Page:The Vespers of Palermo.pdf/12



Souls may not all be fetter'd. Oft, ere now, Conquerors have rock'd the earth, yet fail'd to tame Unto their purposes, that restless fire, Inhabiting man's breast.—A spark bursts forth, And so they perish!—'tis the fate of those Who sport with lightning—and it may be his: —Tell him I fear him not, and thus am free.

'Tis well. Then nerve that lofty heart to bear The wrath which is not powerless. Yet again Bethink thee, lady!— Love may change—hath changed To vigilant hatred oft, whose sleepless eye Still finds what most it seeks for. Fare thee well. —Look to it yet!—To-morrow I return. [Exit Eribert.

To-morrow!—Some ere now have slept, and dreamt Of morrows which ne'er dawn'd—or ne'er for them; So silently their deep and still repose Hath melted into death!—Are there not balms In nature's boundless realm, to pour out sleep Like this, on me?—Yet should my spirit still Endure its earthly bonds, till it could bear To his a glorious tale of his own isle, Free and avenged.—Thou should'st be now at work, In wrath, my native Etna! who dost lift Thy spiry pillar of dark smoke so high, Thro' the red heaven of sunset!—sleep'st thou still, With all thy founts of fire, while spoilers tread The glowing vales beneath?