Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/268

236 Of deeper passions; and to judge their mien,

He, who would see, must be himself unseen.

Then—with the hurried tread, the upward eye,

The clenchéd hand, the pause of agony,

That listens, starting, lest the step too near

Approach intrusive on that mood of fear:

Then—with each feature working from the heart,

With feelings, loosed to strengthen—not depart,

That rise—convulse—contend—that freeze or glow,

Flush in the cheek, or damp upon the brow;

Then—Stranger! if thou canst, and tremblest not,

Behold his soul—the rest that soothes his lot!

Mark how that lone and blighted bosom sears

The scathing thought of execrated years!

Behold—but who hath seen, or e'er shall see,

Man as himself—the secret spirit free?

Yet was not Conrad thus by Nature sent

To lead the guilty—Guilt's worst instrument—

His soul was changed, before his deeds had driven

Him forth to war with Man and forfeit Heaven.

Warped by the world in Disappointment's school,

In words too wise—in conduct there a fool;

Too firm to yield, and far too proud to stoop,

Doomed by his very virtues for a dupe,

He cursed those virtues as the cause of ill,

And not the traitors who betrayed him still;

Nor deemed that gifts bestowed on better men

Had left him joy, and means to give again.