Page:The Siege of Valencia.pdf/115

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Whose knell was in the breeze?—No, no, not theirs! Whose was the blessed voice that spoke of hope? —And there is hope!—I will not be subdued— I will not hear a whisper of despair! For Nature is all-powerful, and her breath Moves like a quickening spirit o'er the depths Within a father's heart.—Thou too, Gonzalez, Wilt tell me there is hope!

Hope but in Him Who bade the patriarch lay his fair young son Bound on the shrine of sacrifice, and when The bright steel quiver'd in the father's hand Just raised to strike, sent forth his awful voice Through the still clouds, and on the breathless air, Commanding to withhold!—Earth has no hope, It rests with Him.

Thou canst not tell me this! Thou father of my sons, within whose hands Doth lie thy children's fate.

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