III.

But there are sounds that from the regal dwelling

Free hearts and fearless only may exclude;

’Tis not alone the wind at midnight swelling,

Breaks on the soft repose by luxury woo’d!

There are unbidden footsteps, which intrude

Where the lamps glitter and the wine-cup flows;

And darker hues have stain’d the marble, strew’d

With the fresh myrtle and the short-lived rose;

And Parian walls have rung to the dread march of foes.