresh groves and heather grass ; 
 Snowy plumes wave in the wind, — 
 Leon's bannei", unconfined ! 
 Glitter casque, and helm, and shield. 
 Gorget, falchion, " Argent field ; " — 
 Farther, farther on they wend, — 
 Still their gleams of glory send 
 To the Loved, — ^tiU searching eye 
 Scarce may now the Brave descry, — 
 Fading, fading from the sight. 
 As the stars in clouds of night, 
 Waning, waning from the view 
 As the distance farther grew ; — 
 Glitt'ring here and glimm'ring there, — 
 Now aU lost, — again to glare 
 Bright in transient, fitful sheen. 
 As lightning flashes distant seen, — 
 And all is dark, — all passed away ! 
 From lance, or shield, — ^no glimm'ring ray ! 
 
 Thus fadeth Hope's sustaining beam 
 To mortals struggling on Life's way ; — 
 
 Shines full her light with briQiant gleam 
 When first doth open hmnan-day ; — 
 
P E L A T O . 341 
 
 • 
 
 But cares come gath'ring one by one, 
 
 And dark'ning shadows fall, 
 While fitful gleams Hope's cheering sun. 
 
 Till fade her fair beams all ! 
 Crushing the light from anguished heart, — 
 
 Sad struggling, — tempest tossed, 
 XJntLl Hope's silver-chain doth part, — 
 
 Storm-wrecked, — her anchor lost ! 
 When siaketh down that soul to die ! 
 
 " Turned face unto the wall ! " 
 The weary frame o'er soon to lie 
 
 Beneath the sable pall ! 
 
 The morning breeze comes freshly now, 
 
 Bearing rare odors from sweet bowers. 
 Bathing each brave and noble brow 
 
 With dew exhaled from opening flowers ; 
 And with the sun, rise spirits bright, 
 Dispelling anxious fears of night ; 
 And with the feathered choir, each heart 
 In joyous anthems carols part. 
 Lighter their steps, with sanguine hope. 
 
 To buoyant heart-throbs' cheerful beat, 
 That conq'ring warfare they shall cope — 
 
 Victorious, the Moslem meet ! 
 
342 P E L A T O . 
 
 Thus, with untiring speed, the band 
 
 Pursue their onward way 
 Through forest dense and vintage land, 
 
 Where plains extended lay 
 Purple with fragrant thyme and heath, 
 
 And lanes, gay hedged along 
 With sweet-brier rose in twining wreath. 
 
 Where oriole's warbling song 
 Wake feelings now of pensive mood, 
 
 While muse they on the fond. 
 The gentle, beautiful, and good, 
 
 Sad grieving far beyond ; 
 And many a. heartfelt sigh is given. 
 
 And many a soul-fraught prayer — 
 That earthly ties may not be riven. 
 
 Kind Heaven still longer spare 
 Each to his loved, while life beams bright. 
 
 And hearts with love-pulse beat, — 
 That, victors, they return in might, — 
 
 The dear ones all to meet. 
 
 And many a purling brook they cross. 
 And many a merry stream, — 
 
 Pionia, rushing in her course, — 
 Ova, and Tua's gleam, 
 
P E L A Y O . 343 
 
 In trilling water's vocal chant, 
 
 Gay babbling, dancing on, 
 Till stays the deer in timorous pant 
 
 To list their lulling song, — 
 Laves bathingly his antlered head. 
 
 And quaffs the waters clear. 
 Starting, with wild affright and dread. 
 
 As armfed-men draw near, 
 To leap within the refuge dense. 
 
 That wild palmettos yield. 
 Where instinct and untutored sense 
 
 Doth teach, is guard and shield. 
 
 Now dark sierra's fading line, 
 Dim the horizon doth define, — 
 And near they Auria's hapless site, — 
 Auria, consumed in horrid night ! — 
 After long leagues of weary way 
 Her ruins dark, before them lay ; 
 And soon they reach the Minho's tide, 
 Whose rushing stream pours by the side 
 Of huge, grim, tott'ring tower and wall, 
 'Mid ashes, — as a funeral pall ! 
 Standing as monument forlorn. 
 Telling of light and glory shorn, 
 
3M P E L A T O . 
 
 Of peace, and love, and beauty fled, 
 Of hopes and joys, all withered — dead ! 
 Dark pictures, to remain, of blight, 
 Where erst beamed naught but pure delight ! 
 
 No more the dark-eyed Spanish maid 
 With pride entwineth raven-braid ; 
 No more sound notes of mandolin 
 To bounding steps, 'mid merry din ; — 
 No more the loving, happy stroU, 
 Where bulbul's strain doth liquid roll ; — 
 And joyous, blissful, whispered vow 
 'Neath vesper-star and citron-bough. 
 But drooping lid and pallid cheek. 
 Of aught but joy, or gladness speak, — 
 While sad upon the willow hung 
 The sweet guitar, — with chords unstrung ! 
 
 Oh ! what a sad-wrought change is here ! 
 No sign of well-trained vintage near. 
 Or goatlierd wand'ring up the glen, — 
 No piping shepherd, — ^harvest men, — 
 But blight and desolation drear. 
 On every woful side appear ! 
 
 No vegas brightly blooming seen. 
 No vineyards rich in purple sheen. 
 
P E L A Y . 34:3 
 
 No golden fields, or perfumed bowers 
 
 Where love and joy beamed as their flowers ! 
 
 But dark o'er thee, the bird of night, 
 
 Poor Auria ! spread his wing of blight ! 
 
 His raven-wing, of horrid woe, — 
 
 In fearful swoop of Moorish foe ! 
 
 "Well hath the Moslem done his work, — 
 
 In every path his fiend-tracks lurk ! 
 
 Behold ! the lone, neglected cot 
 
 Where joy once reigned ! ah ! sad the lot 
 
 Of her poor inmates, forced to flee 
 
 Prom the invader's miscreancy ! 
 
 The father, ruthless murdered, feU ! 
 
 The mother, fate more sad to tell. 
 
 Borne to the Caliph's mosque-capped haU ! — 
 
 While those poor children, tender, small, — 
 
 Neglected, starving, drooping died ! — 
 
 And this is all remains beside ! 
 
 Look ! how the door stands open still. 
 Where all may enter at their wiU, 
 Or man, or beast — no sacred hearth 
 Where rang out tones of joy and mirth ;: — 
 Those treUised vines now drooping fall, 
 Fair household gods, demolished aU ! 
 
 IS* 
 
346 P E L A Y O . 
 
 While mournfully the kidlings bleat, 
 In vain, loved, kindly hands to meet. 
 
 Ah ! sad the picture thus to scan ! 
 
 Sad, sad to say that such is life ! 
 Man preying on his brother-man, 
 
 As "wild-beast, fierce for blood and strife,- 
 His earthly-temple, that should be 
 But dedicate to harmony 
 And virtues aU perfected bright 
 That temple to illume with light, 
 Closed up to all of good and pure, — 
 But selfish end fain to secure, 
 E'en to the Field, with slaughter rife, — 
 The target — ^heart's-blood ! — mortal life ! 
 
 And this is loss, to each and all, — 
 
 E'en sad ones struggUng on 
 Their weary rotmd, while shadows fall 
 
 And hope and joy are gone. 
 For each, his course should fuUy run, — 
 
 And Heaven orders so,— 
 Man's mission here, perfected, done. 
 
 Unfolded full below. 
 Prepared to enter higher sphere. 
 
 Refined and purified, 
 
P E L A T . 34:7 
 
 From discipline and trials here, — 
 As gold through furnace tried. 
 
 And Nature would design that aU 
 
 Should reach their full earth-hour, — 
 As perfect fruit doth ripened fall, 
 
 Or fair developed flower. 
 As those in Halls of Science vast, 
 
 Primary-schools first take, — 
 Through each gradation perfect passed, 
 
 Ti-ue, full progression make. 
 This earth, sphere rudimental then. 
 
 Through which each soul should pass. 
 Perfecting for the second, when, 
 
 'Twill rise to proper class. 
 
CANTO XY. 
 
 But how progress our Brave and Bold ? — 
 Still mareliiiig on, through forests old, — 
 By rivulet's tortuous way, 
 That from high mountain sources stray 
 Watering rich meadow's varied green, 
 And vineyards, purple-laden seen, 
 Refreshing earth, and sight, and taste. 
 Through forest, grove, and prairie waste ; 
 And now receding hills are seen 
 In fading tints of blue and green. 
 While rosy hues gleam in the west 
 As turns the gorgeous sun to rest ; 
 And length'ning shadows, sombre throw 
 Their dark'ning lines on crimson glow. 
 And bm-nished spears all fitful gleam 
 In flashing rays, 'mid sunset's beam. 
 
P E L A Y O . 349 
 
 Approacli they soon fair Leon's plain, 
 
 Spread with her rich and golden grain, — 
 
 As some vast garden brightly rare 
 
 With groves, and bowers, and vineyards fair ; 
 
 Fig, olive, orange, citron greet 
 
 The sight, the sense, ia perfumes sweet, 
 
 As from the land of Eden-Blest 
 
 To melt the soul in Heavenly rest ! 
 
 Pomegranate, blushing crimson red 
 
 From out her leafy, em'rald bed ; 
 
 TaU trees of stately palm and piae, 
 
 Enwreathed with twining, blossomed vine. 
 
 And lofty oak, in royal pride. 
 
 Mimosa, cypress, date beside ; 
 
 Clothed all in verdure's richest hue, 
 
 As scene Elysiaa to the view — 
 
 Bathed in the sunset's glowing sheen. 
 
 Enchanted, aU is beauteous seen ! 
 
 While cool the fresh'ning evening breeze 
 
 Comes murmuring through the rustling trees, 
 
 And shades of eve fall gently round, 
 
 While silence rests o'er all profound ; — 
 
 And night, her mantle-folds of grey 
 
 O'er vega, hiU, and grove doth lay. 
 
350 PELATO. 
 
 All silent, — save the humming sound 
 Of locust from the heath around, 
 And opening notes of bulbul's strain, 
 That liquid ring throughout the plain, — 
 And measured tramp of chargers' feet 
 As on their way they pacing beat ; 
 And rushing sound of Esla's stream, 
 That full upon their sight doth beam ; 
 While brightly, in the fading skies, 
 The evening star doth calm arise. 
 And myriad orbs look forth, to see 
 The coming strife for Liberty ! 
 
 And doubt ye, that fair Angel-hosts 
 Were wanting, at fond guarding-posts. 
 In prayerful watch to guide and bless 
 Their children of the wUdemess ? 
 Or God Himself, to lead the way. 
 The invading, impious hand to stay, 
 And raise the Christian Cross again 
 To suffering souls of fallen Spain ! 
 
 Through grove, and vale, and dell, and hill, 
 Advance the band, now firm and still ; 
 And as the night doth all embrace. 
 Quicker their steps draw on apace. 
 
PELAYO. 351 
 
 As towering toward the dark blue sMes, 
 
 Lofty and fair in calm moon-liglit 
 Leon's cathedral doth arise ! 
 
