Glass . Book OSWALD. it $~ % •/& if OSWALD, M Ealtf WITH OTHER POEMS. BY T. G. VEAL. OvStv -Erf os roy zguvx stfttpvxH 3 iixl niEgt^ss' Theocr. LONDON: •> 30LD BT LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER ROW J FLETCHER, SOUTHAMPTON ; HORSEY, PORTSEA } AND NICHOLSON, FAREHAM. 1818. tr Pi iter, Portsea. TO WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Esq. Dear Sir, Perhaps my greatest pleasure in publishing this Tale may be the opportunity it affords me to acknowledge the disinterested kindnesses I for nearly three years received from you and yours. Few are more competent to judge of the merits anddemerits of this Work, and none, lam confident, will be more ready to allow the indulgences due to youth, inexperience, and want of time. VI DEDICATION. The following lines were ivritten after the bust' ness of my avocation ivas over, and those only can judge of my almost insuperable disadvantages, who have experienced the many inconveniences of a Scholastic Profession, particularly of the depart- ment below Superintendency. With regard to my characters, should it be asked why I have introduced a Turk for my Hero, this must be my answer, because I have read of no people so susceptible of the extremes of passion. Let not the supposition be indulged, that my theological opinions must be consonant with the sentiments expressed by some of my imaginary personages ; as it would be as inconsistent, and as far deviating from the fact, as to suppose that the advocates of virtuous actions must be unexceptiona- bly the performers of them. DEDICATION. Should there be any faint glimmerings of ability in the folloiving Composition, any promising rays in this early morning of life, may not a brighter noon (sans vanite) be anticipated. As the Peruser of these lines, 1 know you ivill consider that they are the Production of perseverance ; as a Friend, you icill acknotvledge the imperfections but forgive them; as a Critic, pause before you blast, conscious, that the triumph over weakness can be but in- significant : Venator sequitur fugientia, capta relinquir, Gloria pugnantes vincere major erit. Gratitude compels me to make a public acknow- ledgement of my sincerest thanks to those who have condescended to patronize my first, my puerile Performance. Were I to mention them respectively, it would occasion severul additional pages to this «" DEDICATION. Work, and although the names of many persons as distinguished for their abilities, as they are conspicuous for their situations in life, would ap- pear, ; I have individually preferred this method of expressing my obligations, as being less tinctured with ostentation, I know I cannot by this dedication increase your celtbrily, but it is a pleasing pride, that a man so eminently useful in his profession, so universally esteemed for his abilities, and so admired in Ms domestic circle, permits me to subscribe myself, Most affectionately, His obedient Servant, T. G. VEAL. May 1, 1818. OSWALD. CANTO FIRST. Quae tam festa dies, ut cesset prodere furem, Perfidiam, fraudes, atque omni ex crimine lucrum Quaesitum, et partos glarlio, vel pyxidc uummos ? — JOVENAt. I. " Free as the gales that skim the watery way, " Free as the waves which dash the milky spray, " Free as the birds that cleave the denseless air, il So boundless free the Bandit's pleasures are. " Nor earth, nor sky, affects his active nerves ; 7 " Nor pain, nor danger, duty's function swerves. " Though seared by toil, each feels a pleasure true " To grasp the plenty which surrounds the few, " And scarce can conscience call that action sin, ee Which masters dangerous obstacles to win :— 10 " What if it do ? examples make it void— " Dishonest all, the employer and the employed : " Forced by a tyrant's will, the rude-born boor " fri mean submission labours — and is poor ; " He work:?,, he groans, ah ! sedulous in vain! " The haughty master triumphs in his chain ; " Upbraids his sloth, his pilfering disapproves, " Condemns the failings that his life approves ; " While he, the clown, the same advice conveys, " And both are villains, but in different ways. 20 " Ours is a something fathomless to all, " Alike unfelt, save in a Bandit's soul ! -" Can welcome danger, metamorphose death, " And brave the monster with a dying breath. " What though no tears shall trickle o'er Our grave, " Such tears as pity weeps for virtuous brave : " No splendid tomb, no marble urn shall rise, " No measured lays, to grace our obsequies ; " Unhallowed ground shall hold our mouldering clay, " Our vault — some cavern, and our tears— the spray ; 30 " No monarch's voice, no senate's shall adjust " The figured dome, or emulative bust ; " Yet, as the Ephesian's, 1 still our deeds shall last, '* For Fame has blown them with an unusual blast!" II. Such were the sounds that echoed round the Cave, Which formed a shelter for the cruel brave, — The flinty roof with checkered flashes gleams ; The purple juice in sparkling currents streams ; With clamorous shouts the mountain-world resounds, The ragged song, or hoarser laugh abounds. 