Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/119

Rh friend, stands by; when the body is uncovered, the monk turns away his face—

"I remember," returned Lady Mandeville, "another instance, where a single thought has produced the effect, on me at least, of a whole poem of images: it is from Byron. The Prisoner of Chillon is speaking of the younger brother who lies buried at his side: he says, "And, while we are remembering, let me recall another passage from Scott that has always especially delighted me," observed Lord Mandeville. "The Minstrel is relating to the captive chieftain the battle in which his clan have been worsted: he softens the defeat by ascribing it all to his absence, and sinks the flight in the exclamation,