274 



Shot darts of rage from their green orbs of sight : 

 She heard their gibberings, and she mark'd their spite; 

 And, while they eyed her form, their care she saw 

 To grind their teeth, and whet each cruel claw. 

 Demons alike, the monarch-demon's breast 

 Appear'd least fierce ; of ills she chose the best, 

 Sought, where profaned her coral rosary lay, 

 Then slowly mounted where he show'd the way. 



Cautious he led her tow'rds his lone abode, 

 And clear'd each stone that might impede her road. 

 With pain she trod : she reach'd the cave ; but there 

 No more their weight her wearied limbs could bear. 

 Exhausted, fainting, anguish, terror, thirst, 

 Fatigue o'erpower'd her frame : her heart must bursty 

 Her eyes grow dim ! Sunk on the rock she lies, 

 And sinking, prays she never more may rise. 



VI. 



Long in this deathlike swoon she lay : at length 

 Exhausted nature show'd forth all its strength, 

 And call'd her back to life. Her opening eyes 

 Beheld a grotto vast in depth and size, 

 Whose high straight sides forbade all hopes of flight: 

 The fractured roof gave ample space for light, 

 Through which in gorgeous guise the day-star shone 

 On many a lucid shell and brilliant stone. 

 Through pendent spars and crystals as it falls, 

 Each beam with rainbow hues adorns the walls, 

 Gilds all the roof, emblazes all the ground, 

 And scatters light, and warmth, and splendour round. 

 Gently on pillowing furs reposed her head ; 

 With many a verdant rush her couch was spread; 

 A gourd with blushing fruits was near her placed, 

 Whose scent and colour woo'd alike her taste ; 

 And round her strewn there bloom'd unnumber'd flowers ; 

 Charming her sense with aromatic powers. 



