While up the hall she slowly pass'd, Her dark eye on the King she cast, And scarce the shame-faced King could brook The gaze that lasted long. A sage, who had that look espied, Where kindling passion strove with pride, Had whisper'd, " Prince, beware! From the chafed tyger rend the prey, Rush on the lion when at bay, Bar the fell dragon's blighted way, But shun that lovely snare!" XX. At once, that inward strife suppress'd, The dame approach'd her warlike guest, With greeting in that fair degree, Where female pride and courtesy : Are blended with such passing art As awes at once and charms the heart. A courtly welcome first she gave, Then of his goodness 'gan to crave Construction fair and true Of her light maidens' idle mirth, Who drew from lonely glens their birth, Nor knew to pay to stranger worth And dignity their due; And then she pray'd that he would rest The Monarch meetly thanks express'd; The banquet rose at her behest, With lay and tale, and laugh and jest, Apace the evening flew. XXI. The lady sate the Monarch by, Now in her turn abash'd and shy, And with indifference seem'd to hear The toys he whisper'd in her ear. Her bearing modest was and fair, Yet shadows of constraint were there, That shew'd an over-cautious care Some inward thought to hide; Oft did she pause in full reply, And oft cast down her large dark eye, Oft check'd the soft voluptuous sigh, That heaved her bosom's pride. Slight symptoms these, but shepherds know How hot the mid-day sun shall glow, From the mist of morning sky; And so the wily Monarch guess'd, More ardent passions in the breast, Than ventured to the eye. Closer he press'd, while beakers rang, While maidens laugh'd and minstrels sang, Still closer to her ear But why pursue the common tale? Or wherefore shew how knights prevail When ladies dare to hear? Or wherefore trace, from what slight cause Its source one tyrant passion draws, Till, mastering all within, Where lives the man that has not tried, How mirth can into folly glide, And folly into sin! END OF CANTO FIRST. |