 Glitt'ring her towers, as silver bright ! 
 And high in heavenly azure clear 
 The glorious moon doth fair appear 
 Above her symbol, reared below 
 By infidel and impious foe. 
 
 Sleeps cahn the city, all secure, — 
 Nor dreams of foe that dare may roam 
 
 Within her mighty walls so sure. 
 Or precincts of their guarded home ! 
 
 Naught breaks the silence of the night. 
 
 Save, now and then, quick, startled flight 
 
 Of lark from lowly grassy nest, 
 
 Affrighted from his dewy rest. 
 
 With cautious tread they pass along,— 
 Checked word of jest, or light-hummed song ; 
 Onward they glide, with downward spear. 
 As closer, closer draw they near ; 
 For fain would they escape the eye 
 Of watchmen, ere the walls they nigh. 
 Once 'neath the broad, dark shade they throw. 
 The guard may ne'er ken friend from foe, — 
 
352 P E L A Y O . 
 
 The pass- ward given, — All sure right, — 
 Their host they'll deem, returned from fight, 
 Conq\ors from Christian mountainfray, — 
 And freely ope theportaVs way ! 
 
 ''Twos thus ! They neared the pond'rous wall 
 Or ere the warder gave his call, — 
 And on the gate, 'neath shadowed wing, 
 A bold, sharp stroke doth clearly ring, — 
 When — " Quien vive ? " challenge came, — 
 And quick, in answer to the same, 
 The watch-word " Alia Akbar " rose, — 
 When oped the gates to Christian foes ! 
 
 Now pass they through those portals grand, 
 
 The entire, bold, stalwart Spanish band, 
 
 'Neath shadows dense that still enclose. 
 
 Deceiving till emerged, when rose 
 
 A cry so loud and wUd and fierce 
 
 From myriad voices, far to pierce 
 
 Remotest bounds with horrid fear ! 
 
 Pealing as death-kneU on the ear 
 
 Of dreaming Moor in sleep's repose ! 
 
 Bursting as bomb, it wild arose ! 
 
 " God! Santiago ! " rings the cry, — 
 
 " Vengeance ! God's sword is raised on high ! 
 
PELAYO. 353 
 
 long, long bide ^ve our harvest-day, 
 Vengeance, withheld, now has its sway ! 
 Awake ! arouse thee. Moor ! and see 
 God's Hand, repaying, sweep o'er thee ! 
 
 , i_ 
 
 " Awake, O Moor 1 wake thou to see 
 The avengiag sword now haOg o'er thee ! 
 Lo ! the Avenger ! look ! behold ! 
 The crescent's fire is waning cold ! — 
 Before our glorious Cross of Light 
 Sinketh thy moon, ia sea of night ! 
 WUd, raging waves of fury roll 
 Over the vile and impious soul ! — 
 Lo ! Leon's banner high in light ! — 
 Her ' Argent field ' spread crimson bright, — 
 Effiilgent in Spain's glorious day ! — 
 God the Avenger ! now bears sway ! " 
 Shouted Pelayo ; " On ! men, on ! " 
 And dashing foremost, led the throng, — 
 Charging the astonished Mussulman, 
 Who 'wUdered met the Asturian. 
 
 And e'en OreHa felt the power. 
 Magnetic, of the battle-hour ! — 
 With fierce strung sinews, nostril spread, 
 Proudly, the furious war-steeds led ! — 
 
354 PELAYO. 
 
 And well each knight played good-sword there 
 
 And hrave Count Eudon hore his share, — 
 
 With zeal unknown, there hewing way, 
 
 Bold through the hottest of the fray, 
 
 Lispiring here, and charging there, — 
 
 For life naught seeming he to care ! 
 
 So warm for country's glory now. 
 
 As though inspired by noble vow 
 
 To expiate his errors past 
 
 In brave absolvment full, the last. 
 
 Thus cancelling his true-mourned sins, — 
 
 Till glory bright he nobly wins ! 
 
 " Vengeance ! Pelayo ! " riseth high ! — 
 The captive Spaniards list the cry ! 
 When echoes back one joyous strain 
 From iron-bound doors, and bolt, and chain ! 
 While the unmanacled, cell-free, 
 Wield madly swords, for liberty ! 
 TiU full the tide of victory rolls 
 O'er dark, invading tyrant souls ! 
 
 From dungeon's dark cell, now each bolt they fierce 
 tear, 
 Riven quickly huge chains, and their captives all 
 free! 
 
PEIATO. 355 
 
 While in the wild conflict aU bravely take share, 
 Christian pris'ners, o'er-joyful, in dear liberty ! 
 
 Boldly fierce, their halberds play ! — 
 
 Long they bide this glorious day 
 
 Fining ia the lone, dank cell ! — 
 
 Bravely ! bravely, war-strokes tell 
 
 For their Cross and Native Land, 
 
 For the free, sweet breezes bland. 
 
 Playing freshly o'er the brow, 
 
 Fragrant from each citron bough ! — 
 
 Oh ! how sweetly to the Free 
 
 Comes the breath of Liberty ! — 
 
 Freed from dungeons' midnight gloom, — 
 
 From a horrid, Uving tomb ! 
 
 Freedom sweet, — and air, — and life ! — 
 
 Glorious now the battle strife ! 
 
 " Strike for Cross and Liberty ! — 
 
 God be praised ! we're free ! we're free ! " 
 
 Ardor fierce, fills hand and eye, 
 
 As all earth they may defy ! 
 
 Inspiration fires the brave. 
 
 Cross and land to free and save ! — 
 
 Wildly fierce the keen blades fell ! — 
 
 Christians' shout to Techir yell ! 
 
356 P E L A Y o . 
 
 " Santiago 1 and our King ! " 
 " Al il Allah I " piercing ring. 
 
 " Allah Akhar ! " and " Alia il Alia ! " 
 From Moslem, — wild Arab-lips fall — 
 " Santiago y clena JEspana! " 
 Back rolletli the glad Christian call ! 
 
 Clash of steel and clang of blade, — 
 Frenzied blows around them played ! — 
 Peal of gong, and tocsin bell, 
 • Mingling with the war-cry, fell, — 
 Till, dismayed, the Moors retreat ! 
 Comrades falling at their feet, — 
 Hewn as grass on harvest-day, 
 Moslems, falling in the fray. 
 
 God is with His children now ! — 
 God the impious neck doth bow ! — 
 God doth raise the Holy Cross ! 
 Christians shields from woe and loss ! 
 Glory to the God on High 
 Who to suff'ring Spain draws nigh ! 
 Glory to His Name e'er be ! 
 Glory bright. Eternally ! 
 
P E L A T O . 357 
 
 Thus right and left, as scathed leaves, fell 
 The smitten sons of Ishmael ; 
 While, clear above the corahat's sound, 
 " 6-od,! Santiago!" T\s,QXh.TovsA. — 
 " Pdayo ! Spain ! and Vengeance I " loud. 
 Continuous rings from Christian crowd, 
 While " Allah ilia Alia " yell. 
 Piercing upon the ear still fell ; — 
 And desperate the Moslem fought. 
 Dearly his life and freedom bought ! 
 Right manfully their blows did tell, 
 With stroke for stroke, until they fell, — 
 Easy the vict'ry Christians reap, — 
 To Spain, the Moslem conquest cheap ! 
 Surprised ! dismayed ! the frighted Moor 
 Can ill withstand the fierce blows sure 
 Of the prepared Asturian men. 
 Whose zeal inspired to frenzy, when 
 Home, tower, and altar meet their gaze ! 
 Till death-stroke sure, each falchion sways. 
 
 Death havoc sweeps the 'wUdered foe 
 As mountaineers aU rushing go 
 Scattering their ranks to quick retreat, — 
 Fall shield and buckler 'neath their feet 
 
358 PKLAYO. 
 
 As fly the swarthy Arab band 
 Before the avengers of the land, — 
 Rushing on with blood-stained feet 
 Before Asturian followers fleet. 
 
 From out old Leon's rescued wall 
 O'er rock and hill the dying fall ; 
 While captives humbly lay them low 
 Their arms before the Spanish foe, — 
 " Amaun / Amaun / " * to craven cry, 
 " Amaun ! — thy slave, or ere we die ! 
 Quarter, pardon grant, we pray ! 
 Eblis now hath gained the day ! " 
 
 Well hath the Avenger hewn his way ! 
 Rejoice, O Leon ! for thy day 
 Dawneth efiulgent in new light. 
 And Spain ariseth from her night ! — 
 Rejoice ! unfurl thy banner now ! 
 Rejoice ! Auseva's heaven-kissed brow ! 
 Cantabria ! mountains, hills, and streams ! 
 Spain ! for thy splendor glorious beams ! 
 
 Wakened the dawn from that wild night 
 Upon those walls on direful sight 
 
 * The craven cry, " Quarter! Pardon ! " 
 
P E L A Y O . 359 
 
 To tender heart, or stricken Moor ! 
 
 For lo ! the hand of Vengeance, sure 
 
 And true, had dealt the deadly blow. 
 
 That strewed her streets with slaughtered foe ! 
 
 Dark turban'd forms, on every way 
 
 With lance and battle-weapons lay. 
 
 And cloven gorgets' severed head 
 
 All helmeted, lay with the dead ! 
 
 And clefted cuirass, gory strown, 
 
 Whose spirit-tenants thence had flown ! 
 
 Ay, fully now doth vengeance fall 
 Within our rescued Leon's wall ; 
 While from each court and turret ring, 
 The loud " Meal"—'' Hail to our King ! 
 Viva Pelayo ! King of Spain I 
 Leon ! thy line restored again I 
 Raise we the ' Argent Banner ' high. 
 While in the dust doth Crescent lie. 
 Deep stained our swords with darkened gore 
 
 Free by the impious Moslem shed, — 
 Thus to the dark Gehenna's shore 
 
 VUe sons of Eblis we have sped ! " 
 
 And now the " Alia hu Akhar " 
 Of Moorish wailing riseth far ; 
 
360 PELATO. 
 
 " Woe ! woe is me ! Great Prophet ! God ! 
 
 Sons of Mahomet, kiss the sod ! 
 
 "Woe ! woe upon us and our race ! 
 
 The Crescent to the Cross gives place ! 
 
 Eblis, the Prince of Darkness, low 
 
 O'er Allah's sons spreads wing of woe ! " — 
 
 Soundeth far « Wul Wullah " * cry. 
 
 Woman's waU, to pierce the sky ! 
 
 Shrill " Wul wullah " dirges ring, 
 
 'Mid " Vivas ! Hail our Leon-King ! " 
 
 '■'■ Alia hu Akhar ! Aydemi! 
 
 Lo ! unto Eblis fallen we ! 
 
 Woe to the sons of Ishmael, woe ! 
 
 Who kiss the dust 'neath Christian foe ! " 
 
 " Viva Pelayo ! " stiU the strain, — 
 " Long live Pelayo, King of Spain ! " 
 Rising o'er the voice of woe, — 
 " Vict'ry, vengeance to the foe ! " 
 Shouts each conq'ring Spanish sou, — 
 " God hath now the vict'ry won I 
 Cross and Leon-hanner high ! 
 God our Father, smileth nigh ! 
 Glory be to Him Above ! 
 Heavenly King, supreme in love ! 
 
