Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/550

512 VIII.

And with the morn he sought and found,

In many a tale from those around,

The proof of all he feared to know,

Their present guilt—his future woe;

The long-conniving damsels seek

To save themselves, and would transfer

The guilt—the shame—the doom—to her:

Concealment is no more—they speak

All circumstance which may compel

Full credence to the tale they tell:

And Azo's tortured heart and ear

Have nothing more to feel or hear.

IX.

He was not one who brooked delay:

Within the chamber of his state,

The Chief of Este's ancient sway

Upon his throne of judgment sate;

His nobles and his guards are there,—

Before him is the sinful pair;

Both young,—and one how passing fair!

With swordless belt, and fettered hand,

Oh, Christ! that thus a son should stand

Before a father's face!

Yet thus must Hugo meet his sire,

And hear the sentence of his ire,

The tale of his disgrace!

And yet he seems not overcome,

Although, as yet, his voice be dumb.

X.

And still,—and pale—and silently

Did Parisina wait her doom;