32
MAZEPPA.
“No matter; I have bared my brow
“Full in Death’s face—before—and now.
XIV.
“My thoughts came back; where was I? Cold,
“And numb, and giddy: pulse by pulse570
“Life reassumed its lingering hold,
“And throb by throb; till grown a pang
“Which for a moment would convulse,
“My blood reflow’d, though thick and chill;
“My ear with uncouth noises rang,
“My heart began once more to thrill;
“My sight return’d, though dim; alas!
“And thicken’d, as it were, with glass.
“Methought the dash of waves was nigh;
“There was a gleam too of the sky,580
“Studded with stars;—it is no dream;
“The wild horse swims the wilder stream!
“The bright broad river’s gushing tide
“Sweeps, winding onward, far and wide,
“And we are half-way, struggling o’er