 * Death song, or woman's wail. 
 
P E L A Y O . 3S1 
 
 God, our land doth now restore ! 
 Glory ! Peace ! forevermore ! " 
 
 4: 4: ^ 4: « 4s 
 
 « 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 
 
 16 
 
CANTO XVI. 
 
 Not long the Bang delays return, — 
 For Zillah fair his soul doth yearn, — 
 To ease her gentle, anxious heart, 
 Of fears that pierce as poisoned dart, 
 And brighten eyes, dim with tear-dew. 
 Until their light return anew. 
 The morrow's dawn had scarcely smiled 
 And flow'rets from their sleep beguUed,- 
 The bulbul scarce had ceased her note, 
 Or lark had fluttered wing to float 
 With carol gay toward orb of light. 
 When plumed Royal wing for flight, — 
 Pelayo brave, to seek his star, 
 'Mid clouds of grief and woe afar ; — 
 In joy toward Ms light to lead, 
 With glorious tidings, loving speed ! 
 
PEL AT O. 363 
 
 How fares it with the loved ones hence 
 
 In cloistered wall, where penitence 
 
 And fasting vigils fill the day 
 
 Of friars on their earthly way ? 
 
 Pace those lone halls, the grieving fair, 
 
 As angels fallen from Heaven there. 
 
 Sad mourning joys celestial bright, — • 
 
 Departed rays of loving light ! — 
 
 For wedded hearts thus sighing they, — 
 
 For knight, or liege-love, far away 
 
 In scene of combat's deadly strife 
 
 To perU all of dear in life ; 
 
 Thus weeping, as dew-laden flowers, 
 
 Thus drooping through long severed hours ; — 
 
 Nor marvel we, for holy love 
 
 Is like unto the joys above ; 
 
 And smUeth God, on pure and bright 
 
 Who cherish His fair germ of light ; 
 
 For, ever dear to God Above, 
 
 Fraternal, filial, wedded love ; — 
 
 And ne'er would He one shadow throw 
 
 Upon love pure and deep below 
 
 Twixt kindred bosoms fond and true ; — 
 
 But ever doth well pleased view 
 
 The expanding of his own love-germ 
 
 To fullest growth, — ^nor e'er would term, 
 
364 P E L A T O . 
 
 " Idolatry I!'' the ardent love 
 "Whose tendrils turn not all Above, 
 If purely given here below, 
 Where He hath planted it to grow. 
 
 " Idolatry ! " mistaken cant 
 
 Of darkened age, when scarce a gleam 
 Of God's true love could shine aslant 
 
 Upon the soul with cheering beam, 
 To teU the dark, ascetic heart, 
 We should bestow in liberal part 
 Of love, which from His fount hath birth. 
 Upon our kindred-ones of earth ; 
 And never check one ardent ray 
 That from that Central-source would play 
 Upon the dear-ones here on earth ; — 
 For God is Love ! He gave it birth — 
 And souls congenial, kind doth give 
 On which that germ may fondly live 
 Until transplanted to His Bewers, — 
 Tfie fairest of all Uden flowers, 
 Where, 'mid His rays of loving light, 
 'Twill bloom in pure effulgence bright ! 
 Within that glorious sphere above. 
 Where God is Heaven, — and Heaven — ^is Love. 
 
P E L A Y O . 365 
 
 As moans her mate pure widowed dove, 
 
 Sad Zillah mourns her ahsent love ; 
 
 What now to her sweet myrtle bowers, 
 
 When sighs of fear fill up the hours ! 
 
 What, aU the wealth of blossoms sweet, 
 
 That bend beneath her weary feet ! 
 
 What, joyous notes from green-wood trees, 
 
 Or perfumes borne on gentle breeze ! 
 
 They breathe of one that hence hath fled, — 
 
 " Perchance now lying with the dead ! " — 
 
 Thus sighs she e'er, with anguished tone, — 
 
 " Kind Heaven ! ah ! leave me not alone ! 
 
 Alone ! alone to grievous fate ! 
 
 Alone ! in anguish desolate ! — 
 
 Protect from hapless widow's lot, 
 
 Existing here, — ^yet livkig not ! 
 
 With life-blood's checked and heavy flow ! — 
 
 Shrouded in gloom all earth below ! 
 
 Have mercy, God ! spare ! spare such doom ! — 
 
 A living death — in horror's tomb ! " 
 
 Again, again she lowly bends, 
 And oft again her soul-prayer sends 
 To Heavenly courts, that God will spare 
 Her Love and Liege from Azreal's share. 
 
366 PEL A TO. 
 
 " Spare Hm ! oh ! spare hirn ! " still her cry, 
 " Save ! save him, Lord ! nor see him die ! — 
 The lowliest peasant-maid I'd be, 
 To have my Love safe here with me ! " 
 
 And rosary and earnest prayer. 
 
 Repeat fuU oft the maidens fair, 
 
 WhUe friars, closed in grated cell, 
 
 Their orisons and psalter tell 
 
 For those who now seek peril dire. 
 
 Rousing the sleeping Moslem's ire ! — 
 
 Beardmg fierce wolves within their wall 
 
 Where Moor or Christian sure must fall ! — 
 
 " God grant it be not Spanish knight. 
 
 The soul that parteth in the fight ! 
 
 God grant, in bright victorious hour 
 
 Return Spain's band ! her Pride and Flower ! ' 
 
 Through cloister, aisle, and gallery. 
 They wander, sad and drearily ; 
 Or, 'mid their groves all grieving stray 
 Throughout the weary, anxious day. 
 Tin vesper bell rings clear for prayer, 
 When, to the chapel turn the fair, 
 With holy fathers grave, to pray 
 For Braves exposed in conflict's fray ; 
 
P E L A Y O . 367 
 
 Where rosaries again they tell 
 With troubled-hearts, full, anguished swell 
 For those all dearer far than life 
 Battling in warfare's deadly strife. 
 
CANTO XVII. 
 
 Now at the faintest glimrn'ring gray 
 Of early dawn's first beaming ray, 
 The King, and suite, with ardor fond, 
 Pass Leon's conquered walls beyond. 
 On all her ramparts proudly shone 
 
 Her Bannered Lion, Argent Field ! 
 The Moorish pennon fallen, — ^gone, — 
 
 While Crescent's gleam to Cross doth yield ! 
 High on Cathedral, — God be praised ! 
 Toward Heaven the glitt'ring Cross now raised ! 
 Waned, hath the Crescent's baleful fire 
 Beneath the Christians' vengeance dire I 
 
 Light the heart of our brave King ! 
 Light with joy his soul doth sing ! — 
 Bearing now returning way, 
 Victor glorious of the day. 
 
PELATO. 369 
 
 On Love's wings, with tidings bright 
 To his Queen, — ^his heart's delight ! — 
 Deeming leagues e'er longer grow, 
 Charger's pace ne'er half so slow ! — 
 Fain would his fond, impatient mind 
 En-reiafed hold the morning-wind. 
 That so exceeds the swiftest speed 
 Of e'en Orelia, — noble steed ! 
 And, borne upon its breezes sweet, 
 Swift fly unto his ZUlah's feet ! 
 Cheer her sad soul, breathe forth his love. 
 Dispel the anguish of his dove ! 
 
 But only to the impatient long, 
 And lover-knights, on leaden-wing 
 Are they on fleetest steeds thus borne. — 
 As flitting birds at early morn 
 Wing forth when rosy beams first cheer, 
 From night of dark and stormy fear, 
 To sing to sweetest flow'rets bright 
 That day rebeams with glorious light. 
 So they, in truth, all rapid lead 
 Returning march of hasty speed ; 
 And ere the grieving fair may ken. 
 Have reached the convent in the glen I 
 
 16* 
 
370 PELAYO. 
 
 And quick dismounting, seek the dear 
 And loving ones, ■with happy cheer 
 To call them from the cloister's cell 
 Where mournfully their beads they tell. 
 To list the startled, joyous cry ! 
 To mark the beaming of the eye ! 
 To clasp the loved ia fond caress 
 Of over-flowing happiness ! — 
 
 But vrhere our drooping Zillah then ? — 
 
 N"ot 'mid the sombre, stifled wall, 
 But far within the flow;ery glen 
 
 Hath wandered she apart from aU ; 
 Beneath the pure, clear, twilight sky. 
 To ofier ardent prayers on High, 
 Where last, beneath the myrtle's-leaf 
 She parted from her lover-chief. 
 
 Sweetly the moon looked forth and smUed 
 Upon that pure, earth-grieving child, 
 Praying for him, — her Love, — alone 
 Beneath God's high and starry throne ! 
 Lowly, in humble prayer she bent. 
 While evening stars their pure rays sent. 
 To kiss her brow and bosom fair. 
 As on their beams to Heaven they bear 
 
PELAYO. 371 
 
 The earnest boon she thus did crave ; 
 
 ■ ) 
 
 " O God ! my liege-love, guarding, save ! 
 And hear ray Light of Life to me. 
 Safe ! safe, in bravest victory ! " 
 
 Sighed she as evening breeze this prayer 
 
 That angels on their bright wings bear, 
 
 Wafting her soul-breathed thoughts Above 
 
 To One all merciful, in Love. 
 
 Her small clasped hands, in pure moonlight, 
 
 Lay on her bosom lily white, 
 
 Her violet eyes, soft tear-dewed shone, 
 
 Upraised unto His starry Throne ! — 
 
 Shone she, as star or angel bright 
 
 As beameth in Celestial light. 
 
 With golden tresses on the wind, 
 
 As Heaven's harp-strings unconfined ! 
 
 Thus beamed she on Pelayo there ! — 
 Who springing clasped her to his breast. 
 
 Exclaiming, — " Heaven hath heard thy prayer ! 
 Safe in these arms my bride doth rest ! 
 
 My life ! my soul ! my star of light ! 
 
 Safe, God Jmth borne me through the fight ! 
 
 The conquest ovrs ! and Leon free ! 
 
 'Victorious Spain! and I with thee ! 
 
372 P E L A Y O . 
 
 My Queen of Love ! my heart ! and tlirone ! 
 
 Oh ! what this moment without thee 
 To share my joy ! mine honor's own 
 
 With me, — in royal victory ! 
 
 " See ! at thy feet, Love, cast I low, 
 Banner first wrested from the foe 
 With mine own hand, hours briefly late, 
 From Leon's highest rampart gate ! 
 Thus, thus mine every deed shall be 
 E'er dedicate to God and thee, 
 My star ! more precious far than throne ! 
 ZiUah ! my love ! my bride ! — mine own ! " 
 
 Oh, joy ! oh, bliss ! oh, wild delight ! 
 
 She rests upon love's armored breast, 
 AH gleaming in the clear moonlight. 
 
 Enfolded closely, warmly pressed 
 To heart o'er-flowing with its joy ! 
 Its happiness without alloy ! — 
 High, Cross and Banner proud of Spain ! — 
 United, safe, the loved again ! 
 