4C Here, one more callous would unblushing tell How oft the traveller by his dagger fell ; How oft he smiled to hear the dying prayer Invoking vengeance on the ruthless slayer. Another, wiped, with unaverted eye, Corroding steel from recent guilty die, Nor felt a chill, nor deemed the frozen stain Had aught to sicken, or to whisper pain. But say, what means that sudden, anxious Still ? — The Crew 's alarmed — the cause ? — a bugle's thrill ! 50 " Hassan's within — not his the unwonted blast — " He comes ! — " " What — ho ! who guards the outer fast ? " " Bernardo's there — Lorenzo was the last " — l( Again—" he looked inexplicably stern :— " Conrad, ascend, this strange intrusion learn — " How changed the scene ! a moment since how rude — ^Twas then on wine, but now, all think on blood ! " In peasant's garb one seeks admission here — " ^0 " Alone ?"— " Alone !— " " the trap unbolt — nor fear — " III. Admittance gained, the Stranger strode his way, Nor deigned to heed the guide's repeated ' stay. 5 And as he passed the eager-gazing throng, He glanced a look that silenced every tongue ; In embryo crushed the mien's expressive thought, For why ? or what ? — he thus their Cavern sought — " Your Chief I seek—" 70 " yon's he with sable plume — " « 'Tis only he—" enough — they quit the room — Not so the doubts the mind ; suspicions rise, All think of him — the Stranger in disguise. One said, superior to his scowling mien, O'erclouded traits of dignity were seen ; The haughty brow, the sullen, piercing pry, Portentous marks, that vulgar souls belie: His hasty steps concealment ill became : 80 One saw— or thought he saw— a falchion's gleam ; Then — when he passed the Cavern's farther fast — His cloak was ruffled by a sudden blast. Imagination swells the mental strife, And half-quenched doubtings blazen into life. From him they augur ills as yet unborn, A palling night, discordant with their morn. Nor was their Chief of late as wont to be, Nor seemed he wholly of suspicion free ; For oft he wandered from the Cave alone, 90 Nor knew his Vassals wherefore he was gone ; And when returned, he kept within — concealed — Nor of his wanderings any thing revealed ; Excepting once — when, flinging off his cloak, He missed his dagger, and of treachery spoke; And muttered much, and said the time would be The man he served, should curse his villainy. — ■ Thus, chill surmises wane to discontent, And in distrustings peevishly relent. " Marked ye not how he grasped his outer guise, iqq " As if to shun inquisitorial eyes? " Why, shrinks he not to mingle with a Clan, ft Whose very name e'en harrows fears in man ? " He knows our Chief— for Pedro saw him bend, « Not as a stranger — neither seemed he friend : " Nor glowed his cheek, as lighted by surprise, ** When Hassan met his scrutinizing eyes— *' He is no peasant , though the garb he wore ! " 'T would freeze his heart, ay ! to its inmost core, " At dead of night, unarmed— alone — to come; 110 " A bravo thus would shudder far to roam.—* " He might be traitor, purchased to betray, u y of g^ can bribe its damned slaves to stray " Where lions fear, and tigers will not prowl, " Nor wolves affrighten with the midnight howl— < c What if he tell some direful storm will fall ; " If 'gainst our Chief, 'tis dangerous sure to all — " All claim alike the shelter held for one, " All care alike the impending ill to shun." The growing spark had burst in direful flame, 120 But Osmond passed — and looked a look of shame : Save him, no man his Chiefs emprizes knew : Dauntlessly brave, in thickest fight he flew ; With reeking hands, to darker regions sped, A vulpine throng that round his Chieftain spread : From hence securer bonds than interest's tie — Friendship must prompt when man for man can die: Nor marvel how a jewel so refined, Could gain admittance in a Bandit's mind : The flinty rock has fed the purple bell ; 130 The daisy flower bedecked the barren dell ; In oozy streams, the glittering ore is found ; The blazing stone, within the rugged mound — " These wranglings cease — let dark Sedition fly — " The man who dares to doubt — must dare to die".