And that brief dream appear'd a life too long. 35
And gazing on the dead, she thought his face
Faded, or alter'd into something new?
Like to her father's features, till each trace
More like and like to Lambro's aspect grew?
With all his keen worn look and Grecian grace;
And starting, she awoke, and what to view?
Oh! Powers of Heaven! what dark eye meets she there?
'Tis?'tis her father's?fix'd upon the pair!
36
Then shrieking, she arose, and shrieking fell,
With joy and sorrow, hope and fear, to see
Him whom she deem'd a habitant where dwell
The ocean-buried, risen from death, to be
Perchance the death of one she loved too well:
Dear as her father had been to Haidee,
.
DON JOAN, CANTO 2 / 729
It was a moment of that awful kind?
I have seen such?but must not call to mind. 37
Up Juan sprung to Haidee's bitter shriek,
And caught her falling, and from off the wall
Snatch'd down his sabre, in hot haste to wreak
Vengeance on him who was the cause of all:
Then Lambro, who till now forbore to speak,
Smiled scornfully, and said, 'Within my call,
A thousand scimitars await the word;
Put up, young man, put up your silly sword.'
38
And Haidee clung around him; 'Juan,'tis?
'Tis Lambro?'tis my father! Kneel with me?
He will forgive us?yes?it must be?yes.
Oh! dearest father, in this agony
Of pleasure and of pain?even while I kiss
Thy garment's hem with transport, can it be
That doubt should mingle with my filial joy?
Deal with me as thou wilt, but spare this boy.' 39
High and inscrutable the old man stood,
Calm in his voice, and calm within his eye?
Not always signs with him of calmest mood:
He look'd upon her, but gave no reply;
Then turn'd to Juan, in whose cheek the blood
Oft came and went, as there resolved to die;
In arms, at least, he stood, in act to spring
On the first foe whom Lambro's call might bring.
40
'Young man, your sword'; so Lambro once more said:
Juan replied, 'Not while this arm is free.'
The old man's cheek grew pale, but not with dread,
