LARA. CANTO I. I. THE Serfs are glad through Lara's wide domain, 5 Bowls on the board, and banners on the wall; Far chequering o'er the pictured window, plays The unwonted faggots' hospitable blaze; And gay retainers gather round the hearth, With tongues all loudness, and with eyes all mirth. 10 II. The chief of Lara is return'd again: And why had Lara cross'd the bounding main? Left by his sire, too young such loss to know, That fearful empire which the human breast III. 15 20 And Lara left in youth his father-land ; 25 But from the hour he waved his parting hand Each trace wax'd fainter of his course, till all Had nearly ceased his memory to recall. 30 Cold in the many, anxious in the few. Another chief consoled his destined bride, The young forgot him, and the old had died; That now were welcome in that Gothic pile. IV. He comes at last in sudden loneliness, And whence they know not, why they need not guess; 35 40 They more might marvel, when the greeting's o'er, 45 Not that he came, but came not long before: No train is his beyond a single page, Of foreign aspect, and of tender age. Years had roll'd on, and fast they speed away 50 He lives, nor yet is past his manhood's prime, 55 Though sear'd by toil, and something touch'd by time; |