Though the far shouting of the distant crowd, IX. 915 The Leech was sent---but not in mercy---there 920 925 That day by day death still forbears to slake, 930 "Oh! water---water!"---smiling Hate denies X. "Twere vain to paint to what his feelings grew-- It even were doubtful if their victim knew. There is a war, a chaos of the mind, When all its elements convulsed---combined-- 935 Lie dark and jarring with perturbed force, 940 That juggling fiend---who never spake before--- No single passion, and no ruling thought That leaves the rest as once unseen, unsought; 945 But the wild prospect when the soul reviews--- 950 The joy untasted, the contempt or hate 'Gainst those who fain would triumph in our fate; 955 The hopeless past, the hasting future driven Things light or lovely in their acted time, 960 Not cankering less because the more conceal'd--- 965 Each hath some fear, and he who least betrays, 970 The only hypocrite deserving praise: Not the loud recreant wretch who boasts and flies; But he who looks on death---and silent dies. So steel'd by pondering o'er his far career, He halfway meets him should he menace near! 975 XI. In the high chamber of his highest tower, Not much could Conrad of his sentence blame, 980 His guilty bosom, but that breast he mann'd: 935 One thought alone he could not-dared not meet- "And now come torture when it will-or may, 990 "More need of rest to nerve me for the day!" This said, with languor to his mat he crept, 'Twas hardly midnight when that fray begun, For Conrad's plans matured, at once were done; 995 And Havoc loathes so much the waste of time, One hour beheld him since the tide he stemm'd- demn'd-- A chief on land---an outlaw on the deep--- XII. 1000 He slept in calmest seeming---for his breath 1010 1014 Of that closed eye, which opens but to pain, And with it, scarcely question'd, won her way Through drowsy guards that must that sign obey. Worn out with toil, and tired with changing blows, Their eyes had envied Conrad his repose; And chill and nodding at the turret door, 1026 They stretch their listless limbs, and watch no more: Just raised their heads to hail the signet-ring, Nor ask or what or who the sign may bring. XIII. 1030 She gazed in wonder, "Can he calmly sleep, "While other eyes his fall or ravage weep? "And mine in restlessness are wandering here--"What sudden spell hath made this man so dear? "True---'tis to him my life, and more, I owe, "And me and mine he spared from worse than wo: ""Tis late to think---but soft---his slumber breaks--"How heavily he sighs !---he starts---awakes!" 1035 1040 He raised his head---and dazzled with the light, His eye seem'd dubious if it saw aright: He moved his hand---the grating of his chain Too harshly told him that he lived again. "What is that form? if not a shape of air, "Methinks, my jailor's face shows wond'rous fair!" "Pirate! thou know'st me not---but I am one, 1045 "Grateful for deeds thou hast too rarely done; "Look on me---and remember her, thy hand "Snatch'd from the flames, and thy more fearful band. |