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XII. 



The monks obeyed. Then, then in Irza's soul 

 What various passions raged, and mock'd control ! 

 Now how she mourn'd, now how she wept for joy, 

 How loathed the sire, and how adored the boy ! 

 The barge is gain'd ; they row. When, lo ! from high 

 Her ear again receives that well-known cry, 

 That sad, strange moan ! she starts, and lifts her eye. 

 There, on a rock which fenced the strand, once more 

 She saw her demon-husband stand : he bore 

 Her beauteous babe ; and, while he view'd the barge, 

 Keen anguish seem'd each feature to enlarge, 

 And shake each giant limb. With piteous air 

 His arms he spread, his hands he clasp'd in prayer; 

 Knelt, wept, and while his eye-balls seem'd to burn, 

 Oft show'd the child, and woo'd her to return. 

 His suit the monks disdain ; the barge recedes ; 

 More humbly now he kneels, more earnest pleads. 

 But when he found no tears their course delay, 

 And still the boat pursued its watery way; 

 Then, 'gainst his grief and rage no longer proof, 

 He gnash'd his teeth, he stamp'd his iron hoof, 

 WhirPd the boy wildly round and round his head, 

 Dash'd it against the rocks, and howling fled. 



Loud shrieks the mother ! changed to stone she stands, 

 And silent lifts to heav'n her clay-cold hands : 

 Then, sinking down, stretch'd on the deck she lies, 

 Hid her pale face, and closed her aching eyes. 

 But hark ! why shout the monks? — " Again," they said, 

 " Again the demon comes ! " with desperate dread 

 Starts the poor wretch, and lifts her anguish'd head. 

 Yes ! there the infant-murderer stood once more, 

 But now far different were the looks he wore. 

 No bending knee, no suppliant glance was seen, 

 Proud was his port, and stern and fierce his mien. 

 His blood-stain' d eye-balls glared with vengeful ire ; 

 His spreading nostrils seem'd to snort out fire. 



