Clarel/Part 1/Canto 4

4. Of the Crusaders
When sighting first the towers afar Which girt the object of the war And votive march—the Saviour's Tomb, What made the redeross knights so shy? And wherefore did they doff the plume And baldrick, kneel in dust, and sigh? Hardly it serves to quote Voltaire And say they were freebooters—hence, Incapable of awe or sense Pathetic; no, for man is heir To complex moods; and in that age Belief devout and bandit rage Frequent were joined; and e'en today At shrines on the Calabrian steep— Not insincere while feelings sway— The brigand halts to adore, to weep. Grant then the worst—is all romance Which claims that the crusader's glance Was blurred by tears? But if that round Of disillusions which accrue In this our day, imply a ground For more concern than Tancred knew, Thinking, yet not as in despair, Of Christ who suffered for him there Upon the crag; then, own it true, Cause graver much than his is ours At least to check the hilarious heart Before these memorable towers. But wherefore this? such theme why start? Because if here in many a place The rhyme—much like the knight indeed— Abjure brave ornament, 'twill plead Just reason, and appeal for grace.