— 'Twas but a moment's gloom — and Anger tame, Untwined her coil and withered into Shame ; Each swarthy visage self-confusion clothed, And soon the mind, the mincl's misgivings lothed. IV. " The Stranger comes" — the Troop intensely scanned 140 With riving gaze — amazement filled the Band, — As if to search the heart of heart's recess, And pluck from thence its hidden secretness. But as he turned, a half-formed smile was seen, Yet in its birth 'twas withered on his mien ; A smile, that glided with suspicion's dart, And scared the doubtings of a doubtful heart; — Though pale Distrust ran whispering through theCrew, The Stranger deemed himself unknown to view, Glowed with the thought.— to Hassan gave a wave, 150 With cautious steps then hurried from the Cave. V. But lo their Chief! awhile he paused and stood A musing statue — then his Vassals viewed — As if some mystery revelled in his breast, Which wished, but feared, to vent itself to rest. — He might be wronged — but then his face denied The nameless something which the gazer spied— " To-night I leave you ! yes, to-night I go, " Alone — not yet to battle with a foe ; " Yet, ere your Chief's return, there shall a blow 160 " Be struck on one — my curse— O Fortune smile ! " And let success enrich the long-wished while. — " Osmond, attend, within this offered scroll, " Is wrote the purport of my labouring soul : " Soon as the period mentioned here is fled, " The Troop well arm, and through the forest lead " To where is stated— mark thou well the rest, " Not as a chieftain's, but a friend's behest. i( Within an hour from hence I make retreat — " Thou, Pedro, wait, and see my arms complete—' 170 " Still let the guards be duly placed without, " Nor fail to send the plunder-greeting scout— M Nor wander far, lest safety's lost by zeal, " The fault of one may blast the general weal— " Should booty offer, let no prating one " Survive, and others tell what deeds were done — " But time has wings, the better wish is brief, 1 « While absence lasts, let Osmond be your Chief. -" " How strange the act !" revibrates far and near, And some were wrought to hate, and some to fear. 180 " How strange the act ! but whose the cunning wile?" In whispers echoes through the vaulted ile. — And whose— but his, the Stranger's, who retired With haughty brow, exultingly inspired ? IV. The time is come — and at the hour they find Hassan prepared — disguised as travelling hind* He filled the goblet, drank success anew, Shook Osmond's hand, and bade the rest adieu. He quits the hall !— the Cavern shelving soon — The chain withdrawn, he views the glittering moon ; 190 The dancing radiance wavered o'er the place— The stars were twinkling- cloudless was the face Of heaven —he gained the trap — a moment more Without he stood — he startled as the door 10 Concealed the gap — he marked the fastening chain, Replaced the brake, and hastened to the plain — Speeds through a pass — now o'er a craggy way He bends his course — glistening was the spray — ■ A wood he reached — the gloom was awful, wild, For not a ray the impervious path beguiled ; 20O Impenetrably thick the broad trees grew, Expelled sky, stars, and Luna's light from view. — 'Twould fright a Bravo's soul, if fear could dwell Within the confines of so foul a cell ! There was a Cave, engulphed beneath the brow Of craggy rocks, scarce boots it when or how ; Yet one might deem it formed by Nature's hands: On either side a rising mountain stands; Its narrow path the hind could scarcely tread, So thick, so wild, the pierceless branches spread. 2l# Its yawning mouth was hid by bushy brakes, Securely held by intertwining stakes. So nice the art, the Viewer scarce could tell The secret passage to the darksome cell : 'Twas here, the Murderer might securely dwell, And think of Heaven exchanged for depthless Hell ; 'Twas here, that Conscience echoing back his guilt, Might deem him damned for the blood he spilt : 11 'Twas here, that Hatred— Strife — Ambition — Care — Of Hope deprived— might madden to Despair. — 220 And here came Hassan — gloomily he came — He bends — he calls — he answers to his name — 'Twas he, the Stranger, who had left his hall, Was loitering there, and echoed back his call — A light was glimmering in the nearest arch— They both descend — and Hassan takes the torch. — Their miens how ghastly with the yellow flare ! As Death and Devil stalking in their lair ! " The night is cold, or else the Cavern's damp — " " It is — it is — be careful of the lamp, 230 " Should that expire, 'twere useless in the dark " To probe this mazy way — " " Whence that noise?