 " Oh ! Heavenly dream ! — too bright to last !— 
 Safe ! safe, and here ! all danger past ! 
 My soul's-light safe, and Leon free ! 
 Safe ! and to Spain the victory ! " 
 
'I'lirrr Iniiil cnllnktil in chiiiii cl' lnvt' 
 ■I'lu-y l.r.'iillK- tlK'ir ffliitofill iii-iiim- ali 
 T" lliin friiiii whiini iill bk'-^in^s spr 
 Tile (irral. tlu' Uiii\ci>;it Kiii^! 
 
P E L A Y O . 873 
 
 Sudden her beaming brow she raised — 
 
 " Now God, my love," she cried, " be praised ! 
 
 Kneel, kneel with me 'neath heaven's ray, 
 
 My life ! our grateful love to pay ! " 
 
 And there, where anguished prayer her last 
 
 Had scarcely unto Heaven passed, 
 
 Upon the flow'ring mossy sod, 
 
 Before the Great, All Seeing God, 
 
 Whose moon-beams fair of liquid light 
 
 lUumed their brows with glory bright, 
 
 One arm encircling his pure bride, 
 
 One hand enclasped — thus side by side 
 
 There fond enlinked in chain of love. 
 
 They breathe their grateful praise Above, 
 
 To Him from whom all blessings spring. 
 
 The Great, the Universal King ! 
 
 Who guarded through the battle-fray ! 
 
 Who brought to Spain victorious day ! 
 
 Who saved his Gross from impious hand ! 
 
 Who spared the Christian mountain-band ! 
 
 Who, safe again fond souls imite 
 
 In pure, ecstatic joy's delight, 
 
 Forevermore to dweU in love 
 
 Until they soar to realms above ! 
 
 Love, that shall ever freshly well 
 
 From holiest founts' unfathomed cell. 
 
374: P E L A Y O . 
 
 Through earth, to fair Celestial skies, 
 All brighter there, to glowing rise ! 
 
 ISTow sounds the monastery's beU 
 To Deum- Chant all souls to swell, — 
 And to the Hermitage they wend. 
 United, grateful praise to blend — 
 With happy hearts, so bright with glee 
 Earth seems one scene of witchery ! 
 And joyous maidens love-spells cast 
 O'er valiant knights, life-long to last ; — 
 For sudden change from grief to joy 
 Dispelleth now aU frowning coy, 
 With which, in scenes of former ease, 
 The Fair, as tyrants, erst would tease, — 
 But thus surprised, by joy so sure. 
 They 'wildered yield, as vanquished Moor, — 
 And conquered smile ia silken chain, 
 To soul-tuned notes of Love's refrain. 
 
 Now thus ere yet the feast is spread, 
 
 Pelayo, with his Zillah, led 
 
 To chapel, convent-halls along. 
 
 The gath'ring, joyful Christian throng, 
 
 While round the olden altar there 
 
 Entwined and draped with bay-leaves, fair. 
 
PELAYO. 375 
 
 Flowers, laurel-wreaths from green-wood glen, 
 Stand Prelates, Friars, Holy-men ; 
 Urban, Centerio, loved of all, 
 Mitred, in purple robes that fall 
 "RicHy o'er those most rev'rent forms 
 That faithful proved through darkest storms. 
 
 Before the Altar, Queen and King, — 
 While perfumed censers o'er them swing ; 
 And low the royal Pair now bend, 
 While incense sweet with prayers ascend ; 
 And all assembled, kneeling bow 
 In offered praise, and prayerful vow 
 To worthy prove of blessings all 
 That now to each, and countiy fall. 
 Loud rings throughout monastic wall 
 " LaudamMs " grand, from one and all, — 
 Joy-gushing notes, full, clear, and free. 
 In grateful praise for Victory ! 
 Sounds 'mid these solemn walls ne'er heard 
 From aught save Nature's happy bird, 
 That unrestraiaed its song will roU 
 Of merry glee, without control. 
 
 Thus blithe, our God would have aU men, — 
 From palace to monastic glen ; 
 
816 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Life, with its joys, He givetli free 
 For all to quaff in purity. 
 Away, then, with the fear of frown ! 
 From Heaven God smileth Mndly down ! 
 Look up ! and bask ia His Love-beam, — 
 Li pure, good works, your souls redeem 
 From gloomy, superstitious night ; 
 niume your mortal temples bright 
 With love, and peace, and charity ; 
 And weave you wreaths of purity, 
 To grace the portals of the soul, 
 Whence stony rocks of darkness roU. ' 
 And light its dome with rays of love. 
 That God may enter from Above. 
 
CAISTTO XYIII. 
 
 Beight blushes the dawning o'er glen and o'er dale, 
 Bright sparkles the dew-drop ia blossoming vale, 
 Bright smileth the Orient's grey breaking skies. 
 Precursor of splendor and glory, to rise. 
 Alive is the convent, and merry, and gay, 
 Astir are they all, and must soon hie away, 
 And hurry, and bustle, and speed all around 
 Ere first matin-bell doth her summons resound. 
 When Joy lights the taper, and Hope gilds the ray 
 Of life's flitting moments, hearts ope with the day 
 To quaflf full the nectar of earth's loveliness, 
 Nov calmly may rest in their pure joys' excess. 
 E'en Friars are joviaJ, and Fathers are gay ! 
 For Joy's merry tide now may none seek to stay ; 
 From the smiling of morn to the sunset all bright, 
 From the fair Star of Eve to the dawning of light, 
 
378 PELAYO. 
 
 Earth, air, and high-heaven with radiance glow. 
 While joy through each bosom doth gushingly flow ; 
 And bright eyes are dancing in merry delight. 
 And brave hearts succumbing to Cupid, the wight ; 
 For when War fupls her banner, strings Eros his 
 
 bow. 
 And to waning of Mars, riseth Love's rosy glow. 
 Raising clear in mirage of the mind's vista 
 
 bright, 
 Fairest visions of myrtle and orange-buds white, — 
 The pure Bridal wreath, and the Altar, and Vow, 
 In closer perspective all happUy now ! 
 
 Each matin is over, each breviary said. 
 
 And soon from the convent each being hath sped, 
 
 Maid, knight, monls:, and prelate all hither away, 
 
 For none may be laggard from Leon's great day ! 
 
 When Pelayo, in diadem regal is crowned. 
 
 Oh ! where is the Christian could absent be found ! 
 
 And mounted, and ready, the chivalrous host, 
 AU joyous and eager — each one at his post, — 
 On Orelia, foremost, Pelayo is borne 
 Beside his loved Zillah, as star of the morn. 
 Now radiant beaming all bright in her lov^e. 
 As rich eastern sky rosy blushing above ; 
 
P E L A Y O . 379 
 
 Around them Ibrave knights and our " Liege-ladyes " 
 
 fair, 
 Who gay ia the dawniag's rejoicings full share ; 
 WhUe Alphonse by our Queen, as young page bear- 
 ing part, 
 With the boy-gerai of warrior swelling his heart ; 
 Count Eudon, Theodmir, Pelistes, quite near, 
 Don Pedro, and nobles, in right goodly cheer ! 
 While fair flowers of beauty, and infantine glee, 
 Crown the cortege with brightness and joy merrily ! 
 Ad'ladis* and heralds haste far in advance, 
 In gay-decked apparel, with bay-rod and lance, — 
 And love knots are smiling on breast-plates, I ween, 
 Of " Faire Ladye favoures " 'mid bright burnished 
 
 sheen ; 
 And glorious pennons are streaming on high 
 To the fresh morning breeze, toward the azure flecked 
 sky! 
 
 Before the King the Cross is raised, 
 That, legends teU, (all Saints be praised !) 
 Was borne from Heaven by angels bright 
 To Christians on Auseva's height. 
 Of this, I may not vouch to say. 
 As chanced it not within my day — 
 
 * Guidesmen. 
 
880 
 
 PELAYO. 
 
 But only tell, how foremost there 
 Was borne that golden synabol rare ! 
 
 Floateth now the banner wide 
 Over Eong and Royal bride ; 
 " Lion rampant, crimson hright " — 
 " Argent Field" in folds of light ; 
 Warriors round them, tried of old, 
 Saviours of each precious fold, — 
 Bravest knights, of valor known, 
 Victors, 'neath its wavings shown, — 
 Stalwart soldiers, followers aU, 
 Ever firm for Country's call ; 
 Flower of noble Christian band, — 
 Bone and sinew of the land ! 
 
 List ! the bugle peal on high ! 
 Clarion, trumpets, ringing cry ! — 
 " Ready ! Forward ! " sounds the call — 
 Onward ! King, and suite, and all ; 
 TUl from Convent-court hath passed. 
 Knight, and Priest, and Brave the last. 
 
 Vict'ry's tones ring full on high ! 
 Martial music rends the sky ; 
 Earth, and air, and groves around, 
 Joyous with the inspiring sound ! — 
 
PELAYO. 381 
 
 Trill the wild-wood choir in glee, 
 Rival strains of minstrelsy ! — 
 Marvel must they now, I ween. 
 At those battle-weapons keen. 
 As the lightning's glances seen 
 Flashing through the branches green I — 
 Trumpet-notes, full, joyous sweU, 
 Breaking stillness of the deU ; 
 Drowning soimd of streamlet's play, 
 Hum of murmuring breezes' sway, 
 With their tones, that peal aloud — 
 Victory glorious ! Victory proud ! — 
 List ! the strains aU softer grow, 
 Blending with the waters' flow, — 
 Liquid harmony doth float 
 With the breeze and wild-wood note, — 
 Earth, and air, and zephyrs free, 
 Chant in chorus — " Victory!" 
 
 AU gayly ia that morning's pride 
 
 Pace " Ladyes-brighte " their knights beside ; 
 
 While gently doth Pelayo guide 
 
 The palfrey white of his loved bride. 
 
 Thus joyfully they wend their way 
 
 As splendor fills the opening day. — 
 
382 P E L A Y o . 
 
 Imbued, each object sparkling bright, 
 With glory's beams of breaking light 
 Stealing sweet dew from waking flowers 
 Bespangled with night's pearly showers, 
 While oft from branch and drooping tree 
 Their diamond drops fall bounteously 
 On noble brow and Parian neck ; 
 With sparkling gems the fair to deck, 
 Who venture 'neath their twining play 
 In merry moming breezes' sway. 
 
 And groves and bowers their path lay through, 
 Artistic arches to the view, 
 Enlaced by spreading branches sweet, 
 That playfully the trav'lers greet 
 With floral showers from creeping vine 
 That fondly clinging there entwine, 
 Fragrant with night's refreshing balm 
 To steep the sense in gentle calm, 
 As falling 'neath the passing feet. 
 Their incense rises pure to greet 
 The beautiful, the brave, and good. 
 Through blooming vale and forest- wood ; — 
 And thus, as wend they there along, 
 Cease clarion shrill and cymbal notes, 
 
P E L A Y O . 383 
 
 While rises full in anthem's song, 
 
 Glad chorus that through ether floats. 
 Oh ! glorious that anthem's swell, 
 That grateful souls thus upward well 
 In harmony's rich tones of love. 
 To Him, their Father, God Above ! 
 
