Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/507

Rh For Elgin's fame thus grateful Pallas pleads,

Below, his name—above, behold his deeds!

Be ever hailed with equal honour here

The Gothic monarch and the Pictish peer:

Arms gave the first his right, the last had none,

But basely stole what less barbarians won.

So when the Lion quits his fell repast,

Next prowls the Wolf, the filthy Jackal last:

Flesh, limbs, and blood the former make their own,

The last poor brute securely gnaws the bone.

Yet still the Gods are just, and crimes are crossed:

See here what Elgin won, and what he lost!

Another name with his pollutes my shrine:

Behold where Dian's beams disdain to shine!

Some retribution still might Pallas claim,

When Venus half avenged Minerva's shame."

She ceased awhile, and thus I dared reply,

To soothe the vengeance kindling in her eye: