Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/161

Rh 19.

Trembling, she snatch'd him from th' unequal strife,

In other fields the torrent to repel;

For nobler combats, here, reserv'd his life,

To lead the band, where godlike fell.

20.

From thee, poor pile! to lawless plunder given,

While dying groans their painful requiem sound,

Far different incense, now, ascends to Heaven,

Such victims wallow on the gory ground.

21.

There many a pale and ruthless Robber's corse,

Noisome and ghast, defiles thy sacred sod;

O'er mingling man, and horse commix'd with horse,

Corruption's heap, the savage spoilers trod.

22.

Graves, long with rank and sighing weeds o'erspread,

Ransack'd resign, perforce, their mortal mould:

From ruffian fangs, escape not e'en the dead,

Racked from repose, in search for buried gold.