— hark!" " 'Tis but the droppings of the Cavern's wall, " Which far decending bubble as they fall." " Marked you a Peasant as you passed the wood ?" " When? tonight?" " ay— ay— " " no—" " methought one viewed 240 " Me with a curious eye, as if afraid " My dagger was for him "— 12 OSWALD. " we're not betrayed?" i( Give fears to winds — if villany is near, " Beneath this Cloak the Traitor's death I wear." And much they wander ere their wanderings end, At length the windings thickening, narrower bend — The light's extinguished — farther on, the eye Could see the twinklings of the spangled sky.— A gate was there—it led to rising ground 250 Like Castle's wall, or elevated mound — The Stranger spoke — *' in silence Hassan wait While I ascend and see there's none to prate." " 'Twas well : " — he went— a moment gone — again Returned — and Hassan started from the dropping den. OSWALD, CANTO SECOND. — — Misero quod omnes Eripit sensus mihi : nam simul te Lesbia aspexi, nihil est super mi Quod loquar amens : Lingua sed torpet, tenuis sub artus Flamma dimanat, sonitu suopte Tinniunt aures, gemina teguntur Lumina nocte. CATDi. Epig. 52. I. In Zanga's Castle busy is the scene, In Zanga's Castle arms are heard again : Each crested head with towering plumage waves ; With war's emotions every bosom heaves : The bossy shields which long had graced the hall, Corroded spears long figured on the wall, 14 Are now removed — the din of steel resounds, The glowing court with death-armed troops abounds. Changed is thy soul, O Zanga, ah ! to thee Lost are the joys of softer harmony! 10 Zulema stolen!— it were not strange that now Revenge alone could radiate thy brow — Soft peace was thine — a withering storm arose, Blasted thy hopes, and made thy transports woes. II. He loved — adored — but was he loved again — Oh! pregnant thought, pervading, filled with pain! — Zulema heard his vows, and hearing, blushed — She did not frown — love's fearfulness was hushed. He wept, he knew not why, yet wept again — His woe was gone, his tears, not tears of pain. 20 The imprisoned flame, free, bursts its narrow cell, In rapturous bliss, in boundless joy to dwell ! Zulema's — Zanga's crimson cheeks unite ; Their burning lips — ineffable delight! Their mutual bliss irriguous omens prove — No words they want — 'twas pure, 'twas speechless love! Let Monarchs boast ubiquitary sway, Their millions count, who silently obey ; 15 Let Conquerors vaunt the many marble forms In admiration of their dauntless arms ; 30 The Poet wave the Bard's immortal wreath, For godlike sparks his measured verses breath ; The power's confined; the Victor's raptures dull; The Halo's dim, compared with Zanga's soul ! Untired — unchanged — the impassioned Lovers grew, And often told — 'twas sweet! their loves anew. But once they met, it seemed the last to part, The wild farewell long echoed to the heart; It augured much, a thought benumbed with pain, As if they parted, ne'er to meet again. 40 III. " The varied streaks from yon expiring sun, " The gloom condensing, prove the day is done — " The voiceless woods, the floating Zephyr's chill, " The glittering rills, the universal still, " Heaven's spangled armour, and yon silver lamp, " The weeping dews, the air's imbibing damp, " Proclaim the night. " — then Zanga to the grove Retired, where first Zulema heard his love- He oft strayed there ! again, again, to tell His quenchless flame, his yet unaltered soul : §0 16 There on her breast to breathe the sinless sigh, Which never broke from heart of treachery ; To kiss the tear of joy, which stole unseen, From her full eye, and rippled down her mein; To hear her words, which tremulously told, What Virtue's self could never blush to unfold. He came— he stopt-- yet still no footsteps heard — * ( Another hour — not yet" — he doubted — feared — " Why these chill thoughts, forboding heart — say why ? " Zulema's false — Oh ! no she's purity ! 