Whether Olalia's charms his tribute claim,

Her eye of diamond, and her locks of jet ;
Or whether, kindling at the deeds of Græme,

He sing, to wild Morisco measure set,
Old Albin's red claymore, green Erin's bayonet!

X.

Explore those regions, where the flinty crest

Of wild Nevada ever gleams with snows,

Where in the proud Alhambra's ruined breast
Barbaric monuments of pomp repose;

Or where the banners of more ruthless foes

Than the fierce Moor, float o'er Toledo's fane,

From whose tall towers even now the patriot throws

An anxious glance, to spy upon the plain

The blended ranks of England, Portugal, and Spain.

B

XI.

"There, of Numantian fire a swarthy spark

Still lightens in the sun-burnt native's eye; The stately port, slow step, and visage dark, Still mark enduring pride and constancy. And, if the glow of feudal chivalry

Beam not, as once, thy nobles' dearest pride, Iberia! oft thy crestless peasantry

Have seen the plumed Hidalgo quit their side,

Have seen, yet dauntless stood—'gainst fortune fought

and died.

XII.

"And cherished still by that unchanging race,

Are themes for minstrelsy more high than thine; Of strange tradition many a mystic trace, Legend and vision, prophecy and sign;

Where wonders wild of Arabesque combine

With Gothic imagery of darker shade,

Forming a model meet for minstrel line.

Go, seek such theme!"—The Mountain Spirit said: With filial awe I heard-I heard, and I obeyed.

THE

VISION OF DON RODERICK.

I.

REARING their crests amid the cloudless skies,

And darkly clustering in the pale moonlight, Toledo's holy towers and spires arise,

As from a trembling lake of silver white; Their mingled shadows intercept the sight

Of the broad burial-ground outstretched below,

And nought disturbs the silence of the night ;
All sleeps in sullen shade, or silver glow,

All save the heavy swell of Teio's ceaseless flow.