 As morning radiance shineth now 
 In valley deep, — o'er mountain brow, — 
 So shineth Truth deep in each soul. 
 With fuU conviction's firm control, 
 Clear, on her mountain-tops of light, 
 That Ijove shall rule the future bright. 
 As plain, God's golden scroll doth ope 
 Wider and clearer to the scope 
 Of mortal, comprehensive mind. 
 Bursting the chains that error bind. 
 To read in glorious letters bright, — 
 Rend, rend the clouds of darkened night ! 
 Behold the brilliant morn arise 
 Of Lomng-Pmoer, in bright 'ning skies ! 
 Behold the blessings, far and wide 
 That God bestows on every side, 
 Beaming with rays of love alone 
 That radiate from His pure Throne, 
 
384: PELAYO. 
 
 Till full, from Heavenly realms above, 
 The blessed sunshine of His Love 
 Entereth the wiadows of the soul. 
 To bright illume and cheer the whole ! 
 
 Soon, vega, hamlet, vale and bower, 
 Are clearly seen iu dawning hour. 
 As broad departing shadows fade 
 From night's repose on dewy glade, 
 And morning breaketh, full and wide, 
 In all the rich and glowing pride 
 Of Spain's transparent azure clime, — 
 "Waking sweet orange-buds and lime, 
 To breathe from out rich freighted trees 
 Their incense to the passing breeze, — 
 Bathing each brow of beauty there 
 In zephyrs pure of morning air ; 
 While rolling tides of melody. 
 In constant, richest minstrelsy 
 From Nature's choir pour concord's strain. 
 In matin chant of rare refrain. 
 
 Serene each heart with joyful hope, 
 As yonder meadow's blooming slope, 
 Whose buds of opening beauty sweet 
 Spring freshly bright their steps to greet,— 
 
P E L A Y O . 385 
 
 For happy now, the hearts they bear, 
 
 Secure, in tranquil rest ! 
 Of homeless wand'rings, past their share, — 
 
 The future, brightly blest ! 
 Thus earth around and bright'niag sky 
 
 Shine fair with rosy gleam. 
 The Dove of Peace close drawing nigh — 
 
 Spain, bright in glory's beam ! 
 
 The lark expressed her rapture high, 
 Soaring afar toward azure sky ; 
 All things of earth, in beauty glad ! 
 No lowering clouds of darkness sad ! 
 Ay, all of gloom and mourning, past, — 
 
 Fading, in splendor's ray — 
 As morning breaks, through shadows vast. 
 
 In gorgeous opening day. 
 
 Fair their path, where buds of night, 
 Fragrant cistus' leaflets white 
 Fall in sUv'ry floral sheen 
 Over mossy beds of green. 
 Wafting precious odors round. 
 Rich distilled from dewy ground ; 
 Thus, all crushed 'neath passing tread. 
 Is their richest sweetness shed ; 
 11 
 
386 P E L A Y O . 
 
 As the spirit's brightest power 
 Oft is shown in heayiest hour — 
 Tried in sorrow's darkest night,-^ 
 Virtues, sleeping in the light, 
 Bringing out in hour of woe, 
 As the diamond-beam to glow. 
 
 'Twould weary, were I more to tell, 
 How all that long and joyous day, 
 
 They journey over hiU and dell, 
 Until the golden sunset lay 
 
 Serenely cradled in the west, 
 
 "When yet another convent blest, 
 
 Invites the weary to repose. 
 
 At twilight's gentle, balmy close ; 
 
 Or, of a second morning bright. 
 
 Arising from a peaceful night, — 
 
 When, all refreshed, with eastern ray. 
 
 Again the band pursue their way. 
 
 All blithe, fresh, and merry as birds on their flight. 
 
 To regions of paradise beauteously bright. 
 
 Each heart bounding lightly, while gayly Hope sings, 
 
 And Fancy is revelling far on Love's wings. 
 
 Oh ! drink ye of Nature, fair souls, while ye may, 
 
 Quaff freely her nectar as happy ye stray, 
 
PISLAYO. 387 
 
 For soon will the wild rose and sylvan-bower 
 
 green, 
 Be parted for pageant, and court-life, I ween ! 
 Then quaff the dewed-chalice, embrace the sweet 
 
 breeze 
 From mountain-tops borne on the high swaying 
 
 trees, 
 Meet the zephyrs that play round the cheek and the 
 
 brow 
 As the lover receiveth the kiss and the vow ! 
 From Nature's bright fount, ye all freely may sip — 
 Ne'er fear that too joyous, or deeply ye dip, — 
 Her beauties, her loveliness, never may cloy, — 
 Her pleasures all pure without shade of alloy. 
 
 In fond, gentle converse pass lovers along, — 
 Gay spirits are happy in tale, jest, and song ; 
 While the mind, whose Interior openeth to Light, 
 Thrills rapture to exquisite scenes of delight 
 In glorious Nature, at mom, noon, and eve ! — 
 While Fancy, inspired, a bright halo doth weave. 
 To lift to Elysian-dream-life the mind 
 That revels in joys to which others are blind. 
 
 Flow'rets sweet their pathway line. 
 Eglantine, and wild-rose vine ; 
 
388 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Streams of golden, sparkling play 
 Brightly deck their smiling way ; — 
 "Wend they gayly, happ'ly on, 
 Gentle, priestly, warrior throng, 
 Bold cortege ia glitt'ring mass 
 Onward to their Leon pass ; 
 TUl the sun, now risen high, 
 Gloweth in meridian sky, — 
 When behold the happy crowd 
 Leon's Cross in freedom proud ! 
 Rising in the distance far 
 As some glory-beaming star ! 
 'Bove cathedral's peerless height. 
 Smiling in her glory bright ! 
 Mosque and tower in sunny skies, 
 Glitt'ring also, boldly rise, 
 Distant stiU, — ^no murm'ring hum 
 Of the city, yet may come 
 Rude to break the calmness there 
 Of those scenes remote from care, 
 Turmoil, pride, and envy's strife 
 Filling up the courtier's life. 
 
 Naught is heard save flowing tide, 
 Esla's stream in ripp'ling play, 
 
P E L A T O . 389 
 
 Laving in her gentle glide 
 
 Palm and hazel-skirted way. 
 Winding on, their course doth lay 
 Still hy Esla's devious way, 
 Near the chestnut forest-side 
 That fair Leon's ramparts hide 
 From her children as they roam 
 Eager toward their rescued home ! 
 
CANTO XIX. 
 
 Happy, joyous ones are they 
 On their brightly varied way ! 
 Blithe as merry wild-birds free, 
 Chanting matin melody, 
 Now emerge they from the shade 
 Of the forest, through the glade, 
 When unfolds to raptured view 
 Leon, rich in glowing hue 
 Of victorious glory's pride ! 
 Banners spread to sunbeams wide. 
 Myriad crosses glitt'ring bright, 
 Cheeriag e'er the Christian sight, — 
 Fair, luxuriant " Patios " green. 
 Decking all the sunny scene. 
 Wafting odors rich and free, 
 As the breeze of Araby ! 
 
PELAYO. 391 
 
 Grand, her " walls of octagon I " — 
 Brazen gates, eleven, shone ! 
 Cross high raised with banners all. 
 Where " Muezzin " late did call 
 At the glowing sunset fair, — 
 " Alia hu ! to prayer ! to prayer ! " 
 Gone Muezzin ! crescent ! foe ! 
 To Gehenna's shades of woe ! 
 Risen, Cross and Banner high ; — 
 God, in mercy, hath drawn nigh ! 
 God doth smile upon His band ! 
 God doth raise His cherished land ! 
 
 " HaU ! hail to our Leon ! " now fondly they ciy, 
 " Hail ! hail ! to our Cross in the bright heavens 
 high, 
 The vile, baleful crescent in darkness doth lay ! — 
 O Moslem-invader ! well bided our day ! 
 Then Leon, dear Leon ! dare none to defy ! 
 Our hearts are her bulwarks ! defending we die ! 
 Ne'er foothold again on her soil shall have ye ; 
 Our Leon, regained, — isforevermorefree!" 
 
 Ay, fair doth Leon greet their sight ! 
 Fair, her towers and mosques arise 
 
392 PELATO. 
 
 In re-illumined glory bright 
 
 'Mid the smUing azure skies ; 
 Fair her cathedral's dual towers, 
 Where the moon no longer lowers ; 
 Set, hath she for e'er in night, 
 'IsTeath the Cross ia glory bright. 
 
 How looms that Cross in noon-tide glow, 
 Telling of scattered, vanquished foe ! 
 Of crescent, sunk in sea of gore 
 Beneath those towers — ^to rise no more ! 
 Risen, Christ's symbol high again ! 
 
 Waned crescent 'neath her holy light ! 
 Risen as Phoenix, happy Spain ! 
 
 From ashes of a direful night. 
 Then God be praised ! who guardeth all. 
 To lift the suffering ia their fall ; — 
 Who saith : — " My hand I will not stay, — 
 Vengeance is miae ! I will repay I " 
 
 With re-inspired and freshened speed, 
 
 " AdTladis " now advance. 
 With herald, borne on snowy steed 
 
 In eager, hast'ning prance ; 
 And cavaliers, their banners decked 
 
 With bay and olive crown, 
 
P E L A Y O . 393 
 
 And lettered praise in laurel flecked, 
 
 As pendants floating down ; 
 While close appear the victor King, 
 
 The fair and beauteous Queen — 
 Surrounded by a noble ring 
 
 Of knights in armored-sheen. 
 
 And, as the city gates they near, 
 
 Behold ! approaching now 
 A vast procession doth appear ! 
 
 Troops, priests of holy vow, — 
 The City Council and her guard. 
 
 In raiment richly grand. 
 With welcome strains from lyre and bard, 
 
 To greet the Christian band ; 
 While in advance gay heralds bear. 
 
 On salver's golden-plate, 
 The city-keys in oflfering there, — 
 
 Keys of each tower and gate. 
 
 Now, halting, they awaiting stand. 
 
 As near the Begal train — 
 The flower of aU the Christian land — 
 
 The valiant sons of Spain ! 
 When bursts one wild and deaf 'ning shout — 
 
 One full, tumultuous cheer, 
 i1* 
 
394 P E L A Y O . 
 
 To ring all far and wide about, 
 
 In loving " Viva ! " clear. 
 Presented are the city-keys, 
 
 Seized now Pelayo's shield — 
 Borne from his steed, with gentle ease, 
 
 O'erpowered, he fain must yield ! 
 And placed upon his buckler bold. 
 
 That guard of breast most pure, 
 They high aloft their monarch hold, 
 
 With loving-hands, and sure ! 
 While beareth he in upraised hand, 
 
 The Golden Cross so bright. 
 The Sacred Cross, the Angel band 
 
 Bore to Auseva's height ! 
 
 High on his shield they bear him now, 
 
 Upraised above the crowd ! 
 Erect his form — upturned Ms brow — 
 
 While acclamations loud, 
 With wild " Meal " and " Three times three—'' 
 
 " Hail ! Viva ! Leon's King ! 
 Pelayo ! Hail ! and Victory ! " 
 
 From earth to Heaven ring ! — 
 Till spirits of the brave Above, 
 
 The martyred, ruthless slain, 
 
P E L A Y . 395 
 
 Gaze down, with smiling, deathless love. 
 
