XLV. Ambracia's gulph behold, where once was lost GOD! was thy globe ordained for such to win and lose? XLVI. From the dark barriers of that rugged clime, Childe Harold passed o'er many a mount sublime, Are rarely seen; nor can fair Tempe boast XLVII. He passed bleak Pindus, Achernsia's lake, Yet here and there some daring mountain-band XLVIII. Monastic Zitza! from thy shady brow, Thou small, but favoured spot of holy ground! What rainbow tints, what magic charms are found! And bluest skies that harmonize the whole : Between those hanging rocks, that shock yet please the soul. XLIX. Amidst the grove that crowns yon tufted bill, Which, were it not for many a mountain nigh Might well itself be deemed of dignity, Is welcome still; nor heedless will he flee L. Here in the sultriest season let him rest, Fresh in the green beneath those aged trees; Here winds of gentlest wing will fan his breast, From heaven itself he may inhale the breeze : The plain is far beneath-oh! let him seize Pure pleasure while he can; the scorching ray Here pierceth not, impregnate with disease: Then let his length the loitering pilgrim lay, And gaze, untired, the morn, the noon, the eve away, LI. Dusky and huge, enlarging on the sight, Chimera's alps extend from left to right: Beneath, a living valley seems to stir; Flocks play, trees wave, streams flow, the mountain fir Nodding above: behold black Acheron! Once consecrated to the sepulchre. Pluto! if this be hell I look upon, Close shamed Elysium's gates, my shade shall seek for none! LII. Ne city's towers pollute the lovely view; Unseen is Yanina, though not remote, Veiled by the screen of hills: here men are few, Scanty the hamlet, rare the lonely cot; But, peering down each precipice, the goat Doth lean his boyish form along the rock, LIII. Oh! where, Dodona! is thine aged grove, What valley echoed the response of Jove? What trace remaineth of the thunderer's shrine? That his frail bonds to fleeting life are broke? When nations, tongues, and worlds must sink beneath the str LIV. Epirus' bounds recede, and mountains fail; Tired of up-gazing still, the wearied eye Reposes gladly on as smooth a vale As ever spring ycladin grassy dye : Ev'n on a plain no humble beauties lie, Where some bold river breaks the long expanse, And woods along the banks are waving high, Whose shadows in the glassy waters dance, Or with the moon-beam sleep in midnight's solemn trance. LV. The sun had sunk behind vast Tomerit, Whose walls o'erlook the stream; and drawing nigh, Swelling the breeze that sighed along the lengthening glen. LVI. He passed the sacred Haram's silent tower, Here men of every clime appear to make resort. 7 LVII. Richly caparisoned, a ready row Of armed horse, and many a warlike store While the deep war-drum's sound announced the close of day LVIII. The wild Albanian kirtled to his knee, And crooked glaive; the lively, supple Greek; The bearded Turk that rarely deigns to speak, LIX. Are mixed conspicuous: some recline in groups, << There is no god but God!-to prayer-lo! God is great! » |