Thus have I seen a tiger fierce,
Now tranquil, now with rage
Revolve himself each side across,
And round his narrow cage.
Thus pacing o'er the carpet there
His footsteps are not heard,
But soundless they, yet were distinct
As ever that he stirr'd,
The crackling of his arms and knees:
In distant lands, 't is said,
That with like noise has Heaven supplied,
For man to shun in dread,
O, wonder rare! a serpent, named
Thence Rattlesnake, that springs
Quick at the moment it comes nigh,
And kills whomever it stings.
The Lady was Padillia,
That sat in mournful strain;
And the stern silent Cavalier
Don Pedro, King of Spain.
III.
As round some solitary tower,
At setting of the sun,
Fierce birds of prey are whirling seen,
