5. It is that settled, ceaseless gloom That will not look beyond the tomb, 6. What Exile from himself can flee? To Zones, though more and more remote, Still, still pursues, where-e'er I be, The blight of life-the demon Thought. 7. Yet others rapt in pleasure seem, And taste of all that I forsake; Oh! may they still of transport dream, 8. Through many a clime 'tis mine to go, And all my solace is to know, Whate'er betides, I've known the worst. 9. What is that worst? Nay do not ask In pity from the search forbear: Smile on-nor venture to unmask Man's heart, and view the Hell that's there. LXXXV. Adieu, fair Cadiz! yea, a long adieu! Who may forget how well thy walls have stood? First to be free and last to be subdued: And if amidst a scene, a shock so rude, Some native blood was seen thy streets to die; Here all were noble, save Nobility; None hugg'd a Conqueror's chain, save fallen Chivalry! LXXXVI. . Such be the sons of Spain, and strange her fate! They fight for freedom who were never free; A Kingless people for a nerveless state, Fond of a land which gave them nought but life, Back to the struggle, baffled in the strife, War, war is still the cry, "War even to the knife!" (18) So LXXXVII. Ye, who would more of Spain and Spaniards know, Go, read whate'er is writ of bloodiest strife: Whate'er keen Vengeance urged on foreign foe Can act, is acting there against man's life: War mouldeth there each weapon to his need- So may he make each curst oppressor bleed, may such foes deserve the most remorseless deed! · LXXXVIII. Flows there a tear of pity for the dead? Let their bleach'd bones, and blood's unbleaching stain, Thus only may our sons conceive the scenes we saw! LXXXIX. Nor yet, alas! the dreadful work is done, More than her fell Pizarros once enchain'd: Strange retribution! now Columbia's ease Repairs the wrongs that Quito's sons sustain'd, While o'er the parent clime prowls Murder unrestrain'd. XC. Not all the blood at Talavera shed, Not all the marvels of Barossa's fight, Not Albuera lavish of the dead, Have won for Spain her well asserted right. And Freedom's stranger-tree grow native of the soil! |