Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/318

286 So thrilled, so shuddered every creeping vein,

As now they froze before that purple stain.

That spot of blood, that light but guilty streak,

Had banished all the beauty from her cheek!

Blood he had viewed—could view unmoved—but then

It flowed in combat, or was shed by men!

XI. "'Tis done—he nearly waked—but it is done.

Corsair! he perished—thou art dearly won.

All words would now be vain—away—away!1600

Our bark is tossing—'tis already day.

The few gained over, now are wholly mine,

And these thy yet surviving band shall join:

Anon my voice shall vindicate my hand,

When once our sail forsakes this hated strand."

XII.

She clapped her hands, and through the gallery pour.

Equipped for flight, her vassals—Greek and Moor;

Silent but quick they stoop, his chains unbind;

Once more his limbs are free as mountain wind!

But on his heavy heart such sadness sate,1610

As if they there transferred that iron weight.

No words are uttered—at her sign, a door

Reveals the secret passage to the shore;

The city lies behind—they speed, they reach

The glad waves dancing on the yellow beach;