 Upon rejoicing Spain I 
 Waving Celestial banners white. 
 
 Unseen, — of Peace and Purity, 
 O'er Spain! s brave King, in glory bright. 
 
 With Cross upraised in Yictoryl 
 
 Oh ! what a spirit-stirrmg sight ! 
 
 Thus borne that Hero hrave ! 
 "Who, bold in all of good and right, 
 
 Doth Cross and Kingdom save, — 
 Majestic, standing thus above, 
 
 In loving subjects' hold, — 
 Swaying all hearts with ardent love, 
 
 For valor, pure and bold. 
 
 And tenderly the Queen they bear 
 
 From off her palfrey white. 
 When in a Regal, " Golden Chayre " 
 
 They place their " Star of light ; " 
 A pearl wrought, golden " Chayre Estate " 
 
 That quaintly, of devices rare. 
 Palanquin, litter, doth partake. 
 
 And Royal throne in share ; 
 A fairy " Carosia " bright. 
 
 Of gold and precious stone, 
 
396 PELATO. 
 
 That glitt'ring clear in rays of light, 
 
 All sparkling, dazzling shone ; — 
 And bars of gold, and arms of pearl 
 
 Support her lovely frame. 
 While gem-wrought pennons bright unfurl, 
 
 To shine with her loved name, — 
 In diamond words, — " Sail, Zillah, Queen " 
 
 In rubies rich, — " Of Love ! " 
 In sapphires' pure Asteria sheen, — 
 
 " Bright as Morn^s Star above I " 
 And Rod'rick's " Royal Cloth of Gold," 
 
 Draped fair that car around. 
 Where " marv'lous pearls " on every fold. 
 
 Rare stones were subtly bound. 
 
 By Acolytes, from Altar's side, 
 
 Now borne our beauteous Queen ! — 
 
 By warriors, borne in loving pride, 
 Pelayo still is seen ! 
 
 With arching neck, and stately tread, 
 Orelia is honored led, — 
 His trappings hung with laurels bright, 
 For faithful service through each fight, — 
 And well, in sooth, he seemed to know 
 Their victory o'er the Moslem foe ! 
 
Aiul ;i- iUlvjilirr [hv Ciivalciidi-,— 
 Tlir iiurnfiKis regiil train. 
 All >p;LCL- \\itli uDf cuti&L-nt is iiiudi. 
 Tu ring— " Hail! KiiiL'i't --[Piiiij I'' 
 
PELATO. 397 
 
 With nostril spread, dUated eye, 
 Erected mane, — ^proud prancing Tby. 
 
 Now fair their way, sweet blossom-strown 
 
 By maidens robed in white, 
 TUl as some fairy scene all shone. 
 
 Or vision of the night ! 
 In sooth, a dream-like, radiant scene. 
 
 As e'er beamed vision bright ; 
 And true, as fair, shines all, I ween, 
 
 In victory's glorious light ! 
 
 And as advance the cavalcade, — 
 
 The gorgeous Regal train, 
 AU space with one consent is made 
 
 To ring—" Hail ! King of Spain I " 
 From every height wUd " Vivas " pour, 
 
 And happy faces beam 
 As morning-waves on ocean's shore. 
 
 In joyous, sparkling gleam. 
 And " Hail Pelayo ! Hail our Kmg ! " 
 
 " Hail ! Queen of beauty fair ! " 
 In echoing strains of welcome ring. 
 
 In joy's ecstatic share ! 
 
 And still before them blossoms strown, — 
 While from above, in showerS^, 
 
398 PELAYO. 
 
 Are laurel and oak-chaplets thrown, 
 
 With -wreaths of choicest flowers. 
 Towers and verandas, sumptuous draped 
 
 With richest cloth of gold, 
 Where gems, in loving mottoes shaped, 
 
 Shone glist'ning o'er each fold, 
 Of — " Welcome / to our ITing and Queen 1 
 
 Hail ! to the Royal Pair ! " 
 Fond, studded words of jewelled sheen. 
 
 Wall, tower, and banner bear. 
 
 While far perspective arches seen. 
 
 Of sweetest, fairest flowers, 
 Entwined with bay and olive green, 
 
 In vistas of rare bowers. 
 All blossom-lettered, welcome-fraught. 
 
 Breathing and speaking love, 
 For him who hath their freedom wrought, 
 
 And her, his mountain-dove. 
 And deaf 'ning acclamations rise, 
 
 And bells by hundreds ring, — 
 Sound trumpet, clarion, viva cries. 
 
 With—" Hail Pelayo ! King ! " 
 While deep the gi-eat cathedral beU 
 
 ToUs forth her welcome-peal, 
 
P E L A T O . 399 
 
 Her gratitude, full loud to tell, 
 
 For Cross and Country's weal. 
 Where bright that symhol high in air, 
 
 Now gleaming, points above. 
 Toward realms Celestial, smiling fair. 
 
 Where reigneth God in Love. 
 
 On stalwart shoulders rests the shield, 
 
 Where stands Pelayo brave, 
 While " Lion gules on Argent field," 
 
 High o'er his brow now wave ; 
 Erect he stands, — the Cross of gold 
 
 High bearing in his hand, — 
 The Cross that to Auseva bold. 
 
 Was borne by Angel-band ! 
 Draped thick his shield, with laurel leaves, 
 
 With chaplets of green-bay, — 
 Each leaf of bravery that breathes, 
 
 To deck the Conq'ror's way. 
 
 Oh ! proudly on the King her gaze 
 
 Fair Zillah rests in joy ! — 
 Turned now theii path from sorrow's maze. 
 
 Smiles Peace, without alloy ! 
 Ay, fondly tumeth oft the eye, 
 
 Upon her noble love, 
 
4:00 P E L A Y O . 
 
 Her Victor-Liege, on buckler high, 
 
 Borne thus in pride above 
 The retinue and happy mass, 
 
 The rushing, swaying throng, 
 That crowding, check the onward pass 
 
 Of Christian-band along. 
 And worthy he of fondest gaze — 
 
 That perfect one to view ! 
 That noble brow, where rich hair plays 
 
 In waves of raven hue ; 
 Of fullest height, majestic form — 
 
 A God-like, perfect man ! 
 With virtues pure, and feelings warm 
 
 As e'er through bosom ran. 
 His soul-Ulumined orbs of light 
 
 Beaming o'er subjects all, — 
 Oft and anon with deep delight 
 
 Upon his love to fall. 
 
 In beauty sweetly beaming, 
 Zillah, his mountain-flower. 
 
 As star of morning gleaming 
 
 E'er through his troublous hour, — 
 
 TiU cheering sun now shining 
 Dispelleth darksome cloud, — 
 
P E L A Y . 401 
 
 And glory's ■wreaths are twining 
 Wtere flowers ensanguined shroud 
 
 The urn of martyred Hero, 
 The ashes of the Brave, 
 
 Whose Wood flowed as the billow. 
 Their falling land to save ! 
 
 How beautiful she beameth there ! 
 
 How lovely in her pride ! 
 Pride all for him, nor self hath share, 
 
 ITor aught but him beside. 
 O wedded-love ! O holy bliss I 
 
 When hearts true-join6d are, — 
 What brighter joy on earth than this ! 
 
 With this, what may compare ! 
 Her azure eyes with love are bright, 
 
 Moist with the grateful tear. 
 As violets bathed in liquid light 
 
 Of dew-drops shining clear. 
 Back from her brow her tresses float 
 
 As sramy rays of light, 
 Or golden strings for heavenly note. 
 
 Or haloed glory bright ; — 
 Her lovely form oft graceful sways. 
 
 In courtesy to bend, — 
 
402 P E L A Y O . 
 
 AH lovingly each wreath to raise — 
 Acceptance gracious lend ; — 
 
 But tiny hands may never bear 
 The wealth of faUing sweet, 
 
 Or Parian arms, the burthen fair. 
 That, showering, constant greet. 
 
 Passes the King majestic on 
 
 Through densely pressing crowd. 
 With kind acknowledgments along, 
 
 To Welcomes, fond and loud ; 
 And still repeated loving glance 
 
 On her, his Star of love, 
 Whose presence doth his joy enhance. 
 
 As sunlight from above ! 
 Beams fond that fuU and soul-lit eye, 
 
 As quick the thought doth rise — 
 Ah ! what all this were she not nigh, 
 
 Light of my soul and eyes ! 
 
 Toward the Cathedral vast and grand. 
 The train slow moves along ; 
 
 For scarce may pass the Royal band. 
 So press the mighty throng. 
 
 And up her marble steps they pour, 
 The swaying, eager mass. 
 
P E L A T O . 403 
 
 Till vaulted arches wild'ring roar, 
 
 As storm-winds in their pass, 
 With human voices entering now, — 
 
 From Priests, who solemn raise 
 " Te DeurrCs " chant, and grateful vow, — 
 
 " Laudamus" full in praise. 
 Swelleth the loud and sacred song 
 
 To vaulted roof above, 
 That, echoing back, its tones prolong. 
 
 Of over-flowing love. 
 
 Borne still the King on burnished shield. 
 
 The Queen on brilliant throne, 
 While 'bove them, floating " Argent field " 
 
 Where Golden Cross still shone ; — 
 And ever near, Alphonse the child. 
 
 His Mistress dear, to wait, — 
 Beside the Royal Ladye mild 
 
 On golden " Chayre Estate" — 
 To bear the train in fingers small. 
 
 To wave the perfumed fan ; 
 As Cupid fair amid them all, — 
 
 The blossom of the Van. 
 
 Now up the long, dim aisles they pass, 
 The royal suite and train. 
 
404: P E L A Y O . 
 
 Knights, warriors, and assemlbled mass, — 
 
 Brave, glorious souls of Spain ! 
 And on they move in glitt'ring line, 
 
 With holy-hanner high, 
 Toward chancel, where in silver shrine 
 
 St. Isidore doth lie, — 
 On John the Baptist's Altar there. 
 
 Enshrined, — " In peace to rest," 
 That holy corse in sacred care, — 
 
 St. Isidore the Blest ! 
 Up to that gorgeous Altar's hase, 
 
 The sanctuary's pale, 
 Where flow'rets white, pure interlace 
 
 Each golden step and rail ; 
 Where massive, gold " Custodia " 
 
 Doth Sacred Host enclose, 
 Resting on richly silvered car 
 
 ISTear Holy Saints' repose ; 
 Where reverent wait the priestly crowd 
 
 In scapular and stole, 
 To God and holy office vowed 
 
 In record's sacred roll. 
 With mitred abbot, bishop grave 
 
 In purple vesture's sheen. 
 Awaiting there the Pair and Brave — 
 
 Spain's Royal King and Queen. 
 
