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canto i.]
LARA.
345
So femininely white it might bespeak
Another sex, when matched with that smooth cheek,
But for his garb, and something in his gaze,
More wild and high than Woman's eye betrays;
A latent fierceness that far more became 580
His fiery climate than his tender frame:
True, in his words it broke not from his breast,
But from his aspect might be more than guessed.[lower-roman 1]
Kaled his name, though rumour said he bore
Another ere he left his mountain-shore;
For sometimes he would hear, however nigh,
That name repeated loud without reply.
As unfamiliar—or, if roused again.
Start to the sound, as but remembered then;
Unless 'twas Lara's wonted voice that spake, 590
For then—ear—eyes—and heart would all awake.
Another sex, when matched with that smooth cheek,
But for his garb, and something in his gaze,
More wild and high than Woman's eye betrays;
A latent fierceness that far more became 580
His fiery climate than his tender frame:
True, in his words it broke not from his breast,
But from his aspect might be more than guessed.[lower-roman 1]
Kaled his name, though rumour said he bore
Another ere he left his mountain-shore;
For sometimes he would hear, however nigh,
That name repeated loud without reply.
As unfamiliar—or, if roused again.
Start to the sound, as but remembered then;
Unless 'twas Lara's wonted voice that spake, 590
For then—ear—eyes—and heart would all awake.
XXVIII.
He had looked down upon the festive hall.
And mark'd that sudden strife so marked of all:
And when the crowd around and near him told[lower-roman 2]
Their wonder at the calmness of the bold.
Their marvel how the high-born Lara bore
Such insult from a stranger, doubly sore,
The colour of young Kaled went and came.
The lip of ashes, and the cheek of flame;
And o'er his brow the dampening heart-drops threw 600
The sickening iciness of that cold dew,
That rises as the busy bosom sinks
With heavy thoughts from which Reflection shrinks.
Yes—there be things which we must dream and dare,
He had looked down upon the festive hall.
And mark'd that sudden strife so marked of all:
And when the crowd around and near him told[lower-roman 2]
Their wonder at the calmness of the bold.
Their marvel how the high-born Lara bore
Such insult from a stranger, doubly sore,
The colour of young Kaled went and came.
The lip of ashes, and the cheek of flame;
And o'er his brow the dampening heart-drops threw 600
The sickening iciness of that cold dew,
That rises as the busy bosom sinks
With heavy thoughts from which Reflection shrinks.
Yes—there be things which we must dream and dare,