60 " Not thus she used — 'twas winged — not pinioned haste— " She ne'er did thus, dear, precious moments, waste— " She fears the cold! perhaps yon Alcove sought, " He knocked — he looked — there solemn stillness wrought. His doubting heart bethought the Corridore — But disappointment mocked him o'er and o'er : The worked Saloon — dull solitude was there, No face — no voice — removed his anxious care. His mind re-echoed back their last adieu, * Zanga, farewell ! ' till death Zulema's true : 70 Her wild embrace, her trembling, chilling, kiss— Her sobs — as if she sobbed adieu to bliss; Her weeping Agony, her swollen eye, As Pleasure blasted into Misery ; OSWALD. 17 Were seen afresh, but now his heart they tore, Chilled in its blood, and curdled in its core. "She's gone — but where? — lie still thou heaving- heart — u And is it coldly thus, without one tear we part"? — Naught knew the Matrons of their Lady's flight, Though one observed, when first the curtained night 80 Let fall her folds, two Peasants strangely steal Around the Mansion, through the distant vale, (Where oft Zulema walked — ) there Zanga bounds— The valley gained, soon echoes with his sounds: • Zulema's name, the distant rocks repeat, The dells, the mountains, and the thick retreat; Zulema's name, in wildest doubts he cries — Zulema comes not — sends not — nor replies. — He sought the wood, and as he trod the way, A something waving hung upon a spray ; 90 He turned — he started — as by magic tranced, His eyes aghast on some delusion glanced ; He looked — he grasped a veil with trembling hand, " 'Tis hers — she's stolen — ' he groaned, he fell unmanned ' Oh ! how he felt — for near the torn bush laid, Where hung the tattered vest, a sheathless blade ! He saw no blood, nor had the steel a stain — But she was gone— and more — she might be slain — 18 He rose — he sprung — his flashing sabre drew ; To Alla's throne his starting eye balls flew — 100 " O Prophet ! pray one hour for my revenge — " Zulema ! Zanga will thy wrongs avenge ; " Within this breast shall Blood her banners rear ^ " Pity, avaunt — Regret, begone — hence, Fear — " Remembrance ! stamp indelibly the deed ; — " Reflection! wing this well proved falchion's speed — " No boyish tears shall dim the glittering blade. — " A crimson die, a richer hue shall spread — These words addressed — he flew with anxious breath., To rouse Destruction and to summon Death. 110 Thus oft alas ! when Expectation's high, And Hope looks smiling at Felicity ; When skies are mistless, and no murky cloud In ether swims, the radiancy to shroud ; When winds are voiceless, and life's checkered stream, Flows smoothly on, unruffled and serene : Hope shrivels into pain — heaven scowling grows — And the still calm to rudest tempest blows. IV. The night had waned — sweet breathed the youthful morn, The dew transparent glistened on the thorn, 120 19 The Moon retired, as if ashamed to view The brighter Orb from whence her radiance grew ; From steaming earth sweet exhalations sprung, And countless warblers morning sonnets sung. Yet still the lamp illumined Zanga's Hall, The Warder still looked anxious from the wall — He came not — sent not — morning fled like night — The fervid noon — " 'tis strange — all is not right! — " Thus fled the hours — again the expiring day In lucid dew-drops weeps its self away — 130 The gate's secured — the silver moon her reign Again resumes — the guard his post again.— 'Twas then, that muffled in his cloak he blew A treble blast — with joy the Porter flew — Breathless, o'erspent with haste, pale Zanga sped Direct within — the inmates frightened fled — There stretched, he thought of happiness deprived, He searched for hope — alas ! no hope derived — He thought on her — Zulema — vanished — stolen — On promised pleasures — ever, ever flown — 140 He thought her false— that thought was madness — death; His eyes rolled vacant, thick his struggling breath — He thought, Ob ! damning thought ! anothe r's bliss— Boasting — revelling-— in her wanton kiss: 20 He clenched his hand — his steel— he muttered— drew — He raised his arm — a Vassal met his view — He stopt — he blushed — a dagger fell unseen — The soul's confusion fluttered on the mien. V. Vain were his hopes at dawn, the morning sun Would ease his heart — restore that stolen one! 150 Vain, that at evening hour she might return, And cool his feverish brain's distracting burn ! Again the wood he trod, the valley sought, Again in vain ! the search no knowledge brought. He deemed each ruffled bush, each bending spray, Disrobed by those who tore