P E L A Y O . 405 
 
 Thus grave before that Altar now 
 
 The regal suite all stand, — 
 Before the Heavenly Lord to bow, — 
 
 King, Queen, and knightly band ; 
 And censers sway their rich perfume 
 
 In dreamy incense far, , 
 
 And fragrant rods of spice illume 
 
 Each niche, as gleaming star ; 
 And lofty tapers' waxen light 
 
 Beams high through chancel clear, 
 Where vestal-nuns in virgin white, 
 
 Through oriel grates appear, — 
 As Angels, who through bars of Heaven, 
 
 Her sunny rays, glance down 
 On mortals from earth-sins unshi-iven, — 
 
 Unworthy yet the crown ; 
 And softened rays o'er paintings rare. 
 
 Of holy martyrs past, 
 And sculptured saints in marble there, 
 
 A haloed radiance cast ; 
 And angels 'mid those naves appear. 
 
 And heroes bravely bold. 
 Beaming in earthly beauty clear. 
 
 As aught e'er seen or told ! 
 And she, the Star ! the light of all ! 
 
 And he, Spaia's glory bright ! 
 
406 P E L A T O . 
 
 Since Eden's hapless sin and fall, 
 
 Ne'er beamed so fair a sight ! 
 As falling high rose-windows through, 
 
 Rich, mellow simheams now, 
 In glorious rays of rainhow hue. 
 
 Play o'er each royal hrow : 
 And fragrant torches' fitful light, 
 
 And lamps that odors breathe, 
 As blaze of noon-tide dazzling bright. 
 
 Majestic domes enwreathe. 
 
 'Mid loud hosanna's swelling peal. 
 
 They bend before the shrine, — 
 While praises rise for Country's weal 
 
 From Lay, Brave, and Divine. 
 A strange, impressive sight that scene ! 
 
 That vast cathedral grand. 
 Whose body, aisles, and altars teem 
 
 With priests, mass, warrior-band ; 
 The mail-clad heroes brave of Spain, 
 
 Whose tow'ring plumes and weapons bright, 
 Strange contrast form to priestly train 
 
 Of solemn monks enrolled in white. 
 
 The stately suite all rev'rent now 
 Before the Altar humbly bow, 
 
P E L A T O . 407 
 
 Of John the Baptist, pure and good, 
 With all the Holy Brotherhood ; 
 When slow, from silver shrine doth rise 
 
 The veil off sainted Isidore ! 
 Revealing to the royal eyes 
 
 A ciystal case, that bore 
 His holy corse, embalmed there, 
 
 To solemn, awful view, — 
 As marble statue lying fair, 
 
 Seen clear that crystal through ! 
 And thus, ia earnest prayer they bend, — 
 
 Here, ardent vows of love 
 And gratitude, united send, 
 
 With praise to Heaven above. 
 
 Arrayed in sumptuous purple-folds, 
 
 With minor priests, in train, 
 Centerio, high, advancing, holds 
 
 The banner bright of Spain, 
 With holy-banner there aloft. 
 
 Bearing our Saviour's name, — 
 That late, vile infidels so scoffed, 
 
 And trampled low in shame ! 
 Now, spread above the Royal head, 
 
 Now, floating free on high, — 
 
408 P E L A Y o . 
 
 To victory and freedom wed, — 
 
 Raised broad toward Heaven's sky ! — 
 Above the kneeling monarch, there 
 
 He waves the banner proud, 
 Bestowing every blessing's share, 
 
 While " Amen " cry the crowd ; 
 The Holy Cross doth solemn sign, 
 
 Chanting his earnest prayer, 
 TiU Urban, blest and loved Divine ! 
 
 Approaches gravely there — 
 With " Cross of Gold " o'er royal brow, 
 
 He, fond eulogimns proud 
 Pronounces on the monarch now, 
 
 In loving tones and loud ; — 
 And Coronation rites are said, — 
 
 Proclaimed Pelayo, King ! 
 The rubied crown on royal head ! 
 
 While myriad voices ring 
 With joyful acclamations all, 
 
 In heartfelt tones of love, 
 From nave to tower in rise and fall. 
 
 To mighty domes above ! 
 
 High, solemn mass now chant they all, 
 And earnest prayers are said 
 
P E L A Y O . 409 
 
 For heroed souls, who brave did fall, — 
 The Requiem for the Dead. 
 
 Two swords now Urban hands the King, 
 Whose metal, erst full clear did ring 
 From valiant wield of Rod'rick's hand. 
 Striking for Faith and cherished Land ; 
 " Golado" and " T^izona " yclept — 
 That he, " El Gid" untarnished kept 
 E'er, tUl their last, bright, swaying gleam 
 On Xeres, by Guad'lete's stream ! 
 Flashing, as parting spirit's glow. 
 In life-blood's faint, expiring flow, 
 With effort's last collected force. 
 Ere severed from the sinking corse, — 
 As wasting candles' fading light. 
 Startling, in gleaming flashes bright. 
 Of brilliant flaming ray the last — 
 Ere darkness over aU is cast ! 
 
 " Coladd's " hilt, a cross, whereon 
 
 Upon one side was graven seen — 
 " Si, Si," — while on the other shone — 
 
 " JVo, No," — ^in gold and silver sheen. 
 And on " Tizona," written were — 
 " Ave Maria, Gratia " — 
 18 
 
410 P E L A T O . 
 
 " Plena Dominus" — all briglit, 
 In jewels glitt'ring to the sight ! 
 
 And on his breast the cross is placed, 
 That oft with " Gid " brave battle faced, 
 Gleaming, 'mid armied ranks afar. 
 As through wild night some brilliant star ; 
 Formed of four equal, silver parts, 
 
 Covered with gold, and set with stone, — 
 As " artichoke " to rise its heart, 
 
 That white and green enamelled shone, — 
 While on one side engraved it bore. 
 All clearly, — " Grucis Salvator" * * 
 Where " Sante Petre " * * and " Porto " 
 In jewels pure, did lustrous glow. 
 
 Again the lofty aisles loud ring 
 
 With anthems from grand choirs. 
 That joyful hallelujahs sing. 
 
 In tones that love inspires ; 
 And " Gloria in Excelsis " notes 
 
 All souls united sing. 
 And " Penedictus Deo " floats. 
 
 And " Jubilate's " ring 
 Through Gothic aisles — up lofty towers. 
 
 In joyous chorus' swell, 
 
PELAYO. 411 
 
 As offer incense, sun-kissed flowers, 
 
 Their gratitude to tell 
 For radiant beams from Mercy's throne, 
 
 For sunny rays of light, — 
 Leon, restored unto her own ! 
 
 Leon in glory bright ! 
 
 Now, 'mid the mighty rolling peal 
 
 Of harmony's full swell, 
 O'er King and Queen, who lowly kneel. 
 
 The blessing fond doth well 
 Full from Archbishop Urban's voice, 
 
 With raised arms, outspread, — 
 O'er Royal ones, the " Hail ! rejoice ! 
 
 God's blessing on thee shed ! " 
 
 " JBenedicat vos, 
 Omnipotens Deus, 
 Pater et-Filius, 
 JEb Bpiritus Sanctus, 
 AmenP 
 
 And sacred rites performed are. 
 
 The Coronation o'er, — 
 Aloft again the Royal Pair 
 
 Borne 'mid triumphant roar 
 
412 PBLATO. 
 
 Of loud hosanna's rolling tone, 
 
 Through wide-spread, crowded aisles, 
 
 Where myriad faces beaming shone, 
 Enwreathed in joyous smiles. 
 
 And as they near the portals grand. 
 
 So press the rushing mass, 
 Scarce now may move, the Regal band, 
 
 Ad'Iadis force their pass, — 
 For joy has reached perfected height, 
 
 And wild the clamor now, — 
 All must behold their Queen of Light, — 
 
 AU gaze on Regal brow ! 
 And as they pass those portals out, 
 
 Bursts forth the pented tide 
 Of human joys' fuU, ringing shout 
 
 To echo far and wide ! 
 While soundeth clarion, clear and shrill. 
 
 The shalm and trumpet-peal. 
 With tambour's clang, and psaltry's trill 
 
 Loud for the Christians' weal ! 
 
 Onward they pass o'er flower-strown way, 
 Where founts of jasper bright, 
 
 Through allegoric figures play 
 Of Parian marble white ; 
 
P E L A Y O . 413 
 
 The trees of elm and willow nigh, 
 
 Blooming with soul-lit flowers 
 Of human faces, beaming high 
 
 Amid their leafy bowers. 
 
 Thus slowly move the courtly band. 
 
 Patio and Place along, 
 St. Isidore's structure grand, 
 
 'Mid cheers, and Vict'ry's song ! 
 Tlirough vistas green of bay-arched bowers 
 
 Our Royal Pair repass. 
 Still radiantly enwreathed with flowers, 
 
 Showered from the loving mass ; — 
 While, with their quickened, soul-oped eyes. 
 That pierce the blue ethereal skies, 
 Plest seers behold, high waving noto 
 Celestial palms o''er royal hrow I 
 By pure, angelic, heroed hands 
 Of martyred spirits ! sainted bands ! 
 The Angel guardians of Spain ! 
 Who chant seraphic, glorious strain. 
 As moves the King 'mid loud acclaim 
 
 That joyous mortals cheering raise, — 
 Thus perfect crowned his glorious fame 
 
 With sainted psean ! Heav'nly praise ! 
 
CANTO XX. 
 
 Thus passeth now our King of Spain 
 
 To Leon's palace grand, — 
 O'er loving subjects calm to reign, 
 
 Peace smiling on their land ; — 
 O'er Oviedo's kingdom West, 
 
 O'er Leon, long to reign, 
 Li blissful happiness, where rest 
 
 The Christians brave of Spain ; — 
 Where brightly glows Love's rosy-wing, 
 
 And soundeth sweet guitar 
 To gay bolero's bounding spring. 
 
 While joy-notes ring afar ; — 
 And thus, in happiness content, 
 
 In pure and virtuous life, 
 Prom mountain-wand'rings, homeless spent, 
 
 They rest from care and strife ; — 
 'Mid sparkling founts, and mimic grove 
 
 Of sweetest, rarest flowers, 
 
P E L A Y O . 415 
 
 As on Auseva's mount to rove, — 
 
 To pass still joyous hours ; — 
 Where perfumed censers waft, of gold, 
 
 To music's "witching sway, 
 Gay wander foiTas of beauteous mould. 
 
 That strayed by Deva's way. 
 
 But, 'mid their halls and " Patios " bright, 
 
 None ever cease to love 
 Their mountain-caves of marble white, 
 
 Pair Deva's vale above ; — 
 And still their summer-court must hold 
 
 By clear Pionia bright, 
 'Bove Covadonga's fastness bold. 
 
 In sylvan joys delight ; — 
 While many a knight and fair, I ween. 
 
 Bless e'er Auseva's height, 
 Where Cupid swayed his arrow keen, 
 
 With Mars, his sabre bright ; — 
 Por there, fond, truthful vows were said, 
 
 Warm hearts exchanged in love. 
 To join, in happy marriage wed. 
 
 In bonds blest from Above. 
 
 And all that Coronation night 
 The city-bells did ring, — 
 
il6 P E L A T O . 
 
