VI.

VI.

See the pale tyrant in his lofty tow’rs, In reckless revelry employ his hours; No blood, though torrents round his dwelling roll, Dims the forbidden[8] sparkle of the bowl. His form gigantic, and commanding mien, The eye of memory ne’er could quit, once seen. Yet there, no foulness stain’d, no beauty shone, If each stern feature were remark’d alone;-- But all united, the tremendous whole 269 Went, in an instant, through the awe-struck soul-- All, all appear’d t’ announce--this, this must be Almost a demon, or a deity.

But lo! a messenger, whose reeking steed Bears tacit witness to its rider’s speed, Stops at the palace gate:--“Haste, haste, I bear “Important tidings to the Sultan’s ear.” Admittance granted, from his breast he drew A scroll, and gave it to Alvante’s view:-- The Sultan open’d it--his steady cheek Was little wont his inward thoughts to speak; 280 But, as he read, his varying hue exprest That Fury’s tortures rack’d his raging breast;-- Knit were his sable brows--his flashing eye Shone like some orbit in a clouded sky;-- Fierce tow’rd his giant form, his hand of war Stretch’d down to grasp his pond’rous scymitar;-- His sounding voice was like the thunder’s roll, And all the hero swell’d his mighty soul:-- “’Tis well; the rebel boy shall rue the hour “When first he dar’d to tempt Alvante’s pow’r:-- “Brav’d by a stripling! where is then this arm, “At which whole squadrons fled with dire alarm? “Am _I_ not king? and shall this Ismael dare “To seize a crown which I alone should wear?-- “No, never no! but hence--command Reylain “To draw our troops before high Tauris’ plain.” He ceas’d--but still his mutt’ring tongue, the fire Which flash’d his eye, declar’d his inward ire. While deepest passions o’er his senses came, The monarch’s musing, and the hero’s flame, 300 Mingled with many a pang that conscience brought, To dampen courage, and t’ embitter thought.