his all away. — Strange who his foes— for Zanga ne'er Had rashly caused a Tyrant's hate or fear. Nor would the neighbouring Bandits seize, for they Esteem not women, but a golden prey. 160 VI. One night he wandered— not as wont ; to impart The unextinguished passion of his heart, But wrapt in thought — he passed the moat— 'twas full — A second heaven was glittering in the pool, 21 Walls, turrets, spires, with pierceless ivy crowned. — Beyond the bridge, a rolling hat he found, And farther still, a Peasant— senseless — pale — The unhappy Stranger answered not his hail : And Zanga pitied— pity's function felt — Though seared by grief yet still his heart could melt.170 Thus, sacred Virtue never fails to show Her power, where once she loves to glow ; Though veiled awhile in sad affliction's shroud, Her darkened rays dart dimly through the cloud, She still exists, and ever shall, to be The Sun to melt the mists of misery. The Guard he summoned — " bear the Stranger in"— Twas quick obeyed with pleasure on the mein ; " 'Twas thus he used" — the gladdened Warder cried — " 'Twas thus he used — " and as he finished — sighed. 180 The morning came, and with its earliest light Came sweeter health, to greet the Peasant's sight; Around him stand the Castle's gazing train, Anxious to hear his woe, relieve his pain. — " Say friends to whom my kind relief I owe, " That my full soul its thankfulness may show." «' Zanga our Chief —why that pallid hue ? " His face, how changed !' — they wonder as they view— 22 " At Zanga's name — 'twere passing strange if he " Could cause the ill, and yet Preserver be ; 190 e * But so it must -or wherefore did he start, " As if the sound were wormwood to his heart? " Could he be villain ? he with sin agree ? — " If Angels change to Devils— then might he! " What though no Christian — yet he has a God — " A soul — a hope — a heaven — and vice's rod ; " And nature too — as warm — as pure a heart — " And faults has Zanga — shieldless — free to art — " And much they marked his late disquietude, In silence marked it — farther might be rude — 200 And now that Peasant sickens at his name, 'Tis as a breeze to fan the hidden flame. " Where's now that Chief ? for he must know my tale, " For much it nears him, much concerns his weal, " If thoughts are right, if naught besides, his aid " Right claims my gratitude, which had been paid " Before, but at his name my fears grew green, " And all my terrors rose as newly seen ; " It roused again my scarce forgotton fear — " 'Twas as a parent's death-bell on my ear ; 210 " For, oh! it brought afresh a sufferer's cry, " A weeping female's screaming agony — 23 " I heard her shrieks, I heard her ardent prayer—" 1 Zanga survives to blast thee, cursed betrayer.' — VI. " Zanga's within, in safety rest, while I " The message give, and wait for his reply. — " And while one tarried, much the Vassals strive To know the tale, but nothing could derive, Save this, that lately, as he walked by night, Strange sights he saw, which filled him with affright- And cries had heard, and when he nearer grew, 220 In Peasant's garbs two Strangers met his view, Who in their arms a senseless female bore, But soon they vanished, and he heard no more : Returning to his cot that night, he viewed One seen before, strange hurrying through the wood — He wore a cloak, yet still by moon-light's beam, Which brightly shone, he marked a something gleam — . 'Twas armour— then he deemed him bravo fierce, The Peasant's terror, and the Traveller's curse. — 330 Thus winged with fear, o'er hill and plain he sped, And quickening on, he fell, o'ercome with dread. When summoned by their Chief, long time within He stayed, and told his all in secret and unseen ; 24 And since that hour, on Zanga's faded mien A smiling something often had been seen ; It was not hope, nor looked it like despair, Yet something grew instead of sorrow there : He seemed familiar — with the old discoursed, And smiled applause when they on arms conversed ; 240 But when they told a Tyrant's direful fall, He heard it twice — as if it pleased his soul — Would give a smile for every gushing wound, And tearless view him, writhing on the ground ; — And ask his deeds— and then he would appear Absorbed in thought, and oft would drop a tear, Not for his death — but those his cruel hate Had wronged — at length avenged — perhaps too late!