Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 2.djvu/163

XLVI.

From the dark barriers of that rugged clime,
⁠Ev'n to the centre of Illyria's vales,
⁠Childe Harold passed o'er many a mount sublime,
⁠Through lands scarce noticed in historic tales:
⁠Yet in famed Attica such lovely dales
⁠Are rarely seen; nor can fair Tempe boast
⁠A charm they know not; loved Parnassus fails,
⁠Though classic ground and consecrated most,
To match some spots that lurk within this lowering coast.

XLVII.

He passed bleak Pindus, Acherusia's lake,^N17
⁠And left the primal city of the land,
⁠And onwards did his further journey take^[1]
⁠To greet Albania's Chief, whose dread command^N18
⁠Is lawless law; for with a bloody hand
⁠He sways a nation, turbulent and bold:
⁠Yet here and there some daring mountain-band
⁠Disdain his power, and from their rocky hold
Hurl their defiance far, nor yield, unless to gold.^N19

XLVIII.

Monastic Zitza!^[2] from thy shady brow,^N20

⁠Thou small, but favoured spot of holy ground!

1. [The travellers left Prevesa on October 1, and arrived at Janina on October 5. They left Janina on October 11, and reached Zitza at nightfall (Byron at 3 a.m., October 12). They left Zitza on October 13, and arrived at Tepeleni on October 19.]
2. [On the evening of October 11, as the party was