XLVIII.

Hear its voice, hear!—a cry goes up to thee,

From the stain’d sod; make thou thy judgment known

On him the shedder!—let his portion be

The fear that walks at midnight—give the moan

In the wind haunting him, a power to say,

“Where is thy brother?”—and the stars a ray

To search and shake his spirit, when alone

With the dread splendour of their burning eyes!

So shall earth own thy will—Mercy, not sacrifice!