Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/196

156 If you, ye Chiefs, and Fortune will allow,

We'll bend our course to yonder mountain's brow,

Where Pallas' walls, at distance, meet the sight,

Seen o'er the glade, when not obscur'd by night:

Then shall Æneas in his pride return,

While hostile matrons raise their offspring's urn;

And Latian spoils, and purpled heaps of dead

Shall mark the havoc of our Hero's tread;

Such is our purpose, not unknown the way,

Where yonder torrent's devious waters stray;

Oft have we seen, when hunting by the stream,

The distant spires above the valleys gleam."

Mature in years, for sober wisdom fam'd,

Mov'd by the speech, Alethes here exclaim'd,—

"Ye parent gods! who rule the fate of Troy,

Still dwells the Dardan spirit in the boy;

When minds, like these, in striplings thus ye raise,

Yours is the godlike act, be yours the praise;

In gallant youth, my fainting hopes revive,

And Ilion's wonted glories still survive."

Then in his warm embrace the boys he press'd,

And, quivering, strain'd them to his agéd breast;

With tears the burning cheek of each bedew'd,

And, sobbing, thus his first discourse renew'd:—

"What gift, my countrymen, what martial prize,

Can we bestow, which you may not despise?

Our Deities the first best boon have given—