That sway'd him onward with a secret pride So much he soar'd beyond, or sunk beneath Tis true, with other men their path he walk'd, XIX. With all that chilling mystery of mien, He had (if 'twere not nature's boon) an art 345 350 355 360 It was not love perchance-nor hate-nor aught 365 And once beheld, would ask of him again: And on the words, however light, would dwell: 370 375 His presence haunted still; and from the breast 380 Vain was the struggle in that mental net, XX. There is a festival, where knights and dames, 385 : 390 And the gay dance of bounding Beauty's train XXI. And Lara gazed on these, sedately glad, His brow belied him if his soul was sad; And his glance follow'd fast each fluttering fair, Whose steps of lightness woke no echo there: He lean'd against the lofty pillar nigh, With folded arms and long attentive eye, As if distrusting that the stranger threw; 400 405 410 Along the stranger's aspect fix'd and stern, Flash'd more than thence the vulgar eye could learn. XXII. ""Tis he!" the stranger cried, and those that heard Re-echoed fast and far the whisper'd word. 416 " "Tis he!"—" "Tis who?" they question far and near, Till louder accents rung on Lara's ear; So widely spread, few bosoms well could brook But Lara stirr'd not, changed not, the surprise 420 Seem'd now subsided, neither sunk nor raised XXIII. It were too much for Lara to pass by He turn'd, and met the inquisitorial tone My name is Lara!—when thine own is known, "Doubt not my fitting answer to requite 430 ""Tis Lara!-further wouldst thou mark or ask? "I shun no question, and I wear no mask." 436 "Thou shun'st no question! Ponder-is there none 66 'Thy heart must answer, though thine ear would shun? "And deem'st thou me unknown too? Gaze again! "At least thy memory was not given in vain. "Oh! never canst thou cancel half her debt, 66 Eternity forbids thee to forget." 440 446 With slow and searching glance upon his face Grew Lara's eyes, but nothing there could trace They knew, or chose to know-with dubious look He deign'd no answer, but his head he shook, And half contemptuous turn'd to pass away; But the stern stranger motion'd him to stay. "A word!-I charge thee stay, and answer here "To one, who, wert thou noble, were thy peer, "But as thou wast and art-nay, frown not, lord, "If false, 'tis easy to disprove the word— "But, as thou wast and art, on thee looks down, "Distrusts thy smiles, but shakes not at thy frown. "Art thou not he? whose deeds--' 450 "Whate'er I be, 455 "Words wild as these, accusers like to thee "I list no further; those with whom they weigh 'May hear the rest, nor venture to gainsay |