— His Castle now a different aspect wore, The din of war, scarce ever heard before, 250 Loud echoes there — the youthful Vassals armed, With love of Fame, and hopes of Glory warmed ; In martial movements tread the spacious Yard, Proud of their trappings, prouder of their Lord. OSWALD, a Cale* CJNTO THIRD. O Treacherous Conscience ! while she seems to sleep On rose and myrtle, lulled with siren song; » ■ " See, from behind her secret stand, The sly informer minutes every fault, And her dread diary with horror fills. Young. I. Bright flame the various lamps in Oswald's Hall ; The haughty banners float along the wall ; A bending troop on either side appears, Enrobed in armour— many are its spears — Arms, vests, devices, glitter in the rays, And add a lustre to the general blaze! Aloft in order sit the Vocal train, In boisterous echoes rolls the trumpet's strain; The noisy drum, the lover's sweeter lute, The clanking cymbal, and the pipe so mute, 10 Resound — but why the feast ? no matter why — 'Twas Oswald's feast! — and more who dared to pry ? His deeds were strange, and some could farther say, But yet they must not — lives might whisperings pay. His wealth was vast, his gifts to all were great, And gold can melt the soul resolved to hate ! Though passing kind, he never fawned — caressed — And not a man his secret thoughts possessed. His very air would stifle disrespect — . None dare despise, though few his fame protect. 20 And sleeping sometimes he would strangely start, (Perchance some secret palaced in his heart — ) And mutter much (better perhaps concealed) Of Towers and Force — and yet they nought revealed To prove him Villain, nor the doubts repose — Still undefined and wandering thoughts arose. The aged sires would shake their locks, and say, Deeds had been done which could not face the day ; They prayed him peace, but faltered as they prayed, As if their object hopelessly had strayed. 30 27 In deepest gloom he oft would pace the wall, While every Vassal revelled in the hall, Except the lonely Guard — and he would steal, Silent and unperceived to gather — to reveal ; Nor vain his pry — for once in darkest night, A muffled something flitted in his sight, Which roused suspicion — and his heart might fear 'Twere Ghost or Daemon — but a voice was near, Which seemed responsive to another's call, That faintly echoed from remoter wall. 'Twas then with cautious steps he nearer stole, And stood concealed within a turret's hole ; And there be quaked — for who could surely say A dagger might not his presumption pay ? Yet still he stayed — and could he thence withdraw? 'Twere certain death e'en if his flight they saw. From thence, he heard words little understood, And yet he trembled — they were words on blood. And one seemed Oswald, for he louder grew, And by his anger he his accents knew ; Or thought he did—" she must — she shall be mine, " I've doubly sworn it at the hallowed shrine ; '" Nor would I break my sacred oath to please " A dying Father and his conscience ease ! " 28 Were words he heard — and more he had, but wind Rude whistling blew, and left them undefined : It ceased — he marked — the same was speaking still Of one who ought and should obey his will ; If not, he knew 'twere better far to see, A rival bleeding than outrivalled be ; 60 Blood might be best, so firm he thought their love, That death alone would but propitious prove. The other blamed — and said 'twas surer far To fight a cunning, than an open war ; As yet he scarcely knew his Rival, if he did It were not good he openly should bleed. — And much they mused, for midnight long had fled, Before the Stranger from the Castle sped ; And when he passed, he glided quick— unseen — Except by him who had a witness been : 70 Nor e'er had be the secret passage known, Through which the Stranger— Daemon-like had flown. II. And music had been heard ! such strains as swell, When secret anguish preys upon the soul ! Such soothing chords as weeping mortals greet — Sadness' melting charm— tremulous, yet sweet ! But vulgar minds had deemed them troubled sounds Of wandering Ghost— that flits in serial bounds — Or hovers o'er with mad disquietude The tombless bones, or dungeon stained with blood ; 80 Invoking Vengeance, with a nightly lay Of sweetest, saddest, purest melody ! But one there was, who farther could relate Of sounds, but durst not — what might be his fate ! For well he knew> the soul once worked to fear, Would feel a Hell, when what it feared was near ; And adder-like, would writhe, and hiss, and sting, Till death had silenced the detested thing: Besides, he trespassed on forbidden ground — He were as dead within that fortress found ! 