Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 2.djvu/281

CANTO III.] Than mightier heroes of a longer date.

What want these outlaws conquerors should have N9

But History's purchased page to call them great?

A wider space—an ornamented grave?

Their hopes were not less warm, their souls were full as brave.

XLIX.

In their baronial feuds and single fields,

What deeds of prowess unrecorded died!

And Love, which lent a blazon to their shields,

With emblems well devised by amorous pride,

Through all the mail of iron hearts would glide;

But still their flame was fierceness, and drew on

Keen contest and destruction near allied,

And many a tower for some fair mischief won,

Saw the discoloured Rhine beneath its ruin run.

L.

But Thou, exulting and abounding river!

Making thy waves a blessing as they flow

Through banks whose beauty would endure for ever

Could man but leave thy bright creation so,

Nor its fair promise from the surface mow

With the sharp scythe of conflict,—then to see