616 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1815. 
Cautious with course circuitous they shunn’d 
The embattled city which in oldest time 
Thrice greatest Hermes built, so fables say, 
Now subjugate, but fated to behold 
Ere long the heroic Prince (who passing now 
Unknown and silently the dangerous track, 
Turns thither his regardant eye) come down 
Victorious from the heights, and bear abroad 
Her banner’d Lion, symbol to the Moor 
Of rout and death through many an age of blood, 
Lo there the Asturian hills! far in the west, 
Huge Rabanal and Foncebadon huge, 
Pre-eminent, their giant bulk display, 
Darkening with earliest shade the distant vales 
Of Leon and with evening premature. 
Far in Cantabria eastward the long line ' 
Extends beyond the reach of eagle’s eye, 
When buoyant in mid-heaven the bird of Jove 
Soars at his loftiest pitch. In the north, before 
The travellers the Erbasian mountains rise, 
Bounding the land beloved, their native land. 
How calmly gliding through the dark blue sky 
The midnight moon ascends ; her placid beams, 
Through thinly scattered leaves and boughs grotesque, 
Mottle with mazy shades the orchard slope; 
Here, o’er the chesnut’s fretted foliage grey 
And massy, motionless they spread; here shine 
Upon the crags, deepening with blacker night 
Their chasms ; and there the glittering argentry 
Ripples and glances on the confluent streams, 
A lovelier, purer light than that of day 
Rests on the hills; and oh how awfully 
Into that deep and tranquil firmament 
The summits of Auseva rise serene ! 
The watchman on the battlements partakes 
The stillness of the solemn hour: he feels 
The silence of the earth, the endless sound 
Of flowing water soothes him, and the stars 
Which in that brighest moon-light well-nigh quench’d, 
Scarce visible, as in the utmost depth 
Of yonder sapphire infinite, are seen, 
Draw on with elevating influence 
Towards eternity the attemper’d mind. 
Musing on worlds beyond the grave he stands, 
And to the Virgin Mother silently 
Breathes forth her hymn of praise. 
