[Pg 41]

[Pg 41]

BOOK II.

Day's golden eye had closed, his ruddy light

Expiring on the bosom of the night;

And solitary twilight's deepening shade

In dusky robe the firmament array'd.

The moon, resplendent, fill'd her glittering throne,

And tipp'd with yellow gems all ether shone.

The breeze was silent on the glassy deep,

And half the world was sinking into sleep:

Save where the shepherd led his fleecy train

To crop the verdure of the moon-light plain;

[Pg 42]

Save where the warder on the turret's height

Trimm'd his weak lamp, and watch'd the bell of night,

And the lone captive, in the dungeon's gloom,

With beating pulse look'd forward to his doom.

Still Harfagar refused the gift of rest;

His country's cares lay brooding in his breast:

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