90 And few would venture unforbidden there — 'Twas like a lion's or a tiger's lair ! For who could wander near that frightful tower ? So great the force of Superstition's power ! But he had gone, no matter wherefore — why — He still had gone, and were it known — might die. And well he marked and oft again had read, And then would sigh, and wish he had not stayed. A Female's mournful accents he could hear— She seemed relating of a dream of fear.— 100 30 OSWALD. As yet, 'twas dark— she might have just awoke — But much she wept, and weeping- thus she spoke : " Tell me no more !— though but a midnight's dream, " The scene was chilling — terrible to name ! — " I viewed the strife — I saw his flashing sword — " Steel firing steel, with jarring clang I heard — " I marked him wounded, bloody, pale — he knelt — " With every look a deeper pang I felt! " 'Twas then methought he viewed me from afar, " The sight but armed him mightier for the war— 110 " Again he rose, again his falchion waved, " Again his face with sweat and gore was laved ! — " Crowds fell on crowds! — while he by victory flushed " With speed impetuous o'er the drawbridge rushed ; " The Guards— affrighted — wondering — death-struck — fled— " While every stroke but multiplied the dead !„ " Bands wedged in vain his fury to repel — " Who dared withstand — within a moment fell — " His vengeful eyes flashed terror and dismay ! — 120 " His spattered armour, sword, Havoc's tints display; " Streams hurried streams, and groans re-echoed groans ! " The victors' shouts confused with dying moans ! " In blackest clouds now rolling smoke arose — " The buzzing blasts encircled friends and foes — 31 " Through crackling windows howled embodied fire : M Down tumbling fell walls, battlements, and spire ! (( In belching flames he vanished from my view — " O God ! my fears — again in sight he flew ! " The tower he gained — the nearer Turret passed — 130 " A moment more — with anxious raptures clasped " His lost Zulema— Alia — Prophet praised — " He wildly kissed me and as wildly gazed — " 'Twas bliss ! 'twas Heaven ! 'twas agony ! 'twas Hell !— • " For Zanga ! bleeding— groaning — writhing — fell. — " Convulsed, I raved — I shrieked a thrilling scream — " Awoke, and scarce believed the cause — a dream ! — III. But on this night, had Oswald summoned all, To feast — carouse — within the ancient Hall. He oft did thus !— -not that he loved the mirth, 140 Or deemed the pleasures more than nothing worth, Which pleased his Vassals — for he much would chide The charms of vulgar souls, but felt a pride To see his banners ruffled in the wind — Sure exultations to the haughty mind ! Besides, there fled to sight amidst the show, That gloomy something, which would shade his brow 32 When e'er he sat alone, that chaos of the soul, Which list in darkness, never ends to roll. High at the feast he sits, but scarcely quaffs 150 The offered pledge, or mingles in the laughs. And near, a Stranger — Hassan known by name ; He came that eve — none knew from whence he came— " A stormy night, if omens ever won ; " In murky vapours died the setting sun ; " And as the glade some distance hence I passed, " Thick rolled the clouds — portentous of a blast ! " Already flashes wavered in the air : " My courser startled at the flitting glare, " And wildly bounded, as if roughly driven, 160 " To escape the war, black-gathering in the Heaven ! " And true he spoke— for scarcely ceased his tale, When flashed the lightnings, followed by a peal Of rumbling thunder — fearfully all rose, Save Oswald, Hassan, they no fears disclose — A silence followed — through the painted glass The thickening lightnings, strangely wavering pass, And paint huge figures on the farther wall — Which else was dark — 'twas distant from the Hall — The windows rattle rudely with the rain— 170 " Marked ye that flash?—" the thunder rolled again — 33 Fresh tu* rents streamed — a calm again ensued — And Hassan kept a sullen, silent mood. " Ah! Mercy! — see yon tumbling mass of fire — " The falling orb glanced near the haunted spire — " " Was that a shriek?" Count Oswald wildly rose- He rushed without — the doors with jarring close — Few marked his absence, fewer still the cry — Each soul was wrapt in self security — The Stranger saw it with an angry eye. 190 " E'er since my youth, I scarce have ever seen