LII. Ne city's towers pollute the lovely view; Veil'd by the screen of hills: here men are few, But, peering down each precipice, the goat LIII. Oh! where, Dodona! is thine aged grove, Prophetic fount, and oracle divine? What valley echo'd the response of Jove? What trace remaineth of the thunderer's shrine? All, all forgotten-and shall man repine That his frail bonds to fleeting life are broke? Cease, fool! the fate of gods may well be thine: Wouldst thou survive the marble or the oak? When nations, tongues, and worlds must sink beneath the stroke! LIV. Epirus' bounds recede, and mountains fail; eye As ever Spring yclad in grassy dye: Or with the moon-beam sleep in midnight's solemn trance. LV. The Sun had sunk behind vast Tomerit, (25) Whose walls o'erlook the stream; and drawing nigh, He heard the busy hum of warrior-men Swelling the breeze that sigh'd along the lengthening glen. LVI. He pass'd the sacred Haram's silent tower, Here men of every clime appear to make resort. LVII. Richly caparison'd, a ready row Of armed horse, and many a warlike store Some high-capp'd Tartar spurr'd his steed away: The Turk, the Greek, the Albanian, and the Moor, Here mingled in their many-hued array, While the deep war-drum's sound announced the close of day. LVIII. The wild Albanian kirtled to his knee, With shawl-girt head and ornamented gun, And crooked glaive; the lively, supple Greek ; The bearded Turk that rarely deigns to speak, LIX. Are mix'd conspicuous: some recline in groups, And some that smoke, and some that play, are found; Half whispering there the Greek is heard to prate; "There is no god but God!-to prayer-lo! God is great!" LX. Just at this season Ramazani's fast Through the long day its penance did maintain : But when the lingering twilight hour was past, Revel and feast assumed the rule again: Now all was bustle, and the menial train Prepared and spread the plenteous board within; The vacant gallery now seem'd made in vain, But from the chambers came the mingling din, As page and slave anon were passing out and in. LXI. Here woman's voice is never heard: apart, Blest cares! all other feelings far above! Who never quits the breast, no meaner passion shares. |