But ere a long and oily speech had closed,98
Astutio, who the hall, when it begun,
Had left, to seek the prince (whom he proposed,
If yet the tidings to his ear had won
Of his foe's envoy, by some smooth pretext
To lull), came back with visage much perplext—
And whisper'd Ludovick—"The King has fled!"99
The Vandal stammer'd, stared, but versed in all
The quick resources of a wily head,
That out of evil still a good could call,
He did but pause, with more effect to wing
The stone that chance thus fitted to his sling.
"Saxon," he said, "thus far we had premised,100
And if still wavering, not our heart in fault.
Three days ago, the Cymrian king, disguised,
First drank our cup, and tasted of our salt,
And hence our zeal to aid you we represt,
Deeming your foe was still the Vandal's guest.
"Lo, while we speak, the saints the bond release;101
Arthur hath gone from us;—the host is free."
"Arthur—the Cymrian!" cried the envoy. "Peace;
In deeds, not words, men's love the Saxons see:
Gone!—whither wends he? But a word I need—
Leave to the rest my bloodhounds and my steed."
Dumb sate the Vandal, dumb with fear and shame:102
No slave to virtue, but its shade was he;
A tower of strength is in an honest name—
'Tis wise to seem what oft 'tis dull to be!
A kingly host a kingly guest betray!
The chafing Saxon brook'd not that delay—
But turn'd his sparkling eyes behind, and saw103
His knights and squires with zeal as fierce inflamed,
And out he spoke,—"The hospitable law
We will not trench, whate'er the guest hath claim'd
Let the host yield! forgive, that, hotly stirr'd,
His course I question'd; I retract the word.
"If on your hearth he stands, protect; within104
Your realm if wandering, guard him as you may;
This hearth not ours, nor this our realm;—no sin
To chase our foeman, whatsoe'er his way:
Up spear—forth sword! to selle each Saxon man—
Unleash the warhounds—stay us those who can!"
Loud rang the armèd tumult in the hall;105
Rush'd to the doors the Saxon's fiery band;
Yell'd the gaunt bloodhounds loosen'd from the thrall;
Steeds neigh'd; leapt forth the falchion to the hand;
Low on the earth the bloodhounds track'd the scent,
And where they guided there the hunters went.
Amazed the Vandal with his friend debates106
What course were best in such extremes to choose;
Nicely they weigh;—the Saxons pass the gates:
Finely refine;—the chase its prey pursues.
And while the chase pursues, to him, whose way
The dove directs, well pleased, returns the lay.
Twilight was on the earth, when paused the King107
Lone by the beach of far-resounding seas;
Rock upon rock, behind, a Titan ring,
Closed round a gorge o'erhung with breathless trees,
A horror of still umbrage; and, before,
Wave-hollow'd caves arch'd, ruinous, the shore.