Where had his arm unwarlike caught that art? For it was not the blind capricious rage 790 A word can kindle and a word assuage; But the deep working of a soul unmixed With aught of pity where its wrath had fixed; Concentrates into all that's merciless: These, linked with that desire which ever sways 'Gainst Lara gathering raised at length a storm, Such as himself might fear, and foes would form, And he must answer for the absent head Of one that haunts him still, alive or dead. 800 VIII. Within that land was many a malcontent, Had made a path for blood and giant sin, New havock, such as civil discord blends, 809 Which knows no neuter, owns but foes or friends; Fixed in his feudal fortress each was lord, In word and deed obeyed, in soul abhorred. Thus Lara had inherited his lands, And with them pining hearts and sluggish hands; But that long absence from his native clime Had left him stainless of oppression's crime, And now diverted by his milder sway, All dread by slow degrees had worn away : 819 But more for him than them that fear was grown ; They deemed him now unhappy, though at first Their evil judgment augured of the worst, And each long restless night, and silent mood, Much he would speak not, but beneath his roof VOL. III. 830 And they who watched might mark that day by day, Some new retainers gathered to his sway; But most of late, since Ezzelin was lost, He played the courteous lord and bounteous host: Perchance his strife with Otho made him dread Some snare prepared for his obnoxious head; Whate'er his view, his favour more obtains With these, the people, than his fellow thanes. 840 If this were policy, so far 'twas sound, The million judged but of him as they found; From him by sterner chiefs to exile driven They but required a shelter, and 'twas given. With him contempt forbore to mock the poor; Youth present cheer and promised recompence Detained, till all too late to part from thence: 850 To hate he offered, with the coming change, The deep reversion of delayed revenge; To love, long baffled by the unequal match, All now was ripe, he waits but to proclaim That slavery nothing which was still a name. The moment came, the hour when Otho thought Secure at last the vengeance which he sought: His summons found the destined criminal Begirt by thousands in his swarming hall, 860 Fresh from their feudal fetters newly riven, Defying earth, and confident of heaven. That morning he had freed the soil-bound slaves Who dig no land for tyrants but their graves! 02 |