 The live-long night, in wild delight 
 
 Gay subjects dance and sing ! — 
 Bolero, seguidiUe, and song, 
 
 Guitar and zel gay sound 
 Each " Patio " and bower along, 
 
 With mirthful voices round ; — 
 While, as one blaze of glowing fire, 
 
 The city glory beams 
 From balcony to highest spire. 
 
 From lamps of colored gleams ; — 
 Rise signal-fires from hills above. 
 
 To tell empyrean skies. 
 How bright with joy their land of love 
 
 As Phcenix now doth rise ! — 
 QocTs sons have won their heritage ! 
 
 While rises o'er the land 
 The Cross-capped tower and hermitage, 
 
 Cathedral, convent grand ! — 
 And all the Regal Court is gay, 
 
 Joy beams as sun-light round, — 
 Joy brightens aU in Glory's ray, — 
 
 N"o darkness may be found ! 
 
 Ajid knighted now is Gomez there, 
 
 With heroes nobly brave. 
 Who well have borne full boldest share. 
 
 Their Cross and Land to save ; — 
 
P E L A Y O . 417 
 
 And might we weave full many a tale, 
 
 Of noHe knight, and fair, — 
 Of lovers, ia sweet Deva's vale. 
 
 If idle time to spare, — 
 And how all happy wedded were, — 
 
 Gomez and Inez too, — 
 Of lovers fond, 'mid wand'rings there, 
 
 WIlo faithful bore them through. 
 
 And how a tiny blossom rare. 
 
 Bloomed for Pelayo's bliss, — 
 Type of her angel mother fair. 
 
 His ZiUah's loveliness ; — 
 How yet a son, to him and Spain, 
 
 FavUa bearing name. 
 Arose, as blessing, still again. 
 
 To fill love's hallowed flame. 
 
 How Ormasinde, his bud of light. 
 
 To young Alphonse he gave. 
 In maiden beauty freshly bright. 
 
 As bride for valor brave ; — 
 Might sing we of their joyous life, — 
 
 Pelayo's, — Zillah's fair, — 
 In peaceful bliss, from battle-strife, 
 
 Of perfect love to share ; — 
 18* 
 
418 PEL A YO. 
 
 And how Pelayo reigned long 
 
 Oviedo's, Leon's king ! 
 Their kingdoms Tocal with love's song, 
 
 That joyous subjects sing ! 
 
 No more of Borrow' s-night and woe, — 
 
 No more 'neath yoke of swarthy foe,— 
 
 But reign they o'er a land of light, 
 
 With Love to guide their sceptre bright. 
 
 Love reigns through court, and bower, and hall. 
 
 Love is the monarch over all ; 
 
 And peace, and happiness, and joy, 
 
 Fill hearts and land, free from alloy. 
 
 Joy sparkles e'er throughout the court, 
 
 Peace smiles o'er cot and vale. 
 While mandolin and merry-sport 
 
 Resound through bower and dale ; 
 And tinkling sound of light guitar 
 Arises with the evening star. 
 When happy couples, joyous met, 
 Keep time to merry Castanet ; — 
 And tales of ardent love are told 
 Beneath the chestnut-branches old. 
 And vows are breathed of tenderness. 
 As seal of promised happiness ; 
 And all is joy, and all is love, 
 From earth below to Heaven above, — 
 
PELAYO. 4:19 
 
 Each one contented with his lot, — 
 And Spain, of lands, the Eden-spot ! 
 Whence Lucifer and minions cast, — 
 The Foe and all of darkness past, — 
 While Heaven's smiles, full over all. 
 In Glory's radiance brightly fall! 
 
 Ay, through the land the Cross doth rise 
 In gleaming triumph toward the skies ! 
 While crescent's form no more is seen. 
 Save in the skies at starry e'en ; 
 And bright all convent-haUs again 
 With daughters beauteous of Spain, 
 Who now may bend to God on High, 
 Nor prostrate fall at Imaun's cry. 
 
 And scarce a league from Xeres' plain, 
 
 That erst brave Christian-blood did stain. 
 
 Where Guadalete's winding stream 
 
 Doth through her valley sparkling gleam, 
 
 A Monasteiy, bold doth rise, 
 
 In stately grandeur, toward the sides. 
 
 Before the " HiUs," where Roderick fell. 
 
 As monument, his fate to tell. 
 
 A trellised path-way, rich with grapes. 
 
 Shaded from sunbeam, entrance makes 
 
420 P E L A T O . 
 
 Unto her grounds, there teeming fair 
 With pomegranate, and fruitage rare. 
 Vineyards, and groves of fig and lime, 
 All blessings Heaven gives that clime. 
 Near M6dina-Sidonia's rise, 
 This " Gartuja " * thus calmly lies, — 
 Backed by Sierra's lofty lands. 
 The Carthusian convent stands, — 
 Imposing in its magnitude, — 
 Whose walls and turrets, distant viewed, 
 Seem rather town, or palace grand. 
 Than home of grave anchorite hand ; — 
 But such it is, — and discipline 
 Beyond all known, is here within. 
 This CartujcHs huge, soinhre wall 
 Hangs o'er each monk as funeral pall, — 
 From worldly ties, its joys and care. 
 There closing sternly, and for e'er, — 
 Their fixed, unalterable doom, 
 Immured within that mighty tomb. 
 No intercourse, no speech have they. 
 But vigils keep by night and day, — 
 And solitary, fasting pray. 
 Thus on their silent. Heavenly-way ! — 
 Their wealth relieving poverty. 
 And all of care and misery ; — 
 
 * Monastery. 
 
P E L A Y O . 421 
 
 The weight of age — the orphan youth — 
 Cheering, and teaching words of truth — 
 Through bounty kind : — the curtained-world, 
 Back to their vision ne'er unfurled. 
 The simplest food, their only fare. 
 Through grated doors receive they there, — 
 Coarse flannel robes, — rude beds of straw, — 
 And — stern, unpleasurable law — 
 No monk the labor e'en may save 
 Of digging for himself his grave. 
 Wherein doth fall his mortal whole. 
 When seeks his spirit brighter goal. 
 
 I'd tell how when years nineteen passed 
 
 Of blissful, glorious reign. 
 That Royal form, in death at last, 
 
 With pomp was sadly lain 
 In Saint Eulalia's regal tomb 
 
 At Valencia, old, — 
 To rest within her vaulted gloom, 
 
 Our King of Leon, bold ; — 
 How, they do say, that when his soul 
 
 From mortal thrall took flight 
 Unto the spirit's blessed goal 
 
 Of endless joys delight. 
 That all empyrean Heavens rang 
 
 With sweet celestial strain 
 
4:22 P E L A Y O . 
 
 From Angel hosts, who fondly sang 
 
 One Welcome, glad refrain ! 
 Through ether clear the chorus floats, 
 Till space is filled with joyous notes 
 Of praise unto the Just and Brave — 
 The righteous one, who Cross doth save 
 From infidel, blasphemous foe. 
 That fain would lay Christ's symbol low ! — 
 And these the holy words, all clear, 
 From Angels borne to mortal ear ! 
 
 " Ecce quomodo tollitur Justus, 
 Et nemo considerat ahlatus, 
 JSt a facie iniquitatis 
 Et erit in Face memoria eius." 
 Behold ! how the Just our Lord taketh to-day. 
 And no man considers why taken away ! — 
 From Iniquity's face doth he soar to the Blest ! 
 While in Peace shall his memory evermore rest ! 
 
 Of Spain's deep grief, still speak we might, — 
 
 And of her smiles again 
 When crowned Pelayo's bud of light, — 
 
 His daughter fair, to reign, — 
 When Ormasinde as queen arose, 
 
 With Alphonse, to the throne ; — 
 
P E L A Y O . 4:23 
 
 And how, as History still shows, 
 
 And to the world isJsnown, 
 Favila, to Oviedo's court. 
 
 King, second, did succeed, — 
 How sad he fell in hunting-sport. 
 
 To write is little need ; — 
 For this, each ancient tome will tell, — 
 
 Each vellum, parchmentscroU, — 
 Of " Happy Reign," — and what befell 
 
 Until aU reached the Goal. 
 
 But of their present who may speak ? 
 
 Where dwells each Royal soul ? 
 Who now may Regal-diary keep, — 
 
 Unfurl the Spirit-scroll? 
 
 If deeds of Worth, and acts of Love, 
 
 If Purity of heart, * 
 Be estimate in worlds Above, 
 
 Weighed in the Heavenly mart, — 
 As nobleness of mind and soul. 
 
 And Charity, and Truth, 
 Illumed their mortal lives the whole, 
 
 Methinks, that in good sooth, 
 Our Brave, and Beautiful, and Pure, 
 
 Together dwell fore'er, — 
 
424 
 
 P E L A Y O . 
 
 That love like theirs must stiU endure 
 Through endless ages there. 
 
 And we will deem them roving now 
 
 'Mid Heavenly bowers of Light, 
 Fairer than grace Asturia's brow — 
 
 Auseva's mountain-height, 
 With all their loved, — the Pm-e and True,- 
 
 The Blest of ages past ! 
 Where, if our work we faithful do, 
 
 TFe, yet, may dwell at last ! 
 
 And this, my passing, random thought. 
 
 In words of simple rhyme, — 
 For grief, as solace, only wrought, — 
 
 To soften grievous time 1 
 And, pray you, aU good readers dear, 
 
 Scan with a kindly eye 
 My birdling, fledged in trembling fear — 
 
 Ne'er thinking far to fly ; — 
 Sad woven rhymes, — in days of gloom 
 
 Strung but to stay the tear ! — 
 In dream-hfe to illume my tomb. 
 
 Of buried joys — so drear ! 
 
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 CONTENTS : 
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D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 MAKY OOWDEN OLAEKE'S EDITIOU 
 
 OF 
 
 Shakespeare. 
 
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 Instead of tho notes and comments which ordinarily accompany the textv ■ 
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 words and phrases, requiring explanation for those unconversant with Eliza- 
 bethan literature, is annexed; with references to respective acts and scenes; 
 thus offering ready elucidation when needed, — and only when needed. 
 
 A biographical and critical preface condenses into small space the historical 
 account of the Poet and his productions; whereto is appended a chronological 
 table of Shakespeare's life, which enables the reader at one view to see all the 
 authentic facts (in the order of their yearly succession) connected with oui 
 Dramatist's career, from birth to death. 
 
 A minor point — hut one conducing to prompt comprehension of dramatic 
 purpose while reading— Is the uniform placing of the stage direction (" Aside*") 
 before, instead of after the speech to be so spoken, as hitherto has been the mod* 
 in printing Bhakosp care's plays. 
 
 A leading critic once said: 
 
 "Bum the Yariorum edition. Take the first folio so far as it serves. Re- 
 move printers' eiTors by collation of the various Quartos. Amend corrupt lines 
 by a severe and jealous adoption of emendations. Print tho text without notes, 
 and leave the rest to Shakespeare. Such is our advice to that imaginary future 
 editor of the works who shall fall to his task in a proper spirit, thinicing nothing 
 of himself, much for tho public, and most of all for the Poet"— ATnPNjEUM,;iSo. 
 1577. 
 
 Much in accordance with the above judicious counsel has the present edition 
 been oonducted. 
 

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