Then loathed he in his native land to dwell, Which seem'd to him more lone than Eremite's sad cell. V. For he through Sin's long labyrinth had run, Nor made atonement when he did amiss, Had sigh'd to many, though he loved but one, And that loved one, alas! could ne'er be his. Ah, happy she! to 'scape from him whose kiss Had been pollution unto aught so chaste; Who soon had left her charms for vulgar bliss, And spoil'd her goodly lands to gild his waste, Nor calm domestic peace had ever deign'd to taste. VI. And now Childe Harold was sore sick at heart, And from his native land resolved to go, woe, And e'en for change of scene would seek the shades below. VII. The Childe departed from his father's hall : So old, it seemèd only not to fall, Yet strength was pillar'd in each massy aisle. Monastic dome! condemn'd to uses vile! Where Superstition once had made her den, Now Paphian girls were known to sing and smile; And monks might deem their time was come agen, If ancient tales say true, nor wrong these holy men. VIII. Yet ofttimes in his maddest mirthful mood, Strange pangs would flash along Childe Harold's brow As if the memory of some deadly feud But this none knew, nor haply cared to know: Nor sought he friend to counsel or condole, Whate'er this grief mote be, which he could not control. IX. And none did love him: though to hall and bower He gather'd revellers from far and near, He knew them flatterers of the festal hour; But pomp and power alone are woman's care, And where these are light Eros finds a feere; Maidens, like moths, are ever caught by glare, And Mammon wins his way where Seraphs might despair. X. Childe Harold had a mother - not forgot, Though parting from that mother he did shun; A sister whom he loved, but saw her not If friends he had, he bade adieu to none, Yet deem not thence his breast a breast of steel: Ye, who have known what 'tis to dote upon A few dear objects, will in sadness feel Such partings break the heart they fondly hope to heal. XI. His house, his home, his heritage, his lands, Might shake the saintship of an anchorite, Without a sigh he left to cross the brine, And traverse Paynim shores, and pass Earth's central line. XII. The sails were fill'd, and fair the light winds blew, As glad to waft him from his native home; And fast the white rocks faded from his view, And soon were lost in circumambient foam; And then, it may be, of his wish to roam Repented he, but in his bosom slept The silent thought, nor from his lips did come One word of wail, whilst others sate and wept, And to the reckless gales unmanly moaning kept. XIII. But when the sun was sinking in the sea, He seized his harp, which he at times could string, And strike, albeit with untaught melody, When deem'd he no strange ear was listening: And now his fingers o'er it he did fling, And tuned his farewell in the dim twilight; While flew the vessel on her snowy wing, And fleeting shores receded from his sight, Thus to the elements he pour'd his last “Good Night." Adieu, adieu! my native shore The night-winds sigh, the breakers roar, And shrieks the wild sea-mew. Yon sun that sets upon the sea Farewell a while to him and thee, A few short hours, and he will rise And I shall hail the main and skies, |