The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott ... Notes & life of the author.

36e8 TTHE VIlION OF DON BODERIOC
But Roderick's visage, though his head was bare,
Was shadow'd by his hand and mantle's fold.
While of his hidden soul the sins he told,
Proud Alaric's descendant could not brook
That mortal man his bearing should behold,
Or boast that he had seen, when conscience shook.
Fear tame a monarch's brow, remorse a warrior's look.
VIL
The old man's faded cheek wax'd yet more-pale,
As many a secret sad the king bewray'd;
And sign and glance eked: out the:unfinished tale,
When in the midst his faltering whisper staid.
"Thus royal Witiza was slain," —he' said;
"Yet, holy father, deem not it was I."Thus still Ambition strives-her crimes to shade —
" 0 rather deem'twas stern necessity!
Self-preservation bade, and I must kill or. die.
VIIL
"And, if Florinda's shrieks alarm'd the air,
If she invoked her absent sire in vain,
And on her knees implored that I would spare,
Yet, reverend priest, thy sentence rash refrain!All is not as it seems-the female train
Know by their bearing to disguise their mood:"
But Conscience here, -as if in high disdain,
Sent to the Monarch's cheek the burning bloodHe stay'd his speech abrupt-and up the Prelate stood.
"0 harden'd offspring of an iron race!
What of thy crimes, Don Roderick, shall I say?
What alms, or prayers, or penance. can efface
Murder's dark spot, wash treason's stain away!:For the foul ravisher how shall I pray,
Who, scarce repentant, makes his crime his boast?
How hope Almighty vengeance shall delay,
Unless, in mercy to yon Christian host,
He spare the shepherd, lest the guiltless sheep be lost." —
X.
Then kindled the dark tyrant in his mood,
And to his brow return'd its dauntless gloean;